Of the Cessation of Oracles.
That Oracles ceased or grew mute at the coming of Christ, is best
understood in a qualified sense, and not without all latitude, as though
precisely there were none after, nor any decay before. For (what we must
confess unto relations of Antiquity) some pre-decay is observable from
that of _Cicero_, urged by _Baronius_; _Cur isto modo jam oracula
Delphis non eduntur, non modo nostra ætate, sed jam diu, ut nihil possit
esse contemptius_. That during his life they were not altogether dumb,
is deduceable from _Suetonius_ in the life of _Tiberius_, who attempting
to subvert the Oracles adjoyning unto _Rome_, was deterred by the Lots
or chances which were delivered at _Preneste_. After his death we meet
with many; _Suetonius_ reports, that the Oracle of _Antium_ forewarned
_Caligula_ to beware of _Cassius_, who was one that conspired his death.
_Plutarch_ enquiring why the Oracles of _Greece_ ceased, excepteth that
of _Lebadia_: and in the same place _Demetrius_ affirmeth the Oracles of
_Mopsus_ and _Amphilochus_ were much frequented in his days. In brief,
Histories are frequent in examples, and there want not some even to the
reign of _Julian_.
What therefore may consist with history, by cessation of Oracles with
_Montacutius_ we may understand their intercision, not abscission or
consummate desolation; their rare delivery, not total dereliction, and
yet in regard of divers Oracles, we may speak strictly, and say there
was a proper cessation. Thus may we reconcile the accounts of times, and
allow those few and broken divinations, whereof we read in story and
undeniable Authors. For that they received this blow from Christ, and no
other causes alledged by the heathens, from oraculous confession they
cannot deny; whereof upon record there are some very remarkable. The
first that Oracle of _Delphos_ delivered unto _Augustus_.
_Me puer Hebræus Divos Deus ipse gubernans
Cedere sede jubet, tristemq; redire sub orcum;
Aris ergo dehinc tacitus discedito nostris._
An Hebrew child, a God all gods excelling,
To hell again commands me from this dwelling.
Our Altars leave in silence, and no more
A Resolution e're from hence implore.
A second recorded by _Plutarch_, of a voice that was heard to cry unto
Mariners at the sea, _Great Pan is dead_; which is a relation very
remarkable, and may be read in his defect of Oracles. A third reported
by _Eusebius_ in the life of his magnified _Constantine_, that about
that time _Apollo_ mourned, declaring his Oracles were false and that
the righteous upon earth did hinder him from speaking truth. And a
fourth related by _Theodoret_, and delivered by _Apollo Daphneus_ unto
_Julian_ upon his _Persian_ expedition, that he should remove the bodies
about him before he could return an answer, and not long after his
Temple was burnt with lightning.
All which were evident and convincing acknowledgements of that Power
which shut his lips, and restrained that delusion which had reigned so
many Centuries. But as his malice is vigilant, and the sins of men do
still continue a toleration of his mischiefs, he resteth not, nor will
he ever cease to circumvent the sons of the first deceived. [SN: _The
devils retreat when expelled the Oracles._] And therefore expelled from
Oracles and solemn Temples of delusion, he runs into corners, exercising
minor trumperies, and acting his deceits in Witches, Magicians,
Diviners, and such inferiour seducers. And yet (what is deplorable)
while we apply our selves thereto, and affirming that God hath left to
speak by his Prophets, expect in doubtfull matters a resolution from
such spirits, while we say the devil is mute, yet confess that these can
speak; while we deny the substance, yet practise the effect and in the
denied solemnity maintain the equivalent efficacy; in vain we cry that
Oracles are down; _Apollos_ Altar still doth smoak; nor is the fire of
_Delphos_ out unto this day.
Impertinent it is unto our intention to speak in general of Oracles, and
many have well performed it. The plainest of others was that of _Apollo
Delphicus_ recorded by _Herodotus_, and delivered unto _Croesus_; who
as a trial of their omniscience sent unto distant Oracles; and so
contrived with the Messengers, that though in several places, yet at the
same time they should demand what _Croesus_ was then a doing. Among
all others the Oracle of _Delphos_ only hit it, returning answer, he was
boyling a Lamb with a Tortoise, in a brazen vessel, with a cover of the
same metal. The stile is haughty in Greek, though somewhat lower in
Latine.
_Æquoris est spatium et numerus mihi notus arenæ
Mutum percipio, fantis nihil audio vocem.
Venit ad hos sensus nidor testudinis acris,
Quæ semel agninâ coquitur cum carne labete,
Aere infra strato, et stratum cui desuper æs est._
I know the space of Sea, the number of the sand,
I hear the silent, mute I understand.
A tender Lamb joined with Tortoise flesh,
Thy Master King of _Lydia_ now doth dress.
The scent thereof doth in my nostrils hover,
From brazen pot closed with brazen cover.
Hereby indeed he acquired much wealth and more honour, and was reputed
by _Croesus_ as a Diety: and yet not long after, by a vulgar fallacy
he deceived his favourite and greatest friend of Oracles into an
irreparable overthrow by _Cyrus_. And surely the same success are likely
all to have that rely or depend upon him. 'Twas the first play he
practised on mortality; and as time hath rendred him more perfect in the
Art, so hath the inveterateness of his malice more ready in the
execution. 'Tis therefore the soveraign degree of folly, and a crime not
only against God, but also our own reasons, to expect a favour from the
devil; whose mercies are more cruel than those of _Polyphemus_; for he
devours his favourites first, and the nearer a man approacheth, the
sooner he is scorched by _Moloch_. In brief, his favours are deceitfull
and double-headed, he doth apparent good, for real and convincing evil
after it; and exalteth us up to the top of the Temple, but to humble us
down from it.