Since _Charon_ in _Lucian_ applauds his condition among the dead, whether it be handsomely said of _Achilles_, that living contemner of death, that he had rather be a Plowmans servant then Emperour of the dead? How _Hercules_ his soul is in hell, and yet in heaven, and _Julius_ his soul in a Star, yet seen by _Æneas_ in hell, except the Ghosts were but images and shadows of the soul, received in higher mansions, according to the ancient division of body, soul, and image or _simulachrum_ of them both. The particulars of future beings must needs be dark unto ancient Theories, which Christian Philosophy yet determines but in a Cloud of opinions. A Dialogue between two Infants in the womb concerning the state of this world, might handsomly illustrate our ignorance of the next, whereof methinks we yet discourse in _Platoes_ denne, and are but _Embryon_ Philosophers. _Pythagoras_ escapes in the fabulous hell of _Dante_,[89] among that swarm of Philosophers, wherein whilest we meet with _Plato_ and _Socrates_, _Cato_ is to be found in no lower place then Purgatory. Among all the set, _Epicurus_ is most considerable, whom men make honest without an _Elyzium_, who contemned life without encouragement of immortality, and making nothing after death, yet made nothing of the King of terrours. [89] Del inferno. _cant. 4._ Were the happinesse of next world as closely apprehended as the felicities of this, it were a martyrdome to live; and unto such as consider none hereafter, it must be more then death to die, which makes us amazed at those audacities, that durst be nothing, and return into their _Chaos_ again. Certainly such spirits as could contemn death, when they expected no better being after, would have scorned to live had they known any. And therefore we applaud not the judgment of _Machiavel_, that Christianity makes men cowards, or that with the confidence of but half dying, the dispised virtues of patience and humility, have abased the spirits of men, which Pagan principles exalted, but rather regulated the wildenesse of audacities, in the attempts, grounds, and eternal sequels of death; wherein men of the boldest spirits are often prodigiously temerarious. Nor can we extenuate valour of ancient Martyrs, who contemned death in the uncomfortable scene of their lives, and in their decrepit Martyrdomes did probably lose not many moneths of their dayes, or parted with life when it was scarce worth the living. For (beside that long time past holds no consideration unto a slender time to come) they had no small disadvantage from the constitution of old age, which naturally makes men fearful; And complexionally superannuated from the bold and couragious thoughts of youth and fervent years. But the contempt of death from corporal animosity, promoteth not our felicity. They may set in the _Orchestra_, and noblest Seats of Heaven, who have held up shaking hands in the fire, and humanely contended for glory.