10. The relation of _Plutarch_ of a youth of _Sparta_, that suffered a Fox concealed under his robe to tear out his bowels, before he would either by voice or countenance betray his theft; and the other of the Spartan Lad, that with the same resolution suffered a coal from the Altar to burn his arm, although defended by the Author that writes his life, is I perceive mistrusted by men of Judgment, and the Author with an _aiunt_, is made to salve himself. Assuredly it was a noble Nation that could afford an hint to such inventions of patience, and upon whom, if not such verities, at least such verisimilities of fortitude were placed. Were the story true, they would have made the only Disciples for _Zeno_ and the _Stoicks_, and might perhaps have been perswaded to laugh in _Phaleris_ his Bull. 11. If any man shall content his belief with the speech of _Balaams_ Ass, without a belief of that of _Mahomets_ Camel, or _Livies_ Ox: If any man make a doubt of _Giges_ ring in _Justinus_, or conceives he must be a _Jew_ that believes the Sabbatical river in _Josephus._ If any man will say he doth not apprehend how the tayl of an _African_ Weather out-weigheth the body of a good Calf, that is, an hundred pound, according unto _Leo Africanus_, or desires before belief, to behold such a creature as is the Ruck in _Paulus Venetus_, for my part I shall not be angry with his incredulity. 12. If any one shall receive as stretcht or fabulous accounts what is delivered of _Cocles_, _Scævola_ and _Curtius_, the sphere of _Archimedes_, the story of the _Amazons_, the taking of the City of _Babylon_, not known to some therein three days after; that the nation was deaf which dwelt at the fall of _Nilus_, the laughing and weeping humour of _Heraclitus_ and _Democritus_, with many more, he shall not want some reason and the authority of _Lancelotti_. [SN: Farsalloni Historici.]