I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

The XIII. ADVERTISEMENT.

Theodoricus, that famous King of Italy, having ofttimes prest very much to be admitted into Parnassus, is al∣wayes denied by Apollo for a very important reason.

THe powerful King of Italy, Theodoricus, from the very first day that he came upon these Confines, hath by several Ambassies con∣tinually prest Apollo that he might be admitted into Parnassus, but still in vain; for as oft as the proposal was made, he received a favourable de∣nial: Which put him at last into such a rage, as he had the boldness to burst forth into these blasphemous words, That Apollo was partial in ad∣mitting such great Princ•…•…es into Parnassus, who by their vertuous acti∣ons had merited eternal fame, since many Princes were seen to have glo∣rious places in his Court, only because they had governed petty Princi∣palities in Italy; and he who for many years had had the whole and sole Government thereof, was shamefully kept out.

When Apollo had heard the complaints of so great a Prince, he gave him to understand by the Delfick Chancellor, that he should do well to be quiet; for to be plain, he did not think him worthy admittance into Parn•…•…ssus; since the world ought to thank none but him for the horri∣ble Atheism which was of late introduced in many Provinces of Europe; for whereas the doubts about Religion risen up amongst Divines, were after some dispute cleared, and their errors taken away by the Councels, which were made capable of declaring what was truth, and were all extir∣pated out of the world, by making bonefires of such as were obstinate.

When he, as the head thereof, took upon him the protection of the wick∣ed Sect of the Arrians, he did not only turn Heresies, which require whole Armies to root them out, into Interest of State, but with un∣heard of affrontedness, he made the whole world see, that he made use of heresie, to work division amongst people, to weaken Princes who were his enemies, to have adhearers in his neighbours States, to make himself head of new Sects; and to steal away the hearts of other mens subjects; and that in his heart he had no other esteem of holy Religion, but as of a powerful means, and excellent way to obtain Government.