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TRuth is defined in Metaphysicks, a con∣formity of the thing and the understanding. In L••∣gicke it is a correspon∣dence of propositions with things. In a morall acception it is an Homi∣liticall vertue, wherein we professe that in word and deed which we con∣ceive in our hearts to bee true. Hence it is one thing mentiri and another thing mendacium dicere. He is said to lye and faine, which speaks that against
his conscience which perhaps otherwise is true in it selfe, this is false E∣thice but not alwayes Lo∣gicè. Hee is said to tell a lye, who speakes that which hee thinkes true when it is false in it selfe. This is false Logicè but not Ethicè. It is in the minde as in subjecto cog∣nitivo, in the mouth as in signo repraesentativo. The minde knowes, the mouth manifests. Veri∣ly as Mirandula spake, Veritatem Philosophia quaerit, Theologia inve∣nit, Religio possidet. Phi∣losophy seeks Truth, Di∣vinity findes it, Religion possesses it. Truth it
is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Plato fair, kisse it therefore and ever embrace it, making it thy soules sole intelli∣gence.
The Roman Pretor wont alwayes to weare the image of Truth upon his brest, and the true Christian weares it still in scrinio pectoris sui, in the closet of his heart. The Poets ingeniously devise, that when Iupiter had created man (who is virtually 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or an Index to Gods great booke in folio) finde fault, Momus told him that one thing hee greatly misliked, which was, that hee had forgot
to frame a window in his breast, whereby it might be knowne whether the motions of his tongue were concentricke to his heart.
Truth is alwayes one and the same thing in her selfe, though in the ap∣prehension of others she lies sicke ready to dye without a confessor; shee doth not like the Cha∣meleon put on divers co∣lours, for no palsey fears assault her, she seekes no corners, but may looke Caesar in the face, when falshood dares looke no man, but like the Owle hates the light, setting light by Truth. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The night is the theeves, and the day Truthes, though sometimes shee loses it. Truth is a fixed starre not a planet, and all people love it lucen∣tem not reaarguentem, light is good, but yet to sore eyes very offen∣sive; hony though sweet, is to wounds smarting: Truth is alwayes whole∣some, but to most di∣stasteful; as they write of some beasts who have fel in aure, the gall in the eare, the hearing of Truth galls them, no∣thing being more bitter to them, and better for them. Sweet Syren
sounds is the harmony whereof their souls con∣sist, they stomacke truth and the rough phrase of reproofe, but their stomackes can digest smooth fables and con∣coct errors.
Sed quid opus teneras mord••ci radere vero Au∣riculas.
Sharpe biting Satyrs of reprehension offend delicate eares. It was Agathons Dilemma, if I please thee I shall not tell the truth, and if I tell the truth I shall not please thee, but procure enmi∣ty, Veritas odium parit:
As the beautifull Nymphs are said to have brought forth the ill fa∣voured Fawnes and Sa∣tyrs; so beautifull and glorious truth brings forth hatred, enmity and many foule deformities. Aliena vitia quisque re∣prehendi mavult quam sua▪ Every man had ra∣ther other mens vices were reproved then his owne. Truth like that bloudy water sweet and potable to the Hebrwes, saith Iosephus, but sowre and not potable with the Egyptians. Truth in the universall, subratione ve∣ri is hated of none, but in the particular, sub ra∣tione
contrarii, so it is u∣sually hated of all. The bright rayes of this Sun that never setteth, refle∣cting on a wise man who hath learned that heaven∣ly precept, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, illuminate his understan∣ding with a greater light of wisedome: but in the breast of fooles they kin∣dle a fire of ire and enmi∣ty. Quint••lian gave Ve∣spasian this commenda∣tion, Patientissimus veri, which few men in these dayes deserve, being so bad; for as the Poet,
Rari quippe boni numero vix sunt totidem quot The barum portae vel divi∣tis ostia Nili.
good men are so rare, that they are scarce so many in number as the gates of Thebes, or mouthes of rich Nilus, which were but seven. Ep••minondas a Theban was so severe and strict a lover of truth, Vt ne joco quidem menti∣tus sit: that he abhorred a lye even in jest. I would have all men put on this armour of proofe, and then they need not feare wounding. Truth (like Medusa's head) will turne their adversaries into stones: and againe, like Orpheus his pipe, it moves the stones, and gives life unto the dead. Let this glorious light then, which
••hines brightest between ••wo clouds, Malice, Er∣••our, be thy Cynosura and ••oad-starre, to guide thy ••oul the mother of truth, ••nd thy tongue the Mid∣wife.
Egyptii veritatem ex huma∣no corde gutturi appenso 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in dicabant Pier. Val.
Chamae∣leon prae metu co∣lores mu∣tat. Ges∣nerus.
Euripi∣de••.
Persius S••t. 1.
Ter.
Quintili∣an. l. 2. Orat. c. 5.
Iuven. Sat. 13.
Alex. ab Alex.