A philosophicall discourse, entituled, The anatomie of the minde. Nevvlie made and set forth by T.R.

¶Of Faithfulnes. Cap. 47.

WE wil conclude these vertues with Faithfulnes. A vertue without

which not only the partes of Iustice, but also all other vertues are lame and im∣perfect. It is thus defined: Faith is a constancie and performance of that whi∣che is promised.

This vertue (as is said before) is not onely the foundation of Iustice accor∣ding to Ciceros minde, but also of all o∣ther vertues. For without this, what is Prudence, but Deceitfulnes? what Temperance, but Luxuriousnes? what Fortitude, but Cowardnes? And Iustice her self what is she but Cruelnes?

The ancient, in times past, he athens and Philosophers, whē soeuer they gaue their faith, they would call their Gods to witnes. And therefore we shall finde often times in comicall Poets these words. Dij vostram fidem, taking them to witnesse, as knowers of their mea∣ning. Cicero maketh mention of a straunge kinde of swearing, writing to Trebatius, vsed among certain. For their maner was to take Iupiters stone in their hands and speake these woords: Euen as I cast this stone away, so let Iupiter cast me out of the societie of all good men, if willingly I breake promise. The Scythians had their kinde of swea∣ring

after a straunge manner. For when for any thinge of greate impor∣tāce they should take an othe, they would sweare by the Kings throne. If any were periured, hee was by the law ad∣iudged to dye. The Romans when they made a couenaunt, would take an Hog, & hauing put it in a morter, would breake it to péeces, wishing that as that Hog was broken, so their bones might be broken in péeces whiche did breake their faith. The Medians and Arabi∣ans likewise had their kinde of swering. For as oft as they plighted their faith to any, they would prick one of their fin∣gers, and eche of them shoulde lick it, signifying therby that their blood should be shed, which kept not couenants. The Arabians in dooing therof, would call vp on Bacchus and Vranias, and take them to witnes. By Bacchus they supposed all holy orders and rites to be present. For Bacchus is as it were the president of all sacrifices and alwaies was true of promise. By Vranias they vnderstood all the celestiall powers, the Gods. For Vranias signifieth an harmonie of con∣sent of all the Heauens. This béeing spoken of the manner of some in taking

othes, let vs bring foorth exāples of such as haue béene found faithfull, and are ce∣lebrated for the same of good writers.

Such a man was Lycurgus. For not∣withstanding he were desired by the peo¦ple of Sparta (his brother Polydectes bée¦ing deade) to take the gouernment of Sparta vpon him, yet would he not, be∣cause the sonne of his brother and heire of the crown, named Charilaus was a∣liue, but so long ruled as the yung prince came to lawfull age, and then resigned his kingdome and acknowledged his ne¦phew to be his Lord and King.

Such another was Alexander (not seldome times, because of his wunder∣ful vertues recited) for béeing by Parme∣nio (a fit man to counsaile such a prince) willed on a time to breake his faith and promise, answered, If I were Parmeni∣o, I would doo as thou haste counsailed me, but it is not lawfull for Alexander in any case to doo so. He knewe very wel that nothing brought such reproche and shame to a Prince, as to be faith∣lesse.

But of all men and all nations vn∣der the Sun, was none comparable to the Romans, for this vertue of kéeping

promise. And that shall we finde to be most true, if we doo either consider them generally and their whole nation, or particularly, and some especiall men of that contrie. That generally abooue o∣ther nations, it may be gathered of ma∣ny examples.

The Romans béeing in warre with the Carthagenians, made one Duellius Cornelius Asina, chéefe Capitaine, whi∣che vpon certain conditions, made truce with Hamilcar, and thereupon resorted eche to other loouingly: but the Cartha∣genians (as they were and haue beene counted Faedifragi, breakers of their faith) ment nothing but trecherie, and therfore one a time hauing inuited him to come and communicate of matters, caste violent hands vppon him, and delt with him and his men rigorously.

It happened after that the Car∣thagenians béeing sorely foyled in bat∣taile, were inforced to send Legats to Rome to intreate for peace. Ha∣milcar was chosen Embassador, but he calling vnto minde their il intrea∣ting of Cornelius Asina, refused to go. Then they chose Hanno, whiche went boldely to Rome to the Senate house,

where one of the Tribunes began open¦ly to accuse him of vnfaithfulnes: but the Consuls hearing therof, commaunded him to holde his peace, and saide vnto Hanno: Feare not, for the faithfulnes of the Romans, dooth rid thée from all feare of reuenge: and though we haue thée now in our clawes, and may doo with thee what we list, yet shall it not be saide that tretcherously we will deale with any. But a more manifest exam∣ple is that which followeth.

Ptolomie a King of Aegypt (not knowing by heare say, but hauing tried by experience the greate fidelitie of the Romans) in his death bed committed his heire béeing then but a childe, to the kéeping of the Romans. Which elected one Aemylius Lepidus to gouerne him and his Realme, whiche did not onely carefully sée vnto the yung Prince, but mightely augmented his kingdome, and béeing come to age willingly resigned vp the same. Examples of particular men haue béene such as the like we shall not read of any.

S. Pompeius entring league with Antonius and Octauius, inuited them on a time to a banquet. Béeing at the

same Menodorus chéefe Admirall of Pompeius Nauy, sent a messenger to put him in minde of his fathers traite∣rous death: and he promised if it were his pleasure, he would so woorke as nei∣ther Octauius nor Antonie should es∣cape: But Pompeie answered almoste as Alexander did Parmenio, that he did iudge it extreme wickednes to deale in such manner with any, but thou Meno∣dorus whiche carest for nothing and de∣lightest in periurie, maist if thou wilt without my consent. The faithfulnes of M. Attilius Regulus got him more glory then all his triumphs. As these are cele∣brated and with praises lifted vp to the Heauens for their faithfulnes, so haue their béene as many defamed for their vnfaithfulnes and vnder that are com∣prehended liers, especially periured per¦sons and traitors. For lying and di∣ssimulation haue the Parthians come o∣dious to all the worlde. It was in their Créed (as they commonly say) that men ought by all meanes they could, so de∣ceiue their enemies. Such were the Gre¦cians, whōe Cicero in a certain Orati∣on after this manner discribeth: I ascribe to the Grecians knowledge of many sci∣ences,

I will not take from them elo∣quence of spéeche, inuention, sharpnes of wit, plentie of matter, but yet this I must néed{is} say, that holy and religious bearing of witnes, and care of kéeping promise, was neuer of them regarded.

The Aegyptians could in no case abide periurie, and therfore if any were found in the fault, he lost his life without re∣demption. The Potes also fain certain by the Gods appointed, with gréeuous torments to punish forsworne persons: such executioners were called Pallicidij.

Gaudentius Merula dooth reporte, that in Bythinia there is a riuer called of some Aleos, of others Olochas, of whiche if a forsworne man doo taste, his intrals by and by are set en fire, and so dyeth miserably. If this were in euery citie throughout the worlde, lesse impietie, lesse periurie would be practised of men. I reade moreouer of other rewardes of periurie, wherof I wil recite one or two.

One Tremelius by this became not onlie odious to all men, but also did so stain his posteritie, as that blot coulde not be washed away, no not by the ver∣tues of his Children in many yéeres: I say by Periurie he got vnto him an odi∣ous

name and was called Tremilius Scropha, because hauing stollen a Sowe of his neighbors, he forsware that euer he had the same.

It is to be wished that all forsworne persons, either might drink of that wa∣ter before mentioned, or might by some name become odious or haue that plague continually (for oftentimes no dout they haue) which Polymachus was tormen∣ted with all. He is written because of periurie to haue an intollerable vexatiō of minde, and euery night was so bitten with Mice and Rates as at no time he could take rest.

Héere it will not bee amisse to recite that excellent place of Tullie, shewing the difference betwéene a lyer, and a for∣swearer of him self: his woords be these. But what difference is there betweene a lyer and a forswerer? He which vseth to lye, hath accustomed to forsweare. Whome soeuer I can get to lie, I can easely intrete to forsweare him self. For who soeuer hath once gone frō the trueth wil not make a greter cōscience to be led to periurie, then he was to lying. For who in praier to the Gods, is not mooued with a trust of his owne conscience?

And therfore what punishment of the immortall Gods to periurie, the same should be appointed for lying. For the Gods are wunt to be angry with men, not so much for the framing of woords (in which an othe is cōprehended) as for the malice by which baits & snares be laid.

The last enemie to Faithfulnes is Treason, a thing of all others before God most odious, among men least pros∣perous, as by the euents therof may ap∣péere. I wil for order sake of an infinit number, recite a fewe to confirme this matter.

The betrayers of Pompeie vnto Caesar of all other men, were moste odious vn∣to him, and therefore caused them to be slain. Those traytors which conspired Caesars death, neuer prospered. Cassius and Brutus which were the chéefe haste∣ners of his death, killed them selues when they had thought to haue liued at most quietnes. A. Trebonius another which conspired his death was murthe∣red of Dolabella, C. Octauius, and Len∣tulus, Spinther of Augustus, Cicero of Antonius, and almoste none of an infi∣nit of those conspirators, but of one or o∣ther suffred a moste shameful and odious

death.

Scylla did betray her owne father vn¦to Minos through hope he would be her husband, but came it so to passe? Nay he cast her hedlong into the bottome of the Sea and drowned her therfore. Who would be a Traitor?

Tarpeia for looue of golde did betray the Capitoll of Roome vnto King Tatius King of the Sabines. And had she that which was promised? yea. And inioyed the same to her desire? Nay, but with re¦ceit of them receiued hir deadly wound. Who would be a Traitor? One did be¦tray his Prince Attalius to Theodo∣rus in hope of promotion. And came he to it? Nay, but was promoted to the gal∣louse. A good rewarde, and yet worthy inough for a Traitor. Then who would be a traitor? Nay, read ouer books, per∣use Chronicles, studie Historiographers, and you shall not finde one of many thou¦sands, whiche hath prospered. For as Tullie saith very notably. No wise man at any time wil trust a traitor. And he is worthilie hated of all men, which beares not a faithful hart vnto his contriemen:

And who is it hauing receiued a bene fit of a traitor, but wil say of him as Cae∣sar

said of one Rumitaleus whiche had betraied certain townes vnto him, that he liked y^e things betraied, but the trai∣tor he dyd abhorre and vtterly detest?

And who will not with Antigonus make much of a traitor going aboute to pleasure him: but hauing his purpose, who wil not hate him to y^e death? Then if this be the rewarde of traitors and treasons, more then Deuils incarnate are they, whiche to pleasure their ene∣mies wil displeasure their fréends. And to profit their foes, will bring confusion not onely vppon their fauorors and con∣trimen, but also vpon them selues. Then who would be a traitor, to be trusted of no manne, to be hated and abhorred of all?

Thus haue I bothe spoken of the Pe••∣turbacions, & also of the vertues, though not in such sorte as I would, yet as well as for the time whiche I haue bestowed in writing therof, as wel as for my poore and small habilitie I could. The whiche if God graunt me leasure according to my minde: may bothe in better woords be set out to delight, and in better order to profit, in the meane time I haue to re∣quest your worship to take this in good

worth, and to think that an extemporall thing cānot be cōpared with that whiche is laboured, neither a first copie, with a second or third.

The giuer of all goodnes, God almigh¦tie, increase these gifts with which you are especially before many adorned, & so asist you and all other good gentlemen & Christians, with his holy spirit, that a∣ffections may so remaine within you as they doo not reign and stir to wickedness, but that (they being either banished, or abated and bridled by the spirit of God) you may imbrace vertue, which God hath promised in this world to rewarde, and in the worlde to come not to sée vn∣requited.

Notes

• Faithful∣nes.
• The man∣ner of take¦ing othes in olde tie.
• Cicero e∣pisto. 12. libro 7. epistol••rū famil▪
• Sychians
• Periured persons.
• Romans.
• Medians. Arabians
• Bacchus. Vranias.
• Lycurgus.
• Polyde∣ctes.
• Charilaus
• Alexan∣der. Parmenio
• Romans.
• Duellius Cornelius Asina. Hamilcar
• Carthage∣nians. faedifragi
• Hanno.
• Ptolomie
• Aemylius Lepidus.
• S. Pōpeius Antonius Octauius.
• Menodō∣rus.
• M. Attili∣us Regul{us}
• Lying.
• Parthians
• Cicero {pro} L. Flacco.
• Grecians.
• Periurie. Aegypti∣ans.
• Palalici∣dij. Gaudēti{us} Merula de Memora∣bilibus, lib. 3. cap. 3 Aleos. Olochas.
• Tremcli{us}.
• Scropha.
• Polyma∣chus.
• Cicero {pro} Q. Roscio
• The diffe∣rence be∣tweene a lyer and a forswerer.
• Treason.
• Cassius. Brutus. A. Trebo¦nius. Dolabel∣la. C. Octaui∣us. Lentulus Spinther. Augustus Cicero. Antonius
• Scylla. Minous.
• Tarpeia. Tatius.
• Aattalius. Theodr{us}.
• Cicer. act. 2. in Vc∣rem.
• Caesar.
• Rumita∣leus.
• Antigon{us}
• Conclusion