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Lib. If. OftheAdvcincementofLe.miiuvr. tj 



§ As for the manner of compiling fuch a. H/Jiory, we do cfpeeiaJJy ad- 

 moni(h thus much i th.ttthe MMterandProvifion thereof ba dtawn, not 

 only from Ipfiorits andCritickj'-i but alfo that through every century of 

 years or Icffer Intervals^ by a continued fequence of time, deduced from 

 the hzgheji antiquity 3 the bejl Bookj ivrittcn rvithin thofe dijiingmpt 

 ffaces of time be confidtedvptth j that from a tafte and obfcrvation of 

 the argument, ftile and method thereof, and not a through a perufal, 

 for that vpersan infinite work^ the learned fpirit of that ag£^ as byal^ind 

 of charm^ may be awai^t and raised np from the dead. 

 ] (j As touching the i/fe of this IFor^y it is defign'd to this end; not, 

 that the Honour and State of Learning uQier'd in by fo many Images 

 and Ghoftsof the Learned, fhould be celebrated, or that for the earneft 

 affeftion we bear to Learning, we defire, even to a curioiityj to en- 

 quire and know, and to conferve whatfoever to the ftate of Learning 

 may any way appertain j but chiefly , for a moreferious and grave 

 purpofe. It is, in kw words this. For thatfuch a Narration^ as ire have 

 defcribed, in otir opinion^ may much confer to the tpifdom and judgement 

 of Learned men^ in. the ufe and ad^iiuijiration of Learning .• and that 

 the pajfions and perturbations j the vices and virtues j as well about Intel- 

 leQual matters^ as Civil may be observed 5 and thg. bejl Vnfidentsfor pra- 

 &ice may be deduced therefrom. For it is not Saint Aujiins , nor Saint 

 Ambrofe his works,(as we fuppofe)that will make fo wife a Bifhop or a 

 Divine , as Ecclefiajiical jiory throughly read and obferved : which 

 without queftion may befal Learned men from theHiftory of Learningo 

 For whatfover is not munited and fuftained by Example and Records, 

 is expofed to imprudency and ruine. Thus much of the Hijiory of 

 ftearniftg. 



Chap. V. 



of the Dignity, § And difficulty of Civil Hilary. 



^Ivil Hijiory properly fo called comes now to be handled 5 The Dig" 

 ' nity and Authority whereof, is very eminent among fecular writings ; 

 For upon the credit of this Hijiory, the examples of our Anceftors 5 

 the viciffitudes of Affairs 5 the grounds of Civil Prudence, and the 

 Name and Fame of men depend. 



§ But the Difficulty is as great as the Dignity 5 for to draw back the 

 mind ia writing, to the contemplation of matters long ago pafTed ; 

 and thus, as it were, to make it aged 5 to fearch out with diligence, 

 and to deliver with faith and freedom, and with the life and height of 

 cxpreffion 5 to reprefent unto the eyes, the changes of times ; thecha- 

 rafters of Perfons 5 the incertainties of Counfels j the Conveyances of 

 Anions (as of waters,), the fubtilties of Pretentions, the fectets of 

 State, is a task of great pains and judgements 5 efpecially feeing An- 

 cient reports, are lubject to incertainty; Modern liable to danger : 

 Wherefore the errors are many which attend Civd Uijlory ; whilft 

 forae write poor aiid popular Relation^, the very reproach of Hirtory 5 



H otheiJ 



