An introduction to the art of rhetorick composed for the benefit of young schollars and others, who have not opportunity of being instructed in the Latine tongue ... / by John Newton ...

Example.

Let the proposition be the contrary to the former, Namely, That the King ought not to be deposed, or put to death, for any hainous offence committed by him. The Reason is, because in so doing, we shall blemish our own reputation. Place it Logically thus. We who are Citizens ought not to blemish our own reputation; but if we de∣pose the King or put him to death, we shall ble∣mish our owne reputation; Therefore we ought neither to depose the King, nor put him to death. The Reason of the Major is, Because Reputation is the publick treasure, and

noble patrimony of a Common wealth, which we all ought highly to regard. The Reason of the Minor is, Because that 〈…〉〈…〉itherto we have been famous, for that 〈…〉〈…〉e never did depose our Prince or put 〈…〉〈…〉im to death, and this honour we shall now 〈…〉〈…〉se, if we do either.

The Approbation, Because our Ancestors 〈…〉〈…〉ave also had wicked Princes; and yet 〈…〉〈…〉ey did let them alone. And this propo∣••••tion may be Rhetorically handled in this 〈…〉〈…〉anner.

The Minor.

I Wish O Citizens of N. that they who ••hrough accursed and disloyal boldnesse, ••ave by their cruel suffrages decreed to 〈…〉〈…〉ob the Prince not only of his Throne, but also of his life, would but consider the con∣sequence of it in after ages: I would have ••hem consider that our ••ame shall be more stained by their rashness, than it could have been by a patient submission to his cruelty.

The Reason of the Minor.

For hitherto it hath been our peculiar honour that our natural Princes, have been

ours, not more by their birth-right 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than by our affection; neither hath the world ever heard, that our hands have been stained with the blood of any of our Princes: which as it is our pecu∣liar honour above other Nations; so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ought to be our great studie to continue it. But now if we should lay wicked hand•• on our Prince, shall we not fall headlong from the glory of our reputation? And be with the rest deservedly hissed at for para∣cides for ever?

The Approbation.

Or, look back upon your Ancestours, and let it be your care to tread in their foot∣steps: Whose Kings although they were He∣roes, yet they were also men, and that they were all of them free from vice, or that none of them did burthen the Throne with wickedness, doth seem to me un∣likely; yet they rather endured the wick∣edness of their Prince, than to make them∣selves wicked by deposing them; and were willing to exceed in submission, rather than in fury.

The Major with the Reason.

Why then shall we degenerate soules ba∣〈…〉〈…〉sh our fame? Why shall we cruel wretches 〈…〉〈…〉ffer men to hatch cruelty against the com∣〈…〉〈…〉on-wealth? We who in honour are com∣〈…〉〈…〉elled to have a principall regard unto our 〈…〉〈…〉lory, as being our publick treasure, and 〈…〉〈…〉e most noble patrimony of our Kingdome, 〈…〉〈…〉nd ought, one with his armes, and another ••ith his good works, another with Justice, ••other with Clemency ever maintaine it, 〈…〉〈…〉s the great Magazin of our honour.

Conclusion.

The King hath acted wickedly against ••is brother, let not us act wickedly against ••he King, neither let posterity deride us, for committing one wickedness, to be ••evenged of another; let us have regard to ••hat proverbial speech of wise men, If a King he good, obey him, if evill, endure his wickedness with patience.

The Third way of arguing Rhetori∣cally is to put the Conclusion in the first place with the Major or Minor added there∣unto, by the particles, for, therefore, for this

cause, &c. And if any argument follo〈…〉〈…〉 sometimes we find the conclusion repeate〈…〉〈…〉 and sometimes not: but if the Oration b〈…〉〈…〉 short, as most of our common oratio〈…〉〈…〉 are, the Conclusion is repeated at last, bu•• in other words.