and a Number of the like Points of Husbandry. So as the Earth feemed a Sea to him, in refpect of the perpetual Importation. It was truly obferved by one, that himself came very hardly to a little Riches, and very easily to great Riches. For when a Man's Stock is come to that, that he can expect the Prime of Markets, and overcome thofe Bargains, which for their Greatness are few Men's Money, and be Partner in the Industries of Younger Men, he cannot but increase mainly. The Gains of ordinary Trades and Vocations, are honest; and furthered by two things, chiefly: By Diligence; and by a good Name, for good and fair dealing. But the Gains of Bargains, are of a more doubtful Nature; when Men fhall wait upon others' Neceffity, broke by Servants and Inftruments to draw them on, put off others cunningly that would be better Chapmen, and the like Practices, which are crafty and naught. As for the chopping of Bargains, when a Man buys, not to hold, but to fell over again, that commonly grindeth double, both upon the Seller, and upon the Buyer. Sharings do greatly enrich, if the Hands be well chofen, that are trufted. Ufury is the certainest Means of Gain, though one of the worst; as that, whereby a Man doth eat his Bread; In fudore vultûs alieni: And befides, doth Plough upon Sundays. But yet

certain though it be, it hath Flaws; for that the Scriveners and Brokers, do value unfound Men, to serve their own Turn. The Fortune, in being the First in an Invention, or in a Privilege, doth cause sometimes a wonderful Overgrowth in Riches;

as it was with the firft Sugar Man, in the Canaries: Therefore, if a Man can play the true Logician, to have as well Judgement, as Invention, he may do great Matters, especially if the Times be fit. He that refteth upon Gains certain, fhall hardly grow to great Riches: And he that puts all upon Adventures, doth often times break, and come to Poverty: It is good therefore, to guard Adventures with Certainties, that may uphold loffes. Monopolies, and Coemption of Wares for Refale, where they are not restrained, are great means to enrich; especially, if the Party have intelligence, what Things are like to come into Requeft, and fo ftore himself beforehand. Riches gotten by Service, though it be of the best Rife, yet when they are gotten by Flattery, feeding Humours, and other fervile Conditions, they may be placed amongst the Worft. As for Fishing for Teftaments and Executorships (as Tacitus faith of Seneca; Teftamenta et Orbos, tanquam indagine capi ;) It is yet worse; but how much Men fubmit themselves, to Meaner Perfons, then in Service. Believe not much them, that seem to despise Riches: For they despise them, that despair of them; and none worse, when they come to them. Be not Pennywife; Riches have Wings, and fometimes they fly away of themselves, fometimes they must be fet flying to bring in more. Men leave their Riches, either to their Kindred; or to the Publick: and moderate Portions profper best in both. A great State left to an Heir, is as a Lure to all the Birds of Prey round about, to seize on him, if he be not

the better stablished in Years and Judgement. Likewise glorious Gifts and Foundations, are like Sacrifices without Salt; and but the painted Sepulchres of Alms, which foon will putrify, and corrupt inwardly. Therefore, Measure not thine Advancements by Quantity, but Frame them by Measure; and defer not Charities till Death: For certainly, if a Man weigh it rightly, he that doth so, is rather liberal of an other Man's, than of his Own.

xxxv. Of Prophecies.

MEAN not to speak of Divine Prophecies; nor of Heathen Oracles; nor of natural Predictions; but only of Prophecies, that have been of certain Memory, and from hidden Causes. Saith the Pythonia to Saul; To-morrow thou and thy son shall be with me. Homer hath these Verses.

At Domus Enea cunctis dominabitur Oris, Et Nati Natorum, et qui nascentur ab illis : A Prophecy, as it seems, of the Roman Empire. Seneca the Tragedian hath these Verses.

Venient Annis

Secula feris, quibus Oceanus
Vincula Rerum laxet, et ingens
Pateat Tellus, Typhyfque novos
Detegat Orbes; nec fit Terris
Ultima Thule:

K

A Prophecy of the Discovery of America. The Daughter of Polycrates dreamed, that Jupiter bathed her Father, and Apollo anointed him: And it came to pass, that he was crucified in an open Place, where the Sun made his Body run with Sweat, and the Rain washed it. Philip of Macedon dreamed, he fealed up his Wife's Belly: Whereby he did expound it, that his Wife fhould be barren: But Ariftander the Soothsayer, told him, his Wife was with Child, because Men do not use to Seal Vessels that are empty. A Phantafm, that appeared to M. Brutus in his Tent, faid to him; Philippis iterùm me videbis. Tiberius faid to Galba; Tu quoque, Galba, deguftabis Imperium. In Vefpafian's Time, there went a Prophecy in the Eaft; That those that should come forth of Judea, fhould reign over the World: which though it may be was meant of our Saviour, yet Tacitus expounds it of Vefpafian. Domitian dreamed, the Night before he was flain, that a Golden Head was growing out of the Nape of his Neck: And indeed, the Succeffion that followed him, for many years, made Golden Times. Henry the Sixth of England faid of Henry the Seventh, when he was a Lad, and gave him Water; This is the Lad, that shall enjoy the Crown, for which we ftrive. When I was in France, I heard from one Dr. Pena, that the 2. Mother, who was given to curious Arts, caused the King her Husband's Nativity, to be calculated, under a falfe Name; and the Aftrologer gave a Judgement, that he should be killed in a Duel; at which the Queen laughed, thinking her Husband

to be above Challenges and Duels: but he was flain, upon a Course at Tilt, the Splinters of the Staff of Montgomery, going in at his Beaver. The trivial Prophecy, which I heard, when I was a Child, and Queen Elizabeth was in the Flower of her Years, was;

When Hemp is fpun ;
England's done.

Whereby, it was generally conceived, that after the Princes had reigned, which had the principal Letters, of that Word Hemp, (which were Henry, Edward, Mary, Philip, and Elizabeth), England should come to utter Confufion. Which, thanks be to God, is verified only, in the Change of the Name: for that the King's Style is now no more of England, but of Britain. There was also another Prophecy, before the year of 88, which I do not well understand.

There shall be feen upon a day,
Between the Baugh, and the May,
The Black Fleet of Norway.
When that that is come and gone,

England build Houfes of Lime and Stone,
For after Wars fhall you have None.

It was generally conceived, to be meant of the
Spanish Fleet, that came in 88. For that the King
of Spain's Surname, as they say, is Norway. The
Prediction of Regiomontanus ;

Octogefimus octavus mirabilis Annus ;

Was thought likewife accomplished, in the fend