People apt to admire whatsoever is strange thought some invisible Power must needs inhabit such Solemn Places their Devotion received a natural nourishment from their Eyes Of these effects their Idolatrous Guides could easily make application to what Object they pleased the Worshippers being extremely ignorant But Theander who knew how to make use of every thing had vertuously improv'd these natural advantages both for himself and his Neighbours who were willing to be relieved from the oppressive load of Secular life and knowing that they must needs lose God where they cannot find themselves would earnestly long to retire frequently to this pious Solitude where they were restored to the use of their own better Powers and tasting there the fresh delights of the Divine Presence would be unwilling to descend from this holy Mount into those lower Grounds where earthly Vapours alwayes rise and usually stifle and choke the delicate sense of the Soul When I think of Theander and I often think of him I cannot but wish to be in some such place The Noble Travellers visited this Chappel every day and spent a great part of their time here in the Grove and the Garden-house which beside the other Conveniences forementioned was accommodated with a flat Roof which being covered with Lead and incompass'd with Ballisters gave 'em leave to walk where they enjoy'd the Pleasure of two fair Prospects Upon one side they had a view of the Higher Theoprepia shewing at a good distance like a pleasant Landskip In the way to it they beheld the whole valley of Elpicale and at the further end of the Dale the fair Haven Kallolimen and the famous River Lampromela which parts the two Theoprepia's At Kallolimen an old Ferriman call'd Euthanatus by order of the Prince of Theoprepia gives constant attendance to transport all Passengers which come through Biocalon over the River Lampromela I have not yet receiv'd a perfect notice of the particulars which make up this Excellent Landskip and therefore I must crave your Pardon good Reader that I pass it by with such a short Narrative From the other side of this Roof they look'd into that part of Theriagene where stood the great City Plutocopia This was removed from Theander's seat to such a distance that it was not discernible without the help of a Prospective-glass Bentivolio perceiving it to be very large desired Theonoe to give them a Description of it and to inform them concerning the Customs of the People I shall the more willingly obey your Command answer'd Theonoe having received Intelligence concerning it from a kinsman of mine who came to visit us not long since being just then return'd from Plutocopia whither he had travell'd to acquaint himself with their manner of Life It was call'd Plutocopia by Taraxion the Son of Mataeogenes who built it It is not far distant from the Proud City Hyperenor whose insolent Example the Plutocopians do but too much imitate It is 〈◊〉 upon an Isthmus or narrow Bridge of Earth lying between two vast Seas which do continually beat upon it and every day wash away some part of the Land with their impetuous waves There is nothing very remarkable in this City but an unspeakable Industry which they bestow only to get Riches Their Coin hath no Image upon it but is only inscrib'd with two words Chrysus being stamp'd upon one side of it and Tapanta upon the other The Device is not improper because it doth significantly express the vast apprehensions which they have of Wealth They understand no other Happiness but that which they can measure as Hannibal did the Romans Rings by the Bushel They bestow upon themselves for Recreation some of the most feculent sort of Pleasures for they vouchsafe to be drunk sometimes at a gluttonous Feast A vertuous Person is reckon'd among them by the number of Servants which he keeps the Acres of Land which he possesseth or the Ships which belong to him Charity is esteem'd a capital Foolery Humility and Modesty are confined to the houses of the Poor The Inhabitants are all either unjust themselves or Oppressors Heirs Ingenuous Arts have no place amongst them They think themselves incomparably learned if they understand the Tongues of Trade and have some little skill in Courtship They never tasted any Liberty of Soul and are at last so extremely in love with their habitual Slavery that they will neither open their eyes to look upon Truth nor hearken to those which offer to shew them their Errours They take it as the greatest incivility in the world for any to attempt the change of their Opinions The truth is having bottom'd the Designes of their Life and their expectations of Felicity upon Erroneous thoughts wise Counsel would but disturb their Peace Some which have calculated their Latitude report that they are situate in a Climate which lies many degrees without the Tropick of Vertue The Youth being never acquainted with any other methods of Education but to learn how to get and keep Money do usually so improve themselves in that Art that they are able to cheat their Fathers and in a short time they do so exceed the bounds of Covetous desires which were set to them that they will frequently complain that their over-grown Parents do not die soon enough In point of Marriage they are contrary to the Genius of other Lovers for in Plutocopia no young Virgin hath so many Suitors as a rich old Woman with three Teeth Those which are beautified with a good Fortune especially if they be not likely to live long though they be really very ill-favour'd are there esteem'd more handsome then an Exquisite piece done by Titian or Van-Dyke They are very uncivil to Strangers hoping by this means that they shall be freed from the chargeable trouble of entertaining such as come from other places They are infinitely suspicious of their Neighbours and upon small occasions magnified by Jealousie and false Reports will fall upon one another after such a cruel manner that one would think a Civil War had happen'd amongst a swarm of Wasps They are perpetually Litigious and drag those to the Law whom they have injur'd It is no wonder for it is their Principle to believe that they ought to hate another for ever after they have once done him a Discourtesie They are so exceedingly ingrateful that those few and they are but few which doe good to others are so far from hoping for a thankful requital that they fear a mischief from none more then those whom they have reliev'd They are alwayes gnaw'd with Envy repining at that which they call the Happiness of others which is Great Houses Beneficial Offices Much Plate Brave Furniture Rich Coaches High Diet Gallant Clothes and Large Gardens They commonly make so much haste to be Rich that by a too-eager Prosecution of their cross Designs they hinder not only others but themselves like people in a Throng who thrusting each other forward with an indiscreet haste to get out
into Religion men will be apt to take it for an old-wivestale or a fabulous Superstition invented by brain sick men and those that are initiated into your mysteries being taught to believe any thing will as easily believe nothing and by being religious after this fashion will be effectually disposed to Atheisme for when they examine their Faith they will find that in truth they only believe for fear or professe that they do for worldly regards but that they have no reason for what they hold Ingenuous men are govern'd by the Divine light which shines in their Souls by which they know that God cannot do that which implies a Contradiction and upon the same ground they assure themselves that there was never any such Feast You affirm unreasonably that the Body of your King which is but One may be in divers places at once that it may be a thousand miles remov'd from me and yet but the distance of a hand-bredth at the same time and so you make the same distance greater and less then it self For if he be corporally present with me at his Feast and after the same manner with another at a thousand miles distance from me the same Longitude will be shorter then it self You deny not but his Body is in Heaven and you affirm it to be in a Chappel upon Earth at the same time so that if you draw a line from the same point of my Hand to the same point of the King's Body which is the same line because it is a straight line between the same terms the distance will be but a yard long and yet reach many hundreds of miles which is a plain Contradiction Your Monster hath another head also no lesse deformed then this for your Transubstantiation doth suppose one Body may penetrate another whenas all the world have confess'd it to be the nature of Bodily substance to be Impenetrable and ever since that Propriety was stamp'd upon its Essence by the Creator each Material Substance doth stoutly and irresistibly keep it self from being penetrated by another So that whilst you report that the Viands were transubstantiated into the Flesh and Bloud of your King you would make people believe that either he had no true Body when he made that Feast or at least that he hath not now You say to make the wonder the greater That the whole masse of your King's Bloud is in each drop of Wine and that every Crum of Bread is converted into the whole Body not one Crum into the head and another into the feet and so the Whole is thrust into every Part which doth necessarily infer a Penetration of Matter which can no more reasonably be affirm'd then Contradictions can possibly be reconcil'd This Contradiction is swell'd with another for whilst you allow the Convertiblenesse of one Body into another without the destruction or augmentation of each other you grant leave for an absurd Inference which is That Body may be without Space or which is all one Extension for Space is Extension Since therefore the Essential property of a Body is Extension into Longitude Latitude and Profundity your Transubstantiation and Consubstantiation are confounded with this absurdity That a Body may be without Space and that Extension may be not extended Therefore Gentlemen since our Master's Body is in Heaven and that he hath told us he will not return to Earth till he come to restore this miserable world and hath appointed us to commemorate the love of his death by the renewall of his holy Feast where each dish is a Symbol of better things then any fleshly eye can see let us receive the benefits of his Divine presence by an humble Faith without this quarrelsome dispute for the bold determination of the manner of his being there So shall we who are now divided by that which was appointed to unite us become again a holy Synaxis and in stead of offering a ridiculous sacrifice we shall celebrate an acceptable Eucharist When Erotidius had sate down Lucanius rose up with an intention to speak further concerning Erotidius his Arguments but Therulus netled with the former discourse prevented him saying Hold thy tongue Vain Man thou wilt consent to his silly talk dost thou not see him so ignorant of the Nature of Faith that he will not believe Contradictions After those words he went out of the Room saying I will talk no more with such Asses Bellarmo took the opportunity to wave an answer with pretence of great wrath and went away to the chief Governor of Exosemnon to give him an account of what had pass'd How he reported the discourse I know not but in recompence of his ill-bestow'd Zeal in such a pitiful cause he received a Red Hat As soon as they were gone Erotidius guessing Lucanius to be inwardly vex'd as far as outward Looks are significations of the Mind ask'd him the reason of those immorall passions which had been entertain'd that day by such as boast themselves to be Christians and look down from the high battlements of Spirituality as they call it upon the Holinesse of Morality as a poor low thing pretending in their own more rais'd spirit transcendently to contain whatsoever is good in it as the Reasonable Soul doth the Sensitive Faculties adding withall that such irregular expressions would not be kept secret but be improv'd to the greatest disgrace whilst they were divulg'd by such adversaries as they had who were not so heedlesse as not to make use of such fair pretences of accusation To this Lucanius answer'd not without a fretful peevishnesse that he understood no great reason for such carriage only he knew that by a just though most dismal Judgment they were predestinated to these distempers so rising up with that cholerick haste that he overturn'd his Chair he went away Erotidius sitting still in a posture of extreme grief pull'd his hat over his eyes and wept heartily whilst the teares ran down both his cheeks so fast as if each tear had been pursued by his fellow and that one eye vied drops with the other Urania taking notice of his passion came near and demanded the reason of his sorrow Alas Madam said Erotidius I would gladly with these waters quench the unchristian heates which you saw just now kindled and to these teares I would willingly adde my Bloud if by that I could wash away the guilt of these foul distempers Come Erotidius said Urania grieve no more you have done your best be patient till they repent of their follies Come along with me and I will carry you where you shall hear other matters discours'd after another manner Now she intended to conduct him with her Company to Theoprepia into the sweet vales of Sophrosyne where divers Virtuoso's did daily meet and with most excellent Understanding discourse upon the most profitable things knowable As they were leaving the Room a company of illiterate fellowes but more fierce then the former would needs renew the Disputation and
They were both the more contented because Bentivolio assured them that if occasion offer'd it self they should hear from him and if any thing happen'd which was worthy of their presence or needed their Assistance he would send for them He took Nicomachus also with him to the end that if he could not return so soon as he expected he might make use of him to let Panaretus and Urania understand the state of his Affairs The night after they took their leave they came into the Borders of Theriagene The next morning having travelled so long that the Sun had almost finish'd half his dayes work they withdrew from the Road into a Wood intending to repose themselves a while in the cool shade and following a path which led into the Thicket whilst they sought a place fit for their Retirement a broad open Field discovered it self and presented a sight which they expected not in that place They saw two men lying dead upon the ground and a Gentleman endeavouring to catch his Horse What this meant they could not divine but perceived the Gentleman something startled at their approach Not knowing their faces and doubting that they came not to his Relief in a place where he had found mischief design'd against him he stood upon his Guard supposing that they attended to perfect what was unsuccessfully begun Bentivolio and his Companions knowing that it was Prudence not to determine concerning any thing till they well understood it much less to think of inflicting Punishment when they were not sure any Wrong was done and remembring that it is a duty never unseasonable to be 〈◊〉 they catch'd the Horse and delivered him to the 〈◊〉 who though he perceiv'd a Doubtfulness in their Countenances yet finding their Actions civil and judging by their Garb that they were Strangers he began to hope that some other business brought them to that place and that they had not any purpose to assist his 〈◊〉 and thereupon with more confidence he began to speak to them allowing them the Liberty of Silence which at that time was a Courtesie for they knew not very well what to say Gentlemen said he I know nothing of you but that I am beholden to you and though possibly I may have given you some occasion to think dishonourably of me since you find me incompass'd with such dubious Circumstances yet if you have heard of the Tragical state of Theriagene you will the less wonder at this encounter and if you will have the goodness to understand this little Scene which was just now acted you will be so far from loading my Misfortunes which are already heavy enough with your severe Censure that you will rather support me who am forc'd to bear them with your charitable 〈◊〉 Bentivolio replied It becomes us to think well of all men till we know we have cause not to doe so we are Strangers in this Country but we have heard so much of your perplex'd estate that it hath rais'd a great Compassion in our souls That which hath been told us is so extraordinary that we have taken a Journey both to assure our selves concerning the verity of the Report and to understand what hath happen'd since our first Intelligence Particularly we have with a sincere Good will design'd the Rescue of two Noble persons Philalethes and Misopseudes of which we make no great doubt if God be propitious to our endeavours The unknown Gentleman observing eminent Marks of Vertue in Bentivolio's Countenance and being greatly taken with the Nobleness which he had express'd pull'd off his Helmet and said Generous Strangers I am Philalethes the Brother of Misopseudes whom you have so civilly mention'd I am confin'd to my House which is not far off by the Usurper Antitheus I hope you will honour me so much as to go home with me though when you come there I shall be forc'd to crave your pardon if my present Condition will not allow you that Welcome in this Country which persons of your Worth do deserve every where Whilst he said these words he took notice of such Airs in Amyntor's face as he had formerly well known and added If my eyes and Memory do not fail of their duty you are Amyntor Which he acknowledging Philalethes embrac'd him with a passionate kindness and mingling his salutation with tears said Amyntor we did not use to meet after this manner at my Brother's house but since you have heard of our Afflictions you cannot wonder at what you see No no Philalethes replied Amyntor I am not ignorant of your Affairs and though I did not expect this strange encounter yet I esteem my self happy to have met so soon my friend's Brother whom I shall never cease to love in despight of the greatest Misfortunes which often befall but never lessen the Best men But that you may know dear Philalethes how happy we are in our Misery I say ours for my friend 's is my own know that we have in our Company Bentivolio whom I can commend unto you by no better words then by saying it is He. Philalethes struck with a glad horrour express'd the sense of his Mind with all symptoms of a pleasant Extasie in these words Good God! How short are those measures by which we limit thy Power and Goodness we represent nothing so lively to our selves as Afflictions and when we have some small occasion to doubt make it a reason of Despair forgetting that extreme Misery is the only thing which makes thy help seasonable O Lord for whom shall I give thanks to thee first for the poor Prince Alethion or my self I will doe it for both For my self because thou hast given me leave to see a Person whose Vertues all the world doth justly admire but chiefly for the Prince because now I make no doubt of his Restauration since God hath sent such a worthy Person to undertake it Bentivolio astonish'd to hear Philalethes talk of the Prince's Restauration said turning to Amyntor Sure this Gentleman thinks that I am able to raise him from the dead No Bentivolio replied Philalethes there is no need of that for God be thanked the Prince is yet alive I meant what I said only of his Kingdom Sure then said Amyntor God hath sent us hither to amuse us but since we are only intangled in the Labyrinths of Divine Providence I doubt not but he which hath brought us in will lead us out by some happy clue In the mean while Philalethes pray give us leave to rest our selves under this Oak for we are weary with Travel and you will doe us a great favour if you let us know what made you come hither who those are whom we suppose you have kill'd and what is become of the Prince Alethion You shall quickly understand these things answer'd Philalethes who having saluted Nicomachus sate down by Bentivolio Those fellows were Brothers to a Villain nam'd Panurgus who pretended to have taken up a forg'd Letter for which the Prince was
divisions interchecker'd like great beds of Flowers and fresh Grasse-plots in a large Garden The Corn-sields look'd as if the Rootes which were hid in them complain'd that by mistake of their own strength through a great desire to be fruitful they had sent forth more stalks then they could well support and the overladen Eares encreas'd the oppression The sweet Grasse grew up so thick in the Meadowes that it seem'd to be streightned for want of room and yet crowded closer to make way for those fragrant Flowers of all sorts which grew up with it and these mingling their various colours as they best fitted the severall greens which they found there made a show like a rich Carpet where Grasse was the Ground rarely made up with beautiful Embroderies of Flower-work A little remov'd he saw brave Pastures which though they were oppress'd with the feet and mouthes of daily guests that liv'd upon them yet the inexhaustible soyle sent forth Grasse and upheld its growth both in thickness and height in spite of their Teeth The humble Rivers in the lowest places they could sind crept amongst these in such proportionable windings and careful distances as if they design'd to carry their streams about with that Universal respect to the ground that they would leave no place unwater'd and then they slid away with such gentle slowness as show'd that they either doubted whether they had perform'd their duty or if they had yet were loath to leave those pleasant banks but being driven forward by such streams as came to supply their places they murmur'd along to murmur'd the unwillingness of their departure Toward the rising of the Hills upon that side which is beloved of the Sun he saw most noble Houses whose several forms though something different from each other did all bear a well-agreeing Witness of greatest Art in the rare polishing and Excellent conjunctions of the best materials of Edisice Those sides which are visited with colder winds were no less defended then adorn'd with well-grown Woods which had stood there beyond the memory of man and amongst those the glory of that Countries Plants Old Oakes lift up their stately heads supported with strong bodies so invelopp'd with thick branches that each Oak was more like a whole Wood then one single Tree Under this guard in places fit for them stood all other Trees famous for bearing of Fruit in such orderly rowes that if you look'd upon them in right lines or transverse you should not see one of them out of his Rank In Summer these had most pleasant emulations for whilst each Branch vied with its neighbour for numbers the Fruits themselves showing a full growth and adding also beautiful colours endeavour'd with a lovely sight to anticipate the sweetness of relish but by so doing made the Taste more acceptable it being an addition of pleasure when that which delights looks handsomly So the Vertues of accomplish'd Souls are more graceful when they shine through Comely Bodies The inferior Trees which had not the Glory of Fruits spread their leafy boughs to contrive cool shades and made themselves safe cages for Musical Birds whose daily work was to sing for joy that even so they should contribute something to the happiness of such a Blessed 〈◊〉 Amongst these varieties he saw Fair Towns and little Villages scatter'd up and down but in such convenient distances that they seem'd like Bee-hives of divers sorts orderly plac'd in several Gardens and he could not but take notice how the numerous Inhabitants went out and in like swarms of busie Bees It gave him great delight to observe how through the middle of each Town or not far from it the streams which had been driven from the fields came down in silver Brookes but much more when he was told afterward that they brought along with them great plenty of excellent Fishes which the people needed not to trouble themselves to catch for they desiring to take themselves prisoners swam voluntarily every day into their Nets and Weels or if they did but throw a Hook into the water they would hang themselves upon it and give them notice that they might draw them out His eyes being glutted with the Luxuriant Pleasantness of the Valley he turn'd them toward the Ground which by its situation is lifted up somewhat higher and so more moderately moist and there new Sights encountred him namely such numerous multitudes of well-fleec'd Sheep upon large Walks that made it a question whether the Grounds were over-grown with Sheep or the Sheep with Wooll which what it wanted of the colour of the Golden Fleece it did more then compensate with Softness Near to these he pleas'd himself to behold the large Parks wherein goodly herds of comely Deer rang'd up and down whilst the little Fawnes tripp'd after them But as by the long hearing of Excellent Musick the powers of attention are tired the Body having joyn'd with the Soul in the freeyielding of its self to the melodious Sympathy of grateful Notes the wearied Spirits gather'd together with a soft sweetness repose themselves in their cels by a silent slumber just as the troubled Bees are woo'd to cluster themselves upon the Branch of a Tree by the to-them-acceptable noise of Basins So it was with Bentivolio For being ravish'd with so many pleasing Sights which he had attentively considered his Eyes enfeebled with seeing began to shut themselves and gave him leave to fall into a gentle slumber Out of which he was soon awaken'd and entred into a serious Meditation of the Design of such an extraordinary Work not doubting but so much costly care was bestowed for a most considerable purpose After many thoughts he resolv'd that Liberal Nature having so accomplish'd each part that none could say which was best intended in the Constitution of the vvhole to bestow such an unparallel'd Plenty upon the Country as to put it beyond all necessity of beholdingness to Forreigners and vvithall took care that no Inhabitant should be in danger of Want at Home without a sordid disingenuity of the Natives Bentivolio upon this Consideration enamour'd with the Divine Benignity fell down upon his knees and said Blessed be thou Most Bountifull Creator the severall Kingdomes of the World are thy little Families and thou comprehendest in thy Fatherly care all things which thou hast made I thank thee for that fair Portion of Earthly Blessings which thou hast bestowed upon this Island Grant them also of thy Grace such Wisdome and Charity that none may so 〈◊〉 engrosse thy Gifts as to make those Poore for whom thou hast provided enough and so instead of giving thee due praises for their own Fullnesse make themselves guilty of the Unthankfull murmurings of others occasion'd by want After this he began to think how the people bestowed this abundance and concluded that since it did in so great a measure exceed their necessities a great part of it must needs perish for lack of use and turning towards the South
in what form soever she should expresse her impure soul interrupted her thus No devilish Woman who hast married shamelesse Lust and barbarous Cruelty in a crafty Soul do not think that I will be thy Executioner The ground will not receive thy filthy Bloud though it were not dishonorable for me to kill a Woman and Death is too easie a punishment for thee I abandon thee to be tormented alive with thy own wicked Conscience when the time shall come that Death must transmit thee to other Tormenters being weary of thy intolerable self I doubt not but thou wilt cut off thy own loathed life So returning to seek the way out of this cursed place he was much assisted by a sudden bright shining of the clear Sun which but a little before was over-clouded and having found the former path he utterly gave over all thoughts of going any further at present having too much newes already to report to Urania of his dangerous Journey The consideration of these unhappy Prognosticks made her demurre a little concerning their progresse Where Danger is manifest it is the greatest folly in the World to rush upon it And where the consequence of being worsted is most extremely important it is good to examine ones strength It is no piece of Valour to court Tentations Sometimes they began to bethink themselves of the grounds of their journey and though they sound them correspondent to true Wisdom yet they doubted whether their way lay through Piacenza then casting in their minds what Hazards they should run of being overcome where invitations were so potent and what Outrages they might suffer where the resistance would be violent they began to take counsel how to avoid this Country and go some other way to Vanasembla especially when they 〈◊〉 how many had miscarried in this unfortunate Country But being gone so far that they knew not well how to turn out of the way being 〈◊〉 on one side with a high Rock call'd Hylotes and on the other side with a deep River 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and knowing the way was passable though it 〈◊〉 care 〈◊〉 been us'd to dangers with good 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 upon the purity of their Intentions their spotless Innocence and fix'd Resolutions trusting in the assistance of the God of pure Love unto whom they had devoted their Souls after hearty prayers for his happy guidance they resolv'd to venture forward So leaving the beaten Rode they came to a place where steep Rocks dark Shades and perfect Silence struck them with a sacred horror As they wandred up and down to please themselves with the simplicity of that neglected place near to a silver Brook which crept along by the feet of the Rocks they spied a little Cottage where one Pancratus had retired to make his solitary dwelling and to enjoy the freedom of that peaceful life which is not to be found in tumultuous Townes He was at first something in doubt of the meaning of this unexpected Visit because he thought himself discover'd in the secure privacy of his lonesomenesse by some of Piacenza who hated him and his way of life Whilst they stood as much wondring at the sober countenance of a poor man and the chearful lookes of one that seem'd very meanly accommodated he demanded of them the reason of their accesse into that Solitude to which no common Path gave them direction or what they could expect in a place which all others shunn'd because it seem'd utterly barren of Delight Urania made answer We came not hither Father either because we lost our way or that we desire our presence should give you any Interruption We have never met with any great satisfaction in common paths nor are altogether unacquainted with those Contentments that are most easily had where the Multitude doth least think We know that the pleasures of Retirement are cover'd with the rough surface of Austerity and outward appearances of sad Melancholy from such as have chosen Sensuality for their portion but the Joyes which are conceal'd under those unlikely appearances are easily found out by the Lovers of God for whom they are reserv'd and who know that they are the Substance of that Felicity of which all other things which the easie part of the world admire are scarce a Shadow Pancratus hearing them speak after that fashion was no otherwise affected with their words then a Musical care is with some select Harmony and perceiving they had another presence then the vain slightnesse of Piacenza doth produce he had as great a desire to entertain discourse with them as they had to understand how he pass'd his time in that silent desart He invited them into his Cell which was homely but clean and besides one Room which serv'd him for all ordinary occasions of life he had another where he perform'd his Religious Affaires He gave them Bread Herbs and Water a great repast to such who never cared for Dainties and were at present very hungry and thirsty Having learn'd of them their purpose at their request he told them where they were the conditions of the People amongst whom they were to travaile and said if they would not despise the humble Counsel of a poor man he would direct them to escape some dangers which they must expect and with a Modest but Erect Countenance he began after this manner This Country is call'd Piacenza and most justly for the Inhabitants count Pleasure the chief Good They make account that the Body is much better then the Soul whose Seat they esteem to be the Belly having no great sense or regard of any of its operations but what they perceive there they suppose it was put into the Body only to keep it sweet and to make it capable of enjoying Pleasure for which they would not think it beholden to the Soul neither but that they judge the dead deprived of Joy They acknowledge no other definition of the Soul but a springhtly Temper of Body They judge that there are but two chief Affections in the Soul which they call Joy and Grief and that the first is Vertue and the second Vice They believe all things which have Joy Love and Delight in them and where the Objects are sensuall to be Good and that whatsoever hath Care Fear or Labour in it is Naught and that it was made by the Devill if there be any of which sometimes they will expresse themselves very doubtfully They affirm considently that all Pleasant things were made only to allure us and that we ought not to think any thing Unlawfull which pleaseth us They assert the Soul to be Mortall which they do with the more earnestnesse because they would have it so and deny that there is any happy state to come after this life because they know they shall have no share in it They are so immers'd in Flesh that they understand not what they should do out of the Body and therefore deny that there are any Spirits It is a receiv'd opinion with them
to requite so great love though the effect of his desire would not come to passe till after his death Having written a certain Symbol that is One of those Sentences which was part of the mystical Doctrine of Pythagoras he sent the Table to his 〈◊〉 praying him to hang it up on that side of his house which was next to the High way and to observe if any that went by took notice of it assuring him that if any should chance to read it which understood the writing he would not only repay his cost but also reward the great care which he had taken of a Stranger As soon as he had said these words he died The Host buried him and though he expected no return of his Expences yet omitted nothing that belong'd to a decent Funerall He had so little trust in the Table that if he had not been mov'd with the last words of a dying man he would not have hung it forth A good while after he had plac'd it according to his directions a Pythagorean travailing through that Town espyed the Table hanging upon the wall and having espyed one of their Symbols upon it he went into the House to know who had put it there and having understood in what manner the charitable Host had used his poor Guest he requited him not only with many thanks and great praises of his Vertue but with much more money then he had disburs'd leaving not only the Host but all the Neighbourhood wondring at such a rare instance of extraordinary Friendship and concluding that it was an excellent doctrine which made the mutual love of those which profess'd it to be so great Apiston having ended his Story though he could perceive no visible signe of wearinesse in Urania or Panaretus which indeed was put off with that true delight which they found in many pleasant Conferences yet remembring their Journey and to declare his Civility he perswaded them to retire to their rest which the night also being far spent made very seasonable and welcome to them all THE THIRD BOOK OR VANASEMBLA WHen the gray ey'd Morn with her rosie fingers had drawn the Curtaines of the East and the glimmering light began to peep upon the World Urania and Panaretus now weary of their rest left their beds being loath to sleep away a minute of that day by whose light they hoped to see the much-desired Bentivolio Had they known his present Condition their sleep would have been shorter and much more disturb'd but measuring the Truth of their Hopes by the Extent of their Wishes they supposed him well with whom they knew it could not be ill if Equity had the disposal of things in the place where he was So Lovers please themselves in sympathies with their own desires and take no small delight in prophesying all Happiness to such as they do entirely affect Apiston's thoughtful Soul had call'd him up a good while before for being used to the pleasant entertainment of wakeful Meditations he was content with a smaller portion of Sleep then those allot to themselves who have no better use of dark time and know no other Day but what is made by visible Light To begin the day with him who is the Beginning and End of all our lives he took a Theorbo and sung this holy Song to it with a good Tenor Voice Good God! how dull a thing am I to make Nights of this tedious Length when such awake Who need more sleep then I and rise by Night Whose work will scarce pay for their Candle-light Is Death so lovely grown that I should court His drowsie Image in this sleepy sort What pleasure is 't for half my time to be In cloudy Mists lost to my self and Thee The chearful Birds with early Notes begun To sing their Mattens to the rising Sun And all the Flowers lift up their nodding heads And spread their leaves upon their fragrant beds And deck themselves with all their pride to give Welcome to those bright Fires which make them live But I lie still detain'd in sluggish Dreams Though thou art up and with thy active Beams Upbraid'st my Sloth Nay thou dost never set But upon Sinners and such as forget Why they have Eyes Great Sun thy out-spread Ray Chasing the Shades doth make a constant Day And with its Vigour all dark powers Controules And shines at Midnight upon watchfull Soules Lord since thy lustres by this Earthen Ball Are intercepted and 〈◊〉 a wall Of Mud shut up and those grosse Fumes that rise From this foul Dungeon cloud my feeble Eyes Teare this thick Curtain and restore my sight Transport me to the Regions of Light Where nothing comes from whence a Cloud may grow VVhere Blessed Visions Light and Eyes bestow VVhere Holy Souls Eternall VVatches keep Advanc'd above Earth Sin dark Night and Sleep Apiston had just finish'd his Song when his servant knock'd at his dore to acquaint him that Urania and Panaretus desired his company below After he was come down and had given them the usual salutations of the Morning they declared to him their willingness to perfect their journey He readily answer'd their desires both with the civility of a speedy dismission and also accompanied them on the way till they came to a Hill from whence they had a full View of Vanasembla The Sun having now attain'd that Height which makes Noon the heat made them willing to rest awhile under the covert of some Trees that grew near the foot of the Hill they being also pretty well wearied with their Travaile through barren Grounds which for the most part were overrun with a shrubby sort of low Briers fill'd with such sharp and tenacious Prickles that if they chanc'd at any time to step out of the beaten Path they could never get clear off them without most hurtfull scratches As they took notice of the Prospect Urania spied on each side of them divers Ruines which by their greatnesse signified the Magnitude of those Edifices which lay buried under them and thereupon demanded of Apiston what they were They are the Remaines quoth he of as goodly Fabricks as ever the Earth supported but their Usefulnesse far exceeded their Magnificence built by the incomparable Twins Theophilus and Philanthropus Two so loved by the people in former times that they call'd them the Sun and Moon whom they resembled in glorious Splendour and benigne Influences They having with no less Discretion then hearty Zeal devoted themselves to God and knowing no such way to improve their worldly estate as by employing it to further such Designs as God doth most delight in they built and endowed these Houses partly to relieve the poor judging themselves their Stewards and making account that by the receipt of Riches they were put to the tryal of their Charity and Humility partly to entertain men of Excellent minds to this end that there they might have an opportunity to improve Knowledge the glory of Humanity and to preserve it by
head which was so far effectual as to astonish him for a while but withall broke his sword and as Diaporon recovering himself was aiming a thrust which would have ended the controversie if it had been prosecuted the Prince hoping by Trisanor to understand the Affairs of Polistherion commanded him to hold his hand whereupon Diaporon riding close up to him 〈◊〉 him out of his saddle which being perceiv'd by the rest who were four they fled taking the way which leads to Misopseudes house This Storm being thus blown over the Prince gave the Charriot to be driven by the Messenger whose Life he had spar'd who had seiz'd upon the Horses which perceiving themselves destitute of a Guide began to run wildly up and down the Field They had advanc'd but a little way in their intended Journey but they were forc'd to return again to their postures of Defence and put themselves in order for a new encounter perceiving six arm'd Horsemen to make all possible haste towards them whom they suppos'd to come to secure the Captivity of Misopseudes They were only some of Misopseudes his kinsmen whom his Lady had procur'd to endeavour the Redemption of her Husband and as they were going to Charge each other both found themselves happily mistaken Misopseudes led the Party and though they were his friends they also suppos'd that they saw him but being much distracted between Wonder and Joy could neither tell what to say or doe till Misopseudes imagining what doubts possessed their Minds resolv'd them by crying aloud Alight alight my true friends your love to me is infinitely 〈◊〉 you doe not receive me but our Prince These words were such an Addition to the former unexpected Happiness that they began to think that they were asleep and therefore put these strange things together in a Dream which could never be enjoy'd waking However having the use of their Eyes and the Prince doing them the Favour to pull off his Vizard they threw themselves from their Horses and ran to perform their Homage The Prince gave them his hand to kiss but not without Tears for he could not conceal the sentiments which he found in his Soul of those Affections which his Friends had for him in his extreme Adversity Amongst all these clashes of various occurrences one thing fell out happily for Misopseudes his friends kill'd all Trisanor's Souldiers that fled except one whom they took prisoner by which means the Prince had a more safe opportunity to escape out of the Power of their Enemies The Prince having now a little more leisure was willing as he rode along to acquaint Misopseudes and his Companions with the manner of his escape from the Castle of Dogmapornes and was going to express to them the Obligations which he had from Apronaeus and Diaporon but the deep Impressions of dutiful Love which were fix'd in his Soul for the King his Father made him first call for Trisanor by whom he hoped to be inform'd concerning the state of his Father the Court and Kingdom Trisanor was now grown so near unto Death with loss of Bloud by reason of many wounds that he could scarce speak and only said with a low voice Anaxagathus is dead and Antitheus is proclaim'd King This News as an unexpected Allay took off the lushious Relish of their late good Fortune Though they did not fully believe what Trisanor reported yet they had but too many reasons to cause them to believe the truth of that which he said besides this that Bad news is seldom false The Prince's Faith was stronger in this point then that of his Companions and his passion prevail'd so proportionally that he was forc'd to give it leave to exhale it self in this exclamation How unserene are all the Joyes which we possesse upon Earth Certainly mortal men are uncapable of pure pleasures How is every grain of Contentment which we are allow'd in this World blended with a much greater quantity of Sorrow There is no time so proper for us to expect Affliction as that wherein we think our selves most secur'd against it We have no confirm'd Peace but only a short Truce made with Adversity and that never well kept for our escape from one mischief is but a short delay that another makes which is design'd to overtake us But to what purpose do I speak after this manner we must not refuse what God presents and since we are yet uncertain what his pleasure is let us placidly await it Misopseudes perceiving that the Prince had ended his Discourse continued a Reflexion upon their present estate after this manner The afflictive sense which I have of the Condition of Theriagene cannot equal Yours most Excellent Prince my presumption is not so bold as to come near such a great Comparison but it gives precedence to none else for as my Obligations urge it as the highest Duty which is now possible so that knowledge which I have of the effects which must needs ensue upon this strange conjunction of unlucky Accidents doth awaken whatsoever I possesse of pious Affection But as I am fortified against what may happen with that magnanimity by which your self most concern'd in these Dangers makes your Courage exemplary so I find all reason to hope when I consider the strength of those Principles upon which your Felicity was alwayes founded Who hath not observ'd that in Extraordinary Cases the Design of Providence is laid so intricately that we may have just occasion to wonder but none to doubt It is to me a sufficient Argument that an Almighty Knowledge attends the Concernments of Good men because though they are frequently permitted to come near those Pits which their Adversaries have prepar'd for them yet they seldom fall into them There are two States in the World Good and Bad and when that which is worse hath cunningly contriv'd the destruction of Vertuous persons whose multiplication is the Welfare of the World and is assisted in this most unworthy Attempt by vast numbers of those who are sworn Vassals to Wickedness it is a great Testimony of the over-ruling Power of Supreme Goodness that it is able to make their Designs abortive when the distance is but small between the Contrivance and the Execution We thought most Dear Prince that your Life and your Friends Interest in Theriagene must needs be blown up when a Train was so privately laid against it and so many hands ready to give Fire to it but by our mistake we gain this Assurance That when good men are not successful it is not because God is defective in his Care or wants Ability to assist them or when the Designs which are made against them take effect in part it is not because he could not have frustrated them totally but because he gives ground for a time as prudent Commanders make their men retreat with a seeming Flight that they may make way for the employment of their Ambush and then by a more complete overthrow destroy the vain hopes of
too lively an Image of one that hath been affrighted so by my discourse you will understand the reason of my wan looks Through Iron Bars which denied all other entrance but of mine Eyes I beheld such Objects as I never desire to see again Men and Women whose Flesh was so wasted and their Skin so discoloured that their Bodies seem'd to be only dry Bones inclos'd in black Sackcloth Their Eyes were sunk into their Heads and stared wildly their Faces were pale like those which are macerated with want of Meat some with their Teeth tore from their Arms those small parcels of Flesh which were yet remaining upon them and they perform'd this after such a desperate manner that it was manifest they endeavour'd rather to express a Rage then to satisfie Hunger Some lay upon the Dirty ground tied back to back others were chain'd to Posts with heavy Fetters some were stretched upon painful Racks and others laid upon hot Gridirons Some made me Weep to hear their Sighs All forc'd me to Sigh to see their Tears I turn'd my Eye no where but I saw fresh occasions to excite an unspeakable Compassion Some ran up and down distracted and talk'd of Honour Some struck their Heads against the sides of the Rock and curs'd their Riches Some had Books of Accompts recited and deliver'd to them which they threw away with a thousand Expressions of Despair and Wrath. Some sate upon the ground with their Arms a-cross and seem'd to be infinitely amaz'd when they were told what pains they had taken to bring themselves to this Misery and others who were near them tore wider the Wounds which bled already by reproching them as Causes of their Unhappiness too In other places I saw some hang down their Heads and Curse their mad Obstinacy and after a howling manner say What could nothing but Hell make us believe that there is a God Are these intolerable pains the price of our Sins Lord at how dear a rate have we bought a little pleasure Did those who yet see the Light of the Sun but know to what a filthy Dungeon we are confin'd they would no longer live in a Voluptuous carelesness trifling away their Time as we did nor think any thing too great to doe or too hard to suffer to secure themselves from falling into this Infernal Pit where old Mother Night Original Darkness Darkness that may be felt dwells Sure it was out of this Magazine of cursed Shades that the Afflicting Angel borrow'd that Pitchy Mist which blinded and 〈◊〉 the Egyptians and here in this Store-house of Plagues he repos'd it again to our Unspeakable Torment Is there no Hope for the Damned Did those who dispute so eagerly concerning the Duration of our Miseries feel what we suffer they would think every Day a Year a Year an Age an Age Eternity O Annihilation how desirable art thou to such as are oppress'd with a Being unsufferably tormented We have heard some say That they had rather be any thing then Nothing A short stay in this place would make them change their Opinion Would to God we had never been or could yet cease to be But we wish Impossibilities being condemn'd to live an Immortal Death I will trouble you no further said the good Old man with a Repetition of calamitous Words only before you return I will shew you the outermost Passage which led towards that Mournful place It is barr'd up as I told you upon the In-side with the Ruines of a Rock Whilst they were viewing the out-side of it Alethion spied an Inscription over the Door and causing his Attendants to advance their Lights he read these following Verses This is the Prison of Apostate Souls Within this Iron Grate Vengeance controuls The Pride of Rebels fetter'd in such Chains As Justice makes by linking Sins to Pains Accompts are justed Here Bold Debtours Now Are forc'd to pay and say 'T is what they owe. Here God's at last acknowledg'd and Men see That Sin is something Hell a Verity Here late Repentance dwells Here Hopeless Spirits Hate their own Being loaden with their Merits Where a tormenting Darkness clearly shews What God will doe when Patience Fury grows Alethion and his Companions having entertain'd themselves awhile with the Contemplation of this strange House built by Nature under ground return'd to the Lightsome Air and designing nothing now but to see Theoprepia he made such a good progress in his Journey that about the time when the Sun went down he came to Xenodochium the chief City of Philadelphia The Governour having understood that some were come to Town who by their garb and deportment appear'd to be no ordinary Persons sent two Gentlemen according to their Custom to offer what Accommodation could be had in Xenodochium Alethion's present condition forc'd him to stand in need of their Courtesie and the Nobleness of his Soul taught him to accept it with such an excellent Grace that they found themselves requited where they endeavour'd to oblige They brought him and his Company to the 〈◊〉 House who though he had been us'd to Conversation with generous Persons was something surpriz'd with the Presence of these Guests especially of Alethion but having quickly setled himself he made the Reasons of his Wonder Motives to a more exact observation of such Rules as the present Accident made necessary to be practis'd He brought the Prince into Lodgings which were nobly furnished and presented all supplies after so handsome a fashion that Alethion could not but judge the Philadelphians the most civil people in the World And when he perceived by the excellent discourse of those Gentlemen who attended him from how great a knowledge their Courtesie did proceed he had no way to relieve his admiration but by supposing that the Philadelphians were priviledged with an extraordinary temper of Soul and by calling to mind that they were governed according to most excellent Rules by the best of Princes Which made him think to what a rais'd height of Goodness brave Kings may elevate their Subjects by making themselves great Examples And how severe a Sentence they may justly expect from God when he shall call them to account for teaching their people to degenerate into a low nature by their own ignoble Actions And he was apt to determine in his thoughts That the chief hope of the emendation of humane nature which all good men pray for doth much depend upon God's bestowing vast measures of a divine spirit upon Princes Though Alethion had given order to his Servants to conceal his name and to allow no other notice of his quality or companions but that they were strangers who travelling to see the World desired before their return home to visit Theoprepia yet his attempt to conceal himself proved ineffectual For the glory of great Souls not capable of being hid behind the thin veil of this flesh breaks through their bodies with illustrious Rayes and commands Honour suitable to their Worth Thus the Philadelphians
he was met by one of Anaxanacton's Servants who as Simmagus was riding in the Air to the amazement of many beholders melted his waxen Chariot by pronouncing his Master's name made him fall down and break his neck upon the ground His Son Moralazon not deterr'd with his dreadful Fate follow'd his Father's Example and having heard that in former times when God sent great Prophets and holy Apostles to make known his Divine Pleasure to the World he bestow'd upon them a power to speak and doe things Extraordinary by which men being assured that they came from God gave them an honourable Reception due to such Messengers Moralazon being of an arrogant disposition did earnestly desire to make the World believe that he himself was a Prophet but of an higher Rank then any who were sent before him He thought himself not unprovided of rare News to deliver having fansied some strange Opinions of which he was so passionately enamoured that he perswaded himself that it did more concern the World to know them then any Doctrine which they had formerly receiv'd He fail'd of his Expectation for he died a little after he had begun his Work But his Son Hieromimus being well acquainted with his Father's intentions and pretending that he inherited his Prophetical Spirit resolv'd to carry on the Design and remembring for he had been told that true Prophets by conversation with Angels or by reason of the glory of Divine Illapses did many times suffer strange Ecstasies he thought with himself how he might counterfeit this Sacred Passion and made use of divers Arts to super-induce upon himself and others an Enthusiastical Fury and being well instructed in his Father's Opinions divulg'd or as he said brought from Heaven a new way of going thither and boasted that he was sent to reform the World by a new Discipline He talk'd often of a mystical Divinity and promis'd to spiritualize all former Knowledge though indeed he did only subvert true Reason with wild Fancies and allegorize venerable Histories into a sublime Nothing Before he began to put his foolish thoughts into practice he perceiv'd that it was very hard to carry on such a new business with a sufficient plausibleness without the assistance of some cunning Associates and having consider'd which of his Acquaintance were fittest to be trusted with this great Secret he observ'd that Davigeor Jackleid and Jamnail were complexion'd much like himself and so of a humour which would easily be taken with his Proposals He told them that it was reveal'd to him by the Angel Hithladeus that he should be the King of the new Jerusalem and that he had shewed him by a new Exposition of the old Prophecies that though they were fulfill'd literally in Anaxanacton yet they were to receive a Mystical Completion in him and that he was design'd by God to chuse Princes to rule under him in all Nations and to send Prophets to convert the whole World to his Obedience These Proselytes hoping for no mean Offices in his Utopian Kingdom gave him infinite thanks for communicating to them so sublime an Affair and with all humble willingness offered their utmost service to one whom God had design'd to such high Honour Though this piece of his Plot succeeded according to his desire yet Hieromimus thought that he wanted still more help and therefore made choice of three other Assistants Loxias who had a great faculty of speaking what neither he nor any else did understand whom he appointed to amuse his Hearers with rais'd Nonsense Phlegon who was very useful for his hot zele and Pandacryon who could weep when he pleas'd With some small rewards and great promises he engag'd also in his service Astriatrus and Taumaturgus they were fit for his purpose both of them professing Chiromancy and Physiognomy Astriatrus pretending also that he could make Horoscopes and knew how to divine by the Stars Hieromimus contented himself with these having chang'd the resolution which he once took up for he intended a while in imitation of the number of Anaxanacton's Apostles to make his Followers Twelve only he added to them two She-Secretaries Pannychis and Quintilla not indiscreetly for one of them being Epileptical and the other troubled with the Hysterical Passion they pretended the gift of Raptures and these besides other uses serv'd him when he travell'd for Lacquayes They affirm'd themselves to be Cousin-Germans and call'd themselves the Daughters one of Colpia the other of Velleda Hieromimus designing not only to out-doe all the Prophets but to equal and excell their holy Master Anaxanacton and having entertain'd a fancy that he was like that incomparable Prince in some Personal Resemblances he had procur'd a Copy which was long ago pretended to have been taken of him by one call'd Lentulus and endeavoured by Art to make up what was wanting in Nature for the completion of a Comparison both abominable and ridiculous He had Hair of a Chesnut colour long but not thick after the manner of the Jewish Nazarites parted in the middle and a little curling his upper garment was so fram'd that it seem'd to be a seamless Coat Davigeor looking upon this garb as unbecoming his Dignity perswaded him to wear a Doublet of Crimson Sattin Jackleid thinking he did not use Ceremonies correspondent to his Majesty advis'd him to be serv'd in Plate and to give him leave to provide a gilt Chair in which he might sit as on a Royal Throne whilst his Servants made humble Addresses to him upon their knees and ador'd him as the King of the New Jerusalem His affairs being thus order'd he commanded his She-Lacquayes to attend him in a Journey which he was to take from Apateonia towards Phronesium in Theoprepia Jamnail provided him an Asse which Hieromimus appointed to be brought without Bridle or Saddle and begun his journey before the Sun was up because he intended to finish it in one day This fore-cast was necessary for he had four and twenty miles to ride and it being Winter the weather was foul and the way very bad Pannychis and Quintilla assisted him with Torches but when they had gone about a quarter of a mile he commanded them to cast away those poor external Lights making them believe that one far more glorious should presently shine forth upon them from within and shew them their way The Lacquayes obediently put out their Tapers but as they went on it was so dark that they quickly lost their way and knock'd their Heads against Trees stumbled at great Stones and sometimes tumbled into Ditches the Promise of Hieromimus being unable to enlighten the Air. However being arm'd with a blind Confidence they went on till they came to a narrow Bridge which the poor Beast for want of Enthusiastical eyes to make him see in the dark miss'd and threw the false Prophet into Water Mud and Impatience Pannychis and Quintilla ventur'd in after him and when they had with much difficulty pull'd him out and squeez'd him