a great part of Anaxanacton's Dominions as is known by the Story of Mahomet Bentivolio perceiving that Antigraphus had made an end replied in these words Though there are many things in Christian Religion for that is but another Name of Anaxanacton's Discipline so Mystical that their full Sense is above the reach of our Apprehension yet nothing can justly be esteem'd unreasonable because we are not able to fathom it since we know that Inferiour Beings cannot adequately comprehend Superiour Though it is very common with foolish men to quarrel with those Methods by which God prosecutes the Design of their Happiness and to cavil at those Notions wherein the most important Truths are contain'd yet I think those which you have impugn'd so agreeable to right Reason and that no Instrument could have been more prudently contriv'd to promote the Salvation of Mankind then the Death of Anaxanacton and that it was not unsuccessefully applied to serve this most noble Design and that the Effects which were produc'd by it were never equall'd by any other Invention is the first thing that I will endeavour to shew you and adde to what I have said already concerning this Matter answers to all your Objections and afterward I will satisfie you as to the Truth of the whole Story of Anaxanacton When Man came first into Being he was God's Creature and so oblig'd by the strongest ties to acknowledge him for his Soveraign Rector He who made all things having an indubitable Right to give them Laws The universal Creator according to his Divine Prudence inscrib'd natural Rules upon Mens Hearts so making them in part Laws to themselves and superadded some Positive Commands as further significations of his Will He knowing that he had to doe with considerative Natures not only engag'd them to observe his Laws by the good Condition into which he put them but added another strong preservative against Disobedience by annexing to his Commands Punishments conditionally threatn'd Which was a rare Expression of the Divine Goodness for God did so take care that the false Hopes of Impunity might not bring into the World first Sin and then Ruine But rash Men slighting their Duty notwithstanding these Obligations to the contrary rendred themselves obnoxious to the Punishment of an Ingrateful Rebellion and it was then just with God who is the Lord of Punishment to inflict the Mulcts which were due upon the contempt of his Precepts But he considering that it was a thing worthy of the benign Creator rather to repair his work by an After-provision of his Wisdom then to desert it to that Ruine which was the effect of its own Folly determin'd to restore the degenerate World and upon Terms which were fit for him to propound to admit Offenders to the benefit of Reconcil'd Favour The Sins of the World being an unspeakable Affront to his just Authority and an open Scorn put upon his most excellent Laws he saw it was reasonable that Men ought not to be pardon'd but in a way by which the Divine Honour might be repair'd his Government acknowledg'd the Righteousness of his Injunctions vindicated Obedience restor'd to its due Estimation Rebellion condemn'd and put to the highest disgrace and Offenders by the assurance of Forgiveness perswaded to return to their Duty and so that base thing Sin be rooted out of the World Now Antigraphus if you will give me leave to use a few words more continued Bentivolio I will demonstrate to you that these noble Designs could not have been accomplish'd any way so well as by the Obedient Life and Holy Death of Anaxanacton You must know that he came into the World at such a time when Wickedness had advanc'd it self to a height scarce parallel'd in any Age and when that Nation which did most of all others pretend and had the greatest reasons to be Examples of Vertue had not only dishonour'd it by Vicious Practices but had slurr'd their Rules with such false Expositions that they had represented the Observation of their genuine Sense as unnecessary Anaxanacton appear'd upon this Stage as the Champion of Obedience and by an unspotted Conversation made a publick Defiance to the prevalence of Vice subdued the Power of bad Example and reveal'd a dear Regard of the Divine Will when all the World slighted it overcame the Temptations of Sin and condemn'd those Customs which by a continu'd repetition of wicked Actions do propagate hurtful Examples and having given all sorts of men a full knowledge of their Duties by his Excellent Discourses and shewn the way to the most noble degree of Vertue of which as I told you before his own Life was the Beautiful Image he reprov'd the disobedient World with such Authority that he amaz'd the most Obstinate and perfectly reclaim'd the Ingenuous who wanting good Information sinn'd only of Ignorance but now reform'd themselves willingly since they knew the danger of their Errours Anaxanacton having proceeded so far his Life was improv'd to the utmost Justification of the Supreme Law-giver and now he laid it down that by his Death he might make a further Reparation of the Divine Honour and a fuller Expression of his Charity to Humane Nature His Death was a common Penance of Mankind in which Divine Justice made the Sins of the World to meet as in an Expiatory Suffering which his Love made him chearfully endure having voluntarily put himself into the place of Sinners and he was not unwilling to bear such shameful Torments as were ever look'd upon as the Punishments of Sin and the visible Effects of God's Displeasure Thus his Cross became a publick Vindication of the Divine Justice to which all the World was obnoxious and it was a great Augmentation of that Disparagement which he had cast upon Sin by his Holy Life For none could receive the true knowledge of this wonderful Action and remain so stupid as to think still that Disobedience is a Trifle which was thus expiated or so unreasonable as not to conclude that the Wound was of a most deadly concernment which could not be cured but by a Balsam made of such precious Bloud How can any man think that it is a cheap thing to sin when the dearest Son of God was buffeted crown'd with Thorns and then nail'd to a Cross for it The Saviour of the World had reason to expect that when some men saw and others heard that the hard Rocks clove and the dull Earth trembled at his Death and that the dead came out of their Graves that they would awake out of their deadly slumbers and not only think of relenting a little but melting themselves into an ingenuous Sorrow for their former Enormities now begin a new Life according to his Directions who died for them and by his Death shew'd them not only the depth of his true Affection but made it the greatest endearment of Obedience letting them see that it was so necessary to their Happiness that it is neither possible nor fit that
so vile a person I ever esteem'd Justice to be founded in Goodnesse because Punishment was invented by God as a Guard to Righteousnesse and since Impunity would drive Goodnesse out of the World and make it unhabitable for Righteous and Meek persons I count that Indulgence by which Malicious persons are saved from suffering to be an injust punishment inflicted upon the Innocent Clemency indeed is an incomparable imitation of the Divine Mercifulnesse but it must be exercis'd in due instances or else it may degenerate into Cruelty If there were no occasion to strike at any time the sword of Justice was made in vain Those who have lived to destroy the publick good of mankind ought by their Death to make a Compensation for their Wrongs and as they are no lesse odious to God then men because they do notoriously rebel against his Government we are not to think that he hath taken so little care of the welfare of his Creatures as that he doth not allow and require the removal of such Monsters In this respect therefore I see nothing that doth discourage my hopes of Erotocleus his restauration and I trust the particular way which you have not yet mention'd is not of such an unhandsome nature but that a good man may make use of it Unto this Kalobulus answer'd Our forces are not so numerous as to storm the strong Tower of Forzario and if they were we might not make use of them for we have learn'd that Just men can then only warrant their actions whilst they are regulated by known Lawes and though when others break them one that is wrong'd may suffer honorably yet he cannot violate them himself whilst he seeks reparation but his endeavour will be sullied with Injustice Our Law permits not one Subject to demand satisfaction of another in that way The means which I thought of is allow'd by Law I confesse but I believe the Execution of it is as unsuitable to the Mercifulnesse and Patience of your disposition as it is contrary to our desire that you should undertake it It is this When any person is wrong'd and by the Violation of Law unjustly suffers the losse of his Life and Estate the Law permits any man that is not a-kin to the party wrong'd nor concern'd by friendship nor ever had any quarrell with the person who did the wrong out of mere love to Justice to challenge the Violator of Law to a single Combate in which if he be kill'd the former sentence of the Law is revers'd If this be all the difficulty quoth Bentivolio I doubt not but to satisfie you and my self as to the honorablenesse of the undertaking and with God's help to procure satisfaction to Erotocleus by the good successe of it I perceive your scruple is the Unlawfulnesse of Duells which as they are commonly practis'd I do as much abhor as you do and think that they are infinitely below the Temper of a Gentleman and a Christian. As they rise for the most part from dishonourable grounds so they proceed by unreasonable means Who knowes not that though Honour is talk'd of as the reason of the Challenge that the true occasion of the quarrell was but some slight affront receiv'd in a Taverne or some such place Those which had not the Wisdom and Vertue to avoid unworthy actions must needs pretend to a generous Choler which will not permit them to live unreveng'd of such wrongs as peradventure they procur'd to themselves Having never understood what true Courage signifies much lesse express'd it upon any just occasion they undervalue their lives which are not worth much that they may be Masters of other mens as uselesse as their own and think it a Bravery to rush upon Damnation but durst never expose themselves to the hazards of a publick service to save those who are more worthy to live then themselves Such Persons as have abandon'd Patience devested themselves of Humility cashier'd all inclinations to Forgivenesse and count the neglect of Revenge Cowardise must needs find the belief of their Salvation impossible if these things be other then Devilish qualities And whilst they look upon it as an ungentile thing to suffer wrong they never scruple the doing of it though that be a hundred times more base and they stand so upon a false notion of Reputation that they cannot endure to be thought patient that is they undervalue the estimation of God and the opinion of Wise men because they are unwilling that a few Fooles should take them for Cowards The Heavenly Angels might with as good reason be angry because many times in great buildings they are represented by little Boyes with wooden wings They have another humour of which I cannot but take notice and that is These Bravado's will take it in great scorn if you should not think them Christians whilst they ridiculously take their name from him whose nature did abominate such practises and whose Life and Death was the most perfect contradiction to such a lownesse of Temper that can be imagin'd They should rather derive their Pedigree from Lamech who would not stick to kill any body for the least scratch of his skin By this which I have discours'd Kalobulus you may perceive how unwilling I am by my example to patronize those murderous Duells in which hot young men engage when Wine Women and mutuall provocations have begun such quarrells as accept of no determination but by the sword No I undertake this piece of Justice only as the Magistrates servant warranted by Law which at present needs this Vindication without any desire of Revenge for I have suffer'd no Wrong but to take off the guilt of Philapantas his blood which lies upon Argentora that he which afflicted the Good in his life may 〈◊〉 the Wicked by his death and by this means which is all that is left to right Erotocleus Kalobulus perceiving the zeal of Bentivolio's Good will nothing doubting his skill in arms assured of the Justice of the Cause by his own Knowledg and convinc'd of the lawfulness of the redresse propounded by Bentivolio's discourse struck with admiration by the Contemplation of his unparallel'd Accomplishments replyed that he could not but approve of his 〈◊〉 design undertaken with so much Wisdom and Valour But do you think Forzario will accept a Challenge said Bentivolio There is no doubt of that quoth Kalobulus for he loves to fight with any body and is possess'd with such great thoughts that in Comparison of himself he despiseth all the World And withall he desir'd Bentivolio to permit a Second to attend him to which he agreed And whilst Kalobulus was consulting with himself whom to appoint Thrasymachus whispering in his eare desired him to nominate himself which his Father did and pray'd Bentivolio to accept of his Sons offer who was ambitious to serve under so great a Captain in the behalf of Erotocleus Bentivolio giving great thanks to the Young Gentleman call'd for a Pen and paper
Company of Horsemen rush out of a Wood which was not very far off It seems Inganna seeing her Husband fall not knowing what was the cause but much fearing that of which she saw so bad an effect which she also judg'd worse then it was commanded a Troop of Horse to fall in which she had lay'd in Ambush in the Woods the night before intending by them basely to recover what her Husband had dishonorably lost Bentivolio suspecting some such thing having heard of Inganna heightning his desires of ending with One by the foresight of Villany and Danger which attended him from Many more though they made a stop after they perceiv'd Forzario and Bentivolio both upon their feet and imploring the Divine aid struck Forzario such a blow upon the head that made him bow it a little on one side his Helmet being rais'd withall Bentivolio with such agility as that opportunity required ran his sword into his Throat through his Neck upon which Forzario falling down made such haste out of the world that he took his leave of it without speaking one word Erotocleus plac'd with a select Troop of Horse behind a Hill not far from the place of the Fight to prevent all base attempts by the prudence of Kalobulus who imagin'd what Inganna would do made sufficiently carefull by his love to Bentivolio and now perceiving plainly what was past and coming made speed to his friend and having assisted Thrasymachus to catch his horse the other Second having refus'd to strike in a Cause which he knew to be as unjust as Forzario was unsuccessefull Bentivolio mounted and before the joyfull Erotocleus could expresse his thanks to Bentivolio Inganna's Horse were come up to them And now the single Fight was converted into a bloody Battell where many began to try on one side if they could regain what a single person had lost and the other side to keep what one had won Erotocleus desir'd Bentivolio to retire and look to his Wounds of which Kalobulus would gladly have taken care but he refus'd their entreaties making no question but this would prove a short businesse and finding his spirits hold out still though much wearied resolved to accompany his friends till the work was done Erotocleus perceiving his resolution troubled him no further and having stood idle all this while desiring to go and warm himself a little spurr'd his Horse to charge that forlorn Company so basely engaged and to show them the dreadfull face of just Revenge whose first effects he bestow'd upon the Captain of that Wicked Band who had been a servant to his Father but revolted to Forzario by the perswasions of Inganna and his own ambitious Hopes carrying death in each look he rode up close to him and with the first blow clest his Head in two equall pieces A just punishment for him who had so dishonorably divided his false Heart between two so contrary Masters Thrasymachus making way with his sword into the midst of the Troop where Inganna was having kill'd those which offer'd to guard her took her prisoner Erotocleus hewing down those which made resistance came into the Confirmation of Thrasymachus his safety who was surrounded with Enemies Bentivolio seeing the rest of the Troop follow their Leader couragiously through the Wounds and death of their adversaries thought it was no great matter if he fought a while to shorten the trouble of his friends though it was needlesse to the procurement of Victory which did voluntarily attend them The Forzarians fell so easily before him that by the effects of his Courage one would think he had but now begun to fight Here one might have taken a full notice what Feeblenesse and Fear a guilty Conscience forceth into the actions of men For though Inganna's numbers were so unequall that they judg'd themselves two to one of the other side yet their hearts so fail'd them that by their fighting one would have thought them not one to ten After the first brunt in which some few were slain they soon discovered what would become of the rest These Forzarians having approv'd their Valour in former undertakings show'd that now their Courage wanted a Cause not their Cause a Courage The thoughts which they reflected upon their unworthy engagement which were more piercing by reason of the presence of Erotocleus whom they unjustly oppos'd disanimated them for they were appall'd as people besieged in a Castle use to be when the enemy is not only got within the walls but a great party riseth up against them amongst themselves so that not knowing who is for them who against them they neglect the use of their Arms through a great uncertainty of killing their Friends or their Enemies Bentivolio took speedy notice of it and as soon as a few were punish'd to make Examples of unhappy Wickednesse he being alwaies mercifull where it was not necessary to be severe desired Erotocleus that they might have Quarter given them which was as soon granted as ask'd Inganna was brought before them by Thrasymachus and she had suffered death already in her Expectations which Bentivolio perceiving No Wicked Woman No saith he you shall live a little longer then you think you shall be reserv'd to satisfie Justice by an Exemplary suffering and in the mean time committed her prisoner to Argus one of Kalobulus his servants commanding him to look well to her and to keep her in some safe place of the Castle It were too tedious to report the affectionate Embraces which Erotocleus bestow'd upon Bentivolio the courteous gratulations of Kalobulus and the passionate love of Thrasymachus but they made their Complements the shorter considering that it was necessary to retire to the Castle and take order for the cure of Bentivolio's Wounds which was accomplish'd in a short time by the excellent skill of Kalobulus his Lady The newes of Forzario's death was soon spread over Argentora and put the Court into a great Wonder only Labargurus was observ'd above all others to be possess'd with a particular Grief which was encreas'd as also the Cause of it discovered by an Accident that happen'd One of the Witnesses which had sworn against Philapantas being tormented with the conscience of his Villany upon the newes of Forzario's death which he knew to be inflicted by Divine Vengeance felt his pains so intolerable that he was weary of his life and immediately hang'd himself The Other hearing of it was not able to conceal the Wickednesse any longer but went to the Duke and confess'd to him that by the Instigation of Labargurus he and his Partner had forsworn themselves by which Perjury Philapantas was condemn'd Labargurus being in presence and confounded with the discovery of his Villany fell down upon his knees and begg'd pardon for his Life You shall not die said the Duke till I shall receive such a discovery of your Wickednesse as that by it I may understand to appoint you such a death as you deserve For it is but
of some that have risen from the Dead put them many times into such agonies that they would be glad to be assured of their Annihilation after this Life When they venture to think seriously which they dare but seldom doe they have such an unacceptable remembrance of what they have been and so much assurance that if there be any happiness afterward they shall have no share in it that to comfort themselves they vote That there is nothing after this Life These suffrages signifie indeed their strong desires but are no Arguments of a true Opinion concerning the Future state but that uneasie Temper of Soul which makes them wish so proves what I assert That they are not happy at present It may be this is true replied Apronaeus and if it be I confess that those whom you call Wicked are very unhappy yet it seems still a kind of slur to that Government you speak of that if they deserve that Punishment they have it not sooner It is something which you say of the former sorts of Tormeut which you have mention'd but they are invisible and so little notice is taken of them by others but if they were hurried to Execution as soon as they sin it would strike a Terrour upon By-standers but since Vengeance is so long in coming they are incourag'd to sin by delay Good mens Hopes are weaken'd and they are ready to say If God neglect his servants why should they worship him Justice is blasphem'd and the Force of Law enervated If some happen to be struck sooner it is but as Thunderbolts fall by chance And who can imagine but they do for they often cleave a gallant Oak and sometimes tear an useful Sail or kill a harmless Traveller when those which sin boldly arrive at gray Haires without any considerable Misfortune and in appearance die peaceably Poor Apronaeus said the Prince smiling what slight devices art thou constrain'd to use to support a false plea Must there be no Providence unless those which sin be presently Condemn'd and immediately Executed Those which sin are alwayes Condemn'd and God is so merciful that he thinks it punishment enough that for a while they carry their heavy crosses to which you would have them presently nail'd He is 〈◊〉 Gracious that he doth usually respite their irreversible Doom in expectation of Amendment and so both saves sinners and teacheth those which look on to imitate his merciful Example Those which have deserved the blow fear that he will strike too soon and shall any be weary of the Divine Patience which comforts others because they love to see sinners fall I must also tell you Apronaeus that he is not so gentle as to neglect Justice God doth make Examples enough in every Age to let all the World see their danger and though some be spar'd that deserve present Punishment it is both a Glory to his Forgiveness that some of those which escape Repent and if he let many go in 〈◊〉 of their Emendation may he not as well and much better doe it then a General decimate his Regiments for a Mutiny of which they are all guilty God is not endamag'd by delay those which continue their Rebellion can never get out of his reach he is not willing to dispeople the Earth by sudden Executions But because men are apt by long Impunity to imagine that either they are not obnoxious or that none regards what they doe God many times is forc'd to confute their Imaginations by Great Plagues Pining Famine Cruel Wars to unburthen the Earth of its wicked Load and takes away such as had too long oppress'd Vertue and supported Wickedness with the most vile Examples by which means he shews both how unreasonable Sinners are whom no forbearance will reclaim and how just he is when he useth severity because those which suffer it sinn'd so long against one that was loath to punish and by his Punishments asserts his Providence By some words which you have deliver'd you seem to be willing to think Apronaeus that God doth not manage his Justice with Prudence because he doth not inflict all Mulcts upon the persons of sinners But must this piece of his Goodness also be made an Argument against his Providence and shall we think he doth punish by chance because he is mercifully Just Was it not esteem'd a Favour to the Persians when their Emperour commanded only their Turbans to be beaten Did the World use to grumble at the Charge of their Sacrifices when God requir'd only a Beast for a Man But I spare to urge this any further because those which are ready to sink must be permitted to catch at Reeds Here Apronaeus made such a pause as signified that he had no mind to proceed any further but Diaporon craving leave to continue the Discourse added I have so great satisfaction most Excellent Prince in your Answers to the Objections which Apronaeus hath made that I have nothing to renew a Reply yet other things which he hath not quoted disturb my belief in this Point For if God be Almightily Good and Rule this World by an unerring Prudence how came this Unlucky thing Sin which 〈◊〉 so much trouble into it You say it is Evil and assert that nothing but Good comes from God whence is it then What did some envious Anti-God put this flaw upon his Work There is no Question replied the Prince but Sin is Evil for nothing else doth properly deserve that name and it is as indubitable that the most good God is not the Author of it and yet to defend his Honour we need not run to that old Fable of Oromasdes and Arimanius whom the Ancients not knowing how otherwise to answer the Question concerning the Original of Evil set up as two Gods and made one the Author of Good and the other of Evil for this matter is determinable by ascribing Evil to its proper Cause which will clear the doubt and reflect no disparagement upon the All-Good God Men brought in Evil by the foolish abuse of that Free-will which God had given them It is the Glory of the Creatour that he could make such a Noble Automaton as Man who moves spontaneously and according to an innate Liberty of Election determines himself to his Actions He put this Liberty into the hands of an Intelligent Creature whom he both made able to know that which is Good and fitted his Nature to the Love of it He made it so much his Interest to be Obedient that he promis'd him great Rewards for doing small Duties unto the performance of which he gave him sufficient Assistance He told him wherein Evil consisted forewarn'd him of its mischievous Nature forbad him to introduce it and by a most rightful Authority threaten'd him severely if he transgress'd the Orders which he had receiv'd But Man by a perverse abuse of his Freedom chuseth that which is worse will not take pains to distinguish that which is truly Good from that which is
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
that Nicomachus had not quite discharg'd his Task being interrupted by reading the Letters which they receiv'd from Theosebius and therefore desired leave of the Company that he might resume it They consented and Nicomachus was voted to his Chair again by an unanimous voice of the whole Company and Theonoe having given order that none should interrupt them Nicomachus proceeded after this manner Though I have sufficiently declar'd the Imperfection of my Wit in offering at the Recital of such a noble Story yet since I sin only because I would be obedient I will briefly give you the last part of that Discourse especially because I esteem that which was then said to be very pertinent to the Vindication of Anaxanacton's Honour from the foolish Cavils of some Pretenders to Wit who take it for a great piece of Ability to find faults where there are none and think they deserve Applause when they merit only Scorn for saucily deriding those things which they ought humbly to adore Antigraphus as I was going to have told you being desired by Eugenius to express his Mind addressing himself to Bentivolio began thus It 's true I am not satisfied with your Discourse Though you have adorn'd the History of Anaxanacton with plausible Colours yet I cannot but think that many of them may 〈◊〉 be rubb'd off I will not trouble you with a punctual Enumeration of all my Doubts only I shall crave your pardon to touch upon some things which most offend me What you have said concerning Anaxanacton's Birth his Miraculous Actions his Resurrection and Ascension is utterly destitute of any known Parallel and methinks it requires a vast measure of Credulity to make men believe a Report so strangely incredible For my own part I desire to be told how I may assure my self that those parts of your Story are true That Notion which you put upon the Death of Anaxanacton whose bloud was shed as you say as an Expiation for the Sins of the World and that he offered himself upon the Cross as a Propitiatory Sacrifice seems to be clogg'd with so much unreasonableness that I cannot but disbelieve it I look upon his Crucifixion as a means both wholly unnecessary and altogether useless and so very unfitly applied to any such purposes You make use indeed of various Expressions to magnifie the advantage of his Death and say the same thing in different words yet in my mind it fits none of them Sometimes you fansy his Sufferings as a placatory Oblation and so make his Cross an Instrument of Atonement between an angry God and trembling Offenders But with what probability can this be affirm'd For can he truly be said to be Reconcil'd who not only was never angry but whose Divine Nature is utterly incapable of such a low Passion Sometimes you explain the same point by the Notion of Redemption and would have us look upon the Life of Anaxanacton as a Price paid down for the reinfranchising of inslav'd Men. I confess I wonder at this as much as the other for to whom should this Price be paid To God How can that be since you say that he gave this Anaxanacton his dear Son as a Ransome for Men and so make him the Purchaser Which cannot be admitted neither for to what purpose should he give him unless it were to buy what was his own Men could neither give nor sell themselves from God if they did the Deed was Invalid because he can never lose his Right by any foolish Act of his Creatures They could not be taken from him by force because he is Omnipotent If he receiv'd a Price for them it seems he did not Redeem but Sell them The Price you speak of could not be paid to the Devil for God only whose Law was violated had Right to take Punishment of his offending Subjects and if the Devil had any hand in the Torment it was but of an Executioner deputed by God Besides all this Anaxanacton could not be truly said to have bought Men for he himself as I have heard affirm'd that God gave him freely that part of Mankind in which he claims a peculiar Interest The Sense which you would express by using the word Satisfaction is liable to as great Difficulties If God would not forgive sinners till he had receiv'd Satisfaction he lessen'd his Goodness which you say is Infinite Or if he would needs have Satisfaction yet why should the most Innocent Anaxanacton be expos'd to scornful Tortures in the stead of such as were notoriously guilty Although that Generous Prince was so good-natur'd as to offer it yet it was contrary to God's Justice to receive such a Cruel Compensation and it seems to have been too excessive an Anger conceiv'd against the Sins of the World which could not be appeas'd without a Sacrifice of Humane Bloud the Use whereof you did but now condemn in the Heathen Religion What Satisfaction was due I do not know but it seems to follow from your own Principles that Anaxanacton could not pay it for you acknowledge him to be a God and if you think to take off this Inconvenience by laying it upon his Humane Nature I must tell you that it could not make Satisfaction for the Defects of others because all that it could doe was but its own just Duty I am confirm'd in this Opinion of Anaxanacton's Death proceeded Antigraphus because I perceive but very small Effects which it hath produc'd towards the Melioration of the World since he left it If he had deliver'd the World from Ignorance by his Gospel and redeem'd it as you say he did from Sin by his Death how comes it to pass that many Nations are not acquainted with his Laws and that most of those Countries which have receiv'd that knowledge are as Wicked as those which have not Some of them complain of Anaxanacton's Discipline as a heavy Yoke and pretend that their Disobedience is necessitated because his Commands are so strict that they cannot be observ'd Whether this be true or no I know not but that they are not obey'd is but too evident by their contrary practices We see also that the World is vex'd with those Afflictions which you call the Punishments of Sin as Painful Diseases Devouring Plagues Bloudy Wars Intolerable Famine Implacable Death and Dissentions Irreconcilable entertain'd by those who though they glory in the Pretense of being Anaxanacton's Disciples yet having torn off his known Badge Mutual Love and despis'd his gentle Spirit all the World perceives that they have nothing but his bare Name and that they have so confounded his Doctrine by quarrelsome Controversies that they themselves can scarce tell what it is I doubt concerning the Truth of that Relation which you made of the Success which he had for a while and if I should grant it to be true yet I must tell you that it did scarce equal what hath accompanied the Designs of those whom you call Impostors some of which have gotten Victory over
commanded them never to think of being crown'd hereafter except they overcome now and to encourage them to endeavour heartily he hath assur'd them of his never-failing Assistances This is enough continu'd Bentivolio to demonstrate the fulness of his Prudent care and if you remember what I told you before concerning the vast Extent of his great Conquest you will have no reason to think his Attempt ineffectual neither can you frame any Excuse to salve the Ingratitude of those who remain'd disobedient to the mighty Reasons of such incomparable Love but their own extreme Carelesness and base neglect of Consideration For no blame can be laid upon him who had done such wonders that they were sufficient to make the most stupid to mind their most Important Interest After so much endeavour I cannot imagine what Exception you can frame against Anaxanacton's Method but this that he did not offer violence to the Liberty of mens Wills and make them Vertuous whether they would or no which are words incapable of any reasonable Sense If Anaxanacton had put a Necessity upon men to embrace his Discipline he had cross'd his own Design which was by a clear Proposal of a Glorious Immortality to excite free Agents to engage their Choice in a constant use of holy Means to obtain so noble an End Also the Divine Temper of Soul in which all his Disciples find themselves unspeakably happy is such a rais'd Disposition that it is impossible to be reach'd by those who debase themselves by voluntary Sin And the Peace of Conscience and Hopes of a blessed Immortality which Anaxanacton grants as an Antepast of their future Happiness to his Faithful Servants are only the Results of a good Life which is grounded upon a firm Choice and constant Resolution of being Obedient to his Rules I know well that the World hath long since degenerated from the noble Example of the first Converts and that the rare Vertues of the Primitive times are scarce any where to be found in our dayes but we must take heed of accusing Anaxanacton for our own faults When he commanded men to acknowledge his Gospel and told them that it was the only Security of their best Interest yet he let them know that it would doe them no good except they entertain'd it with a very sincere Observance of those Directions which are contain'd in it But as he is altogether to be excus'd we are so much the more worthy of blame both because we neglect the Encouragement which is offer'd by such gallant Examples and because we may make an Imitation of their illustrious Vertues at a far cheaper rate then they could set us Copies This which I have said concerning the Continuance of Sin doth also demonstrate the Justice of those Punishments which you think ought not to afflict the World since Anaxanacton undertook its Restauration He deliver'd his true Disciples from the danger of Eternal Death which is the chief Punishment of Sin and made those less Inconveniences which they meet and patiently entertain upon their way to encrease their more welcome Reception into their Everlasting Home and as those others Antigraphus who will not be redeem'd must needs continue Slaves so being Slaves it is but fit that they should carry their chains But who are they in whose Punishments you do particularly concern your self The Jewish Nation to whom Anaxanacton made the first offers of Redemption There is no reason but they should be punish'd both because notwithstanding the strong Motives by which they were long perswaded to an Emendation of their Lives they grew so extremely wicked that one of their chief Historians thought that if God had not destroy'd them by the Romans the Earth would have swallow'd them and because they did barbarously reject the Terms of Pardon which in a most obliging way were propounded by Anaxanacton As they shew'd themselves incorrigible by continuing wicked after he had for many years in vain attempted their Reformation so it is not only a just but a very proper Affliction with which they are punish'd being not utterly destroy'd but dispers'd into most Kingdoms of the World where they live 〈◊〉 that they might every where remain as an evident Testimony of God's Displeasure against ingrateful Apostates and be a lasting witness of Anaxanacton's veracity who told them before that this Misery would befall them if they persever'd as they did in Disobedience As your Objection includes the rest of the World I must tell you that there is no reason but they should be punish'd too Anaxanacton came not to disoblige men from the Law of Nature but to superadde endearments to its Observance and since other Nations follow'd the bad Example of the obstinate Jews it is most just that they should be their Parallels in suffering You must needs justifie Anaxanacton as altogether unaccessory to their Calamities except you would have him become a Patron of Sin and indeed desire him to nourish with his Bloud that curs'd Root which grew too fast of its self Well well said Antigraphus let the Reasons of mens Degeneracy be what they will you confess the World remains Wicked so that the Proofs of Anaxanacton's success must be fetch'd from that Age in which he liv'd Yes replied Bentivolio but much more from those which follow'd his Death in which they were so considerable in themselves but especially if you take notice of the unparallel'd Method by which his Affairs prosper'd that there is no more cause to put him into a mean Comparison with the most successeful Impostor then there is reason to equal the Follies of Mahomet's contemptible Alcoran with the wisdom of his most excellent Gospel It is a peculiar Glory by which the Discipline of Anaxanacton is recommended to the World that it was neither introduc'd at first nor establish'd afterwards by those ordinary means of Policy or Force His Person was of such little consideration in regard of Worldly extract that he was a Demonstration of the highest Worth invelop'd with the lowest Humility His holy Doctrine was opposite to receiv'd Customs his grave Converse was not set off with a plausible Fashion but express'd such Manners as were scorn'd by the Modish World He neither flatter'd great Princes nor humour'd the mean Appetites of the fleshly Vulgar he perswaded not Obedience to his Rules with the arts of Humane Rhetorick His Followers were discourag'd by Secular Powers their Number lessen'd by cruel Deaths for which Sufferings they could hope for no Compensation in this World And though the Pagan Superstition was encourag'd by the Favour of many Princes supported by strong Armies defended by learned Philosophers asserted by Eloquent Oratours further'd by the Devices of cunning Magicians and cried up by the universal Suffrage of all Nations yet by a Divine Power which fell upon it from the Life and Gospel of Anaxanacton and the mighty Spirit which assisted his Servants the Idolatrous Worship with all its pompous Ceremonies melted away as the Snow doth before
fit that you should die miserably who by perverting Justice have made others live so This the Duke said more willingly to give content to the people who loved Philapantas and forthwith he sent for Kalobulus and desired him to bring Erotocleus and Bentivolio assuring him that his meaning was only to be better inform'd in the late action and to make such reparation of Erotocleus his Wrongs as the late notice of them which he had receiv'd did require The Gentleman who carried the Message instructed them fully in the particulars Each of them giving thanks to the Divine Providence which takes care of the Oppressed they came to the Duke who condol'd with Erotocleus for the unfortunate death of his Worthy Father with resentment of his own losse of such a Faithfull Subject assuring him of the re-possession of his Lands and withall added that though he could not recall Philapantas his Life yet he would perfect the Revenge of his Death which was in part inflicted upon the Wicked Forzario and immediately gave order that Labargurus should be brought to his Tryal Turning towards Bentivolio he express'd the great Joy which he had for the arrivall of a person so Honourable in his Country as also a high admiration of his skillful Courage and much more of his great Good will which made him undertake such a dangerous relief of a wrong'd Gentleman and having signified much content in the death of one that was so unworthy to live he saluted Kalobulus much praising the constancy of his Love to his Friend in Distresse and his prudent conduct in the late Action As they were talking a messenger brought word that Labargurus was come The Duke accompanied with his chief Lords as also with Bentivolio and Erotocleus whom he desired to go along with him sate down in the Judgement-seat and caused Proclamation to be made that whosoever could justly accuse Labargurus should have free Liberty to do it Whereupon abundance of Witnesses of his unparallel'd unrighteousnesse silenc'd before with fear of his Power and frequent experiences of his Malice came in and spake freely against him some accusing him of the Wrongs which they had suffered from him others of such as he had made them do Justice complain'd that he had banish'd her out of the Courts of Judicature and the Assemblies of Merchants and commanded her to absent her self from all places of Civil Contracts Authority said that he had prostituted her to every unjust design Simplicity accus'd him for making a disgraceful show of her in his crafty undertakings Order laid to his charge that she was ever put out of place when it serv'd his Interest Equity affirm'd that she could never obtain leave to speak against the least quillet in Law Religion challeng'd him for defiling the profession of Holynesse with Covetousnesse for which purpose only he had courted her with a false Heart Some Widdowes which stood by alleged against him that he had made their Teares more Salt with the Wrongs of Fatherlesse Children On the other side Bribery confess'd that she was his Creature and had not been but that she was begotten by his Dishonesty Partiality acknowledged that she us'd to incline contrary to the right side for his friends sake Delay said that she would not have way-lay'd expedition when poor people expected her coming but that Bradion his chief Clerk bad her do it till he had got more money The Jury denyed not that they had often given wrong Verdicts but that it was by private directions from Labargurus Rapine excus'd her self that she would have been gone but that she could not get out of his hands False-witnesse testified against her self but added that she would have been silent but that she saw he loved not the Truth Revenge avowed that she was wearied and would have taken her leave but that he bad her stay for he could make good use of her Craft protested that she would have been asham'd to have shewn her face but that he help'd her to a vizard and sometimes gave her an old Law-book to hold before her Strife contended that she would never have come but that he sollicited her Power mantain'd that she would have omitted much which she had done but that he said it was right The surviving Witnesse call'd Pseudorces confirm'd his first acknowledgment that the death of Philapantas was plotted between Labargurus and Forzario and that he took a false oath with his Companion now dead against his Conscience meerly at their instigation and for a small summe of money which yet Labargurus never paid him The Duke astonish'd at these wickednesses Labargurus having before confess'd his Guilt he condemn'd him and Pseudorces to be hang'd both together upon one gallowes and that for a terrour to such as should succeed in Labargurus his place his Hands should be cut off and nail'd upon the seat where he had perverted right A little after Execution was perform'd the messenger which was sent for Inganna return'd with very unwelcome newes to wit that she had made an escape and though they had pursued her very hard they could not overtake her nor meet any that would discover where she was The manner of her escape was thus Argus her keeper one Evening being about to drink one came running hastily towards the Prison dore crying Fire Fire near to the Magazine of Powder make haste to quench it or else we shall all be blown up Argus fearing that Inganna had corrupted some of the House to play this wicked trick sets down his Cup near the grate of the Prison Window and hastned to assist the rest in preventing the danger which threatned them Inganna espying his Cup took her time and put therein some Opiate Ingredients which she carryed about her for ill uses The fire being quench'd by the Diligence of the servants Argus makes haste to his charge not knowing what was done and being more then ordinarily thirsty he drinks and sits down by the Grate But the powder working upon his Senses he falls asleep She takes the key of the Dore out of his Pocket quietly opens the Grate and pulls him in cuts his throat pulls off his cloathes and puts him in her bed and her own cloathes upon it which she had chang'd for his so locking the dore when it was dark went away No body at first suspecting her to be gone though they miss'd Argus especially because for two dayes before she pretended to be sick but when they could not find her keeper nor make her answer at the dore they suppos'd that she was dead But remembring that it was Inganna they suspected something worse and so breaking open the dore they found what had happen'd The Relation of this unfortunate Accident was troublesome to them all but especially to Bentivolio who had entertain'd so much Good will for others that he had a natural grief for their afflictions and he counted Inganna's Liberty to be one of the greatest imaginable and indeed no less a