FRANCIS L. V E R V t A M 

 VicouNT S^- ALB AN, 



OF THE 



Dignity and Advancement 



LEA R N I N G. 



The First Book. 



C H A P. L 



The ConfecratioM of this IForkjteto the moji learned of Princes, K, JartieSj 

 n>ho in high, butjuji, conceptions is here admired., ,^ The Difiributiony 

 into the D'xgmiy and the Proficiency 0/ Learning. . I. Difcredits of 

 Learning , p-om the ohjcSions of Divines ; That the afpiring unto 

 Knowledge was the firft Sin. That Learning is a thing infinite, and 

 full of Anxiety. That Knowledge enclines the Mind to Herefjeand 

 Atheifm. H. Thefohition : OriginalGutltwtfS not in the Qnantity^hnf^^ 

 /« /;6e Quality /?/ Knowledge. ^ The CarrcCfive hereof Chanty, III. A" 

 gainji Infinity, Anxiety, i^WSeducementsof Sciences 5 three Vreferva^ 

 tives : That we forget not our mortality. § That Learning give us 

 content. § That it foar not toxj high. § And fo Thilofephyliadf the 

 mind by the Linkj of Second Caufes, unto the Firft. 



Here were under the Old Law ( Excellent King ) 

 both Free-vfill'offerings, and Daily Sacrifices 3 the 

 one proceding upon ordinary oblervance 5 the o- 

 ther upon a devout Chearfulnels. Certainly, ia 

 my opinion, fbrae fuch kind of Homage belongs 

 to K//;^/from their fervants 5;namely, That every 

 one (hould tender, not only Tributes of hisDuty^ 

 but Prefents of Affeftion. In the former of 

 thele, I hope, I (hall not be wanting 5 for the 

 latter I was in fufpenfe \Vhat I fhould moft principally undertake, and in 

 conclufion I thought it more refpeftive to make choice of fome Oblati- 

 on, which might refet, rather to the propriety and excellency of youc 

 individual Perfon^than to the bufinefs of your Crown and State. 



§ Reprcfcnting your Majefty, as my duty is, many times unto my 

 mind, (leaving afide the other parts, whether of , your Vertue, or of your 

 Fortune) I have been pofTefl: with extreme wonder, when! confider the 



A excellcDC? 



