Things hurtfull for the Memory to be anoyded.

First, wee are to obserue, that all co [...] ­rupt ayres, noysome vapours and sent [...] are offensiue thereunto, and therefore o [...] chiefest respect ought to bee, that the Ayre wherein we breathe, be not thicke, foggy, and vnwholesome, annoyed with stinking marishes, standing ditches, and lakes, &c.

Secondly, that we walke not forth in foggy or mystie Euenings or Mornings, before or after the Sunne be downe or vp.

Thirdly, that we abstaine from all crude and grosse Flesh, vnripe fruits, greene herbes, and all other things, cold by nature or vaporous, which send vp grosse humore into the braine.

Fourthly, that wee auoid all fuming drinks, strong Wine, and Ale, or any broths made of vnwholesome water.

Fiftly, from Beanes, Pease, Garlicke and Onions, which especially cause Head-ache, hurt the Eyes and the Sinews, and by weak­ning the senses, cause dreames and phan­tasies.

Sixtly, Likewise from such things as are [Page] flow of digestion, as Cheese, Nuts, Wall­nuts, and meates of diuers sorts at one meale.

Also we are to auoid (as dangerous ther­into) immoderate sleepe, too much Vene­ry, especially when the stomacke is full, or the body drie: at change of the moone, or where sleepe may not follow.

But from it altogether should young men abstaine, as likewise old men, and wo­men with childe.

All cold in the hindermost part of the Head, Necke, Stomacke, and Belly, is offen­siue. Likewise immoderate labour, which dryes vp the strength and duls the Spirits, especially in moyst and windy places.

Much care, feare, griefe, and all violent passions of the minde: too much Reading and Study, Night-watching, long-hayre, washing the head in cold water, with the distraction of the mind into diuers studies, all offensiue and hurtfull.

Things good to preserue and restore the Memory,

Are for the most part the vse of these precedent contraries, aa all meates that [Page 12] yeeld good iuyce or nourishment to [...] body: more especially the braine of [...] Partridge, the Sparrow, Hare, Conny▪ [...] Henne, the last whereof is the first and [...] in reckoning.

For, some Physicians write, that [...] braine of the Hen, addes to the very su [...]stance of the Braine: of whom it is thus Written:

Likewise the vapour and decoction of these Herbes infused into the eare through some Tunnell, much comforteth the brain, that is to say, of Nigella Romana, the flow­ers of Rosemary, and Cardnus Benedictus: and these not onely comfort the braine▪ but also sharpen the wit, exhilarate the mind, and procure healthfull sleepe. The wash­ing of the feet in warme water once a moneth, and throughly boyled, wherein [Page] hath beene decocted Camomill, the leaues of Lawrell, and the like.

After meat abstaine one houre from all [...]mmoderate labour, either of minde or bo­dy; as after supper some reasonable time from sleepe; for to fleepe vpon a full sto­macke, much dulleth the braine, as it indan­gereth the body, which some say is there­by exposed to as much as to serue in the face of an enemy.

When thou goest to thy bed, shut the windowes of thy chamber, to exclude the winde, and draw close the curtaines to shut out the Moone-light, which is very offen­siue and hurtfull to the braine, especially of those that sleepe, much more then of those that wake. Afterwards in thy lying downe, first turne thee vpon thy right side, when thou awakest again, vpon thy left side, that thy blood and digestion may the better re­plenish thy body; euer practising the me­mory to record and repeat things receiued in the Euening, the Morning following: for by want of practice, the retentiue facul­ty becomes dull and forgetfull, as the Verse to this purpose seemes to insinuate;

Englished.

Neither desire superficially to read man [...] things, but rather well to vnderstand those few that thou doest; for euen as it little a­uaileth the stomack to haue receiued much meate, except it bee thence disgested into nutriment to the body, so doth such reading bring as little profit to the minde.

Signes to iudge of the Debility, and Constitu­tion of euery Braine, with some aduice for re­medy of the ill disposition thereof.

THe Debility of each weake memory ari­seth out of one of these foure causes: that is to say, either out of the too much heat of the braine, or too much cold, or too much moisture, or too much drinesse; for too much heat dries vp the Spirits, too much cold hinders their operation and motion in the cauerne of the brain, too much driness [...] the reception of formes, and too muc [...] moisture drownes them vp; the signes whereof are thus perceiued.

[Page]1. If the braine be ouer-hot, you shall perceiue an extraordinary heat in the head by the touching of it, and the parts about the head wil be hot and red, as likewise the eyes very nimble in turning, the hayres quickly growing and fast increasing.

2. But if ouer-cold, the head expresseth it by his coldnesse, in the face scarce ap­peares any rednesse, the turning of the eyes are slow and weake, the pulse and breathing very deliberate, the hayres long a growing, the head neuer offended with any hot cause: such are for the most part sleepy, fearefull, slothfull, slow to anger, and dull of memo­ry, cold in their desire to women, and weak of sense.

3. Those of a moyst braine, are for the most part hairy, and such as are neuer trou­bled with baldnesse: they smell slowly, but sleepe soundly, and are seldome troubled with dreames.

4. But if the braine be ouer-dry, there the apprehension is but slow to conceiue, yet strong to retaine what it hath receiued: those of this disposition haue their haires hard and curled, the eyes hollow, and be­come quickly bald▪

The state and disposition of the brain be­ing [Page 16] thus knowne, it remains then, that [...]ry man be obseruant and temperate [...] diet, to take or forbeare such things, as [...] be either good or hurtfull vnto it: [...] the braine be ouer-hot, those things are [...] be obserued, and accustomed, that dimin [...] and allay the heat thereof, as the other to be forborne that increase it. If ouer-cold, then are we to abstaine from all cold meates, and betake to their contraries such as increase heate, and so moderating the extremity thereof, it may be reduced by this meanes, to a perfect perfection, and so of the rest.

And thus much shall suffice to haue sp [...]ken of the foure Constitutions or qualit [...] of the Braine, the direction whereof is c [...]pious, in the workes of many learned A [...]thors, which here I pursue not, because purpose breuity, but betake my selfe to fu [...]ther matter of Discourse, History, and [...]ty propositions, furniture and talke for [...] triall of Wits and Braines.

Of Memories true vse.

Of the excellency of Memory.

MEmory, it is that keepes aliue all the old Ages of the World, and Actions of men, from Adam to him that dyed ye­sterday: all which were else raked vp [...] the embers of obliuion; but that Mem [...] takes them vp, Discourse layes them open [...]nd keepes them aliue. Were it not for [...] excellent Sense; how should the iust be [...]e­warded, whose Memory shall bee blessed▪ when as the memoriall of the wicked shall [...]ot? We see Memory to be a Record, let vs then put nothing on this file, but what is worthy a lasting durance: for it is a perpe­tuall Register; deface it not then, blot it not, choake it not by any distemper, but cherrish and refresh it by these or better [...]duices in this kinde, when thou meetest [Page] with them; she cannot want food: [...] the world is her dyet, and in these Di [...]ses thou shalt finde Sentences and [...] Conclusions, some whereof will be [...] worthy to be hung vp in this Store-ho [...] and so I leaue thee to gather what thou [...] ­dest worthy, and to lay vp what thou [...] ­therest.

Propositions follow.

Qu. VVHat is the chiefe vertue and b [...] nefit of the Memory?

A. Recordare

• Beneficia.
• Iudicia,
• Exempla.
• Nouissima,

Englished,

To remember

• 1. Benefits long, to re­quire them.
• 2. Iudgements, to auo [...] them.
• 3. Examples, to bee forewarned by them.
• 4. The 4 last things, that we neuer dow amisse by thinking on them.

And withall as we must remember bene­fits long, so we must forget iniuries quick­ly, [Page 19] so that Memory, and this forgetfulnesse will be equiualent in goodnesse.

Q. What doe we account the best staeyes and helpes to Memory?

A. Writing; for that hath conueyed and carried along, one Ages actions to an­other; hath inriched one age with anothers knowledge; by that we doe conferre with the deceased, and call the dead to liuing conferences: From Saint Austen and other those Fathers and Lights of the Church, how are our studies diuinely inlightned, whose continuall vigilancy and labour hath discouered vnto vs the bottome of those deepes, where the Elephant might bee drowned, at the end of whose labors we set to our meditations, and goe forward to our much ease and comfort, as is most decent; as one writes,

By these and such like helps haue our mo­derne Diuines the veyle of miseries drawn from before the face of Diuinity, and shee her selfe set more resplendent before them.

From Esculapius, Hippocrates, and Galen, Fathers of Physicke, (which though Hea­thens) did acknowledge a Deity in the won­derfull [Page] composure of mans body; but fro [...] them haue not our moderne Physicians le [...] into the quicker and more certaine know [...]ledge: and as other ages to come shall b [...] bettered by ours, so haue these beene bette­red by others, as the latter age hath euer beene the Scholler of the former; hereto­fore a wry necke, or the stone, went to the graue with him that had it: now Art hath found out common repaires for either, so that although Memory be Infida & labilis, hauing but slippery footing in the minde; yet, by this meanes we find where she hath and may rest her foot.

Q. Who haue the best naturall Memories?

A. They that exercise them most, and abuse them least: and therefore I haue knowne diuers vnlettered persons trusting onely to strength of Memory, could record and retaine much more then the Scholler or Penman that committeth all to Record. And now of late yeeres was there a wo­man, one Mistresse Iostlin of Cambridge­shire, who for excellency of memory de­serues here to be remembred, who by vse and moderate preseruation thereof, was so strong and quicke, that vpon the first re­hearsall he was able to repeat 40. lines La­tine [Page 21] or English, and to carry a whole Ser­mon from Church, and after set it downe almost verbatim in her chamber. She wrote a Legacy to her child before it was borne, and prophesied of her owne death, and died accordingly at the time.

Q. Whence comes it that some Memories are as dull as lead, or as a deepe Gulfe that swal­lowes all, and retaines nothing? or like some quicke Prodigall, that layes vp nothing for time to come?

A. Late Suppers, the too much vse of Tobacco, meates that ingender grosse hu­mors, too much woman, too much surfet­ting and costly fulnesse; all bad for Memo­ry, ill for the purse, and worse for the health: for the rich Prodigall or wealthy vnthrift is like a powder-master, that hath prouision against an enemy, but is in dan­ger of being blowne vp himselfe.

And therefore here let vs a little stay and ballase our selues with these or such like considerations.

To which purpose it is as one writes,

That Fortune neuer comes with both hands full; either she sends a stomacke, and no food; such are the poore in health; or else plenty of food, and no stomacke: such are the rich.

[Page] And therefore saith the Wiseman,

Q. What is the most precious thing in the World, yet the most brittle and vncertaine?

A. The life of man, which although it hath but one comming into the world, hath a thousand wayes to goe out, the frailty whereof considered, should be like a Prea­cher, euer to admonish vs of our end, cry­ing vnto vs sinfull creatures, as the Saylers cryed to Ionas in the storme▪

To which purpose is here annexed a sto­ry of one, who trauelling by the way side (which is the wildernesse of this world) fel into a well, in the fall he catcht hold of cer­taine twigges that grew on the side there­of, by which he staid himselfe; at the bot­tome [Page 24] thereof, looking downe, were craw­ling Serpents, Toades, and other noysome creatures, which came in vpon the lapse or fall of man, rather then in the first creati­on; for then God pronounced of all things that they were good, and the most sauage creatures rebelled not against man: but now hereupon so changed in this change, as ob­serues du Bartas.

Now whilst hee staid himselfe by this weake support, came two little beasts, a blacke and a white, and did gnaw the twigs vpon which he hung, to his greater terror. Now the morall hereof is; The man that fell into the well, is euery man, which so soone as he comes from the wombe, is tra­uelling towards his tombe, through the dangers of this world: the well that he fell into, is the Graue, that lyes open for all men; the two twigges that he catcht hold of, the brittle thread of humane life; the blacke and white beasts, Day and Night, which in some small continuance weare in sunder this thread.

Q. Wherein consists the naturall life of man?

[Page] A. Of Heat and Moysture, which as the one is daily decayed, and the other dri­ed vp by the operation of that Limbecke of mans body, are againe replenished by meates and drinkes, and so vpheld by this parget and plastering.

Q. But may not then this life of man thus continually supplied, be continually maintained in health, sicknesse and old age kept by, and kept backe for euer?

A. No, in despight of all preuention, Age shall waste the one, and sicknesse dry vp the other, and so resolue them into their first matter.

For further illustration hereof, Fryer Ba­con, a man of infinite Learning, Study, and Capacity in his time, amongst many his strange and impossible indeauours, publish­ed a booke De Retardanda s [...]nectute, or the keeping backe of old age, the which whilst he himselfe was ouer-curious in obseruing, and studying this Art of health, grew old in the Act, and himself was ouertaken with age. Let then the Ayre, the chiefe preser­uer thereof, blow from his healthiest cor­ner, [Page 26] and from thence brush ouer Rockes, and Hills, and Fields, and Fountaines, and breathe into the nostrils of the healthiest man liuing; nay,

So by this we finde, it cannot be preuen­ted of his purpose, though it may be some­thing tardied in his speed: so that hee may hang vp his Motto, as that daring Artist did:

I yeeld to none neither at home nor a­broad.

Q. Whether is man, that is said to be made after the Image of God, according to his corpo­rall substance, like vnto him, or doth in any wise represent the Diuine Maiesty?

A. The Image of God is in the soule of man, and the admirable faculties thereof, and in nothing doth the body resemble it more, then that it is the representation or glasse of the Soule, that immediate stampe [Page 27] of the Image of God, erectus ad coelum, of an eleuated stature, that his thoughts might ascend where their obiect is, and not [...]rob­ble below on the earth.

Q. Whether is the woman made to the Image of God, or not?

A. There be some that auerre, the wo­man is made onely to the image & glory of man, but these doth the Text confute: for when it was said, Let vs make man after our owne Image, hee made them both male and female; and man is said to resemble the I­mage of God, as hee is an intellectuall and reasonable creature. So likewise the wo­man, being both indued with an immortall soule, and supernaturall gifts of grace and glory, man being made little lower then the Angels.

Q. How many, according to some Writers, are the degrees or Hierarchy of Angels?

A. Nine, which say there is a mystical resemblance of the holy Trinity, there be­ing in 9 thrice 3. and in euery 3. thrice one, so that there are 3 superiours, 3 inferiours, and three middle degrees. The superiours, are Seraphins, Cherubins, and Thrones: The middle, are Dominions, Principalities, and Powers: and the inferior, Vertues Arch­angels and Angels.

The most vsuall Names and Appella­tions of the Sonne of God through the Scriptures.

Englished,

Q. Whether are men of short and little sta­tures, or those of the more ample and spacious, commonly the wisest or the longest liued?

A. Those of the lesser volume, by rea­son that in them the soule and faculties therof are more neere & nimbly compact, and with greater vigor and dexterity im­part their functions ouer all the body; and therfore Homer Prince of Poets, for whom seuen Cities stro [...]e for his birth-righ [...], [Page 30] (whose proper name was Melesegenes, but called Homer for his blindnesse) doth de­scribe Vlisses to be short and wise, and A­iax long and a foole.

Q. Of all morall vertues, which is reputed the most beautifull?

A. Humility, for she both shunnes ho­nour and yet is the way to it, preuailing of­ten with meeknesse, when the haughty and proud are put by: for example, two Goates met vpon a narrow bridge, vnder which glided a deepe and violent streame, get backe they could not, the planke was so nar­row for the turning, and forward they could not, without hazarding their liues, stand still they might, but that was but a prolonging of their misery: that they might therefore both passe by in safety, the one [Page 31] lies down, whilst the other goes ouer him, and so by this quiet passage they both se­cure their liues, and preuent their further danger. The want of this yeelding, is for the most part, the beginning of all contro­uersie and trouble; for when Iron meets Iron, they meet with violence, but let wooll meet Iron, there is a gentle yeelding and end: according to this, the Poet wittily obs [...]rues:

Seneca faith, The meeke and the Wise­man, in good turnes lou [...]s not to owe more then he must, in euill to owe and not to pay.

Q. Which is thought to be that Wildernesse through which the Children of Israel wandred 40. yeeres, where their food was so miraculously sent downe from heauen, and their cloathes pre­serued from not wearing out?

A. The Desart of Arabia, from whom is brought the excellentest Mummia.

Q. Where of is it made, and whereto doth it serue?

[Page 32] A. It is a thing like pitch, some say it is made of mans flesh boyld in pitch, others, that it is taken out of old tombes, being a corrupted humour, that droppeth from embalmed bodies: or those there buried in the hotter sands, it is the principall of poysons, which Physicke in some kindes maketh vse of.

Q. Since we haue a little entred to speake of the Hebrewes, whose deriuation Haebraei qua­si Abrahaei I purpose to relate a little further, for the better vnderstanding of their names in Scriptures, the quantities of some of their mea­sures, and first of the Gomer, what may that sig­nifie?

A. The Gomer was the name of a mea­sure containing more then a Gallon, the Is­raelites in the Wildernesse receiued euery day this measure full for a dayes allowance.

Q. What the Cab?

A. A measure of 3. wine quarts.

For the rest of the Hebrew measures they are further related in the first part of the Helpe to Discourse.

Q. The Manna that they receiued, what was it in the similitude and likenesse?

A. It was like a dew that fell euery Eue­ning, and white like the Coriander seed.

[Page 33]Q. Who was the chiefe deliuerer of the Chil­dren of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh?

A. Moses, by the hand of God miracu­lously preserued by Pharaohs daughter, by her there found in the Bulrushes cast forth to be drowned; where note, that all the Kings of Egypt were called Pharaohs, as al the Emperours of Rome, Caesars: For it is said, there arose another Pharaoh that knew not Ios [...]ph; Of which great Prophet thus further illustrated by the Poet:

There was one that came vpon a time to a great Counsellor of this Kingdome to craue his direction, what good morall or politicall booke he would commend to his reading, seeing the world was ful of books, [Page 34] and there was no end of making many bookes that were made to no end, and that much reading was a wearinesse to the flesh, and bad for the eye-sight, and too little [...]a­ding a friend to igno [...]ance, worse for the insight: and what was his answer?

Quoth he, Reade the World, reade men, record remarkeable euents, set them as a patterne before thee for thy owne instru­ction, reade ouer thy owne actions, see where thou hast trayned worthily, where thou hast digrest wickedly, and thou shalt obserue, as one writes:

If thou wilt reade History, lay thine eye to the French Story, goe thorow that volume of Kings from Pharamond the first, to the last: there see how the good and vertuous haue flourished; how the euill and tyran­nous haue ruined and decayed. Likewise to the Dutch, to the Spanish, and there see the various occurrences and changes of times and men; the wheele of fortune some­time deiecting one, and as suddenly exalting another. Reade the Turkish History, and there thou shalt find obseruable matter; a­mongst many other things thou shalt there finde Baiazet the scourge of Princes, him­selfe captiued in Tamberlaynes Iron cage. The Scottish, from Donaldus the first, to the last of that line, to this present. Then suruey the English Speed, Hollinshead and others, and in these and all the rest, thou shalt finde rewards and punishments of ver­tuous and vicious Princes, as inherent to them as their Blood and Crownes, and ma­ny their wicked Actions repayd by way of [Page 36] retribution and retaliation: to example in two or three presidents of our owne [...] home:

Henry the First, by cruelty disinherited his elder brother, Robert Duke of Norman­dy, and put forth his eyes; and this, to make hiw owne children the more secure heyres of the Kingdome: But see what happened hereupon; His owne being at that time in France, and to come ouer to keepe their Christmas here in England with their Fa­ther, put forth to Sea, and were all drow­ned in their comming ouer. The manner▪ thus, the Saylors and Ship-men through excesse of wine, which was plenteous at their parting, were a [...]l drunke, so that the Master could not well guide the Sterne, nor the Mariners the Ship, but it rode at ran­dome; which the Ladies (being launced out into the maine) perceiuing, fell a weeping, praying, and lamenting: in this state the Ship for a long time continuing in a doubt­full perplexity, betwixt hope and despaire, when at last in some hope of safegard and in view of land, the Ship vpon a sudden split in two pieces against a rocke; vpon this was a grieuous skrieke, till the water had quickly silenced it. Now whilst euery [Page 37] one sought to get vpon something to de­fraud the gaping billowes of their prey, if it were possible, the Prince had taken the Cockboat, where being in some likelihood of safety himselfe, aduenturing to saue his Sister, who had hitherto maintained her life by grappling to a planck, recouered her into his boat; into which, the rest so vio­lently thronged after one another, euery one willing to reprieue a life, so ouer-loaded the little Vessell, that with the weight and number, the boat sunke, and all perished, ex­cept one Butcher, that swomme to shore to tell the heauy tydings.

So likewise the Conquerour, his Father, who, to erect New Forrest in Hampshire, pulled downe [...]6. Churches, all the Towns, Villages, and houses farre and neere, and brought all within 36 miles compasse, to a Wildernesse for wild beastes; in which af­terwards his 3. sons were slain, as you may read more at large in the first part of the Helpe to Discourse.

By Hastings aduice, the Earle Riuers and Gray, with others, were without triall of Law, or offence giuen, executed at Pomfret, and in the same day, neere about the same houre▪ in the same lawlesse manner, Hastings [Page 38] himse [...]e was beheaded in the Tower of London: a greater iudgement then this of Hastings you shall not find in any story. And thus much for a taste of some few. Exam­ples are copious in this kind, and for mu [...] ­bility, Chronicle this in thy brest, that there is no stability vnder the Sun, King­domes alter and change; The Easterne, the Grecian, the Roman, the Turkish Empire succeeding one another into a continuall succession of change, and so of all things vn­der the Sunne. He that had [...]eene I [...]lius Caesar goe into the Senate [...] his royal state, and his poniarded body and [...]loody robe, Seianus in the Morning▪ and his com­plexion at Euening, of which one thus writes of him magnifying himselfe:

It were infinite to instance in this kinde these downefalls of greatnesse, Philotas, Bel­lizarius and others.

Richard the Second, a man of misery, as Richard the Third, a man of cruelty, the first whereof, of a King became a captiue, deliuering vp his Royalty with his owne hands into his enemies; whose ominous Raigne was pointed at from Heauen, at his landing with his young Queene Anne of Beme from France, where at his first setting foot vpon his owne shore, arose such a Tempest, that it dasht in pieces and draue the Shippes all out of the har­bour, and withall two Ship-wrights hew­ing of a Mast, at euery stroke dropped blood out of the tree: an ominous portent, and af­ter fearefully succeeding: First, losing his Crowne, and after, his life at Pom [...]r [...]t Castle, slaine by Sir Pierce of Exon and 8. men more that he brought with him, whereof King Richard slew foure of them. Richard the Third, first affrighted by dreames, and after slaine in Bosworth Field, where by [Page 40] force and number beaten from his hor [...] he bit the ground with his teeth, and to [...] it with his hands; and in contempt of death and man, died as if he would haue carried his kingdome with him; and so much for example in this kinde.

Q. Which are the most dangerous yeeres r [...] ­puted in a mans whole life?

A. Euery seuenth yeere of a mans life is noted to be dangerous: some hold the ninth yeere very dangerous, and by this account the 18.27, &c. but the most dangerous yeere of all is 63, for that both accounts doe meet in this number; namely, 9. times 7. and 7. times 9. either of which numbers make 63. the most dangerous yeere of all.

Certaine Diuine Precepts or Aduertisements that a Wise-man first obserued himselfe, and after left them to his Sonne and Friends.

1. If a weaker man then thy selfe doth wrong thee, spare him; if a stronger, then spare thy selfe.

2. Gods hand is heauiest on the Consci­ence, when it is lightest on the carkasse, if lie suffer it to surfet on pleasure till death.

[Page]3. The Vsurer and the Broker may bee [...]ompared to two milstones that grind the [...]oore to powder: come not therefore vnder [...]heir Sayles.

4. Obserue how Pharaohs dreame is ve­rified amongst vs in these dayes, that the [...]eane Kine eate vp the fat; for Gods leane blessings, which are riches and pleasures, blessings of his left hand, eate vp the fat, which are Grace and Religion, blessings of his right.

5. Good Lawes without execution, stand like the picture of St. George, with his hand alwayes vp, but neuer striking.

6. Pleasures doe not alwayes follow a man liuing, but euer leaue him dying.

7. A vertuous man is famous on the earth, glorious in the graue, immortall in heauen.

8. Christ calleth the godly, Kinsmen, be they neuer so poore, but the rich scorn them be they neuer so honest: so proud is the ser­uant aboue his Master.

9. It is miserable for a bold sinner to meet with a cold Preacher.

10. Two things out of euery Sermon are to be noted: first, that which thou didst not know: Secondly, that which speaketh [Page 42] to thy conscience: for by the one thou shal [...] increase knowledge, by the other lessen thy vices.

11. The Vsurers money to a man in time of necessity, is like cold water to a hot Ague in time of extremity.

12. He that drinkes on follies cup, shall haue small cause to licke his lippes after it.

13. Feare doth not more multiply euils, then Faith diminish them.

14. It is good so to diet the body, that the soule may be fatned.

15. One sin openeth the dore for many vertues to flye out.

16. A man would haue Teachers doe as they teach: so God would haue hearers doe as they heare; for else the hearers shall be no more saued by hearing, then the Preach­ers by preaching.

17. Lending was ordained to be a staffe or support to the borrower; now Vsury hath turned this staffe into a Serpent.

18. The man that hath a quiet consci­ence, is like to him that hath a good wife, he is alwayes sure of peace at home.

19. In Prayer be not like the Pharise in popular ostentation, but pray in secret: for he prayes with a witnesse, that so prayes with out a Witnesse.

Precepts or Aduices concerning Marriage.

1 Woo not by Embassadours.

2 Make not thy friend too familiar with thy wife.

3 Conceiue not an idle Ielousie, being a Fyre once kindled not easily put out.

4 Affect him not that would ill pos­sesse thee.

5 Blaze not her beauty with thy owne tongue.

6 If thy estate be weake and poore, mar­ry farre off and quickly, if otherwise firme and rich, at home, and with deliberation.

7 Be aduised before thou conclude, for though thy errour may teach thee wit, tis vncertaine whether euer thou shalt againe haue occasion to practise it; for marriage is like a stratagem in warre, wherein a man can erre but once.

8 Marry not for Gentility without her support, because it can buy nothing in the market without money.

9 Make thy choyce rather of a ver [...]s then a learned wife.

[Page 44]Esteeme rather what shee is, of her [...]selfe, then what shee should bee by inhe­ritance.

11 In tactam quaeris Intactam esto:

Be that example to thy wife, that thou wouldest haue her to imitate; for he that strikes with the point, may be content to be beaten with the pommell.

12 Shee whose youth hath pleased thee, despise not her age.

13 That thou mayst be beloued, bee a­miable.

14 Sayle not in this Sea without a com­passe, for a wicked woman brings a man sooner to repentance then suretiship.

15 Tis the greater dispraise to children, to be like to wicked Parents.

16 Tis more torment to be iealous of a mans wife, then resolued of her dishonesty; and more misery, that a man may be assu­red of her vice that way, but cannot bee of her vertue.

17 True Chastity doth not onely consist in keeping the body from vncleanenesse, but in keeping the minde from sinne; and she may be more a maid, that hath been m­uisht against her will, then shee that hath but onely wished amisse.

[Page]A Wise-man was wont to say, that by marriage foure Ioyes most vndoubtedly accrew vnto the husband. 1 A wife. 2 Alli­ance and friends. 3 Patrimony. 4 Children, all strong walls and Bullwarkes to fence a man. But now see (saith another) which of these are firme, and which fleeting: 1. for the wife no man will deny, but that shee stickes firmely till death. 2. For friends they depend vpon fortune; for who neuer lackes, shall neuer want a friend.

Lastly, by death many times friends are cut off for portion, without wary gouernment, charge increasing, that quickly decreaseth.

The Louers complaint written by a Gentleman of quality.

His Abiuration.

The Husbands complaint.

The vnbounded louer.

Q. Which was the most deadly meeting that euer was?

A.

Or as another,

Q. Of how many genders doe women con­sist of?

A. Of three Genders: all of the Foemi­nine, many of the Doubtfull, for as the say­ing is, [Page]

— And some there are of the Com­mon: and those are the common subiects of misery to themselues, and ruine to other, and ioyne with sicknesse, to out-shuffle health.

Q. Which is the fittest season for marriage?

A. Marry in thy youth; for it is in marri­age, as it is in gathering of flowers, where for the most part we delight in the bud, and leaue the full blowne to seed: Yet a learned man in this kingdome was wont to say, Wiues are young mens Mistrisses, Compa­nions for middle age, and olde mens Nur­ses: so that a man may haue a quarrell to marry when hee will. Old Haywood was wont to say, He that marries a widdow, is like to him that buyes a Sute in Long-lane, where he shall hardly finde any, but they are turned, or drest, or old, or rotten, or bad linings; like to a cunning widdowes dissembling chests: hee further thus de­scribes a woman, Aut amat, aut odit mulier, nil tertium.

Q. What is the greatest comfort or addition of happinesse in this world?

[Page] A. A sure friend, and yet in that this is the misery, that he cannot know him to be his friend without being in misery; and as it is vulgarly said, He is happy that findes a true friend in aduersity, but he is happier that findes not aduersity wherein to try a true friend: As saith another, It is good to haue friends, but naught to need them: which is agreeable to that which the Phy­sician wrote at the end of his Rules.

To which another added:

Q. Whether it is better to dream vpon dreams that are good or bad?

A. Whilst we breathe waking, we liue all in one common world, but at night in our dreames, we goe euery one into a seue­rall Region, and in these my visitations I desire rather my dreames should bee bad then good; for if my dreames bee good, I grieue whē I wake that they were dreams, but if euill, I reioyce that they were not [Page 51] truths but dreames. To this purpose, a poore man that had dreamed the night be­fore, that he was as rich as Croesu [...], and that he had abundance of gold and treasure, met a great Lord the next day following and be­sought him for something, saying, If his dreame that he dreamed last night had been true, he had not needed to aske a reward; for I dreamed that I was a King. This Lord replied vnto him, It had beene good for thee if thou haddest neuer waked, for it is better to be a King in a dreame, then a beg­ger awake.

A great Lord of great stomacke, sharpely in the fury thereof that sought to giue satis­faction to his belly and lose no time, so ea­gerly slasht in the cutting vp of a Capon, that he cut off a pi [...]f his finger; where­upon it was repo [...]hat this gluttonous Lord had at one b [...]ft his finger and his stomacke. No worse [...]ewes, quoth the hea­rers, but if a poore man finde it, and so che­rish it, it will vndoe him.

Q. Whether is it of a certaine or not, that is vulgarly reported, that when we are talked of abroad by friends or others, our eares tingle and glow, and whether may this be thought the rea­son thereof?

[Page 52] A. Nothing lesse, there is in man or wo­man a certaine flushing of blood and heat, which naturally runnes thorow the body, and is sometimes more inward, and some­times more outward, as the body doth need; which falling into the Cheekes or Eares of a sudden by the motion of the bo­dy, and her naturall heat, doth extraordina­rily warm those parts, which some, though vnwisely doe attribute to this first cause.

Q. What is that onely which hath an audi­ble voyce, but not a visible body, and what the contrary, which presents the shape of a body, but without any sound of voyce?

A. Eccho, and the Looking-glasse.

Instruction for Bel [...]efe and Action.

Q. There are foure things doe what they [Page 53] list, and are vnreprou [...]d: and what are they?

A. The winde bloweth where it lists, a woman talkes and does what shee list, a traueller lyes what wonders he lists, and a Wise-man, of all belieues what he lists.

Q. Whether is it of a truth or not that is v [...] ­gularly, or are they Popish Fables, that m [...]n [...] Spirits walke after their deaths, for treasure [...], for murders committed, or the like?

A. They are not truths: for after death (as Diuinity will tell vs) the soule goes ei­ther to ioy or paine, from whence there is no recession; as Abraham told Di [...]es, and as that Diuine Poet wrote to that purpose, and if any such appearance there be, the Di­uell doth assume the shape.

[Page 54]To this purpose is heere annexed a sto [...] of a Diuine and a Lawyer, that meeting at dinner, the Lawyer, to helpe Discourse, pro­posed this question to the Diuine: When Lazarus had laine foure dayes in the gra [...]e, and after was raysed vp againe, where was his soule in the meane time? The Diuine not answering his question, proposed vnto him another; which was, If Lazarus and his heyres should haue fallen at strife about his Lands, the Quaere was, Whose ought they to haue been? This was according to the question in Virgils Eglogues, Di [...] qui­bus in terris. One difficulty choked by pro­posing another, and yet,

For further confirmation thereof, saith Lemnius, A Scholler trauelling with his fa­mily, came into a Towne to aske lodging, and finding none, It was told him there was a faire house that stood empty, that he might either lodge, or dwell in gratis; but the inconuenience was, it was haunted with Sprites, and euery night in it was heard a great iumbling, and rattling of chaines: he nothing affrighted hereat, desired to haue it: which was accordingly granted. At bed­time hauing disposed his family to rest, hee himselfe sate vp in a chamber reading: about [Page 55] midnight (the time that Church-yards yawne, and Spirits take their progresse) he heard a noyse at bottome of the staires, and presently it came vp: he nothing daunted, [...]ate still reading, till at last it appeared on the top of the stayres in the similitude of Askeliton, or Anatomy, wrapped about with chaines of Iron: which comming vp, bec­kened with his finger, and so went downe the stayres to haue him follow him: which he did; and first hee led him thorow an outward roome, then thorow a yard, and thence into a garden where he left him; in which place he pulled vp some grasse and left it for a marke; and in the next day dig­ged vp that place, where was found a man buried, that had beene there strangled, which man being taken vp and buried with due Rites, the house was euer quiet after. But this doe I take rather to be an ancient fiction then a certaine truth.

A certaine Mountebancke hauing long cheated with his drugges and playsters, and hauing profited little, left his old profession and turned Priest; and patching together diuers remnants of old Sermons and Ho­milies, so vnfitly applied, that his want of Schollership was soone discouered, and hee [Page 56] of his Ministery as soone discarded: [...] dismission from thence hee made this p [...] ­testation; Now shall this businesse you [...] done, cost many a good mans life: The Pa­rishioners thus threatned, accuse him be­fore a Iustice; The Iustice demanded what he meant to doe: (Why quoth he) I meane to fal to my old trade of Paracelsus, and that I am sure will cost some deare.

Q. Whether doth a dead body in a Shippe cause the Ship to sayle slower, and if it doe, what is thought to be the reason thereof?

A. The Shippe is as vnsensible of the liuing, as of the dead, and as the liuing makes it to goe the faster, so the dead makes it not goe the slower, for the dead are no Rhemorahs to alter the course of her pas­sage, though some there be that thinke so, and that by a kinde of mournfull sympathy.

A Philosopher seeing a yong man proud­ly decked out like a Shippe vnder saile, said; I could wish I were such a one as that fond man thinkes himselfe, but my ene­mies such as hee is. Seeing likewise the world full of contention, wished he might liue to see men striue for loue, and not loue to striue.

Q. What is the Epitome or summe, the [Page 57] [...]uare, and measure of a Christian mans duty, [...]hich euen Nature teacheth, and God approues.

A. To doe to others, as wee would bee [...]one vnto our selues, a most vpright iustice, [...]nd the fulfilling of the Law and the Pro­phets.

Q. What is the Epitome or summe of all Philosophy?

A. It is collected out of the infinite vo­lumes of Philosophers, that those precepts that pertaine to humane felicity, are com­prised onely in these two words, sustinendo, & abstinendo, or in ferendo, & sperando, In sustaining, and abstaining, in induring, and hoping, in bearing aduersities patiently, and abstaining from pleasures warily; hope still supporting vs to the Hauen of happinesse, that we be not too much cast downe by the one, nor corrupted by the other.

Q. What is that, which they that haue no­thing else for the most part are not without?

A. Hope.

Q. What is the most beautifull thing of all others?

A. Thal. Mil. answered, The World, the admirable worke of God, and nothing more beautifull, himselfe onely excepted, wherein we haue the greene Carpet of the [Page 58] earth vnder our feet, the goodly Canop [...] heauen ouer our heads fretted with gold [...] Starres, the wa [...]y Curtaines of the Ayre beside vs, all the creatures to serue and de­light vs, and all to set forth the praise of the Creator; of which both from the Greekes and Latines it receiues the name. Clemen [...] Alexandrinus saith, The Creation of the World, is the Scripture of God, whose 3. leaues are the Heauens, the Earth, and the Sea, being as many letters therein, as there are creatures in heauen and earth: For the heauens declare the glory of God, and the earth sheweth his handy-worke.

Q. By what Element most hath it pleased God to expresse to the world his Iustice and his mercy?

A. By Water, when for the sinnes of his people hee therewith drowned the World: But his mercy thereby in the in­stitution of Baptisme by water, and in that hee would haue the holy Spirit by which wee are Regenerate, called by the name of Water.

Q. What shippe of all other was the most an­cient, the most spacious, the most holy, and the most rich that euer was or will be?

A. The Arke of Noe, in which all the [Page 59] [...]en, wealth and creatures that escaped the [...]ood, were preserued; and this is noted to [...]a type of the Church, for as without the [...]rke was no safety, so without the Church [...] no saluation.

Q. Who was he that of a dumbe Father, came [...] the most excellent Orator in the world?

A. S. Iohn Baptist, of whom Christ him­selfe affirmes no greater to haue risen a­mong the sonnes of women; vpon whom [...]nd the disparity betweene Christ and him, [...]is thus obserued, That at his Natiuity the dayes begin to shorten, as at Christs Nati­uity to increase and lengthen: so likewise in their deaths, when the body of Christ was exalted, and stretched out vpon the Crosse, the body of S. Iohn was shortned by the head, according to his owne testimo­ny, It behoues Christ to increase, and mee to be diminished.

Q. Of the children of Iob and their number, is a question I wil [...] now propound: When Iob had all his goods restored him double, yet had hee by generation but seuen sonnes, and three daughters, as many as he had before: how then did he re­ceiue all things doubled?

A. Concerning his goods▪ and cattell: first I will instance for his 7000. sheepe, he [Page 60] had 14000. for his 3000. Camells 6000 [...] and so of the rest. And concerning his children; true it is, he receiued but his for­mer number: yet it is conceiued that the number of them was likewise doubled, be­cause these his 10. former remained yet with God; therefore it may be said he had 20. For as Saint Hierome saies, Quicquid re­uertitur ad domin [...]m, in familiae numero compu­tatur. Whosoeuer they are that are retur­ned to the Lord, are reckoned in the num­ber of the family: wherefore if he had re­ceiued them doubled vpon earth, he should haue had them trebled: And in this lyes a mystery of the Resurrection.

Q. Who, and how many were those, that had their names foretold before they were borne?

A. Sixe, Ismael, Isack, Iosias, Cyrus, Saint Iohn Baptist, and Christ our Sauiour for e­uer blessed.

Q. What number is it that our Romanists so much dignifie aboue any other?

A. The fift, which they affirme to bee a number of great efficacy and power, and much honoured by God: fot by fiue words say they he would bee incarnate, a Virgin should become a Mother, and hee himselfe God and man; Fiat mihi secundum verbu [...] [Page 61] [...]uum, Be it vnto mee according to thy word: by fiue words he would haue his bo­dy consecrate in the Eucharist, Hoc enim est Corpus meum, This is my Body. Lastly, by fiue words he absolued the Publican, Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori, God be mercifull vnto me a sinner: and so with other num­bers they fable and trifle, which we passe o­uer with many other of their errors.

Q. Much disputation and controuersie hath risen amongst the Philosophers, about Theseus shippe; but what may wee resolue thereon, and wherein doth it resemble the n [...]w present Romish religion?

A. This was the shippe in which Theseus sayled into Creet, when hee passed the La­byrinth, and slue the Minotaure; which shippe being long time after kept for a mo­nument, was so supplied and preserued by pieces, that the question grew, whether it were any part of Theseus shippe, or not; and it was afterwards resolued that it was rather a new shippe all of pieces, then any part of the old: much like vnto the modern Religion of Rome, that hath beene so pie­ced from time to time by tradition and no­uelty, that it now scarce retaines any thing of the ancient verity.

[Page 62]Q. Luther committed two great sinnes, say some, and what were they?

A. Hee tooke from the Pope his treble Crowne, and from the Monks their fat bel­ly-cheare.

Q. What was hee the most wretched and poorest of all creatures, that offered to the most rich and mighty in the world, what hee neither had to giue, nor was able to performe?

A. Satan, when hee offered Christ the kingdomes of the world, and to fall downe and worship him.

Q. What riches are those that cannot bee wasted?

A. Good turnes, for those in bestowing are not wasted, but increase: if thou bestow them, thou art the richer, if thou keep thē, thou art the poorer, if thou scatter them, thou doest not lose, if thou keepe them, they lose thee.

Q. Wherefore did not God make all alike rich?

A. Because in his secret Counsell and wisedome he saw it not fit, in which wee must rest our selues content in this wise di­stribution of his owne: For as one saith, the poore and the rich are two contraries, but either necessary vnto the othsr: for if all [Page 63] [...]ere rich, who would labour? if all were [...]ore, where were reliefe or helpe? There­ [...]re God made the poore for the rich, and [...]e rich for the poore, and either for each [...]ther: and it had beene a controuersie a­ [...]ong some, whether of the estates is the more happy: most are of opinion that in pouerty is the lesse euil, the more freedome: for compare the rich man and the poore to­gether: the poore man laughes oftner and more heartily, without any deepe care: if it appeare, it doth no more, but so passeth ouer like a cloud; but the rich mans mirth is fained, but his griefes are not, but indeed deepe rooted, and of long continuance: and what doth it profit a foole to haue riches, when they cannot buy wisedome? the sicke man, when they cannot buy wealth?

Q. Whether is Art or Wealth more precious?

A.

English.

[Page 64]Q. Whether hath Law, or Phisick the high [...]est place, or precedency?

A. This in times past was a question disputed in Greece, touching the profes­sors in those parts, where the Physicians thus argued for superiority, that since there are three chiefe goods pertaining to man his welfare and support, ouer which, euery one hath a Regent and Gardian assigned; which are the goods of the minde, the goods of the body, and the goods of for­tune: The first whereof, was the care of the Diuine the, highest officer, for the wor­thiest Mistris.

The second of the Physician, because the body is more worth then raimēt, or goods; and the last of the Lawyer: Hereupon Phi­sicke challenged the second place and prece­dency before Law: The Lawyer I know not what arguments hee vsed; but after a long controuersie it was concluded, that law notwithstanding, should walke in e­quall ballance, and in some places take the vpper hand of Physicke, for as the one in­tends to preserue health, which is the Iew­ell of the body, so the other, to preserue peace and wealth, which is the hand that weares it, being the thred by which wee [Page 65] [...]ut betweene all estates and rights, being [...]o lesse needfull to the Common-wealth, [...]hen the Sunne is to the world: but for such [...] degenerate from the truth of their pro­ [...]ession, and onely like Vultures prey vpon [...]he carkasses of spoyle, it were not amisse if such were cast out of the society of men, as most hurtfull infections to the Common-wealth.

Q. From whence had Physick his beginning and perfection?

A. Out of Diseases, Sores, and distempe­ratures of the body, which consisting of 4. contrary Elements, are euer at opposition and oddes among themselues, still mena­cing and offending each other: and so vp­on this regard, to maintaine vnity and pre­seruation, this great Lord Sicknesse admit­ted Physick [...] weare his Liuery, which now since is growne greater then his ma­ster. For it hath the way to increase.

And it is the Physicians rule, well appre­hending the aduantage of extremity, to cry Giue, Giue: whilst the sicke hand re­plies, [Page 66] Take, Take.

The truth whereof was well approued by Philip king of Macedon, when being dangerously sicke, and hauing a most skil­full, yet most couetous Physician, that eue­ry day asked him a reward: (Quoth hee) Take what thou wilt out of my Treasury: for thou hast the key that will open the locke of it. Whereupon it is guessed that sometimes Physicians vse their Patients, as Lawyers doe their rich Clients, who keepe them long in hand, not for difficulty of the Cause so much, as for the prolonging o [...] their gaine: and if it be alwayes true, that as the market goes, the market-folke will talke, some say, and which is a worse fault too, that their conclusions are as deare as mens liues, and that no Physician can be ex­pert, before he haue made [...] dangerous experiment: but they are happy say some in this regard, because their successes the Sunne shall behold, but their errours the Earth shall bury: and as one once spoke to a Paracelsian Quackesaluer: I commend thy Art, because thou sufferest not poore men to languish long in misery, but helpest them quickly to their graues.

Q. What Art or faculty hath the most Profes­sors?

[Page 67]A. One answered, Physicke, but another replied, that could not be, because there was not aboue two Physicians in a whole Towne: when the other to maintaine his argument, thus proceeded to the confirma­tion. Vpon a market day he sets one in the principall place thereof very ruthfully as­pected, his gummes trust vp with a Hand­kercher, making lamentation, and to euery one that demanded his griefe, he answered, his paine was tooth-ach: vnto which euery one that demanded, taught a medicine; so that he had as many medicines as market folkes, with which pretty conclusion, the verdict was giuen vpon his side: To which purpose one thus writes,

In mundo omnes volunt esse medici, omnes vo­lunt aliorum infirmitates curare, nemo suas: Euery one would be a Physician to cure o­ther mens infirmities, but no man his owne.

Q. What is that we first wish for, and are neuer after weary of?

A. Health, which makes the most ex­cellent harmony of content, especially where there is a sound minde, in a sound body.

Q. From whence had Law his originall and commencement?

[Page 68]A. It had his Originall from the corrup­tion of cunning and corrupt braines, and since by the infection thereof hath spred and infected far and neere, that if it be de­manded what is the reason that men, hou­ses, and volumes increase so fast: It is an­swered in these two verses:

Q. What effect of all other is the most iust, and the most vniust?

A. Enuy, vniust, because for the most part it pursues good men.

But secondly iust, because it most hurts those that most cherish it, for the enuious man is grieued, not so much for his owne euill, as for others good: and so saith Dauid, concerning the felicity of the godly, Impius videbit & irascitur, the wicked shall behold it, and be sorrowfull, and as the Poet sayes:

And as Seneca likewise saith, The enuious man drinkes the greatest part of his owne [Page 69] poyson himselfe, and therefore let vs auoyd that euill, if not for others, yet for our own sakes.

Q. In how many dayes consists the whole span of mans life?

A. Ah, the many dayes that wee can re­member, when as yet our whole life is but one day; for what see we in our whole life, that we see not euery day, the same Sunne, the same Moone, the same Winter, the same Summer, the same businesse? and what is that, that hath bin, but the same that shall be? & there is no new thing vnder the Sun: yet for this little inch of time, and the les­ser variety therein, how many sell them­selues to perdition? for computate the whole extent of time, I doe not say from this day to the end of the world, but from Adam: and what is it but a drop of water to the whole Ocean? not a minute to eter­nity. And yet saith one, We liue here as if eternity were vpon earth, and time onely in heauen.

Q. What two things are those that make e­quall the happy and the wretched?

A. Sleepe and death, that makes one the oppressor and the oppressed, the seruant, and the master, Codrus and Crassus, and so [Page 70] like the Publican giues away the one halfe from our vse, out of the little that we haue.

Q. What is the Nature of sleepe?

A. Aristotle affirmes it to be the porch betweene Life and Death, for he that sleeps, is neither aliue nor dead, neither mortall nor immortall, but hauing a kind of tempe­rature of either.

It is mentioned in the Romane Histories, of a certaine man, that being in much debt and danger, the perturbations of humane mindes, and depriuers of this nurse of Na­ture sleepe, notwithstanding as one insensi­ble thereof, he securely tooke his rest: Af­ter dying, the Emperour would needs haue his bed, as though perswaded some hidden vertue had beene in the same, that nothing could breed his distemper thereupon.

Q. There are three messengers of death, and which are they?

A. Casualty, infirmity, and old age: The first shewes it lying hid, second appraring, third at hand.

An Explication of the word Mors, and the letters thereof.

[Page] English.

Q. There are three things especially, that are enemies to sleepe (deaths Image) and what are they?

A. An vnquiet bed, vnrestlesse cares, a troubled mind.

And therefore as the Poet saith:

And so the contrary.

Her soueraignty being for the [...] sooner found in a thatcht Cotta [...] a Lordly Palace.

Question.

BEfore I proceed any further, I know tho [...] not ignorant, that it hath beene a questio [...] old, and discussed by wise men of either part, [...] as yet I thinke sub iudice lis est, whether it [...] necessary for a wise man to marry, and enter th [...] society by which generations are produced, and death is exercised, notwithstanding his wastfull [Page] sickle, with still ple [...]tifull Haruests and in­crease?

A. Though some hold it a weakenesse in a wise man to marry, to deliuer vp his freedome, and inthrall himselfe and his li­berty into the hands of a woman: yet wise men that better haue wayed the con­dition thereof, finde many profits that ac­crue vnto man thereby, without which, a wiseman can hardly liue a contented life: as first, the benefit of society. For, It is not good for man to be alone. Secondly, of the Marriage bed: For auoyding of Fornicati­on, let euery man haue his wife. And third­ly for the fruit thereof, which are Chil­ [...]: Thy Wife shall bee as the fruitfull [...]d lastly, herby thou hast found out [...]uardian for thy house and goods; [...]er of thy Seruants, a comforter in [...]nd misery, and the full accom­ [...] of thy ioy and felicity. Away there­ [...] ye haters of women; for it is verified [...] by the Oracle of God, that they are [...]dfull, necessary, behouefull. The Author­ [...]y whereof, without further question, here [...]eales vp the controuersie. And as another saith, He that hath no wife; is as a man vn­built, wanteth one of his ribbes: is like [Page] Ionas in the middest of the Sea, ready to be ouerwhelmed with euery surge and billow; but then comes a wife like a ship, and wafts him ashore, and so saues him from perish­ing. Of whom the Poet thus further addes,

English:

Q. What was the Wise-mans counsell for the choyce of a Wife?

A. Non solùm est oculis ducenda, sed auribus Vxor: Not to choose a wife by the eye, that is, for beauty, a brittle and fading dow­ry; but by the care, that is, from the good report and commendation of others.

Q. What comparison haue the Ancients made betwixt the Woman and the Ribbe, and what reasons haue they thereupon framed, for their much Loquacity and babbling?

A ▪ These: That first as the Ribbe is a bone, hard, crooked, and inflexible: so is a Woman in her will, like the forme there­of, crooked and peruerse, and hardly incli­ning to the desire of her husband: and for [Page 74] their much loquacity, hereupon they ground their reason: That, as if you put a company of bones or ribbes into a bagge, they will rattle and clatter together, but if you put certaine lumpes of earth therein, the metall of mans creation, they meet without noyse or iarring violence. But we pursue this argument no further, because we haue formerly toucht vpon the same in an­other kind, and place.

Q. Who was hee that had that one woman, that was to him both mother, sister, and wife?

A. Euphorbus, of whom the verse follows,

Q. What is the true law of friendship?

A. To loue our friend as our selfe, and neither more nor lesse, but so: to which purpose is here inserted a story of a certaine wise woman, that had but one onely sonne, whose society in the way of friendship ma­ny desired: to him she gaue three Apples, willing him to giue them to his three friends, when they were hungry in the way to be cut & diuided among them. In the do­ing wherof, the first cuts his Apple in two, [Page] in equall parts, giuing this lesse to the wo­mans sonne, and reseruing the greater part vnto himselfe. The second likewise vne­qually diuided his, but yet gaue the bigger to this womans sonne, and kept the lesser for himselfe: but the third diuided his e­qually, reseruing iust the one halfe that he gaue; which being told to his mother, she bade him choose the last for his associate; because the first was vniust to another, the second to himselfe, and he onely vpright in his diuision.

Q. Who was hee that first forbade Priests marriage, and whereupon did he afterwards al­ter that constitution?

A. P. Greg. 1. was the first that procee­ded in that restraint: But when afterwards hee heard to be found the heads of 6000. in­fants, that had beene drowned in the riuer Tiber: he then sighing, repelled his decree, and said, It is better to marry then burne.

Q. Whence proceeds it, that those creatures that are most vsefull and beneficiall to man, are so fruitfull and plenteous, whereas those other wilde, rauenous, and cruell, are more rare and retired?

A. This proceeds meerely from the prouidence of God, and his goodnesse to [Page 79] mankind; for otherwise how would it be▪ it there should be as many wolues as sheep, which though killed and eaten daily, are notwithstanding plentifull, as diuers o­thers of his good creatures, whom he mul­tiplieth aboue measure? As for example likewise; The Hare whom all doe hunt and pursue, yet her kinde is not diminished in regard of her fruitfulnesse, which is such, that when she is with young, shee againe coupleth, hauing within her some of a for­mer maturity already hairy, others naked without their furre others not yet formed, and yet others conceiuing: whereas the Lyon, a cruel creature, brings forth but one in her whole life time.

Q. What little creature is that, that hath the softest body but the hardest teeth of all other?

A. The white worme, the body where­of is more soft then wooll, yet with her teeth doth she pierce the hardest Oake.

Q. What Artificers are those that haue most Thieues come vnder their hands?

A. Not Taylors nor Myllers, as the old saying is, but Barbers: for euery thiefe and Knaue, to disguise themselues, falls vnder their hands.

Q. What was S. Chrysostomes opinion con­cerning Dancing?

[Page]A, That where dancing was, there was the Diuell: neither (saith hee) to that end did God giue vs our feet, so want only to a­buse them. For, if we shall answer for eue­ry idle word, shall we not likewise for e­uery lasciuious and idle motion of the bo­dy, which tend onely to folly and lust?

Hereupon was annexed a story of a cer­taine dancer, whose ambitious actiuity was such, that forsaking the ground, hee would needs shew his trickes in the Ayre; to the which purpose hauing there fastned a Rope, hee beginning after his accustomed manner, to caper and dance, his footing fai­led him, and downe he fell, whereat some laughed: when among the rest a Foole not standing farre off, fell a weeping; of whom a reason being required, he thus answered:

I weepe, because Jam counted a foole, yet haue more wit then this Dancer, because I know that it is written in the Psalme, that not the Ayre, but the Earth is giuen vnto the sonnes of men: vpon which I content my selfe to tread, not atttempting further, as Icarus, and Dedalus, and some others as wel as this fellow, that hath payed for his pre­sumption.

Q. What two things are those that many desir [...] before [Page] they haue them, and when once possest, with a greater desire would bee depriued thereof a­gaine?

A. Old age and Marriage, the latter whereof, hath oft beene compared to a Feast, where those that are within and full, would faine come out, and those that are without empty, would faine come in.

Q. In what things doth laudable Old age most solace, and make glad it selfe?

A. In the remembrance of an honest fore-passed life, and in the hope of a better n [...]re succeeding.

Q. Whence was it that of old, Bacchus or the God of Wine, was pictured like a Childe?

A. Thence it was, because the drinking of wine puts care and troubles out of the minde, and in stead thereof, fills it with mirth and lightnesse, making men free from sorrow, louiall, lightsome, and plea­sant as children: And secondly, Like chil­dren it makes them speake all they know.

Q. In what part of the Earth doth no Snow fall?

A. In the Sea, which by reason of the hot vapours it sends vp, dissolueth it before it falls therein.

Q. In what part of the Earth doht it neuer rayne?

[Page]A. In Egypt, which is watered by the o­uer-flowing of Nylus.

Q. A certaine Scholler told Esop, hee had heard there was nothing more strong then Iron, by which all things are wrought and ouercome: but yet for all that (quoth he) I think the Smith to be more strong then it, which workes and in­forceth it as he pleaseth: But what was Esops answer?

A. The mother of the Smith which he held to be more strong then either, which bore the tamer of Iron.

Q. Dionysius the Tyrant demanded the rea­son why Philosophers visited the gates of rich men, and not rich men the gates of Philosophers?

A. It was answered by Diogenes, Because Philosophers know what they want, but these know not, and therefore seeke it not; for if rich men vnderstood they wanted knowledge, they would much more visit the doores of Philosophers: for the pouer­ty of the minde, is much more then the po­uerty of the body, for hee is a man that wants money, but a beast that wants know­ledge.

Dionysius King of Sicilia sent for an ex­cellent Musician, to sing and play before him, promising him a reward therefore. [Page 80] The Musician, after three dais imployment, demanded his reward, which this King re­fused to pay, telling him, the pleasure of the hope of his reward, was as much to him as the pleasure of his singing, and so hee should take one pleasure for another.

Q. Who of all other were the best Orators?

A. Tully and Demosthenes.

Q. Wh [...]t did the Ancients thinke of Homer?

A. That he was the Father of all wits: and hereupon it was that Palaton the pain­ter drew Homer vomiting, with a flocke of Poets standing about him, ready to sup it vp; one of which, it was obiected to Virgil, that he had beene, in that hee had stollen some of Homers verses, and framed them into his owne worke: who thereunto an­swered, Am not I then a strong man, that can wring Hercules Club out of his hand?

Q. Whether is that Common-wealth more happily gouerned, in which the Prince is euill, and the Counsellors good, or where the Counsel­lors are euill and the Prince good?

A. Most true it is, that Lampridius re­ports, that that Common-wealth is more safe and better gouerned, where the Prince is euill and the Counsellors good, then where the Counsellors are euill, and the [Page 81] Prince good: and the reason is, for that one euill man or disposition, is more easily amended by the example or perswasion of many good, then many euill by the exam­ple of one good may become bettered: for instance whereof, Saul was a wicked King; yet by the Counsell of Samuel did he those things, which otherwise he would not haue done: on the other side, there is no Prince so good, that may not be seduced by wicked Counsellors.

Q. S. Austen wished he [...] had liued to haue seene Rome in her florishing estate, to haue heard S. Paul preach, to haue seene Christ in the flesh. But what saith Lactantius and Bede?

A. Thereupon, Peraduenture (saith hee) the first wee shall neuer see, that is, Rome, neither is it any matter to see that harlot as she now is, but for the other two, I trust both to see & behold in a greater perfectiō. But saith Bede, my soule desires onely to see Christ my Redeemer, in his exaltation and glory.

Q. Wherein doth principally consist the wor­ship of God?

A. In one word, God is to be worship­ped. AMORE.

Q. How is his Kingdome to be purchased?

A. Hearken, and S. Austen will tell thee, where in the person of God he thus saith, Venale habeo: Quid, domine: I haue to bee sold, What, Lord? The Kingdome of Hea­uen. How is it to be purchased? My King­dome is to be purchased by pouerty; my ioy, by griefe; my rest, by labour; my glo­ry, by ignominy; my life, by death, &c.

Q. What heires are they that first die, before they enter into their possession?

A. The Faithfull.

Q. Wherein consists the faith of most ignorant Romanists?

A. To beleeue as the Church beleeues: for instance whereof, saith one, A Collier being tempted of the Diuell about his faith, the Diuel thus asked him how he beleeued? (quoth he) I beleeue as the Church beleeues. And how beleeues the Church, quoth the Diuell: As I beleeue, saith the Collier; and further the diuell could not driue him▪ Euen [Page] such is the faith of the Church of Rome, and her ignorant followers, vnderstanding nothing, but following others opinions, in beleeuing as they beleeue.

Q. A certaine godly man being inuited to a banquet on the morrow following, what was his answer?

A. If you will any thing with me, now I am ready; but I will not promise you to be so to morrow: for of all the dayes that I haue liued, I haue not beene assured of one morrow.

Q. Wherein consisteth true wisedome?

A. Not in grauity of looke, in face or hayre, but in the wisedome of the minde, which is to remember time past, to imbrace the present, and wisely prouide for the time to come; to which purpose is heere inser­ted the error of King Fredericke, to whom the Venetians sometimes sent Embassadors two Gentlemen very seeming young, but of ripe wisdome & vnderstanding: the King distasting their too-much seeming youth, would not admit them into his presence: who thereupon answered him, that if the Senate of Venice had imagined wisdome to cōsist in hoarinesse or beard, they would haue sent him two long bearded Goates: to [Page 84] which purpose the Poet thus supplieth:

English,

Q. What part of what creature is that which mingles all the foure Elements in one?

A. The belly of man, which receiues in­to it the fruits of the Earth, of Trees, the fishes of the Sea, the fowles of the ayre, and in stead of the Element of fire, strong wines, spices, and the like, that it is no wonder if they ruine the whole, where such diuersities of mixtures are—

Q. What was the Greeke Monkes answere to him that demanded the reason: wherefore he would not eat his meat sitting, but walking?

A. Because (quoth hee) I will not make of it as a worke, but as an accessory there­unto: [Page 85] but our seasons yeeld more Philoxi­nes, then such Greekes that will not onely sit with ease to prolong time, but with him could wish there crane neckes might more long retaine their pleasure.

Q. Three things are moderately to be vsed, and what are they?

A. Baths, wine, and women: the meane or excesse whereof, either much helpe, or hurt the body.

Q. How doth the wise man interpret the drunkards cups?

A. The first (saith he) is for health, se­cond for pleasure, third for excesse, the fourth for madnesse, the fift for quarrell, and the sixt for sleepe?

Q. What foure good mothers are those, that bring [...]orth foure bad daughters?

A. Truth, hatred; security, danger; prosperity, pride; familiarity, contempt.

Q. Whence was it that Architas that fa­mous Architect became so admired for his Art and skill?

A. By his woodden Doue that hee so quaintly made for the tryall of his worke­manship, which as many Authors doe de­liuer, being filled with ayre and breath, and hung with wings and appurtenances neces­sary, [Page] flue in the ayre like another liue Doue.

Q. Whether are there Antipodes or not?

A. The ancient Philosophers and Geo­graphers haue gathered by strong conie­ctures and reasons, on the other side of this habitable world, to be another earth be­yond the Ocean, and couered therewith, in which are men that with their feet walke opposite to ours: Saint Austin and Lactan­tius deride the conceit heereof, without shewing any reason to the contrary: But Pliny is not of their opinion, who saith, that there are such, euen reason it self perswades, and experience showes.

Q. An old Courtier being asked by what meanes [...]e continued so long to liue, and grow olde in Court, being a thing so rarely happening?

A. Answered, By taking of iniuries, recei­uing wrongs, and returning of thankes: And thereupon grew his happinesse, to be one of those few, according to the saying, for Paucos [...]eauit Aula, pl [...]res perdidit, & quos beauit, perdidit: The Court hath made few happy, it hath vndone many; and those that it hath most fauoured, it hath vndone; dealing with her fauourites as Dalilah with Samson, or as Time with her Minions, that still promiseth better and [Page 87] longer dayes, when in a moment she with­draweth the one, and performeth not the other, but falsifieth in both; as one lately to this purpose hath both experienced, and vttered as followeth.

— But this generall rule is not without exception.

Q. What Westerne Iland is that, that hath lost more people and blood, then all the Easterne can repaire to her former station againe?

A. The Iland of Hyspaniola, oner-runne by the Spanyard, where the poore Indian Sauages haue beene slaughtered in greatest number, in greatest cruelty, yea euen vpon wagers laid vpon their liues, for sport and merriment; vpon the simplicity of one of which, this ensuing story hath de­pendance.

A certaine Spanyard sent his poore Indian seruant of a message with Birds and other [Page] gratuities to another of his country-men, with a Letter therein mentioning the par­ticulars sent, which this vassaile something pinched by hunger, not trustily carrying▪ had made bold by the way, now and then to eate one of the Birds, thinking his ma­ster could neuer come to knowledge there­of. But after, deliuering the residue and the Letter: He to whom they were sent, fin­ding his number short, wrote backe he had not receiued his due: whereupon the Master questioning his seruant, with threates and blows, compelled him to reueale it: where­upon he wondring, gaue notice to his coun­try men, that they should take heed of those white papers with black notes in them, for they could tell tales.

Q. The Roman Indiction is a Phrase much met withall in Almanackes, and there likewise are the Dogdayes noted in Iuly and August; now I would know the signification and meaning of both these, and what they import?

A. The Roman Indiction is the space of 15. yeeres, by which account Charters and publike writings are dated at Rome, euery yeere still increasing one till it come to 15, and then returning to one againe.

The Dogdayes or Canicular dayes, which [Page 89] are in Iuly and August, are so called of the Starre Canis, which then riseth with the Sunne, and maketh his progresse in an e­quall coniunction therewith, and much ad­deth to the heat of the Sunne, and faintnesse of that season, much infeebling thereby mans body.

Of Thought and Opinion, that trauell the world without a pasport.

Saith a merry conceited wanton, Euery Bird thinks his owne the fairest, the Crow thinkes his owne Bird the whitest.

Not alwayes so, saith another, for many there be that thinke their neighbors wiues fairer then their owne, and of such their speech will somewhat point them out: for no man can so change himselfe, but his heart will be seene vpon his tongues end.

Hereafter follow certaine collections or choy­ces of things most materiall and ciuill, out of Albertus Magnus, Lemnius, and others.

Of the Longing of women.

ALbertus saith, that the longings of women most commonly haue their [Page 90] beginnings at the end of three moneths, e­specially conceiued of a female child, which is the time that the haire beginneth to grow; and the effect thereof proceedeth of the abundance of cold, and raw humours concreted in the wombe. The reason of­tentimes that they are indangered, disap­pointed of their longings, growes through the vehement pursuite, and desire of the ob­iect presented to the minde, which is so ex­treme, that it alters and stops the course of nature, and office of the members within, whereupon many times death ensueth, but most commonly to the childe. For proofe whereof, A woman there was, that longed for a bit of the buttocke of a man, and ha­uing obtained it, was not satisfied, but like­wise desired another, which failing of, she afterwards was deliuered of two children, wherof the one was liuing, preserued there­by, and the other perished.

Of the strength and power of Imagination.

IMagination according [...] Lemnius, &c. of that strength and force, that it makes the things to be, that many times it ima [...]neth are: as for example, It hath infe [...] [Page 91] a body by meere imagination that it hath taken infection; and strong it is, that it makes a begger a King, and a King a beg­ger, deceiues poore fathers, blessing their children for their owne, by apparance of similitude. In forming whereof; the ima­gination of the mother is of no little force, as is witnessed by the story of an Ethiopian Queene: Which by her husband of the same kinde, conceiued and brought forth a childe, of a delicate hiew & complexion, by fixing her eyes and intention vpon a beau­tifull picture that hung before her. To which effect Sir Tho. Moore likewise in an Epigram and other writings of his, wittily iesteth at one, who exceedingly doted on his childe, because it so truly resembled him, when his wife, and some other, knew (as he addeth) it was begot when hee was not at home: for which similitude he thus giueth like reason: The strong imagination of the mother dwelling vpon her husband, in thought of his wrong, and feare of his re­turne, had power to create in this act, his similitude of body, by his presence in mind. And this likewise is the reason, saith ano­ther, that children are sometimes like their vncles, grandfathers, or others (one more [Page 92] of thought most commonly seated vpon them then strangers.) And therefore we conclude it of more certainety to iudge our children our owne, by their inclinati­on & disposition drawing neere vnto ours, than by the Physiognomy or feature.

Whether monstrous births, or abortiues of reasonable soules, shall be partakers of the Resurrection?

IT is answered, that whatsoeuer indued with humane forme, and takes from our first parents, the due order of their naturall procreation and birth, although monstrous in shape, and deformed in habit, indued with the gifts of reasonable soules, shall be partakers of the resurrection: yet those things which present nothing but the shape of man, and commixt with other creatures, exercising their actions otherwise then men, they haue no part of this promise, nor shall haue the honour of renouation at the latter day: such are Fawnes, and Satyres, Centaures and Syrens, and such like: but for the other borne and begot of reasonable soules, they shall be raysed vp, and their de­formities done away. But for such vntime­ly [Page] births, whose bodies vncompact and de­stitute of reasonable soules, deseruing not the name of humane creatures, shall not be raised vp againe. And therefore wee con­clude, that whatsoeuer is brought forth of humane seed, and not ingendred of the con­course of vicious and superfluous humours, although neuer so deformed, hauing once receiued the breath and Spirit of life, shall be raised vp at the latter day, and made beautifull and perfect.

What it is that prickes the conscience, guil­ty of any notorious crime?

THe Conscience is the true witnesse of Gods diuine power and iustice, seated in the bosome of euery liuing man, by that finger that made all men and creatures, as the faithfull Teste or witnesse, to approue or condemne, to our ioy or grief the whole actions of our liues, either good or euill, performed or intended: the force whereof is so great, that in its owne purity it ac­quits amiddest a thousand condemnations, but tainted, condemneth it selfe where no man accuseth: It is like the vpright Iudge that will not be corrupted, but [...]ay open the [Page 94] sowne bosome, euer presenting the most carlet sins, and such as we would labour to put from vs, and wash away in wine and strong drinkes, or forget with merriment, setting them before the face and forehead of him that committeth them, with the deserts and punishments due vnto them, from which continuall apprehension and terror, as our naturalists doe obserue, is strucken a chilling and coldnesse into the blood, and a retyring of it selfe into the more interiour parts: which feare and ap­prehension of iustice, an instinct of that di­uine impression, suddenly strikes & startles, thereby causing as it were a sensible com­punction or pricking in the brest; and by which terror of the minde, and inordinate retirement and shrinking of the blood and spirits, the countenance becommeth pale and meager, the body and all the parts thereof deficient. For as (saith Salomon) the body will beare his infirmity, but a woun­ded and broken spirit who can sustaine? &c.

Of the strange nature of the Cocke.

THe Cocke, as Pliny writeth, and as our owne experience witnesseth, is a bird [Page] not great, yet of that height and courage, that it rather dyeth in fight, then yeeldeth to his aduersary: of that piercing voyce, that it daunteth the Lyons courage▪ of that obseruance and intelligence, that he distin­guisheth houres, and seasons: and whereas all other creatures after the act of venery, are dull and melancholike, only the Cocke, the country horologe, as one tearmeth him, is otherwise; as appeareth, by the after-clap­ping of his wings, sprightly rowsing of himselfe, and sending forth of his note, yet in his age, it is obserued, as at 5.8.12.14. yeeres, sooner or later in some than in o­thers; he layeth an egge, which is round and small, in some hole, or hedge, which by sitting vpon, he bringeth forth to some ve­nemous serpent, or other thing, but most commonly to the Basiliske, a serpent that poysoneth by his breath or sight: As Afri­ca and some parts of Germany doe witnesse [...] as our Poet writeth to that effect.

Of the strange nature of the Wolfe.

PLiny likewise noteth of the Wolfe, a creature outwardly resembling a dog, yet for her sence in some degree drawing neere vnto man, that, minded to make prey vpon any thing, as by extremity of hunger oftentimes inforced thereunto, Shee first suruayes the likelihood of aduantage to be made against her, which if she finde too a­ble for her single incounter, shee presently by howling drawes together more of her cumrades; which so assembled, deuoure either man or beast. And it was credibly informed by a Gentleman long resident in Ireland, of one that trauelling in an Eue­ning betwixt two townes in that countrey, some three miles distant, was three seuerall times set vpon by a Wolfe, from whose iawes by his sword he so oft deliuered him­selfe; approaching neere the towne where­to he was bent, hee incountred a friend of his trauelling vnarmed towards the towne from whence he came, vnto whom (aduising him of his perill, and assault, accounting him selfe secure so neere the towne) he lent his sword: now hauing parted and diui­ded [Page 97] themselues some little distance, this old Wolfe sets vpon his new guest, who finding him armed with the others wea­pon, presently leaues him, making after the other with all speed he might; ouertooke him before he came to the towne, assaulted and slue him. Pliny likewise addeth, that the breath of a Wolfe, who-euer it breathe vpon, maketh hoarse.

Of the Tyger and the Elephant.

THe Tyger, as Gesner and Pliny make mention▪ is of stature not great, yet o [...] foot the swiftest of many swift ones, which i [...] noted of her in the pursuite of her yong, fetcht off when shee trauelleth for prey, which when she returneth and findeth not, she presently coasting the countrey about, in a moment ouertaketh her fellon, that many miles was before her, which he wa­rily obseruing, as behoueth his safety and cūning, perceiuing, setteth down one of her young ones, which shee taking vp in her mouth, seeketh no more till shee haue brought that home to her furre againe, how farre soeuer in distance, which there deliue­red, out shee maketh againe, and vnlesse [Page 98] more speed preuent, or cunning preuaile, she recouereth another, which sometimes by looking-glasses and such like, laid in her way; wherein viewing her selfe, or the like of young, she amazedly stayeth: so hin­dred and disappointed, loseth the substance for shadowes; which when she perceiues, returning with rage, she furiously assaulteth what [...]re she meets in her way.

Of the excellency, vertue, and nature of Stones.

THe Turcoyse stone, if the wearer of it be not well, changeth his colour, and looketh pale and dimme, but increaseth to his perfectnesse, as hee recouereth to his health, with which our Poet thus accordeth in his comparison:

Many other precious Iemmes there are, that lose their vertue and splendor, worne vpon the finger of any polluted person; and therfore lewd and vncleane liuers, such as defile their bodies with women, neuer a­dorne themselues with these dissenting ie­wels, which would blush at their shame, [Page] and betray their guiltinesse. A rich inue­sture, saith one, they are, but of small vse in our dayes, hardly meeting with a finger that spoyles them not.

In the end of August, the Moone increa­sing, there is found in the Swallowes belly a stone of excellent vertue, for the cure of the falling sicknesse, and which dries vp the thin and glutinous humours where­upon it is chiefly ingendred.

There is likewise found in the head of an old Toad a stone very precious against all inflamations and swellings; as bytings of venemous beasts, poysonings, and such like▪ Likewise there is sometimes found in the head of a Carpe, a stone that stancheth all bleeding at the nose.

Hereafter follow certaine Epigrams, Riddles, and witty Positions.

Vpon a bragging Angler.

Of money and the quality thereof, that well knowne metall, first made by man, as afterwards man seekes to be made by it.

A Supplication to Lady Pecunia.

Her reply.

Deaths supplication to Time.

Times reply.