The church-history of Britain from the birth of Jesus Christ until the year M.DC.XLVIII endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

To the Right Honourable, LEICESTER DEVEREUX, VISCOUNT HEREFORD, Lord FERRARS of Chartley, &c.

My lord,

GReat was the difference betwixt the breeding of Adonijah and Solomon, though sons to the same father. The former tasted not of Re∣proof, much lesse of Correction; it being never said unto him, Whya hast thou done so?

Solomon had his education on severer Principles. He was his Parents Darling, not theirb Fondling. It was after sounded in his ears, Whatc my Son, and what the Son of my womb?

Our English Gentry too often embrace the first course in breeding their Children, whereby they become old-Men, before they are wise-Men, because their Fathers made them Gentlemen, before they were Men, making them too soon to know the great Means they are born to, and too long to be ignorant of any good quality, whereby to acquire

a maintenance, in case, their Estates, (as all things are un∣certain) should faile, or forsake them. Hence it is, they are as unable to endure any hardship as David to march in Sauls armour, (for hef had never proved it) utterly un∣acquainted therewith.

But your discreet Parents, though kinde, were not cockering unto you, whom they sent (very young) into the Low-Countreys, where in some sort you earned what you eat in no lesse honourable than dangerous employment. This hath setled the sinewes of your Soule, and compacted the ioynts thereof, which in too many hang loose, as rather tackt than knit together.

Since being returned into England, partly by your Patrimony, partly by your Matrimony, an antient and fair Estate hath accrewed unto you. Yet it hath not grown, (as S. Basil fancieth roses in Paradise before Adams fall) without thorns and prickles. Many molestations attended it, through which you have waded in a good measure, having had TRIALS indeed, wherein on what side soever the Verdict went, you gained Patience and Experience.

Indeed, there is an experience the MISTRESSE of FOOLS, which they learn by their losses, and those caused by their own carelesness, or wilfulness, in managing their affairs. But also there is one, the MASTER-PIECE of VVISE-MEN

to attain, wherein they observe the events of all things, after their utmost endevours have submitted the success to Divine Providence. Yours is of the last and best kind, whereby you are become a skilfull Master of Defence, Knowing all the advantageous postures and guards in our Lawes, not there∣by to vex others, but save your self from vexation.

Thus having born the Yoke in your youth, you may the better afford ease and repose to your reduced age; and ha∣ving studied, many Men in Armes, more in Gowns, you now may solace your self, and entertain the time, with peru∣sing of Books, amongst which, I humbly request, this may have the favour of your Honours eye, to whom on a double motive it is Dedicated; First, because containing the Life of that PRINCE, who for His Piety may be exem∣plary to all persons of quality. Secondly, because it was He, who conferred the highest (still remaining) Honour, on your Family, advancing it (formerly very antient amongst the Barons) to the degree and dignity of Viscounts: where∣in that it may long flourish in plenty and happinesse, is the daily prayer of

Your Honours most obliged Servant, THOMAS FVLLER.

Notes

• a

  1 kings 1. 6.
• b

  Prov. 4. 3.
• c

  Prov. 31. 2.
• f

  I Sam. 17. 39.