Mankind displayed: or, The history of the little vvorld being a curious collection out of the best authors of the most wonderful and remarkable things that have been performed by men and women in the several ages of the world; together with select observations, philosophical precepts, maxims of state, &c.

Of the good Wishes of some.

St. Augustine used to wish, that he might have seen three things, which were, Rome in its chiefest Glory, the Apostle Paul in the Pulpit, and Christ Jesus in the Flesh.

The Spartans used to wish to their Ene∣mies, that they might always be affected with the humor of building, that they might keep Race Horses, and that their Wives might be dishonest to their Beds.

Sophocles the Philosopher, being de∣manded what harm he would wish to his greatest Enemy, he answered, that he might love where he was not fancied. Plutarch's Life of Sophocles.

When King James the First, came first to view the Publick Library at Oxford; seeing the little Chains, wherewith the Books were fastened to their Places, he wished, that if it should ever be his desti∣ny to be made a Prisoner, that Library might be his Prison, those Books his fel∣low Prisoners, and those Chains his Fet∣ters: He was a Prince much addicted to Learning, and very notable at Ex tempore Sayings; he was a Prince very sagacious, and prudent: A notable Instance where∣of, was his discovery of the Powder Plot, by reading the Letter sent to the Lord Monteagle.