aduanceth or deiecteth can attend the good houre and begge all such graces as a Princes fauour distributeth to the subiect yet haue I read of a King in England who importuned by a Yeoman to be made a Gentleman answered hee could enoble him with knighthood or the title of a Baron but not confirme him a Gentleman because true gentry had another manner of lustre from the raies of vertue and honour in a continuall discent of Auncestors illuminated from the sunne of worthy actions either in military profession or administration of ciuill gouernment But thus liueth our Countreyman by what name or title soeuer onely we were wont to interpose this difference betweene Yeoman Francklin or Farmer that the Yeoman was a landed man either Freeholder or coppieholder the Farmer onely hired another mans land paying a fine or rent and so growing rich had the denomination of the other and did not in times past murmure though you called him Good-husband or expert Plow-man yet call him what you will he is in some Countries able to lodge you richly set a peece of plate on the cupbord fiue or six dishes of meate on the Table sweete and fine linning on your bed cheerefully to welcome you and is so cunning besides that he can tell his Lawyer a formall tale and complaine to the Iustice if a farre better man doe him wrong and in this who can come neere vs CHAP. XXV Another excellencie of ENGLAND consisteth in the goodnes of our Nauy and shipping I Hope I shall now passe without contradiction especially when I bring you forward to our ports harbours and riuers shewing you the glory of our shipping whether you esteeme them as the Kings and onely purposed for magnificence state and occasion of warre or the Marchants for exploration of countries plantation of Colonies bringing in of commodities enriching of our Kingdoms and yet withall defending our selues or both together for noble actions memorable voyages extraordinary encounters and ceremonious brauery wherein wee haue bin so priuiledged that from the memorable fame of Edward the third to this instant we neuer met enemy but preuailed vpon equall termes yea great odds and when we had misfortunes it was as Sampsons death amongst the Philistims who pulld downe the Temple on their heads and slew more at that instant than in his former enterprises witnes many nauall battailes wherein what losse soeuer we susteined the aduersarie had double and treble euen when about the fourth yeere of Hen 8. the Nauies of England and France met at Britaines Bay and we lost the Regent of England wherein Sir Thomas Kneuet was Captaine with 700 men yet did they endure the wreck of many ships especially the French Carick called then the wonder of Europe in which Sir Piers Morgan with a 1100 men perished as also when Sir Richard Greenueild within our memory miscaried by a meere disastrous chance although I might honestly excuse it by ouer-great aduantage of both ships and gallies yet as they themselues haue confessed they had no great cause to boast or let any vaine-glorious insulting runne at random But how wee haue preuailed indeed let these few instances suffice About the 14 of Edw 3. the King gathered a Nauy of 200 saile against the French who in those daies were coadiuted with Flanders as a Peere of France wherein though he was mightily ouer-matched with numbers yet preuailed he in execution and had so triumphant a victorie that their owne account numbred 30000 men slaine 200 ships surprized and taken and the rest put to an ignominious flight The 20 yeere hee went into Normandy dismantled her Townes spoiled Cane and as a messenger of reuenge brought fire into the Harbours vntill the ships were consumed and set on a blase Anno 24 he encountred the power of Spaine and vnplumed their fethers of ostentation by taking 28 great ships and making the rest vnseruiceable Anno 33 he sailed into Picardy and so preuailed that the sea yeelded him safe passage and all Burgundy safe conduct Anno 41 with a memorable victory both at sea and land did the blacke Prince resettle Peter of Spaine and in despight of all the sea forces or other warlike opposition passed and repassed at pleasure In the time of Rich 2. about the 10 yeere the Duke of Lancaster sailed into Spaine but how glorious that victory was on our side and how surmounting our Nauie before theirs the wonderfull successe attested and their owne inventories record the losse with lamentable Items The next yeere following Richard Earle of Arundell and Thomas Earle of Notingham encountred at sea with an infinite number of Flemmings but victory is in the hands of God and multitudes of men faile in their ostentation For in that maritime contention were taken a 100 ships and better the successe filling our Cities with commodities and our mouthes with praises and thanksgiuing In the 5 of Henr 4 when the French came to the I le of Wight and assailed Dartmouth with a great Nauy the rusticall people preuailed against them and manning out but the fisher-boats of the country with certaine Pinaces attending the seruice tooke 16 of their best ships and compulsed the rest to be the messengers of their owne obloquy The 3. of Hen 5. was a yeere of triumph and a 1000 saile of ships filled the narrow seas cleared the passage into Normandy amased all men who had notice of our brauery and reioyced the rest of Europe with Encomians of our successe which followed presently in France In the 15 of Edw 4. it pleased the King to passe ouer to the aide of the Duke of Burgundy but howeuer his inconstancie proued vnsauory to vs at land it matters not I am sure the seas gaue vs way nor durst their Nauy presume to intercept vs. In the 5. of Hen 8. the former encounter which I named at Britaines bay was a day of terror and we tooke burnt and spoiled as many as we mustred out of harbour The next yeere threatning Turwin and Turnay our Nauy carying all afore it like a swelling riuer beating downe the slender banks there scarce appeared an opposite for the former losses were so great that they halted downe-right in their recouery and France once lamed in her shipping cannot euery yeere bring a new Nauy into the channell with good equipage or aduantage The 14 yeere the Earle of Surrey was Admirall and not onely preuailed in all encounters at sea but by vertue of our shipping conquered diuers townes both in Britaine and Picardy The 15. the Duke of Suffolke was sent into France with an army of 30000 who passed the seas yea the water of Some without battaile and so terrified the French with all their coadiutors at that time for you must vnderstand in those repining and murmuring daies against our glory France Spaine the Low-Countries and Scotland were either confederate or entertained for wages so that almost all the mercenary shipping of Europe attended on the payment of the
moment upon any alarum excursion or attempt wâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Picts and turbulent Scots did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ountry was vp in armes and the ordiâ—…e 〈◊〉 of their militarie discipline put in practâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…as in 〈◊〉 Country from the Atlanticke sea to mount Taurus betweene the Tartarians and there 〈◊〉 8000 furlongs in length is a wall raised â—…ke a strong 〈◊〉 fication and at euery miles end a â—…mpart or 〈◊〉 wherein is continuall garrison But when the 〈◊〉 disposeth himselfe to any field encounter of setled â—…attaile he seldome marcheth vnder an Armie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foote and 200000 horse and as seldome meeâ—… 〈◊〉 uersarie without effusion of much bloud and 〈◊〉 many thousands ouer whom their friends seeme 〈◊〉 ioyce whether they haue their dead carkasses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a statua as if some glorious blessing were imparteâ—… 〈◊〉 happy a thing they suppose it to die for their Countâ—… and obey their Emperor of which I am not 〈◊〉 considering that sacred truth hath inlarged the â—…error 〈◊〉 that battaile vnto vs which was fought betweene 〈◊〉 and Ierusalem wherein 500000 felt the smart of 〈◊〉 and tyranous dissention And of another wherein Zeres Emperor of Mores Aethiopians brought 〈◊〉 paire of hands to pull downe the walls of 〈◊〉 and not the God of Iacob remembred his promise to 〈◊〉 and pushed them downe to the pit of destruction The great Citie of Manquin was once Capitall of â—…e Kingdome in which now onely shineth a gâ—…â—…een more insculped with the present Emperors name and neuer vnveiled but at Festiuals at which â—…me the reuerence appropriate to his owne person exciteth the â—…ike â—…tion The Gouernors of Countries and 〈◊〉 of Iustice are called â—…utant whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 looketh the punishment of theeues who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chiefly abound so are they most seuerely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commonly beaten to death with a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…gers broad and one thicke it is made of â—…ewes 〈◊〉 wet in water to supple the same the sooner so that the executioner daring not moderate his strength at euery blow draweth bloud vntill all their ioynts and sinewes are broken to peeces and in this sort doth tyrannie boast of the slaughter of 3 or 4000 euery yeere besides such as the prisons deuoure being sent thither halfe maimed and formerly tormented Amongst them there are few Christians admitted for feare of discouering the secrets and wealth of their countrey so cautelous and subtill they are in vnderstanding themselues and strangers as for their commerces and vttering the commodities of the countryes it is done in the Ilands or with certaine Brokers Indians who traffique reciprocally betweene Christians and them receiuing ready golde and siluer for all as scorning any thing which other nations can conferre or transport vnto them nor is this done without a kinde of iealousie both toward the Indians and Christians yea sometimes a trecherous policy to cut all their throats whom they can ouermaster as Sr. Ed. Michelborn could haue testified and many other English surprized by disloyalty of such as haue thronged them on ship-boord or wearied comming on shore amongst the Ilands of Moluccae and Philippinae either for water or to view the countrey yet haue some Portugals intruded themselues and certaine Iesuites by way of insinuation got liberty of entercourse from whom it should seem they haue learned to blesse themselues with the signe of the crosse against the assaults temptations of the Dinell whom they much adore in these parts for feare of mischeefe pacifie with sacrifice and presents which makes mee remember a reasonable honest man of my acquaintance who hauing two suspicious friends of contrary demeanours and demanded why hee obserued one before another answered thus politikely that the one was honest of inclination and would doe him good for vertues sake or at least no hurt but the other was more pestilent and dangerous and therefore must be diuerted by flattery and insinuation from the ill he might prosecute or intend against him The better sort notwithstanding these affrightings of the Diuell apprehend that all things both supernall and infernall depend vpon the protection of a greater Influence whom by the name of Sunne Moone and Stars they adore allowing a duplicity of Priests the one in a white habit as sequestred with shauen crownes like our cloistred Friers the other in blacke with shag-haire and formidable aspect going at randome and frequenting more often their temples which are very sumptuous and rich both in cities and countries these Priests are confederate with certaine women called witches who doe make trauellers beleeue they can sell them winde to saile from Iland to Iland and bring them to certaine wagons for their land iourneyes ouer barren and sandy places which shall haue sailes be driuen to and fro with great swiftnesse wherein as I will not betray my vnderstanding to any vaine and idle credulity considering that God is the onely commander of his creatures so must I yeeld to this probability that by reason of the infinite number of Ilands and the countrey lying open to the sea the winde is euery way more forcible then in other places and by reason of mountanous blustrings and pressing the aire into straights seemeth to fight one with another and at one time to blow with sundry diuisions Concerning other particulars of their wiues and concubines of their wealth and iewels of their odours and perfumes of their wines syrups there is no offending chaste eares with their incredible customes so vilde and filthy is their idolatry so obscene and shamelesse their liues so ridiculous their incantations so exorbitant their presenting of virgins to be deflowred of Idols so abominable their exorcismes and so odious their sencelesse profanation with lamentable obstinacy not to be diuerted I will therefore leaue them to the supreame Iudge and returne to England with this caution that the foole hath sayd in his heart there is no God and I hope wee attend these discoueries with feare or contempt CHAP. III. The Monarchy of INDIA THE third part of the worlds glory is enclosed within the store-houses of rich and opulent India a countrey not onely inuested with magnificence but arrogating a preheminence ouer other nations both for spaciousnesse of ground and all such blessings wherewith the diuine prouidence hath made the â—…oyes of men exceed For the two great riuers of Indus and Ganges water the same and diuided into many thousand brookes like the children of a blessed mother and plentifull house-keeper bring glad tidings to the family 〈◊〉 extraordinary allowances and thus it insulteth for two summers temperature of aire duplicity of encrease and that we are aduenturers for such things as she vilipendeth not yet admitted to vnderstand the one halfe of her secrets The men and women doe now imitate a noble pomp as not encountred abroad nisi maâ—…na comitante â—…terua vsing many odours in their bathes and washing nor are they without oyles and perfumes iewels pearles and other ornaments not onely befitting
they were the best obseruers of religious secrets and ceremonies and boasted of true deuotion to their gods for the example of all Nations That they were very warlike and obedient to their EMPEROR in all things and so populous that the Emperor seldome went without a 1000000. into the field That they were sold to all the Nations of the world for slaues and seemed contented with such seruitude as being glad to go out of their owne Countries That they were wont to plight their haire in knots and winde it with intricate diuisions That the great and high mountaines of the Moone ouerlooketh their territories and vnburtheneth Nilus from her wombe sending it abroad as farre as the middle-middle-land sea 1500. mile like a timely birth to the comfort of his mother and with ioy to all good kinsfolk neighbours That the nature of the Riuer Niger fluuius is so strange that as ashamed of his imperfections and abrupt breakings out vnder sandy hills it hideth his head 60. mile together and then bursteth out with horrible and impetuous violence That whole Countries haue beene ouerwhelmed with sand when the hills make a noyse and the Sun hath enflamed his heate and anger against them departing in that fury that in breaking the sides of Mountaines the aire and winde maketh a rupture and so the drie ground first parched presently crumbleth to pouder and is quickly tossed with forcible blasts That the Kingdomes of Damutego and Manuongo as farre as Caput bonaespei with all the shore Cities and harbours are numbred parcell of this Empire and expose many stories and plentifull relations That infinite Ilands full of drugges mineralls gold pretious stones pearle spice c. are the handmaides of this Mistris especially the great Iland of Saint Laurence in times past called Madagascar which now compareth with Britaine for magnitude as containing 600. mile in length but say what deuises can ours is the greatest Iland of the world Many other particulars are inserted by Authors with addition of their manners and customes but because all absolute things are worne out of date and that it would vex a Traueller to read one thing and finde another I will trouble antiquitie no longer but content my selfe with some probabilities and the best receiued opinions of this Monarchy You must then vnderstand that those limited Garisons of Aegipt vnder the Turke are here very strong to keepe backe the excursions of the Aethiopians who from Nilus to the South-sea make one Countrey and are all reputed Christians boasting of their conuersion from Candauce the Queene in the Actes of the Apostles whom by another name they call Iudith and so afterward submitted to the obedience of one principall to whom they afforded the significant title of Preste Iehan not that he is a Byshop or Priest as some superstitiously conceiue but that those words signifie in the Aethiopian tongue Great PRINCE or EMPEROR Amongst them are many Monasteries both of men and women but strictly prohibiting any entercourse betweene them or wanton show of prophanation their fasts are 50. daies with bread and water and some slender fruit as for fish they haue litle store or lesse skill to take them or make vse of them by way of sustenance they are so carefull in the obseruation of their customes concerning this religious fasting and prayers that they will sleepe no longer then they hold their heads ouer water that the nodding downe may giue them warning to be more vigilant their bells are of stone for the most part their Priests marry and celebrate the masse allowing in their procession crosses censors tapers and lampes the retired monkes maintaine their haire the common Priests shaue and both are bâ—…refoote especially in the Church wherein no man enters with prophanation but putteth off his sandalls and laieth them apart as the Turkes doe who are very carefull in such deuout obseruations adding withall a ceremonious washing taken from the Iewish purifying as in his proper place shall appeare The Sabbaoths and Eues are festiuals and celebrated accordingly circumcision is added to their baptisme both in men and women vnto which they are not admitted vntill 40. daies and then the three persons of the Trinity haue a reuerent exaltation and the Eucharist is administred by custome at the same time according to the credit of the Greeke Church which they resolutely confirme to haue priority before the Latine their names are all significant and the religion ariseth from a certaine booke which they confidently maintaine was approued by the Synode of the Apostles congregated at Ierusalem The very common people haue plurality of wiues according to their sufficient ability to support their estates and content their desires suffering diuorses either for naturall imperfections or iust causes of incontinencie but such men and women thus scandalized are debarred intermedling with spirituall matters some say not admitted into the Church at all Their Nobility are in great estimation and according to actions correspondent to their professed vertue preserue the wealth and credit of their Auncestors Their greatest Cities are few in number but such as stand by the sea shore are of good strength and eminence with stupendous Castels and workes of antiquity The common heape of houses are poore sluttish all on the ground open without chimnies and sutable to the dispersed manner of their villages In all the Empire is no money but pure gold salt and pepper are excellent marchandize through Africke but here so richly valued that slaues are redeemed with them but the commodities of the Countrey soone and easily exchanged it affordeth many thing as you haue heard especially Eliphants Tyger Linkes Taxos Apes Lions and Harts against an absolute opinion that there was no Venison in Africke but Beares Cunnies Corduels and Cuckowes are not seene amongst them The custome of their huntings raising their armies order of diet with ciuet and muske washing and noâ—…ting with precious balmes and perfumes feasting burials and superstitions would fill seuerall relations either to pacifie ignorance or strengthen their knowledge who are entred a little into the Schoole of experience but because there is nothing amongst them fit for our example I will make my iourney as cursory as I can and study for no commorance but where there is possibility of thriuing Their Cabalisticall Arts and secrets from certaine wise men named Gymnosophists with the Indians called also or some the Easterne Aethiopia would make as tedious disputation especially when I must name the Trogiodite Garamaulis Atlantides Libera interior Synega the further plaines of Monte nigro and some others and cannot tell you whether they be Idolaters or no onely I can assure you they allow of the immortality of the soule on which they are besotted so diabolically that they will murther themselues vpon small enforcement either to honor their lords dye with their husbands preuent the discommodities of old age helpe their friends or pleasure their best beloued after their barberous credulity But because I would
crownes of the sunne that they thought it the best part of their securitie to absent themselues The yeere 35. Sir Iohn Dudley Vicount Lisle high Admirall of England with a Nauy of 200 saile passed the seas into Scotland in despight of all the power the confederates could raise and not onely performed actions beyond expectation but taught them the true knowledge of English shipping and mariners The next yeere the French Nauy came into Sussex but vpon very short warning were dissipated and in a sudden encounter felt the smart of presumption Presently as in diuers aduantages of such petty roades and excursions they landed at Portsmouth and the I le of Wight but with what successe or satisfaction I cannot compare it better than to a bowle of water spilt irrecouerably to be gathered vp againe For they neuer durst aduenture when our ships looked bigg vpon them but vnderstanding of their imployment abroad and sequestration farre off then hurried they suddenly vpon vs yet I hope neither found vs vnprouided nor returned backe againe with true cause of insulting In the 3. of Edw 6. the French Kings gallies and Caricks invaded Gernsey and Iersey but with what face fortune looked vpon them the losse of a 1000 men with the spoile of their greatest ships and gallies suddenly discouered Why may I not name here our iourney to Newhauen in the 4. of Queene Elizabeth when through the power of our Nauy at which both French and Spaniards began to repine the Earle of Warwicke made the seas wanton with iollity and affrighted the land with those small troopes of old souldiers from the Garison at Barwick vnited to others raised from the willing musters of our country and although some enuious hand would stop the mouth of report from ecchoing our applause at this time yet I am sure Count Ringraue and his armie felt the smart of affliction and the sorrow of many defeatures and dare auouch that the seas lay open vnto vs in despight of opposition or any encounter our enemies durst or could prepare to invite vs to In the 18. yeere was Forbishers first voyage and by reason that this glorious Queene had as it were tied the obseruation of all Nations to her actions and gouernment a peace being generally contracted diuers presumptuous persons tooke aduantage of the same and filled the narrow seas with rouers and pirats who ranne vp and downe without controll like vntamed colts scorning all enclosures and bounds ' vntill Captaine Holstock with 4. good ships and two pinaces was appointed the reformer of these abuses who presently brought into the schoole of correction 200 rouers 8 Flushingers diuers Barks and Pinaces and pacified the outragiousnes of these petty thefts The 19. Forbishers second voyage The 20. Forbishers third voyage with many other of famous memory amongst whom Hawkins Drake Candish and such worthy sea-men preuailing in all their explorations as they attempted great matters deserue as great commendation About the 23. that famous busines of Desmonds rebellion breathed insolencie into those people by reason the Pope and Spaniard had fortified themselues in Smirwick in Ireland and with a sufficient number of ships blocked vp the hauen vntill certaine of her Maiesties Nauie and the Deputies forces at land being then the forward Lord Grey behaued themselues with such good order and successe that all the passages of victory to vs and miserable discomfiture to them were set open and we triumphed with a plenary satisfaction to our endeuours In the 24. Monsieur returned into the Low-countries to bee invested with the Duchy of Brabant but when he beheld our glorious fleete and iudiciously looked vpon their strength and brauery he burst out into a passionate applause and sware that howeuer men were enemies to our peace they were enemies to truth if they did not acknowledge it without comparison The yeere following Captaine Borough with one ship and a small Barke went to sea against Rouers and although the Councell at that time suspected vs ouer-weake to withstand an vnited desperatenes yet the fight continued against 7 or 8 and all men can witnes our memorable successe in that encounter The triumphs of 88 are of such renowne and worthy celebration that the world still remembers our illustrious Nauy and admirable victory but this secret was not fully reuealed that wee were not prouided nor throughly furnished so that as true hearts praied for vs the great God of heauen fought for vs. The yeere following the Portingall voiage and as it were set on degrees Cales voiage the Iland voiage Sir Richard Leusons noble exploits and his place since supplied by Sir William Mounson haue set forward our reputation to runne the race of vnresistable preuailing and hold vp our glorious countenances in despight of any confronting looke or repining eyes Nor doe I heare reckon vp our Merchant Aduenturers and the sundry times encountring with greater and more aduantagious forces witnes the Marchant Royall in those times when Iohn King was Master which alone encountred with 3 ships and 10 gallies and came off with such iollity as they fretted to be so disappointed and we triumphed to welcome home so well deseruing a man Since when although those of Malta Florence the confederates of the Arches and many desperate Pirats haue conspired against our traphique and made our iourney into the Leuant somewhat dangerous yet we haue still gone forward and could not bee pull'd backe by any wrenching arme whatsoeuer especially in those daies of tryall when we stood on our guard and made our warlike preparation a very paire of tarriers to the Spaniard For in those daies the Conuoy for his westerne treasure was so toilesome troublesome chargeable and dangerous vnto him that one million defraied but the charges of another and by that time it came to distribution there was a strange account cast vp of losses and defatigable expences Thus had our hopes still life and our spirits grew stronger and stronger with honorable expectation and noble implâ—…t And now it hath pleased his Maiestie to shut vp the brazen dores of contention and we haue reason to sound out his excellent Motto of Beati pacifici CHAP. XXVI An other excellencie of ENGLAND consisteth in the number riches endeuours and extraordinary worth of our Marchant IN the ouer-looking as it were the map of the worlds busines I must needes confesse that neuer Monarchy was established or inlarged but by the power of the sword yet alas when I consider the inconveniences impending the affrightings of people the demolition of Cities the deuastation of Countries the slaughters of Armies the rapes murthers and terrors of the world in the best conquests and victorie I cannot but lament the condition of man that doth extract his glory from tyrannie and curses from confusion and turmoyle from blood and death For thus doe wee boast of our auncestors and the very women doe esteeme no man noble or worthy that cannot relate the victories of his forefathers and dare
of Deuils the glory of the firmament the diuision of the earth the bonds and limits of the sea the secrets of hell and the terrors of the last dissolution what neede wee more or go any further for a marking stone to colour any kingdome with whereby it may be known to come neere and enioy most of those blessings wherewith God hath sealed and ratified the glory of Countries then out of the storehouse of the Scriptures To this purpose I dare be bold to aduance our England into the highest chaire as if she were to triumph for some notorious victory and that I may bring vp my forces together to a close encounter and connect my reasons with probability I will discouer at large what I haue learned out of industrious Authors obserued by my owne indeauours knowne as oculatus testis in most countries of Europe and since determined in a combat of comparisons not that I meane to rippe vp the bowels of antiquity and call in question so many thousand volumes which haue consumed as many thousand yeeres in discouery of originals and as it were tormented Time with strange discourses so that if you should take off the vaile wherewith diuers Authors haue ouermantled both Countries Kingdomes and Cities you would stand amased at their deformed shapes and remaine confounded to veiw now their disparity I will therefore leaue all maligne circumstances of my quiet and shew you with what countenance they looke vp to heauen at this instant and in what manner they seeme proud of their establishment whereby 〈◊〉 that are willing to be impartiall shall be the better enâ—…ed to yeeld vp a verdict of truth against all adulterate sophistication Yet must I adde with all this lesson of morality that in 〈◊〉 kingdome where vnderstanding hath pleasured the people with 〈◊〉 of ciuility as for barbarous natâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely make vse of their names Sol vitae est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antidotus vitae patientia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Vita vitae conscientia c gloâ—…â—…ntia For with wealth your entertainement 〈◊〉 â—…ght wâ—…th Princes attonement made with Tyrants 〈◊〉 â—…ed amongst strangers adoration aâ—… 〈◊〉 and such as know not ciuilitie will stand 〈◊〉 at thy â—…rauery and florishing By wealth are ofâ—…â—…gated imperfections remitted scandals reâ—… 〈◊〉 pardoned follies excused and the frowns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed For wealth beauty yeeldeth to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…es are in opposition enforced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men transported to exorbitant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for strange vndecencies and all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ounded with contraries But this is a pasâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 part of my worke or meaning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for feare of longing after that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—…l as the Dutchman who onâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now to conclude The whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into two seuerall Bookes In the first you shall haâ—… a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Countries of the world by way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 planaâ—…on as they are noâ—… 〈◊〉 In the 〈◊〉 as Drapers doe 〈◊〉 clotâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the 〈◊〉 and prerogâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made apparâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Discite nunc miseri Quid sumus aut Quis datus aut mâ—…ae quam mâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis modus argeâ—…o Uâ—…le numâ—…us habâ—… Quantum elargâ—… Iussit humana qua THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOKE THe Empire of Tartaria Fol. 1 The Monarchy of China 10 The Monarchy of India 14 The Empire of Persia. 19 The Empire of the Turkes 27 The story of the Ottomans together with their conquests 31 The Empire of Aethiopia 39 The Empire of Russia 44 The story of the Goths and Lombards comming into Italy and Spaine 53 The Empire of Germany 56 The history of Coleine 64 The glory of the Spanyard 69 The Description of Italy as in times past 78 Italy described at this time 83 The story of Sauoy 93 The story of Millaine 100 The description of France 111 The description of the Low-Countries 123 The Monarchy of Great Britaine 142 The description of Ireland 144 THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOKE THe Maiesty of Salomon and happinesse of Canaan a full and absolute example for all Nations 155 Countries compared to Canaan and Salomons glorious happinesse and first of all the Tartars 162 China compared and her deficiency manifested 166 India compared and her defects manifested 170 Persia compared with her insufficiency 174 Turkie compared and her imperfections layd open 177 The lamentable death of the principall Viceer when Sultan Achmat came first to the crowne 181 The famous history of Mustapha 185 The story of a Renegado Bashaw 188 The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality 191 Their manner of aduancement and diuersity of customes farre from our example and orderly prosperitie 198 Russia compared 210 Aethiopia compared 213 Germany compared 217 Italy compared 221 Spaine compared 230 France compared with a discouery of her defects 236 England compared with the probable reasons why shee is neerer the example of Canaans happines than any other nation 242 Wherin the happinesse of England is both perspicuous and commendable 251 Forraine Cities compared to London with the defects of either made apparent and our sufficiency manifested 256 Diuers particulars wherein England excelleth other kingdoms and first in religion 270 Certaine particulars concerning the Greeke Church 282 Certaine particulars concerning the Latine Church 289 Another excellency of England exposing the noble worth of hier Princes beyond other nations 294 Another excellency of England casteth vp an account of her anâ—…quity in one vnited Monarchy before other nations 299 Another excellency of England consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey man and common people 3â—…4 Another excellency of England consisteth in the goodnesse of our nauy and shipping 309 Another excedency of England consisteth in the number riches enâ—…uors and extraordinary worth of our Marchant 316 Another excellency of England may bee drawne from this obseruation that wee haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our countrey then any other nation 320 The Conclusion 330 THE GLORIE OF ENGLAND The First BOOKE TOPOGRAFICALLY describing the Countries of the World with some historicall amplification CHAP. I. The Empire of TARTARIA ACcording to the vaine popular and indeed ridiculous error of opinion the world hath inuested nine seuerall Monarchs with his glory and from strange disproportions giuen them prerogatiues to command all the Nations of the earth interdicting any petty Prince to come neere them by way of competition or comparison First then the Empire of Tartaria laid prostrate vnder the throne of the great Cham called Dominus dominantium and Rex regum spreadeth it selfe with so large embracings that it extendeth from the northren Obba or if you will Tanais which falleth into the great Euxinum euen to the easterne sea sometimes surnamed the Atlanticke whose vast lappe is almost filled with a fry of Ilands all Idolaters and most of them enemies to strangers but especially Christians It begirteth those Countries
the buâ—…nesse in hand but to please one another in matters of incontinency yet haue they many wiues who striue with all â—…cting demeanour to bee best beloued of their 〈◊〉 But you haue diuers bookes of this subiect both anâ—… and moderne as Herodotus Pliny and other Cosmographers who thus relate the matter that since the conquest of Bacchus whom by another name they call â—…oer Paâ—…r they haue settled in their countrey with magnificent eqâ—… page 5000. principall cities aduancing a fashion â—…le gouernment to equall the best Common-wealths onely they adored Bacchus for a God and Hercules for a giant they neuer intruded into any other princes territories but haue defended their owne from all innouation of strangers as Q. Curtius relateth adding withall a delicate commentary of their famous exploits and noble greatnesse euen against the Conquerour of the world in the time of the Heâ—…e Porus who with great maiesty valour and armies of Elephants would haue maintained their freedome and glory but that Fortune and Successe had condescended to the conditions of ratifying Alexanders prosperity And although the many Princes haue sometimes repined one against another and for superiorities sake shewed the â—…ety of their owne glories and mightinesse yet 〈◊〉 still combined in the propâ—…ing of forâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appeasing priuate encombrances not reaching 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ciuill deciding and hating iniustice and coâ—… 〈◊〉 much as may bee They loue and reuerence their Kings amongst whom the great Mogull hauing vs in some estimation before other Princes of Europe and with whom we haue a kinde of correspondency as by reciprocall letters may appeare is principall and of greatest reputation making holy-day when hee shaueth his head and attending his chariot with pompous brauery spredding the way where he must passe with costly ornaments and delicate perfumes For hee is carried in great pomp on the shoulders of men adorned with purple golde and precious stones the chaire hanging with orient pearle and all thing so ordered as if the best of our ceremonies should adde an honor to Maiesty His Guards for his person are many and the best of his souldiers who suffer no neerer approaches to his stately throne then hee himselfe shall command which is publikely knowen by the disrobing of his head of common ornaments and inuesting himselfe with a magnificent Diadem then are Embassadors admitted and diuers lawes enacted for the good of the people Another booke will discouer that when hee disposeth himselfe to pleasure his concubines are sent for to be partakers of the hunting and then in open view the beasts are killed being chased before hand into certaine straight enclosures for the purpose but if he determine a longer progresse their chariots are drawne with Elephants and their honourable Queenes left at home but the wantons are enstructed to make proud incontinency swell with variety not accustoming their wiues to be partaker of such lasciuious changes but reseruing them for necessity of children or moderation of contentment when he determineth to sleepe or peraduenture is ouerloded with wine that he must resettle his spirits and senses with rest and ease the loueliest dames bring him to bed singing a song of inuocation to the God of silence and the night Another will relate how worthily their honest matrons liue after they haue had children how euer they yeelde their chastities at the first to their louers for the price of an Elephant which yet neuer exciteth any exprobation against them In some places when a virgin desireth marriage her parents bring her to publike view amongst a number of young men where shee electeth whom shee fancieth In their mutuall commerces they hate vsury disclaime iniustice denie indentures of couenant contracts of writing and haue many seeming excellencies of loue confidence and trusting one another onely they are impatient of wrong and thinke it a glory to take reuenge but will not offer the occasion Another will tell you that they once esteemed two sorts of wisemen by the names of Samaraei and Brachamanes both which were charactered for Gymnosophists but the Samaraei for their precisenesse were better esteemed of the Kings for liuing more moderate then the rest as eating neither fish nor flesh it added to their reputation that the peace of their Kingdomes was established by their orizons and the prosperity of the countrey confirmed through their holinesse Another will demonstrate how St. Thomas conuerted them to Christianity how euer with the Syrians in Samaria they haue since intermingled horrible idolatry and vntill the Portugals came amongst them would scarse reforme the most grossest abuses Another will enlarge the conquest of their countrey by the Portugals and Spanyard with a full description of all things which may shew you the perfect portraiture of their kingdomes courts common-wealth riches pleasures ciuill administration and mightinesse yet as I take it so farre from a conquest as wee were ouer France when we had only Callis in Picardy or Turwin and Tornay which cost more the re-edifying then all the country about it was worth Heere you shall also finde how they haue striued with the Aegyptians for antiquity and cunning how many Ilands are subiected vnto them amongst whom Summatra in times past called Taprobana mustreth the power of eight Kings Iapan affoordeth our English a harbour and at Bantam they receiue the commodities of China from the Indian Marchants who are only admitted to commerce amongst them and diuers others as are therein variated with many particulars To conclude no one Countrey comes neere it for greatnesse which without other addition lifteth vp her title alone as challenging all the territories betweene China and Persia yea in times past China it selfe almost 1200. English mile and amongst many Kings hee is principall that obtaineth by force or popularity But of late they haue ouer-exalted the high Priest called Voo who in spirituall matters as I may say hath absolute power and authority and vpon whose blessing or cursing dependeth the expectation of future happinesse Yet hath this idolatrous superstition acknowledgement of a God whom they inuest with a triple crowne not yeelding any reason for the same but that he commandeth Heauen Earth and Hell The Iesuites haue taught them to baptize infants in some places and to fast wherein they are now tedious obseruants as barbarous people are best maintainers of customes and ceremonies and they vse the signe of the crosse but it is where they are enforced by the Spanish garisons otherwise what I spake before of China for all their silkes clothes of gold delicate beds houses of canes Serpents Elephants precious stones minerals pearles perfumes drugs spice sweet wood barkes of trees shels nuts and other things of estimation I may with a Christinn-like sorrow amplifie concerning their turpitude and morosity As for their cities euery one would affoord a story and I am vnwilling to runne into the errour of fiction or miracle considering your best Cosmographers haue onely extended the relations of others
and Turditanes betweene the Celtibrians and Iberians setled nations in Spaine to the deciding of whose controuersies Marrhable and Haldruball were called out of Carthage which both made a conquest of Spaine and proiected to clip the feathers of the Roman Aegle who now began to spread her wings ouer the best inhabited fields of the world That from this emulation Rome stood on a better guard and accounted these Africans a barbarous people in respect of themselues as foretold from the prophesie of Daniel and the Sibills of her strange establishment as Queene of the world and at last shared the plenty of Spaine for impatient of any aduenturers in that voyage the Carthaginians were expelled and the royall standard of Italy aduanced That time ouer-wearied with the insulting of perpetuitie at last incited the strange nations of Gothes Vandalls and Lombards to labour in the worke of the god of alteration who pull'd this country from all Emperors and Kings and made a fearefull diuision of the same keeping themselues warme in Spaine when all other countries failed That long after Count Iulian began a new worke as if he could haue powred downe vengeance on the author of his discontents For after Rodrigo had rauished his daughter hee called in the Mores a race of Mahumetans into Spaine to be reuenged on the King by whose assistance he not onely banished the Gothes and other people into Castile but kill'd the King vsurped the country altred the gouernment and so plaied their parts in Granado Valentia and Andolozia as if they were created of purpose to shew some wonder of heauen when dissolution of Kingdomes and punishment of offences is determined so that they quickly made their owne conditions and bound the countrey euer since to the ratifying of them infecting the best families of Spaine with paganisme whereby our moderne Kings weeding them out by litle and litle haue also attempted to purge their Churches of such filthines and when they could not preuaile by precept and authority of reason they erected the office of Inquisition to discouer who were addicted to the adoration of Mahomet and durst contest against the blessednes of saluation in IESVS CHRIST whereupon the Mores haue raised many innouations in the countrey euen the last yeere to the number of a million fraighted their hearts with treason and a burning desire to set on flame the wondrous compacted peace of Spaine Here is yet no great cause of amazement For thus were the children of Israel persecuted by the Aegiptians affrighted with the Philistims maligned by the Edomites subiected and made slaues to Babylon tormented and threatned by Syrians and Graecians and at last not onely subdued but subuerted by the Romans who of all other put the axe to the tree and at one stroke laid the same on the ground leauing the holy Citie desolate as a widow cast out as an orphan despised as a vagabond and punished worse than a traiterous rebell vntill the Mahumetans by way of curtesie ridd her of her paine at once and vtterly trampled her to peeces so that now to see the people dispersed without a law common-wealth or King to view the countrey like a barren wildernes to behold nothing but rapes and robberies where so many promises had bin made from heauen where such riches and maiestie flourished where such mightines and state increased and where all prosperity triumphed would leniat an adamantine heart and raise a crying voice from commiseration with Heu cadit in quenquam tantum scelus tanta iniquitas And thus much for example concerning the seuerall alterations of Spaines gouernment now to the rest of his ostentation The whole countrey retaineth still the antient diuision of Baeticam Lusitaniam and Tarraconensem and the memory of eight seuerall Kingdomes 1. Gallicia to which Asturia and Cantabria are connected 2. Nauarra the proper inheritance of the house of Burbon in France 3. Castiles a coople boasting both of antiquitie and excellency 4. Lusitania tother day Portugall but now incorporated with the rest into the house of Austria 5. Leon extinguished long since by the greater light of Arrogon 6. Arrogon laying claime to Naples and Ierusalem and so enlarging the King of Spaines titles 7. Valencia mourning for her corruption in religion and 8. Granado to which Andolozia or the countrey of Vandalls with the former Iland of Gades are vnited Amongst these Portugall did once boast of the conquest of India Aethiopia Persia and many other places especially Taprabona or the Iland of Saint Lawrence betweene whom and Great Britaine as I haue said before at this instant of all the Ilands in the world is comparison for circuit and spatiousnes of ground But shall we let them goe on with these vaine-glorious titles of conquest and victory when they are yet but poore possessors of some harbours and townes by the sea shore and stand on their guard with more terror to lose than euer they entertained comfort in getting them I I let them alone a gods name For quarrels arise from contradiction and there is no disputing with men resolued in the vaine promises of worldly deceit nor must you be incredulous when a Portugall shall report that these exploits were carried in the current of successe without the helpe of Spaine at all as though there was euer a distinction or rather separation betweene themselues and a Castilian yea they proceeded further as if there were an Antipathy in nature For they vsed to spit at the naming a Spaniard like simple people in England after the Deuill was pronounced But to the rest if you would truely vnderstand the cause of his pride and former elation of countenance you must then take notice that he detaineth all these Kingdoms within his owne Continent as a commanding Monarch and after many convulsions begged at fortunes hands the ratification of the Royalty stiling himselfe withall King of Naples Sicilia and Hierusalem the two former gouerning by Viceroies the latter claiming by inheritance as vnwilling to lose himsele or forget the glory of his auncestors wherein he pleadeth imitation For the Emperor writeth King of the Romans not once visiting of Italy the Denmarke King of England England of France and France of Nauarre then are the Ilands of Sardinia Corsica Maiorca and Minorca entred his booke of accounts to which if you adde the noble Duchie of Millane into whose demeanor Count Fuentes looketh with prying eies for his behalfe that the state of Genoa dependeth on his protection you will say ambition set him well on worke and as well rewarded him for his daies labour As for the Low Countries he would faine shew them as feathers belonging to his broken wings and taketh the house of Burgundie for his owne hoping that the Pope which can canonize a Saint will make the daughter of Spaine a Queene especially of her owne inheritance Thus liueth and ruleth he in Europe but all this were rather burthensome vnto him considering the barren hills and
Noe whose history giueth life to many strange and fabulous relations How presently followed the possession of many Nations whose loue to the Countrey changed her name into Oenotria Ausonia Hesperia Saturnia Italia and some others of lesse consequence some significantly according to the goodnes of the place some metonimically either pars pro toto or totum pro parte some ironically for idle actions or Poeticall fictions and some iudicially according to the vertue of the Inhabitants excellency of the soile or honour of the first explorator or Redacter to gouernment and thus it was suddenly diuided into Prouinces as Liguria Hetruria Vmbria Latium Campania foelix Lucania Brutia or Magna graecia Salentitij or Salentini Appuleia Peucetia Appuleia Daunia Samnites Pisenum Aemilia or Galsia transalpina now Lombardy and forum Iulij or Friaul now Venetorum regio Some say 15. Blondus 18. and Leander 19. parts How Rome became the metropolitane Citie of Italy and Queene of the world so that the Emperors amplified the same with magnificent structures and monuments and in diuiding or rather translating their seates to Constantinople left all to the Exarchat of Rauenna and vsurpation of Byshoppes who by a higher stile at last made themselues Popes and with the cuppe of abomination like the whore in the Apocalips poisoned the westerne Kingdomes How the Venetians beganne their Citie and State and about anno 700. constituted a DVKE boasting indeede that they were the poore remainder of the Roman Nobility as it were sequestred into certaine remote Ilands which the Goths respected not nor Lombards regarded yet hath Time you see raised a glorious flame from the poore dispersed imbers almost extinguished either from heate or light How Millane was incorporated to a principalitie First built by the Frence after subuerted by the Vandalls then reedified next made a Duchy fiftly strengthned with the band of Sforza sixtly possessed by the French againe and now by the Spaniard How Genoa boasteth of her antiquitie from Ianus and about 1237. constituted a DVKE like vnto Venice but daring not to trust her owne foundation entertained the noble assistance of the Spanish castells How Turine or Taurinum was an Academy the chiefe Citie of Piemont and now giueth so much aire to Sauoy that he breatheth with one of the noblest Dukedomes of the world How Papia or Pauy in times past Ticinum by reason of the riuer that runnes round about it was vnited to the Duchy of Millane by Iohannes Galeazius the first Duke How Padoa boasteth of her neighbourhood to the riuer Padus her Vniuersitie Antenors foundation fertillity of ground strong ramparts and repineth at her subiection to Venice How Cremona is very auncient and flourished with orderly strength and prosperity vntill it was burnt in the warres betweene Vitellius and Otho How Verona is pleased with the common enterpretation of her name quasi vera vna with the orderly accesse of Italians nobles with the ruines of her Amphitheater so goodly a structure that I dare be bold to say it would containe 80000. people to behold the spectacles presented to the Inhabitants for triumphs of Emperors and famous Consuls and being once free was subiected to the Venetians about anno 1405. How Mantua was first a Marquisate but by the marriage of the onely daughter of Montisferate raised to a Duchy by the Emperor and thrust warme vnder the mantell of Gonzaga by the Pope How Mirandula was fortified besieged by the Emperor and Pope assisted onely by the French and at last vnited to the principate of Parma How Ferrara was first subiect to the Byshoppe of Rauenna then vnder the family of Est made a Marquisate lastly a Dukedome and now vsurped by the Pope as part of Saint Peters patrimonie How Parma boasteth of antiquitie suffered many concussions fell into the blessing of the Clergy and with the Coronet of a Duke was presented to Alexander Fernesius How Bononia was once ruled by an Exarchate as a place of greatnesse and important conueniency for the gouernment of the Countrey after giuen to the Church by King Pepin and Carolus magnus and hath now a famous Vniuersitie How Rauenna boasteth of antiquitie was the principall seate of the Vicegerents for the Emperors of Constantinople and after surrendred into the Popes hands by the name of Romandiolas territories How Vrbine was famous for courtshippe and made a Dukedome 1476. by Pope Sixtus in the family of Fredericus Vbaldinensis who were once citizens of Florence but for their vertue raised to this honour so that the family extinguished it is returned to the possession of the Pope againe How Ancona is an old walled Towne and port in the Adriaticke sea now Gulpho Venetiano is knowne by her white cliffe inuiteth you to come on land and see the wonders of our Lady at Loretto and obeyeth the Pope in his temporall iurisdiction How Florence suffered many alterations increased in wealth buildings state populousnesse was honored in the house of Medices and aduanced her fame with the best through the valour and well-deseruing of that valiant Cosimo by the stile of Magnus Dux Hetruriae and hath since boasted of two Queenes of France from her daughters who haue filled the Courts of all the Princes in Europe with strange reports How Pisa was once Mistresse of Maiorca had an Acedemy was sold to the Florentines by the Vicount Iohannes Galeasius and bought of the Emperour Charles 1369. by Petrus Gambacurta for 12000. peeces of gold How Leuca was made a Seignory and had many Gouernours but at last obtained their freedome by donation of a Cardinall who distributed for the same 25000. Checkinos How Sienna boasteth of the birth of Aeneas Siluius called Pope Pius of the Vniuersity of Physicians is delicately scited was tossed or rather tormented in the factions of the Guelphs and Gibellines submitted to the Spanyard then to the French next to the Cardinall Mâ—…ndoza and at last 1558. yeelded to the Duke of Florence How Naples encreased in glory and raised her dignity next to Lombardy of all the Principats of Italy to a Kingdome suffred many alterations had Princes of seuerall families filled the world with the occurrences of her troubles and at last by example of Sicilia prostituted it selfe to Spaines insulting Of all which to discourse at large were another Gordion and with the Preacher a man may cry out all things are so hard to be knowen that no creature can expresse them the eye is not satisfied with sight the eare not filled with hearing the thing that hath beene commeth to passe againe and there is no new thing vnder the Sunne and therefore I will desist from further tormenting my selfe or you because many worthy authors are opposite to one another in vnfolding the secrets of antiquity and hee which striueth to please all readers with satisfaction must transforme himselfe into all shapes especially
his answer is I am not learned so that with the Apostle I may say that Antichrist shall sit in the Temple of the Lord and in the latter daies shall be the doctrine of deuils forbidding to marry and eat meat which God hath sanctified so that with the Euangelist I may lawfully tell you of the Vision of the beast which rose out of the sea hauing 7 heads and 10 hornes and that he opened his mouth vnto blasphemy resembled to the woman araied in purple and rose colour decked with gold pretious stones and pearle and holding a cup of gold in her hand full of abomination and filthines The Citie yet is swelling bigger and bigger though nothing comparable to the ostentation of former times For Historiographers haue confirmed it for greatnes riches magnificence Nobilitie and famous illustrations the admiration of the world as contayning 20 English mile in circuit and shewing a countenance of brauery and princely structures But now it onely boasteth of some few ancient buildings the ruines of the Amphitheater certaine Obelisci the swiftnes of Tiber new erected Palaces of Cardinals the Castle of St Angelo olim moles Adriani the Popes owne Palace and the Church of S. Peter threatning to exceed with his high erected Cuba and wondrous crosse Iles our London Cathedrall which is the vastest heape of stones vnder the sunne the aire is most pestilent and vnwholesome so that Sâ—… haue died in a yeere by infection and the vninhabited places afford such damps and mists that many times they effectuate suffocations but are alwaies dangerous and patible of no remedy but extraordinary fires The third part of Italy affordeth an honorable title to the Duke of Florence who is stiled Magnus Dux Hetruriae and registreth in his booke of renowne for principall Cities Florence Pisa Sienna and Legorne a strong new hauen towne on the sea shore almost ouer against Corsica The Citie it selfe is one of the stateliest and richest in Italy the riuer Arnus runneth in the midst playing the wanton vnder the arches of three delicate stone bridges the Dona is a delicate and curious Church the state-house Dukes palace and treasurie with other Arsenals and store-houses are to be made account of as glorious spectacles and worthy structures but whereas you shall finde a booke of the wonders of the Citie when you come to the substance from the shadow it will proue either ridiculous or not answering expectation The Duke himselfe studieth nothing but wealth for which he liueth both sparingly and basely not caring by what meanes his yeerely entrado is augmented taking the indirect profit of common Innes He is of the family of Medices and his subiects if I may so terme them which doe what they list are fine speakers but buggerers and blasphemers The fourth roome of Italies palace is opened for the delicate state of Leuca a Signiory and Citie of that riches and estimation that in comparing it to so much ground againe you shall easily finde the difference For being not 20 mile square yet can they muster 3000 horse and 15000 foote they make much silke and are well conditioned Merchants their chiefest Podesta or officer is called Confaloniero changed euery two moneths his councell are of the chiefest Citizens altred euery six moneths they liue altogether for the time in one Palace they haue had many Gouernors but at the last the Cardinall as you heard purchased their manumition and they as apprehensiue are resolued to maintaine their priuiledges The fift share is taken out of Italies lap by the Venetians who boast of great antiquity haue a Duke during life chosen by the balls of the full Councell who is at this instant a Donatus and are proud of their great possessions but might haue gloried if they had not lost their first footing Within the land they keepe close Forum Iulij or Friaull with the territories of a large countrey round about Venice it selfe which is called the impossible within the impossible scited in the sea and diuided into such channels that you goe both by water and land to their houses which indeed are hansomely contriued and belonging to the Noblemen worthy the reputation of Palaces yet are the streets so narrow that they endure neither horse nor cart neither doth their Gentlemen weare sword or cloake nor is any fresh water or good aire belonging to the same more then what is brought them or they reserue in pargetted cesternes as in Zeland and Holland when it raineth Padoa is their Vniuersitie and a large towne famous for Titus Liuius and Peter Auenons birth who made the bathes vnder the mountaines some fiue mile beyond where the vipers are taken it retaineth a goodly monument of a Hall keeps Antenors toombe in the streets and dare tell you that S. Lukes sepulchre is in the Church called the Santo Palma is a fine towne and strong in fortification Verona a famous Citie whither the Noblemen resort who much stomach the Venetian gouernment Vizenza is a delicate Academie and hath a stately yet hansome theater Crema a frontier towne and well guarded Vdine comely and conuenient enough after the Italian manner and superstitious alike Treuiso hath a faire Piazzo and sheweth some wanton Curtezans and Brescia where the language is corrupt for belike they haue beat out the finenes with hammering their armours On the other side of the Adriaticke sea they command the pleasant shores of Histria Dacia and Dalmatia almost as farre as Ragusa a litle further in their owne Gulph and amongst the musters of the Greeke Ilands they protect Cephalonia once Ithaca or the countrey of Vlisses Corfu where the strong Castle is accounted a principall peece of workmanship Xante an Iland famous for the vallies yeelding 4000 tunne of Corans euery yeere Zerigo and many other Ilands in euery one of which they haue for Gouernour one Prouisor and two Conciliarij as assistant they had also many other fortunes but tempus edax rerum and the Turkes greatnes hath almost broken the chaine of their prosperitie abroad in peeces For they haue lost Rhodes Ciprus and some other commands yet doe they keepe Candy in the Mediterranean sea whose Gouernour is priuiledged with the title of DVKE and hath potestatem vitae necis Modena is the sixt step of Italies glory and an hereditary Dukedome full of riches and fashionable Gentry newly allied to Mantua and reasonable well fortified against his dangerous neighbour in Millane The country is very pleasant and conducteth you to those plentifull water-pooles called Lago de Garda and Lago de Como the first vnder the Venetian the next belonging to the Cardinall of Trento and both very neere 50 Italian mile in length and 30 in bredth On the seuenth degree of honors chaire as he is mounted in Italy is Mantua placed a new Dukedome of an old Marquisate in the name of Gonzaga He liueth in better fashion of Courtship than the other Princes with a guard of Switzers the
mens Cosmography who tell you of Turwin and Tornay and those noble endeuours of Hen. 8. when the King of France claimed Artois and Flanders as well as Picardy The Prouince of Gelderland is altogether champaine yet intermingled with woods and stored with euery thing to satiate our desire especially if wee looke after plenty of corne and pasture which both stuffeth full their garners and fatteth their cattle insomuch that they bring them leane in great heards from the furthest part of Denmarke to receiue here as it were a more seemely forme It is visited with the three riuers of Rhene Mase and Whale it hath 22 walled townes attended on by the care and diligent seruice of 300 villages amongst whom Numegam is metropolis and indeed boasteth not onely of antiquitie but the royaltie of a King had not time worne out the shining brightnes of his Crowne or some boistrous hand pull'd the scepter out of his arme and shouldred him quite aside from his Throne or else it was as the Kings of Cities in Mesopotamia Reges à regendo when nine of them made battaile together and the preuailers spoiled Lot and tooke him prisoner Herein is also contained the country and Earledome of Zutphen and the delicate Iland of the Betto how euer Holland would challenge her of disobedience if shee should call another mother For Goricum Worchum and many other townes are reputed hers onely Arnham on the other banke of the Rhene with the sweet fields of the Vellwe will still belong vnto Gelderland and could tell you of a sconce builded ouer against it of another on the banke of Icell of another before Numegen where that valiant German Sir Martin Skinck lost his life and was tossed from graue to graue vntill a military ceremonie laid him in an honorable place of rest and of another at the point of the Iland diuiding the riuer into the Rhene and Whale which saies you can scarce shew such another and is proud of nothing more than her founder and title For it is called still Skinck sconce and could affright you with the relation of many strange designes and changes of military seruice as if the Armies chose these parts of the country to play at base in and as it were dance a mattachene in armour For I my selfe knew the leaguer one yeere in Gelderward within two mile of Eltam another yeere at Bommel a third at Berck a fourth in Cleueland c. It flourished vnder Otho the third Earle of Gelderland who walled in Ruremond Arnham Harderwick Bomell Gooch and Waggenhen and so held the title of a Countie vntill Rheinaldus the second whom for his valour iustice piety and other vertues the Emperor Lodwick lifted vp to the dignitie of a Duke in the presence of the Kings of England France and the Princes Electors 1339. Zeland is a new name and not read of in ancient histories as if a man should say a countrey compounded both of land and sea For it is euery where distinguished with Ilands which are environed with water and knowne by 15 seuerall names against whom the sea hath much preuailed and not long since with violent invndations swallowed 300 of their inhabited townes so that now you may saile by the steeples of Churches and not knowing the reason wonder to what purpose the Towres were so erected There remaine now three principall which are preserued against the rage of the Ocean with exceeding cost and powerfull industry namely Walcheren Schouen and South-Beueland and foure inferior Diuelant Tolen North-Beuelant and Woolfersdike which are graced with the prerogatiues of eight walled townes whereof six continue their Estates Deputies for the whole County Midelborough Flushing Camphere and Armenden which hath no voice although it cry out neuer so loud that it standeth with the rest in Walcheren In Schouen Sirexee and Bucers hauen which hath likewise no voice In South-Beueland which is the greatest and fertilest Iland the towne of Tergowse and in the land of Tolen the towne of Tertolen and Martins dike which hath also no voice These Ilands are preserued by the downes which be certaine bankes of sand cast vp with the tides and where there are no sands as toward the south the dikes are raised by the industry of man and proportioned with equall height to the rest all so rammed with mats casses of fagots 6 or 7 foote long that it not only performeth the effect of their securitie but seemeth an artificiall gracefulnes and being so neere England is worthy the ouer-viewing In times past the Marquis of La Vere and Flushing were onely at the Generall Councels of the countrey now the places are supplied with Deputies and new times haue giuen way vnto new orders For these inheritances and titles are incorporated in Prince MAVRICE of NASSAV and the Abbot of St Martins in the towne of Midlebourgh which at this instant is the Court of Zeland As for the Prince he is the seruitor of the States and can doe nothing absolute of himselfe without their direction And for the Abbot his name is extinguished with his superstition and the reformation of religion hath also reformed his very title and authoritie so that the Estates make the Democratia a princely gouernment and assume to themselues the power of life death controuling punishing rewarding and resolute ordering all their affaires except in cases of necessitie wherein there is no disputing nor interiecting any cause of imputation either of negligence or improuidence For so great Princes either diminish or augment their illustrious royaltie and Monarks whose pride at the first swelled ouer the banks of preuailing haue in one age bin left bare on the sands of an ebbing fortune The cheefest trade of the inhabitants is nauigation fishing and making salt yet within the land they imploy themselues to tillage and feeding of cattle The people doe so multiply and increase that they are compelled to inlarge their Townes as well for their owne inhabitants as frequentation of strangers who since the troubles of Antwerpe resort hither extraordinarily but if I should adde the brauery of fortifications I should do them no wrong nay I might augment their glory For Flushing is one of the strongest Townes of Europe and Midleborough so ramparted and guarded that a very militarie renowne is attributed vnto them and the Burgers themselues deserue well of all good reports The prouince of Holland is as it were a Peninsule circumuironed with water For the sea the Rhene and the meeting riuers open their doores in such a manner that you may goe as it were round about the house except in one corner toward Gelderland and although it containeth not in circuit aboue two hundred English mile yet lifteth vp the wals ramparts and warlike ports of thirty townes of such receipt wealth and shipping that the pride of Tyrus and Sidon exclaimed vpon by so many Prophets had not greater occasion of raging and oftentation howeuer they are yet blessed with
vpon the least susption or cause of reuenge as for their best fortified cities their temples wals store-houses and Emperors or Gouenors palace are structures to be looked vpon and onely worthy of commendation but the rest of the houses low vnfashionable builded most of turffe and canes which they buy from India and China and in winter full of smoke and stincke as in other remooueable cabbins or tents of the Tartars so that except the Emperour himselfe and his customes which are rather tyrannous then princely there is nothing amongst them worthy imitation of ruder people For such marchandies as passe reciprocally betweene them and the Chinesses or those of Iapan except Rheubarb which commonly commeth 〈◊〉 neerer way into Europe through the Caspian sea and so into Armenia are euer in hazard to be lost by the most powerfullest fraud either of the buyer or seller so that sometimes you shall haue 20000. marchants of Iapan China and the other Ilands stayd at a time in Quinzay Cambâ—…lu and Tangut whereupon the vnkindnesse bursts out into open hostility and to be reuenged of one another armies of 200000. and more of a side fill their fields with terror and death to which if you adde the aduantagious lying in wait on the wall raised vnder mount Taurus betweene them vpon sudden excursions of the inhabitants or breaches in the time of inuasion it will adde a feare and terror to your attention from the report of so many sauage slaughters and wilfull command of the Emperours for whose sake whole families will not care to die nay striue to shew their duty in this kinde yet there is one thing most commendable amongst them that except the warre is at it were publikely proclaimed betweene their Emperors the people of themselues liue peaceably from offending one another and dare not touch a stone on either side of the wall with a cunning purpose to weaken the same Amongst other things their strife about their Emperours titles is so ridiculous for Cham will be called Dominus Dominantium and he of China Filius Coeli as in my first book may appeare that the least derogation is breach of the peace and a small comparison casteth vp the dust of contention in both their eyes For although China be not so big as Tartary by two parts yet being better inhabited and adorned with Townes and Cities it presumeth for competition of glory and dare aduenture to maintaine their honorable bestialitie and idolatrous wretchednes both waies with force of armes To conclude if you come to gouernment loue dyet conuersation hansom apparell attendancie friendship honest meetings peaceable trafficke and all such things whereby the temporall blessings of God are manifested to men that looke no further nor enioy the happines to search for happines more deeply there is not any thing otherwise than the pride and state of their Emperor some herbes and drugs for physicke their northern race of horses and certaine skins furres which couer their houses and keepe their bodies warme worthy the looking after or indeed fit to come neere the borders of the kingdome of true felicitie CHAP. III. CHINA compared and her deficiency manifested BEfore I proceede any further in the description of these remote countries I must by way of Apologie excuse my pouertie in knowledge and breuity in bringing either par-'ticular or substantiall matter before the barre of examination For first I dare not meddle with ancient Authors because times haue altred all things and there is a kinde of vicissitude of gouernment and kingdomes attending the highest prouidence nor will I once read ouer moderne writers lest I be tempted to a cunning theft and can but shew you indeed the countenances of other men so that if the first were now to view their owne handy-works and either saw how warres or antiquitie had ouer-mantled those delicate strong and magnificent Cities and countries with deuastation misery and wretched affliction which they had so much commended and laboured by great arte and industry to delineate or decipher Or could consider how peace and ingenious endeuours had manured and made exuberant euen barren soiles vnfashionable grounds had clothed naked men with royall ornaments had inlarged poore Townes and Cities to stately and princely structures had taught despised people to march arme in arme with honorable renowne and glorious victories with infinite such like they would questionles stand amased to see now such a change and alteration or confounded to suppose themselues vnhappy for not liuing in this happines and these times of peace and plenty yea such peace and plenty as if they had learned an arte of gracefulnes and cunning of adornation like a curious and expert Ieweller who though a diamond be a diamond and stone of inestimable valew yet can by his skill adde a brauery and extraordinary lustre to the same As for the newer sort of Historiographers first for my selfe they shall haue no such aduantage ouer mee as to challenge mee for felony in stealing any wealth or riches from them or exprobrate me of ingratitude for being beholding vnto them and not acknowledging the same Next concerning themselues I wonder they are not ashamed to fill vp their leaues with the lines of falshood and maruell they are so litle acquainted with honest trauellers that may tell them the truth or at least instruct them in an arte of seeming probabilitie as for example in plaine honestie I wonder how Munster that learned man and famous Chronologer could be so deceiued or abused to talke of Pigmeies of men with long eares and one foote and such like I could name many others as Sir Iohn Mandeuill the description of India diuers pamphlets of voyages and peraduenture histories of acceptation in which not onely absurdities passe for current but vntruths and impossibilities carry the sway of licence and approbation Therefore as I said for my owne part I disclaime them all and either tye my selfe to my poore endeuours or aduenture on such passages of ciuill authoritie as come neere probabilitie and religion onely in this I will play the truant with others that as in vnknowne countries they fill vp the Map with gyants beasts monsters and some strange battailes and in writing of Chronicles they passe ouer the liues of their first Princes with only names and peraduenture suppositions because they would say some thing so in these or of these remote Nations I will onely tell you what I haue seen my self in some cursory trauels or learned of others with whom by an Interpreter I haue of purpose entertained communication As when I was in Turky I saw the Armie of the Tartars mustred by the fields of Scideret and had the priuiledge of a Ianizarie to protect me from wrong and be my interpreter for such things as my wit and memory incited me to make vse of At my L Embassadors againe I presumed on a conference with the Persian Embassador and as farre as my memory and vnderstanding was capable
augment the wealth and reputation of the same nay the best of their Caesars haue beene affrighted at the fulmination of a tyrannous Pope and seduced with the imposturing cunning of deceiuing Priests and a corrupted religion nor could they goe with the wise King to view his nauies visit his cities fortifie the townes erect store-houses or come neere the six steps of golde on Salomons throne which was most apparant euen the other day in one of their glorious Princes from whom the house of Austria hath taken such firme rooting that it hopes to spred so largely and so high that no daring hand shall presume to lop a bough or breake off a principall stem I meane Charles the fift who for all his seeming corroborated mightinesse quickly lost the loue of the Princes and for want of ceremonies maintaining the glory of a King was euen scorned of Pesants The story is breefly thus Vpon the report of the losse of his gallies at Argier he had a purpose to re-enforce his nauy and as the Poet sayes saepe premente Deo fert Deus alter opem to hope that as one misfortune had ouerclowded the faire shining sunne of his glory another happy winde would ouer-blow the threatning storme and make a serene element which caused him to come into Italy for his better and speedier passage either at Ligorn or Genoa but entring into Millane a leane olde man in a blacke cape cloake the people thronging to see a glorious Emperour or at least some magnificent shew and pompous ceremonie they were so daunted to be thus frustrated and in a manner scorned to bee so disesteemed that they neither gaue him a Viue le Roy nor scarse opened a window to looke toward him nay more when hee set forward for Spaine indeede there scarse went a voluntary Gentle-man with him and the very Waggoners put their thumbs betweene their fingers in contempt of his troopes which is as disgracious a thing in Italy both amongst themselues and against strangers as either the lie in France or Beco to the Gentle-man of Venice whereat hee tooke such a conceit that he neuer returned into Italy or Germany againe howeuer some would impute it vnto his greefe for not preuailing against the Mahumetans or deuotion as desiring to giue ouer the world and not be entangled any further with disaduantagious encombrances And thus you see why Germany cannot match our example especially as the Eagle flies now with broken wings and bruized sides CHAP. XII ITALY compared SHall wee venture ouer the Alps and the gulph of Venice into Italy and search either the Appenine hils the fields of Campania the garden of the world called Lombardy the territories of Rome or attractiue Naples for an instance of greatnesse and happinesse which may come neere the example I must not now dispute what it was in the flourishing times of Augustus and other Emperors sweetning contentment with the delicates of riches and pleasure till God sent strange and cruell Physicians to purge them for their surfetting in gormandize and wantonnesse I meane the Goths and Vandalls nor will take vpon mee to presage what it might be if some diuine power would gather her plights together and make it one handsome and magnificent garment for a sole soueraigne but shew her as she is now loose vnlaced and hath her ornaments dilacerated and euen rent from her sides and shoulders Alas it is far worse with them then it was with the Israelites in the time of the Iudges when euery man did what hee listed and hauing no King as if they had beene embracers of the Tanist law in Ireland ranne like sheep without a shepheard and through the presumption of their owne forces wrested the enheritance from the true heires But more properly I may resemble them to the Anarchies of Greece who through emulation at one anothers greatnesse and credit in the world kept true prosperity indeed from a noble race and happy thriuing amongst them For as in ciuill warres while diuers factions fight one by one all are in the end subdued whereas if they did vnite themselues with a stubborne holding together they might peraduenture hazard and propulse the greatest strength and raised forces against them So in the plenties of peace and flourishes of happinesse the best portion diuided into many parts will quickly bee spent and a flowing riuer hath not that brauery when it is cut out into small brookes as in his owne streame running in a deep and fashionable channell Againe as in noble families when the mannour houses capitall messuages and populous Lordships descend to one immediate heire the dignity honour of the same is more and more vpheld whereas if they were diuided amongst many sonnes the glory would soone bee extinguished and strength of the first firmnesse rebated So fareth it with Italy the very blessings affoorded by nature are disioynted and the diuiding it into Principates hath also deuided her fortunes and former credit of rauishing beauty For in one corner rules the Spanyard at another end encrocheth the Sauoyan on this side the Venetian keepeth all in awe on that the Hetrurian Duke maintaineth a iurisdiction heere the Church with the contraries of blessing and cursing locketh vp St. Peters Patrimony as the Pope himselfe in the castle of St. Angelo there many petty Princes are iealous of forraine trecheries and howeuer they doe maligne the common enemy yet can they not agree amongst themselues but repine with an emulous hate against one another But would I could vnite them together and set vp the wals of Rome placing her seuen hils in such an order that the city might boast of twenty mile compasse and the gouernment lift vp a head as in Daniels visions Or that I might in a yeere of Iubile settle you vnder the wings of the Angell on the top of the palace and shew you the Consistory of Cardinals the triumphs of a Popes inauguration his stately carrying on mens shoulders his triple crowne and such like ostentous and pompous ceremonies with all the glorious celebrations of the other Princes either at their owne elections or entertainment of forraine Ambassadours yet would all this come farre short of our example For the very prouision of Salomons palace would exhaust the countrey consume the commodities and like a barren ground drinking vp the raine deuoure the plenty of the land and pull in peeces their best compacted husbandry of which wee haue had many instances in former times when Italy suffered diuers famines and want of corne so that if Aegypt had not beene a store-house and garner of graine to let in a supplyment as it were an vnlookt for way the people had perished for lacke of food and the countrey beene wasted for want of husband-men and tillage Againe say they could drinke in vessels of golde wherein yet I finde them very sparing and that they determined to expose the glory of some ambitious triumph Wherewith should their cups ouerflow considering
France both cities and townes with their inhabitants and Merchants are vnfashionable sluttish dangerous rebellious and the people neither of wealth nor eminence In Paris they dare talke of a Kings wantonnesse entermeddle with tractates of Parliament and State call any Prince Hugonet that onely saies the Nostre Dame is but a darke melancholly Church and iustifie very monstrous and abusiue actions Besides to tell of their inconstant and refractary dispositions would be too tedious and sooner discouer their loathsome treasons then preuent the customary and mischeeuous practises of the people The peace of Salomon caused plenty and that spred it selfe ouer all Israel like a shady tree which as a double shelter kept backe the cold of winter and tempered the burning heate of summer so that it is apparant with the Kings magnificense at Court the husbandmans peace and wealth in the Countrey was enlarged whereupon most of them were Berzalites and would go no further then ouer Iordan with Dauid but rerurne to their owne houshold sit vnder their owne figg-trees and bee gathered together into the graues of their ancestours But France knowes not now what to say For the Court is a meere mapp of confusion and exposeth many actions more ridiculous then worthy imitation as for the Countrey-man hee is called a Pesant disparaged in his drudgery and seruile toylsomnesse liueth poore and beastly is treacherous at aduantage and yet afrayd of his owne shadow and cannot free the vineyards from theeues and destroyers yea all the countrey swarmeth with rogues and vagabonds whose desperate wants driue them to perpetrate many horrible murthers although for the most part the Prouosts of euery diuision are very diligent The wisdome of Salomon setled his cities that strangers were admitted at all times except in frontire townes which peraduenture were guarded in the night according to martiall discipline prouided that the passages were easie and secure admitted of all complainants and leuiated their greeuances aduanced himselfe on a golden throne to entertaine matters of Iustice allowed of the Prophets who yet out of zeale cryed out against the abuses of the Temple and Palace and commanded the subiect first to remember his duty to God then his obedience to the Prince and last of all his loue to his neighbour and this hee performed by admonitory preceps to enstruct the ignorant and princely indignation to punish the obstinate France referreth all to Parliaments and Presidents excludeth the reformed Churches out of the walls of the cities hath the name of Prophet in derision suffered the Iesuites to murther two famous Princes permitteth them still a Sanctuary and from worldly policy excludeth true religion out of doores In France the passages are toylesome and disordered dangerous for extraordinary robberies and vnder officers shuffle vp diuers times most notorious abuses To conclude in France many particulars choak the breath of happinesse from giuing life to a glorious Kingdome indeede if the reciprocall duties betweene Prince and subiect were but easily extended so that with these defects I cannot chuse but exempt her from sitting on any hand of Salomons throne Whither shall wee then goe to match our example or at least to come so neere that a ciuill censurer will neither flatter nor detract you know my first purpose and I now determine to lead you into the sweet and orderly fields of England CHAP. XV. ENGLAND compared with the probable reasons why she is neerer the example of CANAANS happinesse then any other nation WIthout preface or circumloquution you shall finde the Kingdome of England in geographicall dimension equall to the country of Canaan and the people praysing of God in regard of their great and extraordinary blessings For begin where you will wee shall come so neere the comparison as a close order in ranging a battalion Concerning the generall view of the same did you euer heare or read of any so well diuided into shires and hundreds with Lords Lieutenants Sheriffs Iustices and other inferiour officers insomuch that it hath layd an imposition on the endeauours of a principall scholler and hee according to the secret of satisfaction hath most worthily vnclasped the records of antiquity and with such sufficient ampliation that our aduersaries haue beene silent in excepting against it But to my first purpose I say that to match all the particulars wherwith I haue stored Salomons magnificence and the countries prosperity there is not at this houre any Kingdome in the world so ready apt or worthy to take him by the hand to pace out the measures of true glory and happinesse as the Kingdome of England Concerning our glory abroad what worthy voyages haue we made I hope no people or nation euer equalled vs witnesse Sr. Iohn Mandeuill into India by land Stafford ouer Europe much about the same time Ienkinson Willoughby Borogh and many others into Russia and Muscouia Forbisher and Hawkins to discouer the northerne passages the Fenners Ralph Lane Iohn Clarke and diuers into America another voyage where of Sr. Walter Raleigh was the proposer our setling in Virginia our traffique to the West Indies Brasill Peru Caribana and Guiana Captaine Drake round about the world twice or thrice Thomas Candish the like our trauels to the East Indies or Philippines the Earle of Cumberlands worthy voyages amongst others that to Santo Port-Ricco the Portugall voyage Cales voyage the Iland voyage and sundry others as in Master Hackluits booke about this subiect only Besides moderne trauellers both of Noble-men Gentle-men although euery man is not a free Denizon of prosperities Kingdom nor can boast of natures bounty in the gifts of vnderstanding or fortunes liberality in disposing her treasures If you would see how our marchants are bestowed look into all the Ports of the world you shall find them setled our shipping in harbour If you could view all the countries of the earth where men dare or can come we are nobly dispersed I beleeue might be pull'd out of the center of the same if such a passage did euer excite man to explore for secrets marchandize or wealth If you were admitted into the remotest palaces of Emperours Kings yea Tartary it selfe English-men would salute you and speak your owne language and if you haue a purpose to affright idlenesse with any enterprize in the world especially to make them beleeue that the hand of profit will fill their laps with plenty English-men dare set endeauours on their best feet and can tell how to tumble all blockes and hindrances aside which may either terrefie them from such enterprizes or detaine them from the glory of the actions only heere lies a secret of traducing them that a supposition of the wants of others or feare of cumbersomnesse when they meet with an indigent countrey-man abroad hath debarred free conuersation and doth make the mutuall supplying the necessity of strangers a harsh-kinde of welcome yea an absolute leauing them to misery if they haue not bills of exchange or letters of
to Monsier de Plessis discourse wherein he proueth with sufficiencie that all the customes of the world concerning diuine adoration come short of Christianity but if you will conuert it thus Religio est cultura veri Dei then may you both diuide subdiuide and diuide againe allowing of three Religions the Iewes Christians and Mahumetans all maintaining the omnipotency of God and pretending obedience toward the high Creator of all things But because we hope for our established saluation in the merits and mercies of Iesus Christ and know that the excellency of the Trinity is described in the old Testament when God said Let vs make man when the great King saw the image of one like the sonne of man in the furnace when Iob knew that his Redeemer liued when the mysterie of the Trinitie is reuealed in many places let vs leaue the vanitie of the Heathen with their obstinacie the abomination of Idolaters with their grosse abuses the antiquity of the Iewes with their stiffneckednesse the innouation of the Mahumetans with their errors and impossibilities and be onely proud of our liuery of Christians But now we must subdiuide againe and say that amongst Christians there is a tripartite separation For the Greeke Church runneth one way with the title of East the Latine Church rangeth another way with the denomination of West and the reformed Church spreadeth a modest glory with the liberty of Protestants Concerning the Greeke Church I will be bold to tell you that I haue heard some of their Protopapans and Archimandritans maintaine their greatnesse precedency and truenesse of Religion before the Latine and thus they assume the defence For greatnesse it containeth most parts of Armenia Georgia Mengrelia neere the Caspian many places in Natolia or Asia minor the Countries of Aethiopia in Affricke which may equall them of the West Indies of whom the Pope doth now boast so much In Europe all Grecia many great Ilands except such as are diuerted Papists incurring the scandall of Heretickes Muscouia or Russia some parts of Poland Lithuania Bogdonia and the shores of the Euxinum much more ground then the Pope can challenge where he is the most offen siue Vsurper For Precedency it claimeth likewise the prerogatiue both waies First by priority in regard they were first Christians and the Apostles planted Churches amongst them before either Paul preached at Rome or Linus was appointed Byshoppe Secondly by authority as by translation of the Empire from whence Rome challengeth hers For when there was no such ambition thought vpon Iohn Patriarch of Constantinople vsurped the title of vniuersall Byshoppe and practised the supremacy ouer all other Churchmen by reason the Emperour Constantine had so enobled and enabled the great Citie where hee would haue the Byshoppe to be principall in regard of the maiesty of his person and the brauery of the place and therefore not onely graced him with the elated title of Patriarch but inuested him with many roialties and pallaces and temporall iurisdictions to which the Byshoppe of Rome did then intercede interposing a negatiue euen against the very title disprouing it as Antichristian and traduced Iohn the Patriarch as a wicked and malicious man for practising such ostentation nor desisted he so but writ whole volumes of letters tending to a manner of defamation some entreating him to disclaime such elation of heart some disalowing the presumption as exorbitant in a Byshoppe who should rather imitate the humilitie of Christ some thundring the cursed prediction of Antichrist by such apostacy and all of them disswading the true Ministers of Gods word from poysoning their preciously redeemed soules with the venome of pride and vaine-glory then followed the fearefull history of Nauclerus a strong papisticall writer on whom they lay the imputation of a fable But he saies plainely that that very instant in which Constantine the great enfeoffed the Church with temporary lands and sumptuous edifices the heauens seemed to frowne the aire was thickned with a cloude the earth troubled with a tempest and after great thunder and lightning a voice was heard now is poyson throwne into the pure streame of Gods truth Vpon this the matter was a while respited with a grant only of sitting downe first at generall Councells naming in Commissions and the binding voice in equality of censuring all which if they were priuiledges enlarged first the precedency of the Patriarch of Constantinople Afterward when the sinnes of the Empire like a fluent streame ouer-spread the bankes of his enclosures and that God determined the vtter subuersion of all two wicked men contriued the most lamentable desolation both of the gouernment of the Empire religion of the Church which were Phocas and Bonifacius the one conspiring thus with the other against God and Angells against heauen and earth against men and Deuills that to establish Phocas in the Empire of Constantinople he would be contented that Bonifacius of Rome should be consecrated with the title of Vniuersall Byshoppe whereupon Phocas by the murther of his Master Mauritius and other inhumane treacheries was inuested Lord of the Easterne Monarchy and Bonifacius by the cousoning his Predecessor Siluester and other religious practises obtained the papacy insomuch that Platina and diuers of their owne writers amongst other pasquills and satiricall inuections exclaime that he came in like a fox raigned as a lyon and died like a dogge so that all premises considered if there be a necessitie in any such precedency the Roman Byshoppes be but vsurpers For Constantinople had it at generall Councells and was permitted all the fauour of titles which the Church and most Christian Emperour collated at that time Concerning the truth it is well knowne that Peter of whom they boast so much was Byshoppe of Antioch 20. yeares and those of Asia the first reputed Christians in the world so that euen from Scripture it selfe and Pauls perigrination many plentifull collections enlarge his history and life with warrantable knowledge of what we must trust vnto As for his visiting of Rome howeuer Eusebius adhereth to some formall discoueries and other Authors produce instances of his owne death and daughters Martyrdome vnder Nero it is both fanaticall imaginary and vnwarrantable by Scripture nay I will say more neither by collected circumstances probable coniectures or authenticall Authors is there any inducement to beleeue it But say he did visit Rome and conferred with Paul what sense reason or honesty can allow the translation of his owne Byshopricke out of Asia into Europe an intrusion into another mans iurisdiction For Paul was constituted to be the light of the Gentiles and lost his head at Rome in iustifying his innocency how then could Peter be condemned of so functory a negligence that being appointed to the dispersed Iewes of Asia hee would vilipend them and intrude himselfe into the gouernment of the Gentiles of Italy so then considering Antioch and the 7. Churches spoken of in the Apocalips were the
formerly called and many times still collaterally named Scithia Sarmatia Albania Ieccomangall Sumongoll Mercat Metrit the vast deserts of Lop Tangut Cathaia and Mangia so that shouldring all the Northren shore of the Caspian it runneth along without controll by the high looking walles of China and is ouershaded by those formidable mountaines Riphei Hyperborei Imaus and Caucasus all incorporated into the glorious Character of Taurus of whom Pliny lib 5. 27. writeth almost a whole booke shewing that the varietie of Nations vnder this great Empire gaue sundry names vnto the vast body of this high-looking and high-spreading heape of earth and stones as in the first footing you haue heard before afterward in his larger body he is called Egidis Paropamisus Circius Chambudes Pharphariades Choâ—…as Oreges Orates Niphates Taurus in his glorious â—…ozen head and snowy crowne Caucasus in his stretching armes Sarpedon Coracesius Cragus and Taurus againe with diuers others and some more significantly But if you would know how it shouldreth all other titles vnder 〈◊〉 and looketh vp to heauen with the swelling eyes of Tartaria raised vp by the supportation of three principall Commaunders you must be contented to beleeue some thing which is written to this purpose or at least be reposed to aske no further questions but know that from Russia to the North-east sea all the Countries and people are now called Tartars But we will enlarge it a litle The Story of BARKA and ALLAV IF you suppose Herodatus an Author meriting the fame and good opinion disposed toward him in his fourth booke you shall finde him ouermantling Scithia from the denomination of Scythe the sonne of Hercules with his brethren Gelo and Agathirsis and by a woman with much adoe beleeued to be halfe a snake but it may be the allusion from the cruell condition of the people extracted from this linage gaue way to the fiction For after Agathirsis had taught the Inhabitants the vse of bow and arrowes they became so expert in shooting that from hunting and killing of beasts they set vpon men and strangers yea at last grew barbarous toward one another so that the admirable report of the Amasons a principall Nation amongst them is now esteemed a matter of probabilitie who remembring their vowes to Diana and customes of their Herculian Progenitors accustomed to cut off their right pappes for the better dexterity of this military exercise and so their famous exploits made all the Countrey reuerence the Goddesse for their sakes in whose memory they performed actions beyond credit and for whose reuerence Thoas beganne an Holocaust of strangers as by the story of Iphigenia Agamemnons daughter may appeare so that they continued in glorious estimation till Tomyr is conquered Cyrus and taught all mighty Monarchs and Tyrants this lesson that the punishment of sinnes is a iudgement from heauen and when they are in the greatest burning heat of ambitious tumors some â—…lender cloude of reuenge shall ouer-shade their glories and poure downe showers of deuastation on their heads as you may read in the Scriptures and other probable Authors of diuers great Princes brought to ruine yea slaine by the priuate hands of women which also happened to these insulting Dames themselues who grew so proude by reason they supposed the Goddesse Diana to protect them or that some supernaturall influence made their prosperitie immoueable that they not onely conspired against their Husbands but had the name of man in a kinde of hate and vilipending except for necessitie of procreation wherein yet as diuers Authors haue endeuoured to strengthen our credulitie they tied them to certaine conditions of commorance amongst them vntill they were conceiued and then compulsing them to returne so that at the time of their deliuery the â—…aemales were reserued and the males killed or if you will beleeue so much for ciuilities sake sent to their fathers wherupon when time was weary of such degenerating inconueniences and that some secret whisperers had incited the people to remember the glory of the first Creator or the Goddesse Nature in mans resemblance the better sort conspired against the women and by degrees ware them out of the Countrey with many slaughters teaching the obstinate the vicissitude of things and admitting the submissiue vnder the warmth of louing embraces by which occasion the men at last preuailed and in time this vast Countrey was proud to be the life infuser into many valiant sonnes such as Scitha with his mother Araxa who conquered Armenia and Scithes who married his mother in law Opaea and performed actions beyond credit such as Othoman Barka Allau Tamberlaine and others whose noble exploits made Fame flie about the world to divulge how glorious valour and vertue was in some worthy spirits ouer others But amongst many hundreds none obtained so much at the hands of history and report as Barka and Allau both named Emperors at one time For when many battailes had filled the fieldes with the carkasses of as many thousands the people weary of such slaughters and they themselues amazed at the crueltie it was concluded betweene them to diuide the Empire hauing indeed a world of ground to satisfie ten Emperors but some Authors are willing to maintaine that they scorned such partition and so in a noble combat decided the controuersie themselues till the Controuler of men and kingdomes made Barka triumphant who in the next lustrum of his gouernment had by the beautifull Tartara a sonne for his mothers sake named the Author of Peace and proclaimed besides Barka Tartarus so that when he leauing three sonnes behinde him gaue them also leaue to diuide the Empire The people were proude of their new name of Tartarians and their Princes distinguished with Tartar Chrim Tartar Mercat and Tartar Cham who many times standeth for all the rest drowneth the murmuring sound of inferiours with the full name of the great Emperor and Lord of Lords For although the Tartar Chrim would faine challenge affinitie with the Turke expecting if the line of Othoman should faile the greatest share of the worlds magnificence yet without question it is but a couert presumption and the fanaticall hopes of some imposturing prediction Otherwise hee dare not but acknowledge the Emperor Cham for his supreame and is affrighted when he heares of any complaints to his preiudice As for his further enlarging his credit because Tamberlaine was extracted from him who conquered Persia Asia minor and Baiazet it will stand him in litle stead to startle from his first obedience as I said before and helpe him as litle to intrude into Turkie for all he diuulgeth that the sonnes of Tamberlaine brought with them the daughters of the Persian Sophy and Othoman familie into Tartary from whence he is now lineally descended But some will haue it thus that Barka in remembrance of the horrible confusion of the warres named his sonne Tartarus as a very deciphering of Hell and that the people should be euer after affrighted