A SURVEY OF HISTORY. OR. A Nursery for GENTRY.  
THEATRUM MUNDUS, AERANIU TEMPV ' HISToriae The Caurus.  
Aring Aeetaris  
Meliori nascimur aevo.  
HERODOTUS.  
T. LIVIUS.  
THUCYDIDES.  
C. TACITUS.  
LONDON Printed by. N. and john Okes 1●●●.  Will: Martial sculpsit. 
Are to be sold by jasper Emery at the Eagle and Child in Paul's Churchyard near watling street   Woodcut Frontispiece   

HISTORY Surveyed In a brief EPITOME: OR, A Nursery FOR GENTRY.  
Comprised in an Intermixed Discourse upon Historical and Poetical Relations. Wherein is much variety of Discourse and modest delight.  
By Richard Braithwaite Esquire. Oxon.  Hor. Quod verum atque decens curo & rogo & omnis in hoc Sum. 
London, Printed for J. E. and are to be sold by Nathanael Webb and William Grantham, at the Greyhound in Paul's Churchyard. 1651.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, HENRY Lord WRIOTHSLEY, Earl of Southampton, (Learning's Select Favourite;) RI. BRATHWAIT wisheth perpetual increase of best meriting Honours. 
This Historical Survey was formerly addressed in this Dedicatory Epistle to his Honour, whose living memory shall ever breathe to posterity a sweet smelling Odour. And whose unexpiring Fame, hath begot a noble emulation, in his hopeful Successor.   
Right Honourable,  
SO rarely is PALLAS Shield borne by the Noble, or supported by Such whose Eminence might Revive her decayed hopes: as Britain's Parnassus (on which, never were more inhabitants planted, and Homer-like, more usually expulsed) is grown despicable in herself, because protected by none but herself. Hinc ferrea Tempora Surgunt—: wanting their Cherishers (those Heroic Patrons) whose countenance in former times made the Studies of the Learned more pleasant (having their Labours by such approbation, seconded.) Yet in these times (my Honourable Lord) we may found some royal Seeds of pristine Nobility (wherein we may glory) reserved, as it were, from so great ruins, for the preservation of Learning, and the continuance of all virtuous Studies; amongst which your Noble Self, as generally reputed learned, so a professed friend to Such as be studious of Learning: a character which ever held best correspondency with honour, being a favourite to them who can best define honour: expressing to the life, what proprieties best concord with so exquisite a Masterpiece.  
It is observed, that all the Roman Emperors were singular in some peculiar Art, Science, or Mystery: and such of the Patricians as could not derive their native descent (w th' the particular relation of their Ancestors most noble Actions) were thought unworthy to arrogate any thing to themselves by their Virtues. These Romans were truly Noble, bearing their own Annals ever with them, either to caution them of what was to be done, or excite them to prosecute what was by them commendably done: nor knew they Honour better limned, or more exactly proportioned, than when it was beautified by the internal Ornaments of the Mind. Many I know (my good Lord) whose greatness is derivative from their Ancestors unto themselves, but much eclipsed by their own defects: and Plants which had a Noble-Grafter, use now and than to degenerate. But so apparent is Your Lustre, it borroweth no light but from yourself; no eminence but from the Lamp of Your Honour; which is ever ready to excite the Virtuous to the undertaking of labours wel-meriting of their Country, and generally profitable to all Estates. In Subjects of this nature (my Honourable Lord) I cannot found any more exact than these Surveys of Histories; many we have depraved: and every lascivious Measure now becomes an Historian. No study in his own nature more deserving, yet more corrupted none is there. O than, if those ancient Romans (Mirrors of true Resolution) kept their Armilustra with such solemnity, feasts celebrated at the Surveys of their weapons: We that enjoy these Halcyon days of Peace and Tranquillity, have reason to reserve some Time for the solemnising this peaceable Armour of Histories; where we may see in what bonds of Duty and Affection we are tied to the Almighty, not only in having preserved us from many hostile incursions, but in his continuing of his love towards us. We cannot well dijudicate of comforts but in relation of discomforts: Nor is Peace with so general acceptance entertained by any, as by them who have sustained the extremities of War. Many precedent experiments have we had, and this Isle hath tasted of misery with the greatest; and now revived in herself, should acknowledge her miraculous preservation, as not proceeding from her own power, but derived from the Supreme influence of Heaven; whose power is able to Erect, Support, Demolish, and lay waste, as he pleaseth: Hinc Timor, Hinc Amor! Hence we have arguments of Fear & Love! Fear from us to God; Love from God to us: 'Cause we have to Fear, that subject not our understandings to the direct Line and Square of Reason, but in our flourishing Estate (imitating that once renowned Sparta) who was— Nunquam minus faelix, quam cum faelix visa—; Abuse those excellent gifts we have received, contemning the menaces of Heaven, and drawing upon ourselves the viols of God's wrath, heavier diffused, because longer delayed. We should recollect ourselves, and benefit our ungrateful minds with these considerations: that our present felicity be not buried in the ruins of a Succeeding Calamity.  
These Histories (my noble Lord) be the best representments of these motives. And in perusing Discourses of this nature (next to the Sacred Word of God) we are strangely transported above human apprehension, seeing the admirable Foundations of Commonweals planted (to man's thinking) in the Port of security, wonderfully ruinated: grounding their dissolution upon some precedent crying sin, which laid their honour in the Dust, and Translated their Empire to some (perchance) more deserving people. Here Civil Wars, the Original causes of the Realm's subversion: There Ambition bred by too long success: here Emulation in Virtue, the first Erectresse of a flourishing Empire: There Parasites, the Scarabees of Honour, the corrupters of Royally disposed affections, and the chiefest Engineres of wrack and confusion, buzzing strange motions in a Prince's Ear, occasioning his shame, and their own ruin. Here States happy, before they raised themselves to the highest type and distance of happiness. And generally observe we may in our Human Compositions, nothing so firm as to promise' to itself Constancy, so continuate as to assure itself perpetuity, or under the Cope of Heaven, any thing so solid as not subject to Mutability.  
This Survey (my Lord) have I presumed to Dedicated to your Honour, (sprung from a zealous and affectionate tender) not for any meriting Discourse which it comprehends, but for the generality of the Subject: and Native harmony wherein Your Noble disposition so sweetly closeth with it.  
Your Protection will raise it above itself, and make me proud to have an Issue so highly Patronised: It presents itself with Fear, may it be admitted with Favour: So shall my Labours be in all duty to Your Honour devoted, my Prayers exhibited, and myself confirmed  
Your Lordships wholly, Ri. Brathwait.   

To the Understanding READER.  
SO many idle Pamphleteers Writ to Thee now a days, as thy understanding (in my Judgement) seems much disparaged. I have ever resolved to have this Motto: Catoni solus dormio: But where that Cato is, 
This las● Impression to afford the Nobly & Historically affected all generous content; comes forth now otherwise attired then it was at first Published: being revised, corrected, & copiously enlarged.  there's the difficulty. He is too heavy for the Court, too Wise for the City, and too precise for the Country. If my Book chance to find him, I know my Subject shall be entertained, and my Petition shall be heard, for, Auriculos Asini non habet— To give my Labour but impartial censure.  
How studiously, copiously and usefully this last Edition hath been Enlarged, may appear by Digits or Signatures in the Margin every where expressed. Understand thyself, Reader, and thou understands me: If thou battle at Ordinaries, thou art not for me, thou hast thy Wit in the Platter: for I never knew him wise, that only delighted to  
Fare well. R.B.   

An Exact Table, or Compendiary; no less plainly than briefly directing to all such Subjects, Stories, Historical and Poëticall Relations; with all other intermixed Discourses materially and Methodically contained and continued in this SURVEY Of HISTORY, or NURSERY for GENTRY.  

THE Author Methodically brancheth these his Historical Relations into a threefold Division. 

1. Scope of Histories. p. 1. p. 2  
2. Fruit of Histories. p. 1. p. 2  
3. The profit redounding to private Families by Histories. p. 1. p. 2    
What the Scope of all Historical Discourses should be. pag. ib.  
A full Survey of what h'as been done, with a comparable Relation of what is now done; by conferring persons and Actions preceding, with these now in present enjoying, becomes an excellent benefit redounding from History to retired Spirits. pag. 4.  
Ignorance in writing, (and consequently, a deficiency in the Relation of any memorable action) became a great wa●t to that Imperial State of Congo. pag. 5.  
History defined and described. p. 6.  
Those most fit to govern Nations, who have power to moderate their natural passions. pag. 9  
A Cities triumphant Motto. p. 11.  
How amongst other memorable Monuments; Statues, Imperial Coins, and Metals; an Vine proportioned to the Ancient Oval Form, was lately found near to the Borough-Towne of Kendal: And, which is more remarkable, in a Dale, anciently called Pot-field. pag. 14.  
Ladies much addicted both to perusing and compiling of Histories; illustrated by sundry instances, to their succeeding memory. pag. 16. 17. etc.  
The Office of an Historian. p. 21.  
Use of Transcriptories. p. 27.  
A memorable Caveat for all corrupters of Justice. pag. ib.  
What honour the World's Monarch did to Homer. pag. ib.  
The Method Poets retained in their Historical Measures, Historical Relations. p. 28.   

Several Fruits of History. p. ib  
A more select and peculiar Fruit of History. p. 29.  
Historians improved by intelligence and perusal of others Labours. p. 31. An error in the folio.  
The people of China retained a certain form of Cyphering long before our invention of Printing. p. 32.  
Divers memorable Works amongst the ancient have perished, through want of Transcribing to posterity. p. 33.  
As we have the benefit of Print, so are those Works to produce some benefit, which we intent to Print. p. 34.  
Use of Travel and Example. p. 37.  
Imitation in Virtue. p. 38.  
Excellent Emblems for deblazoning corrupt Justice. p. 39  
True Fortitude described. p. 42.  
The Great man's Motto. p. 44.   

WHat Style best serves an History. p. 50.  
Diversity of affections in Princes. p. 51.  
Breach of promise held a great dishonour amongst the Ancients. p. 53  
Memorable Examples in revenging Disloyalty. p. ib.  
Deserving men punished by the suggestions of ill Offices. p. 54.  
No end of popular hate. p. ib.  
Security the ruin of Sovereignty. p. 56.  
Civil Wars leave in a distracted State the deepest wounds. p. ib.  
How studious the Romans were of Histories. ib.  
The Excellency of a composed mind. p. 58.  
A princely Emblem of Mortality. p. 61.  
Man's Life contracted to a narrow span. p. 62.  
DIvision of Histories; p. 64. 

1. Divine.  
2. Discursive.  
3. Moral.  
4. Physic. or  
5. Mixt.    
Such deservingly taxed as corrupt the Text, and rack the Sacred Sense with their enforced Allegories. p. 65.  
Not to mix sacred with profane. p. ib.  
Corrupters of Scripture. p. ib.  
Discursive Histories. p. 66.  
Division of Discursive Histories. p. ib.  
An employment of especial consequence recommended to our Gentry, to whom he addresseth this Survey of History. p. 67.  
The Satirical Historian, and the Sycophant Historian. p. 70.  
A Rule how to rectify imitation of Errors; by Historical Directions. p. 73.  
States, when seeming most secure from their Enemies, aught to be lest secure in their own confidence. p. 74  
An apt resemblance of the humours in the body, to the qualities of the mind: or a Relation of the outward humour, to the inward tempe●. p. 75.  
Ample Pensions allowed in former times to Historians. p. 77.  
A modest Caution for all Historians. p. 78.  
The Commendation of a sincere Historian. p. 79.  
A free discussing and discarding of fruitless Labours, comparing them to the Mindian Buildings. p. 80.  
A Reproof of Licentious Libels. p. 81.  
A pretty passage betwixt a Scriviner and a trifling Author. p. 84.  
A Description of the Satirical Historian. p. 85.  
An useful Observation of the humour of seditious and factious Writers of our Time. p. 86.  
A true Aphorism occasioned from them. p. ib.  
Trajan, that Precedent of Princes for Moral Piety and Royal Clemency, had factious and stirring Spirits both in Camp and Court. p. 92.  
A Memorable, Christian and Royal Expedition. p. 94.  
A mischievous plot to cross that Expedition. p. ib.  
Factious Historians amongst the Ancient. ib.   

AN excellent Mean for an Historian to observe betwixt those Two Extremes, Assentation and State-invection. p. 95.  
The Description of a flattering Historian. p. 96.  
Learning of too precious a Memory, to become Mercenary. p. 97.  
Scholars are to leave this deserving Motto of Solons to their Country; and if she reward them not, let it redound to her ignominy. O my dear Country, both in word and deed have I assisted thee! p. 98.  
Philosophy, and Poësy the Flower of Philosophy, are Receipts against all adversity. p. ib.  
Moving Historians. p. 100  
How to move Passion, and by what circumstances. p. ib.  
An excellent Art in moving Passion, instanced in Appian. Alexandrinus. p. 101.  
A memorable Story of an unnatural Son, and his miserable end. p. 102.  
An excellent Discourse of Imperial frailty; illustrated by Instances of deservingst memory. p. 105.  
No Empire can confine the heart of her Emperor. p. 106.  
Lively Impressions of remorse, drawn from the Son to the Father. p. 107.  
Comparing of Histories very necessary. p. 108.  
A difference among the Pagans' in their Computation of years. p. ib.  
Transcriptions often times uncertain and defective. p. 112.  
Plutarch styled the Father of Historians, and prime Founder of Histories. p. 113.  
The variety of Discourse in Laërtius. p. ib.   

FEigned Relations or Poëticall Histories: Comprising their Worth in this Impress:" Divina Poësis, generosa Phronesis. p. 114.  
Homer an Excellent and Heroic Po●t●; only shadowed at, because the Author understood that his Judicious Friend Mr. T.H. had long ago taken in hand (by his great industry) to make a General (though Summary.) Description of all the Poet's Lives; with the Portratures of their Persons: to which He wisheth fare more felicity than accrued to his Mysterious Discourse of Angels. p. ib. marg.  
Labours disparaged by Translators. p. 115.  
Many illiterate of the exactest Judgement. p. ib.  
The free passage of wanton Works, the main Source of corrupting Youth. p. 116.  
Unless Occasions be prevented, the most integrious may be impeached. p. ib.  
A just reproof of indiscreet Translations. p. 118.  
The frequency and beauty of the Latin Tongue. p. 121.  
A Relation of Hercules Labours. p. 123.  
How Invention may stand with the contexture of an History. p. 124. Excellent Emblems shadowed under Poëticall Fictions. p. ib.  
A witty Confutation of Pagan Superstition. p. 125.  
Feigned Histories approved, tending to Instruction. p. 128.  
Such Histories only merit that name, which yield profit with delight. p. 129.  
He falleth upon a just reproof of useless Readers of Histories: with such as cull only grounds for themselves, to comply with th●ir own desires. And these He distinguisheth into three sorts: 

Ambitious. p. 100L.  
Voluptuous. p. 100L.  
Covetous. p. 100L.    
The Ambitious man's Object in his Reading. p. ib.  
The Voluptuous man's Object in his Reading. p. 131.  
The Covetous man's Object in his Reading. p. 134.  
He resembles fruitless Readers to useless Travellers, who take notice of such things as are most frivolous, or which is worse, vicious. p. 135.   

HE descends to the second Branch of his Historical Division: treating of Moral Histories. p. 136.  
Moral Histories, or Narrations in su●h Histories, highly commended; with their ●ffects. p. 138.  
The praise of Moral History. p. 142  
A Caution for our Silken Gallant. p 144.  
Plato's Definition of Man inverted. p. ib.  
The fruit of Moral Reading. p. 145.  
Acknowledgement of our Errors, whether it be in our Dialect and form of speaking, or manner of living: with an ingenuous submitting of our Labours to the free Censure of others, argues a great measure of Sobriety and Discretion in us. p. 146.  
Self-conceit a blemish to the exactest Labours: Neither shall such Authors free themselves from malicious Censure. p. ib.  
These Times old in Years, but young in Hours. p. 150.  
A Reproof of the Age, in her disesteeming Authors: and slighting their Labours. p. ib.  
The Ca●se why Learning is contemned. p. 153.  
To whom Death is not terrible. p. 154.  
An excellent Observation by a Tyrant. p. 155.  
Agathocles Emblem renewed; ib. is as it is portrayed to Life. p. 61.  
Morality, Man's Anatom. p. 155.   

THE several kinds of Physical Observation. p. 156.  
The Crocodile and johreumon, though two Beasts, in Nature different, are by one peculiar Nation (Egypt) equally reverenced.  
He continues the Description of the Natures of divers Serpents; extracted from the Historical Description of Africa. p. 157.  
The Region of Congo, by the Testimony of Signer Od●a●do, (a man principally consequenced in those parts) as it is in Vipers numerous, so are they so venomous, that such as are bitten by them do dye within the space of 24. hours: But the Negroes are acquainted with certain Herbs that will heal their wounds. p. ib.  
The various venomous qualities of Spiders cured by Music. p. 158.  
Excellent Morals upon those Relations. p. ib.  
The meanest Creatures retain in them many secret qualities. p. 159.  
What Princes best affected those Studies of discovering the Natures of Beasts, Birds, Serpents, etc. p. 160.  
Courageous Dogs presented by the King of Albany, to Alexander the Great. p. 161.  
An exquisite Description of the Natures of Beasts. p. ib.  
Of the Natures of Plants. p. 162.  
Of the Natures of Ours. p. ib.  
The Knowledge of these expedient, though not necessary. p. 163.  
A just complaint against such, who consume the Oil of their Life, in frequenting Lose places: how to rectify this, that their own Families may become private Academies. p. 165.  
The Emperor Octavian would not suffer his Daughters to be without some Art, 
Ego possem de pau●erari, tunc ●iliae meae ●um labore ●ossent se ●utrire. ●id. Aurel. ●ict.  Science, or Mystery; saying: He might become poor, and than his Daughters might by their honest Labour relieve both themselves and their Father. p. 166.  
A tempestuous Progeny in a calm time. p. ib.  
Emblems of Birds. p. 169.  
The Contemplation of the Creature, ministers admiration in us toward our Creator. p. ib.  
The very Atheist condemned by Birds o'th' Air: and how their Melody is ever mounting with aery wings to that Supreme Majesty. p. 170.  
How miserable it is, for man to be silent in God's praise, when Birds become heavenly Choristers in sending forth sweet Airs. p. 171.  
Creatures ordained to Sobriety and Morality. p. 173.  
The distinct Natures of Beasts expressed. p. 175.  
Those Times wherein the Roman Wars raged fiercest, and rung farthest, were not known to that Vnfrier-like Invention of murdering Ordinance. p. 176.  
He proceeds in applying the Natures of several other Birds to the sundry different qualities, or corruptions, rather, in Man. p. 178.  
Pleasant Poëticall Fictions of the Enmity of Birds. p. 180.  
A sweet-sented Courtier properly resembled. p. 182.  
What the Poets intended by their Transformations. p. 183.  
A Countrey-seated Citizen properly resembled. p. ib.  
The constant Love, and amicable League of Birds amongst themselves. p. 184.  
Why Birds of Rapine are most hated. p. 185.  
Why Night-Birds are had in pursuit. p. ib.  
Resemblances in Beasts. p. ib.  
Several proprieties resembling several persons. p. 187.  
He recounts sundry other Birds, which retain in them naturally, infallible Notions of the change and various disposition of Weathers: illustrated by several Instances. p. 188.  
A Divine Contemplation upon Survey had to the lowest of God's Creatures. p. 190.  
Natures of Serpents, and of Pagan Adorations: wherein He referreth the Reader to that Discourse of ●sia, and Africa, entitled: The fardel of ●ash on's. p. 192.  
Of the different Nature, Form, feeding and feature of Serpents, especially upon the River Nilus. p. ib.  
The Worm a motive of Thankfulness; and the best Character of human frailty; instanced in a Meditation of wonderful Piety. p. 193.  
Diversity of natures in Fishes. p ib.  
What rare properties are in the Ambizimatare or the fish of the Rock. p. ib.  
Contention amongst Fishes. 194. p.  
The different nature's of Fishes; and wherein properly they allude to Man. p. ib.  
The study of Kings in Plants, Herbs and Fruits, etc. p. 198.  
To what especial Resemblances these Trees be accommodate. p. 199.  
Teare-shedding Trees. p. ib.  
A resemblance of Odours, Flowers, and other Beauties to the inward Graces and Ornaments of the Mind. p. 200.  
He amplifies this discourse of Plants, Herbs, and Fruits. p. ib.  
The best Lecture any man can read, is to read Man. p. 201.  
The wonderful various fruits of the Palmtree in Congo. p. ib.  
The proper ends and accommodations of apparel. p. 203.  
Of precious Stones. p. 204.  
The virtues of Stones described. p. 205.  
The patiented man compared to the Stone Galasia; Diamond, or Amiantus. p. ib.  
Strange effects in Stones. p. 206.  
Allusions of certain Stones to internal graces. p. ib.  
Resemblances of Precious Stones to those choice virtues which should appear in man: with their distinct properties or effects. p ib.  
How Mahomet the first deluded his credulous posterity, with an opinion of miraculous Sanctity, in that very monument which he had caused to be erected at Mecha in his memory: p. 210.  
Of Minerals: Ours the lower laid, the better when discovered: the deeper grounded, the purer when refined. p. 213.  
The North part famous for Copper-workes; a great improvement to the State and Country: with the revival of those Works, by Sir Basil Brookes and Captain Whitmoo●e, men of incomparable industry and ingenuity. p. 214.  
A pretty Caution for a Miser. p. ib.   

Mixed Histories. p. 215.  
Mixed Histories composed of all lands. p. 216.  
The Commendation of Mixed Histo ies; with instances of sundry Historians both Ancient and Modern, who have been usefully versed therein. p. ib.  
A singular observation recommended to Gentlemen in their reading of History. p. 21●.  
Plutarch's paraleling of Princes, highly commended. p. ib.  
Mixed Histories require a general knowledge, and extend farther than all the rest. p. 220.  
A judicious distinguishing of wits. p. 221.  
Example of mixed Histories. p. 221.  
Mixed Histories most fruitful. p. 222  
Occasions of enfeebling the greatest and flourishingst Sta●es, take breath from these three particulars: 
MART! praelium, ME●CVRIO prelum, utrunque timendum.  Innovation in Government, Manners, Habit. p. ib. 

GOVERNMENT. p. ib.  
MANNERS. p. 214.  
HABIT. p. 225.    
Innovation in Government, Manner's Habit, occasions of enfeebling a State, and laying her honour in dust. p. ib.  
Causes precedent, directors to the events. p. ib.  
Distinct proprieties in all Histories. p. 226.  
Inclinations different in Princes. p. ib.  
An observation worthy our note; Subtle Counsels ever produce unprosperous ends: And to their Counsellors popular hate. Contrariwise, Virtue ever attended with a prosperous end. p. 227.  
Policy her own ruin, exemplified. p. ib.  
The misery of Ambition. p. 228.  
Greatness can be no Subterfuge to guiltiness. p. 230.  
Unconscionable Prollers should be made Sponges of, for example of o●hers. p. ib.  
What Subject best concord's with mixed Histories. p. 231.  
Three things necessarily required in Histories of this nature: 

1. Truth in relating. p. 232.  
2. Explanation in discovering. p. 232.  
3. Judgement in distinguishing. p. 232.    
Histories should be true, or retain a resemblance of truth. p. ib.  
Probabilities in all Historical passages highly commended. p. 233.  
Improbabilities in all Historical passages highly discommended. p. ib.  
Not Croesus' Treasure, but a precedent Displeasure caused victorious Cyrus to invade Lydia. p. 234.  
Absurdities in Historians of our time. p. 239.  
Explanation in discovery of causes. p. 241.  
A concord in circumstances amongst Historians. p. 241  
The harmony of Historians in their Relations, though writ in several Ages. p. 242.  
The event gathered by foregoing causes. p. 246.  
The Army's strength balanced by the General's worth. p. ib.  
The indiscretion of Commanders, the utter subversion of their designs. p. ib.  
The rare expression of a compassionate disposition. p. 249.  
Contempt of Religion, the cause of Realm's subversion. p. 250.  
This, even the very Heathen have observed:" If rifling Temples were sacred, what could beeholden sacrilegious? p. ib.  
Such things as be above us, be not to be argued of us. p. 251.  
Kingdoms brought to acknowledgement, by the taste of miseries. p. 252.  
Sanctuaries never well frequented, but when dangers approached. p. 253.  
Fear will suppling the most insensible Atheist, and enforce him to prayer. p. 254.  
Causes, Directories of events. p. 255  
A disposition (reflecting upon the Divine Ordinance) yet not limited; an Order, yet not coacted; a means, yet not enforced. p. 256.  
Many Kingdoms much renowned by that means, which makes them most debased: Self-conceit. p. ib.  
Honour the best, when it is derived from ourselves. p. 257.  
Degeneration. p. 258.  
The praise of such who raise a Family by their own demerits: And this procured by three means: p. 259 

1. Gown. p. ib.  
2. Sword. p. ib.  
3. Mechanic Art. p. ib.    
Emulation amongst men of Note p. ib.  
Some of our best Philosophers, Orators, Rhetoricians and Historians, though they were not Coëtaneans with those Princes in living with them: yet were their Works, after their decease, highly endeared and honoured by them. p. 261.  
An Exemplary Lesson for all Ambi●dexters. p. ib.  
The wonderful establishing of the Turkish Empire. p. 266.  
Arguments of the approaching Subversion of the Turkish State. p. 267.  
Concealed Reasons not to be searched. p. ib.  
We are not to pry too curiously into the sealed Cabinet of God's Counsel. p ib.  
That Sacred-secret Consistory is not to be searched (because sealed) with too much Curiosity. p. 268.  
An excellent Receipt for all such as labour of too much Singularity. p. 270.  
Dijudication of Histories. p. ib.  
Two sorts of Discourses eclypsing the glory of an Historian: 

1. Sensuality. p. 271.  
2. Impertinency. p. 271.    
Light and wanton Works are to be exiled in every Civil State. p. 273.  
Learning never but than deserves the Laurel, when it is virtuously fruitful. p. 274.  
Chemic Opinionists. p. 275.  
State Stigmatists. p. 276.  
Factious Questionists. p. ib  
☞ Menippus his free reproof of rigid Censurers; whose judgement only consists in razing Labours, and disheartening Authors: while their innocentest Lines are often misconstrued; their Sense corrupted. p. 280.  
Two sorts of sinister Readers of History: 

1. Curious. p. 286.  
2. Calumnious. p. 286.    
An opinionate Reader, an incompetible Censor of another's Labour. p. ib.  
Deliberation needful in Histories of main consequence. p. 287.  
Discovery of Vices abroad, many times instruct us in the very same at home. p. ib.  
Many men of maturest Experience, have and do give way to sen fall obedience. p. 288.  
He holds him for stupid, who for fear of Death, dies all hi● life long: And him for wicked, who lives without fear of it, as if there were none at all. p 289.  
Foreign vices become nat'rallized, and ●ade ours by imitation. p 291.  
Strange Novelties draw attention, move approbation, if probability be mixed in the Discourse. p. 294.  
Opinions drawn from divers Authors should be reconciled. p. 295.  
A double defect: 

1. Obstinate. p. ib.  
2 Ignorant. p. ib.    
Words should be accommodate to the Matter, not the Matter to the Words. p. ib.  
What dress both for choice of Words, and disposition or Phrase, best becomes an History. p. 296.  
Whatsoever tastes of Affectation, digresseth from this Disposition. p. ib.  
Tragical Acts breathing naught but passionate Airs, amply illustrated by those inhuman cruelties lately committed by the Groats and Curl in Germany. p. 300.  
Benzo's sad Relations in the Island of Hispaniola. Benz. in Hist. Ind. ib.  
The World's Anatomy. p. 302.  
A witty conce●t of a bold Artisan. p. 305.  
A modest discovery of the abuses of the time; how they are to be searched; how cured. p. ib.  
A threefold Discourse branched into a three fold Observance; showing how: 1. Some Books are to be tasted. 2. Some to be swallowed. 3. Few to be chewed and digested. p. 307.  
Three Observances worthy our Consideration in Reading: 

1. Willingness. p. 308.  
2. Diligence. p. 308.  
3. Intelligence. p. 308.    
Use of those three Observances. p ib.  
The Method prosecuted. p. 309.   

Use of History p. ib.  
The true Characterall Portraiture of a Miser. p. 310.  
His insatiate desire of increasing his State; his useless ends in disposing his Store. Some whereof we have here lately had; who, as they abridged Nature of her due, and died in her Debt; so they could not perform the Office of Nature long before their Death. p. 312.  
The Miser's profit by History. p. 314  
A Miser cannot be rich. p. ib.  
A Miser his own Executioner. p. 315.  
A Contrariety in two different dispositions. p. ib.  
The Liberal man's Aphorism. p. 316.  
The Character of a Liberal man. p. ib.  
Examples of Liberality. p. ib.  
The bounteous dispositions of many noble Personages Historically amplifide. p. 317.  
Examples of opportunate bounty, extracted from the Storehouse of History. p. ib.  
It closeth with more Majesty to make Kings, than to be a King. p. 320  
An Usurer never found his Country's friend. p. 324.  
An Usurer bountiful against his william. p. ib.  
Examples of bounty amongst the Syracusans. p. ib.  
A Description of the City Agrigentum, planted on that flowery Mountain Agragas in Sicily. p. 325.  
A memorable Instance of Hospitality. p. ib.  
Miserable ends of Misers. p. 326  
The Prodigals humour displayed. p. 327.  
His Fauns or Followers, his Sponges. p. 328.  
His Father's injurious do, his undoing: his raising, his ruin. p. 330.  
The Young man's Maze. p. ib.  
Our Predecessors Virtues, Motives of imitation. ib.  
Histories, best discoverers of Errors. p. 331.  
Instances of famous Delinquents. p. ib.  
History the best Touchstone to dijudicate 'twixt what is good and ill. p. 332.  
How to be Masters over our own affections. p. 333.  
Admirable effects drawn from History, in subduing our affections. p. ib.  
No malady but may find a Receipt to ●ure her, or alloy her distemper by the help of History. p. 334.  
Passions proceeding from brainsick Lovers, etc. p. 338.  
A Lovers Ecphonesis: closing with Love's Metamorphosis. p. ib.  
What honour is to be ascribed to Continence. p. 339.  
The History of the Sybarite Crathis. p. 342  
How soon a precious name is lost; with what difficulty regained. p. 343.  
The pleasure of Sense short; the purchase shame. p. ib.  
The fall of Parasites. p. 345.   

PArticular profit drawn from History, to particular persons: being the third Branch methodically arising from this Survey. p. ib.  
What fabulous Histories more suffered than approved. p. ib.  
The History of Don Quixotte, a witty invention, but full of distraction. p. 346.   

HIs Judgement of divers approved Historians; extracted from the best Authors. p. 347.  
Josephus commended. p. 355.  
Circumstances in the jewish Water give an excellent beauty to the Discourse. p. ib.  
V●spatian is said to have his Tents first pitched on Mount Olivet, where our Saviour was taken. p. ib.  
The judgement of God in that History most remarkable. p. 356.  
A commemoration of Divine Histories. p. ib.  
Insolency punished. p. ib.  
An excellent Example. p. 357.  
Punishment alluding to the condition of the fact. p. ib.  
Blasphemy punished p. ib.  
The like exemplary punishments inflicted on other Delinquents. p. 358.  
The corruption of Maximinus body seconded the Tyrant's cruelty: dispatching such with his stinch, whom he had reserved for that death in his healthful estate. p. 359.  
An usual means used by the Ethnics of reclaiming drunkards from their bestial filthiness. p. 361.  
Every Vice briefly deciphered. p. 362.  
Economical Histories, teaching private Families how to be disposed. p. ib.  
Necessary instructions for all private estates. p. ib. & p. 363, 364, 365.  
Historians most profitable to the Commonweal. p. 365.  
Enmity amongst Historians themselves. p. 366.  
A compendious discourse of the general profit of History. p. 367.  
An apt Similitude comparing History to a Banquet. p. 368.  
A review of those former collections, applying them to our present occasions. p. 374.  
History compared 

1. to a Banquet. p. ib.  
2. To a Field. p. 383  
3. To Builders. p. 385.    
History to a discreet Ea●e, the delightful'st harmony. p. 381.  
An exact Historian, a select companion. p. 382.  
Instruction the light of understanding. p. 388.  
Histories, Mirrors of all States. p. 389  
Histories must not partialize. p. 389.  
History the best Herald for deblazoning Virtue or Vice. p. 390.  
Three especial qualities suiting well with the condition of any Eminent Person. p. 391  
Rome in her decay, comparable to the Phoenix. p. 395.  
A Christian consideration of the Power and Majesty of God. p. ib.   

PRofit derived from Histories to Private Families. p. 395.  
The description of a Manners danger. p. 396.  
The Soldier's discipline by Histories. p. ib.  
A Motive of thankfulness, derived from a commemoration of man's irreparable misery, without God's ineffable mercy. p. 397.  
Four several Philosophers ascribed Deities to the four Elements. p. ib.  
All Arts may be reduced to noble attempts and condign fortunes by their own professions. p. 402.  
The discovery of Royal Errors; where, in former times Subjects to their Princes, became Slaves to their Errors. p. ib.  
Machiavels Positiont p. 483.  
No Estate secure without the protection of a Supreme Power. p. ib.  
Examples, best motives to piëty, confirmed by the Orator Demosthenes. p. 408.  
No Image so near to life, as the History of man's life. p. 410.  
History directs man in the progress of his life. p. 413.  
History prepares man in his passage from life. p. 414.  
The conclusion of this Surveyed closed in this serious approvement: Historical Relations, become Records of Public and Private Experiments. p. 415.    

Imprimatur  
THO. WYKES R. P. Episco. Lond. Capell. Domest. MARCH 26. 1638.   

A SURVEY Of HISTORY: OR, A NURSERY for the GENTRY.  

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

THE true use and scope of all Histories aught to tend to no other purpose, than a true Narration of what is done, or hath been achieved either in Foreign or Domestic affairs; with a modest Application (for present use) to caution us in things Offensive, and excite us to the management of employments in themselves generous, and worthy imitation.  

☞  For the true description of History; as it hath ever been held the Treasury of Time, in which were laid up and deposited the Actions and glorious Exploits of preceding Worthies: As we would be very loathe, that any Evidence importing our private estates, should be either diminished or darkened: so much more, in what might consequently tend to the prudent mannagement of public Estates, to suffer the lest obscurity, would argue in us either an apparent disesteem of our Praedecessors actions, or a remissness in ourselves, to neglect so spreading or propagating a Seminary; which, as former times recommended to our care, so should it be our care by a discreet circumspection, to preserve.  
Let us than reflect a little upon the Utility of it, besides those incomparable delights, which to a modest and serious judgement, are highly reputed.  
First, should these Annals perish, what more could the merit or approvement of Virtue gain to herself, but what the injury of Times usually throws upon deserving personages, Oblivion? No difference betwixt the desperate attempts of an impiously-audacious, and odiously-perfidious Catiline, and a noble State-affecting Utican. Nay, we should loose those Eminent Types and Copies of all imitable Morality, should we in rubbish bury the Surviving Records of History. We shall here see, what even Moral Natural men observed, and how constantly they stood in defence of what their glorious lives have proposed. No danger so apparent, no threat so truculent, no Opponent so over-awing or violent, which could weaken their Resolves, or make them Recreants to their just Designs. The whole progress of their Lives, as it was a continued Line, whose period ever closed with Honour: so were their Deaths not less memorable, and in their setting sent forth the best lustre.  
How sweetly than relish these Discourses to a retired Spirit? who, withdrawn from employment either through infirmity of Age, weakness of Health, or disrespect of Time, may take a full Survey of what has been done, with a comparable Relation of what is now done: 
An excellent benefit redounding from History to retired spirits.  and so by conferring Persons and Actions preceding, with those now in present enjoying; may collect the vicissitude of times, and become an Agent by reading, what they could not aspire to by personal action.  
And with what easy sweetness may this be acquired? With what a pleasing privacy purchased? They need not expose themselves to the perils of a feare-surprized Camp, nor the surging billows of a raging Ocean: Their private Arbour may be their Sentinel; no Alarms to disturb them, no fears within, nor foes without to distemper them. And having taken a full and free perusal of former States, with the strange grounds of their rising, and their unexpected Catastrophes in their declining: what singular uses may they propound to themselves, by consideration had to the mutable and anxious Conditions of all times: seeing how even those Republics, which promised to themselves most security, were enforced to run into other channels, and to have their memories drowned in them, when they had mounted to the highest pin and pitch of Felicity: And these to discourse of with a confident judgement, as if they had been Actors personally in these Scenes: what useful knowledge may it beget to themselves, what delight to their Hearers?  
Secondly, should these memorable Records be lost, which have only power to keep men alive, when seeming dead, 
This that Imperial State of Congo, had she been sensible of her own wants, might have perceived; who keeps no Histories of their ancient Kings, nor any memorial of the Ages p●st, because they can not writ. They measure their times generally by the Moons: they know not the Hours of the Day, nor of the night: but they use to say In the time of such a Ma●, such a thing happened.  and by the Revival of their Actions, to produce in stirring spirits a desire of emulating their Virtues, the very form and Method of ancient governments, whose platforms have not a little conduced to the managing and marshalling of present Estates, should be utterly razed and extinguished.  
What excellent Lawgivers have former Ages yielded? what useful Laws have they enacted? How strongly these laboured to preserve, what their care had studied and published? How strictly moderate became many States, which discreet Sobriety ever redounded to their succeeding glory?  
Nor did they, though their darkened Judgements could never reach to a true and infallible conceit of Eternity; show the lest ostentation in the course or pursuit of their Actions, or State-directions. Their desire was to express a real goodness, without erection of Statues, to memorise them to after-ages. Honour they sought not, being conferred on them unsollicited; and disvalue by them, when freely offered. These, Histories commend, and tender them to our observation, as Moral Precedents deserving our imitation.  
Can we than eye these, and conceive no desire of rectifying ourselves? Shall Moral men, who confined their hopes to Elysian Chimaeras, outstrip us, who retain in us higher hopes, and make Eternity our Sphere? Shall we peruse t●ese without a glowing blush, when we consider what beamlings of a divine Intellect darted themselves on these, in comparison of that pure Diaphanicall light which so gloriously shines upon us?  

Melanct. in Epist. ad tert. Lib. Chron. Carion.  He described History in a just model and proportion, who termed it the very Picture, Emblem, or Mirror of Mankind: wherein are to be seen the perplexities and perils of Empires, and of the Church itself: upon Survey whereof, and an equal reflex to ourselves, we may learn how to demean us in a modest way, both in respect of a civil Society, 
vid. Brit. Orig.  and politic government, as likewise in the Church Militant; especially, by taking notice of our own and others infirmities, bethinking always of this, how that Divisions from what Origen or Source so ever they spring, are not so soon quenched; and how for the most part, long continued Wars, and mutations of States are successively derived from one breach. These, former times have ever observed; and by their Observations happily succeeded. They made use of Histories, as principal directions for State-government. They collected what was imitable, and they reduced them to use. They found no State so secure from foes abroad, or fears within, as it felt not many times the hostile incursion of the one, as well as the private intrusion of the other. This made them more secured, because others mishaps kept them from holding themselves too secure. They observed the occasions of rising States, with the probable reasons of their decline. They found a period to the most flourishing Empires, and gathered thence, (with a free and ingenuous acknowledgement, their dependence upon another more absolute independent power) no policy nor human providence could divert, what that Divine Sovereignty had decreed.  
This the prudent'st and powerfullest have seen instanced, and in this World's Theatre presented, and in the discovery of them have trembled. Foolish wisdom they found in whatsoever was human: when many times, their own strength became the ruin of their State; by converting their own powers, and turning the edge of their own Swords upon their own bleeding Entrailss; as if they had aimed at nothing more, than to lay their own Provincial honour in the Dust, and to raise a new fabric of Estate to some other surreptitious Nation. What variety of Examples, Stories will afford us of this nature, I appeal to the Candid and impartial Judgement of any pure or uncorrupted Censor.  
Again, to take a view of the mutable condition of all States; and how Victorious Princes, whose Mottoes seemed to vie with the Herculean Non ultra; became either personal Actors of their own Tragedies, or visible Spectators of their unexpected miseries: And therein more unhappy, because once happy, would afford not less matter of admiration, than motives of compassion. Mithridates that invincible Prince and incomparable Artist, even He, who had discomfitted in divers set battles, Lucius Crassus, Opius Quintus, and Manius Acilius, being at last overcome by Scylla, Lucullus, and utterly by Pompey, for all his Infinite Treasure in Talauris; those many Confederate Princes which admired his Valour, interposing themselves to prevent his danger, and the ample boundiers of his Kingdom so largely extended; had for all this, his body (the poor remainder of so great glory) buried at the charge of the Romans, being sent by Pharmaces in Galleys to Pompey.  
Nor shall we have only here presented as in a Crystalline Mirror, these Tragic Disasters of eminent Princes, whose falls, as they were steps to others rising, so were they excellent Lectures of Instruction to all ambitiously aspiring; but likewise the infelicity of such who adheered to them: yet, behold the misery of Greatness! Neither could others miseries inform them, nor their precipitious falls caution them, nor those numerous Instances of mutability recall them. Diadems were more attractive Objects than to be lost through fear, or rejected for a powerful Competitor. Sovereignty is a taking bait; yet is it ever accompanied with hopes and fears. This caused Antony's Angel to be afraid of Octavius Angel.  
Albeit, some, whose solid Judgements or bitter Experience had wrought deeper impressions in their composed tempers, were so fare aliened from this conceit of admiring Greatness, or titular State, as they conceived nothing more miserable than to be so surcharged. Seleuchus being King, and one of an extensive power, was want to say, that if a man knew with what cares a Diadem was clogged, he would not take it up though it lay in the Street.  
When the Romans had despoiled Antiochus of all Asia, he gave them great thanks, saying, they had rid him of many insupportable cares.  
This princely composure of affections wrought no less effects upon Dioclesian, who voluntarily relinquished the flourishingst Empire in the world.  
Nor can we esteem any person more truly deserving Honour, than he, who can with a composed mind and cheerful affection, as if he were engaged to no such glorious yoke, suffer himself to forgo it, and retain still the same spirit, when in the eye of the World he seems most dejected. A Philosopher perceiving Dionysius to sit merrily in the Theatre, 
Those most fit to govern Nations, who have power to moderate their natural passions  after he was expulsed his Realm, condemned the peop● 〈◊〉 banished him: Holding those more fit to govern States, who could moderate their affections, attemper their passions, and discover a cheerful countenance in troubled waters.  
Neither many of those ancient Heroës, so much transported with an ambitious desire of Sovereignty, 
Cic. Tusc. Quaest lib. 1.  as they were with the apprehension of a glorious Victory. This made that fluent, but affective Orator, so much enlarge himself, in the recital of those noble and memoralble actions done by Themistocles and Epaminondas: which he continues in this ample Memorial to their succeeding glory. The Sea shall sooner overwhelm the Isle itself of Salamine, than it shall drench the remembrance of the Salamine Triumph; and the Town of Leuctra in Boaetia shall sooner be razed, than the remembrance of the Field there fought, forgotten; exemplifi'de in the prowess of Themistocles and Epaminondas.  
Their aims were confined to their own Fame, or Country's Renown: their ambition was not to govern, but to conquer; as others of more remiss and retardate spirits, rather to govern than conquer: which diversity of dispositions may be found portrayed to life upon the Survey of History.  
So as, it pleased the Orator to call History the Glass, or Mirror of man's life; charactering the whole compass of this Universe, the states of Princes, events of Wars, conquests of renowned Captains, even all Designs, either public or private, by a succinct Description, or Map rather, expressing every particular Affair: and what (as a worthy Historian hath observed) can be imagined more worthy admiration, than in a safe and retired Port, in the Harbour of secure Rest, in our private Reposes, to see there a Prince beleaguered with many Hostile Opponents, strait by miraculous means defeating them, and by his own policy, (the supreme purpose of the Almighty) to plant himself in tranquillity, where (as fare as human Apprehension could reach) naught but imminent ruin could be expected: there a City by wise and discreet government wonderfully preserved: here amidst concealing or shadowing rather of the Conquerors exploits by his moderation in conquering, implies how be could bear his fortunes, if he were conquered. We may read no State in herself so secure, but may be shaken; exemplified well in Rome, the Governess of ample Territories, and now made subject to those which were her subjects: Not Prince of so prosperous employments, so successive proceed, or general forces, but either vanquished at home or abroad: abroad by foreign powers, or at home by his own illimited affections; instanced in that great and potent Prince of Macedon, who (though Prince of the whole world) could not play Prince of his little world, being slaved to distempered passions. No City but sore harased, if not razed. Nor could that Italian Tryacala (which taking her denominate from the Greek, comprehends all beauty) stand against the injury of Time, or withstand the battery of all assaults, which makes me tax that City of Arrogance, (whereof Hippolytus speaketh in his Book of the Increase of Cities) upon the gates whereof was this Impress engraven, 
The City's Motto triumphant.  Intacta manet. To see these States so well and lively decoloured, cannot confer less delight (being grounded on Virtue, where all true and perfect delights be seated) than the Relation of the Trojan Affairs (being made by so excellent and experimented an Historian as Ithacus) delighted that chaste Greek Penelope: Theseus Travels Ariadne, or Alcides' Labours Omphale. But to the use of History.  
History being a Mint of profit and delight, the seasoning of more serious studies, the Reporter of cases adjudged by event, the interlude of our haps, the image of fortune, the compendiary director of affairs, the representer of human success, the infallible character (by collation had with things past, and things to come) of succeeding events: should not aim at lascivious stories, amorous subjects (unless by way of digression to smooth a serious discourse with a modest insertion of mirth) but to prosecute the argument of the History without frivolous Ambages, or impertinent circumstances. Affectation ill beseems an Historian: For he should understand what office he supports; not any thing drained from his own invention, but to perform the charge of a sincere relation. I approve of his opinion that thought, Invention to be lest needful to an Historian, but Disposition more than to any. It is sufficient for an Historian to express what he hath read or seen, truly, without concealing any thing, in partial respect to any person, making truth the period of his discourse. The Philosopher thought a poor man was not to be an Historian: for necessity would enforce him to temporise and observe humours: Nor a rich man, for he had his eye fixed upon his estate, and durst not un-rip great men's errors, jest he should loose by his labours. But I disapprove his censure, and resell it with another's opinion of the same sect: Simo dives, de fortunis & infortunijs scribat, sic enim utriusque fortunae sortem aequius ferat. Si pauper, de fortunis scribat, ut cum eas attigerit, melius eas regat & teneat. The error of judgement should not be appropriated either to want, or eminence of fortune: for so should we subject the inward to the outward, the intellectual power to the external varnish; preferring the eye of the body before the light of the mind. Yet to intermeddle in estates, so much as to disable them (by extenuating their powers) lessening their revenues, or eclypsing their pristine honour and eminence, by mentioning some insuccessive events they have had by war, or other occurrents, I wholly disallow it; proceeding either from private envy to the State, or from malevolent nature (unsitting for so good a professor) apt to sting all, because an enemy to himself and all. State's should not be laid too open: but when occasion serves to describe the seats of Countries, Regions, etc. or to touch the manners and conditions of inhabitants, how they live, and to what trade's most inclined, with whom they have commerce, or the like, will not derogate any thing from the Scope of an History, or any way imply a digression. It is thought (and that by the Authentick'st Historians) that Caesar, by the description of Volateranus, which he made of Britain, declaring how the people were savage, and unapt for military discipline, the places of defence unprovided: and than showing how fruitful the whole Island was, replenished with all necessaries; was induced to take his expedition into Britain, and to conquer it, though prevented by a Brutus, who, to rid Rome of his tyranny, restored poor Britain to her liberty, for his journey was stayed by Death.  

☞  Albeit, what sovereignty the Romans had in this Island, may appear by those numerous Cohorts, Colonies, and Regiments disposed and dispersed throughout most places of consequence in this Kingdom. Besides those many different Coins, Monumental inscriptions, ancient Sculptures and Impressures, all which confirm their long reside, command and plantation with us.  
Antiquities of this kind are very frequent, especially in the Northern parts; where sundry sorts of Metals, Stones, with much Art and Curiosity engraven, are ofttimes found in the ruins of some demolished Fort, or turned up with the ploughshare; as an Urn, proportioned to the ancient Oval form, was lately found near to the Borough-Towne of Kendal: wherein were bones, some solid, others turned to ashes; all whice imply what near society, and continued corrospondence they held with us.  
Nor should I with more free election or affectionate devotion, recommend any Stories to the Survey of our Gentry, than these, which inform them in the knowledge of their own Soil: wherein they shall find many memorable Relations, worthy their observance and retention. For, albeit we esteem him no man of Travail, unless he hath traversed foreign Countries, and conversed with them both in their Language and Manners: yet shall I ever hold this for an undoubted positive Doctrine; that should we find a man who had entered commerce with the whole World, could discourse of the diversity of all Tongues, and return their proper distinct Idioms: yea, such an one, as had ingratiated himself by his Gentle garb in the affection of all Estates; and in a polished formal discourse could tell you, how he had seen judasses' Lantern at St. Dennisses, the Ephesian Diana in the Lowre, the great Vessel at Heidelberg, the Amphi-Theatre at Vlismos, the Pyramids of Egypt, with the incredible manner of their Obits, the Stable of the great , or the Solemnities of Mecha: yet were all these general Notions of foreign States useless, being estranged from the knowledge of his own Native Soil. Yea, should he enlarge his discourse in all these, by expressing himself in such a Dialect, as might deservingly beget an Admiration in the Hearer, yet descending to his own, and showing himself most ignorant, wherein he should be best experienced, he could merit no less than just reproof: in so undervaluing his own, as to publish himself sufficiently read in all places but at home. An English fault I must confess; whose condition it is to admire nothing more, nor with an eager affectation to pursue aught more, than the fancies and shadows of Strangers: Whose fashions be they never so unbeseeming, they cannot want our imitation, because introduced by a strange Nation. These resemble Painters, whose Art it is to make f ces, but to forget their own.  
Nor is it my purpose in this, to tax the commendable Travails of such, who with much danger and hazard have improved their own knowledge, and benefited others by their undertake in aslayes of this nature. Travail I know to be the most accomplished ornament of a Gentleman: enabling him both for business and discourse: but to travail so fare from our own, as to make ourselves strangers to what neareliest concerns us, argues a neglect in ourselves, by a contempt or disesteem of our own.  
We shall read in all Records of antiquity, with what heat and height of desire, all such persons as interessed themselves in compiling any Historical relations, ever pitched upon description of their own Countries: with a continuation of such Heroic acts, exploits, and designs, as might confer a deserving lustre upon her. Mean time, it was not the lest of their care to bestow an impartial pen in the deblazon of every person or action. Their greatest ambition was, to magnify truth: to  virtue with her own native habit, and discover the deformity of vice, were the subject never so eminent, whereof they wrote.  
Neither were these Tasks only for masculine Spirits: 
Ladies much addicted both to perusing & compiling of Histories.  for many eminent Ladies were usually versed in these studies, to their honours, and the admiration of their Successors. Zenobia after the death of Odonatus her dear spouse, though a Barbarian Queen, yet by her reading of both Roman and Greek Histories, so managed the State after the decease of her husband, as she retained those fierce and intractable people in her obedience: and in a Princely privacy reserving some select hours for perusal of History, which held good correspondence with her Majesty, she abridged the Alexandrian, and all the Oriental Histories: a task of no less difficulty than utility, whereby she attained the highest pitch of wisdom and authority. The like inward beauty might be instanced in many other eminent Personages of that Sex; whose excellent composures in this kind survive the vading period of time; as that virtuous Cornelia, mother to the victorious Gracchus; who, as she was an Exemplar or Mirror of goodness and chastity, so by the improvement of her Education to her children, she expressed herself a noble Mother, in seasoning their unriper years in the studies of History, Poesy, and Philosophy. Next her, Portia, Brutus his wife; Cleobula, daughter to Cleobulus one of the seven Sages of Greece. The daughter of Pythagoras, who after his death governed his School; excelling in all Historical discourses, which we here so much commend; and afterwards erecting a College of Virgins, she became governess or guardinesse over it. What shall I say of Theano daughter to Metapontus, a disciple of the same Sect? What of Phemone, who first gave life to an Heroïcke Verse: and in exquisite composures recounted the memorable actions and occurrents of her time? what of Sulpitia, Calenus his wife, who left behind her most sovereign precepts touching wedlock, with the relations of that age, in a most proper and elegant stile? And Hortensia daughter to that most famous Orator Hortensius, who for copiousness of speech, gravity or weight of sentence, gave a living lustre to her lines, a succeeding fame to her works? And Edesia borne at Alexandria, one of such learning, sweetness of disposition, as she was highly admired by those that lived in her time: and amongst other excellences, singularly read in Histories; than held a study worthy the entertainment of noblest Ladies? And Corinnathia, who is reported to have surpassed the Poet Pindarus in artful and exact composures: contending with him five several times, as may be probably gathered by the testimonies of the ancient, for the Garland or Coronet, usually bestowed upon such glorious followers and favourites of the Muses? And Paula, Seneca's wife, a Matron not only improved by his instructions, but highly enriched by the benefit of her own proper studies: ever reserving some choice hours for the perusal of such relations as either in those or preceding times had occurred. So as, we may very well collect, whence the ground of her husband's sorrow proceeded, in bewailing the ignorance of his mother, not sufficiently seasoned in the precepts of his Father: by reflecting upon the abilities of his Paula, whose discourse either for History or Moral Philosophy, appeared so genuine and proper, as her very name conferred on her family a succeeding honour. Lastly (that I may not insist too long on these feminine Mirrors, jest they should tax some of our Modern Ladies of ignorance with other temporary errors) Argentaria Pollia, wife to the Heroic Lucan, is said to have assisted him in the apt composure of his Verses: being no less rich in fancy, than he himself when most enlivened by a Poëticall fury. Nor did she restrain her more prosperous studies only to dimensions, being no less conversant in Historical relations, than Poëticall raptures.  
These, as they excelled not only the most of their Sex, but the eminent'st personages of their time in a judicious and serious discussion of the fruits and benefits of History: so they deserve to succeeding times a just renuall of their memory: yea, some of their works wrought singular effect in the most remiss and pusillanimous spirits of that time. For as in a Table we eye his feature, whom we do here honour; whose representation conveighes to our heart a vehement desire of imitation, of whatsoever we know imitable in him: So History, the exact map or discovery of human affairs; personates to us in lively colours, the model of preceding times, with the dispositions of such persons as flourished in those times: which Survey begets in a manly spirit, an eager pursuit of their actions: considering, how fame is the constanst guardon of resolution. For as Themistocles walked in the night time in the open street, because he could not sleep: the cause whereof when some men did inquire, he answered that the fame-dispersed triumph of Miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest: 
Cic. Tusc. lib. 4  So the relation of others actions begets a glorious emulation in every noble spirit.  
And (doubtless) there is nothing which inflames the mind of man more unto valour and resolution, than the report of the acts of their Ancestors, whose monuments remaining of record with this impress: Non norunt haec monumenta mori, must needs stir up in them a desire of imitation.  
Many examples I could produce herein, as the Trophies of Miltiades, inducements of imitation to Caesar: the acts of Achilles to Alexander, of Ulysses to Telamonius; of the Greekish Heroës to Prymaleon, of Danaus to Lynceus, Aegeus to Theseus. Many times (we read) where a natural defect and want of courage was seated, even a retrograde from the sphere of valour, there (though a barren seedplot to work on) by Historical discourse hath magnanimity shown herself in more perfect and real colours, than if nature herself had implanted in that man a Native desire to fight; so powerful is History in herself, where nature in herself expresseth small power. This discourse therefore should not be employed in any thing save in excitements to Glory, motives to warlike designs; since by it valour is quickened, a desire of honour inflamed, Country's fame dispersed, and monuments of neverdying glory erected: O than, who should so disallow the precious treasure of a refined discourse, as to mix it with impudent & scurrilous inventions; such fictions as are not only in themselves fabulous, but to the unstaid Reader (of which sort we have too many) mortally dangerous? Which fables in my opinion fall among the impertinent & feigned Fables called Milesiae; only aiming at the depravation of manners, and the effeminating best-resolved Spirits. The ripeness whereof (by such unseasoned discourses) become blasted before their time: O that the depravednes of these times should taint so generally approved study: making Histories mere Panygiricks (Poems of adulation) to insinuate & wind themselves into the affection of the Great, leaving the Scope of an Historian to gain by their studious traffic.  
But let us return to the office of a good Historian: 
Office of an Historian.  He will not writ but upon singular Grounds, reasons impregnable; conferring with the best to make his narrations confirmed of the best: He writes the stories of Princes truly, without concealing their errors (by way of silencing them) or comment upon an History, annexing to it an unnecessary gloss. He will not be so engaged to any, as that he will be restrained of his Scope; or so countermanded, as that he must of necessity illustrate vice; virtue cannot pass without her character: A good Historian will always express the actions of good men with an Emphasis, to solicit the Reader to the affecting the like means, whereby he may attain the like end. This was the cause, all the noble Heroës in ancient time did leave to posterity their acts to imitate: not so much for recording their own memorable lives, as for the propagating their Countries eternal honour by succeeding Worthies. As those establishers of good and wholesome Laws made themselves with their Country renowned: Minos and Radamanth among the Cretensians; Orpheus among the Thracians; Draco and Solon in Athens; Lycurgus in Laecedemon; Zamolxis among the Scythians: Nor be Historians (if so the professors merit that stile) of less esteem than the prudentest and most experienced Statists. For these direct every Senator in politic affairs, by producing such as excelled in administration of justice; describing the very natures of such Laws, and the causes why such Laws were anacted to present times.  

☞  True it is, that experience hath begot wisdom, and memory as a Mother hath brought it forth. This might be instanced in nothing more to life than in these Heroic Actors, and Historical Relators of what is acted. The former by an experienced hand and resolute heart not only contrives but achieves what may most conduce to the honour of his Country, and the succeeding renown of his own family. The latter becomes a serious, constant and compatible Record to the former: by commending to writing whatsoever merited either approovement, or might justly lay an aspersion of dishonour upon the undertaker. For as the definition of History is to be circumscribed by no straighter bounds, than these proper extensive attributes: The witness of times, the light of truth, the life of memory, and the messenger of antiquity; so are all memorable actions of preceding times by her to posterity recommended: and these with the light of verity and perspecuity to be clothed; that the life of those actions may be better preserved, and antiquity in her own native, though naked habit, presented.  
It is most certain, that many excellent Patriots, whose sole honour it was to advance their Country's glory, though by their own ruin; preferring her quarrel before their own lives; have utterly refused to have any Statues erected in their memory: holding Virtue in her own pure unblemished essence, to be a monument of more perpetuity, than all material structures, liable to the period of time: yet did never any of them withdraw themselves from being recorded in these books of Fame: accounting them Earthly Elysium's, for memorizing their actions after death, which crowned their names with triumphal honours during life. Hence it was, that Cicero moved Luceius (one of a dexterous pen, and confirmed fame) to record his acts in his writings: and Plinius junior wished nothing more than to be mentioned in the Histories of Cornelius Tacitus, because he did foresee their succeeding memory.  
Now, to insist a little upon that rich and unvaluable Traffic, which these our late-declining times have had with their predecessors: we shall find, that as former States received much improvement by the relation and recollection of foreign Laws, which being made, by a discreet use and reduction of them, more proper and peculiar, highly advanced those Municipal States where they became established: So even our own times, though refined, and by collection and collation of many Laws, with election of the best, breathing nothing else than an absolute state of government, need not to be ashamed to make use of some especial Laws enacted and duly executed by Ethnics, both in meat, drink, and attire.  
For the first, the Spartans' held it no derogation nor dishonour to them, to conform themselves to the Laconian Order, strict, but healthful; proportioning such a measure both for meat and drink, as Lessius himself, had he lived in those times, might have seen his own physical directions so punctually observed, that nothing could be to life better portrayed, than to behold so temperate-abstemious a course generally practised. And to deter others from too lose and luxurious feeding; it was their care to erect sundry Statues or Images, to represent the fatall-fearefull ends of such, who exposed themselves to riot.  
As the feature of Heliogabalus, the effeminate Sardanapalus, the unbounded Ericthous, the insatiate Cambletes, whose infamous life closed itself with as ignominious a death: for this gluttonous Lydian King having in a Dream devoured his wife, while she lay sleeping with him together in the same bed; and finding her hand between his teeth, when he awaked, he slew himself, fearing dishonour. Which Models portrayed not only to life, but explained by proper Impresses, wrought wonderful effects in the taking Spectator. For as that Rhetorical Improver of his Country, and Reviver of her Language, 
Cicero.  was want to say; There is naught that can be taught without example: whence it came to be a custom amongst the ancient Lacedaemonian Fathers, to present their Eliotes, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉:  or slaves in solemn Festivals before their children, to act all their Obscenities by action, gesture, and every unseemly or undecent posture, to deter them from Drunkenness, and other bestial qualities incident to that vice.  
For the second, so cautious were former times of their Honour, and so fearful jest they should darken that divine lustre of the intellect with that broad-spreading Tetter or Deluge of liquor: Plato reports, that Kinswomen used to kiss their Kinswomen, to know whether they drunk Wine or not, and if they had, they were to be punished by death, or banished into some Island. Plutarch saith, that if the Matrons had any necessity to drink Wine, either because they were sick or weak, the Senate was to give them licence, and that privilege might not be admitted in Rome neither, but out of the City. Macrobius affirms, that there were two Senators in Rome chiding; and the one called the others Wife an Adulteress, and the other his Wife a Drunkard; and it was judged that to be a Drunkard was more infamy.  
Such strong impression had their Laws, and the life of those Laws, which is Execution, wrought upon them, as nothing became more dishonourable than this odious vice; and Heavens grant, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eccles● 31.  that it may be not less disrelished by us, who wear a far more glorious and honourable Cognisance than these Ethnics ever attained to.  
For the third, they hated nothing more than light-phantasticke habits: They were constant in their attire; their Traffic was not to engage their Country to foreign fashions; nor fool the State with Fowls feathers. It was not one of their lest cares to prevent all occasions of too sumptuous apparel in persons of all conditions: but by all means, to retain a seemly distinction or difference betwixt men of quality, and those o● obscurer rank. Yea, Histories will deliver to us what especial observances were used in all these, with the penalties inflicted upon such delinquents as were refractory in any of these.  
Now, a reflex upon these, should induce us not only to conceive all gorgeous attire to be the attire of sin, but to observe that decent form, or rule of distinction in our habit, that we may become exemplary unto others, by making use of what we have read: never holding it any derogation to receive any life of Instruction from others direction, though their Transcripts were only Ethick, and showed not in them that fullness of beauty, which now so clearly shines upon us.  

THese Ages have been, and are to this day, 
Use of Transcriptories.  much indebted to Transcriptions. Inventions are ofttimes slow, where the application of things invented to the present State seems more facile and easy: Hereto than should the Scope of Histories tend; not only to personate the Acts of men upon the Theatre of this world, but likewise to cull out such Laws, Orders, and Precepts, as well Moral as Divine, which may benefit their present estate. 
A memorable Caveat for all corrupters of justice.  Sysambris skin was a good caveate for succeeding Judges: Justice before went on crutches, and more were troubled with Demosthenes' disease than with Phoytions' bluntness. The Historian must not sow pillows to the elbows of Magistrates, nor sooth corruption with an humour of shadowing vice: He shows what was done: and commends the one to reprehend the other. Virtue never wants her Character, nor vice her reproof: For such Historical Relations as induce to virtue, and deter from vice, comprehend in them the true use of such subjects, being Apologetical and Moral to reform, not Mylesian or profane, to deform or disfigure the exact Symmetry of a virtuous Idiom. 
What honour the World's Monarch did to Homer.  No marvel if Alexander laid the works of Homer under his head, being such as directed him to be a Head, how to govern Provinces, how to sway his inordinate affections; so as Cleanthes Table (Virtue's best elucidary) had her Liberal Sciences never better portrayed, than the differences 'twixt true Fortitude, and a foolhardy boldness were by Homer deblazoned. Here a Hector, badge of true valour; there an Antenor, whose gravity purchased him honour; there a Diomedes, 
The Method Poets retained in their Heroical measures, Historical relations.  not less wise than resolved; here a Troilus, stout enough, but unadvised; here wars well managed abroad, but less successive at home, exemplified in Agamemnon; there a subtle sconce, not less freighted with policy than success, in Sinon. All these are expressed by that Heroïck Historian.  
Qui quid sit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non,  
Plenius as melius Chrysippo & Crantore dicit.  
These acts could not but minister sufficient matter of admiration to such Judicious Readers, as apprehended each circumstance in the subject; making that apt connexion of all, that the body might seem more excellent, by the proportioning of every member.   


Several fruits of History.  HIstories in themselves are divers, producing several fruits to the perusers, according to every man's affection: which made that Modern Historian compare them to a Banquet, wherein were to be served several dishes; some to provoke appetite, others to satiate; more delightful subjects penned for relishing more serious studies; graver discourses to ripen the understanding, by applying the instructions of foreign States to our own judgements: where we may make use of the best part of man (in his reasonable power) and that is Election: approving of what is good, or may in itself be beneficial to the State: and slightly observing discourses of indifferency, as accomplements, ceremonies, circumstances, and the like, resembling fair frontispieces which are made rather for ornament than use.   

IT is necessary for a good Historian to have maturity of judgement, to apprehended what is fittest for his discourse, and to be as little complemental as may be, jest the varnish mar the work; for the words of an History in my opinion jump with Mirandula:—  non sint lecta, ita nec neglecta: 
Profit of History.  the one implies a kind of dejection, the other a mind too curious to profit any, desiring only to please himself. Caesar in his Commentaries, showeth no less discipline in the Art of History, than in the discipline of Arms: using a stile as well fitting a Soldier, as curiosity the smooth tongue of an Orator. It is true which was observed of him: Si acta eius penitus ignorasses, per linguam tamen militem esse diceres: 
Si nescirem Caesarem, dicerem te militem.  Having neither his phrases too selected (as to show a singularity) or too neglected, to express a carelessness in his writing.  

☞  Now, to propose a form of Style, and what may best suit with the quality of an Historian; I will not arrogate so much to myself: only let me in a word explode that which in the opinion of all such as have writ touching the Style, carriage, or office of an Historian, deserves reproof.  
For an Historian than to use too polished or terse a Style, or to play the Orator, when he should perform the office of a Relator, would not relish of discretion. Or to spin out the web of his discourse in fruitless diversions, which rather perplex the immazed Reader, than enlighten his understanding, implies either want of matter, or want of order. To go on in a free and unaffected Style; beseems his person: proposing things done, as if they were ocularly presented: and albeit, it be not the happy fate of all Historians with the Princely Caesar and sincere Comines, to be personally present at those Conquests or Discomfits whereof they writ; yet by collections or intelligence many have composed, at lest compiled excellent works meriting no less improvement than if they had been there in person present. And no doubt, though information cannot be so firm a ground to build upon, as a personal presentation of what is done: yet, being seriously intentive and solicitous from whose relations they receive intelligence; using likewise a seasonable deliberation to try the issue or event thereof, before he commit to public, what was delivered unto him in private: he may by his own diligence, with other accommodations, perfect what he intends, and incur few obliquities.  
I have known indeed, divers, who only breathed their own Country air: and never walked farther than their own Pastures; to have writ with much confidence of foreign Seats, 
Historians by Intelligence & perusal of others Labours  the government of their State, the barrenness or fertility of their ground; the disposition of their inhabitants; their commerce with other nations. Their Laws, Edicts, and Constitutions: all which by their industrious collection they have so laboriously reduced, so properly compiled, and and methodically digested, as not only the main Basis or foundation whereon the whole Frame or Fabric of their History subsisted, but the very circumstances, inferences, and illustrations confirmed them Travellers in those Countries whereof they discoursed.  
This I confess is a great felicity in an Author, and deserves a just guerdon for his labour. Albeit, should any one unawares converse with any of these touching the Site, Degrees, or Temperature of any such Province they have described: how miserably would they wander, and commit more errors in one hours' space with their tongue, than a whole year could rectify with their pen? Relations of this nature are so got by th' Book, as their Remembrancer fails, when he is removed from his book. Nevertheless, it is not to be doubted, but that most of our ancient Historians whether Greek or Latin, have received their best helps from others Labours: which may appear by this, in that they wrote of such Persons and memorable actions as were many ages before their times. So as, not only this distinct study of History, but generally all learning hath been highly beholden to Transcriptions (as I formerly observed) for otherwise had the most eminent'st Labours in all ages perished.  
It is to be admired, by what Divine providence the ancient Records of long-preceding times have been preserved; 
The last chapter of the History of the Kingdom of China, printed in Macao, the first Latin Book that ever was printed in China, maketh mention of the Island St. Laurence under th● name of Madagascar: expressing in a proper phrase (the more to be admired in so illiterate a time) the Si●e, Distance, and Commodities of that place.  especially, wanting those improving helps of Printing; which, with what facility of Art, and felicity of Invention, have been of late years to all Christendom recommended, I leave to the judicious to conceive, and conceiving to admire that peculiar benefit.  
The people of China, indeed retained as a memorable appropriate to their antiquity, a certain form of Cyphering, whereof their impolished Art expressed some notions by stamps and impressions: but these were only of use unto themselves, being so intricate and obscure, as it had been a fruitless labour to have communicated them to any other, save only to their own Natives, without a knowing Interpreter.  
No doubt, but many excellent works formerly composed by ancient Authors, with no less industry than felicity, 
Divers memorable works amongst the Ancient have perished, through want of Transcribing to posterity.  both for Invention and Style, have perished: which might be not less probably than authentically collected by divers memorable pieces lost both amongst the Grecians and Romans. We make no question of Hortensius' Eloquence, and that divers works of his by the injury of time, have received that too common fate to Learning, extinction.  
Cordus, an impartial and uncorrupt Historian; one who suffered for the Integrity he professed: retaining ever that honest resolution, that though the general corruption of that time might truly conclude with Martial: Qui velit ingenio cedere, rarus erit.  
He ever scorned to comply with Time, or feed the humour of an imperial Libertine, or licentious Governor. This man, I say, or man of men, expressed his courage most, when those vicious and depraved times appeared worst. Yet, no doubt, many of those select and approved Labours which he had so seriously compiled, and to an Historical Method reduced, remain now obscured. Many inimitable works not only in their Embryo, but brought to their full height and accretion, were written by that matchless Caesar, whereof we have now scarce any semblance remaining. And whence proceeded this Tetter to Learning, but from the want of that which we in so accurate manner enjoy, the benefit of Printing? The tediousness of Transcribing occasioned this injury; whereas, if the knowledge of the Press had arrived there, all these inconveniences had been prevented, those ancient Monuments of Learning, Martial Experience, nay, of all Liberal Sciences had been better preserved. Those poor Arcadian Shepherds, when they had no other means to continued the memory of their actions, or perpetuate their Loves, or recommend to posterity their Rural Rhapsodies, used to endorse their passionate Expressions in Rinds of Trees; which seems pleasantly shadowed at by the Poet: 

Nomina pas●o●es inscribunt cortice ●agi; Cortice quaelaesà, non peritu●a manent.  In barks of Trees Shepherds their loves engraved,  
Which in the bowl remained, when th' rind was shaved.  So solicitous were poor Swainlins to have the memory of their Pastorals continued, as they used the best means they could to have them preserved.  
Now, to us is a fare greater privilege granted: our works may be kept to posterity without any fear of so menacing an injury. 
As we have the b nefit of P●int, so are those works to produce some benefit, which we intent to Print.  Stamped they may be with a firmer Impression, to continued their names to a succeeding generation. It rests, that as this benefit is conferred on us, we bestow our Oil on such Labours as may conduce to the public: retaining ever a virtuous scorn, to close in aught that may detract from goodness, or to smother vice in the visage of greatness.  
It was a religious Father's continuate occasion of grief, 
Aug. Med c. 4  which he expressed in many devout aspirations and pious tears, to recall to mind those lighter and less consequent Studies, which his youth had affected, concluding with this passionate confession: Those studies which I once loved, now condemn me; those which I sometimes praised, now disparrage me.  
Let us reflect on this: and become discreetly cautious what we writ; what peculiar study we address ourselves to; that our years of age may not blush when they peruse those Follies in Folio which our youth published.  
True is that constant Maxim: juventus inventioni, Senectus castigationi aptior: How pregnant soever our wits be to invent; how rich soever our fancies be to conceit; how elegant soever our style to illustrate our discourse; if the Subject tend not to the practice of Piety; but only suit with the quality of the time, exposing our Lamps to lucre, or to procure unmerited honour; our riper hours will bring us to a censure, and discover our follies in their own naked and native feature. As than, we value our honour, or shall labour to preserve our memory to a succeeding age: let nothing pass under our Pen, nor receive life from our Conceit, but what with a discreet confidence we are assured of, that it may afford much benefit to that private or public state to which it is addressed: and by a propagating power beget much profit in a conceiving Reader.  
It is an observable note, which one experienced in assays of this kind, sometimes said, and to our present purpose properly applied: It is hard when the world shall show mine infirmities under mine own hand, said that knowing Roman. The way to free us from occasional censure, is to conceal ourselves from the world, who is many times a Lynceus to the lightest error. Lateat haec una salus, was wise Ithacus his counsel to perplexed Andromache; and mine shall be the same to every Author, in this censorious Maze of opinionate frenzy. Now to the election of our Style.  
The Records of things done, commended to posterity, should not be enroled, as the Chaldees did their Hieroglyphics in Ciphers and intricate conclusions; but in words most significant, phrases modestly elegant, and discourse most pertinent. Here, by way of digression, let me touch the ridiculous labours, and unfruitful travails of such who pass the Alps, trace uncoth places, Deserts, Promontories; for what end Heaven knows, save only to wrist out a fantastic behaviour of superfluous wit, or to comment on others Travails by way of derision: These are such as upon their return, publish what they have seen; some more than they have seen, which I term Commenting Travellers: others less than they have seen, (or at lest the most impertinent) which I term fantastic Travellers. Such as lie on their Travail, either do it for admiration, or having run upon the adverse shelus of a deplored fortune, are enforced to invent strange things for the relief of their dejected estate. Such as publish less than they have seen, (omitting things of the greatest consequence, to satisfy our humours with trifles) do it to gain pregnancy, or singularity rather of conceit: they talk not of the Acts of Princes, nor the Cites of Regions, the temperature of such Climates, or any material discourse, but to show an exquisite strain of wit, purchased by a little fruitless travel: they insert frivolous occurrents, borrowed, or (it may be) invented by their own fantastic brains. These miss the mark a good Traveller should aim at: they should observe Laws in foreign places, like a good Lycurgus, to transpose so glorious a freight to their own Country. They should not (like our fashion-inventers, our Italianated Albionacts) so much observe what is worn on the body, as what habit best beseems the nature and condition of their mind. Since flourishing Commonweals are than the highest, when in external habiliments the lowest: for Sparta never flourished more, than when she conformed her State to the imitation of the Laconians. Many Realms have we known to be miraculously protected, by means of experienced men: which experience they either received by Travel or Example: yea, 
Use of travel and example.  many Empires (and those of amplest circumference) have been reduced from a kind of servitude within themselves, by experiments derived from a fare. For Travel, the excellent designs of Sertorius, Eumenes, Marius, and Antonius, may sufficiently confirm the profit to be reaped thereby. For Example: We shall read in all the Roman Annals, a certain vehement desire in all the worthy Patritians of imitating whatsoever they perceived to be worthy imitation in their predecessors; 
Imitation in virtue.  marking the events of their intendments, and collecting the goodness of the means by the prosperous success in the end. These were worthy monumental honours, that could not only imitate the virtues so transparent in others, but even exemplify their memorable actions in themselves.  
We are placed in the following Ages, but we scorn to follow the precedent times in their virtues, though expert enough in contriving politic designs: the fabric of our invention can dispose or transpose itself to any shape, any impression, for private gain or advantage: but public affairs may be Advocates for themselves; they are a Merchandise too fare estranged from our affections; none will travail to purchase their Country's peace: Solons we have few, that go mad for their Country; but Tarpeia's we have too many, that are mad with desire to betray their Country: Few Law-inacters, many Law-infringers: making wholesome Laws, like Tarandulas webs; wickets for great ones to come through, but snarls for little ones to hold.  
Those ancient Emblems stood professed Antipodes to these injurious Spiders; 
☞  whose desire is, that justice may still hold her comparison with the Celedonie stone, which retaineth her virtue not longer, than it is rubbed with gold. There were certain Images of Judges, by report confirmed, and to their full proportions, with proper Mottoes annexed, anciently rendered; which were set up at Athens, (at that time the select Seat of the Muses) having neither hands nor eyes: implying, that Rulers and Magistrates, to whom the civil sword of justice was recommended, should neither be infected with bribes, nor any other way drawn from that which was lawful and right.  
Astraea, the goddess of Justice, was portrayed before them; her balance hanging in an equal scale. The lest deviation from what was just, engaged the purple delinquent to an heavy censure. And this confirmed by the just and irrevocable decree of highest Emperors. Severus would have smoked such sellers of smoke. Zerxes would have pulled their skin over their ears. This brought that flourishing-glorious estate to that spreading Empire in those happy days wherein Basil the Emperor of Constantinople lived; of whom it is reported, that whensoever he came to his Judgement seat, he found neither party to accuse, nor defendant to answer.  
I remember a certain Model of antic form, 
Excellent Emblems for deblazor●ng corrupt ●ustice.  wherein were presented in Punic habits six grave personages, personating the office of Judges; each of them portrayed to the full body, and discovered by their distinct Posture and Impress: The first, as one made up of impertinences, intending more the hour how it passed, than how business were dispatched, sat winding up his Watch; and above him these words writ in golden Letters: Quota est hora? The next to him, as one rocked asleep, sat a grave Endymion, careless how the world went, or how causes proceeded: his only reside on a bench, was to take a nap, and with all indifferency to recommend the carriage of all businesses unto another, so he might without disturbance, enjoy his slumber; his Impress, to answer the former: Omnibus dormio. The third, an imperious surly Saturnist, whose will was his Law; one, who scorned to veil to another's judgement, though his opinion were more just: preferring his own voice before the equity of the cause: which he makes good with as confident an impress: Sic volo, sic iubeo. The fourth, a conceiving Sage, who hears all, but says nothing: appearing as one won by affection; or overawed by command: or as one constantly resolved to comply with time, he approves with silence, what his own knowledge dictates to him for unjust; and this he seconds in these words: Video, sed taceo. The fifth, one of a strong working pulse, more apt to receive than a common Shore. His Nerves were described ever extended; his Eyes fixed upon a visible object of approaching profit; and his Lungs nearly consumed with a close infatigable whispering of, Quid dabis? The last, in a scornful eyeing and dis-esteeming of their irregular courses; as one declining from their injurious carriage, which he conceits unworthy the embrace of any sincere professant, who should make his life the line, by which others actions are to be directed, others affections measured, concludes, Video & rideo. Truth is, Emblems of this sort are held a kind of representative Histories: and by so much more moving, in regard their features imply a more native and free expression, than if they were discovered only by the pen without any other lineament.  
With pieces of this quality, many eminent and illustrious personages have been infinitely taken: instances hereof are each-where to be found without seeking, and incomparably useful in their applying. Prot●genes his Table, wherein Bacchus was painted, (and with no less excellence was the Emblem contrived) moved King Demetrius lying siege at the City Rhodes, to use such intermissions and prejudicial delays in the pursuit of his design, that where he might have consumed the City with fire, spared it for the preciousness and accurate workmanship of that Table: so as, staying to bide them battle, he won not the City at all.  
We shall see in the draught of ancient Histories, not only the actions and events of wars set down; but likewise the Purprise of Forts, the Site of Cities; the manner of their defeats, in Pictures and other impressive Sculptures; which add a great beauty and living resemblance to the History. This we may see in those time-surviving Commentaries of Caesar, and other Modern Annals expressed, to which these digressive observations may be properly referred.   

BUt to return to our former argument: by the right use of History, we see virtue revived when her defender is dead: and to say the truth, I may use Thales sentence in this discourse: without History, Nil mortem a vitâ differre: Since the life of the dead depends upon the memory of the living: for without some memorial of actions prosecuted, what difference betwixt the valiant acts of Ithacus, and the shameful retiredness of Aegystus? betwixt Aeneas' piety, and Pygmalion's cruelty? they are dead, and their poor Urn can speak not more for them, 
The great man's mo●to.  than Pompey's Sepulchre spoke for him: Hic situs est magnus! here he lies that was once great: powerful in popular command, generally successful, before this Pharsalian discomfit: hore he lies that was styled his Country's Patron, Rome's best Sentinel: yet failing in the close of his fortunes, drooping in the upshot of his victories: Time can erect no other monument in his remembrance: Vixi, & vici: only once I lived, and was once Conqueror. It is recorded, that when Alexander came to the Tomb of Achilles, and beheld the Mirror of Greece, shut up in so small a scantling of earth, (a parcel of that wh● lo which could hardly contain him living) he wept bitterly, adding: Haeccine sunt Trophaea? Be these all the Monuments, all the Trophies this world could afford thee? Is greatness so soon extinguished, and the lamp of honour so soon put out? A good motive for Alexander, to caution him of his mortality, and might make up this conclusion: Alexander thou art not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: not the son of jupiter, but the son of earth.  
The like we read related by Quintus Curtius: that when this great Prince of Macedon came into Persia, an object of no less pity, than example of human frailty, represented itself unto him: to wit, the poor Sepulchre of that victorious Cyrus, on which he found no other Inscription than this: O man! whosoever thou be, or from what place soever thou shalt come (for I know thou wilt come) know, that I am Cyrus, who translated the Empire from the Medes to the Persians': pray thee do not envy me for this little handful of earth that doth cover me. This Epitaph could not choose but fix an impression of remorse and commiseration (as indeed it did) in that great Conquerors heart: seeing whereto all his victories tended: So as Nero's affecting command and sovereignty was well answered by Seneca: Pulchrum est regnare, (said Nero:) Nihil est, si nihil quaeras, replied Seneca: Certainly (if I be not blinded with the love of Historical discourse) there is no means better to deter from vice, nor more effectual inducements unto virtue, than these moral relations. By them we see the lives of Princes, and their employments (Prima specie laeta) in their first entrance or passage pleasant, and delightful, promising no less than success, and in success, continuance: and afterwards (Tractu dura) more difficulties attending, as if the Wheel of Fortune we removed to a place subjected to more occurrents; yet not so dangerous, as to be attended by ruin: nor so secure, as to promise' an undoubted issue. Eventu tristia; a strange Catastrophe of so fair beginnings! where, in the first, there was security grounded upon more than hope: in the second, hope, though not secure: in the third, neither hope nor security, but deprival of both. Yet even in these conversions, if it please the Reader to cast his eye upon the admirable moderation of some Prince's affections, he shall see verily a Christian resolution in a Pagan. 
True fortitude.  Furius Camillus could not be daunted, (though unjustly censured) his exile neither made him dejected, nor his Dictatorship proud. Photion, that honest Senator (to satisfy an unsatiate appetite of revenge) renders up his life willingly, and when he could not dye without paying for his death, so indifferent was life to him, as he confirmed his resolution by this Epiphonema: Itaque nisi empta niece, mori mihi Athenis non licuit?  

☞  To recount the virtuous lives and resolute deaths of the Cannij, Senecae, Aruntij, Sorani, etc. men of admirable tempers in so corrupt a government: what excellent divine precepts they proposed: what indifferency not only towards Fortune but Life itself they shown; how integriously they bore themselves in place of honour; with what constancy they suffered themselves to be deprived of it; would strike amazement in any understanding man. Especially, having had no other helps but the light of Nature to guide them; nothing but an imaginary Conceit of fame to eternize them. Light veils for so high designs.  
In those blind times, when States and Empires grounded their success on Oracles; giving more credit to their doubtful Delphian Resolves than any other praesage: with what preparedness would their Generals and Leaders grapple with the extremest oppositions of death and danger? No safety, nor hope of Victory either to State or Army, concludes the Oracle, if the General live: and rather than the State should suffer prejudice by his life, with open breast and cheerful embrace he meets death. Curtius leaps into the Lake; Cocles into the Sea. This suffers exile, and rejoiceth in his misfortune; that degraded, bears the same countenance in his disgrace.  
Again, observe those constant amicable contracts of friendship one made with another: how no peril could divide their affections: no interposed Cloud darken those rays of Amity mutually reflecting: Histories are stored with instances of this kind, which deserve our memory, with an admiration of their immutability. Two especial examples, amongst many others, Stories afford us, which are here inserted by us; briefly related, but to perpetuity memorised. The former is of Pelopidas that noble Graecian, who skirmishing with the Lacedæmonians against the Arcadians, until such time as being hurt in seven places, he fell down at last for dead. Than presently Epaminondas (a mirror of constant Amity, in an hazard of such extremity) out of a princely resolution, stepping forth bestrid him, and fought to defend his body, he alone against many, till being sore cut on his arm with a Sword, and thrust into the breast with a Pike, he was even ready to give over. But at that very instant, Agesipolis, King of the Lacedæmonians, came with the other point of the Battle, in an happy hour, 
Plutarch. in Pelopida. anitio.  and saved both their lives, when they were passed all hope.  
Marcus Servilius, a valiant Roman, may supply the place of the latter; who had fought three and twenty Combats of life and death in his own person, and had always slain as many of his Enemies as challenged him man to man; when as the people of Rome, upon some private discontent, resisted Paulus Aemilius triumph, stood up and made an Oration in his behalf. In the midst whereof he cast open his gown, and shown before them the infinite scars and cuts he had received upon his breast. The sight whereof so prevailed with the people, 
Plut. in Paulo Aemilio. fine.  that they all agreed in one, and granted Aemilius Triumph.  
Should we observe likewise what intestine and inveterate hate one Nation bore to another; where a new succession ever retained that proposed revennge of their Ancestor, it would give us no little occasion of wonder: that small beginnings rising to greater heats, neither by continuance of time, which wears out greatest displeasures, nor mediation of interceding States, could possibly be attoned. Variety of these, History will likewise afford us.  
When Annibal was a Child, and at his Father's commandment, he was brought into the place, where he made sacrifice; and laying his hand upon the Altar, swore that so soon as he bore any sway in the Commonwealth, he would be a professed enemy to the Romans. And that this grounded Nationall hate was not to be extinguished by death, may appear by many eminent and pregnant Instances, not only anciently but even of later times occurring.  
Scipio appointed his Sepulchre to be so placed, as his Image standing upon it, might look directly towards Africa; that being dead, he might still be a terror to the Carthaginians.  
Zisca, that valiant Captain of the Bohemians, who had borne himself so victoriously successive in many set Battles of incomparable consequence, commanded that after his decease his skin should be slayed from his body to make a Drum, which they should use in their battles, affirming that as soon as the Hungarians, or any other their enemies, should hear the sound of that Drum, they would not abide, but take their flight. This was the reason that the body of Cadwallo, an ancient King of Britain's, (to draw nearer our own borders) being embalmed and dressed with sweet confections, was put into a brazen Image, 
Hollinshea l.  and set upon a brazen Horse over Ludgate for a terror to the Saxons.  
These in a private Arbour, secluded from the cares or turmoils of the world, to peruse, cannot but beget a delight and admiration in the Reader. While he collects the rare temper of some, whose alteration of fortune could not so much as occasion one sigh, or produce a tear. The Reason might be this, they were not so much enamoured on what they enjoyed, and consequently could forgo whatsoever they enjoyed with lesser grief. Servile tears become slavish minds: whereas a truly ennobled disposition scorns to be restrained by such gyves. This benefit of Nature they enjoyed, and in such freedom, as loss of fortunes could not amate them; being seated on an higher Mount than the braves of so light a Sovereigness could ascend to.  
These rightly conceived, and usefully applied that Philosophical Axiom: As the Moon doth never eclipse, but when she is at the full: so the Mind is never so much obscured, as it is with the superfluity of Richeses. And again, as the Moon is the furthest of from the Sun, which giveth it light, when it is at the full; so a Man, when he is fullest of Richeses, is furthest of from that Equity and justice which aught to give him light. Herein therefore (to free them from a more dangerous shelf) they thought to imitate the Fly, which putteth not her feet into the great mass of Honey, but only taketh or tasteth with her tongue so much thereof as serveth her turn and not more, jest by doing otherwise, she might remain taken and drowned therein. 
Bern. de Advent. Serm. 1.  For true is that sentence in every worldling's experience Qui mundum amplectuntur similes sunt illis, qui submerguntur in aquis. This, through a constant moderation of their desires, moved Anacharses to refuse the Treasure sent him by Croesus: Anacreon the Treasure sent him by Polycrates: And Albionus the Treasure sent him by Antigonus.  
That Zeno proved himself a Philosopher indeed by his contempt of the World; who hearing that all his estate was exposed to shipwreck, with a pleasing smile, and a composed temper, fare above the braves of fortune, concluded: 
Sen. de tranq. an.  Fortune bids me now the sooner play the Philosopher. And as their Spirits were elevated above the Orb of Fortune; so could they with no less noble resolution suffer the misery of Exile, ever closing with that divine Moral: Si sapiens est, non peregrinatur; si stultus est, exulat. 
Sen. de remed. fort.  Howsoever than the State, upon some immerited Ground might pronounce their Proscriptions against them: their Country was wisdom; their true repose, a quiet, composed mind, ready to suffer in defence of honour, and to hold it a prerogative of honour so to suffer.  
What should I speak of Publius Valerius Publicola, whose moderation in the ebb of fortune, and surplusage of miseries, made him more admired, than hated? The equal temper of Rutillius, the exceeding modesty of L. Quintius, the grave and serious respect of Fabius Maximus, the temperate deliberation of Marcellus, and the admirable government of Tiberius Gracchus; the wise staidness of Metellus, and the discreet patience of Marcus Bibulus. We use to be more excited to goodness by Examples than Precepts; and such instances in Histories are not a little persuasive, representing to our eyes the divers objects of Piety in Coriolanus, of Justice in Aristides, of Prudence in Cleobulus: and to be brief, of all virtues so well practised by Pagans', as they may well deserve an imitation by Christians.   

TO proceed now to the Discourse itself; I allow of a copious phrase in History: For contraction of sentences doth ofttimes contract the sense, or at lest makes the Subject less intelligible: Cornelius Tacitus seemed to affect an ●●tri●●te kind● of writing, yet his Argument in i● self for copious might modestly Apologise his succ●nctnesse, approving Tully's opinion, where he propounds, what errors are most subject to Taxing in such Discourses: Vitiosum etiam est si nimium apparatis verbis compositum, aut nimium longum est: Taxing in the one Singularity, commending in the other Brevity: Yet he seems to oppose himself in it by plain contradiction, making relation of the same Discourse: Non parum fructus habet in se copia dicendi, 
What Style best serula an History.  & commoditas orationis: But these tend rather to Rhetorical Narrations, than Historical Descriptions. Tacitus is to be preferred before the most, being a dilated compendiary of many declined States, disunited Provinces: showing the vices of the time, where it was dangerous to be Virtuous, and where Innocence tasted the sharpest censure: what garb best suited with the state of that time, describing the Orator's Tongue- Facundam inimicitijs, more partial than Time-observers. Where Amici Curiae, were Parasiti Curiae: The Courts friends, the Courts popinjays. Here he shows a great Man rising, and his fall as sudden as his erection: the immeritorious, in election for greatest honours; and the virtuous depressed, because they will not mount by sinister means. There a Prince that shown great testimonies of his approved virtues, so long as he was subject, but raised to an unexpected height he seconded this Conclusion: An ill Prince spoilt a good Subject: so was Galba: Omnium consensu capax Imperij, nisi imperaesset: O what singular fruits may be gathered out of that one History, to teach men in high estates how to moderate their Greatness; and others of inferior rank, rather to live retired, than to purchase eminence in place by servile means? But of all, 
Diversity of affections.  the divers affections of Princes, either well or ill disposed, minister no little delight to the Judicious Reader: Here one so popularly affected, as he had the trick to bind his Subjects to allegiance by a native insinuation; such was Augustus, Antonius Pius, Septimus Severus; one whereof seemed rather to affect popular satisfaction than his own, subjecting (as he himself professed) his entirest thoughts to propagate his Country's glory: Antonius Clemency, was the chain that united and combined (in a knot inviolable) the hearts of the Romans to him, publicly protesting: He had rather save one Citizen, than destroy a thousand enemies. But Severus was loved (which seems not less admirable) for that which engenders, for most part, greatest occasion of offence, and that was Severity; Being not less exact in punishing his friends than enemies. But to read over the life of Sylla, we shall see an opposition in his nature. None that ere did more good to his friends, or more harm to his enemies: Nay, even in Brothers (derived from one Stem) discrepant natures; 
Hinc Scissitanti, Quinam in ●●alatio? per●epidè responsum fuit, Ne Musca qu dem.  Titus, the love and darling of Mankind; Domitian a professed foe to all Mankind; the one banishing Parasites his Palace; the other a persecutor of flies.  

☞  Those different dispositions of Romulus and Remus, Numitor and Amulius, how from one and the same stem, branches of various natures proceeded. Again, to observe with what a Religious Ethicke care, many eminent Princes erected Temples for their Gods; how serious they were in observing those Ceremonies, which were Nationally used by them. How superstitious they were in their Oscines and Auguries; what constant performers of their words, were it either in private Contracts, or public Conditions of Peace. 
Breach of promise held a great dishonour amongst the Ancients.  What a lasting brand, or surviving blemish was it to any Nation, that should be found guilty in this kind? What a Theta it was to the Carthaginians, to be stamped with that inglorious Title of Foedifragi? How devoted and affectionately engaged, those honest-morall Pagans' were to Loyalty? Nothing more hateful to them than Treachery. This caused Mithridates to take Manius Acilius, 
Memorable Examples in revenging of Disloyalty.  one of the chiefest Ambassadors of the Romans, and set him contemptuously upon an Ass, till he was come to Pergamo, where he put molten Gold in his mouth: reproving the Romans for taking gifts: or to betray the confidence of their Country for rewards.  
The like is reported of Tarpeia, that disloyal Maid, who betraying the gates of the Capitol to the Enemy, only upon promise, that they should throw her the Bracelets which they wore on their left arm, which they accordingly performed, but with other proper gauges to recompense her disloyalty, throwing also their Targets, with which she was pressed to death.  
Neither were they less strict in punishing such, who in private and Oeconomick affairs shown themselves disloyal. This appeared in that nobly-disposed Enemy of Scaurus Domitius, who, when a certain servant retaining to Domitius, came before the Judicial Seat to accuse his Master, he sent him home to his Master with the Tenure of his accusation. These ancient Sages and Heroic Spirits closed not altogether with that Maxim Of loving the Treason, but hating the Traitor: For they hated to stoop to such baseness, as to perfect what they intended, or dispatch aught that they designed by such odious and indirect means. Nor was a loyall-noble spirit ever seen unrewarded: perchance, indeed, the iniquity of time might be such, as those who merited a gracious aspect from their Country, might sometimes fall into disgrace by undeserving Offices, suggesting to the State what so useful an Agent never thought: but this proceeded not so much from the ingratitude as the easy credulity of the State, in inclining to such groundless suggestions.  
This might be instanced in that unhappy Asdrubal, 
Deserving men punished by the suggestions of ill offices.  who to prevent the fury and malice of the people, incensed against him by unjust Offices, fled to his Father's Sepulchre, and dispatched himself with poison: nor found their fury here a period: for from that vast structure of mortality, they dragged out his Carcase, and cutting of his Head, put it upon a Spears point, and bore it about the City. 
No end of popular hate.  But this inhumanity must be imputed to that Democratick Government or headless Monster, where all things are usually acted by a blind precipitate will, without deliberation or advice. Whereas a knowing Prince, who measures the value of men's actions by the promptness or alacrity of those spirits with which they are done; eyes both the quality of the person and action: Nor can any design proceeding from a loyal spirit, who stands ready to engage his state, fame, and all for the honour of his Prince or Country, lose his deserving Guerdon; besides that high opinion or estimate of the Prince, whose Countenance is his honour; whose Smile the reward of his labour.  
King Darius upon a time, by chance opening a great Pomegranate, and being demanded of what he would wish to have, as many as there were grains in that Pomegranate? answered in one word, of Zopyrusses. 
Plut. initio Apotheg. Regum.  Now this Zopyrus was a right noble and valiant Knight, who, to reduce Babylon to the subjection of his Lord and Master, 
Just●●. lib. 1. in fine.  and defeat the traitorous Assyrians, suffered his body to be rend and mangled: and being thus disfigured, fled straightways to Babylon, where the Assyrians were entrenched: whom he made believe that Darius had misused him in this sort, because he had spoken in their behalf, counselling him to break up his Siege, and remove his Army from assaulting their City: They hearing this Tale, and the rather induced to think it true, because they saw him so shamefully disfigured in his body, were persuaded to make him their chief Captain. By which means he betrayed them all, and surrendered both them and their City into his Master's hands. Such an Adamantine tye to his Prince's heart was a loyal Subject, who little cared how he were brought to the stake, so he might advance the honour of the public State.  
What more delightful Subject can be imagined, than to converse (and that without peril) of the dangerous events of War? of the divers dispositions of Princes; raisings and razings of Empires: Some shaken by the viciousness of the people which inhabit them, 
Security the ruin of Sovereignty.  being so long secure, till ruin impose a period to their security: Some by (civil and intestine Factions) making their dearest Country the sad Spectator of their Funerals; 
Civil Wars leave in a distracted State the deepest wounds.  their entirest friends, their professed foes; and the argument of love and amity, the ground of civil dissensions: The cause whereof (for the most part) proceeds from a continued peace; for retiredness from foreign affairs, make us bend to prosecute Managements domestic; and the overflow of success (purchased by peace) makes men more capable of injuries, even to their best friends. This was the reason moved Athens to erect places of Martial Exercises, (even in peace) that so the Youths being daily enured to such Exercises, might employ their strengths in them, and not in civil Commotions. This we have by relation of Histories; which so manageth affairs of State, as I am of that Sages opinion, 
How studious the Romans were of Histories.  who averred: That no man could be an experienced Statist, that was not initiated in the reading of Histories; which he confirms with reasons not less Authentic, calling them the aptest and exquisitest directions that can attend man, either in public or private affairs, at home or abroad. Divers therefore of our famous Senators in Rome, have employed their times in these Studies; as Sallust, whose wel-couched Style, succinct Sentences, and pureness of Writing, may arrogate, it not the chiefest place; yet to be inserted amongst the chiefest: Varro one of reputed esteem, and of ample possessions, took in hand the like task, to illustrate his Native Tongue, not only with apt and accommodate phrases, but likewise to compile the memorable acts of the Romans, and to reduce them into an exact order; to excite his Countrymen, by perusing the valiant attempts of their Ancestors: Eorum gloriâ inflammari ad eandem virtutis exercitationem suscipiendam: To be inflamed and provoked, by their renown and glory achieved, to imitate them in the like. And there is nothing certainly that leaveth more deep impression in a resolved mind, than the report of former exploits; Hearing this man by his industry and vigilant respect, to contemn all difficulties, oppose himself to all dangers, whereby he might perform something worthy memory: Another (sustaining Herculean Labours) to purchase himself but a little glory. This man subjected to Sea-wracks, exposed to the mercy of the Winds, environed and hemmed in by imminent dangers; yet moderating his passions, arms himself against the perils of Sea, adverse Winds, the menaces of ruin, with resolution to endure the worst of Fates, ever meditating of that motive to patience: 
Noscere hoc primum decet,  
Quid facere Victor debet, Victus pati.   

☞  It was the answer of an unamated Captive, who slighting the insulting braves of him who took him: Thou hold'st thy conquest great in overcoming me; but mine is fare greater in overcoming myself. Here was a conquest indeed, and such as deserve trophies of glory, to crown him with perpetuity.  
The Scytheses used to erect Obelisks or Square-stones upon the hearse of the deceased, answering in number so many as he had slain of his enemies: Whereas, he that had not slain an enemy, was not only deprived of those Monuments of glory, but not so much as admitted to drink of that goblet (spiced with his Ancestors Ashes) and used for an Health cup in solemn Feasts and banquets. O what memorable Signals of true fortitude deserves that undaunted Spirit, who can triumph in his own discomfit: and fortify himself with a prepared mind against all oppositions!  
The Unicorn's Horn being dipped in water, is said to clear and purify it. This will patience do in all those troubled Waters which enclose a composed mind. 
The excellency a composed mind.  These find no grief of so extensive a quality, which either time will not alloy, or Death end. Though they be led in triumph, and exposed to all the miseries which a domineering Foe can put upon them; they can slight the braves and contemptible slavery of a proud Conqueror, and with a cheerful smile entertain the mutability of Fortune. Such as these, are Sovereigns in Captivity; and merit most applause in their embracing of adversity. Besides this, they reflect with a discreet eye, upon what they formerly read: now their confinement affords them leisure to peruse what they have observed in the circuit of their time: and now in their new change or ebb of fortune they find no new thing happened. Those, whose Victories were numerous; Sovereignty boundless; could not so cut the wings of Victoria, as to make her their permanent Guest. They hear Antiochus at one time saluted both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a glorious Prince, and a furious Tyrant. They hear Pompey cumbered with honour, exclaim to see Sylla's cruelty; and being ignorant after what sort to behave himself in the dignity he had than attained, they hear him cry out: O peril and danger never like to have end!  
They see a Philotas aspiring, and falling; a Perennius conspiring, and perishing. They note Dionysius that Syracusan Tyrant to be so suspicious of his fall, so jealous of his Fate, as he will not trust any Barber to shave him, but enjoins his own daughters to learn that Trade, purposely to be employed about him. They hear the very same Dionysius ask the Wise men of his Court, which Copper they held the best; and they hear Antiphons' ready answer to his question, that in his opinion, that was the most excellent, whereof Armodius and Aristogiton made the Picture of Pisistratus. Holding that Mettle the best, which kept a Tyrant at rest. These hear the Lydian King exclaiming against himself, and disclaiming of his own Opinion, that felicity should possibly retain any subsistence from mortality.  
These have found the best and principal'st bl●ssing confirmed by the authority of Herodotus in Cleobulus and Biton, Trophonius and Agamedes, and that pithy conclusion of Silenus, who being taken prisoner by King Midas, paid this ransom; teaching the King, The best thing that might chance any man, was never to be borne, 
Tusc. Quaest. lib. 1.  the next to die as soon as might be.  
A rich ransom, surely! had that worldly deluded King made right use of it; for so had he prevented misery before it fell upon him: and made that an occasion of his happiness, which unthought of, brought him to a more sensible conceit of his own ruin. Those whom the Gods do love (saith Menander) die young: yea, those they esteem of most, whom they take from hence the first.  
To present these more impressive Motives of Worldly contempt, disesteem of Life, Honour, or whatsoever this Sabble Theater of human vanity could afford, sundry Imperial Princes endowed with spirits not less imperious, have contrived many Emblems, with other Remembrances, purposely, no doubt, to avert their affections from so much idolatrising Earthly Majesty. Amongst which, you shall find in these rich Treasures of Time, Historical Records, an Agathocles, though a Tyrant, Emblematizing his own frail and mutable condition in the invention of his own Statue: 
A princely Emblem of Mortality.  commanding the Head to be made of pure Gold, implying his Regal Dignity; the Arms of Ivory, signifying how justice from Execution receives her beauty; the other liniments of Brass, inferring their strenuity; but the Feet of Earth, displaying their frailty.  
An excellent Memorial, and well deserving to be engraven in purest and perpetuall'st Metals. This Simonides sung to Pausanias; this a Page every Morning to Philip of Macedon: 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Respice post te, hominem memento te. Cineas, that excellent Orator, and solid Philosopher, dissuading Pyrrhus from his expedition against the Romans, demanded of him, what he would do, when he had conquered them? To whom the King answered; I will overrun all Italy, Greece, & Barbary; and what shall we do next▪ I will forage Cicilia. And what remains to be done than? O than, saith the covetous Prince, we will live at ease, Eat, drink, and be jovial together every day. And why, (said Cineas) may we not eat, drink, and be merry with less, enjoy what we have with comfort; and eschew those inevitable labours and perils, whereto our ambition and insatiable desire of honour engage us?  
But this was too hard a question; Ambition can admit of no Reason. He only h'as absolute power to confine his desires, who seethe nothing without him, which he conceives worthy of him. Such an one he's measured Man's life, and he finds it to be a span; 
A narrow span.  which he shall neither fall short of, nor exceed, not not one title or point of it, not the breadth of the smallest hair, or Atom; not, not the rare-spun Gothsimere; the subtlest link of the Spider; or any other extenuated or imaginary thinness whatsoever. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pindar.  He calls Death and Sleep two Sisters; and Night the Mother of them both. He holds the Locust or the Grasshopper (though Creatures of emptiness and fear) no greater slaves of the wind than Man: yea, to set him out in his colours, and discover to the world, that his vanity ranks him with the lightest of God's Creatures: He finds him tossed to and from as the Grasshopper, and driven away as the Locust. He observes, how the Sun, when it is in the Meridian, and the beams of it perpendicular to our bodies, shadows change not suddenly: but when it gins to decline to the fall, every moment, almost, they vary. And such he concludes, is Man; who, though in his strength and maturity of Nature, he found no such changes or alterations in the state of his body, as may seem to menace to his declining house an approaching ruin: yet, that curious and delicious structure, that earthly contexture of man, when it shall begin once to decay, and lose his former strength, every day brings forth a change. One infirmity or other hourly invades him; and at last, so weakens his poor split vessel, as no truce will be admitted, no respite granted, he must of necessity return to those first materials, from whence he first proceeded.  
We see the Crown of Honour set with great solemnity upon the head, but we feel not the weight of it; which makes him sweated and shake hands with Rest that wears it. We behold the golden Pantofle, but feel not how grievously it pincheth the foot. We eye and admire the reflecting beauty of a massie-guilt Target, or embossed Armour, but partake not of his burden, who is the wearer.  
The greatest Worldling ever carries the heaviest weight; the ambitious-aspiring mind ever harbours the most care: the enjoyer of Honour, the most fear. The scourge of Envy from below, and Ambition from above, do hunt Honour to death. He enjoys sufficiently, that h'as learned to be a Sovereign over his own passions: and to restrain the surging billows of an overflowing will, to the command of Reason. No Principality like this: for it brings man to an higher Imperial State, than all the deluding promises of this spongy world can possibly afford him.  
These Observations are Receipts, or Cordials against the maladies of Fortune: A man thus resolved, cannot be less than a Prince; for he governs a Dominion more domineering, an Empire more imperious, A Diarchy, or Monarchy rather: having disconsorting affections; overlaying Siege and Battery to the Palace of the Soul, which moved Plutarch in his Morals definitively to conclude: That he who moderated his affections, was half virtuous; but he that never passed the bounds and limits of temperate motives, nor felt the deluding enforcements of vanity assaulting him, was wholly virtuous. But the Morals proposition was better than his conclusion: For no mortal (since the stain of his Original Purity) could ever subsist so secure, or remain so unmoveable, as never to be engaged to perturbations, the natural attendants of Mortality.    

IN this first entrance to my discourse, having spoken something in general, of the use and fruit of History: having by an (equal Diameter) determined the proper place and Centre at which such Historical Relations aught to tend: 
Division of Histories; Divine, Discursive, Moral, Physic, or mixed.  I will descend to the division of Histories, which may properly branch themselves into Divine, Discursive, Moral, Physic, or Mixt.  

FOr Divine, I will not comprehend them in my Discourse, being such as depend on their own Arches, drained from the pure Spring of Celestial Wisdom, and therefore impossible to err either in Action or Relation: yet necessarily (now and than) immixed with Moral Histories, because their weight may better p●ise in the Scale of every Judicious Reader, when he seethe Moral Discourse so well fortified, as by the Pillar of Truth. Albeit I approve of Hesiods words: 
In Noct & Die  Fabulous Relations should not, nor aught they to be authorised by Holy Writings: 
Such as corrupt the Text, and rack the Sacred Sense with their enforced Allegories.  It was a Pagans' observation, and worthy ours: So should our profane Pamphleteers, restrain their libidinous writings more, and either writ that which should propagate themselves a general reputation, without derogation to the sacred Writings of the Almighty, or silence their works; 
Not to mix Sacred with profane. Vid. Lypsium in prescript. in lib. de const.  jest they should deprave many, for a private reward, or peddling gain. Moore I insist upon this, because too many have I known steeped in this promiscuous Subject, well read in Scripture, to wrist them, otherwise Babes and Sucklings; for they could not reach to the depth of such Mysteries, but only touch them to corrupt them. But their Cimmerian Cloud, 
Corrupters of Scripture.  when it shall be dispersed, and the Rays of a reasonable understanding to them exhibited: They will repent them, I fear it not, (and heavens grant that repentance be not like the after rain, out of season) of their prophaner mixtures. O let them turn their eye of consideration (whosoever they be) to the miserable end of Lucian, Cleander, Metrodorus, whose disastrous falls answered their blasphemous rise; contemning the Sacred Writ of Heaven, and prostituting their labours to the merited censure of confusion: But too much of them. Times are not so easy to be wained from their habit of error, or induced to a course of more Sanctimony: Lamps and Oily Studies were made fruitless at Epictetus' death; his Lantern hung up (as a monument of his virtues) made a deeper impression in his Scholars, than all our Motives, Precepts, or Examples can do in ours: that Age was more apprehensive of Good, this of Ill   

NOw to our Discursive Histories. 
Discursive Histories.  Many discourse without matter, only descanting upon idle Themes: more observed for their idleness, than for any subject whereon they entreat: Such be foolish Phantasticks that spend their Oil upon unnecessary Subjects. I have apprehended many of this vain, but they shall be nameless, talking of strange Horse-races, such as their barren Muse never conceived: others of Fabulous Histories, never found out by that Arch-Artist Nature, whence they derived their foundation; for such, I pass untouched, being such as they hardly conceive their own writings.  
Discursive Histories are either true or feigned: If true, 
Division of Discursive Histories.  they comprehend in them a certain ground, not only fortified by a reasonable production, but also by the authority of such, whose Authentiqu'st Labours claim to themselves, a kind of Authority without further proof: Such we read to be the Labours of Cornelius Tacitus, Titus Livius, Trogus Pompeius, and many others, whose Subjects confirm their authority: being such as represent the divers events of things done, by Historical Relation, and Ocular Presentation. For divers of those worthy Historiographers have been interested even in such probable, and generally-allowed discourses by personal presence, 
Faithful Historians.  in the management of such affairs: as Commines, of all Histories (amongst our Modern) most approvable, being an eyewitness of what he writ.  
And herein me thinks, 
☜  I should take occasion, to recommend an imploymnet not less delightful than consequently useful to such of our Gentry as are adidcted to Travail, or Martial Discipline; 
An employment of especial consequence recommended to our Gentry.  to have ever with them a Diary or Ephemerideses of whatsoever they have at any time seen presented worthy memory, or acted in the time of their service or agency there. I should hold it convenient likewise for them to become their own amanuensis: by compiling and methodically disposing such memorable Observances, as occur either at home or abroad. 
Labour tenuis est, tenuis non gloria.  This course will recompense their few hour's labour, to their great improvement; and in arguments of Discourse minister no small delight to an understanding Hearer. For admit the memory were never so retentive; yea, that it might vie with that of Cyrus, who could call every Soldier in his Army by name; yet to make it a Storehouse or Repository of whatsoever we have seen or heard, would argue too much confidence in such a fraile-decaying ornament: for of all faculties in man, Memory is the weakest, first waxeth old, and decays sooner than strength or beauty. Prima sumus obliti, postrema non intelleximus, quia prima non meminimus. An excellent Moral Caveat, and well-deserving our learning in these times.  
I could instance divers noble Personages even in this Kingdom, who have risen to an extraordinary pitch of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Elegancy of Discourse by this means. These in their foreign interesses, would admit no day without a line. Privately they recorded whatsoever they had seen publicly achieved. They sifted the dispositions of men; and reduced the benefit hereof, by complying with them, unto themselves. These Notions fit and enable them for State affairs; and in employments of Embassy. An office of especial improvement to the State, being discreetly and wisely managed: For the Person so employed, presents in his own, the very Face or Image of the Commonweal. For the better discharge whereof, that he may come of fair, and return his Prince a grateful account of what he has done, it is necessary for him to retain ever in memory those Speeches of a grave and judicious Statesman, by way of direction in his moderation of Speech.  
He that knoweth how to speak well, knoweth also where he must hold his peace. Wisely concluding: Think an hour before you speak, and a day before you promise'.  
Many, and peculiar be ●hose prerogatives granted him; which, as they are exercised by him to the honour of the State from whence he came, so is he to neglect no opportunity for dispatch of those affairs for which he came. To retain a seemely-modest State without affectation, will infinitely become him, for that suits worst with his person of all others. He is privileged from suffering abuse or dishonour; in the same line of relation is he to bear himself towards another. For in this is the Law of Nations exhibited, that he neither harm, nor receive harm from others. Albeit, he may still enjoy the benefit of this privilege, till such time as he recede from his place or Office; that he may use in his own family the Sword of Justice to any such as shall utter words of disgrace against the Prince, or shall defile any man's Wife: neither is the Legate himself exempted from like punishment, being found in any of these a personal delinquent. For howsoever that Maxim of State be, That none is to handle the Sword, but he who holds the Sceptre; yet a Deputative power hath been ever granted, which rather improves than detracts from his Majesty by whom it is granted. Now, to insist a little more upon their Dignity; they are neither properly sent by Subjects, nor to Subjects. Their Commission is from the Prince or State directed, not by any lower Power addressed: where, though the Commonweal seem absent, yet is the Commonweals 'cause argued in presence. And that a more absolute power or Sovereignty may appear in him by whom these Agents are sent, than in the persons herein interessed and sent, to speak in one word what duly and properly concerns them; They are upon Return home, to tender an account of their whole passage: wherein should they complain, that the Prince or State to whom they were sent, had rejected, abused, or any way injured them, by the julian Law, 
A Law of the Digests.  such an one was accused to have done contrary to the Law of Arms.  
These, by help of History, find likewise what resolution is required in one so interessed; and in what manner he is to behave himself upon affronts done either upon himself, or to him whom he doth personate. Amongst many other Instances, he conceives no spirit more appropriate to one in that place, than of that Ambassador of Athens, who answered King Philip of Macedon, threatening that he would 'cause his Head to be cut of: If thou takest this Head from me, 
Státuam pro Capite, pro Morte Immortalitatem.  my Country will give me another that shall be immortal: for my Head, a Statue; for Death, Immortality.  
Memorable Examples of this kind are every where to be found, in this unvaluable Storehouse or Treasury of Time, History.  
But in ample terms to explain what the condition of an Historian is, let me in brief, yet material words, express what he means: Not such as inveigh against States, 
Satirical Historian, and the Sycophant Historian.  or politic Governments, for such are rather Satirists, than Historians; nor such as personate the entire acts of a Martialist, by assentative terms; which are such as insinuate themselves by a glozing Style to win the affection of their Patron. Less to be borne with be these, than the other, subjecting the free use of History to a Parasite and oily tongue: which moved Alexander so exceedingly against Aristobulus, as that on a time hearing his own Acts deblazoned fare above truth, he commanded his Labours should be thrown over Board: saying, He was almost induced to throw Aristobulus after: A caveat very necessary for all clawing Parasites that make their Pen Mercenary, and therefore, as may be inferred upon their works, dare not unrip the viciousness of times; jest by unbosoming Truth, they should incur the offence of some person, to whom their labours are engaged, their fortunes subjected, and their endeavours partially devoted.  
Plato banished all Poets Athens: but a favourable Gloss would restrain that Ostracism only to peculiar wits, (petulant I mean) such as the Prince of Sparta proscribed his well-governed City, 
H ero & Leëna.  for presenting some obsceene Verses to his Queen. But I wonder why Plato excluded not these Historians, since their Labours were prostitute (like the public Strumpet) for gain, making their Writings to the opinion and imitation of that Scarabee of History, who being demanded why he wrote not truth of such a Prince; replied: Vivit, quis vera dicet? His life kept him in awe, he durst not express his vices to the quick, jest he should by't too much.  
This that experienced, 
☜ Sr. W. R.  but unfortunate Knight well observed, as may appear by his own words: Whosoever in writing a Modern History, shall follow Truth too near the heels, it may happily strike out his teeth.  
Wherein I commend the incomparable Theano, who is so cautious in his Historical Notions of what he writes, as he will commit nothing to public, which hath not been first confirmed both by strong Intelligence and Subsignation under the hands of the eminent'st persons there residing, where any such action past. Nor is he spare in the relation of what he hears; so it import the Subject whereof he writes: Though Princes should solicit him by rewards, hope of higher preferment; he cannot endure to have his Pen sold, nor to comply with the humour or current of Time for any unworthy aim.  
It was the excellent saying of an impartial Historian, who being demanded by One who had reduced his Empire to a mere Tyranny; why he remembered not him in his Writings? Because (quoth he) I read nothing in you worth remembering. Why dost thou not than (replied he) record my Vices? Jest others (said he) should err by your Example, and so imitate them. It is the highest honour of an Historian, to be accounted sincere. As hope of Honour should not transport him, hope of Reward corrupt him, nor aim to any outward comply divert him from speaking Truth: so should not commanding power over-aw him, to betray his knowledge, or to sow pillows to the Elbows of Greatness. This endangers his Credit for ever, and throws a contempt on his Labour.  
Many there are, who describe things rather as they should be done, than as they were done. This is not to make a discovery of truth, but to propose a form or Method of what should be done according to truth. The lives of Princes, and their actions were ever held Models of imitation for Inferiors. Their very behaviour, 
A rule how to rectify imitation of Errors; by Historical directions.  were it in some gesture never so uncomely, h'as ever begot Followers in persons of meaner quality. To rectify these, nothing more powerful, than to produce more clear and imitable Examples; that in them, as in living Mirrors, they might discover their own Errors.  
It was the saying of Antisthenes, that those that would live free from vice, had need either of most unfeigned friends, or of most bitter enemies; because, the one by his admonition, or the other by his reproach might withdraw him from vice. Whence Diogenes being asked, how one should be revenged of his enemy? answered, by being a virtuous and honest man; for his integrity would beget him such a common conceit of extraordinary virtue, as he who maligned him, would hardly endure to frequent any place, where he feared to hear his Enemy's praise.  
Nasica, when the Roman Commonweal was supposed to be in most secure estate, because freed of their enemies, affirmed, that though the Achaians' and Carthaginians were both brought under the yoke of bondage, yet they were in most danger, because none were left whom they might either fear for danger, 
States, when seeming most secure from their enemies, aught to be lest secure in their own confidence!  or who should keep them in awe. This caused Oenomademus in a Faction in the Isle of Chios to counsel his fellows, that they should not expulse all their Enemies, but still leave some in the City; Jest (quoth he) being freed of all our Enemies, we should begin to quarrel with our friends.  
Most certain it is, that very few in all our preceding Ages, unless they were such Philosophical Kings, as Plato wished them to be, could in the height of their fortunes, endure reproof; especially in such public manner, as to be recorded by an Historical pen. For one Alexander, who could not endure Aristobulus praising him above truth, we might produce ten Alcibiades, who could not abide Eupolus for taxing him according to truth. But to deliver our Opinion freely of discourses in this kind: Actions are so to be laid open, as the Agent may either receive honour, or suffer in them. For if in our private Accounts, we will be cautious enough, jest any thing be omitted or inserted more than should be: much more in these Accounts or Registers of Time. They than, that interest themselves in Labours of this nature, are not in their Compilations, to eye any man's person: 
August. Epist. 9 ad Hieron.  Moore incomparably-beautifull is the Truth of Christians, than that imparaleled Helen of the Grecians. Those that writ less than the state of their History requires, may be properly called the Moths of Epitomes, as Epitomes of Histories. Those that writ more, make their fictitious Comments, rather Glosses than Glasses of Time: containing in them an Ocean of words, but a drop of Truth. Nor are precious Hours to be so mis-spended, their Oil so wasted, when every Line should survive the vading period of Life, and reserve to posterity a continuate Story of their Predecessors Actions.  
Man's life may be most properly compared to a Lamp: for as a Lamp may be three ways extinguished; First, by outward violence, as when it is blown out: Secondly, by pouring in much water, whereby the good liquor of the Oil is drowned and corrupted: and thirdly, by the waist and spending of the Oil itself: So likewise a Man's life (which in truth resembles much the nature of a Lamp) is extinguished by three ways and means; to second her resemblance both in the appearing and extinguishing; first, by external force, to wit, of the Sword, fire, strangling, pressing, poisoning, and the like: Secondly, through the abundance of ill humours, or the malignant quality of them, whereby the Radical humour is oppressed and overthrown: Thirdly, when the Radical humour is in long space of Time quite consumed by the Natural heat, and blown out into the Air; 
Lessius in Hygiafticon.  which is done after the same manner, that boiling water or Oil is wasted by the heat of the fire.  
Now, as Radicalis humour is in Corpore, 
An apt resemblance of the humours in the body, to the qualities of the mind.  so is Veritatis amor in Cord: Which divine vigour, when it is corrupted or impaired by any vicious or malignant humour, it looseth her light. Now, what is this humour which so darkens this divine vigour or truth of an Historian; but partiality? which streams either from the weak and shallow Channels of Pusillanimity; or the muddy Inlet of base commodity. For the former sort, their Spirits are too weak for such a Task: for such as will suppress Truth, or obscure the light of their History, by suffering themselves to be overawed by Authority, are fit to be employed in discoursing of the Pygmies wars, or of the battle of the Frogs and Mice, than any eminent action. For the latter, their dispositions are so unworthy, as they are never to be admitted within the List of an History: for these prefer trash before truth, and so far undervalue that useful employment whereto they stand engaged, as they loose themselves by deriving gain from that, which should be from all servile fetters freed. Let the first consider, how unfit they are to converse with Prince's precedent, which in their readings they daily do; who are so overawed by the Countenance of times present, as overcome with fear, they silence that which should have been the activest Scene in all their Subject. This many times makes a lame discourse: when to supply actions of higher consequence, they imp in needless trifles: such as neither require an Historians labour, nor recompense the lost time of the Reader. THAT conceited Treatise composed by an Italian, entitled A Supplication to Candle-light; discovering the abuses committed & curtained by the silent & secret shade of night, deserved high approvement in comparison of these. He lighted his Lamp purposely to discover vice; these put out their lights, jest they should suffer for their discovery of vice. O! that these would but apply that divine sentence sometimes uttered with no less courage than comfort by a devout father: In such a cause, wherein my desire is to please God, 
Ambros. in Indict.  I little fear the power of man. So they in a business of such consequence as imports the benefit of State, the advancement of truth, are not to be pusillanimous, but discreetly resolute; that neither too much boldness may deservingly tax them of indiscretion: nor remissness, of too much want of spirit nor irresolution. Let the latter, likewise, privately converse with his own thoughts: and weigh with himself, what a base or sordid gain it is, to purchase to himself honour or preferment by untruths. A Lie is held a word of dishonour, only spoke by the mouth: what a deep taint or impression will it retain, standing on record? Now to prevent the means of publishing Subjects of this kind, for profit sake, as many of our unauthorised Novels have of late times been published; 
Ample pensions allowed in former times to Historians.  those forerunning ages allowed ample Pensions for their Authors; such as might in a good measure, without a necessitated behold to any, maintain them: jest want of means might corrupt their pen, by making that mercenary, which stood ever privileged, and retained in itself a native liberty. For should private rewards soil the purity of an History, what might become free? The Acts of his Benefactor, were they never so obscure or ignoble, should receive a graceful immerited expression: Mean time, the Actions of whomsoever he maligned, were sure to have their brand, were they never so deservingly approved or eminent.  
This is no square dealing; and in all times much hated; yea, and highly censured, as may appear by sundry Ancient-Historicall Records, which for brevity sake I here omit, referring them to the Roman Annals, where they may be stored with variety of Instances in this kind.  
Now, as Plato in his Dialogue entitled Symposium by way of Fiction describeth the difference betwixt two kinds of Venus: whereof, the first was more ancient, brought forth by the Heavens, whom virtuous men do follow: the second much younger, begotten between jupiter and Dione, whom wicked men do serve: So say I of these, whom wicked men do serve, or rather serve wicked men, by complying with their humours, either for fear of censure, or ambitious hope of honour; let them withdraw, they are not to be entered here in Checkroule: while with a free and affectionate embrace, these only are to be entertained, who scorn to humour time, either for hope of immerited honour, or servile profit.  
Indeed, I must acknowledge there should be a reverend and modest concealing of such Personages in criminal causes, so the bounds of the History can admit it. And sometimes a Native pusillanimity restrains us to speak that which we know, 
A modest caution for all Historians.  because silence (as the wise Sage said) never occasioned so great offence as Speech. And Veritas odium parit, 
Quamplures vidi incidisse peccatum loquendo, vix autem quenquä tacerdo. Ambros. in lib. de Offic.  is a Motto for these days too probable, too well authorised; where sins go with impunity, adorning their growth with a fair outside, to second that Tyrant of Syracusas' proposition: Et quis corriget? quis audet prodere, si crimen audiat? Sure such tyrannising Subjects, or Objects rather of fear, must needs be terrible to the poor Historian: He cannot show julus Canius spirit, spit in the face of Tyranny: Hating by a modest silence to pamper Vice, though reprehension cost him a gage, he could redeem with nothing save life: Such was that Cordus (the Roman Historian) who for speaking truth was censured unworthily.  
But if Princes or Potentates should exactly observe the courses and revolutions of times, 
The Commendation of a sincere Historian.  the subsequent degrees of ruin and deposition (vices Apologized) they would commend such an Historian (and no less desertfully) who employeth his Time, wasteth his Oil, and macerates himself in the scrutiny of true Relations, by conferring Histories together; and with a Judicious approbation, or electing power, extract whatsoever may seem most probable and authentic.  
Many worthy Statists have desired, and in themselves not less deserved (though perhaps some little spark of vainglory may seem to appear in them) to have their memorable Acts recorded: as Cicero his withstanding Catiline, Cato his opposing Caesar, Solon his Pisistratus, and Demosthenes his Philip: their acts recounted, and committed to memory, induce others to the like attempts: and like a cool Arbour to a wearied passenger, yields no less delight to themselves; which Persius seems covertly to shadow in his first Satire: Et pulchrum est digito monstrari & dicier hic est. This finger is History, which truly demonstrates the life of the person, characters his virtues, or vices; disposing every particular member and branch of his discourse in such exact method, that it resembles a fair beautiful building, which yet deserves more commendations for the contrivement, than the outward and garish Garnishment. Aedes opera sunt, quae si cultè extruantur, minus restat, si minus sumptuosè. True; Books Historical have no better beauty (nor indeed can they) than an apt and methodical disposition: other accomplements are superfluous, resembling some of our works now and than published, with fair and beautiful Frontispieces, as if some worthy conveyances (rare buildings of Art and Nature) were within so comely portals. But alas! look inward, naught but rubbish and refuse of some old building, unhandsomely repaired; or some frothy invention, not worth half so much cost: These should fear (as the Philosopher told the Mindians) jest their whole Labours should fly out at their gate, 
Fruitless labours.  having their gate so promising, their Labour so immeriting. But such as go ad praelum tanquam ad praelium (for so indeed they do) furnish themselves aforehand with exactest Labours, to stand in defiance against the spirit of detraction: for we cannot fortify our works against all Assailants: some being addicted to carp, because long custom hath confirmed in them a desire of reprehension.  
Aelianus in his Natural History reports, how the Viper's issue is the bane and death of the Parent: Certainly as Libri are our Liberi, our children, which we should be as careful and provident in bringing up, as the Father over his child: so oftentimes they play the Vipers with us, they murder us in our name and reputation, much disparraging their Parents, being priceless, and therefore unfit for press: nay, they do more, they oftentimes asperse an imputation upon Her that should be not less dear (if not more) unto us, than ourselves, our Country: 
Licentious Libels.  making her flowery bosom a nourisher of fruitless labours, a stolen to licentious Libels, or Brothel rather of lascivious measures. And how shall we make answer for so many motives to lust, so divers enforcements to inordinate affections, and so temporising subjects in humouring great ones, and soothing Vice in her Majesty? Debemur morti nos nostraque: where our works must abide scanning, and that by a Judicious censurer; one that can unrip the secretest of imagination, and knows the Bend of our purposes.  
It was an excellent saying of Judicious Casmerus: Parum est legere aut colligere, sed intelligere, 
☞  & in formam redigere; hoc artis, hoc laboris est. Would Authors make use of this, they would not in so impolished nor uncomposed a form sand forth their Cubs before they be licked: nor set their fruitless brains a work in publishing such useless Labours, as have no proper Object whereto they may seem to aim, but an itching desire of being in Print: to have a Name amongst Authors; albeit, many times that Name redound to their dishonour. These may be compared to those unclean beasts, who never chew their Cud. It is a Divine Position: He that goes to meditate, before he be prepared, that man takes in hand to build an house before stones be gathered. What shall we judge of him, 
A calamo magis quàm cerebro, scrinio quàm genio istae eliciendae sunt telae, ib.  who without study or premeditation sets hand to paper: as if Works of that nature were only Manual, and no braine-labour? How miserably are their judgements darkened, or rather how pitifully are such deluded, who hope to receive life, or retain esteem from such Spider-caules? Wherein our pregnant'st and refinedst Wits are many times most conscious.  
We observe, how some of our Women are so taken with their straight and well-shaped bodies, as they would not for a world have Children, jest they should spoil their feature: nor will these Mushroom wits, who are ever teeming, never suffering, betake themselves to any pains, jest that burdenous labour might detract from the beauty of Nature. These hold Study an unnecessary accoutrement for good wits: present and pregnant must be their Fancy, out of some Poëticall rapture or fury: wherein by that individual spirit of Sack, they stretch and strain their enforced Genius to such high lines, as if Prometheus-like, they had stolen Fire from Heaven, drunk Hippocrene dry, or broke open the Muse's Cabinet, and soaked those poor Girls of all their influence. Where, some in perusal of these Ebrious Lines, will usually be so fare transported with them, or more properly, besotted by them; as they will vow, nothing could be composed by any Wit, were it never so fluent, upon a fasting or abstemious stomach, like those Conceits. Nay, that no praemeditation could mend them: being so enlivened and full of Spirit, as they were fare more easily admired than imitated.  
This I must confess, is a great happiness of Wit; but it confirms withal that Maxim of the wise Stagyrian; There was never any great wit without some mixture of folly: which may appear by their disesteem of study or praemeditation, as if it were a rub or Remora to invention.  
It was Eucherius saying; Nihil est magnum re, quod breve tempore: But these sprightly Wits are of another Opinion. They hold no work nor composure worth approvement: which, like an unnatural Birth, appears not in his full shape upon the instant: And of those, none deserving more admiration than their own. It was the saying of a famous Orator: I never knew any Poet (yet was I well acquainted with Aquinius, and many others) who did not think his own do better than all others. Nor is this speech of his to be only restrained to such as profess Poetry, but even generally to every distinct study: which he quickly discovered, who concluded: Delyrant plerunque Scriptores in libris suis.  
Now, to contract my Sails in the prosecution of this Argument; I should hold it not less convenient than mainly necessary; that such, who address themselves to employments of this sort, do use a cautious deliberation both in the election of their Subject, as also in their Style and Method of handling it. 
A pretty passage betwixt a Scriviner and a trifling Author.  Jest, what sometimes the Scriviner by way of derision spoke unto an impertinent Author, be applied unto them. This Scriviner being on a time in company with a Scholar, who professed himself to have Writ much; and having heard a large Catalogue of his obscured Labours: the Scriviner seemed to challenge an affinity to his profession. Not, that were absurd, answered the Scholar; why, replied the Scriviner? I am a Writer. Yea, but said the Scholar, I am an Author. Not, excuse me, quoth the Scriviner, I make no doubt of that; There are more Writers, than Authors; and the Catalogue of your Labours enrol you in that number.  
In one word, those Works only deserve Approvement, who derive their life and light from Judgement. Such only merit the Title of Records; because they live to posterity: and represent to the Successor whatsoever was imitable or despicable in their Ancestor.  
These are Works to be engraven in Cedar, and well-deserving their Caesar. So that, as Alexander had his Homer in Reverence for his Poesy; his Aristotle for speculation and Philosophy; Alcibiades the Instructions of Socrates to ground him in Piety; Caesar the continual practice of his own Commentaries to improve his glory; and African the works of Zenophon to enable him for occasions Domestic or Military: So these memorable Labours, which are thus penned by judicious and industrious Authors, merit not less honour, in what State or Province soever they shall receive harbour.  
For others, as corruption of manners is their Scope, or vain glory their aim, or some other by-respect the object of their Pen, they deserve a due censure from the State, for seeking so odiously to poison that breast, which nursed them.  
Thus much I have writ briefly (by way of inference) to caution such as by their Labours erect a Throne for Impiety to sit in: these Humour-mongers, that can with Caesar the Dictator, Atros dies albos facere, make black white, and mask Vice with a veil better suiting with Virtue: Now will I descend to their Opposite, and that is, the Satirical Writer, or Historiomastix.  
Some of these are very dangerous to a State, laying it open too much: 
The Satirical Historian.  and though acts should be related, as they were done: yet, if the circumstances may seem any way detractive to some person, or state, they are better silenced (if it may stand with the body of the History) than discovered. I have known some too precise in this vein: and one especially I remember, who speaking of the great Sultan, could not be content to describe his Palace, managements domestic and public, person, and the like; but of his piked Beard, the colour of his stockings: and in the end coming near him, (said he) and indeed nearer than need was, his breath was noisome. These, and such like impertinent circumstances are so frivolous, that they imply a defect of Judgement in the Author, to insert such idle, and immaterial Ambages in an History of consequence. But these are fare from those Historio-mastixes of our Time; 
Observe this humour in the seditious and factious Writers of our time.  some whereof personate the wrongs of a Noble Ancestor to his lineal Successor, moving him to revenge. This is one of the Furies Brands: for you shall never see one of this kind, but à tergo Nemesis, he hath vengeance at his back; a spleenful disposition disgorged upon the best of deserts. And thus he inserts the injuries: Such a family (well meriting of Prince and Country, and ever found loyal to the State) was undeservedly censured by the malevolent suggestions of such, and such; whose suggestions are (as yet) unrevenged, but the Heavens are just. What Motives more enforcing to civil commotion? Injuries ripped up, have oftentimes hazarded States: and there was never any People, 
A true Aphorism.  Nation, or Government, which have not from time to time had one of these. Thersites, as deformed in mind as body, (for so Homer characters him) was ever kindling the flame of civil combustion betwixt Achilles and Agamemnon at the Siege of Troy, about the rape of Briseis; ever harping upon that string to set them together by the ears.  
Why Achilles, should you sustain so great reproach, that have engaged yourself for Agamemnon, and his Brother's glory? Be all your hopeful Services, your valiant Exploits, your incomparable Achievements so rewarded? Hath Agamemnon no place for valour? no regard to honour? Why than desist Achilles, embark yourself for Greece, and leave this brave Champion to himself and his fortunes; your merits (being gone) will be better esteemed. You had but one prize, (and that prise unworthy too of your valour) and must that prize, got with much sweat, many difficulties, imminent dangers, multitude of occurrents, now be taken from you? But one Briseis, one dear one, and yet Achilles must lose her. Alas poor resolution! Why, it is better to be Aegystus, a Coward, a Recreant, one that retires himself from Arms, fight close under Clytaemnestra's Target. Such a Carpet-Knight is better than a Martiall-Knight. Than would he presently move Agamemnon in like sort, in no case to moderate his desires: Why should Achilles have so fair a Paramour, and the Prince of Greece want one?  
Such Agents of mischief as these, are ever of a neutral Faction: they hover like the Bat, 
☜  uncertain in adhering to any: they more admire the Sun when it is rising than setting. They measure the worth or merit of every action by the success of it. And when the day is closed; the actions of that day finished; they admire nothing more than those Booties which the Conqueror h'as gained. Their Historical Relation must become a Panegyric Oration. Not Compositions too elaborate; no Lines too Elegant, to give life to his conquest. Mean time, though the worse cause fared the best, as it was with unfortunate Pompey: whose memory had, no doubt, many Ages survived Caesars, had his fortune been parallel with Caesar's; they have the Art to magnify the equity of the Conquerors side: and with palpable assentation to insinuate into the affection of so commanding a spirit. Many glorious Attributes of greatness are these ready to device, to honour him that h'as won the day. But bitter are their Pens in disvaluing the Actions of the conquered: in lying aspersions upon his person; disgracing his Allies: and inventing by all means how to advance the Fame of the one, by derogating from the other. This it was (as I formerly observed) that induced Alexander to conceive such great distaste against Aristobulus, as he was almost ready to sand both him and his Works together inot the River Hydaspis'. For there is no noble nor princely disposition, who can endure to hear his conquered Foe dishonoured: or to see any one lead him in Triumph but himself.  
When Caesar had commanded those demolished Monuments of Pompey (Statues reared in his former affluence of Fortune) to be set up again, Cicero told him, that in erecting Pompey's Trophies, he established his own. So praiseworthy is the compassion of a Conqueror, that in this he deserves more praise, than his victorious prize. Nor is it less noble in him to contemn those servile earthy Spirits, who mould their Pens to the inclination of the day: holding him only worthy honour who got it; and the vanquished all dishonour, because his Fortune was more sinister. Whereas the goodness or equity of the Cause is not to be measured by the Close: Many pressed quarrels have produced strange effects: yea, such encroaching powers, whose only ground of Hostility, was enlarging of their own Dominions, or enriching their coffers by others fortunes, have received wonderful success; albeit, some Cloud or other in the end eclypsed their greatness, and returned them a just and proportionable revenge according to the measure of those injuries, which by invasion, oppression, or usurpation they had done unto others; as the Lyric sometimes sung: 

Quicquid à vobis minor extimescet, 
Horace.   
Maior hoc vobis Dominus minatur.   

As the Great deals with the low,  
God will use the Great ones so.    
But to return to our Discourse: As those who are interessed in these Military affairs, are to aim at nothing more than the justness of their quarrel; which retains still in itself a quickening power to the most declining spirits: so are those who undertake the recommending of those actions done, with a compatible Pen, to relate the grounds and occasions of their coming on; of passages during the war; with the event or issue thereof; without siding or complying with either part; either for Country, or any other private engagement. As for those, who (as Optatus speaks in another sense) are all for Time, nothing for Truth: or, as Themistius sometimes spoke of the Acacians, who by complying with the Emperor, and applying themselves to his pleasure, justly gained the name of jovinians, 
Assentatores non Deum sed Purpuram coluisse, etc.  ascribe more reverence to the Purple than Person; Their works may receive breath for a time, but cannot promise' any continued fame.  
It was a Speech worthy the Mouth of Traian: Hoc pro me utere, si iusta impetravera, contra me, si injusta. His desire was not longer to reign than he reigned well. The hearts of his people he sought not to win by any soveraignizing way: for he found those paths full of peril. Nor by pretending goodness, or shrouding cloudy designs with fair pretences, for those he shunned, because unsoundly grounded. And as the Fish Sepia is bewrayed by a black colour, which she casteth our to cover her: so this dusky vapour of dissembling being once dispersed, would bring him to a discovery, and by degrees to ruin. This had he read in the Tragical Catastrophe of Tiberius, who gloried in nothing so much as in cunningly cloaking his private purposes with guilded glozes, fair pretences, going invisible, and deluding his Subjects resolutions with a seeming good.  
Fair semblances poized with their incommodities, prove oftentimes fruitless, tedious, or noxious, as the Italian Proverb implieth: 
Chi habianco Cavallo, et bella moglie  
No vive mai Sansa doglie.   
This he discovered in others misery, which sufficiently informed him to eat such Precedents of impiety. Nor sought this brave Prince to ingratiate himself in the affections of his people, by an indiscreet bounty: for the fatal effects of such indisposed Sowers of their Fortunes, he read deeply charactered in the lose and lavish reigns of Vitellius, Commodus, etc. For these, howsoever they might seem to have free hearts, they had weak and shallow Conceits: in distinguishing the merit of the person to whom they showed, or rather showered down their bounty. He, who could time it most, was ever sure to be rewarded best: which begot in persons of desert and quality such discontent, to see others of base condition advanced, themselves contemned: as this their inconsiderate bounty became the only pulley to hale them to calamity.  
Nor could this absolute Prince (for he was Sovereign over himself) endure to force an obedience in his Subjects, by a tyrannic fear: for though Nero's Position was this: Fortuna nostra cuncta permittit mihi: 
Yet had this Precedent of Princes, factious & stirring Spirits both in Camp and Court.  He held that Maxim fare more princely: Quo quisque potentior, patientiùs mala ferat. Either to plant in blood, or beget a more awful command and Sovereignty by practising in himself or Officers, effusion of blood, he found that course no means to secure him, nor to settle him in an Imperial State. He had received from that Learned Moral, 
Plutarch.  how, in the mind or conscience of a Murderer, there shall always remain a plague of Blood; his Eyes shall behold no other colour but sanguine, as if the Air were died into it; the Visions of his Head in the Nighttime shall cast a Bowl of blood in his face.  
Howsoever, most certain it is, that divers factious Incendiaries have shown themselves in most Pavilions; where, by private suggestions they ever sought to sow differences amongst Eminent'st persons: purposely by a parasitical way, to creep into favour with one or other. Which ever redounded to the Author's dishonour; as might be instanced in sundry Examples both Ancient and Modern. For whence came those fatall-fraternall discords betwixt Polynices and Eteocles? Those continued Wars betwixt the Romans and Carthaginians; Sabines and Samnites; but from these Spirits in the Vault, who were impatient of nothing more than peace: nor Fautors of aught more than Division? In troubled waters is their best fishing: Halcyon days are their Canicular-dayes. A calamitous Cannae, or fatal Pharsalie, Camps where they hung their Trophies of glory. In which, they hold it impossible but to find some, on whom they may practise.  
Hecuba's Dream of bringing forth a Burning Torch, may be in these verified: Their stir would bring all to cinders, were they not seasonably quenched. Public safety, private Amity, all correspondence meeting mutually, would by these be soon dissolved, were they left alone to act their own parts: which would in short time burst out into such combustion, as the Stage where they acted, should present nothing but Enmity and Division.  
Some of this Stamp, our late Gracious Sovereign of famous Memory, King JAMES, took especial notice of: who, howsoever they were for other human Learning deservingly approved, yet for their indiscreet passages in this kind, (as may appear more fully in their Historical Relations) they utterly lost his esteem.  
These are poisonous and virulent heads, that suggest into the ears of Princes, Arguments of revenge, causes of distrust, motives of suspicion and jealousy: not to profit themselves, 
En pallor gentis, generis, genij què potentis Has iras stimulando graves, inflare superbos! A memorable Christian, and royal expedition.  but to satisfy the depravedness of their own natures, intended to nothing but the subversion of States, the setting at discord united Princes: En pallor! etc.— It was thought, that in that glorious and Christianlike expedition of those memorable Heroës, Princes recorded in the eternal book of fame, against the Turks, whose hostility had lain waste those blessed and fruitful coasts, where the remnant of Israel was once planted: that the greatest cause of the ill success of that War proceeded from some factious heads, setting (that unfortunate, yet never sufficiently praised Hero) the Duke of Normandy, and the King of France, at variance: an impious and disastrous enmity, being a main impediment for the hindering a war, not less glorious to Heaven, than generally beneficial to all the world. Some have imputed the cause to certain expostulations betwixt the two Princes, which grew afterwards to words of public reproach and infamy; upbraiding each other with divers insolences offered by their Countries, one to another. What ere the Motive of this dissension was, 
A mischievous plot.  (how varied soever the opinions of Writers be herein) the brain that contrived it, was sure the forge of great impiety, and an irreparable detriment to the Christians, exposing them to ruin, slaughter, and desolation.  

Factious Historians amongst the Aucient.  The like we may read of those two renowned Cities, Sparta and Athens: which two flourishing Commonweals long time lived in unity, without the lest motion of war: but in fine, reading the works of a mutinous Historian: mutinous indeed; for his factions before, had been sufficient, without further inducements by writing: such bloody and cruel wars ensued, as the fire of those intestine combustions was not extinguished with less than an universal effusion of blood. Many more I could produce, even near at home, but I must not insist upon one Argument too long, since I have entered a spacious and intricate Maze, that promiseth entrance enough, if I can (with Ariadne's thread) find a passage to my precipitate adventure.   

THus much have I spoken of State-snarling Historians, that make their Works like pricks or goads to the public State. I will now proceed with my former division of History, and find in these two extremes (Assentation, and State-invection) a mean to direct us in the perfect and exact use of Historical Narrations: Medio tutissimus ibis; neither too depressed, 
An excellent means for an Historian to observe.  as if thy Labours expressed their Master's poverty: nor too erected, to intimate thy state's security. Thou art too depressed, when with lagging wings thou stoopest to every base lure, or object of affection, making thy Invention a stolen to others pleasure, writing nothing less than truth, because truth cannot teach thee how to live. Thou art too erected, when like an eminent Censor, thou taxest the acts of Princes, with such an austere brow, as if thou hadst forgot the discipline of History, and were't transformed to a professed Satirist; mixing thy Ink with fare more gall than discretion: yet transported with imaginary motives of self-conceit; cares not who be galled, so thou (with Ctesiphon) kick against the Moiles heels. For the latter, there's no profession more easy, nor subject more frequent, nor Argument more general: and as juvenal saith: 

Lib. 1. Satyr. 1  Difficile est Satyram non scribere: nam quis iniquae  
Tam patiens urbis, tam ferreus ut teneat se?   
For the first, I never knew any Discourse worth reading, 
A flattering Historian.  proceed from so base and ignoble Merchants: They cell their Works by retail; and hope of a gainful Dedicatory, makes them contemn Method, Truth, Subject, and all. Irus' skrippe is open; relieve but the needy Artist, he will imitate the Bohemian Cur, fawn on a good suit: show the project of his intendments to him; deague but thy protection, and he will second it with an endeared protestation; to insert Monumental Characters of Honour to grace thee; only bestow thy bounty, and show not thyself unworthy of so fabulous an Attendant. His Invention is tied to his Benefactors: than dries the source of his fancy, when they restrain the Spring of their Bounty.  

☞  It is the misery indeed, of the Age, not always to fix upon Merit: seeing many rare and exquisite Wits, and those singularly improved by continuate study, and conference, sleep many times in silence, unregarded, at lest unrewarded: while more sterile Conceits receive advancement. Yet should not these respects make a Scholar forgetful of so generous a Title, as the best-discerning Heralds of Antiquity have bestowed on him. For if we will credit Authority, or the testimony of such, whose precious-spent Oil hath deservingly purchased them a memorable esteem, we shall find the Style of a Scholar deeply stamped with the Print of honour. Whence it is, that Citraeus writeth, 
In Itincrario pag. 444.  that in prague, an University of Bohemia, where john Hus and Hierom of prague professed, that they that have continued Professors for the space of Twenty years together, by a constant residence, are created Earls and Dukes both together. And therefore to dignify their persons the more, their Style is to be called Illustres; whereas they which are singly and simply but only either Earls or Dukes, a recalled Spectabiles. Neither maketh it any matter, that they have no revenues to maintain Earldoms or Dukedoms: for they have the Title notwithstanding, even as Suffragans have of Bishops.  
Reflect on these, 
Learning of too precious a memory, to become mercenary.  ye free-bred Children of the Muses, and you will scorn to expose your deserving Labours to the Mercenary Trade of our impertinent Pamphleteers: who writ before they read; and discover their follies to the world, not to gain praise but price.  
Observe but what surviving Fame the laborious Works of knowing Authors have formerly acquired: Quorum effigies si verè scire cupias, non saxa sed scripta legas. Admit, they received not that acceptance, while they lived, which their elaborate composures deserved: 
Let Scholars leave this deserving Motto of Solons to their Country; and if she reward them not, let it redound to her ignominy:" O Patria tibi dictis & factis opitulatus sum!  yet though a Maecenas sleep, the whole Judgement of an Age cannot. There will be ever some, who can both read and judge. So precious are these Monuments of Learning, and have been ever, that should Fortune play still her blind part, and reserve the smallest portion for Minerva's Followers: They shall live more honoured in the eye of judgement, because had in disgrace by a painted parcel of foot-cloth State, which never yet aspired to a discerning knowledge of Merit.  

Didicist is Philosophiam, & Philosophiae flo●em, nempe Poësem; & nondum sprevist is Sirenem Mundi, nempe Fortunam?  For tell me, ye happy despicable ones, are you any thing the worse, because despised, where only Fashion, Compliment, or affected ignorance is in request? Not; as it is the good man's glory to be disvalue by the evil: so it is your happiness to receive a disesteem from these, who pride themselves in nothing but silken ignorance.  
Niobe, in the affluence of her Fortune, could say:" Greater am I than Fortune can subdue. Much more you, who are enriched with fare more precious substance: you have in you what may truly fortify you: Not matter, though your outward house decline, so your inward house retain her beauty. Let your Works than confirm your worth: Let them not palliate an untruth: nor for any hope of an immerited reward, insinuate yourselves into the favour of vicious Greatness. Make choice of such a Patron, whom you may justly commend: let his Virtues rather than his Fortunes bind you to him.  
Many have perished in opinion of the world; by addressing their Labours to undeserving Personages: 
Direction in the Election of Subjects.  or by writing in way of Commendation, upon unworthy Subjects. Good Wits should be better employed: and if weak, the Better have writ enough for them to admire.  
These two sorts (as not worthy an Historical Title) have I proscribed the bounds of my discourse: if betwixt such two dangerous shelves, I can find a retired harbour for the truly named Historian to breath himself in, I have attained my wished expectance. The mean betwixt these two, gives us observation of noting causes and effects, how produced, and how ended: Counsels and successes, how intended, how administered. Than he proceeds further, making resemblance betwixt Nature and Nature, State and State, the government of this Province and of that: than differences of Actions and Events: some wisely carried, bearing themselves fair, and promising a complete satisfaction to the undertaker: yet what opposition betwixt the end and beginning, ruin being the period, or extreme of his hopes? Many such opposite Conversions, or Catastrophes rather, may we daily see in the managements of Wars. Who more happy in his Country's protection, and who more successive in his prosecution, than Pompey the great in his first entrance to Martial exploits? Yea, (as Caesar acknowledged himself) he had conquered, if he had known when he had conquered: 
Vicisses, si te vicisse cognovisses.  yet in event, whose designs more unhappy? Not only deprived of the bent of his hopes, proscribed (as it were) his native Country, and enforced to beg a poor Sepulchre in a foreign Country: but even most oppressed by their cruelty, whose service under his own Banner, had been rewarded royally. Such discourses often move in men a commiseration, 
Moving Historians.  in seeing Virtue so ill guerdoned, and Vice (under a sergeant garb) of Innocence, receive an immerited reward. And this certainly have most Historians ever observed in their Writings: so lively to express the disasters of deserving men, that their Relations might move a kind of sensible pity and remorse in the peruser, which is best exemplified by circumstances: for the time, place, cause, and person, with other necessary. Adjuncts, do (for the most part) lay a more open and smooth Tract to the enforcement of passion. Lucan, that Heroic Historian, brings forth Cornelia sitting upon the shore, where her Husband took his last farewell of her: where (like another Niobe) she makes a Limbeck of her eyes, and descants her own calamity, often wishing his return; and when deprived of his sight, yet the eye of her imagination represents a new object of sorrow. Here, in such royal compositions, and funeral conclusions, he describes the diversity of Nature, in two contrary subjects: a servant faithful, sitting o'er the headless trunk of his unhappy Master: 
How to move passion and by what circumstances.  a slave as ungrateful, haling his once well-esteemed Lord and General to the fatal shore: where (without taste of remorse, remembrance of former merits, or regard of Country's love) he deprives him of life.  
When Marc. Antony was to present the cruelty committed upon Caesar in that fatal surprise he received in the Capitol: that he might move more compassion in his Hearers; who, as they were for most part Plebeïans, so ocular Presentments usually work deepest impression with them: shown in his Funeral Oration the thirty three wounds wherewith Caesar was deprived of life by his Conspirators. Which bearing of his body, and discovery of his wounds, with an aggravation of the odiousness of the fact, being acted by his own pretended friends, begot in them an universal sorrow. Nothing but revenge could relish well with them, after this so doleful a Spectacle.  
This that excellent Historian, (Appian. Alexand. 
An excellent Art in moving passion, instanced in Appian. Alexandrinus. ) expresseth in such a passionate manner, as his Lines can hardly produce any less effe●● from an attentive Reader. For you shall ever observe, that the Imagination works more to life than the Line: So as, when such a Discourse is laid open to us, we begin to recollect the Circumstances: as the place where such a Tragic Scene was acted; the persons interessed; the quality of the person suffering: all which are so enlivened by the imagination, as it makes the Reader a Spectator so strong and sinewy is the conceit of him who understands what he reads.  
Choranius, who had been Praetor, being condemned and now attached by the Soldiers, during those Factions of the Trium-viri, entreated them to forbear from offering violence, till he might sand his son to speak with Antony; imagining, good Old man, that his son out of a natural affection and reverence to his grey hairs, would interceded for him; but they laughed at his suit, answering him, that his son had spoken, 
A memorable story of an unnatural Son, and his miserable end.  but it was to the contrary: When the old man heard this, he desired them to tarry till he had seen his Daughter; whom when he saw, he commanded she should abstain from his goods, jest her Brother should sue for her Death unto Antony. But observe the fatal issue of Disobedience! This unnatural Son, having consumed prodigally all his goods, the unhappy remainder of his Father's fortunes, became afterwards attached of Felony, and saved himself by flight: where living in a tedious Exile, he closed his days as miserably, as his former course was unnatural.  
A plenteous Storehouse of Examples for all conditions is History in itself. Which conduce much to the regulating of our life; and preparing ourselves for death. For if we shall but consider the resolution of such, who for popular honour, Country's esteem, or safety of State, have with all readiness encountered Death: yea, who rather than they would endure to see any Tyrannic Sovereignty introduced; or the ancient Laws and Customs of their Nation disannulled, would suffer the worst of all extremes: much more we, who fight for a better Country: and whose hopes extend the period of time, in the pursuit of our Victory.  
There is an Epigram of Callimachus upon Cleombrotus the Ambrocian, whom he says (to express the force of human reading) after that he had perused Plato's book of the Immortality of the Soul, forthwith, 
Tusc. Quaest. lib. 1.  without any other apparent cause, cast himself headlong down from a Wall.  
What effects Historical Readins have begot, all Times can bear sufficient Record: where some, whose remiss spirits durst never enter lists with any common danger, by being frequently versed in Relations of this kind, became valiant Commanders. Others, in the Survey of Acts done in defence of Lady's honours, as if those Historical Narrations solely aimed at them, betook them to the same Enterprise. No Task too difficult, no design so impaled with danger, which with a cheerful smile they would not encounter; so they might vindicate any wronged Ladies honour. Others, hearing those ancient distractions betwixt their own native Soil, with some other Nation: and the injuries their Country suffered; have revived those wounds already cicatris'd, and vowed a revenge for indignities nearly worn out by time. Such lively Presentments are Histories, as they have power to beget spirit in the pusillanimous, constancy in the courageous, modesty in the magnanimous, with a sweet attemperature of all virtues (whereof Clemency is the prime flower) in the Victorious.  
Such as defiled their native purity with impiety, by giving themselves over unto pleasure; and had stained the Nobility and splendour of their Souls through wallowing in Vice, or otherwise fraudulently by usurpation or base insinuation, had crept into Sovereignty, or unjustly governing the Commonwealth; such thought Socrates, that they went a by-path separated from the council of the Gods: But such as, while they lived in their bodies, imitated the life of the Gods, 
Tusc. Quaest. Lib. 1.  such he thought had an easy return to the place from whence they first came.  
Of which Subject Egesias the Cyrenian resolved so amply, and discoursed so powerfully, that he was forbidden of King Ptolomeus to teach the same in Schools, for that many after his Doctrine willingly killed themselves.  
These Disputations in those times free from the shock of war, and inconveniences ever attending Hostility, were usually professed and practised. But when the Gown and Laurel gave way to the Lance, such arguments ceased: Philosophy became out of request: Martial Discipline the sole determiner of causes. Fields became theatres, where such Scenes of sorrow were Acted; as the Conqueror could not say that those booties were clear gains which he had purchased. This moved that princely compassionate Caesar, sometimes to compare his own Imperial game with a democratical loss. To comfort that disconsolate Cornelia, 
An excellent Discourse of Imperial frailty.  whose eyes were ever flowing in the remembrance of her injuried Lord. To recall to mind those many eminent Statists, whose glory it was to embrace Death willingly, rather than become Subjects of his Victory. To recount (if Figures could find place for such a number) those many beds made Widows; those many Infant-orphans by his Pharsalia. He finds the Senate dissolved; all those Orders and Officialls conducing to a Political State (while popular command bore sway) rooted. The tongue of Eloquence he finds charmed: and to his innovated State solely chained. He finds jaenus Temple open, and he is conscious to himself, why it was opened: and now he shuts it, but not without a sigh, for he knows not how soon it may be opened. He views with a serious Ceremony the Statues of his once living, but now interred friends: and in a more passionate recollection of his own affairs, he considers, how his ambition brought many of them to ruin. He looks when those liveless Shrines of his loving Allies should tender him a regreet, at lest an enforced smile, as a congratulating testimony of his Victory. But he finds them Emblems of himself; mere shadows of empty greatness; a place they hold, and that is all.  
Having now taken a full view of his Princely Praetorian, his fatal Capitol, and all those memorable Beauties which either Art or State could bring to their full height; he takes measure of himself: 
No Empire can confine the heart of her Emperor.  and he finds his heart as unconfined as it was before. Triangular it is, which, should it possess the world, can not more by the Circumference of the world be consigned, than a Triangle by a Circle is to be filled. He eyes his own Composition; and he neither finds his body more strengthened, nor the line of his life probably lengthened; nor the stays of his Empire better settled. And now he feels in his own breast, what he never felt before; numerous cares, nocturnal fears: So as, should he be so secured from all outward foes, as nothing could occasionally trouble him without; he finds such a Battalion within, as he ingenuously acknowledgeth Liberty to be fare more precious than Sovereignty; all which he finds the experimental fruits of his Victory. And now he would converse a little with Mortality; which that it may take more impressive Prints upon the face of Majesty, he goes to the Monument of his vanquished Foe; One sometimes equal to himself for greatness; and transcendent (if the general Vote and Voice of Rome deserve credit) to him in goodness. And what finds he engraven on that mouldered shrine, but the Effigies of an headless Trunk, distinguished by this impress:" Hic situs est Magnus! Every where he finds Fortune his professed foe: and the want of knowledge how to manage a Victory, the occasion of his own fall.  
He sees the dislaughtered Corpse both of his Friends and Foes equally bleeding: for his Triumph, he conceives it short in measure of those numerous wounds by him occasioned; those profuse Rivulets of blood his hand h'as effused; those Oceans of distreaming tears his Conquests have procured.  
Such Tragic occurrents require their Emphasis, and a kind of unusual working passion: that the History may present to our eyes, the very acts how they were done; making her Discourse (as it is) a Theatre of human Actions. I know pitiful stories have strange effects, 
Lively impressions of remorse, drawn from the Son towards the Father.  if amply described: For Warriors themselves in the report of their own misfortunes (of all men most pitiless) have hardly contained themselves from tears. Aeneas wept to see the ruins of his Country so lively depictured in Dido's Hall: But when he beheld his poor Father Anchises hanging on his own shoulders, (having no other refuge in so imminent disasters) Suspiria mittit, he could weep not longer: for tears mitigate grief; but with a passionate silencing of his miseries, treasured his unutterable woes in the baleful Centre of his heart.  
Xerxes, when of a populous Army, as ever passed out of Asia, he had but so many left as might attend him in a poor Cockboat, to accompany him in his distressed expedition, the History mentions, that he wept bitterly; enstiling himself, The ruin of his Country, the slaughter of many resolute Soldiers. Nay, Titus himself, the Flower of all the Roman Emperors, in the sack and subversion of that once glorious City jerusalem, is said to weep exceedingly, beholding so many lamentable Objects of pity (dead carcases lying in open ditches) so as not able to contain himself, he cried out, I call Heaven to witness, I am not the cause of this people's slaughter. Many such representments we have very usual in Histories, motive for their passion, and memorable for their end; proceeding from the just Judgement of God, to caution others by their miserable falls.  

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

☞  Yea, to show you, how Chronologers differ concerning those years from the World's Creation, to Christ's Birth: some affirming, there be 3929, as Beroaldus: some 3952, as Hierome and Bede: some 3960, as Luther and johannes Lucidus: some 3963, as Melancthon in his Chronicle, and Functius: some 3970, as Bullinger and Tremellius: some towards 4000, as Buntingus.  
Sundry probable opinions every one of these alleged; yet in Computation constantly different. No doubt, but Transcriptions these men had to confirm their Opinions: how than came these to be so defective, or different one from another? Divers have not less diversely laboured to resolve this Objection; than they have with impertinency of Reasons entangled the understanding with new doubts. Much was proposed by them Argumentatively, nothing Positively concluded; being by Opponents not less probable in their Arguments, than confident of their Judgements, opposed. Howbeit, touching this our Computation, we rest sufficiently grounded. This only is the occasion of our inference in this particular: purposely to deliver unto you the diversity, and consequently the main deficiency of such Transcripts, as former times have recommended to Posterity.  
Neither need we wonder that in our own Kingdom, those who have for many years preceded us, should afford no great light or direction to their Successors; seeing, Saint Hierome in the end of his Dialogue against the Pelagians, 
Hieron. in Dialog. count. Pelag.  (a book of excellent Learning and divine Discourse) writeth thus: The Province of Britain, which hath been oftentimes governed (note the deplorable estate of this Island in those days) by Tyrants and other Hostile people; Nations bounding or bordering upon the Ocean Sea, were utterly ignorant of Moses and the Prophets: So that than, by the testimony of Saint Hierome, all our Religion was Heathenish superstition: all our Church-service was Idolatry: all our Priests were Panims: all our Gods were Idols. And to appropriate to every Nation their peculiar God, there was than in Scotland, the Temple of Mars: in Cornwall, the Temple of Mercury: in Bangor in Wales, the Temple of Minerva: in 
a Stow in Annal. in vit. Morgani.  Malden in Essex, the Temple of 
b Cambdeni Britan. in Esse●ia.  Victoria: in Bath, the Temple of Apollo: in Leicester, the Temple of janus: in York, where St Peter is now, the Temple of 
c Stow Annal. in ulta Bladud & Leire Regum, & Severi Imperatoris.  Bellona: in London, where Paul's is now, (and now to more than her pristine beauty restored) the Temple of 
d Juellius in Tractat. de sacris Scriptures. pag. 129. Act. 19.28.  Diana: Therefore it is very likely, by comparing those Times with preceding Antiquity, that they esteemed as highly than of the Goddess Diana in London, as they did in Ephesus: and that as they cried there, Great is Diana of the Ephesians; so they cried here, being deluded with the same spirit, and transported with the same pursuit of profit, Great is Diana of the Londoners. Nay, even not more than 53. years before the Incarnation of Christ, when julius Caesar came out of France into England, so absurd, senseless, and stupid were the people of this Land, that instead of the true and everliving Lord, they served those Heathenish and abominable Idols, Mars, Mercury, Minerva, Victoria, Apollo, janus, Bellona, Diana, and such like. Not great marvel than, that people so wholly illiterate and ignorant in the Law of Moses, should be unknown to the Computation of years descending from Moses. But for the Pagan's themselves to be ignorant in their Annual Accounts with such superstitious solemnity observed; with such constant Feasts solemnised: and every year, in their personal visits (especially for their Olympic and Isthmian Games) memorised: it may seem strange to affirm, but a task of more difficulty to confirm.  
And yet this is easily done; for their opinions about their Olympiads in Greece, for the time of their Erection are divers: 
Vid. Aul. Gel. & Laërt.  The foundation of Rome as uncertain, since the Founder himself is not as yet generally agreed of; for the divers Relations of Numitor and Amulius, Romulus and Remus, with their Mother Rhea, or Ilia, (as some will have it) make up a Labyrinth of themselves without further confusion. But to infer the strange conveyance (or Apotheosis) of Romulus, suddenly vanished forth of their sight, and by the testimony of julius Proculus, transplanted to some other place of more eminence; hardly deserves the credit of an Historian: Yet some there be which show more favour to this famous Founder of Rome, deigning to bestow a Monument of him, which is erected for him in the Temple Quirinus. Indeed it were little enough to memorise so renowned an Establisher with a Tomb, and to consecrated the place of his Burial; as Achilles Tomb, or Monument in Sygeum, Theseus in Athens, Ajax in the Rhetian shore, and Alcides' Relics in Oëta: Read but over the Roman Annals, and you shall find the discordancies of Historians in these Computations of times to be great: As especially the destruction of Troy, confounding the several times of Troy's sacking, missing their Account from Laomedon to the succession of Priam. But I have touched the error enough, let us now descend to the prevention of it.  

Transcriptions ofttimes uncertain & defective.  Before we take in hand any Discourse, we must always meditate of the means, ere we can attain the end: Which end is soon achieved, when we address ourselves for such Subjects (as have been in our time) wherein we may receive Instruction, by some that have been interrested in those Affairs, of fare more certainty than any Transcription. But intending our Studies to any Foreign Relation (whereof it may be we have some one Record) I would not depend upon the Antiquity of the Record (for we have many ancient Fables) but recollect myself and examine the probability, whether such particulars are like to bear resemblance of truth or no. And herein we imitate the Ancientest and best Authorised Historians that ever wrote.  
Valerius Maximus had recourse, not only to Roman Annals, (which were kept with great care) but he used to confer with such as had any Breviates of the Roman Lives in their hands: Comparing them together, that he might cull and choose out from the best Authors (as himself witnesseth) such documents, as not only propagated the glory and pristine height of his Country, but might move succeeding ages to emulate their Virtue's.  
The like of that true Moral Historian Plutarch, whose Style so modestly garnished, and so sententiously concluding, hath (and not without cause) purchased him the name of the Father of Histories.  
Laërtius, a worthy recorder of those famous Sages of Greece; describes his Country's happiness with great modesty: Whose Sentences may beseem the gravest Understanding to extract, and upon occasion to accommodate to his own purpose. 
The variety of discourse in Laërtius.  Here he shows Spirit in a Philosophers Pen, one opposing himself against a Tyrant; There a Moralist, making young men fit Sociates for the maturest times: Here a Cynic, contemning the glory of the World, though offered him; There a merry Greek, laughing at the Vanities of men wholly besotted and subjected to mundane slavery. O what Christianlike Maxims, what Divine conclusions, what solid Arguments, what enforcing reasons be there included, only to move men to the embrace of virtue? With Discourse plentiful enough in oppositions betwixt Ethnic and Ethnic; outstripping Nature (if it were possible) in reasoning, and drawing an argument, near to Divine approbation, and ready to confirm it, if the general blindness of the Time, and their want of further Revelation would admit of their assertion.  
Thus much for the former branch of my Division, of Histories True and Authentic: Now I will entreat of Relations Feigned; yet such as Moralised include an excellent meaning, drained from the uncorrupted Springs of Helicon.   


Feigned Relations or Poëticall Histories.  ALL Relations feigned are not to be excluded: for many Poëticall Narrations there be which comprehend in them a wonderful sharpness of judgement, pregnancy of Invention, and a great measure of Discretion; of which sort, none more excellent than the Works of Homer, weaving many pretty conceits in the web of his History, 
Homer an Excellent & Heroic Port; shadowed only at, because my judicious Friend Master Tho. Heywood, hath taken in hand (by his great industry) to make a General (though Summary) description o● all the Poet's lives; and with fare more felicity, I hope, than his mysterious discourse of Angels.  to make the Subject itself more pleasant. The more I commend him to the reading of the judiciously Generous, because I could never found in his Works any scurrilous Affectation, but prosecuting his Discourse with a modest gravity, as if Nature, that had deprived him of his corporal sight, had done it, to make the eye of his understanding more piercing. For who so reads the Majesty of his Style, the wel-coucht Fables immixed in his War betwixt the Greeks & Trojans, may as in a Storehouse, imagine the Treasures of all Wits to be locked up in him. Many excellent Histories have been derived from him, as well in Prose as contracted Measures; for his pleasing variety relisheth more than others, because through all his Works, he useth less digression than others: and pity it is, that every impolished hand should have to do with the Transcription of his Labours: grieving the poor Blindman with their blindness: For who so blind as Bajard? And if Stesycorus was worthily struck blind for Commenting on Venus' beauty, and discommending Helen's form: Much more deserve they an exacter punishment, that dare with an unprepared sleightness, 
Labours disparraged by Translators.  Comment on his eternised Labours, who detected Venus' lust, and portrayed Helen's Inconstancy.  
To prescribe in what Tongue Histories are to be read, I know their own garment is most native. But such have been the disparraging Labours of our English Translators, that Rome's Tongue, and Greece's Characters, grow as vulgar and common with us, as the Italian Garb: so as we seem beholding to others, both for Speech and Raiment. I do know some Works are necessary to be Translated, 
Many illiterate of the exactest judgement.  being such as express the politic states of Realms; which imparted to the illiterate, oftentimes confer no little benefit to our Country. But other Works there be, which Modesty would have concealed, being Records of the Viciousness of former times; as the Obscene and sensual convents, or prostitutions rather, of those mirrors of Impiety, the Roman Emperors; the Relation whereof acquaints the depraved too well with such Impudence.  
To admit of such Works, or to give Patronage to such, not only fruitless but dishonest Labours, hath been in all times a great occasion of corrupting youth, 
The free passage of wanton works, the main source of corrupting Youth.  nourishing Vice, and introducing a sensual liberty amongst such, who in regard of their eminence of place, should have been Patrons and patterns of piety. For if anciently all occasions of looseness were so much prevented, as even outward Habits or other external gestures made them censured: How much more should Authors, whose oil should be so employed, as a benefit to some, a prejudice to none aught to be occasioned; labour to compose such Works, or faithfully Translate such Labours, as may confer a succeeding profit to the State, to which they stand more particularly interessed. Lascivious lines produce vicious lives: seeing men for most part, are more Apishly addicted to the imitation of any vice, than seriously affected to the attention of Virtue. Scandal is a dangerous shelf: neither is there any Tetter more noxiously spreading o'er the face; than foments and occasional motives of inordinate lightness is to our life.  
Lacides, that Argive King, was accounted lascivious only for his sleek looks, and mincing gate. 
Unless occasions be prevented, the most integrious may be impeached.  So Pompey, a professed Champion of valour and honour, because he used to scratch his head with one finger; albeit very continent and modest. So Crassus, only because he would have bought a Farm of a Vestal Virgin, for which intent only, he used to converse with her, was suspected to have abused her. Posthumia, because out of a natural inclination, given to laughter, and something forward to talk with men, was suspected of her honesty; whereof being openly accused, she was acquitted by Spurius Minutius with this Caveat, to use words suitable to her life.  
Now, if Habit, Gesture, or Discourse begot such a suspicion amongst Pagans'; what should public Works, whereto Authority gives improvement, do amongst Christians? In our readings, as we should be Bees and no Spiders: brouzing and sucking the fragrant'st and wholesom'st herbs, and no less seasonably converting them to the best substance: So should those, who intent to publish aught; not less sincerely than seriously ponder thus with themselves, before they impart themselves to the World: whereto tends this passage? will not the ambiguity of it probably beget a misconstruction, and consequently some occasion of corruption? Have our lines their full weight? do they bear that proportion, which may sort with the quality of that Subject whereof they treat? do they neither fall short of the Time, by contracting or injuriously concealing, what should be discovered: Or above the time, by dilating too amply, and annexing a Comment, where the Text itself would have served? Is there naught that may offend a modest care, or deprave an unsettled thought? May the State receive it, and be not prejudiced by it: Or the most censorious Critic peruse it, and without just ground disrellish it?  
Princely Augustus, who ever retained in him a Moral piety, aswell as an Imperial Majesty; for lesser had the latter beseemed him, had not the former accompanied him; would not permit his Livia to read light works: no question, light labours make many of our Livia's light. For as the Lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved: 
Plato.  so it fareth with these, who affected to light passages, in the end so fix their deluded conceits upon them, as they admire nothing with more constancy, than such Subjects as wrought those lovesick passions on their besotted fancy.  
But to recede to our Discourse of Histories of this nature; 
A just reproof of indiscreet Translations.  I found many unprofitable passages in the Translation of our Histories; which the discretion of a temperate and well-composed Interpreter might have well omitted: neither should he in this have prejudiced his Author, but acquired more honour to himself by his Labour. I could instance many passages in sundry Roman Historians, which might discreetly have been omitted without any defect or maim at all to their History: and by omitting those lighter digressions, ministered less offence to a modest Reader.  
Truth is, we are apt enough to become depraved by our own illimited affections; and little need to have a platform drawn to us, to beget in us a new brood of vicious inventions. Many particulars, no doubt, might suit well the History in his Original, in respect of the time, place, and persons, wherein and to whom it was addressed: which, attired in another Dialect, and published in these our latter times, would not relish so well to a clear Judgement.  
That conspicuous Light of the Eastern Church, 
Aug.  whose Devotion and Learning have contracted themselves in so unanimous a manner, as no succeeding Age but shall reap benefit by the perusal of his holy Labours, saith, that anciently the Romans worshipped Virtue and Honour for Gods. Whence it was, that they built two Temples, which were so seated, as none could enter the Temple of HONOUR, unless he first passed through the Temple of VIRTUE: to signify, that none was to be honoured, unless by some Virtue he had first deserved it. The Moral admits no other ingenuous Exposition, than its own genuine expression: For Honour, none should be so daring-bold, or presumptuously confident upon a credulous conceit of their own worth, as to woo her, much less to win her, till by passing through Virtue's Temple, he get free admittance unto her.  
Now tell me, what Honour shall accrue to those goodly Labours, beautified with glorious Frontispieces, garnished with all the Ornaments and Embellishments of Art, countenanced by a powerful Patron, and accommodated with all those Helps which the extensive Labours of an Author can require: when it shall appear to the World, that those Lines of his never received approvement from the Temple of Virtue? O, how many sickly Judgements have I known of this sort, who by neglecting their choice of Arguments tending to the advancement of goodness, and bestowing their Oil on such as lest deserved their employment, have perished in the esteem of honest Wits, and disparraged themselves most, 
●uijs miserè ●esecerunt, de quibus maximè praesumpserunt, Vid. Ca●al. Hist.  where they expected to have been honoured most! But as this may be properly construed an error of life; where the affection of an Author, either in respect of the general inordinacy of the Time, chooseth rather to sit his Pen to the corruption of the Age, by delivering to her what she most affects: or out of a weakness and deficiency of Judgement, prefers a light or lascivious Subject, solely apt to deprave many, improve none; before such as are serious, and might tend to the benefit of the Public, being methodically disposed, and faithfully rendered, as Transcripts of that nature, are to be published. So there is another error commonly arising from ignorance of the Language, wherein such a Subject was writ. As the Greek, so is the Latin copious and fluent: in both which it is very easy to offend, either by too childish rendering, or erroneous mistaking of the Original expression.  
But the Latin Tongue being of most use, because of generall'st Notion through the World; as also for that most of the Greek Histories were rendered by faithful Interpreters in that Tongue, received most acceptance: and that not only in the Latian confines, but in more remote places where other Tongues were in request.  
We read in Dion Cassius, of a principal man in Greece, that by Claudius was put from the order of Judges, for being ignorant of the Latin Tongue.  
That in all the regions of Pannonia it was known: Velleius will afford you sufficient authority. 
Vellei. lib. c. Strabo. lib. 3. & 4. Apulcius in Floridis.   
Secondly, that it was spoken in a free and native Idiom, in France and Spain.  
Thirdly, in Africa.  
And (to reflect upon more Divine authorities) it seemeth that the Sermons of Cyprian and Augustine yet extant (of Augustine it is manifest) that they preached to the people in Latin. But in the East parts of the Empire, as in Greece and Asia, and so likewise in Africa, from the greater Syrtis Eastward, it appears not in our reading nor collection from others, that the Roman Tongue ever grew into any common use. And the reason of it seems to be, for that in those parts of the Empire it became most frequent, where the most and greatest Colonies were planted.  
Now, what absurdities are and have been usually committed upon ignorance of the Tongue, which they laboured to Translate, I leave to the judicious censures of such, who are frequently versed in such Subjects: where they shall find whole pages misconstrued, whole periods omitted, whereby the Author becomes miserably mangled.  
Now, to return a true level unto both; as the Original expressed acts done in that time unto life; and, perchance, glanced at some egregious abuses of that Time, or rather displayed them in their deepest colours: So is his Translator in an apt and proper phrase to tender him: and if any impertinent, or (which is worse) vicious passages occur, with a modest silence to pass over them '; rather than by an unnecessary inserting of them, inform the present age in knowledge of them.  
In observing this, their Labours shall deserve to be inchained in our eminent'st Libraries, and retain in them a confirmed fame; while lighter subjects, which receive their beauty from the complies of Time, or adorn themselves with the quicke-vading flourishes of vanity, shall incline to the period of an easy Fate.  
But because I have entered into a Catalogue of Poëticall Histories, I will proceed further into the memorable, and no less ingenious Works of Hesiod: Much I cannot Writ of Historical matter in Hesiod; yet what he writ of that Subject, comprehended in it more height and true proportion, than any Poet that ever writ. With what hazarding danger doth he there delineate the rare Combat between Ceix and Cycnus? Now equally poizing their valours (as if nature had made them of that equal power) to the end to leave the conflict uncertain. Presently (upon occasioned advantage) he shows a better and a worse: yet so, as without the lest imputation, or disparrage to either of their spirits (making them as imparalell as equal) but applies the event to some auspicious Genius, or Divine Power, favouring one more than another. Strait, with a new passage, he proceeds to the resolved exploits of Hercules; 
Hercules' Labours.  and with an admirable facility describes his Labours. He it was, that by the assisting hand of jupiter, of whom he descended, flew the Cleonian Lion, the Erimanthian Boar, the Bull of Marathon, the Lernaean Hydra, and the winged Hart: He who purchased not less memorable Trophies in Hell, than on Earth; haling the three-necked Cerberus, and rescuing Proserpina (if the Supreme Powers had not inhibited) from the tyrannic hands of infernal Pluto: Discomfiting the Centaurs, vanquishing Achelous (being his corrival in the love of fair Deianira) the Stymphalideses, the Cremona Giants, the traitorous Nessus, Antaeus, Augeas Stables, Apples of Hesperides, Cacus, Busyris, hurling Diomedes to his Horses (to quit his own tyranny) freeing Hesyone from the Whale, sacking Troy in revenge of the perfidious Laomedon, subduing those invincible Giants, Dericlus and Albion, redeeming Orcalia, and Betricia from the captivity of Geryon: and wearing the Amazon Baldric, to intimate his victories in those warlike Provinces.  
These, and the like, doth Hesiod set down with that probable coherence, that if the matter itself did not imply an impossibility, one would be certainly induced to believe so concordant an History. Presently he descends to the Generation of the Gods, making up a Genealogy in that distinct order, as the Pagan Gods (for so one hath observed) were much indebted to him for so well deserving their pedigree, which without his invention (perhaps) had lain obscure.  

☞  Now, howsoever these Inventions may seem improper for the state or structure of an History; 
How Invention may stand with the contexture of an History.  because it behoves an Historian to relate with probability whatsoever hath happened either in his own Time or any former Age: Yet are these, embellishments to History; being writ rather to beautify than confirm; and to cheer the conceit, than to enforce it to an improbable belief. No doubt, but many of those Eminent Heroës, whom Time either flattered, or Oracles deluded, or some other self-opinionate Conceit transported, were encouraged to designs of infinite difficulty, to prove themselves descended from a Deity. Besides this, they imagined, being so descended, they were invulnerate. This it was, which put them on Actions above conceit, to disperse their Fame, and preserve that Opinion which the Age retained of their descent. Howsoever, 
Excellent Emblems shadowed under Poëticall fictions.  excellent Emblems were shrouded under those Poëticall Fictions. Hirsutae nuces optimes praebent nucleos. The shell may seem mean, but the kernel sweet.  
When Achilles, that glory of the Grecians, had exposed himself to all dangers, that Hostility or the force and fury of an Enemy could press upon him; in the end, he was wounded in the heel; for there only, as the Poets feign, he was mortal, and consequently vulnerable. This includes a dark but dainty Moral. Many, howsoever they come on bravely, and can endure not only the first brunt, but express a wondrous height of resolution, during all or most part of the heat of the day, yet in the heel are they wounded. They crown not the Day of their Actions with a glorious Evening, but fail most when the Merit of their Actions should be most shining. For in this should every Heroëck Spirit imitate the Sun; whose property it is to show most beauty in the Setting: so they, more in their Close than their Beginning.  
Yet, were these Historical Inventions of the Poets, touching the Generation of the Gods; in many respects defective, and in some absurd. Especially, in portraying of them aged, or addicted to some vicious quality or other: wherein they seemed to confounded Mortality with Immortality: a pure integrious estate with impiety.  
For the first, it was an excellent Saying of Theocritus, who observing that popular stupidity of such as reposed their sole confidence in Idols, with the vanity of them: seeing, how even those Gods, whose Models they retained, and to whose memories they were erected, were translated or removed none knew whither; encouraged those who suffered for their Contempt towards those Pagan Deities in this manner: 
a Bono estote animo, quando Dij moriuntur ante homines. Theocritus in Cle. Alex. Protrep.  Be of good courage, when Gods die before Men. Again, speaking of a Mute Deity: 
b Quid praestare colenti potest, quae loqui non potest? Lactant. de falsa Relig. lib. 1. Cap. Dea Mutae,  Wherein can that Goddess avail him that worships her, who cannot speak to him that worships her?  
So as Tullus Hostilius putting 
c Pavorem Palloremquè.  FEAR and PALENESS in the number of his Gods: It is pity (saith Lactantius) that ever his Gods should go from him.  
Notwithstanding all this, in the relation of their actions and such intervening Occurrents as happened in their Oppositions, they deserve applause, though no credible approvement. And the more to be admired were their descriptions, in regard they fixed on no other Story either Transcribed, or any other way delivered, than what invention had first moulded and recommended to posterity. Yet observe what congruity these held, both in describing them what they were, from whence they came, what exploits they did, with the several Offices to which they were designed, or rather Originally interessed: and those distinct passages of their lives, with the concurrency of opinions touching their birth, continuance and increase, cannot choose but beget wonder.  
You shall not found in any one of these, peculiar Offices confounded: Liber must not intermeddle with the care of the Vines; nor Neptune play the Mercurist. Distinct Offices were recommended to several supposed Deities: and this the ancient Ethnics held with such ceremonious reverence, as nothing could be with more solemnity observed.  
For the latter, absurdity; wherein the Pagans' made their Gods addicted to all vice and impiety: This might have declined them from such adoration; when those Persons whom they so highly honoured, deserved in their actions so little imitation. But to take Survey of those contests or civil Wars amongst themselves, either arising from precedency; or grounded upon jealousy, or some other occasional distaste, would be●et a deserving admiration in any judicious Reader: observing, what Historical Art derived her light from invention; and in what excellent order disposed, though restrained by rules of dimension.  
Lucian deserves his place, whose otherwise ill-deserving parts, being a professed see to all divine adoration, purchased him an end as miserable as his profanations merited; being devoured by Dogs: yet in this regard we have propounded our Opinion about Historical fictions, I will give him his due place: one of an excellent Wit, ripe Understanding, and laborious withal, to found out the ancient Manuscripts, and records of authorised Histories: yet, forasmuch as his writings are interlarded now and than with invective speeches against the Celestial Powers, arguing too much of Nature's power, too little of the Sovereign of Nature: I would have the Generous Reader to prepare himself in the perusal of such Discourses, as Calypso instructed Ulysses against the Sirens Enchantments, thus inviting him:  
Huc ades ô ingens Graecorum gloria Ulysses, 
Homerin Iliad, Lib. 2.   
Siste Ratem, etc.— Thus Englished.  
Come hither Noble Ithacus, of valiant Greeks' the choice,  
Take harbour here, incline thine ear unto the Sirens voice:  
For there ne'er was any did pass, since we arrived here,  
This liquid way, but wished to stay, our warbling notes to hear.  
Hence pregnant wits, and ripe conceits much knowledge have conceived:  
As for the acts you did at Troy, we news long since received.  
And how the Gods pursued the Greeks', the Trojans Greeks pursue,  
The Grecians hate in sacking Troy, Heavens hate in wracking you.  
Of these Enchantments did Calypso fore-warn Ulysses with this preparation, that he should command his Associates in his ship, to bind him, when he approached near those fatal Harmonists, and to stop their ears, lest they should be made a prey to their cruelty. So must every one prepare himself in such Siren-discourses. The liberty of these times, persuades some too easily to Lucian's arguments: and those which (in fear of divine power) dare not deny the Omnipotency of the Immortal power in word, yet their profane conversation implies an absolute Apostasy in them in their works. I wish these digressions were not needful: for than I might more directly proceed in my discourse, which the depravedness of times will in no case suffer.  

Feigned Histories approved, tending to instruction.  But in these feigned Histories I wholly exclude all ribaldry; times themselves have instruction sufficient for obscene subjects, without any further excitements: nor can I admit, that those unprofitable Stories of Primalion, Palmerin de Oliva, The Knight of the Sun, Gerilion, with many other fictive Discourses, should be entertained by Youth. Many of these Relations have strangely transported divers well-promising Wits into strange amazements; especially such as conceive more delight in them, than more serious studies. Some we have heard, that in reading the strange adventures of Orlando Furioso, and conveying the very impression of his amorous passion to themselves, would presently imitate his distraction, run stark naked, make Lovesongs incommendation of their Angelica, put themselves to intolerable torments to gain the affection of their supposed Mistresses. Others, in imitation of some valiant Knights, have frequented Deserts, and uninhabited Provinces, echoing in every place their own vanities, endorsing their Names in barks of Trees, wholly turned savage and untractable, to personate that Knight more lively.  
Such Histories I only allow of (whether in Prose, or Verse, 
Such Histories only merit that name, which yield profit with delight.  for Epicks may be writ in either) as yield profit with delight; not subjecting their discourse to observe some indiscreet Humour of the Time, for application, but prevention. Many read, and (in the looseness of their own lives) make application of the worst unto themselves; hoping with Herostratus, to be memorable for villainy: These are like Spiders, that turn the sweetest and most wholesome flowers to rank poison; the discredit of an History, and a great strengthener of vice.  

☞ He falleth upon a just reproof of useless Readers of Histories: with such as cull only grounds for themselves, to comply with their own desires. The Ambitious man's Object in his Reading.  And here might I take occasion, to fall upon a just reproof of useless Readers of Histories; with such, as cull only grounds for themselves, to comply with their own desires: As the Ambitious; who reflects only upon high aery Spirits: but never makes any use of their fall. An aspiring Philotas is the Object he eyes, and his designs, the Copy after which he moulds his Actions. O, how highly is he transported, when he sees Ambition mounted: looking ever after Hamon's Honour, but seldom or never on his Ladder? Indirectest paths are the ways he most affects: and like a youthful Ascanius, scorns to walk in common tracks, or to converse with aught less than Empires. He holds Opinion with that Universal Monarch, that Kingdoms got by descent, derive to their possessors no personal merit. He had rather win than inherit; achieve by the Sword, than enjoy by succession. Such as these say with Tiridates in Tacitus; To retain their own, 
Sua retin●re privatae domus, d● alienis certa●e ●egia laus est. Tacit.  is in the power of every private State; but to aim at that which is another's, is a Princely praise. This it was (as I have elsewhere observed) that caused Themistocles to walk in the Nighttime in the open street, 
☞  because he could not sleep; the Reason whereof when some men enquired, who were to him more intimately endeared, 
Tus●. lib. 4.  he answered, that the Triumph of Miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest. So impatient of rest is Ambition, as it cannot endure either Competitor or Equal; but a reflex had to them infinitely distracts him: so as, he cannot possibly enjoy himself, because he envies their greatness, whom general Opinion holds either equal or transcendent to himself.  
It is no less to be wondered at, with what serious attention these ambitious Fire flies, who ever sing their wings in the flames of their own aspiring, read, and discuss every circumstance tending this way; with a personal application to themselves; as if they were the men which the History aimed at: and whose Actions, they hope, e'er long, will beget an Iliad to succeeding times, to admire their valour; and to erect surviving Trophies to their surviving honour. Thus do they catch at shadows, leaving the substance to such judicious and compatible Readers; who make use of those ancient Records to their benefit: in collecting what is most useful, and with a discreet aversion slighting whatsoever might be occasionally hurtful.  
Nor be these High-flyers, who seldom go gray-headed to their Graves, only reprovable in the abuse of their Readins; 
The Voluptuous man's Object in his Reading.  but the voluptuous too: who, when they fall upon any passage that complies with the lightness of their fancy, so highly affect it, as nothing more delights them, than to discourse of such airy pleasures, as present themselves in a cursory manner to their deluded conceits. These are altogether for Stories of Love; where every Line works such moving impressions in their unsteady fancies: as they reduce every period of Love's discourse, to a Scene of Action; wherein they wish themselves Prime-actors, to close in a personal regreet, with so light and sensual a Relation.  
Ganymedes Rape; Laïs' lose Love; white teeth, rolling Eyes, displayed Breasts; a winning Look, a Ceruse Cheek; a beautiful complexion (an exterior good, and if corrupted, an interior evil) being that which Euryala so much praised, when she washed the feet of Ulysses, namely, Gentle speech and tender flesh: these are proper Subjects for these light-fancied Amorists.  
I must confess, that no History can be so serious, but it must upon occasion relate some lighter passages, which equally poised according to the time, should not breed these effects; but rather beget in a Continent and well-composed Reader, a detestation of whatsoever he shall find vicious: and an ardent desire after that which shall appear truly generous and virtuous.  
Alcaeus, a man of good reputation, and general observance in the Commonwealth, what toys wrote he of the love of youngmen; immixing sometimes those lighter fancies in his seriousest Subjects? All the Writings of Anacreon (as if those Discourses had got highest place in his Invention) were only of love. But most of all others, Rheginus even burned with Love, as appeareth by his Writings; being continued passages of winning delight: and intrancing the unwary peruser of his amorous Conceits, with deceiving shadows. Yea, even Philosophers, (and that by the Council and Authority of Plato, whom therefore Dicearchus did worthily reprehend) became the Commenders and Honourers of Love. For Dicearchus, a Silician Philosopher, and Aristotle's Scholar, Writing a Book of the SPARTAN Commonwealth, distasted highly the opinion of such, who bearing the style of grave and reverend Men, gave way in their Works, that any liberty should be introduced into a civil state: or authorised any Labours, were they Historical, Poëticall or Mixed, to have freedom in corrupting youth, or depraving the prime seeds of easy and pliable dispositions. These, who stand thus affected, and whose Readins are solely fixed upon sensual delights; it were fitting for them to wean their affections, at lest, to divert their eyes from those sensible Objects, which engage reason to the servile Obedience of appetite; and to recollect their Diviner parts, to patterns of continence: such as may inform them what to do; how to remove occasions: and consequently, free their inward Mansions or Receptacles from these corruptions. An excellent Pattern or incomparable Mirror in the command or Sovereignty of his affections, did that young man Spurina in Valerius Maximus, 
Val. Max. lib. 4 cap. 5.  show himself; whose beauty did so infinitely become him, as it occasioned many Women to lust after him: which this noble youth not sooner perceived (note this admirable act in a Pagan) than he wounded his face, that by the scar he sustained, his beauty might become more blemished, and consequently, all occasion of lusting after it, clearly removed. Divers instances, though not altogether so impressive, might be here inserted, tending to like use; but brevity, as it is the help of Memory, so my desire is to accommodate the Reader with instances useful and commodious, rather than unnecessarily numerous.  

The Covetous man's Object in his Reading.  Nor be the Covetous, (if their desire of gathering may admit so much time as to peruse an History in a whole age) less reprooveable in this kind. For these, if they find one Worldly wise; no matter though he not only grounded but improved his estate by Extortion, and raised his posterity to an unknown Title of Gentry by deceit and collusion: yet must his life and actions be the line of their directions.  
They look not on Midas fate, but his golden state. Tagus they desire, nor care they much (so they may purchase it) to be drowned in it. These hold no substance to be purely good, unless it be guilded with gold. These never remember the saying of that wise Simonides; who being asked once, whether Virtue or Richeses were of more reputation; made answer, That the virtuous did more frequent the doors of the Rich, than the Rich of the virtuous. Implying, that piety was for the most part attended on by poverty; but seldom was virtue accompanied by prosperity.  
Now to apply an antidote to this infection, and cure in them this distempered affection; as the Unicorn's Horn is of such sovereign virtue, as being dipped in water, it clears and purifies it: 
☜  so must their earthy depressed minds be purified by some powerful infusion, or they will never endure to altar their disposition. To remove than those scales which darken their intellectual part; their only safe course is to withdraw themselves a little from talking with Earth: and to fix the eye of their Contemplation on a diviner Object, the Storehouse of Heaven. The vanity, frailty and mutability of the one, will enhance the quality and dignity of the other. The mere mental observance of these, without any further experience, (wherein Historical examples will afford no small light) cannot choose but qualify their Temper, and enforce them to cry out with that Divine father: O how miserable is the World, 
O quám mise●rimus est mundus, & mis●ri qui cum sequantur! Sem per enim homines Mundi opera excluse●unt á vitâ. Chrys. sup. Mat.  and how miserable they who follow the World! seeing, that men of this World have always excluded their works from partaking of life in the World to come.  
Thus have we traced over the various paths of three vicious Readers; all others may be in these included, who make not that benefit of History, to which it was primarily addressed; but by fruitless & unnecessary observations, dispa●rage their own judgements, in preferring those before passages of more high and useful consequence. So as, I may properly resemble them to 
* He resembles fruitless Readers to useless Travellers, who ●ake notice of such things as are most frivolous▪ or which i● wo●se, vicious.  Useless Travellers, who take notice of such things as are most frivolous, or what is worse, vicious.  
Others there be, that transported only with the delight and present variety of the History, make History only (as our Gallants do their Tobacco) a spender of Time: They apply not the fruit or use of Histories, but as in some pleasant or delightful dream, satisfied for the present time; but past, quite razed out of Memory. In stories of this nature, (such I mean as be feigned) I approve of those best that resemble Truth the nearest, according to Flaccus opinion: Ficta voluptatis causâ sint proxima veris. For the impossibility of the Relation oftentimes maketh the Subject more ridiculous: whereas the concordancy, or apt connexion of the History (though the main plot be false) enforceth more attention.  
And thus much of Poëticall Histories: I will come to the second Branch of my Division of Histories (to wit) Moral.   

Moral Histories 
Moral Histories.  be such, as conduce to a Civil and Moral institution of Life or Manners; Teaching what is to be done, and what avoided. Xenophon in his Instruction of Cyrus, propounds what reasons should especially induce a Moral Historian to speak more of exemplary Motives to Virtue, than any thing else; Because (saith he) if Cyrus had not been elected King amongst Shepherds, it may be, he had never reigned over the Persians': but the very Title, which was given him by Rural Swains, enforced him to attempt further.  
Moral Histories teach Men to behave themselves in all affairs: If employed in Embassages, Commerce, or any Negotiation whatsoever, it directs them how to hazard fairly, bear themselves discreetly, and support the burden imposed on them stoutly. These kind of stories are the best Nurses, they wean us from childish effeminacy, and Train us in more virile and Manlike actions: so as Education is called by the Philosopher, A second Nature, habituating us to the kind of our breeding: Morality likewise is called, the Sovereigness of Education, The square of human Actions, the best Schoolmistress for unbridled youth, that restrains affections raging, erects our passions too much assuaging, tempers our spirits, and Reduceth us to that perfect Symmetry,  ex pede Herculem, you may know Hercules by his foot, the inward habit by external appearance.  
Hence was it that Alexander gloried so much of his Stagyrian Moralist: Achilles of his Phoenix: of whom he had received so much good, as he ingeniously acknowledged; by Phoenix he could both, Bene dicere, & bene agere.  
To be brief, there is no exorbitancy in Nature, which by Moral Narrations hath not been reform: Seneca was naturally covetous: which disposition, or malady rather, he shrowds covertly in that sentence of his, inserted in his Book, De Tranquillitate Animae. Nec aegroto, nec valeo. Yet by daily conference with Moral Histories, and precepts of civil Institution, he could moderate his desire of having, esteeming the Treasure of his mind only worth possessing. Qui cuncta habet, nec tamen habetur: as Sallust observeth.  
The like we read of Stilpho, a Roman, whom (as Cicero speaketh) was of all other most libidinous; yet by reading of Moral Precepts, amplified with grave Examples, became most conti●ent.  

☞  Whence it is, that Moral Histories, or Narrations in such Histories, are and were ever highly commended, by reason of their effects: 
Moral Histories, or Narrations in such Histories, highly commended; with their ●ff●●ts.  especially in Youth, whose disposition being aptly compared to a clear or pure Table, which, as yet had never taken any impression, receives her first infusions with most retention. For the first Seeds take the deepest root; the first Liquors strongest taste; the first Colours truest dye. These, by certain innate sprinklings of goodness, confer the Lives and Actions of such, as they read of, in an equal Diameter. Here they observe, how prudently such persons managed their affairs; how discreetly they moderated their affections: and with what facility and felicity they attained their proposed ends. By which they collect, that deliberation promiseth success to every action. Amongst these, they find a Fabius more prosperous by delaying; than heady Cethegus is by attempting.  
This teacheth them wisely and cautiously to prevent danger before it approach, jest a too late had I witted beget in them a Repentance without help; a desperate repulse without hope.  
It is written that the Emperor Titus (that dainty Darling of Mankind) used to have borne before him a Dolphin wreathed about an Anchor, with this Impress: Festina lentè. Which elegant Emblem they make excellent use of: They conceive by this, how nothing can be done happily, that is done hastily: and that nothing of high importance can possibly be achieved, 
Eucher.  being to any strict limit or compass of time confined.  
The consideration of these Motives holds them from rashness; an error to which unbounded Youth is commonly most subject: by which means they avoid those many dangers, whereto the follies of Youth stand too frequently engaged.  
Nor do they only find Instances worthy their Imitation in Subjects of prevention and cautious providence: (a Lesson of necessary consequence for Youngmen;) but in actions of justice; where that which is right and just, should be fairly and freely rendered to every man. Of this, they find sundry singular Examples in Ethnic Authors. Photion, that Honour of Greece, will not speak for Charilus, though he be his Son in Law, but in just Causes only. Nor that World's Commander, the invincible Alexander, incline to his Mother, if her Request tend to the shedding of innocent blood, or imbruing his imperial hands in Murder. Nor that unhappy Mithridates suffer (in his respect of Justice) the corruption of Acilius to pass unpunished: jest his Impunity might become a Privilege to others, to challenge the like benefit. In these they observe of what esteem the profession of Justice was in all Ages: and how a native Instinct wrought such incredible effects on Barbarous people; as their very Actions merited both imitation and admiration in their Successors. Neither could the Philosophers of those times, wherein they flourished, be more exact in defining what Justice was, than these were in performing what Justice required.  
For our Life, as it is a Globe of Examples; so by collecting whatsoever we see imitable in others; if we tender our own well-being, or her breast from whence we had our nursing and first being; we will take especial care to express to life, whatsoever we have at any time read commendable in others.  
In Arguments likewise of Temperance, they cull out many dainty Historical Flowers; apt to sweeten the Seedplot of their Youth with a select variety of Examples. Yea, even in those Encounters, wherein the Conquest appears to be of most difficulty; to wit, restraint of our desires in sensual Objects: wherein the Victory is so much more glorious, as the opportunity and motive of their fancy attractive or precious.  
They read how Scipio, being a young man of Twenty four years of Age, in the surprisal of a City in Spain, repressed his flames of lust, and confined his desires to the Rule of Reason, when a beautiful Maid was brought him; restoring her untouched with a great Reward to young Allantius, to whom she was espoused.  
The like in Alexander's Continency to Darius' Wife and Daughters; whose Princely moderation and command over his affections, made his Memory not less glorious than his Victories.  
The like in Zenocrates, a right Philosopher, because of himself an absolute Commander; who remains  in his resolution to Continence, amidst all those voluptuous inducements, sensual provocations and enticements, lascivious dalliance and embrace of a light-licentious Laïs'. From the perusal of these they conclude, There is nothing comparably precious to a continent Soul.  
Lastly, to (exemplify in each of our Cardinal Virtues, what rare effects may be derived to Youth in these Historical Readins) they observe the Constancy and Resolution of foreign Commanders; they admire their Fortitude, and braveness of spirit. Neither can Pyrrhus Gold corrupt, nor his hideous Elephant amate a Noble Fabius.  
Though an Imperious Philip threaten an Athenian Legate, that he will 'cause his Head to be cut of; he has an Answer in store to vie with the mounting Sovereignty of his State: 
☜  If thou take this Head from me, my Country will give me another that shall be immortal.  
And they find how grateful some Princes were in the memory of their Subjects Loyalty; holding their fidelity and trust to be the incomparablest Treasure that any Prince could enjoy upon Earth. This they conceive by the estimate which Darius made of his Zophyrus Cyrus of his Cambyses; Alexander of his Parmenio, Athens of her Draco; Epaminondas of his Pelopidas, Sparta of her Brasidas.  
In these, they exactly prise the value of true worth. Nor is it to be expressed with what eagerness they pursue those actions, which have purchased such deserving fame to their persons.  
It is reported, that Aristides (that memorable Mirror of justice) dying of the bite of a Weasel, exceedingly lamented that it was not a Lyon. Noble spirits embrace nothing with more easy acceptance than an Honourable fate. To die for ones Country; or to be engaged to the very worst of extremes for the purchase of her liberty, deserved no solemnisation in tears: This when youth seriously surveys, he not less affectionately admires; and desires nothing more than to go on successively in a glorious emulation of their actions.  
The infirmities of this time are great, and need the hand of an expert Physician; no Medicine, nor Antidote, more sovereign to cure these contagious Ulcers, than Moral Physic, if the Disease be green, (I mean the diseases of the Mind:) We have here Lenitives to mitigate, if it be old, and grown to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a very Gangrene, griefs insensible, being most incurable. We have Corrasives to eat away all those corrupt Tetters that hinder the Cure. 
The praise of Moral History.  This is a singular Art; and fare surpassing Galens, Aesculapius, or Hypocrates: Their cures were but external, these internal: and so much more worthy is the cure of the Mind than the Body, by how much the one is more precious than the other. O Divine Art! O secret Mystery! The Greeks called this Discourse, The life of Man: for without it, he would degenerate from Man, and lose the best ornaments of Human nature: The light of Reason, The Eye of Election. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉! great indeed, in comparison of the small esteem this World makes of it: labouring of a great burden of impiety, an huge freight of sin, an insupportable carriage; and feeling her own strength unfit for such a weight, yet refuseth to entertain a companion that would willingly and readily lighten her burden.  
Distempered Age, that labours of Minds frenzy, captivated to unworthy bondage: how long will thy intellectual eye be shut? How long hood winked? If thou fall with open eyes, thy Misery is greater, seeing thy fall, yet would not prevent it, falling with blinded eyes: no marvel, that sees thine own infirmity, and scorns the direction of others eyes to conduct thee. Alas! here be many intricate Mazes, unfrequented Labyrinths, places of imminent peril, and thou art blind: not suspect of any Stratagem or Ambush doth possess thee; thou promisest thyself most security, when most beleaguered with peril.  
It was no marvel if miserable Oedipus run into Brakes and Briers, when his erring feet were guided by two blind eyes? Here be many seducements: and as in the Pagan time, there were more Temples erected in honour to Bacchus and Venus, than to jupiter and Apollo: So for one Example of Piety and Religion, we have ten of Vice and Licentiousness. Here the bait of Ambition, hung out and swallowed, and like enough by a Gudgeon; there the painted Flag of vainglory, 
— Summa plebis deducta est gloria plumis. A Caution for your Silken Gallant.— Misceri sanguine Regum Nobile—  leading a Troop of Vices in a Ring-dance: Here a Silken Fool well-esteemed— for Nasci à Principibus fortuitum est— He was borne rich: There a ragged Sage descanting on Moral Precepts, but neither guarded nor regarded. Here Rosa Mundi, the Rose of World's vanity, set on a splay-foot, making Art a cover for Nature's deformity: There a plume of Feathers dangling on a Head more light than Feathers, to make Plato's naked Definition 
Plato's Definition.  of Man true: Homo est Animal bipes, implume: proving himself by his plume to be none. No matter for Reason: They would be loathe to be endued with more than is needful for a fantastic head: An ordinary portion of Reason will serve an Ordinary. O that these poiselesse Brains would but employ their ●ime in Moral Discourses, what excellent matter might they find out worthy the judicious approbation of refined Wits!  
It is observed that in Athens, and in Rome also, young Gentlemen were to be employed in preferring some Law in behalf of the people: or Patronising such as were poor, and destitute of succour in themselves: Patronising such, and protecting them in public defence of their cause, or the like.  
This was the first step of preferment unto Cicero, defending Roscius against Scylla: and that with such vehemency, as generally he was approved for his seriousness in a poor Actor's cause. And sure, generous minds cannot be better expressed than in actions of this nature, whereby they may not only secure themselves and their entirest affections from the frivolous assaults of irregular perturbations; but also purchase unto them the general love and favour of such as observe their disposition, and admire it.  
By Moral reading we use to be most excited to these compassionate effects: 
The fruit of Moral reading.  exampled in them whom we deservedly think of, and earnestly covet to imitate: Not taxing them unworthily, nor commenting otherwise of their Virtues, than as we receive by Transcription from others. Former Ages (in this kind) have been more charitable, but the apprehension of our own defects makes us suspectful of others. As in Rome, if the Piso's be frugal, they are censured Parsimonious; if the Metelli Religious, they are taxed Superstitious; if the Appijs Popular, they are termed Ambitious; if the Manlij Austeres, they are styled Tyrannous; if the Lelij Wise, they are Curious; the Publicolae Aspiring, if Courteous. Many such Mamothrepts we have, that censure others actions to the worst, making their own depraved Judgements Censors of others Virtues. But Moral Precepts would remedy this Obliquity, and will us first be Masters of our Affections,  we fish in the troubled waters of other men's errors: But this Age confirms the Assertion of a wise Roman Senator: Suam cuiusque culpam Authores ad causam transferunt: Or, which Seneca writes in his Epistle to his friend Lucil. Many (saith he) my friend Lucilius commit faults in Rome, but will in no case hear that they committed them: the Aedile lays blame upon the Quaestor, the Quaestor on the Praetor, the Praetor on the Consul, the Consul on the Censor, the Censor on the Dictator.  
Apologizing and defending Errors, the greatest cherisher of them: For how is it possible we should amend them, that will not confess we did commit them? But Acknowledgement is a precedent Directress to Reformation, according to the Traged: 
Seneca.  words: Quem poenitet peccasse, penè est innooens.  

☞  It is an infallible Theorem; Humility is the way to Glory. Which can be expressed in nothing better, than in a free and genuine submission of our own Judgements to others. Too much confidence begets strength of Error: and he is the wisest, who in his own conceit appears humblest. Great Approbation is than to be given to such, who tender an acknowledgement of their errors, whether it be in their Dialect and form of speaking, or manner of living: with an ingenuous submitting of their Labours to the free censure of others: which argues a great measure of Sobriety and Discretion in any: Whereas Self-conceit is a blemish to the exactest Labours: Neither shall such Authors free themselves from malicious Censures. 
Acknowledgement of our Errors, whether it be in our Dialect & form of speaking, or manner of living: with an ingenuous submitting of our Labours to the free Censure of others, argues a great measure of Sobriety & Discretion in us. Self-conceit a blemish to the exactest Labours: Neither shall such Authors free themselves from malicious Censures.   
Rhemnius Palaemon that arrogant Grammarian, or rather Grammatist, vaine-gloriously boasted, that good Literature had first life by him, and should after dye with him (as having the first beginning, and should have a final end with him:) or like Gorgias the Orator, who ever pressed himself forward to the first Encounter.  
But what does this vainglory beget them, but contempt and derision in such as observe them? The Age is subject enough to Error, and apt enough to Apologise Vice, to give more liberty to the Offender. The way to break this Chain, is to lay aside ourselves, and impartially to judge ourselves and actions, as if they were not Ours, but Others.  
For this Self-love makes us admire, what in others we abhor. A retired privacy, many times, promiseth to the unwary delinquent, more freedom in offending: but vain and fruitless are these promises. Is there any darkness so thick and palpable, that the piercing Eye of Heaven, which takes a full and perfect view of the whole Earth at once, measures the very lest drop of the Ocean, and numbers the lest portion of Sand upon the shore, cannot look thorough it? O, if thou hope by sinning secretly to sin securely, this thy ungrounded security shall bring thee to misery. It was a pretty saying of Epicurus in Seneca; How can Sin be safe when it cannot be secure? Or to what purpose is it to labour to lie hid, when that we do cannot be hid? And therefore Prudentius in one of his Hymns, gives this good Memorandum: 
" What e'er it be thou dost by Day or Night,  
" Think with thyself th'art always in God's sight.   
It was Seneca's Counsel to his friend Lucilius; that whensoever he went about to do any thing, he should imagine Cato or Scipio, or some other worthy Roman to be in presence. 
Bern. de vitâ solitariâ.  And it was the saying of St. Bernard, That we are ever to set some good man before us, that we may live as if he looked over us.  
The way than to cure sin, is not to shrowded it, nor with fair pretences to gild it, or by imputing the Cause to others, to mince it; but by a free and ingenuous discovery of it, to acknowledge the ground to proceed from ourselves: Which acknowledgement will bring us to rectify what is amiss: and bring that which we have so rectified, by a proficiency in goodness, to more perfection.  
For what is it, with Alcibiades, that beauty of Athens, to be skilful in all Arts and Exercises; to win the Palm in what enterprise we take in hand; to be popularly affected; with Trophies and Triumphs honoured; and to have the Wheel of Fortune so fixed, and the Wings of Victory so clipped; as the former may never have power to discard us, nor the latter to fly from us: When our Inward beauty, fare surpassing all these light Embellishments of Art, becomes blemished by that stain, which holds so deep a die, as Time cannot raze it, nor aught but Infamy attend it?  
The way than to cure Error, is to submit our Judgements to others censure: and in a wise and cautelous distrust of ourselves, to admit the advice and assistance of others in any matter of ambiguity; jest we deceive ourselves by being too confident of our own strength.  
That saying is true: He that seeks to be more wise than he can be, shall be found less wise than he should be.  
The best Doctrine than to initiate us how to be wise, is not to be selfe-wise; but with an humble acknowledgement of our own deficiencies, to ascribe all praise unto Him who is solely wise.  
In Moral Studies, much excellent matter may be chosen out of that Mirror of Morals, Plutarch; not only to instruct Youth, in the Rudiments and Precepts of Virtue: As how to bear himself in all occasions; how to conceal and smother his passions, with a wise over-mastring of his Affections; and how to redress the multiplicity of injuries by taking opportunity by the Foretop. But even old men likewise, such as have seen many changes and alterations in their Times, and were well nigh persuaded, that all the Volumes of the World could not show them more, than they in the revolution of their Times had seen: But seeing Instructions rare to them, and unaccustomed Precepts fit for the maturest Head to plod on, they than confess that their old Age hath been a Dotage, verifying, Addiscendo, se semper senescere: Reaping more profit by one Moral precept, than a whole years Experience in Worldly affairs.  
Many old men we have (that can discourse of the change of Princes) whose Gray-hairs be as so many records of what they have seen. But alas, 
These Times old in years, but young in hours.  confer with them of true Moral experience, and you shall find them as young in hours, as old in years: Their knowledge in the Infancy, though their one foot in the grave, ready to bid adieu to the world, when they are scarce half erudiated in the preventive sleights of this world. A simple age! when we have no other Testimony that we have lived long, save only our Gray-hairs; and yet the general ignorance pleads pardon: none so generous as those which know the lest; none of a ranked spirit, that will cast the eye of a judicious applause, upon the meriting Labours of any man.  

☞ A reproof of the Age, in her disesteeming Authors: and slighting their Labours.  Wherein, should I fall upon reproof of the Age, in her dis-esteeming Authors: and slighting their Labours; mine Oil might seem to taste of too much Criticism: for the Professors of Learning, they must not expect all Times nor all Eminent persons to have Scales in readiness to weigh their Merits.  
For the Rich, whose thriving ways will afford him scarce time to converse either with Wit or Learning, jest his providence in the mean time should be a wanting to himself, which he prefers before all the World; so he find grains enough to weigh his long-unseene Gold; he little cares how lightly Learning weigh in the estimate of men. For, good man, he makes no other use of Books, than Nurses do of Cradles, to rock Babes in till they fall asleep.  
And for our Amorous Gallant, whose Cinnamon Rinde is worth all the body beside; he is so continually practising in the School of Compliment; First, for accommodating himself in an handsome dress, than how to wear it when he has crept into it; how to ruffle his boot, and make a gingling with his Heel, as if all his patrimony were behind him; how to powder his locks, and sweeten those constant Creatures which familiarly attend him; how to besprinkle his effeminate face with Ladylike Love-spots, which cannot choose but be as so many Lures to draw the eyes of his lightest Livia to look on him. These, I say, being his daily exercise, will not admit him so much time as to talk with an Author: Till his long training in the School of vanity hath taught him so much, as he needs no other Tutor than his own misspent time to admonish him of his irregular course.  
Nay, he leaves for most part, so small a portion of fortune to himself, as the surplusage would scarce purchase his Author so much oil as might supply his Lamp, in the composure of the most illaborate or compendious Labour.  
But if at any time, his hand chance to dive into his pocket, to express his bounty to the Muses; it may be properly said of him, what was sometimes spoken by an other in the same sense: " Optimas ga●as infimis servavit chartis: Making only choice of such for Objects of his bounty, whose light unstudied Lines detract from the Muse's beauty.  
Nor are they to expect, that our High-mounting Cedars; whose Object is Honour; which rather than they will not purchase, they loose themselves for ever: can deign to reflect on such Low shrubs. For of all others, Subjects of Learning receive hardest digestion from Ambition. Lectures of Morality or Mortality can work weak Impressions upon a restless aspiring fancy.  
Composed minds, settled thoughts, retired Mansions are Receptacles for the Muses.  

Melius latcham procul ab Invidiae malis remotus inter Corfici rupes Maris etc. Sen. in Oct.  Safe lay I hid, and free from Envies spite,  
While Corsic Rocks were my retired site.  
So spoke Seneca for a Seneca. Yea, I have known some of these, never truly happy, till they became unhappy: receiving their most liberty from restraint; and the best knowledge of themselves from a Grate. Than, and never till than, did these begin to read Man; nor to conceive the frail condition of Man; nor to converse with those Dead Councillors, which know best how to prepare and accomplish Man. 
Seclusus à Mundo, Sacro teneor Silentio.  Than, and never till than, came Learning to be of Request, or in their Books. So lightly is Learning favoured, so meanly countenanced by such as Idolatrize the World, or are affected to pleasure, or have in eager pursuit the shade of Honour. But Learning is not hereby to be discouraged, because slighted or desertlessly disvalue: This hath long before these present Times, been her fate, and in all ages a common fault.  
We read in our own Chronicles, how one year all the Laurel Trees within our Island withered, and afterwards contrary to all expectation, revived and flourished again: Let Learning apply this to Herself; though her blossoms seem dead, she retains still life in the Root: Which, by propagation of her flowers and fruits, shall revive to her Honour; while ignorance buried in her own ashes, and incapable of light or life, shall never recover.  
It is Recorded, that Licinius, 
The cause why Learning is contemned.  Coleague in the Empire with Constantine the Great (being uncapable of learning himself) by reason of the slowness or barrenness of his understanding, was want to call Learning the very poison and public plague, that infected the Realm: The Roman Historians, have applied this vanity of his, rather to his want of judgement, than any thing else, being not able to comprehend the benefit of Arts.  
The like of Maximilian, who was desirous to attain some extraordinary height in Eloquence; 
Qui tegumento Herculeus, ferus naturâ, arden's libidinis, consilijs stolidus. in vit. Aurel. Maxim.  which when he could not (by reason of his natural dulness) attain unto, he envied and maligned others. Many have we that second the●e, glorying in their own ignorance, and making a ridiculous spectacle of Learning: as a superficial ornament to accommodate more the threadbare Sophister, than the Generous Gallant.  
I recall to mind the ancient presage upon all Arts, and the prediction concurres well with this time: Three-halfe pence for a Philosopher, and smoke for a Counsellor. It was spoken in the declining Age of the Roman Empire, when Vice road in his foot-cloth, and Virtue (like a poor Irish Lackey) ran at his Stirrup. But Moral Learning illumines the intellectual power with a better and clearer foresight; showing the difference between goodness and appearance: for true Morals love not to garnish their portraitures with shadows.  

Mitte ambos nudes ad ignetoes, & videbis.  The best means to distinguish betwixt the ignorant and morally instructed, is to put them into their habiliments of Nature; sand them both forth naked into the world, and their distinct Characters will appear more manifest. Alas, the Moralist cannot discourse of what the World most affecteth; he sees the ambitious man roving at unsettled ends, meaning to engross the whole World to himself; he smiles at his illimited desires, and wonders whereto his fond purposes tend: he considers the event, ere he take in hand the means; and hates desire of popular praise, or ostentation, jest he should grow proud by foreign observances: he entertains death with a cheerful brow. 
To whom death is not terrible.  Terror of death is not terrible to one prepared for her ere she come; always taking her, as one of the necessities of Nature, and inevitable, meditating of her, as one— Qui finem vitae extremum inter munera ponit naturae. These considerations ever fortify a good Moral against the violence of all assaults inward and outward; apprehending his substance, and composition, to be such as cannot barracadoe itself against the encounter of Nature.  
Agathoeles, that Tyrant of Syracuse, 
An excellent observation by 1 Tyrant.  in all his tyranny, had a good Moral Statue to represent to him the Idiom of his Mortality; having the upper part of his Image made of Marble, Gold, and Ivory, but the feet of Earth; 
☜ This Emblem is portrayed to life, pag. 61.  to intimate of how weak and infirm ground, he and his goodly promising person stood. O! if we should but read the choice variety of divinely-composed Sentences, comprised in those elaborate Works of the ancient Moral Historians: they would move us to no less apprehension of our own weakness, than if some expert or curious Painter, (Apelles-like) should portray to us every part and lineament of this little man we carry about us. 
Morality, Man's Anatomy.  Morality (saith a good Moral) is Man's Anatomy; it shows every part of his body, how composed, how disposed: and prescribes how this excellent composure may be best preserved: It deals not by predominancy of Planets, (as our ponderous burdens of Nature calculate) but by an even Symmetry of Virtues governing the inferior Spheres, the body's lineaments. Nor deals it is like your Fantastic Musician, that bestows more charges on the Cover of his Instrument, than the Instrument itself: but by the Covers debasement, augments the Excellency of the Instrument, the divine faculties of the soul.  
But I may seem to run too fare in this Subject, confounding Moral History with Philosophy: which though I might defend; for Moral Philosophy is nothing else than a Globe of Moral Precepts drawn from Historical grounds; yet to make mine own passage more smooth, I will descend to the next branch of History, entitled Physical.   

HIstories Physical, be especially conversant in the search of the Natures of things: approving that Opinion of the Philosopher: Ea Physica sunt, quae Naturas rerum explorare solent: whether things animate or inanimate; in living Creatures, as in the search of Beasts, Birds, Serpents, and the like; and of vegetive Bodies, as Plants: In creatures inanimate, as in the scrutiny of Metals, the distinct natures of Stones, etc. With which Discourses the greatest Emperors have been delighted. 
The several kinds of Physical observations.  Those admirable Works of Pliny, Aristotle, and Aelian, with many others, are sufficient to erudiate the most incapable in these Relations: where they do Abdita rerum rimari. Here describing the very intimate natures of Beasts, the rare and incredible virtues of Plants, and Herbs, the virulent natures of Serpents, and the attractive powers of Stones, 
These two Beasts, in Nature and Feature different, by one peculiar Nation, (Egypt) equally reverenced. ☜ He continues the Description of the Natures of divers Serpents; extracted from the Historical Description of Africa.  Metals, and the like. The Crocodile, a most dangerous Beast, (frequenting the River Nilus) and a professed foe to Man: The Ichneumon, a little creature, yet powerful in herself, and in her power a professed foe to the Crocodile.  
To take a more full Survey of the Natures of these, whosoever shall be pleased to peruse the History of the West-indieses; may found store of Relations of all sorts in this kind. As Worms of strange qualities; Serpents of wonderful proportions and features; venomous Vipers; of which whosoever are bitten, die in short space: for few live to the fourth day, except present Remedy be applied; 
The Region of Congo, by the Testimony of Signior Odoardo, as it is in Vipers numerous, so are they so venomous, that such as are bitten by them do dye within the space of 24. Hours: But the Negroes are acquainted with certain herbs that will heal their wounds.  which according to the strength and constitution of the party wounded, receives effect sooner or later: but not without danger of death to the Patient, though the Soveraignst Receipts that the secrecy of Art may find out, be used.  
Of other sorts likewise, there may be found some of that human and sociable Nature, as they affect nothing more than the Feature of Man: eyeing him with such a loving and friendly admiration, as nothing seemingly delights them more than to behold him.  
Others, as if they retained the memory of that ancient Serpentine malice betwixt them, and the Seed of the Woman, not sooner come in the presence of that Sex, than they redouble their fury; and in their wounding so venomous and incurable, that One of them chancing to by't an Indian Maid, which served the Relator, during his abode in those parts; after such time as he had caused the Surgians to Minister their ordinary cure, being not by all the Art and experiments they could use, able to do her any good, nor yet get one drop of blood out of her, 
De Naturâ Chershydri, vid. Nar. Imperij de Congo.  but only a yellow water, died the third day for lack of remedy, as the like had chanced to divers others. During the time of her languishing, she reported how the Viper which bitten her on the foot, was two spans long or little less: and that she leapt in the air for the space of more than six paces (note the virulency of her nature) that she might with more violence assail her.  
The relation is strange of the Tarandula, a kind of Spider bred in Pulia; 
The various venomous qualities of Spiders cured by Music.  which being of a divers nature, causeth divers effects: causing some to dance, some to sing, or weep, or watch, or sweated: The cure of it is by Music: while the patiented by dancing or some vehement exercise of that sort repels the poison.  

Excellent Morals.  Which effects may imply excellent Morals: we are all subject not only to be surprised but empoisoned by this Tarandula, this Tetter of our flesh; unless by sweet Melody of the Divine spirit she be charmed: yea, we are sure to be discomfitted by Sloth, if we retire ourselves from action, or give way to her effeminacy, whose only aim it is to bring us to inevitable Misery. Exercise than must be used, jest our bane be procured.  
The like Moral, without much enforcing, may be drawn from other creatures; and that with much propriety, in the Survey of Nature's History.  
The Crabfish, when as the Oyster doth open herself, casteth a stone into her shell; so as, being not able to shut herself again, she becomes a prey unto the Crab. The Fathers apply this unto the Devil; when he findeth men gaping and idle, he casteth into them some stone of Temptation, whereby he works their overthrow. For the Slothful man is the Devil's shop; there he works, ever busy when men are lazy.  
Many such singular Motives may the piercing Eye of the Soul extract from the natures of these inferior creatures: So as, though the very Locust, 
The meanest Creatures retain in them many secret qualities.  or Grasshopper be but creatures of emptiness, they retain in them many wondered occult qualities. Nay, the very Hedgehog, being a creature (to use the words of a Divine Father) not excluded from God's providence, presents herself a singular Emblem of policy and prevention, in her privacy and retiredness. For this provident Creature hath two holes in his siege, one towards the South, an other towards the North. Now when the Southern wind blows, he stops up that hole, and turns him Northward. Again, when the Northern wind blows, he stops up that hole likewise, and turns him again Southward. Such Urchins, strict Criticism may term Temporizers; who are only for complying with Time, seldom or never closing with Truth; but equally affected Naturalists have rather ascribed this to a provident Economical policy, than glozing flattery.  
To sat down the several properties of all, or of most sorts of Beasts, would crave an ample Volume of itself: I will only (as in my former discourse) express the use of Natural Histories, and to what persons most accommodate.  
We read of divers most famous Princes and Monarches to have applied their minds to the search of these Studies: 
What Princes best affected these Studies.  Alexander (otherwise most potent in Arms, and sole Commander of the World) addicted his mind to the scrutiny of these Rarities: as may appear most manifestly by his Letter (at this day extant) to his Master Aristotle, containing the strange proportions of Beasts with their Natures; which during his Indian War, he had observed: describing the strange and unheard-of qualities of the Indian Aspics, Cerasts, and many other kinds of Serpents, continually infesting his Army; professing (as he himself writeth) he found more difficulty in discomfiting Beasts, than subduing Men: for the one sort assaulted him, when his Troops were well disposed, cheerful, and full of alacrity: but the other invaded him by Night. Ita ut ne in Castris quidem minimum ocij detur. Always was this puissant Prince much given to see the natural qualities of Beasts, so as no Present could be more grateful, or acceptable to him, than some strangely-natured savage, making excellent use of this Theory, appropriated to the natures of Men: which upon all occasions, (with singular delight) he used to apply unto his Nobles disposition, which attended him.  
Those noble and courageous Dogs, 
Courageous Dogs.  which were sent him by the Kings of Albany, much contented him: They would not stir at small beasts, disdaining them (as it were) in the overflow of their courage, contemning any encounter but with Lions, and Elephants. This Magnanimity could the valiant Emperor apply well enough to himself: he saw his own nature delineated, or charactered (as it were) in their courage, Scorning to Triumph on the conquered, solacing him ever with this extreme, yet cheerful comfort: Superest sperare salutem.  
The like desire of exploring the natural properties of Beasts, possessed Sertorius: One not less provident, to shelter himself in adversity, than in all his actions continent, amidst his prosperity; who, after his Regiment in Spain, erected many places for the taming of wild Beasts, delighting exceedingly to see the aptness of some joined with a certain natural flexibility, and the backwardness of others, retaining over a certain semblance of their first Nature, 
Natures of Beasts.  so deeply imprinted, as difficulty removed. Nay, what Stratagems used he (by his White Hart) to support and govern the whole Fabric of his declining Estate: Implying that by his Hind, or Hart, 
alha Cerva. Plutarch.  he received instructions from Diana, which the people (with such superstition) believed, that by his glory he conquered Envy, enlarging the bounds of his Jurisdiction, and making his exile the Symbol of his renown, till by the bloody conspiracy of Perpenna and Antonius, he was deprived both of Crown and Life.  
Demetrius a worthy Soldier, and one well meriting of his Country, was much inclined to this Study: So as at home, if at any time sequestered from his more serious Affairs, he conceived exceeding pleasure and delight in the portraying of those Beasts he had seen: Excellent he was in the frame of any Similitude, but more divine in his own; being of that exact form, elegant constitution, and sweetly-mixt Complexion,  à pictoribus, sculptoribusque ei similis non potuerit effingi: A rare Model of Nature, when (by Nature) he was imparraleld.  
Alcibyades, not less deserving, yet worse censured, was well experimented in the Natures of Beasts, but more in Plants: 
Natures of Plants.  having an Herb, even to this day (amongst our Apothecaries) called after his Name, Alcybiadon, or the Wild bugloss.  

Natures of Ours. Plutarch & Suet.  And for Metals, Minerals, or the like. None more accommodated to such Studies than that Sovereign of Roman Hearts, Augustus, hearing his Lapidary Dioscorides with especial delight: So as in time he was not only able to distinguish of any Stone, but to describe their Natures: Using likewise the Art of Alchemy, more expert in their recalcinations (saith the Roman Historian) than the best Professors of that Time; and consequently I may conclude than the gross Quacke-salvers of our Time.  
You see it is no disparagement for the Generous or Heroïck Spirit to be Studied in these Notions: 
Expedient, not necessary.  since the peerless for Valour and true Resolution, have dedicated themselves unto them: yet would I not have them so besotted, or be wedded to these studies, as to forget more important intendments: I confess these are rather to make a man complete, than exactly necessary, and a superficial knowledge is sufficient for Learning of this Nature: And well do I approve of that Ornament of Learning (the best Lustre to the School of Arts) where he would rat●er have a Gentleman superficially seen in all, 
Sr. F. B.  than profoundly learned in one: Too much retiring to these Studies, accord not with Gravity or State, but to discourse (by way of Reason) without Sophistical argumenting, well beseems the most Generous minds.  
It is an happy thing to keep a mean in Wisdom; not to strive (in an overflow of Understanding) to outstrip Nature in the investigation or search of Natural things: A little will serve us in indifferent things, and more it relisheth of Discretion, to know when we have enough; than, with an unbounded will of affecting knowledge, superstitiously to know more than Nature hath prescribed.  
This excess in desire of knowing, hath been a contagion, that hath infected and poisoned the maturest Studies: especially in things so impertinent, as when the pitch of that they expected was attained; Their knowledge conduced no more to the profit of the Repub. than if with Endymion, they had slept their time, and passed their life over in a fruitless silence. It pleaseth the Orator to term such a Study— Inutilis mentis agitatio: Sailing in the troubled stream, where a more clear and calm passage doth show herself. Thus I approve in these Natural Discourses, a superficial Discursive Knowledge, to exclude Ignorance, but no such affective height, jest in so exquisite a search of Nature, we should show ourselves Naturals. We say, the Generous should be but Mediocriter doctus: I need not insist upon the persuasion; we have too many of juvenals painted blocks in the way of Learning, that never mean to come nearer. So as I may answer, 
— Hinc i●clyta nomine truncus exhibuit—  as an Athenian reasoned, what the cause should be why there was such an ebb of good Wits in Athens? Because (saith he) they run into the Suburbs, and devil with Laï●.  
The best and ripest Wits are most subject to corrupting, concording well with the native depravation of these Times, where Medaea's Rule is made an Axiom, every one with Lincius seeing the best, but with blind Baiard, deprived of the Eye of their Election.  
Too much of them; our Treatise requires a better Subject, than such stains to their Country's fame, and pristine honour, making her complain, 
Eone mate●na cura se provexit!  as Rome did in time of old: Eone vos produxi? etc. Is this the fruit of my long Labour, the freight of my race, and the reward of my Motherly love, to bring you up, and than (like Vipers) to sting me that hath nourished you? Well than, my blessings must be turned of necessity unto execrations: and that Breast, which first nourished you with the Milk of comfort, must be the very Sepulchre to inter you that buried my honour.  
Thus did Rome hollow out her complaint against her ill-nurtured issue; and no less cause Albion against her undisciplined race, that seem as if they were,— Fruges consumere nati.  
And here I might prefer a just complaint against such, who consume the Oil of their Life, 
☜ A just complaint against such, who consume the Oil of their Life, in frequenting Lose places: how to rectify this, that their own●●amilies may become private Academies.  in frequenting Lose places: and apply some choice sovereign Receipts, to rectify this; to the end (than which no end more glorious) their own Families may become private Academies. Which I shall the rather labour, in regard, that the regulating of ourselves to that form, may highly conduce both to our own & God's honour.  
How careful the Romans were in their cessation from arms, to educate their youth in action, jest too much remissness might beget in them an effeminacy of manners; and so in time disable them for personal employments either at home or abroad, may sufficiently appear by all those ancient Annals recommended from age to age, even to these our times. Whence it came, (●s I have else where noted upon like occasion) that there was published an ancient Edict amongst the Romans, as is recorded by Cic●ro in his Book of Laws, that no Roman should go through the street of the City, unless he carried with him the badge ●r cognizance of that Trade whereby he lived: Insomuch as, that good Emperor Marc. Aurelius speaking of the diligence of the Romans, writeth, That all of them followed their labour. An excellent commendation in a civil State; to banish that, by which the best States through a long continued peace, or affluence of wealth, have not only been impeached and impaired, but rooted out and utterly razed.  
Idleness maketh of Men women, of women beasts, of beasts Monsters. I w●uld have than these Patrons of Idleness (who consume the precious lamp of their life in a licentious liberty) used, as Zeno used his servant Bruson; who being taken with Theft, and alleging for himself, that it was his destiny to steal; his Master answered, and thy destiny to be beaten.  
It is the depraved nature of Man, to mould himself ever after Medea's rule; to see the best, but to follow the worst; nay, to make the worst use of that which in its own nature is the best. For what more precious than the palms of Peace? Yet, what is it that sooner corrupts the freest State? 
A tempestuous Progeny in a calm time.  For what is the progeny that a Calm time brings forth (all which implies the viciousness of our ●ature) but a Prodigal and an Usurer? Where the one engageth his state for back and belly; the other quite contrary, stands indebted both to back and belly. The one plays at Ducks and Drakes with pieces, till he must fish for more when all his estate is fall'n in pieces; The other hoards up for his seldom thriving Heir; who means, as his father was the first, to make himself the last of his House.  
That Maxim is true; Health cometh not from the Clouds without seeking, nor Wealth from the clods without digging: yet, as there is required a providence in the one; so should there be a conscience in the other. 
Foenus pecuniae, Funus animae. Qui te prohibet foenorari, ipse te jubet foe●orari.  Lycurgus' banished this Usury (the cankerworm of all civil Society) out of Sparta; Amasis punished it severely in Egypt; Cato banished it out of Sicilia: and Solon in Athens. How much more should it be holden in detestation amongst Christians? And for the other, who so he may be styled a Young Master, will not stick to impawne the Long Acre, till he become like a Snake who he's casten his slough; a squeazed swad without either Means, Manners, or Manor: I could wish that he took his Sponge by the hand, and took leave of this Island together, till air had changed their condition, or Grace the quality of their Temper. As sometimes that world's Monarch used two of his Court Parasites, enjoining the one to fly, and the other to follow him with a whip, till thoy were both got out of his Kingdom, and so his Court was rid of both.  
And to make up a lease in this vicious trace; it were not far amiss for the State, that such, who by petitionary ways work their own ends; and, 
Hear this ye Pattenters, & petitionary Projectors.  as if they were presenters of petitions by Patent, make it their most commodious Trade, to delude the poor Supplicants trust: and to maintain their profuse course, feed their languishing Clients with unprofitable delays, tasted of the whip aswell as these. So that, as Alex. Severus (a great enemy to such Impostors) caused his corrupt Courtier Turinus in the open Market to be fastened to a stake and stifled with smoke; while the Crier thus cried to the people, 
Fumo pereat, qui fumum vendidit. " Let him perish by smoke, who sold smoke. I could wish that such as these be (if any such there be) might receive the like censure, according to the height or measure of their distemper. For these, like Brokers of old-stuffe, or Barterers of contemptible ware, make sale of that which is not vendible. Or like those Asian Knights, make breach of credit to discharge their credit: who, though they have no other vocation but boldness and insinuation, yet by these injurious ways, bear themselves in the World as if they were persons of quality and fashion.  
But to proceed in our Discourse: Histories of this Nature, are very needful for professors of Physic: for how should they conceive the true Art of composition, if the simples whereof the compounds are made, and their virtues, be not perfectly known unto them? Brasevolus, de examine herbarum, exemplifies this Discourse more fully; I will refer them to that place, not entertaining that Subject which is but superficially traduced to me; and I have always made that observance (in way of Axiom) to all my Readins, which Silvius in his Book, De Simplicib. Medicament, enjoineth himself: What Art soever a Man knoweth, let him only exercise and use it: For otherwise he shall but descry his own Ignorance, as I have noted in some: Quos cum nescire piguit, mentiri non pigebat. An odious scandal to a generous-minded Scholar, to writ that which he is ignorant of himself; Less ashamed to lie, than to be defective in Knowledge. But especially, some we have of this sort, that lie upon their Knowledge: Some (as in Traian's fabling Age) writ Arts of Horsemanship, that never road otherwise than Agesilaus with his Children on Cockhorse. Others can exactly prescribe Times for Planting, Sowing, Reaping, and the like; playing the good Husbandman (I pray you mark him) that never read Virgil's Bucolics: These are usurping wits, presuming on the affable censures of these depraved times. Ignorance can Apologise herself: for what Writer now a days wears not that Livery?  
To our History: These natural Discourses of the qualities of Beasts, Birds, Serpents, and other Creatures, be likewise especially needful for Divines: They may amply dilate upon the admirable Works of their Creator, by the Survey of his Creatures. 
Emblems of Birds. The contemplation of the Creature ministers admiration in us toward our Creator.  For even all Birds and Beasts (if exactly considered) show the infinite power of the Almighty; not only in Creating, but infusing such diversly-affected natures and dispositions in them. The witty Emblematist also drains his pretty inventions from these resemblances; portraying the Creature, and annexing his device to the Portray.  
Nay, they are very motive persuasions to the acknowledging of our own weakness and infirmity: spurs to thankfulness, as that excellent Emblem, where a Lark was parched, with these Verses: 

Vid. Sambucum & Aletat.  Cantat Alauda Deo laudes gratissima summo,  
Hinc nos ingratos grata latescitavis.  Englished thus. 
The early Lark her grateful mind displays,  
Descanting Morn by Morn her Maker's praise:  
Whence she doth tax such as unthankful be,  
That have more cause, yet give less thanks than she.   
We have many such witty Emblems, well befitting the most Christian understanding to contemplate; drawing the inscrutable Wisdom of God from the Excellency of his Creatures: the divers forms whereof generally varying, their different Natures in few things concurring, and their continuance so mainly discording, may minister to the greatest Atheist, not less cause of Admiration, than cause of Execration of his irreligious and damnable Opinion.  

☞  Nor can there be any Arguments more forcing than these, to bring a mis-beleever to the acknowledgement of his Maker. So as, the very Atheist, if he would suffer himself to be evinced by Reason, could not choose but veil, and ingenuously hold himself condemned by Birds o'th' Air: Whose melody is ever mounting with airy Wings to that Supreme Majesty. 
The very Atheist condemned by Bi●ds o'th' Air: and how their Melody is ever mounting with airy wings to that Supreme Majesty.  Upon which consideration, would he but reflect on himself, he should soon find, how miserable it is for man to be silent in God's praise, when Birds become heavenly Choristers in sending forth sweet airs. 
How miserable it is, for man to be silent in God's pra●se, when Birds become heavenly Choristers in sending forth sweet Airs.   
I cannot choose but wonder at Democritus, who was of such various, nay, Omnifarious reading, as there was nothing in the whole frame or Workmanship of 
Nihil in toto Op●ficio Naturae, de quo non scripsit.  Nature, wherein he did not show himself a Writer. That He, who knew the Natures, differences of all Beasts, Plants, Fishes, Birds; and as some say, could understand the Tunes and Voices of them, should so miserably err in that, which he should principally know. For if these Visible Creatures be Lay-mens' Books; wherein they may find matter enough to magnify the Power, Wisdom and Providence of God; much more those, who are Versed in Books, and are enabled to confer Contemplation with Reading, merit high reproof: who seeing what they may worthily admire; and that the Maker of them is He, to whom they are only to adhere; are neither won by the One nor Other, to acknowledge the sole Omnipotency of their Creator.  
It is said of the Quail, being the very same Bird which was the Israëlites Meat in the Wilderness, that as he flies over the Sea, feeling himself to begin to be weary, he lights by the way into the Sea. Than lying at one side, he lays down one Wing upon the Water, and holds up the other Wing towards Heaven. Jest he should presume to take too long a flight at the first, he wets one wing. Jest he should despair of taking a new flight afterwards, he keeps the other wing dry.  
The Moral is divine, though the Story be natural and human. Oculis ad Coelum, manus ad Clavum. The Course of our perilous Navigation in this our Sea-fare, toucheth upon two dangerous Shelves; such as threaten more inevitable ruin to the unwary Navigator, than those two Sicilian Gulfs, Scylla and Charybdi●. Where Presumption, upon the confidence of her own strength, falls by a precipitate Course into the depth of all misery: and despair, through too much diffidence, lies miserably grovelling, neither seeking nor hoping for Remedy. The flight of the former is either short, or none at all; because Presumption makes her think it needless to fly for that of which she is already seized: and Despair, like heavy chesses, retardates her flight; suggesting to her that it is needless to fly for that whereof she can never possibly be seized.  
Oris Apollo writeth, that the Egyptians (amongst many other profound Hieroglyphics) when they would describe the Heart, paint that Bird, which they call Ibis: because they think no Creature, for proportion of the body, hath so great an Heart as the Ibis hath. If the Pagans' made such singular use in their dissection of Birds; as they ever reduced whatsoever they read, or had seen in that kind, to some excellent end: Much more we, who know better the use of these Creatures, and to what proper end they were first ordained; not in Wantonness to abuse them, as those lose imperialists did, who affected nothing more than Rarity; nor desired aught more, than to surfeit in their Excess and superfluity. Neither in a Superstitious use of them; as the Pagans' did, who attributed their good or bad fortune to such Birds, 
Creatures ordained to Sobriety and useful Morality.  as were either Auspicious or Ominous: promising themselves success according to their flight; or inspection of their  after death.  
In the time of Augustus, an Eagle hover over the Heads of such Patricians, as were than i● Consultation; at last settled upon the name of Agrippa, and just upon the first Letter of that name A— A Lightning likewise descending down from Heaven, struck the first Letter of his own name out,— C— Whence Soothsayers, by conjectural Arguments, or Revelations from their Oracles, gathered, that He should but live an hundred days after, and be afterwards Cannonized for a God: because Aesar, the residue of t●at Name in the Tuscan Language signified God.  
Albeit, some even amongst themselves, slighted their Auguries, as might be instanced in Claudius Pulcher; who, when in taking his Auspicia, or the predictions of his success by the inspections of Birds, before Sicily, the Pullet's would not feed, he commanded they should be plunged in the Sea, that they might drink, seeing they would not eat. The like did Crassus, who being willed by the Arabian Guides, at such time as he was Marching within the Persian Frontiers, to make haste before the Moon was in Scorpio; but I (said he) fear more Sagittary, meaning the Archers of Persia.  
But there is nothing in my Opinion, that should work more powerful effects, or beget in men more virile shame, than to see them outstripped by Creatures of this kind, even in arguments of Natural Affection and Humanity.  

Basil. Homil. 8. & 9  It is a notable Observation, which a Divine Father sometimes culled from a Natural Historian: When the old Stork through Age becomes naked of Feathers, she is fed by her Brood, and carried by them from place to place upon their Wings.  
This might worthily strike a glowing shame in the breasts of all such unnatural Children, who neglect their duties to their aged Parents; bringing their grey-haires with sorrow to their Graves. 
Quamvis plurima illis reddidimus, rursus tamen eos generare non possumus. Cyril.  For how should these in an equal proportion requited them from whom they had their being and breeding; admit they should for their relief, confer all their Fortunes and livelihood upon them?  
What should I say likewise of unnatural Mothers; who scorn to impart their own Breasts to their own Babes? Can these see the Curuca with her attendants following, and nursing care hatching the Cuckoo's eggs, and not blush at themselves? Have they naked breasts to bestow on the air, or allure a wand'ring eye, and must their own be deprived of that liberty?  
Many such Moral Motives as these, speak to us in the natures of Birds: but I must not devil on these; but hasten in this my Historical Survey, to the native discovery of other Creatures.  
Here the Hyene (as Pliny relates) can imitate the voice of any Man, and that so nearly, 
The distinct Natures of Beasts expressed.  as his voice can hardly be distinguished from the voice of him he imitateth; taking his denomination from the Greeks', according to his natural rapine.  
There the Fiber, or Beaver (by what instinct, Human wisdom could never reach to) to satisfy his covetous pursuer, bites of his own stones, being the prize (he knows) for which he is pursued.  
Here see the dissembling Sphinx, able to personate any passion, either of joy or sorrow. There the wonderful nature of the Rhynoceros: The Lion so naturally valiant, as not to be daunted; yet behold the silly Cock can make him tremble! Than represent to your generous reading, the natural enmity betwixt the Horse and the Bear, the Wolf and the Lion, the Fox and the Badger; such a native disagreeing remains among these Beasts, as their hatred is implacable; ever pursuing their enemy with an inveterate hate: for an enmity engrafted by nature, cannot be suppressed by less than nature.  
Many conflicts were instituted in Rome (at solemnisation of any Festival, or in remembrance of some memorable Exploit achieved) betwixt Beasts: whence the Romans gathered great knowledge, seeing the remissness of some Natures, and the eagerness of others. Some of an unquailed spirit, yet in strength unable to maintain their spirit: others (like our unwieldy Epicures) sinewy and fleshy enough, have strength at will, but defect of courage so curbs them, as the overflow of ability wanes in the rising; not daring to encounter with one of less strength, but more vivacity.  

Vide Lucium Flor. in 1. lib. de Sab. Bell & postea de bello Tarent. Cap. 18.  When Fabius Maximus went in Embassage to Pyrrhus, Prince of Epire, with whom (at that time) the Romans had War: he denounced open Hostility against him and his Territories, for not performing some conditions included in the League. Pyrrhus, to terrify Fabius, commanded his Guard to place an Elephant behind the Arras, that at their next parley, Fabius seeing so terrible a Beast, 
Those Times were not known to that unfrier-like Invention of murdering Ordnance:" The Crane, the Grasping-hooke and butting Ram" Were their sole Engines when first wars began.  might of his own accord solicit Peace. But Fabius (though one at that time unacquainted with such sights, for never were any Elephants than seen in Rome) hearing him sand out his hollow voice, replied: The sound of a Roman Ram will be more terrible than the voice of an Epyrian Elephant. But these grew afterwards to public Spectacles: so as in any Triumph of some victorious, or puissant Captain, there were many Elephants, Ounces, Panthers, Tigers, and other savage Beasts slain, offering them (in Triumphant manner) to the Temple of the Goddess Victoria.  
Varro, a Roman Peer, one to whom the Roman Tongue was much indebted, 
Si multo sanguine victoriam obti●uissent, Gallum: si absque sa●guine, Bovem Marti immol●rent. etc.  did illustrate the Annals of Rome with their Ceremonial Triumphs; showing also what Beasts were want to be sacrificed to the Gods, and for what cause that Institution was observed; If the Victory (saith he) was purchased with the loss of blood, they used to sacrifice to Mars, a Cock; but if without blood, they offered an Ox.  
These natural Descriptions of Beasts are very delightful to the generous Reader; they are very fit for illustrating any Subject; making comparison betwixt the Natures of Beasts, Birds, or Plants, and other material subjects of our Discourse; comparing Lust, Incest, and such lascivious exorbitances to the Lapwing, represented by Tereus, the Ravisher of Philomela: Inferring by the Spider, Arrogancy, or Pride, that durst compare with Pallas for preëminency. By the Cormorant, grating Oppression, senseless and remorseless of others Miseries. Progne (in a Swallows habit) implying the swiftness of revenge to Murder.  
That chaste Bird Porphyrio, who, 
☜  as he is constant in his choice, so if he see his love abused, his nest defiled, he dies through grief; as one impatient of such disgrace. He is said likewise to by't the Water, implying, that as he is pure of himself, so he cannot endure to partake of those streams, which are troubled or soiled with any brackish distemper.  

He proceeds in applying the Natures of several other Birds, to the sundry different qualities, or corruptions rather, in man.  We read how Phineus that impious Arcadian Prince, having by the persuasion of his second wife Idaea, put out his Childrens eyes, which he had by his first wife Cleopatra, was for this unnatural fact plagued of the Harpies: three monstruous and ravenous Birds, Aelo, Ocypete, and Celano, having Maiden visages. Long time was this unhappy King annoyed, what way soever he Travailed: Sea could not secure him, nor Land privilege him. At his repast, his stomach was made queasy by their stench: and on the night time, by reason of their noise, was he reft of rest: In which story, sundry excellent Morals are daintily couched. First, how the very Ethnic Poets could invent punishments for heinous delinquents. O quàm meritò divina occurrit ultio cuiusque peccati proprio obiecto! A commanding Prince, if conscious of blood, cannot found himself a shroud. No shelter against Murder. Fly he to the Sea, the very waves raised by the fury of the winds, will be his remembrancers, retire he to the Land, the very Creatures will have him in pursuit, till they become his Surprizers. From his House he flies unto the field, but Furies dog him still: no Covert in field can rescue him from his Fate.  
By the Harpies, may be understood, that there is no Creature, but the Supreme power, if He please, can make it his Avenger. But these kind of Birds were by the Poets most properly devised to be pursuers of this bloody Prince. Their ravenous Nature agreed best with his temper. For as their Condition is to prey upon their own; so did he in his cruelty seize upon his own: And as the Eye is the first part which any ravenous Bird useth to pick at: so it was the Eyes of these Orphan-childrens which their Stepdame Idaea aimed at. Now, whereas these Birds are portrayed with Maiden-visages, we may by that safely conclude, Frontis nulla fides—: Amiable Features may have savage Natures. Those Sirens had beautiful Faces, cheerful Voices, but dangerous Greetings. There is more belonging to a sincere heart than a promising presence. As the stillest Waters are the deepest; so fairest Faces wound the deadliest. They are apt to allure; and happy is that wise Ithacus, that can stop his Eye and Eare.  
These came to Phineus Table like beauteous Guests, but pursued him like hideous Ghosts. Beauty is a taking bait, ' it can cover Treason with a smile; but being swallowed, it becomes the Takers bane. But now see how this calamitous Prince receives relief, when his miseries crowded thickest: and how these intrusive Guests are expulsed, when his hopes were in despair, and from expectance of relief remotest!  
Calaïs', that valiant Son of Boreas by Orithia, who with Zethes having Wings, to accelerate their journey, flew to Colchis to help the Argonauts: and being in that voyage courteously used of King Phineus, they in recompense drove out of his Country those ravening Birds called Harpies.  
Nor wants this Comical passage his Moral: for hence may we gather, what benefit redounds to such as are hospitable. How those, whom they sometimes harboured for Strangers, become in time of danger their deliverers. This might be confirmed by Holy Writ; where Angels were received in habit of Strangers: and what succour they ministered to their Harbourers.  
Such as these usefully applied, will afford infinite profit to the Reader: so as, he may delightfully enlarge himself by way of Discourse to any intelligible Hearer.  
There be other Birds, who retain in them an ancient natural hatred to Beasts, from whom they conceive themselves to have received wrong; and this their hatred is implacable even to death.  

Pleasant Poëticall Fictions of the Enmity of Birds.  The Cowshot or Stock-dove cannot endure the Heifer for that old injury she suffered before she changed her Nest: so as now with an insulting jeer, which she still redoubles in her Note, she seemingly challengeth her to come unto her: being confident that her Seat is mounted fare above her hate; so as, she may now securely domineer, when her airy Nest pleads privilege against all fear.  
Aegithus, in proportion a little Bird, yet of a strong and stout spirit; being at deadly hatred with the Ass; for that he destroyeth her Nest, which for the most part she builds among the Thistles: in revenge whereof, she continually vexeth him (so apprehensive is the lest Creature of an injury, and so quicksighted in conceiving where she may requited her injury) by pecking him on galled places of his body.  
This Moral may seem to glance at such ignoble spirits, who, so they may revenge, or express the heat of their fury; will not stick to exercise it upon the poorest and contemptiblest Creatures: yea, they will pick an offence before it be offered: and play upon their simplicity, by whom they were never much injuried. These will ever leap over the hedge where it is lowest, and make such the prey of their fury, whom they find most incapable of revenge, or unable to second what their reputation enjoins them to attempt. The like may be said of the Apiaster or Mudwall; a Bird that bears inveterate hate to the painful Bee and her Labours. In whose Nature the quality of such persons is covertly shadowed: who, Margites-like, do no good themselves, but in a profuse Riot consume their fruitless Days, feeding their Surfeits with others employments.  
In many Frontier-bordering Towns we shall see this made good by woeful experience. While such industrious people, who, to use the words of Sententious Sallust, Sedem Animae in extremis digitis habent; placing their Souls in their Finger's ends, become a booty to the violence and incursion of their Neighbouring Drones; who seize with strong hand (under pretence of an unsettled peace or expired League) upon whatsoever their industrious course of living had for divers years deservingly gained and gathered.  
There is another sweet-sented Bird, called the Cinnamolge; one who will build her Nest in no other Wood than Cinnamon. Her only ambition is a dainty Seat; very singular in her consort with other Birds; pleasing to few but to herself: and if at any time she deagne the Forest that grace as to partake of her melody, Nightingal-like Dat sine ment sonum—  

A sweet-sented Courtier properly resembled.  A near Resemblance (as if sprung from one Stem) may this sweet-breathed Bird seem to have to our Court-Popinjay; whose sense most commonly consists in sent. His Action or Gesture is nothing but Cringes; his Breath an Airy Compliment; his Rind (to make this Cinnamon-Similitude more full) worth all his body beside.  
When jupiter and Juno's Wedding was solemnised of old, to make the Solemnity more complete; the Gods were all invited to the Feast, and many Noblemen besides. Amongst the rest came Crysalus a Persian Prince, bravely attended, rarely accoutred, rich in Golden Attires, in gay Robes, with a Majestical Presence, a formal posture, a portly Encounter, but otherwise an Ass. The Gods seeing him come in such pomp and state, rose up to give him place, Ex habitu hominem metientes; But jupiter perceiving what he was, a light, fantastic, idle fellow, turned him and his proud followers into Butterflies: And so they continued still (for aught I know to the contrary, if the Fiction hold with Verity) roving about in pied Coats, and are called Chrysalises by the wiser sort of men; that is, Golden outsides, Drones, Flies, and things of no worth. 
What the Poets intended by these Transformations.  For the truth of the Fable, we will not stand much on it; but what the Poets intended by these Transformations, may be easily gathered.  
These Silken Gulls, who are only to be valued by what they wear, not what they are, in this very Moral receive their Censure, They press into the highest places; converse with Eminent'st persons; thrust themselves upon greatest business: but fall of still with some palpable disgrace to themselves.  
They are not intus fimbriati, and therefore must be Deorum consilijs ablegati. Those who had no Sage in their Pates, were not held fit to be at Council-table with the Gods.  
There is another Moral too which ariseth naturally from that Cinnamon-nested Bird; 
A Countrey-seated Citizen properly Resembled.  and without much Criticism might be applied to a Pen-feathred Citizen; who having now (as he thinks) sufficient wealth, h'as shut up Shop, and bid a due to his Trade. And as one who had taken a surfeit of the City, h'as built himself a new Fisher's folly in the Country. Nothing but Perspective Glass, Porphyrite Pillars, Thracian Touch, and Arabian perfumes in every room. Nothing but Beauty reflects in every corner, except the face of the Owner. O, how he is taken with the delight of his Seat! The exquisite device of his Building! His None-such must be admired by such as see it, or he holds himself infinitely wronged. So he may have his Dwellinghouse neatly trimmed, and the house of his Body curiously cockered, he thinks nothing can go amiss, all things are well ordered.  

Petrarch. de Remed. utriusque fort.  Meantime, he little remembers Petrarches Counsel; who adviseth him not to be afraid, though the House of his Body be shaken, so his Soul, the Guest of his Body, far well.  
Many other excellent Morals might be from this only Bird extracted, but brevity, the best help to memory, makes me omit them.  

The constant Love, and amicable League of Birds amongst themselves.  I could here enlarge my Discourse in relating the wonderful Concord of divers Birds among themselves; as the constant League or Amity of Crows, who are ever observed to take one part; the natural love of Stairs: and generally, how Birds of one feather flock together, and are ready to do mutual offices one to another. But our Natural Historians, who have amply writ of this Subject, can sufficiently supply the Reader in this way; to whom I refer them. I will only here resolve one question which may be demanded, and it is this: What should the reason be, why all Birds by an inbred hate pursue the Hawk; and though they cannot annoyed him, yet will they flicker about him; 
Why Birds of Rapine are most hated.  desiring nothing more, if their powers were to their wills, than to surprise him? But the Poet h'as a reply ready in the persons of those Birds, which may fully assoil this question: 
We hate the Hawk, 
Odimus Accipitrem, quia semper vivit in armis.  because of all that are  
Exposed to prey, he ever lives in war.   
For the Owl or Bat, or all such Night-birds, 
Why Night-Birds are had in pursuit.  why they are so had in pursuit, if it chance they come abroad upon daytime, this reason may be given. As they are unsociable and estrange themselves from their company, having only the privilege of night, and the Ivy or some other retired  for their Sanctuary; so they are hooted at by other Birds for their singularity, or for their neglect of civil Society.  
In the Beasts of the Forest this may likewise be observed: the Lion (a fierce beast) of an Heroïcke Nature, contemning the dejected ones, nor caring to feed on Carrion. He is of a Majestic disposition, and hates to be ungrateful for the lest benefits received: If the Mouse rid him of base servitude, he will find time to requited her love one way or other. This may represent the person of a King (for indeed he is the King of Beasts) who scorns to triumph over the subjected, but to tyrannize over the proud.  
The Elephant resembles a man pressed down with honour; 
Resemblances in Beasts.  being once down, he cannot rise: he is like some great man, who puffed up with the prosperous gales of his fortunes, can find no knees of allegiance, or submission to either Prince or State; his joints are inflexible, and the load of his honour insupportable: once down, impossible to rise, but by some unusual occurrent.  
What strange effects of Nature this creature retaineth, may be instanced in this notable story. It is reported by Philippo Pigafetta, a Traveller of approved credit, that he had seen with his own eyes a very strange and admirable thing in Coanza, namely, that a young Elephant following his Dam, fell down by chance into one of those Pitfalls, purposely made by Hunters, to surprise them: and after she could not with all her skill and strength draw him out of it, she buried him therein, and covered him with earth, with branches, and with bows, insomuch as she filled the Pit up to the top, to the end that the Hunters should not enjoy her Calf; choosing rather to kill it herself (with this affectionate kind of interment) than to leave it to the mercy of the cruel Huntsmen.  
The Wolf (a State-gormandizer) preys upon the innocent, sucks the blood of the Orphan, impairs others means to enlarge his own: cruelty is the habiliment he best liketh, making the State a wild Forest for every Savage to live in, but a Shambleses for the poor silly Lambkin to suffer in.  
The Goat, your wanton and sensual Amorist, that skips here and there, in every brake of vanity, till so entwined, as the sale of his reputation makes him beg for a good name: but the eyes of General Observance are not so dazelled, they have seen his heart, and registered his follies.  
The Bear, one that portends by his Birth, 
Vrsus tanquam Orsus.  what he will be: an unhandsome piece of flesh, one that needs licking before he be brought to fashion: Here's Natures deformity, charactering by the foulness of the body, the filthiness of his disposition. Tyrants we have had of this Resemblance, who came the wrong way into the world, to intimate what wrongs they would do unto the world. But now of tamer Creatures.  
The Lamb cannot drink of a troubled Spring, 
Several proprieties resembling several persons.  not more can Innocence.  
The Hare ever sleeps with open eyes: so doth good Providence.  
The Coney is fruitful and fearful: So is Nuptial Chastity.  
The Emmet is in Summer ever foreseeing a Winter: Such is good Husbandry.  
Shall we proceed in Birds likewise, and examine their Natures?  
The Turtle for Constancy: The Crane for Vigilancy: The Robin expresseth his love to Man: the Nightingale to Women. None more industrious than the Lark, Moore laborious than the Wren: more odious to herself, and others, than the Cuckoo: Moore Heroïck than the Eagle: Moore base than the Buzzard.  
Than observe what secret instincts given to certain Birds, to prognosticate the events of things.  
The Crow, a fore-teller of what Wether will come to pass. The Halcyon or Seamaw, remarkable in prediction of Storms: and the Swallow, Crane, 
Vid. Aur. Vict.  and many others, exact observers of Seasons.  

☞  It is strange, what is observed by the natural Historian, of the Eagle and Raven; the one, saith he, knows when the Carcase or Carrion shall fall, the other where. Which conceit, howsoever it may be many times erring, yet we shall ever found the Raven first seized on his prey, 
He recounts sundry other Birds, which retain in them naturally, infallible Notions of the change & various disposition of Weathers.  whensoever any such shall casually fall.  
We may observe likewise, divers Birds who change their note or voice according to the disposition of the weather. Sometimes by their bathing, billing, or such like signs, may be naturally gathered infallible notions of the change and various disposition of weathers.  
It is said of the Bird Icterus, or as Pliny calls her Galgulus, 

Temporis ad vultum mutat Cornicula vocem.  
Temporis ad morem varlat Mustela colorem.   if any man that is sick of the yellow Jandise shall see her, the man shall wax whole, recover his strength and colour, and by degrees regain his former vigour, but the Bird shall dye. Some have holden this Bird to be one of the certainest diviners of Wethers, of all others; whence the Poet: 

Frondator nimbum, praenuntiat Icterus imbrem.  Birds of the Air their prophecies retain,  
The Pick'tre● bodes a storm, the Icterus rain.   
Divers of our Navigators likewise observe, when they are on Sea, sundry incident alterations by the noise of Sea-fowles: and are cautioned by them to make speed for Land, jest a tempest endanger their passage. Of which sort, there are Some, who leave the Sea against a storm, and fly to Firm Land; remaining there till an Halcyon calm invite them to return.  
There are incredible things reported of the Spinturnix; a Bird that want to come to the Altars, where they were sacrificing, and carry away a burning coal as a token of ill luck, or burning to the house where it alighted.  
But these Relations are with more strength of Opinion, than probability or reason confirmed. Howsoever, no doubt but divers Birds by a secret instinct of nature (the reason whereof to us is occult) can prenuntiate the Seasons and dispositions of weathers; which may appear by Holy Writ; that Lydian-stone which can best try the verity of all Human assertions.  
The Swallow and Crane know their seasons. So as, even that Prophet, who sometimes admonished the people, 
jerem. 10. 2●  not to be afraid for the signs of Heaven, hath admitted these conjectural tokens. For the creatures of Heaven and Earth, as they were first ordained for our use; so by our right use of them, we may improve our own Knowledge; by making every Creature, a judicial Epitome of Nature: ever closing with a free and humble acknowledgement of his uncircumscribed Power, by whom they were created; and of whose goodness it is that they may in their several natures redound to our benefit, being well employed.  
When a certain religious Brother, who had bestowed much precious time on Contemplation; 
Ai divine Contemplation upon Survey had to the lowest of God's Creatures.  and by means of a retired life, to the end secular cares might less entangle him, had attained to such a measure of perfection that way, as he eyed nothing whereof he made not some Divine use; professed one day to One of the same Convent; That he could never see any Thing, the sight whereof did not in some manner edify him. O, said the other, spare a little, good brother; pray you tell me, wherein can the sight of a Toad edify you? O very much, quoth he; for what have I deserved that God should make me a Man and not a Toad? So that, as often as I see a Toad, so often do I recall this benefit to mind: rendering all due thankss to him, who according to my desert hath not form me like any such detestable Creature, but hath bestowed on me the most beautiful and royal image of my Maker.  
Surely, as I have formerly observed, if our hearts were rightly disposed, by making good use of whatsoever in this inferior Orb we see here created, and as proper Objects to our eyes presented; we should easily confess, that there is no Creature so small, vile or despicable, which might not be reduced to some image or Emblem of our Life; seeing, there is none, be it never so poor nor contemptible, which presents not in itself the goodness of God. And so by consideration had of these Temporal and External benefits (to use the words of a Divine Father) to gather the greatness and immensity of the heavenly counsel. 
Aug.   
Neither are these Moral applications of Birds and the like, whereon, upon occasion, 
Scripturae sunt Promptuanum bonorum Documentorum. Basil. Mag. in Psal. 1.  we have so amply insisted, to be conceived as useless. We shall found the Storehouse of all Divine learning, that Sacred untroubled Fountain of heavenly Knowledge, furnished with Moral similitudes and illustrations of this kind. As the Partridge, 
jer. 17.2.  (saith the Prophet) gathereth the young, which she hath not brought forth: so he that getteth Richeses, and not by Right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.  
Sometimes we shall found the tenderhearted Pelican named; the Turtle, and her affection described; the obsequious Stork commended; the Sparrow upon the housetop expressed. Sometimes Fowls addicted to prey, displayed. From which, we may gather excellent matter, not only of magnifying Him by whom they were created, and to their several offices designed: but even in Human discourse, we shall found many occasions of enlarging ourselves; by application of the nature and disposition of them. So as, whosoever shall make an useful observation of these feathered Fowls in the air, may found much more dainty Philosophy in them; than in these tame Fools who pride themselves in their feathered vanities on earth.  
Other Birds there be that have more human feeling: Pliny reports, that there be certain Birds which howl exceedingly at the Eclipse of the Sun; as if naturally moved by some miraculous influence or instinct from heaven, to suffer with a Divine body, so extremely suffering: Let us descend to Worms, Serpents, and Creeping things, we shall see in them distinct qualities also.  

Natures of Serpents, and of Pagan Adorations.  The Serpent Pareas creepeth on his Tail, and with the sharpness of his Belly makes a furrow upon the ground where he crawleth.  
Strange things be reported of the Serpent Seraphis, 

See the Discourse of Asia, and Africa, entitled: The fardel of Fashions  
In Aulular.   adored by the Egyptians as a God: Others there be not less different in nature, form, nourishment, and feature: Some feeding upon raw flesh, intimating their ravenous Natures: Others on fish (as divers Serpents) living upon the Bank of the River Nilus: Others on plants, and the fruit of Trees, which Plautus expresseth by the Vine-fretter: Matura Vitis folia Involvolus carpit.  

Stell. de Contempt. Mundi.  But other creeping creatures there be very beneficial to Human society. The Silkworm, whose labours make our silken Gallants. To that excess are we come, as our bravery must be maintained by the diligence of the simplest creatures, clothing ourselves with the very bowels of Worms: Wonderful is their Generation.  

Singula solatia singulis malis obviantia preparavit Deus. August.  The Adder in herself obnoxious and hurtful, yet she casts her skin (to express her good meaning to man) an excellent cure to many diseases.  
The poor Worm, of herself, neither greatly harmful nor profitable, only (by a Synonomy betwixt Man and Her) she is the best Mirror of human Glory, an Emblem of our Mortality: and an importunate Guest that will come to banquet on our bodies, though not invited: She is called Vermis (quasi inermis) she can but turn again, that's all the defensive, or offensive weapon she hath ready.  
These silly contemptible cr●atures be especial Motives to a good man, of Thankfulness: 
The Worm a Motive of Thankfulness, and the best Character of human frailty.  the example we read in that devout Father Anselme; who walking one day in his garden, and seeing a poor Worm crawling under his feet, presently applied this Christianlike use to himself.  
O Lord, 
Diversities of Natures in Fishes.  thou mightest have made me like this Worm, contemptible and base, to live in the holes and caverns of the earth; But such was thy mercy, as thou wouldst not: bestowing on me thine own Image, 
What rare properties are in the Ambizeamatare, or the Fish of the Rock, & what commodious use the people of Congo make of it, may appear in that Discourse entitled, A R●port of the Kingdom of Congo. fol. 24.  that thy similitude might be glorified in me. A comfortable meditation of a zealous Father, and worthy our observation.  
We will now discourse of the skaly Fishes in their kind, that the Majesty and power of God (by giving such diversity of Natures to Fishes) may appear in the Depths, as before it was manifestly expressed upon the earth, and all dry places. Here is a Tyrannic power even in the Ocean, and an absolute government without restraint of power: Here is a Musical concordancy likewise; a Diapason of Sea-inhabitants. The Dolphin playing a soft strain, resembling a Mean: 
julis; vide Plinium; quam tenacem piscem appellat, etc.  the Sturgeon (swimming against the Stream) sharpens her Note, more near a Triple: the julis a smooth Counter-tenor, and the rolling Porpoise the Base.  

Contention amongst Fishes.  Here is great enmity (likewise) for predominancy: And that amongst the greatest, the Ork with the Whale: The Cuttell with the Thòrne-backe; the Sea-horse with the Sea-urchin: Many rare virtues in little creatures: with what strangeness the Remora (a fish of small bigness) holds a Ship, when in her full Sail? How wonderfully the Torpedo delivers herself, being taken by the unhappy Fisher? disgorging her own bowels, to stupefie the Taker with an uncoth amazement.  

☞  Again, to observe the ravenous disposition of the Pike; 
The different natures of Fishes; & wherein properly they allude to Man.  the sociable condition of the Trout; the various discolouring of the Polypus; the strong digestion of the Porpoise: would beget in these curious Surveyors of nature, much admiration. And than to compare the natures of these water-inhabitants with ourselves, who follow, for most part, the bent of our desires, as if we were estranged from that beauty which incomparably most adorns us; and drenched in the leas of our own corruptions, which makes man most unlike himself; by idolatrizing that which gives the greatest blemish to his Excellence.  
Emblems are devices not less useful than delightful, to present Man best to himself: and to tax him too by way of shadowing, what (perchance) he would be loathe to endure in a freer manner of expression.  
For tell me, how should any of our Grand-oppressours, who make their Inferiors their sponges: fattening themselves with violence; and spinning to themselves an estate out of others bowels: how should these, I say, read of the ravenous disposition of the Pike, and not reflect upon themselves? They found his nature to be such, that all is fish that comes to his net. He admits no dispensation; if his power may surprise him; he becomes his prey. Affinity, Consanguinity, all respects of civil Society must be excluded: his will is his Law; and he must suffer that dare oppose it.  
This might strike a glowing blush in our hunting Nimrods'; who, so they may seize on their prey, and make innocence the object of their fury; neither care for Heaven nor Hell. Judgements cannot startle them; because they are yet insensible of them. Compassion cannot supple them; for that is such a stranger, as of all other Pilgrims they never gave her harbour. Nay, humanity bears so little sway with them; as they scorn to incline to aught that may civilize them.  
It is said, that Pictures convey deepest impressures; and that many have blushed in the perusal of some Emblems, by eyeing in them their own natures. I could wish that these, who have engaged themselves to oppression, and made injury their Darling, to look upon the Lucius: who takes his name from his quick-discerning sight; but employs it to an indirect end. They shall find themselves charactered in his Life: and read such qualities in him, as Humanity cannot choose but loathe. That cautious Impress about his Emblem may serve too for an useful direction: " Id facere laus est, quod decet, no quod licet.  
Than to note that sociable Affability of the Trout, cannot but beget singular effects in sweet and well-tempered dispositions. This may be an Emblem to all such who affect nothing more than Concord: Litigious Suitors, who cram Seats of Judicature with fat fees: who will do no right, nor take wrong; who feed themselves with Contention; and have ever an Oar in that Boat which is embarked in Waters of Division; are all Antipodes to this Emblem.  
Marcus Caelius was said to have a good right hand, but an ill left hand, because he could pled against a man better than for him. But these are no such Agents: These will either do good, or do nothing. As they affect peace; so every particular action of theirs merits praise. These desire not to swell great, by the Consumption of Others: nor disperse their well-grounded Fame on a disadvantageous War: They ever retain their place, and impale it with this Impress of Peace:" Pax una Triumphis innumeris potior—  
Than go to your Machiavelli Statist, that changeable-coloured Polypus. One, who can walk in a Cloud; and disguise dangerous plots with virtuous pretences. Here you shall find nothing unliker a man's self than himself. He flies with the Lapwing, fare from his Nest, that he might be more ●ecure: and more easy it were to find that incredible Stone in the Lapwings Nest, than to retrieve the secrecy of his Aims. Though the Polypefish be various in Colours; and in nothing more mutable than her own Feature: This politic Masker can vie with him in various projects: being such a faithful Secretary to himself, as he scorns to have any his Intelligencer: or to discover himself otherwise to the World, than by pretending what is the lest of his meaning. And now he is come to that height of perfection, (if we may safely bestow such a Title on dissembling) as he is jealous of Others trust: nor dare scarcely believe himself, while he confers privately with his own Breast. In a word, so unequally paralleled is his outward disguise, and inward conceit, as his Dissembling he's begot in him, and derived to us this impressive Caution: —" Quod non es, ne videare cave.  
Now, for the strong-digesting Porpoise: that natural Description (for it shadows not only the outward Constitution) implies the quality of such persons; as can connive at injuries received: can suffer with an equal temper, whatsoever the iniquity of Time, or inclemency of Fate shall or may inflict. Others, while they exclaim against Destiny, & tear the Clouds with no less fruitless than godless Imprecations: These with a resolved silence, and habituate patience, can digest all indignities: laugh at the Braves of Fortune: and with a composed spirit crown their Sufferings with this expression:" Patior potiorque vicissim.  
The Acipenser, or which Pliny calls, Sacer piscis, feeds on nothing but Man's flesh, implying a caveat to Man: that having so many Enemies even on Earth, and not free from them in the Depth, should not spend his time in security, but prevent the enmity of all creatures by a diligent and vigilant care to himself. Long could I protract this discourse, but two material parts of this Relation withhold me from insisting longer: The first whereof first offering themselves, be Plants and Vegetative Bodies.  
The wisest of all Kings was much conversant in these Studies, 
The Study of Kings in Plants, Herbs & Fruits, etc.  knowing every Tree, every Herb, and every flower: à Cedro Libanon, usque ad Hysopum supra parietem: An excellent Commendation in a King; not addicting his mind to other things than the purchase of Knowledge, even in inferior things: that a generality of knowing, might make him worthy of governing.  
Probus the Roman Emperor, who succeeded Florianus in the Empire, was much addicted to Planting, and distinguishing the Natures of Flowers, the virtues of Plants, with proper observances accommodated for the knowledge of all Seasons, apt for Grafting, Stilling, and the like: Planting the Mountain Almus sited near Syrmius, and the Mount Aureus in Maesia the Higher, with Vines.  
The like we read of Galerius Maximinus, Surnamed Armentarius; and many others of the Romans, whose diligence was much employed in such pleasant affairs.  
Resemblances in these vegetative Bodies, 
To what especial Resemblances these Trees be accommodate.  require observance; to see the Vine like a fruitful Mother of many fair Children, sending out her ripened clusters, fair blossoming Sprigs, and infinite store of pretty Slips, imitating their Mother's fruitfulness, and bending with her own Burden, as not able to support herself without some stay or upholder: The pitiful Elm stretcheth her arms out to bear her up, in pure compassion moved to help her, that in herself and fruitful Issue, was so helpful unto others. Whence, some have resembled the Vine and the Elm to the Church and Commonweal; whose office it is to support the Church when distressed, as the Elm succours the Vine when surcharged.  
The Vine seems sometime to weep (for tears indeed she sheds) as if in Throws and pain of her Labour: These tears distilling from the Vine cure the Leprosy: 
Plinius.  So as she seems both Fruitful and Sovereign, yielding no less comfort in her tears, than verdure in her sprays.  
Many of these teare-shedding Trees there be, 
Teare-shedding Trees.  as the Myrrh-dropping Amber, and the Rosined Fyrrh: These by allusion may seem to commiserate our unhappy states, subjected to myriads of anxieties, by the taste of one Tree, whose dismal fruit made us wretched.  
Some Trees we have for harbour and shadow only, resembling our dissembling professors; whose external appearance makes great show of a fruitful inside, when nothing, save a mere naked pretence of Piety, remains in them.  
Others for fruit, without any store of blossoms; and such be they as desire rather to be good, than so accounted.  

Buxus amatori languere simillima visa est, pallor in est illi, pallet & omnis amans. Alciat.  Some Trees pine away, as if surprised with an amorous passion, exemplified in the Box: Others show by their freshness, to whom they are consecrated, as the Myrtle.  
Some loose not their colour in Winter, like the patiented man, who beleaguered with the worst of fortunes oppositions, never changeth countenance for the matter; but like that Venetian Motto writ in Triumph: Nec fluctu nec flatu movetur. Others not subject to any hurt by thunder, 
A resemblance of Odours, Flowers, and other Beauties to the inward Graces & Ornaments of the mind.  as the Bays: resemble the sincere conscience, not discomfitted with any assault, or dismayed with any terror.  
Sweet Odours, Flowers, and all other Beauties strewed upon this artificial Carpet, garnish the earth, as the internal virtues inhabiting the mind, do the Soul: This discourse more concerning the Herbist, than Historian, makes me more brief in the handling hereof.  

☞  
He amplifies this Discourse of Plants, Herbs, and Fruits.  Yet in regard of that precious resemblance which they retain (as all our Moralists have well observed) to our inward beauty, I choose the rather to insist a little ampler of them, by an apt comparison or parallel betwixt them and such dispositions as they resemble. For the greatest benefit that may any way redound to man, is seriously to read man: 
That Palmtree in Congo is useful in both: nay, plenteous in affording all commodities, as if it contested in quality with the Melt of Mexico: For it yields Oil, Wine, Vinegar, Fruit & b●ead. The oil is made of the shalt of the fruit. The Bread is made of the stone of the fruit. The Wire is drawn from the top of the tree, by making a hole therein, from whence distilleth a liquor like milk, which at the first is sweet, but afterwards sour, and in process of time becometh very vinegar, to serve for Salads.  and in the Survey of inferior Creatures, to collect wherein any of these may seem to read a Lecture to Man; wherein soever he comes either short or over of what is required of him. This that wise Democritus observed in the dissection of his Anatomies: and this should we in our very Walks and Recreations abroad usually practice: so may the application of them to ourselves, infinitely improve us.  
In our tracing and traversing the Forest; we shall there find some Trees for shade, but barren of fruit: Others less useful for shade, but plenteous in fruit.  
Our Sanctimonious-seeming Non-Conformatist retains an apparent resemblance of the one: our Sincere Professor of the other.  
A goodly beauteous Shadow to delude vulgar eyes, sufficeth the former: but shadows are reduced to substantial fruits by the latter.  
These Historical Relations may (likewise) point at painted friendship. Where many, in their Airy professions will not stick to promise' golden Mountains: but their performance (the essential fruit or effect of promise) dies always in the Socket; the snuff of that vaporous Compliment expires and dies.  
Friendship (saith the Stagyrian) is one soul which ruleth two hearts; and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies. Hearts than must not be ruled by shadows. Congees, Cringes, Curtsies and Formalities may delude, and imparadise an unexperienced Novice: These, I say, may transport our youngling, who never knew what dissembling meant: nor could ever yet distinguish betwixt fruit and shade, Essence and Semblance: but those, who are experimentally versed in the World, easily decline from such Snares. For Circumspection hath taught them such a Lesson, as they have learned to season Amity with Salt: and introduce acquaintance by experience; lest their too easy intimacy beget repentance.  
Plutarch reporteth that Plato came forth of Asia into Cilicia for no other cause but only to see his dear friend Photion the Philosopher.  
Such a visit begot an amicable benefit, a Philosophical improvement. These interviews were not like that of Alcmaeons' to Croesus: his regreet was to receive gold: a sordid aim! when Virtue is the prize which should only be in chase. Guilded shadows merit approvement, but by whom? By Fools of the Time. But no true amity can be derived from these; no more than fruits from shadows. This resemblance than holds to life, both in flower and fruit.  
A juniper tree maketh the hottest coal, and the coolest shadow of any Tree. The coal is so hot, 
Fabiolae Man's. 15.  that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same, it continueth unextinguished by the space of a whole year.  
Here is the Emblem of an incomparable disposition; 
Comment. in 1. Reg: c. 1.  here is both he●te to refresh an afflicted friend, when with adversity benumbed: and shadow to solace him, when with the grandeur of business surcharged. Here is warmth to alloy cold: and coolness too, to attemper heat.  
Peter Martyr showeth, that clothing doth keep the body warm two ways: by keeping in the natural heat of the body: and by keeping out the accidental cold of the air.  
Sure I am such a friendship as is here described, and by the sweet-sented Emblem of the juniper, shadowed, may be for all seasons equally accommodated: an excellent garment, being fitted both for Cover and Ornament.  
Now the Sycamore is of an other nature: though it afford a spreading shade, it retains no such native heat: it delights the eye, but relisheth not the taste. And this discovers our large professing friends in Folio; who are ample enough in protests: but all they bestow upon us in the end, are but scattered Leaves: they are rich in shade, but rare in fruit.  
Who can pass by the Winter-flourishing Cypress, but must parallel that Tree with an Heroïcke resemblance?  Cupressus nobilis Emblema militis. 
Fates nor Furies cannot amate him: no enemy so powerful, nor danger so mortal, as can detract from his Spirit; or weaken his courage. He hates no Fury more than fear: nor entertains aught with a more resolved temper, than the extremest oppositions of fortune; holding it the highest degree of happiness to expire with honour.  
I could here enlarge this Discourse with sundry instances of this kind: but I must leap from this branch, and descend to a subject lower in respect of site: but nothing inferior in delight: being commodiously applied, it is compendiously compiled.  

Of precious Stones.  For Stones, and all kinds of Minerals, it is a knowledge worthy Gentlemen: wherein I may likewise comprehend the ancient knowledge of Coins, in what Emperor's time, and their several inscriptions.  

julius' Caesarem spe Margaritarum, Britanniam pet●ysse.  We read how julius Caesar came into Britain in hope to find Pearls; though Caligula's traffic seemed less worthy, commanding his Soldiers to gather Cockleshells.  
It is a very generous quality (and sometimes he shall be put to his judgement) to distinguish rightly and exactly of Saphires, Emeralds, Diamonds, etc. This requires exact judgement, lustres may be given to Glass, as well as Diamonds: Adulterate Gems pass current with our Novice: The Silversmiths of Ephesus have instructed this Age sufficiently, and fraud must be incorporate to every Profession.  
If these Gems, I talk of, were ornaments of the Mind; I should desire longer to insist upon them: but being (as these times use them) rather foments to ensnare and entrap, than attractive motives to affect; according to their Native properties, being ordained as resemblances of virtues; I will not dilate of their values, but only of their power, more pertinent to my Discourse, and better according with my knowledge; who Aeschylus-like, have long time drawn Water out of another's Cistern, but never filled mine own Bucket.  
Many excellent virtues of Stones, 
The virtues of Stones described.  doth Pliny in his Natural History set down unto us: As some have power to frustrate the effect of poison: Others very powerful against the operations of Magic Spells, Witchcraft, and the like. But as a Judicious Commentary writes of him: Multa scribit, quae meherculè vera non existimanda sunt: Yet to stand in suspense with us (for the reverence of such a learned Author) because their effects have not been as yet tried of us.  
Many things (I confess) seem by all probability like the Amalga, to have more Moon than Sun in them: But the experiments which we have in some, makes us more credulous in others.  
The Diamond (whose Character is not to be razed) resembles the pure impressions of virtue we have received, 

The patiented man like the Stone Golasia; Hard as the Diamond, cold like Ice, not to be fired.  
Or the Stone A●●zantus, once on fire will never go out.   and which is traduced to us, by the intellectual eye of the soul, which in no case should be razed or abolished in us, but to be augmented with a greater increase of virtues: It resembles also the truly Charitable man, that to do good to others, impairs his own fortunes: For the best Motto that ever was made of the Diamond, was this: Dum formo, minuo.  

Strange effects in stones.  The stone Mithax (saith Pliny) is of a perfect colour, till opposed to the Sun, and than it loseth his colour: It allude●h to many of our painted Sepulchers, ●u● She-puppets: none more clear, or amiably-coloured than they, till the Sun glitter on them, and their slightly-laid-on varnish, presently than dissolveth: Quantum mutatur ab illa? True Sodoms Apples, not sooner touched, than to dust and corruption turned.  
Topaz, her opposite (in Native virtue) shineth most in the thickest darkness: The very Idea of Virtue herself: The Clouds cannot interpose themselves betwixt her, 
Allusions of certain stones to internal Gra●es.  and her Native lustre: The Glow-worm glisters not more by night, than it doth in obscurity: A precious stone fittest for these times, and an or●ament wel-beseeming the greatest Personage: for the cloud of Error should not be able to obscure their thoughts, ever bending their course to the mark of honour.  

☞  The precious stone Diocletes, 
Resemblances of precious stones to those choice virtues which should appear in man: with their distinct properties or effects.  though it have many rare and excellent sovereignties in it, yet it looseth them all, if it be put in a dead Man's mouth. Wherein One makes a proper resemblance to Prayer; which is the only Pearl and Jewel of a Christian: though it have many rare and exquisite virtues in it, yet it loseth them every one, if it be put into a Man's mouth, or into a Man's heart either, that is dead in sin, and doth not knock with a pure hand.  
What sovereign power the Echites is said to retain in repelling the poison and rebaiting the sting of the Viper! What secret virtue lies hid in the Dionysias in staying blood; as in others of effusing blood!  
Our natural Historians make mention of a certain stone found in the Lapwings nest; 
Lapillum varlegati coloris in nido upubae invenies, cuius occultâ virtute, mulli visus omnia videas, nulli notus omnia detegas.  the incredible occult virtue whereof is such, that the Party who bears it about him, shall by the power thereof make all things visible to him, yet he visible to none; discovering all things without discovery: disclosing others with a personal secrecy.  
No doubt but Gyges' Ring had some relation to this stone; to whom Candaules, that doting King, shown his wife naked: which indiscreet part rest him of Kingdom, Wife, and Life. For the Queen being grieved thereat, to have any strange Eye so familiarly known to the secrecy of her beauty; which even in native Modesty, exacted a veil to privilege it from such an open discovery, caused Gyges, upon the tender of her Princely affection, to slay the King; to take up●n him the Kingdom, and to take her t● his wife. This Gyges had a Ring (as Divine Plato reporteth) that had virtue to make him go invisible.  
They that looked upon Sylla's Ring, 
Plut. in vit. Syl.  could not choose but take notice both of Sylla's Seal and the Treason of jugurth, because that was graven on the Seal. Excellent Morals are shadowed in these: and such as usefully applied, may redound highly to the appliers benefit.  
Strange effects are reported of the Calazia (by the Testimony of Hesych.) a stone of precious virtue, having in it spotslike unto Hail. Sovereign, as may be collected by what our Historians have writ of it, to cure any burne or inflammation. So as, this might well retain that divine Hieroglyphic of one Cardinal Virtue, Temperance. If heat of affection transport us; any unbounded passion surprise us; the spirit of vainglory inflame us, that we cannot take our natural rest with Themistocles, for his ambitious emulation after Miltiades: or find that ravenous appetite ever raging, ranging and reigning in us, which sometimes accompanied that gluttonous Cambletes: or to satisfy our unconfined desires with the Delicacies of Earth, as if it were on Earth to satisfy Man, with licentious Lucullus: or to plot new devices how to innovate in a distempered State with Sertorius: or to enrich our Coffers by others ruins, and milch the State with our Oppressions, like another Acilius. If these, or any of these distempers seize upon us, that Calazia of Temperance (for so is that Stone properly resembled) will moderate them in us: by reducing us to that Resemblance we had lost; and moulding in us that Effigies which we are above all others to love. For as nothing can be happily achieved, or gracefully performed, unless it be seasonably acted: so no Virtue may properly retain that Style, unless it be by Temperance seasoned.  
The Pyropus, what beauty and virtue it holds; all our Naturalists have amply discoursed. No Subject, be it never of so cold nor freezing a nature, can altar his temper. This Stone ever retains his heat; so as, it may be properly compared to the temper of such a composed mind; who stands resolved against all the affronts or insults of Fortune. No palsey-feare can amate him; no distemper altar him. With the heat of his own Nature he knows how to thaw all those icy congelations, which proceed from a weak or pusillanimous spirit. Such an Ones blood flies not from his heart to his face; but from his face to his heart. For though his outward visible part express a pallid fear; his heart scorns to give harbour to such a Traitor.  
He finds nothing so weak as that despicable mind; who Protheus-like, changeth his heart with the habit of the Time; and desires to comply with Greatness, and to fawn on silken Vice; vowing it, as one struck amazed with the splendour of it, to be all virtuous. Much otherwise affected is his spirit, who like the unquenchable Pyropus, smiles at nothing more than the indignities of Fortune: and esteems nothing less, than vicious Greatness. And if it chance at any time (as such Occurrents are every where obvious) that a base-creeping spirit, who relied more on the shelter of Greatness, than Honour of Goodness, perish in his hopes, and dye in the straw: This tickles his honest Lungs with laughing Democritus; closing his Observation with this Poëticall Air: 
This 'tis to build upon a Great man's word,  
And fool himself with following of a Lord.  The Parius lapis or Touchstone, Some, and that not improperly, have compared to affliction: It is this that trieth Man whether he be true-Touch or no. This confirms that golden Sentence of a devout Man: We are unknown to ourselves, till affliction lie us open to ourselves.  
We shall observe many, whose outward tincture promiseth nothinglesse than the purest colour of Heraldry, prove Copper in the touch. All is not gold that glisters.  
Outward appearances are shady fallacies. The habit displays not the Heart; nor the outward Semblance the inward disposition of the Mind.  
Cicero said of Galba's leaden and lumpish body: His wit had an ill lodging; which may be truly applied to all these dissembling pretenders: such promising Leaves are ill bestowed on such barren Trees. Shadows, though they hold a concomitance with Substance; yet are they never really the same. That man only deserves so noble a style, who embraceth faith and fealty, intertaineth love and loyalty, improveth his courage and constancy amidst all encounters: yea, when the extremest beleaguers and assaults of Fortune have done their worst, remains ever true-touch. 
How Mahomet the first deluded his credulous posterity, with an opinion of miraculous Sanctity, in that very Monument which he had caused to be erected in his Memory.   
In the discourse of the Ceremonies of Mecha, we shall found a rare device there recommended to our view, in the perpendicular placing of that Sepulchre of Mahomet: Merely contrived by that cunning Projector to delude the Mahometans, by making them believe that to be a miraculous Object, which to more approved and refined judgements appeared only a native experiment. Those that writ of that Subject, describe it thus: There is an Adamant placed in the Roof above, and a Magnet fixed in the pavement by an equal or direct line below; now, the Sepulchre of Mahomet made of solid iron, hangs in a diametral manner betwixt these two: without stay or supportance of either. This begot in those bewitched people a wonderful amazement, honouring that Monument with their yearly Processionall visits; offering rich presents to that Mahometan shrine: never understanding those occult virtues of the two Stones fixed above and below; who, by their natural opposition and enmity (as one maligning the others attractive quality) would not suffer that heavy ponderous body either to ascend or descend; but to retain an equal site or location betwixt them both. This it was that confirmed these Mahometans in the strength of a deluded opinion, that their Mahomet was a great and powerful Prophet, showing such high proofs and demonstrances of his extraordinary abilities living; and leaving such a Miracle for all posterity to admire in his departing.  
But to leave their effects, and return to their Emblems: The Adamant is compared to One that is truely-affectionate; ever bearing this peculiar Impress:" Si me amas, mihi Adamas.  
Rare Experiments have our ancient Professants made of the Aspilates; a Stone, according to the Testimony of Democritus, of a fiery colour, got in Arabia, and found in a certain kind of Birds Nest. He reporteth, that this Stone being tied with a Camel's hair to any one troubled with the Spleen, it will cure him.  
Diodorus relateth of a kind of Salt, called Ammonick, and found in Africa under Sand; when the Moon groweth toward the full; it is like Stone-allumne, and is medicinable in dissolving and purging of Phlegm.  
Pliny likewise reports strange things of the Ammonis Cornu; being a precious Stone of the colour of Gold, representing the shape of a Rams Horn; of a powerful quality in causing true Dreams. 
☞  But many of these, I must freely confess, like the Amalga, have fare more Moon than Sun in them; being many times related, rather to beget admiration, than gain credit: Albeit, we are not altogether to distrust them, unless our own Experience had found the contrary to evince them. Howsoever, sure I am, their Resemblances give an excellent grace and beauty to any discourse, whether Moral or Divine.  
There is a Crown, (saith St. Peter) that is undefiled, which never fadeth away. The Greek words, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which St. Peter useth, are Latin words also: and they are not only Appellatives, being Epithets of this Crown, but also Propers; the one the proper name of a Stone, the other of a Flower. 
Isidorus ●temoleg. lively 16. ca 4.  For Isidore writeth, there is a precious Stone called Amiantus; which, though it be never so much soiled, yet it can never at all be blemished: and being cast into the Fire, it is taken out still more bright and clean.  
Also Clement writeth, 
Clemens Alexandr. Pedagog. lively 1. ca 8.  that there is a Flower called Amarantus, which being of a long time hung up in the House, yet it is still fresh and green. To both which, the Stone and the Flower, the Apostle, as I am persuaded, alludeth in that place.  
To recount the virtues of all, were a superfluous Task; for so should I make a Collection merely of what hath been written before, I only set down with myself, to extract the speciallest, 
Vid. Isidor. Disescorid. Martian.  and to make resemblances of them with the Native proportions of such things as are most usual objects to our outward senses. I will briefly touch the admirable devices of Minerals, and so proceed to my intended Discourse.  
Mines the lower laid, the better: 
O. Minerals.  in them we disbowell (as it were) Nature of her hidden treasures; yet the Earth, like a kind and bountiful Mother, willingly unrips her own breast, to enrich her Children; the divers veins, and cordons which we found there, like hidden or concealed streams, having filled up their Treasure-channels (because so long time unemptied) minister store of all Metals unto their Digger.  
Caesar in his Commentaries, seems greatly to have delighted herein, having so quickly found out with what sorts of Metals, these Britain coasts most abounded: Some we have of these Mineralists that by the superficies of the Earth, can judge, what kind of Mettle best agrees with that Soil; and without piercing the ground (can prettily well) presage the event of their labour: Their Studies deserve cherishing, being grounded on honest foundations, and such as have much benefited their Country by their industry.  

The North-part famous for Copper-worke, by their labour and industry yielding no small benefit to their Country. Which works, though of late years discontinued, are now with much improvement and honour to the under-takers, revived.  The North-part in their Copper-workes most laborious, merit their share of Commendations; both profiting themselves, and yielding an ample gain to the King's Revenues out of their Labours. The most precious Ours have been ever found out in Regions least inhabited, and where the Inhabitants could make little or no use of so large a bounty of Nature, as to this day among the Indians; men that would exchange their preciousest things for trifles: like Aesop's Cock, preferring a Barley-corne before a Pearl.  
Yet in these labours (in themselves praiseworthy) I altogether disallow such (of which our reading ministers too many examples) that have digged the Sepulchers of the dead, to found some hidden Treasure buried with them. A sharp Law was enacted (for this end) amongst the Egyptians, (which Nation used to inter their chief Jewels with the dead party) that whosoever should violate the sacred rites of the dead, by digging up their Treasures inchested with them, should be buried quick.  

A pretty Caution for a Miser.  A pretty story to this purpose is recorded of Semiramis, that valiant Queen of Assyria; who before her death, commanded that a fair Monument should be erected over her, upon which should be engraven this Inscription: Whosoever shall dig up this stone, let him but look under it, and he shall find an infinite mass of treasure. Cyrus' having conquered that people, chanced to come where that curious monument was erected; and seeing this Inscription upon it, presently commanded the Stone to be taken up; which being done accordingly, he found no Treasure, but this caution of better value than all Treasures: None but Fools and Misers would dig up the bones of the dead. A reward well fitting the miserable desire of an insatiate Mind.  
I might annex to this Discourse, the excellent study of Antiquities, and speak in part of them; But our coast is freighted with such elaborate Antiquaries, as the digression might seem less necessary. Through all the body of this Discourse (including Physical Relations) I have but shadowed the chiefest, without intention to entreat of every particular, using Valerius Maximus words: Quis omnis aevi gesta modico voluminum numero comprehenderit? I will descend to Mixed Histories, which was the last branch of my division.   

Mixed Histories 
Mixed Histories.  are composed, or compounded of all those thre●, of which we have sufficiently entreated before. Variety of subjects best agreed with the frame of these Writings: They express to the quick, not only what was done Discursively, but what should have been done Morally, 
Mixed Histories composed of all kinds.  and deriving the event from probable causes, arising from nature, they conclude their Discourse, making it Universal. Some have styled these Miscellanea, because a commixture of all affairs; they playing the Moral Philosopher aswell as Historian; comprehend all which the other could any way seem to entreat of; being the abridgement of all Relations, and in themselves sufficient to produce incredible effects: they require especial Reading, ripe Judgement, and an apt Disposition withal to make their members, so diversely hanging, unite in one main body.  
And to descend now to a commendation of Mixed Histories; with instances of sundry Historians both Ancient and Modern, who have been usefully versed therein. 
☞ The Commendation of Mixed Histories; with Instances of sundry Historians both Ancient and Modern, who have been usefully versed therein.  There be none in my opinion, who better deserve the Palm in Subjects of this nature, than those everliving Labours of Thuano's, Surius, with that excellently composed History of Paulus jovius. And for a continued Allegory, never Relation deserved more approbation, both for Style and State, than Barclei's Argenes. An History, which puts on the face of things really done; yet merely shadowing Persons of State, under borrowed names: Expressing his own aims in such an implicit, but pleasing manner, that this Isle (since such Assays must of necessity be attempted) might have esteemed herself highly happy, in affording him a deserving Translator; or according to his own thoughts, a faithful Interpreter.  
Histories of this nature (as I have else where observed) do not only make relation of what is actually done; but insert such personal applications, as may benefit the understanding Reader; by making use of exploits done, and applying the use of what was formerly done, to succeeding times. Others harms make us beware of incurring the like. Where Reading of men, and taking a punctual Survey or Examen of their actions, we become many times wiser, than if we had been wholly versed in reading of Books. It was a witty saying of an outwardly-contemplative man, Relegentur libri, relegantur viri. Lay aside Books, and take yourselves to reading of Men. So long as the World is a Theatre, Man must needs be an Actor. The Book-holder stands in the Tiring-house; but the Action must be presented on the Stage. This, those excellent Historians, singularly expressed, and to life portrayed; when they made not only mention of what was done, but the natures of those persons interessed in what was done.  
Hear they describe fiery-furious Spirits, more ready to attempt than advice: Action in these ever goes before resolution. Contrariwise, others of a slower but safer temper, consider of the end and issue, before they will attempt. Not glowing spirit of ambition; no transportancy of vainglory can lessen their discretion. Their actions are rightly measured, because advice and deliberation are their Counselors of State. This might be instanced in a foreslowing Fabius, and a forward Cethegus; a precipitate Cleon, and a prepared Bracidas.  
Now, in Discourses of this kind, there is a singular observation which I must necessarily recommend to all our Gentlemen who affect the reading of History; 
A singular observation recommended to Gentlemen in their reading of History.  and this I have culled from that Father of all Historians, Plutarch himself. 
Plutarch's paraleling of Princes, highly commended.  Who, as he describes the Lives of such Princes or eminent Personages as he takes occasion to treat of; so he likewise parallels or compares their actions and dispositions one with another. Here he shows what exploits such a person did; how he bore himself in the passage of them; how he came of with honour; how he moderated his affections in the achievement of a victory; how he behaved himself to those he conquered; how he spared most, where he might most have spoilt. Here he instanceth some more able to get a victory, than skilful to use it: others wise enough in making use of it, having once obtained it. Some made happy by suffering misery: others miserable in never partaking infelicity. Some constant friends, but inconstant foes: others constant foes, but uncertain friends. Some apt to persuade, than personally to perform: Others had all their Rhetoric placed in action: Their Oratory was a Martial Summons: yet what they wanted in discourse to bring on their Soldiers; they supplied in boldness of adventures: exposing their persons to all dangers. Some stout enough of spirit, while their bodies were weak; but weak in spirit when their bodies grew strong. To confirm this, he reports that Antigonus had in his army a valiant Soldier; but of a sickly body: Antigonus observing his valour; and grieving that so stout a resolution should be seconded by so weak a constitution, procured his Physicians to take him in hand; and he was healed. Now being sound, he began to fight in some fear; to keep himself a good distance from danger, not more venturing into the van or forlorn place of the battle. Antigonus noting, and wondering at this alteration, asked him the cause of this new cowardice. He answers, O Antigonus, thou art the cause. Before I ventured nothing but a diseased Corpses, and than I choose rather to die quickly, than to live sickly: I invited death to do me a kindness. Now it is otherwise with me, for I have somewhat to loose.  
Such delightful passages as these, shall we every where find intervened in these mixed Discourses.  
I approve of Salusts' opinion: Ex ijs Negotijs quae ingenio exercentur, in primis magno usu est memoria rerum gestarum. Yet of all those Records, none in themselves more eminent, because none more elaborate than mixed Histories: they contract in one leaf (as it were) what a whole Volume could scarcely comprehend. 
These require a general knowledge, & extend further than all the rest.  There must be a general knowledge in these discourses, making a wel●-composed body of many scattered limbs, gathered from the Relics, or ashes of their deceased Authors. For as a good Limner will not see any blemish in his portraiture; but (ere he hung it out) will desire to make every part and proportion in a kind of correspondency, to move a more deep impression in the beholder: So should there be an equal correspondency in these kind of Histories, letting no discourse pass (if of consequence) without a mixture of both Moral, and Physical reasons; jest one little blemish (one omission of either) should be a disparage to the whole. Here Antomedon-like, he should set out virtue's Table, making his life a Globe of Precepts: There, like an excellent Naturalist, he should dilate upon the natures of things, or probable reasons (as as I said before) derived from Nature. The masterpiece (like the warp in the web) is Discourse: for these Butteresses, without a main foundation, would soon decay.  
Wits compared to Soils: some naturally fruitful, without forcing: others, without continual labour and tillage, will bring forth nothing but tares (or the Husbandman's tears.) Some fit for Barley, others for Wheat, Oates, or the like: and some most apt for Missellane. 
A judicious distinguishing of wits.  So in wits, some naturally ripe and forward; others require a more deliberate dispatch: the one more present, the other more solid. Pregnant and ripe wits are not so good; they are like a Razor keen & sharp, but his edge is soon rebated. One compared them, & not unfitly, to soft wood, ready to receive any impression from the Limner; but for warping, is unable to keep; and therefore not fit for any worthy or curious portraiture. Such wits are these, which be rather apt for invention, than judicious scanning of any Authors: they can invent, better than extract; and consequently unfit for these mixed Discourses whereof we now entreat.  
Exquisite Labour is the producer of these Histories; which (for the most part) is intolerable to your sharpest wits; being rather for the present, than any serious deliberation.  
Sallust in his jugurthine War, 
Example of mixed Histories  includes a pretty commixture of Histories; as if he had intended to make a Precedent for Relations of this kind, where he brings in Micipsa upon his deathbed, speaking to his sons: Equidem ego regnum vobis trado firmum: Si boni eritis, sin mali, imbecillum. Wherein he so lively characters the state of Princes, and the moral instruction of a Father dying, to his Children, with the several Natures and Dispositions of them; that it seems he purposed to instance this kind of writing in so excellent a Subject. Here he shows Dissimulation in a Prince, even at his end: there an unworthy plot of an adopted Son, seeking to reign by indirect means. Here Micipsa exhorts them; with, Colite talem hunc virum, imitamini virtutem. Yet he intimates withal, his fear of aspiring, seeing his Nature so boundless. There he describes the jealous doubts, and perplexed wind of Adherball; there the drooping spirit of Hyempsall, and the royal disposition of jugurth: so as by reading their divers natures, one might conjecture for whom the government of Numidia was reserved.  
These Histories are most fruitful, 
Mixed Histories most fruitful.  they draw both Attention, and they comprehend in them great plenty of Instruction. Attention by their Variety, Instruction by their Morality; including a persuasive kind of writing in the one, and a delightful proceeding, or continuance in the other.  
Some Historians in this kind, and not unfitly, lay open the causes of decays in Cities, Empires, and Governments: as Rome's fall proceeding from her imperial Pride, Babylon's from her Riot, the Medes from their Security, the Tyrians from their sumptuousness in Apparel; the Christians (in Eastern parts) more to their shame, and our grief, from their civil dissension among themselves.  

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

GOVERNMENT.  For the first; not Instance more to life, than when the Roman Monarchy became rint and divided to the Triumvirs; The Empire begun to feel strange Sceptres.  
The former state of Government, which had made itself so fearful to her Neighbour-kingdomes, as they feared nothing more than to offend their Mistress; (for so might Rome at that time be properly styled) became more slighted. Those sinews of War, which before showed strength in her public Treasury, became exhausted; Those Laws, which either the necessity of the present time had enacted, or the fullness of their State required, through the difference of Commanders, neglected.  
The saying is, Plants transplanted seldom thrive; Not more, Empires, when their state of Government is altered; their ancient Laws annulled; the rule by which they were formerly directed, wholly relinquished. New Lords will always have new Laws: and to their Examples are their Followers ever moulded. There is nothing that beseems our natural complexion better than her own colour; whatsoever it borrows of Art, rather blemisheth than bestoweth any beauty on her.  
I must confess indeed, that in the dress or fashion of our Attire, many devices there are (presupposing ever that they be not apish nor garish) which give a good grace to the Wearer, and do better become him, in respect of the time wherein they are used, than if the Old Wardrobes of our Ancestors were ransacked, and those ancient Wears brought again in request. But Antiquity ever holds best correspondency in Mannagements of State: the more the manner of their Government is altered; the more their Manners are for most part corrupted.  
This it was, that so much afflicted Solon; after such time as he had laboured to settle the State; revive her useful Laws; and lay down all grounds that might any way improve their Government. After all this, I say, to see the people given to Innovation; rejecting with much sleightness and contempt, what he had both by travail and counsel endeavoured to establish and enact. This grieved him more than his own Banishment, or whatsoever that unthankful Age could possibly inflict.  
Secondly, for Manners; 
MANNERS.  Those are best-beseeming, which are most Native. Always provided, that those places or Countries be Civil, where those Manners are used, or Laws observed. The Scythians were not to conform themselves to the Manners nor Discipline of the Egyptians; nor these to the Scythians. The Laconians, whose strict Discipline both for Meat, Drink, and Apparel, made them imitable Precedents to their Neighbours; could not endure that the proud Babylonian should commerce with them; nor the dis-passionate Theban to converse with him; nor the covetous Tyrian to truck or traffic with him; nor the riotous Sydonian to take repast with him; nor the sorcerous Egyptian (who was not less black in superstition than he was of complexion) to consort with him.  
Their ancient Manners they retained; which not observed, they ever feared, that their State (as they had exemplarily seen in others) might be enfeebled.  
Thirdly and lastly, touching Habit, 
HABIT.  (a small thing may some suppose to dissolve the main Fabric of a mighty State) we shall find what care and sedulity some States have used in retaining the ancient Habit, recommended to them by their Ancestors.  
Darius' having altered the fashion of his blade, which used to be Persian, into the form of the Macedonian; in the year before he fought with Alexander, the Chaldees or Soothsayerss prophesied, that into what fashion as Darius had altered his Sword, it would become Ruler of Persia. And the issue or conclusion seconded this prediction.  
Scmyramis commanded all to wear Tyars upon their heads, and to put upon them Woman's apparel, to cover their effeminate parts. But this new effeminacy of Habit brought a speedy subversion to that State: For upon the death of their Queen, whose imperial mind affected nothing more than command, this their Womanish Habit brought them into contempt.  
Thus have the flourishingest Commonweals fallen to desolation and dissolution, 
Innovation in Government, manners, habit, occasions of enfeebling a State. Causes precedent directors to the events.  their highest Spires ruinated, their Temples, with their Places of profane adoration, defaced; nothing remaining to boast of, save that they once were happy, once victorious. Yea, jugurth himself seems to express the cause of Rome's ruin; showing how subject they were (even the purple Fathers, the reverend Benchers) to take bribes, and receive ointments, which would close their mouths for speaking in the Commonweals behalf. For when he was complained of unto the Senate, for the murder of Hyempsall: and the Senate having than government over Numidia in chief; which Realm (as others) was tributary to them, commanded jugurth to appear before them upon such a day; fully resolved to punish his insolences. He so wrought by rewards, as their censure was not only mitigated, but (as the Historian records) Tanta commutatio incessit, ut ex maximâ invidiâ in gratiam & favorem nobilitatis jugurtha veniret. A strange Metamorphosis, when states were so soon changed, which portended a sudden change of their government, falling from so great glory, and eminence, to eternal obscurity.  
Many Histories of these natures there be, which depend upon apt allusions, 
Distinct proprieties in all Histories.  equally mixed with Discursive, Moral, and Physical: Discursive to delight and trick on the appetite, by a sweet variety; seeing the change of great states in a few Leaves; being a speech merely documentall, to better our Lives, teach us what should be done, as well in private as public. Physical, in the character of several natures, aptly accommodated to the Subject whereof we entreat. With what delight do we read the divers inclinations of Princes? 
Inclinations different in Princes.  Here a Catiline, doing little, and speaking much: There a jugurth, doing much, and speaking little. Here a Philip drunk, and in his drunkenness raging against his foes: there an Alexander, drunk too; but in his passion raging against his best friends. Here a Caesar, than whom, none ever did more good to his followers: there a Nero, than whom, none more desertless to his followers. Here a working crafty wit, stirring up trifling rewards, to contain him in suspense; instanced in Tiberius: there an affable mind, set out in threadbare words, one that could never fl●tter; specified in Titus.  
These several natures we may see, and mark what success they had: Some, the more thinking, the more not knowing what to think: yet to observe the work of Heaven, seldom or never have these suspicious heads cause to rest; but the more they suspect, the more motives they have to suspect: for this craft is always hateful, and procureth enemies: Subtle counsels being odious unto the world, and so dis-favoured of God, that they are always waited on, and attended with most unprosperous ends. 
An observation worthy our note. Subtle Counsels ever produce unprosperous ends: And to their Counselors popular hate. Virtue ever attended with a prosperous end.  We shall see in profane stories a main diversity, even in the simplest and shallowest understandings; the subtlest sconces the means of their own decay; as in Sejanus, who in the opinion of his own worth grew in time, Ferox sceleris: 
Policy her ●wne ruin, x●mplified:  Such aspiring spirits be (for the most part) used like Sponges, wet with their spoils and extortions, with which being a long time soaked, they are at last crushed and condemned, that their long-gathered wealth might return to the Prince's Coff●●s. Trajan used to call the Treasury or Exchequer (by way of comparison) the Spleen, because it increasing, brings to all the other parts a pining.  

☞  What Various Occurrents, nay fearful and unexpected Disasters have ever been the attending fears of ambitious Spirits; 
The misery of Ambition.  No History but can bear witness. How safe and secure have many lived; Free from fears within, and Foes without; Retired from the Concourse of litigious Plaintiffs; Clamour of Courts; Heat of Corrivals: Nay, whatsoever else might breed their disquiet? Yet see the misery of Ambition! On they must, be it to their ruin. Examples they found store to caution them; precepts both divine and moral to inform them. Yet neither can the former work any impression on them; nor the latter by more easy persuasions wain them.  
Commines' reports, how Charles the third, under whom he so long time served, communicating himself so freely both in matters of advice and action for the advancing of his service; was ever casting in his mind after business of greatest difficulty; Yea such, perhaps, saith he, as exceeded the abilities of man.  
This was a strange disposition; And yet we shall meet with many of this nature, both in the course of our Reading and Living. We shall observe some, who, though they have a faire-bet path to walk in, yet will they leave the track, and make the Wall or some other high Mount their Walk. So fates it with these, who had rather fish in Troubled Waters, than when they are Calm. No Night so dark; no peril so fatally imminent: But with cheerfulness they will attempt, what their inconsiderate boldness pompts them to. Nor is this their forwardness forced out of want; For many of these abound in all fullness; rich in fortunes; Strong in followers: Yet miserable in both these. For as their fortunes feed their followers: So do their followers feed on them. These Fauns are they, who make Fools of their Masters; And by throwing out strange lures, miserably seize on them. The daring D' Ambois, and that brave Byroun were Spirits of this temper. Great enough in Prince's favour; loaden sufficiently with honour; only unhappy in this, in that they knew not their own happiness: Miserable, in that they had never tasted misery.  
It is well observed by one, in his Discourse of this Subject; that of all frenzies, there is none that mads man more than Ambition. It makes him think he walks altogether invisible; Ixion was never more deceived with a Cloud, than he is with his disguise.  
There is one thing more in it; this madding fancy, or raving frenzy is of that nature, as no friend can be secure, so his fall may purchase their aim. Clitus Constancy cannot secure him, when Ambitious heat mixed with Wine, eggs on his Master to an indeliberate revenge.  
Yet see the just doom of these! Who, as they build their plots upon unsure Grounds; Or, which is of all others hatefull'st, because to themselves in their passage hence the heaviest, on blood; Which is never shed in vain: So are they to receive, what their deluded greatness made them believe they could never suffer.  
Than, and never till than, are they brought to acknowledge, that a greatness can be no Subterfuge to guiltiness. 
Greatness can be no Subterfuge to guiltiness.  Than must that veil, which had so long shrouded them from the sight of men, be removed; their princely persons with their unprincely actions discovered and paralleled. So poor a Support is painted Clay to build upon.  
Nor be these Ambitious Spirits only here to be taxed; who, though they fall, they fly fair: But such, who abuse that place to which their Prince's favour hath raised them; by base mercenary ways. These are they who play the Sharks under the hatches. Not a petition must be presented, but it must be guilded. As for their own Suits, they little care how they work upon the Spirit of the State; how they discourage the people's just endeavours; how they increase the Widow's tears, aggravate the Orphan's wrongs, and multiply their abuses to maintain their Surfeits. Or if parsimonious, 
Unconscionable Prollers should be made Sponges of, for example of others.  how they every their own Coffers with others Curses. For these, I would have them made Sponges of; that as they sucked and milked the Lowest, so they might be soaked and mulced by the Highest.  
The simple (or innocently-imagining Statist) comes ever to an expected end in his hopes; as they are not great, so not subject to so great an Eclipse: yea, the hopes of these men attain sometimes ends above expectance: Such was Helvius Pertinax his success, who (never aiming at the Title of Emperor) was crowned when he was from thoughts of Titulary honour most sequestered: Repugnansque suscipiens, using a kind; of withstanding ere he would entertain so great a weight. And in all Histories, if we observe the divers occurrents which befell men in great and eminent places, we shall see ever the honestest purposes seconded with the happiest events; and the disproportion of the end ever sorting with the discordance of the mind: for the intention is discussed by Him that layeth the foundation of all Empires in dust at his pleasure: breathing ever upon the sincere purposes of the good, and confounding the deep designs (upon what pretence soever grounded) of the evil.  
In Mixed Histories (as the Scope whereat they aim) is mixed part with profit, 
What Subject best concord's with mixed Histories.  and part with delight, to make the Discourse more complete: So should the seriousness of the Subject attract a kind of Majesty to it; for impossible it is, either with trimness of words, propriety of aptly-annexed, and duly-applied sentences, or any other elegancy whatsoever, to make a Subject (of itself light and frivolous) bear the portray of State: For words (if well applied) illustrate and add a beauty, but not any way better the weight of the matter.  
There be three things which be especially required in Histories of this nature, 
Three things necessarily required in Histories of the nature.  to make them perfect: first Truth, in sincerely relating, without having any thing (as Tacitus observeth) haustum ex vano, foisted in by our own invention, to smooth the passage of our story.  
Secondly, an Explanation in discovering, not only the sequels of things, but also the causes and reasons drawing to the conclusions.  
Thirdly, judgement in distinguishing things by approving the best, and disallowing the contrary.  
For the first, Stories should be true, 
Histories should be true  or at lest resemble truth, because by so much, they are more pleasing, by how much they resemble truth the nearer; and so much more graceful, by how much more probable and less doubtful. We have many Histories (even of this kind) mixed, that comprehend in them nothing less than truth: yet by their smooth carriage, and their proper circumstances with such aptness drained and disposed, they have been taken for truth, and registered amongst Works of more serious consequence.  
Such were those Apologae Fabulae (whereof we have in part spoken before) which contained in them many pithy and grave sentences, 
☞  and worthy observation in the excellentest Moral: these are fitly called by Tully, Mirrors of Man's life, Patterns of Manners, and Images of truth. Their near resemblance of truth, made the Reader more attentive, subjecting his ear to Discourses probable, more than to things surpassing the bounds and limits of belief; as producing unheard-of miracles (mere conceptions of the brain) phanaticke Chimeras: A Giant immured in a Rock, yet able to pierce it through; win a whole Monarchy with his own single hands; lead a multitude of King's captives, and return home without a wound. Here strange Enchanted Castles, Ladies and Knights detained in most base servitude by an Airy Monster: there admirable victories purchased upon incredible odds: and the rather to be believed, because it pleaseth the Painter so to delineate their virtues.  
These relations, 
☜ Improbabilities in all Historical passages, highly condemned.  as they proceed for most part from a conceit, whose wits are long since gone a Woolgathering; so to any serious judgement they become so merely ridiculous, as they are hissed at by the peruser, howsoever they seem to receive entertainment by the vulgar. For I have formerly observed, to describe the winning of a Fort, before the approach of a Foe; Or the razing of a City, without discovery of any apparent Enmity, perplexeth the understanding; and leaves the Conceit entangled. An orderly proceeding in arguments of this nature, deserve best approvement: For the ignorancr or want of observance of Order distracts the Conceit, and makes whatsoever is read, tedious to the Reader.  
In this, Vitruvius merits high praise. His writings are fair and formal; He first lieth Siege; than he proceeds to Occasional Treaties: next, he lies down the reasons either of accepting or rejecting what is propounded. Not an improbability will he admit of, lest it should impair the credit of his History.  
In those Wars betwixt old Astyages and his Grandchild Cyrus; wherein much Civil blood was shed, before the Empire of the Medes was reduced to a Persian State; Such principal Allies as came on in defence of Astyages, after their defeat, became engaged to the like hazard. Astyages did not only suffer, but those also who came to his succour. He than, that should in any weak historical relation, aver, that the sole ground of Cyrus his incursion into Lydia, 
Not Croesus' treasure, but a precedent displeasure caused victorious Cyrus to invade Lydia.  was the desire he had to seize upon Croesus' treasure, rather than any preceding displeasure, should fail much in the trust of a Relater.  
For our ancient Historians describing the first occasional grounds of all those fatal differences; report, how that Lydian King, upon a long league of amity continued betwixt them, or some other propositions of reward for so necessitated a curtsy, addressed himself with a strong Army for his defence. Yet, by the martial and experienced power of the Persians', who were expert Slingers, and of strong tempers, able to endure any labour; Cyrus became victorious; his Enemies, Subjects of his Triumph. Which exploit he had not sooner achieved, than he turned his Sword upon such as had been Assistants to the adverse part. Wherein, as Croesus had shown himself most forward, so he was one of the first that he assaulted. Than, and never till than, and for no other was this acted than; came the treasures of that rich Prince to be surprised; his princely Palace to be ransacked; his sumptuous Wardroabe disrobed: and he himself exposed to the extremest Censure of a commanding Conqueror. Though Cyrus' Clemency, upon that serious consideration of human inconstancy, pardoned him his life, and made him his Homager in his own Kingdom.  
The like might be instanced in those Civil Wars betwixt Caesar and Pompey. Though the victorious Caesar had got the day, and made himself happy in the acquisition of a doubtful victory; his ambition became not so confined; nor his hate so attempered; as to stay there. Such, who had used their best endeavours in defence of his Enemy, must feel the heavy hand of his Sovereignty. Though some, who were nearly allied to his discomfitted Foe, or held integrious Members of the Roman State, were received with a graceful Countenance: Yea, and advanced to unexpected honours, upon their submission to his innovated Government.  
Great was the delight which that Universal Monarch of the World conceived in the Brachmans': highly, likewise, was he taken with the answers of those Indian Oracles; the strangeness whereof might beget an Improbability, were not the Surveyor his own Relator: but discoursing of every Circumstance that might any way enliven the Survey of those parts: He expresseth in a modest Majestic Style what he had seen or heard: not deriving these from others report, but from his own personal knowledge.  
This may appear in those discoveries which he so freely communicates in a Letter to Aristotle his Master: where, amongst other memorable Sights, he tells him how he had seen those two Trees consecrated to the Sun and Moon, with their Oracular discourse to him.  
The first Report of the strangeness of these, no doubt, made him retire a little from Martial affairs; and to take breath a while, that he might more fully observe their occult natures and effects. For at such time, as this Spreading Commander came into those parts, the Inhabitants there related to him the incredible power of those Trees in this manner. Thou shalt see (said they) what King soever thou be, two Trees of the Sun and Moon, speaking both the Indian and Greek tongues; The one whereof being a Masculine Oak, is consecrated to the Sun: The other Feminine, is dedicated to the Moon: and by these shalt thou know what good or evil soever shall befall thee. This said, the Priest, to whom, any one that intended to enter that Sacred Cave, as they esteemed it, were to repair, told him; That if he were free from the Use or knowledge of Women, he might enter that holy place. And says Alexander, I obeyed the man in all things, as was fitting to conform myself to a religious Observation. Which done, the Priest expected when the Sun would set. In which attendance, I carried along with me my three faithful friends, Perdiccas, Clitus, and Philotas.  
Now in this Historical Progression, you shall hear what Alexander, by way of consultation demands of the Oracle." I thought in my mind (saith he) to inquire whether having conquered the whole World, I might in triumph return into my Country, to my Mother Olympia and my loving Sisters? Than suddenly in the Indian Tongue, and in a small voice the Tree answered: Invincible in War shalt thou be, Alexander; according to thy demand, the Sole Lord of the whole world, but return alive thou shalt not into thine own Country. So have the Destinies decreed touching thy life.  
After this, Alexander descends to speak of the Tree sacred to the Moon. Which (saith he) at the very first rising of the Moon being summoned by an horn, having received her full light, answered in the Greek tongue after this sort. Alexander (said it) as yet thou hast not approached the full end of thine age, but the next year in the Month of May thou shalt die in Babylon. By him shalt thou be deceived, whom thou least suspected.  
After all this (though little beseeming so virile a Spirit) he speaks of those tears he shed, after these Oracular Trees had divined these things.  
Than I wept (saith he) and my friends who stood about me; wept with me, without guile or subtlety, being ready to die for my safety. But little moved these gentle tears, those Gentle Gods: for the Priest (saith he) advised us to departed thence, because (quoth he) you offend these Holy Trees with your weeping and howling.  
These relations have we inserted, that it may appear how those things which of themselves may otherwise seem improbable, being only reported from the mouth of others; receive sufficient authority by so princely a Testimony; being confirmed by his own Eyes and Ears, and committed to memory for authentic and undoubted truth.  
Whereas, others there be of a different nature; who make the whole body of their discourse an indisposed heap of rubbish, or immaterial matter: with a purpose to vend such vnauthorized stuff to delude a weak conceit; who usually reads what is done, but never deliberately collects how this may be probably or possibly done.  
We read of a people called Acephaloi, and these have no heads: and of this rank are all these improbable Relaters. Who, as they are Acephalists, and without a founder: So are they Apodes, and without a Supporter.  
These are not much unlike to indiscreet Actors, who not less unseasonably than improperly, make choice both at that time and of that place to present their merriments, when and where Tragic passages should be personated. Or like our too secure Architectists, who contriving how to make their house most for strength, to bar all hope of entrance to their Foes, build on still, but forget to make a door to give admittance to their friends.  
But of these erroneous stories there be some observe no method, planting an Arcady in a Brittany. as if by some supernatural accident there were a transplantation of Regions, 
Absurdities in Historians of our time.  or some Earth quake in the Author's brain, whence this immane Colosse of an irregular Discourse proceeded. Which strange representations be not unlike to your Lanskip; where upon the sea, whatsoever we see by land, seems in our sail to go with us: Even so do these vain Historians make strange objects unto us of places impossible, transiting whole Countries to make an impolished strain of pastoral music (one good Bell-wether in his Pasture would make as perfect harmony) sound well in a Clowns care.  
To be short, my opinion positively is this: That Historian which can join profit with a modest delight together in one body or frame of one united discourse, grounding his story upon an essential truth, deserves the first & principal place: and he who (vpon a feigned discourse) can proportion it to a likeness of truth, merits the next. As for him that (like one of Duke Humphreyes' Knights) observes neither mean nor measure, but gorge their own insatiate appetites with full messes of untruths (without probability) should be dealt withal, as that wand'ring Italian Squire was used, for his monstruous lying:  in a Blanket, till his erring spirit by suffumigations, or some such like means, we canvased out of him.  
Great blemishes these be to so reputed a Profession, aiming neither at profit nor modest delight, but imitating your Mercenary Actors, spurt out some obscene jest to make a profane Rogue applaud him: and sure, if the strict doom and censure of banishment, were to be inflicted upon any kind of learning, rather should it be pronounced against such as these than any. The Pagans' have abhorred them, and much more odious should they be in a Christian Commonwealth, where virtue should be the scope of all our actions.  
They are like some Comedies we read now a days; The first Act whereof is in Asia, the next in Africa, the third in Europa, the fourth in America: and if Ptolomaeus or Marcus Paulus had found out a fifth part of the world, no question but it had been represented on their universal Stage. Such as these aught to have some distinct language, Utopian, or some other grunting tongue engrossed to themselves: For they should profit more, by being less understood. Much they speak of valour, and many imaginary Heroes are pitching their Pavilions; But I will take my leave of them with my French Proverb: Beaucoup de bruit, è peu de fruit: Much bruit, but little fruit: Battels more fierce (by report) than Alcazors: That was but Kings, their's Giants: and one of those Giants as able to vanquish all those Kings, as for Milo to carry his Bull on his shoulders.  
For the second: There should be an explanation in discovery of the causes, 
Explanation in discovery of causes.  with a direct and gradual proceeding to the sequels: As thus, in description of a solemn Just, or Tournament, it is necessary for the Historian to show the cause why such Solemnities were instituted. I do know many things there be in Discourses, which may be as well employed as inserted; But in Festivals, solemn Games, events of Duello's, or public Trials: The causes forcing should and aught to be as well deciphered, as the ends succeeding. How should we have known of the uniting of the Sabines with the Romans, or the occasion of their Marrying together, but by those dissembled Feasts ordained by Romulus, to bring his purpose to effect: The circumstances of which feast (are with a certain concordancy) amongst most of the Roman Writers agreed on; standing (though with too nice preciseness, I confess) upon the place, occasion, and hour of the day, with such a lively Transcription, as if the Sabine Rape had been committed in their time.  
The like we read of the destruction and utter subversion of the Gabians, 
Vid. Tract. entitled, the Gabian Overthrow.  in the time of Tarquin Superbus: The general union of Historians, about the time, place, and occasion, so concordantly jumping, as if all those proceed (as well in the Stratagems by Tarquin's youngest Son, 
A concord in circumstances amongst Historians.  as the very Contents of that Letter writ by the Father to his Son, for the management of this exploit) had been set down by one pen.  
The like harmony of Historians in their Relations, 
☞  though writ in several ages; 
The harmony of Historians in their Relations; though writ in several ages.  may be gathered from the Annals both of ancient and our more modern Authors.  
Those long continued Wars betwixt the Athenians and Lacedæmonians, with what agreement and concordancy even in every Circumstance, are they delivered? No Land-exploit but expressed to life as it was acted; and so fully presented, as Succeeding times received them for infallible Records.  
That ten year's Siege of Troy; where so many designs were attempted; so many bloody Stratagems devised; where strength and policy equally contended: while nothing was unassayed, whereby so deep a blemish or stain of dishonour done to a warlike Nation might be revenged: what joint union or harmony holds it amongst most Authors, who have enlarged themselves upon that Subject?  
This might be instanced in Dares Phrygius himself; one personally employed in that Service, and writ afterwards whatsoever had happened during that heavy fatal Siege.  
Nor was it held sufficient to these, only to describe the fearful Events of those calamitous Wars; but the Grounds and Origenes of them. How their first hate begun; how increased; and by what Offices made implacable. Hear is Paris portrayed; how he became enamoured; how in his wanton suit entertained; how after Helen's consent to a licentious assault, her conveyance is practised; the voyage accommodated; and the very Ship, wherein these two lustful Lovers were embarked, described. Where you shall found Phereclus, that curious Carpenter of Troy, preparing that fatal Ship, wherein Helen was stolen away by Paris.  
Than, you shall hear what entertainment old Priam gives to these two youthful Sailors after their arrival. What Feasts are solemnised; what Sumptuous Triumphs prepared; and to what a woeful Catastrophe all these goodly Solemnities are converted. Than, what Embassies are sent (before ever War was proclaimed) to re-demand Helen. Their peremptory answer to so just a demand.  
Than, those fearful predictions of Troy's destruction. Yet behold the inevitable Fate of a declining State!  
Neither could the justness of their request; nor those Ominous forerunners of their irreparable fall, divert them from an unexpected ruin. Unexpected indeed, for glorying in their own strength, and inclining to the importunacy of a Lascivious youth; they denied to restore a light commodity, to save their State from an ensuing misery.  
Yet in these, shall you found the City divided in opinion. Some held it fitting to restore, what they in justice did require. Others, and those of the inconsideratest rank, side with Paris: persuading him to enjoy his stolen Fruit: to keep her in despite of Greece: and to triumph in such a booty, as surpassed nature in attractive beauty.  
Than, their recourse to the Oracle; the answers they received: Yet must Helen be still detained; that lust may be revenged: and a perishing beauty with the loss of a perishing City, unwillingly restored.  
All these are with so harmonious a consent seconded, as if they had writ in one time; or one had dictated to another, whatsoever in that Theatre of sorrow had been Acted.  
The like in that Combat, or bloody Banquet, rather, of Thomyris her eldest son, and the Persian Cyrus, with such native descriptions of every circumstance; the River Araxis, the place of their passage, the reasons which moved Thomyris to suffer their passage, and the very plot where their Tents were pitched, their dainty viands left for the Scythian surfeit, in what sort prepared, and how insatiably desired by the Scythian Army, coming rather to feast than to fight: And than their defeat, being there vanquished, where they were most confident of victory.  
In these explanations, the Reader should not be delayed, or frustrated too much in his hopes, by unnecessary ambages: We should not trifle out the time in vain and impertinent repetitions, it cloys and satiates the appetite too much: not unlike to your great feasts, reserving the choicest dainties for the end, when the appetites of the Guests are satisfied before they come: It is a good frugal course, and includes an Oeconomic policy, their best dishes may be preserved for another time. He that discovers events and sequels without their precedent causes, is as one that would draw a River dry, without knowing whence the Spring is derived: applying the conclusions of things, as it pleased the Ethnics in ancient time, to refer them to the arbiterment of Fortune; making ever this womanish argument: The event was so, because it was so; and it was so, because Fate would have it so: answering Titus' opinion, Potestates fato dari. But these which thus apply the course of all conclusions to Fortune, be as blind as Fortune: Nay, fare more; for though Fortune be blind, yet she is not invisible: But these men are not only blind in the eye of common sense, 
Fortune is blind, how much more blind is he that will be one by one that cannot see.  but invisible in the composure of their own Arguments; their Conclusions being as blind as themselves.  
In making likewise our judgement of Histories, and considerately applying it to our present interests, we must specially regard the dispositions of the Agents, and diligently remark how they are affected in mind; this is the least deceiving ground of forming opinion. By the nature of the Agent, conjectural events or reasons of events may be drawn: As if an ambitious man be employed in Embassage twixt Prince and Prince, he is to be suspected that his Treaty will be less happy, in that his illimited passions ofttimes, rather aggravate than alloy causes of civil discord. Men of moderate dispositions, purchase peace with less ado, & more successful; For Princes (balancing their own wrongs, to their apprehension insupportable) cannot endure braving, 
The event gathered by foregoing causes.  but will rather try the extremest of Fortune, than be unworthy of themselves, by hearing and bearing affronts with patience.  
The like we have observed in the success of War; a wise and experienced Leader, to have accomplished great matters with a handful of men; 
Tanti esse exercitum quanti imperatorem. Luc. Flor. 2 lib.  and that Aphorism to be very true: Better is an Army of Hearts, with a Lion to their Leader, than an Army of Lions, having an Hart to their Leader: And contrariwise, the unhappy events of most flourishing Empires, the miserable slaughters of most puissant Armies, by the unadvised government of their Agents, or tyranny of their Regent's, whose improvidence made much people unfortunate: To see Hannibal once a Conqueror, because his hopes were not seated on in direct means; and afterwards by his own truculent disposition, 
☞  to become a prey to the conquered, makes this Assertion good.  
No doubt, but the indiscretion of Commanders, becomes the utter subversion of their designs. 
The indiscretion of Commanders, the utter subversion of their designs.  Where, we shall find some more apt for command, than to be commanded; Others fit to be commanded, than command. There may be alleged divers reasons for this. Such, whose unbounded Spirits are ever taken with high exploits, many times more boldly than wisely, will not stick to expose their persons to all perils; so they may have the honour of the day; and beget a reverence in their Soldiers. Such as these, as I conceive, are fit to receive command from another, than to be Commanders of others. For a discreet Commander (as I have formerly observed) is not to engage his person in too desperate attempts.  
That commanding Regent of the World, was sometimes highly censured for this: when in scaling of a City, he would be so venterously bold as to mount first the Walls; but rather to have the passage prepared, before he ascended.  
Besides all this, divers Commanders there have been, who eyeing their own power, and transported with their success; from Commanders of an Army, have struck at a Monarchy. Sylla's perpetual Dictatorship employed no less ambition: nor Sertorius his keeping himself aloof from the State, less aspiring. High Spirits, puffed up with the glory of their victories, are for most part so inclined. Those ties, wherein they stand engaged to their Prince and Country, are slighted; the baseness of ingratitude they have no mind to think on. Ever are they expostulating with themselves, what it is to be seized of an absolute Sovereignty, to be subject to none; to command all; to have their Will their Law. To infranchise friends; confine Foes; To bestow a new face on the State. These are the flourishes, which so delude them, as neither the obedience they own the State, nor the safety of their own persons may prevail with them. Such as these are unhappy agents for themselves: for howsoever they seem to gather head; and with factious Malcontents to fuel their unprosperous strength; they ever come home rewarded according to their deserts. Fair pretences, as vindicating either public or private wrongs, freeing the oppressed State from exactions, easing the injuried, and punishing the insolent, receive at first an easy impression; but not sooner shall their Complyes observe the indirectness of their ends, than they fall from them, lest by cleaving too long to them, their greatness fail them.  
These shows pretended that hare-brained Catiline; who the better to bring them on, whom he sought to join to him, by dividing them from the State, and ranking them with his own; tills them on with fair promises of New Tables, proscriptions of the rich, 
Sallust in Conjur. Catiline.  magistracies, priest hoods, rapines, and rich booties, with all other things, that either War or the will of a Conqueror may any way tender. Brave offers, if they were his to give; but how soon did that Sun which so fairly seemed to shine, set in a Cloud to his shame?  
There is another Error too incident to a Commander; and that is in making himself too familiar with his Soldier. The jews, during Titus his abode in judaea, 
Clementiam Imperatoris pro inertiâ ducebant.  in perfitting that design which his Father had begun, held that Prince's mildness to be slothfulness; his clemency, a remiss security. Whereas he, out of his princely humanity, pitied their present misery. But this conceit they retained of Titus, (as may be probably gathered) by reason of the famiaritie he used to his Soldiers. Truth is, Affability begets in Commanders a Reverence, but Flamiliaritie Contempt: 
The rare impression of a compassionate disposition.  for an affable compassion leaves many times a deeper impression in a Soldier's heart, than any other booty or benefit.  
Alexander, when he had his Head-piece of water ministered unto him, would not drink himself, but offered it to his Soldiers; which could not choose but work a strange effect in them; when thirst (held the extremest Suffering in Nature) could not so annoyed him, but that the affection he bore to his Soldiers wrought such compassionate Effects in him, as he neglected himself to refresh them.  
Cowardice likewise in a Commander eclipse his wings, 
Semper in praelio maximum est periculum, qui maximè timet. Audacia pro muto habetur. Neque locus, neque amicus quisquam teget, quem Armae non texerint. Sallust. in Conjur. Cat.  that he can never mount to a Conqueror. There is ever (saith sententious Sallust) most danger accompanying his fight, whose heart is most surprised with fear. Whereas, Courage is a Countermure against all Assailants. Neither Place nor Friend can afford a , where Arms cannot present a Shield.  
Lastly (to run over all these cursorily) that pernicious bane to all human brood, filthy Avarice, many times not less prejudiceth the Regiment he commands, than it ruins himself, and brings a shameful Defeat to his Designs: This felt Manius Acilius from the hand of Mithridates; when by receiving Bribes, he lay a dishonour on his Country, death to himself, and to his dying Name a living Infamy.  
Many Examples we have of the like, where the nature of the Agent ill affected, crossed not only the success of hopeful designs, but buried their Names in oblivion; of such I speak, as have been interested in the like adventures.  

Contempt of Religion, the cause of Realm's subversion.  As sometimes where the Agents have been neglectful of Religion; depending more upon their own proper resolutions, than the power of Heaven directing all human affairs to their appointed ends: As we may read in that memorable disaster of the Romans at Cannae, 
This even the very Heathens have observed.  where the Consul Varro, with a populous Army of experienced Soldiers, was utterly discomfited; and that (as the Roman Historians have observed) because of juno's wrath conceived against Varro, for erecting (in derision of jupiters' Temple) a Mimick-boy to keep watch, as the solemn order was.  
The like of Potitius, detracting from the honour of Hercules: The like revenge inflicted on Virilius by Aesculapius: 
Quia lauream ●reteram Delphos perferendam curasset. Valer. Max. Minutius in Octavio.  By juno Lacinian, on Q. Fulv: By Proserpina, on Plenimius: By jupiter, on that sacrilegious Tyrant Dionysius: On Alexander, by Ceres: But wisely prevented with the presenting of a golden Goblet to Apollo, by the Pirate-Prince Thymasithius.  
Sometimes by the libidinous disposition of the Governor, other sometimes by his Avarice: now and than by his Impatience, and most of all by his recklesnesse, have the sequels of things proved less fortunate, because the precedent motives, or instruments directing to the end, had no better likelihoods in them.  
We wonder not at all, to see troubled water come from an uncleere Spring: Nor at tares growing in the sluggards field; but we admire successive ends, drawn from improbable causes. Many times there be (I confess) intrinsecall motives, which like, as that Beauty is the best which cannot be expressed by the Painter, so arrogates it the chiefest place (that inwardly moving cause, I mean) because, the efficient cause of causes, more sure, more infallible than the evidentest demonstration: And I have (for my part) ever superstitiously feared to bring such causes in Question: 
Such things as be above us, be not to be argued of us.  since such Arguments have ministered no small occasion to the prophaner wits, both of Ancient and Modern times, to bolster their insufficient opinions: As to argue thus: Hear we see a flourishing Commonweal, supporting herself by no other means than justice; reaching to as high a perfection in every degree, of as exact Government, as the blindness of the time would permit: Yet this State (so flourishing) laid waste by a people exposed to all Impieties: Hear the end can hardly be collected by the foregoing Cause. Equity was in the conquered, Tyranny in the Conqueror: Here is a main discrepancy in the beginning, & conclusion; and the active causes ordinarily moving seem (Cardine Verso) to oppose themselves. It is true; But tell me (whosoever thou art) that Lucian-like composest this Argument: Is he that sets, and confounds, what Empires as best pleaseth him, tied to means, or secondary causes? There is no Realm which for some abuse or other, hath not deserved to lose her glory; and herein doth the Majestic power of Heaven show abundant mercy, to some Kingdoms in chastising them before they come to the height of sin, that there eclipse of glory, might be an increase unto them of virtue; their ebb of Honour, an occasion of acknowledgement of their Creator.  

Kingdoms brought to acknowledgement by the taste of miseries.  For even in the best Commonweals, we read, that the experiment of some external misery or disaster, hath reduced them to more ripe consideration of themselves, and an exact search in themselves, discussing the causes of the God's indignation against them. Present extremities are of that force to Human bodies, that the present apprehension of their woe, seems in some sort to extenuate their pride, inflameth Religion, exciteth men to undertake a labour for the benefit of their Country (with the loss of themselves) to appease the wrath of the Gods. This was the cause why the Romans used to have the gate of the Temple janus open in War, but shut in Peace: For Necessity (as well in these times as in Pagan times) useth to be the motive of devotion.  
To enlarge which point, we may safely avouch, because it agrees with the doctrine of the time; that Sanctuaries are never well frequented, but when danger approacheth. 
Sanctuaries never well frequented, but when dangers approached.  Calm Seas beget in the Mariner quiet sleeps, stiff knees, deep healths. The Husbandman flies to devotion in a drought; that he may receive Showers. Again, after too much rain he prays for drought. But where's his Oblation, after he he's received the benefit of his petition? He feeds on the acorn, but never looks to that Tree from whence it falls.  
In a great Plague or Mortality, what divine Lectures, devout Prayers, religious Fasts are every where commanded, and with what seemly obedience observed? But when the rain is past, the plague ceased, God appeased; we close the Blessing with a prayer or two of Thanksgiving, and than return to our former course of Living.  
Sanctuaries are not to be so frequented; we are not only to offer up our prayers in the time of danger, that we may be delivered; but continued our Thanksgivings after our delivery, that we may be hereafter preserved.  
Fear will suppling the most insensible Atheist, and enforce him to prayer. If Festus hear but of judgement, 
Fear will suppling the most insensible Atheist, and enforce him to prayer.  he will tremble; if Callgula hear but the noise of Thunder, he will shudder: Or creep under his bed (poor imperial dust) to find a shelter.  
Wherein are we better, if only fear of God's judgements force us to prayer?  
When Delinquents are had in pursuit, they fly (if opportunity be offered them) to the Temple; not to pray, but lest they should become a prey to their pursuers: So it fares with most of us, when these Pursivants of The Great Kings (I mean his judgements) follow us at the heels; how gladly would we have the Temple open to receive us; to avoid those judgements that pursue us? But that Delinquent is never truly penitent, who takes Sanctuary only for fear of punishment.  
The Ancients had their Asyla; their places of refuge to fly to in their distress. Sanctuaries (as they styled them) these had; while one flies to Naxos, another to Lemnos, this to Paphos, that to Lesbos. And high impiety was it held to hale any with violent hand from those Sacred places. Though these Sanctuaries by the policy of aftertimes, were held fitting to be suppressed, that the abuse of those immunities might be removed. Now to requited their Gods for their supposed delivery; there was no Temple to which they retired, but they offered some Present or other to that God, whereto that Temple was dedicated. Nay, the very high-way-man, who made Pillage his vocation, Rapine his calling, 
Lavernae atrium Latronum prospexit in untrum.  would not be behind with his Offering. Laverna must have his Sacrifice; hoping, if his actions should come to the tesh, that those thankful Presents would not be forgotten, but tender him secure in the time of danger.  
These may seem to outstrip us, though in divine knowledge Sphered below us. These prayed and offered before they needed; We never till than when danger is visibly imminent. Be it our constant resolve, when the doors of our material Temples are shut, to have the doors of our Spiritual Temples open. Be it our highest prize to offer up unto him the Sacrifice of a contrite heart, and distreaming Eyes; To whom both before and after our delivery, is to be ascribed all praise.  
Explanation of Causes, is an elucidary or exemplifying, as it were, of the matter whereon we entreat: Happy (saith the Poet) is he, that hath known, or doth know, 
Causes directories of events.  the principal causes of things, as well precedent as subsequent: Events may be known (I confess) without their causes, but so defective is that knowledge, as the Country Shepherds prediction is of weather: His observances are Causeless, because Artless; judging of the Cloud (by usual approbation) & making experiment his ground, without recourse had to Natural causes: To show the destruction of Troy by Alcides, without explaining the perfidious dealing of Laomedon: or of Troy's second subversion, without the rape of Helen: or of Rome's translated Aristocracy, without relation made of those civil Wars, planting Caesar in his Monarchy; or of that ample and potent Empire of Media translated to the Persians', without the precedent causes arising from the glory, and eternal renown, of Cyrus; would make a confused History, as if the former Chaos were reduced to her first indigestion: 
A disposition, yet not limited, an order yet not coacted, a means yet not enforced: Qui enim (Si voluit) omnia sine medijs creare potuit, ea etiam sine Medijs (Si voluit) servare potuit.  Causes are the Springs of Events.  
If we should read the divers effects of glory, the sundry moving causes of perpetual honour, amongst the Romans, we would admire them: Some having raised themselves to an exceeding eminent pitch of greatness, and that by as unaccustomed means, Selfe-affiance, or Confidence of their own valour, instanced in One Scipio: publicly proclaiming: That, Nothing was more generous than this Confidence, more infallible than Prediction, more powerful than celerity in dispatch, or more eminent than the dignity of the Person: 
Many Kingdoms much renowned, by that means, which makes them most debased: Self-conceit.  The like of Scipio Aemilianus, Scipio Nasica, Furius Phylus, Luc. Crassus, M. Scaurus. And many others, whose greatest fame was purchased by that mean, which useth to be the greatest error in human society; Self-conceit of a man's own deservings: Which, likewise, hath been ruin to many populous and most puissant Empires. Than to divert our eye to an opposite of Conceit, and that is Modesty, or a silent shadowing of their own demerits: Excellent and memorable Examples whereof may be produced out of Valerius Maximus in his 4th Book, entreating of Modesty: Where he observes (by way of explanation) the meriting parts of many, whose resolutions shadowed, made the lustre of their Country more eminent. These were such, who cared little for divulging their own fame, so they might by their Actions gain their country renown.  
Likewise to describe, the strange, and unexpected rising of some, Qui posteris fuere Nobilitatis initium, virtutis exemplum: Borne of nothing; yet by some private endowments, either of insinuating, as the ignoble wits: or of State-observing, as those elated Natures, grieved (as it were) with the obscurity of their Birth, in seeing others less (it may be) meritorious, ascend the Throne of highest honours; possess the eminentest places; 
Honour the best, when it is derived from ourselves.  in contempt and despite of Fortune, and humbleness of Birth, crowd in the press of the Honoured, if but for enobling their Country by their peculiar deserts. This was objected against Cicero, which he as sufficiently answered: Satius est me meis rebus gestis flo●ere, quàm majorum opinioni niti. Dependence of Ancestors confer small or no glory to us, if our succeeding worth show not a correspondency to our Predecessors glory. Tullus Hostilius, Tarqvinius Priscus, Tullius Servius, Perpenna, and Terentius Varro, and that mirror of Country's love, M. Pontius Cato: Their Births ignoble, yet they made their Cradles noble by their many deserving parts; Characters of proper Nobili●y, not derived from their father's greatness, but from their own eminence. Nor have there wanted others who degenerated from their Ancestors well-deserved Life's: Scipio African, his Country's honour, leaves a Scipio the Monument of his own dishonour: Fabius Maximus, a Son, for worthless respect, deserving the name of Fabius Minimus: Claudius Pulcher beautified with ornaments of mind, as well as body, makes his Country not less hopeless by his birth, 
Degeneration.  than renowned by himself. The like of Hortensius his Nephew, one lest equalling so many deserved parts of his thrice glorious Ancestor: The one a professed prostitute to all licentious places, an arch-protector of Sensuality, having no other Clients, but noted Strumpets: The other a supporter of Equity, a resister of indirect proceed, a mirror of continence in his time; and one, second to none, save Cicero, in promptness of Speech, and a present modestly-composed Eloquence. The like of Choranius a Roman Praetor, one of confirmed gravity and approved conversation; yet left he a Son exposed to a prodigal course, and of an unnatural disposition.  
For Excellencies in this kind, as many, no question, have been by the injury of time obscured, 
The praise of such, who raise a Family by their own demerits.  whose Names deserved much honour: So some have been so highly beholden to the Commendation of time, as they received as much honour to the full, as they deserved. For it were a rare and unexemplary Age, to find all men's demerits equally balanced.  
Some have found fame breathing from those Actions, which never expressed worth: whilst others, from exploits of higher worth, never received fame.  
But to descend to the praise of such who raise a Family by their own demerits: 
M. Cicero.  The Ground of this advancement ariseth generally from these three degrees: The Gown, 
GOWN  the Sword, or some Mechanic Art. For the first, because that Prince of Oratory gives it priority, we will speak of Gown: And of such, as have raised their Houses from nothing, by excelling in Elegancy of Speech, managing of judicial Causes, and steering State-affairs; being h●ld fit for their known abilities to be employed that way.  
Of this sort, amongst the Athenians we find Demosthenes, Aeschines, Isocrates and Lysias.  
Amongst the Romans, Carbo, Laetus, 
Emulation amongst men of note.  Scipio Affricanus, Galba, Servius, Sulpitius, Cotta, Gracchus, M. Antonius, Crassus, Cicero, Salustius.  
Amongst which there was ever some private Emulation: For Fame can endure no Corrivals. So as, their very public plead were not freed from their Chide. Demosthenes a plausive and powerful Orator, having been twitted and bitterly reproved by Aeschines for delivering in his Orations certain unusual words, answered him; The fortunes of Greece depended not upon them. One taxed another of Effeminacy; an other, his Opposite of too much Singularity; The third, his Corrival of Popularity. 
Sive praesentiam ejus timens, seu irâ commotus.  Immoderate was the hate, unextinguishible the heat betwixt Cicero and Sallust: So as, the one could not come into the presence of the other without passion. For as they were unequal in their descents, so were they equally addressed to entertain all occasions of distaste.  
Whence we may conclude, that Wits bearing one level, do seldom agreed in the main building. So as, that may serve for a Maxim, what the merry Critic sometimes spoke in jest: A Cat with a Mouse, Two Cocks together in one house, and two Sister-inlawes together dwelling, can never live without dissension. Not more, two Eminent wits in one place; but they must show their Spirits either upon the By or Maine. But to our former proposition; if we shall but peruse the Lives of many of those eminent Orators, Athenian & Roman pleaders; we shall found their beginnings obscure; their Means of rising small; and for their outward parts weakly promising: yet, by their inward abilities they became a glory to their Country; a renown to themselves and their surviving posterity. This it was, that made Aristotle, that honour of Stagyra, so graceful in the sight of Alexander: who, as he had Homer in all reverence for his heroical Compositions; So had he this Stagyrian for Philosophical Speculation. This it was, 
Some of these, though they were not Coe taneans with these Princes, in living with them: yet were their works, after their decease, highly endeared and honoured by them.  that made Socrates so dear to Alcibiades. This it was, that made the works of Zenophon so familiar to African, Athenodorus his Annals to Octavian. josephus' his incomparable Relations to Constantine.  
But to add one attribute more to the glory of those famous Orators before expressed: their strength and deserving height of Spirit merited no less approvement; when, in their Opposition to the greatest Enemies of State, they stood constant for the liberty of their Country, and suppressing all such (were they never so powerful) as fished in troubled Waters, or inclined to mutiny. So ready were their Tongues to defend by pleading; So stout were their Spirits to repress Commotion: that as they delivered their minds by the one, So they were resolved to Sacrifice their Lives, to manifest to the World that they were not defective in the other. 
An Exemplary Lesson for all Ambidexters.  In these times pleaded Merit in the Court of justice. Corruption was a stranger to the hand or heart of a Counsellor. He would not be seen in a Cause that would not bear weight; Nor interest himself in aught that might not conduce to the benefit of the State. Their just designs aimed neither at public fame, nor private safety; directing the whole bent of their Counsels to the improvement and security of their Country.  
In that Epitome of L. Florus collected from Titus Livius, we shall read what native Enmity was ever conceived against such as corrupted justice, by people of all qualities: and this we shall found exemplified in an Act of a Tragical nature.  
Bloody (says the Epitomiser of that noble History) was the slaughter which was made by the Germane upon their revolt from the Roman Empire, through the shady Woods and plashy marshes; nothing more intolerable than the insultings of the Barbarous, specially against the pleaders at the Bar, plucking out the eyes of some, and lopping of the hands of other some; One had his mouth stitched up, after his tongue was first cut out, 
L Florus, l 4. C. Xij  which the Savage Actor grasping in his hand, said to it: Thou viper, at last give over hissing. So did M. Antony's wife use Tully's tongue after his death, for pleading so boldly, and inveighing so freely against her Husband in his life.  
But these cruelties may be properly referred to the Savage disposition of an insulting people: Which, having got an usurped Authority into their own hand, run in a licentious liberty, to commit all Barbarism: punishing the Offender, before they ever examined the quality of his offence.  
But to discourse of the Civil government of the Romans, during their Democracy, as they were than Commanders of all neighbouring Nations: So they delighted in nothing more than advancing such, who employed their tongues or penns in defence of the public liberty: bestowing not only Titles on them, well suiting their demerits; but preferments too, to recompense their Service. This might be instanced in the Eminentst families that flourished amongst them in those times. For so thankful was that victorious State to deserving men, as they held it not sufficient to bestow on them graceful trophies & triumphs to honour them, living: but to erect Monuments in their Statuaries and Pulvinars, to their memory, dying.  
The like honour conferred the Athenians upon their Consuls, Orators and Philosophers.  
So the Ephori among the Spartans' (being the same that the Tribunes were among the Romans) were elected not in respect of their descent but of their desert: which made a flourishing State; seeing, there was none, were he never so ignoble by birth, but he received grace, if his inward abilities deserved such respect.  
Nor were these means of advancement only conferred on the Gown; 
SWORD.  The Martialist had his place as well as the Mercurist. Were he never so mean a Plebeian, if he deserved honour; he was sure to have it. If he were the first that mounted the Wall, he had a Coronet reserved for him. Were he the first that presented himself in the Siege; or in a single Combat disarmed, and so surprised any Enemy; or entered first the Enemy's Tent; or in any Sea-fight entered his Ship; he was sure to receive his Guerdon. And if the honour of his Actions deserved any such eminent reward, he was to come home in Triumph, for the reputation he had done unto his Country. Where it was usual for those Persons, who were most eminent in the eye of the State to meet him in the way, and in all solemn and triumphant manner to conduct him to the City, with an ample relation of his fame, to beget a glorious envy or emulation in his postert y.  
Many of meanest rank, by the nobleness of their Spirits attained this honour. The State made no inquiry after their descents. Those they held worthiest of honour, who acquired it by Learning or Valour.  
Memorable is the resolution of those Mysian Captains, who stepping out before the Roman Army, prayed silence, and said; Who are ye? Answer was made; We are Lords of the World. They replied, Ye may well say so, if you Conquer us. What rewards were bestowed on these for their approved Valour, we read not in the History; but no doubt such deserving Spirits could not in a Civil State live ungratifi'de, nor dye unrecorded.  
Hence it was, that Hiero that stout Syracusan, would have died in the ashes of his Country: so well deserved he of it; it so well of him. Death was accounted a light suffering, to improve her her honour, from whom they had their being. They conceited of what weak Supporters, poor man stood; his breath, how soon vading; his glory, how soon declining: The whole Fabric of his Fortunes, how soon shaking and shrinking. But Fame gained by glorious actions, they found to be of more perpetuity. Nor could they esteem any action more truly deserving, than that which requited her love, from whom themselves and predecessors had received life. Yea, they considered what advancement they had received from an obscure Family; how should they than do less than embark themselves for all extremes, to requited the love of so endeared a Country?  
Lastly, many Families have raised their beginnings from Mechanic 
MECHANICS.  Arts, Sciences, and Mysteries. This may be quickly gathered by the names of some Romans aswel as other Nations; who retain to this day their appellations from their former Manual professions. As the Family of the Pictors, from Painters; of the Pistors', from Bakers; of the Figuli, from Potters: with many others. And these in continuance of time, came to be eminent Families; drowning their first beginnings in the depth of their greatness.  
Yet in all those Liberal, with these Mechanical Sciences; as there were thriving dispositions to advance Families forth of dust; So there were others, who even to dust reduced their advanced Families. Some apt to improve themselves forth of nothing; others not less ready to bring their Father's improvements to nothing.  
In the inscriptions of their Natures we include the causes of their ends; virtue being (as we said before) ever seconded with event answerable to her intent, either in the beginning, middle, or end. And certainly, whosoever should but read the desolations of the mightiest Empires, or their rising, shall see some appearance of causes proceeding from their government, occasions of their glory, or ruin. Nor can we (without cause) admire the erection and establishing of the Turkish Empire, 
The wonderful establishing of the Turkish Empire.  her many dilated Provinces, extended Confines; and almost Sovereign command in the Eastern parts. Let us but consider their politic government, subjecting all Laws of Conscience, or Religion, to the furthering of their designs, planting their seat (maugre the fury of all opponents) in those floury and spacious territories, where once the sanctified feet of the sacred Apostles used to tread. Yet in their policies (because not proportionate to virtue) shall they be subverted. They have erected themselves to an exceeding height, (with the Giants menacing the fabric of heaven;) but their fall will be more miserable, by how much they be of miseries more incapable. For that Kingdom which is not established in peace, 
Arguments of the approaching Subversion of the Turkish State.  shall be ruined by war; and where virtue had not her predominance, there shall the illimited rage of vice take her residence: and where she is an inhabitant, there is imminent desolation menaced. To make explanation of causes in this, were needless, because the Seat of such a government is the occasion of her fall; For ruin and extirpation have ever followed Impious Governors at the heels. Yet in making use of this especial Branch of History: Explanation of the discovery of causes, I will limit and restrain it to an assertaine bound. We must not search causes above their Natures; there be many hidden and concealed reasons, which to inquire after were unlawful; 
Concealed reasons not to be searched.  much less to wade into the secret conventions of that sacred Power, from whom all visible and apparent causes borrow their light.  
What we may gather by authentic relation, or probable imagination, may without prejudice, or error, be produced. As for supernatural causes, the more we sound them, the more we sound into the shallowness of our own judgements; never further from apprehending them, than when we seem to apprehended them.  
This inscrutable depth He well observed, 
☜ We are not to pay too curiously into the sealed Cabinet of God's Counsel.  who being demanded what God was, required some time to resolve that question. And still the longer he thought of it, the farther he was from it. So as, in the end he assoiled this demand with a new question. Friend, you have imposed me a task, and I have studied how to resolve it: And my desire is to enjoin you an other, I pray you assoil it. 
Apud Poetas Deorum Pharetrae Operculum habuere, humanae non item. G. H. in Orat.  What is it, said he? how long would it be ere you should drain the Ocean dry with a Sieve? Why? never, (said he.) Nor shall I ever (replied he) return an answer to your question. I demanded of you some time, but an Eternity of time will never resolve it: being farther of at this time, than when I first required time.  
Our usefullst and best knowledge in these Divine Secrecies, consists in the acknowledgement of our own weakness. 
That Sacred-Secret Consistory is not to be searched (because sealed) with too much curiosity.  We have many of our Artists something too familiar with these privacies: prying too curiously into the Sealed Cabinet of God's Council. Sublunary things are too low Objects for their knowledge. They must shine in an higher Sphere.  
These can positively speak (as if inspired with some extraordinary illumination) when the World shall be dissolved. Nor ground they their assertions on conjectures (if you may believe them) all is apparent to them, as if they were presented in a perspective glass.  
Geometricians and Astrologers affirm, as those who have measured Hell, Earth, and Heaven with their Dimensions, Proportions, Poizes, and Astrolabes; that Hell contains in Compass seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty five thousand Miles: In depth or Latitude, two thousand, five hundred and five Miles: In distance from us, three thousand, six hundred and fifty eight miles. But the World, which we inhabit, that is, the whole Earth, they say it contains in greatness thirty thousand, and a thousand five hundred Miles: and in Latitude or profundity, that is, from the Antipodes unto us, ten thousand and twenty two Miles. Than, that the Empyrean Heaven, which is the place of the Blessed, they say it contains in compass (o immensity!) ten thousand, three hundred and fourteen Millions, eighty five thousand, and six hundred ten miles: in depth or latitude, three thousand six hundred Millions of Miles. And betwixt us and this Heaven, in distance one thousand six hundred ninty Millions, nine hundred twenty five thousand, and five hundred Miles.  
But this may be supposed far above the compass of their jacobs-staff Their eyes, I conceive, 
Non est fam●liaritus h●minibus cum Coe●●s. Plin.  to be too weak to pierce into the Mansions of Heaven  
Lower Dimensions are fit for the straight circumference of their understanding.  
The way to measure Heaven, is to decline from Earth; and to elevate our thoughts to that Celestial Sphere, where we may gloriously shine and Eternally rest.  
He is the best ginger, who converseth more with Heaven in Spiritual affections, than instrumental dimensions: who becomes more familiar with Heaven, by his elevation of piercing thoughts, than prying eyes. This that learned Euclid well observed, when being asked a saucy question touching the Divine Presence, by too curious or inquisitive a Questionist, modestly answered: For other things I know but little, thus much I know, that the Gods hate those that are curious.  

Aug.  This that Divine Father (the glory of the Eastern Church) with much spiritual zeal expressed, when being on a time asked; What God did before he made the world, answered him home:" He was preparing Hell for such as He, who too curiously pried into his Secrets.  
The only way to rectify this Error, is for man to descend into himself. 
An excellent receipt for all such as labour of too much singularity.  For than upon acknowledgement of his own vileness, he will let fall his Train: humble himself in the consideration of his own wants: and close his resolves with this conclusion: Thus much I know, that I know nothing: how than should I dare to aspire with too curious an eye, to look into his Secrets, who made all things of nothing?  
Now to the third, that is, judgement in distinguishing things, by approving the best, and disallowing the contrary.  
Dijudication of Histories, 
Dijudication of Histories.  or judgement in distinguishing the approvedest, proceeds from a mature understanding.  
In this Historical Scale we must banish all lascivious and petulant wits, conversant about frothy and licentious obscenities. The Works of an Historian should be Monuments of Antiquity, true Heralds of Acts; either prosperously, or insuccessively achieved: and not foments to lust, inducements to sensuality. Two sorts there be which eclipse an Historians glory: 
Two sorts of Discourses eclipsing the glory of an Historian. 1. Sensuality.  from the one we reap the harvest of shame, where characters of Myrrah, and Venus (the wantoness votaries) are deblazoned in their colours: yet in their descriptions more pernicious to easily-inclined youth, than ever Archilochus was to the Spartan dames. Poor Albion hath laboured too long of this imposthume; such Historians must either be exiled, or the Commonwealth must of necessity be depraved. Vice hath too many supporters, without the furtherance of Authors. From the other, 
2. Impertinency.  there redounds no other benefi●, than impertinent inquisitions of strangely-sought out Antiquities; so precise in description, so curious in foundation, and so self-opinionate of their own writings, as they ofttimes do only (Haerere in verbis) omitting the Substance to set out (with Phydias) the shadow: search of a fruitless Antiquity, occasioning a contempt in the body of the History. As in the foundation of a City, neglecting the materiallest parts of the discourse; as upon what occasion the City was rather erected there, than in another place; by what means it was augmented, how continued; and other necessary circumstances omitted; they insist upon affairs of less consequence; finding out where the first stone was laid, when the foundation of such a City was digged. This causes oftentimes great Volumes, with small benefit to the Reader; and indeed rather implies an affecting-opinion in the Author, of pleasing himself, than others.  
Ancient Records are necessarily inserted in Histories; but such are to be supported by truth, including a necessary relation to the Subject whereof he entreats. Otherwise, such Antiquities (as for self-pleasing) are produced, express nothing. Prater plebeïum & inutilem quendam opinionis succum. These be rather opinionists than Historians.  
These two kinds (like janus' face) stand contrary-ways: the one sort (to wit the first) are Charon's best Factors, they traffic for a Lady's bon-voyage to hell; there's not a line in all their writings, that tastes of modesty, or relish of virtue: If Pluto and his Angels had not one she-Prophet, nor State-moppet within all his dominions, to make his Empire Noble: yet these Brothell-Authors (for better I cannot name them) would by their Lime-twigs, furnish his (Malasperanza) with a full sail. My Lady here sits and reads wonders at the ingenuity of the man, (a pregnant youth doubtless,) and will make her pregnant too, if she have any moving faculty in her; his best character is the Schoolmaster of folly, the introducer of sensual liberty, extinguisher of pure love, experienced instructor to lust, harbourer of illimited desires; and consequently harbinger to the Devil. As the Martin will not build, but in fair houses, so this man will not live, but in the ruins of honour: he is too conversant in the Court, too familiar in the City, and sometimes too willingly entertained in the Country. His Pen, as it is mercenary, so his labours pernicious; his state labours of penury (and he would raise it) his soul of a Lethargy, but seeks not to redeem it. To be brief (for such a Subject is not worthy dilating on;) As Augustus' banished Naso to Naxos, and his depraved works to the darkest corner of his study: so should these petulant Wits be expulsed every well-governed, Commonweal, and their prostitute Labours sustain Eupolis censure.  
How highly other States have suffered in giving too much liberty to these unseasoned wits, 
☜ Light & wanton works are to be exiled in every Civil State.  might be amply enlarged, if our present discourse required it. No doubt but Rome, even in her highest glory, when nothing but Success breathed on her attempts abroad, and private affairs at home: Than, and never more than at that time, were light and wanton works, which a civil Estate should have proscribed, highly honoured, the Authors of those Motives to effeminacy advanced; whereas, if their Censors had duly intended their charge, they would have held them fitting to have been exiled, their works to fire committed. So might that corruption of manners, which proceeds oftimes from such vicious Pamphleteers, have been prevented: and Morality better observed.  
But why should we look so fare bacl, when we labour of the like malady at home? what high Patrons have present ages found for lightest Labours? where such as corrupted youth, received more approvement, than those who corrected the looseness of affections.  
It was a good Custom, when such Authors as published any Works, had them not only censoriously perused and scanned; but if it appeared, that they contained in them more occasions of prejudice to the State than benefit; those Works were not only to be suppressed, but the Composers of them duly censured.  
Their manner of proceeding was thus: Such passages as were useful, or any way beneficial, were in papers piecemeal, laid upon one pile: Those which were noxious or malignant, bestowed on an other pile: and both these put in two Scales: where if those of the right handpile (which ever conduced to the improvement of the State) weighed down those papers which were on the lefthand pile, their Labours were permitted to pass, and their Authors, according to the quality of that Subject, whereof they wrote, amply rewarded: If otherwise, their Works were suppressed, and their Authors chastised. In which Scrutine, no question, but many Authors had Batillus' fate; they received more fillups than Crowns; more censures than rewards.  
The opinion of a serious and discreet judgement ever closeth in this: Learning never but than deserves the Laurel, when it is virtuously fruitful. 
Learning never but than deserves the Laurel, when it is virtuously fruitful.  A light Dress, be it never so neatly suited, carries ever lightness with it. And the more it takes a deluded eye, though it please itself, the more it detracts from itself. The like we may say of these Venders, or bold adventurers of lose Labours. Be they never so trimly decked, nor artfully polished; Laïs' will be Laïs' still. 
☜  The trimming will not altar the property of the stuff. Nor can lightness, be it never so smoothly carried; neatly varnished; nor cunningly palliated; keep her Vizard still on. There will be some piercing judgement or other to bring to discovery a shrouded error. Nor deserve those Works only reproof, who treat of light love; (though they be dangerous Familiars to haunt Ladies) but such who are tuned to an higher key, and either unprofitably, or which is worse, profanely abuse their captived Hearers. Amongst these, may be numbered our Chemic Professors: 
Chemic Opinionists.  who hold it not sufficient (by strange Elixirs) to reduce their own fortunes to nothing; unless they with their miserable conclusions, perplex their simple admirers. Where, if a cleare-discerning judgement should take a more exact view of their ungrounded reasons, they would soon conclude, that those arguments which they offer, not unlike their adulterate Metals, are soldered with Amalga, 
☜  and have more Moon than Sun in them. These have got a trick to slight all miracles of Divine Writte: holding with Albumazar, that Moses his leading the Children of Israel over the Red-Sea, was no more but observing the influence of the Stars, and waning season of the Moon that withdraweth the Tides.  
These are Subjects so incapable of privilege, as they deserve the highest censure. I spare to speak of our Statizing Pamphleteers, who shadowingly (to free themselves from State-scandall) deblazon some eminent Families by their Arms, Coate, or Fields: for which, some both Ancient and Modern Historians have been highly taxed. As likewise of such, who under borrowed names have struck at high Personages: which might be aptly compared to cowardly Curs, who use to by't Passengers by the heels, whom they dare not look upon in the face.  

State Stigmatists.  As such who delight to ungorge their passionate spleen upon Recreations of indifferency, for no other cause, but because they are countenanced by Majesty. The last, being not the lest, 
Factious Questionists. Non habet charitatem, qui non amat unitatem.  I accounted such, who spend much precious Oil to enwreath and enwarpe the time in their Fopperies. These are controversial Men, who rather than they will suffer the Church to be at Peace; will study new doubts to disturb her quiet. 
Aug.  These will rather stir than stay quarrels: for, howsoever they seem to pretend Unity; their affection tends to dissension: being of the slimy nature of such Fishes, as cannot live but in muddy and troubled waters.  
That word Nisi in this sentence, nisi manducaveritis carnem, set all the Counsel of Basil in an uproar. That word Donec, as joseph non agnovit Vxorem suam Donec, caused the Antidicomaritans and Elusians to deny the perpetual Virginity of the Virgin Mary.  
Thus quicke-fiery wits, carried away with the spirit of Contradiction, preferring Singularity before Conscience, Error before Truth, so they may find Shadows to follow them, will find cumbustible matter enough to the havoc both of Church and Commonweal: Not only our Human but Ecclesiastical Histories are stored with various instances of this kind. The Scope we aim at, is this: that such Works, whether they be Historical, Moral or Divine, are only, upon Censure to be approved, by which the State may be usefully improved: all others to be rejected, because they are either by Scurrilous or Factious Braine-wormes hatched.  
For the other, as none yield or afford more benefit to their Country, than laborious and judicious Antiquaries: so trifling and opinionately-conceited Historians may benefit themselves, but hardly can communicate the best of their knowledge unto others. Opinion is a main Opponent to Judgement: the one guided (or rather drawn) by a precipitate will, the other disposed by the directing eye of Reason. Opinion (Lesbian-like) frames their Line by their work, and not their work by their line: but Judgement hath ever (Cleanthes-like) a Table equally mixed or furnished with services of Arete & Pomona, 
Vid. Hesiod. in Noct. & Dic.  Virtue and Pleasure: the one to profit, the other to delight: Which equally-mixed Judgement should be especially conversant in Censurers of Histories; they must not do, as it is reported of Valerius Maximus, inhibite many things in the Evening, which he would approve of in the Morning, and command that to be enacted one hour, which he would be ashamed to confirm the next hour. A settled and wel-seasoned judgement will with Circumspection, not so much censure a modest digression in a History, as the use which may be made of that digression; nor tax any thing in a faithful Historian, though he shadow at the corruptions of the Age with bitterness: for oily and temporising tongues, are nourishers of these vicious and irregular times; 
Sicut Best ●e in Eremo, ita Gentiles in mundo. Greg. in Moral. 29 Cap. 18.  where, as Beasts in the Desert, so men live in the World: nor be Censurers to tax such things for impossibilities, because they have not heard of the like; nor such Relations as false, which have not occurred to their readings. For how should we give credit to those incredible attempts of former times, where Victories were achieved with less ado, than May-games in these times? To see Anthaeus renewing his strength, and doubling his force by falling: those magnanimous Romans erecting their spirits most when they were nearest declining. I have ever observed these times, as they second the first in gradation, so they stand inferior to the first in exploits and managements of resolution. Censures should be balances equally and evenly disposed; neither inclining to partial affectation of person or state; but ready to give approbation where the verity of Discourse, and sincerity of the Author gives his Pen free scope to curb Error, and attribute to Virtue her merited Titles. Alas, that Censurers should be either so engaged to the servile command of popular glory, or tied to great men's sleeves, that the Historians Labours must be razed, which Truth would have raised! Virtue hath in herself a sovereign end, to which all Liberal Arts and Sciences (in themselves truly noble, and meriting honour) have their aim and recourse.  
This occasions Learning to be neglected, and the exact scrutiny of ancient Records (than the which nothing more beneficial) to be suppressed, or at lest, not a little darkened: when a Rhadamant, or Critic Censurer must have the corrections of our industrious Labours, and judicious Volumes: which (to feed his own indigested humour) must be subject to many frivolous interlacing. 
Comes Victoriae, foams injuriae; famula famae, fama familiae.  But Patience (which is Comes sapientiae, non famula concupiscentiae) must be the poor Historians supporter, making use oftimes abuse, and applying this salve to his misery, which the Poet inferred, as 'cause of Rome's subversion and calamity: 
Virg. in Aene ad.  Prima peregrinos obscaena pecunia mores intulit—  
That Critic Menippus, who was ever so definite in his own opinion, as the whole course of his discourse relished nothing better than opposition. And to affronted the Time wherein he lived, with more boldness, scorning to comply either with Time or Person for his own advantage, wished, like an indiscreet Malcontent, that his Pen were a Needle, and his Paper a Nettle; yea, and his Ink Aconitum, that he might throw more poison on the face of immerited honour: and consequently, leave to posterity surviving stamps of his invective nature: would sometimes use, amongst other subjects of his discontent, to take occasion to fall upon a free reproof of rigid Censurers: whose judgement (as his misguided opinion suggested) only consisted in razing Labours, and disheartening Authors: while their innocentest lines were often misconstrued, their sense corrupted. 
Menippus' his reproof of rigid Censurers; whose judgement only consists in razing Labours, and disheartening Authors: while their innocentest Lines are often misconstrued; their sense corrupted   
But this waspish Author by using his too much freedom of censure to his Censurer, who had authority to peruse and suppress, where he found cause, perceiving himself traduced, deservingly restrained what else might have been published: with silencing only, chastising his Error, to beget in him a more temperate censure. Truth is, it were preposterous for an Author to assume to himself so much boldness, as to take upon him the place of a Moderator to his Censurer. The assumption of less liberty will suit better with his Discretion and Modesty: and purchase him a demerited esteem with such grave and censorious Authority: whose place is so much more to be honoured, in regard they are deputed by the State as Surveyors and Discussers of our Labours: Perusing with a judicious eye, and correcting with a discreet Pen; to the end, no exception might be taken by the State, no prejudice redound to the Author, no corruption of manners to the Reader, nor opinion of neglect to the Censor.  
Which course, were it not duly and exactly observed, what inconvenience might probably follow, there is none of a clear and equal judgement but may easily perceive. For if freedom were given to wanton and luxurious Wits to writ what they would, Aretine's Tables would receive from every light eye more admiration for true attractive beauty, than the most Serious Piece that ever was writ either in Philosophy, Oecononicall policy, or History. Not; we should have our Stationer's stalls covered with Libels: where the most integrious Spirit might become not less subject to a Calumnious Pen, than He, whose rising growth hath expressed itself in nothing more from his infancy, than in the increase of vice, and practise of villainy.  
It is the Authority than of a Censurer, that many times deters a wand'ring Pen from his freedom of error. So as, by being regulated by such Licence, he becomes less licentious in the course and current of his Writing.  
Nay, there is one thing more, which I shall only glance at, purposely to induce the ingenuous Author, as he values the estimate of his own honour, to submit himself to the candid censure of his Licencer. And it is this; no doubt, but the too opinionate conceit of every Author complies with the positive judgement of the Orator:" Writers do ever dote most of their own. How needful than is it, for them to have more indifferent eyes than their own, jest they delude themselves most, by being too affectionately taken with their own? The Bear is as much enamoured of her Cubbe, though of all others, the roughest; as the Beaver is of his, being of all others, the smoothest. And thus much in the vindication of the honour of a just Censor. And how an impartial eye may save the Author from much dishonour. Yet to speak a word or two, so it trench not too much upon their power, I hold it not amiss. The benefit may redound no doubt, being received as it is intended, both to the Writer and Censurer.  
Many (which I have formerly touched and taxed) like some of our Germane Authors, set forth huge Colosian Bulks, fadomelesse volumes (and if fatherless too, more credit to their fathers) but they have Bodies without Spirits, Videntur Libri donec inspexeris. They bear the Cover and Semblance of Books on them, till you look in them. Than, and never till than, they show what mettle they are made of. Lean Labours, from fat Authors.  
It is commonly said, that Law, Logic and the Swissers may be hired to fight for any one. Whatsoever they may be, apparent it is, by their numerous fruitless Editions, that these will enter lists with any Antagonist, upon the lest occasion. No Subject but must have their pains and Pens bestowed on it. Huge intricate Commentaries, to make the Text more difficult. With some of these I have encountered, and for aught I could perceive by the Genuine Sense of their interpretation, they were so fare from the understanding of the Author they wrote on, as they might be sent to school again, to learn to construe him, before they commented on him.  
The like exuberance is many times shown by many of these, in their lighter composures: wherein, for most part, they offend least. For weak wits bestowed on weighty Subjects, err most. I have heard of a trifling Pamphletter of this kind, who after such time, as he had spent much waste Paper inventing some weak vapours of his own; wherein he was ever not less constant in the choice of his Patron to whom he Dedicated them, than he was in compiling those corky Subjects which he addressed to him: presenting one day another light toy; his Patron having perused the Title, and divers passages in it, requited his Dedication with this witty Jeer: Truly friend, quoth he, you have writ many foolish toys in your time, but of all that ere you yet writ, this passeth them all. The poor Author highly taken with this commendation, not without great joy, reported the worthy entertainment he received from his Patron: and how highly to his honour, he had commended his Labour.  
Now to our Censurer; as his place infers a priority of judgement, so I would have him to distinguish of the utility of Labours. These, who spend time, oil and paper to purchase them the Title of Authors: let them be privately reproved, in daring to present such poor stuff before the face of a public State. The common English Proverb is;" Better it is to sit idle, than work idle. This may be properly applied to them. Their fruitless expense of Time and Paper makes them fare more useless to the State, than if they wholly retired themselves from Labour. Truth is, these deserve no censure; they are placed in too low a Siege. A mild reproof will better beseem them; telling them, how by all likelihood, if any such should be suffered to go abroad, or receive privilege by authority, the next time that either he or any of his family should go to the Grocer for their spicery, little doubt but some of his shaken leaves would be returned him, with sweeter contents than ever he bestowed on them.  
Whereas SUCH, whose early and late Studies have highly improved their knowledge, and whose discretion (a small grain whereof would be very useful to many of our Scholars) hath sufficiently informed them what is fit or accommodate for the time; be the Subjects they treat of History, Antiquity, or other Diviner Elements: these, I say, well deserve the encouragement of a judicious Censor. For to use the words of our Modern Democritus: I think all the Anticyrae will not restore them to their Wits, if these men now, that have Zenodotus Heart, Crates Liver, Epictetus' Lantern, be so sottish, and have no more brains than so many Beetles, what shall we think of the Commonalty? what of the rest? you may give that Censure of them in general, which Sr. Thomas Moor once did of Germanus Brexius Poems in particular: 
— Vehuntur  
In rate stultitiae, Sylvam habitant Furiae.   
If Learning and Discretion be not sufficient to make up an Author; what may we expect from him that has neither?  
Some of our Censurers have heretofore been not unlike to some of our active Lawyers; who in perusing of their Clients plead, usually razed out what was most pertinent: but afterwards upon a more settled judgement, wrote STET in the Margin, to all that which they had formerly razed.  
Multi dum castigant, castrant; dum mutant, mutilant. Many, too many, while they seem to correct, they distracted; while they altar, they torture.  
But approved Censors are of another nature (of which we were never better furnished in a competent number:) for these are of that true touch, as neither gain may corrupt them, nor the Author's person work upon them, but the worth of the work: this only hath power to procure a privilege from them.  
But let me stay a little, that I may make an end the sooner; ere I proceed to the true distinguisher of Histories, I must caution two sorts of Men, which (in their Reading) pervert the use and scope of History, 
Two sorts of sinister Readers of History. 1. Curious.  by a malevolent disposition, either bred in them by nature, or engendered by custom, a second nature: the one foolishly precise, whose behaviour (as one observeth) are like a verse, wherein every syllable is measured; or like your Spaniards aspect, who will not smile beyond a point, for fear to unstarch his look.  
These cannot taste any thing well, that is not absolute; yet for their judgement a Venetian Ass may outstrip them: 
Superbire est supra regulam ire.  He is (unmeasurably proud) wise in his own conceit, hath an Orb in his brain, 
An Opinionate Reader, an incompetible Censor of an others Labour.  which ever turning round, makes his judgement brainsick.  
The other, fare more intolerable, because more troubled with the rising of Spleen: he detracteth from the best, and finds Scruples in infallible truths; 
2. Calumnious.  his own judgement, as it is defective, so it envies others, maturer in the height of understanding, and more exact in the ancient Surveys of Truth. But as Fortitude of body derives her Essence from the imbecility of the Mind, and the ability of the Mind from the debility of the body: So the Author's glory is ofttimes revived, and augmented by the sting of Detraction, as the Detractors infamy by the Author's glory: Virtue alone is crowned, Virtue in herself, 
Haec est quae f●cit hominem Deum, etc. Seneca.  is of all possessed: She it is alone by which Man is Eternised. This is She that steers the poor Historians Bark against all oppositions. In this Harbour therefore may I repose, leaving the depraved Reader to the distemperature of his own humour, and betaking myself to my propounded Task.  
We must walk in a more modest path for judgement in the relation of every act that is done; 
Deliberation needful in Histories of main consequence.  we aught to use a kind of deliberation, consulting with our own intimate understandings, and ask them whether such an Act is worthy memory, or no: for many things we see and read, which Discretion would rather have omitted, than to Writing committed; we have occasion sometimes to unrip the tyrannic lives of Princes, and their illimited affections, of dissolute governments, and to what peculiar vices most engaged; yet in the summary rehearsal of these vice, we do ofttimes (as an excellent Historian hath well observed) Instruere malos, teach men to be evil, instructing them in the exercise of those impieties, with which before they were scarce acquainted.  
Vice is of that spreading and propagating nature, 
☜ Discovery of Vices abroad, many times instruct us in the very same at home.  as no infection can more dangerously or fatally rage's in any populous City, than her contagion in the flourishing City of the Soul. And so proclive is our Nature to the worst; as we receive it with fare more easy impression, than that which relisheth of the best.  
That Italian Lover, who found his Mistress so mutable, could in the extremity of his passion (as what passion more violent or more permanent) cry out: Our Italian Dames had never been acquainted with such disdain, nor entertained their Servants with such contempt, nor rejected them with such Selfe-content, had they not been instructed by inconstant Cassandra to love in jest and loathe in earnest.  
Which implied thus much: That nothing could more prejudice either public or private Estates, than to be fraughted with Foreign vices.  

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

☞  Pompey, that loyal but unfortunate Roman, being cumbered with his honour, and wearied with too glorious a Servitude, exclaimed to see Sylla's cruelty, being ignorant after what sort to behave himself in the dignity he had; he cries out amain, forth of the consideration he had to an usurped Tyranny, with a 
☜  serious reflex had to human misery: O peril and danger never like to have end!  
But unconfined spirits, whose thoughts are solely fixed on aery structures; will not suffer their aspire to be so bounded: nor the voluptuous his sensual affections to be so couped: nor the poor Groundling to have his Earthy-tasting appetite so sated. These, as they peruse the Map of the World; they cull out what may please them best; though the issue afflict them most. As to instance in each of these; The highminded Man loves to inform himself in the Progress of such men's actions; 
I hold him for stupid, who for fear of Death, dies all his life-long: And him for wicked, who lives without fear of it, as if there were none at all.  whose aims have been not lower than Empires. They conceive their supportance to be as great; their Means as direct; their ways as smooth. Flattering and deceiving hopes lull them a sleep; they will not so much as suffer their thoughts to converse with Fear, or labour prevention of a fall, before their practice fail. Than, and never till than, they exercise the true knowledge of Man. Than they lament, what they cannot recall; so precipitate is that cliffy track, where unbounded height walks.  
Now observe a little, whence the Occasion springs, which with winged speed brings on these inevitable miseries! I confess, though many dispositions be naturally inclined to these indiscreet aims: yet are they quickened much with Examples of others.  
This moved a neighbouring Prince; (one, whose personal prowess hath worthily enrolled him in the Book of Fame) sometime to sand a Noble and Eminent Personage hither; whose many arguments of Valour had gained him esteem enough with his Prince (had his loyal thoughts so well deserved it) only to see and observe the censure and close of an high Spirit. Hoping, that such ocular objects would work strongly upon his deluded thoughts: and bring him to a consideration of himself by presentments of fear, what his illimited height would not suffer him to think upon, with all those ample gratifications of love.  
Most certain it is, that the Surveyed of others actions produce wonderful effects, according to the disposition of the Peruser or Spectator. For, as illaffected spirits, who always plant their hopes on unjust grounds; and bring their indirect aims to unhappy ends: are ever dreaming of stirring heads, whose constantest endeavour it was ever to disquiet the peace of the State: and craving not better Medal's about them, than those of Bessus and Nabarzanes, mould their designs by such pernicious Patterns. So well-affected dispositions never eye aught with more attention, nor retain aught with more constancy than the Loialty of such as preferred their Country's Fame before their own Life: desiring rather to dye than it should perish. A constant Curtius; a resolute Horatius; an affectionate Zopyrus; a courageous Codrus are these men's Objects. Their Virtues they unfeignedly wish may be their Patterns. These cry out with the Tragedian: 
Nulla vis major Pietate vera est. Sen. in Thyestes.  " Not power so pure, as steadfast Piety.  
Again, to a youthful affection, there can be no sight, in the perusal of all Plutarch, like Alcibiades wantoning in Timandra's lap. Nor in all Suetonius, like those uncomely lascivious presentments before Nero: a thought whereof could not choose but beget a Vermillion-blush, a glowing shame in any modest ear. Which, to omit the rest, in my Judgement, were not sitting to be suffered to pass in any free state. Passages there are (as I have elsewhere noted) full of Obscoenity: and lies open an entrance for unstay'd Youth to feed too liberally upon such inhibited delights. Such therefore, were much better to be shadowed, than so freely discovered: Seeing, 
Foreign vices become nat'ralized, and made ours by imitation.  Discovery of Vices abroad, many times instruct us in the very same at home.  
Should two Ambassadors come hither; one from Sidon, another from Tyre (as one wittily observeth) and should vie in Vanity, as they sometimes envied one another's glory; we should collect, that no State-affairs drew them hither, but rather to show the vanity of one Country to the other: Which if we ourselves should admire, in very truth we were madder than either.  
True it is, there is nothing either in matter of Discourse, Employment, Reading; or what Recreation soever, but that solely works upon us, which suits with our humour, or delights us.  
Alexander being much in love with Apelles, as one highly rapt with the exquisiteness of his Art, proposed him that Model for a Task, which he of all others affected most; commanding him on a time to paint Campaspe, a beautiful Woman, naked: Which Apelles having done, such impression wrought the Picture (an inimitable Piece in so nearly tracing Nature) on the affection of the Artist, as Apelles fell in love with her, which Alexander perceiving, gave him her.  
There is nothing which we intentively eye, and by the Cranny of the eye convey to our heart, but our Fancy like another Apelles, easily finds a Table for that Portraiture. Let Virtue than be our Campaspe; otherwise, that Table which should be reserved for the purest Deity, will be taken up with the impression of some lighter Fancy.  
Lastly, the Earth-taken Soul, who constantly holds Avicens Aphorism, that Gold is the best Restorative; admires Achans Wedge; Alcmaeons' Store; hugs them in the happy fruition of their state: mean time, holds Anacharses' Temperance; Anacreon's Moderation fit for the Wilderness than the World. These read nothing in this kind, but they make use of it: but the use is ever perverted. Examples they find to authorise their baseness: these they retain; but little care take they how to cure them, by applying useful Receipts to remove those spreading evils.  A Master's vice corrupts his Family. 
Corrumpunt uttorum exempla domestica— Hor.  
So says the Poet. No vice more retentive than vicious Writing: it corrupts the Judgement by Apologizing Vice with a foreign Precedent.  
That was an excellent Rule of Direction to regulate our form of Speech: 
Quò taces, modò proficias? Quò non taces, si minùs pr●ficias?  If thy Speech may improve others, why art thou silent? If it neither behoove thyself nor others, why art thou not silent? The same course is to be observed in our form of writing: 
Hoc rempe ab homine exigitur, ut prosit hominibus si fieri potest, multis; si minus, paucis; si minùs proximis; si minùs, sibi. Senec. de vitâ beatâ. " If by our Pen we may profit ourselves, it is well; if some few others as well as ourselves, it is better; if all, it is the best; if none, Silence enjoins the Workman to take his rest. In one word, as some things are necessarily to be remembered, so others not less necessarily to be omitted. And with fare more Discretion may they in their Embryo be silenced by the Author; than after such time as they are published, to be suppressed by Censure.  
That memorable Lawgiver being demanded what punishment was to be inflicted on him, who should chance to slay his Father or Mother: he answered them with, Haud equidem puto, etc. I do not think there can be any 〈◊〉 so unnatural disposition.  
Acts silenced sometimes do better than if expressed: for the Curtain of vices drawn, moves Imitation rather than Evitation.  
In distinguishing also of things good and necessary from their contraries, we should not mix trivial Discourses in our main Relation: they much impair and disparage the weight of an History, 
Strange novelties draw attention, move approbation, if probability be mixed in the Discourse.  distracting the Readers mind with impertinencies, where the Subject might of itself be better prosecuted; nor can any thing show more indiscretion in an Author, than these vagaries, where attention can no way be moved, the expectances of men satisfied, or a real delight with profit apprehended. Attention (as that eloquent Orator noteth) is there the quickest, where we promise' to speak of things, great, new, unusual; or such affairs as may conduce to the benefit of the Commonweal, to the establishing of Religion, Piety, or the like.  
Now such serious Discourses (in themselves grave and ponderous) are not to be mixed with every frivolous digression; the Body of the History being solid, should not depend of weak and infirm members: which might seem to resemble the Roman Colosse, of an huge proportion in body, but feeble feet; so as one day the frame of the whole was demolished by the debility of one part. Yet in this grace and firm Composition, there must be one necessary Caveat inserted: that whensoever we drain the approbation of our Discourse (as from many, and those to our Judgement of the selected Authors) we reconcile their Opinions, and make one united Body of so many dispersed parts. This I thought to caution (as well the Histories perusers, as the generallest Collectors of) because I have observed this foul error (and that in both Ancient and Modern Relations) where divers Authors were cited, 
Opinions drawn from divers Auth rs should be reconciled.  and their several Opinions marshaled on a row: but as in a battle, when the wings be broken, there ensueth naught but an universal confusion; so without reconcilement in the conclusion, he leaves the Reader in suspense, whose opinion to entertain; because not directed by the Author. 
A double defect, Obstinate and Ignorant.   
This implies a double defect; either from stupidity, not able to distinguish; or from a pertinacy, not willing to communicate his Judgement to others. The latter is more intolerable than the first; for the one includes a native defect, (which he would remedy if his Apprehension could better it.) The other a malicious desire of engrossing knowledge to himself; though both unworthy of an Historical place: for Ignorance deserves small entertainment in so judicious an Argument: and a perverse disposition much less, concealing his knowledge from his Country, which by his Subject (it seems) he intended to benefit. In distinguishing likewise, we should ever observe to cull out such perspicuous Sentences as comprehend most, yet lest in affectation: for such taste ever of singularity. 
Vid. Aul. Gel. in Noct. Attic.  Hortensius was called by Pythias (for his too much gesturing) a professed Mimic, a Dionysian: 
Words should be accommodate to the matter, not the matter to the words.  the same Title may be given our curious Relators: they bind their Subject to their words, esteeming no discourse in itself worth judicious observation, but what is replenished and full fraughted with polite sentences, making the matter indebted to the superficial Art of the Composer.  

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

Whatsoever tastes of affetaction, digresseth from this Disposition.  That unkembed and incompt Antiquity, he could not endure. He would have Lines so taste of the Lamp, as to have a stronger relish of labour, than affectation from any other. As first, for the choice of Words, No man, unless he have already vowed to converse only with Air, can be of so distempered a judgement, as to prefer a superficial dress of Words, before the main Subject whereof he means to entreat. This were like one, that should address himself for some fare journey, and accommodate himself with all necessaries fitting for such a journal: but neglects wholly, or knows not the bent of his Travail whereto he goes, nor for what end. And foolish were he, who, upon perusal of such an Airy Author, that decks his Works merely with an outward lustre, should fall into a vein of applauding or commending him: Nor could he well have less reason to approve such Enconiums (but rather hold them for Paradoxes) than such, who have been sometimes pleased to bestow their derisory praises upon the very worst or contemptiblest Subjects. After this sort, was Polycrates that famous Athenian Rhetorician pleased to fall into the praise of the Tyrant Busyris, Seneca of Claudius, Favorinus of Thersites, Maro of his Gnat, Lucianus of his Fly, Apuleius of his Ass: Again, Favorinus of a Quartane Fever, Glaucus of Injustice, Synesius of Baldness, Lucianus of Parasitical Flattery, Erasmus of Folly. But truth is, 
Tu quem commendes etiam atque etiam aspice: Nemox incutiant altena tibi commissa pudorem. Horat.  praise may reflect upon the Subject that is unworthy of such praise, by way of disgrace. To commend a parsimonious man for his bounty or liberality, or a severe Judge for his clemency, lays him open to the World; which makes his Commender a Satirical Displayer: in extolling him in that respect only, which hath begot him, to such as truly know him, a mark of ignominy. Flattery, saith one, is not always to praise in presence, for engage ourselves we may to that hateful brand, by praising in absence; that is, when either the virtue, for which he is praised, is absent, or the occasion: as for Virtue, as she is her own praise, her own Princely Precedent; so is her own prize her own praise, fare above the oily Rhetoric of any affective Parasite.  
Such Words than beseem an Historian best, which are proper and native. Such as were obsolete or out of use were much distasted of our Historians of ancient time: so as, howsoever some abstruse words may fall out now and than in the Relations of Tranquillus, which tasted too much of Calepine: no doubt, but they were in those times received for Native. Howbeit, sometimes they mainly obscure the mind of the Au hor. Some Arguments likewise cannot be expressed in usual Words: unless the Word by which such a thing should be rendered, were dilated to a whole sentence. In such case, the Historian is to be excused; because the easiness of this error, is rather to the Subject than Author to be imputed. In brief, I will conclude this with that sententious saying of the Poet: 
Words follow matter of their own accord,  
Matter gives life and essence to the Word.   
Now, for the Phrase; as I have formerly proposed the best direction, that such, who have already writ of that Subject, have recommended; all the better, to imprint this in your memory; it is to be understood, that no Phrase of Speech better becomes these Relations, than such as are brief and sententious. I have known some, in their Additions to certain pleasing Inventions of our own; by labouring to surpass their Copy (left imperfect, and falling into their nice hands to make complete) through an affected Elegancy of phrase, 
☜  to have darkened the meaning of the Author: by furnishing the Story with an Ocean of Words, but scarce one drop of Reason. The Phrase than must be so disposed, that the matter whereof we treat, must not through affectation become entangled, nor any way obscured. Wherein a great measure of discretion is required: Yea, and in one and the same History, the form of the Phrase may be changed. Light Subjects are ever properly suited with light Lines. But when we address our Discourse to describe the Subversion of a State; the depopulation of any flourishing City: still from the Tragic ashes of such a Story, may our Penns be taught to drop Tears. There is no representment of Sorrow that suits well in the same Habit or Colours, that Subjects of delight are to be attired in. When that Nation, our Historian hath occasion to writ of, shall be clothed in mourning garments; when fire and fury attend them without, fear and famine within: 
When their weak Walls are so enclosed about,  
That fear gets in, but nothing can get out.   
Than must his Phrase of Speech put on an heavy dress. Elegancy never less beseems him than at that time. Passionate Enter-breathes; Treaties of Sorrow; Eare-moving expostulations from those disconsolate Agents of misery, are sitting Dishes for such a bloody banquet.  

This might be amply illustrated by those inhuman cruelties lately committed by the Groats & Curl in Germany.  Benzo in his Indian Story expresseth a singular Art in his discovery of Passion in this kind; who relating the cruelty of the Spanish Nation practised upon the West Indieses (if the History hold concurrence with truth) collects a Summary of all in this one presidentall report: In one of their Lands called Hispaniola, of twenty hundred thousands, when the people stood untouched (which had they remained so still, might have redounded more to the honour of that Nation) the Author was verily persuaded at the penning of his History, that there were scarce a hundred and fifty souls left; whence he exclaimed, 
Benzo in Hist. Ind.  O quot Neronis, quot Domitiani, quot Commodi, quot Bassiani, quot immites Dionisij eas terras peragravere?  
He has in store a Catalogue of unexemplary Tyrants, for such unexemplary mischiefs. Passion in Discourses of this nature (which is fare better expressed in abrupt sighs, than polished speech;) will become well the pen of an Historian. Another Style is to be used in peaceable Treaties, Nuptial Solemnities, or Orations by way of Embassy and the like.  
In the distinguishing than of these, as I have formerly noted; is much discretion required. For to use any Style that may not suit with the Subject whereof he treats, argues a want of disposition in the Author: resembling such ridiculous Actors; who, whether they speak of Heaven or Earth, fix their eyes always on one place: or whether they speak of war or peace, ever retain one tune in their ill-disposed voice. Shall we than a little longer insist upon such particulars, for matter of Style, as either impairs or improves the beauty of an History? Hear what my opinion, derived in part from others, is in this.  
These beseem not a History; dilated circumstances, instances too much stood upon, an ambiguous leaving of something undetermined: They leave the understanding in doubt what to resolve, the judgement what to think, the thoughts what to deliberate: So as our reading confers no other profit, save an intricate winding or wreathing of many anxieties up together: Giving the Mind free scope to imagine the event, being employed by the Author.  
An Historian in his writing should have a kind of seeming security for his Style and Order of Speech: yet not so, 
Non ubi vanitati festivitas propriè cedit.  (as to omit an exact or wittily composed jest) to relish the Readers distaste: Such was Tacitus use, by interlacing the seriousness of his Tale, with some judicial (but strangely brief) sentences: annexing some pleasant strain, either of mere purpose invented, or from the occasion of his Subject derived, to sweeten the heavier part of his discourse: which should not be too long insisted on, for that were trifling; but shadowingly touched, for that implies plenty of Subject: not flying to trivial relations, to make up a greater Volume, but for the delight of the judiciously affected: Miscendo utile dulci.  
But alas, where this distinguishment of judgement of Histories requires great labour, it ofttimes obtains as little favour: The present age cannot admit of such discourses, they be too serious: So that whosoever should compile a Volume of Judicial extractions, or approved Observances, should hardly have as many Readers, as Persius conjectured for his Labours; Vel duo, vel nemo: 
Nomina, Maecenas, Charitum scribuntur arenis, Pieridun gelidis inclyta Scripta rogis. ib.  O ill disposed Times! when judgement goes a Woolgathering. Augustus had two which he especially respected above the rest of his Nobles, and the one of them was a Maecenas, a Patron of learning, and a grace to the sacred influence of Poesy: But where should we find an Atlas for Parnassus in these days? where Noble (yet degenerate Spirits) esteem him that will be Pander to his Punk, above him that will be Patron to a Poem? It seems strange that in best experienced times, where knowledge should be heightened, the foggy vapours of ignorance dispelled: Nay, where these times have respite from warlike Alarms, and therefore may securely feed at Minerva's Table, should be so delighted with superficial shadows, contemning the perfect essence and lustre of Man, (to wit) how to know himself. 
World's Anatomy.  Here the Miser digs (and with the Dormouse) sleeps out his time in a fruitless scraping; There the Prodigal (careless of times expense) bastardizeth his Father's providence, leaving no more to himself, than that he could not take from himself, a poor Grave: Here the Ambitious man, displaying his pie-coloured flags of vanity (in the elation of his Spirit) contemns the inferior rank of men, ever aiming at an higher Sphere than popular press, till his aspiring produce his falling, and the honour which he purchased without merit, forsakes him not without shame: But which of these will take pains to see himself represented in Exemplary Histories? If the Picture of old Menedemus were hung up in eye of the Miser (he would I doubt it not) gaze with his four eyes on the Picture, but make little or no use on the Pattern: The Ambitious man, if he saw the Character of himself in that vast and undetermined mind of Catiline, in that ambitiously insinuating spirit of Seian, I fear me he would rather make use of the means of his rising, than caution himself by his untimely declining: The Prodigal (expressing his own Mirror, by Theotimus error) who preferred lust before his eyes, would (much I fear it) rather darken the eye of his Soul, to satisfy the eye of his Body, than moderate his passions on Earth, to reap the fruit of his Moderation in Heaven. O that these Times would so distinguish of their abuses, as being discovered, they may be censured; for where abuses are concealed, they seem afresh to be renewed, and (with Authority) confirmed, but being openly ripped, they may be whipped and stripped: first displayed to the eye of the World, than summoned before the Throne of justice!  
It was a constant Custom, as hath been observed, 
☞  for the Roman State, and that when she was in her prime monarchial beauty, for all Artificers to carry about them the badges of their Trades, the Signals of thei● Conditions. And this every Mechanic willingly obeyed; so as, it was not permitted them to wal●e abroad through the Streets of the City, without this Cognizance of their quality. While one more precise than wise, standing one day forth in the press of the people; Sirs, quoth he, we are enjoined to go with the several Badges of our poor professions, and as meet is, we observe the Custom. Mean time, how shall we know what Trade our perfumed Silken Courtiers are of; our purple Consuls, or our Scarlet Citizens? Where be the Arms they bear? The Cognizants they carry?  
The Speech of this Critic Artisan came straight to the Emperor's ear; who liking well of his blunt question, enjoined all such as retained to his Court, or boar Magisteriall places in his Courts of Justice, or bore high Offices in the City, to observe the like course which those inferior Mechanics observed. This was enjoined, and their observance expected. Many Devices and Impressa's were contrived, but few or none pleased. It was thought fit by the Emperor, that such devices and no other should accommodate them, as that very Artist should invent, who first proposed this Observation to them. He ready to embrace such a Task; and obey so just a command, 
A witty conceit of a bold Artisan.  sets his Invention forthwith on work, which he discovers in this sort.  
For the Courtier, he gave him a Sweet Glove with this Impress: Eius ero, quam gero.  
For the Consul, a Wedge of Gold with this Mott: Illi haereo, quod fero.  
To the City-Officiall, a Lamp in the snuff, with these words: Ferveo, at faeteo.  
Howsoever the device might seem bitter, this invention was not only approved, but rewarded by the Emperor.  
It is a true saying," There is nothing that gives more nourishment to Vice than want of employment: by doing nothing, we shall soon learn to do worse than nothing.  
Action is the life of Man; and when the Fancy is not well employed, it will assay something that may witness to the World, it had better fare been restrained.  
For my part, 
A modest discovery of the abuses of the time: how they are to be searched; how cured.  I cannot choose but wonder (with that Divine Cynic) how Man bred amongst Men should so soon forget the prime beauty of Man; as to suffer it to be drenched in the Leeses of lose affections. How a living Substance, and that Substance endowed with Reason, should so faun on a Shadow. Or hold himself imparadized with the poor conceit of a smile from one lighter than Vanity. What an incomparable Favour is one ravished Feather from her Fan, whose very levity is the Emblem of that Favour? Are these manly motions? What a tricking, trimming, powdering and purfling this poor Rind must have? what a varnish must Art bestow on it? Mean time, what Diogenes sometimes said to a youth too curiously and effeminately dressed, may be truly said to this painted piece: If thou goest to Men, all this is but in vain, if unto women, it is wicked. Now, as the Lure of a light Courtesan is Lucre; her aim must consequently be the ruin of her Lover. So as, her speech to her poor Suitor is the very same, which that old Strumpet used to a worn-out Customer of hers, who asked days of payment for his pleasure, Oculatae nostrae sunt manus, credunt quod vident. If unguided youth would have his delights sensible, her receipts must be palpable.  

Vid. Marian: in Arcad. Princ.  Less occasion of grief it cannot be to any one who affects Piety, or suffers with a just man in his wrongs: To see an honest and integrious cause fall light in the Scale, because his gold wants weight. To see justice weighed by grains: Or Scarlet attended by vices in the same Livery.  
Or a rich Chuff, whose ill-thriving providence his posterity tastes of; to squeeze the weak ones with his unconscionable bargains; to treasure to himself what will stick by him, when poor dust (the remainder of all his care) shall receive him: Many a dry eye attend him: and his hungry Executors (as Ravens greedy after prey, and impatient of too long delay) shall imbrue his corpse with their blood before they bury him.  
Let these reflect upon themselves and their own follies; and see themselves personated in divers instances in all our Histories: and when they have taken a full view of their own enormities; which cannot be of such small proportion, but they will appear visible enough to their recollected fancies, let me ask them in the same terms that the young Gallant in Erasmus, asked his wanton Mistress: Are ye not ashamed to do that in the sight of God and testimony of his Angels, which ye are ashamed to do in the sight of Men, inferior to Angels? Sores cannot be cured, till they be discovered and searched: a Moral Story h'as in readiness a Probat to search them, and Balm enough, if usefully applied, to heal them.  
O let Histories, as they be Records of what were done, whether good or evil; excite us to be good, and deter us from being evil: Stories are replenished with examples of both sorts, for they be Storehouses of precedent events, and consequently so to be observed and digested, as the Judicious Reader may better dispose of his events. I have noted in Discourses of this kind, the observance of that Generally judicious Gentleman, 
Sir F. B.  and the best advancer of depressed Learning, where he saith: 
A  Discourse branched into a threefold Observance.  Some Books are to be tasted, some to be swallowed, few to be chewed and digested. Such as are to be tasted I comprehend, in Stories of modest accomplishment, superficial flourishes, garnishing our Discourse modestly without vain ostentation or bravery: Such are to be swallowed, as those Amorous, and fruitless labours of brainsick Authors, freighted with continual Hyperbolees comely in nothing but love: Such are to be chewed and digested, as include discourse tending both to instruction and delight, etc.  
So than, here we may come to our judicial point; we see and read Histories, some only to be tasted, others swallowed, some few chewed, as Beasts were in the old Law. Histories being ruminated and chewed, yield a continual profit, and the more meditated, the more beneficial; 
Three Observances worthy our consideration in Reading.  which seemed well approved (and no less worthy our observance) by his institution, that wished every Reader to take these three remembrances in his way to read: Libenter, Diligenter, and Intelligenter; The first yields a present delight, because it includes a willingness; the next a diligent Attention, implying a seriousness; 
Use of those three Observances.  the last an use of both, enfolding an understandingnesse: These three attend a judicious distinguishing of Histories, Judgement in discerning what is best, and these to apprehended the best: These four commixed resemble twins at two burdens, all directours one to another: for without judgement, we may choose the worst as soon as best, taking our aim only at delight, without recourse to profit, best agreeing with the outward sense; here is a want in the Election: without willingness, our reading breeds a loathing; without diligence, our discourse is fruitless; and without understanding, our minds be erring. And thus much for dijudicating of Histories, an essential part of this Book: I have but summarily set down my Opinion (grounded on the collections of others) herein, that I might prosecute the former parts of my Division in the Method of this History, contracting much into a little Body.    

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

THe greatest and movingst argument of persuasion to the undertaking of this or that, 
Use of History  is the benefit we expect redounding from our enterprise: I will succinctly express the severally-moving effects of profit (the worldly man's Adamant) from History, Naturally and Essentially derived: which being laid open, I hope the Miser (who as Seneca noteth, is good to none, but worst to himself) will be profitable both to himself and others: My Exordium shall be drawn from him, because I take him to be one of the devil's chiefest Factors, and more benefit should I yield my Country in bringing such an one, than in taking an Arch-pirate: From him descending to every vicious professor (binding myself ever to my tackling) the fruit of History, in itself able to reclaim the depraved'st from their habituated enormities.  

☞ The true Characterall Portraiture of a Miser.  A Miser and Misery were ever held Correlatives. And he is that true Miser, who, like the blind Mole, receives all his nutriment from Mold. It is strange that any Creature endued with Reason, should so much slave the freedom of so right a Sovereigness to the thraldom of Sense. When the Prince or Princess falls sick, 
Languente Principe, tota in lachrymas resoluta est Curia: Succumbente anima; cuncta familiae patiuntur Organa.  the whole Court mourns, says that incomparable Moral. Apply this to thy own Condition, miserable Wormling; thy Princess is mortally sick; thy Soul who languisheth irrecoverably; how can all her faculties do less than suffer?  
She ever hated conversing with Earth: her Contemplation was in an higher Sphere. And as a Plant removed from that Soil where it liked, and brought to a plot of ground from her Nature estranged; she he's of late quite lost her Verdure and Vigour. Thus hast thou suffered thy Divine part to be drowned and drenched in the contemptiblest refuse and rubbish on Earth.  
O that thou knewest but what a small scantling or portion of this Earth which thou so much affectest, must serve thy turn: and what a small measure in the Interim (if thy desires would rest so satisfied) will afford thee a Competence! These thy unbounded and Hydropic affections would confine themselves to a straighter Circumference.  
Truth is, there is nothing which this Earthworm enjoys, that he can properly entitle his own. For as those Temporary Blessings which he he's received, are estranged from his use: so the very thoughts of his heart are not his own, because they are ever fixing on another's Farm. He sees nothing flourish in another's Pasture, but the Object of it begets his distemper. Others fatness makes him lean. 
Corpus exteruat, ut lucrum extendat.  To gain him an estate, he cares not how he macerate his Body. It fareth with such men as these, as it doth with the Sea-Eagle, who, 
Cum ferre quod caepit, nequeat, in gurgitem demergitur.  when he cannot seize upon his prey, he throws himself headlong into the Gulf.  
Now, whereto extends this immoderate Care? he will tell you, for himself and his posterity. Let us than divide these parcels of his Care, and collect what use he makes of it either in respect of himself, or his Scapethrift Heir.  
It is good providence (for so he guilds his Avarice) which hath brought him to this macerating Care. He cannot endure to see the Creatures of God, so lavishly nor carelessly scattered. He h'as resolved to hold an hawk: Though it be now Summer with him, he knows not how soon Winter may come. He h'as resolved therefore to play the provident Ant; to have his Granars full; Vine-presses flow; to have a Friend in a corner to revenge him of his Foe, and do his Friend a pleasure.  

His insatiate desire of increasing his State; his useless ends in disposing his Store.  These are fair flourishes; but look what precious fruits these glorious Resolves produce! What benefit brings all this hoarding to himself? Or what utility to the public State? To himself, I dare say, neither living or dying. For observe him while he is living; and you shall found him the poorest and leanest Soul in all his Meniey. 
Some of these we have here lately had; who as they abridged Nature of her due, and died in her debt; so they could not perform the Office of Nature long before their Death.   
Yea, he could be well contented, of all Sects, to be a Pythagorean; wishing with all his heart (so it might stand with the conservation of Nature) neither to eat nor drink all his life-time: but he intends not this abstinence to increase his Knowledge, but to improve his Fortunes by an abstemious providence. So as, that Cynic took not his mark amiss, when resolving one day to distinguish a Land-buyer from a Seller; a miserable Chuff from a sociable Goodfellow; took his aim by their Physnomies. If he saw one plumpe-faced, ruddy-complexioned, cheerfully countenanced, quick-eyed, he would accost him with this Salute:" Sir, are not you a Seller? But when he saw one of a lean meager Countenance, chop-falne, earthy complexioned, he would presently altar his conjecture upon sight of his Feature, and greet him thus: In good sadness, grave Sir, are not you a purchaser? Whence we may safely conclude: 
Optimam partem in mundo habet, qui minimam habet.  That he has the best part in the World, that has lest part in it.  
Nor can this unprofitable care of a wretched Worlding, become any way useful to him in his dying. His Testament is made; and he leaves in it what he is unwilling to leave. And to whom he leaves it, he knows not; but enjoy must others, what he could not. A Grave-stone, perchance, may distinguish him from the poor ones of the Parish. But for an Inscription, either his memory merits none, or his mindless Executor bestows none; or the disesteem of his Survivers will not deagne him one.  
Nor can this penurious providence of his, afford much good to his succeeding Scattergood. Who cries out with that short-mourning Gallant; so soon as he he's earthed the Fox.  
Away with Sable, Bugle, Cypresse-black, 
Ite procul vestes pullae, vitaeque Cupressi, Expediet maesto fata levare mero.   
For now mine humour is to mourn in Sack.  
Thus have you penceled out the Portraiture of a Miser. His insatiate desire of increasing his State; his useless end in disposing his Store: all which by a right use of Historical Observations, may receive a speedy cure.  

The Miser's profit by History.  The Miser, that is indebted to both back and belly, so engaged to the World, as he must have his houshold-God of the World, ever harboured in his bosom, or made his pillow to sleep on, the key of his rust: He that never fed Nature in all his days with competency; or durst recreate himself, for fear lest his recreation should play cheater, and cousin him of his providence: being the moth of the virtuous, the harbour of the vicious: carrying a conscience more infectious than Ratsbane ever about him; if ever he have grace to cast his eye into an Historical Discourse (next to the Sacred Writ) he shall find as Sovereign Antidotes for his malady, as in any place. I will Anatomise the Miser's corruptions, and like an artificial practitioner first open his wounds, and than infuse Balm into them; which Unction if it will not serve, I shall than apply more rough and sharp plasters.  
Now Master Miser, that is, mere wretched man; thou hast sufficient, and more than is competent for nature, yet thou art not satisfied: A very, very little will serve thee for thy use, for thou never hadst the Grace to know what an honest expense meant: Thou Tantalizest thyself; amidst of plenty, famished; Thou hast a good mind to be rich, 
A Miser cannot be rich.  but that's impossible: Semper avarus eget; There is a greedy worm that is ever consuming and gnawing on thee: Thou art at liberty, yet imprisoned, and in more intolerable servitude, than the misarablest Captive upon earth; yet thy chains are of gold, 
S●● te omnia, quae extrâ te. Omnia infrâ te, quae extrâ te. Terram suprâ es, si te superes. ib.  thou art a gorgeous prisoner; Thou art subjected to more hazards than a Merchant Venturer; to more nightly oppressing, and sur-charching cares, than an Emperor; to more hourly distractions, and terrible apparitions, than a Murderer: Thou wouldst sleep if thou couldst, but thy disturbed thoughts deprive thee of that comfort: To be brief, 
A miser his own Hangman.  as thou art in Image the best, so in disposition the worst of all creatures, being thine own Timon, thine own hangman, that macerates thyself, and makes thy appetite ever insatiate.  
I will lead thee into a spacious field of Histories, where thou shalt see thy immerited mind deblazoned in her colours; not a memorable instruction for Liberality (thy absolute Opponent) but shall be produced for thy use: that seeing the eminence of thy Adversary, thou mayst hate thyself, and be reconciled at last to thy Foe.  
The Liberall-hearted man is as much Master to himself, as thou art thine own Slave: 
A contrariety in two different dispositions.  he surpasseth thee in use of his own, and can direct himself by an equal proportion, limited ever to a generally approved end. He hates to draw in the Sails of his Bounty, in the presence of desert; and makes no more account of his own, than to distribute to others wants a share of his fortunes; nor esteems he that his own, of which he hath not power, and in his power can freely give: he verefies the Verse (approving a liberal mind: Quod nanquam dederit, non habuisse putat: He never was so fare engaged, or entrhalled, to any earthy substance, as to make it chiefe-tane over his intellectual part: he makes this his Position, and scorns it should be controlled by any inferior subject: 
The Liberal man's Aphorism.  To give, and to delight in giving: And that day wherein (to the moiety of his fortunes) he hath not demonstrated the rare Character of his Bounty, he cries out with Titus, Amici, perdidimus diem: This day hath been an abridgement of my generous intentions, a restraint to my extended mind; I did never show myself, less to be myself, than in this day's exigent: This is he who measures Virtue for his mere peace and contentment, and not according to success; he shows not his liberality for observance, but peculiar satisfaction; for he imagines no greater infelicity, than to be miserable; his promises are ever relatives with his performances: 
The Character of a Liberal man.  He scorns to dissemble with the World; he never anointed his tongue to enrich his fortunes: The perfect Idiom and Character of his Native Properties is already depictured: I will illustrate this Mirror of Virtues with Exemplary Mirrors, Professors of this Virtue: Read but the ancient Roman Annals you shall see many renowned for Liberality, and in Syracuse too, for her Eminence and exquisite Government not less glorious: In Rome a Fabius Maximus: 
Examples of Liberality.  who willingly foregoes his Patrimony, to preserve his Country's reputation: Se enim Patrimonij, quàm patriam fidei inopem essemaluit. Busa not less renowned, and in this more to be observed, because a Woman, whose sex implies a parsimony, relieving the poor distressed Romans (cooped up in the Walls of Cannae) making herself poor, to add power (by her bounty) to the afflicted.  
In these examples and expressions of Liberality, 
☜  let this our Work for that Pious Office which we desire to perform, return to her former Method; addressing itself to a commemoration of so fair a Subject: with which Princely and Noble Dispositions are most taken, and by which those who depend on others bounty, are seasonably relieved.  
Now, this excellent Virtue, or if you will, 
The bounteous dispositions of many noble Personages Historically amplifide.  Ornament of Majesty, derives her Original (as may be probably gathered) from two especial Fountains: true judgement in discerning; and charitable benevolence in commiserating. For whensoever it springs from these, Bounty may ever give a reason of what it gives, and to whom it imparts itself. For though the greatness of the gift win grace and love to the giver; yet the season or opportunity of giving makes it more effectual to the receiver.  
That Fabius, whom we formerly remembered, 
Examples of opportunate bounty, extracted from the Storehouse of History.  shown singular arguments of this bounty, whose example we the rather press afresh, because the Opportunity of his bounty added to the estimate of it: The gift bestowed was but small, but the season made it great. A little sum of money enlarged the continuance of his memory. For having redeemed at Hannibal's hand, the liberty of such prisoners as had been taken by him, in those Wars. When the City of Rome would not discharge that sum, for which he had articulated: he sent his own Son to Rome, purposely to set at sale the whole Farm he had from his Ancestors. He valued little his own Patrimony, in regard of the redemption of a Prisoners liberty; and so free his Country, whose fame he prized above Life, from breach of promise, and so deep a brand of infamy.  
Now, if we should accounted the price of what he gave, it was but small. This Hereditary Farm consisted but of seven Acres, and those lying in Papinia: but when we consider the mind of the Giver, we shall found no mass of money so great, but it appears greater. The Inheritance of his Predecessors must be set at sale, rather than his endeared Country suffer the lest stain. He had rather loose his Farm, than she should loose her Fame. Wherein he seems by his noble endeavours to deserve greater commendation, showing himself so willing to extend his bounty (in an act of such necessity) even to the utmost of his ability; fare outstripping such, who give fare within their power, or from their superfluity: for whereas the One bestoweth what he may, the Other more than he may.  
Not Lines, were they never so full of Life and Memory, can sufficiently advance that aspiring Spirit of Roman Liberality; when after the overthrow of Philip King of Macedon, all Greece assembled together to bewitnesses of such a Spectacle; Quintus Flaminius (of whom I shall occasionally speak hereafter) commanding silence by the sound of a Trumpet, commanded these words to be published by the Crier: The Senate, People, Questors of Rome, and Quintus Flaminius her General, command that all those Cities of Greece, which were under the late dominion of Philip shall enjoy all freedom and enfranchisement. Which words were not sooner heard, than those people taken with a great and unexpected joy, at first, as if they had not believed their own ears, they kept silence. But when the same words were re-delivered by the Crier, to enforce more credit in the Hearer, they deafened the Air with such a shrill shout, as for certain the very Birds which flew above them, amazed and ravished with the sound, fell from the Air.  
Surely, it was an argument of a nobly-disposed mind to free so many Captives from restraint, and to bestow the same liberty upon them, which the people of Rome, glorious by her many victories, had sometimes bestowed on their richest Cities. And to add a greater lustre or majesty to that work of bounty, it conduceth much to commemorate not only the liberality of the Giver, but the free assent or approbation of the people to that Gift: for as there is a Commendation due to the act recorded, so likewise to the praise itself deservingly rendered.  
But while Rome sends forth such noble Branches, who in so flourishing and fruitful a Mother bestowed all honour, her own Munificence should not be buried in silence. And redound it will highly to her praise, to recount what a brave bounteous mind she shown to Kings, Cities and Countries: seeing, the honour of every deserving action, the more it is revived, the more it spreadeth in beauty.  
When Rome had taken all Asia, she bestowed it as a gift upon King Attalus, to possess; imagining that the Sovereignty of her Imperial City would appear so much more glorious and specious, if she bestowed the richest and pleasantst part of the World for a benefit to another, rather than keep it as a store-house for herself. Especially, where the victory itself is the happiest gift? because, as to possess much begetteth envy, so to give of that we possess, cannot want glory. 
It closeth with more Majesty to make Kings, than to be a King. Val. Max. lib. 4. cap. 8.   
That bounteous and royal expression of victorious Cyrus to his successive Allies, deserves a due memory. Who, at such a time as he was to try Masteries for a Kingdom with his Grandsire Astyages; exhorted such as were his Assistants in that War, that they should with all alacrity go on in that Service: for if he prosperously succeeded in that fight, as the justness of his cause, the equity of the quarrel, and hopeful predictions by knowing Augurs assured nothing less: he would make footmen horsemen; and of Horsemen Charrioters. Great minds are not for small gifts. Eminent Personages must ever second their quality with rich Presents.  
The like disposition shown Lucullus in his Princely entertainment to all such Persons of quality as repaired to him. Beautiful walks he had to receive them; bountiful Tables to Feast them; choicest Consorts to converse with them; Melodious airs to delight them; curious Pictures to entertain them. Nothing so much disrelished him as to see his Hospitality want a Subject; or his desire to extend his bounty, an occasion to express it. Strangers could not there want for repose. A free welcome they received without being ever questioned from whence they came, or when they would go. This differed far from that Adage: 
Vnius noctis peramicus Hospes, Proximae gratus minùs est Amicis, Tertiae vultus patietur hostis Dira minantis.  
Guests of one Night stay may be kindly welcome,  
Guests of a next night are not held so toothsome,  
Guests of a third night are reputed noisome  
To the Receiver.   
This was that L. Lucullus, of whom Cicero reporteth, that when he went from Rome to make War upon Mithridates, he was altogether unskilful of Military affairs: yet in the time of his Navigation he so experienced himself, as by the confession of the King, he was preferred above all others for judgement in Martial service.  
That bounteous mind of Eutrapelus, 
Hor.  of whom that incomparable Lyric makes such a free and genuine mention; deserves all esteem. Those things, which our Age most fools herself in, he with much sleightness gave away to his foes. A curi us neat dress could not so take him: nor the fashions of the time so delude him, but he could with all indifferency forgo them: stripping himself of all occasion of being proud, to infatuate his professed foes with his pride.  
But no bounty ever poured itself forth more freely, nor bestowed itself more deservingly, than of that brave Milanese; who professing himself ever a constant Patron to the Muses; and falling casually into discourse with a Stranger, whose rich expressions (as he conceived) discovered him to be a Scholar: he desired much to hear the course of his Travail: Who, to satisfy so just a demand, related to him, amongst other passages, what cold entertainment he had received, amongst many who professed themselves Favourites of Learning: but of one Grandee above all the rest, where he not sooner repaired, than he was unhospitably dismissed. Leave he took of him, and leave he quickly gave him: which, to set forth the better to life he returned a brief of his entertainmant in these Stanza's: 
Good leave I had, for none did me importune  
To take my late repose, so as I found  
Men shaped their looks according to my fortune,  
Which forced me to traversing my ground  
To found some place with my condition sorting,  
Where to retire but not to seek relief,  
I thought it fitt'st to descant on my grief.  
And cause I had to grieve to see the time  
So much depraved, as I perceived than  
None could to Greatness but by Fortune clime,  
And that it was the means that made the man,  
Which I applied unto that Fate of mine;  
Devising how to pass the night away,  
Till th'Morning Star should guide th'approaching day.   
These Lines wrought so strongly upon that bounteously-disposed Milanese, as commiserating the Condition of a contemned Scholar, he returned him this Regreet. It is true, Sir, Desert receives not always entertainment; for as you shall encounter with some whom cannot distinguish of worth; so you shall meet with others who will not acknowledge Worth, purposely to spare their wealth. You shall not find all hearts so affected, nor all men's Judgements so filmed. Remain with me, Sir, and welcome; Be a Commander, while you are here a Sojourner. I have a Wardroabe here for the Muses, if they be naked; and a Place richly endowed too, if for retirement they be disposed. Nothing shall be wanting to them, so they be not wanting to themselves. It has been and ever shall be held mine highest Honour, to be esteemed worthy the entertainment of a Scholar.  
But we proceed in this Branch of our History, to other remarkable Instances for Liberality.  
Quintus Considius (of all most memorable) an Usurer and Bountiful; 
An Usurer never found his Country's Friend.  a black Swan was never rarer: the Pagan Usurer (it seems) had a conscience, which our Christian Usurer wants: for in that bloody, and inhuman Conspiracy of Catiline, second to none, our Modern Counterbuff, our Powder-treason excepted: he remitted all his Debtors, laying his Bills and Bonds upon one pile, making a Bonfire with them: where I make no question, but the Usurer's continual Customers, the Poet Archias, and his Echo, the Actor Roscius had reason to swear: Quod nunquam ignem vidissent clariorem: That they never saw a clearer or more comfortable fire in all their days. 
An Usurer bountiful against his william.  It may be Considius did this, because he saw the disability of his Debtors (for those Civil Commotions had much empoverished all Estates) and therefore in policy, once to express his bounty, thought it fittest to forgive them that, which they were not able to give. Moore worthy is the memory of Quintius Flaminius, who in an Istmian Triumph, in the presence of his Country's foe, the daring Philip of Macedon, redeemed such as were Philip's Captives at his own charge: Worthy our observation it is, willing to answer so public Solemnity, with an universall-concording harmony, making such free Spectators, that were before in servitude.  

Examples of Bounty amongst the Syracusans.  The modest Prince Hiero of Syracuse, who in mere compassion of the slaughter of the Romans, at the Lake Thrasimenus, sent to the afflicted remnant of that woeful Army, three hundred Thousand Bushels of Wheat, two hundred of Barley, and two hundred and forty pound weight of Gold to relieve their wants, and manifest his royal bounty. 
Planted is this City Agrigentum, on that flowery Mountain Agragas.  I may annex the memorable example of Gillia of Agrigentum, who was rich in Ours, but much more rich in mind, always rather inclined to distribute than scrape: so as his house (and that not undeservedly) was called Officina Munificentiae, a Warehouse of Bounty; erecting Monuments for public use, that the eyes of the people might be delighted with so grateful spectacles: Here were prepared sumptuous Feasts, yielding and ministering food, and all other necessaries for the sustaining Nature, to all way-faring men, bestowing dowers upon Maids, and relief to the poor, ministering plenty of comfort (out of his Royal Exchequer) to such as had sustained any detriment, or damage. 
A Memorable Instance of Hospitality.  To be brief, he kept open Hospitality, receiving five hundred Celensian Gentlemen at one time, by occasion of Tempest driven upon his Coast, which he fed at his own Table; and at their departure royally adorned them with sumptuous Garments. To be short, thou wouldst not (saith our History) have taken him for any Mortal, for he was too liberal, but the very Bounties-bosome of propitious Fortune.  
Thou hast seen these Examples of Liberality; I will now unrip thy own Casket, and see what worthy Pictures thou hast locked up in it. I see many bags of mould, but not one rag of Conscience: great Chests rammed up with inexorable bars, crammed with Avarice, Famine, and Oppression. Lucifer is thy Treasurer, proving a faithful servant: for he will not cheat thee for a World, jest he should loose his part of thee in the World to come. Thou committest to him the Keys of thy Conscience; which opens and shuts upon all occasions: He being one of thy Family, how canst thou choose but be prosperous? Yet believe me (thy end will be poor and miserable) not one of those many Angels thou possessest, like a good Angel, will guard, or give these so much as the lest taste of Comfort. I come not to instruct thee, like a Divine, but to illustrate my Assertions by Historical Examples, which I have here placed before thee, to deter thee from their life, that thou mayest avoid their death.  
Avarice, or (which is extended further) Misery, was best exemplified in Hermon; who to deceive his own friends, and deprive them of that which he made his God; at his Death, made himself his own Executor: This man would be loathe to loose so precious a Friend; Death must not part him and his Richeses. No question but his Opinion was, he might purchase himself a Tabernacle of rest with his rust: 
Miserable ends of Misers.  and translated from the vale of Earth, might erect himself a Mansion of pure Gold, for he carried the stuff with him. I could here produce infinite other Examples, which, to avoid tediousness, I omit, and return to our Discourse.  
History may yield no less profit to the Prodigal, who makes himself the last of his name; who not sooner (yea ofttimes sooner) than he hath shut his Father's eyes, opens his Father's Chest, and wipes away the remembrance of his Father's Death, with the Evidence and Broad Seal of his Father's love: he had need of some direction.  
Many of these are not sooner come to their Lands, than they run out of their Wits. 
☜  They were sick of a Father while he lived; and now they live to become a prey to others, 
The Prodigals humour displayed.  by whom they are more usually jeered than loved. Now, to display this brave Prodigals humour, and tender him in his true Colours; I shall not need to bestow much pains upon him, seeing the Satire h'as already so exactly done it for him: 
Tristis adit tumulum, rediturus laetior Haeres, Suscipit ut loculos aere micante suos.  
Sad goes he to his Father's Grave,  
But glad does he return,  
For why! his bags crammed with read Lads  
Do bid him cease to mourn.   
These easy Obsequies once done; he must of necessity fall into acquaintance with all those Officious Creatures, whose abilities conduce much to the making up of a Gentleman. He, who now stands resolved never to measure his own expense, must be measured by his Tailor; accommodated by his sweet-sented Milliner; Bevered by his Haberdasher; stand nearly endeared to his amorous Sempster. Having thus thrown away his Sable dress, and suited himself Cap a pe to the fashion of the Time: 
His Fauns or Followers, his Sponges.  He must have Fauns or Followers to sponge him. Such, in one word, as never knew what reputation meant; nor were ever acquainted with what credit meant, farther than running on score. And these must be the Carvers out of his estate. Excellent Stewards to manage a fortune!  
Now, if this Gentele Gallant set his rest for the City; the height of his ambition is to receive instruction from Courantes and Play-bills. These Notions must regulate the whole course of his Living. Acquaintance he he's got him; and such as mean to gull him and geld him of that wherewith his Father did gild him. For such is the misery of man, as he cannot endure to be seen in that place, where he is not best himself. Associates he he's from all quarters of the World, and of all qualities, save good. Some Elbow Blades he meets withal, and those either for fear of an affront; or purposely to make them his Champions upon occasions of quarrel, he makes Guard le Corpse. And these can humour him to an hair; call him their Annibal: and that Title pays for all. If he fall into acquaintance with a decayed Artist; whose prodigal course h'as brought him to partake of Cheat. He will not stick upon the very first Salute to become his Ingle. And this Honey-suckle must broke for him (being that wherewith he he's been from his Infancy versed) in counterfeit Jewels: and these must be returned to him for rich ones. For the grains of his discerning judgement were long since scattered: so as, he may rest secure for discovery.  
To satisfy his Senses one Night, it must cost him as much as his Fathers care gathered in a whole year. But now after many unrighteous Bills discharged; the Moon begins to be i'th' wain with him. His Exchequer in the Country, affords him no such fresh nor frequent supply for his Port, sport and support in the City, as it used to do. For want than of other profits and emolluments, he must be forced to take up Commodities. Dainty trash to maintain his train! But nothing violent can be permanent: that Conduit is soon dried up. In a word, he never takes up with himself, till he be taken up by others. He was drunk all this time, and now restraint h'as brought him to himself, and made him suffer.  
But if the Prodigals humour be such, as it confines him to the Country, without any farther aspiring either to Court or City; because he's no Letterd man, he he's chosen to bestow his means upon the pleasures of H which is no Letter. His only Discourse is in commendation of his Hound; from whom he differs only in Scent; for coupled they might be well together for Sense. His Horse cannot gallop faster in Chase, than he out of his estate. His Hawk flies so high, as she lessens herself; which may serve for his Emblem: having flown so long a flight, as he hath lessened himself both in credit and fortune: both which after a long mouting, scatter abroad like Feathers in the Air. His Courtesan (to close his illiterate Alphabet in one) h'as left him; and vows she cannot love him, because he he's lost his wits: but indeed, the loss of his estate is the reason. She bids him for want of better maintenance, go to an Hospital; and she at leisure will follow after: and no sooner than need requires; for as he stands in need of relief, so she of a Plaster.  
Whence we may collect (though there be no necessary inference of any such Collection; arising rather from the corruption of a youthful vicious disposition) that a Father's injurious doing, 
His Father's injurious do, his undoing: his raising, his ruin.  becomes oftimes his Heirs undoing; the Father's raising, the Son's ruin.  
O let these young Lapwings, who leave their nest before they can find wing, and make their pleasure a Labyrinth of Labour, look homeward!  

The young man's maze.  There be many mazes for the young man: I have known many exposed to all delights, and (as it were) sold under the gage of prostitution, who by Historical observations have not only reclaimed their former error, but grew singular mirrors of purity. No question, if Catiline, whose mind was ever subjected to illimited affections, had but perused the excellent relations of his noble Predecessors, 
Our predecessors virtues, motives of imitation.  he had not been only able to extinguish that common and universal combustion, which his aspiring spirit raised to consume his whole Country; but had been memorable for his own attchievements: for the best of Roman Historians (that I may use the Words of the best Commenter upon 
* Quem proprietatis servantissimum, vocat Gellius.  Crispus Salustus) saw thus much into his disposition, that so long as he retired himself from those factious and mutinous spirits, Cethegus, Lentulus, with others of that hateful consort, none shown himself a more profitable member to the Commonweal, or more ready to endanger himself for her avail; employing his time in serious discourses; which not only moderated his affections, but poised him to the equal balance of a virtuous Discourse: which afterwards perverted by the depraved suggestions of those Ruffians, reduced those fair beginnings to nothing, and him to a miserable death, and perpetual infamy.  
The very same effect we see in all other Vices (which would be well extenuated) if vicious minds would apply themselves to these, 
Histories best discoverers of errors.  and the like Discourses: we should have our drunkards see into their own shame, deblazoned by the Epirotes; our Epicures by the ravenous Vitellij; spending their fortunes in pampering their worst household servant; our carnal Brothelists, by those impudent prostitutes in Nero's time, who were never weary of their shame, till their public filthiness engendered a loathing in the professors themselves: look to these men's ends! O, how long might I prosecute this argument without want of copious Discourse! 
Instances of famous delinquents.  Here producing an Heliogabilus, generally hated for his insatiate Lust, and least pitied in that ebb of his frailty (his miserable death) when men use most to be pitied, being attended at his funerals with Military reproaches: Here go we to bury a Dog of distempered lusts: there, a wanton Messalina, rewarded with a death beseeming her. Here, an aspiring Sejanus; shaken with an unexpected end, and made miserable in his best fortunes, interred with dry eyes: For who will pity the fall of Ambition? There an Herostratus (memorable for nothing but villainy) purchasing by his fame an infamous end. Here, a bloody Perillus, expert in the invention of cruel Projects, punished with the Torture of his own Invention: There, a fleering Parasite, who circumvents himself with his own policy.  
Such exemplary motives be frequent in Histories, and able in themselves (if duly pondered) to enforce Nature from herself, and reduce Man, primarily addicted to this or that Vice, to a consideration of his own estate, wisely foreseeing his own danger by others misery; wisely; Cautioning the young man to level his affections at another scope, than the depraved intendments of the time wherein he liveth; making difference betwixt sense and reason: 
History the best Touchstone to dijudicate 'twixt what is good and ill.  the one common to Beasts with men: the other a dis-junct propriety only to man from beasts: For reason, the directress of our understanding, the limiter of our affections within honest bounds, the Touchstone to dijudicate what is good, from what is ill, the intellectual Notion of the soul, should be ever the conductor of our fancies; 
How to be Masters over ourselves.  which is best shown, when (Antomedon-like) we can delineate Virtue in no better shadow, than the Tablet of our own Hearts; expressing ourselves the best by that, which makes ourselves the best, to wit, in prosecuting Virtue with an earnestness, that in the end we may become Masters of ourselves, governor's of our affections, and right Siegniors over our indisposed Fancies.  
What admirable Effects have been and may be drawn from History, 
☜ Admirable effects drawn from History, in subduing our affections.  to subdue and regulate our affections, who is he knoweth not, presupposing him conversant in such generous studies? This may be easily gathered by that very heat or virtuous emulation we shall found even in ourselves, upon perusal of others commendable actions. For as we are alured by the beauty of goodness, to desire nothing more than to be possessed of it: knowing, no outward beauty comparable to it; so are we deterred from showing any affection to vice, for the deformity of it: and those odious fruits which burgeon from it.  
Laïs', though of all Greek Courtesans, none more comely, came far short of virtue for true beauty: and Naïs', though none more ugly, came nothing near vice for her deformity.  
When the Carthage Queen heard the sad Relation of that amorous Trojan, 
☜  touching all those Tragic passages during the siege and destruction of Troy, she could not take a Survey of such a discourse without the attendance of some Princely compassionate tears. Such strong impressions bear others actions in the theatral Act of this Life. 
No Malady but may find a receipt to cure her, or alloy her distemper by the help of History.   
But to apply receipts to every distinct malady; and by Historical helps minister to every several sore a sovereign remedy; tell me, you judicious Readers of History, is there any distemper whereof you labour, which you shall not found chased and chastised by some Historical Example! Yea, answer me in all or any of these, if at any time you found yourselves pestered with any of these, if Receipts (according to the quality of those distempers) may not be found out for a seasonable cure of these!  
Doth vainglory transport you; that Spirit of Pride which makes man forgetful of himself? you shall found in History, many Examples to deter you from it. You shall there, as in a transparent Mirror, behold the Lydian Croesus' sitting in his chair of State, beautified with the exquisitest accomplements that the Majesty of a King could put on; and Him you shall hear thus Enthroned, thus adorned, ask a wise Sage (to discover his folly the more) if ever he beheld a more beautiful or graceful Spectacle? And you shall hear this vain piece of Princely Pomp jeered to his face. 
Diog. Laërt.  Yes, says he, Dunghill Cocks, Pheasants, Peacocks: for these are clothed with a native beauty, whereas your is but a borrowed glory. Whence, you shall found that Sentence of Menander rightly verified: 
Menand.  Every fool is carried away with arrogance and applause.  
You shall likewise hear Antiochus (to illustrate more fully the misery of vainglory) at one time saluted a glorious Prince, 
☜  and a furious Tyrant.  
Again, are you naturally addicted to that Groundling vice of Avarice? you shall found what brave contempt of richeses appeared in Ethnic Breasts. This you may found portrayed to life in a Photion, Solon, Crates, Anacharses, Cimon, Timon, Fabritius. Nothing held These to be more contemptible, than what true wisdom most contemned.  
Or stand you enthralled to Passion, which makes the wisest man a Bedlamer for the instant? You shall found excellent means to attemper this commotion. Lessons given by Pagans' unto Pagans', and worthy to be left for golden Legacies by Christians unto Christians.  
That wise Athenodorus, departing from Augustus, and taking his leave, to express a Philosopher's love, left this Lesson with him, deserving well to be imprinted by him: That when he was angry, or intended to pronounce any sentence upon a delinquent, he should repeat the four and twenty Greek letters. Which lesson Caesar received as an ornament in value more precious than a Diadem.  
You shall likewise found an Architas not less commended; hearing him lest express it, when most incensed. If he found his Hind idling, he can keep his patience, and discreetly admonish him: O how would I have beaten thee, had I not been angry with thee!  
Or doth that rankling vice, Envy, eating up the heart and marrow of her Master, seize on you? you shall hear what a brave Platonic Commonweal sometimes flourished, when that Law of Nature, holding possession of all things in common, was in request.  
Before Carthage was destroyed, Rome both quietly and modestly governed her affairs. There was no contending not contesting for glory nor command amongst her Citizens; they guided all things peaceably, and succeeded in all things prosperously. That ancient King's-evil, desire of reigning and invading had not as than infected them. Whence you may truly collect, by application had to these present times, what that glorious Divine out of his own Experience sometimes observed, 
Si duo ista Pronomina Meum & Tuum cessarent, non essent tot discordiae in mundo. Stell. de Contempt. Mund. " If these two Pronouns MINE and THY would but cease, there would not arise such differences in the world.  
Or if a Liquorish appetite captivated reason; you shall read in a Laconian, what moderation would suit well with a Christian. Here you may found a whole Pythagorean state nothing more affected than Moderation; nothing less relishing than licentious surfeiting.  
Or if unbounded Sensuality wanton in you: you shall found what you want, exemplifide in a Zeno, a Zenocrates; and not only in Philosophers, but victorious Princes. Where you shall see brave Cleopatra (one who sometimes bore a Majestical Sovereignty in her eye; and could insult over a Prince with a scornful look, and make him her slave with a smile) kneeling at the feet of Caesar, laying baits for his eyes; but in vain: her beauties were beneath that Prince's chastity.  
Or desire you to be retired, or to feed your remiss Spirits with Sloth? O what spurs you shall found to quicken your dulled and rebaited courage? what animosity in those who were managers of Martial affairs? what industry in all Arts and Sciences? what deliberation in undertaking, what resolution in executing?  
Lucullus cannot enjoy himself in his own Tent. A noble Spirit ever finds itself active for employment.  
Thus shall you found presented before you, whatsoever may in the homely habit of Virtue allure you: or whatsoever clothed with the odious visage of vice may deter you. Nor is it possible to found out any Moral way better to regulate or marshal your affections, than by a serious Survey had, and useful application made of these Historical relations.  
But to come more near thee in this second part of my Division, we must distinguish of the several fruits and effects of History, directed to peculiar ends: As first, art thou a Lover, and desirest to compliment with thy beloved? Thou art in a dangerous way, and if thou wisely select not such Histories, as may (like sovereigns) rather alloy and moderate thy brainsick passion, than kindle the fire of thy senseless reason, be lulled with nightly apparitions of thy beloved fair one, to what exorbitances shalt thou be made subject? But I know the Nature of thy sickness: thou art like one who hath taken poison; and though Drink be mortal to him, yet he longeth out of all measure for it. There is no Subject so fitting thy humour, as amorous Sonnets, Historical Relations, carolling out the discontents of unsatisfied love.  
Leander swimming over Hellespont, to crop a blossom already cropped. 
Passions proceeding from brainsick Lovers, etc.  Achilles retiring discontented for the loss of his Briseis, Agamemnon for his Chryseis: these are Subjects for thy Lovesick Fancy; whereas opposites to Love, (Moral Relations, instructing thee in a more equal and reasonable path) would better cure thy disease, and bring thee to an understanding of thyself. Absence (we say) from our Mistress, makes us most forgetful of her; and lest we think of her when we discourse of Arguments lest concerning her; whilst reading Idle Pamphlets, the very bane and canker of Youth, and Age too: for Age is as subject to Dotage, as Youth to Fancy; putting us in mind of our former distracting passions, 
A Lovers Ecphonesis.  crying: Nec me minor urget Amor: with hardhearted Mistress, inconstant Dame, sickle in affection, inconstant in thy Resolution! shedding as many tears as would drown his Mistress, if she were not so light, as she is able to bear herself above water. Alas poor Lover! and whereto so many fruitless wishes, so uncomfortable laments, so discordant Echoes of redoubled sighs, Ay me unhappy? Thou knowest not how these reasonless perturbations make thee more loathed than loved, more intranced than fancied; and more beleaguered with passions anew, than to salve those passions wherewith thou were't tormented of old.  
Read the continent Life of Zenocrates, dedicated wholly to Chastity; not a Laïs' (though never so motive) can induce him to gauge his reputation to a Harlot. Read me the noble disposition of Scipio African, who scorned to make himself a Slave to his fancy: 
Look upon the History of Antony and Cleopatra.  the royal mind of that potent Alexander, who would not captive his affection to his Captive: the undestained Resolution of the Matron Antonia, Wife to Drusus: that chaste Tragedian Sophocles, 
Vid. Val. Max. lib. 4. cap. 30.  who being demanded, whether he ever applied his mind to sensual affections, replied; Dij meliora: Heaven forefend, a Strumpet should put on a Tragic Buskin. These continent Relations will reduce thy straggling motions to a more settled and retired harbour.  
And surely, 
☜  did we but know what Honour takes her repose in so sweet an Harbour; 
Here he shows what honour is to be ascribed to Continence.  we would soon strike Anchor. First than, we will here show to you what Honour is to be ascribed to Continence. How much the very Pagans' (whose desires only closed in Moral Honesty) valued this precious Gem. How votive Virgins choosed rather to be deprived of Life, than of their Honour. And how those who violated that religious Vow, suffered the very extremest kind of Censure: Whereof Campus Martius was ever made the Tragic Theatre, 
Vid. Var. Val. Max. Gell. Strab. etc.  I leave to those who have writ amply of that Subject.  
Memorable is the Story of that noble Lady Armenia; who being bidden to King Cyrus' Wedding, went thither with her Husband: at Night when they were returned home, her Husband asked her, how she liked the Bridegroom; whether she thought him to be a fair and beautiful Prince or no? In truth, said she, I know not: for all the while I was forth, I cast mine eyes upon none other but upon thyself.  
One of Hiëro's Enemies reproaching him with a stinking breath, went home and questioned his Wife why she told him nothing thereof: but what was her Reply? I though, quoth she, all men had the same savour.  
To continued the Memory of their Conjugal Constancy and Nuptial Continence, you shall ever in these Creatures of the weaker Sex, find admirable Motives both for Instruction and Imitation.  
Cannia, Wife to Synattus, whom one Synoris, a man of greater Authority than he, loved; and making no small means by prayer, price, and power to obtain her love, yet all in vain; supposed the readiest way for the effecting his desires to be the murdering of her Husband: which he performed: and no sooner executed, than he renewed his Suit, to which she seemed to assent. But being solemnly come into the Temple of Diana for the celebrating those Nuptial Rites, she had a sweet potion ready which she drunk to Synoris: wherewith they both were poisoned; to revenge her Husband's death.  
The like admirable Constancy showed Theogena Wife to Agathocles, in her Husband's greatest misery; approving herself most his own, when he was relinquished and forsaken of his own: promising him, that she would not partake with him only in prosperity, but in what fortune soever should befall him.  
That constant Loialty, and royal Continency of the incomparable Zenobia to her Husband Odonatus (though a Barbarian Queen) cannot be too much admired; her Zeal she expressed not only to him living, but dying. No Monument she held fit to contain his Corpse but her own body; that carrying his shrine still about her (being what she could not remove from her) she might ever retain him in her memory. But no question, her princely affection to History had highly increased in her this Loialty. 
☜  For by her reading of others what appeared in others so truly commendable, with a pious ambition she aspired to an imitation thereof in herself.  
The Women of India (whether won with strength of Custom, or Conjugal Devotion) when any of their Husbands dyeth, are want to fall into Contention through the vehemency of their affection, which of them (for they are permitted to have many Wives) he loved best in his life: She that winneth, being very joyful (a great Company of her Friends and Kinsfolk following her, to celebrated her funeral honour) is cast into the fire with her dead Husband.  
But every Crates must not look to be Polycrates: such Cognizants must not be for every man's sleeve. That Sentence ever deserves approvement: As there is a pleasure in loving those to whom we are espoused, living; so it is an office of piety to honour them dying. Their life enjoins us to be true to their Bed, their Death exacts no less to their memory.  
Nor is this Continence held only in esteem with those who partake of Reason: for even such Creatures as are led by Sense, are not less jealous of their Love, nor less speedy in revenging Lust: which may be confirmed by this Example.  

The History calls him Crathis, from the River (as may be supposed) near which he inhabited.  A certain libidinous Citizen dwelling in the Town of Sybaris, bounding upon the River Crathis, so monstruously and unnaturally raged in the heat of immoderate Lust, as on a time, neglecting all humanity, to extinguish the violent flames of his bestial affection, came to a Shee-goat and coupled with her; which the High-goat, as one seeing, yet reserving revenge for a fit time, he found this Sybarite one day fast asleep; wherefore to redress the injury of his corrupted Love, and revenge the horror of his detested Lust, he presently set upon him, and malled him to death with his horns.  
But to close all in one; what Honour the Ancient Romans with other Ethnics, ascribed to Continence: and how much they scorned that the lest blemish should be aspersed on their House in that kind, may be made as clear as light by that memorable Example of Virginius. The Story is thus. Virginius, one of a Plebeian descent, but of a Patrician spirit, jest his House should be dishonoured, spared not his own blood. For when Appius Claudius, one of the Decem-viri, sought with strong hand to deflower his Daughter, being a Virgin, Virginius brought her into the Marketplace, and there killed her, choosing rather to be her Murderer, undefiled, 
Val. Max. lib. 6 cap. 1.  than her Father, deflowered.  
Now, having shown you the Honour due to Continence; I would have you in the second place to consider, how soon a precious Name is lost: 
How soon a precious name is lost; with what difficulty regained.  and with what difficulty regained. It is not sufficient for you to refrain only from doing ill, but from doing aught that may be suspected for ill. Variety of Examples you shall find every where in this kind. A Name highly prized, and quickly lost: and being lost, not the wealth of the Indieses could redeem.  
Thirdly, 
The pleasure short; the purchase shame.  reflect upon the pleasure how short it is: and of the purchase, what shame it is. Demosthenes could answer Laïs' dear demmand for so short a pleasure, I will not buy Repentance at so dear a rate. And a fare more precious gage he had to loose, if an Ethnic light could have mounted so high. With the like Answer slight every light Courtesans proffer; ascribing to that inestimable Jewel of Continence all due Honour.  
But yet I must proceed farther; art thou Ambitious, and hast both wings and will to fly? Thou art soaring with Icarus; and thy waxed wings (no question) must be dissolved with Icarus: he gave a Sea a name; but thou hast a Sea in thine own brain; thou art floating, and (Chameleon-like) feedest upon the air of thine own fancy: Thou art now for building a second Pyramids in the air; and no doubt but thou wouldst perfect thy intentions, if death prevent thee not.  
Thou art a vain Fool, thou seest many worthy honouring, daily declining; merits undeserving, raised to height above themselves: not a Senator, or sage Purple Father, but subjected to an undeserving censure: and what is the cause? Why, honour procureth censure; and yet thou art well; served well, safely retired, not envied, nor maligned by the opposites of greatness; and yet thou desirest (like another Phoebus) to shine in the eye of the Court, to show thine own admiration by a vain flourish, commenting on thine own perfections, which need some Exposition: for they cannot demonstrate themselves. Alas, how strangely art thou transported above thyself! not apprehending how the means of rising ofttimes procure an unexpected fall. Consider thy own unbridled desires, and seek to repress them, I pray thee do; and take this observance with thee: Never look into either modern Histories or Ancient, for the projects, how they grounded the foundation of their plots; but aim at the end and event of their designs, what issue they had: there thou shalt see a Caesar reign long, and attain the very height of his hopes; yet his continuance abridged, and his new-established Monarchy (in himself) quite ruinated in a stab. 
The fall of Parasites.  Here a Sejanus (who was Ferox sceleris) a great hunter after cruelty, become the last of his aspiring desires, and the sponge (as Tacitus observeth) who being squized, only enriched his Emperor's fortunes, and made himself miserable by his own fall: for Ambitious men, who leap to greatness, for the most part, hop without heads, and too late repent their madness.    

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

TO express our Latin Authors I need not, so much is our Country benefited by Translators, as the Neatheard in his hovel may discourse as well of Cornelius Tacitus (if he know his mother's tongue) as our best Latinists. In my opinion no Argument better for instruction than that Author: and if I should devil upon one, I had rather insist upon his phrases (though seemingly perplexed) than any other Roman Author, 
Vid. in vit. Neron.  how perspicuous soever.  
Tranquillus writes true, but he unrips the immodesties of the time with too long discourse up n every particular vice. Nothing (saith Quintilian) can be esteemed more perfect, than the elegancy and brevity of Salusts' speech (Presertim apud vacuas & eruditas aures;) and I assent to his opinion; the singularity of his phrase was (which may seem strange) without affectation: 
Aul. Gel. in Noct. Attic.  so Aulius Gellius (a very Aristarchus for the search of Antiquities) testifieth of him. Neither Fabius afraid to entitle him, The chief of the Roman Historians, as Thucydides the Prince of the Grecians. Yet in these Histories there is an exactness of understanding required; and more do their writings conduce to State-affairs, than private and Domestik employment.  
Now, 
☜ His Judgement of divers approved Histori●ns; extracted from the best Authors.  to deliver our judgement of divers approved Historians: extracted from the best Authors: Titus Livius, by the testimony of Phil. Commines, as he is to this day had in great honour by the Italians, who retain still a form of the Ancient Roman Government, and that in some points most exactly; describes in a sweet and well-composed Style, how that flourishing Empire (which afterwards swallowed up many eminent States) sprung up at first, how it increased, what was done commendably, what viciously, during the whole progress of her rising; till labouring of her own weight, and press down with her own Grandeure, her full light fell to be eclypsed, her height to a declining. Of this Historian, I have spoke in many places; yet me thinks there is still something omitted that might be properly annexed for an additament to his praise.  
Right well I know (to close in opinion with Erasmus) that there is no reading more accommodate, no Discourse better suiting men of quality than that of Hïstory; amongst which Titus Livius holds the prime place (I speak of Latin Historians only) especially, 
Erasmus.  seeing nothing is extant of Salusts, but only two fragments.  
In his judgement, than, as no Discourse is more requisitely familiar than with Historians; so he holds Livy to be the Prince of all Latin Historians: and fittest to be a Gentleman's acquaintance. Great, no question, was his modesty; his own Works may confirm it: Whether (saith he) I shall perform that Task which may seem worthy my Labour, if I relate whatsoever hath been done by the people of Rome from the first foundation of that City, neither do I sufficiently know, neither if I did know, durst I attempt such an enterprise.  
And yet he proceeded in that Labour, and perfected it with great honour: albeit, his pious fear expressed the sweetness of his temper. Neither fell he short in Sincerity, though he seemingly pretended a fear, which implied his modesty. For what is rare in Historians, (especially, writing of Princes and their Actions, in their own times) he was never taxed of partiality, nor mincing truth: were the Personages of whom he wrote never so great, nor authority in office high.  
A Subject, indeed, never worthy the pen of of so deserving an Historian; none could possibly have: nor more variety of actions both in a calm and troubled State. And though Authors in their arguments of Discourse and Historical Relation find ever the largest fields to walk in, to be fields of blood: where no day can pass without some notable action deserving the memory of a succeeding age; yet in that time and state wherein he bestowed his pains, the retiredst hours from employment afforded him an occasion of delivering some Observation or other worthy the approvement of a judicious Eye.  
For his Style (as I have elsewhere noted) it was nothing so dark nor concise as that of Tacitus. 
☜  The former more dilated; the latter more contracted. Both serious; the latter more sententious. These ground the first face or foundation of a State upon Laws; and they show with what obedience those were observed in their infancy. Romulus and Remus were both bvilders; the one material, the other mental. Numa begot in His both love and loyalty, by bringing His to understand themselves legally. Now, not sooner have they planted a State, than they begin to strengthen it with Actions. Desire of Command calls them abroad. Their Powers must be levied, Commanders elected, and those Wars made sinnewy and strong, that some exploit worthy the name of such a Nation may be performed.  
And having now presented the body of a State in her full growth, they show what is done, not without due attributes to them, by whom those actions were done. They run into commendation of those Agents of Valour, and they conclude; Such as the Captain is, such is the Soldier. They bring in Scipio, who used to have this Sentence in his mouth: That easy, favourable & affable Captains were profitable to the enemy, which though they were beloved of their Soldiers, yet they set little by them. This, so wise and experienced a Commander could not choose but make good use of: for the obedience of Scipio's Soldiers towards their General is confirmed by his own attestation: So observant were mine of whatsoever I commanded them, 
Nullus est horum qui non conscensâ turri, semel in marc-praecipitat urus sit, Si iussero. Plut.  that if I bade them climb to the top of a Tower, and from thence throw themselves headlong into the Sea, there was not one of them but would obey me.  
There is no passage to enliven the Spirit of a Soldier, which these omit: and all these couched in so Princely a Style, as without affectation, it comprehends much State. In a word, time shall sooner cease to breath, than posterity to breathe their fame.  
For the Epitomes of these, as Luc. Florus and others; me thinks they may be compared to short Commons. They do well so fare as they go; but they leave the Reader still with a strong Appetite. Something is ever omitted, which leaves the Stomach craving and unsatisfide.  
It is true indeed, that such Collections are useful for memory: like brief Notes or Diaries, which we carry about with us: And for ordinary Discourse, will serve well enough. But a Scholars Historical Task is of more difficulty, than to receive life and spirit from an Epitome.  
The judiciousest and most compendious Epitomiser breathing, should he Analise an entire History; and after many serious re-views and recollections, contract the whole body thereof into a brief Methodical Compendiary: So fare short should he found himself fall from the mind of the Author: as upon the next review, he would ingenuously confess, that he had rather run over him, than conversed with him.  
For Gellius, his Discourse rather falls upon Philosophical argumentation, than any Historical relation. Winter Nights you shall find there well bestowed. And he Styles them Athenian Nights, to express how those Studies with which Athens most flourished, were there sociably debated, Scholastically argued, and judiciously composed. Some Pieces of Natural History are here and there intervened, which may minister occasion both of profit and delight to such as shall seriously peruse them.  
Touching Valerius Maximus, his writings stand more upon Apothegms than History. He takes Survey of such especial Virtues and Vices as pressed most upon those times. Wherein, he recommends to posterity such memorable Persons as were Mirrors for the practice of the One; and rigid Censors in punishing the Other. He discovers nothing but by example; a moving kind of persuasion for imitation of goodness; and aversion from whatsoever is evil.  
Quintus Curtius, his Scene is single: his whole Discourse consists mainly upon the actions of one Prince; yet many pleasant and remarkable passages shall you find in the Princely progress of his life. A brave spirit displayed in every action. One, who knew how to vanquish; and how to moderate his felicity. One, who if he were not what he was, could choose with all his heart to be a poor Philosopher. One, who amidst his Military affairs, and managements of State, would deagne to talk with learning: purposely to improve himself as well in Arts as Arms. Never Prince by his power could do more, and by a sweet attemprature of his command, revengeless.  
Megabizes esteemed Alexander as a Prince whilst he stood in his School and said nothing, but when he began to talk of things which he knew not: he said unto him, that Even his little Children would, laugh him to scorn. This affront could that great Commander bear with a Princely patience: and labour by his own endeavour, and the instruction of an incomparable Master, to redeem his ignorance.  
Though a Cynic teach him mortality in an homely manner: and encounter him with mouldered Sculls in his triumph to his Country; he will scarcely reprove him for it, but usefully apply it, and benefit more by it, than by all those Nations he had conquered.  
Yet must his Errors be touched, that the sincerity of an Historian may become approved. His easy inclining to Laïs' lay no small taint nor tincture on his honour; that the counsel of a Wanton should get the Conquest of such a Conqueror.  
Velleius Patereulus, as he was not less elegant in his Style, than sinnowey and substantial in that Subject whereof he treated; may be justly bemoaned, that the injury of time should leave such maims in his Works: as no mention at all is made of all those glorious actions and memorable exploits of the Romans, from the very prime foundation of the City, till the ruin of the Macedonian Kingdom, by Aemilius, during the space of five hundred years or more. So as, what now remains extant of him, shows him not so full, as to the half Body: nor that neither in his own native lustre and beauty. In a word, unhappy was he in his mutilation, more unhappy in his Translation.  
For josephus, that sincere relater of the Jewish Wars, I shall take occasion presently to speak of him; give me leave only to tender him that commendation which Constantine the Emperor was sometimes pleased to bestow on so noble and faithful an Historian: As his life deserved perpetual praise, so his death eternal honour.  
Touching Appianus Alexandrinus in his Discourse of the Roman affairs, in my judgement he shows both wit and strength in his Lines. Not a pleasant passage but merits approvement from his Pen. None more serious, when he desires to be weighty; none more delightful, when the Subject admits a freedom to be witty.  
For our Greek Ethnic Historians (for of those Ecclesiastical Writers, we shall speak of them in their due place;) none comparable to Plutarch for Historical Morality; nor to Thucydides, for State and Majesty; nor to Herodotus, for Method and Perspecuity; nor to Herodian, for a quick and active Discovery; nor to Zenophon, for a rich Philosophical Delivery. Where every Sentence works strongly on the Sense, and begets some new Principle of Experience.  
But these, as I observed, wrote only upon the Actions of those times, with the quality of the Persons interessed in those Actions: being both for matter of Discipline and service estranged from us, and consequently retain less affinity with us. Yet of singular use (if discretion be had for severing the chaff from the pure grain) both for instruction and exemplary direction to these times.  
I will retire myself to such as may yield the Reader no little profit by consideration had to the judgements of God; modestly mixing Moral instructions with a sweet variety of Divine discourse: a matter which may seem directly opposite to my first intention, but is not so; for these Histories which I mean to produce, are so grounded upon infallible truths, as in that respect they may seem to merit a morally-Divine Title. 
josephus' commended.  josephus' works I especially entertain into my Family, as best describers of the judgements of God, expressers to the life, of an obdurate and stiffnecked generation. Here to behold the incomparable beauty of that glorious Temple (the type of the Celestial Temple) founded by that wisest of men, and that peace of Princes, Solomon, defaced, and that City which was once called, The City of the great King, demolished, 
Circumstances in the jewish War give an excellent beauty to the Discourse Vespasian is said to have his Tents there first pitched where our Saviour was taken.  and laid level with the ground. Than to direct our Eye to the wonderful judgements of God in raising civil discords, and mutinies amongst the jews themselves, the greatest means of their subversion, the main predictions of their ruin and utter destruction, before these wars came upon them; yet their impieties not a whit lessened, their arm of sin shortened, nor remorse of conscience excited: no refuge to the Religious, 
In Montem Olivarum Castra metans, etc.  but defence to the wicked in every place of the City ministered. Than Surveyed the pollution of that Sacred Temple, where Altars were once Erected, Peace-offering sacrificed, and the Prayers of the holy Consecrated to God; there naught but effussion of blood, slaughters among themselves (an Occurrent remarkable) committing not less Massacres upon themselves in the ceasing of War, than the Romans did in the heat of war: being wholly exposed to Tyrannical Factions in the City; to expose themselves to Roman servitude more easily. These examples of God's Justice, are worthy our Observation, to admonish us of our peculiar duties, 
The judgement of God in that History most remarkable.  careful how we offend, serious in the administration of Justice: For how should we think he will spare the wild Vine, that hath thus dealt with his own natural Vine? When he hath dealt thus with the Green Tree, what will he do with the Dry Tree? That Vine was planted with his own Hand, watered with the dew of his especiallest favours from Heaven, dressed and pruned, yet behold the wild Boar hath rooted it up: Et seges est ubi Troia fuit.  
The truth of that History is so undoubted, as besides his own concordance in relating, there is none that ever made question of the Truth and Verity thereof, composing what he wrote, not by report of Others, who speak (for most part) as they are affected, but by the approbation of his own Eyes, the best outward directresses to inward knowledge.  
To this Noble Historian (for he was Nobly Descended) I may add those excellent Greek Writers, 
Divine Histories.  worthy and memorable: as Nicephorus, Evagoras, Socrates, etc. For their Divine Examples plentiful, the success of the Christians amidst the tyrannies of the cruelest Emperors wonderful: the divers sorts of torments by those Tyrants invented, pitiful; and the dismal and terrible end of those Bloodsuckers, fearful. 
Insolency punished.  Here thou shalt see an Herod transported above himself, with the acclamation of his people: Not the voice of Man, but of God: And presently behold his pomp converted into loathsomeness, his precedent joy to a subsequent pensiveness, and the excellency of admiration to a sudden amazedness; he that seemed before a God, and no Man, is now by God made the miserablest of Man, forlorn and dejected: nay, if we would observe the whole current of their Histories, we shall see in them that God ever used to recompense the Offendor with a punishment of the like nature: Nicephorus reports, 
An excellent Example.  how Herodias daughter having begged the head of john Baptist, chanced on a time to go over a main river, frozen over with Ice, 
Punishment alluding to the condition of the fact.  where the Ice presently parting received her, and meeting again cut of her head, a true and evident Testimony of God's judgement.  
The like of that blasphemous wretch julian, a foul-mouthed detractor from the glory of God: who on a time mocked a Christian for talking reverently of the bowels of CHRIST'S compassions: But what end came of this miserable Atheist? His bowels fell out of his belly, 
Blasphemy punished.  being thrust through with a Javelin, confessing the power of God with a regreate, saying: Vicisti O Galilee! etc. yet vouchsafing to bestow no better name on him, than Galilean, a fearful end of a most profane Blasphemer.  
The like of Dioclesian that cruel Emperor (and a great persecutor of the Christians) who, whilst he reigned seemed little or nothing to fear the Divine power of Heaven; yet the History records, that Fear was the greatest occasion of his death; not, that he died by a voluntary fear, very jealous of the Air, jest it should pierce his Brain.  

☞ The like exemplary punishments inflicted on other Delinquents.  The like of Maximinus, who at that time raged in the East, as Maxentius did in the West. Of whose Cruelties to return a full Catalogue, would require an ampler Discourse than I have reserved for him. He, I say, who accumulated upon himself these Titles: Emperor Caesar, Maximinus, puissant, magnificent, Chief Lord, Lord of Thebais, Lord of Sarmatiae, five times Conqueror of Persia, Lord of Germany, Lord of Egypt, twice Conqueror of the Carpians, six times Conqueror of the Armenians, Lord of the Medes, Lord of the Adiabeni, 
Vid. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 17, 18.  Twenty times Tribune, Nineteen times general Captain, Eight times Consul, Father of the Country, Proconsul, etc.  
This matchless Tyrant, thus swollen up with Titles, after such time as he had plenteously rioted in the blood of the Saints, and slighted the power of Heaven: feasted in nothing more than the bloody Banquets of dislaughtered Christians. Wherhfore a Plague from above lighted on him, first taking root in is flesh, and afterwards proceeding even unto his Soul. For there arose suddenly in the secret parts of his body (to chastise him for his licentious impurity) an Imposthume or running Sore, afterwards in the lower parts of his privities a botchy corrupt Bile, with a Fistula; whence issued out corrupt matter, eating up the inward bowels, and an unspeakable multitude of Lice swarming out, and breathing a deadly stinch, 
The Corruption of his body seconds the Tyrant's Cruelty: dispatching such with his stinch, whom he had reserved for that Death in his healthful estate.  when as the Corpulency of the whole body through abundance of meat before the disease came, was turned into superfluous grossness; and than being grown to matter, yielded an intolerable and horrible Spectacle to the beholders. Wherhfore of the Physicians, some not able to digest that wonderful noisome stinch, were slain: some other (when there remained no hope of Recovery, by reason of the swelling throughout the whole body) being not able to help at all with their Physic, were cruelly executed themselves.  
But let us (if you please) take a Summary or brief Survey (the benefit will answer the pursuit) how those Emperors which were Ethnics and Panims, maintainers of Idolatry and Paganism; and how of the contrary, such as cleaved unto the Christian Faith, and held it there royalest Prerogative to be Defenders of it, ended their Reign.  
Was not Caius julius Caesar the first Emperor, slain by Conspiracy? Did not certain Soldiers with naked Swords dispatch Caius the Nephew of Tiberius? Was not Nero murdered by one of his familiar and dear Friends? Had not Galba the like end, Otho and Vitellius who all three reigned only sixteen Months? What shall I speak of Titus, whom Domitianus poisoned, although he was his own Brother? What say you of Commodus, did not Narcissus dispatch him out of the way? What shall I speak of Pertinax, and what of julian, enjoyed not both they one kind of Death? What, did not Antonius the Son of Severus murder his Brother Geta? And did not Martialis requited him with the like? What shall I say of Macrinus? did not the Soldiers use him like a Captive about Byzantium, and cruelly put him to death? Was not Aurelius Antonius of Emessa murdered together with his Mother? Was not Alexander immediately after him, together with his Mother likewise put to death? What shall I say of Maximinus (whom we formerly mentioned) whom his own Army dispatched? Or of Gordianus, who through the Treason of Philip was in like sort by his own Soldiers put to death? Tell me, I pray thee thyself O Zosimus, what happened unto Philip, and after unto Decius, were they not slain by the Enemy? Take Callus and Volusianus with them, were they not murdered by their own Armies? What of Aemilianus, had not he the like miserable end? What Valerianus, was not he taken by the Persians' in Battle, and led about of them in Triumph? What Galienus? was he not slain through Treason, and Carinus beheaded when Dioclesian came to be Emperor; whom Dioclesian cut of jest they should Reign with him? After whom Herculius Maximianus, his son Maxentius, and Licinius died with contumely and shame enough.  
But since the time most noble Emperor Constantine began to reign, since he consecrated unto God the City he had built, and called it after his own name, look about I pray you, and speak indifferently, was there any one Emperor in that City (julian, whose Apostasy exposed him to an imperious Tyranny, only excepted) that was murdered, either by his own Subject, or by the Enemy: or any other Tyrant vanquished the Emperor. Basiliscus excepted: who, although he thrust Zeno beside the Imperial Sceptre, he was overcome of him again, and lost his head.  
These Examples extracted from infallible grounds, may seem the judicious understanding of the Gravest, and fittest for Private Families, where order is best attained by Examples: We use most to be moved, when we see the end of such a Man, to caution us; 
Vid. Lud. vivem. de educ. virgin. 1. lib.  who having led his life securely, concludes the period of his days as miserably: And some have I known even of the discreetest and most virtuous parents, who, to deter their children from Drunkenness, used (like as the Epirotes did with their children) to hung the picture of a Hog wallowing in a filthy puddle, with this Inscription on it: 
An usual means of reclaiming drunkards from their bestial filthiness. Abite Symposia, distrabitis negotia. ib. jumentum bibit quantum sufficit; Homo bibet quantum sus●ocet. ib.  
Nunc Ebrius astet,  
Mequé Suem sumpsisse suam formam—  
Drunkard, if thou wouldst see this form of thine,  
Come here and see't depictured in a Swine.   
The Lascivious and sensual worldling, deciphered with this Character: Myrrah hanging in a chain of gold about her father Cyneras' bed, 
Every vice briefly deciphered.  with this Impressa.  Hinc Amor ut tenuit, suspendet. 
The miserable wretch that makes his gold his God, best expressed by Menedemus, with his Spade, delving and digging for life, with this Motto: 
Non tu sed tui f●nuntur tuis. Dum tu tuis dominaris, tui dominantur tuis.  Sic mihi divitias Famulique pati.  
Truest deciphering of all ices, proceeding from the exemplary events of Delinquents, committing what they like, and at last feeling what they like not: 
Economical Histories, teaching Private Families how to be disposed.  The best government in private, proceeds from Histories, and the serious reading thereof: the virtuous Matron squaring her course, by that modestest of Roman Dames Lucretia, making her (colum her thorum) her Distasse, her best companion in her bed, when her husband was absent: no vicious mind can deprave her, she is fight at home with her own passions, whilst Collatine her husband fights in the field against his Country's enemy: But you shall see Lentulus and Aruns, their wives rioting, and revelling in their husband's absence. 
☞ Necessary instructions for all Private Estates.   
You shall find sundry Instructions highly conducing to all Private Estates, in these Surveys of Histories. Directions for those are married; how to demean themselves in their several ranks or conditions. How the Roman Dames, after they had taken them to Husbands, were to bid adve to public concourse: by breaking of the Axletree of their Wagons at their Bridegroom's door: and putting of their shoes, (implying, that they were thenceforth to keep within doors, and never to go abroad.) What Instructions likewise were given them, to prepare them before they took themselves to a married state; which (to omit others less pertinent) were digested in this sort:  
Love all, but reserve your peculiar affection to One.  
Hate whatsoever deserves your pious neglect: and entertain that Subject, as one worthy your truest tender, who would rather dye than asperse the lest blemish on your honour.  
Hold him dearer than your life, who knows the essence of Love: who scorns to make a Semblance of that in Act or Tongue, which his intimatest thoughts confirm not for a truth.  
Piety should be your Diary: Sanctity your Deity.  
Earth your contempt: Elysium your content. Let this be your Object, that your Subject: That your Inn, this your Mansion.  
You are yet but oneself, one Soul: if ever you live to unite it; let it be linked to such a Love, as may essentially delight it: ever cheer it, never cloy it.  
The misery of an enforced Marriage, what Tragic effects it he's wrought; the World can witness: where joining of hands coming from disjoined hearts, hath made many a Nuptial, an heavy Funeral.  
Portion is a Worldings Object: Beauty the amorous Fool's Darling. Whereas, Virtue, be she never so poor, nor to the outward eye never so mean; retains in her what may truly enrich those that shall have her: and express that beauty in Age, which fare surpasseth all others in their Prime.  
You, whose happiness it hath ever been to gain repute; crown those rays of your Morning, with a glorious Evening. And to ripen those native seeds of goodness in you, make choice of such an one for your Mate, whose knowledge may improve you; that Art and Nature may make you such an absolute Creature, as whosoever eyes you, may admire you: and draw one line from your accomplishment, whereby they may imitate you.  
Though you be left, while others are chosen, hold not this your Contempt but Honour. Heavens have reserved you for the last Dish, to season the palate of a select Guest. Those Jewels are not in value lest, that are vended last.  
Your affection hath been long in planting: those are the best Foundations.  
That madding Fancy is a Frency, where Deliberation makes no entry.  
You have observed others choice; yet you preferred your Maiden-state before any change. A Marriage-day could not so fire your affection; as to beget in you one straying thought of altering your condition. What a fixed Resolve was this in Youth? you were no envious Corrival in others Rites; but were pleased to see others fed, with what you never tasted; harmlessly joying to hear others joy in that you never enjoyed.  
But being so well read in Man, yet never known to Man, make use of your Lecture, and in a lawful embrace give way to Nature.  
Let your Posterity make you a Mother; your breeding beget a new life in those who shall be got of you: that like tender Osiers twisted about you, they may become melodious Instruments to those Superior Powers that made you. To whose auspicious protection in the choice of your affection, that you may never stand in need of Viri-plata's Mediation, we recommend you.  
The like Directions you shall find for Virgins, and such as embraced a single life: with sundry Moral Motives to exhort Widows to Continence. Instructions likewise for Economical Discipline: Experimental grounds or Observations for Husbandry; all which for Brevity sake I pass over, 
Val. Max. Strabo. M●crob. Lud. viv. etc.  referring you to such who have copiously enlarged themselves in Subjects of this nature.  
If our Historians, now a days, would employ their Lamps and Oil in the delivery of a profitable History, such as might rather tend to the cherishing of the unripened blossoms of virtue, than the nipping of them: How happy members were they? Yea, that I may use Salusts words, though they retired themselves from public affairs, yet; Majus commodum ex eo otio, 
Historians most profitable to the Commonweal.  quàm ex aliorum negotijs Reipub. venturum: Yet such have been the depraved humours of former times, that the best Observors and Relators, have purchased little, save Envy, for their Labours: not, the very chiefest Historians have opposed themselves one against another. 
Enmity amongst Historians themselves.   
Titus Livius was so violent against poor Sallust (as Seneca observeth) as he objected that certain things, Transcribed by Sallust out of Thucydides, though elegantly applied, yet by him depraved and corrupted; which Aurelius Fuscus also, noteth to be done, as it were, of set purpose by Sallust, to derogate from the excellency of Thucydides writings: A mere detraction to such a worthy Author: But what works meriting Emulation, have not ever had Envy for their attendants? 
Hesiod. 1. lib.  I conceive the reason to proceed from that of Hesiod, who inferreth in Professions, none to be more apt to envy one another, than such as be of one Trade: Figulus figulum odit: True, for where either singularity is required, or hope of gain, there Envy is ever shooting her empoisoned Arrows: And (for the most part) Envy reigneth there most, where our Labours deserve most: The low Mushroom is seldom touched by the violence of any Tempest, but the peering Cedar is ever exposed to all vehemencies.  
For the particular use of Histories, and their fruit, 
Trog. Pomp.  I have gathered these Observances, extracted from a judicious Writer: Expert he was in all historical Relations, as his apt similitudes more fully demonstrate: what they are I have here set down, and as contractedly (as I could imagine) for the benefit of every understanding Reader.  
If History comprehend in it any certain documents for the instruction of Man's life, 
A compendious discourse of the general profit of History.  I suppose it expedient for all men; as well to select and make use of it, as to rush violently into such most plentiful and fruitful fields of History, where all exemplary grounds are in ample sort propounded. For what can be more pleasant, or more profitable, than in the Theatre of Man's life; so, to be made wary and wise by other men's harms (and that without harm) as to sit in safety, and yet to be instructed in all parts without jeopardy: choosing out Examples of all kind, which thou mayst apply unto thy own peculiar use, upon all occasions? And whereas History, is conversant oftentimes in the secretest counsels, importing the weightiest affairs of the greatest Persons: we that are men do with greatest appetite covet them, as likewise to be interressed in their events, because it is impossible (through the shortness of man's life) otherwise to abridge the successions of times, by the limit of our forgetful memory: or to see the prosperous Fortunes, Successes, and Ends of Empires, or manifestly to conceive the Causes of evils, either private or public; or in every hard and difficult assay, to have a precedent before our eyes, of such things as were tried before us, or which were in hazard before they were attempted by us: and that I may speak all in one word; to judge of things present, by things past, which is the property of a wise man, and discreetly to foresee of what is to come by all succeeding events. But it becometh us, to come so much the better furnished, by how much our History is with all fruits better fraught and replenished: And whereas there is the very same difficulty in judging rightly, as well of our own, as another's life; there is none that can duly (how piercingeyed soever) judge of another's life, that hath not measured his own: Of both sides it is to be employed, that not only a main difficulty is here placed, but also before we be to this History addressed, it is required necessarily, that we be not only endued with a certain Civil Wisdom and Moderation, but also to have our lives grounded on a settled intention, unless we will be miserably, and that perpetually, deluded with the vain illusions of this life.  

An apt similitude.  For even as it fares in a most sumptuous and royal Banquet, replenished with all sorts of dainties, one thing seems delightful to one which is distasteful to another; few things are liked of all, every one being best pleased with his own, though all dishes be alike to the Glutton: and as every one's appetite is, so is he affected; yet there is a mean (which Nature hath ordained) and a certain kind of nourishment, which in itself is merely simple and uncorrupted, and best agreeing with our bodies: From which, whosoever departeth so, as he crammeth himself above the bounds or determination of Nature, will found more inconveniency than profit in it. So in this diversity of Man's life, though there be a thousand forms, and a thousand purposes, and as every one is resolved in mind and judgement, so he judgeth of his own and another's life: yet there is one only path of virtue, which whosoever keepeth and observeth wisely, he only maketh use of his life really. Others, as in a doubtful supper, when they invite themselves to all pleasures, can neither found out in themselves or others what might deserve imitation, or whereto they make might recourse: But if there be any thing given to man by Nature, which is in his power to use well or ill, it behoveth him to use great circumspection in the use thereof: But what is he I pray thee, that will use more exact consideration in all his words and works (by the direct line of virtue) than in the use of such meats as are set before him? And who thinks not himself sufficiently instructed herein? In which how wonderfully are men deceived? Supposing that Discourse to be History, which teacheth the Reader, ministering to him matter of Learning (yet so) as a Banquet ministereth use and appetite to every one as he is affected.  
This is the reason that we see some so delighted with the sweetness of Reading, as obeying their own pleasure, they lose the inestimable fruits thereof. Such have no other scope in all Histories, than with which our Generous Musicians, use to pass time away, upon their Instruments: employed in reading only, to spend their weary hours, which be presently encountered with more wearisomeness: For there is no pleasure in it, 
Nulla voluptas est, quae non respicit virtuten.  which hath no reference to Virtue. The glittering object of glory and ambition exciteth others, and that which shows a flexibility of mind in all other things, vainly transports them to every brave & eminent image, forgetful how glorious and remarkable examples are produced by Writers; not only to follow virtue, and contemn honour offered us; but if a Competitor were admitted us to countermand the authority of our honour, to endure him with patience; yet, though none but fools will purpose to aspire to such merited excellence, without the like meriting virtue: we see many men, by the very reading of excellent things, to taste in themselves a certain kind of excellency, arrogating much to themselves, and resembling those Tragedians, who imitate the State of such persons they represented, after they have put of their Habits.  
There be also (but of these there be but a few) whom new, and unaccustomed things do delight (men of vulgar apprehension) who hearing the State of Emperors, for the most part, more esteem the Purple than the Man, 
Qui stupet in titulis & imaginibus.  the Picture than the Work: So effectual a force doth History exercise, and imprint in the Mind of the Reader.  
Now it is the scope, and draught of all Histories to excite man's sloth, and to arm him against all dangers; and whereas the force of examples (than which nothing can be imagined more powerful to persuade) tend especially to that end; it cometh to pass that by the security of men (who think other men's harms little or nothing to concern them) such things (as in themselves are memorable and worthy observation) be read and heard with a deaf and careless Eare.  
To be brief, there be some also (which one would hardly think) offend in a more severe, and Critic kind of reading: as if things should not be Writ as they were done, but as they aught to have been done. Wherhfore, partly by this curiosity, partly by that security (the very surfeit of confused and rash reading) it cometh to pass (as in a body pestered with corrupt humours) that a certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or ill disposition of judgement and opinion, which aught especially to be sound and sincere in the course of our life, and a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or bad temperature, converting all food into ill humours, useth to be contracted in us: and as meat availeth such as be distempered, nothing, so no profit at all by these means is ministered to our reading.  
I suppose thou seest how the very same reason is in reading History, and disposing the course of thy life: but this is certainly the greatest difficulty (to wit) the perverseness of our judgement, which is the speciall'st cause, that we are not moved with examples as we aught, but what way as our minds are inclined and affected most. And this difficulty is no less than the other: forasmuch as Writers do describe things done, as they do not only carry favour, but follow their own appetites (like some Builders) ever interposing their own peculiar judgements, 
Artif●cium benevolentiae colligendae habentes.  (of their own accord) praising some things, (though not praiseworthy;) and whatsoever liketh them, they imagine it worthy approbation: which (surely) if they did simply, it were easy to consent or descent unto them. But even as Cooks (for the most part) do more respect their Master's Palate than his Profit: 
Gulam saepiùs quám commodum Heri spectant.  Even so an Historian (I could wish the most did not so) applies himself to the appetite of the Reader. We are ofttimes therefore deluded by these two means, our own Judgement, and the prejudice of the Author, not laying things open and naked, as they were done.  
An Historian is the best interpreter of Acts achieved; whose judgement, if it chance to be corrupt, it cometh to pass, as when Wine (of itself neat and generous) taketh either some waft of the Cask, or is corrupted by some other distaste, which either proceeds from an imposture, or folly great & intolerable. We may see in one only example, the judgement of the Writer; The profane Historian ascribeth the events of serious and weighty affairs, to the council and industry of men; albeit he hath sufficiently tried, how foully those men were deceived in the events. Hence it is that men be drawn to great folly; that they, whose knowledge was scarce sufficient for the consideration of things subjected before their eyes; and whose force and strength not much exceeded little Worms, should by one small success arrogate the government of the whole world unto them. But a good Historian teacheth thus: Things (saith he) are purposed by Man, but disposed, and moderated by God; whereby he riddeth the scrupulous Reader both of folly and superstition (a mischief not less than the other;) and in all other proprieties, good Historians (whose studies are only consecrated to holiness) aught not to be ignorant of the Agent and Instrument wherein they differ, and what be their several Effects: the one moving, and the other moved. But especially I admonish thee to this end; that whereas I observe many Authors of that kind, who for their exceeding force of innumerable examples, deserve to be read; I could wish that the Novice-reader discuss with himself as circumspectly and seriously as he can, by proposing to himself both the fruits which might redound, and the dangers which might occur him in his reading: for to one that runneth over all Histories cursorily, or who rashly and unadvisedly spends his time without any exact observance of private or public duties, it cometh to pass as to Country Clowns, who in sacking of a neighbour City, take spoil of some Apothecary's shop well furnished with all receipts; where, provoked with the sweetness of some junkets or spices, being the first that came to their hands, and imagining the rest to be of the same sort, they swallow, sup up, devour, and gourmandise all before them; whereby presently some are taken with a strange disease, others with a Frenzy, most are bereft of life, none but strangely distempered, which occasions laughter through all the Army: For as Man's life, (so History the Image of Man's life) hath her commodities and discommodities: for the Government of Man's life consisteth only in the use of his life.  
In these Collections, as in a most clear Mirror, may our young Gallant see into his errors: he shall be of necessity forced to distaste himself, till he have relinquished his midnight revels, surceased from his licentious meetings, and reduced his disconsorting Passions unto a calm and retired harbour; here the public Magistrate shall be able to dispose of himself, and Office deputed unto him; seeing matters worthy imitation, and Precepts worthy the Gravest and Ripest Consideration: one to instruct, others to Correct, and all to make perfect this whole module of Man.  

☞ A review of those former Collections, applying them to our present occasions.  Now, to take a review of those former Collections, and apply them to our present occasions; Histories you have heard illustrated by divers proper Similitudes, to represent unto us the benefit thereof, both in respect of their delight, being modestly and discreetly seasoned; as likewise, the occasional profit we may make thereof; in the passages of this life.  
First than, he compares History to a Feast or Banquet, where Dishes of all sorts are provided and orderly disposed; implying, what Method is to be observed in the form or digestion of an History. Nither, indeed, could any Viands be more orderly disposed, nor decently dished, than hath been observed by our Historiographers in the comely disposition of their Writings: So well hath the Divine providence ordered, that whatsoever properly conduced either to the knowledge or practice of this life, might to Posterity be successively recommended.  
For first, to descend to the Order and Continuance of times agreeable to the Ecclesiastical History, we have at this day compendiously delivered unto us by the Works of such famous Historiographers as have written the said History unto the posterity following. For Eusebius Pamphilus hath written from the birth of Christ unto the reign of Constantinus Magnus: Socrates, Theodoret, and Zozomen have continued the times from Constantine, unto Theodosius junior, of which Emperors do Evagrius hath somewhat discoursed. As for the Divine and Profane Histories from the beginning of the World unto this day, they are orderly continued by painful Writers. And first of all, Moses began to Writ (as is declared of them which compiled these things together) of the things that were done from the Creation of the World, ●ven as he had truly learned of God in Mount Sina. Again, other followed him; shown the ready way to our Religion, and committed to Writing the Acts done since his time. Moreover (to descend as in a building from Story to Story) josephus wrote a very large Story, full of every kind of good matter.  
What fabulous things soever have been reported to have been done either by the Grecians or Barbarians of old time, who either were at Civil Wars within themselves, or waged battle with foreign enemies, or if any other thing can be remembered since the first mould of man was cast, all I say, besides sundry other Writers, is laid down by Characes, Theopompus and Ephorus. As for the Roman History, comprising in manner the Acts of the whole World, or if any other thing fell out by reason of their Civil discord or of quarrels risen between them and foreign Nations, it is tightly handled by Dionysius Halicarnassoe●●, who begun his Story from the time of the People called Aborigenes, and continued it to the reign of Pyrrhus King of Epirus. From thence unto the overthrow of Carthage, Polybius Megapolitanus hath excellently discoursed: all which Treatises though occasioned at divers and sundry times, Appianus with grave judgement hath contrived into Order, and compacted together; adding thereunto of his own, such things as were worthy of memory after their days unto his time. Diodorus Siculus wrote unto the time of julius Caesar, Dion Cassius likewise continued his Story unto the reign of Antonius of Emesa. The like matter and order hath Herodian in manner followed, ending with the death of Maximus. Nicostratus also, a Rhetorician of Trapesus, began with the reign of Philip the Successor of Gordianus, and wrote unto Odonatus of Palmyra, and the ignominious expedition of Valerianus against the Persians'. Of the same thing entreated Dexippus at large, beginning with the reign of the Macedonians, and ending with the Empire of Claudius, the Successor of Galienus. The said Author laid down the Wars of the Carpians, and of other Barbarians in Hellada, Thracia and jonia. Eusebius continued his Story from Octavianus the Emrours' reign, unto the time of Traian, Marcus, and the death of Carus. Arianus and Asinius Quadratus, wrote somewhat also of those times. The times following, reaching unto the reign of Arcadius and Honorius the Emperors, Zosimus hath prosecuted: and of the things which happened since their times, Priscus Rhetor with others hath discoursed. All which Histories Eustathius of Epiphania hath briefly run over, but very excellently, and divided the whole into two Volumes: The first containeth the Acts from the beginning of the World unto the destruction of Troy and the Palace of Priamus: the second continueth the Story from that time unto the twelfth year of Anastasius the Emperor's reign. There began Procopius Rhetor, and ended with the days of justinian. What happened since unto these our days (saith Evagrius Scolasticus, a serious Discourser and Discusser of Antiquities) although Agathius Rhetor, and john, both my fellow Citizen and Kinsman, have orderly written of, unto the time when Chosroes the younger both fled unto the Romans, and also was restored to his Kingdom by Mauricius, (who went not therein faintly to work, but courageously as it became an Emperor) and brought Chosroes into his Kingdom with great Treasure and Armed Soldiers) yet have they not as yet published their Histories. 
Vid. Evagr. lib. 5. cap. 24.   
Whence you may collect how orderly Histories have been disposed, how successively continued, and with what coherence suited, as hath formerly been observed. The chiefest of them, to retain them better in memory (and right useful is such Historical retention) have been ingeniously closed in this metrical Dimension.  
Baronius, jovius, Polydorus,  
Dodonaeus, Diodorus,  
Dorotheus & Eusebius,  
Ptolomaeus & Polybius.  
Annexing to these: 
Caelius, Lelius, & Valerius,  
Cineas, Plinius, & Pererius.   
Now, (to tie ourselves to that propriety of that Similitude used in our former Collections;) as in a Banquet there be several Dainties orderly dished, so be there appetites as diversely affected. What one distasteth, another relisheth; what one relisheth, another distasteth. So it fareth with our Readers of History. Some are for Solid meats; Serious Discourses, fit only for strong Stomaches. Others are for meats of easy and light digestion. What may relish with the , though it affords less nourishment, delights them best. Here a Comfit, there a Succot; only Kix-showes are for these lighter Guests.  
And many shall we encounter withal of this sort: who, should you question them, what they have read in such an History, or what useful Observance fit upon occasion, to be reduced to practise, they have gathered; it were to be doubted, if they return not the same answer, which that youthful Reader of Homer's Works rendered (as one newly come out of an Euphuus golden slumber) to one questioning him in the like manner. I found not a more pleasing Piece than Helen, nor displeasing than Thersites. Many such there are, who take a perfecter view of the Picture, than of the Substance. Poor mouldered earth, which sometimes (if Histories enlarge not themselves too fare) retained a graceful presence; and wrought such strong impressions in strange eyes, as they engaged both their own and Country's liberty, to become possessors of such a beauty, are attractivest Objects of their eyes, the retentivest Subjects for their memories. These come for company, amongst the more knowing and deserving Guests, to partake of this Banquet; but they prefer such sweet Meats, which corrupt rather than nourish, before those which may not only close the Appetite, but supply for nourishment.  
Others, more seriously affected, hold to that which may most nourish. These be our judicious Readers, who collect what may profit them in private Discourse, or affairs Domestic or Public.  
To see an Eminent Personage bear himself to his rank, we commend him; we say, he does not degenerate from those he came from: his disposition proves his descent; his Education, the worthiness of those that bred him. Observe this in your perusal of History; when you find a person nobly accomplished; One, who values honour before any worldly tender: you collect, he was not obscurely bred; his demerits plead for him. No Herald can found for him a better Coat, than his own personal worth. Now, reflect, Gentlemen, upon yourselves. Do you show yourselves abroad? Are you invited to public Feasts or other re-greets of friends? Tell me than, is not the Vessel to be known by the sound? Our vaporous Gallant, whose intimate acquaintance is his Tinderboxe and a Pipe, takes in snuff a serious Discourse. His entire Study is reduced into a small Volume; closing his Impress with, Pulvis & umbra sumus.  
And these Emblems of his Mortality though he carry still about him, he as easily forgets what they signify, as if they had no relation to Mortality. Poor seered things! Can you see these, and not pity them? Pieces made up in the shape of men, but so fare estranged from so Princely style, as, their feature excepted, they represent nothing less. Discourse, without that weak manual instrument, their Pipe, they cannot: and when they utter what smoke gives them power to deliver: they retain still that Emblem in their Dialect, which they evaporated from their Pipe, Smoke. The Judicious, I am sure, blush at this, and by a reflex of conceit (to use the Philosopher's words) are more ashamed of them, than they of themselves. For these conceive what a dishonour it were to them to show themselves so childishly in a public Society.  
It is true, all dispositions are not alike affected; Seeing, as Plato saith, running Wits are delighted with Poëtry, as Aristotle writeth, effeminate persons are ravished with Music, and as Socrates telleth us, Histories agreed best with stayed heads. This induced Alfonsus to have always in his bosom the Commentaries of Caesar: being also so much delighted with the History of Titus Livius, 
History to a discreet Ear the delightful'st harmony.  that on a time he commanded certain Musicians (though very exact in their Art) to departed, saying: He heard a more pleasant harmony out of Livius.  
When you come than to this Musical Feast; where you shall hear pleasing Airs mixed with doleful Lachrymae's; bring discretion along with you to rectify your distempered appetites. Leave light notes to persons of light note. Stronger meats are prepared for your well-concocting Stomaches: such as may nourish you, ●nd beget those manly abilities, that may fit and accommodate you for the knowing'st presence.  
It was the saying of a learned Statesman in this Kingdom (whose Works express him a serious reader of Men as well as Books) that he would have a gentleman rather superficially seen in all Learnings, than exact in One. And his reason is, that one who retains the Elements of all Knowledges, though they be but in a weak measure, yet he can deliver himself by way of Discourse in what Subject soever shall be ministered: whereas He, who hath confined himself to an exact sight of one Knowledge, and no more, being out of that Element, wherein he is solely exquisite, he must veil to other men's Discourse, and keep consort with Silence.  
Now, to enable you for all Companies, no study may better accommodate, nay accomplish you, than the knowledge of History. So as Calisthenes said to Alexander, that he had rather carouse old Grains with Diogenes in his Dish, than new Grapes with Alexander in his Cup;" For of all the Gods (quoth he) I love not Aesculapius: preferring conference with a Philosopher, before the society of a Sceptre: and embracing an abstemious course of moderation, before Festival and Epicureall meetings. Even so should I in my choice of acquaintance, desire more to enjoy his company; who hath been usefully versed on the Theatre of History; 
An exact Historian, a select Companion.  than any other, whose affected dress, or airy compliment gives only a sound to the Ear, but leaves no impression in the Conceit.  
In our election than of Company (as I have many times observed) let it be our care ever to make choice of such, 
Eum eligas in Socium, de quo tibi spes est aut meliorem reddendi, vel meliorem ab eo redeundi.  of whom we may be confident either to better them, or be bettered by them. And to choose him for our Master (to use Seneca's counsel) whom we may more admire when we see him, than when we hear him.  
For the habit of the mind is best discovered by the Action, Station and Disposition of the body. 
Eum eligas magistrum, quem magis admireris cum videas, quám cum audias. Seneca.  So as, he deserves not the style of a Master, who seconds not that title in his outward gesture.  
Thus you have heard this Similitude explained, in this resemblance of an History to a Feast: whereto if you come with tastes or appetites distempered; those various dishes, be they never so delicious, can afford you small delight: begetting rather in you a loathing than a longing. So, in this incomparable Feast of History, where Dishes stored with all variety of discourse are served up, if you come with distempered judgements, not distinguishing what is wholesome from what is noisome, that which might have redounded to your infinite profit, by inversion of the right use, returns to your detriment. Great preparation than is to be had in the solemnising of so Princely a Banquet.  
Secondly, he compares it to a Field. Where we may preambulate and solace ourselves after more serious studies. Neither shall you find more variety of flowers in the Field; than you may of excellent instructions, powerful examples, with other persuasive Motives in our Histories. You shall find Princes by taking their level from these directions, entertaining a facility of access, 

Facilitas in accessu, benignitas in aspectu, affabilitas in affatu.  
Optimi sunt socij, qui seriò faceti.  
Quid audisti, quo magis profuisti?  
In quo mèlior discessisti, quam cum so cios petijsti?   a benignity in Countenance, an affability in discourse. Others, though their Education had highly enabled them, their assiduate conference with learned Philosophers improved them: yet this their improvement extended but only to knowledge: They were contemplatively Proficients, but practically Deficients. The Wolf would not change his heart, though he had changed his hair.  
Again, as in a Field, you shall encounter with many kinds of fruits, which, howsoever they appear delightful to the eye, are dis-relishing to the taste. So shall you in those spacious flourishing borders of History; observe some Eminent Persons, whose fair Semblances promise' nothing more than the practice of every Virtue: Their Countenance cheerful, their Discourse delightful, their Service to their Country seemingly faithful; yet shall you find them true Tiberians, glorying in nothing so much as cunningly and covertly clothing their purposes with fair pretences, going invisible, and deluding their professed'st friends expectations with a seeming good. Others, like low-growing Plants, or earth-kissing Violets, though to the Eye of the World, they seem contemptible; yet try them, and you shall find them sweet and comfortable Consorts; though slightly observed, deservingly approved,  
You shall found how those men, who, as Cosmo saith, carry their heart in their mouth, are more to be pitied than feared. But contrariwise, those who carry their mouth in their heart, more to be feared than pitied. You shall hear Scipio described by Cicero to be the most cunning Searcher of men's Minds, and Sylla by Sallust. Thus may you store yourselves with flowers and fruits of all sorts in this Poly-carpian Field of History. And feel such fresh wholesome air to cheer you, as no distemper (unless your own dispositions feed it) can possibly surprise you.  
Thirdly, He compares some of our Historians to Builders; interposing their own particular judgements, and imping their own conceits, by which they many times divert the Scope of their History. Teaching the General of whom they writ, what he should do: neglecting in the mean time his own Office, of recording what was done. And this error falls many times upon a presuming Reader, as well as the original Author. For many of our Critics, who hold Minerva's Anvil to be in their Brain, cannot read a Line without a Censure: and these for most part delight in nothing more than catching and carping at an error. 
Ad reprehendenda al●ena facta atque dicta ardet omnis animus. Sallust.  This confirms Salusts' Position: To reprehend others Actions and Speeches each man's mind is strongly affected.  
But if you mean to build wisely upon these Stories, you must leave behind you all prejudicated conceits. Read Actions as they were done; imitate whatsoever you find commendably done: Eschew whatsoever you find ignominiously done. Examples are useful for you in both kinds: These to deter; those to allure.  
Fourthly, he compares these glozing-sugred Historians to Cooks; who (for the most part) use to prefer their Master's  before his profit. Such as these delude their Guests with guilded Plates, and indented Pastes. But guilded meats will never alloy hunger. Profit and pleasure mixed together make the best music. The smell of Meat can not more feed the belly; than the sound of money fill the Purse. There be some wholesome things indeed (saith that sinnowy Seneca) which without either touch or taste, 
Sen. de Tranq. anim.  profit much with their smell. But by these, the Moral meant no material Flowers: Those internal graces or beauties of the mind, which had received sweetness from Philosophical instructions, were those sweet fragrant Odours he meant by. But to press this Comparison a little farther: Our Historians should not be such Cooks, as only to intent a pleasing of the Sense. There is more in History, than delighting a youthful appetite. He than that desires to have his Works live to posterity; or in after Ages to retain his Memory; must disesteem these pleasing humours of complying either with Time, or with any One; high in favour with Time. It was the Poet's resolution: 
As in my choice of meats, so in my Book, 
— Coenae sunt fercula nostrae, Mallem Convivis quám placuisse Cocis.   
I'd rather please my Guests, than please my Cook.   
He Writes the best, who humours lest. Nor can he express him●elfe better, than in composing his Style to the state of that Subject whereof he Writes: Aiming more at public profit, than any man's private respect or favour: for Partiality, of all others, lays the greatest aspersion upon an Historical Labour.  
Fiftly, He compares the judgement of an Historian, when it becomes corrupted, to Wine; (which of itself neat and generous) taketh either some waft or unsavoury taste from the Cask, or is corrupted by some other accident. Mixtures of Histories may be not improperly resembled to our mixtures of Wines. They make them loose their flavour and victor. Unless they be so discreetly mixed, ●hat the strength of the History be not weakened; nor those principal passages whereof he takes occasion to treat, disordered or omitted. Wine muddy or troubled we cannot endure; it must be fined and cleared from the Lees. And so must History. Purged and refined it should be from all Leeses; or incredible Lies. From all impertinences, useless digressions, artless independencies. Otherwise it will taste flat; and beget a distaste to any discerning judgement.  
Lastly, He compares unadvised Readers of History to Country Clowns, who in the spoil of a City, break into some Apothecary's shop, well furnished with all receipts: but not distinguishing what is Sovereign from what is Poison; offering to their Sense for for good whatsoever seems pleasing: They fall into Frenzies, Pleurisies, and all Distempers. Observe this Gentlemen, and make use of it. The Dear, if he be wounded, can fly to Ditany, to cure him; The ●eare when he feels himself sick, 
Ambros. in Ex●m.  seeks for Emmets, and eats them, and these recover him. The Bee, if he be distempered, hies him to Balm mint, and that cheers him.  
Is it so, that these irrational Creatures know how to cure their griefs; and will you neglect what may cheer your minds? You may find in History, as in a Confectionary, sovereign Receipts, choice Electuaries to cure all maladies. Whatsoever is defective in you, may be here supplied; and whatsoever is in some small measure perfected, may be more fully accomplished.  
Nothing, whether it conduce to Discourse or Action, War or Peace, Arts or Arms, but may by Historical Helps be highly advanced.  
The Philosopher's Axiom is: Omne quod non ens est, malum est. And worse than no being (have they) who measure out their lives without a due proportion drawn from others, and applied to themselves. 
Instruction the light of understanding.  Instruction is the light of Being, the directress of Living, and the best Schoolmistress that disciplines us dying: States public are managed by her, Offices private administered by her, and the wisest men have desired to possess her. No Beauty more permanent, Gem more eminent, or Treasure more Excellent; it beautifies itself; and no Phidias could ever portray any picture so well as it portrayes itself. And what instruction better than that which comes from History, where the true Image of our life is delineated, Virtue in her best colours expressed, and Vice (without either shadow or pretence) laid open and naked? The Prodigal reads, 
Histories, mirrors for all States.  and sees himself represented in another Person; he sees the miserable end of others, which (unless he will fall with open eyes) must needs caution himself: he sees hare-brained courses, leave both Patrimony and reputation behind them: Penelopees Wooers, ever wooing, never winning. The miserable wretch, that pincheth himself to enrich his unthankful Posterity, may see the fruit of gathering Perdition to himself, and ofttimes occasion of ruin and speedy desolation to his surfeiting Heir. Here the brave Soldier sees his own fame; Acts duly and fully expressed: not a famous Exploit (deserving memory) must be silenced, but the very name of the Agent, (to excite others the more) must be Recorded. Here the effeminate Milksop, that fights best under his Lady's flag, first man that will come to a lascivious Banquet, but last that will come to a pitched field: He (I say) must show himself, 
Histories must not partialize.  though smally to his credit: yea, Alcybiades (though otherwise well deserving of his Country) must be set out in his ignominious death; aswell as his memorable life; giving up the Ghost in the lap of his Concubine Tymandra.  

☞  He defined History to life, though confined to a short line, who called it: A Theatre of noble Actions, begetting in the Spectators a laudable Envy, a glorious Emulation.  
Nor shall we found in the whole passage of our life, 
History the best Herald for deblazoning virtue or vice.  so true a Herald for deblazoning Virtue or Vice, as it is. We say, Letters cannot blush: and though many unbeseeming Act be by her presented, with the quality of the Person by whom it was acted: yet like a faithful undaunted Record, it recommends with a composed and censorious countenance, how it was done and by whom, without glozing with Person or Time. Such Registers cannot perish: whereas others, who are won by Greatness, or corrupted with base Lucre, (of all others the basest) or out of private discontent (an Error too commonly taking amongst many Historians) asperse dishonour on any Person or State (of all others the hatefullest) cannot promise' any perpetuity, because they fail in their foundation, being not grounded on Principles of Verity. O what a graceful beauty bestows our Historian on Virtue, when expressed in any Eminent Person! How it woos Followers, and wins them to be Imitators of such goodness! The Members cannot be distempered, when the Head is healthful. When the Prince turns Philosopher, the whole Court becomes an Academy.  
History than, as it may be properly styled, The Nobleman's Lecture: So their Actions, Lectures to the inferior. Nothing commendable in the great, which brings not with it an Additament, being clothed with greatness. For great Persons, be their life's remarkable either for some eminent Virtues, or egregious Vices, they become precedents to their shadows.  
Three especial commendable qualities have been thought ever fitting Consorts to accompany Persons of quality; 
Three especial qualities suiting well with the condition of any Eminent Person.  but these have been ever observed most estranged from their society. 1. Patience in suffering Adversity: 2. Moderation in bearing Prosperity: 3. Humility in attempring Sovereignty.  
That wise Chylo, when his brother took it distastefully, that he himself should not be made Ephorus, when Chylo was; made him this answer to alloy his Choler: Content yourself Brother, I know how to suffer injuries, so do not you. Implying, that none was fit for place of Authority, but could patiently endure affronts, or suffer an injury. This it was which so truly recorded Camillus name in the Annals of Honour: whom neither his Dictatorship could too much raise, nor his exile from his Country, too much deject.  
This, those praiseworthy Romans bravely showed in their constant and unamated resolution after their disaster at Cannae (as hath been observed) where at such time as hearing of nothing but utter ruin and desolation ringing in every place, they did nothing unworthy themselves: 
☜  deserving no less honour in bearing their loss, than their enemies in obtaining the prize. But for one precedent of patient-suffering in this kind; we shall meet with many opposite examples, inclining to a contrary bent. Yea such, who had been sufficiently schooled in Philosophy, and had read what weak trust was to be reposed in prosperity. Amongst these, you shall found some overcome with grief● upon innovation of government, to lay violent hands upon themselves. Poniards and poisons their familiar receipts to cure all discontents. These could not endure to see the face of a State altered, their Consull-authority disvalue; their ancient Law's dis-annulled; but they must witness their grief with a fatal stab; though such a desperate act confer no benefit to the State.  
Not less rare have our Historians held Moderation in bearing Prosperity, with persons of Command and Sovereignty.  
Alexander in the height of his success, was so fare transported with the suppositious title of a Deity, as he began to forget Mortality: yet one wound received can make him retract that Error; and confess himself a mortal man, though the world's Commander. What would he have said, if he had seen himself remain thirty days without burial; but Diogenes (poor contemptible Diogenes) solemnised with a glorious Burial. 
Aelian. lib. ●2. Laërt. in vit. Di●g.   
How fare Pyrrhus, the victorious Caesar, experienced Hannibal, imperious, but afterwards calamitous Antiochus, Majestic Mithridates, Martial Miltiades fell short of this Moderation, their own actions (deblazoned to life by our Historical Heralds) will sufficiently demonstrate.  
These wanted Simonides to sing unto them, as he did sometimes to Pausanias; or as that Page every morning did to Philip of Macedon: 
☜ Respice post te; hominem memento te. Tertul. Apol. c. 33. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Prima sumus obliti, post rema non intelleximus, quia prima non meminimus. " Philip remember that thou art a Man. Or the Spartans' speech to the Samnites: We have forgot our beginning, we have not understood our ending, because we have not remembered our beginning.  
Whereas in others we shall find an absolute Moderation in the height of their Prosperity; and such a Princely command of themselves, as their very minds declared them worthy of nothing less than Sovereignty.  
This appeared in the Moderation of noble African, mild Marcellus, strict Severus; who with an easy contempt slighted the honour they enjoyed, and could Philosophically digest the loss of fortunes, if they perished: whence we close, Honour can be no attractive Lure, to the composed spirit of a true Heröick Lover.  
Lastly, with what a Princely beauty Divine Humility shows herself in the bosom of Nobility, may appear in that modest reply of that victorious Godfrey, to such, as after his glorious Conquest of Hiërusalem, to the honour of Christendom, offered to set a Crown of gold upon his head, but he refused it, saying, God forbidden that the Servants head should be with Gold crowned, where his Master's head was with Thorns pierced.  
Now, the rarity of this Virtue (or rather the repository of all virtues) is recommended to us by Venerable Bede in this memorable story: Aidan a religious Bishop, weeping for King Osuinus, and demanded by the King's Chaplain why he wept? I know, said he, that the King shall not live long: for never before this time have I seen an humble King. Which happened accordingly, for he was cruelly murdered by Oswin. Howsoever, if in any of these, such Personages as the Historian makes mention of, fall short, through corruption of discipline, he should not be sparing in his modest discovery, so it import the subject of his History: where it is expected all things should be delivered impartially.  
Absolute Histories will not admit of the lest concealment; but representing every Act, Person, and Event, use to illustrate what is worth insisting upon, omitting (or at lest cursorily passing over) more fruitless Subjects: and how delightful may it seem to every judicious man, when in reading of ancient Records, he confers the Stratagems of War than used, with the present observance of this Time: sees (and seeing) notes the sundry dispositions of men, how noble in themselves, and how generally esteemed invincible, by a sudden conversion laid low, beneath the stirrup of Fortune, and made a spectacle of Fate! Than to observe States, better governed in their decline than in their height; and fare more able in power, when in the eye of the World lest powerful. The Romans, when they had attained the very height of Felicity, that all Governments were their Tributaries, than they began to stoop most under their burden; and pressed with their own grandeure, seemed to imitate the Phoenix, who weary of herself, desired to have her ashes renewed, but herself extinguished. 
Rome in her decay, compared to the Phoenix.  What ambitious Tyrants proud of their own strength, and secure of Divine power, are laid flat in the height of their expectancies: so as where they planted the foundation of their hopes, there they were most defeated; to express the providence, & all-working Majesty of God, who disposeth of all governments, 
A Christian consideration of the power and Majesty of God.  pulling down the tyrannical Empires, and setting wise and discreet Princes in their place! And no motive (of profane writings) more effectual than Histories, to draw us to a consideration of ourselves, and the Majesty of God, whose excellency beautifies this Universe, teaching us to admire, and (in our admiration) to tremble and fear, having recourse to the incomprehensible judgements, and secret counsels of the Almighty.    

Every private Family may drain hence unspeakable profit, 
Profit derived from Histories to private Families.  observing the divers casualties, & mutabilities subject to every one that is interessed especially in matters of state; preferring their own private and free Life, before popular admiration, so entangled with continual incertainties. Here may the poor Husbandman, at his leisure, receive tidings from Foreign Courts: here he may learn what difference there is betwixt the Coulter and the Sceptre, the Share and the Shield. Here may the Merchant's wife pity her poor husband, 
Merces domestica in conjugio, longinqua in navigio sita est.  tossed with so many adverse winds, environed with so sundry dangers, and exposed to so miserable adventures; she cannot choose but play true at home, that hath a husband so faithful abroad, who endangers himself to make her secure: why should any come into his hazard, that like a Tennis-ball casts himself into every hazard? Here the wife of the valiant Soldier may see what difficulties her distressed husband is exposed unto, heat, cold, watching, hunger, thirst, all inconveniences, to propagate the glory of his Country, & purchase himself a name eternally memorable. His poor family hath reason to pour out their prayers for his deliverance, and thankfully ascribe all glory to the power of Heaven for his safe return. To be brief, what particular estate not engaged to Relations of this nature? 
The description of a Mariner's danger.  The Mariner seethe his dangers; and seeing them, observeth the influence of the Stars, and Planets, the Orion and the Pleyades; yet in all these observances, he gathers there is a Power above, whom the Sea and winds obey 〈…〉 to him therefore, as (the expertest Pilot) he flies for succour, finding no harbour more serure, no repose more safe. 
The Soldier's discipline by Histories.  The Soldier sees into the Discipline of Arms; & (by History) apprehends how a small handful of Men have ofttimes conquered an Army, to the judgement of Man invincible: he sees into it, and admires the wonderful power of God, who worketh ofttimes directly against all means, to teach us thus much: that his power is not limited to means; but can effect (without the lest instruments) what in his sacred Synod he hath ordained. Here the Merchant fees into the richeses of the whole Earth, how it pleaseth God to subject all things to the service of Man, to the end Man might only reserve himself for the service of God: he observes the exceeding favours of Heaven shown upon Earth, and he collects hence, that those joys,: whose comforts and exceeding treasures which he keepeth for the Elect in Heaven, must needs be great above all comparison. Si tanta solatia in die lachrymarum, 
Aug. Soliloq. cap: xxi.  quanta conferet in die nuptiarum? These considerations must of necessity move him to play the good Merchant, who finding one Gem of price, will cell all and buy it.  
Yet see the misery of Man! 
☜ A Motive to thankfulness, derived from a Commemoration of man's irreparable misery, without God's ineffable mercy.  That he who hath received all things from that insiccate Fountain of Divine Bounty, should prefer the fruits of Misery, before the promises of God's Mercy!  
Those erring Philosophers, when they conceived those sweet-relishing comforts they enjoyed by the Ministry of the four Elements, they could not (poor deluded Souls!) ascribe less than the Title of a Deity to every distinct Element. Zeno makes Fire; Zenophanes Earth; 
Four several Philosophers ascribed distinct Deities to the four Elements.  Anaximenes' Air; Hippeas' Water, to be their Gods. Yet, when all these Elements join in one voice and vote, crying, We are not your Gods, seek him above us: H●e is your God, He is our God who made both you and us; We become less thankful to our true God, than they to their false Gods.  
A Motive, than, to Thankfulness, might be worthily hence derived from a Commemoratioon of Man's irreparable Misery, without God's ineffable Mercy.  
Glorious is the Image he he's imprinted in him; various and beauteous be those graces he he's bestowed on him; a more precious prize is reserved for him: and are not all these of power to woo and win him? Again, should he reflect upon himself, and consider how by sinful declining, he is daily descending to a miserable condition, from which, without God's great mercy there is no redemption: he would turn, no doubt all Niobe: and with pious tears, holy vows, religious purposes, virtuous actions, labour his freedom from captivity, to repossess him of his primitave liberty. Histories are plenteous in examples, relating the miseries of Eminent States; and how soon those, who to the eye of the World, appeared most happy; closed so cheerful a Day with an Evening Summons of irreparable misery. And the greatest ground of their unhappiness, took life generally from their own selfe-confidence. It was the Saying of that Noble Themistocles:" I had perished, had I not perished. And it is the general condition of all Mankind: Men are never farther from happiness, than when they seem to be in most happiness. For what is this Theatre of Tragic encounters, Where we act this calamitous Scene of our life, but ever hung about with mourning? Troïlus was held more happy than Primus, because he died younger, and therefore his tears fewer than Priamus. Mithridates had been more happy, if he had died sooner before he saw his misery. Darius, while victorious, might have died gloriously; a few longer days eclyp●'d his glory. He, who sometimes thirsted after Sovereignty, and failed in that which he most sought, when in his flight he drunk muddy and stinking water, said; That he never drunk a sweeter draught.  
Contraries by opposition receive best illustration. Let us eye the condition of those States which many years have preceded us, and collect our own happiness by their disquiets. Sweet is War to them that have not tried it. But such as rightly weigh it, with the inconveniences that accompany it, will tender all thanks to that Prince of Peace, by whose blessing they enjoy it.  
These, by daily experience can distinguish of the Utilities betwixt Peace and War. They observe, how in Peace, Sons bury their Fathers: but in War, Fathers bury their Sons: how in Peace, the sick are healed: but in War, the whole are wounded. Where it is doubtful, whether the Agent or Patient be more miserable. It is an excellent Rule, which is commended to us, 
Bellum nec timendum, nce provocandum. Plin. Panegyr. ●raj●●●.  in the use of War: Neither to provoke taking up of Arms, nor to lay them down upon just occasion offered. But how happy we; when in this our Enclosed Garden, our own Olive may feed us, our own Vine cheer us, our own Figtree shadow us! This, other Neighbour-States are fare from enjoying; yea, such, as so nearly bound us, that, " Exiguâ prohibentur aquâ— A small cut divides us, but a great difference of condition betwixt us. This, in the remembrance of others unhappiness, should induce us to thankfulness.  
God hath in store Judgement as well as Mercy; of the first Cup others, and those our Neighbours, have deeply tasted, of the latter, our Cups have been plenteously sweetened.  
God hath poured down the Viols of his Wrath upon other Nations, in sending out those three fearful Messengers, and in shooting those three fatal Arrows; Famine, Sword and Pestilence; We only who deserve lest, have shared in the last, and have for a season mourned, yet are not we converted: our grief being for most part rather for decrease of our Trade, or Traffic, or the decay of our Worldly estate in some measure, than hearty sorrow for incurring God's displeasure.  
The only useful way for us in this Review of God's Mercies to us, and his Judgements upon others, is to retreeve our thoughts from earth; to fix our affections where we have stored our divinest Treasures. 
Tunc verâ requie ●or afficitur, quando in Coelestibus unicè figitur.  And as Heaven h'as shut her windows of Judgements to us, and hath opened them upon others: And h'as opened the windows of his Mercy to us, which he has shut from others: let it be our especial care to ram up our windows, I mean our outward Senses, that Death enter not in by them; and Tarpeia-like, 
Intrâ cancellos tennere Sensus, Comprimant saevos ut amoris aestus, integrae mentis repetendo quaestus Limine pacis.  betray our chiefest Citadel unto them.  
The Poet in the person of some Virtuous Ones, expressed neatly the Sovereign effect of this receipt in these Words: 
Within their Lodges they their eyes restrained,  
That Lures of light love might be still refrained,  
Whence the rich prizes of pure minds they gained  
With peace adorned.   
Thus if our affections were erected, our actions directed, and our ways corrected, we should soon (to use Seneca's words) Gather our Vessels in the Haven safely, and after a long perilous voyage, arrive with Glory.  
Every private household is a little Kingdom within itself, and needs instructions (though not so consequently serious) as the greatest Palace, and royalest Empire: order must be observed in the one, as well as in the other; a Principality in both, and a subjection to both. What fit for the householder to train his children, servants, and attendants in (next Divine Writ) than the reading of profitable Stories, such as excite to Virtue, and stir up their minds to the undertaking of something worthy a resolved spirit? I know the base minded Groom hearing the prosperous success of Lucius Quintius, 
All Arts may be reduced to noble attempts and condign fortunes by their own professions.  who was chosen one of the Patricij from his Blow stilt, and afterwards by his valour and magnanimity, reserveth the name to this day, of Triumphalis Agricola: a poor Husbandman sitting in his Chair of Triumph, will desire by all means to imitate so notable a precedent; scorning to rip up the bosom of the earth, when he may purchase himself more fame by the deblazing his honour upon earth. The homespun Shepherd, hearing the renowned Acts of Romulus, fed and brought up among Shepherds: and of Cirus, who bore himself a Prince among Shepherds, will cast away Scrip and Sheepe-crooke, and behave himself a worthy successor in their profession. The Gardener hath an Emperor of his profession, to imitate, and an honest one too, as his name implies, to wit, Probus. The Woodman or Forester, a Pompilius. The Diviner, a Zoroastres: and the Philosopher, an Antonius. But many have we, that we may better imitate than Princes: as their state was eminent, so were their natures depraved. 
Royal Errors.  We shall read that many of them were as good Law-breakers, as Lawmakers; and the greatest Vices appeared lest, (though most approved) in greatest men. They had ever virtuous pretences to shadow vice: sin became clothed in Tissue. We shall see impunity of offences to be a great supportress of them, presuming still on the King's mercy, and squaring their course to his Discipline: for Subjects love to imitate their Prince, either in Vice or Virtue: but more are there inclined to the worst than the best; making this conclusion, through long and inveterate custom of sin; which Medea in that cunning and acquaint Discourse seemed to compass, with this subtle preparation, laying this grand-hold of proceeding: Fructus est scelerum, nullum tibi scelus putare: A position of Machiavelli: Wherein every judicious Reader may gather the admirable and inscrutable wisdom of God, 
Machiavels Position.  frustrating their devices, annihilating their purposes, never bringing their designs to effect: yea, which is more worthy our observation, making there the most fools, where they thought themselves to be most wise. For their policies either in governing, or establishing Empires; How fare short have their purposes ever come to effect: Examples I could produce many of this nature, as well Divine as Moral.  
It is a safe, because a Divine Conclusion; 
☜  No Estate secure without the protection of a Supreme Power. Take a Survey of all conditions, and you shall find Frailty the Foundation they stand on. Cares and Fears, Shadows they cannot fly from. No Guard so strong, as to secure from Fear a Prince's state: yea, he shall find his very Kingdom to be his Prison while he is in it, 
Omne regnum suo principi carcer est, si ●●cat, alienum.  and to be another's when he is removed from it. Yea, he shall find nothing to be more profitable for a King, than sometimes not to play the King. Yea, were there no Enemies to invade him; No disloyal hearts to undermine him, yet would he encounter with jealous and suspicious fears within himself to surprise him. This Potion wrought strongly with Dionysius, that Tyrant of Syracuse, who (as upon the like occasion hath been formerly observed) became so suspicious, as he would not trust his Barber to shave him, 
☞  causing his Daughters to supply the Office of Barbers. Poor Majesty! What pleasure could this Tyrant take in having a Kingdom; when his Crown could not sit more close to his head, than those individual Cares to a Crown clung near to his heart? This caused Seleuchus so accustomably to say, That if a Man knew with what Cares a Diadem was clogged; how very few ●oures he were from disquiets freed; he w●uld not take it up, though it lay in the street.  
Yea, should neither Enmity assail him, nor infirmity inv●de him, nor cares seize on him, nor fears surprise him; yet would he found within him, though he had no assailants without him, that would daily amate him, nightly awake him. And now, when he he's summed up all his cares; and summoned all his fears; he finds all his seeming glory, that mighty mass of Majesty, confined to a very straight period.  
Though Zerxes march along with a populous Army, drinking dry whole Rivers as they go. Though Alexander intent to reduce Mount Athos to the proportion of a Man; a small Molehill in comparison of a Mountain will serve to cover him. It is not in the power of a Monarchy to pled her prerogative against Mortality.  
Let Aegistus shroud himself with shame under Clitemnistra's shelter; Let Achilles expose himself with glory to all danger; an inevitable fate attends on both: Though Fame solemnize the Funeral of the one; but Infamy the obits of the other.  
Continent Cornelia aswell as Sensual Scriboni; virtuous Lelia aswell as vicious Semphronia; modest Flavia aswell as wanton Faustina; constant Octavia aswell as incontinent Messalina must share stakes equally with Fate: only they differ in the estimate of Fame: Inaequales nascimur, aequales morimur. Unequal in Birth, equal in De●th. An equality of condition exacts an equal necessity of our dissolution. Neither be the Low wholly more secure than the High; which is not less sententiously than truly verifide: 
Winds upon Cedars with most fury blow,  
Whose fall must ruin those that grow below.   
O how dear have many of our shady Followers of Greatness bought this Experiment! when their dependence upon such as were addicted to Ambition, brought them along with their unhappy Masters, to a speedy ruin. No Estate than can be secured: so long as we are Pilgrims, we must be enclosed with perils. For as Simple men are catched by others, so are Politicians catcht commonly by themselves.  
For tell me, thou Leprous Timist, who infectest the Air by which thou breathest, makest the Earth barren whereon thou treadest, makest every creature thy enemy which thou enjoyest; what will it avail thee to be a professed Neuter, to make Religion a politic end, to be ever resolving, and never resolved; ever doubtful, and never settled; to be a Top which always runs round; or a Wheel ever holding a circular Motion without progression? To have thy Religion ebbing and flowing; thy Profession like the Soul of Hermotimus in Plutarch, 
Plutarch. de Socratis Genio. Hesych. de vitâ Philosophorum. Liv. Dec. 1. lib. 1  and of Epemenides in Hesychius, coming and going: little caring whether Religion sink or swim, whether thy Profession stand or fall; or like to Metius Suffetius in Livy, who would strike or speak for neither side, until one side go down, and than join to that which is best for Commodity?  
What will this avail thee, thou temporising changeling! Thou canst not shroud thyself, nor actions from his eyes, who seethe all things, always, at once. He, who he's not God pleased, shall never escape his fury unappeased. There was never since the beginning of the world so cautious a Delinquent, that could found an Appeal from God's judgement.  
Let the Usurous wretch scrape never so carefully; contract never so cautelously; hoard up never so plentuously; and gull the world never so subtilely: all this will not secure him; he he's Sergeants within him to attach him; besides his prodigal child, whose forlorn hopes daily and nightly startle him.  
Gnipho the Usurer (as Lucian feigneth) lieth in Hell lamenting his miserable estate, that one R●dochares an incestuous prodigal did on earth consume his goods wastefully, which he with care and unjust means had scraped and racked together.  
This Fiction begets a representave action: we shall found few scraping Gnipho's, but they ever leave behind them their scattering Rodochares. Be it every man's care so to regulate his providence: that his fortunes may appear to be the Revenues of a good Conscience: and his Seed succeed in the possession of their inheritance. In the enjoyment of which happiness, let none of us labour of such an Atrophy, as to want an healthful and thankful digestion of God's gracious benefits.  
The Highest Prince than, be he never so strongly guarded; nor with foreign Allies powerfully friended; nor with Treasures, wars sinews, enriched; nor with Ammunition furnished; cannot promise' himself to be secure, without the protection and assistance of a Supreme power.  
How safe thought Cirus himself established in his new Translated Monarchy? when behold his security ends as miserably, as his beginnings had a flourish of seeming happiness: Unfortunate he was for to be deprived of his hoped-for Greatness, by a Sex so weakly effeminate: Sousing that Head (which was Head to a powerful government) in a tunnel of blood, with this bitter invection: Satia te sanguine quem diu sitijsti, 
Iust. 1. lib.  cujusque insatiabilis semper fuisti.  
The like of his successor Cambyses, who hoping to plant himself in a royal Throne by blood, miserably ended his own life by his own blood. 
Ipse enim gladio spo●te suâ evaginato, in femore graviter vulneratus, occubuit. ib.  An excellent and notable example of a sacrilegious and bloodthirsty Prince, who sought to establish himself by indirect means▪ (to wit) by the murder of his own Natural Brother Mergis. I insist longer upon examples, because I have ofttimes found that Sentence of Demosthenes to be most true: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
Examples best motives to piëty, confirmed by the Orator Demosthenes.   
These examples being best motives unto Piety, and, indeed, more forcible, in that we have two occasions in exemplary Precedents of imitation; the one to caution us not to do this or that, lest we fall into the like punishment, being attended on by the like means: The other (like a sweet lenitive) inducing us by reasons drawn from profit, which we conceive may redound any way by the like examples; which the Poet seems to illustrate when he saith: Exemplo alterius qui sapit, ille sapit.  
The greatest benefit in private, I imagine to be drawn likewise, from the right and exact use of History: which particular good I have ranked in the second place, and that is this: In private to behold the sundry dispositions of Princes and People: Reasons whereof cannot be given, but only from the temperature of the Region wherein they live: Which reasons drawn from conjectural grounds, are oftentimes deceived in themselves; as in disposing or ordering of States to the square of wisdom.  
This benefit I have gathered, and placed in the Rearward: Last Observances (I know) take greatest Impression, and none more needful than this: when we shall have commerce with any people, than to call to mind their disposition, jest we incur a greater mischief through our ignorance. Strangely jealous are some Nations, they have Actaeon's Eyes, perchance his Ears: We must show ourselves modestly bashful toward such; every lascivious look is as good as a Comment for such men, taking our Eye to be the Directress of our Heart: Others more prodigal of their Wife's reputation, seem respectless of their shame, or the hostage of honour, so they may increase their Estate, and raise their Fortunes out of Honour's ruins. Other people we know to be of a surly, proud, and intractable nature, living more by their own will (making it their Law) than the square of Reason. Others seemingly humble, more dangerous fare than the other; under pretences religiously honest, masking treacherous and disloyal projects: Never less your Friend, than when seeming most so: 
Noli obscurare faciem, qualis es, talis appare. Basilius.  He hath a fleering look, smooth face, sleek tongue; can observe times, and for private advantage (like a second Sinon) unbosom himself unto you: There be no windows in his heart, therefore believe him not; if by the transparancy of thy eye thou couldst see into that rotten Sepulchre of his sugred-poisoned heart, thou wouldst admire so fair and beautiful an outside, to have so loathsome and hideous an inside: Better charactered thou canst not have him than by History, it is the best Image of thy Life, and can best set out in their own native colours such deformed Images.  

☞ Not Image so near to Life, as the History of man's Life.  Nor is there any Model drawn so near to life, as History is to the Image of Man's life. There is no affection so strongly predominant in any person now living; which he may not found represented in lively colours, in the lives and actions of others. And no doubt, but this affinity or resemblance of manners begot in Pythagoras that opinion of his Metempsychosis or transmigration of Souls: for so nearly ●ound he the disposition of One resembling an Other; as he verily thought the Soul of that person endued with such affections, passed into an others body: for otherwise they could not possibly so nearly agreed in the temper or quality of their humours.  
And should man take a due perusal of himself; what he is naturally most affected too; what passion most rageth or reigneth in him; what hopes and fears accompany him; upon what grounds those receive life in him. Again; what receipts he finds most Sovereign to attemper those Motions in him: no doubt, but he shall upon reading of History, meet with some One or Other, so nearly resembling him, and inwardly like him; as he cannot choose but hug the Story for the Statue sake. Seeing himself so nearly moulded, as himself cannot be more like himself, than he finds his mental part resembled. So as, he might well avouch, upon the presentment of an other so like himself: Velure meipsum nescio, vel in alio meipsum Sentio: I either know not myself, or in another I see myself.  
Might we assume that freedom which Plutarch enjoyed, in a Parallel of preceding with succeeding times; the persons and actions present with those that went before us; we should return as near a resemblance in ours, as ever he did in the Symbolising of his Princes.  
Themistocles found Miltiades spirit in himself. Such like noble minded Persons should we find in ours. Others, like Palinurus, or a lovesick Paris, more apt to encounter with love, than to engage themselves in any other List. And near resemblances might we cull out aswell for these as those: both for Camp Honour and a Carpet Lover. Which might prove a singular motive to excite Valour, even in those, whose remisser spirits stood before so rebaited, as they might take a perfect draught of their own Physnomies by that white-livered Captain, who looking himself in a Glass when he was angry, was affrighted with his own countenance. Whereas, contrariwise, true Heröick Spirits, who never took acquaintance of one unmanly fear, might found others so lively resembling them, as if they lineally descended from them.  
Such a Survey of Honour might rightly merit the Title of the Nobleman's Lecture: Laying down such deserving grounds of Courtier's integrity, Martial prowess and Christian policy, as might attract unto them an eager desire of imitation.  
Nor in this NURSERY OF GENTRY should the quicksighted Reader found only discourse for Noble Personages to regulate themselves by; in the view of others actions and dispositions, with the resemblance they found in themselves both of their actions and dispositions: But even such, who have bestowed much precious time in a Sedentary life, shall observe others not less affected that way, than themselves. That near resemblance, no doubt, which Divine Plato gathered from the report of Photions' disposition, 
☞  and his, (confirmed by intermissive Letters and other motives) drew him forth of Asia into Cilicia, for no other cause but only to see Photion, so much endeared to him by the report of his virtues, and near resemblance in conversation.  
In this respect, our History may well deserve the Style of the Muses Wardroabe. Or by reason of the Continuation of her Mixed Discourse, stored, for the Readers more delight, with all variety, be properly entitled, The Scholar's Medley. But our care is not to insist on Style, but profit of the State: making this our principal aim, that as in favour and feature you resemble others, you may by a Divine emulation, retain likewise a resemblance of the virtues of others.  
Nor is it to be questioned, but as we see faces in their favour so nearly resembling one another (though they have no relation to one an other in blood) as they can hardly be discerned one from the other: So likewise, in the inward favour or feature of the Mind, there is such an harmony or Divine Symmetry, as there can be not nearer resemblance to the Eye, in those parts or lineaments of the body.  
How much than, gentlemans, may History seem to deserve your Love; when you may see in it as in a Mirror, the Image of your whole Life? This is no such deceiving artificial Glass, that by the remoteness of your Object, makes little things seem great, and great little: for this renders a true proportion to the face of every action.  
Besides this, History directs Man in the progress of this Life. 
History direct man in the progress of his Life.  It never deblazons Honour in the field, but as a branch derived from the first house. Whatsoever declines or degenerates from her, must bear no Arms without a distinction; when Goodness suffers a deficience, it must carry no Coat without a difference. And such Corrasives bring many times vicious habits both to a feeling and a cure. No matter, though illaffected minds account such Monitors at the first for their Foes, they will hold them, when they have tried them, for their truest friends.  
Telephus, when he could find none amongst his Friends to cure his wound, permitted his Enemy to do it. And he, who purposed to kill ●rometheus the Thessalian, opened his Impostume with his Sword. Corrasives are ever held more Sovereign than Cordials for old Sores. Nay, in these Treasuries of Time, you shall find Directions from one State or Story to another, to prepare man both for his present and future condition.  

Mo●strar● Regibus astra viam. Claud. Parad.  Stars are directing Emblems unto Kings,  
Kings to their Peers, Peers to inferior things.  

History prepares man in his passage from life.  Nor stayeth our Historical Direction here: for it prepares Man as well in his passage from life, as Pilgrimage of this life: showing, what diversity of infirmities accompany us; how they are the Suburbs of Death: and how every year, nay, every Moonth bringeth some one or new malady, as a Messenger of Man's mortality.  

Omnis Annus secum nova parit Mortis nuntia. Omnem Mensem secum novum pepe●isse morbum sentiemus. Aphor. Aelius Adrianus. Animula, vagula, blandula, etc.  He will tell you too, how bitter Death is unto such, who never think of it before they grapple with it: and this our Historian points out to life in that sole-affectionate or Soule-passionate Dialogue of that expiring Emperor, in his pittifully-perplexed farewell to his best-beloved, his dearest Darling.  
Thus may you find in History, the Image and Life of Man, his Image after he surceaseth to be Man. Directions for his Life; Provisions against Death: effectual Considerations for both.  
Upon a review of the Premises, we may safely draw up this Conclusion: 
Historical relations, occasions of public Experiments.  Thy whole Life wrapped up in Experiments either at home or abroad, cannot teach thee so much, as a serious discourse taking breath from one integrious History, will teach thee in one year.  LUCIL. 
Scriptis aspiret meis, qui favet votis.  
Laus ei soli tribuatur omnis,  
Cujus afflatu Labor extat omnis,  
Fructus ut vitae referantur omnes  
Orbis in oras.   

Imprimatur  
THO. WYKES R. P. Episco. Lond. Capell. Domest. MARCH 26. 1638.   
FINIS.   

Erratas in the Survey.  
PAge 8. lin. 1▪ for Scylla, read Sylla. p. ib. l. 9 for Pharmaces, r. Pharnaces. p. 11. marg. for the Cities M●● to triumphant, r. The City's triumphant Motto. p. 14. l. 22. for whicn, r. which. p. 19 l. ult. for guerdon, r. guerdon. p. 22. l. 20. for anacted, r. enacted. p. 27. l. 18. for Phocyon, r. Phocyons. p. 84. l. 22. deal no. p. 145. l. 2. for Scylla, r. Sylla. p. 156. l. 1. deal is. p. 161. l. 24. for over, r. ever. ib. l. 26. for difficulty, r. difficultly. p. 164. l. 24. for Lincius, r. Lynceus. p. 170. l. 8. for latescit, r. lacessit. p. 174. l. ult. for attendants, r. attendance. p. 194. l. 28. for l●as, r. leeses. p. 205. marg. for Amazantus, r. Amiantus. p. 220. l. 9 for reasons, r. relations. * Quot folia, tot errorum fila, preli foeda; Quot Chaleographi crimina, tot Autographi vulnera. Animadvers. p. 239. l. ult. for we, r. were. p. 374. l. 25. for Scrutine, r. Scrutiny. p. 343. l. 16. for inventing, r. in venting. p. 347. l. 3. for Aulius, r. Aulus. p. 348. l. 29. for never, r. never more. p. 461. marg. for bestial, r. bestial. p. 362. l. 9 for ices, r. vices. p. 369. l. 9 for make might, r. might make.