Chap I.—That the naturall Historie of the Indies is pleasant and agreeable.

Psal. ciii, cxxxv, xci, xxxii, xviii, viii. Job xxviii, xxxix, xl, xli

Everie naturall Historie is of it selfe pleasing, and very profitable, to such as will raise vp their discourse and contemplation on high, in that it doth move them to glorify the Author of all nature, as we see the wise and holy men do, specially David in many Psalmes. And lob likewise, treating of the secrets of the Creator, whereas the same Lord answereth lob so amplie. He that takes delight to vnderstand the wondrous works of Nature shal taste the true pleasure and content of Histories; and the more, whenas he shal know they are not the simple workes of men, but of the Creator himself, and t h a t he shall comprehend the naturall causes of these workes, then shall he truly occupie himselfe in t h e studie of Philosophie. But he that shall raise his consideration higher, beholding the gret and first architect of all these marvells, he shal know his wisedom and infinite greatnes, and (we may say) shall be divinely imployed. And so the discourse of naturall things may seive for many good considerations, although the feeblenes and weakenes of many appetites are commonly accustomed to stay at things lesse profitable, which is the desire to know new things, called curiositie. The Discourse and Historie of naturall things of the Indies (besides the com vnknowne to the most excellent Authors of that profession which have bin among the Ancients.