Maitland Club > Works of Sir Thomas Urquhart

LOGOPANDECTEISION. 329
like so many dunghil fowles, to a grain of wheat will postpose the most precious pearl subjectus
that is ; and haling only after sensual things, reduplicatively as sensual, give no repast n jb u8 de-
at all to the better part, which preposterously dancing attendance after the inferiour m °nstratur;
appetites hath its eyes in a veternatorie somnolency shut up from the prospect of all varitia
mental speculations. 1 omnia ma "
* la oriuntur,
33. Yet the essence of man consisting in reasonability, he may be said to have little et peccato-
of man in him that regards not another the more for having his reason imbellished with "J™ °'":
o o mum spina?
the addition of litterature. producuu-
34. Which hath been held in such grandissim account by the prudentest of pristin
ages, that making it come in competition with Souldiery it self, they did not stick to
aver that Greece, which of all nations was most renowned, and most worthy to be
most renowned, both for wit and valour, did owe more cordial praise and commendation
to the philosophers thereof, then to all its most military and warlike champions ; pre-
ferring in this case knowledge in sciences to fortitude in the fields, and the habits of
the intellectual faculties to those of the moral.
35. But unfeignedly, seeing to the soundest judgments of any, and most consenta-
neous to one another in their adherence to apodictick conclusions, is oftentimes incident
a repugnancy of opinion in matter of dialectical ratiocination ; and that some of them,
in a veri-similitudinary probability of prevalency on both sides of the argument doe
lerret, out of topick celluls, mediums prompting them to have in greater estimation
magnanimity of courage then vivacity of spirit.
36. I will in so far as concerns my self, for that I hope ere long to breath in such
auspicious dayes as will give way to my good destinie, to present me with those fa-
vorable opportunities may make my deservings appear equally recommendable in both,
rather choose to suspend the pronouncing of my verdict, then by any sentiment of
mine positively to determine of the pre-eminence of either.
37. However, to discend more particularly to the purpose, seeing it is every where
uncontroversibly acknowledged that the goods of the mind are of more worth then
those of fortune ; and by consequence, the pregnantly conceived, and maturely ennix-
ed offspring of my own brain, which, least I should seem to philotize it, I in all humi-
lity submit to the unpartial censure of the choicest spirits, of farre greater value then
any peece of money due to my father's creditors.
38. I do ardently desire and supplkat the State not to suffer the majesty and sacred
name of soveraign authority, under colour of a law, any more to be abused in favours
of those men who have made use thereof in several charges against me, formerly in
the name of both the King Charleses, and now in that of the keepers of the liberties of
England, to no other end but to rob me of my predecessor's inheritance without any
procurement of mine.
39. Withall, I heartily intreat them to vouchsafe the patronizing of the present I ° Avarc
am to make unto them ; and in testimony of their acceptance of it, exoner me of the mhii at
2 T