L I B. II. Of the Advancement of Learning. 65 



tations of Sciences j fpecially feeing it feems to be decreed by the Di- 

 vine Council , that the(e two (hould be Coevals, for To the Prophet 

 D4«/e/ fpeaking of the latter times fore-tells, Tlnrimi pertranfibnnt & Cap.iii 

 augebitttr Scientia. : as if the through Paflage, or Perluftration of the 

 World, and the various propagation of knowledge were appointed to 

 be in the (ame Ages 3 as we fee it is already performed in great part ; 

 feeing our tiraes.do not much give place for Learning to the former two 

 Periods^ or Returns of Learning j the one of the Grecians ; the other of 

 the Romans , and in fome kinds far exceed them. 



Chap. XL 



i. The Partition of £fc/e/7^/V4/ Hijiory, into the General Hijiory of 

 the church. IL Hijiory of Prophejie. III. Hijiory of Providence. 



f 



HiJiory Ecclefiajiical falls under the Came divilion commonly with 

 Civil Hijiory j for there are Ecclejiajiical Chronicles 5 there are 

 tives of Fathers^ there dixe Relations of Synods ^ and the like, per- 

 taining to the Church. In proper expreffion this kind of Hiftory is di= 

 vided, into the Hijiory of the Church by a general name^ Hijiory of Pro- 

 phefte 5 and Hijiory of Providence. The firft recordeth the times and dif- 

 ferent ftate of the Church Militant 3 whether fhe flote as the Ark, in the 

 peluge j or fojourn as the Ark, in the Wildernefs 5 or be at the reft as 

 the Ark, in the Temple ; that is, the State of the Church in Perfecution ; 

 in Remove ; and in Peace. In this Part I find no Deficience 5 but rather 

 more things abound therein, than are wanting 5 only this I could wiQi, 

 that the virtue and fincerity of the Narrations were anfwerable to the 

 greatnefs of the Mais. 



ll. The Second Part which is the Hijiory of Prophejie, confifteth of 

 <wo Relatives 5 the Prophefie it felfj and the accompUJI^ment thereof: 

 wherefore the defign of this work ought to be, that every Prophefie of 

 Scripture be (brted with the truth of the event j and that throughout 

 all the ages of the world ; both for Confirmation of Faith j as alfo to 

 plant a Difcipline, and skill in the Interpretation of Prophefies^ which 

 are not yet accomplilht. But in this work^that latitude mull: be allow- 

 ed which is proper, and familiar unto Divine Prophefies ; that their 

 accompliflimentsmay be both perpetual and pundual; For they refem- 

 ble the nature of their Author, to whom one day is as a thoufand years, pr^i „qi 

 and a thoufand years are but as one day : And though the fulnels and 

 height of their complement be many times alBgned to fome certain age, 

 or certain point of time , yet they have neverthelefs many flairs and 

 fcales of AccompliQiraent throughout divers Ages of the world. This 

 work I (et down as Defi'cient 5 but it is of that nature as muft be '* 

 handled with great wifdom, fobriety , and reverence, or not at 

 all. 



in. The third Part which is the History of Providence hath fallen 

 indeed upon the Pens of many pious Writers, but not without fiding 



I of 



