The history of brutes, or, A description of living creatures wherein the nature and properties of four-footed beasts are at large described / by Wolfgangus Franzius ... ; and now rendred into English by N.W.

CHAP. I. (Book 1)

The Argument of the Treatise. (Book 1)

THe History of Brutes, which by some is not unfitly called, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or a De∣scription of living creatures, is that part of Physicks which treateth of Brute beasts. We may properly call this one part of Physicks, because it treateth of the nature of things; for Physicks is either Physicks properly so called, or you may divide it into Metaphysicks, and Mathe∣maticks. Physicks properly so called comprehen∣deth under it the nature of Meteors, Metals, Plants, Stars, the four Elements, men, and Brutes. Some would have the consideration of Brutes be brought under Medicine, which I think belongeth more properly to Philosophy▪ for here in this treatise of Animals you have the nature, property, motions, generation, strength, shape and use of Brutes. But I shall a little shew the use and benefit that this treatise will be of, not only to physicians, but also to all scho∣lars, and more especially to Divines; for con∣sider;

1. The dignity of it, which Authors tel us, in any art or science, ariseth from the efficient cause, or the object: The inventors of this science have been learned and pious men in all ages▪ Gen. 2. ••0. Adam gave names suitable to

all creatures. ch▪ 6. v. 20. 21. Noah in the Ark did not only behold the creatures, but was com∣manded to provide food for them. Gen. 36. 34. We find several holy men in scripture who were shepherds. Gen. 13. 57.—37. ••. Exod. 10. 9. 1. Sam. 16. 11.—17. 34. We read that So∣lomon wrote of Fishes, Birds, and Beasts. 1. K••••gs. 4. 33. We read of Alexander, that he gav•• 80. talents to Aristotle to instruct him in the knowledge of Creatures, and had a 1000. men in Asia and Greece, who were employed in fishing and hun∣ting, thereby to be informed of the nature of Creatures. which was the reason of Aristotles writing his History of Animals. The advan∣tages we have from this kind of knowledge is not only for dispute, but also for the explication of Au∣thors as well Sacred as Prophane. It bringeth also much glory to God.

1. We shall find it very useful in sermons. For from hence we may deduce many profitable infe∣rences. It is fit to know lest we commit an error; Democritus was laughed at by Aristotle, who asking him what was the reason that a dog alwayes lay upon the same stone, answered, because he had some thing in him like a stone. We find Virgil bringing a Hart of Africa to prove what he said, when there are none there; thus he bringeth in the wild asses of Italy when there are none there. It is no less useful also in the ex∣plication of Prophane Authors as well as Sacred. The Priest in the Law was very well skilled in the nature of all food, he being to instruct the people,

of the lawfulness, and unlaw••••lnes of meats. Dan. 7. we read that Monarchies are compared to beasts, as the Chaldean to a Lyon, the Persian to a bear, the Grecian to a fox, the Roman to a beast with many heads and horns. Dan. 8. 3. we find [in Tobit] the Persian Empire compared to a Ram, and the Grecian to a goat; we read many things in Scripture of the Lyons whelp. Gen. 49. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. 17. 21. 27. So Gen. 3. 15. many places of Scripture cannot be interpreted without the knowledge of Animals. Thus for the History of Jonah, it is necessary we should be acquainted with the nature of the whale, in whose belly the Prophet was swallowed up. Thus John. 1. 29. we find Christ compared to a Lamb. Mat. 3. 16. The Holy Ghost appeared in the shape of a dove, and we are commanded to be wise as serpents, and innocent as Doves. Mat. 7. 15. Sathan and false teachers are compared to Wolves. Mat. 24. 28. where the carcass is, there will the Eagles be gathered. Chap 23. 1. how would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens! Thus David, Psal. 55. 7. O that I had the wings of a Dove, then would I fly away. Thus we find him wishing himself a Coney and a Sparrow in several places. Psal. 84. 4. we find the Church compared to a nest in which the Swallow and Sparrow layeth her young. So Psal. 103. 5. David wisheth he might renew his strength as the Eagle. Examples of which are frequent in prophane Authors. But finally, the knowledge of the creature doth tend very much to the glory of God. Thus we find

that the frost is called upon to praise God. Bless the Lord ye whales, and all things that move in the water praise the Lord, bless the Lord; ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord; man by the beholding of creatures is thereby induced to praise God, if he consider,

1. The different nature of Creatures, their beauty, magnitude, and agreement one with another.

2. The benefit of them, the least Creature being not useles to man.

3. The wonderful providence of God that is in the generation of creatures, in the places where they live: of which Job telleth us, Chap. 39. 40. 41.

4. The constant use that several creatures are of to mankind, which they might easily avoid if they knew their own strength: God hath also commanded them to serve man. Gen. 1. repeated also after the flood. Chap 9. 2. to have Dominion over the Beasts of the Earth.

5. The wonderful obedience of the creature to God. Thus Herod. Lib. 2. in Sennacheribs army, the Enemy being great, they despaired of victory, in one night the mice destroyed their shields and arrows, so that the next day they were forced to fly. Thus we see most of Phara••hs plagues were inflicted by Brutes: and no less wonderful is the History of Bal••am's Ass, Numb. 22. and of the Crow which fed the Prophet, and of the beares which destroyed those that mocked the Prophet. 2. King. 2. 24. thus we see the be∣••efit & usefulnes of this knowledge▪