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XXXII. The Book of the ORDRE of CHYVALRY or KNYGHTHODE, translated out of the Frensshe and imprinted by William Caxton. Quarto, without Date.

THIS thin Volume, of about one hundred Pages, is perhaps one of the scarcest Books now remaining of that our first Printer; seeing it has so little occurred to those who have attempted to give us any Catalogues of his Pub∣lications. Tho' no Date when it was printed is express'd, yet may it be guessed at within a Year over or under, by sup∣posing it in 1484; from the short Reign of that Prince to whom it is inscribed at the End, as will presently appear. It is printed with large initial Letters at the Beginning of the Chapters; with only one Sort of Points, which are ob∣lique or leaning Dashes; some double or united Types, as in his other Books, which we have hitherto observed; also with Signatures, but no Catch-words at the Bottom of the Leaves, nor any Numbers on them at Top. And is di∣vided into eight Chapters.

The first, shews how a Knight, who was a Hermit, be∣stowed this Rule or Order of Chivalry upon a Squire. The second, treats of the Beginning of Chivalry or Knighthood. The third, of the Office of Chivalry. Fourth, Of the Examination that ought to be made to the Esquyer, when he will enter into the Order of Chivalry. Fifth, In what manner the Squire ought to receive Chivalry. Sixth, Of the Sygnefyaunce of the Arms belonging to a Knight. Seventh, Of the Customs that appertain to a Knight. And eight, Of the Honours that ought to be done to a Knight. By all which it will appear how different the Honour, the Pro∣fession, the Qualifications, required in Knights anciently, were from those for which they have been created in lat∣ter Times.

At the End we have the Printer's Rehearsal in these Words:

"Here endeth the Book of the Ordre of Chyvalry; whiche Book is translated oute of Frensshe in to Eng∣lysshe, at a Requeste of a gentyl and noble Esquyer, by

me William Caxton, dwellynge in Westmynstre, besyde London, in the most best wyse that God hath suffred me, and accordynge to the Copye that the sayd Squyer delyvered to me; whiche Book is not requysyte to every comyn Man to have, but to noble Gentylmen, that by their Vertu entende to come and entre in to the Noble Ordre of Chyvalry; the whiche, in these late Dayes, hath ben used accordyng to this Booke here to fore wreton on, but forge en, and thexcersytees of Chyvalry, not used, honoured ne excercysed, as hit hath ben in auncient Tyme; at which tyme the noble Actes of the Knyghts of Englond, that used Chyvalry, were renomed thurgh the unyversal World. As for to speke to fore thyncarnation of Jesu Cryste; where were there ever ony lyke to Brenius and Belynus, that from the Grete Brytayne, now called Englond, unto Rome, and ferre be∣yonde, conquered many Royammes and Londes; whos noble Actes remayne in thold Hystoryes of the Romayns. And syth the Incarnation of oure Lord, behold that noble Kyng of Brytayne, Kyng Arthur, with al the noble Knyʒtes of the Round Table, whos noble Actes, and noble Chyvalry of his Knyghtes, occupye soo many large Vo∣lumes, that is a World, or as thyng incredyble to byleve. O ye Knyghts of Englond! where is the Custome and Usage of noble Chyvalry that was used in tho Dayes? What do ye now, but go to the Baynes and playe at Dyse? And some, not wel advysed, use not honest and good Rule, ageyn alle Ordre of Knyghthode. Leve this, leve it, and rede the noble Volumes of Saynt Graal, of Lancelot, of Galaad, of Trystram, of Perseforest, of Percyval, of Gawayn, and many mo: Ther shalle ye see Manhode, Curtoyse, and Gentylness. And loke in lat∣ter Dayes, of the noble Actes syth the Conquest; as in Kyng Richard's Dayes, Cuer du Lyon; Edward the Fyrst, and the Thyrd, and his noble Sones; Syre Robert Knolles; Syr Johan Hawkwode; Syr Johan Chaundos, and Syre Gaultier Manuy; rede Froissart. And also behold that vyctoryous and noble Kynge Harry the Fyfthe, and the Captayns under hym; his noble Brethren; the Earl of Salysbury, Montagu; and many other, whoos Names shyne gloryously by their vertuous Noblesse and Actes that they did in thonour of thordre of Chyvalry. Allas, what do ye, but slepe and take ease? And ar al disordred fro Chyvalry. I wold demaunde a Question

yf I should not displease. How many Knyghtes ben there now in Englond, that have th Use and thExcercyse of a Knyghte? that is, to wete, that he knoweth his Hors, and his Hors hym; that is to saye, he beynge redy at a Poynt, to have al thyng that longeth to a Knyght, an Hors that is accordyng, and broken after his hand; his Armures and Harnoys mete and fyttyng, and so forth, et cetera. I suppose, and a due Serche shold be made, ther shold be many founden that lacke; the more Pyte is. I wold it pleasyd our Soverayne Lord, that twyes or thryes in a Yere, or at the lest ones, he wold do crye Justes of Pees, to thende that every Knyght shold have Hors and Harneys, and also the Use and Craft of a Knyght, and also to tornoye one ageynste one, or 2 ageynst 2, and the best to have a Prys, a Dyamond or Jewel, such as shold please the Prynce. This shold cause Gentylmen to re∣sorte to thauncyent Customs of Chyvalry, to grete Fame and Renoumee; and also to be alwey redy to serve theyr Prynce, whan he shalle calle them, or have nede. Thenne late every Man that is come of noble Blood, and entendeth to come to the noble Ordre of Chyvalry, rede this lytyl Book, and doo thereafter, in kepyng the Lore and Com∣maundements therein comprysed: And thenne I doubte not he shall atteyn to thordre of Chyvalry, et cetera. And thus this lytyl Book I presente to my redoubted, na∣turel, and most dradde Soverayne Lord, Kyng Rychard, Kyng of Englond and of Fraunce; to thende, that he commaunde this Book to be had, and redde unto other yong Lordes, Knyghtes, and Gentylmen within this Royame; that the noble Ordre of Chyvalrye be here∣after better used and honoured, than hit hath ben in late Dayes passed. And herein, he shalle do a noble and ver∣tuouse Dede; and I shalle pray Almighty God for his long Lif and prosperous Welfare, and that he may have Vic∣tory of all his Enemyes, and after this short and transi∣tory Lyf, to have everlastyng Lyf in Heven, where as is Joye and Blysse, World without ende. Amen."

XXXIII. The Workes of Sir THOMAS MORE, Knyght, sometyme Lord Chancellour of England; written by him in the English Tonge. Printed at London at the Costes of John Cawod, John Waly, and Richard Tottell, Anno 1557. Fol. Pages 1458, besides Tables, &c.

THO' Sir Thomas More suffer'd Death for maintaining the Supremacy of the Pope over that of his Sovereign, as may be read in these Works, and in the many Accounts of his Life, set forth by the Roman Catholics, who have much magnified him for his said Writings and Sufferings; yet are there many things in this Collection of his English Works observable to all Readers, who are even not attach'd to his own Persuasion, as it is one of the most copious Ex∣emplars we have in Print of the best English Stile in those Days, and contains some curious Pieces or Parcels of Civil, and many of Ecclesiastical History, relating to the Times of our Reformation: and, overlooking the superstitious Adhe∣rence to his Cause, with some sophistical Arguments ne∣cessary to support it, is fraught with many Testimonies of virtuous Learning, fine Genius, and good Morals for the universal Conduct of Life.

The Book was collected together and published from the Author's printed Copies and Manuscripts, by his Nephew William Rastell, Serjeant at Law, and dedicated to Queen Mary; that it might forward her Majesty's most Godly Puspose, in purging this her Realm of all wicked Heresies.

After the Table of Contents, and a tolerable good In∣dex, the Collection commences with some Pieces of our Author's Poetry, which he wrote for his Diversion, in his younger Days. As, the Merry Jest, how a Serjeant would learn to play the Frier; containing some good Reproofs of those who act out of their Sphere. Then follow his Verses to explain the Images in some Pageants, which he devised in his Father's House; describing the several Stages and Consequents of Life. After this, we have his rueful La∣mentation of the Death of Queen Elizabeth, Wife of King Henry VII. in Feb. 1503. Next come his Prefatory Verses before the Book of Fortune: These Verses make about four

Sheets. Hence we pass to his Works in Prose; beginning with the Life of John Picus, Earl of Mirandula, an Ita∣lian Nobleman, of great Virtue and Learning, who died in 1494, aged 32; with several of his Letters, and his Ver∣ses, translated from the Latin, and dedicated to his beloved Sister Joyeuce Leigh. After this, we have the History of King Richard III. written by our Author when he was one of the Under Sheriffs of London, about the Year 1513, but unfinished, and published before, in the Chronicles of Harding and Hall; tho' very corruptly, and much varying from his own Copy whence this is printed. The next is a long Treatise on the four last Things, Death, Dome, Pain, and Joy; with several Chapters on Pride, Envy, Wrath, Covetousness, Gluttony, and Slouth; composed after he was knighted, of the Privy Council to King Henry VIII. and Under-Treasurer of England, about the Year 1522, but unfinish'd, and we presume never before printed; but that which succeeds, it was as we are informed, the Year after it was written; entitled, A Dialogue of Sir T. More, then Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster, wherein is treated of the Veneration and Worship of Images and Reliques; praying to Saints, and going on Pilgrimage, with many things touching the Sects of Luther and Tyndale, begun by the one in Saxony, and labour'd to be brought by the other into England; made in the Year 1528. This is a large Trea∣tise, in four Books, divided into many Chapters, and illus∣trated with many pleasant Examples, Tales, &c. with which he had a Memory plentifully furnished, and a Ta∣lent happily constituted to apply them. To some, who made Objection thereat, we find his Answer was,

"That for a Layman to tell his Mind merrily, might sometimes better become him, than seriously and solemnly to preach."

His next Treatise is, The Supplication of Souls, written 1529, against a famous little Tract, call'd, The Supplication of Beggars; (written by Simon Fish of Gray's-Inn, which was very Instrumental to the Reformation, and is reprinted in Fox.) To that follows, The Confutation of Tyndale's An∣swer, (to the Dialogue aforesaid) made 1532, by our Au∣thor. In the Preface hereof, we have a large Account of many late Books, and their Authors, whom Sir Thomas calls Heretics. Then we come to Tyndale's Preface, divided, with our Author's Answers to the several Particulars alter∣nately; which ends the first Book: but the first Part of the Work contains 3 Books. The second Part, written 1533,

after he had given over his Chancellor's Office, begins at the fourth Book: It contains Tyndale's Defence for his Trans∣lation of the Testament; with our Author's Answers to the several Parts interfering, as before; and herein, having consider'd Tyndale's Church, to the End of the seventh Book, we come in the eight, to our Author's Confutation of Barnes his Church in the same manner: The ninth Book is a Summary of the rest, was not printed before, and appears at the End to have been left unfinished. This Work is succeeded by a Letter of our Author, written at Chelchith (or Chelsea) in 1533, against the little Book of John Frith upon the Sacrament; and both concluded with a long Apology, written and published also the same Year, in Answer to the Objections which were made, more es∣pecially to these his last Writings, against his said three An∣tagonists. These Pieces of his, producing a large Treatise against him, call'd, Salem and Bizance, he writ the same Year his Debellacion of Salem and Bizance. The same Year he wrote his Answer to the first Part of the Poisoned Book, which a nameless Heretic named the Supper of the Lord. His Postscript to this Treatise ends with this Allu∣sion;

"Of all my Adversaries, could I never hitherto find any one, but when he catcheth once a Fall, as each of them hath caught full many, there lyeth he, still tumb∣ling and toltring in Mire, and neither Spur, nor Bridle can one Inch prevail, but, as tho' they were not fall'n in a Puddle of Dirt, but rubbed and laid in Litter under the Manger, at their Ease, they whine, and they bite, and they kick, and they spurn at him that would help them up."

His next Performance is entitled, A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation, made by an Hungarian in La∣tin, and translated out of Latin into French, and out of French into English, in 1534, when he was Prisoner in the Tower of London. And this is followed with a Treatise to receive the Blessed Body of our Lord sacramentally and ver∣tually both, written in the same Year and Place. The next is, a Treatise Historical, containing the bitter Passion of our Saviour Christ, after the Course and Order of the four Evangelists; with an Exposition upon their Words, taken mostly out of the Sayings of sundry good old holy Doctors, &c. This copious Treatise was also written in the same Year and Place aforesaid; 'tis mostly taken from John Gerson's Monatesseron; but is unfinished, the Author now being denied the Use of Books, Pens, Ink, and Paper.

Yet here follows, His Godly Instructions, Meditations, and Prayers, in Latin and English, written with a Coal, both before and after his Condemnation, which was on Thurs∣day the first of July, 1535, Anno 27 Hen. VIII. and he was beheaded on Tower-Hill the Tuesday following. The rest of the Volume consists of his Letters, &c. written at sundry times on divers Occasions, beginning with his Letter from the Court at Woodstock, to his Wife the Lady Alice at Chelsea, in 1528, the Year before he was Lord Chancel∣lor, containing Consolations to her for the Loss she had there by Fire. Next we have his Epitaph, written by him∣self in Latin, in 1532, soon after he had laid down his Chan∣cellor's Office; which he caused to be inscribed upon his Tomb, which he had erected in Chelsea Church, while he was Lord Chancellor; with a Translation of it. Then follow four Letters which he wrote after he had given over the Office of Chancellor, and before he was imprison'd, viz. Three to Mr Tho. Cromwell of the King's Privy Coun∣cil, and one to King Henry VIII. all in the Year 1533. Next we have his Letters, &c. wrote while he was Pri∣soner in the Tower, beginning with his Letter to his eldest Daughter Mrs. Margaret Roper, upon his refusing the Oath. Another to his said Daughter, written with a Coal. His Answer to a Letter of hers, which seemingly persuaded him to take the Oath, that she might get the Liberty she did obtain of Access to him. Her Answer thereunto. His Letter to all his Friends, written with a Coal; with two Stanza's upon Fortune. Lady Alice Alington's Letter to Mrs. Margaret Roper. A long Answer by her or her Fa∣ther to the same. His two Letters to Doctor Nicholas Wilson, also Prisoner in the Tower, 1534. His Daughter Roper's Answer to a Letter of his, when he was shut up close Prisoner, 1534; with his Answers both to the same and another she had sent him. His Letter to Mr. Leder, a virtuous Priest, the same Year. Two more of his Letters to his Daughter in 1535. His Latin Epistle to Mr. An∣thony Bonuyse, Merchant of Luca, in London, his old Friend, written with a Coal the same Year: with the Translation. His last Letter was to his Daughter Roper, the Day before his Death, containing his Blessing to, and desires to be re∣commended to the Prayers of her, and his other Friends and Relations.

XXXIV. The BREVIARY OF BRYTAYNE, &c. contayning a learned Discourse of the Variable State, &c. thereof, under di∣verse, as well natural, as forren Princes: With the Geographical Description of the same; such as neither by elder nor later Writers, the like hath been set forth be∣fore. Written in Latin by HUMFREY LHUYD, of Den∣bigh, a Cambre Britayne, and lately englished by THO∣MAS TWYNE, Gent. Octavo. 1573. 94 Leaves.

THIS much-commended Book is dedicated to Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxenford, Lord Great Chamberlayne of England, by the Translator, who tells his Lordship, at this time but in the Flower of his Age,

"that hereon when your Honour shall be at leisure to look, bestowing such Regard as you are accustom'd to do on Books of Geography, Histories, and other good Learning, wherein I am privy your Honour taketh singular Delight, I doubt not, but you shall have cause to judge your Time very well applied. And so much the rather, for that in the Study of Geography, it is expedient, first to know exactly the Situation of our own home where we abide, before that we shall be able to judge how other Countries do lie unto us, which are far distant from us; besides, that it were a foul Shame to be inquisitive of the State of Foreign Lands, and to be igno∣rant of our own."

Then follows the Translator's Preface; in which he ac∣knowleges the Assistance of Dr. Yale, for the Translation of some Names, especially in the British Tongue; and the Faultiness of the Latin Copy which was printed at Cologne. He also apologizes for his Translation of the Title, as above, it being called by the Author, Commentarioli Britannicae Descriptionis Fragmentum, that is literally, A Fragment of a little Treatise of the Description of Britain, which he thinks not much beside the Meaning of the Title he hath given it. Next we have other Commendations in Verse, namely by T. Brown, Prebend of Westminster, Ed. Grant, Schoolmaster of Westminster, Lodowick Lhuyd, &c. Lastly

concludes his Preface with a Commendation of the Author, which for Brevity we refer to, having a Character more Modern, here to subjoin* 1.1. Nor is the Translator unattend∣ed with Verses by his Brothers Laurence and John Twyn.

After an Alphabetical Table, we have the Author's Epistle to Abraham Ortelius of Antwerp, wherein we observe, he was now suffering under a dangerous Fever. Yet that he had here sent him his Description of Wales and of England, with the ancient Names, and another England; besides cer∣tain Fragments written with his own Hand, probably for his great Book of Geography. This Epistle is dated from Denbigh, Aug. 30, 1568, and subscrib'd yours, both living and dying, H. Lhuyd.

After a Table of near seventy Authors used in this little Work, our learned Antiquary begins it, with his Notice of the Promise he had made to his Correspondent aforesaid, of sending him the Geographical Description of Britain, with the most ancient Names, as well Latin as British; wherein, because he finds he must disagree from the Opinions of others, he has thought it expedient, first, in a few Words, to disclose the Effect of his Purpose, and by what Arguments and Authorities he is moved to change or ascribe to others, the Names of some Countries, Towns, Rivers, and other Places. But before he takes this in hand, enters upon some Explana∣tion of the British Tongue, touching the signification of the Letters, and manner of pronouncing the same: The Igno∣rance of which Tongue having driven many notable Men to such shifts, that endeavouring to wind themselves out of one, they have fallen into many. After this he begins with the Etymologies of Britain; shews their Errors who have darken'd all the Names of Places and Men with those of Latin De∣rivation; whereof Robert Coenalis is particularly arraign'd; so proceeds to confirm Sir Thomas Eliot's Observation out of an old Manuscript that Britain was anciently written Prytannia, as if it were derived from Pryd signifying Come∣liness or Beauty, and Cain, or White, with the first Letter sunk for smoothness in Conjunction. After this he takes

occasion to chastise Polydore Virgil the Italian, and Hector Boethius the Scot; whereof the first, in his History of Britain, mainly sought not only to obscure the Glory of the British Name, but also to defame the Britains themselves with scandalous Lyes; and the other, in attempting to raise the Scots out of Darkness, attributes whatever he finds the Ro∣mans or Britains have done worthy of Commendation in this Island, all to his Countrymen. Yet does he also believe that Brutus came into Britain with his Trojans, and took upon him the Government thereof; whence they might also be called Britains. Then he proceeds to the Divisionof Britain into Lhoegria, Albania, and Cambria; so to the En∣trance of the Saxons, and by whom the Country was called England, and the People Saison. But now returning to treat more particularly of Lhoegr or England, he begins first with Kent, and having given an Account of the ancient Names of Places in this and other Counties, to fol. 35, where, having also reproved Sleydan's partial Abridgment of Froissart, and ended with the Descent of the Stuarts, he begins, as in a Second Part, with these Words:

"Now that we have wander'd over all England called Lhoegr, let us next in Or∣der proceed to the second Region of Britain, which, of our Countrymen, is called Albania, of the Inhabitants, Scotland."

Here he observes, That there was never any Writer of Name, that made mention either of Scots or Redshanks be∣fore Vespasian's Time, about the Year of our Lord's Incar∣nation 72, when Merrigus or Arviragus reigned in Britain. And that they cou'd not be called by the Romans, Phichtiani, for painting their Bodies, since they were called by that Name before they were ever known to the Latins, and were the Britains whom Caesar and others report to have painted themselves blue with the Herb Woad, that they might appear more terrible to their Enemies. Then having given us the Original of the Scots and Redshanks, and sharply corrected Boethius for his many Falsities, he proceeds, in the like Manner as he had done of England, briefly to describe or explain the Names of several principal Places in Albania or Scotland, and the circumjacent Islands; so passes to the third Part con∣cerning Wales, upon which our Author is most copious, as well in describing the Manners of the People, and the Cha∣racters of some of their most ancient Worthies, as the an∣cient Names of the Places: Interspersed with many learned Authorities, curious Observations, and critical Remarks. Of which, we shall mention only his Reproof of the Golden

Number, his Description of Wenefride's Well; with other Censures again of P. Virgil and William Petit the Monk, and lastly of Gildas, for his hard Character of the Britains; as if he was to be regarded merely as a Preacher

"whose Cus∣tom is, very sharply to inveigh against the Faults of their Hearers: Wherefore, if we seek Authorities out of Sermons as Polydore hath done; what Parish, what Town, what Nation, or Kingdom may escape Infamy? What hath Bernard written of the Romans? Thus surely, terming them impious, unfaithful, seditious, dishonest, traiterous, great Speakers, but little Doers. These Things are by Divines spoken in the Pulpit, according unto their Man∣ner, that the like Faults may be amended, and the Life reformed; not that the Romans or Britains were such in∣deed. Neither is there any Man, unless he be a shame∣less Sycophant, that lyeth in wait for all Occasions to dis∣praise and accuse, which will go about, by wresting of Sentences forth of the Sermons of Preachers, slanderous∣ly to tax, and infamously to note any whole Covent, Shire, City, or People. Wherefore, let such idle and ill-disposed Slanderers leave off, and suffer the true Re∣nown of Britain to appear to the World. Neither judge me good Reader, of too sharp a Tongue; seeing (so God help me) neither Envy of any Foreign Name, neither Thirst of Vain-glory, neither Hatred of any Nation, but alone the Love of my Country, which is evil spoken of undeservedly, and desire to set forth the Truth, have provoked me to write thus much."

Then follows a short and modest Conclusion, after which, the whole is ended with certain Welch, or rather true British Words converted into Latin by the Author, and now translated into English.

XXXV. A Treatise of the CORRUPTION of SCRIPTURE, COUN∣CILS and FATHERS, by the Prelates, Pastors and Pillars of the CHURCH of ROME, for maintenance of Popery and Irreligion. By THOMAS JAMES, Student in Divini∣ty, and Chief Keeper of the Public Library in OXFORD, &c. With a sufficient Answer unto JAMES GRETSER and ANTONIE POSSEVINE Jesuits, and the unknown Author of The Grounds of the Old Religion and the New. Divi∣ded into V. Parts. Lond. Quarto. 1612.

THE Learned Author of this Work, in his Dedication to George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, tells him,

"he has written this Book in English for the Benefit of his poor seduced Countrymen, who are persuaded by the Priests and Jesuits that there is no such Matter, and that their Books are freest from Corruption, and Minds from Falshood; that Protestants are guilty of this Crime, and sundry others. But as St. Austen observed of Hereticks, that they were shameless and impudent, without Fore∣heads, not caring what they said: So it is with the Papists; they do not only impudently deny, but wickedly translate the Crime from themselves unto others. For if forging false Treatises, or Corruption of the True; changing of Scriptures, or altering of Men's Words, contrary to their Meaning, be certain Notes of Heresy, how heretical then must the Church of Rome be, wherein this Doctrine of Cor∣ruption is both openly taught and profess'd? As their Indices Expurgatorii; the Printing of the Fathers Works at Rome, and the Evidence of the Fact doth plainly declare. All which is plainly shewed in this small Treatise, and whatsoever else doth tend thereunto."

Then he observes how his said Patron, the Archbishop, had long since in his Book against Hill, begun to discover this devilish Policy of the common Adversary, and his Grace's Example has en∣couraged him to proceed therein, and embolden'd him to consecrate his Labours with himself, wholly at his Grace's Disposition.

After this Address, which gives, in this Part we have here extracted, a Glimpse of the Contents of the Work before us, we have an ample Advertisement to the Christian Rea∣der, wherein he tells him, that

"having fully travelled this vast Wilderness of Sin, I have thought it my Duty to leave certain Land-Marks behind me, for their Direction which shall come hereafter."

The whole Book is resol∣ved into five Parts: The First shews, The Bastardy of the False Fathers, and in this Part these few Things are to be no∣ted, That there are 187 several Treatises, here distinctly produced, which are shrewdly suspected, if not plainly con∣victed of Forgery by the Papists themselves. That our Author follows herein the Judgment of their most esteemed Wri∣ters, such as Bellarmine and Baronius, Possevin and Gretser, Sextus Senensis, Angelus Roccha, Pamelius, and sundry others; sometimes, tho' seldom, citing Erasmus, or following his Cen∣sure, because the Papists say he was an Apostate; tho' he defend∣ed the Religion, then openly maintain'd, against Oecolampadi∣us, Melancthon, Martin Luther and others; was accounted in the bosom of the Church, and saluted by the Name of Son, by Adrian VI. and Leo X. And however he was accused for a Lutheran, seeing his Apology satisfied the Pope in his Life∣time, why should the Papists traduce him being dead? Tho' he were in Heart and Profession a Papist, God made him write against the Abuses of Popery, rather than against the Religion itself, as himself says. But leaving him, let them consider the rest who were inflexible Papists, and see here how the best of them are driven to censure these Treatises, yet enforced to make use of them, abusing the simple Reader, by the frequent Citation of Clement, Cyprian, Ambrose, Au∣gustine, Hierome, and the rest, when no one Scrip of their Writings is alledg'd; yet Cocceius their Master has been bold to set down the Age when every one of these Fathers lived, to those bastard Treatises, which themselves never saw. Our Author begins his said Catalogue, in this first Part with Ab∣dias, who lived in the Time of St. Paul, and ends it with Isodore, who flourish'd not long after St. Gregory; yet, in this Part, he comprises not all the Treatises of the Fathers who lived within the Six Hundred Years, condemned by Papists, nor many more detected by the Protestants, but only those he finds cited by the Papists in their Books of Controversy; especially when they are alledg'd to gain Credit with the simple People; which they well might do, since some Learn∣ed Men here named have been deceived, to cite thefe For∣geries,

as the Works of the Fathers, who lived before Lu∣ther's Time, so they cou'd not be forged by Protestants, who according to the Opinion of the Papists derive their Origin from him. And as to their being cited sometimes by learn∣ed Protestants also, 'tis but reasonable, as one side has used them for their Convenience, that they shou'd be as free for the other. After this Catalogue, which comprehends 71 Pages, we have a List of the Names of the Author's whose Books are cited; and a brief Table wherein is declared, the Use that Papists make of these Bastard Treatises: With an∣other Table, shewing who they were written by, or ascribed to, and the Characters of them. Thus we come to

Part II. Of the Corruption of the True Fathers, wherein is the greater Danger, because it may spread farther before espied. And here our Author takes the Word Fathers in a large Sense, extending it as far as Gregory de Valentia does, unto the best learned of all Ages. His Observations are ta∣ken from the most learned Protestants, and particularly his chief Encourager the learned Dr. Bilson, Bishop of Win∣chester. Further, this Part contains, 50 Proofs of corrupted Places in these Ecclesiastical Writers. In the 26th Proof, there is a Story rehearsed by our Author of Bishop Jewel, who citing St. Gregory's Epistles in a Visitation Sermon, at Abingdon in Berkshire, was defamed for corrupting his Au∣thor's Sense; which caused all the MS. of that Father to be search'd, whereby it was found, that the Popish Editions on∣ly were corrupted, that the Bishop had quoted the genuine Sense, and that those who charged such Corruptions upon him were themselves most guilty of them. Our Author concludes this Part, with his Wishes for a Protestant Edi∣tion of the Councils; and observes, that Dr. Ward, Master of Sidney-Sussex College, in Cambridge, had bestowed many Years Pains in this way, and that his Endeavours wou'd tend to excellent Purposes, if he might be prevail'd on to publish them; but if any Thing keep him back, it is an humble Conceit he has ever had, to think himself so much the less able, the more sufficient others esteem him. This Part is comprised in 103 Pages, and has in another Page, The Names added, of the Authors and Pages corrupted.

Part III. The Variety and Contrariety of the Popish Bi∣bles, commonly called the Vulgar Bibles in Latin. Our Au∣thor's Motives for publishing this Part were, first, because it is a Matter of Faith to appoint what is Scripture, and what not, to shew that the Pope may err in Matters of Faith. Se∣condly,

Because Papists object to us our different Translations of the Bible, to shew their own gross Errors and Absurdities, in setting forth their two Hierome Bibles, authoriz'd by two Popes within two Years. Thirdly, To vindicate his Bellum Papale, wrote against those two discording Editions, from some Objections to the same, lately publish'd by James Gretser. In this Part it further appears, These Bibles were set forth by Pope Sixtus in 1590, and Pope Clement 1592. And what Sentences or Words were added by Pope Cle∣ment, which were not in the Edition of Sixtus: Also the Sentences or Words left out by Clement, which were in the Bibles of Sixtus; with the Contradictions of one against the other: Errors in Numerical Computations; Transposition of Names, and other Alterations of the Sense: To which follows, An Apology or Defence of the Bellum Papale, pub∣lish'd by our Author against those Bibles, 4to, 1600. In which he tells us, how he came to engage himself against those Editions; recites the pompous Inscription set up in the Vatican in Honour of Sixtus, upon his said Publication, with the Apologies of some Jesuits for the Errors therein; as Baldwin, Dr. Norrice, and Dr. Bishop; also some Answers to Gretser's Allegations against our Author: With an Account of Arias Montanus's Apology, for his Integrity in setting forth the King's Bibles, containing the whole History of his Trou∣bles in the Progress of that costly Work; the Copy of which was found at the Sack of Cadiz, and by Dr. Rives reposited in the Library at Oxford; this with a rehearsal of some Sen∣tences that are yet found uncorrected, or rather added un∣warrantably to the Vulgar Bible; also some further Answers to his Antagonist, and a Character of him, concludes this Part in 59 Pages.

Part IV. Of their condemning the Fathers. For tho' the Papists do much boast of their Fathers, and vulgarly seem to value their Writings, yet it is found that none are more injurious to their Works or their Worth,

"using them as Mer∣chants do their casting Counters; sometimes they stand for Pounds, sometimes for Shillings, sometimes for Pence, sometimes for nothing, according as they be next and readiest at Hand to make up their Accounts."

In this Part, our Author acknowledges himself much indebted to the Second Part of the Dean of Winchester's Apology, and to Sam. Huberus in his Anti-Bellarminus. And having proved these Assertions, he proceeds, to lay open the Mystery and Abuses of the Indices Expurgatorii; shews you the Original,

Nature, Use and Corruption of this Inquisition; the Offi∣cers, Inquisitors, Commissaries, and Public Notaries, con∣cerned in these Indices of Books to be forbidden, or purged from whatever impugned the Church of Rome. And here he com∣mends the Treatise, written by Gabriel Putherbeus, De tollendis Libris malis, 1549, as what has discovered the Wickedness of their Bishops, Priests and Monks, better than any Work our Author knows. In the latter end of this Part, we have a Table of the Divinity Books, first set forth and approved, then censured by Papists. This Catalogue contains 323 of their said forbidden Books, which are often noted in what Parts they have been purged: Among them there are some of our own Authors; as Alcuinus, whose Book de Trini∣tate, ad Carolum Regem, printed in Bibl. Patrum, is falsely by Sextus Senensis and others, attributed to Calvin; tho' in∣deed their Names are one, by a Metathesis and Change of the Letters. Whereas Copies of it, written above 500 Years ago, were to be seen in the Prince's Library at St. James's and elsewhere. St. Adhelm Bishop of Sherburne has also incurred the Roman Censure; and the Summes of Richard Fitz-Rauf, Archbishop of Armagh, against the Armenians, with his other Treatises, are caution'd against, as printed Anno 1511, by Possevine; and in Bishop Fisher's Book de Fiducia Dei, the Papists, finding some Points against them, have pretended it was printed by some Heretic in his Name, and even by Calvin according to Gregory Capuchine. A silly shift; for the Book was printed at Cologn in 8vo 1556, shortly after his Death; and since then no such Matter was ever heard, till of late Years.

"A very likely Matter (says our Author) that the Papists wou'd suffer such a piece of Knavery to lie buried so long. Again, what reason have Protestants to counterfeit such a Book in a Papist's Name? Seeing their Indices of Books forbidden, and to be purged, do furnish us with a sufficient Number in this kind; without any Labour of ours. So much the more are we kindly beholden unto them, first for sending us unto the best Books, by their Catalogue of Books prohibited, and secondly, for directing us unto the best Places to be read in those Books, by their Indices Expurgatorii."

Nay, Gildas Sapiens was not so wise, as to see that his Works shou'd come to be censur'd at Rome, for otherwise he wou'd to be sure have prevented them, and retracted his Opinion. Much less cou'd William of Occham's Dialogues, his Works of 90 Days, and his Writings against Pope John XXII. escape

the Catalogue of Books forbidden: Besides some others o•• our Countrymen in this Table also mentioned. At the End of which we have a little Summary of the Uses thereof, under the Consideration of what Popes, Patriarchs, Bi∣shops, Cardinals, Fathers, Saints, Martyrs, &c. Councils, Liturgies, Prayer-books, Bibles, &c. are censur'd therein; also by what degrees Books have been corrupted; with what Opposition; the Inquisitors being still at odds with us and themselves; what Popish Authors, through all Ages, have maintained the Truth of our Religion; what Books and Editions are to be read by Protestants: lastly, what is con∣stantly denied by the Papists, That the Text of the Fa∣thers Works is commanded to be purged in their several Indices Expurgatorii, and plainly proved in this Table, by the Mark of a Hand in the Margin. In this Table, our Author doubts not but many Writers have slipped his Pen, Wherein he desired not Exactness, but to give you a Taste only of that sour Fruit, which they have grafted upon o∣ther Mens Stocks. He has cited nothing without a suffi∣cient Author or Authority. And as for the Books of Law, Physick, and the Arts, which the Papists have thus mangled and disfigured, they are reserved for some other time, this Part ending at p. 102.

Part V. A Remedy against all Popish Corruptions. Herein the Author shews how vain it is to find out the Diseases in Books, without we endeavour to find out the Remedies also. This last Part, containing 27 Pages, begins with an Account of the sundry Ways how Books are depraved and corrupted, and three Ways proposed for reforming the same. That the Discovery of false Treatises, in the Name of the Fathers, has in part been made by the Bishop of Winchester, Dr. Reynolds, Abraham Scultetus, and especially Master Robert Cooke of Leedes. How the Corruption of the true Fathers is to be known; and that those Places purged by the Inquisitors are to be restored as fast by the Protestants. Of a Catechism to be framed for us out of their Writings: and how Papists are to be answered by Papists. The Collations of this kind by Mr. W. Crashaw, of the Temple, commended. How the Romish Falsifica∣tions might be shortly discovered, by dividing the Exami∣nation among many Divines. The Profit of Collating prin∣ted Books, with the Indices Expurgatorii. Their late cor∣rected Editions to be considered and suspected. Of their pretended Discovery of lost Writers in Caves, Mountains,

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&c. The Popish Editions of the Fathers to be compared with ancient MSS. How the Fathers Works were cor∣rupted before, and since Printing; the Ways of correcting them. Our Universities and private Libraries well stor'd with MSS. notwithstanding the great Consumption of them in England. An Exhortation to private Men not to monopolize, but communicate their MSS. seeing that how commendably soever they preserve them, little Use can be made of them, nor their Authorities safely vouch'd, since they are not always to be seen, while such Owners are liv∣ing; and, when they die, may easily miscarry, by falling into the Hands of such as regard them not; by whom, as one merrily said, Monyscripts are more pored upon than Manuscripts. That the Neglect of the Fathers has pro∣ceeded from the false Editions of them; and that there would be an End of Controversy, if their Works were truly printed. An Objection from the divers Readings of ancient MSS. Another against the Antiquity and Integrity of Copies; with Answers. The Satisfaction of small Diffe∣rences in Copies. Our English MSS. highly esteemed be∣yond Seas. Our Founders of Colleges careful to furnish their Libraries with rare MSS. maintaining divers Scholars abroad, to compare, transcribe, or procure Originals. That Richard Dunelmensis, Founder of Duresme College, now called Trinity College, bestowed many thousand Pounds per Annum in Books, and most of his Books upon the Li∣brary he erected in that College, who, for his exceeding great Love of Learning, did well deserve the Name of Philo-biblos: See his Book, De Amore Librorum, printed at Oxford 1598. De eo dictumerat, quod haberet plures Libros quam omnes Pontifices in Anglia. Which Title and Character, since his Time, is most justly to be given to Sir T. Bodley, whose great Munificence has far surpassed the Bishop, hav∣ing stored his Magazine, as our Author observes, with eleven or twelve thousand Volumes; whereof the greatest part are in Folio, in all Sciences and Languages, and fre∣quented by Scholars of all Nations. Here follows the Con∣fession of his Adversaries, Possivine and Costerus, of the Goodness and Plenty of our Books; the Way of discern∣ing corrected Copies, and to know if they be ancient or not. That those which are written in a set Hand, with great Letters, or in the Lombard or Saxon Characters, are of great Antiquity; how far later MSS. to be esteemed of. The Objection, that it is a tedious and needless Work to

collate the Fathers Works, with MSS. answered. The Benefit likely to arise of a general Collation. Commenda∣tions of Erasmus, and wherein defective, in his Animad∣versions upon the Fathers Works. That he gave the first Alarm of their barbarous corrupting the Fathers, for which his very Name is in Maledictione. Exhortation to our wealthy Stationers to print the Fathers Works; such as Mr. Geo. Bishop, Mr. Bonham Norton, and Mr. John Norton, who have been chosen Aldermen of London. That the Charge of Printers and Stationers ought to be well recom∣pensed. They are compared to our Merchants-Adventurers. Why, the Hazard being alike in most Books, they should seek rather to deserve well of the ancient Fathers. The Bible compared, revised, and printed this Year, 1611. St. Chrysostom's Works, with several other of the Greek Fathers, likely to be printed at the unspeakable Charge of the learned and judicious Provost of Eton College, and Warden of Mer∣ton College in Oxford, Sir Henry Savile, well seen in the best Languages, and most of the Liberal Arts. The Latin Fathers, more urged in all Controversies, should be the sooner correctly printed. The Collation and Revision of the Fathers Works, a good Inducement to the printing of them. The Use that is made of the MSS. indifferently, both by Protestants and Papists; whereof, tho' much re∣mains to be spoken, our Author, like a weary Traveller, here takes up his rest; which indeed he might well need, having gone through such a Variety of Books, as this Work does manifest; and really held it, as Baronius pretended to do, a Religion, to say nothing which he could not prove, and to prove nothing but out of certain, known, and sufficient Authors. At the End of his Advertisement mentioned at the beginning, there is an Appendix, shewing first, how there are Scribes diligently employ'd in the Vatican Libra∣ry, to transcribe Acts of the Councils, or Works of the Fathers; that they can imitate their Copies exactly; that it is feared they alter and change at the Pope's pleasure; and that these Transcripts in time may be vouched for ancient MSS. And this is more to be feared, if there is an Index Expurgatorius for purging of MSS. as well as printed Books. Secondly, That the unknown Author of the Grounds of the Old Religion, and the New, so often mention'd in this Work, is now known to be one May, a Priest, a Man neither immodest nor unlearned, yet foully mistaken in sun∣dry Points of his Answer to Mr. Crashaw's first Tome of,

Romish Forgeries and Falsifications. What we have lastly to observe, is, That at the End of the whole Book, there is a Table of the Authors mentioned in this Treatise, with the particular Editions made use of throughout the same.

XXXVI. The YOUNGER BROTHER'S APOLOGIE, or, a Father's Free Power disputed, for the Disposition of his Lands, or other his Fortunes, to his Son, Sons, or any one of them: As right Reason, the Laws of God and Nature, the Civil, Canon and Municipal Laws, of this Kingdom, do com∣mand. Quarto. Oxford, 1634. Pages 56.

THIS scarce Tract is dedicated by the Author to all Fathers, and Sons of worthy Families, whom Virtue, Birth, and Learning, have justly stiled Gentlemen. And in the said Address has these Asseverations;

"Not upon the least Presumption of a Self-sufficiency to confront there∣by any received Custom (if any such be) nor to dimi∣nish the natural Reverence due by younger Brothers to their Elder, nor to enkindle Emulation in Families, nor to innovate any thing to the Prejudice of public or pri∣vate Quiet (which none I hope will be so ill-affected as to suppose) neither mine inoffensive Zeal for younger Brothers, among who I am ranked one; nor the abso∣lute Consent of Imperial and Ecclesiastical Laws, which I, having a little studied, not a little respect; nor the particular Honour I bear to the Usages in this Point of our ancient Britains, from whom I am descended; nor desire to maintain and justify an Act in this kind, done by a Friend, whom I must ever reverence; nor yet the hope of bettering my private Fortunes, which moves Men much in these our Times, hath drawn me to this Undertaking: But principally the singular Respect, which, as a Patriot, I bear to the Glory and Good of Gentlemens Houses, whose best Original, surest Means of Maintainance, and principal Ornament, is Virtue, or Force of Mind; the want whereof is a common Cause of Ruin. The free Power therefore of you, who are

Fathers, is here in some special Cases argued and de∣fended, to give you occasion thereby to consider, with the clearer Eye-sight, for the Establishment and Con∣tinuance of Families. Here also the natural Rights of us that are Children, be so discoursed and discussed, as that we younger Brothers may have Cause and Courage to endeavour, by virtuous Means, to make ourselves, without the least wrong to any, capable, if need shall be, of the chiefest Uses. And both and all, are so handled, as that no Offence can reasonably arise in any respect, much less for that the whole is conceived and written in Nature only of an Essay or Probleme; to which I bind no Man to afford more Belief than himself hath liking of, being free to refute the whole, or any part, at his pleasure, as he feels himself able or disposed."

In the Conclusion of this Epistle, the Author observes, that nothing in this Apology is defended but by Authority, Rea∣son, and Example, nor any Person taxed, or particular personal Vices; nevertheless, if he has not performed as well as he desires, or the Cause deserves, he hopes, that for his good Intention he shall be conceived well of: and sub∣scribes the two Letters of his Name, J. A.

The Work is divided into ten Chapters, whereof the first shews the Occasion of writing this Apology, to prove that a Father may, in some Cases, make any of his Children his Heir, or freely dispose his worldly Estate to which of his Sons he pleases, leaving to the rest a Competency; and do an Act which may be just, according to the Law of God, of Nature, and of Nations. The 2d Chapter maintains, That the Grounds of all good Constitutions being in Nature, yet she neither before nor after the Law of Propriety esta∣blish'd, did command that all should be left to any one more than another: herein is also shewn the happy Community of all things in the primitive Ages; and that hereditary Succes∣sion or Title to Parents Lands or Goods, was not in use till Nature came to be depraved. 3. That the Breach of some written Laws of God, upon Warrant of the primary. Law of Nature, is without Sin; and that therefore there can be no such Right in Primogeniture, which is not in the Father's Power to avoid, tho' there were a Precept to the contra∣ry, as there is not. 4. That Nations beginning to devise sundry Forms of settling Inheritances, the Romans especi∣ally therein respected the free Power of Fathers; the Right of Children to their Fathers Estates, beginning only at

their Father's Death. 5. That the present Custom of our Country, of giving all, or almost all, to the Eldest, was never so begun that it meant to exclude just Remedies for such Evils, as should grow out of the Abuse of that Custom, when it may make Fathers guilty of their Sons Faults, and of their Families Ruin. 6. That it is no Offence before God, for a Father, being Tenant in Fee-simple, to disinherit the Eldest, or to parcel his Estate upon Cause; and that extream Vices of Heirs apparent, together with the fewer Means, which younger Brothers have now to live on than heretofore, crieth out against the contrary Opinion. 7. That Fathers, being Tenants in Fee-tail, may likewise with∣out Scruple of Conscience, discontinue the State-tail upon Cause, and devise the same at their reasonable Pleasure. 8. That Unthriftiness is one known Name of many hidden Sins, and is alone a sufficient Cause of Disinherison, proved by the Law of God and Man, 9. The main Points of the Premises exemplified in divers particular Facts, as well of Princes as of private Persons. 10. That the Law of na∣tural Equity and Reason, confirm just Disinherison; and that the riotous Lives of eldest Brothers deserve that vehe∣ment Increpation, with which the Author closes up this Treatise* 1.2.

XXXVII. SCOT's Discovery of WITCHCRAFT: Proving the common Opinions of Witches contracting with Devils, Spirits, Fa∣miliars, and their Power to kill, torment, and consume the Bodies of Men, Women, and Children, or other Creatures, by Diseases or otherwise; their flying in the Air, &c. to be but imaginary, erroneous Conceptions, and Novelties. Wherein also the Practices of Witchmongers, Conjurers, Inchanters, Soothsayers; also the Delusions of Astrology, Alchemy, Legerdemain, and many other things are opened, that have long lain hidden, tho' very necessary to be known, for the undeceiving of Judges, Justices and Juries; and for the Preservation of poor People, &c. With a Treatise also upon the Nature, &c. of Spirits and Devils, &c. Quarto, 1651. Pages 401. be∣sides Tables, &c.

THIS curious Book so elaborately written upon these uncommon Subjects, and first published by Reginald Scot, Esq in 1584, as appears also in the Title-Page of this Edition, had for a while a very good EfFect upon the

Kingdom, in purging those Dregs of Superstition, to which it seems naturally subject, by the Paroxysms into which it has so frequently relapsed. James Ady, M. A. in his Per∣fect Discovery of Witches, published in 4to. ten Years after this Edition of Mr. Scot's Book now before us, tells us,

"It did for some time take great Impression in the Ma∣gistracy, and also in the Clergy; but since that time, England hath shamefully fall'n from the Truth, which they begun to receive."

Further, it appears in the third Book of this Mr. Ady's Discovery, which detects the Vanity of some English Writers concerning Witches, and principally that Dialogue of King James's, called Demonologie, first printed at Edinburgh, 4to. 1597. that the said King has, in the Preface thereof, chiefly objected to this Work of Scot's; wherefore, the Reader might expect in the Body of his Majesty's Pamphlet, to find our Author notably confuted; but in reading that Dialogue, he shall not find one thing or other answered, but only a bare Affirmation of such Tenets, without Ground, or Warrant of Scripture, which were confuted by Scot; as the Tenets of Bodin, Hyperius, Hemin∣gius, and other Popish Writers; which might yet bring a Discredit upon Scot's Book, in those Understandings which are to be dazled by Names that glare with great Titles or Dignities; but with discerning and unbiass'd Judges, an Antagonist of such Character and such Conduct, will but raise the Credit of the Works he opposes. All we have further to premise of our Author, is from A. Wood, who informs us, That he was the younger Son of Sir John Scot of Scots-Hall, near Smeeth in Kent; that he was bred at Oxford, and

"gave himself up solely to solid Reading; to the Perusal of obscure Authors, that had, by the genera∣lity of Scholars, been neglected."

And at Times of leisure, to Husbandry and Gardening, as may appear from his Perfect Platform of a Hop-Garden, which was the first Treatise that had been written upon this Subject, and from this Discovery of Witchcraft, which also he seems to have

first detected, publickly at least, in our Nation. In both

"our Author plainly appears to have been well versed in many choice Books, and that his search into them was so profound, that nothing slipt his Pen which might make for his Purpose."

As to this Work, now under our Inspection, there are Three ingenious Epistles, publish'd by our Author before it. Two of them, to Sir Roger Manwood, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and to Sir Thomas Scot; and the third, to Dr. Coldwell, Dean of Rochester, and Dr. Readman, Arch∣deacon of Canterbury. Then follows his Epistle to the Reader; in which he solemnly professes, his Drift in this Undertak∣ing was, That the Power and Glory of God shou'd not be abridg'd or abased; that Religion might stand without the Trumpery of such Impostures; and that Compassion might be used towards those poor ignorant Souls, who are com∣monly accused, and sometimes credulously confess them∣selves guilty of Witchcraft. At the End of this Epistle, there is a Table of between two and three Hundred Authors used in the ensuing Work, which is divided into Sixteen Books, and they into many Chapters; beginning with an Im∣peachment of the Power of Witches in Meteors, and Ele∣mentary bodies, tending to the Rebuke of such as attri∣bute too much unto them. So proceeds in the next Chap∣ter, to the Inconvenience growing by Men's Credulity here∣in, and a Reproof of some Churchmen inclined to the common Opinion of Witches Omnipotency, with a familiar Example thereof, in the Story of Margaret Simons of Brenchley in Kent, who being accused of Witchcraft, by John Ferral Vicar of that Parish, was arraign'd in 1581 at Rochester; but one of the Jury being wiser than the rest, she was acquit∣ted. Next we have a Description of those who are called Witches, the Motives to their being thought and thinking themselves Witches. What miraculous Acts are imputed to them, by Witchmongers, Papists and Poets. Confutations of the Opinion of Witchcraft, and the Sin of repairing to Witches for help; how their Name became so famous, and how variously People think of them. Causes why Witches themselves, as well as others, believe they can work Impossi∣bilities, with Answers to certain Objections, where also their Punishment by Law is touch'd, and some late credulous Pub∣lications reflected on. This Book concludes with an Ar∣raignment of the Cruelties practis••d upon old Women in all

Ages, since the Commencement of Popery, by Witch∣mongers and Inquisitors.

The Second Book shews what infamous Witnesses are allowed to give Evidence against reputed Witches, and upon what hard Conditions to be challeng'd; as James Sprenger, and Henry Institor, from whom Bodin, and other Cham∣pions of Witchmongers receive their Light, allow. Next follows, the Order of their Examination, with an Account of the Scottish Customs of accusing Witches, and King Chil∣debert's cruel Device. Matters of Evidence against them. Their Confessions. Presumptions whereby they are con∣demned. Interrogatories by the Inquisitors. Their super∣stitious Trial of Tears; their Cautions and Tortures to pro∣cure Confession. The fifteen Crimes laid to their charge; refuted. Cornelius Agrippa's Pleadings for an old Woman condemn'd of Witchcraft. That it is no wonder Witches condemn themselves, thro' the Barbarities used in extorting their Confessions.

The Third Book lays open the Bargains charged upon these reputed Witches with the Devil, by several Popish Witchmongers here mention'd; with the Order of their Homage to the Devil: Their Songs, Dances, Excourses, &c. Their Summons to appear before the Devil; riding in the Air, Conferences, Supplies, Sacrifices, &c. That there can be no real League made with the Devil, with the weak Proofs of the Adversaries for the same. Of the private League with the Devil. Bodin's fabulous Miracle of the French Lady, transported from Lions to Lorrain by an Oint∣ment. A Disproof of their Assemblies and their Bargains. A Confutation of the Objection concerning Witches Con∣fessions. What folly it were for Witches to undergo such de∣sperate Peril and intolerable Tortures for the little Gain and great Disappointments they meet with; and how it comes to pass they are overthrown by their Confessions. How Melancholy abuses old Women, and the Effects thereof in sundry Examples. That voluntary Confessions may be un∣truly made, tho' to the undoing of the Confessors, and of the strange Operation of Melancholy, proved by a late In∣stance, in the story, of Ade Davie of Sellenge in Kent. O∣ther strange Effects of Melancholy; that it frequently a∣bounds in old Women, and that their Confessions are not to be credited. Confutations of their Confessions, concern∣ing their League, and causing of Tempests. What wou'd be the Consequence if their Confessions were true. Exam∣ples

of credulous People, who used Witches in the Wars. Of the Eye-biting Witches in Ireland; of those pretend∣ed to ryme Man or Beast to death; and of inchanted Ar∣chers, particularly a poor Fellow at Malling in Kent, who by one of Queen Mary's Justices was punish'd, for shooting with Flies, or Familiars, or inchanted Arrows, because he cou'd win two or three Shillings a-day at the Butts. Autho∣rities condemning the Confessions of Witchcraft, with the Attempts of a Popish Doctor to disprove the same. The Rea∣sons also of Witchmongers, to prove the Wonder-Workings of these old Women: Bodin's Tale of the Frieseland Priest transported; and the further Illusions of melancholy Ima∣ginations. Of the Sufficiency of Witches Confessions in Law to take away Life, with the Decrees of Divines and Coun∣cils in the Case. Answers to the four Capital Crimes ob∣jected against Witches. The Author's Request that his chaste Readers wou'd overlook Eight Chapters in the fol∣lowing Book, reciting some lewd Feats ascribed to Witches by Doctors of Popish Divinity; with his Apology for the same, as necessary to be detected.

The Fourth Book exposes the presumptuous Opinions of Witchmongers, in ascribing the superior Power to evil Spi∣rits, of framing themselves in more excellent sort than God has made us; with their absurd Assertions of the incongru∣ous Conjunctions of Witches with Incubus; that since the Year 1400, they have consented willingly to the Carnal Embraces of this Diabolical Phantom, and that many Witches burn'd at Ravenspurge, confessed such Carnal Knowledge for many Years together; with many other Te∣nets of the said unaccountable Intercourse, most grossly un∣philosophical, and improbable to have met with the Recep∣tion they have done among the most Ignorant; such as the Devil's visible Dealings with Women in this kind, the Pow∣er of Witches to obstruct Generation, and their supernatu∣rally depriving Men of the Paris thereof. The Legend of St. Sylvanus personated by Incubus, and of St. Christina, who charitably supplying the Place of a Female oppress'd with one, was shrewdly accloy'd: Also another ridiculous Legend of St. Bernard, with the Tradition of yellow-hair'd Maids being most encumber'd with Incubus; and the be∣witchery of married Men, to use other Mens Wives in∣stead of their own: how to procure the dissolving of be∣witched Love, and enforce Men to love old Hags; with the relation of a lewd Trick of a Priest in Gelderland. In∣stances

of divers Saints, very letcherously disposed and mi∣raculously render'd chaste. A recital of certain Popish and Magical Cures for those who are bewitch'd in their Privi∣ties, among which we have the wise distinction of Hostiensis, between Frigidity and Witchcraft; also Sir Thomas More's Receipt to procure Generation mention'd, but not recited even in Latin, as the former is; being too gross in our Au∣thor's mind for Repetition. This Chapter concludes with the pious Offering made by Katharine Loe, of a waxen Re∣semblance of the Parts affected in her impotent Husband, at the Altar of St. Anthony for his Recovery. After these, and the Narrative of another Cure performed on a Hag-rid∣den Mass-Priest, from the Account of Jason Pratensis; This Book concludes with a Confutation of these Follies touching Incubus and Succubus, shewing them to be nothing but Popish Imposture and Knavery, to cover the shameful Debaucheries of the Ecclesiasticks and their Concubines: That Robin Goodfellow was nothing but a lusty cosening Frier; and that there can be no Carnal Copulation with Spirits, much less any Offspring therefrom, whatever Hyperius, and other such Deceivers write of our Merlin: That Incu∣bus is a natural Disease, and of the Remedies prescribed for the same; with the Derision which Chaucer, who had seen through these Popish Abominations, long since made of the Priests, under that Name, quoted from his own Verses in the Wife of Bath's Tale.

The Fifth Book lays open and confutes with many Ar∣guments and Authorities, the absurd Accounts of Transfor∣mations by Sorcery, into Wolves, Asses, Cats, &c. An∣swers the Witchmongers Objections concerning Nebuchad∣nezzar, with their Error relating to Lycanthropia; and answers also their Arguments for Transportation, and from the Calamities of Job; concluding with the several sorts of Witches mention'd in the Scriptures, and how the word Witch is there apply'd.

The Sixth Book begins with an Exposition of the He∣brew Word Chasaph, wherein is answer'd that Objection in Exodus, Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live; also of Si∣mon Magus in Acts 8. An Explanation also of that Place in Deuteronomy, wherein are recited all kind of Witches, with a Confutation of their Opinions, who hold they can work such Miracles, as are imputed to them. Observations upon the Use of Poison, by Women in all Ages more than Men. Of divers Practitioners with Poison in many Coun∣tries,

called Veneficia. A great Objection answer'd con∣cerning this kind of Witchcraft called Veneficium. What Confections used therein. Of Philtres, or Love-Potions, and the same confuted by Poets. Proofs that such Potions rather promote Death tbro' their Venom, than Love by Art; with a recital of many simple Ingredients, on which this Power is imposed. And this Chapter concludes, with Bodin's Charge of false Greek, and false Interpretation there∣of, against John Wier, retorted upon himself.

The Seventh Book begins with explaining the Hebrew Word Ob in the Old Testament, translated Pytho or Phyoni∣cus Spiritus; which Hebrew Word signifying most properly a Bottle, is there used because the Pythonists spake hollow, as in the bottom of their Bellies, whereby they are aptly in Latin call'd Ventriloqui; of which sort was Elizabeth Barton the Holy Maid of Kent, &c. by which Faculty they many times overthrow the good Fame of honest Per∣sons. But our Author passing over a hundred Cosenages he cou'd recite of this kind; does here give us a large and true Story of a Wench named Mildred Norrington, practi∣sing her diabolical Witchcraft by this Ventriloquy, Anno 1574, at Westwell in Kent, six Miles from his own House; with the Account of her detection before two discreet Ju∣stices, named Thomas Wotton of Bocton Malherb, and George Darrel, Esqs; Here, says our Author, compare this Wench with the Witch of Endor, and you shall see that both the Cosenages may be done by one Art. The Discovery also of other such Deceivers, as Agnes Brigs, and Rachel Pinder of London, who disgorged Pins, Clouts, &c. and the Dutch∣man at Maidstone, named John Stiklebow, who was dispossess'd of Ten Devils in 1572, according to the Pamphlet then printed. The Abuses of Apollo's Oracle; the Apostle's mis∣take of Spirits, with Arguments that they can assume no Shapes. Further of Apollo's Witches call'd Pythonists, and of Gregory's Letter to the Devil, with a Comparison be∣tween the Idol of Apollo, and our Rood of Grace, thro' the help of little St. Rumbal at Boxly in Kent. How many learned Men have been deluded in their Writings upon this Subject of Spirits. More of the Witch of Endor, and that Samuel was not raised indeed; the Dotage of Bodin and o∣ther Papists herein, and that Souls cannot be raised by Witchcraft. That neither the Devil nor Samuel were rais∣ed; but that it was a mere Trick according to the Guise of our Pythonists. Answers to the Objections of our Witch∣mongers

in this Case. Expositions of the Places in Scrip∣ture, shewing how Saul was abused, and how it might all be wrought by Ventriloquy. With other Opinions produced and answer'd, tending to prove that our Miracles are com∣monly Knaveries, and especially of the Priests; that since Luther's Time these Spirits, Hags, Fairies, Imps, Incubi, Robin Goodfellows, Men in the Oak, Puckles, Fire-drakes, Hobgoblins, Tom-thumbs, and all the rest of this Black Brood of Bull-beggars, have much vanish'd and very little appear'd; and lastly, that those who will credit the Stories of Witches, must allow as much to their Power of working Miracles, as to that of Christ.

The Eighth Book shews us how Miracles, the Gift of Prophecy, and Oracles are ceased; with a recital of Plu∣tarch's Tale, believed by many learned Men, of the Devil's Death; and another out of the Golden Legend of a godly Devil. The Judgment of the Fathers upon Oracles, and their Abolishment, with their Transplantation from Del∣phos to Rome; also where, when, and how the priestly Sorcerers wrought their Feats of old; and when they ceased in England.

The Ninth Book expounds the word Kasam or Divi∣nation; proves from Scripture the Lawfulness of making Ob∣servations on the Weather; that of other Observations, some are Indifferent, some Ridiculous, and some Impious. Fur∣ther of the Idol of Apollo, and the ancient Aruspices. Of the Predictions of Soothsayers, and Lewd Priests, Astrono∣mers, Physicians; and of Divine Prophecy. The diversity of True Prophets; of Urim, and the Prophetical Use of the twelve Precious Stones therein; and of the Divine Voice called Echo. Of Prophecies Conditional: Whereof the Prophecies in the Old Testament do treat, and by whom they were publish'd, with some Answers against Witches supernatural Actions. Of the Mircales in the Old and New Testament, and that we are not now to expect any more such.

The Tenth Book interprets the word Onen, and there∣upon discourses of divine, natural and casual Dreams, with their Causes and Effects. The variance of old Writers touching Dreams. Against the Interpreters of Dreams, and that the Interpretation of them is ceased. Of Hemingius his diabolical Dreams, and that Witches nor any other can impose upon sleeping Men what Cogitations they list. The Cause of Magical or rather frightful Dreams. How Men

have been deluded by Dreams to dig for Money, with the Order and Ceremony used therein; also an Account of Re∣ceipts for procuring pleasant Dreams, and the difference be∣tween Morning and Midnight Dreams. Receipts of Unc∣tions used for the Transportation of Witches; with a Con∣futation of these Follies, and of the Witches Assemblies and Banquets. That the Prophecies in the Old Testament were mostly revealed in Dreams, and that such Revelations are not now to be look'd for. Of some Dreams coming to pass, others proving contrary, and Nebuchadnezzar's Rule to know a true Expositor of them.

The Eleventh Book begins with the Exposition of Nahas, or the flying of Birds called Augury, so passes to the Jewish Sacrifice to Moloch, with an Argument against Purgatory. The Cannibal Custom of the Popish Sacrifice in the Mass. The Superstition of the Heathens about Fire. Of the Ro∣man Sacrifices, and their Esteem of Augury. That the Practisers of that Art were Coseners. Of the Ceremonies thereunto belonging: Upon what Signs and Tokens they did prognosticate. Observations on the Parts of Beasts. A Confutation of Augury, Plato's Opinion thereof. Of con∣trary Events and false Predictions. The Cosenage of Sorti∣lege, or Lotteries. Of the Cabalistical Art. Of the first Or∣daining and Profanation of Sacrifices, and of the Pope's Cor∣ruption of Sacrifices. Of the Objects upon which the Au∣gures exercis'd their Prognostications. Of the Divisions in the Art, Persons admittable, and other Superstitions, e∣specially by the common People. The variance of old Wri∣ters upon this Art; wherefore it is ridiculous; derided by Cato, Aristotle, &c. Of the silly Distinctions made thereof. Of Figure-flingers, and the Uncertainty of their Art. The Sentence of Cornelius Agrippa against judicial Astrology. The Subtilties and Impieties thereof, with further Instances of the Deceits of these Genethliacs or Nativity-Casters.

The Twelfth Book treats of Inchantments from the Hebrew Word Habar. In what Sense Words may be al∣low'd as Charms. What is forbidden in Scripture concern∣ing Witchcraft. The Superstition of the Cabilists and Pa∣pists. The Offence of Charms, and what wou'd follow, if the Effects ascribed to them were true. Why God forbade the practice of Witchcraft. The Absurdity of the Law of the Twelve Tables, whereon their Estimation in miraculous Actions is grounded. An Instance of one arraign'd upon the Law of those Tables; where the said Law is proved ridicu∣lous.

Laws for the Punishment of Witches that work Mi∣racles, and of Popish Laws against them. A Recital of the Poetical Authorities alledg'd by Witchmongers for the Proof of Witches. A Collection of Popish Tablets, Amulets, Charms, Agnus Dei, &c. against Diseases, Casualties, &c. How to make Holy Water, with several other Receipts, and the Opinion of Ferrarius touching them: Of Homerical Me∣dicines, and several other Popish Charms for Man and Beast, especially for the Duke of Alva's Horse, which was conse∣crated or canoniz'd in the Low Countries, at the solemn Mass; wherein the Pope's Bull and his Charm was publish'd, the Duke sitting as Viceroy with his consecrated Standard in his Hand, till the Solemnity was over. Several Accounts of the charming of Serpents, Snakes, &c. Mahomet's Pidgeon, the tractable Ass at Memphis, with many other Instances of Charms, particularly with waxen Images; whereby the Im∣postures of Mother Baker, a famous Kentish Witch, were discover'd. Several Receipts used of old, to make Charms, as St. Adelbert's against Thieves, the Pope's Incantation in 1568, to the Spaniards for Success in the Low-Country Wars, &c. ending with a Confutation of the Virtues falsely ascribed to such Charms and Amulets, by ancient Writers.

The Thirteenth Book opens with explaining the Hebrew Word Hartumim or Natural Magic, and shews how the Antients travell'd for the Knowledge thereof. Of Solomon's Knowledge therein, the distinction thereof, and why it is condemn'd for Witchcraft. That this Study teacheth only the Works of Nature: What wonderful Effects are disco∣ver'd by it in Waters, Precious Stones, with the Use there∣of by Magicians; the Sympathy and Antipathy of Natural and Elementary Bodies, particularly of two notorious Won∣ders not marvell'd at. The one a Piece of Earth which would fly the hot Steel with great swiftness, and pursue Gold as fast, with other Properties more incredible; the other a strange Stone which wou'd shine bright in the Dark, always labour'd to ascend, &c. But the former of these be∣ing found to signify a Man, the latter a Fire; our Author applies the manner of Expression to that often used in Magic, which sometimes consists as well in the deceit of Words as slight of Hand; and this introduces the Illusions and Confe∣deracies here display'd in the Art of Legerdemain. Here he observes the Admiration there was at Brandon the Juggler, who by the Wounds and Words he used upon the Picture of a Dove painted on the Wall, promised the King before

whom he performed, perhaps Edward VI. it being still in remembrance, that a live Dove then on the House-Top should fall down dead; which it did accordingly: The Juggler was forbidden the Practice of this Feat, as if he could murder any body so in Effigie, tho' the Mystery being here revealed, he appeared not to have more dange∣rous Power than any other body. We have here also many other of the Juggler's Tricks recited and revealed. Obser∣vations on Pharaoh's Magicians, a Comparison between them and our Witches. Many strange Experiments by Glasses, and the perspective Art. Remarks on the Feats of Jannes and Jambres; also on Balaam's Ass. But the Trick which was called the Decollation of John Baptist, perform'd by one Kingsfield, at London, in 1582, was long practised with great Surprize to the Spectators; as the League of Stephen Taylor and one Pope, the one to steal Horses, and the other to discover them, seems to have been with Pro∣fit to the Confederates. But the most dexterous Fellow for Legerdemain, in our Author's Time, was John Cauta∣res of St. Martin's; not that himself was a mean Artist: for says he,

"If Time, Place, and Occasion serve, I can shew so much herein, that, I am sure, Bodin, Spinaeus, and Vairus would swear I were a Witch, and had a fa∣miliar Devil at Commandment: But truly my Study and Travel herein, hath only been employed to the end I might prove them Fools, and find out the Fraud of them that make them Fools, as whereby they may become wiser, and God may have that which to him belongeth."

With this, and the Patters or Prints, of some juggling In∣struments before-mentioned, our Author ends this Chapter.

The Fourteenth Book treats of the Craft of Alchemy, re∣cites Chaucer's Character and Opinion of Alchemists, and their Terms of Art. Their Pretensions by the Philoso∣phers Stone and Waters, with other Characters, and De∣tections of them, by Chaucer in his Chanon's Yeoman's Tale. Several Stories of Persons cousened by Alchemists, among the rest, that of Erasmus in his Colloquies. The Opinion of some learned Men touching the Folly of Al∣chemy, as Avicenna, Petrarch, &c. That vain and de∣ceitful Hope is the Cause of Delusion hereby, ending with the Story of the Courtier, who gave King Lewis XI. a fine Horse, because his Majesty had given a Peasant (who had of∣ten entertained him in his Hunting Diversions) a thousand

Crowns for a Turnip; in hopes of a proportionable Re∣ward, but received the Countryman's Present for his own.

The fifteenth Book having shewn the Significations of the Word Jidoni, a sort of Conjurers, whom our Author calls No small Fools, as not going to work with a Toad or a Cat, as Witches do, but with a kind of Majesty call up by Name, and have at Command, no less than seventy-nine principal and princely Devils, who have under them, as their Ministers, many Legions of petty Devils: and we have here a List of all their Names, with an Account of their Shapes, Powers, Government, their several Segnio∣ries, and Degrees: The Work of one T. R. in 1570. Where∣unto is joined, the Hours wherein it is pretended, that the principal Devils may be bound or raised, and restrained from doing hurt. After which follows a Confutation of the manifold Vanities in these Accounts, and of the Pre∣dictions derived from the planetary Aspects and Motions; whereof we have here several Tables, with their Characters. The Forms used in the pretended Conjurations of the Spirits of dead Persons, and for finding hidden Treasures. The Con∣juration of the three Fairy Sisters for the Ring of Invisibi∣lity, and for the enclosing of Spirits in a Crystal Stone; with Types or Figures explaining the same. The Receipt for making of Holy-water; Compacts with departing Per∣sons to appear, and be bound, &c. Then follows a Con∣futation of this kind of Conjuration of raising, binding, and dismissing of the Devil, going invisible, &c. into which the Assassine was deluded, who murdered the Prince of Orange, 1582. Also an Observation, that the chief Authors among us of those Conjurations were T. R. before-menti∣oned, and John Cokers. A Comparison between Popish Exorcists and Conjurers. The Detection of a late cousening Conjuration practised at Orleans by the Franciscans. Who may be Conjurers in the Romish Church, besides Priests; a ridiculous Definition of Superstition. Why there were no Conjurers in the Primitive Church; and that it is more difficult to conjure the Devil out of one bewitched, than one possessed; with many other absurd Distinctions. Some Conjurations taken out of the Pontifical and out of the Missal. The Rules of Popish Exorcists, and other Con∣jurers, all one; and how St. Martin conjured the Devil. That it is a shame for Papists to believe other Conjurers Doings, their own being of so little force; with Hippocra∣tes's Opinion of the Art. How Conjurers have beguiled

Witches. What Books they carry about to procure Credit-Wicked Assertions by the Ancients against Moses and Jo∣seph. All magical Arts confuted, by an Argument con∣cerning Nero. What Cornelius Agrippa and Carolus Gallus have left written thereof, and proved by Experience. Of Solomon's Conjurations from Josephus, P. Lombard, Grati∣an, Durandus, and the Lessons of the Romish Church upon St. Margaret's Day. Those Lessons translated, and a ridicu∣lous Story of that St. Margaret cited. Some other Popish Mi∣racles. Of Visions, Noises, Apparitions and imagin'd Sounds; wandering Souls, and other Illusions, with a Confutation thereof. Cardan's Opinion of strange Noises; how coun∣terfeit Visions grow into Credit. Of Boniface his Knavery in counterfeiting a Voice from Heaven, by which he got the Popedom of his silly Predecessor Coelestinus. Of Echos, and Cardan's odd Story or a Man who was near being drowned by one; and of the strange Noise at Winchester, which was so much wondered at about 1569, tho' indeed a meer natural Noise engendered by the Wind and other concurring Causes. Of Theurgy, or working by good An∣gels, with the appendent Arts, and the Rejection thereof, as altogether papistical and superstitious; more particularly exposed in a Letter here recited, which was sent to our Author by T. E. Master of Arts, Practiser both of Physick, and also, in times past, of certain vain Sciences, for which he was now, 1582, in Prison, and condemned to die. In this Letter, it is confessed by the Writer of it, that in twenty-six Years practice of these secret Arts, and converse with those most familiar in them, he could meet with no∣thing true as pretended, or supernatural Performance, but that it was all Imposture and Delusion; and recommends a Book written in the old Saxon Tongue, by one Sir John Malborne, a Divine of Oxenford, three hundred Years past, detecting the Devices of Conjuration, or opening all the Illusions and Inventions of these Arts and Sciences; which Book this Letter-writer had left with the Parson of Slang∣ham in Sussex; where, he tells our Author, if he would send for it in his Name, he might have it: But tho' he did send, and used the Interest of Men of Worship and Credit, particularly of the Knight of the Shire, who would have passed his word for the Restitution, yet such was the Folly and Superstition of this Parson, that he would not lend it for our Author's Perusal. But, in truth, he had so indus∣triously stored himself with other Authorities and Intelli∣gences,

that he appears to have little needed those which this Book might have afforded; insomuch, that whatever lay clouded or shadowed in the Face of Truth, by this frightful Grey-Beard of Superstition, seems here discovered by the Light of those Authorities, and that of Reason, ac∣cording to this ryming old Verse;

Quicquid Nix celat, Solis calor omne revelat.

The sixteenth Book contains a Conclusion, in manner of an Epilogue, repeating many of the former Absurdities of Witchmongers, with Confutations thereof, and the Au∣thorities of James Sprenger and Henry Institor, Inquisitors and Compilers of Malleus Maleficarum; more particularly by what means the Vulgar have been brought to believe in Witches; with a Definition and Description of Witchcraft. Reasons to prove that their Charms, Characters, &c. are all Fables, and that those who use, them are all Cheats; and from the Confessions of the most notorious among them, more especially Mother Bungie, who, in divers Books, set out with Authority, is registered and chronicled, by the Name of the Great Witch of Rochester; who, on her Death-bed, confessed, That her Cunning consisted only in deluding and deceiving the People with some little Skill in Physick, and the Assistance of a Friend, named Heron, which was all the Spirit or Devil she had, whatever the World had been imposed on to believe. Further Detec∣tions of these Knaveries in one so bewitched, that he could read no Scripture but canonical, and a Devil that could speak no Latin. Of the Divination by the Sieve and Sheers, and by the Book and Key: Hemingius his Opinion thereof confuted, and many other juggling Delusions. The Con∣sequences of believing in the Devil's Transformation, or as∣suming of different Shapes, exemplified in the Instances of Christ's Argument to Thomas; the Inhabitant of Tigurie, ap∣pearing to be in wicked Dealings with a Mare, as Lavater records; and the Story of Queen Cunegunda from Crantzius, with her Purgation by the Fiery Ordeal, or Candentis Ferri. After another idle Story expos'd, of the Devil preaching holy Doctrine, in the shape of a Priest, and Arguments to shew what a shame it is, after Confutation of the greater Witchcratfs, for any Man to give credit to the lesser Points thereof, we have a general Conclusion against those whom this Book concerns; which, with two or three Chapters upon natural Witchcraft, or Fascination, bewitching Eyes for Hatred and for Love, concludes the whole sixteen Book.

Then follows a Discourse upon Devils or Spirits; and first of Philosophers Opinions; also the Manner of their reason∣ing hereupon, and the same confuted. Herein the Author proceeds to shew how unsatisfactorily all Authors have writ∣ten upon this Subject; particularly Psellus, whose absurd Assertions are here exposed; as also Cardan's about his Fa∣ther's Familiar Devil. Plato's Opinion of Spirits, and of So∣crates's familiar Devil. The nine Orders of Spirits and An∣gels, according to Plato and Dionysius. The meaning of Arch∣angel, according to Mr. Deering, our Author's Kinsman, in his Lecture upon the Hebrews. The Commencement of Devils fondly gathered out of the 14th of Isaiah. Of Lucifer and his Fall; the Opinion of the Cabalists, Talmu∣dists and Schoolmen, of the Creation of Angels. The Con∣tention between the Greek and Latin Church about the Fall; and among the Papists. Enquiries where the Battle was fought between Michael and Lucifer, how long it continued, and what their Forces. Other fond Opinions about the fallen Angels, particularly among the Rabbins, Reasons a∣gainst the Devil's Ugliness. That the Devil's Assaults are spiritual, and how grossly some understand the Scriptures herein. The Equivocation of the word Spirit, and how diversely taken in the Scriptures. Of Christ's healing the Blind, and of those possessed with Devils in the Gospel, or Lunacy, and other Diseases. How the word Devil is to be understood, both in the singular and plural Number. The Variation of Authors about Spirits and Souls. Popish Opi∣nions of Spirits; of Day-devils, and Night-devils. That the Devils mentioned in Scripture, have their Nature and Qualities in their Names, here mentioned and interpreted. The Idols or Gods of the Gentiles distinguished. Their Lares, Larvae, Manes, Daemones, and Virunculi Terrei, &c. such as was Robin Godfellow in England, who would supply the Office of Servants, specially of Maids; and Hudgin, a very familiar and sociable Hobgoblin in Germany, so called because he always wore a Cap or Hood; therefore our Author thinks him a kind of Robin Hood; and that our Fryar Rush was altogether such another Fellow, brought up in the same School, the Kitchen, insomuch as the self-same Tale is written of one as the other, about the Scullion said to have been slain, &c for the reading whereof, we are referred to Friar Rush's Story, or else to John Wierus, De praestigiis Daemonum. Further of the Romans chief Gods, called Dii selecti; the various Gods in other Countries; of

Popish provincial Gods, as St. George, St. Andrew, &c. A Comparison between them and Heathen Gods, where it appears we have had as great Traitors, as great Whores, as great Quacks and Impostors, among our sanctified and ca∣nonized Tribe, as the best of them. And whereas our ancient Saints were Patrons only over some one Province of Health, or had Power to cure only one Disease, nothing comes amiss to our Moderns thro' the Omnipotency of Witchcraft, yea greater Matters ascribed to their Powers, than to all other Saints; witness S. Mother Bongie, S. Mother Paine, S. Feats, S. Mother Still, S. Mother Dutton, S. Kytrell, S. Ursula Kemp, S. Mother Newman, S. Doctor Heron, S. Rosimund, with divers more, who deserve to be registered in the Pope's Kalendar, or the Devil's Rubric. Then follows a Comparison between the Heathens and the Papists, touching their Excuses for Idolatry. The Idolatry of the Council of Trent. A notable Story of a Hangman arraign'd, after he was dead and buried, taken from our Lady's Rosary; with a Confutation thereof, and several o∣ther Tales. Of Moses and Elias appearing in Mount Ta∣bor. A Confutation of assuming Bodies, and of the Ser∣pent tempting Eve. Exposition of the Curse rehearsed, Gen. 3. John Calvin's Opinion of the Devil. Our Author's Opinion of the Nature of Spirits, and of the Devil, with his Properties. Against Witchmongers, and their idle Opi∣nions of Corporal Devils, and particularly against Brian Darcie's Distinction of Spirits, and the Books published by W. W. and Richard Gallis of Windsor. Then comes the Conclusion, wherein the Spirit of Spirits is treated of, by the Illumination whereof, all Spirits are to be tried; with a Confutation of the Pneumatomachi, denying the Divinity thereof; which, with a Summary of the Chap∣ters, concludes the whole Book.

XXXVIII. The VALE-ROYAL of ENGLAND: or, The County Palatine of CHESTER Illustrated; wherein is contained a Geogra∣phical and Historical Description of that famous County, with all its Hundreds, Seats, Rivers, Towns, Castles, &c. Adorned with Maps and Prospects, with the Coats of Arms belonging to every Family. Performed by W. SMITH and W. WEBB, Gentlemen: Published by Mr. DANIEL KING. To which is annexed, a Chronology of all its Rulers and Governors, in Church and State. Also an excellent Diyscourse of the Isle of MAN. Fol. 1656* 1.3.

THIS Collection is dedicated by the said Daniel King to the Worshipful Sir Orlando Bridgman. Then fol∣lows a Letter to the Editor, by his Cousin John King, en∣couraging the Publication in hand thro' the Merits of his

Labours therein. After which, we have Verses in Latin and English, upon the same, and another Letter to him, by his Friend Thomas Brown. In his Preface to the Rea∣der, we learn, that the first Part of this Volume was the Work of William Smith, long since Rouge-dragon, Pursui∣vant at Arms, and communicated to him by Mr. Ranulph Crew, Grandson to the Lord Chief Justice Crew, in whose hands the Copy was left. The second, was the Work of Mr. William Webb, heretofore a Clerk in the Mayor's Court at Chester; and this was imparted by that great Lover of Antiquities, Sir Simon Archer of Tanworth in Warwick∣shire. Both these Pieces relate purely to the County Pala∣tine of Chester. The third, touching the Isle of Man, was written by Mr. James Chaloner, whose Abilities in histori∣cal Matters, the Work itself will speak. To all which are added by this Publisher, several Prospects and other Pieces of Sculpture, for the better Ornament of the whole; as also, thro' the help of some that were Well-wishers thereto, A Translation of divers Foundation-Charters, with other things of good Note. Then follows this Remark,

"That there is no County in England more famous for a long-continued Succession of ancient Gentry than this of Chester, will not be denied, nor any that can afford Materials with so little Trouble and Charge, for the setting forth their Descents and memorable Imployments, inso∣much as the Substance of all public Records meerly re∣lating thereto, for almost 400 Years, are carefully pre∣served in the Castle at Chester; and that the private Evi∣dences concerning the particular Families of that County, are, by reason of their long Duration, less dispersed than those of many others be thro' the great and frequent Changes that have befallen them in most Places."

But our Publisher, apprehensive, belike, that his Authors, how∣ever they may have preserved many worthy Memorials, had not made all the Advantage they might have done of those Records,

"hopes therefore, that these Essays of the Persons

above-mentioned, now coming to the View of the World, will for the Reasons before express'd, considering the Worthiness of the Subject, stir up such whose greater Abi∣lities may, by a more exact Survey and Search into the Antiquities of this Shire, contribute further to its Honour, by restoring to Light its ancient Glory, for the more am∣ple Content of all Persons concerned therein, and their own lasting Memory."

After this Preface, we have the Publisher's Map of the County Palatine of Chester, which Mr. Randolph Crew had drawn with a Pen. Then begins the Work under the Title of, The Vale Royal of England, with a Catalogue of the Kings of Mercia, or March; which Kingdom in the Saxon Heptarchy reached from London to the River of Marsey, which parts Cheshire from Lancashire, containing seventeen Counties, and Part of two more. This Catalogue contains 22 Kings, beginning Anno 5••5 with Crida, descended from Woden, and ending in 886, with Ceolwolph. Next we have an Account, gather'd, as the former seems to have been, from Fox, Holinshed, Llhuyd, Camden, &c. of the Dukes and Earls of March, before the Conquest, who were also Palatines of Chester; for that it was a County Palatine before the Conquest, appears in the Supplication here exhibited to King Henry VI. by the Inhabitants there∣of; and also that they were, among other Privileges, ex∣empted from the granting of Subsidies, appears by that King's Answer thereunto. Then we have a Confirma∣tion of the Liberties of the County Palatine by Queen Elizabeth, 1568, with the Opinions of the Judges, Dier, Weston, Harper, and Carns, concerning the Jurisdiction and Liberties of the said County. Here we enter upon a par∣ticular Description of the County; its Length about 44 Miles; Breadth about 25, and Compass 112 Miles; Num∣ber of Market-Towns 11; Parish Churches 87; Longi∣tude 17 Deg. 30 Min. and Latitude 53 Deg. 30 Min. with the reason, from its low Situation, of its being named the Vale-Royal, by King Edward I. when he founded an Abbey in the midst of the Shire. So we proceed to the Tempera∣ment of the Air, the Fertility and Products of the Soil, a∣mong which the Salt-Wells are not forgot; lastly of their Buildings, the Disposition of their People, and their Man∣ner of House-keeping. Hence we pass to the Waters and their Courses, beginning with the River Dee; so of the Marsey, the Weaver, the Dane, Bollin, Peever, Wheelock,

Taume, and the Goit; with others mentioned by John Le∣land, and W. Harrison. Thus we come to the Particulari∣ties of Cheshire, that is, the Divisions or Hundreds, into which the County is distinguished, and they are seven. Of Weral, the first here mentioned, we have a Description from Leland, and of Helbrie Island: Then follow the Names of all the Villages and Townships in this Hundred. So we go on to Broxton, with a List of all the Townships therein; the like of Nantwich, Edsbury, Northwich, Bulk∣ley, and Maxfield. Here we have a brief Account of the Antiquity of the City of Chester, from Henry Bradshaw and Ranulph Higden, two Monks of that City, and from Holinshed and Harrison; and then a Map giving a Prospect of Chester, the Ground Plot, and Arms of the Earls since the Conquest. Then we advance more particularly to the Longitude and Latitude of the City, Descriptions of the Walls, the Gates, the Bridge, the Castle, Custom-House, Shire-Hall, Exchequer, and the Parish Churches in Chester. Next of the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Common-Hall, the Pendice, the Rows, the Mercer's Row and Conduits. Then of the Bishoprick of Chester. The Division of Mer∣cia into five Bishopricks. The Names of the Bishops of Chester, since the Beginning of King Henry VIII. Market-Towns in Cheshire. The Manner of making Salt at Nant∣wich, and at Northwich. After that short Account of the Market-Towns, and some others of principal Note, and a Reference to the Map for the rest, not named here, we have the Genealogy of the Earls of Chester, since the Con∣quest; wherein is briefly shewed some Part of their Deeds, beginning with Hugh Lupu••, and ending with Edward the Black Prince, who was the eleventh Earl. After these fol∣lows a Note of the chief Places of Gentlemen in Cheshire, from John Leland; and next, the Names of all the Knights, Esquires, Gentlemen, and Freeholders in the County Pala∣tine of Chester, and in what Hundred they dwell, taking up about three Leaves and a half. Then comes a List of all the Mayors and Sheriffs of Chester, beginning 1320, ending 1586, about fourteen Leaves. After this, we have another List of the Benefices, or Rectories, and Vicaridges in the County, with their Valuations, from a MS. in the Library of St. John's College, Cambridge. Then comes the De∣scent of the Barons of Haulton, Constables of Chester, and a Sculpture representing Beeston Castle, with the Castle and Town of Haulton; also some Latin Verses upon Beeston

Castle, built by Ranulph, third Earl of Chester, from Le∣land, with Translations of the last Distich, from Speed and Camden; and a Note of the Battle on Blore Heath, Anno 1459; which, with another Note touching the Arms of the Gentry in this County, introducing eleven Pages of them, represented in Sculpture, alphabetically, and a Table of the remarkable Passages, in the foregoing Discourse, finishes this Part of the Vale-Royal, ascribed to William Smith, by our Editor as aforesaid; which, besides the Sculptures, takes up 99 Pages.

The other Part, or Description of this Vale-Royal, by William Webb, M. A. and sometimes Under-Sheriff to Sir Richard Lee, begins with his Wishes, that the Labours of Mr. John Norden had been continued to the finishing of that Historical and Chronographical Description of the rest of the Shires of this famous Isle, which he had begun in that of Middlesex: also his Commendations of our Worthy Coun∣tryman, Mr. John Speed's Labours of the same nature. At the End of this Introduction, he gives us a summary Ac∣count, for his more methodical Proceeding, of what Mat∣ter he has chosen to treat, and in what manner; so enters upon a Description of the City and County Palatine of Chester; and because Broxton, in some sort, contains or borders upon, and almost encompasses the said City, he first makes a short Survey of that Hundred, then more par∣ticularly describes the City itself, recites its Names, re∣marks upon the ancient Foundations and Buildings thereof, more as a Topographer than Antiquary, tho' not wholly a∣voiding historical Observation, where it will illustrate his Account, as himself professes. The Authors used in this Description, are Giraldus Cambrensis, Peter Langtoft, Ranulph Higden, Harding, Caxton, Fabian, Holinshed, Stow, Camden, and a manuscript Life of St. Werburg, in English Verse, by Henry Bradshaw, Monk of Chester; out of whom he makes several Quotations, and calls him their best Anti∣quary. Then follows a Discourse of the Foundation and Endowment of the Abbey of St. Werburg in Chester, writ∣ten by N. N. with two Sculptures representing the Ground-Plot of her Church, and the Southern Prospect of it. This holy Virgin appears to have been the Daughter of Wulpher, King of Mercia, who died A. Dom. 675. She had the Com∣mand over the Monasteries of Weedon, Trentham, Repton, and Hambury. In her tender Years was professed under her Aunt Andry at Ely, lived much at Weedon, deceas'd at

Trentham, and was buried at Hambury, but twice transla∣ted, first from Trentham to Hambury about the Year 708, af∣terwards to Chester, about 875, as the 2 B. and 2 Chap. of her Life aforesaid testify. After which follow several mo∣numental Inscriptions in the Quire of the said Abbey, and in St. Nicholas Chapel, for William Downham, Bishop of Chester, who died 1577; Dr. Geo. Lloyd, Bishop of Sodor, 1615; Dr. John Lloyd, a famous Civilian, 1607; Sir Geo. Beverley; the famous Abbot Simon Ripley, who died about 1492; Sir W. Gerrard, 1581; and in St. Mary's Chapel, Sir Henry Troutbeck, round the Effigies of whose Body, in compleat Armour, is neatly wrought a Wreath of Trouts. Here also was buried the late famous Citizen Robert Brere∣wood, Alderman, and thrice Mayor of Chester, who was, says our Author,

"The happy Father of the learned Edw. Brerewood, of Oxford; whose surpassing Progress in the Stu∣dies of all manner of Learning, the University does yet, and for ever will ring loud of; and Gresham College in London, where he was Mathematical Reader, will, to the World's end, bewail the want of; being deprived of him by an untimely Death, before he had finished, or taken Order for Preservation of such learned Labours, as, if they were published, wou'd make the World be∣holden to Chester, the Nurse of such a Father, which begat such a Son."

Here are also recited several In∣scriptions of several other Mayors, Aldermen, &c. of the said City. Then, after some Observations upon the River Dee, and the renewing of the Haven, our Author gives us the Remainder of his Remarks upon Broxton Hundred, taking notice all the way he travels along, by the Towns and Lordships, of the principal Seats, or Mannor-Houses, and by whom possessed or inhabited. This is also his Course thro' the Hundred of Nantwich, where we have a Recital of the Foundation-Charter of Cumbermere Abbey in Chester, founded Anno 1133, by Hugh Malbanc, from the Annals of Crocksdon, in the Cotton Library. In this Hundred, we have some Remarks upon the Excellency of their Cheese, on their Salt-Pits or Wiches, and a Sculpture of Crew-Hall. In the Hundred of Northwich, our Author thinks the Ale of Sandach as worthy of Praise, as Mr. Camden does that of Derby; and if that Ale got its Name from the old Danish word Oel, as he says, our Author knows not why this may not, almost with as little Variation, come from Oil, being almost as substantial in handling. He also remarks upon

the common Report of the Trees, which are seen floating in Bagmere Pool above Water, just before any Heir of the House of Brereton the Owner thereof dies; but looks upon it as meerly accidental. In Eadsbury Hundred, we have the Foundation-Charter of the Abbey of Dernhall, in the County of Chester, translated afterwards to the Vale-Royal, given by Edward, eldest Son of King Henry III. in the 54th Year of his Reign; also the said King Henry's Letters of Recommendation to all Abbots, &c. in England, for Books to be bestowed on the said Abbey; also the Charter for Translation of the said Abbey to the Vale-Royal. This Hundred he concludes with an Apology for passing over some old Prophecies, some conceited Names of Trees, Moss-Pits, Pools, long Shoots of old Archers, a Horse Race or two, and the latter Newfound-Well, because he sup∣poses his long Journey in this little Hundred, has well nigh tired his Reader already. In Werall Hundred, when he comes to Birket Wood, we have a Prospect, in Sculpture, of the Ruins of Berkenhead Abbey. A Reference to the Monasticon, fol. 404; with the Charter of Hamon Massie's Donation of the Church of Bowdon, and another Charter of Power to the Monks of Berkenhead. Thus he passes on, as through the rest of the Hundreds, giving Descriptions of the chief Seats all the way, and Characters of the Gentry who possessed them, till he arrives again at the famous City of Chester; and here takes the Government with its Go∣vernours under Consideration, so begins with a Narrative of the Earls of Chester; and first of those four or five be∣fore the Conquest, who were named Edolf, from the Tes∣timony of Ranulph Cestrensis and Fabian. 2. Curson, accor∣ding to John Harding. 3. The famous Leofric, whose Power, Grandeur, and charitable Works are celebrated by many Historians; but the Story of his Wife Godwina, or Godiva, riding through the City of Coventry naked, to ob∣tain the Franchisement of the City, is suspected by our Au∣thor. 4. His Son Algarus. But these two (and much less Jonas, mentioned in the Chronicle of St. Albans, or Otho∣nel) are, tho' allowed to have been Earls of March, by Sir John Fern, in his Second Part of Lacie's Nobility, not rec∣koned to have been Earls of Chester, but he thinks they are so mistaken to have been, by their Residence or Abode in that City, or thereabouts. Here we enter upon the History of the Earls of Chester from the Conquest, of whom there is more certain Record; beginning with Hugh Lupus, who was

the Son of William the Conqueror's Sister, and we have a Sculpture representing the said Earl in Parliament with the Barons and Abbots of the County Palatine; which Hugh having governed the Earldom 40 Years, died about 1107. In the like manner, we have a Chapter a-piece upon the six ensuing Earls, ending with John Scot, who died in 1237, without Issue. King Henry III. took the Earldom of Ches∣ter into his hands, and it was thenceforward held by Princes of the Blood Royal; of whom, after a little Account of the Barons under the ancient Earls, we have also a Cata∣logue down to Prince Charles. This is followed with a Dis∣course of the Ecclesiastical State and Government in this County; the Successions of the Bishops, and, with more certainty, from the 33d of Henry VIII. ending with Dr. John Bridgman. The next Chapter treats of the Govern∣ment of the County and City, by the Officers, or Princes, who ruled here after the Earls, down to King James I. Then we have a Table of the Mayors and Sheriffs of Chester, from 1242 to 1655, interspersed with little historical Me∣moirs of some noted Occurrences, happening under several Years within that Time and Place. After this, we have the Names of the Justices of Chester, with another List of the Sheriffs of the County: and the whole closes with a Copy from Domesday Book, sub Titulo, Cestersheire; shew∣ing in whose Possession the Lands of this County were at the Conquest. So ends this second and more copious Nar∣rative of the said County Palatine, containing 239 Pages; and has an Index, like the former, at the End of it.

But here follows another Tract, not before spoken of in either of the Title-Pages before the Book, or in the Editor's Preface, not being communicated perhaps till they were printed; and it is called Chronicon Cestrense, written by Samuel Lee, as appears at the End of his Epistle to the said Editor his ingenious Friend Mr. D. King, dated May 8, 1656. In this Epistle, perceiving the exact Times of the former Rulers of that Province, not so much attended as might illustrate that Vale-Royal, he desired to communicate to Pa∣per, what he has observed in his Reading, which might conduce to the fixing of the Times and Seasons, wherein the noble Atchivements of its Rulers and Inhabitants have been performed. And indeed he has shew'd himself more critically acquainted with all our ancient Historians, as to Time and Place, the two Eyes of History, than both the foregoing Authors put together. His Work begins with a

Chapter upon the Romans in Cheshire, in which we have the various Opinions of several Authors concerning its Longitude and Latitude; but he prefers Shakerley in his British Tables, before all the rest. Then we have, in Chap∣ter 2, the Kings, Dukes, and Earls of Mercia, with the particular Earls of Chester from the Conquest, and those of the Royal Blood, disposed in their exact Times, in five se∣veral Sections. The third Chapter treats of the Bishops of Mercia, who had their Seats sometimes at Coventry, some∣times at Chester, most commonly at Litchfield, and there∣fore are usually so stiled; but had Cheshire under their Epis∣copal Government. Also of the Bishops of Chester since the Conquest; and of the peculiar Bishops of Chester, from the Time of King Henry VIII. in four Sections. The fourth and last Chapter discourses of the Parliamentary Barons of the Earls of Chester: And first of the Barons Temporal, in which we have the Stem of the Barons of Haulton; lastly, of the Barons Spiritual, being an Account of the Earls, Bi∣shops, and Abbots. But before we leave this Work where∣in the Author has proved himself so expert in calculating and fixing of ancient Times, as to make us wish that Saxon History he promises in two or three Places, had seen the light; we shall only remark out of his second Chapter, upon the Mercian Monarchy, how he accounts for many Defects in our old historical Computations; where he says,

"Consi∣dering that all our Monkish Writers more skillful in num∣bering of Beads than Years, did uno tramite follow the Dionysian Account, a thing diligently to be attended in the reading of our monastical Writers, I hope to extricate myself out of these Difficulties, by treating a little of it be∣fore I begin with the Reigns of the Kings of Mercia."

Then having given an Example to shew wherein that Ac∣count is deficient, and Direction to several Authorities for Confirmation thereof, he further

"refers this to be proved more at large in its proper Place, when he treats about the Saxons Arrival into our Land, demonstrating their Entrance to have been in the Vulgar Year of Christ 428, and not in 449 or 450, as our old Authors usually fix'd it; whereby great and knotty Difficulties have tied up the History of the Saxon Dominion in this Island."

Thus much of this Chronological Treatise, containing 55 Pages. We come now, lastly, to

A short Treatise of the Isle of Man, &c. illustrated with several Prospects of the Island by D. King, 1556. 'Tis

dedicated to Thomas Lord Fairfax, Lord of Man, and of the Isles, by the Author James Chaloner, one of the Com∣missioners for settling Affairs in that Island, who dates his said Epistle from Middle-Park, Dec. 1, 1653; wherein it ap∣pears, he was the rather induced to present the same to his Lordship, because of his Respect to Antiquities, so signally manifested in patronizing our notable English Antiquary Mr. Roger Dodsworth, in his Collections, composing and pub∣lishing of that singular Piece his Monasticon, &c. The Work is divided into six Chapters, which, after a Map of the Island environ'd with little Prospects of some notable Parts or Places in it, begins, 1. with the Situation of the Isle of Man. 2. Concerning the Inhabitants, whence derived, their Lan∣guage the Manks Tongue, and of the Translation of the Bible therein, and of the Conditions of the People. 3. Of the State Ecclesiastical; of the Bishops, Monasteries, and Free-Schools, with three Prospects in Sculpture, of Balisaly Abbey, the Nunnery; and the Bishop's Court. 4. Of the Civil Government, and the supreme Governors, particu∣larly King Edward II. his Grant of the Island to Henry Lord Beaumont; and here we have a Sculpture of the Arms of the Beaumonts. Then the Author descends to the inferior Officers, and the Judicatories of the said Isle. The fifth Chapter is concerning the Trade of the Isle. And the last Chapter is of the Strength of the Island, where we have three Prospects in Sculpture, of the Castle Rushen, Peel Castle, and Douglas Fort; upon which Fortifications and others, that might be wanting, our Author concludes, That the Poverty of the Island is its greatest Security. The whole is no more than 32 Pages, followed with a Leaf of Addenda, Errata, and a Table of the true Longitude and Latitude of certain Cities in England, which ends the whole Book.

XXXIX. RELIQUIAE BODLEIANAE: Or some Genuine Remains of Sir THOMAS BODLEY; containing his LIFE, the first Draught of the STATUTES of the PUBLIC LIBRARY at OXFORD, (in English) and a Collection of LETTERS to Dr. JAMES, &c. Publish'd from the Originals in the said Library. Octavo, 1703. Pages 383.

THESE Remains of that famous Founder of the Public Library at Oxford, are pretty well known to have been published, tho' their Editors Name appears not to them, by the late Mr. Hearne. In his Preface, after having touch'd up∣on the Antiquity of Letters and Libraries, and shewn how ancient they were in Egypt; what a magnificent Collection was made there by Ptolemy, and what Ambition the Greeks and Romans had of this kind; he descends to observe how early Learning flourish'd in Britain; and that in King Al∣fred's Time, there were divers Libraries for the Preserva∣tion of Learning; but is more particular of Richard de Bury, Bishop of Durham, his noble Gift of Books to this Univer∣sity in 1295, as may be further gather'd from his own Ac∣count in his Philobiblos, sive de Amore Librorum, first prin∣ted at Paris, afterwards at Oxford, 4to, 1599, and since in 8vo. Also of Thomas Cobham, Bishop of Worcester's Build∣ing for a Library in the said University in 1320. That after this, another Library was built there by Duke Humphrey, and famous in 1439, which falling to Ruin towards the end of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, Sir Thomas Bodley, a second Ptolemy, began to restore it in 1597, finish'd it in two Years, and in a few more so nobly endow'd it with Books, Re∣venues, and other Buildings, that it is accounted one of the most famous Libraries in the World; excelling, according to the Accounts of Travellers, the Vatican at Rome; that being so full of Corruptions and Forgeries. The History of the Bodleian Library is given us by the Oxford Antiquary (An∣thony Wood) at large: But the Catalogue of the Printed Books, by Dr. Hyde: We have had one since also of the MSS; but both being imperfect, we are here told, an Appendix

to the former, as big as the Doctors Catalogue, was now ready for the Press; and that an Appendix also to the latter, was in some time to be publish'd; yet are we still in expec∣tation of them. The Editor likewise says, 'Twas for the sake of this noble Library, that lately, in his searches there∣in, finding the Life of Sir Thomas Bodley; the first Draught of its Statutes, and a Collection of his Letters to Dr. James, the first Keeper of it, all written by Sir Thomas his own Hand, he took a Transcript of them, and sent them to the Press; that others, imitating Sir Thomas his Zeal and In∣dustry for the good of Learning, might become Benefactors themselves to such a noble Repository; which they cou'd not do at a better time, since the Act of Parliament for sending certain Copies thither, of Books printed at London, was expired. The Life, he says, has been printed some Years before, and two Letters to Sir Francis Bacon, lately, at the end of Archbishop Usher's Letters; but the Copies of the former, being dispersed, and the latter, containing Mat∣ter of Moment, it was thought fit to reprint them.

In the LIFE of Sir THO. BODLEY written by himself, con∣sisting of 15 Pages, he tells us he was born at Exeter in De∣vonshire, the 2d of March 1544, of Worshipful Parents. That his Father, a known Enemy to Popery, fled in Queen Mary's Reign into Germany, sent for his Family and settling at Geneva, when our Author was twelve Years of Age, had him instructed in Hebrew and Greek, by Chevalerius and Beroaldus; and in Divinity by Calvin and Beza, besides Do∣mestic Teachers. In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, they return'd to London, and he was sent to com∣plete his Studies at Oxford, where he took his Batchelor of Arts Degree, and was chose Probationer of Merton College in 1563, and the Year after admitted Fellow. In 1565 read the Greek Lecture. Proceeded Master of Arts 1566, and read for that Year, Natural Philosophy; was elected one of the Proctors in 1569. Supply'd for a long time, the Place of University Orator. Travell'd into Italy, France, and Germany, to acquire the Modern Tongues in 1576. In 1585, was sent by the Queen to several German Princes, to procure their Aid for the King of Navarre. Also to Hen∣ry III. of France, both for this King's Advantage and that of the Protestant Cause. In 1588 was sent to the Hague, and there admitted one of their Council of State, and acquitted himself in his Charge, so much to the Queen's Satisfaction, that thenceforward he rarely received any Instructions in

these Proceedings of State. After his return from near five Years Foreign Employment, he was sent to the Hague again but return'd in less than a Year: Yet was no sooner come home, but the Queen pleas'd with his Discoveries, sent him again to the States, with Charge to pursue, what he had secretly propos'd; whereby all was brought to the Issue desir'd. In all which Employments, he had no one more to his Friend among the Lords of the Council, than the Treasurer Burghly, who was of Opinion there was no Man so sit for the Office of Secretary of State, and whose Intention was, when he advanced his own Son thereto, to make Sir Thomas his Collegue. But before he return'd from the United Provinces in 1597, the Earl of Essex in Opposition to the Cecils, had so prodigally recommended his Sufficiency to the Queen for the Post aforesaid, that she (who hated the Earl's Ambition) was not the readier to prefer him, tho' they were to be jealous of him. Thus finding his Preferment on this Quarter obstructed, and considering what a slender hold∣fast the Earl had with the Queen; withal his declining Years, and the easy Circumstances of his own Fortune, he resolv'd to retire; and tho' he had afterwards, both in the Queen's Reign, and King James's, many honourable Invitations, as well to Foreign as Domestic Employments, he concluded at last to set up his Staff at the Library Door in Oxon, and ac∣commodate that ruin'd Place for the Public Use of Stu∣dents; finding himself competently furnish'd with the fourfold Aid necessary thereto, which was a Knowledge in the Learn∣ed and Modern Tongues, as well as sundry kinds of Scho∣lastic Literature; a Purse-Ability; Store of Honourable Friends, and Leisure to follow the Work: But how well he has sped; he thinks that which is already perform'd in sight, that which besides he has given for the Maintenance of it, and which he afterwards purposes to add, will so abundantly testify, that he needs not be the Publisher of the Worth of his own Institution. Written, &c. 1609. Signed T. B. Then follows:

Sir THOMAS BODLEY's first Draught of the STATUTES of the PUBLICK LIBRARY at OXON, transcribed from the Original Copy, written by his own Hand and reposited in the Archives of the said Library. Herein, upon the Consi∣deration that no Institution can have the good Effects in∣tended, unless there be Statutes to encounter and restrain the Disorders of ill-affected Persons, it is ordain'd, by the Chan∣cellor, Vice-Chancellor, Doctors, Proctors, Masters, Re∣gents,

&c of the great Convocation of the University upon their frequent Consultation with Sir Thomas, That some one be deputed to the keeping of this Library, who is a diligent Student, Trusty, Active and Discreet; a Graduate, a Lin∣guist, unmarried and unbeneficed. That the manner of e∣lecting such a Keeper, shou'd be like that yearly practis'd in the choice of their Proctors; and first the Electors to be tender'd one Oath, then the Elected another, which are here specified. That the said Keeper is not to be displaced but by his own Assent, unless for some heinous Offence or apparent Insufficiency. That his Business shall be to keep and con∣tinue the great Register-Book, chain'd to the Desk at the upper Window of the Library, in which are to be inroll'd the Names of Benefactors thereto, whether mean Persons or great: Which Book to be fairly written, and laid to open sight, as a Token of thankful Acceptation and Inducement of Imitation to Posterity. He is further also to range all his Books according to their Faculties, to assign to every Family its Catalogues and Tables, dispose of the Authors therein named Alphabetically, and besides their Names and Title of their Works, express in what sized Volume printed, the Place where, and the Year when. Upon Gifts of Books to the Library, what Order to be taken, that they be put up in good plight, and the Charge to be supply'd by the Vice-Chancellor, (Receiver of the Library Rents) and upon Gifts in Money; how it is to be disposed of to the Donors satisfaction. That for the Accommodation of Students, the Keeper is not to be exempted one whole Day in the Year upon Penalty of 20 Shillings, except Sunday, Christmas-day, and some others here named: But to come constantly to the opening of the Library Doors, and give access to others from Eight to Eleven in the Morning, and Two till Five in Afternoon, from Easter to Michaelmas; but the rest of the Year, from One to Four in the Afternoon; a Warning-Bell to be rung at his Ingress and Egress. None to enter by Night, with Candle, Lamp, &c. Next, of the care to be taken by Students in reading the Books, fastning the Clasps and Strings, untangling the Chains, and leaving the Volumes in the Places they found them. And for the smaller Volumes within the Grates, and under the Custody of the Keeper a∣lone, he is to deliver them out by Hand and Tale, and with Condition, that they be perused in sight, and presently re∣stor'd to him or his Assistant, who is to look out and deliver Books so ask'd for, and but six at a time of one sort or

other, unless he be won to gratify some Persons to exceed that Number. No Books to be lent out of the Library upon any Security whatever; and in Case of Books to be sold as unprofitable, or chang'd for better Editions, or carri∣ed out to be new bound, the Keeper to consult the Over∣seers to be appointed. The Keeper's Absence to be dispens∣ed with in case of Business, seven Days every Quarter; but his Office to be supply'd by some able Graduate, who is of known Fidelity, or shall take the Oath. And if the Case is such, that longer Absence is allow'd by common Suffrage in Convocation, to be accorded with. For this continual At∣tendance and Engagement, the Keeper tho' he has greater Advantages to advance his Knowledge and Credit than o∣ther Students, is to have, besides the Annual Stipend of 20 Nobles, which was the Donation of King Henry IV. issuable from the University Treasure, 33 Pounds, 6 Shillings and 8 Pence, and to be paid half-yearly out of the Library Re∣venue, and his Assistant Ten Pounds; and Four Pounds more to a poor Scholar or Servant, for sweeping, wiping, &c. The choice of these to be at the Keeper's Discretion, their Payment at the Vice-Chancellor's care, and displacing of them in the power of the Overseers. That for the safer Cu∣stody of the Revenue aforesaid, it shou'd be lock'd up where the University Rents are kept, in an Iron Chest, under three different Locks, with double Keys, to remain with the Vice-Chancellor and two Proctors; which last two are to be Witnesses of the Sums brought in or taken out and regi∣ster'd by the third. The Persons to be admitted as Students are next distinguish'd; besides all Graduates, Benefactors, &c. Strangers, or such as have no University Education, or been Contributors, may for the furtherance of their Study obtain the Freedom of Recourse; the same being craved as a Grace in the Convocation House, and the Oath of Fideli∣ty to the Library, here exhibited, first by them, as by all o∣ther Persons, before the constant Liberty of Entrance, ta∣ken; and a Penalty impos'd upon those who intrude with∣out Permission before they are sworn; unless accompanied with one who is sworn; as also upon any who shall be con∣victed of dismembering, purloining, or corrupting the Sense of any Books. Lest the Keeper shou'd be tardy in his Duty, eight principal Graduates are appointed perpetual Overseers and Visitors of the Library, every 8th Day of November, (the Day of first opening or free Access,) who are not only to examine how well the Keeper has perfom'd his Charge, but

direct him in doubtful Matters, and reform him in erroneous ones; also to appoint the Exchange, or disposal of superflu∣ous, and Purchase of new Books; and to have forty Shillings for a Dinner or Supper that Day, also Gloves of Ten Shil∣lings a Pair, to the five Professors of the King's Lectures, and the two Proctors, which two are also to have forty Shil∣lings each, for the Custody of the Keys; one Pair of Gloves at five Shillings to the Beadle then attending; one Pair of 20 Shillings to the Vice-Chancellor, with 20 Nobles in regard of his Trouble, he only being to deal with the Employment of the Annual Rents of the Library: Yet at the end of the Year to let the Visitors and Keeper see the Money remain∣ing in the Iron Chest, with the Account of Receipts and Disbursements, which they are to audit, so deliver up his Keys and Accounts to the New Vice-Chancellor, relating the State thereof, at the next Convocation; who are to take notice of the last Vice-Chancellor's Discharge of his Trust, according to his Merit; and in all former Acts and Decrees, expound, alter, abrogate, or innovate, and provide in all Events for the Indemnity of the Library, as for a Treasure, to Students, of incomparable Worth. So we come to

The LETTERS; which are 234 in Number; and mostly written by Sir Thomas Bodley himself, from London, Ful∣ham and Burnham, to Dr. Thomas James, the first Keeper of his Library. Few of them have the Date of the Year when written, but the earliest Date we meet with, is in 1602; to Dr.Rives, Vice-Chancellor of Oxon, about open∣ing the Library and constituting the Statutes thereof, there∣fore, perhaps, shou'd have stood the first in this Collection; and the latest is dated in 1611. Though one, towards the end, without any Date, was written much sooner than the former, being to his Cousin Francis Bacon when he was a Youth in France, containing Advice to him in his Travels; and the last Letter in the Book is written to Dr. James, by Laurence Bodley after the Death of his Brother Sir Thomas, (which was in 1612.) Except another Letter from Sir Tho∣mas Bodley to the said Sir Francis Bacon, which is also some∣what Foreign to these Collections, as containing both a Cen∣sure and Commendation of some Maxims of Modern Philo∣sophy in his Novum Organum; that which the Reader is to look for in these Letters, might be sorted and compre∣hended under these five Topics. The Founder; the Bene∣factors; the Books; the Library, and the Librarian: But we, for the Reader's Facility of finding the Particulars here

extracted, shall give a transient View of the most observable among them, in the same Order as they occur; which, tho' in the Collection itself, short, dissever'd, often repeated, and unconcluded in many Points, as the Nature is of Occa∣sional Letters, in such familiar Intercourse; yet may yield many Historical Hints, relating to the Encouragers of this Foundation, or the manner of collecting and preserving the Writings of Learned and Ingenious Men.

Such therefore are the Founder's Expostulations with his Librarian, upon his sudden thoughts of a married Life; the same being utterly deny'd; also concerning the Advantages he had of improving his Knowledge, and the Opportunities there might be of augmenting his Salary; his Notice of se∣veral Benefactors, as Mr. Hariot the Mathematician, Mr. Haidock, Mr. Ridley, Mr. Urrey, and Mr. Farmer; his Judgment of a Transcriber, and of Duplicate Copies; Ad∣vice about making the Catalogues, and advertising each other of such Books as were given or new bought, and not to let the knowledge of defective Copies be divulged. Of the Course to be taken with such as had been Promisers of Con∣tributions, but no Performers. Further Advice about the Catalogue, as when divers Authors are bound in one Volume, not to bury them all under the Name of the first Author, but to name every Author distinctly in his proper Letter of the Alphabet, and to place the Name before, not after the Title of the Book. Notice of the Arrival of many Books from John Bill at Venice, and more expected. The Foun∣der's Approbation of a Table to enlist the Names of Bene∣factors and their Gifts, till the Register be finished. The Lord Treasurer's Donation of an Hundred Pounds unto the Library. The Founders Consent that any Gentleman Stranger, after request to the Congregation, and taking the Oath, may have free Access to the Library. That John Bill had bought Four Hundred Pounds worth of Books a∣broad. That such as give only a little Book or two, may not expect to be recorded on the Register. That the Lord Cobham had given Fifty Pounds to the Library, and pro∣mis'd divers MSS. out of St. Augustine's Library in Canter∣bury. The Founder's Supposal that there are not to be had Twenty Pounds worth of the Books of Protestant Writers, which he has not already, and that of those in Folio, thinks they have all that can begotten. His Opinion about sorting and fastning the Books, also of figuring them with great Letters. Some Defects specified in the Librarian's Cata∣logue.

Further Intimations of Benefactors, as the Earl of Cumberland, Mr. Helmeston, Mr. Ledsham, Dr. Bond, Mr. Burhil, Mr. Canning. The Founder's Care for every thing to be in Order at the opening of the Library. His Advice how the Librarian should receive Sir John Fortescue, suita∣ble to his Dignity and Desert. Concerning the Frankfort Catalogues of Books, containing all from 1564 to 1592, and another from thence to 1600, also in 4to. The Bishop of Durham's Promise of Fifty Pounds. The Founder's Opi∣nion what Officer only shou'd be under the Keeper of the Library. The Lord Mountjoy's Gift of an Hundred Pounds. Further Advice about the Duplicates. The Librarian's La∣bour in copying of Catalogues acknowledged, but withal their Imperfections, as being taken in haste, with Advice about a new Catalogue. The Founder's Intention of in∣treating the Vice-Chancellor, to move the University for their Letters of Public Thanks, to the Lord of Northum∣berland, who gave an Hundred Pounds; to Sir Walter Ra∣leigh, who gave Fifty Pounds; and to Sir Edmund Udal, who gave as much to the Library; with Intimations in the same Letter of the King's being expected at Oxford. The Books of Worcester Library to be selected for this at Ox∣ford. Mr. Comptroller's Promise of Fifty Pounds. Of placing the Manuscripts, figuring the Books with Letters, and fixing of Catalogues for a Tryal to the Tables; with the Founder's Caution to avoid Censure. His Considera∣tions about the Register-Book. Some mention of the Earl of Essex's Gift, and Sir Robert Sidney's, and Mr. Barkham's. The Founder's Opinion that there shou'd be no Vacation at all in the Library; but that the Keeper being absent up∣on urgent Occasions, another might supply his room till he return, in regard of the Time good Students wou'd lose. A reason for binding sundry Authors together, that the mul∣tiplicity of Chains might not take away the sight and shew of the Books. The Earl of Southampton's Gift of an Hun∣dred Pounds to the Library. The Founder's Character of himself, as to matters of Literature, in these Words:

"As touching your Title-Page and your Epistle, I am no Judge for you to build on: For in my own Writings, I am altogether negligent, and in censuring other Men's, some∣what too curious."

Some notice of Dr. Reynolds his Gift, and of some Books from Windsor; but if not to be had with∣out his Majesty's leave, to let them alone, he not thinking it proper to be a Suitor for them, unless the Gift were

greater, his Majesty having given him larger Expectations. Lady Vere's Request, that in the Inscription to her Gifts, there shou'd after Vidua, be set down & Filia Jo. Tracy de Tuddington Militis. The Founder's Recommendation of his Librarian's Suit to the Archbishop of Canterbury. A singular Courte∣sy of lending out the Manuscript Epistles of Nazianzen, to Sir Henry Savile, his Affection to the storing and preser∣ving of the Library being singular. The Lord Cranborn's Gift of Fifty Pounds to the Library. The Founder's Glad∣ness at the Assurance of his Librarian's Information, that in England there are more Books to be found, than are worth Five Hundred Pounds, which are not in the Library.

"For, says he, you shall never see, that any good Books shall be lost for want of buying, tho' I find no Contribu∣tors: Albeit you need not doubt, but I shall always find sufficient."

Further Expostulation with his Librarian a∣bout leaving his Charge, and betaking to a private Course, and about his engaging Sir Thomas Lake to obtain him two Prebends, with Sir Thomas his Offer of Twenty Pounds a-year to be Chaplain in his House, to the dislike of the Founder, who cou'd not promote such Motions, and thought that all Promises of Livings, when they fall, and Letters of Recommendation, are to very small purpose unless they be follow'd and effected; and tho' Sir Thomas cou'd procure many of those, none of them all wou'd relieve him. The Inscription upon Sir Francis Vere's Gift of Books this Year (when the King of Denmark was in England) to be, Dona∣vit jam tertio 10 Libras. Mr. Worseley's Present of some MSS. of Roger Bacon, and Notice of the King's Grant of some Books. An Observation that the Libraries at Cam∣bridge were meanly stored, and Trinity College worst of all. Of the Duke of Brunswick's Entertainment at Oxford, and of his Promise made to the Library. The Founder's Opi∣nion about the choice of a Librarian or his Deputy; that he shou'd be one whose Person, as well as Learning were to be liked, in regard of the great Access of great Persons oftentimes of both Sexes; therefore that he who attends upon them, shou'd be a personable Scholar, and qualified with a Gentleman-like Speech and Carriage. A Compu∣tation of the room to be allow'd for Books of Law and Phy∣sick, and that the former Faculty will require five times more than the latter. Notice of the King's Warrant for the choice of any Books in any of his Libraries. The Er∣rors of the Librarian's Hebrew Words (in his Catalogue)

observ'd by the Founder, and concerning the Dedication, he says,

"I do not mean the King, as you supposed, but the Prince; for that to the King, there are daily Books dedicated, and, for aught I can hear, few Rewards be∣stowed; whereof I do think you may have more hope at the Prince's hands, by the means of good Friends."

Of the Founder's Speech, for the Librarian to receive his Majesty with; and of his firm denial to lend any Books out of the Library. The Lord Paget a Donor of some Books, and Dean Wood of an Hundred Marks. Preparations ap∣pointed against the King's coming. Concerning Buchanan's Book (against the Queen of Scots) the Founder says,

"it is in your Catalogue, and it will not avail to conceal him in his Desk, neither do I think, that it will be thought on; or if it be, as yet we have no reason to take any Notice of the King's dislike."

The Founder's Conjecture, that when those Books he has laid out for are brought in, there will not be above Two Hundred New Books to be added yearly. His Reasons against an Assistant Librarian or Deputy. Dr. Abbot, Bishop of Litchfield, solicites the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London, to bestow a Prebend upon the Librarian. Mr. Thomas Allen's Gift of Greek MSS. and other Books. The Founders Opi∣nion about buying new Editions of Books they already had. His Preference of Sir Henry Savil's Judgment of his Build∣ing. Several Observations further about the printed Cata∣logue, and about the Precedency of Faculties, as Law be∣fore Physick, &c. The Librarian's intended Undertaking to compare the Fathers approv'd, if it will not require a Dispensation of his Personal Attendance. The Bishop of London's Gift of Fifty Pounds. And the Founder's Brother Laurence Bodley, Canon of Exeter, his Addition of Twenty Pounds to his former Gifts. Further Escapes noted in the Librarian's Catalogue of the Hebrew Books. The Founder's Opinion for excluding Almanacks, Plays, and Numbers more daily printed, hardly one in forty being worth keeping. That in other Nations, Plays may be more esteem'd for learning the Languages, and being compiled by Men of Wis∣dom and Learning, seldom the Case among us; and tho' some little Profit might be reaped from some Play-Books, it will not countervail the Scandal they will bring on the Li∣bary, when it shall be given out, it is stuff'd with Baggage Books; and that a few wou'd be multiply'd by such as pur∣pose to disgrace it. Sir H. Savil, by what he has given and

purposes to give, likely to prove the greatest Benefactor. That Sir Thomas Knevet, and Sir Peter Young, dealt very much underhand to stop the King's Grant of Books. The Founder's free Opinions of the Librarian's Work to prove the Corruptions of the Fathers. His Censure of Dr. How∣son's last Sermon, utterly void of all Honesty and Wit. An Account of young Drusius coming to Oxford. One Hun∣dred Pounds gotten by the means of Sir Edwyn Sandys to the Library. Advice against the Repetition of Authors in the Catalogue. The Founder's dislike of his Librarian's Proposal of a Library for the younger Sort. Mrs. Owen's Gift of an Hundred Pound to the Library. The Founder congratulates his Librarian for the Opportunity he had of shewing himself in the Speech, he was to make to the King. His further Opinion about their collating of the Fathers, and about the Speech aforesaid, that it shou'd not be above half a quarter of an Hour long, &c. His mention of other Be∣nefactors, Mr. Barneston, Mr. Evan Jones, Mr. Dorel, and Mr. Edward Jones. His Opinion that Wickliffe is not infe∣rior to Scotus in Subtilty; his Caution to the Librarian, to be well advised in what he shall publish from that Author, which in regard of his Office, may be thought the Act of the University. No Notice to be taken of some Books the King prohibited in Scotland. Of Josippus Barbatus the Egyptian coming to Oxford. Further of the Founder's Un∣dertaking to collate the Fathers. His further Advice about the Librarian's Speech to the King. That it must be short and sweet and full of Stuff. His Orders to put Sir Henry Wotton's Name before a little Alcoran with Points, as the Donor. His Resolution to be determin'd by the Delegates about the Statutes, and mention of Sir Tho. Smith's Gift to the Library, and for Dr. Budden to be admitted one of the Delegates. Other Donors, as Sir William Roper (who gave the Works of Sir Thomas More) Mr. Hakewell, &c. men∣tion'd by the Founder. His further Enquiries after Dr. Howson, and Opinion that he shou'd be severely censur'd, and made to recant his malicious Taxation of those he terms Glossers, or not suffer'd to hatch his new-fangledness in the University. His Orders for placing the Book, which Mr. Co∣ryat, the famous Traveller, writ and bestow'd on the Library, in some such Place during the Act, at which the Author was to be present, as might seem to magnify both him and his Work. The rest of this Collection consists only of the three Letters, written by the Founder, to Dr. Rives, and

Sir Francis Bacon; and one by his Brother Laurence Bod∣ley, to Dr. James, as was observed, with their Purport, in the beginning of this Extract thereof.

XL. The DIFFERENCE between an Absolute and Limited MO∣NARCHY; as it more particularly regards the ENGLISH CONSTITUTION. Being a Treatise written by Sir JOHN FORTESCUE, Kt. Lord Chief-Justice, and Lord High Chancellor of ENGLAND, under King HENRY VI. faithfully transcribed from the MS. Copy in the Bodleian Library, and collated with three other MSS. Published with some Remarks, by JOHN FORTESCUE-ALAND of the Inner-Temple, Esq F. R. S. 8vo. 1714. Pages 148. Besides the Editor's Dedication; and his Preface, which contains 82 Pages, and a Table of Contents* 1.4.

THIS most excellent Treatise was written by the Author in the Language of those Times in which he lived; par∣ticipating much of the Nature of the Saxon: And there∣in are used many Words, Terminations, and Phrases, no where to be met with in the Modern English, which may therefore seem uncouth and obsolete; but by the Etymolo∣gical Remarks of the Learned Editor, these seeming Impro∣prieties vanish; and the Author appears with great Advan∣tage in his Native Dress.

The Editor in his Dedication to Sir Thomas Parker, Knt. Lord Chief-Justice of England, having shewn the Office of

a Judge over the People of England; that he is Guardian of their Laws and Liberties, and Mediator between Prince and Subject, extols the great Abilities and Integrity of the Author and of his Patron too; and compliments Sir Tho∣mas with this beautiful Simile;

"That your Lordship now appears with such a Lustre, is, in some measure, owing to your high Station; tho' the latent Cause existed long be∣fore: So the Sun itself when rising, shines only to the East; but is the same with that, which, when elevated to the Meridian, enlightens the whole Hemisphere."

He then opens his Preface, to Sir John Holland, Bart. with the Grand Division of Law, into Divine and Natu∣ral; and shews that the Law of England comes nearest to the Law of Nature, and the Divine Pattern. Next he treats of its Certainty; proving that legal Beings in general, are capable of the best Certainty, even Demonstration, and Mr. Lock's Notions of Morality applicable to them; and after shews the special Care of the Law of England, in defi∣ning Terms, raising Axioms, drawing Deductions there∣from, searching the Truth of Facts by Juries of 12 Men, and giving Judgment upon mature Consideration: Then of its Antiquity; and here he cites our Author de Laud. Leg. Angl. that neither the Roman nor Venetian Laws can claim so great Antiquity; and lays down, that all Laws have their Origin from Nature, and those that are founded on her are equally ancient; that the Law of England consists of the Laws of Nature, positive Institutions, and Customs. That Ethelbert the first Christian King, in 561, with the Advice of his Wise-Men, made the first Saxon Laws, after the coming of Austin the Monk; and many Saxon Kings after him in like manner, made and confirmed Laws; that Al∣fred, first sole Monarch after the Heptarchy, with the Ad∣vice of his Wise-Men, collected the Laws of former Saxon Kings into one entire Codex (suppos'd to be the same with the Dome-Book) ut in Jus Commune totius Gentis transiret; that his Successors Edward the Elder, Aethelstan, Edgar, Ethelred, and Canutus confirmed these Laws, and com∣manded their Judges to give right Judgment according to the Dome-Book, and that the Folc-Right should be preserv'd to all their Subjects: And from hence the Editor concludes, that the Common Law of England under the Name of Folc-Right, existed under Alfred; and that Edward the Confes∣sor only collected, as Alfred had done, the Laws then extant, which had not been observed during the Usurpations of

Harold I. and Hardicanute, and may well be called the Re∣storer of the English Laws; and this he backs with the Oath of William I. to keep inviolable the Laws of the pious Kings of England, and especially King Ed∣ward, which, says he, were not only those enacted in his time, but of all his Ancestors, and the with Confirmation of King Edward's Laws by Henry I. Stephen, Henry II. Richard I. John, and Henry III. and Magna Charta, which as Lord Coke ob∣serves, is only a Confirmation of the Common Law of Eng∣land: He then speaks of the Salic Laws among the German Franks, and briefly of the English Constitution. After∣wards he passes to the Author's Life and Character, his Pe∣digree and Works. Then follows, the Reason of his Re∣marks on the Author's Language; and here he observes, that

"tho' an Etymology, strictly speaking, is no more than a Derivation of the Word or Name; yet Etymologies from a Saxon Original, will often present you with a Definition of the thing, in the Reason of the Name."

And this he illustrates with many remarkable Instances: he likewise gives the Etymology of several Law-Terms, particularly * 1.5Wither∣nam, Heriot, Husting, Murder, Homicide, &c. and of the Words King and Queen, and several others, which come from Saxon Originals. He then shews the Use, nay neces∣sity, of the knowledge of the Saxon Tongue in almost all Sciences. And gives an account of Books proper for at∣taining it; and to that end is the rest of the Preface.

We come now to the Work itself, consisting of XX Chapters. Chap. I. Contains the difference between Do∣minium Regale, & Dominium Politicum & Regale. II. The Reason of this Difference. III. The Fruits of these diffe∣rent Governments; wherein is instanced the extreme Po∣verty and Misery of the Commons of France, and the Wealth of the English. IV. Treats of the Revenues of France and England. V. Of the Harmes that come of a Kyng's

Povertie. VI. Of the Kyng's Ordinary Charges. VII. Of the Kyng's Extraordinary Charges. VIII. That, if the Kyng's Lyvelyhood suffyce not, his Realme is bounden by Right to susteyn hym, in every thyng necessary to his E∣state. IX. Of the Perils that may come to the Kyng by over-mighty Subjects. X. How the Crown may be belt endowed. XI. What of the Kyng's Lyvelyhood gevyn away may best be takyn ageyn. XII. What Harme would come to England, of the Povertie of the Commons. XIII. That lacke of Heart, and Cowardise keep the French from rysing. XIV. That there ought to be a Resumption by Act of Parliament of the Kyng's Revenue, and a Subsidie grant∣ed to him, for making Gifts and Rewards, with Advyse of his Counceile. XV. How the Kyng's Counceile may be cho∣syn and established. XVI. How the Romans prospered whiles they had a grete Counceile. XVII. Advertisement for the gevying of the Kyng's Offices. XVIII. For gevyng Corodies and Pensions. XIX. Of the grete Good that will growe of the firm endowyng of the Crowne. XX. Advertisement for making of Patents of Gyfts.

Of several ancient Words, Customs, &c. in these Chap∣ters, the Editor has from learned Authorities, given many cu∣rious Explanations; as in shewing whence Talys signify Taxes. The Etymology and Definition of King, and of Fellowship; the Use of Negatives in our Language; the Etymology of Scute a Coin; of Esquire, and Escutcheon; of Guild, Dome, and Domesday-Book; of Right, and Worshipful, of Knight, Fee, Marches, Rover, and Caryk or Ship, of Ambassador, Procurator, and Messenger; of Surples, Bawderick or Belt, of Law, and Man; with the reason of Writing our Genitive Cafe, as Man's Son, with an Apostrophus; next he gives the Etymology of Christen, Earl, Ealdorman, Thane and other Titles of Honour, City and Burgh, of Demesne, Queen, Gabel, Gavelkind, and Kyrk, of Sowdan or Sultan. The Penny and other Saxon Coins, Lordshypp, Taylys or Entailes; of Jakke, a Coat of Mail; Pall-Mall, Harness, Quinsime and Disme; Taxes of Englond, These, True Man, Scotland, Larcenye, Brochage, Kynne or Kindred; Frank, a French Coin; Sheriff, Bullion, Moneth or Month, Escheker, Clerk or Master of the Rolls, Bayliff and Bayliwick, Array, Arraignment, Steward, Con∣stable; Mark, a Denomination of Money; Firm and Farm, Mortmain, and Bishoprick. After these Etymologies we have an Account of the Saxon manner of singing and pray∣ing, and of their Piety; next an Etymology of the word Year. He then gives a Catalogue of the Authors quoted in

his Remarks; and lastly concludes the whole Work with the Saxon Alphabet.

XLI. The Antiquities and Practice of the COURT of EXCHEQUER. MS. Quarto. Pages 71.

THUS, the better to understand the Contents of this Work, is its Title here enlarged; which otherwise is no more than barely Exchequer; as if it were a Part of some larger Performance, which had a more comprehensive and explanatory Title at the beginning. And this we are the ra∣ther inclin'd to believe was the Case, in that we have been inform'd, the late Lord Chief Baron Gilbert wrote Two Dis∣courses upon the Courts of the King's-Bench and the Common-Pleas, and a Third upon the Exchequer; of which last, this, before us, is presumed to be a Copy. It was certainly wrote by an Author who was familiarly acquainted with the Laws of this Court, or Course of Practice therein, both Ancient and Modern; and that it was written since Mr. Maddox pub∣lish'd the History of the Exchequer, appears by our Author's frequent Quotations from it; besides, there is the Form of a Writ of Scire Facias issued under the Teste of the said Chief Baron Gilbert, in the fourth Year of his late Majesty's Reign, recited in the 56th Page of the said MS; which was imparted to us out of the Collections mention'd in our Account of the MS, we described in our last Number.

It is divided into Ten Chapters, which for want of room we shall only repeat, as follows: 1. Shewing that the Exchequer was the ancient and sovereign Court in Normandy. 2. How to understand the Revenue and Business of the ancient Ex∣chequer. 3. How, when Baronies, towards the latter end of the Norman Period escheated, they were wont to be broken in∣to small Tenures. 4. That, in the Saxon Times, the Lords Spi∣ritual held by Frank Almoigne. 5. How the King's Tenants, who held per Baroniam, did Suit and Service at his own Court. 6. How all Debts to the King bind from the Time they are contracted. 7. What Acts and Instruments pass by the King's Chancellor under the Broad-Seal. 8. The usual Revenue which arose from Fines and Amerciaments. 9. The Receipt of the Exchequer. 10. The Sheriffs Accounts; and with this, concludes the Treatise, at least as far as our Copy extends.

The End of Number IV.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In the Copy of this Book now before us, which had been the late Mr. Hearne's of Oxford, he has written as follows:

  "This is a very rare Book and the Translation is done admi∣rably well; and therefore the Encomiastick Verses are deser∣vedly put before it. I have seen a very imperfect and misera∣bly shatter'd one, go at a considerable Price in an Auction."
• * 1.2

  Before we part with this Subject, we shall here take the Opportunity we have, of referring to a couple of scarce Tracts, more ancient than this above recapitulated, which have some Parts or Chapters in them relating thereunto. The first is called New∣nam's Nightcrow, a Bird that breedeth Braules in many Families and Housholds: Wherein is remember'd that kindly and provident Regard which Fathers ought to have towards their Sons; together with a Disciphering of the injurious Dealings of some younger sort of Stepdames. Quarto. 1590. Pages 50. This Pamphlet is dedicated to Thomas Owen. Esq Serjeant at Law, by the Au∣thor John Newnam: Is divided into Two Parts, and each into five Chapters, The first Part is concerning Fathers; shewing chiefly how the Virtues or Vices of their Children proceed most∣ly from their Examples. And the second Part, upon Step-mothers, ends with two Chapters under these Titles, That disinheriting of the eldest Son, without very great lawful Cause, is an Act very wrongful and ungodly. That Procurers and Counsellors of Disinhe∣rison, and all wrong doing, ought to make or procure Restitution. But as strong Arguments as there are herein, against the disin∣heriting of Heirs, tho' several Crimes are produced, which they being convicted of, it is allowed; yet they seem match'd in that other Pamphlet we mention'd, which is a Dialogue, entitled, A Work worth the Reading: containing five Questions very ex∣pedient, as well for Parents to perceive how to bestow their Chil∣dren in Marriage, and to dispose their Goods at their Death, as for all other Persons to receive great Profit by the rest of the Mat∣ters herein expressed: Newly published by Charles Gibbon, and dedicated to the Right Worshipful Sir Nicholas Bacon. Q^o. 1591. Pages 60. The second Chapter of this Tract is upon the Question, Whether the Father may lawfully disinherit his First-born; where, tho' there are Arguments produced on both sides of the Question, yet we are induced to discard a leud lavish Repro∣bate of an eldest Son, a riotous Spend-thrift, which is a Charac∣ter less criminal than those produced by the former Author, for a younger that is dutiful, virtuous, and prudent. For that

  "a wise Man will alter Custom after Discretion, and dispose his Wealth according to Wisdom."

  And a little further,

  "Goods are the Gift of God; and he hath appointed us not to do as we list with them, like Lords, but to dispose them well as his Stewards: Therefore we ought to bestow them on such, where he that gave them may be glorified;"

  according to the A∣postle's Command, which is here cited. Thus much may suf∣fice in this Place, if not to satisfy the Reader, yet to inform him where he may meet with further Satisfaction upon a Subject of this important and universal Concern.
• * 1.3

  Thus the common printed Title; but there is also a Title-Page printed from a Copper Plate bound before it, which entitles the Book more briefly, A Description Historical and Geographical of the County Palatine of Chester, illustrated with divers Figures cut in Copper, and publish'd by Daniel King of Chester, 1656. 'Tis inviron'd with Branches forming an Oval, containing the Arms of all the Earls of Chester, from Hugh Lupus to Henry, eldest Son of King James I. and on the Sides thereof, are two Standards supported by Wolves, and bearing the Arms of the County; which are in one of them, 3 Wheat-Sheaves; and in the other, a Wolf's Head eraz'd. As for this Publisher, Daniel King, tho' Ant. Wood might receive a private Character of him from a noted Author, in a Letter, intimating he was an igno∣rant and knavish Fellow, we see not, with what Justice the same is published, in relation to this Book. It is plain, that he commendably procured these Accounts of Chester, which might never have seen the Light but for him; and has faithfully pub∣lished them, justly ascribing every Part to its due Owner; that he hath industriously adorned them with many Sculptures; has assumed no part to himself but what was visibly his own, and was in so much Credit with the Gentry of the County, that many of them were evidently his Patrons, and Encouragers: wherefore we cannot but think rather with Dr. Fuller, That seeing this Daniel King had, in his Travels, got the Mystery both of Surveying and Engraving, and used the same to enliven the Descriptions above, which he set forth, with so many Cuts of Heraldry and Topography,

  "That Cheshire is chiefly behold∣en to his Pains."

  Nay, he further acknowledges himself so much beholden to the particular Courtesy of the Man, through his many Communications, as to have verefied his Anagram, and been even a kind Angel to him.
• * 1.4

  The MS. from which this Book was published, and which is the fairest and most perfect, remains among the MSS. of Mr. Selden in the Bodleian Library, and appears to have been tran∣scribed by Sir Adrian Fortescue, who was a Descendant from the Author, and lived in the Reign of King Henry VIII. for at the End, it is thus written: Explicit Liber compilatus & factus per JOHANNEM FORTESCUE, Militem, quondam Capitalem Justi∣ciarum ANGLIAE, & hic Scriptus manu propriâ mei ADRIANI FORTESCUE Militis, 1532. Of the MSS. with which the E∣ditor collated this Work, two are among the MSS. of Archbishop Laud, and Sir Kenelm Digby in the same Library; and the third in the Cotton Library: But all the material Variances are noted in the Margin of the Book.
• * 1.5

  By this word Witkernam, Sir Thomas More once gain'd no small Honour; for being at Bruges in Flanders, an arrogant Fellow set up a Thesis, that he would answer any Question that should be propounded to him in what Art soever: Sir Thomas made this Question to be put to him, whether Averia capta in Witherna∣mia sunt irreplegibilia? adding, that there was one of the English Ambassador's Retinue that would dispute it with him. The Thraso not so much as understanding those Terms of our Com∣mon Law, knew not what Answer to make, and so became ri∣diculous to the whole City. Life of Sir Thomas More, 8vo. 1652.