Nevv epistles of Mounsieur de Balzac. Translated out of French into English, by Sr. Richard Baker Knight. Being the second and third volumes

To———LETTER VII.

SIR, I am not altogether prophane, yet am but a simple Catechumene neither: I adore your mysteries, though I comprehend them not; and dare not give my spirit that liberty which you give it. Is it fit to be a judge of a Science, of which it is yet but learning the Al∣phabet? It scarce knowes visible Objects, and runnes a hazard, when it considers but the ex∣teriour face of Nature; as for that which is above, it climbes not to it, nor soares so high. My curiositie is not so ventrous: and concer∣ning the condition of superiour things; I wholly referre my selfe to the Sorbone. Ne∣ver thinke therefore that I will give my Cen∣sure of your Booke: I have not yet discovered the bottome; onely the barke, I must tell you seemes very precious; and I am ravished with

the sound and harmony of things, I understand not, this kinde of Writing would have astoni∣shed Philosophers whom it could not have perswaded: and if Saint Gregory Nazianzen had but shewed such a peece as this to Themi∣stius, he could not chuse but have beene mo∣ved with it, and must needes have admired the probabilitie of Christianity; though he had not knowne the secret. These are not words that one reades, and are painted upon paper: they are felt, and received within the heart. They live and moove, and I see in them the si∣newes of the first Christians; and the style of that Heroicke age, where one and the same vertue, gave life both to discourse and actions; gave influence both to the soule and to the courage, made both Doctours and also Mar∣tyrs. Tell mee true, Did you not purpose to your selfe a Patterne to follow? Have you not beene at the Oracle of—: have you not received some inspiration from our excellent friend? Me thinkes I meete with his very Character. In certaine passages I observe some markes and traces of his spirit; and when I reade them, cannot sometimes forbeare crying out: Sic oculus, sic ille manus, &c. You neede not take offence at my suspition: so noble a resemblance is an inferiority lifted up ex∣tremely high. You are not therein his Apc, but his Sonne: There is nothing base nor meane in the imitation of so high and perfect an Idea: and you know the example of Plato, made Philo goe checke by jowle with him.

All I aske of you at Paris, where you so liberal∣ly offer me all the good offices you can doe, is but this; that you will doe me the favour, to assure that great personage of the great reve∣rence I beare to his merits: and what glory I count it to be counted his friend: but I require withall the continuation of your owne love, with which you can honour none, that is more truely then I am,

Sir,

Your, &c.

25. Iuly 1630.