The academie of eloquence containing a compleat English rhetorique, exemplified with common-places and formes digested into an easie and methodical way to speak and write fluently according to the mode of the present times : together with letters both amorous and moral upon emergent occasions / by Tho. Blount, Gent.

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XXV. Ʋpon the late Commotions.

SIR,

HAd not Pithagoras excepted our Terrestriall Orbe, when hee asserted the Orbes harmo∣nious; this Age had clearly confuted him. For how musicall soever those higher are; this I am sure sounds nothing but harsh Discords: and so lowd; that wee cannot but hear them; so un∣pleasant, that the dinne discomposes quiet minds. The way to ease our selves is hard, yet not impos∣sible: but what is it? 'tis this, To elevate our abode: To Compose our own interiour. He that enjoyes in time Peace, is not open to extern broiles: they may beat the out side, but cannot enter; batter the walls of flesh and bloud, but the Citadell of reason is safe; and if reason sway, wee fly up to mansions indisturbd. We are all Citizens of the lower World, I grant, must wish 'tis good; may deplore it's evills; Yet our own private welfare, ought to be to us most precious. This were a Paradox with Polititians (if not well glossed) and so I allow it (each part was made for the whole.) But our Placite still stands: and stands in this: each mortall is nearest to himself. My own preservation, lessens not my contribu∣tion to the Publicke▪ must I bee, or I cannot be able? I must be able, or I cannot aid it. Of Aides, there is more then one sort. All were not fram'd for the same function, or influence. The Martiall blade, and bullet has it's office; so policy military; these we leave to the sons of Mars. Yet we have our duty too, and this is piety. Piety first calmes it's own lares; then becomes instrumentall to o∣thers

reconcilement. When heaven sees mee at peace within, I am approved, fit to pacify. To complain of exterior commotions, and my self to be torn by the disorder of my own Passions, is an im∣proper address, a mediation ineffectuall. It was well dream't by Scipio, when he said; as the in∣telligences guided (by a regular Order) the upper Spheres; so ought our intellectuall powers go∣vern our own little World. Where the superiour portion of the soul obeys the divine Lawes, and the part irrationall acquiesces to the mind; (in the mind (and all man) resounds a harmony far sur∣passing Pithagorean accents. Ah! (my friend) were mentall and private tumults appeas'd, the civill would cease, and whilst these (with you and I) are setled, the civill cannot annoy us. A compos'd soul miseries may try, cannot disorder. Whilst o∣thers, then fight for earth, and purple it with na∣tive bloud; let us aspire higher enterprises: pray for their peace, secure our own. Let us fix our thoughts where ambition reaches not, where War embroiles not, where tranquillity eternally tri∣umphes. Thus shall we offer our selves a piacular sacrifice before the high Altar of God, in our own condition acceptable, in alien behoof not despi∣sed. The incessant vowes, of

Sir,

Your most devoted servant, W.D.