DISCOVERIES IN DIFFERENT TIMES AND SEASONS, AND ABOUT THOSE WHO FIRST NAVIGATED

Summary

While I had a desire to gather together some olde and some new discoueries, which haue beene made by sea and by land, with their iust times and situations; they seemed to be two things of so great difficulties that being cōfused in the authors of them, I determined once to desist frō any such purpose. For touching the course of time the Hebrewes declare, that from the beginning of the world to the flood were 1656 yeeres. The Seuentie Interpreters make mention of 2242. And S. Augustine reckoneth 2262. In the situations likewise there be many differences. For there neuer sailed together in one fleete at sea from ten pilots to the number of 100, but that some of them found themselues by reckoning in one longitude and other some in another. But considering better with my selfe, that the difficulties are opened and the differences amended by others of more exact judgement and vnderstanding therein, I purposed notwithstanding to proceede in this worke of discoueries.

Some there be that say, that the world hath fully beene discouered; and they alleage this reason, that as it hath beene peopled and inhabited, so it might be frequented and navigable, and the rather for that the men in that age were of a longer life, and of lawes and languages almost one.