An Excellent Oration, Title page – To the reader
AN EXCELLENT Oration of that late famously learned Iohn Rainolds, D. D. and Lecturer of the Greek tongue in Oxford.
Very usefull for all such as affect the studies of Logick and Philosophie, and admire profane Learning.
Translated out of Latine into English by I. L. Schoolmaster.
Thy wisdoms and thy knowledge have caused thee to rebell.
Isa. 47. 10.
LONDON, Printed by Tho. Harper for Thomas Slater and William Aderton, and are to be sold at their shops in Duck-lane, 1638.
To the well affected Christian Reader.
ANatomists do write, that in the brain of man, there is a Rete mirabile, an admirable Net, that is, an heape and conjugation of Arteries, that for the many windings, turnings, and intricate foldings cannot be anatomized; and so indeed, as if that of the body were to signifie that of the minde; in the wit and wisdome of man there is a Rete mirabile, an admirable net, a heape and a cōjugatiō of manifold infolded Subtilties, which for the Maeandrian windings and turnings, and intricate devices cannot be be anatomized; with this admirable net the pernicious perverters of Learning▪ do catch the poor fish and foul they deal withall. But if ever this net was discovered; and that monstrous Sphynx of corrupted knowledge e…ploded to the World, this our English Oedipus that Atlas of Learning (as*Sir … one stiles him) Reveren… Rainolds hath (as I think) in this most exquisite and pathetical Oration sufficiently and perspicuously effected, insomuch that (in my opinion) that *In Technomatrian A…es….Eulogie may very well suit to this Oration,
Huc usque turpi nubilo pressum caput,
Inter que cunas artium pect us rude vincti tenemus.
Nunc illa rerum monstra ridemus, Chaos Cacumque pondus, sole perfusi novo.
Englished thus.
Till now an ugly cloud our heads and hearts
Opprest, and in the Cradles of the Arts Were tyed fast.
But with a new Sun beam… our eyes made ope,
Now see that Chaos, which wee late did grope,
And laugh at it at last.
But notable is that testimony of a grave and learned Divine,H…n. I…ckson in his Epistle prefixed to this Oration. which may very wel excite thee (Courteous Reader) to the reading, as it did partly induce mee to the version of this Oration. Vt enim Academicis & nobis, qui egregia ipsius sanctitatis & pietatis certamina admirati sumus difficile fuit judicare, an vir melior, vel doctior ille fuerit; ita illi qui Orationes hasces…ri… legerint, haerebunt, (opinor) aliquandiù, an ipsi ex earum lectione doctiores vel meliores evaserint. For as it was an hard matter both for the Vniversity and us, who have admired the Conflicts of his rare holines and piety to determine, whether hee excelled in learning or in goodnesse; so they who shall seriously reade these Orations wil be in some doubt awhile (I thinke) whether they are become better men, or better Schollars by reading them.
Then pitty it were surely, that the Cabinet of the Latine tongue should locke up so rich a Treasure, or that the shel of one Language should exclude many (though not expert in the Latine tongue, yet judicious to apprehend) from participating of this delectable kernel of sound Learning & pious affectiō. I have therfore according to my poor skill turned this one into English, hoping that I shall be found fidus Interpres, in rendring the genuine sense & true meaning thereof, though my stile be not equivalent either to the we…ght of the argument, or to the Ciceronian sweetnesse, and eleganc…e of the Originall As for the usuall Cavils against Translations of profitable things, let that most learned Andraeas Hyperius answer for me,* In his Book … concion. An exact Translation makes things so perspicuous, that it deserveth to bee esteemed instead of a Commentary.
But howsoever I expect not to escape the stings of Censure especially of the common adversaries of the Truth (the vindicating wherof is the very Center of this Oratiō ) yet this is my Comfort, that I have in this point kept within the Circle of my calling, and imployed my small Talent for the publique good. So farewell.
Thine in the common faith, Iohn Leycester. Aprill 30. 1638.