Maitland Club > Works of Sir Thomas Urquhart

404 LOGOPANDECTEISION.
trement I do heartily submit my self and all my endeavours, because such a one will
not deny but that a private gentleman may enter in paction with the potentest State
that is, for matters touching the furtherance of the good fame thereof ; that though,
as Protestants avouch, in our service towards Almighty God we merit nothing, yet if
in the performance of good offices to the publike, we transcend the bounds of the ordi-
nary duty of a subject, we may justly be said to supererogate at the hands of any
sovereign authority in the world ; and that learning, even in time of war, is to be
held in estimation, for that he who is the God of glory and peace, is likewise the
Lord of hosts.
61. Nor is there any doubt but that he will acknowledge the profound literature of
a native, to bring great reputation to his country ; that such a reputation is there far
more worth then riches, and consequently riches to be amply disposed on for the pro-
moval of that learning, whether it be by donatives and largesses, positively to give
encouragements to him that is so qualified ; or by a negative assistance, to remove,
whatever it cost, the obstructions of those, whether creditors or others, that meschant-
ly stand in the gap to hinder the progress of the effects thereof.
62. He will also avouch, that in all well-policed commonweals, there are remedies
The Aquo- appointed for helping of the debtor, much more the Aquopet, who is in case to do his
from' S whom country service, as well as, if not rather then, the creditor, that doth nought but for
debts are his own ends, without regard of the publike ; and likewise, that such creditors as are
though he but flagitators, craving money from those to whom they never lent any, should, will
owe them they, nill they, be enforced to confer courtesies, in abating of their sums, upon them
.-, . . that never were their debtors, but onely enthralled to them for the debts of others.
tjiife smt ' J
aliena vo- 63. Nor will such a gallant man fail to assever, but that it is more honourable for
cere. " J '" Britain, that my family, which hath stood therein for a space of ninety and four ge-
Hi siepius nerations, be established for my doing unto that my foresaid country service, then
victi sua spe permitted, through the rigour of a dangerous law, by the covetousness of those, whose
De male money neither I nor any of my progenitors ever saw, to be ruined and overthrown,
P a "' s n . on for setting up of I know not what, which shall not, nor ever yet hath been seen in
tertius hit- the like occasion, to stand till the third heir, or a full age ; and that the fall of an
Neque e n- anc ' ent House, which mutilates the country, is more deplorable then the defalking of
im divitis some interests, which doth but as it were shave off the hair of some greedy wretch,
unquam 64. I am also confident, that in the opinion of such a man, antiquity of race, ccete-
constantes r j s paribus, is to be preferred ; and that to rescind private covetousness for a publike
good, is to do no wrong at all.
65. The verity of all these things being asserted, as in reason it ought, I offer to
the publike to make good my parole, provided they liberate my estate from the bon-
dage of the flagitator.
Voraciores ®6. ^ v disinthralling me thus from the slavery of the importunate riposcones, I
purpura et accomplishing my part, the publike will gain the reputation of re-establishing into its