Sergeant, John (1622-1707)

Non Ultra, or, A Letter to a Learned Cartesian Settling the Rule of Truth, and First Principles, Upon their Deepest Ground

London

Printed for A. Roper

1698

"Nay, such Gentlemen would be much offended their Houses should not be clean Swept, and Garnish'd; yet, they are not, in the least, concern'd, that Cobwebs should hang in the Windows of their Intellect, and Dusty Ignorance dim and blear the Sight of the Noble Inhabitant."

[...] I believe it would shame their Choice, if they duly consider'd what Empty Toys they pursu'd, and preferr'd before this Solid and Substantial Good. PHILOSOPHY, truly such, and rightly understood, is far from being such a Frightful Thing as their Imagination paints it; being only Plain, Natural Reason, Polish'd, Better'd and Elevated by Art and Reflexion: So that they who check at the Knowledge of Philosophy, ought, with much better Reason, find fault with the Teaching Persons of Quality to Sing, Dance or Play on the Lute: Unless they think it very Prudent, and Expedient, to give our Voice, Feet and Fingers the best Advantages we can, to perform their Actions artificially, and exactly; but, that 'tis a very Needless Folly to perfect the Knowing Power of our Soul; and wondrous Wise, to let it still doze on sluggishly, in its Home-spun Native Rudeness, and lie wholly Uncultivated. Nay, such Gentlemen would be much offended their Houses should not be clean Swept, and Garnish'd; yet, they are not, in the least, concern'd, that Cobwebs should hang in the Windows of their Intellect, and Dusty Ignorance dim and blear the Sight of the Noble Inhabitant.

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Reading

John Sergeant, Non Ultra, or, A Letter to a Learned Cartesian Settling the Rule of Truth, and First Principles, Upon their Deepest Ground (London: Printed for A. Roper, 1698). <Link to EEBO-TCP>

04/02/2013