CHAPTER XII

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.