inion, for that I
find in ancient records this Order or Society is sometimes called
Salomon's House, and sometimes the College of the Six Days Works;
whereby I am satisfied that our excellent king had learned from the
Hebrews that God had created the world and all that therein is within
six days: and therefore he instituting that House for the finding out
of the true nature of all things, (whereby God might have the more
glory in the workmanship of them, and insert the more fruit in the use
of them), did give it also that second name.

"But now to come to our present purpose. When the king had forbidden
to all his people navigation into any part that was not under his
crown, he made nevertheless this ordinance; that every twelve years
there should be set forth, out of this kingdom two ships, appointed to
several voyages; That in either of these ships there should be a
mission of three of the Fellows or Brethren of Salomon's House; whose
errand was only to give us knowledge of the affairs and state of those
countries to which they were designed, and especially of the sciences,
arts, manufactures, and inventions of all the world; and withal to
bring unto us books, instruments, and patterns in every kind: That the
ships, after they had landed the brethren, should return; and that the
brethren should stay abroad till the new mission. These ships are not
otherwise fraught, than with store of victuals, and good quantity of
treasure to remain with the brethren, for the buying of such things and
rewarding of such persons as they should think fit. Now for me to tell
you how the vulgar sort of mariners are contained from being discovered
at land; and how they that must be put on shore for any time, color
themselves under the names of other nations; and to what places these
voyages have been designed; and what places of rendezvous are appointed
for the new missions; and the like circumstances of the practique; I
may not do it: neither is it much to your desire. But thus you see we
maintain a trade not for gold, silver, or jewels; nor for silks; nor
for spices; nor any other commodity of matter; but only for God's first
creature, which was Light: to have light (I say) of the growth of all
parts of the world."

And when he had said this, he was silent; and so were we all. For
indeed we were all astonished to hear so strange things so probably
told. And he, perceiving that we were willing to say somewhat but had
it not ready