¥S .-# &- ,"> 4* itifr CfisBn^ 7*. ■ si ^. '«<#Nf '7. ££■.-. « ^ . .J* ' ^ »* * &.-'&& ^3' tit • ** 1 $9 v . Ed I ' H ^P i %r ** / DUKE * UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure %oom Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/bentivoliouraniaOOinge BENTIVOLIO AND URANIA, IN Six Books: By Nathanael Ingelo D. D. The Third Edition, with fbme Amendments. Wherein all the Obfcure Words throughout the Boo\ are interpreted in the Margin, which mafys this much more delightful to read than the former Editions, LONDON Printed by T. R. for Richard Marriott ; and are to be fold by Benj.Tooke at the Ship in St.Pauh Church-yard, and Jho.Savbridge at the three Flower de Luces in Little Britain. mHdc lxxiii. <*» **» **» **• ife ♦*» jpfe ;rt>» '-■*• 5*» » «*• «*» i C-jir Ti^ «5^ «»* *•?> *ji» **> «*» «$*» **» «*» •»» < TO THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM BRERETON E% Eldeft Son of the Right Honourable WILLIAM Lord BRERETON Of BRERETON in CHESHIRE. X4 fe- 5 7 #, Have not plac'd your Name before thefe Papers, that from thence I might take an Occafion to flatter you with that fort of Javifh Praife by which ma- ny make their Epiftles Dedicatory, Romances. The Notices of your Generous Temper which I have received in your Acquaintance would forbid that Vanity, if nothing elfe hindred me ; For they have aflured me that you are rais'd far above fuch a Lownefs of Spirit as will be taken with Adu- lations. The worth which deferves higheft praife * doth moft fcorn Flattery. , Neither do I defign the Patronage of my Imper- fections by devoting to you the Book in which they are difcovered. If I mould have forgotten my {elf A 2 fo The Epiflle Dedicatory. fo far as to have made fuch an unworthy Applicati- on of your Name, I fhould have abus'd you, I con- fefs : tor, as he faid, Nefi deve chiamar un Giove fer Padrino d'urf Pigmeo ,and my Expectation would have been fruflrate , for the world is not fb foolifli as to think it a part of the Homage which it owes to Illultrious Perfons, to judg every thing Excellent which hath put on their Livery. My defire is to manifeft a fincere Refentment of the Civilities which I have received from you, and to reveal the inward Senfe of my Heart in which I do unfeignedly honour your True Worth, which is made up of a Great Wifdom and Much Good- nefs. Not that I prefume fb much upon the Value of thefe Leaves, as to think that they either carry any Obligation, or pay much refpedl: : but I lend them as Inftances of that Good will, which wanting more acceptable ExprefTions belpeaksyour favoura- ble Reception for thefe. Iftheyhadany Worth, I fhould have thought none fitter to whom I might commend them than your felf, who have patroniz'd Wifdom with your Noble Choice, and honour'd Vertue with an Ex- emplary Life. As you are grae'd with the Nobility of your Birth,(b you are defer vedly loved by many who accompany their Affections with Judgment^ becaufe you have adorn'd your Quality with thofe Excellent Accomplishments, by whofe abfence No- bility is difhonour'd. Thofe which unwifely lean upon the Fame of their Anceftors, and make boafts of Honour which is not (imported with their own Vertues, but only derived The Epiftle Dedicatory. derived with the Bloud which they received from others, whilft they are themfelves deftkute of thofe Heroick Graces for which their Fathers or Grand- fathers were juftly admired; they overturn their Statues,prophane theirllrns, and blaft the Glory of their Memories by Ignoble Pradices ; as the Poet reprov'd the degenerate Roman, Squalentes traducit Avos, emporque veneni Frangenda miferamfuneflat Imagine Geniem* It affli&s Ingenuous Perfbns when they fee the Ancient Splendour of Great Families eclips'd by thofe which fhould make them more Illuftrious^eipe- cially when they confider thofe flight Motives by which they fuffer themfelves to be withdrawn from the Purfuit of true Glory. For, as the Philofbpher obferv'd concerning fuch in his Time^E/cnv S^Afj&m wo ajSgoiul©- <$« vfovifc, hm^wmv ^xwv, they are chea- ted with foft Pleafarer 3 Jj>ecioHs Evils. But no body muft tell them of it. For though they condemn, and it may be, punifh their own Sins, when they are committed by Peafants ; At Tur vor Trojugenly worthy of all the labours of Homer's Quill, but alfo of thefljarp contentions of the Greek andTrojmfwords. To/>f /' eipipi yuvcux.'i x.wf«/«^4*K©. ■xoiilmn, i. e. but that a deeper meaning is hid under his Poems ; he hath funk it fo deep, that very few can come at it. Jnd fame of thofe rvho applaud him for a Philofopher, confefs that fuch only can make again of him, that have already attain' d a mature judgment by long ftudy ; that is, fuch may ptfftbly learn of him, who are able to teach him : but he is fo unfit for others, that Plato defired they might not fee him, ?r« j/n ^i*'3»< tHmnh y^apny Tev"Hp«*, i.e. for fear they fhould think that the Hero wrote fables, which he had good reafon to expetl upon the prufal. Be fides this, as many others do, he hath foformd the reprefentations ofVertue And Vice, that it is hard to fay, which is commended, and which reproved ; rvhil'Jl the Gods are frequently brought in p rati icing Immoralities, he doth at leaf} equal Vice to VerPue, and nourifh that which he fhould eradicate. For, why fhould men endeavour to be better than their Gods? So he in the Comedy made the Adultery of Jupiter an Apology for his lufil. The Preface, -Et quia confimilem luferat jamoIimil!eluduni. Ego homuncio hoc non facerem ? Terent. Eunuch. By the fee and fuch like injliwces the Greek Fathers did convince the Heathens if the imperfection of their Left Authors. So one may perceive in feme Ro- mances^/? later date, that the pictures cf Heroes, which they have drawn, for exaCt patterns of the mejl raised venue, are often blotted vcith notorious defeCts, as Impatience, Revenge, and the like. But this fert of Books is mofl to he blamed, becaufe for the greater part, as 1 [aid before, their chief Deiign is to put flefily Lufl into long fortes, and fometimes not without very unhandfeme mixtures, tending only tg the feervice of brut if} Concttpifecence, the nouri/bment of dif honourable affections, and by exciting in the Headers muddy fancies, to indiffofee them for their attendance upon God by their better part, For feome fuch reajon, Ifetppofe, the great Sidney before his Death charged his friend Sir Fulk Grevil, who had the only Copy of #/y Arcadia, that hefhould never permit it to be made publick . The other pieces, which Jill up the intervals of the Jlory, andgrace it with pleafing varieties, are commonly frivolous devices of wit in feme contemptible matter \ and ferve but to feme fuch fight pur po fee, as doth the writing of Verfes in the form of an Egg or Hatchet, where the meafeures of words andfeenfee are conjlrain'd to feute with the odd proportions of fuch figures. The fee are fine rari- ties of no ufe, the intertexture of the by-accidents being as trivial as the principal Defign. 'Tistrue, fome of ' the fee Authors written in divers Languages, are applauded for the Elegancy of each particular Tongue, and are here and there inter- ffesd with good Sentences: but they are fee deeply infeded with noifome words, immodeft Tales and Difcourfes, which do fatally corrupt the manners of Youth, that I cannot but affent to the opinion of many wife men, who judge them, for all that, we 11 worthy of the fire. Neither do 1 thinkjt improper to ufee the words, which the old Sages of Troy filently mutter d,when they perceived the dangers which attended the beauty cf 'Helen, which the young men extoll'd as equal to that of the heavenly Goddefies. MitJ N ' &(fiv roKUiai 1' Wxosa w^a Ktireflt, i. e. But though She's fuch, let her return, and make An end of what we fuffer for her fake. i could eafily name them, but that Labour is needle fes to fetich as know Books: and to thofe which do not, I ought not, by making a Catalogue, to give notice of fetich as I could wijh burnt. If they were, they would not be greatly mifes'd, as to that propriety offyeech unto which they lay claim, and for which they are magnified bv their Readers ; becaufee the befl Languages ufed in the world, may as well be learn d from Authors that are as Elegant as Chafe. For thefee reafens I think the Noble Mountaigne^-z/^ a great proof of his early wifdom, in that, as hefeayes, Quant aux Amadis,& telles fortes d efcrirs, ils n'ont pas eu le credit d'arrefter feulement mon enfance, i. e. Amadis and fuch like trafh of Writings had not fp much credit with him, as to allure his Youth to delight in them. And upon the feame confederations one may The Preface, may veell judge fome Excellent Wits thrown away in writing great Jlories of Aothing ■ and that others Ufe their unvaluable time whilfl they read them. And the rather, because, bejides the dire it lofs, they leave the Memory fofuH of fantaflical Images of things which are not, that they cannot eafly difmifs them , t/iel ancy being held in the amusement of tbofefoolifh Dreams, as we are in Sleep with the various reprefentations of fever al things-, which never were nor will be in fucb Ridiculous Conjunctions. And when the Reader confiders how prettily he hath abufed himfelf, yet cannot he prefently difpoffefs his fancy of tbofe vain Imaginations which he hath entertain d,but isfiillhauntedwith them, and much indiffos'din Mind for more worthy Confide rat ions ; as trouble fome D> earns often leave the Body not fo well affected. There is no doubt but that moft Readers of fucb things, ingenuoufly exa- mining what beneficial ufe they could make of the gains reaped from their Studies would find themfelves hard put to it to name a better than the Great Wit was fore d to, who faid, When he thought to retire from his Extrava- gancies, androrepofe his wearied Spirit, and it (till pefter'd him with an orderlefs rabble of trouble fome Chimeras, hei'efolv'd to keep aRegifter of them, hoping by that means one day to make it afham'd, and blufiiat it felf. It is no wonder that thefe Fooleries are not eafily thrown off, becaufe of that deep iwpreffion which they make upon the affectionate part, through the cunning inveglements of I ancy. For men having indulgd Imagination, and play d ear elefly with its Fantafms, unawares take vehement pie afur e m things which they do not believe, and weep for fucb inconfiderable reafons, that afterward they laugh at themselves for it ; and read Fables with fucb affections, as if their own- er their friends bejl inter eft were wrapp'd up in them. What fir ong Expecta- tion have they for the Iff He of a doubtful Defgn ? How unfatisfied are they till the End of a paper-Combat ? What fears foffefs them for the Knight vphofe part they tal\e f How paffienately are they delighted with the Defcription of a Caflle built in the air ? How ravifh'd upon the conceit of Beauties which owe themfelves only to the paint which came out of the Poet's Ink-pot ? Flow are they taken with pleafure and forrow for the good and badfuccefs of the Romantick Lovers? Jhey are apt alfo to draw to themfelves or their friends fucb things as they read in far- fetch 'd references : if the refemblances fute in fome little points, they fe em to do and fuffer fitch things ; and what fits not, they endeavour to patch up with fome feign d coherency. But if in the midfl of this bufie Idlenefs?^ would admit afevere confide- ration of more important duties neglected the while, a few difent angled thoughts Would rout the troop of their fond Imaginations. Some peradventure not altogether fatisfied with that which 1 bavefaid, may reply, What, then is Fancy tifelefs? Is it not one of the natural faculties of the Soul? Were any of them made to no purpofe ? Is there any mere proper en- tertainment for it then the Conceit and Language of a well-form d Romance ? Many books, which pretend to declare better matters to us, do it fo jejunely, that it is a work of more then ordinary patience to give them the reading ; and we are put into a doubt, whether or no thofe who wrote them did intend anyfljould ?nake ufe of their Underflandings in the perufal of them, or whether they were able to give that which others would expect as a reafonable fat isf ait ion. Bejides, we perceive many Books of grave titles fo afflicted with Difputes about trouble- fome niceties and trifling Capriccios, that wife perfons find the Books as little cf kin to their Names, as the Contents are of fmall Furtherance to their bejl Concernments. ' ft The Preface. Tothefe things Ian fner ; Fancy is not ufelefs, and may as lawfully be gra- tified with excellent forms of invention, as the Eye may entertain it [elf with the Beauty of well placd Cofottrs, or the Senfe of Smelling pleafe it felf with the odours of a delicious Rofe. But though it be a Natural Faculty yet it is under difcipline of the Supream Governefs of Soul and Eody, Reafon - and decently, thilyproflituted : in whofe behalf the Rational Guide, -which is not far off, will take notice and complain, as it doth often, and whip the Vagrant, and not (hare to reproach it with the cheap reward of foolifl? recreation, for the enjoyment of which j he mi [pent the time which fl)e took from her Frayers, and, it may be for the reading^ of an Idle Story negle [ted the Examination of herConfcienee; and after na-d is made to under/land that the fame plea fur e which was pretended to be fought abroad, is to be found at Home, lor Reafon is no fuch fever e Mi- fir efs as to detain us with Awe that is void of Love and Joy; but be fides the f'clid Complacencies of Vertue, allows alfo the chearful entertainments of Wit and Fancy. 1 here are Books good fore where Truths of great ell Importance areprefented, neither befmearedwith loath fome Ken fence, nor blended with un- profitable Dilutes, which add nothing to Religion, but trouble anddarkpefs; and where Excellent Jenfe and good words offer themfel-ves in fuch lovely Embraces that they are a per feci content to all beholders but fuch as cannot Fancy Under- hand and Love. Wit and ability of mind do fofbine in many Religious Dif- courfes, that we cannot jujlly make that pretended defect an Bxcufe for our de- fining of fiber ftttdies. Now God forbid that wefhould think his Gifts fo im- prudently thrown amongflmerx, that none fhould be able to get them that would ufe them to the adorning of that which mofi deferves it, Vertue ; which though by reafon of its innate beauty it leajl needs any adventitious ornament, yet doth not fcorn the light vail of Romance, if it be of ihatfafhion which ljhallby and bydefcribe. - . ■■ . :., It were a thing to be wondred at, lhat by many nothing is ejleem'd witty, except Poetry and Romances; but that want of Judgment doth notorioully difcover it felf in thofe perfonf who are highly pleas d with pitiful things. Divers of their admired Authors are fo empty of true Worth, that if the entire fenfe of their books were fummd up, it would only amount t» feme fmall matter as trivial as ufclefs : Jndif mofi of them, whether Antient or Mo- dern, were examined with a Judicious Eye, they would appear to be full of the groffefl Indecorums 0/ Invention, as odious unTeprefentations of Divinity, unnatural DcfcriptLonso/ Human Life, Improper and Prophane Allufions to ^aced Things, frequent and palpable Contradictions, Sottifli ftories andtndort, all the absurdities of \\\ld Imagination. 1 need not veriRe this by bringing together thofe great multitudes of Inflames which abound in that fort oj 'bosks wrtten in the Greek, Latin, ItalianW French Languages. If anydefire, they may fee it done largely in the Extravagant Sheapheard efpe- cially in the Speech o/C.'arimond in the 1 ph. book, not longfince tranflatedby Mr. Davies. For my own part 1 do not defire that all Books fhould be as dull as many are and none composed, as all are not, to delight ; but 1 would have that delight true and the quicknefs not evaporate into Lightnefs and Vanity. Is there no joy but Lughter ? Doth nothing recreate but what is fabulous ? Such as do not like true happimfs, becaafe it is a ferious thing, have a reafonable Soulbeflowed upon them in vain, and wonld have been better pleas' d if God had made them worfe, and The Preface. and mere content if God had not defend them to jo A obie an End. But thofe which like nothing exce ft what goes in a plain bode of talk, may as reasonably defire every body to (pell, when they read. Such as would not have Truth pre- fented in ingenuous Schemes of Dtjcourfc, do fooliflAy condemn the wifdem of the Jntients, Jome of which we may net reprove without a kind of Blasphemy : and whilll they under ft and net the Excellent ufe ofJpelcgues, Parables, and fuch like Modes.*} fignification, they are Efficiently anfweid by the Gnfefficnof their own Ignorance. There are fever al if hits in the W or Id ; feme will take a thing one way, that will not another. A Phyfitian will not wifely quarrel with hti Patient, becaufe he refufeth to take the Pill utile fs it be gilded, Ihere are alfo Come per 'fins that need to have feme things teld them, which becaufe they are guarded with the fiately Grcumfiance oj Wordly Quality, one cannot fo eafily eomenearthemasinaDifguife. there are fome brave minds, in whom Riches of Conceit are attended with incomparable Exfreffion : andtruthis not unwilling to be drefsdby fuch ; and thofe which revile them for their pains,are]ufilyabhorrd for their Envy \ or pitied ftr their Ignorance. It's a mifchief that difirefies mofi little Capacities, impo- tent ly to defire that all others jhould be conflicted after their pze ; and having faffionately, butfoolijhly, wiffjd fuch a thing a great while, at lafl they begin to believe that what they defire is fo indeed. It is an ungrateful folly *»d a pride to be laugh d at, when men are unwilling that other should endeavour to further their Good, becaufe they gave them not leave to Prefcribe them the way for doing of it : but they fbeuldconfider, that there may be fuch in the world which under]} and that which them f elves do not, and are delighted with fuch things as they contemn. But fome that mean well, and think they are not mi/taken in the fenfe of their propofitim, humbly defire that thofe Excellent Wits would lay their defign of Romance "deeper then the Shallows ofFancy;thatfo the Reader may not flick upon every Shelf of Fitlion, and that the fir earns of Wit be m/He navigable for the Importation of fuch Wifdom as is necefsaryfor our befi life. The defign to f leafs is then as well accomplifit ; but not terminating in the fur face of Recreation, it is improvd into a higher advantage of thofe nobler Faculties which God hath given us. they thinb^alfo that the way to this End is mifs'd, when the Authors account their Contrivance poor, unlefs they can fail under water too. Js when there is no moral defign of making men better, the Work is done but by the Halves, as we fay : fo if that lye underground in fuch deep conceits as but few can dive into the bottom of them, their labour is fofar only net loft, as that fome who are more in- genious will take the pains to underfiand what they meant. toconcude, I have not all this while ffoke my own Hopes concerning what I have perform d in this workjout my wiffjes were hearty that it might neither dif- pleafe nor be unprofitable. Whereas I have in fever al places rep; ovd fome things frequently found among fi Men, \ only plead, thatfince they make no fcruple of aCling unworthily, I thought I might jufily take liberty to talkofit.Jndfwce you have had the Patience to be acquainted with what I would have done, if any body be pleas d with that which is written, Ifhall not be difcontented ; but if they he profited too, then Iffjall think that 1 have not laboured in vain. THE THE FIRST BOOK* O R, ARGENTORA. The State of Covttoujnefs and Ambltim* .T was many years after that time, when the RuftyBnfs, and Bafer Iron, had given too great an afTurance of the full determination of the Golden,and Silver Ages ; when * Ben- Gooi-iaiU tivolio appear'd to the aftonifliment of the degenerate World, which could not remem- ber to have feenany Gentleman equal to him in Complexion or Stature. He was fo per- fectly made up , that one might eafily per- ceive Wifdom, Goodnefs, and Courage, to T . p o ri . v , ,. ^Y don l their utaoft in his Compofure, The efteem of his Perfections did not rife by the meafure of thofe dispro- portions in which the corrupt Age fell below him, butbyfush degrees as the exact rules of Vertue ftt up for an infallible Standard. After a full acquaintance with the cuftomsof his ownCountry by which he amy d at great perfection, and would have out-done them ' but that they were fuch as could not be exceeded, ( for he was bom in the higher 7bcoprcpip he had a great defire to fee other Countries \ not to make Ex- A 5taU ™- penments by his Travel to fatisfie Curiofity, which in him was very little ; ' h ° f G ° l b«H Zt7f iC Tv m f 3S doth u r,a ^ raI1 y accompany vertuous attempts, and leave molt real Benefits upon the beftowers of it. He had now gone oyer divers Kingdoms which adminiftred variety of Trials, and match d Variety with Difficulty ■ but in each he was fo haopi- lyiurcettu,, that every one s Admiration ftrove with Love, Whoftould do hnJ the moft Honour. His lingular Good-Will being the foundation of B his 2 3l5mtlt)OliO and Crania. Book. 1. his Engagements, andthofe ever anfwered with equal performances, the . people would take notice of him under n o meaner Character than a Father to Mankind. He couldgono-whetebut Fame was his Harbinger , and took up for him the bed Rooms in the Worthieft Expectations , and provided all polTible welcome in the moft Noble Hearts. The Report of his Achievements ran through the world with like fpeep , and the fame awful noife with which the Thunderclaps follow the Flafties a the state of 'of Light. He fubdued feveral Bravo' s, which infefted the Regions of » An- humanity. throfia ; in particular b Erifies, who ranged up and doTVn the Country of c Jfectk'fti c Gyn&pcna ; a Rbexmous , who made'his abode in the c'arkfome Val lies of vijhmft. " Gelofa ; and tPinodipfi, who took an unworthy pleafure in afflicting the tuww'th meaner fort of People ; for, heuf'd to cut them with a poyfoned Sword ; mmd. and thofe which were wounded, feemed afterward to dye fo many Deaths as ' BulTe^'d j the y * ivcc!l Hours,and at laft dyed indeed curling. ihwhfort*? He met jBe//wwintheroughDefartsof tFammaehia; and flie being en- s'"/'/- p ra S ec * at theprefenceof her fwom Foe, running upon him with a Woman- walmd'jirife.ifafaryi chanced to wound her felf in her right hand upon the point of Bentivolio's Sword ; whereupon ftie let her own fall. Bentivolio took it up, andcaftinghis eyes upon the innocent blood with which it had been oft be- fmeared, as he was going to break it, fhe fell down upon her knees,and be- feeching him to hold his hand, promifed, if he would reftore her beloved Sword, ftie would fubmit to any Conditions which he fhould appoint.JB/vz- tivolio knowing that flie was provided with other Weapons of as unmerci- ful effeft, call'd for the Scabbard, and having fheath'd the cruel Blade, he took an oath of her never to draw it more in any Country where he fliould happen to be, and fo difmilTed her to the great joy of the people who could never live in peace for her. Thefe,and fuch like Accidents, caus'd divers conjectures in Mens minds, concerning Bentivolio, who he fliould be ; and whil'ft feme faid one thing, and others another ; fome flicked rot to affirm with confidence that Her- cules was rifen from the dead ; and having changed his Lion's skin for the Lamb's , and thrown away his Club , did more without it than with it. Having'palTed feveral Nations , he came at laft to the forlorn Kingdom Mtfthief. °f * -^jWhich he judged the moft lcathfome that ever he faw, and did be- fore efteem it impoflible that any could be fo bad, knowing well,that God never made any fuch. He was no fooner entred within the Borders; but the unhealthfulnefs of the Airhadalmoft choaked his Vital Spirits, and be- ing removed from thegladfome Sun by a Chain of Hills, that lifted up rheir heads fo high, that they intercepted the leaft glance of his comfortable beams, it was dark and rueful. He happened to light upon an obfeure Path whichleadto ^/te's houfe, which wasencompafTed with the pitchy (hade of Cyprefs and Ebon-trees , fo that it looked like the Region of Death : as he walked, he perceived the hollow pavement made with the skulls of murdered Wretches. At the further end of this difmal Walk , heefpieda Court, whofe Gates ftand open night and day, in the midft whereof was placed the Image of Cruelty , with a cup of Poyfon in one hand, and a Dagger all wet with R eeking Blood in the other ; her Hairs crawled Up and down her neck,and fometimes wreathed themfelves about her head in knots of Snakes, Fire all the while fparkling from her Mouth and Eyes. Upon this he returned, gueffing it rather to be the Temple of fome Infer- nal Goddefs, than t n Palace of a Terreftrial Queen. At the entrance of Book I. Bentibolto and Crania; 3 of this curfed place, by a way which leads to a duskifh Wood, he met two Women, which by their habit feem'dtobe Furies of Hell, but were indeed attendants of Jte. Their names he learn'd to be * Sdegna, and Vendetta, i vifdait. and they, expreffing their hearts in words which did not fit them, would «<■«"«'. needs intreat him to accept of fuch Accommodation as that Place would afford. Bent'ivolio well knowing what that muff needs be, if theinfide correfponded with what he hadfeenand the Entertainment were to be given by fuch Minifters, made at firft fuchrefufal as might be interpreted Mode fly and Complement ; but at length appearing to be plain D at j wonc } er ^ (- aith an other Servant that flood by, that our Mafter is fo dull to day, that he underftands not his Mother-Tongue. There is no reafon for that, quoth the Porter, fince you know, let the Language be what it will , he never underftands more than he lifts ; nor hears what any body fpeaks; nor knows what they fay, if they ask any thing of him. BentivolU, havingfeen the fruitlefs event of this vain attendance, call'd to the poor people; Come, Come, faid he, you have'knock'd at a wrong door ; you went to a Houfe unto which you were not invited ; there is a River between this and that , which you are to feek : I will direct you When he had accompanied them almoft to the Ferrie, he went a little be- fore to provide the Boat againft their coming. The Ferric-man with meek words and courteous behaviour demanded, if he would pafs over. Very willingly, quoth Bentivolio ; only I expect the coming of fome other Paf- * A tntuiful fengers, who are not far off. However, faith * Qetfirmon, for that was his P*- name, I will put you over firft ; for by that time, they Will be here : more may chance to come than my Boat will well tranfport. To this Bentivolio confented,and the Ferrie-man landed him fafeupon the further fide ; where heftaidtoawaithis feeble followers. Oeciirmon had not been long re- turn'd, but they came, whom with careful hand he plac'd in his Boat ; and as he was ready to put off, there came a fellow hollowing as he ran, and puffing cry cd, Held, bold, Oeftimon, taking notice of his grimVifage and clutch'd fingers, What, faith he, you are one of Flutofenes his fervants.Yes, faith he, and my Mafter is hard by, who comes to make a Vifit to your La- dy. I defire you, fince there is room, to take him in with you. I wonder at this, replyed OeUirmon \ for he never pafs'd this way in all his life,thac I remember. God grant his coming be for good : I am much affraid what it will be : but if he will go over,he fhall ; our cuftom is to be civil to all; I have order to take in as many as my Boat will hold. By this time JPluto- penes was come, being out of breath with unufual walking ; for he had not been out of his houfe for many years, and had a great bunch of heavy Keys upon his back, having lock'd up all the doors of his houfe, left his fcrvants fhould run away with his mortey ; and by chance he was fat and fweated extreamly. In goes he to the Boat, but with fuch an unlucky hafte, that the weight of his body, and the fuddennefs of the fwag, overturn'd the veffel upon the Paflengers. Pfotopenes funk to the bottom of the River near the Bank-fide ; andhisman, fomething doubting whether he fhould endeavour to fave him or no , yet feeing him come up, caught hold of his left Arm, and he with his right Hand, fufficiently taught to catch and hold faft, got the Poll to which the Boat was faftned, and fo with much ado fcrambledout. Never minding what was become of the reft, or fo much as once looking back, away hetrudg'd, inwardly glad to think that they would never trouble his Gate more ; yet pretending to his man a great rage againft OS/mow, and that he would have his life, but that he had loft it * Fcvtrtj. already, for having defign'd to drown him- * Lazarillo and his forry Fami- ly were drown'd; though OeUirmon would fain have fav'd them. Alas/ it was not in his power : for asthe Boat was overwhelm'd, flutcpenes having hold of his hand , pull'd him fo deep under water, that he had much ado to get clear of him : fo that though h? could fwim, by which means he faved himltlf, Book. I. Bfcntibolioand Urania* ~~ H hifflfelf , yet thefwiftnefs of the ftreain having carried away their bodies, who, being weak and unskilful, coulddo nothing to help thjsnfelves, they were quickly fo far gone , that before Oetlirmon was able to offer it,they were paft the recovery of hisaffilhnce. Swimming over to Eentivelie, he wept fo heartily all the way, that the good Gentleman could not but bear him company, having feen the lamentable occafion of thofe tears, which was not in h is power to help. As they went along towards the Houfe, Gctfirmon told Be •nth olio, that his mil-giving heart prefag'd this.or fome fuch unhappy event of Ylutofcnes his approach, it having been his conflant pradtife to break all the Dellgns of Charity which he could hear of He told him of feveral young men, whofe lands he had got into unjuft poffeflion by the rigorous forfeiture of fome petty Mortgage ; how many Widows he had defrauded of their final 1 portions of money , and whofe houfes he had devoured ; and how many poor Houfe- keepers he had brought to plain beggery , withan extortio- nate loan of a little money, fo that this was not the firft time he had funk the poor. By that time he had made an end of a few ftories, they were come to the Houfe; where the Lady awaited his arrival with fuch expectations as file had only for an extraordinary Gueft: which were partly occafion'd by thofe highpraifes wherewith He rmtgat hits hid extol'd both the Excellency of , , Bentivolios perfon , and the equal fweetnefs of his manners ; but chiefly fan® upon a Conceit which flie kept fecret in her own Breaft, that he washer Brother : and walking up and down the Hall as Bentivolio came in,fhe found her divination true. Here I dare not offer to undertake the relation of thofe excefllve joys which were kindled in both theirhearts upon this happy interview ; thofe glorious Flourifhes wherein the paflions of Romanttck Lovers are defcri- bed,are but faint fhadows of that fubflantial Contentment which thefe two Vertuous perfons really experimented ; and therefore I lay them by as ufe- lefs. Neither are they fuitable to this Pleafure, which grew fo much grea- ter, and exceeding in reality , as it was grounded upon nothing but fuch Goodnefs and Worth as is of a fpiritual and more rais'd Nature ; and indeed was the fame kind of Solace which Holy Souls enjoy in the Eternal World. The by-ftanders equall'd this joy with wonder ; and well knowing the great Prudence and unparallel'd Goodnefs of the Lady, and feeing nothing but a moft fair appearance of all Perfections in the Gentleman, as theCaufe of fuch extraordinary affections was more inevident,they found themfelves fix'd in Silence and Admiration. Some which were more ingenuous, thought they had a rare Vifion of fuch Gods as Homer talks of, which know one another whenfoever they meet, though they live in divers Countries. ' Buc thefe doubts were fuddenly refolv'd , when Urania ( for that was the La- dy's name) having perform 'd all civility which belonged to the firu: fa'uta- *«•««•'/ tions, faid ; Come, Brother, let us withdraw from this place, left by flay- ***' 'JJimi ing here too long to indulge our affections, we neglect fuch duties as ought to be perform d in regard of your prefent flate , which Idefire to undev- ftand. They retird into a Summer-Parlor,andaftera fliort repofe fveetn'd with pleafant Conferences, in which they gave and received an interchangeable report of fuch things, as had happen'd to them fince tlieir parting, Urxnix defir'd her Brother to take notice of a Gentleman whom fhehad fentfor, with fuch refpect as flie might befpeak for one whom (he judg'd not unwor- thy of his Friendihip. C 2 Re 12 j!l rirt*o*S- fl&tntifcoiio and Crania* Book I. J Mtttifttl ferfcn. 4 pm- rich Mtn He was call'd * famretus ; and though he was her Brother,fhe conceal'd hisname, defiling to furprize Benthclto with a r.tw joy, for he knew not that i'atiaretus was there. As foon as Fanaretus w as come into the Room , Bentivolto peiceiv'd thePleafure, which he thought before fwell'dto all polfible Extents , to grow yet bieger,and was forc'd to adt over again that del ightful part which he had but even then perform'd. JPanaretus receiv'd this moft acceptable encounter with fuch a pafiionate joy, as the fight of a Brother who had been long abfent, and whom he had alwaies endear'd to himfelf with the greateft affections, muft needs produce. Then they enter- tained each.other with glad Salutes,and reflected mutually the fame Love in various Expreflions. When they had fpentfome time in this fort of Inter courfe , all Three plcafing themfelves to confider in what equal proportions an extraordi- nary Happinefs was beftowed among them all, Qetfirmon fearing that the extremity of fuch unexpected Joys had quite put out of Bentivolios mind the remembrance of the lateaccidents,with which he thought others ought to be affected, meafuring their Duty by thofe ftrong fentimentsof Pity which he found in his own Breaft, had agreat defire to impart the troubles of his mind to Urania, ; that fo though the Wrongs could not be reliev'd,yer his Grief might be fomething allayed by her Sympathy, whilft he receiv'd a fad account of the mifcarriage of her charitable intendments. Bentivolto, who was before unwilling to mix fuch fad notes with the pleafantnefs of the foregoing Harmony , having been an Eye-witnefs , was forc'd now to bear his part by attefting Oe tiirmoris too true Relation. After they had made fuch moral improvements as a Calamity in it felf incapable of repa- ration would allow, the night being come, they refolv'd to put off the de- termination of what was to be done in the cafe,till Morning ; and after the repair of a moderate Supper, each of them betook themfelves, though with an unwilling willingnefs, to their neceffary repofe. In the morning Urania riling not long after the Sun,went out of her Cham- ber, and understanding that Bentivolto was walking in the Garden, having gone down a little before, fhefenta fervant todeiire him to come to her. After the paffing of mutual gratulations and good wifhes, fhe acquainted him with her Purpofe , which fhe would not put in Execution without his advife, which was to fee Plutopenes ; not fo much to repay the Vifit which he pretended to have made to her the day before, or to condole his mi f- fortune,which fhe deem'd too flight a Punifhment for the mifchievous rafli- nefs by which he fell into it, but to take this opportunity of adminiftring fome Counfelwhichfhehadtogivehim, doubting whether fhe might ever meet with the like again. Bentivolio approv'd her Defign, and having accompanied her over the River, fhedefiredhim to trouble himfelf no further ; for that fhe andp*- naretus would foon accomplish that fmall bufinefs,which Uie had to do, and return to him ere many hours were expird. As foon as they were gone out of fight, Bentivolio employ' d himfelf in Enquiryafter the dead bodies of Lazarillo and the reft which were drown'd. He had not gone far be- fore he underftood that they were ftop'd at a Bridg, being catcht in nets not laid for fuch purpofes ; and having given order for their decent burial , he return'd towards the Ferrie, intending to divert himfelf upon the banks of that fair River, till Uranias return. The thoughts of the niggardly Plutofenes being frefh in his mind, he im- ploy'd the remainder of his time to draw the ugly Picture of CcveUufnefs in Book. I. ^rntiboloand tirania. *3 in a Copy of Verfes, which I am willing to infert here, becaufe in them he hath fhown how Poverty comes into the World, notwichftanding God's bountiful provifions; andprov'd, that the Benignity of his Intentions is made ineffectual to our Happinefs only by the Uncharitablenefs of men. They began thus, It is butftft : Wefnn'dftnce that ; 1 ceafe From quarrels : 'Twos a Eleffing to encreafe, Though now a Curfe. The teeming Earth doth breed More than the Fruits which it brings forth will feed. Jtjeems of late God hatkrefum'd the Curfe, And for our ftns grown greater made it worfe. Then we had Bread, though it was bought with Sweat : We Sweat fill, but it doth not earn «ur Meat. Men live too long perhaps, or fome toofoon Come, before thoje , which fhouldmake room, are gone. If Death were not grown Idle , wejhould thrive : We are too many all at once alive. A r o, that's not it. they had enough of Old, Yet liv'dtill ourjhort jfge they ten times told. He which made All things , knew what they would want, And did not give Allowances fo fcant. "that men could think their earth. Thus wicked Murmurs, which Jeemjuf, byfuch Are cans' d whofeek more though they have too much, But part with Nothing. You with far more eafe Might rob the Gardens efth' Hefperides. Ytli Dragon' sftead had we look'd to the Fleece, The Argonauts had fail' d in vain from Greece. We make an Iron Che ft the fatal Urn; Whence Gold once buried never doth return. The Love //, AndthenVz(Xo\us: If thefe will not do, then take the Ocean and drink that up too. But all the Virtue of Unfathom'd Seas Cannot relieve the thirfi of this Difeafe. ttrattiabe'mgcome to the Gate , Fanaretus knock 'd. The Porter look- ing forth of his little Window, they demanded entrance, as having fome bufinefs of importance to communicate to Flutopenes, and withal gave him fome money , which was currant at the fame value with the fervants that it was with the Mafter, and was a general key which open'd any lock of the Houfe. When they camealmoft to the Hall-door, flutopenes alann'd with the opening of his Gates, came forth like one frightned with Thunder; but feeing only a Woman and one man, and having fome fervants in the houfe, he made a inift fo far to fubdue his fears, as to bid them come into his Hall ; where Urania began thus to accoft him. Sir, faid (he, I come not to beg any thing of you (he was very glad of that;) but to repay you a Vifit, (he had been as well pleas'd if fhe had faid nothing;) and to inform you of what may make to your lingular benefit. I ftiall acquaint you with fome particulars in which you fufTer a great Damage, which norbody doth reveal to you; and give you fome advice concerning the improvement of yourEftate. At thefe words, which he underftood to fpeak Profit, he lift- up his ears ; and partly to fhow a little fore'd civility , partly to be out of his fervants hearing, leaft they fhould cheat him of the benefit of fogood news, by underftanding it as well as himfelf,he pray'd them,afterhis fafhion to walk into a Parlor, which indeed was more Cave thznVarlor. She, not knowing what might happen , defired that Fanaretus might comeina'ong with her, telling him that thedefign of his Profit was wholly lay'd by that Vertuous Gentleman. Upon thofe words he confented, though with no fmall Book I. UbtntiWiw and fflirania* 1 5 fmall jealoufie of being robb'd. Through a dark entry, where no light ever came but what was caft by a Torch, w hich was held by a grim Porter, who fac'd them; as if he would have knock'd them down with his looks , they came to an Iron door, which had many locks ; this being open'd, they came into a kind of a Vault enhghtned with a rufty Lamp, by which they perceiv'da great company of Iron Chefts where he kept his Gold and Sil- ver clofe prifoners ; only for want of room there, fo me had a little more liberty, lying in heaps in feveral corners of the Grott or Grove, where he '1 and his money wereburied together. Knowing well that he expected not; nor ever offered Complement, ' Sir, quoth Urania, General Report fpeaks ' of you, as a man of vaft Riches : but I have heard forue few , which pre- ' tend to better knowledge of you,to fay,that you are very poor; and novV 4 I find it to be true. I am forry for you ; ( but he was glad , thinking, * becaufe ihe efteemed him poor, that fte came to give him foniething. ) Its e true , fome would efteem this a great Treafure which you poftefs ; but alas.' 4 what is it to your neceffities, Who want both this and a thoufand times 4 more ? Your wants lie in the greatnefs of your Defires, and J am affraid i t * is next to impoffible to provide fo much as a Competency for you. That 4 which I am able to beftow, is a very fmall Alms ; but fuch as it is,I will im- ' part it freely. Though I have not Moneys or Lands to give you, yet I 4 will endeavour to fhow you a way infinitely to improve your own Eftate , ' and to difcover to you , as I faid before, what keeps you fo poor. Firft, 'you have no ufe of your Money, which indeed thefe thievifh Chefts have * ftollen and kept from you. Many of your Houfes fall down, becaufe no 1 body dwells in them ; your Mannors and Lands return but to an improfi- c table account , becaufe you have more than you know what to do with. 4 1 perceive you want the affiftance of excellent Stewards , that might frn- .. 'prove your fortunes exceedingly, by relieving with them the neceflkies * of the poor neighbourhood ; and advance, by the prudent difpofal of « fuperfluous funis, Mechanical Arts and ingenuous Sciences , which would 4 return into your Coffers, with an unfpeakableencreafe, the Comforts of ' the poor's Prayers j the Bleffings of Charity, and the true honour of be- 4 ing a Benefactor to Mankind. Befidestheavaritious Ruft which eats out J. 'your Money, there is a Canker alfo which preys upon your Eftate, « which is the Fraud by which you have gotten it, and the Curfe of thofe ' evil Counfelsand Principles with which you hinder others from doing any ' Good, ' A;/ for Exatttple,You perfwade them to build no Alms-houfes, becaufe 'others will fell what they give: and when they tell you they have "fofet- ' !ed their Gifts by Law, that if they be convsned to any other ufe, they * 4 flialj immediately return to their heirs J you tell them, they will not.When ' vou are ask'd concerning that proportion of Eftate which one may call a ' Competency ; you anfwer, All that one can fcrape together is but a Com- ' peteriey ; and that the way to come to it, is, to fpend nothing upon fuch ' i in profitable bufinefs as Charity. So that no good Defign can be propoun- < ded^ but you are ready to contradift it with fuch Reafons as you are ever * framing in this (hop of Covetoufnefs : and befides that, your conftant Ex- ' ample hath corrupted Thoufands who had better inclinations : you drow- ' ned f >ur miferable Wretches yefterday, as they were upon their way to * one that would have relieved them. ■ — ■ Plutofenesmuch gaU'd with this talk, hoping fhe would end,asfhe be- gan, with fomc Comfortable word, made a fhift to endure it all this while; but i6 ji&cnttbolto ahd crania* Book I. A rapaiioU) ferjen. Jli rmuiiH. A merciful Man. AgtU Mtf- J B*rbartu$ ttrfijn ihi stmt of C'ovloufneji. The Divine State. Jleafurt. butnowbeingunabletohopeor hear further, cryed out, as if his throat had been cut, Harpagus, Harpagus ! At which unexpected noife in he rufh- eth with his Club ; Plutepenes ftill crying, knock them down Harpagus, Knock them down. Panaretus, feeing the fellow too ready to obey fuch a vile Command, having drawn his Sword, faid, Lay down your Club, we offer no wrong ; but if you will not , I ihalldifenable you for ever taking it up again, bo interpofing his body between him and Urania , w hilft the Villain made ready to fetch a blow, Panaretus gave him fuch a ftroke upon his right arm as he lift it up, that his Club fell backward ; and guarding Urania out of the Houfe , where no body was willing to detain them, they made hafte towards the Water. But they were much ftartled with a cloud of Smoke, which they faw about Urania's, Houfe ; and when they came to the River , they found Bentivolio in the fame perplexed gueffes concerning it ; but they were foon refolv'd with the cries of a difmal meffenger , one of /frvMwVs'fervants, who running and making as loud a noife as one could that was half dead with fear, call'd, Oe[iirmon,Oeciirmon! They had no fooner perceiv'd him to be Hermagathus, but Uraniaind both her Brothers prepar'd to go into the Boat ; which he feeing, cryed out vehemently, No, no ; I mu ft come over to you. Thereupon Urania bad Qeliirmon fetch him over, being allured fomeextraordinary difafter had put the youth into this paflion. As foon as he was come , he begins, Alas Madam! you had not been gone half an hour, before a Troop of Horfe begirt the Houfe round; having kill'd the Pilgrims, and plunder 'd it throughly, they have burnt it down , of which yonder fmoke is a fad witnefs. They intend , as I over-beard fome of them fay, to pofftf i themfelves of the Lands, by an or- der that they have for it from one whofe name I cannot remember, and ex- preffed a great vexation when they could not find your perfen, againft which they vented their fury in outragious threatnings. This Troop was commanded by one call'd Lejirygon, who pretended that he was fent to fearch the Houfe for fome Confpirators, which were reported to be bar- bour'd there, and to demolifh ir. Urania not much abafrVd at that which fhe had in fome meafure expec- ted, bearing up againft a great affliction with a greater Courage, exprefs'd her felf tbus,My dear Brother, now,now you are in JrgenUra ; you begin to fee what kind of people dwell in this Country.I have received many affronts in that little time which I have fojourn'd here, and that which they have of- ten threatned, as I was inform'd, they have now payed. Let's retire to yonder Wood , wbere we may with fafetyconfult what courfe to take. When they were fate upon a green Bank which offer 'd it felf under the cool fhade of an old Beech,Ura»ia faid it was her opinion,That they fhould return into 7heoprepia. Bentivclio , out of extream Good-will to thofe which little deferv'dit, was much troubled that fo rare an Example of Divine Charity fhould be removed,knowing well that a dark Night would follow the fettingof fucha Sun ; and, that the Unworthy might by kind- nefsyet beconquer'd into a better Temper , with fuch Arguments as he could he perf waded her Stay. Shealledg'd thefmall fuccefs of her former pains , and having no habitation left her, though fhe would attempt further: She continued her relblutions to ftay no longer , to receive more Wrongs where fhe could do no good ; telling him withal, That fhe would take her Journey home through the Kingdom of Piacenza , which was then govern 'd by a Voluptuous Queen , and that if occafion ferv'd flie would endeavour their Reconciliation to Vertue. Benti- Book. I. 26*iuibolto and - by a perfon of moft gentle prefence, anfwer>d, Sir, you are as far from the necefllty of making Excufes, as you are from having perform'd any thing that doth deferve them. Nothing needs an Excufe but a Fault ; and if you have offended any body,Ifuppofe you meant my fel&AU that I have to blame voufor, is, that you have made me to find one unawares whom I fliould have fought in vain throughout all this miferable Countrey. Bentholiv a little b'ufhing, implied, Sir, I perceive amongfr. your other Perfections you have entertain'd a great Charity for ftrangers , and are apt to frame the beft thoughts of others that you can, till you fee reafon to the contrary, and to withhold your Affent to plaufible grounds of fufpition till you have examined them ; and therefore I pray you to excufe me if I be further f ) bold with you,as to defirethat Happinefs in your Acquaintance, unto which your benign deportment hath given me fo fair an invitation. You ask,anfver'di*>0/W pa rt ly by reafonof my Father's perfect Innocence, and partly by the fciUr. prudent advice of a faithful friend call'd Kalobulus;yet at laft they brought ker^Twmpt lt about, ky the affiftance of a corrupt judg call'd Labargyrus , whom they juig. kept in fuch conitant pay, to ferve their turns, that he counted their annual Bribesagreat part of his Salary. He either with the pretence of obfoJete Laws, which no body remembred ever to have been made, or with wrefted fenfes of known Statutes, had done them many notable fervices. The Defign of my Father's Deftru&ion was laid thus ; Labargyrus, you inuftknow, was one who made it his conftant pradtife to betray unwary people for fpeakingdifhonourably of the Duke, by whom that Country was then govern 'd : Thofe which are di (contended are apt to fpeak againft any body ; and thofe which provok'd them to talk,and were alio witneffes of their fpeeches, were his falfe-hearted Spies. By thefe he was informed of fome Words which my Father fhould fay, in Company of which he was lefs careful, not beeaufe he thought all that were prefent were jufb, but be- caufe he did never fpeak any thing unjuft. Itfeems, my Father complain'd of fome Wrongs that Labargyrus had done, and faid that if the Duke did but know of them, he was confident they would foon be redrefs'd, and the Judge punifh*d, Labargyrus having heard this, in (read of wafhing away the guilt of his Crimes with true Repentance , took Sandiuary againft the feares of his Confcience in Revenge; and giving money to two of his Crea- tures thatcould fwear luft ily , he fram'd this Accufation p That FhtUtantas did Book. I. »nnloolE0andifi:an!a, 21 did fay, the Duke had done the People fuch Wrongs due he was confident if they did but know their power , they would foon be redrefs'd, and the Dukedepofed. Sowith the change of a few words, which perverted the fenfe'of the reft, he drew up a charge againft Philopant^. Though this was incredible to moft Good men, who knew FbtlopMtas to be a moft wary perfonand a loyal Subject ; yet his conftanc abfence from the Court made the pretence plaufible to fuch as loved to think ill of any. Though indeed my Father abfented himfelf not for any private grudges which he harbour'd in his bofom, but becaufe lie faw great infecurity for an honeft man to be, where through falfereprefentation of perfons and things, Friends could not be diftinguifli'd from Foes: And alfo for that whilfr others multiplied their Titles, and fwell'd their heaps of Money with hellifh toils, he defir'd to enjoy the heavenly Tranquillity of his private life,and thereby take oppor- tunity to provide for his Immortal fecurity, which is in dreadful jeopardy through the various Tentations of Princes Courts, Now though thefe dangers be common to all Courts, yet they were lefs avoidable in this than in fome others, becaufe of Two great Imperfections to which the Duke was Subject , which had fuch an umbenign influence up- on Court and Country , that he was happy that could enjoy himfelf quiet- ly in a corner. One was, that he defpifs'd true Religion : for though to pleafe the people ; which were that way given, he made a {how of fome fuch thing ; yet he vilified it both by the conftancy of an irreligious life, as alfo by fuch fpeeches which could become none but an Atheift ; for he would commonly call them Fools which pretended to put their whole truft in God,and laugh at the opinion of fuch as affertedthe Immortality of the Soul efpecially when they falk'd of our being judg'd in another World. Amtber was , that he carelefly difpos'd places of Government and Juftlce, not much looking after VVifdome and Integrity in the choice of his Mini- fters, whofe only Qualification was, their willingnefs to fervehis Defigns; neither did he trouble himfelf to take any account of their good or bad Adminiftration , to give them Encouragement or Punifhment as they de- ferv'd : and from this fountain an Univerfal Corruption deriv'd it felf up- on all orders of. men. By means whereof the Country, which before was deservedly renown'd throughout the World for Righteoufnefs, is nowde- fpis'dof all its Neighbours, and commonly call'd a Nation of degenerate Supplanters. The Minifters of Juftice, not abandoning the eftablifti'd forms of Law, have made them however both ufelefs to any good purpofe,and alfo inftru- ments of great Affliction : partly by the unmerciful delaies of procefs in Law, which commonly continue till both parties being irnpoverifhM can go no further , or one of them at leaft be fo tormented, that he is come to the fame pafs with poor wretches upon the Rack, who are willing to fay or do any thing to come off; partly whilft their Eftates are fqueez'd into the Lawyers purfes by large Bribes for the forementioned delays andun- juft Sentences. The Grandees trample upon all below them, and count it the duty of the Poor to be opprefs'd ; living much according to the Rule of thofe Beafts, the greater of which devour the lefs. If the poor defire any thing of them they count it a kind of Robbery, and order the fame punifhment for them that other Countries do for Cut-purfes ; and when through into- lerable Miferies they wifli they had never been born, they bid them kill themtelv?'- . and fav .that thenthey fhall enjoy the fame Comfort. The 22 jl5tntitiolio and Crania* Book. i. TV epidemical Degeneracy hath infected alio theMinifters of Religi- on: who being fa lien from the true Knowledg and exemplary Vertue of their Predeceffors(the Holy Fathers, and Pious Martyrs) have compleated thefcorn of their Ignorance with vitious praftifes ; and are grown Co unlike their Books, that even the rude multitude wonder upon what grounds they have fet their confidence of giving Counfel, which they themfelves render ineffectual. But good men which live undifcern'd among them are much grieved, whilft they fee thofc in whom Wit is deprav'd make a Judgment of Religion by thofe foolifh Opinions with which it is blended, and that ma- ny are tempted by the evil lives of Hypocrites, to think Goodnefs it felf but a Show,and Chriftian Religion a Fiction, and fo fall into Atheifm, the plague of Human Nature ; which befides the Unreafonablenefs of it in other refpe&s , is alfo defiled with the bafenefs of Ingrat itude, choaks in menallfenfe of the Divine prcfence, and denies to the great Father of the World that affectionate Adoration which is due from all his Children. Ha- ving thus loft the Love of God, they can never love one another ; for after they have broken thofe ftrong ties which he faften'd in the roots of their Souls, they make nOthingof mutual obligations to Love, Courtefie, Cha- rity, Friendship, or Juftice ; and atTaft are become Eeafts and Devils, the very face of Humanity being loft. And this appears too plainly in the praflifeof the Vulgar alfo, who have no underftanding of Charity further than Self-Love, which begins and ends at home : They count it all lawful gain that they can cheat from others; and when it is done handforuly, it goes for Honeft Cunning and Ability of Parts. But I have been ceo long in the description of an unlovely matter. The day for my Father's Tryal being come, the WitnefTes were predue'd and fworn: and, notwithstanding all that my Father alledged for the defence of his fpotlefs Innocence , and though divers Ferfons of Quality who were prefent offer 'd their teftimony in the moft folemn manner, that no fuch words were fpoken at the place and time mentioned by the WitnefTes, * La- *Acmupt bargyrtu being Judg, my Father w as condemn'd to die. His Lands were gi- viohtit ven to * Fcrzario, who had fome pretence of defert to the Traitor's Eftate, Berjoti. having been a means to difcover the Treafon,as Labargyrtts made the Duke believe ; but the true Reafon of his doing fo, was , a fecret compact made between him and Ftrzurio ,that if he could effect a Grant of the Eftate," Lx- h A Mm *y- "*" bargyrus fhould enjoy a fair Mannor which joyn'd to his own Lands. The *' r ' unjuft Sentence was foon executed ; and left further mifchief fhou'd befall ' Agotictun- me, (for the Cruel and Covetous are never fatisfied ~) penfation for their Wrongs: and as they are no lefs odious to God than Men, becaufe they do notorioufly rebel againft his Government, we are not to think that he hath taken fo little care of the welfare of his Creatures, as as that he doth not allowand require the removal of fuch Monfters. In this refpeft therefore I fee nothing that doth difcourage my hopes of Erotodes hi^reftauration; andltruft the particular way , which you have not yet mention'd, is not of fuch an unhandfome nature , but that a good man may make ufe of it, J good Cou». ^ nto tn i s Kalobul/a anfwer'd, Our forces are not fo numerous as to florin fiiitr. the ftrong Tower of Ferzario ; and if they were, we might not make ufe of them ; for we have learn'd that Juft men can then only warrant their actions whilft they are regulated by known Laws: and though when others break them, one that is vvrong'd may fuffer honourably ; yet he cannot violate themhimfelf, whilft he feeks reparation, but his endeavour will befullied with Injufrice. Our Law permits not one Subject to demand fatisfaftion of another in that way. The means which I thought of is allowed by Law, I confefs ; but I believe the Execution of it, is as unfuitable to the Merci- ful nefs and Patience of your difpofuion, as it is contrary to our defire that you fliould undertake it.lt is this,Wben any per fen is wronged,and by the Vio- lation of Law unjuflly fuffer s the lofs ofhisLife and Efrate,tbe Law permits any man, that is noti-kitt t» the party wrong d,nor concern d by friendship, nor ever had any quarrel with the per [on who did the wrmg,tut of meer Love to Juflice to challenge the Violator of Law to a Jingle Combat, in which if he be kiltd the former fentence of the Law is reversed. If Book. I. idcnttboUoand Sirania* 25 ■ ■ ■■■■ ■ — — 1 — - '■ ■ — — •— . — 1 — 1 — ~- ^ If this be all the difficulty, quoth Bentivolio, I doubt not but to fatisfie you and my felf as to the honourablenefs of the Undertaking, and with God's help to procure fatisfaction to Erotocles by the good iiiccefsof it. I perceive your fcruple is, the Unlawfulnefs of Duels ; which as they are cominonly pradtis'd, I do as much abhor as you do , and think that thev areinftnitely below the 'temper of a Gentleman and a Christian. As they rife for the moft part from difhononrable Grounds, fo they proceed by un- reafonable means. Who knows not that though Honour is talk'dof as thereafonof the Challenge, that the true occafion of the quarrel was but fome flight affront receiv'd in a Tavern or fome filth place ? Thofe which had not the VVifdom and Vertue to avoid unworthy actions , muft needs pretend to a generous Choler, which will not permit them to live unre- veng'd of fuch wrongs as peradventure they procur'd to themfelves. Ha- ving never underftood what true Courage ilgnifies, much lefs exprefs'd it upon any juft occafion , they undervalue their lives which are not worth much, that they may be Mafters of other mens as uCelefs as their own ; and think it a Bravery to rufh upon Damnation ; but durft never expofe them- felves to the hazards of apublick Service, to fave thofe who are more wor- thy to live than themfelves. Such perfons as have abandoird Patience, de- vefted themfelves of Humility, cafliier'd all inclinations to Forgivenefs , and count the neglect of Revenge, Cowardife; muft needs find the belief of their Salvation impoflible, if thefe things be other than Devilijb quali- ties. And whilft they look upon it as an ungentile thing to fuffer wrong,thsy never fcruple the doing of it , though that be an hundred times more bafe : and they ftandfoupon afalfenotionof Refutation, that they cannot en- dure to be thought patient; that is, they undervalue the efiimation of God andthe opinion- of Vfife men, becaufethey are unwilling that a few Fools fhould take them for Cowards. The Heavenly Angels might with as good reafonbe angry, becaufe many times in great buildings they are reprefen- ted by little Boys with woodden wings. They have another humour of which I cannot but take notice : and that is, Thefe Brave's will take it in great fcorn if you fhould not think them Chrifiians , whilft they ridicu- loufly take their Name from Him whofe Nature did abominate fuch practi- fes, and whofe Life and Death was the moft perfect contradiction to fuch a lownefsof Temper as can be imagin'd. They fhould rather derive their Pedigree from 'Lantech, who would not ftick to kill any body for the lcaft fcratch of his skin. By this which I have difcours'd, Kalobulus , you may perceive how un- willing I am by my example to patronize thofe murderous Duels, in which hot young men engage, when VVine,VVomen, and mutual provocations have begun fuch quarrels as accept of no determination but by the Sword. No I undertake this piece of Juftice, only as the Magiftrate's fervant, warrant- ed by Law , which at prefent needs this Vindication, without any defire of Revenge, for I have fuffer'd no Wrong; but to take off the guilt of a *Fb/Up.wtash\sb\ood which lies upon h Jrgentora,that he which afflicted the In 5£ Good in hi s Life, may tcrrifie the wicked by his death, and by this means '**' cmims which is all that is left, to right Erotocles. ' **"■ Kalobulus perceiving the zeal of Bentivolio's Good will , nothing doub- A w oi c «'"» : ting his skill inarms , afTured of the Juftice of the Caufe by his own know- ^"' ledg, and convirte'd of the lawfulnefs of the redrefs propounded, by Ben- tivolio 's difcourfe, ftruck with admiration by the Contemplation of his unparaHel'd Accomplishments, replyed,that he could not but approve of E his 2 ^ ji5entttJolio and Crania* Book. I. his Charitable defign, undertaken with fo much Wifdom and Valour. But do you think Forzario will accept a Challenge, hid Bentivolio ? There is no doubt of that, quoth Kalobulus, for he loves to fight with any body, and is pofTefs'd with fuch great thoughts , that in Companion of himfelf he defpifethall the World: And withal he dehYd Bentivolio, to permit a Second to attend him : to which he agreed. And whilft Kalobulus wascon- lulting with himfelf whom to appoint , Tbrafymachus wifpering in his ear, deiired him to nominate himfelf: which his Father did, and przy'dBejai- volio to accept of his Son's offer,who was ambitious to ferve under fo great a Captain in the behalf of Erotocles. Bentivolio giving great thanks to the Young Gentleman, call'dfor a Ten and Paper: which being brought, he wrote thefe Words. FORZARIO, YOur Wickednefs bath made yon odious to the World, and the inflances upon which your Infamy is rais'd, are fo full of Cruelty and injujlice, that you cannot wonder if the Revenge which they have long caWdfor, ceme at lajr. Though you have attempted the fecurity of yourfirfl \\ rongs with greater, which were all the means you could find; yet this Taper will let you knew, that there are feme in the World who dare reprove you , am rvi 11 make you at length fee that your Crimes areptmifljable, if your guilty Fears will permit you,armd en Hcrfe-back with Sword and Lance, to meet me to morrow by Sun-rife, at- tended only with a Second and Trumpet in the Plain of Nemefia , which ad, joyns to the great Wood ; where you fhall make fome amends for your Sins with your fall by the hand of one who hatha Good-will for all but fuch as you are. BENTIVOLIO. A Trumpeter which waitedupon Kalobulus fpeedily conveyed it accor- ding to Ins directions. Forzario had no fooner read it, but he commanded to (ray the Meftenger for his anfwer, which lie fhould have prefently. So never making queftions concerning Bentivolio, becaufe he difdain'd to take any notice of one that durft affront him but by Revenge, he wrote this fol- lowing Anfwer. BENTIVOLIO. I Need no informer to make me under fand what kind, of per fen isjignifiedby that odd name ; your Paper bath reveal 'd your Imperfeilions. I am fore' d tojudgyeu one of no Vertue , becaufe you have learn' d to revile thofe whom you do not know but by mi [report. And though I do not think you Worthy of the Ho- nour to be chaftisd by my hand , yet 1 will condefcend to meet you according to •your appointment , to give you fuch punijhment, as may teach other Wanderer s better manners when theypafs by this Country , and that no trouble fome Fellorv for the time to come may be fo foolifhly impudent as to provoke FORZARIO. Bentivolio , was not a little glad when by the anfwer he underfrcod that he fhould have opportunity to make good his proffer of affi fiance to vio- lated juftice, and awaiting the early dawn of the following Morn, was guided by the firft approaches of light, and accompanied with the Valiant Thrafymachics , being unwilling by delay to give occafion to the difdainful humour of Forzario to return , if he fhould come firft and mifs him at the Place Book. I. 2I5£WlbOl!Qand(Ilfi-ama. 27 Place appointed. But he ftay'd not long before his expe&ed Adverfary appeared like himfelf ,and according to the defcriptions by which he was painted in Bentivdio's Fancy. Forzario feeing his Adverfary upon the Place, thought to anfwer his rea- dinefs with fuch a payment as it deferv'd ; aud therefore not to make him ftay any longer, without attending the Trumpets, fpurringhis Horfe,who was not unwilling to fuch exercifes, rode with a full Career,aiming a rough Salute with his Lance at Bentholio , who being well skill'd in receiving and requiting fuch Civilities, made what hafte he could to meet him, and rerunfdhim one of like Nature, though not of the fame effect Bentivs- lio's Lance piercHiw^^/Vs Arm : Forzario's, though it lighted upon fuch a piece of Bentivolio'i armour as defied the fharpnefs of the point , yet as it broke, it made him bow fo far backward, that he had almoft loft the poffeilionof his Saddle ; which-he having prefently recovered, they fell to their Swords. Though none could tell who drew fi\-ft,Be»tivolia received the firfl blow, and that follow'd with fo many more, that his action lay chiefly in the Defenfive ; which part he was the rather willing toad for the prefent, becaufe he knew the fhower which fell in fuch thick drops would foon be over. This he perform'd with fuch accurate Skill, that it made up whatfoever he wanted of Force; of which alfo he had fufficient ftore ; to let his Enemy know, by what he felt, that he could hurt as well as ward. When they bad fpent fometime in giving and receiving blovvs,often ac- companied with Wounds , their lofs of blood made each of them perceive that both were in earneft ; but the bufinds they had in hand fo fill 'd their thoughts, that they took notice of their Hurts with fuch an'undifcernable refentment, as wife men receive the Wrongs of difingenuous People. Forzario, boyling with defperate Rage, confident of his ftrength, and prick'd withadifdainof fo unequal a match as he fcftcem'd Bentivolio, ha- ving given many fuch ftrokcs as fignified a ftrong Arm, enforc'd with ftron- gerdefires of Revenge, (which for all that, he faw ftill unefFected)vex'd that he fhould be fo long troubled with one whom he had difpatch'd in his thoughts a hundred times before he faw him ; now having, as he thought an advantage of a flack guard, which he greedily fnatch'd, befrow'd a blow upon Bentivolio ; w r ith which he had great hopes to ftrike off his Head. But Bentivolio, whofe Courage was rooted in a Temper unacquainted with bale Fear, though principally fupported \?ith the Noblenefs, and Juftice of his Undertaking, and fully acquainted with all manner of defence agahift an over-match which exceeded him only in Strength, being well aware of Forzario's purpofe, eafily avoided that fbrefeen danger, andfum- moqing his whole power to aflift him in an eminent piece of fervice, reach'd fuch a ftroke as would have fav"d him the labour of anymore, but that IVz^r/VsHorferaifingup the fore-part of his body, by reafon of a fharp prick of his Mailer's fpurs, which he us'd to make him go nearer to his Enemy, receiv'dit for him: but it was the laft fervice he could perform, for it fell upon his neck, and cut fo deep into it, that he couldneither bear up his head nor his Mafter; and falling, he lay fo heavy upon ForzAriis thigh, that he could not rife from under him. Bentivolio perceiving what difadvantage had happen'd without his intention ,fpake prefently to Forza- rio :■ Wicked Man, that which was juftly threatned may now eafily beac- complifli'd : but I never engaged for bloody Revenge , but took this way, E 2 fines 28 aidenttbolio and Crania, Book. 1. fince no other was lcft,to attempt the reparation of unfpeakable Wrongs ; not wherein my own Intereft fuffer'd,but fuch as made a publick Violation of Juftice.If thou wilt yield to Right , and fubmit to the juft duty of Re- pentance,! will prevent that fpeedy vengeance which otherwifemuft needs await thee in the Infernal fhades. To this Fcrzarto fcornfully anfwer'd ; No, Villain, ufe the advantageof a bafe blow ; . lam not fo low as to re- ceive my Life by way of Alms from thee. Upon this Bentivolio lighted from his Horfe (to give him affurance, that his Cuftoro was not by ufing ignoble odds to deftroy that Honour which he doubted not with a little more patience to receive unblemifh'd ; ) intending to pull off Ferzario's Horfe, that he might try his Fortune once more on foot.As he came to him, he perceiv'd he had clear'd his leg himfelf, and was rifingup. Bentivoltt willing to understand what he would yet do before he ftruck at him again , perceiv'd a Company of Horfemen rufh out of a Wood which was not ve- ry far off. It feems , Inganm feeing her Husband fall, not knowing what was the caufe, but mush rearing that of which fhe faw fo bad an effect, which fhealfo judg'd worfe than it was, commanded a Troop of Horfe to fall in,which fhe had laid in Ambufh in theWoods the night before, inten- ding by them bafely to recover what her Husband had difhonourably loft. Cr *f'- Bentivolio fufpecHng foine fuch thing,having heard of* Jngama, height- ning his defires of ending with One , by the fore-fight of Villany and Dan- ger which attended him from Many more, (though they made a flop after they perceiv'd Forzario and Bentivolio both upon their feetj and imploring the Divine aid, ftruck Forzario fuch a blow upon the head, thajt made him bow it a little on one fide; his Helmet being rais'd withal , Bentivolio with fuch agility as that opportunity required , ran his Sword into his Throat through his Neck; upon which Fcrz>*rio falling down, made fuch hafte out of the world, that he took his leave of it without fpeakingonc word. Erotoeles, plac'd with a feled Troop of Horfe behind a Hill not far from the place of the Fight, to prevent all bafe attempts by the prudence of Kalobulus , who imagin'd what Inganna would do , made fufficiently careful by his love to Bentivelio,zr\d now perceiving plainly what was pail: a tout jf-j*. and coming , nude fpeed to his friend , and having affifted Thrafymac/ws to itf-i catch his horfe, (the other Second having refus'd to ftrike in a Caufe which he knew to be as unjuft as Fcrztrio was unfuccefteful) Bentivolio mounted, and before t he joy fu I Erotoeles could exprefs his thanks to Bentivolio , ln- ganna's Horfe were come up to them. And now the fingle Fight was con- verted into a bloody Battel, where many began to try , on one fide if they could regain what a fingle perfon had loft, on the other fide to keep what one had won. Erotoeles defir'dBentivolic to retire and look to his Wounds, of which jgotictm-. Kalobulus would gladly have taken care ; but he refus'd their entreaties, {*""' making no queftion but this would prove a fhort bufinefs: and finding his fpirits hold out ftill, though much wearied, refolved to accompany his friends till the work was done. Erotoeles perceiving his refolution, trou- bled him no further, and having flood idle all this while, defiring to go and warm himfelf a little, fpurr'd his Horfe to charge that forlorn Company fo bafely engaged, andtofhow them the dreadful face of juft Revenge; vvhofe firft effects he beftow'd upon the Captain of that Wicked Band, who had been a fervant to his Father, but revolted to ForzArio, by the per- flations of Inganm and his own ambitious Hopes: carrying death m each look ■* Book. I. ji&entibbliQahdilframa* 29 look he rode up clofe to him, and with the firit blow cleft his Head in two equal pieces. A juft punifhment for him, who had fo diflionourably di- vided his falfe Heart between two fo contrary Matters. Jlrafymacb/is making way with his fword into the audft of the Troop dfimr^mi where \wmm. was, having kill'd thole which offer'd to guard her, tookher im '"' prifoner: Erotocles hewing down thofe which made refiftance,came m to the confirmation oHhrafymachtts his fafety,who was furrounded with Enemies. Bentivolio feeing'the reft of the Troop follow their Leader couragi- onfly through the wounds and death of their adverfaries, thought it was no great matter if he fought a while, to fhorten the trouble of his friends though it was needlefs to the procurement of Victory, which did volun- tarily attend them. The For Brians fell fo eafily before him, that by the effects of his Courage one would think he had but now begun to fight. Here one might have taken full notice what Feeblenefs and Fear aguilty Confcience forceth into the anions of men. For, though lnganxas num- &«*.; bers were fo unequal , that they judg'd themfelves two to one of the other fide • yet their hearts to fait'd them, that by their fighting one would have thought them no: one to ten. After the firft brunt,in which fome few were flain, they foon difcovered what wou Id become of the reft. Thefe Forza- runs having approv'd their Valour in former undertakings, ihovv'd that now their Courage wanted a Cau'fe, not their Caufe a Courage. The thoughts which they reflected upon their unworthy engagement, which were more piercing bvreafon of the prefence of Erotocles whom they un- iuftly oppos-d , difanimated them ; for they were appall'd as people b«- iieged in a Caftle ufe to be,when the enemy is not only got within the walls, but a great party rifeth up againft them amongft themfelves; fo that no: knowing who is for them, who againft them, they neglect the ufe of their Arms,through a great uncertainty of killing their Friends or their Enemies. bentivolio took fpeedy notice of it,and as foon as a few were punifh'd to make Examples of unhappy Wickednefs,he being alwaies mercifuhvhere it was not neceffary to befevere, defoed Erotocles that they might have Quarter given them: which was as foon granted as zsk'd.hganna was brought before them by Ihrtfymxchus, and {he had fuffered death already in her Ex- peditions ; which Bentivolio perceiving, No, Wicked Woman, faith he, you fhall live a little longer than you think ; you (hall be referv'd to fa- tisfiejuftice by an Exemplary fuffering; and in the mean time committed her prifoner to" J>g«f, one of KaloLulus his fervants, commanding him to look well to her , and to keep her in fome fafe place of the Caftle. It wet e too tedious to report the affeflionate Embraces which Erotocles beftow'd upon bentivolio , the courteous gratulations of Kalobulns and the paffionate love of Ihrtfynuchm: but they made their Complements the fhorter, confidering that it was neceffary to retire to the Caftle, and take order for the cure of Bentivolio s Wounds; which was accomplifh'dina fhort time by the excellent skill of KaUulns his Lady. The news of For trio's death was foon fpread over * Argentora, and put * », C w,tw the Court into a great Wonder : only » LaUrgynis was obferv'd above all »•£. others to be pofTefs'd with a particular Grief ; which was encreas d, as al- ?uJg fo the Caufe of it difcovered, by an Accident that happen'd. One of the VVitnefles which had fworn againft b FhiUpMt#, being tormented M %£* with the confcience of his Villany, upon the news of -&rt$rit% death, which he knew to be inflicted by Divine Vengeance, felt his pains fo in- tolerable, that he was weary of his Life, and immediately hang'd him- felf. The other hearing of it was not able to conceal the Wickednefs any jidentibolio and (Brania* Book. i. any longer, but went to the Duke, and confefs'd, to him, that by the In- j corrupt fngjtion of Labargyrus, he and his Partner had forfworn themfelves^ by ^ ■**' whieh Perjury Ehilopantas -was condemn'd, Labargyrus being in prefence and confounded with the difcovery of this Villany, fell down upon his knees and begg'd pardon for his Life. You fiiall not die, faid the Duke > til] I fliall receivefuch a difcovery of your Wickednef^as that by it I may underftand to appoint you fiich a Death as you deferve. For it is but fit that you fhould die miferably,who by perverting Juftice have made others live fo. This the Duke faid more willingly, to give content to the people, who lo ved Ehilopantas ; and forthwith he fent for Kalcbulus ,and defired him to bring Erotocles and Bentivolio, alluring him that his meaning was only to be better inform'd in the late action, and to make fuch reparation of Erotocles his Wrongs as the late notice of them which he had receiv'd did require. The Gentleman who carried the Meffage, inftru^ted them fully in the particulars. Each of them giving thanks to the Divine Providence, which takes care of the oppreffed , they came to the Duke,who condol'd with Erotocles for the unfortunate death of his Worthy Father, with refentment of his own lofij of fuch a Faithful Subject ; affuring him of the re-poiTetlion of his Lands; and withal added, that though he could not recalPhilopantas his life, yet he would perfect the Revenge of his Death, which was in part inflicted upon the Wicked Forz,arie : and immedi- ately gave order, that Labargyrus fhould be brought to hisTryal. Tur- ning towards Bentivolio, heexpref/d the great Joy which he had for the arrival of a perfon fo Honourable in his Country, as a'Toa high admirati- on of his skilful Courage, and much more of his great Good will , which made him undertake fuch a dangerous relief of a wrong'd Gentleman; and having fignified much content in the Death of one that was fo un- worthy to live , he faluted Kalobulus, much praifmg the conftancy of his Love to his Friend in diftrefs, and his prudent conduct in the late A&ion. ■' i As they were talking , a meffenger brought word that Labargyrus was come. The Duke , accompanied with his chief Lords, as alfo wirh Ben- tivolio and Etotochs, whom he defired to go along with him , fate down in the Judgment-feat, and caiifed Proclamation to be made, That whof icvex could juftly accufe Labargyrus, fhould have free liberty to do it. Where- upon abundance of Witneffes of bis unparallel'd unrighteoufnefs , filenc'd before with fear of his Power and frequent experiences of his Malice, (same in and fpake freely againft him ; fomc accufing him of the Wrongs which they had fuffered from him, others of fuch as he^had made them do. ' Juftice complain'dthathe had bmtfljd her out of the 'Courts of Judicature and the Jffemblies of Merchants , and commanded hel" to bcabfent her felf from all places of Civil Contracts. Authority faid 1 that he hadproftituted her to every imjuft defign. Simplicity accus'd him for making a difgraceful fhow of her in his crafty undertakings. Order, laid to his charge , that fhe was ever put out of place when it ferv'd his lntereft. Equity affirm'd that fhe could never obtain leave to fpeak againft the leaft quillet in Law. Re- ligion, challeng'dhim for defiling the profeffionof Holinefs with Covetouf- nefs , for which purpofe only he had courted her with a falfe Heart. Some Widdoves, which ftood by , alledged againft him, that he had made their Tears more Salt with the Wrongs of Father lefs Children. On the other fide, "Bribery confefs'd that fhe was h\sCreature,ind had not been but that (he was beggtten by his Dijhonefty. Partiality acknowledged that {he us'd to incline contrary Book. I. l&entifcoiiG and Crania. 3 l contrary to the right fide for his friends lake. Delay faid, that fihe v^ould not have Way-fey 'd Expedition when poor people expected her coming, but that *■ Bradion his chief Clerk , bad her do it, till he had got more money. Jfim?erfo«. The Jury denyed not that they had often given wrong Verdiffs, biit that it was by private directions from Labargyws. Rapine excuf >'d her felf,that fhe would have bleengone, but that fie could not get out of his hands, Falje- rvitnefs tcf tilled againft her felf ; but added, that fhe would have been ii- lent , but that fhe faw he loved not the Truth. Revenge avowed that fhe was wearied, and would have taken her leave, but that he bad her ftay , for he could make good ufe of her. Craft protefted that fhe would have been afham'd to have fhewn her face, but that hehelp'd her.to a viz,ard,2Xid fomet ime s gave her an old have-book to hold before her. Strife contended that fhe would never have come , but that he [ollicited her. Power main- tained that fhe would have omitted much which fiie had done, but that he faid it was right. The furviving Witnefs, call'd Ffeudorcm , confirm'd his Aperjur'd firft acknowledgment, that the death of Fhilopantas was plotted between Pn J en ; * Labargyrut and^'or^w,and that he took a falfe oath with his Companion, *^ muft now dead, againft his Conference , meerly at their inftigation,- and for a imallfumm of money, which yet habargyrm never paid him. The Duke aftonifiYd at thefe wickednefies , Labargyrw having before confefs'd his Guilt, he condemn'd him and Pjcudorcui to be hang'd both together upon one gallows ; and that , for aTerrour to fuch as fhould fucceed in Labar- gyrm his plate , his Hands fhould be cut off and nial'd upon the feat where he had perverted right, A little after Execution was perform 'd, the mcfTerJger whicli was fent for Ing&nna return'd with very unwelcome news, to wit, that fhe had made crafi: an efcape; and though they had purfued her 1 very hard, they could not overtake her, nor meet any that would difcover where fhe was. The man- ner of her efcape was thus : jfrgus her keeper one Evening being about to drink, one came running haftily towards the prifon door,cry \r\g,Fire,Fire, neartothe Magazine of Powder, make hafte to quench it , orelfewefhall all beblownup. Jrghs fearing that Jnganna had corrupted fomeof the Houfeto play this wicked trick, fcts down his- Cup near the grate of the Prifon Window,and haftned to afTift the i"eft in preventing the danger which threatned them. Inganna Spying this Cup, took her time and put therein fome Opiate Ingredients, which fhe carried about her for ill ufes. The fire being quench'd by the Diligence of the Servants, jfrgtu makes hafte to his charge, not knowing what was done, and being more than ordinary thirfty, he drinks, and fits down by the Grate. But the Opiate working upon his Senfes, he falls afleep. She takes the key of the Door out of his Pocket, quietly opens the Grate, and pulls him in, cuts his throat , pulls off hiscloathes, and puts him in her bed, and her own cloathesupon it which flie had chang'd for his ; fo locking the door,when it was dark went away- Nobody at firft fufipecting her to be gone, though they mifs'd Jr- gus, efpecially becaufe for two daies before fhe pretended to be fick : but ' when they could not find her Keeper ,nor make her anfwer at thedoor,they fuppofs'd that fhe was dead. But remembring that it was Inganna, they fuf- pectedfomethingworfe, and fo breaking open the door they found what hadhoppen'd. The Relation of this unfortunate Accident was troublefome to themall, but efpecially xoBentholio , who had entertain'd fo much Good-will for others, that he had a natural Grief for their afflictions , and he counted In- zanris 3 2 Jl&WtifcOllO and (Hftanta, Book. 1. gunnci s Liberty to be one of the greateft imaginable; and indeed noltfs amifchief to mankind , than the raging Sea is to a Country when it hath broke through the guard of the Banks.But well knowing how comfortlefs that Tity is whichdoth not relieve thofe of whom wehave compaffien, he refolv'd to undertake the purfuit of lnganna, and, if he poffibly might, to take her once more, or to hunt her fo clofeas to drive her out of the Country , and at leaft , as he went along, to undo her works , to unde- ceive the people ; and, having tryed his utmoft, to haften, according to his the Hyfocmr promife, towards Vanafembla. That he might overtake the Fox before lhe cai siati. ^ad Earth'd herfelf , he thought it was not amifs to fend Hue-and-Crie after lnganna \ and that fhe might be more eafily known, one of Kalobulus his fervants put into it this fhort Defcription of her Perfon and Manners: Craft, If any chance to meet the famous lnganna, lately broke loofe from her Keeper, let them take heed- they be not cheated themselves ; and, for iimtHthj. the benefit of others, bring her fri finer to ihe CafileofYa^ lotes , where they will find a great reward for their pains. She is known by thefe marks : She hath fitch fquint Eyes , that none can tell which way (he Isokj. She hath two tongues , and a great faultring in herfpeech. She is cover d with a party-coloured Mantle, which fije change th continually into divers fafhions. She often wears a Religious Mask, and goes very feldotn with naked Ereafls , ( but it is not for Modcjly Jake ; ) yet feme- times fhe doth. She loves to walk in the night , and is never without a dark Lanthorn. In the day-time J/je may be fieen in 'Tradefmensjhops, efpetially fiuch as have half-lights. She attends all firts of ^Manu- factures , and teacheth Artificers to adulterate every fecond pattern cf their works. She frequents all places of Commerce, for few bargains are made without her. You will not fail of her, where you fee any take up great fumms of Money with an intention to break. If you hear any mau give another fitch Council as ferves his own ends, but hurts his friend that ask 'd it , no doubt he is one of her acquaintance, there is no fer- vant that hath learn d to cheat his Mafler , but is one cf her Difci- plesi If you meet any that complain of divulging their fecrets, or the de- nyal of Money which they had intrufled with a j'alfe Friend, they can tell you where fhe dwells. If you find broken promifes fatter d upon the ground , you may track her by them. Be Cure , to enquire for her of fitch as [peak with many Frotejlations, and forget not to fear eh where you per- ceive great fijows ofHoneJly*. So having fent adifcreet meflenger, to raife the Beaft which he purpos'd to Hunt , in order to his defign he declar'd his Refolutions to Erotocles and Kalobitlus ; and having given them thanks for the noble Courtefies with which they had entertain'd him, he pray'd them to difinifs him with the fame good Affection , affuring them that where-ever he fhould be, he would never forget the Obligations which their Friendfhip had put upon him. Whofoever had been prefentwhen Erotocles and Kalobitlus heard this unwelcome News, they might have feen in a lively Reprefentationhow hardathingit is to Ingenuous Spirits to part withfuch a Friend, whofe lingular Vertues have engag'd their Affections. For thty having pi ac'd Bentivolio in the moft inward room of their Hearts, when they faw chat the time of his departure was come, complain'd againft the rigid Laws of Place Book. I. 2i5enubo!ic and tonta. 33 Place, which confines us to fuch a narrow compafs , that many times we have not liberty to be where we molt defire. They refented a reparation from Bentwolio, not only as a ftraight Imprifonment, but as a Cruel fort of Death. But though by reafon of their Pafllon they forgot that it is not by Chance but Defign that Good Men are difpers'd upon the Earth , that like greater Stars mingled with frua.ller , they may Illuminate and Adorn :he ru- der parts of the World ; yet when they recoil ecied themfelves, they made ufe of their Phi lofophy, and were Obedient to thofe Precepts which re- quire us to preferve an Equality of Temper in all the Changes of our Life; left by repining when we arc deprived of fome Eenefits which we former- ly enjoy'd , we take an unjuft Occafion to neglect our Gratitude for having been happy fo long : And perceiving that Bentivolio'S ftay was burdenfome, where he thought his prefence not fo ufeful, they gave him a conftrained leave to profecute his own mod noble Refolutions ; only Tbrajjmachus, who could not fo fuddenly bear a Divorce from one whofe Vertues had ftollen away his heart,had leave to accompany him fo long as till Bentivolh fliould defire him to return. lnganna, kept on her former Courfe , being entertain'd by fome of her Cm/*.] I old Acquaintants , w^here fhe remain'd undifcovered a great while , and by her fecret Negotiations corrupted the Inhabitants of Jrgentorn \ of which Bentholio was forc'd , as he went along, to be a fad Witnefs. As he and Thrafymachas were riding through the Woods, with which that a cmragkm Country doth abound,in a place where the Bufhes were thick and tall,they St*Um. heardadoleful cry,which by reafon of the feeble foftnefs of it,they guefs'd to be the laft breathings of fome dying Perfon. Spurring forward, as they were directed by that fad Call, they foon perceived a di final occafion of fuch a lamentable found ; which was a young Virgin in the hands of two cruel Murderers , who were appointed for the Concernments of another to takeaway her life , and hide her Body, where it fhould be in vain for any to feek it. Being come to a Place which they judg'd meet for the purpofe; " one of the Villains having bafedefires of another fort, which he meant to fatisfie firft , was attempting that dishonour which the hangmen of Rome us'd to perform upon Virgins before they were executed, becaufe till then their Law permitted them not to be put to death. The Lady was fo enfee- bled with crying, and ftriving, and fear, that flie was fear ce able to de- fend her felf any longer. Bentholio with a loud voice cali'd to the Trai- tor, faying, Hold thy hands, or I will cut them off. At thefe words he being femewhat frartled, and forc'd at prefent to give an unwilling obe- dience, without the lealtrefpect to one whom he judg'd much unworthy to fpeak after that manner to him , refolv'd to make him eat them up a- gain: but a few blows which he received made him very fenfible of the folly of his thoughts, though the death that went along with them made Repentance too late for him. The other Villain would have faved himfelf by flight; butJbrafymachus purfuing him,fpoirdhis running by a blow upon his right Leg. They preferv'd his Life, both that he might be a Wit- nefs of the Wrongs intended, and a means to difcover the Wicked Au- thors of fuch a Barbarous Plot. The Gentleman who had appointed this Murder,had ordered three Horfe- men to follow at an undiicern'd diftance, to know whether the defign took effect, which they were to fecure, if it fail'd in the others hands; Wickednefs being ever, fufpitious : and they rufhing out of a Thicket, nude a weak elfay to perfed: what was fo ill begun by the other two. But F being 54 Jfcentitoolio and aarania. Book r. being encountred much contrary to their expectation , tl:ey icon repented, of their appearance in fuch a wicked bufinefs : for E entwelu ran the firft through the belly ; and as he was fallirg off his hoYfeSIhrafymacktts ivade afecond, headlefs ; the third betcokhimfelf to flight, but before Eenti. •volte could overtake him, he had broke his neck , lavirginhisfearfulhafte niifguided his Horfe intoa placevshich was full of Pitts; The Lady , when they were gone out of fight, began to take up her fears again, which (he had laid afide beforehand not knowing whether to go, went however where fhe thought fhe might b eft be fheltrcdwith the darkeft fhades. They examin'd the lame fellow, who was crawling up and down, and he did them one more fervice than they referv'd him for, by telling them which way flie was gone. Making fpeed after her to per ft ft her De- liverance, they foon overtook cne that could not go very faff, though Fear drove her on beyond her ordinary pace ; and being amaz'd at the firft noifeof the Horfes feet , fhe could fcarce believe her felf out of danger , when fhe faw the faces of thofe which refcued her; as one that hath been troubled with a perpleX'd Dream of Death , is ready to think when he awakes that he is but in a new Dream of Life. But affured by the words of their Compaffion for her Sufferings , and Offers of their beft aflifrance to carry her where fhe defired to be, and having had as much experience as that fmall portion of Time could allow of their Virtuous difj ofition, flie recovered her Spirits , and declared at their requeft the reafon of that calamitous ftate in which they found her, and in which fhe had perifhed but for their feafonable approach. Thanking Heaven and them for her . deliverance , fhe began thus ; I am call'd * Orpham ; my Father was a *^»orp m. £ ent j eman f g 0o d q Ua ii t y i n this Country , "who died when I was much younger than I am now. My Mother having plac'd her life wholly in his, tookfuchadeepimpreffionof his death into her heart, that fhe dyed fo foon after him that they were both buried together in one grave. My Fa- ther by his Will made a kinfman of his my Guardian, hoping much by rea- fon of a great Friendfhip which had been between them , and becaufe of many obligations which he had put upon him in his life-time ; as alfo think- ing that he had fuch a love to the facred right of Truff, that he would faithfully preferve my Eftate, and do his beft for my happy Education. I my felf thought fo a great while, till I found my felf deceivd with the out-fide of a fair Carriage, which in time wore off, and his in-fide then appear'd to be of another Nature. He had a Son of Gentle Carriage, but unworthy Conditions , whom he would have made my Husband ; for which purpofe he had endeavoured for a long time by divers Artifices to gain my affections forhim. Having us'd many other means to no purpofe , at Jaft he tryed Menaces , threading in general that i t ft ould be worfe for me , with- out adding the particular fignifications of his meaning : But I underfrood them too foon ; for after I had urg'd him with the performance of his Faith engag'd to my Father , by fetling my Eftate according to his Gift , he ftoop'd to a moft barbarous means of enjoying his will another way , and made ufeof the Villain who had been my fervant to perfwade me to take the air in this Forreft. What elfe they intended you know without my relation, having been Eye-witneffes of the unfpeakable Wrong. But if you will conduft me to the City where I dwell , the Judge, ( who knew my Father, and, as they fay , is returned to an exaft care of Juftice , by reafon of fome late Accidents which gave him a fad notice of his former Neglefts, ) I make no doubt will deliver me from my cruel Goaler, and reftore Book I. 2!5enttaUo and procure this unhappy Meeting, invited me to a private Hunting in this place ; and perceiving this Gentleman, whom they bad abus'd, not come, in whofe courage it feeiris they trufted more than their own, they pretended to go to a Gentleman's Houfe to haften his coming, and to fetch away the Dogs,defiring me to entertain my felf in the Valley ; where from feme Stand which they had, they had no fooner efpied me engag'd, but they came in with dishonourable affiftance, not to help this Gentleman, but to ruine me, * 4 rajh m»H. and fatisfie my Wicked Mother. And was I, faid the woful * Jbulm, the only Inftrument which this Devilifh Woman could fingle out for her laft aft of Villany ? All-knowing Power , which art Witnefs of my Innocence^ take not Vengeance of my Ignorance , forgive my rafhnefs , and grant me with more fober Prudence to guide my future undertakings. And for the wrong which I have through indifcretion done to you , faid he, turning his fpeech to the Gentleman, I offer befides the hearty repentance of my Error, fuch other fat isfaftion as youfhall require. Nothing elfe, replyedhe; but that for the future you would continue to love one whom you would not have hated but for Mifinformation. I do alfo befeech you, faid he to Ben- t'wolio , of whom I know nothing but Courage and Pity, to accompany me to the Town which is not far off, that you may be a means to procure me that Juftice which I doubt not may be had eafily through the affiftance of yourTeftimonies: both becaufe my Father is of fo good a Nature that he loves Truth, and hath fo much reafon left as to underftandit, when it is aptly reveal'd to him, and becaufe the Judge who is lately fenc hither,is fuch a true Lover of juftice, that he wil fpare no Offender for any Perfmal Confiderations. His coming was occafion'dby the removal of hisPrede- ceffcr, who was fo over > aw 'd by the Intereft ef a great Courtier, call'd , Forzario, Book I. jl&Mtftoolto and Crania* 39 Forz&rio , that no Caufe was ever heard till he knew his Opinion of it ; or if it was , and the Evidence never fo clear, yet they could get no Sentence againft Ferzario's, friends : by which means poor men , crucified with Ex- pectation , car'd not what became of their Caufes , fince they could bring them to no conclufion notwithftanding their noft conftant endeavours. But when his Patron Forzario was gone , the v.rong'd people procured a Pu- mftiment to be appointed for him with fome refemblance of his Sin ; for he was hung up alive with a line run through the Ankles of both his Feet , to be tormented between Life and Death , as others had been by his means between Hope and Doubt. When they were come to the City, they went directly to the Frejidtnt, accompanied with multitudes of peop!e , who were aftonifh'd at the la- mentable fight of perfons befprinkled with blood, and the Fellow with his Hands cut off. The Prefident feeing Yientivolio with the reft, received him in moft courteous manner , as well remembring what kind of Pei ton he had dif covered himfelf mErotcclesbufmeis : but hedefiring the Prefident to omit all Ceremonies concerning himfelf, pray'd him to take cognizance of an eminent piece of VVickednefs , which would require a molt fevere Caftigation. So having produced *Abnltts, who related all that he knew *^* j"*»*lMe- znd^Dulogynes who was willing to fay any thing which might help to put * Amman's him out of his pain, having accufed c Ahtimxtcr for contriving the bufinefs, SL%ve - and hiring them to do it, fhe was forthwith fent for : the people being much * A - te ? mth < r ' ftartled, that one efteem'd very Virtuous fliould appear by her Actions fo contrary to the general opinion. 'GyMtefa, the Gentleman's Farher, who was prefent, was equally trou- « \ro»uwijh,ri bled with the Prefidioufnefs of his Wife, and the Innocence of his Son. An- an V*tnm timafer vext with the ill fuccefs of her Defign, which ihe now gave for loft, ® M '*"^ took a glafs of Poy fon which fhe had kept as her laft remedy, for her Son, if the Plot fail'd, and fhe not difcovered, or for her felf; if fhe fliould hap- pen to be reveal'd. So doing Execution upon her felf with this, flie pre- vented the Judge's Sentence. The Father was clear'd as to the murderous Plot, only rebuk'd for a doting Credulity , and ordered, for a prevention of fuch other mifchiefs as his Son had already fuffered, to fettle his Eftate upon him, and to marry no more whil'ft he lived. Bentivelio interceded for Abulia, becaufe he was betrayed , whom the young Gentlemm alfo free- ly forgave. Du/ogynes was condemn'd to be put into a Sack with the com- panion of his treachery,, and to be thrown down from the Tower of the Ci- ty into a great Lake which was before it. Bentivelio having feen a good couclufion of a troublefome k bufinefs, and being now near the borders of Van&fembla, his defires to meet his Friends, Ai*i»-jktw, grew vigorous, much after the manner of Travellers, who mend their pace when they come within fight of their wifh'd Home. But the Heat of the day having fpent his fpirits, he was compell'd by wearinefs to make a fmall iray upon the way, and fpying a Rock out of whofe fide a Spring pour'd it felf upon a broad Stone, which with a continued Stream it had hollowed into the form of an Artificial Ciftern, and kept it ftill full with liquid Cry- fral inftead of the Stone which it had worn away ; and feeing a Poplar which invited him with a delectable fliade, he fate down: and as he was confide- ring the beauty of his folitary Retirement, and giving thanks to the benign Lord of the World , who had by his merciful VVifdom made fo many comfortable Receptacles for the Weary , he was di- verted by the found of a Voice from the further fide of the Rock , fo form'd 4 o Jifcentifcolio and (Urania* Book. I. form'd that it was a lively Expreflion of So> row and Jnger. A Gentleman and his Wife, great fharers in thofe fufferings which very few could efcape in that unjuft Country, had by chance repos'd themfelves in that place. The Gentlewoman deeply affe&ed with their prefenc Calamity, which was much encreas'd with a frefh remembrance of their former Happinefs, and looking upon the Impunity of their Oppreffors as a great fcandal to the Divine Government , flie tranfcended the common affeftionatenefs of her Sex, and delivered the refentment of her own and others Affli&ions in fuch unufual Language , that it did diffidently declare that ihe was tranfported with extraordinary Paflion. Her Words were thefe : O JIuggijb Earth! canfi thou bear the Unrighteous with fo much Pati- ence ? Open thy mouth and fw allow up the Wicked. O dull Sea ! why dofi thou not, as of old , break through thy Flood-gates, and drown the Ungodly ? Hide thefe finners in your Ruines , ye mighty Hills. But thefe Rocks are deaf. Fall down from Heaven, thou Fire of God. Where are you, Hot thunderbolts ? You mortal Plagues, where ever you fieep, awake and feife upon Hypocrites not worthy to be fp.tr ed a minute longer. Rife up, you wildefi of the Beafis, and make your prey of fuch as are more Beajls than any that Range in Forrejls. How flow they come ? Alas ! jilas! O Horrible and General Revolt of the lngrateful and Cowardly Creation , when none dare appear to Revenge the wronp'd Creator! O foolifh Sun ! dofi thou vouch fafe toflnne, and warm fitch as fin in defi- ance of Patience ? O ^Moon, be thou turnd into a Sea of blood , and then fall down upon the Incorrigible Earth. Ye fiery Starrs, pour out your tnofi defiruffive influences upon fuch as follicite punifhment with the loft proofs of extream Difobedience. But finners mufi be confirmed by Impu- nity, whenthefe which ought to inflict Punifhment have joyrfd in their lewd Confpiracy. God! O Cod ! There flie ceas'd, for her Husband interrupted her with a voice which was gentle in it felf , and carried fuch words as one would never have ex» petted for an anfwer to the foregoing Exclamations, which feem'd not on- ly fajjionate, but jufi. Hefpokethus; Hold, held, Nemefi?. Let none be Jo angry in Gods behalf. It becomes him to the ^Merciful, and alfi to endure the Unthankful. Mufi hefirike jufi at thofe Minutes which Sinners point to with the follies of difobedi- ence ? Feeble Woman ! he can bear with Fools more eafily, it feems, than thou canfi confider it. thofe Unrighteous people , of whom thou deft com- plain, have abufed Geodnefs : but that Goodnefs is not fo impotent as to fly to immediate Revenge. He takes not the forfeitures of carelefs debtors , but will accept of payment , though it come after the day when it isjirfi due. He will not mine the Trefpaffer as foon as he hath given him Qaufe ; no, though he hath put Wilfulnefs into the offence ; if he break his heart with the confider aticn of his Unworthinefs , and feek Mercy with a 'changd Soul ; It becomes him to forgive, who hath com- manded others to do fo : and what He remits , whofiiall require ? He knows when it is fit to punifh the Impenitent ; and if they fin longer, have they not fufiered a great part of their Mifery ? He will afflict this Wicked World : the Profperity of the Ungodly hath its Period : Before \ He end all things, He will overcome the Evil fpirit which now reigns. Book I. Btntibolio and ^rama, 4.1 . — —— — ™ — — " i—— ■■ — — — — „ m -* reigns. M-prverful Gotdnefs and invincible Charity /hall aft Force And Fraud into a bottomltfs pit : but becaufe He hath mt a mind to do thefe things frejently, let hs dtfart vritb ftlence. Bentivoliodifcermng ; the Reafonablenefs of this Anfwer to have takes off all thofe Ob je&ions which difquieted his mind, when he confider'd the vileftateof Jrgentora, difmift his troublefome thoughts ; and was nov/on-* tSU '* t f ly follicitous how he might find the neareft way to the Mttrofolu of FtM-S'lljlffij. fembla. tatstst*. THE 42 • thi Vohftutm Stitte. THE SECOND BOOK- O R, P I A C E N Z A. ^RJJSfl J having difmifs'd Bentivolit, taking with her the moft Vertuous * fanaretus , went the higher way which leads towards the plea- fant Hills of Fiacenza. Thefrefh Breezes of healthful Air , joyn'd with the pleafure of a moft delegable Situation and the fertility of rich Fields , aftured them that the Country was call'd by a moft proper name. When they were come a few miles within the Bor- ders, Urani* began to be opprefs'd with fuch an extraordinary Drowfineis , that fhe could very hardly keep her eyes open. Whilft they wondredvhatfhould be the caufe, they fpied the Grounds before them all covered with Poppies which grew there in fuch plenty that it was fufficient to caft all the VVorld into a dead fleep. To keep themfelves awake they were forc'd to mend their pace, which foon brought them to the edgof a Plain, from whence they might beholda City , which wasoneof the moft beautiful, as they could guefs at that diftance , that ever they beheld. That they might un- derftand the Conditions of the People, and furnifh themfelves the better for a \varv£afTage through the Country ; Urania defired Tanaretm to go a *littfe before", to try what difcovery he could make. She repos'd her felf inthe mean-while under the covert of fome broad Sycamores , whither fhe appointed him to return to her. Having fate down upon the rcot of a Tree that BooklL BcntEbolia and ©rania* '43 thatform'ditfelf intoanatural feat, either through wearinefs of her Jour- ney, or that her Brains were affected with the fen: of foporirerous Herbs which grew hard by her , fhe fell afleep , and dream'd, Thar fhereceiv'd deadly poyfon in a Cup of pleafant Liquor, which one had given her to quench a violent thirft which had feiz'd upon her ; and as fhe had drank part of it, Panaretus ftruck the reft out of her hand , and knowing well the Ejects which would fhortly follow, if not finely prevented, gave her an Antidote which preferv'd her from all danger. The bream was too real a reprefentation of her prefent Cafe : for, ;uft as Panaretus returmd,a Serpent had crept out of the neighbouring Grafs, and was making towards her; which Panaretus efpying, made what hafte he might after her, calling, Urania, Urania, fafeyourielf.' By that time he had drawn his Sword, the' Serpent well aware of her purfuer turn'd head, and contracting her long Neck into a fhonercompafs , bolted her felt at his Face. Panaretus de- feated that Malice, and withal beftowed fuch a blow upon that part of the Neck where the Head isjpyn'd immediately to it,that he divore'd one ft om the other. By this Prdudium they guefs'd to what Key the reft of the Mufick was fet, which they were to expedt in Piacenza ; of which they were more af- Pliaput. fured by what happen 'd to Panaretus. Before he could reach the City, he came to a beautiful Walk where fhady Trees were fo decently plac'd, that his Eyes ftay'd his Feet , that he might have more time to behold, in a moft excellent inftance, Nature made perfectly obedient to the Orders of Art, and both confpiring to make one ftand ftill with the allurements of a Walk. As he was entertaining his Fancy with the lovely order, proportionable growth, and wonderful height of green Trees,he was furpriz'd with a dole- ful Voice, which feem'd to come from one whom Violence made to coin- plain : and it was fo exquifitely form'd to fhow extremity of Grief, that any which heard it would imagin that one nor. far off fuffer'd fomething worfe than death. The courteous difpofition of Yanaretus drew him out of his way to relieve , as he intended, the dijlrefs'd Wight. The Bufhes thorow which he was to pafs were intricate as a Labyrinth ; but the Voice ferv'd for a CUte \ and by that direction he arriv'd,where he faw a Woman of more than ordinary Beauty , which difplay'd it felf more openly, as fhe feem'd de- fpoi'ed of her Garments, which were torn off to artificially, that one might well perceive thofe fhreds that remain'd on, were not intended to hide her body. Yanaretus was amaz'd at this uncouth Vifion , for fhe had JUrirtnmt. fcarcefomuchufeof Clothing as even Cruelty doth often leave in pity to Modefty. She pretended by tearing her Hair, Weeping, and many paffi- onate words, to continue the former Tragick Lamentation. Of which when Panaretus demanded the caufe, fhe faid, A Villain had furpriz'd her as fhe was inalonefomeWalk, and after fuch ufage as he might perceive beftow'd upon her, hearing fome body come through the Bufhes, he ran away: and fince he had fo happily arrivd toherfuccour, fhe prayd him, left her Enemy had only retreated to watch his advantage, that he would ac- company her to a Lodge which belong'd to a Houfe of hers not far off. Pan - aretus believing all this to be real, condutfs her to the Lodge, which he found more like a Palace than fuch a mean Appurtenance as Lodges ufe to be to the principal ■"»« b\> ous Towns. He was at firft fomething in doubt of the meaning of this un- f ^ 0ns - expected Vifit, becaufe he thought himfelf difcover'd in thefecurf priva- cy of his loaefomnefs by fome of Viacenza , who hated him and his way of ?/<«/"«••■ life. VVhilft they ftoodas muchwondringat the fober countenance of a poor man, and the chearful looks of one that feem'd very meanly accom- modated, he demanded of them the reafon of their accefs into that So- litude, to which no common Path gave them direction ; or what they could expect: in a place, which all others fliun'd , becaufe it feem'd ut- terly barren of Delight. Urania, made anfwer , We came not hither, Fa- ther, either becaufe we loft our way, or that we defire our prefence fhouidgive you any Interruption. We have never jnet with any great fa» tisfaclion in common paths , nor are altogether unacquainted with thole Contentments that are moft eafily had where the Multitude doth leaft think. We know that the pleafures of Retirement are cover'd with the; rough furfrce of Aufterity and outward appearances of fad Melancholly , from fuch as \ ave chofen Senfuality for their Portion : but the Joyei which are conceal'd under thofe unlikely appearances are eafily found ont by the Lovers of God, for whom they are referv'd, and who know that they are theSubftanceof that Felicity of which all other things, which the eafie part of the world admire , are fcarce a fhadow. Pancrates hearing them fpeak afer that fafh ion, was no otherwife affected with their words than a Muficai 46 U&entitoolto and Crania* Book n. Mufical ear is with fome feledt Harmony ; and perceiving they had another prefence than the vain flightnefs of Piacenza doth produce, he had as great • adefn-e to entertain difcourfe with them, as they had to underftand how he pafs'd his time in that filent defart. He invited them into his Cell , which was homely, but clean ; and befides the Rooms which fervd him from all or- dinary occafions of life , he had another where he perform'd his Religious Affairs. He gave them bread , Herbs, and Water ; a great repair to fuch who never cared for dainties, and wereW prefent very hungry and thirfty. Having learn'd of them their purpofe , z\ their requeft he told them where? they were, the conditions of the People amongft whom they were to tra- vail , and faid, If they would not defpife the humble Counfel of a poor man,' he would direfi them to efcape fome dangers which they muftexpeft: and with a Modeft but Erect Countenance, he began after this man- ner. thsfurt. This Country is call'd *Vhcenz* ; and moft juftly , for the Inhabitants count Vleafure the chief Geod. They make account, that the Body is much better than the Soul, whofe Seat they efteem to be the Belly, having no great fenfe or regard of any of its operations, but what they perceive there: they fuppofe it was put into the Body only to keep it fweet , and to make it capable of enjoying Vleafure, for which they would not think it beholden to the Soul neither , but that they judg the dead deprived of Joy. They ac- knowledg no other definition of the Soul but Jfprightly temper of body. They judg that there are but two chief Affections in the Soul, which they call Joy and Grief; and that the firft is Vertue , and the fecond Vice. They be- Heveall things which have Joy, Love, and Delight in them , and where the Objetfs arc fenfual, to beG made no doubt but that the whole Splendor was but the reflection of their'" '*"' unparallell'd Beauties : and thefe they meafur'd by fuch a vaft fize of efti- mation , that they believ'd if the Sun fhould have fallen they could fupply his place and make day ; and in the night, they did not think itpoffible that any Stars could appear but themfelves and Venus. But Panaretus, who had obferv'd them judicioufly, thought them the molt deform'd of all that he had feen. The defers of their Beauty were as good as confefs'd by the Artificial correction of the fafhionof their Eyes , the addition of falfeHair, the borrowed colour of their Lips and Cheeks , their ingrafted Teeth and painted Breafts. If they had not been poor, they would not have borrow'd fuch Vanities, as they were not very virtuous, becaufe they could not be content without them. The Simplicity of excellent Beautyiswitnefs'dbya carelefs neglect of adventitious Ornament; and Worthy lovers defpife Beauty when it ftoops to fuch mean Condefcenfions as, it may be, they would think proper to a Thais. As they were in the middle of their vain Orifons (for they pray for fuch things as Holy Souls abhor to think of) Eelleza pull'd out a Song which Au lfft . * Trimalchio had fet the day before to a Treble Voice, and one of the Ladies £(2.**"**" fung it in the Honour of Hedonia. It is not worth recording , but only to Fl ">f ur >- give notice of what poor things they make Hymns. Fair g^ueen , the Sun for Thee takes fains to rife, But finnes with Beams be borrows of Thy Eyes. The ^Airbeth warm 1 d and fweetnedinthy Breajl Goes (till to come, and doth in Motion rejl. The Springs, wert not for Thee would ceafe to flow. Wer't not thy Walk, Earth would a Defartgrow ; Which whilfl Dame Nature faints with gaudy E lowers, Th" obfequitus Trees grow of themfelves in Bowers. H Jlh'A 2J5entit>olto and ^""" ; *'' H 2 loos d 52 J&mtibolio and Crania* Book n. Ioos'd the rope, let the Boat go with the fwifc ftream. fanaretus com- manded Hcdonia to hold her peace ; vowing to her that if flie did make any noife, he would immediately throw her into the River. Uedonia partly aftonifh'dwith this fudden furprize, but more ftruck to the heart with the pain of being refilled, (for flic knew no lite but the licentious joys of an unbridled Will and uncontroul'd Luxuries) fell into a fwoon ; in which flie continued till they had pafs'dher houfe, not daring to bring her to life to effect their own death. So they pafs'd, as the Stream and the Boat agreed to carry them: and as they were hihdred from minding their way by the trouble which Uedonia (come to her felf) did now put them to, they fell amongft moft dangerous Rocks, fome of which lay undif- cerned under water, and the reft were fcatter'd with therjbs of broken Veflels. But Urania taking hold of the Rudder , and ueftirmon rowing according to his own skill and Panaretus"s directions they came into more fafe water; and the ftream being but flow, and Hedcnia a little more com- posed in her carriage, the Heavenly Urania, thought flie had an opportuni- ty to adminifter fuch councel which one loft in Sin did extreamly need, and thereupon with Prudence, fetofF with an admirable Courtefle, began thus to accoft her. Fair Lady,the reports I have heard of your Condition, joyn'd with that knowledg which I have my felf receiv'd of your Perfon, make me forry that you fliould enflave your youthful life to diflionourable pleafures. Though I know how unacceptable a fervice it is to reprove, and am not ignorant that you think it ftrange in me to undertake it; yet I hope you will pardon me when you perceive that Charity occafions your trouble, I under* itand that your nufcarriage arifeth from a falfe opinion which you have en- tertain'd of the Happinefs of Bodily pleafure, and know no motives of Love but Fleflily Beauty. Alas Madam ! How fmall a matter is the orna- ment of awell*colour'dSkin, and the due proportions of Eones and Flefh fiandfomely joyn'd;efpeciaIly when by the neglect of Vertueit becomes a fine prifon to the deprefs'd Soul; Beauty is but Mortality painted by Na- ture, that the Soul coming into a well-favour'd Receptacle, might be pro- voked to anfwer the outward Decency with correfpondent realities of fpiritual Lovelinefs: never intending the external Comelinefsforalying Signification of what is really abfent within, or for an handibme lodging for a deformed Gueft. Hedonia, never knowing what belong'd to Reproof, permitted her to go no further, and being utterly ignorant but in the cuftomsof tiacenza^x firft reproach'd her for talking impertinently to her Of the fooleries of Vertue and fcornfuily told her; Lady, you may preach this Doctrine to one that thinks flie hath a Soul of that fort which you pretend to, but I have not; and I proteft that I defire not to have any fuch, left it fliould trouble me with thefe Vertuous Fancies of yours. How- ever at prefent, if you will hold your peace as to thefe matters, I fliall more willingly ftay with you till I fliall know what you mean to do with me. We intend, anfwer'd Panaretus, to take you along with us into * Iheo- frepix, if you will accept of our Company, and there to difpofe of you with the fame regard that we have to our felves : or if you be not fo con- tent, we willdifmifs you when you fliall comefo near the borders of your Jurifdiction that we may efcape fafe out of your Territories, being well aflured that when you have left us, you will find Conduct enough to bring you back again. Hedmia making no anfwer but difdai nful filence, Urania minding Pancratet his directions, fpied a cliffe, which by all marks was Rvc- Tht Divine Situ Book ii. fl&entibolioand mania. & * ReccabeUn. which the Hedenians call h Jffpremcnt; which though it wis »**» fa* **K' fteepand craggy, was not unpafTable to couragious Travellers; and up A " u&h Ml that, they were directed to climb ; as being the only way ' by which they c 0nie f a£tl j might go to c Eupatbes his Houfe. d Pancrates had told them of pleafant afpofitia*. Meadows which lay upon the Waters-fide : but as they crofs'd the River £7/ Ji *?•"'* which ran by Hedonist's Palace, he diarg'd them not to land' there, both be- fljpZi. caufe'itwas much about, the way difficult to find, andfulf of Serpents which lay in the Grafs ; and that the other, though it had a difcouraging appeaiMnce, yet was but fhort, and eafie to be afcended after 'they had pafs'd a few fteps, which would be a little troublefome at firft. Here they put afhore, and as they were juft landed upon the foot of the Rock, Heddnix uatch'd her opportunity, intending with a fudden pufli of her arm againft the bank to put offthe Boat i which Panaretus efpyihg, and willing that fhe fhould ftay rill they could part more handfomly, got hold of her hand and pull'd her afhore ; by which means the Boat was fent a-drifr. Having fcaped over the water they began their Land-joumcy.i , 4»4- retuswi fain to put Hedonia before him, and lending Urania his hand as the neceflity of the way required,they pafs'd fome of the worft fteps. But Hedonia, having no joy in them or the way, pretended extream wearinefs, and luting down upon the fide of the Rock where fhe efpied it to hang ve- ry much over the River, before they were aware of her defperate purpofe, having alib repos'd themfelves merely in refpedt of her, fhe lept into the Water. Urania frighted with the forlorn temper of an Impenitent, O God, faith fhe, Panaretus, what a fad period hath this wicked Woman put to the bad progrefs of a voluptuous life / I cannot but think of the Fatal Stone heudts , from which, they fay, impotent Lovers were wont of old to throw themfelves, hoping by their fall to cure their bruti/h affecti- ons. The Stream being quick, they had foon loft the fight of the now irre- coverable Hedottid; and being freed from the hinderance with which un- futable company doth ufually afflict their fellow-travellers, they held on their courfe up the Hill. The fteepnefs of the Afcent and roughnefsof the craggy Rocks, together with the uncouthnefs of an untrodden Path, oft-times perplex'd with Thorns and Briars," put them to a good tryal of their Conftancy : But as it held firm, and fhow'd the fixednefs of their Re- folutions, fo it brought them into a way which gave them opportunity to reflect with Comfort upon their paft endeavours , and by reafon of its plainnefs made the remainder of the Afcent very facile. They were no fooner come to the Top, but the Sun having feen them pafs the difficulties of the Hill, went down to perform what was neceffary for the occafions of the other World ; fo that for want of light they were fain to commit them- felves to fuch a Booth as Panaretus could make of the Boughs of Green Trees ; where being accompanied with God and Vertue, they found no want of abetter Lodging, and Feafted themfelves with a Bottle of Water and fome fmall Viands that their faithful attendant Qeftirmtn carryed iij a Basket. The Sun had no fooner peep'd over the Tops of the Mountains, but they were ready to begin their journey , having a great defire to be at a further diftance from Hedonia's Court, as alfo to fee Pancrates his Friend, the good Eupatbes, of whom they had no ordinary Opinion. A good while before night they arriv'd at the Houfe, which was placed under the Guard of a great Oake toward the North , and upon the South had a Little Garden with 54 . j^entibolio and Crania* Bookii. with a Rivulet running through one end of it. His Garb and Manner of life was much the fame with that of Pamrates. He received them with Joy not doubting but they were his true Friends that would come through fuch troublefome paths to fee him. After they had acquainted him with fa,ncrates his recommendations , they gave him fome account of the Acci- dents which had happen'd in their Journey, and in particular of the mifer- able end of Jiedma. Do not wonder at that, Dear Guefts, replied Eupg.- tbti\ for on the further fide of thefe Woods 1 have a private Walk upon the brow of a Hill , from whence I have beheld many fuch Accidents to have befallen her chief Courtiers ; and I thought in time fome great Cala- mity would light upon her felf. Hereupon Urania, defir'd him to report fome of them ; for though they are fad in themfelves , yet they are ufeful to others, who may learn Prudence from the unfortunate inftances of volup- tuous Witchcraft, which, though it makes very promifmg Beginnings to weak judgments, is ever attended with the experience of contrary Cpnslu- fions. Eupathes confented to their demand, and began after this manner. A young man having loft himfelf in thefe Woods, ftumbled upon my Hpufe : he was clad in amoft pitiful form of Beggery ; his Ipoks were fo dejefted, that I ftail never diflodge them out of my fancy whilft: I live. He told me that he was a Gentleman's Son , brought up with the greateft care that is pofliblctoa Father, who well knew the principles of Education, and beleived nothing more than that the foundations of all happinefs in after-life muff, be layed in the firft years of Children ; and therefore after the in- capabienefs of his infancy, engaged his firft abilities with early inftrufti- on ; and to make him acceptable to Wife and Good men , endeavour'd to goffefs him with Vertuous Principles, and the Rules of Wifdpm, accor- ding to which he might alfo accomplifh his own happinefs as to any meafure that is attainable in this life, and make himfelf fit to ferve the World in fome worthy undertaking.He inform'd him accurately in the Moral part of Philo- fophy,accounting it a foul defect in Education to leave him imperfect in the main point of ingenuous Difcipline, which is to make one Good. He would often tell him that if he fecured not this Intereft, all other endeavours were as much in vain as the diligence which is bellowed in fraught ing of a lea- king Ship. His father had life beftowed upon him to fee the Harveft , which he had Iabour'd for, in the hopeful bud,and then died; having charg'd him as he would hope to endure his fight when they fiiould meet in theo- ther World, to perfect what he had begun , and that he flbould think of fet- ting up no Monument for the prefervation of his memory but the Imita- tion of his Vertuous Example; for that he fiiould live whilft his Son compos'd his Converfation according to that, and that it wouldbean im- mortal Grief to him in the other world ( if they have any Cognizance of the affairs of fuch as they leave behind them) if he prov'd an Apoftate from his young beginnings. Adding , that if it were lawful for him to appear after feparation from this Body, in fome other which would be vifible, as it hath been for fome others , that he would not fail to come and upbraid him in fuch a manner, that his Degeneracy fhould be but uncomfortable. Thefe aiad many more affectionate expreflions of a Father's defire, kept frefh in his memory, and improv'd by the faithful skill of a wife and ho- neft Tutor, untowhofe Truft his Father had committed him, kept him in the way for a time; and having made a good Progrefs which fill'd all his Relations with joyful hope , at Jaft he met a Gentleman that fifed to frequent Book II. i&Httibolioandfflirania* 55 frequent Hedonia's Pa'ace, (I would the death of either of theni had hundred fuch an unlucky acquaintancejand by his perflations he went thither where none can be with fafcty (Abfence being thebert Antidote againft the poifon of infected places. ) There he grew into friendfhip with » ^/mafia, then* J f- [^ fl*-iowr. fajia^nd then the reft ; and was at laft fo intoxicated with Vo!uptuoufnef>, Salutat '°»- that he wholly abandoned his good beginnings of a Virtuous life. After he had been there fome time, his Father's Ghoft appear'd tohim, which was more dreadful than any Devil could have been: It fro wn'd upon him and vanifh'd.As foon as he was gone,one call'd * Bhifbm came to him, and ope- * 0ne that *- ning his Chamber dore,call'd him out. He followed Eknepbon, who would *"»{,« A«w fain have refcued his companions alfo; but fome would not awake , others lhef ' wereamaz'd , and all unwilling : however he conduced the young man to the water-fide, and bad him fwimover; and fo vanifh'd. He threw him felf in , and made way to the other fhore : and though he knew not whi- ther to go at that time, yet he knew it was better to go any whither than flay where he was. As he was come near the adverfe bank , the ftream ran fomething ftrong ; and being weakned with his vitious life , he permit- ted the Stream to carry him down as it lifted; upon which Eknephon with ftern looks fhowed himfelf again upon the furface of the water ; and then refuming Courage, and employing his arms a frefh,he foon got afhore at the bottom of * ReccaMla. Seeing the Rock fteep, he fate down ; but Ekxe- rht faif r9(k fhen call'd him to rife , and having help'd him up a few difficult fteps, bad ' him go on: after which, he never appear'd tohim more. Fear made him advance a little way, but his Feet being tender were very much hurt with fharpftonesj andwhilftheendeavour'dto creep upon his hands and feet, he was fcratch'd with the briars which grew upon the Hill-fide. Having gone half-way to his great pain, he lift up his eyes towards the Top, to fee how much he wanted yet ; and there he fpied , as he thought , a great company of people , and they threw ftones at him , which gave him fuch blows upon the Head, that he tumbled down again to the bottom of the Hill: and as he lay there all torn and fcratch'd, and fenfelefs , zGondoU came by, which was full of Hedonia's Courtiers; and they were going to make a Day of it in Sports and Mufick upon the Water. They feeing one lie in that unufual manner, put towards the fhore , and perceiving who it was, they took him into the GondoU , and having brought him to the uk of his fenfes , they ask'd him how he came there , and what had brought him into that woful plight. He durft not tell them: but they, imputing his filence to his prefent aftonifhment , went on in their defign for a while ; but finding him extraordinary unchearful, frequently fighing, and perpetually filent , they receiv'd fome difguft of their Jollities from his company, and therefore agreed to carry him home ; and feeing his head difturb'd , they lay'd him upon a bed, and went to confummate thofe Delights to which he had given an unpleafant interruption. When they were gone, he was tormented with infinite reprefentations of his mifery which he receiv'd from reftlefs thoughts: and though he fell intoafleep, it opprefs"d him rather than adminiftred anyeafe, being but- like thofe troublefome flumbers which unheaithful fumes do force into the heads of feaverifh people. But his diftempers were the greater, becaufe of an unquiet Fancy , adifeafethat in him took not its rife from his Bo- dy. Amongft other afflictive Phantafms , he dream'd that his Father's Ghoft appear'd to him again, and wichafharpblow of ah Jx cut open his Breaft, upon which a Vultur prefently flew in andgnaw'd his Heart, in fuch cruel 5 6 li5entit)oiio and Crania* Book II. cruel manner, that he could not imagine hirdfeif to be any thing bu t litius. Sometimes he endeavoured to l-ecolleft himfe'.f, and to life thefe thoughts out of his mind-, but they recoil'd upon him with a burdenfome weight, like the Stone of Syfiphas. In the midft of thefe troublefome ftruglings he awaked , and leaping off from his bed , he ftole privately to the River again, to attempt an efcape: and as he was throwing himfelf into the ft ream the fecond time , they were aware of hiiDefign, and threatned to fend after him. He got away ; but with the conuderation of his ruin'd Eftate , (for he had fpent it all, part- ly by paying the debts of his hateful Ft iend , and partly with buying Tri- fles and making Treatments for the wanton Hedonians) and with the fling- ing remorfes of his Conference, as alfo with the fearful expectation of Dif- gracc, he trembled like the leaf of an Afpthat is mov'd with the Wind. After he had given me this account of his forlorn Condition,he went away, and what became of him afterwards I know not. on of * gad As Eupatbes fpake thefe words , the Tears ran down his Cheeks fo faft mffofttim. t kat they were a lively exprefilon of that afie&ionate pity with which he related the miferable cafe of a foolifh young man. Eupatbes having ended his Story, and perceiving his Auditors rather defirous of more than weary of one, cont inued his difcourfe. I need not, quoth he, have gone further than the experience of this day, to have given you full fatisfaftion of the miferable ftate of Fiticenza. : for as I was meditating in my accuftom'd Walk , I faw a young Gentlewoman , for the moft part of her body naked , driven through the Meadows which are on this fide of H^wMVsHoufe by two devillifh Women ; one was call'd R.eptHt»ttci. *Metamclafa, her Eyes were fwell'd with weeping, her Looks fad and evercafl down, her Carriage averfe to all Complacency; the other was nam'd Dyfelpis , and fhe look'd more gaftly , tore her hair, and cried out **' like one that is furpriz'd with a fudden fright : they both lay'd unmerciful blows fo thick upon the young Gentlewoman , that my heart is affected with the fight to this hour. Having left her not far from the Hill for dead, as they thought, they return'd towards Hedenu\ Palace, where they give conftant attendance. She came to her felf in a little fpace of time , but had fuch fmall content in her life, that with a Knife which they had left behind, fhe refolv'd to kill her felf, and to cut offthofefew minutes which were yet unravel'd. But fl-.caccomplifh'd not her purpofefohaftily as to hinder me from knowing fome part of her Condition , which (he difcover'd in this manner ; Sir,faid fhe, I guefs by your looks that you are not made to defpife Ad •erficy : and though the relation of my Misfortunes will adminifter no Comfort to you and refleft much Difhonour upon my felf; yet if you can fiifier theexer- cife of your patience, it may be the recounting of my ill may further o- thers Good , as the Mafts of Ships appearing upon the Qukk-fands where they were funk do many times fave others from being caft away. i f xa- * am tne llnna PPy Child of a Jprgut and t> Moropbilia • and though I de- nr'ai JffiHim. fire not to reproach my Parents , being Co confeious to my felf of the con- bfw$iw». n exion which my Mifery hath with my own voluntary Wickednefs, yet I may fay too truly that thofe who were theCaufes of my Beeing, were alfo in agreat part acceffary to my Ruin : for if they had to my Nativity, which they further'd not knowing whom they fhould help to bring into the World, added alfo of choice , knowing upon whom they beftowed it, a voluntary care of my Education, and made fuch exprefiions of parental love Book II. Dentiboiio and tftframa, 57 love as they might eafily fee my Condition .needed, (for it was the fame with all Children,Jthey might, through Gods blefllng, which is never wanting to fuch as do their duties, have prevented my Mifery ; which is fo great, that I efteem it Perfect Damnation. But they not only neglected to give me Rules of good Manners,but alfo adminiftred fuch Examples as were a Con- tradiction to them , not fo much in their own practice, left I fhould feetn to accufe my parents ; but what was wanting in them was too abundantly fupplied by fuch Company as were frequent Guefts at our houfe, and they being Perfons of Quality and efteem'd as the principal Friends of our Fa- mily, their Converfation was ey'd by us as a Rule, and I being but young and of fmall Experience in the World, though I faw many things which grated unpleafantly upon fomething which I felt in my Soul, yet durft I not prefumeto beaCenfurer of others Actions,thinking the diflikeinmemight proceed not from innate principles of Vertue,whichGod hath beftowed up- on us that we might be inabled to examine what we meet withal, But rather from Ignorance and Childi/hnefs. And as we are moftapt to be hurt by the bad we fee, though the Uglinefs of Sin is manifeft enough in moft actions that it pi-oduces, and fo is a fufficient invitation to loathing and hatred ; yet being palliated from Examination by the alleviations of feveral foolifh Conveniences, I among other fools became partaker of ill Difpofitions, which in length of time became Habitual : for, whilft they lieenc'd In- temperance in their Diet, Difcourfes and Carriage, and brought us books fo deftructive of Vertue that they prophan'd the Invention of Letters, and continually entertain'd the company with filthy Tales, loofe Songs, obfcene Jefts and impure Proverbs, I began tofufFer dammage in my Mo- defty,which I had heard,but forgot it,that it is the faithful Guardian of pure Chaftity, which is the neceffary fupport of a Woraans Honour. Amongft others I was invited by fome young Gentlemen to fee Hedonias viptuwf- Court, where they talk'd of a Beauty fo far beyond all that former "'J 1 - times durft ever boaft of, that Venus would be content to be drawn by her picture : they affirm'd her Wit to be no whit inferior, and that her Ceurtejie equall'd them both ; they prais'd her Mufuk for fuch, that one could not endure to hear any other after it ; they talk'd of her Hcufe,Gardens and En- tertainments, as patterns for all the World to imitate. Their difcourfes made me willing to fee fuch things as by them were not to be expected any whei-e elfe. Having been there fometimes, I was at laft fo bewitch'd with their cunning inchamments, efpecially by means of a Lady that excell'd in Complement, call'd Lufwgha, that I had no mind to return home any ,, more, utterly difrelifhingthofeimall portions of Sobernefs that were not ""*' banifh'd out of my Fathers houfe. And then my Parents, vex'd with my difobedience to their orders, (for they fent divers times to me to return) began too late to refent the effects of their Negligence, in my Ruine and their Diflionour. My Mother efpecially took to heart my mifcarriage, which flie could not but lay to her own charge, both bccaufeffie had us'd me to an unwife indulgence, and had been a means of my corruption by vicious Servants ; who notwithftanding flie knew them to be void of ex- cellent qualities, and fo unfit to teach us the good which they knew not themfelves, yet they gave her fufficient content, if they dreft us hand- fomly. But to be fhort (for my time is not long) the Company being this morn- ing inthemidftof alafcivious Dance, one brought in word that* Hedonia AVJmpmmu had, through wearinefs of her wicked life, caft her felf into the River, ui 7- I where 58 Jifcentibolio and Crania* Book II. where file fpent a great part of her Voluptuous time, and \\as taken up dead. Which unexpected News gave me fuch a fmart Reproof for my own " Follies, that it took away all fenfe of Joy in thofe things which I thought before to be the only Heaven. Deftitute of Comfort and Hope, I endea- vour'd to run away from my felf. As foon as I had fet my foot without the Threlhold of the Houfe, thofe cruel Women hurried me over the River in a Boat, and then perfecuted me in that unmerciful manner, which I fup- pofe you faw from the Hill. I, being not able to endure the lafhes which I receiv'd from them, which were anfwer'd alfo with worle from within my own Confcience ; have refolv'd to do that by which I fliall procure aRe- fcue from my prefent torments, although I fear I flu I! but make way for thofe which are far more unfufferable. However the Fffecls of my Wick- ednefs begin to draw this miferable life to an uncomfortable Pe- riod. • Having gone fo far, flie fcem'd to beaflaulted with a f'efli ftc-rm of Paffi- on, which vented it felf in thefe words. ^And,0 Lord^nufl 1 now be thruji into the other World when lam fo ill prepared for it .h- Here was a rare Encounter of Mutual Affedion : for, as Eupathes by their Converfe had difcover'd the Travellers to be excellent perfons, and was very unwilling to lofe their Company , yet by reafon of the Love which he had for them was careful to tell them whatsoever might make for their Happinefs when they were gone ; fo they receiv'dfo much pleafure from his Difcourfes, that they found themfelves moft willing to flay when they were going. But as the Defign which they had undertaken requir'd their Departure, fo it made Eupntbes tonegleft the confiderationof his own lofs$ and to difmifs them to accomplifh their intended Journey. It was not long before they came to the borders of Fantfembla : but by reafon of fome intricate turnings they had gone a little out of their way, which they foon perceiv'd ; for having once mifs'd their directions, they knew not whither to go. As they wandred up and down, they ftumbrd upon the io*uth*thith company of a great fellow c^Wd^Megabrencbui, who was z^fanafembliax, a ptat throat. b u t had been taking his pleafure among his Neighbours of Fiacenza.He was An Hwmti. ^.^ Q f a diSerent temper from that of Jpifion, for he could fwallowany thing that was fweetned with profitable confiderations , and exprefs'd a great indignation upon their naming Jpijion by way of enquiry to know where he dwelt. No body can tell, quoth he, for he hath forfakenus \x\VawfembU, and retir'd to a private life. He pretended a great offence taken againft: our Cuftoms and Opinions, which are fo excellent that they are grown the very Rule of Perfection, from which nothing can be taken, to which nothing can be added. It's true there are fome different Sefts amongft us, but I mean that which I am of. Jpijion is of a fque- mifh ftomack, he will believe nothing unlefs he have reafon for it.He doth *m\jWr\t. give all honour to the book call'd * Hiercgrapbon, but he will be his own Interpreter : and though fourfcore or a hundred of our way refolve con- cerning the determination of a ContrQverfie, he doth not think himfelf bound to believe our definition, becaufe we have not an infallible Spirit. Iconfefs he is of a peaceable Temper; I could never fall out .with him, becaufe he would never give me leave : though I had a great mind to have quarrell'd with him by way of Reproof. His Converfation is holy, as far as I could difcern ; but fome of my acquaintants have declared great fufpicions concerning him, but they would not tell me the particulars. It may be, they had received fome informations againft him, and at pre- fent do diftruft the truth ef them, or are guilty of fome infirmities them- felves, Book II. JIDcntiboita and Crania* 65 telves, that make them a little more fparing in their fpeech. However I do not like him, neither do I delire to be feen in the company of any that frequent his houfe ; for that may turn to my prejudice. ilnniA and Fanaretm were willing to liften to Megabrombm histalkjthe rather, becaufe he gave them a tafte of VanafembLi : and they were willing to detain him a while longer in their Company, that they might take off his moft groundlefs difaffediion to Jpijlon ; not only having the engage- 0ne vho dr>t ' ment of good information concerning his Worth, but perceiving the Allega- &"*. tions againft him to be pitifully infignificant, PanaretHs therefore as they went along between two Banks, where he could not well part from them, told him that they were as unwilling that he fhould receive damage in their pretence, as that an abfentman fliould be wrcng'd in his Good name whilft they were able to help it; and that they hoped they might eaftly prevent, if he would but particularly bear their talk, -as long as they had willingly given ear to his difcourfe. Megabronchm contented : where- upon fanaretm having minded upon what particulars he had grounded his Accuiation, and taking notice that he had unawares faid many tilings in his defence, made a fhort anfwer to what he had fohighJv applauded m his own party andaccus'd in ^Apijlon as bad, or leffen'd as good. It's true, quoth Panaretus, that you think very well of your own Sect; I cannot blame you ■ no doubt, your Adverfaries do fo of theirs. But you have ac- knowledged your felf fallible, and therefore you cannot give any infalli- bleaffurance of your being in the right in every thing. You are men, and fo may give fo much to your Idiopathies that may biafte you out of the way of Truth ; you cannot but acknowledg this to be true ;' and if it be, you ought not to be angry that Jpiftondoih beleive it. Andfincc you are fal- lible, as you confers you are, you ought not to be fo much offended with a good man that thinks you are deceived in fomething, where vour telves do not deny but that you may. If hediffent from your determinations, no doubt but he thinks all neceflary Truths are determined long ago both for you and him infallibly ; and he is not fo much to blame for refuting af- tent to your fallible definitions, as you are for making new additions, be- ing neither divinely warranted nor infallibly guided to do it. You know you differ from many others in the world, that think them telves highly wrong'd in the neglect : therefore , good Sir , for the future be perfwaded to fuffer it patiently that others do not in all things agree with you. That Apifton is very tolerable in other refpetts, appears from that Charac- ter which you have given of the Temper of his fpirit, and the Excellency of his Converfation, by which it may be perceiv'd he is one of Wifdom and Modefty in his Carriage towards others, and highly Valuable in regard of his proper Accomplifhments : and though you may have receiv'd mifreport concerning him, you ought not much to value that, if you confider the gencral inclination which is in men to difparage fuch as differ from them, thinking that a worth will accrue to their own Opinion from a creditable difrepute caft upon the perfons of the Diftenters: and you fnay com- monly obferve it, "that they can eafily wink at grofs Faults in themtelves, thouoh they are always quick-fighted as to the leaft of others. Whilft Y Anar cttts was fpeaking thete words chey came to a place where" two wayesmec,and* Megabronchm being weary of the difcourfe efpecially G riat ihmt. becaufe he could not anfwer it, he told them his way was to the left hand ; and having refolved which way foever they went-, h? won 'd go no further K wrh 66 Jlfcentifcoiio and (Hrama. Book II. with them, he made a rude hafte from their Company. They took the right hand, as they were directed by Eupathcs, and came in a fliort fpace of time to Jfijloris houfe. He was vyalking up and down in a ferious Medita- Hyfmip: t j on concerning fome Difcourfes which he had lately heard in * Vanajembla, wherein he thought the Goodnefsof God to be greatly mifreported, and his Creatures taught to put very little confidence in him, to wit, that he ca- red but for a few of his Creatures, but did eternally hate the reft. As he Was giving thanks to God for making him partaker ofa better knowledg of him, by which he was favedfrom blafphemous hatred and Hellifh defpair • his Meditations were brokeoff by the arrival of Urania and Yanaretm. He accofted them Co, as they might eafily difcern he had fome doubts concerning them by his Countenance ; but that they might not impute his ftrangenefs to Incivility, he told them that he made no queftion but they knew the times to be fuch, that they required a great warinefs in thofe that would not be abus'd. Though he had no particular caufes of Sufpicion, but that they made their vifit with a Courteous Intention; • ototfagtti yet he defired to know whence they came. They anfwer'd, from > Eupa- Bifptfitiin. thes. He is my Friend indeed, replied k Jpijlen ; and fome that have ^'^/'^underftoodof our intimate Acquaintance, have made ufe of his name to liivt. deceive me in fome things, wherein i had not been abus'd but for the credit I gave to that pretended Recommendation ; and therefore I rnuft defire fome further afsurance befides your bare words, that you came from thence. Upon that, Urania, pull'd out of her bofom, where fhe had kept it all that day, the Tablet which Eupathes gave them, jipipn having read the Sym- bol, immediately faluted them in mod friendly manner, brought them in- to his houfe, and gave them fuch entertainment as men ufually beflow upon thofe whom they love unfeignedly. Panaretus and Urania, abundantly fatisfied concerning the reality of their Welcome, defired him to give them fome account of the reafons of that change which they manifeftly perceiv'd in his Countenance and de- portment to them after the receiving of the Tablet. Jpijlon told them, that there were in that Country and in divers parts of the world a certain company of plain honeft men that defired nothing fo much as to revive true Charity, and to maintain thofe few fparks of it which are yet unquench'd by Covetuoufnefs, Malice, and Hypocrifie ; and that though they did ab- hor to divide themfelves from mankind by a fort of Confpiracy, combi- ning againft their frienfhip, yet they found it neceffary to have fome pri- vate fign, by which they might be known in forein parts to fuch as ha- ving never feen their faces before, might by this token be aflured that they were their Friends, andfo fupply them with advice or money, or fuchaf- fiftances as the bufineffes which they were imployed in might require. The reafonof this neceflity is, faid he, becaufe many that are incompatibly good are fometimes very poor, and being in ftrange Countries might be in danger of perifliing, by reafon of that Uncharitablenefs which prevails in the world, and hath fo hardned the hearts of the Rich, that they will not releive even thofe whom they beleiveto be in want, and might know to be fuch as do well deferve fupplies. Befides, fome of our Friends are fome- times engaged in fuch undertakings that require more afiiftance than one or two or twenty can contribute, and we want conveniency of tranfmitting fuch things into other places as are of neceffary ufe : but by this means thefe defers are made up, none refufing either to give credit to him that carries it, or to beftow their help in fuch ways as they find tobebeftto accomplifh Book II. fl&mtibolto and Crania* 67 accomplish thefe Vertuous ddigns, which are undertaken for che Umver- fal good of Mankind. Panaretut much pleas 'd with the device, demanded of him, Who was the firft Author of it. Pythagoras, Said jipipn ; and in Imitation of the Ver- tuous example of thoie excellent Philofophefs, which by obedience to his Precepts reviv'd Charity to the Admiration and envy of the World, we have, arnongft fome more of their laudable Cultoms, embrac'd this. We have had fome Experience, quoth Urania, that it is not unufeful ; but do you think, Apifion, that the Pythagoreans did accomplish fuch effects as you mention by it? There is no doiibtof that, faid Jpijlon: and, if you will have the patience to hear it, I will relate you a Story out of an Authentick Author, which will give you plentiful affurance of what I faid. There was a poor Pythagorean, who having travelled a great way on foot, by reafon of the heat of the weather and the length of his journey fell into a violent Feaver. He lay at a publick Inne where no body knew him, and having not provided money Sufficient for fuch Accidents, he be- gan to be deftitute of Neceffaries ; which the Hoft understanding, fupplyed him out of meer Compaffion to his fad Cafe. When the Difeafe had gone fofar that Death was now at hand, the Sick man call'd for a Writing-Ta- ble, which means was only left to requite fo great Jove, though the effect of his defire would not come to paSs till after his death. Having written a certain Symbol, that is, One of thofe Sentences which was part of the myftical Doctrine of Pythagoras, he fent the Table to his Hoft, praying him to hang it up, on that fide of his houfe which was next to the High- way, and to obServe if any that went by took notice of it ; affuriflg him that if any Should chance to read it which understood the writing he would not only repay his coft, but alfo reward the great care which he had taken of a Stranger. As Soon as he had faid thefe words, he died. The Hoft buried him, and though he expected no return of his Expences, yec omitted nothing that belong'd to a decent Funeral. He had fo little truft in the Table, that if he had not been mov'd with the laft words of a dying man, he would not have hung it forth. A good while after he had plac'd it according to his directions, a Pythagorean travelling through that Town efpyed the Table hanging upon the wall, and having efpyedone of their Symbols upon it, he went into the Houfe to know who had put it there: and having understood in what manner the charitable Hoft had uSed his poor Gueft, he requited him not only with many thanks and great praiSes of his Vertue, but with much more money than he had disburs'd ; leaving not only the Heft, but all the Neighbourhood, wondring at Such a rare inftance of extraordinary Friendship, and concluding that it was an excel- lent doflrine which made the mutual love of thofewhich profefs'dit to be fo great. Apifton having ended his Story, though he could perceive no vifible Sign of wearinefs in Urania or Panaretut, which indeed was put off with that true delight which they found in many pleafant Conferences; yet re- membring their Journey, and to declare his Civility, he perfwaded them to retire to their Reft, which the night alfo being far Spent made very fea- fonable and welcome to them all. K 2 THE 68 the hyfitritital Stuti, THE THIRD BOOK: O R. VANASEMBLA. ( Hen the gray-ey'd Morn with her rofie fingers had drawn the Curtains of the Eaft, and the glimmering light began to peep upon the World, Urania and Fanaretm, now -weary of their Reft, left their Beds, being loath to deep away a minute of that day by whofe light they hoped to fee the much-defired Ben- tivolio. Had they known his prefent Con- dition, their fleep would have been fhorter and much more diftnrb'd: but meafuringthe Truth of their Hopes by the Extent of their Wifhes, they fuppofetf him well, with whom they knew it could not be ill, if Equity had the difpofal of things in the place where he was. So Lo- vers pleafe themfeJves in fympathies, with their own defires, and take no fmall delight in prophefying all Happinefs tofuch a? they do entirely af- fea: Jftftons thoughtful Soul had call'd him up a good while before; for being ufed to the pleafant entertainment of wakeful Meditations, he was content with a finaller portion of Sleep than thofe allot to themfelves who have no better ufe of dark time, and know no other Day but what is made by vifible Light. To begin the day with him who is the Beginning and End of all our lives, he took a Theorbo, and fiing this holy fong to it with a good Tenor Voice. Gcod Book ill. fl&entifcoUo and x'ftowho envying the Charity of former tirues, which they could not imi- ftrfim. ' tate, and grudgingthofe which needed it the Comfort of Ancient Liberali- ty, efpecially having an eager thirft after their Revenues, difpoflfefs'd them by Violence, and left future Ages fhould repent of their Anceftors fins,and reftore the true owners to that which God and Man had made their Right, they pull'd down the Houfesand fo made the mifchief irreparable. [Apfton perceiving the time of parting from his Company to draw near, broke off the difcourfes which were between them, and began to fpeak of theCountrey which was now their profpedt after this manner; ThisCoun- a Hypocrifie. try of a VanxfembU had its name given to it by the b Iheeprepians, who bTruechrtfii- thought it fitted them but too well, becaufe they made an Apifli imitation of xhethrofrepians. But the VanxfembliMs, who thought highly of them- felves, did not like it by any means, as judging it both inferiour to their worth, and difgraceful in thefignification ; and thereupon made an order to punifli fuch, as fhould repeat the Name, though but in jeff, with their fore difpleafure. The Country was formerly divided into two equal Parts, one call'd aMuchtwgut. t-polyglottpu^ the other b Micrecheires : but becaufe of the likenefsof their "" "* '" Tempers and affinity of Manners, they united themfelves into One Juris- diction ; and to keep the old Names,they call'd the Metropolis Polyglottus y and the Country Microcheires. The Inhabitants of FolygUtm are all guided by one Rule, yet for diftinction fake they parted themfelves, according to ajtiidari-. their difcretion, into five little Divifions, which are now call'd *Pam- VZiftZ'hU mtktMy b konium, e Ffiudenthea, <* Kempips and e Jgazelus. ration There, Apifion took his leave of the Noble Travellers, who keeping a c£nat a "*it q ui ck pace to redeem this flay, within a few hours arrived at l Polyglot- ^Jitongm.' tits. Where they firft endeavour'd to know what was become of Benti- volio : But this work was not fo foon difpatch'd as they thought ; for after much enquiry they could by no means find him. This was an extraordinary trouble to them all that Night, which they were fain to bear in a Com- mon Book in. I&entibolio and 'd with Partiali- ty, and that knows well enough, that Goodnefs doth not confift infuch N iceties as molt underltand not, and few agree in. Urania, greatly pleas 'd with this Relation, deCn-edFhiloxenus to bring her and Fanaretus to the Judge's Houfe ; which he willingly perform J d: and having lent in afignifica- tion of their defiresby one * Ennicnes,i fervantthat alwaies gave much re- fpect to J> 'biloxenns ,and was willing to aflat any that came to his Mafter up- on worthy errands, the Judg lent them word that they fhould attend him in a fair room, which by reafon cf the liberty ofaccefs and freedom of speech, which he allowed there to all wrong'd perfons was call'd* Par- rbefia;-where he accordingly met them, without fuch delaies as proud per- fons defignto State, but prove the reproachful fignificatiens of their vain minds, Ah'jtx of Sltangtts. A lenign per- ft*. T retdom cf [pitch. Book in. 2&entiboiio and (Urania. 73 minds. He being much taken with the graceful prefence and Vermeils Carriage of Urania and Fanaretus, which were, not only correfpondcnt to all perfeft Rules, but feem'd to be expreffi ve of fometh ing which is beyond the attainment of the moft rais'd Hypocrifie, he ciwlly demanded the caufe of their Addrefs : which when they had declared, he gave order immediately to fend for Bentivolio, affuring them that they fhould have all fair reparation, if it fhould appear that he was wrongfully ftnprifon'd. Be- fore he was come, his accufers, who had timely notice of his being fent for, appear'd and made many general accufationsagainft Bentivtlto. Urania, taking the opportunity of their filence, to which at laft they were fore'd, ' having faid all they could, not weighing the unjuft reproaches of one whom flie knew to be innocent, prayed the Judg to examine the Witnefies apart concerning the Articles, which by thefirft reading appear'd to be fram'd with much indifcretion, or elfe upon great malice. Herrequeft was granted, and * Org/'/Wbeing brought forth, faid, he received the Articles *jm a*^ in a letter from a friend of his, whom he defired to be namelefs, and that ««■■ he had prefer'd them, he confefs'd, not without a grudge againft the per- fon of Bentivtlio, becaufehe did not aflent to him one day whilft he was afferting with no fmall vehemence, That Moderation of Temper towards men of different Opinions was worfe then Atheifm ; and becaufehe had heard him fay, That it was one of the greateft calamities that ever befel Chriftian Religion, that Chrifts Difciples, fo call'd by themfelves, were fo unlike their Mafter ; and that he thought the moft Ignorant were always the moft fierce; which he took as a particular affrdnt tohimfelf: And this was the Sumrnof hisTeftimony. * Dyfcolus being call'd forth, affirm'd, That Orgilus wrote the Articles, +««ww» and that he hi mfelf did not hear the words fpoken, but that he fignxi the '"*' w«to»< Charge, becaufe he had heard fuch words and worfe related concerning him in feveral places ; and particularly that he affirm'd, he was able to bear with Honeft men though they differ 'd from his Apprehenfion of things, and thought that others ought to do fo with a mutual regard to each other ; efpecially fince he knew no Church which was Infallible, and therefore ought not to force men of peaceable fpirits and Innocent lives to an ac- knowledgment of Divine Authority in their private determinations when the matters are dubious and of fmaller Importance : and the rather becaule theyrefufeto fubrntt to the- Impofit ions of others, and have declar'd the Ufurpation of one that hath dignified himfelf with the Title of Infallible Interpreter, as a mark of jintichrijl. He added fome other words of diflike of Bentwtlios Perfon, becaufe his Temper was fo contrary to his own, protefting that he did not love lukewarm Concord ; that he knew fcaroe any thing indifferent ; and that there was no diftemper in Heat, and that the Torrid Zone is the middle Region where Vertue inhabits ■■ .Peace, Peace, faid the Judg^ your brain is too hot. If this be all the bufinefs,you are a couple of Unworthy perfbns, and you fhall have the reward of your Malice. He told Bentivolio, that he was forry that any perfon of Wifdonj, and Vertue, but much more that Bentivolio fhould fuffer Imprifonment in that City upon fuch frivolous pretences ; That he might go whither he pleas'd, and that he fhould improve his utmoft endeavours to procure the free abode of himfelf and his friends in thofe parts. Having difmifs'd Bentivolio, he applyed himfelf to fome that had too paffionately abetted his Accufers, and pwceiving that they were not very well pleas'd with what he had done, he accofted them thus; Are not you L alhauw8 74 ji&entibolio and becaufe you are not fure 'you do deduce them right ; and your Explications are not of themfelves 'Faith-worthy, fince you do not pretend to be Infallible Interpreters : and 'if you fhould challenge a Right to all mens Faith, you do little lefs then 'ufurp Divine Authority, fince both Scripture and Reafon defert you in 'the claim of Infallibility. Infteadof this odd zeal, for God's fake pro- 'mote fuch things as are unqueftionably good ; and there is no doubt but 'asthatfhall kindle the flame of Divine love more perfeftly, wefhallcJear- •/ Accident happen'd, foretold ( for he was a prophet too ) that Skiarnellti- m s * vi,Hri fes fiiould never be built again, and gave his Friends the Model of another fort of Temple in fomefew things refembling that , but contriv'd with far- greater Skill; not fo glittering outwardly, but much more rich, a great deal larger, and of better and more lairing Materials, of which this was but a Shadow ; and charg'd them never to attempt the reparation of this wafte Structure. At thefe words Catafarkut went away in a very great dis- content without replying the leaft word. Urania, who with her Companions heard the difcourfe, demanded of Euprepes further information concerning Catafarfys, and in particular whether he was not one of extraordinary Piety, fince he had fo much De- votion towards the remembrance of a ruin'd Temple. No, faid Euprepes ; for though he feem wonderful Religious by his garb which you have feen and though he never !ook'd-up all the while he talk'd with me, as you could not but take notice, and wears that Mortar-hat upon his head, pre- tending by thai- means to keep his eyes from being polluted with the fight of this wicked World ; yet I have enquir'd into him among his neigh- bours, and do understand by them that he is no fuch holy perfon as he would beefteem'd; and that he doth more dote upon that old Temple than love the God who once dwelt in it : and that he doth more talk of ancient times, than do any prefent fervice to his God, though he lives for ever. He loves none of his Neighbours, though he is beholden to them all. He hath lived a great while in many places where he hath no right; only the Natives of mere humanity, do not turnhim out of the Country' becaufe he hath none of his own to retire to : and yet thechiefeft uft which the ingrateful fellow makes of their courtefie is to cheat them ; which he can more eafily do, being of a lingular Craft. He hath in his Cell an Iron Cheflfull of Money, which he attends day and night as watchfully as e- ver the Dragon did the Golden Fleece. They fay, his Heart is as hard as the metal of which his Coffer is made ; and that he ever fhows his cruelty, when he hath any opportunity to make an advantage of it. Euprepes being loath to trouble them with any longer discovery of fuch an auftere piece of Wickednefs, left off his talk i and as they went along, M they 82 jldentiboiio and Urania* Book III. they came to the Ruins of an other Temple, but lefs famous than the zonewhtob- f ormer . an d having z E.ttfreps for an Interpreter, Bentivolto ask'd him ys hat £rmt.° it was. This Temple, faith Ftiprepes call'd bPanthecn, was formerly bAit the Gods, the Seat of an old foolifh King call'd « Folytheus, who took upon him a fctrlr Grange power of making as many Gods as he pleas'd ; and fuch as he fan- e'oJt. cied moft he worfhipp'd, and confign'd the reft to his neighbours. Though this Temple was not equal to the former ; yet it was of great note in tunes part for brave Images ( which fome faid wereabfurd pictures of things that cannot be refembled } for fpkndid Altars, crown'd Sacrifices, Bulls with guilt Horns , and fuch like things. But the worfhip being ftu- pid Idolatry, and the Worfliippers as very Beafts as thofe which they offer'd, having ftood too long to evil purpofes, at laft a young Child ap- pear'df om Heaven, and ftruck it down with his hand. The ruin'd parts were fuddenly diflipated with a dreadful Thunder, which ftruck fuch a- mazement and horror upon the beholders , that no body durft ever fince attempt to put them together again. They made no long (lay here ; and as they pafs'd on, a few fteps brought them in view of a pile of magnificent buildings, whofe chief Glory was a *outv)arii,. /^ ate iy Church call'd * Exofemnon, rais'd high with lofty Towers, which vtHtra t. giifttj-'d with that fort of Brafs of which they make tinkling Cymbals : but it feem'd to ftand totteringly upon a pitiful Foundation ; for it was built upon Sand, and fupported on each fide with worm-eaten pofts. It was adorn'd with fair Windows; but when they were within, they perceiv'd the Light was much obftrucled by a difficult paffage through thick glafs. This was much help'd by the conftant flames of great Tapers which were fuppofed to be lighted for that end, or elfe to burn day-light, for the Sun had been up many hours, and fhone with that vigorous brightnefs that no Cloud had power to appear. The Walls were cloth'd with rich Arras, wherein Gold and Silver, of fmall value notwithftanding the worth of their Matter, were fain to ftrivewith Silk for the pre-emi- nence of curious Workmanfhip. The fides of the Church were lb thick fet with Pictures, that it feem'd to be made in imitation of P/ato's Den where one could fee nothing but fhadovvs. But they were proper Ornaments in fuch a place, where Religion confifted fo much in paint, that many took the Church for a handfome Tomb where Piety lay glori- oufly interr'd. * Vth-f'M. Tneir covetous neighbours of * Kenopiftu defired not to have Religion drefs'd, becaufe they would not be at the coft of Garments ; only fome who were loath to let her go quite naked, had got fome fluttifl' clothes and put them on fo ill-favouredly, that her friends were afliam'cko fee her appear publickly in fuch an ugly difguife. As the ftept into this Temple one day to give themaVifit, the ExojemnUns beftowed a more becoming drefs upon her, by which flie was known a good while after: but when fome of her difcreeter friends were dead, others out of a foolifh diflike of what was well appointed, would needs undertake to adorn her after a newfafiiion; but they put on fo many odd pieces of gaudy attire, that the people after a little time began to think that flie was nothing but Clothes. As they took notice of divers Fancies, their Eyes were call'd off by the ftately entrance of a great Perfon, whofe head was invelloped with three Crowns, which were put on partly as Enfigns of Power, partly of Ambition : Two Circles of the Triple Ornament fignified what he had gotten. Book in. Bsntibolio and Crania. 83 gotten, and the Third what he defiredtoadd to the other two ; for ha- ving no juft Right to the Eclefiaftical or Civil Powers which he had ufur- ped, he was attempting a new-found Authority over them both. His Officers had their names from the four quarters of the World, where they were to execute the commands of his unlimited Soveraignty. His Veft- menc was adorn 'd with variety of rich Colours, and look'd as Gold doth when it is mix'd with Snow. His Gate was majeftick ; his- attendants fuch as follow the triumphant Chariots of Conquerors. He wasno fboner fate down in a Princelv Chair which was ready for him, but the prieft be-r gan to murmur over fome Prayers, which for ought the peop e knew Were made to him, for they were in an unknown tcngue. Afterward fome fhrill-throated fellows began to ling; and though many of them blended their voices together, yet the matter was fo order 'd, that if Religion had confuted in Sounds, this had been perfectly acceptable ; for it was impoffible to find any fault with the noife, it was fo harmoni- ous. It was fome trouble to Bentivolio and his frifnds that they could not underfhnd the meaning of their Devotions j however, they .comforted themfelves, becaufe they guefs'd at it as near as thedull multitude of fta*- ring people, who gap'das if they hearkn'dwith their mouths, whilft a waggifh fellow that went up and down with a Spunge flung water into them. After a while they began a Collation; and having given the people fome Bread, it was expetfed that they fhould have Drunk too : and there was Wine good ftore, butitfeems the Officers drank it all up themfelves. Sure, quoth Urania, they are very uncivil to make a Feaft, and give their Guefts no drink. No, faid Euprepes ; for, for half of this old Sacra- ment which they take from them, they have given them Five more new ones. As they were talking, a tall man which ftood by the Altar took up a great bundle of little papers, which the Ignorant call'd Indulgences), and whilft they threw them among the people, it feem'd to be juft like the imployment of idle boyes, who cut their paper into ufelefs flireds, and throw them out of their Windows, that they may fee them blown up and down by the Wind. Urania feeing fome words written upon them, took one of them up, and read theInfcription,which was , hE^iYE TO S I iV". Good Lord, quoth Panxrettts, how fmall a Benifon contents thefe people-' They think themfelves happy becaufe they have licence to undo themfelves. In their Devotions they made ufe of ftrange Ceremonies which they had invented to the great difturbance of Divine WoriJiip, and multiplyed to an exceflive number, not being content with a few decent Rites which were us'd of old, and are alwayes profitable, becaufe they naturally exprefsan humble Religion. As they were going away, being fufficiently tired with beholding fo many impertinent Follies, they faw a Woman kneeling very devoutly before an old Shrine, and there making a prayer to one dead man for an o- ther. I wonder, quoth Bentivolio, at the ftupidity of her Faith: how- ever (he keeps fome decorum in her fenflefs addrefs, in chat ihe im- plores affiftance from one that cannot hear her, for an other that is paft help. As they were come without the Church-dore, and had agreed to re- tire home, they were invited to fee fome private Recedes which belong- ed to the Church, by divers orders of Ghoftly people, whofe holinefs M 2 confifts 84 jieenttboHo and Crania* Book 111, confifis in the mine of their Founder-Saint, and who octll cne another ingoodnefs by reafon of a different Habit, or in tl at it is tied about them with a Girdle of a more mortified colour, their chief office is tolicenci- ate Hypocrifie, and to irake void the darger of a Infill life: for they have agreed upon a way that permits none to go to Hell tut fcor finners, or the covetous Rich who would fin for nothing ; the fir ft mi ft go becaufe they cannot", and the other becaufe thty will not pay others to fuffer for them. The reft are out of danger ; let their life be what it will, they will infure their falvation after they aiedead, by buryingthem in a Monks Habit, which without doubt is utterly incapable of Damnation. They have concluded alfo, That thofe defire to be damned who will not be fo eafily faved. Thefe do never fcruple their own Holineff, by which they fave others aifo that are wicked, becaufe they are like the JpoJiles it whom they do fuflnciently rcfemble, though they be never fo Ignorant and " Wicked, becaufe they are Pcor : and they are wonderfully poor, and free fiomCovetoufnefs too, becaufe they receive no money except it be pri- vately. They have hallowed the Lufts of the f.eSh ; for by their lawful enjoy- ment of Sin, they have altered holy Marriage into a fanflified fort of Fornication; the very Stews having ceas'd to be piophane, fince his L Holittefs hath condefcended to receive the wages of Uncleannefs. They have invented a comfortable fort of Failing; it goes for Abftinence with them, to eat an other fort of meat then they do ordinarily, though that be as pleafant and more nourishing. And when they are pmch'd w ith this new kind of Hunger, they fay their prayers by dozens; and if they run over their Eeads the fecond time, they do fo over-rate the foolery, that they make no doubt ixit they have merited Heaven, not only for them- felves, as Wicked as they are, but for others too which are lazy, or which cannot be at fo much leifure as to do any thing for their own Salva- tion. There were infinite heaps of facred Reliques ; but after they had Shew'd the Box wherein Judas his Kifs was inclos'd, and the Coffins of Inmios and Saf>pbira,\xith fome other difgraceful Remains, Urania would fee no more. They were no fooner come into the Church-yard, but they were ac- aHity. cofted with a moft lamentable Spectacle ; for they faw the fair Lady a £u- brun fimpti- febi* with her trufty Companion b Jker*a } driven violently out of the Church. One might well perceive how miferably they had been us'd: for their Hair was torn, and the blows which they had received left fufficient marks upon their skin to witnefs the cruelty of thofe which gave them. Alas/ Madam, faid Urania, how came this mifhap ? By the malice of the Uxofemnians, replied Eufebia, who have feiz'dmy houfe, and made the holy Sanfluary a den of theeves. This beautiful Temple was once fill'd with holy Prayers and thankful Hymns, which men free from guile fung continually in praife of the Redeemer of the World. Then Religion flourifhed, being rooted in fincerity and watered conftantly with heaven- ly dews of Divine Benediction : and though OodlineTs wanted thofe fplendid Accoutrements with which thefe Hypocrites have now endea- . voured to adorn it, it was its own Glory, and commanded the love of all beholders with the power of its native Luftres. But now, alas/ how wan doth it look, notwithstanding they have us'd all forts of paint to Sup- ply its defedis ? It is defae'd with Hypocrifie, which how hard a matter it / is Book ill. ^ntiboiio and Crania. 85 is to conceal, is but too apparent, when all the colours which they have lay'dfo thick upon it will not ferve the turn. How many Fooleries and Lies muft be put together tofupply the want of Plain-heartednefs, which when all is done cannot effect it ? What fcorns doth Truth fuffer when fhe fees herfelf bafely reprefented upon a ridiculous fiage by thefe Wick- ed Hypocrites ? Ah- poor Simplicity ! what Wounds have I received for thy fake? But I take them with Joy, when I contlder how oft thou hail faved my life : and I know my life doth lb depend upon thy welfare; that I cannot out-live thy death for the fpace of a Minute. , Thou art the Joy of my life and the Comfort of my Sufferings ; and though f am di- ftrefTed, yet I will ever rejoyce, fincelamnot feparate from thy compa- ny, my dear* Aker&a. Let them pleafe themfelves with the empty Ca- * Smnitf. binets of Truth which they have rob'd from me; I have enough in thee, my Jewel ^/kcr^a. ' Madam, faid Urania, your Affliction is fo unjirft, that methinks it is eafie to make thofe which have impos'd it upon youfenfible of the greatnefsof their Sin. Will you accept of my Brother's affiftance to plead your caufe, who, though re is not permitted toufe his Sword in this place, mayper- adventure by worthy Argument make them relent ? Never hope for that; Madam, faid * pufelia, they are too much harden'd ; nothing can make * p„ ty: them relent but Thunderbolts. There is reafon enough why they ftiould repent; but they wili but lofe their labour who fliall attempt ttjeir Conver- fion. They have ftop'd up the way to Righteoufnefs with Worldly Inte- reft, and have rendred a Reformation impoflible by making it a damnable fin but to talk of it. If they fhould pretend to admit you to a liberty of dif- courfe, you will find but finall effect of your difputation ; for propound what Argument you will, they have an Univerfa! Diffin&ion, call'd * Dip- ¥Ji vms Remphtex, much akin to that fharp tool with which Alexander difiblv'd s-wJi!"' *' the Gordian Knot ; and though they apply it barbaroufly, yet it will fpoil the beft argument. And it is to as little purpofe to ani wer any Difputants of theirs : for the laft Opponent is ftiil a JB«fr/;fr,who,inftead of Syllogifms is arm'd with an Ax. It is not fafe for you to flay here, where Religion is pro- pagated with Subtlety and Violence, becaufe they have no confidence of fuccefs from Truth or Charity. Since they faw fome diflike in your faces at your departure, it is probable they will inquire after you, and if they once lay hold of you , they will force you to fray longer than you defire in this wretched place. Upon this feafonable advice they made hafte out of lconium, and Eufebia underfhnding what was their purpofe in* Pfeu- * raif$ infiiri- denthea, went along with them: but Euprepes took his leave of them, for '""' , having been there formerly, he had obferv'd fuch unbefeeming carriages among them, that he refolv'd never to come there again. They were no fooner entred into Pfendenthea, but they faw all the in- habitants flocking together, like a company of Wild-Geefe, towards a broad place in the middle of. their Parifh : and as they drew nearer, they perceiv'd a Stage rais'd pretty high, much after the manner of that which Mountebanks do ufe, and Three Men walk'd upon it in fuch a fort as if they haddefign'd affrife which of them fhould moft exprefs to the life the poftures of Mad-men. Theyacled their parts not unhandfomely: for befides flaring eyes and mouths all foaming with froth, they had all the An- i / it >"> dPra - tick geftures of brain-fick perfons. Their names, as the people faid, were b Jn Exoraii. a Mantimanes, h Exorcifta, and c . Panjlrebius. They were all Mutes,till one c0 "« "%"*"" d Cdcodemon in the habit of an old Prophet commanded ihem to fpeak. (i'XiwV fpkit The 86 fl&entifcoiio and Crania* Book III. Thefirft that began to aft was Mantimaves, who was much diftuib'd with an extream hear of his Brains, and he pull'd out of his pocket an Almanack which was fcribled over with divers Horofcopes and other Aftrological figures ; fome of them he pretended to Le the fates of Kingdoms, others were fo particular that by them he could make the people tinder/tand eve- ry thing that had or fhould befal them from their Nativity to their Death : this they did confidently believe, though they knew not why. After this hefhew'd them divers Looking-glaffes, in which he faid, they might fee what was become of their Friends in the moft remote parts of the World; that young Women might plainly difcern the Completion and Stature of the Husbands which they were to have, with many fuch things. Then * Awmirmg calling fuddenly to his man* Phnajler to open the little Window of the a * r - Retiring-room upon the back of the Stage, a little Dove flew out, and fit- ting upon his fhoulder put her Bill in his Ear, whilft he pretended to liften to her with much Devotion. After the Dove return 'd, Eknapr open'd the *a dp ^° or anl ^ ^ et outawmte Coe > which * Mantimanes had kept tame a good theu* ri ' while privately in his houfe, and affirm'd to the credulous vulgar,blinded with fuperftition,that it was a Meffenger fent fiom God. He receiv'd a Let- ter out of her mouth, which EUnaJler put in, and having difmifs'd her, he open'd the Letter; and having read it to himfelf with all humble Reve- rence, he acquainted the people that he had obtain'd the favour of God to know many ftrange things, which were to be kept fecret at prefent, but which he would reveal in due time ; and that in the mean while he was to prophefie definition to the World, unlefs they did fpeedily repent. Exor- cijl* had now been awake a pretty while, and fufpefting by the Prologue which he bad heard that a long fpeechwas to follow, which would both take uphistime,and for ought he knew either rob him of the Audience or indifpofe them to attend his pranks, to prevent the worft, he began to quarrel with Mantiwdnes, and after feme words mutter'd again, * Exorci- '* flgjjta*' ft* commanded him filence with fuch a thundring voice, that he durft not but obey the force of his terrible Charm. Exorctfia, not doubting but he fhould gain with the fickle Vulgar what reputation he could make the other lofe, accofted Mtwtimnnes in very rough language, beginning after this manner; Thou fcofn of Infpiration, Thou worm-eaten Vi7ard of Pro- phefie, Thou old rotten Tripos, Thou laughing-flock of canton fpirits who art more Fool than Prophet, but much more Knave then Fool. Thou bafe Jugler, doft thou pretend to tell others their Fortunes, having no other way left to mend thy own ? Thou Beggarly Cheater, who haft not fo much as the poffeflion of a Cottage on earth, doft thou make thefe people believe that thou haft the priviledg to know their concernments in the Fabulous houfes of thy Aftrological Heavens, having no other defign but to get a little money ? Did not you prophefie that the World fhould end five years agon, and made the frighted people forfake their Houfesand climb up into Trees, to fee how all thing- would come to their fatal Period, juft as the old World did, when the Deluge threat- tied them after an other manner ? Was not it your Brother that a good while fince us'dto foretel the deaths of fuch great men as difcover'd his knavery and obftrufted his defigns, and when they had almoft out-lived the prefixed time, was fain to kill them himfelf, with the help of fome Affaf- finates^o make his word good f Did not you fome years fince to thefe very people which hearken to your follies affirm that you could difcern be- tween the Eleft and Reprobate, as clearly as a Shepheard can know a black Book III. 215ttlttbOitOand(|ii:ania. " 87 black fheep from the white ones ? and that you favv invifible Characters of Predeftination upon the heads of the Elect, and the Reprobates encom- pafs'd with black marks of Damnation ? Do you not ftill condemn fuch as you do not like for Sinners, that fo they may be guilty of the miferies with which you threaten them? Rather than your Prophefies fhould fail, who mnft be the Executioners of your Wrath but your ftlves ? Do not you make a wife improvement of doing Juftice, to fend thofe to Hell whom you judg worthy to go thither, that you may quietly enjoy their Rooms onearth when they are gone? Go down, leaf! the People having heard of your madnefs fend you to Bedlam. Hold your peace and be gone, leaftl encompafs you in a Circle of this Holy Wand, and conjure out of you that End ufiaftical Spirit which makes you fo prophetically mad. Upon thefe words * MantimAnes tore off his clothes, Iept off the Stage, *A m *lK*. and ran ftark naked through the affrighted multitude, preaching damnati- ****• on to all, good and bad, except fuch as would follow him : which two or three filly Women, quaking for fear, were obferv'd to do. Mantimanes being hifs'd off the Stage, they rais'd their expectations of fome wonderful matters from Exorcijla ; though they had little reafon, for hedid only counterfeit a Conjurer, and was fomething more gravely mad than MantimAnes. He unwilling to lofe fuch a fit opportunity, began his part thus ; It is no wonder, Good people, that yon' Fellow carried himfelf fo ridiculoufly ; I have feen many enraged after the fame manner with a Prophetical worm crept into their diftemper'd Brains: and fome have be- lieved themfelves to be Chrift, and fome the Holy Ghoft, and fome the Man in the Moon , and fome the Bujb upon his had-, and that the Man in the Moon was going to fet it on fire to burn the Earth ; of which fome, no fools neither, were much afraid. But leaving thefe idle Dreams, I will fhow you a Rarity, which you will fay is a Arrange truth, a Woman pofiefs'd with a Devil czWdzEngaJirimutlw, the Womans name is b Hyfierica. Now the *ou$thn truth is, the Woman had poffefs'd her felf, if one might fay fo, and the De- ^£ "£,/"" ^ vil was only a curs'd him in their hearts. But at lait the flatulent fpirits being diffi- tbtMiy. pated by the power of Natural heat, and the oppreflive quantity of blood leffen'dby the tranfpiration of the more fubtile particles, the Woman re- tum'd to her felf,and began to act her part,which fhe had well learn'd,after this manner : ' I am, faid ftit, by Profefiion a Witch, and have at this time ' the Apocalyptical Beait in my belly, and I perceive by his fuggeftions that 'he is an Heretical fpirit, for he faith, That the Tope is Antichrift ? and ' that Antichrift was begot by an Incubus, and that the fynagogue of ' Witches was his Mother ; and that any may perceive him to be Antichrift 'by his great Mouth, rough hair and crooked tallons; and that he is an ' Enemy to Chriftian Religion and a blafphemer of Chrift, whom though c he doth proreife inPublick , yet he adores Lucifer privately ; and that he * doth meet fome times in their Conventicles, and worfhip him in the form 'of a Goat, for which reafon Beelzebub had lent him divers of his Imps to ''feduce the nations from true Piety, and to deftroy Charity from amongft ' men, intending by that means to pull up Chriftian Religion by the 'Roots; and for this,he was immediately affiled by the Spirit of Lucifer. ' Thefe things, quoth fhe, I know to be true, for I was often at that Con- ' venticle of Devils, and have the marks of the Beaft in my hand and fore- *Altfo n ■■ ' neac * and other parts of my body. I my felf by the help of * Jfmodeus ' ' V "' ' made a Powder of theafhesof burnt Goats, which would tempt the very 1 Nuns to Lull ;and infM fuch a melancholick impatience upon the Monks, ' that they would repent of their Vows, and fwear that they were ill made 'and worfe kept. It had a faculty to make fuch as fmelt ittodefpair,and ' to confefle their fins by halves, and ( which is worfe ) to doubt that *. their Confeffor had not authority to abfolve them. It fore 'd them alfb 'to believe themfelves holy, though they committed all the fins of the 'diabolical Synagogue; and made them defpife the pi eafures of Paradife «for a voluptuous life ; and made them conceive Hell to be only fuch 'meetings as fhe had been at, which did fo content her, that (he often 'wifh'dherfelf tranfported intoa She-Devil. She faid further, that to ♦affront Antichrift, they took his Triple Crown, and the Exorcifts 'Cowle, and put one upon the head of Beelzebub, and the other * upon Jfmodeus , and faid, You are worthy of this Honour. She told them « befides this, that in their frolicks, Jfmodeus feign'd himfelf fick, and Le- * vkthan play'd the Phyfitian, and made an ointment which fhe admini- ' ftred,that they might make a fport of Extreem Unftion. And one Night * I remember. • *JCmjurtr.i ^ ut when fhe was come fo far, * Exoreijla began to be in a facred rage, and commanded her filence with fuch a fhrill voice that it frighted the De- vil. Having a Bafon of water by him, he took out of his pocket a great pa- per of Salt, made up in the form of aCrofs, and baptiz'd it three times in the Water; which he affirm'd to be thenceforth of that foveraign virtue, that Book III. Benttbolio and Crania, 89 that it was an Univerfal medicine for Soul and Eody, and had this parti- cular quality, that it would caft out any Devil, if he was adjured by ir, in regard- that it did cleanfe the Soul , fo that the Devil could not abide the Body ; and faid, it was mortal Poyfon to any Apoftate fpirir. Having be- fprinkl'd her and the Company i~o plentifully that they were all pretty well pickl'd, hecryedout with an aftonifhing noife, Come out , thou barking Dog; ceafe this hellifl) noife : In defpight of Lucifer, Beelzebub, Aftaroth, Leviathan , and all the combination of Devils , I command thee to leave this holy Manjion , which is confecrated with the Benediclton of baptized Salt : ( and then he crofs'd hmifelf ") come out Cabervs, leave grinning, thou falfe Curr ; 1 conjure -thee, O Dog of Hell, to come out and go to thy ken- nel ; Icommand thee again, and charge thee to leave her Body and Soul for e~ vermore. This fign being given, with great fhow of Unwillingnefs the Spirit went out obediently, that is to fay, the W Oman ceas'd to ad the Devils part any longer, the Fit being ended which fhe was loth to begin again. But fome knowing perfons which wereprefent werealmoft fpht with laughing to fee how gravely Exorcifla acted the Conjurer, and how pitifully the limple Vulgar refented the Mormo's cafe. hxorcifla being gone, * Fanflreblus took his turn, and pretending to be * Ml ftrvtrfu awaken'd out of hisileep with frights, he began after a ranting manner to difcourfe of ftrange Virions which were brought to him by the Miniftry of Heavenly Spirits, and related the names of divers Jlngels that talk'd with him in his fleep ; though his Vifions were only fick Dreams which had delu- ded his Fancy. So Children led by the ftrength of Imagination fee the forms of all things in the Clouds, fometimes Men, fometimes Lions; and as the Vapours are differently modified by feveral circumrotations of the Air,feem to fee ftrange fhapes of things and wonderful actions. So mad-men relate uncouth things,which had no Original but the Dyfcrafie of their own Brains; and fick people in the heights of diftemper, not without great felf- admiration, talk things which trouble their fober attendants, and of which they are afhamed when they come to themfelves. This Diftemper was not fuch an unblameable Infirmity, nor accom- panied with any plainnefs ; for he accommodated all the extravagan- cies of his Fancy to fuch Principles as he had entertain'd in his foul breaft, which was polluted with the worft of Crimes , Pride and Luff. The firft thing of which he made mention was a Commifiion from God,in which he was authoriz'd to be the Reformerof the degenerate world; ("which really flood in as much need of Reformation as there was little hope that fuch an Inftrument fhould evereffect it,) and that when it was made better ac- cordingto thofe excellent Laws which he had receiv'd to be the Pattern of its amendment, he was to rule over it as Univerfal King, and promis'd great felicities to thofe humble fools which fhould lend their help to place him in his Throne. After this he began to declare fome parts of his Vifion, which was whol- ly fram'd in a fubferviency to his forementioned defign. It was reveal'd to him, as he faid, that all old things muft pafs away , and amongft the reft the Kingdom of an ancient Prince call'd * Jnax-anaCton y which he cOn- * the King tf fefs'd to have been very glorious in all refpects, except that it was Carnal; King*, »*r Lord but that his own fhould be Spiritual, and as far rais'd above the Light, and ** vianr ' Righteoufnefsand Love of that poor State, as the Sun excels the meaneft N Star 9 o 55entiboUo and tuanta. Book III. Star. Then he cryed clown the Prophets for old Fools , the Apoftles for fimple Fifhermen. He exploded Reafon as a nieer Carnality, and the Scriptures as a Dead Letter; and (tuck not to affirm, That the WoYld for fixteen hundred years and more, knew very little ; and before that,nothing. That he was defigned to undeceive the Nations ; for which Work he was in- ab led by a Light, through which he faw the Trinity, and plainly difcern'd the Three Perfons with his bodily Eyes, and that they appear 'd unto him 1 ike a great Triangular Glafs in which he faw All things.That now the World fhould be happy, for he would fhow them the deep Myftery of thofe things whereof before they had but the bare Hiftory ; and that by the power of this all-glorious Light, they fhould be reftord to a new Liberty of Soul and Body. Then he magnified Two principal Beams of his Seraphick Light, which he commanded them to behold with the Eye of Superintelleftual Faith. One was, That the time was come when the difference of Good and Evil . was to be abolifhed, and that itwasoccafionedonly by a foolifh eating of Apples, and fupported in the World fo long by ignorant Conceit; there being no Evil but in Opinion, and every thing is good to fuch as think it fo. It's true, he faid, that puny underftandings were not capable of the priviledge of fuch fublime knowledge ; and that they muft continue to make a ferupulous Confcience of Right and Wrong , becaufe the weaknefs of their minds permitted them to underftand no better , but that Morality is founded upon the bottom of Human Nature, and that the Reafons of Good and Evil are Eternal and indifpenfable, interwoven with the Eflen- tial Conftitution of a Reafonable Soul , that they are derived from above, and that God loveth Righteoufhefs and hateth Iniquity; and that they, poor worms, are in fome meafure like him by the participation of holy difpofitions : but becaufe of this incapacity, he faid, they muft ftill be kept clogg'd with their yokes about their necks ; but that all which partake of his Spirit fhould prefently be rais«d into more fublime thoughts, which fhould immediately deliver them into fuch a freedom that they might do what they pleas'd without fin, and bring down the Divine will to a corre- fpondence with their own even in the loweft Appetites, in all thofe mo- tions which Scrupulofity calls Irregular; it being, as he faid, a Foolery to think that they had received Appetites whole fatisfaction was a fin, Jet it be perforin'd what way it can ; and that the talk of Higher and Lower Faculties, was a Rag of old Ignorance; and that it was a jejune piece of Philofophy, to imaginthat one Faculty is to regulate the other in its fatis- faftions for the Meafure, Manner, or any other Limitations, or to make preference of one fort of fatisfaction above another , forafmuch as each Faculty, the Soul and Body, and all things elfe, were God in various forms. His other Principle was, That all things move by the Laws of invinci- ble Necefiity , and that now they ought to underftand the fcolifhnefs of the Doctrine of Choice, and wifely to give way to the all-commanding force of Deftiny, as to the irrefiftablenefs of a mighty ft ream which would carry them along with it into the Ocean of Bleflednef. whether they would or no. He talk'd alfo of invifible wires which draw men along in all the courfe of their Actions and Paffions : He revil'd Exhortation as the gieateft cheat in the World ; and faid, That nothing was fo fabulous as thofe Dif- courfes which make people believe that they have any Liberty of Will. It Book III. Si&entifcolio and fllrania* 91 H feems PaxJ?reb/t*s could not fee that this^tupid Philofophy deftroys'* ctmfui the liberty which is rooted in theeflenceof the Will, and would have us *"!'"' take it for a fpecial Excellency in the Soul that it is cheated into a falfe be- 1 ief of innate freedom. But he car 'd not though he made the veituous com- pliance of holy Souls with the Divine will a meer Nullity, and caft an uni- verfal blur upon the Dodtrine of Obedience. He rafhly cut the nerves of Induftry, by fetting the moft generous endeavour but in the fame Rank of defert with the moft fluggifh Idlenefs ; and by his fordid Principles block'd up the way to all brave attempts, allowing fuch as perform the moft honou- rable Achievement to be no more praife-wonhy than if they had commit- ted a foul Sin. He made the Promifes of due Rewards of no more force than as if onefhould fing well in hope to pleafe a Stone ; and call'd the moft difcreet adminiftration of Punifhment, Miftake and Cruelty. In fliort, he made the whole World but a St. Bartbelomervs Fair , and Men and Women meer Puppets drawn through all their actions with Homerieal Wires; and in fine denyed God power to make any other fort of Creatures befides * Neurofpafts. He talk'd his pleafure of Religion, and faid it was an ufe- f«pwm,»*»jj ful yoke made by Poiricians,who had hew'd it into a fit fhape with the My- fiZ'mtl *"" ftical device of Promifes and Threatnings, to hamper the Credulity,of the ignorant Multitude ; and that the Conditions upon which the Divine Grace was pretended to be obliged, that is, Obedience or Difobedience to Holy Precepts, were only Tricks invented for the better fecurity of their defigns upon the tame World, which they might lead any whither,having the Hopes and Fears of filly people in a firing. But now, faid he, by order of the A- damantine Fates thisrufty chain is to be broken, you muft entertain a new Spirit, and renounce all former Notions as the pretences of deceived Hypocrites ; knowing that though you feemingly obeyed that Politick Religion by which the Grandees rul'd the World, yet you had your private defigns intermix'd with your Obedience, which kept you true to the Gene- ral Rule, which you alfo magnified no further than Hypocrifie and Self-inte- reft permitted. To wafli off all thefe ftains, and to initiate them into his Difcipline , he commanded them to be baptiz'd in his Name ; upon which he promis'd that fo many as would become his Difciples, fliould immediately feel themfelves pofTefs'd of the foremention'd Glory. When he had proceeded fo far, he went down from the Stage, which was not a place fo fit to aft the following Parts, and beckon'd the people to fol- low him to the Lake call'd * Borborifs,where he would make them partakers * Miru of his dirty Baptifm. Such as were too much indin'd by a wicked Temper to embrace flefhiy Doftrines,foon followed this Dreamer,though with as lit- tle discretion as the Ratts of lialberftade danc'd after the Pyed Piper into the River, where they were all drown'd. BentivoliodeRred Urania that they might go a little further, to fee what end the Beaft would make to fuchfcurvy beginnings : but when they came near the Lake, it did fofmell of Brimftone that they thought it might be jifpbakites. Fanaretus guefs'd it rather to be the Bottomlefs pit, not only becaufeof a dark cloud of ill-fented Smoke which afcended continually from it ; but becaufe, as he had heard before, thofe which went into it, ne- ver came out again. The Noble Travailers made great hafte from this place, where their abodegave them fofmall content ; and their arrival in f Keneyiftii, which \vamt»hi. bordered upon * Ffeudentbea, promis'd them little more fatisfattion. Upon * Id ^ '"ft 1 " J * -, -T . ratten. N 2 their 92 JDentltJOliO and Crania. Book III. their entrance they were furpriz'd with an unexpected entertainment; for they perceiv'd an extraordinary Silence to have feiz'd upon the Inhabi- tants, and the great difcontent of their Souls reveal'd it felf in the per- plexity of their dejected Looks. It was a fight much unlook'd for among Y*m biiievtru the KenepiftUns, who were reported for a jolly fort of people, and full of talk. Whilft they walk'dupand down mufing what might be the caufe of fo great an alteration, they met a man of fober countenance, but fuch chear- ful deportment, that he feem'd either to be Unconcern'd in the general di- fafter,orelfe to have overcome fuchpafllons as rife from worldly accidents * one uuij by a brave temper of Spirit : He was call'd * Ontagatbttu It feems he had *"** not put Civility out of his Religion ; for he had no fooner difcern'd Benti- volio and his Companions to be Strangers , but he a ceo fled them in courte- ous manner, and demanded if in that place, with which, as he thought ' they were not much acquainted , his affiftance might in any refpect be ac- ceptable unto them. Our defign, faid Bextivolio, was only to have feen this place, and to receive fome information concerning the manners of the KenefifttMs ; and fince you have incouraged us by the civility of your offer to make ufe of your help , you will do us a great courtefie if you let us underftand the reafon of that univerfal grief which hath manifestly invaded this place. That I fhall willingly perform, faid QntAg*- thus. It is occafioned by an accident which happen cl the laft night, which was i out wiijuiiy the death of f Tuphlecon the lateGovemour of Kenepiftu ; one much be- Hind. loved of the people, and in whom they had blindly repofed fuch ftrong confidence, that they wholly depended upon his conduct , and rul'd all their perfwafions by fuch reafons as he fuggefted. He never fa i I'd of ma- king his Propofals acceptable, for he had a through infight into the Temper of the people, and made his Dictates correfpond with their Humour. Astohimfelf he was thought to be of an incredible Faith, by which he was able to believe any thing, though fome, which knew him very well, affirm'd that he did indeed believe nothing. He pretended one f particular excellency in his Faith,which was an ability to believe againft all Senfe and Reafon ; and he efteem'd a power to give credit to fuch things as contain'd the moft apparent contradictions, to be the moft acceptable refignation of his Underftanding to God. And though fome told him that this was a kind of Brutifh belief, and that our Mind is then Divine, and can no other way be made like unto God, but by fubmitting it felf to all Truth, and rejecting of all Falfhood , which in its nature is a contradiction to Hea- venly Verity ; yet he perfifted in his Opinion, and was very confident that fuch a Sacrifice of fools was the moft Reafonable fervice of Human Souls. His main bufinefs was to make a fair fhow of great Sanctity; and this he did by a punctual obfervation of all outward Rites. He never went abroad I o«e that fits till he was well inftvudted concerning his carriage by one || Euprofbpon, who a fair f» c » up' was n j s intimate friend,and domeftick Counfellor : but many quick-fighted '" % mg '' perfons were able to look through the exactnefs of his drefs, and faw that the utmoft extent of his defign was bur. to feem good : which ferved his turn well enough in reference to his main intention, which was to get and keep Authority among men, for he had wav'd the fincere care of being accep- table to God. Though Hypocrifie was much more damnable in him> becaufe he was not of fuch a weak Underftanding but that he might eafily have known Book III. UbtntiXnlio and ©rania* 93 known,That God doth not regard fuperfritious devices, nor was ever fo cheaply pJeas'd as to be content with a vain Faith or the fhow of Holi- nefs. The chief Humor manifeftly predominate in the KenepifiUns was Love of Eafe; which did fo far command them,that though they defired to feem Re- ligious, yet they would have all difficulty removed from what they fhould beorder'd to perform, though it were never fo neceflary or excellenr. Tuphltconhzd taken notice of this Temper,and fitted it with fuch confer- om wif»ii) mable Laws, that it was no hard matter to procure obedience to his Govern- tUnim ment ; for he never commanded any thing but what he was fure they were willing to do: they were unwilling to do nothing at all ; perfect Idlenefs did not agree with their Fancy ; but they would have the inftances of their obedience eafie, and the Materials of which they roadetheir Oblations fuch as fhould not cofc them much, Tuphlecon by a fordid correfpondence had utterly perverted the ftate of their Spirits ; for by appointing them mean things,far below the excellency of true Perfeftive duties, hedebas'd their Souls : and they took as much Joy in thefe worthlefs ftraws, as if they had been the fervices of juft Spirits made perfeft ; and they judg'd themfelves worthy of no lefs acceptation than Cherubims, and took all thofe for Fools which ventur'd to reprove the vanity of their minds, or endeavoured to fhow them that they were govern- ed by falfe meafures of Religion, and that they had indifcreetly left out of their Obedience fuch Rules as were moft neceffary to fecure the Intereft of their Souls, either by improving them in that Goodnefs of which this pre- fentftate is capable, or by afcertaining their Eternal Welfare. But what- foever was faid was of no value with thofe who had determin'd it to be e- nough for them that their Inftrudtions pleas'd them, whether they would fave them or no. The Kenepijlixns having thus repos'd their hopes of Security upon falfe Principles, contented themfelves with a Form of Religion, and neglected the Indifpenfablenefs of a Holy life. The Severities of Godlinefs were ri- diculous among them, and the praftife of Charity arbitrary : they reckon'd the Examples of the Primitive times inimitable, and concluded the Defire of Goodnefs fufficient to Salvation. In * Theoprepia they love what thefe * j oh\m do but profefs , and do what thefe only fay. But in Kenepijlis, Flefh is al- **?*!■ lowed its Dominion over the Spirit ; Envy and Hatred have banifh'd Love, and they have devis'd a new way to go to Heaven without peace of Confid- ence, which they endeavour to quiet by negleft of Examination. Or if by chance they find they are not conformable in Difpofition or Praftife to Holy Rules, yet they excufe the bufinefs by alleging, That fin is uncon- querable in this mortal body ; That Obedience is impoffible; That the Beft things which we do are Splendid Sins, and the worft are but Sins. They re- pent as often as they pleafc ; nay they believe, if they do but repent at the hour of death, itfervesthe turn for the fins of their whole life; and, not- withstanding the greateftcaufes of Defpair, they may believe and be fafe for ever. By thefe Principles the Kenepifiians grew extream low in their Conver- v*m Miners. fation ; and if they had lived among fuch as make a juft eftimation of things they would have fore'd them to think, either that Religion is a pitiful bufi- nefs in it felf, or elfe that thefe were Hypocrites,and did profefs it only for a fhow. However the Kenepifiians enjoy'd a great deal of eafe, and freed themfelves from fcrupulous enquiries, and the ftrift performance of indif- 94 JldentiboUo and (Urania. Book III. One wilfully Blind. * GnaJhiHg tf teeth. J Flatterer. a Necejjity. b temathn. c PaJJion. d Matter. « tmpojjibility, fFate ar De. tfiny. I A Flatterer, indifpenfable duties, having made fuch things unneceffary by falfe Rules. They kept their Covetoufnefs untouch'd, becaufe the publick orders made no great matter of Charity, and becaufe they took not good Works for the only way to Heaven. They made fufficient amends for the Wrongs they did, if they were forry for them, becaufe Reftitution was no Fundamen- tal Article of their Creed ; and how bad foever they were , they thought themfelvesexcus'd, if they did accufe themfelves ftoutly; and it was a- bundance of. Mortification with them, to complain fometimes of their un- ruly Appetites, and to revile their Paffions, becaufe they would not be bridled. The Example of luphlecon, who framed his Life according to the fame Rules, made them love him infinitely ; for under his peaceable Govern- ment they were obliged only to talk of their Duties, and enjoy their Liber- ty. But this fair day began to be clouded by Tupblecons ficknefs, which I muft confefs I expected a great while before : for though he put- the befr. fide outward; yet Iobferv'd him to be very weak, and that he went con- ftantly with a very flow pace, which he us'd not fo much for Stateas to hide his Infirmity, which grew at laft to that height that he could diflemble it no longer. His difeafe was very fharp, fome call it * Brygmodonton ; it is much of thefame nature with that pain which is known by the name of Remorfe of Confcience. Thofe that are troubled with it, feem to feel a Worm in their Heart. When he had been gnaw'd thus a while, his Countenance grew wan; thofe which knew not what he ail'd, would have guefs'd that he was; haunted every night with an Evil Spirit. His voice being grown fo low, that one could fcarce difcern what he faid, he was fuppos'd to be very near the grave. Whilfi he lay in this miferable condition, an old friend of his, call'd Colax, whom he intirely loved, having heard of his Cafe, brought him fome Medicines, which he compos'd according to fuch odd Receipts as he had tranferib'd out of twoor three Books which he borrowed of Tuphle- con. The Effect fhow'd their Invalidity, for hereceiv'd not the leaft benefit by them. You may guefs the Worth of the Compofitions by the Nature of the Ingredients of which they confifted, 3 Ananke, h Pyrafmus^Pathos^Hylotes y *Jdynaton, and { Mcira. And as he adminiftred his Cordials, he told luphlecon, to comfort him, that he ought not to break his Heart for in- ' vincible infirmities, (and fuch he efteemed all his Sins,) That God was ob- liged to excufe ourdifobedience, becaufe of the naturalnefs of Sin ; and that he needed not to doubt of pardon for fuch faults as he was forc't to commit by the irrefiftible power of Tentation. That God doth not exatt Perfection of us, becaufe k is Impoflible. That he needed not trouble him- felf that he was fo bad, fince God had predeftinated him to be no better : and in fhort, that he might make one Anfwer to all Objections, even of Hy- pocrifie it felf,That Chrifthad been obedient for him. Yes, faid tuphlecon, with a quick and paffionate reply , and I fear that he will be faved for me too. Away,6 Co//he fufpedts to be no well-willers to Jgazelus ; ck contradi- anc j i Amphisbeton, who fhows the Rooms. It is much frequented by Dif- d "on* given t» Plants, and I pretending to be one got in. As I pafied through a narrow controvert;*. Court, which had been paved with a rough fort of Pebbles, but was then overgrown with (harp Thirties and fringing Nettles,I came to a wide Room tcontroverfi, cal I'd * Logomachia: an open fpace in the middle led to the upper end,where ahui writ. ft 00 d Lerocritus his Chair , many feats being plac'd upon both fides of the Room. It was very large; for,as the times go , they are no Chriftians which cannot difpute; and indeed fince the praftife of Goodnefs was left among them, it is the chief inftance of their Religion. Upon a broad Table which was before the Chair they had plac'd abundance of Books, which were fill'd with Definitions J) ivifionsjie frictions, Corollaries, brefragabilities, Quiddi- ties, Entities and Non-entities, .with many more ftrange words,I ask'd Amphis- B*iy Writ. betonwbat they did contain.He faid,inoft learned expofitions oiHierographon\ and Book III. Jl&entibolto and flHtama* 97 and that he had heard men fay, that thofe which made them had gathered all the hard words out of it to expound the eafie, and put in fome of their own more hard then any that they found there ; w hereupon they were grown at laft fo obfcure, that he verily believed if thofe which wrote that book fhould rile from the dead, they would not be able to underfland them. I ask'd him what they were good for. He protefted he could not tell : but as far as he could guefs, they were good for nothing but to make differences amongft honeft men, to puzzle Truth, and to inable men in the opinion of the wife to talk extraordinary nonfenfe, and to prefent words fo fubti- liz'd that they are paft the underftanding of their Auditots; and that he had obferv'done ftrange quality in them, which was, that they did ufual- ly reflett fuch an amufement upon thofe that fpoke them, that they did not underftand their own talk. Sure then, replied J, it was great pity that the ^Egyptians of old wanted thefe Books, they would have faved them the labour of inventing Hieroglypkicks ; for thefe uncouth forms of Speech would have fufficiently preferv'd their Myft eries from the contempt of Vulgar Understandings. I ask'd him the ufe of thofe divers Rows of feats. He faid,fince that was the Room where the chief bufinefs of the Houfe was managed , they were appointed to receive theCitizens of Jgazelus, without whofe grave de- liberation nothing was determined : though he had obferv'd that after many daies bufily employed in ferious debates , and fometimes in hot con- tefts,for the molt part their work was as far from a conclufion as at the be- ginning; and that after a years Confultation , matters were fo ineffectual- ly tofs'd from onefide to the other,that they feem'd to weave Penelope's web; and chat from this fruitless ifftte of much toyl, the Houfe was called * Mata- *iahur in oponus. fain. Sure, faid Urania, interrupting his Difcourfe, you make me think of a Mine in \ Amphilogia which is haunted with a Company of bufie Spirits , \j m bi g uit} cf which feem to refort thither with defire of employment, and work with ]/""*• fuch diligence as if they had been hired for daily labourers. The poor Miners at firft were glad of fuch help : for when they look'd upon them , they feem'd to dig up their Ore, tofeparateit from the Earth, to melt it intoufual form ; but when they were gone, they found nothing done for all the great ftir and fhow of Labour. You could not have found a fitter Comparifon, fcdOntagathus, to have reprefented the bufie Vanity of thefe idle attempts. I remember that I flood once not far from the Door , and a fudden knock made me turn about to know who it was that demanded entrance. Sundry people of item gravity came in ; and when two Ladies that were in the rear were about to enter , || Antilegon forbad them. They were || a emu*- modeft, andw : ouldnot intrude, but quietly retir'd. I whifper'd Ant> iia ' r - legon in the ear to know their names*; and he told me one was call'd * A' t truth. lethea, the other f Charinda. An ingenuous perfon of good note having + ihahf. taken notice of Antilegon' % refufal to let them in, made a complaint of the Incivility, and faid, that difinterefted people could not but fufpeft that fome unworthy aftions were to be perform'd amongft thofe who admitted many that would without doubt have been defervedly ftopp'd, both upon a fcrutiny of Knowledge and Goodnefs , and yet excluded two Ladies of known Wifdom and exemplary Charity. An angry man of the Compa- ny replyed, that jlletbea might come in if (he would ; he knew no body that defired her to be kept out ; and mov'd that fhe might be fent for. O The 9 8 25enttboiio and Crania. Book 1II 9 Ontgiviu to- (imrovirfti. The reft confenting to the motion, Ampbisbeton went fbr her. She was ut- terly unwilling togo in without her fifter Charinda, and ask 'd if fhemight not take her in. 1 have no order for that , faid * Jtmpbitbeton ; but fhe may ftay here a while, and fee if you can procure her leave. Go, fifter, faid Cbarinda , I will expeft your return , which 1 am affraid will be too fpeedy. When fhe was enter'd , they were in a hot difpu:e, and though they hadfent for her, never took any notice of her coming : fo fhe ftay 'd in the crowd without any obfervance , each Difputant eying hisOppofite more than her, though fhe was in the middle between them ; and as the parties grew warmer, they joftled her from one fide to the other, af- ter fuch a rude manner , that her being there was a little to her content. And at length being troubled with their quarrelfomnefs and wearied with noife, fhe quitted the Room, no body fo much as defiring her to ftay. By which I perceiv'd , that though they had fent for her in a Complement, and pretended to defire nothing fo much as her company , yet that her room was as acceptable, and that they were as much pleas'd with a difpu- tation concerning her as the enjoyment of her prefence. She and Cbarin- f guietHefs. fa wa j k'j together into the cool Grove of f Hejycbia, which borders upon Tbecprepia. After fhe was gone, they continued the noife,rubbing their ears and talk- ing with fuch eager loudnefs that it was hardlyfufferable : they were not a- fhamed to fpeak all at once ; though that Cuitom is fo barbarous that it is defpis'd by the wild Indians : yet having a good mind to fee the end, I held out, fuppofing that fuch Violence would not laft long. As I look'd about, I faw many little doors in the wall of the Room, much like to Sally-ports. For what ferve thefe , faid I , good Antilegon ? You muft know, faid he, that thefe Doors are of great ufe for the more quiet departure of the AfTembly ; for many times thofe who come in all toge- ther at that great Gate, do fo fall out before they have done talking, that they will not go forth with fuch as came in with them, and each having a private Key to thofe little Doors , one goeth this way, and another that. Amongft other things I perceiv'd alfo that each party ( for the * Agaze- Itans were divided into many Faftions) had a Desk by themfelves, and a Scribe which attended diligently with pen and paper : I guefs'd, it was be- caufe they did fo highly value the difcourfes which were made, that they would not permit any Syllable of a word to be loft. No , faid Jntilegon: each fide makes ufe of thefe to noteall the fufpicious words of their oppo- fite party , and every Saying that is capable of mifconftruftion ; that by thefe, when they have put them together in a Satyrical Pafquil, they may render the party odious , againft whofe opinions they have entertain'd dif- like. For each fide doth write, as well as fpeak, againft another, and this at fuch a rate, that when they have once differ'd , they make it im- poffible to agree again. When they cannot bring their Antagonifts to their Opinion,they count it Religion todifgrace their party ; and if they know- any evil of their Perfons, they refer it wholly to their Principles, though their own Sedt hath the fame and other faults : and if any evil thing follow from their Opinion, though at the diftance of feven Confequences well ftretch'd upon the rack of Cenfure, they fatten it upon the Conference of their Opponent , though he underftand no coherence between his Opinion and their Deductions, and doth fo really abhor fuch Conclufions as they make, that if he could think they did follow from what he holds, he would renounce his AfTertions. When * Zelttl. Book III. Identiboiio and toma* 99 When the Difputation was ended, each Chieftain had his diftinct herd fhndwg as near the door as they could get ; and when they appear 'd, they all applauded their own Champions, whom they fuppos'd Conquerors; and ilitnumph'd before they werefureof aVidory, with as much difcretion and no lefs noife than if the multitude had conlifted of adverfe flocks of an- gred Geefe. When Ontagatbus had gone thus far , they were come near to Mattopo- Laimf j H gits, which upon their approach began a Verification of his Story; for v»m, they were accofted with a prodigious noife , infinite numbers of Ag&ze- lians thronging together to be made partakers of the din. The prefs was fo great that Bentivolio and his Companions could not get into the new- built Logom.ich:.i ; only whilft they ftood in the Court they perceiv'dan older houfe where there was more free accefs, and thither they went, thinking to repofe themfelves a while after theirlong walk. It was not fomuchfi equented, becaufe at that time the Jgazelians ears did itch more after new Controversies. But when they were enter'd, they perceiv'd that no place is void of difputation in Jgazelus; for four Grave perfons, call'd Bellarmo, therulus, Lucanius, and Erctidius, had been a good while in a fharpconteft about divers matters wherein they differ'd ; and as they came in, Bellarmo was telling a ftrange (lory of * Anxxanatton , a great *Ki»£tf King , and he particularly extoll'd his magnificence for a Royal feaft **&• which he made for his Subjects ; and making a relation of the variety of Difhes, amongft other things he fa id, He gave them his own Flefh for Meat, and in Mead of Wine pour'd forch his Blood into golden Bowles. Then he prais'dthe inimitablenefsof his Love, that would feed the bodies of his Subjects with his own. Perceiving that his Companions did fcarce be- lieve him, That you may know, quoth he, how he did fuch a wonderful thing, I will acquaint you with a rare Myftery. By an unfpeakable way which he had , when the Bread and Wine were put upon the Table , he would convert them intothefubftanceof his own Body and Blood, and yet they could not perceive but the Bread and Wine retain'd their former nature, for they had the fame Tafte, Colour, and Shape, and yet there was no fuch thing upon the Board ; for what remain'd was only the Ac- cidents of Bread and Wine , preferv'd ft ill in being by an Omnipotent power without their Subjects, and had the fame colour to fee to, and the fame power to nourifh fuch as did eat and drink, as if they had {till been ;oin T d to their proper fubftance, though that was conveyed away invifibly. So that though it be a ftrange thing, yet I may tell you it for a Truth, That the King fate at the Table in Ins Chair, at the fame time when he was in the mouths of fome and the hands of others that feafted with him. And I have heard that though his Subje&s are fcattered through large Dominions, yet he can after the formentioned manner feaft them all at once, and be prefent with them all, though they be feparatedfom one another by the diftance of many thoufand miles, whilft they all eat him at the fame moment of time. At thefe words Therulus , who fate not far from him, replyed, You are fomethingout in your Story, Bellarmo ; for the King yon talk of did not convey away the meat and drink of his Guefts, as you fay, and by way of Tranfubftantiation convert them intohisown Flefh and B.'ood ,,but united himfelf with their Bread and Wine: And while he was To corporally mix'd with their Meat and Drink, they did eat and drink the King and his Meat both together. This I know, fori have been feafted at his Table a; O 2 ' hundred ioo flbentlfcoUO and (lU'ama. Book Ill- hundred times ; and fuch as cannot fee how this (hould be, were either ne- ver at his houfe, or elfe are as blind as a ftone. ' Upon this Luc&niu* grew a little angry, and faid, For my part I cannot fee it, yet I have been there many times, and I believe as oft as any in this Company ; and I thank God I am not fo blind,but I can read a Book, which I have heard you both acknowledge for a true Record of that Story ; and by what I find there I am forc'd to deny credit to your Report, For it faith , That Anaxanatton went to Heaven long ago, and at his Afcenfion declar'd that he would not return till theReftauration of all things , which is not only not paft, but, as I fear, a great way off. Were you at fupper in Hea- ven, Bellarmo, or you Therulus ? Did either of you fee his Subjects cut that Glorified Body in bits ? But that it cannot pofiibly be true, that the Bread and Wine are chang'd into the Body and B'oodbf the King by any Corpo- ral Metamorphofis, is manifeft in that the hallowed Bread and Wine, of which you affirm fuch incredible things,will grow mouldy and fowre; which are things impoffible to be attributed to Jnaxanatfon's condition , who fince his reception into Heaven, is according to the mod perfect fenfe in a ftate of Incorruptibility. Bellarmo and Therulus were fo offended with thefe words, that they rofe up in a great pafiion, and would needs be gone : But Erotidius prayed them to have patience till he alfo declar'd his opinion; unto which with much ado they contented , and fate down again : whereupon Erotidius began after this manner ; Bellarmo, you and Therulus have related ftrange things, which amaz'd me to hear, and 1 underftand that you have told thefe ftOries formerly in divers Companies ; but, I fear, much to the difhonour of Anaxanatton- For whilft you report fuch impofiible things, you tempt people to doubt whether ever there was any fuch King, or whether he made any Feaft at all ; becaufe they aire fure he could make no fuch as you mentioned , the thing being in its nature impoffible. Some body hath ex- treamly abufed yOu, to make you efteem it for an Excellency in his Religi- on to be fill'd with Opinions which are contrary to common fenfe; and to introduce a fuitable Faith, which commends its worth from apovverof believing fuch Doctrines as contradict the Principles of Natural Reafon , which God hath planted in our Souls; unlefs God ffiould be thought to defign the extirpation of the Roots which he hath fet. If you put fuch monftrous AfTertions into Religion, men will be apt to take it foran old wives tale , or a fabulous Superftition invented by brain-fick men ; and thofe that are initiated into your myfteries being taught to believe any thing, will as eafily believe nothing; and by being religious after this fafliion, will be effectual lydifpofed to Atheifm- for when they examine their Faith, they will find that in truth they only believe for fear,or pro- fefs that they do for worldly regards, but that they have no reafon for what they hold. Ingenuous men are govern'd by the Divine Light which ftnnes in their Souls., by which they know that God cannot do afiat which implies a Contradiction ; and upon the fame ground they allure themfelves that there was never any fuch Feaft. You affirm unreafonably that the Body of your King, which is but One, may be in divers places at once ; that it maybeathoufandmiles remov'd from me, and yet but the diftance of a hand-breadth at the fame time; and fo you make the fame diftance greater and lefs than it felf. For if he be corporally prefent with meat his Feaft, and after the fame manner with another at a thoufand miles diftance from me , the fame Longitude will be fhorter than it felf. You deny not, but his Body Book III. BentfoOlid and Crania, iot Body is iii Heaven , and yon affirm it to be in a Chappel upon Earth at etc fame time ! To that if you draw a line from the fame point of my Hand to the fame point of the King's Body, which is the fame line, becaufe it is a ftraight line between the fame terms , the diftance will be but a yard long , and yet reach many hundreds of miles : which is a plain Contradiction. Your Monfter hath another Head alto no lefs deformed than this ; for your Tranfubitantiatiori doth fuppofe one Body may penetrate another, when as all the world have confefs'd it to be the nature of Bodily fubfhnce to be Impenetrable ; and ever fince that Propriety was flamp'd upon its EfTence by the Creator, each material Subftancedoth ftoutly arid irrefiilibly keep it felf from being penetrated by another. Sothatwhilft you report that the Viands were tranfubftantiated into the Flefh and Blood of your King, you would make people believe that either he had rib true Body when he made that Feaft,or at leaft that he hath not now. You fay, to make the won- der the greater, That the whole Mafsof your King's Blood is in each drop of Wine, and that every Crum of Bread is converted into the whole Body; riot one Crum into the head , and another into the feet ; and fo the Whole is thruft into eVery Part: which doth necefTarily infer a Penetration of Matter} which can no more reafonably be affirm'd than Contradictions can poflibly bereconcil'd. Therefore, Gentlemen, fihee our Matter's Body is in Heaven, and that he hath told us he will riot return to Earth till he come to reftore this miferable Mtorld, and hath appointed us to corrimemorate the love of his death by the renewal of his holy Feaft, where each difh is a Symbol of better things then any flelhly eye cari fee ; let Us receive the benefits ofhis Divine Prefence by an humble Faith, without this quarrel fomedifpute for the bold determina- tion of the manner of his being there. So fiiall we, who are now divided by that which was appointed to unite us, become again a holy Synaxis, and in fread of offering a ridiculous Sacrifice we fhall celebrate an acceptable Eft- chrijl. When E'rotidius had fate dbw"ri , Luurtius rofeup with an intention to fpeak further concerning Erotidius his Arguments; but Therulus netled with the former difcourfe prevented him, faying, Hold thy tongue, Vain Man, thou wilt confent to his filly talk : doft thou not fee him fo ignorant of the Nature 6f Faith that he will not believe Contradictions ? After thofe words he went out of the Room, faying, I will talk no more with fiich Affcs. jBefarmo took the opportunity to wave an anfwtr with pretence of great wrath, and went away to the chief Governour of * Exofrmnon, to give him * AE*u cut. an account of what had pafs'd. How he reported the difcourfe I know not, war where divers Virtuofo's did daily meet, and with moft: ex- ' cellent Under/landing difcourfe upon the moft profitable things know- able. As they were leaving the Room, a company of illiterate fellows, but more fierce than the former, would needs renew the Difputation ; and one that thought himfelf the wifeft among them, earneftly defired that the Ar- cAweriwhhh gumentof their difcourfe might be c Kiskildrivium. They brutifhly agreed, fauifiim* beingmuch taken with the wonderful found of the word. It coft them "*' much time to know from what Language it was derived , but at laftthey concluded it to be of Roman pedigree ; and when they had been long in enquiry after thefignificationof it , one of them recollecting his memory, told them, it was Tranfubftantiation. I do not believe that,faid another : for notwithstanding our talk all this while, I am confident that Kiskildri- viumlszn infignifi cant Term. , So it is, quoth the other, but no more then Tranfubftantiation, for they both fignifie nothing. Upon this they refolv'd to difpute no more upon that fubject, having heard it exploded but a little before. After this they quarrell'd a good while one with another about the choice of fome Queftion todifputeof : but coming to no agreement, they d CMUHtiM fe folv'd to difpute of nothing, and fo went away all together to d Logoma- aiout words, c'j/d. This meeting being thus difiblv'd, Urania and her Company withdrew ■ alfo ; and as they went by the door which leads into Logomachia,\hty found e Ont tUt is t h a t entrance was now very eafie ; for a great part of the company being f ont much wearied with an Expectation, of whofe effeft they at laft defpair'd, were gvum t9«m- gone away ; only the Grandees which were Leaders in feveral points of *%out'hari tt Controverfie remain"d, and fuch little parties as had refign'd themfelves be fhajed. to the foveraignty of their Dictates. Towards the upper end of the \%*" l * Ur Room in three feleft Chairs more hi & n then the reft ft te e Jg*»*tten, f iV iomwhi lymachus and ' ' Dyfarcftus , for they had no final 1 Authority in Jgazelus. fpt*kf Ufty ^ Antinomus and' Hyper nephelus fate by the Table : overagainft them fate kAn iHfeient a P rou d Fellow with a Saddnces Coat on ; as they were mufing who it perjan. fhould be, one pointing to him faid to his Companion, That Atheiftis mAnTmoH' k Jg'rockus. A little below him fate a frantick Enthufiaft, call'd 1 Magi- dr$»t\. ' * '**■> and m Melancholicus Iean'd upon the back cf his Chair. Towards the lower Book III. fl&enttbolto and fllrania* 1 02 lower end flood an empty Chair ; and as * Jlazon and f Deifidamon were *ABaafitr. fcufflingfor it, a bold fellow of a fimple vifage with his eyes funk under \* t **l" m ~ a great forehead, call'd || Ignaro , poffefs'd himfelf of it to their great dif- \\ An ignorant content. As they were difconrfing, a humorous fellow , called * Heauto, f J rlon u made a great difturbance to their affairs ; his manner was to walk up and limfiif" down amongft the company , to hug himfelf, to talk of himfelf and to him- felf. A fober man, difpleas'd with his impertinencies , demanded of him what he fought there. He faid, Himfelf. He ask'd the reafon of his trou- blefomnefs to the meeting. He faid, Himfelf, Whilft fome that mind- ed not the Myftery of his folly fell a laughing , he moved the company that the arrogant fool might be put out of the Room ; alleadging that there was but fmall hopes of doing any thing whilft he frayed, and that when they were freed from the hindrance of his clamorous noife, they might the bet- ter hear one another, and more quietly bring their bufineffes to fome good conclufion. It was wonderful with what loud cagernefs the company an- fwer'd, No, No; Let him alone, he fhall not be turn'd out , we can bear with his follies well enough, we have beenus'd to them. Whereupon he being much pleas'd that the company had voted his flay, began to be more quiet. Upon one fide ©f the Room, where was a crowd of bufie Talkers, they faw one in the form of a Shepheard, clad in a white Mantle, put on fo hand- fomely, that many were much delighted with looking upon him; but he was another kind of thing then that of which he made fhow of, his name was Lucifer. Urania jogg'd Bentholio to take notice of his carriage ; for though he demean'd himfelf with a great deal of wary cunning, yet fome- tiroes he could not chufe but difcover himfelf: for when Magicus was talk- ing of fome great Prophet lately fent from Heaven, that was, as he faid, above Chrift Jefut, and who was the only Comforter ; or when any of* Ke- * Vain Faith, nepifiii magnified a vain Faith, and reproached Morality as a poor heathen- ifh Vanity, he would encourage them. When f jigerochus provok'd the \ah infant company to anger with bitter words, and undertook afterwards to prove J* r / W » that it was impoffible that there fhould ever be agreement in the Church , they perceiv'd him to laugh. But when any vertuous man who loved peace advis'd the rigid to Moderation, fhow'd the inconveniencies of an un- charitable fpirit, or defir'd them to lay afide conceitednefs , and to or- der * Heauto to withdraw, he exprefs'd an extream Difcontent in his * ^ oy^ looks. rtiinu. Things were managed infucha confus'd manner, that any body ventur'd in amongft them, many which had nothing to do, and fome who went only to do hurt, and (which was ftrange) * Miafmafarkus and b Fneumatodes were "fiumtnt. efpied there, but they fhrowded themfelves under the Patronage of c Jnti- bJndfpirittt- mmus and* Jgerochus. *•* . . Before I go any further to tell what happened at this meeting, it will not «,«„. "■ be amifs to fet down a fhort ftory which 6 Ontagatbus told to Urania the ^v""** f" night before at the houfe of c Fhiloxenus concerning 6 JganacJon, h Polyma- ^"j uuiygod thus and ' Dyfareflus. They are, faid Ontagatbus, perfons of no mean efteem "">»• for Religion, and have exprefs'd fuch a zeal for their particular Opinions , &/"'"?." that they have not refus'd to fight for them, each of them ftriving with their g one that « greateft force to bring the other two into obedience to their Sentiments,and y"^ h •„ as they had the advantage of the upper ground , they threw thofe which v ,n\TclnuT- would not fubmit to their Conftitutions into great affliction: but they ?«[>'• defended themfelves from the imputation of cruelty for fo doing , l?Z„r"j " by 104 J5entibolio and Crania. Book III* by faying chat the chaitifemems which they appointed were only godly perfections and wholfome corrections,very needful to reduce difobcdienc peopleto their duty ; and that they did not punifli after that fafhion which the wicked ufe, when they kill one another, becaufe they had a charitable intention in their fevereftcaftigations. But as far as any by-ftander could perceive, whatever the Intents were , the Actions were mifchievous , and utterly unbecoming thevery pretence of tiue Religion, which as it con- tains a nioft excellent love of God, fo it never leaves out a great Charity to all our neighbours. * on tb*t it * Jganatfon was firft deputed the chief Governour off Jgazelus ; but he r^,l'a»t,tf executed his Office with fuch Rigor, that he ruin'd poor men fora word, Emuietm. and made people Offenders for fuch trifles as were not to be regarded by a prudent Governor. Though many of his wifer Friends advis'd him to the contrary, knowing that a good Governour fhould neither multiply unne- ceflary Laws, nor inflict fuch fore punifliments for fmall Faults , that the feverity bears no proportion with the guilt. A poor man was once requi- red to come before him, who was unwilling togo,not that he thought himfelf guilty of any Fault,but becaufe he could ill fpare the time from his labour, upon which he and his Family fubfifted : but being compell'd to make his appearance, he defired to know his Charge. They anfwer'd,he wasfent for becaufe he had prophanely digg'd his ground and fow'd it upon Jj]u?npti- on-day. When he ask'd what jjjfttmptitm, they told him that of our Lady; and when the ignorant man demanded, what Lady ? they angrily replyed , the bleffed Virgin. I cry you mercy, faid the poor man, for my Ignorance of that jifiumftion, and 1 hope it is very pardonable,for I could never meet with that Story in a holy Book which I have at home, where they fay all good things are recorded : but I honour the Virgin-mother, whom all Ge- nerations do juftly call Blejfed , and I know that fhe is fo full of Grace and • gentle Goodnefs, that fhe doth not defire a poor man to worfhip her with a Sacrifice madeof his Childrens bread, or that any body fhould" die of hunger for her fake. Thereupon he pray'd them to difmifs him, for that he had at home a fick Wife and five fmall Children , and if he fhould do no work that dav, they could eat nothing at night. Notwithstanding this fair plea, after many reproachful words, they told him he fhould pay ten fliillings for his offence, orelfegotoPrifon. Then I muft go to Prifon, v quoth the poor man, for I am not able to pay half of ten fhillings. Ac- cording to their word they committed him, that by his Example others might underftand what they were to Expect if they offended in like man- ner. ^owmuchgi- Aniongft others || Tolymachtu and * Dyfarejlus were punifh'd , becaufe vmto amrt- they did not comply with jiganatforis Rules, and a!fo by their Example *©»!'wj to and Arguments dilfwaded many fJgazetitHS from their Obedience. But bs fiffid. AganaBon at length growing very weak by reafon of a violent ficknefs ia«t-fpiritf. w hich feiz'd upon him , Pclymachtts was put into his Room; which was brought to pafs by the importunate Interceffions of the people : for Poly- tnacbus had fo frequently declaimed againft jiganatfons fiercenefs , that they made no doubt but he would exprefs extraordinary meeknefs; and they feeing Aganatton low and feeble, made ufe of the opportunity to ad- vance Polymachui to the Government ; which he had not managed very long, but they plainly perceiv'd how ftrong a Tentation great Power is to mortal men, how hard it is for fuch as rule to do right in all things, how unanfwerable men are unto their promifes when they are chang'd from Book ill. Bentiboiio and Crania, 105 ' 1_ fromanadverfe condition to onemoreprofperous, and how apt they are to diiturb others when they think themfeives fecure,and to flight the Com- forts of fuch as were the Jnftrumentsof their advancement, if they do not humour them afterward with all poflible fubmiffions. Folytnachus began to beftir himfelf, and confignd his friends to all preferments : he v. as bard to jfgxMttoris Officers, and difpofTefs'd nioft of them, to bring his own Relations into their places. He put alfo no fmall affronts upon Dyfareftus, and at laft fign'd an order for his banifhment. But as Dyfrreftus was upon his journey towards the Sea-fhore,he met a Tjtoag of the Jgazelian Horfe, and made known his Cafe to tlie Captain,by a full relation of his fu fieri ngs under Folym&chus : whereupon the Captain, Centaurus by name,, command- ed his men to lay hold upon Folymnchus his Officers, and taking Dyfarejius back with him to X'olymnchus, he upbraided him with many drfgracefui in- ftancesof his ill management of affairs, and particularly reprov'd him for his cruel carriage towards Dy far eft us and his friends; and told him that for the time to come he mult deport himfelf more gentiy, and for afecurity of doing no future harm he fhould take Dyfireftus into the partner/hip of his Government. Unto this Polymachus was forced to give an unwilling con- Tent, for as matters flood then he could not help it. The power being thus divided between Folymacbus and Dyfrreftus, they order 'd things lb, that ei- ther party thought themfeives well appayed , for they enjoy 'd qnietnefs and preferment, but they both flighted Jganatfox, fcarceevervifited him inhiSficknefs, and long'd for his death. It is a bard matter for fuch as have govem'd others to learn Obedience themfeives. Agmactons Gcknefs continued upon him, and his friends alfo by apaffionate fympathy with his diftreffes were brought very low : but they fufier'd not alone , for divers things happen'd which occaflon'd Folymacbus and Dyfrreftus to difagree ; and their parries,being much divided according to thelntereft of their Lea- ders , did much mifchief to each other. Thus much of Ontsgatbus his flory I thought good to infert , becaufe it makes known fome of thofe reafons which occaflon'd the diffractions of J- gaze lus, which were now grown to that height, that their once flourrfhing Society witber'd into Jitcle Factions,' and infiead of the happinefs of mu- tual love, they had now an Union only in common Afflictions and the dif- fatisfaftions of anunfeded condition. A wife man who had obferv'd the Rife and Progrefs of their Troubles to ' depend in a great part upon a fpirit of Uncbaritablenefs, pray'd them that they wou'd fo far refent the mifery of their prefent condition as to enquire into thepolTibilities of Recovery ; andfince they faw the dangers of their difagreemenr, to think fpeedily of terms of Accommodation. Though they were unwilling to hear of Accommodation, every one being much inc'ifpos'd to bate any thing of his Self-will and Idiopathies ; yet being ga'l'd with many ill Effects of their Diffentions,they were perfwaded • by theReafons and Authority of one generally efteem'd a very Wife man,to try if they could come towards each other in nearer diflances. And this occaflon'd the meeting of which I have made mention already: but what final 1 hopes of fuccefs were at this time produc'd was too apparent by the unfriendly manner of their converfe. Among feveral things, too many to be here inferred, one was very ob- fervable, that though they had all one common pretence of Appeal to an Authentick Record call'd Jus Divinum, for putting an end to their Contro- verfies, which was therefore plac'd in the m'tdft over the Table ; yet it P was io6 JI5entibolto and clfrania. Book in was upon the top of fitch a high Pole, that none of them could eafily reach it : whereupon each party did very rudely throw their Bibles at it to bring it down to their own fide ; by which violence they did often give unhandfome blows to their Oppofites, which ufually occafioned fo much anger, that after, they had fate togethera long vvhilc,they parted with much more hatred ther? they met. It being impoffible to bring good affairs to a- ny fuccefs when they are manag'd without Prudence and Charity. When they had jangled a good while according to the forementioned difbrders, and were all going to rife in a great *i\\\x\t,Eerrtivolio defired fome of the chief Difputants, that they would have the goodnefs to receive a few words from one who was forry for their divifions, and did hope that he might fhovv them a way to make up their uncomfortable breaches. The mo- tion was acceptable, becaufethey were now even wearied out with dif- cord : and having demanded his Name, when they underftood ic was Benti- volio, they were extreamly pleas'd, having heard of him often , but never feen him before. They i-eceived in a good part a confirmation of what was reported concerning him, from the Grace of his Speech, and the Lovelinefs of his Countenance, and earneftly defired him to make them happy with his feafonable Advice, if he had any Remedy for fuch a deplorable Condi- tion. Bentivolio anfwer'd, That however it fhould fucceed , he would fhow the reality of his good-will: but he judg'd it neceflary before he went further, to have fome private Conference with Jlga.n&ttonJ'olymAchus and Dyfarejlw; and that the multitude fhould bedifmifs'd for the prefent, and receive intelligence of their Difcourfes at the next meeting. The Com- pany tired out with fruitlefs attendance, confented to the propofal , efpe- cially fince they were to underftand things another time. As they began to withdraw, Bentivolio fnatch'd Lucifer's ftaffe out of his hand, and drove him out of the Room ; and as he went forth he took Magicus along with him. *FUpy. * Miafmafarfyts, and f Ptieumitodes fearing the fame Fate, ran away i^f'Tf w ' n ^ ^ uc ^ a fr'gh^ bafte that every one took notice of them, which made their Patrons blufli; and one of them holding jlntinomm by the right hand, and the other by the left, they hurried him along for company. j| seififi perfitt. Then he defired that || Heauto might be given in charge to one * Auto- * seifdituai. p arfies to ^ e Kept in fafe Cuftody till the next meeting; at which they fhould hear fuch a Bill read againft him as would procure him fhame and v punifhment. i one that He bade them fend f Hypemepheltis home with a guide, and appoint talks huge || jfnanephon with a fharp rafor to ihaveoff the wild hairs that grew round I'oHiwbo re. about his Crown, and to apply fome Remedy which fettles the Brains, and mms to fob™- frees the Fancy from arrogant Conceits, and makes ordinary men unapt to mud'^""' 4 dream that they are the Saviours of Mankind, or to defire to be worfhipp'd with Ho/anna's, or to think that they are the Judges of the World, come to pronounce the laft Sentence. He order'd tha t Melancbolicus fhould take a iufty dofe of Hellebore to purge difcontented humors. Upon this Hyferne- fheltts and Melancbolicus wept bitterly, and pray'd him for pity fake not to take notice what Mad-men fay in their Fits,nor to impute the faults of their diftemper'd Heads to the choice of a wicked Will. To which Bentivolio anfwer'd, that they fhould do well to follow the foremention'd directions, and perfect their Repentance* When Book III. Bentiboiio and flirama, 107 When one had pull'd Ignaro out of his Chair, he bade them throw him out of the Room; but firft advis'd him to goto School with little boys of hisownfizeof Underftanding , andcharg'dhim, as he would not fuf- fer fuch punifhment and worfe , that he fhould not venture into that Company any more. When Jlazon heard thefe words , he fneak'd a- way. Bentivolio was not willing to take any notice of * Agerochus ; for he * An ^^ fcorn'd all advice, t hough he extreamly wanted it ; but becaufe of his intol- *"/•». lerable Arrogance he thought it requifite to give him a few reproofs. Age- rochus, faid Bentivolio, you might do well to learn fo much Ingenuity as to think that others may poffibly underrtand fenfe as well as your felf. Leave off your defign to make the World believe Contradictions or No thing, for you will lofe your labour. Be content that fome things are in their own na- tures Right and others Wrong without your appointment.Repent that you have endeavoured to chafe Faith out of the Societies of men, and to banifli Honefty out of the World, by making your Books bafe pleas for Hypo- crifieand Villany. Let Almighty God be a Spirit, becaufe he hath told us that he is fo ; and except him from the foolery of your determination,That whatfoever is not a Body is nothing. Put not the Soveraign Lord of the World to fo much unworthy trouble, as to ask leave of his Subjects that the Commands which he hath given them may be obligatory. Take heed left for thofe rude affronts you have put upon Religion,the people do not juftly call you, The Northern Antichrift. Read the four Evangelifts fometimes, and having fet a Deaths-head before you, meditate upon the Reafbnable- nefs of the laft Judgment. Take down the fvvollen fails of your Windmill ; and when you are grown fober,you fhall have leave to write one Book more, but with this Condition, that you do recant all the reft. Agerochus was fo mad that any body durft offer to teach him, that he went away with fuchex- preffionsoffcorn, that he fufficiently fignified that he ;udg'd none in that Company worthy to learn of him. The Room being freed from the tumultuous multitude , Bentivolio, defi- ring his Fellow-travellers to fit down, accofted Jganatfon, Polymachus and Dyfarefius with his wonted civility ; and having crav'd leave to ask them a Queftion or two, he firft demanded, If any of them had ever been fick. They all anfwer'd, Tes. I got a fall, faid Jganaff on,with running too faft : I fcarce ever went abroad fince, only by the help of a Horfe- litter I came to this meeting in hope to find fome cure, of which I fhould be forry to be difappointed. I could wifh with all my heart, faid Polymachus, that you hadus'dafofter pace; for when you ran fo fart: I was weak, and could not get out of your way, but you trod fo hard upon my breaft,that you ftruck almoftall the breath out of my body, and made me labour under a diffi- culty of fpeaking for a great while after. I, faid Dyfarejlus, was Sea-fick once. Bentivolio ask'd them further, If they had not fome thoughts of their Sins in their Sicknefs, and if they did not entertain fome purpofes of amending their Errors,if they fhould obtain their former health. They all faid, Tes. Bentivolio giving them thanks for the freedom of their Converfe , told them, Gentlemen, you are upon a fair way of recovery, and two of you feem to have regain'd more health then Agana[ton. When you come to your perfect ftrength, make good thepromifesof your ficknefs. Take heed of relapfing into a difeafe which is Epidemical to your Country, and doth fo infeeble mens minds, that they know not when they are well , and doth f) 2 fome- io8 Bcntibolio and Crania. Book 111. * -A msmaU fit iimfilf. fStl/Jmisk AU-antf fomecimes fo inrage them, that they do not think themfelves well unlefs they fee others ill ; which is a hellifh kind of Diftemper. I have heard that you, Polymachus, was much offended when JganaCton was fick of this difeafe,and would not quietly enjoy his own liberty until he had depriv'd you of yours; and yet you and Djfereftus having gotten power into your hands, would not let him enjoy his. You pronounc'd your felf in the r ight,and efteem'd that a fufficient warrant for your peace,when JgAna Eton condemn d you for Error; and now you will not give him that leave to judge for himfelf, which you took before. He thinks he is in the right, and you fay, you know you are not in the wrong : you may be miftaken ; you fee the Confi- dence of the Perfon is no fure proof of the truth of the Opinion. Each of you is as confident as the other, and if one believe any one of you, two of you are deceived. Butfuppofeyou be not mifraken,will youprofecutea- nother for not knowing fo much as you do ? And if you fay he may know if he will,or he doth know,but he is obftinate ; If that be a good plea, could not Ag&naclon have juftly made ufe of it againft ycu when you were the fuf- ferers, and complain'd of your ufage as injuft ? You ought to have fo much Charity, as to be willing to grant that to others which in times of neceflity you ask'd for your felves. Take heed of Violence, Friends, and prefer the fofetyof all before a hazardous venture of what you have , and may com- fortably keep, for the unrighteous acquift of more then is your due. Thofe are mad people who when they are fallen out, will rather kill one another then be parted. Concerning Forms of words be not too troublefome. You have a Book at home which is half Hebrew, half Greek ; make that the Confeflion of your Faith. Be not imperious in irapofing your Interpretations of doubtful Ex- preffions upon fuch as underftand them not. When you have a mind to be zealous, exprefs your Heat in thofe famous and undoubted Inftances of Goodnefs, True Piety, Charity, Righteoufnefs and fober Prudence,which are written in your Book with great Letters. I had almoft forgotten * Bent- tc, who ftands committed Prifoner to f jfutofarnes ; it is fit, that he fliould never be releas'd. To manifeft the Juftice of fuch a fliarp Cenfure, he gave them a Lift of fuch horrid Accufat ions, that they were very unwilling to read them. Here Bextivolio ended his Difcourfe, entreating them to receive favoura- bly what he had propounded with a fincere regard to their Happinefs. They gave him thanks for his Good-will, and promis'd to take his Advice into their ferious confideration. The day being far fpent, Bentivolio took his leave of them, and accompanied Urania and PanaretHs unto the Houfe of the ruoft covkicousW Philoxenus. THE 109 THE FOURTH BOOK: R THEOPREPIA. A divine 3*U, or a Stmt wor- thy of Sod. ijilSp jjppjjiii JajR sill lllixsflil§s= S a Traveller, after he hath fojoumed a good while in a forreign Country, doth na- turally defire to return to his Native foil ; and when he finds parts abroad far inferior to the reports which made him travail, the Air being unheahhful, or the Manners of the people unfui table to his Difpofition, and that thediverfionsof the place do make no confiderable Compenfation for his Pa- tience ; he grows weary of his ftay, heigh- tens the value of his Home by every incon- venience of his abfencc, and quickens his defires of departure proportionably: So it was with Bextivolio and his Companions ; for though they never efttem'd the Countries through which they pafs'd as good as HheoprepA, yet they had now found them fo much worfe then their Expectation , that their longer continuance in them grew tedious, and they fancied nothing but a fafe return as the Price and Confo- lation of their wearifome Pilgrimage. FhiloxetJta and Ontagathus had fo ordered their affairs, that they were A f r } ttt i, t ready to go along with them ; of which their guefts were not a little glad , sirangm. for they had found fuch Truth of Love and Reality of Goodnefs in them A ^ n<>ti both, that they thought it impoflible to have better Company. Ontagtitfius 1 1 o J!5entibolio and tltanta* Book IV. a Th, flat, of Ontagathus was their Guide chrough that part of a VanafemUa where they fypocri/ic wepc tQ g Q . f or j ie j inew £ h e Country, and conducted them by a direct Path, b Min. which leaving the muddy Lake call'd b horborus upon one hand, and the high c priie of Rokcsof c Hypficardion upon the other, leads ftrait forward into Theoprepia. After they had travail'd fome hours with fiich a pace as is proper for a Journey, they came to the Top of a riling ground, from whence they had d strift. a fair Profped into a pleafant Dale cali'd Ihe Valley of A 'jfgon ; and there they were accofted with filch a fight as ftruck them with great admiration, e oatiuhotoH- It was an encounter between a fprightly Youth call'd « Nicomachus, and one 5««r/ in fight, f pirafles, whofe looks were more courteous than his intentions, as a ppear'd by the effects of his convene. f A Tempt tr. Nicomxchus had defign'd a journey into Theoprepia the Higher, where the g virtue. beautiful * ^Arcte dwelt , upon whom he had beftow'd his affections fo en- Httt iejins s tireJy, that it was truly reported of him that he loved nothing but her. Pi- JnriHgth'T ra ft es having understood his purpofe, l'efolv'd to do his utmoft to hinder imfiiioftbi the execution of it. He had three Kinfwomen, which though they were Jmitunbvia. p Q i n f er j or to tne incomparable Jrete, that all their Eeauties put together would not make fo much as afit refemblance of her leaft Excellencies , yet he would needs think them all worthy of Nicomxchus his affections : and he was fo indifferent in hisdefiresas to any one of the Three, that he had commanded them all to do their 1 beft to procure his Love, imagining to himfelf abundance of pleafure if any of them could prevail. Their hsiuh. Names were h Nxrke, ' Parufa and k Orexis. Pirajies was more willing to iib*tiohhh it hinder this Journey, became he was afraid that if Nicomachus had once T k/p M f ',tit: ^ een Tbeoprepia, he fhould never be able to perfwade him back to Vanafem- bla. He endeavour'd todeterr him from his undertaking by many mifre- prefentations of the Country, which he made themoft unlovely part of the world: and finding that courfe unfuccefsful, (for Nicomachus was not foolifhly credulous,) and knowing that he could not force him to go back with him by a compulfive power, (/or Nicomachus was fo ftrong , that none might conftrain him to any thing againft his will, ) therefore he procured thefe three Girls to afilft him with their devices. They had provided them- felves with many Charms, and were will-ing to do any thing for Pirajies , both becaufe their hopes did much depend upon him, and beca ufe he gave them good rewards for their fervice ; and he was as will ing to imploy them, becaufe they had often ferv'd him with good fuccefs : and indeed they were fo skilful in their Art, that if the perfon whom they affaulted did not very well knowhisway, andhad not fetafirmrefolution to keep it, they would inveigle him back again. They gave fuch proof of their power upon Ni- comachus, which fhow'd they were no Punies ; though being overmatch'd with an unequal Combatant, it prov'd ineffectual. If one have a watchful. Mind, a true Faith, and an upright Heart free from Hypocrifie, they can do nothing. Narke had a box of Sweet Powder ,which being caft into the air produe'd fuch-an intoxicating perfume, that fuch as took in the fent thereof were apt prefently to fall afleep. There is no Antidote againft it but an excellent l Car: fort of Sneezing-powder call'd l Meleta which doth utterly fruftrate its force. She had alfo divers Gall-traps in her hand, which flie us'd to throw in narrow paffages of the way. They were Balls fet round with fuch fharp pricks, that thofe which were deftitute of juft preparations for their journey , and were not guarded with a refolv'd Patience, were vercomes in Book IV. 2i5cnttbcito and Crania, 1 1 1 were not able togo over them. She did ufe aifo to meet paffengers upon the Rode,and tell them ftrange ftories of Lions and Bears-,which fhe affirm 'd to be in the way ; and. of defperate Hills which could not be climb'd with- out peril of breaking ones neck ; and of impaffable Boggs in feveral places which feem'd to be firm ground : by which means fhe did often fo enfeeble the minds of fimple people, that they would return with her, who made them a prey to Pirajles, in whofe Cait-le they were kept Prifoners. For her fair pretences were lb inwardly malicious, that though fhe could conquer none but fuch as foolifhly yielded themfelves up to her allurements, fheal- waies undid the felf-taken Captives, When fhe perceiv'd that thefe and Fuch like Charms would not prevail upon Nicomachus , who had arm'd fi'imfelf for greater AlTaults, fhe call'd to her Companion * Paritfa for affiftance ; who came forth with a fplendid * Prejent Coronet upon her head , a golden Hook in her Hand, and a basket of plea I me ' Atalanta's Apples upon her Arm, and attempted Nicomachus with much en- treaty to accept of a Civility which many that pafs'd that way did not re- fufe, which was only to divert himfelf a while at her houfe, which was in 'fight upon the Edge of a Hill joyning to the Valley of f Jgon. * Ntco- 1 strife machus with many thank's wav'd her offer,all edging that he had not travail'd * °* etha,i fo far as to need a Bait, and that he had fo far to go, that he could not fray j"k™ tfe> accept of it ; and therefore defircd her that in ftead of offering a Cour- tefie fhe would not do him a Hindrance. Alas, Sir, quoth fhe,. you need not make fuch hafte : peradventure the place whether you are going will not give you fuch welcome as I fhall. It is not fit, replied Nicomachus > to undervalue the favour which I cannot accept, by comparing it with o-~ thers: The Country whether I am going fhall content me with the meaneft welcome : If I can but arrive fafe to it,I feek no more. It feems then you have heard great matters concerning it, quoth Parufa. I have, fold N?co-- macbits. To which Parufa anfwer'd, I fee a final] Evidence of Truth, will content a man of an eafie Faith. The Reports concerning that Jheoprepia are fo different, and the Excellencies of it are fo weekly affured by any that I have heard talk of it, that for my own part I wonder any wife man fhouldevermoveaftepoutof this pleafant place upon fuch uncertain in- formations. I perceive you are a pretender to Vertue, and a rival Lover of the Lady Arete, which makes you Co fqueamifli to receive the entertain- ments which 1 offer ; and accordingto the guife of your Partners,you think your felvesoblig'd for her fake to abandon this prefent World, and then prefume that you have done fuch a great matter, that you fhal 1 not fail to be rewarded for it in Jheoprepia. Some of your Faction are fo high-minded, that they applaud their Feli- city in the Love of Arete with arrogant words , and dote fo much upon herPerfon, that they will make lavifh protefiations that they care forno Portion. Thte they may the better fay, becaufe fhe hath but little. But if fhe were accompanied with a great Dowry, they pretend it would not make her more lovely to them ; and therefore flighting fuch common Mo- tives, as they call them, they avow that he is no true lover of Arete , who needs fuch poor Incentives of his affection, and that Love which doth de- fire any Addition with her is not fo generous as to become her Suitors. For toy own part I wonder at their ftupidity, that they fhould talk of not lo- ving that which makes their Miftrefs more delirable, and that they fhould nor underfland the' folly of their affectionate Temper: for though, like 1 1 2 2l5mtibalio ancl flttania* Book iv. like firt, it may fhine bright for awhile, yet it muft needs go out, fince they rejeft the tewel which fhould fupply it with new Vigour. But others winch have fcen this youthful heat evaporate, being made more wary by *vmu,. their Experience, fay, that though* Arete's perfon is as amiable as any Creature can be, yet fhe was never fo defpis'd by her Father as to be de- nied a Portion, and that it is fuch, as only Arete is worthy of it. But when thofe which do not underftand that fhe hath any at all demand what it is, they fay it is moft in Reverfion : and when they are ask'd, where it lies, they reply, in Theofrepia ; not in this World, though that is all they ever law, but in another, of which they give fuch an imperfect account, that I think this fort of Wooers is almoft as filly as thofe which would make us believe that they love Arete without a Portion , fince they know not what it is, nor underftand that fhe hath any at all, but by hear- fay. As fhe was going to fay more, Anger began to fparkle in the eyes of the t a conqueror good f Kictmacbus, hearing 1'heoprepia b'afphem'd, and the Noble Arete in fight. diflionourably i"eprefented ; and he ftop'd her with this fmarc Reply. Hold thy tongue, prophane Nymph: thou haft faid nothing but what I can difprove, neither haft thou offer'd any thing but what I know to be a Vanity. I have had experience of the falfhood of all Senfible things ; they make a great Show irfdeed, and promife largely ; but they have "ft ill made fuch untrue performances, that I wiil never truft them any more. And though you cenfure it as an Abfurdity in thofe that pretend to love Arete for her perfon, and think you have found a grofs Solecifm in their Af- feftions; alas! you do but fhew your own Ignorance: For, is not Beauty lovely in it felf? Are not all fair things , by the nature of their Being, amiable ? You may as well ufe other words , and fay that Lovelinefs is not amiable. That Vertue which you difparage is the Beauty of the Soul , and hath an Effential Pulchritude in its Conftitution, without any refer- ence to any thing but it felf; as the natural unlovelinefs- of Bodily defor- mity is acknowledged not to depend upon external appurtenances. But you would teach Nature fome new Leffons , and have it work upon new Principles, and make us believe that a perfon of incomparable Beauty doth not rationally move any affeftion in the beholders , till they have enquir'd whether her Handfomnefs be accompanied with an equal Fortune. Away with your grofs Ignorance. If one haply fall into the converfes of a Wife and Vertuousman, who, concealing his name, doth by prudent Dif- courfes and good Actions fhew the Excellency of his Accomplifhments ; you would not have us fet any value upon his worth in this fimple Confede- ration, till we be allured that he is one of thericheft men in the Country where he dwells. I wonder you had not made fome fcruple alfo about the Parentage of the Divine Arete. But as it is a known Truth that fhe is nobly defcended ; fo if it were doubted, the unparallel'd graces which fhine in her Compofition would give a clear Evidence of her Original. She is of fuch an Excellent Underftanding , noble Difpofition , and al- waies converfant in fuch honourable Actions, that fhe is admired by all but fuch as never knew her. But becaufe fhe fhould not be difefteem'd in the world for want of fuch an Appendage as a Portion, her Father hath en- dowed heraboveany other of his Children: for they, have but an Annuity out of his Eftate for life, or fome fmall Penfion determinable upon the ex- fpirationof a few years; but her's is an Immortal Inheritance, exceeding the reft both in Value and Duration ; which he beftow'd fo liberally upon her Book iv. 215emibolio and Crania. 113 her, becaufehe perceiv'd fne was moft worthy of ir, and would improve it to the beftufes. This Eftate you deprefs under the difgraceful term of ari uncertain Reverfion, not knowing that her great Fortunes are proportion'd to the vaft meafures of her Father's riches, and the extent of his fingular Af- fedion towards her. The Uncertainty which you obje&ed, I fuppofe you refer either to the Value of her Eftate, or the truth of her Title. As to the Title, he which never did nor ever could deceive, promifed it to her by word of mouth, and before he died fet i t down in his Will, which he feal'd before many ho- nourable Witneffes with his own Blood. As concerning the Value of the Eftate, he declar'd thus much to her,that it was fo great, that if it ihould be reported to her, (he had not afufficient underftanding till fhe fhould come to her full age to comprehend it. Which Infinitenefs of Worth not drawn into a particular relation mud: needs tranfcend any little inheritance circumfcrib'd with narrow inftances, and bounded with the fmalldimen- fions of our fhort apprehenfions. It is fit it fhould be Eternal, becaufe * Arete is Immortal. What fhould one that is made to live forever do *f<«*». » with a perifhable Eftate ? She hath enough in prefent poffeflion to keep her whilft flie is in her Non-age, futable to her Birth and Quality: for her allowance is fo vaft that no Princes upon Earth equals it. How fhall I reckon the particulars that conftitute her prefent Felicity ? Peace ofSoul, Harmony with Nature, Improvement of Mind, Beautiful Health, true Honour, folid Joyes, Freedom from Error, Converfe with her Father in the other world by Letters, frequent Tokens fent by Angelical MefTengers, Liberty of Spirit; Contempt of Mortality, and fuch like. Though her Father would not give aperfeft Inventory of her Future E- ftate, there was great reafon for that, though you do not underftand it ; for by this means he hath prudently confulted for his Daughters Honour. If he had fully reveal'd the riches of her Fortune, every bafe-fpirited perfon would have made love to her, and fhe fhould have wanted aTryalof her Suitors Ingenuity. Such would then have pretended that they could love none but her, who now can love any that hath wealth and worldly Quality: nay peradventure fome would have courted her that are fo cheaply confti- tuted, that they would think themfelves highly honoured by afmile from thee, famfa, who haft nothing but an Eftate for life, and that of fo fmall value, that I think a man of a very ordinary Judgement may eafily find rea- ibns enow todefpifeit. It was fit that fuch as wooe Arete fhould bring noble Affe&ions, and thofe they do fomething difcover by making love to a Virgin of a conceal'd Dowry : which was never hid to cheat any true Lo- ver, but to keep offfalfe DifTemblers. He who fhall be fo happy as to enjoy her, will find himfelf fo well contented with the Experiment of what was promifed, that the Expectation of her future Revenues will not be trouble- fome; and it willpleafe himalfotofee himfelf made more acceptable to Arete and her Father, by the proof which they have rcceiv'd of his ingenu- ous Affections. Upon this Reply t Farufa blufh'd and retired ; and b Piraftes, in a great a T rtf,»tgotL fear left his projeft fhould utterly fail, came forth of a Thicket of Myrtles, fc **« »»»p*#f where he lay in Ambufh to fee how things would go, and, if need were tofuccour the weaknefs of his Complices. Heaccofted NicorriAchus with a Speech fram'd to exprefs a mixture of Love and Anger : he began thus ; In footh, young man, your prefence would make one think you more Q^ civil u4 3l5enttt)olio and Crania* Bookiv. civil than your a&ions do allow you to be. You feem to be careful ofVer- tue, and yet you underftand the nature of it fo little, that you make no fcruple of doing Wrong. Though you would make us believe that you are one of the Sons of Wifdom, yet I fee you have need ftill to unlearn your Folly. You abandon your own Good, and cannot but be unreafonable in what youdefign, fince you have not the ufe of that molt famous princi- ple of Nature, Self-love. What Right will you perform toothers, who have no charity for your felf ? You pretend that you ought to love thofe which hare you, and yet hate thofe that love you. But though you take a pride in loving your Enemies, and count it the Top of Perfeftions , yet what need you multiply your Enemies, by exprefling your Incivility ? You have enough already : or fince you boaft of loving thofe which do not love you, do you make that a difpeniation for your flighting of thofe that do? * NaturaUp- What ? have you abandon 'd your faithful fervant Orexis ? She was, as you fitiu. know, committed to your care by her Parents, who believing the truth of that great refpect which you often exprefs'd for her, durft have trufted her very life in the pleafure of your Will. You faid, fhe fhould be as dear to you as you are to your felf. You did fometimes manifeft a great regard of your promife, and feem'd to employ much care for her Welfare : and becaufe her Eftate was often troubled with litigious Controverfies, when any of her concernments were under queftion, you would get leave to be Arbitrator of the difference, bypromifesof an impartial Sentence; but for the moft part gave the Verdift for her, whatever Reafon faid to the con- trary. What hath chang'd your mind ? Hath fhe offended you ? or is the Offence fo great that it may not be pardoned? If you would not forgive it, could you not have order'd a more moderate punifhment than to banifli her from your company? which you muft needs acknowledge to be Cruelty, fince you know that {he will die if flie be caft out of your Favour. I met her the other day in a moft miferable plight, and fhe did notftickto com- plain of you ; which fhe would not have done, but that you had pitifully neglected her, and that fhe hath no hope of redrefs but from thefai/.e hand * vtrtut. that inflicted the harm. See what an unjuft love you beftow upon that * Arete, which makes you thus unmerciful to every body elfe / a Natural At- By that time he had faid this, a Orexis, who underftood her time, ap- teute. pear'd, but to the great grief of Nicomachtu; for b Firaftes his talk, and tbetimptet. t ^ e p re f£ nce of Orexis did work upon him fo powerfully, as if they had been within his heart, and turn'd his affections about with as much eafe, 'as if they had got into their hand that Helm of the Soul by which Nature ftears what courfe fhe pleafes. Having hearken'd a little longer to their difcourfes, which were made up of intreaties to fray prcfented by Orexis, * prtfint plea, and reafons to diffvvade bis going forward urg'd by Pirajles, pull'd by *Fa- %7ith ru f a, > clogg'd by b iVrfr^, and hindred by them all, he ftood affefted with fuch contrary motions, as we fee exprefs'd upon the balance of a pair of Scales when by a violent blow it is made to waver this way and that. Di- verfity of cunning ftories began to work upon his Credulity ; falferepre- fentations of things dazell'd his eyes, and intricate queftions made him doubt the reafonablenefs of his Refolutions ; plain things involv'd with perplex'd Circumftances enfeebl'd his choice ; and,in fhort, he was brought tothatpafs, that he began to difpute with himfelf whether hefhould go forward or backward : and thus he ftood a while, taking time to paufe upon his thoughts, but fore diftrefs*d with the difficulties of contrary per- fvvafions. . ... . * Pirajlet Bo©k iv. Bemtbolio and */fo,that will not do it.Why fhouldft thou endeavour to make me give credit to that which thou doft not believe thy felf ? I am of thatConftitution which my Maker hath plac'd above the jurisdiction of Compullion, and thou doft know it: J defire not to be miferable, though my unhappinefs ihould not be joyn'd with my fault;but fince I am free from Con- ftiaint, I cannot be undone but by my ownWill.Shalllcallthatby thefalfe name ofCompulfion,when I confent to the defign,and make my bodily pow- ers contribute to its execution?My action in the Return would not be invo- luntary, unlefs thou didft carry me away upon thy back; nor then neither,if I were willing to be fo carryed. The Difficulties of Tentation, which thou didft alfo mention, leaving no ftone untur'd where thou haft any hope to find a means of my harm,are of no fuch efficacy with me; for though they grow much ftronger by their Sympa- thies witii my Fleflily Appetite, yet they are not of that force either to ex- cufe Viceormake Vertue unattainable, but are appointed for another more excellent End. What ? doth Tentation take a man from himfelfrOr doth that which heightens the price of Vertue,and allures and encreafeth the Reward, difannul our Duty? What is Vertue good for but to raife our lower inclina- tions, and to overcome the evil fpirit which domineers over this wicked world? What fervesourllnderftanding for, but todifcover the fallacy of worfe fatisfactions,& to make them unlegible, when by comparing them with others it doth fhow that they are manifeftly prejudicial ? Is not our Will a Rational Appetite given us to preponderate our powers to fuch actions as Reafon pronounceth good ? And though fome flight inconvenience may ac- company the Good which Reafon propounds, and fome Benefit may be joyn'd with the 111 which the Appetite defires; yet, Is not the lefs ill of the two a great good in refpect of the other/'and fliall I not form my choice ac- cordingly?! know it is natural togratifie the Body,for which thou haft made fo many Orations;and I do it when its demands are reafonable,and when I do not feegreat reafon for the contrary: but it muft never be done to the preju- dice of the Sonl.Whofe Will fliall be perform'd/' that of the Mafter or the Ser* vant?Why dak thou, by the help of Or^jf«,endeavour to imprefs upon my Mind fuch a fair reprefentation of flelWy Objects,and to obfeure the beauti- ful Image of Vertue? My fix'd Will fliall purfue its love,and excite my Mind to reaffume the Contemplation of true Goodnefs;and to further my better fort of affection with a clearer fight of that which I cannot forget and be happy. I do not only forefee the Excellent End of my defigned journey, which moves my Will to undertake it ; but I perceive alfo the meliority of my choice above all thy Contra-propofals : and I will ufe the fame Under- ftanding ro direct me how I may obtain my End, by which I am convinc d it is neceffary that I ihould perfevere in the \i& of Means. By 1 1 8 Jl&entibolio and irajies vznxiWdfJ'arufa turn'd a- * hnftntph*. wa y vv ithgreat indignation, c iW^f fell down inafwoomandas Ntcomachus "sua. went away, d Orexis follow'd him at fome final 1 diftance with a dejected * jppttitt. countenance, intending,as fhe afterward declared, to fubmit her felf to the *"""'• Lzdy'Jrete. Bentivolio and his fellow-travailers having patiently awaited the conclu- sion of the Combate,& much rejoycing at fo happy an ifiue of a doubtful Try- al,made hafte after Nicomachus;and when they had overtaken him,congratu- lated the happy Victory which he had lately obtain'd ; which they did the more Paffionately,becaufe they had been fpeftators of the Fight.He return 'd thanks to them after fuch a manner as fhow'd that his Triumph was only in God, to whofe Grace he afcribed his Conqueft. They underftanding his purpofe for Theoprepiaghdly encreas'd their number with one more, whom they had good reafon to admit for a fellow-Travailer.In a few hours they a StriF* pafs'd the Valley o^Jgon, and enter'd into the borders of b theoprepia. b ibt Divint When they had gone but a little way into the Country,they perceiv'd fuch St ***' a change of the Soil and Air,that they feem'd to be come into another world, c Uumiih Though the ground was not high (for that part of the Country was call'd, < Aiiimkr The humble Valley of ' tTapinophrofyne*) yet it was not clouded with fuch thick Foggs as infefted d JPammeUM^ndmade it both dark and unhealthful.lt was bleft Book iv. Jl&tntitooiio and ©rania. 1 1 9 bleft with a ferenc Air,ever free from Storms ; neither was it troubled with the /tiding heats of e jfeaz,eiur,but was fweetned with frefli Breezes Which truiioftm. came from -thofe healthful Hills which lay round about it. Though it was '<*»»• low, it was firm, and it had no Boggs. The Earth was wonderful fertile,be- ing watered with many ftreams which defcended from a great common Spring, which by and by I fhall have occafion todefcribe. As they fate upon thegreej&banks of a little Rivolet, and had refrefh'd themfelves with cry- ftal liquor, Ntc»#iachh$ 1 did, faid Megalophron, and much more then I defired.I faw my life pictur'd, l**' *»/«'/• and all the moft remarkable paflages of it fo accurately pourtray 'd, that the imperfections of all my actions feem'd to flare in my face. I thought as much, quoth Gnothifanten ; for this Glafs doth not only ferve the Eye, but the Me- mory : fuch things as proud men, who will know nothing but good of them- felves, call into the pit of Oblivion ; it awakens their memories,and recals, and makes them take more notice of their unworthy acts than when they firft committed them. You fee now that what you foolifhly boafted of is not your own, and what you areforc'd to own againft your will proves your fliame. And it is good reafon that you fhouldblufh in both refpects, Mega- lophron, for you arrogated to your felf what was anothers, and would nei- ther fee your own faults, nor the Wrong w T hichyou ofler'd to him who en- dowed vou,by employing his Gifts contrary to his will. But finceyou are retum'd to ingenuity, you are welcome to me, I will put you in your way again, and give you fuch directions as fhall ferve you throughout your whole journey. I am not forry for your tears, fince fuch clouds do often rife from the Salt fea which afterward fall down infweet fhowers. An excellent warinefsmay grow from this Error, and true Prudence be more diligently fought by you from the diflatisfaction which you have experimented in this miftake. As Gnothifauton was about to perfect his advices, he was forc'd to break off his talk in meer pity to * Borberites, for that was the other Wanderers a dirty f«w*> R name; i22 JbenttboUo and 2Urama» Bookiv. name ■ and feeing him dropping wet with water and mud, he ask'd him how he came in that fad cafe. I was travailing, quoth Borbontes, towards theo- teodiiytetitati- prepia, and kept my way till I met a Serpent, call'd i Hyla, in the Road;and wi X was fo taken with the beauty of her Skin, the cornel inefs of her Shape,and thofe various forms into which fhe would wind her felf, that I were very neer unto her ^though I had good reafon to have taken better heed,fince I faw thatfhedideatduft, and went upon her belly. She taking the advantage of my heedlefnefs, twin'd her felf about one of my leggs, and then hifs'd and pointed with her head which way fhe would have me go ; and for my life, I thought I could go no other. In a while I was come to the borders of the muddy Lake; and though I faw my danger, I could not but ftepinto the edges of it. But when 1 found my felf ready to fink into the foul mire, I began to think that it was very probable, if I fhould go a littlefurther, I fhould never comeback ; and thereupon I refolv'd to return . but finding my felf difabled fo long as the Serpent inclafp'd my leg, I laid hold of my Swordjand the wily Snake fufpefted to what end I would draw it ? unloos'd her felf, and crept away with as much hafte as I could delire. I rejoyc'd at the flight of my enemy, but purfued her rio further, not knowing but the falfe guide might yet ferve me fome treacherous trick, and repeated my way back with a fpeedypace; which having continued fome hours, I arrived here, though infuch an unhandfome manner, that J am heartily afham'd of my felf. Young man, quoth Gnothifautcn, who had well minded hisdifcourfe, I would I had been acquainted with you fooner, for I perceive you have been a great Stranger to your felf; I would have endeavour'd to have made you better known to one who is molt concern'd not to be ignorant of you. It is Bodily tmtati- no wonder that you were feduc'd by * Byla, and that you are fo befmear'd •"'• with noifome filth. It hath been your opinion a good while, that a man is only a living thing made of Blood and Earth kned together ; you minded not that the Soul is not only capable of higher things than this world affords, but is utterly unfatisfied with the moft honeftof flefhly delights,and there- fore muft needs be afflicted with thofe impure entertainments in which you had like to have immers'd your felf; and but that your Soul was confin'd by its Maker to a longer abode in that houfe of clay which you have made fo loathfome,to attend and further your emendation ; it would have left that ■ *'■ flefh, which you fo unworthi Iy indulg'd, buried in the depths of * Borberus. There is, a Pool in my Garden, where I advifeyou to wafh your felf ; for your Pollutions are fooffenfive, that till then I cannot endure to converfe a neptMame. with you. The name of the Pool was u 0Mt2hbto, which, as they faid, was * Afinmr. finy w j trj the tears of Penitents and Lox r ers. One call'd b Hamartolus having L itt i an s. faffed fl]jp wrac k upon the fands of c Micrecheires, with the help of a bro- ken board getting afhoreupon the South-Weft Coaft of theopepia^ happen 'd *s are of fuch a Nature , that fome of their qualities are not difcernable by Re- port, nor underftandablebut by Tafte. Having well refrefli'd them- felves « At'uitilie- vtr. b GtUinefs. ' Bathtriy l(jndml . d Prudence. e A prntUltt fir fan. I j viorjhipptr of Cod. t Charity. k prudence. • Timptramt. * Ag»U Bfi. 1 Gold hope. Book iv. j&mtiWio and #«,. ra itk. the excellent pattern which their good Father let them, beftow'dagreat b xjgtoreafiti, part of their afternoon-time in Charitable Offices : Sometimes they did inftrutt either Neighbours in the main points of their duty , and pro- pound fuch motives as made them do their work chcarfully, and anfwer'd all the objeftions of Difobedience. If any were feeble and apt to faint , he had a Daughter which was very like her Father call'd * E//>/> ; and * Hope. though ftie did not come much in fight, yet upon fuch occafions fhe would appear, and very courteoufly direft thofe which needed them , to fuch Cordial Herbs as grew plentifully in their Garden,which would give them prefent Relief. ^Etfpjijts invited the Travailers into his Houfe: And when they found 3 a good tciu- their entertainment in all expreffions futable to the good character which vtr ' a friend had given them of Eupiftus, it put them into a confidence of tal- king more freely with him ; and after much pleafant intercourfe they demanded of him the r-eafon why he was call'd by fo many Names,as they had heard inb VafembU. I know no juft caufe for it, faid Ettpiftus, only b fypocrhUti they in c Eolyglottus have fo much tongue, that thev love to make many fl "' e words ; and according to that Iavifh humor they have beftow'd fo many C us "°" s "'' Names upon me, that when plain Travailers ask my Neighbours where J dwell, they ufe fuch oddfignificationsof their mind in their enquiry,that the poor people , which know me well enough if I were call'd by my proper Name, cannot give themananfwer ; nay, fomerimes they are apt to be angry, becaufe, as they think, I ammifcall'd. And when they come tome, they will fcarce believe who I am, unlefs when I tell them, I name my felf by the fame word which was us'd by thofe that fent them. Precten- dingto do me honor, they have made the world believe that there arc fo many <°3[yftertes in my Nature, that one word is not able to exprefi them., and that I am above any common Name. They fay that in * ^/oazclus thev + a face f*n have long difpures which of my Names doth fit me beft, and fometimes con- oi con " nt " n - tend which of them doth exprefs me more learnedly ; one is for jlffent, a- nother for ConJent,n third likes Ecrfwafion better, a fourth faie's Recumben- cy is fitter than all the three, and a fifth thinks that none of them are com- parable ii6 Brntibolio and Orania* Bookiv. | Lrableto Afiurance. borne divide between nic and my felfj making my Cbriften-naiue to fignifie one, and my Sirnamc-another : Ly which means fome, having convers'd with me a good while, have at length ignerantly ask'd me where they might fpeak w.th me. But the truth is,thefe things do not much trouble me;only I am ofTcnded vainfiduch- with the Ketiopijl'mns : for I hear that they have drawn my picture, though I ""• do not love to be painted, and as they think to the Life, though it was dene only by the memory of one who pretended to have feenme once: Eut fine he forgot himfelf and me, or was not Mafter of his Art; for the Picture is made w ith pitiful colours, fo fcurvily laid on, that it doth ill-favouredly reprefent one that is Dead, or at leaft make an unhandfome Image of a live- lefs una&ive perfori ; for thofe which have feen it do fay, that they have dif- grae'dme with the pale vifageof one that is ready to give up theGho/r. I fuppofe it is rather the Picture of fome old bed-rid Kenopijlian : as for me, you perceive that I can fpeak chearfully and walk floutiy ; that I have a good Colour in my face, and, though f fay it, I thank God I have a good Courage in my heart; and, if you had come a little fooner,you fhould have feen me ufe both my hands;for I was fetting fome medicinable Herbs,and in- grafting the Cions of fuch Trees as ufnally biding forth as much and as good fruits as any in the world. But I pity their Ignorance, and can eafily forgive them, fince I am not kill'd by their miftake, nor dead, though their Picture is a kind of Epitaph made upon me before-hand. I pardon alfo the folly *Hot Zthtt. of the * /4gazclix»s s who havemade the notice of my perfon fo ebfeure with a numerous company of uncertain names. lam aplain man, and did never change my Name. I was young, and now am old; but I am the fame ILupi- /wftill, and have alwayes dwelt in this place : and I am of a plain Nature, neither did I ever attempt to alter my natural Temper by Art. My known property is, To give credit to what my Creator is pleas'd to fay to me ; and I do depend upon him, according to thofe declarations by which he is pleas'd to reveal his good- will tome, and my care is to compofe myfelf wholly according to his Commands. I wonder fometimes that the Vana- femblians are fo dull as not to know what it is to believe, fince they can tell well enough what they mean when they fay they give credit to one another in any thing, whether it be in matters of bare Report, or fuch Contracts as have mutual Conditions annex'd to them. By this defcription of your Self, quoth Bentholio, you feem to be near a-kin to one, that is call'd Faith, in our Country. It may be fo, faid Eupi- fttts. But do you know what is underftcod by Jufiifying Faith ? quoth Ben- tivolie. Yes very well, faid Eupifius, and fo may you too ; for I haye told you already, what it is. Why, quoth Bentivolio, wasnoneeverjuftifiedbutby that Faith which you have defcribed ? No, replied Euptflus, nor ever will be. Pray what do you make the chief ground of your Eelief f quoth Urania. The Nature of God, faid Eupipts, which is fo Gracious, that I cannot but expefl good from him; fo Powerful,that he can eafily do more for me than I need; and fo True, that he will not fail to perform what he hath promifed. All Vtrtm. But you may be deceived, quoth Patiaretusjn your Opinion concerning the extent of his good will towards you ; becaufe Self-love its apt to multiply needlefs wants-,& great defire may make you believe that which you will not find true:We eafily give credit to that which we paflionately wifh. It's true, i oly Scripture, faid Eupifiusjout to prevent that danger,I haveabook,caird b i2/>^r^^twr, which was written with God's finger, and in that he hath declar'd his mind, & given me fo many & fo great Promifes that I cannot exceed in the meafure ofmy Faith,and they are fo plainly exprefs-'d that I cannot eafily miftake his meaning. Book IV. BwtiboUo and Crania. 127 meaning. They fay God wrote this Book with the bVvdnf hisJBoo, which was a great love in them both; andlamapt tobelievcu, becaufe the Son of God teeing me to be a finful Creature, and that I was afraid to go alone to my offended Maker, of his own accord doth mediate forme, and gives me accefs through his interceflion ; and in very deed is fuch a friend to me in all refpects, that I may truly fay, That God's Son is my Father. Since >on arefo intimately acquainted with Faith, give me leave I pray you quoth J\ficomacbus y to propound two or three Queflions to you for my better information in that point. With all my heart, replied the gentle Ett~ pfitis. I would firft know, quoth Alctmacbus, Why Faith is made the firft thing in Religion.Becaufe, quoth EupiJ}us,God will have nothing to do with fuch as do not give credit to him. But whydo they fay, quoth Nicomackus, ftett without Faith it is impoflible to pleafehim ? Eecaufe, quoth Eupijtus, Ik- which doth not belive him to be a God who hath commanded,or doth not expect a full reward for his work, will never do hi&duty. Why, quoth Ni- covticbus, is Faith call'd the Evidence of things not feen ? Becaufe, replied Mupiftui, though the things promised are not feen, Faith doth as much affure the Truth of them to all good men, as if they faw than with their Eyes,or were convinced of them bv Demonftrations. I perceive, quoth Nicomachus, that you are very careful about Good works , why will not a naked Faith content you ? becaufe, quoth Eupijius, it is impoflible for a negligent per- fon to live bv Faith. How comes it to pafs, quoth JSficomacbus, that Obedi- ence is fometimes included in the fignification of Faith ? There is good Rea- fon forthat,faid Eiipiflus; For fince Obedience is the Natural Child of true Fakh, it may well be call'd by the name of its Parent. But they fay, quoth Kicomacbus ; That well-grown Obedience doth wonderfully firengthen Faith : How comes that? It is no wonder,quoth * Eupijius; For why fhould ¥ . .. . i.ot theChild, when it iscome to age,nourifh the Barent,who woulddie if it ver f°° did no: attend him with an obedient regard ? Do you think, quoth JSlicopM- chns ; that a firm belief of God's Truth and a Confidence in his Good will, are feparated from Good works or from each other ? No indeed, quoth JK«- piftus; Forhe which confiders Gods Promifes .fill 'd with fuch things as he d -th moft want, muft needs defire them ; and believing God to be True and powerful, he will confequently expect them at his hands; and feeingGocJ ha tii declared the Effects of his Promifes attainable only in wayes of Obe- dience, if he neglect that Means,it is manifeft that he doth not defire the End. He winch exne6s any thing of God, fuppofeth him to be Faithful, orelfe why doth he trufthim .? And becaufe he believes God's Truth, he knows he will no more give his Bleflings to fuch as he hath declar'd againft, then he willdeny them to fiich as are qualified according to his prefer iption- And therefore he which doth really believe God, cannot but put his confidence in him, and muft in-all reafon charge himfelf with his Duty towards him. J&cvmnc has, having receiv'd fatisfaction to his demands, gave thanks to Enfifiui for making fo many patient Anfwers >to a Stranger. iframaperce\- ving that XHom.xchus had ended his difcourfe,defired him to have thegood- ■ ; > b ear \\irh their troublefome company a little further, and to give i little fati?facYionas to a Report which fhe had heard concerning his 'Deportment towards his Sons,by which flie was infonn'd that.he conftrain'd them to perform dai4y very hard Tasks. Have you heard that ? quoth E»/>/- Jfns. I confefs my fons do Gods work every day ; but the Rewards which he hath promi fed to give them, arefovaftly bigger than all the (proportions of their Diligence, that thev makeall their labour in attaining of them not onlyeafie, but pleafant. My Children call no Task hard, but when they are i28 J&entibolio and ilHrama* Bookiv. are tick or very weak. I fhall only trouble you quoch Urania, with one fto- ry more; which I do not believe, for I have great xeafon to the contrary from my own knowledge of your Wifdom ; bud defire to fatisfie others with your own words: which is, that you require fuchasyou inftrud to believe impoflible things; and that when many of your difcreet Auditors are ¥ . offended at the harfhnefs of your Impofitions, your two tons, * Jlethologtts {,».'* * and* pijialethes, have divers times fallen out about it before your face, * trut faith. Have you hear'd that too ? quoth pupijlus: You have convers'd much with my enemies ; for I affure you it is a meer fcandal caft upon my Family, and especially upon my Son Jlethologus: for 1 never gave any fuch abfurd oc- cafion of their quarrel as you have mentioned,and they are and havealwaies been fo loving, that they did never fallout in all their life, which can be truly affirm'd but of few Brethren ; and by reafon of this inviolable Affe- ction,what oneconfents to,the other likes ; and what one is not pleas'd with, the other never approves. Sometimes, I confefs, they are difturb'd in their moft intimate Converfe by the malicious interpofition of two Baftards, which ufe to come a begging to my houfe ; they are not improperly call'd * Taift pn- * Pit hop fe tide sznd Pfeudognofis : their chief Endeavour is to. do mifchief to ffJlf?' m my Sons with falfe Reports ; they watch opportun ; ties to find them alone, Uigt. for they dare not tell them their lies when they are together. But however their defign is ineffectual, for neither of them will believe any thing agamft theother: each of them doth acquaint his Brother with what is faid, and then they examine it ftriftly. I thank God they are both prudent, and are not apt to believe everything. They commonly find their Tales, either fome abfurd Flatteries of Piftalethes, or malicious Slanders rais'd againft Alethologus. Thefe Liars, being often difecvered, have not dar'doflateto come near my houfe. TrueTaithis But that you may receive full fatisfaction in this particular,I will call my jo *r*.»«7" " ons ' anc ^' ^y ou pl ea f e ,you fhall difcourfe with them,and under/land their ' mind from their own words. When they were conte in, Eupift us, turning to- wards Fifialethes, faid, My Son, I here that you have lately reported your felf to be a defpiferof Humane Learning, (as they call it, though it is Di- vine, for it is the gift of God) and that without my knowledge yon have burnt all the Philosophical Authors which I gave you : and thefe Noble Travailers have been perfwaded by fome to think this true. Sir, quoth Fi- rm taitk. ftakthes, my Study is but fmall, and I have not many Books : but if thefe Worthy perfons will take the pains to fee it, they will find that I have not fo madly abandon'd thofe Excellent Authors,which, I fuppofe,you meant, Pythagoras, Plato, Iriftotle, Plotims, Fpiftetus, &c. And my Brother can bear me witnefs that J do often read them, forweftudy together, as you know. But do you think it worth your labour ? faid Bemivolio. Yes indeed do I, quoth Pijlalethes ; for 1 perceive by their writings that they had par- ticipated of an excellent Spirit, and fome of them do difcourfe well con- cerning many things which our Holy book hath declar'd no lefs than ne- ceifaryto Salvation. As for example, That there is a God ; That he is the Firft and Beft of all Beings ; That he is the Creator of all things ; That he Governs all things with amoft wife and juft Providence; That he ought to be worfhipt by his Creatures with the beft fort of Adoration. They have, in a good meafure, difcovered the beauty of Vertue, difp'ay'd the truth of Goodnefs,and proved that Honefty is far exalted above all profit and Plea- sure. They have difcours'd well concerning the everlafting bounds of Right and Wrong, and reprefented the different offices of Vertue in their Defini- tions, and illustrated their Rules with fome fit Examples. Many of the Poets Book iv. fltontiboiio and (Urania* 129 Poets have put wife Sentences into Verfes,and made them more delectable in the reading, andeafier to be remembred. But, * Pifidethes, quoth Bcntivoli», r ,u, T«hh. doth not your brother b Methelogus quarrel with you for what you believe, Ri . ht Rta r m , and affirm that fome things written in your Holy book are contrary to Rea- fon? No Never, laid Pifialethes ; he is better inform'd : for though fome will hardly believe me, yet I can truly affirm, that when I told him of Salva- tion by the Mediation of God's Son, of the Refurrection and Immortality, of thegreat duties of Forgivenefs, neglecting Revenge, and loving ourE- nemies, and fuch like ; he laid they were rare Doctrines,and had fuch an ad- mirable Connexion with all true Reafon, that he wasfo far from objecting againft them, that he was ravifli'd with the glory of Truth that fhin'din them: and that though he was fo weak-fighted as not to have been able to have found them all out, yet he was not fo proud as not to approve of them when they were difcover'dtohim. But, doth he not fometimes fay, quoth Bentivolit, that it is a foolifh thing to believe without Reafon ? Yes that he doth, faid Pifialethes ; and fo do I, We do not worth ip God with a bru- tifli Faith : we think, we have all the Reafon in the world to believe what God faith ; and our Book contains nothing elfe» When we read this Book, vre find many things which we did not know before ; but when we have exanrin'd them, we find them fo far from offering Contradiction to Reafon, that wecannot but judge them Fools that count any Point which is afTerf ed there to be Unreafonable. Some weak people will needs think that my Bro- ther's Converfation is a hinderance to my Faith ; though I am afllired by my Experience that he doth help me to give a more firm credit to Divine Reve- lation. I am not of that facil Faith which makes men believe that for which theyhaveno rational ground ; and to every thing which can fliew that, my Brother never denies Faith. We do both of us fear that fuch as cavil at any Divine Revelation are either dull in their Underftandings, or vitiated by fomeperverfe habit of Affection; and we can name many who have been counted. Philofophers, who fcrupling at thefe things, have given credit, or at leaft pretended to do fo, to others far more unlikely. Is all this true ; quoth Bentivolio to * Jlethohgus,v,'ho ftood by. Yes Sir, **» *»*/»•»• quoth Alethokgm. For though I pretend to Reafon; yet fince I grew acquain- ted with Revelation, I find no caufe to complain, but much reafon to re- joyce; for it doth clearly direct andftrongly aflift my Faculties in the at- ' tainment of that which my Nature doth moft rationally defire. It dothpre- fent fuch noble Truths, that I cannot entertain or improve my felf better than by devoting my mind to the Contemplation ©f them. I perceive then, quoth Bentivolio, that you are not fo in love with your Philofophical Authors, but that you have refefv'd good affections for the Book call'd* Hierographon- Alas, Sir, quoth Jllethologus, it is not the fir ft j^,,,;,, time that this Queftion hath been put to me,by fuch as have received fa!fe in- formation concerning my temper of Mind andcourfe of Studies. Thefe Heathen-Books, which I efleem at a higher rate then thofe who undervalue them, becaufe they never read them; or have heard others fpeak againft them, do fall fhort of thefe Divine Writings, both in that moft of them give but a doubtful notice of Felicity, and all of them difcoyer a great imperfection in the directions which they give for the attainment of it. So that what was defirable before to my Nature, and probable by fuch Arguments as I could frame, is now fully credited by me for the fake of Divine Teftimony. What was granted as poflible before, is now revealed to be: What I did but wifh formerly, I do now believe;the doubtfulnefs of my guefles being taken away by the certainty of God's pofitive declaration. By this help I can determine my belief;which unaffifted Nature could not do,becaufe it did not know the S mind igo 5i5entiV)Oito and^rania* BooHV. mind of him that made Nature : belides this, I can perform that which I could not befere,becaufe I had not fuch inftru&ion or incouragemenr. That yoii may not retain any doubt of ine in this point ,Iwill be more parii- cu'ar inmy difcourfe. ; The Fhilofophers were very uncertain in their Opini- ons concerning the Reward of Vertue. Some of them aflign'dnone to it: In which they were fufficiently to blame : for, Will any man undertake a long Journey in w Inch he muft furier many Inconveniences,having propounded to himfelf no valuable Recompence of his pains?Is any perfon in the world fo foolifJi as to fet no other end of his Travail,but that he may be wearied ? Others indeed alligned a Reward to Vertue,but with fuch uncertainty of being attain'd, that it would not anfwer the Objections, nor fupport the in- dustry of fuch as fhould endeavour for it.For when a man fhould havetaken all poffible pains to become Vertuous, they could notaffure him that he fliould be Happy:making Felicity to depend upon worldly Profperity,and openly afierting,that if that fail'd,the moft Vertuousman would become Mi- ferable;and therefore durit not pronounce him happy before his death, not knowing but that he might become unhappy before that time.It's true;fome of them knowing the uncertainties of this world,did more wifely place their Felicity in the fecurities of an Immortal ftate in the other,& took thepaines to write Books to perfwade men to believe the truth of their Opinion.Eut, befides the weaknefsof many of their Arguments, which were far enough from Demonftrations, and capable of Objections hardly to be aivfwerd by them,they themfelvesdid fpeakfo doubtfully fometimes of their own Faith, that it muft needs make the belief of others to ftagger. It was an Opinion which they wifh'd to be true, but many of them were not affur'd but that it might be falfe,asany body can fee a vaft difference between beautiful Specu- lations and a firm Faith ; fo their defircs which produe'd in them fome raw hopes of Immortality, were fo chill'd for want of certain Revelation, that it was very difficult to ripen them to any vigorous Expe&ation.The Great tul- /y,who talk'd of a forefight of Immortality,doubted whether theacceptable- nefs of the opinion hadnot made him believe an Error; & in ftead of proving it to be a Truth,he was fain to fay only this, 7h.it the plea/ingnefs ofthu Faith made bint not only willing to believe, but alfo firmly to refoheyhat if it was An Er- ror which d/dfo delight hint,be would not be convinced of it while he lived. I know not what made the excellent Socrates fay at his death, tint be hoped to go to good men,but durfl not affirm it tot confidently. But peradventure it was only his Humility, and knowing that there were two contrary ftates in the other World, he doubted whether he was worthy to enjoy the beft. It cannot be denied but that fome were very confident of the truth of this good news,& that not only fingle perfons, as Catoznd Cleomhctus, but fome whole Countries,as the Gtf*,inftrufted in this point by Zamolxisjxz repor- ted to have flighted this life in hopes of a better. And others,as the Pythagori- ans & the PUtontfts,\\txz fo well affured that an Immortal enjoyment of God was their happinefs, that they efteem'd their life below not worth the having, but as it referr'd to a better by way of preparation. But how few were they in comparifon of the vaft multitude of incredulous Philofophers, of wiiofe vitious lives I cannot but think their unaflurednefs in this matter to have been a great caufe? Being no betterafcertain'dconcerning their reward,they muft needs want fufificient Motives to Obedience? and being deftitute oi'a fteddy expectation of Immortality, they could purfue Vertue but a little way: For when the fweetnefs of Allurements made a ftrong Tentation to re- turn to Vice by a guft of offer'd Senfuality, how ft.ould they but fail as to a power of abandoning prefent joys, though they were befmar'd with fin,who did not much expect any future Compenfation of their Self-denialr' When Ariftotle faid that Young men were not to be admitted to his Moral Leflures, did * Book IV. JlDentiboUo and tUania* 131 did he not tacitly confefs that he had not perflations ftrong enough to fubdue their vitious Paflions ? 1 might alfo add here the Diverfity of Opinions concerning Felicity found amongft thofe which could not but think that there was fome fuch thing. Whilit one faid one thing,and another another,the By-ftanders would be ape to think that there was no fuch thing as Happinefs, fince thofe which pre- tended to be the wifeft men in the world could not determine what it fhould be. It is eafie to judge how infirm thofe perfwallons muit needs be that are bottom'd upon fuch weak foundations. How fhould ignorant people recon- cile themfelves to their duties, when their Teachers differ'd lb much about their Reward, that they could not tell them certainly what it was ? But to contract my Difcourfe,they feem'd not only to be uncertain of the Journeys end, but to give inefficient directions concerning the Way ; that is, made not only doubtful promifes of Happinefs, but difcours'd imper- fectly of Vertue. I do not mean here that broken account of mens Duties, which is tobefeen in the Laws of feveral Nations, which were either im- pos'd by Princes as the collection of fome of their Favorites', or made by the confent of the Multitude, that is, by fome few more able men among them, which out-witted the reft to vote for their Opinion : but this Imperfection difcovers it felf in the Books of not a few Philofephers. They alfo are blurr'd with horrid Contradictions to Nature,with which they were acquainted ; and to Morality, which they profefs'd. To omit ma- ny things which I could name,they fail'd grofly not only in giving a fhort ac- count of the divine Providence,but afTerting fuch unworthy things concer- ning it,as did teach thofe which believed them to neglect all dependance up- on God.I need not prove this,by recounting the fwinifh Doctrines of Epicu- rus or thofe ofJriftotle, not much unlike the other,by which he circumfcribes God's Government in fuch narrow bounds , that he doth not allow him leave to extend it beyond the Confines of the Moon, nor to take any care of Sublunary affairs.I do not wonder that the Stoicks, a Sect of great name,rais'd the Structure of Vertue no higher, fince they fail'd inlaying the right foun- dation,which is Humility, and afcrib'd their Goodnefs to themfelves.Though I cannot put this upon other Philofophers, for fome of them call'd this an ^Atheijiicd Vertue •; and indeed it mu ft have been but a proud Humility, if they could have been Humble,which doth not acknowledge God for the Au- thor of it. For want of this humble dependance upon God, the Father of Lights, and an honeft improvement of thofe Good Gifts which they had re- ceiv'd from him, and for ftifiing their Natural Light with a wicked life,t he Divine Jufticelet them fall into felf-chofen darknefs : and then it was no wonder that they came fhort of prefcribing to others their Duties, who haddifenabled themfelves in point of Knowledg, byneg'edting to do what they knew to be their own. By this means true Goodnefs andWifdom was fo hard to be found among them, that Anacbarjis having diligently fearch'd the moft famous places in Greece, not with a capricious Lant-horn,but a fo- ber intention to gain knowledg, which confuted not in great words •, but fuch as he meafured by foundnefs of Mind, fhort & fignificant Speech, & ac- curate correfpondencies of Life, having met with many difappointments, at laft he found it only in an obfeure Villagedwelling with the humbkMjfon. Htl y m,t - But the inftitutions of * Hierographon are perfect in both refpects: It hath both plainly reveal'dour Felicity, and given us fuch clear Directions for the attainment of it, that we are at no lofs at all in our thoughts concerning it. That Immortality which lay hid in the dark gueffes of Humanity, is here brought to light, and all doubts concerning the Portion of Good men are S 2 refolved. *3 2 Bentibolio and (Urania* Bookiv. refolved. Since he who hath all power in his hands promifed Eternal'Life, what fay his Servants ? We know whom we have trnfled. For my own part, I fee plainly that God in this Book hath written as much as was fit to give fa- tisraction to my Thoughts and Defires ; and my care is that I may equal the fulnefs of his wife Directions,with an Excellent practtfe, and exprefs fuch a Vertue as hath fome correfpondence with fo great a reward. I know now what I am to wifh ; for he hath fiiown me what is beft. I am not ignorant what I ought to do ; for he hath told me. The Reward which he hath pro- mifed is of that infinite value, that it is not only afufficient Incentive toa Chearful Obedience, but a potent defenceagainft all Tensions to Difobt- dience. For being affiled of fo great a gain as an Immortal Inheritance a- mounts to, 1 care not to hazard, no nor to lofe fome fmall matters to attain it. And, to end my too-tedious Difcourfe, left I fhould at any time have im- potent thoughts of being Happy fome other way then he hath prefcrib'd, and fo grow iluggifh andcareltfs; he hath threatned me in fuch a manner, Right Reaftn that lam fure to be more miferable for defpifing the pofllbilities which he hathoffer'd. Thus far * Alctbologus. Eentivolio and his Companions glad tirat the Mifreports which were made of fuch Excellent perfons had occafioifd them the benefit of hearing Co inge- nious a Defence,begg'd Pardon of Eupjlus for his Trouble, which had been a means of their Advantage: which was no foonerask'd, but it was given. Having upon the invitation of tLupiftus diverted themfelves for fome dayes with him and his Vertuous Sons, Urania taking no fmall content in the chear- *Hopt. f u j com p an y f n i s mo ft hopeful Daughter * E^/V,they perform'd the Thanks , which fuch freedoms and Civilities requir'd, and took their leave ; and in a fhort time accompl ifh'd their Journey towards 'Phronejia. When they were come to the City,they foon found the way to Phronejia's houfe ; for a loving b a \jndmau. Theoprepian, b Philanthrope byname, who met them happily in the ftreet, directed them thither. They having declar'd to Phronejia, who they were, where they had been, & what was their defign; fhe was extremely joyful at their Arrival,and pro- mifed all manner of Welcome which that place would afford; heartily wifh- ing that they might find fome Pleafure to recompenfe their abode w ith her, that fo fhe might be the longer happy in their company. After a few Ceremo- nies which are needful to make expreffion of inward Courtefies, and fome fhort Difcourfes, Phronejia led them into a fair Room, and entertain'd them with a noble Dinner. The Preparation and Attendants were fo difcreetly order'd, that; they quickly perceiv'd that Phronejia 's houfe was govern 'd by no ordinary Prudence. After Dinner they went into the Garden ; and fitting down in the cool fhade of a green Arbor, which they us'd as an Umbrella to keep off the hot Sun-beams, Urania, underftanding by fome words, which were fpoken at the Table,that Thronejia had not lived alwayes in that Coun- try ,defired her to let them know how & upon what defign fhe came thither. Phronejia was very Willing to anfwer her demand, and began thus : ' My * . d ' Husband * Phronimus was firft feated in Jrgentora, (it may be you have f erfin" ' ' heard of that Country:) but by the Injury of the Times, which grew trou- H«e beginsa <■ blefome through the violence of the covetous Inhabitants,we were fore'd cern?n«a C ° n * ' to difpofe of the Eftate we had there as well as we could, and neceflkated well ordered ' to feek a more peaceful- habitation in fome other place. For we thought it Hate of Men. < was a p art Q f p ruc i enC e 5 to endeavour to efcape the inconveniences of this ' prefent life, by honeft means, and to pafs as quietly as we could through * this wicked World. Our defire was to fit down where we fhould find fuch * a People as would beft fuite with our main Defign,which we thought to be the Book iv. jl&rmitooiio and fo the Beams of Heavenly Light which fhin 'din his Soul,were by a good ' part of that Action to reflect themfelves upen others ; and that there were ' feveral waiesby which he might enjoy God and himfelf amongfl: them, to ' whom he fhould both make God known, whil'ft they learn'dof him, and ' more fully ferve theGlory of his great Mafter,by procuring the help of fo ' many more Hands to work with him to fuch Ends as pleas 'd him belt, and ' by confequence refer the Gifts which he had received with much more ad- ' vantage to the praifeof his Benefactor. ' Then looking further into humane Nature,he faw all men fo fram'd, as to 'have in their Souls a good foundation of mutual Love, which is alfoen- ' creas'd by the reciprocal necefflties which they have one of another ; and 'that they have particular Gifts befrow'd upon each, by which they may ' help the Whole. By this he difcern'd that it was not God's will that he 1 ffcould live alone, but rather take fuch a courfe of life which would corre- ' fpond with that Univerfal Sympathy with all the World, which was pro- *portionable to his relation to it ; which he was toexprefs in thofe Acts 1 which would further all others in the purfuit of their great End, w hich is ' Happinefs, in the Knowledg Love and Praifes of God, the Fir/t and Grea- ' reft Good, a true accomplishment of their better capacities with Wifdom 'and Vertue; and a right enjoyment of thofe worldly portions in which God • hath condefcended to gratifie our lower Faculties. ' With thefe Meditations he came down the Hill : But when he was at the ' bottom, and began to confider the forlorn frate of the degenerate world, 4 and took notice how molt Nations upon the Earth, by the prevalent cufroms 'of a vitious life, were naturalized to Folly and Wickednefs, he was fore ' griev'd for themifery of his fellow creatures,and was ready to defpair of 'doing any great good with his befr. Charity. He faw every where the Laws * of Nature perverted, the Dignity of the Soul violated, the order of our c Faculties difturb'd, and that men had chang'd the true values of things by t falfe Opinion, enflav'd the fublimity of the Mind to Senfe, and dethroning <. Reafon had fet up the bafeft Affections. By this means the Beauty of Holi- cnefs whichfhone inVertuous Habits and Actions was obliterated, the con- i fent of the Will and Appetites with the Underitanding difannull'd, and Hu- t mane Naturefo far from being rais'd to thofe heights of which it is capa- i ble in another world, that it is deprefs'd andhindred from what it might c enjoy in this; Men chufing to act only fuch unworthy parts, that it is a fhame Book IV. Bsnufcoiioandiliiranta. 135 1 fliame they ad. them fo well,becaufe it is too clear a TelHmony that they k have mif-beftowed their time through deplorable Ignorance of their own ' worth and God's good intentions: One perfonating a Rich Fool, another 1 an Honourable Slave, a third a Voluptuous Eeaft, a fourth fome malicious • Fiend. And when they have for a long rime carefully endeavourd to ad ' them to the life, the Paifions which they have reprefented, by Cuftom be- ' come fo natural to them, that they are good for nothing elfe. Thus Humant- 1 ty tumbles down from its Happinefs,and lofeth even congruity with fuch 1 things as were defign'd lor its Perfe&ion, the glory of Divine Wifdom,the ' Tranquillity of pure Souls,and the Praife of worthy Aftions. Men keep no ' decorum in their Counfels, Affections or Manners meafuring themfelves by ' no Rule, they let all run at random, So that they have in a great meafure ba- ' nifh'd Prudence and Piety, Honelty and Charity out of the world; and ha- ' ving abolifh'd the harmony of Truth and Praflife, they live at fuch rates 'as if they had lifted themfelves towage daily war againft Reafonable Na- 1 ture, andhadconfpir'd either to bring Humanity into fubje&ion to beafts, • or elfe, in complyance with the Devil, had agreed to do what mifchief they 1 could todifturb the quietnefs of the world. ' Upon this fad confi deration he look'd into Hiftory, to fee if he could ' find that happy place,if there was any fuch, where he might difcover upon ' the tops of fome Hills any few that had efcaped this unfortunate Deluge. ' Seeking there for examples of a better ftate, he happen'd to meet with thofe c which were cryed up for infallible Patterns fit for an univerfal Imitation : • but upon perfual he foHnd fuch eminent flaws and Errors in fome,and others ' fo contracted and narrow, that they left out thegreateft inftances of Per- * feftion. But that which troubled him mod: was the abfur'd praftife of the ' world,which did for the greateft part chufe fuch things for their Laft End, 1 which he judg'd fo unworthy of that Dignity,tha,t he did not efteem them ' neceffary Means for the accomplishment of his Defigns. Alas I he fought • not the Garlands of Olympus , the Triumphs of Rome, or thePleafures « of kfu ; he took no thought who fhould dig down the walls of Babylon ; « he wanted no Ships to tranfport him to the fhores of BarUry ; he defired « not to travail through the Sands of nALthiepa, to difcover or winne either ' of the Indies: he knew well enough that men often go to fuch places as thefe,- ' tofeektheHappinef> which they have left behind them. 'When I have ask'd him fometimes thereafon of his Tears which were oft ' mingled with his Meditations , he would anfwer, That hecopld not but ' weep , when he took notice that the chief aim of molt ranks of men in all * Nations was fo poor a thing as Riches ; and he would profefs that he was 1 afiiamed of thebafenefs of men, who made themfelves Servants -to Money, * thinking by that to become Mafters of every thing elfe.Sometimes he would 'fay that he was atoncefeiz'd upon with Wonder and Pity both, becaufein ' general he faw they were much tormented with a confounded hope of fome ' great Good, but knew not what it was ; and in particular, becaufethey 1 did no: perceive that the End couklnot be Noble which was to beat tain'd ' with fuch Contemptible Means ; and becaufe they were not awaken'd to a ' fehfe of their Folly by all the-Sin, Trouble and Uncertainties which they ' endured in the wearifome purfuit q£- fo mean a prize ; but they were def- ' perately refolv'd upon their bufinefs,and would go through the way which ' led to their Journeys End, though it was never fo bad. For this he faw ' fome Princes ftuff their Crowns with Thorn; : For this Subjcds dethron'd ( 'thofe whom Godhadfet up, hoping to rife to riches by the Fall of fuch 1 whom they could rob when they were down. This made, the Grandees take part i$6 Jldentibolio and (Urania* Book 1V # 4 part with either fide, as they beft hoped to improve and fecure what they ' had already acquired. The Citizens toiled infinite'y, Lecaufe they thought 1 there uasnoreafonfor which men fhould be judged worthy of Great Ti- ' ties, but that they had been fo wife as to become richer then their Neigh- bours. For this the Plowman drives toout.drudge his hearts, that he may ' grow a wealthy Yeoman : upon this account the Merd ant ventures all,and 1 his Wife and Children are content that he fhould hazai d himfelf too, m * hopes of going to the Sea-fide when he returns, and of receiving him en- 'rich'd with the gains of his Adventures ; though it may be he and his Jew- 1 els are caft away upon fome malicious Rock in fight of the Shore. This * fills all forts of Labourers with daily cares, the High-wayes and Prifons 'with Thieves, and the Courts or Law with endlefs Suits: For this the ' Land is opprefs'd with Souldiers, and the Sea covered with Fleet^and in- 'fefted with Pirates, Princes Houfes infected with Flatterers and Hypo- 'crites, and the City throng'd with Cheaters: For this Women de- 'fpife their Chaftity , and Men their Honour. In fhort, This makes ' the Miner dig into the entrails of the Earth, and the Mariner dive in- 'to the bowels of the Sea, to fetch up more noble Chains to inthrall 'his Soul. ' Upon this he perceived plainly that Riches were the one Genera' End « that all aim'd at, though they took divers waies to come at it ; and before « they could arrive at it, plung*d themfelves in unfpeakable miferies, which 'it is impoffible that they fhould efcape, fince being deftitute of inward * Worth they fought to make it up with fuch an unworthy Compenfation , 'and whilft they pretended to admire Happinefs, flighted the true means ' to obtain it;nay though they fee their Labour loft,and their Liberty enfla- 'ved, and find their Minds gall'd with the falfhoodof Flatterers, their ' Hopes unfecure in the uncertainty of Riches, and that they are tired with 'beaftlyPleafures, and kill'd with ro:ten Luxuries, to which their great * heaps of Money adminifter fewel ; though they fee that they have taken * their way through Precipices, and fallen into bottomlefs Pits, and are « judg'd mad by the Wife, (for they do it knowingly and willingly) they are . ' not difpleas'd that they have taken fomuch pains to make their condition \ fo calamitous ; only they are vex'd becaufe it proves no better. ' So that the World feems to be like a company of tumultuous people,who * being made falfly to believe that a Jewel of invaluable price is loft in a * certain place fill cl with ordinary Pebbles, for fear of being prevented by * one or other, in the Morning, they make hafte thither in the Night, and ' when they are met , fcuffleintheDark to feek what is impoffible to be 'found there; but jf any chance to take up fome ordinary Stone, which 4 they all trod upon with contempt the day before, then tormented with a < groundlefs fufpicion, they pull, fight, ftrike and cry, and fome laugh at the 1 ridiculoufnefs of their own and others folly. You fee, Noble Guefts, quoth * ThreHcJity reflecting upon the length of her difcourfe, I am fo tedious in giving you an anfwer, that I am afraid you do repent of havingask'd methequeftion : but I will contract my Story. 'After our arrival in fundry places v. here ray Husbands fears were verified 'and hisdefpair encreas'd, being much affrighted with this fad face of 'things which appear'd everywhere, he prayed earneftly to God to fhow ,. 'us fome place where we might find better Company. Heaven heard his V»DhiL ' Prayer, and brought us acquainted with a Gentleman, who gave us notice statr 1 f the Vertuous temper of the a 7heoj>refia»s, and in particular of the good b rAw' , *" # ' Nature of the h Fhiladelphians , who not only maintain 'd a great Charity "'* among • Midline. Book IV. 15;nntioUo and Sirama, 137 ' among themfeives, but for all that deiired to converfe with them. By the 'guidance of this happy Starr we light upon this Country : of which time, ' 1 can never think without tears of Joy ; for here we found Wifdome and ' Love in league with Truth and Goodnefs , Religion and Righteoufnefi em- * bracmg Temperance and Prudence; here we found thofe quiet Habi ta- ctions where Charity, Tranquillity, and the Freedomeof all plain Converfe 'had repos'd themfeives , where every thing that belongs to the Serenity of ' Rational Life flourifheth ; and to conclude , here we faw what we had * heard of in other places, wifh'd in all, but hoped to find in none. So I have told you, quoth Fhroxejia, how and upon what Defign we came hither ; and I believe by the prolixity of my Narration have made you often vvifhthat I had either not begun , or elfe ended it fooner. No, allure your felf , faid Urania ; if your journey from Argentora had been no more trou- blefome to you then the Relation of it hath been tedious to us , we fhould not have compaflionated your Travails. But fince you have given us fuch pleafure from your Afflictions ,pray let us alfo tafte the joy of your Profpe- rity. I make no doubt but we,who have pitied you in Our thoughts for what you fuffer'd before , fhall much more eafily re Joyce with you when we fliail more fully underftand the happinefs of your prefent condition. In obedience to your Commands , vvhofe company is a great part of our Happinefs,I will proceed, quoth Phronejia, to a further Relation of the (fate * of theoprepia. ' This City with the Confent of the people was built by my * Husband , and, upon their motion , call'd after my name , and hath a Eupi- a Good belief, 'pa upon the Weft, t Eufebia South, c Philadelphia Eaft, and upon the North \ ££$' 1 d Scphrofyne , as I fuppofe you may have heard in 'Enpifiia. This City is the love. ' Metropolis to them all. Here they have erected a magnificent Temple , by d T - 1 the advice of the Eufebians,m which they celebrate the praifes of the Great 'and Good God whom they all worfhip with inoft hearty Devotion. ' The City is feated, as you fee, upon a pleafant Hill , rais'd to a moderate 1 proportion of height above the adjacent Country. This final 1 piece of ri- * fing ground is fo fituated, as if it had been mark'd cut by Nature for thede- ,., ■ ' ftin'd foundation of a Metropolis. It is plentifully water 'd with both the e Flowing ' ftreams of e Jgathoryton.wh'ich defcending from the rais'd Top of the Hill vihbgood. * l Theorus, do eafily run up the highefr places of the City. We have not en- l^ut"* dT' 'compafs'dit with any Wall, becaufe it isplac'd in the middle of theCoun- wwtJnyj. * try , and guarded with the Strength of all the Inhabitants which dwell in ' the Circumference. We know that the united Courage of honeft-minded ' people is the onely fafeguard of a City or Country ; and have obferv'd ' that walled Towns not defended by the Valour of thofe which dwelt in ' them, are but vain fignifications of Safety. The theoprepians are fo inoffen- ' five, that they will not provoke others ; and they are fo united,that others ' dare nor offend them. 1 1 would not have you, Noble Friends, to underfrand this relation fo , as ' to think that the feveral parts of s theoprepia , which I have mention'd un- ^ Jhilll 'der diftinft names, have different waiesof life, each being ccnhVd to the state. ' ftrift fenfe of its Title ; or that the City h Phronefia is governed by other h Prudmct. 'rules than the Country. No, they all live according to the fame Jnftitu- * tions only each Country hath taken its name from excellent Perfons , who 'were Eminent in thofe particu'ar Perfections to which their Names carry ' reference : and having learn'd from them the worth of thofe Vertues , they ' not only conform'd their practife to them , but as a grateful! remembrance of ' fuch worthy Leaders , they were willing to bear their Names in the Title 'of their Country. T l *Euft< ^8 jl5entttolio and Crania, Eookiv. i Apitm mm. <■ *Jaufebius taught his people the Worfhip of Cod; \>} J hiladclphus ga ve ihe b dthnitabh t true Rules of Charity ; c£wp//?/^difcover'dthe Groundsof Faith; d $ophron i • Anueteiic- 4 made them underftand the Laws of Temperance ; and c Vhronimus ftjow'd •"■ * them how they might joyn all thefe directions together ; and fo both trade %V™*"* U ' tn i s City a glorious Mctropolis;and brought the Country by the observance e a prudent c f t h e foremention'd Laws to fuch a goodTemper, that they are not unde- •»*«. 'fervedly honour'd with the Name of fheoprepia. ' But I fha.U give you a view of their Conftitution in the feveral pieces,of ' which the whole frame is made upland fhow you after what Method he put 1 them together. He faw that Man was made with a natural defire to have ' Neighbours, and was fo utterly difcontented without them, that he was apt ' to be weary of hifnfeif in Solitude, and efteemed lonefomenefs a clofe Ini- 'prifonment; God hath fitted him with Speech and Keafin, as rare inftru- c mentsof Converfe, and hath fo equally diftributed his Gifts,that eachofus ' muft be beholden to another for fomething, orelfe want that Happinefs ' which we might enjoy in Society. So one Nation lofeth its part of the good 'things with which another is bleft, if there be not a friendly Commerce 1 between them. Eefides this, every Single man was aware that the Felicity ' which he did enjoy was in danger of being difturb'd by others, unlefs he ' could make fome Companions of his Fortune, and give part to fecure the 'whole, both againft fuch ill-difpos'd Forreigners which through Envy 'might aflault them from without, orfuchill-principl'd Neighbours which ' might work them mifchief from among themfelves. As the State of any peo» * pie grows more Happy, they ever expeel: more Envy ; and the harm which e that will threaten cannot be avoided but by their firm union.ThislInion can ' never be eftablifhedbutby fuch Principles and Rules as will make all that ' are concern'd in it to understand that their Intereft was fo really cared for ' in the whole, that the Union is a Common Benefit to all j and not an oblique « Defign to advance any particular intereft, colour'd over with the fpecious ' pretence of PublickGood. * a pmimt ' This * Phronimtes had in his eye ; for he well knew that the whole could m»n. t not ^ c na ppy if an y part were miferable. He had often confider'd the un- « fpeakablemiferies which many Nations fuffer,where a few neglecting, what 'they moft pretend, the Good of all, take in only the Interefts of theGreat ' and Rich. Phronimus could find no way to prevent this, but by laying the 'bottoms of their Concord in firm Principles of mutual Regard ; that by a * great Righteoufnefs and true Love, taking a prudent and juft care of all 'mens Concerns, he might flop the main Spring from whence all Ca'amities « do flow, which is, Covetous Ambition : for though guilty men blame other * things, yet they themfelves know that this only is in fault. 'Toeffeftthis, he acquainted the Tbeoprepians that he mad obferv'd the • AtharitahU ' Wifdom of * Philadelphus in ordering the affairs of that Country to have pirfru. i k een f Q g r eat, that it could not be exceeded by any Mortal man : and that e the fruits of it were not more vifible to the Senfe in the flourifhing peace ' of the Philadelphia™, then the Roots upon which their Happinefs grew ' were manifeft to Reafon; for that he had laid the foundation of their Unity ' in Love, which is the Bond of all Humane Society : This Love he compre- ' hended in a few Precepts,which were fo plain, that every body underftood ' the words; fogood,that the fenfe was apparently juft ; and fo full, that they ' included all Duties. They were thefe : To love others as themfelves, To do ' vehat they did expeel to be done to themselves, and Not to offer that which they ' would not as willingly receive from others. 'The Prudence and Juftice of thefe Rules was fo acceptable, that they embrae'd Book iv. MntiMio and flirania* 129 x ^embrac'd them with an unanimous confent, and immediately fetled upon ' fucha firm bottom, that, before they were aware, they found themfelves fo ' ftriclly united, that they were become Members one of another. As they ' did by the natural intimacy of Self-Jove know what it was to wilh well to ' themfelves, they didfufficiently underftand the Rule by which they were 1 to ad towards others ■ and acknowledg'd it for juft and good,becaufe they ' defir'd the fame meafure from others ; and they faw it muft needs be an e- ' ven direction, becaufe it had a proportionable Regard to all.By this, blind 4 Self-will was curb'd, foolifti Self-eftimation inltruvell their private Heap, that they abhor not only the Action, left the *Law (houldtake notice; but the Thought, left they fliould be forc'd to 'condemn themfelves when they call themfelves to account for thinking fo 'unworthily; and they further the good of others, becaufe they perceive, ' if they were miferable in any refpect, they ftiould bear a part of their Af- ' Miction by the juft Sympathy of mutual Love. As thefe Principles have ' fix'd upon every mans heart a full contentment with his particular porti- t on, fo they have abundantly pleas'd the whole in the pofleflion of what God ' hath affign'd to them as their General Lot ; by which means they are neither 'troubled at Home with thofe Contentions and Complaints which are the J effects of the Rapine and Pride of Unjuft Neighbours,aeither do they feek ' to enlarge their borders by invading any forreign Prince or State. ' Having agreed upon their Laws, and made the Office of Chief-Magi- ' ftrate hereditary to our Family, in which they have bellowed an Honour 'upon us which I muft everacknowledg, and prudently confujted againft ' thofe mifchiefs which from emulous Competitors are ftill incident to thofe S Kingdoms where it is Elective ; by the advice of JPhronimus they chofe 1 fuch MiniftersofLiw, whofe Tempers weremoftfutableto the Laws,and ■ of this they made a judgment only by the Conformity of their converfati- l ons.The experience of a regular life in a private capacity adminiftei s hopes : f an excellent Governour. But Pbronimus was more careful in this . -int, becaufe the people look at the Magiftrates Example both as a fair ' = i n, and a kind of Law to defend what tbey do in imitation of it. And w, that the Compofirion of one w r ho is intrufted wi«th the Rights of ' of that important Goodnef.yhat many things are requiiite to make T 2 i'u 140 H&entitioito and Crania* Book IV. 1 it up,as Prudence in the management of affairs, Perfpicacity of Underftan- ' ding, impartial Honcfty in the diftribution of Juftice, Meeknefs of Difpo- ' fition that he may be willing to ferve in Love, a Modefty not apt to be dif- 1 compos'd with Honour, Temperance that will not be difgrac'd with Lux- 4 ury, a Generous mind that fcorns to be corrupted with Money, a Gravity 4 correfpondent to his Authority, and fuch a Courage that dares do a Juit * thing though it difpleafe. ' As the Minifters of Juftice come not to their places by thofe unworthy ' waies which ai'e us'd in other Countreys, fo neither are they hindred in ' the difcharge of their Truft by the obftinate Manners which elfewhere are * fome difcouragement to the beft Officers. They honour their Governours * as petty Gods. As thofe who are by God above others, ought to love thofe ' for whofegood they were rais'd ; fo the people ought to yield free Obe» ' dience, fince for the Happinefs of the Whole it is neceflary that they fliould ' be govern 'd by others, who for that reafon rauft be above them. Here they * like their duties,and take their obligation from an babi ual love of Vertue. 'The Fear of Punifliment prevails not here: for though Punifliment be an ' appurtenance of Law, and neceffary in regard of fome unjuft perfons,who ' muft by it be compell'd to do their duty, or fufFer, to make Reparation * and Example of violated obedience (and they have fuch here as are fitly 'appointed according to the nature of each fault;) yet it is lefs needful ' here, becaufe the people count no punifliment equal to the deferving of it. « So that the chief work of their Judges is, to decide fome doubtful Cafes * with an impartial Judgment, and to make their definitive Sentence end all ' further controverfie with the power of their juft Authority. a a bmiiMt ** erc * Pkroneji*. making a little paufe, faid, * Noble friends, you will it vjomL. ' ' may be expect, that fince I have aflfirm'd b Theoprepia to be built upon fo b rtt ihi'm t brave a Foundation, I fliould be able to fliow you fome correfpondent Su- * perftrufture ; and that 1 will do immediately. For thofe Holy Rules, being * inviolably kept by them, have produc'd all the defirable Effects of good * Government, and made all orders of people among them as happy as the ' condition of this world will bear; both by improving and fecuringall *■ their Enjoyments,and relieving the Infirmities which are common to them * with all Mankind, as far as the comfort of Society with the beft of Neigh- ' bours can give fuccOUr. ' If I fhould fpeak of all Particulars,I fliould weary you and my felf : but * I will recount fome few, that by them you may judge of the reft.Every man Ms fufficiently fecured againft Wrong among thofe which rejoycetodo 'good, and efteem it but afmall piece of Righteoufnefs to do no hurt, and « who judge it unjuft not to help others in every thing which doth not harm ' themfelves. The concernments of Soul and Body, which divide our whole « Man between them, are carefully prefery'd by all. Why fliould they wrong ' others in Eody,detraft from their Name, defpoil them of their Goods by ' Force or Fraud, when their own defires not to be fo ufed would make their ' Actions odious to themfelves,as well as afHi&ive to others ; They will very ' hardly do Wrong, who have accuftom'd themfelves to part with their « Right, which they can fpare, when they are through miftake wrong'd by ' others; and though the cafe require fome, yet then content themfelves with *" 'moderate Satisfaction. 'They have a principal care of Souls, to teach them knowledg,and im- ' prove them in Vertue by good Example. They efteem this duty but a Gra- 'titude in themfelves, becaufe they havercceiv'd the fame Favour from f thofe which are gone before them, that they might be enabled and obliged Book iv. MntitoHo and Crania, 14 r * obliged to fhow it to fuch as come after them. I heir forrow for others Mi- ' Teries engageth them to further theHappinefs which they defire, by dire- 4 tting them in the way to it,and by fhowing them howtoefcape the calami- ' ties of Ignorance, Vice, Youth, Age, Sicknefs and Poverty. 4 Eecaufe things of Immortal concernment are gresteft, they acquaint the ' Ignorant with the Nature and Duration of Souls ; and teach them fo to or- ' der this fhort life, as to attain the peace of a good Confcience, by an early 4 Vertue, and conftant perfeverance in Well-doing, and fo prepare them for * a true hope of a happy life after a chearful departure from this world. If * any erre, they fhow him his way *» when they fee him fluggifh,they provoke * him to his duty with ftrong Incentives ; if he offend, they admonifh him ; 4 and if he be deje&ed, they adminifter Confolation according to the nature ' of his Grief. * Becaufe Children are bom Impotent and Imperfedt, they endeavour to 'prevent fuch mifchiefs as may be feparated from their Nativity ; andbe- *eaufe an excellent complexion of Nature is a great advantage to Vertue, 1 they are careful of fit Marriages, and good Nurfes : the Mother is alwaies • 'Nurfetoo, if fhebe able to perform that office. When their underfran- ' ding begins to come in ufe they are curious of their Education ; for want ' of which, many that are ill born are worfe bred: and as they grow in years' 'and into the confines of Child-hood and Manhood, and are ly able to the ' Vices of both ftates, they ufe all poffible means of their prefervafion, and ' amongfb the reft the vigilant eyes of wife and Vertuous Tutors ; who in '■theoprefU are perfons of good efteem, and want no due encouragements. * They have a fufficient number of Schools at convenient diftances,by which 1 the attainment of Knowledg and Goodnefs is unfpeakably facilitated: For * they are taught to know worthy things as foon as they know any thing ; 'and their inclinations areingaged to Vertue before they are feiz'd upon 'andruin'd by habitual Sin. Which is, in my opinion, a great piece of Pru- ' dence : for from this pracHfe they find a benign influence to flow upon the * whole Country ;whilft thofe which havelearn'd do afterward teach others, 1 and give as good an Example as they have receiv'd. The theofrepians are ' great lovers of true Learning and all Ingenuous Arts and have better Me- 4 thods of Study then moft other places, and fo arrive at that height of skill 1 in a few' Months,which others after theexpence of many years fcarce attain 'atlaft, byreafonof the Prepofteroufnefs of their Induftry. Their cuftoro 4 is, when they perceive in any a particular inclination to fome Art, taking * it as a probable Augury of fpecial aptitude, to confign them to that Study, e in which they ufually prove excellent. 4 But as things are valuable according to their Ufes, and Means are rated * by the Ends which they ferve ; fo the Theoprepidxs beftow their pains 4 chiefly to improve their beft Facultiesjthat having accomplifh'd them with 4 the Knowledg of Tongues and the more Noble Arts,they may be more able ' to advance the good of Mankind* 'Their chief defign is to make their Youth perfect in Ethicks,that fo they 4 may be Prudent, Religious and Good. They inform them carefully in the 4 Principles of true Logoclc, and help Natural Reafon with Artificial. They * Indurioufly purfue the Knowledg of Nature, that they may underftand the 4 Works of God, and by them Him. They are well vers'd in Mathematicks; 4 which Profeffion is honorable to the Student, becaufe it makes him fervice- 4 able to his Country .They negleftnot Agriculture,becaufe the Earth brings 4 forth all things. Kno wing the feveral benefits of Converfe withforreign 4 parts.they are expert in Navigation.In fhort, they encourage the Knowledg 1 and advancement of every ufeful Trade. * They 142 fl&entitoolio and Crania* Book iv • They make their Recreations of fuch thirgs as have Art in them and pay * the Rational part fomethingfor the Intermiffion of its more Spiritual Ex- 4 ercife : and though they are afraid of Corporal pleafures , yet they do al- * low honeft and healthful Exercifes of the Body to ftrong and active Con- 4 ftitutions. In ftead of thofe foolifh playes of Dice and Cards, by which * Youth in other places make a vain Confumption of their time, (by the 4 Fermiflion of their Uncharitable Parents, who through unfpeakable Im- * prudence do often, befides their Time wafte alfo the Eftates in that moft 4 hurtful fort of Idlenefs) they pleafe themfelves with exprefling the Rules * of Rbetorick in Mafculine Orations ; and fometimes entertain themfelves « with Mufick ; and when they ufe their Voices,they fet good Notes to Moral jlnchinous, \iwfn. i>M brought word that Supper was ready,and defired to know if (he would have bo»« of a re*, it fet upon the Table. Yes with all my heart, faid Phronefia ; and took that iy wit. £ t pp 0r tunity to end her Difcourfe,begging pardon of Urania and her no- ble Companions, who inftead of that returned her moft humble thanks ; and but that they were ftill to enjoy her prefence , would not have gone out of the Arbour for all the Suppers in the world ; for they valued her converfe above all other poffible Entertainments. After Supper, as one that was prefent reported , they pleas'd themfelves with putting divers ingenious Queftions concerning the argument of Phro- nefia s Speech,which I do not at prefent remember ; and becaufe they would be too long to be here inferted , I am the lefs offended at the weaknefs of my memory. But after they had talked away a good part of the Night,they were conducted to their Chambers to fleep out the reft. « a wctjbipptr j n th e Morning they receiv'd a Meffage from c Jheofebius to invite them »f Go1 to ji ne w i t h him that day , and alfo to favour him with their good company in the temple that morning , where fome folemn Devotions were to be per- formed. They accepted his courteous offer,and return'd a thankful anfwer, being very willing to partake in thofe Prayers which fuch Holy perfons of- fer 'd, and to receive Love from thofe who were moft worthy to be loved. When they were come down into the Hall , they were civilly accofted by Phronefia, who alfo excus'd her felf to them, that for an hour or two fhe fliould be depriv'd of their moft defired company , praying them to impute this her involuntary Abfence to the irrefiftable urgency of moft important -One fret from Bufinefs. She acquainted them that fhe would leave with them d Jmerimnus, ***?• .. e who was an intimate friend of e Thcofebius,to vthofe piety & prudence he did If eol ' ft " commit his chief affairs, and that he fliould attend them either in the Gardens or wherefoever they would pleafe to divert themfelves. They received her Civility with all thankful correfpondence , and difmifs'dher ; much pleas'd that fhe had brought them acquainted with Amerimnus , by whom they ho- ped tounderftand fomething of the Difpofition and Manners of Jheofebius. That they might not lofe fuch a fair opportunity, they walked into the Gar- den,and taking the advantage of handfome Seats in a place where thev might f Godliwfs. have a full view of *Eufebia , Bentivolio defired Jmerimnus to oblige him and the Company with fome fuch reports as he fliould think fit to give to Arrangers of the Holy life of Jheofebius. I fhouldmoft willingly obey your command, quoth Amerimnus , but that I am not able to draw to the life the Image Book IV. idsntiboiio and Crania* 1 45 Image of fuch an Excellent perfon , or to exprefs any juffc refemblarices of his Vertues. Alas / his Worth is above the higheft praifes t that I can reach ; and yet fome, peradventure , who have been only acquainted with ordina- ry perfections, would think that I extol him upon defign, more than his Me- rit. But as I know that you have the faireft degrees of high attainments in your own Experience, and fo cannot but judg that pofiible of which you are Inftances ; I will give you a fhort defcription of his Excellencies ; and the rather , bccaufe it will not be long before you will converfe with him , and then you may eafily correct the wrongs which I fhall do him. The chief thing which he aims at is to be a true Lover of God , to whofe f rU , GtJimifi. fervicehehath entirely devoted himfelf: he thinks all noble affections due unto him , and judgeth Love mifplac'd if it be beftowd upon any thing elfe, except in very low degrees. As he finds the Excellency of things different, he appoints them dirt met allowances of that affection , which yet are but fe- veral forts of final 1 meafures : but as God is out of all meafure exceffive in Amiablenefs , fo he hath fet no bounds to the Love which he hath for him. I have often heard him fay , That he is not worthy of the name of a Heavenly Lover, that doth not love God with his whole Soul : In which I muft confefs I cannot but think him in the right , for the Greateft Good doth juftly chal- lenge the beft Love. His affection is fo really fix'd here, that he feeks no- thing but Union with God ; and doubting that he is not yet come to the ut- moft intimacy which is pofiible to an holy Soul , he doth endeavour conti- nually to make nearer Approaches. He told me one day, that he feem'd to fee the mouth of Hell open, when he did but think of fuch a ftate wherein men are remov'd from loving and being beloved of the infinitely gopd God, He hath confecrated himfelf for a holy Temple to God , and hath made his Soul that fpiritual Image wherein the Divine likenefs doth fhine ; and being kindled with the vigorous heat of celeftial Love, he offers up his heart for a daily Sacrifice;the flames which afcend are all perfum'd with the breathings ofSeraphick Joy,mix'd with anhelations of fervent Defires. Whilft he iscon- verfant in acts of Devotion , I cannot fay that his Body is lifted up from the ground,as they report that Pytkag. was when he pray'd;but I am fure his more noble part is carried intoHeaven,which is never far from fuch aDivine Spirit. It is not poffible for any other man to defcribethePaffions which he fee!s;for none knows how much one loves but the lover himfelf: but he is fo conftant- ly attended with all outward demonftrations of inward affections, and they arefo notorioufly known to all that converfe with him , that it is as hard not to think him a Lover , as it is impoflible to believe that fuch are , who can give no proof but a bare pretence to that Honorable Title. We cannot chufe but know that he is always in the thoughts of God,for he is ever fpeak- ing of him,& frill bufied in doing every thing which he underftands to be ac- ceptable to him, and efteems nothing too hard to fuffer for him if he think it be a tryal of Love. He receives every thing which looks like a fignification of Anger with extreme forrow,and yet with all thankful fubmiflion to his lo- ved God , whom he will heartily blefs that thus he puts him in mind of his failing ; for before , he was apt to fear that he did not love enough. If any thing in which hedelighted be taken from him , he immediately reftores to God the Love which that enjoyed in his right. Though he rejoyceth infinitly when God fmiles upon his Soul;y.et he is afraid that he doth receive many ex- preffes of Divine Favour in vain,becaufe,ashe fays,he is able to loveGod but a little. When he takes notice that God's Perfections are lb great that he can add nothing to his Glory, no not fo much as by wifhing him any good thing ; he rejovceth in the happinefs of God, and would not have it otherwife , left U he ,46 jidentiViolio and (Mrania* Bookiv. he fliould foolifhly defireGod to be Lefs , in hope with his filly Love to make him Greater : but he is therefore more careful of the duties which he owes , fince he plainly fees that he ferves one who can value nothing but che Good- will of his poor Servants. By beftowing his Mind totally upon the Contemplation of God, he blafts thefaireft flowers of Vanity, either wholly neglecting to confider what they are ; or if he glance upon them , he fees them fo Inferior to that Good with which he is in love , that he pleafeth himfelf to take that occafion to flight them the more , and to immerfe himfelf deeper in the remembrance of fuch things as it is a death to forget. I never heard him magnifie any Created thing. His Sifter indeed hath told me that he doth highly efteem Three Jewels, which he keeps very private, (they fay fuch as have them do not love to fhow them) and makes no lefs a jsunlib account of them than of his Life. She call'd them as I remember , * Qmme- V'j. . t . lion , b Terpjitheaand c Galenoffjcbia. There is great reafon why he looks to © A?a\mof them fo carefully, for befides their ineftimable value , by means whereof none f' ul - that hath them can ever be poor , they have other rare Virtues ; for fuch as keep them,find themfelves ravifh'd with a fecret delight in God,and a itrange alacrity in his fervice ; they are never deftitute of a placid calm of Soul, and a ferene peace of Confcience ; their minds alfo are fill'd with rais'd Meditations and abundance of Heavenly thoughts. They fay alfo that thefe Incomparable Jewels caft fuch bright rayes , that they fhow the Beauty of Holinefs, the Reafonablenefs of Religion, and the Excellency of Vertue,and make them as vifibleto good men as any bodily thing is to our common Eyes. Befides, they fay that he which is poffefs'd of them is fo happy and content with his portion , that he defpifeththe belt Jewels of this world as contemptible Bits of ordinary Glafs. But if thefe Jewels , quoth Urania , be of fuch incomparable worth and d a Korjhipper rare effefts, methinks a 'Ibeofebius fhould never truft them in any Cabinet but * J o" 1 id of h* s own Bofome. I am °f y our m i nc * , replied « Amerimnus ; and though \*rT. VV they talkeof a Clofet in the Houfe , which is fo fecret that none knows where it is,which is the Repofitory of thefe Jewels,yet I have often thought that he wears them ever in his Bread. The whole Neighbour-hood is convinc'd that his private entertainment is the Love of God, becaufe in publick he dothexprefs an unparallel'd Love to men , and chofeth fuch Inftances as will beft make thofe which par- take of them to become Lovers of God : for his Love imployes it felf chiefly in the care of thofe greater neceffities of their Souls , having IciTe need tobu- f ch»rh?. fie himfelf in the Relief of their Bodily infirmities,becaufe his Sifter { Jgape doth of her own accord difcharge that part Co excellently , that flie proves her felf not unworthy to be Sifter to fuch a Brother. His affable temper hath made him fo acceffible to all , that his neigbours come freely to him , knowing that they fhall be more welcome if he can do them any good ; and when he vifits them , (which he doth often perform to fuch as are capable of that Civility,) he ever fets before them amoft emi- nent Example, which is the beft of Books. In the Temple, where he is chief Prieft, (according to the Cuftom of anci- ent times , for then the Prince had alfo that Honour, ) he celebrates the Di- vine Perfections with due Praifes : And that others may do it the better for his afllftance , he fometimes helps them with a clear Explication of the Di- vine Attributes, asGoodnefs, Wifdom, and Power ; and fometimes makes them to underftand fome of God's moil famous works , as the ftupendious Creation of the well-fram'd World , that admirable Providence by which he takes Book iv. 215entiboUo and Crania* 1 47 takes care for all things which he hath made , and the n.oft Myfterious Re- demption by whichWifdom and Love,in a facred Con;un6ion,have brought the greateft good out of the greateft evil, Whilft he performs thefe things with an incomparable Clarity of Divine inftru&ion ,the people think they fee the Invifible God, and cannot refrain from that fort of Adoration which is niadeofmoft rais'd thoughts and equal aftedtions.Though they do not omit that fort of Worfhip which confifts in Corporal proftrations, but bow their Bodies in humble reverence of the Divine Majefty ; both becaufe we are to • glorifie God with our Body as well as with our Soul, as alfo that the out- ward fubmiflion is fome fignification of the inward : yet becaufe the Exter- nal 13 leffe,and fometimes deftituteof the Internal ,and then worth nothing ; he hath taught them efpecially to adore the Supreme King with humble de- miffion of Soul, and the unfeigned fubjeftionof their Self-will. We have not many Ceremonies , becaufe we know that God doth princi- pally delight in Spiritual Services , and becaufe men are apt to be content with outward Rites , if they befo multiplied that they may have fome pre- tence that they will difpence for inward truth. But as that fancy is foolifh in it felf , though they were never fo many , fo here it is warily prevented : for we have but two great Rites of External Worfhip; A Sacred Font of pure Water , in which we confecrate our Children to the Redeemer of the World, who was incarnate for our fakes; and a Holy Table , at which we frequently commemorate the Love of our Saviour who died for us. I may not forget one particular Charity which a theofebim doth frequent- a a wtrjhifftt ly perform,and that is Pious Orations ; in which he doth fo plainly reveal to 'f 6 '^ the People the Nature of Vertue, that they feem to fee her come down from Heaven,and ftand in the midft of them when he fpeaks ; and they cannot but fall in love with her , whilft he makes exhortations to them to refign them- felves to her love and fervice , being infinitely taken with the perfon and ar- guments of the fpokefman that wooes for her. Sometimes he numbers to them the chief Precepts of Wifdom , that they may leave none out of their memories , and find them there more readily for praftife. Otherwhiles he demonftrates to them how vaftly the Reward doth exceed all thedutiesofObedience,that theymay more plainly fee how good a Mafter they ferve , and fo both work more chearfully , and fear to.offend one whom they have fomuch reafon topleafe. Sometimes he fhows them how the Rules of Truth have been verified in rare Examples of true Saints , and thofe of the fame rank and ftate of life with themfelves, that thevmay not think Holinefs impracticable except in a few , nor a heavenly life, fuch a high thing as ordinary, people fliould not afpire unto; and then they will blufh and weep to fee how im perfect they are in comparifon of others. At o- ther times he takes occafionto difcover the folly of fuch , as envying them- felves the happinefs which God hath propounded, deprive themfelves of the glory ofa good life,by Sloth,Hypocrifie,and the love of fenfual Pleafures.By thefe convictions they find vain joys to begin to dye in their hearts,and they prefently excite themfelves to a vigorous purfuit of Goodnefs,& ftrive after a portion ina happy Immortality.When he mentions the DivineThreatnings, or reproves finners \ which he never doth publickly , but for moft weighty caufes, they think it thunders ; though the terror which feizeth upon them doth not proceed from loudnefs and noife,but the fmart penetration of Rea- fon & Love,which fhine fo clearly in his Corrections, that theOffendor can- not but grieve for himfelfwhenhe fees fuch a worthyPerfon f >rry for him firft. Our daily Incenfe is Fervent Prayer; our Oblations are Holy Hymns; the Altar upon which we offer , is the Love of God. Our Prayers are fuch as no II 2 good H&entibolio and fllrania* Book iv. good nun will refufe to fay ; for we do with all poffible prudence exprefs this fort of dependance upon our Heavenly Father, begging of him both fuch things as our own Neceffities do mind us of, and thofe which an univerfal Charity doth require us to ask for all the World. Our Hymns are compos'd to minifter untoThankfgiving ; for,as we think our fel ves , and that truly , happy that God is our Patron ; fo we hold'our felves perpetually obliged toacknowledg the Benignity of our Benefactor, to whofe Good-will we owe whatfoever we have. Our fongs are ufually de- fign'd to celebrate the Praifes of the great Creator and moft merciful Re- deemer of the World : but fheofebitu doth fo prudently order the Ditties, that if we do not forget them wefhall have a particular remembrance of the Divine Benefits ; by which means he hath both prevented the vilenefs of In- gratitude, and kept in our minds every thing , for which we are to give thanks , as the pious Love of our Parents , the Supplies by which he made their Deaths lefs afflictive, all means of good Education which concurr'd to the happy inftrudtion of our Youth,Sufficiency of external accommodations, good accomplishment of our Eufineffes , and fuccefs in our Undertakings, deliverance from great Dangers at Land or Sea, recoveries from Sin,Vertuous Friends, by whofe Counfels and Examples we have been incouraged to bear up againft the fpirit of the wicked world , the infinite Love of our Re- deemer , the Affiftance of the Holy Ghoft , theknowledg of true Religion, the enjoyment of the Scriptures, and fuch like, a ovefretfrom Jbnerimnus having given them this account of* Theofebws,\\as now going to **rts. make an Apology for the length of his Speech,when b Fhronefix retum'd and bJmrjkippir f avec J[ hi m that labour , by acquainting the Company that Iheefebim did ex- pec! them at the Temple. When they were come thither , they perceiv'd by the manner after which it was built , that the people did notefieem all Coft thrown away which is fpent any where but in their own houfes ; for it was a moft delegable place, and fo adom'd with light fome Windows , and conve- nient Seats for all .forts of Worfhippers, that as all were well pleas'd with theHoufe of Prayer, fo the poor thought themfelves highly honoured there ; for though their Homes wei'e far meaner than many enjoy'd whom they faw there, yet here they equall'd them ; which ftirr'd up their hearts to think of the Kingdom of Heaven ; for they thought the nearer they came to that State, the leffe difference they fhould find in their Manfions. Theofebius received them with that welcome which one of his Princely Temper muft needs bellow upon thofe concerning whom he had fram'd ex- traordinary thoughts : but he was moreefpecially glad of their Company, becaufe he thought his Prayers and Worfhip would be more acceptable I when they help'd the performance , and that God would be more willing to bellow his Bleffing among them when fo many of his friends were prefent. Having finifh/d their ufual Devotions, he conducted them unto his Houfe, where he gave them that entertainment which he thought w r ould moftan- fwer their defires , and was himfelf the greateft part of it ; for he admini- ftred rare content to them all by his pious Difcourfes. When Dinner was cAilvenMHs. ended , ^Panaretm giving him hearty thanks for the delight which by his means he received at the Temple, and particularly from the holy Seng which was fung and accompanied with a foft Organ , which he prais'd for the rare connexion of proper Notes and Excellent Words ; but wondring that the people exprefs'd it with fuch an exact harmony of well agreeing Voices; tfsX he ask'd d tbeofebius how he had brought them to that perfection of artificial Singing : and further demanded of him , whether fome were not ofiended at that fort of Mufick, as too carnal a thing , and unfit to be us'd in the worfhip of Book iV. 2l&ct«iboUo and Urania* 149 of God ; both becaufe mens Minds are apt to be more attentive to the arti- fice of the Compofure, and the pleafure of Senfc, than to the praife of God which is defign'd to be rais'd by it ; and alfo becaufe I have heard , quoth he, that in fome places fuch are imployed in playing upon the Organ and o- . ther InftrumentSjOr in accompanying them with their Voices* which are fo for from being acceptable to the God of Heaven , that by their prophane lives they are grievous to good men upon Earth. I am much pleas'd , quoth a Tbeojebins , with your freedom of talk , and I ^^muM am heartily glad that you will by any argument occafion the continuance of and an ™ 'the our Conferences ; and as to the particulars of your demand , I fhall endea- c » m P l i,ion °f vourtogive you fatisfaftion. That Mufick is advantageous to good men m^uft for"tL the fervice of God , feems to me a thing eafie to be put out of queftion. It f e ! vice *fG«f* is well known that it hath a great Influence upon the Spirits, and a rare '■* ri&h>l7 usdi power to work upon the Affections: It is confefs'd alfo that Affectionate- nefs is the Life of our Devotions : That alMance therefore muft. needs be, commendable which doth cherifh that effential quality of Religious addref- fes- , without which they would be rejected. If my Experience were a thing to be quoted , I could truly fay , that by the Exaltation of rais'd Affections I have found the good agreement which Mufick hath with Divine Service. When we give thanks,we fhould do it with Joy,and that is exceedingly pro- moted by fit Songs both by reafon of the fweetnefs of Poefie, and the melody of good Notes : for which refpects I fuppofe Mufick wasus'd of old in the famous Temple of b SkUmellufes ; and we find Pfalms and Hymns cont'mu- b J f l "" low "f ed in the Inftitutions and practife of c Jvaxa/tattw , though he made a great " rll'l'™™' change in the Worfhip of thofe dayes. By which we underftand that artifi- ki*w. cial afllftances of Devotion are not fo carnaUs to merit rejection ; and that c0n, f ree f rm regard to order of words and founds which makes Verfes ryme , and agree- '' ment of felect Notes which makes the Tune , do not necefiarily withdraw from attending upon God , who is in that way prais'd. But left the people fhould receive harm in this point , becaufe our Songs are accorded to an In- ftrument ; I have often told them, That in Divine fervice there is no Har- mony , without the Heart do accompany every part of the performance ; and if that Inftrument be not us'd or out of tune, they fing to themfel ves , not to God. I do alfoexhort them frequently to mind the fenfeof every Song more than the found of the Words , and not lofe their fpiritual Joys in the allure- ments of audible pleafure , which is abus'd when it doth not ferve to lift up the Soul more affectionately to God. Our Ditties are both fo holy , thatanv good man will be content to bear a part in them when they are fung , and fo plain, that they confort with mean underftandings, and are for the moft part fet to fuch familiar Notes, that vulgar Auditors eafily learn the Air. The Compofer is ftill charg'd to avoid many fractions ; and when any new Tune is appointed, thev are willing to obferve it carefully till they have got it in their memories. If they have not the words which are fung by heart , they have Copies of them given to them , which they will make their own ; for they do not grudge time or pains to further their fervice of God. Thus they accommodate their Voices without any difturbance to their Minds and the intention of their affections is both more engaged and furthered. As for the other part of yourdifcourfe , I am wholly of your opinion, that the Unworthinefsof Wicked Artifts doth not only make the Mufick unacceptable to God , becaufe they live out of tune to their holy Songs , but alfo juftly offenfive to good men, who think it fo odious a jar to fing one part and practife another , that they can fcarce endure to hear it. But I have alwaies had a great care , left our Mufick fhould be fpoil'd with fuch untu- nable 1 50 j!Dcntit>oUo and flHrania. Book IV. aontfutfrom nable Inftniments ; and I am fure that a ^Jmtanttts, who is Matter of the //"'• Quire, will admit none but fuch whofe Converfation doth very well accord with their Profeffion. b AWitjhipftr J give you thanks, b Theofebiw, quoth c Panarcttcs, not only for refolving '^Aif riutu; nl >' q 116 ^! 00 > but becaufe you have vindicated fo good a thing from gi-eat a- bufe, and made it fit for the praife of the beft God. Then Theofebitu broke oil their Conferences by defiring them to retire to a Grotie which he had upon a clear River which ran through his Garden, where they might bo:h avoid the heat of the wdather and enjoy the plea- furc of further Intercourfe. When they were come thither, fome of his chief Muficians , plac'd in a Room which he had built for fuch purpofes , began to perform fuch felecl: Mufickas he had appointed for their entertainment. Amongfh many other excellent Songs , one was compos'd in defence of Church-Mufick. There Harmony reveal'd the utmoft power of its f ,\ eetnefs , not fo much to pleafe, as to produce thofeeffeds which would witnefs its Ufefulnefs in fuch ap- plications. Some fpeak againft it which never heard it , and fo are ignorant of its Nature; for it felf only can exprefs its profitable delight, which when it doth , the aftion hath fome refemblance of that of a handfome Lim- ner when he draws his own Pifture. d one frit \ have a Manufcript written by d Amerimntu , and as I tum'd it over one fimt»rt. j a y ^ j cnanc , ( j happily to find the fore-mentioned Ditty : The Notes were there too , but they were prick'd in a Character which hath been out of ufe in thefe latter years. The words were thefe : L We fing to him whofe Wifdom ftrnid the Ear ; Our fongs let Him who gave us Voices hear : We joy in God rvho is the Spring of Mirth , Whofe Love's the* Harmony of Heaven and Earth. Our humble Sonnets fhall that Praife reherfe Which is the Mujick of the Univerfe. CHORUS. 'jind rvhilfl we fing we confecrate our Art , And offer up with every Tongue a Heart. II. Thm whilft our thoughts grow Audible in Words , And th'Body with the ravifh'd Souls accords, We hallow Pleafure , and redeem the Voice From vulgar Ufes to ferve noble Joyes. Whilft hollow wood and well-tun d Strings do give Praife s , the Dumb and Dead both fpeak and live. CHORUS. Thus whilft we fing we confecrate our j[rt , And offer up with every Tongue a Heart. Through chearful Air with quicker wings we fly , • And make our Labour fweet with Melody. Thus we do imitate the Heavenly Quires , And with High Notes lift up more Rais'd Dejires. 'Jnd Book IV. Bentibolio and Crania* 152 And that above we may be fure to know Our Pares, we praUife often here Below. CHORUS. And whilfl we fing we consecrate our Art, And offer up with every "tongue a Heart. When they had ended this Song, i theofebius commanded them at Ura-*f *&!/%* Bias requeft to fing the Hymn which they heatd in the Temple in the morn- %Afrmiifk ing : and when they had done, Urania talked foftly to b Phronefia , who fate vitman. next to her , and asked her who made the words of that Hymn. I know not, quoth Phronejia ; but as you may guefs by the fenfe of the words, they feem to be fung in Heaven by Good Angels and Men , when they defign to exprefs the worthy Praifes of the Creator and Redeemer. And to acquaint you with what I have heard , my Son's Good Genius knowing that he us'd to fing fuch Ditties,threw the Copy one.day into the window of his Study; and thev are fo taken with the defign of the Song, that they fing it frequently. I defire quoth Urania,to have a Copy of it. You fhall command it,quoth Phronejia ; and withall took out one which by chance fhe had in her Pocket. And that my Readers may know what kind of Hymns they fing in c theoprepia , I will c i*« iiv'm let it down. I cannot fay that it is a perfect Copy , but I received it from *"'*' one of Urania's friends, who with her good leave tranferib'd it , and fent it tome. Jtwasasfolloweth ; Wepraife thee, God ; Thy works do make us tyiow Angels. Both who's the jfuthor, and what praife we owe. When thou didji leave the Regions of that Light t Which is fo great it blinds Createdfight, thou wrappd'Jl thy-felf in darker light, that we Might the Creator through thick^Cryfiil fee. thy Power and Wifdome, equally above Our reach, are thta brought down by higher Love. Heaven is thy throne, thy Footjlool Earth, the Sea Some drops from thy great Spring : the chearfull Day Glances from thy bright Eyes : the Starry Night takes from the Spangles of thy Vefl its Light. All Orders of Created Being fay With different tongues thy praifes, as they may. Whatever is, or grows, or ufeth Senfe, Reafen embodied, pure Intelligence ; Whatever fwims , or creeps , or goes , or files, Doth, when we blefs thee , echo to the skies. thy Works willpraife thee : whiljl thoumak'fi us be, At once we find our felves, Great God, and thee. And we poor Men, through vchofe great fault the World t • Uta. Unhingd by fin , was into Ruines hut I'd, Curfl becaufejinners, have more caufe than you, Blefl Angels, as we can, this work tt do. the Son of God, made Man for us forlorn, that we might live, difdaind not to be bom , And when our Stains requir da Holy flood, He faw our need, and wafb'd us in His Blood, Heaven 1 5 2 jidentiboiio and flUrania. Book iv Heaven is neve open'd , He hath made a Dore For all that do repent , and fin no more. He by his Love ended the difmal firife ; Hell's hope isfrujlrate ; Death's the way to Life, Which groves Immortal from the hallow d Grave : How can n>e chufebut fing , rvhen God will fave f Forfince He 's pleas 'd the ruin'd World to raife, It is butjufi itfhouldfall down in Praife. All Heavenly Powers do in thy Praijes meet ; An£ Archangels throw their Crowns before thy feet. Mcn . Old Patriarchs and Prophets bow before thee ; Apofiles and the Holy Church adore thee. Angels. We offer praife becaufe we kept our Place. Wen; Eecauje we are Refiord , we thank thy Grace : AngtIs 'tis One great Sun whoj'e Glory pines fo bright In Heaven ; Men. jindfills this lower world with Light, By thy blejl Influence, O Holy Dove, Men are infpir'd ; Ang. And Angels taught to love. CHORUS. We blefs thee, God, the Father of us all, And celebrate the World's Original. the Heavens and earth, made and refior'dby thee, Joyn Praifes in agratefull Harmony. jiccept our thankful Hymn, though fuch poor laies Fall infinitely jbort of worthy Praife. Andfince, Great Source of Being, we can never Praifethee enough, we' I fing and praife thee ever. After the Song was ended they fpent the* reft of the Afternoon in the fpa- a JWorjhifper c [ ons walks of a fair Garden , and by various difcourie made x theofebitu tfGii. bring forth thofe rich Treafuries of Divine Knowledg which he had laid into his Soul by frequent Meditations in the fame place. When the Evening began to fpread her duskifh wings, they hzSltridio Phronefia'shoufe , and took theofebiuf along with them. \hZ t"fyZ' When Supper was ended , b Nicomachm defired leave that he might pro- c the Hypocri- pound two or three Queftions to theofebim ; which being chearfully grant- $itai ti»u. e( ^ he k e g an tnus : i have been told , quoth he , in c Vanafembla , that if one do but defire and entertain a purpofe to go into your Country, that he fhall be carried thither immediately without any mor~e adoe. No , quoth theofe- bius,z\\ Forreigners muft take the pains to travail , or elfe their Wifliesand Refolutions will never bring them hither. If I be not mifinform'd, your Ex- perience will witnefs what I have faid to be true ; you found not the paf- d Mftni. fage free from all difficulty. But the borderers , efpecial ly one called d He- mical/is , who though hedwelsnear unto us would never come among us, tQtlVwb. hath rais'd many ridiculous and falfe tales concerning theoprepia. Others, quoth Nicomachm, fay, that you live a very Melancholick life in c Eufebia. They were never there which told you that , quoth thetfebius ; you have feen the contrary. They are unrcafonable people who condemn fuch as they do not know. We do not live difcontentedly , for then we Ihould be miferable ; neither do we abandon Joy , for fo we fhould become Stones : if Book IV. MntiboUo and <&jrama* 153 if we would live without the fenfe of humane things , we fhould be forc'd to pull our Hearts out of our Bodies. But we know that there is a fort of MafculinePleafure, which doth recreate and ennoble the Sou] \ and we dare not fink our felves in the Voluptuoufnefs of Senfe , left we fhould ftick faft in Mire, as we have underftood that they all do who will know no reafons of Delight , but fuch as are derived from brutifh Rellifhes and dull contf pondencies with the Worfepart. You take great pains for Knowledg , quoth Nicomaebta. Is Wifdom fo difficult.- 3 or muft you needs know every thing/ why do you do it? Becaufe we believe, quoth Ibeofebim , that God will not accept of Ignorance for a good plea. Eut they fay , quoth NhomAchtts , that your labour is never at an end. There is good reafon for that , quoth Jheofebitts, for our ftate confifts in habitual Goodnefs, and that is not to be attain'd without many Afts ; and befides this we feek a noble prize of our diligence , Eternal BlefTedneffe. Is that then, quoth Nicomuhu* , the great End of all your Induftry? Yes quothlbeofebita. But methinks we need not doubt , laid Nicomachu* , but God will give us that, although we fhould not ftrive fo much for it, becaufe he knows that we are weak. No, faid Thcojebim , we have no hope to make Imbecillity the refuge of Idleneffe , fince we find God is ready to help us to do all things that he requires of us. But what need you be fo careful every day ? faid Kicomachiu. Becaufe , quoth Iheofebius, We fhall be judg'd for e- veryday. But what need you do' this more than others? faid Nkomachtu : Many do not trouble themfelves fo much. Becaufe we fee , faid Tbeofebita that many are ftupid, and mind not their concernments , arid we have no fuch efteem of thofe whom we pity for their Errours , as to make them exempla- ry to our felves. Why, quoth Nicomachus , do you often vilifie the Interefts of this world, as they fay you do ? Becaufe , quoth Iheofcbius , we fee them defert thofe who have courted them with moft fervile affections. Since you have attain'd a great Perfection, quoth Nicomachus, Why do you trouble yourfelf any further? Some think you are more burdenfome to your felf then you need to be. To this Iheofebiia replied,They which do but imper- fectly underftand their own condition, cannot fo well pronounce concern- ing othei's; but I am afTured that if I fhould flack my endeavours to grow better, I fhould wax worfe ; and fo fall into a doubtfull hope of Happinefs, and after that into a certain fear of Mifery. Thofe which refolve to fit down upon the Hill-fide , will never reach the Top ; and if they fall afleep there, peradventure they may tumble down again. I defpair of obtaining my End which I have told you , but by Perfeverance ; and I have no hope of that' but by vigilant Care, and conftant Progreffions. There Xicomachw broke offhis difcourfe, pray i ng pardon of the Compa- ny that he had continued it fo long, and by his fpeech occafion'd their fi- lence: and fince it begun to be late, Thronefa acquainted the Company, that if they pleas'd, {he would wait upon them the next morning to the healthful Flains of Sopbrefy»e, and defired Iheofebitu , to make them one more with his company . ThenobleTravailers fignifying a thankful confent to a motion which contain'd fo much Civility, they ended the Conferences of that Night. In the Morning FbronejiA rifing fomething earlier than ordinary , though fhe was never late in bed , having prepar'd all things neceffary for their Journey, conduced her friends towards Sephrofyne with fuch a convenient Equipage, that they eafily perceived that true Prudence extends it felf to all things. They came in a little time to the borders , which were adorn 'd with plenty of ancient Trees ; and having travail'd a little way throogh X St i5+ 2l5entiboito and fflirama. Bookiv, the pleafant Woods , they came to old Sophroris Seat. His houfe was built with the plain ftone of the Country, noc adorn'd with Pillars of forreign Marble, or rich Columns of Corinth'un Brafle , nor furnifli'd with over- worn Siatues of fuch as had nothing eTe by which they could be remembred; neither were the rooms furnifli'd with ftately beds of Ivory ,or golden Gob" lets : inftead of the trouble of fuch dangerous houfe- hoi d-fluffe they had plain Utenfils, and were ferv'd in Earthen Veflels , were content with a little, and form'd their defires according to the proportion of true Neceflity. * a umptrati One of * Sophroris Sons (Lr old Sophron was dead,) that had in nothing de- m«». generated from his Father , met them in one of his Walks , and conduded them into his Houfe ; where they found all things appointed with refpe as from a luxurious Delicacy. After ufual falutations and civil entertainment perform'd after the man* Temperance, nerof Sophrofyne , Benth'olio , according to hiscuftom entered upon dif- courfes futable unto his defign , and acquainted Sophron that as amongft the many fingu'ar Courtefies done to them by Phronefu , they efteem'd it a gi eat honour to be accompanied by her to his houfe , fo he defired Sophron , to fa- vour him and his Friends with the Knovvledgof their Manners , and the rea- fons of their Difcipline , which they had heard to be the moft conformable to Humane Nature of any in the World. I have nothing to fay , replied the Modeft Sophron , in praife of our Cu- ftoms in comparifon of others ; but what they are you fliall foon know. Since the Roots of Immortality wither' d in Paradife, Life hath not been purchafable in Fee-fimple ; and therefore our Anceftors took thought how they might improve their Time during their Leafe; and perceiving that they were to enjoy it in joint Tenancy with the Body , they took what care they could to make it lead cumberfome to the Soul , that the Spirit might be more content to dwell with it , and more able toaccomplifh its aftions, without difturbance from fuch a du'l Companion. The chief thing which they found advantageous to thefe purpofes was an univerfal Temperance : and this they efteem'd neceflary to their Defign , both becaufe fome in a ve- ry fliort time forfeit their Leafe of life, by thenegled of Moderation , and though a longer fpacc was allowed to them , they foolifhlyfhortenit, and fcarce out-live the time of a Gourd ; and others fo dif-enable themfelves by the Effects of Intemperance , that they live to as fmall put pofe as if they had never been born , and in the clofe die as unwillingly as a Beaft catch'dina fnare. Health is our Pleafure; and our Riches, Content with competent Por- tions. We emulate nothing but the Simplicity of our Anceftors : we think that we then enjoy our Body as we fiiould , when we keep it fubfervient to a thoughtfull Soul. We look upon it as an Inne where we are to fojourne few days , and provide fuch accommodations as are proportionable to the May which we are to make : but our principal Employment is to prepare our felves for the eftate, which awaits us at Home, and to do fuch things here as will prove beneficial to us when we come thither. All that we defire by the way , is a healthful Chearfulnefs , andaferviceable Temper; and theft weobtainand fecure, by denying fatisfaciion to all unreafonable Appetites which , as we have obferved , wherefi jever they are indulg'd , deftroy thofe who are fo foolifli as to be in love with them. If the Inftances be lawful in which men pleafe themfelves, we wonder why they tranfgref 5 their Bounds ; for then they difpleafe : and fince God hath commanded us not to pafs the limits which he hath fee , we efteem it moft Book iv. 26entifcolio and Crania* 155 moft unworthy to offend , becaufe he never forbids till the Excefs hurt us. When menchufe un'awful inftances , we are aftonifli'd at their brutiflmefs, becaufe the allow'd are better ; befides that they leave no gall in the Con- ference. If men pretend a joy in fuch freedoms as they fancy ,and then rifle to them- felves , we think they are fivfficiently punifh'd for their boldnefs by the fad dyferafies of their wrong'd bodies, as the Surfeits of Gluttony, the Vomits of unmeafur'd Drinking , the Crudities of mdigefted Varieties , whfch are the Roots of afflictive Difeafes, unclean effefts of bedial Luft, diftionourable Sicknefs , fleeplefs nights , difturb'd Dreams , and untimely Death ; befides what is ro be expected in another World. Whilft we fee fuch things to be the neceffary confequences of a diflblute life , we pleafe our fel ves in a fober prefervation of our bodily Comforts ; and what we have we injoy without the checks of a difcontented Soul : ours mull needs be far from reproaching the Pleafures which it help'd us to pro- cure : we preferve and recover the body by the Soul ; a difcreet obferva- tion of our Conditutions is our chief Phyiick. Whilft a Holy Soul dwells in a healthful Body, it hath an Antepaft of their future and better Con jun- ction. The Senfitive part is apt to be miftaken,and frequently makes the Soul differ for itrErrors ; and therefore we keep , a drift watch upon its Tenta- tions, left it exceed due Proportions in the Quantity of Meats and Drinks, or be too curious as to the Qualities of either. As we avoid Excefs , fo we are careful toufe things which adminider proper Nourifhment j and of thofe we think our felves well provided, if we have fuch as fecure our End: the End of Eating , and Drinking is Health , and the End of Health , the em- ployment of Soul and Body in worthy aftions. We are not troubled with the incivility,of offering great meafures of drink by way of Complement ; we efteem it no great Courtefie in any man to in- vite us to drown our felves either in Water , or Wine : It is a great abufeof good nature to pleafe another with our own hurt , and no lefs folly to pre- tend a regard to fome friends Health , and at the fame time todefpife out own. We care not for delicate Odours , fweet Herbs are enough ; and inftead of curious Meats, and Drinks, wechufe thofe which have a lefs troublefome preparation , and give more natural fatisfaftion. Yet we are not ignorant that there are different Tempers of Body,and Ufes of Life ; and therefore we can tell how to allow that to others,which we rake not to our felves ; but we are wary alfo to diftinguilh between the true Infirmity of a weak Stomach, and the Curiofities of a fantadical Palate. Hunger.and Third , are our beft Sauce ; and we are not fo Iavifh in the expence of them , but that we dill keep fome to relifli our next meal ; and therefore though we have dined , or dipped , we rife not without fome Ap- petite. To what purpofe fhould a man for fo poor a gain as a fick dulnefs endeavour to eat as much as he can ? Sometimes we have moderate Feads, but they are always proportion'd to the jud confiderations of the Number, and Quality, of our Company : and thofe who are entercain'd, do then more efpecially mind their Rules, know- ing that their Vertue is under a Tryal : and though we allow a greater mea- fure of time for Converfe,and Chearfulnefs is not prohibited ; yet we fo or- der the matter , that we may not indifpofe our felves for what we have to do , by fitting too long ; and do both deceive our Palate with the bed Dif- courfe , which we are able to furnifh at the Table ; and caufe the Cloth to be taken away , when we perceive the Company have eaten , and drunk e- nough. X 2 I mud 5 6 ^entifcotto and Crania, Bookiv. I niuft confefs that we are more ftrift in thefe Obfervatiotis , becaufe by this means we endeavour to way-lay an inconvenience which others accele- rate by Excefs in meats, and drinks : for by that , one fort of Intemperance minifters to another ; and of the latter, we are more afraid , then the former, becaufe it is more diflionourable : but if that were equal , we would be loath that any thing fliould make ourBody fo difobedient to the Government of our Soul, that it fliould be provoked by its own negligence, toluftful Sympathies , and be deftrov'd by the Beaft which it could have mafter'd , if it had not fed it too high. The Pleafures of Abftinence, have a rare guft, be- ing fweetn'd with fubfervience to Chaftity , by which we preferve the Ho- nour and Strength of our Bodies. And fince the beft of Spirits , who is the Love of all Noble Souls , doth ever refufe the Manfion which is difgrac'd *A*amtcfthe with bodily Uncleannefs, and doth moll of all abhor to be lodgd with *Jf- hiiAi viha h * modem ; therefore we do fo far abandon the ufe of all difhoneft Pleafures , 'spirit*** *° Hl tnat we ^ ee P t * ie vei T f houghts of them from defiling our Minds , and efteem thofe which are with juft limitations allow 'd to be then ftrictly forbidden, when they are not join'd with abundance of Temperance, and hallow'd with a great deal of Modefty. We are more eafily defended from the danger of thefe Pollutions when we come to riper years , becaufe our Wife Parents took great care that the Mo- defty of our young Nature might not beravifh'd with evil Examp!es,light Difcourfes, obfcene Books, or wanton pictures , and that the unfpottednefs of our Virgin-life might not be ftain'd with bad Company , lafcivious Dances , or the mifchiefs which conftantly attend upon an Idle life. Idle- flefs is efteero'd with us no better than it deferves , that is , an Ignoble thing and thole who know not , nor will pra&ife fome good Art , are accounted ufelefs members of the Creation. For other particulars wherein we have no fet Rules , we guide our felves by the beft Examples , and incline to that part which is moft fevere to the Flefti , keeping in all things a decorumwith the Prudence of univerfal Mode- ration. But that I am afraid to be troublefome to your patience , I would tell you alfo that we do more needfully obferve the Orders of our Ance- ftors becaufe we have heard and know it to be true , that the Divine fpark which is plac'dintheconftitution of our Souls, can fcarce be difcern'd where it is , when it is ihcompafs'd with an Atmofphere of bodily Fumes ; and that it is alwaies unfitted for its higheft operations , when it is clogg'd with turbulent Pafilons. Converfe with God , is the top of our Joy ; and we cannot afcend to him but in a ferene Calm of Soul , no more than we can fee the Sun when it is muffled up in thick Clouds. We do not defiic to be buried alive : which mifery we fliould think to befall us , if the Eye of our Soul , were darkened to the fight of our beft Good , the guft of our prefent and future Happinefs dull'd , and the hopes and defires of Immortality choak'd in us, and the power of the Soul , by which it lifts it felf up to the attainment of celeftial life, deprefs'd or extin- guifti'd. And fince we find that an immoderate refentment of flefli ly Plea- sure doth perverfly aim at fuch diflionorable Ends , we abandon it , being fo far in love with the Dignity of Humane Nature , that we fcorn to degenerate into Brutes through fuch mean perfwafions ; but we fubjugate our Flefli!y part to advance the honour and liberty of our Minds, having obferv'd that men of the beft govern'd Affections have ever attain'd the greateft excellen- cies of Judgment. Whilft we content our felves with a Frugal way of life , we provide fewel for charity , and redeem fomething to beftow upon fuch as want , from la- vifti Book iv. Benttbolio and Sirama* 157 vifh Entertainments , fuperfluous varieties of Gay Clothes , andmultitude: of needlefs Houfes. In ihort , To the prudent lnftitutions of our good Fa- ther, we owe an excellent Health, an agile Body, unhurt Senfes, quiet Sleeps, a peacefull Soul , ferene Contemplations , a fymmetry of Paffions r freedom from fiiamefull Luft, and after a contented Life,from which we part with lit- tle trouble of Body , but whofe remembrance is lb acceptable to our Mind, that if we were to live it over again , we fhould repeat it according to the fame Rules. When Sophron\\z& finifli'd hisDifcourfe , he defir'd them to walk intoai little Grove, which join'd to his Garden , and thereby an ocular demonftra- tion, he fhow'd them what pleafure may be found in a Little , and by what way Wife men make the half, more than the whole : for, with Herbs, Roots, Fruits, Milk, Hony, Bread, and the native Wine, which he call'd by another Name, he made a Feaft, which was a Practife upon his former Rules. But this firitpartof the Entertainment was far exceeded by that which follow'd; which was a rare Difcourfemanag'd by two young Ladies , of which I fhall give an account by and by. It may be , fome Reader will wonder why I do fo much magnifie this fort of Entertainment : and becaufe I have mention'dit divers times,I will now give the reafon of that * Thetprepian Cuftom. You muft know that although a Divint. the Theoprepians did frequently retire themfelves to Contemplation and Piety , and had appointed felect Places remov'd out of the Noife of the Tu- multuous world as fitteft for Education; yet they were not ignorant of thole Advantages which may be had in Converfe with others.* and it was received as a common Opinion amongft them, That Ingenious Conference is one of the moft pieafant forts of Recreation, and a moft proficable,as well as delectable , exercife of our Natures • fince by this means every one doth teach and learn , and by a free Communication of Souls in a lively and vigo- rous way of Knowledg , enjoy a delight as far above that which is attainable in lonefome life , as an excellent Song of many Parts is above the pleafure of a tingle Voice, or at lead as the performance of a good Compofition with fie Voices and Instruments partes the mute joy which one can take by looking upon a Songprick'd in a Book. The Iheoprepians being us'd to this way, and having confirm'd their love to it by the experience of the Benefit which they i-eap'd from it , flighted thofe mean Sports which ravel out the time of other people, and leave themdifcontented when they fee to what little pur- pole they have fpent it. Left: their Conference fhould k be tedious if they managed it always after the fame fafhion, they have learn'd to vary the Mode of their Difcourfes with much pleafing Change, Sometimes they put Que- ftions , that they may enjoy the Learning and Knowledg of each other in their Anf>\ers. Sometime they make it their task to recite Examples of Noble Precepts by which the poflibilityof the higheft Vermes is demonftrated. At other times, by obferving the happy SuccefTes of Good men , they encou- rage themfelves in the purfuit of that Holinefs which they practis'd. Some- times they recount the fad Cataftrophes of Splendid Tyrants , and, take a view of the true Miferablenefs of Fortunate Wickednefs. And other-whiles they make little Orations , in which they declare and commend the Excel- lency of fome particular Vertue. That day b Evergefia and ^Philothea bBmfctnct. were appointed toalovingonteft for the Priority of the Graces which c z*' i*» gf ' As to you, a Thilothes and b Euergefia , an unparallel'd Pair of Vertu- btinefnmh ' ous Sifters , in what words fhalll prefent my particular Thanks? Ycu 'hive Book iv. l&entiboiio and Crania* ity 4 have made the Love of God and Man fa amiable in your Difcourfes , chat * I cannot chufebut love you both. As the Venues which you have elegant- ' ]y commended are infeparable, fo I give you the Praifes, which you equal- 4 ly deferve , in a joint-acknowledgment : and I fhould think my underta- 1 king highly applauded , if I were as confident that I ihould be pardon 'd, *as I am fure that you are admired. This Conference being ended, Phronejia, made a return of thanks toUrx- Htx with fuch affectionate expreffes , that every one prefent thought Words to have been the leaft ingredient in their Compoiition; and after a fhorc time beftow'd in fuch pleafure as leaves no grief when it is paft , So$hron6.z~ fired them all to retire into his houfe , where he entertain'd them with a Sup- per after the Mode of Sopbrofyne , and with fuch Diverfions as neither wa- ited the time, nor gave them any occafion to be weary of it. But having ob- ferved that thefilent Night, whilft they were talking,had ftollen away more then they thought of thofe hours which are allotted to Reft, he defired them to retire to their Chambers to fave what was left. a Phronefix and b Tbeofehius having ftaid a few days with no fmall content a j pruitut in c Sopbrofyne, they return'd to the City , taking along with them their no- ?**" „. _. ble Guefts , whofe company was as much pleafant to them , as the lofie of it per ofid' 9 ' adminiftred occafion of grief to the good d Sofhren , who would have been c T, ^P t * aM '- much troubled , but that he had learn'd among other Rules of Wifdom , to pffm!"*"*" part contentedly with thebeft things which God will permit us to keep no longer. The Travailers had now fpent a confiderable time in Tbeeprefja ; for which though they were fufficiently paid with the pleafure of excellent Company , and the knowledg of a moft Happy People , yet the neceflity which lay upon them to finifh their Defign made them think of returning home : which when FhroneJU , Tbeofebius , and the good « Agape undferftood, e ljntm they began to be affefled with the fame refentments of their Condition, which men feel when a former Happinefs doth aggravate a prefent Suffer- ing; and thought that the J oyes which they had gain'dby the pretence of moft deferable Friends , were now all loft by their departure; and they were willing to have judg'dicnot only an Uncharitable thing to deprive them of the Happinefs which they had lately beftow'd , but alfo an Injufhce to leave than in a worfe condition then they found them. For they feem'd not only to carry their own Perfons away , but alfo whilft they prepare! to be gone, they rob'd the Theoprepians of their Hearts, and deftroy'd the Con- tentment which they took in themfelves before they came. But then refle- cting upon the Innocence and Neceffity of their Friends , and hearkning to Prudence which admonifh'd them concerning their own duty, they began to think it rcquifite to take heed left they committed the faults for which they were ready to blame others. They had no reafon to complain , fince the Tra- vailers were afRifted with the fame inftances of Grief; and it had been cruelty to punifh fuch as fuffered with them , and were moft of all troubled that they could not fuffer entirely that Sorrow of which they perceiv'd themfelves to be, though a guiltlefs, yet a fad Occafion. Who ever had been prefent at this parting would have melted into Pity ; for of all the fharp Tryals which in this Region of Changes exercife our tender Spirits with a deprivation of our better Enjoyments , there is none that doth more afflift us then the Lofs of thofe Companions,who,whilft they ftaid with us , made us a little Heaven with their prefence. And though it- doth pleafeus that they aregonetoBlifs, (for we cannot envy thofe whom we love,) yet the remembrance of what we did enjoy , but of which we are Z now 170 ji5entit>olto and (llraiua. Bookiv now bereav'd > doth make us more difcontented that we have not leave to go with them, and renders our lonefome abode below more doleful. After many Embraces and divers expreflions of mutual Love , Phronefia. and her Friends having accompanyed the Travailers a good way on the a Jgoai lift. Road of * Biofialus , they took Such a leave of them , as v\ as a 1 ively refem- blance of that natural affection which the Soul feels when it is forc'd from its intimate Affociate, the Body. The Travailers had not gone much further before they came to the Val- b Gtcdhf,. ley of b hl ^ uk j whkh ]ies at the Eaft . en d f Biofcalus. Upon their arri- val there, they found themfelves immediately poffefs d with that fort of Joy which Marriners failing towards the Eaji- Indies do experiment when they have weather'd the Cape of Good-hope. It is a pleafant Dale : The Ground alwayes green, andembellifhed with divers kinds of painted flowers and. fragrant herbs , yielded not only a rare Afpedt to the Eye , but alfo a deli- cious Smell as they pafs'd along ; a little Rill which water'd the Valley , did glide along by them with a murmuring noife for fear of being left behind them. Eorh the fides of the Valley were encompafs'd with Strait Rows of fair Plants; which, from their conftant vigour and perpetual flourifiiing, mvnwlfto!' are ca " ^ c jintaranth. When they had meafured the better half of the Dale mg. with a fteady pace, they were accofted by a beautiful Nymph, call'd * Irene ^ dPtact. which came out of a neighbouring Grove , and brought with her a great number of little Chappelets made of the purple flowers of ^Amaranth, and put a little Coronet upon each of their Heads. When Urania demanded the reafon of that Action , fhe anfwered that the Owner of that Grove ap- pointed thofe Garlands as a Civility to all Travailers which came that way. Urania and her Companions having modeftly accepted Irene's courtefie , for fear of rudenefs in the refufal of that which yet they were afraid to receive, looking upon it as an unmerited refpect,and having given fuch thanks as the Civility re<\mr'd;Irene making way for a new entreaty, bygiving notice to them that fhe could not but look upon them as Traveller's which had gone a long Journey, defir'd Uraniaand her Friends toacceptofa Lodgingat her Sifter's Houfe, and to reft themfelves there for a few days. Urania made fbme delay to return an anfwer to this courteous propofal , though fhe found chearfu] inclinations in hermindto entertain it, having obferv'd fuch an Air in Irene's face as fignified her to be no ordinary Perfon ; yet for fear of being too troublefome, fhe pray'd Irene not to interpret it as a dis- regard, that fhe was unwilling to give her the trouble of receiving fo many Strangers. Irene nothing Satisfied with this Anfwer , and gueftingwho they were, for they had intelligence of their being with Phrcnefia, {he doubled her entreaties, and with a gentle earneftnefs pray'd them to honour herfo far as to give her leave to bring to her Sifter the moft acceptable Company that ever arriv'd at their Houfe; adding that hereby they would fave her from the Punifhment of an unwelcome return to her Sifter without them, by whom (he was fure to be Severely chidden for a great want of prudent En- deavour, and defect of juft Civility , if fhe fhould permit fuch worthy Per- sons to paffe by without making her acquainted with them. Urania not knowing how to accept the Invitation , being ignorant how her Compa- nions were inclin'd,and not being able to refufe fuch feafonable Love,was in a great ftreight between her own Modefty and Irene's Goodnefs : which Ben- tivolio perceiving,having form'd the fame noble Apprehenfions of Irene with Urania, and making no doubt but upon fo fair an Invitation if would be well worth their timetovifit one who was Sifter to a Perfon of fuch excellent appearance, and whom they fuppos'd themfelves to have feen already ina lively Book iv, 2!&mtit)Olio and Crania* 1 7 1 lively Picture, turning towards his Sifter , refolv'd her doubtfulnefs in thefe words : Urania, we have been much beholden to this Lady already , and by reafonof the condition in which we are at prefenc , find our felvesmuch more able to receive new Favours than to make Requitals ; let us accept this kind Offer, and though we can make no Recompence , we fhall however fhew that we are far from being forry to have contracted a Debt to fuch a noble Perfon, by our willingnef, to be further oblig'd. » Irene , not ignorant what happinefs fhe had incountred , exprefs'd fuch a *'**•» afincere joy in her Countenance as made them fee that they were not invi- ted in Complemented affur'd them that they were going where they fliould both contraft new Debts and leave great Obligations : having whifper'd in her Servants ear to go Before , and let her Sifter know what Company was coming, that (he might not be furpriz'd with the approrch of unexpected Guefts, nor they find any thing unready , which might make them lorry to have come upon fuch Friends fo fuddenly ; fhe took Urania by thehand,and ask'd her if they did not come from the Court of JPhroneJia. Urania anfwer'd, they did ; and requeued her to tell them her own and her Sifter's name. I am call'd Irene, and my Sifter b Theonee , replied Irene ; and fince the Death . . of c Tbeander our Father who was a Rinfmanof ^Jheofebius the Prince of \ n f m f* vm c Iheoprepia, we have liv'd together above a year in this place , which is the c a viv'mt ancient Seat of our Family. TiwtMmm Urania and her Friends rejoyc'd that in the progrefs of their Travels c fGd they had met with fuch as had relation to Theofebius , whofe Image was fix'd * rh * D 'v'"» fo deep in their Hearts , that they never thought upon him but they felt a *"' themfelves tranfported with a mix'd Paffion made up of Love and Grief : and indeed had they known how much the Opportunity of their prefent Joy was due to him , it would have put a frefh Gratitude into their Affe- ctions ; for he had privately fent one of his Friends to vifit iheonoe and 1- rene , and to tell them what kind of Travellers they might poffibly enjoy , if they did not neglect to way-lay them. the End of the Fourth Book. I I I ENTIVOLIO AND URANIA, The Second Part, IN TWO BOOKS- By Nathanael Ingelo D. D. The Third Edition. LONDON, Printed by T. R> for Richard Marriott, 1673, . ,rw b ■ To the Rtght Honourable JOHN Earl of LAUDERDAILL, Secretary of State to his Majefiy for the Kingdom ef Scotland^ Gentleman of his MajeslfsBed-Chamber^ and one. of Hh mosl Honourable Privy Council in both Kingdoms, My lord, He Obligations which your Lordlhip hath laid upon me are Co great , that I difputed a good white with my felf whether it were not better to continue an unthankful Negligence, than to attempt a Gratitude in this poor Ex- preffion. When I perus'd the Number of ybur Lord- fliip's Civilities , I felt fomething of thole troublefome Paf- fions which furprize a Merchant when by the Foot of his Ac- compts he perceives that his Debts have over-grown his Abi- lity to make Payment. But remembringhow unworthy a thing it is ungratefully to conceal another's Right , I thought it was ncceflary to acknowledg what I owe,though I am not able to dis- charge it ; and when befides this I confider'd that your Lord- (hip's Goodnefs can as eafily take a fmall Acknowledgment in good part as beftow Courtefies without the Expectation of any, I grew a little confident , and thought that the Forbearance of a due Addrefs would be as unjuft a Modefty in me, as it is in any Tenant who is afham'd to carry his Rent becaule his charita- ble Landlord requires only a pepper-corn. This Motive, yes , my Lord , this Motive is the Root upon which my Boldnefs grows. A mean Sacrifice is not incapable of Acceptance with God , nor a little Prefent with fuch as are like him, if they be ofFer'd with a finccre Mind. With my own Intentions 1 am indifferently well acquainted , and I have re- ceived fuch aflurance of your Lordfhip's generous Difpofitiqn, that I think I may lawfully lay that in your Lordfhip's behalf which Pmdar did long fince for Thtron the Prince of Agrigentum-. The Epiftle Dedicatory. Tsxaiv fmrxv ki^m Qlymp.Od.S. r -> » .t >.. 'ILvie,}* <&V 7T^C7n(7IV, a- yvln tr what the Priepfs cali'd her fervices, InBaccb. n5m ^^ ^foflfrf '^^^ Which in Englifb Jpea^s thus, My task is noble, Phoebus me commands To wait, where theOraculous Tripos (lands. I ferve no Mortal, but that God whom all The World doth juftly their great Patron call. This Holy Office is Ambitions Height ; To ferve is Honour, and to work Delight. What can be more congruous to our Nature , if we know our felves, than this WK-ml»v ix^®~-> to devote our Time to the fervice of God, and (which he values as one of the chief Sacrifices which we can offer to him) to direct our ^Actions to the Melioration of Mankind ? 1 Itok upon the World as a great Temple whofe Doors are open day and night , in which fome do continually Jing Hymns in the Praife of the Eternal King who is the Creator ofif.lt becomes all Excellent Spirits both to bear a part in that Divine fong themfelves , and to ufe their befl jlrt to bring others into that Holy Chorus. How far thefe Papers may conduce tola good a Pur- poje, I cannot tell; but I have made them as perfwajive as 1 could. That for which Eurip. I have been chiefly follicitous is that they may pleafe tS« tj npia. n*f*J>f , ^ t?« Find. «V7™>-tv*o*i ™* **»£« % J^nAiyKlon, contend with the Arrogant and argue with fuchas are hard to be convine'd : but fince their Infidelity is conquerable, I have done my endeavour ; and if the Application prove not effeclual, yet I hope they will find nojujl caiife to be offended at my Charity, if any fuch fh all happen ti> read this Eook. If i have us 'd any/harp hxprefflons in the Reproof of their Unbe- lief or endeavour d to cajl Dtfparagement upon theirPrinciples,they will not have Reafon to be angry, if they confider the Greatnefs of that Intereji which I defend; and remember that the Ancient Philofophers [poke at a far higher Rate : the boldnefs ofwhofe philofophick Zeal [have follow d at a very remote defiance. Plotin the chief of the Platonifts/*/ onounceth roundly , that the Denial of an All-wife Creator is 'amo^h, $ *»/ f j, *-n rip «re tu&mv **$»&»* > fo Irrational Enn. 3 . /. 2." that it canbeapprov'd bynonebut thofe who have neither Under/landing nor Senfe. Arrianus , in a great Indignation again/t fuch as could not difcern God Lib. 1. cap. by his Providence, breaks out into thefepaffionate words, vh t*( Sn^d h & ytyitimv 16. fc5w»*»ii ir^it "n '' lW • Prufj kind, that Natural Eel ief which is planted in all reafonable Souls,and to over- throw the ftrong and everlaftlng Foundation of Vertue. Who can jufily blame their Heat , when they did only oppofe fuch as do $ x.wnt m^at wnfloKiMimt , infb- lently affront the common Faith ? For my ownpart , I mufifay that whilfi the whole World exhibits Arguments in the behalf of God , and all the Creatures pro- claim a Deity ccchoing to one another with loud Acknowledgments , I cannot but wonder that the morofe ^Atheifi fhould not be pleas' d with this Intellectual Har- mony : whilfi he flops his Ears , and with a furly voice denies the Truth which is fo generally affirm d , he makes me think of the dull- founding Drone in a Bag- pipe ; for when the higher Notes delight the Bar with various Harmonies, being pleafintly referrd to one another , this difcompofeth all with one Eafe untun'd \ Note . 1 would net have troubled my fclfwith this fort of People, but that ljudgd it neceffary to fhew the Falfbood of their Principles , andfo to prevent the Conta- gion ofthefe FrroUrs which have a wofi pernicious Influence upon Humane Life • for they tend directly to the Overthrow of Religion , the DefiruLlion of Vertue, and to the Introduction of all bold Wickedncfs in the World. The voluptuous Epicureans will be content that I make my jiddrefs to them ve- ry jbortjefi tbeyfijculd b: too much difturVd in their foft R.epofe. I confefs I think ii The Preface. it is to little purpofe to fay much to them of Divine Matters, whom Senfual Plea- fttre hath made, Wrfkuaitit xu-mt, fuel) dull-fight cd Judges of Truth, that they af- firm there ought not to be any Knowledg of Good and Evil , that fo they may eat Forbidden Fruit more fecurely. Left tbeyjbouldbe difcompos'd with that which Book ?, lhave -written in difgrace of the Life , as well at the I'hilofopby , of their great Patron Epicurus ; I think it is fit in this place to give an Account of the Reajons which 1 had for it. His Opinion concerning Pleafure was declared in the time of his Life by his moft intimate Companions to be this;Thzt our Happincfs doth con- fift in brutifh Voluptuoufnefs. that this is the genuine Senfe of his Expreffions, his chief ^Admirers could not but acknowledg many years after his Deatb.Lucidin. confeffeth plainly , that when he compar'd Epicurus with Dcmocritus and Ari- ftippus (# heSm ZoikIv -? iJb*ad«ait, that famous Mafter of Luxury,) he had nothing to fay but this, That he was wxyW a'^Ces-ef©- , W /■' «*>.* ««ftJ« $ ^%f«* *»A©-,more impious than they,but for other things he was a good Companion and a Lover of his Palate. He was refroch'dfor his beaftly I'hilofopby by Hea- then as well as Chriftian Writers , asismanifeft to juch as know Books. Among Lib. 3.C.7. othe v s the Noble 1 Ep\&ctus,as Arrianus teftifietb, us'd to call his Opinions IlangS 4y^%'AfA7ft^tx3- mMmt^M(jut*vy»*tfjt>v, Wicked AfTertions, deftrudtive to Cities, pernicious to Families. 7 hough Diogenes Laeriius endeavour to put a better Glofs upon his Doctrine , yet what is the Teftimony of a Jingle Author againfi fo many who are unexceptionable ? That one gallant man, Cicero, whom 1 have of pes' d to him as a Counter-witnefs , is fo conjiderable , that the learned Cafaubon doth efteem him worthy of a higher Encomium then I have beftow'd upon him , and ujeth thefe words in his Praife , M. Tullius , Autor graviflimus, JnNot.ad quique efTe debeat lit &vn puum AioyuZt, M. Tully, a moft grave Author, Laert. and one who alone is worth ten thoufand DiogenefTes. I might add to thefe the difgraceful Character which is put upon this Sect in Holy }l rit. That the Gardens of Epicurus were not free from that Jo: t of women which I have mention' d in my fifth Book,needs no greater Proof than what 1 have offer' d. Befides one whom I have named, Laertius and Tully have recorded many others, the chief of which were Marmorium , Erotium, Hedia and Nicidium. 7he E- fifth which Leontium , one of that Number, wrote to Lamia, in which fite com- plains of the Venereous Temper of Epicurus, and diffaragetb him as an old Ado- nis, is recordedin thefecond Book of Alciphron, and begins thus ; «c/Vr s{& bt©- J'liiy.f my- ta AoiAfWf, itii\uL xareOjivof t7n<;*\£t cifiahujitf (Mt ygpifm , iKliKwv ex $i- iwlfl& x} qtxowa'iv']©-, £ njt7(fMw tv /mIka mwtf dtn nkhay. \, e. Nothing, as I think, is harder to be pleas'd than an old man when he grows youthful again, this Epicurus doth fo perfecute me. He finds fault with all things, fufpefls every thing , and writes endlefs Letters to me , which keep me from his Garden. Ey Venus , if Adonis were now fourfcore years old, lowfie , al- wayes fick, andwrapp'd his head in a Fleece of Wool inftead of a Cap, I could not endure him. But I will difturb thefe delicate People no longer. The Scep:icks can expect nofatisfaBionfrom me ;for they teach their Scholars to laugh at Geometrical Demonftrations , and have given them this as the Sum ef their Philofophy,T\\z.t they ought not to believe any thing. It mnfl be grant- ed that truth is not very eafily found out; but they have' highly differvditby confounding it as much as they can with FalJJjood, and difcourage all Induftry by reproaching our Endeavours for the obtaining of it , as Enquiries after we know not what. U hat elfe did Eoccace mean by his three Rings , Sextus Empiri- cus by his Purging Potion , his Ladder and Fire? To what other End did be direct The Preface. direct the great pains which he took to prove that we have no Faculties to employ inthefearch i and that truth hath no difiinCt Character from Falfhood; that ■we have no Connate Directions or External Helps to bring us to the knowledgof any thing ; injbort, that tve are as much affur'd that Salt- Water is mad becaufe the Sea ebbs and pros , as that a Man is Rational becaufe he apprehends and dtf- courfes ? This jlupid Unbelief was much promoted in the World by Lucian ; and how much he pleas dhimfelf in his Attempt may be perceivd by his Hermoti- mus j the Cup fuppos'd to be loft in the temple of iEfculapius , and that {lie Jeer which we find in his Pifcator : ?/a. 'h *V w ^es» & «£w ** *»*f «< vi jef*/* 8 * i 'Am^k* $bv. As*. Ov% s(m iltmet. Ji kiym" ft\. -nit tfcjtilRwiirstf)) tKtiyny *xigjln, •jit yjpthv, tht vErtpiVytouV «H x} J)n£r*lynmv' Aoc. 'Oja> yuy fUKit. \ I can eajily fore fee alfo that a fmall Effect of this Difiturfe is to be expeUed from the Rhodomonts of this prefent Age , who having repgn'd themfelves to the flavery of Vice , do publicity declare themfelves free from all pretences to Vertue , and with no fmall fiorn pronounce (as fome of their Predeceffors did lcn*»» n t'«m<£ \iyny , fpeak great words which are above the Power of Nature, and rather declare what they wifh then what is pofitble; and that when they per fwade others to put their Doctrines into Practice , they do not tune diferderly Nature , but put it upon the Rac^. I know very well that whofoever conftders the Degeneracy of Humane Nature, TieConftant. ■will be compell'dto fay with Seneca , Rem difficilem optamus humano generi, Cap. 4. Innocentiam. Wedefirea very difficult thing for Man kind, Innocence; and after many Endeavours , flill perceiving the potent rejijlance which Vice makes, will be apt to ufe the Reflection which Hippocrates made in the like Cafe, j a?a* /* Efift, ad TuvTu. f«f <«/£»{, Thefe are but wifhes. Yet we are affur'd alfo that thofe who CrAtevam. wifb well to others are not to be blumed, and that thanks have been given to fuck as refits 'd to difpair in hard Attempts. It is a bafe Cowardife to yield to an Adver- sary who may be conquer d, though with fome difficulty • especially where Courage can afcertain a Victory in part : jind therefore wife men have ai rationally conti- nued their Endeavours in this cafe, as Mariners do their Induflry at the Pump of a Leaking Ship ; which Seneca hath gallantly exprefs'd in thefe words ; Aham jy e j r4 ^y excluditaquam,aliamegerit, manifeftaforaminaprscludit, latentibus& z.cap. 10. exocculto fentinamducentibus labore cont'muorefiftit; nee ideo intermittit quia quantum exhauftum eft fubnafcitur. Lento adjutorio opus eft contra mala continua &foecunda, non utdefinant, ihd ne vincant , /. e. They keep out the Water as well as they can , they force out that which gets in, they ftop the Leaks which are vifible , and refift the danger which threatens them by fuch holds as they cannot difcover , with a continued La- bour ; neither do they intermit their Pains , though the Vefiel takes in water as faft as they exhauft it-. We muft ufe a gentle Induftry againft thofe Mifchiefs which fpring up continually, not hoping to deftroy but to fubdiie them. For this Reafon 1 have broke through the Difcouragements which arife from the Power of bold Vice , and ventured to defcribe Noble Examples in which Holy The Preface. Holy Rules appear practicable , that I might both engage and affijl Imitation in all capable Souls ; And, I made choice of this rvay , knowing that rve ought as I A' b Yhio hath told tcs , «'< *» &»» 4 hvi*i "' nSinwoi wiulol;tv*mv , «»* fitah avSfav oxbkhhiX- T ■ -hit xAxf*lnwcu, That we fet up. Puppets of Twigs, and having fhot them Hcrmet. down boaft that we have conquer 'd arm'd Men : I thought alfo that being an- fwer'd they would become harmlefs. I fttppofe 1 need make no Excufe for inferting amongft my Difcourfes feme Arguments known only by Divine Revelation ; fori defigndthis Bookprinci' pally for the fervice of Chriftians ; and all men do efteemit a moft ab fur d thing not to be willing to hear Truth or receive good News becaufe it is not brought by an ordinary Carrier. Now , Courteous Reader , 1 commit my papers to your perufal. I difmifs them more chear fully, becaufe of that Good Fortune which, as I make bold to hope , doth await them ; being affur'd that if any thing be written as it ought to be , it will pleafe Good Men ; and that whatfoever is defective ,wilt equally pleafe thofe who take moft delight in that which is worft, having indeed no other way to keep them- felves in their own favour but by finding faults in others, jind as I muft alwayes efteem it a high Reward of my Endeavours , if they be accepted by the Vertuous ; folds think my felf worthy of much blame iflfljould envy that fmalL content which anyfhall pleafe to take in that which , becaufe it correfponds not with their Hu- mour , they vote Imperfect; efpecially fince 1 have plac'd the fat isf act ion of my Mind concerning this Book, not in Expectation of Eraife , but in /iffurance that what I have written is a fervice to Vertue and Truth. THE Book V. FIFTH BOOK- THERIAGENE. *-' "j t>e letter ale Beafts. In this Boo^ many brutijh Opinions and ignoble BraHi- He beautiful * Irene conducing the Noble Travellers * Peace. along the Grove, where the chearful Birds wel- com'd their Arrival wich pleafant Notes, in a fhort time they entered into a Walk more fpacious then the reft, where fair Lyme-trees and flourishing Syca= mores ftretching their long arms from one fide to the other made a moft hofpitable (hade, which with the help of thick branches covered with broad leaves, kept out the offerifive heat. This Walk brought them to a Garden which joyned to the Houle, which was beautified with many fair Plats, incompafs'd with little Myrtle-hedges 3 and being adorned with excellent Flowers and fragrant Herbs, did recreate the Senfes and Minds of fucb as came near them, with fweet odours and lovely colours. It was grae'd with variety of broad Allies, bordered with Cyprels-trees, At the four corners of the Garden were Sommer- Pavilions offtru&ure fufficiently handfom. Upon the other fide of the Houfe was a fair Orchard planted with the beft forts of Fruit-trees and many rare and ufeful Plants. The paflage to it was, through a little Wiidemels, which by many windings representing a Labyrinth in a Wood of Laurel, Holly and Juniper, led to adelightfom Aviary peopl'd with the beft voie'd Birds. The middle of it, was embelliihed with an Artificial Rock, out of which Cryftal ftreams continually afceoded through little Pipes; and falling down the fides of theftone, fill'd a fmall Sea, in which the Rock ftood, with water. Here the Birds took an infinite deligl.t to drink and bath themfelves. Neither did they think themfelves Prifouejrs 3 for the Cage being large, hand- fomly turfed, and having many Trees planted round about the fides of it, gave them fo much room to build their Nefts, and fly up and down, that they feemed to enjoy a Wood in a Palace. When they came to the ou- termoft Walks upon the North-fide of the Orchard, they faw large Fifti- pouds, fome of which bred fo plentifully that they ftoredall the reft 5 and thoie which were not Mothers prov'd good Nurfes, and did fo well feed the young Frie, that they fupplied the houfe upon all occafi- ons with delicate and well-grown Fifties. They had no fooner en- tred into the Garden, but they were in full view of the Houfe, which B though 2 jlDcntibolio and 211 rania* Book v. though it was uot fo curioully fram'd, as to make lignification, that he which built it, hoped to live in it for ever } yet neither was it fo meanly contriv'd or furnifh'd, but that it was fit to entertain rnoft worthy perfons* At this time the Owners look'd upon it more pleafingly then ever, judging it now the happy Receptacle of fuch Company, as Angels would be glad to receive into their Celeftial Manfions. * a dhine Here the Virtuous * theotioe entertain'd the Noble Tavellers, and ac« mm. cofted them with fuch a Grace, that it ftruck them into no fmall Admirati- on of her prefence. She did fully anfwer and fomewhat exceed thofe fair Proportions, by which they had drawn her Image in their minds j not fo much in regard of thofe fading Luftres which are vifible in the Body, and do ufually produce a flight Love in amorous Hearts/though fhe had Beau- ty enough to make her Body a lodging moft agreeable to the Excellent Qualities of her Heavenly Soul, and it became her as properly as a hand- fome Cabinet doth a moft rich Jewel) but fhe was chiefly wonder'd at for thofe better Virtues which raife and fix the greateft Eftimations in the Breaftsof the moft knowing Perfons. But, that fome which have heard of her incomparable Perfections, would think them prophan'd, if any of no greater abilities then mine are, fhould offer to picture them, I would ven- ture at her Defcription. However I fuppofe I may lawfully do it, or at leaft it is but a Sin that fhe her felf would pardon, that upon fo juft occafi- on I make bold to relate what I can remember of her fingular Virtues.The fhapc of her Body was fo full of Symmetry, that the moft curious Limner could find no fault in it.Her Eyes were beautified with a fparkling Mode- fty. Her Countenance was a lively Pourtraiture of Crave fweetnefs» Her Drefs was fuch as fhew'd, that fhe neither wanted Art to put it on de- cently, nor was troubled with any phantaftical delight in Apparel. Her Father neglefted nothing which might fignifie his affectionate care of her Happinefs, but being fenfible that he had receiv'd from God a Daughter of an Excellent Nature, he was diligent to give her Education futable to her * a divine Capacity and Birth. In this point * Iheonoe had the beft affiftance in the * M AVnTtrvtr World, that is, the daily Example of her moft prudent Mother * Sofandra* of her Huf- Her great Knowledg teftified, that fhe had improv'd all advantages to the land. utmoft, and was a clear proof that the Capacity of the Female Sex, is not fo inferiour to ours as fbme Men do ignorantly believe. Her Fancy was quick, her Memory faithful, her judgment fblid* She underftood many Languages, and could fpeak fome very exaftly* Her Difcourfe was com- pos'd of difcreet Wit, and rais'd Admiration in all that convers'd with her: for fhe delivered well=fitted words and excellent fenle with fuch tunable Accents, that thofe which heard her, thought fhe fpoke like Memnoris Sta- tue, when it was ftruck with the Sun-beams. Her Converfation was Inge- nious, and alwayes exprefs'd fuch a modeft Confidence as accompanieth Innocence, when it is lodg'd in a generous Soul. Her Temper was fomthing refer v'd, but void of all Morofity, Her Deportment prudent, and wanted nothing which isrequifite to makeup a graceful Carriage.She us'o no Affi*- ftednels in her Speeches,Looks or Actions. Humility pleas'd it felf to dwell in fuch a Noble Spirit,which fet off its worth with all poffible Advantage.She had fo much Difcretion and Fidelity,that the moft Excellent Pcrfous in the World defired her Friendfhip. She did fb truly love Charity,and exprefs'd her regard of thofe which needed it,with fuch an univerfal carejthat there were none of her poor Neighbours which pray'd more heartily for them- felves then for her. She was known to be fuch a paffionate Votary to Cha- ftity,that none durft fpeak rudely in her prefence. She was a true Lover of God Book v. 2dentib8Uo and flf ?ania* 3 God,& devoted her beft Affe&ions to him 8c to his fervice, ever cfteem- iog it as a great folly to pretendLove to amiablePerfbnsor worthyThings, and to flight God, the greateft Good and Firft Fair, by whom all other things were made lovely.Her Religion was not made of Talk,or fram'd of a tew external add:efles 5 by which many make their Devotionary part, like the reft of their Life,a Complement:but it confifted in a great Know* ledg and much Love of the Divine Nature,and in a conftanc Resignation of her Will aud Actions to all holy Commands as indifputable Laws. Ha- ving fpenta good part of her Life according to this infallible Method,at Jaft fhe grew accomplifh'd with all thofe Virtuous Habits,and was blefs'd with thofe ferene Tranquilities, which fix themfelves in thofe Iogenuous Souls,where true Knowledg isfincerely obey'd. This is a rude draught of* Tbeonoes Perfections ; and though I have * a ihmu not been able to paint her to the life, yet it doth fo far refemble her, that MM - by it you may know the Qualities of * Irene : for they were not more Si- * ?'«"■ fters in Nature, then they were alike in all virtuous Accomplilhments. In= deed they were two lively Reflexions of one Divine Beauty parted be* tween them,and fhined with no more different Rayes then the Sun would fend down, if it were cut in two pieces* Some poffibly which may chance to read this Story,will be apt to think that I have faid too much iu their Commendation : but there is none which ever few them and was in their company, but will either be aDgry or forry for the imbecillity of my Wit, finding the Encomiums which I have beftow'd upon them, to fall fo exceedingly ftiort of their tranfeen- dent Worth.I have the rather committed this fhort Delineation to writing, becaufe I fuppofe that other forts of Painting are only able to exprefs but one half of Beauty, and that the far worfc part 5 and becaufe I think the two Sifters in thisreprefentation, are lb far beyond ordinary Exemplars, that many Ladies would thiuk themfelves very handfom if they were like them 5 and of this I am fure, that in all places it is not eafie to meet with fuch as are equally made up. I know it is no hard matter to find many which are grae'd with an elegant form of Body, pleafing features of the Face, an amiable fweetnefs of quick Eyes, Heads cover 'd with fair Hair, fmooth Hauds parted into delicate Fingers ending in a round littlenefs 5 and in fhort,adorn'd with proportions of Bodily parts lb exaftly meafur'd, and lively colours fo well plac'd, that they might fit to Painters as Origi- nal Copies of rare Pieces of Humane Form , and yet many of thefe Beau- ties are fo deform'd with evil Dilpofitions aud difhonourable Actions, that the excellency of their bodily Compofitionsis fpoil'd by an ill-agree* ing connexion with a vicious Soul. For which they have been not unfitly compar'd to the Ancient Temples of ^Eg^/>r,which are fair outwardly,be- ing large Structures built with choice Stonesj but if you look'd inward, inftead of a God you fhould only fee an Ape, a Crocodile, or a Serpent. And yet how fondly do fome dote upon thefe empty fhows, efteeming a well colour'd Skin or handfome Gefture above Excellency of Manners, Modefty & Chaftity 5 & thofe other Virtues which conftitute a great Soul? I call it Dotage, for the folly is no lefs ridiculous then if they fhould be enamour'd with their fine cloths,or prefer the fafhion of their new Appa- rel before the comely fhape of their Bodies*But I muft return to my Story. Amoogft thofe many Diverfions which theTravellers enjoy 'd in the con, verfation ofthefeNobleSifters,I muft not forget one which they efteem'd a« bove all thereft:It was aSommer-houfe which*7fotfm&rhad built near the *j dhiu* Head of a pleafant Spring, which running under it made the lower Roou s M * n - B 2 cool jiaenutoolto and ^Htania* Book v. Cool Grotta's,8c was adcrn'd by a neighbouring Grove which grew hard by it.Asfoon as they were told that Theander made this the Receptacle of his retired Life,they were affected with a lingular pleafurejfor we are apt to be mov'd,I know not how,withthe very places where we find particu- lar remembrances ofthofe brave Souls,whofe Virtues we have admired, & feem to fee thofe great men.when theHoufes where they dwelt,the Rooms in which they difcours'd,cktheTabIes where they fate,are before our eyes. Here 'iheander was conftantly to be found,not fleeping away his Time, or wafting it idly with vain pleafures, as the foft Gallants of Rome trifled a- way their Lives in the Gardens of Tarquincno^heander and many Virtuo- so's which daily frequented his Houfe,convers'd in thefe Privacies, as the Great TuBy did with -dtticuf, Cotta and Balbuf, and the reft of his learn'd CcmpanionSjWhen they walk'd under the Marian Oak at Arpnum,oi fate in cool fhades upon the Banks of Fibrenus,. Having here fequeftred them- felves from the Tumults of the lower World and the avocations of vulgar Converfation, they enjoy 'd a freedom from the troubles of impertinent Company,rejoyc'd in a calm fruition of noble Studies 3 and recreated them= felves with a moft profitableDiverfion from fuch laborious employments, as fome men by reafon of their condition of Life,are neceffitated to under- go. Hither they retir'd to modeft Pleafures,and fweetned Labour with Ingenuous Recreation. Here Theander^whtn he was alone, improv'dhis Mind in the Kuowledg of things by deep Meditation 5 not only reading fuch Books as were worthy to have been written : but fometimes writing fuch as were not unworthy to be readjdehgnirg his endeavours not only to bis own entertainment 3 but to acccomplifb his Soul with fuch abilities as might make him more ferviceable ro the common good of mankind.When his Friends came to him,he made them contribute their Afiiftances,whilft they employ 'dthemfelves joy ntly,fbmetimes in the Contemplation of the Heavens, to obferve the Jeveral motions of the Planets^ and by the help cfTelefcopes to take notice of their various Appearances, and fometimes in examination of Minerals 5 for which purpofe they had a Room well appointed with Furnaces and Diftillatories : otherwhilcs they enquired into theMyfteries of (enfitive Nature, the Reafons of Growth, and the Engines of Automatous motion, which may be undcrftood by Anatomy. Some felecl: places of the Garden, were furnifh'd with large Bee-hives made of Glafs ; and through thofe Windows they peep'd into the ex- quifite methods ofthofe bufie Artifts, which contain fuch great Skill in a little Compafs. *'AHvkt *° tne Grove * theander had built a Chappel, which in my mind was a Man. Defign full of prudence;He,without doubt,having found in himfelf upon his Arrival in this folemn place a great alteration of Temper,that is,a more raifed difpofition for devout thoughts,took the advantage of his Experi- ence, & dedicated the place to holy Services,hoping charitably that thofe good people which came to it through thofe fhady Walks,would be encoun* tred with thofe heavenly affections which he had felt in himfelf. Who hath notobferv'd that the foft murmurs of a Fountain, the fight of that green Mofs which naturally adorns the Banks,[thegentleblaftsofcool Air which are whifpered through theTrees, & the native horrour of a thickGrove,do compofe the Mind to more then ordinary thoughts, & raife great paflions in the SouPUpon our firft entrance into an ancient Temple,arched with a lofty Roof, whofe awful fblemnity is heightned with an holy Silence, or when we defcend into a fpacious Cave,whofe hoilownefs not wrought by Art feemsto be a naturalVault overfpread with the Canopy of an hanging Mountain Book v. jlDenriboiro and Crania* ^ Mountain,do we cot feel our felves ftruck with a facred dread,and made apt to entertain more foft affc&ionsjas if the Walls we fee,or theGround on which we tread,were animated with fome particular Genius which be- ftowed upon us this change of Difpofitiou 3 either as an aflurance of Wel- come^ elfe as a notice of its own great Prefence?For this reafbn we muft needs fuppofe,that the knowing Poets frequented the heads of Fountains, & meditated in filent Woods 5 not only as RecefTes from noi(e,but as thofe delightful Manfions where they were fure to find the Mufesalwayes at home,neverfail to receive their wonted Infpirations.TheHeathenifh Ido- laters had fo much prudence in the courfe which they took for the fuppor- ting of Erroneous Worfhip,as to joyn a Grove to every Templejfor whilft the People, apt to admire whatsoever is ftrange, thought fome invifible Power muft needs inhabit fuch Solemn PJaces } their Devotion received a natural nourifhment from their Eyes : Of thefe effects their Idolatrous Guides could cafily make application to what Objeft they pleafed, the Worfhippers befng extremely ignorant. But Theand'r,who knew how to make ufe of every thing, had virtuoufly improv'd thefe natural advanta- ges both for himfelfand his Neighbours,who were willing to be relieved from the oppreffive load of Secular life$& knowing that they muft needs lofc God where they cannot find themfelves, would earneftly long to re« tire frequently to this pious Solitude, where they werereftored to the ufe of their own better Powers 5 and tafting there the frefh delights of the Divine Prefence, would be unwilling to defcend from this holy Mount into thofe lower Grounds where earth'y Vapours alwayes rife, and ufually ftifte and choke the delicate kaie of the Soul, When I think of * Meander, (and I often think of him) I cannot but wifh to be *Aimntrtr° in fome fuch place* jo». The Noble Travellers vifired this Chappel every day.and fpent a great part of their time herein the Grove and the Garden-houfe;which,befide the other Conveniences forementioned, was accommodated with a flat Roof, which being covered with Lead and incompafs'd with Ballifters gave'em leave to walk where they enjoy 'd thePleafure of two fair Pro- Ipefts. Upon one fide they had a view of the Higher* Tbeoprepiafoe wing ^^ t dj , at a good diftance like a pleafant Landskip. In the way to it they beheld staxe above. the whole valley of i Elpifeale i and at the further end of the Dale the fair \ A ^ oi Ho f' Haven b KaUolimen^wA the famous River c Lampromela, which parts the 'parti? b^lt twoTbeoprepias. At Kallolimen an old Ferriman calPd *Euthanatvs t by P art! ? *<"%.■ order of the Prince oiTheoprepia, gives conftant attendance to tranfport A ^ oiDmh all Paflcngers which come through e Eiofcalus over the River Lamprome- c Aiw n t f u la. I have not yet receiv'd a perfect notice of the particulars which makeup this Excellent Landskip, and therefore I muft crave your Par* don, good Reader, that I pals it by with fuch a fhort Narrative. From the other fide of thisRoofthey Iook'd into that part of f Theriagene { D%eneratt where ftood the great City § Plutocopia. This was removed from h Tbean B!;,ns ' ders feat to fuch a diftance,that it was uot difcernable without the help of ,h e 'covttoL a Profpe&ive-glafs.Fcwf/'W/tf perceiving it to be very large,defired ' Theo. R.ch. noe to give them aDefcription of it, Si to inform them concerning the Cu- r f r f^ v '"° ftomsofthePeople.Ifhal the more willingly obey yourCommand,anfwer'd > a divine Theonoe, having receiv'd Intelligence concerning it from a kinfman of mine M,ni ' who came to vifit us not long fince,being juft then return'd fromFlutocopia, whither he had travell'd to acquaint himfelf with their mannerofLife.lt * perturbation was call'd Tlutocopia. by k Taraxion t the Son of ' Matceogenes, who built it, l An «""*'' I: is not far diftaut from theProudCity m Hyperenor ) whofe infolentExam- ^in" 'unt. pie 6 JlfttntftoUO and Crania* Book V. pie the rlntotopians do but too much imitate. It is fituate upon an iflhtiiva or narrow Bridg of Earth lying between two vaft Seas,which do continu- ally beat upon it, and every day wafh away fome part of the Land with ihcir impetuous waves. There is nothing very remarkable in this City but an unfpeakablc Induftry which they beftow only to get Riches.TheirCoin « GoU. hath no Image upon it,but is only inicrib'd with two words, n Chr\fus bc- ojBM'rs. iogftamp'd upon one fideofit,& "Tapanta upon the other. The Device is not improper, becaufe it doth fignificantly exprefs the vaft apprehenfions which they have of Wealth.They understand no other Happineis but that which they can meafure,as Hj»»z W did the Romans Rings, by the Bufhel. They beftow upon themfelves for Recreation fome of the moft feculent fort of Pleafures,for they vouchfafe to be drunk fometimes at a gluttonous Feaft. A virtuous perfon is reckoned among them by the number of Ser- vants which he keeps, the Acres of Laud which he pofleffeth, or the Ships which belong to him.Charity is efteem'd a capital Foolery: Humility and Modefty are confined to the houfes of the Poor.The Inhabitants are all,ei- ther unjuft themfelves,or OpprelTbrs Heirs.lngenuous Arts have no place amongft them. They think themfelves incomparably learned, if they un- derftand the Tongues of Trade, and have fome little skill in Courtfhip. They never tafted any Liberty of Soul, 5c are at laft fo extreamly in love with their habitual Slavery,that they will neither open their eyes to look upon Truth, nor hearken to thofe which offer to ftiew them their Errrors. They take it as the greateft incivility in the world for any to attempt the change of theiiOpinions.The truth is,having bottom'd theDefigns oftheir Life and their expectations of Felicity upon Erroneous thoughts, wife Counfel would but difturb their Peace.Some which have calculated their Latitude,report that they are fituate in a Climate which lies many degrees without the Tropick of Virtue.The Youth being never acquainted with any other methods of Education,but to learn how to get and keepMoney, do ufualiy fo improve themfelves in that Art, that they ate able to cheat their Fathers:and in a ftiort time they do fo exceed the bounds of Coves tous defires which were fet to them, that they will frequently complain that their over-grown Parents do not die foon enough.In point of Marri- * •fin city of age they are contrary to the Genius of other Lovers,for in * Plutocopia no the Rid. young Virgin hath fo many Suitors as a rich old Woman with three Teeth. Thofe which are beautified with a good Forune,efpecially if they be not likely to live long, though they be really very ill-favour'd, are there e- fteem'd more handfome then an Exquifite piece done by Titian or Van- D^e.They are very uncivil to Strangers, hoping by this means that they fhall be freed from the chargeable trouble of entertaining fuch as come from other places. They are infinitely fufpitious oftheir Neighbors.ck up- on fmal occafions magnified by Jealoufie and falfe Reports,will fall upon one another, after fuch a cruel manner ,that one would think a Civil War had happen'd amongft a fwarm of Wafps.They are perpetually Litigious, and drag thofe to the Law whom they have injur'd.It is no wonder,for it is their principal to believe that they ought to hate another for ever,after ihcy have once done him a Difcourtefie.They are fo exceedingly ingrate- ful,that thofe few (and they are but few) which do good to others, are fo far from hoping for a thankful requital, that they fear a mifchief from none more then thofe whom they have reliev'd. They are alwayes gnaw'd with Envy, repining at that which they call the Happinefs of o- thers ; which is great Houfes, Beneficial Offices, Much Plate, Brave Fur- niture) Rich Coaches, High Diet, Gallant Clothes and Large Gardens. They Book v. 2ldentibolio and (Urania* They commonly mske fo much haft to be Rich, that by a too-eager Profc- cutioo of their crofs Defigns they hinder oot only others, but themfelves ; like people ia aThrong,who thruftiDg each other forward with an indifcreet haft to get out at fome Door,do wedg up the paflage.They count it a great Ability to cheat one another 5 and this Art is pradie'd among them fo gene- rally, that fome haverefembled * Plntocopia to a field in the time of a great *p e citycf Plague, where you can fee nothing but Crows and Carkafles, They have Q ^ MUi ***• lb corrupted the Offices of Friendfhip, that the Stagyritt would be forc't to burn out two or three of Diogenes his Candles, before he ftiould find any there, which would fit his Definition* They love their Friends as they do their Lands, anddefpifeall Friendfhip but that which they can put to ufe. They arefo far from practicing any generous notions of Love,that they ac- count them ridiculous perfons that fpeak of em. Yet they are fo vex'd with the effects of Unworthinefs and Falfhood when they feel them, that in a great difcontent they will wifh there were fome infallible Mark fet upon Hypocrites, or that a Window were made into mens Bofomsj not mind- ing whatfport they themfelves would make if their wifhes were accom- plifh'd. If it were not too tedious to relate the Story,! would acquaint you with a Trick which was lately put upon them by one * Alopex. He and two of *af ox , his Companions arriving in an Inn, ftay'd there two or three dayes, where they made an agreement that they fhould falute Alopex as their Lord in all companies, and having put him into Mourning Apparel, pretend that the caufe of his coming to b Plniocopia was the Death of a moft hopeful Son, his b a*» cityof only Child, whom he had lately buried in « Poliiiberion^hich was the chief , c h L SJeh ' f City of J Jheriageneywhich was far diftant,being parted by a great Sea from BeaSt"' Vlutocopia. * and that therefore the moft difconfolate Gentleman had left his * *>*"»*"»«» City, left the company of his Son's Friends or the fight of his Gravc,fhould Swi *' s keep his forrows alive^ and that as an addition to his Grief he had fuffered fhipwrack, by which he loft Ten thoufand pounds, which he brought with him to buy fome convenient feat, and to discharge the Expences of his a- bode,till he could difpofe of his Eftate,which was very great both in Lands and Goods,in his own Country} and that he had refolv'd to fpend the reft of his Life in Plutocopia^herc his Lois did not fo much trouble him,as that being deftitute of his Attendants he fhould not be acknowledged accor- ding to hisDignity.He Cough'd frequently.asbeingina Confumption,and drank often of a little Glafs,which he call'd for with fuch a low voice, as if he were ready to faint for want of Spirits j he talk'd alwayes of his Lands, Houfes and Money ; made his Will every day, in which he imploy'd the moft noted Scrivener in the Gity,unto whom he beftow'd great Legacies. His name was * Klerotheron t a man famous for great skill in his Profeflion. * one that He us'd to lend money to young Heirs.and having got a Mortgage for the *«»»"/<"**« ' Principal,did not long after purchafe the Fee with the Intereft, It was his »hlrMm! ^ manner when he wasentertain'd in a Suit,to promife his Client luftily;but being compell'd lometimes to take a bribe from the adverle party, he fre- quently found himfelf fo equally pois'd, that he ftood like Buridaris Afle, hungry between two forts of meat which pleas'd him alike, and knew not which caufe to profecute flrft. This man * Alopex thought a very fit in- * d fe*.' ftrument to promote his defign. The firft ufe which he made of him was to hire him a brave Houfe near the River,which he did 5 and in a fhort time by his means he inveigled many covetous Citizens into his Aquaintance, who, in hopes to be made his Heirs,feafted him raagnificently,furnifh'd him with Monies,fent him rich Prefents,and fo carefully pcrform'd whatsoever they thought 8 2iaentitooiio and Crania* Book v. thought acceptable to him,that Alopex began to think his lies true,and was willing to forget the reality of his Condition •-, till one of his mock-fervants having bethought himfelf of the infecurity of Falfhood, and knowing whac they fhould be forc'd to fuffer if they were difcover'd, ask'd Alopex alter he ko«« that had return'd half drunk from a Feaft, What would become of us, if b Kle- hunts for other ro theron, who pretends fo much kindnefs to us, fhould fend a fpie to c Po- ,w»» » ijjibereoB t o know the certainty of our Reports 'i Then replied Alopex,\\ke t The city of a man awaken'd out of a pleaiant dream with a loud Thunder-clap, we BiaRs ' fhould be forc'd to pay for our good chear. I think it is high time, faid his other Companion, to free our felves from the danger of Diffimulation by a real Efcape ; for having finn'd fo egregiouily, we fhall alwayes expect the Punifhment which we have deferv'd. But what courfe fhall we take } I think I can refolve you,replied his Fellow-fervant* I underftood yefter- day there is a Bark in the Port, which though it bears other colours, be- ius,wh\ch is an Ifland not belonging to the Jurifdi&ion of LaHd.Tani 1 in Theriagene : The MafterVname is e Piratet. I will ingage him with a good the water, fum of Money to take us in. The Wind being fair, they will be ready £ A Pirate, to fet fail, for they have difpos'd of their Fraight. To morrow, faid he, turning to his Mafter,you fhall feign your felf very fick,and fend for Klero: theron^ad let him know that you defire to remove your felf to his Country- Houfe, which lies near the Sea about three Leagues from the City, being willing to die there privately, that you may not be troubled with Sollici- * 9nt that torsrwithall give * Kkrotheron your laft Will,which you may make to night, feiig for other ant j appoint him the fole Heir of your Eftate^entreat him to go along with taws!" m ' y ou without giving any notice of your Defign, and when we have him abroad, leave the reft to me. They approv'd this Plot, and put it in Execution the next Morning whilft it was dark. When they were gone I *4 Fox, off a Jittle from Land * Alopex would needs be very fick, and de- fired Klerotheron to keep him company in his Cabbin, pretending that he doubted very much that he fhould never live to fee his Houfe, Klerotheron comforted him, and endeavour 'd to make him believe o« therwife* Alopex entertaining Kkrotheron ibmetimes with pretences of inclination to Vomit, fbmetimes inveighing againft the unmerciful- nefs of the Sea , fometimes feigning a fleep , and when he awaked giving order concerning the manner of his Burial, amus'd him with vari- ous diverfions till they were above four Leagues at Sea. Kkrotheron, fup s pofingthat they might very well have come to his houfe in left time, call'd to the Pilot, for Alopex would not let him ftir out of his Cabbin, and told him he was afraid that they fteer'd a wrong tourfe. The Pilot pretending to be very angry ..replied, that he was too old to be directed by him, Klero- theron being fo inibb'd, wascompell'd to a little more Patience : but at laft fufpe&ing fome misfortune, rufh'd out and went upon the Decks 5 and per- * tf„ jji attl i f ceiving that they were almoft arriv'd at the Ifland * Moronefus, cryed out Fools. very difcontentedly, Sirs, what do you mean } To land you at your houfe there, anfwcr'd Alopex his fervants. That is not my houle, faid Kkrothe- ron 5 you have over-flipt it a League. They replied, Whether this be your houfe or no, we know not, but we are fure that you muft land here. Whilft they were talking, Alopex appear'd, not making any great fhow of ficknels nowj at which Klerotheron wonder'd: but much more when Alopex began to advife him with a grave voice not to difobey the young men, left they fhould throw him over-board. Klerotheron not knowing whether that was any great mifchief, confidering his prefent condition, flood mufing * j Ftx. what to fay, till * Alopex having aflured that all his Lands and Eftate ( ex- cept Book v. Benubolifl and flftdma. cept wh3t he had borrowed iii b Pltttocopid) were in ' AJoroaeJutylvs men, b rie c <<> »/ to prevent all further Diiputationdet down d Kk'rotkeron by a rope into a cth'itud „( boat which they had call d from the Short jtnakiug what fail i hey could, rni,. J as Alopex thought, for Amphibiua : but e Pirates being the morecunninsz * 0tt '\ h * t c °- -j-> '. , ji L 1 r l • n r l t t • • P vet; other Aftw rox of the two, andloathto Jo!e Ins Prey alter hehad got it into pol- z flutes kffion, having devefted dlop'x and his fcrvants of all the fpoils which c -^ i ''""<' they had gotten in Plutocopia, and following the example which he had but juft then feen , beftow'd upon th- m a little old Bisket and mouldy Cheele, and left them upon a DJart 111 and call'd x Leflocharis r , , . Here s Theonoe made a pau e.and begging pardon for the length of her ef&kvTsl* jocular ftory,they granted it, with laughing at the juft Fate oi'Klerothe- 7Ai ™> m ronfii. the retaliation of his faffcrings upon Alopex '.After they had pleas'd M " ' themfelvesa while and were now filent, h Irene told rhem that, if their iru.i, patience would bear it, fbe fhould acquaint them with another Accident which happen'd after the former, in the fame place, as fhe undcrftood from the fame Gentleman, who for a diverfion related it to them one night after fupper, and at her Requeft gave it to her in writing. It beg m thus . The Plntocopians worfhip a God called 'Hulocfjryjiis, whom they have ^//6»//. honoured with the fblemn Celebration of a publick Feaft twice every year.and with a Golden Statue fet in a moft confpicuous place in the midft of their City. It was made by ' Eudtnton, efteem'd by them as the beft * A^oidGe. Artift iu the World. At thedefire of the Plutocopians he had fhown his ***»*«*• utmoft Skill in the contriving of a Noble Defigo to do honour to their *!•/«» in the middle of the South- Front towards thoi4 ^ btm the top he put the Image of Holochryfm fitting in a throne made of Silver, which ftood upon a high Rock, and feem'd to be divided from the lower ground by Precipics, naturally abrupr,but made of more difficult Afcent with ftupendious extuberancies of Ice and Snow,infomuch that it was al- moft inaccefiible,efpecially toward the top. Notwithftanding that, one * Tonus did encouraged Rich asclimb'd,and help'd them with his hand >^w- over tome difficult places ; yet the Paffages were to dangerous flippery, that thofe which afcended with the moft bold Confidence, did ufually fall down and break their Necks, Thofe which efcaped the danger of this rough way.came to a fmall Plat of plainer ground 3 wherethey feem'd to ftand aftonifiYd, their eyes being dazled with the glory cf the Illuftri- ous Image. A beautiful Virgin in a gliftering Habit call'd b Pfetide/pis } was b Fal f e ^ope. plac'd on the right fide of c Holochryfns, and becken'd to them to come c M Gold. nearer the God, where feveral Worfhippers upon their knees before the Throne, received from the Hands oiHolochryfus chains of Gold and Jew- els They faid that Eud Grie r ftrangle them, But thefe Figures are not now to be feen, becaufs g Chre- 8 Ahvtt of Matophilus,a Citizen of great Note in Plntocopia,had procur'd them to be Mmt > obliterated as being a difhoaourable Appendage to that Divine Image. C Before i o JiaentiboUo and (Urania. Book v. •> covetous. Before this Arch upon a rifiog ground ftood an Altar,at which h Pleoneties Mmi ' the High Prieft gave attendance^ and,according to their Cuftom, after fome Sacrificesjhe recited a Panegycjck made in the praife of Holocbryfvs , whom he extoll'd as the Patron of their City, the Proteftour of their Happiness, the Founder of their Dignities, the Fountain of their Joyes, and in fhort,acknowledg'd him to be the Beginning and End of all their Defigns.The Plntocopians applauded hisOrations with an Univcrfal Hum, fome having heard what he laid, and others imitating their Neighbours* After this they entertain'd themfelves with Mufick, Dances, and other fportscorrefpondent to their Feflival folemnity, ■ Driedcar- Whifft they were in themidft of their Jollity, a skeletion,, a grave "/'• Philofopher,his Habit refembling thofe which of old were called Cynicks t of a flow pace, and looks fomewhat caft down, being newly arrived in the City, went to fee the manner of this great Affembly. He took the firft convenient place which he could find,fate down,and fell a weeping. The more inconfiderate of thofe which were next him, took his impertinent Tears as an affront to their common Joyes. Others which pretended to a little skill in Hiftory, thought that Heraclim having taken upon him the Form of Diogenes, was rifen from the Dead. Whilft he continued weeping they began to leave off their Mirth, the Multitude flecking a* bout him, asboyesufeto do about a Stranger. Their Curiofity was the greater, becaule they faw a great Glafs in his hand which had fuch a ftrange Power, that it made moft of thofe which look' d upon it to fhed bijj i mags f tears. HecaU'd his Glafs b Iconecron. It was made in around Figure by the Dead. one c Cranion, his Brother, who had form'd a Deaths-head fo artificially HASh" 11 ' upon it, that thofe whichfaw it, difcerning nothing butarotten Skull without Hair or Skin, a few Teeth all uncover'd, inftead of Eyes empty holes, and no Nofe,were atmz'd, being ready to think, that fince their Image was thus transform'd, they had been dead a great while.or if they were at prefent alive, yet they fell a crying to perceive what within a little fpaceof time they muft ofneceflity be. Skeletim faid nothing,only wept with them} and being unwilling to be troublefome at this time, he retired to his Inne. This accident was like a fhowr of Rain to Country- people at a Fair, and fore'd fo many of the Company to withdraw,that it both put an unacceptable Period to the pleafure of their Feaft.and made 'em forget what they had enjoy 'd ; for when they were gone home, they talk'd of nothing now but skgletion and his Glafs, *rhe covittu! ' A few dayes after this, the * Plntocopians had a Great Mart, which R ' chm they kept every Moneth upon a large Key adjoyning to a muddy River 1 Bitter fweet. call' d*Glycipicr on , which ran through their City 5 where whilfl: they * 0™ of « pi™- were infinitely bufie in felling and buying of Trifles, b Enphranor the 'oLw'T'" Son of c Morogelon,* Jolly Fellow, never out of Humour, moderately fat Uu S bs at the and of a lively complexion, famous for his merry Temper,for he us'd to SSi? ^ laugh at all the World, having heard of the incomparable Vanity of <* the covetous the d Plntocopians, came to the Town in hope to make himfelf fome fporr. K -' ch - He wasnotdeceiv'd of his Expectation, for he had nofoonergot upon a high place whence he obferv'd the People and their Actions, but he had like to have kill'd himfelf with laughing. The Plutocopians ffaring upon him, not without fome Indignation,ask'd him what he laugh'd at. At you, replied Euphranor, who make fuch a filly Queftion.- when every thing which I fee is ridiculous, do you demand what I laugh at ? He continued his Mirth fo long, and laugh'd fb heartily and loud, that they began to be afraid of him, and fufpe&ed that he was Mad. For feveral dayes he made it his Recreation to walk up and down the ffreets, and Book v. JBentibaiio and fflirama* i r and to deride the Follies of the Plutocopians, which he faw exprefs'd in a thoufand ridiculous Varieties 5 whiUt the penfive* skeletion, whofe * A ' Jrie£ eyes were Fountains of pity , deplor'd , as he thought it his charitabJe *"**'* duty, their Unhappinefs. The ?>utocopians fufh'ciently difturb'd by S^e- Ietton } wtie yet more vext upon the Arrival of Euphranor, upon whom they could look no more pleafingly , then as upon a fecond MefTenger which comes to confirm bad news. They thought rlutocopia flood before thefemenof fuch contrary Tempers, like thofe Pictures, which beiog Jook'd upon divers W3yes, reprefent different Figures;fhewing a Baboon to one Spedfcatour, and at the fame time a Beggar to another. After a little time the Vlutocopians began to be extreme angry, feeing themfelves both pitied by one as miferable Wretches, and laugh d at by another as Fools ; aud complain'd of the injuries which they (uffered,to their chief Magistrate, by name * Bathypogon.Wt having confulted with fomeof the **»*»*»*«»* graver Senators, determin'd that they were both out of their Wits, and * * Beard ' made an Order that a Archibius and k Thurepantetla , the two principal "M'Juthir Phyfitiansof the City,fhould vifit 'em and endeavour their Cure. Not fg„ewbo can th-Jt c Bathypogon was much moved with any charitable refentment of enter any door, their condition, but to free the Citizens from trouble. The two Strangers " Great Biard ' lay both in one Inne, where when the Phyfitians were come, they defired the Matter of the Houfe to acquaint d. skeletion and e Euphranor who d Adriidcar* they were, and to let them know, they having heard thofe two Gentle- "£ men to be Strangers in Plutocopia, had prefum'd (6 far as to give them the e ka"fantnui trouble of a ViGt.By good chance they were both together,for Euphranor »»»*r. had gone that morning to skeletions chamber on purpofe to laugh at the Weeper 5 for among other things which made him (port, he thought sfyi htion very worthy to belaugh't at, who feeing the world miferable by reafon of their affected Folly, would needs cry for that which could not be altered, and affiidt himfelf becaufe many were ia mifery when as by that means he added one UDhappy Fool to their wretched number. Eu- phranor went forth, and feeing the Phyficians in the next Room,accofted them chearfully, thank'd them for their Civility, defired them to come into Skeletions Chamber and fit down, styletion took no notice of them, but figoificd much grief of Mind by Silence and a deje&ed Counte- nance. Archibius and his companion having faluted their Patients; after a little difcourfe Archibius defired to know the reafon of Skeletions for* row. I weep, faid Skeletion , to think how many Men and Women you have kill'd. At this Euphranor Was taken with anew fit of Laughter. 'ihurepanwSa asking him the Reafon of his Mirth, Euphranor told him, he could not chufe but laugh to confider how willingly people paid great Fees for that Death which wasbeffow'd nponthem, and to think how little you car'd for what skeletion faid ,it being all one to you whether you kill or cure, fo you be pai'd for n.Thurepane&a being of a proud temper, was very much troubled to be fo abus'd where he went without expecta- tion of a reward. Archibius was not mooved,knowing it is an Indecorum for a Phyficianto be angry at his Patients, efpecially when their difeafe is in their Braius;and continuing his Difcourfe with * sfaletton-zttetDpted * , , • . • i- y-vn- f-jL r i- '#».»'». 1 11 r A dried C#T' by divers Queftions to hnd out the caule of Skeletions Malady. But cap. skektion took him off, faying, that though the World were not in other rtipedts barren ofoccafionsof borrow, yet he fhould not ceafe Weeping whiift he faw it abus'd by fo many bold Atedicuccio\ i who being Stran- gers to the Principles of true Philofophy, utterly ignorant of the Myfte- riousconftitutionof Humane Bodies, unskilful in Anatomy except what they had fcen prattis'd at fome great Dinner, carelefsof Study* and un- C 2 furnifb.ed 1 2 flfcentibOliO and (Htania. Book v. furnifh'd with Experience,yet pretend to be Reftorers of Health, and Sa- viours to Maukind.though they are more affli&ive to the fick then their Difeafes themfeWes, if they would let them alone. He accus'd them of Difmgenuity, becaufe they did not acquaint their Parents with the (hot- ted way to Health, and both neglected to exhort them to Temperance, & to teach them to mcafure it according to the Nature of their various Conftitutions. He efteem'd it cruelty,that fuch as by the Mif government of themfelves had fallen into ficknefs,muft alfo be tormented with the te- dious courfes of Phyfick, and be fore'd to continue fick till their Phyfitian was content to gaiu no more by their want of Health} and the pofiibility of their Recovery made very doubtful,being expos'd to the uncertain O- peration of divers Medicines jumbled together in a long Compofition,the pompous number of coftly Ingredients only ferving to make a greater fhewof a lcarn'd Prefcription.tokeep fick men poor too, and to enrich covetous Apothecaries. In (hort,he told them that he was forry fo many of them had not read their great Matter's Oath, and that fewer ob- ferv'd it ; advifing them never to pretend to the honourable Name of Hippocrates his Difciples, or attempt to cure others, whilft they found themfelves fick of the Difeafes which he had forementioned. Thefc *0hi whet** words put * Thurepaticecla into fuch a fharp Paroxyfm of his angry Di- ttrtat every ft en iper,that he wa6 not able to bear the Abufe any longer, but flung out r (**«/,»»wr-of the Room. This fight did fo tickle* Euphranor's Spleen, that he ry Rumour. f e jj a ] aU phine. a Archibittt himfelf could not chufe but fmile. skehtion re- a the Author of . D _ V n w r t_ il.' •• « ■ life. proving Euphranor 3 How can I forbear laughing at you, replied he, when I hear you talk fo fillily tooue, that is refolv'd never to mind what you fay 3 and at him for being angry at that which he knows to be true ? Arckibius perceived that thefe men were not mad^and judg'd that Thu- reptttiw&a had not juft caufe to be (o highly offended, knowing that many counterfeit Phyficians defcrve thofe Reproofs which skeletionhzd giveu them 5 and that what he had faid, was fo far from bringing any prejudice upon thofe Gallant Perfons that are really accomplifh'd with that ufeful Skill which they profefs,that the dete&ion of falfe pretenders would only remove a few blocks out of their way, reftore due Honour to that Di- vine faculty,and advance the Health and Happinefs of Maukind.He would willingly have ftay'd longer to enjoy converfe with Eupbrattor, for skele- . tiffn was not pleafant Company 5 but confidering what effects the wrath of ThurepanceftajNh\ch was incens'd, might poffibly produce, he took his * cre*t Beard, leave,and went to * Bathypogoris Houfe, where he found Thurepanztta en- gag'd in deep inveftives againft Sltjletion and Euphranor ',faying that they were not only mad men but Villains,& that Bathypogon ought to take the fame or more fevere notice of them, then if they had brought the Plague to the Town$ they being fick of two forts of Madnefs, & both fo infective, that they would endanger the putting of many people out of their Wits. Archibius was furry that Thurepanwffa had proceeded fo far in his Defa- mations but when he had made an end^Bathypogon asking his opinion aJfo, he fpoke in their Defence, and told him and his Afliftance that the two Strangers were troubled with fome Diftempers, but thofe eafily curable; that he did not apprehend them to be mad,much lefs that they were guil- ty of any unworthy Intentions, or defign'd any mifchief againft the City. As a more plaufible way to perfwade them to believe what he faid. (for he knew it was a hard Task to fpeak to any purpofe in the behalf of perfons, againft whom thofe which heard him, were already prejudiced,) he was going to have told them the ftory of Democritns and the Citizens of Ab- Book v. ^cntibolio and fllcama* 13 A,;ra: But Thurepan&ft a intenupied hiaijAyw^^Bathypogon^ you Gentle- men whit h fit by him, may well fufped: that to be true which I have repor- ted concerning the contagious uature of thefe mens Madnefs,for you lee it hath infected a Phyfitian. * Archibius being fo much in his wits as not to 3 rbe Author if tr ouble'himfelf with making a vain Ihow of Wifdom among Fools, went a- L 'f e - w ay: when he was gone, b Bath)pogon and his Companions ask'd c Thiire- * Gnat Beard* pancefta: what they lhould do with Sfoletion and Euphranor. Headvis'd ' 0n ' whocMt th tm to call a v^ourt.cx having there accus d them of Sedition,to condemn Houfe, th cm to be fold for fLves,and tranfported to gather Hellebore in the I« iland if»f/8a had diSattd. R -' cheSm The Court fitting,and a multitude of Spectators being aflembled to fee the event of this Great Adtion ,fl 'at hypogon nodded to Pluteraftus to accufe styletion^who with no fmall zeal began thus.'We have great tveafonjinoft Grave Bat hyp ogo » } to bring this man before the Judgment-featjhe being a Blafphemer of our God and a defpiier of that Felicity which we have re- ceived from him. That he is guilty of thefe Crimes is too manifeft in this, that fomedayesfince he openly prophan'd our Religious Rites,and put a publick affront upon our Feftival Joyes.I accufe him as a hater of Man- kind, whom he doth perpetually torment with his direful Lamentations* I lay to his charge alfo, that he being a Faftour for a Achthedon, & a Cor- , Grie f refpondent of our utter enemy h Anelpijlus, is come into the City to fpie b o»« wfoz>*. out our weakneG, that he may the more eafily betray us to our Adverfa- ^"""- ties. He hath feditioully (own the feeds of Difcontent in the peoples Minds, and hath endeavout'd to undermine the bottom of our Hopes, that fo he may ruine the Pleafures which are built upon them. In fhorit, I demand Juftice againft him in the name of all the Plutocopiansfctcmk he maintaius Intelligence with the forlorn people of c Hades, which are our ^tieGravt, mortal enemies^ and hath receiv'd from them a Magical Glals^which doth fo bewitch the Eyes of all that look into it, that afterward .they can do nothing but weep. When d Pinter aji us had done,Chryfalides was commanded to charge- c Eh- * A Uvtt*\ phranor ,wh\cn he did alter this manner/I accufe thee 5 Euphranor ^%z Re< *' cf " s ' viler of our Ancient Cuftoms, and a Reprocher of our moft Excellent pUafant'sw Conftitutious,ckasoue that hath traiteroutly endeavoured toexpoleour WM,r ' Government to fcorn.by perfwading the people to believe that our moft ferious Affairs are but ridiculous Trifles.Thou art worthy to be punifh'd, becaufe thou doff continually upbraid men with the Imperfections of their Nature, and infult over the Neceffities of their Condition with a difdainful Laughter. Is it not moft meet that he fhould feel the feverity of our Laws, who hath difparaged the values of our richeft Commo- dities before thofe Foreiners which converfe with usj and by this means hath put a great flop to our Trade, which is the life of Plutocopia .«? The truth of thele accufations being manifeft, I make no doubt, moft juft Judge , but you will appoint him fuch a Puniftimenr, as fhall both free i4 aidcntitJOiio and illltarua* Book V *ddritd t Car- taft. L a Qriat Biari \ b 9nt viht tnakfi a trut Eflimatt »f Things. Z_Acjuitt$ttHt. * Svinllov/t. free us from his dangerous practices at prelent, and put fuch an Awe up-' on others of his Ludicrous Temper for the future , that they will not venture to imploy their abufive wits to the disturbance of the Tlntoco < turns. Now * skfiletion left weeping, left the foolifh Flutocopians fhould think that he bemoan'd his own eltate;8c Euphranor laugh'd twice as loud as he us'd to do 3 to let them fee how much he flighted their Menaces.Hereupoo * Bathypogon flood up, and having ftrok'd his long Beard once or twice, would have pronoune'd the fentence againft them,butthat a great noife which he heard among the People, gave him an Interruption. Is was oc- cafioned by their thrufting one another to make way for b Orthocrinon^z Gentleman that lived in a Village call'd ■ Eueffo, not far diftant from the City, and who was of Venerable efteem among the Vlulocopians for his extraordinary Wifdom,and efpecially for many lingular Courtefies which they had received from him. Ortbocrinon, as I am imforfn'd, is an excel- lent Philofopher, though he arrogates no fuch Title,nor makes any pom- pous oftentation of his Rnowledg in great words, but approves his real worth by prudent Actions, which do fo completely adorn all the parts of his exaft Life.that the beft Philofophers may take him for an Example.He is defcended from a good Family, and owner of fair Poffeffions ; but he defpifcth worldly Dignity in companion of Vertue, and makes no rec- koning of Wealth in regard of Philofophy. He hath given away a great part of his Eftate to promote fuch in the courfe of Study, as having great aptitudes for noble Undertakings,are hindered only by the want ot fuch things as are neceflary to fupport our common Life 3 and hath now only left a reafonable Competency for himfelf and his Family. He feem'd not to be fb much incited to Philofophy by former Examples, or perfwaded to it by the Exhortations of his Parents and Tutors » but was rather in- Ham'd by an innate Love of Wifdoro, which with a mighty force deriv'd from the inclinations of his own foul, thruft him forward, when he was young, to all excellent endeavours. He doth not profefs himfelf a fworn Difciple to any Sedt of Philofbphers.but embraceth truth wherefoever he finds it. His manner of Converfation doth fomething refemble that of So* crates* If Atiacharfis had found him at Chana, he would have taken him for A/j5/<7»,and been no lefs pleas'd with him.He did fo imitate both in the prudence of frugal Temperance, that no difeafe durft meddle with him, left it fhould be ftarv'd with hunger & Cold.His life was an impartial cor= recVion of all Vicious Manners j yet though he was a moft rigid obferver of Vertuous Rules,he did not allow himfelf to imitate the feverity of the Cjwic kj,bccaufc he thought that they did many times rather bite then re- prove. He was not apt to take notice of thofe Faults which he fa w in o- thets j only he did conftantly defpife thofe whom he obferv'd to be very curious of words,and as negligent of their Actions/Thefe he ufually call'd * Chelidonesy becaufe their Cuftom is to make a great noife with fele& words,to boaft of round Periods,foft Compofitions,rare Inventions, and brave Sentences, to feek the glory of voluble Speech, and defirous to be cried up as great Oratours ; or elfe jingling with Syllogifms,producing large Inventories of Queftions,and clattering wherefoever they come with loud Difputations } & affrighting their Auditors with endlefs contra- dictions, claim it as their due to be admired for deep Philofophers: when as God knows, under thefe fine fhows, made more plaufible with a con- tracted Brow, a levere Countenance,an affected Gate, and a diftinctHa- bit ,they do o f ten hide Unfpeakable Ignorance,Foolifh Opinions,Conten- tious Pride, Vain-glory,and innumerable company of Trifles. He did not dtfpile Book v. JDmtibciio and cftrania* 1 5 defpife thefe great Pretendeis, becaufe he himfelf was ignorant of the Art of Speaking; for by reading the beft Authors, and exercifing himftlf tofpeak and write,hehad attaio'd to the top of that excellency .• or that he did undervalue Philofophy 5 but he was griev'd to fee itexpos'dto fcorn in the world ; that fmall matrer which thefe great Boafters profefs being no more like true Phyiofophy, then an old Woman in a Tragedy looking fadly is Hecuba. He thinks no method of teaching comparable to Example; and though he fays nothing of himfelf, yet it is mamfeft to all ihatunderftand Vertue,that he is a moft lively Reprefentation of it. In fumm, he is that bright Mirrour in which all may fee incomparable Wif- dom, fincere love of Truth : perfeft Humility.exad: Juftice, the true mea- fures of Temperance,Tranquillity of Spirit, Freedom of Soul,and fuch a Sweetnefs of Deportment; that all who have had the happiuefsto cjn- vcrfe with him,become Lovers of his divine Perfe&ions, and think that they have found that happy Guide, who not only understands Truth himfelf,but reftorcs Liberty and Joy to all fuch as know him, Though it is impoffible but fuch Perfections muft needs gain him Eftimation, yet he .hath one particular Excellency which commands an Uiiverfal Love:For he hath fuch a rare dexterity in performing all Offices of Friendfhip,that he hath no Acquaintance which hath not found the benefit of it in fuch refpefts as are futable to his condition. He had much obliged the* Flu- *?he Covetm tocopians^not. only by compofing private quarrels which ufually happen Rjch ' amongft Neighbours, whom he reftor'd to Amity : but alfo in appealing of more publick Commotions, in which he fhew'd no lefs Prudence then Charity , for he perfwaded the Seditious to lay down their deftruftive Idiopathies,and yield quiet obedience to the Common La ws.The effects of his powerful prefence were fo generally Beneficial,that there was no ordinary perfon which did not obey him as a Father, and thole which were in Power honour'd him as a Friend. It happen'd not long fince *0r- * One who ' thocrinon having obferv'd fome which managed the publick Affairs of the ma J? s a "f* City, to abufe their Truft to their own undue Advantages, hereprov'd thing?!' ' them fo fmartly,that his freedom of Speech 8c impartial Honefty procur'd him fo much hatred, that for a good while he had not been in Plutocopia. But hearing that two Phylofophers lately come to the City,were appre- hended St brought to a publick Trial for Mifdemeanours by them com- mitted, well knowing what Sentence would be pafs'd upon them where they were to be judg'd, he went haftily tounderftand the matter, and meant if they were innocent, to intercede for themjbut perceiving in part by thofe which ftood near the Door, that things were managed unhand- iomly,for he heard fome fay. Aha.'thefe are new Sins,I never knew any bo- dy that was hang'd for weeping:we muft cry no more.l care not for that, faid another, but it vexeth me to think that we fhall not be allow'd to laugh. Our Court is very fevere to day.but will it be foal wayes?& fhall we be condemn'd too before we have fpoke for our felves? By this talk Orthocrinon underftanding both the faults for which they were accus'd ,& that the Judge intended to condemn them without giving them leave to make their Defence, hereupon he made hafte towards the Tribunal. Whilft * Bathypogon & his Afleifours wondred at his Appearance in fuch a * Creat Ee.n^ txmcyOrthocrinon refolv'd their doubt by fpeaking to them after this man- ner : It is now a good wh\\e,Bathypogoft t aDd you the reft of my Friends of Vlutoc opit ,fince I gave you a Vifit; and I am forry that I come now Co un- happily, tor I fee you are ready to do that which, if 1 be not mifinformed by theBy-ftacders, is extremely to your difhonour. You are going to condemn two Strangers before you have heard them (peak for them* felves. 16 jiDentibolto and Crania, Bookv, ielves. Your Prefeoce would be acceptable, faid Bdlhypcgcrr, if you did not hinder our proceedings •-, but we cannot bid you welcome, if you en. deavourtoreprefent us as unjuft. We did not intend tocondemuthem,til| two Lawyers had accus'd them of great Crimes;and we cannot want Evi- dence for the truth of their Charge,for they are Inch notoriousOfFenders, and hare fo generally dift urb'd the peace of our City, that there is fcarce any prefent who hath not been molefted by them. However, worthy *oh« iuU Judg, replied * Orthocrinon^ you mutt obferve your Laws, and then efpe- makeia tight ciallv when you are about to pronounce Sentence upon others for the iStimau of B reacn f t hem : and fince your Law doth not permit any man to be con- demn'd unheard, I pray you let thefe Strangers have leave to make their Apology, and then you may do as you fee ca-ufc. Batbypogon grumbled a little at the Interruption, but being perfwaded by Chryfaiides and Piute- ra/itft, who whifpering in his Ear, told him that he might permit them to fpeak, but withall bad him be fure to condemn them as foon as they had done, gave his confent 5 and dtfuhgOrthocritton to fit upon the Bench by him, he beckond to sfyletion to fpeak, if he had any thing to fay for himfelf. Sfyletion forbearing his fighs for a while,that they might not hinder his Speech, began thus : I fhould wonder at it, O mod unhappy Plutocopiaw, but that I have often ftenthe fame unreafonablenefs in other places,that you fhould think a man accufable for expreffing a Sympathy with the ge- neral eftatc of Mankind, that you efteem it a fault in me to cry with fo < many that weep,that is 3 to weep when I fee fo many miferable. I might in fome happy place.if I could have found it,have dried up my Tears,and I fhould have embrae'd this as no fmall good Fortune, fince it is no great plealure to weep » and I came hither to feek it. But I am not only dilap- pointed,as I have been in other places,but am fo far fallen from my hope, that I feem to be overwhelm'd in the Infernal Lake of Sorrow, where I rather defervc your pity then anger.If poor Prometheus faften'd to a cold Rock, was an Object ot Companion, whilft themercilefs Eagle fed upon his Heart 5 1 have reaibu to expect that you (hould condole with me, who at leaft in mine own apprehenfion, am funk down to that Centre, where all the Calamities which do afflict the whole Circumference of Humane Life do meet : yet here I am accufed for weeping. It were a fufficient Plea for my Lamentation, to fay that I do but bear a part in that fad Dirge which is fung by all the World : It is begun by In- fants,who when they firft live.that is,begin to be fick of an incurable D'if- cafe,come crying into the World $ indeed prefaging thole Tragical Mif- fortunes which they are to fuffer, they prelude to them with Tears. This is a common Deftiny, and fo to be met with in all places. But here I have ften the new-born wretches, wet with Tears and Blood, expofs'd fo unmercifully, that it would foften a Rock, if it were able to fee their Calamity, and make it diflblve it felf into Tears : But I muff not weep. You throw the Poor to Hunger and Gold , nay their Parents do it, becaufe they have no money to buy them food and cloth : and if by fome ftrange chance they outdive this Death, yet they are fore'd to learn to fpeak with crying, and to beg as foon as they cau fpeak. I cannot but weep for company, efpecially perceiving the Richfo defti- tutc of Humanity, that they fee it, and yet refufe to relieve them. I do not wonder fo much at it, but I am griev'd neverthelefs to fee them ufe their Own not much better. It's true.they give them Meat and Drink, and ufe means enough to keep them from dyiog^but when they are grown to the ufe of Underftanding and Choice, they proftitute their Ycurh to Book v. Jbentifcoiro and fflfrania* 1 7 to Ignorance and Vice : For neglecting to beftow upon them that bene- fit of which they are now capable, to allure their Infelicity they carelefly abandon them to two foolifh Guides, ' Apirut and b Cacotypus. Apirut is * *n /?*«•««; an Obftinate man, you are all well acquainted with him, and by reafon l $,fo "' e . of his extreme Ignorance and high conceit of his Knowledg, is fear ce £wesawf! ' capable of being taught himfelf. Cacotypus is utterly devoid of Virtue. So that one of them being unexperiene'd in the true Method of Educati- on makes them Fools ; and the other corrupting them alio with bad Ex- ample, renders them Vicious. You might as well put them to fuck a Hc- Goat, or make a Wolf their Nurfe. The confederation of this doth often make me fay within my felf,Lord! what (mall hope is there that Goodnefi fhould ever grow to any Perfection in this world, where it is thus nipt in the Bud ! And my grief iscontinued,whilfHforcfee thofefad confequen- ces which muff needs proceed from fuch milerable Beginnings. For they no fooner arrive at thofe years which are cfteem'd the confines of Chil- difhnefs and Manhood, but they are captivated with the follies of both States. It's true, I have obferv'd in your City a low norrow Gate call'd c MetatiKA) which opens towards * Orthodus, which is the rode that leads' R'pmtancA to e Sophiarete, the Region where Wifdom and Virtue are faid to dwell t, itheR -'£ ht and 1 having taken notice of fome Young men, which being awaken'd by * wifdom and fome courteous Genius^ who (as I fuppofe) had fore*warn'd them of that vinu '' which would happen to them in their older Life, if they continued that courfe which they had begun, have hereupon rufh'd out at that difficult palFage, and made towards Orthodus : but the Afcent being fteep, and the way rugged in that part which lies neareft to your City, they made no great hafte, and being clogg'd with a Cachexy or Habit of fin contra- cted by long Cuftom which they are unwilling to (hake ofi^and being en* feebled with tempting Remembrances of their former Voluptuoufnefs* advane'd no confiderable way till their Companions in fin, which ha- ften'd after them,overtook the,m,and having fedue'd them back do lb con- firm them in their Errors, that they are good for nothing but to propa* gate new Inftances of wicked Life, and to hinder Vice from decreafing for want of bold examples. I confels it grieves me not lb much for what thefe fuffer in their fiogle capacities,but becaufe the concatenation of like Suc- celiions doth perpetuate Folly, and feems to make the end of finning al- moft unexpeftable. You their un wife Parents are the chief caufe of this mifchief i for you never minding that the Excellency aHd Service of our after-life depends upon our early preparations, leave your Children an uudifciplin'd prey to Ufelefnefs and Contempt. By which means you not only bellow, but entail a Curfe upon Maukind , whilffyou neither ceafe to be bad your felves, nor permit your Children to begin to be good. Hence it comes to pafs that when they are grown Men,and make no doubt but that now it is fit they fhould be their own Governors, they not know- ing of themfelves what is belt, and much more unwilling to be told by o« thers,by reafon of an irregulated heat, they venture upon fuch ralh A&u ons, and do fo grofly miftake in the management of their Life, that when by the change of their Complexions they underftand that they are arri- ved upon the borders of old Age, they defire to go back again, and fall into this paffionate wifh, Alas ! why is it not lawful for us to grow young twice, that what hath been done amilsin our firft Life might be corre* cted by our after thoughts ? that is, having lived foolifhly, they are vext' that they muft die when they begin to be wife. But before it comes to this I cannot but pity you,feeing how you are tor* mented with the effects of your precedent Errors : for that feeble Body, D made Jlbentibolio and Crania* Book v. made of a little Blood and Earth kneaded together, in which the Soul is cae'djisnotooly of it felf frail Fltlhand weak Bones, apt to be cut with every (harp thing, and crufh'd with every weight, but fo fill'd with acci- dental diftempersby your Imprudeuccs,that,likc the lhellof aGranado, it is in continual danger of flying in pieces, being ready to be torn afun- der by what it contains within it,diitemper'd Humours, Crudities, Wind, Obftru&ions, Inflammations. Thefe and many fuch like things do fo di- ftrefs your Health, that you doubt whether you live or no j and when you endeavour to believe that you do, your hopes are frighted with thofe Deaths which hang over your Heads by fmall threads, threatniog every moment a fad Period to an uncertain Life by a hot Fever, a wa- trifh Dropfie, a pining Hedfcick, the painful Stone, intolerable Gout, or a fiupifying Apoplexy j fome of you being tofs'd for a long time together between the Grave and Hopes of Recovery, by that known fcorner of Phyficians, a fly malicious Quartan. But this would not afflift me fo much cor you neither, if that Better part of you were not a more lamentable Spectacle. I cannot fupprefs my tears when I fee thofe Misfortunes which are fallen upon the Heaven-born Soul.How is it clouded with Miffs of Ig- norance, deluded with falfe Opinions and wild Fancies, befool'd with Self-love, fwell'd with vain Arrogance,apt to be fet on fire with mad An- ger, and burnt up with hellifh Wrath,to be exalted with bold Preempti- ons, and fometimesaslowdeprefs'd with deep Defpairs,abus'd with inor- dinate Appetites, fick with difquietnefs of Mind, tormented with anguifh of Confcience, and overwhelm'd with wearinefs of Life? A Truce be- ing made with one Paffion, a War is begun by another, and the poor Spi- rit rack'd upon the Viciflitudes of its own reliefs Affections, as upon fo many afflictive wheels. Can I chufe but weep when I behold fuch Mifc» ries,efpecially fince I look at them as incurable } This were enough to be quoted as a Defence of thofe Tears for which you accufe me, and I need not ftrengthen it by making a Catalogue of thofe innumerable Aggravations which fwell your Mifery up to an un* fpeakable Mafs, and torment all conditions of Human Life, in the City,in the Country, at Land, and at Sea. The Husbandman is condemn'd ro pull up Weeds which will never ceafc to grow in his barren ground. He min» gleth his Bread with Sweat, and his Sweat with Tears ; and when he hath taken the greateft pains, hath only drawn water into a fieve, arjd labou- red to make himfelf more work. Your Mariners are diftrefs'd at Sea, and afterathoufand Dangers with much difficulty make their Port •-, that is, they are tofs'd home that they may rebound to fome new Storm. Your Craftftnen are chain'd to endlefi toil.like Galley-fiaves to their Oars. Your Citizens of all rank9 pretend great difcontent for want of loving Neigh- bours : and Friends of all forts complain, that they have no Touch-ftone to try fuch as fay that they love them, but that which commonly fhews they do not, Adverfity. Parents are vex'd with the Difobedience of their Children, and they think themfelves undone by the Unkindnefs or death of their Parents. Mafters and Servants frequently accufe each other. It is ordinary to hear fome bemoan themfelves becaufe they are not married, and others judg themfelves more unhappy becaufe they are. Some Husbands cry becaufe their Wives are dead, and fome be- caufe they arc alive. Thefe are fome of thofeTragical parts which you aft upon this miferable Stage,andthe laft Scenes are worfc then thofe, which remain to be repre« fented by Ancient people, who when they are already wearied with a mi- a* eld Man. ferable Life, are ftill difturb'd by one ' Geron,a Grim-look'd Fellow,who being Book v. jaentibolio and (Hrama* 1 9 I _ _ — m, being a rigid Faftor for Death, comes to make you pay dear for thofe fmall Contents which you enjoy 'd before, and that but for a little while, and which were then not fo greatly defirable, every good thing having two Evils joyn'd with it. When you are fcarce able to pay any thing, it will go hard but he will have fomething, and he ufually takes the beft of what is left,an Ear from one,a Hand from a fecond,a Leg from a third, or what he can lay hold on. How did it tear myHeart fome few days fince,to fee how b Chronut, the Father of this Geron i feiz'd with a remorflefs Vio- b rime. lence upon a wretched Company of ancient Men and Women, dragg'd fome by the Arms, fome by the Feet, fome by the Neck, ftruck out their Teeth, pull'd out their Eyes, lam'd them, ki I I'd them, and threw them into the Ditches ? I think it was a courtefie to fome of them, for their Bodies were ill us'd by his Son, and grown fuch troublefome Lodgings to their Souls, that they could fcarce endure to dwell in them. And yet the miferabie wretches were fore'd to ftay in thefe ftreight Cottages, un- thatch'd above, full of Smoak and Rain within, and there to fwallow the Dregs of Life, till fome welcome Mifchief choak'd them. Here * sfeletion made a paufe, for his fighs fore'd him to leave Spea- » a dried car* king s, and when he began again, b Euphranor laugh'd fo loud that the '{£' lta r aHt Plutocopians could not hear him, and having taken no great pleafurc in humour'd f*r« what he had fpokeo already, they were unwilling he fhould fay any /**• more : So Euphrtnor was commanded to fuccecd him, which he did in fuch words as thefe. I have travelled over the grcateft part of c Hifirio- <= stage flaj. via, moft gentle d Bathypogon ; but I never came into any place where iGreat Bt * rit (uch as kept a Theatre were unwilling to admit Spectators, much lefs where the Players were angry at fuch as were prelent, for laughing at their Mimical fport* The whole world is a kind of Tragick-Comedy ) in which I never faw any aft their parts more rtdiculoufly then the P/«- * tocopians 5 and yet they accufe fuch as laugh at them, which I cannot but efteem one caft beyond all which I haveften already* I fupr)ofe you have no fuch conceit of your own Aftions, and are ready to demand at what I laugh in particular. I will fave you that labour ; I fmile at every thing which I fee or hear, I laugh at all which you do or fay, and chiefly at you your fclves, becaufe in this Play you like no part but the Fool's* I perceive by the filly Government of your Aftions, that you have ca- fhier'd Wifdome out of your Thoughts j and, which is the height of your Folly, you think your felves Wife* I can except no order of Men from the reafou of my Mirth. I have not maintain'd correfpoddeuce with any that with your difgrace, and have therefore reveal'd your In* firmities 5 for they are every where manifefr. I fuppofe you cannot look upon it as a Contumely that I take notice of what you difcover, nor take it as an affront that I am fo pleafant in your preience 5 fince you compel me to be merry. How can I chufe but laugh to fee fo mauy Bladders empty of all true worth,fwell'd with falfe Opinion,and then tofs'd up and down the ftreets with vulgar breath, not much unlike thofe Bubbles made of Soap and Water which idle Boys blow off from Nutfhcls? When I meet fo many hundreds of conceited people, who think they arc Wife becaufe they are Rich, Virtuous becaufe Politick, Learned becaufe they have a few Book»,Happy becaufe they have many Titles5 and fuppofe themfelves full of Worth becaufe they are big with Arrogance, and Good becaufe they are fo efteem'd by the Ignorant, and ador'd as Gods by fuch as know not what belongs to Men : I cannot but ftand and laugh to think what a brave Mart this would be for Prometheus his Oxen, and 1 eafily fancy with what wonder you Vlntocopians would gaze upon a Drove of large skins, D 2 well 20 JfttnttbOltO and Crania* Book v - . * well ftuffd with empty Bones.I wasalmoft kill'd the other day,my Spleen was fo ftretch'd with laughing at a young Gallant who (rood in a low Balcony, having nothing elfe to do but to obferve whether fuch as pafs'd by did make their Obeyfance proportionably fubmiflive to the Great- ncfi of his Peruke, and did fufficiently admire the new fafhion of his French Breeches ; tfpecially when turning back, I faw how dejefted he look'd becaufe 1 went by him without ftirring my Har, which [ did on purpofe, thinking I might as well negleft to worfhip a man made up of cloths, as refufe to bow down to a guildcd Poft. I confefs alfo, I can never thick of your Old men but I laugh at their foolifh Govetoufnefs,whilft they tell their Money all day, and rife in the night to hide their Gold in fome fafer place then that in which tbey put it when they went to bed, and grow lean with cares to make their Heap big* ger,which is fo bulky already that it is troublefome to keep, and doth ex- ceed their Nectffities with fuch vaft difproportions, that they know not well what to do with it. I cannot but pleafe my felf to think how e9gerly the Poor whom they have defrauded will fall upon them when they ap- pear in the other World, and what a fad fcuffle there will be when they clap their bare Skulls with their bony hands. Yet fuch is the Madnefs of this fort of Meo,that they bequeath the Monies which they fhould reftore, to ere<5t (lately Monuments to dwell in when they are dead 5 imagining that they (hall be happier if they lie under great Marbles,and hoping that fome may poffibly fpend their time in viewing thofe brave Structures which cover their dufr, and read with no fmall content thofe Epitaphs which before they died,they made themfelves. But it is fo ridiculous,that methinks the Poor fhould laught at it, when they fee ho w much thefe Rich Fools think themfelves worthier and better then their Neighbors,becaufe they have greater Houfes and more Money, and will not remember that in Hell they will not be known from them by any other Mark but grea- ter Torments.But fince the Poor do fo peevifhly flight what fhould make them patient, I rnuft laugh at them whilft they whine (b fillily at their po- verty, and will not know that in a fhort time they (hall be equal to the richeft men in the World, and who are at prefent in many refpe&s mora miferable then themielves.lt is a caft beyond Laughter to fee thele foolifh Poor how proud they grow upon a little tafte of Good Fortunetthey are as much afhamed of their very Parents 5 as Fathers ufually are of their Ba- ftard-Children j it may be they allow them, as Mercury did Pan, to come to them fometimcs, but never to call them Father before Company. Now they no more know thofe friends which reliev'd them in their Ad verfity, then a Great man's Porter can remember that he faw one that was at his Mafter's houfe but the day before,tiIl he have hired him to recal his name, and help'd the weaknefs of his Memory with a piece of Silver. It is fome fport to me to fee thofe curious Women,who have nothing to do but to be fine,and think before-hand how wan their painted faces will look when Death,which doth not much value Beauty , comes rudely to un- dre(s them.Me thinks I hear how they will cry when he breaks their Glafs, throws their Hair one way.their Powder another,and leaves them no Or- nament but a whiteSheetjand how they will vex when he tells thtm that in the otherWorld there are noMarks fet upon Skulls by which a Lady may be known from hermeaneftServant.I am not a little beholden for myMirth to thofe proud People which have accuftom'd themfelves to talk of their Pedigrees at fuch a high fvate,as if they would have us think that Mankind had fprung from diversOriginals,or at leaft that they have nothing in them of the firft clayjand are fo elevated above this lower World with the wild belief Book v. Jiarnttbctto and <&f rania, 2 1 belief which they have entertain'd,that they will fcarce beftow a humble word upon fuch as come near them. They make me think how dejectedly they will look and fhrinkoutof fight, when I and my Companions fhall meet them 3 and laugh at them in the Deferts of ' Necrogaa. I envy not thofe a *?" £■<£'<"» »f fat Epicureans which float at prcfent in muddy pleafures j I fhall find them De t arUi f " 1 '- afhore ere long, for I know at what Port they muft all Land. I cannot but laugh to think how they will cry, when I, and one or two of my Friends fhall fit down by them, and upbraid them with their former Vbluptuouf- nefs, and how they will fret to hear poor Cjnickj fing. You think perhaps, ^Bathypogon, that it is a ftrauge kind of Mirth to *Great Start. laugh at the unhappy : And io it were, if thofe which are in mifery,acted their part with any Decorum 5 but they complain ridiculoufly, and are very angry at thofe mifchiefs which they inflict upon themfelves. They are vextbecaufe they arefick, and when they were well did what they could to deftroy their Health, They eat and drink beyond all Natural Appetites, and then inveigh bitterly againft forfeits. They defpife the Happinefs of Tranquility, undervalue the Riches which wife men never mifs'd in a Competency '-, they reject the Pleafures of a Retir'd life ; they will climb up into the Region of Winds, and when they are there rage at every Storm, complain of the burthenfome Cares which attend Ho- nourable Employments, are gall'd with the Envious looks which are caft upon great Preferments, are infefted with the Counter-workings of Cor* rivals ; and when they fall, as they often do, being now fenfible that their Hurt is equal to the Height of their Exaltation, they curfe andex= prefs a feeble impatience, although they are only crufh'd with their own weight. Then they will needs revile Greatnefs, and foolifhly praife the Poverty which before they only hated, and confefs that Golden fetters areas uneafie as thofe of Ironjand yet are fodifcompos'd with the imper- tinent remembrance of what they have been, that they cannot contented- ly be what they are : And fhall not I laugh at them } If they were not mad, they would confider that they have only loft what none can keep, and fuffer that which commonly happens to very many. Why do they not make account that thofe Servants will run away from them whom they knew to be perfidious, or at lead very fickle, having chang'd many Matters before they came to them? Thefe uneafie Souls pretend to be much troubled with the greatnefs of their misfortunes, in comparifon of that which others fuffer, and yet will not put theirs into a common Lump with their Neighbours,that the whole may be divided into equal Shares ; but feaiing that their prefent Lot will be encreas'd, carry it away as it is, and yet go home grumbling. And muft I piety them ? I am forry that no Play is yet invented where both fides might win always. Thefe Delicate people fhould do well to tranfport themfelves into fome new-found Land, where there is no ufe of Patience ; for none arc permitted to dwell in this World,which will not be content to endure fome Hardfhip, If I fhould make conjectures of their Affections by other pieces of their Carriage, I fhould think that they love unhappinefs j for not being fatisfied with what thty feel at prefent, they torment themfelves with the fear ofthac which is to come, and fo antidate their miferies, and fometimescrucifie themfelves with the troublefome Expectation of that which will never happen. Nay, they dote fo upon Affliction, though it difpleafeth them, that not being content with their own Misfortunes, they will needs take part in thofe of others ; that is, vifit their fuffering Neigh- bours, talk whiningly, and look fcurvily, but not relieve them. And this they call Pity, But 22 215enttt)OUO and Crania* Book v. But fince Grief is not heavy enough with all thefe allowances, they encreafc it with Envy •, that is, they unworthily defpifc the Joy of thofe many Good things of their own, which God hath given them to fill up the Defects and alleviate the Sorrows of Human Life, by repining at o- ther mens better Conditions, which yet, for any thiog which they know, (for they judg by very flight rules) is much worfe then their own. Sometimes they are difpleas'd with the Excellent parts of others by which they are benefitted •■, like thofe ill-natur'd Beggars, which murmur at his Wealth from whom they receive daily Alms, Being troubled that others out fhine them, they endeavour to eclipfe their Light by Defama« tion, hoping vainly that themfelves (hall be thought good, if they can make others (eem to be bad. But this colour is fo bafe, that it appears by any Light 5 for as they are truly empty of that Love which would hide the failings of others, they difcover plainly that they are full of Im- potent Malice. But I muft not offend thefe Virtuofo's with laughing at them. Yes, I will, and I can never laugh enough to hear them talk fbme« times of Felicity, and pretend defires to be Happy, and yet fcorn the way which leads to it : For though they have been told a hundred times, that no great Happinefs is to be hoped for in this World,and that the chiefeft parts of that which is attainable, are rightly to know our Selves, to dif- cftcem Mortal Life, to be content with our Portion, not to expeft what cannot be had, and fiich like things 5 they will needs leek Happinefs where none ever found it, being incurably miierable, by reafon of a wil- ful Ignorance of the Nature of Things, a falfe love of Flefhly Life, un- govcrn'd Longings after thofe Things,which if they could enjoy, would no more affwage their Thirft then w^ater will cure a Dropfie. They are juft like to thofe difcontented perfons, which endeavour to lofe them- felves by wandring in divers places, but they meet themfelves every where, and will always be fure to find vexation whilft they are in their own Company ; yet they accufc all things but themfelves* So the Impo* tent Sick complain of their Bed becaufe they lie uneafily, and beat their Pillow becaufe their Head akes. It may be I fhould not laugh fo much at the follies of you Tlutocopians, but that you do ridiculoufly date your refolutions to grow Wife 5 for thus you fay, After we have got fo many thoufand pounds more,after we have built fo many Houfe?, or purchas'd fo many Lordfhips, we will be content. And why not now ? Are you not Rich enough already ? What need you fo greedily to gnaw that Cruft of the Poor, Hope > So the Clown fits down by the Rivers fide till all the water pafs away : But he may fit long enough. Go over, Fool, the Stream is fordable now. But it is better fport to fee how fubtil Time is reveog'd upon thofe which flight his prefent offers. One not altogether unfenfible that he hath over- charg'd his Vocation with burthenfome Cares, fayes he will fhake offhis Load at the return of his next Ship : Another expects but one good Har* veft more, or two Dear years at the moft, to make his Riches anfwerable to his Defires : A third refblves to be charitable (as Hypocrites fome- times talk of leaving their Sins) at the next great Feaft. And whilft they are vainly contriving how to delay that which is neceffary to be done at prefent, Time beckens to Death, and he comes and makes it impoffible for the future. And now I talk of Death, which is the End of this Ludicrous Play,I can- not but laugh at the Epilogue,which is ufually A&ed by an Old man, who having nothing to prove that he hath lived long, but that he hath bought many AImanacks,doth pride himfelf in his Age; and being blind,deaf and lame Book v. Jl&entiboiio and Crania* 23 lame, will yet venture upon the Stage 5 and when he is there, forgetting what he is to do, cries out unfeafonably, I would live ftill, and repeats his miftake fo often with a feeble voice, that the Poet is fore'd to fend one to pull him into the Tiring Room. And there it is a new fport to fee how all the Aftors quarrel with the Maftcr of the Revels for telling them that the Play is done: they would aft ftill, and cry becaufe they are commanded to put offtheir Habits, and think thcmfclvcs robb'd when they reftore their Vizards, which were only lent them for a while to fit their perfoDS to their Part. Though a Bathypogon underftood not much, yet he perceiv'd that h Eu> « Quad Segri. phranor jeer'd the Plutocopians 5 and fearing that he would never end of* o»u of »pu*- himfelf, commanded him filence 5 and taking « Orthocrimn for a very <^J^T r ' wife man, as the reft of the Plutocopians did, (for men fomctimes approve maty » right Virtue which they will not imitate,) he defired him to give his opinion £f* im * u •/ of the two Philoiophers, and to advife him what to determine concer- "' niogthem. Orthocrinou, perceiving that what the Philofophers had faid was capable of fome Corre&ion, and confidering with himfelf that it was a fit opportunity to beftow fome charitable advice upon the Plutocopians^ began thus : I have always thought, Bathypogon, that the Calamities which attend the condition of Mankind are not inconfiderable, but I never faw them refented fo compaffionately as by d sh]eletion, neither did I ever iDried Cartaft know auy lb pleafantly unconcern'd in them as Euphranor feems to be. I know that e Glycypicron with unaccuftomed Tides flow'd lately twice 'Bhutswm. in twelve Hours : but who would have thought that it did portend, that in a fhort time you fhould become the Objects of the deepeft Sorrow and higheft Mirth ? Poor Plutocopians ! your Mifery is fo great, that ode of them thinks he needs an ever-running Spring of Tears to bewail it ; and the other efteems your Folly fo ridiculous, that he cannot contain him- felf from perpetual Laughter. However, shfiletion^ I do fomething won- der at you •-, for if there be fo many unhappy people in the world as you feem to believe, what need you make your fclf of the number by your calamitous Sorrow ? If thofe mifchiefs which inevitably wait us, are too great already,why do you make au addition of this voluntary Torment? If you think men over-match'd with Adverfity, or at leaft very hard put to it, why do you fb uncharitably endeavour to leiTen their Power by Defpair, or foolifhly deplore what you judg incurable ? Do you mean to open Pandoras Box again ? It was almoft quite emptied before, no- thing but a little quantity of Hope being left in the Bottom , and will you let that out too? How fhould they look upon Human Life otherwifc then as a defperate Cafe, feeing it plung'd in a gulf of endlels Sorrow? It is an impertinent Humanity to make others more difconfolate by weep- ing for them. If the flood be not paffable, why do you fwell it higher with your Tears ? If it be, why do you difcourage them from attempting to go over, whilft you fit weeping upon the Bank? But let me tell you, * Skeleton, the ftate of our Life is not fo deplorable as you would make * a dried c<*~- it. A Man is neither a Contemptible thing in his Gonftitution,for he is a- **fa dorn'd with Reafon,by which he is capable of the knowledg of all things, and is privilcdg'd with Speech, by which he is fitted for Conversion with fuch as arc of the fame Nature with himfelf} neither are the Plea- fures which are allotted for our portion fo inconfiderable, that it is un- defireable to be a Man. For fince he hath many Faculties, and thofe furnifh'd with proportionable Obje&s, he is a rare inftrument of Pleafure to himfelf. He hath no Senfe but it is abundantly provided for ; he need not to glut himfelf with aoy one Recreation, divers prefent themfclves^ And 24 Ji&HltibOltO and (Iftama* Book V; A id though the world be full of people, God haih provided Room e- nough for them all without (height ning aoy, if they could be content with juft Shares. And though fomc things occur which are Inconveni- ences, yet every one hath its Remedy annex'd $as there is no Poifon which hath not an Antidote, The Winter is warm'd with Fire, the Summer is cool'd with Shades. There is no Affliction ib heavy but it is accompanied with an Alleviation, and wife men can eafily find it.Courteous Time doth alwayes apply one Confolation, whether we feek it or no ; for by the fa- miliarity of long converfe it makes any condition tolerable.It's true,fbme things aie troublefome for a while, and Fools complain more then they need 5 but wife men bear them handfomly,and put the beft fide outward. What need we take things by the wrong handle, or quarrel with God or his Providence? We ought to think that there may be good Reafon, though we understand it! not, that things fhould be as they are, when we wifh them otherwife •-, and that Mortal condition muft be appointed af- ter this manner 5 and that we ought by no means to wonder at our own grievances, when we fee that all our Neighbors have either the fame or Others. Nay, though Death awaits us, and ib we fcem to be in danger of Ioofing All, yet we have no reafon to complain, becaule it is mere Courtefie that we have lived fo long, ar a net er * or which opeo'd into theGardeo,but they were furpriz'd with an unexpe* *> one who doth fted Joy,oceafion d by the fortunate Arrival of two Gentlemen near a- kin cmpaJTionait t0 fheonoe and Jre»e,caird '- Amyntor and h Sympatbu* } yiho came to perform a Book v. ji&rntiboito and ilrania* j v a Viftc. This made a great acctilion to the Coutentments of the whole Company ; and they which brought it,quickly perceived that they them- felves had encountred a greater Happinefs then they expe&ed:The plea* lures which are enjoy 'd in Company being of that naturejthat whofoever contribute to their production, ever carry away their Principal with an extraordinary Intereft. The Fathers of thefe two Gentlemen and the La« dies maintain'd mutually fuch an intimate Friendfhip, that they were commonly call'd Trades and Orefiesj and their Love was tranfmitted by a kind of Hereditary Traduction to their Children, and they preferv'd it fo inviolably, that their Families after their Death rctain'd the Glory of their Anceftours Affection. Amyntor and Sympathy/ were perfons of great Wits, advane'd by Study and Travel, of good Difcourle and agree- able Humour. Theonoe perceiving whilft they were at Dinner, that her Cozens were not altogether fo chearful as they us'd to be, ask'd them, when the Cloth was taken away, what was the Reafon of their unufual fidnefs. Amytttor confefs'd that they had in their hearts fbmeCompafiion, though at this time they would willingly have conceal'd it, for the Death of the good King a Anaxagathut^ and the poor Prince b Alethion, whofe * J good King. Misfortunes were the ruioe of that once flourifhing Family. This news \.^' r "f was very unwelcome to c Theonoe and d Irene : however, fmce it is feme *Aiivti» fa tisfaft ion to know the ftate of our friends, they defired leave of Eenti- ■**"*'• volio and Vrania, and the reft of the good Company,that^*»|«/0r might beintreated to acquaint them with that which he had heard concerning the difaftrous Fate of the beft of Kings 5 and his Son a moft Illuftrious Prince. Bentivolio and his friends readily accepted theMotion,for they in- tended to have made the fame requeft,not doubting but fuch a ftory mufl: needs be full of great Accidents./f/wy»/«««r*»# merly governed by Anaxagathns^ who derived his Empire by Hereditary Bea ^'' Right from many Royal Anceftors,that is,received Soveraign Power with all imaginary Advantages. The Antient Root ofa Princely Family is a great fupport to that Veneration which is due from Subjects to their Kings jfor they cannot but have a Natural Reverence for one whom God, Nature and Time, have fet and confirm'd in Royal Height. This moft excellent way of Succtflion freed him from thofe difaffections which are many times faftned upon Elective Princes by the envy of Ambitious Competitors, and the Hatred of fuch as factioufly oppofe their Choice. * Andxagathus was neither cngag'd to gratifie any Party of the People * J gut King] for their Vc tcs, nor ow'd any reward to his Souldiers for the help of their Swords ; but being born a Prince, was equally acknowlcdg'd by all in his undoubted Right,and was free to oblige fuch as he fhould think fir, with unprejudie'd Favours.Upon this Foundation of his Soveraignty the Welfare of his Subjects alfo was ftrongly fecured, both as the Intereftsof People are moft fare under Monarchy (which is evident ; For fmce the greateft part of the Laws of a Nation do always refpect fuch matters as arc the continual Occafions of Controverfie between Men; every part of the People being biafs'd with divided Intereft, none can be fo fitly qualified for Legiflators 3s is the Prince, who having no particular con- cernment aims equally at the Common good,^and as the Right of Succef" fion was JGtail'd upon his Pofterity, he had no Intereft of his Family divi« E 2 ded 28 jiaentitiolio and (Urania* Book v. ded from the publick : a mifchief which can hardly be avoided in Elective Principalities, which being forc'd to take a great care of their Relatives, fince they are not furc of Succeffion, do often exceed the bounds of juft Moderation in what they defign for themfelves 5 and as they frequently ftoop to the ufe of ignoble contrivances to obtain what they delire, fo they make no fcruple to repeat their Methods for the maintaining and en crcafing of what they have gotten. As Anaxagathut was plac'd far above the.Necefiity offuch unworthy Arts by an indubitableTitIe,fo by aPrince. lyTemper of Soul received from hisProgenitors,he was naturally inclin'd to an affectionate Regard to his Subjects, being born their Father. As he was thus plac'd in his Throne by a DivinePower,fo he was accom- plifh'd with all thofe Princely Virtues which made him moft worthy to fit chereFor he acknowledging his Authority derived from Heaven,princi- pally endeavoured to deport himfelf as God's Vicegerent.and was not (o careful of any thing as his Honour, from whofe hand he received his Crown jbeing not only Religious in fhew.to gain Eftimation with the Peo= ple,but really affefting Piety, in hope of the Blefiing of true Obedience which Princes need both for themfelves and their Subje&s. The Truth of this Difpofition he made manifeft both in that he fhew'd no Countenance to thofe which were openly impious, and ever declar'd an utter abhor- rence of Atheifts,and preferr'd to the moft Honourable places of his fer- vice fuch as he thought to be the trueft Lovers of God. As the peaceable entry into the pofleffionof his Kingdom freed him from thofe troubles which have often amus'd the Prudence of Great Em- pcrours$ fb his deep Infight into the Principles of Government inabled him to avoid two dangerous Rocks, upon which many Kingdoms have been fplit, mfe the Ambition of the Potent Gentry, and the Infolent Di- fpofition of the Vulgar.He had Great Natural Parts,and fo improv'd them by Reading, Gonfideration and Experience, that he was able to frame a quick and folid Judgment of any Matter belonging to his Government, He knew that the bufinefs of a Prince is to advance the Profperity of his Subje&s, and to fecure their Peace againft the Invafion of Foreiners j and therefore acquainted himfelf with all things which are neceffary to be known as Means conducing to thofe Ends, Particularly with the Nature of his Prerogative, the Rights of his People, the Laws of Nations, the Strength of other Kingdoms, the Commodities of his Own, the Inclinati- ons of his fubje&s, and the Defigus which his Neighbours may probably have againft him. He gave a great Demonftration of the Perfpicacity of his Judgment^ both in the Election of his Counfellors, (for knowing that Kings muff fee with other mens Eyes, and truft a confiderable part of their Affairs to the Fidelity of their Minifters, he made choice of fuch as were not only perfons of Honour, but men of lingular Prudence and unqueftio- nable Integrity,) and in the Examination of their Advice : for fince all men are fallible, and may fome time or other, give Counfel with too great a reflection upon particular Ends of their own, he would never receive any but that which he did clearly perceive to aim directly at his and the Common Intereft. If after publick Debates he did yet doubt concerning that Opinion to which he inclin'd, he would privately con- jure fome of thofe who differ 'd from him, to tell him freely the Reafons of their Advice; which they would moft willingly do, knowing that Anaxagathui never efteem'd thofe his Friends, who out of fear of con- tradicting his Inclination would conceal what they knew concerning his Good* By this means he fecured himfelf againft Flat terns, and made the Book v. 215imibolio and 2Hranm» $$ the utmoft Improvement of his Friends Abilities. To his Warinefs in Da- liberation he added Stedfaftnefs in his Refolves, and Diligence in the Exe- cution of his Purpofes. In his Carriage he exprefs'd a Majeftick Gravity,oever condescending to fuch Actions as import lownefs of Soul, diminifh the Veneration of Royalty, orexpofe his Perfon to any Contempt ; yet he always manife- sted (b much Serenity and Sweetnefs, that he incurr'd no Hatred by the mod fevere Exercife of his Regal Power.Knowing that it is eafler to pre- vent Hatred then to regain Love j and that Malice cannot be flighted without fome Hazard, he declin'd avoidable Offences. He ever match'd Clemency with Greatnefi of mind, knowing that Mercy (hewn by one: that hath great Power doth unfpeakably oblige 5 and that it was never any Advantage to a Prince to be hated, which is always the Effect of Cruelty. When any Favour was beftow'd, he ever let the People fee that it proceeded freely from his own Goodnefs j and when Rigour was exercis'd, which was but feldom, they faw it was a neceflary Punifhment of Sins which ought not to be pardon'd. There is no Reafon of juft Infamy, for which Princes do fometimes re- ceive a difhonourable Character in the Book of Fame, which he did noc well obferve and carefully avoid. He was very curious of his Converfati- on,left it wanted the juft Ornaments of every Moral Virtue } becaufe he knew that Princes cannot hide their Actions,and that it was no alTurance that he had done well, becaufe none durft reprove him. He was un- willing alio to make an Example againft the Law, and let his fubjects fee that it is was poffible for fin to be unpunifhable. He would make Qoufeofan Arbitrary Power, though his People knew it was their du- ty not to refift him 5 neither did he think he loft any thing of his Power by not doing every thing which he might. Whilft the King ftrictly obferv'd the eftablifh'd Laws , the People learn'd Obedience from his Government. His great Care of his Subjects fafety made them perform their Duties with an unfpeakable willingnefs : they efteem'd the King's Riches their Publick Treafury , and when they pay'd their Taxes, acknowledg'd that they gave but a Little to fecure All. * AnaxagathtH lived alwayes according to the Degree of a Prince: * As , 00 & give yet ma cag'd his Expences fo frugally, that they did never exhauft his Re- venue. For this there was great Reafon : for though Money was not the Sinews of his Wars, but rather the Love and Courage of his native Soul- diers 5 yet he knew they muft be pay'd when they are implov'd, and that with Silver a King may hire men as well as buy Iron with Gold. The truth is, he had little caufe to think of entertaining any forein Auxilia- ries, for he was fo entirely beloved at home, that he could not but be much fear'd abroad . His Subjects endear'd his Happinefs to themfelves, and made their Loyal Affections fo manifeft upon all Occafions, that Confpirators had as much reafon to expect punifhment, though they fhould accomplihb mifchief againft his Perfon, as they are always fearful when they deiign it againft other Princes. It was a Angular teftimony of the Prudence oi'AnaxagathuSy that he had obtain'd whatever belong'd to a Princes Security, when to the Majefty of his Perfon, the Defence of the Laws the Affiftance of his Friends,and the Strength of his Guards, he added the Univerfal Good-will of his People. Being affured of this, he flighted the vain Strength of chargeable Forts, maintaining only One in a weak place of his Frontiers, and that rather for Pomp then any Defence that he expected from it 3 Thus 3 o Jl&enttbaUo and (Urania. Book v o Thus did the Good King Anaxagathtts live in Glory, coutemning that poor Honour which fome weakly endeavour to perpetuate by Statues of frail Stone^for the Everlafting Image of his Virtues was fram'd in the Souls ofthofe which could not think upon him without Admiration. His whole Kingdom was his Theatre, and all his People Spectators, applauding his wife and juft Actions.There was no City in his Dominions which did not preferve his Trophies made of Conquer'd Hearts. This was Anaxagathut his Happinefsjand indeed what greater Felicity is there then to be able to impart Profperity to many others?Hisdifcreet Subjects thought themfelvcs happy too, for they faw that they enjoy 'd what freedom Mortal men are capable of s and they defired not that extravagant Liberty which the Igno- rant Multitude often talk of, fometimes rebel for,but never enjoy j ex- changing Obedience and Peace for Sin,War,and then juft Slavery under fuch as for their own ambitious Ends made them in love with Treafbn. Thus the Kingdom flourifh'd under Anaxagathtit, and they had no fmall grounds of Hope that it would never wither ■-, for as they could not enjoy a better King, fo neither did the King or the People dthre a more *AUvtt»f Hopeful Succefl'or then the moft Excellent Prince h Alethion, who was *"! hivl i '^e on 'y S° n °f Anaxagathns. I pray you, Cofiu, faid ^theonoe, with Mind. the leave of this good Company, fince you are (o good at Descriptions, will you give us a fhort Character of his Perfections ? by this means we (hall not only enjoy the pleafure of your Wit, but you will alfo detain us by a beneficial Delay from the hearing of that at which we are allu- red before-hand that we (hall be griev d. Though I have reafon to *jt»Htipir. blufh, replied * Amyntor, at one half of the reafon which you give for your Command, yet I will be obedient in the beft manner that my poor ability will allow. Aktbien was a Prince of a lively Complexi- on, fprightly Eyes, black Hair, curling naturally in handfome Rings, of a ferene Afpect, of a tall Stature, goodly Shape, and Princely Car- riage, of an obliging Converfation mix'd with Ma jefty. He had a quick Wit equall'd with a folid Judgment. He fpake with facility, and deli* vered extraordinary Conceptions in moft clear Expreflions. Thofe Connate Notions of Truth, which God hath beftow'd as a natural Glo- ry upon Rational Souls, did (hine in his bright Intellect likefixt Stars, unclouded with thofe ill-fented fumes of Luft which darken wicked Minds. To this Light he added whatfoever may be gain'd from Experi- ence enlarg'd with much conference and great Reading. He had a con- ftant Propenlion of (rrongDefirestoall excellent Attainments, a moft piercing Wit for the finding out of fuch means as would help to accotru plifh his End, and was unweariedly diligent in the ufe of them. That he omitted nothing which would make him Matter of his Nuble Defigns, was mauifeft in this, that neither the AvocatioDs of the Court, nor thpfe multitudes of Tentatious which allure Princes to Pleafure, but do ufual- ly betray them to Ignorance, were able to hinder him from an exact knowledg of the belt Arts and Sciences, which made him able to give a true Judgment upon any piece of Learning. It was one of his principal Recreations to difcourfe with Philofbphers, that is,fuch as he perceiv'd really to have advane'd the knowledg of God and his works,and were alfo perfected with that Wifdom which confifts in a fincere Belief of what God hath made known by Revelation : for he ac- counted it a ftrange kind of Vanity to pretend an eager defirc to find out Truth our Selves, and yet to flight that which God of his Grace hath re* veal'd to us for our Direction and Encouragement} that is,to pretend an Efteem for Books,and undervalue the beft of Books,the Sacred Bible. The great Book v. UbtntiWio and Albania* 3 1 great pleafure which he found by understanding the myfferies of Natural Philofophy, made him very Curious in the Contrivance and Life of thofe Inftruments which do further us in that Inquiry ,as Telcfcopes ? Tubes,and all other Mechanical Engines, He was very Liberal in allowances which are requiGte to make thofe Experiments upon which true Principles are founded,and by which they are proved, but which Princes only are able to beftow.GenerousNature in requital of thefeServicesdifcover'd to him all her Secrets 5 except fome few which (he yet refblves to conceal from Mortal eyes,and intended that in a fhort time he fhould be acknowledg'd by all the World as the Prince of Philofbphers. He made a firm League with all the Virtues, and was true to his en- gagement, never betraying any of them to fcorn in the whole Gourfe of his Aftions. He would often exprefs a pity for the Superfluous, and always declar'd a zealous abhorrence of Hypocrifie. He was the more to be admired in his Religion, becaufe as he was a devout worfhipper of the Supreme King of Heaven and Earth, fo the Sincerity of his Vir- tuous Diipofition did not grow upon any Erroneous Principle ; for his Regard of God did not fpring from Ignorance or panick Fear, thofe contemptible Foundations upon which Ingrateful Arheifts bottom Reli« gion, but from a clear Knowledg and true Love of that which is beft. He was the Paragon of Temperance, and Chaft to an Example, He had fuch a Generous Soul, that he could not only forgive an injury, but forget that he was wrong'd ; efteeming them very ordinary Chi- rurgions which cannot heal a wound without a Scar. By his practice he made others learn this true and noble fort of Revenge. He had an unfeigned Love of Truth, and would rather endure any Inconveni- ence then break his Work, and lofe any Defign which he could not gain but with the blemifh of his Honour, He had aa incomparable Forti- tude, whereof he gave infinite proofs, and did ufually forget himfelf to be a Prince when his Friends ftood in need of his Courage. He had a Prudence which taught him to make ufe of every thing that was aa Advantage to any important Bufinefs, and this he attain'd by much Ex- ercife. At Home in times of Peace, when the moft excellent Souldi* ers have little to do, he would walk in the Field with them, anddif- courfe concerning Military Affairs, make them train their men, repre- fent ferious War in jocular Skirmifhes 5 and having view'd divers forts of Ground; ask Queftions proportionable to their diverfity of Situation; fuchasthefe: If an enemy (would he lay) had not minded the Advan- tage of that Hill, How might we gain it ? Or if he poflefs'd it,and we were plac'd in the lower Ground, how fhould we affault him ? If he worfted us, by what means might we be able to retreat in order ? If we had the better of bim, how might we make the beft improvement of the Victo- ry in a purfuit } From fuch Inftances going on to other Chances which happen in War, he made Demands, receiv'd their Anfwers, and replied. By this means he attain'd fuch a clear fore- fight in Martial Affairs, that no cafe could eafily fall out for which he had not a Remedy provided. I have heard fome, which have had the happinefs to know him familiar- ly, fay, that of his own Country he had drawn fuch an exaft Map in his Mind, that he could talk diftinftly of all In-land places of Strength, and knew his feveral Ports, convenient Rodes, dangerous Shelves, and ufeful Faftneffes upon the Sea-Coafts, as well as if he had dwelt in every place. He had one happinefs which Perfons of his Quality do not frequently enjoy , For Travelling Incognito, he faw the Courts and Camps of many Princes, . • 32 Jl&entlboUO and ^(anla. Book v Princes, where he had the opportunity to obferve the bcit A&ions, and alio to perform fome which made his Worth fhine through his Difguife. This made him admir'd in moft places where he fojournd.and he returu'd home inrich'd wtth variety of Experiments from them all. Before the Neceffity of any a&ual Adventure, he formed his Refolu- tions according tofuch Rules as wife Perfons had compos'd for all cafes in Speculation t, and coming to encounter diftafters at Sea and Land, he gave fuch Proofs of his Conftancy, that it was vifibleto all which knew him, that Chance had no power over his Virtue ; and that the fixt Tem- per of his great Soul did not rife and fall according to the weather glafs of external Accidents. He had fuch an undaunted Prefentnefs of a pre- pared Mind, that when he was affronted with any fudden alteration of Fortune, without any Confutation how he might make an efcape, he would immediately ftand upon his Defence. When he engaged in any Enterprife which concerned the King's fervice againft his Enemies, they made but a fcnall account of the Advantage, if in any thing they had the better of him -, for they knew he would foon repair it at their Coft : and when they were put to a Loft, though they knew he always purfued his Viftory, yet they were not much deje&ed ; for they were fure that no fuccefs did ever make him Infolent. The King his Father having perceived byafhort Experience that his Son was made up of all thofe Accooiplifhments that he had put into his Prayers for him, taking notice that it was a hard task to determine whe- ther his Body or Soul had the Advantage in thofe Gifts which were di- ftin&ly proper to them ; and having obferv'd that he was able to give as good Advice, and manage what was determin'd, with as much Prudence as any of his Senators, he made him one of his intimate Councel } and fee- ing that his Souldiers received not only Difcipline but Example from his Matchlefs Valour, he made him General of his Armies. The People were inamoured with his Perfections, and never look'd upon him but as the Glorious Mirror of all Priucely Graces.Their Happi- x A , K i Yjng. n efs being full to the top in * Anaxagaihus, they thought it moft needs k AUver of run over in b Alethion. They could not look at the Father as a fetting Sun, Truth. vvhilft they feem'd to fee him rife and fhine more glorioufly in fuch an Heir. Their honeft Hopes were not ill-grounded, though the Prince's Ex= cellencies had not the fame effetb in the Kings Mind which they had in the People's. Yet thofe were not their Natural Produfts,but oblique Re« fentments caus'd by finifter Reprefentationsmade by a Cofin of Alethion , <■ jtttAtitigoitr whofe name was c AntitheusMe envying the Prince becaufe he was Co juft- AtbeiH.^ jy Great,brought the King into fufpicion that he aym'd by indirect Means to be unjuftly Greater. The Excefs of Virtue in Alethion upbraided him with his own Defefts, and thelmbccillity of his Malicious Wit could de- vife no other way to be reveng'd, but by endeavouring to make the King believe that his Son valued thofe Excellencies which were taken notice of in him only as things which made his Father LzU.Antitheus had a Nature unfpeakably Ambitious, and that made him discontented with his condition in the Court, though it was much too good for Co unworthy a Perfon. He fancied that there was no Happiuefs in the World but to feefwarms of officious People prefs about him, and await his pleafure with uncovered heads. He defpis'd the beft Eftate of Subjects as a gilded Slavery, and efteem'd it Poverty of Spirit to be willing to be govern'd j and had entertain'd fuch falfe Principles to accomodate his proud Humour, that he made no qucftion but it was his Right not to o- bey any longer then till he could get power to Command, & concluded that Book v. Jl&entibalio and Crania* 33 that no Method was unlawful by which he could make himfelf Supreme. This Temper carried along with it a Malicious Envy againft his Equals, and poflefs'd him with an habitual Malignity againft his Superiors. He made account that he had but two considerable Impediments in his wayj (for other matters he thought he fhould eafily diffipate with a puff of his Breath) and thofe were the King, becaufe he was in the prefcnt Poffeffi- on of Royalty, and the Prince : and this latter troubled him moft, both becaufe he had a Strong Antipathy againft his Heroical Soul 3 and becaufe he knew that though the King were dead, yet he would furvive in the Prince : fo that he could never look at the flourifhing ftate of" Altthion, *AUvirof but as that difuial Coffin in which he himfelf was buried alive. Tru,h - In thofe Intervals of Rt flexion which force themfelves into the thoughts of great Sinners, he would fometimes fay to his friends. But what is this which I attempt r* How can I forget my Uncle ?Why fhould I injure my Colin? I muft trample upon Fealty, abandon Gratitude,defpife nearnefs of Blood, banifh all refpeefs of Piety out of my Mind, and fup- prefs the pains which my Confcience makes me feel. Thefe troublefome Considerations, and the various Difficulties which he was to incounter, gave mighty checks to his Hopes : yet he had fuch unfatiable defires to go forward, that he refolved to try all Poffibilities, and either to accom- plish his Defign, or perifh more contentedly in the attempt : Hoping withall that if he could not rife to the Height at which he aim'd, yet he fhould make the Prince fall with him •-, and imagin'd foolifhly that if Sue* cefs did anfwer his Expectations, he fhould be able to hide his Sins under the Profperity which he fhould then enjoy, and obtain pardon for his bold Wickednefs by a Title which whilft he poflefs'd nouedurft deny to be good. He had divers Friends which not only knew his Temper, but having peculiar Difeontents of their own were difaffefted cowards the prefent State of Affairs, which they wifh'd altered, in hopes to rife pro- portionably to the Advancement of their Patron 5 and they promis'd themfelves a more probable Succcfs, becaufe * Atttitheus was the next *AHAntigtd. Heir but one to the Crown. Antitheui found no means fo fit for his purpofe as to implant a deep fufpicion in the King's thoughts againft the Prince.* Anaxagathm having * Agnizing. a fearful Nature, his Mind was a foil too fit for Jcaloufie, and Antithens doubted not but he fhould be able to make it grow, whilft he and his Accomplices nourifh'd it with much Artifice,* and that in time it would bring forth the fruit which he defired. The more he confidered,the more difficult he found his task : for the Prince managed his Command with fuch prudent Innocence,that Antitheus had nothing but mifconftrued Vir- tue to form into an Accufation j and the King having great Affections for the Prince, it was not eafie to make a Father ceafe to love fuch a Son, who by his Excellencies attracted the Love of all men. This fore'd An-' tithens to ufe his Wits to prepare matter for the Prince's Ruin, and his patience to await fome lucky feafon when he might throw a Iparkinto it to blow it up, and yet fo undifecrnedly, that none fhould be able to fay from what hand it came : Knowing that bold Falfbood cannot on- ly impofe upon fhallow Judgments or weaker Courage, but upon Wife men too, if the opportunity be watch'd wherein they alfo will be weak. That his Intentions might net be known, he hid them under a deport- ment full of civilities towards the Prince, and took all occafions to give hfm humble refpeft, efpecially in the King's prefence 3 but by his Agents he fecrctly undermin'd the King's affections to his Sod, and raif reporting his Defigns with many falfe furmifes, he endeavour- F ed 34 2ldentttroUO and (Urania, Book v. ed with thele, like (harp Darts wing'd with Fame, mortally to wound his • ji Uvtrof Reputation. Hi let a falfe Glofsupon all a Alethion's A&ions, fome of Truth. which could not but be capable of different Conftructions : It being a hard matter for a Perfon of his Quality and Employment fo to deport himfelfin the concurrence of various Circumftances, that one which ob- ferves him with a malicious Eye,fhall uot be able to make a fiuifter Inter- pretation of a moft fincere Intention. » a mrfifptr b iheofebius the King of c Theoprepia. being invaded by the ' Ihtroma-. tfGod. ckiansAr&d fent to e Anaxagathus to defire his affiftance; Anaxagathut re- 'sH* """* fented his Condition, and fent I he young Prince Akthion to his relief, d lighting who perform'd many admirable Atlions, and in particular refcu'd the *j nS oodKi»g Perfon oitheofebius when he was ieclos'd in a Troop ofTheromachians, and foencourag'd hisSouldiei- by his Example, that the iheromachians were all kill'd or taken. He ttay'd a while in Theoprtpia ; and though he returr/d Victorious, it W3, mutter'd againft him, that whilft he was ab- fentwith the Army, he carefs'd theSouldiers with extraordinary Fa- vours, exprefs'd more then ufual civility in his words and carriage; and that they not only obliged with his Bounty, but infinitely taken with a prudent Courage of which he had given moft fignal proofs in the Con- duel of the Fight, cried him up with fuch words as are only fit to be giveu to Emperours. This was fuggefted to make the King believe that his Son was infinitely Ambitious, to make him fufpefr his Loyalty, and look upon him as one that thirfted after the Government. The Difturbance which A- naxa^athus receiv'd from thefe Reports was much eDcreas'd by the Peo« pies Acclamations,which he fancied as Ecchoes to the Voice of the Army: For they extolling the Perfon and Aftions oi Alethion JzzWovj'd upon him the greateft Praifes and fignifications of higheft Admiration as he pafs'd along the Streets 3 and as they came near to the Palace, the King took no* tice of all that was done from a Balcony. tAgeedKAtg. Then was a Anaxagathut indifpos'd with too much Profperity 5 He b jtrjirtf thought himfelf miferable when he was only too Happy, like thofe who * Mh " are blinded with over- much Light ; whilft b Alethion was in danger of an Eclipfe, becaufe he fhin'd too bright : So the Athenians beftow'd Oftra- cifms upon thofe which were too Virtuous. The King had but a few Ho- lidays after this fight, for he entertained a tormenting paffion which con- tinually gnaw'd his heart and turn'd every the moft innocent Acci- dent into a moft corrofive nourifbment for it felf. In a (hort time the VenemousArTetiionfhew'd its power in very malignant Effects : for the King, without any Caufe known to the Prince, would exprefs himfelfin fuch rough Language,and accompany it with fuch unpleafing Looks, that Alethion could not but perceive that his Father was abus'd with untrue furmifes.This did afflict the Prince^yet he having a great Soul,and that for. tified witha fpotlefsVirtue,difIembled his Grief, entertain'd Patience.till God and Time fhould cure his Fathet's mifhkes. Aiutxagathtts todif- 'AnAthttn. charge the trouble of his Doubts, unhappily reveal'd his mind to c An- titheus, who being too well vers'd in the Art of Diffimulation, pre- tended a great belief of the Prince's Loyalty; and though he con- fefs'd that he had heard things which were moft extremely difhonou- rable, if they were true, yet he advis'd the King to repute them, as he himfelf did, falfe 3 adding that a fhort time would probably give a clear Refolution of that which was at prefent doubtful. The King left it fo at that time, and Antitheus went no further in his Difcourfe, becaufe though he law a ftrorg Jealoufie kindled in the King's Brtaft, yet he was unwilling to blow it up into an open flame ? fearing that for want BookV. 3fcentibolio and (Iftama, 35 want of fufficient Fevvel it would be extinguifh'd without doing that mil- chief which he intended to the Prince. Whereupon having eoter'd into confutation with d Dogmapornet his Friend, and one that loved not the d ^ "/"'»'«« of Prince, they refolved upon a new Device } and that was to write a Letter "jw»jhippit in Alethions Name, and direct it to e Theofebius the Prince of { Theoprepia, of God. whofe matter fhould be form'd to advance thefufpicion of Anaxagathvs, ^fJ^W* and put him upon fome fuch Action which they might ufc for a fair Intro- duction to their main Defign. *Aletkion had not only made a common Amity with b Theofebius, but a a Low of contracted fuch an intimate Friendship with him, that they were no lefs f™"*' dear to each other then to themfclves 3 and both to teftifie and prefervc of God". their Affection, kept a confhnt Correfpondence. It happen'd alfo that Jlethion, during his fray at Phronefium, had entertain'd a great Affection for the Princefs c Agape, the Sifter of Theofebius. The knowledg of thefe c P>**'*j. Accidents was but too fubfervient to d Dogmapornet, for he had a faculty J^ a ^ a . of forming any Characters which he had ieen before. In confidence of pinions fit »ij this Art he undertook to imitate the Prince's hand fo exactly, that he-^*"' fc/ - fhould not be able to know it from his own. He had an Acquaintance * a crafty rw- with one call'd e Panurgus, who was well known to f Siopelus, Alethions 'o w ' Secretary. Him they order'd to vifit Siopelus, and to watch an oppor- yTh^p/Jll tunity, when he found the Secretary engag'd in earneft bufintfs, to fix the Prince's Seal to the Letter, and then pretend that he found the Letter by chance, and give it to Dogmapornet when he fhould fee him with the King, unto whom Dogmapornet was to prefent it. The words carried this fenfe. Mod Uluftrious Prince Theofebius^ FT* HE Love which unitet our hearts ; hath made it impoffible that I Jhould ■*- not be always Tourt. The truth upon which our Friend/hip it founded, will not permit any Condition to mal\e a diminution of our Affehiont. If it were not a Refervedneft unbecoming our Relation, I would not give you the trouble of knowing my prefent State. lam afflicJed by my father to gratifie his Enemies, who have wickedly brought him into «n unjuli fufpicion of my Loyalty. It doth fumethtng aUonifh me to find my (elf a Grief to him whop Joyes J would redeem with the lofs ofwhatfoever it dear unto me. Although t am more apprehenfive for his difiurbance, then for any mifchiff which it may pofftblyworkjome\ yet J am not fo out of Charity with my Innocence, as to abandon it carehfly to undeferved Ruine. I hope I have difcovered the Ground upon which my danger is built 5 and when lflull havejprung a Mine which I have layd under it, I doubt not but that which now threatens me will be torn up by the Roots* At prefent I need nothing but your Prayers, as eccafionfervetyoufoali hear further from, ... Your molt affectionate and faithful Lover, 1 'ALETHION. *juv»tf Truth. The next day the King took b Antitheus into the Garden to talk with b An M " B ' him concerning the former bufinefs, which was never out of his thoughts, and ask'd him if he had yet receiv'd any further notice of Alethion's De- figos No,replied Antitheus ,only they fay the Prince was much out of Hu-- F 2 mour 36 215entlb0U0 and (Urania* Book v. mour ycfrernight,rcfus'd to eat, and entertain'd fon.e of his Aflbciatcs in private difcourfc, and as he difmifs'd them.,which was very late,one over* heard him fay, I will, I will, for it is intolerable for a Prince to befo us'd \ I will rather die then be defpis' d* The King turning haftily about, ad vane'd but a few fteps in the walk which led towards the Houfe, before he "fbe tpmionof hw c Dogmapornes with two more of his Confederates coming towards 9 wborc h; m . Dogmapornes perceiving by the King's Countenance that he was exceedingly inceus'd, craved his Majeftie's pardon, alledging that he fhould not have prefumed to have invaded his Privacy, but that his ftr- *A worjhipper vant having found a Letter in the Street directed to d iheofebius the tfGod. Prince of iheoprepia, he thought it was his duty to bring it to the King. '■dgniKmg. c Anaxagathus oblerving it was feal'd with the Prince's Arms, was much troubled, efpecially having open'd it he found it written with his hand, as he thought, and faw his Name fubferibed to it. When he had read it, fuppofing he underftood what it meant by the Comments which he had receiv'd before hand, hefeem'd to be rapt into an aftonifhment, and after a while broke through his filence with Expreflions which fig- nified an infinite Anguifh. His words were fuch as thefe : O Lord ! how feeble a thing is Humane Felicity .. p3ffionate Air, and added. But all this I could bear, being but a common Lot b A lover *J incident to all Princely Fortunes : but that mi Son, but that b AlethioD/wa/d *** endeavour to afcend the Throne by my Fallot is intollerabU.lfwickedntffgrovo according to this proportion, it will be impojfible that the world 'fhould Jub/iji . Cod muft provide fome other Earth, andtranfport good mm thither ; for this will befd over-Jpread with Violence , that they will not be able to find any quiet Habitation in it. When ' Antitheus pcrceiv'd that the King had made a Paufe, know- < An Mnifc ing that it was his time to ftrike whilft the Iron was (o hot, he prayed the Ring to retire to his own Prudence, and rather wifely to think what he ought to do himfelf for the defence of his Intereff, then to complain fo paffionately of what was defign'd againft it by others, and feafbnably to ftop that which was ill begun from taking any further EfFccf. What then fhould I do ? faid Anaxagathus. You may (replied Antitheus) im= mediately fecure Alethion in one of your Caftles remote from the City, by which means you will difcourage his Accomplices, and gain time without danger to fearch to the bottom of his Defign. The King ap- proved his Advice, and gave charge to a Dogmapornes to carry Alethi- &fheopinkno} on to the Caftle which was under his Command. Dogmapornes not a »wt>tr*.j little glad that their Plot had taken fo far, made hafte, and with a felecl;. Guard of his friends march 'd prefently to the Prince's Palace, and ha- ving fecured the Avenues of the Houfe, went in to deliver his Mcffage, with a countenance which did more become fome friend who refented the Prince's Condition, then him that was theprincipalcaufeof his Affli- ction. When he had told the Prince that it was the King's pleafure (hat- he fhould prepare himfelf to go to that Caftle whereof he call'd himfelf at that time the unhappy Governour 5 the Prince being of a Magnani- mous Temper, and taught by Prudence to receive without Amazement the moft unexpected Events, ask'd Dogmapornes what time was allow'd for preparation. You muft be gone prefently, anfwered Dogmnpornes* But may I not fee my Father firft } faid the Prince. No, replied Dog- mapornes, the King is much incens'd, and charg'd me upon my Life to fee his Command anfwer'd with prefent Obedience. I will perform it by God's help, faid the Prince ; for how much foever he is miftaken in the Caufe of his Anger, I will embrace the Effects of it with Patience 5 add- ing, But, Dogmapornes, do you not guefs the occafion of this fudderj Order } No, faid Dogmapornes $ for being haftily fent upon this unac- ceptable Errand, I only heard fome of thofe which flood by talk of a Letter, which being intercepted reveal'd lomething of a Defign againft the King, in which I fuppofe that they imagined that you are interefs'd* Though the Prince could not divine what they meant by the Letter, yet he fa w plainly that fome had abus'd the King, and did endeavourto ruine himfelf ; whereupon his thoughts concerning this Affair gave them- felves breath in thefe words : Proud Error ! Will no other lodging ferve thee but the Breafis ofKingi^Is it not Viclory enough to ahufe all the inferior iVorld with mifiakesfinlefitbou doji alfofjew the malicious power of triumphant Lies in 5 8 j&enttboUo and (Urania. Book v. in the Ruine of Innocent Frinces ? How hard is it for Kings ml to be deceived who are fore d to fee with other mens Eyes, or to ufefuch colour d Speftacles as they are pleas 'd to provide for them, who never meant that theyfjould have a. true fight of things A Lovn of to ' Alethion but by the King's order. Hereupon b Mtfopfeudes, a prudent trmb. Senator, and one of the Prince's friends, fearing that the Mutiny of the rtiibad! Army would turn to Alethion s prejudice, told them, that as there was no doubt of the Prince's Innocence, fo he made no queftion but that he would be fpeedily freed from his Imprifonment ; and, to quiet this Hu- mour, he added, that nothing could more confirm the fuipicioti which was already entertain d concerning the Prince's guilt, then in a Rebelli- ous way to attempt his Vindication. Having thus appealed the vio- lence of the ftorm, he returned to the King to intercede for the Prince, When he was come to the Court, he found them all furpriz'd with an un- couth Book v, Bcnrinolio and *o4. him not to make any peremptory conclufion in his mind concerning the \.f l° ver ^ Prince's Difloyalty : adding, that though Letters were found, yet poffi- bly the Prince might not write them 5 mentioning alfo the great Grief which the King's Subjects had conceived for the Prince's Reftraint 5 and ended with intreaties which they made to the King to give his Son leave to come to him, that fo he might have an opportunity to clear himfelf from his Accufations. What? replied the King, do not I know my Son's Hand and Seal? Shall I not believe my own Eyes? Shall I nottrufl my own Judgment, when I fee fo much caufe to doubt the fidelity of fuch as have the leaf! reafon in the world to be unfaithful ? Do you tell me of the peoples Affeftions ? then it feems my Son hath engaged them againft me; but I will take care that he fhall not head their Rebellion. c Anaxagathus c A good ^,ng, was fo far from accepting their Mediation, that fufpefting they were con- fcious of fome Defign, he commanded them to be arretted and commit- ted prifoners to the'r lodgings in the City ^but by the advice of J Antithe-. * j» AthtHt. US) who feared they might caufe (ome disturbance, he feot them into the Country, and confin'd them to their Houfes, charging them not to return to Court without leave upon pain of Death. Within four days ' Dogmapornes came back, having fecured the Prince e the opinion of under the Cuftody of f Apronam his Lieutenant. The next morning after a f ^ h e ore ' ho ie his Return one of his Souldiers brought news that the Prince, impatient of »ks God's Pro- his Prifon, had difmifs'd himfelf from that and his Life both at once, by vii,nct - throwing himfelf from the top of a high Tower into the River which ran by the Caftle.This Report was brought according to an agreement made between Anti:beus and Dogrvjpornesfor they durttnot immediately mur« der the Prince, fearing the King's mind might change. Though the news was falfe,they looked upon it as ferviceable to their Purpofe, which was, as foon as they could, to deftroy the King } and having done that,to ufe this report as a fair colour for that which they meant to do next.For they refolved then privately to do that themfelves which they now affirmed the Prince to have done, and fo make one Siu a Difguife for another. When 4° TOntiboIio and Crania* Book v. When this news came to the King's Ears, it is eafie to imagine what grief it convey 'd to his already-diftreflcd Heart '■> but the .'fli'clion was jnfiui ely encreas'd by an Accident which happened ant) ur 01 two be- fore the MefUnger came : For Sagax the Captain of the l'rince'sGuard^ deeply refenting his Mifter's Condition, negle&ed no diligence in en- deavouring of his Deliverance $ and knowing that the Lettfr alledg'd as hisCrime was a Forgery, he thought he could not take a better courfe then to employ his pains in thedifcovery of him thatcontriv'd this En- gine. Whilft he was advifing with his thoughts how he might accoms plifhthis, one that was an under-Clerk to the Prince's Secretary came to him,and exprefling the fame affection which Sagax had for their common * a crafty id- Mafter, he told him that he believed one a Panurgus had a hand in the '«"• framing of this Letter, and that he faw him one day, when the Secretary was in earneft difcourfe with fome Gentlemen which came to him from the King, put the Princes Seal to a Letter ^ and when he ask'd Panurgus what he did, he replied, that he only feal'd a Commoiiflion, which the Secretary had defired him to do, becaufe it requir'd hafte. The Captaio of the Guard having heard this ftory, ask'd him if he would depofe what he had faid, before the King* Yes, laid he, with all my heart. When the King heard this, he fent for Panurgus, and caufed him to be examin'd be- fore him} and being ask'd what the Commiflion was which he fealed at the Secretaries defire, he denied that ever he fealed any : The Secretaries Clerk attefted that he did, and offered his Oath to confirm the truth of fc Aiwir »f what he faid. The King's Anger beginning to relent towards b Alethion tmtb. nc commanded Panurgus to be rack'd. When he had felt fome fbarp Torment, he confefs'd the Truth. Being ask'd who employ 'd him in that wicked enterprize, he anfwered, he undertook it for fuch Reafons as pleafedhim: adding, that fioce he had acknowledged his own fault, they might give him what puniftiment they thought good ; but that he was refolved to fuffer without endangering others. The King having notice of his words, promifed him Pardon if he would difcover thofe which had encourg'd him to this wickednefs. He.anfwered defperate- ly, that he defired not to be pardoned for that which he had done, and wasfo far from repenting of it, that if it were needful he would endea- vour to do it again. Whilft they encreafed the pains of the Racket hap ; pened that an Impofthume broke in hisftomach and choak'd him. The King understanding by this means that the Prince was abus'd, though he knew not particularly his chief enemies, was fo confounded with the miferable effect which his Credulity had produe'd, that he took all the blame to himfelf,accufed himfelf of Folly and Injuftice,abandon'd himfeif to difconfolatenefs, and not being able to contain the intolerable anguifil of his Mind,he gave breath to his Paflions in thefe words:/2 is now time for me to dy evince 1 have fain my Sonjhat I may hide thefoame of my un> juft Wrath in the dar/{Grave,lhave defiroyed my Son } my SelfmyFamily.I have killed Mcthionjecaufe be was accufed.O accurfedjealoujie/o unreafonable Suf- picion-j He was charged with fin Jbut did that mat\e him Guilty ?lht Letter feem- ed to be his handout 1 was not fure it was thejame.Did IthinkJ^Owtakriefs of my thought sl)that this was the firji Seal which was Counterfeited? Alas!. das ! Could I not havefeen him? ought I not to have heard him? If 1 had convinced him oftvicfydnejsjpouldnot his Repentance have given me fatisfaclion?lf he had affured me of his Innocence ■, would it not havefaved us both . of which we make no great doubt, if God be propitious to our endeavours. The unknown Gentleman obferving eminent Marks of Vertue in Bentivolio's Countenance, and being greatly taken with the Noblenefs which he had exprefs'd, pull'doffhis Helmet, and faid, Generous Stran- gers, I am Philalethet the Brother of JMifopJeudes whom you have fo civilly mentioned j I am confin'd to my Houfe, which is not far off, by the Ufurper Antitheus: 1 hope you will honour me fo much as to go home with me, though when you come there,I fhall be fore'd to crave your pardon if my prefent Condition will not allow you that Welcome in this Country which perfons of your Worth deferve every where. *dnHtiftr. Whilft he faid thefe words, he took notice of fuch Airs in * Animator's face as he had formerly well known, and added, If my eyes and Me- mory do not fail of their duty, you are Amyntor. Which he acknowledg- ing, * Philalethet embrae'd him with a paflionate kindnefs , and min- gling his falutation with tears, faid Amyntor^t did not ufe to meet after this manner at my Brother's houfe 5 but fince you have heard of our Affli&ions, you cannot wonder at what you fee. No, no, Philalethet, replied 'Jttvtrof Truth. *ji Hater tf Uljboti. * Akvn cf Tfttth. Book v. Jiaentibolto and Urania* 43 replied Am/ator,\ am not ignorant of your Affairs; and though I did not expect this (trange encounter : yet I etteem my felfhappy to have met fo foon my friend's Brother,whom I (hall never ceafe to love in defpight of thegreateft Misfortunes which often befall, but never leflen, the Bed men. But that you may know,dear Philalether, how happy we are in our Mifery, (I fay ours,for my friends is my own) know that we have in our Compaoy Bentiv olio^vhom I can commend unto you by no better words then by faying it is He* Philalethes (truck with a glad horrour,expres'd the fenfe of his Mind with all fymptoms of a pleafant Extafie,io thefe words: Good God ! How fhort are thofe measures by which we limit thy Power and Goodnefs? we reprefent nothing fo lively to our (elves as Afflictions; and when we have lome fmall occa(ion to doubt , make it a reafon of Defpair, forgetting that extreme Mifery is the only thing which makes thy help feafonable. Lord, for whom (ball I give thanks to thee firft? for the poor Prince * Alethion, or my felt ? I will do it for both. For my felf, becaufe thou c -* Uver of haft given me leave to fee a Perfon whofe Vertues all the world doth Tr * ' juftly admire ; but chiefly for the Prioce, becaufe now I make no doubt of his Reftauration, (ince God hath fern fuch a worthy Perfon to under- take it. Bentivolio aftonifh'd to hear Phihlethes talk of the Prince's Re- ftauration, faid, turning to Amyntor, Sure this Gentleman thinks that I am able to raife him from the dead. No, Bentivolio, replied Philalethes, there is no need of that; for, God be thanked, the Prince is yet alive : 1 meant What I faid, only of his Kingdom. Sure then, faid Amyntor, God hath feDt us hither toamufeus: butfincewe are only intangled in the Labyrinths of Divine Providence,! doubt not but he which hath brought us in, will lead us out by fome happy clue. In the mean whWe.Philalether, pray give us leave to reft our felves under this Oak, for we are weary with Travel, and you will do us a great favour if you let us know what made you come hither, who thofe are whom we fuppofe you have kill' d, and what is become of the Prince Alethion. You (hall quickly underftand thefe things.anfwer'd Philalethes y vi\\o having faluted * Nicomachus, fate *onetut>ocon- down by Bentivolio. Thofe fellows were Brothers to a Villain nam'd FJ^^/fr* * Panugus, who pretended to have taken up a forg'd Letter, for which Frffew! the Prince was imprifon'd; and either to revenge their Brothers death, for he died upon the Rack, to gratifie * Antitheut, or out of hatred to * An Athtin, my perfon as a Lover of Alethion , they came hither in hope to have murthet'd me.They laid their defign thus. One of my Brother's Servants (far what caufe I cannot tell) remain'd in the City,and thofe AfTafli nates taking notice of it corrupted him,I fuppofe, with Money, to come to my houfe yefternight, to tell me that two of my Brother's friends would be in this place to day about the time when I firft faw you, to impart fome Secrets to me which did highly concern us both, and therefore did ear. neftly defireme to give them a meeting. I knowing that the Meffenger was my Brother's fervant, and that thofe whom he nam'd were his mod: true friends, fuppofing that he brought no Letters becaufe it was not fafe towrite,believedhim,and came, but not without Arms, of which I foon found the neceffity.As I allighted from my Horfe, they made towards me with Swords,which they had hid under their Coats,and gave me a wound for a Salutation. Turning upon them for my defence,I had the good for- tune to kill one of them and wound the other ; which whenlperceiv'dj defired him to defift.and let me know for what Injury which they had re- ceiv'd from me, they fought reparation by this higheft fort of Revenge* But his Malice had made him fo greedy of my Death, that by (Hence and G * con- 4* ji&entibolio and cflrania. Book v. continuing to fight, I faw that if he could not kill me, he would live no longer.Nay then,faid ^youfhallbepleas'djand as youcame,fb youfhali go together. With a very few blows I fent him after his fellow-Murthe- rer.But as thefe Villains have fuffered more punifhment for their wicked attempt then I defired to have infli&ed upon them, IF it had pleas'd God otherwife to have delivered me from their Malice 5 fa I think my felf well appay'd for the hazard I have run, and nothing difappointed of my Ex- pectation,fince the Meflage is verified in a fence which they never inten- ded by this fortunate Encounter. Now let me entreat you to go along with me, and when we come to my Houfe I will tell you the ftory of the Prince, and defire your advice concerning the courfe which we are to take ; for it is a perplexed fca(6a.Bentivolio,who(c Prudence was al wayes *jiover»f awake,ftopping * PA*'»We/£« } faid,Sir, we are ftrangers,and do not know truth. wn3t Constructions may be made upon any Accident happening at our Arrival in fuch a Juncture of time." thereforeif you plea fe, ourlervants fhall throw thofe wretched Carkafes into that old Cole-pir, left fome Fo- refters finding the dead Bodies, give notice to the Countrey, which will make a general Alarm, and it may be trouble us all with an impertinent Hue-and-Cry. Philalethes approv'd the Councel, and as foon as they had put it in Execution, they betook themfelves to their Horfes. When they came to his houfe* Bentivolio told Philalethes^ that the firft expreffion of his Regard to them fhould be to fearch his own wounds. Upon the firft infpettion he found them not dangerous,and having quickly drefs'd them his Lady entcrtaio'd her unexpected Guefts with a fhort Collation ; yet they thought it long, becaufe it was fome hinderance to the accomplifh- ment of Philalethes his promife to tell them what was become ofthe Priace: which when the cloath was taken away he fulfilled after this man* ner. I understand by the difcourfe which we had in the Wood, that you *a gv>i Kjtig. have heard of the death of * Attaxagathut, who broke his heart with the Grief which feiz'd upon him when he heard the news of his Son's Death, of which he would never be convine'd but that himfelf was the princi- *A» Atbiin. P a ' Author.The day after Anaxagathus was dead, * Antitheui^ the Vene- * the opinion of mous Root upon which our Calamity grows, fent * Dogmapornes 9 one of +whort. liis Confedcratesjto the Cattle where the Prince was imprifon'd,with or- der to kill him privatcly,and throw him over the Rock, that fohis Body being afterward taken out of the River, might make good the Report which they had fpread abroad before concerning the manner of his Death, which by that means they foretold much after the Cuftom of Evil Spirits, which give Intelligence before-hand to Witches and other tfceir Correspondents of fuch mifchiefs as they refolve to do. When Dogmapornes was goDCyAntitheus and the reft of his Accomplices began to deliberate what was next to be done for the fetling ofthe King- dom. They determin'd prcfently to proclaim Antitheui King,as being ap- parently the next Heir to the Crown , and commanded upon pain of Death, that none but theSouldiersof his own Guard fhould appear in Arms, nor that the Citizens fhould meet in any Affembly upon pain of Treafbn, and fecured fuch as they knew to be Alethions friends. This I learn'd from one of my fervants, which efcap'd out ofthe City by night. Dogmapornes made all poffible hafte to his Caftle,to execute the wicked Commandment of Antithens, and kill'd fome horfes by the way^but when he came there he found himfelf utterly difappointed, for the Prince was gone the day before* How it cameto pafsl will acquaint you, formy Brother not being able to conceal from me fuch happy news longer then the time which the Meficnger rexjuir'd for his Journey to bring it, fent one Book v. JBzntiboiio and fllrania* 45 one of his Friends to me who was able to inform me perfectly, for he waited upon the Prince during all the time of his Imprifoument, heard his Difcourfes, and knew the manner of his Efcape. You muft under* (rand that the Prince waschiefiy intruded to the Cuftody of two Per* fons, a Aptonaus, who was Lieutenant of the Caftle, and b Diaporon who *Ont-wUit- commanded a Troop of Horfe under c Dogmapornet. Diaporon attended ""^f""" continually upon the Prince, Aprontus came only fometimesto fee that b o««wJ« he was in fafety. Diaporon was of a nature very averfe to Malice, and f^"- . ■ f though he had not the greateft parts,nor could make a perfect judgment a mJt""" of things by his own Ability ; yet his temper was not impregnably for- tified againft good Reafon. As he had at the firfl: no difaffe&ed refent- mentsofthe Prince's Perfon, for he had never difobliged him 5 (bio a fhort time he fell into a great Admiration of his Vertues .• and perceiving him not to be afflicfed with what he fuffered, he concluded inhimfelf that the Prince had no Demerits upon which Punifhment could take hold. Hefawafmooth Serenity inhis Looks, a great Contentednefs io his Speeches, and undifturb'd Equality in all his Converfation. He heard him often aflert his own Innocence, but without any other Expreflions except of pity for his abus'd Father. The arTe&ion which this Deport- ment produe'd in Diaporon's bread, poflibly augmented with fbmefur- mifes of unworthy Contrivances againft the Prince, in a fhort time grew foftrong, that it made him heartily wifh that he might be lb happy as to work his Deliverance. As he was routing one day how he might accomplifh fuch a hard At- tempt,he thought it was beft to communicate his Mind to Apronaut^ for that he thought it necefTary to the Prince's Efcape that Apromznt fhould afiift him 3 or at leaft connive at the Defign.Though he was fbmething im- bolden'd to reveal thisfecret to Aproeaus, by that intimate Friendfhip which a long Acquaintance had contracted between them, yet he found the matter of that Importance,that he could not refolve prefently what todojboth being doubtful how Apronaus would refent fuch a high pro* pofal, and alfo being well afiured that if he did difguft it, he fhould not only ruine himfelf,but utterly undoe all further hopes of the Prince's De- liverance: and thereupon refolv'd to do what waspoffible in his fiogle endeavourj&chofe rather to take any courfe for the Prince's refcue,tljen to leave him to that danger which was unavoidable in the place where he was. Whilft he was floating upon thefe Deliberations,* Aprorueus came to * out vticde- vifit him, and perceiving in his Countenance fymptoms of difcompofed *><"Prtvi- Thoughts, (for he came upon him fo fuddenly jthat he could not wipe out '""' the Picture of his Mind which his PafTion had drawn upon his Face,.) he demanded the caufe of his Melancholy. Nothing troubles me, replyed * Diaporon ^oidy I prefented to my felf the various Accidents of humane *o»*tuhs Lift:fckas 1 was attentive upon my Imngination,the unhappy ftate of our iottbu. young Prince appear'd before me with ftrange mixturesjand I could rvot but wiQi tb3t either a Perfon of fuch a brave Spirit had trot ftain'd his In* nocence with any unhandfome Defigns, or that fo great a Vertue were not unworthily clouded .• And I began to wonder how Vice of late was grown fo ftrong that it could endure to be punifh'd.or why Vertue fhould be fo weak that it is not able to fhine through the plaufibility of falfe Ac- cufation. kw ay ,Diaporon fold Apron&us, with thefe Philofophical follies. Thou art alwayes troubling thy head with Religious Dreams. To what purpofe doft thou believe that vain Diftinciion of Vertue and Vice, and meditate upon thofeufelefs notions of Reward and Punifh« meut . a r j De> we foall be fore'd to believe that this World wasmadetonopurpofe. Ifitbenot our Portion,to what end was it created ? The Prince anfwer'd,Be not apt to think that this World was made in vaJByAprottaut, although it is not our Happinefsj though we may not make a God of it : yet it ferves to excellent ufesjt is a temporary Ma- cifeftation of Almighty Goodnefs and Wifdom in Material things. The Corporeal world is an Image of God.and (hews what he could do in Mat- fer. According to the fevcral Pofiibilitics of Reception,God hath made his Omnipotence to reach all Degrees of Beeing 5 fo this Fabrick doth, as all excellent Machines do,difcover the Worth and Ability of their Maker* I think God is fo vifibly reveal'd in the Creation, that I may fafely pros Bounce that an Athieft is not only Ingrateful,but a Fool. However God did never intend that we fhould adore his work inftead of Him; and what greater Adoration then to court it as our Happinefs ? By this Difcourfe, faid Apronens^ you feem to have an indifferent fenfe of thofe conditions of Life which we think very contrary, and poffibly you have arrived at the Stoical Apathy. No, Apronmt, replied the Prince; Virtue doth not ftupifie Good men, and fo make them infenfible of the Differences of objects. Though many things are extreamly Ridiculous, and the Accidents of Humane Life in very many Inftances contemptible ; yet conlidering our Conftitution, I grant that fome ftates of Life are fo fram'd that they are a Trial of Refolved memand it is all the praife which we can give to great Adverfityj that it is the exercife of Virtue and the proof of ftrong Spirits. Man is an Amphibion^xt Soul, and part Body^nA as by this means he hath different Capacities, which have divers Objects fitted to them,hc is put upon his Trial both by profperous and adverfe en- tertainments. We are plac'd between fenfual Amours and the muddy Dec lights of the Flefb,on one hand^and the pure Spring of Increated Good- nefs, and thofe Ghryftal fireams of Knowledg and Virtue which flow from him, on the other 5 and we are under the probation of our Wifdom and Ingenuity : and we come off with honour if we holdout the Com- bat of Flejh and Spirit, overcome Body with Soul, and fubduc Pajjion with Reafon 5 which we then only do, if we love the God which hath made all things above his beft Creatures. Thofe who have devoted themfelves to fenfual Pleafures, have only glutted therrTelves with for- bidden Fruit, and are fb far from being happy, that they are manifeft- ly overcome with the Spirit of the Senfible World, which in time will Triumph Book v. Benribotta and ilHirama. 5 1 Triumph over them, and having reproch'd them for their Folly and Co* wardly fubmifIioas,at laft throw them headlong from the Banks of Time into the vaftHorrours of Eternity, where it is not peffible for them to hope for a good Reception with God, whom all their Life they have flighted for every vain Toy. Good men are not infenfible of what is beneficial to Nature ia thofe tbiogs which are mifcall'd Happinefs, but they know that their chief Ad- vantage lies in a right ufe of them, which confifrs in Moderate, Charita- ble and Thankful Applications. They look upon ail created Goodneffes as God's Meifengers, and are led by them to God 5 whilft others mi- ftake'em for God that lent them, with as grofs an Ignorance as if a rude Peafant newly come to the Court, fhould take the firft man which he meets there in brave Cloths for the King. By this you may perceive, A' pro/fteHfj that whilft virtuous men are provided of this true Notion of Profperity, that they cannot be ignorant of the Nature of Adverfity, or ever be fo feniible of auy thing which it can do, as to think that they are made Unhappy by it,unlefs they fhould fall into fuch a want of Difcourfe, as toefteem themfelves made miferable by the Abfence of thofe things, which did not make them happy being prefent with them. It's true,Ad- verfity changeth the Scene and 'gives them other Parts to Ad:, that is, re- quires them to exercife fome other forts of Virtue then they did before > but the Aclors.are the fame. A good man in Affliction is no more impair'd in point of Felicity, then a ftrong man is weakoed upon a Theatre where he only fbews his Strength.If his Sufferings grow extraordinary,he knows that great Trials are neceflary to make great Examples 3 and as he re- flects Honour upon the Gaufe of his fuffering from Innocence, (b he de«« rives Conlblation into the manner of it from Patience. I have read the Stories of fuch as have defpifed no fmall Affliftions with a Generous dip regard. Archimedes was not fo diftra&ed with the extream dangers of Sjraettfe, as to make him leave his Figures. Did not Arijiides write his own name in one of the Shells of Proscription, and would have done it - in another ? Did not Cicero rejoyee that he was' banifh'd from Rome . They deferve it. If they be not, we are equal to them. If they be worfe, let us hold our peace and be thankful, we are preferr'd before them. I might alfb tell you, Apronaus, that as Good men are not made unhap- "*■ Py by Adverfity, fo many of thofe whom you fee affli&ed are not Good men, though they feem to be fuch. They may be bad enough which are fo cunning as to conceal it. But no Mask can blind the Divine Eye. If it be unjuft to punifh Good men, which God doth not ; it is unreafonable for bad men to complain, though he do. We ought of no cafe to make a Judgment againft the Jufticeot God's proceedings ; for though he makes Punifhment fufticiently difcernable in fome Examples, yet he many times doth not acquaint us with the Caufe why it is infli&ed. I am afraid, Good Prince, faid Apron£us t that I fhall weary you with my trifling Obje&ions : if you will pardon my importunity, I will only trouble you with demanding an anfwer to fbmetbing which I propoun- ded in the beginning of this Difcourfe. It may be Good men are happy, as you fay; but methinks it were fit that wicked men, if there be any, fhould be punifh'd. For whilft they are in Profperity, as I told you be* fore, it is hard to believe that there is any God that cares how things go here. Do you think then that they are not punifiYd > replied the Prince. Do you think they are lb highly privileg'd in their profperity ? Btfide what I have faid already to prove that the Material World is unable to fatisfic the greater Appetites of the Soul, and to fhevv how uncertain that fmall pleafure is which men fometimes feem to take in their vain Dreams, there are other Reafons which demonftrate to me that wick- ed men cannot be happy. God hath interwoven Vexation with their moft profperous Conditions; Infeparable Imperfections do conftantly moleft them,and they are frequently affaulted with unexpected Accident?, by BookV. ^enfibolfo and Crania* 53 by which means they are never fecure, never at cafe. I think this but a fmall matter and common to all which partake of the fame eftates with them. But becaufe they are Wicked, they are for that very Reafon Un- happy : Wickednefs is its own greateft PuniQimenr, neither can Punifh- ment be fo properly demonftrated as by the Nature of Sin. Reafon and Virtue are the Glory of Humane Nature^ck as it hath a rare content in the Difcourfes of Wifdom : fo in the performance of A&ions (u table to Vir- tue it finds an Acquiescence like unto that which things have in their pro* per place. But he which breaks thefe Laws, offers violence to the No- bleft Principles of his Soul 5 and they are fo interwoven with the Efience of it, that he which affronts them, endeavours to degrade himfelf. Thole repeated Aft ions which induce Habits of fin, deprave the Sonl, and fink it into a bafe State of Being, fometimes making it to wallow in Mud with brute Beafts, and fometimes throwing it into that fiery Pit where Proud and Wrathful Spirits are tormented. The fhame that is faften'd to alt wicked Aftions (hews that they are naturally bafe. Let a man fin never fo privately,as ravifh a Virgin,or rob a Traveller in a Wildernefs 5 though there be no witnefs to make him blufli, yet when he thinks what he hath done, heisfenfible of the Nature of Honefty which he hath wrong'd; and the Prevarication is odious, becaule the Law which he hath tran£ grefs'd is the tranfeript of eternal Righteoufnefs written in the Heart of Man by God when he made Humane Nature; and he can have no plea- fure to remember that he hath done an A&ion fo difagreeable to Nature. That Sin is its own punilhment, is fo generally true, that a man can neg* left the Rules of Vircue in nothing, but he is weaken'd and debas'd ia Soul, or Body, or both. But left bold Menfliould flight this Turpitude, and think to make 4 Compenfation for fome dillike of themfelves by the pleafant diverfions which Sin allows, God hath made it impoflible to be undifturb'd in Wic- kednefs, by reafon of the fharp Remorles of an evil Confcience. If they will fin, this will bear witnefs, and, if none elfe do, accufe, and hath Au- thority to condemn too, and it always fees its Sentence put in Execution. Thofe which are punilh'd by it, are burnt with a fullen flame, which tor* ments the Soul as a fevcrifh heat doth the Body, The Sparks of this fire may be hid in Embers, but it cannot be put out. It hath been formerly reprefented by Furies with burning Torches,and fometimes by the tbef- pejian Vipers } for a Sinner is ever gnaw'd by his Gonicience upon the re- membrance of an ill governed Life, They are very Ignorant which think there are no pains but fuch as are Bodily ; for the Mind is capable of grea* ter Torments. That which affiitts the Flefh is only fome prefent Pain g but the Soul is vex'd with that which is paft, with what it feels at prefent, and with the Fears of that which is to come. It's true, Jolly Sinners do what they can to make the World believe that they feel no fuch thing ; but how is that poffible ? We know that ElTential Principles are the fame in all Men : Wife men of all Religions have acknowleg'd a Confcience to be rooted in the Nature of the Soul, that is, a Power which animad- verts upon our Aftions, and condemns us for what we do amifs. This fevere Reprover, by blows which Sinners only feel, deftroys that Joy which they promife to themfelves in profperoui Wickednefs. This makes Murtherers take but little content in thofe Pofftflions which they have purchafs'd with the Innocent blood of thofe whom they have kill'd with the Violation of all Sacred Rights. If Sinners be well, what makes them ufc fo many Arts to palliate their ficknefs ? what makes them fo burthenfome to themfelves when they are alone ? what makes thens 54 2!5enttt)OUO and dUtania* Book v. them feek fo many diversions, but the hope fo to drive away this evil fpi- rit which haunts them ? Have not Tyrants kill'd or banifh'd all Wife and Good men they could reach,left they fhould have witneffes of their Ani- ons, becaufe their Confciences told them that they were urjuftifiable ? Haveootfome Vicious Perfons fought Refuge from thinking in perpetu- al Drunkcnnefs ? and others thrown away their lives, not being able to endure themfelves ? I thank God,I abhor defires of Revenge,and I think it is too Cruel to think of thofe who have wrongd me without great Pi. ty $ but I am affured, though neither God nor Man punilh them in this World, they will never be able to pardon themfelves. But I muft add to this which I have named, the Torment which awaits them in the other World ; the fear of that muft needs be a great Vexati- on, as it is an incomparable Pleafure to a good man that he hopes to be happy there. This expectation blafts the Delights of finners, and makes them but like thofe Recreations which condemn'd men enjoy in 1'rifons, who though they play at Cards or Tables, yet the Ropes about thtir necks fpoil their iport, whilft they continually put them in mind of being hang'd. I grant that Athiefts endeavour to blunt the edge of this Argu» ment by a flat denial of Immortality, and would willingly think that they are all dead in the other World, becaufe none ever came to them to give them notice of the contrary : but thofe faith-worthy ftories which report the Appearances of Spirits, and have told us of feme that have ri- fen from the Dead, put them many times into fuch agonies, that they would be glad to be allured of their Annihilation after this Life. When they venture to think ferioufly (which they dare but feldom doj they have fuch an unacceptable remembrance of what they have been, and fo much aflurance, that if there be any happinefs afterward, they fhall have no fhare in it, that to comfort themfelves they vote,That there is nothing after this Life. Theft fuffrages fignifie indeed their ftrong defires,but are no Arguments of a true Opinion concerning the Future ftate j but that uneafie Temper of Soul which makes them with fo, proves what I afferr, That they are not hippy at prefent. * o»ev>h» ie. It may be this is true, replied * Aproneut, and if it be, I confefs that iem Frevi- thofe whom you call Wicked are very uuhappy •-, yet it feems (till a kind of flur to that Government you fpeak of,that if they deferve that Punifh- menr , they have it not fooner* It is fomething which you fay of the for- mer forts of Torment which you have mentiou'd, but they are invifible, and fo little notice is taken of them by others j but if they were hurried to Execution as foon as they fio, it would ftrike a Terrour upon By-ftan- ders : but fince Vengeance is fo long in coming, they are incourag'd to fin by delay. Good mens Hopes are weaken'd, and they are ready to fay, If God neglecf his fervants, why fhould they worfhip him ? Juftice is blafphem'd, and the Force of Law enervated. If fome happen to be ftruck fooner, it is but as Thunderbolts fall, by chance : And who can imagine but they do ? for they often cleave a gallant Oak, and feme- iimes tear an ufeful Sail ? or kill a harmlefs Traveller -, when thole which fin boldly arrive at gray Hairs without any confiderable Misfor- tune, and in appearance die peaceably. Poor Aproaccus, faid the Prince fmiling , what flight devices art thou conftrain'd to ufe to fupport a falfe Plea ? Muft there be no Providence unlefs thofe which fin be prefently Condemn'd and immediately Executed ? Thofe which fia are always Condemn'd, and God is fo merciful, that he thinks it pu- cifhment enough that for a while they carry their heavy crofles,to which you would have them prefently nail'd. He is fo Gracious, that he doth deuce, Book v. Bsntibaito and Crania* 53 doth ufually refpite irrcvcrfibJe Doom in expectation of Amendment, and fo both laves finners, and teacheth thofe which look on to imitate his merciful Example. Thofe which havedeferved the blow,fear that he will ftrike too foon ; and (hall any be weary of the Divine Patience which comforts others,becaufe they love to fee finners fall ? I muft alfo tell you, Aprort£M, that he is not fo geutle as to neglect Juftice. God doth make Examples enough in every Age to let all the World fee their danger : and though fome be fpar'd that deferveprefeut Punifhment, it is both a Glory to his Forgivenefs, that fome of thofe which efcape, Repent} and if he let many go in hopes of their Emendation, may he not as well and much better do it, then a General decimate his Regiments fot a Mu- tiny of which they are all guilty ? God is not endamaged by delay, thofe which continue their Rebellion can never get out of his reach ; he is not willing to difpeople the Earth by fudden Executions. But becaufe men are apt by long Impunity to imagine that either they are not obnoxious, or that none regards what they do j God many times is fore'd to confute their Imaginations by Great Plagues, Pining Famine, Cruel Wars, to un- burtheo the Earth of its wicked Load, and takes away fuch as had too long opprefs'd Virtue and fupported Wickednefs with the moft vile Ex- amples : by which means he fhews both howunreafonable Sinners are whom no forbearance will reclaim, and (how Juft he is when heufeth fe- verity, becaufe thofe which fuffer it finn'd fo long againft one that was loath to punifh, and by his Punifhments afierts his Providence. By fome words which you have deliver'd, you feem to be willing to think, Apro- tt£u/> that God doth not manage his Juftice with Prudence, becaufe he doth not inflict all Mulcts upon the perfons of finners, But muft this piece of his Goodnefs alfo be made an Argument againft his Providence? and (hall we think he doth punifh by chance, becaufe he is mercifully Juft ? Was it not efteem'd a Favour to the P«y£*»/,when their Emperour commanded only the Turbants to be beaten.? Did the World ufe to grumble at the Charge of their Sacrifices,when God requir'd only a Beaft for a Man ? But I (pare to urge this any further, becaufe thofe which are ready to fink, muft be permitted to catch at Reeds + Here Apromzus made fuch a paufe as fignified that he had no mind to proceed arjy further : but * Diaporon, craving leave to continue the Dif- * o«« viH courfe, added, I have fo great fatisfaftion,moft Excellent Prince,in your dwi "' Anfwers to the Objections which Apronaus hath made, that I have no= thing to renew a Reply > yet other things which he hath not quoted, du fturb my belief in this point. For if God be Almightily Good, and Rule this World by an unerring Prudence, how came this Unlucky thing Sin y which makes fo much trouble, into it ? You fay it is evil, and afiert that nothing but Good comes from God j whence is it then? What? did fome envious Anti God put this flaw upon his Work ? There is no Que- ftion, rf plied the Prince, but Sin is Evil, for nothing el fe doth proper- ly deferve that name 5 and it is as indubitable that the moft good God is not the Author of it : and yet to defend his Honour we need not run toth4t old Fable of Or omafdes and Arimaniut, whom the Ancients, not knowing how otherwife to anfwer the Queftion concerning the Origt« nal of Evil, fet up as two Gods, and made one the Author of Good, and the other of Evil 5 for this matter is determinable by afcribing E- vil to its proper Caufe, which will clear the doubt, and reflect nodif- paragement upon the All- Good God: Men brought in Evil by the tboiih abufe of that Free-will which God had given them. It is the Glory of the Creator, that he could make fuch a Noble Automaton as $6 ifcentitoolio and Crania* Book v. as Man, who moves fpontaneoully, aod according to an innate Liberty of Election determines himfelf to his Actions. He put his Liberty into the hands of an Intelligent Creature, whom he made both able to know that which is Good, and fitted his Nature to the Love of it. He made it fo much his Intereft to be Obedient,that he promis'd him great Rewards for doing (mail Duties ; unto the performance of which he gave him fufficient Afliftance.He told him wherein Evilcoufifted, forewarn'd him of its mis- chievous Nature, forbad him to introduce it, and by a moft rightful Au- thority threaten'd him feverely if he tranfgrefs'd the Orders which he had receiv'd.But Man,by a perverfe abufeof his Freedom,chu(eth that which is worfe, will not take pains to diftinguifh that which is truly Good from that which is fo in Appearance only, and fo fios. * o*e'%uht I thought, replied * Diaporort, that as all things receiv'd their Beeing *■'"• from God, fo they operate only as they are acted by his Power j and that therefore though fome things which they do are not Good, yet fiuce no* thing can work without his Afiiftance, it may be fuppos'd that he let Sin- ners into the World 5 and though they affront his Authority, it is not a matter of any great confequence, fiace they are permitted only as a Dramatift fometimes brings a Mimick upon the Stage, who abufes the Poet himfelf. If this be a true accompt of Sin, then it is not a Fault, but rather an Ornament of the Creation* God is a moft excellent Dramatift, faid the Prince, to keep your own Metaphor, and hath made the World a Noble Representation of his Divine Art 5 and when he brings Actors upon the Stage, he afligns every one according to his Ability a conveni- ent Part, and commands them to obferve the Order which he hath ap- pointed:and if they pronounce the Words which he hath fet,and act their Parts according to the Rules which he hath prefcrib'd,they do honour to God, and receive praife from wife Spectators, and Rewards from the Au- thor.But when Man, which hath a Poetical Fancy, diflikes his Part, and changcth that which is given to him by the Variations of his own Wit, or acts that which belongs riot to him, he dift urbs the Defign, and is like one that fings out of Tune in a Mufical performance. The Dramatift fees what is done,aud,though he ftay till the Company are difmi&'d,will be fure to call him to account in the withdrawing-Room^ nay, the Spectators them* felves which know the Poet are much difpleafs'd that the Fool fhould put in fuch difagreeable Parts, knowing they are not of the Author's Compo- sing, and do often hifs him ofFthe Stage, when he thought to have made good Sport,and fometimes in diflikeof thelmpertinency go away. Sin in the World is like an ill Leflbn play'd upon an inftrument out of Tune. Humane Nature was well ftrung and exactly tun'd by him that made it : but when men break the firings or play fcurvily, it is moft abfurd to com- plain of God, the Fountain of Intellectual and Senfible Harmony. But, Excellent Prince, replied Diaporon, fince God could have hin- dred Errour, why did he not ? If he had not permitted man to himfelf, he had not fail'd. What, Diaporon, faid the Prince, ftnll not God have leave to make a man, except he be oblig'd alio to tie him hand and foot as fbon as he hath done } If mau have a power to fin and net to fin, (hall the unthankful Fool fin, and then rather accufe him who gave him power not to fin, then himfelf who had not finn'd but that he abus'd it } Sin is a Voluntary Lofs of an excellent Priviledge, and is not Originally in the Nature, but in the Action : Nature fignifies the fame thing, that is Courtcfie and Obligation, whether men ufe it well or ill. But fiDce God could have prevented it, faid Diaporea, and did not, it feeas to be better that there fhould be Sinners ; hen not 5 and if Book v. Jldsntiboiio and (Urania, 57 if it be fo,what need we take any care what we do ? Certainly, Diaporon replied the Prince, you are little vers'd in the Nature of Vertue, which cannot confift with Compulfion •• For what Vertue is it to do that which we cannot refill: ? It Liberty had not been given, there could have been no Vertue ; buc it was a thing worthy of God to bring Vertue into the World, although at the fame time Sin was not made impoffible. It's true, God could have made man like a Sempiternal Cock, and hung the heavy'* weights of Necefiity upon all his Faculties, and forc't all his Motions and Actions 5 but as our Nature had fuffei'd a great prejudice to have been Co meanly conttituted,foit had been a great Difparagement to theCreator thar he was not able to make a free Agent, and he had left himfelf but a Jictle room fur his Providence: for what great matter of Government is it to keep things in order which are bound up in Chains of Inviucible Neceffity ? The Glory which God would then have had in Ordering the affairs of the Intelligent World would have been but like to that of a Good Clock-keeper. But by our Argument,* Diaporotijfyou mind it, we muff believe that it * 0nt wh) were better God had beftow'd no Excellent Gifts upon us, if they be ca- witsarrogantFool$:for though he hath granted ro Man a free principle by which he is Matter of his own Actions^ yet if he do fooliflily when he pleafeth himfelf, it is not to-be iroagin'd that he bach leave to wander out of the bounds ofProvideuce.lt is an honour to us that God hath taken us aboard hisGreatVeffehSt more, that being there he hath not confiu'd us to our Cabbin,but given us leave to walk upon theDecks or below at pleafure:but it were a fimple thing to imagine that he would not fteer to hisPotf,or that our inconfiderableMo. I tions 58 U&entibolio and arid that their Mafculine irradiations make Boyes, as the Feminine do Girles.To what other Caufe fhould we afcribethe Difference of Sexes? I guefs alfb that from fome extraordinary Illapfes their Rival Fortune-tellers , the Gypfies, took their Original. But which will they [ky^Diaporonjthzi thefe potent Stars produce thefe admirable Effects, Ignorantly or Knowingly . and in Au- tumn, having finifh'd his Anniverfary task with us,havingthe fame work to do in another place, begins to withdraw, that then alfo the exhaufted Ground may repair its felf all Winter with cold and moifture agaiuft the next Spting. Thefe arc known Effects, and we perceive that they flow from the Acce(s, Abode, and Rccefs of that affured Influence, Heat •• but what is that to thofe ftrange Products which have no dependence upon any known Virtue in the Sun, but are as fidious as thofe Confequenccs which Deluders do Varioufly feign? They have no foundation in Rea- fon, except this be fufficient, that becaufe theSunris an excellent Inftru- - ment, it is a Principal Agent ; or rather becaufe it can do fomething,it can do all things, which is to fay, becaufe it is a brave Creature, it is a God. I cannot imagine upon what other ground they (hould aflert that the Sun doth create Prophets as well as make the Grafs to grow,and beftow rare Abilities upon Law-givers, and adorn fome great Minifters of Re- ligion with the power of Miracles , as eafily as it can melt a Ball of Snow. It were not difficult to give you, Diaporoti, a particular notice of the manifeft falfhood of thofe inconfiftent Principles with which thofe pre« tenders to Aft rological knowledg endeavour to fupport their Errors with which they would abufe you ; but it would be too long at pre- fent, and fince we (hall meet often, I will do it when you pleafe. I believe by this time you are willing to retire, faid the Prince , continuing his 'Ottevthi it. Speech to a Apro»£UJ t and £>w/W0»,ibrwehavetalk'da good while; I "'!««"*"' W 'N on ' v ft av y ou ^° '°°8 as to g lvc y ou a ^"^ Advice, for I perceive b one vjbt you have been converfant with Atheifts,who though they dare not (peak doubts. directly, yet if you examine what they fay, you will find that thofe Ar- gumens which arc us'dto traduce the Providence oiGod,ferveno left to impugn his Beeing. I prefume the rather to give you a friendly notice of your Danger, becaufe Atheifm is not only ftain'd with ingra t i t ude,but is commonly rooted in a love of Sin, and nouriftYd with a defire to live with an unregulated Will. When men have perfwaded themfclves that there is no Divine Power,to whofe Laws they owe an Obedient Regard, they think they may indulge themfclves in a Voluptuous Life without control!. They deny the beeing of God, left they (hould be put to the trouble of giving him holy Worlhip ; and when they feem to allow a Deity, they confine him to the fuper-aerial Regions,left being plac'd too near them he (hould take notice of what they do here below, and (6 for fear of being call'd to an account for their enormous practices, they deny his Providence. Your Civility, faid Diaporon to the Prince, is infinitely obliging } but I hope my Errour, if I be miftaken,is not fo dangerous as you pretend«That great Philofopher whom we honour as the Mafter of our Seft doth not, loonfefs, acknowledga Providence 5 but I fuppofe it is not only for thofe Rcafons which I have mention'd, but as thinking it is below a God to mind fuch fraall things, or that it would be troublefbmeto his Happiuefs. It is well known that he confefs'd an Eternal and moft blefled Beeing,and affirm'd that he ought to be worftiipp'd for the Excellency of his Divine Nature .* and as your Reafon will not permit you to think that he did not believe a Deity, becaufe he reproach'd the Gods of his own Gountrey, againft whom he had but too much to fay ; fo I hope your Charity will not let you call him Athieft, although he thought that Di' jjhtrt at- vine Beeiog did take no care of this lower World. comptofEm- | k now wc n fej^ tnc p r j nce t fa t vour gect doth magnifie Epicurus 3s curus and bis ' ' J \. tbilofophy. the BookV. Jl&entiboiio and Crania. 63 the lovcntor of Truth and the Architect of Happinefs., who having only been honour'd to fee what is True 5 had redeem'd the World from errour, and declared the Methods of a bltilcd Life, which before were unknown: but I know no Reafbn for any fuch Encomium,both becaufe a great part of his Philofophy was not his own, and that which he added to what he borrow'd (to fay no worfe) is altogether Contemptible to Wife men 5 for heafferced the loweft forts of bodily pleafureto be thefupreme Happi- nefs of men. This Imputation is not faftned upon him by Ignorance in Hiffory, as fome of his Admirers would make the World believe 5 for by thofe Relations which we find there, we have as much reafon to doubt whether he himfelf were a Temperate perfon, as to be affured that his Followers were not. Though Laertius hath fpdken in his behalf, and,to vindicate his Reputation, fays that his Scholars did either Ignorantly or wilfully miftake him ,- yet his profefs'd Difciple and great Admirer Lu* ciati) (who prefen'd him before all other Philosophers, and exroll'd him wkh the higheft words which can be beftow'd upon a Manj comparing him with Arifiipput and Democritushh Matters, fays, that he exceeded them both in Impiety and Luxury. And we know that Cicero, an Author more Faith- worthy then Laertius^objcCted to one of Epicurus his friends his unworthy Definition of Happinefs, quoting it in his own words, and reproaching the fence of it, afferts that Epicurus did acknowledg no Hap- pinefs dirtintt from foft and obfeeue Pleafures, of which he us'd to difcourfe by Name without blufhing. He reports alio concerning Metro, dorui, who was Epicurus his moft intimate CompauioD,that he did fcorn- fullydifdain his brother Timocrates, becaufe he made a doubt whether all things which belong to a happy Life are to be meafui'd by the Belly, and offer 'd to fhew VelleiusWs books if he queftion'd the Allegation. His Garden was not fhut againft Whores ; Leontium was the chief, fa- mous for her bold writing againft Theophrajiut, and who caft a fufficient difparagement of impotent Luft upon Epicurus, even when he was growa old, in a Letter which fhe wrote to Lamia, yet extant. But this is not a matter which I care to contend for, whether Epicurus was fo Voluptuous asthefe report him to have been, or to fhew that his Followers were egregioufly diffolute,which is not difputed } but to prove that his Principles did fodifpofe men to Vice , that he faid moft truly who long ago aflcrted, Let thofe which would be Exceffively Intempe- rate, prepare themfelves to enjoy their defire by embracing the Epicurean Philofophy. Itisftrange tome that Epicurus fhould be fo magnified for his Philo- fophy, fince f/as I faid before) the greateft part of it is not his: He took thsbeft Flowers in his Garden from Democritus , without asking his leave, neither did he give him thanks for them afterward. It is a blur upon him upon Record, that he did alfo ingratefully throw mud and ftones into that Well from whence he water'd his Garden. But I chiefly blame him for thofe Doctrines which are by his own Seel: affign'd to him as his proper Opinions, fome of which you have repeated j for by them all he deprav'd the Philofophy of Democritus , expos'd Humane Na- ture as a prey to Licentioufnefs , exprefly denied God's Provi- derce, and only Ironically acknowledged a Deity, and fo undermiu'd Religion. That he debas'd humane Nature,is prov'd already^for what can be more unworthy of a Man,then to ufe his Reafon to make him more perfectly a Beaft? That the extirpation of all Religious Obfervance of God was his Defign,is raanifeft both by the acknowledgment of his greatest Bifciples, and 64 JlDentibolio and Urania, Book v. aod by the nature of his Difcourfe. Velleius, extoll'd by his Contempora- ries as equal to any oiEpicurui his Schollars that were Greeks, ck prcferr'd before all the Rom3ns,embrac'd his Principles being afraid of that Omni- scient God which other Sects put as a perpetual Obfervcr of Humane Actions.to whofejudgeroent he was not willing to be obnoxious for what he faid or did. He did rationally hope for exemption from thefe fears ia the School of Epicurus^ for Luc retius. who took the pains to put his Philo- fophy into Verfes, hath recorded it as his Immortal G!ory,that he was the firft thatventur'd tofet his Face, againft Heaven,dm(tdifclaim Religion, and brought Arguments againft it into the Field of Difputation, which made Devotion tremble and flie out of the Souls of Men,& trampled un- der his Victorious feet that which durft rtfift him,and then triumph'd over it.Some,I know,do excufe this attempt with a fmooth Interpretation,that he did not engage againft Religion,but that grofs Superftition which was prnctis'dby the Sottifh part of the Heathen World. If that were all, ws fhould have noreafonto find fault, neither would Lucretius have any great caufe to boaft of his Matter's Valour: For the Superftition which he vanquilh'd was but a Cowardly thing; and the Gods who were honour'd by it were fb contemptible, that they could not defend themfelves nor then; worfhip from the juft (corn of Wife men. It was a mod miferable Picture of Divinity which was made up of all the Pafltons and Vices of the worft of men;& their Religion was proportionable, for it principally confifted of fuch Rites and Performances as were Oblations only fit for Devils. But true Religion, whichisaMafculine Principle, Rational in its Original, being founded in knowledg and Juftice, and noble in its Pro- ducts, is affronted by its Arguments«For he not only denies Gods Regard of us,for which chiefly we are oblig'd to acknowledg him with Religious Adoration; but hath given fuch uuworthy Characters of his Eternal Be- ing, which he pretends to own, that he doth rather expofe him to Con- tempt then promote his Worfhip. Having left his molt beautiful Attri- butes out of his Defcription,hehath drawn only a wan Image with a few inconfiderable Delineations.fuch as are to be feen in the firft Draughts of a Picture for which caufe, if there had been no other Reafon,it was juft • a pitlure that his God was anciently derided by the name of* Monogr animus .What ruieiy diiinea- ftrange kind of God muft that needs be which doth nothing? If he have ui ' an Almighty Power, his Omnipotence is beftow'd upon him to no pur* pofe ' if he have not, he is Contemptible for his Weiknefs. He fays his Eternal Being is to be worfhip't for his Excellent Nature : but how can we believe that he hath an Excellent Nature, who is devoid ofthegrea- teft perfection of Being, Goodnefs ? Ir is the Glory of all brave Natures to be Good, and it is the Luftre of the Divine Ma jetty that it is the Belt : But what Goodnefs is it in that Nature which (as he confefleth ) doth de* light it fclf in its own pleafures, and neither did, doth, nor will do any thing elfe . worthy undertaking, a ow who it- Here " Aproti£us and b Diaporon making Excufes for fo long a Vifir^but vijwf' Tr '~ wn ' cn tne Y would not have liked fo well if it had been fhorterj took a b one whe humble leave of the Prince. Diaporon being very paflionate in his defires donits. to deliver one whom he judg'd moft unworthy to be a Prifoner, went with Apron tht opinion of * Dogtnapornes dothacknowledg. If Virtue be fo happy when it is affli- cted, I think a Sinner is not fafe though he be unpunifh'd for a time.How* ever it be, I will endeavour to understand whether it be a Reality or no, fince it makes her Lovers fo content with all forts of Fortune. For my part, anfwer'd Diaporon^ fetting afide the Dignity of a Prince which God hath beftow'd upon Akthion, I fhould be glad to be in a worfe Condition then he now fuffers, fo I might but have the experience of that Goodnefs which poflefieth his Soul. Since Wifdom enters not into Malicious minds, 1 make no doubt but his Soul is the Temple of Innocence. Whilft Diapo- ron pronoune'd thefe words, one knock'd at the Door, and when he was * iti city of come iu,told them that he was lately come from * Po/ijiherion, where the Bitiis. King was much difturb'd with the news of Alethions Death,& that one of Dogmapornethis acquaintance was accus'd for forgingLetters in thePrince's Name, that the King was fallen fick with Grief, and that the Army and ^Thel'- 1 '**' f^ n y mutter 'd fome difcontented words againft b Antitheus & c Dogmapor* s whin™"" »",as the Contrivers of the Prince's Imprifonment.This Relation ftartled them Book v. UDentifeoiio and Crania* 6? them both^aod having defired the Meflenger to wichdraw,they confulted each other what W3s fit to be done. I think, (aid d Diapor on .that this is the a 0tu wb * mod intricate Scene of Affairs that ever I beheld in my life. I thought it impoffible that e Alethion could be fufpe&ed, but much more that any ? a Lover of (hould dare to accufe him, and muft of all that the King fhould believe 7: '» sh - any thing fuggefted againft him. I know no reafon why any fhould report him to be dead,unlefs they meaut to kill him, and I cannot but conclude that if the King be fo diflurb'd at the falfe news of his Death, that it hath made him fick, he will be fo much more pleas'd with the true Report of his Life, that it will recover his Health. I think it is not only our duty to our Soveraign ? to whom we owe al 1 fervices,but our prudence,not to neg- lefr fuch a fair opportunity to ihew our Loyalty by preferving his only Son, The worft Interpretation that can be made of our Aftion is, that we endeavour 'd to put intoa Harbour which was not affign'd us, to avoid the danger of a violent Storm } and if any thing contrary to our Expe- ctation, we can fuffer nothing ^(honourable, having defir'd to perform our Duty, though we faw it full of Hazzard. lam much amaz'd, anfwe- red * AprotKguj^t this ftrange Accident jfince the Prince is reported to be *o»> -who it- dead who was in my Cuftody,I may be allured that his friends will look nieiPrevidtmt. upon me as his Murtherer, efpecially fioce one of my Colonels acquain« tance is accus'd for writing the Letter fcr which the Prince is imprilon'd. Since the Army and City, by whom the Prince was always infinitely be- Jov'd, do concern themfelves in his fufferings, I am afraid of thelflue of this dark Affair, and wifh with all my Heart that I had not received fuch a troublefbme part as I know not how to aft. However, Diaporon, I think it is beft to follow your advice, by which we fhall gain time, andfave our felves from fudden Attempts. But to what Port fhall we fteer our Courfe ? What we are to do in this matter, if we can do any thing, re- quires fpeed* You fay true, replied Diaporon 3 we muft refblve quickly, left long Deliberation take from us our power to aft. Let us convey the Prince into Theoprepia, which we may effett thus. There is a private Door which leads by a fubterranean Paffage from the Governour's Lodgings to the River's fide : let one of your fcrvaots about four a clock this afternooq bring our Horfes thither, as if he intended to water them, there we will take Horfe, and conduft the Prince firft to theCaftle of * Mifopfeudes, * Amur of who is his known friend, where we are fure of fafe Repofe to night, and ** l fiwi. From thence we fhall eafily reach the Borders offheoprepia, * Aprcnms * one who J^ ] lik'd the Contrivance , whereupon they prefently return'd to the Prince, •»«* Provi- u and acquainted him with the Intelligence which they had but then re- '" ceiv'dj and with many protections of their fincere Intentions reveal'd their defires of his Safety, and told him of the way which they had a- greed upon to fecure hisPerfon, if he pleas'd to accept of their fervice. The Prince knowing it was better to run any hazzard then to ftay where he was, after a fhort difcourfe accepted their offer, and went away in a Difguife. When they had travell'd about two miles, they met a Horfeman riding toward them with a very great fpeed, who knowing Apron&Hs, ftopt his Horfe, and told him that he was feut before by * Trifanor, who was not * a rornumer much behind with a Convoy, and brought Mifopfeudes Prifoner to his Ca- •/«"»• ftle.Whcnce do they now come ?faid Apronccus. From his Houfe replied the Meffenger, where we furpriz'd him this morning about break of day. By whofe Order, faid Apronxus, have you performed this fervice ? By a war« rant fign'd by *A»titheut, faid the Meffenger. When they heard that, * AnJtMa. * Diaporonzx the Prince's Command took hold of his bridle, and then^""/" di(- Jdentibolio and (Urania. BookV difmounted him. Whilft they were deliberating what to do with him, (for it was not fit that he fhould go to the Caftle and give notice which way they were gone, and his Company was but of uncertain ufe to them if he went back) Aeronaut defired leave of the Prince to kill him } but he falling upon his knees and begging his Life, the Prince had but juft gran- i 4Eatertf ted his Petition when the Party which cendufted J Mifojfudes came up, tJjhoti. b frifanor rode in little a Charriot, which was attended with two Horfe- '" men upon each fide, and gave leave to Mifopfeudei to fit with him. Apro of Men. of Mm\ "thtCity of BittSis. * j4 Baler of fnljhood. n&HS) rode boldly up and kill'd him which drove the Chariot \ upoti which Trifanor flung himfelf out of the Coach, and mounting his Horfe which was led by one of the Souldiers, gave Mifopfeudes who was diP arm'd, in charge to one of his Souldiers, and then a (harp fight began be- tween the Parties. Trtfanor and his men refembled the Deportment of a ftout Tigre, which whets valour with rage when (he is in danger of be- ing robb'd of her Whelps* The Prince's friends animated their Courage with the worth of the Perfon who had honoured them to be his Prore- ftors, and whom they knew to be very able to defend both himfelf and his Guard 5 and concluding that it muft needs be a grateful fervice in the beginning of their Trial, if they could alfo refcue one whom the Prince intirely lov'd, they threw themfelves between the Prince and his Enemies. Diaporon made fuch a (harp pafs upon Trifunor, that if he had not avoid- ed it by turning afide, he had been (lain at the firft encounter : however he loft not his labour, for he kill'd one of the Souldiers who came in to the relief of his Captain, and afterward continued hiscombate withlW- fttfor, who being afham'd that he had given ground, redoubled his Vi- gour in the next Charge. The Prince attacqued him which guarded Mi- fopfeudei, and with a Princely boldnefs faid, Traitor, deliver up that Loyal fubjeft to his Prince 5 and accompanying his Commands with a blow or two, made them to be obey'd : for the Souldier fell down dead, and the Prince gave his horfe to Mifopfeudei, who was come forth of the Coach,not fo much glad of his Liberty as amaz'd to fee him that procured it. Diaporon had given and receiv'd fome wounds from Trtfanor , who fought defperately, not fo much defiring to fave his life, as to fell it at a confiderable Rate, and difcharg'd a blow upon Diaporon s head which was (b far effe&ual as to aftonifh him for a while, but withall broke his Sword 5 and as Diaporon recovering himfelf was aiming a thruft which would have ended the controverfie if it had been profecured, the Prince hoping by ' Trtfanor to understand the Affairs of b Polifiberion, com- manded him to hold his hand 3 whereupon Diaporon riding clofe up to him fore'd him out of his faddle, which being perceiv'd by the reft, who were four, they fled, taking the way which leads to e Mifopfeudei houfe. This Storm being thus blown over, the Prince gave the Chariot to be driven by theMelTenger whofcLife he had fpar'd,who had feizM upon the Horfes, which, perceiving themfelves deftitute of a Guide ^ began to run. wildly up and down theField.They had advane'd but a little way in their intended Journey,but they were fore'd to return again to their poftures of Defence, and put themfelves in order for a new encounter, perceiving fix arm'd Horfemen to make all poflible hafte towards them, whom they fup- pos'd to come to fecure the Captivity of Mifopfeudes. They were only fome of Mifopfeudei his Kinfmen,whom his Lady had procur'd to endeavour the Redemption of her Husband^ck as they were going to Charge each other, both found themfelves happily miftaken. Mifopfeudes led the Party, and though they were his fricndsSc fuppos'd that they faw him,yet being much diftrafod Book v, 2!5ent!boIia and (Urania* yt diftra&cd between wonder and Jay, could neither tell what to fay or do, till Mijbpfeudes imagining what doubts poflcfled their Minds, rc= folv'd them by crying aloud, Alight, alight, ray true friends, your love to me is infinitely requited 3 you do not receive me, but our Prince. Thefe words were fuch an Addition to the former unexpected Happinefs, that they began to think that they were afleep, and therefore put thefe ftrange things together in a Dream which could never be enjoy'd waking. However having the ufe of their Eyes, and the Prince doing them the Favour to pull off his Vizard, they threw themfelves from their Horfes and ran to perform their Homage. The Prince gave them his hand to kifi, but riot without Tears 3 for he could not conceal the fentiments which he found in his Soul of chofe Affections which his Friends had for him in his extreme Adverfity. > Amongft all thefe clafhes of various occurrences one thing fell out hap- pi!v, for Mi 'fop feudes his friends kill'd all * Trifanors Souldiers that fled, * a Tonkani except one whom they took prifoner, by which means the Prince had a e f meu - more fafe opportunity to efcape out of the Power of his Enemies, The Prince having now a little more leifure.was willing as he rode aloDg to ac- quaint Mifopfettdes and his Companions with the manner of his efcape from the Cattle of * Dogmapornes, and was going toexprefs to them the * fa opinion of Obligations which he had from Apromzus and Diaporon •■> but the deep awhort. Imprcflious of dutiful Love which were fixd in his Soul for the King his Father made him firft call for Trifanor^by whom he hoped to be inform'd concerning the ftate of his Father,the Court and Kingdom. Trtfanor was now grown fo near unto Death with lofs of Blood by reafon of ma- ny wounds, that he could fcarce fpeak, and only faid with a low voice, * Anaxagatkus is dead, and b Antitheut is proclam'd King. '*jgeoJ k*«x2 This News as an unexpected Allay took offthe lufhious Rellifh of their b * n Atb«B, late good Fortune, Though they did not fully believe what Trifanor re* ported, yet they had but too many reafons to caufe them to believe the truth of that which he faid , befides this , that Bad news is feldom filfe. The Prince's Faith was ftronger in this point than that of his Companions, and his paffion prevail'd fo proportionally, that he was forc'd to give it leave to exhale it felf in this exclamation : How unfe- reneare all the Joyes which we poflcfs upon Earth! Certainly mortal men are uncapable of pure pleafures. How is every grain of Content- ment which we are allow'd in this World blended with a much greater quantity of Sorrow ? There is no time fo proper for us to exped: affli- ction as that wherein we think our felves moft fecur'd againft it. We have no confirm'd Peace, but only a fhort Truce made with Adverfity, and that never well kept 5 for our efcape from one mifchiefis but a fhort delay that another makes which is defign'd to overtake us. But to what purpofe do I fpeak after this manner ? we muff not refufe what God prefents •-, and fince we are yet uncertain what his pleafure is, let us placidly await it. * Mifopfendes perceiving that the Prince had ended his Difcourfe,conti- 2 a mtsr of nued a Reflection upon their prefent eftate after this manner:TheAfflictive Ial I h6oL fenfe which I have of theCondition of h lheriagene cannot equal Yours, moft " vc^tnerm Excellent Prince j my prefumption is not fo bold as to come near fuch a &*&'• great Comparifon^but it gives precedence to none elfc:for as my Obliga- tions urge it as the Higheft Duty which is now poffiblejfo that knowledg which 1 have of the effects which muff needs enfue upon this ftrange con» junction of unlucky Accidents doth awaken whatfbever I poflefs of pious Affection. But as I am fortified againft what may happen with that mag- nanimity 72 ji&entiboUo and (Urania. Book v. nanimity by which your fell raoft coDCcrn'd in thefc Dangers makesyour Courage exemplary } fo I find all reafon to hope,when I confidcr the ftrcogth of thoftPrinciples upon which yourFelicity was always founded. Who hath not obfervd that in Extraordinary Cafes the defign of Provi- dence is laid fo intricately,that we may have juft occafion to wonder,but none to doubt?lt is to me a fufficient Argument that an Almighty Know- Icdg attends the Concernments of Good men, becaufe though they are frequently permitted to come near thofe Pits which their Adverfaries have prepar'd for them, yet they feldom fall into them.There are two States in the World, Good and Bad ; and when that which is worfe hathcunning- ly contriv'd the deftruftiou of Virtuous perfons, whole multiplication is the Wefareof the World, and is affifted in thismoft unworthy Attempt by vaft numbers of thofe who are fwornVaffals to Wickednefs, it is a great Teftimony of the over-ruling Power of Supreme Goodnefs, that it is able to make their Defigns abortive, when the diftance is but fmall between the Contrivance and the Execution. We thought,moft Dear Prince,that your Life and your Friends Intereft in Theriagene muft needs be blown up, when a train was fo privately laid againlt it,and fo many hands ready to give Fire to it : but by our miftake we gain this Affurance, that when good men are not fuccesful,it is not be» caufe God is defective in his Care,or wants Ability to a (Tift thtm:or wht n the Defigns which are made againft them take efFtft in part, it is not be- caufe he could not have frustrated them totally, but becaufe he gives ground for a time.as prudent Commanders make their men retreat with a teeming Flight,that they may make way for the employment of their Am- bufh, and then by a more complete overthrow deftroy the vain hopes of fuch as thought thnmfelves Conquerors only becaufe they weredeceiv'd, We ought not to be fo curious as to the Mode of our Prefervation, as to deDy God leave to fhew his Wifdom when he doth us a Courtefie. This is all the fenfe which I have of our Condition ; and fince we can- not of a fudden put our (elves upon our Action, it will be requifite that we think of fome place where we may deliberate with fafety. Whether • tieDwnt fhould we betake our felves? replied the Prince. To * Theoprepia, faid state. ^Mifopfeudes. I have refolv'd upon it, faid the Prince, with Apron&us and iMnd"^ Diaporcn, whom I muft now and^lways commend to your Affedtions as Friends to whom under God I owe my deliverance ; we have agreed to retire to Theoprepia, where I am fure to be welcome to my good friend * a werjhipper * iheofjtbius, whofe Kingdom was ever an open' Sanctuary to wrong'd Innocence. *Aioverof Here * Philakthes madea paufe, andcrav'd Pardon of Benttvolio and **'* Amy nt or for fo tedious a Report, adding this Excufe, That it is not eafie tpr. toma j te a nj ort Story of that which pleafeth him that tells it. You (hall not need to ask forgivenefs, faid Benttvolio, of thofe which owe you infinite thanks for performing an office which hath taken up much of your Time, and highly oblig'd us both by making us to under- stand thofe incomparable Virtues with which your Prince AUtbion is accomplifh'd, and becaufe you have fo fully affur'd us of the fafety ' vgttumu of his Pcrfon, which we efteem as a divine pref3ge of his and * Theria- &<»&. gene's Reftauration. Noble Travellers, you have exprefs'd a Gene- rous Charity, faid Philakthes, in the Compaflion which you have en- tertain'd for a miferable Kingdom , and how rationally your Pity is beftow'd you will more fully underftand, if you can endure to hear any more of our prefent Condition 5 but becaufe the Relation is long, I will not begin it till to morrow i and if you pleafe, we will beftow the Book v. SiDentiboiio and Crania* j$ the reft of this Evening in the Gardens and Park which ad joyn to my Houfe 3 for as I am fure you have travell'd enough to day, fo I am afraid I have talk'd too much. The next day philalefbet conduced huGuefts into aTurret which was upon the top of his Houfe, where in a pleaftnt privacy he continued the Difcourfe which he had begun concerning theriagene to this fenfe: After Dogmapornes arrived at his Caftle.and was told that the Prince was gone, be was infinitely confounded; not being fo much aftonifh'd that the Acci- dent was contrary to his Defign, as vextthata thing fbould bepoffiblc which he had made fo difficult. At firft he endeavour'd to give no credit to thofe which told him the news 3 being very unwilling to think that could be true which he moft paffionately defired to be falfe:But when he wascon- vine'd by the teftimony of many witneff s and the fruitlefnefs of a diligent fearch which he made himfelf, and was inform'd concerning the Manner ofthe Prince's efcape, he was utterly bereaved of that vain Hope with which tor a while he fmother'd his Paffions,and then the Fire pent up in his wrathful mind broke forth in flames of wilde Rage, whilfthe talk'd after this manner : Though I did not think that there is a God, yet now I fee there is a Devil,and that he hath made this Caftle his Hell in which he doth torment me; but I will not burn alone. Then he wounded and kill'd fome of his Souldiers. Many were not prefent;for the greater part confidering the Cruelty of his Temper, and knowing that the Vexatioo of Difappointment would make him exceffively revengeful, without ta» king any notice whether he punifh'd Offendors or Innocents, had with* drawn themfelves as foon as they heard of his approach. Dogmapornes made no Jong fray here,for knowing that this Accident re* quir'd new Counfels, and being difeoabled to perform the task for which be was fent, he faw that it was necefTary to return fpeedily, and give do» tice to* Antitheus of that which had happen'd.^*//^»j was much pleas'd * An Atbm. when his fervants told him thatf Dogmapornes was come back,hoping that t ** and Rules of Civil Government jhath intrufted me with theKey of her Secrets, She Book v. ^iacnriboiio and ( IfEania, f$ She hath (hewn me the Pillars upon which Truth is founded, and expos'd to my view the ciTential Connexions of all things. She hath conducted me with a darkLantern through the Subterranean Labyrinths ofthisEarthen Globe, and let me fee thofe hidden Flood-gates which the Sea (teals into the under- ground Rivers,as alfo the back-ftairs by which they climb up to the tops of Hills where they make Springs.She hath led me into the entrails of the deepeft Mines,and fhewn me the great Caldrons where Earth is re- fiu'd by Subterranean Fires.She hath walk'd with me through the greateft Seas,and acquainted me with the whole Nation of Fifhes,and leading me round the outward part of the Earth,hath difcover'd to me the nature of all things which appear upon the furface of that Globe j hath fhewn me the various contextures of different Atoms into feveral forms of Beeing, and let me fee thofe ftrangc figures by which the little particles hang to- gether, which other men have not as yet heard named. She hath told me why it was impoffible for fome things to grow; and how fome came to have Senfe, and why others are honour d with Reafon, the higheft of all Bodily Faculties. After this (he carried me through the Air, and acquain- ted me with all its various Modifications, taught me the doftrine of Va* pours by Experiments, let me ftand by whilft (he gave fire to Thunder, diflblv'd congeal'd Clouds, and fqueez'd thick moifture into Rain. Here we fat down upon a Rain bow, and (he refolv'd all difficulties that arife from the Nature of Matter •■> told me what Light is, and how Colours arc produe'd, and anfwer'd all Queftions that concern Motion. Then (he tranfported me into the ./Ethereal Regions, and fhew'd me the Motion of every Orb without thole Artificial Spheres which ordinary Mortals are fain to u(e,and that to fmall purpofe.She gave me the proper names of the Stars in a Book and a Catalogue of their diftinft Qualities, by which means I can tell the true nature of every particular Influence. At laft (he let me fee the utmoft Wall by which the World is inclos'd. Here Bentivolio making an interruption to the Dilcourfe faid fmiling^I thought,* Philalethes, that you would have told us among other things * j Lovtr j that f Antitheus W3s complemented by all the Signs in the Zodiack as he rr «'*« rode through the Heavens upon the back of the (lately Afs || Alborach 3 ^Mntlmtu' and that as he was pafliog by the Lunar Orb, the Moon, over- joy d to Jfi. fee this Endymion, crept into his fleeves to embrace him, and went out in two pieces at his Neck 5 and that he by the great Skill which Nature had then taught him, fouldred it together again in requital of fo great a Civi- lity. But to be more ferious , Pray, good Philalethes, acquaint U9 with fome of thofe deep Myfteries which he pretends to have learn'd by fuch a miraculous Method* I know not yet what he hath perform'd, replied * Philalethes ; but he brags that the Civil World was not known till he difcover'd it, having defcended from the Mountains of Light 3 and that truth!'" the Principles of true Policy are no older then his Books 5 that he hath re&ified the Notion of Religion to the unfpeakable Benefit of the World, that there is nothing worth Obfervation in the Mathematicks which is not intirely due to him 5 that he hath reform'd the whole Sy ftcm of Na- tural Philofophy, and fo perfectly difcover'd the ImpofturesofEthicks, that he hath prcy/d the Doctrine of Virtue and Vice to be a meer Fiction, by a new way of Reafoning which he hath invented ; in fhorr, that he hath foadvane'd Mechanical Skill, that the bed Artifts efteem it then happinefs to become his Apprentices. I befeech you, Philalethes, faid Bentivolio, what hath he reveal'd concerning Divinity ? I can more eafily give you an accompt of his words, replied Philalethes, . then tell you what he would have us believe to be his meaning; forac L 2 different 7 6 Jl&mtifcolio and for when they confi- der that thefe Expreflions jar fo horridly that they are incapable of tie- conciliation, they are fore'd rather to conclude that he is in jeft when he mentions God, and ufeth the name Deity by way of fcorn, or for fear of the Fate of Vanninus .For when he wrote his Books,he knew well enough that the Religious acknowledgment of a Supreme Power is fo deep im- prefs'd in the Minds of men, that if he had talk'd plainly againft Almigh- ty God, fome of his more Loyal Creatures would have chaftis'd the boldnefs of his Blafphemy after fome fuch Fafhion. Sometimes he fays there may pollibly be a God,but we are utterly ig- norant what he is,that is,that there is fomething in the World which none can tell whatit is, which is God ; and that we ought to adore him,that is, do honor to we know not what. When fome much djfpleas'd with fuch a dull Aflertion have anfwer'd,That his Attributes are known ijgnifications of his Divine Nature, that is, EfTential Properties which are manifeft by his Works 5 and urg'd that we have as true a koowledg of God as of any thing elfe, and behold the Wifdom, Power and Goodnefs of his Eternal Beeiog reveal'd long fince in the Creation of the World, and which do ftill prefent themfelves to the eyes of men in the Prefervation and pru- dent Government of all Created things : He replies, that the forementi- on'd Attributes may be given to God, but they do not truly exprefs what he is more then the Amourous Sonnets of Extravagant Lovers do give a true Character of their MiftrefiesPerfocs,and that thePraifes which they import do not more properly belong to God then the Flatteries of Amorofo's do to their Idols,whom they extol for Perfections which were never in them. Since fome would be apt to call this Atheiftical Impiety, he hath endcavour'd to hide it under the planfible Notion of God's In- comprehenfibility 5 that is, he would have men fuch Fools as to believe, that becaufe they cannot comprehend the Immenfe extent of the Divine Nature, therefore they do not apprehend any thing concerning it : as if it were not more eafie to find the great Sea then a fmall River ; or as if we could not difcern the wide-fpread Ocean at all, becaufe we cannot drink it up all with our Eyes* * a Dvtr ef You will eafily fuppofe 3 Be#//W/o,faid * Philaletbes continuing his DiP Trutb. courfe-that he hath reprefented Religion as fpringing from bafe Grounds, who hath given fuch a miferable accompt of the Deity which is to be ac- knowledge by it.If he had not been difaffefted towards theDivineNature, he might eafily have found many good Reafons to fupport his Honor in the World. The chief of thofe which he hath aflign'd are thefe, Ignorance in the Generality of Mankind,the Impotent fear of Superftitious Fools, the Cunning & Hy pocrifie of Princes andPriefts,& the Influence of fbme Stars. Thus he pleafcth himfelf to imagine that the Ignorance which forcethMan. kind to frame ftrange conjectures for want of acquaintance withOrdinary caufes, Book, v Brnctfcoiio and flftama. 77 ca ufes, made them fuppofe that fome IuvifiblePowerCreated the World, & that feeing thtCondition of Mortal men is often opprefs'd withPoverty Difgrace.Sicknefs and Captivity,through an impotent fear of fuch Misfor- tuucs,though they happen by chance-yet either by reafon of their own Ig- norance, or becaufe they have been told fo by others no wiler than them- felves,they efteem themPunifhments inflicted by an InviGblePower whom they have cffendedjck to whom out of a flavifh pufilJanimity they are apt to do Homage,and appeafe with Prayers and Sacrifice,that fo they may e- fcape Torment. Some have obferv'd that in his lucid Intervals the inbred Notion of aDeity hath fore'd him almoft to confefs,that there is fomething ioGod for which by the Right of his Nature he is to be ador'd:yet he will by no means allow it to be Beneficence which doth naturally infer Grati* tude jbut,if there be any thing.it is Power ,by which be is enabled to do us a Mifchicf. Thus he would have men to acknowledg God only for fuch Reafons as the Devils^becaufe they can do hurr 5 are ador'd by the Indians in a dreadful Image arm'd with fharpTeeth 6k crooked Cla ws.By this Iron yoke the Heathen world was of old kept in fubjection to thofe Cruet Spi- rits whom the Hebrews properly nam'd * Afmodei^ad the Greeks * Apol- *x>$r«iti lyontyznd we, from the Evil which they do,Z)ei>j//,the power of their mif- chievous nature commanding fear by hurtful actions. Men being naturally under the power of the foremention'd Princi- ples, he f ayes that cunning Princes, who with the Affiftance of covetous Prielts both contrive and alter Religion as it belt ferves their Defigns to awe their People into Obedience, endeavour to make them believe that they received their Laws from God i telling them that when contagions Sicknefles, cruel Famine, dreadful Earthquakes, or any other extraordi- nary Misfortunes happen,it is becaufe God is angry for the neglect of his Rites '■) teaching them to appeafe his wrath with expiatory Sacrifices : and when they took notice of obftinate Offenders whom they could not conveniently punifh becaule of their Multitudes they threatned thera with Punifhments to be iudur'd in the World to come, by which means Melancholick people are affrighted into their Duty. Befides thele Reafons, by which Piety is rather undcrmin'd then fup- ported, he fays that Mankind is pioufly. affected by certain Stars, and that Religion is diverfified according to the Variety of Influences which arc feut down upon the Earth. He pretends al/b to know the Complexion of every Star fo exactly,that he can declare by what Planet or Conjunction of Stars every diftinct Religion is produe'd 5 and affirms boldly that the Jewilh Difcipline is from Saturn, the Chriftians Gofpel from Jupiter and Mercury, the Mahumet3n Superftition from the.?** and Mars, the Ido- latry of the Pagans from the Moon and Mars* It is ftrange that he de- rivd not Heathenifm from Jupiter , fince his name was fo famous among them; ai»d that Mahumetanifm fhould not have taken its Pedigree from the Moon, which would have fymboliz'd with the Turkifh Arms, the three Crcfcents.and that neither of them fhould have been made to hold of Venut, imce both are fofull of abominable Lufts.However,borrowing a little more canting Ignorance of the Aftrologers,he fays that all theft: Conftirutious have been and fhall again be afflicted according as there happen any great Conjunctions in thofe Oppofite Trigons which have dominion over their Laws (as for example, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius have over Chriftianity^ Cemini,Libra and Aquarius over Judaifm ; ) and that as one Planet overcomes another with Reafon, Craft, Piety, Cruelty or Lafcivioufnefe, Religions alter and fucceed one another, at they have done eternally. Thefe arc the unworthy Bafes upon which he would 78 JlbentttJOltO and fflranta. Book V. *AlM*lf would place Religion, flighting thofe Noble Pillars upon which it was at firft erected, God's Right and our Duty.Any man that believeth theBee- ing of God, and confeffeth him to be the Creator of the World, will ea- fily grant that we are oblig'd in Juftice to worfhip him, and Ingenuity will confirain him thankfully to acknowledg and humbly to adore his Patron and Benefactor* But as Antitkeus has ltifled the Connate fenfe of a Deity, which all Nations do confefs to be interwoven with the nature of their Souls 5 fo cfteeming himfelf not beholden to God, he fupprefieth thole great Reafons which make other men Religious, left he fhould be judg'd Ingrateful. It may be your defire, proceeded * Philaktbes^o know by what brave »«oT w Standard he meafures Religion, which he hath difgrae'd with fuch a mean \jmAAt\B. Original.f Antitheus taking no notice of the Law of Nature,or the Gofpel of our Saviour, afligos no Rule but the Arbitrary Commands of the Civil Magistrate, and eftcems that true Religion in every Country which the Governour thereof prefcribes, and approves all for true though one con- tradict another, and judgeth him Religious who, becaufe he is comman- ded, worfhips the Devil , and fays it is no fin for men to profefs Atheifm if they be requir'd to do ir,or to renounce their Saviour, nay, though it be againft their Gonfcience 5 and teacheth them to excufe the denial which they make in words by thinking otherwife, and gives them liberty to do it in their interior Cogitations too,if they will, upon this ground,becaufe, as he fays,Mens thoughts are not fubject to the Commands of God«Thus he hath reprefented the Saviour of the World as a Rebel for preaching a Gofpel which was not authoriz'd by the Roman Emperour ; and hath di« fparag'd the Apoftles as feditious Hereticks, becaufe they perfwaded the World not to worfhip Idols, If any thing can be added to that which I have already related, he hath further demonftrated that fmall meafure of Good will which he hath to Religion by endeavouring to invalidate thofe Arguments which allure good men that it proceeded from God,the chief of which are Miracles and Prophecy. Miracles are Divine Works tranfeending all ordinary Power of Nature, by which God hath given Teftimony to the Doctrine of his Mefiengers. Thefe he calls only unu- fual Accidents of Nature, which Ignorant people wonder at 5 but which Wife men look upon as no great Matters, becaufe they underftand their Caufes, and becaufe Impoftors do fuch things by a dextrous application of Natural Caufes or make weak people believe fo by rare cafts of Le- gerdemain. Hefayes alfo that if fome things be fo Orange that they fcem to tranfeend all power of Nature and all Art of Magicians, yet he which performs thefe rare Operations is not to be credited unlefs the Civil Ma- giftrate declare that the Works are Miracles, and that the Perfon is come from God. By which Argument the World was not obliged to believe in our Saviour, though they law him cloath'd with Divine Power, com- manding the Winds, making raging Seas obedient to his Word, fubduing Dcvils,healing all forts of Dileafes without any natural Medicines,trium: phing over Death, both by railing fome to life out of their Graves, aud riling himfelf after he had been buried three dayes, in a word, exerci- fing an ablblute Authority upon univerfal Nature > becaufe Tiberius and his Procurators did not make his Miracles authentick with their Civil Sanction, He is fo willing to vilifie thefe great Operations,as Tricks invented by Covetous Artifts to get Riches and Honor.that he will affirm thofe ftrange \ Prodigies which appear fometimes in the Air, to be either Virions only reported by Princes to have been feen, to amufe their People or t\fe that Book v. jldnitiboiio and ffl rania« 79 they are reprefented in the Air by Glafles. He fays that the Armies which feem to skirmifb in the Air are only Images of Souldiers at Land or Sea reflected from one cloud to another, and multiplied as fhadows are ordinarily by divers Looking- glafles} and when no Armies are near the places where thefe Apparitions are feen, he fays they are brought from remote parts by ftrong Winds. Sometimes he fancies that men form thefe Shapes upon thick Vapours which Swim in the Air by the power of Imagination, as women make marks upon the Embryo's in their Womb 5 or elfe that the Celeftial Intelligences which move the Orbs imprint thofe fhapes in their own Bodies, which are extended much like to Skins of Parchment, and in thefe men feem to forefee future events by painted Schemes. Thus he makes Miracles things of no greater wonder then an Ignis Fatutts, and Igno- rant Superftition the only Reafon of that Faith which is produe'd by them. rrophecy in his Opinion is no better Aflurance: for he efieems Pro- phetick Virions only as Dreams of phrenetick men, that thought they convers'd with Angels when they talk'donly with their own Shadows 5 and fays, that God's fpeaking to them in Dreams is no more but what they dreamed that God fpoke to them. Becaufe fometimes things feem to be foretold, he afcribes the power of Prediction to prophe- tick Vapours which fome parts of the earth exhale in fbme certain fea- fbnsj and that thofe Iaipirations enabled the Minifters of Apollo to give Oracles at Delphos , and fore'd the Pphian Girls to fiug ecftatick Verfes. Thefe being the chief Reafons which we have to believe what God hath faid, and to do what he hath commanded $ you may eafily fuppofe that he efieems the Primitive Martyrs Egregious Fools, and their Noble Deaths only effects of potent Imagination, which they fufFered either through a great deftre of Honour.or were fore'd to it by the ftrength of HypocondriackHumours,and that except the ApplaufeoftheirSeftthey perifh'd as trivially as a wild Indian, who will dye rather then not wor- Ihip his Pagod. Thus that Paflive Obedience, which for many Ages was perform'd with fo much humble fubmiffion,that it was manifeft to all be- holders to be no obftinate Humour, and by fuch vaft multitudes, that it prov'd it felf to be no Rebellious Defign when they could not com* ply with unlawful Commands, which was the ancient Glory of Chrifria- nity, and made it flourifh under the raoft fharp persecutions, is by him dilparag'd as at the beft but an Honeft Foolery. You will not wonder at all, if after all this be expound any great point of Faith.into a Trifle. The Refutreftion he efteems only a Recovery from fome Apoplettical Diftemper 5 to raife a man from the Dead is on- ly to awaken him out of a Lethargical deep, or to cure one that is fickof an Epilepfie. The Apparitions of men that have been buried, as he fays, are only fome Vapours extracted out of their Graves by the Stars, which rcprefent the ftnpes which they had when they were alive:The po- tent Stars collecting it feems Vapours out oi their cloths too,for they ap- pear many times in the fameHabit which they us'd to wear.But it is eafie for him to fwallow fuch fmall matters, who cfteemsAngels in general butPhan* tafms or wild Imaginations of fick Brains,8c byGood Angels would have us to underftaod nothing but our Friends,fuch as are of our Opinton,obfcrve our Humor or applaud what we fay:So an Archangel is a Parafite,or aCar» rier which brings good news in a Letter. Departed Souls he interprets Shadows, that iSjiuch as fall from our Bodies when we walk in the Sun 5 and *J» MiiSi. 80 Jlfcentibolio and frlrania. Book v. and lays that the Anguifh which is call'd Remorfe or Confcience h iofli- €ttd by thofe,and that they are the mod proper Minifters of that punifh- ment,becaufc they muft needs be confeious to all our Mif-doing?, having accompanied us in all places.Devils he reputes eithcrFittious of terrified Souls, which hurt only luch as make them by their one Fears ; or elfe Wicked men, that is, fuch as are not of our Mind ; and fometirnes any thing which hurts us, as Difeafes. Sometime he fays he could be more content to believe that there are Angels in the received fenfe, but that the Alienors of that Doftrin do not allow Angelltffes. He doth not va- lue Eternal Bleffednels, efteeming the Beatifick Vifion an unintelligible Notion; and inftead of a clearer kuowlcdg of God, and all things ac- companied with an incomparable Joy, he fays the Kingdom of Heaven fignifies only aftate of Civil Government, like to that which the Jews had before they made Saul their King, He tells us that the Souls of Good men do not afcend into Heaven or enjoy any knowledg, but die with the Body, but that they fhall rife again, and then be as Adam was before he finn'd. He underftands by the pains of Hell, that Wicked men fhall die as others do, aod lie without any fenfe in the Grave till the day of Judgment, and when they rife again fhall be tormented by feeing themlelves more unhappy then others, that is, they fhall be fore'd to eat, drink, marry and beget Children, as they did before, and then die again. *AUvirtf Here * Philalethes made a paufe, and begg'd pardon for the Length of * r *?'y.*.;fl n ' s Narration in thefe words : I am afraid, Bentivolio and Amyntor^ that I have wearied you both with a prolix Story of* Antitheus his Theology 3 but as I hope that Obedience to your Commands will fervc for an Excufe of my offence, fo I make no doubt but that though the matter of my Dif- courle hath been difpleafing, becaufe it gives notice of a Wicked Defire 5 yet it is the lefs confiderable, becaufe that which is defign'd is impoffible. For though the Engine which I havedefcrib'd be fram'd with an Intenti- on to throw Religion offthe Hinges 5 yet it is no more able to do it,then to pull Humane Nature up by the Roots. You might have fpar'd this excufe, philalethes, faid Bentivolio, but that you can omit nothing in your Converfation which you judg Civil, but if your own Wearinefs be not the true meaning of your Complement, we defire to be acquainted with fome few of thofe Principles by which An- titheus pretends to have glorified Natural Philolophy.lt is but a fmall la- bour, anfwer'd PhiUlethes, and if it were greater I Ihould willingly un- dertake it at your Command. Antitheus $.0 make the forcmentioo'd En- gine more ftrong, hath fortified it with fome affiftances which he pre- tends to have receiv'd from Natural Philofophy, though indeed ihcy are only a few falle Opinions which he had beftow'd upon it in hope to bor- row them as he fhould haveoccafion to ufe them j that is, to pervert Phi- lolbphy to ferve his Delign againfl Theology : turning the found Prin- ciples of fober Difcourfes into bold Paradoxes, and fitting extravagant Fancies, which are apt to take with vain Souls, not only to oppofe true Notions, but to lay Foundations of Atheifm in his Difciples minds 5 at once endeavouring to fupplant true Reafon in thofe whom he teach' eth to mifundcrftand Nature, and to differve Gods Intcreft with fuch as know not the difference between Jargon and Philofophy. One of his Fundamental Notions is, That the World was made by a fortui- tous concourfe of ftragling Atoms, or, in plainer Terras, that it is E- tcrnal, and was alwayesfuch as it is now, or not much unlike to ic >• the common Principles of all things which did eternally exift of themfelves, being Book V. 2l5enfiM!0 and (Mrania* 81 being often Unified into t'-veral Forms by a continued fucceflion of vari- ous Motions, By which Artifice all Dependacce upon a Deity is rejected, and the World inftru&ed to acknowledge uo firftCaufe. For he was a« fraid that if he fhould confefs that the World was not Eternaljhe would alfo be forc'd to ackuowledg that the Supreme Deity determin'd it to begin at his pleafure. The World thus conftituted he calls Nature, and fometimes dignified it with the name of God; not meaning that Omnipo- tent Wifdom, which being diftinguifh'd from all created Beeings derives from himfelt to them what they are in their particular kinds j but the Nature of things connex'd by feveral Links of Eflence which make the World to be what it is ; which is but a more dull Expreflion of the Do* ftriue of Atoms, and depends upon the Ignorance of this Truth, That Nature is Goc's Work, that is, the Method of Divine Art plac'd in the Ef- fecces of things, by which they are led orderly to their particular Ends, and fo is only the tfFecT: of his All-powerful Goodnefs, or the proper Na« ture which he hath beftow'd upon every thing. He looks upon Incorporeal fubftances (as I told you before) as thing* to be hifs'd out of the confederation of Philofbphers j and in correfpon* dence with that brave fuppofition aflerts, That the Soul is nothing d'\- ftinft from the Body, but only a few Atoms put together by chance in a certain Order ; and that Death is a diflblutionof that Contexture,and a Refolution of the Soul into fmall Particles of fine Duft. But becaufe of fome who have diligently confidered thofe rare Operations in which Human Nature doth manifeft if felf to be fome better thing, he fays that all thofe Afts are capable of explication by Corporeal Motioo, He af- firms Senfe to be nothing but the local Motion of certain parts in the Body, and that Motion, and Senfation which is the Perception of Mo- tion, are both one 5 that is, a Bell hears it felf found. He defines Rea- fon to be only a Motion of the exteriour Organs of the Body caufed by an Impreffion of the Object, and propagated by a fucccflion of A- gitationsto the inward parts j that is, thelu-fide ofaBafe-viol is made tounderftand Mulick by him that draws a Bow over the firings which arefaftened upon the Out- fide, and isaliving creature all the while his play 'd upon: poor Muficians never dreaming that they havefuch a power beftow'd upon them, that their Inftruments underfland Mu- fick as well as they 5 and not believing that the Trees or Stones did ever dance after any Harper, though fome Poets have faid fo. Thus as he would have the Cooftituiion of the World uoderftood without a God,fohe would have all the Phenomena of Humane Nature explain'd without a Soul, that fo Men may be free,if they pleafe,to liye like brute Beads, to whom by his Argument they are not Superiour. The beft no- tion which he can btftow upon the Soul is but a Vivacious Habit of Bo« dy, or the local Motion of fome particles, and the Beafts have that; and Life poflibly is an Harmonical Wind, fuch as is convey 'd by Bellows through the Pipes of Organs, whom we may fuppofe to live as long as they breathe. Difcourfe is nothing with him but Motion with Rea&i- on, of which a Lutcftring is equally capable with any Man. He oblite- rates all Connate Idea's of God by which Excellent perfons think them- felvesinabled toconverfe with the Divine Nature, as the Eye being re- • plenifh'd with a Cryftalline Humour is made capable of feeing the Sun. Thus Men are reprtfented as no more fitted for Religion then Beafts.But as his Doftrine raifeth Wood and Stones to the fame pitch of Senfe with Humane Nature, it is but a fmall matter for him to deprefs it to the faaic Level with Beafts, either in Excellency of knowledge or Capacity M of 82 Jl&entibolio and (Mrania, Book v. of Religion.lt is confequent to this That the Soul is Mortal; How (hould it be otherwife, being but MotioD? when that ceafetb, it dies. And confi- dering that many believe otherwife,he adds 5 that the Immortality of fepa- rate Souls isonly a Window open'd into the dark Region of Eternal Tor- ments by fuch as have been fool'd with the Demonology of the Greeks. I perceive you are cloy'd with his Natural Philofophy, and therefore I will fet no more of it before you, but give you a tafteof his Ethicks. But doth he ackuowledge 3ny fuch thing as Vertue? faid Betitivolio. You may well make a Queftion of that, replied Philalethet > by what I have reported^but I will tell you what he fays,and then you may judge. He afierts that in the Natural ftate of Humanity all things are indifferent, that nothing is abfolutely Good or Evil, and that no common Rule of Good and Evil can be taken from the Nature of the Obje&s themfelves; but all things are to be meafur'd by mens Appetites, which have the only Power to make whatfoever pleafeth them Good. He fuppofes men in the ftate of Nature to be a company of Licentious People (haggling up and down the fiirface of the Earth without any Law, obnoxious to no Au« thority, incapable of Sin, bothbecaufe there are no Eternal Rules of Good and Evil, of which the beft Philofophers have believed the Law of Nature written upon our Hearts to be a Tranfcript, and becaufe no pofitive Commands were given to them ; for from whom fhould they receive them who were their own Lords ? He fays that the World had never been troubled withthofe ufelefs Notions of Vertue and Vice, but that fbmc proud Ignoramus introdue'd them upon an arrogant Suppofi- tiorj that men have Liberty of Will, that is, a free Principle of Aftion ; when as by his words all thee Freedom that they have is, that they da not fee that they have none ; mens Wills being, like other things, extrin- fecally determin'd -, Hence he infers that either there is no Sin, or that God is the Author of it, who doth not only help us to A&,but force us to Will 5 teaching the vileft Perfons to excufe their worft A&ionj by accu- fing thofe caufes which with irr'efiftible force neceflitate them to operate as they do. Thus Deliberation is rendred as a great Foolery,and a Horfe made as capable of Honefty as a Man, and a Stone as either of them. Conference, which the Good men of all Ages have ever rcver'd as an indwelling God is defpis'd by him as an Idol made by falfe Imagination*. Blame is reckon'd but a fignification of Difpleafure, not the Imputation of a Fault. HisnewGofpel hath aboliflit ingenuous Shame, and fays that thofe whom we call our firft Parents had no troublefbme refent- ment of their Eating the Forbidden Fruit as a Crime, but exprefs'd a little Anger againft God for not making them with their Cloaths on .* as if they had been blind,and did not fee their skins before they broke their Creator's Orders , or had no reafon to blufh when through an ingrateful Carelefnefs they devefted themfelves of the Innocence with which he indued them, by doing what he had prohibited. Thus he hath extermi- nated Sorrow for unworthy Actions, which in tinners begins the Practice of Repentances and made humble Prayers, by which all the World doth exprefsa Dependance upon God, as impertinent as if we fhould make an Oration to the Sun to day to perfwade it to rife to morrow. It's true, fometimes he makes bold with his own Do&rines, and frets at crols Ac- cidents, and fays that by reafon of great Prudence one man is fitter to give Advice, then another, and admits of the Diftin&ion wich is made between Counfels and Commands, with many other fuch like pronun* tiations} which being mingled with his aflertion of the extriofecal Predetermination of all Actions and Events, are Arguments againft the Book v. JBtntiMio and flflrama, 83 the Liberty of the Wil!,compos'd much after the manner Oi thole Horns which Mahomet faw upon the heads of fome of his Monfter- Angels, which, as he fays, were made of Snow and Fire. Mens particular Natures being thus reprefented, you will expect that he fhould appoint ftrange Rules to govern them when they are joyn'd in Society. They would be excellent, if they were proportionable to that great Conceit which he hath of his own Ability in this kind : for before his time, he faith, the Doctrine of Civil Government was unknown-, and that his Prefcriptions are far above any Comparifon with what hath been deliver'd by the beft Legifhtors in the World, in that the better forts of Beafts have a more prudent Politie then Men, and could promulgate bet- ter Laws if they would pleafe to fpeak in fuch a language as we under* (land. But fome which haveconfider'd his new Model affirm it to be only a fictitious fuppofal of a (late of Humanity that never was or will be,and that his feveral Dictates are ufelefs Confequences drawn fromfalfePrin* ciplcs, and perveifly applied to the Condition of Mankind, which doth not only reject them as impertinent,but abhor thetri as milchievous to the Nature and Happinels of Men. Some of his Orders fuppofe men to be * Autochthones , Intelligent Mufhromes, or elfe Pre- Adamites born before *Mmofthm- the Moon upon fome Arcadian Hills others are fitted well enough for the feives frm™ Serpentine Brood of Cadmus, or for a barbarous multitude of Men de- S' H sr<»» »*» degeoerated into Beafts.* but they agree not with the nobler ftate of Mankind, which by the prudent appointment of our great Creator is derived from our Common Parents Adam and Eve } whoic ftate was never Anarchical, for their Creator was their King; neither were they at any time without Law, for they came not into the World till God had fix'd the Principles of Reafon and the Roots of Love in their Natures, and obliged them by bringing them into Bering to obferve the Laws which he had written upon their Hearts. Their Liberty was not unlimited, for thefe Laws bounded it •, neither could their condition be a ftate of War, unlefsthey fhould fight againft themfelves} for by an univerfal Law well known to them all they were oblig'd to love their Neighbours as themfelves. They have defervd all Commendations who, writing up- on this Subject, have not only redue'd the Civil ftate of men to right Principles, but reprefented a better to mens confederation then was yet everfeen but in Books-, that fb the World might meliorate if felf by the juft imitation of a noble Example: hut* Antitheuj hath fo far en- *AnAtktiH. courag'd the world to Degenerate, that he hath made the Nature of Men worfe in his picture then ever it was in it felf. For he hath prefented the firft ftate of Rational Beeings as a War of all men againft all men,that is, a Common wealth wherein every man is his Neighbours Enemy,and in which every one may juftly do what he will 3 where the ufe of Force and Fraud is lawful 5 where every man having a Right to every thing may get pofleflion of it 3s he can, by enflaving and deftroying not only what doth hurt him, but alfo that which he imagines able to annoy him 5 every man's Appetite being the Rule of what he may defire, and his own Apprehenfion the fole Judge of the beft Means to attain his Ends. He affirms fometimes, and it is correfpondent to the forementioned Prin- ciples, that C« of tion of fuch Doctrines by which the ftate of Reafonable Nature is mif-re- *"'*' prefented and Men unhappily directed,and which would quickly deftroy all that Felicity which depends upon Civil Policy if they were emertain'd in the World. Here Philakthet ended his Difcourfe} and as Bentivolio was about to make an Apology for having put him to fo much trouble,and to give him thanks that for his and Aruyntors Satisfaction he was willing to * fpend fo much time in the Report of fuch unacceptable Matters, one of ph/lalethes his fervants whom he had fent to a Poliftherion was return'd , >iht cityof a nd came into the Room to give him notice how things went there. Ha/ Bta!{ '- «> Kalodulus, faid Philalefbes, I have expected you thefe twodayes} but it b A $oi r„, feems your entertainment was (b good in Poliffherion, that you could not ■**>"• getaway fuddenly. Foiiftherionh at this time fuch an undeOrable place, replied his Servant, that if it had not beeniu Obedience to your Com- mands, I would not have ftay'd there one day. I gave thanks to God a hundred times as I was upon my way home, that you were banifh'd from fuch a forlorn City,which I can compare to nothing but Hell. You dwell in Heaven here, Dear Mafter, and do fingly enjoy that Happinefs which for any thing that I could difcernisnot to be found in all Toliflherion, \ met nothing but Difcontent wherefoever I came: the Streets are fill'd with Cries, the Houfes eccho Complaints; the Exchange is fpoil'd with Fraud, the Courts are become a prey to Injuftice. All Relations have a- bandon'd thofe Vertues upon which their mutual Happinefs was founded, Fathers have given up all Studies but their Pleafures, and their Children imitate them. What Errours the Women commit I dare not fay,but they defend them by the Examples which they receive from Men. Friends undermine each others Interefts, and yet complain againft one another. Fidelity is grown fo rare, that Mailers are infecure as to their Domeftick Servants,and men have as many Adverfaries as Neighbours. In fhort,they live after fuch a fafhion as if Wicked nefs were licene'd amongft them; but I believe that they will foon grow weary of this falfe Liberty, and be glad to return to their former ftate. For unhappinefs leems to have made a perfect Cooqueft of Poliftherion, and having broken thofe Holy Links of Juftice and Love by which Profperity is fattened to Humane Society, doth make them drag one another with chainsof Oppreflion to fuffer the torments of Difbrder which they mutually inflict upon thofe whom they fhould love and ferve. I 86 Jl&entibolio and (Urania. Book V. • tht City of BetHs. * Ah Jtititt. * Aptrvnft Matter. * Jh evilftr- vxnt. * JpAverfe Mattir. 1 will only trouble you further with the hearing of one or two flrange Accidt nts which happen'd whil'ft I was in * Polijiherion. I came one Eve- ning (for I durft not be fcen in the Day-time, being known to belong to you) where a multitude of People were gathered together ; and (laying to enquire the Gaufe,I perceiv'd that a Child was unmercifully expos'd in the Street, and that the Dogs had kill'd it & eaten half of it. The Mother being difcover'd to be the Author of this Cruelty, the Father 5 uot a little difpleas'd with what was done, was going to have kill'd her 5 but was inter- rupted by the comming ofa Judge who was returning from the Gaftle of * Atititbeus to his own Houle. He complain'd to this Judge of the barba- rous Faft committed by his Wife,and demanded Juftice againft her. The Judge ask'd if his Wife was the Child's Motherland the Father anfwering, Yes, Then/aid the Judge, (he hath only kill'd her own:but that you have any reafon to complain as a Fatheris uncertain and you do only believe it becaufe formerly (lie told you fo j but this is plain, that by the Right of Nature the Dominion over the Infant did belong firft to her,becaufe (he had it firft in her Power : and as to the Child he determin'd that it was meer Courtefie that (he did not kill it fooner, and fo went away. My other (lory is of a Servant who kill'd his Mafter, called * Streblo- dejpotes , who had pofiefs'd his mind with large opioions concerning the extent of his own Authority,and would often fay that a Mafter could do no Wrong to his Servants, becaufe they are fuppoi'd by the Nature of their Condition to have fubjecled their Wills to their Mailers Com- mands without Referve. The frequent Repetition of fuch Speeches io- due'd one of his Servants, who prefum'd to underftand his Mailers Pow- er better then he himfelf did, to difpute with one of his fellow-fervants concerning the Unlimitednefs of Magifterial Authority , and to urge againft it that no Mafter could juftly claim fuch an abfolute Command ; but that if he requir'd of his Servant any thing which was incoDfiftent with his Obedience to God or Allegiance to his Prince, he might think himfelf greatly wrong'd and ought not to do what was commanded, and yet have a fufficient Warrant for his Difobedience. Streblodejpotet being acquainted with this Difcourfe refolv'd to kill his Servant 5 but he underftanding his Mafters purpofe by one whom he had fpokeoto for his affiftance in the Execution of it,ran away to prevent his Danger,One * Cacodultts, another of his Men who had as extravagant Principles for a Servant as * Streblodejpotes had for a Mafter, did not only juftifie the Prudence of his Fellow- (ervant that was gone, but protefted, if it had been his Cafe, he would have ftay'd and taken another courfe. How do you prove that to be lawful ? (aid one of Streblodejpotes his (laves which ftood by. Thus anfw er' d Cacodulus ; We were taken Captives, and be- caufe our Mafter might have kill'd us if he had pleay'd, we promis'd to ferve him whilft we liv'd if he would not put us to death : But fince he hath entertain'd us, he both makes us perform very hard fervice,and fometimes putsus in Chains j and therefore I fuppofe we are free from any Obligation to our Purpofe. I think (b too, faid the other (lave; and fince we have no hopes of Freedom till our Mafter be dead, let us redeem our felves with his Life. Both agreeing in this Refolution, they watch'd a fit Opportunity, and kill'd him. Some, which faw what was done,endeavour'd to apprehend them 5 they did what they could to de- fend themfelves.Whilft the Couteft lafted,a Captain ofa Galley happen'd to come by,who was friend to Streblodejpotes \bi. having demanded of the flaves a Reafon of their Adion,one of them replied, Our Mafter was infi- nitely fevere in his Commands, and faid he could do us no wrong what tasks Book v. jldintiboito and ilftama* 87 tasks foever he fet us,or what Punishments foever he inflicted, becaufe his Dominion over us was gain'd after the fame manner by which Men fubdue Beafts 5 and we thought we might, as foon as we could, rc«gain our Liber- ty, Right according to his own Law depending merely upou greater Strength. It may be fo, faid the Captain;and fince I have more Power then you, I will take punifhment of you tor the Death of my friend ; and immediatly commanded his Servants to kill them. Here a Philakthes interrupting his Servant, and turning to Bentivolio » a Lover if and * Amyntor, faid, I did eafily forefee that fuch as thefe or worfe Mif- Tr * th - cheifs would foon h.ippen under the forlorn Government of c Antitheus $ f j^^MieS! and ask'd his Servant if he did not fee Antitheus. Only once as he pafi'd by in a Coach I faw him through the Glafs of my Chamber- Window, re- plied his Servant > for he doth feldpm go abroad 5 and never without a ve- ry ftrong Guard , alwayes fearing left fome of Akthion's friends fhould ftab him. vhilakthts ask'd him how he was reported to fpend his time- He anfwer'd, Much after that manner which Sardanapalus us'd in Ninive. Who are his ufual Companions;? faid Philakthes. As I was informed I a ontcmw will acquaint you, replied his Servant, for Idurftnot venture into the '•**«&»« Caftle. He hath made d Pafenantius and = Anthills his Principal Secreta- ] °' w *? " t ... "Y, . „ . . * aiawi the con- ries Dogmapornes is his Favorite, E Panthnetus is the Steward of his traryway. Houfe, h Phikdones his Treafurer, ' Alynetus his Chief Juftice, k Autautus r2l "»P : »io»of is the Captain of his Guard,and his Brother ' Profeknus is his Lieutenant.- s on°Z'ho m Pf/copannyx, n Saprobius. and ° Udemellon ate of his Bedchamber : ***»j m p Medenarete is his Minion, r Aftromantis with his infeparable Companion *$!$$$ 1 Thaumaturgtts, are his Phyfitians ; e Scepticus i * Hypfagoras and " Antigra- pj«>f»re. phus are general Buffoons to them all. I hear alio that one w ' Hieromimus { / n Im P ra ~ lately come to towD, hopes, by the Interceffion of Hypfagords, to be en- * oJ/wZ'a. tertain'd by .4*//^e«/,and that * Anopheles doth much favour him. y Ga- jM»'-«w» firimargus, * Cantharus and a Aphrodifius are all preferr'd by Phikdones. ^onlblmbc This is all that I could learn in PoliJiherion t Philakthes faid nothing.only fort t'e Aooa: fhak'd his head, and bad his (ervant withdraw. When he was gone,Zte#- ^jg 7***^" tivolio defired PhiUkthes that betides his pardon for their former trouble- n one of a cor- fomenefs, he would pleafe to oblige himfelf and Amyntor with a fhort **?* Li f e - Character of the foremention'd Perlbns, adding that upon the hearing tkifLffh* of their old Names he could not but imagine that they were obfervable p Y tnut '> ""■ for fome Angular Qualities. ^ «&•!» if, I (hall willingly do it, £aid Thilalethes. ' Pafenantius is a man of a mod *whh «*« perverle Difpofition, andfois h Anthol^es: they both take a great de- f^"'* \ light in contradicting what others afferr, and think nothing well laid or •wnkswnltri. done but by c Antitheus and themfdves: They are very agreeable to'"" 5 ^ his Humour 3 becaufe they have a rare faculty in minting new Words and d J"'^ " ' Phrafes, of which Antitheus makes nofmallufe; for by expunging all c AHghtJ- known Terms, he hopes to extinguish all received Opinions, and to in- j-"* A ( . troduce his new Phylofophy into the World. But his Expectations ha ve fcriptunsi. a very weak Foundation 5 for it is obferv'd that after he hath taken much w 0ue f 1 ' 9 pains to divulge fome hidden Myftery in ftrangeSentences,he hath been rbLgs! found only to have wrapt up a Falfhood in unufual Terms, or to have x ^» «»r«£- obfcur'd fome common Notion which every Novice underftood as foon \ %l J!j^il" a bi, as he had enter'd the firft confines of Study, and could have exprefs'd Eater. in better Words. Shall I give you a tafte of Variations by which * A *™} r * e r i' t he hath advanc'da Philofophical Ignorance? For God, he h3th put * fr /;,„. Nature^for Providence, Chance } for Creation, Eternal Viciflitudej for * oneiuho Prefcience, Fate; for Liberty, Omnipotence 5 for Contingency, Necefli f^w). "" ty j for Poflible, Future , for Hiftory, Myftery 5 for Cruelty, Juftice ; c m ^*W». for 88 jl&entiboUo and Crania* Book v. for Difcourfe,contradicVion:, tor Philofopher, Did: .tor, tor Hypocrifie, Wildoro; for Religion, Mockery; for Theology, Atheifm. ■-tht»pmi»ncf Of c Dogmafornes you have heard fomething already ; and of his Un- »whor». worthy Opinions concerning the Divine Providenceyn the ftory of d A- A Ami %uht at- ■■ c ■ r r l • i i - tunfrm- pron£m : he hath many more of the lame nature,{or which, as being very imi, £t to be entertain'd in Brothel Houfes, but worthy to be banifh'd from all Civil Societies,becau(e they fend down a mifcheivous influence upon Humane Life, he wascall'd Dogmapomei. I have often fancied that his Countenance doth very much refcmble the Air of the rebellious Giants, and that he is much of that Dif pofition which did fo corrupt the Manners of the old World,that Almighty God was provok'd to deftroy them with a Dcluge.lf ever Apoftate Angels begot Children upon Lafcivious Wo- men, he may well be thought to have come of that Race. *owv>hta- * AutautHt would have us believe that the World made it felf, orat f" ,h yf lt> leafr, did of it felf Eternally exift in loofe Atoms, and that after many ""'■'* wild encounters.the jumbled particles, (as if they were playing at the an- cient fport of Ofcillation) did at laft luckily throw themfelves into that *ohi btrn it- infinite number of rare figures of which this World confifts. * Profeletws firtt't -^««- i s of the fame opinion, andisufually very troublefome to the Company where he happens to be, with ftrange ftories of Men whom he affirms to have been fifty thoufand years older then the Moon; and hath fram'd many Fabulous Tales of Eve's Great Grand mother, whofcFather, as he * emiertt it- fays, was call'd * Prieadamita. He affirms alfo, 3lmoft in the fame words *a-«1w/. with the *Atheift of F/orc»«, that we fhould have certainly known the ' Cuftoms and Accidents of the former World, but that a great Deluge happen'd in Adam's time, by which all the Records of the foregoing A- ges were deftroy'd, and no Perfons preferv'd but Adam and his Wife,two Mountainous Shepherds; and that Jdam to gain the Glory of being re- puted the firft Father of a new World (a ftrange Ambition to feize upon the thoughts of a poor Shepherd) agreed with his Wife to conceal the knowledge of that which was deftroy'd, from their Children: by which means it came to pafs, as he gucfles,that we have only the notice ofabouc five or fix thoufand years time 5 but fuppofes that Adam's Pofterity did findfome Remembrances of another State, yet, to fupport the Honour of their Family, reckon'd them but Fabulous Devices made by (otne of their PrcdecefTours. *Aiovtr»f * p hiledonet is one wholly devoted to a Voluptuous Life, of which he }it*furt. hath made choice as his only Happinefs, as he faith, meerly in Imitation of the Exemplary Vcrtues of the Epicurean Gods, who rejecting the troublefome Cares of this lower World,do nothing but feaft themfelves inHeaven- Hewas inclin'd toSenfuality by his Natural Complexion 5 but when he doubted a man was made for more noble purpofes then thofe of which a Swine is capable, he wasconfirm'd in his way by two of 1 AlMmai bisCompanionSj'Pdff/Awe/w/ ao&Vdemellott, who made him believe that " nothing Fti- Men have no fouls, but thatas they are born and grow like Beafts, fb %wt ' they wax old and die as they do,, and are not accountable in another World for what they do in this. When he put this fcruple to them , But what if the Soul fhould be Immortal? You need not fear that, faidthey; for if Souls, fuppofing that there are fuch things, did not perifh with their Bodies, they would befo thick crowded together in the other World, that fome of them would have been glad of the Errand to come and tell Atheifts of their Errour, and reprove them for , f fpeaking againft their Exifteuce. With fuch fool Hi Arguments they fiitfw" have perfwaded poor * Phikdones to believe that all Felicity is in PJea- fiire Book v. jiDcnti'ooiio and ork< wanders. ] on g j n his Company much-what with the.fame Grace that the Monky doth with the Bears. I will not trouble you with any longer Defcription e the city ef of him, you will quickly hear of him in c Polijiherion. t Anopheles is an in- Beaiii. timate friend of Afiromantis : he is wholly taken up with making of Ta- ' An untroff t . r . r • r ■ ti/->i • • o nr i tubieporjon, lilmans,7 e. ulelels Images Imbols dor ingraven in Stone, Wood or Me- tal, under certain Conftellations, made toreprefent fome Celeftial Pla- net or Conjuuftion of Stars ; that is, bearing the Figure of thofe living Creatures which are defcrib'd in the Heavens, and efpecially in the Zo- diacl(, which hash its name from them. Thefe being thus compos'd, as he faith,reccive a Power from above ■> for the Stars being much taken with the Refemblancc of their Figures, fend down potent Influences upon thofe fmall pieces of Stone, Wood or Metal, which they not only retain themfelves, but are alfo able to impart to other Matters of the fame Fi- gure, as to a piece of Clay or Wax taking an Impreflion from them. His Talifmans thus made,do, as he would make us to believe,in a natural and conftant way ftrange VVonders.* as for Example, they drive away Ser- pents and Rats from Cities, cure thofe which are bitten by mad Dogs or ftuug by Scorpions, chafe away hurtful Infers of the Fields, as Locufts and Caterpillars, and deliver People from the Pefiilence and all Conta? gionsof the Air 3 nothing of all this depending upon any Converfatioo with Spirits 3 which he efieems Fancies. Thus, as he fays, he hath receiv'd the old Art by which the Jews made Teraphims , and the Arabians and Mgyptians fraro'd Statues according to the Rules of Aftrology and Natural Magick, and ha« ving fctch'd down the Spirits of the Stars , imprifbn'd them in thefe Shrines much after the fame manner that Damons are faid to be in« eluded in Humane Bodies, by which means their Talifmans of Brafs and Stone do move and fpeak.and refolve thofe Queftions which are pro- pounded to them : I fuppofe Roger Bacon's Brazen.head wasfbme fuch thing. By this Art the Brachtnans, whom we muft not thick to have been Magicians, made Boys of Brafs, which ferv'd in their Meat, and fill'd Wine to the Table when they entertain'd Apollonius* It may be that by a refemblance of this rare Philofophy the Laplanders make Iron Frogs, which hop upon a little Drum whofe Head is fill'd with many barbarous Characters drawn with blood, and as they reft upon different Figures enable thofe which look upon them to divine concerning Wind and VVeatber, and direft them concerning Fifh'ng and Hunting. Why Book v. 2ID?ntibolta and (Htama, 91 Why may not the Laplanders fancy fome of the Fignres in the Zodiack, to be Frogs, as cafily as others can fee Fifties there ? Who knows but the Piper of Halberjiade was of this Profeffion, and had fume Talifmans in his Pocket when he drove the Rats into the River and the Boys into the Hill ? Thus NeSanabo, a glorious Infrance of this Heavenly Skill, made Ships of Wax, no doubt under the Influences of Argo, and then drown'd them, by which means he funk thofe of his Enemies 3 as Witches make I- magesofwax under fome Malignant Afpeft, and then prick them with Fins or melt them, when they would afflidt or deftroy thole perfons which are reprefented by them. As Experience doth manifcft the Truth of thefe Effects, fo he fays the Reafon is evident from the Nature of Refemblance, which draws the 1 Power of the Stars to Bodies which are imprinted with like Figures to themfelves}Imagining vainly that, becaufe fome Inanimate things do bear the Images of others that have Life, that the Figure doth both form the Matter, becaufe Toads are fometimes found in the midft of a firm ftone, and give it Operation, becaufe Plants are fometimes Medicinal to that Member of Humane Bodies which they refemble: not confidering that thofe fmall particles of Matter which have a Vegetative Power are alfo endued with a plaftick Vertue, by which they form themfelvesinto thofe Figures which arc futable to their Natures. So the Seminal Atoms which are prefervd in the Afhes of a Rofe in a Glafs, are rais'd through the Af- fiftance of Fire into the colour and figure which the Flower had before it was reduc'd to Powder.He doth not mind alfo that many things which are mark'd have no Operation upon thofe living Creatures to which they are like ; and that where they have, it is God's care of our Good , who by thefe external Signatures hath given us notice of the Vertue which he hath put into the Nature of things : as by the red Drops which are vifible in the Stone call'd Heliotropium, he hath fbew'd us with what we may ftop blood, and without which Natural power the Figure which he talks of would do no more good, then foft Butter will ftab a man be- ing made up into the Figure of a Dagger. But that which he fays concer- ning their deriving a power from above by the fimilitude which they have of fome Celeftial Figure, is moft ridiculous} for who knows not,that hath ever look'd upon the face of the Heavens,that the Scorpion in the Zodiak is no more likethefi~ is foabus'd with this Idle Fancy, that he thinks thofe men to have but a M "J" 1- ' "" weak Faith & fmall Learning.thatdo not believe that all fuch as are born under the fign of the Ram will be meek like Sheep, and thofe which had the Lion for their fign w ill be valiant. So all that had the ill luck to be born under the Dart of Sagittarius muft be kill'djand all thofe fuffer Ship- wrack whofe Nativity was fo difpos'd by the Bucket of Aquarius. He tells the World that all and only fuch as receive influence from Virgo in their Birtb.fball have disfhelv'd Hair, be Beautiful and Modeft, and have no N 2 Children; 92 Jldentibolio and (Urania. Book v. Children 3 giving us leave to infer that no Ethiopian, no Mother, no Whore, ever had the Virgin in their Horofcope. I mould have wonder'd that any man could found a Beliefof fuch ftrange things upon fo weak Principles, but that I remember how this vain Refcmblance fancied againft all fober Reafon hath abus'd conceited people in other Cafes. So Ananias Jerancnrius thought he could explain the Prophecies of Daniel and St.Jobn by the Figures of two Fifties which were taken up not very long fince, one upon the Coaft of Norway, the other of Vomer ania > which he might undertake as rationally, as another could perfwade himfelf that we are to reckon juft fo many years from the Death of our Saviour to the World's End, as there are Verfes in Da< vid's Pfalter.Thus fome have pretended under a pleafant Influence from fome jocund Conftellation,to frame a piece of Iron which fhould make a . Woman that pafs'd over it to laugh and lingjand have boafted that from a fad Planet, I fuppofe it muft be £<*/*r*,they will draw fuch a Melancho« 1 ck influence into a Load-ftone, that being laid under the bed of a Wo« man that is not Chafte, it will make her talk in her fleep and confefs her fins, or fall out of her bed, efpecially if (he put off her left (hoe before her right. 1 aUv» tj ' am gl aQ, j fr'd * Philalethes continuing his Difcourfe, that thefe Fancies *utb. make you merry; (for Bentivolio and b Amyntor could not forbear faugh- •dnHtipr. jog) I W as afraid you would have been wearied, for Imademyftory the longer becaufe Anopheles will notconverfe freely with fuch as you are, and takes a great pride in concealing the Myfteries of his Admirable Art, and will by no means prophaue them or expofe them to Contempt by Communication : for hefuppofeth they are Curiosities nntheardof before his time, and which none knows but himfelf. But (ince your patience holds c o«e v/h out fo well, I will alfo give you an accompt of e Scepticus. He is one of «'"tW»«. tne Buffoons general to this wild Company, and hath accuftomed him- felf fo long to believe or dis-belicve any thing, that he is now not much unlike thofe people who , having loft their Palate by the Malignity of fome Difeafe, are not able to diflinguifh the various rvelifbes of good or bad Meat, His chief Employment is to make a firange kind of Ballance according to fome Rules which he hath receiv'd from one Pyrrho, and his hopes are, that when it is finifh'd he (hall by this rare Inftrument be able to bring Truth and Falfhood to an ASquilibrium. He is afljff ed in this De- ijtijih&ttp. fjgo by i Hip(agoras and "Antigraphus. He hath lately open'd a new Aca- ukm!* "**" demy, >Q which he reads weakly Le&ures out of three Books which he hath written (call'd Labyrinths) concerning the Art of Dis-believing all things. In the Firft he affcrts, That there isNothing: In the Second, that though there be fomething,yet it is not Comprehensible by men:In the 3 d , That though we do underttand fome things, yet we cannot explain them toothers.He hath two orders ofScholars:thofe which are of a lower Rank he calls Degrues, which are fuch weak Wits that they doubt concerning nod things which others aflent to. Upon the other which are of a higher Form he hath beftowed the title of Forts EJprits> whom by his artifices he hath brought to that Perfedion,that they believe nothing.They are fo valiant,that they will talk in defiance of their own Faculties, & are able to fwallow the greateft Contradiction as eafily as a He8or can drink a Frog in a Glafs of Wine. They make no queftion but a Part may be as big as the Whole, and that, for any thing we know, Men may be and not be at once* or, which is all one to them, they may be dead when they think 'AWhtai tri emfelves alive. Hypfagoras is one of his chief Profelytes, andfpeaks fc r . ' g infinitely in the praife of his Matter, preferring him before all the Philo= fophers Book V. Slfcentibolio and ffllrama* 93 fophcrs that ever were in the World,except Pjrrho: defpifeth thofe which fay they find in their Souls comiate Notions of Truth and Falftioodjand a natural fenfe of Good and Evil 5 and rejt&s the moft approv'd and general Sentiments of Mankind : fays, that all Difcourfe is but the Sen- tences of Blind men concerning Colours, and Induftryis but mens In- quiry after they know not whatjand that it is as certain that men have no Criterion to difcern by, as it is a great doubt whether there be any Men or no. He will fwear often (for he accompts Oaths as neceflary Orna- ments of Gentile Speech) that we cannot diftinguifh the brighteftDay from the darkeft Night, and that no man can tell when he is awake. He affirms, that if men do but fpeak boldly and make a noife with great words, that Non- fenfe is as good as Scnfe, and that The Gentle Whale whofe Feet fo fell Flie o're the Mountains Tops, is as good a Poem as any Ode in Horace 5 that Ovid's Mejtamorphofes is as true as Polyhius his Hiftory, and that torn Thumb is a Book altogether as ufeful as Plutarch or Seneca, He fuppofeth Stones to underftand as much as Mec,and that pieces of Wood can (peak, but they are fullen and will not. In fhort, he aflerts that we ought to believe Nothing, and that he doth not believe himfclf. g Scepticus hath fedue'd many young Wits into his Academy, and hath «0»» w*« gratified the Licentiouihefs to which their Age is but too prone with fuch JjjS "" pleating Principles 3 that he hath made himfelf an abfolute Mafter of their Souls, and they have fworn unreferv'd Obedience to his Orders. I remember,a Gentleman riding with him upon the Rode,and hearing him often fay that we are fure of Nothing.told him that his words did in- clude a Contradiction ; for if we know that we know nothing, we are fure that we are Ignorant. This Argument doth not prove what you de- fire, replied ' Hypfagoras, for it is but like a purging Potion, which ex- c A #$ r- j. pelling many Humours doth withall carry away it felf. I rather think, K tri faid the Gentleman, that it is a Gounter-poifbn, which freeing the Soul from the dangerous Infection of an irrational Incredulity, reftores the Mind as it works to fo much health, that it is able to conclude that it knows at leaft its own Ignorance, and fo makes an Antidote of Venome : The Argument proving it felf by this means of as good Effefttothe Soul as our Bodies fiad of Phyfick, which when it is purg'daway leaves us in a more healthful condition. But there are better Arguments againft brutifh Unbelief, and I fhould wonder what hinders their operation in you, faid the Gentleman continuing his Difcourfe 5 but that I know your Seft is extremely diftemper'd with a ftrong Connexion of Ig- norance and Pride , which is maoifeft , befides divers other things , in this, that you would haveus believe you that we ought notto be- lieve none. Difcreet Perfbns have left off to difpute with' Scepticus and his Difciples, b omv>b$ knowing that it is to nopurpofe to talk to fuch as obftinately deny the \°£%" M moft evident things in the World. Some years fince we wondred at a ftrange ftory which was told Us of a Village in Africk^, whofe inhabitants were all faid to be petrefied * but now I think ic is no fuch great matter , fince I have feen men in our own Country transformed Co far into a d ege- k 0nt w he nerousNature,that they are mortified to common fenfe. I will tell you a ' '^f truth Trick which was lately put upon k lfojihenes,onc ofScepticu 1 his Admirers, <» probability. at a Gentleraans Houfe whofe name is ' Antiftkenes, by a witty Youth who *°?' t ™tf °£ t - waited »«.' 94 Jl&sntitoolio and (Urania. Book V # waited at the Table where he was at Dinner. The Youth had heard him talk as he thought very abfurdly, That our Knowledge is fo imperfect, that we are not allured of any thing 5 3nd refolvingto venture a beating by making a wagg^fh trial whether ifoflhenej did believe what he faid,or fpoke only in a way of proud contradiction to thefenfe of all the World, he procur'd two of his Fellow fervants to aflilt him inhisDefign. His- Device was this. When lfolihenes call'd for Wine, he gave him a Glafs of Vinegar} which when Ifojihettes hadtafted, What, ( faith he) doft thou abufc me, Boy ? I ask'd for Wine. And I gave you Wine, faith the Youth. No, replied lfofthenes, this is Vinegar. Do not believe that, Sir, faid the Youth, it is Wine. It is fo, faid his AfTociates, for we faw him fill it. Ha/ faid tfofihenes with a paflionate Air.fhall I not believe my felf ? The fmell is not that of Wine, the colour is very different, and the tafte quite con- trary. Sir, replyed the Youth, our Sences deceive u^ for any thing that 1 know, Vinegar and Wine are the fame, I have no faculty by which I can diftinguifh one from the other. I befeech you be not difpleas'd with me, for it is my unhappinefs that I do not know any fign by which I may beaffur'd what Liquor is Wine, whatisnot, or whether there be any Wine or other Liquor in the VVor\dJfofthenes was not a little angry; for he fawhimfelf abus'd, and was the morevex'd becaufe the Company laugh'd at him 5 for whilft the Youth defended himfelf by difputinga- gainft him with his own Arguments, they were much pleas'd to fee hovr cunningly he had infnar'd him, and made him endure the practice of his own Rules. But Antilihenes^ to appeafe the wrath of ifoJihenes^rudeDt- ly told him that it was below him to be angry at a faucy Boy, and order'd the youth to be carried forth and beaten for his Prefumption ; though in his Mind he approv'd his fault, knowing that befides thefe which his fer- vant had us'd, there are no other means to reduce fuch obfrinate Diflem* biers to their Right Mind, except burning Coals or good Cudgels* This IfottheneS) amongft his other Fooleries, ufed to difpute againft Motion, and pleas'd himfelf with this trifling Sophifm to make good his Opinion 5 if any thing be in Motion/it muft be moved either in the place where it is, or where it is not* It is not moved in the place where it is, for there it refts : Aud it cannot move in the place where it is nor, for how can any thing a&in the place where it isnot?Ithappen*das he rode one day out of the City he fell from hisHorfe, and having put his Shoulder out of joynt , he was forced to betake himfelf to Soteric«r } a noble Chirurgi- on, and todefire his help. Sotericus having heard of his Humour, re- * Out ivhteu- folv'd to make himfelf fome fport with * lfojihenes, and told him that EnuThU'pro- n ' s Shoulder was in the right place, and that it wasimpoflible for his or babiihyof any other mans to bediflocated; alledging that no bone could be put Faifehoodiohb out f j 0VDt but by moving out of the place in which it was,or in which it was notj neither of which are poffible* Ijojibenes feeing himfelf jeer'd, pray'd Sotericus to ufe no Arguments in that point with one that wasne« ceffitated to disbelieve them by the great Pain which he felt, and alfo a difability to ufe his Arm. Very well, replied Sotericus h fince you are convine'd cf your Folly in arguing againft Motion by the diflocation of Truth"*'* "^ a B° nc > I will confirm you in your right Mind by putting it into its *An'jtthein. place again. c jtHjutifcrip- I have now,proceeded ^Philalethes^lven you the Characters ofall ^/In- "o'tte'ivha titheas his CompamoDS,except c Anttgrapbut^vid I muft not omit himifor doubts all as he joyns with i Scepticus and e Hjpjagorat in decrying the Conduct of ^HivhTai. Natural Reafon.fo he hath a particular delight in vilifying the AfTurances vr: of divine revelation.His common Sport is to jeer at Religion,and he thinks thsy Book v. Bentitioiio and cHcania* 95 they have but a foolifh Wit who fcruple to make a Jeft of any thing. He lays that Protagoras was but a Cowardly Fellow,becaufe he did not write more pofitively,and reviles the Athenians for burning his Books, only he fays they did foraething expiate their Crime by giving Hemlock to that troublefome Moralift Socrates .He is deputed by Antitheus to quarrel with all Books which contradict the Opinions and Practices of his Sect,efpeci- ally to difparage the Authority of the Holy Gofpel : which he endea- vours fomecimes by taking occafion, where none is given, to blame the Matter \ fometimes he diflikes the Style, fometimes he falls foul upon the Author, fometimes reviles his Scribes 5 fometimes he pretends an incon- gruity in the Hiftorical Narrations ; at other times he vilifies the Ratio* nalfenle : Beiog unable to difringuifh between feeming Differences and real Contradictions, or to explain things which are obfcurely exprels'd, he puts the dishonour of his own Imperfections upon others,and accufeth the Holy Writers fometimes of Fallhood,alwayes of Ignorance. Some= times he quotes the perfonal Infirmities of fome Writers which they have confcfs'd, and makes, what he had never known but that they told him, Objections againft their Books.expreffing Malice where they have (hewn Ingenuity : for it was not Imprudence but Humility in them to acknow- ledge their own WeaknefTes, whole Defignwas not to do Honour to themfelves, but to ferve their Great Matter j and made it impoffible for generous perfons to think that they would lie in his behalf, when they fpoke true againft their own Intereft* Sometimes he abufeth that Holy Book by taking fingle Words and pieces of Sentences out of feveral places, and putting them together,as if he were making a Cento Biblictti : by this means forcing them to ex- prefs a Ridiculous fenfe, which thole Divine Leaves abhor, and endea- vouring to make others think that they favour abfurd things, though whofoever turns them over knows that if they mention them in one place , they condemn them in twenty. But fuch Unworthinefs doth become one that hath taken fbme of the Fragments of Celfus, the worft kaves in Lucian, and having bound them together with fome of the moft putrid pieces of Vanninus , Aretine and Rablais hath made them his Bible. In the height of his Impudence he forgeth blafphemous Cavils againft the Unfpotted Innocence, the Perfect Goodnefs and Unparall'd Pru- dence of the Great Prince AnaxanaSon, and afperfethhis Difcipline as a thing founded in Ignorance, and which expofeth thole which enter- tain it to (corn and injury \ wilfully negletiing to fee that which is vifi- ble to all that can read, that as * AnaxanaSon was the Mirrour of ab- * ihtKing of folute Perfection in his own Example, fo his Gofpel is full of wife Coun* ^• n g^ 0UTUri fels and prudent Rules ; that it is adorn'd with the nobleft Explications "" of Vertue, and doth fo much tend to the Melioration of the World,that no Method was before difcover'd which in any refpect could beequall'd with it} and hath lb fully fpoken to all important Cafes, that nothing can be added to make it more complete or ufeful ; and hath its Credibility foftrongly lupported, that no other Book can come into Competition, nor any Caviller be fuccefsfully Malicious, Its Divine Authority being firftfignified by Prophecy and Miracles, and the Truth of what isfaid in Honour of it confirm'd by Univerfal Tradition. Ouethinglfhould wonder at,but that I can admire nothing which * An-- *JhH-fitjpnti tigraphns fays,fioce I know what he is, which is,that he fhould prevail with r,s1, himfelf to affirm , as he doth in one of his fcurrilous Books, That the Founders of Chriftian Religion had never eftablifh'd their Doctrines.but that 9 6 2i5?ntibolto and Crania* BookV. * A levir »f Truth. BmSls. * A Lovtrof Truth. || An Helper. i The City of BeaSts. that among other Devices they buret the Books of the Heathen Poets and Hiftorians, and deftroy'd the Memorials of the Gentile Theology. Here the Athcift was fo unlearned that he had never read, or fo malici- ous that he would not remcmber,that the ancient Patrons of Chriftianity were Perfons accomplifh'd with all Humane Literature, and both made ufe of the Heathen Books as very fit Iuftrumeuts to overthrow their Ido- latrousOpinions and Worfhip,and refented it as a greatOppreflion when the Doors of thofe Schools where fuch Books were taught were (hut a- gainft their Children ; and were fo far from endeavouring to deftroy a- ny RcgiftersofAntiquity.that oneof themoft learn'd ofallthe Heathen Emperoursus'd all poffible means to be made Matter of the Library of a Chriftian Bifhop after his death, knowing it was well turnifh'd with fuch as he efteem'd Excellent Authors : and that thofe Fathers of the Chrifti- anChurch recorded nothing falfe in their own Hiftories,is manifeft,in that they appeal'd from them in their Apologies to the Annals of their Eoemies. But thislmpoftor not much caring what he (aid, having falfly accus'd the Chriftians of unhaudfome practices, would alleviate it by faying,that the Heathens deferv'd to be fo us'd becaufe the Profeffours of Gentilifm had pracYic'd the fame Arts againft the Sec) which went before it. Perver- fly imagining (for he never had any Evidence for his bold Aflertion, but good Records of the contrary,) That it could not be otherwife, fiucc, as hefuppos'd,the Sefts muft needs change often in long Periods of time, and thofe he fancied as long as he pleas'd; and thought he had abun- dantly proved what he faid by a quotation of a later Date, /.e.That Chri- ftianifmhath deftroy'd Judai!m,and the Religion of theTurks hath over- thrown Chriftianity. Which argument is only a ftory guilty of manifeft Falfhood .* for Chriftianity did only reform Judaifm, which confefs'd it felfto be but a Temporary Mode of Worihip,and by reafon of many Im« perfections capable of being improv'd $ and that Turcifm hath vacquifh'd Chriftianity is no more true, then that the Turk is Mafterofall Chriften- dom. Here,faid * Philalttbts^. have good reafon to make an end of fpeaking, for I have troubled you with too prolix Defcriptions of Unworthy Per* (oTLS.Bentivolio and Amyntor, fcnfible of their engagement to PhiiaUthes, gave him thanks, and being much amaz'd at his Report.thought that this Country, if any in the World, deferv'd to be call'd t Theriagene 5 but by the Prudence and Civility which they faw in PhiUlethe/, they perceived that the Apoftacy was not General, and upon his invitation ftay'd at his Houfe a few days, both to relieve the Solitude of fuch an Excellent Per- fon with their Converfation, and to enjoy that Felicity in his Company which they expe&ed not in any other part oiThtriagene. But the Sympa- thy which they had with the afflicted ftate of the moft Princely Akthion, and the Mifcrywhich the better part of his Kingdom fuffered with him, made Bentivolio refolve to depart towards Polijiherion, both to fatisfie himfelf as to the extents ofa ftrange Calamity 5 and to inform himfelf whe* the r there were yet any Poflibilities of Deliverance.He thought he might undertake this with lefs fufpicion, fince he travel'd through the Country as a meer Stranger : and left he ftiould make himfelf a more unfit Inftru- ment to put his purpofes in Execution, he took a more fpeedy leave of * Philalethes^nd with his faithful Companion || Amyntor begun his Jour- ney towards + PoliHherion, dt firing to know the Perfons whom be had already (een in Picture,and to view the Country it felf of which Philale- thes had given him fuch an exact Landikip. the End of the Fifth Book.. THE 97 THE SIXTH BOOK: O R ELENCHUS. * this Book^ is fo call'd be- cause it con- tains the S.e- HE fecond day after King a Alethim a.nd his Companions CjJSjtS departed from b Mi fopjettdes his Houfe^they arrived up- '*« Demonsira. on the Borders of c Tbeoprepia. They were fore'd to 'I™"*/™* 1 Jodgeone Night in a Defert peopled only with wild nutl,™ Beafts,and to'guard themfelves agairift their harmful Ap- * Al ™ tr "f proches by encompaffing themfelves with Fires. This \>ab»m of Wildernefs was made horrid upon one fide with the raijhwi. dark fhades of old Trees , and.on the other with vaft ^f*"*" Precipices, and the Noife of a Roaring Sea which doth perpetually beat up- on the Rocks with mighty Waves. Here they reliev'd themfelves with Meat and Wine which they carried with them.The next day about noon they came to the famous Cave A JPbylacefitxiate not far from the Sea-fide. Ale thlon having a jp r if eH . heard Arrange things related concerning it,did much defire to fee if the Truth 4 vifcripmti was anfwerable to the Report.The Mouth of this Den open'd into a pafiage fo c /f^J(f d % ',' full of Horror and Darknefs,that they durft not refolve prefently to make an in the ether entrance into it. Whilft they remain'd in Doubt,an old man who got a fmall ^"> rld ' re P"- living by guiding Strangers through the Meanders of that Vault, came to- phmkaiEx'*' ward them with a Dark Lantern and fbme Torches, offering them his Aifi- .jw#i«,**«» ftance ; and having lighted his Tapers,and diftributed to them according to T? " h ^'J u' the Number of thofewho were to go in, he led them the way:They follow'd scriptures. being encourag'd by the boldnefs of theirGuide ; and he was not afraid, having made the Danger familiar by Cuftom. The Paffages were rough,and much like to thofe broken Stairs which are ufually feen in the ruinous Walls of an old Caftle. When they had gone about a hundred paces, fometimes climbingupward, fometimes creeping downward,and often winding about; they came to a place, which had the Refemblance of a large Hall and feem'd to be hollow 'd out of the Rock, whofe Roof was fupported with Natural Arches and Pillars. Through this they came to another Room which had the fafhion of an old Chappel : upon the fides of it they faw many Images of living Creatures rudely embofs'd, and in the middle fome hung down being faftned to the Roof; which whether they were of moift Earth petre- fied or Water eongeal'd to Scone , they were an Ornament not unfutable O to 9 3 215entibolio and (Urania. Bookvi. to the Place. The Horror of this dark Solitude was much encreas'd by the murmuring Noife of a River, whofe Stream pafling under many hollow Ca- verns through (treight places where it was pent up by too narrow a Chan- nel, made a found not altogether unlike to grones : The \vater,as far as they could difcern by their Torch-light, was of the fame colour with Iron. A- lethion and his friends were (truck with no fmall Admiration at this ftrange fight ; and whillt every one was conjecturing at the Defign of this Difcon- folate Manfion, I think, faid Alethion^ that it hath been an under-ground Temple confecrated to Melancholy, or fome Hermitage where Defpair hath us'd to dwell, or elfe a dark Prifon where guilty Souls have been (hut up and made to endure a kind of Hell, You would more confidently pronounce what you fay, replied the Old man who was their Guide, if you knew what I have feen in a remote corner of this Vault. What have you obferv'd ? faid Methion. Things fo extraordinary, faid the Guide, that I am afraid you will hardly give credit to the report when I tell you.Po(Tibly 5 anfwer'd the King, you may bring us to the place, and then our Eyes will take away our Unbelief. No, replied the Old man ; if I could, I durft not : for I was foundly beaten for my boldnefs,and charg'd no more to difturb the pri- vacy of the Myfteries which were perform'd in that Place : but as one who not long fince would needs venture the fame way told me, a great part of a Rock is fallen down, and hath (topt the PaiTage which led to that Dungeon, by which means for fome years none have been able to fee or hear any thing. Then let us underltand what we may by your relation, faid the King. I (hall obey your Command in that , faid the Old man , and proceeded af- ter this manner. As I often came into this place to conduct thofe who defired to fee it , fo I went fome times alone into the innermoft Hollownefs of the Vault, to fatisfiemy own Curiofity: and comming one day by a troublefome Defcent to a low Gi-ate, I faw by the light of a fmall Lamp a Spectacle fo miferable, that I can never think upon it without Dread: and as your Eyes tell you that I am but too lively an Image of one that hath been affrighted, fo by my difcourfeyou willunderftand the reafon of my wan looks. Through Iron Bars which denied all other entrance but of mineEys, I beheld fuch Objects as I never defire to fee again ; Men and Women whofe Flefh was fo wafted and their Skin fo difcoloured, that their Bodies feem'd to be only dry Bones inclos'd inblack Sack-cloth. Their Eyes were funk in- to their Heads, and (tared wildly ; their Faces were pale like thofe which are macerated with want of Meat ; fome with their Teeth tore from their Arms thofe fmall parcels of Flefh which were yet remaining upon them : and they perform'd this after fuch a defperate manner, that it was manifefr. they endeavour'd rather to exprefs a Rage then to fatisfie Hunger. Some lay upon the Dirty ground tied back to back, others were cbain'd to Pofts with heavy Fetters ; fome were (tretched upon painful Racks , and others laid upon hot Gridirons : Some made we weep to hear their Sighs ; All forc'dme to Sigh to fee their Tears. I turn'd my Eye no where but I faw frefli occafions to excite an unfpeakable Companion. Some ran up and down diftrafted , and talkdof Honour ; Some (truck their Heads againft the fides of the Rock,and curs'd their Riches; fome had Books of Accompts recited and deliver'd to them, which they threw away with a thoufand Ex- preflions of Defpair and Wrath.Some fate upon the ground with their Arms a-crofs, and feem'd to be infinitely amaz'd when they were told what pains they had taken to bring themfelves to this Mifery ; and others, who were near them, tore wider the Wounds which bled already,by reproaching them as Book vii Siaentiboiio and (Urania* 99 s Caufes of their unhappinefs too. In other places I faw fome bang down their Heads and Curie their mad Obftinacy, and after a howling manner fay, "What? Could nothing but Hell make us believe that there is a God? Are thefe intolerable pains the Price of our Sins ? Lord ! at how dear a rate have we bought a little pleafure ? Did thofe who yet fee the Light of the Sun but know to what a filthy Dungeon we are confin'd,they would no long- er live in a Voluptuous carelefnefs, trifling away their Time, as we did; nor think any thing too great to do, or too hard to fuffer, to fecure them- felves from falling into this Infernal Pit, where old Mother Night, Origi- nal Darknefs, Darknefs that may be felt, dwells. Sure it was out of this Magazine of curfed Shades that the Afflicting Angel borrow 'd that Pitchy Milt which blinded and fetter'd the Egyptians, and here in this Store-houfe of Plagues he repos'd it again to our unfpeakable Torment. Js there no Hope for the Dainned? Did thofe who difpute fo eagerly concerning the Duration of our Miftries feel what we fuffer, they would think every Day a Year, a Year an Age, an Age Eternity. O Annihilation? how defirable art thou to fuch as are oppres'd with a being unfufferably tormented ? We have heard fome fay,that they had rather be any thing then Nothing : A fljort ftay in this place would make them change their Opinion. Would to God we had never been, or could yet ceafe to be. But we wifh Impoflibilities, being cohdemn'd to live an Immortal Death. I will trouble you no further,faid the good Old man,with a Repetition of calamitous Words ; only before you return I will fiiew you the outermoft. Paffage which led towards that Mournful place.lt is barr'd up,as I told you upon the Infide with the ruins of a Rock. Whilft they were viewing tjie out-fide of it, jitethion fpied an Infcription over the Door, and caufing his Attendance to advance their Lights,. he read thefe following Vertes, This is the Prifon ofApojlate Souls. : Within this Iron-Grate Vengeance controuls The Pride of Rebels, fetter'd in ftic'h Chains Asjuflice makes by linking Sins to Pahs. Accompts arejufted Here : Bold Debtors now Are fore' d to pay, and fay, 'Tis what they owe. Here God's at lajl acknowledge, and Men fee That Sin is femething, Hell a Verity, Here late Repentance dwells. Here HopeleJ? Spirits Hate their own Being loaden with their ^Merits. Where a tormenting Darknefi clearly fhows What God will do when Patience Fury grows, *AlethiomvA his Companions having entertain'd themfelves a while with « a u<>& of the Contemplation of this ftrange Houfe built by Nature underground, re- f "*■ tum'd to the Lightfome Air;and defigning nothing now but to fee Theoprepia,fa£"£* c !' he made fuch a good progrefs in his Journey, that about the time when the c *'«**"'; Sun went down he came to b Xenodochium, the chief City of c Philadelphia. lt% "' The Governour having undeftood that fome were come to Town, who by their garb and department appear'd to be no ordinary Perfons, fent two Gentlemen, according to their Cuftom, to offer what Accommodation could be had in Xenodochium. Alethions prefent condition fore'd him to /land in need of their Courtefie, and the Noblenefs of his Soul taught him to accept it with fuch an excellent Grace, that they found themfelves requited where O 2 they 1 66 Ji&entibolto and mmia. Book, vi, ihey endeavour'd to oblige. They brought him and his Company't© the GovernoutsMoufe, who^ though he hfcd been us c( to Converfation with generous Perfons,wais fomeching furpriz'd Jfilh thePiefenlceof thefcGiiefts, efpecially'Of jilethlon \\m having quickly fetledhimfelf,he made the Rea- fons of his Wonder Motives! to a-moreexi&obfervatiointif ftich Rules as the prefeht' Accident madeneceflary tobepraiHs'd.. HehtfoMght the Prince in- to Lodgings which were nobly furnifhed,;Hid prefented all fupplies after fo *su,t, M t,*w handibmeafafliion, that Aleth'm cot) Id not but judge the * J'htUdclfbims, irtthiriy i$*t. ^ m& ft CiV} \ people in the World. And when he perceived by the excel- lent difcourfe of thofe Gentlemen who attended hurt., from how. great a knowledge', their Court e'fie did proceed, he had no way to relieve his admi- ration, but by fuppofmg that the PhiladttphUns were pfiviledged. with an extraordinary temper of Soul, and by calling to mind, that they were go- verned according to irioft excellent RiMea'by the bert of Princes. Which made him think to what a rais'd hight of Gobdhefs brav»; Kingg may. elevate their Subje6s by makirjg' themfelves great Examples : And how ievere a Sentence they lnayjufttyeXpeft from God, When heihaifl call their* to. ac- count for teaching their people to degenerate! into a low nature by their own ignoble Aflions. And he was apt to determine iri his thoughts^That the chief hope of the emendation of humaiiie nature, which, -all good men pray for, doth much depend upon God's beftowing. vaft rucafuBes of a divine fpi- rit upon Pr incest Though J/^^hadgiVen.order tohis6erva«its ; tdconce&J his name, and toallownootheunoticeof his quality oi companions, but that they were ftrimgers', who travelling tb fee the Wotfld, defired before iheir retwn home toiifit IheoPfBjfia', yet his attempt to conceal himfelf proved ineffectual: For the glory orgreic 9onls v not capableof being hid behind the thin veil of this fiefh,bieaks through their bodies with Illuftrious Rays,and commands Ho- nour fuitable to their WorthyThus the FbiUiilfhUtHi were allured that they had the happinefs to entertain- one of the braveffc perlbns in the World , though they knew not thar/he was czWd L A~lethio». The Governourwas but t Afeht iuhh young,and had either not been in the War-sbf f thermahia,\\htre Alethion ***w*thipptr did nobI y afflft * &*&&4 ot e ^ e had ^igotten the feature.of his face,and •/ God. ' * f other Characters of his perforii But the Prince , thinking it a necefiary piece of juft Civility to let him know whom he had obliged, told him his Name. ^Ale thton revolving to ftay hefe one day, both to ice the City, and to return his acknowledgments to the FmkdelfhiitKSi feat 6ne of his Gentle- men to "lheofebittsi to give notice of his arrival in Ihedprepi*; and to figni- fie, that he would wait upon him at his Court, when he ihould pleafe to give him leave. This Mefienger carried hews fo Unexpectedly good, that it was above the faith of thofe who heard it. The King would have pu- *Ahviri)f niflied him as an Impoftor , if he had not produe'd a Letter written by *'j«erfhipnr * yMbtoW whofe hand he very well knew. b Iheofebttu immediately com- •/ e,d. municated this news to <= Phronejia and d Ag*fa who were at that time toge- « PruSmct. tftfc lamenting the unfortunate death of Altthiefi, of which they had heard "• **"' two dayes before. This contrary report brought fo fudden an alteration upon their Paflions,that had not Incredulity ftopt the working of their fpi- rits for a while, and made this crofs motion more gentle, it had wrought fomefnch dangerous effeft upon their healthy efpecially in jfg*pe, as fro- zen people find when they are haftily removed out of cold fnow to an hoc fire. But when they were n6t only afiiired that Alethion was alive by read- ing his Letter, butunderftoodalfoat howfmall a diitance he Was ablent from Btfak VI. BSlWkoilO and fllrama* ioi from them, they could not but permit themfelves to a pleating Tranfport of Affection, and ante-dared the joys of his Frefence with the contentment which they took in the knowledge of his Safety , and revenged theiufelves upon their Grief by increafing the fweetnefs of their prefart fatisfac'tion with the remembrance of their former tears. Theofebius fent prefently for f Lyfander, the General of his Army, and > J M ivtnrt f havingacquainted him that the Prince of b tberiagene was arrived at c Phi- Men. lodelphia, he commanded him to go thither immediately; and taking his ^'l'"""" Coach and Life-Guard to conduct him with all care and honour toPbroneSa. c 'Brotherly Alethion having received this noble invitation by Lyfander, rofe up early iM/e - the next morning, and pefore it was twelve of the clock came to d Kepa- aifc%i natfus, one of the King's Houfes, which was within a league of Phronefia, G* rim ' where e Theofebius intended to dine with the Prince of Theriagene. When c A M'ffiw* Alethion was now about a quarter of a mile from Kepanatfus, Lyfander\^ G9i ' Lieutenant retiring from the head of his Troop,came to the Coach-fide,and acquainted his General, that The ofebius at a very fmall diftance was upon his march towards tliem. Alethion, impatient of any further delay, ftept out of the Coach, and went fpedily to thefirft rank of the Guard ; where Theofebius feeing him attended by Lyfander and his own Servants, alighted from his horfe, haftning to unbrace one who hath already opened his arms for him, and as foon.as he could obtain a Power to {peak from the vehemen- cy of his PaiTions, faluted him in thefe Words. Moir, Dear Prince, the ;joys whi ch the fight of you produce in my Soul are fo great, that I am not able to let you know them, they are too big for words. That delightful original from whence they are derived,is fuch an unexpected Felicity, that I can fear ce think youhere, though I fee you. Moft excellent Prince, repli- zd. Alethion, I alwaies made my felf believe that I had lodged, you in the beft place of my Soui ; and I have now received an infallible proof that I was not miftaken, fincein your own name you have expreft the thoughts which I formed there. Although I know I can never equal your noble love with worthy Affection, yet I am furemy joy exceeds all that was ever pro- duced by the encounter of any other friends. But is it you, Alethion ? faid Theofebius interrupting him : My Deareft Brother, is it you ? And are you come from the grave to revive thofe who were ready to die of grief for your Death ? You might very truly think that I was not alive,replied Alethion ; for I efteem'dit a cruel death to be fo long feparated from you, my Deareft Theofebius : And now I am reftor'd to life, now I live, whUft I fee my felf fo near to the King of Theoprepia. We can never be too near, faid Theo- febius, and then renewed his imbraces ; which Alethion receiv'd, and made reciprocal with fuch padionate endearments, that all the Company fixt in a delightful amazement, were fore *d to fbed tears in fympathy with fuch a moving fight. While the Princes were thus Iockt in each others arms , the Queens Coach came up, and f Phronefia with the young Princefs, perceiving that r />„j eHf{ , 5 Theofebius had made a flop, alighted to come towards them; which put 'Awtrjhipfir fa Alethion into new raptures of joy : For Theofebius took him by the left c /flf ver tf fcand,and prefenting him to to the Queen and ' Agape, faid,Dear Mother and truth. Sifter, receive the beft of Prince3, and our deareft Friend, Alethion. It x charity. is poffible to imagine fomething of thofe Pafftons which were rais'd by this fecond encounter : But all that I am able to relace would be fo far fhort of that which was then experimented, that I think I can do them right only by Silence. Who can exprefs the Ecftatical joys which pofTtffed the mind of Phronefa 10 2 iDentitolio and SHtania, Bookvi. Phroxefii, when flie now receiv'd a Prince from death, who faved her Son's life? Howcould flie love him too much , who thought he did never love Iheofebhts enough ? jig*J>t could not but be tranfported more then the reft, becaufe (he feem'd to her felf to have the greateft. fl/are in this happinefs. How welcome this confirmation of Alethion s life was to that fair Pnncefs^ none but flie her felf can telI,who had lamented his fuppofed death with fo many tears, that never was any real death deplor'd with more. Though her modefty would not give leave that flie fliould make the deep fenfe of her Soul ptibl'ick, yet (lie fore'd her felf to make thofe fignifications of affect i- on which Akthioti took for more thenordinary good will; And as lie was beft able to make a judgment of fuch indications, fo flie the more confident- ly allowed her felf to give them, becaufe flie was allured of their appro- bation to whom flie was accountable for her carriage. The true Friends of both the Princes cduld not but take their parts in this folemn Joy, which flow'd from the happinefs of thofe who were dearer to them then themfelves: And the felicity which attended this accident was fo general, that no by-ftander thought himfelf unconcern'd in it. As ma- ny little Rivulets fill'd with a land-floud , and meeting in fome wider Cha- nel, fwel I the waters which they find thereinto fo great a River, that they overflow their ufual bounds, and uniting thofe little rills with themfelves, earry them all along in one mighty ftream : So the particular joys which fei- zed upon all that beheld this glorious fight, joyn'd themfelves into one vaft body of unfpeakable Contentment, in which everyone found his private fatisfactions doubled by union with thofe of others. The Princes would « Ttudiwt. have continued longer i n this pleafing entercourfe, but that • Phronejia, con- fa a toon of fidering how far h Alethion had travell'd, defir'd, c theofehius to break it off c'jmrjhifpn till they came into the Houfe; where having perform'd the Civility which •fGod. was due to the Prince, they might afterwards re-afiume their delightful converfation. When they had dined, they d rverted themfelves in the Gar- dens which belonged to that pleafant houfe for an hour or two.Theofel>ius de- firing to return into the City before it was dark, placed Alethion with the Queen and the Princefs in his own Coach , which being open on all fides did not withhold their fight from the greedy eyes of the People, through whofe cheerful Acclamations,ecchoing to the louder noife of the great Guns, they pafled all the way till they came to the Royal Palace, d th, tit »f 1° tne mean wn ^ e IfyfiWfo anc * hi s Fel low-Travellers arrived at d Toli- Beaft<. ' } JlherionMzv'mg ftay'd there one day he enquir'd of his Hoft concerning the « sihnce. wa y e t0 Sigalium,z place not far from the City where { Eugenim,a friend to anJudiffl- Phildcthes, and one who was worthy of the beft Friendfliip, had a pleafant ftion. Retirement; and whereby Silence and a feeming Unconcernednefs in the prefent AfFairs,he obtain'd a Protection from theObfervation of his Enemies. Bentivolio and AmyntorxxoAt a Vifit to him, both that they might know that good Gentleman, and by his means inform themfelves more fully concern- ing thofe things which were requrfiteto their prefent condition.They told him, that as Strangers travelling through the Country, they could not but defire to fee the moft confiderable Places,and to enjoy Converfewith worthy perfons; but that they came to him upon the friendly recommendation of J7;//4/**<"? thers of the Court,fometimes by order oi Antitbeus ^xA fometimes for their bowwit own pleafure,vi(ltcd him. From thefe he gain'd a full Intelligence concern- dmws tbtcm- ing the Affairs of theriagene^ and by many Difcourfes underftood plainly ,rt " r i fV " , f- by what falfe Principles they govern'd their Lives, and offer'd at a Rectifi- cation of their Errors : which though he could accomplifh but in a few, the Dominion whichPaflion ufurps over Reafon being almoft invincible when it is confirm'dby Cuftom,yetit was fome fatisfa&ion to his mind to have done that Duty which Charity enjoyn'd ; though it was fome grief to him to fee the Accompt which he had receiv'd from Philaletbes fo fully verified. c omefaged Sometimes he and l Eugenius went to d Eolijlberion to vifit e Antitbeus, where ?lf /? '-'% he had jio content but to fee how lovely Vertue is by comparing it with the Btafis."' uglinefs of Vice, which was there reprefented to the Life. At ocher times « AnAthtifi. he and his friends, under the Conduct of Eugenias, travell'd into the Coun- try to fee the mod remarkable places in that Kingdom. After jintitbeus by many Converfes underftood that Bentivolio'% Princi- ples were contrary to his, and the manner of hisLife quite different from that of his Court,he began to fufpect that his coming to Therugine was upon fome ill defign ; which to prevent, he carefs'd him more then he had done former- ly, and offier'd him very honourable Commands : which Bentivolio could not accept, being very much wearied with the Unpleafing converfation of the Antitbeans,axtd hating thofe Actions which had made the Ufurper able to of- fer entertainment to Perfons of Quality. But to make his Refufal plaufible , and to hinder Antitbeus from difcovering the Truth of his Purpofes, he faid (which was mod true)that he had ftrong defires to return home,and alfo pre- tended himfelf neceffitated by very great Obligations to ferve a Friend of his,whofecondition,as he lately underftood,did much require hisAffiftance. Indeed his purpofe was to go into f tbeoprepa y where he heard that s Alethi- fibt Dhim on, the lawful Prince offberiagene, did at prefent fojourn, to whofe Reftau- *""• ( . ration he thought he fhould be able to contribute fomethingfrom what he Truth?"* had obferv'd in Tberiagene. He was the more encourag'd in thefe Hopes , becaufe the time of the Year began to be feafonable for Armies to take the Field ; and he made no doubt that h Iheofebius would fupply him with ftore h A-worjhipptr of men, or that Heaven would fecond them with good , fuccefs. Before he of God. took his leave, he acquainted Ettgenius with his Intentions , whom he per- ceiv'd to be no great friend to Antitbeus, and who promis'd him, if ever oc- casion ferv'd, to further what he defign'd, and entreated him in the mean while to allure Aletbion of his Loyalty. Antitbeus his Jealoufies being increas'd with the Intelligence that he re- ceiv'd from one of his Spies, who knew' Svmpatbus, That Bentivolio and i owwhtp. k Amyntor had correspondence with l PbiUletbes , and were entertain'd j[ e ^'j£/ (f at his Houfe, he defign'd to murther them both. But one of EhiUlethes his 1 a levn 'of Kinfmen having notice of his purpofe, difcovered it to m Eugenius , by Tru,h which means Bentivolio and Amyntor went away privately to n 0rfifopfeudes pot'oiL/iti* his Houfe, and fent a MefTenger to Fhildethes to meet them there ; from »»• whence they went away all together to Tbeoprepia. Only Bentivolio, ac-^^*'" ? cording to his promife, fent ° Nicbomacus to his Brother t Panaretus , oom-wht to acquaint him and his Sifter with what had hapned already , and to c< ""i utu '" defire him and Symfathus to meet him at the Court of the Prince of P *//V/V»««» P the*- 106 Jl&entibolio and Crania. BookVi. Tbeoprepia, where they fhould underltand what was defign'd further, a a 'divine ''tbeo/toe, Urania, and all the Company which were left at b lbeander , s ^'"divine ^ouk\ rejoyced exceedingly at the fight of NicomAchusi hoping alio that t*r(on. Bentivolio was not far off: And though they found themfelves deceiv'd,they were not much difpleas'd. For Nicomachns told them he was well,and that trrudenct. he and Amyntor were gone to c Pbronefium, and did intreat Panaretus and Sympatbtts to meet them there, whither he alfo himfelfwas to accompany them. They guefiTed at the defign, and could not hut approve it: Only d s>igtHer»te t ] )C y i n treatcd their friends toftay with them a day or two , that fo before Bt * iil ' their departure they might underftand the frate of d Iberiagcne by Kicoma- cbus. Their defire was granted, and having pleas'd themfelves with the news of Aletbtons efcape, though it was but a repetition of what they heard lfGa r ^" ft ' r before from one that came from c Theofebius his Court , they conjured Ni- comAcbus to inform than concerning Bentivolio % entertainment 'mlberiagene, Nicomachus obeyed their command, and when they had difpos'd themfelves to hearken to his relation, he acquainted them with what had hapned in the way to ' Phikletbes his houfe, and his entertainment there ; and made them know the manner of the Prince's efcape. Then he told rhem of their jour- ney to Polijlherion, and of their retiring toEugenitts his houfe, and let them underftand how 2k/tf/W/ wh 0a . that we have wrong'dyoti, but that we our felves are depriv'd of a great f"' b ?' alht benefit, if you judge us unworthy of your Converfation. We will go on ' ' then, faid Bentivolio ; and fince we are engag'd in an important difcourfe, we fhall be glad of your affiftance to help us, as the difficulty of the matter fhall require; and turning to Eugenius, proceeded thus. You demanded laft, as I remember, the Reafons which made me f© confidently affert the Be- ing of a Supreme God. My firft Argument is the inbred Notion of a God; which as it fhines in my ""> H™ * particular Mind with bright Rayes of truth : fo I find that in all Ages it hath ™["£%T~ been univerfally acknowledged by Mankind. This receives flrength from The'xaturt'ef the contemplation of the Nature of things : for I am forc'd to confefs afirfl *" *''"& «*- Caufe by the very Exiftence of the World; much more when I confider rhl'rrmhtf both the Beautiful Order of the Syfteme, and infinite Variety of Excellent **£*'««»« Beings which makes up this noble Frame. I am convinc'd further of the %£&*„' truth of this perfwa(ion,when I behold the vaft number of thofe horrid Ab- «/ the world furdities which flow from Atheifm ; and confider how eafily all thofe Obje- *£""*,: s . flions may be confuted which are oppos'd to the affert ion of a Deity* ef'jfthe/'s "*' I like the method which you propound for your Difcourfe, faldEugenius; i-fvtr'd. and if you will do us the favour to declare in order what you have to fay for the confirmation of the aforemention'd Reafons, I will defire|| Pafenantius * <"" '«»"'; (/or he is vers'd in this Controverfie)after each Argument to put thofe Obje- taallmen - dtions which are properly oppofite. Since you judge them all eafily anfwer- able, you will be put to no great troublefor their confutation; and we fhall be more methodically refolved in our Doubts. I fhall take what courfe you pleafe, faid Bentivolio, either by a continued fpeech, or elfe by making fre- quent paufes to allow a liberty for alternate Anfwers. For fince our defign is only to apprehend that lurking Errour which troubles thofeCry fta! ftreams wherein Truth is reprefentedj it is all one tome, either by infilling upon particular Arguments to fifh with a fingle Line, or elfe by putting them all together to make ufe of a Net : But fince you like the firft way better, I do fo too. W hen I fay the Notion of God, I mean that Conception which we form of him in our minds when we think of him ; as, that he is the Firji Caufe, the Maker of the World, the Governour of all things; That he u An All-wife, moft Good, All-powerful, andabfolutely Eerfeff Being, and fo neceffa- rily and eternally Exijling; and confeauently to beWorfhipped, not only for the Excellency of his Nature, but as the benign Parent of all things, and great Be- nefactor of Mankind. This Notien is natural, that is.impreft upon our Souls by that God whofe Idea it is ; men having not learn'd it by Cuflom,or been forced to the belief of it by any Law. Ft isa Truth profefl by all Nations, who,notwith(land- ing the difference of their Cufloms,t he variety of their Laws,diverfity of Di- fpofitions, and hoftility of their Practices, have univerfally agreed in this , as a thing that naturally refults from the ufe of Reafon ; and which even by fuch as have not fpoken very honourably of God, hath been acknowledg'd as a common Prolepfis, that is, a connate Information. Of this I think my felf the more afTured,becaufe no beginning of time can be affign'd when the Worl'd entertain" d this belief; but that the common Parent of Mankind , who was made with it, and to w T hom it was confirm 'd by converfation with God, taught it his Children; who eafily receiv'd it, becanfe when they P 2 were io8 JIDentttJOlio and Crania* Book VI. were arriv'd to that age in which they were capable of being taught by o- thers,they plainly perceiv'd that it did naturally fpring from the tree exer- cifeof their own underfrandings.lf this were noc true,l can give no rational account how it came to be generally receiv'd by the World; it being impof- fible that by Force or Fraud any contract fhould have been made to necefli- tatefuch a common Faith.For,what Prince had ever power to enadt fuch a Conftitution ? or, what Oecumenical Sanhedrim evermet to confult about fuch a bufmefs ? It is alfo manifeft,That this is an everlafting Truth deeply engrav'd in humane Souls,fince no fucceflions of time have been able to wear it out. Though Falfhood fteal the Mantle of Truth, yet it cannot fo con- ceal it felf long; for Time will pull it off, and difcover the Cheat. If it had been unnatural, men would long before this time have rejected it ; and being alwayes impatient of yokes, they would not fo long have born this, which doth oblige them to the ftriftnefs of Religious obfervances. But they have been fo far from abandoning this Truth,that they have not fubjefled it to be difhonour'd with Difputes, and fo have declared, That this is that great Article of their Common Faith in which they all agree. If this which I have faid, be not enough to juftifie the Reality of this Truth, and to free it from all fufpicion of Fidtttioufnefs,we muft confefs that, notvvithftanding our beft: Faculties, which are appointed for our guides, we are capable of being at a lofs, when we have good reafon to think our felves molt fure of our way : and being beflow'd upon us to fuch meanpurpofes, we may juftly caft this foul flur upon Nature, (to fpeak in the language of Atheifts) that fhe hath made one of her beft works in vain, having given men Rational Faculties without any poflibility of being affur'd what is Truth by the ufe of them;and fo hath expos'd themtoaneceflityof being deceiv'd, notwithstanding the pretence of a rare Criterion; and fo hath not only made a fnare of the beft of Notions,but alfo having put us into a ftrong propenfity towards the Divine Nature,and made us think our felves happy in that noble Love,hath abus'd us with a vain affection which hath no real objed:,and rendred us Fools by ma- king us Religious. Which is fo abfurd to imagine, that it is not more incre- dible to fay, That wife men build great Ships only to lie at hull, and drive up and down with every wind.Since then the evidence of Reafon is fo great that it hath led all men to an ingenuous Acknowledgment of God, I cannot think that it is only a wildnefs of phanfie,but aperverfe difpofition in menwhohaveus'dthemfelvestorefift known Truths, that enables them to deny him: But that it is unreafonable tofuppofeittrueof any, I fhould think them the only perfonsin whom Nature hath implanted Errour. * one cmritry When Bentivolio had thus declar'd the fenfe of his firft Argument, * iV u all mttt. femntius was about to frame an anfvver ; but f Eugenim defiring his patience ^SSiST* for a whiIe > entrcated Bentivolio to explain himfelf more fully: For by that which you ha veaffirm'd, faid he, youfeem to believe, that the Minds of new-born Infants are poffeft with a Notion of God, and that fuch as fcarce know any thing have an aftual fenfe of the Divine Being. I would not have you underftand me after any fuch manner, replied Bentivolio ; For when I fay, That the Notion of God is inbred, I mean, That the Soul is princi- pled with a natural fagacity, by which fhe is apt upon the firft occafions which are adminiftred to her after fhe is out of her Nonage, and admitted to the free exercife of her Rational powers,to make a clear acknowledgment of a Deity. The Energy of Nature being excited by outward Objefis, there is form'd in our minds an Image of the Supreme God ; this Effeft notwith- ftanding being due to the innate verrue of our Soul as the principal Caufe, and Book vi. Bentibolio and titania* 109 and which doth owe to the impulfe of the foremention'd Objecls only for the afliftance of an Extrinfecal occaQon. The Seed which is Town under ground awaits the warmth of the Spring to make it bud, but the blofToins and fruits which it fends forth are chieiiy to be attributed to the Plaftick power of the feed,not to the heat of the outwardair. Humane Souls have ma- ny natural Ideas impreft upon them, for which they were never indebted to Matter ; of which that of the Caufe and Effed is. one : which being awaken'd in the Underfranding by the Consideration of fuch a noble Being as the World is,hath prefent recourfe to fome excellent Nature as the Caufeof fo great an Effect.This rational capacity is plac'd inour Souls as anAntecedenc Principle of mature Knowledge; and it improves and ripens it felf into an a- ftual apprehenfion of God by time and confideration. I understand now what you mean, fa id Eugeniut to Bevtivolio and if you pleafe ( added he, turning towards Pafenantius) you may let us fee, if you can difprove what hehathfaid. You have put a fair colour of verifimilitude upon this Notion/aid Fafi' tMnt'm to Bentivolio,by the greatnefs of your Eloquence ; but the truth of what you afiert lies fo open to the mercy of powerful Objections, that it is no hard matter(as I think) todifpute probably againft it, and to allege vari- ous reafons whichdifturb the belief of what you have faid.That thisuniverfal acknowledgment Signifies not fo much as you would make us believe,feems to be evident from this,That you all confefs theGod of whom you fpeak fo con- fidently to be Incomprehenfible ; that is, neither perceivable by our Senfes, becaufe he is Spiritual, nor to be comprehended by our Mind, becaufe he is Infinite. The weight of that allegation which you make of numerous witneP- fes feems to be leflen'd,in that the greater part of them are Fools,and you de- fpife them when you pleafe for their Ignorance.Their Tolly is but too appa- rent in thofe ridiculous Explications which they have given of the Deity ; and you your felves confefs them worthy to beabhorr'd : For there is no- thing fo contemptible but the rude Heathen adored it for aGod.This teftimo- ny is not Univerfal neither; for many Nations never heard of God , and in thofe which did,many have profefs'd Atheifm : and there is no doubt but many more did think there is no God, who durft not exprefs the fenfe of their minds in words.Thofe which were feduc'd into this belief may well be fuppos'd to have been out-witted by Politicians,who cunningly invented and afterwards madeufe of,the Notion of a Deity. But if it had not taken its Rife from them, yet the fears which vulgar minds unacquainted with natural Caufesareapt to entertain upon extraordinary Accidents would incline them to think, that God was the Author of that which they did not under - ftand poflible to be produc'd any other way ; and it was eafie to propagate fuch a vain belief by Tradition. For fuch as had been deluded firft, would be apt totranfmit it to fucceflive Generations,and fpread the Infection from one Country to another. Befides this,it is manifeft enough that thofe great Deifts who concern themfelves as great Patrons of this Faith, andfeekap- pkufeby endeavouring to make Profelytes, do believe no fuch thing them- felves; being guilty of thofe enormous crimes which nothing but the Disbe- lief of a Juft and Potent God could make them commit. I did expect fome fuchObjeetions,replied BentivtUofox that dull Princi- ple Atheifm hath not been able for many hundreds of years to improve the Minds of thofe who entertain it,or teach them for its defence to add any con- siderable thing to theboldnefs of their few Predeceflbrs: and by difcovering t he falfhood of each allegation inorderas you have recited them,I will Shew , you , i o 215enttboUo and (Elrania, Book vi you with how little reafon they magnifie themfelvesagainft the Truth. As to your firft Exception,! grant,That becaufe God is Spiritual, we can- rot perceive him by any of our external Senfes, nor paint his fublhne Nature to our felvcs in Corporeal Images; but fince he hath given us divers Facul- ties,which are fo many diftintt wayes of perception, we can no more juftiy conclude that he is not Knowable by our Understanding, iince he doth not foil under the notice of our outward Senfes,than we can infer that there is no fuch thing as Sound,fmce we cannot hear with our Eyes.When we fee a Ship under failjwe often difcern no Pilot with our Eye,yet we know that he is at Helm becaufe the Veflel efcapes the circumjacent Rocks. But whereas you fay /That we do not perceive God by our Underftand ings becaufe he is Infi- nite;.! muft take a larger compafs to give you fatisfacnon,and convince you that wedo.I grant that it were too great a preemption to hope to bring down that excellent Being,God,toa juft equality with our Underftanding ; fince we are inform'd by our own Reafon,that he is rais'd far above the high- eft reach of our Imagination.The Nature of theGod-head muft be infinite, be- caufe if it had bounds it would be imperfeft : and though we conceive this Immenfity rather in refpeft of thofe degrees of Virtue and Power and Dura- tion which are contain'd in this great Being,thenby Extenfionof Figure or Unlimitednefs of Space;yet thofe Degrees being unmeafurable,when we con- ceive of God as the moft: Perfect Being, we always grant that he doth incom- parably exceed our beft Conceptions. Yet our Afiurance of his Exigence is not hurt by the imperfection of our Intuitive Knowledge of his Effence. To fay that , becaufe we comprehend not the Divine Being, whofe Nature we know to be Incomprehenfible, therefore we have no reafon to think that it doth Exift ; or becaufe we underftand him not perfeftly,therefore we know him not at all ; is no more reafonable then to affirm, That there is no Sea, or that we do not fee it in part,becaufe we cannot grafpitsvaft compafs in one look. For though we are not able to frame a complete Image of the great God in our confined Minds,yet the power of our Reafon compells us by the force of ftrong Arguments to acknowledge the truth of his Exiftence,and af- fures us concerning the properties of his Nature by rational confequences ; and we do moft diftinftly apprehend the Divine Perfections when we do en- deavour to entertain our felves with the Contemplation of them, becaufe they do more fill our thoughts with the greatnefs of their Efiential Worth , then any bodily thing can do;neither are our minds troubled with thofeLimi- tations & Littleneflfes which we meet with in our preception of other things. ! grant it is ordinarily faid,That the Divine Nature cannot be known;buc we muft: diftinguifh between that which fubtil Atheifts pronounce uponDe- fign,the unwary Rhetorick of foolifli Oratours,and the well-weighed Afler- tionsof confiderate Philofophers.For many fpeak of Knowledge who know not what it is to know ; and fo being ignorant, that all the knowledge of which we are capable is only to underftand the Properties of things by their Effefts,they puzzle the weak,make fport to Atheifts , and are pitied by the Ingenuous for their ridiculous Philofophy. Weare notallow'd fuch intimacy with any created Being as to fee its naked Effence ; that is hid from mortal eyes;Nature in all her converfes with Men keeps her veil on,which none yet have been able to pull oft. Therefore I infer, that the Properties of the Di- vine Nature are as perceivable as thofe which belong to any other Subject : The virtue of the Firft Caufe being as manifeft in its EfTedts, as the Powers of any which are Secondary, whofe Properties we know only by theirEffefts. Thefe things being confider'd,! know no reafon why wefliould not think the Book vi. 2l5entibolio and tilfrania* 1 1 1 the Godhead underftandable, except we judge it good fenfe to iay^that be- came we cannot look directly upon the Sun with our weak eyes , therefore we do not perceive its glorious Light when it is reflected : For God is re- presented by his works as it were in bright Looking-glafles* Or if, becaufe fome things in the Divine Nature do tranfeend the power of our Perception* we ought to think that wearenot fufficiently affined of its being ; why dd Atheifts grant fo freely the Exiftence of Matter, and talking confidently of its Nature make no doubt but it is Quantitative,and yet cannot tell whether it bedevifible into Finite or Infinite Parts?Thofe who argue after this man- ner do only take a poor Sanctuary in a Sceptical device, and fay, We know nothing, becaufe we know not all things ; oi-, which is all one, becaufe we are not able curioufly to explain the Modus of every thing,therefore we are not fure of the Exiftence of any thing ; and that we ought to reject the moft known Truths, becaufe we cannot give a reafon for all particular Effects. But will any rational man give credit to thofe who deny the Being of God^ and do not believe what they themfelves fpeak when they fay fo?Thofe great Philofophers,who well knew that Modefty doth alwaies become us, and e- fpecially in Divine Enquiries,have confeft that, confidering the great nature of the Object, they thought themfelves more happy in that little knowledge which they had of God, then in the moft perfect underftanding of lefs wor- thy things. But becaufe thisNotion will receive a clearer Explication,and fo a fuller proof, from the Arguments which I am to produce, I will at prefent confine my Difcourfe to anfwer your otherObjections.You faid,That a great part of thofe who are concern'd in this univerfal confefllon of a God are Fools , and thence deduce the invalidity of their teftimony. Really,Sir,if the opinion of Fodls is to be defpis'd,! might very well except againft the Objections of Atheifts: For they disbelieve, or at leaft deny, what we fay concerning God without any Reafon. They object we never faw God : It is true; but affirming his Exiftence. we (hew them his Works as a teftimony of his Be- ing. They never faw any thing to the contrary, yet fay there is none. But fince the cafe admits of no proofs by the Eye-witnefles, this advantage lies on our fide; We give a good reafon for what we fay, whilft they have none but the fu 1 len ob ft i nacy ofaperverfeWill. But fince the evidence of this Notion depends upon univerfal acknow- ledgment, and the World is divided into two parts,the Wife,and thofe that are of weaker underftandings, we ought not to think its truth difparag'd becaufe men of flower parts perceive it ; but rather confefs that is a natu- ral Verity, fince the dulleft do fo eafily underftand it. That it is no Artifice in them. But as it hath been faid of old,replied Pafenantittt, why may we Dot think the Panick fear brought in this terrible Notion of a Deity'It is not imagina- ble, faid Bentivolio, that men fhould entertain the fear ofa God in their Souls, but that they knew there was one.Nothing can be more foolifh then to honor a God whom we our felves make ; but it is rational to adore him that made us. Great accidents in Nature giving frefh teftimonies of the Divine Power awaken in us apprehenfions of God's Prefence, and the Confcienceof our own guiltinefs may very well make us fear ; when we know that we do not only deferve punifhment, but that he whom we have offended is Juft and ve- ry Able to inflict it. I will no longer difputf againft this Phantafie. Whereas you mention Tradition,by which (as you fay) meen feem to have receiv'd this Opinion, and afterwards to have communicated it fucceffivc- ly as they do other Opinions and Cuftoms : If I grant that it was fpreadby Tradition, my Conceffion would be little to youradvantage;for I mean that it was deriv'd firft from God, who implanted it in Humane Nature, nouriih'd it by a Converfe with the firft Man whom he made, and with many others, who afterwards convey 'd it fucceffively from one generation to another : and thus the Objection is no more definitive to the Natural Verity of this Divine Notion, then it is undecent for a Man to ftand upon two Feet. But fince you allow not that it wasTraditional in this fenfe,I muft crave leave to ask whence this Tradition had its Original. If it had no Beginning, it was an Eternal Falfhood;and as I fhallhave occaiion to prove in my following Dif- Q^ courfe 1 14 2l6*nttbotto and (Hrama, Book VI. courfe that this fuppofition is impoffible, fo for the preftnt I inuft tell you, it is not good fenfe to fay that a Tradition was Eternal;for all Traditions,be- ingOpinions or Modes of Action receiv'd from fome firftAuthor,muft have a beginning. It is a bold Arrogance to fay that there was an Age in which Mankind liv'd without the acknowledgment of a God; fince there is no foot- ftep in Hiftory to lead us to fuch an Imagination, nor any Writer that tells us who did firft perfwade men to believe that there was a God, or mentions the time when men quitted tfce contrary Opinion of their Fore- Fathers, of which they are ufually very tenacious. If the World was generally Athe- iff ical,how it was poflible to eradicate that Faith out of their minds, and to introduce into the Catholick Creed anew Article which is fo troublefome, J that Atheifts have confeft that it is one of the mod vexatious Opinions in the \ World to fuppofe an Omnifcient God fet over us as a watchful infpector of all our Actions ? Though the Notion be ufeful even to Atheifts themfelves now it is receiv'd, yet it is not to be apprehended by what Artifice any An- ti-atheift fhould perfwade Mankind to imbrace fuch a be!ief,but that if was correfpondent to the natural fenfe of their Souls. And it is very difficult to imagine how men fhould think of it, but that it is a common Dictate of rea- fbnable Nature. * out contrary Well, well, faid * Ttfcn&Miui, I am too apt to think that you have a de- it all mi». vouc regard to this Deity of which you fpeak , becaufe you have taken fo much pains to enable your felf to defend his Interefl: in the World; though I fee that many who pretend themfelves to be Patrons of this Faith,and endea- vour to propagate it in the Minds of others, do not believe any fuch thing themfelves ; becaufe they do as manifeftly deny that there is a God by their guilty Iives,as Common Atheifts do rn their blafphemousWords;fo that this verbal acknowledgment of a Deity,only fhews,that fome men would have us think that they believe what indeed they do not. The power of this Objection will eafily vanifh, replied Bentivolio, if you will pleafe to give me leave to fhew you,That to have the Notion of a Deity in our Minds,and to adore it with a fubmiffiveWill,are not only two things; but that it is too poffible to know that there is a God, and yet not to corre- fpondwith that knowledge by an obedient deportment.The truth of this will eafily appear from the Obfervation of our common practice in other things. Who knows not that Health is one of the greateft felicities of humane life , and that an univerfal temperance is the moftaffured method by which ic may be preferv'd; and yet how many by an irregular Mode of life throw away thisineftimableblefling? What? Shall we fay that there is no fuch thing a« Health,or that it is not infinitely more eligible then Sicknefs,or that men do not know it,becaufe they fometimes make themfelves fick?No,no,it requires more to cure the Gout , then to know that it is a Difeafe which affects the Joynts ; and the pain of it is no lefs great, becaufe men do not take that care which they ought,to avoid it. Do not men perctive in their Souls a Natural Obligation to the practice of Juftice,and know certainly they fhould not in- vade the Rights of others,becaufe they would not be diiturb'd in their own poffeffions? and yet how frequently Wrong is done appears but too evident- ly by the complaints of theopprefhfo that the enormity of the impious is no Argument againft the Exigence of God,neither doth it prove that they have no knowledge of him in their SouIs;but rather declares that they areApofta- tiz'd fromGod,and as a punifhment of their Revolt are fallen into a doubie mifchief, that is, the perverfe obftinacy of an irregular Will, which is the root of the unlucky ftrife between the Rational and Senfinve Appctices;and a'fo Book vi. jaentiboiio and fiHrania. 1 1 5 alfo intoadefe&in their Judgment, which doth riot with a fufficient confraiy cy bear upagainft the rebellion of uncontrolled defire,and make chat which is truly goodalwayes more vifibie theri thofe falfe Appearances which do fo eafily cacch their Paili ns. This is enough to demonftrate, that the ftrength of the Argument is not weaken 'd, though the right ufe of this excellent Notion be perverted ; Men being not neceffitated to improve it to the titmoft advantage, though God has enabled them and exceedingly oblig'd them to do it. I might alfo tell you, PafenAfttitts^hzt beiides an ingrateful Perverfnefs men have a wild Phantafie, which helps them when they endeavour to evade the fuggeftions of their becter Intellect ; and though they are not able to rub out of their Souls this well-fix'd Notion of a Deity ,yet they may draw a falfe picture of the Divine Nature,and make bold to mifinterpret the Declarations of God's Will, and fo perf wade themfelves that his Commandments may be neglected without Sin, in fome cafes; or phanfie that there are fond Indulgences which God hath for fome perfons, into which number they will be fure to thruft themfelves ; and, it may be, fuppofe, when the fenfe of their guilt haunts them, that they may eafily make amends for the offences of theirLife by a Repentance at their Death. So foolifhly cunning is Humane Nature to cheat it felf. Here Bcntivolio inaKinga paufe,£«g^;«j and Pafcnantius gave him thanks for the patience with which he receiv'd the trouble of this Entercourfe,and defir'd him if he pleas'd to proceed to his other Arguments. With all my heart, faid Bextivolio, fince I perceive you are not yet wearied, and wenc oh after this manner. The truth of the fore-mention'd Notion fhines more brightly in myMind, both when confidering my own Exiftence I find there no fmall Arguments of its Divine Author, and alfo when I perceive my felf placed fo advantageoufly in Being, that, as from a convenient ftation in a noble Theatre , I am able to contemplate the admirable Schemes of thofe magnificent Works which the Divine Nature hath fet round about me. When I confider the Greatnefs of the Univerfe, the Variety of its Excellent Parts, and the beautiful Order which appears in their accurate Connexion,I am forc'd to acknowledge an Almighty Skill : When I behold that innumerable Multitude of Uluftrious Balls which fhine round about me,fee them rank'd in fuch fit difrances, and confider their Regular Motions ; whilft I take notice of that ufeful Viciffi- tude which returns fo constantly in the feafons of the Year,the alternate fuc- ceflion of Night and Day ;and find the reafon of every Appointment fo great, that nothing could have either been contriv'd better at firfr, or can be al- ter'd y et,but it would be fo much for the worfe,and that it would prove like the diflocation of a joynt : I cannot but behold the Omnipotent Wifdom of the great Creatour,except I fhould think my felf blinded with too much Light, and am forc'd to conclude,that a Divine Power is the Author of this Excellent Machin 5 in which infinite Wifdom is fo vifibie ; unlefs I fhould be fo unworthy as not to allow that juft acknowledgment to God, which all the World doth grant to the wit of every Artificer , who isalwayes magnified according to the Skill which heexprefles in any curious Work. When I fee theS*#,that glorious Prince of the Stars,by the help of his own Rave?, and think with my felf what wonderful Effects are produc'd by his warm Influences;may I not as rationally make a Queftion whether I fee it or no,as doubt that aGod made it?Who chalk'd out the obliqueRode of theZo- diack,and taught him to withdraw fo far inW inter as to give the over-heated Earth leave to cool it felf; and yet made Him come nearer in Summer, be- Q_ 2 caufe i 1 6 flfcentifcoUO and flfttania. Book VI. caufe then it wants his Prefence to ripen its Fruits?Who commiflionated the Mccntobc a Deputy-Sun, and gave her Order to fupply his place in the • Night, and commanded her to ftep a little beyond the Sun's Walk to take a- way the Honours of Darknefs.and by a moift warmth to advance the Gene- ration and Growth of Vegetable Beings ? Who appointed them both to guide men in the reckoning of Time,not only to meafure Solar Years by the Annu- al Motion of the Sun, but to calculate Lunar Months by the Phafes of the Moon, and to tell Hours by the help of Diurnal and Nocturnal Dials ? Who adorn'd the Heavens with thofe glittering Stars which dance fo orderly a- bove our Heads,and carrying about fuch multitudes of bright Torches make up the want of one Great Light with many Little ones? Thefe tell poor Sai- lors where they are when they have loft their way ; whidft they are vifible , by themfelves,and when they are hidden,by the Load-ftone,which is order'd to correfpond with the Poles, and fo lets them know how far they have made their Voyage Northward or Southward, in which they cannot fail, the Axis of the Earth being directed to keep a perpetual Parallelifm. From hence I am tranfported into theContemplation of the neighbouring 'Jir, that tranfparent Vehicle of Light, deftinated by the Benign Creator for the large Aviary of all forts of Birds,and where thofe which are mufical do continually fing their Maker's Praifes. God hath made this the great Treafury which fupplies all living Creatures with Vital Breath, and hung it up as a great Spunge to entertain'the Vapours which are exhal'd by theEarth andSeainClouds,outofwhichtheyare fqueez'd into Showres, andrain'd down upon fuch places as could hardly be water'd with any other Buckets. He made this the Receptacle of thofe Winds which not only diffipate putrid Exhalations with a clenfing Fan,and check the violence of immoderate Heats with frefh Briezes, but attend feafonably in all Quarters, and with ftrong Blafts fvvell the Sails of deep-loaden Ships, and relieve the neceflities of ufe- ful Mills, which without their aid would be becalm'd at Land ; and which do not only grind our Corn, but winnow it firft that it may be fit for Meal; which alfo draw our Water, faw our Wood, and blow our Fire. Now I have nam'd Fire, how can I forbear to mention the Virtue which Almighty Goodnefs hath prudently beftow'd upon it for our Benefit ? What rare effe&s doth it produce in the common Kitchin, in the Chymift's Shop, and in the Miner's Fornace ? Inall which it diflblves, coagulates, concofls, and, infliort,afliftsall Artifts fo many feveral waves, that it maybe truly call'd A General fervant to <£M*nkinL If after the Fire I fhould fpeak of Water, how vifible is Divinity upon the Sea to any that confider the vaft Boundsof the deep Ocean,that fee how itcarries our Ships upon its fmooth Back, and Co is made a rare Inftrument of univerfal Commerce,and advanceth the Profit and Pleafure of every Country by Correfpondence with others which are extremely drftant ? It is a plentiful Nurfery ofdelicare Fifties, and out of its inexhauftible Treafury of Waters fends forth ufeful Streams into the Earth through divers Holes which are bor'd deep at convenient Di- ftances, and forceth them to climb up to the Tops of Mountains , not only that they may be able to run down again*with eafe, but alfo to carry them- felves to fuch Heights afterward as mens Neceflities require. After this I view the neighbouring Earth, which chequers it felf with the 'Sea to make one Globe of both. I efteem it no fmall occafion for Admira- tion to fee that which is heavier fall under the lighter Water only in fome places. How could it have been, but that the All-knowing Creator having,, priviledg'd fome Spots , charg'd the Sea not to moleft them with Water,' left Book vi. 26entibolio and flHrania* 117 left there fhouldbe wanting a convenient Habitation for many forts of living Creatures which cannot fubfift but upon dry Ground ? It is a great pleafure to me to fee it embofs'd with goodly Mountains which by their Height defie the proud Flouds,and oppofe the barrennefs which feems to reproch their fcorch'd Out-fides with their full Veins of rich Minerals, and the Quarries of noble Marble which they contain in their great Bellies.But this is nothing in comparifon of that Admirable Pofition by which the Earth is made a plea- fant Habitation, capable of all poflible Advantages from Heat and Light : For its Axis keeping parallel to its felf,and inclining in fo fit a Proportion to a Plane going through the Centre of the Sun, frees thofe who dwell upon it from the Tedious Darknefs of too long Nights, and the trouble of over-hot Dayes. Sure the dull Earth was not fo difcreet as to make this Order,nor the rambling Atoms fo lucky as to execute it in their fortuitous Concourfe. I fliould be in danger of Iofing my felf , if I venture to lead you through thofe infinite Wonders which Divine Skill hath fliewn in thofe different Or- ders of Being with which this fmall Globe is grac'd. God hath made the Earth an Archetypal Pattern of a natural Embroidery border'd with Water- work; but it is fo inimitably perfect, that the belt Workmen have fought praife only by coming near it in fome faint Refemblances. He hath made the Bottom (asall Artiftsufe to employ their courfer Stuff) becaufe it is not feen, of Rubbifh, common Earth, Clay, Sand, Coals or Stones. Toraife plain Being to the order of growing Life, he hath adorn'd the Ground-worjc with green Grafs. The colour being chofen with much Prudence, for it is fo convenient to our eys,that they are not hurt with looking upon that which they muft often fee. Above thefe we may difcern the moft proper Artifice of Foreft-Work, but not only done better to the Life, but more profitably for ufe then that in Arras ; For the great Trees appointed for other Defigns then to grace the Picture, fupply us with Timber, which is oneof thechiefMate- rials requifite to build Irately Houfes, magnificent Ships, and Sacred Tem- ples. Whilft they ftand, they have real Shades, which pleafe more Senfes then the Ey e ; and when they are cut down, left the Work fhould be defac'd, others by natural Art are made to grow up in their room. Becaufe Trees cannot remove from their places to fetch Provifion, they are made with their Heads downward, and being faften'd to the Earth they have their Mouths al- wayes in their Meat ; and though they cannot make themfelves Cloths, they have no reafon to complain, becaufe God hath inclos'd them in Bark, and arm'd them againft Injuries with Prickles,and taught the weaker Branches^o clafp about ft ronger Boughs and the Trunks of more robuft Trees, and fo to fupport themfelves by laying their feeble Arms upon Crutches. He hath beautified them alfo with broad Leaves, fair Bloflbnis and delicious Fruits, and plac'd them to a great advantage of his Work among infinite Varieties of fweet-finel ling Herbs and rare colour'd Flowers, ufeful for Diety and Medicine, and mark'd with Signatures which give notice of their Virtues, and teach thofe who need them their particular Ufes : and before they go from their places, which many of them can hold but for a year , they leave Seeds which grow up and fupply their Vacancies. That this Divine piece might not want any proper Ornament , God hath beautified it with fuch Imagery as is not to be found any where elfe : for by an excellent Difpofition of rare parts vifible in the Compofition of all forts of living Creatures,as by apleafant admirablenefsof Experiment,God hath fhewn there how many wayes they may be made, bred, fed,and taught to de- fend themfelves. Motion alfo is there reprefented to the Eeholders Eye ; for 1 1 8 ]!5*ntibolio and flHrania* Book VI. fer the Univerfal Parent having made Life to move , gave his Creatures leave to go whither they pleafe,and hath alfoaflifted rheirMotion with Senfe, that the walking Animals might know where it was beft to beftow themfel- ves,and, asoccafionrequir'd, provide fuppliesnecefTary to maintain their Life.Thus he inftrufted Birds to make proper Nefts for their Young, and to hide them in Bufhes ; and thofe which are deftitute of thefe Accommodati- ons he hath furnifli'd with as proper fecurities,inftrufting them to lay their Young in warm Sand or in the clefts of Rocks,and order'd them to feed them there'till they are able to work for their own Living. Whilft fuch Impotent things relieve their weaknefs with fo much Difcretion, it is a rare Document that they are taught by a Nature which is more wife then they.Amongft thefe Confiderations I cannot forget the Earth's Fruitfulnefs,which being appoin- ted for a general Magazine of Frovifions,doth not only fatisfie the Neceffity of its Numerous Inhabitants, but fupport their Delight with fupernume- rary Additions : Indeed hereby fhewing not fo much its own inexhauftible Fecundity, as God's equal Liberality. Thus the World is made a mofr com- modious Habitation furnifli'd with all Necefiaries, fet off with all pleafant Ornaments, peopl'd with variety of noble Inhabitants, and, in fhorr, is fuch a perfect Contrivance, that nothing could have been more fpecious for Beauty or fit for life. Yet I do not wonder that many men are not much af- fefted with the Glory of the Divine Works, becaufe they have feen them long ; for it is well known that Fools are more apt to be taken with the fighc of things which happen feldom, then of others far more admirable which have been long before their Eyes. It is another pieceof their Folly alfo,that when any new thing is fliewn to them, they alwayes look over that which is moft to be wonder'd at ; of which none can make any doubt who doth re- member what ill luck poor Z*«#/*had when he expos'd that Incomparable Pifture of his Centaures to-thCview of the dull Athenians. If I had time,continued Bentivelie^o fhew you the principal Jewel which God hath lock't up in this fairCabinet, whofe outward Cafe is feen by ma- ny, itsfelfbut by very few; it would not only perfect my Argument,but, as I think, make it impoflible to doubt who was its Author. But fincc my Difcourfe hath been too prolix already, I will break it off here,not doubt- ing but that if it hath been tedious to be heard, yet it is as difficult to be anfwer'd. Do not you believe, faid Eugenim with an obliging Air, that any in this Company can be tired with hearing, whilft you are willing to fpeak. We have time enough, and fliall never think it capable of better improvement then by converging with you ; andfincetheSubjeft is Noble, pray do not wrong it by omitting any thing which, if it were not for your courteous re- gard of our Patience,you would fay concerning it. I do not know,replied Bentivolio, how far your Civility may occafion your troub!e,but refpecung your Commands I will go on. That which I have ever look'd upon fince I could diftinguifh one thing from another, as the moft admirable Work of knowing Nature, is themoft perfedt of all living Creatures, a Man; whom as God hath made a rare Inftrument of hisownHappinefs, fo I cannot but think that hedefign'd him for an unanfwerable Proof of the Divine Skill, and intended that he Ihould alwayes have as near him as he is to himfelf a lively Demonftration of the God whom he is to adore. Here I know not which to admire mofr, the orderly Progrefs of his Wifdom in forming the .Parts, or the rare Contexture of the Whole when it is finifh'd. How would it tranfport you,Eugeftius, if you could perceive the fuecefllve Methods of Genera- Book vi. Benttbolio and ^Urania* 119 Generation by which the Embryo is fram'd in the Womb, as plainly as you can fee the regular endeavours of prudent Eees,when they raife the'ir waxen Cclls^hrough Glafs-windows made in the fides of their Hives ? Would it not aftonifh y°W° difcern bufie Nature laying the firft Dcfigns of a Fa-tus in its warm Receptacle impregnated with the Prolifick Virtue of both Sexes; and having fill'd the Cell with aOyftalline Liquor,as a" proper material to work upon,in the midft whereof the earthly bud of young life firfl appears inafa- lientMotion,then for the inclofing thereof in a fit Manfion fee her invelop it with a thin Membi ane, and afterward obferve how flie draws from thisCen- tre the various lines of Life which complete the whole circumference whilft {he carefully ftretcheth fome final 1 Fibres fi om one fide of this narrow work- houfe to another,not much unlike the manner of the fubtle Spider, when fhe fattens the flight Beams of her pendulous Houfe to the walls of the Room where fhe dwells ; and when this rude Draught is to be brought towards a more perfect form, to fee how judicioufly fhe felects one^f -the longeft threds, which being appointed for the back bone fhe extends like the Keel ofaBark, railing from each fide proportionable Ribs, and making them to meet in the middle at fome fmall diftance above it frames che Hull of this little VelTel ; and having prepar'd fo much room, to fee with what care {he begins to fur- nifli it with agreeable Utenfils,a's the Heart, Lungs, Liver, and many others, which to keep fafe fhe covers with the Thorax and Abdomen like the upper Decks? Defigning a Head to thefe,and having provided a fmall Mafs of pul- pous fubflance for the Brain,fhe forms it into a round Tower for the princi- pal Refidence of the Soul,and afterwards walls the Acropolis with a Skull : having appointed the Inferiour parts for confiderable fervices, fhepropor- tionably ftrengthens the Members with hard Bones, and,that they might not be wearied with the burthen which they are to ekrry, makes them infenfible, and ties them together with Mufcles entred into the bone opoa both fides of every joynt, which are intended for Pullies of rare Motion not yet experi- mented : and that as occafion requires there may be a communication of Senfe through all the parts, fhe unites the whole frame with Nerves, which take their Original from theBrain.Having beftow'd a fmall quantity of fpi- rituous blood upon the Heart as a flock to begin the Trade of Life, fhe alfo gives it Ventricles to receive it,and convenient Doors through which it paf- fes for the relief of its indigent Neighbours; and by a perpetual Motion through Arteries and Veins both preferves and increafes it felf, and walking its daily Rounds about the Body,beftows upon every part the fame food by which it felf is nourifh'd, warming them all with a vital dew. Whi'Ift theft things are doing,and one that warily obferves flands by, and perceives how many diffimilar parts arife out of a little foft Glue, and fees them put together with an accurate fymmetry without any vifible Artift at- tending to perform thefe excellent Operations; what can he imagin but that a God is near, who fays, Grow there a Bone , here a Vein; Let this bean Head, and that an Heart ^ It is alfo an evident Teftimony of the Divine Wif- dom, when after a few Months the juft configuration of all the Parts being finifh'd, and they fenc'd with Skin,the Medal of a little Man appears fwim- mingin watfyMilk, that is, encompafs'd with Nourifhment, which now he needs to prcrfirve his young life, and to augment the Body to a juft pro-, portion; where it alfj learns to fuck before-hand, and to prepare ic felf "berimes for the Courfe of its after-life, which is to fuck fiill ; the fame fort of Nourifhment being provided in the Breaftsof the Mother, that when the nine Months flock h fpent or grown unfit for ufe,it may not want fometb-ing t9 i2o fl&entiboiio and cUranta. Bookvi. to live upon when it comes into the World. When the Flaftick virtue of the Soul hath difcharg'd its duty ,and the Embryo out-grows his lodging, Time having fo manur'd its life,that it is ready to fall from the Tree like ripe fruit, that which was deftin'd to live, is born ; but that fo feeble a thing as an In- fant fhould fo eafily break its prifon or open fomany Doors,ca% be refolvd into nothing but the never-failing Skill which ever attends upon all Divine Operations. Since Eternal Wifdom does take fo much pains in forming of a Creature, you will expedt that when it appears, we fhould fee fomthing correfpondenc to the Divine care, and really we may. For if we confider the Organs of Senfe which beautifie it externally, and the Faculties of the Soul with which it is accomplifh'd within, we muft confefs that the vigorous fpirit of warm bloud,or the Flaftick power of a Rational Soul, which have been imploy'd in this Work, were only instruments to fome nobler Agent : and that it is infinitely above the Ability of our nature to produce fuch an excellent effect of it felf, is manifeft in this, that by the repetition of moft watchful obfer- vationswearenotabletounderftand how it is done. When we confider the external inftruments of Senfe, we find them put by an ineffable skill in moft ufeful places and juft members, and contriv'd with Accuracy of Pro- portion to their different Ufes, which is, that they might be Avenues by which the Soul may fally forth of its clofeCittadel into the open Campania of the great World; by which means the Soul is completely fitted for a correfpondence with all fenfibleOb;efts,and fo is both enabled to admini- fter to its own neceffities, and made a rare Engine of Fkafure to it felf , be- ing accomplifh'd for many excellent Operations. By the£^ our Mind grows acquainted with light and beauty,and through tranfparent Tunicles receiv's the delightful mixtures of Colours, the fym- metry of well-cut Figures,with the variety of graceful Fofturesand Motion, which fhe reprefents to her felf ina Convex glafs made in an Oval form. Jn the Ear {he lies Perdue making Obfervations of Noife, whilft all forts of Sounds beat upon her Drum as they march through thofe hollow Caverns in which is plac'd the rareft Eccho in the World. She ufeth the Kofe not only as a Sluce to drein the Head,but hath made it alfo an In-let to the pleafure of fweet Odours. By the power of Feeling, which is fpread over all the Body, * a spin, fhe fits like an * Arachne in the midft of her Loom , and is well aware of all Motions which are made in it,and is awaken'dby every new impulfe to ftand upon her Guard. She hath bellowed the office of Tajler upon the Palate; and becaufe it is not fit that any hurtful thing fhould enter into the Stomach, fhe hath affifted it with three ot her Senfes in the performance of its duty. Left the ftock of life fhould fail, Nature being at a continual expence to maintain it, fhe hath appointed two faithfnl Monitors, Hunger and Thirft,who in due feafons forget not to call for frefh fupplies. In the Meutb,whlch is the firft room where her Provifions are beftow'd, fhe hath appointed two rows of Teeth to rough-grind the Meat, that it might be the more eafily digeftible ; andputan Epglottisio cover thepaffage which leads to the Lurgs left when we drink, the Liquor fhould miftake its way, and go into them.Prudem Na- ture knowing to what narrow limits of Duration we are deftin'd, to prevent a general decay which Mortality threatens, hath commanded the Individu- als to propagate their kind, and to make it poffible.hath contriv'd a proper diftinflion of Sexes, and rendred the Obedience defirable, by a love of Po- frerity and other fenfible endearments. It were too tedious to difcourfe of that amicable conjundtion of Heat and Moifturey Book vi. Bentibolio and Scania* 1 2 1 Moifture, by which Life is preferv'd in the Body, like Light by Oil inflam'd in a bright Lamp;or to detain you any longer in the Contemplation of other parts of the Body ,and to fpeak of the Offices of the Stomach, Liver, Lungs, Diaphragm, Spleen, Gall, and Reins, and to fliew how fitly every Veffel is plac'd for its ufe ; becaufe I defign not to read an Anatomy-Lefture. The wifdom which appears in the lead member is fo great, that the Difleftion of a Finger or a Toe hath difcourfe enough in it to convert an Atheift,but that for his difingenuous obftinacy he is condemn'd to continue fuch as he is. Though I poflibly have wrong'd my Argument by making no better an ex- plication of Mylteries, which you cannot but perceive to be fo great that they are no proper fubjeft for an ordinary Eloquence ; yet by that which I have difcours'd you may imagine what thofe rare Anatomifts would have faid, who have often taken this excellent Machine in pieces, that they might more fully difcover the Divine Artifice by which it is put together. But having faid thus much of the Organs of Senfe which appear in the Body,I will alfoadd a ftort Difcourfe concerning the Nature of the I/mard Faculties of the Soul, and fo conclude this Argument. God in all his works doth ufually perform more then that which ought to be efteem'd enough , that we might not be able to make the leafr. pretence that he comes Ihorc in any thing. This is fo manifeft in thofe rare Powers which he hath beftow'd upon the Soul, that we need no further proof. The chief of thefe noble Faculties is our Underfi&nding, by which the Soul both takes notice of its felf , and fo enjoys the great pleafure of a reflexion upon its own Being, and is admitted to the Priviledge of knowing its own and the World's Creator , and honour'd with the Contemplation of all things, and, when it pleafeth, views their Properties, Repugnancies, Agreements, Symmetries, and Difproportions ; by an aftive Reafon dif- courfeth it felf into great perfections of Knowledge, and by a fagacious Col- lection of various Rules entertains it felf with the invention of profitable and delightful Arts. By Liberty, of Will a man is made Mafter of his Acti- ons, and put into an honourable capacity of offering to his Maker voluntary Sacrifices, and enabled by the choice of his Duties to pleafe that God who values none but willing Obedience. That we might be well guided in the choice of fit means for the attainment of that laft End which is the chief Good of our Souls,God hath written practical Rules on our Hearts, and fet that tender Principle, Conscience, as a conftant Spie upon our aftions to at- tend us in all places, and hath made it fo much his Care to hinder us from Sinning,that hehathconftitutedusWitneffes, Accufers, and Judges to our felves.God did not think it fit to make us immutable : yet left we lhould fall into errour by too fudden refolutions, he made us able to Deliberate •, and fince ufually we do nothing fo well but it may be mended, he gave us the power of Animadverfion, that by refle&ing upon our felves we might recall what we had miftaken by Second thoughts, and meliorate that which was not fo well done at firft,by after-endeavours. We arrive at Knowledge but by degrees, and therefore ought not to forget what we have learn'd : in re- ference to this neceffity God hath beftow'd upon us Memory , as a faithful Secretary , who lays up our Notions in fafe Cuftody, and brings them forth as we have occafion to ufe them. By due improvement of thefe Faculties God hath enabled us to fumifh our felves with ftore of ufeful Obfervations, and fo make our felves poffeffours of Prudence, that great Directrefs of Hu- mane affairs, by which we are taught to govern our felves in all conditions of Life, to refpect Time, Place and Perfons in our Deportment, and to keep a decorous Correspondence with all Circumftances of Aftion. I R fhould 1 22 Jidentifcolio an <* Urania* Book vi. ihoiild add to thefe the power of lmaginathx , which really is of fuch a ftrange Nature, that it is an hard matter to tell you what it is : only thus much I may fay , that when the Soul is difpos'd to take pleafure in a free Air, fhe is carried by quick Phanfie as in a light Chariot over the tops of higheft Mountains, cuts the Clouds, wanders amongft the Stars, andtra- verfing a courfe downwards on a fudden ranges through Forefts, alights up- on the Sea-lhore, dives into the Abyffes of the Ocean; and, not being fatisfied with the various fhapes of Real Beings, makes as many more Fan- taftical Forms of her own. The Imagination pleafing her felf very much that (he is able to lead the Mind fuch a wild Dance, till the Underftanding wearied with her toying 5 commands her to return, and having got her home, fetters her reftlefs Activity with the drowfinefs of Sleep, which yet is able to hold her but a little while. Befides all thefe Gifts, to compleat the Dow- ry God hath given a Power to the Spiritual part to move the Material , by which ic is made a rare Engine of Spontaneous Motion and the nobleft Au- tomaton in the World, not only moving the whole Body at once, but dire- cting the Spirits into what Mufcles it pleafeth , puts only fuch parts into Motion as ferve the prefent Defign. How brave a Faculty this is,appears in thofe prodigious Dances of a Lutenifts fingers, which vary Harmony through fo many Notes itva Minute,that thequickeft Far can fcarce hearken fo faff as he playes. To this I might add another Excellent Produft of this Power, which is Speech, by which the Soul puts Conceptions into Words, and makes her Apprehenfions audible. By this we learn our felves hear- ing others fpeak, and teach others fpeaking our felves. By this when it is perfected into Eloquence we convince the Erroneous, reconcile the Obfti- nate to their Duties, and allure the Afflicted from their oppreffive Medita- tions. I cannot but take not ice alfo how the Voice, by the help of thofe Natural Bellows the Lungs, and the Mufical Larynx, fitted with Mufcles to further its Modulation, enables us to entertain our felves and others with one of the beft Recreations, Vocal Mttjick ; which is advane'd alfo by the Concent of others who fing the fame Air in other well-agreeing Notes, efpe- cially being accompanied with an Organ, which Art having confornfd to the nature of Humane Voice, doth not only affift, but Imitate uswhilftwe fing. He that is deaf to the Voice of Divine Wifdom, and doth not admire it whilft it expreffeth it felf fo harmonioufly, may well be wondred at him- felf for an Uhparallel'd Stupidity. The beft of the old Philofophers, who were the Glory of their times i could not behold the curious ftrufture of this noble Machine which I have defcrib'd, nor look upon the ftrange ufefulnefsofits well-fitted Parts,with- out making Hymns and offering Hecatombs as their humble acknowledgment of the Unfpeakable Wifdom of that All-powerful Mind which compos 'd if How could they do lefs ? For, feeing all the Pieces, not of this, but all the Divine Works put into fuch exact order that all Wife men muff, needs ap- prove it, perceiving the Method accordingtowhicli they were contriv'd of fo deep a reach that none but great Minds can fathom it, and obfarving the whole Syftem to be fo perfect that nothing can be defir'd towards its e- mendation, but that which is impofTible ; they juftly concluded that it was effecT: of no meaner a Canfe then an Omnipotent and All-knowing Principle. But here I muff again entreat you, moft worthy Friends,continued Bentho- lid, to pardon the tedious length of this Addition to my former Difcourfe, which I make no doubt but you will do both of yourownGoodnefs, and al- fo confidering that it is hardly poffible to fpeak briefly of fuch a vaft Sub- let. It Book VI. Benttoolio and t jfhew in a few words that thofe who uk this Argument either do not care what they fay, or know not what they mean. For by Nature they would fignifie either a Dull Princip'e, which having neither Reafon nor Senfe , hath brought forth all things, and difpos'd them info good order that no Art can correct it; which is an abfurd Imagination, as will appear by and by : or elfe by Na- ture they mean a knowing Power, which having made the World , and well under/landing thediftinct Properties of all things, affign'd them convenient ftations according to the Direction of an excellent Wifdom ; and fo they confefs a God, only they will not call him by that Name. If this Anfwer fatisfie not,we muft ask them whether by Nature they mean Particular or General Nature. If they fay that fome Particular Nature made allthereit; which is it? ThacofMen or Beads, Sun or Moon ? If any of thefe be quoted, the Doubt remains ftill ; for we fhall ask who made that ; which will be hard to anfwer ,exeept they fay,That things made one another by turns. If they fay, It was General Nature ; that is nothing but all the Particulars which we put together in our Conception, or, jf you will, the Univerfe: And then the fenfe of the Objection will be, That the World made it (elf, and fo was both before and afcer it felf. Or if by Nature they undcrftand fome other fubftancediftinct from created Beings diffus'd through the Univerfe, which doth fuftain all things by a mighty Power, and direct them to their refpective ends with an unerring Knowledge; they grant that there is a God, but they know not what they fay. Others, which think themfelves more Ingenuous, to mend the matter , have made a Conjecture which they efteem very plaufible, and imagine that the World was probably fometimes adorn'd with this form of Being in which we behold it at prefent, and afterwards poflibly fell from it into a (hapelefs Chaos,& was refolv'd into innumerable multitudes of Atoms,which fluctuating for many years, andjuftlingckie another, thruft things into that Order which they now have ; taking it for granted that Matter and Motion were fufficiently able to produce theW'oiid without any knowing Director* But the infnfficiency of this device difcovers it felf in that it doth fhameful- ly beg thole things which ought tobeprov'das Foundations for what is aflerted, and they fuperftruct upon it fuch an heavy Fabrick of wild Confe- quences, that it is not able to fuftain them. They talk of little Particles of divided Matter,by whofe various contextures all things are fuppos'd to be made,to fuch asallow not, that matter can exift at all without a God. They take it alfo for granted that this Matter is mov'd too without the acknow- ledgment of a Divine Motor, to them who can believe no fuch thing, becaufe they know that matter is a ftupid Principle and of it felf unactjve ; but they fuppofing that it doth exift of it fe'tf, might very eafily bellow an eternal Motion upon it. Hoping to obtain of us a belief of thefe fictions, with a growing 1 26 Jl>ttlboltO and <&ttania. Book VI. growing preemption they precarioufly imagine that all things were made up by the conjunction ofthefeParticles as things pre-exiftent to their being,and that the moft perfect of livingCreatures, Men and Women, are but heaps of fine Atoms thrown together : When as by the mod (tnct obfervance of the Generation of Animals which are bred continually, it cannot be perceiv'd that any are produc'd by the commixture of fuch antecedent Mifcibles;dai- ly experience witneffing that their bodies are form'd out of an Homogeneous Principle, and do exift before thofe Epicurean Atoms or Arifiotelcan Ele- ments. But if we grant that there was Matter and Motion, and that Eodies are made by the jumbling of thefe Atoms,and that the compofit ion of various Forms is nothing elfebut the connexion of loofe Particles ; yet it is moft ab« furd to think that this great Machine, the Univerfe, confifting offo many excellent Parts, could have been fram'd by unguided Motion. For the Atoms mov'd in the infinite Space, which is fuppos'd, either in Parallel Lines, or Obliquely. If they march'd on directly, they could ne- ver meet to compofe fomany bodies by their Union. The Inventors of this Notion perceiving this inconvenience, affirm them to decline a little, that fo by their interfeiring Motion the jagg'd Particles might catch hold of one another. And they are alfo forc'd to fay that they decline varioufly; for if aH declin'd one way, none would meet.But though we grant that the ramb- ling Atoms take different courfes in their Motions of Declination, and fo may pofllbly meet the fooner,and alfo fuppofe that whilft they wander up and down without a guide they may fometimes ihew us by a few rude Com- pofitions that they had united, and form'd themfelves into inconfiderable Jumps ofdifferent fizes and figures ; yet to believe that fo many varieties of fuch noble Works as I have before recited, fhould rife out of Matter by a blind fcuffle of indifcerning Principles, is both an abfur'd Phancy, and the height of foolifli Credulity. Things of Nature are better then thofe of Art , and yet this can do nothing but by the application of an indufrrious skill; what then but madnefs can make us think that Nature is Irrational ? When was any rare thing done by Chance ? What though Jpelies ftruck the Image of Foame upon his Table by an angry caft of his Pencil? Could he with fuch a- nother,nay a thoufand fuch rude throws, have form'd a Bucephalus or a Stra- toxica? If we could fee thefe lawlefs Atoms meet by accident in the form of a Tree,and grow into an Organ,the branches fhaping themfelves into tunable Fipes,and varying Notes according to bignefs and length , the upper part doing the duty of a Sound-board, and the lower fram'd into a pair of Bel- lows, which fill'd and mov'd with wind g^ve us the pleafure to hear excel- lent Airs ; we fhould be apt to think that Chance is no contemptible Princi- ple, and we fhould abate our eftimation of Knowledge ; fuch an Infbrument equallingand very much exceeding thofe which being made with great care muff be play'd upon by one who under/lands Mufick as well as he that fram'd it.This alfo would be more admirable then thofe Inftruments, which being contriv'd with much-pains to play as it were a few leffons of themfelves, are thenhelp'd with awheel fill'd with Pins orderly plac'd with an Artificial Skill and regular fupplies of Wind. I fuppofe we may chance to fee an Or- gan rife out of theGround after the forement ion'd manner, when we fhall hap- pen to hear twenty Mad-men finging together, all their wild Notes falling of themfelves into one Harmonious found. Thefe are the only Voices which will fit fuch an Inftrument. But if it be too much to expect that a Plant fhould grow fo Mufically , why do not thefe numerous Atoms confpire together after their fortuitous manner, Book vi. Benttooiio and Fault againftmy Brother by failing to recite what } e did fay, for want of Memory ; or, ifyou did, you arc able to fupply that defect by the Excellency of your Wic : and I'-am apt to think that you have in feveral Tallages conceal'd his infirmity pretending to have receiv'd from him what was your own. I am oblig'd to you for his fake ; but fince you promis'd Obedience when you made us your judges, fubmit to your Cen- fure, and be aflur'das to the Apprehenlion which you have for us , that all the Arfliftion which we fhall endure by way of Sympathy will be only to en- joy a great Pleafurewhilft we hear you difcourfe. I fhould not, replied JSTicomacbus, make any more Objections againft my Duty, (for fuch I efteem whatfotver you are pleas'd to command me) but that befides what I have told you already, I can remember nothing but theftory of * j4naxana&on, *rht xm £ of which Ettgenius, who had but an imperfect notice of it,requefted Eentivolio K '"^' torelatetohim: and fince you are acquainted with it already, I prefume that I am fairly excus'd from the R ehearfal. Do not hope to fave your felf thus, anfwer'd Theonoe, nor believe that any Ingenuous Perfons can be weari- ed with a Story which is fiU'd with the greateft Accidents that ever hap- pened in the World, though they fhould hear it often. As no other can e- qual i t in the Importance of the Matter, fj I make no doubt but that in Ben* tivoiio's Narrative it is accommodated to a very pleafing Method.I fee I gain nothing, faid Nicomachtts, but lofs of Time by the Delay of my Obedience I might have perform 'd a good part of my Task if I had begun fooner , and therefore I will make no more Excufes. He proceeded thus. As Eentivolio and Eugenius were walking one day in a Summer-Gallery which was built after the manner of the Lyceum where jirifietle convers'd with his Peripateticks,E»^»z'«j having heard Eentivolio in feveral Difcour- fes make an honourable mention of jinaxanation, and being not very well acquainted with his ftory, defir'd Eentivolio to give him a fuller Informati- on concerning the Life of that moft Excellent Perfon. I would doit with all my heart, faid Eentivolio, if my Power were correfpondent to my Defire of your Satisfaction. If Jnaxamolon would pleafe to beftow upon me Volto divino, (a favour which he is reported to have done the Prince of Edeffa when he pitied thedifability of the Painter whom he fent to take his ?C- fture) it would beeafie for me to perform this Task by (hewing you his fair* Image. Whether it be true or no that the Glory which ray'd from Anax*- nation's Face dazel'd the foremention'd Painter, I do not know ; but I am fure there are none who have ferioufly contemplated his Incomparable Per- fections, that can think they have a fufficient Skill to defcribe his ;uft Cha- racter. Some things in his Life are fo great that they are too big for the Capacity of ordinary Apprehenfions,andthofeHeroical Pieces which do fill it up are fo many, that it is difficult to remember them all : But fince I have had the Happinefs to fee fome Memoires of his Life written by his Friends, who knew him by intimate Converfe from the time of his publick Actions till his Death, I dial I be able to make a Relation by which you will perceive that you never heard fuch things fpoken of any other Perfon. But becaufe it will be too long, added Eentivolio, to walk till I can finifli this Report, we will fit down. Hereupon the Company took their Seats, and Eentivolio began thus. ?ki i34 JMntibolio and jjBrania. Bookvi^ VSSSL The Hijlory of* ANAXANACTON. *»d mvioui. Ktt,btgmsa T Muft firft acquaint you with the manner of his Birth, which poffibly Difcourft ton- J^ W iH awake your Admiration, when I tell yon cbai his Mother was a Vir- "i^rf^iib'n g in 5 ic being but fit that he who was Lord of Nature, Should be born out of implication us Ordinary Courfe. This is'fomething ftrange, I confefs, faid Eugenius; */!? mifi"'"* f° r ' lt is a tnin 8 which hath no parallel Example. Yes, it is ftrange.reply- Exctihnt Go- ed Bentivolh, but not at all incredible to you, Eugenius, or any elfe who ft' 1 - acknowledged a God. How eafily can he who fram'd all things out ©f No- thing, make the Womb of a Virgin pregnant without the contact of two pro- lifick Sexes ? or,if Conception be accomplish 'd according to the more com- mon Hypothefis, itisnotunreafonabletofuppofe that he who appointed fuch rareeffefts to be produc'd in a way fo unlikely, that none are able to give a rational accompt of what they know to be done by it,can as eafily do it by fome other. This Truth was fufficiently juftified to all the. World. Who Should doubt of it ? Jews or Gentiles ? The Mother was afiur'd of it by an Angel, and told how it fhould be brought to pafs , left her Modefty Should after wards have taken offence at fuch a ftrange accident.HerCountry- men the Jews had no Reafons todis-believethat a man might be bom of a Virgin, who knew by Revelation that the firft Woman was made of a Rib, and whofe Fathers fawdaron's Rod longafter it was cut from the Tree both BlofTom and bear Almonds ; who were told by the Omnipotent God,that the Mefllah, whom they had for many years expected, Should be the Son of a Vir- gin ; & were further aflur'd that Jnaxaftaffott was he by a Quire of Angels, who, to do Honour to him as foon as he was born, celebrated his Incarnati- on with holy Carols,and being favour'd of God by an early Information to underftand the great Concernments of hisNativity,did not only adore one whom they were commanded to receive as their Prince, but did charitably make known to men the Happinefs which was befallen them by this Divine Off- Spring of the Virgin-Mother. The Gentiles could not rationally doubt of this great Truth, for a very confiderable part of them who inhabited the Eaftern World,by an Inftrument futable to their way of Life had notice of his Birth ; for whilft they were ob Serving the face of the Heavens,by the peculiar Rays of a new Star devoted to this holy life they were directed to find him that was fo ftrangely born. As the Divine Benignity did thus take care to let them know the way to thatExcellent Perfon,in whofeAppearan'ce all the world was deeply concern'd,fothis general notice being given them by fuch extraordinary means, oblig'd them to belive what was told them • particularly concerning the manner of his Birth. Thus" by this firft Intelligence given to the fimple Shepheards and the learned ^Mxgi God made Amxwatton known betimes to the weakeft and wifeft of Men : and yet, left any doubts fhould remain in the minds of the Scrupulous World concerning this point , Annx&naUton took away all difficulties from their Belief, exceeding the Wonder of his Nativity by the Miracles which he perform 'd after he was born, efpecially after his Death ; and left none but the Malicious fo ftupid,as that they were not able to con- clude that he who could revive the dead with his Word, and raife himfelf out of a Grave after he had been buried three dayes, might eafily begin his Life in the Womb of a Virgin. But fince I muft difcourfe to you of that afterwards, Idefireyou at prefent only to think with your Self whether fince Book vi. 25enttboUo and Crania, 1 35 fince the Heavens were at this time adorn'd with new Luminaries, and the Celeftial Inhabitants came down in vifible fhapes, and exprefs'd the No blenefsof their Ingenuity, congratulating the Profperity of Men with the fweeteft of Harmonies, an Honour never before equal I'd was not done to the Nativityof this great Perfon, and that they were not high Prefignifica- tions of the Divine Quality and Excellent Actions of this mighty Prince, and evidences of his Heavenly Extraft infinitely more Illuftrious then thofe poor Instances which moft would haveadmir'das indubitable Prefages,thac is, if he had been born fmi ling, if his Incarnation had been attended with a Dance of Swans, if Bees had hiv'd themfelves in his Lips, or an Halcyon made her neft in his Cradle. I find as much Reafon to believe, as before I had to wonder, faid Eugenitts ; only Idefireyou would let me Know who was that Virgin-Mother ; for being honour'd with fuch an Extraordinary Favour, I cannot but fuppofe flie was fome very rare Perfon. She was, re- plied Bentivollo ; but her Excellency confifted in an Humble Piety and un- fpotted Chaftity. It's true, fhe was lineally deriv'd from a Royal Family t but that Relation was weaken'd by fo many Difcents, that it was not much more confpicious at fuch a difhnce then the Diftindtion of Waters which proceed from feveral Rivulets when theyare blended in the Sea; neither did flie challenge any greater Honour from that Original then any poor man may claim as being defcended from Noah, nor God make any other ufe of the Pedegree then to verifie his own Predictions. But this is no wonder; for God having defign'd to glorifie Humility by the Incarnation of his Son, and to difparage thofe vain Eftimations which are bottom'd upon High Paren- tage, Noble Titles and vaft Pofieffions, he fetit him into the World devefted of thefe Ornaments^and obfcur'd his truer Greatnefs with the Meannefs of a poor Eftate,t hough indeed that was appointed as a foil of his afcer-Glory, which was fhut up in this Cloud like the Sun-beams in Curtains of Cryftal. For, befides theforemention'd Adorations which were pay'd him by Angels, and the Luftre which was added to his Birth by a new-made Star, Almighty God at his Baptifm own'd him for his Son by a Voice founding from Heaven equally loud with Thunder, (which he repeated twice afterward)and com- manded the World to obey him as their Univerfal Lord, the Holy Spirit de- fending from the Celeftial Regions, and refting upon him as the true Lover of Souls, in the Form of a Dove. What was the meaning of this Solemnity? faid Eugenius. I will tell you, anfwer'd Bentivolio ; but to make you underftand this Myftery more fully, I muit acquaint you with a piece of an ancient Story. When Mankind apoftatiz'd from their Creator, and were afraid of being eternally undone with the execution of the Punifliment which was conditionally threatned, the God of Mercy being unwilling that the Folly of his Creatures fliould be their Ruine, took compaflion of their Miferies and declar'd that he would not purfue his Right to their Deftru&ion ; and to fupport their Life by Hope be promis'd in due time to fend one who fhould makeup the Unhappy Breach, afiure his Good will, and give Men afull knowledge of the Happi- nefs to which they were reftor'd. After feveral Ages had paft, in which it pleas'd God to connive at the Sins of the foolifh World, for the fake of his Promife, he fenvAnaxamffon, born after the manner which I have before defcrib'd ; who when hecame did foon approve himfelf to be that Benign Saviour whom the common Father of the Creation had defign'd to undertake the Reftauration of the laps'd World* I befeech you, faid Eugenius, tell us how * Anaxunattoh verified that R ,'f mi *' great 1 36 JftftlUftoUo and (Hrama. Book VI. great Title; for as the Appellation is magnificent, fo our beit Concern- ments fefcm to be included in it. You fhall underftand this prefently, an- fwer'd Bentivolio. When that Divine Perfon, who exifted eternally in the Bofom of his Almighty Father, was pleas'd to appear upon this poor Globe . for the Accomplifhment of theforemention'd Promifes, to do an unfpeak- able Honour to our forlorn Nature, he cloath'd himfelf with Humane Flefh, and united that Life to Immortality which was condemn'd to die for Difo- btdience. When Divinity was thus embodied, he which dwelt before in the Splendors of inacceffible Light, defcended and became vifible in the lower Rcgions,and thofe who had the Happinefs to behold him were ftruck with the Brightnefs of his Diviner Rayes, by which he was as clearly re- veal'd as the frailty of Mortal Eyes could bear; and they perceiv'd that God had now frame! for himfelf an Earthen Tabernacle , and difdain'd not to converfe familiarly with Men, having veil'd the Majefty of his Glorious Prefence in a Body like their own. Here Eugenius interpofing, told Bentivolio that this feem'd more ftrange then the firit piece of his Story ; and that it was more difficult to believe that God fhould become a Man, then that a Virgin fliould be a Mother. I did fuppofe,rep!ied Bentivolhj\\zz you would wonder at the My fhcal fenfe of my laft words, neither would I have you think that I am able to give you a full Explication of fo deep a Verity: But I muft tell you, that though God hath made Religion Venerable by the Incomprehenfiblenefs of fome pieces of it, yet no Article of our Creed is Incredible becaufe we do not perfectly underftand every Point;it being a rational fatisfaction to our minds that we believe only what God hath faid, and our Faith is as well fecur'd in thefe Inftances as our Knowledge is in many things which we take for granted, though we are not able to give an exact account of them to a Curi- ous Enquirer. Who can explain the nature of Time, and refolve all the Doubts which arife from the confederation of Place ? Who can (hew us the Original Springs of Motion? Why fhould any Man ftumble at the MyfHcal Union of God with Humanity, when he confiders the inexplicable Con- nexion of the Soul with a Body,or the ftrange Adhefion of Matter to Matter? Since we know not how our Soul doth at pleafure move fo diftinctly the various parts of this rare Machine our Body, why fhould we be offended that God, having told us many eafie Truths which we are to believe, and given us many plain Precepts whofe Obedience is neceffary , fhould alfo command us to give credit to fome higher Articles,where our Duty is hum- ble Faith and devout Admiration ? I am very well fatisfied with this Anfwer, faid Eugenius, neither do I defire rudely to uncover what God hath been pleas'd to hide ; but I befeech you to go on, and let us know what this Divine Perfon was pleas'd to reveal concerning the Defign of his Incarnation. I will, replied Bentivolio. The firft good news which he publifh'd was, That the Merciful Creator was willing to forgive the World that great Debt which they were not able to pay, and that the Moft Good God, who had been ingratefully abus'd, had of his own benign Difpofition fent an Offer of Pardon , and to fhew men the Reality of his Good will had made the Terms of Reconciliation eafie ; and that they might come to treat he had appointed j4nax o/- Abufe " King,. " * -Ana.xMa.Eion utterly abolifh'd this rude Heathenifm, and deli ver'd Hu- manity from fuch execrable Obfervations : and having confider'd alfo ano- ther fort of Religion us'd in one part of theWorld,which though it was free fromfuch deteftableCuftoms, yet perceiving it obfcur'd with Shadovvs,de- feftive infome neceffary Rules, redundant in the Obfervation of things which are neither good norbad in their own Natures; that the main fenfe of its moft ufeful Precepts was corrupted with falfe Gloffes, and the whole ^Economy fo clogg'd with External Rites that it was intolerable to the greateft lovers of Ceremonies that ever were in the World, who at laft could not but complain of the Number and Weight of unprofitable Ordi- nances, being pain'd with Circumcifion, exhaufted with coftlv Sacrifices, wearied with long Journeys, troubled with nice Diftinftions of Meats, and detracted with curious Modes of bodily Worfhip ; out of his deep com- miferation of their fad Eftate he difmifs'd this unufeful trouble,and appoint- ed a moft proper Service, commanding Men to offer themfelves to God a Reafbnable Sacrifice in ftead of Bulls and Goats, to make Oblations not qf the bloud of dead Beafts, but the obedient Faith of Living Perfons , to a- dore him with thenobleft AffecHonsof their Souls, and to lay upon his Al- tar the Humility of a Refign'd Will, to make a Holy Mind his Temple, and to embellifh it with rais'd Apprehenfionsof his Divine Nature, and deep Refentments of his Omniprefent Goodnefs, and in this facred Oratory to offer up daily Prayers and thankful Acknowledgments, an Incenfe moft ac- ceptable, being prefen ted by fuch as he alfo taught to devote the Series of their whole Life to the Divine honour. Thus AnnxanaCion having laid a- fidethofe meaner Duties which bad men could perform as well as others, andby which they ufuallyendeavour'd tomakea Compenfation for their Vices, he pluck'd up that : Thorny Hedge, which being planted at firft only to fecure the Jewes from the Heathens Sins, was made ufe of now to exclude all their Neighbours from their Charity ; and form'd his Gofpel into a Ra- tional Worfhip, in which having inftrufted Men to ferve God with natural expreffes of an Ingenuous Simplicity, he broke that heavy yoke which not only tired Humane Nature with the Portage of an exceffive Weight, but pinch'd it alfo with a difagreeable Form. That which Anaxanatton put in- to the room of it is fo light and well-fitted to our Necks,that Good men take no lefs pleafure in the bearing of it then a Porter would feel in a convenient Load of Jewels put upon his back with this condition, that if he carry them home they fhall be his own. For now Men find themfelves not only fatisfied by the wife Counfels of 'Jnaxanatfon in reference to their Divine Affairs, but alfo rarely directed in order to their Civil Negotiations; he having fhew'd them by a moft com- pendious Book VI. Bentibolio and ffllrania* \y) pendious, yet very plain, Method,how to fecure and advance their private and publick Interefts. His Injunctions require the Obfervation of an ex- aft Righteoufnefs, and he hath made the greateft Charity an indifpenfable Law to his Subjects. He hath exalted Juftice to the higheft pitch , for he made mens ownExpeftations of what they would have done to themfelvs the only Meafure of what they fliould do to others in the fame Cafes. He made the Bounds of Charity fo large, that no miferable perlbn is excluded from the benefit of it. He hath charg d thofe who pretend to his Difcipline ne- ver to hope for that favour with him which they do not fliew to others. And left the practice of this Divine Vertue fhould bedifturb'd with the Injuries which he knew would await it in the converfation of difingenuous people , he forbad them all Revenge except the nobleft fort of it, Forgivenefs. He guarded the Chaftity of Single life with ftrift Precepts, and permitted not the Honour of Marriage to be fullied with Polygamy , nor defeated with peevifh Divorces. Infhort, he did fo fully comprehend all the Offices of Humane Life in the Brevity of his wife Rules, that the Chriftian Church was the only Example which the World could fhew of an excellent Society of men : It being impoflible that by any other Principles there fhould befuch benign Governours, fuch obedient Subjects, or fo loving Neighbours. None are fo powerfully reftrain'd from an unjuft Invafion of the Rights of others as his Servants, who are commanded upon many occafions to contemn that which they may lawfully call their own. No fuch care is taken by any other Law-giver of the Reputation upon which Men fet Co high a value as by Him, for he hath fecur'd their Good Names among all his Difciples, which are not falfe to their Profeffion, both againft open Reproches and fecret Calum- ny. Indeed the Rules of his Politie are fo excellently fram'd, that if they were inviolably obferv'd, all Orders of Men would contribute to the ge- neral Advantages of Humane Society ; the Wifdom of God, which feems to be obfeur'd in the Unequal Conditions of Men, would be made confpi- cuous ; and that univerfal Peace which is now only wifii'd, would then be enjoy 'd, and fecur'd againft Inteftine Sedition and Forein War. You will eafily imagine, proceeded Bentholio, that jimxinafton having made his Subjects truly Religious to their God, and very amicable to all their Relatives, he did not leave themdeftitute of any particular Accom- plifhment belonging to the perfection of a private Capacity. He did fo plainly teach men to know themfelves, andfoftrictiy to regulate the Exor- bitancy of their Natural Appetites, that they muft wilfully negleft his Directions if they be not highly Prudent, feverely Temperate, and truly Modeft. He hath made a ftrong Defence againft the defires of Vainglory , having taught them no more to regard the trivial Applaufes of the World then men value the j ingling noife of Childrens Rattles. He hath fet them at liberty from the Oppreffion of anxious Cares , by directing them to place their Treafure in Celeftial Hopes, and as to other matters t« imitate the thoughtlefs life of Birds and Flowers. Whilft they entertain their Minds with noble Enquiries, they are rewarded for their hearty endeavours with the poffeffion of Divine Wifdom; and when they do contemplate thofe noble Victories which by Obedience to Holy Rules they have obtain'd over their fenfual Appetites, they pleafe themfelves in the Peace which they have made with themfelves, and rejoyce in the Teftimony of a good Confcience which refults from the confideration of a well-govern'd Life ; and to conclude this part of my Story, they beftow as much of their time as they can borrow from the preparation of their Souls for an Immortal Happinefs, upon fuch T 2 worthy 140 Jl&sntibolio and (Urania* Book vi. worthy Anions as exprefs the power of their generous Princip!es,by which the common Intereft of Mankind is ferv'd, and which defervedly refleft up- on their Authors an honourable Reputation. And now by this which I have briefly reported you may perceive, faid Bentivdio, that this great Phyfici- an of Souls came not to palliate 3 but cure,the difeafes of Humane Nature;not to cover but heal, the Infirmities of the Degenerate World ; his Doctrines being the Models of fuch an exalted Vertue, that they make thofe who en- tertain them with a fmcere Obedience poffeflTours of fuch Accomplifhments as are fcarce talk'd of in other Books. I muft confefs, replied Eugenius, you have fet before us a fair Draught of very noble Inftitutions: and though I cannot but perceive that they are accommodated to the univerfal Good of Mankind, agreeable to all Places, and at no Time unfeafonable ; yet they do fo far exceed the Arid Rigour of Vulgar Laws, and are fo far rais'd above the pitch of Humane Cuftoms.that I wonder they were ever entertain'd in the World. You will not wonder much, faid Bentivolio, if you will have the Patience to know with what po- tent Motives jimxunaCion perfwaded their Reception. He made his own Life a juft Example of his Rules, demonftrated that he brought his Do- ctrine from Heaven by the Miracles which he perform 'd, promis'd an Eter- nal Happinefs as the Reward of fuch as would undertake to follow hisPoot- fteps ; and being barbaroufly murther'd by a vile Generation who were up- braided with his Vertues, he appear'd again in Life within three dayes, and after a while before a great Multitude of Spe&atours afcended into the Ce- leftial Regions, to take pofieflion of Immortal Glory in his own and their names. But thefe things are fo confiderable (faid Bemivolie , making a kind of Interruption to himfelf) that I muft crave leave todifcourfe them in more words. The moft prudent Ana.xamtion knowing that the Example of Eminent Perfons had a mighty Influence upon all Beholders ; and that thofe Precepts are feldom regarded which are difparag'd by the contradictory Practice of fuch as give them, did therefore prudently make his own Converfation an exact Refemblanceof his unparallel'd Rules : Infomuch that whilft he liv'd, Goodnefs feem'd to have descended from her Heavenly Manfion , and be- came vifible to Mortal Eyes, and by the Lufbres of Divinity, which was now incarnate, they favv Piety re-inthron'd, Righteoufnefs reftord, Cha- rity g!orified,and all the parts of a Holy Life vindicated from the Contempt which was put upon it by the Rudenefs of that bafe Generation with whom he convers'd. And the truth is, Eugenius, he was fo lively a Pourtraiture of the higheft Vertue, that he out-fhin'd the moft Illuftrious Heroes that arenam'd in Hiftory ; and their Aftions were fo far fliort of his both in diftinctionof Quality, and the Number of fuch as were Excellent, that they appear at the firft view to have been only foroe little things done by men of petty Tempers, when they are put into Comparifon with the rare Pro- duces of his noble Spirit.He defpis'd that poor Glory which many of thofe fo magnified Heroes made the only end of all their Actions. Jmxanatfon being a true Lover of God,and having a perfect knowledge of his Infinite Wifdom, depended intirely upon his pleafure, andreferr'd his whole Un- dertaking to his Honour, never relifhing that delight which low Souls take in theirown SeIf-will,nor admitting thofevain Applaufes by which arrogant perfons nourifli their Pride.He trampled upon Senfual Pleafures : the dull allurements ofFleflhlyLuft were not able to take any hold of him,who came to exprefs an Angelical Life in a Humane Body, neither could the ftrongeft Ten- Book vi. Bentibolio and (ifrania, 141 Tentations make the leaft breach in his Deportment, which was to be the Standard of unfpotted Purity. He was To carefully Juft,that he was never accus'd of doing the leaft Wrong ; neither indeed would he ever engage him- felf in thofe Affairs of worldly life which ufually adminifter plaufible fufpi- cions of Unrighteoufnefs,and of which they are commonly occafions. Cove- tous Defires could find no Harbour in that Divine Breaft, which knew the Contemptiblenefs of thofeTrifles by which ordinary Mortals are firft blind- ed and then takenCaptives,and for which they ftupidly admire theirThral- dom. Ambition could find nothing to tempt him whom fhe perceiv'd to devote his whole Life to the Glory of the Eternal Father. You will eafily imagine that he had no great Apprehenfion of thofe things which vulgar O- pinion hath render'd formidable : he contemned the defpicablenefs of Po- verty; hefeem'dnot to feel the pain of Fafting; he took in good part the abufes of Ingrateful Relatives ; he did not much trouble himfelf to wipe off the fiurs of falfe Accufations which were fram'd to obfeure the Luftre of his Sanftity with Imputations of unjuft Freedom, and to leffen the Glory of his Miraculous Aftions with the pretence of Magical Affiftances. As he perpe- tually contemn'd thofe worldly Interefts which make men unwilling to thinkof Mortality ,1b with amoft ferene Patience heaccofted Death, though it met him attended with all unhandfome Circumftances : for after a mod opprobrious Trial he was condemn'd to be crucified between two Thieves; and yet, as if he had been unconcenvd in his own Cafe, he neither attemp- ted any Refcue, which could eafily have been made,from thofe who guard- ed him, nor undertook the defence of his Caufe where an Anfwer was as eafie, his Accufers being deftitute of any Teftimony againft him except their own Malice, and the Judge fo fatisfied concerning his Innocence, that he was fore'd to abfol^e him before he condemn'd him, and declar'd that he pronoune'd the Sentence againft him and his own Confcience, both at once. But Jnaxanatfon,as before he efteem'd it a fmall matter to be harm- lefs unlefs he was alfo beneficial, when he could do no more fervice to the World by his Life, he willingly laid it down to become, as I told you be- fore, a Propitiatory Sacrifice not only for his Friends, but his Enemies not excepting his Murtherers ; and, mingling his Prayers with his Bloud , befought his Father that his Death might be a means of Eternal Life to thofe whokill'dhinu Whilft Bentivolio fpoke thefe words, faid Nicomachus, Iobferv'dthe Tears run down the cheeks ofEugentus ; who,after he had fetled his Paffion, proceeded thus, turning to Bentivolio. Imuft confefs that I never heard of any other in whom Innocence, Charity, and Prudence were fo united , whom Fortitude and all the proper Qualities of a Generous Spirit did fo in- noble; and I cannot but think that thofe who conversed with him entertain'd the higheft thoughts of his Divine Perfbn, and gave all Reverence to his Heavenly Doftrine : but I muft entreat you to let us know what other AC- furance he gave that he was lent from God. I was going to fhew you, replied Bentivolio, that his Example was not more Venerable then the Proofs by which he aflerted his Authority were unqueftionable. As foonas he began to difcover himfelf to the World, he was publickly honour'd with the Defcent of the Holy Spirit, of which I told you before , and as he, being accompanied with fome of his Friends, went up one day to a Moun- tain well known in Palejline, which I remember iscall'd Tabor, be was transfigured into a Celeftial Form ; his Body was fo incircl'd with fplendid Rayes, that his Veftment fliin'd , and Mofes and Eliot , one the great Minifter 142 Jfcenttfcolio and (jHrania. Book VI. Minifter of the Law, the other the mcft famous of the Prophets,came down from their Ethereal Habitations to do Homage to him; and, as they went away, leaving the World to the Conduct of that better Gofpel which he was to promulgate, a. voice from Heaven now the fecond time confirm'd his Commiflion, and requir'd Mankind to obey him as their only Matter. Thus nobly was Anaxanaftoit recommended to the World when he made his firft Entries upon a publick life; and as heprofecuted the Execution of his holy Office, he was alwaies accompanied with a Divine Prefence, which put a Majefty into his Difcourfes far above any thing which his Hearers could obferve in their own authentick Doctors ; all his Speeches juftified themfelves and the Speaker. Their Rabbies,notwithftanding the deadly ha- tred which they had for his Perfon, could not but admire the extraordi- nary Wifdom which fhin'd from his Soul whilft hefpoke; and which they ' could no more imitate then a Novice in Letters can equal the Eloquence of Cicero. The Devil, that grand Patron of Envy, had foon taken notice of this Ex- cellent Perfon, and was unfpeakably vex'd to fee Humane Nature rais'd to fuch a ftrange height ; and he was much afraid that he fhould no longer be able to keep under thofe whom he had till now too fuccefsfully endeavour'd- todeprefs; however, refolving to try his fortune, he prefently chal- leng'd AnaxAnaffoti to a fingle Combat in a lonefome Wildernefs, where he hoped to difcourage him with the horroursof Solitude, to affright him with the neighbourhood of Wild Beafts, and to weaken him with the defect of thofe ordinary Supplies by which our bodily life is fupported, and attempted with all his Arts to bring him down from that facred Rock in which he (aw his ftrength was plac'd, viz. His Hope in God. But when he found him above the Tentation of Senfual Relifhes, not capable of being entangl'd with promifes of R iches, nor fubjeft to the feeblenefs of an over- weening Phancie, he flung down his Arms and fled, to his fhame perceiv- ing that he had been more bold thenwife,and was infinitely perplex'd fince by a molt undefirable Experiment he was afTur'd that he was to expect now another-guefs Antagonift than the firft Adam ; and encreas'd his Torments with the fears which heentertain'd, and by which he too truly prefag'd the lofs of his Ufurp'd Dominion. For this Victory was but a prelude to jbtaxanaEtoris future SuccefTes, who had frequent occafions to renew his Quarrel with this-fort of Adverfaries by reafon of the conftant Refidence of +ADt*rtynr. „ a fmodeus znd his Complices in the Country where AnaxamcJon was born, which they had in a great meafure fubdued to their Obedience ; and where they gave diligent Attendance left they fhould be difpoflefs'd by this po- tent Prince. Some of thofe cruel practices by which they exprefs'd their malicious Power gave a fair opportunity to Amxanaflon to make himfelf \a murium known ; For that great f Abaddon, and thofe defperate Legions his Fellow- Sfitit. devils, having receiv'd a permiffion to inflict fome fort of Punifhments upon apoftate Humanity, took a bafepleafure in afflicting the Bodies of Men and Women with painful Difeafes, in difturbing their Underftandings by indi- fpofing their Brains,and rendring them ridiculous and troublefome to their Neighbours by extravagant Deportments. This merciful Prince well knowing the unreafonable Malice of thefe damn'd Spirits, (for they tormented thofe whom they had made to fin)and being fairly invited to fhewthe Authority which was given to him for quite contrary ufes, as the rightful Lord of the World he commanded thefe im- pudent Vaffals to be gone, to leave off this Devilifli Trade, and ceafe in- ferring Book vi. Jl&entiboiio and fflrania* 143 felling thofe places which the Saviour of Mankind had chofen for his abode. The muttering Fiends obey 'd, and tremblingat thefightof their Judge, en- treated him, that befides this difmiffion he would not add to their prefent or accelerate their future Torments. JnAxxttdion, to fhew that he came not into the World only as the Devil's Enemy, but the general Friend of Mankind, exprefs'd his affectionate Af- fiftance in reference to all their Neceflities,and verified his Sacred Office by a conftant performance of beneficial Miracles ; fometimes feeding many thoufands of hungry people who travell'd far to feekthe Cure of their Di- feafes, whom whilft he heal'd and nourifh"d,he did at once in two Inflances Ihew both his God-like Pity and Divine Power. His Patients (lhall I call them, or his Guefts ?) could not but fay, If this be not He , it is in vain to expeft any other Saviour ; for, when he comes, will he be able to do more then multiply our Bread with his Word, and to diminifh our Pains without any other Medicine ? But, as if the curing of the Sick were not a fufficient demonstration of his Divinity, he rais'd the dead alfo, and indeed gave fo many fatisfactions to Men, that they had no more forts of Proofs to demand. Which way lhall Omnipotent Wifdom give Teftimony to the Truth which his Meffengers deliver , if Miracles be no Afiiirance ? And what Wonders would content us, if we think it is but a fmall matter to create Food , to reftore Health, to return Life, only with fpeaking of a Word.? and though the Jaft inftance of his Divine Power was liable to be queflion'd by thofe who, being carelefly Incredulous or wilfully Malicious,might pretend to think that no ftrange thing was perfonii'd, fince they were not affur'd that thofe Perfons were dead whom he was reported to have made to live the fe- condtime, he juftified this and all his former Miracles, as leffer things, by one fo great that it is beyond all Reafonable exception. For when his in* veterate Enemies hadnail'dhim toaCrofs, (which trie y were permitted to accomplish, not for the Satisfaction of their own Cruelty, but for the Reafon which I fore-mention'd , and for which Villany they were fevere- lypunifh'd) his Death was accompanied with wonderful Accidents; for the Veil of the Jewifh Temple, which guarded the moft Holy place from common Eyes , was rent from the Top to the Bottom,and fhew'd both that the hidden meaning of the Mofaick Difcipline was now reveal'd, and that a free Accefs into God's Prefence was allow'd to Mankind by the Death of this great Mediator, who by this Oblation enter'd into the true Heavens as a fore-runner for all good Men. The Earth quak'd, the Rocks were broke in pieces, the Tombs open'd, the Dead came forth of their Graves ; fig- nifying plainly that the Lord of Life was Crucified , by whofe bloud the Dead fhould be reftor'd to Life. The Sun put on a Robe of Darknefs by an Eclipfe naturally impoflible, and the whole Heavens in juft fympathy veiled themfelves with Sables ; whilft obferving Aftronomers, who knew that this Defettof Light was not caus'd by the ordinary Interpofition of the Moon, concluded that the moft noble Luminary fufter'd in Myflical Sympathy with fome great Afflidtion which either Nature or its Author at that time endur'd. And after they had thus taken away the Life which they unjuftly hated, and madefure, as they thought of his dead Body by putting their chief Go vernours Seal upon his Tomb-ftone , andfetaguard of Souldiers to watch his Corps, he rofe out of his Coffin , as he pro- mised, the third day, roll'd away the Stone which was the Doorof his Pri- fon , and went forth without asking leave of FiUtes Goalers, and left his Minifters the good Angels to fright his Keepers from their vain employ- ment, i 4 4 jaentitioUo and Crania. Bookvi. ment and to allure his Victory over Death to his old Friends, who he knew would not fail to perform "what further Obfequics belong'd to his Fu- neral ; to fomeof which he'himfelf prefently appear'd alive, both to re- quite theConftancy of their Love, and to ftrengthen the Weaknefs of their Faith. But judging thofe few not Witneffes enough of fo Important an Action, nor one Vifit a fufficient Proof of fo great an Accident, he fhew'd himfelf tohis Apoftles many times, and once made himfelf villble to five hundred Speftatours, who had not only leave to touch him and to talk with him, but he continued his Converfe as long as his being upon Earth was needful to confirm the Eeiief of his Difciples. Then having other Af- fairs to negotiate for them in Heaven, he afcended in their light, to receive that Glory which was the due Reward of his humble Obedience, and to teach his Followers to afpire after his Prefence in thofe Celeftial Regions , where he aflur'd them that a place fhould be provided for all that were o- bedient to his Counfel. I muft confers now, faid Ettgemus,you have given fuch a fatisfactory Ac- compt of this Generous Prince, that infread of the Doubts which I enter- tain'd at the beginning of your Difcourfe, I am furpriz'd with an Admira- tion of the whole Story, and I chink it not more Extraordinary in any part, then Rational in the Contexture of the whole; and the affurance which is produc'd in my Mind concerning the Truth of this Relation,makes me fup- pofe that fomeftrange things happen'd upon Earth after Jnaxanation's Af- cent into Heaven ; and but that I have been more then fufficiently trouble- fome already,! fhould willingly understand by your means what fuccefs his Gofpel had in the World. If you had not made this demand,replied Eenti- volh, I fhould have perform'd what you defire, this being a part of my Story, in which the Accidents are fo confiderable, that they are very well worth your Knowledge, and bear fuchan important Relation to the Whole, that they area clear Demo'nftration of its Truth. J»axa»atfo» having at his departure commanded his Servants to flay at Hierufaiem, (then one of the moft NobleCities in the World)and there to await Wis further Orders con- cerning their Mure Aftiohs, after a few dayes, when they were all Af- fembled in one large Room, accompanied with many worthy Perfons who were true Lovers of this good Prince, Amx&nnBon, according to the Promife which he made at his Tranflation, fent a Divine Spirit , who defcending with a noife much like the bluftering of a violent Wind , ap- pear'd in a cloven Form of Fiery Tongues, and refting upon them, pre- fently expounded the My ftery of this Emblematical Appearance by infpi- ring them with Ability to fpeak divers Languages, and fo gave them power to teach all Nations in their own Tongues that Holy Gofpel which concern 'd all the World to know,being the Method of their Eternal Happinefs. They being thus appointed, begun prefently to execute the Office to which they were deputed by their Mafter, and having difpers'd themfelves into many Kingdoms, they related the Story of Jmxxnatfon , publifli'd the Gofpel which he had made a Cat hoi ick Law, and gave them the true meaning of e- very Precept in plain Interpretations , making known thePromifeswhofe Truth he feaPd with his BJbud ; and, beftdes the venerable SancHty of their Lives, verified their Authority, as their Mafter had done before them, with Divine Works: They Vanquifh'd Devils, filenc'd Oracles , reproch'd Idols, reprov'd Vice, and commanded Men in JnnxantiBoris name to a- mend their Lives, and threatn'd the Difobedieht with Eternal Mifcry if they continu'd in their Impenitence. TKe'Gohverted World receiv'd their Meflage Book vi # 25entibolto and Crania* 1 45 MefTage with a fincere cheerfulnefs ; and in afhort time a great part of j4Jia t Europe, and Africk, fubmitted themfelves to the Difcipline of jtrnxMaEton, call'd themfelves by his name, chang'd their Religion,abandon'd their Gods, anddefpis'd all other Interefts but His Gofpel , and laid down their Lives as Witneffesof their true Faith. The greatnefs of this fudden Victory is more admirable , if you confider that the truth of this Divine Revelation did not only gain Credit with the Common fort of People, but matter 'd the Reafon of moft leam'd Phi- lofophers,overcame the Policy of Graveft Senators,conquer'd the Spirit of the molt valiant Commanders , out-witted the Cunning of fubtle Conju- rers, and making Profelytesto it felf in all Climates, convinced the Pa- gan Emperourwho then rul'd the World by fuch loud and magnificent Re- ports , that he would have inroll'd Jnax-waflon among his Country Gods ; which though it was hind red by AnxxtmaBonjs\)Q Would not be rank'd with fuch contemptible Rivals,and oppos'd by. his Minifters of State for politick Reafons, yet within a fmall compafs of Years that Empire which gave laws • to all the World fubmitted it felf to his Government , and the greatell Kings efteem'd it their chief Glory to be Subjects of * jimxitniition: and *thts.in^»f they teftified the truth of their Eftimations by building Magnificent Tern- KiH '' pies for the more convenientReception of his Worfhippers,beftowing upon his Minifters great Revenues , offering up their day ly Prayers to God in his great Name, celebrating his Love to the World 'with grateful Hymns , con- secrating much time to the Remembrance of the more obfervable Parts of his Life, and making fuch honourable Commemorations of his Death and Refhrre&ionaswere futable to the Myftical Import of thofe noble Acci- dents; thinking, and that truly , that it was but a juft Gratitude to doall they could to make the Name of jinaxanaffon the greateft thing that ever was talk'd of in the Wor!d. Though I muft tell you, continued Bentivt- lio y that this was not a more proper expreflion of deferv'd Love in Men then a neceftary piece of Divine Providence : for though Jmxanaffon was veil"d a while with the contempciblenefs of a Low Eftate ; yet it was not fit chat the Obedience of his Humility fhould be unrewarded , nor the greamefs of his Glory long obfeur'd ; For he was that Prince who not long after the Creation,and immediately upon the Apoftafy was promis'd as the Redeemer of mankind, was the Hope of the Patriarchs , the Theme of the Prophets , the Fulnefs of the Law , the Subftan.ce of all Shadows, the Summe of the Gofpel , the true Teacher of Wifdom , the Planter of Holy Difcipline , the Glory of the Jews , the Morning-Star of the Gentiles, the Joy of Good An- gels, the Terrour of Devils,the Lord of both Worlds, the Heir of all things, the Head of the Church ; and, to end my Story , that Divine Perfon in whom the Faith, Love , Hope and Thoughts of all wife and good men did reft fatisfied ; and for whole moft glorious Appearance, which he promis'd at his departure, all good Spirits in Heaven and Earth do continually pray. After Bentivolio had difcours'd fofar, he took a finall Book out of his Pocket written in Greek by four of Amxatiafforis Friends , and gave it to Eugettitx, both as a Verification of his own Report ; and that by the peru- fal of it Ettgenius might more fully inform himfelf in the incomparable Hi- ftory of fo rare a Perfon. Bentivolio holding his peace, TLugenUis and all the Company gave him thanks; only * Jntigrafhtts , who came in a little after he had begun to* y a j„ tj . difcourfe , did not fo heartily as the reft , having pofTeft his Mind with Pre- firipmm.' judice againft many parts of the Relation, which he had formerly heard, V and 146 Jl&entibolio and Crania* Book vi. and alwayes oppos'd. As they walk'd in the Gallery , for they had left their Seats , Eugen'w perceiving fome difturbance in jfntigrapbHs his Coun- tenance, having civilly exprefs'd his conjectures, ask'd him cheReafonof a om wbotoH- j^is DiffatisfaCtion. ■ - Whil/l a Ntcomachus pronounc'd thefe uords , a %"jmrjh? h n Gentleman came into the Walk , and having faluted the Company in the name tfGod! lff ' T of b Iheofebiui , he deliver'd a Letter from Bentivolio to Urania , and ano- c M virtuous. t jj Cr to c ]>anarettu, wherein he entreated him and Nicomachus to make hafte e P onfwhi to ■» Ehronefium ; and another to « Sympathy from the Prince t>f7hcoj>re]>ia, companionate! in which he commanded him to invite f TheonoezxsA g Irene to come to his T'Titviw Court , and defired them to conduCt the Lady Urania thither alfo with all mm. RefpeCt due to a Perfon of her Quality. This news was welcome to them g Hat: a jj . t0 the Gentlemen , becaufe they w ere going to a place where they were fure to enjoy the belt Company in the World ; and to the Ladies , becaufe contrary to their Fears they fhould not be left behind; efpecially to Urania, who did very paflionately defire to fee Bentivolio. Whilft they were ex- prefling their mutual Refentments of their common Felicity , one of thee noe's Servants call'd them in to Dinner. When the Cloath was taken away, Urania began to call to mind that Nicomachus had not quite difcharg'd his Task , being interrupted by reading the Letters which they receiv'd from Tbeofebw , and therefore defired leave of the Company that he might re- fume it. They confented , and Nicomachus was voted to his Chair again by an unanimous voice of the whole Company , and , theonte having given order that none fhould interrupt them, Nicomachus proceeded after this manner. Though I have fufficiently declar'd the Imperfection of my Wit in offer- ing at the Recital of fuch a noble Story, yet fince I fin only becaufe I would be obedient , I will briefly give you the laft part of that Difcourfe ; efpe- cially becaufe I efteem that which was then faid to be very pertinent to the ^ r Vindication of J» Anaxanaclons Honour from the foolifh Cavils of fome kirtt Kfcrtf p r8tenc j ers t0 \tf lZ ^ vv h ta k e lt f or a g reat pj ece f Ability to find faults where there are none , -and think they defer ve Applaufe , when they merit only Scorn , for faucily deriding thofe things which they ought humbly to i ah \Ann- adore, i Antigrafhus , as I was going to have told you , being defired by ftripturiit. Eugenius to exprefs his Mind , addreffing himfelf to Bentivolio, began thus : It's true , I am not fatisfied with your Difcourfe : Though you have adorn'd gJS^rS*'- the Hiftory of Anaxanatton with plaufible Colours , yet I cannot but think vimrt otfpei that many of them may eafily be rubb'd off. I will not trouble you witlra tnfwrti. punctual Enumeration of all my Doubts , only I fhall crave your pardon to touch upon fome things which molt offend me. What you have faid con- cerning Anaxanatfons Birth , his Miraculous ACtions , his RefurreCtion and Afcenfion , is utterly deftitute of any known Parallel j and me-thinks it re- quires a vaft meafure of Credulity to make men believe a Report fo ftrangely incredible. For my own part , I defire to be told how I may affure my felf that thofe parts of your Story are true. That Notion which you put upon the Death of Amxanatton , whofe bloud wasfhed , as you fay , as an Ex- piationfor the Sins of the World, and that he offered himfelf upon theCrofs as a Propitiatory Sacrifice , feems to be clogg'd with fo much unreafonable- nefs,that I cannot but disbelieve it. I look upon his Crucifixion as a means both wholly unnecefiary and altogether ufelefs, and fo very unfitly applied to any fuch purpofes. You make ufe indeed of various Expreffions to magnifie the advantage of his Death , and fay the fame thing in different words ; yet in my mind it fits none of them. Sometimes you fanfy his Sufferings Book vi. . Bmttolio and Crania* 147 Sufferings as a placatory Oblation , and Co make his Crofs an Inftrument of Atonement between an angry God and trembling Offenders. But with what probability can this be affirm. 'd ? For can he truly be faid to be Reconciled , who not only was never angry, but whofe Divine Nature is utterly incapable of fuch a low Paffion ? Sometimes you explain the fame po;nt by the Notion of Redemption , and would have us look upon the Life of AnAXM&tlon as a price paid down for the re-infranchifing of inflav'd Men. I confefs I wonder at this as much as the other ; for to whom fhotild this Price be paid ? To Cod ? How can that be , fince you fay chat he gave this Anaxamfton his dear Son , as a Ranfom for Men , and fo'make him the Purchafer? Which cannot be admitted neither ; for to what purpofe fhou.dhe give him, unlefs it wee to. buy what was his own? Men could neither give nor fell themfelvts from God ; if they did,the Deed was Invalid , becaufe he can never loofe his Right by any foolifh Ad of his Creatures. They could not be taken from him by force, becaufe he is Omnipotent. If he receiv'd a Price for them, it feems he did not Redeem but Sell them. The Price you fpeakof could hot be paid to the Devil - forGodonly , whofe Law was violated, had Right to takePunifhment of his offending Subjects ; and if the Devil had any hand in the Torment , it was but of an Executioner deputed by God.Befides all this , ^Anaxanacton could not be truly faid to have bought Men , for he himfelf , as I have heard affirm'd that God gave him freely that part of Mankind in which he claims a peculiar Intereft. The Senfe which you would exprefs by ufing the word Satisfaction is lia- ble to as great Difficulties. If God would not forgive finners till he had receiv'd Satisfaction * he leffen'd his Goodnefs , which you fay is infinite. • Or if he would needs have Satisfaction , yet why fhould the moft Innocent Anaxdnatfon be expos'd to feornful Tortures in the fread of fuch as were no- torioufly guilty ? Although that Generous Prince was fo good natur'd as to offer It , yet it was contrary to God's Juftice to receive fuch a Cruel Com- penfation ; and it feems to have been too exceffive an Anger conceiv'd a- gainfttheSinsof the World, which could not be appeas'd without a Sacri- fice of Humane Bloud , the life whereof you did but now condemn in the Heathen Religion. What Satisfaction was due I donOtknow, but it feems t3 follow from your own Principles , that Anaxxnatfon could not pay it,for you acknowledg him tobeaGod : and if you think to take off this Incon- ven'ence by laying it upon his Humane Nature , I muft tell you that it cculd not make Satisfaction for the Defects of others , becaufe all that it could do was but its own juft Duty; Iamconfirm'd in this Opinion of y/#.«M#^?0#'sDeath, proceeded*^/;. * y„j„,„ grafbat, becaufe I perceive but very final I Effe6s which it hath produe'd M>*»s. towards the Melioration of the World fince he left it. If hehaddeliver'd the World from Ignorance by his Gofpel , and redeem'd it , as vou fay he did, from Sin by his Death ; how comes it to pafs that many Nations are not acquaVed with his Laws , and that moft of thofe Countries which have receiv'd that knowledg are as Wicked as thofe which have not ? Some of them complain of AnaxanactonsDifcipYme as a heavy Yoke, and pre' end that their Difjbedience is necefiitated, becaufe his Commands are fo ftrict tha: they cannot t.e obferv'd.Whether this be true or no J know not; but that they are not obey'd is but too evident by contrary practifes. We fee alfo that the World is vex'd with thofe Afflictions which you call the Puiiiflunenfs of Sin ; as Painful Difeafes, Devouring Plagues, Bloudy V 2 Wars, J15en ttbolio and (Urania* Book v j Wars Intolerable Famine , Implacable Death, and Diffent ions Irrecon- cilable entertain'd by thofe who, though they glory in the Pretenfe of being j{naxAn*£toris Difciples , yet having torn off his known Badge, Mutual Love, anddefpis'd his gentle Spirit, all the world perceives that they have nothing but his bare Name ; and that they have fo confounded his Do- ctrine by quarrelfome Controverfies , that they themfelves can fcarce tell what it is. I doubt concerning the Truth of that Relation which you made of the Succefs which he had for a while ; and if I fhould grant it to be tr^e, yet I muft tell you that it did fcarce equal what hath accompanied theDe- figns of thofe whom you call Impoftors , fome of which have gotten Victory over a great part of Anxxintiftoris Dominions , as is known by the Story of Mahomet. * jnAHtifm- Bentholio perceiving that * AntigrAfhus had made an end, replied in tturifi. ' thefe words: Though there are many things in Chriftian Religion (for that is but another Name of AuAxanatfons Discipline) fo Myftical that their full Senfe is above the reach of our Apprehenfion ; yet nothing can juftly be e- fteem'd unreafonable becaufe we are not able to fathom it , fince we know that Inferiour Beings cannot adequately comprehend Superiour. Though it is very common withfooiifh men to quarrel with thofe Methods by which God profecutes the Defign of their Happinefs , and to cavil at thofe Noti- ons wherein the mod important Truths are contain'd ; yet I think thofe which you have impugn'd fo agreeable to right Reafon, and that no Instru- ment could have been more prudently contnv'd to promote the Salvation of Mankind then the Death of AttAXAitA&on ; and that it was not unfuccefsful- ly applyed to ferve this moft noble Defign , and that the Effects which were produe'dby it were never equall'd by any other Invention, is the firft thing that I will endeavour to fhew you, and add to what I have faid already con- cerning this Matter anfwers to all your Objections , and afterward I will fatisfie you as to the Truth of the whole Story of AnAXAnallon. When Man camefirft into Being, he was God's Creature, and fo ob- lig'd by the ftrongeft ties to acknowledg him for his Sovereign Refior, He who made all things having an indubitable Right to give them Laws. The univerfal Creator according to his Divine Prudence inferib'd natural Rules upon Mens Hearts, fo making them in part Laws to themfelves , and fuper- added fome Pofitive Commands as further fignificationsof his Will. He knowing that be had to do with confiderative Natures , not only engag'd them to obferve his Laws by the good condition into which he put them ; but added another ftrong prefervative againft Difobedience , by annexing to his Commands Punifliments conditionally threatn'd; Which was a rare Expreflion of the Divine Goodnefs , for God did fo take care that the fa!fe Hopes of Impunity might not bring into the World firft Sin and then Ruine. But rafh Men, flighting their Duty notwithstanding thefe Obligations to the contrary , rendring themfelves obnoxious to the Punifhment of an Ingrateful Rebellion ; and it was then juft with God , who is the Lord of Punifhment, to inflict the Mulcts which were due upon the contempt of his Precepts. But he confidering that it was a thing worthy of the benign Creator rather to re- pair his work by an After-provifion of his Wifdom, then to defert it to that Ruine which was the effect of its own Folly, determin'd to reftore the dege- nerate World , and upon Terms which were fit for him to propound to ad- mit Offenders to the benefit of Reconcil'd Favour. The Sins of the World being an unfpeakable Affront to his juft Authority , and an open Scorn puc upon his moil excellent Laws , he faw it was reafonable that Men ought not to Book vi. Benubolto and Crania* 149 to be pardon'd but in a way by which the Divine Honour might be repair'd, his Government acknowledge!, theRighteoufnefs of his Injunctions vindi- cated, Obedience rtftor'd to its due Eitimation , Rebellion condemn'd and put to the higheft difgrace , and Offenders by the affurance of Forgivenefs perf waded to return to their Duty, and fo that bafe thing , Sin, be rooted out of the World. Now , * Jntigraphui , if you will give me leave to ufe a few words more, * ij */« >»- continued Bentivolio, I will demonstrate to you that thefe noble Deigns """**' could not have been accomplifh'd any way fo well as by the Obedient Life and Holy Death of Jnaxanaffon. You muft -know that he came into ths World at fuch a time when Wickednefs had advane'd it felf to a height fcarce parallel'd in any Age : and when that Nation which did moft of all others pretend , and had the greateft reafons to be Examples of Vertue had not only difhonour'd it bj vxious Practices, but had flurr'd their Rules with fuch falfe Expofitioas , that they had reprefented the Obftrvation of their genuine Senfe as unneceiTary; jlnxxanAftort appear'd upon this Stage as the Champion of Obedience , and by an unfpotted Converfation made a publick Defiance to the prevalence of Vice , fubdued the Tower of bad Ex- ample, and reveal'd a dear Regard of the Divine Will when all the World flighted it , overcame the Temptations of Sin, and condemn'd thofe Cuftoms which by a continual repetition of wicked Actions do propagate hurtful Ex- amples ; and having given all forts of men a full knowledg of their Duties by his Excellent Difcourfes, and fliewn the way to the moft noble degree of Vertue* of which ( as I told you before ) his own Life was the Beautiful Image , he reprov'd the difobedient World with fuch Authority , that he amaz'd the mod Obftinate, and perfectly reclaim'dthe Ingenuous, who wanting good Information finn'd only of Ignorance , but now reform'd themfelves willingly fince they knew the danger of their Errours. JmxAmcion having proceeded fo far, his Life was improv'd to the utmoft Justification of the fupreme Law-giver, and now he laid it down, that by his Death he might make a further Reparation of the Divine Honour , and a fuller Expreflionof his Charity to Humane Nature. His Death was a com- mon Penance of Mankind , in which Divine Juftice made the Sins of the World to meet as in an Expiatory Suffering, which his Love made him chearfully endure , having voluntarily put himfelf into the place of Sinners; and he was not unwilling to bear fuch Shameful Torments as were ever look'd upon as the Puniihments of Sin, andthevifible Effects of God's Difplea- fure. Thus his CrofTebecame a publick Vindication of the Divine Juftice to which all the World was obnoxious, and it wasa great Augmentation of that Difparagement which he had caft upon Sin by his Holy Life: For none could receive the true knowledg of this wonderful Action , and re- main fo ftupid as to think ftill that Difobedience is a Trifle which was thus expiated, or fo unreafonable as not to conclude, that the Wound was of a mod deadly concernment which could not be cured but by a Balfom made of fuch precious Bloud. How can any man think that it is a cheap thing to fin, when the deareft Sonof God was bufFetted , crown'd with Thorns,and then nail'd to a Crof, for it f The Saviour of the World hadreafon to ex- pect that when (bine men (aw , and others heard , that the hard Rocks clove and the dull Earth trembled at his Death,and that the dead came out of their Graves, that they Would awake out of their deadly (lumbers, and not on- ly thinkof relenting a little, but melting themfelves into an ingenuous Sor- row for their former Enormities , now begin anew Life , according to his Directions i 5 o jlfctntibolio and ffllrania. Book VI. Directions who died fov them , and by his Death fhew'd them not only the depth of his true Affection , but made it thegreateft endearment of Obe- dience ; letting them fee that it was fo necefiary to' their Happinefs , that it is neither pofliblenorfit that they fhould be fav'd without it. Thus was Sin condemn'd by Jnxxanatfons Death ; and when he had dif- charg'd this Office , Men could not doubt of being pardon'd through his Mediation , for he told them that his Death was a Propitiatory Sacrifice offer'd in the name of Sinners, and that his Blond was fLed as a Federal Rite by which (according to the known Cuff om of the Eaftera World,who by Bloud did ufuallyratifietKeir Leagues of Fnendfliip) he confirm'd the Promife of Pardon which he had formerly made in the name of his Father, andfeal'dhisGofpel, which was a Covenant of Love, and contain'dthe Grant of our Peace, inftead of thebloud of Eeafts with his own. But that I may end this part of my Difcoui fe , let me tell you alfo that the Death of Jnaxanaffon did both naturally augment the pitiftilnefs of our Ge- neral High-Prieft , who by the Experience of Afflictions learn'd to compaf- fionate his fuffering Friends ; Jnax/tnaclon alfo made it a rare Example of that Patience which he knew his Followers would need, to fupport them againft rhofe Affronts which he forefaw would be put upon them by fuch as, having no love for Vertue themfelves, would hate it in others, and being more in number would be always able to do them mifchief , and being infti- gatedto perfecute them with more rage by their own Vices, which were perpetually condemn'd by their excellent Lives. Thus alfo JnaxanacJon gave his Friends a fair encouragement to fuffer chearfully , feeing their true Lover to have led them the way , and being affined that 'neither Shame ,. Pain or Death could obftruft their Happinefs, all of them being hallow'd by the Patience, and overcome by the Faith of their Victorious Prince. As by this which I have faid concerning the rare life which was made of Anaxanatfon's Death , you may eafily perceive that it was fo far from beirg Impertinent, that it demonftrates not only the greateft Love , but an equal Wifdom in the Defignation of it to the fore-mention'd Purpofes; foyou will fee that the great Import of his Death is not improperly exprtf>'din thofe Notions which you diflike , if you will have the Patience to under- ftand the true meaning of thofe common Words, Reconciliation, Redemption and Satisfaction^ when they are applied to this Affair. Reconciliation muft be explain'd according to the Notion of Difpleafure of which God is capable. He is then faid to be Angry when he punifheth ; and as it is natural for men tobe afraid when they have tranfgrefs'd the Law of their Supreme King, fo it is juft with him tobe angry at their Offences, that is, to punifJh the Offenders : and he may very well be faid tobeRecon- cil'd, when he doth not lay their Sins to their charge ; and to receive them into that Favour which they forfeited , when he doth not inflict the Funifli- ment which was deferv'd. Thus the Notion of Reconciliation is verv prc- per,and not at all the lefTe intelligible,t hough God is not a paflionate Being; and the Effect of our Saviours Mediation is equally valuable. Forwhilft the Sinner is liable to an unfpeakable Torment , his condition is as miferab'e as if he who is provok'd to inflict it were fubject to wrathful Affection?, fince he knows how to do it with a ferene Juftice ; and the Courtefie of the Intercefibr is infinitely obliging , notwithstanding the indifiurb'd tem- per of the Divine Nature , becaufe he faves the Offender from a dreadful Punifhment: and fince the unpaffionate King would have inflicted it without the fore-mention'd Interposition , he which is pardon'd need not fcruple Book vi. JI&*ntiboUa and flirania* 151 to fay that his God is reconcil'd to him by the Death of Jnaxanatton. You will alfo be fatisfied as to the Notion of Redemption, if you confide*" what is meant by that word when itisus'd in this matter: For itfignifies that Amxumlion by his Death reftor'd Mankind to Liberty, that benefit which poor Slaves receive when they are deliver'd from a miserable captivi- ty by the payment of a fumme of Money. We were enflav'd to the Devil who had tempted us from our Allegiance to God, andperfwadingus to follow his Counfels and the Conduct of our own Lawlefs Appetites had put upon us by degrees the Schackles of Habitual Sin, and expos'd us to the danger of Eternal Death. How unmercifully this Tyrant us cl his Captives by theExercife of his ufurp'd Power, whilftthey languifh'd under the fear of" Revenge to be taken upon them by God from whom they revolted I told you before. Now though no Price was paid to the Devil , for none was due ; yetfinceMen were freed from his intolerable yoke , and fav'd from the Miferies which they endur'd, and the further dangers which were juftly confequent to their Obedience to the Devil , (for they were willing Slaves and though they were abus'd by him, yet they deferv'd to be punifli'd fe- verely as voluntary Fugitives from a moft Gracious Soveraign , ) God may very well be faid to be their Redeemer , and Jnaxanaffon to have paid a Price for them ; fince it pleas'd the Father that his dear Son fhould be their Deliverer ,and hnczAniixMAtton was not unwilling to fubmit to hard Terms for their Recovery. The propriety of this Expreffion and the fitnefs of this Means of our Li- berty will be yet further apparent , if you will take notice that the Bonds which tied us in Slavery were our own Wills engag'dtoacourfeof Difo- bedience by the prevalence of flefhly Tentations ; and whilft the Enemy of our Souls gave us leave to enjoy the Pleafures of Sin , he made us believe that heldv'd us more then God, though by indulging to us our Lufts he did us no other Favour but to kill us with fweet Toy Ton, and mix'd Delufion with our Ruine, over which alfo he and his malicious AfTociates devilliftily infulted. That we might be reclaim'd from fuch pernicious Folly, the Eter- nal Father and his dear Son made an unparallel'd Demonstration of amazing Love , to fhame us out of our continuance in that difhonourable Vaffailage wherein we foolifhly ferv'd our own and our Creator's Enemy. ForJnax- anatlon came and perfwaded the unhappy Rebels to return to theirLoyalty, and died upon a Crofs before their faces to procure their Pardon ; after which they faw their Fetters fall off, repented of their rebellious Folly, return'd to their lawful Prince , and could not but look upon him that made them as their Redeemer , fince he had perfwaded them into Liberty by fuch a charming Argument : and they call'd Jmxanagtoris Bloud the Price of their Redemption , becaufe it was fuch a potent means of their Recovery, Indeed InnxttmBonjxoK. doubting but this would be the happy confequent of his undertaking, told his Friends as he was going to the Crofs, that when hefhouldbe lifted up there, and had thence made manifeft his ownandhis Father's ardent affections to our Reftauration, he fhould draw Sinners up to him ; that is , imprefs fuch a deep Senfe of grateful Love upon their Souls, that they would now willingly obey one who had after fuch an obi iging man- ner attempted their Freedom. They needed now no other Argument to dif- engage their Minds from the power of their falfe Apprehenfions , when they faw themfelves invited to the Service of their good God , and to abandon the Tyrant who kill'd them , at the perfwafions of one who to ftiew how truly he lov'd them, died for them. Befides 152 215cnttt)OltO and (Mrama. Book V[. * jht Antiftti- Befides all this, I could tell you, * jintigraphm , that Animation ptnria. m ighc properly enough be call'd a Redeemer , that is , a Reftorer of happy Liberty , for another great Reafon ; which is, becaufe he did not only out- wit that cunning Serpeni by his Prudence , but overcame that ftrong Enemy by his Power, and refcu'd captive Humanity, and punifh'd him for the wrong which he had done in feducing his Father's Subjects from their Obe- dience ; which was all the Price due to him for the Slaves whom he firft took unjuftly, and then us'd villancufly. This is a plain Anfwer to all thofe little Cavils which you made againft the Notion of Redemption ; and if it fatisfie not , you muft be fore'd to flay till Metaphorical Expreffions be cur'd of their old lamenefs , and fo grow able to do that which they never did yet, that is, to run upon four Feet. The Method of your Demands requires now that I take out your other fcruple concerning the Stttisfaltien which God is faid to have receiv'd in the Death of Anaxamcfon. This Doubt is founded upon a Defedl of Know- ledge. It was moft fit that the Supreme Lord being wrong'd fhould appoint his own Satisfaction ; and fince he made choice of the obedient Death of his dear Son , why fhould he not accept it as a Propitiation for Sinners , and give leave to AnaxMnBon to nail their Bond to hisCrofs , he having pay'd what was demanded by the Univerfal Creditor ? Whereas you phanfie it is a Diminution of the Divine Goodnefs not to pardon the Sins of the World without fuch a ftrange kind of Compenfation ; I muft tell you that it was not fit that fo high a thing as God's Authority , which was denied , fhould have no Reparation , nor that Men fhould be tempted to Sin by perpetual Impunity ; fo fince the Eternal Father , willing to condefcend to fit Terms of Reconciliation , was careful to find out what we could not have thought on , or , if we had , durft not have propounded it , fpar'd not his own Son , but gave him to fuffer fo many Reproches and fo much Torment for our fakes, he teftified more love, and endear'd himfelf more to us, then if he had contriv'd our Salvation, as you fuppofe he might, fome other way. Whereas you Object , that though God might expeft Satisfaction , yet it was unworthy of him to take it of JnaxanaS on after fuch a cruel fafhion ; I defireyou to confider a little better, and you will fee that it was no Injuftice in the Supreme Lord to accept the Payment of the Debt which Sinners ow'd when it was offer'd by Jnaxanatfon. It is a common thing for us to give our Money to thofe to whom we our felves owe noching, to pay t he Debts of others ; and fometimes,though but feldcm,an Innocent Ferfon hath offer'd his Life to expiate anothers Default : and this Aftion of jimxanafton is more juftifiable , fince his matchlefs Charity is not on'y celebrated throughout all the World with Immortal Praifes > but he alfo procur'd by his Death the greateft benefits which were ever beftow'd upon Mankind, and improved his Sufferings to his own unfpeakable Advantage , whilft his moft juft Father, who could not permit fuch a charitable Obedience to want the greateft Re- Ward , crown'd his humble Patience with an univerfal Soveiaignty, and made him, who for a while was the loweft of Servants , the Lord of all things. By which you cannot but perceive that there is no Reafon to paral- lel the cruel Cuftoms of the Pagan Superftition, in which fometimes Men, fometimes Virgins, were flain againft their wills to no purpofe, but to gratirle the Malice of Devils, with the Voluntary Oblation which jlmxanuhn made of his own Life , which both proceeded from a moft noble Principle, and was glorified with a happy Conclufien. Though Book VI. -Jl&entitJOitO and &KffliU, 153 Though you pretend alfo chat /mixanaoforis Oblation couid noc benefit others, be caul e whatfoever he did was a juft Duty to his Father; I muff, tell you that though after ^Amxtwatfon was born a Man,he ow'd all poffible Obedience to his Divine Father in his own name, yet his Performances may very rationally be fuppos'd capable of reflecting Advantage upon others, fince lie was not neceffarily Incarnate, but voluntarily afTum'd our Nature on purpofc to do Honour to God. This is enough, laid Jtiugenitts turning himfelf to EemivoliojLO juftifie the Reafonablenefs oi Anxxunxttoris Death 10 all Ingenuous Perfons; but I be- feechyou, for* Antigraphy his full Satisfaction, to let us fee bythe Effects *j„j Mt i. which it produc'd chat all this was not labour in vain ; for notwithstanding jcripnriit. your former Difcourfe he fears not to fay that the World receiv'd little be- nefit by it. I remember very well what he faid,replied Benti-oolio ; and fince your Patience is not yet fpent, I will fhew you the Falfhood of this Ca- lumny, for lb I muff, call it. There are but two things considerable in Sin, the linreafbnablenefs of enormous Actions, and the Punifhment to which Sinners are obnoxiousjand it is eafie to convince any rational Perfon by that which 1 told you in the former part of this Difcourfe, that ^Anaxanacion did what was fit for Him, that is, the belt Perfon in the World, to do to remove them both. He re-inforc'd the Commands of Obedience to Al- mighty God by his Divine Precepts; hereveal'd the danger of a wicked Life, and declar'd that Holinefs, /'. e. Wifdom and Goodnefs, is an Immo- veable Eound-ftone which God hath fet between a happy and a miferable Eftate. To prevent Defpair he affur'd Delinquents of their Pardon upon Repentance, having offer'd himfelf as a Propitiatory Sacrifice: which was a Notion fo early known and fo univerfally fpread through the World that there was none which underftood not the meaning of that moft obliging Action. He made his Commands fo plain, that they did not only condemn the Diffolute, but reproach all falfe Pretenders. To prevent the hopes of fluggifh Endeavours , he declar'd the Invalidity of the greateft Know- ledge which doth not transform thofe who poffefs it into the Image of Truth. He affur'd all falfe Eelievers, that the Faith which doth not fubdue their Sins will never be able to chafe away their Fears. He put all poffi- ble Difgrace upon Hypocrifie, having mark'd it with the brand of the moft odious Wickednef-. He hath undone all vain Expectations by linking all his Promifes with Conditional Precepts. He hath confirm'd the terrible Sentence which is pronounc'd by an Evil Confidence, that Sinners might find no Refuge but in true Repentance. He hath condemn'd all External fliews of Piety and Vertue which are deftituteof interiour Correfponden- cies. He told all Good men that they muft look upon the permiffion of Ten- tations not as Excufes of Sin, but as Continuations of their TrvaUnd com- manded them never to think of being crown'd hereafter except they over- come now; and to encourage them to endeavour heartily, he" hath afTur'd themof his never failing AfTiftances* This is enough, ccnurwfdBentivolio, to demonfirate the fulnefs of his prudent care; and, if you remember what Ito'dyou before concerning the vaft Extent of his great Conqueft, you will have no reafon to think his Attempt ineffectual : neither can you frame any Excufe to falve the Ingratitude of thofe who remain'd difobedien: to the mighty Reafons offuch incomparable Love, but their own extreme CarelefneO, and bafe neglect of Confideration: 'For nob'ame can be laid upon him, who had done finch wonders that they were fufficien: to make the nnft 'fhipid to mind their moft X Important 154 J5gntltollO and flUranta^ BookVl. Important Intereft-After fo much endeavour I cannot Imagine what Excep- tion you can frame agamll AntxamcfoH's Method but this, that he did not offer violence to the Liberty of Mens Wills, and make them Vertuous whe- ther they would or no ; which are words incapable of any reafonable Senfc. If^z*jc4#4#0#hadputancceffity upon Men to embrace his Discipline, he had crofs'd his own Defign,which was,by a clear Propofal of a Glorious Im- mortality to excite free Agents to engage their Choice in a conttant ufe of holy Means to obtain fo noble an End. Alfo the Divine Temper of Soulia which all his Difciples find themfelvesunfpeakably happy is fuel: a rais'd Difpofit ion, that it is impoffible to be reach'd by thofe who debafethemfelvs by voluntary Sin : And the Peace of Confcience and Hopes of a bleffed Im- mortality which JtiAxanatton grants as an Antepaft of their future happinefs to his faithful Servants,are only the refults ofa good life,which is grounded upon a firm choice and conftant refjlution of being obedient to his Rules. I know well that the World hath long fince degenerated from the noble Example of the firft Converts ; and that the rare Vertues of the Primitive times are fcarce any where to be found in our dayes : but we muff take heed of acctfmgdnaxMAoion for our own faults. When he commanded men to ac- knowledge his Gofpel, and told them that it was the only Security of their beft Intereft ; yet he let them know that it would do them no gocd except they entertain'd it with a very fincere Obfervance of thofe Directions which are contain'd in it. But as he is altogether to be excus'd, we are fo much the more worthy of blame, both becaufe we negleft the Encouragement which is offer 'd by fuch gallant Examples, and becaufe we may make an Imitation oftheir illuftrious Vertues at a far cheaper rate then they could Ctt usCopies. This which I have faid concerning theContinuance of Sin doth alfo demon- ftrate thejufticeof thofe Punifliments which you think ought not toafflift the World fince AmxamcI on undertook its Reftauration. He deliverd his true DifGiples from the danger of Eternal Death, which is the chief punifhment of Sin ; and made thofe lefs Inconveniencies which they meet and patiently entertain upon their way to encreafe their more welcom Reception into their everlafting Home: and as thofe others, Jntigrafbus, who will not be redeem 'd muff needs continue Slaves, fo being Slaves it is but fit that they fliould carry their chains. But who are they in whofe punifhments you do particularly concern your felfj' The Jewifli Nation, to whom Jnaxanatfon made the firft offers of Redemption ? There is no rtafonbut they fhouldbe punilh'd, both becaufe, notwithstanding the ftrong Motives by which they were long pcrfwaded to an Emendation of their Lives, they grew fo ex- tremely wicked, that one of their chief Hrftorians thought that if God had not deftroy'd them by the Romans, the Earth would have fwal'ow'd them, and becaufe they did barbaroufly reject the Terms of Pardon which in a mod obliging way were propounded by Anixdn*ft$n. As they fhew'd them- felves incorrigible by continuing wicked after he had for many years in vain attempted their Reformation ; fo it is not only a juft but a very proper Af- fliction with which they are punifiYd, being not utterly deftroy'd, but di- fpers'd into moft Kingdoms of the World, where they live contemptibly, that they might every where remain as an evident Teftimony of Gods dif- pleafure againft ingrateful Apoftates, and be a lafting witnefs of Jnaxa- nacioris veracity, who told them before that this Mifery would befall them if they perfever'd, as they did, in Difobedience. As your Objection includes the reft of the World , I nuift tell you that ithere is noreafon but they fliould be punifh'd too. Jnaxavatfw came not to difoblige Book vi. Identtbolio and Crania* 155 * An Antf difoblige men from the Law of Nature, but to fuperadd endearments to ics Obfervance ; and fince other Nations follow'd the bad Example of the ob- ftinate Jews, it is moft Juft that they fhould be their Parallels' in fuffering. You muft needs juftifie Maxanatfon as altogether unacceffory to their Cala- mities,except you would have him become a Patron of Sin,and indeed defire him to nourifh with his Bloud that curs'd Root which grew too Faft oFit felF. Well, well, faid * Antigrafhus, let the Reafons of mens Degeneracy be \*lm&* what they will, you confefs the World remains Wicked, fothat the Proofs of jimxartA[lon% fuccefs muft be fetch'd from that Age in which he liv'd. Yes, implied Be/itivolio,but much more from thofe which follow'd his Death, in which they were fo confiderable in themfelves, but efpecially if you take notice of the unparallel'd Method by which his Affairs profper'd,that there is no more caufe to put him into a mean Comparifon with the moft fuccefs- ful Impoftor, then there is reafon to equal the Follies of - rAglio for their Heaven,and inftead ofParadife to be put into a Gymtcetm. Yet the fubtil Lunatick perceiv'd that this would not effeft what heaim'd at without the ufe of Arms ; and therefore as foon as he had multiplied his Difciples to a competent Number by fraudulent Arts, he betook himfelf to X 2 Force, i 5 6 Jidentibolio an d illttania* Bookvi. Force, and fo order'd his way tomakeProfelytes, that thofe whom heen- deavour'd to perfwade ro his Religion faw that they nuifl either dye or be Mahometans. Which is enough to fliew the lownefs of the way by which that cheating Arabian made his Attempts upon the World in companion of the Celeftial Method by which Jnaxanactoris fucceffes wereobtain'd. But fmce he became Matter of hisDefignsby politick Stratagems and force of Arms, and extended his Victories to the diftrefs of Anaxanatforiz People, left you fhould think this a fufficient Reafon for venerable thoughts of thac Impoftor, I muft tell you that you may as well think honourably of the Devil, and conclude that the Worfhip which was given to him in former dayes was Rational, becaufe he is a Cunning and Powerful Being. I muft alfo let you know that that Fatal Accident,his unhappy Invafion of Chriften- dom, is a Permiffion of the Divine Providence, of which we may eafily give an Accompt. For as it was but fit that the degenerate Jews having re- volted from the Ingenuous Simplicity of their Anceftors fhould bepunifh'd by the Romans, efpecially fince rhey rejected and murther'd the promis'd Meffiab, who came after he had been longexpecled according to many Di- vine Predictions; foitwas juftthat falfe Chriftians fhould be chaftis'dby the infolent Turk for Apoftatizing from the true Faith and finceie Obedience of the Primitive times : and I heartily pray that the growing Sins of the WefternJBar^ may not make way for his further Progrefs inio thefe parts of the World. BecaufeyouquefHon'd, as I remember, (added Bentivolio, ftill addref- fing himfelf to Jintigrafhus) the whole Story whereupon all that I have faid is grounded, it is neceffary, as a Period to this Difcourfc, to affert the Credibility of that Holy Book in which it is written. Before I attempt that, poffibly it were not amifs if I fhould crave leave to ask you the Rea- fons for which you doubt of it, and to defire you to fay what would allure you of its Truth if your demands were anfwer'd. But becaufe that would extend this prefent Entercourfe beyond the bounds of that Time and Pati- ence which this worthy Company can allow, I will give a fhort Accompt why I believe that Story to be true, and if you be fatisfied with my Argu- ments, Ifhall fave you the labour of propounding any more Scruples. This Hiftory is verified by all the Evidence of which fuch a Truth is capable. For when Matters are queftion'd whofe Truth depends not upon a Demon- ftrationfetch'd from the Nature of the things themfelves,which makes it felf manifeft to all men upon the firft view, we muft feek for Proof in good Te- ftimony ; and we have fufficient Witnefs to prove that there was fuch a Perfon as Anaxanaft on, and that the Narrative of his Life written by his Friends is a true Hiftory. It is abfurd to expeft that our Saviour fhould be born, live, die, rife again, and afcend into Heaven in every Age ; neither is it neceffary that God fhould repeat his Miraculous Teftimonies continu- ally, having done it very often, and convey 'd the notice of thofe Affurances to pofterity by the Records of Eye and Ear-witnefTes. If this be not a fuf- ficient Evidence, future Ages can never hope for any proof of what was done in former dayes. Since this fort of Demonftration is all that ought to be demanded, I fhall give you that fatisfaftion in which you ought to ac- quiefce, byfhewingthatall which I have faid was done in the prefence of unexceptionable Witneffes. In the Books of fuch as were his mortal Adverfaries, and therefore wil- ling to have buried any thing which might keep hisRemembrancealive in the World, we find the mention of his Name, and have receiv'd from fome of theni Book VI. Bentiboito and Crania, 1 57 them a Defcription of his Perfon. None of them denies that he was famous for Miraculous Aftions ; and when they defir'd to leffen the great Reputa- tion which they reflected upon him, they endeavour'd it not by affirming that he perform'd no fuch Works, but by transferring the Effects which were really produe'd to lefs-worthy Caufes ; not daring to call them Impo- ftures, but either Magical Actions, or things deriv'd from Aftral Influences, and whichhad been equall'd by others. They have recorded the manner of his Death, the Time and Place of his Suffering, have told us the name of the Judge that condemned him,and under what Roman Emperour : they have acknowledged the vaft Numbers of his Followers, and grant that after his Death the World was fill'd with an Honourable Eftimation of his Perfon , and exprefs'd the fear which they had left his Doctrine fhould prevail upori the Faith of the whole Roman Empire ; and therefore made fevere Edicts, and inflicted cruel Punifhments not only upon the principal Converts , but Innumerable Multitudes of all forts of People, to flop its Growth. They confefs'd the innocent Manners of his Difciples, and bore witnefs to the conftancy of their Loyalty to Anaxanalion. They have let us know how punctually his Prophecie was fulfil I'd in the Deftruction of that People which firft rejected him, the Ruine of their Temple and City, notwithstanding the Endeavours of fome Emperour s who defir'd to have hinder'd its Accom- plishment, both by preventing the Diflblution.and attempting the Reftau- ration of thofe famous Structures. In fhort , fome of them have alfo ac- knowledge that the Holy Bible, which did more fully relate thefe things, and in particular give Notice that when Ana.xana.Cton was born, a God de- fended from Heaven to reftore the World to Happinefs, is a moft Venerable Book. This Teftimony is not inconfiderable,becaufe we have it from thofe who, befides this own courtefie, which they never intended as an Exprefiion of any Goodwill, didnootherferviceto Anaxanatfon. But that which his Friends fay in defence of his Honour and their own Faith is much more va- lid, and againft which his Enemies will never be able to find any thing rati- onally to oppofe. The Evidence which is given for the Truth of this fa- mous Hiftory is made of a Series of Witneffes, which running through fix- teen Centuries hath preferv'd the Records, and aflerted the Truth of the Divine Life, moft charitable Death, and ftupendious Refurrection of A- naxanaUon by a fucceffive Atteftation.Thofe who firft committed his Life to writing were Eye-witneffes of what they reported,or intimate Companions of fuch as had convers'd with him till his Afcenfion. As the AlTurance of this Truth confirm'd by fuch a clear Evidence was the ground of their proper Faith, and the only Reafon which can be fuppos'd to have made them wil- ling to be publifhers of it ; fo it is abfurd to think that others would have received them with Faith, if the Apoftles had not been able by fome Infal- lible proofs to demonftrate that they witnefs'd what they knew to be true. It is beyond the power of my Phancie to imagine what fhould induce the firft Divulgers of the Gofpel to publifh fuch ftrange news, but that they were throughly convine'd both that it was true, and that the knowledge of it was fo neceflary to the Salvation of men that they could not conceal it but with a very great uncharitablenefs.Thofe who frameLies propound tothem- felves fome Advantage by Falfhood, and fince that is fo unlovely in its own nature that it is abhorr'd of all the World, when they make ufe of it they are fore'd to adorn it with borrowed colours, that by them they may impofe upon the credulous and attain their End. All 158 Jldentiboiio and ^Urania- Bookvi. All Judges do ever efteem it as a rational Affurance of the Cocdnefs of an Evidence, when the Witnefies give Teftimony without hoping for any ob- lique Advantage to themfelves from the IfTue of the Caufe. What Defign could the plain Apoftlesferve if they hadendeavour'd to cheat the World with this Story, which was fo odious to the Incredulous Jews and fo unwel- come to the Iclo'atrous Gentiles, that in an ordinary way it was applicable to no purpofe but to procure the Scorn and Hatred of thofe to whom they told it? If it had not been a Truth, itwaseafie for thofe who heard it to difcoVer its Falfliood ; for that which they related was done in one of the moft Illuftrious Cities of the World. If the Apoltles of j\}itixa,na.[ton could have fo far debas'd themfelves as to divulge falfe news, yet it is unreafona- ble to think that they fJhould offer to do it for the advancement of their Ma- tter's Religion, which of all things doth moft abhor a Lie. I know very well that vain Perfonsufe to tell falfe Stories to make their Auditors laugh at their ridiculous Inventions, and that fuborn'd WitnefTes will fell their Oaths for Money, efpecially when they have fo fram'd their Difpofitions that the Falfhood is hard to be difcover'd ; and fome Meffengers will carry news which is not true, in hopes of receiving a Reward before it can be known to be falfe : but were any men ever heard of, who were i~o greatly in love with Death, and fo paflionately defirous of fhameful Torments, that they madly threw away their Lives for that which they knew to be a Lie ? It is well enough known that Jmxamtforis Friends died attefting this Story and were put to death for no other reafon but becaufe they would not dif- own it. Tray tell me, good yintigraphits, in what Eook did you ever read of one, much lefs many thoufands,who embrac'd a real Crofs for his fake who was only crucified in a Romance ? It is eafily obfervable out of the Books of An&xaMttoi* 's Enemies yet extant, that when his Difciples were convented before Secular Powers, they were not accus'd for telling of Lies, or pu- nifh'd for Fraudulent dealing, but only cenfur'd for publishing a New Do- ctrine, which was entertain'dfo readily and fpreadfo far , that they were afraid it would fubvert their Pagan Religion ; which indeed it did notwith- ftanding all they could do to fupport it. This is enough to juftifie the Veracity of thofe who firft preached the Gofpel ; and it is as eafie to vindicate the Prudence of thofe who firft gave credit to their Report. As the Primitive Evangelifts believed becaufe they law Jnaxttn aft oris Divine Aftions, and were Eye- witnefies of his Refurre- ftion; fo thofe who heard them tell this News had all good, reafon to be- lieve them, not only becaufe they heard them relatefucfe ftrange things with afteady Confidence amongft thofe who dwealt near the place where they were done, and becaufe they perceiv'd all the fair figns of Honefty in their Converfations, but alfofaw them do many fuch things themfelves as they affirm 'd their Mafter to have done. How could any wife Speflatours but think that jtrnxwutton was a Divine Perfon,when they faw his Servants do Miracles only with the mention of his Name ? As they could not think that was impoflible which they faw done , except they thought themfelves not bound to believe their own Eyes; fo they could not but believe that which was reported, being made credible by fuch convincing Evidences of its Truth, except they abandon'd their Reafon. If the Apoitles would have put tricks upon the World, we know that many of their firft Converts cannot be look'd upon as Subjects capable of Delufion, being men of great Parts, rare Learning, inquifitive Tempers, unconcern 'd as to any thing but Truth, engag'd tooppcfcwhat was told them. B6ok vi. Jbenttooiio and Crania. r 59 them, it being contrary both to the Opinions which they profefs'd, and the Laws of the Places where the liv'd. Thofe who confider what they lay, cannot affirm of the reft, who were not of fo great Abilities,that they at Jeaft might be impos'd upon ; becaufe the Apoftles devis'd no cunning Fables,nor us'd any fubtle Arts,but made a plain Narrative ofjtjaxanatfon's Life,Death and Refurreftion, juftified their Commiffion to be Divine by the frequent performance of beneficial Miracles, commanded men in their Matter's name to receive his Gofpel , and were anfwer'd with chearful Obedience ; thofe who believ\J,had fo great AiTurance in their Minds of the reafonablenefs of their Faith, that all the Arts of Idolatrous Priefts and Terrours of enrag'd Princes could not fhake it. And can any man think that they would thus ftrangely fubject themfelves to the Authority of one that was acknowled'd to have died upon a Crofs, and then been buried, but that they were afTur'd he was alfb rifen again, and both happy himfelf, and able to exalt others to that Paradife to which he afcended ? Tlun thefirft Ageentertain'd the Difcipline of Anaxanxtfon , and with a careful Fidelity tranfmitted it to that which fucceeded. As that which went before would have hifs'd fuchftrangeNewsoutof the World if it had not been apparently true,fo the next could not but give credit to it as a Re- port whofe undoubted Truth was generally known. Thefirft Believers pre- ferv'd theAuthentick Records or" Inaxankioas Story, and deliver'd Tran- fcripts of them to fo many, that the common Evidence of their Faith was univerfally fpread,and allCorruptionprevented,becaufe forfome hundreds of Years they had the Original writings, and Copies were taken by fo ma- ny Perfons, thac none could make a Variation but he was liable to a quick Difcovery. By the Power of this Divine Verity they converted many of their moft Mortal Enemies among the Jews, infomuch that thofe who had a hand 'vt\AnnxxnA£iori% Death repented of the Murther which they commit- ted upon fuch a Divine Perfon, andteftifiedthe truth of their Repentance by venturing their Lives in his Service.He was pleas'd to affure his Afcenfi- on to one of his zealous Adverfaries, by appearing to him with a Heavenly Glory, and fhew'dhim the folly of endeavouring to deftroy that Church whole Prince was Lord of Heaven and Earth: who after he had recover'd theaftonifbment into which he was {truck by the Celeftial Vifion, he tore the Commiffion which he had receiv'd to differve Jlnxxanxcion, and made Re- paration for the wrong which he had done,by the conftant Zeal wherewith he promoted the Faith of his Gofpel throughout his whole Lifej and then perfected his Love with Martyrdom. When the Heathens doubted of the Truth of this Holy Story, the Ser- vants of Anaxxnxdon referr'd them to their own Annals, and added Mira- culous Proofs in fo many P'aces,that their Adverfaries had nothing left to op* pofethem,beingfufficiently vex'd tofeefuchan unparaUel'd Attempt fuc- ceed in a way which the World never knew before ; and wonder'd that a few meanMen agreeing in one p'ain Story fliould have fuch a potentlnfluence up- on all Kingdoms where they travell'd, one fingle Perfon and fometimes two, converting a whole Nation to that manner of life which was contrary to the general Inclination of Mankind, to that Dodtrine which contradicted their receiv'd Principles 5 and that Religion which overthrew tie Worfhip which they had deriv'd from many Anceftors, and was confirm 'd by Penal Laws, and which expos'd fuch as receiv'd it firft to Scorn ,and then to Torments.lt encreafed their Admiration to fee them voluntarily offer themfelves to fuffer in proof of what they faid;but much more when they perceiv'd the undaunt- ed 160 3J5«ntltJOitO and ^tania* Book VI. ed Courage with which they endur'd the greatelt pains, and then Death. How could it but amaze the Heathens , when they law poor men , whom theydefpis'd, challenge their Gods before the Faces of thofe who ador'd them, and make them confers themfelves co be Devils ? They could not but wonder at theftrange Alteration which was wrought upon their Compani- ons Tempers, who were fo chang'd in their Manners that they could fcarce know them to be the fame men. Chriftian Religion accomplishing that E- mendationupon Humane Life which Moral Philofophy had in vain attempt- ed, except in a very few inftances ; it being unable to make its Precepts o- bey'dfor want of fufficient Motives, that is, could not promife Eternal Re- wards to Vertue, nor diffwade Vice effectually , having no Authority to threaten Difobedience with endlefs Torments. All beholders were rap'd into Admiration when they faw thefe things ; and many enquiring into the Reafon of fuch rare Accidents, found fufficient caufe to conclude that they were the Effedts of a DivinePower which accom- panied the Apoftles : and they juftly efteem'd them Infallible Proofs of the Truth of the Holy Story,kno\ving that Falfhood is unable to equal fuch Products. But, O God ! faid Eentivolio, making a paftionate Apoftrophe, what a ftupid Incredulity hath feiz'd upon this Leaden Age , which doth not give Faith to that Divine Hiftory which is come fafe to our hands,being preferv'd in a Holy Book not blemifh'd with one material Variation , and honour'd with the concurring Teftimony of the belt men who Hv'd in all the Ages fince it was written ! What a ftrange Lethargy is this which hath fo fatally be- num'd our Wills, that we cannot beperfwaded to think that there isas much reafon to believe that the four Evangel ifts have given us the true Hiftory of our Saviour, as that Julius Caftr wrote his Commentaries ? We pretend to doubt whether the Noble Phyfician penn'd the Atfs of the Apoftles,and yet make no queftion but Homer wrote the Iliads, and that the zJEnei&s are the Works of Virgil. But fince there it no Comparifon between the reafon of that credulous Refpeft which is given to the foremention'd Authors, and the validity of that Evidence which I have produe'd for Jnaxtwafforis Gofpel; I will tell you (added Ee»tivclio,now addreffing himfelf to Eugemus) the caufe of this ftrange Infidelity. Some fall into it by a lazy negleft of the confideration of thofe Arguments which would make them give credit to this Story ; and many are unwilling to believe it,becaufe their Faith would difturb theplea- fures of their Senfual Life. Thefe,though they never heard of any Counter- witnefs produe'd to difprove this Truth,(for there is none) and though they are not able to frame a rational ground of Doubt,yet they endeavour to look upon it as a Fic\ion, becaufe it croflfeth their Adherence to a bafe'Intereft. The DifTatisfa&ions which they pretend to the Holy Gofpel arife not at all from the Defec> of thofe Reafons by which its Truth is aliened, but from the too-much Evidence which againft their Wills they find there of the ne- ceffity of a Holy Life, are too ftrong proofs of the miferable eftate of thofe unworthy Souls, who being favour'd with the Knowledge of its Precepts,do not anfwer it with fincere Obedience. It were too long to trouble you with the Enumeration of all thofe Devi- ces which they contrive to avoid the power of this important Verity.Sonw* times they pretend that theDoftrines reveal d are contrary toReafon,making God's Underftanding no bigger then their own ; and pronounce thofe things abfurd which they would not have had reveal'd; and endeavour that the Book vi. UbwtiMio and Crania* 1 6 1 the Gofpel might be thought a Fable , though they cannot imagine at what time it fhould be feign 'd, by whom, or for what purpofe ; and deny that ic was confjon 'd by Miracles , though chey cannot but acknowledge that if it was entertain'd upon any other Accompt , it was the greateft wonder in the World. Butthefemenwillnotlet it bepoffible for God to affure his Crea- tures of Truth ; for he hath done fo much that they cannot tell what more to ask, only when they are urg'd with it, they require faucily that he fhould repeat it. But that you may more plainly fee that this perverfe Incredulity , which is the great Fault of the prefent Age , arifeth not from the want of any Cre- dibility in the Objector Defeft of clear Evidence in the manner of propo- fal. I muft acquaint you that many who convers'd with Jnaxunatton when he Uv'd upon Earth , did not entertain his Gofpel with that Faith which was due to his vifible Authority. The Proofs which he gave were Sufficient , but not Compulfive. It was highly convincing to all Perfons who were capable of Confideration , that he not only perform 'd fuch Miracles as are undenia- ble Teftimonies of a Divine Power , but fuch as they pretended that Men ought to take them for a fatisfadory AfTurance , and alfo verified thofe An- tique Predictions which concluded him to be what hefaid he was : yet they wrought no Effect upon fuch as were indifpos'd by the Love of Sin to ac- knowledg one fent from God , who was a fevere Reprover of their vicious Converfation. Jttaxanatton obferving the reafon of this Unbelief, told this fort of Perfons , that though one who was dead fhould return from the other World,yet he would not be able to perfwade them that there is a Hell where fuch as they were , are punifh'd. Since we know this , why fhould we be a- ftonifh'd at the moft obftinate Incredulity ? If the Jewsgave not credit to their Eyes, why may not the Gentiles disbelieve their Ears ? Befides this , we cannot but take notice of a Cuftomary Perveifenefs in fome Tempers , who when they have prepofTefs'd themfelves with falfe Opinions, will not fufFer them by any Arguments to be diflodg'd , and to prevent the Poffibility of a contrary Perfwafion, refolve againft the ufe of fuch means as would quickly give them an AfTurance of their Errour. Therefore to conclude this long Difcourfe, fince the Ingenuous part of the World did not only at firft receive the Difcipline of jinaxanafton upon the fore-mention'd Principles , and have continued their Obedience to it for fixteen hundred Years,and have fupported the Truth of it with unanfwerable Argu ments,t here is no doubt but the Glory of it will fiourifh till Reafon be extinguifh'd. We muft be content though wilful Infidels are juftly permit- ted to an AtheifticalScepticifii^by which they are enabl'd to disbelieve any thing. Since itfhewsmore handfomely to deny Principles then to reject Conclufions which follow from PremifTes once granted , they have ventur'd to ftrike boldly at the Roots of Faith ; but with fuch a blind Infolence,that for mine own parr, I profefs that if it were reafonable to believe the Pytha- gorean Metempfycbcfis, I fhould fuppofe that the Souls of the moft dull Brutes do tranfmigrate out of their own into Humane Bodies. This Hypothefis would very well falve this ftrange Phenomenon. But fince we know that whilft men negleft to improve their better Faculties , and indulge to them- felves the vicious Pleafures of a '•enfual life , they naturally fink themfelves into an unfpeakable Sottifhnefs , and reject what they ought to believe, though thev have no Counter-evidence equal to the Demonftration of Truth, becaufeit is irreconcilea'ble to that which they have refolv'd to love, we Y need 1 62 Jldentiboiio and Crania* Book vi. need go no further tofeek a Reafon of this ftupid Unbelief. Thus , faid Nicomachus , did Bentivolio conclude the noble Hiftory of a tht Kin of a Anaxanation. And now I muft repeat my Entreaty, and defirc your Good- Kmgu mg ° nefs to excufe the Difhonour v\ hich my weaknefs hath forc'd me to caft upon Bentivolio, or rather upon Anaxanatton , vvhofe Divine life J have very im- perfectly related. If you will not pardon me, yet I fhall confefs t he Juftice of what Sentence foever you pronounce againft me , becaufe I have.made your Patience alfo to fuffer part of the fore-mention'd wrong , whilft you have attended fo long to my broken Rehearfal of the beft Story an theWorid. The Company perceiving that Nicomachus had fmifh'd rhe.Recital olBenti- bJDivitu polio's Difcourfes , b tbeonoe gave him thanks , and fo did all the reft; and mM. after they had fupp'd and fpent a part of the Night in pertinent Reflections upon many pieces of the former Narration , they retir'd to their feveral Chambers , where they refted with the greater tranquillity , becaufe the next day was appointed for their Journey towards Phronejium. When the Sun was up^Iheonoe and Irene went to Urania's Appartiment,and underftanding that fhe walk'd in her Chamber, they went in,tolet her know that all things were ready for their Journey. They came down into the Dining-room, where they found Panaretus^ Sympathy and Nicomachus, who had ftay'd there awhile in expectation of the Ladies. Iheome had given order to prepare a large Coach which would hold themall , that fo travel- ling together in one moveable Houfe they might enjoy the Pleafure of mu- c Brotherly tual Converfation upon the Rode. They refolv'd to go through c Philadel- %%f,' evjhot j t i.?bia, which was not much about, and at the Requeffc of d Sympathy they ttbabtn. took the way which lies near the green Banks of * Callirrhee , which is a fair c a pieapmi £ j ver alwayes full of clear Water , being fupplyed by a rich ftream which fri>"tti*ws defcended from the famous Spring f Agathorrhyton. They reach'd that night with Gtodwfs. to a beautiful Houfe fituated upon the River , which belong d to Sympathy where they were fo conveniently lodg'd and generoufly entertain *d,that they could not but perceive a rare concurrence of a great Prudence with an equal Love in the completenefs of their Welcome. Sympathut durft not entreat any longer fray here , becaufe he knew they were pafllonately expected at Phronejium. The next day about Noon they g the Rings arriv'd at g Kefanattii* , intending to ftay there an hour or two ; but before Gardtn. they came within two furlongs of the Houfe,they were furpriz'd with an un- expected Encounter of many Friends. For it being made known that Ben- tivolio intended to meet his Sifter upon the way , the Prince of h Theriagene ^^fa.*"*" would needs accompany him: the Princefs » Agape , underftanding that hcharitu Urania was that day expected , defired leave of the Queen to go and meet \nUmbll*! h er anc * t0 °k witn her k Philandra, l Agatha and «n p /ypnma y n Mifopfeudes, \ligeoim-' ojmyntor , and fonie other Gentlemen of Quality belonging xoVlheofebius man - and 1 Alethion, rode^long with them. It is not an eafie Task to relate the va- nAH*ur*of' riety of thofe pleafant Paflions which were exprefs'd at this happy Encoun- Tc»\jhw*. tex. Bentivolio faluted Urania with that great Affection which he thought due o Av&pfir to her i not onI y as his Sifter ' but as UrmlA » whilft fte embrae'd him botli a f Go*. as the beft of Brothers , and one of the inoft excellent Perfons in the World. 3 alow of j> amrettt , and Bentivolio entertain'd each other as one Soul would do it felf if it were poffible that it fhould animate two Bodies. The Prince of Ihe- riagene exprefs'd that civility to Urania which fhew'd his higheft Refpect to her own Worth, and withal! demonftrated a great fenfe of the Obliga- tions which he had receiv'd from her Brother. The Princefs Jgape look Urania into her Arms, and gave her many kiifes with fuch an exceffive kind- nefs. truth. Book Vi. BttWrtJOllO and diivama* 163 nefs chat it would have fih'd the Beholders wirh wonder, if chtv had not known before how much that Yertuous Lady dcferv'd to be lov'd , and alio remembrcd the intimate Friendfmp which the Princefs had contracted with her. She fainted a Iheonoe and b Irene with fucb an endearing tendernefs, a At>ivine that they perceive! themfe ves no- to have a final I fharein theHappinefsofb*jp,t t , this delightful Meeting When the reit of the Company had reveal'd their Joy m all decent Exprelfes according to the variety of their Relations , the Prince of Theriagene and the lYmccfsoi'Tbeoprepia took llrania,and the two Sillers, which were her Fel ow-rrave lers , into their Coach , and were ac- companied with the whole Troop of their Friends to c KenapaCfus. After c T j, eK ^ • Dinner , which was ready as ibon as they came into the Houfc , d J gape en- CarJen. & * treated the Prince « ^/iktliion to engage the Company to ha (ten towards d ch * rit 7- Pbronefium, knowing that the King and the Queen were poilefs'd with a paf-. tfjh.*" fionare Expectation of their Arrival. In a few hours they came to the City, and after they had enter'd the Pa- f A n '<»fl>W lace, ilheofebiuj and zPhronefiarectWd Urania and Panamas with Rich a «f £"*,/„,„. chearftil Air and an obliging manner, that they made not only an infallible Confirmation, but an unexpreilible Addition to their former Love. I can- not put rhe juft Defcription of this Grange Encounter into fit Language, be- caufe my Phancie is not able to fupply my Mind with a full Representation of fuch extraordinary Paffages : only I can fay thus much, that as the going away of thefe excellent Perfcns was a languid Image of the fad parting of dy- ing Friends ; fo this Retmn,which was more acceptable becaufe little expe- cted , was a lively Refemblance of thofe unfpeakable Endearments with which old Friends will receive one another at the Refurreftion. But Joy being at this time refolv'd to break through all its banks , made a fecond Tide at full Sea. For , whilff. this noble Company was at Supper, one of Theofebm his Servants told the King that a Gentleman call'd ^ Phi/a- h At ovtnf lethes was alighted from his Horfe , and defir'd him to give notice of it to rr "'*' the Prince of Theriagene. Phihlethes had accompanied llethion in his Jour- ney to the borders of Theoprep'u , but then return'd at the King's Command to deliver a Meffage to £«£<•/?/#*, and to ferve his Affairs in Theriagene: And the Company being acquain:ed with the Importance of his Negotia- tion, and having often taken notice of the Apprehenfions which Jlethion hadentertain'dfor him, this News was very welcome to them all ; but A- htbionand » Mifopfeudes found themfelves fo particularly concern 'd in it \AB»tvvf that after PhiUlethes came in, and had perform'd that civil Refped which r " //W - was due to fo great a Prefence , the Prince of theriagene took him into his Arms with many Expreflions of Affection, and having with much unwilling- nefs releas'd him from thofe tender Embraces , his Brother receiv'd him with Rich fignificatiqns of Love mix'd with Raptures of Joy that are not eafie to be reprefented. Af er they had finifh'd their Endearments, and fettled them- felves in that Deportment which wasaneceffaryObfervanceof thofe Per- fonsof Condition who were prefent,they took part of their gallant Supper; the whole Company entertaining themfelves not only that Night , but many Dayesafer, with thofe unexprefTible Satisfactions which were produe'd by this happy Encounter. The pleafure which Theofehius took in the agreeaBle Converfation of fo ma- ny Friends , did not make him forget the condition of the Prince of & The- k Dt^mrun riagene: and though he perceiv'd J/ethion to take fo much content in the *'***'• f lace where he was , that he feem'd to forget he was baniuYd ; yet he knew that this was no Excufe for the wickednefs of his Subjects , who deny'd him Y 2 lea ■« 1 64 jl&eiMboiio and doth far exceed that common Valour which depends only upon theftrength of a natural Temper, isflourifh'd with high Diet, and blown up with the defire of Spoils , or expectation of Triumph , after Victory. This is enough , Gentlemen, to fhew you the reafonablenefs cf Thofe- bins his noble Refolution. The way by which he intends to endeavour ibe accom- Book vi. lacnriboiio and Sirama* 167 accomplifhment of his Defign, is, to lead an Army into Thenagene ; by which means we fhall carry to them thofe Fears which they hope to bring hither , and poffibly make them repent of their malicious Purpofies before they have power to put them in Execution , and by God's help feafonably extinguifh that Fire which they have kindled iriTbertagene with a purpofc to inflame Tbeoprepia. It is wdl known how Hannibal diRreft the Romans, when he tranfported hisSonldiers into Italy ; and that Agatbocles fhew'd a great skill in Military Affairs by fighting the Carthaginians in Afric/(, when he could fcarce defend his own City againft their Fleet which lay before it in the Port of Syracufe. Though our Cafe is in no refpect Co neceffitous, yet by this means we may hope fpeedily to prevent the Trouble which isp're- pared for us. We need not fear that this undertaking will be liable to fufpicion among our Neighbour-Kingdoms; for the Treafonof a Jntrtheus and his Faction 8/ " A ' ,; *' is fo notorious , that they muit needs jiiftifiethe Affiftance which we give to the wrong'd b Alethion, and fo unanimoufly condemn the Ihertagenians , that b ji uvtttf whatfoever mifery fhall happen to them , they will not have this comfort T ' mh - left, that they fhall be thought unworthy of what they fuffer ; all conclu- ding that they ought to undergo the Extremity of Punifhment , who have done what they could to deferve it. We are alio fairly invited to this Acti- on by the Generous Exampje of thofe noble Strangers , Bentivolio and his Brother, who lately fojournihg in thefe parts , and having notice of thefe un- happy Accidents, have refolv'd not to return to their own Country till they fee Alethion repoffeft of h i s Dom i nions. ■ I need not tell you that our conteft is with inconfiderableAdverfariesjbuc if I fhould fpeak after the manner of other Orators , I might fay that we arc in greater danger of not obtaining much glory in the Conqueft,then of meet- ing any great difficulty in the Combat. We are to encounter Beafh enfee- bled with Luxury , who are fo unable to fight , that they can fcarce carry Arms: And indeed their number is fo fmall in comparifon of thofe who hare their abominable Cdnfpin>cy,that I look upon our Journey rather as a Vifit made to Alethion?, Friends,then a War undertaken againft his Enemies. Having faid thus much , it is fit I fhould conclude. It were impertinent to trouble you with a long Oration , for I am »ot fuch a Stranger ro the temper of the Tbeoprepians , that I can think my words needful to perfwade them to an Engagement which is both full of Juftice and Honour. When c Calliphen had done fpeaking, d Sympathm , who was one of the cdni»f «»£. Commiffioners for f Philanthropy, took this Opportunity to exprefs the df"'^ f "*' Affection which he had long before entertain'd for the Prince of Iheriagene, p*jj!*n*ut and in a fhort Speech declar'd his high Approbation of the King's Defign, "*'"• profefling that , in his Opinion, the Arguments which the Chaneehurhz.d^" int ^ u us'd to fignifie how neceffary it was, gave fo much Satisfaction ; that he thought more could not bereafonably defired. After him l Charipon, s Amynter, h Pajiphilix, l Euphron, fc Calodoxus and iA charit»b!» I An Slander fignified their concurrence in the fame Opinion with Sympathus. 77 He ip ir . Then the undertaking was approv'd by a general fuffrage of the whole Af- h AimtrifM fembly , who a'fo voted that the Conduct of this Affair fhould be left en- ^*"' tirely tothewifdom of Iheofebiui. The King gave them thanks for the un-lur-fman*' animouschearfulnefs with which thev entertain'd his Propofal , and told komofnoU* them that he thought it requifite to lift only ten thoufand men, whom he TdvTj g o,l himfelf intended to lead ; adding , i-hat he made no doubt but by this num- ««». ber, with God's blefiingand the Affiftance of Alethion s Friends , he fhou'd be i68 JDemiboliO and Crania. BookVI # be able in a fhort time to reduce thofe who were moft unjuftly his Enemies to their due Obedience ; and then difmift the Affembly. 'Iheofebw returned to his Palace,and acquainted Jiletbion , who was then with Bem'wolio , and the reft of his Companions , with the good Affections a suih *tiiw of the a Jheofr epians. Whereupon -the Prince of b Thenagene having ex- m the Divim p re ft hi s thankful Rtfentment of fuch an obliging Favour , his friends alfo bDwnrate with juft Praifes cxroll'd the Generous King of Jbeoprepia and his worthy B,Mfii. Subjects : and as they entertain'd a great Joy in the hopes of jilethions Re- ftauration, fo they pleas'd themfelves not a little whilft they perceiv'd that thty fhouldnotbe deny'd the Honour of being Inftruments in the accom- plifhment of it. Here ic may poffibly be expected that I fhould let my Reader know how e a K'iomr this noble Company fpent their time , till by the prudent Induftry of c Ly- $/ Kt». fader the Army could be put into an Equipage fit for a March. It would be too long to give an account of thofe various Diverfions with which they were entertain'd by the moft courteous Prince Ibeofebi/a. I will only re- dOMfreifrom late a fhort Story , which he defir'd the learned Bifliop d Amerimnm to ttll jtcuhrctwi. them as they fate one day in a pleafant Summer-houfe which adom'dthe elide*'"* * Garden at ' Kepanatfu*. It happened as f Philalethes was acquainting Jn$ f a hver of Prince with the condition in which he left therkgene , and telling him who r 'rl h ' ■ r were l ^ e c ^ 1 ^ Perfons in favour at 8 JBoliftherium , among many others he %t*fh'* y named h Hieromimus \ whereupon jimerimms fmil'd : which Bentholio hontwhoafes perceiving, affoon as Pbilaletbes had ended his Difcourfe, heask'dthe »> thmp. good g j^ p the rea f on f that Pleafantnefs which he had obferv'd him to iAWo'fl»ip,r exprefs upon the mention of Hieromimus. \ Ibeefebius imagining the •fcti. cau f e of it , and knowing that the Story of Hieromimus would be an accep- table Recreation to the Company, prevented Jtmerimnw in his Reply , and defir'd him to give them a fliort Character of that vain Perfon , and to let them underftand how ridiculoufiy he had behav'd himfelfnot long before in Heu hegius a Tbeoprepia. I am very willing to perform any fervice, reply 'd Jtnerimms,by Difccutje con- which I may fhew my Obedience to your Commands ; and fince you have 'fisfmfand'Ke. made lt m Y Dut y to re P ort the Extravagancies of Hieromimus to this excel- itgmt chtat. lent Company, I will let them know what I have underftood by Letters '"*• from feveral friends of mine who knew his Family , what I learn d from the k otteeafii ie. confeffion of k tbelgomenus one of his Difciples , but of late undeceiv'd by teivMe ' l jilethologus, and by fome Difcourfe which I had with m Mifophnus, who did I r,ue Rjafa. f djfcover the Impoftures of this Jugler , that he made him afham'd to ftay in One who . .. . 1 " * bates Cheaters. inlheoprepM. Hieromimus was born in the greater n Jpafeonia. His Grand-father's tfLies. " r name was ° Simmagus , a man fo paffionately ambitious of being look'd up- o simtn m* cnas an extraordinary Perfon , that he offer'd a fumme of Money to AI- *""' mighty God to fell him a Miraculous Power ; but beingrejefted with fuch a direful Reproof as was due to his wicked Impudence , he bought of the Devil a Magical skill, by which he was enabled to perform many things be- yond the Ability of Vulgar Wits , and attain'd fo great a Reputation among $ very Gum. the common People , that they chang'd his name to pPammegas. Simma- gus being puft up with their vain applaufes , blafphemoufiy afllim'd to him- felf the Title and Worfliip of God , and boafted alfo that his immodeft q sim6HM* g ui companion q Helen* was a She- Deity. He continued his impious courfe for hit whore. f ome years, till at laft he was met by one of Annxamtfons Servants , who, as Simmngus was riding in the Air to the amazement of many beholders, mel- ted his waxen Chariot,by pronouncing his Mafter's name,made him fall down and break his neck uponthe ground. His Book vi. HbmtiMio and (Mrama* 1 69 His Son *Moralazon, not deterr'd with his dreadful Fate, follow'd his ^Aftwi{wA' Father's Examples : and having heard that in former times , when God fent great Prophets and holy Apoftles to make known his Divine Pleafure to die World, he beftow'd upon them a power to fpeak and do things Extraor- dinary, by which men being allured that they came from God , gave them an honourable Reception due to fuch Meffengers ; Moralazon being of an arrogant -difpofition , did earnestly defire to make the World believe that he himfelf was a Prophet , but of an higher Rank then any who were fent be- fore him. He thought himfelf not unprovided of rare News to deliver, having fanfied fome ftrange Opinions, of which he wasfo paflionately en- amoured , that he perf waded -himfelf that it did more concern the World to know them then any Doctrine which they had formerly receiv'd. He fail'd of his Expectation , for he died a little after he had begun his Work. But his fon b Hieromimus, being well acquainted with his Father's inten- bo ! f "* uh9a t et tions, and pretending that he inherited his Prophetical Spirit , refolv'd to u ° 3 mi '' carry on the Defign : and remembring ( for he had been told ) that true Prophets by converfation with Angels , or by reafon of the glory of Divine Illapfes , did many times fufFer ftrange Ecftafies; he thought with himfelf how he might count erfeitthis Sacred Paflion , and made ufe of diver's Arts to fuper-induce upon himfelf and others an Ertthufiaftical Fury ; and being well inftrudiedin'his Father's O pinions, divulg'd, or, as he laid, brought from Heaven a new way of going thither , and boafted that he was fent to reform the World by a new Difcipline. He talk'd often of a myftical Divi- nity, and promiz'd to fpiritualize all former Knowledge ; though indeed he did only fubvert trueReafon with wild Fancies,and allegorize venerable Hi- ftories into a fublime Nothing. Before he began to put his foolifh thoughts into practice, he perceiv'd ''' that it was very hard to carry on fuch a new bufinefs with a fufficient plaufi- blenefs without the Affiftance of fome cunning AfTociates ; and having con- fider'd which of his Acquaintance were fitteft to be trufted with this great Secret , he obferv'd that c Davigeor, d Jackleyd, and. e Jamnail were com- c David plexion'd much like himfelf , and fo of a humour which would eafily be ta- ? e ^ r l e ' t ken with his Propofals. He told them that it was reveal'd to him by the Leyden. Angel Hithladeos that he fliould be the King of the new Jerusalem , and that e J ames Kii ~ he had fliewed him by a new Expofition of the old Prophecies , that though ° r ' they were fulfill'd literally in f Anxxanatton, yet they were to receive a f thcicwuof Myftical Completion in him,and that he was defign'd by God to choofePrin- &i»v> ces to rule under him in all Nations; and to icnd Prophets to convert the whole World to his Obedience. Thefe Profely tes hoping for no main Offi- ces in his 6 Utopian Kingdom , gave him infinite thanks for communicating g which is tu to them fo fublime an Affair, and with all humble willingnefs offered their whert ' utmoft ferviceto one whom God had defign'd to fuch high Honour. Though this piece of his Plot fucceeded according to hisdefire, yet Hi- h a» dmli- eromimus thought that he wanted ft ill more help, and therefore made choice g"*"^^*- of three other AfMants; h Loxias , who had agrtat faculty of fpeaking \ y * ' what neither he nor any el fe did understand , whom he appointed toamufe koncwbotan his Hearers with rais'd Nonfenfe; l Phlegon, who was very ufeful for his ™"[ when hot zeal ; and fc Pandacryen, who would weep when he p'eas'd. With lomwhodi- fome (mall rewards and great promifes he engag'd alio in his fervice 1 Jftri- v \ n " h lhe atrusznd ^Thaumaturgus : they were fit forhispurpore,bo'hofthempro- n "o^ tvi t, feffing Chiromancy ■ and Phyfognomy ; Jflriatrus pretending alfo that he could wotb faming ' Z make *•"'•"• , 7 o BentttJOlio and Crania* Ecokvi. make Horojcopes, and knew how to divine by the Stars. Huromimtts con- tented himfeif with thefe, having chang'd the refolution which he once took up for he intended awhile in imitacion of the number of Jnaxanatforis Apoftles to make his Followers Jrvehe ; only he added to them two She- • 0h« iirfed i>* secretaries , a Pannychis and b Quint'ilU , not indifcreetly : for one of them y'tms' 1 '" teing EpUeftical , and the other troubled with the HypricaiPaflion , they b Montanus pretended the gift of Raptures : arid thefe , befides other ufes , ferv'd him hi whiu. w ^ ep he travcll'd , for Lacquays. They affirm'd themfelves to be Coufin- , ,j Germains,andcaird themfelves the Daughters, one of c CoJpia , the other c One pttltHd- » ,n g to jpiak. d Iclleda. f,em tb* mtutb t [Itcremimus defigning not only to out-do all the Prophets , but to equal e &To.rmsi» and excel their holy Matter f JnaxanaEion , and having entertain'd a fancy rr$tbitt)s. that he was like that incomparable Prince in fome Perfonal Refemblances,he *HoTthwt feS had procur'd a Copy, which was long ago pretended to have been taken of f rV,Kmgof him by one call'd Lentulus , and endeavoured by Art to make up what was Kr«jj, o«r o- W anting in Nature for the completion of a Comparifon both abominable vtrtign ut and ridiculous. He had Hair of a Chefnut colour , long , but not thick, after the manner of the Jewifli Nazarites , parted in the middle , and a little curling; his upper Garment was fo fram'd , that it feem'd to be a feamlefs e David; Coat. tDavigcor, looking upon this Garb as unbecomming his Dignity, G«jrgc. ' perfvvaded him to wear a Doublet of Crimfon Sattin. h Jackleyd , thinking jLc°de^ he did not ufe Ceremonies correfpondent to his Majefty , advis'd him to be ferv'd in Plate , and to give him leave to provide a gilt Chair , in which he might fit as on a Royal Throne, whilft his Servants made humble Ad- drefles to him upontheir knees, and ador'd him as the King of the New Jerufalem. His affairs being thus order'd , he commanded his Shee-Lacquayes to at- i 1h» Ctunttj ^nd him in a Journey which he was to take from » Jpateonia towards Phro- ofDecTn. nejium mtheeprepia. k Jamnail provided him an Afs, which Hiet omimus k James Nai- a pp i nte d to be brought without Bridle or Saddle , and begun his journey before the Sun was up, becaufehe intended to finiih it inoneday. This fore-caft was necefTary , for he had four and twenty miles to ride, and it tw whnts. being Winter , the weather was foul and the way very bad, Pannychis and Quintilla affifted him with Torches; but when they had gon about a quarter of a mile, he commanded them tocaftaway thofe poor external Lights making them believe that one far more glorious fhould prefently fhine forth upon them from within, and fhew them their way. The Lacquayes obe- diently put out their Tapers ; but as they went on it wasfodark that they quickly loft their way , and knock'd their Heads againft Trees, (tumbled at great Stones, and fometimes tumbled into Ditches, the Promife of HieromintHS being unable to enlighten the Air. However, being arm*d with a blind Confidence , they went on till they came to a narrow Bridge, which the poor Beaft for want of Enthufiaftical eyes to make him fee in the dark, mifs'd, and threw the falfe Prophet into Water, Mud and Impatience. Pannychis and Quintilla ventured in after him; and when they had with much difficulty pull'd him out and fqueez'd him, Pannychis told them, that fhe had a Revelation that they ought not to go any further till the Day fhould dawn. Bieremintm having pay'd dear for his bold Error, was content to be mutual- ly exhorted , efpecially becaufe they could not get out the Afs , which was laid fafl: in the Mire. When the Light began to appear , the AC had ftrug- led her felf out, and as fhe was going to graze , Quintilla catch'd her by the Ears, and the Rider having gotten upon her back, they began to march a- gain Book vi. Jl&eruitjolio and fflirania* 1 7 1 gain : but as they went along, the Afs being not held in with any Bridle ,. did by often going out of the Road create fo much trouble to both the Lac- quayes in reducing her, that they were fore cl to tie their Gaiters together to make a Curb for the unruly Beaft. When they had fcarce gone half their way , the faint Afs , being much weaned with the heavy load of this fat Balaam, flood frill. Hioomimm having no fpurs , fhe would not anfvver the dull blows of his unarm'd heels: whereupon Quintilla went to the next hedge, and having pluck'd off a fprig of thorn whipp'd her on- The Angry Afs being inrag'd with the pain which fhe receiv'd from thefe fharp prickles, did frequently fhake her Rider with rude Kicking, and at laft the fofc Prophet was fo gall d with the hard back of his lean Steed , that he was fore'd to tell his Lacquayes, that it was their duty to take off their Peticoats and lay them under him for a Saddle. In this mad guife Hieremimttt arriv'd at laft in a Village not far from Phre- ttefium, well known to moll of this Company, and which will be for ever- famous by reafon of his being there ; his two impious Attendants blafphe- moufly ftnging Hofanna's to him , as he pad through the Streets to his Lodg- ing , which was taken up for him before by a Jawmil^nd whither his Com- a James Nai. pikes reforted to him. lor. The Company having laugh 'd a while at this ridiculous mode of Travel, b Jmerimnm went on thus : the firft trick which he fhew'd after his Arrival /.S^mT* was a Device invented long ago by one Pfipbon. He had a Cage full of Par- rots, which he had taught tofpeak; and accuftom'd to pronounce thefe words , Hear Hieromimtu. Thefe be convey 'd privately into a Wood by c Lexias , whom he order'd to let them flie among the trees , and return un- c Aunm ^' feen. The Parrots being glad to have efcap'd their Prif on repeated the**"""**"" Syllables , which they had well learn'd , with a loud chearfulnefs. The Neighbourhood wondering at this ftrange Voice of Birds , inquir'd who this HieromimUs was. A holy Prophet , faid Davigecr whom God hath fent among ft you to give you the laft warning of Repentance. Whilft Tome expreft a wonder at the advice of Birds fpeaking with an Articulate Voice, d Apiatrus , e Phlegon , f thaumaturgm , and the reft of Hieromimas his d ont who ii- Agents , according to the Inftruftions which they had receiv'd from him, *>•"" h tb * endeavour'd tofupportand augment the great eftimation which this Acci- «"£;««»,/;*. dent had begun to lodge in the minds of feme weak people , and told them, ry. not without figns of deep Veneration , that Hienmimm was a Divine Per- f **' *f* . fondefign'd by God for the Paraclete long fince promised , confubflantiated Sf*"* with the Deity, and defcended lineally by the Mother's fide from the holy g Acbamotb,bdo\''d of God above all men ; und that the Dignity of his tran- s ^'f iom ' fcendent nature did many times reveal itfelf by moft glorious Irradiation?, his Facefhining withfuch illuftrious beams, that they were not able to look upon him. Sometimes they extolld his Divine Knowledge, affirming him to. have attain'd a rare Wifdom which was never before imparted to any created Be- ing: which he receiv'd not by Education, by improvement of Reafon, by reading of Books,by Obfervation , or any ordinary way by which com- mon men attain their Skill , but by Revelation ; God having f ) far fa- vour'd him , that he fhould not beat the trouble of collecting Knowledge by rational Difcourfes, but fhew'd him all things after an intuitive manner in Eeftatkk *Dreams and Prophetick Vifions. And they boldly affirm'd that God did fonietimeuranfpbrt him into the Celeflial Regions } where he faw Z 2 Anotic- I72 )6entttoUo and Crania* Bookvi. a things uu t» a Jmnonu.fi a and b Hyper-Urania , heard the voice of deep Silence , faw the be named. infinite meafures of the AbyCs , number'd the z/Eonian Ogdoads , and beheld rtJ.?! rMWW without any amazement thetamous Tetra£tys y who brought with her zAletbia, c truih. anc i made her fhew her felf to him without a Veil ; and , which was an honour not allow'd to Arch-angels , faw in the Cabinet of Heaven the facred 7r>as with bodily Eyes , from whom he receiv'd the Keyesof thofe Treafu- ries where the moft hidden Myfteries are locked up. aom who apes d Hierominws endeavour'd to juftifie their Lies ; for, pretending to be Barkings thus wonderfully illuminated , he told the World that all old Doctrins were but Fables , decry'd Humane Reafon as a name of the moft fallacious Igno- rance, condemn d all Learning as Black Art , reproach'd Books as the Tools of Antichrift, call'd Libraries the Devil's Kitchins , and bad them only a- wait the Irradiations of a Light which would fhine within :hcm if they gave obedience to his Precepts , and teach them infallibly , make them Judges of Truth and Falfhood,and render them unaccountable to or hers for their Opi- nions or Actions. In fhort, he boafted that all who were before him had ne- ver penetrated fo much as the Rind of true Wifetotn , but only had read the Hiftory of Truth which they did not underftand ; but that he was honour'd with the Myftical Light, the Inward Word which doth enlighten all things, which God had Centred in him as the Intellectual Sun , appointed to chafe away the fhadows of Darknefs , and to illuftrate the World with a Spiritual fenfe ; and promts 'd to all that follow'd his Directions , that in a little time they fhould fee all things, being incompafs'd with a holy Cloud, and be uni- ted with God by a Divine Ignorance , which fhould teach them to verifie Contradictions,and make them one with every thing which they underftood. To encourage thofe who would become his Difciples,he promis'd to give r them a Book written by himfelf,which his Scholars called *Fanfophi* y but ( Ac?»'L g m ' which he nam'd f Jaldabaoth , in which he had recorded whatfoeverwas firm of th, known formerly, or poffibly to be known in all Ages to come. He boafted GtuMcki. a jf Q f a magnificent Charter which he had receiv'd from Almighty God, which contain'd a Grant of fuch Privilcdges as were not before allowed to mortal men and that he had Authority to give them to whom he pleas'd. The chief of which was , That fuch as conform'd to his Dif- cipline fhould not need the Mediation of our Saviour, fhould be par- don'd without making ufe of the Propitiatory Sacrifice of his Death, and fhould have a Difpenfation from the Obfervance of his Laws , to which others are oblig'd : He having as he faid , receiv'd a Commiffion from God to fupply the Defects of the imperfect Doctrine of Chrift , to make all things new, and amongft the reft a New Teftavnent, to reform the Aufterity of holy Laws , and to fave the World , not by Obedience per- form'd to fevere Rules, but by pleafant Directions , the Relaxation of Self- denial , the Abolition of the Crofs, and fiee Conceffion of Senfual Plea- fures. Befides this , he told his Profely tes that they fhould have an invio- lable Beauty fix'd upon their Souls , which was no more capable of being blemifh'd with that which is ufually call'd Sin, then Invulnerable perfons can be wounded , or Gold lofe its Colour by being caft into Mud. He was fo bold alfo as to inftitutean obfeene M\ ftagogy , and call'd it the Method of Holinefs, by which only men are capable of preparation for the Society of the Perfect ; and told fuch as would believe him , that they fhould not be feen by the Great Judge when he took cognifance of the wicked Werld, - . —j though they flood naked before him,by reafon of a thick fhield call'd s Jn'»'>'• fall into an extraordinary Paffion , and having foam'd awhile at the Mouth and ftrugled after a ft range Mode, fell into a Trance, which theBy-ftanders judg'd to be real , becaufe when his Companions prick'd pins into his fiefh , he neither ftarted nor feem'd to have any feeling. After fome time whenhecametohimfelf, he began with a diffracted countenance to fpeak fome Hebrew and Greek Sentences, though what he faid was only fome few words which he underftood not , taught him by Mriatrm. The other AfTociates expreft other fymptoms of Eftafy and Rapture ; for Htertmlmus his Agents as they travelled had entertain 'd HyJlericalVJ omen, Men vex'd with Hypocondriack paffions, Epileptica! perfons , and fuch as Melancholy had made half mad , who were eafily caft into Fits by the cun- ning Artifice of their Inftru&ors , and alfo by fuch Rules as they had learn- ed from their own obfervation of their particular Diftempers. Having proceeded thus far in their defign, the next Scene was toterrifie their Auditors with the fear of Damnation into an Obedience of the Com- mands of Hieromimut. To effect this f Pandaeryon was order'd in a Field *" 0ne wh * where all their Company was affembled , to get up into a Tree to preach Re- ZlL h' t 'L>'d pentance , and threaten deftruction to fuch as within two days did not fubmit themfelves to their new Difcipline; endeavouring to make them believe that upon the fecond day following , g Hieromimus fliould appear g Omvhoaftt in his Princely Robes, as the dreadful Judge of the difobedient World, *&**»«*• Pmdacryen gave them a Caft of his Office before hand ; for in his Mafter's name he condemn'd all Churches as Antichriftian Synagogues , revil'd their Pallors as Hypocrites, and call'd the Difciples of ^/naxanaffon Fool^and pi-onounc'd fuch as continued in their Chriftian Faith Rebels to the true Sq- veraign of the World Hieromimta. Whilft Pandaeryon was making his paflionate Oration, and had now begun to weep , as he pretended , in commiferation of the obdurate Theoprepians, who, except one h thelgememis , were not much mov'd with his Rhetorick ; h 0, ""f' l f * Mi [oplanui happened to arrive in the place, who having heard of their to"! who hat f $ practices before, and feen this Iaft pieceof their religious Pageantry , call'd «**««"• to Pandaeryon to defcend from his Pulpit in thefe words ; Come down , thou Crocodile, dry ftp thofe Hypocritical tears. It is only in Apateonia where fuch Cheaters are believd , in Theoprepia you mujl expecl to be laugtid at. I fhould not i;4 JIDtnttbolio and Crania. Book VI. not trouble my felf to talk with thofe who are f j far below the Capacity of a rational Conference , that they defpife all Addreffes made by others, except in the way of Applaufe , and difdain to fpeak , except it be to give Law ; but that I think it is worthy of a Chriftian to pity your Folly, and to make a charitable confutation of your Errours , in hope that you may poffibly be reclaimed , and to prevent the dangerous Effects which they mult needs produce, if they be entertaind in the minds of thofe plain people who have not fufficient difcretion to guard their integrity from thelnvafion of cun- ning Cheats. Firft I mufl tell you that you have laid the fcene of your plot very im- properly in Theoprepta. We are not apt to take high pretences for ftrong Reafons , to admire Impoftors becaufe they are proud , ©r to believe Lyes becaufe they are boldly affirm'd. Do you think that we areoblig'd to efteem you a Prophet , becaufe you talk of Revelations ? or to adore you as a Di- * rhi Land tf vine Perfon , becaufe you were magnified in * Jpateonia ? Youfhouldra- toinit. ther have made your journey into a Country which had never heard of Simon-Magus , and fet up your Stage in fome Town where Montana* was never nam'd , or the Fuchytes. You might do well to talk of Raptures to fuch as know not what Boafts every Poet ufes to make of the Mufes In- fpirations, to thofe who have not read the Story of Jri(lfc/fMs, when crack-brain'd Footmen have thought themfelves Emperours.? A vehement Intention of mind , to which this Temper is apt, doth eafily breed an Ecftatical paffion ; and when the Phancy is once engag'd by this potent delufion , men believe they fee and hear what was never fpoken or made vifible. Thus Phrenetick perfons fee Men , Horfes and Armies in the Clouds , whilft they walk in the fields , as fick people do the fhapes of living creatures upon white walls, when they lye in their beds. Yet you require an Approbation of your Fol- lies from others , and command them to dance proportionably to the height or lownefs of your whimfical Mufick ; though they know the reafons of your Diftemper , and have obferv'd what ludicrous, and fometimes abomi- nable effeds , have been produe'd by your miftakes. The difturb'd Melan- cholia 1 not being able to diftinguifh between an abus'd Phancy , folid Rea- fon,and Divine Infpiration, whilft a dark Cloud hovers over hislmagina- tion , doth ufually exercife Repentance , and takes the Paroxyfms of a Fla- tulent Diftemper for deep Mortifications ; and as the Darknefs increafes, fals into tears , and makes many Tragical exprefllons of Grief, as if he faw more now then he did before. So Children hide their heads within their bed-cloths , though they fee nothing , when they have affrighted themfelves with the fhapes of Devils pourtray'd only in their Phancies. When the ftorm is blown over, the Penitent feems to be pofTeft of heavenly Joys by the return of a Divine Spirit ; when it is only a change of bodily temper, which might be rais'd much higher ^ even to exceffive laughter and wild dan- cing, by theapplicationof ztarmtuh. When this fick Phancy is joyn'd with a Feverifh heat , then the impotent Soul is fill'd with a Divine ardor ; and if it have formerly entertain'd difcontents againft the prefent Powers, itblafphemes Civil and Ecclefiaftical Orders, and thinks it felf inflam'd with a holy Zeal , when it is only fet on fire partly with a hellifh Malice _ partly with aduft Spirits. When this temper is molefted with proud defires, the Ambition quickly difcovers it felf in a vaft fcorn of others ; and thofe who are infefted with it proclaim themfelves Kings , Prophets, or Popes, or allthefe; as it happened in the Pet avian Deft or mention'd by Jcoftx. If it happen that their waking Phancies areconfirm'd by nofturnalDreams,they are abundantly fatisfied of the truth of their Errors •, though many times they tell their Accomplices in the Evening,what they ought to dream in the night, and divulge the next day. Whilft thefe things are thusmanag'd , fome By-ftanders , who are proper- ly difpos'd by an eafie Faith , are ufually catch'd with Delufion , and then the Enthufiaft begins to think himfelf fome great Thing ; though a Liar may as well conclude that he fpeaks true, becaufe fome believe him. The Con- tagion of Error is a common thing , and moft modern miftakes may eafil v be parallel'd by Examples which have been produe'd in all Ages. The multi- tudes of abus'd people fignifie nothing in point of affurance concerningTruth to fuch as have heard of the noxious Phrenfy of Cybeles Priefts , the ftrange humour 176 JidClUitJOltO and (Hftaflia. Book VI. humour of the Milefian Virgins, the general madnefs of the jibderites , and the Delufion which did fo foon and fo generally feize upon the l'aphUgonians by the contrivance of jllexander and his Afliftants. It is a mean excufe for chofenDelirations to fay that others are infected as well as our felves: how- ever fantaftical Prophets , being animated with the fuccefi, of their Plots up- on their foolifh Profelytes, take confidence , and think they are fufficientiy warranted by the number of thofe that believe them , to appear as Judges of the diffenting World ; and being poffefs'd with the narrow loveof their own dear Herd , pretend that as an authority for the hatred which they exprefs againft others as wicked Unbelievers; and the whole Party being infected with that Arrogance which is incident to all little Se6s , they juftifie their Schifmby condemning the Church, and excufe their Pride with Malice* You would have been apt to wonder at the cold Reception which you find in Theoprepia, if I had not (hewed you the caufes of our Incredulity : And I muff tell you further , Hieromimus , that we have more reafon to be ama- zed at your Arrogance , then you have to admire our Unbelief: and I am apt to think that you would not fo eafily have entertain'd great thoughts of yourfelf , if you had not look'd upon us as Fools, who would take mens ftrong Appetites for Impulfes of God's Spirit, and give Faith to Wanderers becaufe they are ftrongly deluded with Self-conceits. I confefs I wonder how you became fo prefumptuous as to fuppofe that we are fo ftupidly cre- dulous , as to believe every man that fays he came from God ; who befides his Boldnefscan fhew us no reafon to think fo. If you pretend to be fent by God upon a Divine Meffage , you ought to produce your Letters Credenti- al. • What Miracle have you done fince you came into this Country t What Blind man have you cur'd with a Word ? What Lame man have you re- ftor'd to the ufe of his feet by commanding him to walk ? Whom have you rais'd from the Dead by Prayer ? You fay you are Commrflionated from Heaven to fhew us the true way of Happinefs, andboaft of Authoiity to give us Laws in God's name , andfo to ru!e our Faith and Obedience ; but this being a matter futable to Ambition , you may very well give us leave to demand affurance that you are fuch as you pretend :o be, left we foolifh- ly fubmit our felves to Importers. It is weli known that Divine Revelation is one of thofe things which have been often Counterfeited , and that Mira- culous Power hath been falfly imitated. Would you have us think thofe lit- tle tricks which your Accomplices have perform'd , to be the Supernatural Products of Omnipotence, and to come near the nature of Miracles , which may not only be equall'd , but exceeded,by very ordinary Arrifts ? You are much miftaken in the profeflion of Enthufiafm ; for you manage it fo poor- ly , that you come far fhort of the Attainments of your Predeceffors. You fhouldhave invented fomething before you came hither which would out- doe James his Serpent, Alexander's Egge, and Ffafhons Birds. It is your unhappinefs not to have met with people who would believe what you fay at a cheap rate of proof. You would have made rare fport among thofe who, not knowing the caufe of Eclipfes, might have been perfwaded to think you could darken the Sun with a Charm ; and who, be- ing ignorant of the reafons of the Moon's Illumination , might have reve- rene'd as Prophets the foretellers of the time of the Kcvi-lunmm ; and have made a rare advantage of a Summer's feafon , by inducing Fools to believe that you can teach Cows to divineconceming Weather , and forefee Storms, having known before that they will make wild excurfions when they per- ceivea different temper of Air by an alteration in their bodies. The filly Indian Book vi. JdentttJOlio and Crania. 177 Indian would adore you , who wonder'd that a Letter could difcover how nun/ figs he fto!e of thole which he carried to his Mailer's friend , though he hid ic under a fto.ne whill't he devoured them. You might have perform d rare exploits by carrying with you a Bedlam or two , who could endure to have pins thruft into their arms ; or a Lacedemonian Boy , who would laugh while he was whipp'd; for without doubt they would have thought that you had render'd them invulnerable by your Divine Art. But much more might you ra.fe your expectation concerni ng you,if you would tranfport one or two Laplanders , and beiides their Ecitatical Trances , let them fee the Iron Frogs hop upon their V Tables into ufeful Morals , and that they were intended only to declare what is to be done in us by way of Allufion. O God .' * Hiercmimus, What can you hope to make of the Myftery of the aSSis?' Gofpel , when you have rendred the Hiftory contemptible ? What diflio- nour have you offer'd to the moft obedient Death of our Saviour , when in- ftead of that PropitiatoryOblation prefented to theEternalFather,you have reduc'd it only to an equality with the Sacrifice of a Sheep , and bid us un- derftand no more by it then that is a lively Emblem of Death , and fo have vainly taken away the greateft Argument by which we can be perfwaded to undertake that which you fay we ought to do ? All your Motives taken from hence , if you ufe any , are (only Refemblances of an Hiftory which you un- dervalue. Is not God's acceptance of Chrift's obedient Death the hope of our Pardon ? and is not the Love of our Saviour,whilfthe died for our Sins^ the great Perfwafive of Mortification ? Is not the Refurreftion of that great Prophet the Confirmation of our Faith in his Do&rine , when heafTur'd it with fuch a Miracle ? and doth not his Afcenfion prove to us the certainty of an Immortal State , and encourage us by Obedience to his Precepts , and Conformity to his Exemplary Life, to prepare our felvesfor it ? Whilft you pervert this Relation by fome phrafes mifapplyd , you reproch the Gofpel in its own language , and inftead of Chriftiari Religion endeavour to thruft upon the World a few Poetical Allufions , make the Gofpel of our Saviour a Romance, offer us for fol id Food Mufhroms, and make his moft noble Aftions fcarce fo much as an Example , and fome of them a Lie , and fo teach men to reject fober Senfe , and their own greateft Concernments , for the vanity of Canting Terms. Did our Saviour' afcend into Heaven on'y Me- taphorically ?and ought he to be crucified in us too as well as upon theCrofs? For lhame grow vvifer, and for fear continuenot to wrong one who isvery able to punifh you. If the Infidel World do not give credit to that excel- lent Story being fer down in its own Native truth , what will they do when you haveturn'd it into a Fable? If wicked Souls deny it in their Works, will Book VI. WinciMid and fflranta, 1 79 will you overturn ic in Words ? If Hypocrites do not obey it as they fhould,will you convert them with Blafphemy ? By this, added * MjopUnus, you may fee not only the Ineffedtualnefs of ao», ,«*,*„„, your prefent Endeavours, butalfothelmpoflibility of accomplifhingany «**«»«. Defign which you can lay for the future in Theoprepia. You do as vainly at- tempt to level our Saviour with your Moek- Prophet, as the arrogant Frog endeavour'd to fwell her felf to the Proportion of an Ox ; and do foolifhly propound your Enthufiafm to be embraced by thofe, who know that wild Raptures differ as much from Divine Revelation as Parfley doth from Hemlock. When Mifoplanus had faid this , he defired b Hieromimus , < thelgomenus, m*'™'?*" and one or two more of his Companions, to go with him to his houl e, c •« e'$p where he defired to talk fome things with him privately. Hieromimus was ****** unwilling to accept of the Invitation ; but at the entreaty of thelgomenus, who was one of his half-Converts , he was perfwadedto it. When they came thither , MifopUnus carried Hieromimus and Thelgomenus into a Turret which was upon the top of his houfe , from whence he had a fair Profped of the Country , and alfo of the Ci ty Phronefium. Whilft they were difcour- fingof the beautiful Scituation of this houfe, a Pigeon of that fort which is calfd Carriers came flying to MifopUnus, and brought a littlepiece of Paper roll'd up in her Bill , which fhe delivered and flew away. Hieromimus won- der'd at this Accident , for he knew not that there were fuch Birds. Mifo- pUnus open'd the paper and found thefe words written upon it, Hieromimus is An Impojior. This increas'd his admiration ; and as he was confidering the ftrangenefs of that which had happen'd , his Amazement was fuddenly heightned ; for he heard a voice in the Air which five or fix times together repeated thefe words , Repent, Hieromimus, Repent. The truth is , there was a neighbouring Eccho , which was fo rarely fram'd by a natural Art, that it would very often repeat any fliort fentence ; and Mifoflanus having plac'done behind a Rock, who unfeen pronoune'd the words which the Ec- cho reverberated with a diftinft found , Hieromimus took it for a voice from Heaven , thelgomenus trembled for fear, and defired that he might go down. You fhall, faid MifopUnus : but not returning the fame way by which they came up, he led them through a Room which was artificially darken'd, ha- ving only one little hole left open through which the light was permitted to enter , with a glafs plac'd before it : and whilft one of MifopUnus his Ser- vants held a large fheet of white paper at a fit diftance from the hole , there appeared upon it a lively reprefentation of a dreadful Speftre , as Hieromi- mus and thelgomenus fuppos'd; but it was only thefhadowof a man with an ugly Vizour upon his face, drefs'd up in the form of a Satyr, with a hairy skin, two horns, and cloven feet, who walk'd in the Court before the houfe , and by this Artifice was fhew'd within, thelgomenus rail down the flairs in a great fright , thinking it was the Devi!. MifopUnus , not know- ing what iUeffett his fear might produce , went after him , and fo did his Servant. Hieromimus being left alone , becaufe he could not readily find the way out , began to be afraid that the Devil would murtherhim in the dark , and cry'd out for help ; which he prefently receiv'd by the return of Mifoplanus his Servant. When they were all come down , MifopUnus , being willing to let them underftand their Ignorance , call'd for the Pigeon which brought the paper, andinform'd them how he contriv'd the other pieces of their Delufion. Hieromimus much enrag'd with this affront went to his Lodging,pronoun- Aa 2 cing i So jJDenttbotio and fflrawa . Book vr iOHtwbo cingmany Curfesagainft * Mifiplaniv, and, feeing his hopes overthi own i» b^ohn'of'"' Theoprepia, departed privately to Jheriagene. b JacJ^leydwas taken and put L*yd"n° to death , for inciting the Ibeoprepians to Rebellion. c Jam/tail was whip- c james Nai- p e< j . f or arrogating to himfelf Divine Attributes ; and,being put with his lor ' fellow-M^-w^ into BedU»f , was order'd to flay there till he fhould fo far return to his Wits,as to be .able to understand that he was but an ordinary d jmimtndi*- portal. Davigeor, e, went one to ^ Turcoptlis, and work' fitmmg the other to i Scefticoliit. w>mi»n. Whilft the Company were almoft weary with laughing at this ridiculous JJ^r*'' Story , and were giving many thanks to * jimeriwnw for making the Rela- h Conftanti- tionof it, a Gentleman came from Ly fonder , to let the Kipg know that the ? o ple ' Armv deficn'd for theriagene was come to the Rendezvous at l Jtfaupatfus. konefnefrm which was dhe chief port in Ihcoprepia , and that he ha,d put the grrateft f" ul " *""• part of the Souldiers aboard the Ships appointed for the Voyage. J am iuiid "s'bips'm . very glad of i t faid m Theofebitti , and , ,fmce the wind is fair , we will Joofc m u wtrjhi^- no opportunity; it may poilibly hold good rill we arrive at Jherjagene. Or- nVtawV ders being given to the Court to remove with all poflible fpeed to Xaupaii- truth. ih, Tbeofebitts and n Methitn, with the reft of their noble Companions , de- voted the next day to folemn Prayers, which ithey made publickly to Al- mighty God with an humble Earneft nefs,and declar'd that the Victory which they defir'd did not depend upon the Courage of Men , but the mercy of God ; and the day after they began their Journey towards the Sea--fide. The o chitity. Queen, the Princefs ./^/* , and the other Ladies , entertain'd no finall Apprehenfions for their Friends, who were going to try the hazards ofWar, whofe Events are alwa> es doubtfu 1 ; but placing their hopes in Gods Af- fiftance of a mpft juft Caufe they took dieir departure with a iubmiffive pARt The Prince of Tbeoprepia fail'd in the Admiral , being accompanied with •xAfriinito Jlethion, Bentholie and Myfopfeudes ; Lyfander commanded the Vice- fihrfis hoif. Admiral , Pajiphilus the Rere- Admiral ; qt her Gallant men pofTefling the reft of the Ships according to the King's appointment. They weigh- ed Anchor the next day , and the wind continuing fair they came within five Leagues of Hipponyx about four of the clock in the Afternoon. But then thfc wind turn'd , and blowing with a ftifFgale , the Fleet, according to the ex- ample of their Admiral , came to an Anchor ; by which means they were r in jntitti. difcover'd by the Hipponjttians, and he that commanded the Town for * As-, tttheui immediately prepar'd to put it into a pofture of defence. A Signal be- ing given , the Commanders of the feveral Ships went aboard the Admiral, where it was refolVd that a Shallop fhould be fentoff with a Herauld to fummon Hipponyx to yield up the Port to Aletkion , and to offer a Pardon to fuch as were willing to return to their Obedience to their lawful Sovereign. The fight of the white Flag upon the Prow of the Shallop was a great Joy to the Htpponytfia»s y for the whole City was put into a great Confternation by Book Vj. IbentimllQ and &Umia. 181 by the Arrival of fuch a great Fleet at fo near a diftance ; and a!! the Inha- bitants, except fome few , wou.d willingly have accepted of Aletbtons gra- cious i'ropofnion , but that a Atheopbilus the Governour, in whom Antithetic a Jim, of had plac'd no final] confidence, as in his moft faithful friend , prevented the Athm '- declaration of their Intentions, by fwearingthat he would immediately kill him that fliould dare to fpeak of a Surrender. The Herauld returning , and having declar'd the Governour's Anfwer , the Princes refolving to purfue their intentions with fpeed , order 'd that the fame night a convenient num- ber of Shallops attended with four Frigots fliould ftorm the two Forts which were built upon each fide of the River to fecure the entrance of the Haven. The Ships defign'd for this fervice being committed to the conduct of b Jr$W&erS Ckmfion,*- Amyntor and e Sympathus; Bentivolio, f Mifop- b Awtjgw* fades $ Ptwaretus and *» Fhildethes refolv'd to accompany them in this fer- M **' vice.They fill'd feme of the Shallops withFagots to throw into theTrenches, ^/jL?^'* and Ladders to fcale the Works: and having underftood that the paffage' 1 '' 4 #«'>'<»•• into the Haven was fecur'd by the Hulls of old Barks faftned together with * f Cem f^'' Chains , they appointed fome Veffels with Souldiers furnilh'd with Axes fAHsurif toloofenthe Chains and break the Bridge, and provided two Fire-boats **#'«'• to burn the Barks. After the Signal given by a great Gun they weigh'd An- \aZ»T chor, and making feveral boards they arriv'd at the Mouth of the Haven a- r ' M,h ° bout an hour before day. Ariftander , who was accompanied with Bentivtlio, landed his men, who were defign'd to attaque the North Fort , as Charifton and Pmaretus did on the other fide; and in the mean while * d " foon dcpriv'd of power to make any election ; for Fhilalethes joyning with thofe gallant men who were defign'd to loofen the Chains that tied together the parts of the Bridge,help'd them to put a fpeedy end to that undertaking; and having with fome of his Companions boarded feveral difunired Vefiels, they quickly difpoflefs'd the Hippenyttians by throwing chem into the wa- ter, and fomade themfelves Mailers of thofe fcatter'd pieces of the Floating Bridge ; which .notwithftanding they not being able to rule tor want of Rudders, were forc'd to go as the ftream was pleas'd to conduct them,and fo were in danger to be carried away Captives when they had overcome , but that fome of their party perceiving the condition in which they were,made towards them, and took them into their Shallops. c JPanaretus, d Cbar/flio/i and < Sympxthm imployed themfelves with an cMl '■""*"<>*-*• equal gallantry in the gaining of the other Fort , which was of a larger pefjit*""*'' compafs , and was filled with a defperate company of Antithem his Merce- * * tompafiia- naries; who when the Ihtoprepiam came near the Trench, faluced them "*" M " n ' with afhowre of Stones and Bullets, and were requited with Hand-Gra- nado's which the Tbcoprepians threw into the Fort;which though they broke fnccefsfully , and ftruck pieces of Iron-fhel Is into the faces of fome, and the bellies of others , and kill'd many ; yet rather enrag'd then weaken'd theSuivivours, which made the Accefs more dangerous to their Enemies, and the Vi&ory more doubtful. Pm&retus fignaliz'd his Valour in this Action , and as he was upon the top of his Ladder , a ftout Souldier endea- vouring to pull off his Head-piece , F*naretui took bold of his Arm , and flung him into the Trench , and having fettled himfelf in his Room upon the Fort , defended it again!! innumerable blows, till Sympxthus got up to him , and then the Valour of thefe two Valiant Perfons eafily made way for more to come up by the death of thofe who endeavour'd to throw them down. Chariftioft did things worthy of himfelf and fuch Companions: for having mounted another part of the Fort, and receiv'd a wound in his breaft as a welcome upon his firft entrance , he requited it with the death of him thac beftow'dit; and fighting with an invincible Courage, eafily made room for his friends to come to him , and place themfelves againft their Ene- mies- Now it was that the Hipponycliansgw'wgfae no longer, difputed who fiiould have the Fort with the But-end of their Mufquets, in which mode of fighting they were imitated by the iheeprepuns ; and both Parties did fo heartily endeavour to exceed one anot her , that the Victory feem'd fo (land a great while in an equal diftance between the Afiailants and Defen- dants. It was fome benefit to the ihtoprepuns ; that the Darknefs did not give leave to their Enemies to take Courage from the knowledge of the lefs Number of their men; but making up that defect with Refolution, they hadentred fo many places at once, that they were not able to refill them in all, and did fo make good the poiTeffion which they got (though with fome lofi of their men) that they drove the Hipponytthns from the Line,and encompafs'd them in the middle of the Fort , fending death upon them from a' 1 fides. It was no fmall difcouragement to the Hypponyfftans , that a little after the appearance of Day they difcover'd that which made them believe that the Light was only beftow'd upon them to let them fee the Ruinesof their 1 84 jldHitibotto and flftrania. Book VI. * A Lovir ■iikiifii. their friends upon the Chain'd-Eridge,and Alethtoris Standard plac'd upon the oppofite Fort \ whereupon the 1110ft Valiant of them having fo.'d their lives as dear as they could , the reft yielded themfelves to the mercy of the Iheoprepiaw, who were now abfo'aite Mafters of the Fort. * Jtheophilvs being inform'd of that which had happen'd, and ftnfible of what might probably follow, refolv'd to repair his Honour, and to redeem this Lofs with the overthrow of the iheopreptan Fleet , which was now un- der fail not much above a League from the Forts, orelfe perifh coura- gioufly in the continuance of his adverfe Fortune. He man:fd all the Ships in the Harbour which were fit for his purpofe,prcpar d his Fire-Barks, and weigh'd Anchor : and having a fide-wind equally advantageous to him with his Enemies , made what hafte he could , intending to fight them before they came into the mouth of the Haven. When he drew near the Forts , he re- ceiv'd unpleafmg falutes from the Guns which his Souldiers had lcft,and was accofted in his way with many flaming pieces of the diffolv'd Bridge : for theunchain'dBarges feparated themfelves from oneanother,& being driven by the Tide towards the Town , cover'd a great part of the Haven with burning wrecks ; which not only ftruck an unfpeakable terrour into thofe who flood upon the Shoar , but put the Marriners and Souldiers into fome apprehenfion at the fight of inch a difmal Spectacle , and ingag'd them in no final I care , left the fmoaking Fire-brands fhould fall foul upon their fliips, and confume the Fleet before it could get to Sea. Atheopbilw digefting as well as he could thefe ominous Prefages , paft the Forts with his Navy, having only loft one of his Fire-Ships, which by reafon of fome errour in the placing of the Combuftible matter, prepar'd for other ufes , was blown up before the time appointed. It was half- flood when the Fleets came up together ; and Atheophilm perceiving the Admi- ral of the Iheoprepians in the Front, made up boldly, and gave her a broad- fide , for which he foon receiv'd another ; and after that many more were mutually exchang'd , which put the great Bullets through the fides of each others Vefiels. The Commanders of the other Ships difpofing themfelves on both fides as they might moft conveniently attaque their Enemies. Ic happen'd that a Chain'd-fhot from the IheoprepUn Admiral cut offJtheefhi- lus his main Maft in the middle. He, notwithftanding this difcouragemenr, didhisbeft to lay the Admiral aboard; which was more eafie for him to accomplifh , becaufe fhe made towards him with equal fpeed to do as much for him. The two Admirals being hook'd together began a moft terrible fight , the Theoprepians with dreadful Shouts prefaging to one another a certain Victory. Great holes were made in the fides of both the Ships with their Canon : the Ibeoprepians , with a ftorm of Mufquet-bullets as thick as hail , knocked down molt of the Souldiers that appear'd on Athcopbilus his Decks, and boarded his Vefiel. He with a Referve of ftout men rufh'd up- on them from the Steerage, andchargd fo fiercely, that he kil I'd many, forcd fome into the Sea,and drove the reft into their own Ship ; whither al- fo he fbllow'd them , and continued fuch a cruel fight with Swords and the great ends of Mufquets , that the bloud ran out of the Water-holes. Both the Princes,not having patience to fee the Antithems aboard their Ship,flew out of their Cabins : and Alethion having efpied Jtheofhilus , ran upon him with an unexpreffiblefury, faying, Behold, Jtbeophilta, this is Alethion, kill him, and endear thy felf for ever to thy Mafter by the deftrudtion of his moft mortal Enemy. Atheopbilus being a prudent Souldier was aware of his com- ing, and aim'd a deadly blow at his Head ; which Mcthion put by with his Arm Book vi. 2J&entiboUo and Crania. 185 Ann, and di reded a thruft, which finding paffage through his Bread and his Heart bath at once , made him fall down dead among the feet of his Souldi- ers. Theofebius perceiving the Prince engag'd againft many of his Enemies; made himfelf a paffage with his Sword , and coming where he was , put Alethion out of the danger of their Number by the death of thofe whom he encojntred; and having cleav'd his own Ship madda fecond Board upon his Enemies, in which he kill'd or threw into th£Seaall that were upon the Decks , in the Steerage , and in the great Cabin : and commanding his men t© retire into his own Ship, left thofe w-ho were in theGun-i-oom fhould blow them up, he heard a great cry from below, and faw fome come up who made him know the reaibn of ic, which was, becaufe the Hold was full of Water; and they ask'd for Quarter; which being granted, they endeavour'd with the help of the fheoprepian Manners to ftop their Leaks; but in a fhort time perceiving that it was impoffible , unhook'd their Ship, and had fcarce got clear of her before fhe funk down before their faces. Whilft this Tragedy was acting, the other Ships were not idle Specta- tours, for every one grapled With valiant Enemies : and though the Antithe- Ms were fomething ftarded with the lofs of their Admiral (for they were fo near as to fee him fink) yet they refolv'd to make it up with theirtwn endeavours by the mine of their Adverfaries ; and though they fhould hap- pen to fail of their defired fuccefs,yet they purpos'd to die at leaft like men of Courage. But being 'over-charg'd with a Valour which tranfcended theirs by as many degrees as the Juftice of ^Ale thiols Caufe exceeded that of Antithetti , they were worfted : and yet before they fubmitted to a final con- queft , they made fuch effectual Oppofition as produc'd a very dreadful Spe- ctacle of a Sea-fight ; fome Ships finking by reafon of incurable Leaks, fome blowing up their Decks voluntarily to unlade their Enemies, and fome being fir'd againft their wills. The Air was filfd with the noife of Guns, the cries of dying Perfons, and the Shouts of Conquerors ; the light of the Day being obfcur'd with Clouds of Smoke, and the Sea difcoulour'd with the bloud of Wounded men, and made difmal with the floating bodies of the flain. In this fight « Pufiphilns very happily fhot off the Rudder of the Enemies a At.iaau Fire-Ship,by which means fhe was made ufelefs as to the purpofe for which oilmen. fhe was intended , and carried back upon the Jntitheans by the Tide. b Ly- b J l% i " m 'I,' finder and c Chxriftion took two of their Principal Ships > Bentivolio d Mi- Mmi. * fipfeudesmd e Pantiretus , afiifting their refpedtive friends, chas'd three d ^' t *r*f others into the Harbour , and there compell'd them tofubmit to mercy. IaiiZm, Indeed every gallant T'heoprepian, who had the honour of any command that day , made himfelf famous with Heroick Actions ; the private Souldiers alfo performing things which deferv'd very high reputatiomBy which means a completeVictovy was fpeedily obtain'd, for all the Jntitheans were either funck or taken. This dreadful Encounter being thus ended; the Conquerors attempted not to enter the Town, but caft Anchora little within the Haven's Mouth, refolving to give a refpiteto their weary Souldiers, and to take care of the wounded, who were not a few. The trembling Hipponyttians , having feen the difmal iffueof thisbloudy Engagement , and being deftitute of their Governour, Souldiers and Cou- rage, fent fome of their Principal Inhabitants to implore the King's Mercy, and to offer him the Town. The two Kings and fo many of the Comman- ders as were then together held a Council of War , and concluded that it was belt to accept of the furrender that was offer 'd,and to take poffeflion of the Town fpeedily, left jintithem fhould prevent them with frefh fupplies. B b Accor- ■vtrtutus. , 86 Jiaentitoolio and Crania. Book VI. a AHavtnl Accordingly theyfent three thoufand of the moft unwearied Sou'diersa- ftoar under the command of Lyfander, to fecure the Gates,and toftrengthen that part of the Town which lay towzrdsThenagene. The next day they landed all the wounded men , and took fuch an efteflual care for their Reco- very, that in a little time they were reftor'd to their former health. The U'monyWuns joyning with the Iheofrepans , beftow'd burial upon thofe dead bodies which they found floating in the Haven, or which were ca ft aflioar by the force of the Tide. After two days they receiv'd the good News of the Arrival of their Ships, which were order 'd by Ybeofebius to tranfport their Horfe , who were com- manded not to fet fail till three dayes after the departure of the other Ships from Nattpactus. Lyfander appointed them to thofe Quarters which he had „Hi,k* prepar'd in and near to a Hipponyx ; the King intending with all convenient \rT\hIIoJ. fpeed to march towards b Foliftherion , where the Intelligence of Alethion'% b thtctjof Arrival , which was fent by a Courrier , put Antitheus and his new Court *'****' into a great diftraftion: for being confcious to themfelvesof the Wrongs which they had done , they fear'd that the time was coming in which they fhouldbe forc'd to fuffer for them; efpecially after they heard that the Jheoprepians had fubdued their Fleet , and made themfelves Matters of Hipponyx. This Alarm made lefs Imprefljon upon the Courage of jfntithens then was expected by many both Friends and Enemies ; for notwithstanding he heard that many other Towns befides Hipponyx , had revoked , and that fome Cities had fent to fubrait themfelves to Jlethion , yet his Mind feem'd to grow great proportionably to his danger, and he fear'd not to look his bad fortune in the face, though fhe frown'd feverely. But knowing that his tottering condition needed all poflible fupport, he made ufeof all the thoughts with which his reftlefs Mind was fill'd , to direct him what to do. He fummon* d his chief Confidents to meet in his Privy-Chamber ; where having fram'd hisCountenance to exprefs an undaunted Refolution,he fpake to them after this manner : The mifchiefs which the Thecfrepians have alrea- dy done to us to force us to fecure our fortune by the ufe of Arms, and the dangers which they ftill threaten require that wefhould fpeedily enter upon this way of defence. We need not difpute whether it is Wifdom to ven- ture boldly , for we muft either do fo or lofe all. It were adifhonourable Cowardife to abandon our felves to ruine,becaufe we may pofllbly prevent it; neither is there any condition fo low, but it may be rais'd , if thofe who undertake it have Valour. I have taken care to provide what is requi- fite for our Prefervation both as to Men and Money. You know that the Mercenary Army under my command is not inconfiderable for Number; and I make no doubt but they will engage boldly in this Service, becaufe, being Souldiers of Fortune , they fight only for their pay. And fince it may be thought that they are too few to oppofe the ftrength of Theoprepia, I c such as fight have fenttothe c Iheomachians , whoarein Leaguewithus, to dellre their ttgmnSiQti. Affiftance, and I make no queftion of obtaining it. They are the inveterate Enemies of Jlethion , and will more readily help us , becaufe by this means they may have an opportunity to revenge themfelves upon the Jheoprepians. After the overthrow of this Army which doth now infeft us, I have promis'd to enter with them into the Enemie's Country, and to divide with them what we fhall conquer there by equal fhares. I have fome Treaftire which I laid up for all urgent occafions ; and though it is fcarce enough for this pre- fect fervice, I know how to raife more before w e fhall have need of it. When Book vi. Jldentitiolio and Crania. 187 When a Antitheus had finifh'd this fhort Speech , b Dogmapornes , c jjj. a An AtbtM. netus, and the reft of his Afibciates , having been engag'd in his Treafon , \ft\^ M oblug'd by his Favours , hoping to augment their prtfent Fortune with his cJnimtniiu* Victory , and defpairing of Pardon from Alethion , in regard of the great- *"/*"' nefsof thofe Crime* which they had committed , declar'd a Refolution to live and die in the obedience of his Commands , andprotefted that they neither had nor hdp'd for any Intereft but that which confuted with his Fe- licity. Antitheus having given them thanks for this obliging Anfwer, told them the way by which he intended to provide Money to pay his Army ; which was , by feizingupon the Stock of the Orphans laid up in the com- mon Chamber of the City , asalfo that which was trufted in the hands of particular Guardians,by forcing the rich Citizens to lend him as much as he fliould defire,and by borrowing the Treafure which was in the Tempi esrancl becaufe the people fliould not look upon thefe proceedings as Rapine and Sacrilege , he promifed repayment as foon as he fliould overcome the Ene- my, which threatned prefent mine to d Theridgene , and forced him to take d De t thefe extraordinary courfes. He added alfo that he would not put this refo- Beans."" lution in pra&ice till he fliould hear from the e Tbeomacbians. Within two e ***«*'$*' dayes f Antbolkgs , the AmbaiTador whom he had fent thither , return'd with ^ow who ' acceptable News : for defire of Revenge and hope of Conqueft had fo in- ***** »*»«w flam'd the Theomachians , that they, not confidering the dangers to which """J*"*'- they were courted , and the inability of the Tempter to make a probable Defence , neither taking any notice of the Injuftice of that Caufe in which they were folicited to engage, readily promis'd their utmoft Afiiftance ; and knowing that Delay would make it ineffe&ual to Antithtus his Relief and their own hopes , aflur'd jititholkes that they would make all poflible fpeed for the Expedition. In the mean while % Theofebius having led bis Army into Theriagehe , only S * tftrjhiff'tt with an intention to reftorehi?/rtAjw», and being defirous that his honeft tVituertf purpofes might not be mifinterpreted by the Cenforious World , told the Truth. Prince , as they were walking one day together , that though the Aneftion -which he ought ever to have for fo great a Friend had brought him and his Subjects out of their own Country to ferve him , and that he could not but think that the Juftlce of his Caufe was abundantly fufficient for his private fatisfaftion ; yet he thought it requifite to let the World know upon what occafion he had taken up Arms, and to allure the Theriagenians of his In- tentions by a Declaration publifh'd for that end. The King highly ap- proving his Advice, » Lyfander drew it up in thefe words : Though we make i^Zjltmn no que (lion but ftich as know the Reafons of our prefent undertaking will need no '* m ' ether fat is faction as to the Jaftice of if, yet becaufe we would not have our Affions co n (trued into tbatMalicious fenfe which our Enemies will be apt t-o put upon them, We declare before God and all the World,tbat it is not a dejire to intreafeour Em- pire by any Jlcceffionwhich may be gain dfromTheriager\e,that hath made us in- vade the Country of our ancient Allyes. Our Dejignis only to ajfift an llluftrious Prince to recover his Throne , of which he is unjujlly depriv'd, and to help him to punijh thofe who have made their Crimes inexpiable by adding hisBanifbmeni to his Father's Mnrther. As we have refolvd never to lay down our y Arms till this be effect ed^and doubt not but thegreatef part of Alethion' 'sSubjeffs are fuf- ficient ly fenfible of his wrongs ; fo , that it may appear we do not cover any other purpofes under this pretence, we make this Protection, That if you your felves will deliver up the ^lurtherers of k Anaxagathus to Juftice , attdrejtore kdi*iSing, Alethion to his Eights , we will prefently withdraw our Forces into our own Bb 2 Country, ]5rntibolio and fflitania. Book VI. a AnAtheiU. d One wht tiUs opinions only fit for whom htufes Country , rejeycing that roe Jball leave Theriagene in fence. Jlethion defiring paflionately that his Country might not beruin*d by the direful effete of War , and knowing that the events of ic are varied by inconfiderable Caufes, concluded that no Enemy fhould be fought, who may be conquer'd by Treaty ; and therefore with the fore-mention'd Decla- ration he fet forth a Paper, in which he conjur'd his Subjects to return to their Obedience by the indifpenfablenefs of thofe Eonds which oblig'd them to it : and that they might not be frighted into Defpair by the remem- brance of their Offences , he added a Promifeof Pardon to fuch as would come under his Protection , and in the word of a King gave them affurance that none fhould be excluded from the benefit of this Amnefty but a J„ t i- tbeus, b Dogmapomts , and two or three more , whofe Wickednefs could ne- ver be forgiven. Thefe Papers wrought very confiderable effefls upon the Ibenagemans. Some generous Spirits, who were nioft fenfible of the injuries which they fuffer'd under Jntithem , had put themfelves already under Metbion's Co- lours. Others, who had been unhappily inftrumencal to his and their own Mifery, repented of their Errours, which the King's Goodnefs had pardon- ed, and refolv'd to make amends for their Difobedience by hazarding their Lives for his Reftitution. The generality of the People, who were broken with Oppreffion , having now fome hopes of Deliverance, began to (hew their Hatred to the Ufurper , which was before cover'd under the Embers of Fear. Jntithetts not unfenfible of the Infecurity of his condition , us'd all poffible Arts to keep the People (though not in affections to him , for they never had any for him , yet) from fuch Actions as might difturb his Enterprife ; and rinding moft of his Devices ineffectual , he made it his laft c suthatdiuit Referve, to promife the « Polifiberiam that he would only continue himfelf in the city »f - m n j s Command as a General for theprefent Expedition, and that after *'***'' - the Succefs of this Fight , of which he made no queftion , he would lay down the Principality , and declare them a free State. Some few , who un- derftood not the Ufurper's Intentions , thought this a very plaufible Offer, and began to wonder at the Moderation which jintitheus hadentertain'd : but he , perceiving that this Plot took not effeft according to his Expecta- tion under pretence of Treachery which he had difcover'd , put fome to Death whom he fufpefled as Guilty of Good will towards d Alctbion , and carried others, of whofe Fidelity he was not affured , out of the City, and mix'd them with his Mercenary Troops. The night before the day which was defign'd for the Battel with the tbet- trht&tyef preplans , who were nowadvanc'd within ten Miles of e JPeliftberiw > the Citizens were affaulted with an extraordinary Terrour,by reafonof a ftrange Sight which appear'd in the Air on that fide of the City which was towards Hipponyx. Two Armies with Colours flying, Drums beating, and Trum- pets founding , feeru'd to encounter one another. The glittering Swords were fo formidable , and the clattering of Arms and the noife of Guns was fo eafily heard , that if they had not feen this Accident in the Air, they would have thought that the tbeoprepians and iberiagenians had been engag'd in Fight. This Contefr. laded half an hour ; after which,one of the Armies having routed and conquer'd the other,the Vifiondifappear'd.The Antitbe- ans thought this a fad Omen of their approaching misfortune , asid indeed could not look upon it otherwife but as a difinal Emblem by which God did forefhew the unlucky Iffue of the fucceeding Fight , and were generally fo aftonifh'd with variety of gaftly Apprehenfions , that they feem'd to be tofs'd d A Iwr of truth. Btalli. Book VI. jidentttjoiio and Crania, 189 tofi'd in themidft of reliefs Imaginations, as a fmall Veflel would be in a raging Sea, if ail the Winds fbould blow upon it alternately from their feveral Quarters. The Ufurper confidering well what great Influences this Prodigy might fend down upon the Spirits of his Souldiers, (for thofe who do leaft be- lieve that there is a God , are moft affrighted with the thoughts of him when dreadful Accidenrs begin to perfwade them that there is one) endeavour'd to dhTipate this Fanick fear, by telling them the next morning , that they ought not to entertain any apprehenficns from thofe things which they law in the Air, fuch Prodigies being only Accidents of Nature; Janages of Ar- mies being often brought from forein parts by ftrongWinds in great Clouds, which like Looking-glafies refleft them upon the Earth ; and that though this was none of that fort, yet it was capable of being interpreted for them as well as again ft them: and he added, that he was allured that the Over- throw which they fawafted did portend the mine of their Enemies,both by aVifionand a Dream which he had thatnighr. Hefaw, ashefaid, a glori- ous Rainbow painted in the Air, and a mighty man of an unufual Stature, who having faftned a red ftring to both the Ends of it , took a great Arrow pointed with a flame of fire, and fhot through the breafts of twoPerfons with Crowned Heads , who immediately tumbled down dead from the top of a bright Cloud. That they might believe that thefe could be no other ^ f ^ or ^' ltp ' T then *7beofebius and b ^Alethion , he related his Dream in thefe Words: b a lover of I (aw a beautiful Perfon in the form of a Virgin, who, as I lay afleep , feem'd *""*• . towhifper in my Ear this Prophecy , To morove c PoliftherionyL# be.de- \likf" 3 ^ liver'd from her Enemies. ThisExpofitionof the dreadful Prodigy foartifi- d -*» •/*»*«#. dally confirm 'd did fomething alleviate their Fears ; and though it did not 'j,,^""™ quiet their Minds , yet it made them fupprefs the trouble which they could f %W/«- fcot extirpate , and gave them fome fmall encouragement to prepare for thofe *fSf God - dangers which, whether they would or no, they were now toencounter. IwSwT"*^ d Antitheus made hafte to lead out his Men to fight , both that they might h M °™ of have no leifure to augment their Fears by the confideration of their Dangers, \ U $*"' and that be might poffefs himfelf of a convenient place which he hadde- ttaiimTJ!"' 7 ftin'd to the encamping of his Army. It was a large Field encompafs'd on £ ?J uv>k ' •■ one fide with a Wocd,and with a River on the other. By this he hop'd to give ubhnfilf** his Enemies the troubleofa difadvantageous accefs to him: But he was 1 »«w*» prevented by the earlier care of Alethion , who well knowing the Scituation trsn'wJ "* of the Country, had made himfelf Mafter of it an hour before. m ah Ant* Antitheus divided his Army into two Bodies, the Mercenaries of 'Theri- fi ri P lm "fi- agene, and his Auxiliary [ 7heomacbians. Being attended with his Life-Guard litws m$Okg~ he led the Tkeriageniavs himfelf, whom he plac'd in the right Wing . having ">'<>me. aflign'd the chief Commands to ^Dogmmfornes , who was his Lieutenant- God***"* Genera! , h Vhiledones , ' l Pafenantius , k ^utatttus , • Antholkcs , m Antigra- p rht hghmr pbus, n Udemellon^wd the reft ofhis Confidents. He chofe all under-Officers °^'t b ' e ^' f out of rhofe whom he elleem'd moft true to him. His Confederate Ikeoma- Gttdtuf,. chixns being plac'd in the left Wing were led by their General ° Theojlyges. T *««W Thofe who were moft of Note in the Army , and chiefly look'd upon as Per- %**«»)«& fons upon whofe Cofvduft and Valour the Succefs of the Fight depended, »«*. .were P Archicacus , q UMifagathas, r Amfius , i Adieus, l An&des, u Androfhro- \fl^ tHi,m nus, x jfjemnus, Y Aneleemon and » Aneceftus. u a wmrdmr. The Theoprepian Army was commanded by Tbeofebius : for after a loving x ^f 1 "'**- Contention, which lafted a good while, between the two Kings before y ^mirdhft they could determine who fhould give Orders and Command with a fingle man. Power, each of them offering that Honour to the other, and bo:h refufing iff f," unch * rL ' ° ' o X*blt mint. with 1 yo jiaintiboUo and Crania. Bookvi. with an equal Modeity,Alabion conjuring ibeof'ebius by the Love which had brought him into Iherugene , to command his own Army and to give him leave to Fight by his fide , Jbeofebitts was forc'd to accept that Authority. AAHatnof j ne Army , which confifted of fix thoufand Foot and four thoufand Horfe, bJMjdmmr was divided into two Bodies i one commanded by iheoj'ebius himfelf , who tf Mt». was accompanied with the Prince of ' Ihertagenc, Eentivolio , and a Mijopjeu- djtl' rttUU f' ^ es ' who defir'd the Honour to fight by him. The other was put under the truth. Obedience of t Ly fender, to whom c Famretus, d Fbilalethes, and « Nicoma- eontwhtto*- c f m joyri'd themfelves, every particular Regiment being led by fuchCom- futrs m*ght. niandersas infpir'd rn eir Followers with courage. As foon as the Day began to appear , the Warlike Trumpets founding from all the parts of the Camp rais'd the Souldiers to the Battel , of which they were fo impatiently defirous , that many prevented the rifing of the Sun, and put on their Arms whilft it was yet dark ; and roufing that War- like humour which had lien afleep fince the Fight againft Jheromachia. they gave a clear Evidence that they had not forgot the Art which they had not for a long time pra&ic'd. When they were drawn up into a regular Order in the place appointed for the Fight , Iheojebius -ixAALethion riding by the Head of every Regiment fhew'd themfelves to the Souldiers , whom they found fo enflam'd by the fight of their Enemies , that they had more need to command them to make a Hand then to incite them to go forward. The Princes faid not much to them,becaufe they perceiv'd their Courage already heightned infinitely above the necefiities of Exhortation. However this . Aftion was not in vain , for their Hearts were kindled with a more v igorous Heat by the prefence of their own King and in the fight of the wrong'd Prince, whofe Reftauration they were now to attempt. Thofe of Tberiagene were deftitute of a juftCaufe, and fo could not have that afliftance which Valour never refufeth to take from a ferene Confcience ; yet they appear 'd with a defperate Boldnefs , and felt in their Hearts all thofe Motions which Anger, Hatred, Hope and defire could raife : Nay, they feem'd to encreafe their Courage with Fear ; for , knowing what they had done , they aiTured themfelves of the greateft Punifhments if they fhould be conquer'd ; and therefore heightned their Refolutions of killing thofe who, if they liv'd, would in a little time become their Judges. Both Armies having made themfelves ready to march , the Trumpets were commanded to give the laft Signal , aid they refounding from the Banks of ttie River , and multiplying their noifes with the Echo's of the Wood, made a delightful Terrour. The two Forlorns of Horfe fent from each Party gave the firft Charge , and laid many men upon the ground , and fAwr^iti their Horfes by them: But f Arijlander , who commanded the Ibeoprepi- M<>n ' arts, with an irrefiftable Force prefling upon thofe of Tberiagene, made them retreat to their Army with the lofs of half their men. Then the main Bodies of both Armies advancd towards each other, and feconded what \ was begun with the Engagement of their whole Forces. The commanders of both fides were the firft in this Charge , and made a dreadful Salutation with the mutual exchange of Blows and Wounds ; but, being encompaft by their Souldiers, they were forc'd to leave off their fing-e Combats , and op- pofe the joynt Fury of their numerous Enemies. Now it was, that Death began to appeir with a difmal Face, and to ftiew g 4 lover »f the awful Greatnefs of her Mortal Power in the Horrours of Slaughter and rrutb. Confufion. S Alethion having efpied h Dogmapornes , thundred upon him tfawfmu WItn a ' ouc * crv i feying* now I w1 ^ requite you for writing Letters forme ; and riding up to him with an aftonifhing Prefence ran him through the Eody : a and Book vi. -Bsntibotto and fflrania, i 9 t and perceiving that a Jntholkes came upwith an eager delire to revenge hisa Onevjh<>~ Death , or elfe to die with him , Yes (aid the Prince , he can have no fitter drav " the """'" Companion in his Torments then you who have afliited his Sin; and as he'"" 7 **"''' fpake thefe words , gave Jntholkes leave to take his Death from the point ofhisfword , upon which he lanhimfelf precipitant ly , aiming an effectu- al Blow at Jlethions Head. b Pbilcdones at the lame time was thrown upon b Al*vn of the ground by iheojebius c Atttithcus fought disguis'd,the Fears which were ple *f urt - created by his guilty Confcience making him flie to that mean fort of refuge. CJu ^ th!lB ' But Bentivolio having difcovdr'd him by fome token , broke through thofe who flood in his way , and leaving bloudy marks of his Paffage rode up to him, and gave him a blow upon the head , which would have cleft his Skull if it had not been guarded with an Helmet which was made for a more wor- thy Perfon ; however ', it made him bow down low upon his Horfe's neck ; and his Body beginning to leave the Saddle Bentivolto prevented his Fall, for he pull'd him from his Horfe, and carrying him before hirn upon the Eow of d Owwonhf his Saddle gave him in Cuftody to d A : x lurch us, one ofTheofebius his Captains, ,0 Comm * ni - who,knowing the Importance of his Charge,plac'd him difarm'd in the mid- dle of hisTroop,and watch'd him lb diligently that he made his tfcapeim- pofsible. e Jutautus and l Problems did in vain endeavour his Refcue, for e one who a- they were both kill'd. one by s [heofebius, and the other by h <>JMifopfeudes, ( tr > b "*u »« who receiv'd a Wound in his Breaft by a thrufi of Profelenus his Sword. ' f'Zn'/iom be- Thofe in the left Wing did things equal to the right. '<■ Lyfander charg'd.M the mom. k Jheofiyges the General of the 1 Theomachians , and after a few blows given *£*&*&" with an unexpreffible Courage , theoflyges receiv'd one in his Neck , which h a Hater ef made it unable to fupport his Head , and , as he lifced up his hand to ftrike f al J h ^ i - again, tumbled under his Horfe's Feet. He was accompanied in his Death komodiZ'u by m Androphsnns and n Aneleemon^\\o fell by the fame hand. °Anoftus being Gei - fiercely charg'd by P Kaladoxus loft his life with his Head, which Kalodoxus l *'*%% i a- gainSl God. cut off. q Sympathus , Charifiion and t Pajiphiius iignaliz'd themfelves by the to a murderer. Death of f Mifagathus , * Adieus , u Afemnus , and fome others , who feem'd n "* m «" l '{* to be the ftouteft men that led the Jheomachian Van. * Anttgraphus , who o^wkked fought with the Theomachians , was met by y Nicomachus , whofhot him ***»■ in the Mouth, and lodg'd a brace of Bullets in his Brains, and after hiindif- p °'" °f" eih pitch'd * Saprobius with his Sword. a Uieromimtts , who would needs thruft qACowp^c- himfelf into the Fight, (though he had no command) being known toa " a ' ecW " ji/ ' pri va e Souldler who had feen him in Theoprepia, was kill'd with the But-end fji'mtuA of his Mufquer. b Etiphron having charg'd too far into the Enemies Body '«««. wasunfortunanely ilain. c Arijlander having feen him engag'd , endeavour'd s a P at / V "^ with all poffible fpeed to hew out a way to his relief; but not being able to t °!aI u»jua come where he was fonn enough to fave his life , hefellwithan impetuous """'■ rage upon thofe who kill'd hinund fetch'd off his dead Body. In this Action lfj"»" v ' rwt dnjhnder receiv'd one Wound in his Thigh arid another in his Ann , which x Antiftripu* prov'd mortal to him. l r,fi - Whilft the Victorious Arms of the left Wingdiftrefs'd the Theomachians^ueTsZri^t. in the Front,a fudden Ruine hatrened upon them in the Rear. For Panaretus z °»'»f* «"• and Phiblethes beinginfnrm'd of a private way through the Wood.by which ™on'£,'h * pel fetching a fmall Compafs they might come behind the Theomachians, they Ho b »*'»?'• acquainted Lyfander with their delire to furround the Enemy, and receiv'd ^fjlffa' of him four hundred Horfe with which they put their Defign in Execution, c a w" g" 'i and flew in upon them with anappearance which was fo much the more dread- Man - ful becaufe it was unexpected , and made the Theomachians think that Death had hedg'd them in upon all fides. However taking a Defperate kind of Cou- rage i 9 2 Jl&eiuiboiio and Crania. Bookvi^ rage from their Danger they fought ftoutly ; and though they were beaten, yet the Jheoprepians found fuch confiderable Refiftance that it coft many of them their lives. At length the Theomachutns feeing moft of their Leaders (lain , and fo many of their Companions kill'd that they were put out of all hopes of Victory; fome ofthofe few which furviv'd threw down their Arms and defir'd Quarter, others endeavour'd tofave their lives by tunning diforderly to Antitheus his Divifion, which was a very fmall relief; for they were fo difcourag'dby theofebius and his Invincible Army , that having left their moft confiderable Officers dead upon the ground , and having feen others taken,they began to flie; hoping at leaft to delay their Death by reti- a n* city #f ring to < Pelifiherion. Be»as. b Euge»ius,-who was a faithful friend to Alethion^vd ftaid in Jheriagene to $$$£. ferve his Intereft,receivda fall from his Horfe the day before the Fight,and pretending to be much hurt by it he took his bed ; by which means he gain'd an occafion to remain at home to execute the Defign which he had contriv'd c An AthiiR. againft c Antitheus, which was, to furprize the City whilft he was engag'd in the Field : and accordingly having given notice of his purpofe to Jlethion d AnMiipif. by one of his Servants well known to Bentivolio , d Jmyntor with a feleft Company of Horfe at the hour which was appointed by Eugenius march'd towards Polijtberion unfeen by the Enemy , and carrying Antitheus his Colours which they had taken in the Fight , he came to a Gate which Euge- nius had fecur'd , and having let him in they feiz'd upon the Town for jilethion. This Aftion made the attempt of thofewho hop'd to efcapeby flight of little advantage to their fecurity ; for being purfu'd and kill'd by the theeprefixn Horfe, when they drew near to the Town they were de- ftroy'd by the great Guns and Mufquets which play'd upon them from the Walls : and this did fo confound them with an unexpi-eftible Ddpair , thac being neither able to fight nor run away , they ftood ftill and cry'd for Mer- cy : which though they did not obtain at firft, yet it was granted as foon as the Prince of Ther'ugeoe and theofebius could come up: For one of them defir'd not to fee more of his Subje&s flaughter'd , and the other could not endure to behold fomany men kill'd after they had given over all Refiftance. They exhorted the Souldiers to be content with their Viflory without more bloud , which could not make it more acceptable ; and they were not dif- obey'd when their Commands were heard. Thus did the Juftice of Heaven punifli the Rebellion of Antitheus and his Accomplices,and inafhorttime utterly fruftrate all che Probabilities which he had fram'd to fupport a faint Hope of efcaping Deftruction. And now, the Princes having given order to take care of the Wounded Souldiers , and to fecure the Prifoners , Theofebitis went into Alethio/t'sCoach , and taking Bentivolio and Panaretus with him , fent his Commands to Lyfander to lead his men towards the City , which they knew to be in their Friends hands both by j4.lethion% Colours , which were plac'd upon that Tower which was over the Gate by which they were to enter , as alfo by a MelTen- ger fent from jfmyntor. When they were come to the City-walls , they were met by Eugenius, who being tranfported by the fight of Alethion, alighted offhis Horfe to perform his Devoir to him , and kneel'd down to kifs his Hand , but was not able to fpeak for Joy. Rife up,rife up,my faith- ful Friend,faid the Prince, ( taking him into his Arms ) I fhall never forget the Affections which you have alwayes preferv'd for me ; neither fliall any time blot out of my mind thofe obliging fervices by which you have de- monftrated your Love. He had not time to reply , for the Princes came out Book vi. 2J5enttt)olto and (Ulrama* 193 1 . _____ .' out of their Coaches intending to march into the City on Horfe-back ; and then he was interrupted by the Embraces of the Prince of Iheoprefia, who had much endear'd him to himfelf for thofe high Offices which he had perform'd for a Prince whom helov'd above any man in the World, and then fignified his Affection in Words full of Efteem. When Eugenia* was got loofe from Ibeefebiut, Bentnolio, pafilonately affected with the fight of one who had oblig'd him with all the Expreflions of a moft Gene- rous Friendfhip, ran to him with open Arms, faying as he went, And is it true, my dear Eugcmus, that God hath given us leave to meet again both fofoonandfo happily? Yes, Beatholio, replied Eugenius, and J efteem it no fmall part of this Day's Felicity to meet one who was never out of my Memory and Defire fince we parted. The reft of the Company having per- form'd their affe&ionate Salutations to this Excellent Perfon, the Princes entred the City, whilft the Great Guns founded from the Walls, and the People Eccho'd to that joyful noifewith their loudeft Acclamations in all the Streets through which they paffed to the Palace. It is not poflible for me to exprefs that endearing Welcome which Alethio* gave to the Prince oftbeoprepia after his arrival into the Houfe, nor to repeat thofe many pafllonate Acknowledgments which he made to him for that Ge- nerous Dove by which, God having made it fuccefsful, he was reftor'd to his Throne, proteftingto Jheofebm that the re-enjoyment of his Kingdom was infinitely more acceptable fince it was accomplish 'd by his means, then it could have been any other way. Theofebiw, who fo entirely lov'd the Per- fon of^/etbien, that heefteem'd all his Jnterefts his own, return'd an anfuer full of Modefty and fweetnefs, affuring him that he took more joy in the Re- ftauration of Methion to his Kingdom, then he Should have found forrow in the lofsof his own. The firft thing which they did after they had fetled themfelves,was to take care of their Wounded Friends, to whom when Aletbion had declar'd his Defires to Confeerate the following day for a publick Thankfgiving to Al- mighty God for the Vidtory by which he was reftor'd to Tberiagene, and tberiagene to it felf,they entreated him to delay his Order for a day or two, not doubting but they fhould be able in that time to accompany him in that moft worthy Adtion,and in which they thought themfclves highly concern'd to have a fharc, Whereupon Alethionmz&t choice of the third day,which was cheerfully celebrated by the Princes and thofe many gallant Perfons who ac- companied them in rhe Expedition's alfo by the Citizens, whoobferv'd it with all imaginable fignifications of a thankful Joy. Thefe Solemnities being appointed, the two Kings agreed to fend to Ibeoprepia, to let their Friends know the happy Succefs of their Undertaking, and to fetch the Queen, the Princefs a Agape ^ Urania , c Tbeonoe and d Irene, with their Companions ; the whole Court earneftlydcfiring to have thofe noble Perfons prefent at fuch bn^Vfc a joyful time, and of which they thought their Fruition incompleat till their cVMnMmi. Friends enjoy'd a part with them. Having pafs'd the Evening in Tbeofebim d *'*"• his Chamber, the Company took their leave, their wearinefs compelling them to withdraw to their feveral Lodgings which were as well appointed a A ^"tf as fuch a feafon would permit, ^v/%* The next day a ,/letbion, b Tbeofebiia, Bentivolio, € Fartarettts, d JPhila/e- ofGei. tbes, and many other excellent Perfons, being met at e Mifopjeudes his Yjullnof' Appartment, who was forc'd to keep his Bed by reafon of the Wound truth. ° J " which he had receiv'd, Aletbion defir'd the Counfel of his Friends concer- eA Bm » "F ning the Settlement of his Affairs. Ibeoftbius advis'd him to pumfofAntitbe/a (^ u j t \, int C c and 194 ll&cntifcolio and (Urania. Book VI. and the chief Jnftruments of the Rebellion, and then to confirm ihtAmnefty which he had promis'd, and fo engage his Subjects Minds to a chearful Obe- dience tor the future by AiTurance of Pardon for # their paft Offences. The reft approving this Advice, a Lift of the Frifoners was brought, and their names read. Many of the Chief Actors in that fatal Tragedy,which had caus'dfomuch trouble, were ftain. g Bfychopannix, h Jftromantis, • £an- h£ht^f"ti» thnetm and k Scepticm being well horfed flee into ' Theomachia. The princi- ±o*l pal of thole who were in Cuftody were Antitheus, m Ajynetui, n Pafenantim twTs T'lbe ant * ° Mdemellon of the Jheriagenians ; P sschicacHt, time in fuch employmencs as were neceffary for the Re-fettiement of the to aiu Affairs of the Kingdom, Bentivolio and Banaretus having undei ftood by the °come! mZ " Chirurgeons that the Wounds which §■ Ariftander had receiv'd in the late p iht beginner Fight were Mortal, refolv'dto give him a Vifit, and tofpendwhat time of Mifthef. t < col ,] fi f parc f rom other occafions in the Converfationof that moft Ex- diutpirfon, cellentMan. When they came to his Lodging, they found him accompa- *m lnC ( rr '' n i ec * with his intimate Friend h Athanafitts and his Brother » Virbiut, and b rbfcuYof attended by his two Sons k Calliftas and l Hilarion, m Medenarete alfo was Biaiis. there, and a Brother of hers call'd " Synthnefcon, who having heard that AonVof w5# Ariftander s Wounds had put his Life in extream danger, thought her felf Difpofition. oblig'd to give him a Vifit, and to perform thanks to him for having fav'd e J/w" f '^ ner brother the day before from that death which he muft have found under fA liver of the Feet of the theofrepian Horfe, if it had not been for the charitable Af- irutb. fiftance which he receiv'd from Arifiander, and which he muft have loft how- \£* tryg ever, if he had not been pardon'dby;4/*»g- refponds with thefe natural Anticipations of their Duties, then for a Wo- man to have fair Eyes plac'd in juft difhnces upon her Face; It is as in- grateful to a man that confiders, to find his Actions diffent from this obliging Knowledge, as it is unacceptable to fuch as know Mufickj to hear a Luteniff play upon an Instrument out of tune. Thofe things which confift of many Parts, or of various Faculties, are capable of no Perfection but what con- fiftsina proper Union of thofe Parts, and a regular Ordination of their Fa- culties ; which is not mutable at pleafure, but perpetually fix'd to the Na- ture of every particular Being; As it is not any Connexion of Parts that will make an handfome Body, for if any Member be diforderly plac'd, there will be a Deformity : So the Soul by its rare Conftitution having many Pow- ers, as the Rational, the bafcible and Concupifcible, its Perfection doth ne- cefTarily depend upon the due Subordination of thefe Faculties to one ano- ther.When the Rational Vr'mciplej which is adorn'd with the fore-men t ion 'd Notions, gives Laws to our Appetites, and they are obedient, then Ver- tue glorifies our Conftitution, and fhews the Excellency of its Nature both in the decent Moderation of our Paflions, and in a lovely Connexion of be- coming 198 2l5srmt»olto and Crania. Book VI. coming Actions. But when thtfe Divine Rules are neglected, it is no more poflible that the Soul fhould be in its natural frame, then that the Body fhould enjoy health if the Nerves which tie it together were cut in pieces ; or for a City to efcape Contufion, if the Inhabitants defpife the Laws; or for a Mufician to compofe delightful Airs by a carelefs jumbling of Notes without the Rules of Art. The Vertue of Human Souls hath natural Orders, certain Meafures, and i.s determ'm'd by Laws which can no more be alter'd at pleafure, then the Proportion which is between three and Six in Arithmetick. This is enough, Medenarete, tofhew you that Vertue is an unalterable Congruity with our Souls, and in its own nature fix'd as much as any other thing : to which I will now add, that thofe foremention'd Notions are not only natural Qualities interwoven with our Effence, but alfo Participations of that increated Goodnefs which is in the Divine Nature, fo far as it is communicable to Men. Though that be incomprehenfible in the Infinitenefs of its Perfections, yet it hath reveal 'd it fe If in the known Properties of Jujlice, Veracity, Love, Benignity and Mercy; which whofoever imitates, lives conformably to God's Life ; and whofoever thinks he may afflict the In- nocent, violate hii Faith, refuse tofheve Mercy, and abandon Charity,doth foo- lifhly efteem it a Pri viledg to be difengag'd from the ties of that Goodnefs to which the Divine Will is alwayes determ'm'd. I told you a fo, I remember, that fome of thefe noble Qualities are fattened upon our State as Apendages immutably proper to it, and it muft befo; for who can think of thofe Words, Gcd and a Created Being, but hemuft neceflarily infer that it is unalterably fit,that as the loweft Creatures are neceflarily fubjeft to their Maker, fo Man, being endu'd with Reafon, by which he underftands his Relation, and is made capable of Law and voluntary Subjection, fhould fubmit himfelf of Choice to his Creator , acknowledg his Dependance upon him, and feeing himfelf plac'd in a higher Degree of Being, increafe his Thankfulnefs proportionably ? By the Notions of Gods Goodnefs and Excellency implanted in our Souls we are oblig'd to love him for himfelf ; as we have Unforftanding and Will, which are the Principles of Moral Vertues, we are bound to receive the Divine Illuminations as our higheft Wifdom, and both fmcerely to conform our Wills to Gods Commandments , and to reft fatisfied in his Appointments with all humble Complacence. Thenature of our State doth oblige us alfo to obferve the Rules of Righteoufnefs towards others ; for he who gave us our Being did not only make us unwilling to be wrong'd our felves, but thereby alfo taught us that we ought not to wropg others. And though he hath beftowed Self-love upon us, yet he alwayes requires us to manage it fo as becomes thOfe who know they are but Creatures, that they have Souls as well as Bodies, and owe Love to their Neighbours as wellastothemfelves. Thofe who contradict the Reafon of thefe Duties do barbarcufly di fown the Relation in which they fhand to God, and endeavour plainly to put off the Nature of Creatures ; for Sin is a Contradiction to our State, and a For- feiture of the Being which we hold at our Creator's Pleafure. TheUnnaturalnefsof fuch Difubedience will appear yet farther, if we confider that the Happinefs which is proper to Humanity cannot be ob- tained without a compliance with Vertuous Rules ; for the happy Repofeof ourSpirits will be difturb'd if we fin.Whilft our Aft ions contradict the Know* ledge of our Duty, we offend the moft delicate fenfe of our Souls, and by - offering violence to the Law of our Mind we fall out of our own Favour, expofe Book vi. identtboito and Crania. 199 expofe our felves to the fharp Remorfes of a wrong'd Confcience, and put our felves to a pain much like to that which we feel in our Bodies when a Bone is diflocated. A Sinner becomes his own Tormentor, and is vex'd to fee that he hath done himfelf a mifchief by a propofterous endeavour to fa- tisfie a vicious Will. God having fo infeparablyannex'dourbeftfatisfacti- on to the Rules of our duty, the old Philofopher might have given a very p'aulible reafoh for his Paflion, if he had included thofe who endeavour to divide Pleafure from Eonejly, in the Curie which he wifh'd upon thofe who firft attempted the Divorce of Vertue and Profit. However the Attempt is tonopurpofe ; for the diftrefs which accompanies Vice is fo unavoidable, that the moft infolent finners which are recorded in Hiftoryhave confefs'd an Inward Nemefis to follow them, and to compenfate the Wickednefs of their Aflions with proportionable Punifhments, making every place too hot for them, and all Conditions uneafie. Thofe who have fo far de- fpis'd Vertue, that they would not acknowledg i t to be any thing, have not- withstanding found the burden of an Evil Confcience to be extream heavy, and complain'd of the Torments which they fuffer'd from the Difpleafure of the In-dwelling God. How natural this disturbance is, appears alfo from the Reftlefnefs of profligate Offenders, who, though they enjoy the Succefs of their Vices, and live in the heights of Luxury by the benefit of Rapine, do yet defire rather to have gotten Riches by fome honeft means, being re- prov'd by themfelves when they confider thatUnhandfomnefs which will ne- ver ceafe to attend their unjuft IYofperities. This gives us afiurance that the Laws of Vertue are offeree to condemn where they are not obey'd,and that the Divine Light is feen when it is not follow'd, and that it is a very jejune ' Explication of the Torments of Confcience to fay that it is only this, Some men fay that tbey knew them who knew others who knew the State of Sinners to be u ' b ^ (tnhappy. Befides this I might alfo add, that the unalterable Repugnance of Vice to our Felicity ismanifeftby thofe extravagant Appetites and wild Defires to which men are often fubjeft, which, whilft they are not mortified by Vertue, do gall the Soul by a ravenous unfatisfiablenefs, and make whatfo- ever might administer to its content ufelefs. By that which I have faid concerning Good mens Happinefs, I would not have you think that the Repofe of Vertue confifts only in a dull Indolence, a meer freedom from Grief, or fuch a State of Content as that in which we find our felves after we have quench'd a Thirft : for Good men experiment alfo, fuch A&ual Pleafure as thirfty perfonsfind when they drink Delicious Liquors, both whilft they are converfant in the Operations of Vertue,and when they call to mind the Honeft Actions of their paft life. By which it appears that they are not mov'd to compliance with Holy Rules by Extrane- ous Principles, or are indued to perform their Duties by Mercenary P^r- fwafions, as Hopes of Honour and Defire of Riches: They have Innate Motives far more cogent from that rare Content which is the natural -Com- panion of Vertue; and Good men have ahvayes thought this Intellecto&l Delight fofar beyond thefenfual Titrations of fleflily Objeels, that they haveefteem'd Wicked perfons not to fall more below the Dignity of fuch as are Good by the Depravations of Vice, then they do crime tfiort oT their enjoyments in the truth of Pleafure, under which preterice they be- came Renegado's to Vertue. Thofe who affirm Pleafure to be the end of all. Human AdHons, fpeak true enough if they underftand themfelves well ;■ and there isno danger in that 200 Identibolio and Crania. Book vi. that which they fay, if f hey be not miftaken by others. As nothing is of more pleafant guft to our rational Appetite then to do excellent Things, fo it is proportionable to the great Ends of our Nature to fcek fuch Delight ; for in this purfuit we come to tafte the Pleafures which all Good men find in the noble Union of their Souls with the Divine Will, and fo partake of true Freedom: for being by this more pleafing Fruition unchain'd from the mean love of little things, andfecur'd from the Diffraction of low Defires, they are joyn'd to that great Good, which is ever prefenc with all but thofe who have difpers'd their Souls amongft infinite Vanities, and fo do not enjoy themfelves ; or who having contracted a Contrariety of Difpofition to God's mind, are not capable of Union with him. Vertue prepares us for God's Inhabitation, who is never unwilling to dwell in Good men : And whilft they give him, as they ought, his Right of Willing what he pleafeth in them, and acting their Powers according to his Divine Wifdom and Goodnefs, they partake of the greateft Happinefs to which Men can be exalted, and fatisfie rheir Minds in the enjoyment of the chief Good, which doth alfo inftill into their Souls and preferve there a pleafant Hope of Immortal Fe- licity, by the continuance and advancement of the fame Fruition in the Eternal World •, they being fufficiently affur'd that nothing can feperate a Soul from everlafting Blifs, which is married to God by hearty Love. And this do:h Compleata Good mans Repofe; for being at peace with himfelf by reafonof the Friendly Teftimony of his Confcience, and high- ly pleas'd with his prcfent ftate, he finds alfo an nnfpeakable eafeof Mind in the Hopes of that which hefhallbein the Life to come. tJvtrygtiti Thus, faid a Arijtwder, turning to\fvc6s h ^ledenarete^ lhave obey'd hone who y° ur Command, having fhew'd you the Excellent Nature of Vertue, affur'd hiiivts ptrtue you concerning its Exiftenc;e, and given you an Account of that Happinefs u h ustbing. wn i cn Good men derive from it. After this it would be impertinent to add much to overthrow your Objections 5 for they muft needs fall of themfelves. If Vertue doth include in its own Nature an effential Congruity with Reaso- nable Souls, there is no moreneceffity of a Law to render its Rules Obli- ging, then to pafs an Ad to make it fit for us to fee with our Eyes ; and fince Vice doth al waves difcompofe that natural Order, it is as impofTible for all the civil Power in the World to make it agreeable to our Conftituti- on, astomakeusfwell with our Ears. That Vertuous menarenot good for Fear of being punifh'd,is fufficiently eonfirm'd by that which I have already difcours'd ; and I muft tell you that this is a very Contemptible Objection •, for they do not efteem any man Good but him who will not fin though he is not in danger of any external Mulct ; neither do they account him an Honeft man with whom they durft not play at even and odd in the dark. And if you ask then what ufe there can be of Laws, which are alwayes vain without the fuppofition of Punifh- ment ; I muft let you know that they are prudently given with a general refpeft to all men. To the Bad, becaufe fince all will not underftand the Rea- fbns of their Duties ; nor be perfwaded to love Vertue for moft worthy con- federations; it is of great Intereft to the World that Wickednefs fhould not befpredby Impunity, but that enormous perfons being direcled by Law Ihouldalfo be reftrain'd from difobeying it by Sufferings. They are alfo highly ufeful to theGood,not fo much to hinder them from doing that which isnot Juft, as that they may not be wrong'd by the Vicious, who are de- terr'dfrom hurting them with violent actions by the fear of thofe Penalties which are annex'd to them. That Book vi. »nttbotto and flHrania* 201 That which you objected concerning the different Apprehenfions which men have of Good and Evil, doth not infringe the real diftindion which is between them, or prove that this difference is not known naturally, more. then it is poffible that the Whole fhould be no bigger than the Part, becaufe fome have been or may yet be found who doubt whether it is or no. Neither is it any wonder that fome entertain falfe Opinions, becaufe there are Mul- titudes of various Examples i-nthe World, and many follow the worfr,being ufually fo flothful that they will not take pains to examin which is the beft. Vertue and Vice, as you fay, are confounded in mOft mens aflions: but that doth not prove that they are not Eternally diftinguifhcl in their No- tions, or that it is not natural for Human Nature to love Vertue ; fince fome make themfelves fick through Intemperance^ hough nothing is more natural then thedefire of Health ; and fome put out their Eyes, whichare fo tenderly regarded by Mankind. This Argument is of no force, unlcfs you think thefe are good Condufions ; That there are no good Laws in Ci- vil Societies,becaufe men do fometimes Rebel ;That there are no good Prin- ciples, becaufe the Inconfiderate offer Violence to them;and that there is no life of fober ReafOn in the World, becaufe fome are Diftrafted. That any fhould fay, as your Iaft Objection fuppofes, that God might, if he pleafe, alter thefe effential Notions of Good and Evil, is fo monftroufly extravagant, that I cannot but wonder at the Ignorance or Impudence of thofe who dare fpeak this blafphemous Falfhood. At their Inipudence,in afferting that which fuppofes it to be no Abfurdity for God, if he pleafe, to make it Good that his Creatures fhould not acknowledge him, which is a horrid Contradiction ; or at their Ignorance, whilft they foolifhly affirm that which overthrows all Religion. For if we receive this Principle, That there isnot any thing Indifpenfably Good, or that the Divine Will is not regulated by it ; they have undermin'd our Faith, and taken away all foun- dation of Hope, leaving us, as far as in them lies, unafTuredbut that God may if he will condemn us for yielding Obedience to him, and that it is Juft too if he do it,notwithfhnding he hahdeclar'd the contrary. When a Ariftander had proceeded fo far, he defired all the Company , . except b Athxmfius, that they would pleafe to withdraw for a while into ^tan' 1 the next Room ; for his Chirurgeons were come to drefs his Wounds, b **■*»**' Which when they had open'd, Well , faid Jrijiander, how is it f We cannot promife much, faid the Chirurgeons, as to your Recovery,for we are , afraid we fhall not be able to prevent a Gangrene. Arift under perceiving in their Countenances that by the Rules of their Art they difcern'd more danger then they did exprefs to him, defir'd that his Friends might be call'd in. They return'd ; and when they had enquir'd concerning the (rate of hi* Bo- dy, I have receiv'd , faid ^Arijlander^ no unwelcome news; forHappinefs can never come too foon. I have alwayes made the Belief of my Soul's Immortality one of the chief Principles of my Anions: for whilft Iconfi- der'd its nature, and perceiv'd that it would not fail to fubfift after my Bo- dy, having a Duration affign'd to it commenfurate to Eternity, I could not ^[/Ju'ffi'tM- but underfhnd how contemptible that fhort fpaceof time is which God hath wm*g '*» allotted to our Continuance in this lower World in refpeftof that which is / " ,ww ^ / "/ •/ to fucceedif, and thereupon I inferr'd, that the Happinefs which we en- joy in this ftate isnot comparable to that which awaits us after our fepara- tion from this Flefh ; and confequently, that it is an Effential part of true Prudence, to be infinitely more folicitous that we may be happy here- after, then to avoid any prefent Inconveniencies. And fince I know that D d there 2 o2 jiaentibolio and Crania. Book vi. there is no way to that Felicity which I hope for but by Death,and remem- ber that Death is a very fhort paffagetoit, I fhould be untrue to my Prin- ciples, and abandon my belt hopes, if I were unwilling to die. otuiuho think.' I perceive, faid * Synthnefcon, making a Reply to jinfiander's Difcourfe, ,h "b S °h! bJ' tnac y° ur Coura g e is the laft F ricnd tnaC wil1 take leave of youjand I cannot W " ' ' 7 ' but approve your love of an Opinion which is fo pleafant,that fome of thofe who were not fure that it was true have profefs'd that they would never fuller themfelves to be perfwaded againft. it whilft they live. J grant that the right Government of our Life depends upon true Principles, and that we cannot attain Happinefs by the confequences of falfeOpinions ; and I muft acknow- ledg that the Principle which you have mention'd is very nobleand worthily fit to have a Directive Influence upon the whole courfe of our prefent Life, if we were affur'd of it's Truth. But I have been told that we have no Soul diftindt from the Body, and that what we call by that name is only a Con- temperation of Corporeal Humors , and a Connexion of thofe Integral Parts of which the Body doth confift ; and that when this vigorous Crafis is deftroy'd by mortal Sicknefs, and the Bodily frame taken in pieces by Death, then that which you call Soul ceafeth to be, as Mufical Harmony vanifheth with Sound ; and can no more fubfift after Death then a Figure is able to remain after thediflblutionof Figurated matter. Some exprefs them- felves thus, That all the Soul which we have is compos'd of Material Prin- ciples, andrefolv'd into them by Death i that is, our Spirit is nothing but a knot of united Atoms, and that death by difcompofing the Contexture doth diflipate us into loofe Particles, I know very well, faid ^Ariftander, that fome are not willing to think that the Soul doth exift after Death, and have taken great pains to objeft as much as they can againft its Immortality. But I have been told by men wifer then thefe Difsenters, that Human Souls are Immaterial Subftances, and there- fore incapab'e of that Diflblution which theBody fuffers by Death ; it being a known Principle in true Philofophy, that the Corruption of Material Sub- jects is brought to pafs only by a feparation of conjoyn'd Tarts : that is, by Divifion, which belongs only to Bodies whofeeflential property is Quantity. That the Soul is in no danger of fuch DifTolution , I have good reafon to think by thofe grounds of hope which I find in my one Experience. I am now old, and yet I perceive my felf to be the fame that I was fifty years ago. I have worn away many Bodies fince I was young, and therefore this fame I which remains ftill muft be a Soul,and that Immaterial. I cannot but . believe that if I had nothing in my felf diftinft from this corruptible Body, or that if Death had any wedge able to cleave my Soul, I fhould have feen fome Chip fall from it yefterday when my Arm was fawn off, and have felt my Soul grown lefs then it was before. I did not, lam the fame I ftill, and I do not doubt but I fhould be fo if the other Arm were cut off and after that ray Feet, and then the reft of thofe Parts which conftitute this Bo- dily Frame. Having this fenfible affurance, I take the more confidence to believe that I fhall eternally exift in this Rational Nature which now makes jne my felf. I know fome fay that Immaterial Beings, if there are any, may beMor- tal,though not by Separation of Parts, yet fome other way unknown to us : Ifuppofe they mean Annihilation. To which I anfwer, that though I cannot but acknowledge God may, if he will, deftroy what he hath made, and at his pleafure take away that Being which is deriv'dfrom his Power; yet I think it Abfurdto fuppofe that he doth Annihilate Souls, becaufe it is con- trary Book vi. 2l5enttboito and rifheth, being only a Mortal Vigour of warm Spirits. If 208 H&entibOliO and ©rania. Book VI. If it did cfcape thefe dangers, as you pretend it doth, I know not to what purpofe it fhould then be continued in Being ; for it cannot aft out of the Body, and having no Operations it muft needs be condemn'd to an un- happy Dulnefs in a moft afflifting Solitude. It can neither hear Mufical Sounds, nor fee thd Beautiful World, nor difcourfe, nor converfe with others ; and therefore it is rational to fuppofe that it doth not Exift at all. | I muftaddalfo, that what you call Soul in us feems to underftand that dark Fate which awaits it in Death, and that this fad Prefage makes men afraid to die. If the Soul were an Immortal Spirit able to fubfift of it felf, it fhould rejoyceto leave this Body, and it would findnoreafon to beenamour'd with it, if it be deftinated to an Immortal Happinefs, as you fay it is, in thefeparateftate. I have heard fome fay too, that if there be any fuch ftate, it feems very ftrange that none of thofe Millions of Souls which are gone into the other World fhould return and give us notice of their condition ; efpecially con- fidering that the great affeftion which many of them before their Departure feem'd to have for their Friends here, muft needs make them willing,if they be able, to inform them in fuch a weighty affair, and concerning which they do exceedingly defire tobeaffured. Thefe Arguments put together overthrowing alfrlopes , at lead the Certainty, of a Future ftate, they fuppofe it rational to improve the prefant to all poffible fatisfaftions : and though by reafon of this Unbelief they do many things which you efteeni vicious, and take that courfe of Life which you condemn; yet they think themfelves juftifiedby this, that they do but reap thofe Fruits which would perifh if they were not gathered, and that they flioujd live to no purpofe if theyliv'dotherwife. Arifiander perceiving xhztSynthnefcon had finifh'd his Ob;eftions,reply'd thus : I am glad that you let us know what may be faid againfl the Belief of our Immortality, becaufe you have given us occafion to confirm this gene- rous Tiuth, and to affure our felves that the Comfort which we take in ic hath a fure foundation in the unperifhable nature of the Soul which we have receiv'd from God. I will fhew you the Vanity of thofe Arguments by which you endeavour to gain credit to the Error of your difconfolate Opinion. But before I ajnfwer your Objections particularlv,I will premifea few things concerning the Temper and Defign of the * Fanihnetifo. ^SiSmf" Andfirft I muft give you notice, that whilft they deny the Immortality Bcdytoptrijb of the Soul upon this Suppofition , That there is no fuch thing in the m Death. W orld as Incorporeal Being, they beg the Queftion which they ought to prove, and think themfelves great Philofophet s when they have only affron- ted theTruthwith bold Contradictions. I might tell youalfo that that fhew of Argument which fome of them take from the Death of the Body, is but of the fame validity with the former Frefumption, and makes as much for us as againftus; fince whilft they talk confidently of the ftate of the Dead, they know not what it is to Die. They pretend indeed to do ferviceto Mankind, and undertake by their Principle to deliver us from thofe Fears which we are apt to apprehend in a future ftate : but do really adminifter no higher Confolation, then thofe who tell poor Sailers when they are diftrefs'd with ill weather, that within a few hours they fhall be drown'd. Which is infinitely below that encouragement which our Prin- ciple'beftows upon thofe who pafs through- this tempeftuous World ; for it affures all, who do not make themfelves incapable of it by a wicked Deport- Book vi. JbtntMlm and Crania- Deportment in the way , of a fafe Arrival in a happy Port after a few fhort Stonnsarepaft. T\\tl J anth»etijlsaSo ii»e.v thacthey are no Friends of God becaufe they take away the greaceft Verification of his Providence. Ifis well knownth.it things are not ahvayes brought to rights here; and that they induce men to trunk either chat there is no God , or elfe that he is not Good andjuft,by faying chat it iTiali not be done afterward. Eut the truth is, the chief ufe which they make of this falfe Notion is the Indulgence of a Vicious Life , in which they pieafe tbemfelves fo much the more freely , as they are able to make themfelves believe that they fhall not be call'd to'ac* count for it in the Eternal World But how udikely they are to enjoy what they expeft, I will fhew you, by dif covering the weak grounds upon which their Hope is built. You are tempted to think that the Soul is not an Immaterial Subftance, becaufe, as you faid , you cannot imagine how it fhould be united with one that is Materia!. But this Scrupleneed not trouble you , fince it rifeth on- ly from the unknowablenefs of the manner of this Union. You might as well doubt whether the parts of Matter be united; for there is as much dif- ficulty to apprehend the Connexion which one part of Matter hath with another , as in this Hypothecs. Can you eafily imagine with what Bond the parts of Iron are fo fait lock'd together, or what Cement makes the Particles of hard Stone cleave fo clofe to one another? if you fay they are united by Juxta-polition and Reft, we can as wellphancie the Soul to be imme- diately united with the Body, as the parts of Matter to be after that fafhion put clofe to one another ; and it is as demonftrable that the Soul may move the Body, and be in no more danger of being divided from it, then two Bo- dies are of being dif-united when they are mov'd together. I grant that this Union is one of the greateft Secrets in Nature, but yet a moft credible Truth ; for having prov'd chat the Soul is Incorporeal , and perceiving by Experience that it doLh inform the Body by an intimate Prefence , we have no reafon to doubt the poflibility of the fore-mention'd Con;un being depriv'd of all the Organs of bodily Senfe' and fo render'd unable to uriderftand or do any thing ; I crave leave to tell you, that though many of our prefent Faculties muft needs be buried in a kind of Sleep by Death , and though the particular defcription of the Fu- ture ftate in which our Souls fhall be after their Separation from the Body doth by many degrees tranfcend the capacity of our Reafon , and that God hath not fnpply'd that Defied with the clearaefs of Revelation ; yet being fully fatisfiedastonheExiftenceof our Souls after Death by the fore-men- tion'd Arguments, I am not difpleas'd that the Happinefs of my Future ftate is fo great that I cannot now comprehend it : and as I truft the Goodnefs of God for my Felicity, fo I leave the Manner of making me happy to his Wifdom ; not doubting but he will beftow upon the Soul, or awake out of it, Faculties futeable to that condition. And fince the Soul is an In- telligent Principle , and contains in it felf a power of univerfal Percep- tion , by which it now underftands what is reprefented by the Organs of Senfe ,• fo when it is deftitute of thefe Inftruments , it may well enough perceive after lbme more tranfcendent manner in a degree proportiona- ble to that which we attribute to God and Angels. He who made our Souls can ealily give than, when they are out of thefe Bodies, the Spe- cies of all things which will concern us to know , if we did not under* ftand them before , or to remember , if we did. That becaufe they can- not act as they do now , therefore they fhall be able to do nothing at all is an Argument no better then this, A man cannot fing, becaufe his Lute is broke. A Country Clown doth fcarce underftand any other ufe of his "Hands then to plow , to dig , to fow , to reap, or to thrafh ; but he would be Iaugh'd at if he fhould affirm that there were no other befides thefe: for we know to what excellent Imployments they are put by Lutenifts , Pain- ters , and other Artifts . And we may rationally think that there are no- ble Operations in the other State of which this Principle is capable , fince it doth declare an admirable Capacity at prefent; and fo there is no fear that we fhall be idle in the other World. That difconfolate Solitude which you talk'd of is as little to be dreaded ; for the Ethereal Regions muft needs be fo well Peopled,that we cannot eafily be alone , and the Com- panions to which Good Souls will then be gather'd are fo definable , that they will have no great mind to return hither. Whereas you fiaid that if Souls be Immortal , it is ftrange that they are unwilling to leave the Body, and that if they be deftinated to a happy condition , it is impoffible but they fhould rejoyce in the near approches of that Felicity to which Death doth tranfport them ; I mu/rdefire you to remember that this World is poffefs'd by two forts of Inhabitants, Good men and Bad. Bad men do not defire to leave their Bodies, neir ther is there any reafon why they fhould ; for though their Souls are Im- E e 2 mortal 2i2 jlbentibolio and dUrar.iti. Bookvi. mortal by Nature , yet they muft be unhappy by the appointment of juftice. They deny there is any Future ftate,and heartily wifh that there were none, becaufe they know that they have no fhare of Felicity in it. They are a- fraid to die, left they fliould be punifli'd : So Malefactors are unwilling to leave the Prifon , becaufe then they are carried to Execution. But this is no Argument againft the Immortality of the Soul , or the Naturalnefs of thofe Defires which we have of it , fince we know that men do fome- times make the Life which they enjoy in this World undefirable , though Naturally it is very dear unto them. Good men are not only willing to refign this Life , but fome have moft paflionately defir'd that they mighr. Hiftory doth fupply us with various Inftances of Excellent Peifons , who have eiteem'd the time of their Difiolution the Epocke of a better Na- tivity, and have protefted to their Friends an abfolute unwillingnefs to run the courfe of their Terrene Life over again : and thefe not Calamitous perfons wearied with the Miferies of the World , who like vex'd Game- fters throw up their Cards, not becaufe they have no mind top'ayany * ow who m o r e, but becaufe their Game is bad : No, * Synthnefcon , fuch as have en- thinkj the soul joy'd all the Delights of this prefent World, and they have had fuch a clear u die with the p re f a g e f tne i r p u t ure Blifs , that they complain'd of Death only for thofe Delays by which they thought themfelves kept from the Pofleflion of Im- mortal Joys. It is true that Naturally we have an unacceptable Senfe of our Diflb- Iution, which proceeds partly from the long and intimate Commerce which we have had with the Body , and is one of the moft considerable Imper- fections which we contract by the Incorporation of our Souls , and is highly increas'd in all who have plung'd themfelves deep into the love of Senfual Pleafures, prevails much in Melancholick Tempers, and /hakes weak Believers who have taken pains to know the reafon of their Faith , or to prepare tnemfelves for the Future ftate which they pretend to believe. Bat as it is fit that we fliould willingly ftay in the Body till ©ur work be finifli'd , fo the difficulties which attend our Departure from bence are eafily conquerable by all Good men , who are ufually fo far from fearing Death as a confiderable Enemy , that they do many times court it as a ferviceable Friend. That which you fuggefted againft the Reality of a Fature Life from the not-retuming of the Dead to give us Information concerning it , hath been often urg'd, but for the moft part infolently, andalwayes falfly. Will not men believe what is true , except they be told by fuch Meffengers as they require ? We know not what Laws are appointed to fuch as are rer- mov'd into the other World; but we may reafonably think that they cannot go whither they pleafe , or do what they will. Muft blefled Sou's leave their repofe to inform thofe concerning Truth , who are fuch Infidels that they will not believe their Saviour ? h~ the Damn'd Spirits be fuppos'd to have fo much Charity , which is very unlikely, yet how is it pofiible that they fliould fliake off their Chains of Darknefs , and break out of their Prifons , to come into the Regions of Light , to preach Immortality ? You ought to remember, Synthnefeon , that God hath indulg'd our weaknefs and fent many from the other World to give us notice of the certainty of a Future ftate ; the Saviour of Men being the chief Inftance of this Favour, who appear'd in Life after he was Crucified , and fhew'd hirofelf to many hundred Witneffes, whofe Teftimony is beyond all exception. But to make an end of this Difcourfe ; I grant, as youfaid in your laft words, Book vi. Benttoolto and Crania. 21 $~ words, that notwithstanding all the Satisfaction which God hath offer'd in ch;s particular by the Demonftrations of Reafon and the Confirmations of his Holy Gofpel , Infidels do ftiJ pretend want of affurance as to the truth of a Future life , and having objected the obfcure notice of what _; theyfhall be hereafter, think they have fufficiendy warranted their pre- fent Senfuality againftall juft Reproof, and , by a Philofophy fit for Beafts, conclude , that becaufe they have no Souls , they ought to indulge their Bo- dies in their moft brutifh Appetites. But the defect of their Difcourfeis manifeft in this, that they judgethemfelvestobe rare difcerners of Truth becaufe they do not believe it ; that they have great Wits , becaufe they are able to make Sophiftical Cavils againit that which they have fcarce ever took into their thoughts but with a purpofe to oppofe it ; and efteem them- felveswife in running the greateft hazard in the world, though t he v have not fpent much time in weighing the flightnefs of thofe Reafons for which they do fo, nor have confider'd with a juft ferioufnefs how infinitely the folidHappinefsof an Immortal (fate doth exceed thofe fleftily Pleafures I which they hold upon uncertain terms, the longeft Date of their Fruition which is pofllble being only a very fhort Life. Here let me tell you , Synthnefcm , one thing which hath been obferv'd by many wife men j That feeing the Credibility of an Immortal ftate doth exceed all the Probability of their bold Conjectures by as many degrees as the Blifs of Heaven tranfeends the vain Pleafures of a Senfual life , it lauft needs be fome extravagant love of fuch Liberties as are inconfiftent with other Articles of Faith which are joyn'd with this of Immortality; and which are repugnant to thofe Confequencies which follow from this Principle , which makes them fo boldly to expofe themfelves to the danger of an Eternal Mifery by Unbelief. It is a known Rule , that fuch as live Vicioufly will endeavour to believe Falfly ; and therefore I would advife you , inftead of a bufie purfuit of needlefs Arguments , to feek a confirm'd fenfeof the Truth of the Soul's Immortality, by living conformably to thofe Innate Principles ©f Vertue which fliine in ferene Spirits, and to await that clear Afiurance which is darted into Holy Minds with thofe heavenly Rayesof Divine Light which do frequently appear in all purg'd Souls: and when you enjoy your Faculties in a pacate temper, think with your felf whether it be probable that the moft good God will ever quench ordilTatisfie thofe fincere Defires which his Goodnefs hath pro- due'd in his true Friends , and which makes them not only to know , but to love their Immortality, not only to believe, but to delight in their Faith, hoping to enjoy God after Death more then before. Thofe who find their Souls enamour'd with the Divine Goodnefs, are not only prepar'd for the Celeftial Joyes of which that holy temper ofSoul can never bedeftitute* but have alfo an intrinfecal Afiurance from the Principle it felf; being ena- bled by the Power of it, notwithftanding the Violence of all Corporeal Aflaults, to prefer the pure Delights of Vertue before all muddy Content- ments of fenfual Pleafure , and to efteem the generous Satisfaction of an Ho- neft Mind infinitely above the greateft of thofe bafe Advantages which are Vicioufly obtain'd. Here Jrijlmder broke off his pleafant Difcourfe, and the Compefny be- gan to withdraw. * ^Meienarete , converted by Jriftattder , or rather* Ont ur,which I commend to your frequent perufal, and charge you to read the Commands which you find there as Indefpenfable Laws, not to be talk'dof, buto- bey'd. You will hear alfo foft Whifpers from your own Souls , telling you truly what you ought to do in moftCafes.I have left you force particular Af- fiftances in writing , which will direct you amongft other things what Eooks to read. The Rules which you will be able to frame to your felves byfo many Helps, you muft learn by Experience to apply prudently to all Emer- gencies of your Life. At prefentl fhall only acquaint you with a few Di- rections which come into my Mind. Perform all loving Obedience to your Mother , whom I have made your Guardian , knowing that now you muft look upon her as your Father too. Begin asfoon as you can to accomplifh your felves with thofe Perfections of which you are capable, remembring that Youth is a very Imperfect thing, and that the Future Hopes of young men do fo much depend upon an early Care, that the neglect of it doth alwayes make the Happinefs of their after- life difficult, and in fome cafes unattainable. Whilftyouareyoung, you muft be afraid of your felves •, for that Age is fo inconliderate , that though it mod needs Advice , yet it leaft regards it. You know not by how many Years your Life is meafur'd , and therefore make fuch ufe of your prefent Time , that you may not be prevented by Death or hindered by Difeafes from doing that which is proper to your refpective Ages. Take pains to a- dorn your felves with all the decent Qualities which may make you accep- table to Wife and Good men. Be not difcourag'd with any Difficulties which you tneet in the beginning of your Endeavours , neither defpond up- on the perception of your Imbecility ; remembring that there was a time when the molt famous Philofophers could not read the Alphabet. Let no- thing rifle the Modefty of your Souls , which is a connate Prefervative by which God hath fortified you againftmany Enormities. Keep the Virgin- purity of your Souls unfpotted. If you confent to fin > you will run into thofeErrours which you will never be able to forgive your felves whilft you live. Beftow fo much care upon your Body as will make it a fit Instru- ment for a thoughtful Soul. Know the Proportions of your Meat, Drink, Sleep and Recreations , and do not exceed them. Abhor Idlenefs as the Mother of innumerable Sins » but in toilfome Labours remember that the frail Body is not able to hold an equal pace with an Immortal Spirit. Neg- lect not Decency in your Apparel , Gracefulnefs in your Geftures, or Hand- fomnefs of Speech; only be Aire to avoid Vanity in them all: I would not have you fordid, oraffectate. Take heed of contracting any foolifh Habit , becaufe it is not only a Deformity , but hard to put off. You muft alwayes takean efpecial care with whom you aflbciate your felves ; for you can no more promife your felves to come away unhurt by Evil Company, then you can allure your Health in a Peft-houfe. When you think of dif- pofing your felves in a particular way of Life, take thatcourfe to which you are moft naturally inclin'd ; a particular Difpofition is an Indication of Fitnefs : and when you have engag'd your Thoughts , endeavour at a mode- rate Perfection of Ability to difcharge your Undertaking. You muft not think that you are come into a World where nothing is to be fiiffer'd , and therefore inure your felves betimes to bear little Hard-fliips : and fince you will be tempted with Flatteries from the way to true Felicity , be fure you have a watchful Eye againft the Delufions of Senfuality. Take heed of being Book vi. Benttbolto and (Urania* 217 being enflav'd with a fond Self-Jove, and of being abus'd by the troublefome effect of it, Self-piny, or deprefs'd with too affectionate a fympathy with the mortal Body. Endeavour to get Knowledg, confidering that an Igno- rant perfon is but a blind Beaft ; yet efteem humble Obedience infinitely a- bove the greaceft Knowledge, and be fure to affect Goodnefs more then Ho- nour or Riches. When you are tempted to be proud, remember the fal- len Angels; and when you perceive Humility difparag'd, think of your Saviour. Check the firft Relifhes of Self-excellency which you find in your Souls; if they grow Vigorous, they will ripen into Arrogant Thoughts and Deportment.. When men fpeak of Honour, know that they ufiiaUy miftake it ; for they make many vain things the Foundations of that which proceeds only from Vertue.In your Actions propound to your conftant Imi- tation one or two noble Examples, and think often whether that which you do would pleafe Brave men ; and judge it a great matter to deferve the Efti- mation of thofe who are Good,and account it a pitiful Weaknefs of Mind to fall out of your own favour by the Difapprobation of thofe whom you can- not but defpife. Look upon Contentment with your Portion as the grea- teft Inheritance which was ever en joy'd in this poor World; and having a moderate Eftate be thankful, and know that there only the pureft Tranquil- lity is to be found. Be obliging in your Deportment ; and according to that Revenue which God fhall beftow upon you be Charitable to the Poor ; and let the Meafure of your Alms be above the twentieth part of that which you yearly receive. Avoid Envy in your way of Life as far as prudently you may;if you have any thing that is Excellent, you fhall be fure to meet it, and it is a very troublefome Devil. Be ftrict in the Obfervation of Temperate Rules ; for Sobriety is the beft fort of Phyfick, and health obtain'd by it,one of the.greateft Pleafures in the World. Reproach none for their natural Imperfections, and let the "Deformity which appears in the Evil Manners of others alwayes endear your own Vertue to you ; and when you fee the Unfortunate Examples of dreadful Falls in many whom you thought fafe, learn to fecure your own Station. Remember that by reafon of Ignorance Incogitancy and Vicious Inclination men do themfelves more hurt then they fufFer from others ; and therefore learn to watch your felves more then o- thers, andtobelefs angry at others then your felves. Underftand your Concerns your felves ; and when you are forc'ttoask Advice, take heed that the Perfon whom you confult have no Intereft in your Affair ; for that will warp his Counfel to your prejudice. Overcome all thofe Apprehenfi- ons which you are ready to entertain from the doubtfulnefs of Publick Acci- dents by Faith in God's Providence ; and fecure your felves againft the Di- fturbance which may arife from any thing which happens in your private Af- fairs, by remembring that you fhall have need of Patience as long as you ftay in the World. Be alwayes true to your Confcience, and the good Teftimony of that will fecure yourPeace againft: the moft maliciousCalumny. Be conftant in the Obfervance of all Vertuous Rules ; and when your Good- nefs is become Habitual, it will be a Torment for you to Sin. Contradict not your Principles at any time, in hope to make an Excufe. Company was never appointed as a Toleration for Vice ; and in Solitude it is a Bafenefs not to reverence your felffo far as to make you afhamed to do that which is evil in your own Prefence. What yon underftand to be your Duty, do ; remembring that Knowledge without Practice doth us no more good then Indigefted Meat,and that the vain Renewal of ineffectual Purpofes is the fign of a Contemptible Spirit. When you find a convenient Opportunity to F f promote 2i8 jiDentibolto and Crania. Book vi. promote your Happinefs in any In (Vance, make life of it ; and do not believe that being flighted it will ahvayes come when you are pleas'd to call for it. When you begin to be weary of any laborious Attendance to which you are engag'd by Vertue, quicken your Induftry with the Hopes of thatvaft Re- ward which is promis'd to the Diligence of Good men in the Prefence of their Saviour : and when you find your work hard, pray to that good Spirit w hich is alwayes ready to aflift all fincere Endeavours. Think often that when the Judge of the World (hall appear, many will be condemn'd ; and take heed left you be of that Number. And now, becaufe my Death approches, I will make an End of my Dif- courfe. I know Dear Children, that you have a great Love for me, and that you think your felvesnot a little oblig'd to me for the Care which I have taken of you finceyou were born ; and therefore let me tell you that you (hall exprefs your affectionate Gratitude in a way moft acceptable to me, if you conform your Lives both to thefe Principles and thofe other Counfels which upon various occafions you have receiv'd from me. Thofe Children which imitate the Vertuous Examples which have been given them by their Parents, and yield obedience to thofe Excellent Rules which their Love en- deavouring to fecure their Happinefs prefcrib'd to them, do more honour their Anceftors, then if they celebrated their Funerals with the mod: pom- pous Obfequies, and endeavour'd to keep their Memories fre(h with Anni- verfary Feafts. Honour me thus, my Sons, and then after my Death I (hall live inyou.I do the more earneftly require this fort of Thankfulntf. from yoH, becaufe I can aflure you that I never took any great content in loo- king upon my felf as a Father, but that I hoped to leave Children in the World which would become Examples of pious Vertue when I am gone. Thus did the good a jlrijtander difcipline b Callijlus and c Hilarion with a a wry good ^ j- ame xemper which was in old Cato when he read Lectures to his Son , bjl'txciiem and with the Affection which great tully exprefs'd when he wrote his noble perftn. Epiftlesto young Cicero. And now Death, which had hover'd about him a C jiton. ch ""^ ul g° oc * whil e i made his neareft approch, and allow'd him only time to re- fign his Soul to his Maker with a pious Prayer ; after which Arijlander took a chearful leave of the World. Within a few days the Gentleman who was fent molheoprepia return'd, and brought word that the Queen, the Princefs and their Companions had ft* H * V r U an 'i v 'd Cafe at d Hipponix but being unwilling to make any long (lay there, m»f. were now come within a days Journey of e Voltfiherion. The next Morning c the chy t f Jkthion, Iheofebius and their Attendants went out of the City to give them Bm5j * that Honourable Reception which was due to the Quality of their Friends, and which their own high Affections commanded them to perform. Having f lair fruit, n.et them at f Callic.irpus,a place where Alethion had appointed to dine, it is not to be imagin'd what exceflive Joy poflefs'd their fouls; but the Testimo- nies which they gaveof their mutual Sentiments were fo exprefllve, that they fignified it to be as great as it is pofiible for Humane Nature to experiment. It is not eafie to repeat the Difcourfes which pafs'd amongft thofe Noble Friends at this happy Encounter, but they were all correspondent to the greatnefs of their Affections and the Extraordinary Occafion of their Mee- ting. The Queen-Mother of Jheofrepia took both the Princes into her Arms at once, being tranfported with a Rapture of Joy to fee Iheofebius in hfety y and % Alethion in his Kingdom ; and having given breath to her Paffion, with h a thankful Apoftropre which fhe made to God fhe difmift them from her af- hchtr'ty. fectionate Embraces. Alethion went towards h Agape ; and (lie feeing the Prince Book VI. 3i5enttboito and ffllrania* 2 1 9 Prince whom lhe tenderly lov'd, andforwhofc Happinefs ihe had made a thonfand Prayers, threw her felt into his Arms, and exprefs'd her Endear- ments inTears. « Theofebius and Alethion (he'mgUra?/ia,the Excellent Sifter of *f *»°'fc?f" thofe two IncomparableBrothers to whofeFriendfhip and Valour they were G ° d ° both much engag'd, paid her that Refpect which was due to her own Vertue, and the Obligations which were laid upon them by two whom flie lov'd as much as her felf. Bcntivolio and b Pamrettts perform'd their humble Salutes b Aiirirtutus. to the Queen and Princefs, and were receiv'd by them with Acknowledg- ments futable to their Merit. Urania embrac'd her Brothers,and they herewith fuch a paflionate Tendernefs, that it fufpended the rower of Difcourfe and their Silence did plainly fignifie that the Satisfaction of their Minds was too big for words. The reft of the Company entertaind oneanother with all the affectionate Expreflions that Love and Civility was able to make. The two Kings conducted the Queen, the Princefs and the other Ladies to the Houfe which was made ready for their Entertainment, and after Dinner accompanied them to Polijlherion : and being wil ling to gratifie the Love of the People, who did eameftly defire to fee thefe Illuftrious Strangers they rode through the Sreets of the City on Horfe-back: which beftow'd an extraordinary Contentment upon all Beholders, there being none who faw King Alethion, who did not find themfelves fenfibly concern'd in the Alteration of his Fortune, and who did not pay a great Reverence to the Prefence of the King, and thofe Princefles who had receiv'd him with fo much Friendfhip in time of his Banifiiment. Here the Reader may poflibly expect that I fliould proceed to relate that which happen'd in Theriagenc after this peaceful Victory : but I can only acquaint him that I have been told, that within a few days the Princefs Agape was married to Alethion : that Theofebius prevail'd with Urania to be- come his Queen ; that Bentivolio and ^Theonoe, Panaretus and d Irene were cVivmiMind. married alfo the fame day ; and that the magnificent Pomp of thefe Wed- dp "'"'- dings was fo Illuftrious, that Truth and Ltve, Wifdom and Goodnefs, Ri*h- teoufnefs and Peace feem'd to have taken Bodies, and to have defcended from their Celeftial Manfions to celebrate their Nuptials upon Earth. It was re- ported alfo that Bentivolio and Panaretus, after fome days fpent with great delight in Alethion % Court, retir'd with theojebius and Urania into the lower Theoprepia ; and that after jilethion had fetled his Kingdom, he and ^Agape madea Journey to Phronejium to vific their Brother and all his noble Com- pany, and after fome time fpent there in the Praifes of that God who had confirm'd them in fo much Happinefs, and in the rare Contentments of a moft delightfulConverfation,they went away all together to the Royal Courc of the great King e Abinoam, which is in the Higher Theoprepia. e n* Father «/ But becaufe I am not yet perfectly inform'd concerning the Ceremonies Vtl i ht - which were us'd at thofe Glorious Marriages, the manner of their Reception by Abinoam, and the way of their Life in his Court ; I muft entreat mv Reader to have the Goodnefs to pardon me, though I break off my Hiftory and fit down here,for at prefent I am able to follow my Hero's no furtJier. the End of the Sixth Book. «£•» «*» **» «*> •' «*» «S» I #m« r\T/% rv.--. ,• cVj/3 t> fa *£-» «!#> **» «£•» A N ALPHABETICAL INDEX- In which the obfcure Words of this Book, are explained, and Diretliens given by the Letters in order concerning the principal Subjects which are particularly difcoursd of, thatfo any may read what they pleafe. For though I do not thinks the Meaning of this Treatife any Abjlrufe bufwefs ; yet becaufe thefenfe of Tome Words may per adventure be locKd up from fome Readers, who undet (land Things better than Names , / have put this Key with the Book. Alfo for the fah of the fame Perfons , and being defired to do it by ^Stationers, I have put the Interpretation of the moil Confiderable Names in the Margin , that they might not for every Word be forcd to apply themfelves to this Table. Since the Treafure is but fmall which is hid here , / am unwilling that any fbouldbe put to much trouble infeekjng after it. This alfo I thought fit to addjhat thofe things which are more largely difcoursd of are marked in the Index with an Afterisk prefixed; and that where the Letter (b) is put to the Figures, itfignifieth the Second part of this Hislory. B addon, p"HK , DeflruElion -, but Apoc.9 i i.itisrendred'A^^t'*?, a D(]troyer , a mKv fxycuQ- Aoj/m>v, if , f° r he murthered Mankind with a Lie. A name properly ex- preffing the Nature of the Devil , who is a raalitious Enemy to Humanicy.See A'msdetu. Abinoam, CDDir^X, the Father of Plea. fures, God, the fpring of Delight. Abulus,"sC*K& , <«« biconfiderate rafli man, One that ac amfua, f 'A^ct- f/ad, and born of Achamoth ^ Epiphan. Lib. 1. Tom. 2. and therefore thought themfelves fo muth better than others, that the word of them was worthy to be a \3103m, a Teach- er of Wifdom to all the World. Achrefh'.s , - Ax?««-0- , an unmerciful cruel mm, Beyitivolio's Jailour. Goodwill is impri- fon'd in hard Hearts, Achthedon, 'A^»J^v, Grief Acolaflut, 'Ax/Mar©-, an Intemperate perfon, undifciplin'd and of unfubdued Paflions. Aerajia ,'ak^o'io, , Intemperance , Inconti- nence, Impotence of Soul. Adieus, "a/ik©-, an Vtijufi man. Adynaton , 'AJb'fiflov, Impejfibility • One of the Hypocrite's falfe Pleas , who , when he fins , thinks to excufe the matter , by faying that it is not poffible to obey God's Com- mands , and That Chrift's yoke is heavy and pincheth his neck. , AffliStitn , no jult caufe to doubt of God's Providence. To Good men they are alwayes n*3» ffumeia. , yi\u* /Mi ^wjc* » " m "" lati 'AyilSv'ffOmo ir»ya.<. Plotin calls Him n*ynv (<»»(,' A tx*' «»1®"»*A." y*Q* corUf , 'Pi^f 4»X»<> Tlle Spring of Life, the Beginning of Being, the Caufe of Good- nefs , the Root of the Soul •, as Pythagoras before, rinya.? »t«yvet » yvtnvt, The Fountain of everlafting Nature. Agazelus , 'A^nh®-, full of Emulation. In the III. Book it is put to exprefs thofe Intem- perate Heats , which do often fcorch mens Spirits, when they are fet on fire with un- charitable Contentions about Matters which are of leffe moment in Religion. 96 Agertchus , 'Ay'*s<»x®~ » a f rM ^ anc * M^ en Perfon. Agncea, "Ayvcut, Ignorance. Agon, 'Ayiv, Strife, The Valley oF Tenta- tion isfo call'd in the beginning of the IV. Book , in which there is a large Defcription of the Conteft and Victory of a good man over bodily and fpiritual Tentations. 1 10 Akeraa, 'Aw/xa®-, Vnmix'd, pure. Here it i? put for Simplicity, the Infeparable Compa- nion of true Godlinefs. Alazon,' Ahtt&v , a Vain-glorious Boafler. Alborach , Mahomet's Afs , upon which he pretended that he rode into Heaven. ^/c/'w9W,from'AA)tJand m,One who hath Strength of Mind , Greatncfs of Underftand- ing. Alethea, y AKh$M,T,fitb,tht Sifter ofC^- rinda, Charity. Alethionjtom the foremention'd word. In his Perfon you have an Excellent Prince de- fcrib'd , a Defender of Truth and Lover of Vertne reprefented. 30. b Alethologus, 'AahShN h'oyt , True Reafon, The loving Brother of Piilalethesj. e. True Faith. Their good agreement is declar'd. 127 Alexander, x\\it fubtle Cheat, who abus'd the paphlagonians. He is painted to the Life by Lacian in his Pfeudomantis. Alia/ions, by which Familiftical Enthufiafts endeavour to corrupt, the Gofpel of our Sa- viour ng.Ktmv'&T'? c*tS fometirae upon the Land, fometimc in the Water.' Amphilogia, ' A ptpiKoy*. , Ambiguity ef Spetch, Controverfie. Amphisbeton , 'AnptoCn-mt , One given to Controverjie and Debate. Amyntor, 'A^vVw? , A Helper. Anadea, ' AvcuS'h*, Impudence. Ansdes, 'AvouJtif, Impudent. Antfchyntus , 'AycJ^wrJ©-, Impudent. Ananephon, 'Ava-viitoiv, One that returns to So. briety and foundnefs of Mind from the deep deep of fin. Ananke,' Aviym,NeceJfny. It is fuch ano- ther Excufe as Adynaton , He which pleadeth that the Divine Commands cannot be ob- fcrv'd, induceth a Neceffity of fin. Anaxagathus , *Av*% ,<£6>>7wr, Kvfiocmv ju>?i«y, 1 Tim. 6. Apoc. 17. 134. I have alfo inferred the Hiitory of his Life, a Summary of hisGofpeJ, and a defence of his Doftrine, beginning, 134b. Anchinous ' Ayx»o@-,Oat ofaready Wi>,the Servant of a Prudence. Androyhtmus, 'AvS'tfthnf, A Man- flayer. Antceflus The Table. Aneceslus , 'Arifcw*>, One lick or Incur Me Diieafes, an Incorrigible perfon. Aneleemon, 'Antei'ifta* , One without Alercy and pity. Ane -pifi-ftr, 'AyUwtrof, a defperate perfon. Atigerona from Zy%a to Choal^ or Strangle AnoMomasl.i , ' hva/oyutm , which have no Name. The Gmflickj boafted that they could fee fuch things. Anopheles , 'Avatpihbt, Vnprof table. I have cali'J themakerof Taiifm*ns by that name, becaufe of his vain employment. 90. b Anofuu, 'At'oQtai, a Wicked Perfun, Anteros, the Rival of Eros, from *Amf-, Aphredi/iiM, a Ventreaa Perfon. Aphroa, "Atpfmv, a Fuel, yjpijlon , 'Awar, One th3t doth not rafhly ajfent , but doubts till he fee reafon for his be- lief : not Imprudently, ZdpfOVW $ 2.7ndtLf tK <5Jtr fjiy }£**'' (M7ifov fibrils. There is nothing mere profitable to men then a wife Diftrtift. Appollyon, *Awa».tW } a Deftrojer, See Afnio- detu. Apoc. 9. II. Afroitceus, from i and irfwoi*, One that denies the Providence of God in the Govern- ment of the World. 46. b. A que don, Eat on, which Henry thcfixth B.M. honour'd with the Foundation of a Royal College, In Epiftota dedicate b. Archibim , 'A?x,i'C/o< , the Author of Life. Which Name I have beftow'd upon thofe Phyficians who by reafon of their Knowledg and Vertue are worthy of it ■, for they are Prefervers of Life by a wife application of thofe Remedies which God hath allowda- gainft Difeafes , which are the beginnings of Death. Archicacm, 'Aj^t^xof, the Beginner of Mif- chief. Arete, \Ajsto\ Vertue, defervedly belovM of Nichomachm, and all worthy fpirits. A rgentor a, from Argento and Oro,Silver and Gold. The Title of the Firft Book which con- tains a Defcription of Covetottfnefs and Ambi- tion, where Force and Fraud bear fway. 1. Argus, 'A^yli , a cxrelefs perfon and flug- gifli. * Arimanius, The Eaftern World did be- lieve that Good and Evil proceeds from two oppofke Principles: the Author of Good they call'd Oromafdes •, of Evil , Arimanius, They efteem'd thefe 'Avmi^t ®ti ( , Gods ailing contrary to each other, and offer'd Sacri- fices to both with a diftinft refped to one 'Ewtfaia ^ x*(i?n?i& , that he might beftow Bleffmgs upon them ■, to the other &jt { 5 to/ * ^ twSfarru , that he might do them no hurt. SeeP/utarch. in Ifid. & Ofir. & Diog, Laert. in procemio. Arifleus , a Philofopher who endeavour'd to be Illuftrious by Enthuliafm. See Max. Tyrius Differ t. 22. Ar'tft ander ,* Apisw jfif ,-a Very Good man. Arpimm, the place of Tullie\ Nativity. Afemnus,"Ain^.rn, unhandfome , not agree- ing with Gravity. Afmedeus, 1 "IO©H from 1QW, a Dejiroyer, Tobit> 3.8,17. One of thofe Names which do fitly reprefent the Devil's malicious tem- per, of the fame fignih'cation with Abaddon and Appollyon. The Septuagint tranflate it Aau- uauciv ••ociifJi' , a tricked fpirit ■, the Talmudifts call him i-jigj-j f-O^Q , the Prince of De- ft r oyer s. Afotus* 'Amlos, a Prodigal, a waller. Ggi Aff>a/i 4j The Table. Afpafu, from 'Aa>rci&& Self-con- demn d. Autochthones^' Av\oy%wi, Men of themfelves fprir.ging from the Earth , as the Arcadians de- fcrib'd their own Original. See Profelenm. A.xiarchus Jtom" A^itf and'A^, Oneww- thy to Command. B Athypogan , BftSiwy^ > One that hath a great Beard. Bellet,z,a (\ti\.) Beauty. Bentivolio here denotes Good will , from the Italian Bentivoglio. It is us'd by them for a proper Name •, andfo it is here for the Bro- ther of Vrania , i. e. Heavenly Light , from ifttrlt. Heaven , or "NN Light. By Celeftial Wifdom and Divine Love the Soul paffes happily through all fhtesin this World to Immortal Perfections and Glories. 1. Bevanda, from Bevere, to drink. 8 ? . Biefca/us, from Bio* vg.hlt, agood Life, which is the only way to Heaven , and is therefore call'd the great Rode extended according to the whole length of Theoprepia. Borborites, from BopC»fof , Mud. A Name by which the filthy Gnoflickj were of old dif- grac'J, a Se< , aTankard, a Drunken Fellow, a Boraccio, one good for nothing but to hold Drink. Carez,za, Carejfes, Catafarkus, K«7tt a LbVcr of Riches. Chronits, X^Vot, Time. Chyfalides, from Xfv I" e - The ward of the mouth of Cod. Such was the Foolery of him in Eufe- bitcs,who deliring to fpeak of new things, told a Story of Colpia and Bau, that is , Bohu cor- rupted. Fannychi-s might have done well to have told us of f£s« and Protogows her Bre- thren , to have made her Genealogy more fplendid. But notwithstanding their vain BoaSts, they arc but 'hyyhtt^i>yS.^ i i( , fuch as fpeakjat «f iheir otrn Belues, and feck their Li- ving by Canting. See Engafirimuthus. Ill Company, See the milcbief of it. 54. &c. * Cettfcicnce , A natural Principle not to be eradicated by any Art of man •, A fevere Reprover and fharp Corredor of thofe bold Sinners who offer violence to it. It hath been call'd by great Philofophers by the mofl Venerable names ; as Btit tr»ix.i J\ <(■ to- fJ.Vi irgpafKOTcl.. Soph, in Philojt. 53. b. * Contrapart is taken in a Mufical Senie. As in the Compolition of a Song of feveral Parts , the Harmony is perfected by the Sup- plies of differert Notes which each part ad- ministers , both when they found together, and one after another , by the Interpolition of fit reft : So it hath pleas'd the Divine Wif- dom to checker the Creation with Blacks and Whites, to fet off Day with Night , to relieve Winter by Summer ; and having made his work double , and fet one thing over againit another , he hath made Charity the Anttjioichon to Want, The Septuagint con- lidering the congruity that in this and other Refpeds is between Profperity and Adver- (ity, haveus'J the foremention'd Notion and tranflare.ern'ran rvvy ni-ncy 1 ? m-ni dji bcclej.J.l^, Kao* /]tf \y y* QVT&hQty , in A aims SbvS'py ayMfdlcu lA-y&r , aafiurty ojty Qa\- Kot. Ej^k O ^ JlAetJV , xj «? Jiy/M.. A. Gelliits lib.9. cap. 5. He rejeded to the Brothel- houfe two of Epicu- rus his infamous Opinions ^ One, that our chief Good is in fenfual Pleafure^ The o- ther, that the Providence by which men think the World to be Govern'd, is nothing. Dulogynes , a?a« ins yvteuKot , A Woman Slave, Antimater's Servant. Such a Step-mo- ther, as Antimater was , rnuft uSe fuch Af- fiftant' 1 . Dyfareftus, AKrafsrdf ,One hard to bepleat'd. Dyfcolus, AuVxt/iof , properly one of a treaty flomach i here one that is of zmorofe Temper and apt to take offence. H h D)f' 1 !*, The Table. Avnh7n ( , One that is ready to de Vefptt that he help'd other Poets to make their Comedies, fays that after the manner of Eh- Dyfelp Dtfmm*, Ai^ieJ* , ApWtm , Adverfe j rycles , one that was famous for this 'Zyfav Fortune (Mtv%*, he did «< a.>/w»«, i.e. tmtng into their btUies of being per fwa Jed. A Difeafe incident to ;o«r /orti AV/w. Some of the Heathens, moil IcnoratJC and all conceited people. alham'd of this obfeene bulinefs , alJow'd the Devil a more honourable place , the Breafi, and call'd him •s.Ti?thn*vv< , as if he fpoke the fame way which fome Jugglers ufe.who form an articulate found, though thofe who are' prefent cannot perceive that they open their Mouth. Here the name is given to one trou- bled with Hysterical Fits, by which fome have put Tricks upon the Ignorant. 87. Enthuftafm, 'Ev^*»*», good Hope. By a con- reftly into the Valley of good Hope. There U no other Rode by which we can arrive in Elpifcale but by Biofcaltu, a good Life. * Empfychon , y Ef4ux" . livif! S > or i>l fp ireu\i?n( , One that fash 0% of the Belly, call'd alfb'Ej>s-pi|"«i'7K, becaufe of that immodeft way by which the Pythones pronounced their Oracles. This trick was much us'd of old. The woman which JWconfulred is call'd 1 Samuel 2%. 7. niK-n^lO Domina P)t bonis , from HUK Kettles, becaufe the Devil us'd to fpeak out of h.'rfwollen Belly, as out of a Bottle, in Greek. '£>f*r{ifci/9©-. AnJlophar.es bragging in his Eueflo, 'Eusrw , a quiet State. I have us'd this word partly to fignifie that tranquillity which is necefiary for Philofophical Con- templations, partly to exprefs the happy Re- pofe of wife and good men. Eugenia* , 'Evyunt, a Perfon of a Noble De- fcent and an Ingenuous Difpolition* Eumenes, 'Et/fwil*, Benign. Eupathes, 'Ei/jw^k, One who is eafily affeCl- ed with things j of a gentle Difpolition. Euphranor, from 'Eva&vu, One that laughs at the Follies of the World. Euphron , "Evf^av , A pleafant good naturd Perfon who both enjoyes himfelt and makes others chearful. Eupifiia , from ey and -mvi, a Good Faith, which is defcrib'd Book 4. Eupiftus, "Evmrof,* true Believer, a Faithful Perfon. Euprepes, 'Eva^i-mt, Comely or Decent. In the Third Book it lignifies one who was not inaraour'd The Table. inamour'd with the gaudy outlines >>r Exo- femnon , yet abhorr'd the bafenef> or Pfcudcn- thea. Euprofopon,frOm %v and Kymtn^One that fets a fair face upon things. Eufebia, 'Eu^JHtt Piety. E:uhm«t:ts , a Gaud Death , the happy clofe of a good life. Euthymia , 'EvSvuia , Tranquillity of Aiind, the Portion of Vertuous Souls. Exetazan, 'E%ilt , An bffltiable Eater. Gelojia, jealoufie, Geron, ri »r.>v, an Old man. Glycypicror. , r\y»»4»tpr', Bitter- Sweet, as all terrene pleifures are. * Gnofticl^ f, from TYajii, Knowledge, An un- clem Sed of Hercticks (tj jw V-I^aro/, a.sEpipham:ts 1 alls them) who give them- felves this Name , pretending that they only vere dignified with thcKnowledge of Truthj hough theirs, if ever any in the World, was 4«^JWn{/©- ytamt , Knowledge falfly fo cali'd*, as St. Am// laid. Their Opinions were raoft abfurd , and their Practices abominable. See Epiphanius and Irenaus. Plotin,one of the bed Platom'fts, and polfibly a Chiillian, wrote a- : gainlt them , Ennead. 2. Lib. 9. See Panfoph'u -snd Achamoth. Gnothifattton, Tvufyi o-ctvnv ,Knowtfy felf. I have cal.'J the Governour of Tapinaphrofyne by this name, becaufe the knowledge of ones felf is the Natural Root of Humility. * God. Arguments of his Exigence. 107.D. A Defcription of the Divine Nature. Of the Connate Idea of God ibid. In what feafe the Notion of God h Connate to our Souls. 108, 169. b. That God is as knowable as other things, ind how, 1 10,1 u. b. which Det Curtes\\zd\ well exprel'fi in thefe words , JZuamvis enint fummas Dei perfetliones non comprthendamus , quia fcilicet eft de NaturA Infniti , ut a nobis , qui ftimus finiti , nm comprehendatur \ nihil- ominus tamen ipfas clari'us & diftintlius qukm ullas res corporeas intelligere pojfumus , quia co- git at ionem noflram magis implent, funtque fmpli- ciores , nee limit ationibv.s ullis obfeurantur. Prin- cip. Phil. ParteprimA. It is an unreafonable demand to require that he mould /hew him- felf as we pleafe. SoEurip. in Bacch. Pen. Tov Qllv y&ip, Rapacious, the fer- vant of Plutopcnes. Covetoufncfs is ufually at- tended with Rapine. Heauto,Onz that doth tv. iaviiip^yiiy , Self- Jnterefi , which difturbs the common Happi- nefs of' the World. Hedonia , from 'HAfd, Pleafure : the name of the Voluptuous Queen of Placenta. Hemicaltis,'H[Ang.A@- , half good, One who is perfwaded in a fmall meafure to be Ver- tuous. Hermagathus, "Efwif iy*2mt , agood Mercury or happy Meffenger. Hefychia, 'nnyj* , Tranquillity. Hierographon t from 'itf h and ygfev, the "Holy Scripture. Hieromimus , 'ln'oijufiot , One who makes an afeftate Imitation of holy things. His Prin- ciples, his Defign,his Confutation, yon have Book the 6. Htlarion,{rom'lMfl( t Chearful. Hypocrites falfc Pleas for their fins de- ftroy'd. ■ 116. * The Hypocritical excufe which is taken from the fweetnefs of [ii\,Paftor Fidohuh ex- prefs'd to the Life. Ail. 3. fe. 4. Se'l peccar* e fi dolce , E'l non peccar ft xecejfario , trepfo Jmperfetta Natura , Che repHgni a la legge ; O troppo dura legge , Che la Natfira ojfendi. Which Tu/ly (Offic. lib, 3.) hath nobly an- fwer'd, Nunquam eft utile peccar e , tjtiiafemper eft tttrpe ; & quia femper eft hone ft um virum bo- nttm ejfe, femper eft mile, pag.191. Hipponyx, "l***1>yvZ, , A Haven fo call'd becaufe it refembles the fafliion of a Horfes Hoof. Hiftrionia , Stage-play , A name not unfitly given to this World, where, as one faid long lince, ®ui] quis fere Hiftriotiem agit. Helochryfus, Zk@- ^uoif , AH Gold. Humility defcribd. Hybris, *TCf /< , Contumely. Hydraula, "rf&vhH , a'Mufical Inftrument which founds by Water. * Hyla,*rh», Matter. In the Fourth Book it imports the hinderances which arife to a good man from his Body. That M*r?*7rof Ska which the learn'd Bifliop in his Hymns doth fo often pray againfi: under the feveral names of Ne^® - vKeuov,vKA( ^.u^tCo^y ukayf**, KKvJb- v*< i'A*f , &c. The Tempting Baud, the Corporeal Cloud , the Dog which bark/ and bites the Soul, Bodily Tempefts ; which is fo coniiderable a hinderance , that ("as Proclus hath obfetved, lib. i.inTimaum) all our difordersdo fpring either -mt^ try dJ\iya(MAV ffl h'tyuy , nio'itTi* •Mtr*£(«tf "f vK%t , i. f- either from the roeaknefs of our Rational Notions , or from the fir ength of ourfejhly Appetites. Butiince the Notions of our minds are near a kin to God , he adds gallantly , *Avttvm>«W©- p«««$y QiZv aV«so* tS{ Koym, ^ •rct@H'LvQ*mi 7»y d&iynay ttv-wp, i. e. The Invincible power of God doth refrefh our No- tions, and comfort their veaknefs. Hylotes , from the fame "tah , in the Third Book fignifies the dull fympathy which the grofly - ignorant have only with bodily things. Hyperenor^rmtnva^Proud, Infolent. Riches ufually make men inhumanely fierce. Hyper nephelus, 'Twi? v.yiKoy, above the Clouds ; no unfit name for thofe who take fuch wild flights of fancy in their Difcourfes , that no fober Judgement can follow them. One that fpeaks or writes myfterioufly nonfence. Hyper oncus, 't^yy*.©- , very proud. Hyperurania,'TTft^^,yn.,SupercelefliaUhings t which the Gneftickj bragg'd that they were able to fee. Hypnotica,*y•?*», a lofty fpeaker , One that talks high. Hypficardion, frorn'r-l®-, Height, andJKaj- j£c the Heart. It denotes Arrogance and over- weening thoughts , by which a man is lifted up above a juft eftimation of himfelf, See Megalophron. Hyftericaftom 'Trif*, the Womb. A woman troubled with Suffocations, commonly call'd the Fits of the Mother. JAckleid , JohnBecold, the Impious Tailour of Leiden , who caus'd fo much trouble in Germany , with his Enthufiafm and Villa- nies. laldabaoth , One of the canting terms us'd by the proud Gnofticks. Vide Epiphan. Jam/tail, fames Nailer , That infamous En- thufiaft, who equall'd himfelf to our Saviour, and had in his pocket when he was taken the Defcription of Chrift which Lwtnlus fent to the Senate of Rome, which begins thus, Appa- ruit temporibus nofiris , & adhuc eft , homo magrnt virtutU , nominates fefus Chriftus , &c Or- thodoxogr. Thcolog. Tom. 1. pag. 2. Iconecron , 'Eixay r.Kfmy , the Image of tht dead. * Icenium, from 'Etwy, an Image. It is us'd in the Third Book to exprefs cbac fort of Re- ligion The Table. ligion which is only made up of out-lides : not reproving thole who would have God Jerv'd with bodily Worlhip ; ("for fo he ought to be , as we hive declared Book 4. ) but fuch asdo negletf: the Spirit of Religion, which is, to love God with all our heart, and to direft a!! our Aftions to hisGlory,making his holy Will the Indil'penfable Rule of our Lives. He dwelleth not lb much in any Tem- ple as in the Soul of a Good man , who, as Hierocles fays moft excellently , 'isjnoy **uw 3) v&iv tif x&o/b%*yTi dw» fajif t i&uji *ef* oxw££{nv.i. e. offers himfelf for a Sacrifice, makes his own Soul the Image of God, and prepares his Mind to make it a fit Temple for the Recep- tion of Divine Light. 131. Idiopathy 1 hom*lf'iovmdi mi®-. It denotes mens Particular Affections , peculiar Tempers and Perfwafions , with which they are fo in- amour'd, that many times with much Pafhon and little Reafon they condem others who are not prone to lympathize with them. Jealoufie and its fad effefts. Immortality ef Humane Souls afierted. 301 .b. Wicked men believe not the Do&rine of Immortality , becaufe they hope not for any Happinefs in the Eternal World. Infidelity the Root of all vice , efpecially the Unbelief of Immortality. Eurip. inAndr. Androm. T« •»«* />* « SZ&, *J>' %x1» «>? JiIkUu ; Afen. 'OvtvrcLf 1 ' ? , im S««f«». i. e. Do you think. God is no God , and that there is no Judg- ment f Men. When that comes I will bear it. Inganna, Craft. Irene, *Eip«vn , Peace. A Virgin which to- wards the further end of the Holy Rode prefents Travellers with Garlands of Ama- ranth. Peace and Tranquillity are the Fruits of Perfeverance in a good courfe of Life. * Ifofthenes, One that thinks himfelf *£/* to equal the. probability of Faljbeod with Truth, and to introduce a Sceptical 'in&'im*., which as Sextus Empiricus defines it , i$ »jgt ■*?» «J aairiaf 'lnm, an equality of Faith and "Unbelief. This Lucian meant by his Ballance. TlJitni y%( , )£ <*■{ 1* ti itnv cL*di$vra. i. e. To what ufe do you put thefe fcales ? I counterpo'tfe Reafons, and equal the weight cf Truth and Faljhood : which is to endeavour to plague the World with an infinite Disfatisfa&ion, T7~ Ahbultu , from KuKif and £*k'A , 4 Good XV Counfetlour. Kalodoxus , KaAtJi^Q- , One whofemind is inrich'd with noble Opinions and rais'd Appre- henfions. Kenepftis,1&>l ifof , vain Faith. It is de- fcrib'd in Book 3. Kepanailus , Knmt *Avct*IQ-,tbe King's Gar- den. A Good King defcrib'd. 27. b. Kiskildrlvium , an infignificant word us'd by Erafmm in one of his Epiftles.and is of as much fenfe in Speech as Tranfubftaniiatitn is in Religion. Kler other on , S T j, ^^ fri»¥ , One that hunts for the Inheritance of ethers. The Knowledge «f our felves , the Cure of Pride, and how. izq. Krimatophobus , K{/p«7$- 'w , the com- mon Venus , as Plotin calls her •, but of the »f«- »f* , the Heavenly : and intended by the Mar- riage of Theofebim and Vrania to iignifie the Vnion ef Wifdomwd Piety ; by that of Ale- thion and Agape , the Conjunction of Truth and Love ^ by thai oF Nicomachits and Arete, the happy Poffeffion of Venue which is the Reward of confiant Endeavour'->by that of Benti- volio and Theonoe , the charitable fympathy of divine Goodnefs with the Afflitted s by that of Panaretus and Irene, the Holy Peace which our Saviour , the great 'EitwoTttiif , will make when he hath conquer'd all Enmity to his Excellent Rules , and deftroyed whatsoever doth oppofe that happy Tranquillity which his Gofpel will beftow upon the World when ic i^ obeyed. See PlotinEna, 6. lib. 9. Mauogenes , from Ma-m/©- and dyvlit , an Ignoble perfon , who lets his mind only upon Wealth. Metaoponus, M*7a/©- 7nv&% Labour in vain. Medenarete, Mntiy *jt7» , One who eftcems Vertue to be nothing. Megabronchus , One tint hath a great throat , from fiiyti and &&yx&. Megalophron ,M.tya.Kt>wuv , properly One who whs hath a great Mind, but here it fignifies One who hath high thoughts concerning himfelf, and doth much rellilh his own worth. Meleta, Msmto, Care. Metamelufa , from min and (mkm , One who takes thought afterward. It fignifies in the Se- cond Book late Repentance. Metancea, Mswtu, Change of mind, fecond Thoughts. Miafmafarkus , Mia&hh, One who hates Good- nefs. Mifoplanus , One that hates Cheaters, takes pains to difcover their Frauds and to unfe- duce the deceiv'd. Mifopfettdes , a hater ofFalJhooi. Moira, Melt*, Fate, Deftiny , to which Hy- pocrites are apt falfely to attribute their wickednefs which arifeth from the choice of their own Wills , and is confirm'd by many Voluntary Adions. Monogrammm , Hoviysau^&sa Piilure rude- ly delineated. Monogrammi dicuntur homines fertenues & decolores S Nonius. So Lucilius,vix vivt homini & monogrammo. So Gajfendus,who took fo much pains to do honour to Epicurus, Monogrammi dicuntur Dij inftar hominum made extenuatijjimorum ■ metaphora dubla a Piclura * qui priufquam coloribus quafi corporentur , lineit qttibufdam adumbrantur , conficientibus earn pi- clura, fpeeiem quam prifci Latini dixerunt fuble- ftam, &c. TuUy calls thefe Gods, Deos adum- bratos. Lib. 1. de Natura Dear. I find not fault with Epicurus fo much for that he faid they had not Corpora, fed quafi corpora , which Tully gives us leave to call Nonfenfe -, but becaufe he made God with his Defcription , not De- urn, feA quafi Deum , which is rude Blafpheroy . Moralazon, a proud fool. Marogelon , One that laughs at the Follies of the World. Moronefiis, MofaV, N«<7*?, the lflandof Fools. Morophila, One that loves foolifbly , as many Parents The Table. Parents do their Children , whilli they take much care of their Bodily Aciomplilhfnerus but negleft to pet feet their Souls with Ver tue. Morofophtts , an half-witted man , One who hath a little wit , but makes foolifh ufe of it. Morpheolrts , froni Morphem , the Minitfer of Sleep, an Attendant upon Luxury, whon. I have defcrib'd in I, parti- col our'fl Mantle according to that form of H-jbitin which Philoflratus (in Amphiar.) faith he was pain ted of old '•> 'Ev civHfMyqi hJ*h, yiyfATdtu, Kta t3nr*i)(jH*.d>K.tiv er&i (lihalyn , in acarelefs garb, having a white garment upon a blac\one , to lig nifie, as he thought, the Viciffitudes of Night and Day which follow one another at no great diftance -, for except chofe who dweli near the Poles, that of Homer is applicable to all the Word. N Arcijfus, One in love with his own flia dow. It is a common ftory, but too pertinent where I have applied it. n*^? ipi srnwr \kko>v, 77»a s§ xwfi "tfuzoir , iy ij*y tOu 1*um *j*t,as Philoflratus fays, he lean d over a Spring, taking Pleafure in the contemplation of his twn Beauty. What better thing do they who fpend iheir time between the Comb and the Glafs ? as Seneca fays. Narke , N«f>x» , the Cramp-fifk, which be- nums the hands of thofe who touch it. Here it fignifies dull Sloth, which throws the Powers of the Soul into a heavy kind of fleep , and , makes it una&ive. * Nature. The Laws of Reafonable Na- ture Eternal and Indifpenfable, not Cuftoms of Men or Conftitutions of Princes alter- able at pleafure , but written in our fouls by God, and how. Here I think it not inconvenient to infert two or three noble Tertimonies of this Truth. Amongft the Heathens that of So- phoclts is incomparable , who in Oedip. Tyr. tvrites thus. E/ jxot tymti ciitVTi Mo7{<* 7wy , , Hivstzlar >v •fr; / r r ' •Ep3*v 7i huvtwii , ay you: i ir^KHfTttt T'vj.iwojllj y ipav'ia.v J)' cusipa. rice-nip (tw@- , ifi tiiy dvoL-nl Mtjtt! tV TXTOK 9;QS, «A y,i?ifx.&- l. e. God grant that I may be fo h*ppy m alrvayes to ob Jcrve that venerable Sar.ltity in my Words and Dee As , which is commanded by thofe noble Laws, which were made in Heaven. God is their Father, not Mortal Nature i neither /ball they ever be fo> gotten er abrogated, for there is in them A great Gud who mver vraxnh old. The like fenfe he hath in his Antigone. To this I add that of Plutarch , who fpeaking of this Law , faith, it is Ik kr fiiCh'tQH 'i%a yiyft-vpiv®- , sJs zr §uA»if, «W,o, 'i[A>\.v'/J& o>v iawttfi Acy©\ del m- vttyjuv , >y frwfiroTi tUv 4"X"" i " y ^P 1 '^' xi)c/\- ,wo»i««. i.e. A Law not written in Tables or Books , but dwelling in the Mind alwayes as a li- ving Rule , which never permits the Soul to be de- slit ute of an inter iour Guide. Of the Jews that of Phils Ilia!! ferve for all , Nfyw$ $ «.-\.JLk&i * op&s *-'<>y&j>X "^ ^* ■?'*'"< » ™ <,,tv %tp-nJ)'on n rfiKcuf ivj-i/^©- d^uyjut , drtS vv a.Sa.niTv qvnat , ufSufr®- \v adaientf) J)*vii 3 not a mortal Rule given by this or that mor- tal } no livelefs Precept written in Paper or upon Pillars , but Immortal , being engraven by the Ex- ternal Nature in Immortal Alwds. Of the Chri- jlians St. Paul caljs it N'ofut yfa^af ii> i'<5t/a. Origen , No^j e xp 7«f JWfPttj ipvhi&t , iHaisoLffyLivQ- , Ty 4 y X? * Tertullian , Tefiimonium Anim& naturaliter Chrifliant, ; Chryfoflame , 'EyKfln*v& T ? ?vVm t» »j«7ip* JiJkWtfx®-. i. e. A Larv written in sur hearts ■, an Eternal Righteoufnefs, which with the common Notions of Good and Evil is planted in our fiouls ; a natural kind of Chriftianity '■> a Teacher dwelling in our Natures* Nature may be fo perverted with Vice , that men will not acknowledge the Innate Notions of Truth. So fufi. Martyr told Trypho , §a.fi.vTU 7*5 tpvtniyt ivv'°ia,{ d-mihuuv , being corrupted by bad Education , evil Cufloms , and wicked hifiitutions , they deftroy their Natural Notions, and , ^P^iyr/sphrafeis, do *a7*« ■\.iv&Sax Hit yvnac , fpeak^ faljly of our Na- ture ; and therefore juft I y rejected by Ari- stotle as Incompetent Judges of Nature (Pol, 1 5.) in thefe words. a« 3 v, a Merciful Virion, • Ommelion, from e«/** and mai©-, a S un- like Eye, a clear Underftanding. Holy Souls have the mod plain Vilions of God. So Plo- tin Ennead. 2. lib. 9. « $ /#< tb «««*, bact ilr <*?ly* n iyi^fmi tiv hm x) imi 0m- ctk. i- «• Towhat purpoftfhould we talk,of looking towards God ? 77*4* «/ worffc wf king , **«/* »* /&«» alfo how we may come to fee him. Vertue joyn'd with Prudence , when it is brought to Per- fection, will fhew Godtt hs. Ononirtts , *Ov* Swf®- , the Dream of an Afs. The Captain of the Levellers, who lay the Foundation of their Defigns upon vain Dreams and foolifh Imaginations. Ontagathus, ivrut *V*><> One truly good. Opium , the juyce of Poppies. I have put it by a Figure for Poppies themfelves ; but if any think it too great a Catachrefis,they may put out Opium , and write Poppies in the place of it. Orexis, Appetite. The greateft Power which Tentations have againft us , is from that In- tereft which they have in our fenfitive Appe- tites. Orgilut, an Angry man, One of Bentivolto's Accufer* Anger when it is a little humour'd, deftroys Good will. Orphana , '0{pctt>Jt, an Orphan. Theftory is but too applicable to many who by the Infi- delity of their Guardians are us'd after the manner which is related. Oromafdes. See Arimanius. Orthocrinon , if Su; xfiv«y, One that makes a true Eftimate of things. Orthodus, flfSw lj£<, the right way. Ofiracifm, 'Or&v efM< , a form of Profcrip- tion us'd by the Athenians, in which the Name of the b3nifhed Perfon was writ in a Shell. EpiftDed. PAmmachia,TlaufA.I^iiv , altogether Conten- tieus, full of Striie and War. Pammegas, Very great, Simon Magus, who did ambitioufly defire to be look'd upon as TU n'tvn , and prevail'd fo far as to be call'd »5 J\tva.ytt( ii ©s» n f*tya\n (Act. 8,9, 10. ) and to have his Statue ere&ed in Rome with this Infrription , Simoni Deo Santto, To Simon the Holy God. fufl. Martyr. Apol. 2. PammeUna , All darkj By this name the (late of Ignorance is reprefented Book 3. Panaretus , All-Vertuous. The Brother of Bentivolio and Vram*. \Vhere Heavenly Light and Holy Love inhabit , they are ac- companied with every other Vertue. Pancrates , One whohathgot an abfolutt Dominion over his Paffions. Pandacryon, from n*j> and A'*poor,One who can weep when he will, Pangelos, One wholly given to laughter and vain mirth. + Pannychis, n*vvv^(, Pervigilium, a fVatch- ing all night. The name of an immodeft wench, in Petron. taken from the nefandi pannychifmi, the Infamous Night-Feafts , which were cc-i lebrated in honour of Priapus And Venus . £- tiam dormire vobis in animo efi, cltmfciatis Pria- pi Genio pervigilium debere ? Pet. Panftphia, All-JVifdom. So the Impudent Weigelius inferib'd fome of his Books, and n«- vimrfitwv , One who kyows all things. Of his Books he hath recorded thefe arrogant fay- in gs . In his libris continent ur non foltim omnia ad CceteBem & terrefirem eruditionem necejfaria, fed quicquid omnino a mundi exordia ufque ad ejut fnem vixit , quicquid fcriptum aut dillum , vel etiam fcribi aut dici pojjit, quod omnes ftudere de- bent , &c. Confefl. cap, 9. The Roficrucian Brethren fay fome fueh things of their Foun- der. Panftreblus , altogether Perverfe. I have be- ftow'd this Name upon the filthy Ranters,the Gnofiickj of thefe dayes, who have turn'd Re- ligion into Atheifm , and the Grace of God into wantonnefs. Pantheon, TldtStev. A Temple at Rome dedi- cated to till the Gods. It is put in the Third Bo/ik for Heathenifh Idolatry. Panthnetus, Xlav ScrreV , One that efteernsdtf things mortal, and fancies that the Soul dies as well as the body. Panurgus, n«v?f y®- , One that hath a crafty wit apt tor any Dclign. Parelion , n*^ti\i& , the Sun reflecled, a round Cloud glifkring with the. Image of the Sun. Parrefia t The Table. Pa r rejia t nepfnoitt , Freedom of Speech , Con- fidence. Purufa, That which is prefent . Pafenantius , Contrary to all, A perverfe man, whodefpifech all others in comparifon with himfelf. P.ifiphilus , a Friend to all men. Pathtts, n*8©-, P aft on, affedion, fdftnefs. Pirafm-.s, U^jit^li, Tentation, Pirafles, a Tempter, Pent*, Hi/la, Poverty. Perilypia, nteiMwiA, Grief. Petalifm, X\i-mhio-(ii( , a Mode of Banish- ment us'd in Syracufe , in which the Name of the profcrib'd perfon was written in a Leaf, Epift.Ded. Philadelphia, Brotherty Love, Philalethes, *;a«a»3>iV , a Lover of Truth. Pkilandra, a Lover of her Husband. Philanthropes , a Kind mat). Philedones, a Lover of Pleafure. PhilopAntat, a Lover of all men. Phiiopfeudes , */Ac4^/i)f , a Lover of Falf- hood, a Liar. A generous Philofopher defcrib'd in the Perfon of Orthocrinon. _ Philothea, */ao3*@- , a Lover of God and Di- vine things. Philoxenus, *mo£w©-, Hofpitable, a Lever of Strangers. Phlegon, iKijuv, an Incendiary. Phnclus, Dreadful, Terrible. Phronefia, from •fiwaj, Prudence. Phronimus, Prudent. * Phylace, iuhatti, a Prifon. In that place I have defcrib'd the fadfhte of Sinners in the other World. I hope none will be fodull as not to underftand that I have taken many of thofe expreffions which I ufe there in a Metaphorical fenfe ■, herein following the Example of Holy Writ, where fire, Worms , Darkyefs , and fuch like words, are put to fignifie Spiritual pains. Piacenza, Pleafure, the Title of the Second Book, wherein a Voluptuous Life is defcrib'd and reprov'd. Picrudor , Uix$h "<% , bitter Water, an Em- blem of bitter Zele. Pigerrimo, a Sluggi/b perfon. Pinodipfon, Hungry and thirfiy f Poverty. Pirates, n«gj!7H(, a Pirate. Pifialethes , nw& , a Perjur'd Perfon. Pfychopannyx, from d*^ ,' TO ~ ( an d V C%, One who affirms the Soul when it is feparated from this Body to be as void of Perception as the Eye is of light in a dark Night. OVintilla. One of this Name was a Com- panion of Moatanus, who profefs'd him- felf tobe the Holy Ghoft. She was not un- like the other two Prifca and Maximi/la, who K k i e f c The Table. left their Husbands to follow that unclean Impoftor.From Quinnlla the Montanifts were call'd ^uintillians : (he deferves no better a Reafon of her Name than fome have given of QuartiUa (apud Petr.) viz. qua ob cjua- drantemfui copiam faceret, i. e. parvi pretijfcor- tum. PEpentance defcrib'd. A Retired Life, Rhexinout , 'P»gii>t0- , that Enervates the nind : a proper Epithet of fealoufie , which breaks anddifcompofeth the Spirit. Rhipfifpu , One who throw away his fhield and flie* at the fight of an Enemy , zsDc- mofthenes was reported to have done. Riches contemptible , and amongft other Reafons becaufe they are ufually given to the worft ofmen i fo he, Uh Yl/Slrov wifiji xyy 3avf ®i\v, "Ov & o ^'ws»( p<*,J>'«$ iKiimlJo. Roccabella , the fair Rock, The lovely Mount of Temperance , upon which the Soul enjoys the Delights of ferene Contemplation. were but the external Shadows of a more no- ble ftate of Religion. Sophiarete , 2s? J* and 'Ajito , Wifdom and Vert He. Sophron, Temperate. Sophrofyne , Temperance , defcrib'd at large in the Fourth Book. Sofandra , m^ 71 *!>£hv livivJf* , the Name of a Good Wife , fo call'd from preferving her husband. Staurus a Crefs : but Book Third particu- larly meant of the Crofs of Chrift , who by the one oblation of himfelf upon it abroga- ted all the femfi Sacrifices. Streblodefpotes, 2t{^a3< Asotowj , a Perverft Master. Sympathus, 2t/(x»e5«f , One who is Compajfio- nately affetled with theMiferies of others. Synaxis, 2vV«i;/f , a Convention or Congrega- tion. It is taken Theologically for a Compa- ny of Chriftians met together to celebrate the Feaftof the Lords Supper , and to make a joynt Commemoration of his Death with all humble Thankfgiving. QAprobitti , from 2 v,z - ot**t**vnt , AJhadowofaftatetocome, taking it in the fame fenfe as it is us'd Heb. 2. I have us'd this Name , becaufe many Services of the Jewijb Temple and other pieces of that ceconomy TAano, T« 3,v»;Thofe things which are a- hove, Takato, T« %hm , Thsfe things which art be- low. Thefe two ftreams of the Spring &ga- thorrytort fignifie the good things which God gives with his right hand, as Wifdom and Vertue ; and with his left, as Strength of Body , Worldly Quality , Riches, &c. For he is UityZr -myi, 'Ayt^ut *y«.Siy, The Spring of Springs , the fir ft and best Good from whom all Goodnefs is dtriv'd , as Synefms fayes in one of his Hymns. See Agathorryton. TaUpora, Aiiferable. * Talifmans, from q^X an Image , for fo I rather derive it than from tIas*^. Figures made under certain Conftellations according to the Superftition of the Syrians and Ara- bians, who thought them capable of Celeftial Influences , and by looking upon which they thought they were able to divine concerning future things , as Paulus Fagius obferves out of R. D. K. inlibroRad. , O , 7S OH mSTl nilinyn CDTOKT Teraphim fmt imagines per quas futura cognofcunt , The Jewes call'd them Teraphim, Gen. 31. 19. which Laban nam'd his Gods , and Aben Eura thought his Daughter ftole them, left they fhould tell her Father how her Husband order'd his Flight from him. They were made fometimes in the form of Men,fuch as Mithol (propably) put in David's Bed. Thofe whodelire tobein- form'd further concerning them may read Mr.Gregorie's learnedCollections in his Notes upon The Table. upon 2 Sam. 5. And fuch as (lull pleafe to reaci Dr. H. Afore's Myltery of Godlinefs, Book 8. chap. 15. will underftand fully that the Do&rine of Telcfms is a Superftitious Foolery, and that they have no natural Ver- tue. Tapanta, All things. Money is all to cove- tous Men, who make Gold their God, hoping that will help them to all things ■ according tothatofthejewes, ^DH HK HWl pD3H1 Money anfwereth all things. Tapinophrofyne, HttmMty. Taraxioa, from Taf*{;/«, fertHrbatien, which doth ufually attend worldly Defigns. Temperanza, Temperance, which is the great P 'anpharmacox , the true All- he ale , which both prevents (icknefs and rcftores health. See it defcribed. Tentation defcribed. 1 1 o, j 1 1 Teraphims, See Talifmans. Terpfithea, Siia. 7tp4«> * divine Joy. Tetratlys , TV7? «n7t< « , a famous fecret in the Pythagorean Phiiolophy , which Hierocles hath explain'd in his noble Difcourfes upon the Aurea Carmina, upon that Verfe, and Plutarch, but atter another manner , in Philo/ephorum Decretis. I have nam'd it in the Sixth Book , becaufe the arrogant Gnofiickj boafted that this TiTf*.K]vs came down in a Worn ans fh ape from places which cannot be feen or named, and brought down Truth, and fhew'i her naked to them , and gave them leave to talk with her. Fid. Epiphan. adver- fus Hxr, Lib. 1. Tom. 3. & Irentum contra Gnofiicos Lib. I. Thnnatus, Death. Tharraleus , Bold, Confident. Thaumaturgus ®a.vyM.7*ty@- , One that per- forms miraculous AEtions, Where I have ap- plied it.the word lignifies only one that doth fome extraordinary Tricks above the reach of vulgar Wit , which he pretendeth to be Miracles. Theander, a Divine matt. Thelgomenus , Qth.y'^fuv@- , One that may be led any whither , a plain perfon ealie to be de- ceiv'd for want of Prudence. Theonoe, from ©«©- \xf. A Divine Mind, Theophila , Q-ov tpth^m, a Lover of God , and Qiotftbbf alfo , dear to God , as all his true Lo- vers are. Theoprepia, ©eow{i*-«a, a State worthy of God. The title of the fourth Book , wherein fome things belonging to that State are difcours'd, fo far as the Nature of fuch a work as this is would handforaly permit. Theorus, Qutfot, One wh(> Contemplates t from ©t»f t» ; Or one who takes care of Divine Aiat- ttrs, from Qtif and «p*, I plac'd Agatharryton in this Hill , becaufe the Springof Life doth pour forth its ftreams moft plentifully upon careful and holy Souls, Theofebitts, QutnCtK, a Worfhipper of God. Theojiyges, etKvyfit , a Hater of God and odi- ous to him. Theriagene , ©spl* at)*i>» , degenerate Beajts, The Title of the Fifth Book , in which many brutilh Opinions and ignoble Practices are related. Theriodes, ©Mf/alJW , Brutifh as th« Poor are commonly for want of Education. Theriomachia,B=fitiua.^ict i a Fight withBeafts, The brutilh Appetite is an Enemy to the Di- vine Life. Thrafymachus, ©^f^©-, bold in Fight. Thurepancetla, 0t/f«6?»e>'o/Kwj>a Name given to Crates (in Diog.Laen.) becaufe he went into «very Houfc to teach Vertue. Timautus, T«Vm* I 'm n H ♦.. #: Jjpwj *#: rail- .*-■ Hi S8 " JflBSi *C* t$i -.* *• ' Bfr* •'"■ at •.*-.. ■* jfi ■5*