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microfiches 
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m 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  IMicroraproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductiona  hiatoriquas 


1996 


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Additional  comments  / 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires: 


Various  paging*. 


This  itam  is  f  ilmad  at  the  rtduction  ratio  chacktd  balow/ 

Ca  document  est  filmi  au  taux  da  rMiiction  mdiqui  ci'<lasious. 

10X  14X  lax  22X 


D 

y 

n 

12X 


20X 


Th«  copy  fllmad  h«r*  Hm  b««fl  raproduoad  thwiki 
to  the  ganarodty  of: 

Oll<r  Library, 
McGIII  Uninnity, 
Montraal 

Th*  ImagM  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  boat  qualtty 
poaalbla  eonaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibiilty 
of  tlM  originai  copy  and  In  kaoping  witii  tha 
filming  eontraet  apaciftoationa. 


Originai  copiaa  in  printad  papar  eovara  ara  fNmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  eovor  and  anding  on 
tho  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  Impraa- 
aion.  Of  tha  back  eovar  whan  appropriata.  AH 
othor  original  copiaa  ara  fllmad  baginning  on  tha 
firat  paga  with  a  printad  or  Illuatratad  Impraa- 
aion.  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  Hluatratad  Impraaaion. 


Tha  laat  racordad  frama  on  aaeh  mierofleho 
ahall  contain  tha  aymbol  ^»' (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  V  (moaning  "END"), 
whiehovor  appliaa. 

Mapa,  plataa,  charta,  ate.,  may  ba  fllmad  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratloa.  Thosa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  Ineludad  In  ona  axpoaura  ara  fllmad 
baginning  in  tha  uppar  loft  hand  comar,  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  oa  many  framaa  aa 
raquirad.  Thia  following  diagrama  llluatrata  tha 
mathod: 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

4 

5 

L'MtmplaIr*  fllmi  fut  rtprodult  grie*  i  la 
g4n«roiiM  dc 

Ollw  Libnry, 

MeGill  Uninnlty, 

MontrMi 

Lm  imagm  tuivantai  ant  M  raproduitas  avac  la 
plua  grand  aoin,  eompta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattai*  da  raxainplaira  lilma,  at  an 
oonformKa  avac  laa  eonditlona  du  contrat  da 
fllmaga. 

Laa  axamplairaa  originaux  dont  la  eouvartura  an 
paplar  aat  Imprimia  aont  fllmaa  an  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an.tarminant  toit  par  la 
damltra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'Impraaaion  ou  d'llluatradon,  loit  par  la  lacond 
plat,  aalon  la  eaa.  Toua  laa  autraa  axamplairaa 
originaux  aont  filmta  an  commandant  par  la 
pramiara  paga  qui  comporta  una  amorainta 
dimpraaaion  ou  d'illuatration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darniara  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 

Un  daa  aymbolaa  auivanta  apparaltra  tur  la 
darniira  Imaga  da  chaqua  microflcha.  aalon  la 
eaa:  la  aymboia  — »  aignifia  "A  SUIVRE".  la 
aymbola  ▼  aignifia  "FIN". 

Laa  cartaa.  planehaa,  tablaaux.  ate.  pauvant  <tra 
filmte  t  daa  taux  da  rMuetion  diffaranti. 
Loraqua  la  doeumant  aat  trap  grand  pour  atra 
raproduit  an  un  aaui  elich*.  il  aat  filmi  i  partir 
da  I'angia  aupiriour  gaucha.  da  gaucha  i  droita. 
at  da  haut  an  baa,  an  pranant  la  nombra 
d'imagaa  nicaaaalra.  Laa  diagrammaa  tuivanta 
llluatrant  la  mtthoda. 


2 

3 

5 

6 

MiaoCOfY   RESOLUTION   TEST  CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


^'  /^IPPLIED  llvMGE    In 

^BV  1653   East  Main  Street 

^^|S  Rochesler,   New   York         U609       U5A 

^S  (7' 6)   *82  -  0300  -  Phone 

^=  (716)  288  -  5989  ~  To. 


J^ 


FROKl 

THK    LIBRARY 

OF 

SIR  WILLIAM  OSLER.Hart. 

OXPORO 


N>-. 


i  I 


\f:i 


^rt3 


4472.  The  Religio  Medici  &  other  Writings. 
I2».    Lond.  S-c,  J.  M.  Dent,  (1920). 

With  Hydriotaphia  and  4  minor  essays.  Intro- 
duction by  C.  H.  Herford.  and  glossar^.  Every- 
man s  Library,  92.  A  reprint  of  the  undated  ed., 
1900  (Keynes  51). 


A^ 


T 


EVERYMAN'S     LIBRARY 
EDITED    BY    ERNEST    RHYS 


THEOLOGY  & 
PHILOSOPHY 


BROWNE'S  RELIGIO  MEDICI 
WITH  AN  INTRODUCTION 
BY    PROF.    C.    H.    HERFORD 


THIS  13  NO.  9a  OF   £f€'R/'M,^D^S 

LI  37{f//'HT'.  THE  PUBLISHERS  WILL 
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AND  PROJECTED  VOLUMES,  ARRANGED 
UNDER    THE     FOLLOWING     SECTIONS: 


TRAVEL   9    SCIENCE    *    FICTION 

THEOLOGY     *     PHILOSOPHY 

HISTORY      9      CLASSICAL 

FOR    YOUNG     PEOPLE 

ESSAYS  ♦  ORATORY 

POETRY  &  DRMIA 

BIOGRAPHY 

REFERENCE 

ROMANCE 


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'.ifri 


aJTeREUGIO 
MEDICI  •^C 
S-©  OTHER 
WRITINGS^ 
SirTHOMAS 
BROWNE»a 


i'/A  fU 


LONDON  ©TORONTO 
JM-  DENT  &  SONS 
LTD.  ^  NEW  YORK 
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First  Issue  of  this  Edition    .     1906 

Reprinted        .         ,         .         .     1909, 191J,  1917,  19,, 


I 


INTRODUCTION 

ttrouyh  steep,  wmdmg  streets  or  staircased  alleys  into  the 
Ztl^'^T''  °'  ^"^'^  market-places  is  within  a  stone's 
throw  of  the  spot  in  which  the  famous  physician  whose 
tercentenary  East  Anglia  was  celebrating  Jely  ^ent  ttl 
greater  part  of  his  long  and  fortunate  life.  A  veVy  ordinary 
house  distingmshed,  however,  with  a  memorial  tab^ 
?„T"  u  "'!■  ^^  garden,  too,  with  its  rareties,  which 
Evelyn,  when  he  visited  Browne  in  1671.  thought  "a 
parad.se  has  long  since  disappeared.  But  close  at  hand 
towers  the  gr^t  east  window  of  St.  Peter  Mancroft,  the  mag. 

^J?.M  «"''^  '^  "^^'"^  "'•'  """'''«"  "''Sio^'"  worshipped ; 
and  Old  Norwich  affords  not  a  few  glimpses  from  crowded 
streets  mto  venerable  courtyards  with  vistas  of  greenery 
beyond  which  make  it  easy  to  imagine  the  circumstances 
of  his  abode. 

Although  Norwich  took  the  lead  in  commemorating  his 
birth,  he  was  not,  as  is  often  imagined,  born  there.  His 
father,  also  a  Thomas,  came  of  a  stock  of  Cheshire  squires. 
He  was  a  younger  son,  and  had  gone  up  to  London  to  push 
his  fortune  in  toade.  At  the  beginning  of  the  century  we 
find  him  settled  m  or  near  Cheapside  as  a  mercer  Here 
Z  °^,'l'^'  '^5'  ""^  *"'"'°'"  °^  «>«  "^''S'o  Medici  v,^ 
th  ;  *  fu  /u"'y  y""  *''"°''  "°*'"g  i^  '"'""n.  beyond 
the  fact  that  he  passed  his  schooldays  at  Winchester,  and 
thence,  m  1613,  entered  as  a  fellow-commoner  at  Pembroke 
Ohen  known  as  Broadgates  HaU),  Oxford-the  college  in 

ri^nw%         f?  r^^  '"*"•  ^''  ^'^^  eighteenth-century 
devotee,  Samuel  Johnson,  passed  fourteen  months  of  proudly 


Introduction 


via 

concealed  poverty.    Browne's  means  appear  to  have  been 

S^^^^;»  I  ^*"  ""'"■  ""'"'  ""^  ^"''='«  thirst  of  an 
intellect  yet  more  encyclopaedic  than  his,  and  far  more 
^venturo^  in  the  temper  of  its  cnriosily.    At  Orf«d! 

^nH  ^f^J*"?"''  ?  •"  ^°''"'°"'^  ='°'»  '-  Shelley's,  days  a 
mmd  of   h,s  type  found  lessttan  no  help  from  the  stud  es 

tJ^  ^  "'■■  7'"'  «"^'  naturalists  of  the  Restoration 
penod  were  infants  or  unborn;  even  the  "universaUy 

Sn  t?°"Hr  'T''""'  ""■*  ""''  litc-minded  frieTd  Sn 
Evelyn  the  diarist,  were  boys  at  school;  and  F^ds 
Bacon  had  only  just  sounded,  in  the  NoJ^OrgZl. 

BrowT'"°r  *°  '^'  °"'"'~''"=  «°'"P«=tation  of  Nat^^ 
Browne,  whose  sympathetic  imagination  assimilated  so 
much,  never  comprehended  Bacon;  but  he  was  not  un 
touched  by  the  Baconian  ardour  of  discov^Tnd  it  w^ 

S  nl""''^  """^^  ^  professional  lbia» 
which  sent  the  young  Oxford  graduate  abroad  in  16,0  to 
pursue  the  study  of  medicine  and  natural  histo^S  ,he 

three  foreign  universities-Montpellier.  Padua,  anZLeyden 
-which  were  then  the  focusesof  advanced  research 

splm  ^^VhltA  ""!  '^."'"'"8  *"'«"  y""*  ^-^  thus 
m^^  u     '*'*''''  °'  ^"  '"e  i"  F^'Ce,  Italy,  and 

ri^ne  rr  ^'' ■  ""i"  ''"°''"*8« '  ""'  «•«  Wfe  PeVTts 
Sotesta^f  t7°/f>  ficant  glimpses.  We  see  the  English 
ft-otestant  student  of  medicine  as  he  paces  the  streets  of 
Montpelli^  or  Padua  with  a  crowd  of  companions  evet 

rh'wU'L::t^t''iL'='^.  °'«'°«""''«=  youfh,Tten7n6 
to  the  n^nf  T^;.  ""'  ^^^  ^'"^  '"'"'  ""1  ■"°ved,  even 
to  the  point  of  "weeping  abundantly,"  as  some  solemn 
procession  passes  by,  "while  my  consort^Sfnf ^h 
opposition  and  prejudice,  liave  fallen  into  an  excesTrf 
scorn  and  laughter."  Or  we  find  him  a^guTng  wTth  ^ 
Italian  physician  "who  could  not  believe  perfeclvtt^ 

drbtrjo?^''''  ^°"''  ''--'  «^'-  --^  -  -''- 

These  glimpses  indicate,  in  the  zealous  student  who  took 

his  doctor's  degree  at  Leyden,  a  temperament  of  d^Sed 


Introduction 


composed,  as  »7ort  of  ~iw  ''""° '<>  England,  Brownfe 

year  1635  by  on^  of  MT-  .  """^  '°°"'  P'''«=''''°°  «  th« 
author  lovesf  "As  vet " LT'""^  '•*'""  '™"""<'"  «» 
not  seen  one  revo1ut.^n^f  LT.TtlT'fr'^y'  "'  ''»" 
thirty  vears  •"_,  rf„  ui      ^"^°'  "<>'  hath  my  pulse  beat 

doctor,,  pres^-lStrTh^ltfp^'Sr^tfr^^^ 

incessally  in  Br^  ^ylhtt'evrSa^d""  """''=■ 
it  be  accompanied  and  outsung  '"''  """■■  "°'" 

circle  of  friendsTor  sevefa   ye^s  brr!T?^'"'"«*°« 
of  one  of  them  save  the  Ma^     •  f    ■  ■    "  *"  wdiscretion 

edition  '^pp<^^i:D:::iL'x:^^:^iTUr^^ 

by  the  appearance  of  the  authen«c  text  Iti^h^^     ^?' 

his  man  out  to  buy  a  cnn»  f./  ?  account  of  how  he  sent 

it  in  rapt  e-item\Tt  Vr^KeTght^ltcht'^H*  """ 
early  to  M^te  his  hundred  ^^.d  morefag^"^  ofc^f  r' 
takes  us  across  two  centuries  to  thrrfl  ^^''rvaltons, 
fought  for  Old  MortalityZTth! HtJ^^/J^!""  P'^P'" 
Utin  translation,  made  in  Hnii!  ^  ""'^  "'dlolkian.  f, 
franchise  of  the  ^o^^'en'"  "°"^'"''  S^^'  «"=  «"'i»V.  the 
The  harsher  dogmatisms  of  the  age  did  not  fail  t^  r-  . 
Browne's  sweet  reasonableness  to  heretics  and  ^°' 
and   the   formidable   Alexander    Ro^t  ^  ^^S 


1  heavy  bludgeon  this 


way  and  that 


X  Introduction 

through  the  tenaons  fabric  of  the  Religio  without  damaging 
a  whit  its  spiritual  substance  : 

"  For  it  was  as  the  air  invulnerable, 
And  th$st  vain  blows  malicious  mockery." 

When  the  Religio  was  thus  at  length  tardily  sent  forth. 
Brown  had  been  for  some  years  established  as  a  physician 
at  Norwich,  with  a  thriving  practice  and  considerable 
private  means.  He  had  also  married,  in  1641,  and  the 
mild  scorn  expressed  in  the  Religio  for  "  that  trivial  and 
vulgar  way  of  union  "  does  not  appear  to  have  prevented 
Thomas  and  Dorothy  Browne  from  enjoying  an  exceedingly 
happy  married  life.  Browne's  view  of  woman  and  her 
place  was,  indeed,  as  uncompromisingly  masculine  as 
Milton's,  if  more  quaintly  and  pleasantly  expressed.  For 
him,  too,  Man  was  "  the  whole  World,  and  the  Breath  of 
God ;  Woman  the  Rib  and  crooked  piece  of  man."  He 
wrote  this  while  still  a  bachelor,  but  even  after  four  years 
of  marriage  we  find  him,  in  the  Vulgat  Errors,  speculating 
curiously  on  God's  purpose  in  creating  Eve  "as  a  help- 
meet "  to  Adam.  It  can  only  have  been,  he  opines,  in  view 
of  their  function  as  the  future  parents  of  mankind  ;  "  for  as 
for  any  other  help,  it  had  been  better  to  have  made  another 
man."  It  is  clear  that  Browne,  who  showed  in  his 
speculative  enterprises  so  much  of  the  temper  of  romance, 
was  not  dangerously  romantic  in  private  life.  He  loved  to 
feed  his  imagination  on  mysteries,  and  brood  ecstatically 
in  a  Platonic  page  of  the  Religio  (ii.  6)  over  the  mystery  of 
friendship,  two  bodies  and  one  soul.  But  one  suspects 
that  love  and  friendship  alike  were  in  him  only  specialized 
varieties  of  that  diffused  kindliness  which  he  extended  to 
all  forms  of  sentient  life  except  "  the  Devil "  and  "  the 
Multitude,"  er- bracing  in  his  sympathy  the  Spaniard  and 
the  Jew,  an''  owning  a  benign  fellowship  with  the  Viper 
and  the  Toad.  Such  a  temperament  promised  a  life  not  I 
very  rich  in  the  drama  of  conflict  which  for  many  men 
makes  three-fonrths  of  its  interest,  but  one  securely  and  \ 
serenely  harmonious.    And  such  was,  in  fact,  the  subse- 


lamaging 


mt  forth, 
jhysician 
siderable 
and  the 
ivial  and 
irevented 
:eedingly 
and  her 
aline  as 
«d.  For 
Ireath  of 
m."  He 
lar  years 
sculating 
I  a  help- 
i,  in  view 
;  "  for  as 
:  another 
1  in  his 
romance, 
loved  to 
statically 
ystery  of 
suspects 
ecialized 
:nded  to 
nd  "the 
iard  and 
le  Viper 
L  life  not 
iny  men 
rely  and 
e  subse- 


Introduction  xi 

qaent  life  of  Browne,  cast  though  it  was  in  a  stormy 
;    time. 

i       The  civil  troubles  did  not  disturb  his  tranquil  labours ; 
amid  the  «  drums  and  tramplings  of  conquest,"  to  apply 
!   his  own  famous  phrase,  he  had  his  "quiet  rest " ;  for  the 
I    Parliament  was  from   the  first   securely  established   in 
,    Norfolk,  and  Browne,  though  a  convinced  Royalist,  was 
the  most  pracUcable  of  partisans.    Hardly  an  allusion  to 
politics  crosses  his  page.     During  the  first  fury  of  the 
struggle  he  offered  the  world,  in  the  Retigio,  his  serene 
exposition  of  a  religious  faith  utterly  remote  in  temper,  if 
not  in  substance,  from  any  of  the  contending  creeds. 
When  the  Royal  cause  was  tottering  towards  its  final 
faU  he  came  forward  again  to  make  known  the  resulte 
of  his  inquiries  into  the  reality  of  the  phoenix  and  the 
griffin,  whether  swans  sing  before  they  die,  and  whether 
the  right  and  the  left  legs  of  badgers  are  equally  long 
When  the  death  of  Cromwell  at  length  opened  a  prospect 
of  the  "joyful  Restoration,"  Browne,  sUent  through  the 
whole  Commonwealth  period,  found  his  voice  again  in 
a  meditation  upon  the  cinerary  urns  and  the  "elegant 
coordination  of  vegetables,"  as  majestically  irrelevant  as 
Paradise  Lost  itself  to  the  passions  and  policies  of  the  hoar 
For  twenty-four  years  after  the  publication  of  the  Hydrio. 
taphia  and  the  Garden  of  Cyrus  Browne  Uved  on,  famous, 
wealthy,  indisputably  the  first  man  in  Norwich,  bringing 
up  a  large  family  of  sons  who  distinguished  themselves 
and  daughters  who  married  well. ,  He  died  on  his  seventy - 
seventh  birthday,  October    19,   I'eSa.     To   the   last    he 
occasionally  wrote.     But  it  was  not  until  1690  that  the 
world  read  his  Letiet  to  a  Friend,  and  not  until  the  lapse 
of  a  generation  that  his  Christian  Morals  was  at  length  (in 
1716)  made  known. 

Men  whose  Uves  pass  in  such  complete  and  unbroken 
harmony  are  not  ofton  so  detached  and  lonely  in  their 
thought.  There  is  no  work  of  Browne's  which  can  be 
said  to  reflect,  or  to  stand  in  any  direct  relation  with,  any 
dominant  body  of  opinion,  any  prevailing   method   of 


II  !!" 


5^"  Introduction 

•pecuJadon,  or  any  defined  Uteraiy  tradition.  Even  his 
entliusiastic  Anglicanism  was,  like  Hobbes's  theory  of 
absolute  monarchy,  too  deeply  dyed  in  the  curious  idio- 
syncrasy of  the  thinkers  brain  to  be  congenial  to  plain- 
minded  adherents.  In  the  very  title  of  bis  first  book. 
The  Religian  of  a  Physician,  there  lay,  for  contemporary 
ears,  a  certain  element  of  paradox;  for  the  profession  was 
commonly  reputed  to  have  no  religion.  A  course  of 
medical  study,  he  himseU  hint^  furnished  a  presumption  of 
Atheism.  "  In  despite  of  which,"  he  adds,  "  I  dare  with- 
out usurpation  assume  the  honourable  style  of  a  Christian." 
Our  jnterest,  as  Blougram  says,  is  "  on  the  dangerous  edge 
of  things":  * 

"  The  honest  thief,  the  tender  murderer, 
The  superstitious  Atheist" 

And  the  seventeenth  century  would  have  added,  "the 
devout  physician."  Browne  atfords  this  piquant  interest 
m  rich  measure.  Two  great  intellectual  traditions  which 
had  for  the  most  part  run  counter  met  in  his  mind  in  a 
curious,  unexpected  harmony-a  harmony  obtained  with- 
out apparent  commotion  or  forced  diversion  of  eiUser 
from  Its  course;  as  if  the  contending  sb'eams  which  in 
other  intellects  josOed  each  other  aside  or  settled  their 
differences  by  compromise  and  subterfuge  had  in  his  been 
transmuted  into  a  warp  and  woof  of  differently-coloured 
threa  Is,  whose  crossing  only  evolv   \  a  brilliant  pattern. 

Browne  does,  no  doubt,  recognise  distinct  provinces  and 
procedures  for  his  "  rdigion  "  and  his  "  phUosophy,"  but  it  is 
misleading  to  class  him  with  the  "  water-tight  compartment " 
theorists,  more  common  in  the  Catholic  Church  than  in 
Protestantism,  who  allow  their  "reason"  to  have  no 
dealings  with  then-  "faith,"  nor  their  "faith"  with  their 
"reason."  The  "water-tight  compartments"  with  him 
have  many  valves  a.  d  sluices,  and  the  sustaining  water 
flows  readily  to  aad  fro.  What  was  most  vital  both  in  hh 
religion  and  in  his  speculation  sprang  from  the  same  root 
—an  imaginative  sympathy  with  every  form  of  existence. 


I 


Introduction 


I 


XllI 

h-  )-n  '"".'*"°'"-    "  I  am  of  a  constitution  so  general " 

unto  an.     .  .    All   places,  all  airs,  make  unto  me  one 

Meridl:-' "" "  '^''«'^"''  '^'^"'•"«  -0  -"r  l; 

This   is  not, the  temperament  of  a  keen  critic    and 

Ser*o  "h'"f  ""  '"""'"  "'''"  ">«  «^''  -- 
mmister  of  his  temperamental  needs  and  impulses  than 

ta^!L"»^*;""  '^'^  =""•  *  "'«'°'  """l  efficient  ^rva^ 
taMhautible  m  the  quest  of  curious  learning.  postingTver 
twd  and  ocean  without  rest  at  the  bidding  of  that  foX 

re^ed'^srtTnr ''"''•'''"^'"^'■"''-"""S 

oeeaed  exhilarating  »  .arcise,  to  take  the  foils  and  t» 
discreetly  overcome.  "Tis  my  solitary  .-ecrXi^-cri^ 
Browne,  in  a  sort  of  epicurean  rapture,  '<  to  ,Sse  mv 

01  tne  rnmty.  I  can  answer  all  the  Objections  of 

Saten  and  my  rebeUious  reason  with  that  odd  riso luttn  f 
learned  of  Tertullian.  'Certum  est.  quia  impossfbite  est "  " 
It  might  be  said  of  Browne  that  he  thought  with  his 
imagination  so  potent  are  its  intuitions  in  detfrmiSng  the 

fame  more  than  half  capture  his  assent.  The  allegorical 
descnption  of  God  as  a  circle  whose  centra  is  eve^^wheri 
^fl^\T  T.'^r  ""^^"^  "P"'='=«h  me  beyond  all 
s^L^I  r"^","^  definitions  of  Divines."  And  no  vision^y 
speculation  of  mystic  or  PUtonist  appealed  in  vain"o 
Sir  Thomas  Browne.  Man  was  the  microcosm  of  the 
universe ;  the  visible  world  a  picture  of  the  invisible  and 
m  "that  vu  gar  and  Tavern  musick,  which  makes  on.  man 
merry  another  mad,"  he  discovered,  with  awed  rapt"  e! 
»  Hieroglyphi,^  and  shadowed  lesson  of  the  whole 

W^m"  ■  ■,;     l"       '  '°"°'^y  '°  ""*  «"  »»  ««»  whole 
World,  well  understood,  would  afford  the  understanding  - 


xiv  Introduction 

in  brief,  a  sensible  fit  of  that  harmony  which  intellectually 
sounds  in  the  ears  of  God." 

To  say  that  Browne  "  thought  with  his  imagination"  is 
only  to  say  that  his  supreme  merit  belongs  to  literature, 
not  to  philosophy.  Still  less  did  it  belong  to  science.  If 
the  author  of  the  Religio  Mtriici  stood  aloof  from  his  age, 
the  laborioust  inquirer  into  "Vulgar  Errors"  stood  far 
behind  it  Th-j  lofty  assumption,  in  the  preface,  of 
Baconian  phrases  about  the  need  of  first-hand  experience 
and  the  fallacies  of  tradition  and  authority,  is  in  piquant 
contrast  with  the  meanderings  of  Browne's  inquiring 
intellect,  just  one  step  more  emancipated  than  tht "  vulgar," 
whose  erroneous  beliefs  about  phoenixes  and  griffins,  after 
anxiously  weighing  all  the  possibilities,  he  decides,  as  it 
were  by  the  turning  of  a  hair,  to  be  wrong.  It  is  the  old 
story  of  Apollo  leaving  his  Parnassian  haunts  to  stray 
across  the  severe  threshold  of  Academe,  insufficiently 
equipped  with  the  geometry  requisite  there.  And  the 
sages  of  the  English  Academe  did  not  hesitate  to  make 
*  the  respected  intruder  understand  that  he  was  out  of 
place.  In  an  interesting  section  of  his  admirable  life  of 
Browne,  just  published,  Mr.  Gosse  has  plausibly  surmised 
that  his  absence  from  the  roll  of  members  of  the  Royal 
Society  was  due  to  a  deliberate  determination  of  the 
committee  to  exclude  him. 

The  line  between  literature  and  science  was  then 
indecisively  drawn,  and  Browne's  letters  to  the  secretary 
make  it  tolerably  evident  that  he  would  have  liked  to  join 
a  body  few  of  whom  could  rival  the  natural  history 
collections  of  his  Norwich  home,  while  still  fewer  probably 
could  claim,  as  he  could,  to  have  dared  dyspepsia  or 
worse,  for  Science's  sake,  by  experimental  meals  upon 
spiders  and  bees.  A  distinguished  son  of  his  own  was, 
moreover,  a  member.  But  it  may  be  that  the  real  rock  of 
offence  was  just  that  which  has  become  the  corner-stone 
of  his  fame— his  style.  It  is  well  known  how  peremptorily 
the  newly-founded  Royal  Society  set  its  face  against  the 
old  sumptuous  and  elaborate  prose,  with  its  "amplifica- 


Introduction 


XV 

tions,  digression!,  and  swellings  o(  style,"  and  did  its  best 
to  recover  "  the  primitive  purity  and  hortness,  when  men 
delivered  so  many  things  almost  in  an  equal  number  of 
words."  It  accordingly  "  exacted  from  all  its  members  a 
close,  naked,  natural  way  of  speaking;  positive  expressions 
.  .  bringing  all  things  as  near  the  mathematical  plain- 
ness as  they  can."  So  writes  Sprat,  the  historian  of  the 
Society,  and  one  of  its  earliest  Fellows.  It  is  hard  to 
believe  that  Browne's  splendour  of  apparel  was  not 
expressly  glanced  at  by  this  advocate  of  nakedness.  But 
we  are  not  further  concerned  with  his  criticism.  For 
Browne's  ends  and  aims  his  writing  is  incomparable.  It 
is  not  a  cumbrous  and  artificial  way  of  conveying  factp, 
any  more  than  a  symphony  is  a  vague  and  equivocal  way 
of  telling  a  story.  Like  music,  it  creates  and  suggests 
more  than  it  articulately  expresses.  If  there  is  any 
E  iglish  prose  which  it  is  not  wholly  profane  to  compare 
with  a  symphony  of  Beethoven,  it  is  surely  the  magnificent 
discourse  of  the  Hydriotafhia,  with  its  vast  undulations  of 
rhythmic  sound,  its  triumphal  processions,  its  funereal 
pageants,  its  abysmal  plunges  into  unfathomable  depths, 
its  ecstatic  soarings  to  the  heights  of  heaven. 

C.  H.  HERFORD. 


Editor  s  Notb.— The  foreRoing  introduction  is  based  upon  an 
essay  vmtten  for  Browne's  Tercentenary  and  published  in  the 
Manchestir  Guardian:  and  some  passages  of  it  are  here  repro- 
duced by  kind  permission  of  the  Editor  and  publishers  of  that 
journal. 


The  following  list  comprises  the  published  works  of  Sir 
Thomas  Browne  (1605-1682)  as  originally  issued  : 

Religio  Medici,  probably  written  in  1633,  published,  surrepti- 
tiously,  1642 ;  authorised  edition.  1643 ;  Pseudodoxia  Epi- 
demica,  or  Enquiries  into  very  many  received  tenets  and  com. 
inonly-presumed  truths,  which  examined  prove  but  Vulgar  and 
Common  Errors.  1646;  Hydriotaphia,  Urn  Burial;  or  a  Dis- 
SH""?  ™  the  Sepulchral  Urns  lately  found  in  Norfolk,  1658  : 
The  Garden  of  Cyrus  j  or  the  Quincuncial  Lozenge,  network 


xvi  Introduction 

^S^°Im!  *™=^»^  ArtUctaUy.  N«iinUly,  MrXiolly 
iJii'^'!^?!^*-  ^»«  "o««Iy  Irtto™  on  •  viri«i7  of  rab- 
SjSn.  rttr*     ^  "•  '**'~«'  •»  Sir  Nieholu 

tiifi*".'"  '  ^•?'*  "P°"  occ«»lon  of  tba  dwth  of  hit  inUmtt* 
"S'''J?9°i^"L''mo"  Worki.  1711  j  ChriitUn  MonUt,  1714 


CONTENTS 


ULIOIO  MBDlei  •-.... 

HYDWOTAPHU.     C«Nk    BORIALL  ;    OR,    A   DISCODRSE  OF  IHK 

"POLCIIRAU.  CRNER   LATELY   FOOMD   IN    NORFOLE 
CONCERNING   lOME    DRNE8   FODND    IN    BRAMPTON-PIELD.    IN 
HORFOLX,   ANNO  1687        "  ■  -  .  . 

LEITIE  TO   A   FRIEND   OPON    OCCASION    OF    HIE    DEATH    OF 
HIS  INTIMATE   FRIEND       -  .  .  .  . 

THE  OAJIDEN  OF  CYRCS  J  OR.  THE  QClNCnNCIALL,  LOZENOE, 
OE   NET-WORE    PLANTAIIO'S  OF    THE    ANCIENTS,  ARIl- 
FIOIALLV,   NATURALLY,    MYSTICALLY  COXSIDHKED 
CHRISTIAH   MORALS       ..... 
GLOSSARY  ■  •  .  . 


3 

91 

149 


167 
S31 

288 


TO  THE   READER 

Cbxtainlv  tlutt  man  were  greedy  of  Life,  who 
should  desire  to  live  when  tdl  the  world  were  at  an 
end ;  and  he  must  needs  be  very  impatient,  who  would 
repine  at  death  in  the  society  of  all  things  that  suffer 
under  it.  Had  not  almost  every  man  suffered  by  the 
Press,  or  were  not  the  tyranny  thereof  become  uni- 
versal, I  had  not  wanted  reason  for  complaint :  but  in 
times  wherein  I  have  lived  to  behold  the  highest  per- 
version of  that  excellent  invention,  the  name  of  his 
Maiesty  defamed,  the  Honour  of  Parliament  depraved, 
the  Writing  of  both  depravedly,  anticipatively,  counter- 
feitly  impnnted;  complaints  may  seem  ridiculous  in 
private  persons ;  and  men  of  my  condition  may  be  as 
mcepable  of  affronts,  as  hopeless  of  their  reparations. 
And  truely,  had  not  the  duty  I  owe  unto  the  impor- 
tunity of  friends,  p  i  the  allegiance  I  must  eve. 
acknowledge  unto  tuth,  prevailed  with  me,  the  in- 
activity of  my  disposition  might  have  made  these 
sufferings  continual,  and  time,  that  brings  other  things 
to  light,  si  ottld  have  satisfied  me  in  the  remedy  of  <ts 
oblivion.^  But  because  things  evidently  false  are  not 
onely  printed,  but  many  things  of  truA  most  falsely 
set  forth,  in  this  latter  I  could  not  but  think  my  seu 
engaged :  for,  though  we  have  no  power  to  redress  the 
former,  yet  in  tht  other  the  reparation  being  within 
our  selves,  I  have  at  present  represented  unto  the 
world  a  full  and  intended  Copy  of  that  Piece,  which 
was  most  imperfectly  and  surreptitiously  published 
before. 

This,  I  confess,  about  seven  years  past,  with  some 
others  of  affinity  thereto,  for  my  private  exercise  and 
satisfaction,  I  had  at  leisurable  hours  composed ;  which 
being  communicated  unto  one,  it  became  common  unto 
many,  and  was  by  Transcription  successively  corrupted, 


2  To  the  Reader 

untill  it  arrived  in  a  most  depraved  Copy  at  the  Press. 
He  that  shall  peruse  that  work,  and  shall  take  notice  of 
sundry  particularities  and  personal  expressions  therein, 
wili  easily  discern  the  intention  was  not  publick ;  and 
being  a  private  Exercise  directed  to  my  self,  what  is 
delivered  therein,  was  rather  a  memorial  unto  me,  than 
an  iixample  or  Rule  unto  any  other;  and  therefore,  if 
there  be  any  singularity  therein  correspondent  unto  the 
private  conceptions  of  any  man,  it  doth  not  advantage 
them ;  or  if  dissentaneous  thereunto,  it  no  way  over- 
throws them.    It  was  penned  in  such  a  place,  and  with 
such  disadvantage,  that,  (I   protest,)  from  the  first 
settmg  of  pen  unto  paper,  I  had  not  the  assistance  of 
any  f,ood  Book  whereby  to  promote  my  invention  or 
reheve  my  memory;   and  therefore  there  might  be 
many  real  lapses  therein,  which  others  might  take 
notice  of,  and  more  than  I  suspected  my  self.     It  was 
set  down  many  i  years  past,  and  was  the  sense  of  mv 
conceptions  at  that  time,  not  an  immutable  Law  unto 
my  advancing  judgement  at  aU  times;  and  therefore 
there  might  be  many  things  therein  plausible  unto  my 
passed  apprehension,  which  are  not  agreeable  unto 
my  present  self.    There  are  many  things  delivered 
Khetorically,  many  expressions  therein  meerly  Tropical 
and  as  they  best  illustrate  my  intention ;  and  therefore 
also  there  are  many  things  to  be  taken  in  a  soft  and 
flexible  sense,  and  not  to  be  called  unto  the  rigid  test 
ot  Reason.     Lastly,  all  that  is  contained  therein  is  in 
submission  unto  maturer  discernments;  and, as  I  have 
declared,  shall  no  further  father  them  than  the  best 
and  learned  judgments  shall  authorize  them :  under 
tavour  of  which  considerations  I  have  made  its  secrecy 
publick,  and  committed  the  truth  thereof  to  every 
Ingenuous  Reader.  ' 

THO.  BROWNE. 


RELIGIO    MEDICI 


THE  FIRST  PART 

For  my  Religion,  though  there  be  several  Circum- 
stances that  might  perswade  the  World  I  have  none 
at  all,  (as  the  general  scandal  of  my  Profession,  the 
natural  course  of  my  Studies,  the  indifferency  of  my 
Behaviour  and  Discourse  in  matters  of  Religion, 
neither  violently  Defending  one,  nor  with  that  common 
ardour  and  contention  Opposing  another;)  yet,  in 
despight  hereof,  I  dare  witiout  usurpation  assume  the 
honourable  Stile  of  a  Christian.  Not  that  I  meerly 
owe  this  Title  to  the  Font,  my  Education,  or  the 
clime  wherein  I  was  bom,  (as  being  bred  up  either  to 
confirm  those  Principles  my  Parents  instilled  into  my 
unwary  Understanding,  or  by  a  general  consent  proceed 
in  the  Religion  of  my  Country;)  but  having  in  my 
riper  years  and  confirmed  Judgment  seen  and  examined 
all,  I  find  my  self  obliged  by  the  Principles  of  Grace, 
and  the  Law  of  mine  own  Reason,  to  embrace  no 
other  Name  but  this.  Neither  doth  herein  my  zeal 
so  far  make  me  forget  the  general  Charity  I  owe  unto 
Humanity,  as  rather  to  hate  than  pity  Turks,  Infidels, 
and  (what  is  worse,)  Jews  ;  rather  contenting  my  self 
to  enjoy  that  happy  Stile,  than  maligning  those  who 
refuse  so  glorious  a  Title. 

But,  because  the  Name  of  a  Christian  is  become 
too  general  to  express  our  Faith,  (there  being  a  Geo- 
graphy of  Religions  as  well  as  Lands,  and  every  Clime 
distinguished  not  only  by  their  Laws  and  Limits,  but 
circumscribed  by  their  Doctrines  and  Rules  of  Faith ;) 
to  be  particular,  I  am  of  that  Reformed  new-cast 
Religion,  wherein  I  dislike  nothing  but  the  Name ;  of 
the  same  belief  our  Saviour  taught,  the  Apostles  dis- , 


4  Religio  Medici 

senunated,  the  Fathers  authorized,  and  the  Martyrs 
confirmed;  but  by  the  sinister  ends  of  Princes,  the 
ambition  and  avarice  of  Prelates,  and  the  fatal  cor- 
ruption  of  times,  so  decayed,  impaired,  and  fallen  from 
ite  native  Beauty,  that  it  required  the  careful  and 
chantable  hands  of  these  times  to  restore  it  to  its 
pnmitive  Integrity.  Now  the  accidental  occasion 
whereupon,  the  slender  means  whereby,  the  low  and 
abject  condition  of  the  Person  by  whom  so  good  a 
work  was  set  on  foot,  which  in  our  Adversaries  beget 
contempt  and  scorn,  fills  me  with  wonder,  and  is  §ie 
very  same  Objection  the  insolent  Pagans  first  cast  at 
Christ  and  His  Disciplss. 

Yet  have  I  not  so  shaken  hands  with  those  desperate 
Kesolutions,  (who  had  rather  venture  at  large  their 
decayed  bottom,  than  bring  her  in  to  be  new  trimm'd 
m  the  Dock ;  who  had  rather  promiscuously  retain  all. 
than  abndge  any,  and  obstinately  be  what  they  are. 
thm  what  they  have  been,)  as  to  stand  in  Diameter 
and  Swords  pomt  with  them.   We  have  reformed  from 
them, not gainst  them;  for  (omitting  those  Improper- 
ations  and  Terms  of  Scurrility  betwixt  us,  which  only 
difference  our  Affections,  and  not  our  Cause,)  there  is 
between  us  one  common  Name  and  Appellation,  one 
i'aith  and  necessary  body  of  Principles  common  to  us 
both;  and  therefore  I  am  not  scrupulous  to  converse 
and  hve  with  them,  to  enter  their  Churches  in  defect 
of  ours,  and  either  pray  with  them,  or  for  them.    I 
could  never  perceive  any  rational  Consequence  from 
those  many  Texts  which  prohibit  the  Children  of 
Israel  to  pollute  themselves  with  the  Temples  of  the 
Heathens ;  we  being  all  Christians,  and  not  divided 
by  such  detested  impieties  as  might  prophane  our 
Prayers,  or  the  place  wherein  we  make  them ;  or  that 
a  resolved  Conscience  may  not  adore  her  Creator  any 
where,  especially  in  places  devoted  to  His  Service ; 
where,  if  thetr  Devotions  offend  Him,  mine  may  please 
Him ;  if  theirs  prophane  it,  mine  may  hallow  it.  Holy- 
water  and  Crucifix  (dangerous  to  the  common  people.) 
deceive  not  my  judgment,  nor  abuse  my  devotion  at 


Religio  Medici  5 

all.  I  am,  I  confess,  natuialljr  inclined  to  that  which 
misguided  Zeal  terms  Supmtition.  My  common  con- 
versation I  do  acknowledge  austere,  my  behaviour  full 
of  rigour,  sometimes  not  without  morosity ;  yet  at  my 
Devotion  I  love  to  use  the  civility  of  my  knee,  my  hat, 
and  hand,  with  all  those  outward  and  sensible  motions 
which  may  express  or  promote  my  invisible  Devotion. 
I  should  violate  my  own  arm  rather  than  a  Church ; 
nor  willingly  deface  the  name  of  Saint  or  Martyr.  At 
the  sight  of  a  Cross  or  Crucifix  I  can  dispense  with  my 
hat,  but  scarce  with  the  thought  or  memory  of  my 
Saviour.  I  cannot  laugh  at,  but  rather  pity,  the  fruit- 
less joui  eys  of  Pilgrims,  or  contemn  the  miserable 
condition  of  Fryars ;  for,  though  misplaced  in  Circum- 
stances, there  is  something  in  it  of  Devotion.  I  could 
never  hear  the  Ave- Mary  Bell  without  an  elevation ; 
or  think  it  a  sufficient  warrant,  because  they  erred  in 
one  circumstance,  for  me  to  err  in  all,  that  is,  in  silence 
and  dumb  contempt.  Whilst,  therefore,  they  directed 
their  Devotions  to  Her,  I  offered  mine  to  God,  and 
rectified  the  Errors  of  their  Prayers  by  rightly  ordering 
mine  own.  At  a  solemn  Procession  I  have  wept  abun- 
dantly, while  my  consorts,  blind  with  opposition  and 
prejudice,  have  fallen  into  an  excess  of  scorn  and 
laughter.  There  are,  questionless,  both  in  Gree!:, 
Roman,  and  African  Churches,  Solemnities  and  Cere- 
monies, whereof  the  wiser  Zeals  do  make  a  Christian 
use,  and  stand  condemned  by  us,  not  as  evil  in  them- 
selves, but  as  allurements  and  baits  of  superstition  to 
those  vulgar  heads  that  look  asquint  on  the  face  of 
Truth,  and  those  unstable  Judgments  that  cannot 
consist  in  the  narrow  point  and  centre  of  Virtue 
without  a  reel  or  stagger  to  the  Circumference. 

As  there  were  many  Reformers,  so  likewise  many 
Reformations;  every  Country  proceeding  in  a  parti- 
cular way  and  method,  according  as  their  national 
Interest,  together  with  their  Constitution  and  Clime, 
inclined  them;  some  angrily,  and  with  extremity; 
others  calmly,  and  with  mediocrity ;  not  rending,  but 
easily  dividing  the  community,  and  leaving  an  honest 


Religio  Medici 


S^1r&5  t  "^"^^o^fl^tio" ;  which  though  peaceable 
Spirits  do  desire,  and  may  conceive  that  Fevoluti™  of 
ime  and  the  mercies  o?  God  may  effect   vetThat 

ttr^.^^'l!.'''""  '=°"^''«'  *«  presenrLS^thies 
dft^n^ff  ti*^°  extreams,  their  contrarieties  .Vcon!' 
dition  aflFection,  and  opinion,  may  with  the  same  hooes 
expect  an  union  in  the  Poles  of  Heaven.  ^ 

lesfer  Ci?H.' wr"""-  '^^  ^[^  °''"'"^>  '^^  ^^  into  a 
lesser  Circle,)  there  is  no  Church  whose  every  nart  so 

Xt?onsTHr^^°°^'^°=^=  ^•'°^«  ArticYesr^on- 
an^  i  =  •;  S"^*°°"  ^^"^  ^°  consonant  unto  Reason 
^d  as  It  were  framed  to  my  particular  De.otira  m 
this  whereof  I  hold  my  Belief;  ftTchurch  of  EnS^d^ 
to  whose  Faith  I  am  a  sworn  Subject.  a^dttiefS 
in  a  double  Obligation  subscribe  unto  her  Art  cles  ^d 
endeavom:  to  observe  her  Constitutions     What^Ter 

o  tkr±."'r^''  ^'^''f^^«°t'  I  observe  acSg 
fLw  r  ^  °l  "^y  P"^''^^  '•eason,  or  the  humour  and 
feshionof  my  Devotion;  neither  believing  this  be^Se 
Ltl  di<^  ""f /!  °'  ■Ji^P^'ving  that,  because  c3^n 
CounHwT'^f  '*•  ^  '^°"'^«'""  "°t  ^  things  in  t^e 
InTrii  Trent  nor  approve  all  in  the  Synod  of  Dort! 
rnvT./;  r  *t  Scripture  is  silent,  the  Church  is 
wheJe^e'r^uT-  '^^}  T"^'  '*'^  »'»*  W  Comment : 
r^es  of  mt  rV°^*  silence  of  both,  I  borrownotthe 
rmes  of  my  Religion  from  Rome  or  Geneva,  but  the 
dictates  of  my  own  reason.  It  is  an  unjust  scandal  of 
our  adversan'es,  and  a  gross  errour  b  our  sXes  to 
Sr^  Nativity  of ^ur  ReligionUm  Hetr;^h: 

the  fai/hTf  P  "^'^  ^®  L^J^'='"'*  *^^  P°Pe.  refus'd  not 
n^  p  ^  ^°'°^'  ^^  «ff'=<=tod  no  more  than  what  his 
own  Predecessors  desired  and  assayed  in  Ag^rpast 


Religio  Medici  7 

returned  him  the  name  of  Antichrist,  Man  of  Sin,  or 
Where  of  Babylon.  It  is  the  method  of  Charity  to  suffer 
without  reaction :  those  usual  Satyrs  and  invectives  of 
the  Pulpit  may  perchance  produce  a  good  effect  on  the 
vulgar,  whose  ears  are  opener  to  Rhetoric^  than 
Logick ;  yet  do  they  in  no  wise  confirm  the  faith  of 
wiser  Believers,  who  know  that  a  good  cause  needs 
not  to  be  patron'd  by  passion,  but  can  sustain  it  self 
upon  a  temperate  dispute. 

I  could  never  divide  my  self  from  any  man  upon  the 
difference  of  an  opinion,  or  be  angry  with  his  judgment 
for  not  agreeing  with  me  in  that  from  which  perhaps 
within  a  few  days  I  should  dissent  my  self.  I  have  no 
Genius  to  disputes  in  Religion,  and  have  often  thought 
it  wisdom  to  decline  them,  especially  upon  a  disadvan- 
tage, or  when  the  cause  of  Truth  might  suffer  in  the 
weakness  of  ray  patronage.  Where  we  desire  to  be 
informed,  'tis  good  to  contest  with  men  above  our 
selves ;  but  to  confirm  and  establish  our  opinions,  'tis 
best  to  argue  -"vith  judgments  below  our  own,  that  the 
frequent  spoils  and  Victories  over  their  reasons  may 
settle  in  ourselves  an  esteem  and  confirmed  Opinion 
of  our  own.  Every  man  is  not  a  proper  Champion  for 
Truth,  nor  fit  to  take  up  the  Gauntlet  in  the  cause  of 
Verity ;  many,  from  the  ignorance  of  these  Maximes, 
and  an  inconsiderate  Zeal  unto  Truth,  have  too  rashly 
charged  the  troops  of  Error,  and  remain  as  Trophies 
unto  the  enemies  of  Truth.  A  man  may  be  in  as  just 
possession  of  Truth  as  of  a  City,  and  yet  be  forced  to 
surrender ;  'tis  therefore  far  better  to  enjoy  her  with 
peace,  than  to  hazzard  her  on  a  battle.  If,  therefore, 
there  rise  any  doubts  in  my  way,  I  do  forget  them,  or 
at  least  defer  them  till  my  better  setled  judgement  and 
more  manly  reason  be  able  to  resolve  them ;  for  I  per- 
ceive every  man's  own  reason  is  his  best  CEdipus,  and 
will,  upon  a  reasonable  truce,  find  a  way  to  loose  those 
bonds  wherewith  the  subtleties  of  error  have  enchained 
cur  more  flexible  and  tender  judgements.  In  Philo- 
sophy, where  Truth  seems  double-fac'd,  there  is  no 
man  more  Parado-      '  than  m-  self :  but  in  Di\'inity 


8 


Religio  Medici 


Pol^  oT^;.r^  %"'=•'  K"""""-  °°t«senS7any  proper 

fve^"^'*'";"'  ^«^°',^«  °^«'J °°' look  topiato^ yeS 
mZ^^d°^  only  himself;  there  ha&^en^l; 
thlt^i^^i  ^     ^  "^^y  ^™°°s,  though  but  few  of 

hath  W„  ^  ^     P^^'  ^^""^  *^  °o°e  then,  but  there 

SfdfsXboSfi'rr  s»?"'  *""'  >i«^ 


Religio  Medici  9 

from  challenging  this  prerogative  of  my  Soul:  so  that 
I  might  enjoy  my  Saviour  at  the  last,  I  could  with 
patience  be  nothing  almost  unto  Eternity, 

The  second  was  that  of  Origen,  That  Goo  would 
not  ^rsist  in  His  vengeance  for  ever,  >at  Af*et  a 
definite  time  of  His  wrath,  He  would  release  the 
damned  Souls  from  torture.  Which  error  I  fell  into 
upon  a  serious  contemplation  of  the  great  Attribute  of 
God,  His  Mercy ;  and  did  a  little  cherish  it  in  my  self, 
because  I  found  therein  no  malice,  and  a  ready  weight 
to  sway  me  from  the  other  extream  of  despair,  where- 
unto  Melancholy  and  Contemplative  Natures  are  too 
easily  disposed. 

A  third  there  is,  which  I  did  never  positively  main- 
tain or  practise,  but  have  often  wished  it  had  been 
consonant  to  Truth,  and  not  offensive  to  my  Religion, 
and  that  is,  the  Prayer  for  the  Dead ;  whereunto  I  was 
inclin'd  from  some  charitable  inducements,  whereby  I 
could  scarce  contain  my  Prayers  for  a  friend  at  the 
rin^ng  of  a  Bell,  or  behold  his  Corps  without  an 
Onson  for  his  Soul.  'Twas  a  good  way,  methought, 
to  be  remembred  by  posterity,  and  far  more  noble 
than  an  History. 

These  opinions  I  never  maintained  with  pertinacy, 
or  endeavoured  to  enveagle  any  mans  belief  unto  mine, 
nor  so  much  as  ever  revealed  or  disputed  them  with 
my  dearest  friends ;  by  which  means  I  neither  propa- 
pted  them  in  others,  nor  confirmed  them  in  my  self ; 
but  suffering  them  to  flame  upon  their  own  substance, 
without  addition  of  new  fuel,  they  went  out  insensibly 
of  themselves.  Therefore  these  Opinions,  though 
condemned  by  lawful  Councels,  were  not  Heresies  in 
me,  but  bare  Errors,  and  single  Lapses  of  my  under- 
standing, without  a  joynt  depravity  of  my  will.  Those 
have  not  onely  depraved  understandings,  but  diseased 
affections,  which  cannot  enjoy  a  singularity  without  an 
Heresie,  or  be  the  Author  of  an  Opinion  without  they 
be  of  a  Sect  also.  This  was  the  villany  of  the  first 
Schism  of  Lucifer,  who  was  not  content  to  err  alone, 
but  drew  into  his  Faction  many  Legions  of  Spirits ; 


lO 


Religio  Medici 


SSlrfff  i^'*  «Perience  he  tempted  only  Eve  as  well 

ttt"S:?^et*t^°e^^^£-f-  °^  Si"- -" 
quence  to  delude  them  b^  tacitelywd  upon  conse- 

Solar '  ?;,•  ">j"'7.'«p»"^B»-'°s 

of  the  Trmity,  with  Incarnation,  and  Reswrection      I 


Religio  Medici  ii 

can  answer  all  the  Objections  of  Satan  and  my  rebel- 
lious  reason  with  that  odd  resolution  I  learned  of  Ter- 
tullian,  Certum  (st,guia  impossibiU  est.  I  desire  to  exercise 
my  faith  in  the  ditticultest  point ;  for  to  credit  ordinary 
and  visible  objects  is  not  faith,  but  perswasion.  Some 
believe  the  better  for  seeing  Christ's  Sepulchre ;  and, 
when  they  have  seen  the  Red  Sea,  doubt  not  of  the 
Miracle.  Now,  contrarily,  I  bless  my  self  and  am  thank- 
ful that  I  lived  not  in  the  days  of  Miracles,  that  I  never 
saw  Christ  nor  His  Disciples.  1  would  not  have 
been  one  of  those  Israelites  that  pass'd  the  Red  Sea, 
nor  one  of  Christ's  patients  on  whom  He  wrought 
His  wonders ;  then  had  my  faith  been  thrust  upon  me, 
nor  should  I  enjoy  that  greater  blessing  pronounced  to 
all  that  believe  and  saw  not.  "Pis  an  easie  and  neces- 
sary belief,  to  credit  what  our  eye  and  sense  hath 
examined.  I  believe  He  was  dead,  and  burisd,  and 
rose  again ;  and  desire  to  see  Him  in  His  glory,  rather 
than  to  contemplate  Him  in  His  Cenotaphe  or 
Sepulchre.  Nor  is  this  much  to  believe ;  as  we  have 
reason,  we  owe  this  faith  unto  History :  they  only  had 
the  advantage  of  a  bold  and  noble  Faith,  who  lived 
before  His  coming,  who  upon  obscure  prophesies  and 
mystical  Types  could  raise  a  belief,  and  expect  apparent 
impossibilities. 

'Tis  true,  there  is  an  edge  in  all  firm  belief,  and  with 
an  easie  Metaphor  we  may  say,  the  Sword  of  Faith ; 
but  in  these  obscurities  I  rather  use  it  in  the  adjunct 
the  Apostle  gives  it,  a  Buckler;  under  which  I  conceive 
a  wary  combatant  may  lye  invulnerable.  Since  I  was 
of  understanding  to  know  we  knew  nothing,  my  reason 
hath  been  more  pliable  to  the  will  of  Faith ;  I  am  now 
content  to  understand  a  mystery  without  a  rigid  defini- 
tion, in  an  easie  and  Platonick  description.  That  alle- 
gorical description  of  Hermes  pleaseth  me  beyond  all 
the  Metaphysical  definitions  of  Divines.  Where  I 
cannot  satisfy  my  reason,  I  love  to  humour  my  fancy : 
I  had  as  live  you  tell  me  that  anima  est  angelus  hominis, 
est  Corpus  Dei,  as  Entelechia ; — Lux  est  umbra  Dei,  as 
actus  perspicui.    Where  there  is  an  obscurity  too  deep 


12 

for  OUT  Reuoa. 


Religio  Medici 


.ubmissive  unto  the  sSti^Tp  r.'* '"""^'«  "^ 
teach  my  hairMM  .»j  ■  .°'  *^»'ft ;  and  thus  I 

untothe^fpaith'  T^^fy,  ^^^nV^U 
free  whose  fruit  ourJnhaD^  P  ^f*  ''*'  alreadyi 
w.the  Mme  Chapter  wlTen^S^  fe'".  *""*'"',  though, 
jwd.  the  plants  of  the  fieM°^'''"''"t't«positivfly 

that  the  Serpent,  (if  we  sh  J^,  '*««»<*.    I  believe 
from  h«  pro^f;,J4  Md  wi"'!!^^  understand  it.) 
his  belly  before  the  curee     Ifi^.t  •"»  ""ti""  on 
PucellageandviririnitvofW^™  ^''•'.the  tryal  of  the 
the  Jews,  is  verf^  fXue    Tlll^T'"'"'^  ^""^  °^''»i''«d 
inforas  me.  that  norondv  n^n'^  "-•'  ?"''  ««tory 
but  hkewise  whole  NaHoM  ^^  particular  Women, 
Childbirth,  which  God  swii^r'  '^P"'  the  curse  of 
whole  Sex.   Yet  do  I  beKhlt  f.Tlv"?*^'  "P°°  the 
wdeed  my  Reason  wouIH^       ^' *"'*  true,  which 
*"d  this  r  thi,n  „o  vutert'^?  ^'-  .*"  ^  ^^se ; 
a  thmg  not  only  ateve  lut  ?nnf  '  ^""'^  *°  ''e«eve 
•gainst  the  A^menS^of  our  nroo^Q  *°  ^"'^"'  "«> 
In  n>y  solitary  and  retired  i-S^Slon"^ 


co=ft:  H^m":$d^°^;rttir°'?^r^«  -'  to 

with  me,  esoeciallv  thZ.  *      •'Attributes  Who  is  evi.r 

I  confound.^  under^tLdlL/for'.f'^''^  ^'^  °'h«" 
Eternity  without  a  solLdsm  o^  thfnr'lt  "^^  ^P«^  °f 
an  Extasie?  Time  w?mv'comnr^  ^^f".°  ^'thout 
days  elder  then  our  se?v^^a^rh^?u^!S'' =  t'^^utfive 
scope  with  the  World -but'  ^.  .-       *^?  ^"^  Horo- 


Religio  Medici 

Reason  to  St.  P«ul>»  Swictuary. 

narM  nnf  ■«»  «i.^   A-. i.  •' 


13 

his  own  definition  unto  Moses ;  wd  W  a  short  ^ 
Him  what  He  was.    Indeed,  He  onely  is-  all  oth7« 

t^nTT"**""^-  ButinElemitythe^reisnodSHn"" 
tion  of  Tenses ;  and  therefore  that  terrible  term  ft,- 
f»i'natu,n,  wh.ch  hath  troubled  so  many  weak  h^T^ 
conceive,  and  the  wisest  to  explain,  Is  in  resoect  to 
God  no  pres.'.ous  determination  of  our  Estates  to 
come,  but  a  definitive  blast  of  His  Will  ^^yfSlfiUed 

1;^^^'  11"^^  'H^'  fi"'  decreed  iTfor  to  nfs 
Ete.Tiit3r,  which  is  mdivisible  and  all  together,  the  Us? 

'?'"i  '^?^"^7  sounded,  the  reprobatls  in  the  flaml 
^oJ**'  .S'^r  '?  Abraham's  Wme  St  Pe7« 
Tti '"°^'*"?'  ^^f  ^'  ^i^'' thousand y,a„toGol, 
ate  but  as  put  day;  for,  to  speak  like  a  Philosooher 

thousand  years,  make  not  to  Him  one  moment  •  what 
to  us  IS  to  come  to  His  Eternity  is  presen^His  wT^ote 

ce"ln"pai?,^  F?  °°''  ^1^'^".""'*  ^^^  without  Su^ 
ceraion,  Parts,  Flux,  or  Division. 

There  is  no  Attribute  that  adds  more  difficulty  to  the 
mystenr  of  the  Trinity,  where,  though  in  areWve  way 
of  Father  and  Son,  we  must  deny  a  priority    I  w3 

hnwl,^"'*"^  ''°^^  '=°°«'^«  ^^  Wor?d  ete.^?or 
how  he  could  make  good  two  Eternities.  His  similT 
tude  of  a  Triangle  comprehended  in  a  sZre  ™  h 
somewhat  ,1  ustrate  the  /rinity  of  our  So.J^,Td  ISlt 
the  Triple  Uni^  of  God  ;  for  there  is  in  us  kot  thrw 

^^LJT%  °J  ^"^^  •  ^'^''^  there  is  in  us,  if  ^t 
three  distinct  Souls,  yet  differing  faculties,  that  b^  ^d 
do  subsist  apart  in  dfiferent  Subjects,  and  yefin^^re 
so  united  as  to  make  but  one  Soul  a^d  suEce     K 

B^tfl,7^"'  '°  P*'^'"=' ^?  t°  i°f°™  three  dTstinc 
Bodies,  that  were  a  petty  Trinity :  conceive  the  distinct 
number  of  three,  not  divided  nor  separated  by  the 
mteUect.  but  actually  comprehended  in  its  Uni£^d 


H  Religio  Medici 


numbers.  hwauTPhihlo^^ -^  """^  ^'^'■^  "' 
received  in  to^K  a  S"^'  ?nr  ^''^S?'  ??'  *°  "^ 
Nature  there  ii  «  wt  of  thin«  th  I"  ""'  ^^"»  <>' 
Front  (though  not  b  clp  t^  Letterl  'v"e7i„'"<;;'"" 

Abyss   of    KnowlS^    anH   f  *^  Luminaries  in  the 

I  was  bred  in  the  way  of  StudV  •  fh-  , J  '^f   me  that 
of.  the  vulgar,  wit^'L  c3"  ^d  ht""^"    ''*^" 

Devil  himwlf'  w  t  J        .    Counsel  even  of  the 

Si's?  sr/dsFL'S^"^^-"^  h:s 


Religio  Medici 


'5 

man,  but  preiumption  even  in  Ancelt    Lilr.  ...  .i. 

though  there  be  threVPerson,  "here  il  h^  ^^l.^  ""'"; 
»v.  ^^^^n.-i'hout  cont'diclior    No^'nTe^He 

twr™°!irin:;^:tu/Tnei^^ 

:uLJS?.,-Ln'=sXTe^^^^^^^^ 

contemplated  by  Man-  'tis  the  IW„?        o  '*^  *°<* 
had  not  been,  or  as  it  was  before  th-  I  xth^I^"'^i'  " 

Ke^^=xrd.^TrwlS^^^ 
sratra^rwir^'^^^^^^^^^^ 

workstt 'hfghh^tiS'HTm"''?:  """'?■  •"» 
inquiry  into  4is  S^^i-fk     ?'  ''''°"  Judicious 

Creatures.  r^tu^^Sfe'  "ty'o  'rie^uS'f  "  "'.^ 
admiration.    Therefore.  ""*'' 

Search  while  thou  wilt,  .ad  let  thy  Rewn  eo 
To  raMome  Truth,  even  to  th-  Abys.  wSw?  ' 

Which  Nature  twists,  be  able  to  uatwre 
It  IS  thy  Makers  will,  for  unto  none 
ThI  n     ,^"?° "°  "=  '"  be  known. 

||g^fc-^,-^ry-^^^^^^ 


16 


Religio  Medici 


Teach  me  to  soar  aloft,  yet  ever  so 

When  neer  the  Sun,  to  stoop  again  below. 

Thus  shall  my  humble  Feathers  safely  hover. 

And,  though  near  Earth,  more  than  the  Heavens  discover. 

And  then  at  last,  when  homeward  I  shall  drive 

Rich  with  the  Spoils  of  Nature,  to  my  Hive      ' 

There  will  I  sit  like  that  industrious  Flie, 

Buzzing  Thy  praises,  which  shall  never  die, 

Till  Death  abrupts  them,  and  succeeding  Glory 

Bid  me  go  on  in  a  more  lasting  story. 

And  this  is  almost  all  wherein  an  humble  Creature 
may  endeavour  to  requite  and  some  way  to  retribute 
unto  his  Creator :  for  if  not  he  that  saith,  "  Lord,  Lord," 
but  he  that  doth  the  will  of  his  Father,  shall  be  saved; 
certainly  our  wills  must  be  our  performances,  and  our 
mtents  make  out  our  Actions;  otherwise  our  pious 
labours  shall  find  anxiety  in  our  Graves,  and  our  best 
endeavours  not  hope,  but  fear,  a  resurrection. 

There  is  but  one  first  cause,  and  four  second  causes 
of  all  things.  Some  are  without  efficient,  as  God  ; 
others  without  matter,  as  Angels ;  some  without  form, 
as  the  first  matter:  but  e^ery  Essence,  created  or 
uncreated,  hath  its  final  cause,  and  some  positive  end 
both  of  its  Essence  and  Operation.  This  is  the  cause 
I  grope  after  in  the  works  of  Nature ;  on  this  hangs 
the  Providence  of  God.  To  raise  so  beauteous  a 
structure  as  the  World  and  the  Creatures  thereof,  was 
but  His  Art ;  but  their  sundry  and  divided  operations, 
with  their  predestinated  ends,  are  from  the  Treasure 
of  His  Wisdom.  In  the  causes,  nature,  and  affections 
of  the  Eclipses  of  the  Sun  and  Moon,  there  is  most 
excellent  speculation  ;  but  to  profound  farther,  and  to 
contemplate  a  reason  why  His  Providence  hath  so 
disposed  and  ordered  their  motions  in  that  vast  circle 
as  to  conjoyn  and  obscure  each  other,  is  a  sweeter 
piece  of  Reason,  and  a  diviner  point  of  Philosophy. 
Therefore  sometimes,  and  in  some  things,  there 
appears  to  me  as  much  Divinity  in  Galen  his  books 
De  Usu  Partium,  as  in  Suarez  Metaphysicks.  Had 
Aristotle  been  as  curious  in  the  enquiry  of  this  cauE>j 
as  he  was  of  the  other,  he  had  not  left  behind  him  an 


Religio  Mp.did 


imperfect  piece  of  Philos 

Divinity.  °"°^-  •">-'  D"t  an  :.>  solute  tract  of 

Natiira   uikil   agit    f,,,.  ,.,    •     ., 
Axiome  in  Philosophy-:    i;e"'a  '""^  "disputed 

Nature;  "ot anyth.W framed  to  fin  "  Grotesques  in 
and  unnecessa^  s^ces  Tn  th  "P'^P'^^^fo^s, 
Creatures,  and  such  as  ^^^re  not  nr  ™°'i.  '""Perfec 
but  having  their  Seeds  LdPrin'^nf^'^"''J°  **>«  Ark, 
Nature,  are  everywhere  wh^lfK^^^  ""  *«  womb  of 
;^,  m  these  is  the  Wisdom  n?  h-  ^u"'^^'' °^  "^e  s4 
Out  of  this  ranW  Qoi  ,   "'^  band  discover^T 

admiration.^  TndeedfThTt  tf  ^''^  °''J-t  of'hfs 
School  to  the  wisdom^f  L„  ^T"  "^^  ""t  go  to 
what  wise  hand  teacheH.  7i  "'  ^'^^^'  ^^d  Spiders' 
cannot  teach  ,„.,  R  d  fhead's'st^/"  "'^^i  ^-^^n 
prodigious  pieces  of  N^ure  w.  f^^«d  at  those 
?7""lanes  and  Camelsf  these  r'^'^V  Elephants, 
Colossus  and  majestick  p  eces  of  I  ''°u^"''  ^^«  t^e 
these  narrow  Engines  th^l.-  ''^■'  band:   but  in 

maticks;  and  the^dvlitv  of  tJf  "r ,  """°"«  Mathe" 
neatly  sets  forth  the  wfsdom''^rJ""%9"^ens  more 

admires  not  Regio-Montanus^is  F IvT  ^^^V'    ^bo 
or  wonders  not  more  at  th^  V  beyond  his  Eagle 

those  little  BodiTsHhan  bu°^o'nf' °\f  ^^  ^ou^Tn 
Cedar?  I  could  n;verconte,tm  '"  ^^^  ^"""'^  of  a 
those  general  pieces  of  wonder  Th^/°l?/""P'^"°°  with 
of  the  Sea,  the  increase  Zimt  t  ^^"^  '^^d  Reflux 
Needle  to  the  North  •  ami  ht  '  *"«,. eon  version  of  the 
and  parallel  those  in  dorrnh"^'"''  '°  "^^ch  and 
pieces  of  Nature  whirh  •?,  obvious  and  neglected 
do  in  ^^'^CosZi:i:;\rZ°:^,/'^t'r  travefS 

t^  T"^^'^  we  seek  withoTui    ,u^  "^'"y  with  us 
and  her  prodimes  in  ,1.  ^-  *ere  is  ail  Africa 

venturous%iecTof"Natu;r  "h'  I"l'  ^°'^  « 
wisely  learns  in  a  compend?umY''  ^^   '^^^  studies 


i8 


Religio  Medici 


those  that  never  saw  him  in  the  one,  have  discover'd 
Him  in  the  other.  This  was  the  Scripture  and 
Theology  of  the  Heathens :  the  natural  motion  of  the 
Sun  made  tJsem  more  admire  Him  than  its  supernatural 
station  did  the  Children  of  Israel ;  the  ordinary  effects 
of  Nature  wrought  more  admiration  in  thtm  than  in 
the  other  all  His  Miracles.  Surely  the  Heathens 
knew  better  how  to  joyn  and  read  these  mystical 
Letters  than  we  Christians,  who  cast  a  more  careless 
Eye  on  these  common  Hieroglyphicks,  and  disdain  to 
suck  Divinity  from  the  flowers  of  Nature.  Nor  do  I 
so  forget  God  as  to  adore  the  name  of  Nature ;  which 
I  define  not,  with  the  Schools,  to  be  the  principle  of 
motion  and  rest,  but  that  streight  and  regular  line, 
that  settled  and  constant  course  the  Wisdom  of  God 
hath  ordained  the  actions  of  His  creatures,  according 
to  their  several  kinds.  To  make  a  revolution  every 
day  is  the  Nature  of  the  Sun,  because  of  that 
necessary  course  which  God  hath  ordained  it,  from 
which  it  cannot  swerve  but  by  a  faculty  from  that 
voice  which  first  did  give  it  motion.  Now  this  course 
of  Nature  God  seldome  alters  or  perverts,  but,  like  an 
excellent  Artist,  hath  so  contrived  His  work,  that  with 
the  self  same  instrument,  without  a  new  creation,  He 
may  effect  His  obscurest  designs.  Thus  He  sweetneth 
the  Water  with  a  Wood,  preserveth  the  Creatures  in 
the  Ark,  which  the  blast  of  His  mouth  might  have  as 
easily  created ;  for  God  is  like  a  skilful  Geometrician, 
who,  when  more  easily  and  with  one  stroak  of  his 
Compass  he  might  describe  or  divide  a  right  line,  had 
yet  rather  do  this  in  a  circle  or  longer  way,  according 
to  the  constituted  and  fore-laid  principles  of  his  Art. 
Yet  this  rule  of  His  He  doth  sometimes  pervert,  to 
acquaint  the  World  with  His  Prerogative,  lest  the 
arrogancy  of  our  reason  should  question  His  power, 
and  conclude  He  could  not.  And  thus  I  call  the 
effects  of  Nature  the  works  of  God,  Whose  hand  and 
instrument  she  only  is ;  and  therefore  to  ascribe  His 
actions  unto  her,  is  to  devolve  the  honour  of  the 
principal  agent  upon  the  instrument;  which  if  with 


Religio  Medici 


the  honour  of  our  writi"«  ThnW  1  ^°^  ""=^'^" 
beauty  in  the  wor W  (f^'n  J^^  T  "  *  general 
ity  in  any  kind  or  snlir°°'r     '^  f^^^fore  no  deform- 

Visitation  of  God,  WhT saw  ^ff  ^1f  i^',?^"*'^ 

there  was  no  deform^  ■,  ^Mor^'^  '^^^^'^^-'^ 
yet  impregnant  bv  the  \  f  ^  x? '  °°'  ^^  ■' 

not  at  vanrnce^th  A  '  a^°°-  ■  ^°'^  Mature  is 
being  both  sei^teot'HJlfp^-r*^  Mature,  they 
perfLion  of  15^  e. °^^;^ere  £  WoHh'-    ^"  ?^  ''^^ 

t^dfo^e  «^™7£  -CS^^^^^^^^^^ 

and  Labyrinths,  whereof  the  D^vU  ^a  %  .^f*°/^«« 
no  exact  Ephemerides;  and  that  k™^'"-^/^ 
and  obscure  method  of  Wc  ^  •!?     ™°^?  particular 


20  Religio  Medici 

admired ;  nor  can  I  relate  the  History  of  my  life,  the 
occurrences  of  my  days,  the  escapes  of  dangers,  and 
hits  of  chance,  with  a  Bezo  las  Manos  to  Fortune,  or  a 
bare  Grammy  to  my  good  Stars.  Abraham  might  have 
thought  the  Ram  in  the  thicket  came  thither  by  acci- 
dent; humane  reason  would  have  said  that  meer  chance 
conveyed  Moses  in  the  Ark  to  the  sight  of  Pharaoh's 
Daughter ;  what  a  Labyrinth  is  there  in  the  story  of 
Joseph,  able  to  convert  a  Stoick !  Surely  there  are  in 
every  man's  Life  certain  rubs,  doublings,  and  wrenches, 
which  pass  a  while  under  the  effects  of  chance,  but  at 
the  last,  well  examined,  prove  the  meer  hand  of  God. 
'Twas  not  dumb  chance,  that,  to  discover  the  Fougade 
or  Powder-plot,  contrived  a  miscarriage  in  the  Letter. 
I  like  the  Victory  of  '88  the  better  for  that  one  occur- 
rence, which  our  enemies  imputed  to  our  dishonour 
and  the  partiality  of  Fortune,  to  wit,  the  tempests  and 
contrariety  of  Winds.  King  Philip  did  nc ,  detract 
from  the  Nation,  when  he  said,  he  sent  his  Armado  to 
fight  with  men,  and  not  to  combate  with  the  Winds.  Where 
there  is  a  manifest  disproportion  between  the  powers 
and  forces  of  two  several  agents,  upon  a  Maxime  of 
reason  we  may  promise  the  victory  to  the  Superiour ; 
but  when  unexpected  accidents  slip  in,  and  unthought 
of  occurrences  intervene,  these  must  proceed  from  a 
power  that  owes  no  obedience  to  those  Axioms;  where, 
as  in  the  writing  upon  the  wall,  we  may  behold  the 
hand,  but  see  not  the  spring  that  moves  it.  The  suc- 
cess of  that  petty  Province  of  Holland  (of  which  the 
Grand  Seignour  proudly  said,  if  they  should  trouble  him 
as  they  did  the  Spaniard,  he  would  send  his  men  i^ith  shovels 
and  pick-axes,  and  throw  it  into  tlu  Sea,)  I  cannot  alto- 
gether ascribe  to  the  ingenuity  and  industry  of  the 
people,  but  the  mercy  of  God,  that  hath  disposed  them 
to  such  a  thriving  Genius;  and  to  the  will  of  His 
Providence,  that  disposeth  her  favour  to  each  Country 
in  their  pre-ordinate  season.  All  cannot  be  happy  at  ■ 
once ;  for,  because  the  glory  of  one  State  depends  upon 
the  ruine  of  another,  there  is  a  revolution  and  vicissitude 
of  their  greatness,  and  must  obey  the  swing  of  that 


Religio  Medici 


That  a  mse  man  »s  out  oftlu,  reach  of  Fortune  •  much  W 
sinZt  rift  f'„J  "°?f^=^'  *^«  '=°'»«"°"  fate  of  men  of 


22 


Religio  Medici 


enough  to  deserve,  though  not  to  enjoy,  the  favours  of 
Fortune :  let  Providence  provide  for  Fools.  'Tis  not 
partiality,  but  equity  in  God,  Who  deals  with  us  but 
as  our  natural  Parents :  those  that  are  able  of  Body 
and  Mind  He  leaves  to  their  deserts;  to  those  of  weaker 
merits  He  imparts  a  larger  portion,  and  pieces  out  the 
defect  of  one  by  the  excess  of  the  other.  Thus  have 
we  no  just  quarrel  with  Nature  for  leaving  us  naked ; 
or  to  envy  the  Horns,  Hoofs,  Skins,  and  Furs  of  other 
Creatures,  being  provided  with  Reason,  that  can  supply 
them  all.  We  need  not  labour  with  so  many  Argu- 
ments to  confute  Judicial  Astrology ;  for,  if"  there  be  a 
truth  therein,  it  doth  not  injure  Divinity.  If  to  be  born 
under  Mercury  disposeth  us  to  be  witty,  under  Jupiter 
to  be  wealthy ;  I  do  not  owe  a  Knee  unto  these,  but 
unto  that  merciful  Hand  that  hath  ordered  m/  in- 
different and  uncertain  nativity  unto  such  benevolous 
Aspects.  Those  that  hold  that  all  things  are  governed 
by  Fortune,  had  not  erred,  had  they  not  persisted 
there.  The  Romans,  that  erected  a  Temple  to  Fortune, 
acknowledp;ed  therein,  though  in  a  blinder  way,  some- 
what of  Divinity ;  for,  in  a  wise  supputation,  all  things 
begin  and  end  in  the  Almighty.  There  is  a  nearer 
way  to  Heaven  than  Homer's  Cham ;  an  easie  Logic 
may  conjoyn  Heaven  and  Earth  in  one  Argument,  and 
with  less  than  a  Sorita  resolve  all  things  into  God. 
For  though  we  christen  effects  by  their  most  sensible 
and  nearest  Causes,  yet  is  God  the  true  and  infallible 
Cause  of  all ;  whose  concourse,  though  it  be  general, 
yet  doth  it  subdivide  itself  into  the  particular  Actions 
of  every  thing,  and  is  that  Spirit,  by  which  each 
singular  Essence  not  only  subsists,  but  performs  its 
operation. 

The  bad  construction  and  perverse  comment  on 
these  pair  of  second  Causes,  or  visible  hands  of  God, 
have  perverted  the  Devotion  of  many  unto  Atheism ; 
who,  forgetting  the  honest  Advisees  of  Faith,  have 
listened 'unto  the  conspiracy  of  Passion  and  Reason. 
I  have  therefore  always  endeavoured  to  compose  those 
Feuds  ana  angry  Dissentions  between  Affection,  Faith, 


Religio  Medici  23 

and  Reason;  for  there  is  in  our  Soul  a  kind  of  Trium- 

Iht^K^w*"P'fu^r^'^'"*°'  °^  'hree  Competitors, 
nrhich  distract  the  Peace  of  this  our  Commonwealth 
not  less  than  did  that  other  the  State  of  Rome. 

As  Reason  IS  a  Rebel  unto  Faith,  so  Passion  unto 
Keason :  as  the  propositions  of  Faith  seem  absurd  unto 

fnTh'^'Jj,'*' .'•'?,  ^'''°'''S'  °^  ^^°°  "°to  Passion" 
and  both  unto  Reason.    Yet  a  moderate  and  peaceable 

t^J^i!^'',?^-  ^°  *'^'^.  ^"^  °''^"  ^^^  matter,  that  they 
may  be  all  Kmgs,  and  yet  make  but  one  Monarchy 

trj^A  °°f.«''""!>°g  bis  Soveraignty  and  Prerogative 
ifm^f    f    ■""*  ^^  P'*"'  according  to  the  restraint  and 
rn;  •  "'<=™stonce.    There  is.  as  in  Philosophy,  so 
m  Divinity,  sturdy  doubts  and  boisterous  Objections 
wherewith  the  unhappiness  of  our  knowledge  tcia  nearly 

than  myself,  which  I  confess  I  conquered,  not  in  a 
martial  posture,  but  on  my  Knees.  For  our  endeavours 
are  not  oniy  to  combat  with  doubts,  but  always  to 
dispute  with  the  Devil.  The  villan;  of  that  Spirit 
takes  a  hint  of  Infidelity  from  our  Studies,  andf  by 
demonstrating  a  naturality  in  one  way,  makes  us  mis- 
trust  a  miracle  m  another.  Thus,  having  perused  the 
Archtdoxis  and  read  the  secret  Sympathies  of  things, 
he  would  disswade  my  belief  from  the  miracle  of  the 
Urwen  Serpent,  make  me  conceit  that  Image  worked 
Jhlv^n''^*  ^'  *°.<^,was  but  an  Egyptian  trick  to  cure 
their  Diseases  without  a  miracle.    Again,  having  seen 

^T  ^aFa"'!"^"*! -"^  ^'''"^'  ^^  •'a^'°?  read  far  more 
of  Naphtha,  he  whispered  to  mv  curiosity  the  fire  of  the 
Altar  might  be  natm-al ;  and  bid  me  mistrust  a  miracle 
m  Ellas,  when  he  entrenched  the  Altar  round  with 
wa.er ;  for  that  inflamable  substance  yields  not  easily 
unto  Water,  but  flames  in  the  Arms  of  its  Antagonist 
:3k  »•'  would  he  inveagle  my  belief  to  think  the 
combustion  of  Sodom  might  be  natural,  and  that  there 
w^  an  Asphaltick  and  Bitummous  nature  in  that  Lake 
nnw'nUn^f  r  °^  Gomorrah.  I  know  that  Manm  is 
now  plentifully  gathered  in  Calabria;  and.Josephus 
tells  me,  m  his  days  it  was  as  plentiful  in  Arabia;  tho 


Religio  Medici 


24 

Devil  therefore  made  the  qtune,  When  was  then  the 
mraclt  m  the  days  of  Moses  ?  the  Israelites  saw  but  that  in 
Ins  time,  the  Natives  of  those  Countries  behold  in  ours. 
Ihus  the  Devil  played  at  Chess  with  me,  and  yieldine 
a  Pawn,  thought  to  gain  a  Queen  of  me,  taking  advan- 
tage of  my  honest  endeavours ;  and  whilst  I  laboured 
to  raise  the  structure  of  my  Reason,  he  strived  to 
undermine  the  edifice  of  my  Faith. 

Neither  had  these  or  any  other  ever  such  advantage 
of  me,  as  to  incline  me  to  any  point  of  Infidelity  or 
desperate  positions  of  Atheism ;  for  I  have  been  these 
many  years  of  opinion  there  was  never  any.  Those 
^at  held  Religion  was  the  difTerence  of  Man  from 
Beasts,  have  spoken  probably,  and  proceed  upon  a 
principle  as  inductive  as  the  other.  That  doctrine  of 
Epicurus,  that  denied  the  Providence  of  God,  was  no 
Atheism,  but  a  magnificent  and  high  strained  conceit 
of  His  Majesty,  which  he  deemed  too  sublime  to  mind 
the  tnvial  Actions  of  those  inferiour  Creatures.  That 
aftai  Necessity  of  the  Stoicks  is  nothing  buf  the  immu- 
table Law  of  His  Will.  Those  that  heretofore  denied 
the  Divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  have  been  con- 
demned but  as  Hereticks ;  and  those  that  now  deny 
our  Saviour,  (though  more  than  Hereticks,)  are  not  so 
much  as  Atheists  ;  for,  though  they  deny  two  persons 
m  the  Tnnity,  they  hold,  as  we  do,  there  is  but  one 
God. 

That  Villain  and  Secretary  of  Hell,  that  composed 
that  miscreant  piece  Of  the  Three  Impostors,  though 
divided  from  all  Religions,  and  was  neither  Jew,Turic, 
nor  Christian,  was  not  a  positive  Atheist.  I  confess 
eveiy  Country  hath  its  Machiavel,  every  Age  its 
Lucian,  whereof  common  Heads  must  not  hear,  nor 
P°[e  advanced  Judgments  too  rashly  venture  on :  it 
IS  the  Rhetorick  of  Satan,  and  may  pervert  a  loose  or 
prejudicate  belief. 

I  confess  I  have  perused  them  all,  and  can  discover 
nothing  that  may  startle  a  discreet  belief;  yet  are 
there  heads  carried  off  with  the  Wind  and  breath  of 
such  motives.     I  remember  a  Doctor  in  Physick,  of 


Religio  Medici  25 

Italy,  who  could  not  perfectly  believe  the  immortality 

Pwi"  ,  n"-  ^"°"!f'  ^  **''  familiarly  acquainted  in 
fh?f "'  *  ^"1'°^'  *"''  '  "^  '^  ^'"?"'ar  parts,  that  on 
I?nes TerfwP'fil^'^  ".""^  gravelfed  with  threS 
hnes  of  Seneca,  that  all  our  Antidotes,  drawn  from 
both  Scnpture  and  Philosophy,  could  iot  excel  X 
poyson  of  his  errour.  There  are  a  set  of  Heads  that 
c^  credit  the  relations  of  Mariners,  yet  question  ^e 
Testimonies  of  St.  Paul;  and  peremptorily  maintain 
the  traditions  of  ^lian  or  PlinV^  yet  in  Histories  of 

mo?rr  'T  Q""'=^  '^^  Obj;ction^believSg  no 
Zft«*1°  ^^"^  c?°  parallel  in  humane  Authors^  I 
thfvu^'^YL"  '"  Scripture  Stories  that  do  exceed 

liW.  rf  ^'  °f  ^""'l-  ^P"^  *°  ^  -^^P'-o^s  Reader  sou^ 
like  Garagantua  or  Bivis.    Search  all  the  Legends  of 

LTt^^lf  hf  H  ''//"'«"'T^  =°""''^  °^  these'present 
^»  RrJi  ^fi'°  '^'"^  °°«  tl^at  deserves  to  carr^ 
nn.l-i>  "."'"°  ^^""P^""  •  y«t  ■«  all  this  of  an  easie 
possibility  if  we  conceive  a  Divine  concourse  or  an 

iHslmno''"^/''".?  '^^-  i'"'?  ^'°e«^  °^  tbe  ATmigh^ 
in  hr^™''  ,'.''■'  "'^^'' '"  *"  discourse  of  man,  or 
innr«V.  '^'''''^y°'"  .°^  ^^°'  *°  '''«  ^^akuess  of  our 
apprehensions,  there  should  not  appear  irretfularitie/ 

CaS'^*'T'rl^''"°-"'"=  ■"?  ^«'f  coufdshew  a 
t^on^H^%°t  '^°"''t?'.'?«v"  yet  imagined  nor  ques 
toned,  as  I  know,  which  are  not  resolved  at  the  first 
hearing;  not  fantast  ck  Queries  or  Objections  of  A^r 
for  I  caiinot  hear  of  Atoms  in  Divinity.    I  can  read 

Art^  H°'y.°^  '5*  ^'«''°"  *''^'  ^^^  =ent  out  of  the 
Ark,  and  returned  no  more,  yet  not  question  how  she 
found  out  her  Mate  that  was  left  behind :  that  Sus 

intenm  his  boul  awaited ;  or  raise  a  Law-case,  whether 
au.,?h'.H  "'ft  lawfully  detain  his  inheritance  be- 
?-cf^,^  *  "?'/■  u™  ^^  ^'^  ^^*^'  and  he,  though 
restored  to  Me  have  no  Plea  or  Title  unto  his  former 
possessions.  Whether  Eve  was  framed  out  of  the 
left  side  of  Adam  I  dispute  not;  because  I  stand  not 
yet  assured  which  is  the  right  side  of  a  man,  or  whether 


Religio  Medici 


26 

there  be  »ny  such  distinction  in  Nature :  that  she  was 
edified  out  of  the  Rib  of  Adam  I  believe,  yet  raise  no 
question  who  shall  arise  with  that  Rib  at  the  Resur- 
rection. Whether  Adam  was  an  Hermaphrodite,  as 
the  Rabbins  contend  upon  the  Letter  of  the  Text, 
because  it  is  contrary  to  reason,  there  should  be  an 
Hermaphrodite  before  there  was  a  Woman,  or  a  com- 
position of  two  Natures  before  there  was  a  second 
composed.  Likewise,  whether  the  World  was  created 
in  Autumn,  Summer,  or  the  Spring,  because  it  was 
created  in  them  all ;  for  whatsoever  Sign  the  Sun  pos- 
sessetb,  those  four  Seasons  are  actually  existent.  It 
is  the  nature  of  this  Luminary  to  distinguish  the 
several  Seasons  of  the  year,  all  which  it  makes  at  one 
time  in  the  w'-'-le  Earth,  and  successive  in  any  part 
thereof.  Thoi :  ,  re  a  bundle  of  curiosities,  not  only  in 
Philosophy,  but  in  Divinity,  proposed  and  discussed 
by  men  of  most  supposed  abilities,  which  indeed  are 
not  worthy  our  vacant  hours,  much  less  our  serious 
Studies:  Pieces  only  fit  to  be  placed  in  Pantagruel's 
Library,  or  bound  up  with  Tartaretus  Di  mode  Cacandi. 

These  are  niceties  that  become  not  those  that  peruse 
so  serious  a  Mystery.  There  are  others  more  generally 
questioned  and  called  to  the  Bar,  yet  methinks  of  an 
easie  and  possible  truth. 

'Tis  ridiculous  to  put  off  or  drown  the  general  Flood 
of  Noah  in  that  particular  inundation  of  Deucalion. 
That  there  A'as  a  Deluge  once,  seems  not  to  me  so 
great  a  Miracle,  as  that  there  is  not  one  always.  How 
all  the  kinds  of  Creatures,  not  only  in  thoir  own  bulks, 
but  with  a  competency  of  food  and  sustenance,  might 
be  preserved  in  one  Ark,  and  within  the  extent  of 
three  hundred  Cubits,  to  a  reason  that  rightly  examines 
it,  will  appear  very  feasible.  There  is  another  secret, 
not  contained  in  the  Scripture,  which  is  more  hard  to 
comprehend,  and  put  the  honest  Father  to  the  refuge 
of  a  Miracle ;  and  that  is,  not  only  how  the  distinct 
pieces  of  the  World,  and  divided  Islands,  should  be 
first  planted  by  men,  but  inhabite '  by  Tigers,  Panthers, 
and  Bears.     How  America  abou..ded  with  Beasts  of 


Religio  Medici 


27 


prey  and  noxious  Animals,  yet  contained  not  in  it  that 
necessary  Creature,  a  Horse,  is  very  strange.  By 
what  passage  those,  not  only  Birds,  but  dangerous  anS 
miwelcome  Beasts,  came  over ;  how  there  be  Creature* 
Jon'^V*  u"^''  ""  "°i  '?"'"*  '°  ">«  Triple  Continent; 
iri  A  ,1.  Tfu  °^^u  *  ^*  ^^'"^«'  "°t°  "'•  that  hold  bu 
one  Ark,  and  that  the  Creatures  began  their  Drotrress 
rom  the  Mountains  of  Ararat:)  tley  X,  to  STv^ 
this,  wou^d  maie  the  Deluge  particuli,  proceed  ^n 
a  pnnciple  that  I  can  no  way  grant ;  not  only  upon  the 
negative  of  Holy  Scriptures,  but  of  mine  ov^  Reason! 
whereby  I  can  make  it  probable,  that  the  world  was 
as  well  peopled  m  the  time  of  Noah  as  in  ours:  and 
fafteen  hundred  years  to  people  the  World,  as  full  a 
time  for  them,  as  four  thousand  years  since  have  been 
to  us. 

There  are  other  assertions  and  common  Tenents 
drawn  from  Scnpture,  and  generally  believed  as  Scrip- 
tare,  whweunto,  notwithstanding,  I  would  never  betray 

^!.  M  "J?  °^  ""^  ^""^u"-  "^^  a  Postulate  to  me. 
that  Methnsalem  was  the  longest  liv'd  of  all  the 
Childrf  •.  ..dam ;  and  no  man  will  be  able  to  prove 
It,  when,  from  the  process  of  the  Text,  I  can  manifest 
It  may  be  otherwise.  That  Judas  perished  by  hanginK 
himself,  there  is  no  certainty  in  Scripture :  thouKh  in 
one  place  it  seems  to  affirm  it,  and  by  a  doubtfulword 
hath  given  occasion  to  translate  it;  yet  in  another 
place,  ma  more  punctual  description,  it  makes  it 
improbable,  and  seems  to  overthrow  it.  That  our 
Fathers,  after  the  Flood,  erected  the  Tower  of  Babel 
to  preserve  themselves  against  a  second  Delum  is 
generally  opinioned  and  believed;  yet  is  there  another 
intention  of  theirs  expressed  in  Scripture :  besides,  it 
is  improbable  from  the  circumstance  of  the  nlace 
that  is,  a  plain  in  the  Land  of  Shinar.  These  axe  no 
pomts  of  Faith,  and  therefore  may  admit  a  free 
cuspute. 

There  are  yet  others,  and  t^.ose  familiarly  concluded 
from  the  text,  wherein  (under  favour,)  I  see  no  conse- 
quence.   The  Church  of  Rome  confidently  proves  the 


Religio  Medici 


28 

opinion  of  Tutelary  Angels  from  that  Answer,  when 
Peter  knockt  at  the  Door,  'Tis  not  he,  but  his  Angel; 
that  is,  (might  some  say,)  his  Messenger,  or  some  body 
from  him;  for  so  the  OriRinal  signifies,  and  is  is 
likely  to  be  the  doubtful  Families  meaning.  This 
exposition  I  once  suggested  to  a  young  Divine,  that 
answered  upon  this  point ;  to  which  I  remember  the 
Franciscan  Opponent  replyed  no  more,  but  That  it  was 
a  new,  and  no  authentick  interpretation. 

These  are  but  the  conclusions  and  fallible  discourses 
of  man  upon  the  Word  of  God,  for  f  uch  I  do  believe 
the  Holy  Scriptures :  yet,  were  it  of  man,  I  could  not 
chuse  but  say,  it  was  the  singularest  and  superlative 
piece  that  hath  been  extant  since  the  Creation.     Were 
I  a  Pagan,  I  should  not  refrain  the  Lecture  of  it ;  and 
cannot  but  commend  the  judgment  of  Ptolomy,  that 
thought  not  his  Library  compleat  without  it.     The 
Alcoran  of  the  Turks  (I  speak  without  prejudice,)  is 
an  ill  composed   Piece,  containing   in  it  vain    and 
ridiculous  Errors  in  Philosophy,  impossibilities,  fictions, 
and  vanities  beyond  laughter,  maintained  by  evident 
and  open  Sophisms,  the  Policy  of  Ignorance,  deposition 
of  Universities,   and  banishment  of  Learning,   that 
hath  gotten  Foot  by  Arms  and  violence  :  this  without 
a  blow  hath  disseminated  it  self  through  the  whole 
Earth.      It  is    not   unremarkable   what    Philo  first 
observed,  that  the   Law  of    Moses    continued    two 
thousand  years  without  the  least  alteration  ;  whereas, 
we  see  the  Laws  of  other  Common-weals  do  alter  with 
occasions;  and  even  those  that  pretended  their  original 
from  some  Divinity,  to  have  vanished  without  trace  or 
memory.     I  believe,  besides  Zoroaster,  there  were 
divers  that  writ  before  Moses,  who,  notwithstanding, 
have  suffered  the  common  fat"  of  time.    Mens  Works 
have  an  age  like  themselves ;  aad  though  they  out-live 
their  Authors,  yet  have  they  a  stint  and  period  to  their 
duration :  this  only  is  a  work  too  hard  for  the  teeth  of 
time,  and  cannot  perish  but  in  the  general  Flames 
when  all  things  shall  co.ifess  their  Ashes. 
I  have  heard  some  with  deep  sighs  lament  the  lost 


Religio  Medici 


29 

Imei  of  Cicero;  others  with  as  many  groans  deplors 
the  combustion  of  the  Library  of  Alexandria  :  fo?  m v 
own  part,  I  think  there  be  too  many  in  the  World  Md 
could  wth  patience  behold  the  urn  and  ashes  of  ^e 

En^h'  Pn°'°"'u":.  J  ^^""''^  °°'  o-nit  a  Copy  of 
Whn/n  "A'''"'  "^7!"=^^  "wrer  Authors  thw 
Josephiis,  or  did  not  relish  somewhat  of  the  Fab^ 

PiZ^\^n°  ^"^  ""'""?  "■•°'«  '*'^°  °'hers  have  spoken :' 
Pineda  quotes  more  Authors  in  one  work,  thw  are 
necessary  in  a  whole  World.     Of  those  three^tlt 

wUhn  ?Jlf  •°  °""^y-  '•>*"  ""  t^o  wh  ch  are*^^ 
witbocit  theirincominodities.  and  'tis  disputable  whether 
they  exceed  not  their  use  and  commodities.    'Tis  not 

LSlf 'S^W  r  °'  '"y  °""'  ^"'  the  deslres^^f' 
better  heads,  that  there  were  a  general  Synod  •  not  to 

IS^e  LnefitTrP"'^'"''  '•'''''"""  °f  Relics  but  for 
the  benefit  of  learning,  to  reduce  it  as  it  lay  at  first  in 
a  few  and  solid  Authors ;  and  to  co^demn^o  S^e  fi  ^ 
those  swarms  and  millions  of  Rhapsodies,  beeotten 
only  o  distract  and  abuse  the  weaker  judgemen°s  of 

Sain  Jffi"'  """u  ^°°i^'  ^"^  **"»t  exception  the 
Samaritans  could  confine  their  belief  to  the  Penta 

S  °''  ^n  f°°^^  °'.  **°^^-  I  '^  ashamed  "the 
Rabbmical  Interpretation  of  the  Jews  upon  the  Old 
Testaxnent  as  much  as  their  defecLn  from  the  New: 
and  truly  ,t  is  beyond  wonder,  how  that  contemptible 

Ettntf^"^*^■!■"''  "f  J^'^ob.  once  so  devoted  to 
Ethn  ck  Superstition,  anj  so  easily  seduced  to  the 
;^hS  °^  ?'''  Neighbours,  should  now  in  such  a^ 
obstinate  and  peremptory  belief  adhere  unto  their  o,^ 
e^foTfh^'r^."  ""possibilities,  and,  in  the  face  a^d 
eye  of  the  Church,  persist  without  the  least  hope  of 
Conversion.     This  is  a  vice  in  thm.  that  were  a  ve^e 

k  TLoi  AnH^'^  "•  %''"'^  ^^"=«  -^  but  consta^y 
m  a  good.  And  herem  I  mu.st  accuse  those  of  my 
own  Religion,  for  there  is  not  any  of  such  a  fugitiVe 
Faith,  such  an  unstable  belief,  as  a  Christian  ;S 


Religio  Medici 


30 

that  do  so  oft  transform  themselves,  not  mito  several 
shapes  of  Chnstiamty  and  of  the  same  Species,  but 
unto  more  unnatural  and  contrary  Forms  of  Tew  and 
MahometM;  ttat,  from  the  name  of  Samur,  can 
.condescend  to  the  bare  term  of  PropJut;  and,  from  an 
old  behef  that  He  is  come,  fall  to  a  new  expectation 
of  His  coming     It  is  the  promise  of  Christ  to  make 
us  all  one  Flock ;  but  how  and  when  this  Union  shall 
be,  IS  as  obscure  to  me  as  the  last  day.     Of  those  four 
Members  of  Religion  we  hold  a  slender  proportion, 
mere  axe,  I  confess,  some  new  additions,  yet  small  to 
those  which  accrew  to  our  Adversaries,  and  those  only 
drawn  from  the  revolt  of  Pagans,  men  but  of  negative 
Impieties,  and  such  as  deny  Christ,  but  becausl  they 
never  heard  of  Hnn.     But  the  Religion  of  the  lew  is 
expressly  agamst  the  Christian,  and  the  Mahometan 
against  botL    For  the  Turk,  in  the  bulk  he  no^ 
stands,  he  is  beyond  all  hope  of  conversion ;  if  he  faU 
asunder,  there  may  be  conceived  hopes,  but  not  with- 
out strong  improbabilities.    The  Jew  is  obstinate  in 
aU  fortune ;  the  persecution  of  fifteen  hundred  years 
hath  but  confirmed  them  in  their  Errour:  they  have 
already  endured  whatsoever  may  be  inflicted,  and 
have  suflFered  in  a  bad  cause,  even  to  the  condemnation 
of  their  enemies.    Persecution  is  a  bad  and  indirect 
way  to  plant  Rdigion:  it  hath  been  the  unhappy 
method  of  angry  Devohons,not  only  to  confirm  honest 
Religion,    but    wicked    Heresies,    and    extravagant 
Opinions.    It  was  the  first  stone  and  Basis  orour 
I'aith ;  none  can  more  justly  boast  of  Persecutions, 
and  glory  in  the  number  and  valour  of  Martyrs.    For 
.to  speak  properly,  those  are  true  and  almost  only 
exMiples  of  fortitude:  those  that  are  fetch'd  from  the 
field,  or  drawn  from  the  actions  of  the  Camp,  are  not 
oft-times  so  truely  precedents  of  valour  as  audacity, 
rlj'j  *''«,^st  attain  but  to  some  bastard  piece  of 
fortitude.     If  we  shall  strictly  examine  the  circum- 
stances  and  requisites  which  Aristotle  requires  to  true 
^d  perfect  valour,  we  shall  find  the  name  only  in  his 
JMaster,  Alexander,  and  as  littie  in  that  Roman  Worthy 


Religio  Medici 


31 

£  hS""^  '•  "^^  '^  ""y  ^  *at  easie  and  active  way 

that  Title.    'Tis  not  ;n^h.    ^  cJaim  the  honour  of 
Faith    to   nrocLed    fh,.c  ^    P°''*''  °^  ^^^-^  honest 

neither  the  one  nor  th?  othe^     TT^tl     ^'  •"*  "^ 

cannot  chuse  but  accuse  *?«  .^f  Antipodes;  yet 

exposing  his  livLV  on  such  rtrifl^  '^H''''  n^dness,  for 

anM  that^„Tm'„"^'wr^^f  S^°^°V^^^^^^ 
will  not  give  me  the  lye.  if  iL^t  fh^  ™y  conscience 

extant  t&t  in  a  noble  4vf«^Lf  ^f  ?°*  ™*°y 
than  myself;  y^fll^ril^ot'J  ^^  I'otV'^l 
Pt=tto't°hl  ^^n^r«*«  natu^  re°s^ctl°th^at 
being.  I  would  no?  S  uSn°a°Ce2LonTrr?°^ 
pomts,  or  indifferent:  norTmv  f!.W    7'.?°'""='' 


Religio  Medici 


32 

which,  to  commit  ourselves  to  the  flames  is  Homicide, 
*°iii  t^'^  *°  P^*  through  one  fire  into  another. 
That  Miracles  are  ceased,  I  can  neither  prove,  nor 
absolutely  deny,  much  less  define  the  time  and  period 
of  their  cessation.  That  they  survived  Christ,  is 
manifest  upon  the  Record  of  Scripture;  that  they  out- 
lived the  Apostles  also,  and  were  revived  at  the  Con- 
version of  Nations  many  years  after,  we  cannot  deny, 
If  we  shaU  not  question  those  Writers  whose  testi- 
monies we  do  not  controvert  in  points  that  make  for 
our  own  opinions.  Therefore  that  may  have  some 
truth  m  It  that  is  reported  by  the  Jesuites  of  their 
Miracles  m  the  Indies ;  I  could  wish  it  were  true,  or 
had  any  other  testimony  than  their  own  Pens.  They 
may  easily  believe  those  Miracles  abroad,  who  daUy 
conceive  a  greater  at  home,  the  transmutation  of  those 
visible  elements  into  the  Body  and  Blood  of  our 
Saviour.  For  the  conversion  of  Water  into  Wine 
which  He  wrought  in  Cana,  or,  what  the  Devil  would 
have  had  Him  done  in  the  Wilderness,  of  Stones  into 

f  »T^°'"P*'*'* '°  *^'*'  ^''  ^'^'^  deserve  the  name 
of  a  Miracle :  though  indeed,  to  speak  properly,  there 
is  not  one  Miracle  greater  than  another,  they  being  the 
extraordmary  eflFects  of  the  Hand  of  God,  to  which  all 
things  are  of  an  equal  facility ;  and  to  create  the 
World,  as  easie  as  one  single  Creature.  For  this  is 
also  a  Miracle,  not  onely  to  produce  effects  against  or 
above  Nature,  but  before  Nature ;  and  to  create  Nature 
as  great  a  Miracle  as  to  contradict  or  transcend  her 
We  do  too  narrowly  define  the  Power  of  God,  restrain- 
ing It  to  our  capacities.  I  hold  that  God  can  do  all 
things ;  how  He  should  work  contradictions,  I  do  not 
underetand,  yet  dare  not  therefore  deny.  I  cannot  see 
why  the  Angel  of  God  should  question  Esdras  to  recal 
the  time  past,  if  it  were  beyond  His  own  power ;  or 
that  God  should  pose  mortality  in  that  which  He  was 
not  able  to  perform  Himself.  I  will  not  say  God 
cannot,  but  He  wiU  not,  perform  many  things,  which 
we  plainly  affirm  He  cannot.  This,  I  am  sure,  is  the 
mannerhest  proposition,  wherein,  notwithstanding,  I 


Religio  Medici 


hI  hi^Ai^'^,.'^!'''  ^°°   Himself;  \^o,  though 
He  be  styled  tlu  Ancient  of  Days,  cannot  receive^S 

^r^  n°L'^'i?'^"'y:  '^^^  wi  before  the  World 
and  shall  be  after  it,  yet  is  not  older  than  it;  for  in 

Ft.  J^""  ??"*  '"  °°  Climacter  ;   His  duration    s 


34  Religio  Medici 

Joshua,  have  yet  the  impudence  to  deny  the  Eclipse^ 
which  every  Pagan  confessed,  at  His  death  :  but  for 
this,  it  is  evident  beyond  all  contradiction,  the  Devil 
himself  confessed  it.  Certainly  it  is  not  a  warrantable 
curiosity,  to  examine  the  venty  of  Scripture  by  the 
concordance  of  humane  history,  or  seek  to  confirm  the 
Chronicle  of  Hester  or  Daniel,  by  the  authority  of 
Megasthenes  or  Herodotus.  I  confess,  I  have  had  an 
unhappy  curiosity  this  way,  till  I  laughed  my  self  out 
of  it  with  a  piece  of  Justine,  where  he  delivers  that  the 
Children  of  Israel  for  being  scabbed  were  banished 
jut  of  Egypt.  And  truely  since  I  have  understood  the 
occurrences  of  the  World,  and  know  in  what  counter- 
feit shapes  and  deceitful  vizards  times  present  repre- 
sent on  the  stage  things  past,  I  do  believe  them  little 
more  then  things  to  come.  Some  have  been  of  my 
opinion,  and  endeavoured  to  write  the  History  of  their 
own  lives ;  wherein  Moses  hath  outgone  them  all,  and 
left  not  onely  the  story  of  his  life,  but  (as  some  will 
have  it,)  of  his  death  also. 

It  is  a  riddle  to  me,  how  this  story  of  Oracles  hath 
not  worm'd  out  of  the  World  that  doubtful  conceit  of 
Spirits  and  Witches;  how  so  many  learned  heads 
should  so  far  forget  their  Metaphysicks,  and  destroy 
the  ladder  and  scale  of  creatures,  as  to  question  the 
existence  of  Spirits.  For  my  part,  I  have  ever  believed 
and  do  now  know,  that  there  are  Witches :  they  that 
doubt  of  these,  do  not  onely  deny  them,  but  Spirits ; 
and  are  obliquely  and  upon  consequence  a  sort  not  of 
Infidels,  but  Atheists.  Those  that  to  confute  their 
incredulity  desire  to  see  apparitions,  shall  questionless 
never  behold  any,  nor  have  the  power  to  be  so  much 
as  Witches ;  the  Devil  hath  them  already  in  a  heresie 
as  capital  as  Witchcraft ;  and  to  appear  to  them,  were 
but  to  convert  them.  Of  all  the  delusions  wherewith 
he  deceives  mortality,  there  is  not  any  that  puzzleth 
me  more  than  the  Legerdemain  of  Changelings.  I  do 
not  credit  those  transformations  of  reasonable  creatures 
into  beasts,  or  that  the  Devil  hath  a  power  to  transpe- 
ciate  a  man  into  a  Horse,  who  tempted  Christ  (as  a 


Religio  Medici 


35 

T^M  Slie^!r&l'°  '^°^""  •'»*  ^*°"«s  i"to  bread. 

conjunction  with  the  Ditil  ^,°i-     .  ^"'"  °^  ^^  ^y 
that,  as  thTDe^'l's  concSled  ^^^/"^Tu""^''' ' 

passives  will  nnrf^  ,-'  .V^  conjoyDed  to  dwpoged 
that  many  mysteries  asrrih^/t  ■'      .  ^°  *"* 


36 


Religio  Medici 


nosticks,  which  fore-run  the  mines  of  States,  Princes, 
and  private  persons,  are  the  charitable  premonitions  of 
good  Angels,  which  more  careless  enquiries  term  but 
the  effects  of  chance  and  nature. 

Now,  besides  these  particular  and  divided  Spirits, 
there  may  be  (for  ought  I  know,)  an  universal  and 
common  Spirit  to  the  whole  World.  It  was  the  opinion 
of  Plato,  and  it  is  yet  of  the  Hermetical  Philosophers. 
If  there  be  a  common  nature  that  unites  and  tyes  the 
scattered  and  divided  individuals  into  one  species,  why 
may  there  not  be  one  that  unites  them  all  ?  However, 
I  am  sure  there  is  a  common  Spirit  that  plays  within 
us,  yet  makes  no  part  of  us ;  and  that  is,  the  Spirit  of 
God,  the  fire  and  scintillation  of  that  uoble  and  mighty 
Essence,  which  is  the  life  and  radical  heat  of  Spirits, 
and  those  essences  that  know  not  the  vertue  of  the 
Sun ;  a  fire  quite  contrary  to  the  fire  of  Hell.  This  is 
that  gentle  heat  that  brooded  on  the  waters,  and  in  six 
days  hatched  the  World ;  this  is  that  irradiation  that 
dispels  the  mists  of  Hell,  the  clouds  of  horrour,  fear, 
sorrow,  despair;  and  preserves  the  region  of  the  mind 
m  serenity.  Whosoever  feels  not- the  warm  gale  and 
gentle  ventilation  of  this  Spirit,'though  I  feel  his  pulse, 
I  dare  not  say  he  lives :  for  truely,  without  this,  to  me 
there  is  no  heat  under  the  Tropick ;  nor  any  light, 
though  I  dwelt  in  the  body  of  the  Sun. 

As,  when  the  labouring  Sun  hath  wrought  his  track 

Up  to  the  top  of  lofty  Cancers  back, 

The  ycie  Ocean  cracks,  the  frozen  pole 

Thaws  with  the  heat  of  the  Celestial  coale : 

So,  when  Th)^  absent  beams  begin  f  impart 

Again  a  Solstice  on  my  frozen  heart. 

My  winter's  ov'r,  my  drooping  spirits  sing. 

And  every  part  revives  into  a  Spring. 

But  if  Thy  quickning  beams  a  while  decline. 

And  with  their  light  bless  not  this  Orb  of  mine, 

A  chilly  frost  surpriseth  every  member. 

And  in  the  midst  of  June  I  feel  December. 

O  how  this  earthly  temper  both  debase 

The  noble  Soul,  in  this  her  humble  place ; 

Whose  wingy  nature  ever  doth  aspii« 

To  teach  that  place  whence  first  it  took  its  fire. 


Religio  Medici 


37 


:i 

A™'?„?¥S"ii'''''  ?''''<='' '"  "y  heart  do  dwell 
Are  not  Thy  beams,  but  take  thiir  fire  from  Hell- 
O  quench  ttem  all,  and  let  Thy  Light  divine 
Be  as  the  Sua  to  this  poor  Orb  of  mine  •' 

onely  whole  Countries,  but  p^K'-^son^hav^ 
their  Tutelary  and  Guardian  Angels.  Itis  not  a  new 
oprnton  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  but  an  o?d  one  o1^ 
Pythagoras  and  Plato;  there  is  no  herwie  in  it  •  «„] 
If  not  manifestly  defin'd  in  Scripture  Tet  is  it^n 

wtj^^^.  '."^^  "^*'  a°<>  ^oild  serve  as  m 
i-nuosophy  affordeth  no  solution.  Now,  if  vou  demand 
Z.°PT°   '^^    Metaphysicks  of  SeVr^^ato^T 

method  and  proportion.    Between  creSures  of  S 
w^tence  and  things  of  life,  there  is  a  large  diswl 

S^  M^n  ,  f  ""'  ^  '"''"  difference;  between  them 
^.  ^f?'  *  ^^  greater:  and  if  the  proportion  hold 

S^fat^'^w"  ^"°  "f"*  ^°^^'^  *^«^«  sU  be  yet  a 
greater.     We  do  not  comprehend  their  nature.!  ™i,„ 

retam  the  first  definition  of  PorpSy^r^dTstln'gTish 
FaTv°?u°"''u'H7=  byimmorti^';  for  Sf  Ss 
Fall,  tis  thought,  Man  also  was  Immortal ;  vet  must 

Z7±if»  *^'  ^S  "^  ^  different  es^j:ce  from 
TtiT-^^MV***"."?^  therefore  no  certain  knowledge 
of  their  Natures,  'tis  no  bad  method  of  the  srS 
whatsoever  perfection  we  find  obscurely  in  our  selves' 

hemTLir^lf  l"*^  ^''^°'"*^  ^^y  *°  a^crfbe  unto 
them.  I  believe  they  have  an  extemporary  knowledge 
and  upon  the  first  motion  of  their  rLo7do  what  we 


38 


Religio  Medici 


cannot  without  study  or  deliberation  ;  that  they  knoT/ 
things  by  their  forms,  and  define  by  specifical  differ- 
ence what  we  describe  by  accidents  and  properties; 
and  therefore  probabilities  to  us  may  be  demonstra- 
tions unto  them :  that  they  have  knowledge  c-it  onely 
of  the  specifica',  but  numerical  forms  of  individuals, 
and  understand  by  what  reserved  difference  each  single 
Hypostasis  (besides  the  relation  to  its  species,)  becomes 
its  numerical  self :  that,  as  the  Soul  hath  a  power  to 
move  the  body  it  informs,  so  there's  a  faculty  to  move 
any,  though  inform  none :  ours  u^n  restraint  of  time, 
place,  and  distance ;  but  that  invisible  hand  that  cc  -■- 
veyed  Habakkuk  to  the  Lyons  Den,  or  Philip  i 
Azotus,  infringeth  tl^is  rule,  and  hath  a  secret  con- 
veyance, wherewith  mortality  is  not  acquainted.  If 
they  have  that  intuitive  knowledge,  whereby  as  in 
reflexion  they  behold  the  thoughts  of  one  another, 
I  cannot  peremptorily  deny  but  they  know  a  great 
part  of  ours.  They  ttiat,  to  refute  the  Invocation  of 
Saints,  have  denied  that  they  have  any  knowledge  of 
our  affairs  below,  have  proceeded  too  far,  and  must 
pardon  my  opinion,  till  I  can  thoroughly  answer  that 
piece  of  Scripture,  At  the  emersion  of  a  sinner  the  Angels 
in  Heaven  rejoyce.  I  cannot,  with  those  in  that  great 
Father,  securely  interpret  the  work  of  the  first  day, 
Fiat  lux,  to  the  creation  of  Angels ;  though  I  confess, 
there  is  not  any  creature  that  hath  so  neer  a  glympse 
of  their  nature  as  light  in  the  Sun  and  Elements.  We 
stile  it  a  bare  accident ;  but,  where  it  subsists  alone,  'tis 
a  spiritual  Substance,  and  may  be  an  Angel :  in  brief, 
conceive  light  invisible,  and  that  is  a  Spirit. 

These  are  certainly  the  Magisterial  and  master- 
pieces of  the  Creator,  the  Flower,  or  (as  we  may  say,) 
the  best  part  of  nothing;  actually  existing,  what  we 
are  but  in  hopes  and  probability.  We  are  onely  that 
amphibious  piece  between  a  corporal  and  spiritual 
Essence,  that  middle  form  that  links  those  two  to- 
gether, and  makes  good  the  Method  of  God  and 
Nature,  that  jumps  not  from  extreams,  but  unites  the 
incompatible  distances  by  some  middle  and  partici- 


Religio  Medici 


39 

P«hng  natures.  That  we  are  the  breath  and  similitude 
^  God,  It  18  indisputable,  and  upon  record  of  Holy 

Wor'^HT\,''"V*?-'=*''  f""^'^'"  »  Microcosm,  or  ml 
World,  I  thought  It  only  a  pleasant  trope  of  Riietorick 
tUl  my  neer  judgement  and  second  thoughts  told  me 
ftere  was  a  real  tmth  therein.  For  fir^sfwe  «e  I 
««  ,^k'  '"''  T  nV-  TH  ?f  "«*'""'»  '^hich  onely 
whh^fl  ^Z"  V""J"°d  °f  being,  not  yet  privUedgeS 
with  life,  or  preferred  to  sense  or  reason ;  next  we  live 
the  life  of  Plants,  the  life  of  Animals,  the  life  of  Men 
and  at  last  the  life  of  Spirits,  running  on  S  one  m^'. 

^mnr?h°^'T  *°"  ^"^  ^^^'  °f  existence  "whlS. 
dbmprehend  the  creatures,  not  ouely  of  the  World,  but 
of  the  Universe.  Thus  is  Man  that  great  and  tme 
Amphbum,  whose  nature  is  disposed  to  live,  not  ondy 
like  oUi3r  creatures  in  divers  elements,  but  in  divided 

to  sense,  there  are  two  to  reason,  the  one  visible,  the 
other  mvisible;  whereof  Moses  seems  to  have  left 
d^cnption.  and  of  the  other  so  obscurely,  th^t  some 
parts  thereof  are  yet  m  controversie.  And  truely  for 
d«l  „'f*  K^P'?i'  of  Genesis,  I  must  confess  a^St 
t?i^L°^^'^^'  ^"^^^  ^'^'""S  bave  to  the  pS^r 
of  humane  reason  endeavoured  to  make  all  go  in  » 

M^,i  hr  -?  '  '^'',  P«^baps  the  mystical  method  of 
&pti^s     "^  '°      '  Hieroglyphical  Schools  of  the 

nnf^r  i""  ^l  '""material  world,  methinks  we  need 
not  wander  so  far  as  beyond  the  first  moveable  •  for 
even  m  this  material  Fabrick  the  Spirits  walk  as  free?v 

IsT/vonrth'^  t^*'°''  "'  time.'pli|eTtYLS 
^i?  r  "le  extreamest  circumference.  Do  but 
extract  from  the  corpulency  of  bodies,  or  resolve 
f,wSf^y°?'*A'''''f  ^trn^tter,  and  you  discover  Ae 
habitation  of  Angels,  which  if  I  call  the  ubiquitary^d 

Si^t^^rt^^"-^  ^°P'  ^  shall\ot  S 
Divmity    for  before  the  Creation  of  the  World  God 

^Woi^Id^^*^".^;  I:°^^«  Angels  He  crated  no 
new  World,  or  determinate  mansion,  and  therefore 


40 


Religio  Medici 


fv?  ?7  "^-^^here  where  is  His  Essence,  and  do 
ir    J    '*'?*^j;  '""°  '°  Himself.    That  cio  made 

^  «T  ^°L^^'  "  •°.«"»«  -""^  true,  yet  nrtlS 
far  as  to  subordinate  the  Creation  of  those  purer 
Creates  unto  ours,  though  as  mMstring  S/they 
do,  and  are  willing  to  fulfil  the  will  of  Gorin  the^e 

Ss?orHii^"^?-°^^--  Go-^^e'^1 
rMi!th«m>;,  \u°''  "i'  impossible  He  should 
make  them  for  any  other  end  than  His  own  Glory;  it 

F„^  ?  ^  K*?"^*'  ■«"*  »"  'hat  is  without  Himsilf 
For,  honour  being  an  external  adjunct,  and  inX 
S^««"  rather  than  in  the  person  honou?^,  t%Ja! 
necessary  to  make  a  Creature,  from  whom  Hi  S 
receive  this  homage;  and  that  is,  in  theTther  3 
te  Ik"*  thisTMaa;  which  when  we  neglecTwe 
1,?  1,^^  ''"^  •'"'  °'  ""^  Creation,  and  miy  justly 
^e  WorM°K'  »°^T'£V"P«°'  *«  He  tattiH 

cluifnn  «f  17  -^^  '^a'""?  '*,*■"*  °°«  World,  is  a  con- 
hi*  „VL    ^'^."  ^"^^°^^''  ^*^  "^^  ^^  PhilosopI  y 
wirM  L      ,  "'''*, '"  ^f°^*  ''•  *"''  «s  woakly  that 
World  was  eternal.    That  dispute  much  troubled      e 
Pen  of  the  ancient  Philosophers,  but  Moses  dec. 'J 

C^Lrlhat'  •"'  "^  "^"''^  "■'^  the  new  ?e™  ofl 
nX^'  A  l,*\  *  .production  of  something  out  of 
nothing.    And  what  is  that  ?  whatsoever  is  oDoosite  to 

^t2  bon"r  l^"'^"^'  .^*  -'''^'>  i^  '™Tcon? 
vrary  unto  God:  for  He  one  y  is,  all  others  hav«  an 

existence  with  dependency,  and  ai^el^^eft'ng  but  b? 
IhUo^nhT-  ^^  ^"'^  '^  ^'^"'^  confomLt  unto 
tm^vff/.  1^"  V"\  """•"^'.■on  not  onefy  founded  on  con- 
traneties,  but  als  creation  ;  God,  b^ing  all  things  is 
contrary  unto  nothing,  out  of  which  lere  Sm 

Ih.  Te,i  d«cnb«,  I,,)  H.  pl.yrf  ,h,  „,ibie  oj^g 


Religio  Medici 


mmd,  that  boldly  delivers  a  r«r^,.f  .        Paracelsus 

the  equivocal  and  monstrous  pSdictlonsfn  ,h»  ™'" 
junction  of  Man  with  Beast  •  for  if  thl  c  r  '=°.°- 
not  transmitted  and  tSused  1  fh!  "^  °i  "^  ^'^ 
butTav;^  ''"■"°'  *bX".^ucUons  m^:J  CLt" 

dTnTt'hat  ?hT^:  ^  S.r  ^'  i  I  S-Ptori^ 
who^y  andt  Jl^^ice^i^Tns^  tor^^'^Xf/' 
the    performance    of    her  ordinS^  actions  t^rl   •' 


Religio  Medici 


42 

wjritudy  of  Anatomy  there  is  a  nutw  of  mv.tMJm„ 
PhJosophy.Md  .uch  as  reduced  thTv?,,  H^m.^ 
D.vin.ty :  yet.  amon^t  all  those  tare  Xo^ri^  LS 
curious  pieces  I  find  in  the  Fabrick  'f  M.n  r  ?  ^ 

^  much  content  myself,  a.  i„Xt"L„"t  ht«°^ 
no  Organ  or  Instrument  for  the  rational  Soul     f^r  in 

ining     i   us  that  can  be   without  us.  and  will    hm 

'^^At  .t  was  before  us,  nor  cannot  tell  how  it  ent?e^ 

Now.  for  these  walls  of  flesh,  wherein  the  Soul  Anth 
t^V?  ^  ■■?■"»«<>  before  the  Resunection.  it  U  no?* 
mLtf^ashe's^'j^^f  °"'^''  "  ^^^^H^^t 
phoriaJuy  ^uflltter^lv-^^^/^r^n  T  """'^  '"«'»- 
we  beh<.^'areVS'^;4rof  S;  ^  IdXstri' 

■  and  C^fe'^'i*"  ^^^  ^^  »"  "bhor.  Anthroioihaei 

t^:?  'forlll^t-hlta^f  oTfltreic'a"'w"e  ^S" 
came  m  at  our  mouths ;  this  frame  we  Took  upoSS 
been  upon  our  trenchers ;  in  brief,  we  have  devnnrM 
lor.T\T    ^  «^."Pt  b«««ve  the'^sdom  of  pX 
goras  did  ever  positively,  and  in  a  literal  seni  affi^ 

^fe"Lt&;4\^&'^°°^^^^^ 

£r'j^rer^^^t^^,r'--p-^^^^ 


Religio  Medici 


/.f»r.        J   J     ?   "•     ^'"  ">*'  fK»«  phantasms  aniw-.  r 

^d°Ch:?che°  iHs^bL"'  C^r*"'"'  ChShclTs 
«aa  v-nurcnes,  it  is  because  those  are  the  dormitories 

mits'u/s^ft«^  oTr*'  ^?,»".<''»P'o".  that 
God  I  ha^e  nSf  tS^L.  ^'*^',  .?««'/««<•  ^  I  thank 
obligations  ?oTeW^M^'™".''«r "''"»•  »'  "»"'"' 
conv^ul'sra^d'LmbS^;  ^nL^^e  ot'dVi  "fcb^ 
I  am  insensible  of  the  dread  and  LnT^'oi^r^f*^^. 

Christ^    ,ZT.~f^  ^"*  """=''  '"*"  »  well-resolved 
v.iiHsuan,  and  therefore  am  not  anerv  at  the  frrr,,„-^e 
our  first  Parents,  or  unwilling  to  bSr  a  n^rt^f^v 
wmmon  fate,  and  like  the  bes^t  o?  tiem  to  C  A,  *^ 


44 


Religio  Medici 


the  Devil  work  my  belief  to  imagine  I  could  never  dye. 
I  would  not  outlive  that  very  thought.  I  have  so 
abject  a  conceit  of  this  common  way  of  existence,  this 
retaming  to  the  Sun  and  Elements,  I  cannot  think  this 
is  to  be  a  Man,  or  to  live  according  to  the  dignity  of 
humanity.     In  exspectation  of  a  better,  I  cii  4ith 

]?o„h"^'^'"^''*?'%"^'y«*  "  -nybest  meditations 
do  often  defie  death ;  I  honour  any  man  that  contemns 
It,  nor  can  I  highly  love  any  that  is  afraid  of  it :  this 
maies  me  naturally  love  a  Souldier,  and  honour  those 
tattered  and  contemptible  Regiments  that  will  die  at 
the  command  of  a  Sergeant.  For  a  Pagan  there  may 
be  some  motives  to  be  in  love  with  life;  but  for  a 
Christian  to  be  amazed  at  death,  I  see  not  how  he  can 
escape  this  DUemma,  that  he  is  too  sensible  of  this 
Jile,  or  hopeless  of  the  life  to  come. 

Some  Divines  count  Adam  thirty  years  old  at  his 
Creation,  because  they  suppose  him  created  in  the 
perfect  age  and  stature  of  man.  And  surely  we  are 
aU  out  of  the  computation  of  our  age,  and  every  man 
is  some  months  elder  than  he  bethinks  him;  for  we 
live,  move,  have  a  being,  and  are  subject  to  the  actions 

L    \xf^Yf^l^'  ^^  ^^  "^'"^s  °f  diseases,  in  that 
otiier  World,  the  truest  Microcosm,  the  Womb  of  our 
Mother.    For  besides  that  general  and  common  exist- 
ence we  are  conceived  to  hold  in  our  Chaos,  and  whilst 
we  sleep  withm  the  bosome  of  our  causes,  we  enjoy  a 
bemg  and  life  m  three  distinct  worlds,  wherein  we 
receive  most  manifest  graduations.    In  that  obscure 
World  and  Womb  of  our  Mother,  our  time  is  short, 
computed  by  the  Moon,  yet  longer  than  the  days  of 
many  creatures  that  behold  the  Sun  ;  our  selves  beintr 
not  yet  without  hfe,  sense,  and  reason ;  though  for  the 
manifestation  of  its  actions,  it  awaits  the  opportunity 
of  objects,  and  seems  to  live  there  but  in  its  root  and 
^1    «f  ^??"°°-  .  E°tri°g  afterwards  upon  the  scene 
ot  toe  World,  we  arise  up  and  become  another  creature, 
performmg  the  reasonable  actions  of  man,  and  ob- 
scurely manifesting  that  part  of  Divinity  in  us;  but 
not  m  complement  and  perfection,  till  we  have  once 


Religio  Medici  45 

more  cast  our  secondine,  that  is.  this  slough  of  flesh 
and  are  dehvered  into  the  last  WnrlH  fW  •  f^  ' 
ineffable  place  of  Paul,  C  pro^S  sSts"'  Th  ' 

wm^tmKd  my  Phll„,pi,y  ,,„  iS^    niti, 
a  common  spectato,  doth  discover.  ^ 

have  one  part  of  modesty  which  I  have  s^Sdom^dU 

^m|.xfordeXi&s::ja"ir 

very  disgrace  and  ignoiinyT^  JX^s  ai  in  f 

Wir^d  rVM  ''^^^^^  "^'  *^o«  Sst^r  ends 
Wife,  and  Children,  stand  afraid  and  start  at  u,  •  rt.» 

u^n^r  Tv''  ^°^S"t^g.^l  aUegiance,  begin  t^^y 

Wf^ll-rb^lSw^VpM^^ 
waters,  wherein  I  had  perished  unseen^  Spi^ed^^th 

anSrd^rd!''^^"^"^^''^'^-*-^-'^--^^^^ 

Quantum  uutatus  ab  illo  I 
Not  that  I  am  ashamed  of  the  Anatomv  nf  m„       ^ 
or  can  accuse  Nature  for  olavW  fh.T     .    y.  P^'''^' 
part  of  me,  or  my  o^  vitfous  ufe  for  r^^K""  ^^ 


46 


Religio  Medici 


seems  to  me  a.  meer  fallacy,  unworthy  the  desires  of  a 
man  that  can  but  conceive  a  thought  of  the  next 
World ;  who,  in  a  nobler  ambition,  should  desire  to 
live  in  his  substance  in  Heaven,  rather  than  his  name 
and  shadow  in  the  earth.  And  therefore  at  my  death 
I  mean  to  take  a  total  adieu  of  the  World,  not  caring 
for  a  Monument,  History,  or  Epitaph,  not  so  much  as 
the  bare  memory  of  my  name  to  be  found  any  where 
but  in  the  universal  Register  of  God.  I  am  not  yet 
so  Cynical  as  to  approve  the  Testament  of  Diogenes ; 
nor  do  I  altogether  allow  that  RoiomotOado  of  Lucan, 

Goto  tegitur,  qui  rum  habtt  nniam. 

He  that  unburied  lies  wants  not  his  Herse, 
For  unto  him  a  Tomb's  the  Universe. 

but  commend  in  my  calmer  judgement  those  ingenuous 
intentions  that  desire  to  sleep  by  the  urns  of  their 
Fathers,  and  strive  to'go  the  neatest  way  unto  corrup- 
tion. I  do  not  envy  the  temper  of  Crows  and  Daws, 
nor  the  numerous  and  weary  days  of  ouz  Fathers 
before  the  Flood.  If  there  be  any  truth  in  Astrology, 
I  may  outlive  a  Jubilee :  as  yet  I  have  not  seen  one 
revolution  of  Saturn,  nor  hath  my  pulse  beat  thirty 
years ;  and  yet,  excepting  one,  have  seen  the  Ashes 
and  left  under  ground  all  the  Kings  of  Europe  ;  have 
been  contemporary  to  three  Emperours,  four  Grand 
Signiours,  and  as  many  Popes.  Methinks  I  have  out- 
lived my  self,  and  begin  to  be  weary  of  the  Sun ;  I 
have  shaken  hands  with  delight,  in  my  warm  blood 
and  Canicular  days,  I  perceive  I  do  anticipate  the 
vices  of  age ;  the  World  to  me  is  but  a  dream  or 
mock-show,  and  we  all  therein  but  Pantalones  and 
Anticks,  to  my  severer  contemplations. 

It  is  not,  I  confess,  an  unlawful  Prayer  to  desire  to 
surpass  the  days  of  our  Saviour,  or  wish  to  outlive 
that  age  wherein  He  thought  fittest  to  dye ;  yet  if  (as 
Divinity  affirms,)  there  shall  be  no  gray  hairs  in 
Heaven,  but  all  shall  rise  in  the  perfect  state  of  men, 
we  do  but  outlive  those  perfections  in  this  World,  to 
-be  recalled  unto  them  by  a  greater  Miracle  in  the  next, 


Religio  Medici 


47 


and  run  on  here  but  to  be  retrograde  hereafter.  Were 
Snurj^P*^*"  ?"^^«  ^"'^^'^^  *  P°i°t  tot;  super! 
Z  S^v=  ^fT  .r- ",  r"^*  w°^y  °"  ''"^es  to  implore 
the  days  of  Methuselah.  But  age  doth  not  rectify  but 
mcurvate  our  natures,  turning  bad  dispositions  into 

W'fof  eve^d  ^"^'  '"'''""^'>  brings'onlncur^w: 
vices,  for  every  day  as  we  grow  weaker  in  aee  we 
n-ow  stronger  m  sin,  and  the  number  of  our  days  dott 
mhtS  /*  ""Z"""  ■"""'nerable.  The  same  vice  co.^ 
T^U^i  "'"?''°'  "  °°*  ^^^  ^'°"''  *°"gh  it  agree 
?oubL^  «;V;Cumstances,  at  forty,  but  swells^and 
doubles  from  the  circumstance  of  our  ages  •  wherein 
besides  the  constant  and  inexcusable  So7  ti^s-' 
t^ncr-t*"  """t-rityof  our  judgment  cuts  off^e. 
tence  --nto  excuse  or  pardon.    Every  sin,  the  oftner  it 

ev5  Tr'^'  '\'^°'^-  ''  ^<=q«^eth  in  the  q^S^  of 
evd ,  as  It  succeeds  m  time,  so  it  proceeds  in  degrees  of 
badness;  for  as  they  proceed  they  ever  multiply^d 
tti  tej°  Anthmetick,the  fast  stands  f^7',^re 
than  all  that  went  before  it.  And  though  I  think  no 
man  can  hve  well  once,  but  he  that  could  1  ve  twice 
yet  for  my  own  part  I  would  not  live  over  my  hows 
past,  or  begin  again  the  thread  of  my  days :  not  uwn 

for^^'Fri^'^'T  '  ^^'>  «^«'l  th^em  well?C 
for  fear  I  should  hve  then,  worse.  I  find  my  erowin? 
Judgment  ^ly  instruct  me  how  to  be  beKurmy 
untamed  affections  and  confirmed  vitiosity  n^kes  ml 
daily  do  worse.  I  find  in  my  confirmed  a^eXime 
H  wf""*!'^^  ^  my  youth;  I  conSttted^: 
them  still,  I  am  yet  an  infant.  Therefore  1  per«iWo 
a  m^  majr  be  twfce  a  Child,  before  the  days  of^dotoge! 

A^??n  r  .'if"'  °^  ^'°°'  ^^*  ^^^°'^  threescore^  • 
„r^?,^  ^  there  goes  a  great  deal  of  providence  to 
produce  a  mans  life  unto  threescore:  there  is  more  re- 

?«Tfl^°  ^  ^^^'  ^^^P*^  for  those  years;  ttoTh  the 
radical  humour  contain  in  it  sufficient  oyl  for  sevenhr 
yet  I  perceive  in  some  it  gives  no  lig^t  i^st  tS 
men  assign  not  all  the  causes  of  long  lifeVthat  TnSe 
whole  Books  thereof.   They  that  found  th^lve7<S 

IP 


48 


Religio  Medici 


the  radical  balsome,  or  vital  sulphur  of  the  parts, 
determine  not  why  Abel  lived  not  so  long  as  Adam. 
There  is  therefore  a  secret  glome  or  bottome  of  our 
days :  'twas  His  wisdom  to  determine  them,  but  His 
perpetual  and  waking  providence  that  fulfils  and 
accomplisheth  them;  wherein  the  spirits,  ourselves, 
and  all  the  creatures  of  God  in  a  secret  and  disputed 
way  do  execute  His  will.  Let  thtm  .lot  therefore  com- 
plain of  immaturity  that  die  aboui  thirty;  they  fall  but 
like  the  whole  World,  whose  solid  and  well-composed 
substance  must  not  expect  the  duration  and  period  of 
its  constitution :  when  all  things  are  completed  in  it, 
its  age  is  accomplished;  and  the  last  and  general  fever 
may  as  naturally  destroy  it  before  six  thousand,  as 
me  before  forty.  There  is  therefore  some  other  hand 
that  twines  the  thread  of  life  than  that  of  Nature :  we 
are  not  onely  ignorant  in  Antipathies  and  occult 
qualities ;  our  ends  are  as  obscure  as  our  beginnings ; 
the  line  of  our  days  is  drawn  by  night,  and  the  various 
effects  therein  by  a  pensil  that  is  invisible ;  wherein 
though  we  confess  our  ignorance,  I  am  sure  we  do  not 
err  if  we  say  it  is  the  h^d  of  God. 

I  am  much  taken  with  two  verses  of  Lucan,  since  I 
have  been  able  not  onely,  as  we  do  at  School,  to 
construe,  but  understand : 

Victunsjiu  Dei  ettant,  ut  viven  dutmt, 
Felix  esse  mori. 

We're  all  deluded,  vainly  searching  ways 
To  maVe  us  happy  by  the  length  of  days  ; 
For  cunningly  to  make's  protract  this  breath, 
The  Gods  conceal  the  happiness  of  Death. 

There  be  many  excellent  strains  in  that  Poet,  where- 
with his  Stoical  Genius  hath  liberally  supplied  him ; 
and  truely  there  are  singular  pieces  in  the  Philosophy 
of  Zeno,  and  doctrine  of  the  Stoicks,  which  I  perceive, 
delivered  in  a  Pulpit,  pass  for  current  Divinity:  yet 
herein  are  they  in  extreams,  that  can  allow  a  man  to  be 
his  own  Assassine,  and  so  highly  extol  the  end  and 
suicide  of  Cato.    This  is  indeed  not  to  fear  death,  but 


Religio  Medici 


49 


yet  to  be  afraid  of  life.  It  is  a  brave  act  of  valour  to 
contemn  death;  but  where  life  is  more  terrible  than 
death,  it  is  then  the  truest  valour  to  dare  to  live.  And 
herein  Religion  hath  taught  us  a  noble  example ;  for  all 
the  valiant  acts  of  Curtius,  Scevola,  or  Codrus,  do  not 
parallel  or  match  that  one  of  Job ;  and  sure  there  is  no 
torture  to  the  rack  of  a  disease,  nor  any  Ponyards  in 
death  it  self  like  those  in  the  way  or  prologue  to  it. 

Emori  nolo,  sed  m  lue  mjrtuum  nihU  euro. 
I  wonld  not  die,  but  care  not  to  be  dead. 

Were  I  of  Caesar's  Religion,  I  should  be  of  his  desires, 
and  wish  rather  to  go  off  at  one  blow,  then  to  be  sawed 
m  pieces  by  the  grating  torture  of  a  disease.  Men 
that  look  no  farther  than  their  outsides,  think  health 
an  appurtenance  unto  life,  and  quarrel  with  their  con- 
stitutions for  being  sick;  but  I,  that  have  examined 
the  parts  of  man,  and  know  upon  what  tender  filaments 
that  Fabrick  hangs,  do  wonder  that  we  are  not  always 
so ;  and,  considering  the  thousand  doors  that  lead  to 
death,  do  thank  my  God  that  we  can  die  but  once. 
'Tis  not  onely  the  mischief  of  diseases,  and  the  villany 
of  poysons,  that  make  an  end  of  us ;  we  vainly  accuse 
the  fury  of  Guns,  and  the  new  inventions  of  death ;  it 
IS  m  the  power  of  every  hand  to  destroy  us,  and  we  are 
beholding  unto  every  one  we  meet,  he  doth  not  kill  us. 
There  is  therefore  but  one  comfort  left,  that,  though  it 
be  in  the  power  of  the  weakest  arm  to  take  away  life, 
it  is  not  in  the  strongest  to  deprive  us  of  death :  GoD 
would  not  exempt  Himself  from  that,  the  misery  of 
immortality  in  the  flesh.  He  undertook  not  that  was 
immortal.  Certainly  there  is  no  happiness  within  this 
circle  of  flesh,  nor  is  it  in  the  Opticks  of  these  eyes  to 
behold  fehcity.  The  first  day  of  our  Jubilee  is  Death ; 
the  Devil  hath  therefore  failed  of  his  desires :  we  are 
happier  with  death  than  we  should  have  been  without 
it :  there  is  no  misery  but  in  himself,  where  there  is  no 
end  of  misery ;  and  so  indeed,  in  his  own  sense,  the 
Stoick  IS  in  the  right.   He  forgets  that  he  can  dye  who 


50 


Religio  Medici 


complains  of  misery;  we  are  in  the  power  of  no 
calamity  while  death  is  in  our  own. 

Now,  besides  this  literal  and  positive  kind  of  death, 
there  are  others  whereof  Divines  make  mention,  and 
those,  I  think,  not  meerly  Metaphorical,  as  mortifica- 
tion, dying  unto  sin  and  the  World.  Therefore,  I 
say,  every  man  hath  a  double  Horoscope,  one  of  his 
humanity,  his  birth;  another  of  his  Christianity,  his 
baptism ;  and  from  this  do  I  compute  or  calculate  my 
Nativity,  not  reckoning  those  Horn  comimsta  and  odd 
days,  or  esteeming  my  self  any  thing,  before  I  was  my 
Saviours,  and  inroUed  in  the  Register  of  Christ. 
Whosoever  enjoys  not  this  life,  I  count  him  but  an 
apparition,  though  hp  wear  about  him  the  sensible 
affections  of  flesh.  In  these  moral  acceptions,  the  way 
to  be  immortal  is  to  dye  daily :  nor  can  I  think  I  have 
the  true  Theory  of  death,  when  I  contemplate  a  skull, 
or  behold  a  Skeleton,  with  those  vulgar  imaginations  it 
casts  upon  us ;  I  have  therefore  enl^ged  that  common 
Memento  mori,  into  a  more  Christian  memorandum, 
Memento  quatuor  Novissima,  those  four  inevitable  points 
of  us  all.  Death,  Judgement,  Heaven,  and  Hell.  Neither 
did  the  contemplations  of  the  Heathens  rest  in  their 
graves,  w-ithout  a  further  thought  of  Rhadamanth,  or 
some  judicial  proceeding  after  death,  though  in  anoUier 
way,  and  upon  suggestion  of  their  natural  reasons.  I 
cannot  but  marvaol  from  what  Sibyl  or  Oracle  they 
stole  the  Prophesie  of  the  Worlds  destruction  by  fire, 
or  whence  Lucan  learned  to  say, 

Communis  mamlo  t»ptrtst  ngus,  ossOms  aitra 
Misturus. 

There  yet  remains  to  th'  World  one  common  Fire, 
Wlierein  our  bones  with  stars  shall  make  one  Pyre. 

I  believe  the  World  grows  near  its  end,  yet  is  neither 
old  nor  decayed,  nor  shall  ever  perish  upon  the  mines 
of  its  own  Principles.  As  the  work  of  Creation  was 
above  Nature,  so  is  its  adversary,  aimihilation ;  with- 
out which  the  World  hath  not  its  end,  but  its  mutation. 
Now  what  force  should  be  able  to  constmie  it  thus  far, 


Religio  Medici 


51 


without  the  breath  of  God,  which  is  the  truest  con- 
suming  flame,  my  Philosophy  cannot  inform  me. 
Some  believe  there  went  not  a  minute  to  the  Worlds 
creation,  nor  shall  there  go  to  its  destruction ;  those  six 
days,  so  punctually  described,  make  not  to  them  one 
moment,  but  rather  seem  to  manifest  the  method  and 
Idea  of  the  great  work  of  the  mtellect  of  God,  than  the 
manner  how  He  proceeded  in  its  operation.  I  cannot 
dream  that  there  should  be  at  the  last  day  any  such 
Judicial  proceeding,  or  calling  to  the  Bar,  as  indeed  the 
Scripture  seems  to  imply,  and  the  literal  Commentators 
do  conceive :  for  unspeakable  mysteries  in  the  Scrip- 
tures are  often  delivered  in  a  vulgar  and  illustrative 
way ;  and,  bemg  written  unto  man,  are  delivered,  not 
as  they  truel^^  are,  but  as  they  may  be  understood ; 
wherein,  notwithstanding,  the  different  interpretations 
accordmg  to  different  capacities  may  stand  firm  with 
our  devotion,  nor  be  any  way  prejudicial  to  each  single 
edification. 

_  Now  to  determine  the  day  and  year  of  this  inevitable 
time,  is  not  onely  convincible  and  statute-madness,  but 
also  manifest  impiety.  How  shall  we  interpret  Elias 
six  thousand  years,  or  imagine  the  secret  communicated 
to  a  Rabbi,  which  God  hath  denyed  unto  His  Angels  ? 
It  had  been  an  excellent  Quaere  to  have  posed  the 
Devil  of  Delphos,  and  must  needs  have  forced  him  to 
some  strange  amphibology.  It  hath  not  onely  mocked 
the  predictions  of  sundry  Astrologers  in  Ages  past,  but 
the  prophesies  of  many  melancholy  heads  in  these 
present;  who,  neither  understanding  reasonably  things 
past  or  present,  pretend  a  knowledge  of  things  to  come; 
heads  ordained  onely  to  manifest  the  incredible  effects 
of  melancholy,  and  to  fulfil  old  prophecies  rather  than 
be  the  authors  of  new.  In  those  days  there  sliall  come 
Wars  and  rumours  of  Wars,  to  me  seems  no  prophecy, 
but  a  constant  truth,  in  all  times  verified  since  it  was 
pronounced.  There  shall  he  signs  in  the  Moon  and  Stars; 
how  comes  He  then  like  a  Thief  in  the  night,  when  He 
gives  an  item  of  His  coming  ?  That  common  sign 
drawn  from  the  revelation  of  Antichrist,  is  as  obscure 


Religio  Medici 


52 

as  any  :  in  our  common  compute  He  hath  h..n 

expectation  of  LrgfeaPjubSee"'  "°°  ^"'^  "^  ^" 
,»*£-kV^  the  day  that  must  make  good  that  ereat 
attnbute  of  God,  His  Justice;  that  must  r«:o?d?; 
hose  m«mswerable  douk  that  torm^f  thrwUest 
understandings ;  and  reduce  those  seeming  ineauldities 

andrespect.vedistributionsinthisworTd?toanS?J 
and  recompensive  Justice  in  the  next     Th?,^.  7i,5^ 

w?nt't'f*''^^''^i  '°?''"'«  and  comprehend  aS  Sa 
Arfnrc        V*=  ^'«'«i".  «»  in  the  last  scene.  aU^e 

CatestronhT„f?v '•  *°  •='?'"?'«''  =»'»  "^e  up  ^e 
mtm^  ?.  !i,  ^  **"f  ^^^*  P'*^"-  This  is  the  day  whose 
r,r^i^*u°°"'y  P°^"  to  °^e  us  honen  m  thS 
dark,  and  to  be  vertuous  without  a  witness 

Ipsa  sui  pretium  virtus  tibi, 

that  Vertue  is  her  own  reward  U  f-  .<  ™ u      ■     ■  . 

^ult  n    h'°'""°°  °xi  J^'^'  to  ^e  honest  wUhn't, 
thought  of  Heaven  or  Hell :  and  indeed  I  found,  "upon 


Religio  Medici  53 

?h.??""'i!f'"°**^  '^^  ''"^^  'oy^ty  nnto  virtue, 
that  I  could  serve  her  without  a  live^ ;  yet  not  in  that 
resolved  and  venerable  way.  but  that  the^f«ilty  oVmy 
hr^lt'hT°^  f /'  temptetion,  might  be  induced  ti 
foMrether.  The  life,  therefore,  and  spirit  of  all  our 
fw"  ^.i'  u  "^"surrection,  and  a  stable  apprehension 
that  our  ashes  shall  enjoy  the  fruit  of*^  our  pious 

and  those  impiet.es  of  Lucian,  Euripides,  and  Tuliai 
are  no  blasphemies,  but  subtle  verities,  and  A  theists 
have  been  the  onely  PhUosophers.  ^'losts 

F,i;K''/''^V"'*  ^f^  ""^'  '«  °°  question  of  my 
m«r  Pi!°.  T"  °fJy  possibilities,  is  not  Faith,  but 
meer  Philosophy.  Manv  things  are  true  in  Divinity, 
which  are  neither  mduciSle  by  reason,  nor  confirmable 
^  sense ;  and  many  things  in  Philosophy  confirmable 
by  sense,  yet  not  inducibfe  by  reason,  thus  it  is  im! 
possible  by  any  solid  or  demonstrative  reasons  to 
peiswade  a  man  to  believe  the  conversion  of  the  Needle 
to  the  North ;  though  this  be  possible,  and  true,  and 

!!f  ^  "t  u  r  '  "?°°  *  "°«'«  experiment  unto  the 
senM.  I  believe  that  our  estranged  and  divided  ashes 
s^l  miite  again;  that  our  separated  dust,  after  so 
many  Pilgrimages  and  transformations  into  the  parts 
of  Minerals,  Plants,  Animals,  Elements,  shall  at  the 
Voice  of  God  return  into  their  primitive  shapes,  and 
loyn  agam  to  make  up  their  primary  and  predestinate 
forms.  As  at  the  Creation  there  was  a  separation  of 
that  confused  mass  into  Its  specits;  so  at  the  destruc- 
tion thereof  there  shall  be  a  separation  into  its  distinct 
tadividuals.  As  at  the  Creation  of  the  World,  all  the 
distinct  species  that  we  behold  lay  invoU.d  in  one 
mass  till  the  fruitful  Voice  of  Gou  separated  this 
united  multitude  into  its  several  species;  so  at  the  last 
■  ^/u  Tfr,.*"^^  corrupted  reliques  shall  be  scattered 
in  the  Wilderness  of  forms,  and  seem  to  have  foreot 
their  proper  habits,  God  by  a  powerful  Voice  s&ll 


'     f  .,    — ,  •"'  r        "J  "  Huwciiui    voice  snail 

command  them  back  into  their  proper  shapes,  and  call 
them  out  bv  their  sinde  individuals.  Then  shall 
appear  the  fertility  of  Adam,  and  the  magick  of  that 


54 


Religio  Medici 


sperm  that  hath  dilated  into  so  many  millions.  I  have 
often  beheld  as  a  miracle,  that  artificial  resurrection 
and  revivification  of  Mercury,  how  being  mortified  into 
a  thousand  shapes,  it  assumes  again  its  own,  and 
returns  into  its  numerical  self.  Let  us  speak  naturally 
and  like  Philosophers,  the  forms  of  alterable  bodies  in 
these  sensible  corruptions  perish  not;  nor,  as  we 
imagine,  wholly  quit  their  mansions,  but  retire  and  con- 
tract themselves  into  their  secret  and  unaccessible 
parts,  where  they  may  best  protect  themselves  from 
the  action  of  their  Antagonist  A  plant  or  vegetable 
consumed  to  ashes  to  a  contemplative  and  school- 
Philosopher  seems  utterly  destroyed,  and  the  form  to 
have  taken  his  leave  for  ever;  but  to  a  sensible  Artist 
the  forms  are  not  perished,  but  withdrawn  into  their 
mcombustible  part,  where  they  lie  secure  from  the 
action  of  that  devouring  element.  This  is  made  good 
by  experience,  which  can  from  the  Ashes  of  a  Plant 
revive  the  plant,  and  from  its  cinders  recall  it  into  its 
stalk  and  leaves  again.  What  the  Art  of  man  can  do 
m  these  inferiour  pieces,  what  blasphemy  is  it  to  affirm 
the  finger  of  God  cannot  do  in  these  more  perfect  and 
sensible  structures  I  This  is  that  mystical  Philosophy, 
from  whence  no  true  Scholar  becomes  an  Atheist,  but 
from  the  visible  effects  of  nature  grows  up  a  real 
Divine,  and  beholds  not  in  a  dream,  as  Ezekiel,  but  in 
an  ocular  and  visible  object,  the  types  of  his  resurrec- 
tion. 

Now,  the  necessary  Mansions  of  our  restored  selves 
are  those  two  contrary  and  incomparable  places  we 
call  Heavtn  and  Hill.  To  define  them,  or  strictly  to 
determine  what  and  where  these  are,  surpasseth  my 
Divinity.  That  elegant  Apostle,  which  seemed  to 
have  a  glimpse  of  Heaven,  hath  left  but  a  negative 
description  thereof ;  which  neither  eye  hath  seen,  nor  ear 
hath  heard,  nor  can  enter  into  the  heart  of  man :  he  was 
translated  out  of  himself  to  behold  it;  but,  being 
returned  into  himself,  could  not  express  it.  St.  John's 
description  by  Emerals,  Chrysolites,  and  precious 
Stones,  is  too  weak  to  express  the  material  Heaven  wa 


Religio  Medici 


55 


behold.  Briefly  therefore,  where  the  Soul  hath  the  full 
measure  and  complement  of  happiness;  where  the 
boundless  ap{>etite  of  that  spirit  remains  compleatly 
satisfied,  that  it  can  neither  desire  addition  nor  altera- 
tion;  that,  I  think,  is  truly  Heaven :  and  this  can  onely 
be  in  the  injoyment  of  that  essence,  whose  infinite 
goodness  is  able  to  terminate  the  desires  of  it  self,  and 
the  ursatiable  wishes  of  ours :  wherever  God  will  thus 
manifest  Himself,  there  is  Heaven,  though  within  the 
circle  of  this  sensible  world.  Thus  the  Soul  of  man 
may  be  in  Heaven  any  where,  even  within  the  limits 
of  his  own  proper  body ;  and  when  it  ceaseth  to  live 
in  the  body,  it  may  remain  in  its  own  soul,  that  is,  its 
Creator :  and  thus  we  may  say  that  St.  Paul,  vfktthir 
in  (lie  body,  or  out  of  tht  body,  was  yet  in  Heaven.  To 
place  it  in  the  Empyreal,  or  beyond  the  tenth  sphear, 
IS  to  forget  the  world's  destruction;  for,  when  this 
sensible  world  shall  be  destroyed,  all  shall  then  be  here 
as  it  is  now  there,  an  Empyreal  Heaven,  a  quasi 
vacuity ;  when  to  ask  where  Heaven  is,  is  to  demand 
where  the  presence  of  God  is,  or  where  we  have  the 
ylory  of  that  happy  vision.  Moses,  that  was  bred  up 
m  all  the  learning  of  the  Egyptians,  committed  a  gross 
absurdity  in  Philosophy,  when  with  these  eyes  of  flesh 
he  desired  to  see  God,  and  petitioned  his  Maker,  that 
is.  Truth  it  self,  to  a  contradiction.  Those  that  imagine 
Heaven  and  Hell  neighbours,  and  conceive  a  vicinity 
between  those  two  extreams,  upon  consequence  of  the 
Parable,  where  Dives  discoursed  with  Lazarus  in 
Abraham's  bosome,  do  too  grosly  conceive  of  those 
glorified  creatures,  whose  eyes  shall  easily  oiit-see  the 
bun,  and  behold  without  a  perspective  the  extreamest 
distances :  for  if  there  shall  be  in  our  glorified  eyes, 
the  faculty  of  sight  and  reception  of  objects,  I  could 
think  the  visible  species  there  to  be  in  as  tmlimitable 
a  way  as  now  the  intellectual.  I  grant  that  two  bodies 
placed  )  eyond  the  tenth  sphear,  or  in  a  vacuity,  ac- 
cording to  Aristotle's  Philosophy,  could  not  behold 
each  other,  because  there  wants  a  body  or  Medium  to 
hand  and  transport  the  visible  rays  of  the  object  unto 


56 


Religio  Medici 


the  sense;  hot  when  thei«  shall  be  a  general  defect  of 
either  Medium  to  convey,  or  light  to  prepare  and 
dispose  that  Medium,  and  yet  a  perfect  vision,  we 
must  suspend  the  rules  of  our  Philosophy,  and  make  all 
good  by  a  more  absolute  piece  of  opticks. 

I  cannot  tell  how  to  say  that  fire  is  the  essence  of 
well :   1   know  not  what  to  make  of  Purgatory,  or 
conceive  a  flame  that  can  either  prey  upon,  or  purifie 
the  substance  of  a  Soul.    Those  flames  of  sulphur 
mention  d  in  the  Scriptures,  I  take  not  to  be  under- 
stood of  this  present  Hell,  but  of  that  to  come,  where 
are  shall  make  up  the  complement  of  our  tortures,  and 
have  a  body  or  subject  wherein  to  manifest  its  tyranny, 
boine,  who  have  had  the  honour  to  be  textuary  in 
Divmitv,  are  of  opinion  it  shall  be  the  same  specifical 
lire  with  ours.     This  is  hard  to  conceive ;  yet  can  I 
m^e  good  how  even  that  may  prey  upon  our  bodies, 
and  yet  not  consume  us :  for  in  this  material  World 
there  are  bodies  that  persist  invincible  in  the  power- 
fullest  flames ;  and  though  by  the  action  of  fire  they 
fall  mto  Ignition  and  liquation,  yet  will  they  never 
suffer  a  destruction.    I  would  gladly  know  how  Moses 
w-.th  an  actual  fire  calcined  or  burnt  the  Golden  Calf 
unto  powder:  for  that  mystical  metal  of  Gold,  whose 
solary  and  celestial  nature  I  admire,  exposed  unto  the 
violence  of  fire,  grows  onely  hot,  and  liquifies,  but 
consumeth  not;  so,  when  the  consumable  and  volatile 
pieces  of  our  bodies  shall  be  refined  into  a  more  im- 
pregnable  and  fixed  temper  like  Gold,  though  they 
suffer  from  the  action  of  flames,  they  shall  never  perish 
but  lye  immortal  in  the  arms  of  fire.    And  surely,  if 
this  frame  must  suffer  onely  by  the  action  of  this 
element,  there  will  many  bodies  escape ;  and  not  onely 
Heaven,  but  Earth  will  not  be  at  an  end,  but  rather  a 
begiiining.     For  at  present  it  is  not  earth,  but  a  com- 
position of  fire,  water,  earth,  and  air ;  but  at  that  time, 
spoiled  of  these  ingredients,  it  shall  appear  in  a  sub- 
stance more  like  it  self,  its  ashes.     Philosophers  that 
opinioned  the  worlds  destruction  by  fire,  did  never 
dream  of  annihilation,  which  is  beyond  the  power  of 


Religio  Medici 


57 


•ublunary  causes;  for  the  last  and  proper  n  tio  -  of 
that  element  is  but  vitrification,  or  a  reductior     f  a 
body  into  glass ;  and  therefore  some  of  our  Chy.,ucl<s 
facetiously  affirm,  that  at  the  last  firn  all  shall  be 
chnstallized  and  reverberated  into  glii.is,  which  is  the 
utmost  action  of  that  element.    Nor  med  we  fear  this 
term,  atmihilation,  or  wonder  that  God  will  destroy  the 
works  of  his  Creation ;  for  man  Fi.!isisting,  who  is,  and 
will  then  truely  appear,  a  Microc   ,m,  the  world  cannot 
be  said  to  be  destroyed.     For  tlir  -j  -s  of  God,  and 
perhaps  also  of  our  glorified  helips^  'hill  ns    eally 
behold  and  contemplate  the  World  in  its  r^iitome  or 
contracted  essence,  as  now  it  doth  it  \^x.'.  ar.il  in  its 
dUated  substance.      In  the  seed  of  a  "l.inr  to  the 
eyes  of  God,  and  to  the  understanding  ol  rr  m,  there 
exists,  though  in  an  invisible  way,  the  perfect  leaves 
flowers,  and  fruit  thereof;  for  things  that  are  in  posst 
to  the  sense,  are  actually  existent  to  the  undtrs; landing 
Thus  God  beholds  all  things.  Who  contemplates  m 
fully  His  works  in  their  Epitome,  as  in  their  full 
volume  ;  and  beheld  as  amply  the  whole  world  in  that 
little  compendium  of  the  sixth  day,  as  in  the  scattered 
and  dilated  pieces  of  those  five  before. 

Men  commonly  set  forth  the  torments  of  Hell  by 
fire,  and  the  extremity  of  corporal  afflictions,  and 
describe  Hell  m  the  same  method  that  Mahomet  doth 
Heaven.  This  indeed  makes  a  noise,  and  drums  in 
popular  ears :  but  if  this  be  the  terrible  piece  thereof 
It  IS  not  worthy  to  stand  in  diameter  with  Heaven' 
whose  happiness  consists  in  that  part  tliat  is  best  able 
to  comprehend  it,  that  immortal  essence,  that  translated 
divinity  and  colony  of  God,  the  Soul.  Surely,  though 
we  place  Hell  under  Earth,  the  Devil's  walk  and 
purlue  is  about  it :  men  spc'k  too  popularly  who  place 
It  m  those  flaming  mountains,  which  to  grosser  appre- 
hensions represent  Hell.  The  heart  of  man  is  the  -face 
Devils  dwell  in:  I  feel  sometimes  a  Hell  wir.  ;  my 
self ;  Lucifer  keeps  his  Court  in  my  breast.  Legion  is 
revived  in  me.  There  are  as  many  HeUs,  as  .Anax- 
agons  conceited  worlds.    There  was  more  than  one 


58 


Religio  Medici 


Hell  in  Magdalene,  when  there  were  seven  Devils,  for 
eveiy  Devil  is  an  Hell  unto  himself ;  he  holds  enough 
of  torture  in  his  own  ubi,  and  needs  not  the  misery  of 
circumference  to  afflict  him:  and  thus  a  distracted 
Conscience  here,  is  a  shadow  or  introduction  unto  Hell 
hereafter.  Who  can  but  pity  the  merciful  intention 
of  those  hands  that  do  destroy  themselves  ?  the  Devil, 
were  it  in  his  power,  would  do  the  like  ;  which  being 
impossible, 'his  miseries  are  endless,  and  he  suffers 
most  in  that  attribute  wherein  he  is  impassible,  his 
immortality, 

I  thank  God,  and  with  joy  I  mention  it,  I  was 
never  afraid  of  Hell,  nor  never  grew  pale  at  the 
description  of  that  place.  I  have  so  fixed  my  con- 
templations on  Heaven,  that  I  have  almost  forgot  the 
Idea  of  Hell,  and  am  afraid  rather  to  lose  the  Joys  of 
the  one,  than  endure  the  misery  of  the  other :  to  be 
deprived  of  them  is  a  perfect  Hell,  and  needs, 
methinks,  no  addition  to  co;  . :  .at  our  afflictions. 
That  terrible  term  hath  never  detained  me  from  sin, 
nor  do  I  owe  any  good  action  to  the  name  thereof.  I 
fear  God,  yet  am  not  afraid  of  Him :  His  Mercies 
make  me  ashamed  of  my  sins,  before  His  Judgements 
afraid  thereof.  These  are  the  forced  and  secondary 
method  of  His  wisdom,  which  He  useth  but  as  the 
last  remedy,  and  upon  provocation ;  a  course  rather 
to  deter  the  wicked,  than  incite  the  virtuous  to  His 
worship.  I  can  hardly  think  there  was  ever  any 
sacred  mto  Heaven ;  they  go  the  fairest  way  to  Heaven 
that  would  serve  God  without  a  Hell;  other 
Mercenaries,  that  crouch  into  Him  in  fear  of  Hell, 
though  they  term  themselves  the  servants,  are  indeed 
but  the  slaves,  of  the  Almighty. 

And  to  be  true,  and  speak  my  soul,  when  I  survey 
the  occurrences  of  my  life,  and  call  into  account  the 
Finger  of  God,  I_  can  perceive  nothing  but  an  abyss 
and  mass  of  mercies,  either  in  general  to  mankind,  or 
in  particular  to  my  self.  And  (whether  out  of  the 
prejudice  of  my  aifection,  or  an  inverting  and  partial 
conceit  of  His  mercies,  I  know  not ;  but)  those  which 


Religio  Medici  59 

others  term  crosses,  aflaictions,  judgements,  misfortunes, 
to  me,  who  inquire  farther  into  them  then  their  visible 
effects,  they  both  appear,  and  in  event  have  ever 
proved,  the  secret  and  dissembled  favours  of  His 
affection.     It  is  a  singular  piece  of  Wisdom  to  appre- 
hend truly,  and  without  passion,  the  Works  of  God 
and  so  well  to  distinguish  His  Justice  from  His  Mercy' 
as  not  to  miscall  those  noble  i^ttributes :  yet  it  is  like- 
wise an  honest  piece  of  Logick,  so  to  dispute  and 
argue  the  proceedings  of  God,  as  to  distinguish  even 
His  judgments  into  mercies.    For  God  is  merciful 
unto  all,  because  better  to  the  worst  than  the  best 
deserve ;  and  to  say  He  punisheth  none  in  this  World, 
though  It  be  a  Paradox,  is  no  absurdity.    To  one  that 
hath  committed  Murther,  if  the  Judge  should  only 
ordam  a  Fine,  it  were  a  madness  to  call  this  a  punish- 
ment, and  to  repine  at    the   sentence,  rather  than 
admire  the  clemency  of  the  Judge.    Thus,  our  offences 
being  mortal,  and    deservmg   not  only   Death,  but 
Damnation,  if  the  goodness  of  God  be  content  to 
traverse  and  pass  them  over  with  a  loss,  misfortune 
or  disease,  what  frensie  were  it  to  term  this  a  punish- 
ment rather  than  an  extremity  of  mercy,  and  to  groan 
under  the  rod  of  His  Judgements,  rather  than  admire 
flie  Scepter  of  His  Mercies !    Therefore  to  adore, 
honour,  and  admire  Him,  is  a  debt  of  gratitude  due 
from  the  obligation  of  our  nature,  states,  and  condi- 
faons ;  and  with  these  thoughts,  He  that  knows  them 
best,  will  not  deny  that  I  adore  Him.    That  I  obtain 
Heaven,  and  the  bliss  thereof,  is  accidental,  and  not 
the  intended  work  of  my  devotion  ;  it  being  a  felicity 
I  can  neither  think  to  deserve,  nor  scarce  in  modesty 
to  expect.    For  these  two  ends  of  us  all,  either  as 
rewards  or  punishments,  are  mercifully  ordained  and 
disproportionably  disposed  unto  our  actions ;  the  one 
being  so  far  beyond  our  deserts,  the  other  so  infinitely 
below  our  demerits. 

There  is  no  Salvation  to  those  that  believe  not  in 
Christ,  that  is,  say  some,  since  His  Nativity,  and,  as 
Dmmty  affirmeth,  before  also ;  which  makes  me  much 


6o 


Religio  Medici 


apprehend  the  ends  of  those  honest  Worthies  and 
Philosophers  which  dyed  before  His  Incarnation.  It 
is  hard  to  place  those  Souls  in  Hell,  whose  worthy  lives 
do  teach  us  Virtue  on  Earth ;  methinks,  amongst  those 
many  subdivisions  of  Hell,  there  might  have  been  one 
Limbo  left  for  these.  What  a  strange  vision  will  it  be 
to  see  their  Poetical  fictions  converted  into  Verities, 
and  their  imagined  and  fancied  Furies  into  real  Devils ! 
How  strange  to  them  will  sound  the  History  of  Adam, 
when  they  shall  suffer  for  him  they  never  heard  of  i 
when  they  who  derive  their  genealogy  from  the  Gods, 
shall  know  they  are  the  unhappy  issue  of  sinful  man ! 
It  is  an  insolent  part  of  reason,  to  controvert  the 
Works  of  God,  or  question  the  Justice  of  His  pro- 
ceedings. Could  Humility  teach  others,  as  it  hath 
instructed  me,  to  contemplate  the  infinite  and  incom- 
prehensible distance  betwixt  the  Creator  and  the 
Creature ;  or  did  we  seriously  perpend  that  one  simile 
of  St.  Paul,  Shall  the  Vessel  say  to  the  Potter,  "  Why  hast 
thou  made  me  thus?"  it  would  preveut  these  arrogant 
disputes  of  reason  ;  nor  would  we  argue  the  definitive 
sentence  of  God,  either  to  Heaven  or  Hell.  Men  that 
live  according  to  the  right  rule  and  law  of  reason,  live 
but  in  their  own  kind,  as  beasts  do  in  theirs ;  who 
justly  obey  the  prescript  of  their  natures,  and  therefore 
cannot  reasonably  demand  a  reward  of  their  actions, 
as  onely  obeying  the  natural  dictates  of  their  reason. 
It  will,  therefore,  and  must  at  last  appear,  that  all 
salvation  is  through  Christ;  which  verity,  I  fear, 
these  great  examples  of  virtue  must  confirm,  and  make 
it  good  how  the  perf  ectest  actions  of  earth  have  no  title 
or  claim  unto  Heaven. 

Nor  truely  do  I  think  the  lives  of  these,  or  of  any 
other,  were  ever  correspondent,  or  in  all  points  con- 
formable, imto  their  doctrines.  It  is  evident  that 
Aristotle  transgressed  the  rule  of  his  own  Ethicks. 
The  Stoicks  that  condemn  passion,  and  command  a 
man  to  laugh  in  Phalaris  his  Bull,  could  not  endure 
without  a  groan  a  fit  of  the  Stone  or  Colick.  The 
Scepticks  that  affirmed  they  knew  nothing,  even  in 


Religio  Medici  61 

that  opinion  confute  themselves,  and  thought  they 
knew  more  than  all  the  World  beside.     Diogenes  I 
hold  to  be  the  most  vain-glorious  man  of  his  time,  and 
more  ambitious  in  refusing  all  Honours,  than  Alexander 
m  rejecting  none.    Vice  and  ixe  Devil  put  a  Fallacy 
upon  our  Reasons,  and,  provoking  us  too  hastily  to  run 
from  it,  entangle  and  profound  us  deeper  in  it.     The 
Duke  of  Venice,  that  weds  himself  unto  the  Sea  by  a 
Ring  of  Gold,  I  will  not  argue  of  prodigality,  because 
It  js  a  solemnity  of  good  use  and  consequence  in  the 
State :  but  the  Philosopher  that  threw  his  money  into 
tide  Sea  to  avoid  Avarice,  was  a  notorious  prodigal. 
There  is  no  road  or  ready  way  to  virtue :  it  is  not  an 
e^ie  point  of  art  to  disentangle  our  selves  from  this 
nddle,  or  web  of    Sin.     To  perfect  virtue,  as    to 
Rehgion,  there  is  required  a  Pamplia,  or  compleat 
armour ;  that,  whilst  we  lye  at  close  ward  against  one 
Vice,  we  lye  not  open  to  the  venny  of  another.    And 
mdeed  wiser  discretions  that  have  the  thred  of  reason 
to  conduct  them,  offend  without  pardon;    whereas 
under-heads  may  stumble  without  dishonour.    There 
go  so  many  circumstances  to  piece  up  one  good  action, 
that  it  is  a  lesson  to  be  good,  and  we  are  forced  to  be 
virtuous  by  the  book.    Again,  the  Practice  of  men 
holds  not  an  equal  pace,  yea,  and  often  runs  counter  to 
their  Tb-^ry:  we  naturally  know  what  is  good,  but 
naturally  pursue  what  is  evU :  the  Rhetorick  wherewith 
1  perswade  another,  cannot  perswade  my  self.    There 
is  a  depraved  appetite  in  us,  that  will  with  patience 
hear  the  learned  instructions    of    Reason,  but   yet 
prform  no  farther  than  agrees  to  its  own  irregular 
humour.     In  brief,  we  all  are  monsters,  that  is,  a 
composition  of  Man  and  Beast,  wherein  we  must 
endeavour  to  be  as  the  Poets  fancy  that  wise  man 
Ch^on>  that  is,  to  have  the  Region  of  Man  above  that 
of  Beast,  and  Sense  to  sit  but  at  the  feet  of  Reason 
Lastly,  I  do  desire  with  God  that  all,  but  yet  affirm 
with  men  that  few,  shall  know  Salvation;   that  the 
bridge  IS  narrow,  the  passage  strait,  unto  life :  yet 
those  who  do  confine  the  Church  of  God,  either  to 


62 


Religio  Medici 


particular  Nations,  Churches,  or  Families,  have  made 
it  far  narrower  than  our  Saviour  ever  meant  it. 

The  vulgarity  of  those  judgements  that  wrap  the 
Church  of  God  in  Strabo's  chak,  and  restrain  it  unto 
Europe,  seem  to  me  as  bad  Geographers  as  Alexander, 
who  thought  he  had  Conquei'd  all  the  World,  when  he 
had  not  subdued  the  half  of  any  part  thereof.  For  we 
cannot  deny  the  Church  of  God  both  in  Asia  and 
Africa,  if  we  do  not  forget  the  Peregrinations  of  the 
Apostles,  the  deaths  of  the  Martyrs,  the  Sessions  of 
many  and  (even  in  our  reformed  judgement)  lawful 
Councils,  held  in  those  parts  in  the  minority  and 
nonage  of  ours.  Nor  must  a  few  differences,  more 
remarkable  in  the  eyes  of  man  than  perhaps  in  the 
judgement  of  God,  excommunicate  from  Heaven  one 
another;  much  less  those  Christians  who  are  in  a 
manner  all  Martyrs,  maintaining  their  Faith  in  the 
noble  way  of  persecution,  and  serving  God  in  the 
Fire,  whereas  we  honour  him  but  in  the  Sunshine. 
'Tis  true  we  all  hold  there  is  a  number  of  Elect,  and 
many  to  be  saved ;  yet,  take  our  Opinions  together,  and 
from  the  confusion  thereof  there  will  be  no  such  thing 
as  salvation,  nor  shall  any  one  be  saved.  For  first,  the 
Church  of  Rome  condemneth  us,  we  likewise  them ; 
the  Subreformists  and  Sectaries  sentence  the  Doctrine 
of  our  Church  as  damnable ;  the  Atomist,  or  Familist, 
reprobates  all  these ;  and  all  these,  them  again.  Thus, 
whilst  the  Mercies  of  God  do  promise  us  Heaven,  our 
conceits  and  opinions  exclude  us  from  that  place. 
There  must  be,  therefore,  more  than  one  St.  Peter : 
particular  Churches  and  Sects,  usurp  the  gates  oi 
Heaven,  and  turn  the  key  against  each  other ;  and  thus 
we  go  to  Heaven  against  each  others  wills,  conceits, 
and  opinions,  and,  with  as  much  uncharity  as  ignor- 
ance, do  err,  I  fear,  in  points  not  only  of  our  own,  but 
one  anothers  salvation. 

I  believe  many  are  saved,  who  to  man  seem  repro- 
bated ;  and  many  are  reprobated,  who,  in  the  opinion 
and  sentence  of  man,  stand  elected.  There  will  appear 
at  the  Last  day  strange  and  unexpected  examples  both 


■■mami^msmm^issMSimji^m^mM 


.<*? 


Religio  Medici 


63 


of  His  Justice  and  His  Mercy ;  and  therefore  to  define 
either,  is  folly  in  man,  and  insolency  even  in  the  Devils. 
Those  acute  and  subtil  spirits,  in  all  their  sagacity,  can 
terdly  divine  who  shaU  be  saved ;  which  if  they  could 
Prognostick,  their  labour  were  at  an  end,  nor  need 
they  compass  the  earth  seeking  whom  they  may  devour. 
Those  who,  upon  a  rigid  application  of  the  Law,  sen- 
tence  Solomon  unto  damnation,  condemn  not  onely 
him,  but  themselves,  and  the  whole  World :  for,  by 
the  Letter  and  written  Word  of  God,  we  are  without 
exception  in  the  state  of  Death ;  but  there  is  a  pre- 
rogative of  God,  and  an  arbitrary  pleasure  above  the 
I  Letter  of  His  own  Law,  by  which  alone  we  can  pre- 
;  tend  unto  Salvation,  and  through  which  Solomon  might 
be  as  easily  saved  as  those  who  condemn  him. 

The  number  of  those  who  pretend  unto  Salvation, 
and  those  infinite  swarms  who  think  to  pass  through 
the  eye  of  this  Needle,  have  much  amazed  me.    That 
name  and  compellation  of  little  Flock,  doth  not  comfort, 
but  deject,  my  Devotion ;  especially  when  I  reflect 
upon  mine  own  unworthiness,  wherein,  according  to 
;    my  humble  apprehensions,  I  am  below  them  all.    I 
beheve  there  shall  never  be  an  Anarchy  in  Heaven- 
but,  as  there  are  Hierarchies  amongst  the  Angels,  so 
:    shall  there  be  degrees  of  priority  amongst  the  Saints. 
Yet  IS  It  (I  protest,)  beyond  my  ambition  to  aspire  unto 
the  first  ranks  ;  my  desires  onely  are  (and  I  shall  be 
happy  therein,)  to  be  but  the  last  man,  and  bring  uo 
the  Rere  in  Heaven. 
;       Again,  I  am  confident  and  fully  perswaded,  yet  dare 
;    not  take  my  oath,  of  my  Salvation.    I  am  as  it  were 
I    sure,  and  do  believe  without  all  doubt,  that  there  is 
r   such  a  City  as  Constantinople  ;  yet  for  me  to  take  my 
j    Oath  thereon  were  a  kind  of  Perjury,  because  I  hold 
I    no  infallible  warrant  from  my  own  sense  to  confirm 
I    me  m  the  certainty  thereof.     And  truly,  though  many 
I   pretend  an  absolute  certainty  of  their  Salvation,  yet, 
I   when  an  humble  Soul  shall  contemplate  her  own  un- 
I    worthiness,  she  shall  meet  with  many  douhts  and  sud- 
denly find  how  little  we  stand  in  need  of  the  Precept 

F 


^s^isssoMrn'OKi'mmmef-^iSims^^imMi^'mw' 


64 


Religio  Medici 


of  St.  Paul,  Work  out  your  salvation  with  fiar  and 
trmbling.  That  which  is  the  cause  of  my  Election,  I 
hold  to  be  the  cause  of  my  Salvation,  which  was  the 
mercy  and  beneplacit  of  God,  before  I  was,  or  the 
foundation  of  the  World.  Btfort  Abraham  was,  I  am, 
IS  the  saymg  of  Christ  ;  yet  is  it  true  in  some  sense, 
if  I  say  U  of  my  self ;  for  I  was  not  onely  before  my 
self,  but  Adam,  that  is,  in  the  Idea  of  God,  and  the 
decree  of  that  Synod  held  from  all  Eternity.  And  in 
this  sense,  I  say,  the  World  was  before  the  Creation, 
and  at  an  end  before  it  had  a  beginning ;  and  thus  was 
I  dead  before  I  was  alive :  though  my  grave  be  Eng- 
land, my  dying  place  was  Paradise:  and  Eve  mis- 
carried of  me  before  she  conceiv'd  of  Cain. 

Insolent  zeals,  that  do  decry  good  Works  and  rely 
onely  upon  Faith,  take  not  away  merit :  for,  depending 
upon  the  efficacy  of  their  Faith,  they  enforce  the  con- 
dition of  God,  and  in  a  more  sophistical  way  do  seem 
to  challenge  Heaven.  It  was  decreed  by  God,  that 
only  those  that  lapt  in  the  water  like  Dogs,  should 
have  the  honour  to  destroy  the  Midianites ;  yet  could 
none  of  those  justly  challenge,  or  imagine  he  deserved, 
that  honour  thereupon.  I  do  not  deny  but  that  true 
Faith,  and  such  as  God  requires,  is  not  onely  a  mark 
or  token,  but  also  a  means,  of  our  Salvation;  but 
where  to  find  this,  is  as  obscure  to  me  as  my  last  end. 
And  if  our  Saviour  could  object  unto  His  own  Dis- 
ciples and  Favourites,  a  Faith,  that,  to  the  quantity  of 
a  grain  of  Mustard-seed,  is  able  to  remove  Mountains; 
surely,  that  which  we  boast  of,  is  not  any  thing,  or  at 
the  most,  but  a  remove  from  nothing.  This  is  the 
Tenor  of  my  belief ;  wherein  though  there  be  many 
things  singular,  and  to  the  humour  of  my  irregular 
self,  yet,  if  they  square  not  with  maturer  Judgements, 
I  disclaim  them,  and  do  no  further  father  them,  than 
the  learned  and  best  judgements  shall  authorize  them. 


Religio  Medici 


65 


!  THE  SECOND  PART 

P^f^i^"'  ^^^  °*^''  •^'^*  °^  Charity,  without  which 
fvt  Jh  *  ""^  °°'"'°'  ^^  °'  "°  existence,  I  have 
^S  .,^,f^''°""^  to  nourish  the  merciful  dis^sWon 
and  humane  inchnation  I  borrowed  from  my  ^ents 
and  regulate  it  to  the  written  and  prescribed  Laws  *,5 
Chanty  And  If  I  hold  the  true  A^natomy  of  my  Llf 
I  am  delmeated  and  naturaUy  framed  to  such  a^p^ce 
of  virtue ;  for  I  am  of  a  constitution  so  general,  h^? 
It  consorts  and  sympathiseth  with  all  things.  I  have 
afr^n^v^'  °'  "^''"."iosyncrasie,  in  dylt,  hum<^! 
air  any  thing.  I  wonder  not  at  the  French  for  thri^ 
dishes  of  Frogs,  Smuls  and  Toadstools,  nor  at  the  Ws 
SL  .n'T%r**  Grasshoppers:  but^ being  S^^? 
them,  maJce  them  my  common  Viands,  and  I  find  they 

?n^f Garlt  f'^^''^  ^  ^  Church-yard,  as  weU  a^ 
sl™„t  c  -^  "^^"^  ^**"  ""^  *«  presence  of  a 
StW  ^S"P1°°'  Lizard,  or  Salamander:  at  the 
X  „^  ,  7°^^.  Z  ^"P^""'  ^  ^''^  '°  ■"«  °°  desire  to 
S;L  P  *  ^*°°''  'a  •'^'^y  *«=■"•  I  ^««1  °°t  in  my  self 
ti^se  common  Antipathies  that   I   can   discover  in 

n^  Ho  f^K^t  M^*""??*  "P"&°ancesdo  not  touch  me, 
nor  do  I  behold  with  prejudice  the  French   Itali^ 

fc:  ;^  m?r=  T  ^"^"f  '  ^"'^  thdrttionsTn 
^„!-Ti      ™y  Countrymen's,  I   honour.  love,  and 
eShth  CW.  'I  ^"  ^"degree.     I  was  born  ik^e 
eighth  Chmate.  but  seem  for  to  be  framed  and  con 
stellated  unto  all.    I  am  no  Plant  that  wiUnot  prosp^ 

one  rnnn?^"*'"f  ^"-  P'^^^^'  ^"  ^^^'  ""^'^  ""to  me 
one  Countrey;  I  am  m  England  every  where  and 
under  any  Meridian.  I  have  been  shipwrack"!  y^t^ 
not  enemy  with  the  Sea  or  Winds;  I  Ln  stud/pC 
or  sleep  in  a  Tempest.     In  brief,  I  am  averi  from 

shon  H^'  "?  C°°f''?"  ^°"'''  Siye  me  the  lye  H 
?h°  nl^^  ^  absolutely  detest  or  hate  any  essence  but 
the  Devi! ;  or  bo  at  least  abhor  any  thing,  but  that  wo 


IffT"^ 


66 


Religio  Medici 


I  ' 


might  come  to  composition.  If  thee*  b«  any  among 
those  common  objects  of  hatred  I  do  contemn  and 
lauf^h  at,  it  is  that  great  enemy  of  Keftson,  Virtue  and 
Reli^on,  the  Multitude :  that  numerous  piece  of  mon- 
strosity, which,  taken  asunder,  seem  men,  and  the 
reaso  ble  creatures  of  God  ;  but,  confused  together, 
make  but  one  great  beast,  and  :-.  monstrosity  more  pro- 
di(,  :<us  than  Hydia.  It  is  no  breach  of  Charity  to  call 
these  Fools ;  it  is  the  style  all  holy  Writers  have 
afforded  them,  set  down  by  Solomon  in  Canonical 
Scripture,  and  a  point  of  our  Faith  to  believe  so. 
Neither  in  the  name  of  MuliitHdt  do  I  onely  include 
the  base  and  minor  sort  of  people ;  there  is  a  rabble 
even  amongst  the  Gentry,  a  sort  of  Plebeian  heads, 
whose  fancy  moves  with  the  same  wheel  as  these ; 
men  in  the  same  Level  with  Mechanicks,  though  their 
fortunes  do  somewhat  guild  their  infirmities,  and  their 
purses  compound  for  their  follies.  But  as,  in  casting 
account,  three  or  four  men  together  come  short  in 
account  of  one  man  placed  by  himself  below  them ;  so 
neither  are  a  troop  of  these  ignorant  Doradots  of  that 
true  esteem  and  value,  as  many  a  forlorn  person,  whose 
condition  doth  place  him  below  their  feet.  I^et  us 
speak  like  Politicians:  there  is  a  Nobility  without 
Heraldry,  a  natural  dignity,  whereby  one  man  is 
ranked  with  another,  another  filed  before  him,  accord- 
ing to  the  quality  of  his  Desert,  and  preheminence  of 
his  good  parts.  Though  the  corruption  of  these  times 
and  the  byas  of  present  practice  wheel  another  way, 
thus  it  was  in  the  first  and  primitive  Commonwealths, 
and  is  yet  in  the  integrity  and  Cradle  of  well-order'd 
Polities,  till  corruption  getteth  ground  ;  ruder  desires 
labouring  after  that  which  wiser  considerations  con- 
temn, every  one  having  a  liberty  to  amass  and  heap 
up  riches,  and  they  a  licence  or  faculty  to  do  or  pur- 
chase any  thing. 

This  general  and  indifferent  temper  of  mine  doth 
more  neerly  dispose  me  to  this  noble  virtue.  It  is  a 
happiness  to  be  bom  and  framed  unto  virtue,  and  to 
grow  up  from  the  seeds  of  nature,  rather  than  the  in- 


Religio  Medici 


67 


ocukhon  and  fowd  graffs  of  education :  yet  if  we  are 
directed  only  by  our  particular  Natures,  and  regulate 
our  mclinations  by  no  higher  rule  than  that  of  our 
reasons,  we  are  but  Moralists  ;  Divinity  wiU  still  caU 
us  Heathens.    Therefore  this  great  work  of  charity 
must  have  other  motives,  ends,  and  impulsions.    1 
give  no  alms  only  to  satisfie  the  hunger  of  my  Brother, 
but  to  fulfil  and  accomplish  the  Will  and  "Command 
ot  my  God:  I  c-.aw  not  my  purse  for  his  sake  that 
demands  it,  but  His  That  en/oyned  it:   I  relieve  no 
i   man  upon  the  Rhetorick  of  his  miseries,  nor  to  content 
,   mine  own  commiserating  disposition ;  for  this  is  still 
i   but  moral  chanty,  and  an  act  that  oweth  more  to 
passion  than  reason.    He  that  relieves  another  upon 
the  bare  suggestion  and  bowels  of  pity,  doth  not  this, 
so  much  for  his  sake  as  for  his  own;  for  by  compassion 
we  make  others  misery  our  own,  and  so,  by  relievine 
them,  we  relieve  our  selves  also.     It  is  as  erroneous  a 
conceit  to  redress  other  Mens  misfortunes  upon  the 
comnaon  considerations  of  merciful  natures,  that  it 
may  be  one  day  our  own  case ;  for  this  is  a  sinister 
and  politick  kind  of  charity,  whereby  we  leem  to 
bespeak  the  pities  of  men  in  the  like  occasions.    And 
truly  I  have  observed  that  those  professed  Eleemosy- 
naries, though  m  a  croud  or  multitude,  do  yet  direct 
Md  place  their  petitions  on  a  few  and  selected  persons  • 
there  is  surely  a  Physiognomy,  which  those  experi- 
enced and  Master  Mendicants  observe,  whereby  they 
mstantly  discover  a  merciful  aspect,  and  will  sinrie 
out  a  face  wherem  they  spy  the  signatures  and  marics 
of  Mercy.     For  there  are  mystically  in  our  faces 
certain  Characters  which  carry  in  them  the  motto  of 
our  Souls,  wherem  he  that  cannot  read  A.  B.  C.  may 
read  our  natures.    I  hold  moreover  that  there  is  a 
Ph^ognomy   or  Physiognomy,  not  only  of  Men,  but 
of  Plants  and  Vegetables;  and  in  every  one  of  tiiem 
some  outward  figures  which  hang  as  signs  or  bushes 
of  tiieu:  inward  forms.    The  Finger  of  God  hatii  left 
an  Inscription  upon  aU  His  works,  not  graphical  or 
composed  of  L«ttei     but  of  their  several  fonns,  con- 


68 


Religio  Medici 


stitutions,  parts,  and  operations,  which,  aptly  joyned 
together,  do  make  one  word  that  doth  express  their 
natures.  By  these  Letters  God  calls  the  Stars  by 
their  names ;  and  by  this  Alphabet  Adam  assigned  to 
every  creature  a  name  peculiar  to  its  Nature.  Now 
there  are,  besides  these  Characters  in  our  Faces, 
certain  mystical  figures  in  our  Hands,  which  I  dare 
not  call  meer  dashes,  strokes  d  la  volet,  or  at  random, 
because  delineated  by  a  Pencil  that  never  works  in 
vain  ;  and  hereof  I  take  more  particular  notice, 
because  I  carry  that  in  mine  own  hand  which  I  could 
never  read  of  nor  discover  in  another.  Aristotle,  I 
confess,  in  his  acute  and  singular  Book  of  Physiognomy, 
hath  made  no  mention  of  Chiromancy ;  yet  I  believe 
the  E^ptians,  who  were  neerer  addicted  to  those 
abstruse  and  mystical  sciences,  had  a  knowledge  therein, 
to  which  those  vagabond  and  counterfeit  Egyptians 
did  after  pretend,  and  perhaps  retained  a  Mw  cor- 
rupted principles,  which  sometimes  might  veriiie  their 
prognos  ticks. 

It  if,  the  common  wonder  of  all  men,  how  among  so 
many  millions  of  faces,  there  should  be  none  alike : 
now  contrary,  I  wonder  as  much  how  there  should  be 
any.  He  that  shall  consider  how  many  thousand 
several  words  have  been  carelesly  and  without  study 
composed  out  of  twenty-four  Letters ;  withal,  how 
many  hundred  lines  there  are  to  be  drawn  in  the 
Fabrick  of  one  Man,  shall  easily  find  that  this  variety 
is  necessary ;  and  it  will  be  very  hard  that  they  shjjl 
so  concur  as  to  make  one  portract  like  another.  Let 
a  Painter  carelessly  limb  out  a  million  of  Faces,  and 
you  shall  find  them  all  different ;  yea,  let  him  have  his 
Copy  before  him,  yet  after  all  his  art  there  will  remain 
a  sensible  distinction;  for  the  pattern  or  example  of 
every  thing  is  the  perfectest  in  that  kind,  whereof  we 
still  come  short,  though  we  transcend  or  go  beyond  it, 
because  herein  it  is  wide,  and  agrees  not  in  all  points 
unto  the  copy.  Nor  doth  the  smiilitude  of  Creatures 
disparage  the  variety  of  Nature,  nor  any  way  confound 
the  Works  of  God.    For  even  in  things  alike  there  is 


\ 


Religio  Medici 


69 


diversity ;  aad  those  that  do  seem  to  accord  do  numi- 
festly  disagree.  And  thns  is  man  like  God  ;  for  in  the 
same  things  that  we  resemble  Him,  we  are  utterly 
different  from  Him.    There  was  never  anything  so 

j  like  anotuer  as  in  all  points  to  concur:  there  will  ever 

swne  reserved  difference  slip  in,  to  prevent  the  identity ; 

without  which,  two  several  things  would  not  be  alike. 

but  the  same,  which  is  impossible. 

But  to  return  from  Philosopliy  to  Tharity:  I  hold 

,  not  so  narrow  a  conceit  of  this  virtue,  as  to  conceive 
that  to  give  Alms  is  onely  to  he  Charitable,  or  think  a 
piece  of  Liberality  can  comprehend  the  Total  of 
Chanty.  Divinity  hath  wisely  divided  the  act  thereof 
into  many  branches,  and  hath  taught  us  in  this  narrow 

I  way  many  paths  unto  goodness ;  as  many  ways  as  we 
may  do  good,  so  m:.ay  ways  we  may  be  charitable. 
There  are  infirmities  not  onely  of  Be  Jy,  but  of  Soul, 
and  Fortunes,  which  do  require  the  merciful  hand  of 
our  abilities.  I  cannot  contemn  a  man  for  ignorance, 
but  behold  him  with  as  much  pity  as  I  do  Lazarus. 
It  is  no  greater  Charity  to  cloath  his  body,  than 
apparel  the  nakedness  of  his  Soul.  It  is  an  honour- 
able object  to  see  the  reasons  of  other  men  wear  our 
Liveries,  and  their  borrowed  understandings  do  homage 
to  the  bounty  of  ours :  it  is  the  cheapest  way  of  bene- 
ficence,  and,  like  the  natural  charity  of  the  Sun,  illu- 
minates another  without  obscuring  itself.  To  be 
reserved  and  caitiff  in  this  part  of  goodness,  is  the 
sordidest  piece  of  covetousness,  and  more  contemptible 
than  pecuniary  Avarice.  To  this  (as  calling  my  self  a 
Scholar,)  I  am  obliged  by  the  duty  of  my  condition :  I 
make  not  therefore  my  head  a  grave,  but  a  treasure,  of 
knowledge ;  I  intend  no  Monopoly,  but  a  community, 
m  learning ;  I  study  not  for  my  own  sake  only,  but 
for  theirs  that  study  not  for  themselves.  I  envy  no 
man  that  knows  more  than  my  self,  but  pity  them  that 
know  less.  I  instruct  no  man  as  an  exercise  of  my 
knowledge,  or  with  an  intent  rather  to  nourish  and 
keep  it  alive  in  mine  own  head  then  beget  and  propa- 
gate it  in  his:  and  in  the  midst  of  all  my  endeavours 


MICROCOPY    RESOIUTION   TEST   CHART 

(ANSI  ond  ISO  TEST  CHART  rio.  2) 


1.0    [fi^  1^ 

12.2 


^  APPLIED  IIVHGE    Inc 

^Sr  1653  Ea*l   Moin   Street 

S^S  Rocheater,   New  York        14609       USA 

:^S  (716)   482  -  0300  -  Phone 

^B  (716)  288  -  5989  -  Fay 


70 


Religio  Medici 


there  is  but  one  thought  that  dejects  me,  that  my 
acquired  parts  must  perish  with  my  self,  nor  can  be 
Legacied  among  my  honoured  Friends.  I  cannot  fall 
out  or  contemn  a  man  for  an  errour,  or  conceive  why 
a  di£ference  in  Opinion  should  divide  an  affection ;  for 
Controversies,  Disputes,  and  Argumentations,  bolij  in 
Philosophy  and  in  Divinity,  if  they  meet  with  discreet 
and  peaceable  natures,  do  not  infringe  the  Laws  of 
Charity.  In  all  disputes,  so  much  as  there  is  of  passion, 
so  much  as  there  is  of  nothing  to  the  purpose;  for 
then  Reason,  like  a  bad  Hound,  spends  upon  a  false 
Scent,  and  forsakes  the  question  first  started.  And 
this  is  one  reason  why  Controversies  are  never  deter- 
mined ;  for,  though  they  be  amply  proposed,  they  are 
scarce  at  all  handled,  they  do  so  swell  with  unnecessary 
Digressions ;  and  the  Parenthesis  on  the  party  is  often 
as  large  as  the  main  discourse  upon  the  subject.  The 
Foundations  of  Religion  are  already  established,  and 
the  Principles  of  Salvation  subscribed  unto  by  all : 
there  remains  not  many  controversies  worth  a  Passion ; 
and  yet  never  any  disputed  without,  not  only  in 
Divinity,  but  in  inferiour  Arts.  What  a  /Sot/wxojuuo/xoxio 
and  hot  skirmish  is  betwixt  S.  and  T.  in  Lucian  I  How 
do  Grammarians  hack  and  slash  for  the  Genitive  case 
in  Jupitir  I  Ho\-  do  they  break  their  own  pates  to 
salve  that  of  Priscian ! 

Si  font  in  tirris,  ridmt  Democritut. 

Yea,  even  amongst  wiser  militants,  how  many  wounds 
have  been  ^ven,  and  credits  slain,  for  the  poor  victory 
of  an  opinion,  or  beggarly  conquest  of  a  distinction ! 
Scholars  are  men  of  Peace,  they  bear  no  Arms,  but 
tlieir  tongues  are  sharper  than  Actius  his  razor ;  their 
Pens  carry  farther,  and  give  a  louder  report  than 
Thunder :  I  had  rather  stand  the  shock  of  a  Basilisco, 
than  the  fury  of  a  merciless  Pen.  It  is  not  meer  Zeal 
to  Learning,  or  Devotion  to  the  Muses,  that  wiser 
Princes  Patron  the  Arts,  and  cany  an  indulgent  aspect 
onto  Scholars;  but  a  desire  to  have  their  names 
eternized  by  the  memory  of  their  writings,  and  a  fear 


Religio  Medici 


71 


of  the  revengeful  Pen  of  succeeding  ages ;  for  these 
are  the  men,  that,  when  they  have  played  their  parts, 
and  had  their  exits,  must  step  out  and  give  the  moral 
of  their  Scenes,  and  deliver  unto  Posterity  an  In- 
ventory of  their  Virtues  and  \^ces.  And  surely  there 
goes  a  great  deal  of  Conscience  to  the  compiling  of  an 
History:  there  is  no  reproach  to  the  scandal  of  a 
Story ;  it  is  3uch  an  authentick  kind  of  falshood  that 
with  authority  belies  our  good  names  to  all  Nations 
and  Posterity. 

There  is  another  offence  rnto  Charity,  which  no 
Author  hath  ever  written  of,  and  few  take  notice  of ; 
and  that's  the  reproach,  not  of  whole  professions, 
mysteries,  and  conditions,  but  of  whole  Nations, 
ivherein  by  opprobious  Epithets  we  miscall  each  other, 
and  by  an  uncharitable  Logick,  from  a  disposition  in 
a  few,  conclude  a  habit  in  all. 

Le  nmtin  Anglois,  it  U  bravaeht  Esassois, 

Et  lijal  Fratifois, 
Lt  poultrm  Romain,  h  larrm  di  Gascongni, 
L'Espagnol  superbe,  it  I'Alemanyvrmgtu. 

St.  Fiul,  that  calls  the  Cretians  lyars,  doth  it  but  in- 
directly, and  upon  quotation  of  their  own  Poet.  It  is 
as  bloody  a  thought  in  one  way,  as  Nero's  was  in 
another ;  for  by  a  word  we  wound  a  thousand,  and  at 
one  blow  assassine  the  honour  of  a  Nation.  It  is  as 
compleat  a  piece  of  madness  to  miscal  and  rave  against 
the  times,  or  thmk  to  recal  men  to  reason  by  a  fit  of 
passion.  Democritus,  that  thought  to  laugh  the  times 
into  goodness,  seems  to  me  as  deeply  Hypochondriack 
as  Heraclitus,  that  bewailed  them.  It  moves  not  my 
spleen  to  behold  the  multitude  in  their  proper  humours, 
that  is,  in  their  fits  of  folly  and  madness;  as  well 
understanding  that  wisdom  is  not  prophan'd  unto  the 
World,  and  'tis  the  priviledge  of  a  few  to  be  Vertuous. 
They  that  endeavour  to  abolish  Vice,  destroy  also 
Virtue;  for  contraries,  though  they  destroy  one  another, 
are  yet  the  life  of  one  another.  Thus  Virtue  (abolish 
vice,)  is  an  Idea.    Again,  the  community  of  sm  doth 


Religio  Medici 


72 

not  disparage  goodness ;  for  when  Vice  gains  upon  the 
major  part,  Virtue,  in  whom  it  remains,l)ecomes  more 
excellent ;  and  bemg  lost  in  some,  multiplies  its  good- 
ness  in  others  which  remain  untouched  and  persist 
I  u^Ij'?,-*^  ?1°"^  inundation.      I   can  therefore 
behold  Vice  without  a  Satyr,  content  only  with  an 
admonition,  or  instructive  reprehension;  for  Noble 
Matures,  and  such  as  are  capable  of  goodness,  are 
railed  into  vice,  that  might  as  easily  be  admonished 
into  virtue ;  and  we  should  all  be  so  far  the  Orators  of 
goodness,  as  to  protect  her  from  the  power  of  Vice, 
and  maintam  the  cause  of  injured  truth.    No  man  can 
justly  censure  or  condemn  another,  because  indeed  no 
man  truljr  knows  another.  This  I  perceive  in  my  self; 
for  I  am  m  the  dark  to  all  the  world,  and  my  nearest 
fnends  behold  me  but  in  a  cloud.    Those  that  know 
me  but  superficially,  think  less  of  me  than  I  do  of  my 
^iV  .    f  ?^  ™y  °*'^''  acquaintauce  think  more ;  God, 
Who  truly  knows  me,  knows  that  I  am  nothing;  for 
He  only  beholds  me  and  aU  the  world,  Who  looks  not 
on  us  throug-h  a  derived  ray,  or  a  trajection  of  a  sensible 
species,  but  beholds  the  substance  without  the  helps  of 
accidents,  and  the  forms  of  things  as  we  their  opera- 
tions.    Further,  no  man  can  judge  another,  because 
no  man  knows  himself:  for  we  censure  others  but  as 
they  disagree  from  that  humour  which  we  fancy  laud- 
able in  cur  selves,  and  commend  others  but  for  tl-at 
wherein  they  seem  to  quadrate  and  consent  with  -o 
bo  that,  in  conclusion,  Jl  is  but  that  we  all  conde 
belf-love.     'Tis  the  general  complaint  of  these  times! 
and  perhaps  of  those  past,  that  charity  grows  cold 
which  I  perceive  most  verified  in  those  which  most  do 
manifest  the  fires  and  flames  of  zeal ;  for  it  is  a  virtue 
tliat  best  agrees  with  coldest  natures,  and  such  as  are 
complexioned  for  humility.    But  how  shall  we  expect 
Chanty  towards  others,  when  we  are  uncharitable  to 
our  selves  ?    Charity  begins  at  home,  is  the  voice  of  the 
world  ;  yet  is  every  man  his  greatest  enemy,  and,  as 
It  were,  his  own  Executioner.   Non  occides,  is  the  Com- 
mandment of  God,  yet  scarce  observed  by  any  man  ; 


Religio  Medici 


73 


for  I  perceive  every  m:ji  is  his  own  Atropos,  and  lends 
a  hand  to  cut  the  thred  of  his  own  days.  Cain  was 
not  therefore  the  first  Murtherer,  but  Adam,  who 
brought  in  death ;  whereof  he  beheld  the  practice  and 
example  in  his  own  son  Abel,  and  saw  that  verified  in 
the  experience  of  another,  which  faith  could  not  per- 
swade  him  in  the  Theory  of  himself. 

There  is,  I  think,  no  man  that  apprehends  his  own 
miseries  less  than  my  self,  and  no  man  that  so  neerly 
apprehends  anothers.  I  could  lose  an  arm  without  s 
tear,  and  with  few  groans,  methinks,  be  quartered  into 
pieces;  yet  can  I  weep  most  seriously  at  a  Play,  and 
receive  with  true  passion  the  counterfeit  grief  of  those 
known  and  professed  Impostures.  It  is  a  barbarous 
part  of  inhumanity  to  add  unto  any  afiSicted  parties 
misery,  or  indeavour  to  multiply  in  any  man  a  passion 
whose  single  nature  is  already  above  his  patience. 
This  was  the  greatest  affliction  of  Job,  and  those 
oblique  expostulations  of  his  Friends  a  deeper  injury 
than  the  down-right  blows  of  the  Devil.  It  is  not  the 
tears  of  own  our  eyes  only,  but  of  our  friends  also,  that 
do  exhaust  the  current  of  our  sorrows ;  which,  falling  into 
many  streams,  runs  more  peaceably,  and  is  contented 
with  a  narro.ver  channel.  It  is  an  act  within  the 
power  of  charity,  to  translate  a  passion  out  of  one 
breast  into  another,  and  to  divide  a  sorrow  almost  out 
of  It  self ;  for  an  affliction,  like  a  dimension,  may  be 
so  divided,  as,  if  not  indivisible,  at  least  to  become 
msensible.  Now  with  my  friend  I  desire  not  to  share 
or  participate,  but  to  engross,  his  sorrows;  that,  by 
making  them  mine  own,  I  may  more  easily  discuss 
them ;  for  in  mine  own  reason,  and  within  my  self,  I 
can  command  that  which  I  cannot  intreat  without  my 
eelf,  and  within  the  circle  of  another.  I  have  often 
thought  those  noble  pairs  and  examples  of  friendship 
not  so  truly  Histories  of  what  had  been,  as  fictions  of 
what  should  be ;  but  I  now  perceive  nothing  in  them 
but  possibilities,  nor  any  thing  in  the  Heroick  examples 
of  Damon  and  Pythias,  Achilles  and  Patroclus,  which 
methinks  upon  some  grounds  I  could  not  perform 


74 


Religio  Medici 


within  the  narrow  co-npass  of  mv  self     Th,t  , 

1  do  conceive  how  f\L  I  "  •'®°'^^  "^  thinks 

there  's  L^fte'l^^e  <>f^°  J°^!^  "^?.  '"^  ^,^PP'"«^« 
are  three  most  mistical  uSonsitwf  ni.°''''"''-  ^^^^ 
person;  2.  threeVrsonHn  one  nltoe    f"'  '°  °"t 

ifiere  are  wonders  in  true  affection  :  it  is  a  horfv  ^f 
^wg'wa'j,   mysteries,   and    riddles  •    whir^fr.    »^ 
become  one,  as  they  both  become  ^o      ?  ll''"   '° 
fnenc:  before  my  self,  and  yet  mShinTs  I  do  nnTl""^ 


Religio  Medici 


75 

their  looks,  nor  can  our  memory  retain  the  Idea  of 
their  faces ;   and  it  is  no  wonder,  for  they  are  our 
selves,  ajid  our  affection  makes  their  looks  our  own. 
Xhis  noble  ruction  falls  not  on  vulgar  and  common 
constitutions,  but  on  such  as  are  mark'd  for  virtue  ■  he 
that  can  love  his  friend  with  this  noble  ardour  will  ir 
a  competent  degree  affect  all.    Now,  if  we  can  br^nt- 
our  affections  to  look  beyond  the  body,  and  cast  an  eye 
upon  the  soul,  we  have  found  out  the  true  object,  not 
only  of  friendship,   but   Charity;    and   the  greatest 
happiness  that  we  can  bequeath  the  soul,  is  that 
wherein  we  all  do  place  our  last  felicity,  Salvation- 
which  though  It  be  not  in  our  power  to  bestow,  it  is  in 
our  chanty  and  pious  invocations  to  desire,  if  not 
procure  and  further.    I  cannot  contentedly  frame  a 
prayer  for  my  self  in  particular,  without  a  catalogue  for 
my  friends;    nor  request  a  happiness,  wherein  my 
sociable  disposition  doth  not  desire  the  fellowship  of 
my  neighbour.    I  never  hear  the  Toll  of  a  passing 
Bell,  though  m  my  mirth,  without  my  prayers  and 
best  wishes  for  the  departing  spirit;  I  cannot  co  to 
cure  the  body  of  my  patient,  but  I  forget  my  profession, 
and  call  unto  God  for  his  soul ;  I  cannot  see  one  say 
his  prayers,  but,  in  stead  of  imitating  him,  I  fall  into 
a  supphcation  for  him,  who  perhaps  is  no  more  to  me 
than  a  common  nature :  and  if  God  hath  vouchsafed 
an  ear  to  my  supplications,  there  are  surely  many 
happy  that  never  saw  me,  and  enjoy  the  ble'isin"  of 
mine  unknown  devotions.    To  pray  for  Enemies  that 
IS,  for  their  salvation,  is  no  harsh  precept,  but  the 
practice  of  our  daily  and  ordinary  devotions.     I  cannot 
believe  the  story  of  the  Italian :  our  bad  wishes  and 
uncharitable  desires  proceed  no  further  than  this  life  • 
It  IS  the  Devil,  and  the  uncharitable  votes  of  Hell' 
that  desire  our  misery  in  the  World  to  come.  ' 

To  do  no  injury,  nor  take  none,  was  a' principle, 
which  to  my  former  years  and  impatient  affections 
seemed  to  contain  enough  of  Morality ;  but  my  more 
setled  years  and  Christian  constitution  have  fallen 
upon  severer  resolutions.     I  can  hold  there  is  no  such  * 


76 


Religio  Medici 


thing  as  injury;  that,  if  there  be,  there  is  no  such 
injury  as  revenge,  and  no  such  revenge  as  the  con- 
tempt of  an  injury  ;  that  to  hate  another,  is  to  malign 
himself ;  that  the  truest  way  to  love  another,  is  to 
despise  our  selves.  I  were  unjust  unto  mine  own 
Conscience,  if  I  should  say  I  am  at  variance  with  any 
thing  like  my  self.  I  find  there  are  many  pieces  in 
this  one  fabnck  of  man ;  this  frame  is  raised  upon  a 
mass  of  Actipathies.  I  am  one  methinks,  but  as  the 
World;  wherein  notwithstanding  there  are  a  swarm 
of  distinct  essetcss,  and  in  them  another  World  of 
contrarieties ;  we  carry  private  and  domestick  enemies 
within,  publick  and  n^ore  hostile  adversaries  without. 
The  Devil,  that  did  but  buffet  St.  Paul,  plays  methinks 
at  sharp  with  me.  Let  me  be  nothing,  if  within  the 
compass  of  my  self  I  do  not  find  the  battail  of  Lepanto, 
Passion  against  Reason,  Reason  against  Faith,  Faith 
against  the  Devil,  and  my  Conscience  against  all. 
There  is  another  man  within  me,  that's  angiy  with  me, 
rebukes,  commands,  and  dastards  me.  I  have  no 
Conscience  of  Marble  to  resist  the  hammer  of  more 
heavy  offences ;  nor  yet  so  soft  and  waxen,  as  to  take 
the  impression  of  each  single  peccadillo  or  scrape  of 
infirmity.  _  I  am  of  a  strange  belief,  that  it  is  as  easie 
to  be  forgiven  some  sins,  as  to  commit  some  others. 
For  my  Original  sin,  I  hold  it  to  be  washed  away  in 
my  Baptism :  for  my  actual  transgressions,  I  compute 
and  reckon  with  God  but  from  my  last  repentance, 
Sacrament,  or  general  absolution ;  and  therefore  am 
not  terrified  with  the  sins  or  madness  of  my  youth.  I 
thank  the  goodness  of  God,  I  have  no  sins  that  want  a 
name;  I  am  not  singular  in  offences;  my  transgressions 
are  Epidemical,  and  frorn  the  common  breath  of  our 
corruption.  For  there  are  certain  tem-ers  of  body, 
which,  matcht  with  an  humorous  depravity  of  mind, 
do  hatch  and  produce  vitiosities,  whose  newness  and 
monstrosity  of  nature  admits  no  name :  this  was  the 
temper  of  tha-  Lecher  that  fell  in  love  with  a  Statua, 
and  the  constitution  of  Nero  in  his  Spintrian  recrea- 
tions.    For  the  Heavens  are  not  only  fruitful  in  new 


iij 


Relig^o  Medici 


77 


and  unheard-of  stars,  the  Ea:th  in  plants  and  animals, 
but  mens  minds  also  in  villainy  and  vices.  Now  the 
dulness  of  my  reason,  and  the  vulgarity  of  my  disposi- 
tion, never  prompted  my  ^vention,  nor  solicited  my 
affection  unto  any  of  these ;  yet  even  those  common 
and  quotidian  infirmities  that  so  necessarily  attend  me, 
and  do  seem  to  be  my  very  nature,  have  so  dejected 
me,  so  broken  the  estimation  that  I  should  have  other- 
wise of  my  self,  that  I  repute  my  self  the  most 
abjectest  piece  of  mortality.  Divines  prescribe  a  fit 
of  sorrow  to  repentance :  there  goes  indignation,  anger, 
sorrow,  hatred,  into  mine ;  passions  of  a  contrary 
nature,  which  neither  seem  to  sute  with  this  action, 
nor  my  proper  constitution.  It  is  no  breach  of  charity 
to  our  selves,  to  be  at  variance  with  our  Vices,  nor  to 
abhor  that  part  of  us  which  is  an  enemy  to  the  ground 
of  charity,  our  God  ;  wherein  we  do  but  imitate  our 
great  selves,  the  world,  whose  divided  Antipathies  and 
contrary  faces  do  yet  carry  a  charitable  regard  unto 
the  whole,  by  their  particular  discords  preserving  the 
common  harmony,  and  keeping  in  fetters  those 
powers,  whose  rebellions,  once  Masters,  might  be  the 
ruine  of  all. 

I  thank  God,  amongst  those  millions  of  Vices  I  do 
inherit  and  hold  frr^m  Adam,  I  have  escaped  one,  aud 
that  a  mortal  enemy  to  Charity,  the  first  and  father-sin, 
not  onely  of  man,  but  of  the  devil.  Pride :  a  vice  whose 
name  is  comprehended  in  a  Monosyllable,  but  in  its 
nature  not  circumscribed  with  a  World.  I  have 
escaped  it  in  a  condition  that  can  hardly  avoid  it. 
Those  petty  acquisitids  and  reputed  perfections  that 
advance  and  elevate  the  conceits  of  other  men,  add  no 
feathers  imto  mine.  I  have  seen  a  Grammarian  towr 
and  plume  himself  over  a  single  line  in  Horace,  and 
shew  more  pride  in  the  construction  of  one  Ode,  than 
the  Author  in  the  composure  of  the  whole  oook.  For 
my  own  part,  besides  the  Jargon  and  Patois  of  several 
Provinces,  I  understand  no  less  than  six  Languages ; 
yet  I  protest  I  have  no  higher  conceit  of  my  self,  than 
had  our  Fathers  before  the  confusion  of  Babel,  whun 


78 


Religio  Medici 


there  was  but  one  Langi  he  World,  and  none 

to  boast  himself  either  Liu'  -st  or  Critick.  I  have 
not  onely  seen  several  Counti  iS,  beheld  the  nature  of 
their  Climes,  the  Chorography  of  their  Provinces, 
TopoRraphy  of  their  Cities,  but  understood  their 
several  Laws,  Customs,  and  Policies  ;  yet  cannot  all 
this  perswade  the  dulness  of  my  spirit  unto  such  an 
opinion  of  my  self,  as  I  behold  in  nimbler  and  con- 
ceited heads,  that  never  looked  a  degree  beyond  their 
Nests.  I  know  the  names,  and  somewhat  more,  of  all 
the  constellations  in  my  Horizon ;  yet  1  have  seen  a 
prating  Mariner,  that  could  onely  name  the  po'iters 
and  the  Noith  Star,  cut-talk  me,  and  conceit  himself 
a  whole  Sphere  above  me.  I  know  most  of  the  Plants 
of  my  Countrey,  and  of  those  about  me  ;  yet  methinks 
I  do  not  know  so  many  as  when  I  did  but  know  a 
hundred,  and  had  scarcely  ever  Simpled  furth.<r  than 
Chtapsidt.  For,  in  ieed,  heads  of  capacity,  and  such  as 
are  not  full  with  a  handful  or  easie  measure  of  know- 
ledge, think  they  know  nothing  till  they  know  all ;  which 
being  impossible,  they  fall  upon  the  opinion  of  Socrates, 
and  only  know  they  know  not  any  thing.  I  cannot 
think  that  Homer  pin'd  away  upon  the  riddle  of  the 
fi;>nermen ;  or  that  Aristotle,  who  understood  the  un- 
certainty of  knowledge,  ana  jnfessed  so  often  u^^ 
reason  of  man  too  weak  for  the.  works  of  nature,  did 
ever  drown  himself  upon  the  flux  and  reflux  of  Euripus. 
We  do  but  learn  to-day  vvhat  our  better  advanced 
judgements  will  unteach  to  morrow ;  and  Aristotle  doth 
but  instruct  us,  as  Plato  did  him ;  that  is,  to  confute 
himself.  I  have  run  through  all  sorts,  yet  find  no  rest 
in  any :  though  our  first  studies  and  jumir  endeavours 
may  style  us  Perjpateticks,  Stoicks,  or  Academicks; 
yet  I  perceive  the  wisest  heads  prove,  at  last,  almost 
all  Scepticks,  and  stand  like  Janus  in  the  field  of 
knowledge.  I  have  therefore  one  common  and 
authentick  Philosophy  I  learned  in  the  Schools, 
whereby  I  discourse  and  satisfy  the  reason  of  other 
men ;  another  more  reserved,  and  drawn  ''—im  ex- 
perience, whereby  I  content  mine  own.      .  olomon, 


Religio  Medici 


79 


that  complained  of  ignorance  in  the  height  of  know- 
ledge, hath  not  only  humbled  my  conceits,  but  dis- 
couraged my  endeavours.  There  is  yet  another  conceit 
that  bath  sometimes  made  me  shut  my  books,  which 
tells  rs  it  is  a  vanity  to  waste  our  days  in  the  blind 
pursuii  of  knowledge  ;  it  is  but  attending  a  little 
longer,  and  we  shall  enjoy  that  by  instinct  and  in- 
fusion, which  ■^e  endeavour  at  here  by  labour  and 
inquisition.  It  is  better  to  sit  down  in  a  modest 
ignorance,  and  rest  contented  with  the  nat^'ral  blessing 
of  our  own  reasons,  than  buy  the  uncertain  knowledge 
of  this  life  with  sweat  and  vexation,  which  Death 
gives  every  fool  gratis,  and  is  an  accessary  of  our 
glorification. 

I  was  never  yet  once,  and  commend  their  resolutions 
who  never  man?y  twice :  not  that  I  disallow  of  second 
marriage ;  as  neither,  in  all  casts,  of  Polygamy,  which, 
considering  some  times,  and  the,  unequ^  number  of 
both  sexes,  may  be  also  necessary.  The  whole  World 
was  made  for  man,  but  the  twelfth  part  of  man  for 
woman :  Man  is  the  whole  World,  and  the  Breath  if 
God  ;  Woman  the  Rib  and  crooked  piece  of  man.  I 
could  be  content  that  we  might  procreate  like  trees, 
without  conjunction,  or  that  there  were  any  way  to 
perpetuate  the  "WoM  without  this  trivial  and  vulgar 
way  of  onion:  it  is  the  foolishest  act  a  wise  man 
commits  in  all  his  life ;  nor  is  there  any  thing  that  will 
more  deject  his  cool'd  imagination,  when  he  shall 
consider  what  an  odd  and  unworthy  piece  of  folly  he 
hath  committed.  I  speak  not  in  prejudice,  nor  am 
averse  from  that  sweet  Sex,  but  n.xturally  amorous  of 
all  that  is  beautiful.  I  can  look  a  whole  day  with 
delight  upon  a  Landsome  Picture,  though  it  be  but  of 
an  Horse.  It  is  my  temper,  and  I  like  it  the  better, 
to  affect  all  harmony ;  and  sure  there  is  masick  even 
in  he  beauty,  and  the  silent  note  which  Capid  strikes, 
far  sweeter  than  the  sound  of  an  instrument.  For 
there  is  a  musick  where  ever  there  is  a  harmony,  order, 
or  proportion :  and  thus  far  we  may  maintain  the 
music  of  the  Sphears ;  for  those  well-ordered  motions, 
c 


8o 


Religio  Medici 


and  regular  paces,  though  they  give  no  sound  unto  tba 
ear,  yet  to  the  understanding  they  strike  a  note  most 
full  of  harmony.  Whosoever  is  harmonically  com- 
posed delights  m  harmony ;  which  makes  me  much 
distrust  the  symmetry  of  those  heads  which  declaim 
against  all  Church-Mustek.  For  my  self,  not  only 
from  my  obedience,  but  my  particular  Genius,  I  do 
embrace  it:  for  even  that  vulgar  and  Tavern-Musick, 
which  makes  one  man  merry,  another  mad,  strikes  in 
me  a  deep  fit  of  devotion,  and  a  profound  contempla- 
tion of  the  First  Composer.  There  is  something  ir.  it 
of  Divinity  more  than  the  ear  discovers:  it  is  an  Riero- 
glyphical  and  shadowed  lesson  of  the  whole  World,  and 
creatures  of  God  ;  such  a  melody  to  the  ear,  as  the 
whole  World,  well  understood,  would  afford  the  under- 
standing. In  brief,  it  is  a  sensible  fit  of  that  harmony 
which  intellectually  sounds  in  the  ears  of  God.  I  will 
not  say,  with  Plato,  the  soul  is  an  harmony,  but 
harmonical,  and  hath  its  nearest  sympathy  unto 
Musick :  thus  some,  whose  temper  of  body  agrees,  and 
humours  the  constitution  of  their  souls,  are  bom  Poets, 
though  indeed  all  are  naturally  inclined  unto  Rhythme. 
This  made  Tacitus,  in  the  very  first  line  of  his  Story, 
fall  upon  a  verse ;  and  Cicero,  the  worst  of  Poets,  but 
declamiiag  for  a  Poet,  fails  in  the  very  first  sentence 
upon  a  p  feet  Hexameter.  I  feel  not  in  me  those 
sordiu  ara  unchristian  desires  of  nry  profession ;  I  do 
not  secretly  implore  and  wish  for  Pl^es,  rejoyce  at 
Famines,  revolve  Ephemerides  and  Almanacks  in 
expectation  of  malignant  Aspects,  fatal  Conjunctions, 
and  Eclipses.  I  rejoyce  not  at  unwholesome  Springs, 
nor  unseasonable  Winters :  my  Prayer  goes  with  me 
Husbandman's;  I  desire  every  thing  m  its  proper 
season,  that  neither  men  nor  the  times  be  put  out  of 
temper.  Let  me  be  sick  my  self,  if  sometimes  the 
malady  of  my  patient  be  not  a  disease  unto  me.  I 
desire  rather  to  cure  his  infirmities  than  my  own 
necessities.  Where  I  do  him  no  good,  metbinks  it  is 
scarce  honest  gain;  though  I  confess  'tis  but  the 
worthy  salary  of  our  well-intended  endeavours.     I  am 


Religio  Medici  8i 

not  only  ashamed,  but  heartily  sorry,  that,  besides 
de^^h,  there  are  aiseases  incurable;  yet  not  for  my  own 
sake,  or  tlu  t  they  be  beyond  my  Art,  bi..  fir  the  general 
cause  and  sake  of  humanity,  whose  common  cause  I 
apprehend  as  mine  owi.  And  to  spealt  more  g(>nerally, 
those  three  Noble  Professions  which  all  civil  Common- 
wealths do  honour,  are  raised  upon  the  fall  of  Adam, 
and  are  not  any  way  exempt  from  their  infirmities ; 
there  are  not  oi  diseases  mcurable  in  Physick  '  i 
cases  tndissolvabie  in  Laws,  Vices  incorrigibV  i 
Divinity.  If  General  Councils  may  err,  1  do  no  -<j 
why  particular  Courts  should  be  infallible :  their  per- 
fectes  -ules  are  raised  upon  the  erroneous  reasons  of 
Man,  u.nd  the  Laws  of  one  do  but  condemn  the  rules 
of  another ;  as  Aristotle  oft-times  the  opinions  of  his 
Predecessours,  because,  though  agreeable  to  reason, 
yet  were  not  consonant  to  his  own  rules,  and  the 
Logick  of  his  proner  Principles.  Again,  (to  speak 
nothing  of  the  Sir  against  the  Holy  Ghost,  whose 
cure  not  onely,  bi  vhose  nature  is  unknown,)  I  can 
cure  the  Gout  or  btone  in  some,  sooner  than  Divinity, 
Pride,  or  Avarice  in  others.  I  can  cure  Vices  by 
Physick  when  they  remain  incur-ible  by  Divinity,  and 
shall  obey  my  Pills  when  they  c  emn  their  precepts. 
I  boast  nothing,  but  plainljr  say,  :  all  labour  agamst 
our  own  cure;  for  death  is  the  cure  of  all  diseases. 
There  is  no  Catholicon  or  universal  remedy  I  know, 
but  this ;  which,  though  nauseous  to  queasie  stomachs, 
yet  to  prepared  appetites  is  Nectar,  and  a  pleasant 
potion  of  immortality. 

For  my  Conversation,  it  is  like  the  Sun's,  with  all 
men,  and  with  a  friendly  aspect  to  good  and  bad. 
Methinks  there  is  no  man  bad,  and  the  worst,  best ; 
that  is,  while  they  are  kept  within  the  circle  of  those 
qualities  wherein  they  are  good:  there  is  no  man's 
mind  of  such  discordant  and  jarring  a  temper,  to  which 
a  tunable  disposition  may  not  strike  a  harmony. '  Magna 
virtutes,  nee  minora  vitia  ;  it  is  the  posie  of  the  best 
natures,  and  may  be  inverted  on  the  worst ;  there  are 
m    the    most    depraved  and  venemous  dispositions, 


82 


Religio  Medici 


certain  pieces  that  remain  untoucht,  which  by  an 
Autiferistasis  become  more  excellent,  or  by  the  excel- 
lency of  their  antipathies  are  able  to  preserve  them- 
selves from  the  contagion  of  their  enemy  vices,  and 
persist  intire  beyond  the  general  corruption.  For  it  is 
also  thus  in  nature :  the  greatest  Balsomes  do  lie 
enveloped  in  the  bodies  of  most  powerful  Corrosives. 
I  say,  moreover,  and  I  ground  upon  experience,  that 
poisons  contain  within  themselves  their  own  Antidote, 
and  that  which  preserves  them  from  the  venome  of 
themselves,  without  which  they  were  not  deleterious 
to  others  onely,  but  to  themselves  also.  But  it  is  the 
corruption  that  I  fear  within  me,  not  the  contagion  of 
commerce  without  nie.  'Tis  that  unruly  regiment 
within  me,  that  will  destroy  me ;  'tis  I  that  do  infect 
my  self ;  the  man  without  a  Navel  yet  lives  in  me ;  I 
feel  that  original  canker  and  corrode  and  devour  me ; 
and  therefore  Defenda  me  Dies  de  me,  "  Lord  deliver 
me  from  my  self,"  is  a  part  of  my  Letany,  and  the 
first  voice  of  my  retired  imaginations.  There  is  no 
man  alone,  because  every  num  is  a  Microcosm,  and 
carries  the  whole  World  about  him.  Nunquam  minus 
solus  quam  cum  solus,  though  it  be  the  Apothegme  of  a 
wise  man,  is  yet  true  in  the  mouth  of  a  fool.  Indeed, 
though  in  a  Wilderness,  a  man  is  never  alone,  not  only 
because  he  is  with  himself  and  his  own  thoughts,  but 
because  he  is  with  the  Devil,  who  ever  consorts  with 
our  solitude,  and  is  that  unruly  rebel  that  musters  up 
those  disordered  motions  which  accompany  our 
sequestred  imaginations.  And  to  speak  more  narrowly, 
there  is  no  such  thing  as  solitude,  nor  any  thing  that 
can  be  said  to  be  alone  and  by  itself,  but  God,  Who 
is  His  own  circle,  and  can  subsist  by  Himself;  all 
others,  besides  their  dissimilary  and  Heterogeneous 
parts,  which  in  a  manner  multiply  their  natures,  cannot 
subsist  without  the  concourse  of  God,  and  the  society 
of  that  hand  which  doth  uphold  their  natures.  In 
brief,  there  can  be  nothing  truly  alone  and  by  it  self, 
which  is  not  truly  one ;  and  such  is  only  God  :  all  others 
do  transcend  an  unity,  and  so  by  consequence  are  many. 


!i|!ii 


Religio  Medici 


83 


Now  for  my  life,  it  is  a  miracle  of  thirty  years, 
which  to  relate,  were  not  a  History,  but  a  piece  of 
Poetry,  and  would  sound  to  common  ears  like  a  Fable. 
For  the  World,  I  count  it  not  an  Inn,  but  an  Hospital; 
and  a  place  not  to  live,  but  to  dye  in.    The  world  that 
I  regard  is  my  self;  it  is  the  Microcosm  of  my  own 
frame  that  I  cast  mine  eye  on ;  for  the  other,  I  use  it 
but  like  my  Globe,  and  turn  it  round  sometimes  for 
my  recreation.     Men    that    look   upon   my  outside, 
perusing  only  my  condition  and  Fortunes,  do  err  in 
my  Altitude;   for  I  am  above  Atlas  his  shoulders. 
The  earth  is  a  point  not  only  in  respect  of  the  Heavens 
above  us,  but  of  that  heavenly  and  celestial  part  within 
us ;  that  mass  of  Flesh  that  circumscribes  me,  limits 
not  my  mind :  that  surface  that  tells  the  Heavens  it 
hath  an  end,  cannot  persuade  me  I  have  any :  I  take 
my  circle  to  be  above  three  hundred  and  sixty ;  though 
the  number  of  the  Ark  do  measure  my  body,  it  com- 
prehendeth  not  my  mind :  whilst  I  study  to  find  how  I 
am  a  Microcosm,  or  little  World,  I  find  my  self  some- 
thing more  than  the  ^eat.    There  is  surely  a  piece  of 
Divinity  in  us,  something  that  was  before  the  Elements, 
and  owes  no  homage  unto  the  Sun.    Nature  tells  me  I 
am  the  Image  of  God,  as  well  as  Scripture  :  he  that 
understands  not  thus  much,  hath  not  his  introduction 
or  first  lesson,  and  is  yet  to  begin  the  Alphabet  of  man. 
Let  me  not  injure  the  felicity  of  others,  if  I  say  I  am 
as  happy  as  any :  Ruat  calum,fiat  voluntas  Tm,  salveth 
all ;  so  that  whatsoever  happens,  it  is  but  what  our 
daily  prayers  desire.    In  brief,  I  am  content;  and 
what  should  Providence  add  more  ?    Surely  this  is  it 
we  call  Happiness,  and  this  do  I  enjoy ;  with  this 
I  am  happy  in  a  dream,  and  as  content  to  enjoy  a 
happiness  in  a  fancy,  as  others  in  a  more  apparent 
truth  and  realty.    There  is  surely  a  neerer  apprehension 
of  any  thing  that  delights  us  m  our  dreams,  than  in 
our  waked  senses:  without  this  I  were  unhappy;  for 
my  awaked  judgment  discontents  me,  ever  whisper- 
ing unto  me,  that  I  am  from  my  friend;  but  my 
friendly  dreams  in  the  night  requite  me,  and  make  me 


84 


Religio  Medici 


think  I  am  within  his  arms.  I  thank  God  for  mv 
happy  dreams,  as  I  do  for  my  good  rest;  for  there  ^ 
a  satisfaction  m  them  unto  reasonable  desires,  and 
fn^i^".*^  ^  content  with  a  fit  of  happiness  and 
surely  It  is  not  a  melancholy  conceit  to  think  we  are 
all  asleep  in  this  World,  and  that  the  conceitl  of^Ss 
wf,T  "  nieer  dreams  to  those  of  the  next ;  as  the 
J^antasms  of  the  night,  to  the  conceits  of  the  day 
There  is  an  equa^  delusion  in  both,  and  the  one  doi 
Dut  seem  to  be  the  embleme  or  picture  of  the  other  • 
we  are  somewhat  more  than  our  selves  in  our  sleeps! 
and  the  slumber  of  the  body  seems  to  be  but  tiie 
r^,"^  °^  '?"  ^'^-  ^t  "  ^  "nation  of  sense,  but 
mff  i  ^'Yfu  ''-^^°°  *  ^"/  """^  "^^S  conceptions  do 
not  match  the  Fancies  of  our  sleeps.  At  my  Nativity 
my  Ascendant  was  the  watery  sign  of  Scorpius;  I 
was  bom  in  the  Planetary  hour  of  Saturn,  and  I^Lik 
I  have  a  piece  of  that  Leaden  Planet  in  me.  I  am  no 
way  facebous,  nor  disposed  for  the  mirth  and  galliard- 

wh„?;r°'°^^i  r^>,°''*  ^^"^  ^  <^  compose  a 
whole  Comedy,  behold  the  action,  apprehend  the  jests, 
Md  laugh  my  self  awake  at  the  conceits  thereof 

S  n  ^r'y  ^'  ^^*^"'  ^^  -"y  «ason  is  then 
fruitful,  I  would  never  study  but  in  my  dreams;  and 
this  time  also  would  I  chui  for  my  devotions:  C 
T^^'  memories  have  then  so  little  hold  of  our 
abstracted  undersfmdmgs,  that  they  forget  the  story, 
and  can  only  relate  to  our  awaked  souli,  a  confused 

whn  Wk'°  *^^  °^  '^'  '}^'  ^^'^  P--^^''^-  Aristotle, 
who  hath  wntten  a  smgular  Tract  0/  SUtb,  hath  not 
methinks,  throughly  denned  it ;  nor  /et  GaKn7thoS°h 
he  seem  to  have  corrected  it;  for  those  Noctalnbuloes 
aad  mght-waJkers,  though  in  their  sleep,  do  yet  inioy 
fWth  °°-°^  their  senses.  We  must  therefore  iay 
that  there  IS  something  m  us  that  is  not  in  the  juris- 
diction of  Morpheus;  and  that  those  abstracted  and 
ecstatick  souls  do  walk  about  in  their  own  coips^ 
spirits  with  the  bodies  they  assume,  wherein  they^se'em 
to  hear,  see,  and  feel,  though  indeed  the  Org^s  are 
destitute  of  sense,  and  their  natures  of  those  faculties 


lliu 


Religio  Medici  85 

that  should  mform  them.  Thus  it  is  observed,  that 
men  sometimes,  upon  the  hour  of  their  departure,  do 
speak  and  reason  above  themselves ;  for  then  the  soul, 
beginning  to  be  freed  from  the  ligaments  of  the  body, 
begins  to  reason  like  her  self,  and  to  discourse  in  a 
strain  above  mortality. 

We  term  sleep  a  death ;  and  yet  it  is  waking  that 
kills  us,  and  destroys  those  spirits  that  are  the  house 
of  life.  'Tis  indeed  a  part  of  life  that  best  expresseth 
death ;  for  every  man  truely  lives,  so  long  as  he  acts 
his  nature,  or  some  way  makes  good  the  faculties  of 
himself.  Themistocles,  therefore,  that  slew  his  Soldier 
in  his  sleep,  was  a  merciful  Executioner :  'tis  a  kind  of 
punishment  the  mildness  of  no  laws  hath  invented :  I 
wonder  the  fancy  of  Lucan  and  Seneca  did  not 
discover  it.  It  is  that  death  by  which  we  may  be 
literally  said  to  dye  daily  ;  a  death  which  Adam  dyed 
before  his  mortality ;  a  death  whereby  we  live  a 
middle  and  moderating  point  between  life  and  death : 
in  fine,  so  like  death,  I  dare  not  trust  it  without  my 
prayers,  and  an  half  adieu  tmto  the  World,  and  take 
my  farewel  in  a  Colloquy  with  God. 

The  night  is  come,  like  to  the  day, 
Depart  not  Thou,  great  God,  away. 
I.et  not  my  sins,  blacit  as  the  night. 
Eclipse  the  lustre  of  Ttiy  light : 
Keep  still  in  my  Horiion ;  for  to  me 
The  Snn  makes  not  the  day,  but  Thee. 
Thou,  Whose  nature  cannot  sleep. 
On  my  temples  Gentry  keep ; 
Guard  me.'gainst  those  watchful  foes, 
Whose  eyes  are  open  while  mine  ctoii^. 
Let  no  dreams  my  head  infest. 
But  such  as  Jacob's  temples  blest. 
While  I  do  rest,  my  Soul  advance ; 
Make  my  sleep  a  holy  trance ; 
That  I  may,  my  rest  being  wrought, 
Awake  into  some  holy  thought ; 
And  with  as  active  vigour  run 
My  course,  as  doth  the  nimble  Sun, 
Sleep  is  a  death :  O  make  me  try, 
By  sleeping,  what  it  is  to  die ; 
And  as  gently  lay  my  head 
On  my  grave,  as  now  my  bed. 


! 


86  Religio  Medici 

Howere  I  ntt,  grest  God.  let  ma 
Awake  again  at  last  with  Tliee : 
And  thus  aisur'd,  behold  I  lie 
Securely,  or  to  awake  or  die. 
These  are  my  drowsie  days :  in  vain 
I  do  now  wake  to  sleep  again  • 
O  come  that  hour,  when  I  shall  never 
Sleep  again,  but  wake  for  ever. 

^w't  ^"^  '^°™ative  I  take  to  bedward ;  I  need  no 
other  Laudanum  than  this  to  make  me  s  eeo^  aC 

The  mp?W  T  u  '  M*^  ^'^^P  ™*°  t''«  Resurrection. 
„hi„  ™*od.I  should  use  in  distributive  Justice  I 
often  observe  m  commutative;  and  keep  a  Geot^et 

&&!:%""?  *°  <=-^-dict  and  cross  m^ 
=  ^t  i  u.  ^®'  ^^ance  seems  not  so  much  a  vice  as 
a  deplorable  piece  of  madness;  to  conceive  ou^selVS 
pipkins,  or  be  perswaded  that  we  are  dead   is  not^ 

Sb°or:'  r  this""?.'^^^^^-  ''«y-"*e  power  ^ 
Dosit?nnc   nf  •      ^^^  °P">ions  of  Theory,   and 

positions  of  men,  are  not  so  void  of  rea^n  as 
their  practised  conclusions.  Some  have  hSd  thlt 
Snow  IS  black,  that  the  earth  moves,  that  the  Soiuts 
air,  fire,  water;  but  aU  this  is  Philos^pS^  I^d  ttere  s 

f.H;  fr-/  '"'  ^°  ''"'  speculate  thrfoUy^d 
indisputable  dotage  of  avarice  to  that  subterriie^s 

WorU  ador^°  wrr''^''°  ""y^""  *°  ''°°°«  *^i  the 
r,n!:r  *°°'^?=;  whatsoever  virtue  its  prepared  sub- 
stance may  have  within  my  body,  it  hath  nfinfluence 
nor  operation  without  I  would  not  entert^a  b^ 
?S'.  ^  f  t'op.that  should  call  me  vi^,  IrTe 
l^  If"^  K*^'^  °°ly  do  I  Jove  and  honow  my 
e^«^.  *  ^'',>ve  methinks  two  arms  too  few  to 
embrace  myself.    Aristotle  is  too  severe,  that  wUl  not 


Religio  Medici 


87 


allow  us  to  be  truely  liberal  without  wealth,  and  the 
bountiful  hand  of  Fortune.  If  this  be  true,  I  must 
confess  I  am  charitable  only  in  my  liberal  intentions, 
and  bountiful  well- wishes;  but  if  the  example  of  the 
Mite  be  not  only  an  act  of  wonder,  but  an  example  of 
the  noblest  Charity,  surely  poor  men  may  also  build 
Hospitals,  and  the  rich  alone  have  not  erected  Cathe- 
drals. I  have  a  private  method  which  others  observe 
not ;  I  take  the  opportunity  of  my  self  to  do  good ;  I 
borrow  occasion  of  Charity  from  mine  own  necessities, 
and  supply  the  wants  of  others,  when  I  am  in  most 
need  my  self:  for  it  is  an  honest  stratagem  to  take 
advantage  of  our  selves,  and  so  to  husband  the  acts  of 
vertue,  Siat,  where  they  are  defective  in  one  circum- 
stance, they  may  repay  their  want  and  multiply  their 
goodness  in  anotiier.  I  have  not  Peru  in  my  desires, 
but  a  competence,  and  ability  to  perform  those  good 
works  to  which  He  hath  inclined  my  nature.  He  is 
.-ich,  who  hath  enough  to  be  charitable ;  and  it  is  hard 
to  be  so  poor,  that  a  noble  mind  may  not  find  a  way 
to  this  piece  of  goodness.  He  that  giveth  to  the  poor, 
Undeth  to  the  Lord  :  there  is  more  Rhetorick  in  that 
one  sentence,  than  in  a  Library  of  Sermons ;  and 
indeed,  if  those  Sentences  were  understood  by  the 
Reader,  with  the  same  Emphasis  as  they  are  delivered 
by  the  Author,  we  needed  not  those  Volumes  of 
instructions,  but  might  be  honest  by  an  Epitome. 
Upon  this  motive  only  I  cannot  behold  a  Beggar 
without  relieving  his  Necessities  with  my  Purse,  or 
his  'Soul  with  my  Prayers ;  these  scenical  and  acci- 
dental differences  between  us,  cannot  make  me  fc  "t 
that  common  and  untoucht  part  of  us  both :  tht  > 
under  these  Centoes  and  miserable  outsides,  tlii-^e 
mutilate  and  semi-bodies,  a  soul  of  the  same  alloy 
with  our  own,  whose  Genealogy  is  God  as  well  as 
ours,  and  in  as  fair  a  way  to  Salvation  as  our  selves. 
Statists  that  labour  to  contrive  a  Common-wealth 
without  poverty,  take  away  the  object  of  charity,  not 
understanding  only  the  Common-wealth  of  a  Christian, 
but  forgetting  the  prophecie  of  Christ. 


88 


Religio  Medici 


shadow  of  Himfelf     Nor  U 'w   f   "'^T  *  ^'^^  o-" 

o^inJ^s  deserlLtTt  thTh^l'""^*  "f"^^^  affection  of 
Thus  we  Svir^'^o^T^^l  '°  P"'/*  *'*^«- 
she  be  invisible-  thu?;w"^!L°r*^  ^^^  °^  s«°se 
that  we  love  b^ot  tut  Prtt^^°"'  ''°^J*  ^"'"'^^ 
that  insensible  part  tlS  our  a™.     "^  "".^'''^^  ''"' 

us  a;fo^'?J:„*fe^*!°°/,  ^°»'i  of  affection  betwei'n 
betake  our  .,«j"s  to  k  wom^  f'^'^l  ^'^^^''^ '    We 


Religio  Medici 


89 


summum  bonum  is  a  Chimxra,  and  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  his  Felicity.  That  wherein  God  Himself  is 
happy,  the  holy  Angels  are  happy,  in  whose  defect 
the  Devils  are  unhappy,  that  dare  I  call  happiness : 
whatsoever  conduceth  unto  this,  may  with  an  easy 
Metaphor  deserve  that  name;  whatsoever  else  the 
World  terms  Happiness,  is  to  me  a  story  out  of  Pliny, 
a  tale  of  Boccace  or  Malizspini,  an  apparition,  or  neat 
delusion,  wherein  there  is  no  more  of  Happiness  than 
the  name.  Bless  me  in  this  life  with  but  peace  of  my 
Conscience,  command  of  ray  affections,  the  love  of 
Thy  self  and  my  dearest  friends,  and  I  shall  be  happy 
enough  to  pity  Caesar.  These  are,  O  Lord,  the 
humble  desires  of  my  most  reasonable  ambition,  and 
all  I  dare  call  happiness  on  earth ;  wherein  I  set  no 
rule  or  limit  to  Thy  Hand  or  Providence.  Dispose  of 
Tie  according  to  the  wisdom  of  Thy  pleasure :  Thy 
will  be  done,  though  in  my  own  undomg. 


FINIS 


HYDRIOTAPHIA 


URNE  buriall;  or,  a  discoursb  of  thb  sbpulchrall 

URNBS   LATELY  FOUND   IN   NORFOLK, 


TO   MY   WORTHY   AMD   HONOURBD   FKl.ND 

THOMAS  I.E  GROS,  or  CROSTW.CK,  ESQUIRE 

•he  is  to  be  burieT?  who  h,?h  ^i"  ^""f-  "^  '^'■•'  "^^ 
or  whither  th^l  ^''^  ^t^^.f'^?  °l^}?  "h-- 
many  lie  like  thTV,,,,^  scattered  ?  The  ReUques  of 
the  Lrth  •  And  wh«r»°/  Pompeys,!  in  all  pirts  of 
these  mfy'se^^'totave  SrK  wH  ^9"  5?»ds, 

K  due^-ito  v^rti''^"'"^^^  -"^ 

sepulchral  PitXrs  ^h.Vh  ?  *^^^  ■"«  ^  a°d 
silently  expr^t^  oW  mort^^  t°h. '™^-'^'  "tf  = 
gotten  times,  and  ^CMouTysSikh  ^l'  "V""^" 
•n  this  corruptible  framfsor^a^fn^^^'K^.^ 

;  Brought  b,  J  by  C,t'  rXV°"  '°''"  ""  <^"«^^- 


The  Epistle  Dedicatory        93 

rupted;  ye*  «ble  to  outlast  bosei  long  unborn,  and 
noDleit  pyL  among  us.' 

We  present  not  these  a'i  any  strange  sight  or 
spectacle  unknown  to  your  eyes,  who  have  beheld  the 
best  of  Urnes  and  noblest  variety  of  Ashes ;  Who  are 
yourself  no  slender  master  of  Antiquities,  and  can 
daily  command  the  view  of  so  many  Imperiall  faces : 
Which  raisetb  vour  thoughts  unto  old  things,  and 
consideration  of  times  before  you,  when  even  living 
men  were  Antiquities ;  when  the  living  might  exceed 
the  dead,  and  to  depart  this  world,  could  not  be 
properly  said,  to  go  unto  the  greater  number.'  And 
so  run  up  yotu  thoughts  upon  the  ancient  of  dayes, 
the  Antiquaries  truest  object,  unto  whom  the  eldest 
parcels  are  young,  and  rjarth  itseT  an  In&nt;  and 
without  .Egyptian*  dccuimt  makes  bat  smalt  noise  in 
thousands. 

We  were  hinted  by  the  occasion,  not  catched  the 
opportunity  to  write  of  old  things,  or  intrude  upon  the 
Antiquary.  We  are  coldly  drawn  unto  discourses  of 
Antiquities,  who  have  scarce  time  before  us  to  com- 
prehend new  things,  or  make  out  learned  Novelties. 
But  seeing  they  arose  as  they  lay,  almost  in  silence 
among  us,  at  least  in  short  account  suddenly  passed 
over ;  we  were  very  unwilling  they  should  die  again, 
and  be  buried  twice  among  us. 

Beside,  to  preserve  the  living,  and  make  the  dead 
to  live,  to  keep  men  out  of  their  Urnes,  and  discourse 
of  humane  fragments  in  them,  is  not  impertinent  unto 
our  profession;  whose  study  is  life  and  death,  who 
daily  behold  examples  of  mortality,  and  of  all  men 
least  need  artificial  mtmettios,  or  coffins  by  our  bedside, 
to  minde  us  of  our  graves. 

'Tis  time  to  observe  Occurrences,  and  let  nothing 
remarkable  escape  us ;  The  Supinity  of  elder  dayes 
hath  left  so  much  in  silence,  or  time  hath  so  martj'red 

>  Worthily  posse  that  trne  Gentleman,  Sir  Horati* 
Toumshtnd,  my  hone        "    ^nd, 

>  AbiU  td  plum. 

'  Which  makes  the  world  so  many  years  old. 


i  i  ^        The  Epistle  Dedicatory 

thin,  lid  to  be  frtched  from  '^'  """Pj"  K'"" 
SimpUcity  flies  owrv!„^-"  •'"  P"**"*  "orld. 
8tri.fi.  ,n  u!  wh^  '""'"/'y  «=»'"«»  «  long 
ourseh       from"  Jr     have  enough  to  do  to  make  uS 

S.t;g,^°<?,&',«",t  srett;'™^'-  •^'^  *^- 

tion.     A7ompIe«tlS2ce  of  ™^^  w  ""'  '°«™«=. 

the'^oK:etgV  fe,lf  -  :-^^^^^ 

Originals  of  themselves -I  r^?^  ^     ^  *,'"'"»  *""• 
nont  here  can  pretend  Vek^nn    ^''^  °^  "?'  ""«» 

now  ye  at  their  merdM        .?♦     '  ^"*^}°?e  obscurity, 
civilit^  they  broSlht  UL      theJL' r"°^"''«  '^'  ««'y 

you.  wh.ch  are  thras/riiT' a';T\'^'^^^ 

t^hrc5WocT/vH"^^^^^^ 

UmeandSs,  '  P™^'""'  ""y^'^  «ven   to 

Your  ever'  faithful  Friend  and  Servant. 
Norwich,  May  i.  Thomas  Browne. 


lo 


HYDRIOTAPHIA 


CHAPTER  I 

In  the  deep  discovery  of  the  Subterraneui  world,  a 
■hallow  part  would  satisfie  some  enquirers;  who,  if  two 
or  three  yards  were  open  about  the  surface,  would  not 
care  to  rake  the  bowels  of  Potest,^  and  regions  toward* 
the  Centre.  Nature  hath  furnished  one  part  of  the 
Earth,  and  man  another.  The  treasures  of  time  lie 
high,  in  Urnes,  Coynes,  and  Monuments,  scarce  below 
the  roots  of  some  vegetables.  Time  hath  endlesse 
rarities,  and  shows  of  ail  varieties ;  which  reveals  old 
things  in  heaven,  makes  new  discoveries  in  earth,  and 
even  earth  itself  a  discover> .  That  great  Antiquity 
Amirica  lay  buried  for  a  thousand  years ;  and  a  large 
part  of  the  earth  is  still  in  the    .me  unto  us. 

Though  if  Adam  vere  raade  out  of  an  extract  of  the 
Earth,  ul  parts  might  chal'enge  a  restitution,  yet  few 
have  returned  their  bones  iarre  lower  then  they  might 
receive  them;  not  affecting  the  graves  of  Giants,  under 
hilly  and  heavy  coverings,  but  content  with  lesse  than 
their  owne  depth,  have  wished  their  bones  might  lie 
soft,  and  the  earth  be  light  upon  them ;  Even  such  as 
hope  to  rise  again,  would  not  be  content  with  centrall 
interrment,  or  so  desperately  to  place  their  reliques  as 
to  lie  beyond  discovery,  and  in  no  way  to  be  seen 
again ;  which  happy  contrivance  hath  made  communi- 
cation with  our  forefathers,  and  left  unto  our  view  some 
parts,  which  they  never  beheld  themselves. 

Though  earth  hath  engrossed  the  name  yet  water 
hath  proved  the  smartest  grave ;  which  in  forty  dayes 
swallowed  almost  mankinde,  and  the  living  creation ; 
Fishes  not  wholly  escaping,  except  the  Salt  Ocean 

>  The  nch  Mountain  of  Ptn. 


Hydriotaphfa 


96 

bill  IkmeT'"  contempered  by  a  mixture  of  the 
Mm.v  have  taken  voluminous  paine  to  deteririne 

burning  ^    '  °*  ^™P'^  inhumation  and 

somewhat  elder  in  the  rfeia7wa^L  ^V  1        '  ^""^ 

The  same  practice  extended  also  farre  W«f »  o^h 

most  ot  the  Cilt^,  Sarmatmns.  Gcrmam,  Gauls,  Danes. 
'  0.  CnWff.  lib.  i. 

Kirkt™^^**"''""'-  °°'-  "  C.S.  Coau».ntar.     L.  L.  Gyraldus 


Urn  Burial 


97 


Swedes,  Norwegians;  not  to  omit  some  use  thereof 
amoDg  Carthaginians  and  Americans:  Of  greater  An- 
tiquity among  the  Romans  then  most  opinion,  or  Pliny 
seems  to  allow.  For  (beside  the  old  Table  Laws  of 
Ijurning  or  burying  within  the  City,*  of  making  the 
Funerall  fire  with  plained  wood,  or  quenching  the  fire 
with  wine.)  Manlius  the  Consul  burnt  the  body  of  his 
Son :  Numa  by  special  clause  of  his  Will,  was  not 
burnt  but  buried ;  and  Remus  was  solemnly  buried, 
according  to  the  description  of  Ovid.^ 

Cornelius  Sylla  was  not  the  first  whose  body  was 
burned  in  Rome,  but  of  the  Cornelian  family;  which, 
being  indifferently,  not  frequently  used  before ;  from 
that  time  spread,  and  became  the  prevalent  practice. 
Not  totally  pursued  in  the  highest  runne  of  Cremation ; 
For  when  even  Crows  were  fiinerally  burnt,  Poppaa 
the  wife  of  Nero  found  a  peculiar  grave  enterment. 
Now  as  all  customes  were  founded  upon  some  bottome 
of  Reason,  so  there  wanted  not  grounds  for  this; 
according  to  severall  apprehensions  of  the  most  rational! 
dissolution.  Some  being  of  the  opinion  of  Tholes,  that 
water  was  the  originall  of  all  things,  thought  it  most 
equall  to  submit  unto  the  principle  of  putrefaction,  and 
conclude  in  a  moist  relentment.  Others  conceived  it 
most  natural  to  end  in  fire,  as  due  unto  the  master 
principle  in  the  composition,  according  to  the  doctrine 
of  Heraclitus.  And  therefore  heaped  up  large  piles, 
more  actively  to  waft  them  toward  that  Element, 
whereby  they  also  declined  a  visible  degeneration  into 
worms,  and  left  a  lasting  parcell  of  their  composition. 

Some  apprehended  a  purifying  virtue  in  fire,  refining 
the  grosser  commixture,  and  firing  out  the  iEthereall 
particles  so  deeply  immersed  in  it  And  such  as  by 
tradition  or  rationall  conjecture  held  any  hint  of  the 

>  12  TabuL  part  i.  de  jure  sacro.  Hominem  mortuum  in  urbe 
ne  sepelito,  neve  urito,  torn.  3.  Rogum  asci<l  ne  polito,  to.  4. 
Item  vigeneri  Annotat.  in  Livium,  et  Alex  ab  Alex  cum  Tira- 
quello.    Roscinus  cum  dempstero. 

>  Ultimo  prolato  subdita  flamma  rogo.  De  Fast,  lib,  iv,  cum 
Car.  Neapof.  Anaptyxi. 


98 


Hydriotaphia 


finall  pyre  of  all  things ;  or  that  this  Element  at  last 
must  be  too  hard  for  all  the  rest ;  might  conceive  most 
naturally  of  the  fiery  dissolution.  Others  pretending 
no  natural  grounds,  politickly  declined  the  malice  of 
enemies  upon  their  buried  bodies.  Which  considerar 
tion  led  Sylla  unto  this  practise;  who  having  thus 
served  the  body  of  Marius,  could  not  but  fear  a  retalia- 
tion upon  his  own ;  entertained  after  in  the  Civill  wars, 
and  revengeful  contentions  of  Ropu. 

But  as  many  Nations  embraced,  and  many  left  it 
indifferent,  so  others  too  much  affected,  or  strictly 
declined  this  practice.  The  Indian  ^rachmans  seemed 
too  great  firiends  unto  fire,  who  bu'  themselves  alive, 
and  thought  it  the  noblest  way  to  end  their  dayes  in 
fire ;  according  to  the  expression  of  the  Indian,  burning 
himself  at  Athens,^  in  his  last  words  upon  the  pyre  unto 
the  amazed  spectators.  Thus  I  make  mysdfe  immortall. 

But  the  Chttideans,  the  great  Idolaters  of  fire,  abhorred 
the  burning  of  their  carcasses,  as  a  pollution  of  that 
Deity.  The  Persian  magi  declined  it  upon  the  like 
scruple,  and  being  only  solicitous  about  their  bones, 
exposed  their  flesh  to  the  prey  of  Birds  and  Dogges. 
And  the  Persas  now  in  India,  which  expose  their  txidies 
unto  Vultures,  and  endure  not  so  much  as  feretra  or 
Beers  of  Wood,  the  proper  fuell  of  fire,  are  led  on  with 
such  niceties.  But  whether  the  ancient  Germans,  who 
burned  their  dead,  held  any  such  fear  to  pollute  their 
Deity  of  Herihus,  or  the  earth,  we  have  no  Authentick 
conjecture. 

The  .■Egyptians  were  afraid  of  fire,  not  as  a  Deity, 
but  a  devouring  Element,  mercilessly  consuming  their 
bodies,  and  leaving  too  little  of  them ;  and  therefore  by 
precious  Embalments,  depositure  in  dry  earths,  or 
handsome  inclosure  in  glasses,  contrived  the  notablest 
wayes  of  integrall  conservation.  And  from  such 
^Egyptian  scruples  imbibed  by  Pythagoras,  it  may  be 
conjectured  that  Numa  and  the  Pythagoricall  Sect  first 
waved  the  fiery  solution. 

'  And  therefore  the  Inscription  of  his  Tomb  was  made  accord- 
ingly.—ATu,  Damau. 


Urn  Burial 


99 


The  ScyiUans  who  swore  by  winde  and  sword,  that 
is,  by  life  and  death,  were  so  farre  from  burning  their 
bodies,  that  they  declined  all  interrment,  and  made 
their  graves  in  the  ayr :  and  the  Uhthyophagi  or  fish- 
eating  Nations  about  Mf^t,  affected  the  Sea  for  their 
grave:  Thereby  declining  visible  corruption,  and 
restoring  the  debt  of  their  bodies.  Whereas  the  old 
Heroes  in  Homer,  dreaded  nothing  more  than  water  or 
drowning ;  probably  upon  the  old  opinion  of  the  fiery 
substance  of  the  soul,  only  extinguishable  by  that 
Element;  And  therefore  the  Poet  emphatically  implieth 
'  the  totall  destruction  in  this  kinde  of  death,  which 
happened  to  Ajax  Oileus.^ 

The  old  Balearians'  had  a  peculiar  mode,  for  they 
used  great  Umes  and  much  wood,  but  no  fire  in  their 
burials,  while  they  bruised  the  flesh  and  bones  of  the 
dead,  crowded  them  into  Umes,  and  laid  heapes  of 
wood  upon  them.  And  the  CAmois 'without  cremation 
or  umall  interrment  of  their  bodies,  make  use  of  trees 
and  much  burning,  while  they  plant  a  Pine-tree  by 
their  grave,  and  bum  {:!->^it  numbers  of  printed 
draughts  of  slaves  and  hor»es  over  it,  civilly  content 
with  their  companies  in  effigie  which  barbarous 
Nations  exact  v  nto  reality. 

Christians  abhorred  this  way  of  obsequies,  and 
though  they  stickt  not  to  give  their  bodies  to  be  burnt 
in  their  lives,  detested  that  mode  after  death ;  affecting 
rather  a  depositure  than  absumption,  and  properly 
submitting  unto  the  sentence  of  God,  to  return  not 
unto  ashes  but  unto  dust  againe,  conformable  unto 
the  practice  of  the  Patriarchs,  the  interrment  of  our 
Saviour,  of  Peter,  Paul,  and  the  ancient  Martyrs.  And 
so  farre  at  last  declining  promiscuous  interrment  with 
Pagans,  that  some  have  suffered  Ecclesiastical  cen- 
sures for  making  no  scruple  thereof.* 

The  Musselman  beleevers  will  never  admit  this  fiery 

'  Which  Magius  reades  l^an-iXiAe. 
"  Diodons  Sicitlus. 

•  Ramusins  in  Navigat. 

*  MurliaUs  the  Bishop.  Cyprian. 


100  Hydriotaphia 

resolution.  For  they  hold  a  present  trial  from  their 
black  and  white  Angels  in  the  grave;  which  they 
must  have  made  so  hollow,  that  they  may  rise  upon 
,  their  knees. 

The  Jewish  Nation,  though  they  entertamed  the  old 
way  of  inhumation,  yet  sometimes  admitted  this  prac- 
tice. For  the  men  of  Jabesh  burnt  the  body  of  Saul. 
And  by  no  prohibited  practice  to  avoid  contagion  or 
pollution,  in  time  of  pestilence,  burnt  the  bodies  of 
their  friends.'  And  when  they  burnt  not  their  dead 
bodies,  yet  sometimes  used  great  burnings  neare  and 
about  them,  deducible  from  the  ex t- sessions  concern- 
ing Jehoram,  Sedcchias,  and  the  sumptuous  pyre  of  Asa: 
And  were  so  little  averse  from  Pagan  burning,  that 
the  Jews  lamenting  the  death  of  Casar  their  friend, 
and  revenger  on  Pompey,  frequented  the  place  where 
his  body  was  burnt  for  many  nights  together.*  And 
as  they  raised  noble  Monuments  and  Mausolaum::  for 
their  own  Nation,'  so  they  were  not  scrupulous  ,in 
erectmg  some  for  others,  according  to  the  practice  of 
Daniil,  who  left  that  lasting  sepulchrall  pyle  in  Echba- 
tana,  for  the  Median  and  Persian  Kings.* 

But  even  in  times  of  subjection  and  hottest  use, 
they  conformed  not  unto  the  Romane  practice  of  burn- 
ing ;  whereby  the  Prophecy  was  secured  concerning 
the  body  of  Christ,  that  it  should  not  see  corruption, 
or  a  bone  should  not  be  broken  ;  which  we  beleeve 
was  also  providentially  prevented,  from  the  Souldiert 
spear  and  nails  that  past  by  the  little  bones  both  in 
his  hands  and  feet :  Not  of  ordinary  contrivance,  that 
it  should  not  corrupt  on  the  Crosse,  according  to  the 
Laws  of  Romane  crucifixion,  or  an  hair  of  his  head 
perish,  though  observable  in  Jewish  customes,  to  cut 
the  hairs  of  Malefactors. 

>  Amos  vi.  10.  •  SvetoH.  in  vitajirf.  Cas. 

'  '  >  that  magnificent  sepulcliral  Monument  erected  by  Simon, 

•    Macli.  i.  13.  ,         ,     ,        u  T,^    . 

*  KarairiciimriM  0aiiim>rlm  vtnroniiiirw.  vbereot  a  Jewish  Pnest 
had  alwayes  the  custody,  unto  Josiphut  his  dayes.— /os.  Antiq. 
lib.  z. 


Urn  Burial  loi 

Nor  in  their  long  co-habitation  ■with  Egyptians, 
crept  into  a  custome  of  their  exact  embalming,  wherein 
deeply  slashing  the  muscles,  and  taking  out  the  brains 
and  entrails,  they  had  broken  the  subject  of  so  entire 
a  Resurrection,  nor  fully  answered  the  types  of  Enoch, 
Elijah,  or  Jonah,  which  yet  to  prevent  or  restore,  was 
of  equall  facility  unto  that  rising  power,  able  to  break 
the  fasciations  and  bands  of  death,  to  get  clear  out  of 
the  Cerecloth,  and  an  hundred  pounds  of  oyntment, 
and  out  of  the  Sepulchre  before  the  stone  was  rolled 
from  it.  .  ■         r 

But  though  they  embraced  not  this  practice  of 
burning,  yet  entertained  they  many  ceremonies  agree- 
able unto  Greeke  and  Romane  obsequies.  And  he  that 
observeth  their  funerall  Feasts,  their  Lamentations  at 
the  grave,  their  musick  and  weeping  mourners ;  how 
they  closed  the  eyes  of  their  friends,  how  they  washed, 
anointed,  and  kissed  the  dead ;  may  easily  conclude 
these  were  not  meere  Pagan-Civilities.  But  whether 
that  moumfuU  burthen,  and  treble  calling  out  after 
Absalom,ha.d  any  reference  unto  the  last  conclamation, 
and  triple  valediction,  used  by  other  Nations,  we  hold 
but  a  wavering  conjecture. 

Civilians  make  sepulture  but  of  the  Law  of  Nations, 
others  doe  naturally  found  it  and  discover  it  also  in 
animals.  They  that  are  so  thick  skinned  as  still  to 
credit  the  story  of  the  Phoenix,  may  say  something  for 
animall  burning :  More  serioi's  conjectures  finde  some 
examples  of  sepulture  in  elephants,  cranes,  the  sepulchrall 
Cells  of  Pismires,  and  practice  of  Bees ;  which  civill 
society  carrieth  out  their  dead,  and  hath  exequies,  if 
not  interrments. 


CHAPTER  II 

The  Solemnities,  Ceremonies,  Rites  of  their  Crema- 
tion or  enterrment,  so  solemnly  delivered  by  Authours, 
we  shall  not  disparage  our  Reader  to  repeat.  Only 
the  1-  5t  and  lasting  part  in  their  Urns,  collected  bones 
and  Ashes,  we  cannot  wholly  omit  or  decline  that 


I 


102  Hydriotaphia 

Subject,  which  occasion  lately  presented,  in  some  dis- 
covered among  us. 

In  a  Field  of  old  Walsingham,  not  many  monetbs 
past,  were_  digged  up  between  fourty  and  fifty  Urnes, 
deposited  in  a  dry  and  sandy  soil,  not  a  yard  deep,  nor 
farre  from  one  another :  Not  all  strictly  of  one  figure, 
but  most  answering  these  described :  some  containing 
two  pounds  of  bones,  distinguishable  in  skulls,  ribs, 
jawes,  thigh-bones,  and  teeth,  with  fresh  impressions 
of  their  combustion.  Besides  the  extraneous  sub- 
stances, like  paeces  of  small  boxes,  or  combes  hand- 
somely wrought,  handles  of  small  brasse  instruments, 
brazen  nippers,  and  in  one  some  kinde  of  Opale.* 

Near  the  same  plot  of  ground,  for  about  six  yards 
compasse,  were  digged  up  coals  and  incinerated  sub- 
stances, which  begat  conjecture  that  this  was  the 
Ustrina  or  place  of  burning  their  bodies,  or  &ome  sacri- 
ficing place  unto  the  Manes,  which  was  properly  below 
the  surface  of  the  ground,  as  the  Ara  and  Altars  unto 
the  gods  and  Heroes  above  it. 

That  these  were  the  urnes  of  Romanes  bom  the 
common  custome  and  place  where  they  were  found,  is 
bo  obscure  conjecture,  not  farre  fi-om  a  Romane  Garri- 
son, and  but  five  Miles  from  Brancoiter,  set  down  by 
ancient  Record  under  the  name  of  Brannodunum.  And 
where  the  adjoyning  Towne,  containing  seven  Parishes, 
in  no  very  different  sound,  but  Saxon  Termination, 
still  retains  the  name  of  Bumham,  which  being  an 
early  station,  it  is  not  improbable  the  neighbour  parts 
were  filled  with  habitations,  either  of  Romanes  them- 
selves, or  Brittains  Romanised,  which  observed  the 
Romane  custcns. 

Nor  is  it  improbable,  that  the  Romanes  early  pos- 
sessed this  Countrey;  for  though  we  meet  not  with 
such  strict  particulars  of  these  parts  before  the  new 
Institution  of  Constantine,  and  military  charge  of  the 
Count  of  the  Saxon  shore,  and  that  about  the  Saxon 
Invasions,  the  Dalmaiian  Horsemen  were  in  the  Garri- 

'  In  one  sent  me  by  my  worthy  friend,  Dr.  Thontxs  WithtrUy 
of  Walsingham, 


Urn  Burial 


103 


T«  LfT"^''  ^i' j°  *•"•  ^"">  °^  Claudius,  V>sta. 
Stan,  and  Stverus,  we  finde  no  lesse  than  three  Legions 

t^TiH'''^^^  t;.o  Province  o{  Brittain.  Ifdll 
high  as  the  Reign  of  Claudius  a  great  overthrow  was 

hTin  K  °*  '°¥  ^,^'^''  *"  Cointrey  was  so  molested, 
tnat  in  hope  of  a  better  state,  Prasiaagus  bequeathed 
h^s  Kingdome  tmto  A^^  ^d  his  Dlughters ;  and 
Boaduca,  ms  Queen  fought  the  last  decisive  Battle 

7^icL"'fr-T -^^^^  ^^^I"  *™"  ^d  Conquest  of 
ilf     t"  n*"*  Lieutenant  of  K«/a5M»,  probaSle  it  is 

tL^f^  ^T^"'^  -'^^  <=°™''«y>  °^dering  it  Lto 
Garrisons  or  Habitations   best  suitable  with    their 

.wlow  ^°i*°  ^""^  ^"""^e  HabiUtions,  not 
improbable  in  these  parts,  as  high  as  the  time  of  V,s- 
Pastan,  where  the  Sa*o«  after  seated,  in  those  thin-fiU'd 
^appes  we  yet  finde  the  Name  ot  Walsingham.    Now 

Lf  T  T-  '"^"'  ^"',  (^'""'^i'«>.  Anconiaus,  or  me, 
that  lived  m  an  angle,  wedge,  or  Elbow  ot  Brittain 
according  to  the  Originall  Itymologie,  this  coS 
wUl  challenge  the  Emphaticall  appelktion,  as  mos^ 
proper  y  making  the  Elbow  or  Iken  of  7«»,a. 

frnm  thf/"'""  ""^  ""'^^'^  P°P"Jo"s  is  Undeniable, 
from  that  expression  of  Casar.^  That  the  Rom>^s 
«iemselves  were  early  in  no  small  Numbers  Se^y 
Thousand,  with  their  associats  slain  by  BcJ^l 
affords  a  sure  account.  And  though  many  Rm2 
habitations  are  now  knowne,  yet  some  by  old  works! 
Kampiers,  Coyns.  and  Umes,  doe  testifie  their  Pos- 
sessions. Some  Urnes  have  been  found  at  CasiZ, 
some  also  about  Southcreake,  and  not  many  years  nast 

Coynes  of  Copper  and  SUver  among  us  ;  of  Vesbasian. 
I  raj  an,  Adrian,  Commdus,  Antoninus,  Smnis,  Sic.     But 

,„"  ^°i^*  *'''°'""^  °^  "y  *°"i'y  f"e°d  Rob.  7«?™,  Esq   wherein 


104  Hydriotaphia 

the  greater  number  of  DioeUsian,  CtntitmUnt,  Consians, 
Valms,  with  many  of  Viclorinus  Posthumius,  Tiiricui, 
and  the  thirty  Tyrants  in  the  Reigne  of  Gallienus ;  and 
some  as  high  as  Adrianus  have  been  found  about 
Thttford,  or  Sitomagus,  mentioned  in  the  itinerary  of 
Antoninus,  as  the  way  from  Vmta  or  Castor  unto 
London.'  But  the  most  frequent  discovery  is  made 
at  the  two  Casters  by  Norwich  and  YarmonthfaX  Burgh- 
castle,  and  Brancaster.' 

Besides  the  Norman,  Saxon,  and  Danish  peeces  of 
Cuthred,  Canutus,  William,  Matilda,*  and  others,  some 
Brittish  Coynes  of  gold  have  been  dispersedly  found ; 
and  no  small  number  of  silver  peeces  near  Norwich  ;> 
with  a  rude  head  upon  the  obverse,  and  an  ill  formed 
horse  on  the  reverse,  with  inscriptions  U.  Duro.  T. ; 
whether  implying  Iceni,  Durotriges,  Tascia,  or  Trino- 
bantes,  we  leave  to  higher  conjecture.  Vulgar  Chro- 
nology will  ha.ye  Norwich  Castle  as  old  as  Julius  Casar; 
but  his  distance  from  these  parts,  and  its  Gothick  form 
of  structure,  abrid(;eth  sudi  Antiquity.  The  British 
Coyns  afford  conjecture  of  early  habitation  in  these 
parts,  though  the  City  of  Norwich  arose  from  the 
mines  of  Venta,  and  though  perhaps  not  without  some 
habitation  before,  was  enlarged,  builded,  and  nominated 
by  the  Saxons.  In  what  bulk  or  populosity  it  stood 
in  the  old  East-Angle  Monarchy  tradition  and  history 
are  silent.  Considerable  it  was  in  the  Danish  Erup- 
tions, when  Sueno  burnt  Theiford  and  Norwich,*  and 

>  From  Castor  to  Theiford  the  Romanes  accounted  thirty-two 
miles,  and  from  thence  observed  not  our  common  road  toLondon, 
bat  passed  by  Combretonium  ad  Ansam,  Cattonium,Casaromagus, 
&^.  by  Brttmham,  CoggeshaU,  Chelmeford,  Bumtwood,  &c, 

'  Most  at  Caster  by  Yarmouth,  found  in  a  place  called  East- 
bloudyburgh  furlong,  belonging  to  Mr.  Thomas  wood,  a  person  of 
civility,  industry  and  knowledge  in  this  way,  who  hath  made 
observation  of  remarkable  t^^'-^s  about  him,  and  from  whom  we 
have  received  divers  Silvf        i  Copper  Coynes. 

'  Belonging  to  that  Nome  Gentleman,  and  true  example  of 
worth,  Sir  Ralph  Hare,  Baronet,  my  honoured  Friend. 

*  A  peece  of  Maud,  the  Empresse,  said  to  be  found  in  Budim- 
ham  Castle,  with  this  Inscription,  EUe  n'  a  die. 

'  At  Thorpe.  '  Brampton  Abhas  Journalltiuis. 


ill  ' 


Urn  Burial 


105 


Vlfkttil,  the  Governour  thereof,  was  able  to  make 
some  resistance,  and  after  endeavoured  to  burn  the 
Danuh  navy. 

How  the  Romants  left  so  many  Coynes  in  Countreys 
OJ  tbexr  Conquests,  seems  of  hard  resolution,  except 
we  consider  how  they  buried  them  under  ground  when 
upon  barbarous  mvasions  they  were  fain  to  desert 
their  habitations  in  most  part  of  their  Empire,  and  the 
stnctness  of  their  laws  forbidding  to  transfer  them  to 
any  other  uses ;  wherein  the  Sfarians^  were  singular 
who,  to  make  their  Copper  money  uselesse,  contem- 
pered  it  with  vinegar.  That  the  Brittaim  left  any. 
some  wonder ;  smce  their  money  was  iron  and  Iron 
rings  before  Casar;  and  those  of  after  stamp  by  per- 
mission,  and  but  small  in  bulk  and  bigness  f  that  so 
tew  of  the  Saxons  remain,  because,  overcome  by  suc- 
ceeding Conquerours  upon  the  place,  their  Coynes,  by 
degrees,  passed  into  other  stamps  and  the  marks  of 
aiter-ages. 

Than  the  time  of  these  Umes  deposited,  or  precise 
AntKjmty  of  these  ReUques,  nothing  of  more  un! 
certamty.  For  since  the  Lieutenant  of  Claudim  seems 
to  have  made  the  first  progresse  into  these  parts. 
smce  Boadtcia  was  overthrown  by  the  Forces  of  Wo 
and  Agn,oU  put  a  full  end  to  these  Conquests;  it  is 
not  probable  the  Countrey  was  fully  garrison'd  or 
planted  before ;  and  therefore  however  these  Umes 
might  be  of  later  date,  not  likely  of  higher  Antiquity 

And  the  succeeding  Emperours  desisted  not  from 
their  Conquests  m  these  and  other  parts;  as  testified 
by  history  and  medall  inscription  yet  extant;  The 
Province  of  Brittain  in  so  divided  a  distance  from 
Jiom,  beholding  the  faces  of  many  Imperiall  persons, 
and  m  large  account  no  fewer  than  Casar,  Claudius, 
BntanmcHS,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Adrian,  Scverus,  Commdus. 
ueta,  and  Caracalla. 

A  great  obscurity  herein,  because  no  medaU  or 
h-mperours  Coyne  enclosed,  which  might  denote  the 
date  of  their  interrments,  observable  in  many  Umes, 
'  Plut.  w  vild  Lycurg. 


io6 


Hydriotaphia 


•nd  found  in  those  of  Spittle  Fields,  by  I.««Am>,*  which 
contained  the  Coynes  of  Claudius,  Vtspasian,  Commodus, 
Antomtms,  attended  with  Lacrymatories,  Lamps, 
Bottles  of  Liquor,  and  other  appurtenances  of  aflec- 
tionate  superstition,  which  in  these  rurall  interrments 
were  wanting. 

Some  uncertainty  there  is  from  the  period  or  term 
of  burning,  or  the  cessation  of  that  practise.  Macro- 
bins  affirmeth  it  was  disused  in  his  days.  But  most 
agree,  though  without  authenticlt  record,  that  it  ceased 
with  the  Antonini.  Most  safely  it  be  understood 
t  fter  the  Reigne  of  those  Emperours,  N'vhich  assumed 
the  name  of  Antoninus,  extending  unto  Htliogahalus, 
Not  strictly  after  Marcus  ;  For  about  fifty  years  later 
we  find  the  magnificent  burning,  and  consecration  of 
Severus;  and  if  we  so  fix  this  period  or  cessation, 
these  Umes  will  challenge  above  thirteen  hundred 
years. 

But  whether  this  practise  was  onely  then  left  by 
Emperours  and  great  persons,  or  generally  about 
Rome,  and  not  in  other  Provinces,  we  hold  no  authen- 
tick  account.  For  after  TtrtuUian,  in  the  dayes  of 
Minucius  it  was  obviously  obJ3cted  upon  Christians, 
that  they  condemned  the  practise  of  burning.'  And 
we  find  a  passage  in  Sidonius,'  which  asserteth  that 
practise  in  France  unto  a  lower  account.  And  perhaps 
not  fully  disused  till  Christianity  fully  established, 
which  gave  the  finall  extinction  to  these  sepulchrall 
Bonefires. 

Whether  they  were  the  bones  of  men  or  women  or 
children,  no  authentick  decision  from  ancient  custome 
in  distinct  places  of  buriall.  Although  not  improb- 
ably conjectured,  that  the  double  Sepulture  or  bury- 
ing place  of  Abraham,  had  in  it  such  intention.  But 
fi-om  exility  of  bones,  thinnesse  of  skulls,  sraallnesse 
of  teeth,  ribbes,  and  thigh-bones ;  not  improbable 
that  many  thereof  were    persons  of  minor  age,   or 

'  Slme's  Survey  of  London. 

'  RxKrantuy  rogos,  tt  itmnint  iptitm  sipulturam.—l&ia.  in  Oct. 

'  Siion.  ApoUinaris. 


Urn  Burial 


107 


woman     Confirm*Wa  aUo  from  thing,  contained  in 

.„Ti,    :,  ^'"?*  '*'"  ^"'''  ^»»"««xJ  with  Iron  piaf 

of  MusicaJl  Instrument*,  long  brasM  plates  o™7 
wroutht  like  the  handles  of  n^tt  iS^mSnts?b«  « 
nippers  to  puU  away  hair,  and  in  one  a  kinde  of  Ooui? 
yet  maintaming  a  blewish  colour  ^  ' 

thinf^v  "  *'"?  accustomed  to  bum  or  bury  with 
fe  *^^^  '^^"*""    *'"y  ««"«!.  dolightid.    or 

A^^T  V'°  "PP".'""^*"''  that  they  might  ^ 
them  m  the  other  world,  is  testified  by  all  Antiaui^Mr 
Observablf  from  the  Gemme  or  BeriU  Ring  upon  th^ 
finger  of  Cy»<Ai,,  the  Mistresse  of  pS«    when 
after  her  Funerall  Pyre  her  Ghost  appear^  unto  Wm 
And  notably  illustrated  from  the  ^.^ts  of  Aat 
RmaH,  Ume  preserved  by  Cardinal  Fam^,i  whereh. 
^d  r"^'*"*  "umber  of  demmes  with  h^'s  of  G<Ss 
and  Goddesses,  were  found  an  Ape  of  Agatk  a  g7^ 
hopper,  an  Elephant  of  Ambre,  rCryst^Ball  th^a 
glasses,  two  Spoones,  and  six'Nuts  of  Crystall  and 

Sii'^fh"?*?.*  °(,  F"^'  '°  "-«  Monument  of 
ChUderKk,the  first,"  and  fourth  King  from  Pharamcmd 
casuaUy  discovered  three  years  past  at  Tourna^Sr 
mg  unto  the  world  much  gold  richly  SnlnTws 
Sword,  two  hundred  rubies,  many  hundred "mLu! 

fnZI^  1°  ^'^  horse  mterred  with  him,  according 
to  the  barbarous  magnificence  of  those  dayes  in  the^r 
sepulchral  Obsequies.  Although  if  we  steer  by  the 
tra°'e'  S^reof  T^  and  Septua^nt  expression  ;  L^ 
trace  thereof  may  be  found  even  with   the  ancient 

"«wV  but°t°hi°.°'^  ^'°!°-  "^^  Sepulchrall  treas^rTo 
buried  crcumcision  knives  which  Joshua  also 

Some  men  considering  the  contents  of  these  Urnes 
lastmg  peeces  and  toyes  included  in  them.and  the 

'  Vigairi  AhhoI.  m  4  Lit. 
Chiffitt.  m  AiuHt.  CkiUtr. 


io8 


Hydriotaphia 


custome  of  burning  with  many  other  Nations,  might 
somewhat  doubt  whether  all  Urnes  found  among  us, 
were  properly  Romaiu  Reliques,  or  some  not  belonging 
unto  our  Briltish,  Saxon,  or  Danish  Forefathers. 

In  the  form  of  Buriall  among  the  ancient  Brittains, 
the  large  Discourses  of  Casar,  Tacitut,  and  Strabo  are 
silent :  For  the  discovery  whereof,  with  other  parti- 
culars, we  much  deplore  the  losse  of  that  Letter  which 
Cicin  expected  or  received  from  his  Brother  QtUntus, 
as  a  resolution  of  Brittish  customes ;  or  the  account 
which  might  have  been  made  by  Serihoniut  Largia,  the 
Physician,  accompanying  the  Emperour  Claudiiu,  who 
might  have  also  discovered  that  frugall  Bit  of  the  Old 
Bnttains,  which  in  the  bignesse  of  a  Bean  could  satisfie 
their  thirst  and  hunger.' 

But  that  the  Druids  and  ruling  Priests  used  to  bum 
and  bury,  is  expressed  by  Pemponius ;  That  Bellima,  the 
Brother  of  Brennus,  and  King  of  the  Brittains,  was 
burnt,  is  acknowledged  by  Polydona,  as  also  by 
Amandns  Zienxmr.s  t  Hi'.torii,  and  Pineda  in  his 
Vniversa  historia  Spani&a  That  they  held  that  practise 
in  Gallia,  Casar  expressly  delivereth.  Whether  the 
Brittains  (probably  descended  from  them,  of  like 
Religion,  Language  and  Manners)  did  not  sometimes 
make  use  of  burning ;  or  whether  at  least  such  as  were 
after  civilized  unto  the  Romant  life  and  manners,  con- 
formed not  unto  this  practise,  we  have  no  historicall 
assertion  or  deniall.  But  since,  from  the  account  of 
Tacitus  the  Ronumis  early  wrought  so  much  civility 
upon  the  British  stock,  that  they  brought  them  to 
build  Temples,  to  wear  the  Gowne,  and  study  the 
Rotnant  L«ws  and  language,  that  they  conformed  also 
unto  their  religious  rites  and  customes  in  burials, 
aeems  no  improbable  conjecture. 

That  burning  the  dead  was  used  in  Sarmatia,  is 
affirmed  by  Gaguinus,  that  the  Sueons  and  Gothlanders 
used  to  bume  their  Princes  and  great  persons,  is 
delivered  by  Saxo  and  Olaus;  that  this  was  the  old 
Ctrmmt  practise,  is  also  asserted  by  Tacitus^  And 
'  Dionii  ixitrptMpir  XifkiUH.  in  Sntn, 


Urn  Burial 


109 


though  we  are  b«re  in  historical  particulan  of  luch 
ob.«,u.et  in  thU  Island,  or  that  thVSaW.^«?«  ^d 

froA  whZ  ,h  ■»<='">' Pfa«i«»;  the  Crman.,  usingit. 
irom  whom  they  were  descended.  And  even  in  /«/£.!!} 
and  SUswick  in  Anglia  Cymbnc,,,  Urnes  wKSe{  Zf 
found  not  many  years  before  uk  *"' 

an^ri  ^^''"".*  ","*'  Northern  Nations  have  raised 
bSr^ne  thei&°   ?""P"',"  ^"?'"  '^^"  Custome  o, 

mS    h""^.**.?"!  ^•'"^  Commanders  shoSd^wa.' 

Sa-s;  &;■£  str-"  '»^f-  S»  - 

No^iif*  ""».""*  custome  generally  expired  in  that 
~^«J^'.J'  '^i"."'.»°  assured  pef iod  f  whe  her  i 

computes:  or  whether  it  mighrnotT^e§  bv  so^ 
persons,whileforahundredaSdeighty7eaTpacLis^^ 
^d  Chnsfanity  were  promiscuousl/fficed^^one 
them,  there  is  no  assured  conclusion.    A^ut  wW^h 

&om  them  R,?/  •"'""'S.'^d  Families  still  derived 
.,VJ2  ^  f  ■"'.  *""=*  "^'s  custome  was  probablv  du! 

used  before  their  Invasion  or  Conquest  and^  th« 
Rmams  confessedly  practised  the  ^nT\\^^,,^- 

tall  upon  the  Romants,  or  Brittains  Romanhid 

However,  certain  it  is,  that  Umes  conceivp.  of  no 

Roman*  Onginall.  are  often  digged  up  both  ii      «^L,? 

and  Denmark,  handsomely  delcribed    and  ^t.oht^n^' 

represented  by  the  Learn'ed  Phy^cfaii'l^tSln^ 

'  Rmuild,  Brtndctiid4.  lid  fyde 

OM  tVomii  MtHumnta  it  Antiquitat.  Dm. 


I  lo  Hydriotaphia 

in  some  parts  of  t)enmarh  in  no  ordinary  number,  as 
stands  delivered  by  Authours  exactly  describing  those 
Countreys.*  And  they  contained  not  only  bones,  but 
many  other  substances  in  them,  as  Knives,  peeces  of 
Iron,  Brasse  and  Wood,  and  one  of  Norwaye  a  brasse 
gilded  Jewes-harp. 

Nor  were  they  confused  or  carelesse  in  disposing 
the  noblest  sort,  while  they  placed  large  stones  in 
circle  about  the  Umes,  or  bodies  which  they  interred : 
Somewhat  answerable  unto  the  monument  of  RoUrich 
stones  in  England,'  or  sepulcrall  Monument  probably 
erected  by  RoUo,  who  after  conquered  Normandy,  Where 
'tis  not  improbable  somewhat  might  be  discovered. 
Mean  while  to  what  Nation  or  person  belonged  that 
large  Urne  found  at  Ashburie,'  containing  mighty  bones, 
and  a  Buckler;  What  those  large  Umes  found  at 
Little  Massingham;*  or  why  the  AngUsea  Urnes  are 
placed  with  their  mouths  downward,  remains  yet 
undiscovered. 


CHAPTER  III 

Playstered  and  whited  Sepulchres  were  anciently 
affected  in  cadaverous,  and  corruptive  Burials;  and  the 
rigid  Jews  were  wont  to  garnish  the  Sepulchres  of  the 
righteous ;'  Ulysses  in  Hecubaf  cared  not  how  meanly 
he  lived,  so  he  might  finde  a  noble  Tomb  after  death. 
Great  Princes  affected  great  Monuments,  And  the  fair 
and  llrger  Umes  contained  no  vulgar  ashes,  which 
makes  that  disparity  in  those  which  time  discovereth 
among  us.  The  present  Urnes  were  not  of  one 
capacity,  the  largest  containing  above  a  gallon.  Some 
not  much  above  half  that  measure;  nor  all  of  one 
figure,  wherein  there  is  no  strict  conformity,  in  the 
same  or  different  Countreys ;  Observable  from  those 

1  Aiolpkus  Cyfrna  in  AntuU.  Slamc.  units  tuUo  abunddbat  coUis, 

*  In  Oxfordshire,  Camden. 

*  In  Ch^ire,  Tintiiu  dt  vJms  Atbionids. 

*  In  Norfolk,  Htttingihui.         >  Matt,  zziii.  *  Evripiits. 


Urn  Burial  m 

r3|.:fesoT!ted  by  Casalius,  Bosio,  and  others,  though  all 
.ound  mJf.,;y;  WhUe  many  have  handles,  earl,  and 
Jo-g  necks,  out  most  imitate  a  circular  figure,  in  a 
sjiiencall    jid  round  composure;  whether  from  any 
!/».;.:;-,  l«st  duration  or  capacity,  were  but  a  con- 
jecture.    But  the  common  form  with  necks  was  a 
proper  figure,  making  our  last  bed  like  our  first ;  nor 
much  unhke  the  Umes  of  our  Nativity,  while  we  lay 
m  the  nether  part  of  the  Earth,'  and  inward  vault  of 
our  Microcosme,  Many  Umes  are  red,  these  but  of  a 
black  colour,  somewhat  smooth,  and  dully  soundine. 
which  begat  some  doubt,  whether  they  were  burnt,  or 
only  baked  in  Oven  or  Sunne:  According  to  the 
ancient  way,  m  many  bricks,  tiles,  pots,  and  tistaceous 
works;  and  as  the  word  testa  is  properly  to  be  taken, 
when  occurring  without  addition:  And  chiefly  intended 
by  i'ltny,  when  he  commendeth  bricks  and  tiles  of  two 
years  old,  and  to  make  them  in  the  spring.     Nor  only 
these  concealed  peeces,  but  the  open  magnificence  of 
Antiquity,  ran  much  in  the  Artifice  of  Clay.    Hereof 
the  house  of  Mausolus  was  built,  thus  old  JuMter  stood 
in  the  CapitoU  and  the  Staiua  of  HercuUs,  made  in  the 
Keign  oiTarqmmus  Prisms,  was  extant  in  Plinies  dayes 
ff    .T^  2?   declined   burning  or   Funeral  Urnes, 
affected  Coffins  of  Clay,  according  to  the  mode  of 
i'ythagoras,  a  way  preferred  by  Varro.     But  the  spirit 
ot  great  ones  was  above  these  circumscriptions,  affect- 
mg  copper,  silver,  gold,  and  Parfhyrie  Umes,  wherein 
i>evtriK  ay,  after  a  serious  view  and  sentence  on  that 
which  should  contain  him.»   Some  of  these  Urnes  were 
thought  to  have  been  sUvered  over,  from  sparklines  in 
several  pots,  with  small  Tinsell  parcels;  uncertain 
whether  from  the  earth,  or  the  first  mixture  in  them 

Among  these  Umes  we  could  obtain  no  good 
account  of  their  coverings;  only  one  seemed  arched 
over  with  some  kmde  of  brickwork.  Of  those  found 
axauxton,  some  were  covered  with  flints,  some,  in 
other  parts,  with  tUes,  those  at  Yarmouth  Caster  were 
'  Psal.  Iriii. 

I 


112  Hydriotaphia 

dosed  with  Romane  bricks,  and  some  have  proper 
earthen  covers  adapted  and  fitted  to  them.  But  in  the 
Homericall  Urne  of  Pairoclus,  whatever  was  the  solid 
Tegument,  we  finde  the  immediate  covering  to  be  a 
purple  peece  of  silk :  and  such  as  had  no  covers  might 
have  the  earth  closely  pressed  into  them,  after  which 
disposure  were  probably  some  of  these,  wherein  we 
found  the  bones  and  ashes  half  mortered  unto  the  sand 
and  sides  of  the  Urne,  and  some  long  roots  of  Quich, 
or  Dog's-grass,  wreathed  about  the  bones. 

No  Lamps,  included  Liquors,  Lacrymatories,  or 
Tear-bottles,  attended  these  rurall  Umes,  either  as 
sacred  unto  the  Manes,  or  passionate  expressions  of 
their  surviving  friends.  While  with  rich  flames,  and 
hired  tears  they  solemnized  their  Obsequies,  and  in 
the  most  lamented  Monuments  made  one  part  of  their 
Inscriptions.'  Some  finde  sepulchral]  Vessels  contain- 
ing liquors,  which  time  hath  incrassated  into  gellies. 
For  besides  these  Lacrymatories,  notable  Lamps, 
with  Vessels  of  Oyles,  and  aromaticall  Liquors 
attended  noble  Ossuaries.  And  some  yet  retainmg  a 
Vinosity,'  and  spirit  in  them,  which  if  any  have  tasted 
they  have  farre  exceeded  the  Palats  of  Antiquity. 
Liquors  not  to  be  computed  by  years  of  annuall  Magis- 
trates, but  by  great  conjunctions  and  the  &tall  periods 
of  kingdomes.'  The  draughts  of  Consulary  date,  were 
but  crude  unto  these,  and  Opitnian  wine*  but  in  the 
must  unto  them. 

In  sundry  Graves  and  Sepulchres,  we  meet  with 
Rings,  Coynes,  and  Chalices.  Ancient  frugality  was 
so  severe,  that  they  allowed  no  gold  to  attend  the 
corps,  but  only  that  which  served  to  fasten  their 
teeth.'  Whether  the  Opaline  stone  in  this  Urne  were 
burnt  upon  the  finger  of  the  dead,  or  cast  into  the  fire 
by  some  afiectionate  friend,  it  will  consist  with  either 

>  Cum  tactymis  fosuhrt.  '  Latins, 

■     '  About  five  hundred  years. — Plato. 

*  Vinum  Opiminianum  annorum  centum. — Patron. 

*  12  TaM.  1.  xi.  Dejure  Siuro.  Neve  aurum  adtUto  ast  quoi  aurs 
4ettt4s  vineti  erunt  im  cum  iilo  stpeUre  &•  urerCt  se  frauds  esto. 


Urn  Burial 


"3 


custome.  But  other  incinerable  substances  were 
found  so  fresh,  that  they  could  feel  no  sindge  ?rom 
^nliin  Jt^'^  I'P""  T"^-  T.™  J"''^"'''  t°  b«  wood,  but 
tn  ^^  '''^"'  ^°'*  'V'='^  ^y  ^^^  ^'"^  w«  f°"°d  them 
to  he  bone  or  Ivory.  In  their  hardnesse  and  yellow 
colour  they  most  resembled  Box,  which,  in  old  exores 
sions  found  the  Epithete  of  Eternall,i  and  perhaps  ?n 
such  conservatories  might  have  passed  uncorrupted. 
<;  u  rf/,"'^^"^^  "^^'^  ^"^"^  g'een  in  the  Tomb  of 
LuJT"^'  ^"'-  ^".''""dred  and  fifty  years  w^ 
looked  upon  as  miraculous.     Remarkable  it  was  unto 

?^JPf'  fr-  *■'**  '^t  *=yP'«^«  "f  the  temple  of 
^a«o,  lasted  so  many  hundred  years:  The  wood  of 
the  Ark  and  Olive  Ilod  of  ^<«4  were  dde7at  the 
Captmty.    But  the  Cypresse  of  the  Ark  of  iV<,«A,  was 

decSfv"'^"*"^''  ^°'"''"''?'  ^  ^'^^"^  -"«  °° 
„!•!  1  \,y  ^?*  fragments  of  it  in  his  dayes.  To 
pmit  the  Moore-logs  and  firre-trees  found  under-grouud 

l^-Jr^fl  ^T^  °^  ^l^^*^'  *«  ""dated  ruines  of 
vnndes,  flouds.  or  earthquakes  ;  and  which  in  Flandm 

n„  •       ^"'"u  '^''^  '5"^'='^  t^'^y  ^«".  as  generally 
mg  w  a  North-East  position.'  ^ 

,..^"i*''°"t^''7®  ^""""^  °°*  ^^^^  P«eces  to  be  Wood. 
aCt^^  *f  ^''*  We>°3ion,  yet  we  missed  ^ot 
altogether  of  some  wocdy  substance ;  For  the  bones 
rmonrM°  ='^i'yP'<='^-  b"t  some  coals  were  founa 
amongst  them ;  A  way  to  make  wood  perpetuall,  and 

tinn  /°»^J^'  ^°'  ™J.4  w'^^^O"  was  laid  the  founda- 
A  "fu""?  ^'-^^^  Bphtsian  Temple,  and  which  were 
™±*^'wKM°«  *'=^*',  °^  "'"^  boundaries  and  L^nd! 
Ohc»  ,.Wh>lest  we  ook  on  these,  we  admire  not 
Observations  of  Coals  found  fresh,  after  four  hundred 
years.*  In  a  long-deserted  habitation"  even  efrg-shells 
have  been  found  fresh,  not  tending  to  corruption. 
In    the   Monument    of    King   Childtrick  the  Iron 


Inlir  (i\a  ixawTJ  numeral  Thiophrtstus. 


'  Plin.  I.  xvL 
*  Surius, 

'  Gorop.  Buanus  in  Niloicopio 
'  OlBmnguccio  nilki  fyrotichnia. 
At  Elmhani. 


114  Hydriotaphia 

Reliques  were  found  all  rust^  and  crumbling  into 
peeces.  But  our  little  Iron  pms  which  fastened  the 
Ivory  works,  held  well  together,  and  lost  not  their 
Magneticall  quality,  though  wanting  a  tenacious 
moisture  for  the  firmer  union  of  parts,  although  it  be 
hardly  drawn  into  fusion,  yet  that  metall  soon  sub- 
mittet'i  unto  rust  and  dissolution.  In  the  brazen 
peeces  we  admired  not  the  duration,  but  the  freedome 
from  rust,  and  ill  savour ;  upon  the  hardest  attrition, 
but  now  exposed  unto  the  piercing  atomes  of  ayre ;  in 
the  space  of  a  few  moneths,  they  begin  to  spot  and 
betray  their  green  entrals.  We  conceive  not  these 
Umes  to  have  descended  thus  naked  as  they  appear, 
or  to  have  entred  their  graves  without  the  old  habit  of 
flowers.  The  Urne  of  Philopamen  was  so  laden  with 
flowers  and  ribbons,  that  it  afforded  no  sight  of  itself. 
The  rigid  Lycurgus  allowed  Olive  and  Myrtle.  The 
Athenians  might  fairly  except  against  the  practise  of 
Democritus,  to  be  buried  up  in  honey ;  as  fearing  to 
embezzle  a  grei^  commodity  of  their  Countrey,  and 
the  best  of  that  kinde  in  Europe.  But  Plato  seemed 
too  frugally  politick,  who  allowed  no  larger  Monument 
than  would  contain  for  Heroick  Verses,  and  designed 
the  most  barren  ground  for  sepulture:  Though  we 
cannot  commend  the  goodnesse  of  that  sepiUchrall 
ground  which  was  set  at  no  higher  rate  then  the  mean 
salary  of  Judas.  Though  the  earth  had  confounded 
the  ashes  of  these  Ossuaries,  yet  the  bones  were  so 
smartly  burnt,  that  some  thin  plates  of  brasse  were 
found  half  melted  among  them :  whereby  we  appre- 
hend they  were  not  of  the  meanest  carcasses,  perfunc- 
torily fired  as  sometimes  in  military,  and  commonly  in 
pestilence,  burx.ings;  or  after  the  manner  of  abject 
corps,  hudled  forth  and  carelessly  burnt,  without  the 
Esquiline  Fort  at  Rome;  which  was  an  affront  con- 
tinued upon  Tiberius,  while  they  but  half  burnt  his 
body,'  and  in  the  amphitheatre,  according  to  the  custome 
in  notable  Malefactors ;  whereas  Nero  seemed  not  so 

'  SutUm,  i»  vM  Tib. 
Coioub. 


Bt  in  tmfhilkeatn  stmiusttUmdum,  not. 


Urn  Burial 


"5 


ri1.n  T      °°'  *^.'*  '°  "«>'  '^•th  bones,    f he  senS 

I  Surfoit.  iH  nita  Domitian. 
An^n.^^"  """'  '^'^^^  ""J  «°«hy  Mr.  M.  C«a„J„,  „poa 

..oo/2;^nr?Si;'ng  Gl^'Th'S'-^lS'  Feasts.  „hen  „en 
knife  in  their  hand!,  re^'t^cnt  it  ih,^^J  '".*  ^°P''  ""*  « 
away,  wherein  if  they  Sthev  lit  ,h.°  v"  "°'"' ^'^'s  reUed 
of  their  .pectators.-^}S5     '         "**"  '""'  ^  ""•  '"Kb'" 


ii6 


Hydriotaphia 


antick  peeces :  Where  we  finde  D.  MA  it  is  obvious 
to  meet  with  sacrificing  patera's  and  vessels  of  libation, 
upon  old  sepulchrall  Monumenta  In  the  Jewish 
Hypegteum'  and  subterranean  Cell  at  Rome,  was  little 
observable  beside  the  variety  of  Lamps,  and  frequent 
draughts  of  the  holy  Candlestick.  In  authentick 
draughts  of  Anthony  and  Jerome  we  meet  with  thigh- 
bones and  deaths-heads;  but  the  cemeterial  Cels  of 
ancient  Christians  and  Martyrs,  were  filled  with 
draughts  of  Scripture  Stories;  not  declining  the 
flourishes  of  Cypresse,  Palmes,  and  Olive;  and  the 
mysticall  Figures  of  Peacocks,  Doves  and  Cocks. 
But  iterately  affecting  the  pourtraits  of  Enoch,  Lazarus, 
Jonas,  and  the  Vision  of  Exechiel,  as  hopefull  draughts, 
and  hinting  imagery  of  the  Resurrection ;  which  is  the 
life  of  the  grave,  and  sweetens  our  habitations  in  the 
Land  of  Moles  and  Pismires. 

Gentile  Inscriptions  precisely  delivered  the  extent 
of  mens  lives,  seldome  the  manner  of  their  deaths, 
which  history  itself  so  often  leaves  obscure  in  the 
records  of  memorable  persons.  There  is  scarce  any 
Philosopher  but  dies  twice  or  thrice  in  Laertius ;  Nor 
almost  any  life  without  two  or  three  deaths  in  Plu- 
tarch; which  makes  the  tragicall  ends  of  noble  persons 
more  favourably  resented  by  compassionate  Readers, 
who  finde  some  relief  in  the  Election  of  such  differ- 
ences. 

The  certainty  of  death  is  attended  with  uncertainties, 
in  time,  manner,  places.  The  variety  of  Monuments 
hath  often  obscured  true  graves;  and  cenotaphs  con- 
founded Sepulchres.  For  beside  their  reall  Tombs, 
many  have  found  honorary  and  empty  Sepulchres. 
The  variety  oi Homers  Monuments  made  him  of  various 
Countreys.  Euripides*  had  his  Tomb  in  Africa,  but 
his  sepulture  in  Macedonia.  And  Severus*  found  his 
real  Sepulchre  in  Rome,  but  his  empty  grave  in 
GaUia. 


>  Diis  manibus. 

*  PaustH.  in  Attieis. 


-  Bosio. 

*  Lcmfrii.  in  vit.  Alixand.  Seviri, 


Urn  Burial  ny 

n,  M  *''*  ^'■°"°''  "  reasonably  resumed  from  h  • 
m  ns''S"°Th^'  ""^"^  ^*''"=,''^^  "°'  RichesTdo™ 
S  "anlfe'ed^nVre'd^d  °Itt  iT^"  ^°*  *» 
take  that  which  no„°e  comSs  tV  o^°*a"J"„'o  m^^" 
.3  wronged  where  no  man  is  posseLor    '  °  ""^ 

^B^^LV^"  y"'  '''"P"  ^  tl^i^  ""■»  '''"»''«'»  and 
aged  anders,  were  petty  magick  to  exnerimpnt .  t-u 

th^  It  might  have  instructed  Persia.  '=°rap'ete, 

H,:ic  °^  historian  of  the  other  world,  lies  twelve 
dayes  incorrupted.  while  his  soul  was  viewinTth! 
large  stations  of  the  dead.  How  to  keep  tZLm^ 
seven  dayes  from  corruption  by  anoiming  a^d  wasS 
without  exenteration,  were  an  hazardabfelSf  if ' 
m  our  choicest  practise.  How  th^t  ,^i^j°l-  ! 
^^ation  of  bo4  and-ashes°Trom%e^l5m1x^r:' 
hath   found   no    historical!    solution.      Though   fW 

StL'is'L'  ''f"''  collection,  and  ^vfrlooke'J 
hi  fi-^^r  ^-  ^^°™^  provision  they  might  make 
by  fictile  Vessels,   Coverings,   Tiles,  o?  flat  stones! 

'  Trajanus— Z3io» 

Bnfmniahtidu  urn  attoniti  ulOral  tantis  c«im^Ji.  .,S !:  *' 
Firsts  vidtri  fssit.—Plin.  I.  29.  "rimonm,  ut  iedtsse 


ii8 


Hydriotaphia 


upon  and  about  the  body.  And  i;>  ^he  same  Field, 
not  farre  from  these  Urnes,  many  siones  were  found 
under  ground,  as  also  by  carefull  separation  of  ex- 
traneous matter,  composing  and  raking  up  the  burnt 
bones  with  forks,  observable  in  that  notable  lamp  of 
Galvanus.^  Mariianus,  who  had  the  sight  of  the  Vas 
Uttrinum'  or  vessell  wherein  they  burnt  the  dead, 
found  in  the  Esquiline  Field  at  Rom,  might  have 
afforded  clearer  solution.  But  their  insatisfaction 
herein  begat  that  remarkable  invention  in  the  Funerall 
Pyres  of  some  Princes,  by  incombustible  sheets  made 
with  a  texture  of  Asbestos,  incremable  flax,  or  Sala- 
mander's wool,  which  preserved  their  bones  and  ashes 
incommixed. 

How  the  bulk  of  a  man  should  sink  into  so  few 
pounds  of  bones  and  ashes,  may  seem  strange  unto 
any  who  considers  not  its  constitution,  and  how 
slender  a  masse  will  remain  upon  an  open  and  urging 
fire  of  the  carnall  composition.  Even  bones  them- 
selves reduced  into  ashes,  do  abate  a  notable  propor- 
tion. And  consisting  much  of  a  volatile  salt,  when 
that  is  fired  out,  make  a  light  kind  of  cinders.  Although 
their  bulk  be  disproportionable  to  their  weight,  when 
the  heavy  principle  of  Salt  is  fired  out,  and  the  Earth 
almost  only  remaineth ;  Observable  in  sallow,  which 
makes  more  Ashes  than  Oake;  and  discovers  the 
common  fraud  of  selling  Ashes  by  measure,  and  not 
by  ponderation. 

Some  bones  make  best  Skeletons,'  some  bodies 
quick  and  speediest  ashes.  Who  would  expect  a 
quick  flame  from  Hydropicall  Heracliius  ?  The 
poysoned  Souldier,  when  his  Belly  brake,  put  out  two 
pyres  in  Plutarch*  But  in  the  plague  of  Athtiis,^  one 
private  pyre  served  two  or  three  intruders ;  and  the 

'  To  be  seen  in  Licit,  de  riccndiiis  vitmun  lucimis. 

'  Typograph.  Roma  ex  Martiano.  Erat  it  vas  iislriK»m  appelhtum, 
qmi  in  to  cadavera  camburertntur.    Cap.  dt  Campo  Esquilino. 

'  Old  bones  according  to  Lyserus.  Those  of  young  persons  not 
tall  nor  fat  according  to  Columbus. 

«  in  vita  Gracc.  •  Tkucydidis. 


Urn  Burial 


119 


5flw«M  buiBt  m  large  heaps,  by  the  King  of  CastiU  > 
shewed  how  little  Fuell  sufeceth.  though  the 
l^rJ!^}  Py"  of  Pa/w/«,  took  up  an  hundre^f^t «  , 

^f^Zf^  ^'  ^'J?'  ^"^^'y  •  A°d  « the  burthen 
™r,tT-  "  sufficient  for  an  holocaust,  a  man  may 
carry  his  owne  pyre.  ' 

^^^f""!"-"^''  *"■.*  '^"'^  8°°^  burning  lights,  and 
Cur  se^^"'"? '"^  ''""'"K  :•  Though^heVmiSl 
fiumour  seems  of  a  contrary  nature  to  fire,  yet  the 

fi^VnH?Pfl"'"'*  proves  a  combustible  lump  Xr"n 
almo^f  f  ^""n  "^^"^  ^°'"  ^°^'  ""d  some  fuell 
te-f^'"  ''".P'"^^.    Though  the  MetroMh    o 

render  the  sciUls  of  these  Urnes  lesse  burned  than 

Tn  all  h^r-  ^u'  '^i^'^'  °'  '^^'  »^f°«  fire  ahno^ 
JL  iff.n     Ki  ''■'?  **"*  '=°'"™°"  ligament  is  dissolved, 

calx  "rashes  *  ^  '  """  '"'  '"'"^'*''  *°  =°^' 
To  burn  the  bones  of  the  King  of  Edom  for  lime,' 
seems  no  irrationall  ferity ;  But  to  drink  of  the  ashes 
hpf h  ♦t  '^^^^}°°^'  f  passionate  prodigality.  He  that 
hath  the  ashes  of  his  friend,  hath*  an' everlasting 
enters-'lnt""'*  ^""'t^^'^  l«»ve,  corruption  slowl^ 
ft J^f  f  •„  ^°°^^  "^f". ''"™''  ^'^  '°«J'«  a  wall  against 
S  "''P^f^ented  f  .copels.  and  tests  of  metals 
which  consist  of  such  ingredients.  What  the  Sun 
compoundeth,  fire  analyseth,  not  transmuteth.  That 
thTE^rth^  ''T'  '?^^f!,?''"°st  always  a  morsell  for 
S"f;-^^"°^^"*^"S^  ^^  ^"t  a  colonie;  and 
which,  If  time  permits,  the  mother  Element  will  have 
in  their  primitive  masse  again. 

He  that  looks  for  Urnes  and  old  sepulchrau  religues 
must  not  seek  them  in  the  mines  of  TempU  :  Xre 
r.  ,^-' ^!?°  anciently  placed  ihem.  These  were  found 
ma  tield,  according  to  ancient  custome,  iii  noble  or 
private  bunall ;  the  old  practise  of  the  Ca„aamUs%hl 


'  Laurmt.  Valla. 

•  Spcran.  Alb.  Ovor. 

•  Amos  ii.  i, 

•  As  Arttmisia  of  her  husband  Mauiolut 


'E/ccLTiiurtSo'  Ma  1j  Ma. 
*  The  brain.    Hiffocrata. 


I20  Hydriotaphia 

Family  of  Abraham,  and  the  burying-place  of  Josua,  in 
the  borders  of  his  possessions ;  and  also  agreeable 
unto  Roman  practice  to  bury  by  hiehwayes,  whereby 
their  Monumeuts  were  under  eye ;  Memorials  of  them- 
selves, and  memento's  of  mortality  unto  living  pas- 
sengers ;  whom  the  Epitaphs  of  great  ones  were  fain 
to  beg  to  stay  and  look  upon  them;  A  language 
though  sometimes  used,  not  so  proper  in  Church- 
InscriptioDs.i  The  sensible  Rhetorick  of  the  dead,  to 
exemplarity  of  good  life,  first  admitted  the  bones  of 
pious  men,  and  Martyrs  within  Church  wals ;  which 
in  succeeding  ages  crept  into  promiscuous  practise. 
While  Constantiiu  was  peculiarly  favoured  to  be 
admitted  into  the  Church  Porch ;  and  the  first  thus 
buried  in  England  was  in  the  dayes  of  Cuthred. 

Christians  dispute  how  their  bodies  should  lye  in 
the  grave.'  In  urnall  inte  rment  they  clearly  escaped 
this  controversie ;  though  we  decline  the  Religious 
consideration,  yet  in  cemiteriall  and  narrower  burying- 
places,  to  avoid  confusion  and  crosse  position,  a  certain 
posture  were  to  be  admitted;  which  even  Pagan 
civility  observed.  The  Persians  lay  North  and  South, 
the  Megarians  and  Plstemcians  placed  their  b  to  the 
East ;  The  Athenians,  some  think,  towardij  i—  West, 
which  Christians  still  retain.  And  Beda  will  have  it 
to  be  the  posture  of  our  S?viour.  That  he  was 
crucified  with  his  face  toward  the  West,  we  will  not 
contend  with  tradition  and  probable  account ;  But  we 
applaud  not  the  hand  of  the  Painter,  in  exalting  his 
Crosse  so  high  above  those  on  either  side;  since 
hereof  we  finde  no  authentick  account  in  history,  and 
even  the  crosses  found  by  Helena,  pretend  no  such 
distinction  from  longitude  or  dimension. 

To  be  knav'd  out  of  our  graves,  to  have  our  sculs 
made  drinking-bowls,  and  our  bones  turned  into  Pipes, 
to  delight  and  sport  our  Enemies,  are  Tragicall 
abominations  escaped  in  burning  Burials. 

Urnall  interrments  and  burnt  Keliques  lye  not  in 
fear  of  worms,  or  to  be  an  heritage  for  Serpents  ;  In 
>  SisU  vittor.  >  Kirkmamus  dejunir. 


Urn  Burial  121 

carnall  sepulture,  corruptions  seem  peculiar  unto  Darts 
But  wM^'P^f""!!"'^''^  »"'  »'  'h^:  spinall  matt 
•t\t\,Z  ■  »"PP"se  common  wormes  in  craves 
atovea'Anfi°  «",''«  "^y  there;  few  in  Churchy^ds 
above  a  toot  deep,  fewer  or  none  in  Churches  thona^ 
w  fresh  doca^red  bodies.  Teeth,  bones,  wd  ha  rg^^B 
the  mos  lasting  defiance  to  corruption  In  an  Hv 
droptcall  body,  ten  years  buried  in^th^  Church  yard" 
we  met  with  a  fat  concretion,  where  the  nhre  oPthe 
•f^".V°i  l^'^f"  '^'^  ""^^""^  liquor  of' he  4dy 
of  the  f-^H^f  ''"■«.?  '"'"P'  °^^'"'  '"'o  tl""  conSst^c'^ 

remained  dry  and  uncornipted.  Bodies  in  the  Mme 
mouTdlr'^°  "°'  "°i/°™ly  dissolve,  nor  bone feq^aUy 
moulder;  whereof  in  the  opprobrious  disease  we 
expect  no  long  duration.  The^Eody  of  the  Sfue^ 
ol  Dorset  seemed  sound  and  handimely  '^reXhSl 
Commln  ^«^^°'y-*'ght  years  was  found  ui     rnipte^ 

firmer  consistence  and  compage  of  partrmiKht  1^ 
expected  from  Arefaction,  deep  buriall  or  cilPcod^ 
The  greatest  AntiquiUes  of  mortall  bodies  mavTem^n 

pX  "f  i^°*7"'"*'°^*'"'"^''  "«  taSTthe 
r^l  u'  f/*'  °'   '-letamorphosis  of  OW«;.«j» 

some  may  be  older  than  Pyramids,  in  the  putrefied 

oSTe'Tomrr?^'  '°"4"''°°-  When  ffw^ 
?^L  ^  u-  ^''  °^  ^•'^''  'he  remaining  bones  dis- 
bud tn"  P"^°.P°f '°°'  "h/reof  umall  fragments  Ifford 
but  a  bad  conjecture,  and  have  this  disidvanta^e  of 
grave  enterrments,  thht  they  leave  us  ignoSf^ost 
personal  discoveries.  For  since  bones  afford  not  only 
rectitude  and  stabUity,  but  figure  unto  the  body ;  °t  i^ 

p«fcct  and  nothing  corrupted.  thi^fl",h  no?  hidra^  'b^M^ 
■lobisMapof£«»iit, 


122 


Hydriotaphia 


no  impouible  Phvaiognomy  to  conjecture  at  tlethy 
appendencies ;  and  after  what  shape  the  mascles  and 
carnous  parts  might  hang  in  their  full  consistences.  A 
full-spread  CatioU^  shows  a  well-shaped  horse  behinde 
handsome  formed  sculls  givr  some  analogy  to  fleshy 
resemblance.  A  criticall  view  of  bones  maices  a  good 
distinction  of  sexes.  Even  colour  is  not  beyond  con- 
jecture ;  since  it  is  hard  to  be  deceived  in  the  distinc- 
tion of  Negro's  sculls.*  DohU's*  Characters  are  to  be 
found  in  sculls  as  well  as  faces.  HercuUt  is  not  only 
known  by  his  foot.  Other  parts  make  out  their  corn- 
proportions  and  inferences  upon  whole  or  parts.  And 
since  the  dimensions  of  the  head  measure  the  whole 
body,  and  the  figure  thereof  gives  conjecture  of  the 
principall  faculties ;  Physiognomy  outlives  ourselves, 
and  ends  not  in  our  g[raves. 

Severe  contemplators  observing  these  lasting 
reliques,  may  think  them  good  monuments  of  persons 
past,  little  advantage  to  future  beir-'s.  And  consider- 
ing that  power  which  subdueth  all  things  unto  itself, 
that  can  resume  the  scattered  Atomes,  or  identifie  out 
of  any  thing,  conceive  it  superfluous  to  expect  a 
resurrection  out  of  Reliques.  But  the  soul  subsisting, 
other  matter,  clothed  with  due  accidents,  may  salve 
the  individuality :  Yet  the  Saints  we  obser\  r:  p.rsse 
from  graves  and  monuments,  about  the  i.nl'  City. 
Some  think  the  ancient  Patriarchs  so  earnestly  desired 
to  lay  their  bones  in  Canaan,  as  hoping  to  make  a  part 
of  that  Resurrection,  and,  though  thirty  miles  from 

'  That  part  in  the  skeleton  of  a  hone,  which  is  made  by  the 
haunch-bones. 

'  For  their  extraordinary  thickness. 

'  The  poet  Demtt  in  his  view  of  Purgatory,  found  gluttons  so 
meagre,  and  extenuated,  that  he  conceited  them  to  have  been  in 
the  Siege  of  Jerusaltm,  and  that  it  was  easie  to  have  discovered 
Homo  or  Omo  in  their  faces  :  M  being  made  by  the  two  lines  of 
t  'eir  cheeks,  arching  over  the  Eye-brows  to  the  nose,  and  their 
•nnk  eyes  making  O  O  which  makes  up  Omo. 

Parln  I'oeehlaji  null*  unta  ftmmt : 
Chi,  tul  viso  dff;ii  uomim  ttggf  OHO, 
Beni  avria  j:<ivi  eoneuiuto  Timmt.—Purgtt.  xxili.  31. 


Urn  Burial 


123 


Mount  Calwy,  «t  least  to  Ue  in  that  Region  which 
•hould  produce  the  first-fruits  of  the  <tea§  And  if 
.ccordmg  to  learned  conjecture,  the  Ces  of  men 
^.iVft''^"'''.™' greatest  Reliqucs  remain,  m^? 

"on  ^hou^h°th"-'  t"'* Topograph!  °^  "•"'  R"""~^ 
tion.  though  their  bones  or  bod  es  be  after  translated 
^Angels  into  the  field  of  EuM's  vision  or  ^ome 
S«2?    "'""°    '"•    ^''"''y  "^   Judgem'^nro: 

CHAPTER  IV 
S»rrifi.l  ^  ?'  enterrment.    And  since  the  asheTof 

Christian  invention  hath  chiefly  driven  at  Rit« 
which  speak  hopes  of  another  life,  and  hints  of  a 
Resurrection.    And  if  the  ancient  Gentiles  held  not 

enceX  te'  • ""'  ^-"f,^  ^^'''  »"''  ^o^e  subsfst' 
ence  alter  death ;  m  severall  rites,  customes  action.: 

wh.r'.1S'n'''°°'^"'"y  '^''"'^adicted  their  oTn  opWons 
T™  ^''"''"'"S  went  high,  even  to  the  thought  of 
a  resurrection,  as  scoffingly  recorded  by  Pliny.'   Wh^t 
can  be  more  expresse  than  the  exprLion  of  PW 
■  Tirol,  m  Eiek. 

Plin.  l.VU.  c.  jj  '        "•' ""  »'>«»'<«  »t,  lUran  vitam  mmU  >— 


124  Hydriotaphia 

tides  ?i  Or  who  would  expect  from  Lucretius '  a  sentence 
of  Ecclesiastes  ?  Before  Plato  could  speak,  the  soul  bad 
wings  in  Homer,  which  fell  not,  but  flew  out  of  the 
body  into  the  mansions  of  the  dead ;  who  also  observed 
that  handsome  distinction  of  Demos  and  Soma,  for  the 
body  conjoyned  to  the  soul,  and  body  separated  from 
it.  LucioM  spoke  much  truth  in  jest,  when  he  said 
that  part  of  HewMfos  which  proceeded  bom  AUhmena 
perished,  that  bom  Jupiter  remained  immortall.  Thus 
Socrates*  was  content  that  his  friends  should  bury  his 
body,  so  they  would  not  think  they  buried  Socrates,  and 
regarding  only  his  immortall  part,  was  indifferent  to 
be  burnt  or  buried.  From  such  Considerations, 
Diogenes  might  contemn  Sepulture.  And  being  satis- 
fied that  the  soul  could  not  perish,  grow  carelesse  of 
corporall  enterrment.  The  Stoieks  who  thought  the 
souls  of  wise  men  had  their  habitation  about  the  moon, 
might  make  slight  account  of  subterraneous  deposition ; 
whereas  the  Pythagoreans  and  transcorporating  Philo- 
sophers, who  were  to  be  often  buried,  held  great  care 
of  their  enterrment.  And  the  Platonicks  rejected  not 
a  due  care  of  the  grave,  though  they  put  their  ashes 
to  unreasonable  expectations,  in  their  tedious  term  of 
return  and  long  set  revolution. 

Men  have  lost  their  reason  in  nothing  so  much  as 
their  religion,  wherein  stones  and  clouts  make  martyrs ; 
and,  since  the  religion  of  one  seems  madnesse  unto 
another,  to  afford  an  account  or  rationall  of  old  Rites 
requires  no  rigid  Reader.  That  they  kindled  the  pyre 
aversely,  or  turning  their  face  from  it,  was  an  band- 
some  Symbole  of  unwilling  ministration ;  That  they 
washed  their  bones  with  wine  and  milk,  that  the 
mother  wrapped  them  in  linnen  and  dryed  them  in  her 
bosorae,  the  first  fostering  part,  and  place  of  their 
nourishment ;  that  they  opened  their  eyes  towards 
heaven,  before  they  kindled  the  fire,  as  the  place  of 

■  Kal  Tixa  i'  it  Yoli)!  Arlfo/uv  it  ^im  iXietw  Xn^w  irMXtiUimii, 
It  dtinetps. 
'  Ceiit  enim  retro  it  ttrrd  quod  fait  ante  in  ttrrim,  «fc.— I-ucret, 
•  Plato  in  Phad. 


Urn  Burial 


125 


their  hopes  or  onginall,  were  no  improper  Ceremonies. 
1  heir  last  valediction,*  thrice  uttered  by  the  attendants. 
^  also  very  solemn,  and  somewhat  answered  by 
Chnstians,  *ho  thought  it  too  little,  if  they  threw  not 
the  earth  thnce  upon  the  enterred  body.  That  in 
strewmg  their  Tombs  the  Romans  aflFected  the  Rose, 
the  Greeks  Amaranthus  and  myrtle ;  that  the  Funerall 
pyre  consisted  of  sweet  fuell  Cypresse,  Firre,  Larix. 
Yewe,  and  Trees  perpetually  verdant,  lay  silent  ex- 
pressions  of  their  surviving  hopes.  Wherein  Christians, 
who  deck  their  Coffins  with  Bays,  have  found  a  more 
elegant  Embleme.  For  that  he  seeming  dead,  will 
restore  itself  from  the  root,  and  its  dry  and  exuccous 
leaves  resume  their  verdure  again;  which,  if  we 
mistake  not,  we  have  also  observed  in  furze.  Whether 
the  planting  of  yewe  in  Churchyards  hold  not  its 
onginall  from  ancient  Funerall  rites,  or  as  an  Embleme 
of  Resurrection,  from  its  perpetual  verdure,  may  also 
admit  conjecture. 

They  made  use  of  Musick  to  excite  or  quiet  the 
affections  of  their  friends,  according  to  different 
harmonies.  But  the  secret  and  symbolicall  hint  was 
the  harmonical  nature  of  the  soul ;  which  deUvered 
from  the  body,  went  again  to  enjoy  the  primitive 
Harmony  of  heaven,  from  whence  it  first  descended  • 
which  accordmg  to  its  progresse  traced  by  antiquity, 
came  down  by  Cancer,  and  ascended  by  CaMcomus. 

They  burnt  not  chUdren  before  their  teeth  appeared, 
as  apprehendmg  their  bodies  too  tender  a  mc.seU  for 
hre,  and  that  their  gristly  bones  would  scarce  leave 
separable  rehques  after  the  pyrall  combustion.  That 
they  kindled  not  fire  in  their  houses  for  some  dayes 
after  was  a  strict  memoriall  of  the  late  afflicting  fire. 
And  mournmg  without  hope,  they  had  an  happy  fraud 
agamst  excessive  lamentation,  by  a  common  opinion 
that  deep  sorrows  disturb  their  ghosts.' 

That  they  buried  their  dead  on  their  backs,  or  in  a 
supme  position,  seems  agreeable  unto  profound  sleep, 

'  VaU,  volt.  M<  Uordint  quo  imtHn  imtitut  sauemur 
'  Tu  mants  iu  hfdt  mm. 


126 


Hydriotaphia 


and  common  posture  of  dying ;  contrary  to  the  most 
naturall  wav  of  birth;  Nor  unlike  our  pendulous 
posture,  in  the  doubtfull  state  of  the  womb.  Diogenes 
was  singular,  who  preferred  a  prone  situation  in  the 
grave,  and  some  Christians'  like  neither,  who  decline 
the  figure  of  rest,  and  make  choice  of  an  erect 
posture. 

That  they  carried  them  out  of  the  world  with  their 
feet  forward,  not  inconsonant  unto  reason :  As  contrary 
unto  the  native  posture  of  man,  and  his  production 
first  into  it  And  also  agreeable  unto  their  opinions, 
while  they  bid  adieu  unto  the  world,  not  to  look  again 
upon  it ;  whereas  Mahometans  who  think  to  return  to 
a  delightfull  life  again,  are  carried  forth  with  their 
heads  forward,  and  looking  toward  their  houses. 

They  closed  their  eyes  as  parts  which  first  die  or 
first  discover  the  sad  effects  of  death.  But  their 
iterated  clamations  to  excitate  their  dying  or  dead 
Mends,  or  revoke  them  unto  life  again,  was  a  vanity 
of  affection ;  as  not  presumably  ignorant  of  the  criticall 
tests  of  death,  by  apposition  of  feathers,  glasses,  and 
reflection  of  figures,  which  dead  eyes  represent  not; 
which  however  not  strictly  verifiable  in  fresh  and 
warm  cadavers,  could  hardly  elude  the  test,  in  corps  of 
four  or  five  dayes.' 

That  they  suck'd  in  the  last  breath  of  their  expiring 
friends,  was  surely  a  practice  of  no  medical  institution, 
but  a  loose  opinion  that  the  soul  passed  out  that  way, 
and  a  fondnesse  of  affection  from  some  PythagoricaU 
foundation,'  that  the  spirit  of  one  body  passed  into 
another ;  which  they  wished  might  be  their  own. 

That  they  powred  oyle  upon  the  pyre,  was  a 
tolerable  practise,  while  the  intention  rested  in  facilitat- 
ing the  accension;  But  to  place  good  Omens  in  the 
quick  and  speedy  burning,  to  sacrifice  unto  the  windes 
for  a  dispatch  in  this  office,  was  a  low  form  of  super- 
stition. 

The  Archimime,  or  Jester,  attending  the  Funerall 

*  Rasaau,  S-c.  *  At  least  by  some  difference  from  living  eye*. 

*  Francaco  Penuei,  Pomfe  f»niM. 


Urn  Burial 


127 


tram,  and  imitating  the  speeches,  gesture,  and  manners 
of  the  deceased,  was  too  light  for  such  solemnities, 
contradicting  their  Funerall  Orations  and  dolefull  rites 
ol  the  grave. 

That  they  buried  a  peece  of  money  with  them  ?s  a 
Fee  of  the  Elystan  Ftrriman,  was  a  practise  full  of  folly 
But  the  ancient  custorae  of  placing  coynes  in  con- 
siderable Urnes,  and  the  present  practise  of  burying 
medals  m  the  Noble  Foundations  oi Europe,  are  laudable 
wayes  of  historicall  discoveries,  in  actions,  persons 
Chronologies ;  and  posterity  will  applaud  them. 
.  We  examine  not  the  old  Laws  of  Sepulture,  exempt- 
ing certam  persons  from  buriall  or  burning.  But 
hereby  we  apprehend  that  these  were  not  the  bones  of 
persons  planet-struck  or  burnt  with  fire  from  Heaven; 
No  rehques  of  Traitors  to  then:  Countrey,  SeU-killers 
or  Sacrilegious  Male.^ctors;  Persons  in  old  appre- 
hension  unworthy  of  the  earth;  condemned  unto  the 
Tartaras  of  Hell,  and  bottomlesse  pit  of  Pluto,  from 
whence  there  was  no  redemption. 

Nor  were  only  many  customes  questionable  in  order 
to  their  Obsequies,  but  also  sundry  practises,  fictions, 
and  conceptions,  discordant  or  obscure,  of  their  state 
and  future  beings;  whether  unto  eight  or  ten  bodies  of 
men  to  adde  one  of  a  woman,  as  being  more  inflam- 
mable, and  unctuously  constituted  for  the  better  pyraU 
combustion,  were  any  rationall  practise;  Or  whether 
the  complamt  of  Perianders  Wife  be  tolerable,  that 
wanting  her  Funerall  burning,  she  suiTered  intolerable 
cold  in  Hell,  according  to  the  constitution  of  the 
mfemall  house  of  Pluto,  wherein  cold  makes  a  great 
part  of  their  tortures ;  it  cannot  passe  without  some 
question. 

Why  the  Female  Ghosts  appear  unto  Ulysses,  before 
the  //wwj  and  masculine  spirits  ?  Why  the  Psyclie  or 
soul  of  Tiresias  is  of  the  masculine  gender.i  who  being 
blinde  on  earth,  sees  more  than  afi  the  rest  in  hell ; 
Why  the  Funerall  Suppers  consisted  of  Egges,  Beans, 
bmallage,  and  Lettuce,  since  the  dead  are  made  to  eat 
In  Homei :— ♦ux^  O^alov  TnptalM  rx^pm  tjcu, 
K 


128  Hydriotaphia 

Asphodels*  about  the  Elyzian  medows?  Why  since 
there  is  no  Sacrifice  acceptable,  nor  any  propitiation 
for  the  Covenant  of  the  grave ;  men  set  up  the  Deity 
of  Morta,  and  frmtlessly  adored  Divinities  without 
ears  ?  it  cannot  escape  some  doubt. 

The  dead  seem  all  alive  in  the  human  Hadts  of 
Homer,  yet  cannot  well  speak,  prophesie,  or  know  the 
living,  except  they  drink  bloud,  wherein  is  the  life  of 
man.  And  therefore  the  souls  of  Penelope's  Paramours, 
conducted  by  Mercury,  chirped  like  bats,  and  those 
which  followed  Hercules,  made  a  noise  but  like  a  flock 
of  birds. 

The  departed  spirits  know  things  past  and  to  come, 
yet  are  ignorant  of  things  present.  Agamemnon  tcre- 
tels  what  should  happen  unto  Ulysses,  yet  ignorantly 
enquires  what  is  become  of  his  own  Son.  The  Ghosts 
are  afraid  of  swords  in  Homer,  yet  Sibylla  tells  yEiuas 
in  Virgil.ihe  thin  habit  of  spirits  was  beyond  the  force 
of  weapons.  The  spirits  put  o£f  their  malice  with 
their  bodies,  and  Casar  and  Pompey  accord  in  Latine 
Hell,  yet  Ajax  in  Homer  endures  not  a  conference  with 
Ulysses;  And  Dtiphohus  appears  all  mangled  in  VirgUs 
Ghosts,  yet  we  meet  with  perfect  shadows  among  the 
wounded  ghosts  of  Homer. 

Since  Charon  in  Ludan  applauds  his  condition  among 
the  dead,  whether  it  be  handsomely  said  of  Achilles, 
that  living  contemner  of  death,  that  he  had  rather  be 
a  plowman's  servant,  than  Emperour  of  the  dead? 
How  Hercules  his  soul  is  in  hell,  and  yet  in  heaven,  and 
Julius  his  soul  in  a  Starre,  yet  seen  by  ^ntas  in  hell, 
except  the  Ghosts  were  but  Images  and  shadows  of 
the  soul,  received  in  higher  mansions,  according  to  the 
ancient  division  of  body,  soul,  and  image,  or  simu- 
lachrum  of  them  both.  The  particulars  of  future  bemgs 
must  needs  be  dark  unto  ancient  Theories,  which 
Christian  Philosophy  yet  determines  but  in  a  Cloud  of 
opinions.  A  Dialogue  between  two  Infants  in  the 
womb  concerning  the  state  of  this  world,  might  hand- 
Bomely  illustrate  our  ignorance  of  the  next,  whereof 
>  Ir  Lttciatt. 


Urn  Burial 


129 


w^i'^^^'Vu'!?  discourse  in  Plate,  denne,  and  aro 
but  Embryon  Philosophers. 

Pytkagora,  escapes  in  the  fabulous  heU  of  £)««/«  1 
among  that  swarm  of  Philosophers,  wherein  whilest 
we  meet  w^th  Pl^  and  SocratJ,  Cati  is  to  be  fo^d  ^ 
no  lower  place  than  Purgatory.  Among  all  the  set 
^^curus  IS  most  considerable,  4om  me/make  honest 
without  an  Elyzium.  who  contemned  life  without  en- 
couragement  of  immortality,  and  making  nothing  after 
death,  yet  made  nothmg  of  the  King  of  terroursf 

Were  the  happmess  of  the  next  world  as  closely 
apprehended  as  the  feUcities  of  this,  it  were  a  mS 
.>  ^*  ?  u^ '  "^^  "J""  ^"""^  »^  'consider  none  hereaft^, 
L^^  if.r"*  than  death  to  dye,  which  makes  u^ 
^,^  }  ^^^  audaaties,  that  durst  be  nothing,  and 
return  into  their  Chaos  again.    Certainly  such  fpirits 

^Tli  ''°°*^'^  t.'^^^'  ^'«'°  "^7  "^'Pe'ted  no  tetter 
^^  ^^'J  would  have  scorned  to  five,  had  they  known 
»?^i-  ^  i*"? ^'?  "".^  ^PP'^""^  °°'  *e  judgment  of 
^ZZt\l^^  ^^r'*''"^X  "^"^  -nen  colards,  or 
that  with  the  confidence  of  but  half  dying,  the  deso  sed 

rSw  ff'^^ich  Pagan  principles  exalted,  but 
rather  regulated  the  wildenesse  of  audacities,  i,^  the 
attempts,  grounds,  and  etemall  sequels  of  death  • 
wherem  men  of  the  boldest  spirits  are  often  prodigiously 
^^^TU  ^°\°'°  ""^  extenuate  the  valour  o^f 
Mcient  Martyrs,  who  contemned  death  in  the  uncom- 
fortable  scene  of  their  lives,  and  in  their  decrepit 
M^jnrdomes  did  probably  lose  not  many  months  of 

wn^wr%°'  ^^^  ^^^  ^'^  ^'"'°  't  was  scarce 
worth  the  living.    For  (beside  that  long  time  past 

thifh^S  consideration  unto  a  slender  time  to  come) 
of  JlHtt-°°r^  disadvantage  from  the  constitution 
r«,^i1  ^  '  '[?"='"  "atiraUy  "lakes  men  fearfull;  And 
complexionaUy  superannuated  from  the  bold  and 
couragMus  thoughts  of  youth  and  fervent  years.    But 

mnwl^'^T  °K'\'^>^  ^S""  ~^P°«"  aniiosity.  prl 

moteth  not  our  fehcity.   They  may  sit  in  the  OichSstn, 

'  Drf  hfirno,  cant.  4. 


130  Hydriotaphia 

and  noblest  Seats  of  Heaven,  who  have  held  up 
shaking  hands  in  the  fire,  and  humanely  contended 
for  glory. 

Meanwhile  Epicurus  lyes  deep  in  Dantt's  hell; 
wherein  we  meet  with  Tombs  enclosing  souls  which 
denied  their  immortalities.  But  whether  the  virtuous 
heathen,  who  lived  better  than  he  spake,  or  erring  in 
the  principles  of  himself,  yet  lived  above  Philosophers 
of  more  specious  Maximes,  lye  so  deep  as  he  is  placed ; 
at  least  so  low  as  not  to  rise  against  Christians,  who 
beleeving  or  knowing  that  truth,  have  lastingly  denied 
it  in  their  practise  and  conversation,  were  a  quaery  too 
sad  to  insist  on. 

But  all  or  most  apprehensions  rested  in  Opinions  of 
some  future  being,  which,  ignorantly  or  coldly  beleeved, 
begat  those  perverted conceptionSjCeremonies,  Sayings, 
which  Christians  pit}^  or  laugh  at.  Happy  are  they, 
which  live  not  in  that  disadvantage  of  time,  when  men 
could  say  little  for  futurity,  but  from  reason.  Whereby 
the  noblest  minds  fell  often  upon  doubtfuU  deaths,  and 
melancholly  dissolutions;  With  these  hopes  Socrates 
warmed  his  doubtful!  spirits  against  that  cold  potion, 
and  Cato  before  he  durst  give  the  fatall  stroak,  spent 
part  of  the  night  in  reading  the  immortality  of  Plato, 
thereby  confirming  his  wavering  hand  unto  the 
animosity  of  that  attempt. 

It  is  the  heaviest  stone  that  melancholy  can  throw 
at  a  man,  to  tell  him  he  is  at  the  end  of  his  nature ;  or 
that  there  is  no  further  state  to  come,  unto  which  this 
seems  progressionall,  and  otherwise  made  in  vaine; 
Without  this  accomplishment  the  naturall  expectation 
and  desire  of  such  state,  were  but  a  fallacy  in  nature, 
unsatisfied  Considerators ;  would  quarrell  the  justice 
of  their  constitutions,  and  rest  content  that  Adam  had 
fallen  lower,  whereby  by  knowing  no  other  Originall, 
and  deeper  ignorance  of  themselves,  they  might  have 
enjoyed  the  happinesse  of  inferiour  creatures,  who  in 
tranquillity  possessa  their  Constitutions,  as  having  not 
the  apprehension  to  deplore  their  own  natures,  And 
being  framed  below  the  circumference  of  these  hopes. 


Urn  Burial 


131 


or  cognition  of  better  being,  the  wisedom  of  God  hath 
necessitated  th(ir  Contentment:  But  the  superior 
ingredient  and  obscured  part  of  our  selves,  whereto  all 
present  felicities  afford  no  resting  contentment,  will 
be  able  at  last  to  tell  us,  ne  are  more  than  our  present 
selves;  and  evacuate  such  hopes  in  the  fruition  of 
tneir  own  accomplishments. 


CHAPTER  V 

Now  since  these  dead  bones  have  a]ready  out-lasted 
the  hvmg  ones  of  Methuselah,  and  in  a  yard  under 
ground,  and  thin  walls  of  clay,  out-worn  all  the  stronjr 
^1^^°5^  buildings  above  it;  and  quietly  rested 
under  the  drums  and  tramplings  of  three  conquests ; 
what  Prmce  can  promise  such  diutumity  unto  his 
Kehques,  or  might  not  gladly  say, 

Sic  igo  amponi  vmut  in  osta  velim.i 
Time  which  antiquates  AntiquiHes,  and  hath  an  art  to 
M^'ui^ents  "^  '""^''  ^^'^  ^''  '^^^  '^^'^  ^^ 
In  vain  we  hope  to  be  known  by  open  and  visible 
conservatories,  when  to  be  unknown  was  the  means  of 
their  continuation  and  obscurity  their  protection  :  If 
they  dyed  by  violent  hands,  and  were  thrust  into  their 
Urnes,  these  bones  become  considerable,  and  some  old 
Philosophers  would  honour  them,"  whose  souls  they 
conceived  most  pure,  which  were  thus  snatched  from 
their  bodies;  and  to  retain  a  stranger  propension  unto 
them:  whereas  they  weariedly  left  a  languishing 
corps,  and  with  faint  desires  of  re-union.  If  they  fell 
by  long  and  aged  decay,  yet  wrapt  up  in  the  bundle  of 
time,  they  fall  into  indistinctiou.  and  make  but  one 
blot  with  Infants.     If  we  begin  to  die  when  we  live, 

'  Tibullus. 
J..  °"^'^p>"^''i^<'  «"»  kS'Ws  Pselli  It  Phtthonis.    Bin  Urhrm 


132 


Hydriotaphia 


and  long  life  be  but  a  prolongation  of  death  ;  our  life 
is  a  sad  composition  ;  We  live  with  death,  and  die  not 
in  a  moment.  How  many  pulses  made  up  the  Ufe  of 
Mithuselak,  were  work  for  Arckimtdts:  Common 
Counters  summe  up  the  life  of  Mosis  his  man.'  Our 
dayes  become  considerable  like  petty  sums  by  minute 
accumulations;  vhere  numerous  fractions  make  up 
but  small  round  numbers ;  and  our  dayes  of  a  span 
long  make  not  one  little  finger.' 

If  the  nearnesse  of  our  last  necessity,  brought  a 
nearer  conformity  into  it,  there  were  a  happinesse  in 
hoary  hairs,  and  no  calamity  in  half  senses.  But  the 
long  habit  of  living  indisposeth  us  for  dying;  when 
Avarice  makes  us  the  sport  of  death ;  When  even 
David  grew  politickly  en,  U ;  and  Solomon  could  hardly 
be  said  to  be  the  wisest  of  men.  But  many  are  too 
early  old,  and  before  the  date  of  age.  Adversity 
stretcbeth  our  dayes,  misery  makes  Alcmmas  nights,' 
and  time  hath  no  wings  unto  it.  But  the  most  tedious 
bein^  is  that  which  can  unwish  itself,  content  to  be 
nothmg,  or  never  to  have  been,  which  was  beyond  the 
mxlecorAsat  of  Job,  who  cursed  not  the  day  of  his  life, 
but  his  Nativity :  Content  to  have  so  &rre  been,  as 
to  have  a  Title  to  future  being ;  Although  he  had  lived 
here  but  in  an  hidden  state  of  life,  and  as  it  were  an 
abortion. 

What  Song  the  Sp/rens  sang,  or  what  name  Achilles 
assumed  when  he  hid  himself  among  women,  though 
puzling  Questions,*  are  not  beyond  all  conjecture. 
What  time  the  persons  of  these  Ossuaries  entred  the 
famous  Nations  of  the  dead,'  and  slept  with  Princes 
and  Counsellours,  might  admit  a  wide  solution.  But 
who  were  the  proprietaries  of  these  bones,  or  what 

'  In  the  Psalme  of  Moses. 

'  According  to  the  ancient  Arithmetick  of  the  hand,  wherein 
the  little  finger  of  the  right  hand  contracted,  signified  an 
hnndzed. — Pitrins  in  Hieroglyph, 

'  One  night  as  long  as  three. 

*  The  puzzling  questions  of  THurius  onto  CrammariMS.— 
iittrcd.  Donatus  in  Stut. 

'  KXvrl  Una  ntp&r, — Hem.  Jot, 


Urn  Burial 


133 


■ 


bodies  these  ashes  made  up,  were  a  question  above 
Antiquarism.  Not  to  be  resolved  by  man,  nor  easily 
perhaps  by  spirits,  except  we  consult  the  Provinciall 
Guardians,  or  tutellary  Observators.  Had  they  made 
as  good  provision  for  their  names,  as  they  have  done 
tor  their  Reliques,  they  had  not  so  grosly  erred  in  the 
art  of  perpetuation.  But  to  subsist  in  bones,  and  be 
but  Pyramidally  extant,  is  a  fallacy  in  duration.  Vain 
ashes,  which  in  the  oblivion  of  names,  persons,  times, 
and  sexes,  have  found  unto  themselves,  a  fruitless 
continuation,  and  only  arise  unto  late  posterity,  as 
Emblemes  of  mortall  vanities ;  Antidotes  against  pride, 
vain-glory,  and  madding  vices.  Pagan  vain-glories 
which  thought  the  world  might  last  for  ever,  had  en- 
Muragement  for  ambition,  and,  finding  no  Atropos  unto 
tho  immortality  of  their  Names,  were  never  dampt 
with  the  necessity  of  oblivion.  Even  old  ambitions 
had  the  advantage  of  ours,  in  the  attempts  of  their 
vain-glories,  who  acting  early,  and  before  the  probable 
Meridian  of  time,  have  by  this  time  found  great 
accomplishment  of  their  designes,  whereby  the  ancient 
Htroa  have  ahready  out-lasted  their  Monuments,  and 
Mechanicall  preservations.  But  in  this  latter  Scene 
of  time,  we  cannot  expect  such  mummies  unto  our 
memories,  when  ambition  may  fear  the  Prophecy  of 
E/«ai,i  and  Charlts  the  fifth  can  never  hope  to  live 
within  two  Mtthuulas  of  Hector.* 

And  therefore  restiesse  inquietude  for  the  diutumity 
of  our  memories  unto  present  considerations,  seems  a 
vanity  almost  out  of  date,  and  superannuated  peece  of 
folly.  We  cannot  hope  to  live  so  long  in  our  names, 
as  some  have  done  in  their  persons,  one  face  of  Janus 
holds  no  proportion  unto  the  other.  'Tis  too  late  to 
be  ambitious.  The  great  mutations  of  the  worid  are 
acted,  or  time  may  be  too  short  for  our  designes.  To 
extend  our  memories  by  Monuments,  whose  death  we 
daily  pray  for,  and  whose  duration  we  cannot  hope, 

I  Tbat  the  world  may  last  but  six  thousand  yean. 
.1.    Hector's  fame  lasting  above  two  lives  of  Melhuselah,  before 
tnat  lamons  Pnnce  was  extant. 


134  Hydriotaphia 

\rithout  injury  to  our  expectations,  m  the  advent  of 
the  last  day,  were  a  contradiction  to  our  beliefs.  We 
wboae  generations  are  ordained  in  this  setting  part  of 
time,  are  providentially  taken  off  from  such  imagina- 
tions ;  And  being  necessitated  to  eye  the  remaming 
particle  of  futurity,  are  naturally  constituted  unto 
thoughts  of  the  next  world,  and  cannot  excusably 
decline  the  consideration  of  that  duration,  which 
maketh  Pyramids  pillars  of  snow,  and  all  that's  past  a 
moment 

'^■rcles  and  right  lines  limit  and  close  all  bodies, 
and  the  mortall  right-lined  circle*  must  conclude  and 
shut  up  all.  There  is  no  antidote  against  the  Opium 
of  time,  which  temporally  considereth  all  things ;  Our 
Fathers  finde  their  graves  in  our  short  memories,  and 
sadly  tell  us  how  we  may  be  buried  in  our  Survivors. 
Grave-stones  tell  truth  scarce  fourty  years.'  Genera- 
tions passe  while  some  trees  stand,  and  old  families 
last  not  three  oaks.  To  be  read  by  bare  Inscriptions 
like  many  in  Gruter,*  to  hope  for  Eternity  by  iEnigma- 
ticall  Epitbetes  or  first  letters  of  our  names,  tb  be 
studied  by  Antiquaries,  who  we  were,  and  have  new 
Names  given  us  like  ro'  ny  of  the  Mummies,*  are  cold 
consolations  unto  the  -  idents  of  perpetuity,  even  by 
everlasting  Language 

To  be  content  tha  '.imes  to  come  should  only  know 
there  was  such  a  man,  not  caring  whether  they  knew 
more  of  him,  was  a  frigid  ambition  in  Cardan :'  dis- 
paraging his  faoroscopal  inclination  and  judgement  of 
himself,  who  cares  to  subsist  like  Hippocrates  Patients, 
or  Achilles  horses  in  Homer,  under  naked  nominations, 
without  deserts  and  noble  acts,  which  are  the  balsame 
of  our  memories,  the  Eutelechia  and  soul  of  our  subsist- 

1  The  character  of  death. 

"  Old  ones  being  taken  up,  and  other  twdies  laid  under  them. 

'  Gruttri  Jnscriptionts  Anttqiia. 

•  Which  men  show  in  several  countries,  giving  then  what 
names  they  please;  and  unto  some  the  names  of  the  old 
Egyptian  kings,  ont  of  Herodotus. 

"  Cuptrmt  notum  esse  qiioi  siia,  ««i  efts  vt  sciatur  jxaHt  tint. — 
Card,  i»  vita  propria. 


I 


Urn  Burial 


135 


ences.  To  be  nameleue  in  worthy  deeds  exceeds  an 
infamous  history.  The  Ctmumtitli  woman  lives  more 
happily  without  a  name,  than  Hmdias  with  one.  And 
who  had  not  rather  have  been  the  good  theef,  then 
PUati? 

But  the  iniquity  of  oblivion  blindely  scattereth  her 
poppy,  and  deals  with  ;he  memory  of  men  without 
distmction  to  merit  of  perpetuity.  Who  can  but  pity 
the  founder  of  the  Pyramids  ?  Henstratus  lives  that 
burnt  the  Temple  of  Diana,  he  is  almost  lost  that  built 
It ;  Time  hath  spared  the  Epitaph  of  Adrians  horse, 
confounded  that  of  himself.  In  vain  we  compute  our 
felicities  by  the  advantage  of  our  good  names,  since 
bad  have  equall  durations  ;  and  Thtnitn  is  like  to  live 
as  long  as  Agammnm,  Who  knows  whether  the  best  of 
men  be  known  ?  or  whether  there  be  not  more  remark- 
able persons  forgot,  then  any  that  stand  remembred 
m  the  known  account  of  time  ?  Without  the  faviur 
of  the  evurlasting  register,  the  first  man  had  been  as 
unknown  as  the  last,  and  Mtihuulahs  long  life  had 
been  his  only  Chronicle. 

Oblivion  is  not  to  be  hired:  The  greater  part  must 
be  content  to  be  as  though  they  had  not  been,  to  be 
found  in  the  Register  of  God,  not  in  the  record  of  man. 
Twenty-seven  Names  make  up  the  first  story  before 
the  flood,  and  the  recorded  names  ever  since  contain 
not  one  living  Century.  The  number  of  the  dead  long 
exceedeth  all  that  shall  live.  The  nigLt  of  time  far 
surpasseth  the  day,  and  who  knows  when  was  the 
.lEguinox?  Every  hour  adds  unto  that  current 
Arithmetique  which  scarce  stands  one  moment.  And 
since  death  must  be  the  Lucina  of  life,  and  even 
Pagans!  could  doubt,  whether  thus  to  live,  were  to 
dye.  Since  our  longest  sunne  sets  at  right  descen- 
sions,  and  makes  but  winter  arches,  and  therefore  it 
cannot  be  long  before  we  lie  down  in  darknesse,  and 
have  our  light  in  ashes.«    Since  the  brother  of  death 

'  Euripides. 

'  According  to  the  castom  of  the  Jim,  who  place  a  lighted 
wax-candle  m  a  pot  of  ashes  by  the  corpse.— Lm: 


136 


Hydriotaphia 


dmily  baunt*  i»  with  dying  mtrntntt't,  tnd  time  tbkt 
growt  old  in  it  self,  bidi  ut  hope  no  ion^  duration : 
Diuturnity  is  a  dream  and  folly  of  expectation. 

Darlcnesse  and  light  divide  the  course  of  time,  and 
oblivion  shares  with  memory,  a  great  part  even  of  our 
living  b«  gs ;  we  slightly  remember  our  felicities,  and 
the  smartest  stroaks  of  affliction  leave  but  short  smart 
ii)K/n  us.  Sense  endureth  no  extremities,  and  sorrows 
destroy  us  or  themselves.  To  weep  into  stones  are 
fables.  AfBictions  induce  callosities,  miseries  are 
slippery,  or  &11  like  snow  upon  us,  which  notwith- 
standing is  no  unhappy  stupidity.  To  be  ignorant  of 
evils  to  come,  and  foreetfull  of  evils  past,  is  a  mercifiill 
provision  in  nature,  whereby  we  digest  the  mixture  of 
our  few  and  evil  dayes,  and  our  delivered  senses  not 
relapsing  into  cutting  remembrances,  our  sorrows  are 
not  kept  raw  by  the  edge  of  repetitions.  A  great  part 
of  Antiquity  contented  their  hopes  of  subsistency  with 
a  transmigration  of  their  souls.  A  good  way  to  con- 
tinue their  memories,  while  having  the  advantage  of 
plurall  successions,  they  could  not  but  act  something 
remarkable  in  such  variety  of  beings,  and  enjoying 
the  fame  of  their  passed  selves,  make  accumulation  of 
glory  unto  their  last  durations.  Others,  rather  then 
be  lost  in  the  uncomfortable  night  of  nothing,  were 
content  to  recede  into  the  common  being,  and  make 
one  particle  of  the  public  soul  of  all  things,  which  was 
no  more  then  to  return  into  their  unknown  and  divine 
Originall  again.  Egyptian  ingenuity  was  more  un- 
satisfied, contriving  their  bodies  in  sweet  consistencies, 
to  attend  the  return  of  their  souls.  But  all  was 
vanity,'  feeding  the  winde,  and  folly.  The  .Egyptian 
Mummies,  wmch  Cambyses  or  time  hath  spared, 
avarice  now  consumeth.  Mummie  is  become  Mer- 
chandise, Mixraim  cures  wounds,  and  Pharaoh  is  sold 
for  balsoms. 

In  vain  do  individuals  hope  for  Immortality,  or  any 


■  Omnia  vmiUu  ft  pastio  vmli,  n/i^i  iriiimi  nU  pirnint,  irf  olim 
Aquila  it  Symmtehui.  v.  Dnu.  Eala. 


Urn  Burial 


137 


Mktent  from  oblivion,  in  preservations  below  the  Moon  : 
Men  have  been  deceived  even  in  ''"ir  flatteries  above 
tlie  Sun,  and  studied  conceits  to  ^.:.  late  their  names 
in  heaven.  The  various  Cosn-.^iaphy  of  that  part 
hath  already  varied  the  names  of  contrived  constella- 
tions ;  Nimrod  is  lost  in  Orion,  and  Osyris  in  the  Dogge- 
starre.  While  we  look  for  incorruption  in  the  heavens, 
we  iinde  they  are  but  like  the  Earth;  Durable  in 
their  main  bodies,  alterable  in  their  paits:  whereof 
beside  Comets  and  new  Stars,  perspectives  begin  to 
tell  tales.  And  the  spots  that  wander  about  the 
Sun,  with  Phattont  favour,  would  midce  clear  convic- 
tion. 

There  is  nothing  strictly  immortall,  but  immor- 
tality ;  whatever  hath  no  b^^nning,  may  be  confident 
of  no  end — which  is  the  peculiar  of  that  necessary 
esswce  that  cannot  destroy  itself;  And  the  highest 
strain  of  omnipotency,  to  be  so  powerfully  constituted 
as  not  to  suffer  even  from  the  power  of  itself :  All 
others  have  a  dependent  being,  and  within  the  reach 
of  destruction.  But  the  sufficiency  of  Christian 
Immortality  frustrates  all  earthly  glory,  and  the 
quality  of  either  state  after  death,  makes  a  folly  of 
posthumous  memory.  God  y.bo  can  tmly  destroy  our 
souls,  and  hath  assure:*  u,ir  .-ci.u erection,  either  of  our 
bodies  or  names  hs.lj  uirectly  ■  ■  mised  no  duration. 
Wherein  there  is  sc  luch  of  ch^noe,  that  the  boldest 
Expectants  have  fc  ,  ■.  •uioi^ppy  fr-  stration;  and  to 
hold  long  subsistence,  isoTDss.  ba  a  jcape  in  oblivion. 
But  man  is  a  Noble  Animr     •';j!eidid  in  ashes,  and 

gimpous  in  the  grave,  so.'    ■    ';  .ng  Nativities  and 
eaths  with  equal  lustre,  n>  ■_  omitting  Ceremonies  of 
bravery  in  the  mfamy  of  his  nature. 

Life  is  a  pure  flame,  and  we  live  by  an  invisible 
Sun  within  us.  A  » -  't  fire  sufficeth  for  life,  great 
flames  seemed  too  litt>o  oiter  death,  while  men  vainly 
affected  precious  pyres,  and  to  bum  like  SardaMaialus, 
but  the  wisedom  of  funerall  Laws  found  the  folly  of 
prodigall  blazes,  and  reduced  undoing  fires  unto  the 
rule  of  sober  obsequies,  wherein  few  could  be  so  mean 


138 


Hydriotaphia 


as  not  to  provide  wood,  pitch,  a  mourner,  and  an 
Ume.> 

Five  Languages  secured  not  the  Epitaph  of  Gar- 
ditmus.*  The  man  of  God  lives  longer  without  a 
Tomb  then  any  by  one,  invisibly  interred  by  Angels, 
and  adjudged  to  obscurity,  though  not  without  some 
marks  directing  humane  discovery.  Enoch  and  Elias, 
without  either  tomb  or  buriall,  in  an  anomalous  state 
of  being,  are  the  great  Examples  of  perpetuity,  in  their 
long  and  living  memory,  in  strict  account  being  still 
on  this  side  death,  and  having  a  late  part  yet  to  act 
upon  this  stage  of  earth.  If  m  the  decretory  term  of 
the  world  we  shall  not  all  dye  but  be  changed,  accord- 
ing to  received  translation ;  the  last  da^  wCQ  make  but 
few  graves ;  at  lea$t  quick  Resurrections  will  antici- 
pate lasting  Sepultures ;  Some  Graves  will  be  opened 
before  they  be  quite  closed,  and  Laxana  be  no  wonder. 
When  many  that  feared  to  dye,  shall  groane  that  they 
can  dye  but  once,  the  dismal!  state  is  the  second  and 
living  death,  when  life  puts  despair  on  the  damned ; 
when  men  shall  wish  the  coverings  of  Mountaines, 
not  of  Monuments,  and  annihilations  shall  be  courted 

While  some  have  studied  Monuments,  others  have 
studiously  declined  them:  and  some  have  been  so 
vainly  boisterous,  that  they  durst  not  acknowledge 
their  Graves ;  wherein  Alaricus^  seems  most  "ubtle, 
who  had  a  River  turned  to  hide  his  bones  at  the 
bottome.  Even  SyUa,  that  thought  himself  safe  in 
his  Ume,  could  not  prevent  revenging  tongues,  and 
stones  thrown  at  his  Monument  Happy  are  they 
whom  privacy  makes  innocent,  who  deal  so  with  men 

*  According  to  the  epitaph  of  Rufus  aod  Beronica,  in  Gruteras. 

nee  ex 
Eorum  bonis  plus  inventum  est,  quam 
Quod  sufficeret  ad  emendam  pyram 
Et  picem  quibus  corpora  cremarentur, 
Et  praefica  conducta,  et  olla  empta. 

*  In  Greek,  Latin,  Hebrew,  Egjrptiui,  Arabic ;  defaced  by 
Licinius  the  emperor. 

*  Jonuuida  it  r^ut  Giticit. 


Urn  Burial 


139 


in  this  world,  that  they  are  not  afraid  to  meet  them  in 
the  next,  who  when  they  dye,  make  no  commotion 
among  the  dead,  and  are  not  touched  with  that  poetical 
taunt  of  Isaiah.^ 

Pyramids,  Arches,  Obelisks,  vieie  but  the  irregularities 
of  vain-glory,  and  -wilde  enormities  of  ancient  mag- 
nanimity. But  the  most  magnanimous  resolution 
rests  in  the  Christian  Religion,  which  trampleth  upon 
pride,  and  sits  on  the  neck  of  ambition,  humbly  pursu- 
mg  that  infallible  perpetuity,  unto  which  all  others 
must  diminish  their  diameters,  and  be  poorly  seen  in 
Angles  of  contingency.' 

Pious  spirits  who  passed  their  dayes  in  raptures  of 
futurity,  made  little  more  of  this  world,  then  the 
world  that  was  before  it,  while  they  lay  obscure  in  the 
Chaos  of  pre-ordination,  and  night  of  their  fore-beings. 
And  ifany  have  been  so  happy  as  truly  to  tuderstand 
Christian  annihilation,  extasis,  exolution,  liquefaction, 
transformation,  the  kisse  of  the  Spouse,  gustation  of 
God,  and  ingression  into  the  divine  shadow,  they  have 
already  had  an  handsome  anticipation  of  heaven ;  the 
glory  of  the  world  is  surely  over,  and  the  earth  in 
ashes  unto  them. 

To  subsist  in  lasting  Monuments,  to  live  in  their 
productions,  to  exist  in  their  names  and  prsdicament 
of  ehymera's,  was  large  satisfaction  unto  old  expecta- 
tions, and  made  one  part  of  their  Etyxiums.  But  all 
this  is  nothing  in  the  Metaphysicks  of  true  belie£  To 
live  indeed  is  to  be  again  ourselves,  which  being  not 
only  an  hope  but  an  evidence  in  noble  beleevers ;  'Tis 
all  one  to  lye  in  St.  hmocent^  churchyard,  as  in  the 
Sands  of  JEgypt :  Ready  to  be  anything,  in  the  ecstasie 
of  being  ever,  and  as  content  with  six  foot  as  the  Mole 
of  Adrianus.* 

Tatesiu  cadmtra  what 

An  rogut  hatid  nfert.—'Lucim 

'  Isa.  xiv.  ■  Angulus  antingeiiHa,  the  least  of  Angles. 

"  Iq  PariSt  where  bodiss  soon  consume. 
'  A  stately  MtusoUim  or  sepolchnl  pjrle,  built  bj  Adrimui  in 
Romt,  where  now  staodeth  the  Castle  of  St.  Angeh. 


CONCERNING  SOME  URNES 

FOUND  IN  BRAMPTON-FIELD,  IN 

NORFOLK,  ANNO:  1667 


BRAMPTON    URNS 


I  THOUGHT  I  had  taken  leave  of  urnes,  when  I  had 
some  Years  past  given  a  short  Account  of  those  found 
at  Walsingham,!  but  a  New  Discovery  being  made,  I 
readily  obey  ypur  Commands  in  a  brief  Description 
thereof. 

In  a  large  Arable  Field,  lying  between  Buxton  and 
Brampton,  but  belonging  to  Brampton,  and  not  much 
more  than  a  Furlong  from  Oxnead  Park,  divers  Urnes 
were  found.  A  Part  of  the  Field  being  designed  to 
be  inclosed,  while  the  Workmen  made  several  Ditches, 
they  fell  upon  divers  Urnes,  but  earnestly,  and  care- 
lessl)  digging,  they  broke  all  they  met  with,  and  find- 
mg  nothing  but  Ashes,  or  burnt  Cinders,  they  scattered 
what  they  found.  Upon  Notice  given  unto  me,  I 
went  unto  the  Place,  and  though  I  used  all  Care  with 
the  Workmen,  yet  they  were  broken  in  the  taking 
out,  but  many,  without  doubt,  are  still  remainine  in 
that  Ground.  * 

Of  these  Pots  none  were  found  above  Three 
Quarters  of  a  Yard  in  the  Ground,  whereby  it  ap- 
peareth,  that  in  all  this  Time  the  Earth  hath  little 
varied  its  Surface,  though  this  Ground  hath  been 
Plowed  to  the  utmost  Memory  of  Man.  Whereby  it 
may  be  also  conjectured,  that  this  hath  not  been  a 
Wood- Land,  as  some  conceive  all  this  Part  to  have 
been ;  for  in  such  Lands  they  usually  made  no  common 

'  See  Hyirutaphia,  Unu  Burial .-  or,  a  Discouru  of  the  Setukhral 
Vnus  lately  fomd  m  Nor/olh.    8vo.    Lond.,  printed  1638. 


Brampton  Urns  143 

Burying.places,  except  for  some  special  Persons  in 

El'7°'*^Tr  "^?*  *''"«  ^^'^'^  an  Ancles 
.Mi  iff  »^"V''^'*  P*^^:  f°^  at  Buxton  also,  not 
fa  th!if  M  ""» V'  S^""  ^""""J  «  -"y  Memor^  but 
t^.™  1     '^°""''?!  FM'^'  Colour,   Posture;  &c 

SfS?HHi'  ^".1*°  "^T'^"  *''°^''  Two  GallonI  some 
nrnhfhl  k',°*'"'"  °^  *  """^l"  Size;  the  grea^t  ones 
FS^rT''^'°°?fS  *°  Sr«a*<«-  Po'^'^s,  or  might  te 
Family  Urnes,  fit  to  receive  the  Ashes  successively  of 
l^me  wr**^  "^^  Relations,  and  therefore  ot^ 
t^Xi  ^°^«,™e«  °f  the  same  Matter,  either  fitted 
over  them'  Vi'V^'f  ''°°t'  ^^'  *  ^^^^«  Slate.  1^'d 
°Wnlv  WH  W  ^r*^"""-^  *''°.  S'"^'  0°«'s  ^ere  but 
thinly  found,  but  others  m  good  Number;  some  were 

t^^^'^t"  ^°^^^^'<^d  Bellies  proportionable,  ^th 

lS^ffs^H°»)^''V.'l'^=x.?°""  ™^'  ^t"^  Necks  like 
Juggs,  and  about  that  Bigness;  the  Mouths  of  some 
?ew  were  not  round,  but  after  the  Figure  of  a  cTrde 

SL'^''.;  *''°"«'  ^°l?^  '^"'^  smaTyet  ncne  had 
pointed  Bottoms,  according  to  the  Figures  of  those 

::'m^J°s!^  ^  '°  ^"-"^  ^°*«"--'  V'g^-rus! 
^°  ,*?,?  Colours  also  there  was  great  Variety  some 
7ZrX^T^--  f"""  ^^'"'^'^-  and  facUninrto  a  bC 
^h^fr  J  °^f^'  ^"^"^  ^^^'  argumg  t'  Variety  of 
BoZm,  nTv'-  ,^°T.  Fragments,  an  especially 
Bottmns  of  Vessels,  which  seem'd  to  be  handsome 
neat  Pans,  were  also  found  of  a  fine  Coral-Hke  rS 
somewhat  Uke  Portugal  Vessels,  as  tho'  they  h^l^en 

out  tne  like  had  been  found  n  divers  Plar^c  „L 
Dr.  Casaubon  hath  observed  about  the  Pots  fS  S 
Newmgton  m  Kent,  and  as  other  Pieces  do  yet  t^tifie 
which  are  to  be  found  at  Burrow  Castle,  an  0?d  RomaS 
station,  not  fkr  from  Yarmouth.  «^oman 

Of  the  Umes,  th6se  of  the  larger  Sort  such  as  haH 
Covenngs,  were  found  with    tLir   Mo«?hs   plac^^ 
'  Original  Gravis. 


144 


Brampton  Urns 


upwards,  but  great  Numbers  of  the  others  were,  as 
they  informed  me,  (and  One  I  saw  myself,)  placed 
with  their  Mouths  downward,  which  were  probably 
such  as  were  not  to  be  opened  again,  or  receive  the 
Ashes  of  any  other  Person  ;  though  some  wonder'd  at 
this  Position,  yet  1  saw  no  Inconveniency  init ;  for 
the  Earth  being  closely  pressed,  and  especially  in 
Minor-mouth'd  pots,  they  stand  in  a  Posture  as  like 
to  continue  as  the  other,  as  being  less  subject  to  have 
the  Earth  fall  in,  or  the  Rain  to  soak  into  them ;  arid 
the  same  Posture  has  been  observed  in  some  found  in 
other  places,  as  Holingshead  delivers,  of  divers  found 
in  Anglesea. 

Some  had  Inscriptions,  the  greatest  Part  none; 
those  with  Inscriptions  were  of  the  largest  Sort,  which 
were  upon  the  reverted  Verges  thereof ;  the  greatest 
part  of  those  which  I  could  obtain  were  somewhat 
obliterated ;  yet  some  of  the  Letters  to  be  made  out : 
the  Letters  were  between  Lines,  either  Single  or 
Double,  and  the  Letters  of  some  few  after  a  iair 
Roman  Stroke,  others  more  rudely  and  illegibly 
drawn,  wherein  there  seemed  no  great  Variety, 
NUON  being  upon  very  many  of  them;  only  upon 
the  inside  of  the  bottom  of  a  small  Red  Pan-like 
Vessel,  were  legibly  set  down  in  embossed  Letters, 
CRACUNA.  F.  which  might  imply  Cracuna  figuli,  or 
the  Name  of  the  Manufactor,  for  Inscriptions  com- 
monly signified  the  Name  of  the  Person  mterr'd,  the 
Names  of  Servants  0£Scial  to  such  Provisions,  or  the 
Name  of  the  Artificer,  or  Manufactor  of  such  Vessels; 
all  which  are  particularly  exemplified  by  the  Learned 
Licetus,!  where  the  same  Inscription  is  often  foimd,  it 
is  probably,  of  the  Artificer,  or  where  the  Name  also 
is  in  the  Genitive  Case,  as  he  also  observeth. 

Out  of  one  was  brought  unto  me  a  Silver  Denarius, 
with  the  Head  of  Diva  Faustina  on  the  Obverse  side, 
on  the  Reverse  the  Figures  of  the  Emperor  and  Em- 
press joining  their  Right  Hands,  with  this  Inscription, 
Concordia;  the  same  is  to  be  seen  in  Augustino;  I 
>  Vid.  Liat,  it  Lmtmis. 


Brampton  Urns  145 

Cofn^nf  P**  fj,°"  """"^  ¥^^  ^""^  Women  then  present 
Coins  of  Posthumus  and  Tetricus,  two  of  the  Thirty 

mf,^?r'/°r.*f  ^^'^  °f  Gallienus,  which  being  of 
much  later  Date,  begat  an  Inference,  that  Urne-Burial 
^sted  longer,  at  least  m  this  Country,  than  is  com- 
monly  supposed.    Good  Authors  conceive,  that  this 

wS  ffi  f'^  "\"  ^'=.'2°^  °^  the'Antonini! 
tT™  r  •  "  ^t  ^fs  Antoninus  Heliogabalus,  yet 
these  Corns  extend  about  Fourscore  Year! lower;  ind 
since  the  Head  of  Tetricus  is  made  with  a  radiated 
t-rown,  It  must  be  conceived  to  have  been  made  after 
his  Death,  and  not  before  his  Consecration,  which  as 
the  Learned  Tristan  Conjectures,  was  most  probably 
m  the  Reign  of  the  Emperor  Tacitus,  and  the  Coin 
T'^mf^f^K "  ?•'  ^^^  °S*  '^"^"^  Abroad,  before  the 
I?%°K9°  Emperor  Probus,  for  Tacitus  Reigned 
but  Six  Months  and  an  Half,  his  Brother  FloriLus 

ReigJ^  Five°Y^%"°'°  "'"''"  ^^°^"^  — '^-g. 

There  were  also  found  some  pieces  of  Glass,  and 
finer  Vessels,  which  might  contain  such  Liquors  as 
they  often  Buried  m,  or  by,  the  Urnes ;  divers  Pieces 
of  Brass,  of  several  Figures;  and  in  one  Ume  was 
found  a  Nail  Two  Inches  long ;  whither  to  declare  the 
Trade  or  Occupation  of  the  Person,  is  uncertain.  But 
TlT^^  %^°°'""?H  "^  Smiths,  in  Gruter.  we  meet 
with  the  Figures  of  Hammers,  Pincers,  and  the  like; 
and  we  find  the  Figure  of  a  Cobler-s  Awl  on  the 
Tomb  of  one  of  that  Trade,  which  was  in  the  Custody 
ofBermi,MArgulus  hath  set  it  down  in  his  Notes 
upon  Omphnus,  Of  the  Antiquities  of  Verona. 

Now,  though  Urnes  have  been  often  discovered  in 
former  Ages,  many  think  it  strange  there  should  be 
many  still  found,  yet  assuredly  there  may  be  great 
Numbers  still  concealed.  For  tho*  we  should  not 
reckon  upon  any  who  were  thus  buried  before  the  Time 
of  the  Romans  (altho'  that  the  Druids  were  thus  buried. 
It  may  be  probable,  and  we  read  of  the  Urae  of  Chin- 
u^  J-  *  ^™;'l.  found  near  Dijon  in  Burgundy, 
largely  discoursed  of  by  Licetus),  aid  tho'.  I  s^,  we 


146 


Brampton  Urns 


Uke  not  in  any  Inlant  which  was  Miim  ignt  regi,  before 
S^eS  Monthl  or  Appearance  of  Teetk  nor  sho«U 
account  this  Practice  of  burning  amopg  t?e.P"*f^ 
higher  than  Vespasian,  when  it  is  said  by  Tacitus,  that 
thiy  conformed  into  the  Manners  and  Customsof  the 
Romans,  and  so  both  Nations  might  have  one  Way  of 
Burial;  yet  from  his  Days,  to  the  Dates  of  these 
Umes.  were  about  Two  Hundred  Years.  And  there- 
fore  if  we  fall  so  low.  as  to  conceive  there  were  buried 
to  this  NSion  but  Twenty  Thousand  Person'.,  th« 
Account  of  the  buried  Persons  w<»>ld  a""""*  "°*S 
Four  Millions,  and  consequently  so  great  a  Number  of 
Umes  dispersed  through  the  Land,  as  may  stiU  sati^ 
the  CurioSty  of  succeeding  Times,  and  arise  unto  aU 

^^'e  bodies,  Whose  Reliques  these  Urnes  contsuned, 
seemed  thoroughly  burned;  for  beside  pieces  of  Teetn, 
rte™  were  found  few  Fragments  of  Bones,  but  rather 
Ashes  in  hard  Lumps,  and  pieces  of  Coals,  which  were 
often  so  fresh,  that  one  sufficed  to  make  a  good  draught 
of  its  Ume.  which  still  remwneth  with  me. 

Some  persons  digging  at  a  Uttle  D«tance  from  the 
Ume  Pfcwes.  in  hopes  to  find  somethmg  of  V^ue, 
X  they  had  digged  about  Three-Quarters  of  a  Yard 
deeo  feU  uDon  an  observable  Piece  of  Work,  ine 
Work  was  Square,  about  Two  Yards  and  a  Quarter 
on  e«:h  Side?  The  Wall,  or  outward  Part,  a  Foot 
?£cMn  Mour  Red,  and  looked  like  Brick;  but  it  w« 
colid,  without  any  Mortar  or  Cement,  or  figur  d  Bnck 
m  it  but  of  an  whole  Piece,  so  that  it  seemed  to  be 
Framed  and  Burnt  in  the  same  Place  where  it  was 
•  S  In  this  kir  '  of  Brick-work  were  Thirty-^two 
Holes  of  about  1  Inches  and  an  Half  Diameter. 
SdTwoaWaQ,  cter  of  a  Circle  in  the  ff -d 
West  Sides.  Upon  1  wo  of  these  Holes,  on  the  East 
Kd^  were  placeSTwo  Pots,  with  their  Mouths  down, 
ward;  putting  in  thsir  Arms  they  found  the  Work 
hoTlow  belowTand  the  Earth  being  dear'd  off,  much 
Water  was  found  below  them,  to  the  Quantity  of 
a  Barrel,  which  was  conceived  to  have  been  tM 


Brampton  Urns  147 

Rain-water  which  soaked  in  through  the  Earth  above 
them. 

The  upper  Part  of  the  Work  being  broke,  and 
opened,  they  found  a  Floor  about  Two  Foot  below,  and 
then  digging  onward,  Three  Floors  successively  under 
one  another,  at  the  Distance  of  a  Foot  and  Half,  the 
Stones  being  of  a  Slatty,  not  Bricky,  Substance ;  in 
these  Partitions  some  Pots  were  found,  but  broke  by 
the  Workmen,  being  necessitated  to  use  hard  Blows 
for  the  breaking  of  the  Stones ;  and  in  the  last  Par- 
tition but  one,  a  large  Pot  was  found  of  a  very  narrow 
Mouth,  short  Ears,  of  the  Capacity  of  Fourteen  Pints, 
which  lay  in  an  incUning  Posture,  close  by,  and  some- 
what under  a  kind  of  Arch  in  the  solid  Wall,  and  by 
the  great  Care  of  my  worthy  Friend,  Mr.  William 
Masham,  who  employed  the  Workmen,  was  taken  up 
whole,  almost  full  of  Water,  clean,  and  without  Smell, 
and  insipid,  which  being  poured  out,  there  still' remains 
in  the  Pot  a  great  Lump  of  an  heavy  crusty  sub- 
stance. What  Work  this  was  we  must  as  yet  reserve 
unto  better  Conjecture.  Meanwhile  we  find  in  Gruter 
that  some  Monuments  of  the  Dead  had  divers  Holes 
successively  to  let  in  the  Ashes  of  their  Relations,  but 
Holes  in  such  a  great  Number  to  that  Intent,  we  have 
not  anywhere  met  with. 

About  Three  Months  after,  my  Noble  and  Honoured 
friend.  Sir  Robert  Paston,  had  the  Curiosity  to  open 
a  Piece  of  Ground  in  his  Park  at  Oxnead,  which 
adjoined  unto  the  former  Field,  where  Fragments  of 
Pots  were  found,  and  upon  one  the  Figure  of  a  well- 
mado  Face;  But  probably  this  Ground  had  been 
opened  and  digged  before,  though  out  of  the  Memory 
of  Man  for  we  found  divers  small  Pieces  of  Pots, 
Sheeps  Bonea,  st\inetimes  an  Oyster-shell  a  Yard  deep 
in  the  Ei\rth,  an  unusual  Coin  of  the  Emperor  Volu- 
sianus,  having  on  the  Obverse  the  head  of  the  Emperor, 
^J!?**  3  .^?<JiMed  Crown,  and  this  Inscription,  Imp. 
V,f «:  V'  yviusiam  Aug. ;  that  is,  Imperatori  Casari  Cote 
Vflno  Volusiano  Augusta.  On  the  Reverse  an  Human 
Figure,  with  the  Arms  somewhat  extended,  and  at  the 


148 


Brampton  Urns 


Riaht  Foot  an  Altar,  with  the  Inscription  PmIm.  This 
Emperor  was  Son  unto  Caius  Vibius  Tribonmnus 
Callus,  with  whom  he  jointly  reigned  after  the  Decn, 
about  the  Year  354 ;  both  he,  himself,  and  his  Father, 
were  ilain  by  the  Emperor  iEmUianua.  By  the 
Radiated  Crown  this  Piece  should  be  Coined  after  his 
Death  and  Consecration,  but  in  whose  Time  it  is  not 
clear  in  History. 


TO  A  FRIEND, 

UPON   OCCASION   OF  THB   DEATH   OF   HIS   INTIMATB 
FRIEND 

GivB  me  leave  to  wonder  that  News  of  this  nature 
should  have  such  heavy  Wings,  that  you  should  hear 
80  little  concerning  your  dearest  Friend,  and  that  I 
must  make  that  unwilling  Repetition  to  tell  you. 
Ad  fortam  rigidos  cakes  txUnifit,  that  he  is  Dead  and 
Buried,  and  by  this  time  no  Puny  among  the  mighty 
Nations  of  the  Dead ;  for  tho  he  left  this  World  not 
very  many  days  past,  yet  every  hour  you  know  largely 
addeth  unto  that  dark  Society;  and  considering  the 
incessant  Mortality  of  Mankind,  you  cannot  conceive 
there  dieth  in  the  whole  Earth  so  few  as  a  thousand 
an  hour. 

Altho  at  this  distance  you  had  no  early  Account  or 
Particular  of  his  Death ;  yet  your  Affection  may  cease 
to  wonder  that  you  had  not  some  secret  Sense  or 
Intimation  thereof  by  Dreams,  thoughtfiil  Whisperings, 
Mercurismji,  Airy  Nuncios  or  sympathetical  Insinua- 
tions, which  many  seem  to  have  had  at  the  Death  of 
their  dearest  Friends :  for  since  we  find  in  that  famous 
Story,  that  Spirits  themselves  were  fain  to  tell  their 
Fellows  at  a  distance,  that  the  preat  Antonio  was  dead, 
we  have  a  sufficient  Excuse  for  our  ignorance  in  such 
Particulars,  and  must  rest  content  with  the  comr,  on 
Iload,  and  Appian  way  of  Knowledge  by  Ir  formation. 
Tho  the  uncertainty  of  the  Er  '  of  this  World  hath 
confounded  all  Hymane  Predi  lions;  yet  they  who 
shall  live  to  see  the  Sun  and  Moon  darkned,  and  the 
Stars  to  fall  from  Heaven,  will  hardly  be  deceived  in 
the  Advent  of  the  last  Day ;  and  therefore  strange  it 
is,  that  the  common  Fallacy  of  consumptive  Persons, 
who  feel  not  themselves  dying,  and  therefore  still  hope 
to  liye,should  also  reach  their  Friends  in  perfect  Health 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


'    1' 

( 

i  ii 


1 


i  ' 


150  

A  i«A«,„mnt  That  vou  should  be  so  little  acquMUted 
tSfJS^^^i^ck  ?S.mVexion.  or  that  almost  an 
HteD^rLtic^  Fa«  shoulS  not  alarum  you  to  higher 
Hippowancu  r »«»  Continuation  in  such  an 

J^f*^""  c.  vi.it  I  was  bold  to  tell  them  who  had 

«^n  s^tooks  which  from  community  of  semmal 
°1fftrf;:iS'pufii°bope  of  advan^^^  by 

[°t^"Sion/  ttt^cS^ttt. '  He  that^s  tabidly 

upon  tteet  that  are  to  be  cut  down. 
•  Hifpoc.  Epidem. 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


i5» 

'  in  Portugal: 
in  Austria  or 
>t  be  in  Love 

^'enice  or  Paris. 

in  He«ven,  but 


inclined,  were  unwise  to  pMc  his 
Cbolical  Persons  will  find  litt 
Vienna :  He  that  is  Weak-legi 
with  Rome,  nor  an  i-  n  -  Hea 
Death  hath  not  only  ;i<'"ticular  ai 
malevolent  Places  on  Earth,  which  single  out'  our 
Infirmities,  and  strike  at  our  weaker  Parts ;  in  which 
Concern,  pa^sa^'er  and  migrant  Bird*  have  the  great 
Advantages ;  who  are  natiually  constituted  for  distant 
Habitations,  whom  no  Seas  nor  Places  limit,  but  in 
their  appointed  Seasons  will  visit  us  from  Greenland 
and  M '  unt  Atlas,  and  as  some  think,  even  from  the 
Antipole; .' 

Tho  vvs  (.oiiH  lot  '.-.^ve  his  Life,  yet  we  missed 
not  our  (Iflsi'-es  "  lis  soft  D<.par^ure,  which  wa. ;  scarce 
an  Expirat^inn  ;  pnd  his  End  not  unlike  his  Beginning, 
when  the  salien)  x''oInt  »-carce  aifords  asensible  motion, 
and  hit  Depai  luie  so  like  unto  Sleep,  that  he  scarce 
needed  the  civil  Ceremony  oi  closing  his  Eyes ;  con- 
trary imto  the  common  wav  wherein  Death  dra.v';.  up, 
Sleep  lets  fall  the  Eye-lids.     With  what  itnU.  md 


I-, 


ct  if 
tivi:  • 


,y,- 


pains  we  came  into  the  World  we  know 
commonly  no  easie  matter  to  get  out  of 
could  be  made  out,  that  such  who  have  e :  - 
have  commonly  hard  Deaths,  and  cc:  \ 
Departure  was  so  easie,  that  we  might  v 
his  Birth  was  of  another  nature,  and  that 
sat  cross-legg'd  at  his  Nativity. 

Besides  his  soft  Death,  the  incurable  state  cf  i^ 
Disease  might  somewhat  extenuate  your  Sorrow,  who 
know  that  Monsters  but  seldom  happen.  Miracles 
more  rarely,  in  physick,'  Angelus  Victoriota  gives  a 
serious  Accoimt  of  a  Consumptive,  Hectical,  Pthysical 
Woman,  who  was  suddenly  cured  by  the  Intercession 
I  of  Ignatius.*  We  read  not  of  any  in  Scripture  who  in 
this  case  applied  unto  our  Saviour,  though  some  may  be 


BMoniiu  d$  Avibut. 
'  Monstra  coatingnnt  in  medicina.    Bippx. — 
rare  eiicapes  there  happen  «"metiine»  in  physick." 
'  Axgili  Vietorii  Connil'  •■-:.  m. 


Strange  and 


152 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


contained  in  that  large  Expression,  That  he  went  about 
Galileo  healing  all  manner  of  Sickness,  and  all  manner 
of  Diseases.!  Amulets,  Spells,  Sigils,  and  Incanta- 
tions, practised  in  other  Diseases,  are  seldom  pre- 
tended in  this ;  and  we  find  no  Sigil  in  the  Archidoxis 
of  Paracelsus  to  cure  an  extreme  Consumption  or 
marasmus,  which,  if  other  Diseases  fail,  will^  put  a 
period  unto  long  Livers,  and  at  last  make  dust_  of 
all.  And  therefore  the  Stoicks  could  not  but  think 
that  the  firy  Principle  would  wear  out  all  the  rest,  and 
at  last  make  an  end  of  the  World,  which  notwithstand- 
ing without  such  a  lingring  period  the  Creator  may 
effect  at  his  Pleasure:  and  to  make  an  end  of  all 
things  on  Earth,  and  our  Planetical  System  of  the 
World,  he  need  but  put  out  the  Sun. 

I  was  not  so  ,curious  to  entitle  the  Str.rs  unto  any 
concern  of  his  Death,  yet  could  not  but  take  notice 
that  he  died  when  the  Moon  was  in  motion  from  the 
Meridian ;  at  which  time,  an  old  Italian  long  ago  would 
persuade  me,  that  the  greatest  part  of  Men  died ;  but 
hi  -CI  I  confess  I  could  never  satisfy  my  Curiosity; 
aii-ijugh  from  the  time  of  Tides  in  Places  upon  or 
near  the  Sea,  there  may  be  considerable  Deductions ; 
and  Pliny'  hath  in  odd  and  remarkable  Passage  con- 
cerning the  Death  of  Men  and  Animals  upon  the 
Recess  or  Ebb  of  the  Sea.  However,  certain  it  is  he 
died  in  the  dead  and  deep  part  of  the  Night,  when 
Nox  might  be  most  apprehensibly  said  to  be  the 
Daughter  of  Chaos,  the  Mother  of  Sleep  and  Death, 
according  to  old  Genealogy ;  and  so  went  out  of  this 
Worla  about  that  hour  when  our  blessed  Saviour 
entered  it,  and  about  what  time  many  conceive  he  will 
return  again  unto  it.  Cardan  hath  a  peculiar  and  no 
hard  Observation  from  a  Man's  Hand,  to  know  whether 
he  was  born  in  the  day  or  night,  which  I  confess  hold- 
eth  in  my  own.     And  Scaliger  to  that  purpose  hath 

'  Matt.  iv.  25. 

•  Aristoteles  nulltim  animal  nisi  aestu  recedente  expirare 
nffirmat ;  observatum  id  multum  in  Gallico  Oceano  et  duntaxat 
in  bomine  compertum,  lib.  2,  cap.  loi. 


Letter  to  a  Friend  153 

gotten  in  the  night,  most  animals  m  the  day;  but 
whether  more  Persons  have  been  born  in  the  Night  or 
-t-S^Xv"^"?  ?  Curiosity  undecidable,  tho  more  have 
perished  by  violent  Deatlis  in  the  Day ;  yet  in  natur^ 
Dissolutions  both  Times  may  hold  an  l/diCncy!^ 

Se  ™nr„'!  ;°^"?i  ^°!14^'y-  The  whole  course  of 
lime  runs  out  m  the  Nativity  and  Death  of  Thines  • 
which  whether  they  happen  "by  Succession  or  Coin-' 
cidence.  are  best  computed  by  the  natural,  not  artificial 

of  hU  M^!'"!*''  -^i  ^''^^^.  ^**  Crowned  upon  the  Day 
of  bs  Nativity,  It  being  in  his  own  power  so  to  order 
IL  1^  f  °°,  singular  Animadversion;  but  that  he 
should  also  take  King  Francis  Prisoner  upon  that  day! 
Z.^  «f  ^Pf  ted  Coincidence,  which  made  the  same 
remarkable.  Antipater  who  had  an  Anniversary  Feast 
n^Z  V"  ?°1  ^'^  ^^t^-^y.  needed  no  Astrological 
Wh^i^rfi*"^^"^  ^''^'  '^"y  t«  should  dye^o^ 
tY.^^-  ?%^''^'^  I*"'  ^^^"^  '^^  a  Revolution  unto 
aI^T  t'^  r'^""."'  ^^^y  fi«t  ^*  O"'.  some  of  the 
Anaents  thought  the  World  would  have  an  end] 
which  was  a  kind  of  dying  upon  the  day  of  its  Nativity 

ovr,^'^\!*'''n\P"^^''°g  '^d  sw^iftly  advancnc 
aW  the  time  of  his  Nativity,  some  were^of  Opinl^^ 

nl  inil  "*  ^^'\^e  a  !ingring  Disease.^d  creejv 
L3 1  'i^  T'  ""'.'"f^  '="*''=^  was  found  or  expected^ 
and  he  died  not  before  fifteen  days  after.  Nothing  is 
more  common  with  Infants  than  to  dye  on  the  day  of 

heu:  Nativity,  to  behold  the  worldly  Hours  and  bat 
the  Frac  ions  thereof;  and  even  to  perish  before  their 
Nativity  m  the  hidden  World  of  the  Womb,  and  before 
the^  good  Angel  is  conceived  to  undertake  them.  But 
in  Persons  who  out-live  many  Years,  and  when  there 
are  no  less  than  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  days  to 
determine  their  Lives  in  every  Year  ;  that  the  first  day 

an'rih.l'."'  P""  P?'"^»'»  'Ob'"  dicil".  non  omnibus  »  pars  est 
aunbus;  non  emm  us  qui  noctu  nati  rent,  sed  qui  iLterdS 
maxima  ex  parte.-Cm.  m  ArUtot.  de  AnimU  lib   i        ">»"'«. 


154 


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I 


should  make  the  last,  that  the  Tail  of  the  Snake  should 
return  into  its  Mouth  precisely  at  that  time,  andthey 
shouM  wind  up  upon  the  day  of  their  Natmty.i  ,s 
S  a^markabte  Coincidence,  which  tho  Astrology 
had  taken  witty  pains  to  salve,  yet  hath  it  been  very 
wary  in  making  Predictions  of  it. 

In  this  consumptive  Condition  and  remarkable 
Extenuation  he  came  to  be  almost  half  ^^^f^'ff 
left  a  great  part  behind  him  which  he  earned  not  to 
the  Grave.  And  tho  that  story  of  Duke  John  Emestas 
Mansfield"  be  not  so  easUy  swallowed,  that  at  his 
Death  his  Heart  was  found  not  to  be  so  big  as  a  Nut , 
yrttf  the  Bones  of  a  good  Sceleton  weigh  little  more 
than  twenty  pounds,  l5s  Inwards  and  Flesh  remammg 
couU  mSe  no  Bouffage,  but  a  light  bit  for  the  Grave 
I  never  more  lively  beheld  the  starved  Chajac  ^rs  of 
Dante>  in  any  living  Face;  an  Aruspex  might  have 
read  a  Lecture  upon  him  without  Exenteration,  his 
Flesh  being  so  consumed  that  he  might,  m  a  manner, 
have  discerned  his  Bowels  without  openmg  of  hun :  so 
that  to  be  carried  stxtd  cermce  to  the  Grave,  '""'but  a 
civil  unnecessity ;  and  the  Complements  of  th  i  Coffin 
migh'.  outweigh  the  Subject  of  it. 

OmnOxmus  FerraHus<  in  mortal  Dysenteries  of 
ChUdren  looks  for  a  Spot  behind  the  Ear;  m  con- 
sumptive Diseases  some  eye  the  Complexion  of  Mo^s 
Sn  eagerly  views  the  NaUs,  some  the  Lmes  of  the 
H^dT  the  Thenar  or  Muscle  of  the  Thumb ;  some 
fre  so  curious  as  to  observe  the  depth  of  the  Throaty 
pit,  how  the  proportion  varieth  of  the  Small  of  the 
Legs  unto  the  CsJf,  or  the  compass  of  the  Neck  unto 
the^ Circumference  of  the  Head:  but  al  these,  with 
manv  more,  were  so  drowned  in  a  mortal  Visage  and 
SsTL'e  of  Hippocrates  that  a  weak  Phygognomjst 
mieht  say  at  first  eye,  This  was  a  Face  of  Earth,  and 
Aat  K»  had  set' her  Hard-Seal  upon  his  Temples, 
1  According  to  the  Egyptian  hieroglyphic. 

•  Turltish  history. 

•  In  the  poet  Dante's  description. 

•  D«  Morbis  Putror»m. 

•  Morte,  the  deity  of  death  or  fate. 


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155 


easily  parceiving  what  atricaima}  Draughts  Death 
makes  upon  pined  Faces,  and  u^o  what  an  unknown 
degree  a  Man  may  live  backward. 

Tho  the  beard  be  only  made  a  distinction  of  Sex 
and  sign  of  masculine  Heat  by  Ulmus,'  yet  the  Pre- 
cocity and  early  growth  thereof  in  him,  was  not  to  be 
Jiked  m  reference  unto  long  life.  Lewis,  that  virtuous 
but  unfortunate  king  of  Hungary,  who  lost  his  Life  at 
the  Battle  of  Mohacz,  was  said  to  be  bom  without  a 
S'fln,  to  have  bearded  at  Fifteen,  and  to  have  shewn 
some  gray  Hairs  about  Twenty;  from  whence  the 
Diviners  conjectured  that  he  would  be  spoiled  of  his 
Kingdom,  and  have  but  a  short  Life :  but  hairs  make 
fallible  Predictions,  and  many  Temples  early  gray 
have  out-Uved  the  Psalmist's  Period.'  Hairs  which 
have  most  amused  me  have  not  been  in  the  Face  or 
Head  but  on  the  Back,  and  not  in  Men  but  Children,  as 
I  long  ago  observed  in  that  Endemial  Distemper  of  little 
children  in  Languedock,  called  the  MvrgtlUm*  wherein 
they  critically  break  out  with  harsh  Hairs  on  their 
Backs,  which  takes  off  the  unquiet  Symptoms  of  the 
Disease,  and  delivers  them  from  Coughs  and  Convul- 
sions. 

The  Egyptian  Mummies  that  I  have  seen,  have  had 
their  Mouths  open,  and  somewhat  gaping,  which 
affordeth  a  good  opportunity  to  view  and  observe  their 
Teeth,  wherein  'tis  not  easie  to  find  any  wanting  or 
decayed:  and  therefore  in  Egypt,  where  one  Man 
practised  but  one  Operation,  or  the  Diseases  but  of 
single  Parts,  it  must  needs  be  a  barren  Profession  to 
confine  unto  that  of  drawing  of  Teeth,  and  little  better 
than  to  have  been  Tooth-drawer  imto  King  Pyrrhus,' 
who  had  but  two  in  his  Head.  How  the  Bannyans 
of  India  maintain  the  Integrity  of  those  parts,  I  find 
not  particularly  observed ;  who  notwithstanding  have 

'  When  men's  faces  are  drawn  with  reaemblance  to  some 
other  animals,  the  Italians  call  it,  to  be  drawn  in  earitatura. 
'  Ulmus  di  usu  barba  humana. 

*  The  life  of  a  man  is  three-score  and  ten. 

*  See  Picotus  de  Rhamatismo, 

'  His  upper  and  lower  jaw  being  solid,  and  withoat  distinct 
rows  of  teeth. 


156 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


an  Advantage  of  their  Preservation  by  abstaining  from 
all  Flesh,  and  employing  their  Teeth  in  such  Food 
unto  which  they  may  seem  at  first  framed,  from  their 
Figure  and  Conformation:  but  sharp  and  corroding 
Rheums  had  so  early  mouldred  those  Rocks  and 
hardest  part  of  his  Fabrick,  that  a  Man  might  well 
conceive  that  his  Years  were  never  like  to  double  or 
twice  tell  over  his  Teeth.>  Corruption  had  dealt  more 
severely  with  them,  than  sepulchral  Fires  and  smart 
Flames  with  those  of  burnt  Bodies  of  old ;  for  in  the 
burnt  Fragments  of  Urns  which  I  have  enquired  mto, 
although  I  seem  to  find  few  Incisors  or  Shearers,  yet 
the  Dog  Teeth  and  Grinders  do  notably  resist  those 
Fires.' 

>  Twice  tell  over  bU  teeth,  never  live  to  threescore  years. 
'  In  the  MS.  Sloan.  1862,  occurs  the  following  paragraph  :— 
"  Affection  had  so  blinded  some  of  his  nearest  relations,  as  to 
retain  some  hope  of  a  postliminious  life,  and  that  he  might  come 
to  Ufe  again,  and  therefore  would  not  have  him  coffined  before 
the  third  day.  Some  such  verbiasses  [so  in  M.S.],  I  confer,  wo 
find  in  story,  and  one  or  two  I  remember  myself,  but  they  hved 
not  long  after.  Some  contingent  reanimations  are  to  be  hoped 
in  diseases  wherein  the  lamp  of  life  is  but  puffed  out  and  seem- 
ingly choaked.  and  not  where  the  oil  is  quite  spent  and  exhausted. 
Though  Nonnus  will  have  it  a  fever,  yet  of  what  diseases  Laiarus 
first  died,  is  uncertain  from  the  text,  as  his  second  death  from 
good  authentic  history  ;  but  since  some  persons  conwaved  to  be 
dead  do  sometimes  return  again  unto  evidence  of  hfe,  that 
miracle  was  wisely  managed  by  our  Saviour ;  for  had  he  not 
been  dead  four  days  and  under  corruption,  there  had  not  wanted 
enough  who  would  have  cavilled  [at]  the  same,  which  the  scrip- 
ture now  puts  out  of  doubt :  and  tradition  also  confirmeth,  that 
he  lived  thirty  years  after,  and  being  pursued  ty  the  Jews,  came 
by  sea  into  Provence,  by  Marseilles,  with  Mary  Magd^en, 
Maximinus,  and  others ;  where  remarkable  places  carry  their 
names  unto  this  day.  But  to  arise  from  the  grave  to  return 
asain  into  it,  is  but  an  uncomfortable  reviction.  Few  men 
would  be  content  to  cradle  it  once  again  ;  except  a  man  can 
lead  his  second  life  better  than  the  first,  a  man  may  be  doubly 
condemned  for  living  evilly  twice,  which  were  but  to  make  the 
second  death  in  scripture  the  third,  and  to  accumulate  in  the 
punishment  of  two  bad  Uvers  at  the  last  day.  To  have  per- 
formed the  duty  of  corruption  in  the  grave,  to  live  again  as  far 
from  sin  as  death,  and  anse  like  our  Saviour  (or  ever,  are  the 
only  satisfactions  of  well-weighed  expectations." 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


15' 


In  the  Years  of  his  Childhood  he  had  languished 
under  the  Disease  of  his  Country,  the  Rickets ;  after 
which  notwithstanding  many  have  become  strong  and 
active  Men ;  but  whether  any  have  attained  unto  very 
great  Years  the  Disease  is  scarce  so  old  as  to  afford 
good  Observation.  Whether  the  Children  of  the 
English  Plantations  be  subject  unto  the  same  In- 
firmity, may  be  worth  the  observing.  Whether 
Lameness  and  Halting  do  still  increase  among  the 
Inhabitants  of  Rovigno  in  Istria,  I  know  not ;  yet 
scarce  twenty  Years  ago  Monsieur  du  Loyr  observed, 
that  a  third  part  of  that  People  halted :  but  too  certain 
it  is,  that  the  Rickets  encreaseth  among  us;  the 
Small-pox  grows  more  pernicious  than  the  Great: 
the  King's  Purse  knows  that  the  King's  Evil  grows 
more  common.  Quartan  Agues  are  become  no 
Strangers  in  Ireland ;  more  common  and  mortal  in 
England :  and  though  the  Ancients  gave  that  Disease' 
very  good  Words,  yet  now  that  Bell  makes  no  strange 
sound  which  rings  out  for  the  Effects  thereof.' 

Some  think  there  were  few  Consumptions  in  the 
Old  World,  when  Men  lived  much  upon  Milk ;  and 
that  the  ancient  Inhabitants  of  this  Island  were  less 
troubled  with  Coughs  when  they  went  naked,  and 
slept  in  Caves  and  Woods,  than  Men  now  in  Chambers 
and  Feather-beda  Plato  will  tell  us,  that  there  was 
no  such  Disease  as  a  catarrh  in  Homer's  time,  and 
that  it  was  but  new  in  Greece  in  his  Age.  Polydore 
Virgil  delivereth  that  Pleurisies  were  rare  in  England, 
who  lived  but  in  the  days  of  Henry  the  Eighth.  Some 
will  allow  no  Diseases  to  be  new,  others  think  that 
many  old  ones  are  ceased ;  and  that  such  which  are 
esteemed  new,  will  have  but  their  time:  However, 
the  Mercy  of  God  hath  scattered  the  great  heap  of 
Diseases,  and  not  loaded  any  one  Country  with  all : 
some  may  be  new  in  one  Country  which  have  been 
old  in  another.  New  discoveries  of  the  Earth  discover 
new  Diseases :  lor  besides  the  common  swarm,  there 

'  'Aff^aXiirTaratnl^^Toi,  securissimaetfacillima. Hittocrat. 

'  Pro  febre  qnartana  raro  sonat  campasa. 


Il       "I 

!      ;I; 


158  Letter  to  a  Friend 

are  endemial  and  Uxal  Infirmities  Pf°P«^  "«*"  <=«?'l 
Regions,  which  in  the  whole  Earth  make  no  small 
number:  and  if  Asia;  Africa,  and  America  should 
bring  in  their  List,  Pandora's  Box  would  swell,  and 
there  must  be  a  strange  Pathology. 

Most  Men  expected  to  find  a  consumed  kell,  empty 
and  bladder-like  Guts,  Uvid  and  marbled  Lungs,  and 
a  withered  Pericardium  in  this  exuccous  Corps :  but 
Lme  Memed  too  much  to  wonder  that  two  Lobes  of 
UrLi^gfadhered  unto  his  side;  for  the  like  I  have 
often  found  in  Bodies  of  no  suspected  Consumptions 
or  difficulty  of  Respiration.  And  the  same  more  often 
happeneth  in  Men  than  other  Animals:  and  some 
thin^  in  Women  than  in  Men :  but  the  "ost  "mark- 
able  I  have  met  with,  was  in  a  Mar,  after  a  Cough  rf 
almost  fifty  Years,  in  whom  aU  the  L°b^.  adhered 
unto  the  Pleuik,!  and  each  Lobe  unto  another;  who 
CngX  beek  much  troubled  with  the  Gout,  brake 
thTRule  of  Cardan,'  and  died  of  the  Stone  inAe 
Bladder.  Aristotle  makes  a  query.  Why  some 
animals  cough  as  Man,  some  not,  as  Oxen  "  «»gn- 
tog  be  taken  as  it  consisteth  of  a  natural  and  yolxmt^ry 

motion,  including  «P~t°"*'° V°L?S  nL  • 
mav  be  as  proper  unto  Man  as  bleeding  at  »e  Nc»e , 
"tS^isf  we  Ind  that  Vegetius  and  Rural  Wnte« 
have  not  left  so  many  Medicmes  m  vain  against  the 
Coughs  of  Cattel;  and  men  who  pensh  by  Coughs 
.  dye  the  Death  of  Sheep,  Cats,  and  Lyons:  and  thou^ 
Birds  have  no  Midriff,  yet  we  meet  with  divers 
Remedies  in  Arrianus  against  the  Coughs  of  Hawks. 
And  tho  it  might  be  thought,  that  all  Animus  who 
have  Longs  do  cough;  yet  m  cetaceous  Fishes, 
who  have  large  and  strong  Lungs,  the  sa,me  is  not 
observed;  nor  yet  in  oviparous  Quadrupe^ :  and  in 
thrgreatest  thereof,  the  Crocodile,  although  we  read 
much  of  their  Tears,  we  find  nothmg  of  that  motion. 

i  ctrda^in  hi.  Enccmium  Podagra  «<*°"'L*'»hTi^?hSS 
P.»«  pXr^,  that  they  are  delivered  thereby  from  the  phthiris 
and  stoae  m  the  bladder. 


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159 


From  the  Thoughts  of  Sleep,  when  the  Soul  was 
conceived  nearest  unto  Divinity,  the  Ancients  erected 
an  Art  of  Divination,  wherein  while  they  too  widely 
expatiated  in  loose  and  inconsequent  Conjectures, 
Hippocrates'  wisely  considered  Dreams  as  they  pre- 
saged Alterations  m  the  Body,  and  so  afforded  hints 
toward  the  preservation  of  Health,  and  prevention  of 
Diseases;  and  therein  was  so  serious  as  to  advise 
Alteration  of  Diet,  Exercise,  Sweating,  Bathincj,  and 
Vomiting ;  and  also  so  religious,  as  to  order  I'rayers 
and  Supplications  unto  respective  Deities,  in  good 
dreams  unto  Sol,  Jupiter  coelestis,  Jupiter  opulentos, 
Minerva,  Mercurius,  and  Apollo ;  in  bad  onto  Tellu* 
and  the  Heroes. 

And  therefore  I  could  not  but  take  notice  how  his 
Female  Friends  were  irrationally  curious  so  strictly  to 
examine  his  Dreams,  and  in  this  low  state  to  hope  for 
the  Fantasms  of  Health.  He  was  now  past  the 
healthful  Dreams,  of  the  Sun,  Moon,  and  Stars  in 
their  Clarity  and  proper  Courses.  Twas  too  late  to 
dream  of  Flying,  of  Limpid  Fountains,  smooth  Waters, 
white  Vestments,  and  fruitful  green  Trees,  which  are 
the  Visions  of  healthful  Sleeps,  and  at  good  distance 
from  the  Grave. 

And  they  were  also  too  deeply  dejected  that  he 
should  dream  of  his  dead  Friends,  inconsequently 
divining,  that  he  would  not  be  long  from  them ;  for 
strange  it  was  not  that  he  should  sometimes  dream  of 
the  dead  whose  Thoughts  run  always  upon  Death ; 
beside,  to  dream  of  the  dead,  so  they  appear  not  in 
dark  Habits,  and  take  nothing  away  from  us,  in  Hippo- 
crates his  Sense  was  of  good  signification :  for  we  live 
by  the  dead,  and  every  thing  is  or  must  be  so  before  it 
becomes  our  Nourishment.  And  Cardan,  who  dream'd 
that  be  discoursed  with  bis  dead  Father  in  the  Moon, 
made  thereof  no  mortal  Interpretation  :  and  even  to 
dream  that  we  are  dead,  was  no  condemnable  Fantasm 
in  old  oneirocriticism,  as  having  a  signification  of 
Liberty,  vacuity  from  Cares,  exemption  and  freedom 
from  Troubles,  unknown  unto  the  dead. 
'  Hippoc.  de  Insovmii. 


i6o 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


Some  Dreams  I  coofcss  may  admit  of  easie  and 
feminine  Exposition :  he  who  dreamed  that  he  could 
not  see  his  ri^ht  Shoulder,  might  easily  fear  to  lose 
the  sight  of  his  right  Eye ;  he  that  before  a  Journey 
dreamed  th«t  his  Feet  were  cut  off,  had  a  plam  warn- 
ing not  to  m^rtalce  bis  intended  Journey.  But  why 
to  dream  of  Lettuce  should  presage  some  ensuing 
(ttsease,  why  to  eat  figs  should  signify  foolish  Talk, 
why  to  eat  Eggs  great  Trouble,  and  to  dream  of  Blind- 
ness should  be  so  highly  commended,  according  to  the 
oa*irocritical  Verses  of  Astrampsychus  and  Nice- 
phorus,  I  shall  leave  unto  your  Divination. 

He  was  willing  to  quit  the  World  alone  and  ;Jco- 
gether,  leaving  no  Earnest  behind  him  for  Comiptiott 
or  Aftergrave,  having  small  content  in  that  common 
latis&ction  to  survive  or  live  in  another,  but  amply 
satisfied  that  his  Disease  should  dye  with  himself  nor 
revive^in  a  Posterity  to  puzzle  Physick,  and  make  sad 
mementos  of  their  Parent  hereditary.  Leprosy  awakes 
not  sometimes  before  Forty,  the  Gout  ana  Stone  often 
later ;  but  consumptive  and  tabid'  Roots  sprout  more 
early,  and  at  the  furest  make  seventeen  Years  of  our 
Life  doubtful  before  that  Age.  They  that  enter  the 
World  with  original  Diseases  as  well  as  Sin,  have  not 
only  common  Mortality  but  sick  Traductions  to 
destroy  them,  make  commonly  short  Courses,  and  live 
not  at  length  but  in  Figures ;  so  that  a  sound  Caesarean 
Nativity'  may  outlast  a  natural  Birth,  and  a  Knife 
may  sometimes  make  way  for  a  more  lasting  fruit 
than  a  Midwife ;  which  makes  so  few  Infants  now 
able  to  endure  the  old  Test  of  the  River,'  and  many 
to  have  feeble  Children  who  could  scarce  have  been 
married  at  Sparta,  and  those  provident  States  who 
studied  strong  and  healthful  Generations;  which 
happen  but  contingently  in  mere  pecuniary  Matches, 

'  Tabes  maxime  contingunt  ab  anno  decimo  octave  ad  trigesi- 
mum  quintain. — Hipfoc. 

*  A  sound  child  cut  out  ot  the  body  of  the  mother. 

'  Natos  ad  flumina  primum  deferimus  ssevoque  gelu  duramus 
et  ondis. 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


i6i 


1 


or  Marriages  made  by  the  Candle,  wherein  notwith' 
standing  there  is  little  redress  to  be  hoped  from  an 
Astrologer  or  a  Lawyer,  and  a  good  discerning  physi- 
cian were  like  to  prove  the  most  saccessftil  ComiseUor. 

Julias  Scaliger,  who  in  a  sleepless  Fit  of  the  Gont 
could  make  two  hundred  Verses  in  a  Night,  would 
have  but  five  plain  Words  upon  his  Tomb.>  And  this 
serious  Person,  though  no  mmor  Wit,  left  the  Poetry 
of  his  Epitaph  unto  others ;  either  unwilling  to  com- 
mend himself,  or  to  be  judged  by  a  Distich,  and 
perhaps  considering  how  unhappy  great  Poets  have 
been  in  versifying  their  own  Epitaphs;  wherein 
Petrarca,  Dante,  and  Ariosto,  have  so  unhappily 
failed,  that  if  their  Tombs  should  out-last  their  Works, 
Posterity  would  find  so  little  of  Apollo  on  them,  as  to 
mistake  them  for  Ciceronian  Poets. 

In  this  deliberate  and  creeping  progress  unto  the 
Grave,  he  was  somewhat  too  ^oung,  and  of  too  noble 
a  mind,  to  &1I  upon  that  stupid  Symptom  observable 
in  divers  Persons  near  their  Journey's  end,  and  which 
maybe  reckoned  among  the  mortal  Symptoms  of  their 
last  Disease ;  that  is,  to  become  more  narrow-minded, 
miserable  and  tenacious,  unready  to  part  with  anything 
when  they  are  ready  to  part  with  all,  and  afraid  to 
want  when  they  have  no  time  to  spend ;  meanwhile 
Physicians,  who  know  that  many  are  mad  but  in  a 
single  depraved  Imagination,  i.nd  one  prevalent  De- 
cipiency;  and  that  beside  and  out  of  such  single 
Deliriums  a  Man  may  meet  with  sober  Actions  and 

food  Sense  in  Bedlam ;  cannot  but  smile  to  see  the 
leirs  and  concerned  Relations,  gratulating  themselv  ^s 
on  the  sober  departure  of  their  Friends ;  and  though 
they  behold  such  mad  covetous  Passages,  content  to 
think  they  dye  in  good  Understanding,  and  in  their 
sober  Senses. 

_  Avarice,  which  is  not  only  Infidelity  but  Idolatry, 
either  from  covetous  Progeny  or  questuary  Education, 
had  no  root  in  bis  Breast,  who  made  good  Works  the 

'  Tulii  Caesaris  Scaligeii  quod  hit— Josepk.  Scaligir  in  vitt 
faim. 


1 62 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


r' 


ExpreMion  of  hit  Faith,  and  was  big  with  daairea 
untODublic  and  lasting  Charities;  and  surely  where 
good  Wishes  and  charitable  Intentions  exceed  Abilities, 
Theorical  Beneficencv  may  be  more  than  a  Dream. 
They  build  not  Castles  in  the  Air  who  would  build 
Churches  on  Earth :  and  the  tliev  leave  no  such 
Structures  here,  may  lay  good  Foundations  in  Heaven. 
In  brief,  his  Life  and  Death  were  such,  that  I  could 
not  blame  them  who  wished  the  like,  and  almost  to 
have  been  himself ;  almost,  1  say ;  for  tho  we  may 
wish  the  prosperous  Appurtenances  of  others,  or  to  be 
another  id  his  happy  Accidents,  yet  so  intrinsical  is 
every  Man  unto  himself,  that  some  doubt  may  be 
made,  whether  any  would  exchange  his  Being,  or 
substantially  become  another  Man. 

He  had  wiselyseen  the  World  at  home  and  abroad, 
and  thereby  observed  under  what  variety  Men  are 
deluded  in  the  pursuit  of  that  which  is  not  here  to  be 
found.  And  altho  he  had  no  Opinion  of  reputed 
Felicities  below,  and  apprehended  Men  widely  out  in 
the  estimate  of  such  Happiness,  yet  his  sober  contempt 
of  the  World  wrought  no  Democratism  or  Cynicism, 
no  laughing  or  snarling  at  it,  as  well  understanding 
there  are  not  Felicities  in  this  World  to  satisfy  a 
serious'  Mind ;  and  therefore  to  soften  the  stream  of 
our  Lives,  we  are  fain  to  take  in  the  reputed  Conten- 
tations  of  this  World,  to  unite  with  the  Crowd  in  their 
Beatitudes,  and  to  make  ourselves  happy  by  Consor- 
tion,  Opinion,  or  Co-existimation :  for  strictly  to 
separate  from  received  and  customary  Felicities,  and 
to  confme  unto  the  rigour  of  Realities;,  were  to  contract 
the  Consolation  of  our  Beings  unto  too  uncomfortable 
Circumscriptions. 

Not  to  fear  Death,'  nor  desire  it,  was  short  of  his 
Resolution  :  to  be  dissolved,  and  be  with  Christ,  was 
his  dying  ditty.  He  conceived  his  Thred  long,  in  no 
long  course  of  Years,  and  when  he  had  scarce  out-lived 
the  second  Life  of  Lazarus  ;'  esteeming  it  enough  to 

>  Summam  nee  metuaa  diem  nee  optes. 
'  Who  upon  some  accounts,  and  tradition,  is  said  to  have 
lived  tliirty  years  after  he  was  raised  by  oar  Saviour. — Baroniut, 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


163 


■pprokch  the  Years  of  his  Saviour,  who  so  ordered 
bis  own  humane  State,  as  not  to  be  old  upon  Earth. 

But  to  be  content  with  Death  may  be  better  than  to 
desire  it :  a  miserable  Life  may  make  us  wish  for 
Death,  but  a  virtuous  one  to  rest  in  it ;  which  is  the 
Advantage  of  those  resolved  Christians,  who  looking 
on  Death  not  only  as  the  stini;,  but  the  period  and 
end  of  Sin,  the  Horizon  and  Isthmus  between  this 
Life  and  a  better,  and  the  Death  of  this  World  lut  as 
a  Nativity  of  smother,  do  contentedly  submit  unto  the 
common  Necessity,  and  envy  not  Enoch  or  Eltas. 

Not  to  be  content  with  Life  is  ihe  unsatis&ctory 
state  of  those  who  destroy  themselves ;'  who  being 
afraid  to  live,  run  blindly  upon  their  own  Death, 
which  no  Man  fears  by  Experience :  and  the  Stoickt 
had  a  notable  Doctrine  to  take  away  the  fear  thereof; 
that  is.  In  such  Extremities,  to  desire  that  which  is 
not  to  be  avoided,  and  wish  what  might  be  feared ; 
and  so  made  I<~vils  voluntary,  and  to  suit  with  their 
own  Desires,  which  took  off  the  terror  of  them. 

But  the  ancient  Martyrs  were  not  encouraged  hv 
such  Fallacies;  who,  though  they  feared  not  DeatL, 
were  afraid  to  be  their  own  Executioners ;  and  there- 
fore thought  it  more  Wisdom  to  crucify  their  Lusts 
than  their  Bodies,  to  circumcise  than  stab  their 
Hearts,  and  to  mortify  than  kill  themselves. 

His  willingness  to  leave  this  World  about  that  Age 
when  most  Men  think  they  may  best  enjoy  it,  though 
paradoxical  unto  worldly  Ears,  was  not  strange  unto 
mine,  who  have  so  often  observed,  that  many,  though 
old,  oft  stick  fast  unto  the  World,  and  seem  to  be 
drawn  like  Cacus's  Oxen,  backward  with  great  strug- 
gling and  reluctancy  unto  the  Grave.  The  long  habit 
of  Living  makes  meer  Men  more  hardly  to  part  with 
Life,  and  all  to  be  nothing,  but  what  is  tc  come.    To 

'  In  the  apeech  of  Vnlteius  in  Lucan,  animating  his  loldiers 
in  a  jfreat  struggle  to  Icill  one  another. — ■■  Decernite  lethum,  et 
metus  omnis  atiest,  cupias  quodcunque  necesse  est."  "All 
fear  is  over,  do  but  resolve  to  die,  and  make  your  desires  meet 
seceiiity." 


MICtOCOry   RESOlbTION   TEST   CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


A  >^PPLIED  IM^GE    In 

^r-;  1653  Eost   Moin  Street 

g^Jg  Rochester.   New   York         14609        USA 

■.—a;  (?'6)  4B2  -  0300  -  Phone 

^=  (716)   288  -  5989  -  Fox 


1 64 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


live  at  the  rate  of  the  old  World,  when  some  could 
scarce  remember  themselves  young,  may  afford  no 
better  digested  Death  than  a  more  moderate  period. 
Many  would  have  thought  it  an  Happiness  to  have 
had  their  lot  of  Life  in  some  notable  Conjunctures  of 
Ages  past ;  but  the  uncertainty  of  future  Times  hath 
tempted  few  to  make  a  part  in  Ages  to  come.  And 
surely,  he  that  hath  talcen  the  true  Altitude  of  Things, 
and  rightly  calculated  the  degenerate  state  of  this  Age, 
is  not  like  to  envy  those  that  shall  live  in  the  next, 
much  less  three  or  four  hvmdred  Years  hence,  when 
no  Man  can  comfortably  imagine  what  Face  this 
World  will  carry:  and  therefore  since  every  Age 
makes  a  step  unto  the  end  of  all  things,  and  the 
scripture  affords  so  hard  a  Character  of  the  last 
Times;  quiet  Minds  will  be  content  with  their  Gene- 
rations, and  rather  bless  Ages  past  than  be  ambitious 
of  those  to  come. 

Tho  Age  had  set  no  Seal  upon  his  Face,  yet  a  dim 
Eye  might  clearly  discover  Fifty  in  his  Actions  ;  and 
therefore  since  Wisdom  is  the  gray  Hair,  and  an 
imspatted  Life  old  Age ;  altho  his  Years  came  short, 
he  might  have  been  said  to  have  held  up  with  longer 
Livers,  and  to  have  been  Solomon's^  Old  Man.  And 
surely  if  we  deduct  all  those  days  of  our  Life  which 
we  might  wish  unlived,  and  which  abate  the  comfort 
of  those  we  now  live ;  if  we  reckon  up  only  those  days 
which  God  hath  accepted  of  our  Lives,  a  Life  of  good 
Years  will  hardly  be  a  span  long :  the  Son  in  this 
sense  may  out-live  the  Father,  and  none  be  climateri- 
cally  old.  He  that  early  arriveth  unto  the  Parts  and 
Prudence  of  Age,  is  happily  old  without  the  un- 
comfortable Attendants  of  it ;  and  'tis  superfluous  to 
live  unto  gray  Hairs,  when  in  a  precocious  Temper 
we  anticipate  the  Virtues  of  them.  In  brief,  he  cannot 
be  accounted  young  who  out-liveth  the  old  Man.  He 
that  hath  early  arrived  unto  the  measure  of  a  perfect 
Stature  in  Christ,  hath  already  fulfilled  the  prime  and 
s;est  Intention  of  his  Being:    and  one  day  lived 


longe 


Being: 
'  Wisdom,  cap.  iv. 


Letter  to  a  Friend 


165 


after  the  perfect   Rule  of  Piety,  is  to  be  preferred 
before  sinning  Immortality. 

Although  he  attained  not  unto  the  Years  of  his 
Predecessors,  yet  he  wanted  not  those  preserving 
Virtues  which  confirm  the  thread  of  weaker  Constitu- 
tions. Cautelous  Chastity  and  crafty  sobriety  were 
far  from  him;  those  Jewels  were  Paragon,  without 
l-Iaw,  Hair,  Ice,  or  Cloud  in  him:  which  affords  me 
a  hint  to  proceed  in  these  good  Wishes  and  few  Me- 
mentos  unto  you. 

.u''7^^  remainder  of  this  letter  was  included,  with   few 
•Iterations,  in  ••  Christian  Morals." 


THE  GARDEN  OF  CYRUS; 


OS,  THB  gUINCUNCMLL,   LOZBNGB,   OR    NET-WORK 

PLANTATIONS  OP  THE   ANCIENTS, 

ARTIFICIALLY,    NATURALLY,    MYSTICALLY   CONSIDERED 


TO   MV   WORTHY  AND   HONOURED   FRIEND 
NICHOLAS  BACON,  v..    DILLINGHAM,  ESQUIRE  ' 

Had  I  not  observed  that  Purblind"  men  have  dis- 
coursed 'veil  of  Sight,  and  some  without  Issue,' 
excellently  of  Generation ;  I  that  was  never  Master  of 
any  considerable  Garden,  had  not  attempted  this 
Subject.  But  the  Earth  is  the  Garden  of  Nature,  and 
each  fruitful  Country  a  Paradise.  Dioscorides  made 
most  of  his  Observations  in  His  march  about  with 
Antonius;  and  Theophrastus  raised  his  Generalities 
chiefly  from  the  Field.  .    ,,  , 

Besides,  we  write  no  Herbal,  nor  can  this  Volume 
deceive  you,  who  have  handled  the  Massiest*  thereof; 
who  know  that  three'  Folios  are  yet  too  little,  and 
how  New  Herbals  fly  from  America  upon  us,  from 
persevering  Enquirers,  and  old'  in  ihose  singularities, 
we  expect  such  Descriptions.  Wherein  England'  is 
now  so  exact,  that  it  yields  not  to  other  Countries. 

We  pretend  not  to  multiply  Vegetable  Divisions  by 
Quincuncial  and  Reticulate  Plants;  or  erect  a  New 

1  Nicholas  Bacon,  of  GilUngham,  Esq.l  Created  a  baronet, 
Feb.  7,  1661.  by  Charles  II.  His  father  was  the  sixth  son  of 
Sir  Nicholas  Bacon,  who  was  created  premier  baronet  of 
Enriand  May  ti,  1611,  by  James  I.,  and  was  the  eldest  son  of 
the  lord  keeper  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  half-brother  of  Francis, 
Lord  Bacon,  the  lord  keeper's  youngest  son  by  a  second 
marriage.  .,>.•,      „ 

'  Plempius,  Cabeus,  &c.  '  Dr.  Harvey. 

•  Besleri  Hortus  EysMemis. 

'  Bauhini  Theatrum  Botanicum,  &c.  ,    ,  . 

•  My  worthy  friend  M.  Godier,  an  ancient  and  learned 
Botanist. 

'  As  in  London  and  divers  parts,  whereof  we  mention  none, 
lest  we  seem  to  omit  any. 


The  Epistle  Dedicatory       169 

Phytology.  The  Field  of  Knowledge  hath  been  so 
traced,  it  is  hard  to  spring  any  Thing  new.  Of  old 
Things  we  write  something  new,  if  Truth  may  receive 
addition,  or  Envy  will  allow  any  Thig  new;  since 
the  Ancients  knew  the  late  Anatomical  Discoveries, 
and  Hippocrates  the  Circulation. 
•  Y°u,  have  been  so  long  out  of  trite  Learning,  that  it 
IS  hard  to  find  a  Subject  proper  for  you ;  and  if  you 
have  met  with  a  Sheet  upon  this,  we  have  missed  our 
Intention.  In  this  Multiplicity  of  Writing,  bye  and 
barren  Themes  are  best  fitted  for  Invention ;  Subjects 
so  often  discoursed  confine  the  Imagination,  and  fix 
our  Conceptions  unto  the  Notions  of  Forewriters. 
Beside,  such  Discourses  allow  Excursions,  and  venially 
admit  of  collateral  Truths,  though  at  some  distance 
firom  their  Principals.  Wherein  if  we  sometimes  take 
wide  liberty,  we  are  not  single,  but  err  by  great 
Example.i 

He  that  will  illustrate  the  Excellency  of  this  Order, 
may  easily  fail  upon  so  spruce  a  Subject,  wherein  we 
have  not  affrighted  the  common  reader  with  any  other 
Diagrams,  than  of  itself;  and  have  industriously 
dechaed  Illustrations  from  rare  and  unknown  Plants. 

Ywir  discerning  Judgment,  so  well  acquainted  with 
that  Study,  will  expect  herein  no  Mathematical  Truths, 
as  well  understanding  how  few  Generalities  and 
U  Fmtas  there  are  in  Nature.  How  Scaliger  hath 
found  Exceptions  in  most  Universals  of  Aristotle  and 
Theophrastus.  How  botanical  Maxims  must  have 
fair  Allowance,  and  are  tollerably  Current,  if  not  over- 
ballanced  by  Exceptions. 

You  have  wisely  ordered  your  Vegetable  Delights, 
beyond  the  Reach  of  Exception.  The  Turks  who 
passed  their  Days  in  Gardens  here,  will  have  Gardens 
also  hereafter;  and  delighting  in  Flowers  on  Earth, 
must  have  Lillies  and  Roses  in  Heaven.  In  Garden 
Delights  it  is  not  easy  to  hold  a  Mediocrity;  that 
insinuating  Pie  isure  is  seldom  without  some  Extremity. 
The  Ancients  venially  delighted  in  flourishing  Gardens: 
»  HippecriUs  it  Sufirfcttalisne,  it  DmtULr.i. 


lyo      The  Epistle  Dedicatory 

Many  were  Florists  that  knew  not  the  true  Use  of  a 
Flower :  And  in  Plinys  Days  none  had  directly  treated 
of  that  Subject.  Some  commendably  affected  Planta- 
tions of  venomous  Vegetables ;  some  confined  their 
Delights  unto  single  Plants ;  and  Cato  seemed  to  doat 
upon  Cabbage ;  While  the  ingenious  Delight  of  Tulip- 
ists,  stands  saluted  with  hard  Language,  even  by  their 
own  Professors.^ 

That  in  this  Garden  Discourse,  we  range  into  ex- 
traneous Things,  and  many  Parts  of  Art  and  Nature, 
we  follow  herein  the  Example  of  old  and  new  I'lauta- 
tions,  wherein  noble  Spirits  ntented  not  themselves 
with  Trees ;  but  by  the  Attt  dance  of  Aviaries,  Fish- 
ponds, and  all  Variety  of  Animals,  they  made  their 
Gardens  the  Epitome  of  the  Earth,  and  some  re- 
semblance of  the  secular  Shows  of  old. 

That  we  conjoin  these  Parts  of  different  Subjects' 
your  Judgment  will  admit  without  impute  of  Incon- 
gruity ;  s'nce  the  delightful  World  comes  after  Death, 
and  Paradise  succeeds  the  Grave.  Since  the  verdant 
State  of  Things  is  the  Symbol  of  the  Resurrection, 
and  to  flourish  in  the  State  of  Glory,  we  roust  first  be 
sown  in  Corruption.  Beside,  the  ancient  Practice  of 
Noble  Persons,  to  conclude  in  Garden-Graves,  and 
Urn  themselves  of  old,  to  be  wrapt  up  in  Flowers 
and  Garlands. 

NuUum  suit  venia  placmssi  thquium,  is  more  sensibly 
understood  by  Writers,  than  by  Readers;  nor  well 
apprehended  by  either,  till  Works  have  hanged  out 
like  Apelles  his  Pictures ;  wherein  even  common  Eyes 
will  find  something  for  Emendation. 

To  wish  all  Readers  of  your  Abilities,  were  un- 
reasonably to  multiply  the  Number  of  Scholars  beyond 
the  Temper  of  these  Times.  But  unto  this  ill-judging 
Age,  we  charitably  desire  a  Portion  of  your  Equity, 
Judgment,  Candour,  and  Ingenuity  ;  wherein  you  are 
1  Tulipo-maHia,  Narreiuruiid,  Laurtnberg.  Pit.  H  ndius  in  lib. 

"  Alluding  to  his  joining  this  Tract  to  his  Hydriotaphia,  with 
which  it  was  originally  published. 


The  Epistle  Dedicatory       171 

so  rich,  as  not  to  lose  by  diffusion.  And  being  a 
flourishing  branch  of  that  noble  family,'  unto  which 
we  owe  so  much  Observance,  you  are  not  new  set,  but 
loiig  rooted  in  such  Perfection  ;  whereof  having  had 
so  lasting  confirmation  in  ,your  worthy  Conversation, 
constant  Amity  anil  Expression  ;  and  knowing  you  a 
serious  Student  in  the  highest  arcattas  of  Nature,  with 
much  excuse  we  bring  these  low  Delights,  and  poor 
Maniples  to  your  Treasure. 

Your  affectionate  Friend  and  Servant, 

Thomas  Browne. 
Norwich,  May  i,  1658. 

>  Of  the  most  worthy  Sir  Edmund  Bacon,  prims  Barooet,  my 
true  and  noble  friend. 


THE  GARDEN  OF  CYRUS 


CHAPTER  I 

That  Vulcan  gave  arrows  unto  AfoUo  and  Diana  the 
fourth  day  after  their  Nativities,  according  to  Gentile 
Theology,  may  passe  for  no  blinde  apprehension  of 
the  Creation  c'  the  Sunne  and  Moon,  in  the  work  of 
the  fourth  day ;  when  the  diffused  light  contracted  into 
Oibes,  and  shooting  rayes,  of  those  Luminaries. 
Plainer  Descriptions  there  are  from  Pagan  peis,  of 
the  creatures  of  the  fourth  day;  while  the  divine 
Philosopher!  unhappily  omitteth  the  noblest  part  of 
the  third;  and  Ovid  (whom  many  conceive  to  have 
borrowed  his  description  from  Moses)  coldly  deserting 
the  remarkablp  account  of  the  text,  in  three  words' 
describeth  this  work  of  the  thud  day ;  the  vegetable 
creation,  and  first  ornamentall  scene  of  nature ;  the 
primitive  food  of  animals,  and  first  story  of  Physick, 
in  Dietetical  conservation. 

For  though  Physick  may  pleade  high,  from  that 
raedicall  act  of  God,  in  casting  so  deep  a  sleep  upon 
our  first  Parent ;  and  "hirurgery"  finde  its  whole  art, 
in  that  one  passage  concerning  the  Rib  of  Adam,  yet 
is  there  m  rivality  with  Garden  contrivance  and 
Herbery.  Fcr  if  Paradise  were  planted  the  third 
day  of  the  Creation,  as  wiser  Divinity  concludeth,  the 
Nativity  thereof  was  too  early  for  Horoscopy ;  Gardens 
were  before  Gardiners,  and  but  some  hours  after  the 
earth. 

'  Plato  «  Timao.  '  •F""??  '««■'  "'"'•  .. 

•  SuUpmt,  in  opening  the  fiesh ;  Hatptnt,  in  t»kmg  out  the  nb. 
tivBtm,  in  closing  up  the  part  igun. 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


173 


_  Of  deeper  doubt  is  its  Topography,  and  local  de- 
signation, yet  being  the  primitive  garden,  aud  without 
much  controversies  seated  in  the  East ;  it  is  more  than 
probable  the  first  curiosity,  aid  cultivation  of  plants, 
most  flourished  in  those  quarurs.  And  since  the  Ark 
of  Noah  first  toucht  upon  some  mountains  of  Armenia, 
the  planting  art  arose  again  in  the  Ea;;t,  and  found  its 
revolution  not  far  from  the  place  of  its  Nativity,  aboul 
the  Plains  of  those  Regions.  And  if  Zoroaster  were 
either  Cham,  Chut,  or  Mitraim,  they  were  early 
proficients  therein,  who  left  (as  Pliny  delivereth,)  a 
work  of  Ajr'rulture. 

However  the  account  of  the  Pensill  or  hanging 
gardens  of  Babylon,  if  made  by  Semiramis,  the  third  or 
fourth  from  Nimro^,  is  of  no  slender  antiquity ;  which 
being  not  frimed  upon  ordinary  levell  of  ground,  but 
raised  up  in  oi.'lars,  admitting  under-passages,  we 
cannot  accept  as  the  first  BiUiytouian  Gardens  ;  but  a 
more  eminent  progress  and  advancement  in  that  art, 
than  any  that  went  before  L  :  Somewhat  answering 
or  hinting  the  old  Opinion  concerning  Paradise  itself, 
with  many  conceptions  elevated,  above  the  plane  of 
the  Earth.> 

'  For  some  tli'r^"  is  from  the  ambig  .ity  of  the  word  liilieieiK, 
whether  ab  Orintt,  or  a  principio. 

*  In  MS.  Sloan.  1847,  occurs  the  {ollowing  passage,  evidently 
intended  for  this  worli :— "  We  are  unwilling  to  diminish  or  loose 
the  credit  of  Paradise,  or  only  pass  it  over  with  [the  Hebrew 
word  for]  dien,  though  the  Greek  be  of  a  later  name.  In  this 
ex~.epted,  we  know  not  whether  the  ancient  gardens  do  equal 
thow  of  late  times,  or  those  at  present  in  Europe.  Of  the 
ganlens  of  Hesperides,  we  know  nothing  singular,  but  some 

tolcen  apples.  Of  Alcinous  his  garden,  we  re,i  i  nothing  beyond 
ggs,  apples,  and  olives:  if  we  allow  it  to  be  any  i?ore  than  a 
fiction  01  Homer,  unhappily  placed  in  Corfu,  where  the  sterility 
of  the  soil  makes  men  believe  there  was  no  such  thing  at  all. 
The  gardeus  of  Adonis  were  empty  that  they  afforded  pro- 
verbial expression,  and  the  principal  part  thereof  was  empty 
spaces,  with  herbs  and  flowers  in  pots.  I  think  we  little  under- 
stand the  pensile  gardens  of  Semiramis,  which  made  one  of  the 
wonders  of  it  [Babylon],  wherein  probably  the  structure  ex- 
ceeded t  plants  contained  in  them.  The  excellency  thereof 
was  prot    Ay  in  the  trees,  and  if  the  descension  r>i  'ha  roots  be 


174 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


Uthuchodenator  whom  some  will  have  to  b«  tho 
famous  Symm  King  of  Diodonu,  beautifully  repaired 
that  City ;  and  so  magnificently  built  hift  hanging 
gardens,!  i\^tx  from  succeeding  Writers  he  had  the 
honour  of  the  first.  From  whence  overlooking 
Babylon,  and  all  the  Region  about  it,  he  found  no 
circumscription  to  the  eye  of  his  ambition,  till  over- 
delighted  with  the  bravery  of  this  Paradise;  in  his 
melancholy  metamorphosis,  he  found  the  folly  of  that 
delight,  and  a  proper  punishment,  in  the  contrary 
habitation,  in  wild  plantations  and  wanderings  of  the 
fields. 

The  Persian  Gallants  who  destroyed  this  Monarchy, 
maintained  their  Botanicall  bravery.  Unto  whom  we 
owe  the  very  name  of  Paradise :  wherewith  we  meet 
not  in  Scripture  before  the  time  of  Solomon,  and  con- 
ceived originally  Persian.  The  word  for  that  disputed 
Garden,  expressing  in  the  Hebrew  no  more  than  a 
Field  enclosed,  which  from  the  same  Root  is  content 
to  derive  a  garden  and  a  Buckler. 

Cyrus  the  elder  brought  up  in  Woods  and  Moun- 
tains, when  time  and  power  enabled,  pursued  the 
dictate  of  his  education,  and  brought  the  treasures  of 
the  field  into  rule  and  circumscri)  'on.  So  nobly 
beautifying  the  hanging  Garde^^  O'  Babylon,  that  be 
was  also  thought  to  be  the  authour  thereof. 

Ahasuerus  (whom  many  conceive  to  have  been 
Artaxtrxes  Longi-manus)  in  the  Countrey  and  City  of 
Flowers,'  and  in  Bla  open  Garden,  entertained  his 
Princes  and  people,  while  Vashti  more  modestly  treated 
the  Ladies  within  the  Palace  thereof. 

But  if  (as  some  opinion)'  King  A-hasutms  vieto  Arta- 
xtrxes Mnemon,  that  found  a  life  and  reign  answerable 
unto  his  great  memory,  our  magnified  Cyrus  was  his 
second    Brother :    who  gave   the   occasion  of   that 

equal  to  the  height  of  trees,  it  was  not  [absurd]  of  Strebseus  to 
think  the  pillars  were  hollow  that  the  roots  might  shoot  into 
them." 

'  Josephus.  '  Suskan  in  Susiana, 

•  Plutarch,  in  tte  '.('/»  of  Ariaxirxes. 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


Y^!^^"^^"  T'^'  '^^  'i'-'"'*  iTTaculous  retreat  of 
XenofhoH.      A   person  of   high    spirit    and    honour 

hS''  "^'"^^  '^"K''   f'^'^l'y  prevented   by  the 
harmlesse  chance  of /ox^-geniture :  Not  only  a  Lord 

hL^r.  "r'J'"i-'""''"!"'".P'^*«'  "«'«°f--  disposing 
h.9  trees,  lilce  his  armies  in  regular  ordination.  sS 
hat  whie  old  £«^/«  hath  found  a  n.-,  ,e  in  Home? 
for  pruning  hedget,,  and  clearing  awuy  thornsTnd 
bryars:  while  King  Attalu,  lives  for  his  S"onous 
plan  ations  of  AcontUs,  Henbane,  Hellebore,  ind  plams 
hardly  admitted  w  thin  the  w^lls  of  Parad  se ;  WhUe 
many  of  the  ancients  do  [    jily  live  in  the  sinlu 

LT"  °    ""'jr'"^}"'-  A"  «ories^do  look  u'Xa 
as  the  splendid  and  regular  planter.  ^ 

According  whereto  Xenophon^  describeth  his  B.iIIant 

plantation    at    Scrdis,    thus    rendered    bv    sS"/ 

Arbom  panintervallo  siias,  redo,  ordine,,  i  omnia  p"r- 

Pulchri  ,n  Qumcuncm  directa.     Which  w     ih^l  tkke 

for  5ranted  as  being  accordingly  rendred  J  the  mos? 

elegant  of  the  ia/,„«,«  and  by  no  nade  term  buTfn 

use  before  by  K«^..    That  is  the  rows  and  "rder"   so 

hundsomely  disposea,  or  five  trees  so  set  together 

hat  a  regular  angularity,  and  through  prosS  wi' 

eft  on  everv  .ide.     Owfng  this  name  not  o^ly'un?^ 

o7f^'ndirnta]^«Se:^  .he  Emphatical  &^^, 
Now  though  in  some  ancient  and  modern  practice 
the  area  or  decussated  plot,  might  be  a  oerfect  /nnnr? 
answerable  to  a  7-»5.«„  Pedestal!,  a^d  t'he  SZ^l 
or  Cinque  point  of  a  dye  ;  wherein  by  SnaU  lines 
the  mersection  was  regular;  accommffl  umo 
Plantations  of  large  growing  Trees ;  and  we  must  not 
deny  ourselves  the  advantage  of  this  order ;  yet^h^l  we 
chiefly  msist  upon  that  of  C«rt,»i  and  P^rta"  in  thSr 
brief  description  hereof.  Wherein  the  decmsis  s  r^ad« 
within  a  longilaterall  sqv^re,  with  opS  anX 

•  Benedict.  Curtiu,  i.  HortU.  Baf,TZ  i'l^^""' 


176 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


acute  and  obtuse  at  the  intersection ;  and  so  upon 
progression  making  a  Rhombus  or  Lozenge  figuration, 
wliicli  seemetii  very  agreeable  unto  the  Original! 
figure;  Answerable  whereunto  we  observe  the  de- 
cussated characters  in  many  consulary  Coynes,  and 
even  in  those  of  Constantitu  and  his  Sons,  which 
pretend  their  pattern  in  the  Sky;  the  crucigerous 
Ensigne  carried  this  figure,  not  transversely  or  rect- 
angular^ intersected,  but  in  a  decussation,  after  the 
form  of  an  Andrean  or  Burgundian  cross,  which 
answereth  this  description. 

Where  bv  the  way  we  shall  decline  the  old  Theme, 
so  traced  by  antiquity,  of  crosses  and  crucifixion : 
\Vhereof  some  being  right,  and  of  one  single  peece 
without  transversion  or  transome,  do  little  advantage 
our  subject.  Nor  shall  we  take  in  the  mysticall  Tau, 
or  the  Crosse  of  our  blessed  Saviour,  which  having  in 
some  descriptjions  an  Empedon  or  crossing  footstay, 
made  not  one  single  transversion.  And  since  the 
Learned  Lipsius  hath  made  some  doubt  even  of  the 
Crosse  of  St.  Andrew,  since  some  Martyrologicall 
Histories  deliver  his  death  by  the  general  Name  of  a 
crosse,  and  Hippolytus  will  have  him  suffer  by  the 
sword ;  we  should  have  enough  to  make  out  the 
received  Crosse  of  that  Martyr.  Nor  shall  we  urge 
the  labarum,  and  famous  Standard  of  Constantine,  or 
make  further  use  thereof,  then  as  the  first  Letters  in 
the  Name  of  our  Saviour  Christ,  in  use  among 
Christians,  before  the  dayes  of  Constantine,  to  be 
observed  in  Sepulchral  Monuments'  of  Martyrs,  in 
the  reign  of  Adrian  and  Antoninus  ;  and  to  be  found  in 
the  Antiquities  of  the  Gentiles,  before  the  advent  of 
Christ,  as  in  the  Medall  of  King  Ptolemy,  signed  with 
the  same  characters,  and  might  be  the  beginning  of 
some  word  or  name,  which  Antiquaries  have  not 
hit  on. 

We  will  not  revive  the  mysterious  crosses  of  Mgypt, 
with  circles  on  their  heads,  in  the  breast  of  Strapis, 
and  the  hands  of  their  Geniall  spirits,  not  unlike  the 
'  Of  Marius,  Alexander.    Roma  Sotfnraiua. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  177 

character  of  Venus,  and  looked  on  by  ancient  Christians 
with  relation  unto  Christ  Since  however  they  first 
began,  the  .Egyptians  thereby  expressed  the  processe 
and  motion  of  the  spint  of  the  world,  and  the  Effusion 
thereof  upon  the  Celestiall  and  Elementall  nature- 
implyed  by  a  circle  and  right-lined  intersection.  A 
secret  m  their  Telesmes  and  magicall  Characters 
among  them.  Though  he  that  considereth  the  plain 
cross"  upon  the  head  of  the  owl  in  the  Lateran  obelisk 
or  the  cross'  erected  upon  a  picher  diflFusing  streams 

Jh.r   ^'°*n  *7°  ^^'^^'  "^'^  sprinkling  branches  in 
them^and  all  described  upon  a  two-footed  Altar,  as  in 

■»  ?'*^?^'?P'^^'=''=  °^  ^^^  ^"■asen  Table  of  Bembus  ; 
will^hardly  decline  all  thought  of  Christian  signality 

We  shall  not  call  w  the  Hebrew  Tenuiha,  or  cere- 
mony of  their  Oblations,  waved  by  the  Priest  unto  the 
four  quarters  of  the  world,  after  the  form  of  a  cross: 
as  m  the  peace-oflferings.  And  if  it  were  clearly  made 
°?*u  o^ul-^*'"^*^'''^  deUvered  from  the  Traditions 
of  the  Rabbms,  that  as  the  Oyle  was  powred  coronally 
or  circularlly  upon  the  head  of  Kings,  so  the  High- 
Pnest  was  anointed  decussatively  or  in  the  form  of  an 
A ;  though  It  could  not  escape  a  typicall  thought  of 
«-linst,  from  mysticall  considerators :  yet  being  the 
conceit  IS  Hebrew,  we  should  rather  expect  its  verifi- 
cation  from  Analogy  in  that  language,  than  to  confine 
tne  same  unto  the  unconcerned  Letters  of  Greece,  or 
make  it  out  by  the  characters  of  Cadmus  or  Palamedes. 

Of  this  Qumcuncial  Ordination  the  Ancients 
practised  much,  discoursed  little ;  and  the  Moderns 
have  nothing  enlarged ;  which  he  that  more  nearly 
considereth,  m  the  form  of  its  square  Rhombus,  and 
decussation,  with  the  several  commodities,  mysteries, 
parallehsmes,  and  resemblances,  both  in  Art  and 
Nature,  shall  easily  discern  the  elegancy  of  this  order. 

fr/.^"!.'?'''"..'?''*''  P*^  "  "oraewhat  longer,  as  deBned  by 
•  Cattl.  tb  Rililm.  Bosh  iMa  TtkmfiinU  met. 


178 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


That  this  was  in  some  wayes  of  practice  in  diverse 
and  distant  Nations,  hints  or  deliveries  there  are  from 
no  slender  Antiquity.  In  the  hanging  Gardens  of 
Babylon,  from  Abydmus,  Eusebius,  and  others,^  Curtm 
describeth  this  Rule  of  decussation.  In  the  memorable 
Garden  of  Alcinous  anciently  conceived  an  originall 
phancy,  from  Paradise,  mention  there  is  of  vfell- 
contrived  order ;  For  so  hath  Didymus  and  EusUKhiiu 
expounded  the  emphatical  word.  Diomedes  describing 
the  Rural  possessions  of  his  father,  gives  account  in 
the  same  Language  of  Trees  orderly  planted.  And 
Ulysses  being  a  boy  was  promised  by  his  Father  fourty 
figge-trees,  and  fifty''  rows  of  Vines  producing  all  kinde 
of  grapes. 

That  the  Eastern  Inhabitants  of  India,  made  use  of 
such  order,  even  in  open  Plantations,  is  deducible  from 
Theophrastus ;  who  describing  the  trees  whereof  they 
made  their  garments,  plainly  delivercth  that  they  were 
planted  kot'  opxo"s>  ^od  in  such  order  that  at  a 
distance  men  would  mistake  them  for  Vineyards. 
The  same  seems  confirmed  in  Greice  from  a  singular 
expression  in  Aristotle'  concerning  the  order  of  Vines, 
delivered  by  a  military  term  representing  the  orders 
of  Souldiers,  which  also  confirmeth  the  antiquity  of 
this  form  yet  used  in  vineall  plantations. 

That  the  same  was  used  in  Latine  plantations  is 
plainly  confirmed  from  the  commending  penne  of 
Vano  Quintilian,  and  handsome  Description  of  Virgil.* 
That  the  first  Plantations  not  long  after  the  Floud 
were  disposed  after  this  manner,  the  generality  and 
antiquity  of  this  order  observed  in  Vineyards,  and 
Wine  plantations,  affordeth  some  conjecture.  And 
since  firom  judicious  enquiry,  Saturn,  who  divided  the 
world  between  his  three  sonnes,  who  beareth  a  Sickle 

•  Dccussatio  ifsajvcundumac  feramanumamspictumpralmit.  Curt. 
Hortar.  1.  vi. 

Pkmorixus.  Philoxmns. 

•  o-iwTiiJat  i/nriXuv.  PoUt.  vii. 

•  Indulge  ordtmliua,  nee  sieiki  omnis  w  migium 

Arboribus  fositit,  SKte  via  Umili  qmdnt.    Georg.  U. 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


179 


in  bis  hand,  who  taught  the  plantations  of  Vines, 
the  setting,  grafting  of  trees,  and  the  best  part  of 
Agriculture,  is  discovered  to  be  Noah,  whether  this 
early  dispersed  Husbandry  in  Vineyards  had  not  its 
Originall  in  that  Patriarch,  is  no  such  Paralogicall 
doubt. 

And  if  it  were  clear  that  this  was  used  by  Noah  after 
the  Floud,  I  could  easily  beleeve  it  was  in  use  before 
it ;  Not  willing  to  fix  to  such  ancient  inventions  no 
higher  originall  than  Noah ;  nor  readily  conceiving 
those  aged  Heroes,  whose  diet  was  vegetable,  and 
only,  or  chiefly  consisted  in  the  fruits  of  the  earth, 
were  much  deficient  in  their  splendid  cultivations ;  or 
after  the  experience  of  fifteen  hundred  years,  left  much 
for  future  discovery  in  Botanicall  Agriculture.  Nor 
fully  perswaded  that  Wine  was  the  invention  of  Noah, 
that  fermented  Liquors,  which  often  make  themselves, 
so  long  escaped  their  Luxury  or  experience ;  that  the 
first  sinne  of  the  new  world  was  no  sin  of  the  old. 
That  Cain  and  A  bel  were  the  first  that  offered  Sacrifice ; 
or  because  the  Scripture  is  silent  that  Adam  or  Isaac 
offered  none  at  all. 

Whether  Abraham,  brought  up  in  the  first  planting 
Countrey,  observed  not  some  rule  hereof,  when  he 
planted  a  grove  at  Bur-sheba ;  or  whether  at  least  a 
like  ordination  were  not  in  the  Garden  of  Solomon, 
probability  may  contest.  Answerably  unto  the  wisedom 
of  that  eminent  Botanologer,  and  orderly  disposer  of 
all  his  other  works.  Especially  since  this  was  one 
piece  of  Gallantry,  wherein  he  pursued  the  specious 
part  of  felicity,  according  to  his  own  description.  "  I 
made  me  Gardens  and  Orchards,  and  planted  Trees 
in  them  of  all  kindes  of  fruits.  I  made  me  Pools  of 
water,  to  water  therewith  the  wood  that  bringeth  forth 
Trees,"!  which  was  no  ordinary  plantation,  if  accord- 
ing to  the  Targum,  or  Chaldee  paraphrase,  it  contained 
all  kinds  of  Plants,  and  some  fetched  as  far  as  India  ; 
and  the  extent  thereof  were  from  the  wall  of  Jerusalem 
unto  the  water  of  Siloah. 

>  Eccles.  ii. 


i8o 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


And  if  Jordan  were  but  Jaar  Edtn,  that  is,  the  River 
of  Ede»,  Geiusar  but  Gansar  or  the  Prince  of  Gardens ; 
and  it  could  be  made  out,  that  the  Plain  of  Jordan 
were  watered  not  comparatively,  but  causally,  and 
because  it  was  the  Paradise  of  God,  as  the  Learned 
Abramas^  hiattth,  he  was  not  far  from  the  Prototype 
and  or'9(inall  of  Plantations.  And  since  even  in 
Paradise  itself,  the  tree  of  knowledge  was  placed  in  the 
middle  of  the  Garden,  whatever  was  the  ambient 
figure,  there  wanted  not  a  centre  and  rule  of  decussa- 
tion. Whether  the  groves  and  sacred  Plantations  of 
Antiquity,  were  not  thus  orderly  placed,  either  by  jwa- 
Umios,  or  quintuple  ordinations,  may  favourably  be 
doubted.  For  since  they  were  so  methodicall  in  the 
constitutions  of  their  temples,  as  to  observe  the  due 
scituation,  aspect,  manner,  form,  and  order  in  Archi- 
tectonicall  relations,  whether  they  were  not  as  distinct 
in  their  groves  and  Plantations  about  them,  in  form 
and  species  respectively  unto  their  Deities,  is  not  with- 
out probability  of  conjecture.  And  in  their  groves  of 
the  Sunne  this  was  a  fit  number,  by  multiplication  to 
denote  the  dayes  of  the  year;  and  might  Hierogly- 
phically  speak  as  much,  as  the  mysticall  statua  of 
Janus*  in  the  Language  of  his  fingers.  And  since  they 
were  so  criticall  in  the  number  of  his  horses,  the  strings 
of  his  Harp,  and  rayes  about  his  head,  denoting  the 
orbes  of  heaven,  the  Seasons  and  Moneths  of  the  Yeare; 
witty  Idolatry  would  hardly  be  flat  in  other  appro- 
priations. 


CHAPTER  II 

Nor  wasthis  only  a  form  of  practise  in  Plantations, 
but  found  imitation  from  high  Antiquity,  in  sundry 
artificiall  contrivances  and  manuall  operations.  For 
to  omit  the  position  of  squared  stones,  cuneatim  or 
wedgwise,  in  the  Walls  of  Roman  and  Gothkk  buildings; 

*  VH.  TestammH  r  jrus. 

'  Which  king  Numa  set  up  with  his  fingers  so  disposed  that 
thoj  Dumerically  denoted  36i.—PUny, 


Garden  of  Cyrus  i8i 

and  the  lithostrata  or  figured  pavements  of  the  ancients 
which  consisted  not  all  of  square  stones,  but  were 
divided  into  tnquetrous  segments,  honeycombs,  and 
sexangular  %ures,  according  to  Vitruvius  ;The  squared 
stones  and  bricks,  m  ancient  fabricks,  were  placed  after 
mM^f  f  •  ^°^  two  above  or  below,  conjoyned  by  a 
middle  stone  or  Pl,„fhus,  observable  in  the  mines  of 
FMmNirva,  the  Mausoleum  of  Augustus,  the  Pyramid 
of  Cestms,  and  the  sculpture  draughts  of  the  larger 
Pyramids  of^gypt.  And  therefore  in  the  draughts 
of  eminent  fabncks.  Painters  do  commonly  imitate 
this  order  in  the  lines  of  their  description 

In  the  Laureat  draughts  of  sculpture  and  picture, 
the  leaves  axid  foliate  works  are  commonly  thus  con- 
tnved,  which  is  but  m  imitation  of  the  Pulvinaria,  and 
ancient  piUow-work,  observable  in  lonick  peeces,  about 
columns,  temples  and  altars.  To  omit  many  other 
analogies,  in  Architectonicall  draughts,  which  art  itself 
IS  founded  upon'  fives,  as  having  its  subject,  and  most 
gracefuU  peeces  divided  by  this  number. 

The  Triumphal  Oval,  and  Civicall  Crowns  of  Laurel. 
Oake,  and  Myrtle,  when  fully  made,  were  pleated  afte^ 
this  order.  And  to  omit  the  crossed  Crowns  of  Christ- 
lan  Jr-nnces;  what  figure  that  was  which  Anastatius 
described  upon  the  head  of  Leo  the  third ;  or  who  first 
brought  m  the  Arched  Crown;  That  of  Charles  the 
great  (which  seems  the  first  remarkably  closed  Crown ) 
was  framed  after  this' manner;  with  an  intersection  ii 
tue  middle  from  the  main  crossing  barres,  and  the 
interspaces,  unto  the  fi-ontal  circle,  continued  by  hand- 
some net- work  plates,  much  after  this  order.  VV'hereon 
we  shall  not  msist,  because  from  greater  Antiquity, 
and  practice  of  consecration,  we  meet  with  the  radiated 
and  starry  Crown,  upon  the  h^ad  of  Augustus,  and 
r  '  Of  a  structure  five  parts,  Fundamtntum,  parietes,  atertura 

?n?^™  '■  I?'"'=k.  Connthian.  Compound.     Five  diffe^nt  inter 
VitZ  ■  ^""'^'°'-  *"*'»»•  ■SJ'^J'fcJ,  Armtyhs.  Euityhs. 

{.  'sind^'  t'tTgamna  afui  Ckiffltt.  in  B.  R.  BmxMi,  it  Icon. 


l82 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


many  succeeding  Emperors.  Since  the  Armenians  and 
Parthians  had  a  peculiar  royall  Capp;  and  the  Grecians 
from  Alexander  another  kinde  of  diadem.  And  even 
Diadems  themselves  were  but  fasciations,  and  hand- 
some ligatures,  about  the  heads  of  Princes;  nor  wholly 
omitted  in  the  mitrall  Crown,  which  common  picture 
seems  to  set  too  upright  and  forward  upon  the  head  of 
Aaron: yfoTua^  sometimes  singly,  or  doubly  by  Princes, 
recording  to  their  Kingdomes;  and  no  more  to  be 
expected  from  two  Crowns  at  once  upon  the  head  of 
Ptlomy.  And  so  easily  made,  out  when  historians  tell 
us,  some  bound  up  wounds,  some  hanged  themselves 
with  diadems. 

The  beds  of  the  antients  were  corded  somewhat  after 
this  fashion :  That  is  not  directly,  as  ours  at  present, 
but  obliquely,  from  side  to  side,  and  after  the  manner 
of  network ;  whereby  they  strengthened  the  spondae  or 
bedsides,  and  spent  less  cord  in  the  work :  as  is  demon- 
strated by  Blancanus? 

And  as  they  lay  in  crossed  beds,  so  they  sat  upon 
seeming  crosselegg'd  seats :  in  which  form  the  noblest 
thereof  were  framed:  Observable  in  the  triumphall 
seats,  the  sella  curulis,  or  Mdyle  Chayres  ;  in  the  coyns 
of  Cesiius,  Sylla,  and  JMus.  That  they  sat  also  crosse- 
legg'd, many  nobler  draughts  declare;  and  in  this 
figure  the  sitting  gods  and  goddes:3es  are  drawn  in 
medalls  and  medallions.  And,  beside  this  kinde  of 
work  in  Retiarie  and  hanging  textures,  in  embroideries, 
and  eminent  needle-works ;  the  like  is  obvious  unto 
every  eye  11  glass- windows.  Nor  only  '  ■  Glassie  con- 
trivances, but  also  in  Lattice  and  Stone  work,  con- 
ceived in  the  Temple  of  Solomon ;  wherein  the  windows 
are  termed  fenestra  reticulata,  or  lights  framed  like  nets. 
And  agreeable  unto  the  Greek  expression'  concerning 
Christ  in  the  Canticles,*  looking  through  the  nets, 
which  ours  hath  rendered,  "  he  looketh  forth  at  the 
windows,  shewing  himself  through  the  lattesse ;"  that 
is,  partly  seen  and  unseen,  -ccording  to  the  visible  and 


*  Mace.  i.  xL 

•  StKTVUTd. 


''  Aristoi.  Mtehm.  Quasi. 
*  Cant.  ii. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  183 

invisible  sides  of  his  nature    Tn  «-,•*  41. 

late  worlf   in  th.  ^i,»!;V^       /oo""*  the  noble  ret  cu- 

'     to  ft.  .te  0/  biJiSJ  ""e''  -'■■'"l"  »»"  Ml 

il/fl«  andT««^   a„H  J  ^^''"'  ^'"■'^^  inclosed 

Scuchions  ^th  mLc  1  fJ^^^  ^O"  their 

they  disposrtheSes  of  F Jm-  ""^  ^^^'y^"'  ^"'^ ""'« 
this'^QuiLunc^  method  '  ^'^  ""^"^  "°*'^ '" 

cut^^he'rLm»f  Wot  by  Lapidaries,  while  they 

"     lextury,  and  may  still  nettle 


1 84  Garden  of  Cyrus 

Minerva,'  the  goddesse  of  that  mystery.  And  he  that 
shall  hatch  the  little  seeds,  either  found  m  snial  webs, 
or  white  round  Egges,  carried  under  the  bellies  of 
some  Spiders,  and  behold  how  at  their  first  prod"ctiou 
in  boxes,  they  will  presently  fill  the  same  with  their 
webbs,  may  observe  the  early,  and  untaught  finger  of 
nature,  and  how  they  are  natively  provided  with  a 
stock,  sufficient  for  such  Texture. 

The  Rurall  charm  agam-t  Dodder,  Tetter,  and 
stranelinc  weeds,  was  contrived  after  this  order,  while 
they  placed  a  chalked  Tile  at  the  four  corners,  aad 
one  in  the  middle  of  their  fields,  which  though  ndi- 
culous  in  the  intention,  was  rational  in  the  contrivwice, 
and  a  good  way  to  diffuse  the  magick  through  all 

^^Somewhtt  after  this  manner  they  ordered  the  little 
stones  in  the  old  game  of  Pentalithismm,  or  casting  up 
five  stones  tq  catch  them  on  the  back  of  their  hand. 
And  with  some  resemblanre  hereof,  the  ^''"^  °' 
Prodigall  Paramours  disposed  their  men,  when  they 
played  at  Penelop.'  For  being  themselves  an  hundred 
knd  eight,  they  set  fifty-four  stones  on  either  sidM, 
and  one  in  the  middle,  which  they  called  Penelope, 
which  he  that  hit  was  master  of  the  game. 

In  Chesse-boards  and  Tables  we  yet  find  Pyramids 
and  Squares.  I  wish  we  had  their  true  and  Mcient 
description,  farre  different  from  ours,  or  the  Chet  mat 
of  the  Persians,  which  might  continue  some  elegant 
remarkables,  as  being  an  invention  as  High  as  Merms 
the  Secretary  of  OsyWs,  figuring  the  whole  world,  the 
motion  of  the  Planets,  with  Echpses  of  sunne  and 

TuOOD 

Physicians  are  not  without  the  use  of  this  decussa- 
tion in  severall  operations,  in  ligatures  and  union  ot 
dissolved  continuities.  Mechanicks  nake  use  hereof 
in  forcipall  Organs,  and  Instruments  of  Incision, 
wherein  who  can  but  magnifie  the  power  of  decussa- 
tion, inservient  to  contrary  ends,  solution  and  con- 

1  As  in  the  contention  between  Minerva  and  Arachne. 

'  In  EustaehiHS. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  185 

Sf^^ft  "»'°°'  and  division,  iUustrabla  from  AHs- 
T.I".L  !  °  r  {!f"''>''fi^«'"  T  nutcraclcer,  and  the 
Instruments  of  Evulsion,  compression  or  Incision  • 
which  consistmg  of  two  V,,tes  or  armes.  conS 
^wards  each  other,  the  Innitencv'  and  stress^  bSLg 
made  upon  the  hypomocMkn.oT  fufciment'  in  thedecuf 
sation,  the  greater  compression  is  made  by  the  union 
of  two  impulsors.  ■'         ""'"" 

The  Roman  batalia'  was  ordered  after  this  manner 
whereof  as  sufficiently  known  Virgil  hath  left  but  ^ 
hmt,  and  obscure  mtimation.  For  thus  were  the 
maniples  and  cohorts  of  the  Hastati.  printipj,  ^l 
rmm  placed  in  their  bodies,  wherein  ionffl^e 
th«°?^M^  '??,  ^""^  ''^"'*-  By  thisOrdinat^^n 
nr^L^K'^V'"  '?'°  '^^^  "^l^*':  tl^o  Hast'ti  being 
g-essed,  handsomely  retired  into  the  intervalls  of  thf 
Pnncp,,,  these  mto  that  of  the  Triarii,  which  Tiding 
as  It  were  a  new  body,  might  joyntly  renew  the  battle 
wherem  consisted  the  secret  of  thefr  successes.    And 

^>^^thit  V?*-'r'^"y*  *'°«"1"  ^  the  tattle  of 
„yil  '4  ^"^J  ^^""«  *  ™«'  from  the  Elephants 
of  the  Enemy,  left  not  the  Principes  in  their  alternate 

Si.  k!*^  ■  '•  "'I''*  ""^''^  '■™  "P°°  them,  but  drew 
his  battle  mto  right  order,  and  leaving  the  passajres 

nJ,f'Jt^^l'^  '^^  mischief  intended  by  the  EleSs! 
R=«i.  !^^-5^"'*'^^^^"^'^«  t'"'  remarkable  forms  of 
Battle,  the  Cumus  and  Force/,,,  or  the  sheare  and  wedge 
battles  each  made  of  hal/ a  Rhombus,  and  but  dS- 
ferenced  by  position.  The  wedge  invented  to  break 
or  work  mto  a  body,  the  forceps  to  environ  and  def^u 
Ae  power  thereof,  composed  out  of  the  selectest 
Souldiery,  and  disposed  into  the  form  of  an  V,  wherein 
receivmg  the  wedge,  it  inclosed  it  on  both  sides.   After 

'  His  own  synonym  for  ■•  stress."  i  i?„fc,„_ 

Fm  1<  *  *c^,'°°  °f  ""  Legion  into  ten  Cohorts  by  tL: 

'  Polybius.  Appianus. 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


i86 

this  form  the  famous  N«jm»  ordered  his  battle  against 
the  Franks,  and  by  this  figure  the  Almans  were 
enclosed,  and  cut  in  peeces.  • -uu  :„  .u. 

The  Rhombus  or  Lozenge-figure  so  visible  m  this 
order,  was  also  a  remarkable  form  of  battle  m  the 
Grecian  Cavalry,"  observed  by  the  Tlussahttn!,  and 
Pkilip  king  of  Mtcidon,  and  frequently  by  ;he  Parthtaiu, 
As  being  most  ready  to  turn  every  way,  and  best 
to  be  commanded,  as  having  Us  ductors,  or  Com- 
manders at  each  Angle.  _  u»  s     • 

The  Mactdonim  Phalanx  (a  long  time  thought  invin- 
cible), consisted  of  a  long  smiare.  For  though  they 
might  be  sixteen  in  Rank  an  J  file,  yet  when  they  shut 
close,  so  that  the  sixt  pike  advanced  before  the  first, 
thoueh  the  number  might  be  square,  the  figure  was 
oblong,  answerable  unto  the  Quincuncial  quadrate  of 
CurtiM.  According  to  this  square,  Tkucydides  delivers, 
the  Athmiai^  disposed  their  battle  against  the  Lam- 
dmimians,  brickwise,'  and  by  the  same  word  the 
Learned  GneUius  expoundeth  the  quadrate  oi  Vtrgtl,* 
after  the  form  of  a  brick  or  tile. 

And  as  the  first  station  and  position  of  trees,  so  was 
thP  iirst  habitation  of  men,  not  iu  round  Cities,  as  of 
later  foundation ;  For  the  form  of  Babylon  the  first 
City  was  square,  and  so  shall  also  be  the  last,  accord- 
ing to  the  description  of  the  holy  City  in  the  Apoca- 
Ivps.  The  famous  pillars  of  Stth,  before  the  floud, 
had  also  the  like  foundation,  if  they  were  ^t  antt- 
dUuvian  Obelisks,  and  such  as  Cham  and  his  Egyptian 
race  imitated  after  the  Floud. 

But  Ninevih  which  Authours  acknowledge  to  nave 
exceeded  Babylon,  was  of  a  longilaterall  figure.^  ninety- 
five  Furlongs  broad,  and  an  hundred  and  htty  long, 
and  so  making  about  sixty  miles  in  circuit,  which  is 
the  measure  of  three  dayes  journey,  according  unto 
military  marches,  or  castrensial  mansions,  oo  that  it 
Jma>  entred  at  the  narrower  side,  he  found  enough  lor 

>  Agatkius.  Ammtanus.  '  ^'«"-  ^«'- 

»  ivvXaurlu.  „.     .,  .  r.-  j   o.v 

*  Suto  via  limiU  juadrit.  Comment,  in  Virgil.         •  Lwd.  Su. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  187 

one  dayes  walk  to  attain  thn  heart  of  the  City,  to  make 
his  ProclamatJon.  And  if  we  imagine  a  City  extend- 
mg  from  Wan  to  London,  the  expression  will  be 
moderate  of  six  score  thousand  Infants,  althoueh  we 
allow  vacuities,  fields,  and  intervals  of  habitation,  as 
there  needs  must  be  when  the  mo-iment  of  Ninut 
took  up  no  lesse  then  ten  furlongs. 

And,  though  none  of  the  seven  wonders,  yet  a  coblft 
peece  of  Antiquity,  and  made  by  a  Copy  exceeding  all 
tne  rest,  hn(  its  principall  parts  disposed  after  this 
manner,  ..at  is,  the  Labyrinth  of  CrtU,  built  upon  a 
long  quadrate,  containine  five  largo  squares  com- 
municating by  right  inflexions,  terminating  in  the 
centre  of  the  middle  square,  and  lodging  of  the 
Minotaur,  if  we  conform  unto  the  description  of  the 
elegant  medall  thereof  in  Agostino}  And  though  in 
many  accounts  we  reckon  grosly  by  the  square,  yet  is 
that  very  often  to  be  accepted  as  a  long-sided  quadrate, 
which  was  the  figure  of  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  tie 
table  of  the  Shew-bread,  and  the  stone  wherein  the 
names  of  the  twelve  Tribes  were  engraved,  that  is 
three  in  a  row,  naturally  making  a  longilaterall  Figure, 
the  perfect  quadrate  being  made  by  nine. 

What  figure  the  stones  themselves  maintained, 
tradmon  and  Scripture  are  silent,  yet  Lapidaries  in 
precious  stones  affect  a  Table  or  long  square,  and  in 
such  proportion,  that  the  two  laterall  and  also  the 
three  infenour  Tables  are  equall  unto  the  superiour  • 
and  the  angles  of  the  laterall  Tables  contain  and  con- 
stitute the  hypothenusa,  or  broader  sides  subtending. 

That  the  Tables  of  the  Law  were  of  this  figure, 
general  imitation  and  tradition  hath  confirmed  •  yet 
are  we  unwilling  to  load  the  shoulders  of  Moses  with 
such  massie  stones,  as  some  pictures  lay  upon  them, 
since  'tis  plainly  delivered  that  he  came  down  with 
them  in  his  hand ;  since  the  word  strictly  taken  implies 
no  such  massie  hewing,  but  cutting,  and  fashioning  of 
them  into  shape  and  surface;  since  some  will  have 
them  Emeralds,  and  if  they  were  made  of  the  materials 
>  AnUmio  AgosHno  Villi  MtiagtU. 


,88  Garden  of  Cyrus 

El^  hundred.  «d  the  Table.,  written  on  both  .ide^ 
m^sure:  And  whatsoever  were  the  brcJth,  the  lengtti 

;re^iLh:tti5faSdn^^^^^^ 

G«.rmanner!  b'ut  in  a  middle  d^enhon    th. 
eluding  lines  will  strictly  make  out  that  figure. 

CHAPTER  III 
Now  although  this  elegant  rrdination  of  veg^'^Wes, 

and    th'^.ugh  overlooked  by  all.   was  elegantly  ob- 
-Sd^Ce^::STuS:ieL"rthe  position  of  the 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


189 


of  Orion  should  ever  maintain  iti  line,  and  tba  two 
Starree  in  CharUs  1  Warn  never  leave  pointing  at  the 
Pole-starrc  we  might  abate  the  Pytkage/icall  Maskk 
Of  the  Spheres,  the  sevenfold  Pipe  of  Pan;  and  the 
strange  Cryptography  of  Gafartl  in  his  starrie  Booke 
of  Heaven. 

But  not  to  look  so  high  as  Heaven  or  the  single 
Quincunx  of  the  Hyttdu  upon  the  neck  of  Taun,,.  tlie 
inanple,  and  remarkable  Cnuro  about  the  foot  of  the 
Omtaur;  observable  rudiments  there  are  hereof  in  sub- 
terraneous concretions,  and  bodies  in  the  Earth  :  in 
the  GyJ,sum  or  TaUum  Rkemboidt,,  in  the  FavaL'inites 
or  honey-comb-stono,  in  the  Atimt  and  Aitroitit,  and 
in  the  crucigerous  stone  of  S.  lago  of  Gallicia 

The  same  is  observably  effected  in  the  lulus,  catkins, 
or  pwidulous  excrescencies  of  severall  Trees,  of  Wali- 
nuts.  Alders,  and  Hazels,  which  hanging  aU  the 
Winter,  and  maintaining  their  Net-worke  doM,  by  the 
expansion  thereof  are  the  early  foretellers  of  the  Sprint, 
discoverable  also  in  long  Pepper,  and  elegantly  m  the 
^«fa»  of  Calamus  Aromatieus,  so  plentifully  growing 
with  us,  in  the  first  Palmes  of  WiUowea,  and  in  tht 
Flowers  of  Sycamore,  Pttasitu,  Asphodtlus,  and  Blot- 
tana,  before  explication.  After  such  order  stand  the 
Howery  Branches  in  our  best  spread  Virbascum,  «nd 
the  seeds  about  the  s- cous  head  or  torch  of  Tabsas 
Barbatus,  in  as  fair  p.  regularity  as  the  circular  and 
WMthed  order  will  admit,  which  advanceth  one  side 
ot  the  square,  and  makes  the  same  Rhomboidail. 

In  the  scuamous  heads  of  Scabious,  Knaiuittd,  and 
the  elegant  Jacta  Pinea,  and  in  the  Scaly  composure  of 
the  Oak-Rou,^  which  some  years  most  aboundeth 
After  this  order  hath  Nature  planted  the  Leaves  in 
the  Head  of  the  common  and  prickled  Artichoak: 
wherem  the  black  a^d  shining  Flies  do  shelter  them- 
selves, when  they  retire  from  the  purple  Flower  about 
it ;  The  same  is  also  found  in  the  pricks,  sockets,  and 
>  Ci^^VK/a  lemmata  Qntrmm,  Bmhinl,  whereof  though  he 
jaith  pirrarc  r^,r«,nt»r  Us  tmtum  imenimus.  yet  we  finde  them 
commonly  with  us  and  in  great  numbers.  ^^ 


igo 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


impressions  of  the  seeds,  in  the  pulp  or  bottome 
thereof;  wherein  do  elegantly  stick  the  Fathers  of 
their  Mother.^  To  omit  the  Quincunciall  Specks  on 
the  top  of  the  Miscle-berry,  especially  that  which 
grows  upon  the  Tilia,  or  Lime-Tree.  And  the  remark- 
able disposure  of  those  yellow  fringes  about  the  purple 
Pestill  of  Aaron,  and  elegant  clusters  of  Dragons,  so 
peculiarly  secured  by  nature,  with  an  umbrella  or 
skreening  Leaf  about  them. 

The  Spongy  leaves  of  some  Sea-wracks,  Fucus, 
Oaks,  in  their  several  kindes,  found  about  the  Shoar,' 
with  ejsttments  of  the  Sea,  are  over- wrought  with  Net- 
work elegantly  containing  this  order,  which  plainly 
declareth  the  naturality  of  this  texture ;  And  how  the 
needle  of  nature  delighteth  to  work,  even  in  low  and 
doubtful  vegetations. 

The  Arbustetum  or  Thicket  on  the  head  of  the  Teazell, 
may  be  observed  in  this  order:  And  he  that  con- 
sidereth  that  fabrick  so  regularly  palisadoed,  and 
stemm'd  with  flowers  of  the  royall  colour;  in  the 
house  of  the  solitary  maggot,  may  finde  the  Seraglio 
of  Solomon.  And  contemplating  the  calicular  shafts, 
and  uncous  disposure  of  their  extremities,  so  accommod- 
able  unto  the  office  of  abstersion,  not  condemne  as 
wholly  improbable  the  conceit  of  those  who  accept  it, 
for  the  herbe  Borithfi  Where  by  the  way,  we  could 
with  much  inquiry  never  discover  any  transfiguration, 
in  this  abstemious  insect,  although  we  have  kept  them 
long  in  their  proper  houses,  and  boxes.  Where  some 
wrapt  up  in  their  webbs,  have  lived  upon  their  own 
bowels,  from  September  unto  July. 

In  such  a  grove  doe  walke  tne  little  creepers  about 
the  head  of  the  burre.  And  such  an  order  is  observed 
in  the  aculeous  prickly  plantation,  upon  the  heads  of 
several  common  thistles,  remarkably  in  the  notable 


'  Antko.  Grac.  Inter  Epigrammata, 
fir,rp6t  ^w  Traripa. 

»  Especially  the  forus  ceminus, 
w\aT6Kep<ai  Bauhini. 

*  Jer.  ii.  22. 


ypitfuiSij  iviitv  ifiwv,  Xaydfuv 
Imperati,  Sporosa,  or   Alga 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


191 

palisados  about  the  flower  of  the  milk  Thistle :  and 
he  that  inquu-eth  into  the  little  bottome  of  the  globe- 
thistle,  may  finrfe  that  gallant  bush  arise  from  a 
scaipe  of  like  disposure. 

The  white  umbrella  or  medicall  bush  of  Elder,  is  an 
Epitome  of  this  order:  arising  from  five  main  stemms 
guincuncially  disposed,  and  toUerably  maintained  in 
their  subdivisions.  To  omit  the  lower  observations  in 
the  seminal  spike  of  Mercurie  wild,  and  plantane. 

Thus  hath  nature  ranged  the  flowers  of  Santfoyne, 
and  French  honeysuckle ;  and  somewhat  after  this 
manner  hath  ordered  the  bush  in  JubiUrs  beard,  or 
houseleek ;  which  old  superstition  set  on  the  tops  of 
houses,  as  a  defensative  against  lightning,  and  thunder. 
1  he  like  in  Fenny  Seagreen,  or  the  water  Souldier> 
which,  though  a  military  name  from  Greece,  makes 
out  the  Roman  order. 

A  like  ordination  there  is  in  the  favaginous  Sockets, 
and  Lozenge  seeds  of  the  noble  flower  of  the  Sunne. 
Wherein  m  Lozenge  figured  boxes  nature  shuts  up 
the  seeds,  and  balsame  which  is  about  them. 

But  the  firre  and  Pine  tree  from  their  fruits  doe 
naturally  dictate  this  position.  The  Rhomboidall  pro- 
tuberances m  Pine  apples  maintaining  this  Quincuncial 
order  unto  each  other,  and  each  Rhombus  in  it  selfe 
Thus  are  also  disposed  the  triangular  foliations,  in  the 
conical  fruit  of  the  firre  tree  orderly  shadowing  and 
protecting  the  winged  seeds  below  them. 

The  like  so  often  occurreth  to  the  curiosity  of  ob- 
servers, especially  in  spicated  seeds  and  flowers,  that 
we  shall  not  need  to  take  in  the  single  Quincunx  of 
Fuchstus  m  the  grouth  of  the  male^  feam,  the  seedy 
disposure  of  Cramm  hchemon,  and  the  trunk  or  neat 
Keticulate  work  in  the  codde  of  the  Sachell  palme 

For  even  in  very  many  round  stalk  plants,  the  leaves 
are  set  after  a  Quintuple  ordination,  the  first  leaf 
answering  the  fifth,  in  lateral  disposition.  Wherein 
the  leaves  successively  rounding  the  stalke,in  foure  at 
the  furthest  the  compass  is  absolved,  and  the  fifth  leafe 
>  Stmiotu.  t  orig.  masle. 

o 


192 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


hi 


or  sprout,  returns  to  the  position  of  the  other  fifth 
before  it ;  as  in  accounting  upward  is  often  observable 
in  furze,  pellitorye.  Ragweed,  the  sproutes  of  Oaks, 
and  thorns,  upon  pollards,  and  very  remarkably  in  the 
regular  disposure  of  the  nigged  excrescencies  in  the 
yearly  shoots  of  the  Pine. 

But  in  square  stalked  plants,  the  leaves  stand  re- 
spectively unto  each  other,  either  in  crosse  or  decussa- 
tion to  those  above  or  below  them,  arising  at  crosse 
positions ;  whereby  they  shadow  not  each  other,  and 
better  resist  the  force  of  winds,  which  in  a  parallel 
situation,  and  upon  square  stalkes  would  more  forcibly 
bear  upon  them. 

And  to  omit,  how  leaves  and  sprouts  which  com- 
passe  not  the  stalk,  ^-le  often  set  in  a  Rhomboides, 
and  making  long  and  short  Diagonals,  doe  stand  like 
the  leggs  of  Quadrupeds  when  they  goe  :  Nor  to  urge 
the  thwart  enclosure  and  fiirdling  of  flowers,  aud 
blossomes,  before  explications,  as  in  the  multiplyed 
leaves  of  pionie;  and  the  Chiasmus  in  five-leaved 
flowers,  while  one  lies  wrapt  about  the  staminous 
beards,  the  other  foure  obliquely  shutting  and  closing 
upon  each  other ;  and  how  even  flowers  which  consist 
of  foure  leaves,  stand  not  ordinarily  in  three  and  one, 
but  two,  and  two  crossewise,  unto  the  Stylus ;  even 
the  Autumnal  budds,  which  awaite  the  retume  of 
the  sun,  doe  after  the  winter  solstice  multiply  their 
calicular  leaves,  making  Uttle  Rhombuses,  and  net- 
work figures,  as  in  the  Sycamore  and  lilac. 

The  like  is  discoverable  in  the  original  production  of 
plants,  which  first  putting  forth  two  leaves,  those  which 
succeed,  bear  not  over  each  other,  but  shoot  obliquely 
or  crossewise,  untill  the  stalke  appeareth ;  which 
sendeth  not  forth  its  first  leaves  without  all  order  unto 
them  ;  and  he  that  from  hence  can  discover  in  what  n 
position  the  two  first  leaves  did  arise,  is  no  ordinary  I 
observator.  | 

Where  by  the  way,  he  that  observeth  the  rudimental 
spring  of  seeds,  shall  finde  strict  rule,  although  not] 
after  this  order.     How  little  is  required  unto  effectual  I 


Garden  of  Cyrus  193 

generation  and  in  what  diminutives  the  plastick 
pnnciple  lodgeth^,  ts  exemplified  in  seeds,  wherein  the 
greater  mass  affords  so  little  comproduction.  In 
Beanes  the  leaf  and  root  sprout  from  the  Germen.  the 
Zr°fh'»  f?  sP''t.  and  lye  by,  and  in  some  puU'd  up 
near  the  time  of  bloommg,  we  have  found  the  polpous 

Hil?  '  r.?'  u''"i°  ^^^^^^-  1°  Acorns  the  ^bb 
ilatmgsphtteth  the  twc  sides,  which  sometimes  lye 
-Thole,  when  the  Oak  is  sprouted  two  handfuls.  In 
Lupins  these  pulpy  sides  do  sometimes  arise  with  the 
sta^k  in  the  resemblance  of  two  fat  leaves.  Wheat 
t?nH.^^R  ':'",f°*,up,if  after  they  have  shot  some 
Zl  ^°?,'^'  ^^^  '^^^^^S  pulp  be  taken  from  them. 
Beanes  will  prosper  though  a  part  be  cut  away,  and 
so  much  set  is  sufficeth  to  contain  and  keep  the 
Germen  close.  From  this  superfluous  pulp  in  un- 
kmdel^,  and  wet  years,  may  arise  that  multiplicity  of 
II  :  msects,  which  infest  the  Roots  and  Sprouts  of 
tt-der  Graines  and  pulses. 

In  the  little  nebbe  or  fructifying  principle,  the 
motion  IS  regular  and  not  transvertible,  as  to  make 
that  ever  the  leaf,  which  nature  intended  the  root  • 
observable  from  their  conversion,  until  they  attain 
their  nght  position,  if  seeds  be  set  inversedly 

In  vain  we  expect  the  production  of  plants  from 
different  parts  of  the  seed,  from  the  same  corculum  or 
httle  original  proceed  both  germinations ;  and  in  the 
power  of  this  slender  particle  lye  many  Roots,  that 
though  the  same  be  puU'd  away,  the  generative 
particle  will  renew  them  again,  and  proct  d  to  a 
perfect  plant;  And  malt  may  be  observed  to  grow, 
though  the  Cummes  be  fallen  from  it. 

The  seminall  nebbe  hath  a  defined  and  single  place, 
and  not  extended  unto  both  extremes.  And  therefore 
many  too  vulgarly  conceive  that  Barley  and  Oats 
gro*  at  both  ends ;  For  they  arise  from  one  iunctUio 
or  generative  nebbe,  and  the  speare  sliding  under  the 
flusk,  first  appeareth  nigh  the  toppe.  But  in  Wheat 
and  Kye  being  bare  the  sprouts  are  seen  together. 
If  Barley  unhulled  would  grow,  both  would  appear  at 


ir 


ii 


194 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


once.  But  in  this  and  Oat-meal  the  nebbe  is  broken 
away,  which  makes  thorn  the  milder  food,  and  less  apt 
to  raise  fermentation  in  Decoctions. 

Men  taking  notice  of  what  is  outwardly  visible, 
conceive  a  sensible  priority  in  the  Root.  But  as  they 
begin  from  one  part,  so  they  seem  to  start  and  set  out 
upon  one  signall  of  nature.  In  Beanes  yet  soft,  in 
Pease  while  they  adhere  unto  the  Cod,  the  rudimentall 
Leafe  and  Root  are  discoverable.  In  the  seeds  of 
Rocket  and  Mustard,  sprouting  in  Glasses  of  water, 
when  the  one  is  manifest  the  other  is  also  perceptible. 
In  muddy  waters  apt  to  breed  Duckweed,  and  Peri- 
winkles, if  the  first  and  rudimentall  stroaks  of  Duck- 
weed be  observed,  the  Leaves  and  Roc^  anticipate 
not  each  other.  But  in  the  Date-stone  the  first  sprout 
is  neither  root  nor  leaf  distinctly,  but  both  together ; 
For  the  Germinatioii  being  to  passe  through  the 
narrow  Navell  and  hole  about  the  midst  of  the  stone, 
the  generative  germ  is  faine  to  enlengthen  itself,  and 
shooting  out  about  an  inch,  at  that  distance  divideth 
into  the  ascending  and  descending  pordou. 

And  though  it  be  generally  thought  that  Seeds  will 
root  at  the  end,  where  they  adhere  to  their  Originals, 
and  observable  it  is  that  the  nebbe  sets  most  often 
next  the  stalk,  as  in  Grains,  Pulses,  and  most  small 
Seeds,  yet  is  it  hardly  made  out  in  many  greater 
plants.  For  in  Acornes,  Almonds,  Pistachios,  Wall- 
nuts,  and  accuminated  shells,  the  germ  puts  forth  at 
the  remotest  part  of  the  pulp.  And  therefore  to  set 
Seeds  in  that  posture,  wherein  ihe  Leaf  and  Roots 
may  shoot  right  without  contortion,  or  forced  circum- 
volution, which  might  render  them  strongly  rooted, 
and  straighter,  were  a  Criticisme  in  Agriculture.  And 
nature  seems  to  have  made  some  provision  hereof  in 
many  from  their  figure,  that  as  they  fall  from  the  tree 
they  may  lye  in  Positions  agreeable  to  such  advantages. 

Besides  the  open  and  visible  Testicles  of  plants,  the 
seminall  powers  lie  in  great  part  invisible,  while  the 
Sun  fimdes  polypody  in  stone-wals,  the  little  stinging 
Nettle,  and  night-shade  in  barren  sandy  High-wayes, 


Garden  of  Cyrus  195 

Seurw-grasst  in  Greauland,  and  unknown  plants  in 
earth  brought  from  remote  Countries.      Beside  the 
known  longevity  of  some  Trees,  what  is  the  most 
lasting  herb,  or  seed,  seems  not  easily  determinable. 
Mandrakes  upon  known  account  have  lived  near  an 
hundred  yeares.     Seeds  found  in  Wilde-Fowls  Gizards 
have  sprouted  m  the  earth.    The  Seeds  of  Marjorane 
and  stranKmum  carelessly  kept,  have  grown  after  seven 
years     Even  m  Garden-plots  long  fallow,  and  digged 
up,  the  seeds  of  Bhtiana  and  yellow  henbane,  Ifter 
twelve  yews  burial  have  produced  themselves  again. 
That  bodies  are  first  spirits  Paro»/i«j  could  Tffirm 
which  in  the  maturation  of  Seeds  and  fruits,  seem 
obscurely  implied  by  AristotU,^  when  he  delivereth,  that 
the  spirituous  parts  are  converted  into  water,  and  the 
water  into  earth,  and  attested  by  observation  in  the 
maturative  progresse  of  Seeds,  wherein  at  first  may  be 
discerned  a  flatuous  distension  of  the  husk,  afterwards 
a  thin  hquor,  which  longer  time  digesteth  into  a  pulp 
or  kemell  obsyrvable  in  Almonds  and  large   Nuts 
And  some  w?.v  answered  in  the  progressionall  perfec- 
tion of  animil  semination,  in  its  spermaticall  matura- 
tion, trom  crude  pubescency  unto  perfection.     And 
even  that  seeds  themselves  in  their  rudimentall  dis 
covenes,  appear  in  foliaceous  surcles,  or  sprouts  within 
their  covenngs,  m  a  diaphanous  gellie,  before  deeper 
Phim?**'°"'  '^  ^'^"'^''''y  ^^"''^'^ '°  Cherries,  Acorns, 
From  seminall  considerations,  either  in  reference 
unto  one  mother,  or  distinction  from  animall  produc- 
tion, the  holy  Scripture  describeth  the  vegetable  crea- 
hon;  and  while  it  divideth  plants  but  into  Herb  and 
iree,  though  it  seemeth  to  make  but  an  accidental 
division,  from  magnitude,  it  tacitely  containeth  the 
natulan  distinction  of  vegetables,  observed  by  Her- 
balists, and  comprehending  the  four  kinds.     For  since 
the  most  naturall  distinction  is  made  from  the  produc- 
tion of  leaf  or  stalk,  and  plants  after  the  two  first 
semmall  leaves,  do  either  proceed  to  send  forth  more 
'  In  Mtt.  cum  Cuba. 


196 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


leaves,  or  a  stalk,  and  the  foHous  and  stalky  emission 
distinguishetii  herbs  and  trees ;  in  a  large  acception 
it  compriseth  all  vegetables :  for  the  fntUx  and  suffruUx 
are  under  the  progression  of  trees,  and  stand  Authen- 
tically difiFerenced,  but  from  the  accidents  of  the 
stalk. 

The  jEquivocall  production  of  thmgs  under  undis- 
cerned  principles,  makes  a  large  part  of  generation, 
though  they  seem  to  hold  a  v.ide  univocacy  in  their 
set  and  certain  Originals,  while  almost  every  plant 
breeds  its  peculiar  insect,  most  a  Butterfly,  moth  or 
fly,  wherein  the  Oak  seems  to  contain  the  largest 
seminality,  while  Tulus,  Oak,  Apple,  dill,  woolly  tuft, 
foraminous  roundles  upon  the  leaf,  and  grapes  under- 
ground make  a  Fly  with  some  difierence.  The  great 
variety  of  Flyes  lyes  in  the  variety  of  their  originals,  in 
the  seeds  of  Caterpillars  or  Cankers  their  lyeth  not 
only  a  Butterfly  or  Moth,  but  if  they  be  sterill  or 
untimely  cast,  their  production  is  often  a  Fly,  which 
we  have  also  observed  from  corrupted  and  mouldred 
F-^ges  both  of  Hens  and  Fishes ;  to  omit  the  genera- 
tion of  Bees  out  of  the  bodies  of  dead  Heifers,  or  what 
is  strange  yet  well  attested,  the  production  of  Eeles 
in  the  backs  of  living  Cods  and  Perches.* 

The  exiguity  and  smallnesse  of  some  seed  extending 
to  large  productions  is  one  of  the  magnalities  of  nature, 
somewhat  illustrating  the  work  of  the  Creation,  and 
vast  production  from  nothing.  The  true'-^  seeds  of 
Cypresse  and  Rampions  are  indistinguishable  by  old 
eyes.  Of  the  seeds  of  Tobacco  a  thousand  make  not 
one  grain.  The  disputed  seeds  of  Hartstongue  and 
Maidenhair,  require  a  great  number.  From  such 
undiscernable  seminalities  arise  spontaneous  produc- 
tions. He  that  would  discern  the  rudimentall  stroak 
of  a  plant,  may  behold  it  in  the  originall  of  Duckweed, 
at  the  bignesse  of  a  pins  point,  from  convenient  water 
in  glasses,  wherein  a  watchful!  eye  may  also  discover 
the  puncticular  Originals  of  Periwincles  and  Gnats. 
That  seeds  of  some  Plants  are  lesse  than  any  animals, 
»  Schoncvildus  di  Pue.  '  Doctissim.  Lmrmburg.  Hoti.      ^ 


Garden  of  Cyrus  197 

seems  of  no  clear  decision ;  That  the  biggest  of  Veeet- 

^d  braf-B^ett''  "  ""'^'^  ^  ^=''"'  ■"  *'■''  Tulip.^^; 
Now  whether  seminall  nebbes  hold  any  sure  nro- 
Z^T^'^T  '!'"'°^"  «"='°S"«-S  ^vhy  the  form  of^the 
wlTthfn^ffff'  ■  "'^''''  '^  '^^^  °^  t^"  enclosing  pulp! 
Thn^n  M  •^^''^  '/  f^*'*''  "P°°  tJ'e  solid,  and  not  the 
channeld  side  of  the  seed  as  in  grains,  why  since  we 
often  meet  with  two  yolks  in  one  Shell, ^dsometfrn^s 
one  egge  wi  h.n  another,  we  do  not  of  ener  m"et  Zh 
two  nebbes  m  one  distinct  seed :  why  since  t"e  eS^ 

the  1^H°  ^1?  "  °°'  ~"^^«'  ^°  commonly  oufS 
the  bird,  and  some  moths  coming  out  of  their  cSfs 

to  outweigh  their  bodies,  trees  rarely  bear  thefr  fruft 
minnr'  «'T^y?  proportion:  Whether  in  the  g^r 
mination  of  seeds  according  to  the  HiHocrlu,  fh^ 
lighter  part  ascendeth,  and  maketh  KpTou  '  the 
heaviest  tenmng  downward  frameth  the  root -Since 

^nk  nr'Tl^'^^i  '^'  ^"'  '^°°'  °f  ^«ds  in  water:  wm 
smk   or   bow  down   at  the  upper   and   leafing  end 

UW!Z1  H-  r'  """''  ^^'■°°^'  Epicurisme  fo  col: 
trive  whole  dishes   out  of  the  nebbes  and  spirited 

fiiif'^  of  plants,  then  from  the  Gallatures  ^d 
treddles  of  Egges ;  since  that  part  is  foun^to  hdd 
no  semmal  share  Oval  Generation,  are  quS  whfch 
""! n*.?J"n^"*  °?"^*  <=°°'=J"de  this  digression 
lirttel  in"fhic°°'  V^''  °'^'''  y«  °°w  nature  de- 
orH^nof-  1'^  pumber,  and  what  consent  and  co- 
prdmation  there  is  in  the  leaves  and  parts  of  flow-r^ 

ot  plants.    For  the  calicular  or  supporting  and  closing 


198 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


leaves,  do  answer  the  number  of  the  flowers,  especially 
in  such  as  exceed  not  the  number  of  Swallows  Egges ; 
as  in  Violets,  Stichwort,  Blossomes,  and  flowers  of 
one  leaf  have  often  five  divisions,  answered  by  a  like 
number  of  calicular  leaves;  as  Gmtiantlla,  Convol- 
vuhu,  Bell-flowers.  In  many  the  flowers,  blades,  or 
staminous  shootes  and  leaves  are  all  equally  five,  as 
in  cockle,  mullein  and  Blattaria ;  wherein  the  flowers 
before  explication  are  pentagonally  wrapped  up,  with 
some  resemblance  of  the  hkUta  or  moth  from  whence 
it  hath  its  name :  But  the  contrivance  of  nature  is 
singular  in  the  opening  and  shutting  of  Bindeweeds, 
performed  by  five  inflexures,  distinguishable  by  pyra- 
midall  figures,  and  also  different  colours. 

The  rose  at  first  is  thought  to  have  been  of  five 
leaves,  as  it  yet  groweth  wilde  among  us ;  but  in  the 
most  luxuriant,  the  calicular  leaves  do  still  maintain 
that  number. '  But  nothing  is  more  admired  than  the 
five  Brethren  of  the  Rose,'  and  the  strange  (Usposure 
of  the  Appendices  or  Beards,  in  the  calicular  leaves 
thereof,  which  in  despair  of  resolution  is  tolerably 
salved  from  this  contrivance,  best  ordered  and  suited 
for  the  free  closure  of  them  before  explication.  For 
those  two  which  are  smooth,  and  of  no  beard  are  con- 
trived to  lye  undermost,  as  without  prominent  parts, 
and  fit  to  be  smoothly  covered ;  the  other  two  which 
are  beset  with  Beards  on  either  side,  stand  outward 
and  uncovered,  but  the  fifth  or  half-bearded  leaf  is 
covered  on  the  bare  side  but  on  the  open  side  stands 
firee,  and  bearded  like  the  other. 

Besides  a  large  number  of  leaves  have  five  divisions, 
and  may  be  circumscribed  by  a  pentagon  or  figure  of 
five  Angles,  made  by  right  lines  from  the  extremity  of 
their  leaves,  as  in  Maple,  Vine,  Figge-tree :  But  five- 
leaved  flowers  are  commonly  disposed  circularly  about 

'  Alluding  to  a  rustic  rliyme : — 

On  a  summer's  day,  in  sultry  weather, 
Five  brethren  were  born  together, 
Two  had  beards,  and  two  had  none, 
And  the  other  had  but  half  a  one.— Jeff. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  199 

^^Jt„f.^!?'L-^"'^^^  *«>  ">•  •>%•>«  Geometry  of 

rirJUr.*!"  ?"°'^5  °i  fi^o  »  remarkable  in  every 
m^uTof^H'^'^l  first  spherical  number.  bu'?S 
measure  of  sphajncal  motion.    For  sphsrici  bodies 

rZ^^n^r-  '^^  r^y.  «'°^»'"  figure  SdSSrn 
a  plane,  m  direct  voluution.  returns  to  the  first  ookt 

1m  o  ■^h^'n-"  *I"  *ft*Lt°"ch.  accounting  by'^he 
Hwuiurs  inereot.  And  before  it  arriveth  unto  th« 
UsSf  r«  h"*"^'  '*  '"l^*'''  fi^«  circles  eqSaTunto 
^^uSSr*^*^  """^  '""^  quarterslbsolving 

of  ^hi'^SiT^f  '"""'^^  ^^  °»*""  <'ivide  the  circle 

tne  neatMt  Retiary  Spider,  which  concludinK  in  fourtv- 
Se^tt^^""  '^'  Semidiameters  begi^neth  t'St 

the^drctj^'h™  r°°"/  ^'^.'"y  *«  foundation  of 
ine  circular  branches  of  the  Oak,  which  beinir  fiv 
«.rner^  in  the  tender  annual  sp^Std  mfiiS: 
mg  upon  mcision  the  signature  of  a  Starre  is  Xr 
made  cucular  and  swel'd'into  a  round  Sdy  WWch 
fLT^  Sf  °''"''?  '"  '^°'°«  «  point  of  art,  iid  makes 

2Ld,  7^it"''u  '"  ^"•="'^"-'  B"t  the  BrW  which 
sends   forth  shoots   and   prickles   from   iu   awles 

agnature  of  a  handsome  porch  within  it.  To  omit 
*e^  LXf  ^fi""°1^  '^"'"^^S  the  Circle  of  the  1^1 
tb^-W^  <.^  ^''^  characters  in  the  Winter  stalk  of 
the  Walnut,  with  many  other  Observables   which 

toowlKo  tn°^  i^  discenTers ;  Su'ht 
'  Elm.  Ub.  4. 


200  Garden  of  Cyrus 

Quiocundal  forms  and  ordinations  are  also  ob- 
servable in  animal  figurations.  For  to  omit  the  luoijii 
or  throat-bone  of  animals,  the  furcula  or  m$rry-tkougkt 
in  birds,  which  supporteth  the  scapula,  affording  a 
passage  for  the  winde-pipe  and  the  gullet,  the  wings  of 
Flyes,  and  disposure  of  their  legges  in  their  first  forma- 
tion from  maggots,  and  the  position  of  their  horns, 
wings  and  legges,  in  their  Aunlian  cases  and  swadling 
clouts :  The  back  of  the  Cimtx  Arloreus,  found  often 
upon  Trees  and  lesser  plants,  doth  elegantly  discover 
the  Burgundian  decussation  ;  And  the  like  is  observable 
in  the  belly  of  the  Notomcton,  or  water- Beetle,  which 
swimmeth  on  its  back,  and  the  handsome  Rhombtaus 
of  the  Sea-poult  or  weazel  on  either  side  the  Spine. 

The  sexangular  Cels  in  the  Honeycombs  of  Bees, 
are  disposed  after  this  order,  much  there  is  not  of 
wonder  in  the  confused  Houses  of  Pismires,  though 
much  in  their  bu^e  life  and  actions,  more  in  the  edifiaal 
Palaces  of  Bees  and  Monarchical  spirits ;  who  make 
their  combs  six-comer'd,  declining  a  circle,  whereof 
many  stand  not  close  together,  and  compleatly  fill  the 
area  of  the  place ;  But  rather  affecting  a  six-sided 
figure,  whereby  every  cell  affords  a  common  side  unto 
six  more,  and  also  a  fit  receptacle  for  the  Bee  itself, 
which  gathering  into  a  Cylindrical  Figure,  aptly  enters 
its  sexangular  house,  more  nearly  approaching  a 
circular  Figure,  then  either  doth  the  Square  or 
Triangle.  And  the  Combes  themselves  so  regularly 
contrived,  that  their  mutual  intersections  make  three 
Lozenges  at  the  bottome  of  every  Cell ;  which 
severally  regarded  make  three  Rows  of  neat  Rhom- 
boidall  Figures,  connected  at  the  angles,  and  so 
continue  three  several  chains  throughout  the  whole 
comb. 

As  for  the  Favago,  found  commonly  on  the  Sea 
shoar,  though  named  from  an  honey  comb,  it  but 
rudely  makes  out  the  resemblance,  and  better  agrees 
with  the  round  r>ls  of  humble  Bees.  He  that  would 
exactl}r  discern  ti..;  shape  of  a  Bees  mouth,  needs 
observing  eyes,  and  good  augmenting  glasses ;  wherein 


Garden  of  Cyrus  201 

anrf'te"!'!''  °"'  °^  ""•  '>'*«••«  PW-^M  in  nature, 
and  he  mu.t  have  a  morepierdng  eyV  than  mine  who 
finds  out  the  shape  of  tfuls  bLd,  in  th"eutro^ 
Drones  Dressed  out  behinde.  accorSL  to  tl!^  Ix^rf- 

s^eSLth  .?'"~T/  Y^l"^  notwithstanding  there 
seemeth  somewhat  which  might  a  pliant  iincv  to 
creduhty  of  similitude.  ^  ^  '° 

A  resemblance  hereof  there  is  in  the  orderlv  >nH 
rarely  disposed  Cels  made  by  Flyes  Ld  Insects  whkh 

l't^°^'i?  '°""'  ^'-^d  "^"^  smalTspgsT^I 
m  those  cottonary  and  woolly  pillows,  which  some 
times  we  meet  with   fastene/unto  Lwves   thwrL 
Included  an  elegant  Net-work  Texturerout  of  which 
con,e  many  small  Flies.     And  some  resembla^ce^Jere 

mofh.  it  fh''"'  ."J*"  ^8,5''^  °^  «"""  Butterflies  s^d 
moths,  as  they  stick  upon  leaves,  and  other  substan«t  • 
which  bemg  dropped^^from  behinde,  nor  dSdb^ 
the  eye,  doth  neatly  declare  how  natire  GeomStY 
and  observeth  order  in  all  things  "ctnzetn, 

and  ou^l«rH  f  **"'''"'y '?  ''S""  ^  '°"nd  in  the  skins 
and  outward  teguments  of  animals,  whereof  a  recaS 
able  part  .ue  beautiful  by  this  texture.  As  the  C 
of  several  Snakes  and  Serpents,  elegantly  remarSf 
m  the  Aspi,,  and  the  Dart-Mak^,  in^the  cCmiL  and 
krger  decussations  upon  the  back  of  the  RatX-^n^e 
and  m  the  close  and  finer  texture  of  the  ^Xw' 

rnalanx  on  their  backs,  and  handsomely  contrive, 
themselves  into  all  kindes  of  flexures  ;  Wher^  the^r 
belhesare  commonly  covered  with  smooth  semicfrculw 
gI.~r,io^'  accommodable  unto  their  quick^"aL^ 
This  way  is  followed  by  nature  in  the  oeculiar  =.n^ 
re^kable  tayl  of  the  sJver.  wheTek  the  st^^  p^^ 
cles  are  disposed,  somewhat  after  this  ord<^wWch 
wW?«  h^*'°?K  '^«?°l"tion  of  the  wonder  of  S  S 
frr    A°u^'^  '^"''  'ncredible  Artifice  hath  NtatuTe 
framed  the  tayl  or  Oar  of  the  Bever:  where  by  the  way 
'  GoM.  ie  Salt. 


202  Garden  of  Cyrus 

we  cannot  but  wish  a  model  of  their  houtes,  «o  much 
extolled  by  eoine  Describert :  wherein  eince  they  are 
to  bold  at  to  venture  upon  three  ttaget,  we  might 
examine  their  Artifice  in  the  contignations,  the  rule 
and  order  in  the  compartitions ;  or  whether  that  mag- 
nified ttructure  be  any  more  than  a  rude  rectangular 
pyle  or  meer  hovell-building. 

Thus  works  the  hand  of  nature  in  the  feathery 
plantation  about  birds.  Observable  in  the  skios  of  the 
breast,'  lees,  and  Pinions  of  Turkies,  Geese,  and 
Ducks,  and  the  Oars  or  finny  feet  of  Water- Fowl:  and 
such  a  naturall  Net  is  the  scaly  covering  of  Fishes,  of 
Mullets,  Carps,  Tenches,  &c.,  even  in  such  as  are 
excoriable  and  consist  of  smaller  scales,  as  Bretts, 
soals,  and  Flounders.  The  like  Reticulate  grain  is 
observable  in  some  Russia  leather.  To  omit  the  ruder 
Figures  of  thetostracion,  the  triangular  or  cunny-fitb, 
or  the  pricks  of  the  Sea- Porcupine. 

The  same  is  also  observable  in  some  part  of  the  skin 
of  man,  in  habits  of  neat  texture,  and  therefore  not 
unaptly  compared  unto  a  Net:  We  shall  not  affirm 
that  from  such  grounds,  the  ^Egyptian  F-rbalmer? 
imitated  this  texture,  yet  in  their  Imnen  folds  :ne  same 
is  still  observable  among  their  neatest  Mummies,  in 
the  figures  of  Isis  and  Osyris,  and  the  Tutelary  spirits 
in  the  Bembine  Table.  Nor  is  it  to  be  overlooked  how 
Orus,  the  Hieroglyphick  of  the  world,  is  described  in 
a  Net-work  covering,  from  the  shoulder  to  the  foot. 
And  (not  to  enlarge  upon  the  cruciated  character  of 
Trismigisius,  or  handed  crosses,  so  often  occurring  in 
the  Needles  of  Pharoah,  and  Obelisks  of  Antiquity) 
the  Statute  hiacte,  Teraphims,  and  little  Idols,  found 
about  the  Mummies,  do  make  a  decussation  of  Jacob's 
Grosse,  with  their  armes,  like  that  on  the  head  of 
Ephraim  and  Manasses,  and  this  duussis  is  also  graphic- 
ally described  betv/een  them. 

This  Reticulate  or  Net-work  was  also  considerable 
in  the  inward  parts  of  man,  not  only  from  the  first 

^  Elegantly  conspicuous  on  the  inside  of  the  stripped  skins  of 
the  Dive-Fowl,  of  Cormorant,  Goshonder,  Weasell,  jLoon,  &c 


Garden  of  Cyrus  203 

nht$gm4not  wwp  of  bis  formation,  but  in  the  netty 
fibru  of  the  veins  and  vessels  of  life ;  wherein  accordine 
to  common  Anatomy  the  right  and  transverse  fibrn 
are  decussated,  by  the  oblique  fibru;  and  to  must 
^me  a  Reticulate  and  Quincuncial  Figure  by  their 
OWiquations,  Emphatically  extending  that  Eleeant 
expression  of  Scripture  "Thou  hast  curiously  em- 
broydered  me,"  thou  hast  wrought  me  up  after  the 
finest  way  of  Texture,  and  as  it  were  with  a  Needle. 

JNor  18  the  same  observable  only  in  some  parts,  but 
m  the  whole  body  of  man,  which  upon  the  extension 
pi  arms  and  legges,  doth  make  out  a  square,  whose 
intersection  is  at  the  genitals.  To  omit  the  fantastical 
Quincunx  m  PUUo  of  the  first  hermaphrodite  or 
divid^""'"'  "°*"  "  ""  ^°y°**>  which  >/»V«r  after 
A  rudimental  resemblance  hereof  there  is  in  the 
cnicwted.  and  rugged  folds  of  the  Rttkulum,  or  Net- 
like  Ventricle  of  ruminating  horned  animals,  which  is 
the  second  m  order,  and  culinarily  called  the  Honey- 
comb. For  many  divisions  there  are  in  the  stomack 
of  severall  animals :  what  number  they  maintain  in 
the  Scarus  and  ruminating  Fish,  common  descriofon 
or  our  own  experiment  hath  made  no  discovery.  *  But 
m  the  Ventricle  olPorpuus  there  are  three  divisions. 
In  many  Birds  a  crop.  Gizzard,  and  little  receptacle 
before  it ;  but  m  Comigerous  animals,  which  chew  the 
cudd,  there  are  no  less  than  four  of  distinct  position 
and  office. 

The  Rtticulum  by  these  crossed  eels,  makes  a  further 
digtstion,  in  the  dry  and  exuccous  part  of  the  Aliment 
received  from  the  iirst  Ventricle.  For  at  the  bottom 
of  the  gullet  there  is  a  double  Orifice ;  What  is  first 
received  at  the  mouth  descendeth  into  the  first  and 
greater  stomack,  from  whence  it  is  returned  into  the 
mouth  again;  and  after  a  fuller  mastication,  and 
salivous  mixture,  what  part  thereof  descendeth  again 
in  a  moist  and  succulent  body,  it  slides  down  the 
softer  and  more  permeable  Orifice,  into  the  Omasus 
or  third  stomack ;  and  from  thence  conveyed  into  the 


204  Garden  of  Cyrus 

fourth,  receives  its  last  digestion.  The  other  dry  and 
exuccous  part  after  ruminating  by  the  larger  and 
stronger  orifice  beareth  into  the  first  stomack,  from 
thence  into  the  Reticulum,  and  so  progressively  into 
the  other  divisions.  And  therefore  in  Calves  newly 
calved,  there  is  little  or  no  use  of  the  two  first  Ven- 
tricles, for  the  milk  and  liquid  aliment  slippeth  down 
the  softer  Orifice,  into  the  third  stomach;  where 
making  little  or  no  stay,  it  passeth  into  the  fourth, 
the  seat  of  the  Coagulum,  or  Runnet,  or  that  division 
of  stomack  which  seems  to  bear  the  name  of  the 
whole,  in  the  Greek  translation  of  the  Priests  Fee,  in 
the  Sacrifice  of  Peace-offerings. 

As  for  those  Rhomboidal  Figures  made  by  the 
cartilagineous  part  of  the  Wezon,  in  the  Lungs  of 
great  Fishes,  and  other  animals,  as  Randeletius  dis- 
covered, we  hkve  not  found  them  so  to  answer  our 
figure  as  to  be  drawn  into  illustration;  Something 
we  expected  in  the  more  discernable  texture  of  the 
lungs  of  frogs,  which  notwithstanding  being  but  two 
curious  bladders  not  weighing  above  a  grain,  we  found 
interwoven  with  veins,  not  observing  any  just  order. 
More  orderly  situated  are  those  cretaceous  and  chalky 
concretions  found  sometimes  in  the  bignesse  of  a  small 
vetchi  on  either  side  their  spine;  which  being  not 
agreeable  unto  our  order,  nor  yet  observed  by  any, 
we  shall  not  here  discourse  on. 

But  had  we  found  a  better  account  and  tolerable 
Anatomy  of  that  prominent  jowle  of  the  Sperma  Ceti 
Whale  then  questuary  operation,^  or  the  stench  of  the 
last  cast  upon  our  shoar,  permitted,  we  might  have 
perhaps  discovered  some  handsome  order  in  those 
Net-like  seases  and  sockets,  made  like  honey  combs, 
containing  that  medicall  matter. 

Lastly,  The  Incession  or  locall  motion  of  animals 

is_  made  with  analogy  unto  this  figure,  by  decussative 

diametrals,  Quincuncial  Lines  and  angles.    For  to 

omit  the  enquiry  how  Butterflies  and  breezes  move 

>  Orig.  fech. 

*  1653,  described  in  onr  Punio,  Epidtm,  Edit.  3. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  205 

their  four  wings,  how  birds  and  fishes  in  ayre  and 

Ffnn«"°!,\''yj°y?-'  '''""•-  °^  opposite  wi^gs  ^d 
Fmnes,  and  how  sahent  „iimais  in  j,u  iping  forw^d 
seem  to  anse  and  fall  ipor,  a  squa.  .  ba^f ;  As  ?he 
station  of  most  Quadruj  e.h  is  mad  .  upon  a  loni 
square  so  m  their  motiou  -L.j-  :r,^,  a  rhomboides! 
«lTv  5°^™°°  progression  being  performed  Diamet' 

wZ'c^  ^-T'*"""  ^^  "°^^  advancement  of  their 
legges,  which  not  observed,  begot  that  remarkable 

L'x's^  ^fT  i  ^•'i?^^-  of  cxrK: 

m,l«KP  °  The  Snajjg  ^hi^lj  ^^^^^^  circularly 
makes  his  spires  m  like  order,  the  convex  and  concave 
spirals  answenng  each  other  at  alternate  distances  • 
In  the  motion  of  man  the  armes  and  legges  observe 
^is  thwarting  position,  but  the  legges  alone  do  move 
Qiuncuncially  by  single  angles  with  some  resembW 
-!  I  i  measured  by  successive  advancement  from 
each  foot,  and  the  angle  of  indenture  greater  or  les« 
accordipg  to  the  extent  or  brevity  of  the  stride 
in  th»  „°,!i*  Observators  may  discover  more  analogies 

Pl!™„  iy^°''.°^°^'"'^«>^°''  <^°ot  escape  the 
Elegancy  of   her  hand  m  other   correspondencies.' 

I^Z^^  °^  "^•'^  ^?  crucifying  appurtenances, 

flower  of  Chnsts  passion  :  And  we  despair  to  behold 
m  these  parts  that  handsome  draught  of  crucifixion 
in  the  fruit  of  the  Barbado  Pine.  The  semin^  S 
of  Phalans,  or    great  shaking  grasse,  more  n^ly 

>  In  MSS.  Slom.  1847,  occurs  the  following  passace  — «  Con 

resembling  sometimes  orderly  shapes  and  figures -thoi.^ 

Th/h  l  ^^^^^  ahmental  juce  and  stablishing  fibre  asand 
rovll^a^m?-''?  ^  I'andsome  figure  of  a  tree ;  the  o^mund 
royall  a  semicircle  or  raynebowe ;  the  sedge  a  neate  orint  •  th. 

figure  of  the  twigge ;  the  stalk  of  the  figge  a  triangle  •  carroti 
.^™,^f  ?  ""'"■  '  ?°^°^  fif "«  :  the  first  rulSen^"  ae 
TTl^  P5'0'"f  give  starres  o?  an  handsome  posie ,  the  buddt 
afhte  w'b  arge  leaves  and  many  flowerrcutt.  show  thi 
artifioaU  complications  in  a  woudeifuU  manner  •■ 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


lit 


206 

answers  the  tayl  of  a  Rattle-Snake,  then  many  re- 
semblances in  Porta:  And  if  the  man  Orchis'-  of 
Columna  be  well  made  out,  it  excelleth  all  analogies. 
In  young  Wallnuts  cut  athwart,  it  is  not  hard  to 
apprehend  strange  characters ;  and  in  those  of  some- 
what elder  growth,  handsome  ornamental  draughts 
about  a  plain  crosse.  In  the  root  of  Osmond  01  Water- 
fern,  every  eye  may  discern  the  form  of  a  Half  Moon, 
Rain-bow,  or  half  the  character  of  Pisces.  Some  find 
Hebrew,  Arabick,  Greek,  and  Latine  Characters  in 
Plants ;  In  a  common  one  among  us  we  seem  to  read 
Acaia,  Viviu,  Lilil. 

Right  lines  and  circles  make  out  the  bulk  of  plants; 
In  the  parts  theresf  we  iinde  heliacal  or  spiral  roundles, 
volutas,  conicall  Sections,  circular  Pyramids,  and 
frustums  of  Archimedes;  And  cannot  overlook  the 
orderly  hand  of  nature,  in  the  alternate  succession 
of  the  flat  and  narrower  sides  in  the  tender  shoots  of 
the  Ashe,  or  the  regular  inequality  of  bignesse  in  the 
five-leaved  flowers  of  Henbane,  and  something  like  in 
the  calicular  leaves  of  Tutson.  How  the  spots  of 
Persicaria  do  manifest  themselves  between  the  sixt 
and  tenth  ribbe.  How  the  triangular  capp  in  the 
stemme  or  stylus  of  Tuleps  doth  constantly  point  at 
three  outward  leaves.  That  spicated  flowers  do  open 
first  at  the  stalk.  That  white  flowers  have  yellow 
thrums  or  knops.  That  the  nebbe  of  Beans  and 
Pease  do  all  look  downward,  and  so  presse  not  upon 
each  other ;  And  how  the  seeds  of  many  pappous  or 
downy  flowers  lock-up  in  sockets  after  a  gomphosis  or 
mot^is-articulation,  diffuse  themselves  circularly  into 
branches  of  rare  order,  observable  in  Tragopogon  or 
Goats-beard,  conformable  to  the  Spider's  web,  and 
the  Radii  in  like  manner  telarely  inter-woven. 

And  how  in  animall  natures,  even  colours  hold  cor- 
respondencies, and  mutual  correlations.  That  the 
colour  of  the  Caterpillar  will  shew  again  in  the 
Butterfly,  with  some  latitude  is  allowable.  Though 
the  regular  spots  in  their  wings  seem  but  a  meaiie 
>  Orchis  Anthnpopkora,  Fabii  Columna. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  207 

adhesion,  and  such  as  may  be  wiped  away,  yet  since 
they  come  in  this  variety,  out  of  their  cases,  there 
must  be  regular  pores  in  those  parts  and  membrances. 
definmg  such  Exudations. 

That  Augustus^  had  native  notes  on  his  body  and 
belly  after  the  order  and  number  in  the  Starres  of 
Charles  waynt,  will  not  seem  strange  unto  astral 
Physiognomy,  which  accordingly  considereth  moles 
in  the  body  of  man,  or  Physicall  Observators,  who 
trom  the  position  of  moles  in  the  face,  reduce  them  to 
rule  and  correspondency  in  other  parts.  Whether 
after  the  like  method  medicall  conjecture  may  not  be 
raised,  upon  parts  inwardly  affected ;  since  parts  about 
the  lips  are  the  critical  seats  of  Pustules  discharged  in 
^ues ;  and  scrofulous  tumours  about  the  neck  do  so 
often  speak  the  like  about  the  Mesentery,  may  also  be 
considered.  '         ' 

The  russet  neck  in  young  Lambs  seems  but  ad- 
ventitious,  and  may  owe  its  tincture  to  some  contrac- 
tion in  the  womb;  But  that  if  sheep  have  any  black 
or  deep  russet  m  theu:  faces,  they  want  not  the  same 
about  their  legges  and  ..  .  that  black  Hounds  have 
mealy  mouths  and  feet :  •  black  Cows  which  have 
any  white  m  their  tayls,  >  „ald  not  misse  of  some  in 
their  bellies;  and  if  all  white  in  their  bodies,  yet  if 
black-mouth'd,  their  ears  and  feet  maintain  the  same 
colour,  are  correspondent  tinctures  not  ordinarily  fell- 
ing in  nature,  which  easily  unites  the  accidents  of 
extremities,  since  in  some  generations  she  transmutes 
the  parts  themselves,  while  in  the  Aunlian  Metamor- 
msis  the  head  of  the  canker  becomes  the  Tayl  of  the 
Butterfly.  Which  is  in  some  way  not  beyond  the 
contrivance  of  Art,  in  submersions  and  Inlays,  invert- 
mg  the  extremes  of  the  plant,  and  fetching  the  root 
trom  the  top,  and  also  imitated  in  handsome  columnary 
work,  in  the  inversion  of  the  extremes;  wherein  the 
>-apitel,  and  the  Base,  hold  such  near  correspondency. 
In  the  motive  parts  of  animals  may  be  discovered 
mutual  proportions ;  not  only  in  those  of  Quadrupeds, 
•  Suet,  in  vit.  Aug. 


I'TT 


208 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


but  in  the  thigh-bone,  legge,  foot-bone,  and  claws  of 
Birds.  The  legs  of  spiders  are  made  after  a  sesqui- 
tertian  proportion,  and  the  long  legs  of  some  locusts, 
double  unto  some  others.  But  the  intemodial  parts 
of  Vegetables,  or  spaces  between  the  joints,  are  con- 
trived with  more  uncertainty ;  though  the  joints  them- 
selves, in  many  plants,  maintain  a  regular  numbei. 

In  veg'^table  composure,  t'.e  unition  of  prominent 
parts  seems  most  to  answer  the  Apophysis  or  processes 
of  Animall  bones,  whereof  they  are  the  produced  parts 
or  prominent  explantations.  .\nd  though  in  the  parts 
of  plants  which  are  not  ordained  for  motion,  we  do  not 
expect  correspondent  Articulation  :  yet  in  the  setting 
on  of  some  flowers  and  seeds  in  their  sockets,  and  the 
lineal  commissure  of  the  pulpe  of  severall  seeds,  na-' 
be  observed  some  shadow  of  the  Harmony ;  some 
show  of  the  Gomphosis  or  f/wrtis-articulation. 

As  for  the  Diarthrosis  or  motive  Articulation,  there 
is  expected  little  Analogy,  though  long-stalked  leaves 
doe  move  by  long  lines,  and  have  observable  motions, 
yet  are  they  made  by  outward  impulsion,  like  the 
motion  of  pendulous  bodies,  v/hile  the  parts  themselves 
are  united  by  some  kinde  of  symphysis  unto  the  stock. 

But  standing  vegetables,  void  of  motive-Articula- 
tions, are  not  without  many  motions.  For  beside  the 
motion  of  vegetation  upward,  and  of  radiation  unto  all 
quarters,  that  of  contraction,  dilatation,  inclination, 
and  contortion,  is  discoverable  in  many  plants.  To 
omit  the  rose  of  Jericho,  the  ear  of  Rye,  which  moves 
with  change  of  weather,  and  the  Magical  spit,  made 
of  no  rare  plants,  which  windes  before  the  fire,  and 
rosts  ihe  bird  without  turning. 

Even  Animals  near  the  Classis  of  plants,  seem  to 
have  the  most  restless  motions.  The  Summer-worm 
of  Ponds  and  plashes,  makes  a  long  waving  motion, 
the  hair-worm  seldome  lies  still.  He  that  would 
behold  a  very  anomalous  motion,  may  observe  it  in 
the  Tortile  and  tiring  stroaks  of  Gnat-worms.' 

1  Found  often  in  some  form  of  red  maggot  in  the  stan  ting 
waters  of  cisterns  in  the  summer. 


Garden  of  Cyrus 

CHAPTER  IV 


209 


As  for  the  delights,  commodities,  mysteries  with 
other  concernments  of  this  order,  we'are  unw«l  n^  o 
fly  them  over,  in  the  short  deliveries  of  Virgil  Varro 
amSoC''''"  *'"'"'°"  enlarge  with  a^'LS 

Eart^h  *?^^P°^i*'°°  '^^y  had  a  just  proportion  of 
Earth,  to  supply  an  equality  of  nourishment  The 
distance  bemg  ordered,  thick  or  thin,  according  to  the 
magnitude  or  vigorous  attraction  of  the  phfnt  thl 
goodnesse,  leannesse  or  propriety  of  the  soyle  and 
therefore  t..e  rule  of  Sofo«.  concerning  the  territor^  0I 
Athn,  not  extendible  unto  all;  allowing  the  dSce 
and  Oh^e    °     =°'"'°°"  Trees,  and  nineir  the  F^gge 

both  sides,  whereby  they  maintained  some  proportion 
o  their  height,  m  Trees  of  large  radication.     For  tha^ 

theTr  'S  "'''"  S°°^  '^'"  ^'"f'"^"''  or  dejth  unfo 
their  height,  according  to  common  conceit,  and  that 
expression  of  K  .^i  though  confirmable  from  the 
plane  Tree  inP/,«^  and  some  few  examples,  is  not  to 

anv  S^-T  ^^  ^?."="''°"  °f  Trees  k^ost  in 
any  k pde.  either  of  side-spreading,  or  tap  roots 
Except  we  measure  them  by  lateral  and  Vpc°  ite 
diffusions:  nor  com-.iionly  to 'be  found  in  So? 
hearby  plants;  If  we  except  Sea-holly,  LiquoricrLa 
rush,  and  some  others.  '  ^"l"°"<=«-  »ea- 

,^^^l  '""*  ^  commodious  radiation  in  their  growth  • 
fr  tf^^^^^Pao^'on  °^  their  branches,  for  shidow  ot 
delight.  For  trees  thickly  planted,  do  runne  ud  °m 
height  and  branch  with  no  expansion.  sSng^un" 

s?d"  ''Andfh°"^'f"°''^"™^  "P°"  "=«  neighboUg 
sid'i.     And  therefore   Trees   are   inwardly  bare    and 

ttlK^h'ef  ^"-^  *•"=  °"*^^^'*  -'^  Su^nn^sVof 

J^^^tum  vfrtia  ad  aura,  ^<A»,«.  u,ntum  nUc  ad  Ta,ta,a 


2IO  Garden  of  Cyrus 

Whereby  they  also  avoided  the  peril  of  (nvoXtdpuriibt 
or  one  tree  perishing  with  another,  as  it  happeneth 
ofttimes  from  the  sick  effluviums  or  entanglements  of 
the  roots,  falling  foul  with  each  other.  Observable  in 
ehnes  set  in  hedges,  where  if  one  dieth,  the  neighbour- 
ing Tree  prospereth  not'  long  after. 

In  this  situation  divided  into  many  intervals  and 
open  unto  six  passages,  they  had  the  advantage  of  a 
fair  perflation  from  windes,  brushing  and  cleansing 
their  surfaces,  relaxing  and  closing  their  pores  unto 
due  perspiration.  For  that  they  afford  large  effluviums 
perceptible  from  odours,  diffused  at  great  distances,  is 
observable  from  Onyons  out  of  the  earth;  which 
though  dry,  and  kept  until  the  spring,  as  they  shoot 
forth  large  and  many  leaves,  do  notably  abate  of 
their  weight.  And  mmt  growing  in  glasses  of  water, 
until  it  arriveth  unto  the  weight  of  an  ounce,  in 
a  shady  place,  will  sometimes  exhaust  a  pound  of 
water. 

And  as  they  send  much  forth,  so  may  they  receive 
somewhat  in  :  For  beside  the  common  way  and  road 
of  reception  by  the  root,  there  may  be  a  refection  and 
imbibition  from  without ;  For  gentle  showrs  refresh 
plants,  though  they  enter  not  their  roots ;  And  the 
good  and  bad  effluviums  of  Vegetables,  promote  or 
debilitate  each  other.  So  Epithymum  and  Dodder, 
rootlesse  and  out  of  the  ground,  maintain  themselves, 
upon  Thyme,  Savory,  and  plants  whereon  they  hang. 
And  Ivy  divided  from  the  root,  we  have  observed  to 
live  some  years,  by  the  cirrous  parts  commonly  con- 
ceived but  as  tenacles  and  holdfasts  unto  it.  The 
stalks  of  mint  cropt  from  the  root  stripped  from  the 
leaves,  and  set  in  glasses  with  the  root  end  upward, 
and  out  of  the  water,  we  have  observed  *.o  send  forth 
sprouts  and  leaves  without  the  aid  of  roots,  and 
scordium  to  grow  in  like  manner,  the  leaves  set  down- 
ward in  water.  To  omit  severall  Sea  plants,  which 
grow  on  single  roots  firom  stones,  although  in  very 
many  there  are  side  shoots  and  fibres,  beside  the 
fastening  root. 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


whprpi^  oil!.    1 J  *=?°*«°t  to  grow  m  obscure  Wells  • 

twining  towards  theS^^t"bf  fhTl.  fi?i  conversion, 
Hops.  Woodbine,  ^d  21^^  k1nd«  nf^  ^"^"""l' 

IS  scarce  expectable  in  ^y  Climate    anrlTi.?'"^"'' 
uon  of  .h.  motion  of  ,h.  sun.-^wlTrTi;:  A»t°^^^^.£: 


212 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


tionially  from  the  left  hand  to  the  ri^ht,  according  to 
the  daily  revolution ;  The  st^k  twineth  ecliptically 
from  the  rigbt  to  the  left,  according  to  the  annual 
conversion. 

Some  commend  the  exposure  of  these  orders  unto 
the  Western  gales,  as  the  most  generative  and  fructi- 
fying breath  of  heaven.  But  we  applaud  the  Husbandry 
of  Solomon,  whereto  agreeth  the  doctrine  of  Tkeopkrasius. 
Arise  O  north  winde,  and  blow  thou  South  upon  my 
garden,  that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out ;  For  the 
north-winde  closing  the  pores,  and  shutting  up  the 
effluviums,  when  the  South  doth  after  open  and  relax 
them;  the  Aromaticall  gummes  do  drop,  and  sweet 
odours  fly  actively  from  them.  And  if  his  garden  had 
the  same  situation,  which  mapps,  and  charts  afford  it, 
on  the  East  side  of  Jerusalem,  and  having  the  wall  on 
the  west ;  these  were  the  windes  unto  which  it  was  well 
exposed. 

By  this  way  of  plantation  they  increased  the  number 
of  their  trees,  which  they  lost  in  Quatemio's,  and  squarft 
orders,  which  is  a  commodity  insisted  on  by  Varro,  and 
one  great  intent  of  nature,  in  this  position  of  flowers 
and  seeds  in  the  elegant  formation  of  plants,  and  the 
former  Rules  observed  in  naturall  and  artificial 
Figurations. 

Whether  in  this  order  and  one  Tree  in  some  measure 
breaking  the  cold,  and  pinching  gusts  of  windes  from 
the  other,  trees  will  not  better  maintain  their  inward 
circles,  and  either  escape  or  moderate  their  eccen- 
tricities, may  also  be  considered.  For  the  circles  in 
Trees  are  naturally  concentricall  parallel!  unto  the 
bark,  and  unto  each  other,  till  frost  and  piercing  windes 
contract  and  close  them  on  the  weather  side,  the 
opposite  semicircle  widely  enlarging,  and  at  a  comely 
distance,  which  hindreth  ofttimes  the  beauty  and 
roundnesse  of  Trees,  and  makes  the  Timber  lesse  ser- 
viceable; whiles  the  ascending  juyce,  not  readily 
passing,  settles  in  knots  and  inequalities.  And  there- 
fore it  is  no  new  course  of  Agriculture,  to  observe  the 


Garden  of  Cynis  213 

The  same  is  also  observable  under  around  in  th« 
C)^anatmns  and  spherical  rounds  of  Onyon^  wLerl 
the  circles  o   the  orbes  arc  eft  times  larger  Tnd  th" 

otaer.    And  where  the  largenesse  will  make  ud  tha 
number  of  planetical  Orbes,  that  of  ^r*    and  th! 
ower  planets  exceed  the  dimensions  of  Sa^T  and 
the  higher;  ^yhether  the  like  be  not  verified  I'i  the 
Circles  of  the  large  roots  of  Briony  and  Mandrakes  or 
why  in  the  knotts  of  Deale  or  F^rre  the  rirrl.!  »? 
often  eccentricall,  although  not  in  a  plkne!  but  v^^^^^^^^^^^ 
Wh!?H  P°f"'°°V d«=«rves  a  furthe^enqiir^ 
Whether  there  be  not  some  irregularity  of  round 
nesse  m  most  plants  according  t?  the  ?  posh"on 
cTntMe  inTT^l'.'rP"""'^'""  °f  P"««  be  not  per- 

7owTd  th„  cf  '•  ^"J'^shes,  and  other  vegetables 
=nl^      .    streaming  quarter,  may  also  be  observed 

contrivJd  rto"f "'  '!f '°°« ^"/  ^'^'''  »^=  <=°~'y 

contrived  into  a  roundnesse  of  figure,  wherebv  th^ 
water  presseth  lesse.  and  slippeth  m^ore  smoothlyCm 
them,  and  even  m  flags  .     flat-figured  leaves    the 

fn  dfcLr  °'"'"  *'""'"P"  ^'-^^ -'° 'l^^^^^^^^^^^ 

But  whether  plants  which  float  upon  the  surface  of 
tW  ^^^'^^  t'  ^^1^0^^  part  of  cooling  qualities 
those  which  shoot  above  it  of  heating  virtues,  S 

tall,  were  made  lone  and  JrSt.^i    Trees  being  to  grow  up 


ff 


214 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


why  ?  whether  Sargauo  for  many  miles  floating  upon 
the  Western  Ocean,  or  Sea-Lettuce  and  Pkasganium 
U  the  bottome  of  our  Seas,  make  good  the  like  quali- 
ties? Why  Fenny  waters  afford  the  hottest  and 
sweetest  plants,  as  Calavms,  Cyfirus,  and  Crow-foot, 
and  mudd  cast  out  of  ditches  most  naturally  produceth 
Arsmart  ?  Why  plants  so  greedy  of  water  so  little 
regard  oyl?  Why  since  many  seeds  contain  much 
oyle  within  them,  they  endure  it  not  well  without, 
either  in  their  growth  or  production?  Why  since 
Seeds  shoot  commonly  under  ground,  and  out  of  the 
ayre,  those  which  are  let  fall  in  shallow  glasses,  upon 
the  surface  of  the  water,  will  sooner  sprout  than  those 
at  the  bottom?  And  if  the  water  be  covered  with 
oyle,  those  at  the  bottome  vill  hardly  sprout  at  all, 
we  have  n: .  room  to  conjecture. 

Wheluc  <.vy  would  not  lesse  offend  the  Trees  n 
this  clean  ordination,  and  well-kept  paths,  might  per- 
haps deserve  the  question.  But  this  were  a  quaery 
only  unto  some  habitations,  and  little  concerning  Cyrus 
or  the  Babylonian  territory ;  wherein  by  no  industry 
Harpalus  could  make  Ivy  grow;  And  Alexander  hardly 
found  it  about  those  parts  to  imitate  the  pomp  of 
Bacchus.  And  though  in  these  Northern  Regions  we 
are  too  much  acquainted  with  one  Ivy,  we  know  too 
little  of  another,  whereby  we  apprehend  not  the  ex- 
pressions of  Antiquity,  the  Splenetick  medicine^  of 
Galen,  and  the  Emphasis  of  the  Poet,  in  the  beauty  of 
the  white  Ivy.' 

The  like  concerning  the  growth  of  Misseltoe,  which 
dependeth  not  only  of  the  specks,  or  kinde  of  Tree,  but 
much  also  of  the  Soil.  And  therefore  common  in 
some  places,  not  readily  found  in  others,  frequent  in 
France,  not  so  common  in  Spam,  and  scarce  at  all  in 
the  Territory  of  Ferrara  ;  Nor  easily  to  be  found  where 
it  is  most  required,  upon  Oaks,  less  en  Trees  con- 
tinually verdant.  Although  in  some  places  the  Olive 
escapeth  it  not,  requiting  its  detrimeut,  in  the  deligbt- 
full  view  of  its  red  Berries;  as  Clusim  observed  in 


>  Calm,  dt  Mid.  Sttmdmn  toe. 


'  Hedird  fcrmosior  albd. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  215 

Spain,  ndBilloHius  about  Hinusalm.  But  tms  Para- 
siticall  plant  suffers  nothing  to  grow  upon  it,  by  anv 
way  of  ait;  nor  could  we  ever  make  it  griw  whTrS 

?n^r  j^  '"'^"K,''  *''«"  *"«'"*  lo'b'ng  improbable 
^«ln."*f  "  '"'^'^  °°'  succeeded  by  ^tion  in  any 
manner  of  ground,  wherein  we  had  no  reason  to 
dMpair,  since  we  reade  of  vegetable  horns,  and  how 
Rams  horns  will  root  about  Goa.> 

But  besides  these  rurall  commodities,  it  cannot  ba 
meanly  delectable  in  the  variety  of  Figures,  which 
these  orders,  open  and  closed,  do  make.     Whiles" 

l.r^  i.it  ,-^''°""^i'^*^'  ^^^  intervals  bounded  with 
parallell  Imes,  and  each  intersection  built  upon  a 
square,  affordinp;  two  Triangles  or  Pyramids  vertically 
conjoyned;  wh.ch  m  the  strict  Quincunciall  order  doe 
oppositely  make  acute  and  blunt  Angles 

And  though  therein  we  meet  not  with  right  angles, 
fwori^?J^.°"^"'n'°"''^"'"8f°"' Angles  iquall  Snto 
^o  nght,  It  virtually  contains  two  right  in  every  one. 

Imes  of  Trees,  and  parts  disposed  in  them.  For 
neither  in  the  root  doth  nature  aifect  this  angle,  which 
b^^  Xf r*"*"  ^°l  thestability  of  the  p!St.  doth 
best  effect  the  same  by  Figures  of  Inclination;  Nor 
m  the  Branches  and  stalky  leaves,  which  grow  most 
at  acute  angles;  as  declining  from  their  head  the  root, 
and  diminishing  their  Angles  with  their  altitude 
Venfied  also  in  lesser  Plants,  whereby  they  better 

!riJS°%  !i"f '"'u?,'  ^°^  ^^'  °°'  ^°  ''easily  upon  the 
lnt\ '  (  *'  '''"'*  "^^"^  ^^^  '■°°'  "^«y  often  make  an 
Angle  of  seventy  parts,  the  sprouts  near  the  top  will 
often  come  short  of  thirty.  Even  in  the  nerves  and 
master  vems  of  the  leaves  the  acute  angle  ruleth  ;  the 
obtuse  but  seldome  found,  and  in  the  backward  part 

But  whl'^L'^  ^^*'""  ^I"^  ^'^^'''S  about  the  stllk. 
iJut  why  ofttunes  one  side  of  thp  leaf  is  unequall  unto 

'  LiHSckoltn. 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


216 

the  other,  as  in  Hazell  and  Oaks,  why  on  either  side 
the  master  vein  the  lesser  and  derivative  channels 
stand  not  directly  opposite,  nor  at  equall  angles, 
respectively  unto  the  adverse  side,  but  those  of  one 
part  do  often  exceed  the  other,  as  the  Wallnut  and 
many  more,  deserves  another  enquiry. 

Now  if  for  this  order  we  affect  coniferous  and  taper- 
ing Trees,  particularly  the  Cypresse,  which  grows  in 
a  conicall  figure;  we  have  found  a  Tree  not  only  of 
great  Ornament,  but,  in  its  Essentials,  of  affinity  unto 
this  order.  A  solid  Rhombus  being  made  by  the  con- 
version of  two  Equicrural  Cones,  as  Archimtdes  hath 
defined.  And  these  were  the  common  Trees  about 
Babylon,  and  the  East,  whereof  the  Ark  was  made ; 
and  Alexander  found  no  Trees  so  accommodable  to 
build  his  Navy ;  and  this  we  rather  think  to  be  the 
Tree  mentioned  in  the  Canticles,  which  stricter 
Botanology  will  hardly  allow  to  be  Camphire. 

And  if  delight  or  ornamentall  view  invite  a  comely 
disposure  by  circular  amputations,  as  is  elegantly  per- 
formed in  Hawthorns;  then  will  they  answer  the 
figures  made  by  the  conversion  of  a  Rhombus,  which 
maketh  two  concentricall  Circles;  the  greater  Circum- 
ference being  made  by  the  lesser  angles,  the  lesser  by 
the  greater.  . 

The  Cylindrical  figure  of  Trees  is  virtually  contamed 
and  latent  in  this  order.  A  Cylinder  or  long  round 
being  made  by  the  conversion  or  turning  of  a  Paral- 
lelogram, and  most  handsomely  by  a  long  square, 
which  makes  an  equall,  strong,  and  lasting  figure  in 
Trees,  agieeable  unto  the  body  and  motive  parts  of 
animals,  the  greatest  number  of  Plants,  and  almost  all 
roots,  though  their  stalks  be  angular,  and  of  many 
comers,  which  seem  not  to  follow  the  figure  of  their 
Seeds ;  Since  many  angular  Seeds  send  forth  round 
stalks,  and  sphaericall  seeus  arise  from  angular  spindles, 
and  many  rather  conform  unto  their  Roots,  as  the 
round  stalks  of  bulbous  Roots ;  and  in  tuberous  Roots 
stemmes  of  like  figure.  But  why  since  the  largest 
number  of  Plants  maintain  a  circular  Figure,  there 


Garden  of  Cyrus  217 

are  so  few  with  teretoua  or  long  round  leaves;  why 
coniferous  Trees  are  tenuifolious  or  narrow-leaved ; 
whv  Plants  of  few  or  no  joyntt  have  commonly  round 
ctalks,  whv  the  greatest  number  of  hollow  stalks  are 
round  stalks  ;  or  why  in  this  variety  of  angular  stalks 
the  quadrangular  most  exceedeth,  were  too  long  a 
speculation ;  Meanwhile  obvious  experience  may  finde, 
that  in  Plants  of  divided  leaves  above,  nature  often 
be^inneth  circularly  in  the  two  first  leaves  below, 
while  in  the  singular  plant  of  Ivy  she  exerciseth  a 
contrary  Geometry,  and  beginning  with  angular  leaves 
below,  rounds  them  in  the  upper  branches. 

Nor  c?n  the  rows  in  this  order  want  delight,  as 
carrying  an  aspect  answerable  unto  the  diptnos 
hypathros,  or  double  order  of  columns  open  above ;  the 
opposite  ranks  of  Trees  standing  lika  pillars  in  the 
Cavtiia  of  the  Courts  of  famous  buildings,  and  the 
^ortico'i  of  the  Templa  subdialia  of  old;  Somewhat 
imitating  the  Ptristylia  or  Cloyster  buildings,  and 
the  Exedra  of  the  Ancients,  wherein  men  discoursed, 
walked  and  exercised ;  For  that  they  derived  the  rule 
of  Columnes  from  Trees,  especially  in  their  propor- 
tional! diminutions,  is  illustrated  by  Vitruvius  from 
the  shafts  of  Fiire  and  Pine.  And  though  the  inter- 
arboratic;.  dj  ii.^itate  the  Artostylos,  or  thm  order,  not 
strictly  answering  the  proportion  of  inter-columnia- 
tions;  yet  in  many  Trees  they  will  not  exceed  the 
intermission  of  the  Columnes  in  the  Court  of  the 
Tabernacle ;  which  being  an  hundred  cubits  long,  and 
made  up  by  twenty  pillars,  will  afford  no  lesse  than 
intervals  of  five  cubits. 

Beside,  in  this  kinde  of  aspect  the  sight  being  not 
diffused  but  circumscribed  between  long  parallels  and 
the  hruTKuuriiiK  and  adumbration  from  the  branches, 
it  frameth  a  penthouse  over  the  eye,  'and  maketh  a 
quiet  vision :  And  therefore  in  diffused  and  open 
aspects,  men  hollow  their  hand  above  their  eye,  and 
make  an  artificial!  brow,  whereby  they  diiect  the  dis- 
persed rayes  of  sight,  and  by  this  shade  preserve  a 
moderate  light  in  the  chamber  of  the  eye ;  keeping  the 


2i8  Garden  of  Cyrus 

pupilla  plump  and  feir,  and  not  contracted  or  shrunk 
as  in  light  Eind  vagrant  vision. 

And  therefore  providence  hath  arched  and  paved 
the 'great  house  of  the  world,  with  colours  of  medi- 
ocrity, that  is,  blew  and  green,  above  and  below  the 
sight,  moderately  terminating  the  acUs  of  the  eye. 
For  most  plants,  though  green  above-ground,  maintain 
their  Originall  white  below  it,  according  to  the  candour 
of  their  seminall  pulp,  and  the  rudimental  leaves  do 
first  appear  in  that  colour ;  observable  in  Seeds  sprout- 
ing in  water  upon  their  first  foliation.  Green  seeming 
to  be  the  first  supervenient,  or  above-ground  com- 
plexion of  Vegetables,  separable  in  many  upon  ligature 
or  inhumation,  as  Succory,  Endive,  Artichoaks,  and 
which  is  also  lost  upon  fading  in  the  Autumn. 

And  this  is  also  agreeable  unto  water  itself,  the 
alimental  vehicle  of  plants,  which  first  altereth  into 
this  colour;  And  containing  many  vegetable  semin- 
alities,  revealeth  their  Seeds  by  greennesse ;  and  there- 
fore soonest  expectsd  in  rain  or  standing  water,  not 
easily  found  in  distilled  or  water  strongly  boiled; 
wherein  the  Seeds  are  extinguished  by  fire  and  decoc- 
tion, and  therefore  last  long  and  pure  without  such 
alteration,  affording  neither  uliginous  coats,  gnat- 
worms,  Acari,  hair-worms,  like  crude  and  common 
water ;  And  therefore  most  fit  for  wholesome  beverage, 
and  with  malt  makes  Ale  and  Beer  without  boyling. 
What  large  water-drinkers  some  Plants  are,  the 
Canary-Tree  and  Birches  in  some  Northern  Countries, 
drenching  the  Fields  about  them,  do  sufficiently  demon- 
strate. How  water  itself  is  able  to  maintain  the 
growth  of  Vegetables,  and  without  extinction  of  their 
generative  or  medicall  vertues ;  Beside  the  experiment 
of  Helmonts  tree,  we  have  found  in  some  which  have 
lived  six  years  in  glasses.  The  seeds  of  Scurvy-grasse 
growing  in  water-pots,  have  been  fruitful  in  the  Land; 
and  Asarum  after  a  years  space,  and  once  casting  its 
leaves  in  water,  in  the  second  leaves,  hath  handsomely 
performed  its  vomiting  operation. 

Nor  are  only  dark  and  green  colours,  but  shades 


Garden  of  Cyrus  219 

and  shadows  contrived  through  the  great  Volume  of 
nature,  and  trees  ordained  not  only  to  protect  and 
shadow  others,  but  by  their  shades  and  shadowing 
parts,  to  preserve  and  cherish  themselves.  The  whole 
rswliation  or  branchings  shadowing  the  stock  and  the 
root,  the  leaves,  the  branches  and  fiuit,  too  much 
exposed  to  the  windes  and  scorching  Sunne.  The 
calicular  leaves  inclose  the  tender  flowers,  and  the 
flowers  themselves  lye  wrapt  about  the  seeds,  in  their 
rudiment  and  first  formations,  which  being  advanced 
the  flowers  fall  away ;  and  are  therefore  contrived  in 
vanety  of  figures,  best  satisfying  the  intention ;  Hand- 
somely observable  in  hooded  and  gaping  flowers,  and 
the  Butterfly  bloomes  of  legummous  plants,  the  lower 
leaf  closely  involving  the  rudimental  Cod,  and  the 
alMy  or  wingy  divisions  embracing  or  hanging  over  it. 

But  Seeds  themselves  do  lie  in  perpetual  shades, 
either  under  the  leaf,  or  shut  up  in  coverings ;  and 
such  as  lye  barest,  have  their  husks,  skins,  and  pulps 
about  them,  wherein  the  nebbe  and  generative  particle 
lyeth  moist  and  secured  from  the  injury  of  ayre  and 
Sunne.  Darknesse  and  light  hold  interchangeable 
dommions,  and  alternately  rule  the  seminal  state  of 
things.  Light  unto  Pluio'^  is  darkness  unto  Jupiter. 
Legions  of  seminall  Ideas  lye  in  their  second  Chaos 
and  Orcus  of  HipocraUs;  till  putting  on  the  habits  of 
their  forms,  they  shew  themselves  upon  the  stage  of 
the  v.orld,  and  open  domin-.on  of  Jove.  They  that 
held  the  Stars  of  heaven  were  but  rayes  and  flashing 
glimpses  of  the  Empyreall  light,  through  holes  and 
perforations  of  the  upper  heaven,  took  of  the  natural 
shadows  of  stars,  while  according  to  better  discovery 
the  poor  Inhabitants  of  the  Moone  have  but  a  polary 
We,'  and  must  passe  half  their  dayes  in  the  shadow  of 
that  Luminary. 

Light  that  makes  things  seen,  makes  some  things 
invisible,  were  it  not  for  darknesse  and  the  shadow 
of  the  earth,  the  noblest  part  of  the  Creation  had  re- 

'  Lux  area,  lembrajom:  Umbra  era,  luxJovi.  Hippocr.  d>  Ditla 
'  S.  Htmlii  Stlimgnphia. 


220  Garden  of  Cyrus 

mained  unseen,  and  the  Stars  in  heaven  as  invisible  as 
on  the  fourth  day,  when  they  were  created  above  the 
Horizon,  with  the  Sun,  or  there  was  not  an  eye  to 
behold  them.  The  greatest  mystery  of  Religion  is  ex- 
pressed by  adumbration,  and  in  the  noblest  part  of 
Jewish  Types,  we  find  the  Cherubims  shadowing  the 
Mercy-seat :  Life  itself  is  but  the  shadow_  of  death, 
and  Eculs  departed  but  the  shadows  of  the  living :  All 
things  fall  under  this  name.  The  Sunne  itself  is  but 
the  dark  simulachrum,  and  light  but  the  shadow  of 
God. 

Lastly,  it  is  no  wonder  that  this  Quincunciall  order 
was  first  and  is  still  affected  as  gratefuU  unto  the  eye : 
For  all  things  are  seen  Quincuncially  ;  for  at  the  eye 
the  Pyramidal  rayes,  from  the  object,  receive  a  decus 
sation,  and  so  strike  a  second  base  upon  the  Retina  or 
hinder  coat,  the  proper  organ  of  Vision  ;  wherein  the 
pictures  from  objects  are  represented,  answerable  to 
the  paper,  or  wall  in  the  dark  chamber ;  after  the 
decussation  of  the  rayes  at  the  hole  of  the  horny-coat, 
and  their  refraction  upon  the  Christalline  humour, 
answering  the /oyaHKw  of  the  window,  and  the  convex 
or  burning-glasses,  which  refract  the  rayes  that  enter 
it.  And  if  ancient  Anatomy  would  hold,  a  like  dispo- 
sure  there  was  of  the  optick  or  visual  nerves  in  the 
brain,  wherein  Antiquity  conceived  a  concurrence  by 
decussation.  And  this  not  only  observable  in  the 
Laws  of  direct  Vision,  but  in  some  part  also  verified 
in  the  reflected  rayes  of  sight.  For  making  the  angle 
of  incidence  equjil  to  that  of  reflection,  the  vi.suall 
raye  returneth  Quincuncially,  and  after  the  form  of  a 
V,  and  the  line  of  reflection  being  continued  unto  the 
place  of  vision,  there  ariseth  a  semi  -  decussation, 
which  makes  the  object  seen  m  a  perpendicular  unto 
itself,  and  as  farre  below  the  reflectent,  as  it  is  from  it 
above ;  observable  in  the  Sun  and  Moon  beheld  in 
water. 

And  this  is  also  the  law  of  reflection  in  moved 
bodies  and  sounds,  which  though  not  made  by  decus- 
sation, observe  the  rule  of  equality  between  incidence 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


221 

b^'^FIHnH-J'li'  "'"^«'>y*Wspermg  places  are  framed 
by  EUipticall  arches  laid  sidewisef  where  the  voice 
bemg  delivered  at  the  focus  of  one  extremity!  observT^ 
an  equality  unto  the  angle  of  incidence,  it^vill  reflecf 

ot  the  standers  in  the  middle. 

A  Uke  rule  is  observed  in  the  reflection  of  the  vocall 
b2  h^Ti^r  ;°  E<=<=''°?.  ^tich  cannot  there^e 
^i„T^        u^'  stations.     But  happening  in  woody 

itehTh'  ^y^^  ^""^  ^"«  *°  return i,me3 
If  reacht  by  a  pleasant  and  well-dividing  voice  therl 
may  be  heard  the  softest  notes  in  nature  ' 

,  And  this  not  only  verified  in  the  way  of  sence  but 
m  animall  and  intellectuall  receptions,   ^hngs  Marina 

commnn  H  ^  "  TT^  by  another  from  within,  the 
common  decussahon  being  in  the  understanding  m  is 

ttZZf-^^,?'^'^"  "^^^'^'^  t'"'  intellectuS^nd 
phant^tical  hnes  be  not  thus  rightly  disoosed    but 

Mathematicks  of  some  brains,  whereby  thev  have 
irregular  apprehensions  of  things,  pervert^  notions 
conceptions,  and  incurable  haSticmations  were  nn 
unpleasant  speculation.  "«™anons,  were   no 

And  if  Egyptian  Philosophy  may  obtain,  the  scale 
of  'nfluences  was  thus  disposed!  and  the  g^  all  spWts 
of  both  worlds  do  trace  their  way  in  aicending  Sd 
descending  Pyramids,  mystically  apprehenTed"!  tte 
letter  X,  and  the  open  Bill  and  stradling  Legges  of  a 
nh:'^'^  "^  '^'***'^  ^y  that  Chafacter!^^ 
Of  this  Figure  Plato  jnade  choice  to  illustrate  the 
mofaon  of  the  soul,  both  of  the  world  and  m^  •  thUe 
he  ddivereth  that  God  divided  the  whole  conjunction 
length-wise,  accordwg  to  the  figure  of  a  Greek  X 
^d  hen  turn  ng  it  about.reflecte^d  it  intoacMeT  % 

anH  K  .r^  y^u^  V  "  ™'^°™  ™°''°°  °f  the  first  Orb, 
mori  ^  ^^l  ."eht  Ifes,  the  planetical  and  varioS 
motions  withm  it.  And  this  also  with ,  pplication  unto. 
■he  soul  of  man,  which  hath  a  double  aspect,  one  right.. 
»  Car.  BoviUus  if  Intelkctu. 


222  Garden  of  Cyrus 

whereby  it  beholdeth  the  body,  and  objects  without ; 
another  circular  and  reciprocal,  whereby  it  beholdeth 
itself.  The  circle  declaring  the  motion  of  the  indi- 
visible soul,  simple,  accordmg  to  the  divinity  of  its 
nature,  and  returning  into  itself ;  the  right  Imes  re- 
specting the  motion  pertaining  unto  sense,  and  vegeta- 
tion, and  the  central  decussation,  the  wondrous 
connexion  of  the  severall  faculties  conjointly  in  one 
substance.  And  so  conjoyned  the  unity  and  duality 
of  the  soul,  and  made  out  the  three  substances  so  much 
considered  by  him ;  That  is,  the  indivisible  or  divine, 
the  divisible  or  corporeal,  and  that  third,  which  was 
the  Systasis  or  harmony  of  those  two,  in  the  mystical 
decussation. 

And  if  chat  were  clearly  made  out  which  Juttin 
Martyr  took  for  granted,  this  figure  hath  had  the 
honour  to  characterize  and  notifieour  blessed  Saviour, 
as  he  delivereth  in  that  borrowed  expression  from 
Plato ;  Decussavit  eum  in  universo,  the  hint  whereof  he 
would  have  Plato  derive  firom  the  figure  of  the  brazen 
Serpent,  and  to  have  mistaken  the  Letter  X  for  T, 
whereas  it  is  not  improbable,  he  learned  these  and 
other  mystical  expressions  in  his  Learned  Observa- 
tions of  ./Egypt,  where  he  might  obviously  behold  the 
Mercurial  characters,  the  handed  crosses,  and  other 
mysteries  not  thoroughly  understood  in  the  sacred 
Letter  X  ;  which  being  derivative  from  the  Stork,  one 
of  the  ten  sacred  animals,  might  be  originally  ^Egyp- 
tian,  and  brought  into  Gruce  by  Cadmus  of  that 
Countrey. 

CHAPTER  V 

To  enlarge  this  contemplation  unto  all  the  mysteries 
and  secrets,  accommodable  vmto  this  number,  were 
inexcusable  Pythagorisme,  yet  cannot  omit  the  ancient 
conceit  of  five  sumamed  the  number  of  justice;'  as 
justly  dividing  between  the  digits,  and  hanging  in  tte 
centre  of  Nine,  described  by  square  numeration,  which 
*  Onh 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


-J —  223 

Nor  can  we  omit  how  aCTeeable  nn^  ♦!,;= 
an  handsome  &-xAor,  U  ^5    ■  ^i?°'''  *"'^  number 
since  i'/S.lnd  the  Andent^^'h?"""  ^"^  Plants, 
Divisive  Num'ber.UVdSg  "Z'iZ^,  %  Jj! 

XteTnt^^T  prer^'-STH^^^^^ 
and  therein  doth  rest  thl  ct'fif^"^^^  °^,^^*  '^^^es; 
that  in  those  which  excP  J   i       "  "  ?^  °''*^'^«:  So 


224  Garden  of  Cyrus 

and  the  optick  doctrine ;  wherdn  the  learned  may  con- 
sider the  Crystalline  humour  of  the  eye  in  the  cuttle- 
fish and  Loligo.  j    . .     u 

He  that  forgets  not  how  Antiquity  named  this  the 
Conjugall  or  wedding  number,  and  made_  it  the 
Embleme  of  the  most  remarkable  conjunction,  will 
conceive  it  duely  appliable  unto  this  handsome  Eco- 
nomy, and  vegetable  combination ;  May  hence  appre- 
hend the  allegoricall  sence  of  that  obscure  expression 
of  Htsiod,^  and  afford  no  improbable  reason  why  Plato 
admitted  his  Nuptiall  guests  by  fives,  in  the  kindred 
of  the  married  couple.' 

And  though  a  sharper  mystery  might  be  implied  in 
the  Number  of  the  five  wise  and  foolish  Virgins,  which 
were  to  meet  the  Bridegroom,  yet  was  the  same  agree- 
able unto  the  Conjugal  Number,  which  ancient  Nu- 
merists  made  out  by  two  and  three,  the  first  parity 
and  imparity,  the  active  and  passive  digits,  the 
materiall  and  formall  principles  in  generative  So- 
cieties. And  not  discordant  even  from  the  customs  ol 
the  Romans,  who  admitted  but  five  Torches  in  their 
Nuptiall  solemnities.'  Whether  there  were  any  mys- 
tery or  not  implied,  the  most  generative  animals  were 
created  on  this  day,  and  had  accordingly  the  largest 
benediction:  And  under  a  Quintuple  consideration, 
wanton  Antiquity  considered  the  Circumstances  of 
generation,  while  by  this  number  of  five  they  naturally 
divided  the  Nectar  of  the  fifth  Planet* 

The  same  number  in  the  Hebrew  mysteries  and 
Cabalistical  accounts  was  the  character  of  generation ;' 
declared  by  the  Letter  Hi,  the  fifth  in  their  Alphabet ; 
According  to  that  Cabalistical  Dogma:  liAhram  had 
not  had  this  Letter  added  unto  his  Name,  he  had 
remained  fruitlesse,  and  without  the  power  of  genera- 
tion :  Not  only  because  hereby  the  number  of  his 

'  riiirrat,  id  at,  tmptias,  multas.  Rhodin. 

=  Plato  di  Leg.  6.  '  Ptutanh.  Problat.  Rom.  i. 

* osada  qua  Vtniu 

Quinti  f  carte  sut  neetaris  mbuit. — Hor.  lib.  i.  od.  13. 
'  Ardumg.  Dog.  Cabal. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  225 

tein  of  souls  in  Cabalisticall  Technology  U  cM^ 
Btnah;  whose  seal  and  character  was^  \^ir, 
bemg  steriU  before,  he  received  the  poww  of  ™ 
t.on  from  that  measure  and  mansion  CThe  Archetyoe  ■ 
and  was  made  conformable  unto  BfJ*  AnH  „^^„' 
such  involved  considerations  the  tlT^f  c  P"" 
exchanged  into  five..  H  ryVaUlcSk  u^^f Zs  T, 
stable  number,  and  fitly  appropriable  unto  TreL  as 
Bodies  of  Rest  and  StationT  he  hath  herein  a  g;<^t 
Foundation  m  nature,  who  observing  much  variefvti 
legges  and  motive  Organs  of  Animals  as  3.  f 

very  few  ^  th?'pf  ?  ^-"^"""^  *•""»  ""'°  "O'-e.^r 
K^-msH  et  jac.  de  LatU  Cur.  Poster.  Amerien  Desm6i\ 
If  perfectly  described.  And  for  the  stabtlitvTf ht 
Number,  he.shall  not  want  the  sphericity  of  its  nature 
which  multiplied  in  itself,  will^eturn^i^  olts  o^' 
denon,mat.on.  and  bring  up  the  reare^f  The  accou^ 

Sail  N!:'J'°%°r^'  ^r^"^  '^''f  makes  up  the 
mysticall  Name  of  God,  which  consisting  of  Letters 

denoting  all  the  sphaericall  Numbers,  Tel  fivllnd 

SIX  ;  Emphatically  sets  forth  the  Notion  of  rks«S.-rf« 

^d  that  intelligible  Sphere,  which  is  ?he  ffifo'f 

Many  Expressions  by  this  Number  occurre  in  Holy 
Scnpture,  perhaps  unjustly  laden  with  mysticall  E^' 
positions,  and  little  concerimg  our  orde7  That  th« 
Israelites  were  forbidden  to  eat  the  fruit  nf  tK»- 
pUnted  Trees,  before  the  fifth^ea^ef  wLte^t 
able  unto  the  naturall  Rules  of  H^andry  •  Suite 
being  unwholsome  and  lash,  before  the  Zurth    o1 

fi^e   l^r^-     ^°  ^1  r""*^  ^y  °'  Feminine  part  of 

tM?H  nf    '^,!^^'^  "°  approbation.    For  in  the 

third  or  mascuhne  day,  the  same  is  twice  repeated^ 

'  Joi  into  He. 


226  Garden  of  Cyrus 

and  a  double  benediction  inclosed  both  Creations, 
whereof  the  one,  in  some  part  was  but  an  accomplish- 
ment of  the  other.  That  the  Trespasser'  was  to  pay 
a  fifth  part  above  the  head  or  prindpall,  makes  no 
secret  in  this  Number,  and  implied  no  more  than  one 
part  above  the  principall ;  which  being  considered  in 
four  parts,  the  additional  forfeit  must  t)C.Tr  the  Name 
of  a  fift.  The  five  golden  mice  had  plainly  their 
determination  from  the  number  of  the  Princes ;  That 
five  should  put  to  flight  an  hundred  might  have 
nothing  mystically  implyed;  considering  a  rank  of 
Souldiers  could  scarce  consist  of  a  lesser  number. 
Saint  Paul  had  rather  speak  five  words  in  a  knowtj 
than  ten  thousand  in  an  unknowne  tongue :  '''hat  is 
as  little  as  could  well  be  spoken.  A  simple  y  oposi- 
tion  consisting  of  three  words  and  a  complexed  one 
not  ordinarily  short  of  five. 

More  considerable  there  are  in  this  mysticall 
account,  which  we  must  not  insist  on.  And  therefore 
why  the  radicall  Letters  in  the  Pentateuch,  should 
equall  the  number  of  the  Souldiery  of  the  Tribes ; 
Why  our  Saviour  in  the  wilderness  fed  five  thousand 
persons  with  five  Barley  Loaves,  and  again,  but  four 
thousand  with  no  lesse  than  seven  of  Wheat  ?  Why 
Joseph  designed  five  changes  of  Rayment  unto  Btnja- 
min  and  David  took  just  five  pibbles'  out  of  the  Brook 
against  the  Pagan  Champion?  We  leave  it  unto 
Arithmeticall  Divinity,  and  Theologicall  explanation. 
Yet  if  any  delight  in  new  Problemes,  or  think  it 
worth  the  enquiry,  whether  the  Critical!  Physician 
hath  rightly  hit  the  nominall  notation  of  Quingue; 
Why  the  Ancients  mixed  five  or  three  but  not  four 
parts  of  water  unto  their  Wine:  And  Hippocrates 
observed  a  fifth  proportion  in  the  mixture  of  water 
with  milk,  as  in  Dysenteries  and  bloudy  fluxes  ?  Under 
what  abstruse  foundation  Astrologers  do  Figure  the 
good  or  bad  fate  from  our  Children,  in  good  Fortime ;' 

»  Lev.  vt 

»  rissapn  tm  foar  and  one,  or  five.— Sa/if. 

•  'Ar/oS^  Tvx)\  boaa  fortuna,  the  name  of  the  fifth  boiue. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  227 

or  the  fifth  house  of  their  Celestiall  Schemes.  Whether 
the  iEgyptians  described  a  Starre  by  a  Figure  of  five 
points,  with  reference  unto  the  five  Capitall  aspects .« 
whereby  they  transmit  their  Influences,  or  abstruser 
Considerations  ?  Why  the  Cabalisticall  Doctors,  who 
conceive  the  whole  Stphiroth,  or  divine  emanations  to 
have  guided  the  ten-stringed  Harp  of  David,  whereby 
he  pacified  the  evil  spirit  of  Saul,  in  strict  numeration 
doe  begin  with  the  PerihypaU  Mtson,  or  si  fa  ut,  and  so 
place  the  T,pher$th  answering  C  sol  fa  ut,  upon  the 
hfth  string :  Or  whether  this  number  be  oftner  applied 
unto  bad  things  and  ends,  then  good  in  holy  Scripture, 
and  why  ?  He  may  meet  with  abstrusities  of  no 
ready  resolution. 

If  any  shall  question  the  rationality  of  that  Maeick 
m  the  cure  of  the  blind  man  by  Serapis,  commanded 
to  place  five  fingers  on  his  Altar,  and  then  his  hand 
on  his  Eyes?  Why  since  the  whole  Comcedy  is 
primarily  and  naturally  comprised  in  four  parts  =  and 
Antiquity  permitted  not  so  many  persons  to  speak  in 
one  Scene,  yet  would  not  comprehend  the  same  in 
more  or  lesse  then  five  acts?  Why  amongst  Sea- 
starres  nature  chiefly  delighteth  in  five  points  ?  And 
smce  there  are  found  some  of  no  fewer  than  twelve, 
and  some  of  seven,  and  nine,  there  are  few  or  none 
discovered  of  six  or  eight  ?  If  any  shall  enquire  why 
the  Flowers  of  Rue  properiy  consist  of  four  Leaves, 
Ihe  first  and  third  Flower  have  five?  Why  since 
many  Flowers  have  one  leaf  or  none,'  as  ScaUger  will 
nave  it,  diverse  three,  and  the  greatest  number  consist 
ot  hve  divided  from  their  bottoms ;  there  are  yet  so 
few  of  two:  or  why  nature  generally  beginning  or 
setting  out  with  two  opposite  leaves  at  the  Root,  doth 
so  sddome  conclude  with  that  order  and  number  at 
the  Flower?  he  shall  not  pass  his  hours  in  vulgar 
speculations.  ° 

If  any  shall  further  quaery  why  magaeticall  Philo- 

)  ^°"J"'"='>  opposite,  sextile,  trigonal,  tetragonal. 
'  Viu/oliim,  maiifoUim.  '^^ ' 


228 


Garden  of  Cyrus 


Bophy  excludeth  decuMAtions,  and  needles  transversely 
placed  do  naturally  distract  their  verticities  ?    Why 
eomancers  do  imitate  the  Quintuple  Figure,  in  their 
Mother  Characters  of  Acquisition  and  Amission,  &c., 
somewhat  answering  the  Figures  in  the  Lady  or 
speckled  Beetle  ?     With  what  Equity,  Chiromantical 
conjecturers  decry  these  decussations  in  the  Lines  and 
Mounts  of  the  hand  ?     What  that  decussated  Figure 
mtendeth  in  the  medall  of  AUxaudtr  the  Great  7    Why 
the  goddesses  sit  commoui^  crosse-legged  in  ancient 
draughts,  Since  Juno  is  described  in  the  same  as  a  ven» 
fidal  posture  to  hinder  the  birth  of  HtrcuUs  }    If  any 
shall  doubt  why  at  the  Amphidromicall  Feasts,  on  the 
fifth  day  after  the  Childe  was  born,  presents  were  sent 
from  friends,  of  Polipusus  and  Cuttle-fishes?     Why 
five  must  be  only  left  in  that  Symbolicall  mutiny 
among  the  men  of  Cadmus  f    Why  Pnhus  in  Homtr 
the  Symbole  of  the  first  matter,  before  he  setled  him- 
self in  the  midst  of  his  Sea-monsters,  doth  place  them 
out  by  fives  ?    Why  the  fifth  years  Oxe  was  acceptable 
Sacrifice  unto  Jupiter  ?    Or  why  the  Noble  AntonitMt 
in  some  sence  doth  call  the  soul  itself  a  Rh     ibus  ? 
He  shall  not  fall  on  trite  or  triviall  disquisitic        And 
these  we  invent  and  propose  unto  acuter     .i4uirers, 
nauseating  crambe  verities  and  questions  ovei -queried. 
Flat  and  flexible  truths  are  beat  out  by  every  hammer; 
but  Vulcam  and  bis  whole  for^e  sweat  to  work  out  A  chilUs 
his  armour.    A  large  field  is  yet  left  imto  sharper  dis- 
cerners  to  enlarge  upon  this  order,  to  search  out  the 
guatirnios  and  figured  draughts   of  this  nature,  and 
moderating  the  study  of  names,  and  meer  nomencla- 
ture of  pla  's,  to  erect  generalities,  disclose  unobserved 
proprieties,  jot  only  in  the  vegetable  shop,  but  the 
whole  volume  of  nature ;  afibrding  delightful  Truths, 
confirmable  by  sense  and  ocular  Observation,  which 
seems  to  me  the  surest  path,  to  trace  the  Labyrinth  of 
Truth.     For  though  discursive  enquiry  and  rational! 
conjecture,  may  leave  handsome  gashes  and  flesh- 
wounds;  yet  without  conjunction  of  this  expect  no 
mortal  or  dispatching  blows  unto  errour. 


Garden  of  Cyrus  229 

_  But  the  Quincunx'  of  Heaven  runs  low,  and  'tii 
ttme  to  close  the  five  ports  of  knowledge;  VVa  are 
unwilliag  to  (pin  out  our  awaking  thoughts  Into  the 
pbantasmes  of  sleep,  which  often  continueth  prsecogi- 
tations ;  making  Cables  of  Cobwebbes,  and  Wilder- 
ncsse?  of  handsome  Groves.  Beside  Hippocrates^  hath 
Sfwke  so  little,  and  the  Oneirocriticall*  Masters,  have 
left  such  frigid  Interpretations  from  plants,  that  there 
XT  ""'"""couragement  to  dream  of  Paradise  itself. 
Nor  Will  the  sweetest  delight  of  Gardens  afford  much 
comfort  m  sleep ;  wherein  the  dulnesse  of  that  sense 
shakes  hands  with  delectable  odours ;  and  though  in 
the  Bed  of  CUotatra*  can  hardly  with  any  delisht  raise 
up  the  ghost  of  a  Rose. 

Night  which  Pagan  Theology  could  make  the 
daughter  of  Chaos,  affords  no  advantage  to  the  de- 
scription of  order:  Although  no  lower  then  that  Masse 
can  we  derive  its  Genealogy.  All  things  began  in 
order,  so  shall  they  end,  and  so  shall  they  liegin  again ; 
according  to  the  ordainer  of  order  and  mystical  Mathe- 
maticks  of  the  City  of  Heaven. 

Though  Somnus  in  Homer  be  sent  to  rowse  up  Aga- 
mmnon,  I  finde  no  such  effects  in  these  drowsy  ap- 
proaches of  sleep.  To  keep  our  eyes  open  longer  were 
but  to  act  our  Antipodes.  The  Huntsmen  are  up  in 
Amenco,  and  they  are  already  past  their  first  sleep  in 
Fersui.  But  who  can  be  drowsie  at  that  howr  which 
treed  us  from  everlasting  sleep  ?  or  have  slumbering 
thoughts  at  that  time,  when  sleep  itself  must  end,  and 
as  some  conjecture  all  shall  awake  again. 

'  Hyi^s,  near  the  Horizon  about  midnight,  at  that  time 
•  D,  Insomnii,  •  Arlmidonu  it  Apcmazcr. 

'  StrewcJ  with  roses. 


THE  STATIONER  TO  THE  READER 

T  jAHMor  omU  to  advwtiie,  th«t  a  Boek  wm  pob- 
K«hed  not  long  dmce,  Entituled,  Hatmn  CAmik  Un- 
iteU,  bauinglM  nam*  of  thi*  Antboor :  If  any  man 
have  bwnbmefited  therAy  thia  Authonr  ia  not  lo 
ambitkras  ai  to  ehallenga  tht  honour  tbenoL  aa  having 
no  hand  in  that  Work.  To  diftiDnuah  ol  true  and 
tpuriou*  Paecas  waa  the  OriginalT  Critidnna,  utd 
■ome  were  so  handsomely  counterfeited,  that  the  En- 
titled Authoun  needed  not  to  disdaime  them.  But 
since  it  is  so,  that  either  he  must  write  himself,  or 
Others  will  write  for  him,  I  know  no  better  Priventton 
then  to  act  his  own  part  with  lesse  intermission  of  hit 
Pen. 


pQD- 

Un- 
nuui 
>t  w 
iving 
I  ana 

and 
)En- 

But 
)lf,  or 
ution 
>f  hit 


CHRISTIAN  MORALS 

raBLItBBD  P«OM  THB  ORIGINAL  AND  COKRICT  MANU- 

scRirr  OF  THB  author; 
BY  JpHN  JEFFERY,  D.D. 


I' 


TO   THE   RIGHT   HONOURABLS 

DAVID,  EARL  OF  BUCHAN, 

My  Lord,— The  Honour  you  have  done  our  Family 
Obligeth  us  to  make  all  just  Acknowledgments  of  it. 
^d  Lre  U  no  Form  of  Acknowledgment  m  our  po^^r 
more  worthy  of  Your  Lordship's  Accept^ce,  than  ftis 
Sedtcation  of  the  Last  Work  of  o"'  ""^Kn^ 
Learned  Father.  Encouraged  hereunto  by  the  Know- 
ledge we  have  of  Your  Lordship's  Judicious  Relish  of 
u^versal  Learning,  and  sublime  Virtue;  we  beg  the 
Favou^f  Your  Acceptance  of  it.  which  wUl  very  much 
SbU^e  our  Family  'm  general,  and  Her  in  particular, 

^'"''''  My  Lord, 

Your  Lordship's  most  humble  Servant, 

Elizabeth  Littleton, 


THE  PREFACE 

Ip  anj?  One,  after  he  has  read  Relieio  Medici  and 
the  ensuing  Discourse,  can  make  Doubt,  whether  the 
same  Person  was  the  Author  of  them  both,  he  may  be 
Assured  by  the  Testimony  of  Mrs.  Littieton,  Sir 
Thomas  Browne's  Daughter,  who  Lived  with  her 
Father,  when  it  was  composed  by  Him ;  and  who,  at 
the  time,  read  it  writtei,  by  his  own  hand ;  and  also  by 
the  Testimony  of  Others,  (of  whom  I  am  One)  who  read 
the  MS.  of  the  Author,  immediai.  iy  after  his  Death, 
and  who  have  since  Read  the  Same ;  from  which  it 
hath  been  faithfully  and  exactly  Transcribed  for  the 
Press.  The  Reason  why  it  was  not  Printed  sooner  is, 
because  it  was  unhappily  Lost,  by  being  Mislay'd 
among  Other  MSS.,  for  which  Search  was  lately  made 
in  the  Presence  of  the  Lord  Arch  Bishop  of  Canterbury, 
of  which  his  Grace,  by  Letter,  informed  Mrs.  Littleton, 
when  he  sent  the  MS.  to  her.  There  is  nothing  printed 
in  the  Discou  se,  or  in  the  short  notes,  but  what  is 
found  in  the  Original  MS.  of  the  Author,  except  only 
where  an  Oversight  had  made  the  Addition  or  Trans- 
position of  some  words  necessary. 

John  Jeffery, 

Arehitaem  of  Norwich. 


PART  THE  FIRST 

Sect.  i. — Tread  softly  and  circumspectly  in  this 
funambulatory  Track  and  narrow  Path  of  Goodness : 
Pursue  Virtue  virtuously:  Leven  not  good  Actions  nor 
render  Virtues  disputable.  Stain  not  fair  Acts  with 
foul  Intentions:  Maim  not  Uprightness  by  halting 
Concomitances,  nor  circumstantially  deprave  substan- 
tial Goodness.  , 

Consider  whereabout  thou  art  in  Cebes's  table,  or  that 
old  Philosophical  Pinax*  of  the  Life  of  Man :  whether 
thou  are  yet  in  the  Road  of  uncertainties;  whether 
thou  hast  yet  entred  the  narrow  Gate,  got  up  the  Hill 
and  asperous  way,  which  leadeth  unto  the  House  of 
Sanity,  or  taken  that  purifying  Potion  from  the  hand 
of  sincere  Erudition,  which  may  send  Thee  clear  and 
pure  away  unto  a  virtuous  and  happy  Life. 

In  this  virtuous  Voyage  of  thy  Life  hull  not  about 
like  the  Ark,  without  the  use  of  Rudder,  Mast,  or  Sail, 
and  bound  for  no  Port.  Let  not  Disappointment  cause 
Despondency,  nor  difficulty  despair.  Think  not  that 
you  are  Saihng  from  Lima  to  Manillia,  when  you  may 
fasten  up  the  Rudder,  and  sleep  before  the  Wind ;  but 
expect  rough  Seas,  Flaws,  and  contrary  Blasts:  acd 
'tis  well,  if  by  many  cross  Tacks  and  Veerings,  you 
arrive  at  the  Port;  for  we  sleep  in  lyons  Skins  in 
our  Progress  unto  Virtue,  and  we  slide  not,  but  chmb 
unto  it. 

Sit  not  down  in  the  popular  Forms  and  common 
Level  of  Virtues.  Offer  not  only  Peace-Offerings  but 
Holocausts  unto  God:  where  all  is  due  make  no 
reserve,  and  cut  not  a  Cummin-seed  with  the  Almighty : 

'  Pixax.     Picture.— Dr.  7. 


Christian  Morals 


235 


to  serve  Him  singly  to  serve  ourselves  were  too  partial 
E^s^of  0^;^"!°'  ^""^  *°  P'-"  -  -  *^«  ^-'rio^ 

Sect,  n.— Rest  not  in  an  Ovation*  but  a  Triumoh 
h«S  ^J  ^  m'T'-  H^.*  A°?er  walk  hanging  down  the 
?w  '  R  I  ^?^'^J°  Manicred,  and  Envy  fetter'd  after 
thee.  Behold  within  thee  the  long  train  of  thy  Trophies 
not  without  thee.  Make  the  qLrrelling  Lap' thy  es 
sleep  and  Centaurs  within  lye  quiet.  Chain  up  the 
unruly  Legion  of  thy  breast.  Le^^d  thine  own  captivity 
captive,  and  be  C<jsar  within  thyself  ^ 

imnff^'v^'T^Ll'^*  is  Chast  and  Continent  not  to 
^r^  5  strength  or  honest  for  fear  of  Contagion. 
wUl  hardly  be  Heroically  virtuous.  Adjourn  nrt  this 
virtue  unull  that  temper  when  Cato  could  lend  out  his 
Wife,  and  impotent  Satyrs  write  Satyrs  upon  Lust; 
but  be  chast  m  thy  flaming  Days,  wheaAu/amUr  dar'd 
not  trust  his  eyes  upon  the  fair  Sisters  of  Darius  and 
when  so  iiu^ny  thmk  there  is  no  other  way  but  Onsen's  » 

Sect,  iv.— Show  thy  Art  in  Honesty,  and  loo^  not 

^d^t  n%'^'  '^'^  Managery  of  it^BeTemplrate 
and  bober  not  to  preserve  your  body  in  an  ability  for 
wanton  ends,  not  to  avoid  the  infamy  of  common  teans- 
gressors  that  way,  and  thereby  to  hope  to  expiate  or 
palliate  obscure  and  closer  vices,  not  to  spare  your 

fw  V^K^^P'y  '°  ^°J°y  ^^^^ '  but  in  ^e  word 
that  thereby  you  may  truly  serve  God,  which  every 

health.  The  sick  Man's  Saci.  jce  is  but  a  lame  Obla- 
tion Pious  Treasures,  lay'd  up  in  healthful  days, 
plead  for  sick  non-performances:  without  which  we 
must  needs  look  back  with  anxiety  upon  the  lost 
opportunities  of  health,  and  may  have  ca.Sse  rather  to 
envy  than  pity  the  ends  of  penitent  publick  SufiFerers 
who  go  with  healthfull  prayers  unto  the  last  Scene  of 
their  lives  and  m  the  Integrity  of  their  faculties  return 
their  Spint  unto  God  that  gave  it. 
Sect,  v.— Be  Charitable  before  wealth  make  thee 


1  Ovation,  a  petty  and  minor  Kind  of  Triumoh 
Bid  to  liave  Castrated  himself. 


'Whotei 


2^6 


Christian  Morals 


covetous,  and.  loose  not  the  glory  of  the  Mite.  If 
Riches  encrease,  let  thy  mind  hold  pace  with  them, 
and  think  it  not  enough  to  be  Liberal,  but  Muniiicent. 
Though  a  Cup  of  cold  water  from  some  hand  may  not 
be  without  it's  reward,  yet  stick  net  thou  for  Wine  and 
Oyl  for  the  Wounds  of  the  Distressed ;  and  treat  the 
poor,  as  our  Saviour  did  the  Midtitude,  to  the  reliques 
of  some  baskets.  Diffuse  thy  beneficence  early,  and 
while  thy  Treasures  call  thee  Master:  there  may  be 
an  Atropos  of  thy  Fortunes  before  that  of  thy  Life, 
and  thy  wealth  cut  off  before  that  hour,  when  all  Men 
shall  be  poor ;  for  the  Justice  of  Death  looks  equally 
upon  the  dead,  and  Charon  expects  no  more  from 
AUxander  than  from  Jnu. 

Sect.  vi. — Give  not  only  unto  seven,  but  also  unto 
eight,  that  is  unto  more  than  many.'  Though  to  ^ve 
unto  every  one  that  asketh  may  seem  severe  advice,' 
yet  give  thou  also  before  asking,  that  is,  where  want  is 
silently  clamorous,  and  mens  Necessities  not  their 
Tongues  do  loudly  call  for  thy  Mercies.  For  though 
sometimes  necessitousness  be  dumb,  or  misery  speak 
not  out,  yet  true  Charity  is  sagacious,  and  will  find  out 
hints  for  beneficence.  Acquaint  thyself  with  the 
Physiognomy  of  Want,  and  let  the  Dead  colours  and 
first  lines  of  necessity  suffise  to  tell  thee  there  is  an 
object  for  thy  bounty.  Spare  not  where  thou  canst 
not  easily  be  prodigal,  and  fear  not  to  be  undone  by 
mercy.  For  smce  he  who  hath  pity  on  the  poor  lendeth 
unto  the  Almighty  Rewarder,  who  observes  no  Ides 
but  every  day  for  his  payments;  Charity  becomes 
pious  Usury,  Christian  Liberality  the  most  thriving 
industry,  and  what  we  adventure  in  a  Cockboat  may 
return  m  a  Carmdc  unto  us.  He  who  thus  casts  his 
bread  upon  the  Water  shall  surely  find  it  again ;  for 
though  it  falleth  to  the  bottom,  it  sinks  but  like  tne  Ax 
of  the  Prophet,  to  arise  again  unto  him. 

Sbct.  VII. — If  Avarice  be  thy  Vice,  yet  make  it  -not 
thy  Punishment.  Miserable  men  commiserate  not 
themselves,  bowelless  unto  others,  and  merciless  unto 
•  Ecclraiasticos.  •  Loke, 


Christian  Morals 


237 

ai^ownbowds.  Let  the  fruition  of  things  bless  the 
possesion  of  them,  and  think  it  more  M&fac^  t« 

not  thy  goods,  will  follow  thee;  since  w^h  fa  a^ 
appertmance  of  life,  and  no  deLi  M^iTrRtl,.  T 
famish  in  Plenty,  and  live  poorl^o  dy^RLh  were  a 

0-5"""  '^'"— Trust  not  to  the  Omnipotencv  of  Gold 
makes  their  own  death  sweet  luito  otheS^i^t^L; 

b^?j.£^fctt£H^S^ 
J:^3;[si4S3S--,£^SH 

mvert  the  Poles  of  thy  Honesty  That  Vk:e^v^ 
T^l  ^1  "^'°  '"2°^''°"^  "«°««'«. let  iteratS^oSS 
^4^r^nr°a^e^c°^rn:L^^^^^^^^^  ^^ 

dive  mto  thy  mclinations,  and  early  discover  what 
natoe  bids  thee  to  be,  or  tells  thee  thof^yVbe 
They  who  thus  timely  descend  into  themsSves^d 
cultivate  the  good  seeds  which  nature  haS^i^ 
prove  not  shrubs  but  Cedars  in  their  eenMation      a^h 

o1^r^'°^^*'^'''^'°^  theX'o,^Sb°;w^st 
of  the  Good,  will  be  no  satisfaction  unto  tiiem 

SECT.  x.-Make  not  tiie  consequence  of  Virtue  tiie 

»  Optrai  malornm  pessimi  bonomm. 


238 


Christian  Morals 


ends  thereof.  Be  not  beneficent  for  a  name  or  Cymbal 
of  applause,  nor  exact  and  just  in  Commerce  for  the 
advantages  of  Trust  and  Credit,  which  attend  the 
reputation  of  true  and  punctual  dealing.  For  these 
Rewards,  though  unsought  for,  plain  Virtue  will  bring 
with  her.  To  have  other  by-ends  in  good  actions 
sowers  Laudable  performances,  which  must  have 
deeper  roots,  motives,  and  instigations,  to  give  them 
the  stamp  of  Virtues. 

Sect.  x:. — Let  not  the  Law  of  thy  Country  be  the 
non  ultra  of  thy  Honesty ;  nor  think  that  always  good 
enough  which  the  Law  will  make  good.  Narrow  not 
the  Law  of  Charity,  Equity,  Mercy.  Joyn  Gospel 
Righteousness  with  Legal  Right.  Be  not  a  mere 
Gamaliel  in  the  Faith,  but  let  the  Sermon  in  the 
Mount  be  thy  Targum  unto  the  Law  of  Sinah. 

Sect.  xii. — Live  by  old  Ethicks  and  the  classical 
Rules  of  Honesty.  Put  no  new  names  or  notions 
upon  Authentic  Virtues  and  Vices.  Think  not  that 
Morality  is  Ambulatory ;  that  Vices  in  one  age  are  not 
Vices  in  another ;  or  that  Virtues,  which  are  under  the 
everlasting  Seal  of  right  Reason,  may  be  Stamped  by 
Opinion.  And  therefore,  though  vicious  times  invert 
the  opinions  of  things,  and  set  up  new  Ethicks  against 
Virtue,  yet  hold  thou  unto  old  Morality;  and  rather 
than  follow  a  multitude  to  do  evil,  stand  like  Pompey's 
Pillar  conspicuous  by  thyself,  and  single  in  Integrity. 
And  since  the  worst  of  times  afford  imitable  Examples 
of  Virtue ;  since  no  Deluge  of  Vice  is  like  to  be  so 
general,  but  more  than  eight  will  escape ;  Eye  well 
those  Heroes  who  have  held  their  Heads  above  Water, 
who  have  touched  Pitch,  and  not  been  defiled,  and  in 
the  common  Contagion  have  remained  uncorrupted. 

Sect.  xiii. — Let  Age  not  Envy  draw  wrinkles  on  thy 
cheeks,  be  content  to  be  envy'd,  but  envy  not  Emu- 
lation may  be  plausible  and  Indignation  allowable,  but 
admit  no  treaty  with  that  passion  which  no  circumstance 
can  make  good.  A  displacency  at  the  good  of  others 
because  they  enjoy  it,  though  not  unworthy  of  it,  is  an 
absurd  depravity,  sticking  fast  unto  corrupted  nature, 


Christian  Morals 


239 

strangled  but  bv  ^^L&,  hit    if  ^  '^^  '^9°  "°t  *°  •» 
of  our  minds  Zd^Atam^f'll'  f"  *^»  '^'^''^^t  ^'^ess 

from'a<iver'^i^°bTt1^t''i  "r"!,*^  "°*°  humiliation 

when  otheTlteU^r^  u"Aee"°T!?-  ^*  ^'l'« 
own  shadow  lonirpr  tl,»«  »K-f^^      u*'     ^^"^  "ot  thy 

take  trXlTituTof  ttf"  Be°*r'.°?'  I.^''^'^'  '» 
Pride,  when  M«n  l,v-  k      u  ®  ^"^°*  '°  the  age  of 

Towe""^  0°bS'.rd  ST/^t"*  *T  "P  ^^" 
had  not  been      TvTf      •  *1™  ''^  ^  though  thev 

or!Si~2---"^V=^^^^ 

De^vll^be  n;\7u^,!:'of  Sll,!?  ''"''^  f^"^"^*  the 
name 'with  hit  IceS^'T-  ^^  °°u'.'°'°  °°= 
whom  thou  so  mS^h^hoS;   ?hlt  is%^A°.**"" 

narro^-minTed^^^^Tnot^^Xrow  ^ffife,^ 
I  Even  when  the  days  are  shortest. 

Persians:  whoever  was  out  th-rf/^      '°P".«"»nent  among  thi 
and  it  was  death  foT^^f'^Z:.'^^.  "  "'»  ""'"J  ^-e! 


240  Christian  Morals 

Christian  hut  AristoMs  true  Gentieman.'  Trust  not 
^T^e  that  the  EpisUe  of  St  Jam,  ^l,^V?«TP^ 
Md  so  read  with  less  fear  than  Stabbu.?  Trutti,  that  m 
company  with  this  vice  thy  Rel.pon  is  ">J«?-  J^'" 
broke  the  Tables  without  breakmg  of  the  Law,  but 
whee  Charity  is  broke,  the  Law  itself  «  shattered 
which  cannot  be  whole  without  Love,  which  is  the 
T^uTol  it.  Look.humbly  uix,n  thy  Virtuf  •  ^"^^ 
though  thou  art  Rich  in  some,  yet  thmfc  thyself  Poor 
Td^aked  without  that  Crownmg  Gra^'.^^^^ 
thinketh  no  evil,  which  envieth  not,  which  beareth, 
hopeth.  beUeveth,  endureth  all  tl'^Kl-  .„^»*  ^«^ 
sure  Graces,  whUe  busy  Tongues  are  cmng  out  for  a 
SJ^p  of  cold  Water,  mutes  may  be  in  happiness,  and 
sine  the  Tnsflgion' in  Heaven. 

Sect  xvn.— However  thy  understanding  may 
waver  in  the  Theories  of  True  and  False,  yet  fasten 
S  Rudder  of  thy  WiU,  steer  strait  unto  good  and  f sOl 
not  foul  on  evU.  Imagination  is  apt  to  rove,  ajid  con- 
"^ture  to  keep  no  bounds.  So«ie  We  run  out  ^  far 
as  to  fancy  the  Stars  might  be  but  the  light  of  the 
Crystalline  Heaven  shot  through  perforaUons  on  the 
bShM  of  the  Orbs.  Others  more  Ingeniously  doubt 
Ser  there  hath  not  been  a  vast  tract  of  Land  in 
TeAticuUich  Ocean,  which  Earthquakes  and  violent 
S.usesTve  long  ago  devoured.  Speculative  Misap- 
Sehensions  may  U  innocuous,  but  immorality  per- 
£s  The^^ical  mistakes  and  Phy^cal  Deviations. 
S^y  condemn  our  Judgments,  not  lead  us  into  Judg- 
S^nt  But  perversity  of  WIU,  immoral  and  sinfull 
Siormities  walk  y/iti  AdrasU  and  Nmests  at  their 
BSpursrus  into  Judgment. and  leave  us  vicion.ly 

°^E?T^^ivui.-Bid  early  defiance  unto  those  \  . 
which  are  of  thine  inward  Family,  and  haying  a  lo.t 
T&y  Temper  plead  a  right  and  Propne^  m  ttiee 
Raise  timely  batteries  against  those  strongholds  b>j!t 
SSn  the  R^k  of  Nature,  and  make  this  a  great  part 

1  See  Aristotle's  Ethics,  chapter  of  Magnanimity. 

»  Holy,  holy,  holy. 


Christian  Morals  241 

of  the  Militia  of  thy  life.    Delude  not  thyself  into 
imqmties  from  participation    or    community,  which 
abate  the  sense  but  not  the  obliquity  of  them.    To 
conceive  sins  less,  or  less  of  sins,  because  others  also 
Transgress,  were   Morally  to   commit   that   natural 
fallacy  of   Man,  to  take  comfort  from  Society,  and 
ttuink  adversities  less,  because  others  also  suffer  them 
The  politick  nature  of  Vice  must  be  opposed  by  Policy 
And  therefore,  wiser  Honesties  project  and  plot  against 
It.     Wherein,  notwithstanding,  we  are  not  to  rest  in 
generals,  or  the  trite  Stratagems  of  Art.    That  may 
succeed  with  one  which  may  prove  successless  with 
another :  There  is  no  community  or  commonweal  ol 
Virtue:   Every  man  must  study  his  own  ceconomy. 
and  adapt  such  rules  unto  the  figure  of  himself. 

Sect,  xix.— Be  substantially  great  in  thyself,  and 
more  than  thou  appearest  unto  others ;  and  let  the 
World  be  deceived  m  thee,  as  they  are  in  the  Lights 
of  Heaven.  Hang  early  plummets  upon  the  heels  of 
Fnde,  and  let  Ambition  have  but  an  Epicycle  and 
narrow  circuit  in  thee.  Measure  not  thyself  by  thy 
mornmg  shadow,  but  by  the  extent  of  thy  grave,  and 
Reckon  thyself  above  the  Earth  by  the  line  thou  must 
be  contented  with  under  it.  Spread  not  into  boundless 
txpansions  either  of  designs  or  desires.  Think  not 
that  mankind  liveth  but  for  a  few,  and  that  the  rest 
are  born  but  to  serve  those  Ambitions,  which  make 
but  flies  of  Men  and  wildernesses  of  whole  Nations. 
bweU  not  into  vehement  actions  which  imbroil  and 
confound  the  Earth;  but  be  one  of  those  violent  ones 
which  force  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  If  thou  must 
needs  rule,  be  Zeno's  king,  and  enjoy  that  Empire 
which  every  Man  gives  himself.  He  who  is  thus  his 
own  Monarch  contentedly  sways  the  Sceptre  of  him- 
self not  envying  the  Glory  of  Crown^  Heads  and 
Elohims  of  the  Earth.  Could  the  World  unite  in  the 
practice  of  that  despised  train  of  Virtues,  which  the 
Divine  Ethicksof  our  Saviour  hath  so  ivvtulcated  upon 
us,  the  funous  face  of  things  must  disappear,  Eden 
>  Matthew  xl. 


242 


Christian  Morals 


would  bo  yet  to  bo  found,  and  the  AngeU  nught  look 
down,  not  with  pity,  but  Joy  upon  U8. 

Sect,  xx— Though  the  Quickness  of  thine  Ear  were 
able  to  reach  the  noise  of  the  Moon,  which  some 
think  it  maketh  in  it's  rapid  revolution ;  though  the 
number  of  thy  ears  should  equal  Argta  his  Eyes ;  yet 
stop  them  all  with  the  wise  man's  wax,  and  be  deal 
unto  the  suggestions  of  Tale-bearers,  Calumniators, 
Pickthank  or  Malevolent  Delators,  who  whUe  quiet 
Men  sleep,  sowing  the  Tares  of  discord  and  ^viMO". 
distract  the  tranquillity  of  Chanty  and  all  fnend  y 
Society.    These  are  the  Tongues  that  set  the  world 
on  fire,  cankers  of  reputation,  and  like  that  of  Joms  his 
Gourd,  wither  a  good  name  in  a  night.    EvU  bpints 
may  sit  still,  while  these  Spirits  walk  about  and  per- 
form the  business  of  Hea    To  speak  more  stnctly. 
our  corrupted  hearts  are  the  Factories  of  the  Devil, 
which  may  be  at  work  without  his  presence,      bor 
when  that  circumventing  Spirit  hath  drawn  Malice, 
Envy,  and  all  unrighteousness  unto  well  rooted  habits 
in  his  disciples,  iniquity  then  goes  on  upon  its  own 
lees,  and  if  the  gate  of  Hell  were  shut  up  for  a  time. 
Vice  would  still  bo  fertile  and  produce  the  fruits  of 
Hell     Thus  when  God  forsakes  us,  Satan  also  leaves 
us     For  such  offenders  he  looks  upon  as  sure  and 
sealed  up,  and   his  temptations  then  needless  unto 

Sect,  xxi.— Annihilate  not  the  Mercies  of  God  by 
the  Oblivion  of  Ingratitude.  For  Oblivion  is  a  kind 
of  Annihilation,  and  for  things  to  be  as  though  they 
had  not  been  is  like  unto  never  being.  Make  not  thy 
Head  a  Grave,  but  a  Repository  of  God's  mercies. 
Thoueh  thou  hadst  the  Memory  of  Seneca.oc  StmomUes, 
and  Conscience,  the  punctual  Memorist  within  us,  yet 
trust  not  to  thy  Remembrance  in  things  which  need 
Phylacteries.  Register  not  only  strange  but  merciful 
occurrences:  Let  Etlumcrides  not  Ol^im^ads  give  &ee 
account  of  his  mercies.  Let  thy  Dianes  stand  thick 
with  dutiful  Mementos  and  Asterisks  of  acknowledg- 
ment   And  to  be  complete  and  forget  nothmg,  date 


Christian  Morals  243 

.  J„l";  «"— P«nt  not  the  sepulcher  of  thyself,  and 
stnve  not  to  beautify  thy  corruption.  Be  not  an 
Advocate  for  thy  Vices,  nor  call  for  many  HoJ^ 
Glasses  to  justify  thy  imperfections.  Think  not  that 
always  good  whfch  thou  thinkest  thou  canst  a)«-ays 
hLkJ.l/°^^T  that  concealed  which  the  Sun  doth  not 
beho  d.    That  which  the  Sun  doth  not  now  see  will  be 

f'r^m  H  '°  '""'x?""  '*  ""*•  '^^  *»"  Stars  are  fallen 
from  Heaven.    Meanwhile  there  is  no  darkness  unto 

Hi~'f°''f ''•"'''  *=.*"  see  without  Light,  and  in  the 
deepest  olMcunty  give  a  clear  Draught  of  thintrs 
which  the  Cloud  of  dissimulation  hath  conceal" from 
au  eyes.  There  is  a  natural  standing  Court  within  us, 
examining,  acquitting,  and  condemning  at  the  Tribunal 
of  oureelves,  wherein  iniquities  have  their  natural 
Wnfifff  *°A  "o  ?o<:ent«  is  absolved  by  the  verdict  of 
dSltl"*,^".  *"ef°«  although  our  transgressions 
sh^l  be  tiyed  at  the  last  bar,  the  process  need  not  be 

™mF"  Z^m"  V^^"  °*.  ^^  ^°^'^  all.  and  every  Man 
wdf  nakedly  know  himself.  And  when  so  few  are 
like  to  plead  not  Guilty,  the  Assize  must  soon  have 
an  end. 

«.u^^*^^u'?'"'~^°'"P'y  ^''^  ^""e  humors,  bear  with 
others,  but  serve  jione.  Civil  complacency  consists 
with  decent  honesty :  Flattery  is  a  Juggler,  and  no  Kin 
unto  Smcenty.  But  while  thou  maintainest  the  plain 
path,  and  scomest  to  flatter  others,  fall  not  into  self 
Adulation,  and  b>  come  not  thine  own  Parasite  Be 
deaf  unto  thjr  self,  and  be  not  betrayed  at  home. '  Self- 
creduhty,  pnde,  and  levity  lead  unto  self-Idolatry. 
Ihtre  is  no  DamocUs  like  unto  self  opinion,  nor  any 
itren  to  our  own  fawning  Conceptions.  To  magnify 
our  minor  thmgs  or  hug  ourselves  in  our  apparftionsi 
to  afford  a  credulous  Ear  unto  the  clawing  suggestions 

mark  for  death  c  ■  capital  condemnation  —Dr   I 
a  Se 
Judice  nemo  nocens  absolvitur.— J  nv.— Dr.  /. 


244 


Christian  Morals 


of  fancy ;  to  pass  our  days  in  painted  mistakes  of  our- 
selves ;  and  though  we  behold  our  own  blood,  to  think 
ourselves  sons  of  Jupittr ; '  are  blandishments  of  self- 
love,  worse  than  outward  delusion.  By  this  Imposture 
Wise  Men  sometimes  are  Mistaken  in  their  Elevation, 
and  look  above  themselves.  And  Fools,  which  are 
Antipodes  unto  the  Wise,  conceive  themselves  to 
be  but  their  Ptriaci,  and  in  the  same  parallel  with 
them. 

Sect.  xxiv. — Be  not  a  HtrcuUs  furnu  abroad,  and  a 
Poltroon  within  thyself.  To  chase  our  Enemies  out  of 
the  Field,  and  be  led  captive  by  our  Vices ;  to  beat 
down  our  Foes,  and  fall  down  to  our  Concupiscences ; 
are  Solecisms  in  Moral  Schools,  and  no  Laurel  attends 
them.  To  well  manage  our  Affections,  and  wild 
Horses  of  Plato,  are  the  highest  Circenses:  and  the 
noblest  Digladiation'  is  in  the  Theater  of  ourselv«8 ; 
for  therein  our  inward  Antagonists,  not  only  like 
common  Gladiators,  with  ordinary  Weapons  and  down 
right  Blows  make  at  us,  but  also  like  Retiary  and 
L^ueary'  Combatants,  with  Nets,  Frauds,  and  En- 
tanglements fall  upon  us.  Weapons  for  such  combats 
ae  not  to  be  forged  at  Lipara:  VuUan's  Art  doth 
nothing  in  this  internal  Militia;  wherein  not  the 
armour  of  AchilUs,  but  the  Armature  of  St.  Paul,  gives 
the  Glorious  day,  and  Triumphs  not  Leading  up  into 
Capitols,  but  up  into  the  highest  Heavens.  And 
therefore  while  so  many  think  it  the  only  valour  to 
command  and  master  others,  study  thou  the  Dominion 
of  thyself,  and  quiet  thine  own  Commotions.  Let 
Right  reason  be  thy  Lycurgus,  and  lift  up  thy  hand 
unto  the  Law  of  it :  move  by  the  Intelligences  of  the 
superior  Faculties,  not  by  the  Rapt  of  Passion,  nor 
merely  by  that  of  Temper  and  Constitution.  They  who 
are  merely  carried  on  by  the  Wheel  of  such  inclinations, 

'  As  Alexander  the  Great  dkt. 
'  Digladiation.     Fencing  match. — Dr.  J. 

*  Reiiary  and  Uqueary,     The  ntiarius  or  laqurarius  was  a  prize- 
.  fighter,  who  entangled  his  opponent  in  a  net,  which  b]r  soma 
dextrous  management  he  threw  upon  him, — Dr.  J. 


Christian  Morals  245 

without  tl.e  Hand  and  Guidance  of  Sovereiim  Reai    . 
are  but  th.  Automaton,  part  of  manlcind,  rf^hrrX^i 
thui  hv>ng,  or  at  iMst  underliving  themselves. 
HKT.  XXV.— Let  not  Fortune,  which  hath  jrn  name  in 

h^^l/Jfl'  the  Uour  of  thy  acknowled,n,ents,  and 
be  thy  CErfi/«j  m  Contingencies.  Mark  well  the  Paths 
and  wmding  Ways  therwf ;  but  be  not  too\v  ise  m  the 
Construction,  or  sudden  in  the  Application.  The  Hand 
of  Providence  writes  often  by'Abbrev.a^ur.s,  Hiero- 
f^hrw7''°'^  Characters,  which.  Kke  the  l/.c^s" 
on  the  Wal  are  not  to  be  made  out  but  by  a  ;  f,n  or 
Key  from  that  Spirit  which  indicted  tiien,.  (.e^v^ 
!^i.^u  °<='="''''«'":e*  to  th«r  uncertainties.  th,„'.  tb-ii' 
f^ri^Il"   ??T"'   "jy  "*"=   and  since  'tis  .a.ier  to 

&  o?1,>h1'P|''  "/""l^"'  ^?y  "'  «""«  distance" 
Umk  for  little  ReguJar  below.    Attend  with  patipnce 

Je  uncertamty  of  things,  and  what  lieth  yet  unexerte" 
^chf  rr  °^^''^'y-  Th«  uncertain'^  and  igao,. 
ance  of  Things  to  come  makes  the  World  new  unto  us 
by  unexpected  Emer«;ences,  whereby  we  pas7no  om 

fc^fh'"  '^M'^^"  "^^  °^  "^"'^  affordingTNovi^" 
for  the  noyelhzmg  Spirit  of  Man  lives  by  varietv^d 
the  new  Faces  ofThings.  '  variety,  and 

Sect  xxvi.— Though  a  contented  Mind  enlargeth  the 
dimension  of  little  things,  and  unto  some  'tis^eaJth 

rvt°KV''p^u^°°'' *"''  °'^'''  "<=  well  conienftf 
^!L  m''"',?"=5  ''°°"8''  *°  ^  H°°««t.  and  to  give 
IffZ,^"*  ^X^""''-  y'  '^  ""t  «to  that  obsolete 
AflFectaHon  of  Bravery  to  throw  away  thy  Money,  and 
to  reject  all  Honours  or  Honourable  stations  ^  Ss 
^n^^?  T'^  f'"^'^  ^"''•-    Old  Generosity  isTup^r 
No  Man  is  now  like  to  refuse  the  favour  of  great  ones 
or  be  content  to  say  unto  Princes,  stand  out  of  my  °4 
And  if  any  there  be  of  such  antiquated  Resolutions 
they  are  not  like  to  be  tempted  out  of  them  by  ct^ ' 

SnnL'"t  *^'/^''  V^'J  ^^^P^  '^'  name  of  I^^. 
diondnacks  from  the  denius  of  latter  times,  i£to 
whom  contempt  of  the  World  is  the  most  contemptiblS 


246 


Christian  Morals 


opinion,  and  to  be  able,  like  Bias,  to  cany  all  they  have 
about  them  were  to  be  the  eighth  wise-man.  However, 
the  old  tetrick  Philosophers  look'd  always  with  Indigna- 
tion upon  such  a  Face  of  Things,  and  observing  the 
unnatural  current  of  Riches,  Power,  and  Honour  in  the 
World,  and  withal  the  imperfection  and  demerit  of 
persons  often  advanced  »mto  them,  were  tempted  unto 
angry  Opinions,  that  Affairs  were  ordered  more  by 
Stars  than  Reason,  and  that  things  went  on  rather  by 
Lottery,  than  Election. 

Sect,  xxvii. — If  thy  Vessel  be  but  small  in  the  Ocean 
of  this  World,  if  Meanness  of  Possessions  be  thy 
allotment  upon  Earth,  forget  not  those  Virtues  which 
the  great  disposer  of  ail  bids  thee  to  entertain  from  thy 
Qudity  and  Condition ;  that  is.  Submission,  Humility, 
Content  of  mind,  and  Industry.  Content  may  dwell  m 
all  Stations.  To  be  low,  but  above  contempt,  may  be 
high  enough  to  be  Kappy.  But  many  of  low  Degree 
may  be  higher  than  computed,  an"  -ime  Cubits  above 
the  common  Commensuration ;  fu,.  .ii  all  States  Virtue 
gives  Qualifications,  and  Allowances,  which  make  out 
defects.  Rough  Diamonds  are  sometimes  mistaken 
for  Pebbles,  and  Meanness  may  be  Rich  in  Accom- 
plishments, which  Riches  in  vain  desire.  If  our  merits 
be  above  our  Stations,  if  our  intrinsical  Value  be 
greater  than  what  we  go  for,  or  our  Value  than  our 
Valuation,  and  if  we  stand  higher  in  God's  than  in  the 
Censor's  book ;  it  may  make  some  equitable  balance 
in  the  inequalities  of  this  World,  and  there  may  be  no 
such  vast  Chasm  or  Gulf  between  disparities  as 
common  Measures  determine.  The  Divine  Eye  looks 
upon  high  and  low  differently  from  that  of  Man.  They 
who  seem  to  stand  upon  Olympus,  and  high  mounted 
unto  our  eyes,  may  be  but  In  the  Valleys,  and  low 
Ground  luito  his ;  for  he  looks  upon  those  as  highest 
who  nearest  approach  his  Divinity,  and  upon  those  as 
lowest,  who  are  farthest  from  it. 

Sect,  xxviii. — When  thou  lookest  upon  the  Imper- 
fections of  others,  allow  one  Eye  for  what  is  Laudable 
in  them,  and  the  balance  they  have  from  some  ex- 


Christian  Morals 


247 


w«  1^'  huh  "^y  ^^°^"  *'"■"  considerable.  WhUe 
we  lcx)k  with  fear  or  hatred  upon  the  Teeth  of  the 
Viper,  we  may  behold  his  Eye  with  love.  In  venomous 
Natures  somethmg  may  be  amiable:  Poys^? afford 
b^^C^hi  "v?'^  '"  '°^y'  °' altogether  usekss? 
n^rinnc v^  ^"?-"  "^  sometimes  dashed  with 
notonous  Vices,  and  m  some  vicious  tempers  have  been 

ob^iSr'^^'TK^'*'  °^  ^'^""i  whic^^kes  sucS 

kinH  ^'/°1  V  **»'r  ^  "^  °°*  *°  ^  fo'^dln  the  same 
Jandm  Ar,sUdcs,  Numa,  or  Z)at-<rf.  Constancy.  Gene 
rosity  Clemency,  and  Liberality  have  been  hiehlv 
co"^«s  fo'  ^f ««  P«^°s  n/marked  oufinT^ 
concerns  fo.  Example  or  Imitation.  But  since  Good- 
ness  IS  exemplary  in  all.  if  others  have  not  our  vSSS 

&eiV  ^rt«r  "T^  •'^''  "*  ^'^'  ^  condemned  by 
tneir  Virtues,  wherein  we  are  deficient.  There  is 
Dross,  AUov,  and  Embasement  m  all  human  TemLr  • 
^i™  M  r  k'*°"*  ^^"es.  who  thinks  to  find  Op^y; 
Z^Z^^^^  ""  ^^i  1°'  perfection  is  not  like  Light 
S«  o^tT^  ^"k>  ^°dy' *>"*  like  the  dispersed  SeSii. 
t^  wif  ?  ^*^'**'i'*l^*  **  CTi^^aa  scattwed  through 
toe  whole  Mass  of  the  Earth,  no  place  producinglll 
and  almost  all  some.    So  that  'tis  well,  if  a  perfec 

Srfecr^v^nfTt,""'  °''"^°y  M»    and.Ke 
perlect  Eye  of  God,  even  out  of  Mankind.    Time 

rn.',u  P"-^^'"  ""r  '^^^^'  ^perfects  also  others.' 
Could  we  intimately  apprehend  the  Ideated  Man,  ^d 

exertion  by  Creation,  we  might  more  narrowly  compre- 
tntfr  P'!r°*  Degeneration,  and  how  widely  we  are 
f =?/T-  ^t  P""  Exemplar  and  Idea  of  our  nature : 
Zi^nlcl^^  corruptive  Elongation  from  a  primitive 
^H  5  /  wu  °°'  ''^  ^^  *'™°**  'ost  in  Degeneration ; 
and^rfaw  hath  not  only  fallen  from  his  Creator,  bu 

Sect.  3aix.-Quarrel  not  rashly  with  Adversities 
not  yet  understood ;  and  overlook  not  the  Mercies  often 


248 


Christian  Morals 


bound  up  in  them :  for  we  consider  not  sufficientiy  the 
good  of  Evils,  nor  fairly  compute  the  Mercies  of  Pro- 
vidence in  things  afflictive  aX  first  hand.  The  famous 
Andreas  Doria  being  invited  to  a  Feast  by  Aloysto 
Fieschi,  with  design  to  Kill  him,  just  the  night  before, 
fell  mercifully  into  a  fit  of  the  Gout  and  so  escaped  that 
mischief.  When  Cato  intended  to  Kill  himself,  from 
a  blow  which  he  gave  his  servant,  who  would  not  reach 
his  Sword  unto  him,  his  Hand  so  swell'd  that  he  had 
much  ado  to  Effect  his  design.  Hereby  any  one  but  a 
resolved  Stoick  might  have  taken  a  fair  hint  of  con- 
sideration, and  that  some  mercifull  Genius  would  have 
contrived  his  preservation.  To  be  sagacious  m  such 
intercurrences  U  not  Superstition,  but  wary  and  pious 
Discretion,  and  to  contemn  such  hints  were  to  be  deaf 
unto  the  speaking  hand  of  God,  wherein  Socrates  and 
CardaH  would  hardly  have  been  mistaken. 

Sbct  XXX. Break  not  open  the  gate  of  Destruction, 

and  mike  no  haste  or  bustle  unto  Ruin.    Post  not 
heedlessly  on  unto  the  twit  ultra  of  FoUy,  or  precipice 
of  Perdition.     Let  vicious  ways  have  their  Tropicks 
and' Deflections,  and  swim  in  the  Waters  of  Sin  but  as 
in  the  A^haUick  Lake,  though  smeared  and  defiled, 
not  to  sink  to  the  bottom.     If  thou  hast  dipt  thy  foot 
in  the  Brink,  yet  venture  not  over  Rvbtcon.     Run  not 
into  Extremities  from  whence  there  is  no  regression. 
In  the  vicious  ways  of  the  World  it  mercifully  falietii 
out  that  we  become  not  extempore  wicked,  but  it 
taketh  some  time  and  pains  to  undo  our  selves.     We 
fall  not  from  Virtue,  like  Vulcan  from  Heaven,  in  a 
day      Bad  Dispositions  require   some   time  to  grow 
into  bad  Habits,  bad  Habits  must  undermine  good,  and 
often-repeated  acts  make  us  habitually  evil :  so  that  by 
eradual  depravations,  and  while  we  are  but  stagger- 
ingly evil,  we  are  not  left  without  Parentheses  of  con- 
siderations, thoughtful  rebukes,  and  tnerciful  mterven- 
tions,  to  recaU  us  unto  our  selves.    For  the  Wisdom 
of  God  hath  methodiz'd  the  course  of  things  unto  the 
be^t  advantage  of  goodness,  and  thinking  Considerators 
overlook  not  the  uact  thereof. 


wm. 


mmm 


Christian  Morals 


249 


Sect.  XXXI.— Since  Men  and  Women  have  their 
proper  Virtues  and  Vices ;  and  even  TwLs  of  different 
sexes  have  not  only  distinct  coverings  in  the  Womb 
but  diffenng  qualities  and  Virtuous  HaWts  ait«- 
transplace  not  their  Proprieties  and  confo^d  notlTei; 

m^^'^cv""-  •  ^i¥a^'=">'"«a°df«minineaccomphsh 
ments  shme  in  their  proper  Orbs,  and  adorn  thrir 
Respective  subjects  However  uuite  not  the  Vices  of 
both  Sexes  m  one;  be  not  Monstrous  in  Iniquity! nor 
Hermaphroditically  Vitious.  '4""y.  nor 

Sect,  xxxii.— If  generous  Honesty,  Valour,  and 
pku,  Dealmg  be  the  Cognisance  of  thy  Fa^^ly^r 
Charactenstick  of  thy  Country,  hold  fastLchtecLa- 

the  r™if.  ""  ^\^^  ^'''  ^'^'^-  ^d  which  k7ta 
detp£?,f*  W'tl^^.thee.      Fall  not  into  transfoming 

nlf  ?.  .  ?°*  ^^^^^  ■"  '''•lie  own  Nation  ;  brine 
not  Orontes  into  Tiber;  learn  the  Virtues  not ^! 

tion'rH-'^'r'^-  Neighbours,  and  mSc?  hy Lto 
S.vl.l?;^^'^''°M  ''^*  contagion.  Feel  somrthing  of 
thyself  m  the  noble  Acts  of  thy  Ancestors,  and  find  to 

unZ°frK'""V'^'  ?^  ^r  Predecessor;.  Rest  n« 
under  the  Expired  merits  of  others,  shine  by  those  of 
thy  own.  Flame  not  like  the  central  fire  which 
Sh*^„tV°  Ey'^^.^Wch  no  Man  seeth,  and  most 
R^v  ,^n^  S*'*"  °°  ^""^  "^'"^  *°  »'«  seen.    Add  one 

^Lh^rV\%u°T°''  J'"""^^;  '"^'^  °°'  only  to  the 
Number,  but  the  Note  of  thy  Generation ;  and  prove 
not  a  Cloud  but  an  Asterisk  in  thy  region 
Sect,  xxxii,  -Since  thou  hast  an  Alarum  in  thy 

,k1  1^7'"'=''  **".^  *''**  t*>°"  l^t  a  Living  Spirit  ii 
thee  above  two  thousand  times  in  an  hour;  dull  nS 
ne^tU'^X  ?^^'  '".^loathful  supinity  and  th^  Ted  o^! 
ness  of  doing  nothing.  To  strenuous  Minds  there  is 
MI  mquietude  m  over  quietness,  and  no  laboriousness 

a  bnail,  or  the  heavy  measures  of  the  Lazy  of  Brazilia 
were  a  most  tiring  Pennance,  and  worse  Aan  a  Race 
0  some  furlongs  at  the  Olympicks.  The  rapid  coui^I 
of  the  heavenly  bodies  are  rather  imitable  by  our 


2SO 


Christian  Morals 


Thoughts  than  our  corporeal  Motions ;  yet  the  solemn 
motions  of  our  lives  amount  unto  a  greater  measure 
than  is  commonly  apprehended.  Some  few  men  have 
surrounded  the  Globe  of  the  Earth ;  yet  many  in  the 
set  Locomotions  and  movements  of  their  days  have 
measured  the  circuit  of  it,  and  twenty  thousand  miles 
have  been  exceeded  by  them.  Move  circumspectly 
not  meticulouslv,  and  rather  carefully  soUicitous  than 
anxiously  solUcitudinous.  Think  not  there  is  a  Lyon 
in  the  way,  nor  walk  with  Leaden  Sandals  in  the 
paths  of  Goodness;  but  in  all  Virtuous  motions  let 
Prudence  determine  thy  measures.  Strive  not  to  run 
like  Hercules  a  furlong  m  a  breath :  Festination  may 
prove  Precipitation ;  Deliberating  delay  may  be  wise 
cunctation,  and  slowness  no  sloathfulness. 

Sect,  xxxiv. — Since  Virtuous  Actions  have  their 
own  Trumpets,  and  without  any  noise  from  thy  self 
will  have  their  resound  abroad;  busy  not  thy  best 
Member  in  the  Encomium  of  thy  self.  Praise  is  a 
debt  we  owe  unto  the  Virtues  of  others,  and  due  unto 
our  own  from  all,  whom  Malice  hath  not  made  Mutes, 
or  Envy  struck  Dumb.  Fall  not  however  into  the 
common  prevaricating  way  of  self -commendation  and 
boasting,  by  denoting  the  imperfections  of  others.  He 
who  djsconunendeth  others  obliquely  commendeth 
himself.  He  who  whispers  their  infirmities  proclaims 
his  own  Exemptions  from  them,  and  consequently  says, 
I  am  not  as  this  Publican,  or  Hie  Ni^er,'^  whom  I  talk 
of.  Open  ostentation  and  loud  vain-glory  is  more 
tolerable  than  this  obliquity,  as  but  contaming  some 
Froath,  no  Ink,  as  but  consisting  of  a  personal  piece 
of  folly,  nor  complicated  with  uncharitableness.  Super- 
fluously we  seek  a  precarious  applause  abroad :  every 
good  Man  hath  his  plaudite  within  himself ;  and  though 
his  Tongue  be  silent,  is  not  without  loud  Cymbals  in 
his  Breast.  Conscience  will  become  his  Panegyrist, 
and  never  forget  to  crown  and  extol  him  unto  himself. 
Sect,  xxxv.— Bless  not  thyself  only  that  thou  wert 

'  Hie  niger  est,  husc  tu  Romane  caveto.— Hor. 


Christian  Morals 


ma^st  thou  more  /atv^l^l^fcont^n^oT^^" 

mf.u,^  J      r  ''^^y  ?°^«'^s,  so  Modesty  preventeth  a 
Td  hri'.n  k""".-.  ^'^holding  from  n^n  <Ly  V  ces 

SECT.  XXXVI.— The  Heroical  vein  of  Mankind  n,nc 

w'J.rin"'  the  Souldiery,  and  courag^us  p^  of^he 

Sin  'Hkfn™  .^^t  ["r.^"  °^t«"^*  find  Men  above 
Men.    History  is  full  of  the  gallantry  of  that  THhl . 

whi':^"°ff^"  '"^u^"  notalle  aS  we  easiS  find 
what  a  difference  there  is  between  a  Life  iTpLarch 

bIZ^T'-'":  ^"* *™» Fortitude dweUs, S£ 
Bounty.  Friendship,  and  Fidelity  may  be  fou^d  A 
man  may  confidem  persons  constituted  for  nobS  endf 
who  dare  do  and  suffer,  and  who  have  a  Hami  !„!  ' 
or  their  CounttyandthiirFn^SdSmllKcLp^'^ 
things  are  the  product  of  petty  Souls.    K  4e  to  bf 

Fti^"n-r7)-:^^'^  't°''''°'  ^  covetous  Mt  or  : 
Friend,  or  relieth  upon  the  Reed  of  narrow  and^ltrnn 

DeXc  nTt^c?1?d1ii^ai  ""'T'*^'  =  ^^^ 
Honesty  are  the  Gems  ofnobt^l'dsTthl^r  to 
SnTrJrpre?."'  *"*  '"^^  "^^-"^  EngUsh  C^e'Sul! 


j^i^se/;,^' 


252 


Christian  Morals 


PART  THE  SECOND 

Sect,  i.— Punish  not  thyself  with  Pleasure ;  Glut  not 
thy  sense  with  palative  Delights;    nor  revenge  the 
contempt  of  Temperance  by  the  penalty  of  Satiety. 
Were  there  an  Age  of  delight  or  any  pleasure  durable, 
who  would  not  honour    Volupiaf   but  the  Race  of 
Delight  is  short,  and  Pleasures  have  mutable  faces. 
The  pleasures  of  one  age  are  not  pleasures  in  another, 
and  their  Lives  fall  short  of  our  own.    Even  in  our 
sensual  days  the  strength  of  delight  is  in  its  seldom- 
ness  or  rarity,  and  stmg  in  its  satiety:    Mediocrity 
is  its   Life,  and    immoderacy  its  Confusion.     The 
Luxurious  Emperors  of  old  inconsiderately  satiated 
themselves  with  the  Dainties  of  Sea  and  Land,  till, 
wearied  through  all  varieties,  their  refections  became 
a  study  unto  them,  and  they  were  fain  to  feed  by 
Invention.     Novices  in  true  Epicurism!    which,  by 
mediocrity,  paucity,  quick  and    healthful   Appetite, 
makes  delights  smartly  acceptable ;  whereby  Eptcunu 
himself  found  Jupiter's  brain  in  a  piece  of  Cytheridian 
Cheese,!  and  the  Tongues  of  Nightingals  in  a  dish  of 
Onyons.     Hereby  healthful  and  temperate  poverty 
hath  the  start  of  nauseating  Luxury ;  unto  whose  clear 
and  naked  appetite  every  meal  is  a  feast,  and  in  one 
single  dish  the  first  course  of  Metellus;'   who  are 
cheaply  hungry,  and  never  loose  their  hunger,  or 
advantage  of  a  craving  appetite,  because  tAvious  food 
contents  it ;  while  Niro,'  half  famish'd,  could  not  feed 
upon  a  piece  of  Bread,  and  ling'ring  after  his  snowed 
water,  hardly  got  down  an  ordinary  cup  of  Calda.* 
By  such  circumscriptions  of  pleasure  the  contemned 
Philosophers  reserved  unto  themselves  the  secret  of 
Delight,  which  the  Helluos^  of  those  days  lost  in  their 

»  Ctrebrum  Jovis,  for  a  delicious  bit. 

■'  Metellus  hie  riotou:   Pontiacal  Supper,  the  great  vanety 
whereat  is  to  be  seen  in  aliunbna  (see  note).  ,,.  .  . 

»  Nero  in  his  flight.— Swto*.        *  Caldse  gelidseque  Minister. 
•  HiUuos.    Oluttona.— Dr./. 


Christian  Morals  253 

exorbitances.  In  vain  we  study  Delight  •  It  is  at  the 
command  of  every  sober  Mind,  and  in  every  sense 
born  wjth  us:  but  Nature,  who  teacheth  us  the  rule 
ofpleasure,  instructeth  also  in  the  bounds  thereof,  and 
where  its  hne  expireth.  And  therefore  Temperate 
Mmds,  not  pressing  their  pleasures  until  the  stine 
appeareth,  enjoy  their  contentations  contentedly,  and 
without  regret,  and  so  escape  the  folly  of  excess,  o  be 
pleased  unto  displacency. 

Sect,  ii.— Bring  candid  Eyes  unto  the  perusal  of 
mens  works,  and  let  not  Zoilism  or  Detraction  blast 
well-mtended  labours.     He  that  endureth  no  fciults  in 
mens  wntmgs  must  only  read  his  own,  wherein  for 
the  most  part  all  appeareth  White.    Quotation  mis- 
takes,  inadvertency,  expedition,  and  human  Lapses 
may  make  not  only  Moles   but   Warts  in  Learned 
-Authors,  who  notwithstanding  being  judeed  bv  the 
capital  matter  admit  not  of  disparagement?    I  should 
unwillingly  affirm  that  Cicero  was  but  slightly  versed  in 
Homtr,  because  in  his  work  Dt  Gloria  he  ascribed  those 
W^t-^T  f^'**'  T"'^*'  ''""   delivered   by  H«:tor. 
X-  ^."^  f '""''"■  "■  *''«  account  ol  Htrada,  mistaketh 
Mtivity  for  conception?      Who  would  have  mean 
houghts  of  Apolhnar,!  Sidemus,  who  seems  to  mistake 
fte  river  T.^m  for  EuphnUa ;  and,  though  a  good 
Histonan  and  learned  Bishop  of  Auvtrgne  had  the 
misfortune  to  be  out  in  the  Story  of  Divid,  making 
mention  of  him  when  the  Ark  was  sent  back  bv  thi 
PfeWm  upon  a  Cart;   which  was  before  his  time. 
X  hough  I  have  no  great  opinion  of  Machiavcl's  Learn- 
mg,  yet  I  shall  not  presently  say,  that  he  was  but  a 
Novice  in  Roman  History,  because  he  was  mistaken 
m  placmg  Commodus  after  the  Emperor  Severus.  Capital 
Iruths  are  to  be  narrowly  eyed,  collateral  Lapses  and 
circumstantial  deliveries  not  to  be  too  strictly  sifted 
And  if  the  substantial  subject  be  well  forged  out  we 
need  not  examine  the  sparks,  which  irregularly  fly 

Sect.  III.  — Let  well  weighed  Considerations,  not 
stitt    and  peremptory  Assumptions,   guide    thy  dis- 


254 


Christian  Morals 


courses,  Pen,  and  Actions.    To  begin  or  contmu*  our 

works  like  Trismgisius  of  old,  v*niM  tnH  tmim  atjiu 

vefissimnm  tst,^  would  sound  arrogantljf  (iM»  present 

Ears  in  this  strict  enquiring  Age,  wh«rMi,«»r  the  most 

part,  Probably,  and  Perhaps,  will  W^  .fiy* /° 

mollify  the  Spirit  of  captious  Contradictors,    If  CardoH 

saith  that      Parrot  is  a  beautiful  Bird,  Scahger^  will 

set  his  Wits  o'  work  to  prove  it  a  deformed  Animal. 

The  Coi  Tiage  of  all  Physical  Truths  is  not  so  closely 

jointed,  but  opposition  may  find  intrusion,  nor  ^ways 

80  closely  maintained,  as  not  to  sufler  attrition.    Many 

Positions  seem  quodlibetically  constituted,  and  like  a 

Delphian  Blade,  will  cut  on  both  sides.    Some  Truths 

seem  aln.ost  Falsehoods  and  some  Falsehoods  almost 

Truths ;  wherein  Falsehood  and  Truth  seem  almost 

aEquilibriously  stated,  and  but  a  few  grains  of  distmc- 

tion  to  bear  down  the  ballance.    Some  have  digged 

deep,  yet  glanced  by  the  Royal  Vein,  and  a  Mm  may 

come  unto  the  Ptrkardium,  but  not  the  Heart  of  Truth. 

Besides,  many  things  are  known,  as  some  are  seen, 

that  is  by  Parallaxis,  or  at  some  distance  from  their 

true  and  proper  beings,  the  superficial  regard  of  things 

having  a  different  aspect  from  their  true  and  central 

Natures.   And  this  moves  sober  Pens  unto  suspensory 

and  timorous  assertions,  nor  presently  to  obtrude  therri 

as  Sybils  leaves,  which  after  considerations  may  fina 

to  be  but  folious  appearances,  and  not  the  central  and 

vital  interiours  of  Truth. 

Sect.  iv. Value  the  Judicious,  and  let  not  mere 

acquests  in  minor  parts  of  Learning  gain  thy  pre- 
existimation.  "Tis  an  unjust  way  of  compute  to 
magnify  a  weak  Head  for  some  Latm  abilities,  and  to 
undervalue  a  soUd  Judgment,  because  he  knows  not 
the  genealogy  of  Hector.  When  that  notable  king  of 
France^  would  have  his  Son  to  know  but  one  sentence 
in  Latin,  had  it  been  a  good  one,  perhaps  it  had  been 
enough.    Natural  parts  and  good  Judgments  rule  the 

»  In  Tabula  Smaragdina. 

•  I^wis  the  Eleventh.     Qui  nescit  dissmuliiri  ntsctt  Rtgium. 


Christian  Morals 


25s 

K'^RuW*  W.T  °°*K°^"'?«d  by  Ergoti.n».i  Many 
nave  Kulod  well  who  could  not  perhans  definlT; 

GiorTts'i'kfst  ""'^ "''''.  ""^-'-''  -  "h: 

utooe  01  the  Earth,  command  a  sreat  Dnr»  nf  ,> 

^^l,  ^^"^^  ^**""  ''"»  'he  Sails,  the  Vessel  «roM 
Kr«„^  °"'J?''  ^^u""  >''8«ent  is  the  Rio  ,^h1 
mZ  K.?  ""**  "°*  *"  '"S''-  When  Industry  bui  ds 
foTH»^**""' ''•'  "?*y  "P<^'  Pyramids:  where  tha? 

%oLt  b7^:^s.tho"^^-^orh  ^itS 

anf  rn;7"~^!-  "^y  I*"'"'*  ^  fr""  "  Ay  Thoughts 
and  Contemplations :  but  fly  not  only  upon  the  Xm 

injths,  and  Verities  yet  in  their  Chaos.  There  is 
nothmg  more  acceptable  unto  the  Ineenious  WorM 

han  this  noble  Elurtation-  of  Truth  wE!  Sst 
the  tenaaty  of  Prejudice  and  PrescS^  his 
Century  now  prevaileth.  What  LibrSes  of  new 
Volumes  after  times  will  behold,  and  in  what  a  new 
World  of  Knowledge  the  eyes  of  our  Posterity  ma^bt 

cK  '  It  ^^'^  ^^y  J°y^"»y  declaie ;  Ss  bm  a 
cold  thought  unto  those,  who  cannot  hope  to  behold 
this  Exantlation  of  Truth,  or  that  obsrar^  Virgin 
ha^f  out  of  the  Pit.  Which'might  mX  somTcontS 
with  a  commutation  of  the  time  of  their  li^s  and  to 

ther  tL^'^oTf  !l°P'  {°  *"J°y  '"^  hapless  b 
P.fA  Of    fourth    selves,  and   behold   that  in 

Pythagoras  which  thev  now  but  foresee  in  Euth^iJl 

take  SIX  thousand  to  make  out :  meanwhile  old  Truths 

U^'J.lDr'j:    <=''°'^'"''°"  I'd-ced  according  to  the  form,  of 
«  EluctaiioH.     Forcible  tmption— Dr  / 

Panthoides  Kuphorbns  eram.— Ovio. 


256 


Christian  Morals 


voted  down  begin  to  resume  their  placei,  and  new 
ones  arise  upon  us;  wherein  there  is  no  comfort  in 
the  happiness  of  TiMy't  Elysium,*  or  any  satisfaction 
from  the  Ghosts  of  the  Ancients,  who  knew  so  little 
of  what  is  now  well  known.  Men  disparage  not 
antiquity,  who  prudently  exalt  new  Enquiries,  and 
make  them  the  Judees  of  Truth,  who  were  but  fellow 
Enquirers  of  it.  Who  can  but  magni^r  the  Endeavors 
of  AriitotU,  and  the  noble  start  which  Learning  had 
under  him ;  or  less  than  pity  the  slender  progression 
made  upon  such  advantages  ?  while  many  Centuries 
were  lost  in  repetitions  and  transcriptions  sealing  up 
the  Book'  of  Knowledge.  And  therefore  rather  than 
to  swell  the  leaves  of  Learning  by  fruitless  Repetitions, 
to  sing  the  same  Song  in  all  Ages,  nor  adventure  at 
Essays  beyond  the  attempt  of  others,  many  would  be 
content  that  some  would  write  like  Htlmont  or  Para- 
eeUus ;  and  be  willing  to  endure  the  monstrosity^  of 
some  opinions,  for  diverei  singular  notions  requiting 
such  alwrrations. 

Sect.  vi. — Despise  not  the  obliauities  of  younger 
ways,  nor  despair  of  better  thin^  whereof  there  is  yet 
no  prospect.  Who  would  imag|ine  that  Diogeius,  who 
in  his  younger  days  was  a  &lsifier  of  Money,  should 
in  the  after  course  of  his  Life  be  so  great  a  contemner 
of  Metal?  Some  Negros,  who  believe  the  Resur- 
rection, think  that  they  shall  rise  white.'  Even  in 
this  life  Regeneration  may  imitate  Resurrection,  our 
black  and  \ntious  tinctures  may  wear  of,  and  goodness 
cloath  us  with  candour.  Good  Admonitions  Knock 
not  always  iu  vain.  There  will  be  signal  Examples  of 
God's  mercy,  and  the  Angels  must  not  want  their 
charitable  Rejoyces  for  the  conversion  of  lost  Sinners. 
Figures  of  most  Angles  do  nearest  approach  unto 
Circles  which  have  no  Angles  at  alL  Some  may  be 
near  unto  goodness,  who  are  conceived  far  from  it, 
and  many  things  happen,  not  likely  to  ensne  from  any 

1  Who  comforted  himself  that  he  should  there  converse  with 
the  old  philosophers. 
'  Mandelslo's  travels. 


Christian  Morals 


piou.  retractati^n,^^  DeTeZbl^s^fn  *'?°"''  '°'"'^ 
extinplary  Converts  on  F«rth       i  ""^  ^^'"'  P™^*** 

make  in  some  well*  tem,SfS     •°^''  ^.^  ^°'^'^  "mercies 

the  Day   ^  °'  ''"'"''  •""  '""'"'y  conclude 

there  i'  sal^A^MerS^"^^^^^^^^  '°  ^  ^""?P  = 
of  fulfilling  half  his  WUl  e^th^^in  p  ""^  Presumption 
they  who  excel  in  «^^'   ,r-/'°  P,=''?°°s°'' Nations: 

fectie  in  others  •  few  M.ni""-'  ^'°«  '°  "^^^  '^^- 
amplitude  of  G^ne«  h?.  ^""""S.^t  the  extent  and 
theirbestW^  Md^Lrc  K°fv.P^*"'«  ''"=">selves  by 
to  rest  in  tCv^rtues  whVh  Ith"  ''°"'' ""  ~°t»°t 
Which  «ak«  th  rSled  ptJ* "f '?r'"°"'y  ^^*- 

Pnmuique  dies  dedlt  eitremum. 


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(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


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258 


Christian  Morals 


Soul  cannot  be  White.  Vice  may  be  had  at  all  pnces . 
expensive  and  costly  iniquities,  which  make  the  noise, 
cannot  be  every  Man's  sins :  but  tne  soul jnay  be 
foully  inquinated'  at  a  very  low  rate,  and  a  Man  may 
be  cheaply  vitious,  to  the  perdition  of  bimself. 

Sect  viii.— Opinion  rides  upon  the  neck  of  Reason, 
and  Men  are  Happy,  Wise,  or  Learned,  according  as 
that  Empress  shall  set  them  down  in  the  Roister  of 
Reputation.    However  weigh  not  thyself  m  the  ^es 
of  thy  own  opinion,  but  let  the  Judgment  of  the 
JudiciU  be  the  Staiidard  of  thy  Merit.    Self-estima- 
tion is  a  flatterer  too  readily  entithng  us  unto  Know- 
ledge and  AbUities,  whica  others  soUicitously  labour 
after,  and  doubtfiilly  think  thejr  attain.    Surely  such 
confident  tempers  do  pass  theur  days  in  best  tran- 
quillity, who,  resting  in  the  opinion  of  t»ieir  own 
2SlitS,  are  happily  gulVd  by  such  contentet  on ; 
wherein  Pride,  Self-conceit,  Confidence  and  Opima- 
trity  will  hardly  suffer  any  to  complam  of  ™Pf  necfaon. 
To  think  themselves  in  the  nght,  or  all  that  ngh*. 
or  only  that,  which  they  do  or  thmk,  is  a  fal  acy  of 
high  content;  though  others  laugh  in  their  sleev^, 
and  look  upon  them  as  in  a  deluded  state  of  Judg- 
ment.   Wherein,  notwithstandmg  'twere  but  a  civil 
piece  of  complacency  to  suffer  them  to  sleep  who 
would  not  wake,  to  let  them  rest  m  their  securities, 
nor  by  dissent  or  opposition  to  stagger  their  content- 

""^ECT.  :x.-Since  the  Brow  speaks  often  true,  since 
Eyes  and  Noses  have  Tongues,  and  the  co^^ten^c* 
proclaims  the  Heart  and  inclinations ;  let  observaUon 
io  far  instruct  thee  in  Physiognomical  Imes,  as  to  be 
some  Rule  for  thy  distinction,  and  Guide  for  thy 
affection  unto  such  as  look  most  hke  Men.  Mankind 
methinks,  is  comprehended  m  a  few  Faj:"?'  «, ''• 
exclude  all  Visages,  which  any  way  participate  of 
Symmetries  and  Schemes  of  took  common  unto 
other  Animals.  For  as  though  Man  were  the  extract 
of  the  World,  in  whom  all  were  w  coagulato,  which  m 
«  IntuiiuUi.    De61ed.-Dr./. 


Christian  Morals 


259 


their  forms  were  in  soluto  and  at  Extension ;  we  often 
observe  that  Men  do  most  act  those  Creatures,  whose 
constitution,  parts,  and  complexion    do   most   pre- 
dominate in  their  mixtures.    This  is  a  comer-stone  in 
i'hysiognomy,  and  holds  some  Truth  not  only  in 
particular  Persons,  but  also  in  whole  Nations.    There 
are  therefore  Provincial  Faces,  National  Lips  and 
Noses,  which  testify  not  only  the  Natures  of  those 
Countnes,  but  of  those  which  have  them  elsewhere 
Thus  we  may  make  England  the  whole  Earth,  dividing 
It  not  only  into  Ewobt,  Asia,  Africa,  but  the  particular 
Kegions  thereof,  and  may  in  some  latitude  affirm,  that 
there  are  Egyptians,  Scythians,  Indians  among   us: 
who  though  bom  in  England,  yet  carry  the  Faces 
and  Air  of  those  Countries,  and  are  also  agreeable 
and  correspondent  unto  their  Natures.    Faces  look 
uniformljr  unto  our  Eyes:  how  they  appear  unto 
some  Animals  of  a  more  piercing  or  differing  sight, 
who  are  able  to  discover  the  inequalities,  rubbs,  and 
hairmess  of  the  Skin,  is  not  without  good  doubt. 
And,  therefore  in  reference  unto  man  Cupid  is  said  to 
be  blind.     Affection  should  not  be  too  sharp-Eyed, 
and  Love  is  not  to  be  made  by  magnifying  Glasses. 
If  things  were  seen  as  they  truly  are,  the  beauty  of 
bodies  would  be  much  abridged.    And  therefore  the 
wse  Contriver  hath  drawn  the  pictures  and  outsides 
of  things  softly  and  amiably  unto  the  natural  Edge  of 
our  Eyes,  not  leaving  them  able  to  discover  those 
micomely  asperities,  which  make  Oyster-shells  in  good 
Faces,  and  Hedghoggs  even  in  Venus's  moles. 

Sect,  x.— Court  not  Felicity  too  far,  and  weary  not 
the  favourable  hand  of  Fortune.  Glorious  actions  have 
their  times,  extent,  and  non  ultras.  To  put  no  end  unto 
Attempts  were  to  make  prescription  of  Successes,  and 
to  bespeak  unhappiness  at  the  last.  For  the  Line  of 
our  Lives  is  drawn  with  white  and  black  vicissitudes, 
wherein  the  extremes  hold  seldom  one  complexion. 
That  Pompey  should  obtain  the  siraame  of  Great  at 
twenty  five  years,  that  Men  in  their  young  and  active 
days  should  be  fortunate  and  perform  notable  things, 


26o 


Christian  Morals 


is  no  observation  of  deep  wonder,  they  having  the 
strength  of  their  fates  before  them,  nor  yet  acted 
their  parts  in  the  World,  for  which  they  were  brought 
into  it :  whereas  Men  of  years,  matured  for  counsels 
and  designs,  seem  to  be  beyond  the  vigour  of  their 
active  fortunes,  and  high  exploits  of  life,  providentially 
ordained  unto  Ages  best  agreeable  unto  them.    And 
therefore  many  brave  men  finding  their  fortune  grow 
faint,  and  feeling  its  declination,  have  timely  with- 
drawn themselves  from  great  attempts,  and  so  escaped 
the  ends  of  mighty  Men,  disproportionable  to  their 
beginnings.    But  magnanimous  Thoughts  have  so 
dimmed  the  eyes  of  many,  that  forgetting  the  very 
essence  of  Fortune,  and  the  vicissitude  of  good  and 
evil,  they  apprehend  no  bottom  in  felicity;  and  so 
have  been  still   tempted  on  unto  mighty  Actions, 
reserved  for  their  destructions.    For  Fortune  lays  the 
Plot  of   our  Adversities  in  the  foundation  of  our 
Felicities,  blessing  us  in  the  first  quadrate,  to  blast  us 
more  sharply  in  the  last.    And  since  in  the  highest 
felicities  there  lieth  a  capacity  of  the  lowest  miseries, 
she  hath  this  advantage  from  our  happiness  to  make 
us  truly  miserable.    For  to  be  become  acutely  miser- 
able we  are  to  be  first  happy.    Affliction  smarts  most 
in  the  most  happy  state,  as  having  somewhat  in  it  of 
Bellisaritts  at  Beggers  bush,  or  Bajazit  in  the  grate. 
And  this  the  fallen  Angels  severely  understand,  who 
having  acted  their  first  part  in  Heaven,  are  made 
sharply  miserable  by  transition,  and  more  afflictively 
feel  the  contrary  state  of  Hell. 

Sect.  xi. — Carry  no  careless  Eye  upon  the  unex- 
pected scenes  of  things ;  but  ponder  the  acts  of  Provi- 
dence in  the  publick  ends  of  great  and  notable  Men, 
set  out  unto  the  view  of  all  for  no  common  memoran- 
dums. The  Tragical  Exits  and  unexpected  periods  of 
some  eminent  Persons  cannot  but  amuse  considerate 
Observators;  wherein  notwithstanding  most  Men 
seem  to  see  by  extramission,  without  reception  or 
self-refiexion,  and  conceive  themselves  unconcerned  by 
the  fallacy  of  their  Exemption :  Whereas  the  Mercy 


Christian  Morals  261 

of  God  hath  singled  out  but  few  to  be  the  signals  of 
his  Justice,  leaving  the  generality  of  Mankind°to  the 
&r^E.°/  ^.f"?'":  But  the  inadvertency  of  our 
iTZTr  °?* '^''''.^PP^hending  this  favourable  method 
and  merciful  decimation,  and  that  he  sheweth  in  some 
Ws'LndT  ^^° -Jf^"^':  they  entertain  no  sen  e  of 
,,nL  *f  u^?°u  *•"*  ^^'°^  °f  themselves.  Where- 
contra^ed''  Hl'nn'T"^  necessarily  punished,  and  the 
Tnrilmlrc.^  •*  °u  ^°^  ^''tended  unto  universal 
Judgments:  from  whence  nevertheless  the  stupidity 
th«  ^  tempers  receives  but  faint  impressions,  and  n 
ir^H  *-^'^"'l'  ^*?**  °^  *™«s  ''oWs  but  starts  of 
good  motions.  So  that  to  continue  us  in  goodness 
there  must  be  iterated  returns  of  misery,  and  fcS- 

brj«f'''°°'-"'  "'"?^^^^^-     And  sice  we  cannot 
be  wise  by  wammgs,  since  plagues  are  insignificant 

be'o^nUV^  personally  plaguel  since  also  w^e  canToi 
be  punish  d  unto  Amendment  by  proxy  or  con-muta- 
tion nor  by  vicinity,  but  contraction ;  there  Tan  un- 
happv  necessity  that  we  must  smart  in  our  own  Skhis, 
and  the  provoked  arm  of  the  Almighty  must  fall  uuon 
our  selves.  The  capital  sufferings  of  others  are  rXr 
our  monitions  than  acquitments.  There  is  but  one 
n«fh  ^vl'i'"'^u^^/y  ?'  "*'  »°'J  ^We  to  say  un?o 
™!^ni-  ^^'*?.^l''  *??"  eo  snd  no  farther;  only 
one  enhvenmg  Death,  which  maJ      Gardens  of  Graves^ 

flounshm  Glory;  when  Death  it  self  shall  dye  ^d 

^:^V^^l  ^r  °?  ^c^^°^'  ^^«°  '^^  damned  sSl 
TJl  V^  ^^'4  °f  ^«a*'  ^hcn  Life  not  Death 
^h^  Z ^^^^^'t^  of  sm,  when  the  second  Death  shall 
courted         ^  ™^«rable  Life,  and  destruction  shall  be 

Sect.  xii.-Although  thuir  Thoughts  may  seem  too 
severe,  who  think  that  few  ill  natur'd  men  go  to 

nltnl'Ti  ^^^  '*  "l''  4  acknowledged  that  |ood- 
natur  d  Persons  are  best  founded  fo.  that  place  -who 
enter  the  World  with  good  Dispositions  C„ktura° 

from±r°"'  ^rty.*"?  ^  "^"^''^  by  impressions 
from  above,  and  christianized  unto  pieties ;  who  carry 


262 


Christian  Morals 


about  them  plain  and  downright  dealing  Minds, 
Humility,  Mercy,  Charity,  and  Virtues  acceptable 
unto  God  and  Man.  But  whatever  success  they  may 
have  as  to  Heaven,  they  are  the  acceptable  Men  on 
Earth,  and  happy  is  he  who  hath  his  quiver  full  of 
them  for  his  Friends.  Thes-  re  not  the  Dens 
wherein  Falshood  lurks,  and  Hypocrisy  hides  its 
Head,  wherein  Frowardness  makes  its  Nest,  or  where 
Malice,  Hard-heartedness,  and  Oppression  love  to 
dwell ;  nor  those  by  whom  the  Poor  get  little,  and  the 
Fich  sometimes  loose  all ;  Men  not  of  retracted  Looks, 
but  who  carry  their  Hearts  in  their  Faces,  and  need 
not  to  be  look'd  upon  with  perspectives ;  not  sordidly 
or  mischievously  ingrateful ;  who  cannot  learn  to  ride 
upon  the  neck  of  the  afflicted,  nor  load  the  heavy 
laden,  but  who  keep  the  Temple  of  Janus  shut  by 
peaceable  and  quiet  tempers ;  who  make  not  only  the 
best  Friends,  but  the  best  Enemies,  as  easier  to  forgive 
than  offend,  and  ready  to  pass  by  the  second  offence, 
before  they  avenge  the  first ;  who  make  natural  Royal- 
ists, obedient  Subjects,  kind  and  merciful  Princes, 
verified  in  our  own,  one  of  the  best  natur'd  kings  of 
this  Throne.  Of  the  old  Roman  Emperours  the  best 
were  the  best-natur'd ;  though  they  made  but  a  small 
number,  and  might  be  writ  in  a  Ring.  Many  of  the 
rest  were  as  had  Men  as  Princes ;  Humorists  rather 
than  of  good  humors ;  and  of  good  natural  parts, 
rather  than  of  good  natures ;  which  did  but  arm  their 
bad  inclinations,  and  make  them  wittily  wicked. 

Sect.  xiii. — With  what  shift  and  pains  we  come 
into  the  World,  we  remember  not ;  but  'tis  commonly 
found  no  easy  matter  to  get  out  of  it.  Many  have 
studied  to  exasperate  the  ways  of  Death,  but  fewer 
hours  have  been  spent  to  soften  that  necessity.  That 
the  smoothest  way  unto  the  grave  is  made  by  bleed- 
ing, as  common  opinion  presumeth,  beside  the  sick 
and  fainting  Languors,  which  accompany  that  effusion, 
the  experiment  in  Lucan  and  Seneca^  will  make  us 
doubt  ■  under  which  the  noble  Stoick  so  deeply 
laboured,  that  to  conceal  his  affliction,  he  was  feiin  to 


Christian  Morals  263 

his  misery  there  n     Ow^  ?  th^  n^H  ^S"*"  '"  '''^°^''" 
Stoiclts,  who  were  »  afraiH  n?!i        ""°'''  ^"'l  ^^e 

thereby\he°ex';rctb„1rttfr  i°u7whVh%h""'"« 
ceived  to  be  a  Fire  stnnH  tlt^K  uT    '  ,   "^°  "^y  <=°n- 

way  of  D^^thf  w1;erer„^^wL\';;^':f;^^^^^ 

sessions  of  Air.  makes  a  t;,„J^     ; '  ^°'"°K  'he  pos- 

WUs  as  it  were  whhout  a  &     I  ""focatioa.  and 

3elf  with  Dovniards  •  ^n^u^    -r,         ^^S^ed  him- 
pummel  of  his  sword."  ^'  *^°  P°'°^'  ^"'  '^e 

wrnhTK'*"'  ^^-^^  '°*°  *''«  house  of  ttess^'^S! 

at^h^rl^r  ^/r^ttJ^-i'^.  ^r^9  ""^ 
already  dead  by  metaphor!  Spkss^^"  ffo'"  "" 
sleep  unto  another,  wanting  herein  Th.  •™'°  °°« 
of  severity,  to  feel  thra^^Kef  fn^i       *'".'°*°*  P^^ 

J  Demito  naufraginm,  mors  mihi  mnniis  eiii        •  di  .      u 


264 


Christian  Morals 


to  unty  or  cut  the  most  Gordian  Knots  of  Life,  and 
rmke  men's  miseries  as  mortal  as  themselves : 
whereas  evil  Spirits,  as  undying  Substances,  are  un- 
separable  from  Lbeir  calamities ;  and  therefore  they 
everlastingly  struggle  under  their  Angustias,  and  bound 
up  with  immortality  can  never  get  out  of  themselves. 


PART  THE  THIRD 

Sect.  1. — 'Tis  hard  to  find  a  whole  ;e  to  imitate, 
or  what  Century  to  propose  for  Examp.  Some  have 
been  tai  more  approveable  than  others;  but  Virtue 
and  Vice,  Panegyricks  and  Satyrs,  scatteringly  to  be 
found  in  all.  History  sets  down  not  only  things 
laudable,  but  abominable ;  things  which  should  never 
have  been  or  never  have  been  known :  So  that  noble 
patterns  must  be  fetched  here  and  there  from  single 
Persons,  rather  than  whole  Nations,  and  from  all 
Nations,  rather  than  anyone.  The  World  was  early 
bad,  and  the  first  sin  the  most  deplcrable  of  any.  The 
younger  World  afforded  the  oldest  Men,  and  perhaps 
the  Best  and  the  Worst,  when  length  of  days  made 
virtuous  habits  Heroical  and  immoveable,  vitious,  in- 
veterate and  irreclaimable.  And  since  'tis  said  that 
the  imaginations  of  their  hearts  were  evil,  only  evil, 
and  continually  evil ;  it  may  be  feared  that  their  sins 
held  pace  with  their  lives ;  and  their  Longevity 
swelling  their  Impieties,  the  Longanimity  of  God 
would  no  longer  endure  such  vivacious  abominations. 
Their  Impieties  were  surely  of  a  deep  dye,  which  re- 
quired the  whole  Element  of  Water  to  wash  them 
away,  and  overwhelmed  their  memor-'es  with  them- 
selves ;  and  so  shut  up  the  first  Windows  of  Time, 
leaving  no  Histories  of  those  longevous  generations, 
when  Men  might  have  been  properly  Historians,  when 
Adam  might  have  read  long  Lectures  unto  Mtthuselak, 
and  Methuselah  unto  Noah.  For  had  we  been  happy 
in  just  Historical  accounts  of  that  unparallel'd  World, 
we  might  have  been  acqnmnted  with  Wonders,  and 


Christian  Morals  265 

have  understood  not  a  little  of  the  Acts  and  under- 
takings olMom  his  mighty  Men.  and  Men  of  reno^ 
of  old ;  which  might  have  enlarged  our  Thouchta  anS 
made  the  World  older  unto  uf.  For  the  untao^ 
part  of  ime  shortens  the  estimation,  if  not  the  c^r 
pute  of  It.  What  hath  escaped  our  Know  edge.  Ms 
not  under  our  Consideration,  and  what  is  and  will  to 
latent  is  httle  better  than  non-existent. 
CM  f^"  "-"Some  things  are  dictated  for  our  In- 
siruction.  some  acted  for  our  Imitation,  where"  'tis 
h^n'^  °  ^T°t  "°i°  *''•'  "^'K^^*^'  conformi  y.  and  to  the 
,W,7  °l  """  f  ""P'a"^-  He  honours  God  who 
imitates  him.  For  what  we  virtuously  imitate  ™ 
approve  aiid  Admire;  and  since  we  delight  not  to 
imi  a  e  Inferiors  we  aggrandize  and  magnify  those  w^ 
mitate;  since  also  we  are  most  apt  to  imftate  those 

?lll°rf,,'"'  *S?*'fy?"'  ^ff^^t'""  «  °«r  imitation  of  the 
Inimitable  To  affect  to  be  like  may  be  no  imha  ion 
To  act,  and  not  to  be  what  we  pretend  to  imitate  °s 
but  a  m,m,«a  conformation.  and'«»rrieth  no  V^tue  in 
t  rt  .^'"i^'^^"^  °°'  G°d'  '"'hen  he  said  he  would 
be  hke  tte  Highest  and  he  imitated  not  /«*.Cwho 

far^S^f  U  'Ih'^-"''?'^-  '^••"«  Imitatio/ckL  go  no 
ind  fn'i!  Admiration  step  on,  whereof  there  is  no 
end  in  the  wisest  form  of  Men.  Even  Angels  and 
Spirits  have  enough  to  admire  in  theriublimer 
Natures,  Admiration  being  the  act  of  the  CrMt"re 
and  not  of  God,  who  doth  not  Admire  himself  CreatS 
Natures  allow  of  swelling  Hyperboles;  no  htag^ 
be  saad  HyperboUcally  of  Go3^  nor  will  his  Su?e^ 
admit  of  expressions  above  their  own  Exuperance? 
lr>smg,stus  his  Circle,  whose  center  is  eve?™here 
and  circumfc-rence  nowhere,  was  no  Hy^rtole' 
Words  cannot  exceed,  where  they  cannot  exnret 
enough.  Even  the  most  winged  Thoughts  faltaUbl 
setting  out.  and  reach  not  the  portal  of  Divinity 

Sect.  m.-In  Bivious  Theorems,  and  /aJs'-fkced 
Doctrines,  let  Virtuous  considerations  state^  the  deter 
mmation.  Look  upon  Opinions  as  thou  dost  uS 
the  Moon,  and  chuse  not  the  dark  hemisphere  for  ?hy 


266 


Christian  Morals 


contemplation.    Embrace  not  the  opacous  and  blind 
side  of  Opinions,  but  that  wh.^h  looks  most  Lucifer- 
ously  or  mfluentially  unto  Goodness.    Jis  better  to 
think  that  there  arc  Guardian  Spirits,  than  that  there 
are  no  Spirits  to  Guard  us ;  that  vicious  Persons  are 
Slaves,  than  that  there  is  any  servitude  m  Virtue ;  that 
times  past  have  been  better  than  tim^s  present  than 
that  tunes  were  always  bad,  and  that  to  be  Men  it 
sufficeth  to  be  no  better  than  Men  in  all  Ages,  and  so 
promiscuously  to  swim  down  the  turbid  stream,  ana 
make  up  the  grand  confusion.    Sow  not  thy  under- 
standing   with    Opinior-,  whicn    make    nothing   of 
Iniquities,  ana  fallaciously  extenuate  Transgressions. 
Look  upon  Vices  and  vicious  Objects  with  Hyper- 
boUcal  Eyes,  ai.d  rather  enlarge  their  dimensions,  t-at 
•  ^isir  unseen  Deformities  may  not  escape  thy  sense, 
and  their  Poysonous  parts  and  stings  may  appear 
massy  and  monstrous  unto  thee;  for  the  undiscemed 
Particles  and  Atoms  of  Evil  deceive  us,  and  we  are 
undone  by  the  Invisible-,  of  seeming  Goodness.    We 
are  only  deceived  in  what  is  not  disceiaed,  and  to 
Err  is  but  to  be  Blind  or  Dim-sighted  as  to  some 

SECT.'°nr*— To  be  Honest  in  a  right  Line,'  and 
Virtuous  by  Epitome,  be  firm  unto  such  Principles  of 
Goodness,  as  carry  in  them  Volumes  of  instruction 
and  may  abridge  thy  Labour.  And  since  •°stru"ions 
are  many,  hold  close  unto  those,  whereon  the  rest 
depend.  So  may  wc  have  all  in  a  few,  and  the  Law 
and  the  Prophets  in  a  I  ule,  the  Sacred  Writ  m  Steno- 
«aphy.  and  the  Scripture  in  a  Nut-Shell.  To  Pursue 
the  osseous  and  solid  part  o  Goodr,ess,  ^^h^ch  f  .v« 
Stability  and  Rectitude  to  all  the  rest ;  To  settle  on 
fundamental  Virtues,  and  bid  early  defiance  unto 
Mother-Vices,  which  carry  m  theu:  Bowels  the  semmals 
of  other  Iniquities,  makes  a  short  cut  m  Goodness, 
Md  strikes  Sot  off  an  Head  but  the  whole  Neck  of 
Hvdra  For  we  are  are  earned  into  the  dark  l-aKe, 
like  the  /Egyptian  River  into  the  Sea,  by  seven  pr  n- 
«  Linea  recta  brevissima. 


Christian  Morals  267 

thf  n^*^'"-  ■  The  mother-iins  of  that  number  are 
the  Deadly  enpns  of  Evil  SpJnts  that  undo  u  \md 
cZnT  .^P'"'."  .themselves,  and  he  who  b  SnderThe 
Chami  thereof  w  not  without  a  possessioi  AuZ 
MagdaUn  had  more  than  seven  De^UsT  these  w?tt 
theu-  Imps  were  in  her.  and  he  who  is  hus  i^7,^ 
may  hterally  be  named  Ugion.    Where  suffll^ 

foM^f"TKP'°''Pr' '°°''  ^°'  °°  Champaia  or  rS 
an  I  pi  J^?™'/  l"*  productions  like  tte  tree  of  iZ 
and  torrests  of  abomination.  ' 

.u  I"'  ^— Guide  not  the  Hand  of  God,  nor  order 
the  Finger  of  the  Almighty  unto  thy  VU  and  pWe- 
but  sit  Quiet  in  the  soft  showers  if  Pro^denw  wd 

fhyreiri"ottl^'"'n  '?  '*■«  WorW  '^"0 
myseii  or  others.     And  smce  not  only  Iud<nnent« 

^ave  their  Errands,  but  Mercies  their  dommiS- 
snatch  not  at  every  Favour,  nor  think  thy^W^ssed 
\lliti^^^  f'^'  "P°°  '^y  Neighbour,  ff  nrt  uj 
Eih."''^n-'^  ^*  '*V°?^  succeosful  unto  othe«! 
which  the  wise  Disposer  of  all  ttlnks  not  fit  for  thy^ 
Reconcile  the  events  of  things  unto  both  bSn«  tW 
is.  of  this  -nrld  and  the  nelt :  =o  vdU  the«  Sf  ?'s^m 
somany  Ria.  .esin  Providence,  nor  viJrious  LeqJ^^e^ 
InnW  '^  ^P""^^""  °f  tW"«»  below.  If  thou  dc^t  no? 
anpin  thy  Face,  yet  put  not  on  sackclothTt  the 
felicities  of  others,  Repining  at  the  G^  draws  on 
rejoicmg  a  the  evils  of  others,  and  so  falls  im'tl^t 
inhumane  v!ce,«  for  w.iich  so  few  Languages  Sive  a 
nam,^    The  blessed  Sjirits  above  rejoice  «^happ^ 

"='k  ^^71  "'"'  f?  ''?  ^^'^  ^'  "^^  «^ls  of  oiSlinother 
.s  beyond  the  malignity  of  Hdl,  and  falls  not  on  eWl 
Spirits,  who,  though  they  rejoice  at  our  unhr-.Diness 
takes  no  pleasure  at  the  afflictions  of  their  own  i^^i 

l?l  '^ -^^r.  ^"r '^  Degenerous  H^s !  whj 
must  be  fem  to  Irarn  from  such  Examples,  and  to  b^ 
Taught  from  the  School  of  Hell.  f     .  ""o  ro  oe 


268  Christian  Morals 

Sbct  VI.— Grain  not  thy  vicious  stains,  nor  deepen 

those  swart  Tinctures,  which  Temper,  Infirmity,  or 

ill  habits  have  set  upon  thee ;  and  fix  not,  by  iterated 

depravations  what  time  might  Efface,  or  Virtuous 

wubes  expunge.    He,  who  thus  still  advanceth  in 

Iniquity,  diepneth  l.is  deformed  hue,  tut.;<s  a  Shadow 

into  Night,  wd  makes  himself  a  Neero  m  the  black 

Jaundice;  and  so  becomes  one  of  those  i-ost  ones, 

the  disproportionate  pores  of  whose  Brains  afford  no 

entrance  unto  good  Motions,  but  reflect  and  frustrate 

all  Counsels,  Deaf  unto  the  Thunder  of  the  Laws,  and 

Rocks  unto  the  Cries  of  charitable  Commiseratore. 

He  who  hath  had  the  Patience  of  Dttgtius,  to  make 

Orations  unto  Statues,  may  more  sensibly  apprehend 

how  all  Words  faU  to  the  Ground,  spent  upon  such  a 

surd  and  Earless  Generation- of  Men,  stupid  unto  all 

Instruction,  and  rather  requiring  an  Exorcist,  than  an 

Orator  for  their  ConverMon. 

Sect  vit  —Burden  not  the  back  of  Ants,  Leo,  or 
Tfl«r»J,"with  thy  faults,  nor  make  Saturn,  Mars,  ot 
vJZ,  guilty  of  thy  Follies.  Think  not  to  fas  en  thy 
imperfections  on  the  Stars,  and  so  desi>ainnglv  c  -■■ 
ceive  thy  self  under  a  fatality  of  bemg  evil.  C..lcu.«e 
thyself  within,  seek  not  thyself  in  the  Moon,  but  m 
thme  own  Orb  or  Microcosmical  Circumference.  Let 
celestial  aspects  admonish  and  advertise,  not  conclude 
and  determine  thy  ways.  •  For  since  good  and  bad 
Stars  moralize  not  our  Actions,  and  neither  excuse  or 
commend,  acquit  or  condemn  our  Good  or  Bad  Dwds 
at  the  present  or  last  Bar,  since  some  are  Astro- 
loKically  well  disposed  who  are  morally  highly  vicious; 
not  Celestial  Figures,  but  Virtuous  Schemes,  miKt 
denominate  and  state  our  Actions.  "  w"  "ght'y 
understood  the  Names  whereby  God  caUeth  the  Stars, 
if  we  knew  his  Name  for  the  Dog-Star,  or  by  wha 
appellation  JupiUr,  Mars,  and  Sa<«r»  obey  his  Will,  it 
meht  be  a  welcome  accession  unto  Astrology,  which 
sp^s  great  things,  and  is  b-n  to  make  u«  of  appe  - 
Es  from  Greek  and  Barbarick  Systems.  V^That- 
ever  Influences,  Impulsions,  or  Inclinations  vhers  be 


Christian  Mornls  269 

mX!?n.H'??"  ^^y''  "  """  ■  P*«'«  °^  wisdom  to 
make  one  of  those  Wise  men  who  overrule  their  Stars  ' 
and  with  their  own  Militia  contend  with  the  H^t 
of  Heaven.  Unto  which  attempt  there  want  not 
Aux. haries  from  the  whole  strength  of  Morality 
.upphes  from  Christian  Ethicks,  influences  Xwd 

Srof°Heavr  "'^'"''  """'  ^""'"^  "^  '^' 
T  .f""-.V'"-— Confound  not  the  distinctions  rf  thy 
Life  which  Nature  hath  divided:    that  is,      outh 

divfir/p  ";^^'"u'''^'  ""'•  "'-J  Age,  nor  in  °hese 
divided  Periods,  wherein  thou  art  in  a  manner  Four 
conceive  thyself  but  One.  Let  every  Son  be 
happy  in  its  proper  Virtues,  nor  one  Vi<i  run  through 
r- J  ^*  T*"  i^'s'^ct'on  have  its  salutary  transition, 
and  critically  deliver  thee  from  the  imperfections  of 

Ke  m"I;,'h  °'^t^'^  *''•  ^l"'"'  ">*'  Prudence  and 
Virtue  may  have  the  largest  Section.  Do  as  a  Child 
but  when  thou  art  a  Chifd.  and  ride  not  on  a  Reed  at 
rf  hU^Vn,!?.?  "^^  ^^t-  °°'  "*«"  '*»^«  °^  the  follies 
of  that  division,  disproportionatily  divideth  his  Days, 
crowds  up  the  Utter  part  of  his  Life,  and  leaves  u» 
narrow  a  corner  for  the  Age  of  Wisdom,  and  so  hath 

Wh  R  Jl^^^l..''^*'?'  ^°°r  ""'^  •>"  •>ath  been  a 
rit^l\  ^^^^  "■*?  .'°  "^^  ">"  confusion,  anti- 
cipate the  Virtues  of  Age,  and  live  long  without  the 
mfirmu.es  of  it.  So  maprst  thou  count  up  thy  days  as 
some  do  Adam.^  that  is,  by  anticipation;  m  4yst 
thou  be  coetaneous  unto  thy  Elders,  and  a  Father 
unto  thy  contemporaries.  "  »  x-amer 

Sect,  ix.— While  others  are  curious  in  the  choice  of 
good  Air,  and  chiefly  soUicitous  for  healthful  habita- 
hons,  Study  thou  Conversation,  and  be  critical  in  thy 
Lonsortion.  The  aspects,  conjunctions,  and  configura- 
tions of  the  Stars,  which  mutually  diversify,  .ntend.  or 
qualify  their  influences,  are  but  the  varieties  of  their 

'  Sapiens  dominabitur  astris. 
y^.^Sd.*""*'"  «°  '«'=«»'«i  i»  the  State  of  Man  about  thirty 


270 


Christian  Morals 


nearer  or  farther  conversation  witb  one  another,  and 
like  the  Consortion  of  Men,  whereby  they  become 
better  or  worse,  and  even  Exchange  their  Natures. 
Since  Men  live  by  Examples,  and  will  be  imitating 
something ;  order  thy  imitation  to  thy  Improvement, 
not  thv  Ruin.    Look  not  for  Roses  m  Attalus  his 
garden",'  or  wholsome  Flowers  in  a  venomous  Planta- 
tion    And  since  there  is  scarce  any  one  bad,  but  some 
ot..  jfs  are  the  worse  for  him ;  tempt  not  Contagion  by 
proximity,  and  hazard  not  thy  self  in  the  shadow  of 
Corruption.    He  who  hath  not  early  suffered  this 
Shipwrack,  and  in  his  Younger  Days  escaped  this 
Charybdis,  may  make  a  happy  Voyage,  and  not  come 
in  with  black  SaUs  into  the  port.    Self  conversation,  or 
to  be  alone,  is  better  than  such  Consortion.    Some 
School-men  tell  us,  that  he  is  properly  alone,  with 
whom  in  the  same  place  there  is  no  other  of  the  same 
Species.    Nahuchodonozor  was  alone,  though  among 
the  Beasts  of  the  Field;  and  a  Wise  Man  may  be 
tolerably  said  to  be  alone  though  with  a  Rabble  ot 
People,  little  better  than  Beasts  about  him.    Un- 
thinking Heads,  who  have  not  learn'd  to  be  alone,  are 
in  a  Prison  to  themselves,  if  they  be  not  also  with 
others :  Whereas  on  the  codtrary,  they  whose  thoughts 
are  in  a  fair,  and  hurry  within,  are  sometimes  fain  to 
retire  into  Company,  to  be  out  of  the  crowd  of  them- 
selves.    He  who  must  needs  have  Company,  must 
needs  have  sometimes  bad  Company.    Be  able  to  be 
alone.     Loose  not  the  adN-antage  of  Solitude,  and  the 
Society  of  thy  self,  nor  be  only  content,  but  dehght  to 
be  alone  and  single  with  Omnipresency.    He  who  is 
thus  prepared,  the  Day  is  not  uneasy  nor  the  Night 
bUck  unto  him.    Darkness  may  bound  bif  Eyes,  not 
his  Imagination.    In  his  Bed  he  may  ly,  hke  Pompey 
and  his  Sons,'  in  all  quarters  ot  the  Earth,  may  specu- 
late the  Universe,  and  enjoy  the  whole  World  m  the 
1  Attalus  made  a  Garden  which  contained  only  venomous 

>  Pompeios  Jnvenes  Asia  atque  Europa,  sed  ipsum  Terra  tegit 
'    Libyea. 


Christian  Morals 


tod,  «po.  mM,^  ob,«t,  S  SoToStS 

oespigiit  of  the  Revulsions  and  Pul-backs  nf  =,,^i! 

2^  °n  our  Hands  hav?no  influence  upon  our 
Heads,  and  fleshless  Cadavers  abate  nnt  n,.         u" 

tancesoftheFleshjwhenCr'dfi^Ltp^ny^VH::^ 
suppress  not  their  bad  CommotionsT  aSd  Ss  ImaS 
lH%r^'°"i'J*'?  ^°''"''  withholds  not  from  S 
and  Murder;  Phylacteries  prove  but  formJSef^ 
their  despised  hints  sharpen  our  condemnS     '  ^ 

or  ex^ct'';rp^f°^  T  ^"  f*"^  "  'l"*  £««■«'  Sea. 
or  expect  great  matters  where  they  are  not  to  be 

Quid  fuerim  quid  simque  vide. 


272  Christian  Morals 

fc«n,1  Seek  not  for  Profundity  in  Shallowness,  or 
^^itv  i^  Wilderness.  Place  not  the  expectations 
K^^Happlnessherebelow,  or  think  to  find  H^v« 
™^K^h- wherein  we  must  be  content  with  Embryon- 
?5iS'a:dSons  of  ^do-^bt&l  ,f„rXrch«  the 
SScSLrwi-Ta'^^^Utefa^'^^iolr 
ITi^t^rsK^and  D^kness walkabojuus.  Our 
r JSitentments  stand  upon  the  tops  of  Pyramids  reaay 
to  ^  X^d The  ^security  of  their  enjoym« te 
Iwteth  o«  TranquUUties  What  we  magn^  « 
mI^  ficent.  but  like  to  the  Col^sus  "oWe  withwrt, 

S^%^rbp^t!sf  L?^u?^  to 

^d  tf  aSng  ?o  old  Dictates,  no  Man  can  be  said 
to  be  ha^  before  Death,  the  happiness  of  tto,  L^ 
l^  for^thing  before  it  be  over,  and  while  we  thtt* 
n^WeThaopy  we  do  but  usurp  that  Nane.  Cer- 
S'^e  Bid.  groweth  not  on  Earth  n^  ha* 
SS  World  in  it  the  expectations  we  have  of  it.  He 
Swims  to  Oil.  and  can  hardly  a'™^  smkmg,  who,  ^A 
such  Ught  Foundations  to  support  him.  Tis  therefore 
Wmv  that  we  have  two  Worlds  to  hold  on.  To 
^f^tm^haTpiness  we  must  travel  -to  a  ver^  far 
Countrey,  and  even  out  of  ourselves;  for  the  Pwrl 
weTSr  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  Indu»,  but  m  the 

^t^cTx^^nswer  not  the  Spur  of  Fuiy,  and  be 
not  prodigal  or  prodigious  in  Revenge.  Mate  not  one 
Tth^HistoriaHoJbUis:'  Flay  not  thy  Servant  for 

Kr^v^  ftksslnor  pound  him  in  a  Mortar  who 
SffSh  tS  su^re?^gate  not  in  tbe--tX-; 
Ld  overdo  not  the  necessities  of  evil ;  humour  not  tne 
Justice  of  Revenge.  Be  not  Stoically  mistaken  m 
Se  S^f4  orsininor  commutatively  iniquitous  in 

1  A  bock  so  intituled  wherdn  are  sundry  horrid  mcoonnti. 


Christian  Morals 


273 

S^l^'S^??  of  transgressions;  but  weigh  them  in  the 

S  r'ST-    ^""^  ^'"•'':  °^  ^"^'^  minds  holds  nl^r^e 
TooKd  th1f'«;,y:'^"''^«  '°°  °ft«°  »  Head  fofa 

S  mT^eem  wY "'^'^  '^°  "°^*  <»«'i«^  inXtgJ 
n  may  seem  but  femmme  manhood  to  be  vindirri„. 

f  short  C««S^"  "^^^^  wayT^evenJ^  ^d 
^hatously  inclined  to  g?ate^  R^aCo^""thC^ 

to  make  rHtiVoi  \,  *  ?  "'""'ate  upon  evils, 

acute  in  fh.         °°'u^  ".Po°  «  uries,  and  to  be  t«^ 
acute  m  their  apprehensions,  is  to  add  unto  our  oto 

'  v^i  **  u"  «clamas  ut  Stentora  vincere  possis 

A  K>.t  Tongue  breaketh  the  bone».-P,ov.  x4v  13. 


274 


Christian  Morals 


Tortures,  to  feather  the  Arrows  of  our  Enemies,  to 
lash  our  selves  with  the  Scorpionsof  our  Foes,  and 
to  resolve  to  sleep  no  more.  For  injuries  long  dreamt 
on  take  away  at  last  all  -est ;  and  he  sleeps  but  like 
Rfgulus  who  busieth  his  Head  about  them. 

Sect,  xiii.— Amuse  not  -thyself  about  the  Riddles 
of  future  things.     Study  Prophecies  when  they  are 
become  Histories,  and  past  hovering  in  their  causes. 
Eye  well  things  past  and  present,  and  let  conjectmral 
sagacity  suffise  for  things  to  come.    There  is  a  sober 
Latitude  for  prescience  in  contingences  of  discoverable 
Tempers,  whereby  discerning  Heads  see  sometimes 
beyond  their  Eyes,  and  Wise  Men  become  Prophetical. 
Leave  Cloudy  predictions  to  their  Periods,  and  let 
appointed  Seasons  have  the  lot  of  their  accomplish- 
ments.   'Tis  too  early  to  study  such  Prophecies  before 
they  have  been  long  made,  before  some  train  of  their 
causes  have  already  taken  Fire,  laying  open  in  part 
what  lay  obscure  and  before  buryed  unto  us.    For  the 
voice  of  Prophecies  is  like  that  of  Whispering-places: 
They  who  are  near  or  at  a  little  distance  hear  nothing, 
those  at  the  farthest  extremitjr  will  understand  all. 
But  a  Retrograde  cognition  of  times  past,  and  things 
which  have  ahready  been,  is  more  satisfactory  than  a 
suspended  Knowledge  of  what  is  yet  unexistent.    And 
the  greatest  part  of  Time  being  already  wrapt  up  in 
things  behind  us ;  it's  now  somewhat  late  to  bait  after 
things  before  us ;  for  futurity  still  shortens,  and  time 
present  sucks  in  time  to  come.    What  b  Prophetical 
m  one  Age  proves  Historical  in  another,  and  so  must 
hold  on  unto  the  last  of  time ;  when  there  will  be  no 
room  for  Prediction,  when  Jams  shall  loose  one  Face, 
and  the  long  beard  of  time  shall  look  like  those  of 
David's  Servants,  shorn  away  ■  ^on   one   side,  and 
when,  if  the  expected  Elias  sh(  aid  appear,  he  might 
say  much  of  what  is  past,  not  much  of  what's  to 
come. 

Si.cT.  XIV.— Live  unto  the  Dignity  of  thy  Nature, 
and  leave  it  not  disputable  at  la-st,  whether  thou  hast 
been  a  Man  or  since  thou  art  a  composition  of  Man 


Christian  Morals 


275 

sentations.     Think    not    Ser'  ^t     fT"t"?.  "P''*' 
conceit,  what  Beast  thou  m^st  b^  ^L  ^^'it^'^'^' 

and.  the  Circle  of  R^n  tht^^  ^^l^s^"  ^Z:?'"'^ 

fc  ^fher^s^^^S^rt o*'"/^^"  "^^-^ 
with  thy  HeaSo  t^H«I«  f  .^^'°y*'^'«^'^^  "^^ 
not  th/title  to  a  DfvSr^^i*^^^"^^-  ^"^ert 

&nS?ectr''^Ues^:i  t^^^'"?  '^^"f  °^- 
which  visive  Orgies  refch  not     Hf!f ''  r^  "''°^^' 

of  Religion,  and  thvLiff  ^"tS  JI^*''®  "lagnalities 
SKI.  .,._B.bold  th^  b,  inwM  Opflck.  «d 


276 


Christian  Morals 


the  Crystalline  of  thy  Soul.    Strange  it  is,  that  in  the 
most  perfect  sense  there  should  be  so  many  fallacies, 
that  we  are  fain  to  make  a  doctrine,  and  often  to  see 
by  Art.    But  the  greatest  imperfection  is  in  our  inward 
sight,  that  is,  to  be  Ghosts  unto  our  own  Eyes,  and 
^hile  *e  are  so  sharp-sighted  as  to.  look  thorough 
others,  to  be  invisible  unto  ourselves ;  for  the  inward 
Eyes  are  more  fallacious  than  the  outward.     The 
Vices  we  scoff  at  in  others  laugh  at  us  within  our- 
selves.    Avarice,  Pride,  Falsehood  lye  undiscemed 
and  blindly  in  us,  even  to  the  Age  of  blindness :  and, 
therefore,  to  see  ourselves  interiourly,  we  are  fain  to 
borrow  other  Mens  Eyes ;  wherein  true  Friends  are 
good  Informers,  and  Censurers  no  bad  Friends.    Con- 
science only,  that  can  see  without  Light,  sits  in  the 
Artopaey  and  dark  Tribunal  of  our  Hearts,  surveying 
oui-    "flioughts    and    condemning   their    obliquities. 
Happy  is  that  state  of  vision  that  can  see  without 
Light,  though  all  should  look  as  before  the  Creation, 
when  there  was  not  an  Eye  to  see,  or  Light  to  actuate 
a  Vision :  wherdn  notwithstanding  obscurity  is  only 
imaginable  respectively  unto   Eyes;    for  unto  God 
there  was  none,  Eternal  Light  was  ever,  created  Light 
was  for  the  creation,  not  himself,  and  as  he  saw  before 
the  Sun  may  still  also  see  without  it.    In  the  City  of 
the  new  Jerusalm  there  i?  neither  Sun  nor  Moon ; 
where  glorifyed  Eyes  must  ses  by  the  Archetypal  Sun, 
or  the  Light  of  God,  able  to  illuminate  intellectual 
Eyes,  and  make  unknown  Visions.    Intuitive  percep- 
tions in  Spiritual    beings  may  perhaps  hold  some 
Analogy  unto  Vision :  but  yet  how  they  see  us,  or  one 
another,  what  Eye,  what  Light,  or  what  perception  is 
required  unto  their  intuition,  is  yet  dark  unto  our  ap- 
prehension ;  and  even  how  they  see  God,  or  how  unto 
our  gloriiied  Eyes  the  Beatifical  Vision  v/ill  be  cele- 
brated, another  World  must  tell  us,  when  perceptions 
will  be  new,  and  we  may  hope  to  behold  invisibles. 

Sect,  xvi.— When  all  looks  fair  about,  and  thou 
seest  not  a  cloud  so  big  as  a  Hand  to  threaten  thee, 
forget  not  the  Wheel  of  things :  Think  of  sullen 


Christian  Morals  277 

sion  than  foJe-knowlXe     i^LXll^J  by  submis- 
evils  mortifies  prt^tUM^L^°7^lt^'  °?  ^"^u" 

N^Tot  Ti;i'  'ISii!?  Sv"™' "  "»>"•  f 


278 


Christian  Morals 


expectation  of  new  Favours,  have  thankful  minds  foi 
ever ;  for  they  write  not  their  obligations  in  sandv  bnt 
marble  memories,  which  wear  not  out  but  with  them- 
selves. 

SccT.  xviii. — Think  not  Silence  the  wisd  m  of 
Fools,  but,  if  richtly  timed,  the  honour  of  Wise  Men, 
who  have  not  the  Infirmity,  but  the  Virtue  of  Taci- 
turnity, and  speak  not  out  of  the  abundance,  but  the 
well-weighed  thoughts  of  their  Hearts;  Such  Silence 
may  be  Eloquence,  and  speak  thy  worth  above  the 
power  of  Words.  Make  such  a  one  thy  friend,  in 
whom  Princes  .nay  be  happy,  and  great  Counsels 
successful.  Let  him  have  the  Key  of  thy  Heart,  who 
hath  the  Lock  of  his  own,  which  no  Temptation  can 
open;  where  thy  Secrets  may  lastingly  ly,  like  the 
Lamp  in  Olybius  his  Urn,'  alive,  and  light,  bui  close 
and  invisible. 

Sect.  ::ix. — Let  thy  Oaths  be  sacred  and  Promises 
be  made  upon  the  Altar  of  thy  Heart.  Call  not  Jove> 
to  witness  with  a  Stone  in  one  Hand,  and  a  Straw  in 
another,  and  so  make  Chaff  and  Stubble  of  thy  Vows. 
Worldly  Spirits,  whose  interest  is  thei"  belief,  make 
Coliwebs  of  Obligations,  and,  if  they  cau  l^nd  ways  to 
elude  the  Urn  of  the  Prater,  will  trust  the  Thunder- 
bolt oi  Jupiter  :  and  therefore  if  they  should  as  deeply 
swear  as  Oitnan  to  Bethltm  Gabor/'  yet  whether  they 
would  be  bound  by  those  chains,  and  not  find  ways  to 
cut  such  Gordian  Knots,  we  coiild  have  no  just  assur- 
ance. But  Honest  Men's  words  are  Stygian  Oaths, 
and  Promises  inviolable.  These  are  not  the  Men  for 
whom  the  fetters  of  Law  were  first  forged:  they 
needed  not  the  solemness  of  Oaths ;  by  keeping  their 
Faith  they  swear,  and  evacuate  such  confirmations.* 

Sect.  xx. — Though  the  World  be  Histrionical,  and 

'  Which  after  many  hundred  years  was  found  burning  under 
ground,  and  went  out  ^  soon  as  the  air  came  to  it. 

*  Jovem  lapiitmiurart. 

'  See  the  Oath  of  Sultan  Osman  in  his  life,  in  the  addition  tn 
Knolls  bis  Turkish  history. 

'  Cattndc  <Uns  jsnin<.— Curtius. 


Christian  Morals  279 

most  Men  live  Ironically,  yet  be  thou  what  thou  sinei/ 
iiypocntes.    Simulation  must  be  short  •  Mm  dn  nS 

A^in."*^"!'^.^!''^'  '^'^°  "«  sinistrous  unto  S 
^ous^ft^s"^';^!*''^'^"^  V"*"  bad,  and  F«fc^°?^ 
vinuous  i-aths,  i4eA./&j«  m  vitious  motions. 

«f  ^u  D?? — ^***  ''°*  ■"  f^e  'ligh  strain'd  Paradoxes 
of  old  Philosophy,  supported  by  naked  R^SumI 
'hicwihh  T^fl'Felidty.Sut    lateur  S  ^e 

Look  beyond  AnUninus.  and  terminate  not  thy  mS 
m  S««.«  or  Ej>icUfus.     Let  not  the  twelv7but  the 

Remembrancer,  not  thy  textuaty  and  finll  Instructor^ 
and  learn  the  Vanity  of  the   WnrM    roVJ,      ?      ' 

,t^.«>-^^>U.    SleS  nS'th/DolmiTf 
the  Pm^a<,„   Ac^emy.  or  Porticus.    Be  a  Sist 

^'SjveTrJp"  G^r^tSe  ».  K  th^tl? 


28o 


Christian  Morals 


is,  whmt  it  can  afford,  and  wliat  'tii  to  have  been  a 
Man.  Such  a  latitude  of  years  may  hold  a  consider- 
able comer  in  the  general  Map  of  Time;  and  a  Man 
may  have  a  curt  Epitome  of  the  whole  course  thereof 
U>  the  days  of  his  own  Life,  may  clearly  see  he  hath 
but  acted  over  his  Fore-iathors,  what  it  was  to  live  in 
Ages  past,  and  what  living  will  be  in  all  ages  to 
come. 

He  is  like  to  be  the  best  judge  of  Time  whj  hath 
Uved  to  see  about  the  sixtieth  part  thereof.  Persons 
of  short  times  may  Know  what  'tis  to  live,  but  not  the 
ufe  of  Man,  who,  having  little  behind  them,  are  but 
jantuit  of  one  Face,  and  Know  not  singularities 
enough  to  raise  Axioms  of  :his  World :  but  such  a 
compass  of  Years  will  show  new  Examples  of  old 
Things,  Parallelisms  of  occurrences  through  the 
whole  course  of  Time,  and  nothing  be  monstrous 
unto  him ;  who  may  in  that  time  understand  not  only 
the  varieties  of  men,  but  the  variation  of  himself,  and 
how  many  Men  he  t-  th  been  in  that  extent  of  time. 

He  may  have  a  close  apprehension  what  is  to  be 
forgotten,  while  ha  hath  lived  to  find  none  who  could 
remember  his  Father,  or  scarce  the  friends  of  his 
Touth,  and  may  sensibly  see  with  what  a  face  in  no 
long  time  oblivion  will  look  upon  himself.  His 
Progeny  may  never  be  his  Po^tenty;  he  may  go  out 
of  the  World  less  related  than  he  came  into  it,  and 
Mnsidering  the  frequent  mortality  in  Friends  and 
Relations,  in  such  a  Term  of  Time,  he  may  pass 
away  divers  years  in  sorrow  and  black  habits,  and 
leave  none  to  mourn  for  himself ;  Orbity  may  be  his 
mheritance,  and  Riches  his  Repentance. 

In  such  a  thred  of  Time,  and  long  observation  of 
Men,  he  may  acquire  a  Phys%ognomic(Umt\i\\{we  Know- 
ledge, Judge  the  interiors  by  the  outside,  and  raise 
conjectures  at  first  sight;  and  knowing  what  Men 
have  been,  what  they  are,  what  Children  probably 
wiU  be,  may  in  the  present  Age  behold  a  good  part, 
and  the  temper  of  the  next ;  and  since  so  many  live 
by  the  Rules  of  Constitution,  and  so  few  overcome 


Christian  Morals  281 

SSffl!'*™""'  ^'«^««»'  «•".  no  in.prob.bl. 

the  PrindptaTof  ft.:  ri'':id';h^^^^^^^ 

of  no  high  ^JT  hI:  ISf^    **°'^'  """^  *'""°"t  it 

I^tnH  P  V"*?'"""^'^'  Relaxation,  not  ^Dianl 
harH  -„»^'^^  P^V*  *•"*"  *o  wveat  pleasure     Our 


282 


Christian  Morals 


!d  it)  do  clAinorouily  tell  ui  we  come  not  into  the 
World  to  run  a  Race  of  Delight,  but  to  perform  the 
sober  Act*  and  lerioui  purpoiet  of  Man ;  which  to 
omit  were  foully  to  miscarry  in  the  advantage  of 
humanity,  to  play  away  an  uniterable  Life,  and  to 
have  lived  in  vain.  Forget  not  the  capital  end,  ar-* 
frustrate  not  the  opportunity  of  once  Living.  Dre 
not  of  ny  kind  of  Mttimpsychosi$  ot  transanimatiun, 
but  ini  hine  own  bodv,  and  that  after  a  long  time, 
and  then  also  unto  waif  or  bliss,  according  to  thy  first 
and  fundamental  Life.  Upon  a  Curricle  in  this  World 
depends  a  long  course  of  the  next,  and  upon  a  narrow 
Scene  here  an  endless  expansion  hereafter.  In  vain 
some  think  to  have  an  end  of  their  Beings  with  their 
Lives.  Things  cannot  get  out  of  their  natures,  or  be 
or  not  be  in  despite  of  their  constitutions.  Rational 
existences  in  Heaven  perish  not  at  all,  and  but 
partially  on  Earth :  That  which  is  thus  once  wL'l  in 
some  way  be  always :  the  first  Living  human  Soul 
is  still  alive,  and  all  Adam  hath  found  no  Period. 

Sect,  xxiv- — Since  the  Stars  of  Heaven  do  differ  in 
glory ;  since  it  hath  pleased  the  Almighty  hand  to 
h'.nour  the  Nurth  Pole  with  Lights  above  the  South ; 
since  there  are  some  Stars,  so  bright  that  they  can 
liardly  be  looked  on,  some  so  dim  that  they  can  scarce 
be  seen,  and  vast  numbers  not  to  be  seen  at  all  ven 
by  Artif.  •ja\  Eyes ;  Read  thou  thi  Earth  in  Hea  3n, 
and  things  below  from  above.  Look  contentedly 
upon  the  scattered  difference  of  things,  and  expect 
not  equality  in  lustre,  dignity,  or  perfection,  in  Regions 
or  Persons  below ;  where  numerous  numbers  must  be 
content  to  stand  like  LaeUous  or  Ntbulous  Stars,  little 
taken  notice  of,  or  dim  in  their  generations.  AU  which 
may  be  contentedly  allowable  in  the  affairs  and  ends 
of  this  World,  and  in  suspension  unto  what  will  be  in 
the  o.der  of  things  hereafter,  and  the  new  Syste  ne  of 
Mankind  which  will  be  in  the  World  to  come ;  when 
the  last  may  be  the  first  and  the  first  the  last ;  when 
Lazarus  may  sit  atx>ve  Casar,  and  the  just  obscure  on 
Earth  shall  shine  like  the  Sun  in  Heaven  ;  when  per- 


Christian  Morals 


283 


•onaHont  shall  cease,  and  Histrioniim  of  happinesa  be 

T^t •k!'?'°  ^"^''y  '''•"  '"'•- «<»  •»  •h'Jl  bi  aaVhe^ 
snau  be  for  ever.  ' 

Bnf  liT:  *^l~;^J'?"  ''■•  ^if**  wid  tb"  We  would 
not  be  accepted,  if  it  were  offered  unto  such  as  knew 

li'.^.tk*'*^"  '?°  ?'^'3'  "'  »•""  •*«">  of  being  which 
pl«:eth  us  in  the  form  of  Men.    It  more  depTeciates 

again;  for  although  tbev  would  still  live  on,  yet  few 
or  none  can  endure  to  think  of  being  twice  the  same 

aZ  t"h^°»^'"''.5  "*•  •?'^«  ■""*  '»">•'  "over  U?2 
lived  than  to  tread  over  their  days  once  more.  Cieno 
in  a  prosperous  state  had  not  the  patience  to  think  of 
twginnmg  in  a  cradle  afwn.  Job  would  not  only  curse 
the  day  of  his  Vativity.  but  also  of  bis  Renascency, 
ntXI'V  \^?'  °l"^  ^"  J^'^ters,  and  the  miseri^a 
fhii^ff.  •""*'■•"'•  J  ^"f  *•  «"•»'"'  underweening  of 
this  life  ,  undervalue  that,  unto  which  this  is  but 
txordi  .a  Passage  leadii,g  unto  it  The  great 
advanta^  of  this  mean  life  is  thereby  to  stand  in  a 
Mpacityi  abetter;  for  the  Colonies'  Heaven  must 
be  drawn    am  Earth,  and  the  Sons  of  the  first  AJam 

mto  this  World  with  the  power  also  of  another;  not 
only    to  replenish    the  Earth,   but    the   everlaktinc 

foundations  of  the  Earth  were  layd,  when  the  momine 
Stare  SMg  together,  and  ail  the  Sons  of  God  shouted 
tor  Joy,' He  must  answer  who  asked  it;  who  under- 
stands  Entities  of  preordination,  and  beings  yet  un- 
bemg;  who  hath  m  his  Intellect  the  Ideal  Existences 
of  thmgs,  and  Entities  before  their  Extances.  Thomth 
it  looks  but  like  an  imaginary  kind  of  existency  to  be 
before  we  are;  yet  since  we  are  under  the  decree  or 
prescience  of  k  sure  and  Omnipotent  Power,  it  may  be 
somewhat  m<wii  than  a  non-entity  to  be  in  that  mind, 
unto  which  all  things  are  present. 
Sect.  xxvi.-If  the  end  of  the  World  shaU  have  the 

•  Vittm  nmo  aaiperit  si  duritur  sdentHmi.—Stima. 
"  Job  zxzviu. 


284 


Christian  Morals 


same  foregoing  Signs,  as  the  period  of  Empires,  States, 
and  Dominions  m  it,  that  is,  Corruptipn  of  Manners! 
inhuman  degenerations,  and  deluge  of  iniquities;  it 
may  be  doubted  whether  that  final  time  be  so  far  o«F. 
of  whose  day  and  hour  there  can  be  no  prescience 
But  wnile  all  men  doubt  and  none  can  determine  how 
long  the  World  shall  last,  some  may  wonder  that  it 
hath  spun  out  so  long  and  unto  our  days.     For  if  the 
Almighty  had  not  determined  a  fixed  duration  unto  it 
according  to  his  mighty  and  merciful  designments  iii 
It,  If  he  had  not  said  unto  it,  as  he  did  unto  a  part  of 
it,  hitherto  shalt  thou  ^o  and  no  farther;  if  we  consider 
the  mcessant  and  cutting  provocations  from  the  Earth 
It  is  not  without  amazement  how  his  patience  hath 
permitted  so  long  a  continuance  unto  it,  how  he.  who 
cursed  the  Earth  in  the  first  days  of  the  first  Mail,  and 
drowned  it  m  the  tenth  Generation  after,  should  thus 
testmgly  contend  with  Flesh  and  yet  defer  the  last 
flames.      For  since  he  is   sharply  provoked   every 
moment,  yet  punisheth  to  pardon,  and  forgives  to  for- 
give  a^ain,;  what  patience  could  be  content  to  act  over 
j.ich  vicissitudes,  or  accept  of  repentances  which  must 
fiave  after  penitences,  his  goodness  can  only  tell  us. 
And  surely  if  the  Patience  of  Heaven  were  not  pro- 
porfaonable  unto  the  provocations  from  Earth ;  there 
needed  an  Intercessor  not  only  for  the  sins,  but  the 
duration  of  this  World,  and  to  lead  it  up  unto  the 
present  computation.    Without  such  a  merciful  Long- 
animity,  the  Heavens  would  never  be  so  aged  as  to 
grow  old  like  a  Garment ;  it  were  in  vain  to  infer  ft^om 
the  Doctrine  of  the  Sphere,  that  the  time  might  come, 
when  CafeUa,  a  noble  Northern  Star,  would  have  its 
motion  m  the  Mquator,  that  the  northern  Zodiacal 
bigns  would  at  length  be  the  Southern,  the  Southern 
the  Northern,  and  Capricorn  become  our  Cancer.  How- 
ever therefore  the  Wisdom  of  the  Creator  hath  ordered 
the  duration  of  the  World,  yet  since  the  end  thereof 
bnngs  the  accomplishment  of  our  happiness,  since 
some  would  be  content  that  it  should  have  no  end, 
smce  Evil  Men  and  Spirits  do  fear  it  may  be  too  short, 


Christian  Morals  285 


ffif?°^1a,ftJL"Sfi£,'-.,f?.'^ 


prayer  „j 
plication 


,    ^     —  under 
of  the  Righteous 


the  Altar  will  be  the 


the 
sup- 


the  accomp&hment  offl  Sf  ,frf  P°f  *''*'°''  '^^  ^"^^ 

Sect.  «v,i._Thoueh  gJ^^^  '*''*''  *°  ^°'"«- 
away  from  the  EvS  fo  ^^  fuT  T  °^'^  ^'^ 
days  have  been  irkd  tLf^  '  *'"'"«'''  *°'ne  w  evil 
bphold  the  intaSitfe^  of  a  iittZ  «/',S''^'  ""^  1°°&  to 
threatened  bvlhem   yet  is^t  n^sm^f^'.-V "^^'"«°*'' 
honest  min<fc  to  lekve  the  WnrM  •  "**  •''^^''°°  "°'o 
temper'd  times,  mider  I  nrosn^?  f  '°  ^"""""^  '^e"- 
continuation  erf  worSy^?aysTc  ".IS^'J '°  '=°'"^'  ''"^ 
Man.     Men  who  dye  in  Xnln™M**5^^  "°'°  God  and 
regretfiiUy  behold  hav^„„f  ?i  ™  o*  ''^y^'  ''hich  they 
like  content ;  whUe  thev  °  n„  T  ^5'  "^'^  ^^^  *« 
proceeding  or  ero  Jn^'^       °°.  ?''°''^  t*"*  thoughts  of 
that  Spii  ZtTXi  T^ZTtl^^^'^  ^^ 
honour  they  desire  in  aU  tL«    '^^n  gomg,  whose 
generations:    II LuciL^JrZ  f^^  i^'°^ebont  aU 
place,  he  would  liWe^e  tto^^^^  from  his  dismal 
behind.    Too  many  th^ml  °^''/?f  «st  were  left 
if  their  own  turn  were  i^^  ^  °,  j^"*  *  °^^'  who, 
became  of  o^T'^df'^J^;,';"^^  not  regard'what 
care  not  if  all  perish.    But /cLi^  ?^'  .""emselves, 
beyond  their  li^^or  the  hf,^        r  ^^^^  "tend 
^  never  to  be  fao4S"S^S:^°^  *?««;»  «?«'• 
while  so  manv  auesHnt,  ^  ,       "™  therefore 

charitably3;?f2"'l„°^^^"'  ^"^  ""«  «»«al.  they 
are  not  m  eTvionslv  «^^?-  "^  °°*  y*'  *''^=  tbey 
themselveliTh^y  io^ttT  '°k,^°  *°  heaven  by 
little  Flock  mig^tK^t^^thr*''^  ^'^'  ^^'^  '»>» 
and  that,  as  mlny  are^cX'  J^  nT"?  ^^'^  ^^er, 
chosen.  ^        cauea,  so  not  a  few  might  be 

reSdkH'^e^Vh^Sf/^  °-"'"^«'  "^  Angels 
will  teU  us;  thSSfofTe^iH'*!  School-len 

&Kvotre-^S°^^^^^^^^^^^ 

or  Century  hath  sent^S^^ru^fo^JTeavYn^  l^' 


286 


Christian  Morals 


tell  who  vouchsafeth  that  honour  unto  them.  Though 
the  Number  of  the  blessed  must  be  compleat  before 
the  World  can  pass  away,  yet  since  the  World  it  self 
seems  in  the  wane,  and  we  have  no  such  comfortable 
prognosticks  of  Latter  times,  since  a  greater  part  of 
time  is  spun  than  is  to  come,  and  the  blessed  Roll 
already  much  replenished;  happy  are  those  pieties, 
which  solicitously  look  about,  and  hasten  to  make  one 
of  that  already  much  filled  and  abbreviated  List  to 
come. 

Sect.  xxix.  —  Think  not  thy  time  short  in  this 
World  since  the  World  itself  is  not  long.  The  created 
World  is  but  a  small  parenthesis  in  Eternity,  and  a 
short  interposition  for  a  time  between  such  a  state  of 
duration  as  was  before  it  and  may  be  after  it.  And  if 
we  should  allow  of  the  old  Tradition,  that  the  World 
should  last  Six  Thousand  years,  it  could  scarce  have 
the  name  of  old,  since  the  nrst  man  lived  near  a  sixth 
part  thereof,  and  seven  Methuselas  would  exceed  its 
whole  duration.  However  to  palliate  the  shortness  of 
our  Lives,  and  somewhat  to  compensate  our  brief 
term  in  this  World,  it's  good  to  know  as  much  as  we 
can  of  it,  and  also  so  far  as  possibly  in  us  lieth  to  hold 
such  a  Theory  of  times  past,  as  though  we  had  seen 
the  same.  He  who  hath  thus  considered  the  World, 
as  also  how  therein  things  long  past  have  been  answered 
by  things  present,  how  matters  in  one  Age  have  been 
acted  over  in  another,  and  how  there  is  nothing  new 
under  the  Sun  may  conceive  himself  in  some  manner 
to  have  lived  from  the  beginning,  and  be  as  old  as  the 
world ;  and  if  he  should  still  live  on,  'twould  be  but 
the  same  thing. 

Sect.  xxx. — Lastly,  if  length  of  Days  be  thy  Portion, 
make  it  not  thy  Expectation.  Reckon  not  upon  long 
Life :  think  every  day  the  last,  and  live  always  beyond 
thy  account.  He  that  so  often  surviveth  his  Expecta- 
tion lives  many  Lives,  and  will  scarce  complain  of 
the  shortness  of  his  days.  Time  past  is  gone  like  a 
Shadow ;  make  time  to  come  present.  Approximate 
thy  latter  times  by  present  apprehensions  of  them  :  be 


Christian  Morals  287 

butlt«1!'f  "^^  "°*?  *?*  Grave,  and  think  there  is 

we  have  elsewhere  declined,  any  have  been  1«»,i' 

Ex^r  f""^.  *.?  -derstr'dThn-stL'"rnnihi& 
Extasy,  Exolution,  Trans.ormation,  the  Kiss  of  the 
Spouse,  and  Ingression  into  the  Divine  ShSow  1. 

Sd  an^hi^d''"^"^.-  T^^^'-'W'.  theThrv'^t"^" 
is  i  -  ^  '  Antiapation  of  Heaven ;  the  WrartS 
SeS.  °"  '^^'-  "^^  '^^  E"^"*  i"  Ashes  \^to 


GLOSSARY 


ABBREVUTIONS,  ETC. 

k  B.  D.-New  "rinfUdi  IHetkiiury  oa  HUtocical  FiriBdplet "  (Umtr, 
Bradley). 

Webstflr>lntmuitlooal  Dlctlaaary. 

GreeahlU-GUMiary  to  tditkn  at  "  HydrioUphU  aod  Gadn  ol  Cyraa" 
(X896). 


AitRcn.  to  break  <^. 

Amtxbiion,  cleansing. 

AMUHmoir,  oouumptleo. 

AccBFnoKt,  acceptauoat. 

AccuHi:f  ATSDt  iharp-poiatod. 

AcnvBS,  tub.,  acthra  [inadplaa. 

AcDLxoua,  neodlfrUke. 

Adah,  goto  rscum  ?  Adam,  what 
bati  tbou  dooe  ?  1  Eadrat  viL 

Adra«tk  and  NsHsaia,  tka  powcca  of 
vengeanoe  (J.)> 

ADaiANus  (''the  nxiUa  ol").  "A 
aUtelv  maiuoleom  or  aqnuchral 
pU»,  boilt  by  Adriaana  in  R<»at^ 
wbm  DOW  atandeth  the  oasUe  of 
SL  Angdo."    (Note  by  Sir  T.  B.] 

ADUMaaxTioK,  faint  naemblanoa^  at 
of  a  ihadar  to  the  object  it  xepr^ 
teota. 

ADVIS0E8,  admooititms. 

^QUicxURAt,  of  equal  length  of  leg. 

£soN*s  BATu.  Soo  of  CKthws  aod 
Tyro,  and  father  ot  Jaioa ;  accord 
Ing  to  Ovid,  he  survived  the  return 
of  the  Areoonuts,  and  waa  made 
young  agam  by  Medea. 

ArrECnoN,  tnfluoioe. 

ArrECTiONS,  qualities,  paiaioni,  fed- 
ings.  men  of  aQectioo. 

Alcmsna's  aights,  "  one  night  ai  long 
as  three."     [Note  by  Sir  T.  B.] 

Amazed,  confounded. 

Ambidbxtk>ov8»  able  to  nse  both 
hands  alike. 

AuBinoH*.  ambltkma  men.  This  use 
of  the  abstract  for  the  ooocrete  ip 
the  plural  occm  frequently  in  Sir 
Thomas  Browne,  as  "oesires," 
**afiectiaas,"  "devotioiu,"  "seals," 
etc. 

Amission,  loss. 

AzdFBisoLOGY,  a*".  dmVgaavt  phrase. 


AMraiERoiacAL  PBAan,  held  at  tb* 

naming  of  a  diOd. 
AjiAXAOoaAa.    Several  aditm  have 


wron^y  printed  "  Anaxarchni," 
irtM  actoaily  held  the  t^inkms  at- 
tributed by  mowne  to  Anazagocaa. 

AHonnAS,  agooiea  (J.). 

AjfiHA  sn  Dn,  "  the  aoal  Is  the  aiigd 
of  man,  the  body  ol  God." 

AMiMoaiTy,  oonrage. 

ANncBUST  ("  shmld  be  bom  of  the 
tribe  of  Dan  "1.  A  beUef  held  by 
the  Atwient  Church,  based  partly 
on  the  omissioo  of  toe  name  A  Can 
from  the  list  of  tribea  in  flia 
Apocalypse,  and  partly  00  the  men- 
tioD  ol  him  as  **  adder  "  ami  "  ter^ 
pent "  in  Jacob's  last  Mtwing  of  his 
sons.    [Condensed  from  GreeohiU.] 

AHTiciPATivxbY,  prematurely. 

Anticxs,  downs. 

Antikohiu,  oootradictiaoa  to  taw. 

Antifodbs,  oppodtes  (J.). 

ArooBOH,  to  the  utmost  pobt  of  dis- 
tance trom  earth  and  earthly  things 
(J.). 

Apparitioni.  appearances  witboat 
realities  (J.). 

AmtEHBNo,  to  dread,  to  oooodve, 
oomprdisad. 

Apprkhbhsion,  reason,  coocmtloo ; 
passed  apprehension,  former 
opinion ;  orossbr  apprehensions, 
meo  of  grosser  app-  liension. 

Arcana,  mysteries. 

Archiooxil  a  woric  erf  Paracdsns, 
tranila ted  into  En^ish  in  i66a. 

Archimimb,  chief  jester. 

AREpAcnoN,  drying. 

Arbopaoy,  the  great  cou-t,  like  tba 
Areopagus  at  Athens  (J.t. 

Abustxx,  soothsaysTf  dtviMr. 


*  dITi"""  i  • ;  «""  (U,  onu 
"*•)■       A  planet  ta  the  aionW 

•oiler  m  11,1^,1  ^  Hk  n.).^^' 
AlgcMT,  Mk,-:    ,, 
AieAinitE,  vb      'unafautK 

*»«^^c^.o"!Trf,iL»to 

Amuctactioh,  haUtnitloa. 
AiTcuiK,  tmaU  Iter. 
AniNDAXCE,  •eeooiMniiiKnt 
ArriTOAii*  lieMe  todtaUootloo. 
ArteiTioK,  Motion.      "-"""'»• 
ADDAcmn,  bold  pemu. 
ADDiraun,  TectTOroS. 
AoiEjiA,  dimali.^  •■  aureUoQ." 
^f^Z,   ''^i^"A    ehii.ben 


Glossary 


289 


B«ATACiim    (French),    bouts     Tb. 
"r<|>»™»--    "Thereby  hiaei;  I   bJ2SJ°^2'^  ^<<*™a. 

tatojil.  ..V.  to  .™id  ,miui^ 
Caioa,  waim  mtec  (1.1. 

rowrf  Irooi  the  .aetfailre^SS 
«rt^  iilei  were  held,  at  which  Si 
Si^  w«t  00  a,  long  a.  a  muU 

"teS,""""   •<   •    -hleld    ta 

ikeletao 
>ude  bv  the 
bySirt.  B.] 


•hiw        '  '"°"'  "  "»  hearlne 

pihiS5,Ufir;:i;;'S 


'-""»""»,    cocnere   or    a    al 

heraldry. 
Ca«iou.    "That  part  of  the 

?  ■i<P"_'''!C!>  made 


BAaiuaa,apieoeol 
B»ui»a,  brlieveii. 

B.Tf^ '     "'•''  'K*!"  "re  falao  "  (I  1 
BlNSPLAciT,  mod  plauore.  "  '' 

UBHEvoboDS,  favourable. 
BTO.,  a  famous  fiant-idller  of  South- 
;^ton^.h«olo.«ii.v1Englg'h 

^.hSd."""'*"'"'^  •■*•«< 
Btmof    ("the   miseratda"!     vh^ 

glhth  century,  Mid  to  fikv,  beeu 

/hi'j!l;?|&S£,.'— "7.0.,! 
_  we  wounded  0.1.     ^^  *""  "" 


--  -  uwaa  wmca  n  n 

haunch-bouea."    [Note 
CAMoua,  dediy. 
CAaucx,  tarfa  merchantman. 
cJ™  """•  f  °»«ln«  V> "  camp. 
Caihoucok,  univenal  mSditSfc 

(Stia).'"  •  -^  ^»- 

Jfnjfc    That  la,  the  ■'efideut " 

CAomoin,  oantloni. 
^.J^"*!  •?  •"'Sortcil  repre- 
'      JSSS°°   °:    "■•   «h«rMt«a^d 
oonditlooa  of  mankind  (1  l 

""S'Scri^."'    '™»'^    — 

""!"*  "T  auiA  mroasnu,  "it  ii 

«i   J^'h^""  "  ''  "mp-irible" 

f'&O^TSS^c'',  "^^^ 
Ckiasmds,  deeuaaation  (GreenbHI) 

Crikomahcv,  palmistrv 
Chokaoium,  dance  ifX 

'^idt^'^i"*^''^  X  I-bee. 
CHvm-  T^,,. 

CucmuTANiui,  accUtntal 
CmniWi,  bearing  tendriU. 
Cmuiv,  state  o<  ctrS  aodety. 


290 


Glossary 


Clauatioh,  iboatkiK. 
CuwiNO,  tickling,  uittcrliif . 
CuKACTUi  tha  poiat  In  a  man's  Ut« 

(mppoHa    to   be   Ui   ilxty-thlrd 

yew)  wh«o  hfi  pomrt  twcfn  to  fail. 
CooRQt,  the  last  King  d  Athaoa. 
CoHHiMtntc,  Junetura*  Joining. 
CoMicoDiTUU.  advantago. 
CoHTAOB,  frameworit  or  lyitcm  of 

oaoJoiDcd  parts  (H.  B.  D.). 
CoHVLEUifT,  Qonpletofteu. 
CoHPLKHENTAi,  lUght  and  lubildlaiy* 

mardy  nuUng  up  wei^t. 
CoMPUxioNAXXY,  Vf  tcmpenuDOit 
COMroHTfOM,  oon^oondlngt  but  In 

the  ncoit  line  (by  a  play  it  words) 


CoHraoDVcnoK,  J<^t  prodtiotlon. 

CoMRoroaTioira,  pn^ortkoa  to- 
gether. 

CoHrun,  oompatatlon. 

CoMCKiT,  canocptioo,  Idea,  jest. 

Conceit,  to  lmagbi«k 

CoHCLAiUTiow,  noise  made  by  several 
people  shoatmg  together. 

CoxcOHTtAifciBa,  accMnpanlu^mta. 

CoirconntB,  hdp. 

CONUDBiUTioir  VNTO,  valuB  when 
compared  with. 

CoHnoBiUTiONs,  cooslderers. 

CoHSORTioir,    the    cooscrtinff    with 


CoiraTBLU.TBD  OMTO,  by  the  oonstd- 

latiou  oi  my  Urth  adaptive  tou 
Cotmufraaxo,  diluted. 
CoimaifATioii,  framing  together  ot 


CoHTiNGBMcy  (anglee  of),  the  smaDest 

angles. 
CoNTRAcnoir,  "we  cannot  be  van- 
ished ...  bat  ecntracUoa,''^  by 

having  punishment  brought  to  bear 

upon  oursdves. 
CoKvuUATioir,  bdiaviour. 
CoirvKasioir,     revohitiou,     **  annual 

coovcrsioa." 
CoHviNciBLE,  demonstrable. 
CoRNiGKROus,  homcd. 
CoRPuutKcy,     solid     character     (rf 

bodies. 
Ceahbx,        tiresome       repetitions ; 

Ckambk  aspEnTiA  (Juvenal). 
Ckany,  cranium,  slcull. 
Crasis,  lit.  mixture;  here,  mixture 

of  bodily  humours. 
Crociatxd,  crossed. 
Crucifrrous,  marked  with  a  cross. 
Crvsrro,  Soathem  Cross  ((^eenhUl). 
Crystalunx,  dluding  to  the  crystal- 

line  humour  ol  the  eye  (J.). 
CuMCTAnoN,  dday. 
Cupels,  reming  passes  used  in  the 

mdtiog  down  ot  gold  and  silver 

withlMd. 


DAUOCtJts,a  flatterer  ci  Dioayiios  {J.}, 

Dastard,  vb.,  to  make  craven. 

DBCiMAnoir,  ssleotkn  of  every  teott 
man  for  poslshment  (J.). 

DECinEMCY,  state  of  being  deceived, 
haUudnadoa  (Webaterl. 

Dbcdssatiox,  crossing  of  lines  In  the 
form  of  the  figure  X. 

Delator,  informer. 

Dehokstratiohs,  truths  capable  of 
demooatratioQ. 

Drfravk,  to  malign,  to  spoil ;  db> 
rRAVBDLY,  in  a  corrupt  form. 

Derived,  secondary  in  source  (U., 
£rom  the  sun  ?) 

DssiRxs,  deslrers. 

Dsvonom,  devout  men. 

DUHBTBR  wm  (to  stand  la),  to  be 
diametrloallT  opposed  to. 

DiGHOTomr,  dlvlsiaa  into  two. 

DimRXMCS,  vb.,  to  show  the  differ- 
ence between,  todefbie. 

DioLAoiATioM,  fendng  match  (J.). 

DiOGxma  (testament  of).  "Who 
wHled  his  friend  not  to  bnry  him, 
bat  to  hang  lUm  up,  with  a  staffe  in 
his  hand,  to  frii^tea  away  the 
orowee."    [Note  by  Sir  T.  B.] 

DtscRDCUTDto,  excruciating. 

DissBWTAHXOUS  unto,  oootrary  ta 

Drrry,  ^eech. 

DitrruRHiTV,  long  duration. 

DOHATITSS,  fifta. 

Dorado,  a  fish,  probably  either  the 
gilt-header  dorado  or  the  gold-fish. 
loHORAirr  DORADOES  src  rich  mui 
of  no  education.  [Ccodeosed  from 
GreenhlU.] 

DoRMATiTE,  keeping  draught. 

Drauoht,  drawing. 

EcuracALLV,  in  the  directioa  of  the 

sun's  apparait  motJoo. 
Edified,  formed. 
Epprokt,  to  embolden. 
Elatbr,      '*  spring."      "  elasticity  " 

(H.  B.  D.). 
Elrxmosyharies,  beggar*. 
Elsmxmtal  coHPOSiTioif .  "  composl- 

tkn  of  dements  "  (Grecohill). 
Euas  (propbecv  of),  **  That  the  world 

may  last  but  six  thousand  years.' 

[Note  by  Sir  T.  B.} 
Empbatical,  "designated  emthatlo 

aDy,  or  par  mcmUmm  "  (H.  E.  D.). 
Empyreal,    in    old    astrooomy,    all 

beyond  the  tenth  heaven. 
Emocr's   pillars.    "Josmhus  does 

not  meotioo  Enoch,  trat  says  the 

desoendants  of  Seth  erected  two 

pillars,  on  irtiidi  were  eogravea  all 

the    dfacoveries    then    known    to 

manldn  1    [Coodeotsd  ^om  Greeo- 

UU.] 


§K«omin,aqtiim. 

"ES??!!"'  '","«U«4  "  dtollnct 
ta»tt.  m«l7  po«lil.  bdo,  o. 

'^'S!,'!""'£?''  ',"  Ot™n»D.,  par. 
Mntar  JoiiniaU  of  every  day,  not 
aoslraoti  comprehendlnt  Mveral 
year»  under  ooe  noutkn  7j.). 

EnauniozL  tchediilei  ihoiHiif  the 
^tion   al  the   heavadT  Adta 

Encrcu,  «  email  revolution  made 
Dy  one  planet  In  the  wider  orbit  of 
„  another  planet  a.). 
EffUABLB,  Juet 
EaoAi,  imptttlal  J  eqnItMe. 
Equivocal,  doubtful; 
EnooTiun,  coadnaiona  deduced  as- 

oecdinf  to  the  forma  o(  lodo  (JJ. 

ETHmcx,  fentle.  ^^  "  ' 

BvoLaiox,  eilnetioo  by  force 

EZAITATIOK,  ratefaf . 
ivTS?    »»«    Sing),    lairittian 
IV_  Kiiif  of  Oenmari,  who  becan 
to  rel|n  in  15M,  and  waa  etm  on  the 
throne  when  the  book  waa  written. 

ExcinioK,  Direction  or  reaervatioa. 

EznrmuTloii,  diaemhowenini 

Bngum,  funaral  ritea. 

BXIUTY,  Tn«n.ma 

ExianiuTioii,  eetimatlai. 

ExoLono!t,  In  Dedidne,  gnat  phyw 
ijcal  malmeae;  in^yKioal  th^ 
doty,  dreamy  oaltatlan  of  mind. 

ExpAxasD,  expanded.  -mni, 

ExPATi ATS,  to  roam  about 

EwitAlona,  pHlaien. 

ExruCAnoir,  unfoldinc. 


Glossary 


291 


ExraunoNt,  Durki. 
ExtDCCOut^  dry. 
ExTANCu,  existences. 
ExnMPDjusY,  faituitiww 
ExnirDATiojr,  eoutcUtioii. 

from  the  eye  to  the  dbject  a.h 
BxvPBitANCB*,  exaggeratioiu: 

^*?*^*"*"  P^y  imperial"),  an 
«"";^«i,  probably  to  K  coUwtiS 
01  coma. 

jAcmrv,  authority,  powtr. 

Faith,  believar,  abatract  for  concnte. 

Fawlibt,  a  member  of  the  "  fanSS 
'°^  »  "ligioua  aect  which  ap- 
peared  about  1575.  "^ 

Faacunorfa,  bandagea. 

FAVAGiHooa,  cellular,  like  a  hooev- 
oomb.  ' 

Ferity,  ferocity,  aavagensee. 
'  F^anH ATiOK,  haate. 
FUT  wx,  let  there  be  light. 


Fietiu,  moulded. 

FiUB,  placed  in  ordw. 

Fimu  ("oneUtUe").  __ 

V  <!>•  •Mint  arithaetlck  of 'the 
hend,  wherein  the  little  <n«r  c<  the 
right  hand  ecntracted,  aUnUad  an 
hunAwL"    [Note  bTsirT  Bl 

Fi^w.juddenguatoliiSL'-^'' 

Flux,  flow. 

''"liiSS:*"^"'™""*'"^ 

FouuKoua,  fnU  of  holea. 
ISL^X  "T*.  "•  "rthing  apart 

FooaAot,  ^  a  amall  mine  fir  blowini 
up  walla  ■■(GreohiU).  ""  "°™* 
JJS'JSIl?''  F^  ««*I'«  "le  vstei 
cutoiIfcomaoone(Creenhilil 

FuicmuT,  fulmm.      "™"'- 

^'ii;!S""*''u  ■'"™''   ■*•   the 
FtSLI.'fX?"""-'- 
F»L^h«ldio     term,     dcn^i,., 

Gallatuxi,  germ  in  an  W( 
GALLuaoiai,  marimenty 

°'^™^'«.  "•  "1»  divinee  by  the 

<5»»,»»ir  ("defectioo  of  the  Held 
of").    Nothing  U  knowTof^ 


SL*J^      I»  default  of  anyTSK 

Mon  '  la  not  dear;  "detectton" 

^^SuSSed-n'SeMir^'^ 
Glou,  a  clue  of  yam.^^' 

Egyptian,  defaced  by  iJcinta  the 
Emperor."    CNote  by  SirT^  Bl 
GnArn,  grafts.  !  <^  i.  a.i 

C«Ai»  dye  in  grain.    "  Not  grain'd." 
not  deeply  tinged  (T.).        •'"«"'. 
OxAnncAL,  compoKd  of  leltaa. 
CuaTATioK,  tasting. 

"ISS^."*"^  "'™*  ■  ««»  ta 
HAmuxorLAysoniroxxTiixii.    "A 


292 


Glossary 


. ,  «i  oat  It  iriMo  tb* 

itODt  wu  rdtod  nny;  wbirtfai  tt 
they  lallwl  thcrr  Int  th*  Uv«,  to 
Uw  UogbUr  ol  tlMk  tpwutaf*." 
[NoubjrSlrT.B.]. 

HsuACAL,  iplnL 

Hxux,  a  icnw  or  sphal  Um  :  to  nm 
upon  ■  hoUi,  to  ba  oootkiaatty 
novtag  Kilraay. 

Hblloo*,  ^nttou  (J.). 

HsLMOirr  or  Pakcbuo*.  aathmiastk 
axttbcn    ol    romaatlo    otaamlttry 

Hsuos*  BOO.  wfaldipnoiind  ilaop  by 
•  touch  (J.)*  ^^ 

Hninncu.  PmtoMmM,  foOowwa 
ol  HonoM  liteBglttiH,  addktad 
to  OMntotry  asd  aUbiiiw. 

Hippocunt  Pathmti.  tn  aonw  of 
tba  traatlMa  ol  tha  Hfppoentlo 
eooaetkia  rou^  aotta  ol  oaiet  an 
foond  ftving  tha  naoMa  and  ad- 
dnaMa  ol  tbe  paticoti.  Um  point 
ol  the  oonipariiaB  ll«a  hi  Ita  ibowlng 
how  th«  dead  Uve  ooly  hi  th^ 
namea;  nothinf  nwre  ii  knoira  ol 
tbeoL 

HianioMiflM  (ol  happia«ii),  theatrical 
repreMntatioo,  mere  ibow. 

Hout  COHBuaTiS.  the  time  wheo  the 
mooa  ia  in  000 jnnotks  and  obecured 
by  the  tun. 

Hout-aLAtSBa,  "  can  for  many  hour- 
flassea."  Anctaot  pleaden  talkad 
'  a  clepsydra,   or   measanr   of 


H  a  di 


Bimoumoin,    the    mult    ol 

humour  or  Indhiduat  trait 

HvoaoncAii,  drapelcuL 

HYKMTAiia,  diatbct  1 


Idkatu,  pictured  in  idea,  hi  fancy. 

lOBt,  time  when  money  laid  out  at 
intenat    was     conunonly    remid. 

,  0.). 

Ihmoktautv,  eKeiiq>tloo  from  death. 

iMPASSiBLs,  hnpregnaUe  to  nflcring 
and  decay. 

iMKMTOKs  (the  three).  The  Emperor 
Ferdinand  II.  wot  aocused  by  Pope 
Gregory  I.  of  maintaiiiinf  that  the 
world  bad  been  deoojved  by  three 
impostors— Jesus  Christ,  Moses,  and 
Mahomet.  A  book  with  this  UUe 
was  said  to  have  existed,  but  no 
trace  of  it  remafau  (Greeobill). 

IicraaPBKATioNa,  Inaulting  Liuguage. 

Incsssion,  pro^Msioo. 

Incikerablb,  reducible  to  ashes ;  !»• 
ciNBRATSD,  reduced  to  ashes, 

lacKASSATioH.  tltickeotng. 

Incrimablk,  moombustible. 

Iwct'RTArs,  to  m^e  crook^ 

iMOurrxBKNCY,  impartiality ;  (pi.)  In 


*l|Dlicaol  matters ;  ol  wgnmsatiL 
•BBct  babmoa.  ^ 

InimftBHT,  ImpartlaL 

Ir-vtumus,  bends  cr  fdds  (GresD- 

ItfOBMrnTiBi,  peopto  ol  tngHiaoai  dia> 

poaltioa. 
Ihobusiom,  •ntarunee. 
iMmmATHm.  burytng. 
iMnTSHey,  leaning  presaiDg,  or  r«t- 
,  loff  vpon  iomrtWng  (H.  B.  D.). 
iMOMAmcAL,  without  ornu. 
iKQtnMATBD,  diOlad  fl.).^ 
luSBiftiBU,  too  nalTto  be  fait 
ImBmsMT  TO,  eoodndva  to. 
InTAMCBS,  Instants. 
IifTuxiOBitcu,     unbodied     an(dlc 

iKTBimoifi,  mrsoas  who  tetond. 

UomcALLY  (^Uve  irooloally  "),  with 
disBbnulatlan  or  persooatlaa 
{H.  E,  D.).  "^ 

ITM,  earnest,  spedmao. 

InjuTBLV,  repeatedly. 

JuDQiuini,  rasD  ol  Jodfmcat 

KuXtOauL 

KmoDOMS,  "fatal  periods  ol."  Ao> 
flordinf  to  Plato  about  500  yean. 

Lacohism.  short  aantence  writtan  00 

wan  of  Bdschaasar  (J.). 
LACiiVMATOitiKa,  tear-bottles. 
Lauom  (F^esch),  thief.    The  tiiano- 

taristio  Gasooo. 
Lami,  aoft  and  watery,  but  without 

ttavoor  JPorby's    vocabuluy    ol 

LAUkXAT  DaAPOBT,  a  picture  wttfa 

Uurd  (Greenhlll). 
Lasy  ov  Bbahl,  sloth  (J.). 
LiOATiON,  binding. 
LiOH  ("  we  sle^^  Uons'  sldns  "),  la 

armour,   in    a    state   of    m&itary 

vigilance  (J.). 
LiFAMA,  the  UpsTBan  Islands,  near 

Italy,  being  volcanoes,  were  fabled 

to    caitain    the    forgea    of    the 

Cydops  a.). 
LigvATiOM,  melting. 
Lively,  vividly. 
UvstY     ("without     a"),    without 

reccHnpense  or  fee. 
Lixrvious,  Impregnated  with  alkaline 

salts. 
LvKK,  bait,  a  term  used  In  falomry. 
Lux  EST  UMBRA  Dei,  "light  Is  the 

shadow  of  God." 

WiJOMm . . .  viTTA,  "  Great  virtues,  and 

:»o  srualler  vices." 
MxcKALiTtss,  grcst  works  from  uuaQ 

beghmings  (Greenhlll}. 


MunnuuT  ("  tut  muudnlT 

g^2t  "ij  to  i»  i(>;^  to 

ItATmATioH,  mtwtaf,  ripaliis, 
MwioouTY,  Bodmiai. 

(   ■ntnotial  ehaiutai"). 
HucnuMi,  ~— — -ilftHnni. 
"Mm,  dwto  (hi .  b3iSt). 

Mnunocsoni,   tniiuil(nlka  a< 


Glossary 


293 


■fnucouimT,  umidlT  U  I 
Hwoun,  dtauiut  '  "  ' 
JjMTAi.  dndir,  toUO. 
Honvn,  aoUn  Ima. 
HimLATi,  i>.p.  malikted. 

SI™    .'t"!'*l'    •tabbon.      Th. 
chartcteriilk  fiarilihnun. 
HYSTur,  Inds,  <T>ft 

nothing  in  vnto."  ^^ 

Nahi«autv,  nitunlnm. 

^S;«.A  "•""""•  ■"""="" 

NsBDcnoroiioM,,  so  ipdt  to   tlw 

most  trmtworthy  MSS. 
NiQci  SHW  .  .  ,  mti.    "Foe  wben 

tS.  .tndy  or  the  couch  calU  ^" 

:"*    (S«t,  I.  4,  I3J)    who    1^ 

NiRo,  thoBmiwirTibwiiiK 
NocMT,  erimtaal  (Wslnter). 
NoM  AcciDM,  "  thon  shaU  not  km  " 
Nuiramcu,,  individual. 
NuBSfAK  .  .  .  Mtos,  "novtt  1-. 
olono  than  when  aloui." 

OenRTAToa,  observv. 

OiLios,  Uielio. in  the  " OijvKy  ••  iv 

3",  refarlns  to  the  d..^u.  of  AiS 

Oneni  ia  pceaibi;  ipurioue. 


OiVMna,  Oljpmpie 
Ounirr,  the  AUT 

dJSSJ?"""''*^  taHrjnUtloQ  o( 

Onnoif  jTb.),  toeonsidv. 

bSI±i?  >»""■-<*«*-. 

OtDMATiOM,  eiruKiuat. 
<talS."!vL.T"!'."'  "•"  Tlb«tai 

»'^'s:s5uisri 

'nj«l|»erttoRoiii.(jT^™™ 
OmiAine,  pUon  for  h^ 

the   diArence    betwen    iu^tS 


PlHooum,  hai^tafr^ 
PnwiAtion,  blowinf  throuik  o<  the 
PiuuoD,  term,  md. 

PiiuaciA»,  jjiti,  Uiadowa  all  round 
Si„^,'^*^  «»'»«  withta  Ih? 
£2?  ^^  "»•  aunmove  roiid 
S2^v■?''  "oaeiiueo'ly  imiect 
tbdr  ahadom  to  all  dlrecOonilTl 

"aaMcun,  teleicope. 
PBILOPtmiic,   ohiel   of   the  Achnu 

""^I^wt""-  "AMu'ling  eith<r  to 
i^ufS  7  Aristippui,  for  the 
pheti"  (Greenhill).  ' 

";?"'="«'■.«  "rttto.  bound  upon 

toDekeptcooitanUj'inmind.   123 
"^,?,P™a«d  by  the'je^  doctSS 

PHVtoLooy,  sdoice  of  planta. 
gAi  raAuoia,  pioua  frauds 
ncmHAMt  aattHtr. 
PlJM^tabfct,  register ;  hiaca  tiat  » 

Kbeme     macribed    txk    >     ♦««  . 

(WebeUcjT^  '^''•' 


294 


Glossary 


PiraoA.  "  PiBtdft,  io  Us  *  MoamUa 


Sk  T.  B.] 

PUTO-I 


Mt   ntkan."    (NoU   bjr 


oMia  Oatmai  ymn,  «ka  ta 
tUagi  ilMiM  ntm  mIo  thitr 
hrmv  MUM,  and  In  b>  frtiliii 
•fOD  In  hU  Mhool,  M  Kha  hi 


-_-  In  hU  _»«,  , 

d«Uver«d  this  opUm.* 

Sir  T.  B.l         "*-""• 
Plaudit,  fltudlu  was  Iha  iKm  by 

wbidi  tU  andant  tbaalrisal  par- 

forman  soUdtad  a  clap  {].}. 
Pmwim,  pralaaniM  lliy. 
Poliaoit    (PHneb),    o<- 

PoNDiBAiioir,  mtehku. 

POTOJ"  «oor  •■).    Lao  XI,  Paal  v., 

Grap»7   XV^  aMi   Urban   VIII. 

Botuo  XI.  dad  aaartr  six  aonths 


bs 

(Nats  by 


Tba 


PanuwTT,  popalnanaas. 

PmiT,  pcctaL 

Poan,  motto  on  a  rki. 

PoToai,     tba     fiefa     nwontafci     el 

Pam. 
PucnaxD,  pnetleat 
Pucsnnt,  ri(na. 
PaioiiAiR,  faalnetin. 
PuiuncAn,  temad  wllbaat  knoir- 

laota  ol  tba  facts. 
Puuns,     "Ptasbyttcs"     ta    tba 
_l*atadadKfc«isoli64S. 
Pusdon,  (ocaknoarfcia. 


PusuniY,  bmnadlalalT. 
Pnooaa  or  m  Tixi,  coBtaxt 
PwromD,  to  latbom, 
P>oonT,]laaaiaL 
PaooHoancn,  loro-tokana. 
PnoKasx,  Indinad  to;  momiaioii 

uoto,  bieUnatloo  towards. 
Paonuii'ii,  yrobably  in  the  asisa  ol 

"  ocanmon,^'  wUdi  tba  bst  aditioa 

bjs. 
PftOPaniABiH,  proprietors. 
Paonuxnis,  proptrtias. 
Ptoiahv,  tbs  Klac  ol  Eljtpt  who  had 

the  Hebrew  acripturaa  traoilatad 

sod  put  in  bia  library. 
PooBUAOB,  vfrgbity. 
PuatiUAi,     esact ;      Purctoauy 

exactly. 
PoircncuLAS,  oontained  in,  sixe  of. 

a  point 

PYXKHua  H»  TOK,  "  wfaich  oootd  not 

babnnit."    [Sir  T.  B.] 
PvnAoaxAS  ("  escapes  in  tba  fabn- 

loos  HeD  d  Dante  "I,  eaoapea  tno' 

demnatian,    or,   parhapa, 

nolica  aIlo(elher. 


"paa 


QsAMATx,  aywr,  vk.  a^  aah. 

ahaoiad  ten  blsa." 
OnarvAxr,  stadiooa  d  prott  H.). 
Onxctno,  anatauMMt  e«  tUnfi  by 

Im  ana  al  aaoh  oonar,^3  eaa 

fcitbaeantra. 
Onwgimno,  aat  ol    trs    (Graa- 

OoinAiu,  tntold. 
OooDuaaneAur,   dstanidabia  oo 
altbarddaU.). 

Haoicai  unns,  "  aaeardtaf  to  old 
ttadidon  Moaaa,  by  unmsnd  ol 
God,  took  tba  M  iattaca  ol  the 
namaa  of  tba  Mbaa,  and  fooid 
tbau  aqod  to  tba  nuibK  ol  tba 
I"Mllw.,.dadnctint  tboaa  who  wan 
■lata  hiiha  aaak  ol  Kcrab,  ato." 
(aitract  from  Graanbm'a  note). 

RAOicAnox,  pnoiaa  ol  talAi(  raoL 

RAMnxxa,  raaparts, 

RXACnON,  rotaUatlon. 

RxAaon,  raasonabi 

Rxnu,  raleelica. 

Rinis,  abh, 

RMio-ltoniAMns.  lobn  VflOer  ol 
■SSft^  (I4J*75).  "who  coo- 
Mrncial  an  koo  fly  and  a  wooden 
•NIK  botb  ol  wblcb  wn  able  to 

_  fly-      [Coodanaad  ton  GraanbUI.] 

RxumaiiT,  dkadnUon. 

Rxim  or,  to  taata  d. 

RuamsonniAi,  ralatlat  Io  tamtai^ 

RxHOXAS,  obatadaaL 

RxHon,  atap. 

RxrxoxATiD,  ocodanmad  to  alanud 


poDwunani. 
Risotonox,  Hlotion ;  RxaoLonon, 

man  ol  raaotutlca. 
luspxcnra,  partial. 

''".??^'"  L"P°?'  "  "".  top«i<d 

by  tbs  raafrfctions  of  Uma. 
RxTUxiur  .  priae-flfbtar  who  en- 

tanflad  bta  oppcoent  hi  a  net,  which 

by  acme  daxteroua  manafament  be 

threw  upon  him  (J.). 
RxTtAKV,  xxncnLATK,  In  farm  of  nct- 

ww*:. 
RXTv      -x  mm,  to  rcatcre. 
RxT.Kiai,  noH,  repayment. 
RxTxxBsxATxD  >Y  riKx,  "  foscd  aa 

tax  revcrbecatory  fomace "  (Green 

oul). 
RXYinncATiow,  recalling  to  life. 
KHAraODixa,  "  axtraTaxanC  nonaenal- 

cai  booka'*  (GroEobflU. 
RiTAUTV,  equality. 
RouxsLxs,  stq«  d  s  laddv. 
KOAT  ^.  .  IBA,  ■"The  Iky  may  falL 

thy  wig  bo  dooai." 


Sa 
Sx 


Sn, 

A 

Sic 

t 
ti 


b 
Sioi 

Sun 
Sixi 
Soa 
Soci 
Ci 


■•JJIJJJWi  Wool.  .  kM  <X  u. 


Glossary 


295 


•ojjneiAiiT,  at  iht  hMIoi  (Oi«k 
|wn«,  •  Hrto  at  alUpllo  irlioi^g. 


nilw 
uns. 


.Caidloar    u 
To   Mm   J-.-4irti»-,   ^^ 


SnanI 
5Si S'vM !  " Olh«  (hptl,  SlhS 


iw^  Ue-okifcoiMaaJ; 

S.noK?,5Sr*-*«'''^5oS^ 
Stnnv      <:<niatlaa     of)      "ts. 

Suiiou,iUoda«. 

Sicorain,  tttK-bktb: 

|™»u>.  P«n»ptihl.  br  the  WMi 

AT  •««,,  to  fliht  ln^«r  '"» 

«■  ■  iP'SCiP'"  «?"  I  -f- 
S^!5  J?"!™  tomUiec  wtien 
tnni«t  ioto  l«i«,'^ibnB„,7i|^ 

^J^HfJ  ■  ■  ■  I>«''OCIUTUi.     "  If  De. 

s-oS-Hsr^-n^-r^ 

SIMM,  vb.,  to  botonlie. 
fnraraoM,  teft-hmdiid! 
|oa«".  oo-op^atioo. 

«6»«liowUi.7ihouldMtU^  " 


PWHU,  ilwUr  ttalki. 
I   SwHiwui,  obio«» 

with  •  urtow  amolni "  (J  1  ^^ 

flAiioil,  iiltjr. 
STATOn,  polltiii^ 

^22*S?*"'  ••  *>  noc  tSf  I, 
fvmTAnoM,  rackooinx 


Tn-uuy,  iB  0  mblike  muoer 
TOHUAUOn,  tvli. 

Romm.  on«  tahAbltsd  tiaET 

TlrroA.v,  tait-leaniet 

Thkiaj  j,  .  thtu  ln«iib«l  aixn  th. 

ioc^  death  or  capital  ooodm,^ 

EStA""-^"-^ 

heoi  mitUD  about  tSij 
Thwaat,  nwAanxc,  triisvena. 
Tixcivaa,  touch,  coliw    ^^^ 
Toanti,  twisted. 

^"x.c":,^..'"  '""^  -to 

TkAjftviRTiBi.  ,  iuvertible 

TaaAioai,  troaiury. 

T^oiu,  albanioM  cotdi  I,  „ 


396 


TMnnM  Miwli  kmkf  Mm 

MMnlMllttcridia, 
TMno,  lh;M^¥S poM  1 
_  »•  •»  mOMk  UJ. 
TMfKU,  ' -—  " 


Glossary 


Tir«Mt  k* 


fvs 


■^■x  Uwt  iHkii,  «t  to  «u 
OMIah  wUkii  klnSi  n«  ai 


lU-). 

0  nnru,  rata  wlihni  niiiiilnii 
uuoiMom,  lUay. 
Utnoii,  nvaatt. 
Vlieoot,  kodkad. 

"wSrr"^  •»«M>«I,  «  Im  ki 
UMuraThnlag  twody. 

"".IS  !f»  'V™^  ■"•  "I**  »• 
tkkal  o(  aoadaauUaa  ec  uqaltkd 
WM  <wt  (J.). 

VtMum,  msdtrlac. 

VAMouMin^  nki.|lorio<a  men. 
mln")^  "'"'^    ("wind 

VWia  (Um  Daka  oQ,  an  aaalant  atra- 
mmj  fmMrif  parioraMd  br  tha 
Dofa  jmttr  to  annboUsa  Ika 
•<>»«tatr  al  tka  (uw  om  tba 
AsiaUa 


Vkmnr  (vaaa*),  tka  knga  ki  Iw 


VimuiMK,  liMkn,  UaaMa. 
Vianemn,  lattMaML 


Vnunwtua,  fadaaUoa  a<  a  kadr 

Vai£^),alnKhaa. 
Vatmnon,  a  nuini,  aa  al  a  a. 


Wu  r  Ika  wka  Bas'i  wax  "),  aOg*. 
tatts  Oa  atarr  al  UtA  wko 
atorpad  Ua  oaaapailana'aan  oHb 
m  aa  Ikar  paaaad  bf  Iha  SInu 


YVBOttNlf 


Aa 


ZSAUi  I      ^i^b 

*■££!. »*'J!?'    ".I"    Ktaf   ol   Iha 
•Mta^lAoM  tawta  waa  Zao, 

atawkad  i*'_**i  '^  w<Hau 

ZmoH,  aSSa  la  'Sii'a^'.i 


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CLASSICAL-^on<inu«; 

161  Viisil'l  ^neld.     Translated  by  E.  Fairfax  Tarlor 

2S2  „  BdoffUM  and  Qeonrlos.  TraniUated  T.  F.  Royds,  M.A. 
871  Esrlpldes'  Plays.  Vol.  II.  Trans,  by  SbeUey,  Dean  Mllman,  et& 
344  Ariatopbanee — Tbe  Aohamlans,  Tbe  Enitrhts*  and  The  Birda 

Frere'a  Tranglation.     Intro,  by  John  P.  Maine 
34A  Cicero's  Essays  and  Select  Letters.  Intro.  Note  by  De  Qnicoey 
,404  Epictetus.  Moral   Discourses,  etc.  Klizabcth  Carter's  Transla- 
tion.    Edited  by  W.  H.  D.  Rouse.  M.A. 
405-400  Bawlinson's  Herodotus.  Edited,  with  lnt.ro.,  by  E.  H.  Blakeney, 
H.A..  omitting  Trans.  Ori^al  Essays,  ana  Appendices.  2  vols. 
407409  Plutarch's  Lives  of  Noble  tiroeks  and  Romans.  Dryden-s  Trans. 
Revlaed,  with  Intro.,  by  the  late  Arthur  Bosh  Cloueh.  3  vols. 
493  Homer's  Iliad.    Lord  Derby's  Translation 
464         „        Odyssey.     William  Cowper's  Trans.  Intro.  Miss  F.  M. 
455  Tbncydldes'  Peloponnesian  War.     Crawley's  Trans.        IStawell 
4Se-4S7  Plato.     Intro,  by  A.  D.  Lindsay 

515  The  Complete  Poetical  Works  of  Horace 

516  The  Comedies  of  Aristophanes 

565  Plutarch's  Moralla.     20  Essays  translated  by  Philemon  Holland 

581  The  Muses'  Paceant.     Vol.  I.     By  W.  M.  L.  Hutchinson 

603  Llyy's  History  of  Rome.   Vol.  I.    Trans,  by  Rot.  Canon  Roberta 

605  Aristotle's  Politics.     Intro,  by  A.  D.  Lindsay 

606  The  Muses'  Pageant.     VoL  II. — The  Myths  of  the  Heroes.     By 

W.  M.  L.  Hutchinson 
069-670  LlTT's  History  of  Rome.    Vols.  II.  and  III.    Trans,  by  Canon 
W.  L.  Roberta 

671  The  Muses'  Pageant.     Vol.  III. 

672  Xenophon's  CyropsBdla.  Trans,  revised  by  Miss  F.  M.  Stawell 
702  Csear's  The  OalUc  War  and  Other  Commentaries.    Translated 

by  W.  A.  McDevltte 

ESSAYS  AND  BELLES  LETTRES 

10  Bacon's  Essays.     Intro,  by  Ollphant  Smeaton 

11  Coleridge's  Blographia  Literaria.  Intro,  by  Arthor  Symons 

12  Emerson's  Essays.     First  and  Second  Series 

13  Fronde's  Short  Studies.    Vol.  I. 

14  Lamb's  Essays  ot  EUa.     IntrodnctlOD  by  Augustine  Blrrell 

65  Hazlitt's  ShsJcespeare's  Characters 

66  Holmes*  Autocrat  of  the  Breakfast  Table 

67  „       Professor  at  the  BreaJifast  Table 

68  ,.       Poet  at  the  Breakfast  Table 

69  Lady  Montagu's  Letters.     Intro,  by  R.  Brimley  Johnson 

70  Walton's  Compleat  Angler.     Intro,  by  Andrew  Lang 

115  Matthew  Arnold's  Essays.     Intro,  by  O.  K.  Chesterton 

116  Brown's  Rah  and  his  Friends,  etc. 

117  Irrlng's  Sketch  Book  of  Geoftrey  Crayon 

118  Reynolds'  Discourses.     Intro,  by  L.  Maroh  Phillipps 

162  Coleridge's  Essays  and  Lectures  on  Shakeflpearc\  etc. 
164-167  The  Spectator,     4  vols.     Intro,  by  G.  Gregory  Smith 

168  Tytler*B  Essay  on  the  Principles  of  Translation 
207  Rusldn'a  Seven  Lamps  of  Architecture.  Intro.  Selwyn  Image 
20S-212  „         Modem  PainterB.  5  vols.  Intro,  by  Lionel  Oust 

213-215         „        Stones  of  Venice.  3  vols.  Intro,  by  L.  March  Philllppi 

216  „        Unto  This  Last,  The  Political  Economy  of  Art 

217  „        Elemento  of  Drawing  and  Perspeotlre 

218  „  Pre-Raphaelltlsm.  Lectures  on  Architecture  aod 
PointinET,  Academy  Notes,  1855-1859,  and  Notes  on  tb. 
Turner  Gallery.     Intro,  by  Laurence  BInyon 

219  Kiiskin's  Sesame  and  Lllle.s,  The  Two  Paths,  and  Tbe  Elng  ot 

the  Golden  River.     Intro,  by  Sir  Oliver  Lodge 

223  Dc  Qnincey's  Opium  Eater.     Intro,  by  Sir  G.  Douglas 

224  Mazzinl's  Duties  of  Man,  etc.     Intro,  by  Thos.  Jones,  M.A. 
225-226  Maciulay's  Essays.     2  vols.     Intro,  by  A.  J.  Grieve,  M.A. 

227  Eiyot's  Qouemour.     Intro,  and  Glossary  by  Prof.  Foster  Watsos 

228  Ulrio  the  Farm  Servant.  Edited  with  Notes  by  John  Ruskin 

278  Carlyle's  Sartor  Resartns  and  Heroes  and  Hero  Worship 

279  Emerson's  Representative  Men.     Intm.  by  Ernest  Rhys 

280  Maehiavelli'smnoe.    Special  Trans,  and  Intro,  by  W.  K.  Marriott 

281  Thoreau's  Walden.     Intro,  by  Walter  Raymond 


1 

188-1 
198-1 
2 
3 
1 
2 
3 
3 
102-Si 
t 


I,  M.A. 

in,  etc 
Birdi. 

tanidla- 

bkeney, 

2  vola. 
Trans. 

3  vols. 

1  F.  M, 
Utawell 


lollftnd 
(oberta 
e.  Br 
CanoD 


Stawell 
oalated 


Daee 
lUlipps 


e    aod 
ra  tb: 


Zing  o( 


A. 
i. 

VataoQ 
ikin 


566  Tie  IiiTtalWs  PtarmaS  w   v 
_  W.  V.     Bt  Wuiam  Canton  ' 


■Hi„SSk;^id°!?'SlSS^'°<3 


-—"•*•.  -o*  wimam  uanton 
.  1  nSS?*?  V?*'"''*'y  "">  SoUtude  and  other  Eaaava 

MitInon«o-(>»iSc5  yolk-Songa.      By    the    Countess 

70S  Froude'a  Short  stnae.?    Vol  II  '^'^  ''■  ^"^^  J"*"*" 

7!3  J.ewman'8  On  the  Scope  and  Nature  of  Unlvonlfir  ir^»».t. 

'"  '^'S'^r^'^t^"''  ■"  ^'»-  some  Fruit,  or  Solitude.  «.d 
HISTORY 

'*"?!  Carlyle'i  Frenoh  ReTolution. 

,.  ??  ™i«y'"  Byzantine  Empire  "  " 

nil  If  S°rSJ?.'  5'?'?^^.°'  SH"  Own  Times 

«i  MSSSCf  »"'«'' R^niMo.     3  vols. 

lis  |i»?leT  V™""'»'8  »f  Canterbury 

,,,  "J  SS."?  'tS?'"  ™d"  "le  Romans 

lilt  Slamondl-s  Italian  HepibUoe  "'  "'^  ^-  ^  *^'''*'  ^-A. 

"»  Ohgnige.  ol^thj^c™^«  (De  JoU^viSi^i.    Tr«,^  ..u,  j^^^ 


Intro,  by  H.  Belloa     a  roll. 


HISTORY— «()n(inu«if 

ST8-374  Fronde'i  Henry  ym.  Intro,  by  LleweUrn  WUlluu,  U.P.  8  yob. 

376  Edward  VI.  Intro.  LleweUyn  WUUams,  M.P.,  B.aL. 

376  MachlavoUl'B  History  of  Florence 
377-378  Milman'8  History  ol  the  Jews.     3  vols. 
397-398  Prcsoott'9  Conquest  of  Mexloo.  Wltb  Intro,  by  Thomas  Seooomba 

iZ'i  Ltttzow's  History  of  Bohemia  [2  vola, 

433  Mertvale's  History  of  Rome.     (An  Introdnotory  vol,  to  Gibbon.) 
Edited  with  Intro,  and  Notes  by  Oliptaant  Smeaton.  M.  A. 
431-436.  474-476  Gibbon's  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire.  6  Tola 
Edited  with  Intro,  and  Notes  by  Olinhant  Smeaton,  M.A. 

477  Fronde's  Mary  Tudor.     With  Intro.  IJewellyn  Wililams,  M.P, 

478  Washineton  Irring's  Conquest  of  Qranada.  [B.C.I» 

479  Bede's  Ecclesiastical  History,  etc.    Intro,  by  Vlda  D.  Scudder 

480  The  Pilgrim  Fatliers.     Intro,  by  John  Masefleld 

C4S-045  Momnuen's  The  History  cf  Rome.  Translated  by  W.  P.  Dick- 
son. LL.D.  4  vols.  Withareviewof  the  work  by  E.  A.  Freeman 

.S83-S87  Fronde's  History  of  Queen  Eliiiabeth's  Reign,  t  vols.  Com- 
pletmg  Fronde's  "  History  of  England,"  in  10  vols. 

621-623  Constitutional  History  of  England.  3  vols.  By  Henry  HaUam 
624  The  Anglo-Saxon  Chronicle.     Trans,  by  James  Ingram 

712  Josophus'  Wars  of  the  Jews.     Intro,  by  Dr.  Jacob  Hart 

713  The  French  Revolution.     By  F.  A.  M.  Mignet. 
727-728  Green's  Short  History  of  the  English  People.    Edited  and  R«Tl>e<l 

by  L.  Cecil  Jane,  with  an  Appendix  by  R.  P.  Farley,  E.A. 
734  Ancient  Law.    By  Sir  Henrv  Maine.    With  a  lengthy  lutrodno. 
tion  by  Proferaor  Morgan  cf  London  Umverslty. 
7S7-7SS  A  History  of  France.     By  Jean  Victor  Duruy.     Translated  by 
L.  Cecil  Jane  and  Lucy  Menzles.     Introduction  by  Richard 
Wilson,  D.Litt. 

PHILOSOPHY  AND  THEOLOGY 

37-39  F.  W.  Robertson's   Sermons  on  Religion  and   Lite,  Chrlstlaii 

Doctrine,  and  Bible  Subjects.     Each  Volume  with  Intro, 

by  Canon  Burnett 

40  Latimer's  Sermons.     Intro,  by  Canon  Beeohing 

»0  Butler's  Analogy  of  Religion.  Intro,  by  Rev.  Ronald  Bayna 

91  Law's  Serious  Call  to  a  Devout  and  Holy  LHo 

92  Browne's  Rellgio  Medici,  etc.     Intro,  by  Prof.  O.  H.  Eerford 

93  The  New  Testament.     Arranged  in  the  order  in  which  the  booki 

came  to  the  Christiana  of  the  First  Century.  By  Principal 

146-147  Maurice's  Kingdom  of  Clirist.     2  vols.  [Lindsa; 

200  S.  Augustine's  Confessions.  Dr.  Pusey's  Translation  and  Intro. 

301-203  Hooker's  Ecclesiastical  Polity.  2  vols.  Intro,  by  Rev.  R.  Bayoe 

363-256  Ancient  Hebrew  Literature.     Being   the   Old   Testament  and 

Apocrypha.  4  vols.  Arranged  by  the  Rev.  R.  B.  Taylor 

306  Seeley's  Ecce  Homo.     Intro,  by  Sir  Oliver  Lodge 

379  Swedenborg's  Heaven  and  Hell 

380  The  Koran.     RodwcU's  Translation 
403  The  Ramayana  and  The  Mahabharata.     Translated  by  the  latl 

Romesh  Dutt,  CLE. 
44S  King  Edward  VI.  Flret  and  Second  Prayer  Books.     Intro,  to 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  of  Gloucester 

481  Spinoza's  Ethics,  etc.     Translated  by  Andrew  J.  Boyle.     WiU 

Intro,  by  Prof.  Santayana 

482  John    Stuart    Mill's    UtUitarianlsm,    Liberty,    Representatln 

Government.     With  Intro,  by  A.  D.  Lindsay 

483  Bishop  Berkeley's  Principles  of  Human  Knowledge,  Now  Theon 

of  Vision.     With  Intro,  by  A.  D.  Lhidaay 

484  A  Kempis'  Imitation  of  Christ 

4SS  The  Little  Flowers,  and  The  Life  of  St.  Francis 

647  The  Nicomachean  Ethics  of  Aristotle.     Translated  by  D.  P. 

Chase,    Intro,  by  Professor  J.  A.  Smith 
648-i49  Hume's  Treatise  o(  Human  Nature,  and  other  Philosonhiol 

Works.     Intro,  by  A.  D.  Lindsay.     2  vols. 

669  Boehme,   Jacob.     The   Signature   of   Ail   Things,   with   Otho 

Wrltmgfl.     Introduction  bv  Clifford  Bax 

670  A  Discourse  on  Method.     By  Rcn6  Descartes.     Translated  tl 

Professor  John  Veitch.     Introduction  by  A.  D.  Lindsay 
635  The  Divine  Love  and  Wisdom.    By  Emanuel  8wedenbor( 


—  Sarolea 
By  Wade 


til  Tb?  PhSi;?S?'"*if  f!°  »"»  Sua.    Intro,  b 

J39  Selected  Paper,  on  Phlloeophy^B^vrailam  James 
POETRY  AND  DRAMA 

41  Bnmnl^H.  p<«^.  183|-1|«.  Intro,  by  Arthur  Wanjh 

,„  iSl  K&'?;iS"'™  ''"~^-    I-""-  "7  Edward  Hntton 

183  Shakespeare^  Comediea 

"»  ::  S^SSlS'^"''''*™""*  Sonnet. 

307  ChauMr-.^teTbOT  ■fees      Srtlf.H°>*"iJ2'^J^-  "•  Kossol 

308  Dante's  Dl^rS,^y*{^?'%^Sy  P^-iolpal  BurreU,  M.A. 
./>-  „  ^y  Mmund  Garner  ^^^  ^"'  '  •  SpedaUy  edited 
llO  hSJSS.? ^25"!?^    I""™-  by  Edward 

fjl  f?3S^;J£?l?^,*1.*^r''SE|.-  ■»>y lamest Rhy. 

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«,41J  8^2Si?MjSe"WSiJ?l™t.n  Dobson 

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tU  S3Siln?^\Se°"^™|'tt?-I!»^f  ™q»ha^^  ^'"''P 

«0-«,  !4i^'ro(H'S;a^5S'^fv'  ■»*  ^"'<='"'-  l-'i^-  by  Pror. 

f  5?    J^V"""  "  """BMP  ■ 

fi71  Piers  Plowman. 

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"    ^1?y°l:d'Slm?r{?a"rer  =^  ''""^  «"*««•  Ro.»ttl.     Intro. 

..„  „ProI.  W.  H.  Kyder  '^n™*-    By    EaUdAsa.     Trans,    by 


"BarerSfSSJaS^S'^f,'  ^  F.etcherr  iStS..  by  Pror. 

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POETRY  AND  DftAUA-conlin^d 

REFERENCE 

495  Si^th^.  |m^»ja«.lc«I  DloUoSS?:"  SeTtaad  „d  Edited  ij 


...  ,  ,p-  H.  Blakener,  jiX' 

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aei  A  Literary  and  Htatohcal  AtUa  of  Africa  and  AiutraUa 
ROMANCE 

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