stately cheare for the space of some eight daies must remaine halfe a yeere pinched with al kinde of penury As for the coÌ„moditie that the others reape by the presence and frequentation of that whereof of I speake it is likewise to bee considered For to begin with his famelie there is no doubt but according to the prouerbe Such maister such man if he be endued with many vertues he shareth them with his especially with his wife and children describing in his priuate famelie the forme of a well ordered Commonwelth His subiects likewise what comfort doe they also conceiue in comming to trye his aâ—â—abiliâ—ie and good will Entring farther into the course of his life what an example is he to make them the better Finally such a mans neighbours and kindred may among their greatest commodities note this that they may be ordinarily conuersant with him and so to taste of sundrie goodly fruites of learning and amitie Who so list farther to learne the commendations of the countrie life let him reade those bookes that are purposely written thereof For my parte it is enough that I haue in a word touched it by the way as well not to bring out of liking those that vse it well as also to shew to others that disdaine it that it is not destitute of vertue honestie and solace Now let vs see whether it deminisheth prowesse as some doe suppose For my parte I thinke not in any in whom the loue of vertue is not quite extinct For in whatsoeuer place they bee they still thinke it conuenient for a Gentleman to beare a mans stomacke On the other side the exercise of the Horse the running at the Ring hunting and the haquebut are portraitures and instrumeÌ„ts of warre which waken the courages and maintaine them in force But communication with our like doth also greatly helpe thereto because the speeches both of the one and other doe tend only to contemne towardlike demeanours and to exalt the valiant so as hereof wee make a counterpoize against that delicacie which by little and little is engendred in those persons whose liues are free from daunger I knowe well enough that the Nobilitie that houldeth residence a great parte of the yeere in frontier Garrisons is through continuall exercise in warlike discourses more stirred vp to the loue of prowesse then that that kéepe home But all cannot be there maintained neither doe those that are depriued of that exercise considering the reputation of the rest but make inwardly some small prouision of that which is the cause of obtaining the same Moreouer it followeth not that because they are not so skilfull in militarie profession as others y t they are therefore voyde of courage For he that hath good seede in him with a little custome maketh it well to fructifie How many braue Capteynes haue in our fathers daies bene seene neuer to stirre from home after the warres were once ended And yet when occasion serued that they must to it againe they were nothing inferiour to any of the rest Thus much must I needes say that like as martiall exercise maketh not all that practise it valiant no more doth dwelling at home so daunt the courages of those that vse it but that they can alwaies be well enough disposed to doe their parts when honor commaundeth As for the rest who euen burye themselues by perpetuall kéeping home in their owne houses to the ende onely to stoope to effeminate pleasures and sloth either els to haue the better opportunitie to practise violence or couetousnesse I will say no more but only wish that among the Nobilitie there were Censors established as in the Romaine Commonwelth that through publique shame their faultes whether secrete or open might be corrected For it is a shame for the goodly title of Nobilitie to be made a cloake to vnworthie actions Now were it not amisse to examine whether the felicitie of those that goe vp downe to seeke it thus euery where and who weene to haue more then others be so great as they say for But I will not stay therevpon to the ende to discourse vpon the third false opinion Many there are that reproue it others also that put it in practise either thinking it not to want a good foundation or els because that by the vse thereof they reape profite and preferment But how soeuer they list to take it they are not to be excused For our opinions must agree with that that is iust and our commodities bee purchased without iniustice which euen those ought to knowe that make accompt to excéede the common people in dignitie and wisedome to the ende they by their example may conforme themselues to fulfill whatsoeuer the duetie of all And as it is an easie matter from liberalitie which teacheth vs the maner to giue in place and season conuenient to fall into prodigalitie which sheweth how to doe the contrary so without diligent heede from true obedience we slide into false which in counterexchaunge of a matter due maketh vs to doe that that is not due This question haue sundrie learned personages at large treated vpon of whose iudgements wee ought not to bee ignorant to the ende alwaies in our selues to bee resolued of a matter of so great waight I will therefore following their steppes speake only two or three words according to my capacitie especially vsing the instructions taken out of Gods worde The same teacheth vs that God hath set vp the mightie that haue dominion ouer the nations to rule and gouerne them in pietie and iustice whom likewise he commaundeth vs to haue in singuler honor and to obey whervpon S. Paule saith Let euery soule be subiect to the superiour powers for there is no power but of God and the powers that are are the ordinance of God This only place might suffice to enstruct as well the one as the other in their dueties For herein are the superiours warned to remember the sacred dignitie wherewith they are adorned that they neither abuse nor prophane it by crueltie couetousnesse or voluptuous lust Likewise the inferiours to bowe their neckes vnder those authorities as vnder the yoke of God not only in patience but in ioye also For as S. Paule in the same chapter sayth They that resist the powers doe resist the ordinance of GOD. Whereto he afterward addeth That the Prince beareth the sword for the benefite of his subiects whether for their defence or correction Which reason ought to make vs thinke obedience sweete because in yeelding the same wee both please God and reape profite If Princes would well consider the goodly titles and large prerogatiues that God giueth them they would amende and their commaundements should be more iust For by the mouth of his Prophet Dauid he saith I haue sayd ye are Gods and children to the most highest herein signifying that as in them shineth the image of Iesus Christ whose Empyre is both in heauen and earth so ought they
he was determined neuer to take theÌ„ in hand again so as at that instant I could not obtain anie thing of him But the tast that I had then gotten did so set me on edge that all his deniall despising of them did the more confirme mee in my desire neither did I euer qease vntil by sundrie meanes I had gotten sometime one 〈◊〉 sometime another so long til at leÌ„gth I had gathered all this booke Afterward hauing more carefullie considered of the value of my bootie accounting it more precious profitable than to be kept in the bottome of a hutch I did what I might to perswade the author thereof to publishe it but in the ende seeing that hee made so small account of the same that there was no meanes to obtaine his consent I aduentured vnwares to him to goe through with my enterprise as wel for the commendation which I hope shall redounde vnto him as for the commoditie that all Fraunce may reape thereby For this booke is replenished with most notable aduertisementes to both great and small to the ende they emploie all their power and endeauours to redresse and assure this state which without dissimulation is verie neere to vtter ruine and destruction It openeth the meanes to attain to a good stedfast reestablishment It intreateth of concord which is the only â—iment that is able to soulder and knit againe together the dissolued members of this fraile auncient building It dooth at large discourse of martiall discipline and withall teacheth how to vse and well employ our weapons It exhorteth euery one in his vocation to embrace pietie to honor Iustice It teacheth Princes Lordes and generally all gentrie the true path high way to climbe to vertue and to recouer the auncient honor of France as also how to eschue the danger of shame and miserie To be brief whatsoeuer is most rare and excellent throughout all the most famous Philosophers and Historiographers concerning the conduct and good ordering of a great estate either the instruction of such as make profession of honor is founde to bee herein set downe in as pleasant a language and delectable varietie of matter withall so accoÌ„modated to the humour of our nation that I hope to get the goodwilles of al those that shal reade this discourse as hauing bene the occasion that they are not frustrated of the fruite and pleasure herein to be reaped And this will they accompt to be the greater if they vouchsafe but to behould and consider of the horror of the place where so exquisite a matter was conceiued and brought into the world For who is he that waying the miserable captiuitie wherein the Lord of la Nouë was deteined when he wrot these remembrances being past hope or at the leastwise voyd of all apparance that euer he should get foorth oppressed with sicknesse of bodie and anguish of minde besides all this most straightly kept who I say is he that viewing him in this miserable captiuitie will not admire his wonderfull constancie and valiant courage which had bene rare euen in the most vertuous ages that could in the middest of so many calamities and apparitions of most terrible things yea as it were in the bottome of the gulph of death thinke vpon the commoditie of his countrie and in such bitter bondage maintaine his soule in such libertie that to heare him in his discourses it might seeme his prison had no power but ouer his passions and ouer all that might molest or empeach the tranquilitie of his mind either as Plato saith that those that are in heauinesse and agonie of death beginning to put of their mortall bodies haue the powers of their soules more excellent then in their perfect health so the incoÌ„uenience of this prison hauing quailed and suppressed his bodie did helpe him to purge his vnderstanding by vnclothing him of the cares of this life nourishing him with most beautifull and high meditations farre more commodiously then he could haue done in his full libertie which verifieth my saying in the beginning viz that the things which wee doe most feare and thinke to bee our greatest harme doe sometimes turne vs to greater prosperitie and good For so much of our bodily ease as afflictions do take froÌ„ vs so much strength and resolution doe they adde vnto our soules whereas contrariwise there is no courage so valiant or forcible but prosperitie will weaken and extenuate witnesse Mecenas who as Sencca saith had bene one of the chief men in the world if too much ease had not gelded him for he vseth that worde to shewe how sore vertue is weakened through too much felicitie And in deede if the outward apparance or common opinion did not dazle our eyes wee should perceiue that those whome God doth most rigorously chastise in this worlde are often times the same whom he most sweetly instructeth also that the calamities wherewith hee afflicteth them are not in deede any calamities But like as it is a pleasure to behold two good Fencers trying each other and employing whatsoeuer their actiuitie or knowledge well to assaile and better to defend euen so doth the Lord delight to make those whom he hath endued with most graces to fight and withstand the sorest aduersities and to exercise their vertue by diuers profes the which the more violent that they bee the more doe they shewe forth the weaknesse and small effects of all whatsoeuer that we call euill fortune against a valiant hart armed with the feare of God And who hath more practised this then your selfe Sir or who is able to shew better tokens hereof But least I should passe my boundes I will speake only of our author whose example may be a sufficient proofe of the saying of Seneca That an honest man cannot eschue aduersities although he may well conquer and ouercome them And notwithstanding somtimes he seemeth in the sight of the ignorant to be wretched or vnhappie yet in the middest of all his mishappes he stil enioyeth perfect felicitie which hath sworne so loyall amitie vnto him that whatsoeuer chaunceth him yet is she still about him with him and in him and doth vpholde his soule in so pleasant a seate that in whatsoeuer estate she be she is still like vnto her selfe as being lifted vp so high aboue all accidents of humaine affayres that she can in no wise be by them taynted But to returne to that which I first began to speake of concerning the commoditie of this booke such espetially as shall hereafter vndertake to write the historie of our time may find great profite therin and learne how to put in practise the precept of Tacitus who willeth that neither loue nor hatred take any holde of the Historiographers pen. For they shall see that notwithstaÌ„ding our authors long emprisonment yet he doth in sundrie places speake honorably of the Spanyards also in matter concerning our ciuill warres he vseth such sinceritie in the liuely description
are in authoritie either Ciuill or Ecclesiasticall in earnest and without hypocrisie to make shewe as well generally as perticulerly that to God onely wée ought to haue recourse and withall effectually to declare a hatred of vice loue of vertue embracing the politique vnion and eschuing discord vndoubtedly the inferiors will studie to doe the like But what will the Catholickes say Doe not wee what wee can to appease the wrath of God with solemne Processions Pilgrimages Fastings Prayers and Offerings And the like may the Protestants say concerning their Prayers Meditations Abstinences and singing of Psalmes and Himnes wherewith they also endeuour to appease him Undoubtedly we must bring more then the outward shewe vnto God who being the searcher of the hearts doth see the clennesse or vnclennesse therein couteyned But let vs heare the Prophet Esay and he will teach vs how wee ought to guyde our selues in giuing to vs the same admonition that he gaue to the people of Israel Marke the words of the Lord by his mouth My soule saith he hateh your solemne feastes and sacrifices When you shall lift vp your hands I will turne my eyes from you and when you shall multiplie your prayers I will not heare you for your hands are full of blood Wash you and bee cleane take away the corruption of your thoughts out of my sight Cease from doing euill and learne to doe good seeke iudgement helpe him that is oppressed doe right to the fatherlesse and defend the cause of the widow Then come vnto me saith the Lord. Though your sinnes be as red as scarlet yet will I make them as white as snowe Hereby it appeareth that wee must come sincerely vnto God and amend our liues in deede if we will obteyne his blessings for to seeke to satisfie him with dissembling shewes is the way to displease and prouoke him It may be there are some that will say that to propound rules of deuinitie for the reestablishing of Commonwelths is no more but to set downe Paradoxes but those men in my opinion are farre deceiued For as Iustice Wisedome Fortitude and Temperance are the strong pillers that vphold the state so must wee thinke that Piety is the foote and foundation of them all for if they be not fixed in this most woorthie vertue they cannot but shake because it is necessarie to begin the worke with such a foundation Greater reason then they haue I to say that it is no Paradoxe but rather a woonder that now in France there be so many that contemne those things which stirre vp to integritie of life and reuerence to God At the least I am assured that there are many good men as well of the one side as of the other which euen long after y e reestablishmeÌ„t of good order and the preseruation of the estate and will not reiect my opinion Leauing therefore vnto those that haue farre more learning cunning and experience then my selfe the propounding of more excellent matter that may serue to so good an ende contributing to this worke onely so much as I may according to my small capacitie and through my conceiued feare least wee should fall into such daungers as threaten vs I seeke in tyme to lay them open because it is much easier to preuent such mischiefes as haue bene foreseene then those that happen vnlooked for Hauing thus discoursed vpon the first and most healthsome remedie I will proceede to speake of the rest which also are necessarie and whereof the Philosophers haue made mention Aristotle who had as good iudgement in pollicies as any other whosoeuer doth generally say that if we can finde by what meanes estates are corrupted and decayed wee shall also knowe the meanes whereby they may be clensed and preserued Considering that of contrary causes doe proceede contrary effects also that corruption is contrary to conseruation Hereby may the simplest easilie knowe how to put this rule in practise As for example If the sale of Iudiciall offices doth breede the sale and peruerting of Iustice then ought we to forbeare selling of them and so to giue them freely to good men If pompe superfluous expences and vnreasonable giftes haue for their maintenaunce inforced Princes to lay intollerable and vnsupportable tributes vppon their subiects then must they moderate their affections to the ende oppressions may cease If impunitie of vice doth multiplie and encrease it then must correction deminish it Euen so is it in many other causes Howbeit Aristotle to the ende the better to lay open this matter propoundeth yet other meanes As that nothing be done contrary to lawe and custome especially that mischiefes how small soeuer bee preuented in the beginning That those that bee put in publique auâ—thoritie doe behaue themselues modestly as well toward them that beare no sway in the Commonwelth as to them that doe in doing no iniurie vnto any but liuing peaceably among the rest That those vpon whom the safetie of the Commonwelth doe depend doe continually watch and stand vpon their guard and many tymes giue cause of feare to the end the Citizens may be the more readie and intentiue to doe whatsoeuer is meete for publique safetie To beware that there happen no contention or debate betwene the mightie also that others which are no partakers be preuented before they meddle That by the lawes there be order taken that no man waxe too mightie And that priuate persons frame their liues to that forme of gouernment whereto they be subiect Many other rules there bee that helpe to this effect which are to be seene in the fifth booke of this Philosophers Politiques in the workes of Plutarke and in other good authors for I haue here gathered together only those that first come to hand But if wee haue but our owne lawes and olde obseruations yet were the same so sufficient as we neede not to borowe any other if we would put them in practize Which if we doe not then are all other remedies in vayne The most singuler precept therefore that tendeth to the restoring of this estate is to be willing to restore it This doe I say because that within these fiue and twentie yeeres wee haue vsed so many practizes hereabout that now wee thinke those to be but in iest that speake any thing in good earnest Such procéedings must wee chaunge for necessitie hauing taken place who prescribeth a law to the greatest we must now perforce do y t which before of our own accord we would not No maÌ„ hath herein so great interest as his maiestie For the state of his Realme being well reformed himselfe shall bee better beloued and obeyed of his subiects more mightie ritch and quiet As also it is he that may doe more then lawe force or any man whosoeuer When he hath chosen what he will say or doe which the grace of God his owne singuler wisedome wherewith he is adorned and the aduise of the wise may instruct
remedie But for the first who liue in so ioyful and pompeous vnion together I doe not thinke it either méete or honest to ioyne with them or to participate with them in sacking murthering and robbing the innocent much better it were to eschue such concord But who be those that haue so liued The hystories do tell vs and furnish vs of examples enow both old and new I will content my selfe with the alleadging of one onely which is of Caesar Borgia Pope Alexander the 6. his bastard sonne who in horrible wickednesse was equall with the tyrants of olde time who also is the goodly patterne that Machiauel propoundeth to teach Princes how to rule This man replenished all Italy with bloud and vice found but ouer many defenders and adherents to assist him Truly that man had but a slender discretion and lesse vertue that coulde haue sought to liue in such a tyrannous concord Heere might wee place a Democratie vtterly depraued as was the Athenians wheÌ„ SoloÌ„ was condemned to death Likewise a corrupt Oligarchie as also was y e Athenians when the Lacedemonians established y e 30 gouernors who afterward grew to be tyrants murthered all the best citizens Next will I heare set downe the Senates tribunal seats of iustice most part of the Senators whereof haue consented to coÌ„mic al iniquity Such a one did y e Romane Senate resemble in y e time of Nero for all such detestable cruelties as he practised yea euen when he slew his mother did they vniuersally a 〈…〉 e accounting them as workes of pietie and healthsome to the common wealth But had it not rather bene impietie for a man to haue laboured to be of their order and so to haue prophaned himselfe in such a false concord Now will I speake somewhat of men of warre in a common wealth who are as it were the gard therof wheÌ„ passing the bounds of discipline they doe confederate and vnite themselues together and so taking vppon them the spoile and robbing of the people vpon mallice rather than necessitie doe destroie all Of this vnion a man may say that the greater it is the more noisome hurtfull For the last example of false concord which also is no lesse peruitious than the first I will set downe the same that was among the Bishops assembled at two or three Councels holden vnder the children of Constantine the great For the saide Bishops being in manner al Arrians or men infected with some other heresie did by a common consent condemne the Councell of Nice which was the most notable that euer was holden those that continued the soundest in points of religion That which was concluded in their assemblies was a plaine conspiracie against the truth no holie vnion of wils notwithstanding they shrouded themselues vnder that beautifull title Of all which matters here deducted euery man especially they that rashly do ship themselues simply into all ports may learne not to suffer themselues to be circuÌ„uented with outward shews which for the most part intangle the wisest that hereafter they be not forced to vse this phrase I thought it not Wee are also to note that notwithstanding those that vnite themselues in maner afore mentioned are sometimes of opinion to perseuere a long time they neuertheles do deceiue themselues because euill thinges bee of such a nature that many times when they are growen to a certain degree not gouerned with any thing that good is they 〈◊〉 turne to ouerthrow one another But the concord that continueth is the same that is between honest men which also proceedeth froÌ„ the motions of an vpright reason illuminated from aboue which maketh â—s affectionate one to another for being fed with so perfect a radicall humour it remayneth euer quicke and fresh as the trees that are planted along the riuers sides God grant therfore y t we euen we FrenchmeÌ„ may haue the same continually lodged in our hearts to the end to helpe to restore our Countrie to her auncient beautie The third Discourse Of the inconstancie whereby many do vse to hate condemne and detest their neighbours because of their contrarieties in religion THE onelie disputations holden about this matter in diuerse Countries within these few yéeres were sufficient to ingender great hatred yea euen among néerest kindred But when to the contention of wordes they ioyne déedes from whence haue proceeded infinite iniuries then are the passions coroborated and many mens heartes so poisoned that in the time of peace they caÌ„not satisfie their hatred against such as agrée not vnto their religious opinions neither their cruell reuenge in the time of warre In this matter when we come to demand what cause hath and yet doth ingender and bring forth these extremities many doe sufficiently declare that it is the zeale that euerie one beareth to his own religion that causeth them to be persuaded that all doctrine thereto repugnant is spotted with impietie and therefore they abhorre both it and all that professe it Now to the end not to stumble in this so rough a waie I haue thought it nothing amisse to open the signification of the word Zeale as also to shew the fruites that should procéede from so good a trée Zeale in my opinion is an ardent affection of the soule which tendeth to the honour of God and the saluation of our neighbour whereof it also followeth that it is offended when he is dishonoured Moses and Saint Paule did greatly declare the zeale that they did beare euen to Gods people when the one of them said Lord forgiue them this trespasse otherwise blot me out of the booke which thou hast written And Saint Paule who wished to be separated from God that his brethren according to the flesh who glorified God might bee brought into the waie of saluation By these speeches which some take to bee excessiue we are to vnderstand the vehemencie of their affection Likewise may Helias and Phinees bee vnto vs examples of the wrath that some conceiue when they sée impietie and wickednesse to abound Fâ—â— it moued the one of them to put to death all the Prophettes of Baal and the other Zambry and the Madianite And suche zeale is commended in the holy Scriptures because it was guided by the wisedome of God In this miserable worlde wherein we nowe liue are there fewe to be found that imitate Moses and Paul either that followe the examples of Helias and Phinehes notwithstanding many would vse the same for a cloake to their violent passions as peraduenture not considering that those wer perticular actions procéeding of inward motions or expresse commandements and so not to be made consequents Moreouer those dayes had especiall reasons for such kinde of iudgements which cannot well agrée with ours But the lawe of Charitie which is perpetual and the foundation of the two aforenamed wishes ought to reduce vs to the same practise and so might we
places wherby to profit Neither shal there néed aboue sixe such in a whole band of souldiours to bring the same into liking with all commendable exercises whereas nowe for the moste part they all imploy their vacaunt leisure either in trifling or hurtful pastimes so shold the assēblies which oftē meet in the prouinces to decide controuersies or to leauy grayne bee conuerted into sweete and pleasant contentions betweene yong gentlemen sometime in townes and somtimes in lords houses to runne at the ring or to fight at barriers with such other exercises whereby to winne the prises allotted to the most actiue then would they also maintaine chalenges and of these communications in so honest recreations ingender acquaintance and fruitfull amity I will leaue to the iudgements of such as haue haunted the courts and warres to note howe soone the yong men that I haue spoken of will grow both good courtiers and better souldiers For beeing already so well instructed in the actions both of the body and minde such a preparation would make them capable of that in two yeeres which others who besides the helpes of nature haue but small learning can not comprehend in six Finally the report of this good order beeing spred through forrein countries we should haue great resort of strangers to participate in the saide instructions which woulde greatly redound to the glory of our country This is one small meanes in some sort to keepe the vniuersall corruption which as an ouerflowing streame seeketh to winne ground from further infecting of our nobilitie Besides we might conceiue this hope that by continuance of such an order we should by litle and little see good manners restored As also that age seeing youth so modest and wel taught would be afeard to transgresse and haue a greater desire to vnderstande what is worthy themselues Only it remaineth to perswade his maiestie to prouide either these or better establishmentes which I assure my selfe hee would not be against in respect of that singuler affection which he beareth vnto his nobility who hauing beene euer heretofore ready to sacrifice their liues for his seruice woulde be much more bent thereto when by new benefites their bands shall be encreased The sixt Discourse That the reading of the bookes of Amadis de Gaule such like is no lesse hurtful to youth than the works of Machiauel to age I Haue heretofore greatly delighted in reding Machauels Discourses his Prince because in y t same he intreateth of high goodly politike martial affaires which many Gentlemen are desirous to learne as matters méete for their professiōs And I must néeds confesse y t so long as I was cōtent sleightly to runne thē ouer I was blinded with y e glosse of his reasons But after I did with more ripe iudgement throughly examine them I found vnder y t fayre shew many hidden errors leading those that walke in them into the paths of dishonour and domage But if any man doubt of my sayings I would wish him to reade a booke intituled Antimachiauellus the author whereof I know not and there shall he sée that I am not altogether deceiued Neither doe I thinke greatly to deceiue my selfe though I also affirme the bookes of Amadis to be verie fit instruments for the corruption of maners which I am determined to proue in few words to the end to dissuade innocent youth from intangling themselues in these inuisible snares which are so subtilly laide for them Euermore haue there bene some men giuen to the writing publishing of vanitie wherto they haue bene the sooner led because they knew their labours would be acceptable to those of their time the greatest sort whereof haue swallowed vp vanitie as the fish doth water The auncient fables whose relickes doe yet remaine namely Lancelot of the lake Pierceforest Tristran Giron the courteous such otheas doe beare witnesse of this olde vanitie Herewith were men fed for the space of 500. yeeres vntill our language growing more polished our mindes more ticklish they were driuen to inuent some nouelties wherewith to delight vs. Thus came y e bookes of Amadis into light amōg vs in this last age But to say y e troth Spaine bred thē France new clothed thē in gay garments In y e daies of Henrie the second did they beare chiefest sway I think if any man would then haue reproued thē he should haue bene spit at because they were of themselues playfellowes and maintainers to a great sort of persons whereof some after they had learned to Amadize in spéech their téeth watered so desirous were they euen to taste of some small morsels of the delicates therein most liuelie and naturally represented And although many disdayned and reiected them yet haue but ouer many hauing once tasted of them made them their continuall foode This sustenaunce hath ingendered euil humours that distempered those soules which peraduenture at the first thought not to haue growen so weake My iudgement therefore of these bookes in generall shall bee this I thinke vnlesse I be deceiued that hee that composed them was some courtly Magitian cunning slie who to the end to bring his arte into estimation and withall to procure vnto those that bee dealers therein both honour feare hath cunningly fayned 1000. meruayles which he hath couered and wrapped vp in a number of pleasant desired and vsuall matters so as the one running among the other the whole might be the better receiued I knowe there are some that will finde my opinion to bee verie strange because they wéene that the author of the sayde bookes intent was no other but to leaue to the posteritie a portrayture of the exercises of the Courts in his time and withall to forge a spurre wherewith to pricke forward young Gentlemen and to incite them to entertain loue and practise armes as the two onely most beautifull obiectes that may delight fashion and cause them to climbe to honour But their iudgement is too simple as staying rather vppon the consideration of the beautie of certaine outward matters than vppon the truth of the inward For notwithstanding I graunt that the instructions and examples of this fabulous historie may also be propounded to the end to teach both to loue and fight yet will I saie that the most of those loues are dishonest and almost all the combats full of falsehood and not to be practised so that the following of those rules is to walke in errour All therefore that I pretend to shew may far better appeare by deducting the particularities that I haue noted I will begin with the persons of Alquif Vrgand and their like inchanters and witches there tearmed Sages as also the Magicall or deuillish arts which they vsed ase called Perfect wisedome Yea I thinke if the author durst he would haue named them Prophets which name they deserued but with this tayle of Satan When these Sorcerers or Witches came
is not put in practise resteth in the Kings Princes and Potentates that beare soueraigne dominion ouer the people and much more profitable and honourable would it bee vnto them than to stand quarrelling with their neighbours or to suffer so much of their subiects bloud to be shedde vnder coulour of pietie and so make their warres domesticall and perpetuall I knowe wee haue some controuersies in religion among vs which notwithstanding the Protestants and Catholiks are still brethren and grafted vpon one selfe stocke Iesus Christ But with these prophane Mahumetists who worshippe an imaginarie God which is as the Scripture sayth rather a deuill and do pollute al honestlie and sack the world what coniunction or fellowshippe can we haue Agaynst these enimies the rauishers of our goods tormentours of our bodies and poisoners of our soules are wee to striue with our swoords But among those that beare one selfe title all controuersies ought to be ended in modestie and truth The 23. Discourse Of the Philosophers Stone AFter that through the knowledge of good Letters which by Gods especiall goodnesse are dispearsed in sundrie places in this latter worlde the artes and sciences had recouered their auncient beautie diuerse men hauing seene the glimpes of this light which for many yeeres had as it were layen buryed haue therewith holpen themselues in the safe conduct to the search of difficulte and hidden secretes and according to the greater light that eache hath receiued so hath he penetrated farthest into the deapth of such wonderfull secrets as are dispearsed throughout the whole worlde Yea euen at this daie who so list to beholde anie Countrie whatsoeuer shall in diuerse persons perceiue the lyke affection and diligence as haue beene in their predecessours to finde out the perfection of those things that other men had in their dayes sought for But as when many archers do shoote few doe hit the marke so are there not many that can atteyn to that that in their imaginations they had conceiued which default is rather to be attributed to the weaknesse of mans braine than to any imperfection of the arts and sciences the which he that can wel vse and reduce to their true end doth attaine a great part of his desire Among those that are but ouer curiouslie giuen to the pursuit of diuerse obiects there are none that stande in greater need of admonition than such as professe with continuall blowing to make their furnaces yeeld forth great treasure which they imagine their long proofes should reueale for wee ought to take compassion of those whome we see in errour to spend their yeeres and loose theyr labour without reaping any fruit whatsoeuer which haue mooued me to giue thē this smal aduertisement which they may vouchsafe to take in good part wherein I pretende by common reason easie to comprehend and according to my abilitie to shew them that they are deceiued in those meanes that they take to attaine to their wished end Afterward I will speake one word to some learned Philosophicall Alcumists that prosecute the same obiect as also shew what is to be iudged of their so rare and vnknowen purpose Finallie hauing confessed that there is a true Philosophicall stone but rather spirituall than materiall I will declare what it is also that being diligently sought it may be found and found will bring incomparable treasure and contentation There be as I take it in these dayes three kindes of men which deale in seeking for golde by Alcumistrie The first beeing poore are through necessity that oppresseth driuen to haue recourse to this art hoping thereby to find remedie for their want The second beeing learned are by the curiositie of their minds moued to search into natures principall workes but thereto especially driuen by lycorousnesse of profite The third are mightie Lordes whose desires still tending to greatnesse and wealth are through other mennes perswasions so stirred vp that for the compassing as wel of the one as of the other they are disposed to vse this art Now by the examination of the causes that moue each part we may iudge who hath the best intent But in the meane time it is greatly to be presumed that they all shoote and draw at the deuill of siluer I haue hard some of them discourse in this manner There haue bene say some of them in time past sundrie learned persons as Mercurius Trimegistus Geber and diuerse Arabians that haue imployed their time in the consideration of both naturall and supernatural things who in their bookes haue left written diuerse goodly instructions concerning the Philosophers stone or pouder of proiection which is of so wonderful a vertue that albeit their speeches be verie darke yet are they of such sort that sundrie excellent wits haue since vnderstood them plainly expoūded their highest conceits in putting in practise that which others haue bene content to see into by speculation for both these conioyned they haue by sūdry proofes deliuered to the view of the sense that which in old time was cōprehēded only in imaginatiō whence haue proceeded the discouerie of wonderfull secrets Truly these speeches bere a goodly shew and are built vpon the authorities of very braue personages which these puffing bellowes do diligently note to the end to set the better glosse vpon their merchandise Neither can I tell whether I dare alledge that which one of their learned Alcumists did on a time tell me namely That they were the heretikes of their sect but I referre my selfe to the truth thereof Now if the considerations of antiquitie haue ben able as sparkles to kindle in their hearts the desire which wee see doth consume them the receites and books written in our dayes of the like argument cannot but haue greatly increased the same and experience most of all in such manner as some do seeme to be euen rauished in discoursing vpon the excellencie of this art Now will I proceed in the course of their reasons which are as doe follow That God hath not in vaine indued man with the vnderstāding which he hath giu him to the end to consider of the greatnes and beautie of his diuine workes and thereof reape so much fruite as shoulde bee vnto him permitted that afterward he might yeeld to him all praise That in time past he reuealed infinite wonderful and singular things alwaies reseruing to himselfe neuertheles sūdry new secrets to disclose by the varietie whereof the more to stirre vp euerie man to confesse that the abundance of his workes are incomprehensible That the West Indies which seeme to inclose the whole tresures of the earth vntill before vnknowen were not discouered within these hundred yeeres Likewise that in these later yeeres the art of transformation of vnperfect mettals into perfect the multiplying of the quantity therof which barbarousnesse and ignoraunce had long buried is as it were reuiued agayne Also that men haue learned with fire to drawe forth the essence of sundry
I tell me who that was It is said he he Who said I for I caÌ„not know him vnlesse you otherwise name him vnto me It is he said he Why said I do you then mock me Well said be Then I must needes tell you It is the holy father who hath taught all our blowers that they are but doulâ—es which in many yeeres doe multiplye all their somewhat into nothing Where himselfe yeerely in France only transformeth and multiplieth fortie pound of lead which may be worth two crownes into 40000 pounds of golde which may be worth 600000. crownes and then maketh attraction thereof euen to Roome Truely sayd I I will giue you tenne crownes the more for breaking your minde so plainly vnto mee but I would wish you not to vse much such speech in this towne least our maisters of Sorbonne immediatly deuounce you an hereticke of seuentene Carects and a halfe Wherevpon wee parted and glad he was that he had found some meanes to fatten himself againe for he was as leane as a red Herring And for my parte I began to consider of the hidden propertie of this authenticall Caballe and hauing throughly pondered therof I fonnd that my iolly blower had better successe in that which he had told me then in all y t he had done But because the time was theÌ„ too hot to rehearse this tale I hid it in a corner of my memorie Hauing thus discoursed vpon the falsehood that resteth in this Vulcanist arte whensoeuer it list to stretch to the forging of gold I will speake one word of certaine Alcumistes or rather Philosophers who being consumed in Philosophie doe in their operations adioyne the power of nature with the necessarie ayde of the arte I will tell you what one of them once sayd vnto me concerning the matter wherevpon he had laboured which now I haue called to minde He tould me that the whole studie and labour of man in the search hereof was vayne vnlesse God would reueale vnto him things vnknowne Also that for the attayning to perfection in this arte it was requisite first to be an honest man secondly to pray often to God to graunt him light in this darknesse thirdly to gather knowledge of the arte out of good bookes and finally hauing found out the secrete to keepe it secrete and not to abuse this treasure but to employ it in the reliefe of the needie or in very good workes Whereto I replyed that I found it somewhat strange that he would seeme to worke vyolence to nature and submit Gods order to mans will which was vnlikely to obeye because euery man would giue ouer the artes and sciences to the ende idely to enritch himselfe in things superfluous and of best necessitie to mans life He aunswered that in this operatiue science wee could not perceiue nature to bee any whit forced but working with all facilitie order and power which so much the more declared the wonderfull power and wisedome of God likewise that he knew very well that in as much as this knowledge could not dwell but in a contemplatiue soule not polluted with earthly affections fewe men were perticipants therein Of whom the most contenting themselues that they had hit the marke were very scrupulous in the publishing of that which rather by heauenly meditatioÌ„ then practise they had comprehended either to vse the fruites thereby atchieued but in most necessarie occasions He sayd he that is desirous to learne the arte must marke what the Scripture saith First seeke the kingdome af God and all things shall bee giuen you Also this saying of the Psalmist The Lord declareth his secretes to those that feare him To this I aunswered that these places were ment of spirituall matters and not of mettalles True sayd he such is their proper interpretation howbeit we may sometimes see the effects in things materiall when the former blessing goeth before as appeared in Salomon who vpon his prayer had the graunt both of wisedome and aboundance of wealth You beleeue then sayd I that it is possible to transforme mettalles also that some men haue attained thereto They be both true aunswered he for my selfe haue seene most euident proofes thereof and as I thinke there bee some yet liuing which be skilfull in the arte and to the ende to gather some taste thereof I pray you reade good bookes for in them you shall see not only beames but euen very lights which will shewe you not only the errors of this blowing but also the true likelihoodes of the metallicall Philosophie Herevpon I was blanke for hauing finall experience in this doctrine I was loth to aunswer impertinently and being halfe dazeled with so many goodly words I thought it best to stay vntill by effect I might see the truth of this affirmation before I would alowe or disalowe thereof which I yet waite for Neither am I so franticke as to thinke that God cannot as soone extend his liberalitie to a good maÌ„ albeit by extraordinary meanes to vse it lawfully as he could giue to effeminate Sardanapalus 40. millions of gould also to the monster Caligula 67. by ordinarie meanes which they wasted in all abominations Thus much haue I thought good to speake of the materiall Philosophers stone now will I proceede to that which I take to be the true for the knowledge whereof we can haue recourse to no better writer then Salomon whom in my opinion wee ought to beléeue as him that was endued with perfect wisedome whose conceipts and speeches were in many things guided by the spirite of truth and therfore the rather cleaue to his deuine sentences As also I thinke that all Alcumistes doe giue the most credite to his testimonies as of one who is often in their view in respect that he sawe and had a taste of those miseries which they so much reuerence In some of his bookes he hath taught that although man through his disobedience hath here belowe enthralled himselfe to many miseries yet God who is goodnesse it selfe would not leaue him so wrapped in mischiefe but that withall he hath prepared and offered to him innumerable benefites to the end that crauing them at his hands he might seeke them and by seeking euioy them and so to reape such contentation as may bee had in this life and to yeeld him praise for the same He deuideth them into two kindes In his booke of the Preacher he speaketh of such as are earthly and corruptible affirming that notwithstanding their beautie yet they that trust in them do finde more vanitie then pleasure I haue saith he built me houses and planted vineyards I haue made me gardens I haue had men seruants and maid seruants a great familie and many flockes I haue gathered gould and siluer with the treasures of Kings and Prouinces I haue appoynted singers and taken pleasure in the sonnes of men and in wealth I haue excelled all that haue bene before me in Ierusalem Neither haue 〈◊〉 forbiddeÌ„ my