The higheſt perſonages haue been calumniated.
Later spelling with notes
If we will descend to later times, we shall find many the like examples of such kind, or rather unkind acceptance. The first Roman Emperor [11] did never do a more pleasing deed to the learned, nor more profitable to posterity, for conserving the record of times in true supputation; than when he corrected the Calendar, and ordered the year according to the course of the Sun; and yet this was imputed to him for novelty, and arrogance, and procured to him great obloguy. So the first Christened Emperor [12] (at the least-wise that openly professed the faith himself, and allowed others to do the like) for strengthening the Empire at his great charges, and providing for the Church, as he did, got for his labour the name Pupillus, as who would say, a wasteful Prince, that had need of a Guardian or overseer [13]. So the best Christened Emperor [14], for the love that he bare unto peace, thereby to enrich both himself and his subjects, and because he did not see war but find it, was judged to be no man at arms [15], (though indeed he excelled in feats of chivalry, and showed so much when he was provoked) and condemned for giving himself to his ease, and to his pleasure. To be short, the most learned Emperor of former times [16], (at the least, the greatest politician) what thanks had he for cutting off the superfluities of the laws, and digesting them into some order and method? This, that he had been blotted by some to be an Epitomist, that is, one that extinguishes worthy whole volumes, to bring his abridgments into request. This is the measure that hath been rendered to excellent Princes in former times, even, Cum bene facerent, male audire, For their good deeds to be evil spoken of. Neither is there any likelihood, that envy and malignity died, and were buried with the ancient. No, no, the reproof of Moses taketh hold of most ages; “You are risen up in your fathers’ stead, and increase of sinful men.” [17] “What is that that hath been done? that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the Sun,” saith the wiseman: [18] and S. Stephen, “As your fathers did, so do you.” [19]
Original 1611 spelling
If we will deſcend to later times, we ſhall find many the like examples of ſuch kind, or rather vnkind acceptance. The firſt Roman Emperor did neuer do a more pleaſing deed to the learned, nor more profitable to poſterity, for conſeruing the record of times in true ſupputation; than when he corrected the Calendar, and ordered the year according to the courſe of the Sun; and yet this was imputed to him for nouelty, and arrogance, and procured to him great obloguy. So the firſt Chriſtened Emperor (at the leaſt-wiſe that openly profeſſed the faith himſelf, and allowed others to do the like) for ſtrengthening the Empire at his great charges, and prouiding for the Church, as he did, got for his labour the name Pupillus, as who would ſay, a waſteful Prince, that had need of a Guardian or ouerſeer. So the beſt Chriſtened Emperor, for the loue that he bare vnto peace, thereby to enrich both himſelf and his ſubiects, and becauſe he did not ſee war but find it, was iudged to be no man at arms, (though indeed he excelled in feats of chiualry, and ſhowed ſo much when he was prouoked) and condemned for giuing himſelf to his eaſe, and to his pleaſure. To be ſhort, the moſt learned Emperor of former times, (at the leaſt, the greateſt politician) what thanks had he for cutting off the ſuperfluities of the laws, and digeſting them into ſome order and method? This, that he had been blotted by ſome to be an Epitomiſt, that is, one that extinguiſhes worthy whole volumes, to bring his abridgments into requeſt. This is the meaſure that hath been rendered to excellent Princes in former times, euen, Cum bene facerent, male audire, For their good deeds to be euil ſpoken of. Neither is there any likelihood, that enuy and malignity died, and were buried with the ancient. No, no, the reproof of Moſes taketh hold of moſt ages; “You are riſen vp in your fathers’ ſtead, and increaſe of ſinful men.” “What is that that hath been done? that which ſhall be done; and there is no new thing vnder the Sun,” ſaith the wiſeman: and S. Stephen, “As your fathers did, ſo do you.”
Marginal Notes
[11] C. Cæſar.
Plutarch.
[12] Conſtantine.
[13] Aurel. Victor.
[14] Theodoſius.
[15] Zoſimus.
[16] Iuſtinian.
[17] Numb.32.14.
[18] Eccles.1.9.
[19] Acts 7.51.