Page 26
The Fifteenth ADVERTISEMENT.
Anneus Seneca being accused before Apollo of two fowle Vices which were commonly found in all the Sects of Mo∣ral Philosophers; doth excellently well defend his own Cause, and the like of his Associates.
THe last night, to the infinite wonder of all the Vertuosi in Parnas∣sus, Anneus Seneca, that Prince of Moral Philosophers, and one so well beloved by his Majestie, was made prisoner; various were the discourses which so great a novelty occasioned. Some thought that it might be, for that his Majestie would have him give a very particular account to the world, by what Philosphical precepts he had in so short a time of his serving Nero, gotten the worth of seven millions and a half, by which so great riches, he had cast so fowle a shame upon that poverty, and upon that moderation of mind, which in his writings he had made so particular profession of. A thing so much the more scandalous, as by the testimony of many Historians, it plainly appeared he had been a frequent cheater of Legacies, which he had fowlly extorted from wealthy men. Others said that he was imprisoned for the Adultery which some will not stick to say he committed with Agrepina; and many were of opinion that it was for having been cause of the Pysonian Conspiracy against Nero, wherein it was firmly held that Seneca had not only a hand, but that he had so fowlly given himself over to ambition, as after so great a fault com∣mitted, he had suffered himself to be perswaded he might become Empe∣ror. Nor were there wanting those who constantly affirmed that Apollo was exceeding angly with this Philosopher, for that Nero himself had con∣fest that the wicked Paracide which he had committed, was not only done by Sencca's knowledge, but by his perswasion, not out of any love he bore to his Master, but to make him commit so horrid a wickedness, that he might ascertain his own so unexhaustable riches which he had accumu∣lated to his own shame, and his Masters prejudice. But after his exami∣nation, Seneca found, that not only he, but all his fellow moral Philoso∣phers were accused for having very much scandalized all men by two fowl vices which they are given unto above above all other men, to wit, of be∣ing revengefull, and ingratefull. Tis said that Seneca acknowledged these accusations to be true, but that he, nor the rest of moral Philoso∣phers, ought not to be blamed for what was laid to their charge, since e∣ven thereby their goodness did manifestly appear; for good men never offend any; and consequently, since they gave no occasion of being in∣jured, it ought not to be held strange, if they were more mindfull of inju∣ries received, then other men, it being common amongst men, that they know not how to pardon injuries, who best know they never deserved them. And that likewise for ingratitude which moral Philosophers were daily seen to use towards their benefactors, it was no blockishness in them, as was every where affirmed by their illwillers, but that therein the candor