Of eloquence in speech

The presidential candidates might find this advice from the 17th century useful:

If God hath beautified all the parts of man's Body, and above the rest, those most exposed to view, as the Eye and Face, with Graces and Attractions, why should any desire that the principal part in man, discovering and showing the Soule, and the interiour, declaring and manifesting man; SPEECH (I say) the lively Image of the heart and thought, should appeare, base, naked, and unfurnished of convenient oranaments? The increated word of God, being his Eternal Word, is by the Apostle called The Splendour of the Father: as representing his Beauty, the perfect beauty of the Eternal Fountain, whence it flowes, which is the Divine Wisdom. The Speech of man, is the light and splendor of man, causing him to appeare and shine, it being the lively pourtrait of what is most excellent in man, to wit, reason and understanding. If therefore it be his splendor, is it seemly it should be void of gracefulness, or this special ornament abject, and neglected? What can cause him to shine, if what ought to be his light, darken him: & whence should his honour issue, if his principal ornament dishonor him? Beauty takes nothing from requisite simplicity in a grave and serious Oration, but is rather its simplicity; since in speech, as in all other things, simple and pure: pure, and faire; faire, and perfect, are the same. Holy Scripture being the revealed word of God, is simple; not soft, enervate, forceless, or idle; as is their Discourse, who strive to defend their rusticity, by this example, and because they are both lofty and lowly, they presently suppose they have attained the glory proper to the simplicity of the Divine style: whereas in truth that is rather; quick, energical, powerful, and spiritful, stored with delightful graces, of transpersing points, enflaming motives, and of secret but divine sweetnesses, discovering more attractions, than all the Orators on Earth have ever been able to utter in their elaborate discourses. Thy word is more sweet than honey to my mouth, (said the Prophet.) Who hearkens thereto finds himself catched, who reades therein is transformed.

FROM:

A mirrour for Christian states: or, A table of politick vertues considerable amongst Christians, Divided into three bookes. Reviewed, and augmented, by E. Molinier, of Tolose priest, and Doctor of Divinitie. And by him dedicated, to the most illustrious lord, the Lord Cardinall of Valette, Archbishop of Tolose. Translated into English, by VVilliam Tyrvvhit, Sen. Esquire.

London : Printed by Thom. Harper, 1635.