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 of Salomon; but in a Romance. That of King Charles the first began indeed to be ripe for such Undertakings, by reason of the Plenty and Felicity of the first Years of his Government, and the Abilities of the King himself; who was not only an inimitable Master, in Reason and Eloquence, but excell'd in very many practical Arts, beyond the usual Custom of Kings, nay even beyond the Skill of the best Artists themselves. But he, alas! was call'd away from the Studies of Quiet and Peace, to a more dangerous and a more honourable Reputation. The chief Triumphs that Heav'n reserv'd for him, were to be gather'd from his suffering Virtues: In them he was only exceeded by the Divine Example of our Saviour; in Imitation of whose Passion, those Afflictions, and those Thorns which the rude Soldiers design'd for his Disgrace and Torment, became his Glory and his Crown.

The late Times of Civil War and Confusion, make Recompence for their infinite Calamities, brought this Advantage with them, that they stir'd up Men's Minds from long Ease, and a lazy Rest, and made them active, industrious and inquisitive: it being the usual Benefit that follows upon Tempests and Thunders in the State, as well as in the Sky, that they purifie and clear the Air, which they disturb. But now since the King's Return, the Blindness of the former Ages, and the Miseries of this last, are vanish'd away: now Men are generally weary of the Relicks of Antiquity, and satiated with Religious Disputes: now not only the Eyes of Men, but their Hands are open and prepar'd to labour: Now there is an universal Desire and Appetite after Knowledge, after the peaceable, the fruitful, the nourishing Knowledge, and not after that of antient Sects, which only yielded hard indigestible Arguments, Rh