DISCOVERY OP THE COMPASS. 51 



father whose providence governes and maintaines a peece LIB -I- 

 of wood, giving it an assured way vpon the sea, and in the Sap xiv 

 midst of the swelling waves, to shew that in the like sort 

 thou canst save and deliver man from all perill and ship- 

 wracke; yea, although he were in the midst of the sea 

 without shippe. But for that thy works are full of wise- 

 dome, men hazard their lives in a small peece of wood, and 

 passe through the sea in a shippe and are saved.&quot; 1 And 

 vpon the same subiect the Psalmist saieth, &quot;They which go Psai.cvi. 

 to the sea in shippes and trafficke by the great waters, 

 have seene the workes of the Lord and his wonders in the 

 depth of the sea/ And in truth it is not one of the least 

 wonders of God that the force of so small a stone should 

 command the sea and force the infinite depth thereof to 

 obey him and follow his commandement. But for that it is 

 an vsuall thing and seernes easie men do not admire it nor 

 take any great regard thereof, and for that his bountie is 

 such the ignorant make lesse account thereof. Notwith 

 standing, such as will duly consider it, are led by reason to 

 blesse the wisedome of (rod, and to give him thankes for so 

 great a benefite. Being then decreed in heaven that these 

 nations of the Indies which have lyen so long hidden should 

 bee knowne and discovered, and that this rowt should be 

 frequented to the end so many soules should come to the 

 knowledge of lesus Christ and winne eternall life. There was 

 an assured guide provided for such as travell that way, that is, 

 the Compasse to saile by, and the vertue of the Adamant stone. 

 Wee doe not certainely know at what time this Art of sail 

 ing was brought to light. But for my part I hold for cer- 

 taine that it is not verie ancient, for besides the reasons 

 alleadged in the former chapter, I have not read in any 

 ancient Author, treating of dialles, any mention made of the 

 Adamant. And yet, undoubtedly, the principall and most 

 necessarie instrument for sunne dialls which we vse at this 

 1 Wisdom of Solomon, xiv, 3, 4, 5. 



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