matters. Therefore Ruffinus Aquiliensis saith, that for this
reason, the Apostles published their Symbole, by which they de∣clared
thir beleefe concerning Religion. Even so the Pythago∣reans
in a mysticall and abstruse sense, did by Symboles briefly de∣monstrate
that which they would have to be observed. In a
word, the property of Symboles is to be concealed and enve∣loped in Labyrinths of obscure sentences, which hath been so
much observed by Pythagoras, that thereby we know those which
are his.
Moreover, Demetrius Phalerius doth note one thing in Sym∣boles
worthy observation, That a great sense ought to be compri∣sed
under the gravity and brevity of Symboles, whereof he gives
an example, when we say, that the Cigales sing upon the ground,
as much as to say, the trees are felled. Therefore brevity mixt with
a certaine gravity, comprehending many things under one and the
same signification, is the property of a Symbole.
There are some Symboles which are of the nature of Proverbs,
and Pythagoras himselfe made use of them, as when he saith, Ex∣omni
ligno non fit Mercurius, giving to understand, That all wits
are not capable of Learning.
It is also to be noted, that they are of three kinds, Morall, Natu∣rall,
and Theologicall. And that which is proposed to us in these
Symboles, by meanes of the Corporeall senses, doth penetrate our
understanding.
The learned Caussinus (from whom I have borrowed the most
of that which I have spoken concerning Hieroglyphicks)saith in a
Book he compiled thereof, That Symboles (in the signification
we treat of) are no other, then the signes of some intricate thing:
or (as Budaeus would have it) they are but similitudes and resem∣blances
of things naturall.
Hereunto I will adde, That the Ancients themselves made use
of Symboles instead of Epitaphs, upon the tombes of the dead,
without any other Inscription, as it is to be seene in one of Anti∣paters
Epigrammes of a woman, on whose Urne were engraven a
Bridle, a Head-stall, and a Cock; The Cock signified Vigilance;
the Bridle, that she was the Moderatrix of the house; and the Head∣stall,
that she was very retentive in words. There is another ex∣ample
hereof in the learned Salmazius his Exercitations upon
Pliny.