University of Virginia Library

Conclusion of the Life of Julian, from “Speed's Historie.” Edit. 1632.

“But now one errour, his apostacie, disroabing him of all his morall vertues, leaves him an object naked to the vulgar eie, but a monster of men, and marke of infamie. I holde it therefore fitting no lesse the use, than the justice, of a story, to doe him (as I have done) all his right: since in him we learne thatt all those admirable endowments of nature, embellished with all the morall and internall graces that art could adde, are not the base of holinesse, without divine grace: nor dalliaunce of fortune and fulnesse of empire (that made this man wanton and forgettfull) is the center of security and happinesse, without heavenly protection: since from the sense of sacred piety hee fell to pagan superstition: for many are called, but few are chosen; and in the seat of Presumptuous Majesty hee felt the rod of Divine Revenge.”