_ERASMUS._ Whence came you from? Out of some Alehouse?
_Ga._ No, indeed.
_Er._ What from a Bowling Green?
_Ga._ No, nor from thence neither.
_Er._ What from the Tavern then?
_Ga._ No.
_Er._ Well, since I can't guess, tell me.
_Ga._ From St. _Mary's_ Church.
_Er._ What Business had you there?
_Ga._ I saluted some Persons.
_Er._ Who?
_Ga._ Christ, and some of the Saints.
_Er._ You have more Religion than is common to one of your Age.
_Ga._ Religion is becoming to every Age.
_Er._ If I had a Mind to be religious, I'd become a Monk.
_Ga._ And so would I too, if a Monk's Hood carried in it as much Piety
as it does Warmth.
_Er._ There is an old Saying, a young Saint and an old Devil.
_Ga._ But I believe that old Saying came from old Satan: I can hardly
think an old Man to be truly religious, that has not been so in his
young Days. Nothing is learn'd to greater Advantage, than what we learn
in our youngest Years.
_Er._ What is that which is call'd Religion?
_Ga._ It is the pure Worship of God, and Observation of his
Commandments.
_Er._ What are they?
_Ga._ It is too long to relate all; but I'll tell you in short, it
consists in four Things.
_Er._ What are they?
_Ga._ In the first Place, that we have a true and pious Apprehension of
God himself, and the Holy Scriptures; and that we not only stand in Awe
of him as a Lord, but that we love him with all our Heart, as a most
beneficent Father. 2. That we take the greatest Care to keep ourselves
blameless; that is, that we do no Injury to any one. 3. That we exercise
Charity, _i.e._ to deserve well of all Persons (as much as in us lyes).
4. That we practise Patience, _i.e._ to bear patiently Injuries that are
offered us, when we can't prevent them, not revenging them, nor
requiting Evil for Evil.
_Er._ You hold forth finely; but do you practise what you teach?
_Ga._ I endeavour it manfully.
_Er._ How can you do it like a Man, when you are but a Boy?
_Ga._ I meditate according to my Ability, and call myself to an Account
every Day; and correct myself for what I have done amiss: That was
unhandsomely done this saucily said, this was uncautiously acted; in
that it were better to have held my Peace, that was neglected.
_Er._ When do you come to this Reckoning?
_Ga._ Most commonly at Night; or at any Time that I am most at Leisure.
_Er._ But tell me, in what Studies do you spend the Day?
_Ga._ I will hide nothing from so intimate a Companion: In the Morning,
as soon as I am awake, (and that is commonly about six a Clock, or
sometimes at five) I sign myself with my Finger in the Forehead and
Breast with the Sign of the Cross.
_Er._ What then?
_Ga._ I begin the Day in the Name of the Father, Son, and holy Spirit.
_Er._ Indeed that is very piously done.
_Ga._ By and by I put up a short Ejaculation to Christ.
_Er._ What dost thou say to him?
_Ga._ I give him Thanks that he has been pleased to bless me that Night;
and I pray him that he would in like Manner prosper me the whole of that
Day, so as may be for his Glory, and my Soul's Good; and that he who is
the true Light that never sets, the eternal Sun, that enlivens,
nourishes and exhilarates all Things, would vouchsafe to enlighten my
Soul, that I mayn't fall into Sin; but by his Guidance, may attain
everlasting Life.
_Er._ A very good Beginning of the Day indeed.
_Ga._ And then having bid my Parents good Morrow, to whom next to God, I
owe the greatest Reverence, when it is Time I go to School; but so that
I may pass by some Church, if I can conveniently.
_Er._ What do you do there?
_Ga._ I salute Jesus again in three Words, and all the Saints, either
Men or Women; but the Virgin _Mary_ by Name, and especially that I
account most peculiarly my own.
_Er._ Indeed you seem to have read that Sentence of _Cato, Saluta
libenter_, to good Purpose; was it not enough to have saluted Christ in
the Morning, without saluting him again presently? Are you not afraid
lest you should be troublesome by your over Officiousness?
_Ga._ Christ loves to be often called upon.
_Er._ But it seems to be ridiculous to speak to one you don't see.
_Ga._ No more do I see that Part of me that speaks to him.
_Er._ What Part is that?
_Ga._ My Mind.
_Er._ But it seems to be Labour lost, to salute one that does not salute
you again.
_Ga._ He frequently salutes again by his secret Inspiration; and he
answers sufficiently that gives what is ask'd of him.
_Er._ What is it you ask of him? For I perceive your Salutations are
petitionary, like those of Beggars.
_Ga._ Indeed you are very right; for I pray that he, who, when he was a
Boy of about twelve Years of Age, sitting in the Temple, taught the
Doctors themselves, and to whom the heavenly Father, by a Voice from
Heaven, gave Authority to teach Mankind, saying, _This is my beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him_; and who is the eternal
Wisdom of the most high Father, would vouchsafe to enlighten my
Understanding, to receive wholesome Learning, that I may use it to his
Glory.
_Er._ Who are those Saints that you call peculiarly yours?
_Ga._ Of the Apostles, St. _Paul_; of the Martyrs, St. _Cyprian_; of the
Doctors, St. _Jerome_; of the Virgins, St. _Agnes_.
_Er._ How came these to be yours, more than the rest. Was it by Choice
or by Chance?
_Ga._ They fell to me by Lot.
_Er._ But you only salute them I suppose; do you beg any Thing of them?
_Ga._ I pray, that by their Suffrages they would recommend me to
Christ, and procure that by his Assistance it may in Time come to pass
that I be made one of their Company.
_Er._ Indeed what you ask for is no ordinary Thing: But what do you do
then?
_Ga._ I go to School, and do what is to be done there with my utmost
Endeavour; I so implore Christ's Assistance, as if my Study without it
would signify nothing; and I study as if he offered no Help but to him
that labours industriously; and I do my utmost not to deserve to be
beaten, nor to offend my Master either in Word or Deed, nor any of my
Companions.
_Er._ You are a good Boy to mind these Things.
_Ga._ When School is done I make haste Home, and if I can I take a
Church in my Way, and in three Words, I salute Jesus again; and I pay my
Respects to my Parents; and if I have any Time, I repeat, either by
myself, or with one of my School-fellows, what was dictated in School.
_Er._ Indeed you are a very good Husband of Time.
_Ga._ No wonder I am of that, which is the most precious Thing in the
World, and when past is irrecoverable.
_Er._ And _Hesiod_ teaches, that good Husbandry ought to be in the
Middle, it is too soon in the Beginning, and too late in the End.
_Ga._ _Hesiod_ spoke right enough concerning Wine, but of Time no good
Husbandry is unseasonable. If you let a Hogshead of Wine alone it won't
empty itself; but Time is always a flying, sleeping or waking.
_Er._ I confess so, but what do you do after that?
_Ga._ When my Parents sit down to Dinner I say Grace, and then wait at
Table till I am bid to take my own Dinner; and having returned Thanks,
if I have any Time left I divert myself with my Companions with some
lawful Recreation till the Time comes to go to School again.
_Er._ Do you salute Jesus again?
_Ga._ Yes, if I have an Opportunity; but if it so happen that I have not
an Opportunity, or it be not seasonable, as I pass by the Church I
salute him mentally; and then I do what is to be done at School with all
my Might; and when I go Home again I do what I did before Dinner: After
Supper I divert myself with some pleasant Stories; and afterwards
bidding my Parents and the Family good Night, I go to Bed betimes, and
there kneeling down by the Bedside, as I have said, I say over those
Things I have been learning that Day at School; if I have committed any
great Fault, I implore Christ's Clemency, that he would pardon me, and I
promise Amendment: and if I have committed no Fault, I thank him for his
Goodness in preserving me from all Vice, and then I recommend myself to
him with all my Soul, that he would preserve me from the Attempts of my
evil Genius and filthy Dreams. When this is done, and I am got into Bed,
I cross my Forehead and Breast, and compose myself to Rest.
_Er._ In what Posture do you compose yourself?
_Ga._ I don't lye upon my Face or my Back, but first leaning upon my
Right-Side, I fold my Arms a-cross, so that they may defend my Breast,
as it were with the Figure of a Cross, with my Right-hand upon my Left
Shoulder, and my Left upon my Right, and so I sleep sweetly, either till
I awake of myself, or am called up.
_Er._ You are a little Saint that can do thus.
_Ga._ You are a little Fool for saying so.
_Er._ I praise your Method, and I would I could practise it.
_Ga._ Give your Mind to it and you will do it, for when once you have
accustom'd yourself to it for a few Months, these Things will be
pleasant, and become natural.
_Er._ But I want to hear concerning divine Service.
_Ga._ I don't neglect that, especially upon holy Days.
_Er._ How do you manage yourself on holy Days?
_Ga._ In the first place I examine myself if my Mind be Polluted by any
Stain of Sin.
_Er._ And if you find it is, what do you do then? Do you refrain from
the Altar?
_Ga._ Not by my bodily Presence, but I withdraw myself, as to my Mind,
and standing as it were afar off, as tho' not daring to lift up my Eyes
to God the Father, whom I have offended, I strike upon my Breast, crying
out with the Publican in the Gospel, _Lord, be merciful to me a Sinner_.
And then if I know I have offended any Man, I take Care to make him
Satisfaction if I can presently; but if I cannot do that, I resolve in
my Mind to reconcile my Neighbour as soon as possible. If any Body has
offended me, I forbear Revenge, and endeavour to bring it about, that he
that has offended me may be made sensible of his Fault, and be sorry for
it; but if there be no Hope of that, I leave all Vengeance to God.
_Er._ That's a hard Task.
_Ga._ Is it hard to forgive a small Offence to your Brother, whose
mutual Forgiveness thou wilt stand in frequent need of, when Christ has
at once forgiven us all our Offences, and is every Day forgiving us?
Nay, this seems to me not to be Liberality to our Neighbour, but putting
to Interest to God; just as tho' one Fellow-Servant should agree with
another to forgive him three Groats, that his Lord might forgive him ten
Talents.
_Er._ You indeed argue very rationally, if what you say be true.
_Ga._ Can you desire any Thing truer than the Gospel?
_Er._ That is unreasonable; but there are some who can't believe
themselves to be Christians unless they hear Mass (as they call it)
every Day.
_Ga._ Indeed I don't condemn the Practise in those that have Time
enough, and spend whole Days in profane Exercises; but I only disapprove
of those who superstitiously fancy that that Day must needs be
unfortunate to them that they have not begun with the Mass; and
presently after divine Service is over they go either to Trading,
Gaming, or the Court, where whatsoever succeeds, though done justly or
unjustly, they attribute to the Mass.
_Er._ Are there any Persons that are so absurd?
_Ga._ The greatest part of Mankind.
_Er._ But return to divine Service.
_Ga._ If I can, I get to stand so close by the Holy Altar, that I can
hear what the Priest reads, especially the Epistle and the Gospel; from
these I endeavour to pick something, which I fix in my Mind, and this I
ruminate upon for some Time.
_Er._ Don't you pray at all in the mean Time?
_Ga._ I do pray, but rather mentally than vocally. From the Things the
Priest reads I take occasion of Prayer.
_Er._ Explain that a little more, I don't well take in what you mean.
_Ga._ I'll tell you; suppose this Epistle was read, _Purge out the old
Leaven, that ye may be a new Lump, as ye are unleavened_. On occasion of
these Words I thus address myself to Christ, "I wish I were the
unleavened Bread, pure from all Leaven of Malice; but do thou, O Lord
Jesus, who alone art pure, and free from all Malice, grant that I may
every Day more and more purge out the old Leaven." Again, if the Gospel
chance to be read concerning the Sower sowing his Seed, I thus pray with
my self, "Happy is he that deserves to be that good Ground, and I pray
that of barren Ground, he of his great Goodness would make me good
Ground, without whose Blessing nothing at all is good." These for
Example Sake, for it would be tedious to mention every Thing. But if I
happen to meet with a dumb Priest, (such as there are many in _Germany_)
or that I can't get near the Altar, I commonly get a little Book that
has the Gospel of that Day and Epistle, and this I either say out aloud,
or run it over with my Eye.
_Er._ I understand; but with what Contemplations chiefly dost thou pass
away the Time?
_Ga._ I give Thanks to Jesus Christ for his unspeakable Love, in
condescending to redeem Mankind by his Death; I pray that he would not
suffer his most holy Blood to be shed in vain for me, but that with his
Body he would always feed my Soul, and that with his Blood he would
quicken my Spirit, that growing by little and little in the Increase of
Graces, I may be made a fit Member of his mystical Body, which is the
Church; nor may ever fall from that holy Covenant that he made with his
elect Disciples at the last Supper, when he distributed the Bread, and
gave the Cup; and through these, with all who are engraffed into his
Society by Baptism. And if I find my Thoughts to wander, I read some
Psalms, or some pious Matter, that may keep my Mind from wandring.
_Er._ Have you any particular Psalms for this Purpose?
_Ga._ I have; but I have not so tyed myself up to them, but that I can
omit them, if any Meditation comes into my Mind that is more refreshing,
than the Recitation of those Psalms.
_Er._ What do you do as to Fasting?
_Ga._ I have nothing to do with Fasting, for so _Jerome_ has taught me;
that Health is not to be impair'd by fasting, until the Body is arrived
at its full Strength. I am not quite 17 Years old; but yet if I find
Occasion, I dine and sup sparingly, that I may be more lively for
Spiritual Exercises on holy Days.
_Er._ Since I have begun, I will go through with my Enquiries. How do
you find yourself affected towards Sermons?
_Ga._ Very well, I go to them as devoutly as if I was a going to a holy
Assembly; and yet I pick and chuse whom to hear, for there are some, one
had better not hear than hear; and if such an one happens to preach, or
if it happen that no Body preaches, I pass this Time in reading the
Scriptures, I read the Gospel or Epistle with _Chrysostom's_ or
_Jerome's_ Interpretation, or any other pious and learned Interpreter
that I meet with.
_Er._ But Word of Mouth is more affecting.
_Ga._ I confess it is. I had rather hear if I can but meet with a
tolerable Preacher; but I don't seem to be wholly destitute of a Sermon
if I hear _Chrysostom_ or _Jerome_ speaking by their Writings.
_Er._ I am of your Mind; but how do you stand affected as to
Confession?
_Ga._ Very well; for I confess daily.
_Er._ Every Day?
_Ga._ Yes.
_Er._ Then you ought to keep a Priest to yourself.
_Ga._ But I confess to him who only truly remits Sins, to whom all the
Power is given.
_Er._ To whom?
_Ga._ To Christ.
_Er._ And do you think that's sufficient?
_Ga._ It would be enough for me, if it were enough for the Rulers of the
Church, and receiv'd Custom.
_Er._ Who do you call the Rulers of the Church?
_Ga._ The Popes, Bishops and Apostles.
_Er._ And do you put Christ into this Number?
_Ga._ He is without Controversy the chief Head of e'm all.
_Er._ And was he the Author of this Confession in use?
_Ga._ He is indeed the Author of all good; but whether he appointed
Confession as it is now us'd in the Church, I leave to be disputed by
Divines. The Authority of my Betters is enough for me that am but a Lad
and a private Person. This is certainly the principal Confession; nor is
it an easy Matter to confess to Christ; no Body confesses to him, but he
that is angry with his Sin. If I have committed any great Offence, I lay
it open, and bewail it to him, and implore his Mercy; I cry out, weep
and lament, nor do I give over before I feel the Love of Sin throughly
purged from the Bottom of my Heart, and some Tranquility and
Chearfulness of Mind follow upon it, which is an Argument of the Sin
being pardoned. And when the Time requires to go to the holy Communion
of the Body and Blood of Christ; then I make Confession to a Priest too,
but in few Words, and nothing but what I am well satisfy'd are Faults,
or such that carry in them a very great Suspicion that they are such;
neither do I always take it to be a capital or enormous Crime, every
Thing that is done contrary to human Constitutions, unless a wicked
Contemptuousness shall go along with it: Nay, I scarce believe any Crime
to be Capital, that has not Malice join'd with it, that is, a perverse
Will.
_Er._ I commend you, that you are so religious, and yet not
superstitious: Here I think the old Proverb takes place: _Nec omnia, nec
passim, nec quibuslibet_, That a Person should neither speak all, nor
every where, nor to all Persons.
_Ga._ I chuse me a Priest, that I can trust with the Secrets of my
Heart.
_Er._ That's wisely done: For there are a great many, as is found by
Experience, do blab out what in Confessions is discovered to them. And
there are some vile impudent Fellows that enquire of the Person
confessing, those Things, that it were better if they were conceal'd;
and there are some unlearned and foolish Fellows, who for the Sake of
filthy Gain, lend their Ear, but apply not their Mind, who can't
distinguish between a Fault and a good Deed, nor can neither teach,
comfort nor advise. These Things I have heard from many, and in Part
have experienced my self.
_Ga._ And I too much; therefore I chuse me one that is learn'd, grave,
of approv'd Integrity, and one that keeps his Tongue within his Teeth.
_Er._ Truly you are happy that can make a Judgment of Things so early.
_Ga._ But above all, I take Care of doing any Thing that I can't safely
trust a Priest with.
_Er._ That's the best Thing in the World, if you can but do so.
_Ga._ Indeed it is hard to us of ourselves, but by the Help of Christ it
is easy; the greatest Matter is, that there be a Will to it. I often
renew my Resolution, especially upon Sundays: And besides that, I
endeavour as much as I can to keep out of evil Company, and associate
myself with good Company, by whose Conversation I may be better'd.
_Er._ Indeed you manage yourself rightly: For _evil Conversations
corrupt good Manners_.
_Ga._ I shun Idleness as the Plague.
_Er._ You are very right, for Idleness is the Root of all Evil; but as
the World goes now, he must live by himself that would keep out of bad
Company.
_Ga._ What you say is very true, for as the _Greek_ wise Men said the
bad are the greatest Number. But I chuse the best out of a few, and
sometimes a good Companion makes his Companion better. I avoid those
Diversions that incite to Naughtiness, and use those that are innocent.
I behave myself courteous to all; but familiarly with none but those
that are good. If I happen at any Time to fall into bad Company, I
either correct them by a soft Admonition, or wink at and bear with them,
if I can do them no good; but I be sure to get out of their Company as
soon as I can.
_Er._ Had you never an itching Mind to become a Monk?
_Ga._ Never; but I have been often solicited to it by some, that call
you into a Monastery, as into a Port from a Shipwreck.
_Er._ Say you so? Were they in Hopes of a Prey?
_Ga._ They set upon both me and my Parents with a great many crafty
Persuasions; but I have taken a Resolution not to give my Mind either to
Matrimony or Priesthood, nor to be a Monk, nor to any Kind of Life out
of which I can't extricate myself, before I know myself very well.
_Er._ When will that be?
_Ga._ Perhaps never. But before the 28th Year of ones Age, nothing
should be resolved on.
_Er._ Why so?
_Ga._ Because I hear every where, so many Priests, Monks and married Men
lamenting that they hurried themselves rashly into Servitude.
_Er._ You are very cautious not to be catch'd.
_Ga._ In the mean Time I take a special Care of three Things.
_Er._ What are they?
_Ga._ First of all to make a good Progress in Morality, and if I can't
do that, I am resolv'd to maintain an unspotted Innocence and good
Name; and last of all I furnish myself with Languages and Sciences that
will be of Use in any Kind of Life.
_Er._ But do you neglect the Poets?
_Ga._ Not wholly, but I read generally the chastest of them, and if I
meet with any Thing that is not modest, I pass that by, as _Ulysses_
passed by the _Sirens_, stopping his Ears.
_Er._ To what Kind of Study do you chiefly addict your self? To Physic,
the Common or Civil Law, or to Divinity? For Languages, the Sciences and
Philosophy are all conducive to any Profession whatsoever.
_Ga._ I have not yet thoroughly betaken myself to any one particularly,
but I take a Taste of all, that I be not wholly ignorant of any; and the
rather, that having tasted of all I may the better chuse that I am
fittest for. Medicine is a certain Portion in whatsoever Land a Man is;
the Law is the Way to Preferment: But I like Divinity the best, saving
that the Manners of some of the Professors of it, and the bitter
Contentions that are among them, displease me.
_Er._ He won't be very apt to fall that goes so warily along. Many in
these Days are frighted from Divinity, because they are afraid they
should not be found in the Catholick Faith, because they see no
Principle of Religion, but what is called in Question.
_Ga._ I believe firmly what I read in the holy Scriptures, and the
Creed, called the Apostles, and I don't trouble my Head any farther: I
leave the rest to be disputed and defined by the Clergy, if they please;
and if any Thing is in common Use with Christians that is not repugnant
to the holy Scriptures, I observe it for this Reason, that I may not
offend other People.
_Er._ What _Thales_ taught you that Philosophy?
_Ga._ When I was a Boy and very young, I happen'd to live in the House
with that honestest of Men, _John Colet_, do you know him?
_Er._ Know him, ay, as well as I do you.
_Ga._ He instructed me when I was young in these Precepts.
_Er._ You won't envy me, I hope, if I endeavour to imitate you?
_Ga._ Nay, by that Means you will be much dearer to me. For you know,
Familiarity and good Will, are closer ty'd by Similitude of Manners.
_Er._ True, but not among Candidates for the same Office, when they are
both sick of the same Disease.
_Ga._ No, nor between two Sweet-hearts of the same Mistress, when they
are both sick of the same Love.
_Er._ But without jesting, I'll try to imitate that Course of Life.
_Ga._ I wish you as good Success as may be.
_Er._ It may be I shall overtake thee.
_Ga._ I wish you might get before me; but in the mean Time I won't stay
for you; but I will every Day endeavour to out-go myself, and do you
endeavour to out-go me if you can.
_The ART OF HUNTING._
The ARGUMENT.
_This Colloquy presents you with the Art of Hunting;
Fishing, of bringing Earth-Worms out of the Ground, of
sticking Frogs._