And I am certain, that future sons of art will return large thanks to my memory, for so grateful, so useful an innuendo.
It will be no difficult part to persuade the reader, that so many worthy discoveries met with great success in the world; though I may justly assure him, that I have related much the smallest number; my design having been only to single out such as will be of most benefit for publick imitation, or which best served to give some idea of the reach and wit of the inventor. And therefore it need not be wondered at, if, by this time, lord Peter was become exceeding rich: but, alas! he had kept his brain so long and so violently upon the rack, that at last it shook itself, and began to turn round for a little ease. In short, what with pride, projects and knavery, poor Peter was grown distracted, and conceived the strangest imaginations in the world. In the height of his fits, as it is usual with those who run mad out of pride, he would call himself God Almighty[1], and sometimes monarch of the universe. I have seen him (says my author) take three old high-crowned hats[2], and clap them all on his head, three story high, with a huge bunch of keys at his girdle[3], and an angling-rod in his hand. In which
- ↑ The pope is not allowed to be the vicar of Christ, but by several divines is called God upon earth, and other blasphemous titles are given him.
- ↑ The triple crown.
- ↑ The keys of the church. The church is here taken for the gate of Heaven; for the keys of Heaven are assumed by the pope in consequence of what our Lord said to Peter. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven.
Ibid. The pope's universal monarchy, and his triple crown, and fisher's ring. W. Wotton.
