The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary being a curious miscellany of sacred and prophane history : containing, in short, the lives and most remarkable actions of the patriarchs, judges, ... heresiarchs, ... emperors, ... and all those who have recommended themselves to the world ... together with the establishment and progress both of religious and military orders ... ; [with] The genealogy of several illustrious families in Europe ; The fabulous history of the heathen gods and heroes ; The description of empires, kingdoms ... / collected from the best historians, chronologers, and lexicographers ... but more especially out of Lewis Morery ... his sixth edition corrected and enlarged by Monsieur Le Clark ... now done into English ; to which are added by way of supplement ... the lives ... and writings of the illustrious families of our English, Scotch and Irish nobility ... clergy ; as also an exact description of these kingdoms ... by several learned men ; wherein are inserted the last five years historical and geographical collections of Edmond Bohun ... never extant till in this work.

• Publicans, among the Romans were those who farmed the publick Revenue, and raised all sorts of Taxes for the State. They were usually Roman Knights, and might have Officers under them of divers Nations. But they were general∣ly cruel Oppressors and Extortioners, horribly abusing the pow∣er given them, and so hated by all Men, as appears in Holy-writ, and in the Life of Lucullus, as related by Plutarch.
• Pudicitia, a Goddess adored by the ancient Heathens, under the form of a veiled Woman, and of an exceeding modest Countenance, which had two Temples at Rome, one in foro bo∣ario, belonging to the noble Roman Ladys, and the other in vico longo, appertaining to the Plebeians or Tradesmens Wives; the ground of which Distinction was upon a Dispute that arose between the Patrician Ladys and one Virginia, who was also of a Patrician Family, but married to a Plebeian called Velumni∣us, a Man of great Merit. This last, one day entring into the Temple of Pudicitia, whereof there was then but one only in Rome; the Roman Matrons, jealous of their own and Hus∣bands honour, would have put her out; to whom she replied, She was born noble, and that they had no reason to reproach her up∣on the account of her Husband, who had been twice Consul, and ac∣quired by his noble Actions and Imploys as much glory as they might have by their Birth. But not to contest with them, she depart∣ed, and laid a Project of building a Temple near unto her own House, which she consecrated to Pudicitia by the Name of Plebeian, the other being named the Patrician Pudicitia; to which she assembled several considerable Citizens Wives, told them of the Affront put upon her, and desired them to fre∣quent the Temple she had built; exhorting them to distinguish themselves by their Vertues from the Patricians, as they preten∣ded, to be distinguished from them by their Nobleness. This was in the year of Rome 459. Titus Livius l. 10. Festus.
• Puerto-santo, an Island of Africa in the Atlantick Ocean, near that of Madera. The Portuguese discovered it in 1428, and are Masters of it. 'Tis about eight Leagues in circumference.
• Puerto-seguro, a Town and Sea-port of America in Brasil belonging to the Portuguese.
• Puerto-vicio, a Town and Sea-port in South America, in Peru, and in the Province of Quitoa, belonging to the Spani∣ards, upon the Pacifick or South Sea, near unto the City of Quitoa.
• Pulcheria, a brave Empress, was Daughter to the Emperor Arcadius, and Sister to Theodosius the Young. She was at the Age of 16 declared Augusta by Theodosius, and shared with him in the Sovereign power. She took particular care of that Prince's Education; and in 421 got him married to Athenais Daughter to the Philosopher Leontius. The Emperor's Easiness to sign all manner of Requests made Pulcheria reprove him, which he took so ill that he would have her ordained a Deaconess, which made her leave the Court. But Theodosius dying in 450, she got Marcian chosen, and married him. 'Twas through her care that the General Council of Chalcedon was assembled in 451. She died aged 54, in 453. Leo in Epist. Theodoret. Niceph. &c.
• * Pulchely, a large and indifferent well-built Bailiff Town on the Sea-shore in Carnarvanshire, from London 177. m.
• Pupienus (Marcus Claudius Maximus) was chosen Emperor by the Senate to govern with Balbinus, after the Death of the Gordians. He opposed the Maximinians, was a prudent Prince and beloved by the People. But the Soldiers, because they had not made him Emperor themselves; assassinated him about the year 228, he being aged 74 years, and his Collegue 60. They reigned but for about ten months or a year. Julius Capitolinus in Gord. & Maxim. Herodian. l. 7. Aur. Victor. de Caesar.
• Purbach, Purbachius, or Burbach (George) a German born May 13. 1423. was a great Mathematician, and taught Philo∣sophy and Theology at Vienna. He went to Italy with Cardinal Bessarion; laboured to abridge Copernicus's System, but had not finished the sixth Book, when he died suddenly at Vienna, Apr. 8. 1462, aged 37. Some of his Treatises have been published by Regiomontanus his Disciple. Trithemius in Catal. Vossius de Math. l. 35. &c.
• Purgation Canonical, an Oath by which a Man cleared himself of an Accusation in presence of a certain number of credible per∣sons who affirmed they believed what he said to be true. It was called Canonical, because it was according to the Canon-law. And to distinguish it from the ordinary Purgation of Fighting or tryal of Fire and Water. The Combat was performed in a List. See Champions. As for the Trial, the accused was sometimes obliged to put his Arm in boiling Water. At other times to throw himself into ordinary cold Water to see whether he should sink. Or was to carry a burning Iron in his hands. Or walk upon live Coals. This Custom was continued for several Ages among many Nations; and esteemed so lawfull that they

• were called the Judgments of God. For such was the Simpli∣city of those times, that they thought God obliged to work Miracles, that Peoples Innocence might come to light. But these Abuses were abolished by little and little. Lewis the Meek forbad the Trial of cold Water in 840. The Trial of hot I∣ron and boiling Water was abolished by the Emperor Ferdinand the IId. about 1240. And as for Duels, Charles the Bald made very rigorous Ordinances against those that should endeavour to justifie their Innocence by their means. Spelman Glossar. Archaeol.
• Purim is the Name which the Jews gave to one of their Feasts celebrated in memory of Esther, who prevented the Isra∣elites being entirely rooted out by the Conspiracy of Haman. This Name has been given to this Feast, because of the Purim mentioned in the 9th. of Esther. R. Leo of Modena saith, this Feast lasted two days, but 'twas the first that was only the so∣lemn-day, and that they fasted the Evening before it. But yet that they might work and labour on both these days. On the first they read over all the Book of Esther, and at the time of reading of it, he observes, some hearing the Name of Haman pronounced, clapped their hands, to intimate they cursed him. They give also then very large Alms, Relations and Friends sending to one another Presents of things to eat, and all the day is spent in rejoicing and feasting. Leo de Modena, Trait de Ceremonies, part 3. c. 10.
• Pussa, a Goddess of the Chineses, whom Authors call the Chi∣nesian Cybele. This Idol is represented sitting upon the Flower of a Tree, named in Latin Lotus, above the top-brances of the Tree, and having her two Hands in one another upon her Breast, besides which she has also sixteen Arms, eight stretched out on the right side, and eight on the left; and in each hand a Sword, Knife, Book, Bason, Wheel, and other mysterious and symbolical things. Her Ornaments were very costly, and she shines all with Dia∣monds, and other precious Stones. Kircher de China.
• Le Puy, Lat. Vellana, & Vellanorum Urbs, Anicium, Aviti∣um & Podium, a City in France, the Capital of the Country of Velay, near the Borne and the Loire, and a Bishop's-see. It's a fair, large and ancient City, famous for the Cathedral of our Lady. Its Bishop is Count of Velay, hath a right to the Pallium, and formerly coined Money. Its Chapter consists of a Dean, Chaunter, Treasurer, Vestry-keeper, 24 Prebends, and two Ab∣bots. This Town is under the Parliament of Tholouse. And some Authors take it for the Ruissium of Ptolomy. The Bishops of Aquitain met here in 1130, and condemned the Antipope A∣nacletus, approving also of the Election of Innocent IId. Baronius.
• Puy (Charles du) called the Brave Montbrun, was one of the most valiant Captains the French Protestants had during the War in the sixteenth Age. He did his Party great Services in Dauphiny. He was bred up in the Romish Church; but one of his Sisters turning Protestant, and retiring to Geneva, he went thither, in order to kill her. She, though advertised of his com∣ing, received him without fear or disturbance, and upon seri∣ous Conference with him, brought him over to embrace the Protestant Faith, and he proved a most zealous Defender of it. His first Feats of Arm•• ••••re in the Reign of Henry IId. and in the beginning of that o•• Francis IId. in 1560. Bouvier, Provost-Marshal of France, in Dauphiny, had Orders to secure him, but was first taken by him. He fought very valiantly upon several Occasions; was at the Battle of Moncoucour; passed the Rhone; joined himself to the Admiral Coligny, and entred into Dauphi∣ny. He had the Courage to plunder the Baggage of King Hen∣ry IIId. in his Return from Poland, in 1574, and did it not out of Avarice, but pure Bravery. He defeated the Swissers, and got great Advantages over them. But some time after he was himself defeated, and taken by Gordes near the Pont de Mirebel. Finding himself in danger of being killed or taken Prisoner, he jumped his Horse that was much fatigued into a Mill-pond, and there broke his Thigh. He was proceeded against at Gre∣noble, condemned, and executed, dying with great Constancy and Courage on the 12th. of August, 1575. But his Family was afterward, by the Peace of 1606, restored. Thuan. Hist. Corier Hist. de Dauph. d' Avila, &c.
• Puy, Library-keeper to the French King, writ several things, as, A Treatise concerning the King's right over Estates and Lord∣ships. Proofs of the Liberties of the Gallican Church. The true Hi∣story of the Condemnation of the Order of the Templars. A General History of the Schism in the Church, from the year 1378 to 1428. History of the Difference between Pope Boniface VIII. and Philip the Fair. Of the Salick-Law. And several other Learned Pieces. He died at Paris, Decemb. 16. 1651. aged 69. Rigault writ his Life.
• Puy (Raymond du) Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, was of Dauphiny. He went to the Holy-Land with Godfrey of Bullen, and after the taking of Jerusalem, devoted himself to serve the Poor and the Pilgrims in the Hospital of St. John in that City. Having already manifested his Valor in Battle, Gerard, who was Rector of the Hospital, dying, Ray∣mond was chosen to succeed him. He prescribed Laws to his Order, took in a great many Brethren, distinguished them in∣to three Degrees, to wit, Knights, Servants at Arms, and Chap∣lains. All his Constitutions were confirmed in 1123 by Pope Calixtus IId. and in 1130 by Innocent IId. who gave them for their Standard, A Cross Argent in a Field Gules. He equip∣ped his Troops, and sent them to Baldwin, the second King of Jerusalem; assisted him at the Siege of Ascalon; and contri∣buted very much to the taking of it. Upon which Pope Ana∣stasius granted the Order very great Privileges. And from this time forward it became very famous. Raymond died in 1160, and was succeeded by Auger de Balben. Bosio Hist. of the Order of St. J. of Jerusalem. Naberat Privileges of the Order.
• Puy-Cerda, the Capital City of the Earldom of Cerdigne to the East of that of Rousillon, between France and Spain.
• Puysegar (James de Chatanet) Colonel of the Regiment of Piemont, and Lieutenant General in the Armies of Lewis XIII. and XIV. he bore Arms 40 years consecutively, during which, he was at 120 Sieges, and 30 pitch'd Battels, past to that Post thro' all the Military Degrees, was not sick, and did not receive the least wound all the time. His Memoirs are worth perusing, which were printed at Paris and Amsterdam in 1690.