The arte of logick Plainely taught in the English tongue, according to the best approued authors. Very necessary for all students in any profession, how to defend any argument against all subtill sophisters, and cauelling schismatikes, and how to confute their false syllogismes, and captious arguments. By M. Blundevile.

What be the Maxims of this place?

Whatsoeuer is allowed by the most part of the wise and learned, is to bee beleeued as a thing probable, neither ought we rashly to discent from their opinion and iudgement. A∣gaine, euery man is to be beleeued in his owne Art: but for so much as Authority is two-fold (that is to say) diuine and hu∣mane, and that all arguments fetched from this place be not of like value, for some be true and infallible, some probable, and some Sophisticall: this Table therefore here following shall plainely set foorth euery kinde by it selfe, whereby you shall easily discerne the one from the other.

The Table of Authority here following.

• ...
  • Authoritie is two-fold,
  • ...
    • Diuine which is twofold:
    • ...
      • Written,
      • ...
        • Of the written which we cal holy Scriptures, sound arguments are made, so long as the words are truly expounded according to the meaning if the holy Ghost. But they be weake and càptious if the au∣thority be corrupted either by addition, subtracti∣on, or alteration of any word, sillable, or letter, or by wresling the senseotherwise then the holy Ghost meant it.
      • or vnwrit∣ten tradi∣tion:
      • ...
        • As for tradition or vnwritten verity of what va∣lue it is & what credit it hath, I leaue to the iudge∣ment of the learned Diuines, amongst whom is no small strife and contention in these dayes for the same. The Painims were wont to referre to diuine Authority the Oracles and answeres of their false Gods, Priests, Prophets, and Southsayers, which true Christians ought vtterly to reiect, and to ab∣horre: notwithstanding Lactantius letteth not to proue the birth, death and passion of Christ against the Painims by Sybils prophesies, because he knew they would giue more credit to them then to the holy Scriptures.
      • or Humane which is three-fold:
      • ...
        • Writings, as
        • ...
          • Histories, Lawes, Statutes, Decrees, Iudgements, ruled Cases, Maxim•…•…, Prouerbs, generall Rules, Patents, Warrants, Lycenses, Commissions from the Prince, Charters, Deedes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Court∣Rolles, Extents, Accounts, Obligations, Indent•…•…es, Wills and Testaments, and such like.
        • Things vt∣tered by mouth.
        • ...
          • If it be by mouth, it is either free and voluntary, as voluntary Confession, or Testimony, Rumor, Opini∣on, and the speach of the Wise.
          • Or else forced by Oath or Torture.
        • And the third kinde of Humane Authority, is that which is allew∣ed by vse and custome of the people.

As for such Arguments as are fetched from humane Autho∣ritie, the lawes doe teach 〈◊〉〈◊〉 large, which bee sound, and which bee weake: notwithstanding, for so much as Quintilian affir∣meth, that the inartificial places, are the six places aboue-men∣tioned, I haue thought good to set downe according to Vale∣rius, the definition of euery place, and briefly to shew how e∣uery such place may be confirmed or impugned.