then again he called him a Divine necessity Zeno Citteieus called him a divine and naturall Law and sometimes the Firmament Zenophanes Collophonius called him Whatsoever was infinite in a conjoined mind or one universall and every thing that as Theophrastus saith of him he imagined to be God Parmenides Eliates called him â—aâ—taâ—me or an apprehension of an Imaginary thing something resembling a Crown which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 conteining within it a fiery light an orb or girdle 〈◊〉 compasseth and embraceth the heavens adhering to â—his fantasie were Cicero and Simplicius Empedocles Agrigentinus he would have four natures of which all things should subsist and these he taught to be divine as also that they had birth and should see end for so Cicero writes in his book de natura deorum Theodorus and Epiphanius speak of one Theodorus sirnamed Atheos the Atheist He affirmed the gods to be meer ioies and not worthy of divine honours that would perswade men by their examples to theft perjury and rapine Protagoras Abderita was of opinion That it was not lawfull to enquire concerning the gods whether they were or were not or of what nature and quality Xenocrates Chalcedonius made eight gods in the wandring stars the number of five in the whole number of the Planets one a seventh in the Sun an eighth in the Moon Plato Atheniensis went more divinely to work who taught that it is neither the aire nor reason nor nature but that there is one only God by whom alone the world was fashioned and made perfect and miraculous Zenophon Socraticus held argument That the form of the true God was not visible and therefore his essence nor lawfull to be sought into Ariston the Sâ—oick affimed than God might be comprehended within his own substance Aristotle proposed That one Mind governed the whole world and that it was the prime and principall cause of all things Speâ—sippus constituted a naturall living power by which all things were governed and that he stil'd a Deity for so Arnob. in his eighth book reports Alâ—maeon Crotoniates did attribute a Deity to the Sun Moon and the rest of the Planets in his ignorance as Cicero speaks of him giving immortality to things meerly mortall Ecphantus Siracusanus as Erigines relates of him imagined the divinity to exist in the mind and soule Brachmanae who were the Indian wise men or Sophoi called it the Light but not as the splendour of the Sun or Air but the light of reason by which wise and understanding men might enquire into the dark and mysticall secrets of nature Lactantius and Cicero say that it was the opinion of the Stoicks for the most part That this instrumentall power was a divine substance intelligible and airy but wanting form yet to be transhap'd or made like to whatsoever it best pleased it selfe The same Philosophers attributed a god-hood to the stars and all other coelestiall bodies Heraclides Ponticus thought the World and the Mind both divine and was of opinion that this form of the Deity was mutable reducing the earth and the heavens within the compasse of Godhead Epicurus Atheniensis he made him gods of Atomes or Mâ—ats allowing them bodies differing from men but beaâ—ing humane form M. Terentius Varro supposed him to be the soule of the world and the world it selfe to be god Cicero defines him thus a certaine pure and free mind separate from all mortall commixtion ever moving and all things knowing and Origenes adhering to the opinion of Exilneus concludes that the gods are eveâ— during not subject to corruption and yet altogether without providence But lest I should grow tedious in the search of so many divers opinions which to some may appear impertinent to the tractate in hand yet not altogether unnecessary â—o such who have not travelled in the search of these Antiquities I will come neerer to the matter and to speak of the goddesses as we promised Hesiod hath left to memory that there are no lesse then thirty thousand gods within the compass of the world and every one have several predominance over men beasts fish fouls and al other creatures vegetative and sensitive Tertullian speaks of three hundred Joves or Jupiters counted by M. Varro Therefore it was not permitted amongst the Romans to adore any other gods or goddesses then such as were approved and allowed by the Senate In the books of the high Priest it was thus written Let no man bring in an innovation of any new gods or aliens to be privately adored unlesse they be publickly approved only such as have from antiquity been held coelestiall and unto whom Temples and Altars have been consecrated let none else have divine worship The Heathen of old amongst their goddesses counted these Pudicitia Concordia Mens Spes Honor Clementia and Fides that is Bashfulnesse Concord the Mind Hope Honour Clemency and Faith Pliny writes of a Temple in Rome dedicated to Honor. Certaine living creatures and other things were in the old time reverenced as gods The Trogloditae as the same author testifies worshipped a Tortoise The Aegyptians had in honour Garlick and Onyons they have the Crocodile likewise in divine adoration to whom they offer Sacrifice But the Ombytae chiefly a people of that Country by whom he is held most sacred and if it so happen that their children be by him devoured the parents rejoice imagining they are specially beloved of the gods that are thought worthy to beget food to please their appetites Serpents are honoured by the Phoenicians In Gadeta a City of Spain two Temples were erected the one to Age the other to Death to one as the Mistresse of Experience to the other as a quiet harbor or cessation from all miseries and calamities In other Cities were the like instituted to Poverty and to Fortune lest the one should afflict them and that the other should favour them Floods likewise and Rivers were esteemed as deities some portrai'd in the figure of men and others in the semblance of beasts Amongst the Lacedemonians as Plutarch relates Temples were edified one to Feare another to Laughter a third to Death The Aegyptians worshipped the Sun and Moon the goddesse Ibis a Cat an Eagle and a Goat The Syrians adored a Dove The Romans a Goose by reason that by the cackling of Geese the Capitoll was preserved from the sack Amongst the Thâ—â—alians it was held an offence Capitall to kill a Stork These that inhabite the Island Syâ—en 〈◊〉 the fish called Phaâ—os Those that dwell in Mâ—â—tis the fish Oxiringus In Ambracia a Lyonesse because in times past a Lyonesse seised upon a Tyrant and tore him to pieces by which they were restored to their ancient liberties Those that live by Delphos a Wolfe who by scraping up the earth discovered a great quantity of gold buried and till then concealed The men of Samos a Sheep the Argives a Serpent the Islanders of Tenedos a Cow with Calfe after whose conception they tender her as much service as to a
no more kick and spurn against me with thy heels I will not henceforth feed thee with Barley but chaff I will abate thy wantonness with hanger and thirst I will load thy back with grievous burdens I will inure thee to the Summers heat and the Winters cold After which time he used the spare diet of roots and the juice of herbs and these only when necessity compelled him to eat He enjoined himselfe the time of praâ—er excepted to strict and continuall labour to encrease his appetite but not augment his diet Therefore Hierom against Lust prescribes these three soveraign remedies Fast Praier and hard Labour The examples are innumerable as well amongst Ethnick men as Christians Alexander supping with Antipadres there was brought to the table and see just against the King a wondrous beautifull woman as excellent in voice as in face both tempting so far that Alexander began suddenly to be surprised with her love and demanded of Antipadres If she were a woman whom he any way affected To whom he answered That she was endeared to him above all other creatures living Then thou fool repli'd the King cause her instantly to rise and be conveied hence from the banquet How farre then was this temperate Prince from adulterating another mans wife that was affraid to do his host the least injury in his strumpet Therefore Julianus the Emperor having took the City Nalaca wherein were many women of rare and extraordinary feature was so far from corrupting their vertues that he commanded not any of them should be suffered to come in his presence Caelius lib. 7 cap 27. tels us that so great was the chastity of the Paduan women in times past that not any of them walked out of their doors but with their faces covered Therefore Caius Sulpitius Galla sued a divorce against his wife because she was met bare-browed in the streets against whom he thus pleaded Thou art only to be governed and guided by the lawes of mine eies thy beauty is to be approved by them and to please them alone thou oughtest to adorn thy self but to desire to seem fair in the eies of strangers incurs the imputation both of suspâ—tion and trespass What should we think then of that fantastick attire and gawdy ornaments so much in use now adaies which as well in youth as age rather seem openly to proâ—esse lust then inwardly to protect chastity Oâ— these curiosities in vain and unnecessary attire Plautus in Peâ—ulo thus speaks Negotii sibi qui volet vim parare navem mulierem Hec duo sibi comparato c. He that is idle and would businesse have Let him of these two things himselfe provide A Woman and a Ship no two things crave More care or cost to suit the one for pride Th' other for tackles they are both like fire For still the more they have they more desire And this I speak by proof from morn to noon Their labours and their travels have no end To wash to rub to wipe and when that 's done To strive where nothing is amisse to mend To polish and expolish paint and stain Vnguents to daub and then wipe out again c. Now what generall censures these fantastick garbs and meer importunities incur if any demand I answer What lesse then weaknesse of the brain or loosnesse of life This jest following though it be old yet me thinks it is pity it should die unremembred A Gentleman meeting in the streets with a brave gallant wench and richly accommodated seeing her walk with her breasts bare almost down to the middle laying his hand upon them demanded of her in her ear whether that slesh were to be sold who scornfully answered No to whom he modestly replied Then let me advise you to shut up your shop windowes I will end this monitory counsell with an Epigram out of Ausonius which bears title of two sisters of unlike conditions Delia nos miramur est mirabile quod tam Dissimiles estis c. We wonder Delia and it strange appears Thou and thy sister have such censure past Though known a where the habit 's chast she wears Thou save thy habit nothing whorish hast Though thou chast life she hath chast habit sought Her manners her thy Habit makes thee nought In memory of virgiâ— chaâ—tity I will cite you one history out of Marullus lib. 4. cap. 8. The monument of Aegypta the daughter of Edgar King of England a professed Virgin in her life time being opened after she had many years lain in the grave all her body was turned into dust saving her womb and bowels and they were as fresh and faire without any corruption as at the first day of her interment Those that stood by wondring at the object one Clerk amongst the rest broke forth into these terms Wonder not to see the rest of the body tast of putrifaction and the womb still sound and perfect which never was contaminated with the least stain or blemish of lust Of her Bishop Dunstan thus speaks Worthy is her remembrance to be honoured upon Earth whose chast life is celebrated amongst the Saints in Heaven O great reward due to Virgin chastity by which such felicity is attained that their souls are not only glorified in Heaven but their bodies are not subject to corruption on earth But because the Theam I am next to speak of is of Virgins give me leave to begin with the best that ever was since the beginning for Beauty Chastity and Sanctity nor shall it be amisse to speak a word or two concerning her Genealogy Mary the mother of Christ was the daughter of Joachim of the Tribe of Juda her mothers name was Anna the daughter of Isachar of the Tribe of Levi. Here as Saint Hierome observes is to be noted That Anna and Emeria were two sisters of Emeria came Elizabeth the mother of John Baptist also Anna was first married to Ioachim and had by him Mary the mother of Christ and was after espoused to Clcophas by whom she had Mary Cleophe who was married to Alphaeus From them two cames James the lesse surnamed Alphaeus Simon Cananaeus Judas Thaddaeus and Joseph otherwise called Barsabas Eusâ—bius in his Ecclesiasticall history lib 2. cap. 2. saith That James the lesse was called the brother of our Lord because he was the brother of Joseph the husband of Mary but his opinion is not altogether authenticall Also Anna was espoused to Salome and had by him Mary Salome after married to Zebedeus and had by him James the greater and John the Evangelist Josâ—ph the husband of Mary was the brother of Cleophas It is also observed That in the one and fortieth yeare of the reigne of Augustus Caesar in the seventh month which is September in the eleventh day of the Moon which is the four and twentieth day of the month on a Thursday Iohn Baptist was conceived and two hundred threescore and fifteen daies after on a
remain Whose power no limit can no place contein Who being born did'st now begin to see All these great works created first by thee The work and workman of thy selfe not scorning T' obey those weary hours of Ev'n and Morning Of which th' art Lord and tell each minute o'r Made by thy Wisdome for mans use before And took'st on thee our shape only to show To us that God we did till then not know c. Petronilla VVHen Peter the Apostle had by his faith cured all infirmities and diseases and in all places yet he suffered his daughter Petronilla to be grievously afflicted with a Feaver and being demanded why he that had cured others did not help her he answered Because he knew her sicknesse to be most behoofful for her souls health for the weaker she was in body she was so much the stronger in faith setling her cogitations on the joies of heaven and not the pleasures of the world desiring of God that she might rather die a chast Virgin then to be the wife of the Counsull Flaccus by whom she was at that time most earnestly solicited whose praier was heard for she died of that sicknesse and the Consull was prevented of his purpose who had long insidiated her chastity Marul lib 4 cap. 8. The like we read of Hillarius Pâ—ctaviensis Episcopus who having long trained up his daughter Appâ—a in chastity and sanctity of life fearing lest time might alter her vowes and tempt her with the vain pleasures of the world he besought the giver of all graces that he might rather with joy follow her to her grave then with sorrow to her marriage bed which was accordingly granted as the same Author testifies Eustochium the daughter of Paula a Noble matron of Rome is celebrated by Saint Hierom for the only president of Virginall chastity Tora the virgin was of that chast and austere life that having took a vow and once entred her profession she never put on her back any new garment or so much as changed her shooes Maria Aegyptiaca lived the life of an Hermit in the solitude of an unfrequented desart some write of her that as aften as she was seen to pray she seemed to be lifted up from the Earth into the Aire the height of a cubit Columba a Virgin of Perusina is reported to be of that chastity and abstinence that she never tasted any other food then the bare fruits of the earth from the years of her discretion till the hour of her death Amata was a professed Virgin who in forty yeâ—rs space never set foot over the threshold of that Cloister wherein she had confined her self in which time she never tasted food save bread and roots Sara lived in the time of Theodosius the elder she made a Vow never to lodge beneath any roof but inhabiting the bank of a certain river removed not from that place in threescore years The like is read of Sylvia a Virgin the daughter of Russinus a Prefect or Ruler in Alexandria who betook her selfe to solitude for the space of threescore years in which time she never washt any part of her body save her hands nor reposed her selfe upon any bed save the ground It is reported by Edward Hall John Leisland John Sleyden and others of S. Ebbe Abbesle of Collingham That to preserve her own and her sisters chastities and keep their vowes inviolate because they would seem odible to the Danes who had done many outrages both against Law and Religion and then tyrannized in the Land she cut off her own nose and upper lip and perswaded all the other Nuns to do the 〈◊〉 for whâ—â—h act the Danes burnt the Abby with all the 〈…〉 Fulgos lib. 4. cap. 3. speaks of Ildegunda a Germane Viâ—gin born in Nassau who after many temptations to which she feared her beauty might subject her in the year 1128 she changed her habit got to be entertein'd in a Priory neer unto worms called Scuâ—na beu Hiem in which she lived long by the name of Joseph in singular continence and modesty stil conversing amongst the learnedst and best approved schollers even till the time of her death neither was she then known to be a woman till comming to wash her body her Sex was discovered In the same Monastry and amongst that Covent lived Euphrosyna a Virgin of Alexandria by the name of Smaragdus as also one Marina who called her selfe Marinus both dissembling their Sex Gunzonis daughter to the Duke of Arboa was possessed by an evil spirit but after by the praiers of holy men being recovered she vowed perpetuall Virginity And after being demanded in marriage by Sigebertus King of the French men she was delivered unto him by her father who debating with her concerning his present purpose she humbly desired to be excused by his majesty in regard she had already past a pre contract The King demanding To whom she answered She was a betrothed Spouse to her Redeemer At which the King being startled forbore to compell her any further but suffered her to take upon her a religious life she preferring her Virgin Chastity before the state and title of a Queen And these shall suffice for Religious Virgins I now proceed to others that grounded their vertue on meer morality Baldraca was a Virgin but of mean parentage and of a dejected fortune yet to her never-dying honour and president to all ages to come notwithstanding she was not able to supply her selfe with things needfull and necessary either for sustenance or ornament neither by threats or menaces promises of worldly honours or promotion she could not be tempted to prostitute her selfe to the Emperor Otho Saxo Grammaticus writes of Serytha the daughter of Synaldus King of the Danes to be of that modesty that when the fame of her beauty had attracted a confluence of many suitors to the Court of her father yet she could never be won either to converse with or so much as to look upon any of them Tara was a French Lady of a noble and illustrious family she lived in the time of Heracâ—ius who when her father Hagerticus and her mother Leodegunda would have compell'd her to marry she fell into that excesâ—e of weeping that with the extraordinary flax of â—eares she grew blind soon after Dula was â— Virgin famous for her chastity who chose rather to be slain by the hand of a Souldier then to be despoiled of her Virginity Statyra and Roxana were the sisters of 〈◊〉 King of Pontus who for the space of forty yeers had kept their vow of Virginity inviolate these hearing the sad fate of their brother and fearing to be ravished by the enemy at least to fall into their captivity by taking of poison finished both their daies and sorrowes Plutarch writes of one Roxana drowned in a Well by Statyra It is reported of an
is said to be Incertae patriae as no man knowing from what particular region to derive her and therefore is known by no particular name nor by the ancient Historiographers numbred amongst the ten only amongst the twelve she hath the place as may appeare by this her Prophesie When the great King of all the world shall have No place on Earth by which he can be known When he that comes all mortall men to save Shall find his own life by the world o'rthrown When the most just injustice shall deprave And the great judge be judged by his own Death when to death a death by death hath given Then shall be op'd the long shut gates of Heaven Sybilla Tiburlina IT seems she derives her selfe from the River Tyber she is otherwise called Albunaea of the City Alba which was erected before Rome as also Italica and by some Alburnaea It is reported that the Romans going about to deifie Augustus Caesar demanded advise of this Sybill who after three daies fast standing before the Altar where the Emperour himselfe was then present after many hidden words miraculously spoken concerning Christ upon the sudden Heaven opened and Caesar saw a beautifull virgin standing before the Altar who held in her arms as lovely an infant at this apparition Caesar affrighted fell on his face at which instant was heard a voice as from Heaven saying This is the Altar of the son of God In which place was after built a Temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary and called Ara Coeli i. The Altar of Heaven This Polycronicon affirms and for the truth thereof citeth Saint Augustine lib. 18. cap. 24. There is little more remembred of her life saving that in her books she prophesied of the comming of the Saviour of the world much after this manner Seven wonders of the world have been proclaimed But yet a greater then these are not named The Egyptians high Pyramides who seem'd To meet the stars a work once much esteem'd The Tower of Pharos The miraculous wall That Babylon begirt The fourth we call Diana's Church in Ephesus Fame sings T' had six and thirty Pillers built by Kings As many Next to these Mausolus Tombe Than which the Earth supporteth on her womb No braver structure Next to these there was The huge Colossus that was cast in brasse Of height incredible whom you may espie Holding a lamp fifty seven cubits high Bestriding an huge river The seventh wonder Was of great love that strikes with trisule thunder His Statue carv'd in Ivory and contriv'd By Phideas the best workman then surviv'd What at these trifles stands the world amaz'd And hath on them with admiration gaz'd Then wonder when the troubled world â— ' appease He shall descend who made them that made these Of these wonders briefly to make her divination the more plaine Of these Pyramides there were divers of which the greatest took up eight acres of ground parted into foure angles each equally distant eight hundred eighty foot and in height twenty five A second foure angles every one containing by even spaces seven hundred thirty and seven foot A third comprehended three hundred sixty three foot betwixt every angle A fourth erected by Rhodope the strumpet the mistresse of Aesop by the monie which she got by her trade Herodotus speaks of a Pyramis made by Cleopys King of Egypt of stones ferch'd from Arabia whose length was five furlongs the breadth ten paces He erected a second more magnificent which was not not finisht in twenty years upon which he spent so much treasure that he was forc'd to prostitute his daughter a most beautifull young virgin to supply his own necessity Pliny reports that in this structure he imploied so many workmen that they eat him 1800. talents in onyons and garlick 2. The Tower of Pharos built by Ptolomaeus in that Isle which served as a lanthorn to direct Navigators by sea in the night he spent upon it 5300. Talents Sostrata was the Architectour as appears by the inscription of his name upon the Cittadell 3. The wals of Babylon were built by Semiâ—amis they were as Hermodorus writes in thicknesse fifty cubits in height two hundred within the compasse of which were an hundred Ports having brazen gates that all mov'd upon hinges they were beautified with three hundred Turrets and Chariots might meet upon the top of them and have free passage without impediment 4. The Temple of Diana of which I have spoken before was in length 425 foot in breadth 220. It was beautified with 127. Columns 5. The tombe of Mausolus built by Artimesia Queen of Caria was in height 25. Cubits it was compast with 36 Columns it contained from the South to the North 33. foot the whole compasse contained 1411. That part which lay towards the East was perfected by Scopas that which was towards the North was ended by Briax that towards the Meridian by Timothaeus that which butted upon the West by Leocares 6. The Colossus of the Sun which bestrid the River Rhodes betwixt whose legs ships without vailing their top-sails came into the harbour was of that vastnesse that a man with his spread arms could not compasse his thumb every finger being as big as a common statue After it had stood six and fifty years it was emolisht by an earthquake The Souldan of Egypt having invaded Rhodes with the broken brasse thereof laded thence 900. Camels The chiefe workman was Chares Lindius the scholler of Licippus 7. The image of Jupiter to which some equall the Pallace of Cyrus King of the Meads built by Memnon the stones of which were cemented together with gold But I leave further to speake of these and proceed to the next Sybill Sybilla Aegyptia SHe was called Agrippa not numbred amongst the ten out hath place among the Twelve she prophesied upon the number of Three and on this manner Sacred's the number Three as Sybils tell Betwixt three brothers the Heaven Sea and Hell Were cast by lot The Earth as all men write In their divisions is called Tripartite Jove three waies striking hath his Trisulc Thunder Neptune's allow'd his Tâ—ident to keep under The mutinous waves Three fatall sisters spin Our thread of life Three Judges punish sin Even monsters are described so Geryon weares Three heads Grim Cerberus as many bears Sphinx hath three shapes of Bird of Beast of Maid All three in wings in feet in face displai'd Chimaera is Triform'd the monstrous creature Scilla 's of dogs fish and a womans feature The Erynnaes Harpyes Gorgons three-fold all The Sybils Trifatidicae we call Divining from the Tripos Orpheus Lyre Sings that 't was made of water earth and fire Three Charites three Fates three Syrens be Number the Muses they are three times three She 's triple Hecat's call'd Diana stil'd Trivia The ground of Musick was compil'd But on three cords at first and still exprest By voice by hand by breath In the Physicks
this is kept the perpetuall fire for the Etymology of Vesta is nothing else but Purus ignis i. pure Fire Some are of opinion that in that Temple are kept the remembrances of many both sacred and secret monuments some strange and unknown even to Priests and Virgins Some speak of two tuns of no great quantity the one continually shut the other open and empty some of the Virgins have reported that the Palladium that fell from Heaven and was received into Troy is there still to be seen The first Virgins appointed by Numa were foure Gegania Berenia Camilla Tarpeia two others were added by Servius Tullius Their vowes of virginity were unalterable for thirty years In the first ten yeares they were to learn the ceremonies and to be as ministers aud handmaids in the rest she was to govern and instruct others and the thirty years expired she had liberty if she pleased to marry If any of these Vestals had wantonly offended she was to be chastised by the Priest but such â—s were found incestuous were punished after this manner Being first bound she was laid upon a Beer like a coarse already deceased and so carried through the mid Forum to the port or gate called Collina for there betwixt two wals is the grave of the unchast Vestals still apparant there is a cave hollowed under the earth the descent is with a ladder by the mouth which is of no great widenesse in this vault is a bed ready prepared a light burning with bread milk and oile these things being all made ready for the purpose the delinquent is set down her hands loosed and her head covered the high Priest whispering certain secret things in her eare the other Priests turning their faces from her which is no sooner done but she is let down into the cavern earth thrown upon her the grave filled and she stifled alive and that day on which this execution is done there is a generall silence and sadnesse through the whole City Oppia SHe was one of the Vestall virgins who being taken in whordome and the fast manifestly proved she was convented convicted and had her doom to be buried alive Upon whom Strozza filius inscribed this Epitaph Vestalis virgo laesi damnata pudoris Contegor hoc vivens Oppia sub tumulo I Oppia once a Vestall that For sinne my judgement have Condemn'd for lust am living shut And covered in this grave Claudia There were two of that name as Livy in his 22 book reports who were addicted to the ceremonies of Vesta Fonteia was the sister of Marc. Fonteius who being a Prefect or Governour amongst the Gauls was accused before the Senate of injustice and misgovernment as transgressing the lawes and edicts of the Romans Marcia was a Vestall virgin and one that attended upon the sacred ceremonies she was condemned of incest and as Oppia was before her buried alive Minutia also a minister of Vesta's sacrifices who for her elegant feature and extraordinary beauty and withall because the costly ornaments with which she used to attire her selfe exceeded the precise custome of her Order she was brought within the suspition of lust and inchastity for which being call'd into question and not able legally to acquit quit her selfe she was brought within the compasse of the law and for her supposed offence had both the sentence and execution due to the like delinquents Justin in his 43. book commemorates this history Aeâ—eas after many tedious travels landing in Italy was by marrying Lavinia the daughter of King Latinus made partner with him in the Kingdome for which marriage war was commenc'd betwixt them two of the one party and Turnus King of the Rutilians on the other In which combustions Turnus being slain and Latinus yielding to Fate Aeneas both by the right of victory and succession became Lord of both the Kingdome and people erecting a City called Lavinium in remembrance of his wife Lavinia In processe he made warre against Mezentius King of the Etruscians whom having slaine Ascanius the son of Aeneas succeeded in the principality Ascanius leaving Lavinium built the City Alba which for three hundred years space was the Capitall City of that Kingdome After many descents the regall honours were conferred upon Numitor and Amulius These two Princes emulous of each others greatnesse Amulius the younger having opprest his brother Numitor surprised also his sole daughter Rhaea who was immediate heir to her fathers honours and regall dignities all which he covetous to ingrosse to himselfe and fearing withall left from her issue might in time descend some one that might punish his insolencies and revenge her and her fathers injuries devised with himselfe how to prevent both and fearing lest by putting her to death he might incur a generall hate amongst the people in whose love he was not as yet fully setled he apprehended as his safest course to shadow her wrong beneath a veile of honour and so caused her with a strict vow of virginity to be elected into the sacred service of Vesta Being thus confin'd into the grove celebrated to Mars whether begot by Mars himselfe as was then beleeved or otherwise adulterously conceived it is uncertain but she was delivered of two sons This being know to Amulius increased his fears who commanded the infants to be cast forth and Rhaea to be loaden with irons under whose severe sentence expiring she yielded to Fate The two children ready to perish were miraculously nursed by a she wolfe and after found by the shepherd Faustulus were by him brought up and called Remus and Romulus and so much of Rhaea Tranquillus and Cornelius Tacitus both of them remember one Rubria a Vestall virgin who was forceably defloured by Nero. Another whose name was Pompilia because by her inchastity she prophaned the sacred orders of Vesta was buried alive the same death for the like offence suffered Cornelia Floronea the Vestall was convicted of whoredome but she to prevent one death made choice of another For taking to her selfe a brave Roman spirit she with her own hands boldly slew her selfe Posthumia taxed for her too curious habit and gaudiness in attire as much transcending the custome of that more strict Order was suspected of Lust and accited before the Senate and there arraigned she wittily and nobly answered to whatsoever could be objected against her so that being found guiltlesse she was absolved by the sentence of the high Priest or Arch-Flammin Sextilia sped not so well as this Posthumia for she being suspected of inchastity and found culpable suffered according to the law made for the punishment of the like offenders The like suffered Tutia the Vestali for her unlawfull prostitution Plutarch in Gracchis in the Catalogue of these consecrated virgins numbers Licinia And Pliny relates that when Clodius the Emperor was in opposition with his wife Messalina that sink of lust and most incontinent
undertakes without disclosing to any the secrets of his message and comming to the place where the damosell with her father then sojourned he was nobly enterteined as a fellow peer and an especiall favourit to the King No sooner came the Lady in presence but Ethelwold began to conceive that report had been too niggardly in her praise for he had not in his life time seen a Lady of so incomparable a feature to whom all the Court-beauties appeared scarce good Christall to that unmatchable Diamond What cannot love work in the heart of man when such a beauty is his object it makes the son forger his father and the father not remember that he hath a son but either hath made the others bed incestuous It hath subjected Cities and depopulated Countries made the subject forget his allegeance to his soveraign and the soveraign most unnaturall and inhumane to his subject as may appear by this history This Earl surprised with the love of this Lady hath either quite forgot the message he was sent about or else is not pleased to remember it Not speaking of the King at all but counterfeting some occasions into that Country and as if he had hapned upon that place by accident or come to give him visitation in noble courtesy at supper finds discourse concerning the Lady and at length prevailed so far with the old Earl that they were contracted that night and the next morning married After some few daies journie there the Kings impositions inforced him to take an unwilling farewel of his new married bride only at parting he earnestly intreated them for divers reasons which much imported him to keep the marriage as secret as possibly might be and so posted back to the Court He was no sooner arrived but the King inquisitive concerning the beauty of the Lady how tall how strait of what haire what complection whether her looks were cheerfull or sad her behaviour sober or suspitious To all which he answered in few she was indeed a Lady and that was her best an Earls daughter and therefore flattered for what in a private woman is commendable is in such excellent and what in the former praise worthy in the latter 〈◊〉 and admirable but for this Lady Elfritha she was a course home spun peece of flesh whose nobility and dower might make her capable of being wife to some honest Justice of peace or Sheriffe of the Shire but not becomming the bed of any of the nobility unlesse some one whose estate was decaid indeed a meer Rook and most unworthy the eie of the Princely Eagle With this answer the King was satisfi'd and for the present dispos'd his affection elsewhere imagining these praises might be divulg'd abroad as wel in scorn of her person as otherwise so for some few weeks it rested in which interim Ethelwold was oft mist in the Court and discontinued his wonted service no man could scant tell or inform the King how he disposed himselfe and still when he came to present his service he would excuse his absence with some infirmity or other which was the reason of his inforced retirement besides he was often observed to intreat leave to recreate himselfe in the Country and take the benefit of the fresh aire as commodious for his health in all which liberty he past his limits This bred some jealousie in the King and the rather because the fame of this Ladies unmatched beauty more and more increased Therefore to be more punctually informed of the truth he sent another private messenger who brought him intelligence how all things stood with the certeinty of every accident how it befell The King not knowing how to disgest such an injury from a subject smothered his grievance for a space and at length caused the gests to be drawn for he purposed a progresse into the West Ethelwold yet nothing suspecting was the formost man to attend the King upon his journie but when they came almost to Excester he began to mistrust the Kings purpose the rather because he sent to the Earl Orgarus that at such a time he meant to feast with him Now must Ethelwold bestir himself or instantly hazard the Kings high displeasure he therefore posts in the night to his wife and to his father in law reports the truth of every circumstance from the beginning how he was sent by the King and to what purpose how her beauty had so enflamed him that he was compelled by violence of affection to deceive the Kings trust and lastly to secure his own life which for the love of her he had hazarded he was forced to disparage her feature dissemble her worth and disgrace her beauty and therefore besought her as she tendred his safety being her husband either not to appear before the King at all or if she were called for and so compelled to be seen in that fashion as he had described her to his soveraign namely with a smodged face counterfeit haire uncomely habit and in her behaviour to put on such a garb of folly as might rather breed loathing then liking in his majesty The first of his speech she heard with patience but when he came to deliver to her how he had disparaged her beauty and to the King too nay more would have her derogate from her own worth and be accessary to the blasting of that beauty which nature had made so admirable this her womanish spleen could hardly disgest yet she soothed him up with fair and promising language and told him she would better consider of it and so dismissed him in part satisfied In the morning he presented himselfe early to attend the King who was that day to be enterteined by the Earle his father in law All things were nobly provided and Edgar roially received and set to dinner some write that Ethelwold had caused a kitchin maid to put on his wives habit and sit at the Kings table but I find no such matter remembred in my author the truth is the King about the middest of dinner called for the Earle Orgarus and demanded of him whether he had a wife or no if he had why he might not have her company knowing it was a general observation in England that without the wives entertainment there could be no true and hearty welcome The Earl replied that at that time he was an unhappy widdower he then demanded whether he had any children to continue his posteritie to which he answered Heaven had only blest him with one daughter a plain damosell yet the sole hope of his future memory The King was then importunate to see her and commanded her to be instantly brought unto his presence which put Ethelwold into a strange agony yet still hoping she had done as he had lately enjoined her when she contrary to his expectation came in apparalled like a bride in rich and costly vestures her golden haire fairely kembed and part hanging down in artificiall curls her 〈◊〉 stuck with jewels and about her neck
Lycuâ—gus for Adulterers he mounted him upon an Asse with his face towards the tail which being forced to hold in his hand and putting a Garland of Deâ—ision about his temples commanded him to be led through all the streâ—ts of the City allowing all men and women to speak against him what opprobâ—y they pleased without limitation and do him all outrages that stretched not to destroy his life Thus was the Tyrant conducted along through an implacable multitude enterteined by the way with Clamors Shouts Railings Curses and all manner of Contempts and deâ—isions some spitting others casting soile and durt the women emptying uncleanly vessels upon his head insomuch that no disgrace or abject usage could be devised of which he was not then in some kind sensible This done he was carried to the common place of execution and there like a Felon hanged upon the gallowes Guielo Bituricensis And this which was done to him undoubtedly belongs to all such shamelesse barbarous and bruitish women who with brazen impudence having abandoned all grace and goodnesse expose themselves to the profession of all impurity and abominable dâ—shonesty making their corrupt bodies no better then Sinks of Sins and Spittles of diseases not only pleased in their own ruins without the destruction of others till their souls be as leprous as their infacted Bodies nay more since the Maladies and Aches of the one is but momentary and for them the Grave is a Bed of Rest and Death the Surgeon but the other are permanent and endlesse namely those of the Soul of which Hell is the Prison and the Devil the Tormentor From these greater I now proceed to lesse and though not in that measure yet in some kind punishable O Loquacity and Excesse and how they have been punished BEcause I desire Women to entertein nothing either to the prejudice of themselves or others I could ingeniously wish by taking away the cause to remove the effect and by suppressing the temptation to cut off all occasion that might allure men to offend Two things there are that be great corrupters of Modesty and provokers to Sinne namely Wanton and unbridled Discourse and vain and fantastick prodigality in Attire I will speak a little of the due repâ—ehension belonging unto these ere I begin with others If then the tongue be the Orator of the heart and by our words our minds are especially signified how much care ought women to have what they speak and with what modesty to govern the Oâ—gan of their thoughts since corrupt words arise from corrupt apprehensions and nothing but what is pure and irreprovable should proceed from a heart that is without stain and blemish Besides too much Loquacity I could wish you to forbear with which many of your Sex hath been unsparingly branded Many also have accused you to be so open breasted that you cannot conceal any secret committed unto your trust I advise you to to be counselled by Horace lib 1. Epistol ad Saevam Sed tacitus pasci si posset Corvus haberet Plus dapâ—s rixae multo minus invidiaeque Would the Crow eat in silence and not prate Much better she might feed with much lesse hate It is reported of Theocritus Chius being taken in battell that in the way as the souldiers conducted him with purpose to present him before the King Antigonus they perswaded him when he appeared before the eies of the Conqueror to bear himselfe with all submiss humility and no doubt but he should find the Prince roiall He rather willing to hazard his life then lose his jeast notwithwanding his bonds and captivity thus answered If I cannot be assured of safety till I be brought before the eies of your King Antigonus he having but one eie for he had 〈◊〉 the other in battell what then shall become of me At which words Antigonus being 〈…〉 to be slain who had he kept his tongue might have been sent home safe and ransomlesse Fubgos lib. 8. cap. 1. Plautus in Asinaria thus reproves your verbosity Nam multum loquaces merito habemur omnes Nec mutam profecto repertam ullam esse Hodie dicunt mulierem illo in seculo Great 〈…〉 they say And 〈…〉 found Any that can keep silence but betray Our selves we must and seek the whole world round If then Loquacity be so reprovable in your Sex how ill then would Lies which women term Excuses appear in your mouths For who will believe the chastity of your Lives that finds no truth in your Lips It is reported of two Beggars who watching Epiphanius a zâ—alous and charitable man as he came forth of his gates to gain of him the greater alms the one of them fell prostrate upon the earth and counterfeited himselfe dead whilst the other seemed piteously to lament the death of his companion desiring of Epiphanius something towards his buriall The good man wished rest to the body deceased and drawing out his Purse gave bountifully towards his funerall with these words Take charge of his Corse and cease mourning my son for this body shall not presently rise again and so departed who was no sooner gone but the 〈◊〉 commending his fellow for so cunningly dissembling jogs him on the elbow and bids him rise that they might be gone but he was justly punisht for his dissimulation for he was struck dead by the hand of Heaven which his fellow seeing ran after Epiphamus with all the speed he could make desiring him humbly to 〈◊〉 his companion again to life to whom he answered The judgements of God once past are unchangeable therefore what hath hapned bear with what patience thou canst Zozamenus lib. 7. cap. 6. Therefore Plautus in Meâ—catore thus saith Mihi scelus videtur me parenti proloqui mendacium â— It appears to me 〈◊〉 heinous thing to lie to my father If Lying be so detestable what may we think of Perjury The Indians used to swear by the water Sandaracines a flood so called and who violated that Oath was punished with death or else they were curtailed of their Toes and Fingers In Sardinia was a Water in which if the Perjurer washt his eies he was instantly struck blind but the innocent departed thence purer in his fame and more perfect in his sight 〈◊〉 lib. 5. cap. 10. Miraculous are those ponds in Sicilia called Palici neer to the river Simethus where Truths and Falshoods are strangely distinguished The Oaths of men and women being written in Tables and cast in them the Truths swam above water and the Lies sunk down to the bottom All such as forswore themselves washing in these waters died not long after but others returned thence with more validity and strength The sin of Perjury was hatefull amongst the Aegyptians and the punishment fearfull All Perjureâ—s had their heads cut off as those that had two waies offended in their piety towards the gods and in their faith to men Diodor. Sicul. lib. 2. cap. 2. de rebus antiquis From
to Larissa in Thessaly he was hired for eight pieces of Gold to watch a dead body but one night for fear the Witches of which in that place there is abundance should gnaw and devour the flesh of the party deceased even to the very bones which is often found amongst them Also Murther by the Laws of God and man is punishable with death besides they that eat mans flesh or deliver it to be eaten are not worthy to live Cornel. lib de Sicariâ—s A twelfth is That they kill as oft by Poisons as by Powders and Magick Spels now the Law saith It is worse to kill by Witchcraft then with the Sword Lib. 1. de Maâ—â—sic A thirteenth is That they are the death of Cattell for which Augustanus the Magician suffred death 1569. A fourteenth That they blast the Corn and Grain and being barrennesse and scarcity when there is a hoped plenty and abundance A fifteenth That they have carnall corsociety with the Devill as it hath been approved by a thousand severall confessions Now all that have made any compect or covenant with the Devill if not of all these yet undoubtedly are guilty of many or at least some and there one coâ—sequently not worthy to live And so much for the Punishment 〈…〉 and other known malefactors I come now to the Rewards due to the Vertuous and first of 〈…〉 Ladies for divers excellencies worthy to be remembred Of Tirgatao Moeotis Comiola Tuâ—ingâ— and others TIrgatao a beautifull and vertuous Lady was joined in marriage to Hecataeus King of those Indians that inhabit â—eer unto the Bosphor which is an arm of the Sea that runneth betwixt two coasts This Hecataeus being cast out of his Kingdome Satyrus the most potent of these Kings reinstated him in his Principality but conditionally That he would marry his only daughter and make her Queen by putting Tirgatao to death But he though forced by the necessity of the time and present occasion yet loving his first wife still would not put her to death according to the Covenant but caused her to be shut in his most defenced Castle there to consume the remaindeâ— of her life in perpetuall widowhood The Lady comforted with better hopes and born to fairer fortunes deceived the eies of her strict keepâ—â—s and by night escaped out of prison This being made known to the two Kings the sonne in law and the father they were wonderfully perplexed with the newes of her flight as fearing if she arrived in her own Country she might accite the people to her revenge They therefore pursued her with all diligence and speed but in vain for hiding her selfe all the day time and travelling by night through pathlesse and unfrequented places at length she arrived amongst the â—xomatae which was the Countrey of her own friends and kindred But finding her father dead she married with him that succeeded in the Kingdome by which means now commanding the Ixomatae she insinuated into the breasts of the most warlike people inhabiting about Moeotis and so levied a brave army which she her selfe conducted She first invaded the Kingdome of Hecataeus and infested his Country with many bloody incursions she next wasted and made spoil of the Kingdome of Satyrus insomuch that they both were forced with all submisse entreaties by embassadors to sue unto her for peace to which she assented having before as hostage of their truce received Metrodorus the son of Satyrus But the two Kings falsified to her their faith and honour for Satyrus dealt with two of his subjects whom he best trusted with whom he pretended heinous displeasure for which flying and retiring themselves to her for refuge they there attend a convenient opportunity to insiderate her life They submitting to her her Court becomes their sanctuary Satyrus sends to demand the offenders she by her letters entreats and mediates their peace and pardon These attend their next occasion the one pretends private conference with her and bowing submissly to her as she enclines her body to attend him the other invades her with his sword her fortunate Belt kept the steel from entring Clamor is made her servants enter the Traitors are apprehended and confesse all that before had passed betwixt Satyrus and them Therefore she commands his son Metrodorus the Hostage to be slain and the two conspirators with him gathers another army and invades the Bosâ—â—â—ean Tyrant She punisheth his perfidiousnesse with Rapes Murthers Combustions and all the Calamities of war till Satyrus himselfe oppressed with miseries and surcharged with griefe expired whom Gorgippus his son succeeded in the Principality but not with any security till he had acknowledged his Crown as given to him by her and with many costly and rich gifts compounded for his peace Polyb. lib 8. This Lady hath a merited name for an invincible courage and a masculine spirit No lesse worthy to be remembred is Comiola Turinga her history is thus reported In that great Navy which Peter King of Sicily sent against Robert King of Naples in the aid of the Lyparitans with other Pâ—inces 〈◊〉 Nâ—â—lemen there was in that fleet one Roland bâ—stard brother to King Peter The Sicilians being defeated by 〈…〉 Roland amongst many other Gentlemen was surpâ—â—â—ed and cast into prison Now when the friends and kinsmen of all such Captives had been carefull of their release and almost all of them were ransomed thence King Peter 〈◊〉 the sloth and cowardise of his subjects the Sicilians neglected his brother and would entertein no discourse that tended to his redemption Whereupon he was put into a more close prison no better then a Dungeon where he was debarred the benefit of light and shortned of his diet where he spent his time in discontent and misery This extremity of his with the Dukes slackneâ—â— in his release comming to the ear of a beautiful young widow of Messana who had a large Dower from her parents and was left infinitely rich by her husband she pitying his distressed estate and withall being somewhat enamored of his person sent to him privately by such as he best trusted to know of him if he would accept of her as his wife if she did instantly pay down his ransome The motion being made he seemed overjoied thanked the heavens for their assistance and with great willingnesse accepted of the motion They are contracted by Proxie and she paies down two thousand ounces of gold for his freedome This done and Roland comming back to Messana he was so far from acknowledging the Contract that he would not so much as see her or confesse himselfe obliged unto her in the smallest courtesie who had it not been for her charitable love and piety might have languished in an uncomfortable durance all the daies of his life Comiola Turninga at this ingratitude much grieved for she had not only paid down so great a sum but that which most afflicted her was that the fame of her marriage being â—ll over-spread the Contract being denied and by
and out the room who seeing him to be a man of fashion and therefore likely to be of means they thought to make of him some booty being it seems set on by the Grandam of the house for as it proved it was a common Brothel house The youngest and handsomest amongst the rest was put upon him who entreated him not to be seen below where every Porter Carman and common fellow came to drink but to take a more convenient and retired room The Gentleman suspecting the place as it was indeed to be no better then it should be and being willing to see some fashions took her gentle proffer and went with her up the stairs where they two being alone and a bed in the room beer being brought up she began to offer him more then common courtesie being so far from modesty that she almost prostituted her selfe unto him Which he apprehending asked her in plain terms If these were not meer provocations to incite him to lust which she as plainly confessed To whom he replied That since it was so he was most willing to accept of her kind proffer only for modesty sake he desired her to shew him into a darker room To which she assented and leads him from one place to another but he still told her that none of all these was dark enough insomuch that she began at length somewhat to distaste him because in all that time he had not made unto her any friendly proffer At length she brought him into a close narrow room with nothing but a Loop-hole for light and told him Sir unlesse you purpose to go into the Cole-house this is the darkest place in the house How doth this please you To whom he answered Unlesse thou strumpet thou canst bring me to a place so palpably â—enebrious into which the eies of heaven cannot pierce and see me thou canst not perswade me to an act so detestable before God and good men For cannot he that sees into the hearts and reins of all behold us here in our wickednesse And further proceeding told he the heinousnesse of her sin towards God that her prostitution was in sight of him and his Angels and the everlasting punishment thereto belonging Or if irreligious as she was she held these but dreams and fables he bad her consider her estate in this world and what her best could be a Whoâ—e the name odious the profession abominable despised of the indifferent but quite abandoned of those confirmed in Vertue That she was in her selfe but a meer leprosy to destroy her self and insect others a Sink of Sin diseases Or if her extraordinary good fortune were such to escape the Spittle and the Surgeon yet she was a continual vassal to every Constable and Beadle never certain of her Lodging if not in the Stocks in the Cage but the chiefest of her hopes in Bridewell c. To conclude he read unto her so strict and austere a Lecture concerning her base and 〈◊〉 life that from an impudent Strumpet he wrought her to be a repentant Convertite Her brazen forehead melted at his fiery zeal and all those scales of immodesty like a mask plucked off fel from her face and she appeared to him in her former simple and innocentious life When further asking her of her birth and Countrie she freely confessed unto him That she was born in the North Countrie her father a Gentleman once of fair revenue but being impoverished by peevish suits in Law her mother first and he whether by age or grief she knew not soon after died She being an Orphan and left distressed loth to beg of those whom her parents had before relieved finding charity there cold and willing rather to appear base any where then where she was known sold such small things as she had to come up to London with the Carriers where she was no sooner alighted at her 〈◊〉 but she was hited by this Bawd altogether unacquainted with her base course of life who by degrees trained her to such base prostitution but withall protested with tears that course of life was hatefull unto her and had she any friend or kinsman that could propose her any means to relinquish that Trade which in her soul she detested she would become a new woman desiring that one month of her lewdnesse might be forgot for from that hour she protested Chastity all her life time after Her apparant tears and seeming penitence much perswading with the Gentleman he protested If it lay in him he would otherwise dispose of her according to her wishes and withall charging her That if he sent unto her within two or three daies with monie to acquit her of the house that she would attire her selfe as modestly as she could possibly not bringing with her any one rag that belonged to that abominable house or any borrowed garment in which she had offended but instantly to repair unto him at his fiâ—st sending and this being agreed betwixt them for that time they parted The Gentleman wondrous careful of his undertaking because she was now his new creature câ—me to a Matron-like Gentlewoman a kinswoman of his 〈◊〉 off with whom and her husband he had familiar acquaintance and by that means daily accesse to the house who had pretty fine children and were of fair revenue and told her there was a civil maid a kinswoman of his lately come out of the Countrie who wanted a service whom if she pleased to enteriem it might prove a great good to her and no less courtesie to him Briefly the motion was accepted she sent for according to appointment and after he had tutored her in all things which shâ— should answer accepted and enterteined Her modest behavior and fair carriage with her tender love and diligence about the children won her in short time a good opinion of her master a greater affection from her mistresse and a generall love of the whole household insomuch that within lesse then a year she was raised from a Chambermaid to be a Waiting Gentlewoman and the only bosome friend of her mistresse who falling sick even to death ready to expire her last so much doted on her new servant that she sent for her husband and besought him if it stood with his good liking so to dispose of himselfe after her decease to make that woman his wife and mother to his children for one more loving and carefull he should not find and search England thorow and thorow The Gentlewoman soon after dies he is left a widower and the charge of the whole house committed to our new Convertite with the bringing up of his children Which she executed with such fidelity that he casting a more curious eie upon her youth and beauty and withall remembring his wives last words not knowing for the present how better to dispose of himselfe Time Place and Opportunity all things furthering her preferment he contracted himselfe unto her and they were soon after married But before any of
Friday was born So that he was the fore-runner of Christ both in his Conception his Birth his Baptism his Preaching and his Death A woman goeth with child two hundred threescore and sixteen daies for so long by computation was Christ in the womb of the blessed Virgin though all women goe not so long with child S. Augustine observes lib. 4. de Civitate Dei cap. 5. So that Christ was longer in the womb by a day and more then St Iohn Baptist Iohn also was born when the daies began to shorten and wane and Christ when they began to wax long Concerning these Antiquities I conclude with a sentence of St Augustins Against Reason saith he no sober man will dispute against the Scripture no Christian man contest and against the Church no religious man oppose And so I proceed to the History Of Mary the blessed Virgin LEt it not be held unnecessary or appear out of course amongst these Virgins to insert a history memorable for the rarenesse thereof to all posterity Iohannes Wyerius in his book intituled de Praestigiâ—s demonum hath collected it out of Suidas In the mean time that Iustinian was Emperor there was a Prince amongst the Jewes whose name was Theodosius He having great aequaintance and familiarity with one Philippus a Christian a bancker or one that dealt in the exchange of monie for he was called Philippus Argentarius this Philip did often sollicite and exhort him to leave his Judaisme and be a convert and turn to the Christian religion to whom he answered Indeed he must ingeniously confesse he made no question but that Jesus whom the Christians adored was the same Messias of whom the holy Prophets foretold yet he could not be perswaded to relinquish the honours and profits that he had amongst his own Nation and give himselfe up to a name which they knew not or at least would not acknowledge yet that he beleeved so of Christ he was not only perswaded by the Oracles of the holy Prophets but he found it approved by a certain mystery namely a writing most charily stil kept amongst the Jewes in a place most safe and secret where their choice records with the especiallest care and trust are reserved which was of this nature It was a custome amongst the Jewish Nation at what time the holy Temple was yet standing in Jerusalem to have continually the number of 22 chief and selected Priests just so many as there be letters in the Hebrew language or books of the old Testament and so often as any of these was taken away by death immediately another was elected to succeed in his place and being chosen in a book kept in the treasury for that only purpose expressly to write down his own name and the names of both his parents with the daies punctually set down of the decease of the one and the succession of the other Now in the time that Christ was conversant in Judaea and yet had not shewed himselfe to the world nor preached the Word openly to the people it hapned that one of the Priests of the foresaid number died neither after many voices and sundry nominations was any agreed upon or thought fit to be ascribed into his place At length was propounded JESUS the son of the Carpenter Ioseph for so they termed him a man though young yet for the sanctity of his life his behaviour and doctrine above all the rest commended This suffrage standing as having generall approbation from all it was convenient to send for his mother for his father Ioseph was late dead into the Consistory only to know their names and to register them in the aforesaid book She therefore being called and diligently questioned of her son and his father thus answered That indeed she was the mother of JESUS and brought him into the world of which those women are testates that were present at his birth but that he had no father from earth in which if they desired to be further instructed she could make it plainly appear For being a Virgin and then in Galilee the Angel of God saith she entred the house where I was and appearing unto me not sleeping but thus as I am awake he told me That by the Holy Ghost I should conceive and bring forth a son and commanded me that I should cal his name JESUS Therefore being then a Virgin by that Vision I conceived I brought forth JESUS and I still remain a Virgin unto this day When the 〈◊〉 heâ—â—d this they appointed faithfull and trusty Midwiveâ— with all diligence and care to make proof whether Mary were a Virgin or no they finding the truth most appâ—â—ant and not to be contradicted delivered up to the Priests That she 〈◊〉 Virgin pure and immaculate Then they sent for those women that were known to be at her delivery and were witnâ—sses of the Infants comming into the world all which did attest and justity That she was the mother of the same JESUS With these things the Priests amazed and astonished they presently entreated Mary that she would freely professe unto unto them what his Parents were that their names according to custome might be registred amongst the others To whom the blessed Virgin thus answered Certain I am that I brought him into the world but know no father that he hath from the Earth but by the Angel it was told me That he was the son of GOD He therefore is the son of GOD and me This the Priests understanding called for the book which being laid open before them they caused these words to be inscribed Upon such a day deceased such a Priest born of such and such Parents in whose place by the common and unite suffrage of us all is elected Priest JESUS the Son of the living GOD and the Virgin MARY And this book Theodosius affirmed by the especiall diligence of the most noble amongst the Jewes and the chiefe Princes was reserved from the great sack and destruction of the City and Temple and was transferred into the City of Tiberias and there kept a long time after Suidas testifies that he hath heard this discourse from honest men who delivered it to him word by word as they themselves have heard it from the mouth of Philippus Argentarius This most blessed and pure Virgin Mary the mother of our Lord and Saviour was born of the holy Matron St Anne in the year of the world 3948 and in the year before Christ fifteen Of him Claudian thus elegantly writes in one of his Epigrams Proles vera Dei cunctisque antiquior Annis Nunegenitus qui semper eras True Son of God older then time that hast Thy birth but now yet from beginning wast Author of Light and Light before all other O thou that art the parent of thy mother And by thâ—ne equall-aged father sent From Heaven unto this terrene continent Whose word was made Flesh and constrain'd to dwell In the streight prison of a Virgins cell And in a narrow angle to