more gloriously in such an Heir Their honest Hopes were not ill-grounded though the Princes Excellencies had not the same effects in the King's Mind which they had in the People's Yet those were not their Natural Products but oblique Resentments caus'd by sinister Representations made by a Cosin of Alethion whose name was Antitheus He envying the Prince because he was so justly Great brought the King into suspicion that he aim'd by indirect Means to be unjustly Greater The Excess of Vertue in Alethion upbraided him with his own Defects and the Imbecillity of his Malicious Wit could devise no other way to be reveng'd but by endeavouring to make the King believe that his Son valued those Excellencies which were taken notice of in him only as things which made his Father Lesse Antitheus had a Nature unspeakably Ambitious and that made him discontented with his condition in the Court though it was much too good for so unworthy a Person He fancied that there was no Happiness in the World but to see swarms of officious People press about him and await his pleasure with uncovered heads He despis'd the best Estate of Subjects as a gilded Slavery and esteem'd it Poverty of Spirit to be willing to be govern'd and had entertain'd such false Principles to accommodate his proud Humour that he made no question but it was his Right not to obey any longer then till he could get power to Command and concluded that no Method was unlawful by which he could make himself Supreme This Temper carried along with it a Malicious Envy against his Equals and possess'd him with an habitual Malignity against his Superiours He made account that he had but two considerable Impediments in his way for other matters he thought he should easily dissipate with a puff of his Breath and those were the King because he was in the present Possession of Royalty and the Prince and this latter troubled him most both because he had a strong Antipathy against his Heroical Soul and because he knew that though the King were dead yet he would survive in the Prince so that he could never look at the flourishing state of Alethion but as that dismal Coffin in which he himself was buried alive In those Intervalls of Reflexion which force themselves into the thoughts of great Sinners he would sometimes say to his friends But what is this which I attempt How can I forget my Uncle why should I injure my Cosin I must trample upon Fealty abandon Gratitude despise nearness of Bloud banish all respects of Piety out of my Mind and suppress the pains which my Conscience makes me feel These troublesome Considerations and the various Difficulties which he was to incounter gave mighty checks to his Hopes yet he had such unsatiable desires to go forward that he resolved to try all Possibilities and either to accomplish his Design or perish more contentedly in the attempt Hoping withall that if he could not rise to the Height at which he aim'd yet he should make the Prince fall with him and imagin'd foolishly that if Success did answer his Expectations he should be able to hide his Sins under the Prosperity which he should then enjoy and obtain pardon for his bold Wickedness by a Title which whilst he possess'd none durst deny to be good He had divers Friends which not only knew his Temper but having peculiar Discontents of their own were disaffected towards the present State of Affairs which they wish'd altered in hopes to rise proportionably to the Advancement of their Patron and they promis'd themselves a more probable Success because Antitheus was the next Heir but one to the Crown Antitheus found no means so fit for his purpose as to implant a deep suspicion in the King's thoughts against the Prince Anaxagathus having a fearful Nature his Mind was a soil too fit for Jealousie and Antitheus doubted not but he should be able to make it grow whilst he and his Accomplices nourish'd it with much Artifice and that in time it would bring forth the fruit which he desired The more he considered the more difficult he found his task for the Prince managed his Command with such prudent Innocence that Antitheus had nothing but misconstrued Vertue to form into an Accusation and the King having great Affections for the Prince it was not easie to make a Father cease to love such a Son who by his Excellencies attracted the Love of all men This forc'd Antitheus to use his Wits to prepare matter for the Prince's Ruine and his patience to await some lucky season when he might throw a spark into it to blow it up and yet so undiscernedly that none should be able to say from what hand it came Knowing that bold Falshood cannot only impose upon shallow Judgments or weaker Courage but upon Wise men too if the opportunity be watch'd wherein they also will be weak That his Intentions might not be known he hid them under a deportment full of civilities towards the Prince and took all occasions to give him humble respect especially in the King's presence but by his Agents he secretly undermin'd the King's Affections to his Son and mis-reporting his Designs with many false surmises he endeavoured with these like sharp Darts wing'd with Fame mortally to wound his Reputation He set a false Gloss upon all Alethion's Actions some of which could not but be capable of different Constructions It being a hard matter for a Person of his Quality and Employment so to deport himself in the concurrence of various Circumstances that one which observes him with a malicious Eye shall not be able to make a sinister Interpretation of a most sincere Intention Theosebes the King of Theoprepia being invaded by the Theromachians had sent to Anaxagathus to desire his Assistance Anaxagathus resented his Condition and sent the young Prince Alethion to his relief who perform'd many admirable Actions and in particular rescu'd the Person of Theosebes when he was inclos'd in a Troop of Theromachians and so incourag'd his Souldiers by his Example that the Theromachians were all kill'd or taken He stay'd a while in Theoprepia and though he return'd Victorious it was mutter'd against him that whilst he was absent with the Army he caress'd the Souldiers with extraordinary Favours express'd more then usual civility in his words and carriage and that they not only obliged with his Bounty but infinitely taken with the prudent Courage of which he had given most signal proofs in the Conduct of the Fight cried him up with such words as are only fit to be given to Emperours This was suggested to make the King believe that his Son was infinitely Ambitious to make him suspect his Loyalty and look upon him as one that thirsted after the Government The Disturbance which Anaxagathus receiv'd from these Reports was much encreas'd by the Peoples Acclamations which he fancied as Echoes to the voice of the Army For they Extolling the Person and Actions of
he thought it was best to communicate his Mind to Apronaeus for that he thought it necessary to the Prince's Escape that Apronaeus should assist him or at least connive at the Design Though he was something imbolden'd to reveal this secret to Apronaeus by that intimate Friendship which a long Acquaintance had contracted between them yet he found the matter of that Importance that he could not resolve presently what to doe both being doubtful how Apronaeus would resent such a high proposal and also being well assured that if he did disgust it he should not only ruine himself but utterly undo all further hopes of the Prince's Deliverance and thereupon resolv'd to doe what was possible in his single endeavour and chose rather to take any course for the Prince's rescue then to leave him to that danger which was unavoidable in the place where he was Whilst he was floating upon these Deliberations Apronaeus came to visit him and perceiving in his Countenance symptoms of discomposed Thoughts for he came upon him so suddenly that he could not wipe out the picture of his Mind which his Passion had drawn upon his Face he demanded the cause of his Melancholy Nothing troubles me replied Diaporon only I represented to my self the various Accidents of humane Life and as I was attentive upon my Imagination the unhappy state of our young Prince appear'd before me with strange mixtures and I could not but wish that either a Person of such a brave Spirit had not stain'd his Innocence with any unhandsome Designs or that so great a Vertue were not unworthily clouded And I began to wonder how Vice of late was grown so strong that it could endure to be punish'd or why Vertue should be so weak that it is not able to shine through the plausibility of false Accusation Away Diaporon said Apronaeus with these Philosophical follies Thou art alwayes troubling thy head with Religious Dreams To what purpose dost thou believe that vain Distinction of Vertue and Vice and meditate upon those useless notions of Reward and Punishment Dost thou not see how these Doctrines are confuted by the Practice of all the world Men seek Happiness by other Methods and neglect these Rules both as uncertain and unpracticable We have often heard our Governour say that there is no God or if there be that he doth not trouble himself with the Affairs of this lower World whether he doth or no I do not much care but I think it is true enough because I see into what a miserable estate this Prince is brought who was a known pretender to the Love of God and a great Patron of his devout Worshippers Here Diaporon interrupting his friend replied God forgive you this irreverent discourse Apronaeus will you never leave this Impious humour I know you suppose that you have sufficient Reason for your belief I think you have not You are now going to visit the Prince when we are with him I will by some means or other give you occasion to discourse these Opinions for he doth not only abhor them as prejudicial to the state of Mankind in their fatal Consequences but laughs at them as pieces of irrational wickedness in their monstrous Constitution I am no great Lover of Disputation said Apronaeus neither do I esteem that which you call Truth worth much Inquiry yet I will go with you to see our joynt Charge and since we have not much to doe this Discourse may possibly allow us some Recreation When they came to Alethion's Chamber they found him reading a little Book whose Title was Good men are ever happy Having given them his usual salutes he spoke something in Commendation of the Author who had shewn much prudence in chusing a subject that he was well able to demonstrate and had express'd the sense of his mind so artificially that his Readers were sure to find excellent thoughts cloth'd with sutable words After that he applauded the fortunate state of Vertuous Souls and admired the Goodness and Wisdom of Almighty Providence which had so secured the Interest of all those who had faithfully consign'd themselves to his care that nothing could make them miserable At these words Apronaeus smil'd The Prince perceiv'd it and ask'd him the Reason of his Mirth I laugh said Apronaeus that you whom I have alwayes esteem'd very Religious should notwithstanding you see your self abandon'd to Affliction talk still of Providence Sure Apronaeus answer'd the Prince you have something else in your thoughts which made you smile at what I said or you have some other Reasons which make you speak so disrespectfully of the Divine Providence I have several things replied Apronaeus but I think that what I have said is most proper to you for you reason against Sense and dispute against Experience saying as others of your Opinion do that a God created the World it may be so but if he did it was to small purpose in my mind since he doth not take care to keep it in better Order Possibly he is weak and cannot help it perhaps he is otherwise employ'd or else so idle that he will not trouble himself about it or it may be it is below him to mind such Trifles I know not which of these excuses you like but I am sure it is a piece of unjust carelesness if he can hinder it that he doth not relieve his friends but suffer them to be trampled upon by those which bid defiance to his Authority and quote their own Prosperity whilst they doe so for an Argument against his Providence I verily believe that ere long men will take it for granted that there is no God and that those which think there is will blaspheme him because he takes no care of them For my own part I make no doubt but that Fortune governs the world if it be govern'd at all and I think that she is blind in that she bestows great Gifts upon many that do not deserve them and I dare swear she is poor too because she hath not enough for those which do The Prince permitting him to go no further with a calm serenity replied Apronaeus though your words carry a very bad signification and must needs be offensive to all Rational Beings which gratefully acknowledging the Fountain from whom they have receiv'd their Essence cannot be contented to hear the common Father of the world dishonourably represented yet I do not wonder to hear you speak at this Ignorant rate since I know it is easie for Ingenious Atheists to abuse men of weaker parts and venting their thoughts where they dare for God be thanked Wickedness hath not taken such an universal possession of Humane Nature neither are all so degenerated from Knowledge or apostatiz'd from Truth that they have the Confidence to doe it every where but in some Company which they presume inferiour to themselves in Wit or it may be admirers of their Excellencies they endeavour to support the Reputation of their more then
head which was so far effectual as to astonish him for a while but withall broke his sword and as Diaporon recovering himself was aiming a thrust which would have ended the controversie if it had been prosecuted the Prince hoping by Trisanor to understand the Affairs of Polistherion commanded him to hold his hand whereupon Diaporon riding close up to him 〈◊〉 him out of his saddle which being perceiv'd by the rest who were four they fled taking the way which leads to Misopseudes house This Storm being thus blown over the Prince gave the Charriot to be driven by the Messenger whose Life he had spar'd who had seiz'd upon the Horses which perceiving themselves destitute of a Guide began to run wildly up and down the Field They had advanc'd but a little way in their intended Journey but they were forc'd to return again to their postures of Defence and put themselves in order for a new encounter perceiving six arm'd Horsemen to make all possible haste towards them whom they suppos'd to come to secure the Captivity of Misopseudes They were only some of Misopseudes his kinsmen whom his Lady had procur'd to endeavour the Redemption of her Husband and as they were going to Charge each other both found themselves happily mistaken Misopseudes led the Party and though they were his friends they also suppos'd that they saw him but being much distracted between Wonder and Joy could neither tell what to say or doe till Misopseudes imagining what doubts possessed their Minds resolv'd them by crying aloud Alight alight my true friends your love to me is infinitely 〈◊〉 you doe not receive me but our Prince These words were such an Addition to the former unexpected Happiness that they began to think that they were asleep and therefore put these strange things together in a Dream which could never be enjoy'd waking However having the use of their Eyes and the Prince doing them the Favour to pull off his Vizard they threw themselves from their Horses and ran to perform their Homage The Prince gave them his hand to kiss but not without Tears for he could not conceal the sentiments which he found in his Soul of those Affections which his Friends had for him in his extreme Adversity Amongst all these clashes of various occurrences one thing fell out happily for Misopseudes his friends kill'd all Trisanor's Souldiers that fled except one whom they took prisoner by which means the Prince had a more safe opportunity to escape out of the Power of their Enemies The Prince having now a little more leisure was willing as he rode along to acquaint Misopseudes and his Companions with the manner of his escape from the Castle of Dogmapornes and was going to express to them the Obligations which he had from Apronaeus and Diaporon but the deep Impressions of dutiful Love which were fix'd in his Soul for the King his Father made him first call for Trisanor by whom he hoped to be inform'd concerning the state of his Father the Court and Kingdom Trisanor was now grown so near unto Death with loss of Bloud by reason of many wounds that he could scarce speak and only said with a low voice Anaxagathus is dead and Antitheus is proclaim'd King This News as an unexpected Allay took off the lushious Relish of their late good Fortune Though they did not fully believe what Trisanor reported yet they had but too many reasons to cause them to believe the truth of that which he said besides this that Bad news is seldom false The Prince's Faith was stronger in this point then that of his Companions and his passion prevail'd so proportionally that he was forc'd to give it leave to exhale it self in this exclamation How unserene are all the Joyes which we possesse upon Earth Certainly mortal men are uncapable of pure pleasures How is every grain of Contentment which we are allow'd in this World blended with a much greater quantity of Sorrow There is no time so proper for us to expect Affliction as that wherein we think our selves most secur'd against it We have no confirm'd Peace but only a short Truce made with Adversity and that never well kept for our escape from one mischief is but a short delay that another makes which is design'd to overtake us But to what purpose do I speak after this manner we must not refuse what God presents and since we are yet uncertain what his pleasure is let us placidly await it Misopseudes perceiving that the Prince had ended his Discourse continued a Reflexion upon their present estate after this manner The afflictive sense which I have of the Condition of Theriagene cannot equal Yours most Excellent Prince my presumption is not so bold as to come near such a great Comparison but it gives precedence to none else for as my Obligations urge it as the highest Duty which is now possible so that knowledge which I have of the effects which must needs ensue upon this strange conjunction of unlucky Accidents doth awaken whatsoever I possesse of pious Affection But as I am fortified against what may happen with that magnanimity by which your self most concern'd in these Dangers makes your Courage exemplary so I find all reason to hope when I consider the strength of those Principles upon which your Felicity was alwayes founded Who hath not observ'd that in Extraordinary Cases the Design of Providence is laid so intricately that we may have just occasion to wonder but none to doubt It is to me a sufficient Argument that an Almighty Knowledge attends the Concernments of Good men because though they are frequently permitted to come near those Pits which their Adversaries have prepar'd for them yet they seldom fall into them There are two States in the World Good and Bad and when that which is worse hath cunningly contriv'd the destruction of Vertuous persons whose multiplication is the Welfare of the World and is assisted in this most unworthy Attempt by vast numbers of those who are sworn Vassals to Wickedness it is a great Testimony of the over-ruling Power of Supreme Goodness that it is able to make their Designs abortive when the distance is but small between the Contrivance and the Execution We thought most Dear Prince that your Life and your Friends Interest in Theriagene must needs be blown up when a Train was so privately laid against it and so many hands ready to give Fire to it but by our mistake we gain this Assurance That when good men are not successful it is not because God is defective in his Care or wants Ability to assist them or when the Designs which are made against them take effect in part it is not because he could not have frustrated them totally but because he gives ground for a time as prudent Commanders make their men retreat with a seeming Flight that they may make way for the employment of their Ambush and then by a more complete overthrow destroy the vain hopes of
the surrender that was offer'd and to take possession of the Town speedily lest Antitheus should prevent them by fresh supplies Accordingly they sent three thousand of the most unwearied Souldiers ashoar under the command of Lysander to secure the Gates and to strengthen that part of the Town which lay towards Theriagene The next day they landed all the wounded men and took such an effectual care for their Recovery that in a little time they were restor'd to their former health The Hipponyctians joyning with the Theoprepians bestow'd burial upon those dead bodies which they found floating in the Haven or which were cast ashoar by the force of the Tide After two dayes they receiv'd the good News of the Arrival of their Ships which were order'd by Theosebes to transport their Horse who were commanded not to set sail till three dayes after the departure of the other Ships from Naupactus Lysander appointed them to those Quarters which he had prepar'd in and near to Hipponyx the King intending with all convenient speed to march towards Polistherium where the Intelligence of Alethion's Arrival which was sent by a Courrier put Antitheus and his new Court into a great distraction for being conscious to themselves of the Wrongs which they had done they fear'd that the time was coming in which they should be forc'd to suffer for them especially after they heard that the Theoprepians had subdued their Fleet and made themselves Masters of Hipponyx This Alarm made less Impression upon the Courage of Antitheus then was expected by many both Friends and Enemies for notwithstanding he heard that many other Towns besides Hipponyx had revolted and that some Cities had sent to submit themselves to Alethion yet his Mind seem'd to grow great proportionably to his danger and he fear'd not to look his bad fortune in the face though she frown'd severely But knowing that his tottering condition needed all possible support he made use of all the thoughts with which his restless Mind was fill'd to direct him what to doe He summon'd his chief Confidents to meet in his Privy-Chamber where having fram'd his Countenance to express an undaunted Resolution he spake to them after this manner The mischiefs which the Theoprepians have already done us do force us to secure our fortune by the use of Arms and the dangers which they still threaten require that we should speedily enter upon this way of defence We need not dispute whether it is Wisdom to venture boldly for we must either doe so or lose all It were a dishonourable Cowardise to abandon our selves to ruine because we may possibly prevent it neither is there any condition so low but it may be rais'd if those who undertake it have Valour I have taken care to provide what is requisite for our Preservation both as to Men and Money You know that the Mercenary Army under my command is not inconsiderable for Number and I make no doubt but they will engage boldly in this Service because being Souldiers of Fortune they fight only for their pay And since it may be thought that they are too few to oppose the strength of Theoprepia I have sent to the Theomachians who are in League with us to desire their Assistance and I make no question of obtaining it They are the inveterate Enemies of Alethion and will more readily help us because by this means they may have an opportunity to revenge themselves upon the Theoprepians After the overthrow of this Army which doth now infest us I have promis'd to enter with them into the Enemie's Country and to divide with them what we shall conquer there by equal shares I have some Treasure which I laid up for all urgent occasions and though it is scarce enough for this present service I know how to raise more before we shall have need of it When Antitheus had finish'd this short Speech Dogmapornes Asynetus and the rest of his Associates having been engag'd in his Treason oblig'd by his Favours hoping to augment their present Fortune with his Victory and despairing of Pardon from Alethion in regard of the greatness of those Crimes which they had committed declar'd a Resolution to live and die in the obedience of his Commands and protested that they neither had nor hop'd for any Interest but that which consisted with his Felicity Antitheus having given them thanks for this obliging Answer told them the way by which he intended to provide Money to pay his Army which was by seizing upon the Stock of the Orphans laid up in the common Chamber of the City as also that which was trusted in the hands of particular Guardians by forcing the rich Citizens to lend him as much as he should desire and by borrowing the Treasure which was in the Temples and because the people should not look upon these proceedings as Rapine and Sacrilege he promised repayment as soon as he should overcome the Enemy which threatned present ruine to Theriagene and forced him to take these extraordinary courses He added also that he would not put this resolution in practice till he should hear from the Theomachians Within two dayes Antholkes the Ambassador whom he had sent thither return'd with acceptable News For desire of Revenge and hope of Conquest had so inflam'd the Theomachians that they not considering the dangers to which they were courted and the inability of the Tempter to make a probable Defence neither taking any notice of the Injustice of that Cause in which they were solicited to engage readily promis'd their utmost Assistance and knowing that Delay would make it ineffectual to Antitheus his Relief and their own hopes assur'd Antholkes that they would make all possible speed for the Expedition In the mean while Theosebes having led his Army into Theriagene only with an intention to restore Alethion and being desirous that his honest purposes might not be misinterpreted by the Censorious World told the Prince as they were walking one day together that though the Affection which he ought ever to have for so great a Friend had brought him and his Subjects out of their own Country to serve him and that he could not but think that the Justice of his Cause was abundantly sufficient for his private satisfaction yet he thought it requisite to let the World know upon what occasion he had taken up Arms and to assure the Theriagenians of his Intentions by a Declaration published for that end The King highly approving his Advice Lysander drew it up in these words Though we make no question but such as know the Reasons of our present undertaking will need no other satisfaction as to the Justice of it yet because we would not have our Actions construed into that Malicious sense which our Enemies will be apt to put upon them We declare before God and all the World that it is not a Desire to increase our Empire by any Accession which may be gain'd from Theriagene that hath made us invade the Country
partly by reason of my Fathers perfect Innocence and partly by the prudent advice of a faithfull friend call'd Kalobulus yet at last they brought it about by the assistance of a corrupt Judge call'd Labargurus whom they kept in such constant pay to serve their turns that he counted their annuall Bribes a great part of his Salary He either with the pretence of obsolete Lawes which no body remembred ever to have been made or with wrested senses of known Statutes had done them many notable services The Design of my Fathers Destruction was laid thus Labargurus you must know was one who made it his constant practise to betray unwary people for speaking dishonourably of the Duke by whom that Country was then govern'd those which are discontented are apt to speak against any body and those which provok'd them to talk and were also witnesses of their speeches were his false-hearted Spies By these he was informed of some Words which my Father should say in Company of which he was less carefull not because he thought all that were present were just but because he did never speak any thing unjust It seems my Father complain'd of some Wrongs that Labargurus had done and said that if the Duke did but know of them he was confident they would soon be redress'd and the Judge punish'd Labargurus having heard this in stead of washing away the guilt of his Crimes with true Repentance took Sanctuary against the feares of his Conscience in Revenge and giving money to two of his Creatures that could sweare lustily he fram'd this Accusation That Philapantas did say The Duke had done the people such Wrongs that he was confident if they did but know their power they would soon be redress'd and the Duke deposed So with the change of a few words which perverted the sense of the rest he drew up a Charge against Philapantas Though this was incredible to most Good men who knew Philapantas to be a most wary person and a loyall Subject yet his constant absence from the Court made the pretence plausible to such as loved to think ill of any Though indeed my Father absented himself not for any private grudges which he harbour'd in his bosom but because he saw great insecurity for an honest man to be where through false representation of persons and things Friends could not be distinguish'd from Foes And also for that whilst others multiplied their Titles and swell'd their heaps of Money with hellish toils he desir'd to enjoy the heavenly Tranquillity of his private life and thereby take opportunity to provide for his Immortall security which is in dreadfull jeopardy through the various Tentations of Princes Courts Now though these dangers be common to all Courts yet they were less avoidable in this then some others because of Two great Imperfections to which the Duke was subject which had such an unbenigne influence upon Court and Country that he was happy that could enjoy himself quietly in a corner One was that he despis'd true Religion for though to please the people which were that way given he made a show of some such thing yet he vilified it both by the constancy of an irreligious life as also by such speeches which could become none but an Atheist for he would commonly call them Fooles which pretended to put their whole trust in God and laugh at the opinion of such as asserted the Immortality of the Soul especially when they talk'd of our being Judg'd in another World Another was that he carelesly dispos'd places of Government and Justice not much looking after Wisdome and Integrity in the choice of his Ministers whose only Qualification was their Willingnesse to serve his Designes neither did he trouble himself to take any account of their good or bad Administration to give them Encouragement or Punishment as they deserv'd and from this fountain an Universall Corruption deriv'd it self upon all Orders of men By means whereof the Country which before was deservedly renown'd throughout the World for Righteousness is now despis'd of all its Neighbours and commonly call'd a Nation of degenerate Supplanters The Ministers of Justice not abandoning the establish'd forms of Law have made them however both useless to any good purpose and also instruments of great Affliction partly by the unmercisull delaies of processe in Law which commonly continue till both parties being impoverish'd can go no further or one of them at least be so tormented that he is come to the same passe with poor wretches upon the Rack who are willing to say or do any thing to come off partly whilst their Estates are squeez'd into the Lawyers purses by large Bribes for the forementioned delays and unjust Sentences The Grandees trample upon all below them and count it the duty of the Poor to be oppress'd living much according to the rule of those Beasts the greater of which devour the 〈◊〉 the Poor desire any thing of them they count it a kind of Robbery and order the same punishment for them that other Countries do for Cut-purses and when through intolerable Miseries they wish they had never been born they bid them kill themselves and say that then they shall enjoy the same Comfort The Epidemical Degeneracy hath infected also the Ministers of Religion who being fallen from the true Knowledg and exemplary Vertue of their Predecessors the Holy Fathers and Pious Martyrs have compleated the scorn of their Ignorance with vitious practises and are grown so unlike their Books that even the rude multitude wonder upon what grounds they have set their confidence of giving Counsell which they themselves render ineffectuall But good men which live undiscern'd among them are much grieved whilst they see those in whom Wit is deprav'd make a judgement of Religion by those foolish Opinions with which it is blended and that many are tempted by the evil lives of Hypocrites to think Goodness it self but a Show and Christian Religion a 〈◊〉 and so sall into 〈◊〉 the plague of humane Nature which besides the Unreasonableness of it in other respects is also desiled with the baseness of Ingratitude choaks in men all sense of the Divine presence and 〈◊〉 to the Great Father of the World that affectionate Adoration which is due from all his children Having thus lost the Love of God they can never love one another for after they have broken those strong ties which he fasten'd in the roots of their Souls they make nothing of mutuall obligations to Love Courtesie Charity Friendship or Justice and at last are become Beasts and Devils the very face of Humanity being lost And this appeares too plainly in the practise of the Vulgar also who have no understanding of Charity further then Self-love which begins and ends at Home They count it all lawfull gain that they can 〈◊〉 from others and when it is done 〈◊〉 it goes for Honest Cunning and Ability of Parts But I have been too long in the description of an unlovely
peoples Happiness stand upon the same Bottom and that they are preserved or destroyed together seeing that the weak Multitude is not able to guide it self and that they are not able to extend their short hands to the vast compasse of Affaires have necessarily sought assistance from the abilities of prudent Ministers And as they find their People improv'd in their Understandings which is a principal perfection they rejoyce both in the Peoples Good and their own Glory when they see that their Subjects are men He is rather a Herdsman then a Prince who desires to raign over Beasts It s true when a King abandons the Royal Diadem of Righteousnesse and puts on the inglorious Crown of a Tyrant because he means to do that which is dishonourable to be known he will endeavour to make his Subjects ignorant of which Imperfection he makes the same use that a Thief doth of a Mist and if his designs take the people bereav'd of their Liberties and Rights have the same Consolation from their Ignorance that the Travailer hath in the losse of his Money when he considers that he had not been so easily robb'd but that it was dark That fine Instance of the Turke is but too great a witness to this Truth mistaken by thee Dull Soul who canst see no difference betwixt things directly contrary that is the Confirmation of an absolute Monarchy in a Tyrant and the Establishing of the Peoples welfare under a Just Prince O blessed Turks thrice and four times happy in such an Emperour He hath delivered you from Knowledg and bestow'd upon you stupid Ignorance bestial Lust and perfect Slavery and by your own help hath made you utterly at a losse as to the means of Deliverance and so in a worse Condition then his Captives for these are capable of Redemption And you Heavenly Romans have done well have you not to build the Heights of Faith upon the ruines of Knowledg O shameful abuse of Truth where men must piously believe they know not what and sometimes professe that which they know to be False O stupid Obedience which knowest no reason but Slavery for that which thou dost eagerly perform Thou Holy Tyrant who from thy high Throne lookest down so disdainfully upon all petty Robbers take to thy self the glorious Title of Supreme Usurper since thou hast invaded and destroyed the Liberty of Souls Here Panaretus made a pause having gone so far not that what Morosophus had said deserv'd so much answer but to correspond with his own desires to undeceive the Pammelaenians who not only perish'd themselves for want of knowledg but were very forward to destroy such as had the imputation of it Morosophus gnaw'd with the guilt of his wicked undertaking went to Panaretus and whispering in his ear said he confess'd the truth of what Panaretus had discours'd and the wickednesse of his own Speech which he made against his Conscience and desired Panaretus to appoint him any method of Repentance for his Folly except the disgraceful recanting of his words before the Pammelaenians whom he was sain to please being compell'd for want of bread to speak absurdly he begg'd leave also to passe from that forlorn place under the guard of their Company Panaretus having observ'd with what Hypocrisie his sin was compounded and being not yet assured of his change rejected his motion with this Reply No base Fellow remain in Darkness since thou hast hated the Light let thy portion be with such as love Falshood who couldst sell Truth for a piece of bread As Panaretus had ended his words an Officer that had attended to what had past arrested Morosophus and carried him away to answer several things lay'd to his charge by one call'd Autocatacritus in the great Court of Polyglotta It was reported afterwards that his Punishment was that he should never be trusted with the keeping of any Publick Library lest when he wanted money he should be brib'd to burn the Books The noble Travailers not entreated so much as by way of Ceremony to stay any longer hasten'd towards Iconium and they were no sooner enter'd within the first borders of their Precinct but they perceived a discontented fellow whose name was Catasarkus to come forth of a dark Hole which he had made his Lodging in the Rubbish of an old Temple formerly call'd Skiamelluses which by report in ancient times was the most magnificent Edifice in the World His Habit was something strange he had a great piece of a broken Yoke about his neck which was glided but extremely heavy yet the old Fool did so dote upon it that he would often turn about his neck and kisse it as he went along He was cloth'd with a long Garment and about the Borders of it he had fastned great Fringes with blue Ribbands upon his Forehead and the wrist of his left Arme he had tyed broad Scrolls of Parchment which were fill'd with Hebrew Sentences He intending a signification of no small Sanctity by these Mysticall Ornaments He made a daily Lamentation for the destruction of Skiamelluses though it happened above a thousand yeares before he was born but having heard great Stories of it among other things he was made to believe that it should be restor'd again to its ancient Glory and as he was going to pay one of his ordinary Visits to the Sea-coast he was met by a Gentleman which seem'd to be made up of Gravity and Sweetnesse his name was Euprepon and he accosted Catasarkus after this manner Sir I have observ'd trouble in your face and have often taken notice of those walks which you have made upon the Sea-shore with such expectation as one may perceive in those who have friends abroad when they think that the time of their return approacheth It is so said Catasarkus for I earnestly expect the coming of a great Prince who as I am inform'd will ere long land here to rebuild the now desolate Skiamelluses Alas poor man said Euprepon you are fed with vain hopes It seems you have but few Correspondents abroad or at least they furnish you with very imperfect Intelligence The Ship which you look for was cast away long since upon a Rock which is in the borders of the East sea call'd Staurus but the Prince whom you mention'd a good while before that Accident happen'd foretold for he was a Prophet too that Skiamelluses should never be built again and gave his Friends the Model of another sort of Temple in some few things resembling that but contriv'd with far greater Skill not so glistring outwardly but much more rich a great deal larger and of better and more lasting Materialls of which this was but a Shadow and charg'd them never to attempt the reparation of this waste structure At these words Catasarkus went away in a very great discontent without replying the least word Urania who with her Companions heard the discourse ' demanded of Euprepon further information concerning Catasarkus and in particular whether he was
Arrival of two Gentlemen near a-kin to Theonoe and Irene call'd Amyntor and Sympathus who came to perform a Visit. This made a great accession to the Contentments of the whole Company and they which brought it quickly perceived that they themselves had encountred a greater Happiness then they expected The pleasures which are enjoy'd in Company being of that nature that whosoever contribute to their production ever carry away their Principal with an extraordinary Interest The Fathers of these two Gentlemen and the Ladies maintain'd mutually such an intimate Friendship that they were commonly call'd Pylades and Orestes and their Love was transmitted by a kind of Hereditary Traduction to their Children and they preserv'd it so inviolably that their Families after their Death retain'd the Glory of their Ancestours Affection Amyntor and Sympathus were persons of great Wits advanc'd by Study and Travel of good Discourse and agreeable Humour Theonoe perceiving whilst they were at Dinner that her Cosens were not altogether so chearful as they us'd to be ask'd them when the Cloth was taken away what was the Reason of their unusual sadness Amyntor confess'd that they had in their hearts some Compassion though at this time they would willingly have conceal'd it for the Death of the good King Anaxagathus and the poor Prince Alethion whose Misfortunes were the ruine of that once-flourishing Family This news was very unwelcome to Theonoe and Irene however since it is some satisfaction to know the state of our friends they desired leave of Bentivolio Urania and the rest of the good Company that Amyntor might be entreated to acquaint them with that which he had heard concerning the disastrous Fate of the best of Kings and his Son a most Illustrious Prince Bentivolio and his friends readily accepted the Motion for they intended to have made the same request not doubting but such a story must needs be full of great Accidents Amyntor was willing to obey their Command and the rather because it breaths an inward grief to relate it to such as sympathize with our passions Theonoe led the Company into a fair Gallery where when they had dispos'd themselves in convenient Seats he began after this manner The Kingdom of Theriagene now well worthy of its Name was formerly governed by Anaxagathus who derived his Empire by Hereditary Right from many Royal Ancestors that is received Soveraign Power with all imaginary Advantages The Ancient Root of a Princely Family is a great support to that Veneration which is due from Subjects to their Kings for they cannot but have a Natural Reverence for one whom God Nature and Time have set and confirm'd in Royal Height This most excellent way of Succession freed him from those disaffections which are many times fastned upon Elective Princes by the Envy of Ambitious Competitours and the Hatred of such as factiously oppose their Choice Anaxagathus was neither engag'd to gratifie any Party of the People for their Votes nor ow'd any Reward to his Souldiers for the help of their Swords but being born a Prince was equally acknowledg'd by all in his undoubted Right and was free to oblige such as he should think fit with unprejudic'd Favours Upon this Foundation of his Soveraignty the Welfare of his Subjects also was strongly secured both as the Interests of the People are most safe under Monarchy which is evident For since the greatest part of the Laws of a Nation do alwayes respect such matters as are the continual Occasions of Controversie between Men every part of the People being biass'd with divided Interests none can be so fitly qualified for Legislatours as is the Prince who having no particular concernment aims equally at the Common Good and as the Right of Succession was intail'd upon his Posterity he had no Interest of his Family divided from the publick a mischief which can hardly be avoided in Elective Principalities which being forc'd to take a great care of their Relatives since they are not sure of Succession do often exceed the bounds of just Moderation in what they design for themselves and as they frequently stoop to the use of ignoble contrivances to obtain what they desire so they make no scruple to repeat their Methods for the maintaining and encreasing of what they have gotten As Anaxagathus was plac'd far above the Nenessity of such unworthy Arts by an indubitable Title so by a Princely Temper of Soul receiv'd from his Progenitours he was naturally inclin'd to an affectionate Regard to his Subjects being born their Father As he was thus plac'd in his Throne by a Divine Power so he was accomplish'd with all those Princely Vertues which made him most worthy to sit there For he acknowledging his Authority derived from Heaven principally endeavoured to deport himself as God's Vicegerent and was not so careful of any thing as his Honour from whose Hand he received his Crown being not only Religious in shew to gain Estimation with the People but really affecting Piety in hope of the Blessing of true Obedience which Princes need both for themselves and their Subjects The Truth of this Disposition he made manifest both in that he shew'd no Countenance to those which were openly impious and ever declar'd an utter abhorrence of Atheists and preferr'd to the most Honourable places of his service such as he thought to be the truest Lovers of God As the peaceable entry into the possession of his Kingdom freed him from those troubles which have often amus'd the Prudence of Great Emperours so his deep Insight into the Principles of Government inabled him to avoid two dangerous Rocks upon which many Kingdoms have been 〈◊〉 viz. the Ambition of the Potent Gentry and the Insolent Disposition of the Vulgar He had great Natural parts and so improv'd them by Reading Consideration and Experience that he was able to frame a quick and solid Judgment of any Matter belonging to his Government He knew that the business of a Prince is to advance the Prosperity of his Subjects and to secure their Peace against the Invasion of Foreiners and therefore acquainted himself with all things which are necessary to be known as Means conducing to those Ends particularly with the Nature of his Prerogative the Rights of his People the Laws of Nations the Strength of other Kingdoms the Commodities of his Own the Inclinations of his Subjects and the Designs which his Neighbours may probably have against him He gave a great Demonstration of the Perspicacity of his Judgment both in the Election of his Councellours for knowing that Kings must see with other mens Eyes and trust a considerable part of their Affairs to the Fidelity of their Ministers he made choice of such as were not only persons of Honour but men of singular Prudence and unquestionable Integrity and in the Examination of their Advice for since all men are fallible and may some time or other give Counsel with too great a reflexion upon particular Ends of their own he would never
receive any but that which he did clearly perceive to aim directly at his and the Common Interest If after publick Debates he did yet doubt concerning that Opinion to which he inclin'd he would privately conjure some of those who differ'd from him to tell him freely the Reasons of their Advice which they would most willingly doe knowing that Anaxagathus never esteem'd those his Friends who out of fear of contradicting his Inclination would conceal what they knew concerning his Good By this means he secured himself against Flatterers and made the utmost Improvement of his Friends Abilities To his Wariness in Deliberation he added Stedfastness in his Resolves and Diligence in the Execution of his Purposes In his Carriage he express'd a Majestick Gravity never condescending to such Actions as import lowness of Soul diminish the Veneration of Royalty or expose his Person to any Contempt yet he alwayes manifested so much Serenity and Sweetness that he incurr'd no Hatred by the most severe Exercise of his Regal Power Knowing that it is easier to prevent Hatred then to regain Love and that Malice cannot be slighted without some Hazard he declin'd avoidable Offences He ever match'd Clemency with Greatness of mind knowing that Mercy shewn by one that hath great Power doth unspeakably oblige and that it was never any Advantage to a Prince to be hated which is alwayes the Effect of Cruelty When any Favour was bestow'd he ever let the People see that it proceeded freely from his own Goodness and when Rigour was exercis'd which was but seldom they saw it was a necessary Punishment of Sins which ought not to be pardon'd There is no Reason of just Infamy for which Princes do sometimes receive a dishonourable Character in the Book of Fame which he did not well observe and carefully avoid He was very curious of his Conversation lest it wanted the just Ornaments of every Moral Vertue because he knew that Princes cannot hide their Actions and that it was no assurance that he had done well because none durst reprove him He was unwilling also to make an Example against the Law and let his Subjects see that it was possible for sin to be unpunishable He would make no use of an Arbitrary Power though his People knew it was their duty not to resist him neither did he think he lost any thing of his Power by not doing every thing which he might Whilst the King strictly observ'd the establish'd Laws the People learn'd Obedience from his Government His great Care of his Subjects safety made them perform their Duties with an unspeakable willingness they esteem'd the King's Riches their Publick Treasury and when they pay'd their Taxes acknowledg'd that they gave but a Little to secure All. Anaxagathus lived alwayes according to the Degree of a Prince yet manag'd his Expences so frugally that they did never exhaust his Revenue For this there was great Reason for though Money was not the Sinews of his Wars but rather the Love and Courage of his native Souldiers yet he knew they must be pay'd when they are imploy'd and that with Silver a King may hire men as well as buy Iron with Gold The truth is he had little cause to think of entertaining any forein Auxiliaries for he was so entirely beloved at home that he could not but be much fear'd abroad His Subjects endear'd his Happiness to themselves and made their Loyal Affections so manifest upon all Occasions that Conspiratours had as much reason to expect Punishment though they should accomplish mischief against his Person as they are alwayes fearful when they design it against other Princes It was a singular testimony of the Prudence of Anaxagathus that he had obtain'd whatever could belong to a Prince's Security when to the Majesty of his Person the Defence of the Laws the Assistance of his Friends and the Strength of his Guards he had added the Universal Good-will of his People Being assured of this he slighted the vain Strength of chargeable Forts maintaining only One in a weak place of his Frontiers and that rather for Pomp then any Defence that he expected from it Thus did the Good King Anaxagathus live in Glory contemning that poor Honour which some weakly endeavour to perpetuate by Statues of frail Stone for the Everlasting Image of his Vertues was fram'd in the Souls of those which could not think upon him without Admiration His whole Kingdom was his Theatre and all his People Spectatours applauding his wise and just Actions There was no City in his Dominions which did not preserve his Trophies made of Conquer'd Hearts This was Anaxagathus his Happiness and indeed what greater Felicity is there then to be able to impart Prosperity to many others His discreet Subjects thought themselves happy too for they saw that they enjoy'd what Freedom Mortal men are capable of and they desired not that extravagant Liberty which the Ignorant Multitude often talk of sometimes rebel for but never enjoy exchanging Obedience and Peace for Sin War and then just Slavery under such as for their own ambitious Ends made them in love with Treason Thus the Kingdom flourish'd under Anaxagathus and they had no small grounds of Hope that it would never wither for as they could not enjoy a better King so neither did the King or the People desire a more Hopeful Successour then the most Excellent Prince Alethion who was the only Son of Anaxagathus I pray you Cosin said Theonoe with the leave of this good Company since you are so good at Descriptions will you give us a short Character of his Perfections by this means we shall not only enjoy the pleasure of your Wit but you will also detain us by a beneficial Delay from the hearing of that at which we are assured before-hand that we shall be griev'd Though I have reason to blush replied Amyntor at one half of the reason which you give for your Command yet I will be obedient in the best manner that my poor ability will allow Alethion was a Prince of a lively Complexion sprightly Eyes black Hair curling naturally in handsome Rings of a serene Aspect of a tall Stature goodly Shape and Princely Carriage of an obliging Conversation mix'd with Majesty He had a quick Wit equall'd with a solid Judgment He spake with facility and delivered extraordinary Conceptions in most clear Expressions Those Connate Notions of Truth which God hath bestow'd as a Natural Glory upon Rational Souls did shine in his bright Intellect like fixt Stars unclouded with those ill-sented fumes of Lust which darken wicked Minds To this Light he added whatsoever may be gain'd from Experience enlarg'd with much Conference and great Reading He had a constant Propension of strong Desires to all Excellent Attainments a most piercing Wit for the finding out of such means as would help to accomplish his End and was unweariedly diligent in the use of them That he omitted nothing which might make him Master of his Noble Designes
Alethion bestow'd upon him the greatest Praises and significations of highest Admiration as he pass'd along the Streets and as they came near to the Palace the King took notice of all that was done from a Balcony Then was Anaxagathus indispos'd with too much Prosperity He thought himself miserable when he was only too Happy like those who are blinded with over-much Light whilst Alethion was in danger of an Eclipse because he shin'd too bright So the Athenians bestow'd Ostracisms upon those which were too Vertuous The King had but a few Holidayes after this sight for the entertained a tormenting passion which continually gnaw'd his Heart and turn'd every the most innocent Accident into a most corrosive nourishment for it self In a short time the Venemous Affection shew'd its power in very malignant Effects for the King without any Cause known to the Prince would express himself in such rough Language and accompany it with such unpleasing Looks that Alethion could not but perceive that his Father was abus'd with untrue surmises This did afflict the Prince yet he having a great Soul and that fortified with a spotless Vertue dissembled his Grief and entertain'd Patience till God and Time should cure his Father's mistakes Anaxagathus to discharge the trouble of his Doubts unhappily reveal'd his mind to Antitheus who being too well vers'd in the Art of Dissimulation pretended a great belief of the Prince's Loyalty and though he confess'd that he had heard things which were most extremely dishonourable if they were true yet he advis'd the King to repute them as he himself did false adding that a short time would probably give a clear Resolution of that which was at present doubtful The King left it so at that time and Antitheus went no further in his Discourse because though he saw a strong Jealousie kindled in the King's Breast yet he was unwilling to blow it up into an open Flame fearing that for want of sufficient Fewel it would be extinguish'd without doing that mischief which he intended to the Prince Whereupon having enter'd into consultation with Dogmapornes his Friend and one that loved not the Prince they resolved upon a new Device and that was to write a Letter in Alethion's Name and direct it to Theosebes the Prince of Theoprepia whose matter should be form'd to advance the suspicion of Anaxagathus and put him upon some such Action which they might use for a fair Introduction to their main Design Alethion had not only made a common Amity with Theosebes but contracted such an intimate Friendship with him that they were no lesse dear to each other then to themselves and both to testifie and preserve their Affection kept a constant Correspondence It happen'd also that Alethion during his stay at Phronesium had entertain'd a great Affection for the Princesse Agape the Sister of Theosebes The knowledge of these Accidents was but too subservient to Dogmapornes for he had a faculty of forming any Characters which he had seen before In confidence of this Art he undertook to imitate the Prince's hand so exactly that he should not be able to know it from his own He had an Acquaintance with one call'd Panurgus who was well known to Siopelus Alethion's Secretary Him they order'd to visit Siopelus and to watch an opportunity when he found the Secretary engag'd in earnest business to fix the Prince's Seal to the Letter and then pretend that he found the Letter by chance and give it to Dogmapornes when he should see him with the King unto whom Dogmapornes was to present it The words carried this sense Most Illustrious Prince Theosebes The Love which unites our hearts hath made it impossible that I should not be alwayes Yours The Truth upon which our Friendship is founded will not permit any Condition to make a diminution of our Affections If it were not a Reservedness unbecoming our Relation I would not give you the trouble of knowing my present State I am afflicted by my Father to gratifie his Enemies who have wickedly brought him into an unjust suspicion of my Loyalty It doth something astonish me to find my self a Grief to him whose Joyes I would redeem with the loss of whatsoever is dear unto me Although I am more apprehensive for his disturbance then for any mischief which it may possibly work to me yet I am not so out of Charity with my Innocence as to abandon it carelesly to undeserved Ruine I hope I have discovered the Ground upon which my danger is built and when I shall have sprung a Mine which I have lay'd under it I doubt not but that which now threatens me will be torn up by the Roots At present I need nothing but your Prayers as occasion serves you shall hear further from Your most affectionate and faithful Lover ALETHION The next day the King took Antitheus into the Garden to talk with him concerning the former business which was never out of his thoughts and ask'd him if he had yet receiv'd any further notice of Alethion's Designs No replied Antitheus only they say the Prince was much out of Humour yesternight refus'd to eat and entertain'd some of his Associates in private discourse and as he dismiss'd them which was very late one over-heard him say I will I will for it is intolerable for a Prince to be so us'd I will rather die then be despis'd The King turning hastily about advanc'd but a few steps in the walk which led towards the House before he saw Dogmapornes with two more of his Confederates coming towards him Dogmapornes perceiving by the King's Countenance that he was exceedingly incens'd craved his Majestie 's pardon alleging that he should not have presumed to have invaded his Privacy but that his servant having found a Letter in the Street directed to Theosebes the Prince of Theoprepia he thought it was his duty to bring it to the King Anaxagathus observing it was seal'd with the Prince's Arms was much troubled especially when having open'd it he found it written with his hand as he thought and saw his Name subscribed to it When he had read it supposing he understood what it meant by the Comments which he had receiv'd before-hand he seem'd to be rapt into an astonishment and after a while broke through his silence with Expressions which signified an infinite Anguish His words were such as these O Lord how feeble a thing is Humane Felicity That flattering Glasse in which we pleasingly view the beautiful Image of Happiness may be made bright but there is no Power which can secure it from breaking Our Heights are but Precipices we cannot stand upon their Tops without Fear and the higher they are rais'd the more irrecoverable is our Fall How vain is the Trust which is repos'd in Mortal men when the best Assurances of Humane Faith are only fairer Masks of Perfidiousness O the foolish Boasts of proud Artists How mean and useless are those Inventions for which they pretend to have merited Immortal
thanks and Glory from Mankind unto which they have notwithstanding their Brags done so little good that they have left us unprovided of Supplies for our greatest Necessities They can try Gold and Silver and discover Counterfeit Jewels and make a Judgment upon such like Trifles but they are ignorant in that which should resolve our more concerning Doubts Which of them hath found out a Touchstone for Fidelity It is a poor Art which can neither make men good nor teach us to know those which are bad For want of this Skill and he spoke true though with a wrong Application we are apt to give Credit to those which endeavour to betray us and many times doubt when we have the greatest reason did we but know it to be assured I do not now begin to be acquainted with that Mutability which domineers in this lower World but it astonisheth my soul to experiment new mischief from such an unexpected Instrument Sure my Son doth think that God to be dead who made the Laws which injoyn Obedience to Children and Loyalty to Subjects and imagines vainly that some Devil Reigns in his stead who regards not such things But how can I believe Alethion to be so impious He hath acknowledg'd a Divine Authority by his long Obedience It may be for all that some violent Storm of evil Imaginations hath overcome his Vertue Who could have dream'd that any thoughts so wickedly potent could find Harbour in the Minds of the now-Apostate Angels as to make them fall at once from their Allegiance and Heaven As I am griev'd for thy 〈◊〉 so I pity thy folly Alethion Dost thou impotently long for a Crown Ah! thou dost not know how oft my Head hath been wearied with it Dost thou think it such a glorious Pleasure to govern others Alas Thou art Ignorant that the greatest Prince is but a Royal Slave and doth perpetually serve those whom be commands and is constantly rewarded with Fears and Jealousies so great that no private person is capable of them O poor Princes Happy indeed if they estimate their estate by the opinion of others but when they judge by what they feel they cannot find it so Crowns and Sceptres Purple Robes and all the other pompous Circumstances of Majesty are ever so much greater then the Substance that Kings find themselves Men still and that notwithstanding all those bright Glories which make their Outside shine to the dazeling of the Beholders Eyes it doth often lour and rain within Ignorant people would soon see that they have little cause to grudge their Obedience if they did but know what it is to endure the troublesome Care of Princes Here Anaxagathus changing his Tone delivered words with a more passionate Air and added But all this I could bear being but a common Lot incident to all Princely Fortunes but that my Son but that Alethion should endeavour to ascend the Throne by my Fall it is intolerable If wickedness grow according to this proportion it will be impossible that the world should subsist God must provide some other Earth and transport good men thither for this will be so overspread with Violence that they will not be able to find any quiet Habitation in it When Antitheus perceiv'd that the King had made a Pause knowing that it was his time to strike whilst the Iron was so hot he prayed the King to retire to his own Prudence and rather wisely to think what he ought to doe himself for the defence of his Interest then to complain so passionately of what was design'd against it by others and seasonably to stop that which was ill begun from taking any further Effect What then should I doe said Anaxagathus You may replied Antitheus immediately secure Alethion in one of your Castles remote from the City by which means you will discourage his Accomplices and gain time without danger to search to the bottom of his Design The King appoved his Advice and gave charge to Dogmapornes to carry Alethion to the Castle which was under his Command Dogmapornes not a little glad that their Plot had taken so far made haste and with a select Guard of his friends march'd presently to the Prince's Palace and having secured the Avenues of the House went in to deliver his Message with a countenance which did more become some friend who resented the Prince's Condition then him that was the principal cause of his Affliction When he had told the Prince that it was the King's pleasure that he should prepare himself to go to that Castle whereof he call'd himself at that time the unhappy Governour the Prince being of a Magnanimous Temper and taught by Prudence to receive without Amazement the most unexpected Events ask'd Dogmapornes what time was allow'd for preparation You must be gone presently answer'd Dogmapornes But may I not see my Father first said the Prince No replied Dogmapornes the King is much 〈◊〉 and charg'd me upon my Life to see his Command answer'd with present Obedience I will perform it by God's help said the Prince for how much soever he is mistaken in the Cause of his Anger I will embrace the Effects of it with Patience adding But Dogmapornes do you not guesse the occasion of this sudden Order No said Dogmapornes for being hastily sent upon this unacceptable Errand I only heard some of those which stood by talk of a Letter which being intercepted reveal'd something of a Design against the King in which I suppose that they imagined that you are interess'd Though the Prince could not divine what they meant by the Letter yet he saw plainly that some had abus'd the King and did endeavour to ruine himself whereupon his thoughts concerning this Affair gave themselves breath in these words Proud Errour Will no other lodging serve thee but the Breasts of Kings Is it not Victory enough to abuse all the Inferiour World with mistakes unless thou dost also shew the malicious power of Triumphant Lies in the Ruine of Innocent Princes How hard is it for Kings not to be deceived who are forc'd to see with other mens Eyes or to use such colour'd Spectacles as they are pleas'd to provide for them who never meant that they should have a true sight of things Modest Truth which is alwayes Generous and had rather be banish'd then intrude where she is sure not to be welcome doth so rarely appear in Courts that Princes are fain to disguise themselves sometimes to get into her Company Flatterers are so unhappily cunning that they can make Falshood pass currently for Truth and represent Truth so disadvantageously that it is disbeliev'd and make honest men disfavoured as the Prince's Enemies It were happy for my Father if those which attend his Person lov'd his Interest but I am afraid be is inviron'd with Sycophants and that those which wish him well dare not save him from the prejudice of Misinformation lest they lose themselves in the plausibility of Falshood I have great
reason to be sorry for my Father's Misfortunes Though my own Affliction be great I should easily slight it if I did not foresee that my Ruine is made a Prelude to his Destruction O subtile Malice Dost thou take away the Son as a Traitor who is the only Bulwark which my Father hath left against treasonable Attempts Is it possible my Father should think me so foolishly wicked as to endeavour to steal that which would be my own after a short time and which I had rather want for ever then blast the Glory of a lawful Possession by using the least indirect means to attain it Is Anaxagathus grown so strangely credulous that a Counterfeit Letter is a better Testimony then so many years Experience Did not Phaedra write an Epistle against Hippolytus and then hang her self but did that make him guilty of any sin against his Father Theseus But it is to no purpose to make Apologies when the Judge will give no Audience I could heartily wish that my Father may in some reasonable time be so far disabus'd as not to love Vertue less for my sake nor me for false Reports But I am afraid lest this black cloud which appears now over my Head will ere long discharge a storm upon our Family It is too plain a symptom that a Kingdom is not far from Destruction when the Methods of its safety are confounded with perverse Counsels This fatal Imprudence doth too commonly attend those who are destin'd to Ruine when adverse Fortune hath begun to afflict them they use contrary Medicines or delay to apply fit Remedies to their Distempers till they be grown incurable The Prince having finish'd this short Reflexion told Dogmapornes that he was ready to go along with him Dogmapornes conducted him a private way through the Grove which adjoyn'd to the Prince's Palace for fear of tumults However he could not carry the matter so privately but that the City and Army had notice of it Most of them retaining their former Goodwill to the Prince were ready to make an Insurrection for his Deliverance saying as they went up and down that the Prince was betray'd Those which were of Antitheus his party oppos'd them and ask'd them if they would rebel adding that nothing was done to Alethion but by the King's order Hereupon Misopseudes a prudent Senatour and one of the Prince's friends fearing that the Mutiny of the Army would turn to Alethion's prejudice told them that as there was no doubt of the Prince's Innocence so he made no question but that he would be speedily freed from his Imprisonment and to quiet this Humour he added that nothing could more confirm the suspicion which was already entertain'd concerning the Prince's guilt then in a Rebellious way to attempt his Vindication Having thus appeased the violence of the storm he returned to the King to intercede for the Prince When he was come to the Court he found them all surpriz'd with an uncouth Accident for an old Servant of the King 's who had ever a most passionate affection for the Prince having for a long time kept his bed by reason of a dead Palsey being told by the boy that attended him that Alethion was sent to Prison the old man amaz'd into a kind of recovery started up and by the help of his boy having got out of his bed and put on a Night-gown and supporting his feeble Body with a pair of Crutches went out of his Chamber crying Oh my dear Master my dear Master When he came to the King's Presence he cried out O my Lord do not believe any Reports against the Prince If there were never so many Letters and Hands and Seals Alethion is Innocent and the Tears running down his cheeks he added Sir you are abus'd you are abus'd The King vex'd with this unexpected Accident commanded his servants to take away the Impertinent Fellow There is no need of that said the Paralytick I will be gone of my own accord grant me your pardon for this offence for I will never trouble you more but let me tell you that you will repent of the Prince's Imprisonment When he had said this he returned to his bed and died immediately The King said nothing but those which stood by perceived that he was extremely troubled and as they guess'd look'd upon this Interposition as an ill Omen for it was known that the old man for many moneths was not able to stir in his bed but as he was moved by others Misopseudes Philalethes and some other of the Prince's Friends took an occasion from this Accident to speak in Alethion's behalf and desired him not to make any peremptory conclusion in his mind concerning the Prince's Disloyalty adding that though Letters were found yet possibly the Prince might not write them mentioning also the great Grief which the King's Subjects had conceived for the Prince's Restraint and ended with intreaties which they made to the King to give his Son leave to come to him that so he might have an opportunity to clear himself from his Accusations What replied the King do not I know my Son's Hand and Seal Shall I not believe my own Eyes Shall I not trust my own Judgment when I see so much cause to doubt the fidelity of such as have the least reason in the world to be unfaithful Do you tell me of the peoples Affections then it seems my Son hath engaged them against me but I will take care that he shall not head their Rebellion Anaxagathus was so far from accepting their Mediation that suspecting they were 〈◊〉 of some Design he commanded them to be arrested and committed prisoners to their lodgings in the City but by the advice of Antitheus who feared they might cause some disturbance he sent them into the Country and confin'd them to their Houses charging them not to return to Court without leave upon pain of Death Within four dayes Dogmapornes came back having secured the Prince under the Custody of Apronoeus his Lieutenant The next morning after his Return one of his Souldiers brought news that the Prince impatient of his Prison had dismiss'd himself from that and his Life both at once by throwing himself from the top of a high Tower into the River which ran by the Castle This Report was brought according to an agreement made between Antitheus and Dogmapornes for they durst not immediately murder the Prince fearing the King's mind might change Though the news was false they looked upon it as serviceable to their Purpose which was as soon as they could to destroy the King and having done that to use this report as a fair colour for that which they meant to doe next For they resolved then privately to doe that themselves which they now affirmed the Prince to have done and so make one Sin a Disguise for another When this news came to the King's Ears it is easie to imagine what grief it convey'd to his already-distressed Heart but the 〈◊〉 was infinitely
imprison'd and either to revenge their Brother's death for he died upon the Rack to gratifie Antitheus or out of hatred to my person as a Lover of Alethion they came hither in hope to have murther'd me They laid their design thus One of my Brother's Servants for what cause I cannot tell remain'd in the City and those Assasinates taking notice of it corrupted him I suppose with Money to come to my house yesternight to tell me that two of my Brother's friends would be in this place to day about the time when I first saw you to impart some Secrets to me which did highly concern us both and therefore did earnestly desire me to give them a meeting I knowing that the Messenger was my Brother's servant and that those whom he nam'd were his most true friends supposing that he brought no Letters because it was not safe to write believed him and came but not without Arms of which I soon found the Necessity As I alighted from my Horse they made towards me with Swords which they had hid under their Coats and gave me a wound for a Salutation Turning upon them for my defence I had the good fortune to kill one of them and wound the other which when I perceiv'd I desir'd him to desist and let me know for what Injury which they had receiv'd from me they sought reparation by this highest sort of Revenge But his Malice had made him so greedy of my Death that by silence and continuing to fight I saw that if he could not kill me he would live no longer Nay then said I you shall be pleas'd and as you came so you shall go together With a very few blows I sent him after his fellow-Murtherer But as these Villains have suffered more punishment for their wicked attempt then I desired to have inflicted upon them if it had pleas'd God otherwise to have delivered me from their Malice so I think my self well appay'd for the hazard I have run and nothing disappointed of my Expectation since the Message is verified in a sense which they never intended by this fortunate Encounter Now let me entreat you to go along with me and when we come to my House I will tell you the story of the Prince and desire your advice concerning the course which we are to take for it is a perplexed season Bentivolio whose Prudence was alwayes awake stopping Philalethes said Sir we are strangers and do not know what Constructions may be made upon any Accident happening at our Arrival in such a Juncture of time therefore if you please our servants shall throw those wretched Carkases into that old Cole-pit lest some Foresters finding the dead Bodies give notice to the Country which will make a general Alarm and it may be trouble us all with an impertinent Hue-and-Cry Philalethes approv'd the Counsel and as soon as they had put it in Execution they betook themselves to their Horses When they came to his house Bentivolio told Philalethes that the first expression of his Regard to them should be to search his own wounds Upon the first inspection he found them not dangerous and having quickly dress'd them his Lady entertain'd her unexpected Guests with a short Collation yet they thought it long because it was some hinderance to the accomplishment of Philalethes his promise to tell them what was become of the Prince which when the cloth was taken away he fulfilled after this manner I understand by the discourse which we had in the Wood that you have heard of the death of Anaxagathus who broke his heart with the Grief which seiz'd upon him when he heard the news of his Son's Death of which he would never be convinc'd but that himself was the principal Author The day after Anaxagathus was dead Antitheus the Venemous Root upon which our Calamity grows sent Dogmapornes one of his Confederates to the Castle where the Prince was imprison'd with order to kill him privately and throw him over the Rock that so his Body being afterward taken out of the River might make good the Report which they had spread abroad before concerning the manner of his Death which by that means they foretold much after the Custom of Evil Spirits which give Intelligence before-hand to Witches and other their Correspondents of such mischiefs as they resolve to doe When Dogmapornes was gone Antitheus and the rest of his Accomplices began to deliberate what was next to be done for the setling of the Kingdom They determin'd presently to proclaim Antitheus King as being apparently the next Heir to the Crown and commanded upon pain of Death that none but the Souldiers of his own Guard should appear in Arms nor that the Citizens should meet in any Assembly upon pain of Treason and secured such as they knew to be Alethion's friends This I learn'd from one of my servants who escap'd out of the City by night Dogmapornes made all possible haste to his Castle to Execute the wicked Commandment of Antitheus and kill'd some horses by the way but when he came there he found himself utterly disappointed for the Prince was gone the day before How it came to pass I will acquaint you for my Brother not being able to conceal from me such happy news longer then the time which the Messenger requir'd for his Journey to bring it sent one of his friends to me who was able to inform me perfectly for he waited upon the Prince during all the time of his Imprisonment heard his Discourses and knew the manner of his Escape You must understand that the Prince was chiefly intrusted to the Custody of two Persons Apronaeus who was Lieutenant of the Castle and Diaporon who commanded a Troop of Horse under Dogmapornes Diaporon attended continually upon the Prince Apronaeus came only sometimes to see that he was in safety Diaporon was of a nature very averse to Malice and though he had not the greatest parts nor could make a perfect judgment of things by his own Ability yet his temper was not impregnably fortified against good Reason As he had at the first no disaffected resentments of the Prince's Person for he had never disobliged him so in a short time he fell into a great Admiration of his Vertues and perceiving him not to be afflicted with what he suffered he concluded in himself that the Prince had no Demerits upon which Punishment could take hold He saw a smooth Serenity in his Looks a great Contentedness in his Speeches an undisturb'd Equality in all his Conversation He heard him often assert his own Innocence but without any other Expressions except of pity for his abus'd Father The affection which this Deportment produc'd in Diaporon's breast possibly augmented with some surmises of unworthy Contrivances against the Prince in a short time grew so strong that it made him heartily with that he might be so happy as to work his Deliverance As he was musing one day how he might accomplish such a hard Attempt
ordinary Abilities by making Proselytes and impose upon unexperienced Wits with great Boasts of new Philosophy though their 〈◊〉 Discoveries are usually but two or three of the worst opinions of some old Philosophers which they have taken out of their Graves and endeavour'd to revive with such Arguments as have been often answer'd and hiss'd out of the world by the best of Men. I am glad replied Apronaeus that your Princely Mind is so little sensible of those thorny Objections though you feel how sharp they are by Experience which do very much trouble others when they only think of them But go on Generous Prince and let us see if you can pull 'em out of my Understanding at least so blunt their points that they gall not this 〈◊〉 Diaporon That which you spoke just now replied the Prince as it respects me I take but for a Complement but to the rest which concerns the Interest of all Good men I will give an Answer It is a common thing for people when they suffer great Afflictions to talk Atheistically They speak as if they did not think that there is any God because they fancy themselves to be little beholden to him and sometimes they wish there were none and yet think that they are justified in their Impiety because he useth them as they say very hardly Therefore Apronaeus I would not have you put your Objection of Suffering so carelesly as to hope to infer a denial of Providence from Good mens Afflictions for let men be what they will they think themselves too good to be punished and let their Castigations be never so justly moderated they judge them too great for them If a young man die which possibly hath sinn'd away his Life he cries out O cruel Fate why dost thou destroy me before my time If a mother lose a Child which perhaps her own indiscretion kill'd then you shall hear O unjust Stars why do you rob me For Stars or any thing else is God or the Devil when they think themselves hurt So that you may perceive Apronaeus that the common Original of these Complaints is a foolish Passion joyn'd with an Imperious Prides and that most Plaintiffs in this case labour not only under a defect of just Patience but are troubled also with a shortness of Discourse What must God be bound to please men alwayes lest they in a Fit of angry Grief deny his Government by way of Revenge or which is as bad accuse it of injust Severity Is he so inconsiderable that he is obliged to attend us with an officious care and are we so great that he must be afraid lest he do not please us enough When men are pleas'd there is yes there is a God why then simple Mortals and not when you are displeas'd too You find so much fault in your Calamities that you conclude they could not have happen'd to you but that there is no God or else that he Governs not the world as he ought whereas if you examine the matter throughly you will find so much more 〈◊〉 your selves that you will be forc'd to acknowledge your sufferings Arguments of his Justice whom you foolishly accuse and bear them as deserv'd Punishments But when you are in a Passion you will neither confess that you have merited anything nor be content that God is not of your mind no you will die and rather then live any longer you will kill your selves and in a scorn be gone out of his Territories because as you say he bestows so little regard upon you But it is very unlikely that you should escape so neither is it a thing to be imagin'd much less believ'd that God hath no Reserve for Rebels and that he should fail to punish in another world those which have done their utmost to deserve it in this and it is a 〈◊〉 madness to think that they shall be pardon'd for breaking Prison I have said this Apronaeus to let you understand that such as have a mind to complain do not punctually examine whether it be with just cause or no. But whereas you say it is many times unjust because Vertuous persons are made miserable and so urge your Plea against the Divine Providence By this I see that you are ignorant of the Nature of Happiness and Misery and therefore I wonder not that you determine so weakly in this Controversie You do not only mistake the true notion of Happiness but suppose it to consist in such things as a good man would think himself unhappy if he could not despise them The Felicity which you fancy is to be Lord of the Country where you dwell to live in stately Palaces to lie upon soft Beds to drink excellent Wines to eat nothing but what is Delicate never to know Labour to sleep with Musick not to be controll'd in your Designs and such like But good Apronaeus will you consider how childish your Attempt is whilst you go about to gather up so many things to put a fair Gloss upon Misery and crust it over with a shew of Happiness What must Happiness be patch'd up with so many and such mean Shreds I thought our Felicity had been compriz'd in one chief Good and that the satisfaction of the Master-wish of our Souls was attainable in that single Fruition and not to be begg'd from a confus'd Multitude of 〈◊〉 which are so poor that they are not able to defend themselves from a Wise man's Contempt The Heaven-born Soul advanceth it self by Rational passions towards God the first Good whom it knows to be the Spring of Being the Root of Life the Father of Wisdom the Fountain of true Pleasure and the Haven of Desire It hastens from all things to him longing to be illuminated with his Divine Rayes to partake of his most lovely Disposition who is the Archetypal patern of all Goodness infinitely pleas'd with the Contemplation of his Attributes which are the Notifications of his Nature as far as it is knowable and ravish'd with the Consideration of his excellent Works which are Entertainments worthy of the best and most rais'd Minds Happiness must be plac'd in the Soul that there it may perfect our Faculties satisfie all our greater Capacities and secure us against the uncertainty of all external Dependences Those Divine Illapses which put us into a Sensation of God by an Intellectual Contact and give us a lively Sympathy with him in whom we live make us feel our selves happy and give us a serene knowledge of him to whom we owe our Being and fill our Souls with Joy mix'd with Gratitude and Love unite our Hearts with his Sacred Will by Resignation make us lodge all our Concerns in his Providence unto whose Conduct it is then easie to commit whatsoever is dear to us Then we consecrate all our Actions to his Glory who gave us our Powers and serve his Designs both because they are his and also the best in the World so that our whole Life becomes one
to conceal it But no Mask can blind the Divine Eye If it be unjust to punish Good men which God doth not it is unreasonable for bad men to complain though he do We ought of no case to make a Judgment against the Justice of God's proceedings for though he makes Punishment sufficiently discernable in some Examples yet he many times doth not acquaint us with the Cause why it is inflicted I am afraid Good Prince said Apronaeus that I shall weary you with my trifling Objections if you will pardon my importunity I will only trouble you with demanding an answer to something which I propounded in the beginning of this Discourse It may be Good men are happy as you say but methinks it were fit that wicked men if there be any should be punish'd For whilst they are in Prosperity as I told you before it is hard to believe that there is any God that cares how things go here Do you think then that they are not punish'd replied the Prince Do you think they are so highly privileg'd in their prosperity Beside what I have said already to prove that the Material World is unable to satisfie the greater Appetites of the Soul and to shew how uncertain that small pleasure is which men sometimes seem to take in their vain Dreams there are other Reasons which demonstrate to me that wicked men cannot be happy God hath interwoven Vexation with their most prosperous Conditions Inseparable Imperfections do constantly molest them and they are frequently assaulted with unexpected Accidents by which means they are never secure never at case I think this but a small matter and common to all which partake of the same estates with them But because they are Wicked they are for that very Reason Unhappy Wickedness is its own greatest Punishment neither can Punishment be so properly demonstrated as by the Nature of Sin Reason and Vertue are the Glory of Humane Nature and as it hath a rare content in the Discourses of Wisdom so in the performance of Actions suitable to Vertue it finds an Acquiescence like unto that which things have in their 〈◊〉 place But he which breaks these Laws offers violence to the Noblest Principles of his Soul and they are so interwoven with the Essence of it that he which affronts them endeavours to degrade himself Those Repeated Actions which induce Habits of sin deprave the Soul and sink it into a base State of Being sometimes making it to wallow in Mud with brute Beasts and sometimes throwing it into that fiery Pit where Proud and Wrathful Spirits are tormented The Shame that is fasten'd to all wicked Actions shews that they are naturally base Let a man sin never so privately as ravish a Virgin or rob a Traveller in a Wilderness though there be no witness to make him blush yet when he thinks what he hath done he is sensible of the Nature of Honesty which he hath wrong'd and the Prevarication is odious because the Law which he hath transgress'd is the transcript of eternal Righteousness written in the Heart of Man by God when he made Humane Nature and he can have no pleasure to remember that he hath done an Action so disagreeable to Nature That Sin is its own punishment is so generally true that a man can neglect the Rules of Vertue in nothing but he is weaken'd and debas'd in Soul or Body or both But left bold Men should slight this Turpitude and think to make a Compensation for some dislike of themselves by the pleasant diversions which Sin allows God hath made it impossible to be undisturb'd in Wickedness by reason of the sharp Remorses of an evil Conscience If they will sin this will bear witness and if none else do accuse and hath Authority to condemn too and it alwayes sees its Sentence put in Execution Those which are punish'd by it are burnt-with a sullen flame which torments the Soul as a feverish heat doth the Body The Sparks of this fire may be hid in Embers but it cannot be put out It hath been formerly represented by Furies with burning Torches and sometimes by the Thespesian Vipers for a Sinner is ever gnaw'd by his Conscience upon the remembrance of an ill-govern'd Life They are very Ignorant which think there are no pains but such as are Bodily for the Mind is capable of greater Torments That which afflicts the Flesh is only some present Pain but the Soul is vex'd with that which is past with what it feels at present and with the Fears of that which is to come It 's true Jolly Sinners doe what they can to make the World believe that they feel no such thing but how is that possible We know that Essential Principles are the same in all Men Wise men of all Religions have acknowledg'd a Conscience to be rooted in the Nature of the Soul that is a Power which animadverts upon our Actions and condemns us for what we doe amiss This severe Reprover by blows which Sinners only feel destroyes that Joy which they promise to themselves in prosperous Wickedness This makes Murtherers take but little content in those Possessions which they have purchas'd with the Innocent bloud of those whom they have kill'd with the Violation of all Sacred Rights If Sinners be well what makes them use so many Arts to palliate their sickness what makes them so burthensome to themselves when they are alone what makes them seek so many diversions but the hope so to drive away this evil spirit which haunts them Have not Tyrants kill'd or banish'd all Wise and Good men they could reach left they should have witnesses of their Actions because their Consciences told them that they were unjustifiable Have not some Vicious Persons sought Refuge from thinking in perpetual Drunkenness and others thrown away their lives not being able to endure themselves I thank God I abhor desires of Revenge and I think it is too Cruel to think of those who have wrong'd me without great Pity but I am assured though neither God nor Man punish them in this World they will never be able to pardon themselves But I must adde to this which I have named the Torment which awaits them in the other World the fear of that must needs be a great Vexation as it is an incomparable Pleasure to a good man that he hopes to be happy there This expectation blasts the Delights of sinners and makes them but like those Recreations which condemn'd men enjoy in Prisons who though they play at Cards or Tables yet the Ropes about their necks spoil their sport whilst they continually put them in mind of being hang'd I grant that Atheists endeavour to blunt the edge of this Argument by a flat denial of Immortality and would willingly think that they are all dead in the other World because none ever came to them to give them notice of the contrary but those faith-worthy stories which report the Appearances of Spirits and have told us
Cabbin but given us leave to walk upon the Decks or below at pleasure but it were a simple thing to imagine that he would not steer to his Port or that our inconsiderable Motions should hinder the Course of his Ship or that he would not punish us ashore or reward us according to our Deportment a-shipboard But since Vertue is Good replied Diaporon and God loves it and Goodness is the Happiness of Men and God as you say doth not envy us to be Happy I think he ought to have found out some way to have made all men Good You dispute boldly said the Prince with a smart Accent and if you made these Pleas in your own Name I should think you very proud Good Butter-flie venture not too near the flame lest you burn your Wings Sober men have alwayes acknowledg'd that Modesty is no where more necessary then in divine Inquiries and that these Speculations have such bounds set that none can attempt to pass them with more discretion then venture over Precipices because God's Understanding is as far beyond ours as his Power transcends all that we can doe However this I say to your Objection God hath appointed a way to make men Good but you do not like it You would have had a Man made something else then that which he now is Humane Nature is Good and therefore God cannot be blamed that made it But it might have been better you say You may doe well to be angry that men are not Gods But you will doe better to say since men are Good by God's Gift and may be better by their own Industry through his assistance which he is alwayes willing to give if they be bad let them not blame God but themselves We must not demand what we please of him that ows us nothing and it is extreme folly when we have enough to be discontented because we have not more What though God could have granted such a privilege to Man that he should not have been capable of being deceiv'd yet you cannot justly quarrel with him for not doing it but are bound to return thanks to him for that sufficient knowledge of Truth which he hath bestow'd since God was neither bound to make us or give us any thing But you Diaporon would have some Method of Melioration which should make men Good whether they will or no if I may speak so absurdly and I suppose you have a mind to ask if you would speak plain why God doth not shew himself so visibly to men as to make it impossible for them to question his Being and why he doth not work Miracles every year to convince Atheists You care not for Converse with God unless you may determine the Manner of it But you should remember that it is a high favour that we have leave to approch to Almighty God in any way that he will appoint The Divine Wisdom hath made choice of an Ingenuous Faith as the Foundation of all entercourse with Eternal Truth and that Principle doth then declare its Nature and Power where sufficient Causes of Belief are given though they are not such as do compell our Assent or leave no room for Doubt if men will pertinaciously endeavour to cavil against the Truth Religion ought to have a Prudential Bottom because it is a Rational Worship of God and cannot consist except it be supported with Reason but it hath no such Motives as to force obedience from the most Wicked If God should appear in his Glory it would amaze men into belief by sight and if he should so extort submission from his Creatures they would have nothing left whereof they could make a free-offering to him Let me desire you Diaporon to consider what an Indecorum it were to change the Method of Vertue which God hath put God hath promis'd Happiness to mankind upon fair Terms for he hath made Vertue the common Rode to it which is smooth and agreeable to our Nature Is it not then unreasonable that they should come to the Journey 's end which decline the way Is it unjust that those who have indispos'd themselves for a happy state should afterward meet with such things as suit their Disposition How can they hope to receive a Crown which never did any thing worthy of it It is more patience then they deserve that God bears with them till they Trifle away 〈◊〉 whole Life especially having frequently perswaded them to the contrary Since God pleaseth himself with the Ingenuous converse of some few which love him of choice he is not to be blamed by such as do not devote their Souls to him because as he doth an infinite Courtesie to Holy Souls whilst he takes pleasure in them so he hath highly deserv'd of those which are undone because they have misplac'd their Affections upon mean Objects Here Diaporon replied But since Dear Prince it is our Interest to be Good and God is most Gracious in his Nature and knows that we are very weak it seems congruous to those Considerations that he should have made the Method of our Happiness easier by taking out of our way those Tentations which sometimes make us sit down and sometimes lead us aside Sure Diaporon said the Prince you have a great love to Idleness or else your Temper is more Cowardly then I imagin'd Would you have thought it better if God had made us without Faculties or since they are bestow'd upon us do you think it fit they should be useless You find fault with this World because it is not a Stadium where men receive the Prize which never run for it If you had not fond Passions you would not desire that men should be rewarded for doing nothing Is it a thing worthy of God to bestow Felicity upon such as will doe what they please and slight the Observation of such Directions as he hath declar'd to be the only Means allow'd for the obtaining that excellent End You would have God govern the World by such Rules as suppose Men to be scarce anything How came you to be thus soft Diaporon Will you not keep your way when you travell if another Rode cross it Will you leave off your thoughts of going Home because you see handsome Inns by the way Hath God commanded us any thing but that which is Good Hath he forbidden us any thing but that which doth us hurt We may enjoy what pleaseth us so long as it is profitable he hath made our Bound only where it is not to our benefit to go further and shall we be so unthankful and stupid as to call it a Tentation that we have not leave to doe our selves a mischief If in any thing you take pains doth not the pleasure of a Vertuous Industry and the great Reward which is promis'd infinitely exceed your small Labour What are you afraid of Alas the Rose-bush hath prickles upon it you are sorry that God hath made any thing that doth bite Coward if some things have
the Fates of the World are spun and accordingly the Circumvolutions of the Heavens must be the Turning of those wheels I suppose that the Puny Stars may be the Parcae's Spindles of which they make use when they draw the contemptible Threds of mean Fortunes of short Lives It may be said the Prince continuing his Discourse you think me too pleasant in resolving this scruple but how can I Diaporon give any other then Jocular answers to such a Frivolous Doubt I wonder if you will have me more serious how Humane Nature came to be guilty of such a gross Paralogism as to believe that because the Sun hath a known Influence of Heat that therefore it hath as many more as men please to assign to it some of which are littles less then Contradictory to each other for they say it both heats and moistens or because the Sun hath some constant operations which are Regular and deprehensible by Reason therefore we may attribute other 〈◊〉 Effects to it which have no foundation in Observation Who knows not that the Sun the eldest Son of Nature and Father of the Day the Fountain of our Light and that General Fire which warms all the World doth accomplish rare things upon our Terrestrial Globe that it makes the four different Seasons of the Year in which earthly Bodies are observ'd to suffer very considerable Mutations In Spring it makes the Herbs to grow the Plants to Bud the Trees to Flourish in Summer it ripens Fruits and adorns the Earth with Flowers and in Autumn having finish'd his Anniversary task with us having the same work to doe in another place begins to withdraw that then also the exhausted Ground may repair its self all Winter with cold and moisture against the next Spring These are known effects and we perceive that they flow from the Access Abode and Recess of that assured Influence Heat but what is that to those strange Products which have no dependence upon any known Virtue in the Sun but are as fictitious as those Consequences which Deluders do variously feign They have no foundation in Reason except this be sufficient that because the Sun is an excellent Instrument it is a Principal Agent or rather because it can doe something it can doe all things which is to say because it is a brave Creature it is a God I cannot imagine upon what other ground they should assert that the Sun doth create Prophets as well as make the Grass to grow and bestow rare Abilities upon Law-givers and adorn some great Ministers of Religion with the power of Miracles as easily as it can melt a Ball of Snow It were not difficult to give you Diaporon a particular notice of the manifest falshood of those inconsistent Principles with which those pretenders to Astrological knowledge endeavour to support their Errours with which they would abuse you but it would be too long at present and since we shall meet often I will doe it when you please I believe by this time you are willing to retire said the Prince continuing his Speech to Apronaeus and Diaporon for we have talk'd a good while I will only stay you so long as to give you a little Advice for I perceive you have been conversant with Atheists who though they dare not speak directly yet if you examine what they say you will find that those Arguments which are us'd to traduce the Providence of God serve no less to impugn his Being I presume the rather to give you a friendly notice of your Danger because Atheism is not only stain'd with Ingratitude but is commonly rooted in a love of Sin and nourish'd with a desire to live with an unregulated Will. When men have perswaded themselves that there is no Divine Power to whose Laws they owe an Obedient Regard they think they may indulge themselves in a Voluptuous Life without controll They deny the Being of God lest they should be put to the trouble of giving him holy Worship and when they seem to allow a Deity they confine him to the superaerial Regions lest being plac'd too near them he should take notice of what they doe here below and so for fear of being call'd to an account for their enormous practices they deny his Providence Your Civility said Diaporon to the Prince is infinitely obliging but I hope my Errour if I be mistaken is not so dangerous as you pretend That great Philosopher whom we honour as the Master of our Sect doth not I confess acknowledge a Providence but I suppose it is not only for those Reasons which I have mention'd but as thinking it is below a God to mind such small things or that it would be troublesome to his Happiness It is well known that he confess'd an Eternal and most blessed Being and affirm'd that he ought to be worshipp'd for the Excellency of his Divine Nature and as your Reason will not permit you to think that he did not believe a Deity because he reproch'd the Gods of his Country against whom he had but too much to say so I hope your Charity will not let you call him Atheist although he thought that Divine Being did take no care of this lower World I know well said the Prince that your Sect doth magnifie Epicurus as the Inventor of Truth and the Architect of Happiness who having only been honour'd to see what is True had redeem'd the World from Errour and declared the Methods of a blessed Life which before were unknown but I know no Reason for any such Encomium both because a great part of his Philosophy was not his own and that which he added to what he borrow'd to say no worse is altogether Contemptible to Wise men for he asserted the lowest sorts of bodily pleasure to be the supreme Happiness of Men. This Imputation is not fastned upon him by Ignorance in History as some of his Admirers would make the World believe for by those Relations which we find there we have as much reason to doubt whether he himself were a Temperate Person as to be assured that his Followers were not Though Laertius hath spoken in his behalf and to vindicate his Reputation says that his Scholars did either Ignorantly or Wilfully mistake him yet his profess'd Disciple and great Admirer Lucian who preferr'd him before all other Philosophers and extoll'd him with the highest words which can be bestow'd upon a Man comparing him with Aristippus and Democritus his Masters says that he exceeded them both in Impiety and Luxury And we know that Cicero an Author more Faith-worthy then Laertius objected to one of Epicurus his friends his unworthy Definition of Happiness quoting it in his own words and reproching the sense of it asserts that Epicurus did acknowledge no Happiness distinct from soft and obscene Pleasures of which he us'd to discourse by Name without blushing He reports also concerning Metrodorus who was Epicurus his most intimate Companion that he did scornfully disdain his brother Timocrates
into Malicious minds I make no doubt but his Soul is the Temple of Innocence Whilst Diaporon pronounc'd these words one knock'd at the Door and when he was come in told them that he was lately come from Polistherion where the King was much disturb'd with the news of Aletbion's Death and that one of Dogmapornes his acquaintance was accus'd for forging Letters in the Prince's Name that the King was fallen sick with Grief and that the Army and City mutter'd some discontented words against 〈◊〉 and Dogmapornes as the Contrivers of the Prince's Imprisonment This Relation startled them both and having desired the Messenger to withdraw they consulted each other what was fit to be done I think said Diaporon that this is the most intricate Scene of Affairs that ever I beheld in my life I thought it impossible that Alethion could be suspected but much more that any should dare to accuse him and most of all that the King would believe any thing suggested against him I know no reason why any should report him to be dead unless they meant to kill him and I cannot but conclude that if the King be so disturb'd at the false news of his Death that it hath made him sick he will be so much more pleas'd with the true Report of his Life that it will recover his Health I think it is not only our duty to our Soveraign to whom we owe all services but our prudence not to neglect such a fair opportunity to shew our Loyalty by preserving his only Son The worst Interpretation that can be made of our Action is that we endeavour'd to put into a Harbour which was not assign'd us to avoid the danger of a violent Storm and if any thing happen contrary to our Expectation we can suffer nothing dishonourable having desir'd to perform our Duty though we saw it full of Hazzard I am much amaz'd answer'd Apronaeus at this strange Accident since the Prince is reported to be dead who was in my Custody I may be assured that his friends will look upon me as his Murtherer especially since one of my Colonels acquaintance is accus'd for writing the Letter for which the Prince is imprison'd Since the Army and City by whom the Prince was alwayes infinitely belov'd do concern themselves in his sufferings I am afraid of the Issue of this dark Affair and wish with all my Heart that I had not received such a troublesome part as I know not how to act However Diaporon I think it is best to follow your advice by which we shall gain time and save our selves from sudden Attempts But to what Port shall we steer our Course What we are to doe in this matter if we can doe any thing requires speed You say true replied Diaporon we must resolve quickly lest long Deliberation take from us our power to act Let us convey the Prince into Theoprepia which we may effect thus There is a private Door which leads by a subterranean Passage from the Governour 's Lodgings to the River's side let one of your servants about four a clock this afternoon bring our Horses thither as if he intended to water them there we will take Horse and conduct the Prince first to the Castle of Misopseudes who is his known friend where we are sure of safe Repose to night and from thence we shall easily reach the Borders of Theoprepia Apronaeus lik'd the Contrivance whereupon they presently return'd to the Prince and acquainted him with the Intelligence which they had but then received and with many protestations of their sincere Intentions reveal'd their desires of his Safety and told him of the way which they had agreed upon to secure his Person if he pleas'd to accept of their service The Prince knowing it was better to run any hazzard then to stay where he was after a short discourse accepted their offer and went away in a Disguise When they had travell'd about two miles they met a Horseman riding toward them with a very great speed who knowing Apronaeus stopt his Horse and told him that he was sent before by Trisanor who was not much behind with a Convoy and brought Misopseudes Prisoner to his Castle Whence do they now come said Apronaeus From his House replied the Messenger where we surpriz'd him this morning about break of day By whose Order said Apronaeus have you perform'd this service By a warrant sign'd by Antitheus said the Messenger When they heard that Diaporon at the Prince's Command took hold of his bridle and then dismounted him Whilst they were deliberating what to doe with him for it was not fit that he should go to the Castle and give notice which way they were gone and his Company was but of uncertain use to them if he went back Apronaeus desired leave of the Prince to kill him but he falling upon his knees and begging his Life the Prince had but just granted his Petition when the Party which conducted Misopseudes came up Trisanor rode in a little Charriot which was attended with two Horsemen upon each side and gave leave to Misopseudes to sit with him Apronaeus rode boldly up and kill'd him which drove the Charriot upon which Trisanor flung himself out of the Coach and mounting his Horse which was led by one of the Souldiers gave Misopseudes who was disarm'd in charge to one of his Souldiers and then a sharp fight began between the Parties Trisanor and his men resembled the Deportment of a stout Tigre which whets valour with rage when she is in danger of being robb'd of her Whelps The Prince's friends animated their Courage with the worth of the Person who had honoured them to be his Protectours and whom they knew to be very able to defend both himself and his Guard and concluding that it must needs be a grateful service in the beginning of their Trial if they could also rescue one whom the Prince intirely lov'd they threw themselves between the Prince and his Enemies Diaporon made such a sharp pass upon Trisanor that if he had not avoided it by turning aside he had been slain at the first encounter however he lost not his labour for he kill'd one of the Souldiers who came in to the relief of his Captain and afterward continued his combate with Trisanor who being asham'd that he had given ground redoubled his Vigour in the next Charge The Prince attacqued him which guarded Misopseudes and with a Princely boldness said Traitor deliver up that Loyal subject to his Prince and accompanying his Commands with a blow or two made them to be obey'd for the Souldier fell down dead and the Prince gave his horse to Misopseudes who was come forth of the Coach not so much glad of his Liberty as amaz'd to see him that procur'd it Diaporon had given and receiv'd some wounds from Trisanor who fought desperately not so much desiring to save his life as to sell it at a considerable Rate and discharg'd a blow upon Diaporon's
glad of the Errand to come and tell Atheists of their Errour and reprove them for speaking against their Existence With such foolish Arguments they have perswaded poor Philedones to believe that all Felicity is in Pleasure and that only to be measur'd by the Belly and with the help of Gastrimargus Cantharus and Aphrodisius whom he hath made Purveyours for his inordinate Appetites he is so improv'd in Luxury that he will not eat without a Deaths-Head hung over the Table nor drink but in a Priapus and will have none to present his Ambrosia but a Ganymede He repents of nothing but the Time which when he was young he lost in serious Studies and to signifie to the World that he is a real Convert he hath declar'd that he will have no Remembrance after Death but a Monument made after the fashion of that Statue which Sardanapalus had at Anchiala and this Epitaph upon his Tomb HERE LIES ALL PHILEDONES Psychopannyx creates his Companions some disturbance for he contends that the Soul is a substance distinct from the Body and shall awake again though it sleep a while in the state of Separation being not able to live out of the Body but because he was in some doubt whether the Soul having snor'd many hundreds or thousands of years without so much as any Dream of Life or Sense will not afterwards be unable to know it self again they were content to take him into their Company as an Honest Heretick but of late Udemellon hath made him much more acceptable for as the only way to make him hope to escape the Punishment of a Wicked Life he hath perswaded him to be of his Opinion That there is no Judgment to come and that the Resurrection is a mere Fable Asynetus is one whose part in this Infernal Tragedy is with a scurrilous boldness to traduce the notion of Conscience and he hath acted it so to the Life that those which have seen him have imagin'd that he hath often stab'd that tender part of his Soul But some that know his Constitution say that such a callous Matter is grown round about his heart that no Dagger will pierce it He doth teach Men to take off the sense of Sin by committing it often that is to contract an Habitual Impenitency by a frequent Repetition of Wicked Actions and to rifle the Native Modesty of their Souls by adding greater Crimes to smaller Sins herein following the damn'd Example of those Traitours who make it their Excuse for committing the highest Villanies that they have already done such as can be defended by no other Means He hath utterly spoil'd a young Gentleman call'd Saprobius whom he hath made a miserable Spectacle of a Vicious Life Sin hath done its utmost upon him having now left him nothing but a despairing Soul in a putrid Body I look at him as irrecoverably lost because he is mortified to all sense of Ingenuous Principles by which means he hath broken off from himself those Handles by which God doth take hold of us and seems to have murther'd those friendly Guardians which God hath appointed to reduce such as think to free themselves from their Obedience by a rebellious Flight Medenarete is a She-Philosopher and so in many respects acceptable to Antitheus Her Opinions are very conformable to Saprobius his Practices She esteems Vertue nothing but Words Laws the Opinions of Men in Power She denies that there are any Eternal Rules of Righteousness which took their Original only from God or that there are any Indispensable Principles of Good and Evil or that God hath written any Laws upon Humane Nature in any other sense but that Vertue and Vice are determinable by the Customs of divers Countries and Holy Rules variable according to different Fancies of several Ages or Persons That Religious Constitutions are only founded in the Wills of Princes and Piety supported by the Credulity of the Ignorant Vulgar and the Obedience of such as are forc'd to doe what they are commanded She doth boldly affirm that it is only a Rustick Bashfulness or else a Cowardly Fear that hinders Men and Women from saying or doing any thing when they are out of the reach of the Law and that what is abhorr'd by all the World as most Evil would become Good if it pleas'd those who have Authority to determine so and that what is generally embrac'd as naturally Good because it agrees with the Common Principles of all Mankind would become Evil and ought to be rejected as Wicked if the Laws of Men did appoint so This is that brave Medenarete with whom Antitheus is infinitely inamour'd What Astromant is is you may partly guesse by those wild Notions of Fantastical Astrology of which you have heard something in the Prince's Discourse with Diaporon His Custom is to tell strange Stories and to pretend an extraordinary Ability to doe great Matters by reason of his peculiar acquaintance with the Stars which he esteems the principal Ability of a Physician and absolutely necessary to one that hopes to be successful Thaumaturgus is a Jack-pudding to the Mountebank and goes along in his Company much-what with the same Grace that the Monkey doth with the Bears I will not trouble you with any longer Description of him you will quickly hear of him in Polistherion Anopheles is an intimate friend of Astromantis he is wholly taken up with making of Talismans i.e. useless Images imboss'd or ingraven in Stone Wood or Metall under certain Constellations made to represent some Celestial Planet or Conjunction of Stars that is bearing the Figure of those living Creatures which are describ'd in the Heavens and especially in the Zodiack which hath its name from them These being thus compos'd as he saith receive a Power from above for the Stars being much taken with the Resemblance of their Figures send down potent Influences upon those small pieces of Stone Wood or Metall which they not only retain themselves but are also able to impart to other Matters of the same Figure as to a piece of Clay or Wax taking an Impression from them His Talismans thus made doe as he would make us to believe in a natural and constant way strange Wonders as for Example They drive away Serpents and Rats from Cities cure those which are bitten by mad Dogs or stung by Scorpions chase away hurtful Insects out of Fields as Locusts and Caterpillars and deliver people from the Pestilence and all Contagions of the Air nothing of all this depending upon any Conversation with Spirits which he esteems Fancies Thus as he says he hath reviv'd the old Art by which the Jews made Teraphims and the Arabians and Egyptians fram'd Statues according to the Rules of Astrology and Natural Magick and having fetch'd down the Spirits of the Stars imprison'd them in these Shrines much after the same manner that Daemons are said to be included in Humane Bodies by which means their Talismans of Brasse and Stone do move and speak and
too lively an Image of one that hath been affrighted so by my discourse you will understand the reason of my wan looks Through Iron Bars which denied all other entrance but of mine Eyes I beheld such Objects as I never desire to see again Men and Women whose Flesh was so wasted and their Skin so discoloured that their Bodies seem'd to be only dry Bones inclos'd in black Sackcloth Their Eyes were sunk into their Heads and stared wildly their Faces were pale like those which are macerated with want of Meat some with their Teeth tore from their Arms those small parcels of Flesh which were yet remaining upon them and they perform'd this after such a desperate manner that it was manifest they endeavour'd rather to express a Rage then to satisfie Hunger Some lay upon the Dirty ground tied back to back others were chain'd to Posts with heavy Fetters some were stretched upon painful Racks and others laid upon hot Gridirons Some made me Weep to hear their Sighs All forc'd me to Sigh to see their Tears I turn'd my Eye no where but I saw fresh occasions to excite an unspeakable Compassion Some ran up and down distracted and talk'd of Honour Some struck their Heads against the sides of the Rock and curs'd their Riches Some had Books of Accompts recited and deliver'd to them which they threw away with a thousand Expressions of Despair and Wrath. Some sate upon the ground with their Arms a-cross and seem'd to be infinitely amaz'd when they were told what pains they had taken to bring themselves to this Misery and others who were near them tore wider the Wounds which bled already by reproching them as Causes of their Unhappiness too In other places I saw some hang down their Heads and Curse their mad Obstinacy and after a howling manner say What could nothing but Hell make us believe that there is a God Are these intolerable pains the price of our Sins Lord at how dear a rate have we bought a little pleasure Did those who yet see the Light of the Sun but know to what a filthy Dungeon we are confin'd they would no longer live in a Voluptuous carelesness trifling away their Time as we did nor think any thing too great to doe or too hard to suffer to secure themselves from falling into this Infernal Pit where old Mother Night Original Darkness Darkness that may be felt dwells Sure it was out of this Magazine of cursed Shades that the Afflicting Angel borrow'd that Pitchy Mist which blinded and 〈◊〉 the Egyptians and here in this Store-house of Plagues he repos'd it again to our Unspeakable Torment Is there no Hope for the Damned Did those who dispute so eagerly concerning the Duration of our Miseries feel what we suffer they would think every Day a Year a Year an Age an Age Eternity O Annihilation how desirable art thou to such as are oppress'd with a Being unsufferably tormented We have heard some say That they had rather be any thing then Nothing A short stay in this place would make them change their Opinion Would to God we had never been or could yet cease to be But we wish Impossibilities being condemn'd to live an Immortal Death I will trouble you no further said the good Old man with a Repetition of calamitous Words only before you return I will shew you the outermost Passage which led towards that Mournful place It is barr'd up as I told you upon the In-side with the Ruines of a Rock Whilst they were viewing the out-side of it Alethion spied an Inscription over the Door and causing his Attendants to advance their Lights he read these following Verses This is the Prison of Apostate Souls Within this Iron Grate Vengeance controuls The Pride of Rebels fetter'd in such Chains As Justice makes by linking Sins to Pains Accompts are justed Here Bold Debtours Now Are forc'd to pay and say 'T is what they owe. Here God's at last acknowledg'd and Men see That Sin is something Hell a Verity Here late Repentance dwells Here Hopeless Spirits Hate their own Being loaden with their Merits Where a tormenting Darkness clearly shews What God will doe when Patience Fury grows Alethion and his Companions having entertain'd themselves awhile with the Contemplation of this strange House built by Nature under ground return'd to the Lightsome Air and designing nothing now but to see Theoprepia he made such a good progress in his Journey that about the time when the Sun went down he came to Xenodochium the chief City of Philadelphia The Governour having understood that some were come to Town who by their garb and deportment appear'd to be no ordinary Persons sent two Gentlemen according to their Custom to offer what Accommodation could be had in Xenodochium Alethion's present condition forc'd him to stand in need of their Courtesie and the Nobleness of his Soul taught him to accept it with such an excellent Grace that they found themselves requited where they endeavour'd to oblige They brought him and his Company to the 〈◊〉 House who though he had been us'd to Conversation with generous Persons was something surpriz'd with the Presence of these Guests especially of Alethion but having quickly setled himself he made the Reasons of his Wonder Motives to a more exact observation of such Rules as the present Accident made necessary to be practis'd He brought the Prince into Lodgings which were nobly furnished and presented all supplies after so handsome a fashion that Alethion could not but judge the Philadelphians the most civil people in the World And when he perceived by the excellent discourse of those Gentlemen who attended him from how great a knowledge their Courtesie did proceed he had no way to relieve his admiration but by supposing that the Philadelphians were priviledged with an extraordinary temper of Soul and by calling to mind that they were governed according to most excellent Rules by the best of Princes Which made him think to what a rais'd height of Goodness brave Kings may elevate their Subjects by making themselves great Examples And how severe a Sentence they may justly expect from God when he shall call them to account for teaching their people to degenerate into a low nature by their own ignoble Actions And he was apt to determine in his thoughts That the chief hope of the emendation of humane nature which all good men pray for doth much depend upon God's bestowing vast measures of a divine spirit upon Princes Though Alethion had given order to his Servants to conceal his name and to allow no other notice of his quality or companions but that they were strangers who travelling to see the World desired before their return home to visit Theoprepia yet his attempt to conceal himself proved ineffectual For the glory of great Souls not capable of being hid behind the thin veil of this flesh breaks through their bodies with illustrious Rayes and commands Honour suitable to their Worth Thus the Philadelphians
were assured that they had the happiness to entertain one of the bravest persons in the World though they knew not that he 〈◊〉 call'd Alethion The Governour was but young and had either not been in the Wars of Theromachia where Alethion did nobly assist Theosebius or else had forgotten the features of his face and other Characters of his person But the Prince thinking it a necessary piece of just Civility to let him know whom he had obliged told him his Name Alethion resolving to stay here one day both to see the City and to return his acknowledgments to the Philadelphians sent one of his Gentlemen to Theosebius to give notice of his arrival in Theoprepia and to 〈◊〉 that he would wait upon him at his Court when He should please to give him leave This Messenger carried news so unexpectedly good that it was above the faith of those who heard it The King would have punished him as an Impostor if he had not produced a Letter written by Alethion whose hand he very well knew Theosebius immediately communicated this news to Phronesia and Agape who were at that time together lamenting the unfortunate Death of Alethion of which they had heard two dayes before This contrary report brought so sudden an alteration upon their Passions that had not Incredulity stopt the working of their spirits for a while and made this cross motion more gentle it had wrought some such dangerous effect upon their health especially in Agape as frozen people find when they are hastily removed out of cold snow to an hot fire But when they were not only assured that Alethion was alive by reading his Letter but understood also at how small a distance he was absent from them they could not but permit themselves to a pleasing Transport of Affection and antedated the joyes of his Presence with the contentment which they took in the knowledge of his Safety and revenged themselves upon their Grief by increasing the sweetness of their present satisfaction with the remembrance of their former tears Theosebius sent presently for Lysander the General of his Army and having acquainted him that the Prince of Theriagene was arrived at Philadelphia he commanded him to go thither immediately and taking his Coach and Life-Guard to conduct him with all care and honour to Phronesia Alethion having received this noble invitation by Lysander rose up early the next morning and before it was twelve of the clock came to Kepanactus one of the King's Houses which was within a League of Phronesia where Theosebius intended to dine with the Prince of Theriagene When Alethion was now about a quarter of a mile from Kepanactus Lysander's Lieutenant retiring from the head of his Troop came to the Coach side and acquainted his General that Theosebius at a very small distance was upon his march towards them Alethion impatient of any further delay stept out of the Coach and went speedily to the first rank of the Guard where Theosebius seeing him attended by Lysander and his own Servants alighted from his horse hastning to imbrace one who had already opened his arms for him and assoon as he could obtain a power to speak from the vehemency of his passions saluted him in these Words Most Dear Prince the joyes which the sight of you produce in my Soul are so great that I am not able to let you know them they are too big for words That delightful original from whence they are derived is such an unexpected Felicity that I can scarce think you here though I see you Most Excellent Prince replied Alethion I alwayes made my self believe that I had lodged you in the best place of my Soul and I have now received an infallible proof that I was not mistaken since in your own name you have exprest the thoughts which I formed there Although I know I can never equal your noble Love with worthy Affection yet I am sure my joy exceeds all that was ever produced by the encounter of any other friends But is it you Alethion said Theosebius interrupting him My Dearest Brother is it you And are you come from the grave to revive those who were ready to die of grief for your Death You might very truly think that I was not alive replied Alethion for I esteem'd it a cruel death to be so long separated from you my Dearest Theosebius And now I am restor'd to life now I live whilst I see my self so near to the King of Theoprepia We can never be too near said Theosebius and then renewed his imbraces which Alethion receiv'd and made reciprocal with such passionate endearments that all the Company fixt in a delightful amazement were forc'd to shed tears in sympathy with such a moving sight While the Princes were thus lockt in each others arms the Queen's Coach came up and Phronesia with the young Princess perceiving that Theosebius had made a stop alighted to come towards them which put Alethion into new raptures of joy For Theosebius took him by the left hand and presenting him to the Queen and Agape said Dear Mother and Sister receive the best of Princes and our Dearest friend Alethion It is possible to imagine something of those Passions which were rais'd by this second encounter But all that I am able to relate would be so far short of that which was then experimented that I think I can doe them right only by Silence Who can expresse the Ecstatical joyes which possessed the mind of Phronesia when she now receiv'd a Prince from death who saved her Son's life How could she love him too much who thought he did never love Theosebius enough Agape could not but be transported more then the rest because she seem'd to her self to have the greatest share in this happiness How welcome this confirmation of Alethion's life was to that fair Princesse none but she her self can tell who had lamented his supposed death with so many tears that never was any real death deplor'd with more Though her modesty would not give leave that she should make the deep sense of her Soul publick yet she forc'd her self to make those significations of affection which Alethion took for more then ordinary good will And as he was best able to make a judgment of such indications so she the more confidently allowed her self to give them because she was assured of their approbation to whom she was accountable for her carriage The true Friends of both the Princes could not but take their parts in this solemn Joy which flow'd from the happiness of those who were dearer to them then themselves And the felicity which attended this accident was so general that no by-stander thought himself unconcern'd in it As many little rivulets fill'd with a land-floud and meeting in some wider chanel swell the waters which they find there into so great a River that they overflow their usual bounds and uniting those little rills with themselves carry them all along in one mighty stream
sake but since you promis'd Obedience when you made us your Judges submit to your Censure and be assur'd as to the Apprehension which you have for us that all the Affliction which we shall endure by way of Sympathy will be only to enjoy a great Pleasure whilst we hear you discourse I should not replied Nicomachus make any more Objections against my Duty for such I esteem whatsoever you are pleas'd to command me but that besides what I have told you already I can remember nothing but the story of Anaxanacton which Eugenius who had but an impersect notice of it requested Bentivolio to relate to him and since you are acquainted with it already I 〈◊〉 that I am fairly excus'd from the Rehearsal Do not hope to save your self thus answer'd Theonoe nor believe that any Ingenuous Persons can be wearied with a Story which is fill'd with the greatest Accidents that ever happen'd in the World though they should hear it often As no other can equal it in the Importance of the Matter so I make no doubt but that in Bentivolio's Narrative it is accommodated to a very pleasing Method I see I gain nothing said Nicomachus but loss of Time by the Delay of my Obedience I might have perform'd a good part of my Task if I had begun sooner and therefore I will make no more Excuses He proceeded thus As Bentivolio and Eugenius were walking one day in a Summer-Gallery which was built after the manner of the Lycaeum where Aristotle convers'd with his Peripateticks Eugenius having heard Bentivolio in several Discourses make an honourable mention of Anaxanacton and being not very well acquainted with his story desir'd Bentivolio to give him a fuller Information concerning the Life of that most Excellent Person I would doe it with all my heart said Bentivolio if my Power were correspondent to my Desire of your Satisfaction If Anaxanacton would please to bestow upon me a Volto divino a favour which he is reported to have done the Prince of Edessa when he pitied the disability of the Painter whom he sent to take his Picture it would be easie for me to perform this Task by shewing you his fair Image Whether it be true or no that the Glory which ray'd from Anaxanacton's Face dazell'd the foremention'd Painter I do not know but I am sure there are none who have seriously contemplated his Incomparable Perfections that can think they have a sufficient Skill to describe his just Character Some things in his Life are so great that they are too big for the Capacity of ordinary Apprehensions and those Heroical Pieces which do fill it up are so many that it is difficult to remember them all But since I have had the Happiness to see some Memoirs of his Life written by his Friends who knew him by intimate Converse from the time of his publick Actions till his Death I shall be able to make a Relation by which you will perceive that you never heard such things spoken of any other Person But because it will be too long added Bentivolio to walk till I can finish this Report we will sit down Hereupon the Company took their Seats and Bentivolio began thus The History of ANAXANACTON I must first acquaint you with the manner of his Birth which possibly will awake your Admiration when I tell you that his Mother was a Virgin it being but fit that he who was Lord of Nature should be born out of its Ordinary Course This is something strange I confess said Eugenius for it is a thing which hath no parallel Example Yes it is strange replied Bentivolio but not at all incredible to you Eugenius or any else who acknowledgeth a God How easily can he who fram'd all things out of Nothing make the Womb of a Virgin pregnant without the Contact of two prolifick Sexes or if Conception be accomplish'd according to the more common Hypothesis it is not unreasonable to suppose that he who appointed such rare effects to be produc'd in a way so unlikely that none are able to give a rational accompt of what they know to be done by it can as easily doe it by some other This Truth was sufficiently justified to all the World Who should doubt of it Jews or Gentiles The Mother was assur'd of it by an Angel and told how it should be brought to pass lest her Modesty should afterwards have taken offence at such a strange Accident Her Country-men the Jews had no Reasons to disbelieve that a Man might be born of a Virgin who knew by Revelation that the first Woman was made of 〈◊〉 Rib and whose Fathers saw Aaron's Rod long after it was cut from the Tree both Blossom and bear Almonds who were told by the Omnipotent God that the Messiah whom they had for many years expected should be the Son of a Virgin and were further assur'd that Anaxanacton was he by a Quire of Angels who to doe Honour to him as soon as he was born celebrated his Incarnation with holy Carols and being favour'd of God by an early Information to understand the great Concernments of his Nativity did not only adore one whom they were commanded to receive as their Prince but did charitably make known to Men the Happiness which was befallen them by this Divine Off-spring of the Virgin-Mother The Gentiles could not rationally doubt of this great Truth for a very considerable part of them who inhabited the Eastern World by an Instrument suitable to their way of Life had notice of his Birth for whilst they were observing the face of the Heavens by the peculiar Rayes of a new Star devoted to this holy Use they were directed to find him that was so strangely born As the Divine Benignity did thus take care to let them know the way to that Excellent Person in whose Appearance all the World was deeply concern'd so this general notice being given them by such extraordinary means oblig'd them to believe what was told them particularly concerning the manner of his Birth Thus by this first Intelligence given to simple Shepheards and the learned Magi God made Anaxanacton known betimes to the weakest and wisest of Men and yet lest any Doubts should remain in the minds of the scrupulous World concerning this point Anaxanacton took away all difficulties from their Belief exceeding the Wonder of his Nativity by the Miracles which he perform'd after he was born especially after his Death and left none but the Malicious so stupid as that they were not able to conclude that he who could revive the dead with his Word and raise himself out of a Grave after he had been buried three dayes might easily begin his Life in the Womb of a Virgin But since I must discourse to you of that afterwards I desire you at present only to think with your self whether since the Heavens were at this time adorn'd with new Luminaries and the Celestial Inhabitants came down in visible shapes and express'd the Nobleness
Arms fled to his shame perceiving that he had been more bold then wise was infinitely perplex'd since by a most undesirable Experiment he was assur'd that he was to expect now another ghefs Antagonist then the first Adam and encreas'd his Torments with the Fears which he entertain'd and by which he too truly presag'd the loss of his Usurp'd Dominion For this Victory was but a prelude to Anaxanacton's future Successes who had frequent occasions to renew his Quarrel with this sort of Adversaries by reason of the constant Residence of Asmodeus and his Complices in the Country where Anaxanacton was born which they had in a great measure subdued to their Obedience and where they gave diligent Attendance lest they should be dispossess'd by this potent Prince Some of those cruel practices by which they express'd their malicious Power gave a fair opportunity to Anaxanacton to make him self known For that great Abaddon and those desperate Legions his Fellow-devils having receiv'd a permission to inflict some sort of Punishments upon apostate Humanity took a base pleasure in afflicting the Bodies of Men and Women with painful Diseases in disturbing their Understandings by indisposing their Brains and rendring them ridiculous and troublesome to their Neighbours by extravagant Deportments This merciful Prince well knowing the unreasonable Malice of these damn'd Spirits for they tormented those whom they had made to sin and being fairly invited to shew the Authority which was given to him for quite contrary uses as the rightful Lord of the World he commanded these impudent Vassals to be gone to leave off this Devilish Trade and cease in festing those places which the Saviour of Mankind had chosen for his abode The muttering Fiends obey'd and trembling at the sight of their Judge entreated him that besides this dismission he would not adde to their present or accelerate their future Torments Anaxanacton to shew that he came not into the World only as the Devil's Enemy but the general Friend of Mankind express'd his affectionate Assistance in reference to all their Necessities and verified his sacred Office by a constant performance of beneficial Miracles sometimes feeding maany thousands of hungry people who travell'd far to seek the Cure of their Diseases whom whilst he heal'd and nourish'd he did at once in two Instances shew both his God-like Pity and Divine Power His Patients shall I call them or his Guests could not but say If this be not He it is in vain to expect any other Saviour for when he comes will he be able to doe more then multiply our Bread with his Word and to diminish our Pains without any other Medicine But as if the curing of the Sick were not a sufficient Demonstration of his Divinity he rais'd the Dead also and indeed gave so many satisfactions to Men that they had no more sorts of Proofs to demand Which way shall Omnipotent Wisdom give Testimony to the Truth which his Messengers deliver if Miracles be no Assurance And what Wonders would content us if we think it is but a small matter to create Food to restore Health to return Life only with speaking of a Word And though the last instance of his Divine Power was liable to be question'd by those who being carelesly Incredulous or wilfully Malicious might pretend to think that no strange thing was perform'd since they were not assur'd that those Persons were dead whom he was reported to have made to live the second time he justified this and all his former Miracles as lesser things by one so great that it is beyond all Reasonable exception For when his inveterate Enemies had nail'd him to a Cross which they were permitted to accomplish not for the Satisfaction of their own Cruelty but for the Reason which I fore-mention'd and for which Villany they were severely punish'd his Death was accompanied with wonderful Accidents for the Veil of the Jewish Temple which guarded the most Holy place from common Eyes was rent from the Top to the Bottom and shew'd both that the hidden meaning of the Mosaick Discipline was now reveal'd and that a free Access into God's Presence was allow'd to Mankind by the Death of this great Mediator who by this Oblation enter'd into the true Heavens as a fore-runner for all good Men. The Earth quak'd the Rocks were broke in pieces the Tombs open'd the Dead came forth of their graves signifying plainly that the Lord of Life was Crucified by whose bloud the Dead should be restor'd to Life The Sun put on a Robe of Darkness by an Eclipse naturally impossible and the whole Heavens in just sympathy vested themselves with Sables whilst observing Astronomers who knew that this Defect of Light was not caus'd by the ordinary Interposition of the Moon concluded that the most noble Luminary suffer'd in Mystical Sympathy with some great Affliction which either Nature or its Author at that time endur'd And after they had thus taken away the Life which they unjustly hated and made sure as they thought of his dead Body by putting their chief Governour 's Seal upon his Tomb-stone and set a guard of Souldiers to watch his Corps he rose out of his Coffin as he promis'd the third day roll'd away the Stone which was the Door of his Prison and went forth without asking leave of Pilate's Goalers and left his Ministers the good Angels to fright his Keepers from their vain employment and to assure his Victory over Death to his old Friends who he knew would not fail to perform what further Obsequies belong'd to his Funeral to some of which he himself presently appear'd alive both to requite the Constancy of their Love and to strengthen the Weakness of their Faith But judging those few not Witnesses enough of so Important an Action nor one Visit a sufficient Proof of so great an Accident he shew'd himself to his Apostles many times and once made himself visible to five hundred Spectatours who had no only leave to touch him and to talk with him but he continued his Converse as long as his being upon Earth was needful to confirm the Belief of his Disciples Then having other Affairs to negotiate for them in Heaven he ascended in their sight to receive that Glory which was the due Reward of his humble Obedience and to teach his Followers to aspire after his Presence in those Celestial Regions where he assur'd them that a place should be provided for all that were obedient to his Counsel I must confess now said Eugenius you have given such a satisfactory Accompt of this Generous Prince that instead of the Doubts which I entertain'd at the beginning of your Discourse I am surpriz'd with an Admiration of the whole Story and I think it not more Extraordinary in any part then Rational in the Contexture of the whole and the assurance which is produc'd in my Mind concerning the Truth of this Relation makes me suppose that some strange things happen'd upon Earth after Anaxanacton's
they should be sav'd without it Thus was Sin 〈◊〉 by Anaxanacton's Death and when he had discharg'd this Office Men could not doubt of being pardon'd through his Mediation for he told them that his Death was a Propitiatory Sacrifice offer'd in the name of Sinners and that his Bloud was shed as a Federal Rite by which according to the known Custom of the Eastern World who by Bloud did usually ratifie their Leagues of Friendship he confirm'd the Promise of Pardon which he had formerly made in the name of his Father and seal'd his Gospel which was a Covenant of Love and contain'd the Grant of our Peace in stead of the bloud of Beasts with his own But that I may end this part of my Discourse let me tell you also that the Death of Anaxanacton did both naturally augment the pitifulness of our General High-Priest who by the Experience of Afflictions learn'd to compassionate his suffering Friends Anaxanacton also made it a rare Example of that Patience which he knew his Followers would need to support them against those Affronts which he foresaw would be put upon them by such as having no love for Vertue themselves would hate it in others and being more in number would be alwayes able to doe them mischief and be instigated to persecute them with more rage by their own Vices which were perpetually condemn'd by their excellent Lives Thus also Anaxanacton gave his Friends a fair encouragement to suffer chearfully seeing their true Lover to have led them the way and being assured that neither Shame Pain or Death could obstruct their Happiness all of them being hallow'd by the Patience and overcome by the Faith of their Victorious Prince As by this which I have said concerning the rare Use which was made of Anaxanacton's Death you may easily perceive that it was so far from being Impertinent that it demonstrates not only the greatest Love but an equal Wisdom in the Designation of it to the fore-mention'd Purposes so you will see that the great Import of his Death is not improperly express'd in those Notions which you dislike if you will have the Patience to understand the true meaning of those common 〈◊〉 Reconciliation Redemption and Satisfaction when they are applied to this Affair Reconciliation must be explain'd according to the Notion of Displeasure of which God is capable He is then said to be Angry when he Punisheth and as it is natural for men to be afraid when they have transgress'd the Law of their Supreme King so it is just with him to be angry at their Offences that is to punish the Offenders and he may very well be said to be Reconcil'd when he doth not lay their Sins to their charge and to receive them into that Favour which they forfeited when he doth not inflict the Punishment which was deserv'd Thus the Notion of Reconciliation is very proper and not at all the less intelligible though God is not a passionate Being and the Effect of our Saviour's Mediation is equally valuable For whilst the Sinner is liable to an unspeakable Torment his condition is as miserable as if he who is provok'd to inflict it were subject to wrathful Affections since he knows how to doe it with a serene Justice and the Courtesie of the Intercessor is infinitely obliging notwithstanding the indisturb'd temper of the Divine Nature because he saves the Offendor from a dreadful Punishment and since the unpassionate King would have inflicted it without the foremention'd Interposition he which is pardon'd need not scruple to say that his God is reconcil'd to him by the Death of Anaxanacton You will also be satisfied as to the Notion of Redemption if you consider what is meant by that word when it is us'd in this matter For it signifies that Anaxanacton by his Death restor'd Mankind to Liberty that benefit which poor Slaves receive when they are deliver'd from a miserable captivity by the payment of a summe of Money We were enslav'd to the Devil who had tempted us from our Allegiance to God and perswading us to follow his Counsels and the Conduct of our own Lawless Appetites had put upon us by degrees the Shackles of Habitual Sin and expos'd us to the danger of Eternal Death How unmercifully this Tyrant us'd his Captives by the exercise of his usurp'd Power whilst they languish'd under the fear of Revenge to be taken upon them by God from whom they revolted I told you before Now though no Price was paid to the Devil for none was due yet since Men were freed from his intolerable yoke and sav'd from the Miseries which they endur'd and the further dangers which were justly consequent to their Obedience to the Devil for they were willing Slaves and though they were abus'd by him yet they deserv'd to be punish'd severely as voluntary Fugitives from a most Gracious Soveraign God may very well be said to be their Redeemer and Anaxanacton to have paid a Price for them since it pleas'd the Father that his dear Son should be their Deliverer and since Anaxanacton was not unwilling to submit to hard Terms for their Recovery The propriety of this Expression and the fitness of this Means of our Liberty will be yet further apparent if you will take notice that the Bonds which tied us in Slavery were our own Wills engag'd to a course of Disobedience by the prevalence of fleshly Tentations and whilst the Enemy of our Souls gave us leave to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin he made us believe that he lov'd us more then God though by indulging to us our Lusts he did us no other favour but to kill us with sweet Poison and mix'd Delusion with our Ruine over which also he and his malicious Associates devillishly insulted That we might be reclaim'd from such pernicious Folly the Eternal Father and his dear Son made an unparallel'd Demonstration of amazing Love to shame us out of our continuance in that dishonourable Vassallage wherein we foolishly serv'd our own and our Creator's Enemy For Anaxanacton came and perswaded the unhappy Rebels to return to their Loyalty and died upon a Cross before their faces to procure their Pardon after which they saw their Fetters fall off repented of their rebellious Folly return'd to their lawful Prince and could not but look upon him that made them as their Redeemer since he had perswaded them into Liberty by such a charming Argument and they call'd Anaxanacton's Bloud the Price of their Redemption because it was such a potent means of their Recovery Indeed Anaxanacton not doubting but this would be the happy consequent of his undertaking told his Friends as he was going to the Cross that when he should be lifted up there and had thence made manifest his own and his Father 's ardent affections to our Restauration he should draw Sinners up to him that is impress such a deep Sense of grateful Love upon their Souls that they would now willingly obey one who had after
all Persons who were capable of Consideration that he not only perform'd such Miracles as are undeniable Testimonies of a Divine Power but such as they pretended that men ought to take them for a satisfactory Assurance and also verified those Antique Predictions which concluded him to be what he said he was yet they wrought no Effect upon such as were indispos'd by the Love of Sin to acknowledge one sent from God who was a severe Reprover of their Vicious Conversation Anaxanacton observing the reason of this Unbelief told this sort of Persons that though one who was dead should return from the other World yet he would not be able to perswade them that there is a Hell where such as they were are punish'd Since we know this why should we be astonish'd at the most obstinate Incredulity If the Jews gave not credit to their Eyes why may not the Gentiles disbelieve their Ears Besides this we cannot but take notice of a Customary Perversness in some Tempers who when they have prepossess'd themselves with false Opinions will not suffer them by any Arguments to be dislodg'd and to prevent the Possibility of a contrary Perswasion resolve against the use of such means as would quickly give them an Assurance of their Errour Therefore to conclude this long Discourse since the Ingenuous part of the World did not only at first receive the Discipline of Anaxanacton upon the fore-mention'd Principles and have continued their Obedience to it for sixteen hundred Years and have supported the Truth of it with unanswerable Arguments there is no doubt but the Glory of it will flourish till Reason be extinguish'd We must be content though wilful Infidels are justly permitted to an Atheistical Scepticism by which they are enabled to disbelieve any thing Since it shews more handsomely to deny Principles then to reject Conclusions which follow from Premisses once granted they have ventur'd to strike boldly at the Roots of Faith but with such a blind Insolence that for my own part I profess that if it were reasonable to believe the Pythagorean Metempsychosis I should suppose that the Souls of the most dull Brutes do transmigrate out of their own into Humane Bodies This Hypothesis would very well salve this strange Phaenomenon But since we know that whilst men neglect to improve their better Faculties and indulge to themselves the vicious Pleasures of a Sensual life they naturally sink themselves into an unspeakable Sottishness and reject what they ought to believe though they have no Counter-evidence equal to the Demonstration of Truth because it is irreconcileable to that which they have resolv'd to love we need go no further to seek a Reason of this stupid Unbelief Thus said Nicomachus did Bentivolio conclude the noble History of Anaxanacton And now I must repeat my Entreaty and desire your Goodness to excuse the Dishonour which my weakness hath forc'd me to cast upon Bentivolio or rather upon Anaxanacton whose Divine Life I have very imperfectly related If you will not pardon me yet I shall confess the Justice of what Sentence soever you pronounce against me because I have made your Patience also to suffer part of the fore-mention'd wrong whilst you have attended so long to my broken Rehearsal of the best Story in the World The Company perceiving that Nicomachus had finish'd the Recital 〈◊〉 Bentivolio's Discourses Theonoe gave him thanks and so did all the rest and after they had supp'd and spent a part of the Night in pertinent Reflexions upon many pieces of the former Narration they retir'd to their several Chambers where they rested with the greater tranquillity because the next day was appointed for their Journey towards Phronesium When the Sun was up Theonoe and Irene went to Urania's Appartiment and understanding that she walk'd in her Chamber they went in to let her know that all things were ready for their Journey They came down into the Dining-room where they found Panaretus Sympathus and Nicomachus who had stay'd there a while in expectation of the Ladies Theonoe had given order to prepare a large Coach which would hold them all that so travelling together in one moveable House they might enjoy the Pleasure of mutual Conversation upon the Rode They resolv'd to go through Philadelphia which was not much about and at the Request of Sympathus they took the way which lies near the green Banks of Calliroe which is a fair River alwayes full of clear water being supplied by a rich stream which descended from the famous Spring Agathorrhyton They reach'd that night to a beautiful House situated upon the River which belong'd to Sympathus where they were so conveniently lodg'd and generously entertain'd that they could not but perceive a rare concurrence of a great Prudence with an equal Love in the completeness of their Welcome Sympathus durst not entreat any longer stay here because he knew they were passionately expected at Phronesium The next day about Noon they arriv'd at Kepanactus intending to stay there an hour or two but before they came within two furlongs of the House they were surpriz'd with an unexpected Encounter of many Friends For it being made known that Bentivolio intended to meet his Sister upon the way the Prince of Theriagene would needs accompany him the Princesse Agape understanding that Urania was that day expected desired leave of the Queen to go and meet her and took with 〈◊〉 Philandra Agatha and Polysemna Misopseudes Amyntor and some other Gentlemen of Quality belonging to Theosebius and Alethion rode along with them It is not an easie Task to relate the variety of those pleasant Passions which were express'd at this happy Encounter Bentivolio saluted Urania with that great Affection which he thought due to her not only as his Sister but as Urania whilst she embrac'd him both as the best of Brothers and one of the most excellent Persons in the World Panaretus and Bentivolio entertain'd each other as one Soul would do it self if it were possible that it should animate two Bodies The Prince of Theriagene express'd that civility to Urania which shew'd his highest Respect to her own Worth and withall demonstrated a great sense of the Obligations which he had receiv'd from her Brother The Princesse Agape took Urania into her Arms and gave her many kisses with such an excessive kindness that it would have fill'd the Beholders with wonder if they had not known before how much that Vertuous Lady deserv'd to be lov'd and also remembred the intimate Friendship which the Princesse had contracted with her She saluted Theonoe and Irene with such an endearing tenderness that they perceiv'd themselves not to have a small share in the Happiness of this delightful Meeting When the rest of the Company had reveal'd their Joy in all decent Expresses according to the variety of their Relations the Prince of Theriagene and the Princesse of Theoprepia took Urania and the two Sisters which were her Fellow-travellers into their Coach and were accompanied with
which means we shall carry to them those Fears which they hope to bring hither and possibly make them repent of their malicious Purposes before they have power to put them in Execution and by God's help seasonably extinguish that Fire which they have kindled in Theriagene with a purpose to inflame Theoprepia It is well known how Hannibal distrest the Romans when he transported his Souldiers into Italy and that Agathocles shew'd a great skill in Military Affairs by fighting the Carthaginians in Africk when he could scarce defend his own City against their Fleet which lay before it in the Port of Syracuse Though our Case is in no respect so necessitous yet by this means we may hope speedily to prevent the Trouble which is prepared for us We need not fear that this undertaking will be liable to suspicion among our Neighbour Kingdoms for the Treason of Antitheus and his Faction is so notorious that they must needs justifie the Assistance which we give to the wrong'd Alethion and so unanimously condemn the Theriagenians that whatsoever misery shall happen to them they will not have this comfort left that they shall be thought unworthy of what they suffer all concluding that they ought to undergo the Extremity of Punishment who have done what they could to deserve it We are also fairly invited to this Action by the Generous Example of those noble Strangers Bentivolio and his Brother who lately sojourning in these parts and having notice of these unhappy Accident 's have resolv'd not to return to their own Country till they see Alethion repossest of his Dominions I need not tell you that our contest is with inconsiderable Adversaries but if I should speak after the manner of other Orators I might say that we are in greater danger of not obtaining much glory in the Conquest then of meeting any great difficulty in the Combat We are to encounter Beasts enfeebled with Luxury who are so unable to fight that they can scarce carry Arms And indeed their number is so small in comparison of those who hate their abominable Conspiracy that I look upon our Journey rather as a Visit made to Alethion's Friends then a War undertaken against his Enemies Having said thus much it is fit I should conclude It were impertinent to trouble you with a long Oration for I am not such a Stranger to the temper of the Theoprepians that I can think many words needful to perswade them to an Engagement which is both full of Justice and Honour When Calliphon had done speaking Sympathus who was one of the Commissioners for Philanthropia took this Opportunity to express the Affection which he had long before entertain'd for the Prince of Theriagene and in a short Speech declar'd his high Approbation of the King's Design professing that in his Opinion the Arguments which the Chancellour had us'd to signifie how necessary it was gave so much satisfaction that he thought more could not be reasonably desired After him Charistion Amyntor Pasiphilus Euphron Calodoxus and Aristander signified their concurrence in the same Opinion with Sympathus Then the undertaking was approv'd by a general suffrage of the whole Assembly who also voted that the Conduct of this Affair should be left entirely to the wisdom of Theosebes The King gave them thanks for the unanimous chearfulness with which they entertain'd his Proposal and told them that he thought it requisite to list only ten thousand men whom he himself intended to lead adding that he made no doubt but by this number with God's blessing and the Assistance of Alethion's Friends he should be able in a short time to reduce those who were most unjustly his Enemies to their due Obedience and then dismist the Assembly Theosebes return'd to his Palace and acquainted Alethion who was then with Bentivolio and the rest of his Companions with the good Affections of the Theoprepians Whereupon the Prince of Theriagene having exprest his thankful Resentment of such an obliging Favour his friends also with just Praises extoll'd the Generous King of Theoprepia and his worthy Subjects And as they entertain'd a great joy in the hopes of Alethion's Restauration so they pleas'd themselves not a little whilst they perceiv'd that they should not be deny'd the Honour of being Instruments in the Accomplishment of it Here it may possibly be expected that I should let my Reader know how this noble Company spent their time till by the prudent Industry of Lysander the Army could be put into an Equipage fit for a March It would be too long to give an account of those various Diversions with which they were entertain'd by the most courteous Prince Theosebes I will only relate a short Story which he desir'd the learned Bishop Amerimnus to tell them as they sate one day in a pleasant Summer-house which adorn'd the Garden at Kepanactus It happened that as Philalethes was acquainting his Prince with the condition in which he left Theriagene and telling him who were the chief Persons in favour at Polistherium among many others he named Hieromimus whereupon Amerimnus smil'd which Bentivolio perceiving assoon as Philalethes had ended his Discourse he ask'd the good Bishop the reason of that Pleasantness which he had observ'd him to express upon the mention of 〈◊〉 Theosebes imagining the cause of it and knowing that the Story of Hierominus would be an acceptable Recreation to the Company prevented Amerimnus in his Reply and desir'd him to give them a short Character of that vain Person and to let them understand how ridiculously he had behav'd himself not long before in Theoprepia I am very willing to perform any service reply'd Amerimnus by which I may shew my Obedience to your Commands and since you have made it my Duty to report the Extravagancies of Hieromimus to this excellent Company I will let them know what I have understood by Letters from several friends of mine who knew his Family what I learn'd from the confession of Thelgomenus one of his Disciples but of late undeceiv'd by Alethologus and by some Discourse which I had with Misoplanus who did so discover the Impostures of this Jugler that he made him asham'd to stay in Theoprepia Hieromimus was born in the greater Apateonia His Grandfather's name was Simmagus a man so passionately ambitious of being look'd upon as an extraordinary Person that he offer'd a summe of Money to Almighty God to sell him a Miraculous Power but being rejected with such a direful Reproof as was due to his wicked Impudence he bought of the Devil a Magical skill by which he was enabled to perform many things beyond the Ability of Vulgar Wits and attain'd so great a Reputation among the common People that they chang'd his name to Pammegas Simmagus being puft up with their vain applauses blasphemously assum'd to himself the Title and Worship of God and boasted also that his immodest companion Helena was a She-Deity He continued his impious course for some years till at last
redeem this Loss with the overthrow of the Theoprepian Fleet which was now under sail not much above a League from the Forts or else perish couragiously in the continuance of his adverse Fortune He mann'd all the Ships in the Harbour which were fit for his purpose prepar'd his Fire-Barks and weigh'd Anchor and having a side-wind equally advantagious to him with his Enemies made what haste he could intending to fight them before they came into the Mouth of the Haven When he drew near the Forts he receiv'd unpleasing salutes from the Guns which his Souldiers had lost and was accosted in his way with many flaming pieces of the dissolv'd Bridge for the unchain'd Barges separated themselves from one another and being driven by the Tide towards the Town cover'd a great part of the Haven with burning wrecks which not only struck an unspeakable terrour into those who stood upon the Shoar but put the Mariners and Souldiers into some apprehension at the sight of such a dismal Spectacle and engag'd them in no small care lest the smoaking Fire-brands should fall foul upon their Ships and consume the Fleet before it could get to Sea Atheophilus digesting as well as he could these ominous Presages past the Forts with his Navy having only lost one of his Fire-Ships which by reason of some errour in the placing of the Combustible matter prepar'd for other uses was blown up before the time appointed It was half-floud when the Fleets came up together and Atheophilus perceiving the Admiral of the Theoprepians in the Front made up boldly and gave her a broad-side for which he soon receiv'd another and after that many more were mutually exchang'd which put great Bullets through the sides of each others Vessels The Commanders of the other Ships disposing themselves on both sides as they might most conveniently attaque their Enemies It happen'd that a Chain'd-shot from the Theoprepian Admiral cut off Atheophilus main Mast in the middle He notwithstanding this discouragement did his best to lay the Admiral aboard which was more easie for him to accomplish because she made towards him with equal speed to doe as much for him The two Admirals being hook'd together began a most terrible fight the Theoprepians with dreadful Shouts presaging to one another a certain Victory Great holes were made in the sides of both the Ships with their Canon the Theoprepians with a storm of Musquet-Bullets as thick as hail knock'd down most of the Souldiers that appear'd on Atheophilus his Decks and boarded his Vessel He with a Reserve of stout men rush'd upon them from the Steerage and charg'd so fiercely that he kill'd many forc'd some into the Sea and drove the rest into their own Ship whither also he follow'd them and continued such a cruel fight with Swords and the great ends of Musquets that the bloud ran out of the Water-holes Both the Princes not having patience to see the Antitheans aboard their Ship flew out of their Cabins and Alethion having espied Atheophilus ran upon him with an unexpressible fury saying Behold Atheophilus this is Alethion kill him and endear thy self for ever to thy Master by the destruction of his most mortal Enemy Atheophilus being a prudent Souldier was aware of his coming and aim'd a deadly blow at his Head which Alethion put by with his Arm and directed a thrust which finding passage through his Breast and his Heart both at once made him fall down dead among the feet of his Souldiers Theosebes perceiving the Prince of Theriagene engag'd against many of his Enemies made himself a passage with his Sword and coming where he was put Alethion out of the danger of their Number by the death of those whom he encountred and having clear'd his own Ship made a second Board upon his Enemies in which he kill'd or threw into the Sea all that were upon the Decks in the Steerage and in the great Cabin and commanding his men to retire into his own Ship lest those who were in the Gun-room should blow them up he heard a great cry from below and saw some come up who made him know the reason of it which was because the Hold was full of Water and they ask'd for Quarter which being granted they endeavour'd with the help of the Theoprepian Mariners to stop their Leaks but in a short time perceiving that it was impossible unhook'd their Ship and had scarce got clear of her before she sunk down before their faces Whilst this Tragedy was acting the other Ships were not idle Spectatours for every one grapled with valiant Enemies and though the Antitheans were something startled with the loss of their Admiral for they were so near as to see him sink yet they resolv'd to make it up with their own endeavours by the ruine of their Adversaries and though they should happen to fail of their desired success yet they purpos'd to die at least like men of Courage But being over-charg'd with a Valour which transcended theirs by as many degrees as the Justice of Alethion's Cause exceeded that of Antitheus they were worsted and yet before they submitted to a final conquest they made such effectual Opposition as produc'd a very dreadful Spectacle of a Sea-fight some Ships sinking by reason of incurable Leaks some blowing up their Decks voluntarily tounlade their Enemies and some being fir'd against their wills The Air was fill'd with the noise of Guns the cries of dying Persons and the Shouts of Conquerors the light of the Day being obscur'd with Clouds of Smoke and the Sea discolour'd with the bloud of Wounded men and made dismal with the floating bodies of the slain In this Fight Pasiphilus very happily shot off the Rudder of the Enemies Fire-Ship by which means she was made useless as to the purpose for which she was intended and carried back upon the Antitheans by the Tide Lysander and Christion took two of their Principal Ships Bentivolio Misopseudes and Panaretus assisting their respective friends chas'd three others into the Harbour and there compell'd them to submit to mercy Indeed every gallant Theoprepian who had the honour of any command that day made himself famous with Heroick Actions the private Souldiers also performing things which deserv'd very high reputation By which means a complete Victory was speedily obtain'd for all the Antitheans were either sunk or taken This dreadful Encounter being thus ended the Conquerors attempted not to enter the Town but cast Anchor a little within the Haven's Mouth resolving to give a respite to their weary Souldiers and to take care of the wounded who were not a few The trembling Hipponyctians having seen the dismal issue of this bloudy Engagement and being destitute of their Governour Souldiers and Courage sent some of the Principal Inhabitants to implore the King's Mercy and to offer him the Town The two Kings and so many of the Commanders as were then together held a Council of War and concluded that it was best to accept of
of our ancient Allyes Our Design is only to assist an Illustrious Prince to recover his Throne of which he is unjustly depriv'd and to help him to punish those who have made their Crimes inexpiable by adding his Banishment to his Father's Murther As we have resolv'd never to lay down our Arms till this be effected and doubt not but the greatest part of Alethion's Subjects are sufficiently sensible of his wrongs so that it may appear we do not cover any other purposes under this pretence we make this Protestation That if you your selves will deliver up the Murtherers of Anaxagathus to Justice and restore Alethion to his Rights we will presently withdraw our Forces into our own Country rejoycing that we shall leave Theriagene in peace Alethion desiring passionately that his Country might not be ruin'd by the direful effects of War and knowing that the events of it are varied by inconsiderable Causes concluded that no Enemy should be fought who may be conquer'd by Treaty and therefore with the fore-mention'd Declaration he set forth a Paper in which he conjur'd his Subjects to return to their Obedience by the indispensableness of those Bonds which oblig'd them to it and that they might not be frighted into Despair by the remembrance of their Offences he added a Promise of Pardon to such as would come under his Protection and in the Word of a King gave them assurance that none should be excluded from the benefit of this Amnesty but Antitheus Dogmapornes and two or three more whose Wickedness could never be forgiven These Papers wrought very considerable effects upon the Theriagenians Some generous Spirits who were most sensible of the injuries which they suffer'd under Antitheus had put themselves already under Alethion's Colours Others who had been unhappily instrumental to his and their own Misery repented of their Errours which the King's Goodness had pardoned and resolv'd to make amends for their Disobedience by hazarding their Lives for his Restitution The generality of the People who were broken with Oppression having now some hopes of Deliverance began to shew their Hatred to the Usurper which was before cover'd under the Embers of Fear Antitheus not unsensible of the Insecurity of his condition us'd all possible Arts to keep the People though not in affections to him for they never had any for him yet from such Actions as might disturb his Enterprise and finding most of his Devices ineffectual he made it his last Reserve to promise the Polistherians that he would only continue himself in his Command as a General for the present Expedition and that after the Success of this Fight of which he made no question he would lay down the Principality and declare them a Free State Some few who understood not the Ufurper's Intentions thought this a very plausible Offer and began to wonder at the Moderation which Antitheus had entertain'd but he perceiving that this Plot took not effect according to his Expectation under pretence of Treachery which he had discover'd put some to Death whom he suspected as Guilty of Good will towards Alethion and carried others of whose Fidelity he was not assured out of the City and mix'd them with his Mercenary Troops The night before the day which was design'd for the Battel with the Theoprepians who were now advanc'd within ten Miles of Polistherium the Citizens were assaulted with an extraordinary Terrour by reason of a strange Sight which appear'd in the Air on that side of the City which was towards Hipponyx Two Armies with Colours flying Drums beating and Trumpets sounding seem'd to encounter one another The glittering Swords were so formidable and the clattering of Arms and the noise of Guns was so easily heard that if they had not seen this Accident in the Air they would have thought that the Theoprepians and Theriagenians had been engag'd in Fight This Contest lasted half an hour after which one of the Armies having routed and conquer'd the other the Vision disappear'd The Antitheans thought this a sad Omen of their approching misfortune and indeed could not look upon it otherwise but as a dismal Emblem by which God did foreshew the unlucky Issue of the succeeding Fight and were generally so astonish'd with variety of ghastly Apprehensions that they seem'd to be toss'd in the midst of restless Imaginations as a small Vessel would be in a raging Sea if all the Winds should blow up 〈◊〉 it alternately from their several Quarters The Usurper considering well what great Influences this Prodigy might send down upon the Spirits of his Souldiers for those who do least believe that there is a God are most affrighted with the thoughts of him when dreadful Accidents begin to perswade them that there is one endeavour'd to dissipate this Panick fear by telling them the next morning that they ought not to entertain any apprehensions from those things which they saw in the Air such Prodigies being only Accidents of Nature Images of Armies being often brought from forein parts by strong Winds in great Clouds which like Looking-glasses reflect them upon the Earth and that though this was none of that sort yet it was capable of being interpreted for them as well as against them and he added that he was assured that the Overthrow which they saw acted did portend the ruine of their Enemies both by a Vision and a Dream which he had that night He saw as he said a glorious Rainbow painted in the Air and a mighty man of an unusual Stature who having fastned a red string to both the Ends of it took a great Arrow pointed with a flame of fire and shot through the breasts of two Persons with Crowned Heads who immediately tumbled down dead from the top of a bright Cloud That they might believe that these could be no other then Theosebes and Alethion he related his Dream in these Words I saw a beautiful Person in the form of a Virgin who as I lay asleep seem'd to whisper in my Ear this Prophecy To Morrow Polistherium shall be deliver'd from her Enemies This Exposition of the dreadful Prodigy so artificially confirm'd did something alleviate their Fears and though it did not quiet their Minds yet it made them suppress the trouble which they could not extirpate and gave them some small encouragement to prepare for those dangers which whether they would or no they were now to encounter Antitheus made haste to lead out his Men to fight both that they might have no leisure to augment their Fears by the consideration of their Dangers and that he might possess himself of a convenient place which he had destin'd to the encamping of his Army It was a large Field encompass'd on one side with a Wood and with a River on the other By this he hop'd to give his Enemies the trouble of a disadvantageous access to him But he was prevented by the earlier care of Alethion who well knowing the Situation of the Country had made himself Master of
the stoutest men that led the Theomachian Van. Antigraphus who fought with the Theomachians was met by Nicomachus who shot him in the Mouth and lodg'd a brace of Bullets in his Brains and after him dispatch'd Saprobius with his Sword Hieromimus who would needs thrust himself into the Fight though he had no Command being known to a private Souldier who had seen him in Theoprepia was kill'd with the But-end of his Musquet Euphron having charg'd too far into the Enemie's Body was unfortunately slain Aristander having seen him engag'd endeavour'd with all possible speed to hew out a way to his relief but not being able to come where he was soon enough to save his life he fell with an impetuous rage upon those who kill'd him and fetch'd off his dead Body In this Action Aristander receiv'd one Wound in his Thigh and another in his Arm which prov'd mortal to him Whilst the Victorious Arms of the left Wing distress'd the Theomachians in the Front a sudden Ruine hastned upon them in the Rear For Panaretus and Philalethes being inform'd of a private way through the Wood by which fetching a small Compass they might come behind the Theomachians they acquainted Lysander with their desire to surround the Enemy and receiv'd of him four hundred Horse with which they put their Design in Execution and flew in upon them with an appearance which was so much the more dreadful because it was unexpected and made the Theomachians think that Death had hedg'd them in upon all sides However taking a desperate kind of Courage from their Danger they fought stoutly and though they were beaten yet the Theoprepians found such considerable Resistance that it cost many of them their lives At length the Theomachians seeing most of their Leaders slain and so many of their Companions kill'd that they were put out of all hopes of Victory some of those few which surviv'd threw down their Arms and desir'd Quarter others endeavouring to save their Lives by running disorderly to Antitheus his Division which was a very small relief for they were so discourag'd by Theosebes and his Invincible Army that having left their most considerable Officers dead upon the ground and having seen others taken they began to flie hoping at least to delay their Death by retiring to Polistherium Eugenius who was a faithful friend to Alethion and staid in Theriagene to serve his Interest receiv'd a fall from his Horse the day before the Fight and pretending to be much hurt by it he took his bed by which means he gain'd an occasion to remain at home to execute the Design which he had contriv'd against Antitheus which was to surprize the City whilst he was engag'd in the Field and accordingly having given notice of his purpose to Alethion by one of his Servants well known to Bentivolio Amyntor with a select Company of Horse at the hour which was appointed by Eugenius march'd towards Polistherium unseen by the Enemy and carrying Antitheus his Colours which they had taken in the Fight he came to a Gate which Eugenius had secur'd and having let him in they seiz'd upon the Town for Alethion This Action made the attempt of those who hoped to escape by flight of little advantage to their security for being pursued and kill'd by the Theoprepian Horse when they drew near to the Town they were destroy'd by the great Guns and Muskets which play'd upon them from the Walls and this did so confound them with an unexpressible Despair that being neither able to fight nor run away they stood still and cry'd for Mercy which though they did not obtain at first yet it was granted as soon as the Prince of Theriagene and Theosebes could come up For one of them desir'd not to see more of his Subjects slaughter'd and the other could not endure to behold so many men kill'd after they had given over all Resistance They exhorted the Souldiers to be content with their Victory without more bloud which could not make it more acceptable and they were not disobey'd when their Commands were heard Thus did the Justice of Heaven punish the Rebellion of Antitheus and his Accomplices and in a short time utterly frustrate all the Probabilities which he had fram'd to support a saint Hope of escaping Destruction And now the Princes having given order to take care of the Wounded Souldiers and to secure the Prisoners Theosebes went into Alethion's Coach and taking Bentivolio and Panaretus with him sent his Commands to Lysander to lead his men towards the City which they knew to be in their Friends hands both by Alethion's Colours which were plac'd upon that Tower which was over the Gate by which they were to enter as also by a Messenger sent from Amyntor When they were come to the City-walls they were met by Eugenius who being transported by the sight of Alethion alighted off his Horse to perform his Devoir to him and kneel'd down to kiss his Hand but was not able to speak for Joy Rise up rise up my faithful Friend said the Prince taking him into his Arms I shall never forget the Affections which you have alwayes preserv'd for me neither shall any time blot out of my mind those obliging services by which you have demonstrated your Love He had not time to reply for the Princes came out of their Coaches intending to march into the City on Horse-back and then he was interrupted by the Embraces of the Prince of Theoprepia who had much endear'd him to himself for those high Offices which he had perform'd for a Prince whom he lov'd above any man in the World and then signified his Affection in words full of Esteem When Eugenius was got loose from Theosebes Bentivolio passionately affected with the sight of one who had oblig'd him with all the Expressions of a most Generous Friendship ran to him with open Arms saying as he went And is it true my dear Eugenius that God hath given us leave to meet again both so soon and so happily Yes Bentivolio replied Eugenius and I esteem it no small part of this Day 's Felicity to meet one who was never out of my Memory and Desire since we parted The rest of the Company having perform'd their affectionate Salutations to this Excellent Person the Princes entred the City whilst the great Guns sounded from the Walls and the People Echo'd to that joyful noise with their loudest Acclamations in all the Streets through which they passed to the Palace It is not possible for me to express that endearing Welcome which Alethion gave to the Prince of Theoprepia after his Arrival in the House nor to repeat those many passionate Acknowledgments which he made to him for that Generous Love by which God having made it successful he was restor'd to his Throne protesting to Theosebes that the re-enjoyment of his Kingdom was infinitely more acceptable since it was accomplish'd by his means then it could have been any other way Theosebes who so entirely