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"From all which Considerations, (any One of which might suffice,) I may Safely and Evidently conclude, that, in point of Evidence of its Truth, and Stability of its Grounds, nothing can be any way comparable to the Light which strikes the Eye of our Understanding, by its steady Rays emitted from these Self-evident, or Identical Propositions."

— Sergeant, John (1622-1707)

Author

Sergeant, John (1622-1707)

Work Title

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

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for A. Roper

Date

1698

Metaphor

"From all which Considerations, (any One of which might suffice,) I may Safely and Evidently conclude, that, in point of Evidence of its Truth, and Stability of its Grounds, nothing can be any way comparable to the Light which strikes the Eye of our Understanding, by its steady Rays emitted from these Self-evident, or Identical Propositions."

Metaphor in Context

[...] Nor did Cartesius himself, amongst all the Evident Things he call'd into Doubt, in the least Question the Evidence and Truth of such Propositions, formally express'd: Nor could he have done it, without utterly Destroying, at the same time, the Certainty of all he could have said; nay, even of his own First Principle too; as will be seen hereafter. From all which Considerations, (any One of which might suffice,) I may Safely and Evidently conclude, that, in point of Evidence of its Truth, and Stability of its Grounds, nothing can be any way comparable to the Light which strikes the Eye of our Understanding, by its steady Rays emitted from these Self-evident, or Identical Propositions: Which goes very far to the Entitling These, and These only, to be the Rule of Knowing all Truths, or the First Principles to all Science, in whatever particular Subject; not excepting even Metaphysicks it self.
(pp. 25-6)