Scrinia Ceciliana, mysteries of state & government in letters of the late famous Lord Burghley, and other grand ministers of state, in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, and King James, being a further additional supplement of the Cabala.

Sir Francis Bacon his Advertisement, touching an Holy War, to the Right Reverend Father in God, Lancelot Andrews, Lord Bishop of Winchester, and Councellor of Estate to His Majesty.

My Lord,

AMongst consolations, it is not the least, to represent a mans self like examples of calamity in others. For Example gives a quicker impression then Arguments; and besides, they certifie us of that which the Scripture also tendereth for satisfaction, That no new thing is hap∣pened unto us. This they do the better, by how much the Examples are liker, in circumstances, to our own case, and more especially, if they fall upon persons that are greater and worthier then our selves. For as it savoureth of vanity, to match our selves highly, in our own conceit; so, on the other side, it is a good sound conclusion, That if our betters have sustained the like events, we have the less cause to be grieved.

In this kind of consolation, I have not been wanting to my self, though, as a Christian, I have tasted (through Gods great goodness) of higher remedies. Having therefore, through the variety of my read∣ing, set before me many examples, both of ancient, and latter times, my thoughts, I confess, have chiefly stayed upon three particulars, as the most eminent, and the most resembling; all three, persons, that had held chief place of Authority in their Countreys; all three ruined, not by war, or by any other disaster, but by Justice and Sentence, as Delinquents, and Criminals; all three famous Writers: Insomuch, as the remem∣brance of their calamity is, now, as to posterity, but as a little Picture of Night-work, remaining amongst the fair and excellent Tables of their Acts and Works: and all three, (if that were any thing to the matter) fit examples to quench any mans ambition of rising again, for that they were, every one of them, restored with great glory, but to their further ruine and destruction, ending in a violent death. The men were, De∣mosthenes, Cicero, and Seneca, persons that I durst not claim affinity with, except the similitude of our fortunes had contracted it. When I had cast mine eyes upon these examples, I was carried on further to observe, how they did bear their fortunes, and, principally, how they did imploy

their times, being banished, and disabled for publick business; to the end, that I might learn by them, and that they might be as well my Counsellors, as my Comsorters. Whereupon I happened to note, how diversly their fortunes wrought upon them, especially, in that point at which I did most aim, which was, the employing of their times and pens. In Cicero, I saw, that during his banishment (which was almost two years) he was so softned and dejected, as he wrote nothing but a few womanish Episiles: And yet, in mine opinion, he had least reason of the three to be discouraged; for that although it was judged, and judg∣ed by the highest kind of judgement, in form of a Statute, or Law, That he should be banished, and his whole estate confiscated and seized, and his houses pulled down, and that it should be highly penal for any man to propound his repeal; yet his case, even then, had no great blot of igno∣miny, but it was thought but a tempest of Popularity which overthrew him. Demosthenes, contrary-wise, though his case was foul, being con∣demned for bribery, and not simple bribery, but bribery in the nature of Treason and disloyalty; yet, nevertheless, he took so little know∣ledge of his fortune, as, during his banishment, he did much busie him∣self, and intermeddle with matters of State, and took upon him to coun∣sel the State, as if he had been still at the Helm, by Letters, as appears by some Epistles of his which are extant. Seneca, indeed, who was con∣demned for many corruptions, and crimes, and banished into a solitary Island, kept a mean: for, though his Pen did not freeze, ye he abstained from intruding into matters of business; but spent his time in writing Books of excellent Arguments, and use for all Ages, though he might have made better choice, sometimes, of his Dedications.

These examples confirmed me much in a resolution (whereunto I was otherwise inclined) to spend my time wholy in writing, and to put forth that poor Talent, or half-talent, or what it is, that God hath given me, not, as heretofore, to particular exchanges, but to ranks or Mounts of Perpetuity, which will not break.

Therefore, having not long since, set forth a part of my Instauration, which is the work that, in mine own judgement (Si nunquam fallit I∣mago) I may most esteem, I think to proceed in some few parts thereof. And although I have received, from many parts beyond the Seas, testi∣monies touching that work, such, as beyond which I could not expect at the first, in so abstruse an Argument; yet, nevertheless, I have just cause to doubt, that it flies too much over mens heads: I have a purpose, there∣fore, (though I break the order of time) to draw it down to the sense, by some patterns of a Natural Story, and Inquisition. And again, for that my Books of Advancement of Learning may be some preparative,

or Key, for the better opening of the Instauration, because it exhibits a mixture of new conceipts, and old, whereas the Instauration gives the new unmixed, (otherwise then with some little aspersion of the old, for tastes sake,) I have thought to procure a Translation of that Book into the general Language, not without great and ample additions, and en∣richment thereof, especially in the second Book, which handleth the par∣tition of Sciences; in such sort, as, I hold it, may serve in lieu of the first part of the Instauration, and acquit my promise in that part. Again, because I cannot altogether desert the civil person that I have borne, (which, if I should forget, enough would remember) I have also en∣tred into a work touching Laws, propounding a Character of Justice in the middle Term, between the speculative and reverend discourses of Philosophers, and the writings of Lawyers, which are tied, and obnoxi∣ous to their particular Laws. And although it be true, that I had a pur∣pose to make a particular Digest, or re-compilement, of the Laws of mine own Nation; yet because it is a Work of assistance, and that that I cannot master, by my own forces and pen, I have laid it aside. Now ha∣ving in the work of my Instauration, had in contemplatiō the general good of men, in their very being, and dowries of nature; & in my work of Laws, the general good of men in Society, and the dowries of Government, I thought in duty I owed somewhat unto mine own Countrey, which I ever loved; insomuch, as although my place hath been far above my deserts, yet my thoughts and cares concerning the good thereof, were beyond, and over, and above my place. So now, being as I am, no more able to do my Countrey service, it remained unto me to do it honour, which I have endeavoured to do, in my Work of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh. As for my Essayes, and some other particulars of that Nature, I count them but as the Recreations of my other Studies; and in that sort I purpose to continue them, though I am not ignorant, that those kind of Writings would, with less pains and embracement, per∣haps, yield more lustre and reputation to my Name, than those other which I have in hand. But I account the use that a man should seek, of the publishing of his own Writings before his death, to be but an untime∣ly anticipation of that which is proper to follow a man, and not to go a∣long with him.

But revolving with myself my Writings, as well those I have pub∣lished, as those which I had in hand, methought they went all into the City, and none into the Temple; where, because I have found so great consolation, I desire likewise to make some poor oblation. Therefore I have chosen an Argument, mixt of Religious and Civil Considerations; and likewise mixt between Contemplative and Active: For, who can

tell, whether there may not be an Exoriere aliquis? Great matters, (especially if they be Religious) have (many times) small begin∣nings, and the Plat-form may draw on the Building. This Work, be∣cause I was ever an enemy to flattering Dedications, I have dedicated to your Lordship, in respect of our ancient and private acquaintance, and because, amongst the men of our times, I hold you in especial Re∣verence.