For the Custome of the Levant whereby it was accounted a hainous offence to gaze and fixe their eyes upon Princes is indeed in the outward ceremony barbarous but good in the morall for it becomes not Subjects by bent and inquisitive observations to penetrate into the hearts of Kings Prov. 25. which the Scripture hath declared to be inscrutable § There is yet another fault with which I will conclude this Part which is often noted in Learned men namely that in small and outward matters of behaviour and carriage as in countenance gesture march ordinary discourse and the like they doe many times faile to observe decensy and discretion so as the vulgar sort of capacities make a judgement of them in greater matters by that which they finde wanting in small and ordinary points of Action But this prejudication doth oftentimes deceive them nay let them know they have their answer from Themistocles who being invited to touch a lute said arrogantly enough being applied to himselfe but pertinently to the purpose in hand That he could not Plut. in Themist indeed fiddle but he knew how to make a small Towne a great State And there are no doubt many well seen in the Arts of Government and Policy which are to seeke in ordinary conversation and punctuall occasions I referre such scoffers to the Elogie Alcibiades gave of his Master Socrates Plato Conv. whom he compar'd to the Gallipots of the Apothecaries which on the outside were drawne with Apes Owles and Antiques but contained within precious liquors and soveraigne confections acknowledging that to vulgar capacity and popular report he was not without some superficiall levities and deformities but was inwardly replenisht with excellent powers and virtues And so much touching the Point of Manners of learned men § In the mean time I thought good to advertise that I have no purpose to give allowance to some base and unworthy Conditions of some Professours whereby they have discredited both Themselves and Learning such were those trencher Philosophers which in the later age of the Roman state were usually in the howses of Great Persons whom not improperly you may call solemne Parasites of which kinde Lucian makes a merry description of the Philosopher that the great Lady took to ride with her in the Coach and would needs have him carry her litle Dogge Melitaeus which he doing officiously and yet uncomely the page scoffing said De Merc. conduct I doubt our Philosopher of a Stoick will turne Cynique But above all the rest the grosse and palpable flattery whereunto many not unlearned have abased and abused their wits and pens turning as Du Bartus saith Hecuba into Helena and Faustina into Lucretia hath diminisht the prize and estimation of Learning § Neither is the Moderne Dedication of Bookes to Patrons to be Commended for that Bookes such as are worthy the name of Bookes ought to have no Patron but Truth and Reason The custome of the Ancients was better who were wont to dedicate their writings only to private and equall friends or to entitle the Bookes with the names of such friends or if they Dedicated their Books to Kings or Great Persons it was to some such as the Argument of the Book was fit and proper for These and the like Courses may deserve rather reprehension than defence § Nor say I this as if I condemned the Morigeration and application of Learned men to men in fortune and place for the answer was good that Aristippus made to one that askt him in mockery Laert. in Aristip How it came to passe that Philosophers were followers of Rich men and not Rich-men of Philosophers He answered soberly and yet sharpely That it was because Philosophers knew well what they had need of but Rich mē did not Of like nature was the answer which the same Philosopher made when having a Petition to Dionysius and no eare given to him he fell downe at his feet in manner of a worshipper Ibid. whereupon Dionysius staid and gave him the hearing and granted it but a litle after some person tender of the honour and credit of Philosophy reproved Aristippus that he would offer the Profession of Philosophy such an indignity as for a private suite to fall to a Tyrants feet to whom he relied That was not his fault but it was the fault of Dionysius that had his eares in his feet Neither was it accounted weaknesse but a discretion in him that would not dispute his best with Adrianus Caesar Spartian in Hadrian excusing the fact That it was reason to yeeld to him that commanded thirty Legions These and such like applications and stoopeings of Learned men below the termes of Gravity at the command of necessity or the advantage of occasion cannot be condemned for though they may seeme at first sight somewhat base and servile yet in a judgement truly made they are to be accounted submissions to the Occasion and not to the Person CAP. IV. I. Distempers of Learning from Learned mens studies are of three sorts Phantasticall Learning Contentious Learning Delicate Learning II. Delicate Learning a Curiosity in words through Profusenesse of speech § Decent expression commended § Affected Brevity censured III. Contentious Learning a Curiosity in matter through the novelty of termes or strictnesse of Positions § A vanity either in Matter or in Method IV. Phantasticall Learning hath two branches Imposture Credulity § Credulity is a beliefe of History § Or a beliefe of Art or Opinion and that either Reall in the Art it selfe § Or Personall in the Auctor of such an Art or Science LET us now proceed to those Errors and Vanities which have intervened amongst the studies of Learned men and therewith are intermingled which is the principall point and proper to the present Argument wherein my purpose is not to patronize errors but by a Censure and separation of the errors to sift out that which is sound and solid and to deliver the same from aspersion For we see it is the manner of men especially of envious persons to scandalize and deprave that which retaines the State and Virtue by takeing advantage upon that which is corrupt and degenerate as the Heathens in the Primitive Church us'd to blemish and taint the Christians with the faults and corruptions of Heretiques Neverthelesse I have no meaning to make any exact animadversion of the Errors and Jmpediments in matters of Learning which are more secret and remote from vulgar opinion but only to speak of such as doe fall under a common and popular observation and known or at least which recede not farre of therefrom I. I finde therefore chiefly three vanities and vacuities in Learning which have given occasion to the reproach and disgrace thereof For those things are esteemed vaine which are either false or frivolous namely wherein there is either no truth or no use those Persons we esteeme vaine which are either Credulous in things false or Curious in things of
temperatures it will come to passe that the experiment doth not satisfie the expectation which ever discourageth and confounds the minde but if the Tasks be too weake and easie in the summe of proceeding there is a losse and prejudice § A second shall be that to the practising of any facultie whereby a habit may be superinduced two Seasons are chiefly to be observed the one when the minde is best disposed to a businesse the other when it is worst that by the one we may be well forwards on our way by the latter we may by a strenuous contention worke out the knots and stonds of the minde which makes midle times to passe with more ease and pleasure § A third Precept shall be that which Aristotle mentions by the way Moral Nicom lib. 2. which is to beare ever towards the contrary extreme of that whereunto we are by nature inclin'd so it be without vice Like as when we rowe against the streame or when wee make a crooked wand straight by bending it the contrary way § The Fourth Precept is grounded upon that Axiome which is most true That the minde is brought to any thing with more sweetnesse and happinesse if that whereunto we pretend bee not principal in the intention of the Doer but be overcome as it were doing somewhat else because the instinct of nature is such a freedome as hates necessity and compulsive commands Many other rules there are which might profitably be prescribed touching the Direction of Custome for Custome if it be wisely and skilfully induced proves as it is commonly said an other nature but being conducted absurdly and by chance it is only the Ape of Nature which imitates nothing to the life but in a foolish deformity onely § So if we should speake of Bookes and Studies and of their power and influence upon Manners are there not divers Precepts and fruitfull Directions appertaining thereunto Hath not one of the Fathers in great indignation called Poesie vinum Daemonum being indeed it begets many Temptations Lusts and vaine Opinions It is not a wise opinion of Aristotle and worthy to be regarded That young men are no fit auditors of Morall Philosophy Moral Nicom Lib. 1. because the boyling heat of their affections is not yet setled nor attemperd with Time and Experience And to speake truth doth it not hereof come that those excellent Books and Discourses of ancient Writers whereby they have perswaded unto virtue most effectually representing as well her stately Majestie to the eyes of the world as exposing to Scorne popular Opinions in disgrace of Virtue attired as it were in their Parasite Coats are of so litle effect towards honesty of life and the reformation of corrupt Manners because they use not to be read and revolv'd by men mature in yeeres and judgement but are left and confin'd onely to Boyes and Beginners But is it not true also that young men are much lesse fit Auditors of Policie than Moralitie till they have bin throughly season'd with Religion and the knowledge of Manners and Duties lest their judgements be corrupted and made apt to think that there are no Moral differences true and solid of things but that all is to be valued according to a utilitie and fortune As the Poet saith Prosperum felixscelus virtus vocatur Iuvenal Sat. 13. And againe Ille crucem pretium sceleris tulit hic Diadema But the Poets seeme to speak this Satyrically and in indignation be it so yet many Books of Policie doe suppose the same seriously and positively for so it pleased Machiavell to say That if Caesar had bin overthrowne hee would have bin more odious than ever was Catiline as if there had bin no difference but in fortune onely between a very fury composed of Lust and Blood and the most excellent spirit his ambition reserved in the world By this we see how necessary it is for men to drink deeply Pious and Morall knowledges before they tast Politique for that they who are bred up in the Courts of Princes from tender yeeres and in affaires of state commonly never attaine an inward and syncere Probitie of Manners how much further of from honestie if to this fire of corrupt education there be administred the fewell of corrupt Books Againe even in Morall instructions themselves or at least in some of them is there not a Caution likewise to be given lest they make men too Precise Arrogant and Incompatible according to that of Cicero touching M. Cato These Divine and excellent qualities which we see are his own proper endowments but such as are sometimes deficient in him Pro L. Muraena are all deriv'd from Teachers and not from Nature There are many other Axioms touching those properties and effects which Studies and Books doe instill into the mindes of men for it is true that he saith abeunt studia in mores which may likewise be affirm'd of those other points touching Companie Fame the Lawes of our Countrey and the rest which a litle before we recited But there is a kinde of Culture of the Minde which seemes yet more acurate and elaborate than the rest and is built upon this ground That the mindes of all Mortals are at some certaine times in a more perfect state at other times in a more depraved state The purpose therefore and direction of this Culture is that those good seasons may be cherisht the evill crost and expunged out of the Kalender The fixation of good Times is procured by two meanes by vowes or at Least most constant Resolutions of the Mind and by Observances and exercises which are not to be regarded so much in themselves as because they keep the mind in her devoir and continuall obedience The obliteration of evill Times may be in like manner perfected two waies by some kind of Redemption or expiation of that which is past and by a new course of life as it were turning over a clean leafe But this part seems wholly to appertaine to Religion and Justly considering that true and genuine Morale Philosophy as was said supplies the place of a Hand-maid only to Divinity wherefore we will conclude this part of the Culture of the Mind with that remedy which of all other meanes is the most compendious and summary and againe the most noble and effectuall to the reducing of the mind to virtue and the placing of it in a state next to perfection and this is That we make choice of and propound to our selves right ends of life and Actions and agreeing to virtue which yet must be such as may be in a reasonable sort within our compasse to attaine For if these two things be suppos'd that the ends of Actions be Honest and Good and that the Resolution of the mind for the pursuing and obtaining them be fixt constant and true unto such ends it will follow that the mind shall forthwith transforme and mould it selfe into all virtues at once And this indeed
their Descendants should above all men living be carefull of the estate of future times unto which they can not but know that they must at last transmit their deerest Pledges Q. ELIZABETH was a sojourner in the world in respect of her unmarried life rather than an inhabitant she hath indeed adorned her own time and many waies enricht it but in truth to Your Majesty whom God hath blest with so much Royall Issue worthy to perpetuate you for ever whose youthfull and fruitfull Bed doth yet promise more children it is very proper not only to irradiate as you doe your own times but also to extend your Cares to those Acts which succeeding Ages may cherish and Eternity it selfe behold Amongst which if my affection to Learning doe not transport me there is none more worthy or more noble than the endowment of the world with sound and fruitfull Advancements of Learning For why should we erect unto ourselves some few Authors to stand like Hercules Columnes beyond which there should be no discovery of knowledge seeing we have your Majesty as a bright and benigne starre to conduct and prosper us in this Navigation I. To returne therefore unto our purpose let us now waigh and consider with our selves what hitherto hath bin performed what pretermitted by Princes and others for the Propagation of Learning And this we will pursue closely and distinctly in an Active and Masculine Expression no where digressing nothing dilateing Let this ground therefore be laid which every one may grant that the greatest and most difficult works are overcome either by the Amplitude of Reward or by the wisdome and soundnesse of Direction or by conjunction of Labours whereof the first encourageth our endeavours the second takes away Error and Confusion the third supplies the frailty of Man But the Principall amongst these three is the wisdome and soundnesse of Direction that is a Delincation and Demonstration of a right and easy way to accomplish any enterprize Claudus enim as the saying is in via antevertit Cursorem extra viam and Solomon aptly to the purpose Eccles 10. If the Iron be blunt and he doe not whet the edge then must he put too more strength but wisdome is profitable to Direction By which words he insinuateth that a wise election of the Mean doth more efficaciously conduce to the perfecting of any enterprize than any enforcement or accumulation of endeavours This I am pressed to speak for that not derogating from the Honor of those who have any way deserved well of Learning I see and observe that many of their works and Acts are rather matter of Magnificence and Memory of their own names than of Progression and Proficience of Learning and have rather encreased the number of Learned men than much promoted the Augmentation of Learning II. The Works or Acts pertaining to the Propagation of Learning are conversant about three objects about the Places of Learning about the Bookes and about the Persons of Learned men For as water whether falling from the Dew of Heaven or riseing from the springs of the earth is easily scattered and lost in the ground except it be collected into some receptacles where it may by union and Congregation into one body comfort and sustain it selfe for that purpose the industry of man hath invented Conduits Cisternes and Pooles and beautified them with diverse accomplishments as well of Magnificence and State as of Use and Necessity so this most excellent liquor of Knowledge whether it distill from a divine inspiration or spring from the senses would soone perish and vanish if it were not conserved in Bookes Traditions Conferences and in Places purposely designed to that end as Vniversities Colledges Schooles where it may have fixt stations and Power and Ability of uniteing and improveing it selfe § And first the workes which concerne the Seates of the Muses are foure Foundations of Howses Endowments with Revenewes Grant of Priviledges Institutions and statutes for Government all which chiefly conduce to privatenesse and quietnesse of life and a discharge from cares and troubles much like the stations Virgil describeth for the Hiveing of Bees Principio Sedes Apibus statioque petenda Geor. 4. Quo neque fit ventis aditus c. § But the workes touching Bookes are chiefly two First Libraries wherein as in famous shrines the Reliques of the Ancient Saints full of virtue are reposed Secondly new Editions of Auctors with corrected impressions more faithfull Translations more profitable Glosses more diligent Annotations with the like traine furnisht and adorned § Furthermore the works pertaining to the Persons of Learned men besides the Advancing and Countenancing of them in generall are likewise two the Remuneration and Designation of Readers in Arts and Sciences already extant and known and the Remuneration and Designation of writers concerning those parts of Knowledge which hetherto have not bin sufficiently till'd and labour'd These breefely are the works and Acts wherein the Merit of many renowned Princes and other illustrious Persons hath bin famed towards the state of Learning As for particular Commemoration of any that hath well deserved of Learning when I think thereof that of Cicero comes into my mind which was a motive unto him after his returne from banishment to give generall thanks Cic. Orat. post redit Difficile non aliquem ingratum quenquam praeterire Let us rather according to the advice of Scripture Look unto the part of the race which is before us Epist ad Plil 3. then look back unto that which is already attained III. First therefore amongst so many Colledges of Europe excellently founded I finde strange that they are all destinated to certain Professions and none Dedicated to Free and Vniversall studies of Arts and Sciences For he that judgeth that all Learning should be referred to use and Action judgeth well but yet it is easy this way to fall into the error taxt in the Ancient Fable Liv. lib. 2. v. c. 260. Aesop Fab. in which the other parts of the Body entred an Action against the stomach because it neither perform'd the office of Motion as the Limbes doe nor of sense as the head doth but yet all this while it is the stomach that concocteth converteth and distributeth nourishment into the rest of the body So if any man think Philosophy and universall contemplations a vaine and idle study he doth not consider that all Professions and Arts from thence derive their sappe and strength And surely I am perswaded that this hath bin a great cause why the happy progression of Learning hitherto hath bin retarded because these Fundamentalls have bin studied but only in passage and deeper draughts have not bin taken thereof For if you will have a Tree bear more fruit than it hath used to doe it is not any thing you can doe to the boughes but it is the stirring of the earth about the root and the application of new mould or you doe nothing Neither is it to be
pass'd over in silence that this dedicating of Colledges and Societies only to the use of Professory Learning hath not only bin an enemy to the growth of Sciences but hath redounded likewise to the prejudice of States and Governments For hence it commonly falls out that Princes when they would make choice of Ministers fit for the Affaires of State finde about them such a marveilous solitude of able men because there is no education Collegiate design'd to this end where such as are fram'd and fitted by nature thereto might give themselves chiefly to Histories Moderne Languages Books and discourses of Policy that so they might come more able and better furnisht to service of State § And because Founders of Colledges doe Plant and Founders of Lecturers doe water it followeth now in order to speak of the Defects which are in publique Lectures the smallnesse of stipends especially with us assigned to Readers of Arts or of Professions For it doth much import to the Progression and Proficiency of Sciences that Readers in every kinde be chosen out of the ablest and most sufficient men as those that are ordained not for transitory use but for to maintaine and propagate the seeds of Sciences for future Ages This cannot be except the Rewards and Conditions be appointed such as may sufficiently content the most eminent man in that Art so as he can be willing to spend his whole Age in that function and never desire to Practise Wherefore that Sciences may flourish Davids Military Law should be observed 1 Sam. 30. That those that staied with the Carriage should have equall parts with those that were in the Action else will the Carriages be ill attended So Readers in Sciences are as it were Protectors and Guardians of the Provision of Learning whence the Action and services of Sciences may be furnish't Wherefore it is reason that the Salaryes of Speculative men should be equall to the gaines of Active men otherwise if allowances to Fathers of Sciences be not in a competent degree ample and condigne it will come to passe Virg. Geor. 3. Vt Patrem invalidi referent jejunia Nati § Now I will note another Defect wherein some Alchymist should be called unto for help for this Sect of Men advise Students to sell their Bookes and to build Fornaces to quit Minerva and the Muses as Barren Virgins and to apply themselves to Vulcane Yet certainly it must be confest that unto the depth of Contemplation and the fruit of Operative studies in many Sciences especially Naturall Philosophy and Physique Bookes are not the only subsidiary Jnstruments wherein the Munificence of men hath not bin altogether wanting for we see Spheres Globes Astrolabes Maps and the like have bin provided and with industry invented as Helps to Astronomy and Cosmography as well as Bookes We see likewise some places dedicated to the study of Physique to have Gardens for the inspection and observation of simples of all sorts and to be auctorized the use of Dead Bodies for Anatomy-Lectures But those doe respect but a few things in the generality set it down for Truth That there can hardly be made any maine Proficience in the disclosing of the secrets of Nature unlesse there be liberall Allowance for Experiments whether of Vulcan or of Daedalus J mean of Fornace or of Engine or any other kind And therefore as Secretaries and Spialls of State are allowed to bring in Bills for their diligence in the inquiry and discovery of New Occurrences and Secrets in Forraigne Estates so you must allow Jntelligencers and Spialls of Nature their Bills of Expences else you shall never be advertised of many things most worthy to be known For if Alexander made such a liberall Assignation of Treasure unto Aristotle for Hunters Fowlers Fishers and the like that he might compile a History of living Creatures certainly much more is their merit who wander not in wild forrests of Nature but make themselves a way through the Labyrinths of Arts. § Another Defect to be observed by us indeed of great import is A neglect in those which are Governours in Vniversities of Consultation and in Princes and superior Persons of visitation to this end that it may with all diligence be considered and consulted of whether the Readings Disputations and other Scholasticall exercises anciently instituted will be good to continue or rather to antiquate and substitute others more effectuall For amongst Your Majesties most wise maxims I find this That in all usages and Praesidents IACOBUS R. the times be considered wherein they first began which if they were weak or ignorant it derogateth from the Authority of the usage and leaves it for suspect Therefore in as much as the usages and orders of Universities were for most part derived from times more obscure and unlearned than our own it is the more reason that they be re-examined In this kind I will give an instance or two for examples sake in things that seem most obvious and familiar Jt is an usuall practice but in my opinion somewhat preposterous that Schollars in the Vniversities are two early entred in Logique and Rhetorique Arts indeed fitter for Graduats than Children and Novices For these two if the matter be well weighed are in the number of the gravest Sciences being the Arts of Arts the one for Judgement the other for Ornament So likewise they contain Rules and Directions either for the Disposition or Illustration of any subject or materiall Circumstance thereof and therefore for mindes empty and unfraught with matter which have not as yet gathered that which Cicero calls Silva and Supellex that is stuffe and variety of things to begin with those Arts as if one would learn to weigh of measure or paint the wind doth work but this effect that the virtue and strength of these Arts which are great and Universall are almost made contemptible and have degenerated either into Childish Sophistry or ridiculous Affectation or at least have bin embased in their reputation And farther the untimely and unripe accession to these Arts hath drawn on by necessary consequence a watery and superficiary delivery and handling thereof as is fitted indeed to the capacities of Children Another instance which I will set downe as an Error now grown inveterate long agoe in the Universities and it is this That in Scholasticall exercises there useth to be a divorse very prejudicious between Invention and Memory for there the most of their speeches are either altogether premeditate so as they are uttered in the very precise forme of words they were conceived in and nothing left to invention or meerely extemporall so as very litle is left to Memory Whereas in Life and Action there is very litle use of either of these apart but rather of their intermixture that is of notes or memorialls and of extemporall speech So as by this course exercises are not accommodate to practice nor the Jmage answereth to the Life And it is ever a true rule
ancient and honourable sence Magia amongst the Persians was taken for a sublime sapience and a Science of the Harmony and concents of universalls in Nature so those three Easterne Kings which came to adore Christ are stiled by the name of Magi and we understand it in that sense as to be a Science which deduceth the knowledge of hidden formes to strange and wonderfull effects operations and as it is commonly said by joyning Actives with Passives which discloseth the great wonders of Nature As for the Naturall Magique which flies abroad in many mens bookes containing certain credulous and superstitious traditions and observations of Sympathies and Antipathies and of hidden and specifique proprieties with some experiments commonly frivolous strange rather for the art of convayance and disguisement than the thing it selfe surely he shall not much erre who shall say that this kind of magique is as farre differing in truth of Nature from such a knowledge as we require as the Bookes of the Gests of Arthur of Brittaine or of Hugh of Burdeaux differs from Caesars Commentaries in truth of story For it is manifest that Caesar did greater things de vero then they durst faine of their Heroes but he did them not in that fabulous manner Of this kind of Learning the Fable of Ixion was a figure who projecting with himselfe to enjoy Juno the Goddesse of Power had copulation with a cloude of which he begot Centaures and Chimeraes So whoever are carried away with a frantique and impotent passion and vaporous conceit to those things which only through the fumes and clouds of Imagination they fancy to themselves to see in stead of substantiall operations they are delivered of nothing but ayrie hopes and certain deformed and monstrous apparitions The operation and effect of this superficiary and degenerous Naturall Magique upon Men is like some soporiferous drugges which procure sleep and withall exhale into the fancy merry and pleasant dreams in sleepe First it casts mans understanding into a sleep still chanting and suggesting specificique proprieties and secret virtues and sent downe as it were from heaven to be delivered and to be learned only by auricular traditions whence it comes to passe that men are no more stirred up and awaked to search with diligence and to force out the true causes but sit downe satisfied with these frivolous and credulous opinions and then it instilles an infinite number of pleasing fictions in the manner of dreams and such as one would most wish to be true And it is worth the paines to note that in these sciences which hold so much of imagination as are that adulterate Magique whereof we now speak Alchymie Astronomie and the like the meanes and Theorie are ever more monstrous than the end and pretences The turning of Silver or Quick-silver or any other mettall into Gold is a hard thing to believe yet it is a thing farre more probable to a man well skilled and experimented in the natures of waight yellow Colour malleable and extensible as also fixt and volatile and likewise to one who hath exactly searcht into the first seeds and menstruous Purgings of Mineralls that Gold by an industrious and curious wit may at last be produced than that a few graines of Elixir or of the powder of Production should be of force in a few Minutes to turne Metalls into Gold by the activity of the same Elixir which is able to perfect nature and to deliver it from all impediments So the retarding of Age or the restoreing of some degree of youth doth not easily purchase a beliefe yet it is farre more likely to a man that knowes perfectly the nature of Arefaction and the depredations of the spirits upon the solide parts of the body and hath throughly observed the nature of Assimilation and of Alimentation either more perfect or more peccant also the nature of the spirits and of the Flame as it were of the body assigned sometimes to consume sometimes to repaire may by diets Bathings Anointings proper Medicines and accommodate motions and the like prolong life or renew some degrees of youth or vivacity then that this should be effected by a few drops or scruples of some precious Liquor or Quintescence Againe that Fates may be drawne from the starres men will not sodainly and easily assent unto but these that the houre of Nativity which oftentimes through many naturall accidents is either accelerated or differed should governe the fortune of the whole life or that the houre of Question is co-fatall with the thing it selfe which is sought you will say are meere impostures But such a rash impotency and intemperance doth possesse and infatuate the whole race of man that they doe not only presume upon and promise to themselves what is repugnant in nature to be performed but also are confident that they are able to conquer even at their pleasure and that by way of recreation the most difficult passages of nature without trouble or travaile And of Magique thus much the name whereof we have vindicated from reproach and separated the true and noble kind from the base and counterfeit II. Of this operative part of Nature there are two Appendices both of much importance The first is ✿ INVENTARIVM OPVM HVMANARVM that there be made an Jnventary of the estate of Man in which there should be taken and compendiously cast up the summe of all the wealth and fortunes of men whether they arise from the fruits and revenewes of nature or of Art which are now extant and whereof men are already possest adding such inventions as is manifest have bin in times past celebrated but are now perisht To this end and purpose that he who addresseth himselfe to the search of new Inventions may not be arrested in his inquest nor wast time and study in those things which are already invented and are now extant And this Inventary will be more artificiall and more serviceable if you adde those things which in populare conceit are reputed impossible and together with them couple such inventions as are neerest in degree to impossibles and yet are extant that the one may set an edge on mans enquiry the other may in a sort direct it and that from these Optatives and Potentialls mans Actives may be more readily conducted § The second is ✿ CATALOGVS POLYCHRESTORVM that there be made a Calendare of those experiments which are Polychrests things of a multifarious use most universall consequence which conduce and direct to the Invention of other experiments For example the artificiall experiment of conglaciation of water by Jce with black salt pertaines to infinite purposes and essaies for this discloseth the secret and abstruse manner of condensation than which nothing is more commodious for man As for Fire that is a ready and known Agent for Rarefaction but the mystery of Condensation is not yet fully discovered and it makes much for the abridgement of invention if Polychrests of this nature
and diligence of Demosthenes went so farre that in regard of the great force that the entrance and accesse into a Cause hath to make a good Impression upon the Minds of Auditors he thought it worth his labour to frame Ejus 65 Exordia si ejus and to have in readinesse a number of Prefaces for Orations and Speeches And these Presidents Authorities may deservedly overwaigh Aristotles Opinion that would advise us change a Wardrope for a paire of Sheares Therefore this part of knowlede touching Promptuary Preparation was not to be omitted where of for this place this is sufficient And seeing it is common to both Logique and Rhetorique we thought good here a-amongst Logiques only in Passage to touch it referring over a more ample handling of it to Rhetorique II The other Part of Invention which is Topique we will divide into Generall and Particular Topique Generall is that which is diligently and copiously handled in Logique or rationall knowledge as it were needlesse to stay upon the explication thereof Yet thus much we thought meet to admonish by the way that this Topique is of use not only in argumentations when we come to dispute with another but in meditations also when we reason and debate matters within our selves Neither doe these places serve only for suggestion or admonition what we ought to affirme or assert but also what we ought to inquire and demand In Menone And a facultie of wise interrogating is halfe a knowledge for Plato saith well Whosoever seekes comprehends that he seekes for in generall notion else how shall he know it when he hath found it And therefore the larger and more certaine our anticipation is the more direct and compendious is our search The same places therefore which will conduce to search the mind of our inward conceptions and understanding and to draw forth the knowledge there stored up will also helpe us to produce knowledge from without So as if a man of Learning and understanding be in presence we might be able aptly and wisely to propound a Question thereof and likewise profitably select and peruse Auctors and Books or parts of Books which might teach and informe us of those points we enquire § But Particular Topiques doe much more conduce to the Purpose we speake of ✿ TOPICAE PARTICVLARES and is to be accompted a thing of farre greater use There hath bin indeed some slight mention made hereof by some Writers but it hath not yet bin handled fully and according to the dignity of the Subject But to let passe that humour and pride which hath raigned too long in Schools which is to pursue with infinite subtiltie things that are within their command but never to touch at things any whit removed we doe receive and embrace Particular Topique as a matter of great use that is Places of Enquiry and Jnvention appropriate to Particular Subjects and Sciences and these Places are certaine mixtures of Logique and the proper matter of Particular Sciences For he is but a weake man and of narrow capacity who conceives that the Art of finding out Sciences may be found out propounded and perfected at once even in their first conception and presently be set downe and practised in some worke But let men know for certaine That solid and true Arts of Invention doe shoote up come to maturity with the Inventions themselves So as when a man first enters upon the search of a knowledge he may have many profitable Precepts of Invention but after he hath made farther progresse in the knowledge it selfe he may and must excogitate new Precepts of Jnvention which may lead him more prosperously to further Discoveries For this kind of Pursuite is like a going upon a Plaine and open Champion for after we have gone a part of the way we have not only gained this that we are now neerer to our journeyes end but we gaine the better sight of that part of the way which remaines So every degree of Proceeding in Sciences having past over that which is left behind gives a better prospect to that which followes And because we set downe this Part of Topique as DEFICIENT we will annex an example thereof III A Particular Topique or the Articles of Enquiry de GRAVI LEVI LEt it be enquired what Bodies those are which are susceptible of the Motion of Gravity what of Levity and whether there be any of a midle and indifferent Nature 2 After an absolute Inquiry de Gravi Levi proceed to comparative Inquiry as of Ponderous Bodies which doth weigh more which lesse in the same dimension so of Light Bodies which are more speedily caried upward which more slowly 3 Let it be inquired what the Quantum of a Body may contribute and effect towards the Motion of Gravitie But this at first sight may seeme a superfluous Inquiry because the computation of Motion must follow the Computation of Quantity But the matter is otherwise for although the Quantity in the skales doe compensate the weight of the Body it selfe the force of the Body every way meeting by repercussion or by resistance of the Basins or of the Beame yet where there is but small resistance as in the falling downe of a body thorow the Aire the Quantity of a body litle availes to the incitation of the descent seeing two Balls of Lead one of twenty the other of one pound waight fall to the earth almost in an equall space of time 4 Let it be inquired whether the Quantity of a Body may be so increased as that the Motion of Gravitie may be utterly deposed and cast off as in the Globe of the earth which is pensile and falls not Whether may there be other massive substances so great as may sustaine themselves V. DIGRES For Locall Descent to the Centre of the Earth is a meere fiction and every great Masse abhorres all Locall Motion unlesse it be overrul'd by another more predominant Appetite 5 Let it be inquired what the resistance of a Body interposing or incountring may doe or actuate towards the managing of the Motion of Gravitie For a Body descending either penetrates and cutteth the Body occurrent or is arrested by it If it Penetrate then there is Penetration or with weaker resistance as in Aire or with more strong as in Water If it be staid it is staid either by a resistance unequall where there is a Pregravation as if wood should be put upon wax or equall as if water should be put upon water or wood upon wood of the same kind which the Schooles in a vaine apprehension call the non-Ponderation of a body within its owne Spheare All these doe vary the Motion of Gravitie for heavy substances are otherwaies moved in skales otherwise in falling downe nay otherwise which may seem strange in Ballances hanging in the Aire otherwise in Ballances immersed in water otherwise in falling down thorow water otherwise in swimming or transportation upon water 6 Let it
dispersed Directions Lastly Aphorismes representing certaine Portions only and as it were fragments of Sciences invite others to contribute and adde something whereas Methodicall Delivery carrying shew of a totall perfect Knowledge forthwith secureth men as if they were at the furthest § An other diversity of Method followes which is likewise of great waight which is when Sciences are delivered either by Assertions with their Proofes annext or by Questions togither with their Determinations The later kind whereof if it be immoderately followed is as prejudicious to the progression of Sciences as it is to the fortunes and proceedings of an Army to goe about to besiege every title Fort or Hold. For if the field be kept and the summe of the enterprize with diligence pursued those smaller places will come in of themselves Yet this I cannot deny that it is not alway safe to leave any great and fortified towne at his back In like manner the use of Confutations in the Delivery of Sciences ought to be very sparing and to serve only to remove and breake strong Preoccupations and Prejudgments of mens minds and not to excite and provoke smaller Doubts § Another diversity of Method followeth which is that the Method be accommodated to the purposed matter which is to be handled For there is a great difference in Delivery of the Mathematiques which are of knowledges the most abstracted and most simple and the Politiques which are the most immersed and compounded Neither can an uniformity of Method as we have observ'd already be fitly sorted with multi-formity of Matter and therefore as we have allowed Particular Topiques for Invention so we would likewise in some measure have Particular Methods for Tradition § Another diversity of Method followeth with judgment to be practis'd in the Delivery of Sciences and it is directed according to the light of Informations and anticipations of the Knowledge to be delivered infused and impressed in the minds of the Learners For that Knowledge which is new and forraine to mens minds is to be delivered in an other forme than that which by long-receiv'd and imbibed opinions is naturalized and made familiar And therefore Aristotle when he thinks to taxe Democritus doth in truth commend him where he saith If we shall indeed dispute and not follow after similitudes c. Charging it as a defect upon Democritus that he was too copious in Comparisons But those whose conceits are seated in popular opinions have nothing else to doe but to dispute and prove Whereas on the contrary those whose conceits are beyond popular opinions have a double labour first that what they produce may be conceiv'd then that they be proved So that it is of necessity with them to have recourse to Similitudes and Translations whereby they may insinuate themselves into mens capacities Therefore we see in the infancy of Learning in rude times when those Comprehensions which are now Vulgar and triviall were then new and unheard of the world was full of Parables and Similitudes for otherwise men would have passed over without mark or due attention or else rejected for Paradoxes that which was propounded For it is a rule of Traditive Art That whatsoever Science is not consonant to Anticipations or Presuppositions must pray in ayd of Similitudes and Comparisons And thus much of the diverse sorts of Methods namely such as have not heretofore bin noted by others As for those other Methods Analytique Systatique Dieritique Cryptique Homericall and the like they have bin well invented and distributed nor doe we see any cause why we should dwell upon them III But these are the kinds of Method the Parts are two the one of the Disposition of a whole worke or of the Argument of some Book the other of the Limitation of Propositions For there belongs to Architecture not only the frame of the whole Building but likewise the forme and figure of the Columnes Beames and the like and Method is as it were the Architecture of Sciences Ramus And herein Ramus merited better a great deale in reviving those excellent Rules 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 than in obtruding one only Method and Dichotomie But it falls out I know not by what fate that of humane things according as the Poets often faigne the most precious have the most pernicious Keepers Certainly diligent endeavours about the ranke and file of Propositions cast him upon those Epitomes and shallowes of Sciences for he had need set out in a lucky houre and to goe on by the conduct of a happy Genius that attempts to make Axiomes of Sciences Convertible and yet withall not make them Circular or returning into themselves notwitstanding we deny not but that Ramus intention in this kind was profitable There remaines yet two Limitations of Propositions besides that they may be made Convertible the one touching the Extension the other touching the Production of them Surely Knowledges have if a man marke it well two other dimensions besides Profunditie namely Latitude and Longitude For Profunditie is referr'd to the Truth and Reality of them and these make them solid As for the other two Latitude may be taken and reckoned of Science into Science Longitude may be accepted and understood from the higest generall Proposition to the lowest particular in the same science The one comprehends the bounds and true limits of Sciences that Propositions may be properly not promiscuously handled and that all Repetition Excursion Confusion may be avoided the other gives rule how farre and to what degree of Particularitie Propositions of sciences may be deduced Certainly there is no doubt but somewhat must be left to use and Practice for we ought to avoid the precise error of Antoninus Pius that we be not Cumini sectores in Scientijs Dion in Anton. P. Mincers of Commin in sciences nor that we multiply divisions to the lowest Particularity Wherefore how we should moderate our selves in this point is well worth the inquiry For we see too remove Generalities unlesse they be drawne downe doe litle informe nay rather expose Knowledge to the scorne of Practicall men and are no more ayding to Practice than an Ortelius Vniversall Mappe is to direct the way between London and York Surely the better sort of Rules have not unfitly bin compared to Glasses of steele wherein you may see the Images of things but first they must be filed and burnisht so Rules and Precepts doe then help after they have bin laboured and polisht by Practice but if those Rules may be made cleere and Chrystalline afore-hand it would be the more excellent because they would lesse stand in need of diligence labour and exercise after And thus much of the Knowledge of Method which we have named the Wisdome of Delivery Nor can we here pretermit that many more vain-glorious than learned have laboured about a Method which is not worthy the name of a lawfull Method seeing it is rather a Method of Imposture which yet to some vaporous and vain-boasting
because we adde nothing here of our own but describe the naked Formes only out of Dcmosthenes or Cicero or some other select Author they may seem a more triviall and common observation than that we should wast much time therein EXAMPLES OF MINOR FORMES A Conclusion of a speech Deliberative So wee may both redime the Fault which is Passed and with the same diligence provide against future Inconveniences The Corollary of an accurate Partition That every one may understand that J seek not to balke any thing by silence or to cloud any thing by words A Transition With a Caveat But let us so passe by these that reflecting upon them and keeping them within view we may leave them A preoccupation against an inveterate opinion I shall so open the matter as you may understand in the whole manage of the businesse what the case it selfe hath brought forth what error hath fastned upon it what envy hath rais'd And let these suffice for example wherewith annexing two Rhetoricall Appendices which respect the PROMPTUARY PART we conclude CAP. IV. I. Two Generall Appendices of the Art of Delivery Art Criticall II. And Pedanticall THere remaines two Appendices in generall touching the Tradition of knowledge the one Criticall the other Pedanticall For as the principall part of Tradition of Knowledge consisteth in writing of books so the relative part thereof consists in reading of Books but reading is governed and directed either by the help of Preceptors and Tutors or perfited by every mans particular and proper endeavour and industry and to this purpose conduce those two knowledges whereof we have spoken To the Criticall part appertaines first an emaculate correction and amended edition of approved Auctors Whereby both the honour of Auctors themselves is vindicated and a light given to the studious Readers Wherein neverthelesse the rash diligence of some writers hath done great prejudice to studies For it is the manner of many Critiques when they fall upon a passage which they doe not understand presently to presume a fault in the copy As in that place in Tacitus when a certain Colony in the open Senate claimed the priviledge of an Asylum Tacitus reports that the reasons they preferr'd were not much favour'd by the Emperour and the Lords of the Senate wherefore the Embassadors mistrusting the issue of the businesse gave a round summe of mony to Titus Vinius that he would mediate their cause and take upon him the protection of their liberties by this means their petition was heard and granted Tum dignitas antiquitas Coloniae valuit saith Tacitus as if the arguments that seemed light before were now made waighty through bribes and corruption But one of the Critiques a man of no obscure note hath expunged the word Tum and in stead thereof put in Tantum And by this perverse custome of Critiques it comes to passe as one wisely noteth that the most corrected copies are commonly the least correct Nay to speak truth unlesse the Critiques be well skill'd in the knowledges handled in the Books which they set forth their diligence is with perill and prejudice Secondly there appertaines to the Critique Art the Exposition and Explication of Auctors by commentaries Scholies Notes Spicilegies and the like In labours of this kind that worst disease of Critiques hath ceas'd on many that they blanch and wave many obscurer passages and such as are plaine and perspicuous those they dwell and expatiate upon even to a fastidious tediousnesse and it is not so much intended that the Auctor may be illuminated as that the Critique may take occasion hereby to glorify himselfe in his multiplicious and various learning It could be especially wished although this point belongs to Tradition in chiefe and not to Appendices that the writer which handles obscure and noble Arguments should annexe his own explications that neither the text it selfe may be broken off by Digressions and Explications and that the Annotations may not depart from the mind and intention of the writer Some such thing we conceive of Theon upon Euclid Thirdly it belongs to Critique Art from whence it derives the name to interpose a briefe censure and judgement of the Auctors which they publish and to compare and valew them with other Auctors upon the same subject That by such a censure the Learned and studious may be both advertis'd of the choice of Books and come better provided to the peruseing of them This last duty is as it were the Chaire of the Critiques which many great and famous men in our age have ennobled greater surely in our judgement than for the model of Critiques II. For Pedanticall knowledge it were soon said consult the Schooles of the Iesuites for there is nothing for the use and practice better then their Precepts but we will according to our manner as it were gleaning a few eares give some few advertisements We doe by all means approve a Collegiat education and Institution of Childhood and Youth not in private houses nor only under Schoolemasters There is in Colledges a greater emulation of Youth towards their equalls besides there is the sight and countenance of Grave men which seems to command modesty and fashions and moulds tender minds even from their first growth to the same Patterne in some there are many other utilities of Collegiat Education § For the order and manner of Discipline this I would principally advise that Youth beware of compends and abridgements and too forward maturation of knowledge which maks men bold and confident and rather wants great proceeding than causeth it § Further there is an indulgence to be given to the liberty and vent of nature in particulars as if there be any which performes such taskes as the discipline of the place requires and yet withall steales some howers to bestow on other studies to which he hath a naturall propensity such a disposition by no means should be checkt or restrain'd § Againe it will be worth the paines diligently to observe which perchance hetherto hath not bin noted that there are two waies and they as it were reflexively opposite of training up of wits and of exercising and preparing them The one begins with the more easy precepts and by degrees leads us to the more difficult the other at first commands and presseth more difficult practises which when they are conquered the other sweetly yeeld and are won with ease For it is one Method to practise swimming by bladders which lift up and an other Method to practise dauncing with heavy shooes which presse down the Body and it is not easy to expresse how much a wise intermixtion of these Methods conduceth to the advanceing of the faculties both of Mind and of the Body § So the Application and Election of studies according to the propriety of wits which are instructed is a matter of singular use and judgement a true and perfit discovery whereof Schoolemasters and Tutors owe to the Parents of Children from whom they may expect such informations
they will not meddle with it so ought men so to procure Serenitie of minde as they destroy not Magnanimitie Thus much of Particulare Good III. Now therefore after we have spoken of Selfe-good which also we use to call Good Particular Private Individuall let us resume the Good of Communion which respecteth Society This is commonly termed by the name of Duty because the terme of Duty is more proper to a mind well fram'd and dispos'd towards others the terme of Virtue to a mind well form'd and compos'd in it selfe But this part at first sight may seeme to pertaine to Science Civile or Politique but not if it be well observed for it concernes the Regiment and Government of every man over himselfe and not over others And as in Architecture it is one thing to frame the Posts Beams and other parts of an Edifice and to prepare them for the use of building and another thing to fit and joyne the same parts togither and as in Mechanicalls the direction how to frame and make an instrument or engine is not the same with the manner of erecting moving and setting it on work So the doctrine of the conjugation of men in a Citty or Society differs from that which makes them conformed and well affected to the weale of such a Society § This Part of Duties is likewise distributed into two portions whereof the one respects the common duty of every man the other the speciall and respective Duties of every man in his profession vocation state person and place The first of these hath bin well laboured and diligently explicated by the Ancients and others as hath bin said the other we find to have bin sparsedly handled althoe not digested into an entire body of a Science which manner of dispersed kind of writing we doe not dislike howbeit in our judgement to have written of this Argument by parts were farre better For who is endewed with so much perspicacity and confidence as that he can take upon him to discourse and make a judgement skilfully and to the life of the peculiar and respective duties of every particular order condition and profession And the treatises which are not seasond with experience but are drawne only from a generall and Scholasticall notion of things are touching such matters for most part idle and fruitlesse discourses For althoe sometimes a looker on may see more then a gamester and there be a common proverbe more arrogant than sound proceeding from the censure of the vulgar touching the actions of Princes That the vale best discovereth the Hills yet it could be especially wished that none would intermeddle or engage themselves in subjects of this nature but only such as are well experienc'd and practis'd in the particular customes of men For the labours and vigilancies of speculative men Cic. Lib. 2. de Oratore in Active Matters doe seem to men of experience litle better than the discourses of Phormio of the warres seemed to Hanniball which estimed them but dreams and dotage Only there is one vice which accompanies them which write books of matters pertaining to their own profession and Art which is that they magnify and extoll them in excesse K. IAMES DORON BASIL § In which kind of Books it were a crime Piacular not to mention Honoris causa Your Majesties excellent work touching the duty of a King for this writing hath accumulated and congested within it many treasures as well open as secret of Divinity Morality and Policy with great aspersion of all other Arts and it is in my opinion one of the most sound and healthfull writings that J have read It doth not float with the heat of Invention nor freez and sleepe with the coldnesse of negligence it is not now than taken with a wheeling dizzines so to confound and loose it selfe in its order nor is it distracted and discontinued by digressions as those discourses are which by a winding expatiation fetch in and enclose matter that speaks nothing to the purpose nor is it corrupted with the cheating Arts of Rhetoricall perfumes and paintings who chuse rather to please the Reader than to satisfy the nature of the Argument But chiefly that work hath life and spirit as Body and Bulke as excellently agreeing with truth and most apt for use and action and likewise clearely exempt from that vice noted even now which if it were tolerable in any certainly it were so in KINGS and in a writing concerning Regal Majesty namely that it doth not excessively and invidiously exalt the Crowne and Dignity of Kings For Your Majesty hath not described a King of Persia or Assyria radiant and shining in extreme Pompe and Glory but really a Moses or a David Pastors of the People Neither can I ever loose out of my remembrance a Speech which Your Majesty in the sacred Spirit wherewith you are endowed to governe Your people delivered in a great cause of Iudicature which was IACOB R. dictum memorab That Kings rul'd by the Lawes of their Kingdomes as God did by the Lawes of Nature and ought as rarely to put in use that their prerogative which transcends Lawes as we see God put in use his power of working Miracles And yet notwithstanding in that other book written by Your Majesty DE LIB MONAR of a free Monarchy You give all men to understand that Your Majesty knowes and comprehends the Plenitude of the Power of Kings and the Vltimities as the Schooles speak of Regall Rights as well as the circle and bounds of their Office and Royall Duty Wherefore I have presumed to alleage that book written by Your Majesty as a prime and most eminent example of Tractates concerning speciall and Respective Duties Of which Book what I have now said I should in truth have said as much if it had bin written by any King a thousand years since Neither doth that kind of nice Decency move me whereby commonly it is prescribed not to praise in presence so those Praises exceed not measure or be attributed unseasonably or upon no occasion presented Surely Cicero in that excellent oration Pro M. Marcello studies nothing else Cicero but to exhibite a faire Table drawne by singular Art of Caesars virtues thoe that Oration was made to his face which likewise Plinius secundus did to Trajan Plin. Iun. Now let us resume our intended purpose § There belongs farther to this part touching the Respective Duties of vocations and particular Professions ✿ SATYRA SERIA sive de Interioribus rerum and other knowledge as it were Relative and Opposite unto the former concerning the Fraudes Cautels Impostures and vices of every Profession For Corruptions and Vices are opposed to Duties and Virtues Nor are these Depravations altogither silenced in many writings and Tractates but for most part these are noted only upon the By and that by way of Digression but how rather in a Satyre and Cynically after Lucians manner than seriously and gravely for
other of a man that forgets the liberty of himselfe But on the other side if Vrbanity and outward Elegancy of Behaviour be intended too much they passe into a deformed counterfeit Affectation Quid enim deformius quam scenam in vitam transferre To Act a mans life But though they fall not by insensible degrees into that vitious extreme yet too much time is consumed in these small matters and the mind by studying them is too much depress'd and broken And therefore as Tutors and Preceptors use to advise young Students in Universities too much addicted to keep company by saying Amicos esse fures temporis so certainly this same continuall intention of the minde upon the comelinesse of Behaviour is a great theefe to more solemne Meditations Againe such as are so exactly accomplisht in Vrbanitie and seeme as it were form'd by nature for this quality alone are commonly of such a disposition as please themselves in this one habit onely and seldome aspire to higher and more solide virtues whereas on the contrary those that are conscious to themselves of a Defect this way seek Comelinesse by Reputation for where Reputation is almost every thing becommeth but where that is not it must be supplied by Puntoes Complement Againe there is no greater or more frequent impediment of Action than an overcurious observance of Decency of that other ceremony attending on it which is a too scrupulous Election of time opportunities for Solomon saith excellently Eccles 11. qui observat ventū non seminat qui considerat nubes nunquā metet We must make opportunity oftner then finde it To conclude this comely grace of Behaviour is as it were the Garment of the Minde and therefore must have the conditions of a Garment for first it ought to be such as is in fashion againe it ought not to be too curious or costly than it ought to be so shaped as to set forth any good making of the mind and to supply and hide any deformity lastly and above all it ought not to be too strait or so to restraine the spirit as to represse and hinder the motion thereof in businesse But this part of Civile knowledge touching Conversation hath bin indeed elegantly handled nor can it any way be reported as Deficient CAP. II. I. The Partition of the Doctrine of Negociation into the knowledge of dispersed Occasions II. And into the Knowledge of the Advancement of life § Examples of the knowledge of Scatter'd Occasions from some of Solomons Parables § Precepts touching the Advancement of fortune THe knowledge touching Negotiation we will divide into a knowledge concerning Scatter'd Occasions and the Knowledge concerning the Advancement of Life whereof the one comprehends all the variety of Businesse and is as it were the Secretary of a Practique course of life the other onely selects and suggests such observations as appertaine to the advancing of a Mans proper fortune which may be to every man as intimate and reserved table-Table-Books and Memorials of their Affaires § But before we descend to the Particular kinds wee will speak something by way of Preface in generall touching the The knowledge of Negociation The knowledge of Negociation no man hath handled hetherto according to the dignity of the Subject to the great derogation of Learning the Professors of Learning for frō this root springeth that note of Dullnesse which hath defamed the Learned which is That there is no great concurrence betweene Learning and Practique wisdome For if a man observe it well of the three wisdomes which we have set downe to pertaine to Civile life that of Conversation is by learned men for the most part despised as a servile thing and an enimie to Meditation As for that wisdome concerning Government Learned men acquit themselves well when they are called to the manage of Civile Affaires in state but that is a Promotion which happeneth to few Concerning the WISDOME OF BUSINESSE whereof we now speak wherein mans life is most conversant there be no Books at all written of it except a handfull of two of some few Civile Advertisements that have no proportion to the magnitude of this Subject For if there were Books extant of this Argument as of other I doubt not but Learned men with meane experience would farre excell men of long experience without Learning and out-shoot them as they say in their own Bowe Neither is there any cause why we should feare least the Matter of this Knowledge should be so various that it could not fall under Precepts for it is much narrower than the Science of Government which notwithstanding we see is exactly labour'd and subdued Of this kinde of Wisdome it seemes there have bin some Professors amongst the Romans in their best and wisest times Cicero For Cicero reports that it was in use a litle before his time for Senators that had the the name and opinion for wise and experienced men the Coruncanii Curii Laelii and others to walke at certaine houres in the Forum where they might give accesse and audience to the Citizens and might be consulted withall not onely touching point of Law but of al sorts of Businesse as of the Marriage of a Daughter or of the bringing up of a Sonne or of a Purchase of a Bargaine of an Accusation Defence and every other occasion incident to mans life By this it plainly appeares that there is a Wisdome of giving Counsil and Advise even in Private Businesse arising out of an universall in sight into the Affaires of the World which is used indeed upon particular Causes but is gathered by generall observation of Causes of like nature For so we see in the Book which Q. Cicero writeth unto his Brother De Petitione Consulatus being the onely Booke of Particular Businesse Q. Cicero de Petitione Consul that I know written by the Ancients althoe it concerned specially an Action then on foot yet it containes in it many Politique Axiomes which prescribe not only temporarie use but a perpetual direction in the case of Popular Elections And in this kinde nothing is extant which may any way be compar'd with those Aphorismes which Solomon the King set forth of whom the Scriptures testifie That his Heart was as the Sands of the Sea 1. Reg. IV. For as the Sands of the Sea do incompasse al the utmost bounds of the world so his wisedome comprehended all matters as well humane as divine In these Aphorismes you shall cleerely discover beside those precepts which are more divine many most excellent Civile precepts and advertisements springing out of the profound secrets of wisdome and flowing over into a large field of variety Now because we report as DEFICIENT the Doctrine touching dispersed occasions which is a first portion of the knowledge of Businesse we will after our manner stay a while upon it and propound an example thereof taken out of those Aphorismes or Parables of Solomon Neither is there in our judgement
Diogenes But Seneca in this comparison preferres Diogenes when he saith De Ben. 5. Plus erat quod Diogenes nollet accipere quam quod Alexander posset dare There were more things which Diogenes would have refused than those were which Alexander could have given Jn Naturall knowledge observe that speech that was usuall with him Plut. in Alexand. That he felt his mortality chiefly in two things sleep and Lust which speech in truth is extracted out of the depth of Naturall Philosophy tasting rather of the conception of an Aristotle or a Democritus than an Alexander seeing as well the indigence as redundance of nature design'd by these two Acts are as it were the inward witnesses and the earnest of Death In Peesy let that speech be observed when upon the bleeding of his woundes he called unto him one of his Flatterers that was wont to ascribe unto him divine honor Vt supra ex Hom. II. look saith he this is the blood of a man not such liquor as Homer speaks of which ranne from Venus hand when it was pierced by Diomedes with this speech checking both the Poets and his flatterers and himselfe Jn Logique observe that reprehension of Dialectique Fallacies in repelling and retorting Arguments in that saying of his wherein he takes up Cassander confuteing the informers against his father Antipater For when Alexander hapned to say Plut. in Alexand. Doe you think these men would come so farre to complain except they had just cause Cassander answered Yea that was it that made them thus bold because they hoped the length of the way would dead the discovery of the aspersion See saith the King the subtlety of Aristotle wresting the matter both waies Pro and Contra. Yet the same Art which he reprehended in another he knew well how to use himselfe when occasion required to serve his own turne For so it fell out that Calisthenes to whom he bare a secret grudge because he was against the new ceremony of his adoration being mov'd at a banquet by some of those that sate at table with him that for entertainment sake being he was an eloquent man he would take upon him some Theme at his own choice to discourse upon which Calisthenes did and chuscing the Praises of the Macedonian Nation performed the same with the great applause of all that heard him whereupon Alexander nothing pleased said Plutarch ut supra That upon a good subject it was easy for any man to be eloquent but turne said he your stile and let us hear what you can say against us Calisthenes undertook the charge and performed it with that sting life that Alexander was faine to interrupt him saying An ill mind also as well as a good cause might infuse eloquence For Rhetorique whereto Tropes and Ornaments appertaine see an elegant use of Metaphor wherewith he taxed Antipater who was an Jmperious and Tyrannous Governor For when one of Antipaters friends commended him to Alexander for his moderation and that he did not degenerate as other Lief-tenants did into the Persian Pride in useing Purple but kept the ancient Macedon habit Plutarch Dict. Not. But Antipater saith Alexander is all Purple within So likewise that other Metaphor is excellent when Parmenio came unto him in the plain of Arbella and shewed him the innumerable multitude of enimies which viewed in the night represented by the infinite number of lights a new Firmament of starres and thereupon advised him to assaile them by night Plut. in Alexan I will not said Alexander steale a victory For matter of Policy weigh that grave and wise distinction which all ages have imbraced whereby he differenced his two chief friends Ephestion and Craterus when he said Vt supra That the one loved Alexander and the other loved the King Describeing a Difference of great import amongst even the most faithfull servants of Kings that some in sincere affection love their Persons others in duty love their Crowne Observe how excellently he could taxe an error ordinary with Counsillors of Princes who many times give counsill according to the modell of their own mind and fortune and not of their Masters For when Darius had made great offers to Alexander Plut. in Alex. I said Parmenio would accept these conditions if J were as Alexander said Alexander surely so would I were I as Parmenio Lastly weigh that quick and acute reply which he made to his friends asking him Vt supra what he would reserve for himselfe giving away so many and great guifts Hope said he as one who well knew that when all accounts are cast up aright Hope is the true portion and inheritance of all that resolve upon great enterprizes This was Iulius Caesar's portion when he went into Gaull all his estate being exhausted by profuse Largesses This was likewise the portion of that noble Prince howsoever transported with Ambition Henry Duke of Guyse of whom it was usually said S. FRAN. BACON Apol. That he was the greatest usurer in all France because that all his wealth was in names and that he had turned his whole estate into obligations But the admiration of this Prince whil'st I represent him to my selfe not as Alexander the Great but as Aristotles Scholler hath perchance carried me too farre § As for Iulius Caesar the excellency of his Learning Cic. de cla Orat. Cic. de Orat l. 3. Suet. in Iul. needs not to be argued either from his education or his company or his answers For this in a high degree doth declare it selfe in his own writings and works whereof some are extant some unfortunately perish't For first there is left unto us that excellent History of his own warres which he entitled only a COMMENTARY Suet. in parag 56. wherein all succeeding times have admired the solid waight of matter and lively images of Actions and Persons exprest in the greatest propriety of words and perspicuity of Narration that ever was Which endowments that they were not infused by nature but acquired by Precepts and instructions of Learning is well witnessed by that work of his entitled DE ANALOGIA Parag. 56. which was nothing else but a Grammaticall Philosophy wherein he did labour to make this vox ad Placitum to become vox ad Licitum and to reduce custome of speech to congruity of speech that words which are the images of things might accord with the things themselves and not stand to the Arbitrement of the vulgar So likewise we have by his edict a reformed computation of the year Suet. in parag 48. correspondent to the course of the Sunne which evidently shewes that he accounted it his equall glory to finde out the lawes of the starres in heaven as to give lawes to men on earth So in that Book of his entitled ANTI-CATO Plut. in Caesar it doth easily appear that he did aspire as well to victory of wit as victory of warre undertaking therein
a Conflict against the greatest Champion with the Penne that then lived Cicero the Oratour Againe in his Book of APOPHTHEGMES which he collected we see he estimed it more honour to make himselfe but a paire of Tables or Codicills wherein to register the wise and grave sayings of others then if his own words were hallowed as Oracles as many vain Princes by custome of Flattery delight to doe But if I should report diverse of his Speeches as I did in Alexander they are truly such as Salomon notes Eccles 12. Verba Sapientum sunt tanquam aculei tanquam clavi in altum defixi wherefore I will here only propound three not so admirable for elegancy as for vigor and efficacy As first it is reason he be thought a maister of words that could with one word appease a mutiny in his army the occasion was this The Romans when their Generalls did speak in their Army did use the word Milites when the Magistrates spake to the people they did use the word Quirites Caesars souldiers were in a tumult and seditiously prayed to be cassed not that they so ment but by expostulation thereof to draw Caesar to other conditions He nothing daunted and resolute after some silence began thus Ego Suet. in Iul. parag 70. Quirites which word did admit them already casseered wherewith the souldiers were so surprized and so amazed as they would not suffer him to goe on in his speech and relinquishing their demands of Dismission made it now their earnest suit that the name of Milites might be again restored them The second speech was thus Caesar did extreamly affect the name of King therefore some were set on as he passed by in popular acclamation to salute him King he finding the crie weak and poore put off the matter with a jest Suet. parag 79. as if they had mist his sur-name Non Rex sum saith he sed Caesar indeed such a speech as if it be exactly searcht the life and fulnesse of it can scarce be exprest For first it pretended a refusall of the name but yet not serious again it did carry with it an infinite confidence and magnanimity as if the Appellation Caesar had bin a more eminent Title than the name of King which hath come to passe and remaineth so till this day But that which most made for him this speech by an excellent contrivance advanced his own purpose for it did closely insinuate that the Senate and People of Rome did strive with him about a vaine shadow a name only for he had the power of a King already and for such a name whereof mean families were invested for the Sur-name Rex was the title of many families as we also have the like in our Dialect The last speech which I will mention in this place was this When Caesar after the warre was declared did possesse himselfe of the City of Rome and had broke open the inner Treasury to take the mony there stored up for the service of the warre Metellus for that time Tribune withstood him to whom Caesar Plut. in Caesar If thou dost persist saith he thou art dead presently taking himselfe up he added Young man it is harder for me to speak this than to doe it Adolescens durius est mihi hoc dicere quam facëre A speech compounded of the greatest terror and the greatest clemency that could proceed out of the mouth of man But to pursue Caesars Abilities in this kind no farther it is evident that he knew well his own perfection in Learning as appears when some spake what a strange resolution it was in Lucius Scylla to resigne his Dictature Suet. in Iul. §. 77. he scoffing at him answered That Scylla could not skill of Letters and therefore knew not how to Dictate § Now it were time to leave this point touching the strict concurrence of Military virtue and Learning for what example in this kind can come with any grace after Alexander and Caesar were it not that J am transported with the height and rarenesse of one other particular instance as that which did so suddenly passe from scorne to wonder and it is of Xenophon the Philosopher Xen. Hist de Exp. Cyri. who went from Socrates schoole into Asia with Cyrus the younger in his expedition against King Artaxerxes This Xenophon at that time was very young and never had seen the warres before neither had than any command in the Army but only followed the warre as a voluntary for the love and conversation of Proxenus his friend He was by chance present when Falinus came in message from the great King to the Grecians after that Cyrus was slain in the field and the Grecians a handfull of men having lost their Generall left to themselves in the midst of the Provinces of Persia cut off from their Country by the interception of many miles and of very great and deep rivers The Message did import that they should deliver up their Armes and submit themselves to the Kings mercy to which message before publique answer was made diverse of the Army conferr'd familiarly with Falinus amongst whom Xenophon hapned to say thus why said he Falinus we have now but these two things left Hist de Cy. Ex. l. 2. our Armes and our Virtue if we yeeld up our Armes how shall we make use of our virtue whereto Falinus smiling said If I be not deceived Young Gentleman you are an Athenian and study Philosophy and it is pretty that you say but you are much abused if you think your Virtue can withstand the Kings Power here was the scorne the wonder followeth This young Scholler or Philosopher after all the Captaines and Commanders were murthered by treason conducted ten thousand Foot through the heart of all the Kings high Countreys from Babilon to Grecia in despite of all the Kings forces to the astonishment of the world and the encouragement of the Grecians in time succeeding to make invasion upon the Persian Monarchy and to subvert it Which indeed soone after Jason the Thessalian conceiv'd and design'd Agesilaus the spartane attempted and commenced Alexander the Macedonian at last atchieved all being stirred up by this brave leading Act of that young Scholler CAP. VIII The Merit of Learning from the influence it hath upon Morall Virtues § Learning a soveraigne remedy for all the diseases of the Mind § The Dominion thereof greater than any Temporall Power being a Power over Reason and Beliefe § Learning gives Fortunes Honours Delights excelling all others as the soule the sense § Durable Monuments of Fame § A Prospect of the immortality of a future world TO proceed now from Jmperiall and Military virtue to Morall and that which is the Virtue of Private men First that of the Poet is a most certain truth Ovid. de Pont. Scilicet ingenuas didicisse fideliter Artes Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros For Learning doth reclaime mens minds from Wildenesse and