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 this. I will (be∣fore you my Auditors) defend my good nam•• which wicked men have hurt. To this you may make your entrance thus. There is no∣thing which Malice doth not violate, nothing which it will not gnaw with the teeth of slan∣der, or make nauseous with the black venome of contumelious sarcasmes. To this bas•• work it hath not a little advantage by the ill nature of this age wherein we live, in which men are so unmanly, as not only to contemn th•• works of vertue, but even to oppress what ever is done by the rules of honesty; if otherwise they cannot, they will at least do it with a mist of scurrilous and scoffing language. And shall not we at last, by our indulgence to vice so much increase the family of Momus, as that in the end, we shall all be ashamed of honesty: if we can even yet tamely behold and suffer the most wicked crime to be committed with ap∣plause and led in triumph, and virtues to be condemned to banishment, nay to flouts and hatred. I have been unwilling to be the first raker in this kennell, but the storm which hath again and again beat upon my head with re∣newed waves, hath quite wearied my patience,

and I doubt that I shall wrong good men in any 〈…〉〈…〉ger sparing the bad. For now they do not 〈…〉〈…〉ade my fortunes, which in it selfe were a 〈…〉〈…〉serable thing, they do not raze my walls and 〈…〉〈…〉uses which were mischievous enough, 〈…〉〈…〉ey do not gape after my life and safe∣〈…〉〈…〉 which were more than inhumane; but 〈…〉〈…〉ving set upon my good name, my honour and 〈…〉〈…〉utation, which is to a good man far dearer 〈…〉〈…〉an his life; they strive to overwhelm this 〈…〉〈…〉ith whole burthens of reproaches. Therefore 〈…〉〈…〉at this audaciousness of wicked fellowes, 〈…〉〈…〉ay be by you most prudent Auditors at once 〈…〉〈…〉ppressed, be courteous to me this day, and 〈…〉〈…〉andidly hear what I have to say for my 〈…〉〈…〉lf.