A MISCELLANY OF SUNDRY Essays, Paradoxes, AND problematical Discourses, Letters and Characters; Together with Political Deductions from the HISTORY of the Earl of Essex, Executed under Queen ELIZABETH.  
By FRANCIS OSBORN Esquire.  
LONDON, Printed by John Grismond, 1659. 8. 9   

To my Virtuous, no less then in all things else deserving Niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Draper.  
Dear Niece,  
IT is on all hands confessed, that some things here may be thought as unsuitable to my Years, as your Education (not yet removed from a virtuous Mother,) By those are not acquainted with the external Impulse which makes their Publication to the world unavoidably Necessary, in reference to the preventing a false Impression; no less Than that more Inward of natural affection to you (not knowing but this may be my last opportunity) to do right to Gratitude. So as if any expression here should be of force to make you blush, it would by augmenting your Beauty prove a Good Effect of a cause at the worst but respectively Evil; and only in reference to such a Superlative goodness as you are endowed withal: whose apprehension of Ill results rather from Admonition and Prudence, than Experience or Consent. Faults already become in many ripe for punishment, being not yet arrived within the Circle of your thoughts. Wherefore (since the worst can be found in these pa-Pers, if candidly taken, does not come short of some of the best are daily made vendible,) I desire you to veil your Judgement with Charity; known in remoter Relations so extensive as to cover more Levity, than I hope is extant here: Orif bleered by Interest, I should mistake no less in its own desert, than the acceptance of the World, it can not disparage your Name long; which no doubt will suddenly be changed, and you left free, either to own or reject what is here presented: unless God for the punishment of the present Age will make men unwilling, because unworthy to approach so much virtue, and other excellencies as are natural in you; the repetition of which would not only call up the blood into your face, but confound mine, were I guilty of half the infidelity in your Sex that ignorance, folly and malice hath voted to my share: who am so zealous through the mediation of your perfections in the vindication of women, that I am not only ready to become a Convert, but a Martyr, rather than appear any thing but,  Dear Niece, 
Your Servant FRANCIS OSBORN.   

A general account of what is contained in the Book ensuing.  
THe Preface. 
 An Essay on such as condemn all they understand not a reason for. 
p. 1.  An Essay upon Prov. 8. chap. v. 30. Give me neither poverty nor riches: 
p. 9  A Contemplation of Adam's Fall. 
p. 22.  Sundry Conjectural Paradoxes concerning Reason, Learning, etc. 
p. 55.  A Character of Honour. 
p. 119.  Valour and Cowardice. 
p. 125.  A Letter writ to dissuade Mr.— from a Duel. 
p. 134.  A Letter to Mr.— in hope to dissuade him from going a Colonel under Count Mansfield 
p. 141.  A Letter to Mr. W. P. concerning dependences upon great men. 
p. 153.  — Another to the same person. 
p. 157.  A Copy of Verses to --- who had translated Virgil into English. 
p. 162.  A Letter persuading --- to marry. 
p. 163.  Verses upon sundry occasions. 
p. 169.  A Letter to two S sters, the one black, the other fair 
p. 171.  With Verses. 
p. 172.  A Letter to --- After the death of his Lady. An Epitaph on— 
p. 173.  The Authors own Epitaph. 
p. 175.  A Letter to dissuade --- from marrying a rich, but ugly and deformed— 
p. 176.  With Verses to the same effect. 
p. 180.  A Letter in reference to a Coy Lady. 
p. 182.  The Petition. 
p. 186.  A Character on a debauched Soldier. 
p. 187.  A Letter to Dr. C. H. Chap. to W. E. of Pem. 
p. 191.  With Verses. 
p. 194.  On a Cook. 
p. 195.  A Character of an Host. 
p. 197.  With Verses. 
p. 200.  Deductions from the History of the Earl of Essex. 
p. 201.  Essay on Court-factions. 
p. 240.  Essay, that the condition of men in power is to be guided by their servants. 
p. 253.    

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.  
REaders in the generality do not study (especially in reference to contemporaries) what may benefit themselves, but blemish the present Authors repute. So as the Pillars of Fame and Protection, that led our Fathers through the dark Wilderness of Ignorance, into the glorious Land of the Living (where they still inhabit, though under no more authentic Charter then that of Prescription, being in all other evidences of worth matched, if not exceeded by younger men:) are clouded through reproaches, and forced to correspond for the Integrity of every Line by Truth's most capital enemies, Hypocrisy, Superstition and folly: And before such partial and weak Tribunals as are subarned no less than guided by Interest, and an awful reverence towards the most deformed Antiquity; from whence the Pen (accounted by Caesar a decent Companion for the Sceptre) is now become the Bubble of the Rabble: Forgetting that though it may be so in the management of Fools, yet that no virtuous acts can be registered, or Learning maintained but through her mediation: Nor is the progress of conjectural propositions to be obstructed, but rather indulged in reference to the credit of a Nation. The first Idea often owning the glory of the whole design; manifest in Germany, that may not unpossibly stand more obliged for her rare Inventions to the Liberty she gives, and an Indulgence the Inhabitants have for any Novelty, though too weak to extend probability beyond the fantaste of the first projector; Then any natural fertility inherent in the place, appears in the perfection they receive from politer Regions; Being themselves so far from casting Dirt or Ink in the face of the party, that in the least case of likelihood they do all lend assistance: contrary to the base practice of England, where if a Spirit be found so prevalent in Reason as to be proof against any reply, it is usual for the opposers of Knowledge to impetrate their revenge from some weak administrator of the power of Ignorance.  
Sir Walter Raleigh was the first (as I have heard) that ventured to tack about, and sail aloof from the beaten tract of the Schools: who upon the discovery of so apparent an error as a Torrid Zone, intended to proceed in an inquisition after more solid Truths: Till the mediation of some whose Livelihood lay in hammering shrines for this superannuated study, possessed Queen Elizabeth, that such Doctrine was against God no less than her Father's Honour, whose Faith (if he owed any) was grounded upon School-Divinity. Whereupon she chid him: who was (by his own confession) ever after branded with the title of an Atheist, though a known assertor of God and providence.  
A like censure fell to the share of venerable Bacon, till over-balanced by a greater weight of glory from Strangers: Nor could desert and the name of the English Jewel, given Selden beyond Sea, free him from a like imputation at home. Wherefore Br. Ca Di. Ho. Ha. Hi. St. Ta. and a number more that have Embellished this doting Age with new notions, may apprehend comfort from this contemplation, that Fame is no less eternal than Detraction is Mortal. Though it may be thought strange why any farthaer prosecution of truth should be persocuted amongst men not yet fully resolved what it is: when nothing redounded more to the Protestants honour, than the free passage they have always given to Books of controversies, whereas the reading of them is a mortal Sin in Rome, and at best, liable to the Inquisition: not to be imputed to any thing but the invincible Reason we have on our side, So well managed by Mr. Chillingsworth, as the sluent mouths of the Jesuits were stopped till his death, and some time after. There being nothing but Mathematical demonstrations able to drive them from the ambiguous interpretations they put both upon Scripture and Fathers, behind which the Papacy hath for many Centuries played at Bopeep with State and Church. And yet how this poor man was abused at his death, is more for the Nations credit to conceal, then publish. Neither is this frenzy capable of any real Reformation, since those pretend to a power of garbleing things brought to the Press, are not all of one and the same Judgement: and from whose divisions new Books run the fortune of the middle-aged man in the Fable, that became bald; by an endeavour to gratify the humours of persons inconsiderable for weight or number. I know censures do not all fall within the Circuit of one Meridian, yet am as certain, that no Dispute can be maintained, but where half, if not the most curious part, is supported by Conjecture. And that our best Physical Conclusions have been deduced out of mere mistakes: which the World (though never so long-lived) is not likely to want, and therefore improbably proclaimed at her farthest extent of Knowledge: which if true, few would give, or increase the stipends of Arts; it being incongruous to expect new Honour from those confess themselves not able to augment their own, and so far dissident of an ability to match the ancients, as they take the endeavour not only for impossible, but a high if not a damnable presumption: Wherefore it suits University-Interest to indulge such as bring fresh notions to their Mill, though smutted with some errors: It being usual for wages to cease, and an Engine to be neglected, upon the first discovery that the work is finished: Not to be denied to follow an opposing what is already arrived to a general acceptance. Especially in an Age when God and the Magistrate lies blasphemed on every Stall. Nor is the knavery of obscure Stationers a small Remora to desert: that in envy to those of their own Trade, and to debauch the esteem of Books, do encourage, if not hire, foulmouthed Ballad-makers to rufsle, doggs-eare, and contaminate by base Language and spurious censures the choicest leaves. Yet the Blasphemers against the Spirit of Knowledge become vendible in reference to their names they pretend in their Title-page to confute, sometime the Trade of Al. Ro. who used to skirmish (though only armed with a blunt quill, and a duller Reason) the Worthies of our Nation by Troops. Nor is it probable any farther attempt upon our English affairs should be purchased cheaper than at the Writer's prejudice: Since so honest an endeavour as the proving, It was the Father that eat the sour Grapes, and not the Son, whose teeth were set an edge, is by some so far perverted. Now in reference to this, or any thing else may relate to me, If my Years and Infirmities that stand ready at the gate to hurry me out of this World, nor the many lines I have drawn suitable to the general fantasies, with a protestation never to trespass again upon Love or History, cannot shroud me from the pelting of Tongues, Let me humbly implore this favour of both Sexes, that such as do it, would imitate the candour of a Carnaval, wherein (though all Italy appear but one entire Bedlam) nothing is thrown, but what savours more of Musk than Malice. But if I am born to be aspersed, I could wish it might be with such Ink as may at least beautify the Writer, and not contaminate us both: it being an injury, though far below the sufferer's revenge, to be pinched between the nasty finger and thumb of a brawny Ignorance. Which heightens greatly the obligation to him that for my sake undertook so unworthy an Antagonist: Whose want of a true knowledge of me hath led him into as great an excess in reference to my Commendations, As the like defect may not unpossibly have exposed me to a censure of ungratitude, or made me (as verily I believe I am) too sparing in his: A fault I promise to amend upon the least intimation of an occasion.  
Now being compelled to own what follows, or to venture having it laid at my door with all the Imperfections so many Adulterated Transcriptions have Deformed it with; I thought it less Dishonourable to trespass upon Gravity (a Defect in Nature, or at best but a Ceremony resulting from the Morosity of Age) then to offer violence to Prudence, (the most signal advantage deducible from Time:) By denying my hand to the emendation of a subreptitious Copy, which I verily believe my Youth (though foolish enough) was not in probability likely to have been guilty of; yet must have had my abilities now measured by it. For the sufficiency of which I shall not correspond, having been led through Necessity and others persuasions, rather than my own, to think that though they are out of Fashion with me, they may become decent for others to follow, or avoid. Being in every respect else à mere Patient, and no otherways active then at the request, and for satisfying the Stationer, to whose care I leave you, without any other Compliment, Then that the loss will not be great to the buyer, nor the shame much to me, should they prove waste paper, as I ever till now esteemed them. And in answer to those shall think some expressions here too serious to face such stuff as comes. 〈◊〉 they may be pleased to know I 〈◊〉 first intent to insert some ●oti●… which discretion hath since thought inconvenient.   

THE PREFACE.  
THE PROEM.  
IF, contrary to the Mode of such as lose their Thoughts in the open Air where they were conceived; I have, with more Diligence, registered Mine; it was out of no Opinion they deserve a longer life, but to prevent Idleness, with a Concourse of some more Tedious, if not Sinful: which in the Vacancy of Employment, are apt to intrude themselves, under pretence of a more ancient and Familiar Acquaintance. Nor can I yet find Cause, to repent of the pains, Since it hath confirmed me, in this Truth; That the World is not the worse, nor Myself much better, for Age and Continuance. From whence I have learned, (though I confess, none more apt to Forget) Not to Complain of Governors, for their Oppression, or upbraid Youth, with its Vices: Since in the best Times, Tyranny hath been moderated, rather through Fear, than Goodness. As the most seemingly- Holy, do, at the highest, but palliate, not Divest heir Humane Infirmity. And from hence, we may be taught with St. Peter, Not to call anything Polluted or Defiled: All Men, at long-running, meeting with the same Market, either in reference to their own Depraved Will, or Performance. Wherefore, I should Conclude, (considering My own, and Others visible Lapses) That Sanctity lies more in Repentance, than Innocency. Which is the Chief Advantage, if not all the Difference disoernable, between Those we term Wicked, and the Iust Now if any One (a Thing I have forneerly been very chary of) shall read These Papers, under the Notion of Approbation; He can no more make Me Proud, than such as Dispraise them, Angry: (It being the guise of All, to applaud Those of Their own Opinion:) Of which there is none more Mine, then that every Thing is of a Mixed Nature, carrying a Face like That in a pleated Picture, suitable to the Situation and Light the Beholder stands in, or is guided by.  
And in reference to one- over-Severe, I may have this to say, That not a few, now Wiser than us both, have pleased Themselves, as much, in Drawing Antics, with a Coal, upon a Wall, as Others do in their endeavours, to match Apelles. All I seek, is to sinned Employment for a Spirit that would Break the Vessel, had it nothing to Work upon, but it Self. Nor is it less true, That I might justly be blamed for Some things here, Had more Time been employed about them, than God in his Mercy, or to punish my Former Negligence, hath afforded me Liberty to spare. Who can be accountable to Posterity, for nothing in this kind: being from my Birth, uncapable to receive the Rich Talon of Learning, looked upon, as The only Key of Knowledge: which if obtained, had been Little Advantage, since I want a Memory, wherein to Hoord up what I had stolen. And so the Acquired Groat, might not unpossibly have spoiled, and adulterated the more Natural Shilling. Wherefore, if a Chemistry might be found, able to Extract any thing useful towards the Conduct of Man, out of such Ordinary Simples as These, They were highly to be esteemed; And in likelihood, more suitable to every Taste, as Fresh-gathered from the Tree of Experience, than those Sophisticated by the Schools, or of a Narrower interest, then That, of The whole Society of Man.  
And, if any draw benefit from These, they are most likely to be Friends: It being only the property of Love, to look upon that with Delight, which cannot be discovered to another without Shame. And to such I could be content, to leave them, as the Idea of a Mind was no less Cordially employed, in advancing the Good of Others, then of my Patience, in receiving Injuries from the same hands. This is not said to wound Providence, under the Shadow of Fortune. Since I have hitherto not only been blest, beyond my Desert, but Expectation. And have seen my unnatural Oppressors perish, and languish, through as Miraculous means, as I have been Preserved. And by which, I am brought to the Contemplation of higher, and more permanent Pleasures, than the poor and despicable Consideration of Profit is able to reach. Nor could any contrary Endeavour of mine, hide this from the Eyes of the World, to whose Judgement, I was for a long time not so Impudent, or Imprudent, as to present more of myself, than I must needs; Because, Experience still finds Her in the Arms of Curiosity, and Prejudice. Into whose Den, though I have been of late cast, (by what Hand of Fate I know not, and so as it were Blindfold;) yet I have come off with more Favour, from before this Tyrannical Tribunal, then divers known of far greater Desert.  
Nor should I but for a through Essay of my own Fortune, and the Readers Candour, venture such Stuff as is likely to Follow. Which though produced long since, I am not able to Better now. And if Capable of Acceptance, the World is not likely to want it.  
But it is contrary to my own Aph●…●isme, to debosh what I present, by saying it was writ before I was Twenty: From whence would result, such an easy Inference, That surely, I am no Wiser now, (which I wish heartily I were able to confute) else I should Mend, or Conceal them. Nor can I think it Wisdom, or Convenience, to say, They were produced in a shorter space, than Nature requires in the production of Rarities; Though not seldom Casual; (As I observed in a Flint, presented to King Charles, that bore the perfect Figure of a Man.) It boing the Custom of some Heads, to afford the greater Reason, the less they are pumped. Such as is Clearest, running commonly quickest, and most Fluent; whereas, the Deeper requires Straining, and so becomes Heavyer, and of a less sprightful Tast. I will not say, Mine is of that Temper, to avoid Prejudice. Nothing being held in esteem, is easily come by. Wherefore, having found so many condemned, upon the Evidence they bring against Themselves in Print, I have laboured to conceal my Name; esteeming it more Pleasant (if not more Natural) to beget then father. But finding it, as impossible to hide, as it is unsuitable to my present Condition to be idle, and no less than unbecoming Civility, to neglect the Importunity of such Friends, as desire a Publication of this Piece, (which being a mixture of all things, may not improbably, like the huge Dishes now in fashion, feast the Appetites of some one, or other) I shall once again venture into the Press, (as too many do) more out of Confidence then Wit. Yet, let my Defects be what they will, I have ever considered it as a Flatulent Impertinency, to Court the Reader; or think to raise a Party, in the behalf of any thing, wears not the indubitable Character of Reason and Truth. Against which, Ignorance and Hypocrisy have maintained so long and unnatural a Rebellion, as Security is no other way attainable, but by Silence, or Compliance. The continual wrestlings against a Rational Evidence, having brought the World into so multilated, and unsteady a Creed, as in many Places, she is observed to halt, between the uneasy ways of Hope and Fear. The Contemplation of which, doth so stagger such as delight in Painting their Opinions upon Paper, that they know not what side to take, out of a Dread to fall under the Notion of Traitors or Malignants, Atheists or Fools. And amongst others, this may pass for a Cause, why these (formerly looked upon as waste) Sheets, have received this Resurrection out of the Dust; It being in ill Times, safer to appear wanton, then serious. Or like Brutus, a Fool, than a Censor. Of what is in me, I make as good use as I can, but hate to borrow any thing; being more willing to appear, with all my Defects about me, then Glorious, and Splendid, through the Spoils of others. Under the same Odium, (in my Conceit,) lies a Supercilious Gravity; by which I should interrupt all Commerce with those of my own Coat; And expose myself to the Judgement of some more wise, who cannot but see through that unnatural Veil, the poorness of the Trash is carried under it: There being, really, no nakedness, but in relation to others, since all have the Patience to look upon their own Imperfections, without blushing. Which the oftener it is done, the better may be learned, How to prise others, and value ourselves. There appearing, no way readier, to demonstrate to a Man his particular weakness, then by admitting him full leave to try his strength. Wherefore, so long as no body saw me, I was not capable of blame, If wanting the Engines of Learning, I endeavoured, to shake the Pillars of the Schools. For though the Attempt, is not very likely, to afford any Benefit to others; yet, I cannot but remain, the stronger for it, and the more agile Myself: As such do, that swing; though the Beam stirs not, at which they tug, It being natural to honest Labour, still to be followed, by Wisdom or Reward. For, though the Generality of Readers, are scandalised at all is not mouldy through Age, or guilded with Novelty; yet, I remember, to have heard from Sir William Cornewallis, (esteemed none of the meanest Wits, in his Time) That Mountaign's Essay's, was the likeliest Book, to advance Wisdom: because, The Authors own Experiences, is the Chiefest Argument in it. For as St. Augustine saith, of Short and Holy Ejaculations; That they pierce Heaven as soon, if not quicker, then more Tedious Prayers: So, I have reaped greater Benefit, from concise and Casual Meditations, on several Topics, then long and voluminous Treatises, relating merely to one and the same thing: Many Scholars being of so vast an Extension, in the prosecution of any, (though but a seeming) Error, as they will leave no Argument unurged, be it never so weak. Forgetting, That a Triumph is easier obtained, than a Victory so Discreetly moderated, as may give no occasion, to think it either Tedious, or over-severe. It being a work, impertinently superstuous, to give two Blows, where one may suffice. This is the Cause, That only such are esteemed, that bring the strongest Reasons, and commit the smallest waste upon the Readers Time, or the Adversaries Repute. Nor are any to be Commended, as Civil, or Wise, that prosecute a Contrary Practice: Too frequent amongst us, where the Abuse of the Person, is Clinched, and Riveted so close, with the Confutation, as unquestioned Charity is not seldom lost, in the vindication of a more Dubious Truth. And from hence, I have taken occasion, to Calculate the Meridian, of such Hot Heads, as can suffer no Opinions but Their own, to stand quietly by them. Forgetting, There is as much variety, in the Dissemblances of men's Minds, as Experience and Commerce do observe, in their Bodies. Which may conclude it, as great Folly, to condemn one of a contrary Judgement, as to Implead another, because his Nose is shorter, or longer, than Theirs. Nor is it in the Reach of any thing but Restraint, to make People unanimous. No less, against the Freedom of Nature, than it is suitable to Custom, and Experience, to find the Contrary in Practice, where all are left to their Own Election. As manifest in WiseGreece & Rome, as in those Nations, esteemed both by Them & Us more Barbarous. Nor can it but be reckoned amongst the Causes of the Catholics Unity, That every one, may address their Prayers, to what Saint they please. --- Now to vindicate my Self from their Folly, Esteem the Foulest of their Writings a fit Copy for the World, whose Heads ache like Jupiter's, till delivered of those Pallas': though so Flat and Deformed, as if conceived in their Thumbs.  
I may safely say, That heretofore, (However it is with me now, grown perhaps through Custom more Impudent) I was not ambitious to appear in public: Since some of my Acquaintance can attest, That divers pieces, of late published, were long ago as Complete, as ever I have been able to make them since. The First Cause of their projection, being rather, for the intent to While myself, then Busy others. Nor shall I prosecute this Trade, longer than it continues acceptable to the Generality, and Beneficial to the Stationer. Whose Operation, hath been more Effectual, in this Midwifrey, than any Delight I can take, in finding my Self rated, according to the Value of every Judgement: commonly Forestalled by Opinion, a far nearer Friend to things of this Nature, than the Highest Desert.  
At the Foot of whose Tribunal, I should never have fallen, but to redeem the World out of a Common Error, by showing, Men are not so unhappy in the Absence of Learning, as Scholars pretend.— Whose First Question is, What University you are of? And their Last, if answered, None: For then, they consider the Party as irrational, and below Conversation. Forgetting, That though Books may produce a few rough Materials; it is only in the power of Experience, and Natural Parts to Build up and Burnish a Perfect Man.   


ESSAY On such as Condemn All they understand not a Reason for.  
THeir Presumption is no less uncivil, then Prodigious, That having nothing else to warrant them, but a Pettish and Solitary Opinion of their own, will undertake, to arraign, the Truth of all they cannot apprehend, or is not quite arrived within the Perfect Cognizance of their Reason. And by this Impudence, do not only, proclaim themselves Judges of the present understandings; but present, the scanty measure of their own, as an unquestionable Standard, for all may succeed. Forgetting, to what base Offices they have put such Conceits, and Results to, upon a more serious Consideration; which at their first Conception, they esteemed Authentic, and not misbecoming the Cabinet of a Prince. And if thus Capable of Deceit from Themselves; What Security are they able to give for the Spurious Censures they pass upon Others, that one day they shall not be taken off from Wisdom's File, and some more True and Honourable placed in their room, to the Eternal Insamy of such, as are scandalised at any thing, formerly, a Stranger in the Schools? Nor is this Humour the Continent of a less Malignity, than what hath been Capable heretofore, (Nor is it less busy now) to obstruct, and Discourage all farther prosecution after Knowledge, by branding Reason with an Imputation of Atheism: and Hanging what they understand not, under the Notion of Witchcraft; as Foster, a Country- Parson, did the Weapon-Salve: Against which, he Conjured up not only the Fathers, Schoolmen, etc. but (so far as his Weak Talon could extend) did suborn Philosophy to attest against Herself. Nor had this mad Duel between Him, and Dr. LLoyde, (who being both of no great Strength did weaken the Nations repute abroad) been parted, but That Authority (to vindicate the usual cure of the King's Evil from being an Operation of the Devil) did step in betwixt Them. The First, gaining the Opinion of as High an Impudence, for Beginning; as the Other, did of Folly, for maintaining so impertinent a Quarrel.  
It was the Custom of King James, (and no question, of no small Improvement to his Understanding) to Discourse during Meals, with the Chaplain that said Grace, (or Other Divines) Concerning some point of Controversy in Philosophy. And falling one Day upon Atheism, He did by undeniable Arguments maintain, No Man could be found so Irrational, as to deny a First Cause: (which could be no other than that Power we call God.) And Therefore, no such thing in Nature, as an Atheist.  
What his Judgement was of Witchcraft, you may, in part, find by His Treatise on that Subject, and Charge he gave the Judges, to be Circumspect in Condemning those, Committed by Ignorant Justices, for Diabolical Compacts. Nor had he Concluded his Advice in a Narrower Circle, (as I have heard) Then the Denial of any such operations, but out of Reason of State: and to gratify the Church, which hath in no Age, thought fit to explode out of the Common-peoples' minds, An Apprehension of Witchcraft. The greatest Miracles, now extant, making their Apparitions, in the Dark Corners of this clouded Imagination. Into whose Cause I shall not presume further to peep; as esteeming it more Dangerous than Terrible. Yet, for the better Vindication of such Innocents', as are daily observed, to pass out of this Back-gate of Injustice, to another World, (Whose Posterns are the Ignorance of Judges, and Folly of our Laws) I will here relate a Story of my own Knowledge, which if too Weak to refel this Common Error, cannot be divested of Strength enough, to persuade more Discretion, and Charity, then is ordinarily employed, in the Trial of such poor Creatures, That are first made mad, as Solomon saith, through Poverty, and Affliction; and After Hanged, for being no better advised, then to Confess what they never did, or any Flesh and Blood was ever able to do.  
Sir Humphrey Winch, (none of the least Honest, and Conscientious Itinerant Judges of his Time,) was, in the Northern Circuit presented with this Evidence, against Three Silly Women, That they had out of propense Malice, not only bewitched divers Cattle, and Children to Death: But the principal Cause of their Commitment, arose from the Son of a Gentleman, that was supposed to have lain divers Months under their Fascination; who at certain Times, would Contract his whole Body, within the Compass of a Joint-stool, and write in Hebrew, and Greek Characters, though not knownto be skilled in those tongues; That a Spirit came then into him, sent by these poor Wretches, by which he was so Tormented, as he did, in his Fits, foam at the Mouth. Nor was there a greater, and more probable Evidence wanting; For, that Night the Judges entered the Town, One of the Witches, did privately desire the Jailor, to bring Her into a room by herself, where without any Compulsion, (a thing not omitted by our Witch Finders) She told Him, she used a Familiar, together with the Rest; And that they had joined to bewitch the said Boy; but did humbly beseech Him, her Fellows might not know it, nor she be returned to the same lodging, for fear, They should torment Her: And within few Hours died. Now upon the Keeper's Evidence, and others of like Nature, the Two were found guilty, and Condemned to be Hanged. But under this Proviso, That in Case they continued obstinate in the Denial of the Fact, The Sheriff should remand them back, where they were to live, till the Progress, which was to be Northward, that Summer. The King being gratified by nothing more, than an Opportunity to show his Dexterity in Discovering an Imposture, (at which, I must confess Him, The Promptest Man Living) upon his Arrival convented The Boy. Where, before Him, (possibly daunted at his Presence, or Terrified by his Words) he began to falter, so as The King discovered a Fallacy. And did for a further Confirmation, send him to Lambeth; where the Servants of George Abbot, did in a few Weeks, discover the Whole Deceit. And He was sent back to his Majesty, before the end of the Progress. Where upon a Small Entreaty, He would repeat all his Tricks oftentimes in a Day. Nor did He do and suffer all this, for a more Serious Cause, Then to prevent a present Whipping, and avoid going to School. Amongst other Pranks, he lived in an Orchard a Week, upon Apples only.  
I shall make no Paraphrase, nor pursue the Argument further, to avoid Prolixity, no less, than Offence. The Doctrine of such etc. Being a Diana, out of Which, no small Profit is made, and Credit purchased, in reference to Opinions, otherwise Ridiculous, and Untenable.  
Give me neither Poverty nor Riches, Prov. 8. 30.  
From this Wise King's Prayer, we may Learn the Danger that resides, in these two Gulfs, Poverty and Riches. The Latter, alluring no less to Pride, than the First tempts, if not Compels towards Atheism, and Infidelity. Both gathering Strength and Aggravation, from the Complexion, and Education of the patient; So as if Abundance proves the Lot of a Mean Birth; and Want, the Companion of one bred in Plenty and Eminency; it elevates the First, as far above the Sphere of Moderation, as it dejects the Other, below the Centre of Patience. Pride despising God's power, no less than Poverty distrusts it. For as a perfect and Harmonious Joy comes nearest to that pleasure and Content, assured us in Heaven: So Anxiety and Discontent are a representation of Hell. Melancholy being the worst of Humours, because the Devils; (if he may be thought, to participate of any) who apprehends all ill about Him, and cannot but despair of better. Wherefore Poverty must be allowed the most dangerows Condition, because infested with all those prodigious Effects, this Diabolical Passion is liable to produce. Which are, in a manner, all we do in this World, either Punish, or Admire: Sin being a Result of Want; from whence it becomes so far more Illegal, then Unnatural, as S. Paul owns the Law, for the most Manifest Original, and exactest measure of his prevarioations.  
I know Abundance hath been by Good men, prized below Want, when offered to be made the Wages of Iniquity; though None besides Our Saviour, was ever found, able to grapple with the Enemy of Mankind being Hungry and in Want, as He was in the Wilderness. Which remains none of the Weakest Effects, left us, of his Divinity: And rather inserted, as a Mark of his own Power, than an Example for our Imitation. Yet such Monastical persons, as endeavour to come nearest to it, have enough to Satisfy, though possibly, not to pamper Nature. The Name of Voluntary Hope of Merit, and the Worldly Respect it brings, bearing most of the Charges belonging to it. Nor have they Wives and Children, which looked through, do like Optics, multiply the Bulk of Want.  
When Others (not wilfully) Sick of this Loathsome Plague, as if it were Infectious, are not only Forsaken of All, but exposed to the Tyranny of Every Hand desires to oppress them. Law itself, (a Friend to all else) being so heavy an Enemy to the poor Beggar, as it seeks to Discharge the Common wealth of Them, with no less industry, than the Physician, doth the Body of man, from Humours putrid and noxious to its Health. I know Some make a Trade of Want; and by it, are able to live, not one'y Idly, but in an Unbridled Luxury; Whereas, Those here meant, Consume their Bodies, by Labour, or which is more Painful, in the Study of the Mind; yet cannot obtain so much, as to purchase bread sufficient, to stop the Mouths of their Family, from Barking at Heaven, and tearing God under the Veil of Fortune, for pouring upon others, without Limitation, what is denied to them in the Meanest Proportion. Indeed the Ancient Stoics, no less, than the more Modern Divines have, and do still continue their endeavours, to vindicate this unequal Distribution from the Tincture of Partiality; but have in my mind, left it more Ambiguous. Only our Saviour in his Answer penned for Dives, seems (no less than in other Places of his Gospel) to assign Heaven, merely for an Inheritance, to such, as Want here; and Hell for Those that abound: As he that marks the Words, cannot but imagine, Nor dare I apply the Figure of Hyperbole, to any Saying of His. Which exactly weighed, is but a Salvo for a Mistake, An Indefinite Number or Quantity, suiting better the Mouth of an Ignorant Man, than the Immense Knowledge of our Blessed Redeemer. Wherefore (under the Correction of a more perfect Light) I think the Simile of a Camel, (or Cable) and the Eye of a Needle justly and Mathematically proportioned, to the Salvation of a Rich man, who is uncapable of it, without a more Miraculous Extension of the Mercy of our Maker, then is by Himself best known to Suffice such, as in this World, have not enjoyed so much Plenty.  
And, That an Observation of the Law is not Enough, seems to appear, by Christ's bidding Him that had Done it, To Sell All that he Had, etc. as the thing most acceptable to God.  
Wherefore I could wish, That this Tithing the Minth and Cummin of Others Errors and Opinions, were not so nicely performed, and Charity with her Concomitance Probity (the Whole performance of the Commandments) so quite neglected. Which no doubt, is the great Occasion of so much Indigence, as may be observed now; and so Contrary to That in Christ's Time, as it rather hinders, then Facilitates, the Ways to Heaven: So as it appears, That the Devil himself had never experimented so much power in any Person, as was able to resist the Temptation of Misery and Want, till he met with Job. Which gave him the boldness to wager (as it were) with God, That in case, he removed the Hedge, his Love had placed about him, He would Curse him to his Face.  
Wherefore, it cannot be esteemed, a slight provocation was the Greatest, Man's Enemy could invent. Had he only touched his Health, the Means of Recovery might have remained: But his Livelihood being lost, nothing continued, but Lean Patience; far too weak wholly to ward this Blow, though it may dissemble the taking it, or Cover the Wound for a Season.  
It is no less Wholesome than Decent, to travel on Foot, with a Horse in thy Hand; but to the Destitute of a like ease, Tedious. Wherefore Seneca may make Demonstration of Wit, and prescribe Rules, for the more quiet enduring of Penury, but deserves the less Credit, because writ at a time, when himself had occasion to use more Moderation, than Patience; Which makes me believe, his Mind (together with the rest of the Puritanical Stoics) was far averse from their Doctrine; since a decent Frugality out of the Society of a more Sordid Covetousness, could not have accumulated so immense a Treasure, as Tacitus reports, was found about Him. Yet Concludes his Documents, with a Peremptory Advise, rather to Die, then abide in so little Ease, as this, and far less intolerable Earthly Inconveniences are observed to bring with them. Which indeed were more to the purpose, Could Christianity make use of this his last Receipt: Who is prescribed by her Institutes, to Tide it out, although the Stream of its Inconveniences runs never so strong against the Nature of Man. So as if God had set any lower precipice, as the Bottom of the Leap, then Eternal Damnation, I think none so pusillanimous, as would not rather once take it, then to remain still under the Weight, of so heavy and unsociable a Calamity, that produceth all things Hurtful or Hateful to Nature, For when God mans-out his Hosts, the Poor are found in the Forlorn Hope; and Famine takes up her Headquarters under Their Roof. Nor doth the Pestilence find a more Convenient place, to hatch her Malignities in, than the Bosom of the Indigent. And when the Sword is so Noble, as to spare him, it is not so much out of Mercy as Contempt. He being in this only Happy, That his Condition is not in a capacity to become worse, no more then in any great probability of Amendment; Since in a general Felicity, he only is unhappy. Because Want renders her Owners uncapable of Trust, By creating Suspicion, before any Fault is Committed: For where Necessity abounds, there Theft and Deccit are supposed, as an Infallible Consequence. When a Felony, or Murder is committed, the next Poor Houses are ordinarily searched. Where the less is found of their own, the greater Suspicion is conceived of what belongs to others. And so Loathsome is a Beggar esteemed; as he that is so Charitable as to make him Drink, is yet, thus uncivil towards Him, as to shut the Door, and wash the Cup after Him: as if it were impossible for a Person in want, either to be True or Wholesome. Being shunned of the Herd, as one struck by the severest arrow of his Maker's vengeance; and left nothing to accompany him, but Misery. -- Yet none may possibly apprehend him so wretched, as He thinks Himself. Being for the most part, deprived not only of Terrestrial, but Future Comforts. For if Conscious of Ill, (as what means hath he of living by, or doing any thing else but Evil?) through Death (the only way to lead him out of his transitory Misery) he apprehends one prepared for him that is Eternal. The Indigent person like the flying Fish, being not only persecuted in his Own Element, by those more Mighty; But upon leaving it, falls into their terrible Claws, to whom is assigned the Dominion of the Ayr. This Cross having wrought so strongly with some Complexions, as to purge away all Belief of Providence, and revive that Old damnable Opinion, of a Double Nature in God. Now though our Blessed Saviour is not found above twice, to sustain his Followers a miraculous way, and that in the Desert, where Nature failed; yet, by making the Rich to divide with the Poor, he supplied that Defect, this uneven-Distribution occasions in the World. And, that no small stress of Christian Wisdom lay in it, may seem to appear, in the severer Punishment inflicted by S. Peter (in many places styled the Prince of The Apostles) upon Ananias and Sapphira, then ever was observed to attend such, as whipped, stoned, and persecuted Christ; not only in his own person, but that of his Followers. Wherefore, if those thus set upon, do daily fall into Heterodox Opinions, or are, not seldom observed, To hang up their Shield of Faith, in the Temple of Despair; and Convert the Study of unrewarded Virtue, into the more Thriving Opportunities, Deceit affords: they ought to receive pity from us, because liable to the like Lapses our Selves, who through Excess are found to rob the Poor, more than Necessity dares do the Rich, out of Fear of the Iron-teeths of the Law; in all Nations far more severe, than those of Christ. Who, by not reproving his Disciples for Taking the Ears of Corn, gives the Hungry Belly a Larger Charter, in the enjoyment of Earthly Blessings, than the Tyranny of Power is willing to subscribe; it being no small Augmentation of the Needy's Misery, and one of the greatest torments in Hell, to see All Plenty about Him, and want within. To Conclude, all further Discourse, on this Tragical Calamity, I shall say, (but not peremptorily) If Samson found Mercy that destroyed Himself, for the Gratification of his Revenge; what reason is there, in denying it to These, upon the Greater Provocation of want?   

A Contemplation on Adam's Fall.  
SUch as think Gods first Injunction Trivial, in prohibiting Adam, to eat of the Forbidden Fruit, and the Temptation to break this Commandment, easy to be avoided, Do not Consider, that Man in his Innocency, had no use of any external thing, but Meat: nor other Capacity of improving his Intellects, save in Knowledge. A Desire, so diffused throughout the whole Mass of Humanity, that such as are too weak to apprehend Reason of State, will pry into the Causes of their Land Lords-Actions; or, that failing, raise Tumults, amongst Themselves, by a too near inspection, and Revelation of the News of each others Miscarriages. And this being the most universal Humour now, may render it more probable to Have been the same did accompany Man at the First: Nature remaining Depraved, not Eradicated. Wherefore this Prohibition, was placed, according to Prudence, upon that Side, our Parents were weakest on; and so, more fit to receive a Caution. For, had God forbidden them Theft, or Murder, they could not have apprehended his Meaning: Nothing but Will corrupted by Passion, being able to bring forth, such uncooth Sins into Action, which having once fallen, within the Compass of Experience, They, by Consequence, came within the Notion of Knowledge, nothing being yet presented to their Imaginations, but what was already arrived within the Circuit of their Senses. The First Man appearing to me, no better furnished with Knowledge, than an Infant in his Primitive Innocency; but That, his Organs being made Perfect, he was Capable to apprehend all things, with the same Dexterity, his Senses were able to feed his Fancy: In which they might take so much Pleasure, (since Nothing is more Tasteful to Humanity, than Understanding) That to make, this Spring of Knowledge more fluent, he swallowed the Apple, the Fountain of his Infelicity; which instead of gratifying his Taste and Desire, depraved both. If he gave Names to the Creatures, suitable to the Sinful Use, was after to be made of them, He did not only Prophesy Their future misery, but His own: And if foreseen, why did he not prevent it? Wherefore the Fault must lie, either upon his Ignorance, or Will. For till his Fall, he seems, to have as little need, of the Elephant's Docility, or the Ox's Industry, as it is improbable, but that They were both made for Employment: which had been quite lost, together with all the Trades, the Blessing [of Increase and Multiply] is sustained by; had not Adam fallen from his Original Integrity. This makes me wonder, to find Eve willing, or at leisure, to Chat and Gossip it with the Serpent; the most remote in Symmetry, from her own glorious Form, if not in Nature, from her Temper and Complexion; Especially, having so much the more Excellent and adapted Companion, as her Husband near her to Converse with. Which might give Credit to their Opinion, That the Fall was long after the Transgression: but that the Impossibility of her Conceiving a Contaminated Issue, whilst pure in Themselves offers more than a probable Confutation. It not being likely, they should Forget, for any Considerable time, to neglect one of their principal Errands, which lay, in performing the Blessing, of Diffusing his Like: The most Rational 'Cause such can produce, as attribute their Prevarication, to an Excess in Concupiscence; through which, the Tree growing in the midst of the Garden, became Contaminated. But to Bury this Conjecture, (no less, than the Opinion of Josephus, That the Serpent had, together with all Creatures else, before the Fall, an Articulate voice) in the more certain Relation of Moses; (though in nothing more Concise, and Abstruse, then about the Beginning; not unpossibly, That he might preserve Truth, at the least prejudice to Tradition, in the Preservation of which, the People of God, were extreme, if not Superstitiously Tender.) I shall modestly propose, That if the Serpent, was really active, in the seducing of Man: (as may seem to appear, by the Curse laid upon him no less Diffusive, in reference to this World, then Ours, it reaching the whole Species; observed at this Day, to (rawle upon the Ground) Whether we may not infer, That this- now-Despicable-Creature, was the First that went about to infringe the Ordinance of God: Since those that make the Serpent, only Instrumental, to the Devil's Activity, Borrow it, from Conjecture, not Reason, which was never observed to punish the Sword; but the Hand that did manage it to Destruction. Wherefore, if it was the Devil's Sin, nothing but the Serpents Consent in making itself Instrumental, could procure a Punishment: No more then to the Winds that through his incitation, destroyed the Children of Job. Which put together, may crowd a room for this Conjecture, That the Devil possessed the Serpent with Envy First, at so glorious a Creature as Man was: And After, gained its Consent, to be Instrumental in our Destruction, and so a Cooperator with Satan, and a Fellow in his Sin. For if it be thought impossible, the Serpent should do so ungrateful a Service, to Humane Nature, upon its own Instigation, it appears as unreasonable, why it should bear all the Penalty; The Devil having augmented, if not Begun, his Rebellion, against his Maker, by seeking to destroy, this his Handiwork.  
These seeming Contradictions, together with the Appellation of an Evening and a Morning before the Luminaries (the only Dividers of Time) were made, might tempt Philo the Jew, to dress in the Life of Moses, The Story of the Creation in an Allegory, or Fable: Who standing Nearest those Times, and in a Better Light, may be thought by such as love to be Sceptical, most probable. But since the Ancient and Apostolical Church (To whose Creed, so far, as my Darker Infidelity, will give me leave, I shall submit my Judgement in all Humility) hath Accommodated it to Another Sense, I think it, as far from Prudence, as Christianity, to oppose, or in the least, Contradict it.  
Though Apt to Consent, That the Lapsed-Angels might entertain more Commerce upon Earth, before the Promise of our Saviour, and whilst Man stood upon his own Legs; then after God had taken him into his Protection; as not thinking it meet to trust such Frailty, with so Potent an Enemy. Wherefore he confined the Devil into Holes and obscure places, out of which upon his own Instigation, or Imitation of the Prophets of the Lord, he gave his ambiguous Oracles, till by the brighter Apparition of the Star of Jacob, they were struck as irrecoverably Dumb, as they were Blind before: Averred by Plutarch in his Morals, in the Genius, or Ghost of Socrates. And he that would find a Reason, Why our First Parents were Ashamed of their Nakedness, must not seek it, in the Nature they Conveyed to us, where Bashfulness is a Result of Custom, but from the Contemplation of some creature then in sight really, or seemingly more beautiful than Themselves: There being no Occasion for shame, but in respect of a more Transcendent Perfection. It remaining indubitable, That Children with us, and Men and Women amongst the Indians, (not to be denied the Exactest Followers of the primitive Dictates of pure Nature,) are no more Sensible of Shame, in relation to those Parts Adam and Eve are said to have Covered, than the Europeans express, when found Bare-Faced. Blushing being a silent Confession of a Fault; not to be found, amongst The Works of God: Nor any where, till the Law had stamped the Figures of Reward and Punishment, upon such Humane Actions, as do Advance, or Depress the general Felicity. Custom being so exact a Disposer of the Conveniency, if not Consent of Mankind, as to make Divers Wives in Turkey, lie quietly, under one and the same Covering. So as it requires more than an Ordinary Intelligence, to distinguish, between the Free Government of Nature, and the Imperious Tyranny, if I may not call it Anarchy (for it is not in all places alike) of Education. But lest I should appear rather a Disciple of Plato, than Moses, I shall pass by the Rabbis no less than the Modern Philosophers, that Consume more time, in Hunting after the Original of the Disease, than the Means to Cure it, Not to be found but in Jesus Christ. Yet, as I said before, Since no Heart is empty of the Humour of Curiosity, The Beggar being as attentive in his Station, to an improvement of Knowledge, as the Prince; It is not unlikely, to have been the Primary and Centrical Sin; from whence The Lines of All Humane Vanities are drawn, and to which they are Fastened. For if our Latter Artists think it no ill Argument, to prove the Basis of the Earth Magnetical, because the Loadstone is in all Climates found: Why may it not be Concluded from as great a Diffusion, That A too Dilated Desire of Inspection into things was Original Sin? Since not only Observable in Solomon himself; but in the picture of the Fool he draws, who ran after Variety: Which is only New Knowledge of a Strange Woman. And if I am not deluded by those More Learned, One Word in the Original is taken for Both. But to Proceed: When Eve saw the Fruit, she did covet; And Concupiscence is enough, Now to Condemn us, though nor then. The Text placing the Transgression in Eating, not Desiring: That remaining impossible to be prevented, All things till Contaminated by Sin, being in so high a Degree of Perfection, as they did enforce a Coveting in all did Behold them: It appearing, too low a Sacrament of Duty in Man the Supreme Vicegerent of The Almighty, To have for a Testimony of Obedience, only abstained from What was in itself but merely Indifferently Good.  
It is not likely, He covered his Nakedness, with Leaves of the same Tree, from whence he gathered his Destruction: As those imagine, who suppose the Indian Fig to be the Forbidden Fruit: For how should he Dare to Touch that a Second time, had Wounded him, at First, quite through Himself, and his Posterity? Though Confessed, a perfect Representation of Gild. One Root being so Diffusive, as by a Gum that distils from the Boughs, to dilate itself into the Vast Shade of a Desert, sufficient to cover an Host of Men.  
Nor is Curiosity, and a Liquorish Desire of enjoying That we never Tried, (though known to be the cloud, in which all the Storms impending Life are engendered,) yet Cured in us. Who by Retail, drop into the same Error, we Consider in Him, as the Highest and most Impertinent Folly. The Apple of a Wand'ring Eye, not being Seldom found able to Overbalance the Wisdom of Solomon, and the Piety of David.  
Wherefore it is time to give-over upbraiding those Names of Adam and Eve: All things we never saw, or Knew, being Empty sounds, and Impertinent Appellations. Not seldom Loaden out of Ignorance in the Contents of their Story, (as a number of other Dead Voices are,) with insignificant Praise or Blame. Especially, since Moses, and the Prophets are not heard to Condemn them; As Conscious to Themselves, they either would, or could not but have done the Like. Yet we may Safely say, That between the Suspension of the Promise and The Fall, (which might possibly Answer the time, Christ remained on the Cross) Adam endured greater Agonies, than e'er was matched, but by God and Man: Who only, knew the Way to untread the Maze, in which Man had lost Himself, and All that should Succeed; If so Wicked as to harbour a desire of dilating himself, and bringing an Offspring into a like Dilemma, in which, he saw nothing for the Present, but Horror, joined with a Fearful Expectation of Worse to come. Not having so much, as the Weak Twig of Hope to sustain him from falling into Despair. Which could not spring but from the Root of an Experience, arising from a Former Experimented Mercy: The Garden having not yet produced any Fruit so Lateward. There being as little Marks of Forgiveness, as there was a Dismal Example of Justice, stamped upon the Disobedient Angels. Whose condition was yet, so far better, than Man's, as an already Determined Judgement is more tolerable, than One that re. mains still Arbitrary, at the Will of an Omnipotent power; And in this miserable anxiety, God saves Adam, whom, nothing else was so merciful, as to kill.  
Now I can do no less, Then predicate here, a more charitable Opinion, then Theirs That Conclude the Greatest proportion of men Lie under the Kingdom of Satan: By which, the Promise of Redemption comes to be Restrained, and so the Truth of its performance Obstructed. It being no where observable, in the Dignity of Reason, That a Superlative power, should go less, or Beneath its Word in relation to Good. It exceeding the Reach of the most Rigid Distinction, or Strictest Interpretation, to find a Parity, or Equal proportion between the Head and the Heel: If any were discoverable, between crushing and biting. This makes me Tremble at their Presumption, who Carry Breath in their Nostrils, yet, are not afraid to Affirm That all things so Dear to our Maker, as to be capable of a Future Happiness, are not to be found out of the Pale of Christendom, This, or That Church, or rather Chapel. No Single Profession extant, carrying a greater Proportion, with the whole World than a peculiar Parish, doth to a Province. As if the Fountains of God's mercy were not as ingenious, and his seven Spirits as Diffusive as those of Nilus; by which the Want not the Neglect of Rain is supplied in Egypt. Nor can it be imagined with any Salvo, to the Dignity, Pity, Wisdom, Omnipotency, and the Promise of God First made, and therefore likely to be most inviolably kept, (he not being as man, that he should repent) For, That the Earth is the Lords, and all that therein is, the Fullness thereof, cannot be True, if Hell swallow up the major part. And that Christ his Son should be found, at the last Assizes, with a smaller Train (let their Glory be never so Great) than his, shall march in the head of those miserable Souls, clothed with the Wrath of God. Can any in Prudence, if in Equity, think That the Malice of his Enemy should be more Disfusive in relation to particulars, than the mercy of our Blessed Saviour? who did not like the Devil Fall for our Destruction, but Rise for our Justification. There now lives not a greater Infidel, then S. Thomas was: yet the Apostles do not excommunicate him, nor Christ reject him, but cure him through a palpable manifestation of those wounds, the Greatest part of the World have not nor ever had any Knowledge of: Nor those most Reserved, any Inspection into; but what they make through so small a Faith, as doth not answer the Proportion, of a grain of mustardseed; Else they would remove those mountains that shadow Truth. And if so single an Attestation as mine, might be allowed the boldness to appear, against such a Cloud of witnesses, as have found the Turk and Pope guilty in person, of the Title of Antichrist, I should reverse the Sentence; and pronounce it rather against That Order of Men, or Discipline, that put the Forgiveness of God under a Bushel, (which according to his Dignity and Promise, aught to Diffuse itself over all the Nations of the World) rendering by this means, the inexhaustible Treasure of Mercy, like the Philosopher's stone: (of which some have made the Gospel of Jesus Christ but an Allegory) only attainable by a People, thus Situated, Instructed and qualified: Whereas None that Call upon the Name of God (a custom appears by Genesis not to have begun till after Adam) are exempted out of the primitive Grant. The Fault of the Angels, if compared with that of Man, will not be found, upon a true Survey, much Different.  
The First endeavouring to Equal their Maker in his Power; the Latter in his Wisdom.  
It is harder to find a Reason for the Angel's Sin against God, than their Malice to Man: It being usual for Malefactors to hate their Judge, and after Sentence, to endeavour the Hindrance of its Execution, and to bring Others, (at least those they know he Favours) into a like Condemnation; Having Themselves no better Condition, to Hope for, nor Worse to Fear. Like the Wicked of this World, which seek that Ease amongst Company, they are not able to find Alone. Wherefore the preventing Satan's further Triumph, may not improbably be numbered amongst the Causes why God showed Mercy to Men; in the Salvation of whom, had he been so sparing as some imagine, His Justice would appear more prevalent, than his Mercy. And so run out into such a Dishonourable Extreme, as cannot be matched in the Practice of the Greatest Tyrants that ever were: Which are not found to make a Temporal Punishment to extend to a Major part, much less one Eternal.  
What ever the Text may seem to import to our Dull Capacities, There was no Likelihood That Adam would have in this Condition (if he rightly understood Himself) Eat of the Tree of Life: But rather have swallowed Poison, (had that Place afforded it.) Who by Catching at the shadow of Divinity, lost the Real Substance of Humanity; at the suggestion of the Devil: who seeing God form a Governor, out of the Dust, the most Despicable part of his Government, yet a more Honourable beginning than His, (Any thing being better than Nothing) he might look upon it, with Disdain, as unworthy the sentence of Goodness. Neither might this Humour of Pride be provoked, if he be admitted so much Inspection into Future Success, as to see the Creature he despised, should not only inherit the Glory he was fallen from, but Exceed the Angels that Continued in Integrity. Thus the Serpent growing Fruitful in Presumption, endeavours to frustrate his Maker's Intention, by labouring to Deface his Image in Man.  
But Omnipotency struck Light, out of Darkness, by making the Prince of it, Instrumental to the Production of his Son. And these Joyful Tidings, That the seed of the Woman should prevail against the gates of Hell, God brings Himself as a Token that he meant to perform it in his own Person. Neither is it to be passed without Notice, That, he saith, The seed of the Woman only. For by that, might be prefigured the miraculous Conception of our Blessed saviour without a Man; Noless, Then the Perverseness of Depraved Nature. For though Adam had thus offended and felt an Effect of the Punishment in his present Apprehension, yet he was not able to Lay hold on the Weak Virtues of Repentance and Acknowledgement; the Lawful Daughters of Hope, with whom, yet he had no Acquaintance, much less Interest, before The Promise of Christ. But instead of these Tokens of Grace, he wanted not the Impudence, to lay the Fault on God; as if the Woman had been made and given him, for his Destruction. And in this Eves sin was Less, and her Manners more; For though She would not take it to herself, but Cast it on the Serpent, yet She doth not upbraid God, with the Making of it.  
Now by God's mild Answer in this no less than in his Colloquy held with Cain, after the murder of his Brother, we may find, He is not Angry according to the mode of men, or as some represent him with Thunder continually in his Hand. As if our Prevarications and Miseries had Created passions in our Maker, and taught him to be Angry, or Merciful. Since if ever he had been Capable of Fury, it had Now appeared, when he found Malice, Ingratitude, Folly, and Pride laid all in the way, to interrupt his Work, which his Justice must have ruined, had it not been quenched by Love: A Virtue taken out of the Hidden Fountain of his Goodness; which till then, he was not pleased to reveal.  
And Here his passing-by all Notice, of the Devil's operation, in Adam's Transgression may Colour their Opinion That think Sin did Then, and Now doth proceed from Ourselves.    

Conjectural QUERES, OR problematical Paradoxes Concerning Reason, Speech, Learning, Experiments, and other Philosophical Matters.  
BY FRANCIS OSBORN Esquire.  
LONDON, Printed by J. Grismond, 1659.   

To his very worthy Friend, Mr. Ro. Wo. of Linc. Coll. in Oxon.  
SIR,  
DID I own the Wisdom and Wealth of Seneca, as truly as I do the highest Affection he pretends to in his Epistles: This had contained Matter no less suitable to the Greatness of your Judgement, than the Obligation I must ever acknowledge I owe to your Goodness.  
But since I am restrained from the First by Birth, as I am from the Latter by Fortune, You may yet be wooed to a more charitable acceptance upon this Consideration, That though the Present be small, it was not filched from Epicurus, or any other Magazine of Knowledge, than what lies included within my own Invention. Which proves This I send you, as absolutely mine, as ever it was Theirs (if any such be) that may have Discovered it before I was born. For being acquitted by my Conscience of all Theft in this kind, I take the Recitements of others Opinions, as relating to no greater a Shame in me, than those are Obnoxious to, who enriched us with Guns and Printing, because some maintain they were used in China many Thousand Years before. The ranconter being no less Happy than his that stumbled on it at first.  
I confess I have been so basely abused by Books, as that I entertain none but upon high Commendations. And those rather New than Old, however the world is pleased to look a squint upon them, as lesse-deserving, though some have appeared of late to Admiration, and so far Transcendent as I fear our Period is near. Ignorance and Barbarism, being commonly the last subdued before a general Destruction.  
Knowledge hath been ever taken for an infallible Portent of Ruin found, So busy a Companion, as she leaves nething unpryed into, in Heaven or Earth towards the Heights and Depths of which she is not continually rolcing her Conjectures and casting her Darts; tenable through no Opinions long, but what she remains feuered to with the strong Chains of the Mathematics I Study no less Natural than Necessary. The employment of Children, in their exactest Innocency, being to make Houses and raise Pies of Dirt. So as if this inclination were encouraged, and supported through the Direction of discreet Teachers, These Buds might come in Future to yield (without tormenting and subduing their Spirits) more wholesome Fruit, than the crueler Culture of the School was ever found yet able to produce.  
But I hold it no Prudence here to give a Second blow, by which the Idolaters of Former Customs may be tempted to a like Severity in case I should mistake; as 'tis very possible I may. The Landscape I endeavour to draw being darkened through Ignorance, Superstition, and what is more dreadful, a thick and obscure Cloud of different Judgements so long embraced for the Goddess of Truth, as none can prosecute the Contrary, though never so far off, under hope of a milder penalty, then to be sent away Naked, and Wounded, which cannot but be thought an uncivil kind of Justice, and unsuitable to the Primitive and richer ages of the world: Where then as few were denied to search as we finde now able to determine. Every Sect of Philosopher's domineering in his Station.  
Yet rather than betray Natural Reason into their hands who desire to cut off all farther Traffic with the Land of Knowledge, I shall leave these Paradoxes, Problems, Queres, Conjectures, or what you please to call them, wholly to your Disposure. Being resolved neither to be dejected, nor elated through their Destruction or Preservation. Only I am confident if they can pass with the smallest degree of Your Approbation, it may prove a safe Conduct in Justice against the severest Censures of others, No less than a perpetual testimony that I am  
Your faithful Friend and Servant.   

Conjectural Paradoxes CONCERNING Reason, Speech, Learning, Experiments, etc.  
MOst Philosophy lies clouded by Disputes, and the Magisteriall Determinations of the Schools, from whence it hath till of late, been thought Presumption to appeal; Though Manifest Errors do appear in what they have already judged: And many as material things passed by under Silence or Restraint, that cannot be denied as fit to be known. Nor are any so likely to discover new Truths as such as march by themselves, and out of the beaten Track of others. Curious Ideas being like Precious Stones, sooner stumbled upon, and found in places lest looked for, then Started by the Direction of any that went before; who have left only Discouragement, or at least but a Negative or such a perplexed Knowledge, as renders their Understanding that rest in it more Offuscated and Gloomy than the most stupid Ignorance itself.  
Which together affords me cause enough to think our rare Inventions and pregnant wits stifle their own Natural Fertility through a too long and frequent Commerce with Books; Not seldom of a contrary Complexion and Style to the Readers: yet forced out of Custom to be conversant in them. By which he is brought to Stammer and become so Diffident of himself (such Learnning lying in Memory the most pedantical part of Knowledge) as he dares not deliver his own Opinion out of Reverence to Antiquity or any Authors else, but in the same words he finds it written. The doting upon Foreign Authority keeping us still at a stand: like the Body of Joabs' Brother, beyond which the Israelites would not pass out of a vain reverenceto their General.  
And thus all further Prosecution of Knowledge and Conquest over Ignorance is obstructed, and Scholars tied to Cultivate and confine their Travels within the Circuit of a barren Wilderness, stocked with insignificant Terms and such crabbed Allusions and improbable Conclusions, that have no better Plea for their Authority then the exorbitant veneration which Tradition rather than Merit, hath awarded Antiquity above the equal, if not better Judgements found in our Age. Nor is there hope of any further or more happy progress till these rotten Carcases be removed out of the way, or covered from their Eyes that want not Hearts and abilities to jog on better without them.  
The First Man could have at the Beginning but this Advantage of a Child, that his Organs were immediately fitted and prepared to receive no less then retain Knowledge. Which in an Infant are Obstructed through Want of Room, or too great a Redundancy of Phlegm or Moisture.  
For if Adam was furnished with more, it must be Supernatural, and so far above humane apprehension, as it is to imagine how he should Know his Goods, or the use of what he never had seen or tried, unless we conceive he brought an Inventory or Herbal into the world with him.  
Wherefore, according to humane understanding, Reason like Fire was at the beginning but a Spark, till through a confluence of all Events happenable to Man it, received Augmentation, as the other did from the Supplement of Matter; And having once caught Paper did illuminate the World.  
Now though so much Knowledge is not unlikely to be found in the Creature, as that with the same Advantages to increase it, they might become more intelligent than still to remain Slaves: Yet I find room for a Quere, Whether this Defect (if capable of that Title) doth not proceed rather from the Want of Speech, than perception? Or Whether Humanity that arrogates so high, as to proclaim itself Lord over all may not be found in some Persons and Places (as it might not impossibly have been in the Rest) little more Rational, had it no greater stock of Experiments, to traffic with, than every respective individual is able to glean up of himself? Our advantages proceeding from Commerce, whose Wheel once set a work did quickly manifest on which Side Gain or Loss lay, the Primitive Knowledge of Good and Evil, and before whose door Sin was first found.  
And this Inspection into things at the beginning dim and modest, became by handing from one generation to another, so huge a Mountain in their estimation who presumed to have made a full and exact Survey of the Land of Knowledge; That with the Giants of old, they did not only rant it over men's Persons and Consciences, by proportioning what extent of Worship befitted the Gods, but erected their Pillars upon the borders of Philosophy under such an Imperious Injunction, as none, till of late have ventured to discover any thing beyond them; Though found in other Descriptions and Relations very False, by multiplying such poor Advantages as Man hath acquired, and depressing greater which do naturally belong to the Creature, who is inspired with the same breath, inhabits the same Earth, is more Healthful and Strong; Only he seems to come short in Reason. The Original of which I shall make my further endeavour to discover. And if it prove in the abstract more adventitious than Natural, and less beneficial, than the Senses, upon whose ruins she hath built her foundation, I hope it may hold forth an Use of Humility unto us, if not move pity towards the Creature, who the Apostle justly saith groans for its Deliverance.  
It is on all hands confessed without the least whisper of Contradiction, That, Luxurious, idle and vicious Nations are most pregnant and happy in the richest Endowments of the Mind. And, That it is ordinary with divers in Ecstasies, Fevers, acute Diseases, and during the storms of Love, Fear, etc. to have their Inventions soar higher than in a more entire Health they have been found after able to reach. From whence it is deducible, that Reason (for aught we know) may be but the Effect of those Corporeal infirmities from which without Question it receives Augmentation. Since Wisdom is not found frequently mingled with Strength and Beauty. The richest endowments unsophisticated Nature appears to own in all things living besides; Whereas some, if not the generality of men outwardly Crooked and Deformed utter Inventions most neatly composed. The Loss and Defect in one external Sense or Part making a treble Compensation in the Mind. Contrary to Beasts, amongst whom those of the exactest Features are most useful and Docile.  
Nor is it probable but such Variety of Food separated from the blood by Fire, and compounded with Sugar, Spices, Salt, Sauces, Perfumes, with all sorts of Viands relating to the High Taste, which eaten are convertible into our own Bodies, should alter and add to the Faculties of the Mind, and fill us in the Day with some of those Rational Raptures we apprehend from the vapours they raise so palpably during Sleep: Not to be denied the Effects of a Distempered Brain, and strangers to such Creatures and Persons as are of more Natural Diets, or make their Repast on Herbs and less sophisticated meats through which Phlegm is increased, so known a Retarder of understanding as to protract the maturity of Children, till by a Dryer Aliment and unnatural Heat they are exposed to (especially their Heads) it is consumed, A concurrent cause of this rational Advantaze we pretend to have over Beasts That wanting the use of Fire are necessarily more replenished with Fluid Humours, and so by Consequence Less Wise, though far more Agile, Healthful and strong. Whereas those to whom we allow the largest proportion of Understanding, are Weak, Meager, and still under some Course of Physic, which may pass for another Cause of Knowledge; The Operations of the Mind being most prevalent in Decrepit Bodies.  
The same is incident to Wine, that doth not seldom inspire a Clown with Civility, a Coward with Valour, the most sordidly Covetous with Liberality; And (what is most conducible to the Assertion in hand) a Fool with a larger proport on of Wit than he had, though unable to reduce it into a Habit, by reason of some Obstruction or Leakage in his Organs. From whence it is as apparent That Fancy and Conceit may be gratisied at the prejudice of the Senses, no less then by the usual practice of Students, Poets, and Accomptants that use all endeavours to exclude and stifle the Ideas both of their Eyes and Ears, whose Diversions they can by no means admit without hazarding the happy Success of all they are in labour to bring about. Whereas Beasts, by reason of their continual Fears find leisure to be attentive to nothing but sense. Like a Town Besieged wherein all other A 'tis cease, but what may contribute to Relief and Preservation, because Hearing and Smelling are their chiefest outguards, and without which they cannot in safety gather their Food. Nor doth their Care extend beyond this for want of that Spur of Necessity (form through the Mediation of their own Arts and Nature) with which Men are pricked on to New Inventions. Being at better Leisure & more Security. Able (standing in little awe but of their own Species) to consume those Spirits in internal Contemplations, through which both themselves and their Fellow- Creatures are rendered more miserable then by Nature, without this improvement (of what they call Wisdom) they needed to have been; Whilst the other Animals are forced to dissipate them amongst their Senses only to purchase Food and Safety. Yet the Knowledge so much boasted of, is no more Ours, than Honey is the Bees, before picked up out of the Lesse-erring Practices of the more innocent Creatures, from whence they have deduced their best principles to the very Arts used by themselves in the Preservation or Destruction of their own Kind. And these hoarded up in Memory, the Magazine of Bypast Events, though possibly at first no more retentive in man's Head then Beasts, till by the Fumes of the former mentioned Excess, Ours become so Oily like a Potlid, and apt for Receipt, as nothing worthy observation could escape without leaving an Impression behind it. And in this mould with the help of Fire, and a continual Refining through Time, the purest Reason, so much relied on by Statists and Politicians came at first to be Cast  
And that this is not obtruded upon Belief under a single Testimony, it may be found the Opinion of the French Nation, where they have not a more Apposite expression for a Fool, then, that, His Head is ill made. No weak argument of an universal Belief, That Midwife's skill doth highly conduce to an advancement or depression of Wisdom in a Child. And from hence I have been led to this wish, That the like office might be performed on the behalf of a young Ape (of the Kingdom of Congo, of which some years since I saw one in England, that bore a Symmetry if not throughout like to, yet very little differing from a Child's) whose Skull being kept from a too sudden closing by Heat, Swathing, and the rest of the Ligations used by Nurses to Infants might not unpossibly acquire reason, which once attained, The Impediments to Speech, (whose principal Cunning lies in a musical Division or mincing a continued sound into articulate Notes) would be no sooner discovered then removed: We enjoying many things under the Favour and endeavours of Reason, far more difficult and remote from the Confines of Nature, than the Coinage of Languages rendered apparent through the multitude of them met with in the world. And this once acquired, though by chance and not altogether consonant to the exact pattern of Nature, Custom, assisted by Imagination might render diffusive for the Future. As I believe not only many of our new-purchased Qualities but divers of those man's curiosity hath imprinted upon his Own Kind or Others, are already become Manifest in a Succession of Dogs whelped without Tails. To which mutilation (at first no question purely humane or merely accidental) Nature hath been so indulgent already, as instead of an unsightly Bob, to form a sharp comely Bone like the Scut of a Deer.  
Now since we are able to add to, or Diminish from Nature's work, both in reference to Body and Mind, it cannot appear improbable That many Alterations (perhaps greater than we are able to imagine, or ready to believe) have had their Flux and Reflux often repeated or changed since the Beginning. Which may render it no improbable Opinion, (but as true as formerly it hath been common) That Apes were of the seed of Cham, or else the by-blows of some wild stock of Humanity: the Characters of whose kind remaining no less manifest in their Bodies, than Affections to Women: of which there are so many living Witnesses, as it were superfluous to endeavour to prove it. Only this may be added as a further Testimony: That myself have seen two Monkeys that for many years did not fail to have duly a Lunary Purgation.  
Nor is this any rare Discovery, but cited as a Report by the Lord Mountain in his Essays, No less than we find it the usual practice of the Almighty in the Scriptures, To ‛ Punish a Sin in the Succession of a ' Family, as he did some with short Life, others with Leprosy, etc. The Recital of which I will fully omit, it being my Task rather to Propose then Determine.  
And if any understand what is said here in a more positive Sense, They abuse themselves no less than wrong me; Who have no Stronger Assertions to justify this, Then my Weak Conjecture, which is, That if God laid the Deprivation of Reason upon these Monsters (For other they cannot appear to be, bearing a shape and owning Gestures as various from the rest of Animals, as their Conceptions are remote from the Prudence of a man) for any peculiar Offence, or that humane Lust did cause it, by casting Seed into an irrational and improper Soil, There lies no Cure for this Bestiality, if not in Heat. Cold being a heavy Enemy to Activity of the mind though a tried Friend to Strength, and a Continuer of Perfection. As Heat on the contrary melts and refines the Spirits into a more Rational Temper. The first of which is exemplified in Sheep and Kine, which though useful, cannot be excluded the Catalogue of the most Simple: For exposing their new fallen Young to the injury of the weather, their Pores become sealed up so close as the Gross and Phlegmatic strangle the Purer Spirits only capable of that Vivacity and Cunning found in those Creatures forced to use Stratagems in the gaining of their Food, whose Whelps are housed in Dens and Thickets. Nor are the Foggy Humours in those Creatures rarified by Sweat, most proper to the Heads of Men, That in Horses being rather squeezed out by Labour, then distilled gently by Drops, through which Nature obtains an opportunity to pick and Choose, who uncompelled will part with nothing but what is Bad or Superfluous.  
Now if the Head be capable of moulding into one Figure more apt for the production of reason, than another (as it is on the side of common experience confessed) then can as little doubt be made but that it must needs have been litt upon in a far less revolution of Time then the World hath already passed over, if certain of her own Chronologie, which some have extended many Thousand of Years beyond what by Faith we are obliged to believe. And Wisdom once attained could never be lost; Since (as it is reported of the Elixir) she receives Augmentation and Improvement from every Event. And because our greater Security and Variety of Food hath suffocated and abated so much of our Sense as it is in no proportion able to find employment for our Fancy, (against whose Nature it is to be Idle) as That more entire may do in the Creature; Man is continually ruminating of what is Past, or Attentive on what is Present, and by Comparing of these, is in some Mediocrity taught to determine of the Future. Having Wisdom or Folly objected to him, according as the Conjecture doth quadrate with Truth, and the Concurrence of a Happy Success. Whereas the rest of Animals not being able to estate their Young, and such as succeed in their dear-bought Experiences, (if not for want of memory the mint of Knowledge, yet out of an Incapacity for Discourse, and Disability to employ such Arts as are only proper to Societies limited by Laws) become stunted in their Knowledge; and without Improvement, not owning a larger Stock than the Brevity of a Turbulent Life is able to accumulate, for want of Words, which coined into Questions and Answers, are only able to Barter our own, and purchase the Wisdom belonging to Others.  
Now if any think people were born Wise at the First, (I mean in relation to the understanding now currant) they cannot but alter their Opinion upon Contemplation of the vast Improvement one Age makes of what went before, and how many New and more useful Arts are now as it were daily invented.  
And as the want of Words is a total Eclipse, of any nearer dawn or further progress in the Creature towards Reason; so we find the Confusion of Languages no small Remora to the enlargement of Man's: The which (as is observable in some Plagues else) though immediately poured on us by God for Sin, have their radical Cause yet extant in Nature itself: So a Variety in Dialects may by such probabilities as these seem to be occasioned, Speech being but an Appellation of Things of which Providence hath bestowed many in one place, denied to Others, a Diversity of Languages must needs attend as a necessary Consequence. Made yet more various and less intelligible from Moisture and Drowth; Through whose Mediocrity or Excess, Sound is rendered either Liquid or Mute proportionate to the Contraction or Extension of their Organs who do, or may hereafter inhabit the place. That cannot but naturally own the Causes of such Effects. Some Pumping their Words out of their Throats, others Lower. As I knew a tall Scotchman allowed a Pension from King James, That could frame a Voice at the Mouth of his Lungs, seeming to be remote from the Ears of the nearest By-stander. A Fallacy no less likely to be in practice with the Priests of Apollo then the Original of many miraculous Narrations of Old. And through this variety of Tone and Pronunciation it often comes to pass, That an Englishman is not able readily to converse with a Stranger in one and the same Latin. From whence we may modestly observe that Nature had the Confusion of Tongue's în Potentia before God reduced it into an Actual Plague. Who did not then create it anew, no more than he did the Rain- Bow. But did only accommodate this Punishment to his present purpose.  
Now though the Multiplicity of Idioms may in some part Cloud our Knowledge from the Experiences to be gained by Strangers, yet the Time usually spent, and the Hardship endured at School to dissipate these Mediums, & to learn to see through them, may not unpossibly be heavier and more tedious than the Curse itself.  
It being likelier to have been the voice of Custom than Reason that Fonted a bare Knowledge in Tongues with the Title of Learning. In the prosecution of which the Spirits of Children are blunted, and Wit exchanged for Insignificant Terms, and a Stupid Ignorance of all things else, under the Tyrannical Regiment of an Ignorant Pedagogue. Who if good for any thing, that Art must needs go so averse to the grain of his Understanding, as he cannot but be a mere Empiric in it. Apparent in the most, because seldom undertaken, but as a Last Reserve, and after more easy and thriving Professions have been tried. Where if the Salary prove not more necessary to his Fortune, than so unmanly an Erudition doth to the miserable Child, 'tis easy to guess who drove the Bargain. And this Plague past some to bail themselves out of the Deserts of Want, and the Sons of others less needy to attain an insight into such Tongues, as our Ancestors Folly, not Reason, prompted them to, prefer before Experience the Dialect of the World, and with which you may travail further and in more Security then with all the Learning in Europe.  
The Child now in his most Docile age to Study men, and Softest Temper to take the Impression of Patience and Compliance, is by a Learned Tutor and Brazenfaced Impudence gained in the Schools swept and garnished to receive a Sevenfold more Wilful and Indomitable Ignorance in relation to what is Convenient and becoming a Citizen of the World. A false Opinion of what he Hath not covering from his Apprehension such Defects as really he hath.  
Such as make Learning a full Employment have their Judgement so overawed by Antiquity, that like Players they dare present nothing in public but what their Poets have left them written. And if any Exception can be made against that general Rule, which Concludes A too long Continuance at the University no great Advancer of parts, it will be found amongst such as passed under the Notion of Raschalls and Libertine. It being obvious to Proof (if I were willing to register those Glorious Names under such a Monstrous Head) That none have graced Learning more than some the University hath exploded. Invention being an Art of too noble a nature, to be learned under a Prenticeship, or the great Restraint of the Schools. That spoil and dead the fresh and piquant Taste of later and New Wits by putting them into Old Forms, patched up with Sentences, which doth avoidable make a Rent in the Author's style. It being impossible for one to write or behave himself suitable to the gusto of all, or of the Major part that hath not spent his time in a more universal Commerce then the guise of an Academy is able to afford. And if any doubt of this Truth, show the Infidel a meer-Schollar in the Company of Ladies; Or (that failing to Convert him,) A managing his Horse, or Estate after the old Idolater his Father or Uncle is dead, Who thought no other Calves deserved to be Worshipful that had not learned to bleat after the Mode of Dan or Bethel.  
The ancient and indeed most Natural Trial for Land in this Nation (since Strength and Valour measures out the Livelihood and Place of Abode to every Creature) was by Combat: At this Day reduced into the Art of Fencing, whose exactest Professors are not seldom confounded and beaten out of their Play by an active Countryman, that owns no more Cunning than a Robust arm, and a quick Eye is able to inform a Cudgel withal, easily found in every Wood: Because managed contrary to a premised Method; The practice of the Science, (far easier called Noble then proved so) had only acquainted the Fencer with, who becomes further to seek, and is put in a greater Disarray through this more Natural, but less Methodical way, than another possibly might have been, that deals his Blows by a less Artificial Direction. The Faculties of Soul and Body being observed at long running to receive seldom amendment, often Detriment from the Restrictions of Art: unless in things like Painting merely Delusive, or Grafting, and Planting wholly Laborious. These being Imbellishers, if not Restorers of Nature, whereas the Liberal Sciences (as the Schools call them) Labour to Confine Experience within General Rules, though found to be as Diffusive and Numberless as the Accidents and Events depending upon Motion. And through whose mediation alone Reason is capable of a further Improvement.  
As Man's refusing no Nourishment hath already been owned (and I doubt not but under the Favour of some seeming probability at least) for an Advancer of that Wisdom, we transcend the rest of God's Creatures in. So I presume it may as rationally be proposed for an Occasion of long Life: Since through so various a Change of Meats the several Humours of our Bodies are in a continual Vicissitude so stimulated and held in such an equal Contest, as neither Heat nor Cold, Drowth nor Moisture are suffered to exceed that just Proportion Nature hath assigned to maintain all things in Being: Few Creatures attaining to so long a Continuance as Elephants, Horses, etc. most Domestical with Men, which by reason of the great Variety of Herbs they feed on in Summer, and their Dry Diet in Winter (Noted by That Honourable Restorer of Philosophy for a great Prolonger of Life) do not seldom reach the most ordinary Ages of Men. And amongst Birds, those of Prey, Parrots and Geese; the First feeding on all sorts of Flesh, nor will they refuse Fish upon occasion; As the Second of every thing eatable by us; The Third upon what is held venomous to Human Nature, besides Grass and Corne. Whereas Doves, sparrow, etc. are of short Continuance; To which I shall only add, in Favour of my former Assertion, That the Fowls first mentioned come short in understanding of nothing that hath Wings.  
I heard it First affirmed by a French Student in Physic, and known it verified by my own Experience in relation to many That all Fowl may be eaten, (if not for Delight) in a Siege, or time of Necessity, without Danger. Opinion rather than Nature having caused a Disgust generally arising against some (of Themselves) Delicate Meats, as my Self can attest for Young-Bald-Bazzards, Sparrow-Hawkes, Owls, etc. Together with a Number of Things more an effeminate Niceness hath exploded our Tables. Yet in the mean time Mushrooms, Frogs, Whelks, Snails, etc. have crawled into the Dishes of Princes, and are daily eaten in their Courts for Dainties, which amongst other Viands not in use amongst our Ancestors are not unlikely to Occasion other Vapours than their more Unsophisticated Food did Alembecke the Heads of such orderly Persons withal, whose Dreams if not Waking Imaginations must needs differ from ours. As I can instance from a repeated Experiment ofmy own, Who encouraged through the former mentioned French man's Confidence, did eat at Supper a considerable Quantity of the Green-woodspite with the Long-Tongue. After which I found my Sleep taken up with uncouth and (as I then apprehended) no Impertinent Fancies, the Cause I made a Second Experiment, with the like Success. From whence may be deduced, That if our Nourishment or any Outward or Inward Application or Digestion may be of force to inspire Sleep with various Dreams, which remembered waking seem not unworthy our own most serious Meditations no less than the Attention of others more Wise. Man alone that hath extended his Food over all things eatable cannot but participate of every Effect they are either in gross or respectively liable unto, and so Capable of a more Diffusive Knowledge than the Creatures, not able to digest that Variety Custom hath rendered the Stomaches of Men familiar withal. Theirs being commonly of One Temper and without Mixture. Ours Hot and Cold, Dry and Moist, bordering upon the next Confines of Poison; And not seldom a Composition of all Contrarieties together. Now if our Bodies (as Doctor Browne no less wittily then truly saith) are in a small revolution of Time licked from our Trenchers, why may not what we Eat, work as effectually upon our Spirits as Flesh, and as well waking as asleep?  
Upon the first view of Cornelius Agrippa's Vanity of Sciences, I did applaud his Diligence, in becoming so versed in every Profession, no less than his resolute Detection of their Abuses: By which he confirms me in the Opinion, That what we esteem Wisdom, is of no more Signal Advantage (as I have often said) than what is deduceable out of the Weakness of others. Yet upon Inspection into the Bottom of his Reprehensions, I find the World is held up and kept in plight merely by Cheating: So as those Trades he hath reduced under a Numeration are not only Guilty, but Himself and all such as make it their Pastime if not their business to be sceptical in what is generally looked upon as Certain; and to fish for more probable Truths in the Depths of Nature. Where nothing is found pure without Mixture, (if we may not with Reverence say Sophistication) to her very Products of Life and Death. Since the one would be as far to seek of any Content in the Absence of Hope, as the Other of Bitterness out of the Presence of Fear. Now since the Mother of All Things useth such slights to flatter her Children into the Act of Generation, for her own sake of Continuance, and for the same hath represented Death in the most odious Aspect, to Terrify us out of the Desire of the Grave, (which though opposite to her present Intention, cannot but be as necessary to a Future, and that which Religion teacheth, is only Capable to make us in the least measure Happy) How should her Creature Man produce more useful, or gather more Lasting Fruit than Those of Sodom, that vanish upon the offer of Fruition, since the most beneficial Calling or Employment is uncapable of affording a more Honourable Salary, than Industry can worm out of the Wants of Others? From whence we may safely affirm, That Sin is the chiefest Taskmaster, Since the most are busied about what is Destructive, Superfluous, or uncertain. And to remove this from vulgar Understandings, the best and readiest Chapman for all Things adulterated in reference to Honour, Profit, and Universal Good and Tranquillity, the Preservation of which hath diminished much of the Natural Stock belonging to Particulars. Such ranting Terms as Agrippa mentions, are stuffed into all Sciences. Through which the most Familiar Things are rendered unintelligible without a Lexicon. And in no other respect useful, then like Gaudy Shells, and Glistering Stones to adorn the Fountains of Learning towards the Gratification of their Eyes, who led by the Ocean of Books that daily issue out, come to visit them like the Heads of Nilus. Though such Cawting cannot but be Destructive to nearer Relations, by which every Profession is furnished with an Opportunity of Deceit, to the end of the Chapter of Trade. The Continuance of which renders the Buyer oftentimes further to seek in the Knowledge of the Name, than the Thing. An inconvenience so visible and Epidemical, as it could never have come under my Pen, had it continued within the Circle of Men obnoxious to the like Fault, and not fallen so heavy upon Children, whose misery no less than Loss of Time I have not yet forgot; endured and spent upon Forms little Different from those of a Galley, to no more Thriving an Intention in reference to the Public, Then Apothecaries paint and adorn their Shops which is to delude the Ignorant, and hide from Inspection such Arts as lie more in Parade then Substance. The Occasion not only of a greater Expense of Years in this Limbo, to the loss of the more useful vision of Experience, but a smaller proficiency in Learning, such being held so long viewing the Superscription, as small leisure (if any desire) is left to consider the Contents. Nor doth the universality of this Abuse render it more tolerable than the Multitude, as well as variety of Company can the Pains of Hell. Learning running in this Course so contrary to what She professes, which is to render Reason more plain, That She brings, like Eve a Tottered Apron to cover it.  
Though Chalk-Stones may appear of too weak and soft a Temper to perfect a Fabric, yet they become useful and necessary to mark and delineate the First Grounds for the Greatest and most exact Designs: So Ideas the Embryo's of Knowledge, are not seldom found in Heads apt for Conception, than Production. It being a labour proper and peculiar to Jupiter alone to be at once delivered of so exact a Minerva, & so strongly armed as may be proof against Detraction & Emendation. Yet rambling Wits ought (in my poor Judgement) to be indulged, because by Crumbling their Conjectures on all Subjects, they have in every Age further enriched the World, then Solider understandings are known to have done. Which may appear upon Trial fitter for Nurses than Mothers, whom in a short Time they teach their Children to forget, and Call that by their own Names, never cost them more pains then to Educate and (loath suitably to the Apprehensions of Men. A Truth so manifest, That if all the Arts (not to mention the Altars) were forced to refund what hath been primitively borrowed from the Poets, They would (if not be Naked) want many of their richest Ornaments. And if we call to Account who first did embellish our Language, we shall not find them amongst the Greatest Clarks, but such as were more Conversant with Men than Books. For though the First like Phlegmatic Cattle, hanging their Noses still over their Tables, may appear more plomp and voluminous, yet such as with the Eagle Survey the World, cannot but be more Active and Exemplary.  
Nature holds out proof against all Constraint. For if violated in one sense, it is still for a Gratification of some other Passion or Affection, at the present more prevalent. Coneys, Ferrets, etc. do not seldom devour their young, but 'tis always for want of Water or Meat. Nor are Women (out of Fear and Shame of what Law hath rather forged then found in the Records of Nature) less cruel to their Children, when squeezed between the Bark of Reproach, and the dreadful Tree of Destruction, they make them away.  
For though Nature hath placed Mother and Child in a relation next in blood; She hath removed them many Degrees off in that of Affection, ever most prevalent in reference to Themselves; Especially when all hope determines as it doth here.  
To conclude, Self-murder (as we call it, though reckoned amongst the highest results of Valour) being still to avoid a present, or put to silence all expectation of Future Misery, esteemed worse than Death, may no more than the rest be contrary to the award of this universal Mistress, whose highest intention is Wellbeing, no more than it is against Reason Of two Evils to make choice of the Least.  
No Element is found liable to a more general Diminution than it is subject to an universal Excess. Manifest in the Sea, that receives not any Augmentation from the greatest Confluence of Land-Floods. The Reason is, That her Commings-in are Mathematically adjusted to her Layings-out. All possible Abatements in one place being reembursed in another, by a continual Bartering and Exchange. From whence through a Natural Chemistry so much is Commuted or Calcined as only makes good the Principal Stock without encroachment upon Superfluity or Want.  
Such as seek further after their own Original, or are in Quest of a remoter Cause than God, prosecure a no less impertinent Study, and from whence no more certain Solution can be expected then Conjecture is able to return their Curiosity, who endeavour to find out what Mutations may succeed after Death hath determined their Speculation shall cease. It being equally impossible to discover our first Production, as for a Child, without Direction, to know the Midwife that brought him into the World, or the precise part of it whereon he was born. Wherefore out of the power of any thing but Omnisciency to extend a Pedigree beyond the Line of ordinary Generation. That related by Moses pointing more to Obedience, and an exact Observation of the Sabbath (not till long after the Creation indulged through any revealed Practice) than the fomenting of Understanding not improperly alleged for the Discoverer if not the Occasion of Infelicity; Man remaining in a more entire Tranquillity under a Calm Ignorance then such a turbulent and indeterminable Knowledge. Which like the Aprons it first produced, is patched up with so many Leaves of Contrary Operations, Ends, and Applications, that under presence of a Covering for our Shame, it doth daily reveal more Mischief, and is by reason of a Subtlety learned from the Serpent, able to Conceal greater Malice, Sin and Wickedness (The Original of Infelicity) than Naked-mankind had ever been Capable of without it. So as no thanks remains due to it, but what may result from the Abbreviation of Life. It being an undeniable Truth, That the production of every Child, is if not an Advancer of the Monarchy of Reason in its own Person, the doubted Subject of others Deceit, and Oppression. Humane Wisdom being of little larger Extent, than what it is able to purchase and find room for through an Encroachment and Advantage made and taken of others Folly and Defects. And from this the Whole World comes to be so universally Inhabited, Every Family seeking rest by Evasion. It being as Natural for Strife to abound where Want is as for Strength to prevail. Wherefore Sin must needs be an Effect if not of Eating, of Excess: Through which man out of Love, for Himself, came to Rob others, And to obviate the Differences, could not but arise from Inequality in Strength, Appetites, and Desires, Government was instituted. Towards whose Favour all Laws both Civil and Divine are either taught, or do naturally incline. Yet if any in Curiosity desire to make scrutiny into their own Original, I cannot but with Solomon send them to the Infects for their further Satisfaction, and persuade them to be more studious after the Causes of such Animals as the Sun doth yearly Create or regenerate. And to inquire whether matter may not be so prepared and adapted by us as it shall be Capable of Animation through a propensity to that regular and even proportion of Weight and Measure, naturally required by the First Agents of Life. Nor can any Cause of Discouragement be well apprehended in the Prosecution of Life's Original, through a more curious Inspection into the Production of Infects, which once perfectly surveyed and found out, cannot but open a Window towards the prospect of Our own beginning. Since he that hath discovered the Spring by which a small Watch is Inlived, not to be denied the neater workmanship, cannot in reason be far to seek what causeth and continues the Operations of a Church-Clock; Their Motions being one and the same, no less than their Engines, though bound up in a smaller Volume, and supported by more Legs and Feet. Nor are there found above one or two considerable Obstructions lying in the way of this endeavour. And those no further binding then a Commission received from Custom hath power to oblige. Of which the First is an Implicit and blind adhering to the Votes and Precedents derived to us from Antiqulty, not considering, There may not unpossibly lie as vast a World of Truth beyond this rotten Bar, as Experience hath shown us of Land and Nations, which never fell within the Compass of the Old Maps or these Writers Cognizance. And as this renders the further Endeavour after knowledge, a Lost-Labour in the Conceit of Dunces; So our Torrifyed. Brained Zealots, through as great a Mistake in Scripture apprehend it as Damnable. Yet the Reason of the First; no less than the Consciences of the Latter might receive Satisfaction from Dr. Hackwells' Apology, were they capable of it. To which may be added, That since many Words and Actions recited of the Patriarches, do in all Judgements deviate from the exacter Lines of Morality (The Principal, if not the only End of their Manifestation) What Caution can be given, or Assurance taken for their Infallibility in Philosophy? the inculcation of which was never intended, But what is found said in Relation to it, rather accommodated to the vulgar Opinion, than any Imperative Truth. From whence may be gathered, That Joshua's Bidding the Sun stand still, is no more Argument for the Motion of it, Then Jacob's deluding his Brother may be pleaded in the Justification of Mine. Wherefore He that out of a venerable Esteem of the Sacred Text, gives Credit to a Prolongation of the Day, and so a full performance of all the Ends and Purposes for which the request was made, it matters not in relation to Faith, whether it resulted from the Sun's or the Earth's Motion. Joshua being the General of an Army not a professed Philosopher. So no less uncapable of a Mistake in the Mathematics than Elijah was in the Calculation of God's Servants whom he summed up in his peculiar Person, till his Arithmetic was better regulated by the Essence of Number, etc. Nor did our Saviour discountenance this Opinion, when He according to the usual Mode of the Place, Did lift up his Eyes towards Heaven, Though he did know, and Teach us That the Father was not only resident in Himself, but together with all Things In and Under the Earth. As for Other Rubs lying in the Way of a further Inquisition after Knowledge (all being readier to cast Reproach and Ink in the Face of a Projectour, then to assist for the present, or help in the Future, unless after Death) To Improve to the best Advantage what perhaps he has not strength alone to produce. I look upon them in Some as a Design to guard their Callings from Inspection: And in Others as an Obstinate Ignorance engendered out of Shame to Confess Themselves no less than their Teachers, to have for so many Ages, been Promoters of, and satisfied With what now doth plainly appear to be mere Figments, etc.  
Fancy is the Mould and Pencil that shapes the Form, and casts the Colour upon Man and Beast, according to the Pattern presented to it by the Senses. Though it may be looked upon in the Schools, under an inferior Notion, where the Custom is, to be most Fruitful in Terms when they are most Barren of Understanding, Tying Knot upon Knot, when she finds her Nails too short, for the unravelling of the First. Especially upon her Endeavours to enlarge The Excellencies of Man (whom in a high Rant she styles a Little World) above his Fellow-Creatures. And to make this good, places in one part of his Head, a receptacle for Memory, and others for Invention, Reason, etc. Besides a Number of Mansions more, Situated in the Heart for Virtues, Passions, and Affections. Though upon a strict Scrutiny the same Goods may be found in the Beast, and far more useful, and less Contaminated through a Greasie-Diet, and Exorbitant Pursuit after Pleasure, by which Men become worse than Beasts, gratifying their Taste at the Prejudice of all the rest of the Senses, the Natural Guards of Safety, yet manifest amongst the more temperate Indians, reported (Like our English Crows) to Smell Gunpowder at a great Distance, gaining nothing by the Change but an Imperfect Reason, which with That Enchanted Horn blown by the Satire, doth terrify more than Confirm or resolve, such as own and make use of it. Yet we pass over in the Creature, greater and more certain Advantages, without Notice or under Contempt. Forgetting, That if we allow them Fancy, which like a Lookingglass doth not only retain the Outward Figures Sense presents us with, But doth reverberate those Censures upon it, as are observed to perplex or quiet the Passions in both, What huge Advantage is left Man to boast of, more, Then that it may be Better Situated, or is of a Greater Circumference in Us then Them? Growing like the Crystalline Humour in the Eyes quicker from a Variation of Objects. And hence cannot be denied to result all the Wisdom discernible in both, with which by reason of Discourse, We are able to make the Louder Noise, though They are not found Quite silent, and no less ready than able in case of Danger, to advice one the other, as every Fowler can upon his Knowledge attest. Yet the whole Extent of both our Capacities lies in no larger a Circle, then that of Others Follies. Only in Things not yet fallen within the Compass of Experience and in relation to Prognostication, or Prediction, the Creature hath the Pre-eminence, out of a more accurate Vivacity in Sense.  
The World labours of a Double Quartane, wherein the Number of Good Days (if any be) are far exceeded by The Bad. The Serenity of the Spring being overvoted through the Scorching Heat in Summer, and the Cold in Winter. Besides the interruptions met with arising from her own private Distempers. The same dismal Fatality attends Youth and Age. In which Sickness and other Calamities suitable to both Seasons causeth in all not only a Necessity, but in some a Desire to put themselves upon The Trial of Death, And return again into the Lapp of that Earth to and from whence all Things do in a Certain Vicissitude Go, and Come; Which may authorise a Belief That all things were not Created for their Own sakes, but the mere Interest of Nature, which abhors to be Idle, or to leave any in an Impregnant Condition. And from hence may arise another Conjecture; That The Moon no less than the Stars may be as well replenished with Inhabitants as the Earth, and subject to the same Changes, in relation to What it produceth Though Stable and so long permanent it Self, as God in his Eternal Decree hath determined they shall remain, Being subject to no Dissolution, but from the Force of that Command did at first establish them, together with all things extant. Among which, though some are observed to Wear out and perish, they are as it were but The external Ornaments and Householdstuff which within a short Revolution of Time do receive a fresh Renovation from the Sun, The highest and most splendid result of God's Beauty our Mortal Eyes (unsupported by Faith) are able to Discern.  
Which may afford Cause of Pity for some of the Heathen that made It the Object of Their Worship, who finding it the Cause of such visible Resurrections presumed it might be the Original of all Things. Imagining the Power of Continuance and Preservation equal to that of Creation, not being able to see higher, for want of the light of The Word of God.  
It may be no Improbable Paradox, That where the Earth's magnetical Effects cease, There some other no less Active power begins to operate with a like Motion another way. Which granted, it can be no Prodigious Conjecture That such Birds as are observed to Inn or Board in this Clime only for some certain months, maintain a like Temporary Commerce with other Planets, as they are found to do amongst us, according to the respective Advantages Nature hath taught them to make of Times and Seasons. And that their Passage is without much Difficulty may be asserted from the Punctual Days they keep yearly to Come and Go in. Not possibly to be observed were they obnoxious to any Obstruction from Wind and Wether, or the least other Contingency lying in their Road: Which the revolution of a shorter Space than Men are found to live could not choose but discover. And that the Place they come from relates to the Earth admits the most probable Trial from us, which being an Island may best observe whether they do appear first by the Seaside or in the Midland: and if the latter (as I have heard it often affirmed the Cuckoo is universally seen the Second of April) The Assertion may be allowed, in reason, the Sentence of Probability, if not of an unquestionable Truth, That Woodcocks are some Years in great plenty by the Shore in Norfolk cannotbe denied. But yet it is as manifest, That at the same time their Appearance is as numerous in the most In Land Counties. Nor is it Necessary that they should all descend in a Line. Though Thousands of Feldefers and Thrushes have been seen within the Compass of a mile and none round about. Nor doth Wearisomeness appear about any but such as come off from the sea; (which may not unpossibly have mistaken their Way) or any Signs of a New Resurrection, their Plumage being Smooth, and Bodies plump; So that I myself have seen both Swallows and Hobbies build and tread upon their first Appearance, as if they had no other business in this World then to Lyin; and produce their Young, as Fishes are noted to change their Coast upon the like Errand, &c,  
I Believe it possible for Birds not of the same Kind and Plume to Engender with Success and to an huge Imbellishing of Nature, and as great an Improvement of her store. And this was by some Acquaintance of mine put under Experiment before these Wars, that had Large Cages of Wyer wherein were put together only Hens of some sorts, and Cocks of another. How it did answer Expectation I know not, yet am Confident it might succeed, especially in reference to those nourished through a like Sustenance, since myself saw an Hawk owned the Plume and shape between a Hobby and a Tassel-Gentle. Nor is it contrary to the grain of Probability to endeavour a Breed betwixt Hares and Coneys, an Ordinary Cat and a Civet; The Head of which species is by the resemblance of the muscles no less than all signs and gestures of the Lyon. And between whom there remains less Difference in proportion then an Irish-Grey. Houxd compared with a Lap-Dog. Animals no less than Plants receiving notorious Changes from the Climates out of which they were at first transported, proving for the most part Largest towards the Sun. Nor is it doubted but a Dog-Fox and an Ordinary Bitch will generate. As I heard the Last marquis of Hambleton's Father verify he saw in Scotland. Nor did those Huge and strang-Headed Dear sent for Presents to King James, fail to Cohabit with Ours and have young. Now he that would observe the Assinity in the Food and Bigness of Beasts and Birds, and put none but them together, I doubt not but in the Absence of their own kind they might easily be drawn to join.  
One Day ruminating upon Pride, and the dismal Effects it draws upon Mankind, I had all the Postures and Evidences brought in against those arraigned for this Diabolical Passion acted before me by a Turkeycock. Who stood priding himself no less in the Sun and prosperities of the Spring than Nabuchadnezzar did on the Battlements of his Palace. From whence I began to Conclude it Natural, and so not radically Evil, No more than Anger or Love. Therefore under the Notion of an Enquiry into the Advantages God hath given us above Others; A perfect Knowledge of our own good Parts is so far remote from Pride that it is rather a Spur to Virtue, And so only Depraved not Invented by the Devil, Who with all his Chemistry is not able to Convert the seed, of a Natural Effect into the Root of Evil; Though he hath perverted This, as Many things else into Malignity against God. The least of whose Beauty is sufficient to advance our Thoughts above ourselves, in which Case, It is rather a Rapture, than a sin.   

Characters & Letters, etc.  

A Character of Honour.  
Honour is one of the grand Impostures of the Earth; through whose false Splendour, unadvised Ambition is, as it were, Trepan'd out of its Life, Liberty, etc. No Folly transcending theirs, esteem themselves only Happy in a vain Title, or Syllable; at the beginning pronounced by the Prince, and after reverberated by the Meager, empty, and hollow Echo, of the insignificant Rabble; no less ready, upon the Change of Fortune, to Murder, than Father, all Marks of Desert; to those very Particular ones, their own Indulgence had informed. Opinion being for the most part printed in such blind Ink, as it hardly remains legible, to the Second Generation. The Merit of the first Proprietor becoming mortified by Oblivion, or quite dissipated, and lost in the Wilder Fields of a no less Numerous, then Vicious Posterity. So remote from improving any Talents left them by their Ancestors, as like the improvident Usurer in the Gospel, they do not only expose them to Rust, and Cankers, but waste the Estate, with all other glorious Endowments in which they were wrapped.  
The Promoter of their Family, becoming by this means, an Occasion of the Ruin of it. It lying in the Nature, no less than the Custom of Honour, to put as unreasonable an Excize on the Vices, as the Virtues of its Owners. I never thought it Prudence, or Discretion, to articulate over-severely on the worst of Modes I have had the Good, or Ill Fortune to be Born and Bred under; yet it seems to Cross the Grain of Wisdom, if not of Candid Charity, to arraign as guilty of Absurdity, all we find in ordinary Practice abroad, though on the other side the Pale of Christianity. And for a particular instance; That, used amongst the Turks: where no Title but what belongs to the Emperor, is made Hereditary.  
Honour being hardly managable within the Compass of Decency, by any are not perfect in the Steps that lead to it. Splendid Epithets, where there resides no real Ability in the Party to deserve them, Cheating the Beholders, by an Expectation of more Virtue, and the Possessor with less, than his Parasites (a Vermin Capital Fortunes are infested withal) may have possibly insinuated into his formerly suborned imagination. But to descend to a more exact Definition of Honour: It is a mere Ray or Beam darted from the Favour of a Prince, who in one body contains the Abstract of all Delated Dignities. And the Reward of every Desert is either Real, or by him supposed, in the Nature or Actions of those he thinks fit to advance: Amongst which none are more glorious, than they in Turkey; where Worth is always found the Antecedent to every Reward. Those in Christendom, that relate wholly to the Passions, and Affections of the Donor, not appearing. so Natural, but further remote from the purer and unsophisticated Elements of Majesty, than what is found inherent in the Party. The true Cause of Advancement amongst us, being, commonly so trivial, and foul, as for Shame, they forbore to recite it in their Patent. From whence, some may Conclude, those Disparities amongst Men proceeded at first, like Hills and Dales, from the Deluge of Pride, So long, a Succession of Government, hath poured upon the Face of the Earth. Courts by such Canting Terms advancing their particular interest; which would be abated, were the Devourers, in an equal Parallel with those they feed on. The Rabble, for want of a more elated Prudence, imagining their Governors to proceed, like the Giants of old, from some Diviner Extraction than their Own. Not wise enough to apprehend, That Honour hath no advantage, really, in itself, but what it is able to deduce from the Lower Condition, and basencsse of Others. All Titles, to Those relating to God Himself, as they were absent, before the Creation; So Reason informs us, they could not be Present now, were there no Creatures, endued with so much understanding, as to be able to pronounce them. The most relucent Honour being Offuscated, and blinded in the Shades of Solitude. Wherefore, if it had a Name, it wanted an Owner, till something was made willing to promote it. No Age, ever represented it more Naked to the World, than This we live in. Whereas the Jews do in Italy, by the Ancient Roman Coins, So, the Grave Visages of 25 Bishops have been struck off, and put upon many Thousand Presbyterians; whereupon the Image, and Superscription of the Primitive Church, is quite defaced, and Obliterated, through the Impress they are exchanged for: which owns no worth, but from the Gravity of the First. Being itself, of no greater Antiquity, than John Calvin, who did not but with some Difficulty as Boys do Giggs, whip this Younger Government out of a Word, taught for many Ages to signify Episcopacy only; making it currant in Geneva. Now, if it be no less frequent in the Practice of Men, then in the Dialect of the Scriptures, to rob God of his Honour; why should any, but merely Mortal, place Stability in it? Especially, since the Trash these Earthly tumors swell withal, is by the Basest of, etc. rendered so perspicuous.   

Valour and Cowardice.  
I Should much wonder how Valour and Cowardice, both strangers, if not Contrary to the Practice of undistracted Nature, could pass so long without the Errata, in the Place-Book of virtue and vice: But that I find it, The Design of Policy, to advance, or abate the Credit of all things found Useful or Destructive to her own, or the General utility: And, where she can bring in the least Colour for it to paint, what is necessary to Commerce, with the grateful Approbation of Religion; And to render the Contrary in the Dark Sense, and Black Characters of Hell. Allowing all Supports as Decent and quadrating with the Beauty of Holiness, though Above or Against the Lights of Reason, if found, any way requisite, to sustain Government. Of such force is Custom, that it is able, through the Assistance of Credulity, to stifle, and trample upon the Senses themselves.  
Now, though it may be no Indiscretion in a Patient, to suffer himself for his Recovery, to be deluded by his Physician; yet out of a Panic Fear, or effeminate Nicety, to swallow more Drugs, and in greater Quantities than is avoidable necessary, may appear a Madness, arising from the more Dreadful, then Dangerous Phantasms mustered up by the Fumes of a formerly-suborned Melancholy; rather than the Substantial Dictates of an unsophisticated Judgement, which a Wise man may retain, and feast himself with, though for Manner's sake, and to avoid the Danger, no less than Shame, impending Singularity, he may seem to own the most universal Opinion.  
Now to show, how Policy, no less than Religion, imposeth upon frail Humanity, in both the forementioned Particulars (Though to the apprehension of Sense, absolutely repugnant one to the other) they are situated as near Damnation, that appear Over-daring in the prosecution of private Revenge; as such who out of Remissness, and Fear, betray The Cause of their Country; in Defence of which, is placed, under all Professions extant, the Highest step of our Duty to God and our Neighbour. Which cannot be denied to stand further remote in Nature, then what really Concerns Ourselves: found recorded in Job, by the Devil; a far Ancienter Philosopher than the somuch-venerated Aristotle. From whence we may Conclude, That Resolution and Dread instituted by Nature at first, for the Vindication and safety of every respective Individual, are since Tyranny and Propriety have forced us into Commonalties, reduced by Common Consent of Law, and Conveniency into a Publiave stock, for the Preservation of All. So as we are suffered, to own no more in reference to ourselves, than Prudence is able to filch out of the Treasury of the State: and that upon no slighter a Penalty, than Law doth inflict; Which found too dim-sighted to penetrate further, than external Evidence can reach; Religion, whose Results (and those no weak ones) lie in Conscience, supplies the place of a Diviner-Guard; Brandishing like the Angel in Paradise, the flaming sword of Hell: Which operates more or less, upon the Affections, proportional to the Tincture, received from Education. Not seldom Proof (as we find in Heretics) against the Dictates of Reason herself; Nothing being harder to be lost, or Convinced of Falsehood than Opinions sucked in with the Nurses Milk. And this may raise an Use of Caution, in relation to what we call Pusillanimity, and Valour. Which in a Natural and primitive sense, signify only Evasion. And where that will not serve in order to our own Preservation, a vigorous and stout Resistance to the loss of Life itself, as is manifest in every Creature, in the absence of hope; and therefore impossible to be found Wanting, in the pure and unsuborned Nature of Man. And so in the primitive Construction uncapable of any Foreigner Interpretation, than what is deduceable from our own judgement, without reference to Fame, or Reward. Term's unintelligible, during the Original Felicity: And before the Thirst after Generation had swelled the World, into such an Ocean of Inhabitants, as could not be Kept within the Compass of Moderation, but by Mounds and Banks; in the making of which all things are employed that own the power to Terrify or Flatter the Rabble into Obedience, without bearing any Nicer Respect, to single individuals, then through Evading, or overruling the Law, Power or Prudence is able to purchase to themselves, by Mastering, Flattering, or Contemning public Fame. After which, it may be sometimes less policy to run, than not to be too greedy, to give it welcome when it courts us: Opinion being a Bird oftener catcht by Chance, then Endeavour. Nor shall any one that carries her on his First, ever want Envy, or Scratching by Others. And he that hath but the Patience, to attend Good or bad Report to the end of the race, shall observe them like Cocks to change their Odds: one unlucky Blow being able to depress more, and draw a greater Concourse of Abettors to the Other side, than Twenty as strong and probable endeavours, without Success can possibly advance. Or, if this fail, the Gamesters together with what they strove for, will by the hand of Time, be laid in Oblivion. Whereas the real Wounds, and sensible Inconveniencies accrueing ftom a too Serious Attention, and exact Observance of the Various Cadences of the Trumpet of Fame, subject to be put out of Tune, by the Change of every Blast, do not only exceed the Cure of the Chierurgeon, but all endeavours to that of Wisdom itself. Nor hath Policy any cheaper Trash to load the opposite Scale withal, then Honour and Titles; which like Horse-Bells, only affect the Ear, as Diamonds do the Eyes; increasing, rather than lessening the Burden of Life: which, with its Concomitance Envy, Danger, and Jealousy signifies nothing, proportionable at least, to what the Purchase requires; Seldom enjoyed of the Owner long, without Controversy; unless by dying in Possession he cuts off all contrary Claims. Wherefore such as have the Dexterity, to pass their Days, at the least Expense of Trouble and Conveniency, may be truly said, to husband Discretion best. Nor are they likely to be misled, in such a vast number of Fools and Madmen, as are daily observed, to Sacrifice their own Ease and Content to promote the Ambition and Small Plots of Others: Grounding their Hopes upon those, that have no Assurance Themselves. But this runs so contrary to the grain of Practice, as it may not unpossibly, set such Teeth on Edge, as are able through Detraction, or Power, to blast the Author of this Advice.   

A Letter writ to dissuade Mr.— from a Duel.  
Sir,  
I Shall, at this time, conceal, what I apprehend of your Quarrel, and the Circumstances that did at first produce it: Lest I should fall into a Physician's indiscretion, who coming to one labouring of a Fever, did consume the time, In telling the Patient, The Causes of his Distemper were Drink and Evil Company: which though possibly true, could not but carry the Figure of a Meager Impertinency, before the party had his Cure; since no place is now Left for prevention. And as Physic is opposed to the Defects incident to bad Diet, and Disorder: So Counsel hath been observed, to Moderate, and palliate, though not Cure those of Indiscretion; arising for the most part from an Inexperience in the exact knowledge of our own Fame, no less than that of Others; And where it may be, or is Situated, with the smallest prejudice to Conscience, or giving the least interruption to the Prospect of Self-preservation, the First Result in the Intention of Nature, and left as of greatest Intendment, to the Care of Prudence. From whence I have been taught, that it is possible, for Physic to be welcome, though Distasteful; but that Counsel seldom meets any more favourable Construction then Scorn, from the Receiver; & an Opinion of Presumption in Him that Ventures to give it; especially, if it meets not with a candid Nature: Which hoping to find in You, I shall so much transgress the voice of Discretion, as to suffer myself in Love to become an Arbitrator, between the Honour and prudence of a Friend, so far, as to maintain, That Such as animate you to a Formal Revenge, do out of Forgetfulness, or Want of Religion, forbear to Calculate the Danger, no less than Impiety, that for ever Cleaves to such hands, as are found once polluted in Blood: And, That those violate the Dictates of Piety and Discretion, (by Wisdom esteemed the most Considerable part of Manhood) that Contradict it. For to use their own canting, (no where to be found in the Dialect of Antiquity) He hath given you an Affront; and such an one, as may not decently be passed-by, without a Formal Satisfaction; which is but the single and wild Opinion of some undergraduates in the Arts of Living. Yet, admit it a Debt, due in the Court of Honour, may it not as well be discharged by your Friend or Servant, as Yourself? Parties less agitated by Interest and Passion, and therefore the likelier, to deal a Revenge so evenly, as He shall have as little cause to brag as You to repent. A thing you can never promise yourself, if contrary to the Injunctions of God and the Examples of the most prudent people you proportion out your Satisfaction in the Field. Where you cannot but deliver into the Custody of Blind Fortune, not only your Life but Estate: As justly belonging to posterity, as ever your Ancestors made it yours. Which by this Mad-Knight-Errantry you hazard to Undo. I am sure all Wise minds will quadrate with this. And if the Fools of the present Age, pretend to any Discoveries of Ways to Honour, New and Untrod, by the Ancients, Let'um follow them, to the furthest Extent of their Lives or Lunacy. Whilst you harken, to the Graver Advice of reason. Which may inform you, He hath offered an Abuse already, and will you hazard upon equal Terms the receiving a Greater? Indeed if a Requital had been endeavoured at the Instant it might have rendered you more excusable before God and Man: But that opportunity omitted; it were more Wrong to your Charity, than Vindication of Valour, in cold Blood to call back Revenge: As if a Worse Christian upon Meditation, then when irritated by Fury and Passion. Neither is Honour to be purchased, in Single and self-perswading Combats, because no Marks of them appear in Antiquity; where many are found Dead, but not one, to my remembrance, upon so impertinent a Quarrel, as Words. Yet we may conclude from the foul Expressions in Orators, That the Mouths of the Gentry were then none of the Cleanest. He that Consults former Histories, may find, That some have gained more repute from a Retreat, than others could obtain by a Won-Field. And what is a Retreat, I pray you, but a Fine Word for Running away? Fierceness being proper to Beasts, whereas a Neat Evasion belongs peculiarly to Men. Of which, I shall instance this, as now fresh in my Memory. A Gentleman lying, like you, under the repute of an Injury, did meet his Enemy, and shot him with a Pistol stopped full of Dung, whereupon he cried He was slain, which set him further back in the Opinion of the World, than his former Vapouring had advanced him, when the Excrement the Dag was loaden with, appeared to the Senses of the Standers-by. And for this, the Wit of its Deviser was highly commended. Another returned this Answer, with a like Success, to a Younger Brothers Challenge; That if he could prove his Loss as great as His, should he Kill or be Killed, he would gladly accept it; Otherwise he did not think it reason, to venture his Life, against one did want Necessaries, and so might seek Death, no less out of Discontent, than Gallantry: which Himself, that wanted nothing, had no cause to do. All that remains is but your Pardon for this Boldness, which I most seriously Desire. Remaining in the mean time, no less Your Faithful Friend, Then,  
Sir, Your, etc.   

A Letter to Mr.— in hope to dissuade Him from going a Colonel under Count Mansfield.  
SIR,  
I Cannot but own it, for a high Presumption, to offer such sudden and crude Conceptions in a Business where I presume, you have employed, not only your Own, but the most Serious Advice of Your Friends. To the Abilities and Dignity of whom, though I am forced to give place, I may not justly be accounted behind them in Affection to your Self, or Affairs. Wherefore having received so great an encouragement from your Commands, no less than a Stimulation from my particular Desire to Serve you, I shall according to my small Experience, and the meaner Abilities I have found in me, to employ it to the best Labour, to inform You, These Corrupt times have rendered many things Necessary to the Germane Wars, are no ways suitable to your Complexion, or Fortune, which your General, being a Stranger, cannot in probability, advance, without Offending his own, and sinning against an Article of Policy, and Nature. Nor shall you, though loaden with the Highest Merit, render your Return more grateful to Your Natural Prince: King James having always numbered Soldiers amongst those, he esteems the worst of Men, and most formidable to His Person. The Expedition being by Him rather Connived at, then Approved, out of Hope, by this means, to facilitate the two Treaties of a Match with Spain, and the Restitution of the Pallatinate: which obtained, (according to the Mode of Pusillanimous Princes) all endeavours will be used to discharge the State of You and Your Companions, as a Society most superfluous during Peace; the only Thing Our King doth study to promote: To whose Ears a Drum is more terrible than Thunder, and the Report of a Canon then the voice of God Himself. Which, (if Our Churchmen may be credited) doth at this Day cry for vengeance, against the Cruelty, exercised upon Christians; especially from England, by an unanimous Consent chosen the Head of the Protestant League, till his Majesty had forfeited that Honour to the brisker Assistance given by the French. Now, can you think he should indulge valour as a virtue in another, when nothing is more manifest, then that he labours to expunge all Marks, or Occasions for it in Himself, or any about Him so far, as to Answer my Lorenzo— when he came from the Wars, and desired to Kiss his Hand, That he feared he would bite it, and therefore bade he should be muffled? Nor is it our King's mode alone, (that never made use of Soldiers unless to slight them) But that of spain; under whom the most deserving have died in Disgrace, if not by Poison. And amongst the Catalogue of Those stand written with great Characters in the Calendar of Fame, few or none, are registered for Saints, or Happy. It being past Controversy, That, no War can be called Just, bears not a real Tincture of Defensative. And whosoever hath, or shall have enterprised the Contrary, though his Name be never so richly enameled on the Ring of Fortune, and Himself placed at the Top of her Wheel, yet he is but the Scourge of God: and doth for the most part, fall, when he thinks himself most capable of standing. Like Charles the 5th, that was by the Duke of Saxony, (a Family of his own raising) beaten over the Alps, by Torchlight, and himself like the Sword of Goliath, wound up into a High Contempt of this World, and laid in a Monastery. The Sins and Oversights of God's Children are severely punished. But it is as true, That nothing costs dearer, than the Blood of his Saints. As may appear by such Horseleeches, as have been applied to his Church; from whence a double quantity hath been drawn, by some unexpected means. But if these Reason's savour too much of Theology, Consider how impossible it is to do any thing, without the Love of the Common Soldier abroad, and how unsafe He must needs be at home that enjoys it; There being nothing more usual with Princes, then to be jealous of their Liberators. Manifest in Byron; who, after he had set the Crown upon Henry the fourth's head, lost his own, out of a no more pious reason, then that upon a Contrary provocation, he might have removed it to another. And to show of what vile esteem Soldiers are in the days of Peace; I will not say (though I have heard it) that the Judges, after the Irish Wars, were given it in Charge: yet can assure you, they hanged Soldiers for Faults, which, Others (thought of more use in Peace) did scape, or obtained pardon for. If so unhappy, as to receive a Wound in your Person or Credit, it remains Yours, without the least Diminution. If Honour, Custom shares it between your Country, and He that Commands in Chief. Who, being a Forreyner, is not unlikely to rob you of your due; or by employing you on Desperate Service, to Conclude Fame and your Life together. I know, your Resolution is too well lined by Philosophy against the Storms of Danger, to admit a Parley with any Force but that of Reason: wherefore I forbear to Paint them, lest I should seem to scare you with Fears, are for many years, left to be terrible to myself. Who have long since thought it Ridiculous, to Court Sleep by Opiums, and protract Death by Cordials; which is but the Head of the same Species, being both the effect of an unavoidable Lassitude. Yet though Life is imposed upon Mortals without, if not against their Consent, it cannot be denied the strongest Result of the Highest Wisdom, to Situate Yourself so, as it may consume at the most ease, and with the least Perturbation; which is not to be expected from such a Flaring and intemperate a Course, as that of a Soldier: that can make choice of no Friend nor Enemy, but what the State assigns Him; or proportion his Pity or Justice, to his own Morality, but their Ambition and Jealousy, that Command in Chief. To whom in all things you are bound to obey, though contrary to the Grain of Prudence itself. That arbitrary Government you so much complain of at home, being the best you can in Reason, expect to find, in an Army abroad; Where, the Stress of Discipline lies more upon the Administration of Severity, than Justice. Such as are reported to list themselves under the Black Prince of Darkn sse, draw Articles before they Consign their Blood; And have a Circle enchanted, with a Power to protect them: whereas a Soldier hath nothing to plead for, against actual obedience, but the narrow Circumference of Protection, that lies in the will of a General. To whom, the Virtue and Valour of his Officers is no less formidable, in relation to his particular Jealousies, than the Vices and Cowardice, of his meaner Soldiers, are thought pernicious to Success in the Field. Wherefore no Prince deserves such Honourable Attendance as those, that Head their Armies themselves. Generalissimo's like Stepfathers, carrying no other Natural affection, but for the Advancement of their own Glory. So as they esteem, all inferior Merit, as an Intrusion upon Theirs: It being ordinary with Custom, to award Fame to such as have lest deserved it; and asperse with Infamy, those of more Glorious Merit. I confess Necessity cannot only abate the Edge of these Reasons; but turn their Points against the Urger. Yet, since it is not impossible, but that the elector may have miscarried in his Allegiance towards the Emperor, it cannot be indiscreet or impertinent to mind you, of the Hazard and small reward they commonly are capable of, that render themselves Arbitrators of a Foreign Difference; I do comply with you, in all the Pity, Prayers, and Contributions can be offered for the Restitution of the Virtuous Lady Elizabeth: yet shall reserve my Person to bestow upon the Preservation of my Country, in the quarrel of which, I can only justify, the spilling of my own Blood, or that of others. The universal employment of a Soldier, not being yet legally made out to me, by any Injunction either Moral, or Divine. The Practice of the Swissers in relation to Foreign Quarrels, appearing as remote from Christian Charity, as Natural Prudence. It cannot be denied, but That Soldiers are necessary, during the Distracted times of Invasion: So it is as true, That few Callings are looked upon with more Disdain, when a Nation enjoys an absolute Tranquillity. Wherefore it can be no Act of Discretion, to enrol your self, under a Profession, only in esteem, during the Worse Ages, and not the Best. Wherein maims are considered rather as marks of an inconsiderate and brutish Valour, than a temperate and advised Prudence. Were You thrown upon it, by the Iron Horns of an unavoidable Compulsion, or flattered into it, out of a more than probable Assurance of an Honourable Advantage; Something might be objected to the Prayers of Your Friends, and contrary Desires of your Enemies: who may not unpossibly tempt you, into this uncertain Hope, out of a Design, to rob you of all you really enjoy. Consider your Education, how much a Stranger it hath been, to the incommodious Treatment the Field doth afford: Out of whose Verge, it is more decent and safe, still to preserve yourself, then, at any time to retire, though upon the highest Provocation; of whose legitimacy, your Enemies from whom you part, will be the Arbitrators, and not your Friends, to whom you return. War being a turbulent and destructive Calling, with more Credit and Safety always neglected, then at any time forsaken. He that never fought, receiving a fairer Encomium from Charity, than a Captain that hath deserted his Post. Nor doth a Colonel stand for more, than a single Wheel, in the Frame of an Army, where the General remains Heir to all Desert.— The rest is lost.   

A Letter to Mr. W. P.  
THe continuance of your Acquaintance is the highest Pinnacle of my Ambition. And from whence I am not only tempted, but do willingly submit to the lowest of your Commands. In the pursuance of which, I came on purpose, to meet you at B.— loaden with the strongest Advice, so weak a judgement is able to manout. But I find, Your own Wisdom hath given me the Opportunity, to spare my English; By discovering to you, without the help of a Prospective, or the dearer prejudice of a Trial, what I found verified through many Years Experience, viz. That Honourable Persons, like too great Fires, may warm and comfort such as are Content only to serve them at a Distance: But blast the Parts, and consume the Fortunes of those are found to attend them in any nearer relations. Who gain, for the most part like the Birds that follow the Crocodile, no richer Reward, than the Reversions of their Teeth. It being usual with these Monsters in Nature, to esteem none capable of Desert, but such, as Fortune, or Baseness hath made necessary to their Vices, or Power. The First of which, is as much below the Breeding, as the Other, is the Candour of a Gentleman: To whom, it is incongruous, to leave the Honour he was born to, at the foot of that Ladder, he hopes to ascend by, to a greater. Neither, have they that are instrumental to their Rapine, a more noble employment, than those Beasts reported of in the Indies: who hunt the prey for the Lions, and after by his strength they are subdued, must rest satisfied with what the Covetousness of their Master shall leave undevoured.  
For my Self, as none can, with Affection, look upon the Gulf, hath swallowed up his Felicity: So I remain in so high a Feud with Greatness, as, if I did not find [Lord] in my Daily Prayers, I should not name it (in relation to Servant) without Detestation. The which Lord, had I served as I ought, The other would have been no more known to me, than Leopards, Wolves, and Tigers, seldom, if ever, seen by us, but in Grates and Pictures. Yet how manifest soever this Truth is, I am not so foolish myself, or think Others so Wise, as to esteem any Precept, or Example strong enough to restrain the unsupported Ignorance of Young men from falling into this Trap; baited with more Ease, though far less Assurance, than Law, Physic, etc. For this Course often neglected, ni which Hundreds perish for One that thrives; who is yet found to be more imperious than the Master himself. Since the powerful Word of God assisted by the Rhetoric of Divines, is not of Efficacy sufficient to keep them from following Pride, Lust, and Drunkenness, though Hell be assigned for the Conclusion. But, if you udesire a more full, and elegant prosecution of this Theme, I refer you to Lucian: Having already exceeded my First intention, which was only to Kiss your Hands, and in fewer words, to assure you that I am  
Sir, Your Servant.   

Another to the Same.  

Sir,  
HAd you not assured me you were not well, I should easily have guessed it myself; from the Commendation your Letter gave to mine.  
Which cannot but be rather the effect of a Fever, than your Judgement. To which, though I am so highly obliged for the present, as to gain a more honourable esteem in your Fancy, then, without the like Mediation, I could possibly have attained: Yet I do not only abhor this, but all Advantages else, That own the least semblance of a Prejudice to you. So as I could not have been thus Romantique, but that the last Line, proved a Cordial to the First; By expunging all fear of Future Danger, in respect of your Health. And for Prudence, I find it by the Elegancy of your Style, and the Solidity of Matter, so far rather increased, then diminished, as I am confident your opinion is, by this time, altered in reference to my Desert: Though I am willing to flatter myself, That your Love continues. But whether the Horse follows the Chariot, or the Chariot the Horse, Persons of Parts are found to make so great a Descent, which submit themselves to this Course of Servitude, That they waken the Admiration of Lookers-on, much more, than the Apprehensions of those, that, like me, have, so apparently, suffered in their particular Interests: It being impossible to imagine a greater Lunacy, Then to cast away Time, Freedom, and Fortune after such, as so little regard it, That they esteem it Reward sufficient for the most of their Servants, If they have an Opportunity to observe the Baseness of their Natures, For what is gotten by them, belongs rather to their own Impudence, or Importunity; then the Bounty, or Goodness of their Masters: Since he that remains Defective, in one of these Two Court-Vertues, shall be compelled to make a Third of pure Necessity. Let a man consume A Prenticeship with a Citizen: At the end of the Time, It is his own Fault, if he be not able to Live. But when a Tradesman (Like one of his Majesty's Antique Statues) is taken out of a base Cellar or Vault, (no Prodigy in our Days) and set up at Court; It is his least care to provide for his Servants, unless necessary to his Vices, or the Infirmities that proceed from them. Such being able to Ride him where they please; either, over their Fellows, or Strangers, by way of Terror, or Disdain: Or Curvet, and prance with his Compliments, in token of Respect. They resembling, for the most part, Oranges, that yield nothing but upon squeezing. I confess, the Dependence on a Monster of this kind, may be of excellent use for Protection, in these Fat all Times, where Innocency is found too weak for Deceit: Could it be obtained without a greater Loss. But as in a Contract with the Devil, the First thing parted with, is Hope of Future Felicity: So a Secretary must quit his Freedom, or Employment; being tied to so strict an Attendance, as his Lord is no more able to spare him, than his own Brains, or Thumbs. By which, the Slavery becomes so great, as it can receive no Compensation from Profit. Wherefore such as are wisest, retain only The Acquaintance of Great men: whom I have observed to thrive better than their Menial Servants. It being usual with them, to bestow benefits on those that least deserve. And to him, they have injured by denying a just Reward, it is their mode, to become an Enemy. As I have found most certainly true, who am  
Sir, Your Servant.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
I Have sent you this to serve as a Black-Patch, or Foil; to set out the Beauty of your Virgil. And therein you may observe the strength of Affection: which for your sake is able to raise in me the Enthusiasms of a Poet; from whose Inspiration, this Oracle is pronounced.  

THis Work is finished so, as no Supply  
Can be expected from Posterity.  
Nor could thy Author's Laurel match thy Btyes,  
Hadst thou appeared with him, in Caesar's days.  
Yet, he that this Translation dares to slight,  
Must not admire to see a Moor washed white,  
And chan'gd to English-Beauty: losing none  
Of what was Hers; But adding of his own.  
If that our Northern Paint be not so good,  
'Tis not thy Fault: whose Pencil understood  
No less than any Roman's. And this shall  
Struggle for Fame with the Original:  
And waste more Blood, & Ink, then in the strife  
Between those States who first gave Homer Life,  
Which will be Justice. For he did undo  
By writing then, what Wit entailed thee to.  
Like to an Elder-Brother that is Cursed  
In all things else: yet prized for coming First.   

But to Conclude the wishes of my Heart,  
Oh that my Praise could equal thy Desert,     

A Letter persuading—.— to marry.  
THough your Contexture makes me confident, you will not hazard the Dancing Couranios with Apes in Hell: yet it is none of the least Modern Miracles, why you stay so long unmarried. As if you had an Antidote to repel Age, and were proof against the Weapons of Time; or had a Receipt to recover his Locks worn off, by such, as neglect to lay hold on the present Occasion: which you would never do, had you seriously considered the present Condition of your Mother; (whose youth is said, so blasphemous is Tradition, rather to have exceeded, then come short of your present Beauty:) How a few Years hath changed Alabaster into Wainscot, and ruffled her Neck like a walking Buskin: So that such, as would once have crossed Seas, but for an apparition of her, cannot but now think it Ominous, to meet her Fasting. If you resolve upon none, till you pattern the Character your Fancy presented me, (when I had last the Honour to kiss your Hands, and heard the Scorn wherewith you received the Offer of— I must be bold to tell you, I took it rather as a Copy of your Countenance, than any thought could take its Original from the Discretion I ever owned you Lady of) you may as well expect a New Creation. Since, so much perfection, as your Language did then paint, is not to be found out of a Romance; or the short Entertainment, during a Lover's Passion; which once, throughly cured, by Fruition, is not found rarely to recoil into as great, a Contrary Extreme. I confess, Wise, Constant, and Complete Servants may be had; but few such Husbands, whose minds are no less altered by Marriage, then Drunken Men are by Sleep: but become like them, weary and sick, of what they formerly took delight in; upon the Apprehension, That he which yokes himself to a Woman, forfeits his Prudence, no less, than She doth hazard her Repute, who incircles a Man in her Arms before Enchanted by the Priest, through Custom and Shame made far more necessary to you, than Men. Wherefore finding that Time is uncessantly nibbling at youth, and Beauty the bait of your Trap: And that it is unlikely with no stronger Engines, To catch one that is Wise: Be nimble, and lay hold on this that is Rich. Who is confessed none of the Seven Wise Masters; and therefore with more Ease to be Governed. The Felicities of Marriage, perishing in the Conflict arising between Man and Wife, Of equal Spirits and understanding. It being impossible there should want Contests, where both lay claim to a Capacity fit only to be obeyed. Which, if you have him, will by all, be conceded on your side. So that, instead of being a Ward, (a Tenure every Married Woman holds from the Award of her Maker) you shall be Guardian of the Person and Estate of your Husband. Now, in relation to other things, upon the Score of which you may reckon stronger Felicities; They will be found, after enjoyment, to vanish into Ciphers. Learning becoming as unsociable for Ladies, as Half-witted Men are Wilful and Jealous; Rocks that the softness of his Head gives sufficient caution for, So that, under this Conjunction, you may, without interruption, follow what Inclinations you please. Wherefore, if you resolve to marry, no Husband is more proper; whose Folly you may Exchange for Wisdom, when you please. And to renounce it quite, were, besides burying your Talon in the Ground, and robbing of the World, which you ought to leave as Rich as you found it: You should fall into the Condition of an old Maid, than which nothing is more Despicable: who is acceptable in no Company. Not daring to come amongst Women, for fear of declaring more Knowledge than she can, with reference to Honesty own: Or approach Men out of the danger of Contempt. The Moral of Andromeda, is a History of your present Condition. Where, the Barren Rock She was tied too, is Virginity. The Monster that came to devour her, Time. And he reported to deliver her, some witty-Spark, that persuaded her, to take a Rich --- etc. to her Husband, might warrant the Access of one more acceptable. Oh, let Him have this Honour Fair Lady, who is  
Madam, Your Servant.   

On a Lookingglass.  

DEar Glass, tell me, by what Art,  
Thou bean'st Her Image without break-  
When the same does crack my Heart, (ing?  
Just as I am now a speaking.    

On another which she said did Flatter.  

BLame not your Glass, that doth her Duty.  
Nor can it Flatter so much Beauty.  
But for the rest, in Policy,  
It shows them Fairer than they be.  
Since if they saw their Faces true,  
This, would be broke; and envied you.    

Another.  

DEar Glass, join with her Eyes; and both (concur  
To Note more worth in me, and less in Her,    

A Song.  

THe Graces are, by Custom, bound  
Once in an Age, All to be sound  
In One creature: There to show  
All the Beauties they do owe,  
And now having fixed on Thee  
Be not Proud: Since, you may see,  
Time allows them not to stay,  
But to meet, and go away.  
Yet though whilst these Guests be here,  
You do rate their Lodging dear:  
If you suffer me to take it,  
I'll not break, when they forsake it.  
The terms, of Fair and Good, do not express  
Thy Worth, no more, than theirs, call Princes fine,  
When decked in Diamonds, like the Stars they shine:  
Nay, I'll maintain Their folly to be less;  
Since such a Sight hath oft before been seen:  
Whilst he that would inform a shape like thine,  
Prometheus-like must filch from things Divine.    

On a Picture.  

THough this be drawn exactly forth,  
It doth no more retain her Worth,  
Then the Shadow of a Rose  
Can the Scent of one that grows.    

Another.  

BEtween This, & her Mind, there is that odds,  
As is in Man's frail-workmanship and Gods.    

A Letter to two Sisters the one Black the other Fair.  
Ladies,  
IT is Design, and, I hope, no Presumption in me, to join you in one: That, besides the opportunity of presenting the highest of my Respects, I might comprise in a single Letter, the total Sum of all the perfection extant in Womankind. Black and White, being the unquestioned Original, of that infinite Variety of Beauty, (the mint of Nature) through which is maintained her Necessary Commerce of Generation. And, in this equal Distribution, Fortune hath shown no small Ingenuity, (who is more Wanton, and Inexorable, then Blind or Careless) in assigning, that of least Duration, the Fewest Years. For if you did not Wither alike, Art and Opinion (the Limmers and Carvers of all Excellency,) would have tempted, if not Constrained every one, to serve, and adore that Sister only, whose beauty had survived. By which, sweet Variety had been lost; and Perfection reduced into one Monarchy, Which, now, march in your Two glorious Regiments. To both which, I remain an Equal Captive. Being,  
Ladies, etc.   


BEauty is writ in several Characters; (All?  
None but are skilled in some: Who finds out  
Which votes them mad, do say, that this man errs  
Because his choice is Black, or Low, or Tall;  
Nature would have all pleased: And such as fall  
On Ordinary Features, are less learned:  
The Indian Beauties are as plain discerned  
By those do know their Figure, as the White.  
Nor can Expression render it so right,  
As may force others to approve the Text.  
Reason with Taste, & Love, should not be vexed.    

A Letter to—— After the Death of his Lady.  
SIR,  
I Know, I need not mind you, That all Sublunary things are Transitory: Dancing like the Atoms (the ancient Philosophers imagined the World not only to be made of, but stuffed withal) between one Condition, and another. Life seeming to be lent, to keep Death in Employment. And Generation, to serve only for the production of Bodies; that the Fatal Sisters might not wove in vain, or want Creatures to vayl with their Garments of Mortality. But it is time to give over, at least, to turn down a Leaf; and refer the Inculcation of this Morality, till some fitter time; For fear of falling into their Indiscretion, are found to wake a Sick Friend, by an Impertinent Inquisition after his Condition, or the unseasonable Administration of a Direction which way to dispose of his Body. Since none can Calculate his Ease better, than the Patient: Sorrow itself not being destitute of its Voluptuousness. Which, hoping you will not, too far exceed: Give me leave, to Conclude That Manners exacted this; and Discretion no more but to assure you,  
I am, etc.   

AN EPITAPH.  

STone, so long as thou dost last,  
Let the Reader know thou hast  
The Dross of Her, once owned a Mind  
Contained the worth of Womankind.  
But no more: Who speaks her Glory,  
Must have for every Dust a Story.    

The Authors EPITAPH upon Himself.  

I Envy not such Graves as take up room,  
Merely with Jet & Porphyry; since a Tomb  
Adds no Desert: Wisdom, thou thing divine:  
Convert my humble Soul into thy Shrine.   

And then this Body though it want a Store,  
Shall dignify all places where 'tis thrown.    

A Letter to dissuade— from Marrying a Rich, but ugly and deformed, etc.  
When I heard at first, you went a Wooing to— I thought it a Trick put upon you by Enemies: but finding it Seconded, And seeing the fearful Examples of Those, who out of Discontent, and a Desire to Change their present Condition, are found to Cast away Themselves; I begin to take your Danger to Heart. And do here, in the Sincerity of Affection, offer my Hand, to stay the Tying of that Knot, with which you go about to strangle your future Felicity. For, though I confess the Party may not unpossibly be very Rich, yet it is as likely, The Things required to Dead the Apprehension of such A Loathsome Companion, will prove So Chargeable, as in a short time, Her Gold will be spent, and nothing left, but The Foul Beast that brought it.  
Yet suppose you find so much, as may bear the Expense of Mad Company, Whores and Drink, (Wicked Cordials, though Generally used, to Correct such Poison) Can you Divest Humanity so far, as to make Her Partner in a Bed, is able to render you so much an Enemy to Womankind, as to exchange it for Sodomy? if not Bestiality itself? For though you may not be punished by Law, The Act will be severely Condemned, and esteemed Brutish, by all the Rational part of the World; It not lying in the Gender or Kind, but Form, to render a Creature Monstrous and Abominable to the Nature of Commerce.— I am so Charitable, (yet in Confidence of Others Virtue, rather than Her own) as to believe She is a Virgin, in reference to Man: Who in that Action, might with more Justice, be punished for a Deflowrer of Himself, than Her. Wherefore you will have no more reason, to Brag of this Privilege, Then He, that First Descended into Hell. Of whose Superlative Ugliness (though her Body be so composed, As the Devil need not alter the Best of her Features, to make her resemble the Foulest of his Fiends; yet) it may be Numbered amongst the Questions, least Capable of Decision; Whether, That, or Her Mind, be most Crooked? And to cover this, (yet none of the worst of her Imperfections,) She is supported, like Tyranny, by Steel. From whence, her Breath is become so Noisome, as no Venomous thing can live, in her Presence: Nor any Person sick of the Mother, miscarry. Now what Effects her Embraces will work upon your Self, may be guessed, by Grooms:— who in a small time, come to Out-stink the very Beasts they are Conversant with. -- And what is said, is so far, from Hyperbolical, As, it resembles Truth more than she does a Woman. Yet all this, is but a slender Security, to warrant Posterity upon, should such a Monster Confute Philosophy, in producing her Like, For;  
If Money be so prevalent, as to make you sell your Liberty; why may it not Hire another, to become so much a Slave, as to do your Drudgery? Who, cannot be, upon serious thoughts, thus Singular; As, to prefer, The absolute Possession of a Dung-Boat, before, The having a Partner in a Tall Ship. But if so fond of Wealth, as to break through these Considerations: Teach Her to Cover her Face, and not Salute your Friends. Or, if she must be Kissed, (The Strongest Compliment was ever used) Let her Disrobe Her— not possible to be more Noisome, than her Mouth. If Prose be not Tart enough, to wean you, from so Childish a Resolution; For the Fear of Poetry desist: which may make you the Subject of a Comedy. And Guess by these Verses of a Friend, what Enemies may say.  

CAn you but think, the Ancient Blindness Great,  
When Men made Gods, of that which we make  
Or wonder those by Nile, could offer Fat (Meat?  
And goodly Oxen, to an ugly Cat?  
Yet you (no less advised) to a Witch  
Will sell your Fate, in hope for to be Rich.  
Who like the Idols, in a Pagan Feast,  
Carries a Monkey's Face, upon her Breast,  
Shadowed with Shoulders: under which, doth stay  
A Bonnet crouching, like a Hill at Sea.  
Nor may her Bosom fail of a Device,  
To hatch an Egg into a Cockatrice.  
Or turn Men Atheists, who believe no Elves  
Can now be found, but what we make our Selves.  
Were She in India, where they serve the Devil,  
Not out of Hope of Good, but Fear of Evil,  
They would adore Her: Lest her Sunlike Nose  
Should Burn, and Smoke Tobacco, as it grows.  
Or, lest the Venom of her loathsome Breath,  
Might blow some soul Contagion o'er the Earth.  
Or, That the Spaniards, by her malice taught,  
Might learn more Cruelty, then ere they thought.  
Yet amongst all the People, worst misted,  
None ever took a Fiend into his Bed.  
Which proves, that Nature doth abhor your Deed  
In offering to a Daemon, Human Seed.  
And what will be your Issue, joined with Her,  
None can resolve you, but a Conjurer.  
For while She is in Labour, You may hear  
The Goodwives skreak: and some Physician swear  
It is a Child. And that he finds in writ,  
Such Births; Before, the Priest dares christian it.   

Now if this cannot Move you, May your Task,  
Be to beget a Complete Anti-Mask.    

A Letter in Reference to a Coy LADY.  
THough I confess, The Lady you recommended, may prove a Pleasure to Others, are at Leasure wholly to intend Making Love: (No Hare being better provided of Muces and Shifts to put off Followers than She) yet, so Dull a Soul as mine, in the Apprehension of the Difference, between One Individual Beauty, and Another, is still ready, with the Màyor of London to Lose all the Pleasure of Hunting, in the Insignificant (though perhaps to Others Ears pleasant) Cry of the Hounds. Catching of Larks and Sparrows less Chargeable and Troublesome, being more Acceptable and grateful to some Complexions, then Hawking at the Heron. The latter being too full of Splendour, Noise, Delays, and Impertinent Compliments for a Person, that like me, is not born with the Patience To run after A Flying Beauty; Or spend time in Beating for that, another will Find to ●●y Hand, for a Smaller Sum, then may Compense, The tearing my Repute, or Burdened my Conscience with Vain and Fallacious Oaths and Covenants. In the Administration of which, She is as Punctual, as the Calydonian Commissioners.  
Yet I cannot deny, but That, She is richly Worth the Purchase, of ●ny that Own the Knack of such Amorous Zelots, as have The Patience, to continue still Whining, where they Know, through the Consciousness of their own Unworthiness, That they are not Likely to be Herd. Making a Sincere profession of Love and Respect, when Their Chiefest Intent is only to plunder, What I fear, This Lady, is to Seek of, already; or else foully belied. None Keeping Their Avenues more strictly Barred, than Such as have been Robbed already in this Kind. Wherefore having Cast up by myself the whole Value of the Adventure; I find it no more than I can truck for, nearer home, and with greater Ease, and Conveniency to myself.  
Yet, before I break out into an Open Rebellion against so Sovereign and Absolute a Beauty, I will Present her with This enclosed Petition. To which, If she gives not a Satisfactory and Full Answer, I am resolved to break off all further Address. And to proclaim Her a Tyrant. And her Subjects absolved from their Oaths and Obedience. So, as for the Future it may be lawful for them, to enrol Themselves under the Red and White Colours of any Other Mistress they esteem more Debonair.  

The Petition.  
I Pray Dispatch my Suit, or else Deny it;  
For if I spend more Time, I dearly Buy it:  
If you distrust my Truth, I do protest,  
By That which binds Men most, I Love you best.  
— It is not our of Fear, That I should Tell.  
You never heard me Brag, when I did well.  
Or is't t'engage Me more, that you delay it?  
None better knows the Grant, nor how to pay it.  
Is it the Sin you fear Which None can Guess?  
Cutting off Oaths, and Time, you make it Less.  
Nay'tis no Fault in you, to lessen Mine.  
Better once Drunk, then still to thirst for wine.  
— Hath Nature made a ●●ot below your Z●ne?  
My Love would cover it, and count it None.  
Have you a Servant, that you think, is true?  
I have a Mistress too: And yet, Love you.  
I you can add to these Objections more,  
Pay Me for what is past, and I'll give o'er.    

A Character on a debauched Soldier.  
HE carries no Sign of Reputation but in his Mouth; and that he suffers to run over, with tedious Stories of his own Valour: to justify which, he hath wished his Damnation so often, as it is now sure; rendering him uncapable of any other Peace of Conscience, but what he finds in Drink, or the operation of no Diviner Spirit, then that incites to Lust and Revenge; his Religion being so far of his own making, as he imagines God, like his Old Host, best pleased, by the Largest Reckonings. With his Tongue he desires Wars, but is in Heart at peace with All, but his Maker. He had rather be thought behindhand for Money, than Word: and will sooner, satisfy an Enemy, than a Friend, being readier to requite, what he receives in Anger, than Love; Injuries, then Good Turns. Rendering himself a Slave to Marshal and arbitrary Justice for a small Salary, under the improbable pretence of Freeing Others. Nor dares this Gladiatour, that rants so high in Taverns, and on the Alebench, oppose any thing but Patience, to the highest Affront, a Superior Officer is pleased to put upon him. Though no Papist, he abhors the Church. And like some of our Reformists, carries no more Marks of a Protestant, than what is legible in Perjury, etc. yet brags more of his Whoring and Drinking, than any Catholic doth of his Good Works. Who is thus far Happy, that though he wants Faith to make him a True Saint, he owns not so much Hypocrisy, as to appear so. And therefore more capable of Repentance, than those that Plunder and Murder others, under a secret Pretence, of Honouring that God, he openly profanes. He brags much of his Scars, which truly examined, prove rather the Effects of Intemperance, then Marks of Valour: his Face bearing the Hideous Impress of Pots and Glasses, received not in the Fields of Mars, but the easier-entred Sconces of Bacchus. Whose Discourse, though it travelled still betwixt one besieged place, or Leaguer, to another, yet it was always Tedious. And if you altered the Subject, his understanding appeared proof against all Sense. After whom followed this Epitaph.  

At the Saracens Head Tom poured in Ale and (Wine,  
Until his Face did represent the Sign.    

To Dr. Ch. Chaplain to W. E. of Pem.  
SIR,  
Whilst it pleased you to Communicate with me, in a Style suitable to the frailty of my understanding, I took infinite content in the Converse; but since you have clothed your Letters in the Thundering and Glorious Ornaments of Learning, I am not able to cope with you: Wherefore let me implore your favour so far as to lay these advantages by, and not render your Love terrible to me, who did never question your Power, but own you in the highest sublimity the world hath (being prompted by so much desert) advanced you to. And on such terms I may enjoy your Acquaintance, whereas otherways I shall be forced to take sanctuary in a perpetual silence. Lest I should lose that little Reason I have, in seeking to Comprehend the infinitness of yours. And to avoid any misinformation of the Quarrel at --- between my Lo --- and the E. of C --- It was teally thus. The K k having though against his will, prevailed with my L. to go into the West, by reason of his Interest in those parts, with the other Councillors of State, in hope to facilitate the payment of the five Subsidies voted, but not given by Parliament, and now Christened a Royal ●●ne; The Commissioners being by the fire, A dispute arose between the two former Lords, whether it was possible for one had never been upon the place, to speak and understand French perfectly. The L --- of --- who you know never set foot out of England, maintained the Affirmative with so much eagerness, that the other who had not only more Reason on his side, but the approbation of the Company, said my L. --- best Argument was noise; a speech my L. replied was undecent for an Ea. of Compliments. And upon this, The other returned the Lie. To which my L -- made him such a Manual Answer, as the L. C. being penned up in his clothes, fell down, whereupon they were parted, and reconciled; shame, & the title of his Majest. gravest Privy Councillors facilitating the Composition. It is already arrived at the Spanish Ambassadors, who according to his facetious mode, put it upon the score of our English Valour; which the Gravest relations cannot make them to forget. I am still haunted for verses from our French Coriot, who is resolved to print his Book in English: Those I made are these.  

WHat dost thou mean my friend, in this bad time,  
To write of Virtue, when 'tis thought a Crime  
Not to be Vicious? such a Book would sell,  
Could prove all Damned, did offer to do well:  
Or find that Pimping is a lawful trade,  
Because that Sarah brought her Lord a Maid;  
Or vindicate what Origen hath cast, (last;  
That Court and Hell shall meet in Heaven at  
Or prove that Incest is a Venial Sin,  
Because that Let defiled his nearest Kin.  
O couldst thou maintain this, than thou shouldst be  
Raised to high place for thy Divinity.  
Then lose no time, let Goodness take her chance,  
Whilst you comply with Sin and Ignorance.    

On a Cook.  
A Cook is a Bawd to the Mouth. That Kills his own Stomach, to quicken his Master's. Who Lives like a Bear by licking his Fingers. Before a Feast, he in his White sleeus, and Apron resembles the Ephod of a Priest; and seems to be preparing rather a Sacrifice, than a Supper. In which, the Grand-Sallat may justly be thought to personate an Idol. His office is a representation of hell: where all sorts of Creatures are tormented in Flames, to satisfy the depraved and Various Nature of the Tastes of men. Whose Pleasures, and highest Contentments, are no otherways to be completed, but at the prejudice of their Fellow Animals: Over which, Reason, not Strength, hath purchased them the Sovereignty, So much abused in this world, as may render the worst of punishments, just, in the next. His profession something quadrates with Heraldry: Varying no less in Sauces, than they do in Colours, Bends, Fesses and metals; And are as much puz'led about marshalling the Dishes, and calculating the precedency, at the Table, of a Wood-Coek, or Widgeon; a Gull, or Gosling, as, the other are, in placing Lords, and Ladies. But this, and all the rest of his Learning, and Industry, concludes as I do, in an Excrement: which I wish in his— etc. And so, leave him to Blaspheme in the Kitchen: or Cooling his Tongue in the Cellar.   

A Character of an Host.  
AN Host is one who Thrives with Drinking, and grows Rich by Entertainments. He is of vast Acquaintance, but can number Few Friends: besides Those resulting from Travail, or Necessity. His Conversation is alike to All men, that he may gain the more Money. Being, equally Hospitable, to every Religion he can save by. Giving his Guest the best Content o'er Night, out of hope to please himself in the morning. The Government of his house is Tyrannical, all Taxes being Arbitrary, at the will of his Wife, who sits Regent in the Kitchin. Yet every one that enters, takes his Chamber, for the time he stays, as his own, With no less assurance, than Don Quixot did the whole Mansion, for an Enchanted Castle. He ventures, that reason he hath, in all Companies. And in Defiance of any Drink the weary Travelour pleaseth to call for, which if said to be mingled, or adulterate, He calls the Name of God, and the person of the Drawer to attest the Contrary. The Sign is the Scheme, by which, you may take the Ascendent of his Understanding. And his Half-peck, the Measure of his Conscience; of which his Osteler is Chancellor, and keeps the Key: Making no more of Cheating a Stranger's Horse, than his Mistress doth in Over-reaching both. If her Husband be grown into his perfect Symmetry, his Belly bears the exact proportion, of the biggest Jugg. And his Face of That, in the First Edition of Friar Bacon's Works. He suits his Discourse, as Fiddlers do their songs, to the Ears of the Hearers: choosing rather to offend Truth, than his Company. And, in case, any ride double, he proclaims them Man and Wife: as far more willing to foment Bawdry, then foul two pair of sheets. He is seldom far out of the way, though Drunk or Hanged: The First, being as near the Road of his Profession, as the Latter is of that of his Desert.   


YOuth, wit, and Beauty, like a painted Sign  
May stay a Stranger: but 'tis sprightful  
wine,  
And decent welcome makes him ‛ light and Dine;  
For who will pass his time in such a place,  
Where nought appears, of moment, but a  
Face?    

Deductions from the History of the Earl of Essex, who was executed for Treason, under the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; with a modest Answer to Sir Henry Wotton.  
THe Love of a People, may be observed, of no less dangerous a consequence for a Subject to trust to, than their hatred proves to such Princes as are so unwary as to neglect it. For after that Sir Robert Cecil had prevailed so far upon his own Brother, the Earl of Exeter (most else refusing the employment, out of Love or fear) as to proclaim Essex Traitor: He appeared, deserted by all, but some few unfortunate Gentlemen, whose Lives out of Gratitude, or Want, depended wholly on his.  
Nor is the Affection of a Prince, less permanent, than their Anger deadly. And in the first of these the Queen was unconstant, in the latter inexorable. Wherefore, if during so long a reign, no great quantity of Blood was spilt, it rather resulted from her Subject's Innocency, than any propensity to forgiveness, inherent in her Nature. Nothing coming so hardly from her, as a pardon; I mean of such faults, as concerned herself. And in this she showed a rare prudence, in becoming able to raise a profitable use out of a Natural defect, for (born of that sex, allowed by all as the weakest in Judgement) she lay more obnoxious to a Censure of insufficiency, then that of Tyranny: the sternness of whose looks, hath in all ages scared away contempt, the inseparable Companion of a cheap and effeminate Nature.  
So as neither Leicester, Hatton, nor any other Minion, could ever extract so much favour from her, as might serve their Lands or Heirs, from refunding what their Fathers had misspent: Her favours keeping no Servant company, beyond the Land of the Living. The most apparent reason why the Lady Elizabeth Hatton cast herself into the contaminated arms of Attorney Cook Nor could her disposition to severlty be in any thing more manifest, than the extraordinary means used but to defer the execution of the Earl of Southampton, who had besides pity, the enemies of Essex to plead for him: yet she continued inflexible towards mercy, till the same hand that led her into the temptation, did like the Devils, show her the glory she was fallen from already, in her Subject's opinion, by quenching his, and their enemy's malice with the Blood of their Darling. Nor was this hard-extracted Mercy unsuitable to the emergency of the present occasion, for (as I have been often told) not only those that did in the people's opinion, contribute to the murder (as many called it) of the Earl: But the Queen herself, was exposed to some public affronts. The spectators she passed through in every town, (especially in London) becoming far thinner and muter then formerly they were.  
Some Princes love not that Child is in order to succeed them: but all abominate a stranger lies under that notion; the cause that she, contrary to the well-being of the Subject, no less than the privilege of Parliament, Committed Pigot and Wentworth, for moving to know the Man, and beheaded Essex, but for making a small demonstration of offering himself: Though the later Roman Tyrants took that little security they did enjoy, from a quite contrary course. But this was at a time when the blood Royal lay extinct, and the possession of the crown fell to his share had the Keenest Sword and strongest head-piece: In which case the most probable way to secure the Prince, was the declaring his Successor, who to preserve his own dignity, was likely to take revenge on any should assassinate him in the throne before, a thing very ordinary in those depraved times; not so in England, where during her Reign, there were no less than fourteen titles, good and bad, which by her Silence were all kept quiet. For till she made a public declaration, none had a just cause to complain. And in case any endeavoured to have succeeded by force, she had a fair choice out of the rest to make opposition, none being free from some considerable defect or other. The Parliament remaining wholly at her devotion, and no Ill-willers to Essex; The Commons being as fearful of the Regiment of a Stranger, as the Peerage were jealous of the house of Harford, or any else deducible out of their own Body. Fortune appearing then in all particulars so strong on Essex side, as she seemed rather unable, then unwilling to bear out the charge of his folly, who put her upon such Impertinent errands, as the Dutch youth do fools on the second of April: Through which she became so far tired, as she was forced at last to return him a Block and a Hatchet. This unconstant Deity, being in the number of such giddy Auxiliaries, as none can be sure what side she will take, and therefore not to be trusted by a wise man. The most steady if not signal events, having been brought about without any other mediation of hers, but what is impossible to be avoided; in which sense she is rather capable of the title of Providence, than Luck. Fortune resembling a cane, which no wise man, but in an unavoidable necessity will hazard the weight of his whole rest upon. Wherefore the Earl of Essex, if he had not been befated with a strong Opinion of success in all his actions, (though built on the weakest foundation) would never have referred his life & future well-being to the sole arbitration of Chance, and the unconstant guidance of a Woman's Affection: which being only skindeep, could not but in a Court, furnish a person of far less magnitude than a Sovereign power with choice enough: Especially after his enemies, for their own security, had so far Indulged his, as to furnish him with an Army paid by the Queen, and chosen by himself. Nor were the greatest families then in Rebellion in Ireland, (rendered by the most probable reports) less obedient to him then his respective Officers: And if these advantages had been too little to have set the Crown upon his head, after the decease of his Mistress, he might have had any men, or money from the most Catholic King; who would have advanced his designs, or any natural English Subjects else, that had but opposed the Scottish Succession. Which was formerly projected by Leicester, and the only visible occasion he managed the English force in the Netherlands with so little care, and worse success, who immediately began to prosper upon his remove. But Essex had Religion and Fidelity, inherent in his Nature, Humours known so Incompatible with Ambition, as it was no less unsafe for him to court a Crown, than it did after prove Incongruous and misbecoming, for his more frigid Son to make Love, and Importune Ladies. Nor is this a conjecture of my own, but what I have often heard averred by the friends of Sir Charles Danvers, whose youngest Sister married my eldest Brother. And that the Honesty of Essex (never denied to exceed his Discretion) might for the present moderate his Ambition: But how he would have behaved himself in the company of an absolute power, may be safer now disputed by us, then at that time experimented by the Queen. Success in those that wear it, expunging like Aqua Fortis all former marks of Allegiance or Probity. For though his first thoughts might be of no larger extent, then to remove Cecil, and other declared enemies, under the notion of evil Counsellors, that poured into her Ears such tales as were disadvantageous to the true Religion, and Policy of the State: Yet that point gained, he could not from a lower Station than a Throne, have satisfied so many, wiser men than himself, whose clearer insight into the advantages he was then in possession of, had tempted to be adventurers with him. So as all the favour could have accrued to his Mistress from a more happy success than befell the Earl, exceeded not the Compliment of continuing her in his lap, (a place not likely to suit long with her Age, or his occasions.) Queen Elizabeth's Reign, having been too reserved, quietly to have endured from an Administrator (she remaining yet in being) so profuse an expense of honour and Riches, as was expedient to be thrown to such a needy party, as had already Embarked themselves in his service, whose fidelity and strength (the Nurslings of hope, reward and preferment) was requisite to maintain him on the Stage. For though possibly, his desires might terminate in a removal of his Enemies; They had no honester design then to raise themselves, without much reference had to the means. From whence it is easy to contemplate the prodigious Disparities in Rebellion; which though begun upon never so just, moderate, or Religious pretences, necessity, ambition, and Humane frailty will interject so many new and unexpected pretences, and events, as it rarely concludes, without the ruin of itself, or the Commonwealth; which once suffered to grow intemperate and run over, it doth like a Pot consume its own fat, and loseth its former strength and Glory, by raising the dross and dregs of her Subjects, uppermost.  
One cause of his presumption was, The fond Opinion he had, that she would not rob her eyes of the great delight she took in his Person. A fantastical overweening of himself, and woman's Affection, to whom, no single man's perfections was ever yet found continually Grateful.  
Now such as wonder, how she durst bring him to the Scaffold, for fear of her own Honour, are not throughly studied in the boldness of Princes (whose faces are continually steeled with the varnish of a gross Flattery, put upon their worst Actions) no more than the compunctions of Dying Men, who desire rather to clear themselves towards God, and the world, then impertinently to accuse others: Besides, a hope of Pardon, not to be cut off but with his Head, was a sufficient Reason to restrain him from breaking out into any intemperate ranting against his Prince: As Byron of France, did not long after, most Imprudently fall into, in reference to his King, Henry the Fourth, Dying in the opinion of the generality, rather like a mad man, than a Christian. Yet had Essex unloaded his bosom of all it did contain, it might possibly not have swelled to so great a bulk, as did then appear in the Opinion of the most: or that it may after be blown up to by flatulent Posterity (seldom endued with so even a fortune, as to have truth and falsehood weighed to it in an equal Balance) manifest in a number of Relations extant at home, and abroad. The Blood she inherited, no less than her Father's humour, having procured her no good opinion from the Church, according to whose Dialect the generality did heretofore, out of Ignorance, or reverence, tune their belief.  
Had he been true to his first Principles, moulded by some more dexterous heads than his own, which was to spin out his time, together with the Irish war, till a certain report of the Queen's sickness, or death had come to him, from such an unquestioned number of his own Confidents, as were able to have assured belief; It might in reason have presented him with his wish, or at worst so much power, as would have made him arbitrator of the next succession. But hast, proceeding from a Natural Impatience to live out of England, and the contrary advice received from some near about him (suborned to destroy him) rendered all addle: By persuading his return without an Army, upon a false report raised of her Majesty's Death, the time assigned, wherein to show himself. And to this end, the Wars in Ireland were prolonged, with no weaker endeavours, than Montjoy used after to conclude them, Owner of no other project but the reducing of that Province unto obedience: Essex presuming so far upon the people's affections, that he thought the sound of his coming able to raise an Army wherever he came.  
Essex, if he had been master of parts strong enough to have mounted him into the Saddle of Sovereignty, might have found by the beating of the Parliament (a true pulse of the Nation) That there was no probability to raise any advantageous distemper for him, during the life of the Queen: The people apprehending little other cause of discontent, but what might arise from the thought, that their present felicity depended only on the continuance of an Old Lady; After whom, they expected more dismal days, than their Love could ever have imagined from the Government of Essex.  
Wherefore to lay the Scene of any thing carried but the vizard of a Rebellion in London (at that time abounding with riches and felicity) was an act savouring of so great Imprudence, as I wonder his enemies should bring him to it, or his Friends suffer him to prosecute: As I have often told some at that time near about him, who made me no other answer, but that he perished between his own presumption, and others Infidelity. His security might have been more, and loss less, had he gone into Wales, when he passed through London, where he had great love both by Inheritance from his Father (a good Landlord) and his own purchase, always of a liberal Nature. Nor did he fail to wear a Leek on St. David's day, but besides, would upon all occasions vindicate the Wetch Inhabitants, and own them for his Countrymen, as Queen Elizabeth usually was wont, upon the first of March. And by this the Earl grew so popular amongst these people (especially such as had little to lose,) that without all question, so many would have appeared in his favour, as might have procured him audience from her Majesty, and not improbably the removal of his enemies, under that notion hated by the generality, no less than those linked to him, under a more strict friendship. Or if this had been too hard a task, their strength and means was not likely to want power, to land him again in Ireland, from whence he had been drawn by his own folly, and the wisdom of his maligners; where not only the English, but the natives (to those in actual Rebellion) were his reported servants. The Catholics, till they were better Cajoled by the Scotish Kings Confidents, not obstructing his Designs. And how secure he would have been, in that Province, may be guessed by Tyrone, the Capital Rebel, who notwithstanding more impartial endeavours then the Lord Lieutenant Essex had used, did obtain his Pardòn, in a manner maugre the English forces.  
Essex was too honest to have removed every Impediment lying in the way to Sovereignty, nothing but death being able to gag a person robbed of a Crown. Yet her Successor met with no opposition, though bred in an air ever Pestiferous to this Nation; which wisely considered, might have tempted a people to have disputed his entrance, till caution given. But the Riches and felicities enjoyed, during the incomparable Reign of Queen Elizabeth, hung yet like holy days at their finger's ends, by which they were become so effeminate, and unadvised, as to choose rather to fall into an Incurable Consumption, then hazard a little the shaking by a few fits of a Fever; which if chosen, might not unlikely have proved as wholesome Physic for King James as England; Who wanting a Legal pretext, had nothing left him in safety strong enough to refel the Brazenfaced Impudence of his Countrymens' Importunity. But the last Scene of Princes, like the Catastrophe of a Play, is so huddled up, and every one so intent upon his own particular Interest, (being muffled by hope or fear) as that is left merely to the disposition of Fortune, which ought only to be entrusted with Prudence herself. Nor did the readiness of the Scots to Arm, (in hope of so much plunder, as this Nation might afford, shrouded under the specious pretence of Henry the 7s. eldest daughter) portend less in the ears of the unresolved, than a possibility of Conquest, the most ungrateful sound to the formerly free People of England. Neither did these conjectures receive small aggravation from those formerly suborned, to promote the entrance of the Stuarts, who if Essex had remained true to his principles, might have been saluted on the borders, by an Army strong enough to have moderated the Scots conditions, or advanced his own. Though it was the universal Opinion, that Essex's Ambition, did like the great Earl of Warwick's, terminate in a desire to bring in James on his own score.  
It is not probable the Earl carried any evil meaning towards the Commonwealth, because neither his enemies, nor friends are found to mention any endeavour in him to call in a Foreigner: Wherefore if the Crown was his Mistress, he used the most decent way of wooing her, which was only through the Mediation of her native Subjects. Yet I doubt whether he had justly calculated the weight of this Circumstance, That Conscience is as dangerous in an Usurper, as Cruelty, and excess is deadly, and undecent, in him doth Legally succeed.  
I have heard it, though looked upon by me as a Paradox, that Essex would have vindicated the English freedom, by reviving such ancient Privileges as had been pretermitted, during the Tyrannical reigns of the two last Henries; And no ways indulged by Queen Elizabeth, which not extending all her time beyond a few particulars, was then less discernible. No act of hers being registered so contrary to the grain of her own people, as the death of this man; the Queen of Scots being looked upon as a Catholic, which in the general dialect of England at that time, signified no less than a sworn enemy to God and the Prince, (so zealous, if I may not say surious, are all changes) that it was passed over, without any apprehension of honour, or pity, as justified by the cruel Massacre committed not long before upon the French Huguenots, at the instigation of that King's Mother. An Act through which the Integrity of Princes was much ahated. But whether his nation by reason of her divers titles, and disparity in estates, was capable of that absolute freedom, hath since been fancied by some, I leave to the Arbitration of greater Politicians.  
Only this I am confident of, that no fair capitulation could have disobliged King James, who lay under too many doubts, and strong desires, to have refused so peaceable an entry as he found, upon any lawful limitations; manifest in the advice given to his Son; Wherein are more Popular rules, than himself was ever observed to follow.  
By the vast quantity of tears let fall from the Multitude upon his Grave, may be noted, how far easier it is to find pity, than protection, Though his friends if united, would have proved the major part. Who for want of a good head-piece to follow, this universal affection, like floating Atoms, made only a world of Calamity for himself and his party. But this blow past recalling, set the people's teeth so much an edge, as all the Queen did after, was thought bitter, and her Government too peevish and effeminate for so warlike a Nation: Nor did she decline less in the opinion of the Court itself, no counsel daring after to appear, but what was suitable to the Cecilian gusto.  
Here may be noted, with what Circumspection Princes ought to play their Game, since Counsellors, their Card-holders', are not seldom Cheaters, and intent more particular Interests than their Masters: As appeared in the remove of Essex, a man thought far more necessary to the Queen's Service, and England's safety, than such as purchased his ruin. The banding of two factions, being the most probable way to keep, this already superannuated Princes from falling into contempt. For such Commands, as under both parties would have been readily obeyed, were after one had got the absolute disposure of affairs, wholly neglected. Essex's return (which no question would have been endeavoured, upon the least discontent of her Majesty) appearing of so dismal a consequence to his enemies, as nothing might procure it, was thought safe, or what did obstruct it, dangerous. Nor was it possible for this planet, so near its declension, to Influence another party: None daring to run the Hazard of an unavoidable future Ruin upon the contemplation of a year or two's power; which was more than her age, and present weakness did in any probability promise.  
This proves, it had been the Queen's better policy, to have conceded the Life of the Earl to the tears, and vows of the people, through which their Love had not only been preserved entire, but (what was next considerable) so great a restraint put upon the contrary Cabal, as might contain them within the compass of Obedience; out of fear she should have let loose this Lion, who to that end she might have kept in the Tower, his death not being probable, as her Subjects stood affected, to have countervalued the advantage of his Life. And this oversight was the more inexcusable, because the Ancestors of the Earl's chiefest enemies had by the same arts rendered her ungrateful to the People of England, in a like case of severity towards the Duke of Norfolk.  
Nor did she apprehend till it was too late, the wound given her own Power, through the mediation of the Hangman in the death of Essex; Not being able ever after, to moderate the Insolency of those, that now did not stick to slight her, and story openly in her ears the necessity she lay under, to declare the Scotch King her Successor, lest the Parl. should be (for their own safety) compelled to do it themselves; which had not been omitted, but (as I have been told) to endear King James more to some particular families, of which the most noble for birth, found afterwards little cause to applaud their Design. Neither were other reports wanting, which being usual at the Death of all Princes, I shall here wilfully omit, as quite unsatisfied of their truth. Nor had I said this, but that there hath been from the beginning of the uncivil wars (wherein none were masters of what they had) divers imperfect Copies of my own hand left in the custody of one did print some of them, under a nameless Author, though very false, And might have done this, if not timely prevented.  
Nor did this blow terminate only in the ruin of the Earls friends, but extended to the disadvantage of his Maligners themselves, apparent in Sir Walter Raleigh, who wanting Strength, though not Wit to be the treasurers Corrival, Perished because not thought to own humility enough to be his Servant: it being more safe at Court to have many Enemies of equal power, than one false ambitious friend, that hath attained to the absoluteness of Command. The agitations and tempests, arising from considerable factions in the houses of Princes, (resembling some winds at sea, by which men are driven though by contrary means, to one and the same end) would of necessity have miscarried, or perished, had any single party prevailed. The one still thinking it honourable to preserve and advance what the other esteems safe to suppress and destroy. And this Raleigh was often heard to say, he did not apprehend, Before his Genius had dictated it to him, as he came in a Boat from the execution of the Earl of Essex, which was done at the Tower. Nor could the wisest of his endeavours free him from the dire effects of this Portent, or to name it more properly, a necessary cause of such events, as did after befall him.  
The Death of Essex like a Melancholy cloud, did shade the prospect of her people's affection, from being so discernible at the shutting of her days, as it was during the Dawning and Meridian of her reign. Yet if Essex had been tried by a Peerage of Angels, they would have passed a like sentence upon him, or exposed Monarchy to contempt. Wherefore Prudence cannot lay the fault at the door of her Justice, but the ill-management of her Mercy, as not knowing how to employ it, towards the best advantage of her future Affairs. But after an Impartial Reflection made, in reference to private persons averseness towards any apprehension of defect, we may possibly learn to wonder, why she made no better provision against contempt, till that hour a mere stranger to this Princess, who had all her sails continually filled with flattery or success.  
Now to vindicate her Majesty from the obvious aspersion I have so often heard her prudence upbraided withal, (for neglecting the Italian mode quite, in the removal of Mary the Scottish Queen, and Dowager of France, so much the more undecent, as the hand of a Hangman is less honourable than that of a Physician.) I may say, That since those, who for their own sakes as well as their Sovereigns, thought it not safe to be left undone, wanted the skill or spirit to do it a clandestine way, i was more discretion than folly to refuse ejecting one so uncouth herself; such a lesson being easier learned then forgotten, & might have been afterward practised to her personal disadvantage.  
And if reports on all hands were not mistaken, little thanks is due to those who made the Nation accessary through this solemn Try all to the Death of her mother they meant next to set up. Nor can an undoubted desire in the Scots to have her removed, the better to facilitate the Succession of their King (who did more indulge his Patience then Honour, in passing unrevenged those houses, sprinkled by her blood) justify their discretions, that could not but know all Obligation was more likely to be lost in the shame, then found in any grateful acknowledgement of such actions as these. And if their Posterity taste of the like Justice, they may sacrifice repentance to such nets, as themselves spread to ensnare this Queen first, and then Essex; the fault of the last being in reference to the Innocent driving on the design, as far below such severity, as the majesty of the other was above it.  
Nothing commends the goodness of Queen Elizabeth's reign more, then that she and her Subjects should have one and the same Minion, as happened in Essex: whereas the hatred of the people, proved after an undoubted consequence of her Successor's Love, remaining no less confident of the choice of the one, than diffident of the others. The Queen wanting no medium to nterpose between her and their fury: from whence grew a confidence, that she would not countenance an unworthy man. Neither was it a small advancement to this general compliance, that the people appeared not at the cost to raise him. It being the custom of this thrifty Prince, to let her Favourites taste, not surfeit, on the wealth of the Nation, conveying her Largesses by Spoons, not Buckets: The names of Monopolies, and extrajudicial Taxes, not being intelligible to experience all her days. Neither were her ears stopped against her people's complaints, ever thought by her just, and so fit to receive a present redress; the cause her Parliaments were no further inquisitive than she was pleased to inform them.  
Had her Successor retained the like Moderation, the power of our Representative had never fallen under the malleation of so extensive a dispute, which hath raised men's minds up to so impetuous a Billow, as it is questioneble, whether that which supported her power, may not through a contrary application utterly ruin those may succeed. Queen Elizabeth being not only fortunate in her conduct at home, but able to diffuse peace and plenty over such Neighbour-Nations, as she was advised by true Reason of State, to maintain in strength and good plight. Not suitable to the late practice of a Prince, that first broke with Spain, than France, and after was hardly restrained from kindling a fire in the Netherlands, which lies in a manner in the bosom of England.  
Now I should conclude here, but that I find Sir Henry Wotton (late Provost of Eton, and a long time before Ambassador with the most Illustrious State of Venice) hath published a Manuscript amongst his friends, and may since be made more general; where he offers to compare the Duke of Buckingham with the Earl of Essex; much to the disadvantage of the latter, who laying this action by, did never own the doing any thing so ungrateful, as might make him fear the Anger, or beg the favour of a Parliament, much less owe his Life to the dissolution of one already called. He is not charged with many deeds of Improbity, unless Women be cast upon his account, not in Justice to be done, the other standing by. The awe he bore to the Religion then Professed was discernible by his Death, which in the Opinion of many, reached something below the Garb of a Soldier; so busy are Critics (that like Flies spare nothing savours of Fame or Infamy) to the Grave itself.  
That he was thought no instrument of Tyranny or Oppression, appears manifest, in the Monument of Love, remains still undemolished in the hearts of most Englishmen: whereas the Duke retains the general tincture of, etc. Nor can his well-known bounty to Friends and Servants expunge it, because drained from the people, or taken out of the public Treasure, if not from the general safety of the Nation. Whereas Essex obliged his Confidents out of his own store, or by other so innocent ways, as the Subject had no just cause to be scandalised at it.  
The Earls Natural parts were as good as the Dukes, his Learning and Birth higher, the one being of an honourable, the other at best but of a Gentile extraction. Nor can so inconsiderate an Action, that in charity rather deserves the title of a Riot then of a Treason, come up to so great an Ingratitude and Indignity to the Nation, as Buckingham's proceedings at Rochel, calculated after the French account, the sum of which I leave for more voluminous Pens to cast up; only I shall assume the boldness to say, That the Duke showed no less folly in accumulating so great a hatred of the people, than Essex did in mis-applying their Love. And if his shadows were left exact to posterity, he was not behind him in handsomeness, the sole and primary cause of Villers advancement. Only in this Essex came short, in having a Mistress would be attentive to Reason, from whence soever it came, whether through the Organs of Friendship or Malice. Whereas the Duke's fortune depended on two Princes, That in reference to their own weakness or his strength, remained deaf to all complaints else, but what were presented through his own mediation, or those of his Creatures, with which he was ever made first acquainted, under no slighter a penalty than his displeasure, so much more heavier than the Kings, as his memory was better, and Interest more.  
Concerning their Deaths, I can attest, the Dukes did occasion no less joy, than the other did sorrow, not matched by the saddest accident did happen in Queen Elizabeth's reign; No not if her Death be cast in, though deplorable enough, as I have often been informed by those did approve the Sentence, but not the so sudden execution of it. Nor was the Hangman reported to be willingly hired to do it, whereas Felton seemed to be Inspired by some Daemon, if not the Genius of our Nation.  
This had not been said, but in vindication of that, I never found cause yet to question the truth of, and to unwarp their judgements (if any such be) that may be drawn aside, by the goodness of Sir Henry Woottons parts, in knowing men's opinions, much contaminated by his too overzealous celebration of this Man, as may be easily found in the Records of Parliament, to which I refer the Reader, together with what I have in this behalf written.   

Some Advantages may be deduceable from Court-Factions.  
IT may be thought I hope no less impertinent, than what went before, if according to my rambling Method, I shall drop some conjectures in reference to a benefit may redound to the Subject from Court-factions: All which in conclusion will reach the Prince, who cannot be safe and happy, if his people live miserably; Not likely to be avoided, where preferments depend wholly upon the mediation of a single and uncontrollable party. In which case the oppressed have no power for the present to appeal to. The cause our later Parliaments have been pestered with Clamours and Complaints, seldom, if ever heard of in the Golden days of Queen Elizabeth. And from whose root sprung those branches of misery, by which the greatest felicity any nation ever enjoyed, is become over-shadowed, so that the detection of corruption in Officers, and the gratification of the malice of some, and Ambition of others, in their expulsions and Punishments, gave them at last the boldness to question the integrity of the Crown.  
Divers persons of equal authority, though both wicked, do in experience produced more justice than a greater probity in a single Individual, hath been (at least in these depraved ages) heard to pronounce: For though Bribery cannot be denied a deflourer of equity; yet remaining more palpable in referencd to detection, it may not happily be of so bad a consequence, as the effects of the more uneasily detected propensities, found to follow the inclinations of love, fear, or hope: as it is easily deduced from the practice usual in private families, where a great advantage accrues to the first Delator, and prejudice to the party accused; It not lying in the strength of virtue, if in any agility of defence, to keep a person immaculate from the blurs of Calumny, for want of proof, or an indifferent ear, which superlative powers cannot be at leisure to afford. Nor is the advantage to be drawn from two equal Cabals, better discerned, then by comparing the tempers of King James his Parliaments with those holden under the Queen; for the first, being wholly led by a single and passionate affection to one Minion, lived to see: never a tolerable Minister relating to the Crown, or any in Authority so resolute, as not to prefer the Favourites Command before his Masters, as esteeming the frown of the last more deadly. Now the huge rate set upon places of Judicature, taught Judges to sell their votes, and people to complain: Who by devouring of Instruments, came at last so well acquainted with their own strength, as not to spare the principal, and first cause. One Concession ever crowding room for a greater, if not a more unreasonable demand. Whereas such instruments of State as Queen Eli●…beth had use of, being strained through the double and contrary Interests of a divided party, no virtue was excluded, or vice admitted, any way beneficial, or of prejudice to Prince or people; contrary to the custom of later times, wherein the most probable designs were pinched and miscarried, through the smallness of their parts were employed to keep them on foot. No more solid Reason appearing in the advancement of the most, but Money or favour; As no question will be found instanced in a prodigious number of examples, when time shall have purchased impunity, for the manifestation of truth; not so likely to have proved the result of a divided Court, where the creatures of one were the enemies of an other, no less powerful; and so they both became liable to accusation, or capable of defence. And from the sparkles of this clashing, not only persons and actions, but the Queen's Councils came to be refined from the rust and Cankers, that after grew through the corruption of foreign coin, no less currant at Court all my time, than pieces of two and twenty shillings, Jacobuses themselves. Now though Monarchy may (whether out of perfection or defect I shall not here dispute) make use of this Recipe, it seems dangerous, if not mortal, in reference to a freer Government, where the least siding is a step towards Tyranny: the weakest part being as apt to call, as a potent neighbour may be to come and assist, upon so advantageous an errand. All disparities or contentions, but merely rational and in reference to an universal welfare, tending to popularity and disunion, wherefore above all things to be avoided. Nor is any near dependence upon a foreign Prince, more mighty than themselves, compatible with Liberty: Which renders lending of vast Sums little less dangerous than borrowing. And through which the Catholic King may one day attain Genoa; it being natural to all Creditors to favour their designs that owe them money, in hope of Payment; and so become Traitors to the generality, out of the desire of a particular reimbursement. Such folly lies in many Citizens, as they prefer destruction in gross, before the hazard of their private Interests.  
But when Power is Monopolised in a single person, Faction can be no more spared, than an eye or an ear. Kings for the generality, out of Ignorance in the world, if not for want of wit, or too much Flattery, being unable to value what they give or receive; or whether they gratify or depress virtue or vice, especially if they have no other information, but what is deduced from a Minion, whose judgement is no less clouded through Pride, than his is by affection, and a supposition of worth and abilities not really present; Such Servants owning contrary interests to their Masters, who by bearing the charges of those follies they daily commit, do not seldom prove Bankrupts themselves of all aught to be esteemed dear in Sovereignty.  
Nor are those single trusties of the Royal assent, found by practice so impartial in the distribution of rewards and punishments, but that they diminish by the first, no less their Prince's Love, than they augment in the latter the people's hatred; which an even debate would so far Moderate, as to give such satisfaction as might preserve the generality in obedience, by nothing so soon forseited, as a continued succession of cruel punishments, and unjust Censures. I remember after Felton had given the fatal blow to George Duke of Buckingham, one Savil, a lusty fellow, formerly burnt in the Shoulder for a Rogue (finding how acceptable the news was, where ever it came) gave out, he was the man that did it: And that though an honourable persons brother, he wanted money to convey him away; upon which he was apprehended, and though not worth a groat, fined a considerable sum in the Star-Chamber, to which, the wisdom, equity and justice of that Court, added (because they wanted power to hang him) this Corporal punishment, viz. That he should be whipped from the Fleet where he lay prisoner, to the pillory in Westminster-palace-yard, there to be for two hours nailed, & after to lose one ear, have his nose slit, and then to be branded in the forehead; all which, as long as the bowels of humanity would give me leave, I looked upon: Nor was this more than half his punishment, as much being to be done to him in Cheapside, but that (as I heard) the King more charitable than his Judges, did pardon it; Though his perpetual residence in Bridewell was not remitted, till for another thing (some thought unlikely to be done under such a restraint) he was hanged at Tyburn. I had not touched upon this, as relating to a time which none can remember without being agitated by envy, or grief: but to acquaint posterity, with the opinion of a Lord, looked upon as the wisest for counsel, (however he might have failed in reference to execution) in his time: Who at dinner that day with some of the promoters of the forementioned Sentence, said, that though he hoped it would never be executed, yet it grieved him, a precedent of that high nature should remain upon record, no less to the dishonour of their Mercy, than the Justice of his Majesty, upon whose scoreit might not unpossibly one day lie heavy: Nor did it scape the notice of the next Parl. as any may find, can procure a sight of a book written by Regal authority, wherein the Subject was prohibited so much as to name a Parliament, etc. But the conclusion of the forementioned prudent Lord, was to prove, that of all punishments death was soon forgotten; whereas Whipping and pillory were always remembered: from whence Governors may observe, That the greatest Cruelty is exercised by Subjects have had their foundations laid in pity. Nor can this digression be thought impertinent, by those shall consider, that such exorbitant and unnatural repetitions of Punishments, were strangers during the domination of two equal factions. Through the percussion of which, like Flint and Steel, all things came to light, which these pleas might advance, or Eclipse the glory of the Prince.  
Nor should I prosecute this Epidemical mischief of Favourites, at this time common with France and Spain, but to answer such as plead for it: Whom I have heard so impudent, as to allege the example of our blessed Saviour; and no less foolish in citing the authority due to the Prudence of Italy, where no Pope lives without a Nephew: Forgetting the whole management of the Church was not left to Saint John; nor the wise Conclave swayed by his Holiness Kindred, who being encircled on all sides with enemies, and destitute by reason of his elective honour, of any hereditary friendship, cannot in Reason provide better for his safety, against the dangers have for many Ages waited upon the Table and Cup of the Pope, then by raising a person to so high a dignity about him, as may transcend any preferments likely to be offered by an enemy. The cause he that is styled his Nephew, values his preservation equally with his own. And he that shall yet seek further satisfaction, may find it in the unhappy management of such Prince's affairs, as have suffered themselves to be engrossed by Minions, taken only upon the bare recommendations of their private Affections.   

It is the condition of those in Power to be guided by Servants.  
THey say of the Whale that she is steered in her course through the guidance of a far smaller Fish, and a lesser than that is reported to alter the Natural gale of a Ship; looked upon as wonders in the deep, though few things are more usual and Familiar upon Land. All our State- Leviathans being so far guided by their Servants, Wives, Mistresses or Favourites, that in a true sense there is no Monarchy, all things for the most part succeeding according to the persuasions of others, if not contrary to the will of the Prince: A Mischief not to be quite obviated, but at the peril of falling into Obstinacy, (as great if not a more prejudicial extreme) nor hath any King under my experience, been able to drive on his Affairs, without grating upon one of these excesses. So as a Nation like that of Egypt, is not seldom governed by a Stranger or a Jew. There being no such thing in an unlimited sense, as an Absolute Government, or if possible to be found, it must be in that as improperly styled Free. Which proves there is no real Liberty, or Power totally Arbitrary, in the nature of Things. For though the Incomparable Prudence of the State of Venice, hath compounded for most of the errors committed by the Senators of Carthage; And Queen-Elizabeth shunned the greatest Rocks of Tyranny (though as free from compulsion, as ever any Prince stood;) yet the Jurisdiction of either was as remote from being purely or totally Absolute, as the condition of their Subjects is uncapable of the name of Freedom. They being both too inestimable Jewels to be entrusted with passion, single, and without any mediation from Counsel or Law. I confess the Grand Signior can strangle whom he please; but it is seldom done at his own suit, no more than any desert is gratified: I myself have known many, so far Strangers to what was convenient, as they would scarce concede or deny any thing, out of the presence of their Secretary. And this proceeded not seldom from a distrust there was no cause for: Manifest in the Earl of Somerset, who though himself owner of a competent sufficiency, was so Enchanted with an opinion of Sir Thomas Overbury's parts, that he preferred him from a Servant to such an intimate friendship, as he could think nothing well-educated for employment in his Office, that had not passed his Correction, nor secret safe laid up, but in his Bosom: which swollen him to such a Monstrosity in pride, that I have heard (not being myself then near the English Court) how he offered to rant at his Servants, and did once beat the Coachman; for putting his Commands under an inferior expostulation to his Masters. And through this intolerable arrogance in him, and remissness in the Earl, the sparks first flew, that kindled the ruin of them both: friendship being no more able to maintain its interest against a feminine Affection, than so great a Pride was to confine itself within the tedder of Moderation. The Minions of my time (an epidemical mischief over all the great Nations of Christendom where Monarchy sways) did, during that Fortune, so far transcend their Patron's felicity, as they could gratify all the rest of their Passions (quite exempt from fear or danger) being screened from both by the person of their Prince, whom in reason they ought to defend; It having been often averred in my experience, that all the Kings I have known, were found to do more for their Favourites, than they could be tempted to have done for themselves. Which may serve for a proof of this Assertion, that the greatest are not Free, but led intriumph by the Affections of others, through the mediation of their own, by which means Women come to Govern, and Children to dispose of Commonwealths. And thus the hand of Providence, though steady in itself, doth out of a desire to appear various (and so more beautiful) not only remove the great men, but the paunes so occultly, in this huge Chessboard of the world, as they seem to our giddy apprehensions, to be dandled in the Lap of a contingent Success. Though good or bad Luck are merely Imaginary, like the Arctic and Antarctic Poles, on which the world, as on the two ends of an Axletree, are feigned to depend. Wherefore the apparent Reason why great men are ruled by more obscure fools, is want of Judgement or Sufficiency. The hidden Justice of God upon the Nation in general, or persons in particular, who are naturally unworthy through disobedience, or have rendered themselves so, by a Maladministration of Affairs: The cause their Power is shared with meaner People, first sought to in all Suits incident to their Places. And this Custom hath brought into such credit amongst men, as forgetting how much it savours of weakness, they labour to make it Necessary in the Court of Heaven. As if God were more Importuned, or less affected by our immediate Addresses, then when we offered our Prayers through the intercession of the blessed Virgin, or some other Saint: Consonant to a Memorable Answer to a Catholic, made by King James, That the Ruler of all things was not subject to dote like him.  
Yet wise men Govern in their own persons, as joseph is said to rule Egypt; for had not his Servants used to afford more obedience than advice, so dishonest an action in outward appearance, could never have passed without expostulation, as the putting the Cup in Benjamins Sack. To end this Discourse, nothing plausible aught to be referred to a Servant's dispatch, nor that whichis less Popular done by a Master; since he that is used to rake in dirt must employ an Instrument, lest the filth should stick too apparently on his fingers. Thus Princes juggle by Confederacy, whilst meaner men rule in their own persons.   
FINIS.