214 S Y L V A BOOK iv 



was by an imperial edict of Constantine, extirpated ; 

 but from the abuse of the thing to the non-use, the 

 consequence is not always valid, and we may note as 

 to this very particular, that where in divers places of 

 Holy Writ, the denunciation against groves is so 

 express, it is frequently to be taken but catachrestically, 

 from the wooden image or statue call'd by that name, 

 as our learned Selden makes out by sundry instances 

 in his Syntagma de diis Syris. Indeed the use of groves 

 upon account of devotion, was so ancient, and seem'd 

 so universal, that they consecrated not only real and 

 natural groves, but lucos pictos, artificial boscage and 

 representations of them. 



The sum of all is, Paradise it self was but a kind 

 of nemorous temple, or sacred grove, planted by God 

 himself, and given to man, tanquam primo sacerdoti^ the 

 word is one which properly signifies to serve or admin- 

 ister, res druinas^ a place consecrated for sober dis- 

 cipline, and to contemplate those mysterious and 

 sacramental trees which they were not to touch with 

 their hands ; and in memory of them, I am inclined 

 to believe, holy men (as we have shew'd in Abraham 

 and others) might plant and cultivate groves, where 

 they traditionally invok'd the Deity ; and St. Hierom, 

 Chrysostom, Cyprian, Augustine, and other Fathers 

 of the Church greatly magnified these pious advan- 

 tages; and Cajetan tells us, that from Isaac to Jacob, 

 and their descendants, they followed Abraham in this 

 custom: Solomon was a greater planter of them, and 

 had an house of pleasure or lodge in one of them for 

 recess: In such places were the monuments of their 

 saints, and the bones of their heroes deposited; for 



1 Vide Sanctium, Piscat. Grot.ium. 



