The Olive leaf: OR, Universal Abce. Wherein is set forth the Creation, Descent, and Authority of Letters: together with th'Estimation, Profit, Affinity or Declination of them: for the familiar use of all Students, Teachers, and Learners; of what Chirography soever, most necessary. By two Tables, newly and briefly composed characterical and Syllabicall. Of Alexander Top Gent.  
Imprinted at London by W. White for George Vincent, dwelling in great Wood●●●●…, at the sign of the Hand in hand, where they are to be sold. 1603.   

The Author to his Book.  

Far well my little Book, and tell thy friends,  
The Deluge of the deep Confusion ebbs;  
Then show thy Leaf to all, but hail the best  
And safely leave it in their holy hands,  
That will upright thy language, clear thy sense,  
As matter but of mere preminence:  
Yet as the Star, that onward brings the Sun,  
Thou hast perfection where thy light begun▪  
This tell thy friends, and little Book farewell.   
A. Top.   

Unto the Author.  

Divine Conceit, I wish thyself hadst drawn  
This Grammatique before it past to press:  
It came to me as ●… were by interception:  
And (as I think) not two lines puncted right;  
Which (in so strange a subject) would have plundgd  
Ou● English Press, and maz'de the Reader much.  
Something my hand hath done, but God knows small:  
goodwill did it, and that was best of all.   

O'er this it rests (for here is Alpha sole,  
O mega (wants) thyself do adhibet  
The Light itself, whose rays we yet possess:  
For we unable far to walk by this.  
Who knows the things of Man, but spirit in Man?  
We well may guess, but unsure what thou means.  
This Ohue-leafe brings tidings of some Good:  
Set Noah out, for ceased is the Flood.   
Who reverenceth all Students of Holy-tongue HENOCH CLAPHAM.   


To the wise hearted Reader, Grace, Understanding, and Comfort, from him that ruleth all unto all, Amen.  
GEntle Reader, seeing meanest Subjects (by authority) are advanced, I presumed so much the rather to offer this (the lowest of all) to thy graver judgement; not only for the extraordinary power I find in them (although verily it be great in deed) but for the mighty authority that hath supported and sustained them hitherto, even since the beginning of the world, I mean of this universal Abce, which at first (peradventure) for the name sake, thou wilt despise as frivolous, idle, and childish, it being nothing less; for the authority thereof is very needful to be known: the weightiest business of the earth is built thereon, children understanding it not: and it affordeth much matter for the wisest. But as they are counted childish because of their doctrine and education, so I heartily desire that even children may, either by this, or some other greater pains, obtain the right understanding of these Principles, with the full use and authority of them.  
First therefore, If I be demanded whether through the world there were not many sundry Abces invented of divers men? I answer, there was but one: and that one, of God himself, the true Hagiography or Hieroglyps of our first Fathers: to wit, the two and twenty several uncorrupted Forms or Letters of the Hebrew tongue: Which being granted the eldest, consequently must be thought the Mother and very Matrix of all other; so that the authority of all Abces riseth from hence, as this from God. And as nothing can prevail without authority, which indeed is God; which our elders well foresaw by comparing their own endeavours therewith: so must we conclude, that nothing ever by man could be made so constant and so durable as to outlast the very Heavens for glory, and the Earth, that can not be moved.  
Therefore when you seem to behold in this mirror at the first aspect, divers Abces, as if divers men had feigned or created new forms & figures at their pleasure, think not so; for they be all one and the same generation, going forth as the days of the year which the Sun bringeth unto all Countries of a divers complexion: or as grand Nephews to the thousandth degree that have their continuance of both their Parents (that is) of their first author and peregrination, or confusion.  
But that I may the better explain my purpose, I will handle their Creation, their Authority, their Dignity, their Peregrination, and their use, in their proper places: and of their universal Kindred and posterity, in the last place generally.   

CREATION.  
BEcause all Antiquity is to be given to the Hebrew Learning, and their Letters, mine only endeavour shallbe to calculate their birth day, for the use of divers other Rues their progeny: that as they are truly the Mothers of all, and have the pre-eminence; so all their offspring (how divers soever) may rejoice alike of their first begetting, and continuance: wherefore of any other Antiquity (saving this) I mean not to dispute: But hereof, because the Holy Scripture hath some Argument, it shall not be amiss, first to consider somewhat of that.  

Gen 5.  First, that Cain had his Forehead marked: which mark should likely be Tau, the last of the Hebrew letters; or at the least Tau, that in that tongue did signify a Sign or Mark: Whethersoever, because the Mark was notably known, and easy to be read, it may most properly be applied to my purpose. For the Lord marked Cain to this end, that such as met him should not kill him. Here had the Lords writing been vain, if men could not read the Mark. Hence peradventure we used to entitle the Foreheads of our forsworn Men and thieves with F. for Forgery, or Furtum; like as this Letter (what a one soever it was) might import on Cain, Brother, or, Manslaughter; who was guilty of both: or his endless punishment of a roguish life, or eternal banishment from the Saints of God, to live a foreigner both in Country and Religion.  
Other marking in the Forehead, hath been used to the like and contrary purposes, Ezek. 9 4. Apoc. 13. etc. In the same Chapter is mention made of Tubal-Cain the cunning Carver both in Brass and Iron. And also ●ubal the Organist; who doubtless were cunning not only in the forms and proportion of these, but also of their effect in working, whether in Arithmetic or Proportion, in Music or Portraying, in Notes or Lines, both by ear and eye: for they are the Abce and principal Rudiment of all workmanship, aswell as of Learning. And what Instrument of commendation or profit was ever made? What Music? What workmanship was ever invented, how witty or rare so ever, that by effect in these received not his only praise? Wherefore it is manifest, that this ancient Literature flourished in the time of these men, which reaped such praise & profit by the skill therein. And most like it is, that the commendable cunning which Tubal-Cain showed, was in some Geographical, hieroglyphical, or astrolabical engine, exactly prepared to design the Heavens, and describe the Earth, and the bodies thereof, by even parts and proportion.  
And to prove that nothing at that time, could be devised more necessary or to greater use, I may recite the Chapter of Creation, where the Lord created a use for them: to wit, the two unequal Lights; and the Stars for signs, for seasons, for days, & for years: which to our sense may be thus; For Minutes, Hours, Days, and Years: That is, Othoth, (as if a man should feign) for proportional Figures, or legible Letters, for the full scope of God's Creation especially was that: Such things as erst lay hid in Confusion, Rude and Vain, Tohow vabohow, of no manner of shape or fashion, might then by his Word of life, most clearly appear and be distinguished: Not that their sundry qualities should be admirable to the outward sense only, but that the very heart and mind of man should be moved to consider the depth of so strange a separation; when every thing was so rightly weighed by his own poised: and as the upper face of any thing contented the sense, so the inward propriety with due cogitation, should content the heart: that as well in kinds as in fashions, both sense and understanding, might (by comparing the substance with the portraiture) be lightened. Seeing that all things which the Lord wrought or commanded in the first week, exceeded not the number of two and twenty. And (as I gather by the text) he delighted to rest in the most complete and correspondent sum of the letters of this Abce. From hence may much glorious matter arise: but I note only this, that the Lord hereby described all his work for the most capacious use and profit of man, whom he placed in honour. Wherefore I may conclude, that every of these several Hebrew letters, should signify or import some special workmanship of the lords Creation. And the rather, because the Lord concluded every one of his actions or creatures, with this proper demonstration Eth, which is taken for a Sign, Figure, Letter, Form, or Mark; being the extremities of the two farthest letters of the Rew. As, if all things were to be comprehended by this limitation or circumscription Bara Elohim (Eth) hashamaim, God created the figure, sign, or letter, of the Heavens, etc. Or the very hieroglypsis of them, this word being the singular of Othoth, which signifieth Figures, Letters, Causes, Signs, or Tokens, of all sorts. Where note, that God by his divine insight, hath diligently observed the shapes, the figures, and the lines of every of his works; because he used to commend the perfection of them: so with his very finger hath he drawn them, and with his spirit stamped them secretly in all creatures for us.  
This word Eth, maketh the pronoun demonstrative Zoth. i. this, which is thus to be derived and expounded, Zou or Ze, oath, which properly signifieth, This Token, this Figure, this Letter, this Cause.  
Here could I more at large dilate upon this word Eth, but this for my present purpose may suffice.  
Hitherto of the Creation of these little Figures, whereby men may conjecture, that in the time of Cain, they were plain to be read and understood: and that Tubal-Cain engraved them in his costly Instruments. And lastly, that the Almighty God himself in the separation of his Elements, vouchsafed to remember them, and delighted most often to design the constancy of them by Eth the particle.   

AUTHORITY.  
WHereas many (perchance of my sort) will wait for the approbation of divers and sundry Abce-like authorities, they shall surely unawares deceive themselves; for I mind nothing less: neither dare I willingly so much to diminish the glory of the Holy writing, because I well know that in these several Rues (howsoever disguised) is no new thing: and that their inventions which at this day are so famously feigned, are merely nothing else, but counterfeiting of the Hebrew Rew; in changing their bodies or their power, their places or their order: as in my Table of Abces thou mayest well discern. For what cause, upon what deliberation, or to what end (except that Nations were wont craftily to conceal the knowledge of their Tongue from strangers) I know not: but a great cause of their metamorphosis, may be the changing of the culture and race of Writing; which was, from the left hand to the right, being before contrary. The alteration of their power may seem to rise from Warfare or policy of Court: where, because silence will not serve, secrecy of Language should be needful and this (yea in the same Country and Dialect) where Civill-warres have grown, men have been forced to study and practise, lest that the Watchword either in Court or Camp be too easily apprehended of the enemy, and by an unlucky Alarm, both Policy & Army confounded. 
jud. 12. 6.  The example of the Gileadites is plain, whom the Ephraimites, pursued to the ford of jordan, requiring passage with them; which upon good advice, denying the Gileadites, bade them pronounce their Watchword Shibboleth (a Ford or Channel) which they well knew was a propriety of their own tongue: whereby it came to pass, that by defect in pronunciation; as in Sibboleth (an Ear of Corn) for Shibboleth, the Ephraimites received a wonderful defeat, and the Gileadites escaped safe. For which cause, peradventure Kings and Princes have not only endured and suffered in their literature and language, but at their pleasure and will, have ruinated and overthrown the natural stamp & course thereof; and by preposterous order, changed the sound also. Concerning the Hebrew writing, it was unpossible for man to invent the like: for of man there remains no monument so memorable, that ever I could find or imagine. Wherefore I may well conclude, That Almighty God, who would scarcely be thought at leisure to attend so little things, is both the Author and Father of the Hebrew writing, whether of substance or of form: Because in the Table of Ten Words, or Commandments, the Lord himself vouchsafed to write or carve these forms most seriously with his own finger: which grace, he would not add unto the vile work of man, nor crown his corrupt invention with so Holy memory.   

DIGNITY.  
IT is most manifest, that these principles have in ancient time had no small estimation among Princes, seeing so many of them have (as it were) studied to invent new forms, or alter their course: which by no means they could so well bring to pass, but that the body of the Hebrew Figure would alway remain and appear. This espying, they were ever constrained to allow the pre-eminence thereof. Yea, the holy people of God hath often (in the Hebrew text of the old Testament) proverbially used the affinity and iteration of these Letters, as delighting in the very Echo of them; as, Nabal shemo Neblah gnimo, 

Abigal of her husband.  
1. Sam. 25. 25.   A Fool is his name, and folly is with him. And it also seemeth, that the Lord sometimes took great pleasure in shi●ting of them, and that in texts of great matter and importance: as in that of Abram and Sarai; 
Gen. 17. 5, 15  where God taking away (Jod) the last letter from Sarai, which is in the Hebrew count the tenth, & so signifieth, & rewardeth her with (He) the first, and in count five, and bestoweth likewise (He) the other five on Abram: so their names afterward remained Sarah and Abraham. Now whether it were darkly to include Jah, the name of GOD, in both their names; or whether the jews had hitherto missed in writing or pronouncing of these names according to propriety of the Lords intention, and were here corrected: or whether it was upon the foundation of the Promise, indifferently upon them both, Divines must conclude. Many other as secret things as these to the like purpose, the Reader by a more diligent observation of the Hebrew text may apprehend. Such was their estimation with Christ in the new Testament, that he boasted of their ineffable and everlasting constancy, 
Math. 5. 18  showing that until Heaven & Earth should pass, and the Law by his Kingdom be fulfilled, the least of these lytle-ones should not pass; no not one tittle, which is less than the least of them. Neither is it like, unless the whole frame of these Hebrew Figures had been divinely extant from God, and more than human from the beginning; that Christ would in this place have prophesied so long continuance, and so necessary lasting of them.  
Moreover, the Lord God, the Creator himself, remembreth 
Apo. 1. 8, 11  them in the ears of john, saying: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end: He that was, is, and shallbe. Where he not only authorizeth their beginning, but alloweth that they shall continue as instruments of his praise unto the worlds end. Though in this place (for the Gospel's sake) he applied him to the capacity of the Grecians, rather then of the Hebrews. Also, the Hebrew order of Alphabet is very renowned among the Prophets; as in the 119. Psalm of David, which is divided according to the number of the letters, into two and twenty even sections: to wit, eight Verses in every Staff, beginning orderly with some one of the Rew▪ Likewise the Lamentations of jeremiah in the same sort distinguished. Many other proper instances, if so be this Abce did want honour or pre-eminence, might be brought out of the book of Ezra, Nehemiah, Canticles, & Daniel: which I altogether omit. Notwithstanding, I will something regard the number of fifteen (Tutor) why the Hebrews here interrupted their order of account, in refusing Jah (ten and five,) and challenging Tutor, (nine and six) whereof some opinion hath been, that is, was to spare the divine weighty name of God from so vain and idle a use, that would so often frequent both eye & ear in all the profane reckoning of man. Neither will I neglect the care of the Massorits, which so affected them for their singular operation and divine employment, that they studiously observed for the preservation of them, how many they were, and how oft every of them was repeated through the old Testament: so that in the Prophets they found the whole sum of them Eight hundred and fifteen thousand 280. And in all the old Testament the number of Aless to be two and forty thousand three hundred seventy and seven; and so of the rest of the Letters: which numbers, they both diligently and saythfully recorded to their posterity, besides many other agreeable conclusions, resolutions, and parallels, may be drawn for the praise of the Hebrew Abce Rew. As the two and twenty Fathers before and after the Flood: as the two and twenty Pillars of all commonwealths, seeing they being the recorded foundations of all Chronicles; both the age of Times, and order of the whole World, grew and waxed old together with them. Neither altogether disagreeable hereunto are the Books of the New Testament, as Cornishes to the former Pillars, counted absolutely twenty two. Hitherto of their estimation.   

PEREGRINATION.  
PRopounding always that this Literature, (of whose beginning, authority, and dignity, we have already spoken) is the ancientest and Mother of all other kinds; there remaineth something to be proved of their Demigration or Transportation: which at a glance, maketh them seem rather like Novices of some new invention, than the same, such as they are in deed; so much the climate, apparel and entertainment; heir gate, their fashion and their face, hath changed. Before the Flood, of what account soever they were, or in what Lands soever they lived and flourished, as I have declared in this place, is little material to recite; because all Monuments of praise, (except such as Noah and his Sons could for the later ages by hand and heart preserve) the Inundation wiped clean away: But in them and their Nephews, both Nature itself, skill of substances and causes, and hatty wisdom of Arts and skill, have been continued and reserved for us. It is most clear, that in the Ark, and presently after the Flood, there could be but one Literature, one Abce or Tongue; which they would still be mindful of, and kindly commend it to their children, as a glorious work and famous remembrance of the other World. But after the Sons of Noah began to possess and inhabit all parts of the Earth, their tongue, their voice, and hand-writing, forthwith by little and little, by ignorance or negligence, most easily declined. For, Of these were 

Gen 10. 5▪ 11. Every man after his tongue.  
Gen. 11. 6.   the Isles of the Nations divided and replenished: Who perceiving the eminent diversity and variation of their tongue and writing; and (as it seems) not willing the glory thereof should fall or decay, they assembled themselves ready to build a Tower of rare height, whereby every▪ Nation or Family might get renown: For before the work, they feared much the dispersion of their Families, and ruin of their Learning; when, as they say, Lest we be scattered, foreseeing the event that happened. But because the Lord did not allow their unnecessary providence in this enterprise, being not contented with that success which the Lord had in his infinite wisdom appointed, even in this their wariness, lest any should so much lean and trust unto the handy work of man, and boast in a Name of their own getting, as Nebukadnezar by his Image did wax proud; in the Lord's authority as did Moses at the Rock, the Lord of his mere will and divine consultation descendeth to hinder the same, saying: Let us confound their Lips and Tongues, that they understand not one an other, and let that which they feared, come upon them. So were their Tongues confounded, and their Families necessarily scattered over the face of the whole earth: Neither was there any other confusion of Dialectes in & after the work, then that which otherwise would have happened. And this was to show the power of the lords providence, in respect of the frail means and purpose of man: For in the beginning of the 
Gen. 10. 5.  work, it seemed they all, understood not one another. And not altogether improperly do we take their dispersion to be into that Universe (which we call the World) and hath been divided into three parts, Asia, Africa, and Europa: America then unknown, or here included. Sem, Ham & japheth, obtained every one his part: to wit, Sem, Asia: Ham, the hot Country of Africa: and japheth, Europe. Of their Gentility, and more frequent and particular dwellings, read Gen. 10. From hence by Provinces, were Letters and Learning promoted, and of our Ancestors so well cherished and spoken of. But the first use of an Interpreter (that I read of) was in Canaan long after: Therefore of the quality of the Confusion, I have no more to say.   

THE USE.  
SEeing whatsoever I have said of their Creation, Authority, Dignity, or Alienation, was for the unspeakable use & profit which I found in them: I will here declare (as far forth as I myself am brought up in them) the full comfort, that the Reader shall expect in this my Table: which not unfitly I term the Olive leaf. First therefore, what part of their original use remaineth, or whatsoever may seem probable of their Hieroglyficall effect in the first week, I omit: except that, that the Reader may suppose they were then used to express the sundry kinds of Creatures: The like whereof is yet in some place of the world in practice. But when the species and personages of things grew so abundant and so divers, it is like they were first composed by Adam: and by him brought to words and syllables of two or thee Letters, when he was to give to every special thing a proper Name: 
Gen. 2. 20.  for as he called them, so were the names of all things. And this is a currant Rule for the Hebrician, that no one word in that tongue, ever faileth of some proper or distinct meaning; as well to instruct the diligent Scholar in some natural reason of things, which is the truth of all Language in deed: as to speak all days of his life like a child, that is taught to signify by voice, and not to conceive by heart▪ which by any other mean motion may be done aswell, and to as great purpose and effect. For we account of Letters as of Strangers, whose faces we only know; and not as friends, whose heart, conscience, and true meaning, we understand: so, we speak abundantly, but not from the abundance of the heart: and hear diligently, but conceive no thing.  
Now, because there must be an entrance into this depth of understanding, I thought good to show to what uses these simple ones may serve. First (as I said) to Compose matter of understanding, in two letters or three. Secondly, to Count, Multiply, and Divide, and perform all other Rules of numbering, which the Siphers do. To the same may all other Rues or Numerals (if their Nations please) be brought to pass as well, rejecting these foreign Figures; but more of pleasure then of despite: which point, will clearer appear in my Table of Numerals ensuing. Thirdly, we learn hereby the Admirable rule of Proportion; and by good Tutors, to understand each other far and near: to which purpose, many have devised superficial secrecy; a thing least needful amongst us, while our plain things have such depth of mystery in them. This Rew may also without any farther use of Pricksong, perform the Gam-ut, or Sol-fa, in all Clee●es of Music. The full compass of which, reacheth not above one or two and twenty Notes, by any man's power: so that any musical Song composed with consideration of the letters, in each syllable, may readily be sung in his plain line: Which the jews always used, as by a new art of Parallels and Notes (after the custom of Europe) at this day, there being in itself a most proper and proportional scale. Other manners of Singing are used also, which I have seen, something strange, but nothing so pithy or pleasant: as by waving of the Line or the whole Staff to the will of the voice. Also, by this means they can perform all offices of Accents howsoever. At the last it pleased the jews to make use of divers proper forms to this purpose. Which Figures being well considered, are nothing but mere Letters or Vowels also: for it hath since continued a plain & usual practice, to make the Letter of one language, and the Accent of another: and the contrary likewise by example of the Chaldean Accents, and the Greek Vowels which come from them. But for a more modern proof, mark the high- Dutch and Swedan tongues, that Accent their Vowels, with contrary Vowels of the same language: that where the sound doth vary from derivation, there both sound and derivation hereby might be cleared, and the language delivered from further confusion. And sometime also such accented syllables be Musical, for Time in reeding, as double sounding Vowels in other Languages are wont to be.  
Now what benefit I have declared of the Hebrew Rew, may be understood aswell of all other, if Scholars of divers literatures upon this occasion will take the pains. To which purpose, much may be considered in this syllabicall Table of English Consonantes: whether for the composing of all Syllables and monosyllable words, Numbering, Proportion, Music, or Accenting; if the Reader please to grace my pains with some small industry and mean curiosity.  

A Table Syllabicall.  b c d r g h k l m n p q r s t x z c f h l n q s x b d g k m p r t z d h m p t b f k n r x c g l p s z f l q x d k p t c h n s b g m r z g n 't d l r b h p x f m s c k q z h q b k r c l s d m t f n x g p z k s f p b l t g q c m x h r d n z l x k t h s g r f q d p c n b m z m b n c p d q f r g s h t k x l z n d r h x m c q g t l b p f s k z p g x n f t m d s l c r k b q h z q k c s m f x p h b r k d t n g z r m g b s n h c t p k d x q l f z s p l g c x r n k f b t q m h d z t r p m k g d b x s q n l h f c z x t s r q p n m l k h g f d c b z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z  
I Thought good by the way, to show this my Calculation of Syllables, that it may be the more familiar when my time and experience shall better serve, to declare the full use and benefit thereof: In the mean while, the Reader shall ruminate thereon. And now for the understanding of this my characterical Table following: First, it is thus divided into Rues and Columns; that is, every particular Abce lying collaterally correspondent each under other, is expounded each by other, according to their proper sounds throughout every Column. Wherein, because Languages for the most part (as I have said) differ one from other in number of Letters, or order of Abce Rew, I (not unjustly) do constrain all Abces to be conformable to the Hebrew: enlarging it by Dages and Composition, from the proper two and twenty Sounds or Letters, into so many as may well interpret the largest (that is thirty) although some Alphabets by ruder collection, have been unneedfully extended to thirty or forty. But where thou seest sometimes both Rew & Pilla● unorderly broken off, there note, that such a Language lacketh that lisping found, which (thou shalt perceive) other tongues abounded withal.  
As for the several names of the Letters of every Abce, let each Country term the whole Pillar, as she calls her own (being all Letters of the like force) because I hold it little material to be taught: Only it may give insight of correction unto some Countries, that have borrowed the sound, & not the Letter. And to other that have used the Letter and not the sound, which (of all other) in our English Abce is most absurd: to the great hindrance and vexation of the little ones: that (as it were) enter Purgatory before their time, being often punished, but not for themselves. But for the fault of the Literature, & for the rudeness of Teaching which doth so often amaze and astonish them; as in the double sound or efference of C. of G. of I. of P. of th'. and of ch. Where the sound of their Name should properly begin every word, they make to enure the Tongue to readiness in spelling and reading; it being for the most part otherwise, and also in the most improper names of H. and Y. one being called Ache, and the other Why, as if they should begin tcheer, or we, according to their Names: but the children must learn to spell ch, ee, r, here: wy, ee, ye: in stead of he, eer, and ye, ee, ye, (to them most horrible) and for this they endure much, that Parents of mean affection, should scarce approve. By which it comes otherwise to pass then in other Languages, that we cannot spell our Abce until we understand the whole Tongue. In some other Abces, the like imperfections are found. But of our own, in this will I have to do, advising my Countrymen, that seeing new Letters or Figures will not easily be received, (considering the travail of some other yet now, to that purpose) they will duly distinguish with some difference of writing, as it hath been anciently used, (neither is it at this time altogether unused, but neglected, with strokes or pricks: aptly offering itself in this my Table) these Letters of two sounds, and name them accordingly by their right name, such as are wrong christened: and give effectual names to such as are nameless. Which matter is so native, so easy, so pregnant, so commendable; and lastly so void of all new-fangelnesse, that nothing else is here wanting, but that which may with praise be prayed the allowance of the best.  
Now for further instruction concerning my Table, every Abce beareth his countries name, or the name that other Countries call it, at the end of the Rew to the left hand. And whether the several Countries did write towards the left hand, or towards the right, in the margin at the right hand, you have a Hand or Fist to direct you.   

AFFINITY.  
OF their Affinity and declination of form, the explaining of the first Column may suffice to teach the Reader how to mark the course of all the other Columns, and the true variation of strokes and lines, by dismembering or new framing the Letters accordingly. Therefore I must speak of the first Hebrew letter in the first Column, how he carrieth himself through all learned Tongues: that is, of Variety, of fashion, and Behaviour. And also of his general entertainment & acquaintance with all other of the same Column, whereas it consisteth of three divers strokes or limbs; to wit, the stroke Constant, which is the slope line, that for the most part continueth invariable: The stroke divers, which is the hanging line that is ever now and then here and there: And the stroke Defective, which is the master or commanding stroke, that in proper person is seldom present.  
Therefore in this Metamorphosis, the Reader may not always look for this articular trinity, because in some Abces it will portend but two of the limbs, and in some but one; and that with a strange motion: In some place halting, in other utterly maimed.  
Notwithstanding, of the first sort, the Complete body are these by transformation; The sixteenth, seventeenth, two and three and twentieth, and seven and twentieth Abce; that is, the Illyric, Croatic, Aethiopick, Armenian, Egyptian or Phrygian Rew. The first is discerned by exalting the line Constant and transparence of the leaf. The second, by raising of the line Constant, and counterpoise of the stroke divers and Master line. The third, by exalting the stroke divers to the head of the line Constant, the Constant and the Master lines desubtending it. In the Capital of the fourth, by depressing the former elevation of the line Constant, & exalting the horns of the divers & master Line, all three members of the curent Letter being in degree equal, and naturally flourishing. All which conclusions (if you turn the Leaf bias, or upside down at your pleasure) you will the easier confirm.  
Of the second sort, are all the other of the first Pillar, except Arabic, Siriac, Persian, Turkish, and Tartarian; which are included in Arabic and Siriac: only the twentieth and the one and twentieth Rew, which are but one stroke, the Constant line erected: yet in the very head of this line, is some small sensible trace of a second stroke to be observed.  
But where you find the second sort full of variety of building, be not amazed at the Architecture thereof: for the frame and proportion is ever clear, and that merely nothing else but shadow-florishing or train: as of the heel of a man's Foot in the Sand or Snow, in respect of the step itself.  
The sound of this Pillar or Letter is not usurped by any other Column, nor is commutable with any other Letter: therefore his derivation is the more clear.  
The like is to be marked of the second Column, and all the rest: saving that between many of them (that is to say, Letters of the same Instrument, whether of the lips, the teeth, palate, or hissing Letters) there is usual community, selfehood, and commutation, as the second and third▪ with the three and four and five and twentieth, the fourth and fifth with the seventeenth two and seven and twentieth: and sometime with the nine and twentieth: the sixth and seventh with the fourteenth and the thirty eighth with the thirteenth: the eleventh with the six and twentieth: the one and twentieth with the nine and twentieth: the ninth with the tenth: the eleventh with the twelfth: the fifteenth with the sixteenth and the fourth: and so with a continual and mutual reference of the Letters of each Abce by itself, and comparison with the same of other Rues, thou shalt find their proper and ancient Culture most clear. For all the rest, each Pillar will clear itself to him that hath any insight or delight therein, as Figures or Letters of a divers condition: but one substance and the same effect.  
Herein also note, that of the two-and-twentie Hebrew Letters, I have provided five Vowels, Alef, He, Vaughan, Jod, Hnaim; the eighth, the ninth, the fourteenth, one-and-twenteth, and sixe-and-twenteth Pillar, to answer either directly or in travers, as I have showed to the Vowels of all other Languages both in place and voice; propounding this for my warrant: That all Letters, that are not Consonants, be Vowels.  
That they are no Consonants, the translation or traduction of these words Adam, Abel, Ruth, Ezekiel, Eber: and also of a great part of the Latin tongue will effectually prove: as, Hnad, Hnuf, Hnur, Admetus, avis, orior: VAV, we, seu, sive: Hen, en: Elleh, illae: jaijn, vinum, Greek Onion: of which, we need no farther example, because they are already notably known.  
And considering their proper Pillars, thou shalt find them to agree both in fashion and place, with their opposed Figures.  
Lastly, I advise that every Letter henceforth keep to his own sound, as by all other he shallbe here pronounced according to his name, observing ever this liberty, or rather propriety of spelling, to begin and end all Syllables with a letter whose name and power is all one, (rejecting idle letters) and produce the long Syllable by Accent for such a difference: Mad, mád: for mad, made: as where Ce, is used for a Ka, there K: where Ph, is for F, there F: where Ch, is for Q, there Q: The rest by observation, is easily learned.  
Of the Hebrew Vowels, and all other Vowels and Accents (because they be things so unconstant and so movable, both for employment and affection) I meant not here to handle any thing, but to content myself with Alef and Tau, and with that seal Eth, to sign and seal my work; delivering it to the use of Ezra the most excellent Scribe; or most exquisite Workman Bezaleel: and consequently to all other of the like faculties, Optik, or Mechanical whatsoever. And to such, I wish grace, understanding, and comfort f●●m him that revealeth all unto all:  
Am●n.  
FINIS.    

 Comparative table of letters and sounds