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
is the prime of our life therefore young men are not made for themselves and their own pleasures but to serve God Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth And remember young man that thou must come to judgement Josiah in his youth served the Lord. 12. Hebe fell in her younger yeers and when shee was at a feast youth and feasting are dangerous tenâ—ations and occasions of falling young peoples feet are slippery youth is more apt to fall then old age which made David pray Lord remember 〈◊〉 the sins of my youth And that feasting is the occasion of much falling is too apparent for it made Job goe to sacrificing when his children went to feasting and doubtlesse if they had not first fallen then in sin the house had not fallen then on them Therefore let all especially youth beware of feasting and drinking which drinking matches and merry-meetings were fitly from the ancient Greâ—ks from Hebe called Hebetria 13. If Jupiter did not spare his own daughter which hee had of Juno but thrust her out of her office and drove her from his presence when she fell then let not the children of God think that they are more priviledged from punishment when they fall then others are â—ay judgement oftentimes begins at Gods own house and hee will correct every son whom he receiveth he neither spared the Angels nor Adam that were his sons by creation hee spared not Christ his onely begotten son by an inâ—fsible generation much lesse will hee spare them that are his sons onely by adoption Qui flagellat unicum sine peccaâ—o â—kin relinquet adopâ—ivâ—m cum peccato saith Augustine 14. Hercules was not married with Hebe till hee was received into heaven and his spirit placed among the starrs so whilest our sou's are in this earthly tabernacle they are deprived oâ— that true beautie youth vigour and alacrity which they shall enjoy in heaven 15. In that Juno conceived not till she had eat of the lettuce by this perhaps they did intimate that lettuce accidentally is the cause of fecundity for as Dioscorides Mattheolus and othâ—rs shew lettuce or the seed thereof is good against the Gonorrhoea and also against nocturnall pollution in sleep which are hinderances to procreation 16. In that Jupiter removes Hebe from her office and his presence wee see in what slippery places Princes favourites are and how suddenly the affections of Princes are altered Steâ— quicunque volet lubens aulae culmine lubâ—ico me dulcis saâ—â—â—eâ— quies HECATE SHe was the daughter of Night or of Hell and the queen of hell of a huge stature and deformed face having snakes in stead of hairs and serpents for feet shee was accompanied with dâ—gs and had three heads to wit of a horse of a dog and of a man or of a wild hog as some think shee is called Luna Diana Proserpina Hecate Juno Lucina The INTERPRETER HEcaâ—e is so called either from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is an hundred because she hath a hundred waies of working upon sublunary bodies or because of the hundred-fold increase of grain which Proserpina or the earth yeeldeth or from the hecaâ—ombe or 100 sacrifices that were offered to her or from the 100 yeeres walking about the river Sâ—yx of those soules whose bodies are unburied Cenium eâ—rant annoâ— volitantque haec littora circum or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is one of the titles of Apollo whose sister Hecate was and hee is so called from shooting his darts or rayes afar off 2. Hecate was said to be accompanied with dogs by which are meant the Furies and by these the tortures of an evill conscience which most of all howle and rage in the night time of which Hecate is queen Visaeque canes ululare per umbram Adventanie dea therefore her sâ—crifices were performed in the night and she was howled or called upon in the night by her priâ—sts Nocturnisque Hecateâ—riviis â—riviis ululata per urbes and her sacrifices were black by all which the Poets elegantly signifie the terrours that accompany the guilt of sin chiefly in the night for then it was that Job complains hee was affrighted with visions and terrified with dreams and David saith that his sould refused comfort in the night 3. Hecate was said to be the goddesse or protectrix of witches because witches doe work most in the night and the time of darknesse is most fit for such works of darknesse and for such as are the servants of the prince of darknesse 4. Rich men were wont at night when they were going to bed to place a table for Hecate in the high wayes which they furnished with lupins mallowes leeks and other mean and savourlesse cates which the poor in a confused manner snatched all away while the rich men were asleepe hence arose those Proverbs Hecaâ—ae coena for a meane and beggarly supper as also for a tumultuary or confused Feast And Anus digna Hecatae sacris for a miserable beggarly or poor woman Rich men now adayes use when they are ready to sleep their long sleep or to die to bequeathe some small share of their ill gotten goods to the poor and as it fared with these rich Romans so doth it now with our rich cormorants the wealth which they have with much care and pains been scraping together all their life is oftentimes dissipated and snatched away by strangers and wee see that the poor are more beholding to rich men in their death then in their life 5. Hecate is called Trivia because shee hath the charge of high-wayes because the high-waies are discernable by the Moon-light which in the dark are not easily found out and because the high-wayes are barren or fruitlesse hence Hecate is said to be a perpetuall virgin 6. Hecate was said to affright and terrifie men by which I suppose the Poets meant that fear and terrours proceed from an evill conscience 7. Hecate was the name of a cruell woman who delighted in hunting and in stead of killing or shooting beasts murthered men sure shee had been a fit wife for that mighty hunter Nimrod 8. The common conceit is that Hecate is so called whilest shee is in hell Luna while shee is in heaven and Diâ—na on the earth but I could never finde the reason of this conceit therefore I doe suppose that the Moon hath these three names from her divers affections or aspects for in the full shee is Luna quasi Lucens una giving light alone for then the Starres shine not though some of then are seen So shee is called also Lucina and Diana 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the light of the Moon is a speciall gift of God Her other name Proserpina which is a serpendo hath relation to her increase and decrease for her light as it were insensibly creeping comes and goes But the third name Hecate was given to signifie the change in which shee affords us no light at all but then seems to be the Queen of hell or
by the Egyptians and Assyrians under the shape of a ram to shew us that it is he who feeds and clothes us and therefore the horne of his nurse Amaethaes was filled by him with all kinde of food called therefore cornu copiae because from him wee have our food for he openeth his hands and filleth all things with his blessings And to signifie thâ—t he both rules and sees all things they represented him in their hieroglyphicks by a scepter with an eye on the top of it called Jovis oculus Jupiters eye 2. By Jupiter may be meant kings and judges for as Jupiter is called king by the poets so kings were called â—oves They painted him sometime without eares sometime with four years to shew that kings must have no eares for flatterers informers and slanderers but must have many eares for complaints and advise they must never want eares to hear the grievances of their subjects nor the wholesome advice of their councellers they gave him also three eys whereof one in his forhead to shew that princes must see more and higher and further off then private men their knowledge must be more eminent and sublime Justice is alwayes painted by Jupiter to signifie that kings actions must be alwaies just Jupiter subdued Aegaeon and the rest of the Giants to shew that kings must not suffer tyrannie and oppression to goe away unpunished Jupiter taught people who before fed upon mens flesh to eat akornes therefore the oake was dedicated to him so princes should endeavour to civillize their people and to provide by good lawes fit and wholesome food for them Jupiter is said to have begot divers daughters which were called prayers intimating that Princes must have a fatherly care of their peoples intreaties and petitions and not slight them Jupiter drove away the swarms of â—â—ies that infested Hercules therefore called Musidarlus whilest he was sacrificing so Princes must drive out of their kingdome all busie bodies and disturbers of religion Jupiter married Meâ—is which signifieth counsell and after hee swallowed her hee conceived Pallas in his brain so Princes must unite themselves to good counsellours and by swallowing their good advice their heads shall be filled with wisdome and they shall produce wise actions Jupiter was the father of the Muses so should Kings be the nursing fathers of learned men 3. Jupiter may be the type of a Tyrants for his banishing of his father and usurping his kingdome and cutting off his testicles his marrying with his own sister his devouring of his own wife Meâ—is his ravishing of Ganymed his many whoredomes and adulteries his transforming himselfe into so many shâ—pes of beasts and birds as into the cuckow the swan the bull the ram c. What I say do all these mean but lively represent unto us the cruell manners and wicked qualities of Tyrants therefore when hee began to reign the golden age ceased the lamb durst play no longer with the wolfe men could not live securely and happily as they did before in his reign began rebellions when the giants conspâ—red against him for what could hee else expect but that his subject should rebell against him who rebelled against his own father His advancing of the Swan his whore and placing her amongst the starrs the honour hee gave to the Goat his nurse in making her a constellation and in wearing her skin upon his target called therefore Aegis doth shew us how Tyrants advance licentiousnesse and wantonnesse and rapacity also as they intimated by the â—â—gle that still waited on him and drew his chariot As Kings may be called Joves so Tyrants should be called Veiores who are sicly represented by that picture of Jupiter in the form of a boy with horns on his head arrowes in both his hands and a goat by him shewing to us the childish hurtfull and wanton disposition of tyrants 4. Jupiter is taken sometime for the air in Poets sometime for the element of fire and Juno for the air therefore they made her Jupiters wife and they used to paint him with a rail flaming about his head and sometime by Jupiter they meant the heaven as by Saturn they understood time so then when they write that Saturn devoured his children except Jupiter Juno Neptune and Pluto their meaning was this Time destroyes all compounded bodies but the heaven with the element of fire the air the sea and the earth are not subject to Times lawes and tyranny And because there is no commixtion but between the neighbouring elements therefore it is that Jupiter took Juno to wife but could not be permitted by the rest of the gods to marry with Theâ—is the sea 5. Austin Lib. 3. de Civ cap. 10. shâ—ws the Gentiles vanities who held the world was eternall and yet acknowledged that Jupiter and Juno that is heaven and earth to be the children of time for if they had their beginning of time then they must acknowledge the creation of the world and of time also 6. He laughs likewise at their madnesse who called Jupiter the chiefestof all the gods by the name of Pecunia money the basest of all things which no wise man will cover as hee sheweth out of Salust Lib. 7. de Civil cap. 12. and may wee not laugh at them who not onely call but have also made money their great god and Jupiter which now hath their commanding power of all things This is that idolatry the Apostle speaks of this is that Jupiter that can make pâ—ssage to Donae through a tower of brasse who more violently then a thunder bolt can break through the strongest armies Perrumpert amat castra potentius ictu Fulmineo Horat This is the covetous mans Jupiter Sâ—aâ—or and Tereulus and Liberator and Elicius and Invictus and Omnipâ—tens too and Hospitalis and what not for hee hath said unâ—o the wedge Thou art my hope and to the gold Thou art my confidence But in the house of death the coverous wretch will finde no more comfort in this Jupiter of gold then the Romans did in their Jupiter of stone when they swore by him Jovem lapidem juraâ—â— 7. Jupiter is said to be born in Crete or Candle because the people of that Iland were more religious then others and to shew that God is chiefly to be found there where religion is most cherished 8. Saturn could not devouâ— his son Jupiter but devoured a stone in stead of him to shew us that Time which destroyeth all things even the hardest stones yet cannot consume or destroy that eternall Minde or Deity which they called Jupiter 9. The Curetes and Coribantes saved Jupiter from his fathers fury by the sounding of brasse and clashing of arms that the childes crying might not be heard even so kingdoms are preserved from outward violence or forraigne forces by armes and military discipline 10. Jupiter had divers titles given to him as Xenius the god of hospitalitie Philus the god of love Heterius the god of fellowship Homognius the god of
the Light 9. Amphion may be said to be killed by Latonâ— when musicall knowledge is lost by negligence and oblivion 10. Our Saviour Christ is the true Amphion who by the preaching of the Gospel hath built his Church and made us who were but dead and scattered living stones in this building his Musick hath quickned us and his love hath united us 11. Amphion was said to build the walls by the help of his Musick because perhaps he imployed Musicians at that time who by their musick incouraged the builders and made them work the better ANDROMEDA See PERSEUS ANTAEUS HEe was a Giant fourty cubits high begotten of Neptune and the earth with whom when Hercules did wrestle still as he was slung on the ground his strength increased which Hercules perceiving lifted him from the ground and squeezing him to his brest slisled him The INTERPRETER 1. ANtaeus was King of Tingitania who compelled his guests to wrestle with him and then killed them This is the trick of Tyrants who make use of their strength and power to undoe and ruine the weake and meaner sort and here wee may see what danger it is for means men to contend with Princes and great ones they can expect nothing but ruine Polenâ—ioris iram sapiens nunquam provocabit Seneca 2. The bignesse of his body shewed that earth and water were extraordinarily predominant in him therefore hee was called the son of Neptune and the Earth 3. A covetous man is like Antaeus the moâ—e that his affections touch earthly things the stronger is his covetousnesse till hee be listed up from the earth with heavenly thoughts and then covetous thoughts die 4. Satan is like Antaeus for the more hee is beat down by the Herculean strength of Gods Word the more violent and fierce hee groweth but being squeezed by the brest-plate of justice hee loseth his force 5. Satan deales with good men as Hercules with Antaeus hee flings them down by oppression and persecution but when hee perceiveth that by this means they grow stronger and more resolute hee lifteth them up by â—pride and prosperity by which many are overthrown which grew strong by adversity 6. The Sunne like Antaeus when hee is come to his perigaeum or that point neerest the earth hee begins to gather strength which increaseth till hee come to his apogaeum or that point in heaven farthest from the earth and then his force begins to weaken 7. Hee that will cure a Feaver with hot things or an Hydropsie with cold and moist things hee doth as Hercules to Antaeus increase the disease by applying things of the same nature whereas diseases should be cured by contraries 8. Every thing in its own element with Antaeus doth gather strength and prospereth but being put into another element dieth as fishes in the air and beasts in the sea APOLLO HEe was the son of Jupiter and Latonâ— born in Delos hee kill'd the Serpent Python the Giant Tyâ—ion Marsyas the Musician and the Cyclops that made Jupiters thunder with which his son Aesculapius was slain for which fact Jupiter banished him and drâ—ve him to feed Admetus his sheep and to hâ—lp Neptune in building of the waâ—s of Troy hee was the god of Wisdome of Physick of Musick and Arching The INTERPRETER 1. BY Apollo may be meant God himself for as they painted Apollo with his harp and tho three Graces in one hand with a shield and two arrows in the other so by this perhaps they meant that God was not onely a punisher of wickednesse but a rewarder of goodnesse as hee had two arrowes so be hath many punishments but yet he hath the comfortable harp of his mercy to sweeten them in the other hand and having but two arrowes hath three graces to shew that hee hath more mercies then punishments and therefore the same hand that holds the arrowes holds also the shield to shew that even when his arrowes flye at us yet with his shield hee defends and supports us God shot his arrowes at Abraham when hee raised so many Kings against him yet at the same time hee forbids him to feare for faith hee I am thy shield Gen. 15.1 And that by Apollo was meant the supreme God is plain by the Alsyrians in joyning the pictures of Apollo and Jupiter together whom they painted with a whip in one hand and the thunder in the other to shew that God hath diversitie of punishments according to the diversitie of offences some gentle some more rigorous For this cause the Egyptians represented him by a Scepter with an Eye to signifie both his knowledge and providence by which the world is guided And they painted him with wings to signifie the 〈◊〉 of his motion by which it appears that Jupiter and Apollo were with them one and the same god 2. I finde that Apollo is painted with one side of his head shaved the other hairy by which I think they meant that whileâ—â— the Sun shined to one hemispere the other was dark for by his hair they meant his beams and by his baldnesse darknesse caused by his absence 3. By Apollo is ordinarily understood the â—unne which as his name sheweth is both the destroyer and preserver of things he is the son of Jupiter because he is a part of heaven or because he was created by God he was born of Latona because God brought light out of darknesse and the Sun out of the Chaos born in Delos which signifieth manifestation for the Sun discovereth all things he kill'd Python the Serpent because the Sun by his heat disperseth all purrefied vapours and cleareth the air from mists for of purrefaction venemous beasts are procreated so he kill'd Jupiters Thunder-maker because the Sun cleers the air and consumes those exhalations and moistures of which Thunder is ingendred When Apollo was born Diana his sister who was first born was the Midwife to bring forth Apollo that may signifie that the Sun is freed from his eclipse and darknesse when the Moon departeth from him he is still Beardlesse to shew his perpetuall youth his long hair shews his beams he feedeth sheep because his heat produceth grasse hee is carried in a Chariot drawn with four horses to shew his motion and the four seasons of the year or the four parts of the Artificiall day as his horses names do shew Atythraeus Actaeon Lampos Philogeus for he is red in the morning cleer about nine of the clock in his full splendour at noon and draws to the earth in the evening hee is the god of Wisdom not by infusing the habit or essence thereof but by preparing and fitting the Organs for the use and exercise thereof therefore Southern people are more subtile wise and ingenious then the Northern And because from the Sun divers predictions are gathered of the alteration of Weather and other sublunary mutations he was called the great Prophet and god of Divination hee was also called the god of physick both because
into beasts and made â—aves to Cybele for profaning her temple 4. Here we have the picture of a whore who runnes swiftly in the broad way that leadeth to destruction if any thing stay her course it is wise counsell and admonition for wisdom is presented by gold It is she that kils the Boars that is wanton and unruly youths wounding both their bodies souls and estates and therefore hath a sharp spear to draw water out of rocks because many who at first were senselesse like stones being deepely wounded with remorse for their former folly and stupidity fall to râ—pentance to weeping and lamenting considering what they have lost and as Atalanta defiled Cybeles temple so doth a whore pollute her body which is the Temple of the Holy Ghost so doth the whoremaster make his body all one with the body of an harlot and so both degenerate from humanity and participate of the cruelty and lasciviousnesse of Lions and by this meanes become miserable slaves and drudges to Cybele mother earth that is to all earthly affections and lusts 5. As Atalantas course was interrupted by golden apples so is the course of Justice oftentimes stopped with golden bribes 6. Here we see that one sinne draweth after it another worse then the former fornication begetteth profanesse and profanesse cruelty and miserable servitude to earthly lusts 7. Let us with Atalanta run the race that is set before us and wound the boare of our wanton lusts and draw water from our rocky hearts let us take heed that the golden apples of worldly pleasure and profit which Hippomenes the Devill slings in our way may not hinder our course commit not spirituall fornication with him in the temple of Cybele lest God in his just anger make our condition worse then the condition of the brute and savage beasts ATLAS WAs the son of Japetus and brother of Prometheus or as others say he was begotten of heaven and the day if this was not another Atlas he was King of Mauriâ—ania and had a garden where grew golden apples he was turned into a mountain by Perseus Jupiters son upon the sight of Gorgons head because he refused to lodge him The INTERPRETER 1. ATlas was said to be transformed into a mountaine either because he was confined to that hill being driven from his own country by Perseus or else bâ—cause he delighted to be upon that hill or because he called it by his owne name 2 Atlas is the name of an high hill which for the height thereof being higher then the clouds was said to support heaven and to be begotten of heaven day because of the continiall light on the top of it as being never obscured with mists clouds and vapours 3. This is the name of him who first found out the knowledge of Astronomy and invented the Spheare which some think was Henoch and for this knowledge was said to support heaven 4. This is the name of a king in Mauritania who perhaps from the bignesse and strength of his body was called a mountain and was said to have a garden of golden apples because of the plenty of golden mines in his Kingdom 5. God is the true Atlas by whose Word and power the world is sustained that mountain on which wee may securely rest who onely hath golden apples and true riches to bestow on us 6. The Church is the true Atlas a supporter of a kingdome the childe of heaven the hill on which God will rest on which there is continuall light and day a rock against which hell-gates cannot prevaile where is the garden of golden apples the Word and Sacraments 7. A King is the Atlas of his Common-wealth both for strength and greatnesse there is the day and light of knowledge in him which the people cannot see Prometheus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Providence is his brother by the meanes of his knowledge and providence the Kingdome is supported and his gardens are filled with golden apples that is his treasures with mony 8. Hee deserves not to be called a man but a monster who will not be hospitable for homo ab humanitate and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jupiter is the god of hospitality who puâ—â—isheth the violation of it 9. As Perseus the son of Jupiter sought lodging from Atlas but could have none and therefore turned him into a senselesse hill So Christ the Son of god knocks at the dore of our hearts whom if we refuse to let in we shew our selves to be more senselesse and stupid then the hill Atlas AURORA THe daughter of Hyperion and Thia or as others wâ—â—â—e oâ— Tâ—tâ—â— and the Earth the sister of Sol and Luna drawn in a chariot sometimes with foure horses sometimes with two onely shee uâ—eth to leave her husband Tithonus with her son Meâ—â—non abed in Delos shee made old Tithonus young again by means of herbs and physick The INTERPRETER 1. AVrora was said to be the mother of Lucifer and of the windes because at certain times the star of Venus is seen in the morning and then shee is named Phosphorus or Lucifer and at sometimes in the evening then shee is called Hespeâ—us Vesper Vesperugo Aurora is said to be the mother of the windes because after a calm in the night the windes rise with the morning as attendant upon the Sun by whose heat and light they are begot if winds be vapours or if they be nothing else but the motions of the air then they may be called the daughters of Aurora for thâ— Sun with his heat and light moves the air Aurora or the morning bâ—ing nothing else but the first appearing of the Suns light and so perhaps aura a breath or winde may be derived from Aurora 2. Aurora is the daughter of Hâ—periâ—n which signifieth to goe above for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is from above that wee have the light of the Sun and every other good thing even from the Father of lights her mother is Thia for it is by divine gift wee enjoy light and nothing doth more lively represent the Divinity then the light as Dionys. Areopagit sheweth at large Shee is the daughter of Titan that is the Sun who is the fountain of light and of the Earth because the light of the morning seems to arise out of the earth 3. The leaving of her husband abed with her son is only to shew that all puts of the earth doe not enjoy the morning at one time but when it is morning with us it is evening with those of the remotâ—st East-countries from us whom shee leaves abed when shee riseth on us and leaves us abed when shee riseth on them for all parts are East and West and all people may be called her husbands and sons for shee loves all and shines on all and by â—â—r absence leaves them all abed by turns 4. Her chariot signifieth her motion the purple and rose-colour doe paint out the colours that wee see in the morning in the air caused by
hee poysoned our first parents his three mouthes or hundred rather doe shew the many wayes that death hath to sease on us the snakie hairs doth shadow out the uglinesse and fearfulnesse of death it lyeth in hell-gates for the wicked must by death come to hell this dog doth suffer all to go in but none to return from hell is no redemption but Hercules by his strength overcame and bound him and Sybilla by her wisdome cast him asleep so the Sonne of God by his power and wisdome hath overcome death and taken away its sting 5. An evill conscience is Cerberus still barking and with his snakes affrighting and stinging the wicked and lieth in hell-gates for the wicked mans hell is begun here it vomits out all by confession when it is convinced by the light of Gods word and that inward light which is in the minde 6. The grave is Cerberus the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 flesh-eater still eating and never full the snakie haires shew that the ground is full of worms and snakes it is also the entry of hell The light of Christ the great Hercules when hee went downe to hell caused this dog to vomit up his morsels for the graves were opened and many of the Saints bodies arose and at the light of Christs second coming he shall vomit up all that he hath eat out of Cerberus his foame grew the aconitum to shew that poysonable herbs grow out of the corruption of the earth 7. Satan is the hell-hound whose many heads and snakes doth shew his many malicious and cunning wayes hee hath to destroy men hee is begotten of the Giant Typhon and the snakie Echidna because as parents live in their children so violence and craft live in him hee is the vigilant door-keeper of hell lying in wait to toll in soules but never to let them out The true Hercules Christ by his strength and wisdome hath bound him at the presence of whose light he foames and frets and was forced to vomit and restore those soules which hee held in captivitie 8. Time with his three heads that is past present and future is this dog which devoureth all things and he shall vomit up all hid things for Time revealeth all secrets hee lyeth in the gate of hell all must goe thorow his throat that goe thither that is all must have a time to die and it is time that bringeth forth poysonable herbs as well as profitable and time hath brought us to the knowledge thereof CERES SHee was the daughter of Saturn and Ops oâ— her brother Jupiter shee had Proserpina of Jason shee did bear Plutus and of Neptune a horse at which shee was so much displeased that shee hid her selfe in a dark cave and was found out â—y Pan whilest her daughter Proserpina was gathering flâ—wers with Juno Minerva and Venus Pluto carried her away in his chaâ—iot therefore Ceres lighted torches and sought her up and downe the woâ—ld and in her journey being kinâ—ely loâ—ged by Celeus shee taught him to sow corn and nourished his son Triptolemus by day with milke by night in fire which Celeus too curiously pâ—ying into was slâ—in by Ceres and Triptolemus wâ—s sent thorow the woâ—ld in a chaâ—iâ—â— dâ—awne with winged Dragons to teach men the use of corn Proserpina could not be delivered from hell because shee had tasted of a Pomegranate in Pluto's Orchard yet afterward shee was admitted to remaine six months above the ground and six months under The INTERPRETER 1 CEres being the goddesse of corn is painted with peace by her holding Plutus the god of riches in her hand to shew that corn with other fruits of the earth doe flourish and increase and money also abounds in time of peace which in time of warre are destroyed Therefore Ceres would not bestow her daughter Proserpina upon Mars though he was a suter to her nor yet upon Apollo the god of Wisdome to shew perhaps that as souldiers are not friends to husband-men so wise men are sitter to sit at the helme of Government then to hold the plow husband-men are not Statesmen 2. Of such reverend esteem were the sacrifices of Ceres that none were admitted to them who were conscious of any crime for this cause Nero being guilty of so many wickednesses durst never aâ—venture to be present at these sacrifices What boldnesse then is it in notorious and scandalous sinners to present themselves to the Lords table And what neglect is it in Ministers to give that which is holy to dogs Precul O procul este profani 3. Ceres is the Moon which one hâ—lfe of the yeer increaseth to wit fifteen dayes every month which time shee is above the earth the other half yeer that shee is decreasing shee is under her daughter Proserpina may be the earth which shee loseth when Pluto that is darknesse doth take away the sight of it and her lighting of torches is the increase of her light by which the earth is seen again her hiding in a cave is her eclipse by the earths interposition but Pan the Sun makes her appear again 4. Ceres is corn which Saturn and Ops that is time and earth produce Proserpina is the seed which Pluto ravishâ—th because it lyeth a while dead underground Ceres hides her self that is the corn is not seen till Pan the Sun by his heat bringeth it out Ceres begets Plutus corn bringeth mony to the Farmer and a horse also because the desire of corn makes the Farmer labour like a horse or because the plenty of corn makes men wanton and unruly like horses as it did the Sodomits the lighting of Torches is the heat and light of the Sun and Moon by whose influence the corn is produced the nourishing of Triptolemus by day with milk by night with fire is the cherishing of the corn with rain by day and heat in the bowels of the earth by night the tasting of Pluto'sâ—ruit â—ruit is the food which the corn receiveth from the ground 5. Ceres is the earth by whose benefit we have Proserpina corn Plutus mony and a horse that is all cattell fit for use this is the nurse of all living creatures astording them milk and fire food and heat hence come these phrases cereale solum cereales caenae for plentiful suppers and a fruitfull ground and cerealis aura for a temperate climâ—â— when Proserpina gathering flowers that is the corn which groweth with the flowers especially the Poppie therefore consecrated to Ceres was carryâ—d away by Pluâ—o that is faileth by reason of sterilitie of the ground and intemperance of the air then Ceres hides her self that is the earth loseth her beauty but by the meâ—â—s of Pan that is the shepherd with his sheep-fold the land is inriched and Ceres comes abroad in her best arâ—y and by the help of her two lamps the Sun and Moon shee recovers Proseâ—pina or corne again for halfe of the year he affordeth corn to Tiâ—ptolemus the husband-man who in the
the ground could become men why should they not beleeve that our bodies fallen to the earth shall in the last day resume their ancient form by the power of him who first gave it 6. Magistrates and such as would bring rude and barbarous people to civilitie and of stones to make them men must have the perfections of Deucalion prudence religion justice c. Themis or Justice must be their counsellour without which nothing should they doe but chiefly let them take heed of covetousnesse they must cast the love of earthly things behinde them and so they shall make men of stones that is men will be content to forsake their stonie caves and rocks and will frame themselves to the Citie life And what are men without religion and civility but stones representing in their conditions the nature of the place where they live 7. Deucalion turned stones into men but Idolaters of stones make gods such a god was Jupiter Lapis among the Romans by whom they used to sweare and these stony Gods turned the worshippers into stones for they that make them are like unto them and so are all they that worship them the Idolater is a spirituall fornicator committing whoredome with the earth which affordeth the materials and hee brings in the forme 8. It is not the least happinesse to hide ones selfe in Parnassus amongst the Muses for a Scholar to spend his time privately and quietly in his studie whilest the tumultuous floods of troubles and crosses prevail abroad in the world 9. Here we see that God is a punisher of impietie and a preserver of good men 10. By Deusalion and Pyrrha may be understood water and fire heat and moisture of which all things are generated in the earth DIANA SHee was the sister of Apollo and daughter of Jupiter and Latona the goddesse of hunting dancing childe-bearing virginitie who still dwelt in woods and on hils whose companions were the Dryades Hamadryades Orades Nymphs c. shee was carried in a silver chariot drawn with white staggs shee was painted with wings holding a Lion with one hand and a Leopard with the other on her altar men were sacrificed The INTERPRETER 1. DIana was wont to be painted sitting in a chariot drawn with two horses the one white the other black by which doubtlesse was meant both the swistnesse of her motion and the diversity of her aspects for the white horse represented her brightnesse in the full and the black her darknesse in the wane or change 2. Diana is the Moon called Apollo's or the Suns sister because of their likenesse in light motion and operations the daughter of God brought out of Laâ—ona or the Chaos shee came out before her brother Apollo and helped to play the mid-wife in his production by which I think was meant that the night whoreof the Moon is ruler was before the day the evening went before the morning so that the Moon did as it were usher in the Sun therefore the Calends of the months were dedicated to June or the Moon Shee hath divers names for her divers operations as may be seen in Mythologists in Macrobius she is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fortune from her variablenesse as both being subject to so many changes and causing so many alterations Scaliget observeth that shee was called Lya or Lua from lues the plague because shee is the cause of infection and deseases by which the soul is loosed from the body shee was called Fasceliâ— from the bundle of wood out of which her image was stolen by Iphigenia Agamemnons daughter but I should thinke that shee was called Lya from loosing or untying of the girdle which yong women used to do in her temple called therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which temple virgins that had a mind to marrie used first to pacifie Diana with sacrifices she was also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is earthly because they thought there was another earth in the moon inhabited by men doubtlesse in that they called her Hecate or Proserpina the Queen of hell they meant the great power that she hath over sublunarie bodies for all under the Moon may be called Insernus or Hell as all aboue her is heaven this free from changes that subject to all changes and perhaps shee may be called Hecate from the great changes that shee maketh here below every hundreth yeer she may be called Diana from her divine power Juno from helping Proserpina from her creeping for though shee is swift in the lower part of her Epicycle yet in the upper part thereof she is slow Luna quasi una as being the only beautie of the night ' Dyctinnis from a net because fâ—shers and hunters use nets and of these shee is said to have the charge for the Moon-light is a help to both they called her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from cutting the air Lucina from her light her hunting and dancing was to shew her divers motions for she hath more then any planet six at least as Clavius observes her virginitie sheweth that though shee is neere the earth yet shee is not tainted with earthly imperfections shee is a help to child-bearing for her influence and light when she is at full is very forcible in the production and augmentation of things her conversing on hills and in woods shews that her light and effects are most to be seene there for all herbs plants and trees feel her influence and because shee hath dominion over the fiercest beasts in tempering their raging heat by her moysture shee holds a Lion and Leopard in her hand whose heat is excâ—ssive but tempered by the Moon her silver chariot shews her brightnesse the staggs and wings do shew her swistnesse and because her light increasing and decreasing appeareth like horns therefore the Bull was sacrificed to her as Lactantius observesâ— her arrows are her beames or influence by which shee causeth death and corruption in respect of her corniculated demidiated and plenarie aspect shee is called triformis and trivia because shee was worshipped in places where three ways met The dancing of all the Nimphs and Satyrs shews how all take delight in her light her hunting is to shew how in her motion shee perâ—uâ—s and overtakes the Sun 3. A rich usurer is like Diana for he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an earthly man a great hunter after wealth who hath his nets his bands and bils he wounds deeply with his arrows Proserpina and Lya for he creeps upon mens estates and he brings a plague upon them though he dwells in in rich Cities yet his hunting and affections are set in hills and woods that is in farmes and mannors which by morgages and other tricks hee catches he is carried in a silver chariot drawn with staggâ—â— because fearfullnesse doth still accompany wealth with which he is supported he would fain fly up to heaven with the wings of devotion but the Lions and
heavens the starts nature yea the God of nature in whom wee live move and have our being may be called Genii in a large sense And Genii quasi geruli á gerendo vel ingerendo from supporting us or from suggesting good and bad thoughts into the mind therefore gerulofiguli in Plautus is a suggester of lies and so by these Genii may be understood the good and bad angels which â—ill accompany us and by inward suggestion â—tir us up to good or evil actions 4. The form of Serpents in which the Genii were worshâ—pped doth shew the wise and vigilant care which the angels have over us 5. When after this life they punish us for sins they are called Manes Therefore the Genii were painted with a platter ful of garlands and flowers in one hand and a whip in the other to shew that they have power both to reward and punish us They have oftentimes appeared in the form of men therefore they are painted like men but they have no sex neither do they procreate for which cause perhaps the fruitfull Palm-tree was dedicated to them with which also they were crowned and because they were held of a middle kind between gods and men they were called the sons of Jupiter and Earth or rather in reference to Plato's opinion which held angels to be corporeall 6. Our souls also are Genii which from our birth to our death do accompany our bodies 7. Every mans desire and inclination may be called his Genius to which it seems the Poet alluded saying Ansua cuique deus fit dira cupido 8. And perhaps Aristotle's Intellectus agent is all one with Plato's Genius for without this we have no knowledge because the pâ—ssive intellect depends in knowledge from the active in receiving the species from it which by the active intellect is abstracted from time place and other conditions of singularity and this is all one as if wee should say wee receive no information of good or evill but from our Genius 9. As the Gentiles beleeved the starrs to be Genii so the Jews thought them to be angels and that they were living creatures therefore they worshipped them called them the hoast of heaven 10. But indeed Christ is onâ— true Genius the great Angel who hath preserved and guarded us from our youth by whom wee are both generated and regenerated the brasen Serpent from whom wee have all knowledge who alone hath power to reward and punish uâ— who appeared in the form of man and in respect of his two natures was the son of Jupiter and Terra of God and Earth and who wil never forâ—ake us as Socrates his Genius did him at last who came not to affright us or to bring us the message of death as Brutus his Genius did to him but to comfort us and assure us of eternall life let us then offer to him the sâ—crifice not of bloud cruelty or oppression which the Gentiles would not offer to their Genius thinking it unfit to take away the life of any creature that day in which they had received life themselves but let us offer the wine of a good life and the sweet fumes of our prayers and let us not offend this our Genius or deprive him of his due but make much of him by a holy life and though the Gentiles assigned unto every man his Genius and Juno to the womenâ— yet we know that Christ is the Saviour and keeper both of men and women and that with him there is no difference of sex GIGANTES GIants were hairy and snakie-footed men of an huge stature begor of the blood of Coelus and had earth for their mother they made war against Jupiter but were overcome at last by the help of Pallas Hercules Bacchus and Pan and were shot therow by Apollo's and Diana's arrowes The INTERPRETER 1. THat there were men of an huge stature fierâ—e looks and of wicked dispositions and of high and proud minds which they called Giants is not to be doubted seeing the Scripture so often mentions them both before and after the flood besides divers Historians Scaliger saw one of them at Millan so tall that he could not stand but lay along and filled two beds joyned in length Exerc. 163. All ages have produced some such Giants but that these were begot of divels and women is ridiculous for these Giants were men not differing from other men either in their matter or form but only in greatnesse which makes but an accidentall difference neither have spirits seed or organs of generation and whereas spirits and women differ generally it must needs follow that what is begot of them must be different from them both as wee see a mule is different from the horse and thee-asse which differ but specifically 2. If by Giants we understand winds and vapors they have the earth for their mother and heaven for their father they are bred in the belly of the earth and are begot of the rain which may be called the bloud of heaven they may be said to war against Jupiter when they trouble the air and they were shot with Apollo's and Diana's arrows when the beams and influence of the Sun and Moon do appease and exhaust them 3. Notorious profane men are Giants and are begot of bloud to shew their cruell dispositions and of earth because they are earthly-minded their hairy bodies and snakie feet do shew their rough savage and cunning disposition they war against Jupiter when they rebell against God with their wicked lives but Hercules and Pallas strength and wisdom overcome and subdue such monsters and oftentimes they are overthrown by Bacchus and Pan that is by wine and musick drunkennesse and pleasure at last prove the bâ—ne of these Giants 4. Rebellious Caâ—alines who oppose authority are hairy snakie-footed Giants of a sanguinary and cunning disposition warring against Magistrates which are gods but at last come to a fearfull end 5. Arius and all such as oppose the divinity of Christ are like these Giants warring against God but are overthrown with the thunder and arrows of Gods word 6. Let us take heed ' as Ambrose exhorts us that wee be not like these Giants earthly-minded pampering our slesh and neglecting the welfare of our soules and so fall into contempt of God and his ordinances if we doat too much on earth we shew that she is our mother that she is too much predominant in us if we think to attain heaven and yet continue in sin pleasure we mount our selves upon ambitious thoughts and do with the Giants imponere Pelion Ossae climb up on those high conceits to pull God out of his throne GLAUCUS See NEPTUNUS and OCEANUS GORGONES THese were the three daughters of Phorcus whose chiese was Medusa she preferring her fine hairs to Minerva's and profaning her temple in playing the whore there with Neptune had her hair turned into snakes and her head â—ut 〈◊〉 by Persius being armed with Minerva's
the motion or ebbing and flowing of the sea 2. Saturn married his sister Ops which is the earth of whom hee begot many children because by the heavens influence upon the earth all things are ingendered the heaven is as it were the father affording influence and the earth the mother surnishing matter for generation 3. Saturn was painted like an old man bare-headed in a tagged garment holding a hook and a key in his hand devouring of his children by which they did understand the antiquitie and long continuation of times and by â—is bare â—ead they meant that time reveales all things therefore the priests used to be â—are-heâ—ded in Saturns sacrifices onely The ragged garment shews that time wears and consumes all things which was also meant by his devouring of his children and by the hook or sickle which hee hath in his hâ—nd the key may note that time openeth and discloseth all secrets 4. This picture of Saturn may have reference to the golden age of the world iâ— which men lived till tâ—ey were very aged which was expressed by Saturn's gray hairs and worn garment which garment also shews that men were not then given to pride and curiositie of apparell His baâ—e head shewed the honestie and truth that was then which indeed is naked whereas lying falshood and deceit are still covered 5. Saturn taught the Italians the use of husâ—andry tâ—erefore hee was called Sterculius from dunging of the ground the hook or â—ickle is the instrument of mowing or reaping of corn the gray hairs bare head and ragged garment shew that husbandmen live long have hardie bodies and are not nice in their apparell 6. Saturn devoured all his children except Jupiter Juno Neptune and Pluto to signifie that all compounded bodies are destroyed by time but the four elements to wit Fire Air Water and Earth because of their simple nature are not subject to corruption 7. I finde Saturn described sometimes with six wings and yet â—low-paced having feet of wooll to shew that time seems to goe away slowly and silently whereas indeed it â—â—les very swiftly or this may expresse the slow motion of the planet Saturn who moves slowly by his own motion but swiftly by the motion of the Primum mobile to wit he spends but four and twenty hours by the common motion but thirty yeers in his particular motion this swiftnesse also of time was expressed by that fiction of Saturn transforming himselfe into an horse a swift running creature when hee had carnall commerce with the Nymph Philira of whom hee begot Chiron the Centaur 8. Because Saturn is a cold planet and malignant breeding melancholie and other â—ad effects in mens bodies therefore they painted him like an old man sad and carelâ—sly clothed and slowpacâ—d with a serpent in his hâ—nd biting of its own taile to signifie the virulencie and biting cares that accompany mâ—lancholie or else to expresse the nature of the yeer returning into it selfe like a ring or a snake with its taile in the mouth anâ— because the lion dog and wolfe are mâ—lâ—ncholiâ— creatures therefore they expressed Saturn sometimes with the heads of these three beasts 9. Saturn's genitals were cut off by Jupiter and cast into the sea and of them and of the seâ— froth Venus was begot by this may be meant that old age which is called Saturn is made unfit for generation because Jupiter that is wanton and intemperate youth hath weakened the body and as the Orator saith Corpus eâ—â—oeâ—um tradit senectuâ—i whereas that man who hath been temperate in his youth is vigorous and lustie in his old age nihll habet quod accuset senectuâ—em Or else by this may be meant that the coldnesse of Saturn is tempered by the heat of Jupiter and so Venus is begot for there can be no procreation where cold is not tempered with heat Or again by this may be meant that Saturn Jupiter and the sea are required to produce Venus that is to say that Time the Influence of heaven and Moisture are required for procreation 10. As Saturn served his father Coelus in cutting off his genitals so is hee served by his son Jupiter It is just with God to punish those men with rebellious and cruell children who have been rebelliouâ— and cruell themselves against their parents 11. Whaâ— a cruell god was Saturn who defiled himself with the blood of his own father devoured his own children and would not be satisfied in his sacrifices but by the blood of innocent infants Satius est pecudum more vivere quam deos 〈◊〉 sanguinarios colere saith Lactantius lib. 1. de fals relig 'T is better to live like beasts then to worship such cruell wicked and bloody gods By this wee may see that the Gentile gods were indeed Divels delighting in the destruction of men whereas the true God whom wee worship is mercifull and gracious and delights not in the death of a sinner who will have mercy and not sacrifice who would be worshipped by the bloud of beasts to save the shedding of mans bloud Had not then the Romans a bloody religion who not onely worshipped such a bloody god but fettered his feet also to their pillars â—xceâ—â— onely in their Saturnals that hee might not goe away from them The Egyptians were wiser who excluded him quite out of their Cities affording temples to him onely in the Countrey And at last the Romans themselves began to abhorre such a bloudy god when in the Proconsulship of Tiberius they crucified his Priests for offâ—ring infants to him They were injurious to heaven when they called such a bloudy butcher the son of hâ—aven who should rather have been named the son of hell to which by Jupiter hee was thruâ—t downe His priests as Tertullian shews were initiated in a scarlet garment which they used to wear a sit colour to expresse their sanguinarie disposition to these it seems the Roman Cardinals have succeeded both in their colour and bloudy mindes who are guiltie of the bloud of many thousand good Christians so that at this day Rome is still Vibs Saturnia and the Popes pallaco may be called Sedes Satuâ—nia and his fâ—stivall dayes Saturnalia 12. Wax tapers or candles were wont to be burned upon Saturns altars to shew that hee brought the light of knowledge and civilitie into Italie which before lived in the darknesse of ignorance and rudenâ—sse therefore in his Festivall kept in December the Romans used to send away candles and other presenâ—s which they called Saturnalia to each other from hence it seems the Papists borrowed their custome of burning wâ—x candles on their altars and the giving of New-â—eers gifts 13. Saturn is so called a Saturando from filling or satisfying for hee being the first that taught men the use of corn did fill or satisfie them and as hee â—id fill so his wife the Earth did help therefore shee was called Ops. 14. By Saturn wee may understand the trees â—erbs and plants with the fruits
in love with Tâ—â—honus may be meant that he used to rise betimes in the morning and imployed that time chiefly about his businesse no fitter time for the Muses with whom shee may be said to be in love when Students give themselves then to meditation 3. Tithonus lived tâ—ll hee was of an exceeding great age to shew that early risers are long lived whereas they that love too much sleâ—p specially in the morning breed and cherish grosse humours by which diseases are bred 4. Tithonus lived so long till hee was weary of his life and what wonder seeing this life at best gives no true content much lesse in old age which is it selfe a disease and that incuâ—able which Solomon calls the evill dayes wherein a man takes no pleasure as old Barzillai shewed to David 5. Old Tithonus is turned into a grashopper to shew that old men are much given to chatt ng and pratling therefore Homer saith Iliad l. 3. that the old Trojan men sitting in the gates were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like grashoppers in a wood sitting upon treâ—s 6. Tithonus was carried up to heaven by Aurora even so holy meditations and prayers in the morning should carry our mindes and affections up to heaven thus David mounted up in the morning chariot of devotion into heaven and oftentimes prevented the morning watch of Tithonus See more in the word AURORA TITYUS HEe was Jupiters son of Elara who being hid by Jupiter within the earth for fear of Juno at last was born not without a great gap in the earth this huge child who was therefore called the earths son afterward offering violence to Latona was killed by Apollo's arrowes and thrust down to hell where hee covers with his body nine acres of ground and his heart is still eaten up by ravens and still grows again The INTERPRETER 1. BY Tiâ—yus may be meant the corn which is by Jupiter that is by the air and the earth somented and produced this covers many acres of land and is killed by Apollo's arrows that is by the heat of the Sun is brought to maturitie and so is cut down by the mower the raven that eats up his heart which grows again is the moysture of the earth which putrifies the corn and then it growes again 2. An envious man is much like Tiâ—yus his heart is eaten up with envie and yet is still growing Invidia Siâ—uli non invenere Tyranni Tormentum majus Hee may be truely said to live in hell 3. By Tityus his ravens may be meant the tortures of an evill conscience â—ormenting men even in this life when wicked men therefore are wounded by Apollo's arrows that is by the word of God sharper then swords or arrows they begin to have hell within them and then the ravens pick and tear their hearts thus at Peters Sermon the hearts of the hearers were pricked that they cried out Men and brethren what shall wee doe 4. Although Tityus was so big that hee covered nine acres of ground yet hee is punished by which we are taught that there is neither greatnesse strength or power that can avoyd the â—and of divine justice 5. He that is in love with a woman whom he cannot obtain iâ— like Tityus he hath a Raven continually picking his heart and lives in a kind of pleasing hell or a hellish pleasure Vulnus alit venis caecocaâ—pinur igno TRIPTOLEMUS sâ—e CERES TRITON see NEPTUNUS and OCEANUS TYPHOEUS or TYPHON HE was one of the gyants the son of Titan and Terra he was about â—o shut Jupiter out of his kingdom but he was shot with his thunder and thrust under the Isle Inarimâ— oâ— as some write under hill Aetna in Sicilie The INTERPRETER 1. TYphon was brother to Osiris king of Egypt who having killed the king invaded the kingdom but was overthrown at last by Isâ—â— this man because of his cruelty was said to be nursed by a Dragon and surely bloody Tyrants are not better then the foster-children of Dragonâ— and the sons of earth and of the race of gyants and scourges or plagues sent by God to punish a people as they writâ— that Typhon was 2. By Tiphon may be meant subterraneal exhalations oâ— vapors cauâ—ing earthquakes and sometimes eruptions of fire ashes stones and pestilentiâ—l smoakes flying up high in the ayre as if they meant to pull Jupiter out of his throne theâ—e are said to be the sons of Titan and of the earth because they are bâ—got by the heat and influence of the sun in the hollow or spungâ—â— places â—f the earth 3. The Devil is the very Typhon wâ—o by his pride opposed God and was thrust downe to hell the greatnesse of Typhons body argues the greatnesse of Satans power his snâ—ky hands and serpentine feet do shew that his actions and ways are cunning and deadly the stretching out of Typhons hands from East to West and the touching of the starres with his head are to shew that his malice is every where diffused 4. The Pope is another Typhon the son of earth for he hath turned Christs heavenly kingdom into an earthly Monarchy he makes war against heaven by opposing Gods ordinances he hath stretched out his hands from East to West that is his Empire he hath with Typhon lifted up his head to heaven exalting himself above every thing that is called God his snaky hands and feet shew that his wayes and actions are full of poison and serpentine craft and if we consider his cruelty against Protestants he may be said to have had a Dragon for his Nurse he breaths nothing but fire out of his mouth to intimate his blasphemies or edicts to burne hâ—reticks he was sent as a plague to punish the world but at â—ast shall be overcome by the breath of Gods mouth as Typhon was by Jupiterâ— thunder Enceladus and Typhon never shooke or troubled Aetna and Inarime so much as he hath moved and troubled Italy and indeed the whole world but it was Juno the goddesse of wealth that produced this monster out of the earth and it was wealth that raised the Pope to that pride and greatnes by which he hath troubled the world ever since And lastly as the gods were so affrighted at the greatnesse and bignesse of Typhon when he challenged Jupiter that they sled into Egypt for fear and turned themselves into beasts even so did the kings of Europe for feare of the Popes greatnesse threatnings and excommunications hide themselves in the Egyptian darknesse of ignorance and cowardly like beasts submit their necks and crownes to his disposing CHAP. XVIII V. VENUS SHe was the daughter of Jupiter or aâ— others say she was begot of Caelus his tesâ—icles which Saturn cut off and the Sea-froth shee was the goddesse of love and beauty The INTERPRETER 1. THe Platonists make a Coelestial and a Terrestrial Venus so they make a Heavenly and an Earthly Cupid the one being nothing else but the love of Heavenly things as the other is of
courage and vigour Sine Cerere Baccho friget Venus therefore wine was offered in the sacrifices of the terrestiall or popular Venus but never in the sacrifices of the celestiall Venus for wine is an enemy rather then a friend to divine contemplation for which cause the sacrifices of Mercurie the Muses Aurora the Sun Moon Nymphus and celestiall Venus were called Nephalia that is Sober sacrifices 17. Venus Juno and Pallas strove for the golden apple which Paris assigned to Venus there hath ever been emulation between beautie riches and wisdome but too many with Paris preferre beautie and Venereall pleasure to wealth and especially to wisdome In a Prince wisdome is chiefly to be regarded for misery must fall on that State where an unwise Prince reignes though hee were as rich as Juno and as beautifull as Venus 18. Venus is married to Vulcan because there can be no generation in the world if there were not an union between the naturall heat expressed by Vulcan and the radicall moisture signified by Venus 19. There was Venus Cloacina among the Romans some will have her have her called Cluacina from clueo to fight in memory of the quarrell between the Romans and the Sabines which wâ—s happily ended in their mutuall marriages But I think rather her name was Cloacina from cloaca by which they expressed the nature of a common whore as Venus was for though such a woman were as beautifull as Venus yet shee is but Cloacina a publick sink or jakes 20. Because Pompey would not be checked by the Censors as Tertullian observes lib. de spectac for erecting such a huge Theater to luxurie and wantonnesse hee placed over it the temple of Venus that under the vail of religion hee might cover the practice of impietie and wantonnesse Thus wee see how religion is still the cloak to cover all knavery and mischief 21. Diomedesâ— souldier wounded Venus the goddesse of love I am sure by our civill warres wee have wounded Christ the true God of love VESTA SHe was the daughter of Saturn and Rhea or the mother of Saturn as others say her prieâ—â—s called Vestall virgins kept the sacred fire on her altars The INTERPRETER 1. BY Vesta they meant sometimes the earth it selfe and in this respect shee is called the mother of Saturne for shee is the mother of all the gods And sometimes they meant the fire within the bowels of the earth or that naturall heat by which all earthly creatures are generated and fomented so Vesta is the daugâ—ter of Saturne and Rhea because this fire or native heat is begot by Time in the earth and of thâ— earâ—h 2. To this goddesse a temple was erected at Rome of a round forme to shew the roundnesse of the earth on it was a round altar upon which burned continually two lamps kept and maintained by the Vestall Virgins if at any time these lamps went out the Vestall Nunnes were punished with death thus they were let down by a ladder into a deep vault with some meat and drink and a light by them that so they might not be thought to suffer a violent death but might die by degrees as their food and â—ight failed them This going out of the Vestall fire and the punishment of her virgins was alwayes held ominous and fatall to the State of Rome I am sure it is an ominous thing to our State and indeed the ruine of it is portended by the going out of the fire of love and charitie amongst us which ought to burn perpetually on the altars of our hearts 3. As on Vesta's altar burned two lamps which if they went out were not to be kindled again by any earthly fire but by the celestiall heat of the Sun even so there should burne and shine on the altars of our hearts the two lamps of love to wit the love of God and of our neighbour which being extinguished cannot be kindled againe but by the celestiall fire of Gods Spirit which descended upon the Apostles in sirie tongues 4. From Vesta the thresholds and porches of houses were called vestibula for they were consecrated to her and in them the Romans did eat and drink as wee doâ— in our parlours intimating that all their food came from the earth and therefore in all sacrifices shee was first nominated before any other gods because without the benefits and increase of the earth there could be no sacrifice and because there can be no house-keeping or families maintained without food which is the benefit and fruit of the earth they made her one yea the cheifest of their PENATES or houshold gods 5. Upon the top of Vesta's Temple stood the image of Vesta holding little Jupiter in her armes because it was said that shee fed Jupiter in his infancie it is the earth indeed that feeds us all both rich and poor princes and beggars 6. When all the other gods move abroad in their chariots onely Vesta is said to stay at home or to remaine unmoveable in Jupiters house by this they meant that of all the simple bodies the earth onely remaines unmoveable in the midst of Jupiters house that is in the air which doth encompasse her round about 7. Vesta taught men at first to build houses therefore shee was held the chiefe of the houshold-gods and it may be shee taught them to wear clothes also therefore shee is called Vesta a vestiendo or because shee is the earth shee may be so called in that the earth is clothed with grasse flowers plants and trees and indeed shee is our mother that feeds us therefore called Pales the goddesse of fodder and shee clothes us also hence shee is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And though shee be a mother yet shee is called a virgin and was served by virgins onely as shee is taken for the earth shee is the mother of all living creatures as for the fire shee is a virgin for nothing is engendered of fire and as all things are made of the earth so are they turned into the earth again therefore the Grecians used to begin and to end their sacrifices with Vesta A te principium tibi desinet ULYSSES HEe was the sonne of Laertes and Antichea the husband of Penelope and father of Telemachus a subtile eloquent and valiant Grecian who having done good service in the Trojan warres and having suffered much both by sea and land after twenty yeers absence returns again to his Penelope and killed all her suters The INTERPRETER 1. IN the person of Vlysses wee have painted out to us the actions and sufferings of a wise and good man the first wise action of his which wee read of was this that hee shâ—wâ—d his aversenâ—sse to goe to warre by counterfeiting himselfe mad when hee plowed with beasts of a diffâ—rent nature and sowed salt in stead of corn no wise man will be too hastie to undertake a war Omnia prius tentanda quam and arma ventendum 2.