Sir Thomas Urquhart (1653) Logopandecteision. Book V: Neleodicastes: The Intent, pp. 1-2.*


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The Intent of the fifth Book, intituled

NELEODICASTES.

WHAT is to be last in the execution, being commonly first in the intention, the Author, conform to that order, begun this Isagogical Treatise, as is apparent by the first Book thereof, intituled, The Wonders of the new Language : but in the continuation of the matter, thorow all the Books following, he quits that Analytical method, and betakes him to the Compositive, wherein priority in cause, hath its citeriority in description. Thus therefore, as in the third Book were deduced Reasons, why the impediment mentioned in the second, should be removed ; so to the fifth, hath the Author reserved the expression of his regret, for want of remedy against such injuries, as under which in the fourth, he had discovered a pressure. In a word, the third block which doth lie in the way of the Authors excellent undertakings, is the lack of redress, after Petition put in, for the wrongs he had sustained. Yet doth he not insist so long thereupon, as on the former ; because the Court before which he did address himself, was somewhat more homogeneal ; and that to decline the Kirks authority in civilibus, he conceived it to be no Heteroclitism. Both Iudicatories were constituted the Epitomes and Abridgements of greater ones ; the Parliament, and Assembly : that, passing under the name of a Committee ; and this, of a Commission. But truly, such was the influence the Ecclesiastical party in this, had over the Secular in that, in imitation of the larger Bodies, which they represented, who had the same ascendent, and subordinacy, in rule, and dependencie, that he was thereby plunged into the more lamentable sufferings, the higher the exclamations against the Consistorian Clergie on all sides soared to this Picrologie, that no good aspect was to be expected from a conjunction of so malevolent Luminaries. After the enumeration of many grievous losses from Souldiers, and others, which the Author, contrary to the Laws of the Nation, and Equity it self, was enforced to undergo without reparation, he falls in the next place to discuss the Flagitator, whose poyson, by reason of its universality of diffluence on all his best endeavours, requireth a careful administration of Antidotes to be set down in each of all the six Books of this Introduction. To this purpose, in several particulars, he instanceth their implacability, their unnaturality, and unconscionableness ; he discloseth three plausible overtures most untowardly rejected by them ; and in amplification of their cunning and rigour, hath a learned disceptation concerning Prodigality and Covetousness : he bringeth against them arguments both from Conscience and Law, in its supremest Legislation ; and with sentences of a vigorous and strong impression, most accurately illustrates them. The tender care should be had of ancient Houses, he again inculcates : and lastly, to perswade the Publick to exoner him of the forementioned burdens, he ratiocinates a minori ad majus, of Monopolies, in ampler benefits granted to men of no desert, wherein he needeth not doubt to have furnished matter abundant, for the satisfaction of the imperial Reader.


NOTE

*   Pagination recommences here at 1. Moreover, the "Intent" of Neleodicastes, unlike the introduction to the other "Books", is numbered.


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