{"name":"to-the-right-honourable","title":"To the Right Honourable GEORGE DRUMMOND Of Milnenab, Lord Provost,","text":"# John Johnston, Thomas Douglas, Thomas Fairholm, and John Chanceler Bailiffs; Charles Murray Dean of Gild, Thomas Young Thesaurer, and remanent Members of the Honourable Council of the Ancient City of Edinburgh\n\nMay it please your Lordship, And the Honourable Senate;\n\nMY first Application is for Pardon, that I should adventure to prefix your names to the Frontispice of this small *Fabrick,* between which and your singular *Merits,* there is no Proportion, save what flows from the Uniformity and Delicacy of the Contrivance, and sincerity of his Respects who presents it. I have sometimes appeared in publick, though not with the *Gold of Ophir,* and *Tyrian Purpure,* wherewith the *Persians* were accustomed to present their Princes, and Benefactors, in testimony of their Obeysance and Gratitude; yet with Oblations sutable to my Ability as now, though unsutable to your Honour and Dignity.\n\nYour unstained Reputation, Candour, and Ingenuity, by which you are guided in the Management of the weighty Affairs of the City. Your encouraging by your Authority and good example the holy Ministry, Vertue and Learning in Schooles and Universities, within the *Verge* of your *Jurisdiction.* The commemoration of Favours, which I have received from the *Council,* these many years bygone, have had no small Influence upon me, to make this publick, yet humble Address. And though I have done but little by way of Remuneration, yet *Somewhat,* to be a Remembrance of my hearty affection to the *Good Town.*\n\nI have made some small attempts, during the twelve years I taught *Peripatetick,* and *Experimental Philosophy,* and since, for the Advancement of Learning among others, which have not wanted success, whereby the Author hath been encouraged; especially by the kind acceptance, his *Writings* have met with from the greatest *Philosophers* and *Mathematicians* in this Age, in *England, Holland, Germany* and *France.* It is yet recent in the minds of many Noble and worthy Persons, what esteem His *Royal Highness* had of my Observations, of the great *Blazing Star,* which appeared in *December* 1680, which since have been published. I do not mention this for applause, or out of vanity, but for some peculiar reasons hinted at below. But these studies being only *Hand-maids,* and *Subservient* to *Divine Knowledge,* and not so generally useful, I have now given them a Manumission, unless I be animated by the benign, and favourable aspect of those, who may and can. I move in a distinct Sphere from Masters of Universities. They teach in *Philosophy, the Causes and Reasons of Things.* What I write is but *Practical* and *Mechanical,* for the promoting of natural Knowledge and Learning, as do the *Virtuosi.* But in stead of such I present your *Honours* with a small bundle of *Orthodox Truths* confirmed by plain Scripture Testimonies, wherewith the true Christian Church hath in all Ages scattered the swarms of dark Errors, and damnable Heresies, Locusts from the bottomless pit.\n\nBut least I seem too tedious upon one Subject, I shall beg your *Lordships* liberty, to interpose for your Divertisement, this pleasant *Interlude,* the contemplation whereof may recreate the mind, and have its own usefulness. That brave *Athenian Orator Demosthenes* writes, that there was a standing Ordinance among the *Locrians* a people in *Greece,* that whosoever desired a new Law to be made he should make an overture thereof to the whole Assembly with a rope about his neck. If it was Judged profitable for the Publick-Good, the Author was assoild, and got the thanks of the house. If not, he was instantly strangled. By this means for the space of 200 years and more, no new Law was made, save this only that follows. It was a received custome there, that if any man should strick out his neighbours eye; his on the other part was to be stricken out likewise, in imitation of *Lex Talionis.* Neither was this crime to be expiated by any sacrifice, nor redeemed by any summ of Money or Gold, how great soever. A certain man who had but one eye, was threatned by his Adversary with the loss of it. This man taking it grievously, and judging the want of his sight more bitter than death, adventur’d with a halter about his neck to offer this new Law to the Senate, *viz.* that whosoever should strick out his neighbours eye, who had but one, he should be requited with the lose of both his, as a just recompence; that the one might share equally with the other in the same calamity. The Law was approven and Ratified by the whole meeting. *Demosthenes* relates this, teaching that in a well ordered City; Magistrates should take special care that new Laws be not rashly made or changed. But I return thither whence the famous *Orator* hath led me aside by this digression.\n\nI cannot but now after these wieghty perswasives, make my next application for Acceptance, and seriously entreat, that this little Book, if not for the value of the thing offered, yet for its design, which is that *Truth may have victory over Error,* and for the ingenuity and affection it flows from[^1], may be received into the tuition of your favour, and get a full protection against the *Champions* of the *uncircumcised Philistimes,* and being enlightned with the splendor of your *Lordships* name, and receiving the impression of the *Councils* Authority upon it, may by the Lords blessing, be useful to young Students in Religion, and others too. For which singular Favour, I shall fervently pray the *Almighty God* to bless you in your Persons, and Government, *sub auspiciis Augustissimi regis Caroli a Carolo,* the Ancient City may flourish with Religion and Righteousness, Peace and Truth, that the Lord may be in it, in the darkest night, a pillar of fire to enlighten and direct, in the hotest affliction a pillar of cloud to overshadow and protect, and to us all both a Sun and a Shield. And shall think my self very happy, while I live to be under the *Character* of\n\nYour Lordships and the Councils much Obliged Servant Geo. Sinclar.\n\n*Edin.* January 2. 1684.\n\n[^1]: In magnis voluisse satest."}