Of the Picture of St. _George_.
The Picture of St. _George_ killing the Dragon, and, as most ancient
draughts do run, with the daughter of a King standing by, is famous
amongst Christians. And upon this description dependeth a solemn story,
how by this atchievement he redeemed a Kings daughter: which is more
especially believed by the _English_, whose Protector he is: and in
which form and history, according to his description in the _English_
Colledge at _Rome_, he is set forth in the Icons or Cuts of Martyrs by
_Cevalerius_: and all this according to the _Historia Lombardica_, or
golden legend of _Jacobus de Voragine_. Now of what authority soever
this piece be amongst us, it is I perceive received with different
beliefs: for some believe the person and the story; some the person, but
not the story; and others deny both.
That such a person there was, we shall not contend: for besides others,
Dr. _Heilin_ hath clearly asserted it in his History of St. _George_.
The indistinction of many in the community of name, or the
misapplication of the acts of one unto another, hath made some doubt
thereof. For of this name we meet with more then one in History, and no
less then two conceived of _Cappadocia_. The one an _Arrian_, who was
slain by the _Alexandrians_ in the time of _Julian_; the other a
valiant Souldier and Christian Martyr, beheaded in the reign of
_Dioclesian_. This is the _George_ conceived in this Picture, who hath
his day in the _Roman_ Calender, on whom so many fables are delivered,
whose story is set forth by _Metaphrastes_, and his miracles by
_Turonensis_.
As for the story depending hereon, some conceive as lightly thereof, as
of that of _Persius_ and _Andromeda_; conjecturing the one to be the
father of the other; and some too highly assert it. Others with better
moderation, do either entertain the same as a fabulous addition unto the
true and authentick story of St. _George_; or else conceive the literal
acception to be a misconstruction of the symbolical expression;
apprehending a veritable History, in an Emblem or piece of Christian
Poesie. And this Emblematical construction hath been received by men not
forward to extenuate the acts of Saints: as from _Baronius_, _Lipellous_
the _Carthusian_ hath delivered in the life of St. _George_; _Picturam
illam St._ Georgii _quâ effingitur eques armatus, qui hastæ cuspide
hostem interficit, juxta quam etiam virgo posita manus supplices tendens
ejus explorat auxilium, Symboli potius quam historiæ alicujus censenda
expressa imago. Consuevit quidem ut equestris militiæ miles equestri
imagine referri_: that is, The Picture of St. _George_, wherein he is
described like a Curassier or horseman compleatly armed, etc. Is rather
a symbolical image, then any proper figure.
Now in the Picture of this Saint and Souldier, might be implied the
Christian Souldier and true Champion of Christ. A horseman armed _Cap a
pe_, intimating the _Panoplia_ or compleat armour of a Christian;
combating with the Dragon, that is, with the Devil; in defence of the
Kings daughter, that is, the Church of God. And therefore although the
history be not made out, it doth not disparage the Knights and Noble
order of St. _George_: whose cognisance is honourable in the Emblem of
the Souldier of Christ, and is a worthy memorial to conform unto its
mystery. Nor, were there no such person at all, had they more reason to
be ashamed, then the Noble order of _Burgundy_, and Knights of the
Golden Fleece; whose badge is a confessed fable.