when they write that Zephyrus begot Cupid of an egge what can it else mean but that the Spirit of God did manifest his love in drawing out of the informed and confused egge of the Chaos all the creatures The love of the creature is twofold according to the twofold object thereof to wit God and the creature that love by which wee love God is begot of Jupiter and Venus that is God and that uncreated beauty in him is the cause of this love and because the maine and proper object of love is beauty for wee doe not love goodnesse but as it is beautifull and it is the object that moveth and stirreth up the passion therefore Venus goddesse of beauty is still the mother of Cupid or Love which notwithstanding hath many fathers because this generall beautie is joyned to many particular qualities which causeth love in men according to their inclinations and dispositions some are in love with wars and count military skill and courage a beautifull thing so this love is begot of Mars and Venus others are in love with eloquence and think nothing so beautifull as that and so Mercurie and Venus are parents of this love some love Musick and so Apollo begets this Cupid and so wee may say of all things else which wee love that there is some qualitie adherent to beautie either true or apparent which causeth love in us Now that love which all creatures have to creatures of their own kinde in multiplying them by generation is the childe of Vulcan and Venus for it is begot of their own naturall heat and outward beautie by beauty I mean whatsoever wee account pleasing to us whether it be wealth honour pleasure vertuâ— c. 3. The reasons why Love was thus painted I conceive to be these Cupid is a childe because love must be still young for true love cannot grow old and so die Amor qui desinere potest nunquam fuit verus Hee hath wings for love must be swift hee is blinde for love must wink at many things it covereth a multitude of sins hee is naked for amongst friends all things should be common the heart must not keep to it self any thing secret which was the fault that Dalila found in Samsons love he is crowned with roses for as no flower so much refresheth the spirits and delights our smell as the rose so nothing doth so much sweeten and delight our life as love but the rose is not without prickles nor love without cares the crown is the ensigne of a King and no such King as Love which hath subdued all creatures rationall sensitive vegetative and senselesse have their sympathies The image of a Lionesse with little Cupids playing about her some tying her to a pillar others putting drink into her mouth with an horn c. do shew how the most fierce creatures are made tame by love therefore hee hath a rose in one hand and a Dolphin in the other to shew the qualitie of love which is swift and officious like the Dolphin delectable and sweet like the rose his arrowes doe teach us that Love wounds deeply when wee cannot obtain what we love some of his arrowes are pointed with lead some with gold hee is wounded with a golden arrow that aims at a rich wife and cannot obtain her to be wounded with leaden arrowes is to be afflicted for want of ordinary objects which wee love and so his burning torches shew that a lover is consumed with griefe for not obtaining the thing loved as the wax is with heat Ardes amans Dido Vtitur infoelix Coeco carpiturigne Est mollis flamma medullâ—s Haeret lateri laethalis arundo c. These are my conceits of Cupids picture other Mythologists have other conceits applying all to unchaste and wanton love whose companions are drunkennesse quarrelling childeish toyes c. CYCLOPES THese were the sons of heaven their mother was Earth and Sea men of huge Nature having but one eye which was in their forehead they lived upon mans flesh Polyphemus was their chiefe hee was their shepherd and in love with Galathaea he having devoured some of Ulysses his fellowes was by him intoxicated with wine and his eye thrust out These Cyclopes dwelt in Sicily and were Vulcans servants in making Jupiters thunder and Mars his chariots c. The INTERPRETER 1. BY the Cyclopes is meant water for they were begot of Neptune and Amphitrite as some say and yet they were servants to Vulcan which is fire to shew that in generation the fire can doe nothing without water nor water without fire 2. These Cyclopes are by some meant the vapours which by the influence of heaven are drawn out of the earth and sea and being in the air engender thunder and lightning to Jupiter as their names shew they dwelt in Sicilie about hill Aetna because heat is the breeder of thunder they were thrust downe to Hell by their father and came up again because in the cold winter these vapours lie in the earth and by heat of the spring are elevated wise Vlysses overcame Polyphemus that is man by his wisdome and observation found out the secrets of these naturall things and causes thereof Apollo was said to kill these Cyclopes because the Sun dispelleth vapours 3. I think by these Cyclopes may be understood the evill spirits whose habitation is in burning Aetna that is in hell burning with fire and brimstone being thrown down justly by God from heaven for their pride but are permitted sometimes for our sins to rule in the air whose service God useth sometimes in sending thunder and storms to punish the wicked they may well be called Cyclopes from their round eye and circular motion for as they have a watchfull eye which is not easily shut so they compasse the earth to and fro they may be said to have but one eye to wit of knowledge which is great for outward eyes they have not their chief food and delight is in the destroying of mankind Polyphemus or Belzebub is the chiefe who having devoured Vlysses fellowes that is mankinde the true Vlysses Christ the Wisdome of the Father came and having powred unto him the full cup of the red wine of his wrath bound him and thrust out his eye that is both restrained his power and policie these evill spirits because they are the chief sowers of sedition and warres among men may be said to make Mars his chariots 4. Here wee see that little Vlysses overcame tall Polyphemus policie overcomes strength 5. Wee see also the effects of drunkennesse by it wee lose both our strength and the eye of reason 6. Servius in lib. 3. Aenaead thinks that Polyphemus was a wise man because hee had his eye in his fore-head neer the brain but I say hee was but a fool because hee had but one eye which onely looked to things present hee wanted the eye of providence which looks to future dangers and prevents them 7. Here wee
because this mixture is perpetuâ—ll and the strange shapes shew the varietie of strange forms brought in by generation shee had no power over Vlysses became the soul cometh not by mixtion of the Elements or generation 3. By Circe I suppose may be fitly understood death caused by Sol and Oceanus grand-childe because death and corruption proceed out of heat and moysture the poysoning of her husband shews that death is no accepter of persons Sol carried her in his chariot for where the Sun shines there is death and corruption her turning of men unto beasts shews that man is like the beast that perisheth yea a living dog is better then a dead man but shee hath no power over Vlysses that is over the soul which is immortall death hath no power the four hand-maids that gathered poyson for her were Adams pride gluttonie infidelitie and curiositie which made Adams death poyson all his posteritie 4. By Circe may be meant the divell who hath caused beastly dispositions in the nature of man and hath poysoned us all as Circe infected Vlysses fellows but not himself so he poysoned Jobs body but had no power over his soule and because God had set his love upon man and had rejected him for his pride being an Angel he to be revenged poysoned man as Circe did Scylla 5. Circe is physicall knowledge consisting much in herbs shee is the daughter of Sol because herbs proceed of his heat shee turneth men into beasts because some physicians searching too much into nature become beasts in forgetting the God of nature shee dwelt on a hill full of physicall simples to let us understand wherein the Physicians skill and studie lyeth hee hath no power over Vlysses the soule but the bodies of men hee may poyson or preserve his four hand-maids are Philosophie Astronomie Anatomie and Botanie or skill of simples 6. Sinne is a Circe chiefly drunkennesse and whoredome which poyson men and turn then into Swine Circe hath both a cup and a rod with which shee poysoneth men so in sin there is a cup of pleasure and the rod of vengeance though Vlysses fellowes were poysoned yet he would not himself be enticed by Circe but by means of the herb Moly and his sword hee hath defended himself and made Circe restore his fellowes again to their wonted shapes so Governors and Magistrates must not be overtaken with the Circe of drink and fleshly pleasure howsoever others are but they must use Moly that is temperance in themselves and use the sword against this Circe in others COELUS THis was the son of Aether and Dies who married with Terra and of her begot Giants monsters Cyclopes Harpes Steropes and Brontes hee begot also of her the Titanes and Saturn Mother Earth being angry that Coelus had thrown down his sons to Hell caused the Titans to rebell against him who thrust him out of his kingdome and Saturn out off his testicles out of the drops of bloud which fell from them the Furies were engendred The INTERPRETER 1. COElus and Terra make an unequall match therefore of them proceed strange and monstrous children the matches of Nobles and pesants prove for the most part unfortunate and mischievous Sique voles apte nubere nube pari 2. By Coelus I understand the upper region of the air for the aire is called heaven both by Poets and Divine Scripture this may be said to be the son of Aether and Dies not onely because it is alwayes cleer free from clouds and mists but because also it hath the nature of elementary fire to which it is next for it is hot and dry as that is and more properly may this fire be called Aether from its continuall burning then the heaven which hath no elementary heat at all his marriage with the earth of which Titans Cyclopes c. are procreated doe shew that those fiery Meteors in the upper region of the air are procreated by its heat and motion of these thin and dry smoaks which arise out of the earth the names of Steropes and Brontes shew that lightning and thunder are generated there in respect of their matter which being received within the clouds of the middle region cause the rumbling as if there were some rebellion and warrs within the clouds Saturne his sonne that is Time the measurer of heavens motion shall geld his father that is the Heaven shall grow old and in time shall lose that power of generation for this shall cease when there shall be a new heaven and upon this new change in the heaven the Furies shall be engendred that is the torments of the wicked shall begin 3. They that geld ancient Records Fathers and Scripture are like Saturne rebelling against heaven being encouraged thereto by those spirituall monsters enemies of truth who were thrust down from heaven and that light of glory wherein they were created unto the lowest Hell and of this gelding proceeds nothing but Furies that is heresies schismes dissentions 4. Saturnious Tatianus and his Scholars the Encratites Originists Manichaeans and all other hereticks who have condemned matrimonie as an uncleane thing and not enjoyned by God they are all like Saturne being assisted by their brethren the Monsters of hell and doe what they can to geld their father Adam of his posteritie and to rebell against heaven and what ensueth upon this gelding or condemning of wedlock but furies and all kinde of disorder and impurity 5. The children of Heaven and of the light must not as Coelus did joyn themselves in their affections to the earth for of this union shall proceed nothing but Monsters to wit earthly and fleshly lusts thoughts and works which will rebell against our soules and geld us of all spirituall grace and of our interest in the kingdom of heaven and then must needs be engendred the Furies to wit the torments of conscience CUPIDO OF Cupids parents some say hee had none at all others that hee was engendred of Chaos without a father some say hee was the sonne of Jupiter and Venus others of Mars and Venus others of Vulcan and Venus others of Mercury and Venus c. Hee was the god of love painted like a childe with wings blinde naked crowned with roses having a Rose in one hand and a Dolphin in the other with bow and arrows c. The INTERPRETER 1. I finde Cupid painted sometime standing close by Fortune to shew how much fortune prevails in love matters and sometimes I find him standing between Mercury and Hercules to let us see that love is most prevalent when it is attended on by eloquence and valour 2. There is a twofold love to wit in the Creatour and in the Creature Gods love is twofold inherent in himselfe and this is eternall as himselfe therefore hath no father nor mother Or transient to the creature This love was first seen in creating the Chaos and all things out of it therefore they said that Love was engendred of Chaos without a father and
were fained to be turned into birds the emblemes of celerity and expedition 3. There are two violent affections which make men shake off all humanity the one is impotent lust the other inordinate desire of revenge We see what lust did in Tereus and how desire of revenge prevailed in Progne what was more baâ—barous horrid and cruel then for Tereus to cut out his sisters tongue whom he had ravished and for Progne to kill and boâ—le her owne and onely child for her husband to eat 4. By thâ—se two sisters Philomela and Progne may be meant Poetry and Oratory Philomela delights in woods and deserts so doth Poetry Carmina seâ—essum sâ—ibenâ—is oâ—ia quaeâ—unt Progne loves to be in Townes and Cities for the Swallow builds her nests in houses so doth Oratory but as far as the Nightingale exceeds the Swallow in melodious notes so far doth Poetry excel Oratory for the Poet doth all that the Orator can do and much more by adding delight to perswasion Et prodesse volunt delectare Poetae 6. Tereus was the son of Mars we see what the sons of Mars use to do and what be the fruits of war to wit the Muses are ravished Scholars are robbed and plundred their tongues are cut out that they may not complain that is lawes learning and truth are silenced barbarous murthers and cruelties are committed and how many children are by souldiers devoured when their Parents are either banished or murthered and their estates robbed and consumed THESEUS HE was the son of Aegâ—us and Aethra his step-mâ—ther would have poysoned him in his youth he subdued the Amâ—zones and of Hippolite their queen begot Hippolitus he killed Creon king of the Thebans the unâ—â—â—ned bull in Africa the Minolaure in the Labyrinth and carried away the two daughters of king Minos to wit Ariadne and Phaedrâ— he killed also Procustus Sciron and Schinis great â—obbers in Attica he overcame the Centaures and the Thebes he went down to hell with his friend Perithous to ravish Proserpina where Perithous wâ—s slaine and he put in chains but was delivered by Hercules at last in his old age was killed by king Lycomedes The INTERPRETER 1. IN Theseus killing of infestuous theeves and subdoing of Monsters is set down a fit example of valâ—ur and justice for Princes to imitate 2. Theseus was guided by Ariadnes thread to get out of the Labyrinth the word of God is the thread that will direct us through the winding and intricate labyrinths of this life 3. Theseus proved himself to be Neptunes son by leaping into the seâ— and fetcâ—ing up from thence the ring which king Minâ—sâ—ad â—ad slung into it and for this fact he received a crown from Theâ—iâ— which he bestowed upon Ariadne and afterward it was placed among the stars the way to prove our selves to be the sons of God is by patient enduring of our afflictions which though they be deep and bitter like the Sea yet shall not drowne us but in that Sea we shall find the ring even eternity which hath no more end then a ring and withall we shall obâ—ain the Crowne of righteousnesse which is laid up for us in heaven 4. Theseus and Perithous loved one the other so dearly that they went down to hâ—ll together by which we see that neither death nor danger can separate true friends or dissolve that friendship which is grounded on vertue 5. Theseus is commanded not to come to his father at Athens until he was able to remove the great stonâ— under which his father Aegeus his sword lay and till he was of sufficient strength to manage that sword and with it to cleer the high-wayes of theeves and robbers even so we â—â—all not be fit to come into the presence of our heavenly father in the Citie of God the new Jerusalem untill we have removed the stony hardnesse of our hearts and with our fathers sword that is the sword of the Spirit wee have destroyed our spiritual enemies that lie in our way and binder our passage 6. His going down to hell to ravish Proseâ—pina where he was bound â—nd from whence he could not be delivered but by Heâ—cules teacheth us that lust and venery have brought many a man to sicknesse and deaths door as we say and intemperance that way hath bound many by the hands and feet with the Gout worse then fetters of yron where men lie in pain as it were in hell from whence there is no delivery but by the help of Hercules the Physitian beâ—â—des fornication and adultery bring many souls to hell from whence there is no redemption but by Christ the true Hercules 7. As Hercules in honour of Jupiâ—er his father appointed the Olympick games so did Theseus in honour of his supposed father Neptune instiâ—ute the Isthmian games to be celebrated every fist yeer also thus we see how great spirits affect immortality and to be honoured after death 8. Theseus after all his victories and brave atchievements yet is murthered in his old age by which we see there is no permanent happinesse in sublunary things Caesar who as the Oratour said domuit genâ—es immaâ—itate barbaâ—os mulâ—iâ—udine innumerabiles locis infinitas omni copiarum genere abundantes c. He overcame innumerablâ— fierce nations and had throughly as he thought setled himself and the Empire yet at last was stabbed in his old age with 23 wounds hence let no man be secure nescis quid seâ—us vesper vehat 9. Our blessed Saviour is the true Theseus who was persecuâ—ed in his infancy and in his life time overcame many monsters but far more in his death be went down to hell and from thence delivered mankinde which had been there detained in everlasting chaines of darknesse if he had not ascended who by his owne and not by any other power delivered man from endlesse captivity THETIS see OCEANUS TITANES see JUPITER SATURNE TITHONUS HEe was the son of Laomedon who for his beauty was beloved of Aurora and by her carried away to Aethioâ—iâ— in her charioâ— where shee bore Memnon of him By her means hee was made immortall but living so long till hee was turned into a grashopper hee grew weary of his life and desired to die The INTERPRETER 1. TIthonus is taken sometimes for the Sun as in that of Virgil Georg. 3. Tithoni prima quot abest ab origine Caesar. And indeed the Sun is the beauty of the world no wonder if Aurora fell in love with him from whom shee bath all her beauty And as the Sun is beautifull so hee is immortall onely in the evening he is turned into a grashopper to shew the weaknesse of his light and heat then Or by Aurora may be meant that all creatures in the morning fall in love with the Sun as delighting to see his light of which they were dâ—prived a while as the birds by their cheeâ—full chanting then shew hence it is that more do worship the Sun rising then falling 2. By Aurora's falling
lust and dotage was a miserable death and conslagration of his owne body let young men remember that the end of pleasure is pâ—ine and that love or lust either which in the beginning is all hony determines in gall and wormewood Amor melle selle foecundissmâ—â—â— 7. Hercules was persecuted and maligned by Juno not withstanding all his heroik actions soeliciâ—atis comes est inuidia happinesse is stil accompanied with envie 8. Hercules who overcâ—me others could not overcom himself he is the greatest conquerer that can conquer himself sorâ—ior est qui se quam qui forâ—ssima vincit mâ—nia 9. Some understand these passages of Hercules literally the stable of Augits was a large field over-laden with dung which Hercules cleered by cutting the river Achelous and causing it to overflow that field Antaeus and Busiris where tyranâ—s whom Hercules overthrew Diomedes that sed his horses with mans flesh was a tyrant who by the strength and number of his horses overrun the country plundering and murthering men Cerberus was the name of the king of the Molossians dog which devored men threfore called the dog of hell Theseus should have bin devoured by him but that he was rescued by Hercules The birds called Stymphalides were robbers neer Stymphalis the towne and lake of Arcadia The Dragon that kept the gardens of Hesperides was a winding river or arme of the sea reprâ—senting the windings of a serpent this arme encompassed these gardens Cacus spitting fire was a tyrant in Compania who used to fire mens houses and corne The Contaures were the Thessalians who first learned to ride on horse back these Hercules subdued as likewise he overcame the Lion bull and stag that is notable theeves and robbers By supporting the heaven with Atlas is meant his knowledge in the spheare which Atlas king of Mauritania found out The three-bodied Geryon were three brothers in Spain all princes and intirely loving each other whome Hercules also overcame 10. By Hercules the Acients did not onely meane valour and strength of body but the force of eloquence also which they did expresse by that picture of Hercules clothed in a horse skin armed with a club with a bow and arrowes having small chaines proceeding from his tongue and tied to the ears of people whome he drew after him by which they signified how sharpe and powerfull eloquence is to pierce and subdue the affections of people and to draw them far 11. The Romans used to worship Mercury within the Citie but Hercules without to signifie that by strength and policie they maintained their Empire at home they used eloquence and policie abroad strength and industrie 12. Wrestlers and souldiers used to woship Mercury and Hercules together to signifie that in wrestling and warrs strength and policie must go together 13. It was not lawfull for women to sweare by Hercules nor to enter into his temple this was a punishment laid upon that sex for the insolencie of Queen Omphale over Hercules in causing him so effeminatly to serve her 14. It is recorded that Hercules never swore but once I wish we could say so of Christians who make no conscience in swearing by the name of god upon all occasions 15. Children young men were not permitted to swear by Hercules but bare-headed and abroad in the open air perhaps to make them the more wary and fearfull in swearing and to strike a greater reverence of an oath in them I wish our children and young people would learn the like reverence to the true God when they take his name in their mouths 16. They used in old times to offer the tenth part of their goods to Hercules therefore the tythe was called Herculana and they that offered this were said Pollucere Herculi But Tertullian complaines in Apoll. that the Gentiles cosened their God promising to him the tenth but scarce offering the fourth part of that Are there not too many Christians now who prosesse much but practise little not caring how they serve God so they may serve him at an easie rate who would willingly go to heaven so they may save their purses 17. The new married bride was wont to be girded with a girdle having a strong knot called nodus Herculanus an Herculean knot in signe of secunditie because Hercules in one night begot 50 sons of Thespius his daughters But wee know that it is the Lord only who doth open and shut the wombe who maketh the barren to rejoyce 18. Whilst Hercules was alive he was slighted and persecuted but being dead he was deisied and placed among the Stars he was solemnly called upon he had temples and altars erected holy dayes dedicated Priests called Poliâ—ii and Penarii consecrated to him hee was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the driver away of evill when any thing fell out well it was though to be so by Hercules his meanes hence arose these proverbs Amico Hercule Dexiro Hercule They used to carve or paint him upon their dice in the habit of a King whose cast was counted luckie hence arose that phrase Hercules Basilicus for good luck Rich men gave the tenth of their goods to Hercules this they called Polluctum and they thought thereby to prosper They called the richest and most sumptuous and capacious things by the name of Hercules as Herculea coena Heraclia pocula balnea Herculana lecti Herculani Hercules hospitatur By this we see the foolishnesse of the world in persecuting hating and murthering these men whom afterward they honor and adore Thus it sared with the Prophets Apostles and Martyrs of this Christ accuseth the Scribes and Pharisees for building the tombes of the Prophets and garnishing the sepulchres of the righteous c. Mat. 23.19 19. Our blessed Saviour is the true Hercules who was the true and only Son of God and of the virgin Mary who was persecuted but of malice and exposed to all dangers which he overcaâ—â—e he subdued the roaring Lion that red Dragon that tyranâ— and devourer of mankind the Devil he subdued the 〈◊〉 of sin the Antâ—us of earthly affections he by his word supporteth the world Satan is that Oacâ—s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that sea monster from whom by Christ we are delivered it is hee only that went down to hell and delivered us from thence hee alone travelled through the Torrid Zone of his Fathers wrath he purged the Augâ—â—n stable of Jewish superstition and heathenish profanation hee overcame the world and all his enimies and hath killed the Eagle of an evill conscience which continually fed upon the heart of man he was that only true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the expelâ—er of all evil from us who with the club of his power and chams of his eloquence hath subdued and drawne all men after him who at last was burned but not consumed by the fire of his faâ—hers wrath who having subdued principalities and powers was received up into glory and exalted above all heavens where now he sits at the right hand of
God being adored by the Angels in heaven by men on earth and by spirits under the earth to whom be glory and dominion and power for ever and ever Amen 20. Let me complain with 〈◊〉 de falsa rel.l. 1. c. 9. of the pravitie and madnesse of the Gentiles who would make a god of Hercules who scarce deserved the name of a man if we consider his adulterous bâ—rth his whoredomâ—s oppressions miâ—thiers glutony and other sins whose titles and epithits the poets give him shew us what he was when they call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a great eater a devouter of every thing an eater of raw flesh a devouter of oxen Clem. Alexandrinus in proirâ—pt complains of his whoredomes with the Thespian daughters with the Elian women with Chalcipoe with sole with Omphale and many others What fooles were they to make him a god who killed a Lion and could not kill his owne violence and the wild beasts of his anger and fury who killed a few ravenous birds but could not kill his owne ravenous affections who could subdue Amaâ—ons but not his owne lusts who could purge a stable of dung but not his owne heart of wickednesse And indeed as he was in his life so he was honoured aster hiâ— death with sacrifices sull of railings and cursings as Lactanius shews de fals Relig. lib. 1. c. 21. HESPERIDES These were the daughters of Hesperia by Atlas called therefore Hesperides and Atlantides they had a rich garden wherein grew golden apples which were kept by a watchfull Dragon but Hercules killed the Dragon and carried away the apples The INTERPRETER 1. SOme by these golden apples understand sheep of a yellow fleece like gold for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth both an apple and a sheep these sheepe Hercules brought from Africa to Greece after hee had killed Draco the shepheard 2. By these golden apples may be meant a golden mine neere mount Atlas in Africa which Hercules first discovered 3. By this garden kept by a Dragon may be understood some rich orchard invironed by a winding arme of the sea which Hercules pâ—ssed over or by cutting it and directing the tide another way made the passage open 4. By the daughters of Hesperia and the golden apples may be meant the stars which because they begin to appeare in the evening may be called the daughters of Hesperia or Hesperus and because the starrs are round like apples and of a golden colour they were called golden apples By the Dragon may be meant the Zodiac which windeth about the earth as a serpent or Dragon by Hercules killing the Dragon and carrying away the apples may be meant the Sun who by his light taketh away the sight of the starrs and Zodiac 5. As the golden apples were kept by a vigilant Dragon so wealth is got and preserved by care and vigilancie and as these apples belonged to the three daughters of Hesperia to wit Aegle Arethusa and Hesperetusa so riches should belong properly to these who are eminent for honor and vertue for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth honor and glory and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vertue But as these apples were consecrated to Venus so commonly the wealth of this world is dedicated to and imployed on our lusts and pleasures 6. Hercules could not obtaine the golden apples till he had killed the Dragon neither can we attain to the pretious fruits of faith and holinesse untill we have destroyed the Dragon of envie and malice 7. The covetous wretches of this world whose affections are set upon wealth can no more rest and sleepe then the Dragon did that kept the golden apples but doath that all subduing Hercules comes and kills these Dragons and carries away the wealth from the owners and bestows them oftentimes on strangers HIPPODAMIA See TANTALUS CHAP. IX I JASON HEe was the son of Aeson his brother Pelias sent him to Colchis to fetch from thence the golden fleece who accompanied with 49 young gallants of Greece having overcome many dangers arrived thither in the ship Argus which was so called from the builder Jason by the help of Medaeâ— the king of Colchis his daughter over came the â—â—rie-breathed brasen-footed buls and cast asleep the watchfull Dragon and so having attained the golden fleece he returned home with it and married Medaea whome afterward he repudiated The INTERPRETER 1. JAson is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth medicine or the art of curing diseases and Medaea from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is counsell to shew us that where health of body is conjoyned to counsel and judgement of mind their great actions and brave exploits are atchived 2. That a Physitian who would cure a disease must doe nothing without Medaea that is without advise or counsell 3. By Jasons voyage to find out the golden fleece was meant that iourney of the Grecians to Colchis to find out a golden mine By the golden fleece may be understood a book guilded and covered with a sheeps skin teaching the Philosophers stone or art of converting metals into gold Thâ—t was a long and chargeâ—ble voyage but the paines which our Chymistâ— take to find out the Philosophâ—rs â—tone is more tedious and chargeable and which is worse Jason found the goldeâ— fleece but these men have not yet found and I beleeve never shall find the Philosophers stone 4. They that with Jason will find the golden fleece of honor and immortality must with him undergoe and overcome all difficulties dangers and obstacles he was content to receive coâ—rection and instruction from Chiron the Centaure so must good men be content to submit themselves to those who scarce deserve the name of men and to live in holes and caves of the earth in obscuritie as Jason did in Chirons cave Jason with his Argonâ—uâ—â— were forced to carrie their owne ship two dayes together on their shoulders through â—he deserts of Lybia so good men thâ—t aime at eternall honor must bâ—re conâ—agiously the pressures and heavie burt hens that are laid upon them Jason passed through and overcame the dangeâ—s of those troublesome rocks called Symplagides sâ— must all good men passe through and overcome the dangerous rocks of pride lust anger covetousnesse c. Jason overcame the sirie mouthed bull so mâ—st all good men overcome the sirie and slâ—nderous tounges of wicked men and so they must subdue their owne firie lusts and impotent affections Jason mastered the Dragon and killed the armed men that sprung up of â—is teeth so must we subduâ— malice and envie and overcome with watching fasting and prayer that old red Dragon the Devill â—nd destroy all his works in us 5. We may see how anciâ—nt the greedie desire of gold hath bin among men by â—â—is voyage of Jasâ—n his Argonauts for the golden sleece which was performed â—â—no mundi 2716. and before the building of Rome 920 years in honor of which expedition Chaâ—les Duke of Burgundie instituted the Order of the Golden