A display of heraldrie

SECT. III. CHAP. VII.

SO much touching examples of such Natures, as do live after a sort: in the next place succeed those things, which do live perfectly or properly; such Natures are those as have in them expresse and manifest tokens of a living soul.

Of this kind, some are

• ...Vegetable.
• ...Sensitive.

Forasmuch as I am now to treat of vegetable Animals, and of their par∣ticular kinds; I must excuse my self in two things before I enter into the Exemplifying of them: The one, that there is no cause that any man should expect at my hands an expresse demonstration of each particular species of them: And that I should run through and display their mani∣fold and almost innumerable kinds, for that would be a tedious travell and (besides) an infinite and unnecessary charge and cost, and withall far wide from the project of my prefixed purpose. The other thing (and the same more pertinent to that I do intend) is, That in handling of vegetables and Sensitives, I purpose onely to distribute their severall ranks of Distri∣bution, according to their Order to them prescribed by Nature, which to ex∣presse is my chiefest drift, and the principall scope that I do aime at.

Of the perfect sort of Creatures there are many kinds, whereof some are of more perfection and more worthy than others, according to their more excellent kind of life, or worthinesse of soul.

Of these the lesse perfect sort of bodies were first created; and then such as were of more perfection. Plants are more worthy than Metals, and A∣nimals of more reckoning than Plants: therefore were these first created, and those afterwards.

Of Animals wherewith God did adorne the Aire, the Waters and the Earth, there are divers kinds, whereof some were more worthy than others; in the Creation of these did God observe the same order.

Between the Creation of Plants and Animals, it pleased God in his un∣searchable wisedome, to interpose the Creation of the Stars wherewith he beautified the Heavens, he did it to this end; to give us to understand, that albeit the Sun with his light and motion together with the Stars do concur in the generation of Plants and Animals, neverthelesse their genera∣tion is not to be attributed simply to the influence and power of these Ce∣lestiall bodies; but onely to the Omnipotency of God, inasmuch as by his powerfull Word he commanded the Earth to produce all sorts of Plants and their fruits, before the Stars were created.

From the most fertile and pleasant Garden of Eden, unto the most bar∣ren and desolate Wildernesse, may we see and behold the great and won∣derfull Works of God, and take occasion to extoll his Omnipotency, Wisdome and Mercy. As we may observe, Esay 41.19. I will set in the Wildernesse the Cedar, the Shittah tree, and the Myrre tree, and the Pine tree; and I will set in the Wildernesse the Firre tree, the Elme, and the Box together. Therefore let them see and know, and let them consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and that the Holy one of Israel hath created it, Verse 20. Hence we may gather that there is no object so mean that presenteth it self to our view, but will minister some just occasion to glorifie God.

Men are accustomed to attribute the propagation of these, either to the influence of nature, or to the travell and industry of man; but these were produced before any other of like kind could be found upon the face of the Earth, whereof it might be imagined they might receive being; for as yet there had never fallen any raine to fructifie the Earth, whereby it might produce green herbs, nor as yet was Man created, that might ma∣nure and till the ground for that purpose: therefore neither were they produced naturally, or of their own accord, nor yet by the Art, Skill, or industry of Man, but by the immediate Word and commandment of God.

The reason that moved Moses to give an instance of Plants and Herbs, how that they were produced by the vertue and power of Gods word onely, and not naturally, or by the skill and industry of man; neither yet of A∣nimals, nor of any other of the infinite number of things created (Genesis 1.11.) was this, because the generation of Plants and Herbs might be much more doubted of, than the originall of other things.

Of the first springing of Trees in the Creation Moses saith, Et germinare fecerat Jehova Elohim è terra omnem arborem concupiscibilem, id est, visu, & bonam ad escam; which words do comprehend all the desireable qualities of fruit trees▪ for in them we expect that their fruits should be either de∣lightfull to the Eye, or that they should be fit for food and wholesome, and that they be also fragrant and sweet smelling: For the fruits of Trees, the better they be, the more odoriferous they are.

That the Trees, wherewith Paradise was planted, had all these qualities, it is manifest by the words of Moses, in that he saith, Concupiscibilem ad vi∣sum, & bonam ad escam: whereby we gather that the sight is delighted with things beautifull and glorious, the smell with sweet and pleasant savours, and the palate with things of sweet and pleasant taste. And none of these are in themselves evill; for such was the constitution of Adam before he transgressed, that he might have delighted himself in them all without offence; and to that end did God create them, that he should use them with thanksgiving.

Moses describeth unto us two principall qualities of the Garden of Pa∣radise, whereby he layeth before us the pleasantnesse of the scituation thereof, and also the beauty and fertility of the soil: The first of these qualities was that it was replenished with all sorts of Trees, not onely most pleasant and delightfull to the Eye, but also most pleasant to the taste; for that they produced the best and sweetest fruits. The other quality was, that the whole circumference of the Garden of Paradise was surrounded and invironed with a River, being distributed into four heads, which did highly beautifie the same, and made it most pleasant to the view.

In this description Moses maketh mention of two Trees of speciall qua∣lities, that were planted in the middest of Paradise: The one named the Tree of Life, the other the Tree of Knowledge of good and evill.

The first of these had a vivificant power in it self, the fruit whereof was ordained to this end; That being eaten it would enable a Man never to feel sicknesse, feeblenesse, old Age, or Death: but should evermore continue in the same state of strength and agility of body: This was the efficacy and power that was given to this Tree; whereof it was never yet deprived. Therefore was this quality after a sort naturall there∣unto.

For this cause was there a Cherub set at the entrance of Paradise, to keep out such as would enter the same, and eate of the fruit of the Tree of Life; that he should not alwayes live that kind of life.

How behovefull the knowledge of the vertues and operations of Trees, Plants, Herbs and other vegetables are for the extolling and manifesting the Omnipotency, Wisdome, Mercy, loving favour, and fatherly providence of our most gracious God towards sinfull Man, is, in that he hath created for the behoof and use of man, as well touching his necessary food and rayment, as for recreation and delight; we may evidently perceive by So∣lomons industrious investigation of the vertues and operations of all sorts of vegetables, for (besides other his admirable qualities wherewith he was richly endued) he had surpassing knowledge in the vertues, operations and qualities of herbs and other vegetables, insomuch as he was able to reason, discourse, and dispute, not onely of Beasts, Fowles, creeping things and fishes, but of Trees also and Plants, from the Cedar in Lebanon, to the Hyssope that springeth out of the Wall, that is, from the highest and tallest tree to the smallest shrub and lowest herbe. Thus we see the knowledge and skill in naturall Philosophy to be holden in great estimation in all Ages, in∣somuch as it hath been reckoned a study well befitting the dignity of a King, yea of Solomon who was the wisest King that ever was, and a Type of our Saviour Christ. But to returne to the vegetable.

Such are said to be vegetable as have in them a lively power of growing, budding, leafing, blossoming, and fructifying, as Trees, Plants, Herbs, Grasse, &c. and of these some grow on Trunks or solid bodies, some upon flexible Stalks: some again grow upon a single Stemme, as commonly all Trees do, some upon manifold Stemmes, as Shrubs, Roses, &c.

Trees are certain Plants, springing from a root with a single Trunk or Stemme (for the most part) shooting up in height, and delineated with lims, sprigs or branches. Of these Trees some are more proper to hot Coun∣tries, as the Frankincense tree to Arabia; the Balsamum, Myrrhe, Mace, and Nutmeg trees, as also the Pepper trees, and such like, which chiefly grow in India, the Plane tree in Aegypt and Arabia; the Pomegranate in Africa, &c. which I purposely passe over, and will onely give examples of other sorts to us better known, whether they be Trees fruitfull or barren. In giving examples whereof I purpose not to observe any precise order, but to mingle then pel-mel one with another, because I hold such curious sor∣ting them, better fitting a professor or Physick or some Herbalist, than an Armorist; to whom it sufficeth to shew superficially, that these, and their severall parts, are borne in Coat-Armour, aswell simply of themselves, as also with things of different nature, as in the examples following may ap∣peare.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Or, on a Mount in base, an Oake acor∣ned, Proper, by the name of Wood. Almighty God, what time by his powerfull word he did enable the Earth to fructifie, and produce Herbs and Trees with their variable fruits, said, Let the earth bud forth according to his kind, the bud of Herb that seedeth seed, the fruitfull Tree which beareth fruit according to his kind, which hath seed in it self upon the earth; and it was so: whereby (saith Zanchius) we are admoni∣shed that they should be preserved and nourished in the earth unto the time of seed for our necessary use, for that they profit little untill they be come unto their full ripenesse. The Oake is of the strongest sort of Trees, and therefore may best challenge the first place.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, on a Mount in a Base, a Pine Apple tree, fructed, Proper, by the name of Pine. There is a difference between the production of seed of Trees and of Herbs, aswell for the pro∣pagation as for the preservation of their seve∣rall kinds, for the Herbs do produce their seed in their stalkes without fruit; and the Trees do produce theirs in their fruit.

It is holden of some that the Pine Tree is a re∣presentation of Death, forasmuch as the same being once felled, or cut down by the ground, the root thereof is said never to sprout or spring any more.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, on a Mount in Base, a Peare tree, fructed, Proper, by the name of Pyrton, As God for the necessary sustenance of Man, ordained manifold varieties of nourishment, so likewise many sorts were created not onely for mans necessity, but also for his delight, both to Eye and taste; as too well appeared by the first woman, whose rash affection in this kind, all her Posterity hath since rued. But with∣all God teacheth us by these dumb instructors, that man should not be fruitlesse, lest he become thereby f••ll onely fit for burning.

Those proposed examples are of whole bearing of Trees: Now of their parts, viz. their Leaves, Fruits, Slips, &c. promiscuously, as in example.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Gules, the Stemme or Trunk of a Tree Eradicated, or Mooted up by the roots, as also Cou∣ped in Pale, sprouting out two branches, Argent, by the name of Borough, alias Stockden, of Borough in Leicester shire. Branches must needs wither which have neither shelter from above nor nourishment from beneath: being therein like that Roman Embas∣sage, where the one Embassador had a giddy head, and the other gouty feet, whereof one said, that it had neither head nor foot.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, a Cheuron, Ermine, between three Oaken slips, acorned, Proper, by the name of Amades of Plymouth. By the words formerly noted to be extracted out of Gen. 1.24. Let the earth bud forth, &c. we do gather (saith Zanchius) a diverse manner of conserving of the severall kinds of Herbs and Trees by propagation (through the production of their Seeds whereby their particular sorts are preserved) the one that do bring forth their seed in their stalks without fruit, and Trees do produce their seed in their fruit.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, three sterved branches, slipped, Sable, by the name of Blackstock. This Example is of different nature from all the former, those bearing the signes of their vegetation and life, but this being mortified and unvested of the verdour which some∣times it had; which is the condition of all mortall men, whose most flourishing estate must have a change, their beauty turned to baldnesse and withe∣red wrinkles, and they leave all their riches, or their riches, leave them: this is the end o•• 〈…〉〈…〉 Tree, an•• fruits of our worldly estate; but the fruits of holinesse will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 perish, and the righteous man shall be as the tree planted by the Waters of life. Other Escoche∣ons of the same kind ensue.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Gules, a Bend of the limbe of a Tree, Raguled and Trunked, Argent, by the name of Pen∣ruddock. That which I spake of before touching the Bend Crenelle, fitted by Art for the scaling of a Wal, the same seemeth to be here naturally found. At the first approach of King William and Conq••••••••r, the green boughs of trees, borne by Souldiers▪ ••••ed for an excellent Stratagem of defence; and as helpfull an instrument of offence to the enemy may this trunked tree be, when other helps are wan••••ng to the besiegers.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, three Stocks or Stumps ••f Trees, Couped and Eradicated, Sable, by the name o•• Retowre. If the top or boughes be cut off, yet the Root standing there is hope of a new growth: but when the Root is pluckt up, there remaineth no hope of re∣viving. And therefore that was a fearfull warning, Now is the Axe put to the Root; which should quicken us to the bearing of good fruits, lest otherwise we mean to bear that dreadfull stroke, and the issue of that terrible commination.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

H•• ••eareth, Azure, three Laurel leaves slipped, Or, This is the paternall Coat-Armour of Sir Richard Leveson of Lilleshall in the County of Salop who was made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our Soveraign Lord King Charles. That the Laurell was in ancient times, thought to be a remedy against poyson, lightning, &c. and in war used as a token of peace and quietnesse, you may at your leasure read in Master Bossewell his book of Coats and Crests.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

The Field is, Topaz, five fig-leaves in Saltire, Emerald. This Coat appertaineth to the Count Feria of Spain. The Fig-leaves are the ancientest wearing that is, being the first cloathing of our first transgressing Parents. And I∣raeneus saith, that they used not the Leaves of any o∣ther Tree, to shew the torture and anguish of Repen∣tance, signified by the roughness and sharpness where∣with this sort of leaf is beset. Our Saviour Christ liked not to see Fig-leaves without Fruit, and therefore cur∣sed the Tree: and accursed will their condition be, the growth of whose Faith and Religion is in shew, and not in substance of fruitfull works.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

The Field is, Ermine, two bars, Sable, each char∣ged with five Elmen leaves, Or, by the name of Elmes of Lilford in the County of Northampton. It is suppo∣sed that there is great love, and a naturall Sympathy be∣twixt the Elme Tree and the Vine, because the Vine ne∣ver prospereth better than when it groweth by the Elme, whereas the Elme it self is of all Trees the most barren. So should those who have few good parts in themselves, yet at least cherish and support such, as Nature and Art have enabled to produce better fruits of their industry.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, Three Woodbine leaves pendant, Azure. This Coat-Armour pertaineth to the Family of Gamboa in Spain. Sometimes you shall have these Leaves borne bend-waies, as in this next Escocheon. The Woodbine is a loving and amorous plant, which em∣braceth all that it growes near unto; but without hurting of that which it loveth: and is therein con∣trary to the Ivy (which is a Type of lust, rather than of love) for it hurteth that which it most embraceth. Sometimes you shall find Leaves of sundry sorts of Trees borne Ordinary waies, as in example.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, three Woodbine leaves Bend-waies, Proper, 2. and 1. by the name of Theme. These Leaves are all one with those in the last precedent Es∣cochon in shape, but different from them in the man∣ner of their position, in that those are borne with their points downwards, and these naturally or up∣wards. Other whiles they are borne in forme of o∣ther Ordinaries, as by example shall hereafter be

made plaine. Moreover you shall finde them sometimes borne with Or∣dinaries betwene them, as in this next Escocheon.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, a Cheuron, Gules, betweene three Nettle Leaves, Proper, by the name of Malherbe, De∣von. The Nettle is of so tetchie and froward a nature, that no man may meddle with it, as many testy-natured men are. One writes, that a little Girle being stung by a Nettle in her fathers Garden, complained to him that there was such a curst Herbe in his Gar∣den, as that it was worse than a Dog, for it would bite them of their owne house. Her Father answered her, that it was the nature of it to be unpartiall, and friend or foe were all alike to it. Yet this property it hath, that the har∣der you presse it the lesse it will sting.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

The Field is, Sable, three Wallnut-leaves, Or, be∣tween two Bendlets, Argent, by the name of Waller, and is the Coat-Armour of Sir William Waller of Winchester Castle in Hampshire and Groombridge in Kent, Sir Hardress Waller Major Generall of Ireland, and Edward Waller of Beconsfield Esquire, all descen∣ded from Richard Waller of Groombridge Esquire, who at the battell of Angencourt took prisoner the Duke of Orleans, to signalize which action the Fa∣mily have ever since borne hanging on their anci∣ent Crest (viz. a Wallnut tree) the Armes of France with a Labell; this Coat with his due difference belongs to Richard Waller Merchant Adven∣turer of London.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, three Holly Leaves pendent, Pro∣per, by the name of Inwine. Note that when leaves are borne after this manner, viz. pendent, you must tell in what fashion they are borne: but if their points onely be upwards, then it sufficeth to say Leaves, because it is their most naturall and proper way when they are in full vigor. Now I will shew you an example, where three leaves are borne Bar-wayes.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Argent, three Holly leaves, Barwaies, two and one, their stalkes towardes the Dexter part of the Escocheon, Proper, by the name of Arnest, Devon. These seeme to have beene, (as still they are) much used in Adorning the Temples an•• Sacred places; es∣pecially at the most solemne time of our Saviours Na∣tivity, and thence to have taken that Holy name. There is a kinde of Holly that is void of these Prickles and of gentler nature, and therefore called Free-holly, which in my opinion is the best Holly; and so it was in his, who saith, that charity (the daughter of true holinesse) is gentle and hurteth not, but rather suffereth all things: farre unlike to those Hedge-hogge holy-ones, whose sharpe censures and bitter words pierce thorow all those who con∣verse with them.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

The Field is, Argent, a Pomegranat, in Pale, slipped, Proper. These Armes do pertain to the City and Country of Granata, within the Dominions of the King of Spain, scituated by the Mediterranean Sea. This fruit is holden to be of profitable use in Phy∣sick, for the qualifying and allaying of the scorching heat of burning Agues, for which end the juyce thereof is reckoned to have a very soveraigne vertue.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, three Peares, Or, by the name of Stukeley, Devon. This fruit, as other, was ordai∣ned for the comfort of man: but as the Devill made use of the Apple to the destruction of man, so did the Divils Imps use the Peare to a wicked end, when the Monkes of Swinsted inviting King John to a Banquet, poisoned him in a dish of Peares, though others write it was in a Cup of Ale.

Concerning the fruits of Trees, God in the begin∣ning gave unto Man a free scope to use them with∣out restraint, onely the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evill ex∣cepted, whereof he was prohibited the eating upon pain to dye the Death whensoever he should taste thereof. In this prohibition God would, that he should not so much respect the fruit of the Tree, as the Soveraign autho∣rity of him that forbade the eating thereof, yea, this chiefly and princi∣pally first, and secondly, the fruit because of the interdiction.

The end for which God did prohibit Adam the eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evill, was, that notwithstanding God had gi∣ven him a Soveraign jurisdiction on earth, yet was he not so absolute a governour and commander, but that he had a Lord Paramount to whose hests he was simply and with all reverence to obey, and that he should know that God his Creator was above him, whose will should be unto him the Rule of all Justice, and whereunto he should conforme all his actions, counsels, and cogitations, that he should evermore have an awfull eye unto him, and alwayes hope in him, glorifie, fear, reverence, and love him. The end I say, was this; That Adam should know both God, and himself: God as his true creator, himself to be his creature; God, to be his Lord; him∣self, his servant; God a most bountifull and magnificent giver of all good blessings; himself, Gods foster-child, and such a one as must acknowledge that whatsoever he possesseth, proceedeth from Gods free bounty and mercy; and therefore should render under him continuall praise and thanks for the same, from the ground and bottome of his heart.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth Gules, a Cheuron, Ermine, between 3 Pine Apples, erected, Or, by the name of Pine. The Pine tree was in much request in ancient times, for ador∣ning of walks about Mansion houses; according to that of the Poet:

Fraxinus in sylvis pulcherrima, Pinus in hortis, Populus in fluviis, Abies in montibus albis:

The Ash in Woods makes fairest shew; The Pine in Orchards nigh; By Rivers best is Poplars hew, The Firre on Mountains high.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, three Mulberies, their Stalks trun∣ked, Proper. The Mulbery tree is an Hieroglyphick of Wisdome, whose property is to speake and to do all things in opportune season: And it is reputed (as I may say) the wisest of all ••rees, in regard it never sprowteth, nor buddeth, untill such time as all ex∣tremity of cold Winter season be clearly past and gone. This Fruit hath a Purple blushing colour, in the the one resembling the Judges attire who attempted Susanna, in the other that hue of their face which should have been in them, if they had been so gracious to blush at their fault, as they were hasty to commit it. A greater sin in them than in o∣thers, because they were to punish others for the like offences: but it is no rare thing to see the great Offenders hang the little.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Or, on a Bend, Sable, three Clusters of Grapes, Argent. This Coat appertaineth to Sir Edmound de Maroley Knight of the County of Yorke. He lived in the time of Edward the First. How profitable the mo∣derate use of the juyce of the Grape may be to man, is as manifest, as the inconvenience that doth attend the too much bibbing of the same is odious.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

He beareth, Azure, a Bar, Argent, three Apples e∣rected in Base, or by the name of Harlewin, Devon. An Apple is called in Latine Pomum, which is a gene∣rall word for all sorts of eatable fruits, insomuch as Plin. lib. 15. cap. 22. comprehendeth Nuts also un∣der this name, albeit the same is most commonly ta∣ken for this sort of fruit. If we desire to have Apples to continue longer upon the trees then their accu∣stomed season of ripening, we may effect the same by wreathing of the boughes and platting them toge∣ther one in another; as Farnesius noteth, saying, Praeter naturae tempus, ex arbore pendebunt Poma, si ramusculos contorqueri jusserimus: whereof he yeel∣deth this reason, that by means of such wreathing and platting, the hu∣mour is more slowly concocted or digested, so that they cannot ripen with that maturity, as those which are not hindred of their naturall pas∣sage and action. Hereby we learn, that Art worketh forcibly in things meerely vegetable; how much more effectuall and powerfull is educa∣tion (which is reckoned a second nature) in forming and reforming the conditions and inclinations of men?

Notes

• Trees what.
• Examples of fruits better known to us.
• An Ooak.
• Genes. 1.24.
• Pine Apple Tree.
• Peare Tree.
• Trunke.
• ••••••ee Oaken ••••••ps.
• Sterved bran∣ches.
• Limbe of a tree.
• Stock.
• Fig-leaves.
• Elmen leaves.
• Woodbine leaves.
• Nettle leaves.
• Holly leaves.
• Borne bar∣wayes.
• Pomegranats.
• Peares.
• Prohibition of the Tree.
• A Cheuron between three Pine Apples.
• Three Mul∣beries.
• Susanna
• Apple called Pomum.
• Slow ripning how procured.
• Force of Art.