PREFACE.

W

TO THE READER.

HO is not sensible with sorrow of the distractions of this age? To write books therefore may seem unseasonable, especially in a time wherein the press, like an unruly horse, hath cast off his bridle of being licensed, and some serious books, which dare fly abroad, are hooted at by a flock of pamphlets.

But be pleased to know that when I left my home it was fair weather, and my journey was half past before I discovered the tempest, and had gone so far in this work that I could neither go backward with credit nor forward with comfort.

As for the matter of this book, therein I am resident on my profession; holiness in the latitude thereof falling under the cognizance of a divine. For curious method, expect none, essays for the most part not being placed as at a feast, but placing themselves as at an ordinary.

The characters I have conformed to the then standing laws of the realm. A twelvemonth ago were they sent to the press, since which time the wisdom of the King and State hath thought fitting to alter many things, and I expect the discretion of

the reader should make his alterations accordingly. And I conjure thee by all christian ingenuity, that, if lighting here on some passages rather harshsounding than ill-intended, to construe the same by the general drift and main scope which is aimed at.

Nor let it render the modesty of this book suspected, because it presumes to appear in company unmanned by any patron. If right, it will defend itself; if wrong, none can defend it. Truth needs not, falsehood deserves not, a supporter. And indeed the matter of this work is too high for a subject's, the workmanship thereof too low for a prince's patronage.

And now I will turn my pen into prayer that God would be pleased to discloud these gloomy days with the beams of his mercy: which if I may be so happy as to see, it will then encourage me to count it freedom to serve two apprenticeships, God spinning out the thick thread of my life so long, in writing the Ecclesiastical History from Christ's time to our days, if I shall from remoter parts be so planted as to enjoy the benefit of walking and standing libraries, without which advantages the best vigilance doth but vainly dream to undertake such a task.

Meantime I will stop the leakage of my soul, and what heretofore hath run out in writing shall hereafter (God willing) be improved in constant preaching, in what place soever God's providence, and friends' good will, shall fix

Thine, in all christian offices,

THOMAS FULLER.

THE HOLY STATE

ST.

THE GOOD WIFE.

T. PAUL to the Colossians, iii. 18, first adviseth women to submit themselves to their husbands, and then counselleth men to love their wives. And sure it was fitting that women should first have their lesson given them, because it is hardest to be learned, and therefore they need have the more time to con it. For the same reason, we first begin with the character of a good wife.

She commandeth her husband, in any equal matter, by constant obeying him. It was always observed that what the English gained of the French in battle by valor, the French regained of the English by cunning in treaties: so, if the husband should chance by his power, in his passion, to prejudice his wife's right, she wisely knoweth, by compounding and complying, to recover and rectify it again.

She never crosseth her husband in the spring

tide of his anger, but stays till it be ebbingwater. And then mildly she argues the matter, not so much to condemn him as to acquit herself. Surely, men, contrary to iron, are worse to be wrought upon when they are hot, and are far more tractable in cold blood. It is an observation of seamen, that, if a single meteor or fireball falls on their mast, it portends ill-luck; but if two come together (which they count Castor and Pollux) they presage good success: but, sure, in a family it bodeth most bad when two fireballs (husband's and wife's anger) come both together.

She keeps home, if she hath not her husband's company or leave for her patent to go abroad for the house is the woman's centre. It is written, Psalm civ. 2: "The sun ariseth, man goeth forth unto his work, and to his labor until the evening"; but it is said of the good woman, Prov. xxxi. 15: "She riseth while it is yet night"; for man in the race of his work starts from the rising of the sun, because his business is without doors, and not to be done without the light of heaven; but the woman hath her work within the house, and therefore can make the sun rise by lighting of a candle.

Her clothes are rather comely than costly, and she makes plain cloth to be velvet by her handsome wearing it. She is none of our dainty dames, who love to appear in variety

of suits every day new, as if a good gown, like a stratagem in war, were to be used but once; but our good wife sets up a sail according to the keel of her husband's estate; and if of high parentage, she doth not so remember what she was by birth that she forgets what she is by match.

Arcana imperii (her husband's secrets) she will not divulge. Especially she is careful to conceal his infirmities. If he be none of the wisest, she so orders it that he appears on the public stage but seldom; and then he hath conned his part so well, that he comes off with great applause. If his forma informans be but bad, she provides him better formas assistentes, gets him wise servants and secretaries.

In her husband's absence, she is wife and deputy husband, which makes her double the files of her diligence. At his return he finds all things so well that he wonders to see himself at home when he was abroad.

In her husband's sickness, she feels more grief than she shows. Partly that she may not dishearten him, and partly because she is not at leisure to seem so sorrowful that she may be the more serviceable.

Her children, though many in number, are none in noise, steering them with a look whither she listeth. When they grow up, she teacheth