To the vvise harted Reader, Grace, Vnderstanding, and Comfort, from him that ruleth all vnto all, Amen.

GEntle Reader, seeing mea­nest Subiectes (by authoritie) are aduaunced, I presumed so much the rather to offer this (the lowest of all) to thy grauer iudgment; not onely for the extraordinary power I finde in them (although ve­rely it be great in deede) but for the mightie autho­ritie that hath supported and susteyned them hither­to, euen since the beginning of the world, I meane of this vniuersall Abce, which at first (peraduen­ture) for the name sake, thou wilt despise as friuo­lous, idle, and childish, it being nothing lesse; for the authoritie thereof is very needfull to be kno­wen: the waightiest businesse of the earth is built thereon, children vnderstanding it not: and it af­foordeth much matter for the wisest. But as they are counted childish because of their doctrine and [Page] education, so I hartely desire that euen children may, either by this, or some other greater paines, obtaine the right vnderstanding of these Princi­ples, with the full vse and authoritie of them.

First therefore, If I be demaunded whether through the world there were not many sundry Abces inuented of diuers men? I answere, there was but one: and that one, of God himselfe, the true Hagiography or Hieroglyps of our first Fathers: to wit, the two and twentie seuerall vncorrupted Formes or Letters of the Hebrew tongue: Which being graunted the eldest, consequently must be thought the Mother and very Matrix of all other; so that the authoritie of all Abces ryseth from hence, as this from God. And as nothing can pre­uaile without authoritie, which indeed is God; which our elders well foresaw by comparing their owne indeuours therewith: so must we conclude, that nothing euer by man could be made so constant and so durable as to outlast the very Heauens for glory, and the Earth, that can not be mooued.

Therefore when you seeme to beholde in this mirror at the first aspect, diuers Abces, as if diuers men had faigned or created new formes & figures at their pleasure, thinke not so; for they be all one and the same generation, going foorth as the dayes of the yeere which the Sunne bringeth vnto all Countries of a diuers complexion: or as graund Nephewes to the thousandth degree that haue their continuance of both their Parents (that is) of [Page] their first author and peregrination, or confusion.

But that I may the better explane my purpose, I will handle their Creation, their Authoritie, their Dignitie, their Peregrination, and their vse, in their proper places: and of their vniuersall Kindred and posteritie, in the last place generally.

CREATION.

BEcause all Antiquitie is to be giuen to the Hebrew Learning, and their Letters, mine only endeuour shalbe to calculate their birth day, for the vse of diuers other Rewes their progenie: that as they are truely the Mothers of all, and haue the preheminence; so all their ofspring (how diuers soeuer) may reioyce alike of their first begetting, and continuance: where­fore of any other Antiquitie (sauing this) I meane not to dispute: But hereof, because the Holy Scripture hath some Argument, it shall not be amisse, first to consider somewhat of that.

Gen 5. First, that Cain had his Forehead marked: which marke should likely be Tau, the last of the Hebrew letters; or at the least Tau, that in that tongue did sig­nifie a Signe or Marke: Whethersoeuer, because the Marke was notably knowne, and easie to be read, it may most properly be applyed to my purpose. For the Lord marked Cain to this end, that such as met him should not kill him. Here had the Lords writing been vaine, if men could not read the Marke. Hence peraduenture we vsed to intitle the Foreheads of our [Page] forsworne Men and Theeues with F. for Forgerie, or Furtum; like as this Letter (what a one soeuer it was) might import on Cain, Brother, or, Man-slaughter; who was guiltie of both: or his endles punishment of a roguish life, or eternall banishment from the Saintes of God, to liue a forraigner both in Countrey and Religion.

Other marking in the Forehead, hath been vsed to the like and contrary purposes, Ezek. 9. 4. Apoc. 13. &c. In the same Chapter is mention made of Tubal-Cain the cunning Caruer both in Brasse and Iron. And al­so [...]ubal the Organist; who doubtlesse were cunning not only in the formes and proportion of these, but also of their effect in working, whether in Arithme­ticke or Proportion, in Musicke or Portraying, in Notes or Lines, both by eare and eye: for they are the Abce and principall Rudiment of all workmanship, aswell as of Learning. And what Instrument of com­mendation or profit was euer made? What Musicke? What workmanship was euer inuented, how witty or rare so euer, that by effect in these receiued not his onely prayse? Wherefore it is manifest, that this auncient Literature florished in the time of these men, which reaped such prayse & profit by the skill therein. And most like it is, that the commendable cunning which Tubal-Cain shewed, was in some Geographi­call, Hieroglyphicall, or Astrolabicall engine, exactly prepared to designe the Heauens, and describe the Earth, and the bodyes thereof, by euen partes and pro­portion.

And to prooue that nothing at that time, could be [Page] deuised more necessarie or to greater vse, I may recite the Chapter of Creation, where the Lord created a vse for them: to wit, the two vnequall Lightes; and the Starres for signes, for seasons, for dayes, & for yeeres: which to our sense may be thus; For Minutes, How­ers, Dayes, and Yeeres: That is, Othoth, (as if a man should faigne) for proportionall Figures, or legible Letters, for the full scope of Gods Creation especially was that: Such thinges as erst lay hid in Confusion, Rude and Vaine, Tohow vabohow, of no manner of shape or facion, might then by his Word of life, most clearely appeare and be distinguished: Not that their sundry qualities should be admirable to the outward sense onely, but that the very hart and minde of man should be mooued to consider the deapth of so strang a separation; when euery thing was so rightly weigh­ed by his owne poyse: and as the vpper face of any thing contented the sense, so the inwarde proprietie with due cogitation, should content the hart: that as well in kinds as in facions, both sense and vnderstan­ding, might (by comparing the substaunce with the pourtrayture) be lightned. Seeing that all thinges which the Lord wrought or commaunded in the first weeke, exceeded not the number of two and twentie. And (as I gather by the text) he delighted to rest in the most complet and correspondent summe of the letters of this Abce. From hence may much glori­ous matter arise: but I note onely this, that the Lord hereby described all his worke for the most capacious vse and profite of man, whom he placed in honour. Wherefore I may conclude, that euery of these seue­rall [Page] Hebrew letters, should signifie or import some speciall workmanshyp of the Lordes Creation. And the rather, because the Lord concluded euery one of his actions or creatures, with this proper demonstra­tion Eth, which is taken for a Signe, Figure, Letter, Forme, or Marke; beeing the extremities of the two farthest letters of the Rew. As, if all things were to be comprehended by this limitation or circumscription Bara Elohim (Eth) hashamaim, God created the figure, signe, or letter, of the Heauens, &c. Or the very hie­roglypsis of them, this worde beeing the singular of Othoth, which signifieth Figures, Letters, Causes, Signes, or Tokens, of all sortes. Where note, that God by his diuine insight, hath diligently obserued the shapes, the figures, and the lines of euery of his workes; because he vsed to commende the perfection of them: so with his very finger hath he drawē them, and with his spirit stamped them secretly in all crea­tures for vs.

This worde Eth, maketh the Pronowne demon­stratiue Zoth. i. this, which is thus to be deriued and expounded, Zou or Ze, oth, which properly sig­nifieth, This Token, this Figure, this Letter, this Cause.

Here could I more at large dilate vpon this word Eth, but this for my present purpose may suffice.

Hitherto of the Creation of these little Figures, whereby men may coniecture, that in the time of Cain, they were playne to be read and vnderstood: and that Tubal-Cain ingraued them in his costly In­struments. [Page] And lastly, that the Almighty God him selfe in the seperation of his Elementes, vouchsafed to remember them, and delighted most often to designe the constancie of them by Eth the particle.

AVTHORITIE.

WHereas many (perchaunce of my sort) will wayte for the approbation of diuers and sundry Abce-like authorities, they shall surely vna­wares deceiue themselues; for I minde nothing lesse: neither dare I willingly so much to diminish the glo­rie of the Holy writing, because I well know that in these seuerall Rewes (howsoeuer disguised) is no new thing: and that their inuentions which at this day are so famously faigned, are meerely nothing else, but counterfeiting of the Hebrew Rew; in changing their bodyes or their power, their places or their order: as in my Table of Abces thou mayest well discerne. For what cause, vpon what deliberation, or to what end (except that Nations were wont craftily to con­ceale the knowledge of their Tongue from strangers) I know not: but a great cause of their metamorphosis, may be the changing of the culture and race of Wry­ting; which was, from the left hand to the right, being before contrary. The alteration of their power may seeme to rise from Warfare or pollicie of Court: where, because silence will not serue, secrecie of [Page] Language should be needfull and this (yea in the same Countrey and Dialect) where Ciuill-warres haue growen, men haue been forced to study and practise, least that the Watch-word either in Court or Campe be too easely apprehended of the enemie, and by an vnlucky Alarme, both Policie & Armie confounded. Iud. 12. 6.The example of the Gileadites is plaine, whom the Ephraimites, pursued to the foord of Iordan, requiring passage with them; which vpon good aduice, deny­ing the Gileadites, bad them pronounce their Watch­word Shibboleth (a Foord or Chanel) which they wel knew was a proprietie of their owne tongue: where­by it came to passe, that by defect in pronuntiation; as in Sibboleth (an Eare of Corne) for Shibboleth, the Ephraimites receiued a wonderfull defeat, and the Gileadites escaped safe. For which cause, peraduen­ture Kinges and Princes haue not onely endured and suffered in their litterature and language, but at their pleasure and will, haue ruinated and ouerthrowen the naturall stampe & course thereof; and by preposterous order, changed the sound also. Concerning the He­brew writing, it was vnpossible for man to inuent the like: for of man there remaines no monument so me­morable, that euer I could find or imagine. Where­fore I may well conclude, That Almighty God, who would scarcely be thought at leasure to attend so litle things, is both the Author and Father of the Hebrew writing, whether of substaunce or of forme: Because in the Table of Ten Wordes, or Commaundementes, the Lord himselfe vouchsafed to write or carue these formes most seriously with his owne finger: which [Page] grace, he would not adde vnto the vile worke of man, nor crowne his corrupt inuention with so Holy me­morie.

DIGNITIE.

IT is most manifest, that these principles haue in auncient time had no small estimation among Prin­ces, seeing so many of them haue (as it were) studied to inuent new formes, or alter their course: which by no meanes they could so well bring to passe, but that the body of the Hebrew Figure would alway re­maine and appeare. This espying, they were euer constrayned to allow the preheminence thereof. Yea, the holy people of God hath often (in the Hebrew text of the old Testament) prouerbially vsed the affinitie and iteration of these Letters, as delighting in the very Echo of them; as, Nabal shemo Neblah gnimo, Abigal of her husband. 1. Sam. 25. 25. A Foole is his name, and folly is with him. And it also seemeth, that the Lord sometimes tooke great plea­sure in shi [...]ting of them, and that in texts of great mat­ter and importance: as in that of Abram and Sarai; Gen. 17. 5, 15where God taking away (Jod) the last letter from Sarai, which is in the Hebrew count the tenth, & so signifi­eth, & rewardeth her with (He) the first, and in count fiue, and bestoweth likewise (He) the other fiue on Abram: so their names afterward remayned Sarah and Abraham. Now whether it were darkly to include Jah, the name of GOD, in both their names; or whether the Iewes had hitherto mist in writing or pronouncing of these names according to proprietie [Page] of the Lords intention, and were here corrected: or whether it was vpon the foundation of the Promise, indifferently vpon them both, Diuines must con­clude. Many other as secret things as these to the like purpose, the Reader by a more diligent obseruation of the Hebrew text may apprehend. Such was their estimation with Christ in the new Testament, that he boasted of their ineffable and euerlasting constancie, Math. 5. 18shewing that vntill Heauen & Earth should passe, and the Law by his Kingdome be fulfilled, the least of these lytle-ones should not passe; no not one tittle, which is lesse then the least of them. Neither is it like, vnlesse the whole frame of these Hebrew Figures had been diuinely extant from God, and more then hu­mane from the beginning; that Christ would in this place haue prophecied so long continuance, and so ne­cessarie lasting of them.

Moreouer, the Lord God, the Creator himselfe, re­membreth Apo. 1. 8, 11them in the eares of Iohn, saying: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ende: Hee that was, is, and shalbe. Where he not onely autho­rizeth their beginning, but aloweth that they shall con­tinue as instruments of his prayse vnto the worldes end. Though in this place (for the Gospels sake) he ap­plyed him to the capacitie of the Grecians, rather then of the Hebrewes. Also, the Hebrew order of Alphabet is very renowmed among the Prophets; as in the 119. Psalme of Dauid, which is deuided according to the number of the letters, into two and twentie euen secti­ons: to wit, eight Verses in euery Staffe, beginning orderly with some one of the Rew▪ Likewise the [Page] Lamentations of Ieremiah in the same sort distingui­shed. Many other proper instances, if so be this Abce did want honour or preheminence, might be brought out of the booke of Ezra, Nehemiah, Canticles, & Daniel: which I altogether omit. Notwithstanding, I will something regard the number of fifteene (Tu) why the Hebrews heere interrupted their order of account, in refusing Jah (ten and fiue,) and challenging Tu, (nine and sixe) whereof some opinion hath been, that is, was to spare the diuine waighty name of God from so vaine and idle a vse, that would so often frequent both eye & eare in all the prophane reckoning of man. Neither will I neglect the care of the Massorits, which so affected them for their singular operation and di­uine employment, that they studiously obserued for the preseruation of them, how many they were, and how oft euery of them was repeated through the old Testament: so that in the Prophets they found the whole summe of them Eight hundred and fifteene thousand 280. And in all the old Testament the num­ber of Aless to be two and fourty thousand three hundred seuentie and seuen; and so of the rest of the Letters: which numbers, they both diligently and saythfully recorded to their posteritie, besides many other agreeable conclusions, resolutions, and parallels, may be drawen for the prayse of the Hebrew Abce Rew. As the two and twentie Fathers before and after the Flood: as the two and twentie Pillars of all Com­mon-wealthes, seeing they being the recorded foun­dations of all Chronicles; both the age of Times, and order of the whole Worlde, grew and waxed old to­gether [Page] with them. Neither altogether disagreeable hereunto are the Bookes of the New Testament, as Cornishes to the former Pillars, counted absolutly twentie two. Hitherto of their estimation.

PEREGRINATION.

PRopounding alwayes that this Literature, (of whose beginning, authoritie, and dignitie, we haue already spoken) is the auncientest and Mo­ther of all other kindes; there remayneth something to be proued of their Demigration or Transportation: which at a glaunce, maketh them seeme rather like Nouices of some new inuention, then the same, such as they are in deed; so much the clymat, apparell and entertainement; heir gate, their facion and their face, hath changed. Before the Flood, of what account so­euer they were, or in what Landes soeuer they lyued and florished, as I haue declared in this place, is litle materiall to recite; because all Monuments of prayse, (except such as Noah and his Sonnes could for the later ages by hand and hart preserue) the Inundation wipt cleane away: But in them and their Nephewes, both Nature it selfe, skill of substances and causes, and hatty wisedome of Artes and skill, haue been conti­nued and reserued for vs. It is most cleare, that in the Arke, and presently after the Flood, there could be but one Literature, one Abce or Tongue; which they would still be mindfull of, and kindly commend it to their children, as a glorious worke and famous remembrance of the other Worlde. But after the [Page] Sonnes of Noah began to possesse and inhabite all parts of the Earth, their tongue, their voyce, and hand­writing, foorthwith by little and little, by ignorance or negligence, most easily declined. For, Of these were Gen 10. 5▪ 11. Euery man after his tongue. Gen. 11. 6. the Iles of the Nations diuided and replenished: Who perceiuing the eminent diuersitie and variation of their tongue and wryting; and (as it seemes) not wil­ling the glory thereof should fall or decay, they assem­bled themselues ready to buylde a Tower of rare height, whereby euery▪ Nation or Family might get renowne: For before the worke, they feared much the dispersion of their Families, and ruine of their Learning; when, as they say, Least we be scattered, foreseeing the euent that happened. But because the Lord did not allow their vnnecessarie prouidence in this enterprise, being not contented with that successe which the Lord had in his infinite wisedome ap­poynted, euen in this their warines, least any should so much leane and trust vnto the handy worke of man, and boast in a Name of their owne getting, as Nebu­kadnezar by his Image did waxe proud; in the Lords authoritie as did Moses at the Rocke, the Lord of his meere will and diuine consultation descendeth to hin­der the same, saying: Let vs confound their Lippes and Tongues, that they vnderstand not one an other, and let that which they feared, come vpon them. So were their Tongues confounded, and their Families neces­sarily scattered ouer the face of the whole earth: Nei­ther was there any other confusion of Dialectes in & after the worke, then that which otherwise would haue happened. And this was to shew the power of [Page] the Lordes prouidence, in respect of the fraile meanes and purpose of man: For in the beginning of the Gen. 10. 5.worke, it seemed they all, vnderstood not one another. And not altogether improperly do we take their dis­persion to be into that Vniuerse (which we call the World) and hath been diuided into three partes, Asia, Africa, and Europa: America then vnknowen, or here included. Sem, Ham & Iapheth, obteined euery one his part: to wit, Sem, Asia: Ham, the hot Country of Africa: and Iapheth, Europ. Of their Gentility, and more frequent and particular dwellinges, read Gen. 10. From hence by Prouinces, were Letters and Learning promoted, and of our Auncestors so well cherished and spoken of. But the first vse of an Interpreter (that I read of) was in Canaan long after: Therfore of the quality of the Confusion, I haue no more to say.

THE VSE.

SEeing whatsoeuer I haue sayd of their Creation, Authoritie, Dignitie, or Alienation, was for the vn­speakable vse & profit which I found in them: I will here declare (as far foorth as I my selfe am brought vp in them) the full comfort, that the Reader shall expect in this my Table: which not vnfitly I tearme the Oliue Leafe. First therfore, what part of their originall vse remayneth, or whatsoeuer may seeme probable of their Hieroglyficall effect in the first weeke, I omit: except that, that the Reader may suppose they were then vsed to expresse the sundry kindes of Creatures: [Page] The like whereof is yet in some place of the worlde in practise. But when the species and personages of things grew so abundant and so diuers, it is like they were first composed by Adam: and by him brought to wordes and syllables of two or thee Letters, when he was to giue to euery speciall thing a proper Name: Gen. 2. 20.for as he called them, so were the names of all thinges. And this is a currant Rule for the Hebrician, that no one word in that tongue, euer fayleth of some proper or distinct meaning; as well to instruct the diligent Schollar in some naturall reason of things, which is the trueth of all Language in deed: as to speake all dayes of his life like a child, that is taught to signifie by voyce, and not to conceiue by hart▪ which by any other meane motion may be done aswell, and to as great purpose and effect. For we account of Letters as of Strangers, whose faces we only know; and not as friendes, whose hart, conscience, and true meaning, we vnderstand: so, we speake abundantly, but not from the abundance of the hart: and heare diligently, but conceiue no thing.

Now, because there must be an entrance into this deapth of vnderstanding, I thought good to shew to what vses these simple ones may serue. First (as I said) to Compose matter of vnderstanding, in two letters or three. Secondly, to Count, Multiply, and Diuide, and performe all other Rules of numbring, which the Siphers doe. To the same may all other Rewes or Numerals (if their Nations please) be brought to passe as well, reiecting these forraigne Figures; but more of pleasure then of despight: which poynt, will clearer appeare in my Table of Numerals ensuing. [Page] Thirdly, we learne hereby the Admirable rule of Pro­portion; and by good Tutors, to vnderstand each o­ther far and neare: to which purpose, many haue de­uised superficial secrecie; a thing least needful amongst vs, while our plaine things haue such depth of mistery in them. This Rew may also without any farther vse of Prick-song, performe the Gam-vt, or Sol-fa, in all Clee [...]es of Musicke. The full compasse of which, rea­cheth not aboue one or two and twenty Notes, by any mans power: so that any musicall Song composed with consideration of the letters, in each syllable, may rea­dily be sung in his plaine line: Which the Iewes al­wayes vsed, as by a new art of Parallels and Notes (af­ter the custome of Europ) at this day, there being in it selfe a most proper and proportionall scale. Other manners of Singing are vsed also, which I haue seene, something strange, but nothing so pithy or pleasant: as by wauing of the Line or the whole Staffe to the will of the voyce. Also, by this meanes they can performe all offices of Accents howsoeuer. At the last it pleased the Iewes to make vse of diuers proper formes to this purpose. Which Figures being well considered, are nothing but meere Letters or Vowels also: for it hath since continued a plaine & vsuall practise, to make the Letter of one language, and the Accent of another: and the contrary likewise by example of the Chaldean Ac­cents, and the Greeke Vowels which come from them. But for a more moderne proofe, marke the high- Dutch and Swedan tongues, that Accent their Vowels, with contrary Vowels of the same language: that where the sound doth vary from deriuation, there both [Page] sound and deriuation hereby might be cleared, and the language deliuered from further confusion. And some­time also such accented syllables be Musicall, for Time in reeding, as double sounding Vowels in other Lan­guages are wont to be.

Now what benefite I haue declared of the Hebrew Rew, may be vnderstood aswell of all other, if Schol­lers of diuers literatures vpon this occasion will take the paines. To which purpose, much may be conside­red in this syllabicall Table of English Consonantes: whether for the composing of all Syllables and mono­syllable wordes, Numbring, Proportion, Musicke, or Accenting; if the Reader please to grace my paynes with some small industrie and meane curiositie.

[Page] I Thought good by the way, to shew this my Calcu­lation of Syllables, that it may be the more familiar when my time and experience shall better serue, to declare the full vse and benefite thereof: In the meane while, the Reader shall ruminate thereon. And now for the vnderstanding of this my charactericall Table following: First, it is thus deuided into Rewes and Columnes; that is, euery perticular Abce lying col­laterally correspondent each vnder other, is expoun­ded each by other, according to their proper soundes throughout euery Columne. Wherein, because Languages for the most part (as I haue sayd) differ one from other in number of Letters, or order of Abce Rew, I (not vniustly) do constraine all Abces to be conformable to the Hebrew: enlarging it by Dages and Composition, from the proper two and twentie Soundes or Letters, into so many as may well interpret the largest (that is thirtie) although some Alphabets by ruder collection, haue been vnneedfully extended to thirtie or fourtie. But where thou seest sometimes both Rew & Pilla [...] vnorderly broken off, there note, that such a Language lacketh that lisping found, which (thou shalt perceiue) other tongues abounded withall.

As for the seuerall names of the Letters of euery Abce, let each Countrey tearme the whole Pillar, as she calles her owne (being all Letters of the like force) because I hold it litle materiall to be taught: Onely it may giue insight of correction vnto some Countries, that haue borrowed the sound, & not the Letter. And to other that haue vsed the Letter and not the sound, which (of all other) in our English Abce is most absurd: [Page] to the great hindrance and vexation of the little ones: that (as it were) enter Purgatorie before their time, being often punished, but not for them selues. But for the fault of the Literature, & for the rudnes of Teach­ing which doth so ofen amaze and astonish them; as in the double sound or efference of C. of G. of I. of P. of th. and of ch. Where the sound of their Name should properly begin euery word, they make to en­ure the Tongue to readines in spelling and reading; it being for the most part otherwise, and also in the most improper names of H. and Y. one being called Atch, and the other Wy, as if they should beginne tcheer, or wee, according to their Names: but the chil­dren must learne to spell ch, ee, r, heere: wy, ee, yee: in stead of he, eer, and ye, ee, yee, (to them most horrible) and for this they endure much, that Parents of meane affection, should scarce approue. By which it comes otherwise to passe then in other Languages, that we cannot spell our Abce vntill we vnderstande the whole Tongue. In some other Abces, the like im­perfections are found. But of our owne, in this will I haue to doe, aduising my Countrey-men, that seeing new Letters or Figures will not easily be receiued, (considering the trauayle of some other yer now, to that purpose) they will duly distinguish with some dif­ference of wryting, as it hath been aunciently vsed, (neither is it at this time altogether vnused, but neg­lected, with strokes or prickes: aptly offering it selfe in this my Table) these Letters of two soundes, and name them accordingly by their right name, such as [Page] are wrong christned: and giue effectuall names to such as are namelesse. Which matter is so natiue, so easie, so pregnant, so commendable; and lastly so voyde of all new-fangelnesse, that nothing else is heere wan­ting, but that which may with prayse be prayed the allowance of the best.

Now for further instruction concerning my Table, euery Abce beareth his Countreys name, or the name that other Countreys call it, at the ende of the Rew to the left hand. And whether the seuerall Countreyes did write towards the left hand, or towards the right, in the margent at the right hand, you haue a Hand or Fist to direct you.

AFFINITIE.

OF their Affinitie and declination of forme, the explaning of the first Columne may suffice to teach the Reader how to marke the course of all the other Columnes, and the true variation of strokes and lines, by dismembring or new framing the Letters accordingly. Therefore I must speake of the first Hebrew letter in the first Columne, how he car­ryeth himselfe through all learned Tongues: that is, of Varietie, of Facion, and Behauiour. And also of his generall entertainment & acquaintance with all other of the same Columne, whereas it consisteth of three diuers strokes or limbes; to wit, the stroke Constant, which is the slope line, that for the most part continu­eth inuariable: The stroke Diuers, which is the hang­ing [Page] line that is euer now and then heere and there: And the stroke Defectiue, which is the maister or commaunding stroke, that in proper person is seldome present.

Therefore in this Metamorphosis, the Reader may not alwayes looke for this articular trinitie, because in some Abces it will portend but two of the limbes, and in some but one; and that with a strange motion: In some place halting, in other vtterly may­med.

Notwithstanding, of the first sort, the Complet body are these by transformation; The sixteenth, se­uenteenth, two and three and twenteth, and seuen and twenteth Abce; that is, the Illyric, Croatic, Aethiopick, Armenian, Aegyptian or Phrygian Rew. The first is discerned by exalting the line Constant and transpa­rence of the leafe. The second, by raysing of the line Constant, and counterpoyse of the stroke Diuers and Maister line. The third, by exalting the stroke Diuers to the head of the line Constant, the Constant and the Maister lines desubtending it. In the Capitall of the fourth, by depressing the former eleuation of the line Cōstant, & exalting the hornes of the Diuers & maister Line, all three members of the curent Letter being in degree equall, and naturally florishing. All which con­clusions (if you turne the Leafe byas, or vpside downe at your pleasure) you will the easier confirme.

Of the second sort, are all the other of the first Pillar, except Arabique, Siriac, Persian, Turkish, and Tartarian; which are included in Arabique and [Page] Siriac: onely the twenteth and the one and twenteth Rew, which are but one stroke, the Constant line erected: yet in the very head of this line, is some small sensible trace of a second stroke to be obserued.

But where you find the second sort full of variety of buylding, be not amazed at the Architecture thereof: for the frame and proportion is euer cleere, and that meerely nothing else but shadow-florishing or traine: as of the heele of a mans Foote in the Sand or Snow, in respect of the step it selfe.

The sound of this Pillar or Letter is not vsurped by any other Columne, nor is commutable with any other Letter: therefore his deriuation is the more cleere.

The like is to be marked of the second Columne, and all the rest: sauing that betweene many of them (that is to say, Letters of the same Instrument, whe­ther of the lippes, the teeth, pallat, or hissing Letters) there is vsuall communitie, selfehood, and commuta­tion, as the second and thirde▪ with the three and foure and fiue and twenteth, the fourth and fifth with the seuenteenth two and seuen and twenteth: and sometime with the nine and twenteth: the sixth and seuenth with the fourteenth and the thirtie eighth with the thirteenth: the eleuenth with the sixe and twenteth: the one and twenteth with the nine and twenteth: the ninth with the tenth: the eleuenth with the twelfth: the fifteenth with the sixteenth and the fourth: and so with a continuall and mutuall reference of the Letters of each Abce by [Page] it selfe, and comparison with the same of other Rewes, thou shalt finde their proper and auncient Culture most cleare. For all the rest, each Pillar will cleare it selfe to him that hath any insight or delight therein, as Figures or Letters of a diuers condition: but one substaunce and the same effect.

Heerein also note, that of the two-and-twentie Hebrew Letters, I haue prouided fiue Vowels, Alef, He, Vau, Jod, Hnaim; the eighth, the ninth, the four­teenth, one-and-twenteth, and sixe-and-twenteth Pillar, to answere either directly or in trauers, as I haue shewed to the Vowels of all other Languages both in place and voyce; propounding this for my warrant: That all Letters, that are not Consonants, be Vowels.

That they are no Consonants, the translation or traduction of these words Adam, Abel, Ruth, Ezekiel, Eber: and also of a great part of the Latine tongue will effectually proue: as, Hnad, Hnuf, Hnur, Ad, auis, orior: VAV, ue, seu, siue: Hen, en: Elleh, illae: Iaijn, vinum, Greeke Oinon: of which, we need no farther example, because they are alreadie notably knowne.

And considering their proper Pillars, thou shalt finde them to agree both in facion and place, with their opposed Figures.

Lastly, I aduise that euery Letter hencefoorth keepe to his owne sound, as by all other he shalbe heere pro­nounced according to his name, obseruing euer this libertie, or rather proprietie of spelling, to begin and end all Syllables with a letter whose name and power [Page] is all one, (reiecting idle letters) and produce the long Syllable by Accent for such a difference: Mad, mád: for mad, made: as where Ce, is vsed for a Ka, there K: where Ph, is for F, there F: where Ch, is for Q, there Q: The rest by obseruation, is easely learned.

Of the Hebrew Vowels, and all other Vowels and Accentes (because they be thinges so vnconstant and so moueable, both for employment and affection) I meant not heere to handle any thing, but to content my selfe with Alef and Tau, and with that seale Eth, to signe and seale my worke; delyuering it to the vse of Ezra the most excellent Scribe; or most exquisite Workman Bezaleel: and consequently to all other of the like faculties, Optik, or Mechanicall whatsoeuer. And to such, I wish grace, vnderstanding, and com­fort f [...]m him that reuealeth all vnto all: