7 ^fc _ LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA A fib" ALBANIA: O R, C E%TJI^E CONCERNMENTS OF GREAT BRITA'NNY. WITH An Explication of the pre- fent ftate thereof; Truely reprefented under the faigned Per* fon of ALBANIA. By George Raleigh. Sed & bene vellemeretur veniam, Cicero. — r o < *~j W tiP&FmmMfM LONDON, Printed for John Sfveeting^nd are to be fold at his fliop, at the figne of the AngU^ix Popes-head-AlJey, i 64.1 , TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT M A I E S T I E. I N G S (Mighty Soveraigne) like Pla- nets in their Orbes (under that]? rimum Mobile, from whence all beings derive their exiflence and continuance ) arefea- ted in their fever all Thrones , to rule and guide the people co nmitted to their charge by the fwect influence of Love, and unreprovable motion, of their jufl ice ^ which axiome of State more efpeci ally di- rects it felfe to pur CMajefties confideration, who {as the Sunne in reflect of other Luminaries) do fhine tn ajpheare offuch eminency, as be fides the unparalleld lufire it re- taines at home, doth communicate its Jplendor toforraine p art s, as a patter ne for the greatefl Potentates. ^And hereupon, as according to the propinquity or di- ftance of the Sunne in its annuall peregrination, the ele- mentary bodies receive their augmentation, or diminution accordingly, fo are the hearts of all your loyall Subject, il- luminated with the prefence of this gracious afpeffs and miferablj overshadowed with forrow in the leajl abfence thereof. But bleare eyes are no fit objects for fuch bright rayts, nor are meane conceits allowable fubjects for Royall appre- A % henfions'y The Epiftle Dedicatory. benfions • neverthele/fe, as the Sunne lofeth nothiw of its fflendor, when it fo farre declines in its bcames,to kiffe the low finds as well as the tall Cedars, and though it be alike diffufive to all, jet admits no taint in the touch of the vileffl creature : So if your UUajefty vouchsafe to call downe a gracious eye on the humble pre fent of your meanefi Subjec7(asfrom the hand of a more able giver) your HiA- neffe cannot fuffer mwch in this abafement, but your good- neffe [ball flew it felfetranflarent, and like that glorious mirrour of all beauti full perfections. Howjoever I durfi not to have prefumed thus high up- on any imagination that your Majefty wanted farre better information or advife, effect ally from fo honorable an Af- fembly as that of the pre fent Parliament-, but as tn age- nerall cbftruction of water currents, it is yiaturall for the Jhallowefi Brookes as deepefi Rivers, to feeke way for their paffage^ likewife in a common calamity,themeaneft {^ha are commonly the firft fufferers) cannot be blamed for put- ting a finger to the griefe, norjuftly conftrained to ex- preffe their complaints in filence one ly. But if my intentions have faulted in the matter or manner, {being errors of ski I not will) Ibefeechyour U^rajefty fo farre to beare with either, as may pardon the preemption ofhi?n that is a dai- ly Orator for your Majefties temporally and eternall hap. fineffr-, r George Raleigh. ALBANIA' Certaine Conccrnements of GREAT BRITANNIE. iLas poore Princeffe Megala ! (a Mirrour. to ihew that there is no contentment to be fought for in earthly tranfitories ) fo me times happy in thy private for- tunes, more happy to have lived by lo- ving Neighbours, ill a Country rich in large Provinces, potent in free States, and Princes; glorious in magnificent Cities, (lately Temples, goodly Palla- ces, and large Edifices - } adorned with dele&able Groves, and Walkes for the Mufes • fenced with ftrong Caftles, Citta- dells, and Bulwarkes ; graced with delightfome Gardens, cu- rious Arbours, Chryftall Fountaines, artificiall Columnes, Pyramids, Spires,Obeliskes • priviledged with honorable Li- berties, and immunities -, famous for great Marts, inventive Craftf-men 5 canopyed as it were, in divers parts, with faire Woods, and fpacious Forrefts,carpeted ( if I may fofpeake) with flowry Meadowes, and verdant Paftures ; hung round about with Vineyards,and Embroydered with Corne-fields ; B inlayd f nlayd with rich minerals ; bordered with lofty Mbuntaines, pleafant Vallies, and Rivers abounding in moft forts of de- licate Fifh, and for depth, capable of Veflells of fufficient bur- then, for the conveyance of its owne, and Forraine Com- modi tie. Alafle ! did I fay, fometimes fo happy, and muft now fay, C Sic tranfit gloria mundi ) So in the turning ofaglajje^ All worldly glory feone dotbpajje. tInfortunate,and moft miierable Megala^ in this latt century ofyeares, having fpent more then an Age in-pertinacious en- counters, inteitine Warres, andtragicall turmoyles ; lying as it were all this while, weltring in the blood of no leile then a million of Chriftian Soules.and Martiall fpirits ; by meanes whereof, the Plague, and Famine (feconding the cruelty of the Sword ) hath ufhcred in the mauacring and mourning of thy Nobles, the lamentable fhrikes and cries of Widdowes, and Orphanes, the brutifh ravifhment of grave Matrons, and faire Virgins, the inhumane dafhing in pieces of Infants and weldings, the torturing of all forts of people, by wortedia- bolicall cruelties,, then a Turke, or Inquiiition doe put in pra&ife : So tha t taliafatido quis temperet a- lacbjmif ! Tofpeakc ofthis^ What griefeit M And of thefe heavy misfortunes, what end doth there yet: appeare ? how many fpe&ators, how few true compaiTioners have there beene > whiles on one fide, the over-weening Aqui- linws ("whole power makes the juftnefle of his quarrell, and his quarrell is thecaufe of all thefe troubles ) ftrengthened with the confederacy and ayd of potent Allies, efpecially by that of the Lord of the filver M-ountaine9, animated thereto by the benedi&ion and encouragement of that arch-enemy of true Religion, the great Prince of ceremonies, and Key-keeper of IdolanaQx City fometimes very famous for worthy Heroes^ and glorious Martyrs, when vertue and verity were in moft requeft, and now as notorious for fuperftitious orders of ig- norant and lazy votaries, as infamous for allowed brothells, of leud queanes and ftrumpets .) But of all the rabble that at- tends upon their Demi-god Kegicida^ a ravening Wolfe in a- Sheepes ALB Aft i Ai ~W Sheepes habit, afubde pated agent in politique affair€s(that common State medlar,never good till rotten ) an Incendiary well knowne in Princes Courts, and nioft parts of the habita- ble world, that have beene hitherto discovered, one that is ever calling firebrands of Treafbn, and (edition, wherefbever he comes, or is any while admitted, though moll times the fparkesflye about his owneeares, and that whiles he is even ready to put fire to his powder-plots, and is at the heighth of his Machinations, whole impudence is fuch, that theoften andmanifeft difcovery of his treacherous defignes, doth no whit (hame or difcourage him from the like attempts; Upon the firft occafion, onely intimate your defires by fome large gift, or proffer,and you have him with his aflbciates (where- of there are fwarmes in Verana^ be the action never Co dange- rous or unwarrantable) preft and (erviceable for the execu- tion : and therefore the Princes ofFerana, efpecially the Mo- narches of the bleffed I0and,and Lilly fields,have little caiue to favour his perfon, or to truft to his flatteries. But by what an ill fubjeft am I carryed , from the confide- ration of what I was (peaking, touching A guilinm ^ who lookes upon the diftreffes ofMegala , with an Eagles eye ; to prey upon her liberties, and fallen her in the chaine of a per- petual 1 (la very : And whereas that great Prince,who difplayes the Queene of Flowers in his Enfignes, caftsan eye towards her at fome diftance, it is not fo much in companion of her deje&edeftate, as of the rifing greatnefie of his ambitious competkouij who feekesby the mine of all his Neighbours, to fet up a Throne for himfelfeyand his houfe of abfolute Em- piry overall the Principalities in Verana } -whlles others,which Hand in opposition to his defignes, wifh well to the difconfo- late PrincerTe, but having not power anfwerable to their will* muft, for their owne eafe and quiet, of neceflity, fit downe as they may, and expect the event with patience. But that the peerehfie Albania , of all others, (hould be fo indulgent to her felfe contentments, and be a looker on with dry eyes, and not take more to heart the burning of a Neigh- bours houfe, allyed to her by more than the tyes of ordina- ry relations, through a branch iflued out of the fame ftocke with her Soveraigne, but lamentably afflicted, through the wracke and lofle of her Kbemjb darling, it teenies wonder- B 2 full, '*B 1VV ?. ^ ALBANIA. full, and that (heisibfenflefle of the wound that is given her through the fides of that Princefle, and her Roy all off- fpring. And I feare it is too much her fault,herein common with other Nations, whom long Peace and Pro {perky hath cad into a Lethargy of deepe Security, to applaud their owne happinefle, and fwelling therewith to behold forraine ca- lamities, ( as newes not credible, or for a nine dayes won- der ) with the eyes of contempt and difgrace, nothing con- cerning their pitty, or regard j making an ill ufe thereof to juftifie themfelves as more righteous, and interefled in the fa- vour of the Almighty ( committing notwithftanding the fame, or like finnes, of a worfe nature and higher degree^ upon no other ground but that of Prescription, for the en- joyment of fo much pleafure and plenty, fo long without a- batenaent, or interruption, together, with immunity and freedomefrom the punifliment their Neighbours have this while fallen into- whereas they might with more reafbn, fu- fpeft and feare, and by wofull arguments conclude, that the dregges of vengeance are referved in the cup of the Divine ju- ftice ( fuch a fting hathfinneinit, and fo bitter a potion doth it compound ) for thefe wretches tofuckeout to the lait drop, who make light offo gracious examples, and are regardlefle of luch unufuall mercies and many warnings af- forded to them, fo that there remaines nothing but timely repentance, to barre the draught, which though it relifli as an unfavoury pill to a dainty pallate, yet to the more con- siderate, and fuch as are fenfible of their eftate and deserts, 1. may not unfitly commend that of the Poet : Sed&band main- B 3 tenance ^ s ,* ALB AN 1 J. ; tenance allotted to the Prelates, and other Minifters of the Sacred Oracles (although perchance, not with thatequall diftribution, as admits not a juft complaint, and requires a due consideration forredrefle) to encourage them in their ftudies, and diligences, according to their degrees and cal- lings. Andifanyabufethemfelvesin their demeanours, or dudes, (for they are men,and may erre) the fault and penal- ty ought to reflect upon the perfons,and not the Function. And farther had this Preformation extended, but that the death of that hopefull young Prince ( §hto nulla mdt tulit me- liorem • without difparagement to any be it fpoken ) and therefore fitly paralleld with the good Jofiat , and by a Zelo- typian of fubtle judgement, termed. The Mirrour and prodi- gy of Princes - haftened fas 'tis thought) by Come treacherous practices, gave a period to thefe expectations. And although, after the deceafe of this Worthy, in the Raigne of his elder lifter (a Lady of a temper milde enough by nature,had it not beene wrefted by illcounfell: and a ftockc good enough to have borne better finite, had it not beene ill grafted ) there arofe many -blacke clouds in our Horizon, which obfeured the sky, and through the periwafion of ill advifed heads, and her too flexible yeeldings, diflblved in ca- taracts of bloud, with fuch violence (the fiafhes of Lightning which brake through, menacing to fet Religion all on a flame) that they feemed to beare downe the ground-worke of all former proceedings before them: Yet everbkffed be the Omnipotent over-ruler, and difpofer of the greateft Po- tentates, and their \ urpofesjThisy^zg?/^ MartyrHm 3 provtd to be but fernen Eec/e/?^,and the fparks that ifTued from the bone- fires, in which fo many learned and holy men fryed for the witneffing of their Profeffion, flew into the eyes of their per- iecutors, and the ihafts, they thus madly darted at Heaven, and the ftarres, rebounded into their owne bofomeswitha vengeance, whiles their Tyranny and lives ended (hortly af- ter jffloft of them in a fearefull and horrible manner. And yet their incredulous abetters will not be fo wife to take warning by ftich evident examples, imputing Gods juft Judgements, either to fecondcaufes, or wrong ends ^bran- ding the relation with the credit of a Fable or Legend: as hereby willingrather to k)iethemfelves 3 then foregoe any antiquated antiquated errour,from the corruption of former times and ignorance to them conveyed. v - But this mift being vanifhed, the Sun began to mine againe, when the Scepter and true Religion palled under the fway of Leoniffa (incomparable Leoniffa ) aPrincejTeof an Heroickc fpirit, and much differing in difpohtion and beleife from her lifter, fo that (he might juftly be termed, The Mrrovr of her fix, andvlory of her Kingdom; whofe excellencies ( faith a worthy fervant of hers, without flattery) may well be admired, but cannot be related in any meafure, proportionable to the worth of their perfeftions. She was endowed with rare gifts of Nature- and adorned with exquifite ornaments or Art; well skilled in Languages, and in the Sciences - and could readily and pithily anfwer Embafladors and Orators in their feverall Dialefts. As concerning her behaviour, fhe was ara- ble, and loving, and therefore high y beloved of all her good Subjeas'; (he was feared, and envyed of her enemies, refpefted and follicited by her Neighbours, whom, in their ncceflity, ihe divers times relieved, with Men, Monies, and Munition: flie was fucceffefull in all her enterpri 2 es,viaorious alwayes m herattemuts, either by fea or Land; and faiegarded .from fo many treafons and confpiracies againft her pmonandpro- feflion by the divine providence, that it feemed to worke mi- racles in her defence, and to point with the finger that thee maintained his caufe whom he thus protefted; and that as ihe fubjeftedheraaionsto history, he enclined her fubjetfs to loyall obedience, and willing fupplyes ; fo that her bx- chequer was alwayes well ftored, and her people nothing grieved r for no new or extraordinary taxes were impofed> but by the way of a general! AfTembly, that was readily gra n- ted, which wasreafonably required, and the giver was abx enough, and not the leffe willing to give againe, when occaii- on required. ^ , ,. In this manner raigned this vertuous Emprehe, and li- ved to the yeares of at* aged Matron, but dyed a religious Vir- gin, and all good men fhed teares at her Exequies : Her lohe was lamented of all, but fuch as were enemies to truth and the Religion fhe profefled, andyetmaugre the thunderbolts and bug-beares of Idolana, the malicious practices and endea- VQUzsot-GlerJofo, the calumnies of detrafting Kegicida.dmcd at - ■ , — ! *m. juif ■*+ j.\ x jx, ■ — at her perfon,purpo(ed againft her Kingdome 3 and Jeveld at her birth and a&ions, thofe braving cenfares of the one vanifbed into the ayre, and fas a candle extinguiflied ) left nothing behindethembuta {linking (huffe. The Invincible a&ions of the fecond were {hamefully, and (this was Gods owne do- ing ) totally defeated 5 but the virulency of the laft returned the cup of venome into his owne hand, and caufed him to drinkehis bane therein, either wretchedly in other Coun- tries, as a fugitive, or at homedeiperately on the gallowes, as a tray tor, whileft a name remaines to her of happy memo- ry,and wiHrbe in all ages as a precious oy ntment lpread upon the face of the whole earth. SoloccitbuU) nox nulla fequuta eft. I The Sunne was gone. But flight came none. The Prince was changed, the happineflTe remained. For when the want of ifliie teemed to put a maske on^ll faces,and to co mpa He the Region of all hearts with a doubtfull trem- bling, and jealoufie of the next fuccelfi on; behold, (without tumult or delay )a Lion Rampant of the Royall Stocke^comes out of the North, and t\cps into the Throne with generall ap- plaufe,and (to doable the content ) brings along with him another Kingdome, likeincompic&ion and profeifion, to the hopes of a perpetuall Union (May they never attaine their wiihes which feeke the diicontinuance hereof, to theru^ ine of either! ) In this Princes perfon (being nurfed at Helicon, and bred onPernajjUs') the Graces and Mutes mighc well be "(aid to meete together, or (it'Platoes Metempfychofis were admitted J that the (bale o£Fateftma y s Royall Prophet, and harmonious ffalmograpbift had animated it he was a judicious Divine,per- fwafive Oratour, and ingenious Poet 5 very well skilled was he in the interpretation of (acred Oracles, lingularly dexte- rous in the refolution of doubts, and determination of hard qiieilions, and points of difficulty; powerfully ableincrum- ing the controverfies, and untwifting the Gordian knots of Cardinall Oppofites ; and that I foine nothing herein,or flat- ter in any fort, his Treaties are fufficient Apologifts, and Witnefles : (Let good Princes ever have the honour of their deferu) He eafily bore away the Palme from all other of hisranke, contempo- ~alwakia; contemporary or 6f preceding ages. The truth is, he was not addi&ed tarn Marti^qttam Mercuric, he made more life of his pen than of his (word 5 neither can this any whit derogate from his commendation,or leflen the worth of his Judgment. Nulla falm bello^ Facer* tepfcimus umnes„ Nofafety is in Warrz^ For Peace all fitters are. None but fuch as are of a turbulent fpirit, or ignorant what Warre is, love to play the beafts and inhumanely gore each o- ther, for to fetisfie fome carnal! appetite of ambition, Cove- toufnefle, or revenge 5 The Souldier indeed will fight valiant-. Iy,oneIy in a good caufe, being neceflltated thereto, eithea for Gods glory, or the Kingdomes lafety. Otherwife, if the undertaking refpeft fome private fenfuall end, the aftion can be no other then brutifh and reafonlehe, and here it is much better to purchafe peace, though at a deere rate, then to begirt a quarrel!, though with much advantage. The nobleft victo- ry is that which is gotten without blood-iW 5 for the po^ Iky of the braine more than ftrength of armeis requiiiteht an accomplished Captaine, and belt deferves the Coronet : Men were not made to aft Tragedies, nor to make the world a (hambles for humane (laughters, faith a reverend man, and therefore that Worthy was well adviied, and his confideratioir merited high Commendation, who had rather fave one o£ his Subjects lives, then kill a thoufand of his enemies : and that Emperour was farre from a bloody diipoiition,whofe ufe was to hang out a white, next a blacke, ere he was forced to put forth the red Hagge : fignifying thereby that he was more defirous,and would ufe all meanes to lave, rather than deftroy his enemy. And with thefeor the like Precedents his late Majeity in-' duced, bent all his endeavours for the compofare of thofe turmoyles and differences which unhappily fell out betwixt the Princes ( allies and confederates with him ) in his time, whole earneftnefle herein too much led him into the confix dence of a ilrangers toothings, and fomewhat tranfported him (I confefle ) beyond his owne inclination, to be more fevere in Juftice agaiiift his owne, then otherwife he would have beene : Which afterwards ( as fome Objefts are beft difoerned at a fcrther diftance ) he well perceived with fome C regret, ; Safer V-- - lb ALBANIA. regret, and much blamed the fouleneffe of their ingratitude, who abuted his favours to the ftaine of his other vermes: how- foever his ayme was neverthelefle praifeworthy, in framing a filver Bridge for all enmities to pane over, whereby he pur- chafed the blefled Title of 'Peacemakers and therewith in all quiet manner ended a happy raigne and life together. From whofe afhes is fprung the ? bccnix jOn whole beauty all the eyes of the blefled Iiland are now caft,and for whole hap- pinefle, all the defires and prayers of the vertuoufly minded, are daily fent to the Throne of Grace. A Prince (not to con- ceale or palliate the Truth, where fo manifeft Authority war- rants ) as for Temperance, Continence, Juftice, Clemency, Bound tlillnene, and fuch like vertues , among!* his equalls claimes the priority : and from his Subjects the choyfeftof Obedience with all dutifull affe&ions. And now whiles under the wings of this unmatched Pa- raxon, fits the dad Albania fecure from feare or danger, and at her leafure contemplates (as not liifpe&ing any change) on the manifold kindes of happinefTe, the formerly,and now is wrapped in ; and making a fhort progreffe through her Country, in conceit to view the particular delights thereof,. and withall including the Seas roundabout, within the cir- cumference of her thoughts • (he fecmed to fee Nepune with both his amies, hugging and embracing the blefled Mand as the darling of his delights, and on his Mantle of blew (as. the favour of his Miftrefle ) he wore a chaine of goodly (hips, and fuch as no Sea within his vaft and ample dominions, could ever make (hew of the like, either for fhape or ufe,a fpe- ttacle (confideringtheworkemanihip and munition) full of pleafure and terrour together: amongft which one So° veraigne^Di^w amongft her Nymphes 3 Velut inter Stellasv Luna mirioreSy Ay to our fight by farre The Moone excecdes each Starre 5 gave foch a iuftre of worth in her eminency above the ref^to the-eyeofthe judicious beholder, that fhe might be reputed well worthy of her name, and fit to be fervant onely to her great Matter^ and not unbefeem.ing his efpeciajl regard, On whiclii v 2iLB AnfAi Which rare objeft Albania would longer have ftaid her fight and wonder, but that the Marine Commander with his Tri- dent, was forcing fundry forts of fifties in fcoales, to fhore- wards, where Triwz fiimmoned his ihell-fubje&s to joyne With them, and in numberlede troopes (the u(e nothing di- miniihing the encreafe, oh the goodnefie ofour-mercifoll and bountifull God!) to attend therefor the reliefe of the inha^ bitants : and this cauled her to draw the eyes of her medita- tions thitherwards, andtomagnifie the Divine Providence^ which had for every feafon fitting, ftored her Coaftes with fo great abundance and variety of fuch delicate njftenance. And notwithftanding the plenty, me wiftied the Fiflierman ( a very profitable member in any Common-wealth, and one that if he ufeinduftry with art, deferves refpect) would not make fuch fpoyleofthe young Fry,as is too commonly ufed. Next, (he considered the Harbours, which were many, fe- cure, large, and capacious ♦ fb that a Fleete ofnumerous (hips might anchor in them, without danger of any ftorme or da- mage, and fight each of other: although in (bme of them Time began to play the Tyrant, andthruft bones into their mouthes, fo-that if a bountifull care did not quickly inter- pofe it felfe for prevention, they might ("not without incon- venience to Tome prime Townes, and their Princes profit ) be altogether choaked. Into thefe Havens arrived dayly from feverall parts of the world, Sayles of feverall molds and burthens, whereof (bme of the greater fort from the Eaft,unladed Silke, Spices, Drugs a Indicoes, &c.Fromthe South,Wines, Sugar,Oyle,Fruit,Salt, Lynclofh,&c.From the North, Deales, Hempe, Flax,Furres» Tallow, &c. None came empty into their Harbours, but (as Bees into their Hives ) with thighes full fraught of pretious and delightfull commodities, ivhiles others were weighing Anchor to let forth with their fine cloathes, Co much efteemed in all parts of the world ; the Traffique whereofwas fo great in the Low Countryes, that the valew of their Sale yearely at Anttverpe (if Lewes Guicbafdme mifreckon not) amounted ■to more then foure Millions, and the Wooll in his compute which was vented at the Staple in Burges^ to ^ooooo.F lorens^ (where, by the way,may be eafily conje&ured how great the quantity of this commodity is, by the many Familie s of Spim- C 2 iter% IS ALBANIA. fters, Weavers, Fullers, that in mod Townes of the blefled Iftand are feton worke for the making hereofbefides others were fraughted with the pureftTinne, Lead,8cc. provifion of 6fh dryed, pickled, &c. fo that the ordinary Cuftomes which accrued to the Crowne from thefe Merchandifes (truely col- lefted,and faithfully returned J were Revenues of competen- cy fafficient to maintaine the State of more then a petty Prince. t For the defence of the Havens, there were ftiong Caftles and Bulwarkes, raifed in the moft advantageous places, for iafeguard and offence. And peradventure the charge would notbefuperfluous, and the worke pay it felte^ if the Bayes and Creekes were awed by the like command, and that the Forts which in their outfides prefented fuch a warlike (hew to the beholder, were within furnifhed with able and truity Got vernours, with Souldiers and munition anfwerable, encou- raged by their due pay. And (he did hope it was fo, for her Eye could not pierce through the walles to difcerne the con- trary, Much taken with thefe ob jefts of pkafure and delight, was the fortunate Alba?iia^nd the eye of her contemplation could have fojourned longer on them, but that the wealthy, gene- rous, and politique Merchants (the feete and hands of the Common-wealth, for exporting and taking in ot herfeverall neceuariesj who were Owners of the Vefiells, and maintai- nersofthe Trade, drew her thoughts to the place of their re- sidence, which by reafon of the former confequences {he con- ceited to be fome glorious and well governed City; neither was ihe much deceived in her imagination, which at her entry within the gates prefented to her light, a large frame and Pile of ftately building, no lenepleaimginthe diverhty, then in the uniformity of their ftriiftures 5 but ihe had almoft loft her felfe and forgot where (he was, when (he beheld theRoyall Palace and Court adorned with fo many grave, wife,and ioy- all fpirits fand indeed all/that would be Courtiers mould be thus qualified ) beautified with modeit, native, and Angeli- call faces (TorVertue and Beauty,commonly hand together) otherwise, the faireft vifages doejbut. hide the fouler! and moft deformed foules; Loath was our glad Lady to remove Urn gating from thefe fpe&acles 3 butthatthe fpiring Temples* built- built,and in reparation,{hewed afarreofr^ as Well the piety as magnificence of the Prince who had (uch reipe& to the ftru&ures feparated and dedicated to the life of holy imploy- ments, not onely in garniihing the walls with commendable ornaments, but efpecially fupplying the Deskes, and Pulpks with learned and religious Miniilers : (if it be otherwife any where, it is ( Iprefume) as farre from his knowledge as his defire; and the more are thofe to blame, that beinp-fctin authority for this end 5 abufe their traft, and are negligent in a charge of fo greit importance,committed to them ) where- by thofe facred O/atories, and Schooles are upon all occa-. lions thronged with the preffe of all forts of people that fre- quent them, to attend onthe feverall devotions. • From the Church fhe went to the Senate, and there much rejoyced to behold the Benches filled witlra Prefect and Fra- ternity (the tooke them- to be in heart as fhew 5 and that the icarlet outilde, was not lined with a fickecloth inftde) of a Wealthy, Wife, and honourable Magiilracy ; and the fruites of their juftice did in fome meafure Co beipeake them. Where fhe law a Beadlecarting a Whore, and her Knave Baud, ( pi- ty theGoatifh Whoremailer, by favour or meanes (hould e- icape the fearch and puniflnment fb narrowlyjwhere flie came by a Conflable (locking the Drunkard, and idle Runnagate. (good were it that all fuipefted perfons mould give an account of their Living and employments, and fo perchance the hang- man mould not be fo often employed to put a halter about the necke of the Murtherer,and Thiefe as he doth : Long hap- py and peaceable may the Raigne of our gracious Soveraigne be,who is fo carefull that his Land be not defiled with blood, and that Justice hath fo free proceeding again ft capitall offen- ces !) And though this Kingdome, (a happinefle to be wifhed, too great to be enjoyed) cannot wholly be rid from kud per- fons,and enormous offenders,( there will be ever lazy droanes tolurkeas long as there are biifie Bees to labour ) yet the comfort is a there are good Lawes enafted , to (upprenethe common annoyances : and it is his Majeities Will that they be put in execution. I cannot Hand to repeate the diverfity of obfervations hereupon 5 wherewith Albania, ftood pohefled, nor how contented (he was in viewing that Royal! Cittadell and Magazin of munition^ and neere thereto a goodly ranks C 3 ofr' _______ of buildings, crofting a River, in which the fait Water flotveg and ebbes more than a dayes journey from the Mayne, whofe bankes were befet with a row of fumptuous edifices and Gar- dens, with other like variety of plearing objects, that,where- foever (he directed her eye, tookeit up with wonder,and this admiration encreafed the defire to fee fall farther, but fearing to furfet with the delicacies of this City happinefle, (he dee- med it would be no fmall comfort and recreation, to retire in her contemplation fonie while into the Country. Wherein her travaile,afcend'ing the Hills of an eanerifing, fhe beheld the foyle (on both fides of her, tranfeendently fruitfull ) befpangled (if I may fo fpeakej as the Firmament with Starres, with Golden fleeces, of more Value than that the Argonauts of old adventured fo boldly to bring from O/- chos-, and therefore the Shepherd Swaine is as famous as his Paftorals, and not unworthily have Princes, Captaines, and Priefts, borrowed their resemblances, and he that was fane above the greateft of men, difdained not to ftile himielfe the true Shepherd: but defending into the Vallyes, me pafta- long Greene Mead owes, lying by the Rivers, ( each River having its ilore and variety of delicate Fifties ) and replenifti- ed with fundry forts of Cattle for encreafe andufe 5 and in the Plaines, hard by, fiiefow the Country-man tugging at the Ploughj and thought it no fcorne to lookc on fo meane a perfon, and worke, ortovifithis homely Cottage., the one being (6 necefTary for the being of the State, the other ftored with provifion fufficient to welcome and entertaine his gueft, as well as the Gentleman of other Countries. Neither did that lofty Poet of his time, any whit defcend beneath him- felfe, or the dignity of his ftraine, or thought it any abate- ment to hislViiife, when he wrote that Poem of the Georgickg. But when -{he beheld the Gentlemans place, confidcred his vaft, and well contrived buildings, with the plealant Arbors, Walkes, Ponds, Parkes, Woods, Lawnes, Chafes, that he Was Matter of, ftie could not imagine, but, where was fuch abundance of all things, to content a worldly defire, there went ftore of Hofpitality with it. And indeed fo it was in ■ diebus iUif 3 but I am forty to fpeake it. Pride and Gaming, two unfruitfull baftaids ofeafe and plenty ,like Mothwormes, have of late eaten much into this pretious-garment, for want of of timely circumfpe&ion in the greater part. But Albania, Walking afide out of the Common road, faw the waftes full of goodly timber Trees, but ( to her no little griefe ) with- all faw much felling of the old, and little planting ofnew,a neglect, which in time ("if not prevented) might turneim- to a lamentable inconvenience, but the plenty of what fhe Taw for the prefent D quickly wiped offthe miftruft,or thought of any future misfortune. And now, though the fweete- nefle much abated from the length of the Walke, yet (as Sometimes, when we are glutted with pleafure , itbreedesa loathing to be at fo much eafe ) Albania was by degrees ty- red in her pace, and had refted her Cclfe on the nextbanke but that (he was neare by thofe famous Bathes, Co curious for their compofure, Co wholfome for the vertue of their wa- ters, the Monument of Princely Beneficence. In thefe fhe bathed her felfe once, andagaine, and wasquickely refresh- ed, fbthat having heard ( and what ingenuous fpirit hath not heard ? ) of thofe lingular Academies, fo much renow r n- ed for the feate, building, maintenance, and learning, that was as it were appropriated to them, that (he thought, if me had negleftedto takefome view of them in this perambula- tion of her minde, (he might have beene efteemed of little judgement, in taking fo much delight in things that reach- ed to the outward ienies, many whereof were of life but to pleafe the fancy onely, and to have negle&ed, or undervalu- ed the Arts and Sciences whereby man was to be differenced from another Creature, and one reafonable man from ano- ther, without which a Prince in his Throne, a Captaine in his Tent, a Governour on his Be.ich, were but as Co many Statues fit to fill a place, and of little other life: for he that hath all the Wealth, Honour, and Pleafure the World can afford, without the gifts of the minde in ibmemeafure, can- not be iaid to live like a man ; whereas, he that is indued With knowledge, the more he retires into himfelfe from all carnall refpe&s, foares the nearer to a Divine Nature, and is out of the reach of the common miferies of care and feare, with which meere worldlings \ and ignorant perfbns are Co often overwhelmed: Upon thofe coniiderations (he went^ fhe faw, fhe heard; but my Oratory is too weake to expreffe the:height of her admiration; audit would require aTrea- . t\Ce Si ■i6 ALB ANTj. tife rather then a curfcry Obfervation, to defcribe the worth of the Scholler, and the pleafure of the Schooles. But whiles here (he roved at pleafure in the Tower of her high Conceits, and repofed her thoughts in the imagination of a likeconti- nuall and interrupted happinerTe,a deepe fleepe of fecurity fur- prized her fenfes, whiles the fancy ( Mill labouring upon the former objefts ) prefented in a ftrange dreame,f and dreames many times fall out too true ) how vaine and uncertaine is the dependancy upon worldly and temporary felicities; It feemed unto her, that in the middelt of a forward Spring fea- fon, in afaireSunmineday, (he was recreating herfelfeina pleafantGrovepearethebublingftreameof a Cryflall Foun- taine and faw how all the bankes and Borders thereabouts, were befec with goodly Trees of all forts- on theboughes whereof, divers Birds according to their kindes, warbled out fundry notes of melodious Harmony, and in the thickets, (he faw the Deere browzing on the tender leaves quietly, and how the ground was all mantled in greene, here and there beftiewed with flowers, white and red, that blufhed to fee themfelves (naked as they were) expofed to the eye of the beholder; fo that in this place there wanted nothing to con- tent the outward fenfes, but that on a fuddaine ( to fee the folly of fuch as fpend their wits and time in building earthly Tabernacles, and purchaiing worldly inheritances)the bright Sunne became clouded all over ,. the Hemifphere darkened, the wind beginneth to blow, a ftorme came on violently, the drops are powrcd downe in abundance, fo that the cleare ftreames grow muddy, the flowers hang downe their heads, the Birds take their flight, the Beafts refort to their fhelter : And Albania fall affrighted at this fuddaine change., ftarts, awakes, and looking into the Country round about her,and confidering how things went in thofe places, her eye had for- merly circuited, fhe found her fancy in this late virion, to be nothing mii-enformed, but wondred to fee the face of all things, as it were in the turne of a hand, Co ftrangely altered : for the Shepherd had driven away his flockes out of the field, and put up his pipe, the Husbandman hadleft his Plough,and was at a ftand, whether he mould Till his ground, and how ' he Ihould pay his Rent, the Gentleman gave ever his fportSj and lookt after his goods that were diftrained^ the. Wife and Children Children cry out they are undone, becaufe the poore Labour- er that (hould relieve them is wrongfully troubled, and be- fides his wearifome travailes and expences muft be content to fuftaine the wrong and dammages at his owne charges, the furety laments his owne hard fortune,and cruelty of the op- preffmg Ufurer, whiles he is conftrained to pay the debt & in- tereftj when the carelefle principall hath wherewithall to dis- charge it, and is untouched. One (ayes he is unjuUjy punifri-. ed for negleft of a fervice whereof (as he ought to have ) he had no notice, another exclaimesagai nit Officers, that they take too large and extraordinary Fees,and in the meane time no offence committed, nor proved; the Tradefman blames theMonopolift, forengrorting the (ale of commodities for his owne particular advantage to the dammage of the gene- rail; the Merchant accufeth the Proje&or,that unufuali cu- ikmies be impofed by his meanes- that fo monies be raited, it matters not by what meanes ; that the Princes nameisufed 3 and abufed for a colour and cloake, and that the general! af- femblies, which were wont to be the onely meanes for fup- plying the Kings wants, and remedying the Countries grie- vances, hath beenefo often diholved, that they did juftly fufpeft that the authours thereof were nofmall offenders^and much they doubted that their gracious Soveraigne had not beene rightly enformed of their humble, hearty, and loyal! intentions towards him, the dignity of hisCrowne,/afety of his perfon, peace, and welfare of his Common-wealth. Many other complaints (he heard, and grieved to heare,what is not fit to be fo publikely related; briefly, there was mur- muring in all forts, difcontent at all lides, and fadnefle in all countenances, io that the amazed Albania, upon view there- of was terribly taken with a trembling in all parrs of her, fo that her members feemed dif-joynted,and ready to fall aftin- der, the paineencreafmg towards her heart made her looke pale, and withall {he became fo faint, that, no longer able to fupport her weake limbes, (he felldowne, and lay without motion, as one dead, or entranced with fome extreamepafc lion, but long in this agony had (he notcontinued,when the two Ladies, Agape^ and Sympathia came happily to her re- liete, taking her into their armes, and carrying her into the next lodgings they gently laid her on abed y And now the D report^ 14 report. For ill newes hath large wings, being fpread farre a- broad, Phyfitians, like vapours exhaled by the fumie,repaire to her from all parts; Porters, Peafants,andHorfeTgroomeSj give their opinions • Markets, Innes^T&vernes, Barbers lihops andBake-houfes, have their councell Tables y Women, and old Wives tell their tales, andprefcribe remedies : but of all therein there were three notable Impoftors, that tookethe cure on them, and that was Emp&iciif a quackefalver, one thatftood much upon experience, and knew efe&sonely, without confederation of their cauies, a man that was skii'd more in the termes than the ArtofhisProfeffion, andwasof fheh a plaufible tongue, that by his flatteries he could fcrue 3 and iniinuate himfelfe into the afFettion of his Patient ; his phyficke confifted moft in oyles and plai(lers,that would draw a skinne over the griefe, and make a faire jfhew to the eye. Whiles It fettered inwardly, and grew worfe. The fecond wa s ChymicWy a Paraceliian,that had diftilled the little braine he had in hisLymbecke of folly together with his other met- tals, whiles he built Catties in the aire, and Mowed away his dwne and other mens iilver,that he might be a begger in purfe and rich in conceit : His Recipes were all compounded of new projects andinventions,and the diugges he gave were fo loathfome, and ineffectuall, that the ficke were forced to vo- mit them up againe 3 andhis Chryibpofis and Antidotes were likehimfelfe, of no vertue,and Worth nothing. The Jaft was •Phi}ar^yror y a covetous Mountebanke, whole love was more tohi^Fee, then knowledge or carewas for his Patient. This blood-fucker was all in the drawing veine 3 . fb that with the Borfe-leaches,and Cupping-glaiTes, he applyed to fuch parts as had more need of mpply then abatement, he fb Weakened the reft, that he put all in danger. Such were the Phyftians, , and by them you might conceive more feare of harme, than hope of remedy, andfoit proved; for thefe fellowes, after much adoe to little purpofe, feeing by all fymptomes that theirmedicines did worke quite contrary effe&s, not know- ing what courfe next to take, give over., and leave the Patient in worfe cafe then they found her, and asrhey thought, de- fperately incurable; for as yet Albania was without fenfe :of her malady^ or remembrance of their caufe:which the good olkCbronos perceiving, and much pitying^ as.one that had , heen&r . . _. - — ~ - : ^ --■- ~ — . — - _ r ALB AWT AT. beenea constant friend to her for many yeareS, had feene much in his time, and had overpaid many alterations in himfelfe and others, potts away (for though he was aged, he was not flow paced) to a folitary grove in a remote Land, wherein was a cave Co deepe and obfcure, that it was al 7 wayes night there, but he that was wont to travaile no lefle in the greateft darkeneffe than at mid-day, enters undaunted- ly, and returnes with the faire AlifbeU in his hand, whom he brings to fee the light, and me (naked though (he was) is not afhamed to be feene ; to her he declares in what cafe he had left A!hmia 3 and the caule of his comming. Alitbeia foone conceived, what irt truth before (he feared, when fhe laft (aw her, and therefore was much grieved at her departure Co to leave her, but feeing the leaft delay was very dangerous, ex- poftulating no farther with the old man about circumftances a (he called to her an old fervant ofhers,named Veridicw ^whom (intending with all fpeed> according as {he nTarcTor fawoc- cafion,to follow after ) (hefent with Cbronos, having given him fufficient initru&ions what to doe 5 Veridkm was ("as his name fpake him ) an horiefttell-troth, though plaine,yet bold, and though forward, yet refpe£tfull,and he was (b wdl skildinhisArt, andfo confident of .his undertakings, that if his prescriptions were carefully obferved, he doubted not of fuch fiiccefle as might be juftly expe&ed ; and in this hope his ability and charity preffing him onward, he foone arrives with Chronos in a happy feafon,at the lodging where the ficke Lady was 5 Veridicm ibid and knockt at the gate, Chronos pall on, fas his manner was,) when forth comes Thilauta a flate- ly dame, and opens, but calling her eye upon Verldicus^ and feeing him in fuch homely array, judging of the perfbn by the attire, flie difciainefully, without fpeaking a word,or ask- ing what he would, retires her felfe, and (hut faft the gate a£ ter : butVeridicus nothing diimaid with this affront well un- derftanding from what fubjeft it proceeded, knockes againe, and with more earneftnefle, ffiich are the times for poore fil- ters) till that Novata } another of Albania's attendants, more defirous of novelties, than fearefull of her Miftrehesdifturban- ces, lets him in without further queftion, and then under? ftanding the eaufe of his commihg, whether for to fatisfie her curiofity, orbecaufeherMiftrefiewas forfaken of all ethers, D 2 in »* io Albania. in this defperateeftate {he ufhers him to her presence, who pre* fently without niore complement or regard of the ftander« bjj takes their (icke Lady by the hand, feeles the pul/e, which fometimes Was very flow in motion'., and then presently as violent in agitation^ he takes the Urinall, viewes herftate, findes it to be of a very high (anguine colour, and much trou- bled ; helookesonher vifage, beholds it wan andgaitfy; he would have asked her fome queftions,but (he could not anfwer for want of the life of her fenfes, befides that, her tongue was all blacke and nVoine, the which and other like fymptomes, argued the patient to be in a dangerous diifempei^in all parts of her body:' And hereby he further perceived, that the two prime fen^s of fight and hearing , were fo ill afre&ed in their Inftrumentall nerves, that'all obj«&s feemed to exceed orlef- fen from their due proportion in quantity and quality,fb that dilcords were taken for unifons,and apparences, for true fnb" ftances, andfo oh the contrary 5 and being in this manner prefented to the common fenfe, were Jikewhe delivered over to the phantafy, which by reafon of divers fumes, ingendred in that Cell of the braine, caufed the like error in the judge- ment and memory, and by reafon of the ill affecYion of thefe fuperiour intelligible faculties, he found the inferiour, and more lenfitive parts to partak and be opprehed with their par- ticular maladies, as the heart to be much paffionated with the diflniTiiIations and waverings of Lilian^ the Lungs to beol> ftru&ed, and breath faintly through the hot and biting di- itillations of ldoUna> the ftomacke to be overcharged with the gluttony and furfettings of Aquilina, the belly tympani*- zed with the windy vapours of Gloriofa^ the Loynes impoftu- matized with the inflammations of lurtfull Zdotypia-jtht hands bliftered with the itchings of Argyria^ her legges and feet lam- med and fwolne with the gout of Argoa^ into which loatb- fomeeftatelhe was not fomuch faflen by meanes of native conftitucion or completions but: through infe&ion of the humours, by the corruption of the times, imitation , and too familiar converfe with her Neighbours, the negligence and ignorance of covetous attendants, ill Councilors, and nnskilfullPhyfitians : fo that Vcridkws confidering her de- plorable eftate, much grieved thereat, and could not but ab- ruptly in fome fliort and pauionate expoilukciQn a . \tluis ex.- preffs. preffeit. Oh Albanial diftrefTed and pktifull Albania, and the more (faidhe) tobepittyedinthydiltrefle, becaufe Al- bania •' There is no time now to thinke on Megala^thy owne mifery is too much to thinke upon, happy hadft thou beene, if thou couldft foonerhave thought thy felfe unhappy- hadft thou beene fenfible of thy inward corrafives, as thou wert o- verjoyed with thy outward felicities, thy fore had not thus growne to an ulcer, nor the pricke brought thee in danger of the Gangrene; thy too much overweening in profperity, hath humbled thee to this grievous adveriity, thy too much mag- nifying thy owne power, and excellencies above thy Neigh- bours, hath nowdejefted.thee to their contempt, and con- fpiracies ; ; thy exalting thy felfe in companion of allothers, hath almoit made thee unworthy the companion for any. But I will not adde reproach to naifery. The occafion andcaufe require rather helpe to draw thee out of the danger thou art unworthily brought into, then enquiry by what meanes thou wert brought into the danger : Both imee the time is fhort, and the diteafe fharpe, the cure muft be as quicke,and the me- dicine of the greater vertue and operation , which the more it fmarts, the fooner will heale. Have but- the patience to en- dure, you fhall the fooner finde eafe, and but pardon the rudenene of the Phyfitian, and let me not be miibken in the fincerity of my endeavours, you (hall foone perceive, that in the kali flattery is mo ft friendflaip, and although a Iweet bit doth beft plea(e a curious pallat, yet that a bitter pill is more profitable, and that plaine dealing hath no fellow.' Having thus {aid, he againe t-ooke her by the hand, and bid her be of good chtare, but perceiving that (he Was infen- iible of what hefpake or did, he faw it was high time from the apparent caufe, to bethinke himfelfe of the convenient eure 5 and that firlt of all it was neceflary to ufe the next meanes forreftoring her to the uie of her fenfes, that (he might come to fome feeling of that deplorable eltate ihe was then in. To which purpofe he fpouts into her noftrils that pretious wa- ter Jldneniojjfie ^whh. which the obftacles of her memory were foooe cleared^ and the paflages of her eares unftopped, Co that fhe might truely diitinguifh the (bunds which (neheardj and to her eyes he applyeda Gnofticke CoUyrium r by vertue whereof all mifts yaruihed from her -fight, fo that fhe could D 3, plainely/ s» AZTAJSTtA. plainely difcerne objects prefented to them, as they were in- deed, and not as they Teemed to be: Then in a potion (as Well as he could) he gave her a .Gordiall of fincerity for the heart, a cleanfiiig pleQruary of integrity for the Lungs, a dy- et dtinke of temperance for the Stomacke, a purge of humble idejecYioiis for the telly, a cooling oyntment of continence for the Loynes, a pleating falve of contentment for the hands, and a quicke-Working plaifterr of Action for the Leggesand Feete ; and fo to each other Malady, he proportioned a pro- per medicine: and now that he might further know her mind by her fpeech, with a foveraigne water, which Alitbria, had given him, and he knew to be effe&uall for that purpose, he walhed her tongue, and prefently {he perceiving, that hereby {he recovered free ability of fpeech, neglecting to take notice of any that flood about her, in a moft pitifull manner, calling her eyes towards Heaven ( a hopefull iigne of a perfect, reco- very to enfue ) often lifting up her hands, and then prefent- ly with them fmiting her breft, fhe fignifyed in the one, the heartinefle of her gratulatory devotion, and manifefted her true Repentance, and the forrowfull compunctions of her heart; by the other whiles fighing, and all the whiles bitterly fobbing (the tcares trickling downe her cheekes in great a- bundance ) the firft words fhe fpake were, Ens Entium mi" ferere mei\ and then turning to Veridkm in all kinde and thankefull manner, acknowledged the benefit fhe had recei- ved from him, and promifed a future mindfullneile, and fhe requefted him upon his former care, not yet to leave her in ■that cafe;, for feare of a relapfe, and for what courfe was far- ther to be ufed for perfecting of the cure, fhe rely ed upon his care, and would be ruled by his advife : fhe bemoaned her great ingratitude towards her Omnipotent Benefa&or, and preferver, whom for his many and extraordinary bleflings, fhe had requited with multitude of deepe unkindneffrs and tranfgrefiions : fhe bewailed her over-great neglect, of the forlorne Megala 3 and over-much credit, and refpeft of her cruel! and treacherous enemy, forrairte and . domeiticke, arid therefore judged her felfe worthily rewarded, in feeing the diftraftions of her owne Country ; But whiles fhe was thus bemoaning her many calamities, the noyfeof drummes and trumpets thattbuiided Over all the Country jcame to iier eares where- ^jSLJnr^-^r^^nr- — thereby fliewas ih-icken with anew terrour of fearing Come danger towards, by reafbn of the precedent evils • but upon demanding the caufe, when newes was brought her, that her (iftfer Vnita was proclaimed a rebell, me could not forbeare to cry out, wringing her hands, tearing her haire with other like extreame paffion of dolour, and impatience, till that the prudent Viridicw was conftrained to life force with entreaties to bring her to reafbn, and he could not but fharpely reprove herweakenefle, that {he would play the Childe, and be fo a- fraid of others harme, whiles (he was not yet cured of her owne, and that it was above his Art to effect what onely lay an the power and will of her Prince to doe : and therefore he muft be rued unto, or elfe what he could advife would be to fmall effect, onely his endeavour fhould never be wanting,and what wanted of power in him to this effect, fhould be fupply- ed with the greater willingnefle. Now the truth is, that Vnita upon the report of Albaniaes -fickneiJe and her owne difcontents, under colour of ^ vifit contrary to the will and command of her Soveraigne (as was foppofed ) had with troopes of her Countrymen, marched beyond her limits, and made way by force of Amies, into the territories of her Neighbours,and committed Acts which in their firft appearance favoured of fome difobedience, and gave fufpition of ill intents, not onely towards Albania^ but to the Soveraigne of both Kingdomes; and although their promifes and proteftations pretend the contrary, and argue mainely for the Jnftnefle of men an entry, and though ("to fpeake charitably ) we beleeve their mindes to accord with ^their words, lean not fee how actions of this nature can be 'juftifyable, except you will allow extraordinary effects, to extraordinary occasions 'j In consideration whereof Albania. Was fodifmaid with her lifters preemption and overfight in- offending her Lord and Mailer, laying her felfe open to ma- tufeit contempt, and hazarding the fafety of her King and 'Religion fas me then, fuppofed by this indifcreet attempt ) and hereupon, but more efpecially in regard of her owne e- ftate, (he entreated Meridiem (as he had before advifed ) that be would fpeedily fupplicate her gracious Soveraigne, in her behalfe,to give way thatfuch courfe might be fpeedily taken; ibr the redreffe of the evils hapned to her 3 and her fitter Vmta h as? ;$4 as had beene alwayes fucceflefally ufed by his MajerKeS pfe- deceflbrs, for the preventing and abolifhing like mifchiefes: for otherwife there would be fmall hopes of her abfolute re- covery, and if fhe did mifcarry, his Majefty could not pro- mife himielie fecure fafety, upon any ground that did yet ap- peare. Veri&'uW) as well to content the difconfolate Lady, as to difcharge his owne duty, which bound him to expofe him- (elfe to any travaile or danger for the fervice of his Prince and Country, takes the charge upon him, and without delay, weighing the danger of relapfe in Albania^ and raiftrufting the purpofes of difcontented'&Wta, prepares for the Court, from wh3ch,pity itis,he had beene fo long a Went. But at his departure he wiflneth Albania to dilmifle fome of her old attendants, and commended unto her two of her La- dies kinfwomen, Agatha and Fidelia^ to beneareunto her, and of her Coup.cell,for they had beene brought up from their In- fancy with Akthda, and had learned of her hew to fpeake and behave themfelves, andfo carrying themfelves according to herinftru&ions, all things have happily fucceeded, which have beene committed to their truftand managing. Farther hewilhedher to be very wary and circumfpeet with whom fhe did treate, or participate her affaires , not to give the leaft hearing; to any fpeech that relilbed of flattery or vaine de- light, nor fx her eyes rteadily for any time upon the faireit carnall objefts the world couM afford, nor give countenance to the pro jeft of any iniinuating Sycophant (under the pre- tence of private gaine) againtt the common good; never to murmure at her Soveraignes Prerogative, nor to queftion his juftcommandsj nor be unwilling to pay his lawfull impo- frtions; not to utter anything paffionately againft his Offi- cers, or their Commiflion, but leave them to their competent judges 5 and evermore to be frequent in her Orifons to the fu- preame governor of all Creatures, that he would turneallto the belt, andfo direftthe heart of her Prince, \ that he would yeeld a gracious eare, and fet a period to all her troubles:and for her owne eafe, he wifhed her to fail often, and when flie was forced by the neceffity of nature, to take fome repair, (he ihouldbefparingin her delicates 3 and eate not to the glut- ting.of.her appetite,:fbth?t thefe ill humours, which other - wife J* LB AM At "Jfg wife would abound, and iflued from divers parts of her body^ might be abated, and the whole better prepared for conveni- ent phyficke, to the recovery of her former health, without diunembring any part of the fame, if poflibly it might be:and fo he left her expecting the Ladies, whom he had appointed to wake on her. Veridicus was at the p oint to be gon€, but bethin king him- felfe that the accefle to the King for fo plaine and blunt a fel- low as he was, (in a time of fuch employ me nt and affaires of (b high conlcquence, whereabouts the moft Honourable and wifeft heads of the Kingdome were allenibled, to confult and determine ; and that he mould come with a tale already told) would not be eafily granted,nor wasit fit yet,confidering his promise, and that his Soveraigne would not difdaine to re- ceive a petition from the meaneft Subject,pre(ented in the wa$> of due refpeft and loyalty, though he proceeded not in the journey, heprefumedtotakepenand write hisminde, in a tew petitionary lines; and that they might be as gracioufly accepted , as they were dutifully endy ted, he directed them to his i acred Majefty, by the hands of two vertuous and ho- norable Me{&nge,rs,St>pbia and S 'ophro(yna 3 to this effect. Moft high and mighty Prince, as the eternal! Majefty doth notdildainetocaftdowne an eye of favour upon the hum- ble (implication of the Royall Potentates on Earth: fo Princes that take this fupreame Lord for their patterne, fbmetimes thinke itnodifparagement, to reach out a gracious hand., and receive a petition from their meaneft Subject It is true, that your Majefty is a Prince, foreminency in graces and ho~ nour, farre above others of this high calling, and I am your Subject of the lower ranke, called Veridictvr 3 that love to fpeake the Truth : I have had my breeding in the Country, my fpeech is as my felfe, plaine, and rude, without R&qtQ- ricke or other Art. And therefore it may be judged too g t prefumption, for a perfonof fo meane degret .•;. come ib neare as the Chamber of fiich Royall ; reience; but knowing your Highnefle to be good, as well as r /eat, : , ving heard that your Majefty, out of the grae-Uwis ' e your mild and vertuous difpofition, and inclination toward* the content and welfare of all your lo vail Subjects, of .what degree foever^ have granted flee acctiTe and audience to t E J£ r XLZAKtA. juft and reafortable requefts , it hath em boldned me (though themeaneft ) amongft other (none being fo bold as the blind Bayard) to addrefle the defires of your fubjcft and Handmaid the deje&ed Albania^ to your Princely consideration, hoping that the uprightnefle of mind (hall excuse the rudenefle or the delivery, and that the honefty of the matter fhal I begge par- don for the meiTenger,'and where duty is intended, no mi£ conftruttion {hall have pJace,whiles I ft rive to be briefe 5 that I be not offenfive. It is not unknowne to your facred Majefty ( ill fame hath a rwiftpacej how that Albania of late hath betne furprized with foftrange and unufuall maladies, that her beft Dofroi 6 are almoft at their wits end, and know not what to make of thecauleorcure, except your Majefty give leave that the free pra&iieof the skillfull, according to the patterne of former times, be fpeedily put in execution, tor fearching into the roOte, and drawing forth the ill humours, that havebcene the meanes, and are the maintenance of her diftempered e- ftate. But Albania^ your poore diftreffed Supplicant, is not fo muchcaftdowne with the consideration of her prefent mile- ry, as with the griefe (he conceives of your Highnefle difplea- fure towards her, for the negleft of duty andillfervices,where- of (lie knowing her felfe as guiltlefle in her indeavours, and de- iires, as her accuSers are malicious, and groundleOe in their purpofes, humbly beieecheth that me be -not condemned be- fore (he be heard, and that her came may be freely pleaded be- fore your Majefty, in that high Court of thegenerall Afiem- bly, and difcuffed in all points fully to the end, without her adverfaries interruption or difturbance- No Subjefts ofany Prince (I fpeake confidently, whatl knowtobetruej ever more heartily loved their Soverai^ne, or moredefired his Honour and fafety, than Yours : Wit- nefle how glad, when there was but mention of a Parliament, wherein they might Shew Some reall expreffions of their wil- linenede; then how caftdowne were they, when it wasfo fiiddenly diffolved, and they miftaken; but Since it hath plea- fed your gracious Majefty, out of your wifdome, and innate clemency, according to the example of your moft Worthy Eredeceflbrs, willingly to give a happy beginning, and lo- ALBANIA. %% ving promifes of a faire continuance to another Affembly, upon the earned requeit of your Worthy Nobles, and thege- nerall defire of your true hearted Commons, both for the re- medying of all former mifconceites, and prevention of future difcontents,andinconveniencies, with what an unanimous acclamation of joy, vowes,wimes,hath it beene received? The Almighty grant, that no factious or ill-minded fpirit to the generall good; may nop or breake offthe lawfull proceedings therein. And now,as formerly ,the hope and defire of all true hearts is, that the Truth of Religion may be fupported, and main- tained, and whatfoever makes not with it, or is againftk 3 (how pretious foever it be in fhewj "may be taken away ; Your Majefty hath pioufly given your word already, and fliewby your daily ; pra&ife, how your affeftion ftands enclined, and it is nothing doubted of your part, of a firme continuance,but becaufe no good thing can be made too fure, and for the be- nefit of fucceeding times, it may not be impertinent to con- firme it by fome new A&, in fuch manner as by this Honou- rable Aflembly, with your Majefties approbation, fliall be thought to fort molt with the glory of God, and the purity of the primitive inftitutions« next to the honour of God, and removing of the prefent grievances, a confirmation ofthejuft jLawes and Liberties of the Kingdome is defired, and in this reqneft, that the wellare and Honour of your Mijefty is in* eluded, may beeafily proved,as alfo that thofe of /our Sub- je*Ttb',which irandup fo ftoutly for their lawes and liberties (fo warrantable as they are J are not the worft welwillers to the dignity of the Crowne, whiles theyfeeke not fbmuch then o\\ nc advantages herein, as thofe which are contrary minded are found to doe, but declare themfelves impartiall in r heir defignes, and that as fait and faithful! vaffalles, not to be carryed with the change of time or fortunes, as ill counci- lors., whole projects, though afe the firft fight feeme to pro- mlie much, yet in the iffue doe faile commonly. I fuppofe your M^elty would not defire to be King of fuch a bafe and Havim-mhided people, as were carelefle obfervers, or wilfull neglefters of thofe juft Ordinances and Priviledges , under which the Kingdome hath beene fo long time happy and pro- feerous : for as thofe Princes are accounted Tyrants.r.hat rule £ 2 onely 'ALBANIA. Dncly by Compulfion of the Sufeje&s againft the Lawes, io may thofe Subje&s be efteemed no better than A fits that beare any burthen is laid upon their backes,it is much to be fufpecx- cd^that fueh as love innovations, and attempt change ofgo- vernement, may by the fame reafon be drawne in time to difi- tike of the Governors themfelves. When we are in a good and Tureway, it is fafe keeping in it, for thofe by-pathes which We conceive to be nearer, are hard to &nde, and more dan- ferous 'j and the policy is neither commendable nor profitab- le, to learne the hurt of ill counfell by experience. Now the way to maintainethe Kings Prerogative, (the greateft Pre- rogative of a King, is the preferving of his Jufticc ) and to keepeonfoot the Liberties of his Subjefts, is by that gene- rail Councell (as now by your Majefties gracious favour hap- pily met together^) of tire whole Land presented in (bme particulars for that end, and that this hath beene the readied way of providing convenient ftipplies for the Princes occafi* ©ns 3 and necelTities, for redreffing the Countries grievances^ and punHhments of capitall Offenders; neither can there be any other meanesdevifed, whereby to levy greater fummesof money for the Kings ule more fpeedily, or with like cheare- fullnehe, andinfuch manner, that no perfon (hall have jurt eaufe to complaine, or be Co impoverished, but upon another occafion (half be able and willing to give againe, whereas f whatfoever others project or perfwade to the contrary )taxes andimpofitions enforced on the Subject in an extraordinary manner, and way, are ( experience too well fheweth it) un- willingly, and but in part, with a great deale of murmurand grudging from thofe which are leasable to beare extorted. For thereis not. the leaft Worme^but being trodden upon will Uirne taile D though he may not, nor dare make refiftance • and every man in a common tumult- will feeke to fhift his Col- Ier 5 andthe weaker miift of neceiTitygoe to the Wall,and men (when they are driven to extremities)will be fwayed more by paflion then reafon,and there is hardreclaming of afTe&ion by force,when it is once alienated. Whereupon the common ene- my taking,or making occa(ions 3 will caitin his hooke,and fifh in.shofe troubled waters:all which this general Afiembly may happily preventjwhereby the heart of the Prince andpeoplbu* sMted.intheadamantinelinkes ofreciprocall afTeftion 3 thing^ here-- Albania. ^ nereafter ivill goe on in Co faire and loving manner, that each part (hall hold it felfe well iatisfied, and no privie traytor,or o- pen adverfary whatfoever dare to pra&ife againftfuch combi- ned forces. And this,raoll excellent Prince,is the main end that drawes all true hearts upon therr knees, tobeg of your High> nefle, that as- yon have honored this Auembly of your fiibje&s with a happie beginning, and profer of much favour, by the encouragement ofyour gracious presence, and promifes • (& you would be pleafed ("notwithstanding the importunities of any oppofitioiOto give it the rights appertaining to the(ame a and {liner it to have fuch' a peaceable progrefie, that your fub- Jeft may be able to exprefle the true intention of his defire, and manifett the (meere afFettion of his heart, in willingly perfor- ming what (hall moft ftand with your Majefties Honour, and fafety ofthe Kingdome. But if under the pretext of loyalty (which cannot be imagi- ned in hearts offuchunftained Religion) there were harbou- red in any of this Aflembly a defire to bring innovations into Church or Commonwealth^" they did feeke to derogate any- thing from your Majefties honour, orjuft prerogative, to ad- Vance their owne liberties by exemptions from their ancient dues, or to bring in, or allow of any other kind of govern- ment, and authority, Civill, or Ecclefkfticall, that might counterchecke, or diminifh from the Royall dignity ofthe Crowne 5 if they did feeke to monopolize any commodity for their particular advantage , had any project that did ayme at any private end,andnot concurre with the good of the general! State • if their grievances were fained, or preten- dedVwhich they could not manifeftly prove, or were not too fenfible of, could they pitch upon any other courfe or way, whereby your Majeftie£ defires might be fatisfied, wa nts fup- plyed, and their grievances eaiedj, neither the forrowfull Al- baniaitnie meaning Veridhw;, or any other fubjeft, that had the leaftiparkeofreafon, or were v/ell in his wits, Would at this timeinfift in any needlefle, and unjuft petition, to fo Gra- cious Majefty, and rejoyce to have induced the meanes of his Countries mifery, together with the certaine mine of him- felfe,and his pofterity. But when is {hall be proved to be othef wife,- how much are they inblame, and what enemies to the State (I would fad E3 experience ALB AtflA. experience did not witneile it ) which imputing the fault where is cone,, have bfeene the hinderanceof the proceedings, and eaufes of the late dnTolutions of this Afiembly, whereby taeir aftions might not be brought in queftion ( a child may tumble a ilone into a well, which a multitude oFftrong men mall hardly be able to draw out) and thereupon the opportu- nities of preventing the dangers, and expences, which have .fince followed, have beene omitted with other inconvenien- ces, fo faft comming on, that your Majefty is, as it were,now enforced upon this couriejn much ftri&neffe of time,and tur- bulencie of bufinefle, that the wiieft understandings tremble to thinkewhatwillbetheiiTue, if this affembly have no better fuccefle than formerly: Tn the meane whlle,if iuch mean well as are fufpe&ed of this notorious injury done to their King & State C I can acculenone; but Curt there cannot be fmoake without fire) mee thinkes they of all other mould defire the tryallofa Parliament, thatio they may be cleared from thefe foule afperfions, and their innocence manifefted by a more ge- nerall vote,and their accufers cenfcredj and upon this ground was that worthy refolution oiLeoniffa obfervable, that if any man complained unjuftly againft a . M&giftrate, it were feafon he mould be (everely punifhed ; if juftly,fhe was Queene of the fmall, as well as of the great: and hereby alfb fhall the true authors be the foonerdifcouraged ; and for example, receive their condigne punifhment, who although in way of excufe, may pretend your Highnefle allowance for their doings, yet while they principally fought the accomplishment of their -ownedelignes, withthedilhonoiirofcheir Prince, and thofe Cit is a mixime in PolicieJ that refpett not their Princes ho- •nour, cannot be well faid to love his perfon , their aftions can no way be juftiriab!e,(ince thole favourites that turn Apo- ilates to due obedience, and abuie a favour afforded to them,, to the injury of the Giver, do too much undervalue their Prince, and are of all ungratefullperfonstheworft, andde- ferve the higheil of punifhments.And by the dilcovery of thefe offenders four Majefty (hall reape a double benefit . Firft, a freedome from ill counfell, and pra&ifes, with the gaine of (bunder hearts and adviles. Secondly, a reunion of your fub- je&s hearts and affe&ions : to which for your Majefties fafety, jhe devifesof all the Projectors in the world are nothing .comparable: comparable^and in this regard the defire of a learned^ valiant Prince in his time was no Telle truly royall,than memorable,in that hee had rather be matter of his fubje&s hearts,than their goodsjand Lord of their affecYions, rather than a Conquerour of his enemies dominions : and befides this,your Majeity (hall allure all doubting fpirits, that you are more led in your refo- lutions by judgement than paflion : and that you can make ufe of ill inltrumentsno farther than to worke out good ef- fects by them: that your favour is fwayed accordingto defers that your deeds (hall be erTe&uall, as your promift hath been gracious, and hereby their grofle Stupidity, to the diipiriting, and terrour of other like as thought to manage all the af- faires of the State with fuch an high, and absolute hand, and in the meane time to dance in a net, undefcryed, unpunished, fhall more plainly appeare, and the difference will be made evident betwixt inch as counfell for their owne ends, and re- lations, and others that do ftmeerly out of duty, without other refpefts. Now what farther benefit will accrue to the Kingdomebydemonftrationofyour Majefties regard to the love and deftres of your peoples requeft, and how your High- nefle prerogative can be no way es abridged, your Exchequer more plentifully furnifhed, your honourable intentions ac- cording to your owne expe&ation accomplished, your friends and well-wifhers comforted , your enemies, domeftique , and forraine difcouraged, time will (hortly bring to light with- molt infallible evidences. But I feare in (b farre prerTing my medage, I have forgot to whom T fpeake, and theperfon I was to reprefent,the diftreffe ^Albania ('dread Soveraigne) hath cau/ed this excefre of (peech, wherein if I Have beene impertinent in any extrava- gances, or too tedious with needlehe tautologies, I hope your Majefty will gratioufly pardon the(e errours of love & duty 5 and your '"humble vaftall (hall ever pray for the prosperity of your long and peaceable Raigne on earth, the enjoyment and felicity of an endlefle Raigne in Heaven: both which hee that is onely able, the Lord Almighty, for his Sonnes fake graunt unto you for his Glory, the Chnrches good 5 and your Ma- jefties eternal! comfort. Ver idiots having in this free manner delivered the delires of Albania to her. Soveraigne, thought (he would notbe fatisfied, ... except- 3* except her fifter Vnita 3 were fomewhat expoflulated with by him, concerning her arrivall at this time, and in fuch manner: butunderftandingherdelirewasnotto treat with, or deliver the intentions of her mind to any but the generall aflembly, he faw his labour would be needlcfife 5 yet howfbever,whiles lie had pen and paper at hand, he wrote to her, and her aflbciates. briefly and plainly to this effect. Unconquered Vnita^nd yee my brethren of the North(for fo I may now prefume to call you ) what a joy to all true hearts is it to find, that the report of finifter affections to- ivards the common good is found a lier 5 and that your inten- tions are hitherto juftified by your loyalty, and fidelity to- wards the fafety of your Prince , and the welfare of both Kingdomes"? the enemies whereof, as they havefhewed their felves malicious , fo much more treacherous in their defignes, than they could with all their inventions impute to others by any of their forged calumniations. Good Lord ! what a plot ofmifchiefe had they hammered out upon the anvill of their fiibtile deviles to make us to mifunderftand, and mifconflruc each others words and attions ? fo that if the never failing mercy of God had not in the very moment of danger inter- poled it felfe to the preventing of what was intended, wee had barbaroufly lheathed our (words in each others bofomes, and bathed them in the blood of our neareft friends, to the un- (peakeable griefeof Verana^ and long expected joy ofldolana. Alas it was farre from the thought of Albatiia, ever to con- ceive that her finer Vnita would prefume to come neere the prefence ofherSoveraignewith a petition in one hand, and a fword in the other, without the extreme neceffity of his Majeity, and his Kingdomes good enforcing it : neither could fheebeleeve that Vnita fought to have the perfon of their joynt Liege under her abfolute power, that his word.'might be wholly at her command : neither could fliee endure to heare with patience, that ftiee would prove fo unjuft, as to covet fome place of abode for her greater eafe in her filters pofieffions : but fhe is yet confident, and alwayes hath beeneof the mind, that whereas fliee hath fiVprifed Townes and Caftles, forti- fied them with ftrong defences, k is' more for the fecuri- ty of her retreat in fafety, than for any enjoyment after her I uft defires are fatisfied: neither can Albania any wayes hlame her her demand of reparations for the wrongs and injunes fhee hath fuftained, againft* thole that have beene the maine caule thcreof,as being now difcovered to be the fole incentives of all the troubles in Church and Common-wealth, that have un- happily of late, fallen out to the difturbance of the blefled Hand in both Kingdomes^How faine would they have caufed the abufed parties to fatten upon this beleefe, that Vnita by taking up armes, andcomming in this warlike manner fiince by their cruell plots there was no other way left open for admittance ) had manifested an open rebellion againft her Prince? whiles the event hath hitherto publifhed, that her prime accufers have beene the great offenders, by whofe wic- ked contrivances, both Albania &: Vnita were for a time hood- winked; and by a way, which they leaft fufpefted ordreamed > alike endangered to have falne headlong into an inevitable ruineof life, eftate,religion, and all together. A cunning devill, thus to turne Angell of light, and under the colour^of religion and juftice, politicjuely to undermine the ftate of she Church, and the liberty of the liibjeft, by its owne meanes, andinftruments, to betray the Court with in- sinuations of new projects, to defile the Temple with fuper- ftitious ceremonies, and the pulpit with new doctrines, and frrange opinions, to breed jealourles betwixt a moft loving Prince, and his loyall people, by breach of Parliaments, and perverting of juftice : and having thus put all things into a generall eonfurjen f like the fflh Sepia that blackes the water to blind the fifherman) to thinke to efcape undifcerned, una- voided : But thanKes to the Almighty, through his provi- dence the net is broken, and wee are delivered - i t is through his great mercy, and not our forefight, that the commtm ene- my (who flood waiting when the mine for our deftruc"rion would be fired, that hee might have blowne the coales to maintainethe flames of a mifconceiveddivifion ) cannot yet by any lecret or open ftratagem of his, take advantage to do that harme he would,and hath long wifhed. , Had the imagination of thefe wrongs to Albania beene grounded upon meereiufpitions, and no certaine evidences, and lamentable experiences : or had there beene caufe to mi A truftfomuchinjufticeand ambition in Vnita, under the pre- textpf right, to promote (bme private ends, could any man F be be fopartiall in his judgement, or fenfleffeto thinke that tne one would have taken up (iich bitter complaints, or the other thought to have wrought out her purpofes by force of arms, and open violence againft her fifter(beixles her other ftrength} afilftedwith a right caufe, and fo powerful! a Soveraigne ; and fnppofe fhee- might conteftfofai re with her in an unjuftway 5 as to gaine a vi&ory or two upon great advantages, fthe di- vine jnftice for our finnes permitting her to take (rich a foylej yet Vnita could not be fo ignorant in the meane while, as not to conceive her owne extreme danger in one overthrow, which in this caufe were moft likely to fall out, and that in the npfhot it hadbeene fane better(it was well thought upcn by an experienced Captaine of his time) never to have fought, than thus to overcome^ when be)£desthe rebelling againft her Soveraigne, the wronging her deareft friends, to the infamy of her name,there muft needs have followed the overthrow of hereftate, life, and liberty, with an expofing of her pofterity, . friends, and religion it Celfe^ to the mercy of the common ad* verfary,with the generall dammage to nil the reformed Chur- ches in Verana. And therefore trtily they muft be very malicious, and tray-- tcroufly minded, that would go about to perfwade, and AW bmia {hotild be very Mmple to be perfwaded of any fitch in* tents, or purpofes or her lifter thus towards her, who had fliee profefled her felfe an enemy, had offered injuries and affronts beyond fufferance (God forbid our fnnes fhould by any ene- mies pra&ifes come to that height, or that neighbours, {pea- kers of one language, fubjefts of one Soveraigne, and profe£- fors of the fame true religion, fcould fo much forget them- (elves ) yet it cannot enter into my thoughts, that V?uta would prelently thruft herfelfe into nach a courfe of reveuge, as thereby to bring her Country to utter defblation, and po- verty, and fubjugate her neckeand liberties under the com- mand of any forraine, or Idolatrous tyranny. Birtwhy mention I fiich impofllbilities t G blind fpiri ted < Idolanift, and Machiavilian politique, that loves ever to be making of troubled waters^ and fiflmig in them, what old fet- ches are thefe of thine, out of the treafury of thy Regicidian Fathers, and Counfellers, to raife jealoun"es,breake amities, if it might be 3 betwixt 41 relations ? fmothtr truths, palliate falfioods^ ALBANIA. falmoods,to bring thy pernicious defigns to tho/e effe£to(how prejudicial! fosver ) for which thsy were intended; but yet molt foolifh, unadvised, and de(perate wretch, not to under- hand and learn, f by fo many examples of the ftraqge difcove- ry, and juft punifhrnent of treacherous intendments- againft Princes and Religion in all ages J the certaine mtfery and wo- full ruine thou throwe ft thy (elfe into, whiles God lookes on thefe thy a&ions with an eye of revenging juftice, the Angels with difdaine, tne devill with laughter, and all good men with juft indignation ! Goe on thus to merit, thus to fuper- «rogate; A traytors reward, will be alwayes a tray tors con- comitant • like offences will require like punifhments. I could never yet read,or heare of any tray tors, out have beene recom- penced with hatred by their chiefe abetters : fome Princes may be fo unjuft as to love the treafon which maketh for their ends, but none have beene fo bad^ either long to trnft or love the tray tors : and what reafon'have they to efteeme luch bru- tiuh and bafefpirited minds, as to attaine a little tranfitory ho- nour or pelfe, will venture their foules, life, wit, underftan- ding, goods, and what elfe they have, or hold deare, to be- tray their Prince and Country, unto the cruelty of their anci- ent, and bloody minded enemy? O how much is every loyall heart diftafted with the thought of fuch a mifchievous brood amongft a people of fo much civility, religion and unftained nobility ? Let Vnltx pardon and beare with this paifion to ?hich my love and zeale for her welfare hath lb farretran- orted mee. * - And ( to conclude) my hope is that I am not deceived of herwell-like wilhings, and reall intentions ©r good towards Albania^ for the ftrengthning of their joynt forces againft the common enemy, and infeparable uniting of their hearts in a mutuall affe&ion betwixt themfelves with a refpe&full duty towards God, and their Prince, in the pureft manner of wor- fhip towards the one, and dueft kind of obedience towards the other : and therefore my delire is, that both parties (hould hereafter meete rather to imbrace than to ftand in armes 3 muchlefleto fight each againft other* but joy ntly fet upon their Soveraigne with the weapons of prayers andteares^ but upon his enemies, and the enemies of his allies with the Iword and musket ;and in the meane time to be importunate / Fa with 31 |g ALBANIA. With the Almighty, (b to direft the heart of the King \ anct bleffe the proceedings of the Parliaments in both Kingdomes*, that all difcontents, and grievances on each fide be removed^ God glorified, the King fatisfied, the good Subject pleafed,and thebadpunithed, his enemies with thofe of the fwordand musket: and our joy nt defire and expectation henceforth (hall reft in this, that God will fo direct the heart of the King, and blefiTe the proceedings of this Honourable Afiembly, that aft difcontents, and grievances on each fide, (hall be happily re- moved, and a time ihortly follow for the manifeft difcovery, and iuft punilhment of fuch as have beene the difturbers of the peace,and quietofboth the Kingdomes • and the Almighty- 'preferveusin this mind without faltring or diffimulation to ' promote thofe anions only which may tend to the mainte- nance, and encreafe of his Glory, in all our counfels and en- terprizes. \. By this time Veridicus imagining hee had m fome part dii- charged the office of a ivell-wimer, and impartiall friend to • Vnita 3 and her well minded Country-men (howfoever by fome malevolent fpirits, ft might be fleighted, or not well ac- cepted) fealed his letter,and fent itaway,by an oldfervant of his, named Plerapbom. And hereupon returning to fee how it xvent with hislangulihing patient, and to acquaint Her with* what hee had done § in the way it was his chance to meet with Calopolites, an old acquaintance of his, and one that was cho- fentobeof the number of the generall Councell that war newly afTembled in the behalfe of Albania, and fome neceiTa- ry occurrences that much concerned her, and her fitter Vnita 3 and therefore was fo well im formed how the cafe flood be*? twjxt them, th&tVer idiots needed not to make any new rela- tion : to whom ( theugh hee were in fome haft by reafon of the weight, and multitude of bufinefle that did require pre- fence) the plaine old man imparted, what came into his his mind for the prefent, though briefly, yet. with tokens of fome zealous earneftnefie. O Calopolitej) I know you to be underftanding, and honefr, (as your name imports) and that thefe two vermes are very re- quifite for the charge you have undertaken, whereby you need not be inftrufted in what concernes your duty therein: yet givemee leave to expreffe what is expected of your friends* and- ALB ANT A. 3? smdacquaintance,that you would be efpecially mindfull of what (hall tend to the benefit of the Church, and the Glory of God, firll by carefully heeding to the (ecret plots, and under- minings of Idolana, for the excreafe ofSuperftition, and Ido- latry : feeondly, by timely ftipprefling that Luciferian pride of fuch new Dogmatics, as would intrude themfelves into the Eternall throne, and difpute of the extent, and manner of the divine fecrets by Election and Reprobation ; and quefti- on the equity of Gods Jiiftice in its proceedings according to humane reafon, by loving one and hating another before ei- ther good or evill was committed by either of them^and mur-* mure fecretly, that his creatures are in his hands, as the clay v in thofeofthe Potter, to make fbme veflels of honour, others of dilhonour , according to his good will and pleafure in all things. Moreover, they would have you to confider how grievoufly Albania fufFers in her Eftate, by the extortion of the Ufurer, and griping officer, by pride in the excefleof apparcll, by gluttony, and idlenehe, through the multitude of Innes, Tavernes, and Gaming houfes: But I will not (lay you longer with the inconveniences that grow from hence: you better can conceive of them, and apply fitting remedies : onely let me defire you that finee the beefbme is put into your hands by his MajeiVies free bounty, that you would. neglecY no time, but be couragious ( falfe fires and noyfes, are bug- beares onely to affright children^) and having cleanfed the tralhthat lies in open view upon the floore, you would ran-- facke every little corner of this great houfe,and fweepe downe thefpiders with their cob-webs of treachery and oppre(Tion from eachjwindow therein, plucking downe the nefts of all fwallow flatterers, from the top of ehe chimnies, and carting all the filth out of doores, ftu.it them fo faft, and locketheni (b fure,that no falfe key may be able to give admittance here- after to any that would enter to defile theft rooa^ againe. Thus ended Veridicus, and CaJoplites proniifecKo be mind* full of what he had faid, and lb they lovingly parted, one to the Afiembly, & the other to Albama y xvhom at his comming he found walking in her chamber, and his Lady Aktheia with her two kinfwonien Agatha^ and Fidelia in her company, by. whom fliee had beene much comforted; But when Veridicus (after due falutatjons to each of them J had acquainted her ¥3 with 5 38 \AL%AN1A. with what was paft, and of the hopefull proceedings in the Parliament, and theconiideration of her caufe, (hee was be- yond meafure cheered with the pleating newes. But Aktkia the mean while was fchooling^gao* a fimple fe- duced virgiiijwhich in her journey towards Idolana (by good chance mutating the way)fell upon this place and company, and liked them fo well, that (he had no mind, feeing the times begin to alter (fb hot was her zeale) to travell farther s but deft- red to be entertained for fome time in the houfe, and fervice of Albania. But Agnoa, ( faid the Lady ) are you fo taken up with this fond conceit:, to find more holinefle in Idolana^ than in your owne Country? Do you thinke it any way commen- dable to take fuch a long and dangerous jounfey, to kilTe the foote of a proud Prelate (if that favour may be granted ) and receive the benedi&ion from a man of many infirmities > Silly girle Vthat canft be perfwadedtocall him thy Holy Father, who neither careth for God nor man: for he thrufts himfelfe into the (eat of the one,and excommunicateth, and depofeth the other, of what degree i'oever. If hee did feare God, he 1 would not fo derogate from his honour, and attributed much to nature-, Saints, Merits ; Hee would not pcrfecute his fervants under the name of Hereticks, for oppofing his pride, and avarice, imputing fuch errours or do&rine to them, as they neither acknowledge, but profefle the contrary-, onely to colour his aftions,and bring them into hatred with thofe too credulous ignorants,whofe beliefe is onely fattened upon hiselbowes. But what meanes it to fay the Atbanafian Creed hath as much in it as is neceffary to be beleeved, and yet to condemne thofe of Hereiie, who fe Creed with that ofAtbana- fius is all one? But truly hee doth not fo much oppofe their tenets, as defend his owne errours. It is not fb much for any untruth of that they beleeve, as that with their Articles of Faith, accoi^teg to Gods Word, they receive not alike his traditions (aoditions) withall 9 that they are condemned for Heretickes. Now fee the equity of the man, and hereby con- fader the holinefle of your father, humble man, fervan t of fer- vants, with a triple Crowne, and Princes for his lackies, ri- ding in all pompe, or carried upon mens moulders. Chaft Prieft, making marriage a Sacrament,but holding it lefle finne for a fhavelingto lie with a concubine , than to wed a wife! What Ah R i W L i. What fhould I mention the toleration^ and yearly rent of his pttblique ftewes, or of the continency of his Votaries, and how falaciousin their Covents, witnefle fb many skulles,and. reliques of murthered infants. Religious Votary, that haft' left the world for a cloyfter, and renounced the riches thereof to fell Indulgences, graunt Difpenfations, give Orders, and Titles, freefcules out of a faigned Purgatory for meere chari- ty, (for Omnia vmalia. Ronur, was the faying of old) yea to allot lb many yeares of pardon before the finnes are commit- ted! Temperate Saint, who counteft it a true tail to abftahle from fleu\ and the meane while to feaft, and furfet on greater delicates! Holy Ma(re-m'onger,that fpeakeihmtruths in an tin- knowne language to the ignorant people, who comming to fee what is fpokeu,and as little undemanding what; they fee, worlhip they know not what! But good Lord ! what mon- fters doth hee make of thy Saints X How many heads, armes, legges, and other members have they to be worfhipped > how many garments? how many pieces of the holy Crofle? how many nailes doth he furTer to be adored ? what abundance of milke had the Virgin Mary to be relerved unto thefe times, fortheencreaieof I'dolanaes treafuty? what an extraordina- ry Worke of piety for the Angels to transport her pallace from Jeruftlem to Lorotto"? Chriilian polIcy,to get what huge funis of money, by this or other lying Miracles: But how many Ladies are there?whillt one hath her name from this Church, another from that ? what ilrangeSaints doth the Pope make? (and he can canonize lb many as hee pleafeth) lbme of tray- tors, fome of fuch as were persecutors of good men, and fbme of (hadowes, coyned in the Idea of his imagination, and well fulpefted never to have beene mote, than by the fabulous re- port of foolifh Legends, which are commonly repeated in the Sermons of the Fryers,to withdraw the memories,and minds of their hearers from the love of the facred Oracles. But to heare what blafphemies., and abfurdities are confined there- in, any modeft eare would blnfti, ' and the Reader that made conference of truth, would be altogether afhamed. But why ftir I this filthy puddle ? what doth not this pretended under- taker to manage all things in heaven & earth prefume? He can; make of a creature a God, as of bread in the Sacrament of the Eucharift by the vertue of Tranfubftantktion : Hee can make God; 3? 4^ siNi a, God as a creature,by turning the glory of God into the fimili*' ttide of a corruptible creature.This Agnoa is thy holy Father, fo omnipotent, and fo rare a wonderworker. And I am not fo much afhamed of thy grofle ignorance ( that may well be cal- led the mother of filch devotion)but of great Potentates and worldly wife politiciansffb well do carnall do&rines agree with great wealth, and projects) that love to be blindfolded, and (rumble in the darke in fuch a.Sunftiine of the Gofpell, and light of the truth, as mines round about them : and yet they (as that (illy old woman in Szmca^ though fhewereftark blind, would not be perfwaded that fhee could fee nothing was caufed onely by the darknefie of trie roome, and no defeft of her eye-light) will make no qUeftion but that they only are in the right, and will maintaine the infallibility of their fu- preme guider, and defend with tooth and naile, lies and won- ders, treafons and murders, by clipping of Orthodoxe truths with an Index expurgatorim^ or harfh ceniure, and clapping in forged inventions, and manifeft falfhoods into many of thole learned Authors workes, and treafure them up in the Ar- chives of their Babylonifh Vatican : that ("according to the beleefe, and after the manner of their forefathers ) they as the true Catholiques q£Veram s are onely within the pales of the Church, and rhat all fuch as are otherwife gninded are capi- tall heretiques, and worthy by (word and fire toJbe rooted out from the face of the earth, and the fbciety of mankind. But thankes be to the Almighty that takes our part , fo that frage how they will) wee mall never be left wholly to their power, although for our (innes they may prove fbmetimea. ( as the Cafiaa?iites to the children of Ifrael in thofe times) thornes to our (ides. It (hall be for a tryall to bring us to re- pentance, andcaufeus to (licke more neere unto our God, whom whilft wee onely ferve will againft all enemies tempo- pall or Ipirituall mightily defend us : but thofe which iathis manner ftrifle againit him, are worthy in my judgement ( I am not fo uncharitable to have them drowned, and (b to perifti body and foule) tobefet up to the chin in the mad mans poole, till they come to fee their folly ,and be capable of fome recovery :and thus Agnoa{ laid ihee) muft you be dealt with, if you meane to flay here, or fhortjy relblve to. recant your, er- rouf s without delay, and declare your mind plainly without any s* L. is < Who would fait the rather, or eate f fh one- ly upon Fridaies, if the Papilt mould eate nothing but fieih that day > or who would make invitations the fooner upon thole dayes defigned by our adverfaries to abllinence? Or,what MmifteroftheGofpell would be the lefle (crapulous to (ay his Service in white, if he did know a Prieit of Idalana with- out Cope or other like Veftment to fay his Made in blacke"? Wliatrhinderances are decent garments, and geftures of the body to the devotions of the heart? wliillt I pray with tin- ider(tanding,cheare for my edification, worffiip, and give thankes in fpirit and truth ? The habit may prefent it ftlfe to my eyes, it is the Doftrine lhall goe to mine heart. Outward (hewes and ceremonies, have their extemall refpefts, and ferve as handmaids to wait on 5 and not to fit downe with Religion their Miltrefle. Now for thefe afts of indirfereneie, (ball not I doe what is good and commendable, becaufe the ill mindul abufethe fame aft to Will-worfhip and Super ftition ?/ The- Heathens of old had their Altars, Sacrifices, Temples, Prieits. Did therefore the Patriarches, or Gods people of thoie ages abftai'ne from the worshipping of God by Sacrifices upon Al- tars by prayers., and invocations in Temples, by their Prieils: But as wee may not leave the ufe ofany lawful! thing for the abate of it, Co we may life a good thing in the fame manner the wicked doth without offence, nay we.fhould. offend if wee did: did do it othenvife. And therefore if any Papift make his Prayer to God onely in the name of Chrift, I may not pray otherwife. As farre in his Creed as hee goeth with the Word of God, and Orthodoxe confertt, I am to goe hand in hand with him. Nay if the devill himfelfe confehe Chrift to be the Sonne of God 3 my confeflion therefore mu ft not be other- wife. Perchance you are afraid by yeelding obedience to thefe indifferent ceremonies in refpeft of Religion you (hall give of- fence to a weake Chriftian. But is it convenient that to fancie one you fhould difpleafe a multitude, or for feare of offen- ding the Subjeft, care not to dif obey the command of your Magiftrate > Shall not I bow or kneeleto God in the perfor- mance of holy duties, for feare left I give fiifpition of Idolatry;, becaufe the Heathens ufethis gefture in their Idolatrous ado- rations ? Shall I not looke towards the Eaft when I pray, be- caufe the Pagans worfhip the rifing of the Sunne with their faces t irned that way > nor to the Weft for feare of ]u- daifme > to the North, left I feeme to refpeft the witches of Biarmia.1 nor to the South, left I bethought to favour the impofture of Mahomet > Which way then (hall I turnemine eyes when I worfhip f God fees every where, his eyes are upon all the quarters -of the world alike. What diforder, Ajlene, would there be in Religion, to teach and allow obedi- ence unto Princes, and yet referve a liberty to our felves of in- fringing his equall La wes, and make ceremonies to be of the fubftancc of Religion by denying an indifferende in them* whileft they trench not upon the rights of our beliefe, nor againft good order, either in quantity or quality'? Suppofe the fame, as I faid before, to be ufed by Ido-laters/yet was Afa and other Kings offlrael commended for pious: neither did the Prophets forfake their country or charges, although the high places were not taken away with the abufes prefently. O Aftem^ difdaine not the Church for her fpots. Stumble not at ftrawes to the griefe and difturbanceof Chriftian peaoe. If your owneConfcience cannot yet perfwade you of the truth of thefe things, feekenot to be mafter ofanothers liberty, nor forfake not the fociety of the Church, where there is agree- ment in the chiefe materials for meere circumftances and fotmes. And where find you any precife Text for (landing more than kneeling 5 or for wearing of a blacke coat rather G2 xhan 4* : "■ -ALBANIA. than a white furplefTe. In theft things it is not good to be overwife : and if any will be contentious ("faith not the Ieafl: of the Apoftles)we have no fuch cuitome, nor the Churches of God. Be not fo curious whilft you view the Threfhold,to neg- left the infide of the Temple : and whilft you quarrell at what feemes wanting, you become ingratefull for what you have. Be thankfuli for the free enjoyment of the meanesof falvation in the Word truly preached, and Sacraments duly adminiftred. Hereabout fpend thy thoughts, imploy thy meditations, & accordingly bend all thy endeavours, & pra- ftiies .Leave the government of the feverall Churches to their owne Magiftrates,to whom it appertaines.Sticfce not at names and degrees of authority in the Miniftry, according to the eminencie of their gifts, and the bounty of their fuperiours.If fomebeDo&ors, other Palters, and Teachers, of a meaner ranke ; if ibmebe as Elders to rule and over-fee, others but as Deacons and Minifters, to be fet on worke in the Lords vine- yard • all are but fervants alike to their great Mafter, who doth imploy them, and muft pay them their wages.A Bifhop, and every Minifter have different refpe&s in their functions concerning the Ceremonies, not the Do&rine of the Church: If they have any dignity above their fellow EmbalIadours y they have the greater charge impofed upon them, and they exerciie not Lordfnip over the Church, but as brethren rule with all humblenefle and integrity. And as their places are greater, their life and converfation is more illurtrious : for they are as lights fet upon the top of the hill, that they may befeenefarthelt; they areas eares and eyes, which members are placed in the higher! part of the body, becauie they arc of chiefeft ufe in the fame. If they be not rightly qualiried,as they ought, nor difcharge the truft committed unto them, as they ihould, their title, and dignity will be more for their con- demnation, than their excufe, and when the time of account commethjthat every man (hall receive wages according to his worke, their candles (hall be put out ;: when others that have~ beene more diligent and faithfull in the employment of their talents to their Matters beft advantage, for five mail receive ten, and in them the prediftion of the Prophet (hall be truly accompliflred , They that be wife foallmine as the brightnefie of the firmament, and they that turne many to righteoufneile,. iha.ll fhine as the Starres for ever and ever,. Now 1T ~^n^~^nsrr^rr~ : - — NoW Aflene^ T have beenethe longer in my Speech, Hot to divert, but to direft thy zeale. and I nniii needs commend this in thee, that thou art not lukewarme in thy profeffi on: but I hope thou art not Co much conceited of any perfection in thy wayes, as that/thou needeft not information : nor of Co little charity to conftrue thefe inftruftions in the word fenfe, as to be (Wayed more by the cuftomeof the times, then the validity of truth and reafon. Aletbeia had fcarce ended,when Neopbytes(who was there at- tendant, and defired to be retained for a Chapplaine to Alba- nia) faw that A fern was thus reproved, who had Co often ta- ken exceptions(and not without eaufe ) to fome wild courfes of his, and that (he could not well reply to the reafon^ of Ale- tbeia without cavill, or impertinencie, could not refraine from fmiling, and withall to upbraid the model! virgin (which hee of all others had leaft reafon to do) with the itri&nefle of her opinion; and now over ftrait laced Aftene } fayes hee, you that are fo preciie, and fuch a Puritan, have you nothing to fay in the defence of your owne caufe, and yet prefume to be an in- ftru&er of others? But when Aletbeia perceived that Ajlene was much abafhed at his reproofe , and that hee triumphed upon her weaknefle,notfor any Jove to the truth, but the more to bolfter up his owne loofneffe. Fie Neophytes ( (aid fhee) I am amamedthata man of your profeffion and parts (hould be thus light in your aftions, and uncircumfpedt in youripee- ches. I fee you do not confjder the dignity of your calling', nor the duty of your charge ; the one doth require more gra- vity in your carriage, the other more charity in your words ; Mini Hers cannot be too cautious in their (peeches, and mould be as children and lambes without ofiTence.A jeft or fcurrilous word towards the meaneft of your brethren,(hould be as farre from your tongue?, as malice from your heart. Ttis more un- couth(faid one welljto fee a Minifter wanton, or light in diC- courfe, or behaviour, than it was for Socrates to ride upon a fticke with children,or for old grave Cato to learne to fiddle.. If Ajlene have orfended(and her offence is the more pardona- ble, becaufe not wilfull_) it mould be your part to pity her weakneffe, not to make fport of it ; and feeke to informe her judgement better, by mild and loving admonitions, rather than to grieve her, or make her any way contemptible by G $, your. your fcorne. But why tell I thefe things to you that know them fo well, and teach them to others? But here Agnoa^ who all this while had beene very attentive to what was fpoken, could be no longer filent. The truth is ( (aid fhee ) thjb com- mon report is fuch in Ldolana, that the Preachers in Vcrana have as many Bellefes as Sects, and almoit as many Sects as heads fo that every yeare they coyne fome new point of Do- ctrine and their Minifters, which are the fetters abroach,and teachers thereof, do leaft of all beleeve what they teach, for the moft part are fo licentious in their lives,and given to their eafe and liberty, that it cannot be thought that they thinke that to be traein their hearts, which they fpeake with their tongues. And this is the caufe that many in Idolana are deter- red from confenting with you in opinion, or of joyning with vou in pra&ife. Stay Agnoa^not too faft,faid Aktheia 3 the worft ipoakein the wheelecreakesfirft: you are too credulous of reports,as of other your fuperititions : and where you have the leaft hint of any thing to workeupon, you will make of mole hils mountaines. I cannot excufc the courfes, nor con- ditions of many in Verana, that by the manner of their living lay themfelves open to cenfure and icandall. There is no Pomegranate wherein there may not Jbe fome graines rotten, but what is this to the found fruit ? But if you will be impar- tiall and looke upon the manners of the Priefts,and fraterni- ties of moft orders in Idolana, you mail find them farre to tranfcend in number, and nature the worft of ours, and in fome fort to jutUhe their actions : but the corruption of man- ners ( that they lay and do not ) doth not proceed from the purity of Doctrine in any profelfours, nor the more prove it. I fpeake not this to extenuate the fuilts of our Minifters., or to aggravate thofe of the Pricfts in Idolana. "W here there is corn, there will be fome tares in all fields ; and for the diversity of 'Sects, that are imputed to thedifgrace of Verana, whilftour differences are about matters of circumftance, and not of fub- ftance, let tfee fcandall returne from whence it came, and Ido- lana keepe it home to her felfe- whil'ft her Doctrines are as ma- ny as her errours, and her errours fo many, that it would re- quire more time than Imeane to afford in counting the leaft part of them. Bu t Nwfhytej ( faid fhee ) I would neverthelefTe have you, to be beverycarefullofyourwayes,tobeinno wife Cynical], or furly in your carriage towards the meaneft; that you give no juft cauie to the enemy to fpeake ill of the truth by meanes of your convention. Noryou, Aftene, to wrangle io much a- bout a ceremony, that the Doarine be ill fpoken of by your wilful! opposition. And I would have both preferre the Glo- ry of God, andthe generallgoodofthe Church before any private pleafure or refpefts : and fo farre condefcend to com- ply with each others weaknelTe, as God be not dishonoured, nor the parcell of truth betrayed to the obloquy of the com- mon enemy. And thinke not Neophytes, that I ufurpe this li- berty of fpeech to difparage your worth or calling: I know it is the moil honourable of all others, and they that imploy themfelves diligently therein are worthy ot double honour. You are, (if rightly qualified,) the EmbalTadours of the molt High God, and King-of Kings, and cannot be ignorant what care and circumfpection there is required of EmbaflUdors in their word sand behaviour, left they be difrei petted for the one, and their judgement queftioned for the other. You a re termed the tights of the Word, and your light hiuft not be hid- den under a bufli-el, but Cojhlne before men that thy may jee jour , good worlds, and glorifeyour heavenly Father. Your light mult be cleere as burning, for the candle muftbelet onacand e- fticke, and not have too much fnuffe ink. You are called the fait of the earth, and therefore ought to be feaibned with abi- lity of knowledge to teach, with holinefle of life to give ex- ample, that you may be profitable- to the Church, both by VoBr.hu and Converfatlon. You are named Shepheards, to lead your flocke in the right way, and to feed them in the beft pa- stures. You are Gods husbandmen to drefle his vineyard^ to worke in his harvelt; (the harveji is great, the labourers an few) your time is but Oiort,your diligence mult be the more in your iludy, in the Church, inviiiting the licke, and in all other pracYifes of Piety, and Charity, that come within the com- pafle>md verge of your charge. But beware efpecially of Cove- toufneft, and feeke more the gaine of y our peoples foules to God,thanoftheirgoodstoyourfelves. If they be forgetful! of their duties, be not you therefore of yours. Be not tranl- i ported with palfion,and no unfeemly, or uncharitable farmi- fesin your Doftrine, nor confume your precious time in in- 1 yecYives V -" i\ I & , veftives againft the perfons of any,or in difquifition of imper- tinent truthes,new opinions,fchoole querkes,or needlefie con- troversies : but let the end of your calling alwaies have the chiefe place in your thoughts, and endeavours.And when you are in the Pulpit,you muft have a grounded afiiirance for what you deliver : I would have you ftrive to fpeake to the uhder- ftanding of the Auditory, rather than to (hew the ftrengthof your underftanding : to deliver fuch matter as may be more for their ediftcation,than your owne applaufe : may more be- nefit the heart, than fancie the eare, and fhew that you feeke more to profit, than to pleafe. So whilft you ftrive to glorifie God,and do good to his Church, you fhall find your reward to be great, and your paines at la ft throughly recompenced: and therefore .Neophytes, I hope you will take this advice in good part, and though yon know better, what belongs to the di fcharge of your office ( I ihould count him an unwor- thy Minifter, that is ignorant of that which heehath under- taken ) it cannot be difpleafing unto you to be put in mind thereor,and to fee what a friend thinks of it.I could fay more, but you are of undei (landing to conceive what I would by the premifes : and I could fay no lefle, fuch is the love and e- fteeme I beare towards the encreafe of religion., and honour of thediurcb. But no fooner had Aletheia concluded this fpeech,when the noyfe oi the people ('hearing of fome hopes of Albania's reco- very) that were come togetherto viiit her, was Co great, and their defire Co earneft to fee their Lady on foot, whole health did fo much concerne the fafety of their ellate, that Albania muft of neceffity prefent her felte to the fight of all 3 and there- fore fhee (glad Lady ) defcending into the great Hall, where they waited her comming, and having received their prefents in figneof gratulation, (he lovingly thanked them all; and af- ter a ihprt exhortation to them to continue in love and ami- ty anion gft themfelves, (he difmifled them with great content : but a few ofthe better fort fceecauied toftay, and led them up to the Chamber where Aktheia was, towhofe knowledge ajid acquaintance fhee prefented and commended them, as fome of her fincere friends>and true well-wifhers. Akihtia who could foone dive into the difpofition of each nature^ and knew how to accoft each fort with a due refpec% giving giving to every of them a kinde falute, after fome paufe,wken ftie beheld that they earneftly fixed their eyes on her, and were filent, and attentive to heare (for Albania had before prepa- red them to that purpofe, and requefted Aktheia in their be- halfe) what (he would fty or command, to give both fetisfa- ftion, (he thus began. MyMafters and Friends of Albania, happy in the enjoy- ment of a gracious Soveraigne, and a fertile Country, I muft needs commend your love to Albania, and care of her wel- fare. And to tell you the truth, me hath beene of late afflifr- ed with a great diftemper, and though the cafe be much bet- ter with her than it hath beene, through her Princes bounty and the confidence (he hath in the faire proceedings of a ge- nerall Affembly : yet the meanes of a perfeft cure and refti- tution of her to her former ftrength, lyes mainely in your care, for the performance of fuch duties towards God, and your King, as Religion, and loyalty bindes you to- And give me leave, (ince you offered me the occafion, to tell you without flattery , that thechiefe roote of all yourmi/eries is in your felves - y and therefore, I would not have you out of any felfe-love, or Snifter refped, wholly to lay the bur- then of this great mif-happe befalne to Albania, uponfor- raine or higher cau(es 3 ^though thele may be made inftru- ments thereof, juftly for your punifliment ) nor for the reme- dy to depend principally upon any earthly meanes, no not the Policy and Honetty of the wilert heads in your Aflembly, (their knowledge and power is but humane, they are men, and mayerrej butyou mulHooke home, and refle&your thoughts upon the consideration of your owne wayes for the one, and with humble mindes, lift up your mindes higher, to be made partakers of the other. There is a juft God above that hath beene, and daily is, offended with your hainous mifcarriages, and wherein have not the belt of you, fome wayes offended his Divine Majefty l Of ill thoughts and fe~ cret tranfgreffions, you are moft confcious your felves, but thofe vices which walke in publique view, and are atted in o« pen face of the Sunne, amongft all forts of people, more or leffe, doe convince the truth of what I fpeake, and to which your owne confciences cannot butbewitnefles. Is not Ido- latry growne to that height, almoft to counterchecke true H Religl- 49 I r ,— i . . ye — - — — jtz^tnt^* Religion amongftyouby the encreafe of Popery. Are not the Articles of our Beliefe queftioned 1 Is not Religion min- ced, and new fafhioned by fome that take too much liberty, - to dally with matters of conscience"? I appeale to thofe which are learned, which are like the Sunne, whofe brightnefie all admire, but no one can endure to looke upon. Briefely, I cannot ftand to make a catalogue of vices- Is there not much murmuring, diftruft, and opprelfion in your griping LTfurer, and covetous Officers? Is there not exceffive Pride, covetou£- nefle (which Ariflotk in his Politiques calleth the Extremity of Poverty ")gluttony (with Iuft and idleneffVitsconiequences) in the wealthy ? Is there not much malice,envy,and ambition^ in fuch as lo greedily ieeke after preferment and promotion?Is there not too much equivocation and falftiood in the Traded man to fell his wares, and vent his commodities? Is there- not too much blaiphcmy, cruelty, and rapine in the Souldi- er, thatfollowes the warre in a defperate mood, onelyto kill or be killed? What contention and multitude of Law- ' ftiites for want of Charity 5 doe abound in every corner? How hard hearted are many, in giving of almes, orrelieving the wants of a diitreffed Brother? What r.egleft and forma- lity in Gods Worfhip? How unaccuftomed "and dull are the fpirits of moft in the performing their ordinary workes of Devotion, and about Religious Exercifes? I doe touch at the heads : There are Co many initances, and fb well knowne to you of particulars, that I mail but needlefly trouble you and Albania with their repetition. But infiead of avoyding fuch and the like abufes, many are come to this height of impu- dence , astofhadow their vices under the habit of vermes* Drankennefie paffeth with them for good fellowfhip : Prodi- gality is tearmed bounty : Covetoufnefie mifnamed good hus- bandry : Ambition hath the note of a brave mind and gallant ipirit : Revenge is cryed up for the marke of valour and pre- servation of Honour : Pride is accounted falhionable hand- fbmnefle and decency : Extortion and Oppreffion denote much policy and worldly wifedome. When, on the con- trary, in religious matters, Vertues are commonly defamed with the itaine of their oppofite vices. So he that is Zealou s in his ProfeflTion, is counted taftious : He that reproves the iinnes and enormities of the time 3 a buiie-body : If a man partake- ■p= ALBANIA. jj partake not in leudneffe with fuch as tempt him to beare them company therein, 'tis by reafbn offome felfe-concek: If a man put up an injury, fuffer an affront, lie is efteemed a Co- ward, or of a bafe fpirit: If he be liberal! to thofe that want he is a wafter, and carelefle ubender of his eftate, and may- want himfelfe before he dye : If he be temperate, continent and fpend not his time jovially in merry compauy, andpa- itime, he is thought to be proud,iingular, or melancholicke : His Devotion isr condemned for hypocrifie, his reproofe goes for malice; what is reafonin others, in him is but opini- ons : Wnereas the fame man, would he but flatter, andhu- mour men in their conditions, beare with their manners,and applaud all their courfes, this were the onely man, and wor- thy all refpeft. I fpeake not thefe things, as accurmg you to be guilty, although I know, you are fbmewhat too confor- mable to the times, and too much feeke your owne eafe.The publike good is more in your talke, but I doubt me your pri- vate gaine is more in your aime. But if it goe not well with the generall, your cafe muft needes be lamentable. And there fore , I would have you timely redrefle fuch errors, as you finde your felves to be moft guilty of, and reclaime others by your counCdl and perfwafions. You mult not make any arme of Mem your (by, nor lay any falle grounds in your imagi- nation, that if things fucceed according to your fancy, all will be well. Whilft God is offended, nothing can conti- nue long well : therefore he muft in the firft place, and at all tinies be lough t unto, by teares and Prayers. You muft meet him with red eyes, blubbered cheekes , palevifage, penfive foule, protestations of humility, importunities for mercy. There muft be a true humiliation for iinnes paft, a fetled pur- pole of amendment. You muft pinion the wings ofall high conceites of your owne worth, and expiate fore-paft vices, with afacrificeofthe contrary vertuesVAnd then Twill af- fure you, that if all the forces of the world were banded a- gainft you for your overthrow > if all the fii btill braines, an and no refiftance againftthe authority of your Prince. And for the wrong he feekes to doe you, you muft feeke to God, to fet him in the Right, though he take away your Liberties, Goods, and lives, contrary to all Lawes and Equity: Yea, ' even to thofe, the performance of which (though by force- he may not be conftrayned ) in Confcience he is bound. Yet you muft not curfe him in your heart, nor touch a lap of his garment with fuch a thought, for he is the Lords Anointed. But what fpend I breath in thefe things ? You have a Religi- ous and gracious Prince, one that is 2e?.Ions of Gods Glory, and will be carefull of your good. You need not feare that he will be perfwaded to any thing that (hall oppofe the one, or hinder the other. He will not wrong his owne Sou!e,to hurt you in your * Eftates, or Perfons. Hee well knowes, that though he is not to be accountable to men, he hath a wifeiy and ftri&er judge ( if he doe not execute the charge commit- ted unto him, in fome fort as he fhould J will call him to ac- count at laft, becaufe this High place and Authority over o- thers, was not committed unto him for his owne pleafure- and eafe, but for his Mailers glory, and the benefit of the Church. And therefore. Prayers and Supplications ought, to be made inceilantly unto God, for his prefervation and fafe- ty aboyeall others : For where the Prince is good 5 that peo- ple Ele of all others have moft caufe to rejoyce, and bleffe God for im, and ftrive to pleafe him in all his juft defires. And in this refpeft, it muft be farre from you to wifh him any ill, to fpeake of him without befeeming refpeft, much more to joyne in any councell or confederacy with his enemies, and moft of all to take up armes, except at his Command, and for his defence. You ought not to murmure againft his proceedings, nor fpeake ill of his Officers, or Commiflioners, upon every Height mfpicion. Charity will counterpoife the diftractions of many occur- rences : but rafhneffe, and inconiideratenefTc in jndgement,is an impetuous Paflion, which beares downe all Reaion. When things goe not as they mould, and you know not who is in blame- cry downe no man meerely upon report, but leave offenders to the tryall oftheLawes, by their competent Jud- ges. But when y cu are required, or any thing comes to your knowledge, which may prove dangerous to the State, not to be partial! in Affe&ion,to tremble at the fight of a high Tow- er., or guild a mudded wall, or fearethe countenance of any man; fFor time and juftice will weare out the dreames and plots of wicked policy, and ftrengthen the faire proceedings of Truth andHonefty) but boldly and impartially to dis- cover what you know. And whensoever it (ball be thought fit by the States and Commons, and that the Kings ncceffities and occaiions Co require,to be furnifhed with a fupply of mo- nies • that then without further queftion, you cheerefully contribute what (hall be fo impofed : i\nd by your voluntary benevolences,as time and your abilities mall give you leave to teftifie that true affection and love to him, which you pre- tend- And thefe fupplies will be with farre greater eafe disburfed, if you pleafe to fubftracl: but fomewhat from your fuperflui- ties : turne fome ofy our excefTive and often feaftings into falts, or fewer difhes : take fomething from the price and trimming ©f your garments, life fuch as may ferve for decency and con- venience : but be not like Antiques or like Apes to follow e- verynewfafhion. Reftraine fomewhat from your gamings and expences of idle houres. Your appetitefhall be never the lefle fatisfied, and your bodies more healthy. Your attire ac- cording to your degree and calling fhall not a jot be the more H 3 indecent- ■JiLsjiFrnr. indecent, nor your bodies the leflfewarme. Beiides,the more Velvets and Silkes are forb6rne,our owne cloathes (hall be in weare, and the poore better fet on,worfce in making of them. You (hall tinde waves enough of more thrifty recreation, and have more comfort in the redeeming of your pretious time, then in any mifpending of it. And now I have (hewed you my advife as plainely as I can : and fit being my ufe, howfbever it be taken,to doe good unto all, as occafion (hall be offered) as I held my felfe in duty bound. And with this me paufed, and they that heard her with great content , tooke their leave, with promife for their parts,and in the behalfe of the reft that were abfent, to be more carefull of their carriage, and refpe&full of their duty towards God and their Soveraigne. Alethe'uj likewife Would have taken her leave of Albania for fometime, feeing her well onwards on 'the mending hand, but was interrupted by an occafion, which was unworthy berftay, or the relation, but that you may fee what cruelty there is in the nature of a covetous wretch. Thus it happened, Albanians fervants hearing a great Ia« mentation and cry at their Ladies gate,went forth to lee what it meant. Where they law two Sergeants dragging a poore man to prifon for anothers debt, who defired that Albania would take fome pity on his cafe, and his Wife, and Chil- dren that made this great moane, withearneft entreaties and teares befought the like. Whereupon one of the fervants cal- led E/er^ran in prefently, and acquainted his Lady with their' requeft, whobeingftill ready to further a worke of Charity 5 f and the rather becaufe Aletbeia was then in place J gave pre- fent command that they mould bring the Prifoner, and the party that fought this extremity againft him, to her prefence, and (lie would requeit Aktheia to be judge in the caufe: fo by vertueof her command, the parties were both brought where the Ladies were. And truely the covetous wretch would not by any intreaties have beene perfwaded to have come of him- felfe, fo much did he abhorrethe company of fuch aswere charitably minded, and was fo afraid to looke Authority in the face : but by the way he could not forbeare curfing, and /wearing, with fearefull imprecations, that hee would not fofe a penny by any man. In the meane while, the poore man man had acquainted the Ladies that the debt was none of his owne- but that he had ingaged himfelfe by Bond to fee him paid : that the debt was but (mall at the firit, but that it had runne on fo farre, that the Life exceeded the Principal! : and the Creditour mighc have had his money long ere this., but that he was carelede to take it in upon his Security, and in- tended when he faw time to take his beft advantage : and that henowfued him ( whiles the Principal! had wherewith to fatisfic) who was unable, if he fhould fell all he had,to pay lb great a fumme, and if he were laid in prifon, his Wife and Children were quite undone. This hard cafe of the poore nnan, and cruelty of the other, drew teares of pity from the eyes of the companionate Ladies, and with all anger and dif- daine, forced a red colour in their cheekes. Thou unnatural! wretch ( {kid dtetfaia^what moved thee to be fo hard hear- ted againft a poore man that owes thee nothing, nor hath a- ny thing to pay? The cruel Plutos^ for fo was he named, as wretched in con- dition, as crooked in Limbes,and wrinckled in countenance- as miferable in fbule and poore in goodneffe, as ragged and patched in garments, could not deny what the poore man (aid, nor would make any direct anfwer, to what was de- manded, but ftill he infixed upon this tone. Give me my money I will have the forfeiture of my Bonds, and Mortgages- \ will be paid the Intereft of my monies to a Farthing. To a farthing!(faid^/z7/?t;ij) is this thy Religion? Religion! (re- ply ed he) tell them of Religion that care for it • Let me have my Money. Vile Atheiftf faid me ) doft thou preferre thy trafh and pelfe before the Service of God, and thy falvation? Yea (faid the Tdeot ) that I doe, and before Heaven ajfo. This world I know, that other I doe not. God grant me to live ftill on earth, let him keeps Heaven for himfelfe. Speake of me what you will, fo I may gaine by it. If you be all hanged or drowned, I care not. Let this poore foolethat had no more wit, but to bring himfelfe within danger of my mercy, rot in Prifon. Let his Wife and Children ftarve, let all his friends curfeme, I fhall thrive never the worfe. Thefe, and other like devillifh fpeeches this Earthworme uttered, fo that Alba- nia paled, Aletbeia was fore a frighted , and both could not endure to heare the Monfter any longer 3 but commanded the poore poore man to be fet at liberty, and fent him home with Come gifts to boot. Aletheia would have given (bene counfell to the wretch, but thinking it not fit at this time to caft Pearle before Swine, fhe bid them caft him out upon the Dung-hill among his compa- nions, and in the meane while keepe him there, till ibme o- ther punifhment might be devifed for him,and fuch like,by the Honorable Court of Parliament. And mrely it would draw a gueat blefTing upon this King- dome, if his Majefty and Councell would taKe into their con- sideration the cruell wayes of oppreifion and vexation uled to- ward the poorer fort, and other by thofe who,that they may raife a great eftate to themfelves, care not how they come by it,though it be with the mine of whole Familes. But whileft the Ladies were thus difquieted by the latee- ventj Cbronos was come in poll: to fetch Aleiheia to uhegene- rall Aflembly, who at this time greatly needed her preience. Who prefently went away with him, having taken leave of Albania^ and left her in the company of Agatha and Fidelia, and many other of her trufty fervants, to whom Albania committing the care of her affaires, and (hutting the doores of her Chamber, lay downe upon her Couch a while to take fome repofe, and being laid, fell into a fweet fleepe. But the Ladies that ftaid by her, rejoycing that their Lady tookeher reft lb quietly, andthatafmallnoyfe would not awake her, tooke each her Inftrument, and having plaid a while thereon, and feeing Albania ftirred not the while,began altogether thus to fing. - . GOme Sions Smgers jit all routid^ And each with voyce and injirumentj Tbefepeetejl jlraines of 'mujicke found , That Art} or fancy can invent. And all together loudly fing : ;%*hepraifij of our Heavenly King, L% Lil\ewife ye holy Shephrdfivaines, Well skill" din Songs and TempU-'ayes, ^ While ft tbatyour ftockes graze on the Vlaines, Cbaunt bymms unto Jebovahs praife. And let the ^uire with Ecchoesring Ofpraifes of our Heavenly King. Veare Herauldr of our Godproclaime, In thofe affemblies whereyou meete , T be joy of 'our Hierufalem, With Hallelujahs publip it : That all which heare the fame, mayfing Thepraifes of our heavenly King. Each age,eacbfex, and each degree, That love their King, the Church and State, Thofe hopes returned with joy may fee, Were almoji gone and loft of late. Then have not aUjuft caufe tofing Thepraifes of our heavenly Kingi Me thought of late mine eyes did mark& A gentle dove fly through the ayre, With Olive branch, when the prill Lark^ To heave?i-wardftew chirping, where Angels and Saints in Antbemesfing Thepraifes of our heaveyily King. Cheareupfad hearts and you pall fee AU ftormes offeare will portly ceafe : Tourpghs tofongs pall turned be, And tales of wane to tunes of Peace. Inftead of mourning all pall fing Thipraifes of our Heavenly King. The Winter lap not all the years, The longift night muftyeeld to day, When that the Sunne begins to cleare, All mifis and clouds muft pacl% away. And ~1*~ ALBANIA. And now is time for m to fin* The praifes of our Heavenly King. Stupe on Albania, worthy Dame, And in thy ? rimes grace he bold - Tkfi. wifiSdthy woes Jball find their fiame % Theirphts ofmifchiefe will not hold. tky now fhall waile, but tboufhaltfing T he praifes of our heavenly Kin*. Godbleffe King, Lords, andCommons all, fTith hearts true love,and mindes confent. Let no mifcbance to them befall Wbikfitbat they fit in Parliament. Somali King, Lords,and Commons im< I he Praifes of our Heavenly King. A S? f^, whether fatisfied with the fweet repofe 1 Xme had taken, or wakened with the pleafant mufickeof the yoyces, ftart up as from a trance with this joyful! Ac-fa mation. ' J "-*"«■**- Ah happy Mamafawy Soveraigne,and happy VnHJ and th 1S fijc uttered wit , a ^oitcheare&l countenWt£ Ind x ofa ike heart J) and hereupon paufed 5 when to her LadS defongtoknow thereafonof this her' exult at Ton ^ * -odeSnt her delights, anda cucunifpe&ion in her behaviour 5 but fea- ring alb an i a. 5P ring (he had fomewhat exceeded,and had beene too paflionate in theexpreifionofher late complaints Cwhich fhe imputed to the tendernefle of her nature, having not of a longtime beene ufedto fuch changes ) (hedeiired the favour of the bell interpretation, protefting withall, that howfoever her fpee- ches might (eeme to favour of too much bitterncfle againft fome delinquents, heraime herein was not to particulars nor ib much againft the perfons ofany,as their ofFences,and there- fore deferved the greater pardon ; and wdl confidering that Humanum eft errare, (he hoped the parties guilty would not be lb desperate to proceed on farther in thole wicked courfes foclearelydifcovered,butfpeedily retire, and call themfelves downe at the feet of his Majeities clemency, and make (bme recompencc to theinjtiryed parties, by their fincere amend- ment, and provident endeavours for the common good: and as for thofe loyall hearts ('the conftant friends and joy nt pur- iliers of hers and her filters welfare ) and un-interrupted hap- pinefle (having efcaped the itorme at home by the miraculous providence of the Almighty Lord,) (he defired them to be no- thing the more fecurein their vigilant care of future occurren- ces, having alwayes a provident eye,both at more and to lea- wards, for the timely prevention of fuch inconveniences as might fteale on them in their owne, or be intended againft them from forraine parts. And now Veridkm was returned from the Aflembly, and upon notice was quickely admitted where he much rejoyced to fee how the caufe ftood with Alba- nia and deiiring to have (bme conference with her in private the Ladies gave place, having firft demanded how things went and received onely this anfwer, Good Newes. Which the Lord long continue to his glory, the Kings honour s and the Ki??gdomef fafetj. FINIS. An Explanation of the rea~ Ions for fome of the App; llations in this Treatife contained. ALbanidj From the white differ. Megala, From the targe extent, Aquilina ? From the Fnfigms of the Eagk 9 and Flower de Li liana 5 Luce. Verana, From gart ofChri^endome y which profejfeth Religion ac~ cording to the •truth of. 'Scripture. fiegicida. From the doUrineof king-killing. Idolana, From the frequency and diver fity vf imogp-adorations in> that City. Agatha, Tlhc iw* properties of 'a good Servant, according to that % Fidelia, J Well done thou good and faithfull Servant. Agnoa, From that the Tapifts holdignorance to he the mother of de- votion. A'ftene, From thctwdewefje if Conscience about things indifferent. Sympathia, \ From the requisites ofCharity y and trtte Com- Agape,, 5 pajjion, Soph ia j "TFro-m the conditions ofwifedome and modejiy^neceffam Sophrofyne^ ry for fuch as are employ din Fmhaffages. Plu to s, From the iwrd'matefove ofgaine^anddeviUip w ayes' for at- iaininTof'ihcCznie.- f he other denominations 10 fpeake themfelveSjas they need no further explication* Soli Deo "lauso- > x : j 4v ^ W jt^y r^ s N ^S i\ jjT V— f / Vt .V„._ -«^ &JL m»