Numb.22.
A Modest Narrative
OF
INTELLIGENCE:
For the Republique of
ENGLAND & IRELAND.
From Saturday, August 25. to Saturday, Septemb. 1. 1649.
INtellectual Entertainments are the purest, and the noblest, and the most
proportionate to the excellency of Mans Nature, and prove, by way of
eminency, the most delightful to him, when duly and considerately relished;
How sad is it therefore, that when all men (as some strongly affirm) have
(could they but direct the working of their nobler parts, their mindes, to object
them on the more sublime subjects) a potentiary aptitude thus to happisie themselves,
yet to see the most of men, who aguntur magis quam agunt, live so as that,
missing of a self-reflectency, may be rather said to BEE then to be men?
I pity those that were made to enjoy themselves by entertaining those things
that are adequate to the vastness of their souls, yet cannot (should they be strictly
accounted with) give an account to themselves or others, what is the ultimate
end (as men) of their so eagerly pursued transactions, or what the Centre is to
which they seem, with much vigor, to direct their pretendedly prudential lines;
Sure, were not men bred religious, and so beleeved they had souls virtute traditionis,
I suppose they would not be differenced from many bruites, as to rationality,
in a small process of time; How necessary therefor is Religion to the
observance of good manners? and consequently to the good of a State, which
Heathen, as well as Christian States, can Witness; which made Machivil
say, Plus Nuncio Pomphilio quam Romulo debet Roma, but I am straitned, and
cannot apply.