TliniesEpiJlletoT.VeJpaJian. 



hsiov Ld'mDecimiu^ lam content to fubmit them to his opinion, No%if 

 fuch an one as Lucilim^'^YiO wa*^he firfl: that durfl: controule the writings of o- 

 thers, and tooke upon him to fcofFe at their imperfedions, had reafon thus to 

 fay j if Cicero took occafion to borrow the faid fpeech of him for to ferve his own 

 turne, and namely in his Treatife of Poh'tiques, vvhere he wrote of a Common- 

 weale^how much greater caufe havel to diftruft my felfe.and to decline avoid 

 the cenfure of fome iudge of deepe underftandingf'But cut I am from this refuge 

 and meanes of defence,in that I expreflely make choife of you in this dedication 

 of my worke ; for one thing it is to have a iudge, either pricked by pluralitie of 

 voiceSjOr caft upon a man by drawing lots and a farre other thing to chufe and 

 nominat him from all others : and great difference is there betweene that cheare 

 and provifion which we make for a gueflfolemnely bidden and invited, and the 

 fuddainefare and intertainemcnt which is readie for a ffcranger who coinmeth to 

 pur houfe unlocked for^^^ji^i^^that profeffed enemie of ambition^vaingloriejand 

 indirect: fuit for ofFices,who took as great contentment in thofe eftates and dig- 

 nities which he refufed andreiecfled^asin them which he enioied,attained to this 

 good name of uprightneffe and fynceritie, that when in the hoteft broile about 

 cledion of Magiftrats that ever was in his time^they that flood therforejput in- 

 to his hands their mony upon truft^^as a cautionariepawneand aflfurance of their 

 integritie and fidelitie that way j they profeffed that they did it in teftimonie of 

 their conceit ofhis equitie and innocence,the cheefe and onely thing that a man 

 is to regard in this life : wherupon enfued that noble and memorable exclamati^ 

 on of^W.^/cc-ro^who {peaking ofthe faid brake outintothefe words : Oh 

 gende M^Porrms^hovw happie and bleffed art thou, whom no man was ever fb 

 hardie as to follicite to any leaud thing,or contrary to right and honeftie iL.Sci- 

 fio^^mn'SiVLizdiAfiaticM.s, at what time as he appealed unto the Tribunes of the 

 Commons,and befought their lawfull favour ( among vvhome, C.GraccmsvvdiS 

 one,a man whom he tooke for his mortall enemie) prefuming upon the good- 

 neffeof his caufe,gave out and faid, That his verie enemies,if they were hisiud> 

 ges.could not chufe but quit him and give fentenceonhishde. Thusvveefee 

 howeverie manmaketh him peremptorily the fupremeand higheft iudge of 

 his caufe, whom himfelfe chufeth and appealeth unto : which manner of choife 

 the Latinescall Provocatio. As for your felfe verely,who arefctinthemofbemi^ 

 nent & cheek place among men,8<: otherwife endued with fi'ngular eloquence 

 and profound knowledge^no marvellis it^if thofe that doe their dutie unto you, 

 felute yoUjkjffe your hand,and come with great rcfpecfland reverence: In which 

 regard, exceeding care above all things would be had,that whatfoever is laid or 

 dedicated unto you,maybefeem your perfon^^ be worth acceptation. And yet 

 the gods reiecl: not the humble praiers of poore countrey peafants, yea, and of 

 manie nations, who offer nothing but milke unto them : and fuch as have no 

 Incenfe, find grace and favour manie times with the oblation of a plaine cake 

 made onely of meale and fait; and never was anie man blamed yet for his devo- 

 tion to the gods,fo he offered according to his abilitie, were the thing never fa 

 fimple. 



For mine own part,challenged I maybe more ftill for this my importune and 

 I'ncon fid erat bold neffe,in that I would feeme topiefentthefebookesuntoyoUj 

 compiled of fo (lender ftuffe & matter as they be:for therin can be couched no 



5^ ij great 



