shew his wisdome or rather to signifie that he saw both the world that was before the Flood and that which came after All this in processe of time hath beene dawbed vp with strange fables as appeares by the writings of the Gentiles That which the Poet here saith this one fit of Noes drunkennesse is touched and couched in a word by Moses Gen. 9.21 but our Author hath amplified it very artificially describing in right kind a man no man when he is ouercharged with wine of purpose to make vs abhorre and detest that vice which ouerthrew the ancient Greeks Romans though since their time it is growne a custome as may seeme by the strange debauchment and outrage of our dayes now taken for a vertue Among the works of S. Basil that ancient Greeke Bishop there is an Homilie against drunkennesse and the strange behauiour of a drunkard right so set downe in all points as liere by the Poet. That which is reported of Caesar that dying he couered himselfe with his garment when Brutus with the rest of that conspiracie killed him in open Senate is written by Plutarch in his liues The drunken man neuer thinks of his shame as Caesar did for during the fit his reason is gone which proues that a fit of drunkennesse is much more dangerous then death it selfe what 's then the habit and continuall custome thereof besides the daily and great offence giuen by these men no men to God and his Church The comparisons here vsed to shew the nature of a slanderer taken from Plutarchs flatterer c. are so fitly applied by the Poet to his purpose that they need no further exposition 21. Come brothers come Moses saith Gen. 9.22 that C ham the father of Chanaan saw the nakednesse of his father lying drunke in the tent as ver 21. and told his two brethren without and Sem and Iaphet tooke a garment and laid it vpon their shoulders and went backward and couered the nakednesse of their father and their faces were fromward and they saw not their fathers nakednesse And this is the point which the Poet handles in this section 22. Slept out the surfet was It is recorded in the foresaid chapter also that Noe awoke from his wine end knew what his younger sonne had done vnto him he knew it either by some part of his memory confusedly retained in drunkennesse or by renelation from God except we should thinke rather that Sem and Iaphet told him that he might reproue the foule impietie of their brother and he is noted the younger for aggrauation of the crime Whereupon the Father said Cursed be Canaan a seruant of seruants shall he be to his brethren and againe Blessed be the Lord God of Sem and Canaan shall be his seruant God shall enlarge Iaphet and he shall dwell in the tents of Sem and Canaan shall be his seruant The Diuines propound here many questions to be considered whereof these two are the chiefe 1. Why Noe went here so far as to denounce that curse against his grandchild Canaan and that race 2. What is the meaning of these blessings vpon Sem and Iaphet The Poet answers in a word that Noe pronounced these curses and blessings by spirit of prophecie Forasmuch as God in his infinite wisdome when he had before humbled his poore seruant Noe was pleased now to arme him againe with fatherly authoritie wherewith hee might pronounce the iust and alway venerable sentences of his eternall decree For in few words here haue we the state of the world and Gods Church set downe by this great Patriarke who could not haue spoken those things so after verified in destruction of the Canaanites and Gods extraordinarie fauour to the Israelites and faithfull Gentiles but by the Holy Ghost to whom is alway present euen that which is to come For the rest Moses compriseth all after his manner briefely but with words so liuely and significant as are easie to be vnderstood of all that weigh and reade them with reuerence and humilitie and take helpe of the good Commentaries of Fathers both old and new 23. O soule vice He detesteth in most proper termes and grauely inueigheth against drunkennesse saying that though it did no more hurt in the world then impeach the reputation of this Patriarke otherwise an example of vertue it were to be hated aboue death And further in very few lines he presseth together what the ancient Authors both holy and profane haue said against drunkennesse There are certaine eminent places of holy Scripture which I need but quote vnto the Reader See Prou. 20.1 21.17 23.20.29.30 c. 31.4 Esay 5.11 22. 28.1 Hosea 4.11 Luk. 21.34 Rom. 13.13 1 Cor. 6.10 Gal. 5.21 Ephes 5.18 Among the ancient Fathers S. Chrysostome and S. Basil haue in diuers their Homilies very graue and expresly condemned this vice And there is a whole Homilie against it in the first Tome of S. Basil and the 80. of the fourth Tome of S. Chrysostome vpon those words of S. Paul to Timothie Modico vino vtere See also what S. Austen writeth hereof to the holy Virgins and in his fift booke vpon Gen. where he speaks of Lot And what S. Ierome hath to Oceanus and Eustochium vpon the first to Tim. the third chap. and to Titus Among the works of the Heathen the 84. Epistle of Seneca is worthy to be read The Greeke and Latine Poets haue also infinite inuectiues against this vice so beastly nay condemned euen by nature it selfe in beasts As for the examples here alledged by the Poet of Clytus and Pentheus see Plutarch in the life of Alexander the Great and Ouid in his third booke of Metamorphosis toward the end and apparent examples hath the holy Scripture of mischiefe ensuing vpon this wine-bibbing Not Lot Nabal Ammon Ela Balthasar and others But the Histories of our time haue a thousand times worse and more tragicall which our after-beers will detest and wonder at BABILONE The second Booke of Noe called BABILON Preface representant la felicité des estats puplics gouuernez par bōs sages Princes le malheur des peuples assuicttis à vn tyran Ce que le Poëte propose proprement afin de ce donner entree en lavie esfaitz de Nembrot O QVE c'est vn grand heur de viure sous vn Prince Qui prefere â son bien le bien de sa pronince Qui fleau des vicieux des bons protectuer Ounre l'aureil au sage la ferme au flateur Qui de soy-mesme Roy chasse plustost le vices Par ses honnestes moeurs que par loix supplices Qui est humble en son ame graue par dehors Qui a l'amour de siens pour garde de son corps Qui le lustre emperlé d'vn Scepre n'idolatre Et qui se cognoissant monté sur vn Theatre Ou pour Contrerolleur tout vn Monde le voit
of Russe Enuironed about with surges mutinous Was come-vnto by men thinke after they forsooke The plaine where Tegil flood swift-running ouertooke Once and againe the streame of running-far Euphrates They lodged at the foot of hoary hill Nyphates So forth of Armenie the field Hiberian The Colchish th' Albanick and high Bospherian Might well be furnished and thence vnto th'Vprist Might come the Tartar fell who roameth where he list All on that circuit huge and thence accoast the Set Was stoard the land that Rha doth neere his rising fret The shore of Lyuonie the plaine of Moscouie Byarmie Permie Russe White-lake and Scrifinie 24 It shall suffice The Poet hath heretofore compared Antiquity chiefly concerning the Nations Out-roads vnto a great forrest wherein the cunningest guides haue often lost themselues Now therefore he saith it is the safer way to follow and keepe neare the verge of the forrest rather than venter too farre into it He shewes thereby that his meaning is to giue vs a generall view of these matters not curiously to minse the particulars as they haue done who vndertake to gather out of Authors and teach others the course of Noes posteritie euery mile as they haue runne vntill this present and pore still into the Arke to finde there the names of their Country-men and ancestors Therefore he voweth to rely wholly vpon the golden mouth of Moses which was the sonne of Amram as the Scripture witnesseth Numb 26.59 Now Moses saith Gen. 10. in the end of the Chapter That of the children of Noe were the Nations diuided on the earth after the Floud And before in 5.20 and 30. verses he sheweth plainly from whence they began to people the world and as it were to lead againe the Arke ouer the face of the earth in filling most countries of the world with their great posteritie encreased as it was by vertue of Gods wonderfull blessing Gen. 9.1 Encrease and multiply and fill the earth 25. Yet not as if Sems house He saith Sem peopled not the East all at once but by succession of time that Iaphet when he came out of the Arke did not forthwith runne to Spaine nor Cham to hide himselfe in the furthest part of Affrick but that by little and little and in processe of time their issues ranged so farre forth either way He speaketh of diuers Countries far vp in the East and farre downe Southward the site whereof appeareth plaine in the Mappes and to emich this true story he vseth two prettie comparisons of the rockes of Bees in Hybla and Elmes in an Island and as by their surci ease both places are by peecemeale at length quite ouergrowne so he saith the world by yearely encrease of Noes posteritie was part after part ouer-peopled as it is First after the confusion of tongues they lodged one behinde another about the coast of Mesopotamia afterward as they encreased in stocke their new families passed the riuers hilles and straights looking-out other dwelling places to their liking the prouidence of God directing all as appeares for the better grace and trimming of the earth and the commoditie of all manking 26. And hence it comes to passe This ensueth necessarily of that goes before Where the posteritie of Noe were most together in the beginning there we must confesse was the chiefe sway and greatnesse of mankind and that was in Assyria and Chaldea as Moses witnesseth Gen. 11. whereout the Poet concludeth as afore see further Gen. 14. Concerning the Kings wars that are there named with their countries marching vpon Tigris or there abouts and of Nymrod it is namely said that the beginning of his raigne was Babel c. in the Countrey of Sennaar marching vpon the riuer Tygris 27. For Babylon betimes Hauing spoken in generall of the first peoples greatnesse hee specifieth now the first Monarchie whereof it seemes Meses hath enough written in the tenth chapter aforesaid Now the best Authors many of these and the former times declare and proue by the account of yeares that the first Monarchie as in Babylon and Babylon was in Chaldâ—a whereupon some dispute for Nimnie and Assyrians and some because these two great Cities began about one time had seuerall Princes and raigned both many hundred yeares they make a double Monarchie of the first vntill such time as the Chaldean had swallowed the Assyrian I take not the word Monarchie too precisely as if in the time of the Babylonian there were none other in the world Aegypt began in good time to be of power and great Kings there were in the Land of Canaan and the countries adioyning But I vnderstand with our Poet that the first rule plainly appeared at Babylon euen in the time of Noe. Hee that would vpon this point compare prophane Histories with the Scripture might sinde matter for a long discourse the summe whereof may be seene in Funccius Carion Vignier and other Chroniclers To be short I say the raigne of Nymrod mentioned Gen. 10.10 many yeares fore-went all other wee reade of and especially those of the Greekes Romanes Gaules c. as is proued plainly by the account of time Thebes a Towne of Boeotia in Greece it hath a spring by it called Dirce whereof the Towne-selfe among the Poets is often surnamed Amphion a wise Polititian who by his eloquence and sleight perswaded the people of those times rude as they were and vnciuill to ioyne together in building the walles of Thebes whereupon the Poets to shew the force of eloquence faine that Amphion by the cunning stroakes of his Lute made the stones to come downe from the rockes and lay themselues together in order of a wall And thus saith Horace in his Epistle of Poetrie ad Pisones Dictus Ampbion Thebanae conditor vrbis Saxa mouere sono testudinis piece blanda Read more of him in Appollonius his Argonauticks 28. The sonnes Hâ—ber This proues againe that the neere successours of Noe silled not the world all at once but by succession of time So the true religion remained in the family of Sem The Chaldeans were excellent Astronomers and Philosophers the Egyptian Priests knew the secrets of Nature before there was any knowledge of letters in Greece which was not peopled so soone as the other by many yeeres as the histories euen of the Greekes themselues declare See the latter Chronicles 29. All Egypt ouershone Another proofe If the world had beene peopled all straight after the flood riches and dainties would haue beene found vsed in all countries at the same time But they were in Egypt and Tyre long before the Greekes and Gaules knew the world So it followes that Greece and Gaule were not so soone peopled as Egypt and Phaenicia By the limping Smith he meanes Vul an that first found out the vse and forging of Iron in Sicilie Prometheus was the first that found the vse of fire among the Argol ans or Greekes Of him saith Hor. 1. booke 2. Ode Audax Iapeti genus ignem sraude
that I need say no more of them 4 For the fourth Article we must consider this that the Earth so enuironed with Sea is a spongie poicus body full of channels conduit-pipes both neare her ouer-face and thorow her inner parts euery way whereby it comes to passe that all the great streams arising of little springs and fountaines farre from Sea and before they come there encountring and bearing with them an ininite company of land flouds brookes and small tides yet encrease not the Sea which affords so much water to the whole Earth by her secret waies afore-said As for the Snow and Raine which falleth sometime in great plentie to encrease the waters this is but an exchange that the Aire still makes in paying that againe which it borrowed of the Sea Yet aboue all is the power and wisdome of God the Creator to be thought-on who by his onely will and command keepes so the waters heapt-together in his great Magazin of the Sea which otherwise both by reason of their nature and daily encrease would ouerflow all as they did before God commanded the dry-land to shew it selfe then fled they at the voice of their Maker as it is said in the 104. Psalme And beholding the shore stopt their course there yea ran againe backward as fearing their Master 5 Hereupon it folleth out fit that I speake somewhat of the Seas Ebbe and Flow. This is the right and proper motion thereof considered not as water but as the Sea The Poet in the third day of his first weeke shewes diuers opinions concerning this Ebbe and Flow. Some thinke that when the waters were first commanded to retire and shew the dry-land God gaue them this perpetuall motion which as a ballance whereof the Equator is beame doth rise and fall without ceasing and hath this vertue from the Primouable and shall continue it to the worlds end But the learneder sort hold the Moone by her diuers apparitions of waxing and waining to cause this motion of the Sea Whereunto the Poet also in place aboue-quoted seemes to encline Some say also the Sunne helpes it forward and breeds great alteration in the masse of waters by his great heat and brightnesse because it is obserued that alwaies when the Sunne and Moone are in coniunction the Seas Ebbe and Flow is greatest but this also comes specially by the Moone as by some reasons here following shall further appeare The holy Scripture indeed here as all where else mining the wonderous order of Nature teacheth vs to lift vp our thoughts to God the Creator who stirres and stayes the Sea how and when it pleaseth him yet may we say neuerthelesse that herein he commonly doth vse the seruice of second causes though keeping still to himselfe the soueraigne authority ouer them all so as he can hinder change and vtterly destroy them at his pleasure With this acknowledgement consider we these Inseriour causes Plutarch in his third booke of the Philosophers Opinions Chap. 17. showes what they thought of old time concerning the Tâ—des and alterations of the Sea Some he saith ascribe the cause of them to the Sunne and Winds others to the Moone a third sort to the high-rising of waters in generall a fourth to the swelling of the Atlanticke Sea Now he distinguishes the motion into three kinds to wit the Streame and that is naturall the Floud and that is violent the Ebbe and that is extraordinarie As for the Floud it is a motion of the Sea water rising and falling twice in some and twentie houres whereby the Sea is purged and cleansed by certaine periods answerable to the rising and setting of the Moone It is in the nâ—ame Ocean open to the winds that the sloud is strongest but appears chiefeâ—y by the shore-side where it is not checkt or staid by some islaÌ„ds The Midland Sea hath not the Tide In the Adriatike and other like Bayes there is searse any The Baltique hath none at all because it is so straightned and bound with land euery way and is so full of Islands If the Moone be in the waine or past the first quaâ—ter the Tide is euery where weake but neare the new Moone or full it waxeth very strong and this is held to be the reason because this Planet being so neere vnto vs and hauing Domimon ouer all moisture encreaseth the waters and drawes them to and fro as she riseth or setteth for where she setteth vnto vs shee riseth vnto the other Hemisphere The Ebbe and Flow is sometime more slow and gentle sometime more swift and violent according as the Moone waineth or waxeth but herein must we note also the diuers seasons of the yeare together with the winds which helpe or hinder much the Tides and cause them to runne more swift or slow This power hath the Moone by motion of the Primouable which maketh her tise and set as the Sunne and other Starres doe in the space of a day When she riseth the sea begins to swell till shee come to the Medridian or Moone-line of any place and from thence abateth all the while she is tending to the set then the Sea descends with her till she come toward the Counter-Meridian where the water is againe at the highest and falles till she rise againe to this our Hemisphere So whereas the Tides keepe no certaine hower but are sometime sooner sometime later the cause is that though the Moone be whirled about with motion of the Primouable yet hauing proper motion in latitude of the Zodiacke thwarting that other she riseth not alwaies at the same time nor in the same Signe not with the same light and distance from the Sunne nor with the same coniunction and aspect of other Planets and fixed Stars all which cause a difference and are some more some lesse disposed to the encrease of waters And these Sea-waters doe also much differ in nature Some are cleare and purified and haue roome enough these flow moderately but higher others muddy thicke and kept-in with straights which runne with more violence though not with so high a Tide This hath God appointed to cleanse and preserue the waters for in time of calmes they grow ranke and the Sea sends-vp ill vapours being the great sinke as it were of corrupt matter which is to be scummed and cleansed by the Tides and winds These also doe serue for Nauigation but chiefly to magnifie the Creators wonderfull power when wee see thereby and consider how truly it is said in the Psalme 107.23 and 24. They that goe dawne to the Sea in shâ—ps and occupie their busiaesse in great waters doe see the workes of the Lord and his wonders in the deepe c. For that huge masse of salt-water yeelds it selfe captiue as it were to the Moone-beames and thereby is easily commanded I will enter no further into the cause of this Miracle but lest I be too long in these notes leaue those to search it deeper that are more able 6 Concerning
shall be floong His angers fierie darts that as thy shamelesse toong With bould and brasen face presumes now to deny him Thy miserable estate in time to come may trie him First that God is infind◠vnchäge able Alinightie and incomprehensible I know and God be thankt this Circle all whole sound Whose cent'r hath place in all as ou'r all go'th his round This onely being power feeles not within his mind A thousand diuers fits driu'n with a counter-wind He mooues All yet vnmooud yea onely with a thought Works-vp the frame of Heau'n and pulls downe what he wrought I know his throne is built amids a flaming fire To which none other can but only of grace aspire For breathlesse is our breath and ghostlesse is our ghost When his vnbounded might in circl ' he list to coast I know I know his face how bright it thorow shines The double winged maske of glorious Cherubines That Holy Almightie Great but on his backe behinde None euer saw and then he passed like a winde The step-tracke of his feet is more then meruellable His Being vncomprisd his name vnutterable That we who dwell on earth so low thrust from the skie Do neuer speake of God but all vnproperly For call him happie Ghost ye grant him not an ase Aboue an Angells right say Strong and that 's more base Say Greatest of all Great he 's void of quantitie Say Good Faire Holy one he 's void of qualitie Of his diuine estate the full accomplishment Is meere substantiall and takes not accident And that 's the cause our tongue in such a loftie subiect Attaining not the minde Why wee cannot speake of God but in termes of manhood more then the minde her obiect Doth lispe at euery word and wanting eloquence When talke it would of God with greatest reuerence By Manly-sufferance it hath him Jealous nam'd Repenting pitifull and with iust ang'r enflam'd Repentance yet in God emplies not Repentance and change ascribed vnto God in Scripture is farre from errour and fault as in vs Misdome or ignorance nor is he enuious For all his Iealosie his pitie cannot set him In miserable estate his anger cannot fret him Calme and in quiet is the Spirit of the Lord And looke what goodly worke fraile man could ere afford Thrust headlong on with heat of any raging passion The Lord it workes and all with ripe consideration What 1. Comparison for that purpose shall the Leach behold without a weeping eye Without a change of looke without a swoone or cry The struggling of his friend with many sorts of paine And feele his fainting pulse and make him whole againe And shall not God that was and is and shall be th'same On miserable man looke downe from heau'nly frame Without a fit of griefe without a wofull crie 2. Comparison Nor heale infirmities without infirmitie Or shall a Iudge condemne without all angers sting The strange adulterer to shamefull suffering As aiming sharpe reuenge and setting his entence Not on the sinn'r at all but on the sole offence And shall the fancie of man so binde the will of God That which is Iustice in man cannot be vice in God He may not lift his arme and iust reuenging rod Without some fury against a theefe or Athean Or is' t a vice in God God punisheth not to defend his owne estate but to maintaine vertue and confoun vice that 's held a vertue in man And cannot God abhorre a sinne abominable But of some sinne himselfe he must be censurable He alwaies one-the same ne're takes vp armes to guard him Or his estate from hurt as if some treason skard him Whose campe is pight in heau'n beyond reach of our shot And fens'd with Diman wals this that-way which way not But eu'n to guid our liues to maintaine righteousnesse T' establish wholesome lawes and bridle vnrulinesse The worlds iniquities deserued extreme punishment Nor yet by drowning thus ny-all the world in flood Go'th he beyond the bounds of reason in his mood For Adam who the root was of this world and th' other Shot-forth a forked stocke of Cain and Seth his brother Two ranke and plentious armes the first a wylding bore Disrelisht verdourlesse but in aboundant store Good fruit on th' other grew yet graff'd it was ere long With thossame bastard ympes and thereof quickly sprong What lawlesse match begot Then where on all this round Could any right or good Sith all were corrupted all deserued exile or innocence be found For Sinne that was the right inheritance for Cain To Seths posteritie was giuen in dow'r againe With daughter-heires of Cain so were defiled then The dearest groomes of God by marrying brides of men Yea we we that escape this cruell influence The best without excuse A million witnesses beare in our conscience Which all and each alike vpon our guilt accords Nor haue we any excuse before the Lord of Lords Who deales not tyrant-like to whelme in wauy brees The beast that goes on foot and all on wing that flees Because for mans behoofe they were created all And he that should them vse is blotted by his fall From out the Booke of life Th'acecssory sollowes the principall and why then should they stay When he for whom they were is iustly tak'n away Man is the head of all that drawes the breath of life Let one a member loose he liueth yet but if A deadly sword the head from bodies troonke diuide How can there any life in leg or arme abide But haply God's to feirce that hath the land orewheld Yea A traitour deserues to haue his house raised had so many yeares disloiall man rebeld Against the Lord his King and had the Lord no reason To rase the traitours house for such high points of treason To sow salt on the same and mak 't a monument The flood was no naturall accident but a iust iudgement of God That his diuine reuenge not Sea or Aire hath sent This rauing water-Masse Let all the clowdie weather That round-encourtaines Earth be gathered thicke together From either cope of Heau'n and bee'tall powred downe In place what e're it would but some one countrie drowne But this our sauing ship by floating euery where Now vnd'r a Southern Crosse now vnd'r a Northen Beare And thwarting all this while so many a diuers Clime Shewes all the world is wrapt in generall abysme But if thou vanquisht here to caues in earth do flie With floods there made of Aire thy forces to supplie What are those hills and where with caues so deep wide To hold-in so much ayre as into water tri'de Might heal the proudest heights when hardly a violl 's fil'd With water drop by drop of ten-fould aire dystil'd Besides when th' aire to drops of water melts apace And lesned fals to spring what bodie filles the place For no where in this all is found roome bodilesse Sad waue
shall shew you in our tongue The first letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aleph signifieth doctrine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beth a house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ghimel Fulnesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Daleth Tables 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vau and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zain That or she there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cheth Life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teth Good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iod Beginning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chaph a Hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lamed Discipline or the Heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mem Theirs or of these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nun Continuall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Samech Aide or succour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ain a Spring or an Eye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phe a Mouth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sade Iustice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coph Calling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Resch a Head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Schin Teeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tau Signes All which may be thus put together and expounded The Doctrine of the Church which is the house of God is found in the fulnesse of the Tables that is the holy Scriptures This doctrine and that fulnesse of the tables is the life for what life can we haue without the knowledge of holy Scripture Out of these we learne Iesus Christ who is the life of them that beleeue And although this knowledge be excellent and perfect in God yet as for vs we know not but in part we see as it were by a glasse in darknesse But when we shall ascend vp into heauen and become like vnto the Angels then the doctrine of the house and the fulnesse of the tables of Gods truth shall be accomplished then shall we see face to face the Good prince to wit God himselfe the Soueraigne Good who is the Beginning of all things euen as he is in his owne nature In the mean-time we must lay Hand to the worke of our Calling by the meanes of a right Discipline or a true Hart assuring our selues that we shall finde Continuall Succour in this heauenly truth which is the Spring or Eye of the Mouth of Iustice namely Christ our Head whose Calling is in Signes or markes of Teeth or framed voyce of the Scripture I desire the Reader to take in good part this short Allegorie that I am bold to make vpon the Hebrew Letters and if he desire more in this kinde let him repaire to the Roots of the essentiall words of these letters there may he view the matter more at large For this time it shall suffice to haue shot this arrow toward the marke our Poet aymed at Now for the second point touching the names of seuerall men of Nations and Cities I will note you a couple of examples of each 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abraham signifieth a Father of many so was his houshold much increased temporally and spiritually hee is the Father of all the Beleeuers whose number is vncountable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Moses signifieth taken out of the waters so was he by Pharaos daughter when his mother loth to haue him slaine according to the Kings cruell commandement had laid him forth in a pitched flasket by the Riuers brinke Exod. 2. By him also God guided his people through the waters of the red sea and wrought many miracles The Arabians are a people who euen at this day haue no certain place of abode they wander still vp and downe the champion countries and wildernesse they are famous theeues and lurking in secret places make often sallies out vpon their neighbours and set vpon all passengers vnawares Their name commeth of the Verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arab by Ain in the first Coniugation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hearib which signifieth to mingle day and night together and because that in a desert and waste place all things are confused as if day and night were mingled together therefore the countrie for the situation is called Arabia This agreeth right with another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arab written by Aleph which signifieth to he in ambush or to lurke in dennes as theeues and rauening beasts doe The Aegyptians in the Scripture are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mitsraim because of their strong holds and places of defence that haue beene long amonst them the primitiue word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tsor that signifieth to trusse close together In some places of Scripture Aegypt is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rahab that signifieth Proud so indeed they haue alwaies beene high-minded and greater braggers than any other people Now for Cities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ierusalem signifieth The vision of peace and iust according to the truth for the peace and grace of God hath beene seene and continued vpon that place many hundred yeares and chiefly because it hath beene a sigure of the Church militant and triumphant as often mention is made of the new and heauenly Ierusalem Babylon commeth of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Babel which is deriued of the Verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Balal to confound mingle or trouble as water when it is mudded For so indeed the earthy Babel that was in Chadaea hath made a hotchpotch of the world and that Babel the spirituall that is spoken of in the Reuelation hath made so many confusions that it is vnpossible to name them all There remaineth the third point touching Birds foure-footed Beasts and Fishes whereof and euery of them I will name two onely for a patterne lest I seeme too long in the Annotations The Storke so commended for her loue toward those by whom she receiued life is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chasida that is to say dutifull louing and religious The Eagle is called Nescher that commeth neare to Shor and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iashar the one signifieth to looke the other to be rightfull and this bird of all other hath the sharpest sight and looketh against the Sunne There is further a liuely description of this bird in the 39. Chapter of Iob as also of the Ostrich and many other in diuers places of Scripture The horse called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sus is thought to come of the Verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nasas if rather this verbe be not thence deriued which signifieth to aduance himselfe for it is the brauest and siercest of all other foure-footed beasts as Iob finely describeth him in his 39. Chapter The Hebrues haue three names for a Lion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arieh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Labi and Laâ—jsch the first commeth of a Verbe that signifieth to snatch and teare in sunder the second of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leb that signifieth the Hart and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Laab to be in solitary and desert places the third is commonly interpreted a great and roaring Lion not vnlike the Verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Losh that signifieth to surprise or deuoure for that this beast rampeth vpon and swalloweth
Philip Sydn'y is next who sung as sweet as Swan That slaps the swelling waues of Tems with siluer fan This Riu'r his honour beares and eloquence together To snow-foot Thetis lap and Thetis eu'ry whither But what new sunne is this that beames vpon mine eyes Or For the fourth piller of the English tongue hee nameth our gratious Queene Elizabeth duly and truly praising her for wisdome maintenance of peace learning and cloquence am I rapt amongst the heau'nly companies O what a princely grace what State Emperiall What pleasant-lightning eyes what face Angelicall Say O yee learned guirles begot of heau'nly breath Is' t not the wise Minerue the great Elizabeth Who rules the Briton stout with such a tendering That neuer did he wish to change her for a King She whiles her neighbour Lands are spoil'd with sword and fire By Furies weary of hell with head of snakie tire And whiles the darke affright of tempest roring-great Doth to the worlds Carack a fearefull ship wrack threat Retaines in happie peace her Isle where true beliefe And honorable Lawes are reckned of in chiefe She hath not only gift of plentie delectable To speake her Mother-tongue but readily is able In Latine Spanish French without premeditation In Greeke Italian Dutch to make as good Oration As Greece can as can France as Rome Imperiall As Rhine as Arne can plead in their naturall O bright Pearle of the North martiall Mars-conquering Loue still and cherish th' Arts and heare the Muses sing And in case any time my verses winged-light Shall ouer th' Ocean Sea to thine Isle take their flight And by some happie chance into that fairt hand slide Which doth so many men with lawfull Scepter guide O reade with gracious eye and fauourable thought I want thine eloquence to praise thee as I ought But what are those of France this Image was vnshap'd 9. The French Whence hath the bunglar hand of Idle mason skrap'd No more then th'harder skales of en'ry rugged knor Thee Marot sure it meanes that labourest so hot Without Arc Artist-like and prickt with Phoebus Lance Remouest He'icon from Italy to France Thee Clement I regard eu'n as an old Colosse All soiled all to broke and ouergrow'n with mosse Astabl ' or tombe defac'd more for th'antiquitie Then any bewty in them or cunning that I see What one this other is I searce remember me A Cunning one he seemes what one soere he be I rest yet in suspense sometime he doth appeare To be Iames Amiot sometime Blase Vigineere Great Ronsard is the next who doth of Graces wrong The Grecke and Latine both to grace his Mother-tongue And with a bould attempt doâ—h mannage happily All kinde of Argument of stile of Poetry De Mornay this man is encountring Atheisme Iewes stubborne vnbeleefe and foolish Paganisme With weapons of their owne he godly graue and prest So solideth his stile both simpl ' and courtly-drest That feather'd with faire words his reasons sharpe as darts Instrike themselues adeepe into the brauest hearts The Poets desire considering the learned Writers of France Then thus I spake to them ô bright ô goodly wits Who in most happie case haue consecrate your writs To Immortalitie fith that my feeble shoulders May not among you be the French renownes vpholders Alas sith I vneth you follow can with eye Vpon the twy-top hill so neare acoast the skie Yet suffer me at least here prostrate to embrace Your honourable knees ô giue me leaue to place Vpon your shining heads a garland of the Spring And of your goodnesse grant that these meane tunes I sing May in your glory draw an euerlasting glory And alway this my verse may register your story The end of the Vision They yeelding to my suit made semblance with their head So vanished the vale and all the pillars fled In like sort had the dreame with them together hasted But that I with mine Inke his nimble feathers pasted 20 Tracing these latter lines Before he endeth this Booke or discourse hauing begun to speake of tongues and their comparison one with another he taketh thence occasion to set before our eyes the three principall tongues Hebrue Greeke and Latine accompanied with six other greatly now-a-daies esteemed throughout all Europe For this purpose and to enrich his Poem with some new ornament worthy the things he treateth of he declareth how being weary with ouer-watching himselfe in these his former studies he cast him on his bed and slept yet so as the earnest desire he had to delight and profit his country-men kept still his soule awake which caused him to see in his Dreame the Vision here following A fine inuention and framed to the imitation of the best ancient Poets both Greeke and Latine who being to handle matters of great importance are wont by such deuices cunningly to prouoke the Readers to marke and giue care vnto them 21. And golden-winged Dreame Of Dreames and their causes hath beene spoken sufficiently in the first day of this second Weeke intituled Eden page the 46 47 48 c. hauing here to speake of a Dreame cleere and easie to be conceiued he distinguisheth it from such as are darksome and deceiueable saying it was about the dawning of the day when the golden-winged that is the sweet pleasant and vntroubled Dreame came forth at the Christall gate in the East as much to say as when the day-starre ariseth or the morning draweth on we feele if we were awake before sleepe gently seazing on vs and our spirits comming and going as it were thorow Christall gates for then be Dreames and Visions cleerest and best distinguished whereas before our meat be fully digested our braine ouer-loden with vapours receiueth but troublesome impressions waued so to and fro and so enterlaced one with another that in the twinkling of an eye it frameth a thousand shapes that presently vanish away and are no more remembred Now the Poet saith he was guided as he thought into a place moâ—â— delightfull which he describeth in few verses and it is very fit for the matter following 22 Iust in the middle point First he describeth the dwelling of Eloquence to wit on a great Rocke wrought and fashioned in manner of a foor-stall or base for an image to stand on to shew how stedfast and certaine a thing this excellent gift of God is Secondly the resemblance or Image of Eloquence he calleth a Colosse that is of stature surpassing all others which betoketh thus much that eloquent and faire spoken men goe many degrees beyond others whom they vse at their pleasure and draw whither they list as the example of Pericles and Cicero declare and many proofes thereof are found in the holy Scripture He maketh this Image of Brasse which implieth the faire glosse the sweet sound and strong force of Eloquence he placeth in the left hand a fire-brand to signifie that learned true and faire vtterance maketh men see and touch as it were the
more then three moneths sayling The realme and citie of Malaca are described in the sixth booke of the Portugall historie chap. 18. It is neare the Equinoctiall aboue Taprobana so therefore Asia reacheth from the North-pole beyond the Equator The Isles from whence are brought buge masses of Cloues and Cassia are the Moluckes siue in number Tidor Terenat Motir Machian and Bachian beset with diuers other Isles and Islets vn ler and neere the Equator in the East which with their properties and manners of their inhabitants are well set downe in the 13. booke of the history of Portugall Chap. 8. Samotra whereon passes the night-equalling line or the Equator is the Isle Taprobana Southward ouer against Malaca it is aboue 450. leagues long and 120. broad I haue described it in the fist day of the first weeke see further the history of Portugall in the sixt booke the 18. chap. Zeilan is an Isle right against the Cape of Calecut aboue Taprebana toward the East it lies North and South in length about 125. leagues and in the broadest place is 75. ouer There are taken out of the sea great store of pearles very faire and brighte for the further description thereof see the 4. booke and 20 chapter of the history of Portugall Bisnagar is a kingdome lying betweene Decan and Narsingua the mountaines of Calecut and the sea called the great gulfe of Bengala It is rich in gold which is there found in riuers Looke the situation thereof in the Map of the East Indies and in the Asia of Ortelius and Cellarius The Pont-Eusine is now called the Maior or the Hacke Sea at the one end thereof toward the Midland-sea is Constantinople the Card-men call it by diuers names which Orteliu hath set downe in his Synonym By the Brother waues of those Chaldean streames is meant as I suppose the Persian sea whereinto Euphrates and Tygris both together empty being before ioined about Babylon now called Bagadet and so the Poet takes as much of the breadth of Asia at the West end as he doth at the East the one from Quinsay to Chiorze the other from the sea of Constantinople to the Persian Gulse Concerning the straight of Anion the Cardmen are not all of one opinion Mercator Ortelius Cellarius Theuet and others set downe plainly a good broad arme of Sea betwixt the North-east point of Asia and America But Vopelius ioynes Asia and this fourth part of the world together greatly enlarging Asia and cut tolling the other contrary to the opinion of the Authors aforesaid and many Spaniards that haue written of the new-found world the reasons that may be alledged in fauour of either side require a large Commentary Vopelius his opinion indeede cutteth off many doubts that arise about the enpeopling of America but Mercator and the others who are most commonly followed seeme to ground more vpon Geography and better to agree with the seas naturall sway and easie compassing the earth Arias Montanus in his booke intituled Phaleg where he treateth of the habitations of Noes posteritie setteth downe a Map according to Vopelius this booke of his bound in the volume called Apparatus is ioyned with the great Bibles of Antwerp But the Poet followeth Mercator Ortelius and the common opinion of the Cardmen of our time for Ptolome Strabo and Mela in their daies had not discouered so much Quinsay which the Poet cals Quinzit is a famous citie in the Northeast point of Asia about ten leagues from the sea built vpon peeres and arches in a marrish ground it is twenty leagues or one hundred miles about and by reason as well of the great Lake-waters there as also of the ebbe and slow of the sea it bath as M. P. Venet reports in the 64. chapter of his second booke 12000. bridges of stone the most renoumed bound-marke of all Asia and the greatest citie in the world if that be true But Theuet gainsaith it in the 27. chapter of the 12. booke of his Cosmography where he describes the Citie and Lake with the Riuer that causes the Lake to swell he saith it is not aboue foure leagues in compasse yet M. Paule affirmes he hath beene there Chiorze is another worthy part of Asia set downe here for a bound-marke because of the strange Buls there as great as Elephants with haire as smooth and soft as silke Howsoeuer now adaies that country is nothing so ciuill as others inhabited by the posterity of Cham and Iaphet yet the fruitfulnesse of the ground and great commodities there growing for maintainance of mans life declare it hath beene in times past one of the best portions of the children of Noe. 7. Ashur t' Assyriland Moses saith the sonnes of Sem were Elam Ashur Arphaxad Lud and Aram The Poet here in six verses hath noted out the first habitations of these fiue reseruing afterward about the 300. verse and so forth to shew their first second third and fourth out-going ouer the rest of Asia Concerning Ashur it may be gathered out of the 10. of Genesis verse the 11. that hauing sorted himselfe with the people that now began to feare Nimred and liking not to liue vnder that yoke went on further and in the Countrey after his name called Assyria built Niniuy which a long time remained one of the greatest Cities in the world as appeares by the prophesie of Ionas and other places of Scripture and Caleh and Resen not farre asunder which haue beene long agoe destroyed Elam that was the eldest seated himselfe by the riuer Euphrates neere the Persian Gulfe which now is called the Sea of Mesendin The Poet giues him a Princely title because the Monarchie began betime and long continued thereabouts where also reigneth still the Sophi a great Emperour and deadly enemy of the Turkes The Riuer Araxes is described by Ptolome in his third Map of Asia where he makes it spring from the soot of Pariard which some men take for the hill Taurus and so passing Scapene Soducene and Colthene to emptie into the Caspian sea These Countries are very rich and therefore the Poet cals them sat lands Lud hauing passed the Riuer composed of Tygris and Euphrates which straight after voids into the Golfe had Elam on the North the two Riuers ioyned and the Gulfe on the East and on the West the Marches of Seba which is the vpper part of Arabia The poet here allotteth him the Lydian fields if by Lydia be vnderstood that part of the lesser Asia called Meonia by Ptolome Herodote and Plinie Lud should haue wandered further then the other foure brothers Moses reports not any thing of his Colonies and his farre going may be the cause for according to the Poet he should haue coasted vp as farre as Aeolia and the Midland sea The seat of Aram is Mesopotamia to wit the Countries about Babylon and the mountaines of Armenia which were after called by the name of Taurus This also containeth Syria and the great Armenia
Bullinger thereupon As for Mosoch Ioseph saith of him are come the Cappadocians and for proofe thereof alledgeth a certaine Towne of their Country called Mazaca It may be gathered out of the 120. Psalme that Mesech or Mosoch was a neighbour people to Syria and Arabia which place the Chalde Paraphrast expounding vseth words of this import O wretch that I am for I haue beene a stranger among the Asians and dwelt in the Arabian tents The Poet considereth what might haue beene in continuance of time and how farre the mans posterity might haue stretched Madai sure was Author of the name of Medes whose Empire was very great in the higher Asia they destroyed the Chaldean Monarchie as may be noted out of Ierem. 51.11 Dan. 5.18 The Thracians Ioseph saith and the Poet are descended of Thyras Melancthou thinkes that of him are come the Russians but the Scripture speaketh not of his posteritie Plinie makes mention of a Riuer Tyra in the Russian or European Sarmatia Melancthon Goropius and others call it Nester Goropius in his seuenth Booke puts the Getes Daces and Bastarnes among the Thracians as all of one stocke and speaking almost the selfe-same tongue which also as he saith comes very neare the Cimbricke and Brabantish Iauan the fourth sonne of Iaphet gaue names to the Ionians who after with their neighbours were called Greekes and therefore the Latine Interpreter translating the place of Ezech. 27.19 for the Hebrue Iauan hath put Graecia so haue the seuenty put 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the name of Greece for the same word As also in the 13. verse of the same Chapter and in the 19. of the 66. of Esay they both haue translated the Hebrue Jeuanim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Graeci The Country of Athens hath in old time beene called Ionie as Plutarch saith in the life of Theseus and Strabo in his ninth Booke recites out of Hecataeus that the Ionians came out of Asia into Greece Now the Greekes as they were great discoursers they haue deuised a thousand tales of their first beginning but I let them passe because my notes are already waxen ouer long Ioy si-ie voulois ie ferois vne liste Discrete modestie du Poëte qui ayme mieux se taire que traiter de choses obscures cachees sous le voile de l'Antiquité De tous nos deuanciers marchannt sur la piste D'vn supposé Berose d'antres qui menteurs Abusent du loisir bonté des lecteurs Hardi i'entreprendrois de toutes les prouinces Nommer de pere en sils les plus antiques Princes Chanter de l'Vniuers les diuers peuplemens Et des moindres citez fouiller les fondemens Mais quoy ie ne veux pas abandonner ma voile Au premier vent qui souffle sans la clair estoile Qui luit sur touâ— les cieux temeraire ramer Sur les flos inconus de si lontaine mer Toute pleine d'escueils de Scilles profondes Où ne roulle pas moins de naufrages que d'ondes N'ayant autres Patrons que certains escriuains Forgeurs denoms de Roys autheurs decontes vains Qui sont tout à leur poste conuoiteux de gloire Sur vn pied de Ciron bastissent vne histoire He will not enter into matter farre out of knowledge Here if I were dispos'd vpon the ground to treade Of that suppos'd Berose abusing all that reade As he and others doe well might I let you see Of all our Ancestors a fained pedegree I boldly might assay of all the worlds Prouinces From father vnto sonne to name the former Princes To sing of all the world each peoples diuers lot And of the meanest to wâ—â—es to lay the grunsill-plot But what I meane not I as eu'ry wind shall blow To leaue the former course and rashly assay to row The bright Load-starre vnseene vpon the waues vnknow'n Of such an Ocean sea so full of rockes bestrow'n And Scyllaes glutton gulfes where tumbleth equall store Of shipwracks on the sands and billowes to the shore Not hauing other guide then writers such as faine The names of ancient Kings and romants tell vs vaine Who make all for themselues and gaping after glory On footing of a flie can frame a perfect story 12 Now. The like is seene in many bookes of late times and ancient that treat of the Kingdomes Countries and people of the world for many labour more to come neare Noes Arke and to finde there the foundation of their Townes and names of their first Princes then about other more certaine and sure grounds And they had rather forge names and deuise matter of their owne head than leaue to packe huge volumes full of tales witnessing the strange vanity of mans braine The Poet condemnes this foolish ambition and by good â—â—ght all the matter when it is at the best being very doubtfull and vnprofitâ—ble for man was placed on the earth to thinke rather on the seruice of God than so to trouble his head with curious out-search of his ancestors names 13 Of that suppos'ed Berose Who so desires to know that the Berose late printed is false supposed and cleane contrary to the right Chaldean cited often by Ioseph in his Antiquities against Apion let him reade the fourth booke of Goropius his Origines Antuerpianae And so let him thinke also of Manetho Metasthenes Fabius Pictor Sempronius Myrsilus Lesbius and others packt as they are into one volume by some one that thought to doe great matters by abusing so the Readers and holding them in amuse by false deuises from further search of the truth I will not here set downe the words of Goropius who at large discouers the forgednesse of this new Berose and his followers let it suffice to haue pointed at the place The true Berose was one of the Priests of Bel and at the commandement of Antiochus the third who succeeded Seleucus wrote three bookes of the Chaldean Historie so saith Tatianus Ioseph and Clemens Alexandrinus Some fragments of his we reade in Ioseph against Apion and they make flat against that other Berose published in our time Pourquoy la recerche de l'Antiquité est obscure coÌ„bien sont mal apuyez ceux qui sondent sur les etymologies allusions des mots L'allusion des mots n'est vn seur fondement Poury sur-maçonner vn ferme bastiment Veu que les monts plus hauts les riuieres plus belles Et les plus grandes mers changent bien qu'eternelles De nom à chaque coup que la posterité De celuy quibastit les murs d'vne cité N'en est point heritiere qu'ici nullerace En fief perpetuel ne possede vne place Ains qu'a ferme à louage ou par forme de prest Elle possede vn champ vn mont vne forest Et comme quand l'orage esmeut la mer profonde Migrations diuerses habitations des peuples Le flot chasse