y, and such like philters, so dive and insinuate into
their favours, that they are taken for men of excellent worth, wisdom,
learning, demigods, and so screw themselves into dignities, honours,
offices; but these men cause harsh confusion often, and as many times stirs
as Rehoboam's counsellors in a commonwealth, overthrew themselves and
others. Tandlerus and some authors make a doubt, whether love and hatred
may be compelled by philters or characters; Cardan and Marbodius, by
precious stones and amulets; astrologers by election of times, &c. as
[4543]I shall elsewhere discuss. The true object of this honest love is
virtue, wisdom, honesty, [4544]real worth, _Interna forma_, and this love
cannot deceive or be compelled, _ut ameris amabilis esto_, love itself is
the most potent philtrum, virtue and wisdom, _gratia gratum faciens_, the
sole and only grace, not counterfeit, but open, honest, simple, naked,
[4545]"descending from heaven," as our apostle hath it, an infused habit
from God, which hath given several gifts, as wit, learning, tongues, for
which they shall be amiable and gracious, Eph. iv. 11. as to Saul stature
and a goodly presence, 1 Sam. ix. 1. Joseph found favour in Pharaoh's
court, Gen. xxxix, for [4546]his person; and Daniel with the princes of the
eunuchs, Dan. xix. 19. Christ was gracious with God and men, Luke ii. 52.
There is still some peculiar grace, as of good discourse, eloquence, wit,
honesty, which is the _primum mobile_, first mover, and a most forcible
loadstone to draw the favours and good wills of men's eyes, ears, and
affections unto them. When "Jesus spake, they were all astonished at his
answers," (Luke ii. 47.) "and wondered at his gracious words which
proceeded from his mouth." An orator steals away the hearts of men, and as
another Orpheus, _quo vult, unde vult_, he pulls them to him by speech
alone: a sweet voice causeth admiration; and he that can utter himself in
good words, in our ordinary phrase, is called a proper man, a divine
spirit. For which cause belike, our old poets, _Senatus populusque
poetarum_, made Mercury the gentleman-usher to the Graces, captain of
eloquence, and those charities to be Jupiter's and Eurymone's daughters,
descended from above. Though they be otherwise deformed, crooked, ugly to
behold, those good parts of the mind denominate them fair. Plato commends
the beauty of Socrates; yet who was more grim of countenance, stern and
ghastly to look upon? So are and h