May it please your Lordship, and the Honourable Senate.
My first application is for pardon, that I should venture to prefix your names to the frontispiece of this small work, 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 public, though not with the gold of Ophir, and Tyrian purple, with which the Persians were accustomed to present their princes and benefactors, in testimony of their obedience and gratitude; yet with offerings suitable to my ability as now, though unsuitable to your honor and dignity.
Your unstained reputation, candor, 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, virtue and learning in schools and universities, within the scope of your jurisdiction. The commemoration of favors, which I have received from the council, these many years past, have had no small influence upon me, to make this public, yet humble address. And though I have done but little by way of remuneration, yet something, to be a remembrance of my hearty affection to the good town.
I have made some small attempts, during the twelve years I taught Peripatetic and experimental philosophy, and since, for the advancement of learning among others, which have not wanted success, by which the author has 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 handmaids, and subservient to divine knowledge, and not so generally useful, I have now given them a release, unless I be animated by the kind and favorable 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 learned. But instead of such I present your honors with a small bundle of orthodox truths confirmed by plain Scripture testimonies, with which the true Christian church has in all ages scattered the swarms of dark errors, and damnable heresies, locusts from the bottomless pit.
But lest I seem too tedious upon one subject, I shall beg your Lordship's liberty, to interpose for your diversion, this pleasant interlude, the contemplation of which 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 whoever 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 public good, the author was acquitted, 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 custom there, that if any man should strike out his neighbor's eye, his on the other part was to be struck out likewise, in imitation of the law of retaliation. Neither was this crime to be expiated by any sacrifice, nor redeemed by any sum of money or gold, however great. A certain man who had but one eye, was threatened by his adversary with the loss of it. This man taking it grievously, and judging the want of his sight more bitter than death, ventured with a halter about his neck to offer this new law to the senate, namely, that whoever should strike out his neighbor's eye, who had but one, he should be requited with the loss of both his, as a just recompense; that the one might share equally with the other in the same calamity. The law was approved 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 to where the famous orator had led me aside by this digression.
I cannot but now after these weighty persuasives, 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, may be received into the protection of your favor, and get a full protection against the champions of the uncircumcised Philistines, and being enlightened with the splendor of your Lordship's name, and receiving the impression of the council's authority upon it, may by the Lord's blessing, be useful to young students in religion, and others too. For which singular favor, I shall fervently pray the Almighty God to bless you in your persons, and government, under the auspices of the most august King Charles by Charles, 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 hottest affliction a pillar of cloud to overshadow and protect, and to us all both a sun and a shield. And shall think myself very happy, while I live to be under the character of
Your Lordship's and the council's much obliged servant, Geo. Sinclar. Edinburgh, January 2, 1684.
