THE Taghmical Art OR, THE ART of Expounding SCRIPTURE By the POINTS, Accents, But are really Tactical: In Two PARTS. I. Containing the Proof that they are fo. By WALTER CROSS, M. A. LONDON, Printed by S. Budge, for the Author, and 21 TO THE READER. I Reader, Know many will expect a very great Name * fhould Front this very little Piece: But is not Difproportion a very unbecoming thing; a Pen ny Book Dedicated to a Prince? His Right is Prior, either as to Pains or Expences: If thou art a Gainer by it, the Praife is bis due, though the Deed is a Mite among the Numerous and Eminent Acts of that Perfon. Let Proteftants never forget his Prudence and Courage, in Confronting the Fefuites in King James's Reign. They who know him, know how infipid Flatteries and Complements are to him, even when his Charity is convinc'd they come from the * The A. B. of Cant. A 2 Heart Heart. But for drawing bis Picture to the World; my Penfil is very unfit, and my Colours at prefent too Lifeless. Two Things I would further Inculcate, though in the Book Infifted on; The Solidity and Gain of this Art. As to the First: I have no Reafon to distrust the Faculties God has given me; and therefore will never reject my own Opinion for anothers, without Conviction. On the other hand, I know I am not Infallible, and therefore rejoyce that at last I have gotten this Piece, this Art, fet upon the Stage of our English World; where as it will meet with Fond Embracers, and Foolish Rejecters, fo will it with Sagacious, Unprejudic'd, Impartial and Skilful Judges, as any in the World. For this End have I been at this unfeasonable Pains For this End have my Noble Benefactors been at the Charges; that if it be an Impoftor, it may die as a Criminal, and the World be undeceived: But if it be a Light from Heaven, we may not be Fighters against God, and rejecters of our own Mercy. He that would either Attack it as an Enemy, or endeavour Satisfaction about it, as a Difciple, muft firft and principally enquire, If this be a real Art, or a Fiction, If the ends pretended by thefe Rules, be as really gain'd, as the making Verfe by Profodia, Latine by the Syntax,and Analyfis by Rules of Logick. Now all that I require of thee is, That thou be a good Proficient, a Master of the Art, not a Scholar in it, before thou undertake to Judge. A Boy cannot pierce Corderius by his Grammar; but the defect is in the Boy, |