The holy court in five tomes, the first treating of motives which should excite men of qualitie to Christian perfection, the second of the prelate, souldier, states-man, and ladie, the third of maxims of Christianitie against prophanesse ..., the fourth containing the command of reason over the passions, the fifth now first published in English and much augemented according to the last edition of the authour containing the lives of the most famous and illustrious courtiers taken out of the Old and New Testament and other modern authours / written in French by Nicholas Caussin ; translated into English by Sr. T.H. and others.

The fourth SECTION. The Table of the Citie of God, otherwise cal∣led, The Citie of honest men; drawn out of many excellent conceits of ancient Au∣thours, and things practised in some former Common-wealths.

I Will tell you than, thet I have seen in the idae∣aes of Plato this Divine Agathopolis, and that my mind is still much pleased with the remember∣ance of this spectacle. Expect not I should describe unto you the Countrey nor Citie with curiositie of language, for I leave that to Poets and Oratours, who have more leisure than I. Onely I intreat you to believe, that all which delicate pens of antiqui∣tie have written of Elisian fields, and the fortunate Islands, are in it to be found, with many advanta∣ges, which we may much better conceive than ex∣press. The Heavens are there smiling, the air whole∣som, the waters good, the seasons temperate, the winds calm, the ground fertile, the abode delight∣full, the hills and valleys watered with goodly foun∣tains, shadowed with many trees, covered with vines, enamelled with flowers, tapistred with mea∣dows, bristled with ears of corn; on what side soe∣ver you turn, it seemeth the Providence of God hath taken much pleasure to embellish this territory with his own hands.

I will not speak to you at all of the walls, Tow∣wers, Bulwarks, Bastions, Theaters, Amphithea∣ters, Colossesses, Edifices, and other the like; for herein this fortunate Citie hath not grounded its greatness, although there were to be seen buildings, as admirable, as if the Angels of Heaven were come down on earth, to undertake the direction thereof. I took it for a good presage; when I saw at the en∣terance of the Citie a great number of minds, mo∣dest, stout, and resolved, who went to the fount∣ains to draw water, and bare the pitcher on their shoulders, as that ancient Rebecca, of whom it is spoken in Scripture, labouring like bees in a bright summers day. I saw over the gate of the Citie a great statue of the Sun in the sign of Libra, which made me suppose, that all was mannaged within it, as are the days and the nights in the Equinoctial. I was not deceived in the judgement I made upon it, for there were not so much as clocks out of order, in such sort, that they struck all together, and mutually met at every hour of the day.

It was a contentment to me to walk on a pave∣ment, even and smooth, and to behold streets very fair, where there was neither stench, dirt, chan∣nels,

coach-man, caroch, nor lash of whips, smoak of roasts, criers, much tattle, running up and down, sinks, perfumes of Carpet-knights, waggish tricks of lac∣keys, nor sleights of cut-purses proud gates of Rodo∣monts, nor leaders of Bears, nor Mountebanks, nor pettyfoggers, quarrelers, drunkards, ale-houses, nor any of those which draw tribute from humane flesh. The whole world there was busied, and there was not an idle boy: onely you might see children very yong, who played at a most innocent game, and bare in their childish faces the goodness of fathers and mo∣thers, imprinted with an excellent character.

I learned the principal scope of their great felicity, was a most genuine simplicity, which reigned a∣mongst all the inhabitants; not that they were stupid, or witless; for accosting them, I soon perceived they had spirits clear-sighted and well purified; but all their study was to make a harmony between their heart and tongue, and to proceed in all things they undertook with marvellous freedom: they were in∣finitely amazed when it was told them, there were in other Countreys counterfeit men, who spake contra∣ry to their knowledge, and thinking one thing in their hearts, affirmed the contrary with their tongues. They thought it impossible, and used comparisons of their clocks, where the wheel and the hand went ever a like pace. And when I insisted, and grounded my self upon experience of what I had seen and heard, they concluded it may well then be said, those men there are spiritual Centaurs, composed of two natures.

And it being told them, there were Ladies and Gentlewomen in other Provinces, which wore sump∣tuous apparel, plaited, bumbasted, slashed, loaden with precious stones and chains, which had the spoils of the dead upon their heads, draw-bridges tyed to their feet, and that they bestowed a quarter of their lives in combing, and plaistering their faces: the wo∣men of this Countrey had much compassion hereof, and spake with tears in their eyes: Alas poor creatures! we may well say they have committed enormous sins, to carry themselves thus. And when it was answered, the greatest ambition which these Ladies had in the world, was to use this custom, they made many signs of the Cross, asking whether they were innocents, they would not absolutely say, fools?

Hereunto was added a tale, that in the year of an universal peace, there was a Ladie, who travelling with her husband into some other Province, had learned a certain manner how to beautifie her face, which she very curiously made use of; the rest per∣ceiving it, caused her to play at King and Queen, which was a pastime, where the Ladie, who became Empress by the custom of the game, commanded the rest what she thought good, and all yielded obedience to her. The Empress chosen, imposed upon all her train to wash their faces, which this counterfeit wo∣man being inforced to do, as the water dissolved the painting, and that she appeared as she was, the con∣fusion of her forehead was so excessive, that she as it were died with grief, not daring afterward to un∣dertake the like. Their attire port, gate, countenance, words, houses, moveables, tables, recreations, were carried with simplicity, yet accompanied with maje∣sty, civility, decorum, and seasoned with as true plea∣sures, as humane life may afford.

I saw many old men of an hundred years and up∣ward, who were yet very fresh, whereat I was much amazed, and one of them looking on me:

Why (saith he) do you wonder? We live here on inno∣cent meats, whereby it cometh to pass, that we do not so much as know the names of diseases, of which (it is said) you have huge registers, which are the purchasers of your intemperance. We have here no desire to drie up our entrails, and shorten our days; we are all great in the obedience we render to the law▪ all rich in the contentment of our desires; and all pleased with the happiness one of another. We have no passion to tear our hearts, nor cares to pre∣judice our lives, nor avarice to burn us up alive in our houses, nor ambition to make us wings fastened on with wax, so to flie up to the clouds, and make both land and sea famous by our falls. We have an excellent law, which is, never to proceed against the law of nature; and to tell you the truth, the igno∣rance of sins, wherein we live, serves us better than all the precepts of virtue do others.

There is no war among us but against vices, which we rather desire to vanquish, than all sorts of mon∣sters. We know not what plagues mean, because we neither infect the air nor land with blasphemies or bloud. The seasons of the year have with us the same equality which our spirits enjoy, and the sun smileth on us in all his mansions, as we endeavour to have a charity perpetually smiling and the bow∣els of compassion towards our like. When we would behold goodly Theaters, we reduce into our memory the vanities of men, to bewail them so much as they are frivolous. We see this great spe∣ctacle of the world, which it is very hard to imitate, and to fault it, is a crime.

The greatest eloquence among us, is truth, and the first science we teach our children, is that which instructeth them not to tell a lie. Above all, we endeavour piously to honour and serve God, uni∣ting us to his Spirit, and submitting our ways to the main stream of his Providence.

I stood very attentive to hear this old man speak: for I was in a good place; yet not contenting my self simply with what he had said, I needs would see their Churches, their devotions, their laws, and their justice, their commerce, and their Policie. I saw the places dedicated to the service of God, were exceedingly well governed, observed, and frequent∣ed, and that their devotion was not a slight fore of apish tricks, nor affected countenances, but a solid be∣lief of the Divinity with most pure affections. They had no great store of bells, nor took any pride to ring them, nor to publish festivals with much noise, nor to set up Fai•••• at the enterance into Churches, nor to sell jewels, not wear rich apparel, nor to glory in their kitchins. Their great solemnities were bet∣ter known by silence and devotion, than by any other exteriour ostent. It was a blessing, to behold that heresie had altered nothing, either in their do∣ctrine or manners; for they had ever declared them∣selves enemies of all innovation: and as it is said that fishes are silent, and draw near to the source of wa∣ters; so they banishing from their Citie all those con∣tentious disputations, set their mouthes to the fount∣ains of verity.

Thither came at the time whilest I was there, an able man, who thought to preach Controversies to them, and difficult distinctions of School-divinity; but the better sort of French-men demanded whether he preached in Hebrew or no. They could not en∣dure any one should perplex their consciences, by ve∣hemently raising up an infinite number of too subtile arguments, and many times unhonest; so much they feared to bring any mixture upon their innocency, finding more assistance in the lights of good nature, than the subtilities of men.

I considered how at their going from Church, they went to visit goodly great Hospitals, which were ex∣cellently well founded, and administered for the help of the poor, as well forreigners as domesticks: and I saw the most curious Ladies went confident∣ly into them with charitie in their hands, humb∣ling themselves to the services of the most indi∣gent. This made me so enamoured of their govern∣ment, that I judged it the quintessence of the same Theologie.

And verily, when I sought to inform my self of

their laws, I found they had as few, as their sound∣est men had medicines. They were all grounded on the doctrine of the Saviour of the world, namely on that word, which forbiddeth us to do that to others, which we would not to be done to our selves. Their state was Monarchal under the government of a good King, whom they honoured as a visible Divinity. This King had a Councel composed of the prime men of the world, who lived like Angels, and spake as Oracles; so much reverence they bare them, that when they appeared in the streets, they were seen to pass along with a certain silence ming∣led with veneration, as if they had been animated Reliques.

I likewise saw old Captains grown white in for∣reign wars, under the shadow of Palm-trees, and a flourishing warlike troup, readily disposed to do bravely upon occasion. The obedience was there so great, that if a souldier had his arm ready up to strike, upon the first sound of retreat, he would with∣hold the blow. All rewards were for virtues, and Fortune much complained, that she in this Countrey had neither Altar nor credit. Very rarely should you see a man advanced, but by long and faithfull trials of his merit: so that honours were there fasten∣ed, as it is said, with lyme and cement, because they sought for nothing more honourable from great a∣ctions, than the contentment to have done them.

All was there so peaceable, that it seemed this whole Citie was the nest of Halcyons, which calmeth the brow of Heaven, and appeaseth tempests. The Citi∣zens entertained one another, as the fingers on the hand, every one taking part of the good of his fellow: and it was a matter as rare to see a quarrel, as a mon∣ster brought from the utmost limits of Africk.

Needs must I confess I took a singular content, when one day passing through a street, I heard two old men, who discoursed in their language of for∣reign Countreys, and the one said to his compani∣on, that duels and quarrels were used there: the other would not believe him at all, thinking that two men who bare one and the same figure, could not contend one with another: but he persisted, and said he knew it to be true, and that the source of all their debates, was to say: It is mine, It is not: It is so, Yea, No. This narration so enkindled them, that they resolved to imitate those of whom they spake, and to have at least once in their lives a quarrel. But what endeavour soever they used, they would never confidently say, Yea, No. For as soon as one had pronounced, Yea, and began to make shew of con∣testation, the other said, Take it, I yield it. I leave you to think, whether any thing might be seen more pure than these souls.

In their commerces they so much feared to wrong their neighbours, that you would have said, they studied to deceive themselves, for fear to get from another; and if any one had gained ought by some mis-reckoning, he was half dead, and rose often∣times at midnight to hasten to make restitution, it being otherwise impossible for him to enjoy any repose.

I saw their Palace, which was a very beautifull piece, but the manner of suits and processes were there very rare; yet had I notwithstanding a vehe∣ment desire to hear them plead, at which time it was told me, that the next day a notable cause was to come to a hearing.

I failed not to be present thereat, and saw two men of the same condition, like those of whom S. Chry∣sostom wrote the history, who pleaded for a treasure. The matter was, the one had sold his land, and the other had bought it. The seller quickly laid hold of his money, and the buyer being entered into pos∣session, had begun to till the field, to have corn from thence: but not thinking thereof, he found gold in it; for coming to plow the land, he made disco∣very of a great treasure. But he, as much astonish∣ed as if he had found some venemous creature, or some mischievous piece of witch-craft, went direct∣ly to the seller to advertise him of what had passed, and wished him to take his gold again: but the other being unwilling to understand him in that kind, cau∣sed him to be called before the Judges. This was a business then handled with so much concourse of people, that never have I seen a cause so notorious. I had much ado to understand any thing of it, but certain broken words. The plaintive spake, How? Must men be used thus? You have sold me a field, and not given me notice there was a treasure hidden in it, why have you deceived me, why have you used such foul play with me? The defendant lifted up his hands to Heaven, and said: I swear and protest unto you by the faith of an honest man, that I did not this purpose∣ly. I sold you my land in all simplicity, not having the least suspition that there was any treasure. Well Sir, if you sold it with a sincere intention (saith the other to him) God pardon you, but I pray you come and take away your treasure. He again: Why should I take it? It belongs to you. The other: To me? What injustice is this! I bought land, and not gold. You purchased the land, answered the defendant, and all the appurte∣nances, it is reason that you possess all. The poor plaintif replied, sighing: Would you use me in this fa∣shion, and charge me with such unhappiness? Rather take your land again. I will not, said his adversary: it belongeth to you. Good God deliver me from such an unfortunate chance, I will have care how I engage my self in the like. In the end, the treasure was adjudged to him that bought the land, whereat he was much troubled, so that his friends had business enough to comfort him.

Oh Age! Oh goodness! Oh golden poverty! How much art thou now estranged from our man∣ners! I saw not there the Tornielle nor criminal process; for crimes were banished from thence, both by great severity of laws, and the excellent disposition of the people.

Every one was made to render an account very ex∣actly of the means he had to live on. And there was a certain girdle, as that of which Nicholas Damascene speaketh in his Policie, wherewith the just wideness of the wast was measured; and if any one were grown too gross, he had much ado to escape, unless he brought good witness that this happened not to him through idleness or excess of diet.

If a detractour were found, all his teeth were knocked out one after another: If a thief, melted gold was poured down his throat: If an homicide, he was put to be fed on by vulturs in an iron cage: If a blasphemer, his lips were seared with a hot iron, and his mouth so wed up: If a drunkard, he was put into a sack, and thrown into the water: If one un∣chaste, he was burnt with a soft fire, such horrour had they of vice.

Great volumes would be necessary to recount all the wonders of this celestial Agathopolis, which re∣quire some other scope than that which I have un∣dertaken. I will content my self to tell you for con∣clusion, that I saw in the middest of the Citie a great Pyramis of white marble, on which was set the sta∣tue of Justice, clothed with a robe all embroidered with stars, holding in one hand a book of laws, and in the other an ear of corn; about her were also pour∣trayed in embossed work, truth, wisdom, and the arts; and somewhat lower were beheld the statues of all the great States-men, with certain excellent precepts of Policie, engraven in brass; some copies whereof I have drawn out, which I, my Politician, desire to impart unto you.

Notes

• This narrati∣on is found in the lives of the holy An∣chorets.
• Chrys. hom. 30 ad Popul. Antio.