The Vanity of Arts and Sciences (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1676. Excerpt: ... Chap. LXXVII. Of Hunting and fowling. AS Fish are taken, so are Birds and Fowl, faying that there is a greater strength and exercise of the Body requir'd in Fowling and Hunting, than in Fishing i and a more industrious search after the Game. Besides several forts of Nets, there are many forts of Pitfalls, traps, and Springes, nor must we omit the great use of Birdlime, Hawks, Hounds, and Greyhounds. A most detestable Recreation, a vain Exercise, and unprosperous and unhappy sport, with so much labour and watching Night and Day to rage and make War against the poor Beasts: A pastime cruel, and totally Tragical, chiefly delighting in Blood and Death. And theresore from the beginning it was accompted the chief Exercise of the worst of Men, and greatest Sinners. For Cain, Lamech, KwtrocL, Ifhmael, Esau, are reported in Scripture to be mighty Hunters: Nor do we read of any one in the New Testament that was given to Hunting* Nor of any Nations that were greatly addicted to the Sport, unless the IJbmaeliteS, Idumeans, and other People that did not know God. Hjnting was the first Original of Tyranny, which cannot rind a fitter Author, than such a one, as by continually sporting himself in Blood and Murther, has learn'd to despise God and Nature. The Persian Kings however eiteem'd it, as an imitation of Warlike Exercises: For Hunting hath in it self something fierce and cruel, while the Poor Beast overcome at length by the Dogs, becomes a Spectide of Delight, } having . - * > its its Blood shed and Bowels torn out, at which the Barbarous Hunter laughs, while the Foe-Beast irowted with an Army of Dogs, or entangled in a Toyl, is carvied home by the Triumphant Huntsman, with a great Troop at his heels, Where the fatal Prey is cut up in blpody terms of Art, and proper words ...