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THE
I
M
R O V E M E N T
P
THE
OF
M
N
I
O
R,
D:
A
SUPPLEMENT
TO
ART
of
THE
LOGIC:
CONTAINING A VARIETY OF
REMARKS
and
RULES
FOR THE
Attainment and Communication of
Knowledge
and
in
By
Religion,
in
common
in
the
Sciences,
Life,
ISAAC IVATTS,
—
—
-<
ufeful
D. D.
"
LONDON:
BUCKLAND, AND T. LONGMAN,
T. FIELD ; AND C.
IN PATER-NOSTER-ROW
PILLY, IN THE POULTRY.
PRINTED
FOR.
J.
;
M PCC LXXXVII.
ADVERTISEMENT.
•'
Few books have been
perufed by
me
greater pleaiure than his Improvement of the
with
Mind>
of which the radical principles may indeed be
found
Locke's Conduct of the Underftanding',
but they are fo expanded and ramified by Walts,
in
as to confer
on him the merit of a work
in the
Whoever has
may be charged
higheft degree ufeful and pleafing.
the care of inftrucliing others,
with defkience in his duty
if this
book
is
not
recommended."
Br, John/on' s Life of Br. JVatts.
THE
PREFACE.
^HE
prefent Treatife,
if it
may
affume the honour of that name,
is
made up of
a variety of
remarks
and directions for the improvement
of the mind in ufeful knowledge.
It
was collected from the obfervations
which I had made on my own ftudies, and on the temper and fentiments, the humour and conduct of
other
men
in their purfuit of learn-
ing, or in the affairs of life
has
been confiderably
;
and
affifted
it
by
occafional collections in the courfe
of
my
reading, from
and on different
many
fubjects.
in far the greateft part
to
1
authors,
I
confefs
Hand bound
answer for the weakneifes or
A
3
defects
P R E FA C
vi
E.
defects that will be found in thef;f*
papers, not being able to point to
other writers, whence the twentieth
part of
them
are derived.
The work was compofed
ferent times and
Now and then
at dif-
by flow degrees.
indeed
it
fpread
itfelf
into branches and leaves like a plant
and advanced feven or
eight pages in a week; and fometimes it lay by without growth, like
in
April,
a vegetable in the winter,
not increafe half fo
much
and did
the
in
revolution of a year.
As
thefe thoughts occurred to
in reading or meditation, or in
me
my
notices of the various appearances of
amons mankind,
things
thrown,
make
tliev
were
under thole hea^s which
the prefent titles of the chaptersj
PREFACE.
ters,
vii
and were by degrees reduced
to fomething like a method, fuch as
the lubiect would admit.
On
thefe accounts
it is
not to be
expected that the fame accurate order mould be obferved either in the
whole book, or
the particular
in
chapters thereof, which
is
neceffary
whofe
fchemeis projected at once. A book
which has been twenty years a writing may be indulged in fome variety
of ftile and manner, though I hope
there will not be found any great
any
in the fyftem of
fciencc,
difference of fentiment
I
had improved
yond what
dailies
had
I
;
for wherein
latter years be-
in
firft
written, a few
and alterations have corrected
the miitakes
:
and
if
the candour of
the reader will but allow what
is
defective in one place to be fupplied
A
4
by
PREFACE,
viii
by additions from another,
I
hope
there will be found a fufficient re-
what might feem
conciliation of
firft
at
to be fcarce confiftent.
The
language and drefs of thefe
fentiments
is
fuch, as the prefent
temper of mind
dictated,
were grave or
pleafant,
If there has
fmiling.
expreffed with too
fufpecl
it
will be
whether
it
fevere or
been any thing
much
feverity, I
found to
fall
upon
thofe fneeriiig or daring writers of the
age againft religion, and againft the
Chriftian fcheme,
left reafon,
who feem
to have
or decency, or both be-
hind them in fome of their writings.
The fame apology
of the length
of years in compofing this book,
may ferve
alfo to
excule a repetition
of the fame fentiments
which may
happen
PREFACE.
happen to be found in
ix
different
without the author's defign
places
but in other pages
fo that thofe rules
it
was intended,
for the conduct
of the underftanding which are moft
neceffary, Ihould be fet in feveral
they might with more
lights, that
frequency and more force imprefs
the foul.
tisfied
(hall
I
be fufficiently
fa-
with the good humour and
lenity of
my
readers,
if
they will
pleafe to regard thefe papers as parcels
of imperfect fketches, which were
defigned by a fudden pencil, and in
a
thoufand
leifure
moments, to be
one day collected into landlkips of
fome
little
profpecls in the regions
of learning,
and in the world of
common life,
pointing out the
and moft
fruitful fpots,
faireft
as well
as
the rocks and wildernefles, and faithlefs
moraffes of the country.
But
I feel
PREFACE.
x
I feel
my
age advancing upon me, and
health
what
is
infufficient to perfect
had defigned, to increafe and
I
amplify thefe remarks, to confirm
and improve thefe
rules,
and to
il-
luminate the feveral pages with a
richer and
more
The
and new
examples.
endlefs,
beautiful variety of
fubject
follies,
fufficient
almoft
writers in the pre-
fent and in following ages
find
is
may
frill
weaknefies,
and dangers among mankind, to be
reprefented in fuch a manner as to
p-uard
youth againft them*
These hints, fuch as they are, I
hope may be rendered fome way
ufeful to perfons in
who
fal,
younger years,
them with a peruand who would feek the cultiwill favour
vation of their
own
in the early days of
underfcandings
life.
jrliaps
they
PREFACE.
xi
they may find fomething here which
may waken
rect the
Perhaps
dent
a latent genius,
and
di-
ftudies of a willing mind.
it
may
now and
point out to a ilu-
may em-
then what
ploy the moil ufeful labours of his
thoughts^
and accelerate
his
dili-
gence in the moil momentous enPerhaps a fprightly youth
quiries.
might here meet with fomething to
guard or warn him againft mistakes,
and with-hold him
at
other times
from thofe purfuits which are like
to be fruidefs and difappointing.
Let
it
be obferved
our age feveral of the
fcience with fuccefs
alfo that in
ladies
purfue
and others of
them are defifous of improving their
rcafon even in the common affairs
of
life, as
characters
;
well as the
which
are
men
:
here
yet the
drawn
occa-
Xll
PREFACE.
occafionally are almoft
applied to one fex
the other
fuits
;
but
univerfally
any of
if
fhall find a character
them, they
may by
which
a fmall
change of the termination apply
and affume it to themfelves, and accept the inftrucTdon, the admonition, or the applaufe
figned in
which
is
de-
it.
THE
CONTENTS.
Page,
r
T*HE
introduction.
I
CHAP.
I.
General rules for the improvement of knowledge-
5
CHAP.
II.
Five methods of improving, defcribed and compared, viz. objervation, reading, inf ruction by lectures, converfation and Jludy,
with their feveral advantages and defetfs.
35
CHAP.
Of
obfervation,
either by
III.
the fenfes or the
mind.
eg
CHAP.
Of reading and books,
thereto,
IV.
with directions relating
y>
I
CHAP.
1
N T
C O
xiv
E
N T
S.
Pige
CHAP.
Ihe judgment of
V.
books, both approbation
and
cenfure.
97
CHAP.
Of living
and
VI.
infruBions and lectures, of teachers
learners.
1
CHAP.
Of learning
2
VII.
a language, particularly the La-
tin.
-
C
II
A
P.
129
VIII.
-
Of
enquiring into the finfe
and
totalling
of
any writer or fpcaker, whether human' or
divine.
1 a
CHAP.
Of
converfation
and
IX.
profiting by
it,
perfonsfit or unfit for free converfe.
C
Of difputes,
H A
P.
j
and of
155
X.
and general rules relating
to them*
1S6
CHAP.
1
CONTENTS.
xv
Page
CHAP.
Of Socratical difputation,
XT.
by quejiion
and an2
fiver.
CHAP.
Of
XII.
Forcnjic difputes, in courts of jufitce or
218
'public ajfcmblies.
CHAP.
Of
1
XIII.
academic or fcholaftic difputes,
rules of them,
and bow fir
vfefuL
they
and
may
s.
CHAP.
the
be
224
XIV.
Offludy or meditation, and the fnal determination of things by cur
CHAP.
Of fixing
Of enlarging
270
XVI.
the capacity of the mind.
CHAP.
246
XV.
the attention.
CHAP.
Of the
own judgment.
278
XVII.
memory, and the improvement thereof
CHAP.
CONTENTS.
xvi
Pa^-e
*L>^
C H A
Of
del cr mining
about
it
XVIII.
P.
a quefion
;
fveral
of reafon and revelation
;
gument and
ridicule
;
of ajfent
of aronly in pro-
portion to evidence , &c.
C
Of enquiring
II
A
P.
into caufes
CHAP.
Of
the fcienccs,
prfcjjiops.
and
cautions
-,
361
XIX.
and
effects,
398
XX.
their ufe in particular
406
T H E
THE
IMPROVEMENT
OF
X
H B
MIND.
»•!
THE FIRST PART.
DIRECTIONS FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF
USEJUfc
ENOW LEDCE.
INTRODUCTION.
NO
man
every
is
obliged to learn and
thing;
this
fought nor required, for
port ble: yet
all
can
it
is
know
neither
utterly
be
im-
perfons are under fome ob-
ligation to
improve their
otherwife
it
own
underftanding,
be a barren defert, or a
foreft over-grown with weeds and brambles.
will
Univerfal ignorance or infinite errors will
overfpread the mind,
which
is
utterly ne-
glected and lies without any cultivation.
B
Skill
INTRODUCTION TO THE
2
in the fciences is indeed the
Skill
finefs
and profeffion but of a fmall part of
mankind
in
bu-
:
but there are
many
others placed
fuch an exalted rank in the world, as
allows
them much
leifure
and large op-
portunities to cultivate their reafon, and to
beautify and enrich their
minds with various
Even the lower orders of men
knowledge.
have particular callings in life, wherein they
ought to acquire a juft degree of fkill, and
this is not to
be done well without thinking
and reafoning about them.
The common
ciety,
as
we
duties and benefits of fo-
which belong
are
focial
to every
creatures,
man
living,
and even our
native and neceflary relations to a family,
a neighbourhood, or government, oblige all
ufe their reafoning
perfons whatfoever to
powers upon a thoufand occafions; every
hour of life calls for fome regular exercife
of our judgment
as
perfons and actions
-,
time and things,
to
without a prudent and
difcreet determination in matters before us,
we
(hall
be plunged into perpetual errors,
in our conduct.
Now
that
which fhculd
always
3
mind's improvement.
3
always be pra&ifed, mull at fome time be
learnt.
Besides,
and daughter
fon
every
of
Adam
has a mofl important concern in the
affairs
of a
is
come, and therefore
to
life
a matter of the higheft
moment
it
for every
one to underftand, to judge, and to reafon
right about the things of religion.
in vain for any to fay,
or time for
The
it.
We
It
is
have no leifure
daily intervals of time
and vacancies from neceffary labour, together with the one day in feven in the
chriflian world,
allows fufficient time for
men would but apply themfelves
with half fo much zeal and diligence
this, if
to
it
as
they do to the
life,
and
trifles
and amufements of
this
it
would turn
it
appears to be the neceffary duty
to infinitely better
account.
Thus
and the
intereft
of every perfon living to im-
prove his underftanding, to inform his judg-
ment, to treafure up ufeful knowledge, and
to acquire the fkill of good reafoning, as far
capacity and circumftances,
as his
flation,
furnifh
him with proper means
B
2
for
it.
Our
miftakes
4
INTRODUCTION, &C
may plunge us into
much folly and guilt in practice. By adding
without thought or reafon, we difhonour
the God that made us reafonable creatures,
We often become injurious to our neighbours, kindred or friends, and we bring fin
and mifery upon ourfelves for we are accountable to God our judge for every part
miftakes in judgment
:
of our irregular and miftaken conduct, where
he hath given as
fufficient
advantages to
guard againfl thofe miftakes.
CHAP.
(
5
)
CHAP.
I.
CKNERAL RULES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF
KNOWLEDGE*.
rule
TT^EEPLY
I.
&S
poffefs
with the
vaft
your mind
importance of
good judgment, and the rich and ineftimable advantage of right reafoning. Rea
view the inftances of your own miiconduct
in life; think ferioufly with yourfelves how
many follies and forrows you had efcaped
how much
and
prevented,
if
guilt and milery
from your
had but taken due pains
early
to
you had
judge aright
concerning perfons, times and things.
awaken you with
will
yourfelves to the
drefs
*
Though
addrefled to
you
years
This
lively vigour to ad-
work of improving
mod of thefe following rules
thofe whom their fortune or their
the
are chiefly
flation
re-
quire to addict themfelves to the peculiar improvement of
their
who
minds
of knowledge, yet every one
and opportunity to be acquainted with fuch
in greater degrees
has leifure
writings as thefe,
own
may
find fomething
among them
for their
ufe.
B
your
GENERAL RULES
6
your reafoning powers, and feizing every
opportunity and advantage for that end.
rule
Consider
II.
the weakneffes,
and miftakes of human nature in
frailties
general,
which
arife
from the very confti-
tution of a foul united to an animal body,
and fubjected to many inconveniences thereby.
Confider the
nelTes,
rived
many
mistakes and frailties
from our
weak-
additional
which
are de-
original apoftafy and fall
a flate of innocence;
how much
from
our powers
more darkened,
enfeebled, and impofed upon by our fenfes,
of understanding are yet
our fancies, and our unruly pafiions, &c.
Confider the depth and difficulty of
truths,
and the
falfehood,
whence
flattering
arifes
of dangers to which
judgment of things.
we
many
appearances
of
an infinite variety
our
are expofed in
Read with greedinefs
thofe authors that treat of the doctrine of
prejudices, prepofTeffions and fp rings of error,
on purpofe
to
make your
foul watchful
on
all fides, that it fuffer itfelf as far as poffible
to be
impofed upon by none of them,
RULE
III.
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
rule
A slight
III.
momentous
is
view of things
You
not fufficient.
therefore contrive and practife
methods
J
to acquaint yourfelf
fo
fhould
fome proper
with your
own
mind with
of the low and im-
ignorance, and to imprefs your
a deep and painful fenfe
perfect degrees of your prefent knowledge,
that
you may be
incited with labour and
purfue after greater meafures.
activity
to
Among
others
methods
as thefe fuccefsful.
i.
Take
of the
vaft
you may
iind
fome fuch
wide furvey now and then
and unlimited regions of learna
Let your meditations run over the
names of all the fciences, with their nu-
ing.
merous branchings, and innumerable particular themes of knowledge; and then
reflect
how few
of them you are acquaint-
ed with in any tolerable degree.
The mofl
learned of mortals will never find occafion,
to act over again
the Great,
that
what
is
fabled of Alexander
when he had conquered
what was called the Eaftern world, he wept
for want of more worlds to conquer.
The
worlds of fcience are immenfe and endlefs.
B
4.
2.
Think
;
GENERAL RULES
8
2.
Think what
a numberlefs variety of
queflions and difficulties there are belonging
even to that particular fcience, in which you
have made the greater!: progrefs, and how
few of them there
are in
arrived at a final and
which you have
undoubted certainty
5
excepting only thofe queflions in the pure
and fimple mathematics, whofe theorems are
demonflrable and leave fcarce any doubt
and yet, even in the purfuit of fome few of
thefe,
mankind have been
ftrangely
be-
wildered.
3.
Spend
a
few thoughts fometimes on
the puzzling enquiries concerning vacuums
and atoms, the doctrine of infinites, indivifibles and incommenfurables in geometry,
wherein there appear fome iniblvable difficulties : Do this on purpofe to give you a
more
fenfible impreffion of the poverty
your underflanding,
and the
of your knowledge.
This
what
is
know
a vain thing
all
it
of
imperfection
will
teach
you
you
you to
to fancy that
things, and will inftrucl
think modeflly of your prefent attainments,
when
every dull
of the earth,
and every
inch of empty fpace, furmounts your under-
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
derftanding, and triumphs
over your pre-
Arithmo had been bred up
emption.
accounts
n
to
and thought himfelf a
all his life,
complete matter of numbers.
But when
he was pufhed hard to give the fquare root
of the number 2, he tried at it, and laboured
long in millefimal fractions,
there was no end of the enquiry
much
learned fo
he conferled
till
modcily by
;
and yet he
perplex-
this
ing queftion, that he was afraid to
was an impoffible thing.
degree of improvement
fay,
it
fome good
It is
when we
are afraid
to be pofitive.
4.
Read
the accounts of thofevafl treafures
of knowledge which fome of the dead have
porTeffed, and fome of the living do pofleis.
Read and be aftonifhed at the almoft incredible advances which have been made in
fcience.
Acquaint
yourfelf
with
fome
perfons of great learning, that, by converie
among them, and comparing yourfelf with
them, you may acquire a mean opinion of
your
own
attainments,
be animated with
new
far as poffible, or to
and may thereby
zeal, to equal
exceed; thus
them
let
as
your
diligence be quickened by a generous and
laud-
\
;
GENERAL RULES
10
If Vanillus had never
laudable emulation.
met with
Scitorio and Palydes,
he had never
imagined himfelf a mere novice in philosophy, nor ever fet himfelf to ftudy in good
earneft.
*
Remember
fuperficial
this, that if
upon fome few
acquirements you value, exalt and
fwell yourfelf as
though you were
a
man
of learning already, you are thereby building a moft unpayable barrier againft all im-
provement j you will
and
idlenefs,
reft
lie
down and indulge
yourfelf contented
in
the midft of deep and fhameful ignorance.
" Multi ad fcientiam perveniffent Ji fe
M pervenije non putaffent"
Rule
IV.
Presume
not too
iliac
much upon
a bright genius, a ready wit, and good parts
for this without labour and ftudy will never
make
a
man of knowledge and wifdom.
This has been an unhappy temptation to
perfons of a vigorous and gay fancy to defpife learning
and ftudy.
They have been
acknowledged to fhine
in an aftembly,
and
fparkle in a difcourfe on
common
and
thence
they
took
it
into
topics,
their heads
to
aban-
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
II
abandon reading and labour, and grew old
in ignorance
;
but when they had
fottifh
even to contempt
and ridicule.
Lucidas and
young men of
this
converfation
ftamp
:
Scintillo
they mine in
own
;
they pride themfelves
images of fancy,
lively
imagine themfelves wife and learned
they had beft
fkilful,
are
they fpread their native riches
;
before the ignorant
in their
the
and youth, they
vivacity of animal nature
became ftupid and
loft
avoid
and the
teft
the
;
and
but
prefence of the
of reafoning;
and I
would advife them once a day to think forward a little, what a contemptible figure
they will make in age.
The
enough
men fometimes have fcnfc.
know their own foible, and
witty
to
therefore they craftily fhun the attacks of
argument, or boldly pretend to defpife and
renounce them, becaufe they are confcious
of their
their
own
ignorance, and inwardly confefs
want of acquaintance with the
fkill
of
reafoning.
Rule V. As
felf a learned
you
man
are not to fancy
your-
becaufe you are blelTed
with
: :
GENERAL RULES
12
with a ready wit, fo neither muft you imagine that large and laborious reading and a
memory can denominate you
ilrong
truly
wife.
What
that excellent critic has
when
mined
he
decided
the
queftion,
whether wit or ftudy makes the
may
deter-
befr,
poet,
well be applied to every fort of learn-
ing:
Ego nee Jludium fine
>
Nee rude quidprofit
Altera pofcit opem
,
divite vend,
video y mgenium : alteriusjic
res,
& conjurat amice,
Hor. de Art. Poet.
Thus made EngUJh :
Concerning poets there has been conteft,
Whether they're made by art,
But if I may prefume in this
Among
No
art
And
the reft
to declare,
avail,
without the help of
art will fail
But both ingredients jointly mufl
Or
befr,
affair,
my judgment
without a genius will
parts
or nature
unite,
verfe will never fhine with a tranfeendent
light.
Oldham.
It
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
It
it
is
I3
meditation and ftudious thought,
is
own
the exercife of your
judgment upon
fenfe even
all
you
reafon and
read, that gives
and affords
to the beft genius,
your understanding the
trueft
good
improvement,
A
boy of a ftrong memory may repeat a
whole book of Euclid, yet be no geometrician
for he
;
may
not be able perhaps to
Memorino
demonftrate one tingle theorem.
has learnt half the Bible by heart, and
become
a living concordance,
index to theological
derstands
A
little
and a fpeaking
and yet he un-
folios,
of divinity.
well-furnimed library and
memory
is
are indeed
a capacious
of fingular ufe toward
the improvement of the
mind
your learning be nothing
elfe
;
but
if all
but a mere
amaffment of what others have written,
without a due penetration into their meaning, and without a judicious choice and de-
termination, of your
not fee what
title
own
fentiments,
your head has
learning above your fhelves.
to
I
do
true
Though you
have read philofophy and theology, morals
and metaphyiicks in abundance, and every
other art and fcience, yet if your
7
memory
is
GENERAL RULES
14
is
the only faculty employed, with the neg-
of your reafoning powers, you can juft-
lect
ly claim no higher character but that of a
good
hiftorian of the fciences.
Here
more peculiarly proper
vices are
who
many of the foregoing ad-
note,
for thofe
are conceited of their abilities,
and are
ready to entertain a high opinion of them-
But
felves.
modefl humble youth, of a
a
good genius, mould not
furTer
himfelf to be
difcouraged by any of thefe confederations.
They
are
defigned only as a fpur to dili-
gence, and a guard againft vanity and pride.
Rule
VI. Be not
that a life of learning
fo
is
weak
as to
a life of lazinefs
up yourfelf
the learned profefiions, unlefs you
eafe
:
dare not give
ed to labour hard
at ftudy,
King,
It
—
is
no
Labor
idle
A man much
late
and
to any
of
are refolv-
and can make
your delight and the joy of your
ing to the motto of our
imagine
life,
it
accord-
Lord Chancellor
ipfe voluptas.
thing to be a fcholar indeed.
addicted to luxury and pleafure,
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
fure, recreation
I5
mould never
and pafUme,
himfelf entirely to the
pretend to devote
fciences, unlefs his foul be fo reformed
refined that
he can
ments eminently
tafte all thefe entertain-
in his
books and papers.
man and
and
Sobrino
a philofopher,
among
clofet,
is
his
a temperate
and he feeds upon
partridge and pheafant, venifon and ragouts,
and every delicacy, in a growing underftanding and a ferene and healthy foul, though
he dines on a
difli
of fprouts or turnips.
Languinos loved his
eafe,
and
chofe to be brought up a fcholar
much
therefore
;
he had
indolence in his temper, and as he
never cared for ftudy, he
under univer-
falls
contempt in his profeflion, becaufe he
fal
has nothing but the
Rule VII. Let
gown and
the name.
the hope of
new
difcove-
ries, as
well as the fatisfaclion and pleafure of
known
truths, animate your daily induftry.
Do
not think learning in general
at its perfection, or that the
any particular fubject
in
is
arrived
knowledge of
any fcience cannot
be improved, merely becaufe
it
has lain five
hundred or a thoufand years without improvement. The prefent age, by the bleffing
GENERAL RULES
1&
fing of
God on
the ingenuity and diligence
of men, has brought to light fuch truths in
Natural Philofophy, and fuch difcoveries in
the Heavens and the Earth, as feemed to be
beyond the reach of man.
But may there
not be Sir Ifaac Newtons in every fcience
You mould
?
never defpair therefore of finding
out that which has never yet been found,
unlefs
you
fee
which renders
fomething in the nature of
it
unfearchable, and above the
it
reach of our faculties.
Nor
mould
that our age
is
a fludent in divinity
imagine
arrived at a full understanding
of every thing which can be known by the
fe'riptures.
Every age
fince the reformation
hath thrown fome further light on
texts
difficult
and paragraphs of the Bible, which
have been long obfeured by the early
antichrift
many
:
and
of
there are at prefent
fince
difficulties,
rife
and darknefTes hanging
about certain truths of the ChrifKan religion,
and fince
tant
the
feveral
doctrines,
fall
of thefe relate to impor-
fuch
as
the origin
of
fin,
of Adam, the perfon of Chrift, the
blefied Trinity,
which do
flill
and the
decrees' of
God, &c.
embarrafs the minds of honefl
and
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
tj
m
enquiring
and
work
and which
readers,
controverfy;
for noify
it
make
certain
is
there are feveral things in the Bible yet un-
known and
it is
not fufhciently explained, and
certain that there
thefe
difficulties,
and
fome way
is
age,
reconcile
to
thefe
And why may
feeming contradictions.
a fincere
to folve
fearcher of truth in the
not
prefent
by labour, diligence, ftudy and prayer,
with the
beft ufe
of his reafoning powers,
find out the proper folution of thole knots
and perplexities which have hitherto been
unfolved,
and which have afforded matter
for angry quarrelling
who
?
Happy
is
man
every
mail be favoured of Heaven, to give a
helping hand towards the introduction of
the blefTed age of light and love*
VIII.
Do
not hover always on the furface
of things, nor take up fuddenly with mere
appearances
j
but penetrate into the depth of
matters, as far as
ftances
which
allow,
relate to
your time and circum-
efpecially
your
own
in
thofe
things
Do
profeffion.
not indulge yourfclves to judge of things
by the
fkial
firft
glimpfe, or a fhort and fuper-
view of them; for
C
this will
fill
the
mind
GENERAL RULES
iS
mind with errors and prejudices, and give it
a wrong turn and ill habit of thinking, and
make much work
is
carried
Subito
for retractation.
away with
title
pages, fo that he
ventures to pronounce upon a large octavo at
and
once,
to
when he had
volume of
recommend
wonderfully
it
Another
read half the preface.
controverfies, of equal fize,
difcarded by
him
at
once, becaufe
it
was
pretend-
ed to treat of the Trinity, and yet he could
neither find
the
word
ences in the twelve
firft
changes his opinions of
nor
effence
pages
:
fublifr.-
but Subito
men and books and
things fo often, that no-body regards him.
As
-for thole fciences, or thofe parts
of
knowledge, wmich either your profeffion,
^your leifure, your inclination, or your incapacity, forbid
you
to purfue
with
much
application, or to fearch far into them, your
mufl be contented with an hiftorical and fuperficial knowledge of them, and not pretend to form any judgments of your own on
thofe fubje&s
which you underftand very
imperfectly.
IX.
Once
a day, especially in the early
years
:
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
19
years of life and ftudy, call yourfelves to an
account what new ideas, what new propofition or truth you have gained, what further
confirmation of
known
truths,
and what
advances you have made in any part of knowledge
and
j
let
no day,
away without fome
if
poifible,
intellectual gain
pafs
fuch
:
muft certainly advance
ufeful knowledge.
It is a wife pro-
a courfe well purfued
us in
verb
among
lips
and practice of
"
the learned, borrowed
from the
celebrated
a
painter,
nulla dies fine lined :" let no day pafs with-
out one line
at
lead
and
:
was a facred
it
among the Pythagoreans, that they
mould every evening thrice run over the
rule
actions and affairs of the day,
what
their conduct hath
and examine
been, what they
had done, or what they have neglected
and they allured their pupils, that by this
method they would make
a noble progrefs
in the path of virtue.
M"/J{T VTTVQV [AXACtX.O~<ni> £7r'
TLpiv
III?
rot)v
Nor
ypipwoou tpyov rpig
srapiQriv
Taura
<r£
OppXGl
;
rl <T tpifcx
ms Sews
let foft
i
ZTpO<r$ijr%(rQctl
'ixouflov
Itti^sTv*
ti /uot $iov ovx £T£A£cri)rj
ocpiT^g slg
'iyviot.
-
S^Vfj.
llumber clofe your ey^s,
Before you've recollected thrice
C
2
The
:
GENERAL RULES
20
The train of action thro' the day
Where have my feet chofe out their way r
What have I learnt, where-e'er I've been,
From all I've heard, from all I've feen ?
What know I more that's worth the knowing ?
What have I done that's worth the doing ?
What have I fought that I fhou'd
What duty have I left undone ?
Or into what new follies run
fliun
?
1
I
>
?
Thefe felf-enquiries
That
I
are the road
leads to virtue,
would
Ch'riftian?,
gaged
among
young men
a nation
be glad,
to find
in the
and to God.
practice of
of
heartily en-
what
this
heathen
writer teaches.
Maintain
X.
a conftant
watch
times again ft a dogmatical fpirit
your
to
aflent
till
on
j
arrived at
till
all fides,
fome
clear
it,
and
till
and fure evi-
you have turned the propofition
and fearchcd the matter through
and through,
And
not
you have fome
firm and unalterable ground for
dence
fix
any proportion in a firm
and unalterable manner,
you have
:
at all
fo that
you cannot be miftaken.
even where you
may
think you have
full
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
grounds of affurance, be not too
full
21
early,
nor too frequent in expreffing this affurance
too peremptory and pofitive a manner,
in
•remembering that human nature
liable to miftake
A
Hate.
in this
dogmatical
veniences attending
i.
It
corrupt and feeble
fpirit
it
always
is
has
many incon-
as
:
ftops the ear again ft all further rea-
foning upon that fubjecl, and fhuts up the
mind from
all
knowledge.
If
further improvements
you have
your opinion, though
and
it
refolutely
of
fixed
be upon too flight
infuflicient grounds, yet
determined to renounce the
you will ftand
ftroncreft reafon
brought for the contrary opinion, and grow
obllinate
again ft the
argument.
is
a
of the cleareft
man of
this
cha-
and has often pronounced his affur-
racter,
ance
Poiitivo
force
of the Cartel!: n vortexes
fome further
light
:
year
laft
broke in upon his un-
derstanding, with uncontrollable
force,
bv
reading ibmething of mathematical philofo-
phy
yet having afTerted his
former opinions in a molt confident manner, he is tempted
;
now
to
wink
a
little
againft the
truth,
or to prevaricate in his difcourfe upon that
C
3
fub-
GENERAL RULES
23
fubject,
left
by admitting conviction, he
mould expofe himfelf
feffing his
to the neceffity
former folly and miftake
-,
of con-
and he
has not humility enough for that.
A dogmatical
2.
fpirit naturally leads
us to arrogance of mind, and gives a
fome
airs
converfation,
in
which
man
too
are
Audens is a man
and very good company, but
haughty and affuming.
of learning,
his infallible arTu ranee renders his carriage
fometimes infupportable.
A dogmatical
3.
to be cenforious of his neighbours.
one of his
ten as
it
own
opinions appears to
Every
him writ-
were with fun-beams, and he grows
angry that his neighbour does not
the fame light.
his
man
fpirit inclines a
He
correfpondents
is
as
fee it in
tempted to difdain
men of
a
low and
dark underflanding, becaufe they will not
believe
what he does.
in this wild
track,
Furio goes further
who
and charges thofe
refufe his notions, with wilful obfiinacy
vile
hypocrify
they
refift
•
he
tells
them
the truth, and
and
boldly, that
fin againfr,
their
confeiences,
These
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
These
men,
the
are
23
when they
that,
controverfy, delight in reproaches.
deal in
They abound
about
toiling
in
abiurdity
and ftupidity among their brethren:
caft
they
the imputation of herefy and nomenle
upon
plentifully
their antagonists
;
and in
matters of iacred importance they deal out
anathemas
their
abundance upon Chrif-
in
tians better than themfelves
damnation upon
neighbours without
mercy,
or
either juftice
pronounce
their
of
fentences
they denounce
;
and when
divine
they
wrath
own
gainft fuppofed heretics, they add their
human
and indignation.
lire
in religion
got, and
is
is
in
A
a-
dogmatift
not a great way off from a bi-
high danger of growing up to
be a bloody perfecutor.
XI.
Though
caution and flow aftent will
guard you againft frequent miftakes and retractations, yet
you mould get humility and
courage enough to retract any miftake, and
confeis
tokens
tions
to
;
an
error
frequent
:
of levity, in
yet you
our
changes
nrft,
mould never be
determinatoo proud
change your opinion, nor frighted
C 4
are
at
the
name
GENERAL RULES
24
name of
better
fee
is
judge
not to
I confefs
judge
than
:
fuddenly given up our
but
affent,
find
afterwards
to
is
till
we
we have
too
the wifefl
as
we have
does fometimes, if
what we
if
it
falfelyj;
wifer to with-hold our affent
complete evidence
man
foolifT}
in his old miftakes, for fear of being
charged with inconftancy.
it
fcorn
to
which confirm
thofe vulgar bugbears,
man
Learn
changeling.
a
profeffed
be
falie,
we
fhould never be afhamed nor afraid to re-
nounce a miftake.
to
is
a
noble efTay
found among the occafional papers
encourage the world to practife retrac-
which
"
That
is
tations ;" and I
would recommend
it
to the
perufal of every fcholar and every Chriftian.
XII.
He
that
would
raife
his
judgment
above the vulgar rank of mankind, and learn
to pafs a juft fentence
on perfons and things,
muft take heed of
a
mind, and
fairs.
a
fanciful
humorous conduct
Fancy and humour,
fbntly indulged,
run with
may
temper of
in his af-
early and con-
expect an old age over-
follies.
The
KNOWLEDGE.
TO OBTAIN
The
notion of a humourift
2$
one that
is
is
greatly pleafed or greatly'difpleafed with little
things,
who
fets
matters of very fmall
much upon
importance, who has
his heart
his will determined every day by
actions feldom directed by
trifles,
his
the reaibn and
nature of things, and his paflions frequently
raifed
this
by things of
practice
is
little
allowed,
warp the judgment
Where
moment.
to
it
will infenfibly
pronounce
little
things great, and tempt you to lay a great
weight upon them.
In fhort, this temper
will incline you to pafs an unjuft value on
almoft every thing that occurs
flep
you take
in this
path
is
;
and every
jufl fo far out
of the way to wifdom,
XIII.
trifling
For
the fame reafon have a care of
with things important and
momen-
tous, or of fporting with things awful and
facred
:
do not indulge a
fpirit
of ridicule,
fome witty men do on all occafions and
This will as unhappily bias the
fubjects.
as
judgment on the other fide, and incline
you to pafs a low efteem on the mod valuable
objects.
Whatfoever
indulge in practice,
it
evil
habit
we
will infenfibly obtain
a
power
;
GENERAL RULES
26
a
power over our underftanding, and betray
us
into
many
Jocander
errors.
is
ready
"with his jeft to anfwer every thing that
hears;
he
he reads books in the fame jovial
humour, and has gotten the
art
of turning
every thought and fentence into merriment.
How
many awkward and irregular judgments does this man pafs upon folemn fubjects, even when he defigns to be grave and
in earned ? His mirth and laughing humour
is
formed into habit and temper, and leads
his
underftanding fhamefully aflray.
will fee
him wandering
flying feather, and he
ignis fatuns into
day of his
is
You
in purfuit of a gay
drawn by
a fort of
bogs and mire almoft every
life,
XIV. Ever maintain
ous frame of
fpirit
:
a virtuous
and pi-
for an indulgence of
vicious inclinations debafes the underftand-
Whoredom
ing, and perverts the judgment.
and wine, and new wine, take away the
Senfuheart and foul, and reafon of a man.
ality ruins the better faculties
of the mind
an indulgence to appetite and paffion enfeebles the powers of reafon
judgment weak and
;
it
makes the
fufceptive of every faife-
hood 4
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
2J
hood, and efpecially of fuch miftakes as
have a tendency towards the gratification of
and
animal^
the
from
ftrangely
it
that
warps the foul
fteadfaft
afide
honefcy and
integrity that neceffarily belongs to the pur-
is
in a fair
man who
" God gives to
It is the virtuous
of truth.
fuit
way
wifdom.
to
thofe that are good in his fight, wifdom, and
Eccl.
knowledge, and joy."
Piety
He
neceffary qualifications
are
to
man.
that abandons religion muft act in fuch
a contradiction to his
befl
it is
ment of God
among
It
itfelf.
things, and
tain
own
confcience and
judgment, that he abufes and
faculty
up
judicious
and
wife
truly
a
26.
towards God, as well as fobriety
and virtue,
make
ii.
:
is
in their
to a reprobate
thus in the nature of
thus by the righteous judge-
even
the heathens,
God
fpoils the
the pretended fages
who
did not like to re-
knowledge, they were given
mind,
elg vvv
uhxipov, an un-
diftinguifhing or injudicious mind, fo that
they judged inconfiftently and practifed mere
abfurdities, ru prj uvqjcovTu,
Rom.
i.
28.
And
GENERAL RULES
28
And
it
2 ThefT.
antichrift,
" who
the character of the
is
10.
ii.
&c.
flaves
of
that thofe
receive not the love of the truth
were
expofed to the power of diabolical Heights
When
and lying wonders/'
divine revelation
Alines and blazes in the face of
men with
wink
their eyes
glorious evidence, and they
againft
it,
to blind
God
the
of this world
them even
in
fufFered
is
the mod: obvious,
common and fenfible things. The great
God of heaven for this caufe fends them
ftrong delufions, that they
mould
believe a
lye; and the nonfenfe of tranfubfcantiation
in the popifh world
is
plimment of
prophecy,
this
a
moft glarin^accom-
beyond ever
what could have been thought of
pected
among
creatures
who
or ex-
pretend
to
reafon.
XV. Watch againft the pride of your
own reafon, and a vain conceit of your own
intellectual powers,
with the neglect of di-
Prefume not upon
knowledge by your own
vine aid and blefling.
great attainments in
felf-fufficiency
:
thofe
own understandings
fools
in
the
who
trull
entirely, are
their
pronounced
word of God, and
5
to
it
is
the
wifefi
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
wifefr.
men
of
gives
ter advifes us to
this character,
own
his
that trufleth in
Prov. xxviii. 26.
them
heart
is
20,
" he
a fool,"
And the fame divine wri" truft in the Lord with ail
own underour own eyes,"
our heart, and not to lean to our
ftandings, nor to be wife in
chap.
iii.
5. 7.
Those who,
with
of religion
a neglect
and dependence on God, apply themfelves to
fearch out
God by
every article in- the
the mere dint of their
things
own
of
reafon,
have been fuffered to run into wild excefles
of
foolery,
and
Every one
opinions.
courfe, and will not
God
extravagance
ftrange
who
alii
of
purfues this vain
for the conduct of
in the ftudy of religion, has juft rea-
fon to fear
he
fhall
be
left
of God, and
given up a prey to a thoufand prejudices;
that he fhall be configned over to the follies
of his
own
heart,
and purfue his
temporal and eternal ruin.
common
ftudies
we
even in
fhould, by humility and
dependence, engage the
our
And
own
God
of truth on
fide.
XVI.
GENERAL RULES
36
XVI. Offer up
God
requefts to
would
your daity
therefore
the father of lights, that he
your attempts and labours
blefs all
Think
fludy and conversion.
in reading,
with yourfelf howeafily and
how
infenfibly^
by one turn of thought, he can
lead
into a large fcene of ufeful ideas
:
teach you to lay hold on a clew,
you
he can
which may
guide your thoughts with fafety and eafe
the difficulties of an intricate
through
all
fubject.
Think how eafily
the Author of your
beings can direct your motions by his providence, fo that the glance of an eye, or a
ftriking the ear, or a fudden
word
turn of
the fancy, mall conduct you to a train of
happy fentiments. By his fecret and fupreme method of government he can draw
you to read fuch a treatile, or converfe with
who may
fuch a perfon,
into
li<*ht
give
feme deep fubject
in
you more
an hour,
than you could obtain by a month of your
own
folitary labour.
Think, with yourfelf with how much
eafe the
minds
God
forne
happy turn
of
fpirits
can caft into your
ufeful fuggeition, and give a
to
your
own
thoughts, or the
thoughts
I
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
thoughts of thofe with
whence you may
verfe,
whom
you
uu
derive
"
J
con-.ble
:
light and fatisfaclion in a matter that has
long puzzled and entangled you
fhew you
a
he can
:
path which the vulture's eye has
unknown
not feen, and lead you by feme
gate or portal out of a wildemefs and laby-
rinth of difficulties, wherein you have been
long wandering.
Implore
conflantly his divine grace to
point your inclination to proper ftudies, and
to
you r
fix
there.
he:.rt
He
can keep off
temptations on the right hand and on the
left,
both by the courfe of his providence,
and by the
of his
and infenfible intimations
fe'eret
He
fpirit.
can guard your under-
flandings from every evil influence of error,
from the dinger of evil
books and men, which might otherwife have
and
fecure you
a fatal effect,
and lead you into pernicious
miftakes.
Nor
let
this
fort
of advice
fall
under
the cenfure of the godlefs and profane, as
a
mere piece of bigotry or enthufiafm, de-
rived
from
faith
and the Bible
:
for the
teafons
GENERAL RULES
32
reaibns
which
I
have given to fupport this
pious practice, of invoking the bleffing of
God on
our itudies, are derived from the
He
light of nature as well as revelation.
that
made our
fpirits,
fhall
and
fouls
the father of
is
he not be fuppofed to have a
moll friendly influence toward the in-ftruction and government of them ? The author of our rational powers can involve
in
darknefs
when he
or
diflemper,
own
filled
light.
ed in the
by
he can abandon
wander into dark and
they are
pleafes
a
them
fudden
them
foolifh opinions,
to
when
with a vain conceit of their
He expects to
common affairs
does as certainly expect
be acknowledg-
and he
of
life,
in
the fuperior
it
operations of the. mind, and in the fearch
The very Greek
of knowledge and truth.
Heathens by the light of reafon were taught
to fay,
*
A
'Ejc
A;©- dpxopsarQa, and the Latins,
Jove principium>
Mufa*
learning they thought
with God.
Mule
as
Even the
a goddefs
to
it
In works of
neceffary to begin
poets call
affift
them
upon the
in
their
compofitions.
The
:
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
.
The
-firft
his OdyfTee, the
Homer
cf
lines
firfr.
line
in his Iliad
33
and
of Mufaeus in his
long of Hero and Leander, the beginning
of Hefiod in his
poem of Weeks and Days,
and feveral others, furnifh us with
examples of
fufficient
kind; nor does Ovid leave
this
out this piece of devotion, as he begins his
ftories
of the Metamorpholis. Chriitiarity fo
much
the
more
obli£
s
us by the precepts
of fcripture to invoke the afliftance of the
true
God
for the
our labours of the mind,
in all
improvement of ourfelves and others.
Bifhop Saunderfon
prayer
is
fays,
that ftudy without
atheifm, as well as
without ftudy
is
prefumption.
that prayer
And we
are
more abundantly encouraged by the
testimony of thofc who have acknowledged
from their own experience, that lincere
prayer was no hinderance to their ftudies
jftill
they have gotten more knowledge fometimes
upon
their knees
than by their labour in
perufing a variety of authors, and they have
left this
ordjj'e
obfervation for fuch as follow, Bene
ejl
bene Jluduijfe.
Praying
is
the beft
ftudying.
D
To
GENERAL RULES,
34
To
conclude,
join together,
happy
to
induftry and
ii.
2.
" Incline thine
r.pply thine heart
to
cry after knowledge, and
:
voice
:
as for
devotion
and you need not doubt the
fuccefs. Prov.
wifdom,
ing
let
6CC.
underftand-
up thy
lift
feek her as filver, and fearch for her
hidden treafures; then (halt thou un-
derfiand the fear of the Lord, &cc."
is
"
ear
the beginning of wifdom."
which
It is
the
" Lord who'gives wifdom even to the fimple, and out of his mouth cometh knowledge
and underftanding."
•
CHAP,
35
(
)
CHAP.
II.
OBSERVATION, READING, IKSTRfCTIOM BY LECTURES,
CONVERSATION AND STUDY, COMPARED.
THERE
are five
eminent means or me-
thods whereby the
in
mind
is
improved
the knowledge of things, and thefe are,
obfervation, reading, inftruction by lectures,
converfation, and meditation
a
molt peculiar manner
Let
them
laft
in
called ftudy.
is
all.
Observation
take of
which
us furvey the general definitions or
defcriptions of
I.
;
all
is
we
whe-
the notice that
occurrences in
human
life,
ther they are fenfible or intellectual, whether
relating
to perfons
or others.
or things, to ourfelves
It is this
from our infancy with
that furnimes
us even
a rich variety
of ideas
and propofitions, words and phrafes
by
this
we know
that fire will
D
2
:
it
is
burn, that
the
THE FIVE METHODS
36
the fun gives light, that a horfe eats grafs,
that an acorn
is a
being capable of reafoning and difcourfe,
that our
are
man
produces an o^k, that
judgment
is
weak, that our miftakes
many, that our forrows
our bodies
die,
and are carried
that
great,
are
to the grave,
and that one generation fucceeds another.
All thofe things which
we
which we
fee,
which we perceive by
or confcioufnefs, or which we know
fenfe
hear, or feel,
direct
in
a
manner, with fcarce any exercife of
our reflecting faculties,
or
our reafoning
powers, may be included under the general
name of
obfervation.
When
this
obfervation
any
to
relates
thing that immediately concerns ourfelves,
and of which we are confcious,
called experience.
experience, that
I
thinking, fearing,
appetites and
many
Sj
I
am
faid to
have in myfelf
loving,
padio.is
may be
know or
it
a
power of
&c. that
working
in
I
have
me, and
perfonal occurrences have attended
me
in this life.
Observation
therefore includes
Mr. Locke means by
8
all
that
fenfation and reflection.
When
:
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
When
we
of
thods
or
trials,
active powers or fet
to obferve
fort
this
what
I find it finks
:
if I beat
low fhape
a bullet into water,
and when
like a
together, I
throw the fame
I
I
fee
fwims
it
out this bullet into a thin hol-
the water too.
I
throw
called experi-
is
into quick-filver,
bullet
But
they would produce,
of obfervation
I
me-
various
when we apply fome
fome caufes to work
effects
So when
ment.
the nature
are fearching out
or properties of any being, by
37
dim, then
So when
it
will
I ftrike
they produce
find
throw a feed into the earth,
two
fire
it
fwim
:
in
flints
when
grows up
into a plant.
All
thefe belong to
knowledge, which
II.
Reading
method of
call obfervation.
that
means or method
of knowledge whereby
with what other
felves
firft
mall
I
is
the
we acquaint ourmen have written
or publifhed to the world in their writings.
Thefe
arts
infinite
made
tions,
of reading and writing are of
advantage;
for
by them we
are
partakers of the fentiments, obferva-
reafonings and
D
improvements of
3
all
the
THE FIVE METHODS
38
mod
the learned world, in the
tions,
remote na-
and in former ages, almoft from the
beginning of mankind.
III.
Public
or private lectures are fuch
verbal inftructions as are given by a teacher
while the learners attend
is
the
way of
This
in lilence.
learning religion from the
pulpit, or of philofophy or theology
profeffor's chair,
from the
or of mathematics by a
teacher fhewing us various theorems or pro-
blems, i.e.fpeculations or practices, by demonftration
and operation, with
ments of
IV.
all
the inftru-
art neceffary to thofe operations.
Conversation
another method
is
of improving our minds, wherein by mutual
difcourfe and enquiry
timents of others,
as
we
learn
the fen-
well as communicate
our fentiments to others in the fame manner.
Sometimes indeed, though both
parties fpeak
by turns, yet the advantage
only on one
lide
-,
as,
when
a
is
converfation
mutual.
we may
and
teacher
meet and difcourie together
the profit
is
:
Under
alfo
a
learner
but frequently
this
head of
rank difputes of
various kinds.
V.
Me.
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
Meditation
V.
thole exercifes of the
der
all
the former
mind whereby we
methods ufeful
by meditation we come
mory of things that
in the
ftudy includes
or
for
pafs
occurrences of
It is
through our thoughts
life,
own
our
in
ex-
we make
:
by meditation that we draw various in-
minds general
ferences, and eftabliih in our
principles of knowledge.
tion
ren-
confirm our me-
to
periences, and in the obfervations
It is
all
our in-
knowledge and wifdorp-
creafe in true
39
that
which we
we compare
derive
It
is
various
the
from our
by medita-
fenfes,
or
ideas
from
the operations of our fouls, and join them in
by meditation that we
fix in our memory whatfoever we learn, and
form our own judgment of the truth or
falmood, the ftrength or weaknefs, of what
propofitions.
It
is
others fpeak or write.
It
is
meditation or
ftudy that draws out long chains of argu-
ment, and fearches and
cult truths
finds deep
which before
lay
and
ciitti-
concealed in
darknefs.
It would
that our
own
be
a needlefs
thing to prove
fclitary meditations,
together
with the few obfervations that the men; part
D
4
of
THE FIVE METHODS
40
of mankind are capable of making, are not
fuflicient
of themfelves to lead us into the
attainment of any confiderable proportion
of knowledge,
improved
at leaft in
as ours is,
an age fo
without the
much
affiftance
of converfation and reading, and other proper inftructions that are to be attained in our
Yet each of thefe
days.
their
peculiar
ailift
each other
which have need
advantages,
;
whereby
and their peculiar
to be fupplied
Let us
affiftance.
methods have
five
trace over
they
defects.,
by the other's
ibme of the
particular advantages of each.
One method
I.
is
of improving the mind
obfervation, and the advantages of
it
are
thefe.
i.
It
is
owing
to obfervation
that our
mind is furnimed with the tiril, fimple and
complex ideas. It is this lays the groundwork and foundation of all knowledge, and
makes us capable of ufing any of the other
methods for improving the mind: for if
we
did not attain a variety of fenfible and
intellectual ideas
ward
objects,
by the fenfations of out-
by the confcioufnefs of our own
appetites
:
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
41
appetites and pail: on s, pleafures and pains,
and by inward experience of the actings of
own fpirits, it would be impollible eifor men or books to teach us any thing.
our
ther
It is obfer vation that
ideas of things,
as
muft give us our
includes in
it
firft
C^nft
it
and confcioufnefs.
All
2.
knowledge derived
our
obfer vation, whether
of proportions,
be of tingle ideas or
knowledge gotten
is
Herebv we
hand.
it
fee
from
and
know
they are, or as they appear to us
at
firfl
things as
;
we
take
them on our minds from
objects themfelves, which give
the imprefiions of
the original
a clearer and ftronger conception of things
thefe ideas are
portions
more
we
(at leaft in
verfation,
from
is
ideas, that is,
3.
lively,
many
and the pro-
cafes)
lectures,
much
reading, and con-
but the copy of other men's
the picture of a picture; and
one remove further from the original.
Another
advantage of observation
we may
gain knowledge
long, and every
moment of our
is,
are
Whereas what knowledge
evident.
derive
it is
more
that
all
the day
lives,
and
every
THE FIVE METHODS
42
moment
every
of our exiftence
we may bs
adding ibmething to our intellectual treafures thereby, except
fleep
;
only while
we
truths,
lay a foundation for a better acquaint-
and
ance with
human
nature, both in the powers
in the frailties of
II.
is
a-
and even then the remembrance of
our dreaming will teach us fome
and
are
The
it.
next way of improving the mind
by reading, and the advantages of
fuch
I.
are
as thefe.
By
reading
we
acquaint ourfelves in a
very extennve manner with the
tions
it
and
affairs,
ac-
thoughts of the living and the
dead, in the moil remote nations and in mofl
much eafe
as though they lived in our own age and
By reading of books we may learn
nation.
diftant ages;
and that with
fomething from
all
parts of
as
mankind; where-
by obiervation we learn all from ourfelves,
and only what comes within our own diredt
as
by converfation we can only
enjoy the a Alliance of a very few perfons,
viz. thofe who are near us and live at the
Cognizance
;
fame time when we do, that
is,
our neighbours,
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
43
knowledge is much more narrowed ftill, if we
confine ourfelves merely to our own folitary
bours, and contemporaries; but our
reading: for then
arife
much
without
reafonings,
or
our improvement muft
all
only from our
obfervation
powers, and
own inward
meditations.
By
2.
reading
we
learn
not
only the
actions and the fentiments of different nations and ages, but
we
and
the knowledge
transfer to ourfelves
improvements of the
beft of
moft learned men, the wifeft and the
mankind, when or wherefoever they lived:
for though many books have been written
by weak and injudicious perfons, yet the
mod of thofe books which have obtained great reputation in the world are the pro-
ducts of great and wife
ral
ages and nations
tain the converfation
only
who
are
:
men
whereas
we
can ob-
and inftruclion of thofe
within the reach of our dwel-
ling, or our acquaintance,
wife or unwife
fphere
in their feve-
-,
whether they are
and fometimes that narrow
fcarce affords
eminence in wifdom
any perfon of great
or learning,
unlefs
our inftructor happen to have this character.
And
;
THE FIVE METHODS
44
And
own
for our
as
even when
we
ftudy and meditations,
arrive
at
fome good degrees
of learning, our advantage for further improvement in knowledge by them is flill far
more contracted than what we may
derive
from reading.
When
3.
we
read good authors
the beft, the moft laboured and
we
mod
learn
refined
fentiments even of thofe wife and learned
men
;
for
they
have
ftudied
hard,
and
have committed to writing their matured
thoughts, and the refult of their long ftudy
and experience: whereas by converfation,
and in fome lectures, we obtain many
times only the prefent thoughts of our
tutors or friends,
which (though they may
be bright and ufeful) yet, at firft perhaps,
may be fudden and indigefled, and are mere
hints
4.
which have
It
is
rifen to
no maturity.
another advantage of reading,
we may review what we have
we may confult the page again and
that
read
again,
and meditate on it, at fucceflive feafons, in
our fereneft and retired hours, having the
book always
at
hand
:
but what
we
obtain
by
;
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
45
by converfation and
in
times loft again as
Toon
as
breaks up, or at
when
the day vanifhes
leaft
lectures,
we happen to have
good memory, or quickly
unlefs
down what
remarkables
And
thofe difcourfes.
the
often-
is
company
the talent of a
retire
we
and note
have found in
for the
fame reafon,
and for the want of retiring and writing,
many
a learned
man
has
loft
feveral ufeful
meditations of his own, and could never
them
recall
again.
The
III.
advantages of verbal inftructions
by public or
private lectures are thefe.
There
j.
is
more
delightful
living
diicourfe
fomething more fprightly,
and entertaining
of a wife,
in
the
learned,
and
well-qualified teacher, than there
and
filent
The
practice of
fedentary
is
in the
reading.
very turn of voice, the good pronunci-
ation,
and the polite and alluring manner
which fome
teachers
have attained,
will
engage the attention, keep the foul fixed,
and convey and infinuate into the mind,
the
ideas
forcible
of things in a more lively and
way,
than
the
mere reading
of
books
THE FIVE METHOD*
46
books in the
filence
and retirement of the
clofet.
2.
A tutor
raphrafes and explains
mark out the
which
precife point of difficulty or
He
it.
paragraphs
mew
can
of
are
importance, and which are of
He
pa-
can
other authors,
controverfy, and unfold
you
when he
or inftructor,
lefs
greateft
moment.
can teach his hearers what authors, or
what
parts of an
author,
are
belt
worth
reading on any particular fubjecl:; and thus
fave his difciples
much
time and pains by
fhortening the labours of their clofet and
private
He
ftudies.
fhew you what
can
were the doctrines of the antients
in a
com-
pendium, which perhaps would
cort.
much
many books to
inform you what new doc-
labour and the perufal of
attain.
He
can
trines or fentiments are rifing in the world,
before they
come
to
acquaint you with his
and his
own
be public-;'
own
as well as
private thoughts,
experiments and obfervations,
which never were, and perhaps^ never
will
the world, and yet
may
be, published
to
be very valuable- and ufeful.
3-
A
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
A living
3.
thofe
our fenfes
47
inftructor can
convey to
with
which he
notions
would furnifh our minds, when he teaches
us natural philofophy, or mod parts of ma-
He
thematical learning.
can
He
periments before our eyes.
figures
make out
the ex-
can defcribe
to the lines
and diagrams, point
angles, and
make
and
the demonftraticn
in
more intelligible manner by fenfible means,
which cannot be done fo well by mere readme, even though we mould have the fame
A
figures lying in a book before our eyes.
a
living teacher, therefore,
is a
mod
necefiary
Jielp in thefe fludies.
I
might
fubjed of
rhetorical,
add
alfo,
difcourfe
examples, and
tudes,
as
is
even where the
moral,
logical
or
&c. and which does not directly
come under the
tutor may explain
liar
that
notice
his
of
ideas
plain
our fenfes,
a
by fuch fami-
or fimple
fimili-
feldom find place in books and
writings.
4.
When
an inftru&or in
his
lecnires
delivers any matter of difficulty, or'expreffes
himfelf in fuch a manner as feems obfcure,
THE FIVE METHODS
48
feu re, fo that you do not take
clearly or fully,
lead:
when
up
his ideas
you have opportunity,
the ]^cl:ure
finimed, or at other
is
how
proper feafons, to enquire
fach a fen-
mould be underftcod, or how fuch
tence
difficulty
may be
at
a
explained and removed.
If there be permiffion given to free converfe with
of the
the tutor,
either in
the midfr.
or rather at the end of
lecture,
concerning any doubts or
difficulties
occur to the hearer, this brings
it
it,
that
very near
to converfation or difcourfe.
IV.
Conversation
of improvement, and
is
it is
the next
method
attended with the
following advantages.
When
we converfe familiarly with a
learned friend, we have his own help at hand
1.
to explain to us every
word and fentiment
that feems obfeure in his difcourfe, and
to
inform us of his whole meaning ; fo that we
are in much lefs danger of miftaking his
fenfe
:
whereas
really obfeure
in
may
books,
alfo
whatfoever
is
abide always ob-
feure without remedy, fince the author
is
not
not
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
at
hand,
that
49
we may enquire
his
fenfe.
we
If
miftake the meaning of our friend
converfation,
in
again;
on
we
but in reading
in the
quickly
are
we many
tends
times go
fame miftake, and are not capable
of recovering ourfelves from
comes
right
fet
to
pafs
in ail
that
it.
we have
ages about the
fo
Thence
it
many con-
meaning of an-
cient authors, andefpecially the facred writ-
Happy mould we
ers.
be could
we but
converfe with Mofes, Iiaiah, and St. Paul,
and confult the prophets and
we meet with
a difficult text
rious converfation
is
apoftles,
when
but that glo-
!
referved for the ages of
future blelfednefs.
2.
Wren
theme with
we
are difcouriing
a friend,
we may
upon any
propofe our
doubts and objections againfi his fentiments,
and have them folved and anfwered
— The
difficulties that arife in
at
once.
our minds
may
be removed by one enlightening word of our
correfpondent; whereas in reading, if a difficulty
which
or
qutiiion
arife
in our thoughts
the author has not happened to
E
mention.
;
THE FIVE METHODS
50
wc muft
tion,
anfwer or
be content without a prefent
folution
of
it.
Books cannot
fpe.-k.
Not
3.
the
only the doubts which
mind upon any
eafily
arife
in
fubject of difcourfe are
propofed and folved in converfation, but
we meet with in books
and in our private fludies may find a relief
by friendly conference. We may pore upon
a knotty point in folitary meditation many
the very difficulties
months without
a folution, becaufe perhaps
wrong tract of thought
and our labour (while we are purfuing a falfe
we have
fcent)
but
it
gotten into a
is
not only ufelefs and unfuccefsful,
leads us perhaps
error for
into a long train of
want of being corrected
in the firft
down this difficulty
when we read it, we may propofe it to an inwe
genious correfpondent when we fee him
may be relieved in a moment, and find the
ilep.
But
if
we
note
-,
difficulty
vanifh
:
he beholds
perhaps in a different view,
the
fets it
object
before us
in quite another light, leads us at once into
evidence and truth, and that with a delightful furprife.
4.
Con-
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
Conversation
4.
51
out into light
calls
what has been lodged in all the receffes and
by occaiional
fecret chambers of the foul
:
hints and incidents
tions into
brings old ufeful no-
remembrance;
hidden
the
plays
it
unfolds and dis-
it
of knowledge
treafures
with which reading, obfervation and ftudy
By mutual
had before furnifhed the mind.
awakened and allured
hoards of knowledge, and
difcourfe the foul
to bring forth
it
learns
how
its
them moft
ufeful to
vaft reading,
without
to render
A
mankind.
is
converfation,
man of
is
who
like a mifer
lives
only
to himfelf.
In free and friendly conversation our
5.
powers are more animated, and
intellectual
our
fpirits a6l
quell:
is
with
and purfuit of
a fuperiar vigour in the
unknown
attends converfation, beyond
we
There
and fagacity of thought that
a fharpnefs
whilit.
truths.
are
what we find
fhut up reading and
Our
in our retirements.
fouls
mufmg
may be
fe-
rene in folitude, but not fparkling, though
perhaps
works
has
it
we
of
are
the
employed
brighteft
happened in
in
reading
writers.
Oftea
free difcourfe that
E
2.
the
new
thoughts
;
THE FIVE METHODS
$2
thoughts are ftrangely ftruck out, and the
feeds of
fparkle and
truth
which
company,
the
reading
By
would
blaze through
calm and
in
been
have
never
filent
excited.
converfation you will both give and re-
ceive this benefit
as
;
flints
when put
into
motion and ftriking againft each other produce living
fire
on both
fides,
which would
never have rifcn from the fame hard mate-
of
rials in a ftate
6.
reft.
In generous converfation, amongft in-
we have
genious and learned men,
a great
advantage of propofing our private opini-
own
ons, and of bringing our
the
teft,
and learning in
fentiments to
more compendi-
a
way what the world will
judge of them, how mankind will receive
them, what objections may be railed againft
ous
and
fafer
them, what defects there
and how
to correct our
our fcheme,
are in
own
miftakes
which
;
advantages are not fo eafy to be obtained
by our own
pleafure
we
private
meditations
take in our
own
:
for
the
notions, and
the pafiion of felf-love, as well as the nar-
rownefs
too
of our views,
favourable
an
tempt us
opinion
on
to
our
pafs
own
fchemes
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
fchemes
whereas the variety of genius, in
;
our feveral
how
tices
53
will give
affociates,
happy no
our opinions will ftand in the view
of mankind.
It
7.
is
tage of converfation, that
ftudent
the
the"
knowledge of men and
of
life,
as reading furnifhes
A man who
with book-learning.
together a
is
a
contemptible
A
of character in the world.
has been fhut up in his
has contracted a
lege,
dwells
among books, may have amaifed
vail heap of notions, but he may
be a mere fcholar,, which
who
him
days
all his
ruii
furnifhes the
it
with
affairs
fort
advan-
alfo another considerable
upon
fort
and
his foul,
cell
hermit,
a col-
in
of mould and
all his
airs
of beha-
viour have a certain awkwardnefs in them
but thefe awkward
degrees in
company
are filed and
The
zen or
a
friend;
he learns
them
:
are
the ruft and the
fcholar
now becomes
gentleman,
a
mould
how
to drefs his
in the ftrongeft light.
notions
as
3
citi-
fenti-
well as to fet
Thus he
with honour
E
a
neighbour and a
in the faireft colours,
qut his
worn away by
brufht off by polite conver-
fation.
ments
airs
;
;
brings
he makes
fome
THE FIVE METHODS
54
makes Tome ufe of them
and
in the world,
improves the theory by the practice.
But
we proceed
before
too far in nnifh-
ing a bright character by converfation,
mould
confider that fomething elfe
acquaintance with
fary befides an
books
and therefore
:
Mere
V.
to
wifdom.
flection,
all
make
It
is
thinking,
necef-
men and
.
reading,
lectures,
verfation without
cient
add,
I
is
we
and con-
are not
fuffi-
man of knowledge and
our own thought and re-
a
fludy and meditation muft attend
the other methods of improvement, and
perfect
with
I.
them.
It
carries
thefe advantages
it.
Though
obfervation and inftruction,
reading and convention
may furnim
us with
many ideas of men and things, yet it is
our own meditation and the labour of our
own thoughts that muft form our judgment
of things.
Our own thoughts mould
join or disjoin thefe ideas in a proportion
for ourfelves
:
it is
our
own mind
that
mult
judge for ourfelves concerning the agreement
or
OF IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
or difagreement of ideas,
$$
and form pro-
portions of truth out of them.
Reading
and converfation may acquaint us with many
truths and with
them, but
it
is
many arguments to fupport
our own ftudy and reaibn-
ing that muft determine whether thefe propolitions are true, and
ments
are juft
and
whether thefe argu-
folid.
It is confelt there are a thoufand things
which our eyes have not fetn, and which
would never come within the reach of our
perfonal and immediate knowledge and obbecaufe of the difbnce of times
fervation,
mud; be known by confuting other perfonsj and that is done ei-
and places
thefe
:
ther in their writings or in their difcourfes.
But
after all,
let this
be a fixed point with
own reflection and judgment mull determine how far we mould receive that which books or men inform us of,
and how far they are worthy of our alTent
us,
that
it
is
our
and credit.
2.
fers
It
is
meditation and ftudy that tranf-
and conveys the notions and fentiments
©f others to ourfelves,
E 4
fo as to
make them
pro-
THE FIVE METHODS
56
own judgment
upon them, as well as our memory of them,
that makes them become our own property.
properly our own.
It does as
were concoct our intellectual
it
food, and
turns
it
into a part of ourfelves
man may
juft as a
our
It is
his limbs
call
:
and his
flem his own, whether he borrowed the
materials
from the ox or the fheep, from
the lark
or the
rived
it
it
whether he de-
from corn or milk, the
or
the trees,
earth;
lobfter;
is
fruits
of
the herbs and roots of the
all
now become one
fubftance
with himfelf, and he wields and manages
thofe mufcles and limbs for his own proper purpofes,
which once were the fub-
ftance of other animals or vegetables
field
or
that
w eek was grazfwimming in the fea,
very fubftance which
ing in the
;
r
lafl:
waving in the milk-pail, or growing in the
garden, is now become part of the man.
3.
By
ftudy and meditation
the hints that
we have
vation, converfation
more time
in
we improve
acquired by obfer-
and reading
thinking,
and
:
we
by the
take
la-
bour of the mind we penetrate deeper into
the themes of knowledge, and carry our
thoughts
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
thoughts fometimes
fubjects, than
we
much
ever
books of the dead,
living.
It is
our
farther
met with
or
own
CJ
on many
either in the
of the
difcourfes
reafoning that draws
out one truth from another, and forms a
whole fcheme of fcience from
which we borrowed elfewhere.
few hints
a
:
By
a
furvey of
theiV things
juftly conclude, that he
time
in
books,
who
we may
fpends
all
hearing lectures: or poring
his
upon
without obfervation, meditation or
converfe, will have but a mere hirlorical
.
knowledge of
learning, and be able only to
what others have known or
tell
fubjecl:
away
:
in
vation,
he
that
lets
converfation
all
his
faid.
on the
time flow
without due obfer-
reading or ftudy,
will gain
but a
and fuperficial knowledge, which will
be in danger of vaniiliing with the voice of
flight
the fpeaker: and he that confines himfelf
merely to his clofet and his
own narrow ob-
fervation of things, and
taught only by
his
own
tion
by
folitary
is
thoughts, without inftruc-
lectures,
fation, will be in
reading
or free
conver-
danger of a narrow
fpirit,
a vain conceit of himleif, and an unreafonable
THE FIVE METHODS,
58
able contempt of others
and
;
&C
after all
he
will obtain but a very limited and imperfect
and
view
knowledge
how
will feldom learn
of things,
and he
make
know-
to
that
ledge ufeful.
These
methods
five
of improvement
fhould be purfued jointly, and go hand in
hand, where our circumftances are fo hapas
py
to find
to enjoy
them
opinion,
that
opportunity and conveniency
all
:
though
I
muft give
two of them,
viz.
my
Read-
mould employ much
ing and meditation,
more of our time than public lectures, or
As for obferconverfation and difcourfe.
vation, we may be always acquiring knowledge that way, whether
we
are alone or in
company.
But
ment
it
will be for our further improve-
we go
if
over
all
thefe five
methods
of obtaining knowledge more distinctly and
more at large, and fee what fpecial advances
in
them
ufeful
fcience
we may draw from
all.
CHAP.
59
(
)
CHAP.
III.
RELATING TO OBSERVATION,
JtL'LES
npHOUGH obfervation
-*•
ed
iirft
of the word, and
from
meditation
in the (lri& fenfc
as
diftinguifh-
it is
and
iludy,
means of improvement,
ftridteft
fenfe
does
reafonings of the
is
and in
not include in
mind upon
it
the
the
its
any
thinp-s
which we obferve, or inferences drawn from
them; yet the motions of the mind are fo
exceeding fwift, that
for a thinking
man
it
hardly poffible
is
to gain experiences or
making fome
upon them and
obfervations without
fhort reflexions
in giving a
:
fecret
therefore,
few directions concerning
method of improvement,
rowly confine myfelf
and
this
I fhall
not fo nar-
to the firft
mere im-
preffion of objects on the
mind by
obferva-
tion; but include alfo fome hints which relate to the firft,
moft
flexions or reafoning
eafy,
which
and obvious rearife
from them.
I.
Let
;
RULES RELATING
60
I.
Let
the enlargement of your
know-
ledge be one conftant view and defign in
iince there
is
no time or place, no trans-
actions, occurrences, or
which exclude
us
proving the mind.
in
darknefs
life
and
engagements
in life,
this
method of im-
When we
are alone, even
from
iilence,
we may
converfe
own hearts, obferve the workingof our own fpirits, and 'reflect upon the
inward motions of our own paffions in
fome of the latefl occurrences in life we
may acquaint ourfelves with the powers
with our
-,
and properties, the tendencies and inclinations both of body and fpirit, and gain a
more
knowledge
intimate
When. we
are in
of
ourfelves.
company, we may difcover
fomething more of human nature, -of human
paffions and
follies,
vices and virtues,
and of human
by converfing with man-
kind, and obferying their conduct.
there
any
affairs,
thing more valuable
Nor
than
is
the
knowledge of ourfelves, and the knowledge
of men, except it be the knowledge of God
who made
us,
and our relation to him
as
our Governor,
When
we are in the houfe or the city,
wherefoever we turn our eyes, we fee the
works
TO OBSERVATION.
works of men
;
when we
6t
are abroad in the
we behold more of the works of
The fkies and the ground above and
country,
God.
beneath us, and the animal and vegetable
world
round
about
our obfervation
us,
may
entertain
with ten thoufand
vari-
therefore
fome
eties.
Endeavour
derive
to
improvement of the mind
from every thing which you fee or hear,
inftruction
or
from every thing which occurs in human
life, from every thing within you, or without you.
Fetch down
clouds, the
the
ftars,
revolutions
and draw
fome knowledge from the
moon, and
the planets.
Dig
the fun, the
of
all
up fome
valuable
from the depths of the
meditations
earth,
and fearch
them through the vaft oceans of water. Extract, fome intellectual improvements from
the minerals and metals ; from the won-
among
ders of nature
herbs,
leflbns
the
trees,
and
from the
meant ft
Learn
flowers.
birds,
in feci.
the vegetables,
and the
Read
the
beafts,
and
fome
and
wifdom of
God
RULES RELATING
6z
God
all
and his admirable contrivance in them
read
:
almighty power,
his
and various goodnefs, in
his
rich
the works of
all
his hands.
From
the day and the night, the hours
and the flying minutes, learn a wife im-
provement of time,
and be watchful to
ieize every opportunity to increafe in
know-
ledge.
From
the viciffitudes and revolutions of
from the various
nations and families, and
occurrences of the world, learn the inftability
of mortal
affairs,
the uncertainty of
the certainty of death.
From
to meditate
a funeral, learn
a coffin
life.,
and
upon your own
departure.
From
obferve what
how
and
the vices
is
of others,
follies
hateful in
them
-,
confider
fuch a practice looks in another perfon,
and remember that
yourfelf.
From
it
looks as
ill
or worfe in
the virtue of others, learn
fomething worthy of your imitation.
From
the
4
deformity,
the
diftrefs,
or
calamity
TO OBSERVATION.
63
calamity of others, derive lerTons of thank-
God, and hymns of
fulnefs to
grateful praife
your Creator, Governor, and
to
tor,
who
has formed you in a better mould,
and guarded you from thofe
the facred leflbn
own
Benefac-
eftate,
Learn alfo
evils.
of contentment in your
and companion to your neigh-
bour under his miferies.
From
your natural powers,
judgment, memory, hands,
this inference, that they
for nothing, but for
ment
fenfations,
make
feet, 6cc.
were not given you
fome ufeful employ-
honour of your Maker, and
for the good of your fellow-creatures, as
to the
well as for your
own
beffc
intereft
and
final
happinefs.
From
the forrows, the pains, the fick-
and fufferings that attend you, learn
the evil of fin, and the imperfection of your
nefles,
prefent
follies
flate.
learn
From your own fins and
the patience of God toward
you, and the practice of humility toward
God and man.
Thus
;
RULES RELATING
64
Thus from
every appearance in nature,
and from every occurrence of life, you may
derive natural, moral and religious obfervations to entertain your minds, as well as
rules of conduct in
and that which
this life,
In order to
II.
the affairs relating to
is
to
come.
furnifli the
mind with
a
rich variety of ideas, the laudable curiofity
of young people mould be indulged and
gratified,
difcouraged.
rather than
It is a
very hopeful fign in young perfons, to fee
them curious
and inquifitive
in obferving,
in fearching into the greatefl part of things
that occur
;
temper be
nor mould fuch an enquiring
frowned
into
rigoroufly reftrained, but
fatisfied
iilence,
mould
by proper anfvvers given
nor be
rather be
to all thofe
queries.
For
this
reafon
fortune allow
led into
alfo,
where time and
young people mould be
it,
company
at
proper feafons, fhould
be carried abroad to fee the
woods, and the
rivers,
and
cities difcant
they
mould be
from
fields,
and the
the buildings, towns
their
own
dwelling
entertained with the fight
of
TO OBSERVATION.
6$
of ftrange birds, hearts, fifties, infects ; vegetables, and productions both of nature
and
of every kind, whether they are
art
own
the products of their
tions
and
:
due time, where Providence
in
opportunity,
gives
or foreign na-
may
they
under
travel
a wile infpector or tutor to different parts
of the world for the fame end, that they
may
bring
home
of ufeful know-
treafures
ledge.
III.
Among
down what
mon
:
is
more remarkable and uncomremarks in
thefe
referve
proper occafions, and
a review
obfervations write
all thefe
of them.
at
proper feafons take
Such
a
practice will
give you a habit of ufeful thinking
this
:
workings of your foul from
will fecure the
running
for
ftore
to wafte,
and by
this
your loofer moments will turn
means even
to
happy
ac-
count both here and hereafter.
And
whatever
been made,
the
fubject
your friends
let
them be
of
at
ufeful obfervations have
at lean:
fome part of
your converfation
among
next meeting.
F
Let
OF .OBSERVATIONS BY THE
66
Let
life
circumftances or fituations of
the
mould never
may
neglect this improvement
which
Let him
be derived from obfervation.
and ful-
travel into the Eaft or Weft-Indies,
fil
man
or where they will, a
be what,
the duties of the military or the mercan-
tile
there
life
;
let
him
rove through the
own humour
earth or the feas for his
traveller,
man
him
:
let
him
mod
a
gentle-
diftant parts of the globe
carry on his
improvement of
his
render himfelf fome
5
knowledge and the
foul
by wife obferva-
In due time, by this means he
tions.
cieties
as
profperous or adverfe fortune call
to the
ilill let
world he pleafes
a
what
or purfue his diverfions in
part of the
as
way
ufeful to the
may
fo-
of mankind.
Theobaldino,
iited the
forefts
of
in his
younger
Norway on
years, vi-
the account
of trade and timber, and befides his proper
of
obfervations
the
growth of
trees
on
thofe northern mountains, he learnt there
was. a fort of people
called Finns, in thofe
which border upon Sweden, whofe
habitation is in the woods
and he. lived
confines
•
:
afterwards to give a good account of
them
and
THE MIND.
SENSES OF
6y
and fome of their caftoms to the Royal
Society
Turkey
of
natural
Puteoli was taken captive in-
knowledge.
to
improvement
the
for
and travelled with
in his youth,
his mafter in their holy pilgrimage to
whereby he became more
ca,
Mec-
intelligent
m
the forms, ceremonies and fooleries of the
Mahometan worfhip, than perhaps ever any
and by his manufcripts
Eriton knew before
we are more acquainted in this lad century
;
with the Turkiih facreds than any one had
ever informed us.
IV.
Let
poflible
us keep our minds as free as
from
thefe will give a
tions both
of
a
man
and prejudices; for
paffions
wrong turn
The
on perfons and things.
in the jaundice
fervations
to our obferva-
on
every
eyes
make yellow oband the foul
thing;
tinctured with any paffion or prejudice diifufes a
falfe
colour over the real
appear-
ances of things, and difguifes
many of
common
it
occurrences of
life
:
never be-
holds things in a true light, nor fuffers
them
Whenfoever there-
to appear as they are.
fore
the
you would make proper obfervatipns,
let Self,
with
all
its
F
influences, fland aiids
2
as
OF OBSERVATIONS BY THE
68
as far as poflible
own
and your
all
;
your own
abftracl:
interefl:
concern from them, and bid
friendships and enmities fland aloof and
keep out of the way, in the obfervations
you make
that
relating
pcrfons
to
and
things.
If this rule were
be
much
mon
w ell
r
obeyed,
better guarded againft
pieces of mifconduct in
tions of
men,
viz.
falfe
How
and envy.
pride
The
we mould
thofe com-
the obferva-
judgments of
ready
is
envy to
mingle with the notices which we take of
How often
other perfons
?
to put an
fenfe
ill
is
upon the
mankind prone
actions of their
neighbours, to take a furvey of them in an
evil
pofition,
And by
this
unhappy light?
means we form a worfe opiand
in
an
nion of our neighbours than they deferve;
while
at the
fame time pride and
ry tempt us to
ourfelves in our
make
own
unjuft obfervations on
ment on
In
favour.
vourable judgments
ourfelves,
felf- flatte-
we
pafs
we mould allow
a
all
the fa-
concerning
little
abate-
this account.
V. In
THE MIND.
SENSES OF
69
V. In making your obfervations on perfons, take care of indulging that bufy curiofity
which
domeftic
ever enquiring into private and
is
with an endlefs
affairs,
itch
learning the fecret hiftory of families.
of
It is
but feldom that fuch a prying curiofity
at-
any valuable ends ; it often begets lu£picions, jealoufies and diflurbances in houfe-
tains
holds, and
is
it
a frequent temptation
:
fome
what
they
perfons to defame their neighbours
body
know ;
a bufy
a tatler
upon every
Let
VI.
telling
help
cannot
perfons
is
moil
to
liable to
become
occafion.
your obfervations even of per-
fons and their conduct, be chiefly defigned
in order
to
lead
you
to
a better acquain-
tance with things, particularly with
nature
and
;
to
human
inform you what to imitate
and what to avoid, rather than to furnifh
out matter for the evil paflions of the mind,
or the impertinencies of difcourfe and re-
proaches of the tongue.
VII.
Though
times to
ing
it
make your
may be
proper fome-
obfervations, concernas things,
perfons as well
F
3
the fubjecl
of
BY THE
OF OBSERVATIONS
7P
of your diiccurfe in learned or ufeful converiation
;
what remarks you make on
yet
particular peribns, efpecially to their difad-
mould
vantaqe,
your
own
bread,
till
fome
fome necefTary
occafion,
leads
mod
for the
you
to fpeak to
part lie hid in
juft and apparent
call
of Providence
them.
If the character or conduct which you
be greatly culpable,
obferve
much
the lefs be publimed.
mould fo
You may treait
up fuch remarks of the follies, indecencies, or vices of your neighbours, as
fure
may
be a conflant guard again ft your prac-
tice
of the fame, without expofing the re-
putation of your neighbour on that account.
that our converfation
It is a
good old
mould
rather be laid out on things than
perrons
and
;
rule,
this
rule
mould
on
generally be
obferved, unlefs names be concealed, wherefoever the faults or fellies of
mankind
are
our prefent theme.
Our
late
Archbilhop Tillotfon has writ-
ten a fmall but excellent difcourfe
fpeaking,
on
evil
wherein he admirably explains,
limits
THE MIND.
SENSES OF
limits
and applies
general
that
7I
apoftolic
precept, Speak evil of no man, Tit.
Be
VIII.
2.
not too hafty to erect general
from
theories
iii.
a
few particular obfervations,
This
appearances or experiments.
When
the logicians call a falfe induction.
general obfervations are
particulars as to
drawn from
become
certain
table, thefe are jewels of
what
is
fo
many
and indubi-
knowledge, com-
prehending great treafure in a
little
room;
but they are therefore to be made with the
greater care and caution, left errors
We mould
large and diffulive, if
become
miftake in
thefe general notions.'
A hasty
determination of
univer-
principles, without a due furvey of all
fal
which may be included
the particular cafes
in
Tome
them,
own
the
is
to lay a trap for
our
underftandings in their purfuit of any
we mall
fubject, and
into
way
miftake and
youth obferved,
almanac
as
now
a
the weather,
Niveo
falfhood.
fell
a
hath writ
part of his
that
it
F
in
his
on three Chriftmas
that
days together there
fnow, and
often be taken captives
good quantity of
it
down
wife remarks on
will always
4
in his
fnow
at
Chriftmas.
OP OBSERVATIONS, &C.
72
Enron
Chriftmas,
times that
tice ten
when
it
:
and he was
when he found
is
mould
lair.
freeze,
mewed him
weather-cocks
took no-
lad,
the North-Ealt
in
middle of
the
moil expected
young
there was a fharp froft
wind was
the
therefore in
\vind
a
a
July he
al-
becaufe the
North-Eair.
more difappointed
ftill
a very fultry feafon.
it
;
It
judgment that hath thrown
fake of
on a whole nation for the
...
the fame hafty
fcandal
<
'
'
fome culpable characlers belonging
ral
natives
particular
whereas
all
and
•
airy
the
all
and revengeful
Italians
nor are
country 5
that
French men
the
$
of
to feve-
are not gay
are not jealous
all
the
Englifb
over-run with thefpleen.
CHAP.
73
(
)
CHAP.
OF
I.
BOOKS AND READING.
T^HE
world
full
is
of books,
there are multitudes
Jl
ill
IV.
which
but
are fo
written they were never worth any man's
and
reading;
there
more
thoufands
are
which may be good in their kind, yet are
worth nothing when the month or year or
occafion is pail for which they were writOthers may be valuable in themfelves,
ten.
for
fome
fpecial purpofe or in
fcience, but are not
but thofe
lar fcience
who
are
fit
fome peculiar
to be perufed
by any
engaged in that particu-
To what
or bufinefs.
ufe
is
it
for a divine or
phyfician or a tradefman to
read over the
huge volumes of reports of
the law? or for a lawyer to
judged
learn
cafes in
Hebrew and
the
read
Rabbins
?
It
improvement of
knowledge and faving time, for a young
is
of vafl advantage
man
to
have the
for
moft
proper books for
his
OFBOOKS
74
recommended by
reading
his
judicious
a
friend.
Books
II.
of importance of any kind,
and efpecially complete
mould be
jecl,
firffc
on any fub-
treatifes
read in
a
more general
and curfory manner, to learn a
the
treatife
promifes, and
little
what you may
expect from the writer's manner and
And
for this
end
would
I
what
ikill.
advife always that
the preface be read, and a furvey taken of
the table of contents, if there be one,
be-
By
this
fore the
firit
furvey of the book.
means you will not only be
the book the
give
will be
fal
of
much
it,
attention
reading,
flrfr.
affifled in
but you
your fecond peru-
which mould be done with greater
and deliberation, and you will
learn with
more
eafe
and readinefs what the
author pretends to teach.
ing,
better fitted to
mark what
is
new
or
In your read-
unknown
to
you
before, and review thofe chapters, pages or
paragraphs.
common
may
and
Unlefs
moil
a
reader
retentive
has an un-
memory,
venture to affirm, that there
is
I
fcarce
any book or chapter worth reading once,
that
is
not worthy of a fecond perufal.
At
leaft
AND READING.
leaf! to take a careful
all
the lines
-hs which you marked, and
or pared,
a
review of
75
recolk-
which you
of the feclions
^ii
make
thought truly valuable.
There
another reafon
is
would choofe
furvey
read
of
book, before
-a
and that
attention,
veral
to takeafupeffieial
and dwell upon
it,
alio
difficulties
is,
in
it
it
I
therefore
we
till
perufal
in
;
and curfory
fit
d$wn
a fuller
;at
the
firfl
comprehen-
fchemc And
we mould not
mailer every difficulty at the
appear to be folved
to
may be fewhich we cannot
fuch treaties,,
for -perhaps
I
there
the author's whole
fion of
ftay
want of
for
why
with ftudious
eanly undenland and conquer
reading,
.
firfl
many .of ,£befe wou-ld
when we have proceed-
ed farther in, that book, or would -vanifn of
themfelves upon a fecorxlreading-.
What
fir ft,
we cannot reach and penetrate at
may be noted down as matter of after
coniideration and enquiry, if the pages that
follow do not happen, to ftrike a complete
light on thofe
which w en£
r
before.
If
O F
/6
K
B O
S
If three or four perfons agree to read
III.
the fame book, and each bring his
marks upon
it at
converfation,
for
fome
own
re-
hours appointed
fet
they communicate
and
mutually their fentiments on the fubject,
and debate about
this
practice will
it
in a friendly
manner,
render the reading any
author more abundantly beneficial to every
one of them.
IV. If feveral perfons engaged
in the
fame
ftudy take into their hands diftinct treatifes
on one
fubject,
and appoint
a feafon of
com-
munication once a week, they may inform
each other in a brief manner concerning
the fenfe,
fentiments and method of thofe
feveral authors,
other's
and thereby promote each
improvement, either by recommend-
ing the perufal of the fame book to their
companions, or perhaps by fatisfying their
concerning
enquiries
it
by converfation,
without every one's perufing
V.
Remember
reading
or
in
that
it.
your bufinefs
converfation,
efpecially
in
on
fubjects of natural, moral or divine fcience,
is
not merely to
know
the opinion of the
author
AND READING.
author or fpeaker, for this
is
JJ
but the mere
knowledge of hiftory; but your chief bufinefs is to confider whether their opinions
folid
knowledge on that
tion
on
themes
the
fubjecl:
by medita-
of their writing or
Deal freely with every author
difcourfe.
you
own
no, and to improve your
right or
are
and yield up your
read,
aflent only to
evidence and juft reafoning on the fubjecl:.
Here
only of
would be underftood
I
human
fpeak
authors, and not of the fa-
In thefe our
cred and infpired writings.
bufinefs
to
only to find out the true fenfe,
is
true meaning
and underftand the
of the
paragraph and page, and our aflent then
bound
iied
that
the
might add
foning,
is
are before fatis-
is
Yet
divine.
that even this
this
fufficient
is
jufl:
I
rea-
evidence to
affent.
in the
ber you are a
is
writing
alfo,
and
demand our
But
when we
to follow
is
compofures of men, remem-
man
as well as
not their reafon but your
given to guide you
when you
they
own
;
and
that
it
is
arrive at years
of
:
:
S
manly age and
of
of discretion,
K
B O O
O F
78
judg-
ment,
VI.
Let
your prac-
therefore be
this
you have gone through
tice, efpecially after
one courfe of any fcience in your academical ftudies
if a
j
writer on that fubjecl:
maintains the fame fentiments as you do,
yet if he does not explain his ideas or prove
mark
the portions well,
the faults
feds, and endeavour to do
in the
it
or de-
better, either
margin of your book, or rather in
fome papers of your own, or
at
leaft let it
As
be done in your private meditations.
for inftance
Where
him
;
the author
where he
deficiencies
:
is
is
obfcure, enlighten
imperfect,
where he
fupply
his
brief
and
too
is
concife, amplify a little, and fet his notions
in a fairer
mark
view
:
where he
thofe paragraphs
when he
trifles
and
to
redundant,
is
be retrenched
grows
impertinent,
abandon thofe paflages or pages
:
where he
argues, obferve whether his reafons be conclufive: if the conclufion be true,
and yet
the argument weak, endeavour to confirm
3
it
by
AND READING.
by
proofs
better
fers
where he derives or in-
:
any propofitions darkly or doubtfully,
make the
and make
if
juilice of the inference appear,
further inferences or corollaries,
fuch occur to your mind
fuppofe he
is
he writes
fo well as to
judgment, both
up
in
:
where you
your ob-
in a miftake, propofe
jections and correct his
it
Jg
approve
juft
as
fentiments
what
:
itfelf to
your
and ufeful, treafure
your memory, and count
it a
part
of your intellectual gains.
Many
Note,
which
I
of thefe fame directions
now
have
given,
may
with regard to converfation,
ing, in order to render
as
be practifed
well as read-
ufeful in the
it
moil
extenfive and tailing manner.
VII.
nature
Other
may be
things
ufeful ly
alfo
of
practifed
the
like
with re-
gard to the authors which you read, viz.
method of a book be irregular, reduce it into form by a little analyfis of
vour own, or bv hints in the margin if
If the
:
thoie
ihould
things
are
heaped together,
be feparated, you
tinguifh and divide
them
:
may
which
wifely dif-
if feveral things
relating
OP BOOKS
80
relating to the
and down
fame
fubjecT: are fcattered
through the
feparately
you may bring them
ferences
or
j
valuable
throw
it
a
more
le/Ter
to
and
one view by re-
logical fcheme, or abridge
ment
method,
and
in
it
to
you
with
finifhed the treatife
upon
mine what
real
made by reading
in lo-
improve your judg-
general, and to give
obfervations
a fuller
When
recollect and deter-
it,
you have
improvements
that author.
table cf contents,
make one
that
as
you
exactnefs
as
it is
if
in
or
very ufeful
to
to include
you defigned
fumcient
it,
are reading
every page and paragraph,
done
your
all
VIII. If a book has no index to
good
it
:
the
not with
fenCe
of
which mould be
to print
it
;
but
it
is
your index to take notice only
of thofe parts of the book which are
to you, or
to
into a
fkill
furvey of that fubjecl: in particular.
you have
it
have a
thefe practices will
all
:
may
method, reduce
tendency both to advance your
gic,
book be
you
deferving,
into a better
form
treatife,
the matter of a
if
really
all
dp
new
which you think well written,
and
AND READING.
Si
and well worthy of your remembrance or
review.
Shall
be
I
free
fo
younger friends, from
that
in the
fir ft
and efpecially in the
you perufe
experience,
coil
your ftudy,
authors which
firfl
but the profit will richly
:
compenfate the pains.
And in
the following
you have read
after
life,
years of
my
any fcience, or on any par-
in
ticular fubjecr,
of
my own
afTure
methods of reading will
thefe
fome pains
years
to
as
a
few
valuable books on any fpecial iubjecl in this
manner,
it
will be very eafy to read others
of the fame kind,
ufually find very
becaufe
you will not
much new
matter in them
which you have not already examined.
VIII.
If
the writer be remarkable for
any peculiar excellencies or defects in his
manner of writing, make juff, obfervations upon this alio ; and whatfoever
ftyle or
ornaments you
find
there,
or whatfoever
blemifhes occur in the language or manner
of the writer, you may make juft remarks
upon them.
And remember
read over in this manner, with
G
that one
book
all this
laborious
§2
OF
.
BOOKS
more to enrich
your underfbnding, than the fkimming over
rious meditation, will tend
the furface of twenty authors.
IX.
By
perufing books in the manner
you
have defcribed,
make
will
I
your
all
reading fubfervieat not only to the enlarge-
ment of your
alfo to the
treafures of
knowledge, but
improvement of your reafoning
powers.
There
are
many who
read with con-
make no adThey are
vances in true knowledge by it.
delighted with the notions which they read
or hear, as they would be with ftories that
are told, but they do not weigh them in
ftancy and diligence, and yet
their
minds
as
in a juft
balance, in order
to determine their truth or falfhood
make no
obfervations
rences from them.
;
they
upon them, or infe-
Perhaps their eye
flides
over the pages, or the words Hide over their
ears,
and
tales, or
vanifii like a
rhapfody of evening
the fhadows of a cloud flying over
a green field in a
fummer's day.
i
Or
AND READING.
Or
if they
them
fix
with
in their
defign
a
review
them
fufliciently to
remembrance,
to tell the
83
merely
it is
over again,
tale
and fhew what men of learning they
they dream out their days in a courfe
Thus
of reading, without
man may
be eating
digeftion
is
with
real
all
intellectual food,
provement of
gefting
it
Be
X.
day, and for
may cram
;
diligent
thefe directions.
end-
themfelves in vain
and without
all
want of
di-
reflections.
therefore
in
obferving
Enter into the fenfe and
their proofs, and then
truth or
im-
real
arguments of the authors you" read;
mine
a
want of
fo thefe
their minds, for
by proper
As
advantage.
never nouriihed
readers
lefs
are.
exa-
judge of the
falmood of their opinions;
and
thereby you mall not only gain a rich in-
your
understanding,
by
thofe
creafe
of
truths
which the author teaches, when
them well fupported, but you fhall
you
fee
acquire alfo by degrees an habit of judg-
ing juftly, and of reafoning well, in imitation of the
good writer whofe works you
perufe.
G
2
This
\
BOOKS
OF
$4
This
laborious indeed, and the
is
backward
is
undergo
to
the
mind
fatigue
of
weighing every argument and tracing every
thing to
bour
ing
its
original.
to take all
is
much
It
is
things upon
eafier
much
lefs la-
trufr.
believ-
:
But when
than arguing.
mind to
method which I have
Studentio had once perfuaded his
tie itfelf
down
to this
prefcribed, he fenfibly gained an admirable
facility to read,
and judge of what he read,
by his daily practice of it, and the man
made large advances in the purfuit of truth ;
while Plumbinus and Plumeo made lefs progrefs in knowledge, though they had read
Plumeo fkimmed over
over more folios.
the pages, like a fwallow over the flowery
meads
and
in
May.
fyllable,
Plumbinus read every
line
but did not give himfelf the
trouble of thinking and judging about them.
They both
could boaft in company of their
great reading,, for they
.pages
knew more
titles
than Studentio, but were far
and
lefs
ac-
is
de~
talk,
and
quainted with fcience.
;
I
confess
figned only to
little
thofe whofe reading
fit
knowledge,
much
them
for
may
content
themfelves
to
AND READING.
to run over their authors in fuch
and
trifling
ries in this
libra-
manner, yet be poor realbners
no
folid
wifdom
at
true
or
who walks on
fair
foftly in a courfe that points right,
and
The
learning.
and
fudden
a
way; they may devour
and have
lafr,
$$
traveller
examines every turning before he ventures
upon
it,
will
come
fooner and fafer to his
journey's end, than he
who
runs through
every lane he meets, though he gallops full
The man
ipeed
all
much
read-
ing,
and a large retentive memory,
but
the day.
of
may become in the
fenfe of the world a knowing man ; and if
he converfe much with the ancients, he may
without meditation,
attain
the fame of learning too;
but he
fpends his days afar off from wifdom and
true judgment, and
porTeffes
very
little
of
jhe fubftantial riches of the mind.
XI.
human
Never
apply yourfelves to read any
author with a determination,
ber-
forehand, either for or againft him, or with
a fettled refolution to believe or difbelieve,
to confirm or to oppofe whatfoever he faith
but always read with
mind open
to
a defign
your
and to embrace
truth,
G
to lay
3
;
it
where-
!
BOOKS
OF
26
wherefoever you find
as well
it,
every falfhood, though
it
men who ieldom
thofe
appear under e-
How
ver fo fair a difguife.
as to reject
unhappy
are
take an author into
their hands, but they have determined be-
fore they begin, whether they will like or
diilike
his
him
They have
!
got fome notion of
name, his character, his party, or his
by general converfation, or per-
principles,
haps by fome flight view of a few pages;
and having
they read
beforehand,
with
own
their
all
opinions adjufted
all
he writes
that
a prepoffeffion either for or againft
him.
who hunt and purvey
for a
Unhappy
thofe
party,
and fcrape together out of every au-
thor,
all
thofe
which favour
things,
own
their
and
only,
thofe
while they
tenets,
defpife and neglect all the reft
XII. Yet take this caution.
be underftood here,
as
though
I
I
would not
perfuaded a
perfon to live without any fettled principles
at all, by
which
and things
:
to
judge of men and books,
or that
I
would keep
a
always doubting about his foundations.
man
The
chief things that I deiign in this advice, are
thefe three.
i.
That
AND READING.
i.
That
after
$J
our moil neceifary and
prudence
important principles of fcience,
and religion, are fettled upon good grounds,
with regard
our
to
future hopes,
we mould
freedom of thought,
treat
all
of fuch fubjects
as
and reafonable difpute.
our opinions be
in
read with a jufl
thofe books
which
may admit of doubt
Nor ihould any of
fo refolved
younger years,
and our
prefenr. conducl:
upon, efpecially
as never to hear or to bear
an oppofition to them,
When
we perufe thofe authors who
defend our own fettled fentiments, we
2.
fhould not take
and
folid
ftinction
>
but
all
we mould make
a wile di-
between the corn and the
folid
perficial
colours of
fwallow
nions becaufe
chaff,
reafoning and the mere fu-
between
dily
their arguings for juft
nor mould
it ;
we
rea-
down all their leifer opiwe agree with them in the
greater.
3.
That when we
which oppofe our moil
ed principles,
read
certain and eftablifh*
we ihould
.any informations
be ready to receive
from them
G
thofe authors
4
in other points,
and
:
OFBOOKS
88
and not abandon
fay,
at
once every thing they
though we are well
to their
main point of arguing.
Fas
Seize
fixed in ouroppoiition
eft
& ab hofte doceri.
upon truth where-e'er
Amongft your
'tis
Virg.
found,
amongft your
friends,
foes,
On
Chriftian or on Heathen ground;
The
divine
flower's
where-e'er
it
grows
Neglect the prickles, and aflume the
rofe.
XIII.
What
I
have faid hitherto on this
fubject, relating to
books and reading, muft
be chiefly underwood of that
fort
of books,
and thofe hours of our reading and ftudy,
whereby we delign
tual
powers of
mora'l or divine
treatifes
enforce
is
which
to
improve the intellec-
mind with natural,
knowledge. As for thofe
the
are written
and perfuade
to direct or
our practice,
one thing further necerTary
that
when our
conferences
;
there
and that
are
to
is,
convinced
that
AND READING.
89
that thefe rules of prudence or duty belong
to us, and require our
we mould
conformity to them,
then call ourfelves to account,
we have put
no; we mould dwell
and enquire ferioufly whether
them
upon
practice or
in
the arguments, and imprefs the motives
and methods of perfuafion upon our
hearts,
them
we
till
feel
own
the force and power of
inclining us to the practice of the
things which are there recommended.
If folly or vice be reprefented in
colours, or
its
open
fecret difguifes, let us fearch
our hearts, and review our
how
its
lives,
and en-
we are criminal 3 nor mould
we ever think we have done with the treatife till we feel ourfelves in forrow for our
quire
far
-
paft mifcondudt,
and afpiring
tory over thofe vices, or
of thofe
our
follies,
to be
we
a vic-
find a cure
wrought upon
fouls.
In
all
our ftudies and purfuits of
ledge, let us
fin
begun
till
after
remember
know-
that virtue and vice,
and holinefs, and the conformation of
our hearts and
lives to the duties
of true re-
ligion and morality, are things of far
more
confer
OF BOOKS
90
confequence than
all
the furniture of our
underftanding, and the
more
knowledge
fpeculative
caufe they have a
;
and that be*
more immediate and
upon our
tual influence
treafures of
richeff.
effec-
eternal felicity or
eternal forrow,
XIV. There
of which
thing while
and thefe
proper I fhould fay fome-
is
it
I
yet another fort of books,
is
am
treating
are, hiftory,
on
of thefe
I
;
among which
common pam-
-,
alfo little
news-papers,
phlets,
many
reckon
fubjecl:
poefy, travels, books
of diverfion or amufement
we may
this
fuch
or
:
for
confefs once reading
may
be fufUcient, where there
is
like
a tolerable
good
memory.
Or when
and
one
feveral perfons are in
reads
writings, once
to
the
hearing
reft
company,
fuch
may be
fort
of
fufficient,
provided that every one be fo attentive, and
fo free as
on fuch
to
make
their occafional
lines or fentences,
remarks
fuch periods or
paragraphs, as in their opinion deferve
Now
all
it.
thofe paragraphs or fentiments de-
serve a remark,
which
are
new and uncommon,
AND READING,
mon,
and excellent for the matter
are noble
of them,
and convincing
ftrong
are
9I
for
the argument contained in them, are beau-
and elegant for the language or the
tiful
manner, or any way worthy of a fecond rehearial
and
;
company
the requeft of any of the
at
let thofe
paragraphs be read over
again.
Such
happen
falfe
parts alfo
be remarkably
to
or
ftupid
as
or
may
filly,
mould become fubjects
criticifm, made by fome
mistaken,
of an occafional
of the company
cafion to
of thefe writings
the
;
and this may give ocof them for the
repetition
confirmation of the cenfure, for amufement
or diverlion.
Still
let it
be remembered, that where
the hiftorical narration
moment, where
ihine with
the
flitisfy a
oratory,
&c.
fome degrees of perfection and
mind
fort of writings
lefl
of confiderable
poeiy,
glory, a fingle reading
to
is
is
neither furBcient
that has a true tafte of this
;
nor can
we make
the ful-
and beft improvement of them without
proper
•
OF BOOKS
92
proper reviews, and that in our retirement
as well as
in
Who
company.
is
there that
has any gout for polite writings that would
be fufliciently
with hearing the
fatisfied
pages of Steele or Addifon, the
beautiful
admirable defcriptions of Virgil or Milton,
or fome of the
fineff.
or Dryden, once
poems of Pope, Young
over to them,
read
then lay them by for ever
XV. Among
and
?
thefe writings of the latter
kind we may juftly reckon fhort mifcellaneous
as
e flays
on
all
manner of
fubjedls
;
fuch
Occafional papers, the Tatlers, the
the
Spectators, and
fome other books
been compiled out of the
products
of the
tained a great
prefs,
that have
w eekly
T
or daily
wherein are con-
number of bright thoughts,
ingenious remarks, and admirable obfervations,
which have had
a confiderable (hare
in furnifhing the prefent age with
know-
ledge and politenefs.
I
wish
every paper
among
thefe writings
could have b~en recommended both
nocent and uftful.
idea and
I
as in-
wifh every unfecmly
wanton expreffion had bejn banilhed
AND READING.
9$
trifling
cd from amongfl: them, and every
page had been excluded from the company
of the
in
they had been bound
when
reft
volumes
:
but
it is
up
not to be expected,
imperfea a ftate, that Qv&ry page or
piece of fuch mixed public papers mould
Yet in
be entirely blamelefs and laudable.
in
fo
the main
much
it
mud
be confefTed, there
virtue, prudence, ingenuity and
Co
is
gobd-
them, efpecially in eight volumes
of Spedators, there is fuch a reverence of
things ficred, fo many valuable remarks
nefs
in
for our conduct in
improper
to
lie
in
life,
are not
that they
parlours,
or
fummer-
houfes, or places of ufual refidence, to en-
moments of
There
occur.
any
tertain
our thoughts in
leifure,
or vacant hours that
fuch a difcovery of the follies, iniquities
and fafhionable vices of mankind contained
is
in
them, that we may learn
humours and madneffes of
public world,
ment,
vicious
in
our
own
much
of the
the age and the
folitary retire-
without the danger of frequenting
company,
or receiving the mortal
infection,
.
XVI.
./
Among
;
OF BOOKS
94
Among
XVI.
other
books which are
proper and requifite, in order to improve
our knowledge
in
general, or our acquain-
tance with any particular fcience,
we mould
that
cefTary
and
Vocabularies
forts,
phrafes,
of
ufe
feveral
words, idioms and
to explain their fenfe
words or the terms of
their
in
arts
ne-
is
be furnimed with
Dictionaries
common
in order
technical
fhew
of
viz.
it
and
:
art,
fciences
;
of
to
of
names of men, countries, towns, rivers,
&c. which are called hiftorical and geographical Dictionaries, &c.
Thefe are to be
confulted and
and never
let
an
upon every occafion
ufed
unknown word
reading without feeking for
meaning
in
fupply the want of them
by confulting fuch
is
fenfe
its
and
fome of thefe writers.
If fuch books are not
it
your
pafs in
as
ufeful to note
at
hand, you muffc
as well as
you can,
can inform you
down
the
:
and
matters of
doubt and enquiry in fome pocket-book,
and take the
firfl
refolved, either
opportunity to get them
by perfons or books, when
we meet with them.
XVII. Be
AND HEADING
95
XVII. Be not fatisiied with
knowledge of the befl authors that
any
fubjecl:,
There
is
many
a
of enlarging his
mere
treat
of
of acquainting your-
inftead
thoroughly with
felves
a
the
fubjecl;' itfelf.
young ftudent that is fond
knowledge of books, and
he contents himfelf with the notice he has of
their title-page,
which
rather
perfons
under a
praclife thefe
two
Such
than a fcholar.
a bookfeller
are
the attainment of
is
great
follies,
temptation to
To
(i.)
number of books at
pence than moil of them can
a great
heap up
a greater
bear,
ex-
and to
their libraries infinitely better than
furnifh
their underftanding.
And
(2.)
when they
have gotten fuch rich treafures of knowledge
upon
men
their fhelves, they imagine themfelves
of learning, and take
a pride in talking
of the names of famous authors, and the fub-
which they treat, without any real
improvement of their own minds in true
fcience or wifdom.
At befl their learning
reaches no farther than the indexes and
jecls of
tables
how
ters
to
of contents,
while they
know
not
judge or reafon concerning the mat-
contained in thofe authors.
And
O F
96
And
B O O
K
S,
&C.
how many volumes of learnman pofTeffes, he is itill deplo-
indeed
ing foever a
rably poor in his underftanding,
made
till
he has
thefe feveral parts of learning his
property
by
reading
and
reafoning,
own
by
judging for himfelf, and remembering what
he has
read.
CHAP.
97
(
)
CHAP.
V.
JUDGMENT OF BOOKS.
I.
TF
we would form
a
judgment of
book which we have not
the
thing that offers
firft
and
of
defign
a
feen before,
the title-page,
is
and we may fometimes guefs a
import
a
little at
the
thereby;
book
muft be confeft that titles are
often deceitful, and promife more than the
book performs. The author's name, if it
though
it
known
be
may
the world,
in
conjecture at the performance a
and lead us
A
done.
further
affifl
I
before
recommended)
we have
read over the
the
titles
peruie
tions,
it is
it
may-
if
there be
will
give us
our judgment; and
fbme advancing
If
more,
perufal of the preface or introduc-
an index of the contents,
fiill
little
guefs in what manner
to
(which
tion
help us to
light.
not leifure or inclination to
book
itfelf regularly,
of chapters
feveral
we may
particular
and obferve
then by
be directed to
chapters
or
lec-
whether there be any
H
*
thing
THE JUDGMENT
9%
We
thing valuable or important in them.
find
fhall
hereby whether the author ex-
plains his ideas clearly,
whether he reafons
whether he methodizes well, whe-
ftrongly,
ther his thought and fenfe be
manly and
manner polite ; or on the other hand,
whether he be obfcure, weak, trifling and
his
confufed
;
or finally, whether the matter
may
not be folid and fubftantial, though the ftyle
and manner be rude and difagreeable.
II.
ters
By
having run through feveral chap-
and feclions in this manner, we
generally
worth
a
judge whether
the
complete perufal or no.
may
treatife
be
But
by
if
fuch an occalional furvey of fome chapters
our expectation be utterly difcouraged,
may
well lay afide that book
;
we
for there is
great probability he can but be an indifferent
writer on that fubjecl, if he affords but one
prize to divers blanks, and
downright blots
The
too.
ly be valuable if in {even or
which we perufe
evidence,
it
piece can hard-
eight chapters
there be but
force of
reafoning,
ingenuity of 'thought,
&c.
may be fome
little
truth,
beauty
and
mingled with
much
error,
nefs,
mean and common thoughts, inac-
ignorance, impertinence, dul-
curacy,
OF HOOKS,
95
curacy, fophirtry, railing, &c.
and time
fhort,
new book
every
that
it is
too
precious,
too
is
to
read
quite over in order to find
not worth the reading.
There
III.
is
Life
are
fome general miitakes
which perfons are frequently guilty of in
paffing a judgment on the books which
they read.
One
is
when
well, we
this
but tolerably
a treatife is written
;
are
favourable judgment of
exalt
its
it,
and fometimes to
character far beyond
agree with our
own
its
On
merit, if
it
and lupport
principles,
the opinions of our party.
if the
ready to pafs a
the other hand,
author be of different fentiments, and
we
can
find
neither wit nor reafon, good fenfe, nor
good
efpoufe
contrary principles,
language in
it
whereas, alas
;
!
if
our opi-
nions of things were certain and infallible
truth, yet a
in
filly
author
may draw
the defence of them,
and he
his pen,
may
at-
tack even grofs errors with feeble and ridi-
culous arguments.
Truth
in this
world
is
not always attended and fupported by the
wifeft and fafeft
methods
H
7.
;
and error, though
it
THE -JUDGMENT
100
it
can never be maintained by juft reafoning,
yet
may
An
ingenious writer
may put
own
miftakes.
be artfully Covered and defended.
upon
lours
nians,
his
who deny
the
Some
Soci-
Atonement of ChrinV
have written well, and with
ance of argument for their
tural
excellent co-
much appearown unfcrip-
fentiments; and fome writers for the
Trinity and Satisfaction of Chrift, have expoied themfelves and the facred doctrine by
their feeble and fooliili
Books
it.
manner of handling
are never to be
judged of merely
by their fubject, or the opinion they reprefent,
but by the juftnefs of their fentiment,
the beauty.
their
'of
manner,
their exprefiion, or the
the force of
flrength of reafon,
and the weight of juft and proper argument which appears in them.
But
this folly
and weaknefs of
inflead of arguing, does not
trifling,
happen
only to the {hare of Chriftian writers
are
fome who have taken the pen
to
fupport the
Deifiical
or
to fall
5
in
there
hand
Antichriftian
icheme of cur days, who make big pretences to reafon upon all occafions, but
feem to have
left it all
behind them
when
they
'
.
OF BOOKS.
they are jetting with the Bible,
ning
which we
the books
at
Some of
thought
not affaulted
;
and grin-
i
facred.
call
performances would fcarce
thefe
have been
10 1
the
they had
tolerable, if
Chriftian
though
faith,
now grown up to a place'amongtt
admired pens.
I much queftion whe-
they are
the
Cha-
ther feveral of the rhapfodies called the
racter i flicks
firft
would ever have furvived-the
edition,
ftrong
they had not difcovered fdl
if
tincture of infidelity,
a
and
now and
then can; out a profane fneer at our holy
religion*
how
ready to wonder
fo
readers
]y they
that
mud
much
are
form.
few books
from thefe
amongft them
literature,
fo
Sure-
fenfe.
and
may
write as
plebeian rank, and
trifle
fchool-man, though
it is
I
am
that
forced to fay, there
ever
made any pretences to a
which I derived fo little
as
obtain
ever
patrician
a
as an old
in another
been
be confcious in the perufal,
man of
a
indeed
book, in the main
amongft men of
fometimes
idly as
a
mould
loofely written,
many
as
fometimes
have
I
treatifes.
I
read,
great genius,
H
from
valuable knowledge
There
a lively pertnefs,
much
which
is
indeed
a parade or
of what fome folks
3
now-
THE JUDGMENT
X02
now-a-days
that
we
politenefs
call
;
but
hard
is
it
fhould be bound to admire
the
all
under the penalty of
reveries of this author
being unfafhionable.
Another
IV.
fons
fall
into
is
miftake which fome per-
this
when
:
they read a trea-
on a fubject with which they have but
tife
little
thing
acquaintance, they find almoft every
new and
ftrange to
them
;
un-
their
im-
derstandings are greatly entertained and
proved by the occurrence of
which were unknown
admire the
at
once
5
treatife,
whereas
a good degree of
to
and
if
many
them before
commend
things
;
they
the author
they had but attained
{kill
in that fcience, per-
haps they would find that the author had
written very poorly, that neither his fenfe
nor his method was juft and proper, and
that he had nothing in
very
common
him but what was
or trivial in his difcourfes
on
that fubjec~t.
Hence
Faber,
it
comes
who were
to pafs that Carlo
and
both bred up to labour,
and unacquainted with the fciences, mall
admire one of the weekly papers, or a
little
pamphlet
pamphlet that
K
B O O
O P
talks pertly
S,
103
on fome
critical
or learned theme, becaufe the matter
ftrange and
new
to
and for the
;
fame reafon a young academic
fhall
thor
dwell
(hall
a Journal or an Obfervator that treats
of trade and politics in a
and
all
them, and they join to
extol the writer to the ikies
upon
is
:
dictatorial
ftyle,
be lavifh in the praife of the au-
while
at the
fame time perfons well
fkilled in thofe different fubjects, hear the
impertinent
tattle
with a juft
contempt;
for they
know how weak and awkward
many of
thofe little diminutive difcourfes
are; and that thofe very papers of fcience,
politics, or trade,
which were
mired by the ignorant,
very
be
mean performances
alfo confeft there are
are,
;
fo
much
but
perhaps,
though
it
mull
fome excellent
fays in thofe papers, and that
ad-
ef-
upon fcience
as well as trade.
V. But there is a danger of miftake in
our judgment of books, on the other hand
alfo
:
for
when we have made
ourfelves
matters of any particular theme of
ledge, and furveyed
is
it
long on
know-
all fides,
there
perhaps fcarce any writer on that fubjedl
H
4
who
THE JUDGMENT
104
who much
entertains and pleafes us after-
we
wards,
becaufe
new
him; and
in
find
little
yet in a true
nothing
or
judgment,
perhaps his fentiments are mod: proper and
juft, his explication clear,
ftrong, and
all
and
'his
reafoning
the parts of the difcourfe are
well connected and
in a
fet
happy light;
but we knew moft of thofe things before,
and therefore they
in danger of
Thus
fr.rike
us not, and
we
are
difcommending them.
the learned and the unlearned have
their feveral diftinct. dangers and prejudices
ready to attend them in their judgment of
Thefe which
the writings of men.
mentioned
are a
I
have
fpecimen of them, and in-
deed but a mere fpecimen; for the prejuthat
dices
warp our judgment
afide
from
truth are almoh: infinite and endlefs.
VI.
Yet
I
cannot forbear to point out
more of
two
or three
may
attempt fomething toward the correc-
tion of them, or at
againfl
thefe follies, that
I
kail to guard others
them.
There
OFBOOKS.
There
fome perfons of
are
who
termeddle with
all
fond to in-
appearances
of know-
ledge, will give their
foon
as the title
forward
a
are
and lively temper, and
as
I05
judgment on
of
it
a
book
mentioned, for
is
they would not wittingly feem ignorant of
And efpeciany thing that others know.
ally if they happen to have any fuperior
character or pofTeflions of this world, they
fancy they have
a
thing that
every
upon
though
right to talk freely
or appears,
ftirs
they have no other pretence to this freedom.
Divito
litulus
worth forty thoufand pounds; Po-
is
a fine
is
mining things of
in all the
page
young gentleman who
Aulinus
;
is
of date,
minifter
read
dull (luff
fo
at
almofl
court
meet
to
where an excellent book of warm
and refined devotions lay
What
attendant on a
Thefe three happened
every day.
in a vifit,
is
and equi-
drefs
a fmall
and
fparkles
much
life,
nor would
fuch
treatifes.
is
here
?
in
laid
the
Divito
window.
;
I
never
nonfenfe in one page in
I
give a (hilling for
a
my
thoufand
Aulinus, though a courtier
and not uied to fpeak roughly, yet would not
allow there was
a line
of good fenfe in the
book, and pronounced him a
madman
that
wrote
THE
106
wrote
it
clared
him
his
in
D G
J
character,
T
N
that published
a fool
and de-
it
after his
more manners than
from men of fuch
to differ
a
rank and
and therefore he fneered
devout exprefiions
fccrn and
treatife
matter of
a
and vet
ridicule:
the
at
he heard them read,
as
and made the divine
known
E
fecrct retirement,
Politulus had
death.
M
it
was well
that neither this fine gentleman, nor
man
the courtier, nor the
a grain of devotion in
of wealth, had
them beyond
their
horfes that waited at the doer with their
gilded chariots.
world
:
blind
But
men
this
is
the
way of the
will talk of the beauty
of colours, and of the harmony or difpropcrtion
of figures
painting
in
;
the
deaf
will
prate of difcords in mufic, and thofe
who
have nothing to do with religion will
bed
arraign the
treatile
though they do not
on divine fubjecls,
underfland
language cf the fcripture, nor the
the
very
common
terms or phraies ufed in Chriftianity.
VII.
I
might here
of judges,
who
name another
will let themfelves
fort
up
to
decide in favour of an author, or will pro-
nounce him
a
mere blunderer, according to
th?
OF BOOKS.
IO7
company they have kept, and the judgment they have heard part upon a bock by
the
own ftamp
others of their
have
they
no knowledge or
themfelves.
fubject
or fize, though
of
tafte
Thefe with
a
the:
fluent
become mere echo's
of the praifes or cenfures of other men.
Sonillus happened to be in the room where
and voluble tongue,
gentlemen juft mentioned gave
the three
out their thoughts fo freely upon an admirable book of devotion
and two days
:
afterwards he met with fome friends of his
where
this
book was the fubject of conver-
fation and praife.
dulnefs,
Sonillus wondered at their
and repeated the
jefts
which he
upon the weaknefs of the
author.
His knowledge of the book and
his deciiion upon it was all from hearfay,
had heard
for
read
to
caft
he had never feen
it
it:
and
if
he had
through, he had no manner of right
judge about the things of religion, hav-
ing no more knowledge, nor
tafte
of any
thing of inward piety, than a hedge-hog or a
bear has of politenefs.
When
JProbus,
I
had written
who knew
all
thefe
the
remarks,
four gentle-
men,
THE JUDGMENT
108
men, wifhed they might have an opportunity to
read
own
their
Alas
reprefented here.
would do them very
may guard
there
is
fear
it
good, though
it
Probus,
!
little
I
:
for
never a one of them would find
is
read them,
in
though
thefe characters if they
and
fee
acquaintance
their
all
would acknowledge the
ately,
it
others againft their folly
own name
their
character as
features
immedi-
the perfons almofl alive in the
picture.
There
VIII,
which
principle
fons in
pamng
of others,
is
yet another mifchievous
prevails
judgment on the writings
and that is, when from the fee ret
a valuable
tempt upon
found
a
book,
and throw conand
:
reafon of their
they will
fure,
pride or envy, they
by wholefale
it
them the
aik
per-
a
itimulations of vanity,
defpife
among feme
tell
if
you
fevere cen-
you perhaps, they have
miftake or two in
it,
or there are
a few fentiments or expreffions not fuited
to their tooth and
down
humour.
Bavius cries
an admirable treatife of philofophy,
and
fays there
are
a
is
atheifm in
it,
becaufe there
few fentences that feem to fuppofc
brutes
:
,
OF BOOKS.
brutes to be mere machines.
Momus
influence,
fome
and heavy
flat
Under the fame
will not allow
Loft to be a good poem,
read
IO9
Paradife
becaufe he had
lines
in
it,
and he
much honour done
paltry humour that inclines
at any human performance,
thought Milton had too
him.
a
It
man
is
a
to rail
becaufe
it is
not abfolutely perfect.
would give us
Sunt
a better
Horace
example.
delicla quibus nos ignovijje velimus,
Nam
quam
neque chorda fonum reddit
mantis
vult
& mens,
Necfemperferiet quodcunquc minabitur arcus:
Atqueubipluranitent
Offendar macidis,
in carmine,
qitas
Aut butnana parum
nonego pauci's
aut incuria fudit
cavit natura.
Hor. de Art. Poet.
Thus
Be
Englifhed.
not too rigidly cenforious
A firing may jar in the
And
bejl
majler
s
hand,
the mojl Jkilful archer mifs his aim
;
So in a pGem elegantly writ
I will
not quarrel with a J,mall miftake,
Such as our nature 's frailty may
excufc.
roscommon.
This
;
THE JUDGMENT
HO
This
here
I
very honourable opinion of
cite, has a
Homer
whom
noble tranflator of Horace,
in the main, yet
he allows him to be
fome
juftly cenfured for
grofier fpots
and
blemiihes in him.
For who without
averfion ever /ook'd
On
thd by Ho?ner cook'd
holy garbage,
JVhofe railing heroes,
Make fome fufpecJ
Such
and whofe wounded gods
hefiores as well as nods.
wife and juft
made when we
ought
diftinctions
judgment on
mortal things, but Envy condemns by
Envy is a curled plant fome
wholefale.
to be
pafs a
-,
fibres
of
man's
nature,. and
it
fome pcrfons who
wifdom and
works
it
manner,
imperceptible
almoft
rooted
are
and
in
in
a
that
every
ily
even
and
in
men of
They know not how
main
in the
piety.
are
to bear the praifes that are given to
an in-
genious author, efpecially if he be living
and of their profeffion, and therefore they
will, if poflible,
find
writings, that they
it.
They
fome blemifh
may
beil
his
nibble and bark at
will endeavour
honour of the
in
to diminifh
treatife
the
that has been
writ-
OF BOOKS.
written on any fubject,
by
ufelefs
and to render
and the
lie afleep,
little
takes of that author to pafs unexpofed.
haps they will
commend
with a pretended
ral
pafs
many
fo
upon
it
IX.
remarks
mall effectually deftroy
as
praifes *.
in
him, he
Let him think with
it.
how many
whom
are the beauties of
much more
fuch
he cenfures, in compari-
remember
fon of his blemifhes, and
a
in gene-
the following confideration attempt
an author
is
Per-
of candour, but
humour working
the correction of
himfelf
work
mis-
a perfon feels any thing of
this invidious
may by
air
and formal
When
the
and invidious
fly
afterwards
their cold
all
that
find out
to
than faults
true and undifguifed candor
I
grant
when wifdom
performance,
an
in
air
:
it
him: but Envy
credible,
itfelf cenfures a
if the
when
make
it
and yet with
author has any thing valuable
its falfe
has a
bfighteft performances of a
is
weak and foollm
will oftentimes imitate the
able airs, in order to
and
peculiar beauties
will pafs its fevere fentence,
of candour,
it
honourable and good-na-
tured thing
*
it
their cenfures, rather than fuffer
envy to
their
HI
mind
human
cavils
to
fame favour-
appear more jufl
fnarl at
fome of the
writer,
a
much
THE JUDGMENT
112
a
mod) mere
Let him
accufation.
eaiv matter
man
amiable and divine talent than
find a
to
it is
who
authors,
what an
miftake in all hu-
reflect again,
are
fallible
necefTarily
and imperfect.
where
confess
I
himielf
lgs
ibvere:
almcf; deify
upon
(born
ially if
it is
and
Pagan ancients,
and
to
the moderns, ef-
all
the admirers of this
nature and thefe
that
writers always unite them.
made
though
the f.;me,
not
are
rit
know
author ihould
ture never
of
air
they do but favour of miracles
and the gofpel,
ancients
the
all
and
writers
exalt
and dictatorship,
_:.:;.•
up
lets
affumes an
and yet
i-cred,
hi 5
divine
ridicule
to
author
an
lb
me
Reafon and na-
thefe ancient heathens their
ilandard, either of art or genius, of writ-
nig or h
little
eflay
Sir
Hi
Richard
in his
Steele,
the Chriftian Hero, has
called
{hewn our Saviour and
St.
Paul in
a
more
glorious and tranfeendent light than a Virgil
cr
Homer
could do for their Achilles,
UlyfleSj or iEneas
;
and
Moles and Da\:d had
writers, thefe very
I
am
perfuaded, if
not been
infpired
men wculd have rank.^
them
OF BOOKS.
them
11^
with Herodotus and Horace,
at leaft
not given them the fuperior place.
But
if
.
where an author has many
beau--
confident with virtue, piety and truth,
ties
not
let
little
critics
mower down
ftretch
their
nature upon
ill
bounds or
without
meafure;
own powers
their
write a treatife fuperior to
condemn.
This
themlelves, and
e;;alt
the
is
but
of foul
:h:.:
him,
rather
they
til]
which
nobleil and
f
manner of fuppreillng what they cenfu
A
a
wit, or
little
a
good degree of
man
teach a
will
learning,
little
and
vanity
ill
cf remark and reproach upon cue
thor
and
:
fame
this
:
but
make
this
at
and good
a
by
be dreiTeu
who
t!.
loves reproach and fean-
the remarker
if
real
ana made entertaining en
talents,
to the world,
dal
great
a
may
zy
.
pour out whole pages
to
fancied mifrake or
with
attempt,
and
would but
try
to
c
:-.
c:;:e
:
.
:2
the author by writing a better back on the
fame fubject, he would foon be
of his
own
learn
to
infurhciency, and perhaps might
judge more juftly and
I
:
of
THE JUDGMENT
114
A
of the performance of other men.
ihoemaker may find fome
or a
ler
with the latchet of
fault
a
coolittle
fhoe that an
Apelles had painted, and perhaps with juftice too
traiture
the whole figure and pour-
fuch
is
as
none but Apelles could
Every poor low genius may
paint.
at
when
;
what the
performed;
and the nobleft hath
richeft
but
it
cavil
a fign
is
of envy and
malice added to the littlenefs and poverty
of genius,
fufficient
when fuch
reafon
becomes a
a cavil
pronounce
to
gainft a bright author
at
once a-
and a whole valuable
treatife.
X. Another, and that a very frequent
fault in pafling a judgment upon books is
this,
that perfons fpread the fame praifes or
the fame reproaches over a whole treatife,
and
all
the chapters in
it,
which
They judge
only to fome of them.
due
are
as it
were by wholefale, without making a due
diftinction
between the
feveral parts or fec-
tions of the performance
to lead thofe
who
hear
dangerous miftake.
juft
admirer of the
and
this is ready
them
talk, into a
j
Florus
late
is
a
great
Archbifhop
and
of
Cam-
;
OF BOOKS.
thing he
commends
and mightily
Cambray,
IIJ
every
and will allow no
has written,
whereas the writings of
him
excellent man are not all of a piece,
blemim
that
in
:
nor are thofe very books of his, which have
a
good number of beautiful and valuable
fentiments
them,
in
throughout, or
tion.
There
is
all
at
be recommended
to
once without diftinc-
his Demonftration of the
Ex-
igence and Attributes of God, which has
juftly gained
ing
an univerfal efteem, for bring-
down fome new and
noble thoughts of
the Wifdom of the creation to the understand-
ing of the unlearned, and they are fuch as
well deferve
the
man of
of the
perufal
fcience, perhaps as far as the
50th lection
but there are many of the following fections
which are very weakly
of them built upon an
written, and
enthufiaftical
fome
and
miftaken fcheme, akin to the peculiar opinions of Father Malebranche, fuch as Sect.
51, 53.
" That we know
the ideas
" That
the finite only by
of the infinite."
Sect. $$>
the fuperior reafon in
man
is
00.
God
himfelf acting in him." Sect. 6i # 62. u That
the idea of unity cannot be taken from creatures, but
from God only
I 2
:"
and
feveral
of
his
I
THE JUDGMENT
l6
from 6$ to 68, upon the docof liberty, feem to be inconfiftent.
his Se&ions,
trine
Again, toward the end of his book, he fpends
more time and pains than
are needful in re-
moving
changes, which
futing the Epicurean fancy of atoms
eternally through
might be done
infinite
effectually in a
much
fhorter
and better way.
So in his pofthumous
ters,
there
are
and his
efiays,
let-
many admirable thoughts
and experimental religion, and
in practical
very beautiful and divine fentiments in de-
votion
but fometimes in large paragraphs,
;
or in whole chapters together,
in. the clouds of
myftic
you
divinity,
never defcends within the reach of
ideas or
common
find
him
and he
common
fenfe.
i
But remember
but few
this alio, that there are
fuch authors
.who" talks; fo very
yet in other" places
as
this great
man,
weakly fometimes, and
is
fo
much
fuperior to
.the greateil part of writers.
There
'.where,
-are other in fiances
men
of this kind
of good fenfe in the main,
fet
up
:
OFBOOKS.
up
IIJ
many of
for judges, but they carry too
their
paffions
they are in
lovers,
of their
fair idol
upon
incenfe
thought
the
about them,
;
and
rapture
then like
name
the
at
they lavifh out
their
all
that fhrine, and
cannot bear
of
blemim
admitting
a
in
them.
You
mall hear Altifono not only admire
Cafimire of Poland in his lyrics, as the
utmoft purity and perfection of Latin poefy,
but he will allow nothing in him to be extravagant or faulty, and will vindicate every line
:
nor can
I
much wonder
him pronounce Lucan
I have heard
when
at it
the
bell:
of the ancient Latins, and idolize his very weakneiles and miftakes.
I will readily
acknowledge the Odes of Cafimire
more
and
to
fpirit
fire in
and force,
them, and
in
twenty places
ever meet with in any of our
am
afraid to fay that
has dignity enough in
it
have
more magnificence
more dignity and beauty, than
yet I
to
I
arife
could
modern poets
" Paliafutilis e luce'
for a robe
made
for
the Almighty. Lib. 4. Od. 7. 1. 37. or that
the Man of Virtue in Od. 3. 1. 44. «« under
the
ruins of
Heaven and
I
3
earth will bear
up
8
I
;
THE JUDGMENT
1
up the fragments of the
a
world with
falling
comely wound on his moulders."
late ruenti
Subjiciens fua colla ccelo
Yet
Mundum
decora vulnere fulclet
Inter que
cceli fragmina.
I
mufl needs confefs
hardly poflible a
alfo, that it is
man mould
to fo ex-
rife
alted
and fublime a vein of poefy
mire,
who
not in danger
is
fuch extravagancies
:
but
as Cafi-
now and
iiill
then of
they
mould
we pretend
not be admired or defended, if
judgment on the writings of
men.
to pafs a juft
the greateil
Milton
world agrees
radife Loft
noble
to confefs
is
a
mod
rivals the
a
is
it
glorious
and
genius,
;
his
the
poem of Pa-
performance^ and
famous pieces of antiquity
-
y
but that reader muft be deeply prejudiced
in
favour
him
of the poet,
who
equal to himfelf through
can imagine
all
that
work.
Neither the fublime fentiments nor dignity
of numbers,
preflion
are
nor force or beauty of exequally maintained,
3
even
in
a11
OFBOOKS.
all
thofe parts
force
beauty,
confent to
which
119
require grandeur or
or harmony.
Mr, Dryden's
I
opinion, though I
will not ufe his words, that for
of
lines
flatnefs,
together, there
and almoil
that fpirit of poefy
and flames
XI.
cannot but
is
a coldnefs
perfect
a
which
fome fcores
and
abfence
of
breathes, and lives,
in other pages.
When
you hear any perfon pretend-
ing to give his judgment of a book, confider
with yourfelf whether he be a capable judge,
or whether he
happy
may
not
is
a fufficient
his jufteft fentiments
Though
he
under fome un-
bias or prejudice, for or againft
whether he has made
form
lie
he be a
upon
or
enquiry to
it.
man of good
fenfe, yet
uncapable of paffing a true judgment
of a particular book,
if
he be not well ac-
quainted with the fubjed of which
and the manner in which
it
it,
verfe or
profe
j
it is
it treats,
written, be
or if he hath not had an
opportunity or leifure to look fufficiently
into the writing itielf.
I
4.
Again
1
JUDGMENT,
THK
20
Again, though he
judging on
all
&ftf.
be ever fo capable of
know-
other accounts, by the
ledge of the fubject, and of the book
yet
you
are to confider alfo,
itfelf,
whether there
be any thing in the author, in his manner,
his
in
language, in his opinions,
which may warp the fen-
.nicular party,
timents of
or
ill
of the
him
and his
that judgeth, to think well
treatife,
and to pafs too favour-
able or too fevere a fentence concerning
If you find that he
is
it.
either an unfit judge
becaufe of his ignorance, or becaufe of his
judgment of that book mould
nothing. Philographo is a good divine,
'prejudices, his
go
for
an ufeful preacher, and an approved expofitor
of fcripture, but he never had a
taite
for any of the polite learning of the age
he was fond of every thing that appeared
a
devout drefs
him
fine
:
he told
but
j
me
laft
all
verfe
:
in
was alike to
week there was
a
very
book of poems nubhfhed on the three
Hope, and Charity;
and a moil elegant piece of oratory on the
four laft things, Death, Judgment, Heaven,
chriftian graces, Faith,
and Hell.
'
Do
you think
I (hall
buy
either
of thole books merely on Philographo's re-
commendation
?
C
H A P,
121
(
)
CHAP.
VI.
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS AND LECTURES, OF
TEACHERS AND LEARNERS.
I. t
^HERE
h
1
nef rating
judgment,
genius and
and
fafely
His
a tutor.
fary for
all
and the
fo juft
a
bell:
of
fcience fo
even by the
books, without
afiiftance is abfolutely necef-
beginners.
but
pe-
afiiftance
any
fcarce
moil perfons, and
teachers,
,
is
fo fpeedily learned,
nobleft genius
fo
be capable of learning the
as to
There
teachers.
ing
a
few perfons of
and fciences without the
arts
for
are
Books
it is
very ufeful
are a fort of
dumb
they point out the way to learnif
we labour under any doubt
or
miftake, they cannot anfwer fudden queftions, or
culties
:
explain prefent doubts and diffithis
is
properly the
work of
a liv-
ing inftructor.
II.
There
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS
122
II.
There
learning,
to
as
who
are
with fuch univerfal
furnifhed
fufficiently
few tutors
are very
fuftain
all
provinces of inftruction.
the
The
numerous, and many of them
and
parts
fciences are
lie
far
wide
of each other; and it is beft to enjoy the
inftruction of two or three tutors at lead,
whole encycloof fciences, where it may
in order to run through the
paedia, or circle
be obtained
we may
then
;
expect that each
which
will teach the few parts of learning
are
committed to his care in greater perfec-
But where
tion.
this advantage
cannot be
had with convenience, one great man mull:
fupply the place of two or three common
inftructors.
It
III.
is
not fufficient that inftructors be
competently ikilful in thofe fciences which
:
but they mould have
the art or
method of teaching,
they profeis and teach
fkill alio in
and patience in the practice of
It
is
a
great unhappinefs indeed
peribns
by a
intereft,
or
tutors,
it.
who
fpirit
when
of party, or faction, or
by purchafe,
are
fet
up
for
have neither due knowledge
of
BY TEACHERS.
of fcience, nor
And
nication.
with
who
there are others
alas,
and infufficiency
their ignorance
all
way of commu-
the
fkill in
123
have felf-admiration and effrontery enough
up themfelves
to fet
fare
accordingly,
and the poor pupils
;
and grow lean in their
underflandings.
And
let
it
be obferved
there are
alfo,
fome very learned men who know much
themfelves, but have not the talent of
municating their
own knowledge
;
com-
or elfe
they are lazy and will take no pains at
it.
Either they have an obfcure and perplexed
way of
talking, or they
ing ufelefsly, and
make
mew
their
learn-
a long periphrafis
on
every word of the book they explain, or
they cannot condefcend to young beginners,
or they run prefently into the elevated parts
of the fcience, becaufe
it
gives themfelves
greater pleafure, or they are foon angry
and
impatient, and cannot bear with a few
im-
pertinent queftions of a
and fprightly genius
;
young
inquifitive
or elfe they fkim over
a fcience in a very flight and fuperficial fur-
vey, and never lead jheir qifciples into the
depths of
it,
IV.
A
OF
124
IV.
and
I<I
VI NC
A good
He is
mould have
tutor
characters
from
very different
qualifications
thefe.
INSTRUCTIONS
one
filch a
as
all
both can and will
apply himfelf with diligence and concern,
and indefatigable patience to
undertakes
to teach his
-
3
that they learn
5
effect
difciples
to adapt his
what he
and
fee
way and method
may be
to the various difpofi-
tions, as well as to
the capacities of thofe
near as
as
whom
he inftructs, and to inquire often into
their progrefs
And
and improvement.
he mould take particular care of
own temper and conduct, that there
be nothing in him or about him which may
be of ill example ; nothing that may favour
his
of a haughty temper, or a mean and fordid
fpirit
;
nothing that
averfion or to the
may
expofe
him
to the
contempt of his fcholars,
or create a prejudice in their minds againft
him and his
mould have
inftructions
fo
much
:
as
if poflible
he
of a natural candor
and fweetnefs mixt with
ments of learning,
but
all
the improve-
might convey know-
ledge into the minds of his difciples with
a
fort
of gentle infinuation and fovereign
delight, and
may tempt them
into the higheic.
im-
BY TEACHERS.
improvements of
and infenfible
reafon
their'
But
force.
125
by
I
a refiftlefs
have
fhall
more on this fubject, when I
fpeak more directly of the methods
occafion to fay
come
to
of the communication of knowledge.
The
V.
learner
stancy and care on
tutor
and
;
unavoidably
to retrieve
if
review
all
the instructions of his
at
the lofs by double induftry for
He
his
fubject, confer
fhould always recollect
lectures,
read
authors
upon
it
over
fome
Upon the
fame
with his inftructor,
or with his aflbciates, and write
cleared
refult
reafonings
of
his ..p-refent
and inquiries,
have recourfe
to:
amine them and
ufe,
any time
he muit endeavour
hindered,
author or
other
attend with con-
he happens to be
time to come.
and
mould
down
the
thoughts,
which he may
hereafter, either to re-exto apply
or to improve
them
them
to proper
farther to his
own
advantage.
VI.
A student mould never fatisfy him-
with bare attendance on the lectures
of his tutor, unlefs he clearly takes up his
felf
fenfe
and
meaning,
and
understands
the
things
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS
126
things which he teaches.
A
young
difciple
fhould behave himfelf fo well, as to gain the
and the ear of his
affection
that
inftrucTior,
upon every occafion he may with the utmoft
freedom afk queftions,
own
and talk over his
fentiments, his doubts and difficulties
with him, and in
humble and modeft man-
a
ner defire the folution of them.
Let
VII.
the
learner
-endeavour
to
maintain an honourable opinion of his in-
and needfully
itructor,
tions,
as
to his inftruc-
one willing to be led by
experienced guide
bound
liften
to fall in
:
and though he
-as
to refolve
prefume
it
a
an
is-
not
upon
comply with
a jufl confideration
of the matter, and try and examine
roughly with
more
with every fentiment of
his tutor, yet he fhould fo far
him,
a
him
tho-
before he
honefl heart,
to determine againft:
it
:
and then
mould be done with great fnodefty, with
humble jealoufy of himfelf, and apparent
unwillingnefs to differ from his tutor, if the
force of argument and
strain
truth did not con-
him.
VIII. It
BY TEACHERS.
VIII. It
is
a frequent
in our age, that pert
12^
and growing folly
young
difciples
ibon
who
teach
fancy themfelves wifer than thofe
them
the
at
:
firft
view,
or
upon
a
very
thought, they can difcern the infig-
little
weaknefs and miftake of what
nificancy,
teacher
their
The youth
afferts.
of our
day by an early petulancy, and pretended
liberty of thinking for themfelves, dare reject at once,
thofe
all
fentiments
teachers
their
after
and that with a
have
fort
of fcorn,
which
and doctrines
determined,
perhaps
long and repeated coniideration, after
years of mature ftudy, careful obfervation,
and
much
IX. It
prudent experience.
is
teachers and matters are
true,
not infallible, nor are they always in the
right
a
and
;
it
mull be acknowledged,
matter of fome
minds
difficulty for
to maintain a juit
it
is
younger
and folemn venera-
tion for the authority and advice of their
parents and the initructions of their tutors,
and yet
at the
felves a juft
We
their
fame time to fecure to them-
freedom in their
own
are fometimes too ready to
fentiments
without
thoughts.
imbibe
all
examination,
if
we
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS, &C.
128
we
reverence and
love
them;, or, on the
we take all freedom to conteft
opinions, we are fometimes tempted
other hand, if
their,
to
caft-
off that love
perfens,
Youth
is
and reverence
to their
which God and nature
dictate.
ever in danger of thefe
two ex-
tremes.
But
X.
thus
;
I
think I
may
fafely
though the authority of
conclude
teacher
a
muft not abfolutely determine the judgment
of his pupil, yet young and raw and unexperienced
learners
mould pay
proper
all
deference that can be to the inftructions of
their parents
and teachers, fhort of abfo-
lute fubmiffion
we mud
to their dictates.
maintain
this,
that
Yet
they
ftill
mould
never receive any opinion into their aifent,
whether
the
it
tutor's
dence of
be conformable or contrary to
mind,
it fir ft
without
given to their
fufficient
own
evi-
reafoning
powers.
CHAP.
;
(
C
OF
THE
firft
that
is,
H A
)
VII.
JJ.
LEARNING
author,
tutor
"9
A LANGUAGE.
thing required in reading an
or in hearing
of a
lectures
vou well underftand the Ian-
guage in which they write or fpeak.
Living
languages, or fuch as are the native tongue
of any nation in the prefent age, are more
eafily learnt and taught by a few rules, and
much
familiar converfe, joined to the read-
ing fome proper authors.
The dead
are fuch as ceafe to be fpoken in
languages
any nation
and even thefe are more eafy to be taught
may
(as far as
be) in that
living languages are
by
it
learnt,
partly
i. e.
and partly by rote or cuftom.
And
not be improper in this place to
men-
rule,
may
beft:
method wherein
tion a very few directions for that purpofe.
I.
Begin with
the
moft neceflary and
moft general obfervations and rules which
K
belong
LEARNING
OF
I30
belong to that language, compiled in the
form of
grammar; and
a
The
in moft languages.
thefe are but
few
regular declenfions
and variation of nouns and verbs mould be
early and thoroughly learnt by heart, together with twenty or thirty of the plaineft
and
moil: neceflary rules
But
let
of fyntax.
be obferved, that in almoil
it
languages fome of the very commonefl
all
nouns and verbs have many
in
them
verbs
fuch are
;
—to
and to have
be,
done,
&c.
latives
of
the
The
common
—
auxiliary
to do, and to be
comparatives and fuper-
words
the
irregularities
—good,
bad,
great,
much, little, &c. and thefe mould
be learnt among the firfl rules and varia-
fmall,
tions, becauie they continually occur.
But
as
to
other words
which
are lefs
frequent, let but few of the anomalies or
irregularities of the
tongue be taught among
the general rules to young beginners.
will
come
in afterwards to be learnt
Thefe
by ad-
vanced fcholars in a way of notes on the
rules, as in
the Latin
grammar
called
the
Oxford Grammar, or in Ruddiman's notes
7
on
A
on
bis
learnt
L
A N G UA G
I3I
E.
Or they may be
by examples alone, when they do
rudiments,
&c.
occur; or by a larger and more complete
fyftem of grammar, which defcends to the
more
particular forms of fpeech
So the
:
heteroclite nouns of the Latin tongue,
are
which
taught in the fchool-book called Qucz
Genus, mould not be touched in the
firft
learning of the rudiments of the tongue.
As
grammar by which you learn
any tongue mould be very fhort at firft,
fo it mult be written in a tongue with
which you are well acquainted, and which
II.
is
the
Therefore
very familiar to you.
prefer even the
common
(as it is called) to
I
much
Engliili Accidence
any grammar whatfoever
The
written in Latin for this end.
Englifh
Accidence has doubtlefs many faults: but
thole editions of
it
which were printed
the year 1728, under
the correction of a
learned profeflbr, are the beft
lifh
fince
;
or the
Eng-
rudiments of the Latin tongue by that
learned
North Briton Mr. Ruddiman, which
are
perhaps
this
kind
I
the
am
ally becaufe I
moil
ufeful
acquainted with
books
j
would not depart too
K
2
of
efpecifar
from
the
L E
O F
132
the ancient and
which
feveral
A
R N
common
I
I^G
forms of teaching,
good grammarians have done,
to the great detriment of fuch lads as have
been removed to other fchools.
The
and unreafonable method
tirefome
of learning the Latin tongue by a grammar
with Latin
rules,
thofe mailers
who
would appear even
teach
it
fo,
to
in its proper
colours of abfurdity and ridicule, if thofe
very mailers would attempt to
learn
the
Chinefe or Arabic tongue, by a grammar
written in the Chinefe or Arabic language.
Mr.
Clark, of Hull, has faid enough in a
few pages of the preface
mar 1723,
irrational
it
in
fo
to
make
new gram-
that practice appear very
and improper
warm and
to his
though he has
;
angry a manner, that
Mr. Ruddiman to write
him, and to fay what can be faid to
has kindled
cate a practice,
faid
which,
think,
I
is
it
againft
vindiutterly
indefenfible.
III.
At
the rules, begin alfo the
inftance,
when you begin
practice.
As for
the fame time,
when you
decline mufa, nutfce, read
and conftrue the fame day fome "eafy Latin
author,
LANGUAGE.
A
by the help of
author,
fome
Engliili
book whofe
ftile is
of difcourfe
not hard to
be
choofe.fuch
:
many
understood .;
mus's
men
wife
this view,
of
the fayings
writings,
little
of Greece, Cato's moral
which
little
fome of Eraf-
Colloquies,
Corderi.us's
and
obvious,
plain,
books have been compofed. with
as
a
fimple, and the fubjecl:
very
is
with
tutor, or
a
tranflation
I33
the
di-ftichs,
and the
reft
of Mr.
Ruddiman's Englim grammar; or
the
Teftament of
Latin
which
lation,
Thefe
&c.
Fables, and
Caftellio's
•
upon
are very proper
end
tranf-
oc-
this
with iE fop's and Phaedrus's
little
affairs
common
and the
ftories,
of domertic
But
Latin tongue.
in the
the
accounted the pureft Latin,
is
cafion, together
and daily
collected at
are
written
life,
let
the higher
poets, and orators, and hiftqrians, and other
writers,
whofe .language
and whofe fenfe
mon
life,
is
is
more laboured,
more remote- from com-
be rather kept out of fight,
there be fome proficiency
made
till
the lan-
in
guage.
•-•
:
.
It
is
ftrunge
tiiat.
matters
.
mould
•
teach
children fo early Tally's Epiftles, or Ora-
K
3
tions,
LEARNING
OF
134
tions, or the
poems of Ovid
or Virgil,
whofe
fenfe is often difficult to find, becaufe of the
great tranfpofition of the
found the
they have
they have very
little
words
;
and when
grammatical
ufe of
fenfe,
becaufe they
it,
have fcarce any notion of the ideas and defign of the writer,
being fo remote from
it
the knowledge of a child
common
flories
whereas
:
and colloquies,
rules of a child's behaviour,
vious fubje&s, will
memory
much
little
the
and
and fuch ob-
better
affift
the
of the words by their acquaintance
with the things.
IV.
Here
it
may be
ufeful alfo to ap-
point the learner to get by heart the more
common
and ufeful words, both nouns and
adjectives,
pronouns and verbs, out of fome
well formed and judicious vocabulary. This
will furnifh
him with names
for the
moft
familiar ideas.
V. As foon
let
the
tutor
tongue which
as ever the learner is capable,
converfe
is
to
with him in the
be learned,
living language, or if
it
if it
be a
be Latin, which
is
the living language of the learned world:
Thus
LANGUAGE.
A
Thus he
by
it
1
will acquaint himfelf a little
rote, as well as
For
ther-tongue,
I
and by living
rule,
of two years
if a child
method
old by this
with
by reading the writings
practice, as well as
of the dead.
by
35
learns
am
momethod
to fpeak his
fure the fame,
will greatly amft and facilitate
of any other language
the learning
who
to thofe
are
older.
VI.
Let
exercifes
learnt,
the chief leflbns and the chief
of fchools, v.
(at Ieair.
the
for
where Latin
c.
firft
is
year or more)
be the nouns, verbs, and general rules of
fyntax, together with a mere tranflation out
of fome Latin author into Engliih
fcholars be
;
and
employed and examined by
let
their
teacher daily in reducing the words to their
original or theme, to the
or
of
firit
firft
cafe of
nouns
tenfe of verbs, and giving an account
their formations
and changes, their fyn-
tax and dependencies,
mod
which
ing.
This
boys
into a complete and
is
a
is
called parf-
ufeful exercife to lead
thorough know-
ledge of what they are doing.
K
4.
The
.
LEARNING
OF
I36
The Englim
tranflations,
learner has made,
mould be
which
the
well corrected
by the mafter, and then they mould be
tranflated back again for the next day's
by the child into Latin, while the
Latin author is withheld from him ; but he
fhould have the Latin words given him in
exercife
their
be
firft.
cafe
left to feek
ary
:
and
tenfe
and mould never
;
them himfelf from
and the nearer he
a diction-
tranflates it to the
words of the author whence he derives his
Englim, the more mould the child be com-
Thus he
mended.
languages at once.
'
will gain fkill in
I
think Mr. Clark has
done good fervice to the public by his
lations of Latin
But
every
let
two
books for
trans-
this end.
the foolim cuflom of employing.
filly
boy
to
make themes
or decla-
mations and verfes upon moral fubjects in a
itrange tongue, before he understands
mon
fenfe,
even in his
own
com-
language, be
abandoned and cafhiered for ever.
VII.
As
the learner improves, let
him
acquaint himfelf with the anomalous words,
the irregular declenfions of nouns and verbs,
the
:
LANGUAGE.
A
the
137
more uncommon connexions of words
in fyntax, and the exceptions to the general
rules of
grammar.
duced, as far as
original and
But
1
them
be
all
.re-
thofe feveral
to
poffible,
which he has
general rules,
the proper
learned as
let
rank and
place
to
which they belong.
VIII.
While
.
he
is
doing
this,
.
may
it
be proper for him to converfe with authors
which
are
a
little
hiftorians, orators,
and
with
difficult,
but
let
Roman
or
poets, Sec.
inform him of 'the
tutor
his
more
Greek cuftoms which occur
therein.
Let
the lad then tranflate 'fome parts of
them
into his mother tongue, or into
well
known
again' into
language,: and
the
But
author.
into profe,
original.
-:
let
the
1
fome other
thence
language
verfe be.
for poefy does
.
back
of the
tranflated
not belong to
grammar.
IX.
By
this
time he.wlll'be able to ac-
quaint himfelf with fome of the fpecial
phafes of
fpeech, and
em-
the peculiar idioms
1
of the tongue.
'
He mould
be taught alfo
the fpecial beauties and ornaments -of the
language
;
LEARNING
OF
I38
language
:
and
this
may be done
the help of authors
and
fuch idioms,
who
by
have collected
them
call:
partly
into an eafy
method, and partly by the judicious remarks
which
inftructOr
his
may make upon
the
authors which he.reads,< wherefoever fuch
of fpeech or fpecial elegancies
peculiarities
occur.
Though
X.
the
is
by
lefTons
from
the labour of learning all
that
heart,
borrowed
are
which they conftrue,
and unneceffary impofition upon
poetical authors,,
an unjuft
the learner, yet he muft take the pains to
memory
commit
to
not
the
all
the moft neceffary, if
common
and fome of the
:
of grammar,
two under each of
with an example or
them
rules
and moft
felecl:
Latin or
uieful periods or fentences in the
Greek
learnt
which
author
by
choicer
fometimes
out
whole
poems, &c.j
of
may
their
epifodes
as well as
may be
reads,
with fome of the
heart, together
lefTons
the lyrics
he
poets
out of
;
and
heroic
whole odes among
defer ve this honour.
XI.
Let
LANGUAGE.
A
Let
XI.
the fenfe as well as
thofe
rules,
leflbns,
they attempt to
39
be always carefully obferv-
the learners
that
cd,
this
1
perfe&ly underftand
language of
the
or paragraphs
commit
which
Let
memory.
to
all
the teacher poffefs them- of their true mean-
become eafy
ing, and then the labour will
and
pleafant
whereas,
:
impofe
to
on
a
child to get by heart a long fcroll of un-
known
phrafes or words, without any ideas
under them,
a cruel
is
a piece
of
ufelefs tyranny,
impofition, and a practice
fitter
for
a jack-daw or a parrot, than for any thing
that wears the fhape of a
XII.
And
occafion given
man.
here, I think, I have
me
full
fair
to confider that queflion
which has been often debated
tion, viz.
a
in converfa-
whether the teaching of
a fchool
of boys to learn Latin by the heathen
Ovid in his Epiftles, and the filly
of his Metamorphofes, Horace, Juand Martial, in their impure odes,
poets, as
fables
venal,
fatires,
and epigrams, &c.
is
fo proper
and
agreeable a practice in a Chriftian country.
XIII. (1.)
-XIII. (i.)
ityle
LEARNING
OF
I4Q
of thofe
native tongue
I
grant
the language and
men who wrote
in their
own
mud: be more pure and perfect
fome nice elegancies and peculiarities,
than modern writers of other nations who
in
have imitated them
;.
and
that the beauties of: their
owned alfo
poefy may much
it
is
excel: but in either of thefe things, boys
cannot be fuppofed to be
.
much improved
or injured by one or the other.
XIV.
modern
(2.)
It mall be
confeft too, that
poets, in every living language, have
brought into their works
epithets,
heathen
many words,
and metaphors, from the
phrafes,
and
fables
fo
(lories
of their
Gods
and heroes, that in order' to underftand thefe
modern
little
Writers,
it
is
of thofe ancient
be anfwered,
fuch a book
that
as the
a
know a
but it may
neceffary to
follies:
good dictionary, or
Pantheon or hiftory of
thofe Gentile deities, Sec.
may
give fuftici-
ent information of thofe ftories, fo far as
they are neceflary
and ufeful
to
fchool-
boys.
XV.
(3.)
LANGUAGE.
A
141
XV. (3.) I will grant yet further, that
lads who are defigned to make great fchclars or divines,
may, by reading thefe hea-
then poets, be taught better to underftand
the writings of the ancient fathers
the Heathen religion
what ridiculous
;
againffc
and they learn here
fooleries the Gentile nations
what
believed as the articles of their faith,
wretched and foul
and praclifed
as duties
of religion, for want
of the divine revelation.
may
indulged
idolatries they
But
this
perhaps
be learnt as well either by the Pan-
theon, or fome other collection, at fchool
or
after
may
them
read
to,
they have
what
left
own
their
-,
they
the fchool,
inclinations lead
and whatfoever of
this
kind
may
be really ufeful for them.
XVI. But
all
the great queftion
thefe advantages
is,
whether
which have been men-
tioned, will compenfate for the long
months
and years that are waited among their incredible
and
and ihameful
defTes
trifling:
ftories
romances,
their falfe
of the Gods and
God-
and their amours, and the lewd heroes
and vicious poets of the Heathen world.
Can
thefe idle and
4
ridiculous
tales
be of
any
LEARNING
OF
142
human
any
real
Do
they not too often defile the mind with
and
folid
advantage in
life ?
?
Do
they not flick long upon the fancy,
and
vain,
leave
Do
mifchievous and impure ideas
an unhappy influence upon youth
they not
folly
tm&ure
the imagination with
and vice very early, and pervert
all that is
?
good and holy
it
from
?
XVII. Upon the whole furvey of things
it is
who
my
learn
fafer to
opinion, that for almoft
this tongue,
it
would be much
be taught Latin poefy
as far as they can
need
it)
us
(as
foon and
from thofe excel-
lent tranflations of David's
are given
boys
all
Pfalms, which
by Buchanan in the various
meafures of Horace
and the lower
;
claiTes
had better read Dr. Johnfton's tranflation
of thefe pfalms, another elegant writer of
the Scots nation, inftead of Ovid's Epiftles;
for
he has turned the fame pfalms perhaps
with greater elegancy
whereof the learned
W.
into
elegiac
verfe,
Benfon, Efq. has
lately publifhed a noble edition,
and
I
hear
that thefe pfalms are honoured with an en-
crealing ufe in
Scotland.
A
the fchools of Holland and
ftanza, or a couplet of thefe
writers,
A
ANG U A
L
G
E.
143
would now and then ftick upon
the minds of youth, and would furnilfo
them infinitely better with pious and moral
writers,
mak-
thoughts, and do fomething towards
ing them good
men and
A little
XVIII.
Chriftians.
book collected from
Bu-
the pfalms of both thefe tranflators,
chanan
and
Chriftian
for fchools
to
Latin poefy
;
them
begin
and
I
their
am
inftructions in
well afTured this
who
never defign a learned pro-
and yet cuftom has foolimly bound
to learn that language.
But
caft
few other
richly fufficient for all thofe in
lower rank,
fefiion,
a
would be of excellent ufe
poets,
would be
and
Johnfton,
mould be thought hard to
Horace and Virgil, Ovid and Juvenal,
left
it
entirely out of the fchools,
and there a few
fatires,
or
lyric
I
add, if here
odes, or
pieces of
fome epifodes of heroic
verfe,
with here and there an epigram of Martial,
all
which
(hall
be clear from the ftains of
vice and impiety, and
the
mind with noble
fancy with bright and
which may
fentiments,
warm
infpire
fire
the
ideas, or teach
leflbns
LEARNING
OF
144-
leffons
and
of morality
prudence,
chofen out of thofe ancient
Roman
were
writers
the ufe of the fchools, and were col-
for
lected and printed in one moderate volume,
two
or
at the
moft,
it
fufricient provifion out
would be abundantly
of the
Roman
for the inftruction of boys in all that
poets
is
ne-
cefTary in that age of life.
Surely
Juvenal himfelf would not have
the face to vindicate the matters
boys his 6 th
fatire,
teach
and many paragraphs of
when he himfelf
feveral others,
who
has charged
us,
Nil
diftu fcedum, vifuque, hcec limina tangat
Intra qua puer
eft.
Sat. 14.
no lewdnefs, nor indecent fpeech,
Th' apartment of the tender youth to reach.
Suffer
Dryden.
Thus
far
in
anfwer to the
foregoing
queftion.
But
Mr. Clark of Hull, in
of education, and Mr. Philips
I retire; for
his treatife
preceptor
LAN
A
preceptor to the
AGE.
G U
I45
Duke of Cumberland, have
given more excellent directions for learning
]
Latin.
XIX.
When
be of any ufe
at all,
forgotten again.
take
all j ufl:
frequently
pity
it is
It is
learnt,
is
it
proper,
if it
mould be
therefore, to
opportunities to read fomething
in
neceftary and
you
lan^uaee
a
that
language,
when
important ftudies
other
will
give
As in learning any tongue,
dictionaries which contain words and phrafes
fliould be always at hand, fo they mould
leave.
be ever kept within reach by perlbns
who
would remember a tongue which they have
Nor mould we at any time conlearnt.
tent ourfelves with
fenfe
or
a
doubtful guefs at the
meaning of any words which oc-
cur, but confult the dictionary,
which may
give us certain information, and thus fecure
us from miftake.
It
mere
is
(loth
which
makes us content ourfelves with uncertain
guefles
;
and indeed this
ufeful for perfons
is
neither fafe nor
who would
guage or fcience, or have
learn any lan-
a defire
to retain
what they have acquired.
L
XX.
When
LEARNING, &C.
XX. When you have learnt one or. many
OF
I46
languages ever fo perfectly,
heed of
take
priding yourfelf in thefe acquifitions
mere
are but
they
:
treasures of words, or inftru-
ments of true and
folid
whofe chief defign
is
knowledge,
to lead us into
and
an ac-
quaintance with things, or to enable us the
more
eafily-
to
convey thofe ideas or that
knowledge toothers.
the various tongues,
relief againft the
An
is
as
Babel,
nothing
elfe
and were
:
I
in
mafter
many languages as were fpoken at
I mould make but a poor pretence
to true learning or knowledge, if I
clear
but a
mifchief which the build-
ing of Babel introduced
of
acquaintance with
and
my
diftincl:
ideas,
and ufeful notions
head under the words which
tongue could pronounce.
a thing
had not
is
human
Yet
fo
my
unhappy
nature, that this fort of
knowledge of founds and
fyllables is ready
up the mind with vanity, more than
the moll valuable and folid improvements of
to puff
it.
The
pride of a grammarian, or a critic,
generally exceeds that of a philofopher.
CHAP.
('H7
)
CHAP.
VIII.
OF ENQUIRING INTO THE SENSE AND MEANING OP
ANY WRITER OR SPEAKER, AND ESPECIALLY THE
SENSE OF THE SACRED WRITINGS.
a
ITfuch
is
great unhappinefs
that there
is
an ambiguity in words and forms
of fpeech, that the fame fentence may be
drawn
it
into different fignifications
comes
to pafs, that
it is
difficult
reader exactly to hit
for the
whereby'
fometimes
upon the
which the writer or fpeaker had
Some
;
in his
ideas
mind.
of the beft rules to direct us herein
are fuch as thefe.
I.
itfelf,
mind
well acquainted with the tongue
Be
or
is
wherein
language
expreft.
the
Learn not only the true
meaning of each word, but the
thofe words obtain
particular
author's
when
which
placed in fuch a
and order.
fituation
fenfe
Acquaint
yourfelf with the peculiar power and
L
2
em-
phalis
KNOWING THE SENSE
OF
I48
phafis of the feveral
the
various
modes of fpeech, and
of
idioms
the
tongue.
The
which cuftom has fuperadded to many words, mould alfo be known,
as well as the particular and primary mean-
fecondary
ideas
ing of them,
if
we would understand any
See Logic, part
writer.
I.
Chap. 4.
§. 3.
1
II.
Consider
the fignification of thofe
words and phrafes, more efpecially
in
the
fame nation, or near the fame age in which
that writer lived, and in
what
fenfe they are
ufed by authors of the fame nation, opinion,
feci, party,
Upon
Sec.
this account,
we mav
terpret feveral phrafes of the
out of that verfion of the
learn to in-
New Teftament
Hebrew
Bible,
into Greek,
which
for though
that verfion be very imperfect:
and defective
to
me
New
many
in
is
called the Septuagint
many
things, yet
it
*
feems
evident, that the holy writers of the
Teftament made ufe of that verfion
times in their citation of texts out of
the Bible.
III.
Com-
OF WRITERS OR SPEAKERS.
Compare
the
kindred words and phrafes ufed
places of the fame author,
nerally called
fometimes
plain
its
in
which
places
parallel
;
other
are
ge-
as
one
and
which
expreffion explains another
fo
49
words and phrafes
one place of an author, with the fame or
III.
in
1
is
like
a contrary expreffion will
contrary.
Remember
Holy
Spirit to be the
agent in the writings of the
ment and
the
Hence the
himfelf.
that fcripture
ture;
New, he
is
ex-
always that
a writer beft interprets himfelf ; and as
believe the
it,
we
fupreme
Old Tefta-
can befl explain
theological rule arifes
the belt interpreter of fcrip-
and therefore concordances, which
(hew us
parallel places, are
of excellent ufe
for interpretation.
IV. Consider the fubject of which the
author
treating,
is
places where he
you may
you
are
and by comparing other
treats
of the fame fubject,
learn his fenfe in the place
reading,
which he
which
though fome of the terms
ufes in thofe
two places may be
very different.
L
3
And
:
KNOWING THE SENSE
OF
I50
And
on the other hand, if the author
ufes the fame words where the fubject of
which he
treats, is
not juft the fame, you
cannot learn his fenfe by comparing thofe
two places, though the mere words may feem
to agree
:
fome authors, when they are
for
treating of a quite different fubjecl:,
may
ufe
perhaps the fame words in a very different
fenfe, as St.
Paul does the words faith, and
law, and righteoufnefs.
V. Observe the fcope and delign of the
inquire into his aim and end in
writer
:
that book, or fe&ion, or paragraph,
particular fentences
will help to explain
for
we
which
fuppofe a wife and judicious writer
directs his expreffions
generally toward his
defigned end.
VI.
jecl
When
an author fpeaks of any fubfenfe
occafionally, let his
ed by thofe places where he
ftinctly
any
and profeffedly
fubjecl:
in
terms, explain
he
treats
are plain
:
be explain-
treats
of
it
di-
where he fpeaks of
myftical
or
them by other
metaphorical
places
where
of the fame fubjecl: in terms that
and
literal
:
where he fpeaks in
an
OF
an
way
ftrictly
where the author fpeaks
:
and particularly on any theme,
more
will explain the
expreffions
it
way,
perfualive
fame theme in a doctrinal or
treats of the
more
151
be explained by other places where
instructive
it
affecting, or
oratorical,
let this
he
WRITERS OR SPEAKERS.
where he
:
:
treats
and general
more
largely,
the fhorter hints and brief
will explain
intimations
loofe
wherefoever
and
more obfcurely,
fearch out
he
writes
fome more per-
fame writer, by
which to determine the fenfe of that ob-
fpicuous
pafTages
the
in
fcurer language.
is
VII. Consider not only the perfon who
introduced fpeaking, but the perfons to
whom
the fpeech
is
ftances of time and
fpirit
and
place,
of the fpeaker,
fpirit
:
in order
there needs
terpret fcripture well,
with
the temper and
well as the temper
as
of the hearers
acquaintance
circum-
directed, the
the
Jewifh
to ina
good
cuftoms,
fome knowledge of the ancient Roman and
Greek times and manners, which fometimes ftrike a Itrange and furprifing light
upon
palTages
which were before very ob-
fcure.
L
4
VIII. hi
KNOWING THE SENSE
OF
I52
VIII. In particular propofitions, the fenfe
known by
of an author may be fometimes
the inferences which he draws from them
and
may
thofe fenfes
all
•>
be excluded which
will not allow of that inference.
Note,
this
in reading
certain
indeed
rule
and interpreting
may
authors, becaufe they
ing their inferences
ture
;
but
fpired writers always
from
their
in
human
miftake in drawexplaining fcrip-
fure rule; ior the facred and in-
is a
it
not always
is
own
make
juft inferences
Yet even in
propofitions.
them, we muft take heed we do not miftake an allufion for an inference,
which
many
the fame
times introduced almofl in
is
manner.
IX.
If
it
be, a matter of controversy,
the true fenfe of the author
known
againil
byit.
fometimes
the objections that are brought
So we may be well
apoille fpeaks againil our
the fight of
is
God by
nefs," in the 3d,
our
"
j
a flu red,
the
unification in
own works of
holi-
4th, and 5th chapters of
Romans, becaufe of the
objection brought again ft him in the beginthe epiftle to the
ning
OF WRITERS OR SPEAKERS.
I
$%
ning of the 6th chapter, (viz.) " What Avail
we fay then ? (hall we continue in fin that
grace raay abound?" which objection could
never have been raifed,
ing our
j
he had been prov-
if
by our
unification
own works
of
righteoufnefs.
X. In matters of difpute, take heed of
warping the fenfe of the writer to your own
opinion, by any latent prejudices of felf-love,
and party-fpirit.
It is
this reigning prin-
ciple of prejudice and party, that has given
fuch
a variety
of fenies both to the facred
which would never have
come into the mind of the reader, if he
writers and others,
had not laboured under fome fuch prepoffeffions.
XI.
the
For
the fame reafon take heed of
prejudices
of
pafiion,
pride or oppofition
you may be
ealily
invidious fenfe
to an author,
tempted
upon
malice,
to
put
envy,
whereby
a falie
his words.
Lay
and
aiide
therefore a carping fpirit, and read even an
adverfary with attention and diligence, with
an honelf dehgn to find out his true mean-
ing; do not fnatch
at little
lapfes
and apoear-
"
154
OF
KNOWING THE
SENSE, &C.
pearances of miftake, in oppofition to his
avowed meaning ; nor impute
or opinion to him which he denies
declared and
any fenfe
to be his opinion, unlefs
it
be proved by the
moft plain and exprefs language.
Lastly, remember
that
you
treat
every
author, writer or fpeaker, juft as you yourfelves
would be willing
others,
who
be treated by
to
meaning
are fearching out the
of what you write or fpeak
:
and maintain
upon your fpirit an awful fenfe of the prefence of God, who is the judge of hearts,
and will punifh thofe
who by
mind
honeft turn of
meaning of the facred
common
a bafe
and dif-
wilfully pervert the
writers, or even of
authors under the influence of cul-
pable prejudices.
chap. 6. §.3.
See more, Logic, part
I.
" Directions concerning the
definition of names.
CHAP.
iss
(
CHAP.
)
IX.
RULES OF IMPROVEMENT BY CONVERSATION.
we would
IFverfation,
improve our minds by conis
it
a great happinefs to
be
acquainted with perfonswifer than ourfelves.
a piece of ufeful advice therefore to
It is
of their converfation fre-
favour
get the
quently, as far as circumftances will allow
they happen to be a
and
if
ufe
all
obliging
them what may
:
little referved,
methods to draw out of
encreafe your
own know-
ledge.
II.
wafte
Whatsoever company you
time in
not the
If
tinence.
;
mark
the
them according
to their
young buddings of in-
;
obferve the different motions
diitinct
workings of the animal and
fant reafon
and
and imper-
you fpend fome hours amongft
children, talk with
capacity
trifle
are in,
the mind, as far as you can difcern them
take notice by
what degrees the
little
;
creature
OF
1^6
CONVERSATION,
up to the ufe of his reafoning
powers, and what early prejudices befet and
endanger his underflanding. By this means
ture grows
you
will learn
how
addrefs yourfelf to
to
children for their benefit, and perhaps you
may
derive
fome ufeful philofophemes or
own
theorems for your
III. If
you happen
entertainment.
to
be in company with
a merchant or a failor, a farmer or a
nic,
a.
milk-maid or
mecha-
lead
a fpinfter,
into a difcourfe of the matters of their
peculiar province or profefiion
;
:
them
own
for every
know his own bufinefs
belt.
In this fenfe a common mechanic
By this means
is wifer than a philcfopher.
you may gain fome improvement in knowone knows or mould
ledge from every one you meet,
Confine
IV.
fort of
party
not yourfelf always to one
company, or
or
learning,
opinion,
religion
to perfons
either
or
the
of the fame
in
civil
matters
life,
of
left,
you mould happen to be nurfed up or
educated in early miftake, you mould be
if
confirmed and eftablifhed
take,
in the
fame mif-
by converiing only with perfons of the
fame
AND OF PROFITING BY
A
fame fentiments.
verfation
tries
free
I57
IT.
and general con-
with men of very various coun-
and of different parties, opinions and
practices (fo far as
may be done
it
of excellent ufe to undeceive us
fafely) is
in
many
wrong judgments which we may have framand to lead
ed,
It
is
China,
King of Siam, near
converfed with fome European
when
faid,
firit.
who
merchants,
ing on
into jufter thoughts.
us
his
fome of the
the
fought the favour of trad-
them
common appearances of fumhe enquired of
coaft,
mer and winter in their country ; and when
they told him of water growing fo hard in
their rivers, that men, and horfes, and laden
pail
carriages
fometimes
feathers,
ftones,
faid,
fell
over
down
as
it,
and
he would not believe
ice,
rain
white and light as
and fometimes almoft
for
that
fnow, and
as
hard as
a fyllable they
hail,
were names
and things utterly unknown to him, and to
his fubjects in that hot climate
ed
all traffic
would not
ple.
:
he renounc-
with fuch (hameful
fuffer
them
liars,
and
to trade with his peo-
See here the natural effects of grofs
ignorance.
Con-
CONVERSATION,
OF
I58
Conversation
with foreigners on vari-
ous occafions, has a happy influence to en-
and to
large our minds,
many
fet
them
we
and grofs prejudices
errors
from
free
arc
ready to imbibe concerning them. Domicil-
from
lus has never travelled five miles
mother's chimney, and he imagines
men
landifh
papiihes, and
are
thing but a crofs.
was bred up
never
a
favv
huge
out-
wormip no-
Tityrus, the fhepherd,
his life in the country,
all
Rome
village,
all
he fancied
;
his
it
to
and
be only
and was therefore infinitely
fuch palaces, fuch
furprifed to find
ftreets,
fuch glittering treafures and gay magnificence as his
firft
mewed
journey to the city
him, and with wonder he
confefles his folly
and miftake.
So Virgil introduces a poor fhepherd,
quam
TJrbem
Stultus
ego
dicunt
huic
Romam,
Melibcee,
noftrte Jimilem,
putavi
quo fcepe
Jolemus
Pajiores ovium teneros depelkre foetus ,
&c.
Thus
OF PROFITING BY IT.
AND
Thus
59
Englifhed.
I was, I thought
Fool that
1
Rome
a week we
imperial
Like market-towns, where once
come,
And
thither drive our tender lambs
from
home.
Conversation would
tyrus a better notion of
had never happened to
have given Ti-
Rome, though he
travel thither.
V. In mixed company, among acquaintance and flrangers, endeavour to learn fomething from
all.
Be fwift
cautious of your tongue,
to hear,
left
but be
you betray your
ignorance, and perhaps offend fome of thofe
who
are prefent too.
cenfures thofe
they
know
not.
who
The
fcripture fevereiy
fpeak evil of the things
Acquaint yourfelf therefore
fometimes with peribns and parties which
are far diftant
cufloms
:
from your common
this is a
life
and
way whereby you may
form
a wifer
Prove
all
things, and hold
good,
is
a
opinion of
men and
fait,
divine rule, and
it
the Father of light and truth.
things.
which is
comes from
But young
that
per-
l6o
perfons
OF
CONVERSATION,
mould
practife
under
and
limitation,
it
indeed with due
of their
eye
the
elders.
VI. Be not frighted nor provoked
nions different from your own.
at
opi-
Some
per-
fons are fo confident they are in the right,
come within
that they will not
of any notions but their
out to themfelves a
intellectual
They never
little
:
they canton
province in the
where they fancy the
world,
light fhines, and
own
the hearing
all
the reft
is
in
darknefs.
venture into the ocean of
know-
ledge, nor furvey the riches of other minds,
which
are as folid
haps are
poffeffed.
finer
and
as ufeful,
gold than
and per-
what they ever
Let not men imagine there
is
no
certain truth but in the fciences
which they
ffudy, and amongft that party in
which they
were born and educated.
VII. Believe that
it
fomething from perfons
felf.
We
are
our views are
all
alfo
is
poflible to learn
much below
your-
lhort-fighted creatures
;
narrow and limited; we
often fee but one fide of a matter, and do
not extend our fight far and wide enough
to
:
AND OF PROFITING BY
l6l
IT.
to reach every thing that has a connexion
with the thing we talk of: we
fee
but in
know but in part, therefore it is
no wonder we form not right conclufions,
becaufe we do not furvey the whole of any
and
part,
admirer of his
Even the proudeft
own parts might find it ufe-
ful to confult
with others, though of in-
ferior capacity
and penetration.
argument.
or
fubjedt
We
have
a different profpect of the fame thing (if
I
may
fo fpeak)
according to the different
pofition of our underfiandings toward
a
it
weaker man may fometimes light on no-
which have elcaped a wifer, and which
the wifer man might make a happy ufe of,
if he would condefcend to take notice of
tions
them.
VIII. It
We
is
are purfuing any difficult point
ledge,
to have
a fociety
refpondents at hand, to
pofe
it
:
when
of know-
of confiderable advantage
for every
different genius
man
and
of ingenious cor-
whom we may
pro-
has iomething of a
a various turn
of mind,
whereby the fubjedt propofed will be (hewn
in all
in all
its
its
lights,
forms,
it
will
and every
M
be
reprefented
fide
of
it
be
turned
CONVERSATION,
OT
l62
may
farned to view, that a jufter judgment
be framed.
To make
IX.
converfation
and ufeful, whether
accidental
vifit,
it
among
more valuable
be in a deiigned or
perfons of the fame
or of different fexes, after the neceifary fa-
com-
lutations arefinimed, and the ftream of
mon
low,
fome one
let
which may be
pany,
and
read in
it
perfon
take
agreeable to the
whole com-
ten lines or a paragraph or two,
till
fome word or fentence
two
to offer a thought or
:
company
relating to that
interruption of the reader fhould
be no blame, for converfation
:
whether
it
to correct
it,
to enlarge
it,
is
a-kin to
every one that pleafe add
difcourfe finks again,
him
that
reads
and
it ^
When
or diverts to
purfue
or
their opinion
and promote the converfation.
let
up-
to object againft it
to afk any queftion that
let
the bufi-
is
be to confirm what the
author fays or to improve
on or
him
let
gives an occaiion for any of the
fubjecl
book
a
by common confent
or a few pages,
nefs
and
talk begins to hefitate, or runs flat
the
trifles,
page,
read on further paragraphs or pages,
the
till
and
fome
occa-
AND OF PROFITING BY
occafion
with the utmoft
a
method
of
a vilit
by
this
as this,
By
may
Such
and freedom.
eafe
would prevent the hours
all
wafte
to
;
and
means, even among fcholars they
find occafion for that too jufl
bitter reflection,
in the
word or fentence
a
from running
would feldom
and
163
difcourfe to be darted, and that
new
for a
by
given
is
IT.
company of
fuch
"
I
have
my
loft
time
the learned."
a practice as
this,
young
ladies
very honourably and agreeably improve
while one applies
hours,
their
reading, the others
even
among
needle
;
cafional
guard
but
all
their attention,
artifices
trifling
of
the
of them make their oc-
remarks or enquiries.
a great deal
modiih
various
the
let
employ
herfelf to
This will
of that precious time from
impertinence
which might otherwife
afford
or
fcandal,
matter
for
painful repentance.
Observe
ever
it lies
vention,
this
in
let it
rule in general,
whenfo-
your power to lead the conbe directed to fome profitable
point of knowledge or practice, fo far as
be done with decency
M
;
2
and
let
may
not the difcourfe
;
OF
164
CONVERSATION,
courfe and the hours be furTered to run loofe
without aim or deiign
is
:
and when a
fubjecl:
fbrted, pafs not haftily to another, before
you have brought the prefent theme of difcourfe to fome tolerable iflue, or a joint
confent to drop
it.
X. Attend with iincere diligence while
anyone of the company is declaring his fenfe
of the queftion propofed 5 hear the argument
with patience, though
from your fentiments,
it
differ ever fo
for
much
you yourfelf
are
very defirous to be heard with patience by
others
who
differ
from you.
thoughts be active and bufy
Let not your
all
the while
to find out fomething to contradict, and
what means
in
to oppofe the fpeaker, efpecially
matters which are not brought
iffue.
This
by
is
a frequent
per and practice.
to
an
and unhappy tem-
You mould
intent and folicitous to take
rather
be
up the mind
and meaning of the fpeaker, zealous to feize
and approve
all
that
is
true in his difcourfe
nor yet mould you want courage to oppofe
where
it
is
necelfary
-,
but
let
your modefty
and patience, and a friendly temper, be as
confpicuous as your zeal.
XI.
When
AND OF PROFITING BY
XI.
When
freedom and
man
a
fpeaks
IT.
165
with
much
and gives his opinion in
eafe,
common
the plaineft language of
fenfe,
do
not prefently imagine you mall gain nothing
by
his
company.
who
a perfon
Sometimes you will
find
converfation or
his
his
in
writings delivers his thoughts in fo plain, fo
and perfpicuous a manner,
eafy, fo familiar
that
you both underftand and
thing he faith,
as
as faft
aflent to every
you read or hear
hereupon fome hearers have been ready
to conclude in hafte, furely this man faith
it
:
none but
common
before, or I
This
knew
things, I
would have
very great genius
wont
iimple and happy
nate he was
Pellucido was a
when he fpoke
;
much
faid all this mvfelf.
frequent miftake.
is a
as
in the fe-
convey his ideas in fo
to
manner,
a
as
to inftruct
and convince every hearer, and to inforce
the conviction through the whole illullrious
affemblv
that you
:
and that with
much
would have been ready
who
that every one
fame things
man
fo
:
evidence,
to
wonder,
fpoke had not faid the
but Pellucido was the only
that could
do
it,
had attained
this art
the writer of
whom
the only fpeaker
and honour.
Horace would
M
3
who
Such
is
Cay,
Ut
CONVERSATION,
CF
l66
Ut
fibi quivis,
Speret idem,fudet multum,frujlraque labor et
De
Aufus idem.
Poet.
x^rt.
Smooth be your jlyle, and plain and natural,
To Jirike the Jons of Wapping or Whitehall.
While others think
this eafy to attain.
and with
Let them but
try,
They'll fiveat
andf rive
'
pan.:n 1>
.
their utmoji
to imitate in
vain .
i
XII. If any thing feem dark in the difcourfe of your companion, fo that you have
not a clear idea of what
vour to obtain
a decent
a clearer
conception of
obfcurity,
fenfe or his words,
relieve
your
you may take up
own want
his
difficulties
it
by
not charge
either in
his
but entreat his favour
cr to add an enlightening
If
Do
manner of enquiry.
the fpeaker with
to
fpoken, endea-
is
of penetration,
word
or two, that
whole meaning.
arife
in
your mind,
and
conflrain your diffent to the things fpoken,
reprefent
what objection foine perfons would
be ready
to
make
againfi the
the fpeaker, without telling
This manner of addrefs
ientiments of
him you
carries
oppofe.
fomething
more
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
more modeft and obliging
in
it,
pear to raife objections of your
l6j
than to ap-
own by way
of contradiction to him that fpoke.
When
XIII.
you
from him who
forced
are
to
fenfe
delivers his
differ
on any
point, yet agree as far as you can, and re-
prefent
how
far
any room for
you agree; and
if there
explain the words of the
it,
which you can
fpeaker in fuch a fenfe to
in general affent and fo agree with
at lead
him
:
or
by a fmall addition or alteration of
fentiments
his
be
things.
It
is
mew
is
own
fenfe
of
the practice and delight of a
candid hearer, to
willing he
your
make
to differ
it
appear
how un-
from him that fpeaks.
Let the fpeaker know that
it is
nothing but
truth conflrains you to oppofe him, and let
that difference be always expreffed in
few
and
may
civil
and chofen words, fuch
as
give the leaf! offence.
And
be careful always to take Solomon's
rule with you, and let your correfpondent
his fpeech
fairly
finifli
"
he that anfwereth
for
M4
before
you reply;
a matter before
he
heareth
heareth
Prov.
A
CONVERSATION,
OF
l68
it,
it is folly
and fhame unto him."
xviii. 13.
little
tice in
things
watchfulnefs, care and prac-
younger
more
life,
eafy,
will
render
all
thefe
familiar and natural to
you, and will grow into habit.
XIV. As you mould
carry about with
conftant and fincere
you
a
own
ignorance, fo you
fenfe of
your
mould not be
afraid
nor afhamed to confefs this ignorance, by
taking
all
proper opportunities to afk and
enquire for farther information
;
whether
it
be the meaning of a word, the nature of a
thing, the reafon of a proportion, the cuf-
tom of
a nation,
&c. never remain
in igno-
rance for want of afking.
Many
fiderable
a perfon
had arrived
at
degree of knowledge,
fome conif
he had
not been full of felf-conceit, and imagined
known enough already, or elfe
was afhamed to let others know that he was
God and man are
unacquainted with it.
that he had
ready to teach the meek, the humble, and
the ignorant
to
know any
;
but he that fancies himfelf
particular fubject well, or that
will
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
169
will not venture to afk a queftion about
it,
fuch a one will not put himfelf into the
way of improvement by enquiry and diligence.
A fool may be " wifer in his own
conceit than ten men who can render a reafon," and fuch an one
everlafting fool
fhame renders
;
is
very likely to be an
and perhaps
alio
it is
a lilly
his folly incurable.
Stultorum incur ata pudor malus ulcer a
celat,
Hor. Epiit. 16. Lib.
I.
In Englifh thus.
f
If cols have ulcers, and their pride conceal 'em,
Theymujl have ulcers JIM, for none can heal 'em,
XV. Be
not too forward, efpecially in
the younger part of
queftion in
life,
to determine
company with an
infallible
any
and
peremptory fentence, nor fpeak with aiTuming
and with
airs,
a deciiive
tone of voice.
A
young man, in the prefence of his elders,
mould rather hear and attend, and weigh
the arguments which are brought for the
proof or refutation of any doubtful proportion
:
and when
it is
your turn
to fpeak,
propofe your thoughts rather in the way of
7
en-
°F
,17©
By. this means your
enquiry.
kept in
you
CONVERSATION,
temper
mind
will
be
and
be more ready to correct and im-
a fitter
will
prove your
not
been
But
if
own
to receive trut,h,
fentiments, where you hc.\c
too pofitiye in
them.
affirming
you have magisterially decided the
point, you will
to retract,
find a fecret unwillingnefs
though you mould
feel
an inward
conviction that you were in the wrong.
XVI. It is granjted indeed, that a feafon
may happen, when fome bold pretender to
fcience may aflume haughty and pofitive
airs,
to aiiert and vindicate a grofs and dan-
gerous error, or to renounce and vilify fome
very important
truth
:
and
if
he
has
a
popular talent of talking, and there be no
com-
remonftrance made again fl him, the
pany may be tempted too
ailent to the
eailly to give their
imprudence and
infallibility
They may imagine a
much vilified can never be
of
the prefumer.
pro-
portion
true,
fo
and that a doctrine which
is
fo boldly
cen-
fured and renounced can never be defended.
Weak minds
felves,
fo
that a
much
are too ready to perfuade
man would
aiTurance
them-
never talk with
unkfs-he were
certainly
in
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
IJl
in the right, and could well maintain
prove what he
itielf is in
By
faid.
means, truth
this
danger of being betrayed or
be no oppofition
if there
and
made
loft,
to fuch
a
pretending talker.
Now
tnodeft
in fuch
a cafe even a wife and a
man may
pel -infolence with
a
is
its
airs too,
" when
and re-
own weapons.
Solomon the
time, as
teaches us,
affume
a fool
There
wifeft of
men
mould bean fwered
according to his folly,
left
own
others too eafily yield
up
conceit," and
left
he be wife in his
and reafon to his imperious
their faith
Courage and pofitivity are never
more neceflary than on fuch an occafion.
dictates.
But it is good to join fome argument with
them of real and convincing force, and let
it
be ftrongly pronounced too.
When
fuch
fhall
find
draw
in
a
refiftance
is
fome of thofe bold
when
their horns,
made,
you
talkers
will
their fierce
and
feeble puihes againft truth and reafon are
repelled with
is
purning and confidence.
It
pity indeed that truth fhould ever need
fuch fort of defences
j
but we
know
that a
tri-
OF
172
CONVERSATION,
triumphant affurance hath fometimes fup-
com-
ported grofs falfehoods, and a whole
pany have been captivated
to error
by
this
fome man with equal affurance
has refcued them.
It is pity that any momeans,
till
mentous point of doctrine mould happen
to fall under fuch reproaches, and require
fuch a mode of vindication
happen to hear
back and
to turn
if I
my
off in filence, and leave
to fneak
the truth to
ought not
I
it,
though
:
lie baffled,
bleeding, and flain.
Yet I mufr. confefs, I fhould be glad to have
no occafion ever given me to fight with any
man
I
at
fcrt
this
mould be
fo
of weapons, even though
happy
as to filence his info-
lence, and to obtain an evident victory.
XVII. Be not fond of difputing every
thing pro and con, nor indulge yourfelf to
fhew your
A
ing.
little
lead
logic
worth.
you
of attacking and defend-
talent
j aft
which
teaches nothing elfe,
is
This temper and practice will
fo far
out of the way of
know-
ledge, and divert your honefh enquiry after
the truth which
fet
is
debated or fought.
In
often
laid
difputes every little flraw
hold on to fupport our
own
is
caufej every
thing
OF PROFITING BY IT.
AND
I73
thing that can be drawn in any way to give
colour to our argument is advanced, and
that perhaps with
vanity and
This puts the mind out of
proper pofture
and receive the truth.
to feek
XVIII.
rit
a
oftentation.
Do
not bring a
into a free converfation,
warm
party-fpi-
which
is
defign-
ed for mutual improvement in the fearch of
Take heed of allowing yourfelf in
truth.
which keep
thofe felf-fatisfied ailurances,
the doors of the understanding barred
admiflion
the
againft
new
of any
faft
fenti-
Let your foul be ever ready to
hearken to further difcoveries, from a conftant and ruling confcioufnefs of our prefent
ments.
fallible
and imperfect
ftate;
appear to your friends, that
talk for
little
you
words
foever
it
to learn
"
;
I
and make
it is
it
no hard
and pronounce thofe
was miftaken,"
how
hard
be for the bulk of mankind to pro-
nounce them.
XIX. As you may fometimes
quiries for your
provement,
wifdom and
and
own
raife
inflrudlion and
draw out
fine fentiments
the
en-
im-
learning,
of your friends,
who
who
CONVERSATION,
0F
174
perhaps
may be
fo at other times if
too referved or modeft,
you perceive
unlkilful in the matter of debate,
by queftions aptly propofed
method, lead him into
of the fubject
make
may
as
company above the
all
and to dif-
reft,
own
der yourfelf admirable to
understanding
would ren-
that are prefent.
feldom well taken in polite com-
much
pany,
not appear
heed of affecting always to
or your oratory, as though you
is
knowledge
then you become his in-
:
play the riches of your
This
you may
yourfelf his fuperior.
XX. Take
fhine in
perfon
in the Socratic
a clearer
flru&or in fuch a manner
to
a
of fpeech
mould you ufe fuch forms
mould infinuate the ignorance
lefs
as
of thofe with
or dulnefs
whom
you con-
verfe.
XXI. Though you
nourim
ftyle
in
in a copious
fhould not affect to
harangue and
a diffulive
company, yet neither fhould you
rudely interrupt and reproach
pens to ufe
it
:
him
that hap-
but when he has done fpeak-
ing, reduce his fentiments into a
more con-
mew of
correcting,
tracted
form
;
not with a
but
;
AND
but
as
upon
OF PROFITING BY IT.
who
one
his
I75
doubtful whether you hit
is
Thus
true fenfe or no.
may be brought more
matters
from
eafily
a wild
confuiion into a fingle point, queftions may-
be fooner determined, and
difficulties
more
readily removed.
XXII. Be not
fo ready
to charge igno-
rance, prejudice and miftake
you
are to fufpecl yourfelf of
der to
£how how
ces, learn
ence
upon
:
free
you
it
are
and in or-
:
from prejudi-
to bear contradiction
let it
others, as
with pati-
be eafy to you to bear your
own
opinion ftrongly oppofed, efpecially in mat T
ters which are doubtful and difputable a-
mongft men of fobriety and
virtue.
Give
a patient hearing to arguments on all fides
otherwife you
to fufpec!
that
give the
it
is
company
not
occafion
the evidence of
truth has led you into this
opinion, but
fome lazy anticipation of judgment ; fome
beloved preemption, fome long and ram
poiTeflion of a party-fcheme, in
defire
has
to reft undifturbed.
been eftablimed
ficient
grounds,
which you
If your affent
upon
juft
why mould you
and
Ef-
be afraid
to
8
OF
I76
CONVERSATION,
to let the truth be put to the trial of argu-
ment
?
XXIII. Banish
fation,
utterly out of all conver-
and efpecially out of
intellectual
all
learned,
and
thing
that
every
conference,
tends to provoke paffion, or raife a
fire
in
Let no fharp language, no noify
the blood.
exclamation, no farcafms or biting jefls be
heard
among you ; no
perverfe or invidious
from each
confequences be drawn
other's
opinions, and imputed to the perfon
:
let
there be no wilful perverfion of another's
meaning
no fudden feizure of
:
fyllable to play
upon
it,
nor any abufed con-
struction of an innocent miftake
your tongue to infult
that begins to yield
;
a
let
fuffer
:
not
opponent
niodeft
there be no
ing and triumph even where there
victory on your fide.
lapfed
a
is
crow-
evident
All thefe things are
enemies to friendship, and the ruin of free
converfation.
requires
per and
all
The
impartial fearch of truth
calmnefs and ferenity,
candour
:
tem-
all
mutual inftruction can
never be attained in the midft of paffion,
pride and clamour; unlefs
midfl of
mch
we
a fcene there
fuppofe in the
is
a loud
and
pene-
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
by both
read
penetrating lecture
1
fides
77
on
human
the folly and lhameful infirmities of
nature.
XXIV. Whensoever
happy word mail
might give you
the
riling
company
in
arife
r
therefore any un-
a reafonable difguil,
refentment, be
it
ever fo
that
quafh
jufl,
and command your foul and your tongue in-
you cancel the hopes of
to filence, left
improvement
and transform
for that hour,
the learned converfation into the
form
vulgar
reproaches
of
The man who begun
to
mean and
and
railing.
break the peace
in fuch a fociety, will fall under the
and conviction of fuch
a filent
he has any thing ingenuous
If this
all
mould not be fumcient,
fhame
reproof, if
about
him.
let a
grave
admonition, or a foft and gentle turn of wit,
with an
air
of plealantry, give the
difputer an occafion to
his indecent
Hop
warm
the progrefs of
not to retract the inde-
fire, if
cency and quench the flame.
XXV. Inure
-obliging
manner
and acquire the
ycurfelf to a candid and
in
art
all
ycur converfation,
of pleafmg addrefs, even
N
when
CONVERSATION,
OF
1^8
when you teach, as well as when you learn,
and when you oppofe as well as when you
aflert
or prove.
This degree of politenefs
is
not to be attained without a diligent attention to fuch kind of directions as are here
laid
down, and
tice
of them.
XXVI.
a frequent exercife and prac-
If you would
companions you mould
know what
fort
of
for the culti-
felecl:
vation and advantage of the mind, the general rule
is,
chufe fuch as by their bright-
nefs of parts, and their diligence in fludy, or
by
their fuperior
advancement
in
learning,
or peculiar excellency in any art, fcience,
or accomplishment, divine or
human, may
be capable of adminiftring to your improve-
ment; and be
fure to
fome due regard
always,
left
to
maintain and keep
their moral
character
while you wander in quell of
intellectual gain,
you
fall
eion of irreligion and vice.
would venture
into the conta^
No
wife
man
into a houfe infected with
the plague, in order to fee the fined: collections of any virtuofo in
Europe.
XXVII. No*
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
XXVII. Nor
is
every fober perfon of
it
your acquaintance,
Ijg
no, nor every
man of
bright parts, or rich in learning, that
is
fit
to engage in free converfation for the en-
quiry after truth.
Let
fo illuftrious talents, yet
aflbciate for
a
perfon have ever
he
fuch a purpofe,
is
if
not a proper
he
under
lie
any of the following infirmities.
If
i.
he be exceedingly referved,
and
hath either no inclination to difcourfe, or
no tolerable capacity of fpeech and lan-
guage for the communication of his fentiments.
he be haughty and proud of his
knowledge, imperious in his airs, and is
2.
If
always fond of impofing his fentiments on
the
all
company.
If
he be pofitive and dogmatical in
his
own
opinions, and will difpute to the
end
3
3.
if
he will
relift
the
brighten: evi-
dence of truth rather than fuffer himfelf to
be overcome, or yield to the plained and
flrongefl reafonings.
N
2
4. If
OF
iSo
CONVERSATION,
If he be one
4.
outfhine
all
who
always
to
affects
the company, and delights to
hear himfelf talk and flourifh upon a fubjecT,
make long harangues, while
and
mull be
all filent
the reft
and attentive.
i
5.
If he be a perfon of a whiffling and
who
unfteady turn of mind,
cannot keep
clofe to a point of controverfy, but wanders
from
to
perpetually, and
it
fay fomething,
always folicitous
is
whether
be pertinent
it
to the queftion or no.
If
6.
he be
and peevifh,
fretful
given to refentment upon
he knows not
or
is
if
he
how
to
occafions
all
;
if
bear contradiction,
ready to take things in a
is
and
wrong
fenfe;
fwift to feel a fuppofed offence, or
to imagine himfelf affronted, and then break
out into a fudden paffion, or retain
filent
and
fullen wrath.
7. If he affect wit on
is full
all
occafions, and
of his conceits and puns, quirks or
quibbles, jefts
and
repartees
•,
thefe
may
agreeably entertain and animate an hour of
mirth,
AND OF PROFITING BY
IT.
&I
I
mirth, but they have no place in the fearch
after truth.
8.
him
If he carry always about
a fort
of craft and cunning, and difguife, and act
Have
rather like a fpy than a friend.
of fuch
a
freedom
in
one
make
as will
converfation,
charge herefy upon you,
an
ill
a care
ufe of
and immediately
when ycu happen
from thofe fentiments which au-
to differ
thority or cuflom has efbblifhed.
In
fuch
fhort,
you mould avoid the man in
felect converfation,
thing that
is
fincere, free,
Now
who
practices
unbecoming the character of
a
and open fearcher after truth.
though you may pay
all
the relative
duties of life to perfons of thefe
qualifications,
and love,
any
and
unhappy
them with decency
religion and humanity
treat
fo far as
oblige you, yet take care of entering into a
free debate
in their
en matters of truth or falfehood
company, and
principles of religion.
of fuch
a
efpecially about the
I confefs, if a
perfon
temper happens to judge and talk
well on fuch a fubject, you
N
3
may
hear
him
with
CONVERSATION,
OF
l82
with attention, and derive what profit you
can from his difcourfej but he is by no
means
to
be chofen for a free conference in
matters of enquiry and knowledge.
XXVIII. While
would perfuade you
to beware of fuch perfons, and abftain from
too much freedom of difcourfe amongit
them, it is very natural to infer that you
mould watch
againfl the
felf.
.
your
in
evil qualities
happen
to be tainted
Men
I
working of thefe
own
you
bread, if
with any of them your-
of learning and ingenuity will
juftly avoid your acquaintance,
rind fuch an
when they
unhappy and unfocial temper
prevailing in you.
XXIX. To
conclude,
when you
retire
from company, then converfe with yourfelf
in folitude, and enquire what you have
learnt for the
improvement of your under-
standing, or for the rectifying your inclinations,
for the
increafe of your virtues,
or
the meliorating your conduct, and behaviour
in
any future parts of
fome
life.
of your company,
humble
in their
If you have
candid,
feen.
modeft,
manner, wife and fagacious,
juxt
OF PROFITING BY IT.
AND
juft and
pious
and graceful
clear
as well as
S3
polite
fentiments,
their
in
I
and ftrong in
and univerlally acceptable
their behaviour, endeavour to
their expreffion,
and lovely
in
imprefs the
idea
memory, and
of
theie
all
upon your
them up
treafure
your
for
imitation.
XXX.
and
civility
decency
the laws of reafon,
If
have
amongft your
been well obferved
not
of thofe
affociates, take notice
defects for your
own improvement
:
and from
every occurrence of this kind, remark fome-
thing to imitate or to avoid, in elegant, poPerhaps you
lite and ufeful converfation.
will find that fome perfons prefent have really
difpleafed the
company, by an
exceiTive
too vilible an affectation to pleafe,
i.
e.
and
by
giving looie to fervile flattery, or promifcuous
praife;
while others were
as ready to
oppofe
and contradict every thing that was laid.
Some have deferved juft ceniure for a morofe
and
affected taciturnity,
anxious and careful
be interpreted
a
and others have been
left
want of
their iilence
fenfe,
mould
and therefore
they have ventured to make fpeeches, though
jhey had nothing to fay which was worth
N
4
hearing,
CONVERSATION,
OF
184
hearing.
Perhaps you will obferve that one
was ingenious
his language, but he
felf,
and bright in
in his thoughts
that he let
was
fo top-full
on
it fpill
all
the
of him-
company
-
9
that he fpoke well indeed, but that he fpoke
too long, and did not allow equal liberty or
time to his
You
affociates.
remark,
will
that another was full charged to let out his
words before his friend had done fpeaking,
or impatient of the leafl oppofition to any
thing he
You
faid.
will
fome perfons have talked
remember that
at large
great confidence, of things
and with
which they un-
derstood not, and others counted every thing
tedious and intolerable that was fpoken
fubjecrs out of their fphere, and they
upon
would
fain confine the conference entirely within
the limits of their
and ftudv.
The
own narrow knowledge
errors of converfation
are
alrnoft. infinite.
XXXI. By
ties as thefe,
follies
fpoil
and
a review
of fuch irregularis
you may learn
pieces
of
ill
to
avoid thofe
conduct which
good converfation, or make
greeabie and
lefs ufeful
;
it lefs
a-
and by degrees you
will acquire that delightful and eafy
manner
of
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
of addrefs and behaviour in
185
ufeful cor-
all
which may render your company every where defired and beloved 5 and
refpondencies,
fame time among the beft of your
at the
companions you may make the higheft improvement
own
intellectual
acqui-
that the difcourfe of mortal crea-
fitions,
tures
your
in
will
allow,
under
ail
our difadvan-
tages in this forry ftate of mortality.
there
feized
coming when we fhall be
away from this lower clafs in the
is
a day
fchool of knowledge, where
der the
errors
But
many
we
labour un-
dangers and darknelfes,
and the incumbrances of
flefh
the
and
blood, and our converfation fhall be with
angels, and
more illuminated
fpirits in
the
upper regions of the univerfe.
CHAP.
(
186
)
CHAP.
X.
or DISPUTES.
I.
r
"
NDER
%^J
the general head of con ver-r
improvement of the
fation for the
mind, we may rank the practice of
puting
;
that
is,
when two
or
dis-
more perfons
appear to maintain different fentiments, and
defend their own, or oppofe the other's opinion, in alternate difcourfe, by fome methods
of argument,
II.
As
thefe difputes often arife in
earned, where the
two contenders do
believe the different proportions
fupport
as
;
mere
fo
really
which they
fometimes they are appointed
trials
of
fkill
fchools, by the ftudents
practifed,
good
:
in
academies,
or
fometimes they are
and that with apparent fervour,
in courts of judicature
by lawyers,
in order
to gain the fees of their different clients,
while,
GENERAL.
OF DISPUTES IN
while both
which
III.
are
is
perhaps are really of the
fides
ft ntiment
fame
with regard to the caufe
tried.
common
In
converfation,
regularity
or evil purpofes,
chiefly according
temper of the difputants.
be fuccefsful
fometimes
to
is
out
fearch
a
mere fcene of
truth,
truth,
and
at other
times
battle in
order
but
-
3
to the
They may fome-
effectual to maintain
convince the miftaken
a difpute
difputes
managed without any forms of
or order, and they turn to good
often
times
187
to victory and vain triumph.
IV.
There
are
fome few general
rules
which fhould be obferved in all debates
whatfoever, if we would find out truth by
them, or convince
friend
a
of his
error,
even though they be not managed according to any fettled forms of difputation
as
there are
almoft as
judgments of things
Co
when
as
feveral perlbns
many
:
and
opinions and
there are perfons,
happen
to
meet and
confer together upon any fubject, they are
ready to declare their different fentiments,
and fupport
them by fuch
reafonings
as
they
OF
l83
DISPUTES
This
they are capable of.
ing or difputing, as
When
V.
is
is
called debat-
above defcribed.
perfons begin a debate, they
ihould always take care that they are agreed
feme general principles or propositions,
in
which
either
the queflion
more nearly or remotely
in
hand;
for
affect
otherwife they
have no foundation or hope of convincing
each other
ground
-
}
they muft have fome
to iland
common
upon while they maintain
the conteft.
When
they find they agree in fome re-
mote
propofitions, then let
ther,
and enquire
how
them
fearch far-
near they approach
to each other's fentiments
;
propofitions they agree in,
and whatfoever
thefe lay a
let
foundation for the mutual hope of convic-
Hereby you
tion.
running
will be prevented
at every turn to
fome
original
from
and
remote proportions and axioms, which practice
As
both entangles and prolongs
a
difpute.
for inftance, if there was a debate pro-
pofed
betwixt a protefcant and a papift,
whether there be fuch
a place as
Purgatory
r
Let them remember that they both agree
in
;
IN
GENERAL
1
89
made fatisand upon this
in this point, that (Thrift has
atonement for
faction or
ground
fin,
them both
let
frand,
-
while they
fearch out the controverted doctrine of Pur-
gatory by
The
VI.
all
way of conference
queftion
or debate.
mould be
from
cleared
doubtful terms, and needlefs additions
and
things that belong to the queftion
all
ihould be exprened in plain and intelligible
language.
without
T*his
men
it
is
fo neceffary a thing, that
be
will
expofed to fuch
fort of ridiculous contefts as
was found one
day between the two unlearned combatants,
Sartor and Sutor,
who
and defend-
afiaulted
ed the doctrine of tranfubftantiation with
much
and violence
zeal
pening
come
to
:
but Latino hap-
into their
company,
enquiring the fubject of their difpute,
and
allied
each of them what he meant by that long
hard word tranfubftantiation.
Sutor readily
informed him that he underftood
at
the
him
name of Jefus
that he
the high
u you
but Sartor -ailured
meant nothing but
altar,
"
Latino,
:
that
**
No
— bowing
— bowing
wonder then,"
you cannot
agree,
at
laid
when
neither underftand one another, nor
5
"
the
"
DISPUTES
OF
I9O
word about which you contend." I
think the whole family of the Sartors and
Sutors would be wifer if they avoided fuch
the
kind of debates, till they underftood the
even their wives
terms better. But alas
!
carry on fuch conferences
one was heard
lefs
-,
the other day
in the ftreet explaining to
her
learned neighbour the meaning of meta-
physeal fcience, and
me
phyfics were medicines
allured her, that as
for
body,
the
metaphyfics was phyfic for the foul
this they
went on
to difpute the point
fo
upon
:
—how-
far the divine excelled the doctor.
Auditum
admtjji rifum teneatis amici \
Ridente??i dicere
Can
A
can
my
laugh,
VII.
F
Hor.
be faulty to repeat
dialogue that walk'd the flrcet
Or
A
it
verum quid vetat
graved friends forbear
when fuch
And
?
difputes they hear
?
not only the fenfe and meaning
of the words ufed in the queflion mould be
fettled
and adjufted between the difputants,
but the precife point of enquiry mould be
diftinctly
fixed
^
the
queflion
in
debate
mould
GENERAL.
IN
ihould be
limited precifely
191
to its
extent, or declared to be taken in
As
general fenfe.
are contending
for inftance, if
whether
the queftion
ferved,
a
more
two men
muft be.ob-
it
not whether
is
narchy in one man, or
its
government be
civil
of divine right or not; here
fpecial
mo-
republic in multi-
tudes of the people,
or an ariftocracy in a
few of the
appointed of
neceffary;
in
chief,
but whether
mod
its
is
whatfoever,
general
is
as
government
civil
fenfe,
God
or in any
form
derived from the will and
appointment of
God
Again,
the
point
of enquiry mould be limited further.
Thus
the
queftion
comes
fi
is,
?
whether government
not
>m the will of
God by
divine revelation, for that
whether
by the
it is
is
granted; but
derived from the will of
light of reafon too.
fpecification
the light of
This
fort
of
or limitation of the queftion,
and prevents the difputants
hinders
God
from
wandering away from the precife point of
enquiry.
It
fice
is
this trifling
humour or
difhoneft arti-
of changing the queftion, and wander-
ing away from the
ftrft
point of debate, which
gives
DISPUTES
OF
I£2
gives endlefs length to difputes, and caui'es
both the difputants to part without any
And
tisfaction.
this
;
one chief occafion of
when one of
caufe run low and
fa-
it is
the combatants feels his
and
fail,
is
juft ready to
be confuted and demolished, he
tempted
is
to itep afide to avoid the blow, and betakes
him
to a different queftion
thus, if his ad-
-,
verfary be not well aware of him,
new
with a new
he be-
gins to entrench himfelf in a
faftnefs,
and holds out the fiege
of thoughts and words.
artillery
man which
the fpring of this evil, and
is
an unwillingnefs
opinions
the pride of
It is
even
to
up
yield
to
be
own
their
overcome
by truth
itfelf.
VIII.
Keep
your mind
in
as
this always therefore
upon
an everlafring rule of conduct
your debates to find out truth, that a
refolute defign, or even a
of victory,
is
ment, and an
the bane of
effectual
miffion of the truth
feek.
every
and
difpute,
all real
which you
a
mifchievous
unlefs
affectation
improve-
bar again ft the ad-
This works with
powerful
warm
we
are
profefs to
fecret,
but a
influence,
in
much upon
our
GENERAL.
IN
our guard.
fation
appears in frequent conver-
It
of mankind are
fond of being in the
fo
know
that they
unhappy
this
93
every age, every fex, and each party
j
right,
1
not
prejudice,
how
to renounce
vain love of
this
victory*
When
truth with
bright
evidence
is
ready to break in upon a difputant, and to
overcome
his objections
and ready
fvvift
and fancy,
craft
mind
the
is
to engage wit
and fubtilty, to cloud and
perplex and puzzle the truth,
How
eager
is
queftion
fubject
?
How
to
much
with
its
truth.
the
is
errors,
to take
hold of fome
thereby to lead the difthe
point
human
and
in
nature
being
hand
of parting
overcome by
that nature hath taught ber,
back her mazes,
erodes and
founds her former track, and ufes
ble methods to divert the fcent,
in danger
imfs
So
?
Juft thus a hunted hare calls up
(hifts
treads
from
afraid
what
nature
all
flie
conpofTU
all
when
(he
of being feized and taken.
practife
?
from the main
divert
fvvift
occafional word,
off
if poflible
he to throw in fome imper-
tinent
courfe
how
and miftakes,
is
Let
teaches;
but
would
;
DISPUTES
OF
194
would one imagine that any rational being
mould take fuch pains to avoid truth, and
improvement of
to efcape the
standing
order
that
?
When
IX.
to
you
you come
it
avoid
in
doubtful
affect little
pleafure
;
fide
to
arts
hide not
;
and fubterfuges to
efpy
beams of truth, though
of your opponent
which
an argument
to
fincere
words and phrafes
fhifts
the force of
generous
a
Ufe no fubtle
appears.
cloud and entangle the queftion
yourfelf
prefume
are certainly ponefied of it before
defign of yielding to reafon, on
do not
difpute in
a
truth, do not
out
find
to
Enter the debate with
hand.
foever
under-
its
it
the
take
-,
a
rifing
firir.
be on the fide
endeavour to remove the
that
little
obicurities
fuffer
and encourage
hang about
it
it,
and
to break out
into
open and convincing light
;
that while your
opponent perhaps may gain the better of
your reafonings, yet you yourfelf may triumph
oyer error, and
more valuable
I
am
fure that
is
a
much
acquifition and vi&ory.
X.
Watch
GENERAL.
IN
Watch
X.
narrowly in every difpute,
your opponent dees not
that
warily to grant fome
which
fition,
I95
or propo-
principle
with
bring
will
you un-
lead
it
a
fatal
and lead you infenfibly into
confequence,
though
his fentiment,
be far aftray from
it
and by this wrong
you will
the truth
:
be, as
were, plunged into dangerous er-
it
you
before
rors
Polonides- in
aware.
are
free converfation led Incauto
him
bleffed
God
has
too
cafe to punifli* any
innocent;
till
he not only allowed
alacrity,
mod
univerfal
and
little
after,
defrauded
*
evil
The word
A
the innocence,
;
and
and thence
was impomble that God mould
guilty of any crime
fnare,
in
Polonides came in difcourfe to
ever punifh fo holy a perfon,
the
it
unguarded terms.
the virtues,
it
with
it
but afTerted
the piety of our blened Saviour
inferred,
the
that
much juftice in any
being who is in itfelf
an unthinking
commend
with
to agree
propofition,
plain
this
in
fr.ep
:
who was
never
then Incauto efpied
and found himfelf robbed and
of
the
great
doctrine
punifli, here fignifies,
2
the
to bring forne natural
upon a perfon on account of moral
O
of
evil
done.
atonement
DISPUTES
OF
I96
upon
atonement by the death of Chrifl,
which he had placed
his
immortal hopes ac-
This taught him to
cording to the gofpel.
bethink himfelf what a dangerous conceffion
he had made in
that
God would
never punifh any being
was innocent, and he faw
reftriclion
this
them
better,
or limitation,
fin,
by
viz.
fome way
unlefs this innocent being were
involved in another's
who
needful to recal
it
his words, or to explain
adding
manner,
fo univerfal a
or flood as a vo-
luntary furety for the guilty
:
by
this limi-
tation he fecured the great and bleffed doctrine of the facrifice of Chrift for
the fins
of men, and learnt to be more cautious in
his concefTions for time to
Two
tempted
months ago
his
and
prayer,
abandon
on the providence of
affairs
cefllon
of
life,
had
Fatalio
Fidens
friend
to
come.
God
in
leave
to
his
aim oft
off
dependence
the
common
by obtaining of him a con-
of the like kind.
Is
it
not evident
immenfe
the univerfe was
to reafon, fays Fatalio, that God's
fcheme of
tranfactions in
contrived and determined long before you
and
I
were born
?
Can you imagine,
my
dear
IN
GENE R
A
L.
dear Fidens, that the blefTed
his original
297
God
changes
makes new
interruptions in the courfe of them fo often
as you and I want his aid, to prevent the
contrivances, and
little
accidents of
them
?
Can you
or to guard us
from
furTer yourfelf to be
per-
life,
fuaded, that the great Creator of this world
to fupport a
takes care
make
quite rotten, and to
few minutes longer
ftand firm
it
till
while we two were palling by
worms
ruin
as
you and
are
I
it,
that fuch
might efcape the
r
But
tion in
prayer.
fo
a
you had rode over
will he uphold a falling tower
Or,
it ?
bridge which was
you
you prayed
the morning, and he
I
fay,
grant he
fond and weak,
knows
faid
for his protec-
it
he,
certainly hears
:
as
but are you
to
fuppofe
Lord of all had fuch a
word or two of your breath,
that the univerfal
regard to a
,make alterations in his own eternal
fcheme upon that account ? Nor is there
as
to
any other way whereby his providence can
preferve you in anfwer to prayer, but by
Creating
fuch perpetual interruptions and
3
changes
DISPUTES
OF
I98
changes in his
own conduct
according to
your daily behaviour.
I
acknowledge,
no other way
and therefore
I
theie
all
is
doctrine of di-
to fecure the
vine Providence in
there
fays Fidens,
common
affairs
begin to doubt whether
;
God
does or ever will exert himfelf fo particularly in our little Concerns.
Have
a
care,
yield not too far
granted too
that
take heed
you have
:
much
left
and furveys
future
all
view,
from the beginning
forefee
let
and diftant
could
things in one fingle
prayer for his protection,
me
God, who
Pray
to Fatalio.
afk of you, could not the great
grafps
you
good Fidens,
not he
your morning
and appoint
all
fecond caufes to concur for the fupport of
that
crazy
bridge,
tower ftand firm
or
till
to
make
that
old
you had efcaped the
Or could not he caufe all the
mediums to work fo as to make it fall before you come near it ? Can he not appoint
all his own tranfactions in the univerie,
danger
?
and every event in the natural world, in
Wif of perfect correfpondence with his
2l.
own
IN
own
GENERAL.
fore-knowledge,
and
actions,
world
in
of
all
of
appearances
every part of
direct every thing in
I99
the
the
events,
moral
Can he not
which is but
it ?
nature,
agreement with
his fervant, to act in perfect
his eternal preflience of our fins, or of our
piety
?
And hereby
the glory of Provi-
all
dence, and our neceffary dependance upon
it
by faith and prayer, are as well fecured,
as if
he interpofed to
every
moment.
Let me afk
counfels or
again
;
decrees
alter his
own fcheme
did not he in his
appoint
own
thunders and
lightnings and earthquakes, to burn up and
Sodom and Gomorrah, and turn
them into a dead fea, jufl at the time when
deftroy
the iniquities of thofe cities were raifed to
their
fupreme height
?
Did he not ordain
the fountains of the deep to be broken up,
and overwhelming rains to
ven, juft
when
be drowned
->
fall
from Hea-
guilty world deferved
to
while he took care of the
fe-
a
curity of righteous
Noah, by an ark which
mould float upon that very deluge of waters ?
Thus he can punifh the criminal when he
pleafes,
and reward the devout wormipper
O
4
in
OF DISPUTES
200
in the
proper feafon, by his original and
eternal fchemes of appointment, as well as
if
he interpofed every
Fidens,
heed,
that
Take
moment anew.
you be not tempted
away by fuch fophifms of Fatalio, to withhold prayer from God, and to renounce
your
faith in his providence.
Remember
this fhort
and plain caution
of the fubtile errors of men.
but once thruft in his head
Let
at
a fnake
fome fmall
unguarded fold of your garment, and he
will infenrlbly and
unavoidably wind his
whole body, into your bofom, and give you
a pernicious wound.
XI.
On
the other hand,
when you have
found your opponent make any fuch conceffion as
in
may turn
maintaining
the
watchful to obferve
improvement of
it.
your
to
truth,
it,
real
advantage
be wife
and make
a
and
happy
Rhapfodus has taken
a great deal of pains to detract from the
honour of
chriftianity,
by
fly
infinuations
that the facred writers are perpetually pro-
moting virtue and piety by promifes and
threatningsj
whereas neither the fear of
future
GENERAL.
IN
201
future punifhment, nor the hope of future
reward, can poffibly be called good affections, or fuch as are the acknowledged fprings
and fources of
He
actions truly good.
all
adds further, that this fear, or this hope,
cannot
goodnefs, if
it
with
reality
in
confift
as a confiderable
motive to any good action
fain
lead
and
future
Chriftians
of
gofpel
of the
or
either flands as effential to
any moral performance, or
would
virtue
Chrift,
:
to
be afhamed
becaufe of
promifes
eternal
and thus he
and
its
threat-
nings, as being inconuftent with his notion
of virtue
;
he fuppofes virtue mould
for
be fo beloved and practifed for the fake of
own
its
beauty and lovelineis, that
motives
from rewards or
arifing
ments, fear or hope,
juft fo
much from
do
really
all
other
punifli-
take
away
the very nature of virtue
influence reaches to: and no part
as their
Qf thofe good practices are really valuable,
but what
tue
itfelf,
from the mere love of
arifes
vir-
without any regard to punifh-
ment or reward.
But
obferve
he grants that
in
—
two pages afterwards,
this
principle of fear of
future
and
punifhment,
future
reward,
it
DISPUTES
OF
202
how mercenary and
may be
accounted,
cumftances
is
lull,
or
is
virtue
to
of
-,
future
foever
fervile
yet in
many
advantage,
great
a
and fupport
there
hope
cir-
fecurity,
where
efpecially
danger of the violence of rage or
any counter-working paflion
to
controul and overcome the good affections
of the mind.
Now
the rule and the practice of chrif-
tianity, or the gofpel, as
nected with
ments,
man
Rhapfodus,
in this prefent life,
con-
clofely
and
punifh-
by
fupported
well
Pray,
conceflion.
every
be
is
rewards
future
may
it
tell
this
me,
if
by the vio-
lence of fome counter-working paffion,
may
not have his good affections to virtue controuled or overcome
?
May
not,
therefore,
his eternal fears and hopes be a great advantage,
fecurity,
dangerous
a flate
ney through
and
this
and fupport to virtue in
is all
and fituation,
this
as
world towards
fo
our joura
better
?
that the defence of chriuia-
nity necefiarily requires.
And
GENERAL.
IN
And
me
yet further, let
203
afk our rhapfo-
you have nothing elfe, Sir, but the
beauty, and excellency, and lovelinefs of vir-
dift, if
tue to preach and flouriih upon, before fuch
and degenerate creatures as the bulk
of mankind are, and you have no future
rewards or punifhments with which to adforry
and
their hopes
drefs
thefe vicious wretches will
from
madnefs
and
temperance,
you ever reclaim
of profanenefs, in-
varieties
their
all
how many of
fears,
How
?
many-
have you ever actually reclaimed by this
fmooth
What
method, and thefe
foft
has
?
reafoning and rhetoric
that
all
words
fine
done which have been difplayed by your predeceflbrs the
and
excellency
has
it
Heathen
Perhaps
?
better natural
What
refined,
recovered
and perhaps
from
now and
then
mould has been
alfo
have been here and there a
or
?
this
been able to do towards the reform-
man of
little
of virtue
beauty
ing of a finful world
a
upon
moralifts,
injuftice
there
a
may
man
retrained
and
knavery,
from drunkenncfs and lewdnefs, and vile
debaucheries, by this fair reafoning and
philofophy
venge
:
but have the paflions of re-
and envy,
of
ambition and pride,
and
0F
204
DISPUTES
and the inward fecret vices of the mind
been mortified merely by this philofophical
language
made new
love to
Go
Have any of
?
of
men been
real piety
up
the virtues of
all
human
the beauties of your oratory,
all
and declaim aloud on the praife of
virtue,
nefs,
focial
and the amiable qualities of good-
till
among
and
?
drefs
nature in
men
creatures,
God
thefe
your heart or your lungs ache,
of mankind, and
loofer herds
the
you will ever
find, as
your Heathen fathers
have done before, that
and appetites of
men
the wild
paffions
are too violent to be
by fuch mild and filken language.
You may as well build up a fence of ftraw
reftrained
and feathers
to
quench
of
fair
to
refill:
a cannon-ball, or try
a flaming granado with a fhell
water, as hope to fucceed in
But an
attempts.
eternal
Heaven and an
eternal Hell carry divine force
with them
:
thefe
and power
This doctrine from the mouth
of Chriftian preachers has begun the reformation of multitudes
recovered
;
this
gofpel
has
among the nations
and death.
They have been,
thoufands
from iniquity
awakened
GENERAL.
IN
awakened by
thefe
awful fcenes to begin
religion,
and afterwards
improved
itfelf into fuperior
tbeir
fined principles and habits
and
high
to
rifen
though not
eminent degrees,
and
Rhapfodus
than
better
throughout
more
by the
proper and
drefs to
it
Word
his
has
by divine grace,
God knows human
blefied
virtue
and more re-
confummate
a
to
2O5
The
much
ftate.
nature
doth,
and
has
appointed a more
effectual
method of ad-
paffions of
hope and
fear,
by puni/hments and rewards.
If you read on four pages further in thefe
writings,
another
you
will find the author
concefiion.
He
allows
makes
that
— the
mailer of a family ufing proper rewards and
gentle
punifhments towards his children,
them goodnefs, and by this help
inftructs them in a virtue which afterwards
they practife upon other grounds, and withteaches
out thinking of a penalty or a bribe: and
this, fays
he,
is
what we
call a liberal
edu-
cation and a liberal fervice.
This new
alfo be
concefiion of that author
may
very happily improved in favour of
Christianity.
disputes
of
2.q6
What
Christianity.
in this
life
in virtue
They
?
by no means perfect
are
-
I
:
cf me::
be ft
the
are
all
but children
here
under the great m after of the family, and
he is pleaied by hopes 2nd fears, by mere:
and correction?,
onward
conduct us
m
us
to inltruct
virtue,
towards
the
fublimer and mere perfect practice of
it in
and
to
the future werid. where
own
ed, as in his
it
in all
be perform-
language, perhaps
— withe
And fince
conduct may be
thinking of penalties or bribes.
he hath allowed that
fervice,
let
the
cf
title
education,
liberal
a
ca'.
this
Christianity then
a liberal
education
fiuch
is
creatures,
ward?
and
be
a
inculg
alio,
frail
liberal
and
and linful
while they are training up
.;:'.:.;.:.:
t]
pf
:
the heavenly
itate.
XII.
with
a
Whin
;.
oa
per fen cf
from your felt,
are
engaged
in a difpute
very different p:
and
you
cannot had
les
any
him to embrace
the truth bv principles which vcu b:
freely acknowledge, ycu may fairly make
ufe of his own principles to {hew him his
mi flake,
ready way to prevail with
GENERAL.
IN
20 "J
him
miftake, and thus convince or filence
from
own
his
conceffions.
If your opponent
mould be
may purfue your
losopher or a Jew, you
argument
fome Chriftian
of
defence
in
a Stoic phi-
dodtrine or duty againft fuch a difputa,nt,
by axioms or laws borrowed either from
Zeno or Moles. And though you do not
how many
the inquiry
enter into
laws of Mofes
Zeno was
are abrogated,
right or
wrong
of the
or whether
in his philofophy,
yet if from the principles and conceffions
you can fupport your
of your opponent,
argument
for the gofpel of Chrifl, this has
been always counted a
and
adverfary,
it
is
hominem, or ratio ex
fair
treatment of an
called
argumentum ad
St.
concejjis.
Paul fome-
times makes ufe of this fort of difputation,
when he
talks
lofophers
y
-
with Jews or Heathen phi-
and
convinces them
ceflary
to
be
at leaft
:
he
which
done
filences
is
againft
if
not
fometimes nean
obftinate
and clamorous adverfary, that jufl honour
might be paid
were divine,
to
truths
which he knew
and that the only true doctrine
OF DISPUTES
208
might be confirmed arid
propagated among finful and dying men.
trine of falvation
Yet
XIII.
muft be taken,
great care
your debates break in upon your
left
pailions,
and awaken them to take part in the conWhen the opponent pufhes hard,
troverfy.
and gives
juft
and mortal wounds to our
own
opinions, our paflions are very apt to
feel
the ftrokes, and to
and defence.
Self
lentiments which
rife
we have
fuch a tender feeling of
which
made
is
are very ready
brawls
chofen, and has
all
them,
to
refentment
mingled with the
fo
is
in
to
the oppofition
that
come
perfonal
in
as
fe-
conds, to fucceed and finifh the difpute of
Then
opinions.
appear in
all
their fhapes,
and truth out of
How
noife and clamour and folly
and chafe reafon
fight.
unhappy
is
the cafe of
frail
and
wretched mankind in this dark or dufky
itate
fon
?
of flrong paflion and glimmering rea-
How
fions are
when our
engaged in the difpute,
more what
we
ready are we,
paf-
to confider
loads of nonfenfe and reproach
can lay upon our opponent, than what
reafon
GENERAL,
IN
20$
reafon and truth require in the controverfy
Difmal are the confequences man-
itfelf.
kind are too often involved in bv
principle;
it is
this
common
practice that carries the
that
fair
is
truth,
and honeft
the
or
and dangerous
heart afide
foul, that
of
propagation
St.
principle,
the
in
it
one's very
Jerome
his
in
follies as thefe.
fairly confclTes
apology for
this evil
himfelf to
Pammachius, (t that he had not fo much
garded what was exactly to be fpoken
fit
deed,
to lay a
I
fear
many of
affairs
this
was the
of thole times.
we
in
But
it
as
cuftom of
the church
will be a
dou-
more enlightened
will allow ourfelves in a conduct
fo criminal
who
vile
the writers even in
ble fcandal upon us in our
age, if
re-
what
load on Jovinian." And, in-
the controverfy he had in hand,
was
all
none of the Chriftian fathers had
been guilty of fuch
But
from
our fearch after
in
One would wifh from
world.
this evil
and diihoneft.
Happy
fouls,
keep fuch a facred dominion over their
inferior and animal powers, and all the in-
fluences of pride and fecular intereft, that
the fenfitive tumults, or thefe vicious influ-
P
ences
OF DISPUTES, &C.
210
ences never
rife
mind
better operations of the reafoning
XIV. These
ceiTary,
or
at
and
to diflurb the fuperior
!
general directions are neleafl
ufeful
in
all
debates
whatfoever, whether they arife in occafional
converfation, or are appointed at any cer-
tain
time or place
$
whether they are ma-
naged with or without any formal rules to
But there are three forts of
difputation in which there are fome forms
and orders obferved, and which are diftinguimed by thefe three names, viz, Socratic,
govern them.
Forenfic,
and Academic,
/. e.
the difputes
of the fchools.
Concerning
each of thefe
be improper to difcourfe a
a
few
it
little,
may not
and give
particular directions or remarks about
them.
CHAP.
211
CHAP.
XI.
THE SOCRATICAL WAjY OF D IS UTATIO M.
I"
I. r
A
g
HIS
method of difpute derives its
name from Socrates, by whom it
JL
was
and by other philofophers in
practifed,
his age, long before Ariftotle invented
particular forms of fyllogifm in
figure,
which
are
now
ufed
the
mood and
in
fcholaftic
difputations.
II.
The
way
Socratical
queftions and anfwers in
viz.
this,
belief
ftate
of
If I
a
would
managed by
fuch a manner as
is
lead a perfon into the
heaven or hell, or
of rewards and punifhments,
a
I
future
might
begin in fome fuch manner of inquiry, and
fuppofe the moft obvious and eafy anfwers.
Q^ Does
A.
not
Surely
God
govern the world?
he that made
P
2
it
governs
it.
Q^Is
THE SOCRATICAL WAY
%\1
Q^ Is
governor
A.
God
not
both
a
good and
a
righteous
?
Both
thefe characters doubtlefs be-
long to him.
Q^
What
is
the true notion of a good
and righteous governor
A.
That
?
he punifhes the wicked, and
rewards the good.
Q^ Are
the good always rewarded in this
life ?
A.
No
furely, for
many
virtuous
men
are
miferable here, and greatly afflicted.
Q^ Are
this life
A.
live
of
the wicked always punifhed in
?
No
certainly,
for
many of them
without forrow, and fome of the
men
vilefl
are often raifed to great riches
and
honour.
Q^ Wherein
OF DISPUTATION.
Q^ Wherein
appear that he
A.
of
it
I
own
then doth
213
God make
good and righteous
is
there
is
but
little
it
?
appearance
on earth.
Q^ Will
when
there not be a time then
the tables mall be turned, and the fcene of
changed,
things
kind righteoufly
fince
God
?
A. Doubtless, there muft be
time,
God
wherein
man-
governs
will
make
a
proper
that
good-
nefs and that righteoufnefs to appear.
Q^
can
it
If this be not before their death,
be done
how
?
can think of no other way but by
fuppofing man to have fome exiftence after
A.
I
this life.
Q^ Are you
not convinced then
that
there muft be a ftate of reward and punifh-
ment
after death
?
A. Yes
THE SOCRATICAL WAY
214
A. Yes
finely,
I
now
plainly that
fee
the goodnefs and righteoufnefs of God, as
governor of the world, neceffarily require
it.
i
Now
III.
the advantages of this
method
are very considerable.
1.
or
It
-reprefents
common
more
fprightly
to
converfation,
more
eafy,
way of
excite
the
penetration
the form of a dialogue
which
pleafant,
is
and
a
much
a
more
inftru&icn, and more
attention,
of the
and
learner,
fit
maroen the
than
folitary
reading or filent attention to a leclure.
Man
being a fociable creature,' delights more in
converfation,
if
it
could
and
learns
better
this
way,
always be wifely and happily
pradtifed.
This method hath fomething very
obliging in it, and carries a very humble
and condefcending air, when he that' !n2.
ftructs
feems to be the enquirer, and feeks
information from
him who
learns.
3-
Ir
OF DISPUTATION.
21 5
It leads the learner into the knowledge
'3.
of truth
which
as
were by his own invention,
a very
is
nature
it
thing to
pleafing
human
and by queftions pertinently and
;
propofed,
artificially
draw him on
does
it
own
to difcover his
much more
which he
is
relinquish
when he feems
effectually
as
eafily
miftakes,
perfuaded to
to have discovered
them himfelf.
It
4.
is
managed
great meafufe in
in a
the form of the moSb-eaiy reafoning, alwpvs
from fomething
ariiing
aSTerted
or
known
in the foregoing anfwer, and fo proceeding
to enquire
fomething unknown
lowing queSuon, which
makes way
-again
Now
for the next anfwer.
in the fol-
fuch an exercile
very alluring and entertaining to the un-
is
derstanding, while
are all along
its
own
realb'mrig
powers'
employed, and that without
labour or difficulty, becaufe the querift finds
out and propofes
all
the intermediate ideas
.
'
J
ex
1 1
or middle terms.
>
IV.
There
to this,
is
a
01
no
method very near a-kiiv
which has much obtained of
viz. writing Controversies
P 4
late,
by questions only,
or
THE SOCRATICAL WAY
2l6
or confirming or refuting- any petition, or
periuading to or dehor ting from any prac-
anfwer to them
is
fuppofed to be fo plain
fo necefTary, that they
and
The
by the mere propofal of queries.
tice,
are
not exprefT-
the query itfelf carries a con-
ed, becaufe
vincing argument
in
it,
and feems to de-
termine what the anfwer mufl be.
V.
If
framed
pute
in
by
catechifms
Chriftian
manner of
the
queftion
and
could
a Socratical
anfwer,
it
be
dif-
would
wonderfully enlighten the minds of children, and
al
it
would improve
and reafoning powers,
that
it
leads
religion
:
and
them
it
is
into
their intellectur
the fame time
at
the knowledge of
upon one account well
fuited to the capacity of children
queftions
may
;
for the
be pretty numerous, and the
querirl muft not proceed too fwiftly towards
the
determination
that he
of his point propofed,
may with more
eafe,
with brighter
evidence, and with furer fuccefs, draw the
learner on to afTent to thofe principles ftep
by
ftep,
from whence the
will naturally arife.
ence would be
this,
The
that
final
conclafion
only inconvenii:
children
were
to
OF DISPUTATION.
to reafon out all their
way
knowledge of every part of
21J
entirely into the
their religion, it
would draw common catechifms into too
large a volume for their leifure, attention,
or
memory.
Yet
to
thofe
who
explain their catechifms
them may, by due
application and fore-
thought, inftruct them in this manner.
CHAP.
(
ai8
CHAP.
OF
I.
fOREKSU
)
XH.
DISPUtES.
'T^HE
JL
forum was a public place in Rome
where lawyers and orators made their
fpeeches before the proper judge in matters
of property, or
in criminal cafes, to accufe
or excufe, to complain or defend
:
thence
all
of difputations in public aiTemblies or
forts
courts of juftice, where feveral perfons
make
their diftind; fpeeches for or againft any per-
fon or thing whatfoever, but more efpecially
in civil matters,
may come under
the
name
of Forenfic difputes.
This
II.
is
pra&ifed
not
only, in the
Courts of Judicature, where a fmgle perfon
fits
to
judge of the truth or goodnefs of
any caufe,
and to determine according to
the weight of reafons on either fide;
it
is
but
ufed alfo in political fenates or parlia-
ments,
OF FORENSIC 'DISPUTES.
ments,
ecclefiaftreal
fyttoife,
2 JO
and afTemblies
of various kinds.
is
In thefe afiemMles generally one perfon
cnoicn chairman or moderator, not to
give a determination to the controverfy, but
keep the fevcra! fpeakers to the
rules of order and decency in their conduct;
chiefly to
but the
determination cf the queifions
final
from
arifes
the
majority
of opinions
or
votes in the afTembly, according as they are
or ought to be fwayed by the fuperior
weight of reaibn appearing in the
fpeeches that are made.
III.
ally
in
perfon
feveral
The
method of proceeding is ufufome fuch form as this. The firft
who
fpeaks
when
the court
opens the cafe either more briefly cr
is
fct,
at large,
and propofes the cafe to the * judge or the
chairman, or moderator of the afTembly, and
gives his
own
reafons for his opinion in the
cafe Drooofed.
IV. This perfon
is
Succeeded by one, or
perhaps two or feveral more,
on the fame
2
ftbjecl.
who
paraphrafe
and argue on the fame
fide
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
220
of the queflion
fide
the
a
new reafons
then thofe w ho are
ftand up and make
has fpoken, and urge
firft
to enforce the fame
of
they confirm what
-,
7
:
different opinion
their feveral
fpeeches in a fucceflion, op-
pofing the caufe which others have maintained, giving their reafons
endeavouring
to
whereby the
firft
ed
againft
the
refute
fpeakers
have
and
it,
arguments
fupporU
it.
V. After this, one and another rifes
up to make their replies, to vindicate or
to condemn, to eftablifh or to confute
what
has been offered before on each fide of the
queftion
;
till at laft,
according to the rules,
orders, or cuftoms of the court or affembly,
the controverfy
is
decided, either by a fingle
judge or the fufFrage of the affembly.
VI.
Where
the queftion or matter in
debate confifts of feveral parts, after
once opened by the
fometimes thofe
them
firfl
who
it
is
or fecond fpeaker,
follow take each of
a particular part of
the debate, ac-
cording to their inclination or their prior
agreement, and apply themfelves to argue
upon
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
upon that
221
whole
eompkxion of the debate may not be thrown
into confulion by the variety of fubjects, if
every fpeaker mould handle all the fubjects
fingle point only, that fo the
of debate.
Before
VII.
mination
is
the
given,
final
it
is
and arguments,
reafons
on both
offered
rides,
fentence or deterufual to have the
which have been
fummed up and
repre-
more compendious manner ; and
done either by the appointed judge
fented in a
this
is
of the court, or the chairman, or fome noted
perfon
may
in the
afTembly,
proceed upon the
whole
man
that fo
fullefi:
fubjecl:, that as far as
affairs
nothing
judgment
furvey of the
hu-
poflible in
may be done
contrary to
a practice in
which mul-
truth and juftice.
VIII. As this
titudes
learned
leaft
in
of gentlemen, beiides thofe of the
profeffions,
their
would be
to
is
a
introduce
demies, viz.
may
be
engaged,
maturer years of
very proper and
this
to
cuftom
at
fo it
life,
ufeful thing
into
our
propofe cafes, and
let
aca-
the
flu-
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
22£
Undents debate them
in aforenfic
manner
in
the prefence of their tutors. There was fome-
thing of this kind pra&ifed by the
youth
their
in
them up
order to train
in
for orators, both in the
it
forum and
Perhaps Juvenal gives fome
in the fenate.
hints of
fchools,
Roman
when he
fays,
& nos
Conjilhim dedimus Sy/Ic?, privatus ut
—
Dormiret
—
—
Where with men-boys I flrove
ahum
Sat. I.
to get
renown,
Advifing Sylla to a private gown,
That he might
Sometimes
boys
fleep the founder.
thefc were afligned to the
as fingle fubje£fcs
mation
:
ib
of a theme or decla-
the fame poet fpeaks farcafti-
cally to Hannibal,
& ftcvas curve per Alpes>
TJt pueris placeas & declamatio fias.
i
/ demens,
Sat. 10.
Go
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
Go
To
223
climb the rugged Alps, ambitious fool,
pleafe the
boys,
and be a theme
at
fchool.
See more of
tiquities
the
of
Roman
this
Rome,
matter in Rennet's
An-
in the fecond ElTay
on
Education,
CHAP,
(
224
)
CHAP.
XIII.
OF ACADEMIC OR SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
THE commonmanaged
methods
putes are
in
which
dif-
in the fchools
of
learning, are thefe, viz.
I.
The
tutor appoints a queftion in
fome
of the fciences to be debated amongft his
fludents
:
one of them undertakes to affirm
or to deny the queftion, and to defend his
afTertion or negation,
and to anfwer
jections againft it; he
is
ent
:
fame
and the
reft
clafs, or
who
ob-
called the refpond-
of the fludents
in
the
purfue the fame fcience,
who
are appointed to dis-
raife objections
againft the proposi-
are the opponents,
pute or
all
tion thus affirmed or denied.
II.
in
Each
their
turn
of the ftudents
becomes the
fucceffively
refpondent or
the
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
225
the defender of that proportion, while the
reft
oppofe
fucceffively
alfo
it
in
their
turns.
It
III.
is
the bufinefs of the refpondent
to write a thefis in Latin, or fhort difcourfe
on the queftion propofed
and he either
-,
affirms or denies the queftion according to
the opinion of the tutor,
which
to be the truth, and he reads
is
fuppofed
it
at
the be-
IV. In his difcourfe (which
is
written
ginning of the difpute.
•
with
as great
accuracy
as
the youth
capable of) he explains the
queftion,
fixes
their
frees
them from
fenfe,
declares
it
it
ca-
terms of the
all
the
and meaning of the queiticn
rates
is
ambiguity,
true intent
itfeif,
fepa.-
from other queftions with which
may have been
complicated, and diftin-
from other queftions which may
happen to be a-kin to it, and then proguiihes
nounces
.cerning
V.
it
in
the negative or affirmative con*-
it.
When
this
is
done, then in the fe-
cond part of his difcourfe he gives his own.
Q^
itrongsfb
ACADEMIC OR
OF
226
ftrongeft
arguments to confirm the propo-
rtion he has laid down,
own
his
i.
of the queftion
fide
to
e.
vindicate
but he does
:
not ufually proceed to reprefent the objections againfl
for
objections in difputing.
VI.
dent
Note,
In fome fchools the refpon-
admitted to talk largely upon the
is
many
queftion with
tions,
flourimes and illuftra-
to introduce great authorities
ancient and
port of
in
$
the bufinefs of the other ftudents to
it is
"raife
and to folve or anfwer them
it,
it,
modern writings
from
for the fup-
and to fcatter Latin reproaches
abundance on
all
ferent fentiment.
thofe
But
who
this
are of a dif-
is
not always
permitted, nor
mould
dulged,
teach youth to reproach in-
left it
it
indeed be ever in-
ltead of reafoning.
VII.
When
the refpondent has read over
his thefis in the fchool, the junior ftudent
makes an objection, and draws
regular form of a fyllogifm
:
it
up
in
the
the refpondent
repeats the objection, and either denies the
major or minor propofition directly, or he
diftinguiihes
upon fome word or phrafe in
the
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
the major or minor, and
mews
in
227
what fenfe
the proportion may be true, but that thatfenfe
does not
clares
affecr.
the queftion
;
and then de-
which
that in the fenfe
prefent queftion, the proportion
and confequently he denies
Then
VIII.
the
affects
is
not true*
it.
the opponent proceeds by
another fyllogifm to vindicate the proportion that
is
denied
:
again the refpondent an-
fwers by denying or diftinguifhing.
Thus
the difputation goes on in a feries
or fucceffion of fyllogifms and anfwers,
the objector
is
filenced,
till
and has no more to
fay,
IX.
When
he can go no further, the
next ftudent begins to propofe his objection,
and then the third and the fourth, even to
the fenior,
X.
who
During
is
the
this
laft
opponent.
time the tutor
fits
in
the chair as prefident or moderator, to fee
that the
rules of difputation
be obferved on both
fides
;
and decency
and to admcnifh
each difputant of any irregularity in their
Q^2
con-
228
ACADEMIC OR
€>F
His work
conduct.
alfo to illuftrate
is
and
explain the anfwer or distinction of the re-
fpondent where
it
it
where
falfe
is
is
it
:
it is
obfcure, to flrengthen
weak, and to correct
and when
it
where
respondent
the
pinched with a ftrong objection, and
a
lofs for
an anfwer, the moderator
is
is
at
affifts
him, and fuggeits fome anfwer to the objection of the opponent, in
queflion, according to his
defence of the
own
opinion or
fen tirnent.
XI. In public difputes, where the opponents
fide
is
and refpondents
chufe their
own
of the queilion, the moderator's work
not to favour either difputant
only
fits as
prefident
to fee
;
but he
that the laws
of difputation be obferved, and a decorum
maintained,
XII.
Now
the laws of difputation relafe
either to the opponent, or to the refpondent,
er to both.
The
thefe
laws
obligine:
the
onoonent
are
;
i.
That
;
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
i.
That
22a
he mufl directly contradict the
proportion of the refpondent, and not merely
whereby the
attack any of the arguments
refpondent has fupported that proportion
for
it is
one thing to confute
a tingle
argu-
ment of the refpondent, and another
confute the thefis
2.
(Which
to
itfelf.
a-kin to the former) he
is
mufl contradict or oppofe the very
{cn{c
and
intention of the proportion as the refpon-
dent has ftated
it,
and not merely oppofe
the words of the thefis in any other fenfe;
for this
would be the way
to
plunge the
difpute into ambiguity and darknefs, to talk
belide the queftion, to wrangle about words,
and to attack a proportion different from
w hat
r
the refpondent has efpoufed, which
is
called ignoratio ele?ichi.
3.
He
muft propofe
his
argument
in
a
plain, fhort and fyllogiftick form, according
to
the rules of logick, without flying to
fallacies or
may
fophifms, and as far as
be,
be mould ufe categorical fyllogifms.
Q^3
4.
Though
:
ACADEMIC OR
OF
23O
Trough
4.
tacked either upon a point
cemon, which
which
is
is
called
cr by reducing
\ejjis,
is
may be atof his own con-
the refpondent
argument urn ex con-
him
called reduclio
ad
to
an abfurdity,
abfurduniy yet
it
the neateft, the moft ufeful, and the beft
fort
of difputation where the opponent draws
his objections
from the nature of the ques-
tion itfelf.
5.
Where the refpondent denies any pro-
portion, the opponent, if he proceed, muft
directly vindicate
tion,
i. e.
and confirm that propor-
he muft make that propofition
the conclufion of his next fyllogifm.
6.
Where
tinguiflies
any
the refpondent limits or d\Cpropofition,
the
opponent
mull dire&ly prove his own propofition in
that
fenfe,
and according to that
member
of the distinction in which the refpondent
denied
it.
XIII.
The
laws that oblige the refpon-.
dent are thefe
i.
To
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION,
To
23X
argument of the opponent in the very fame words in which it
i.
repeat the
was propofed, before he attempts to anfwer
it.
If the fyllogifm be falfe in the logical
2.
form of
he
it,
mud
difcover the fault ac-
cording to the rules of logic.
3.
If the argument does not directly and
he mull £hew
effectually oppofe his theias,
this
miftake, and
thefis is fafe,
make
it
appear that his
even though the argument of
the opponent be admitted
:
or at
the argument does only aim at
rally, or at a diftance,
throw
4.
it,
objection
refpondent muft grant what
muffc
deny what
it.
is falfe,
part of
is
which
which
it is
;
it,
true in
it,
the
he
he muft diftinguifh
or limit the proportion which
or doubtful
collate-
the matter of the opponent's
faulty in any
is
it
that
and not directly over-
or conclude againft
Where
leaft,
is
ambiguous
and then granting the fenfe in
true,
he muft deny the fenfe in
it is falfe.
0^4
5. If
:
:
GF -ACADEMIC
232
OR
If any hypothetic proportion be falfe,
5.
the refpondent muft deny the confequence
he mult deny the disjunc-
if a disjunctive,
tion
:
if a categoric or relative,
ply deny
.
6.
It
he muft lim-
it.
is
fometimes allowed for the re-
fpondent to ufe an indirect anfwer after he
has anfwered directly
and he may
:
alio
mew
how? the opponent's argument may be retorted againil himfelf.
-
j
XIV. The laws
that
both
oblige
dif-
•putants are thefe
1.
Sometimes
it is
necefTary there
mould
be a mention ot certain general principles
in
which they both
agree, relating to the
queftion, that fo they
.thole
things,
have been
2.
is
iiifl
When
well
agreed,
which
not difpute on
either are or
ought
the
flate
of the
controverfy
plainly determined and
muft not be
altered
by either dif-
putant in the courfe of the.difputation
the
to
granted on both fides.
known, and
it
may
refpondent
especially
mould
;
and
keep
a
watch-
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
watchful
on
eye
the
opponent
233
this
in
matter.
3.
Let
neither party invade
vince of the other; efpecially
the pro-
the refpon-
let
dent take heed that he does not turn op-
ponent,
upon
except in
retorting the
his adverfary after a direct refponfe;
and even
this is allowed only as an illuflra-
tion or confirmation of his
4.
argument
Let
own
refponfe.
each wait with patience
other has done fpeaking.
It is
till
a piece
the
of
rudenefs to interrupt another in his fpeech.
Yet, though
moderator may do
the
liberty,
either of
the difputants have not this
the difputants
and he may interpofe
it,
when
break the
rules,
fo far as to
keep them
to order.
XV. It muft
advantages
to the
be
to
difputation.
be conferTed there are fomc
It
attained
by academical
gives vigour and brifknefs
mind thus
exercifed, and relieves the
languor of private ftudy and meditation.
marpens
the
wit
and
all
the
It
inventive
powers.
OF ACADEMIC OR
234
powers.
lends
It
makes the thoughts a&ive, and
them on
and aniwers
all
fides
to find
both for oppofition and deopportunity of viewing the
fence.
It gives
fubjecl:
of difcourfe on
all
and of
fides,
what inconveniences,
learning
arguments
difficulties,
and objections attend particular opinions. It
furniflies the foul with various occafions of
flarting fuch
thoughts as otherwife would
never have come into the mind.
It
makes
a ftudent more expert in attacking and
re-»
futing an error, as well as in vindicating a
truth.
It inftrufts
the fcholar in the
vari*-
ous methods of warding off the force of
objections, and of difcovering
the fubtle tricks of fophifters.
alfo a
and refelling
It
procures
freedom and readinefs of fpeech, and
raifes the
modeft and diffident genius to a
due degree of courage.
XVI. But
there are
inconveniences
balance
young
all
that
thefe
ftudents,
by
fome very grievous
may fometimes
advantages.
over-
For many
a conftant habit of dif-
puting, grow impudent and audacious, proud
and difdainful, talkative and impertinent,
.:nd render themfelves intolerable by an obilinate
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
flinate
have
235
humor of maintaining whatever they
afTerted,
as
well as by a fpirit of con-
tradiction, oppofing almoft every thing that
The
they hear.
wakens the
difputation itfelf often a-
of ambition, emula-
paffions
tion,
and anger;
from
that
it
calm and
carries
away the mind
temper which
fedate
is
fo neceffary to contemplate truth.
XVII. It
is
evident alfo, that by frequent
exercifes of this fort, wherein opinions true
and
falfe
are argued, fupported
ed
on both
led
by
fides
;
the
and refut-
mind of man
infenfible degrees to an uncertain
is
and
fluctuating temper, and falls into danger of
a fceptical
humour, which never comes
an eftablifhment in any doctrines.
to
oppofe whatfoever
Many
much more
peribns by this means become
ready
to
is
offered
fearching out truth; they hardly wait
in
till
they have read or heard the fentiment of
any perfon,
employed
before their heads
to feek out
are
bufily
arguments againft
it.
They grow
naturally fharp in finding out
difficulties;
and by indulging
this
humour,
they converfe with the dark and doubtful
parts of a fubject fo long,
till
they almoft
ren-
OF
Z^h
ACADEMIC OR
render themfelves incapable of receiving the
of a proportion, and acknow-
full evidence
ledging the light of truth.
tendency to make
youth a carping
a
rather than a judicious
XVIII.
in
I
has fome
It
would
man.
add yet further, that
thefe difputations the refpondent
nerally appointed to maintain the
truth, that
is,
Now
if a fprightly
manage
his
But
the
truth.
young genius happens
arguments
all
warmly engaged
arguments againft
finding
ge-
is
fuppofed
the tutor's opinion.
the opponents are bufy and
in
critic,
fo well as to
to
puzzle
and gravel the refpondent, and perhaps to
perplex the moderator a
tempted
to
able, and
The
little too,
he
is
foon
fuppofe his argument unanfwerthe truth entirely to
lie
on
his
which he takes in having
found a fophifm which has great appearance of reafon, and which he himfelf has
managed with fuch fuccefs, becomes perfide.
il
pleafure
jos a fcrong prejudice to engage his
inward
fentjments in favour of his argument, and
in opposition to the
XIX'.
Yet
fuppofed truth.
perhaps
it
may be
poflible to
reduce fcholaftic difputations under fuch _a
guard,
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
2^J
fomc meafure prevent
moft of tbefe abufes of them, and the unhappy events that too often attend them
has
for it is pity that an exerciie which
guard,
may
as
in
:
fome valuable benefits attending it, mould
be utterly thrown away, if it be poflible to
fecure young minds againft the abufe of it;
which purpofe fome of
for
may feem
thefe directions
proper.
XX. General
directions for fcholaftic
difputes.
Never
i.
difpute
upon mere
trifles,
things that are utterly ufelefs to be known,
under
a vain pretence
the
for
from
fame
folid
of fharpening the wit:
advantage
may be
derived
and ufeful fubjects, and thus two
happy ends may be
attained at once.
Or
it
fuch difputations are always thought dangerous in important matters, let them be
utterly abandoned.
2.
Do
not
make
infinite
and unfearch-
able things the matter of difpute, nor fuch
made up of mere words
left it lead young perfons
propofitions as are
without ideas,
into
ACADEMIC OR
OF
238
into a
mod unhappy
habit of talking with-
out a meaning, and boldly determine upon
things that are hardly within the reach of
human
3.
capacity.
Let
not obvious and
or fome of the
mod
known
truths,
plain and certain propo-
rtions, be bandied about in a difputation,
for a
mere
pofes
them
of
trial
in this
of contracting
fkill
manner
a habit
for he that
:
op-
will be in danger
of oppofing
all
evi-
dence, will acquire a fpirit of contradiction,
and pride himfelf
brighter!:
light,
firongeft proofs
:
in a
power of
and
fighting
refitting the
againft
the
this will infenfibly injure
the mind, and tends greatly to an univerfal
fcepticifm.
Upon
the
whole,
therefore,
the moft
proper fubjecls of difpute ieem to be, thofe
queftions
which
are not of the very higheft
importance and certainty, nor of the meaneft
and
trifling
kind
;
but rather the inter-
mediate queftions between thefe two; and
there
is
fcicnces.
a large fufriciency
But
this I
put
of them in the
as a
mere propofal,
to
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
to be determined
239
by the more learned and
prudent.
It would be well
4.
if every difpute
could
be To ordered as to be a means of fearchine
out truth, and not to gain a triumph. Then
each
difputant
might come
to
the
work
without bias and prejudice; with a defire
of truth, and not with ambition of glory
and victory.
Nor mould
the aim and defign of the
refpondent be to avoid artfully and efcape the
which the opponent
them thoroughly, and
difficulties
offers,
to difcufs
folve
fairly, if
but
them
they are capable of being folved.
Again,
let
the opponent be folicitous
not to darken and confound the refponfes
that are given
let
him by
frefh fubtilties;
him bethink himfelf whether
but
they are
not a juft anfwer to the objection, and be
honeftly ready to perceive and accept them,
and yield
5.
to
For
them.
this end, let
and opponent ufe the
3
both the refpondent
clearefl
and moft diftinft
OF
240
tinct
ACADEMIC OR
and expreffive language in which they
Let them feek
can clothe their thoughts.
and
brevity and perfpicuity on both
'practife
without long
fides,
declamations,
tedious
circumlocutions, and rhetorical flourishes.
.
If there happen to be any doubt or ob-
fcurity on either fide, let neither, the one or
the other ever refufe to give a fair explica-
words they
tion of the
They mould
6.
of perfons
either
banter
Thefe
and
not
are things
fhould abftain
that
philofophical gravity,
every
in
fearch
all.
merriment.
break in upon that
fedatenefs and
fere-
to be obferved
truth.
However an
may be forne^
after
fubjecfs
times clothed with a
ilead
from
which ought
argument on fome
jell
dif-
their
in
laughter and
jeft,
nity of temper,
indulge ridicule,
things
or
They
putations.
ufe.
little
pleafantry
or witticlfm fhould never
;
yet a
be ufed in-
of an argument, nor fhould
it
ever be
fuftered to pais for a real and folid proof.
6-
But
efpeclally if the fubjccl beEfacred
or divine, and have nothing in
it
comical or
xidi-
;
SCHOLASTIC DEPUTATION.
ridiculous,
all
or comical
airs,
24I
ludicrous turns, and jocofe
mould be entirely excluded,
young minds become tinctured with a
left
filly
and profane
to jeft
and
trifle
fort
of ridicule, and learn
with the awful folemnities
of religion.
7.
Nor mould
farcafm and reproach, or
infolent language, ever be ufed
difputants.
Turn
fpeak of perfons.
all
among
fair
not off from things to
Leave
all
noify contefts,
immodeft clamours, brawling language,
and efpecially
to
rility
world.
all
the
Let
perfonal fcandal and fcur-
meaneft part of the
your manner be
vulgar
all
candour
and gentlenefs, patient and ready
to hear,
humbly zealous to inform and be informed
you mould be free and pleafant in every anfwer and behaviour, rather like well-bred
gentlemen in polite converfation, than like
noify and contentious wranglers.
8.
If the opponent fees victory to incline
to his fide, let
force
him be content
of his argument to
the
to
(hew the
intelligent
company, without too importunate and petulant demands of an an fvver,
part of the
R
'
and
ACADEMIC OR
OF
242
and without infulting over his antagonifl,
or putting the modefly of the refpondent to
Nor
the bldih.
let
over the opponent
tory declares
when he
On which
no more.
plies
herfelf,
is
fide
foever vic-
ther
which
fide,
truth, render
its
paffions
it
of
ei-
mind from
the
alienate
obflinate in the defence of
an error, and never fuffer
any of
evil
infolent
fhame or refentment on
anger,
pride,
them
neither of
let
awaken thofe
to
as
and re-
filent
manage with fuch unpleafing and
airs,
triumph
the refpondent
it
with
to part
old opinions.
In mort, when truth evidently appears
on
either
lide,
conviction.
plus, let
When
them
defire prefent
let
them
learn
either party
confefs the
afli fiance,
to yield
is at
to
non-
a
and
difficulty,
or further time and
retirement to confider of the matter, and
not rack their prefent invention to find out
little
mifts to avoid
the force and evidence
of truth.
9.
Might
it
not be
fafer practice,
a
in
order to attain the bed ends of difputation,
and to avoid fome of the
ill
effects
of
it,
if
the
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION,
243
the opponents were fometimes engaged on
the
of truth, and produced their ar-
fide
guments
in oppofition
if the refpondent
he was forced
And what
?
was appointed to fupport
the error, and defend
till
to error
it
as
well as he could,
to yield
at leafl to thole
arguments of the opponents, which appear
be
to
really juft,
fwerable
and flrong, and unan-
?
In this practice, the thefis of the refpondent mould only be a
tion,
fair ftating
of the quef-
with fome of the chief objections again ft
the truth propofed and folved.
Perhaps
this practice
might not
be perverted and abufed to
raife
foeafily
a caviling,
difputative and fceptical temper in the
minds
of youth.
I
confess,
in this
method which
propofe, there would be one
I
now
among
the ftu-
dents, viz. the refpondent, always
engaged
in the fupport of fuppofed error
;
but
all
the
would be exercifmg their talents in arguing for the fuppofed truth whereas in
reft
:
R
2
the
ACADEMIC OR
244
OF
the
common methods
fchools,
employed
io.
are
Jingle ftudent is perpetually
oppofe the truth and vindicate
to
once in
error, except
comes
where the fludents
efpecially
numerous, each
of difputation in the
when
long time,
a
it
to his turn to be refpondent.
Upon
that thefe
the whole,
it
feems neceflary
methods of difputation mould be
learnt in the fchools, in order to teach ftu-
dents better to defend truth, and to refute
error,
both in
where
the
writing and
converfation #
forms
fcholaftic
are
utterly
negle£ted.
But
may
after all, the advantage
gain by difputations, depends
the tutor or moderator
at the
putants
wherein
end of
know
it
fallacy of
it,
much on
he mould manage
:
with fuch prudence both
and
which youth
in
as to
the difputation
make
all
the dis-
the very point of controverfy
cdn'frfts;
he mould manifeft the
fophiftical
objections,
and con-
firm the folid arguments and anfwers.
might
art
teach
fludents
of difputation
how
to
'make
This
the
ufeful for the Searching
out
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
out the truth and the defence of
may
art
245
that
it,
it
not be learnt and pradtifed only as an
of wrangling,
fchools
feveral
which reigned
hundred
years,
the growing reafon of youth of
in
the
and diverted
its
beft
hopes
and improvements.
R
7
CHAP.
246
(
)
CHAP.
OF STUDY, OR
I.
XT
XIV.
MEDITATION.
has been proved and eftablifhed in
Jl fome of the foregoing chapters, that
neither our
own
obfervations, nor our read-
ing the labours of the learned, nor the attendance on the
befl:
lectures of inftruction,
nor enjoying the brighten; converfation, can
make
ever
man
a
truly
without the labours
knowing and
-of his
own
wife,
reafon in
furveying, examining, and judging concern-
ing
all
fubjects
A
can acquire.
thought,
a
upon the
belt evidence
good genius, or fagacity of
happy judgment,
memory, and
a
capacious
large opportunities of obfer-
vation and converfe, will do
felves
he
much
of them-
towards the cultivation of the mind,
where they
are well
improved: but where,
to the advantage of learned lectures,
instructions,
and well chofen books,
living
dili-
gence
OF STUDY, OR MEDITATION.
247
man
has all human aids concurring to raife him
to a iuperior degree of wifdom and knowgence and ftudy are fuperadded, this
ledge.
Under
it
the preceding heads of difcourfe
has been already declared
meditation
and
reflection-
improve
cultivate and
all
how
our
own
mould examine,
other methods and
advantages of enriching the underftanding.
What
remains in this
fome further
ploy our
chapter
occafional hints
own
is
how
to
give
to
em-
thoughts, what fort of fub-
we mould meditate on, and in what
manner we mould regulate our ftudies, and
how we may improve our judgment, fo as
in the moil effectual and compendious way
to attain fuch knowledge as may be mod
ufeful for every man in his c re um (lances of
jects
i
life,
and particularly for thofe of the learned
profeinons.
II.
The
firfl:
learn betimes
and things.
direction for youth
.to diftinguifli
Get
things you are
tent yourfelves
clear
fet to
is
this,
between words
and plain ideas of the
ftudy.
Do
not con-
with mere words and names,
R
4
left
left
STUDY,
OF
248
yeur laboured improvements only amafs
of unintelligible phrafes, and you
a heap
feed upon hunks
rule
unknown
of
is
But
the
danger
moll
common
the facred fcience
of theo-
v.
been
pronounced
The
and
have
here fettled terms and phrafes
logy,
which
ufe in every icience.
greateft
in
is
This
inftead of kernels.
yet have had no
fcholaftic
and
divine
divinity
meaning
many
ages
all
them.
in
would furnifh us
with numerous inftances of
yet for
orthodox,
this folly
truth and
all
:
and
herefy
have been determined by fuch
fenfelefs tefts,
and by words without
fuch Shibbo-
ideas
:
leths as thefe have decided the fecular
and bifhopricks or burning, mi-
of men
3
tres or
faggots, have been
-
different
nounced
thefe confecrated
piety, and
and
are
to
the rewards
perfons, according
To
pronounced them.
them,
fates
as
they
fyllables,
proor not
defend them was
pomp and triumph;
of
all
to defpife
doubt or deny them, was torture
death.
A
thoufand
thank-offerings
due to that Providence which has de-
livered our age and our nation
abfurd iniquities
2
!
O
that
from thefe
every fpecimen
and'
!
OR MEDITATION.
and fhadow of
249
madnefs were banifhed
this
from our fchools and churches
in every
fhape
Let
III.
not young ftudents apply them-
out deep, dark and abftrufe
felves to fearch
matters,
their
above
far
their
labour in any
or
reach,
fpend
peculiar fubjects,
for
which they have not the advantages of neceffary
antecedent
know
or
books,
or
Let them not be too hafty
obfervations.
to
learning,
things above their prefent powers,
nor plunge their enquiries at once into the
depths of knowledge,
nor begin
any fcience in the middle of
it;
to
ftudy
this will
confound rather than enlighten the underftanding
fuch
;
practices
may happen
and jade the mind
difcourage
tempt above
power,
its
it
may
to
by an atbalk the
understanding, and create an averlion to future diligence, and perhaps by defpair
may
forbid the difpute of that fubject for ever
afterwards
a
;
as a
weight above
its
the
limb overftrained by lifting
its
power,
may
never recover
former agility and vigour; or
man may
if it does,
be frighted from ever exert-
ing his ftrength again.
IV.
Nor
STUDY,
OF
25O
Nor
IV.
yet let any ftudent on the other
hand fright himfelf
furmountable
the truth
its
own
nor imagine that
difficulties,
are formidable fpeclres
undemanding
the
every turn with in T
wrapt up in impenetrable dark-
is
Thefe
nefs.
at
raifes
fometimes to
which
flatter
Thofe things which
lazinefs.
in a
remote and confufed view feetn very ob-
may be approached by
fteps, and may then un-
fcure and perplexed,
gentle and regular
fold and explain themfelves at large to the
The
eye.
and the
may be
Hep
hardeft
problems in geometry,
mod intricate
fchemes or diagrams,
explicated and understood ftep
by
every great mathematician bears a con->
:
ftant witnefs to this obfervation.
V. In learning any new
fhould be
to the
as little as
mind
at once,
poffible
thing,
firft
there
propofed
and that being under-
ftood and fully mattered, proceed then
to
unknown. This
a flow, but fate and fure way to arrive
If the mind apply itfeif at
knowledge.
the next adjoining part yet
is
at
fir ft
to eafier fubjects, and
kin to what
is
already
things near a-
known,
and then
advance to the more remote and knotty parts
of
;
MEDITATION.
OR
2JI
of knowledge by flow degrees, it will be
able in this manner to cope with great difficulties, and prevail over them with amazing and happy fuccefs.
Mathon
happened
new book of geometry
chapters of a
Ian:
and menfurations
was
frighted
two
to dip into the
he faw
as foon as
;
with
complicated
the
and
it,
dia-
grams which he found there, about the fruftums of cones and pyramids, &c. and fome
deep demonftrations
among
conic
fec"tions
he fhut the book again in defpair, and imagined none but a Sir Ifaac Newton was ever
fit
to read
fuaded
lines
it.
him
But
to begin
and angles
$
tutor happily per-
his
the
firft
pages about
and he found fuch fur-
prizing pleafure in three weeks time in the
victories
he daily obtained, that at
laft
he
became one of the chief geometers of his
age.
VI.
Engage
not the
tenfe purfuit of too
many
efpecially fuch as have
another.
mind
in
things at once;
no relation
This will be ready
understanding, and hinder
the in-
it
to
one
to diftract the
from attaining
per-
STUDY,
OF
2^2
perfection
Such
one fubject of
any
in
fludy.
a practice gives a flight {mattering of
feveral fciences,
without any
and fub-
folid
real
knowledge of them, and without any
and valuable improvement $ and though
two
or three forts of fludy
ftanti.il
carried on
with
at
variety,
with one
fort
it
mind
may not be
over-tired
much
diffract the at-
weaken the application of the
to any one of them.
Where
two or three
fciences are pur-
fued at the fame time, if one of
dry,
mind
of thoughts, yet a multitude
of fubjects will too
tention, and
be ufefully
to entertain the
once,
that
may
abflracted,
metaphyfics,
and unpleafant,
law,
languages,
let
them be
as
logic,
another
be more entertaining and agreeable, to
fe-
cure the mind from wearinefs, and averfion
to fludy.
Delight mould be intermingled
with labour
as far
as poflible,
to allure us
to bear the fatigue of dry fludies the
ter.
ry,
Poetry,
&c.
are
beU
practical mathematics, hiflo«»
generally efleemed entertaining
and may be happily ufed for this
Thus while we relieve a dull and
purpofe.
fludies,
'
heavy hour by fome alluring employments
of
MEDITATION.
OR
253
of the mind, our very diverfions enrich our
understandings, and our pleafure
turned
is
into profit.
VII. In the purfuit of every valuable fubject of
knowledge, keep the end always in
your eye, and be not diverted from
every pretty
Some
trifle
you meet with
it
in the
by
way.
perfons have fuch a wandering genius
they are ready to purfue every inci-
that
dental
have
theme or occafional
loft
Thefe
of
fight
are the
idea,
original
their
men who, when
till
they
fubject.
they are en-
gaged in converfation, prolong their ftory by
dwelling on every incident, and fwell their
narrative with long
have
loft their firft
parenthefes,
delign
fome
;
like a
is
fent in queft of
he
fteps afide to gather every flower
or ftands
ftill
to dig
they
man who
great treafure,
but
he finds,
up every mining pebble
he meets with in his way,
is
till
till
the treafure
forgotten and never found.
VIII.
Exert
your care,
gence about every
fubjecl:
fkill,
and
dili-
and every quei-
proportion to the importance
tion,
in a juft
of
together with the danger and bad con-
it,
fequences
STUDY,
° ?
254
fequences
Many
ignorance
of
or
error
therein.
from
excellent adavantages flow
this
one direction.
i.
This
careful in
you
rule will teach
be very
to
gaining forne general and funda-
mental truths both
gion, and in
human
in philofophy, in relilife
;
becaufe they are of
the highefl: moment, and conduct our thoughts
with
eafe into
ticular
a
thoufand inferior and par-
proportions.
principle in natural
of gravitation,
Such
that
great
philofophy— the doctrine
mutual tendency of
or
bodies toward each other,
Newton
is
which
all
Sir Ifaac
has fo well ellabliihed, and from
which he has drawn
mul-
the folution of a
titude of appearances in the heavenly bodies
as well as
Such
is
which our
on earth.
that golden principle of morality
hleiled
that to others
Lord has
given, us
which you think
juft and rea-
fonable that others lhouid do to you,
is
almofc lurlicient
— Do
which
in itfelf to foive all cafes
of conference which relate
to
our neighbour.
Such
—
MEDITATION.
OR
Such
are
thofe principles in religion
that a rational creature
Maker
Man
flate
immortal
accountable to his
is
actions
for all his
is
255
—
—
that the foul of
there
that
a future
is
of happinefs and of mifery depending
on our behaviour
which
all
the prefent
in
life,
on
our religious practices are built
or fupported.
We
all
mould be very curious
in
examining
proportions that pretend to this honour
of being general principles
and we mould
:
not without juft evidence admit into this
rank mere matters of
commonly
general
received opinions;
determinations
the eftablifhed
nation,
common
&c.
articles
for
there
fame,
or
no,, nor the
of the learned, or
any church or
of
are
many
learned
many fynodical and national
miftakes, many eiiabliihed falfehoods, as
well as many vulgar errors, wherein multitudes of men have followed one another for
prefumptions,
whole ages almon: blindfold.
importance for every
man
thefe general principles
for one error
may
lead
It is
of great
to be careful that
2re juft and true;
us
into thoufands,
which
STUDY,
OF
256
which
will naturally follow, if once a lead-
ing falfehood be admitted.
2.
This
more
points than mere fpe-
rule will direct us to be
careful about practical
culations, fince they are
commonly of much
greater ufe and confequence
:
therefore the
fpeculations of algebra, the doctrine of infi-
and the quadrature of curves in ma-
nities,
thematical learning,
train
of
theorems
together with
all
the
natural philofophy,
in
mould by no means intrench upon our fluEven in the
dies of morality and virtue.
fcience of divinity
culations of
it
itfelf,
the fublimeft fpe-
are not of that
worth and va-
God and
lue, as the rules of duty towards
towards men.
3.
In matters of practice we mould be
moil careful to
fix
our end right, and wifely
determine the fcope
caufe that
ufe of
all
is
at
which we aim, be-
to direct us in the choice
the means to attain
end be wrong,
all
as
If our
our labour in the means
will be vain, or perhaps
pernicious
it.
and
i'o
much
the
more
they are better fuited to attain
that
MEDITATION.
OR
miftaken end.
that
mere
If
257
fenfible plea-
human grandeur or wealth, be our
end, we fhall chufe means contrary to
fure, or
chief
piety and virtue, and proceed apace toward
real mifery.
4.
This
rule will engage our beft powers-
and deepen: attention
and
gion,
things
in
that
the affairs of relirelate
to
future
a
world; for thofe proportions which extend
only to the intereft of the prefent
but of
fmali
life,
are
importance when compared
with thofe that have influence upon our everlading concernments.
5.
And
even in the
affairs
of religion
we walk by the conduct of this
mall be much more laborious in
quiries
into
tal articles
the
neceffary
rule,
if
we
our en-
and fundamen-
of faith and practice, than the
appendices of Chriftianity.
The
great
doctrines of repentance towards
God,
faith
leffer
in
our
Lord Jefus
men, and
univerfal
Chriff,
holinefs,
with
will
love
to
employ
our bed: and brighteft hours and meditations,
while
the
mint, annife, and
cum-
min, the geftures and veftures, and frinS
ges
STUDY,
OF
258
ges of religion, will be regarded no farther
than they have a phin and evident connection with faith and love, with holinefs and
<*
peace.
6.
This
make
rule will
us folicitous not
only to avoid fuch errors, whofe influence
will fpread wide into the whole fchemc of
our
own knowledge and
practice, but fuch
miftakes alfo whofe influence would be yet
more extenuve and
well as to ourfelves
fons or
many
injurious
perhaps to
;
families,
a town, a country,
who
who
are railed to any
matters relating to the
civil,
the religious
a
mould
diffufe
along with
it
left
emi-
ought
to
principles
in
ftate,
their
life,
Upon
are called to in-
fettling
in
per-
whole church,
to a
nence either in church or
be careful
many
or a kingdom.
this account, perfons
struct others,
others, as
to
the moral, cr
miftake of theirs
wide milchief, mould draw
mofl pernicious confequences,
and perhaps extend to following generations.
These
arife
fome of the advantages which
from the eighth rule, viz. Purfu e
are
every
MEDITATION.
OR
259
every enquiry and fhidy in proportion to
and importance.
real value
IX.
Have
fome beloved no-
a care left
fome darling
tion, or
its
fcience, fo fat prevail
over your mind, as to give a fovereign tincture to
all
your
who
over
your other
all
ideas
fpreads
all
ftudies,
and difcolour
like a perfon in the jaundice,
;
a
yellow fcene with his eyes
the objects
which he meets.
I
have
known a man of peculiar fkill in mufic,
and much devoted to that fcience, who
found out
nafian
fingle
refemblance of the Atha-
a great
doctrine
note,
of
and
the
he
thought
fomething of argument
doctrine.
I
commodated
of creation
Trinity
it
the {even days of the
(even,
carried
in it to prove that
have read of another,
to
every
in
who
firfr.
ac-
week
notes of mulic, and
thus the whole creation became harmonious.
Under
this influence, derived
from ma-
thematical ftudies, fome have been tempted
their metaphyseal,
to can: all their logical,
and their theological
into
the
and
moral
learning
method of mathematicians, and
S 2
bring
STUDY,
OF
260
bring every thing relating to thofe abftradted, or thpfe practical fciences,
under theo-
rems, problems, populates, fcholiums, co-
&c. whereas, the matter ought
rollaries,
always to direct the method; for
jects or matters of
all
fub-
thought cannot be moulded
or fubdued to one form.
Neither the rules
for the conduct of the underftanding, nor
the doctrines nor duties of religion and virtue, can be exhibited naturally in figures
Things
diagrams.
they are in
them
-,
are to be confidered as
themfelves
;
their
natures are
and their natural relations unal-
inflexible,
terable
and
and therefore, in order
aright,
to conceive
we muft bring our under-
ftandings to things, and not pretend to bend
and
ftrain things
cies
and forms.
to
comport with our fan-
X. Suffer not any beloved fludy to prejudice your mind fo far in favour of it as
to
defpife
fault of
other learning.
all
fome
little fouls,
who
This
is
a
have got a
{mattering of aftronomy, chemiftry, mstaphyfics,
hiftory,
&c. and for want
of a
due acquaintance with other fciences, make
a feoff at
them
all
in
comparifon of their
favourite
1
MEDITATION.
OR
Their understandings
favourite fcience.
hereby cooped up
they
never
26
in
look
narrow bounds,
abroad into
are
fo that
other
pro-
vinces of the intellectual world,
which are
more beautiful, perhaps, and more fruitful
than their own
If they would fearch a lit:
other fciences, they might not only
tle into
new knowledge, but might
find treafures of
be furnimed alfo with rich hints of thought
and
glorious
ailifhnces
very province to
to
cultivate
that
which they have confined
themfelves.
Here
would always give fome grains
I
of allowance
which
ology*
all
the
reft,
to
the facred fcience of the-
is
incomparably fuperior to
as
it
teaches us the
knowledge
of God, and the way to his eternal favour.
This is that noble ftudy which is every
man's
duty,
called a
This
large
and every
creature
rational
one
is
who
can
capable of
be
it.
which would truly enthe minds of men, were it Studied
that fcience
is
with that freedom, that unbiaffed love of
and that facred charity which it
truth,
teaches
to its
;
and
own
if
it
were not made, contrary
nature,
the occafion
S
3
of
ft rife,
faction,
—
STUDY,
OF
262
malignity,
faction,
a
narrow
and
fpirit,
unreafonable impofitions on the mind and
Let
practice.
this,
therefore,
ftand always
chief.
XI.
Let
every particular fludy have due
and proper time affigned
it,
a favourite fcience prevail with
out fuch hours upon
it, as
and
let
you
ought
to
not
to lay
be em-
ployed upon the more neceflary and more
important
fion.
affairs
When
or iludies of your profef-
you have, according
bed of your
difcretion,
to
the
and according to
the circumflances of your
life,
fixed proper'
hours for particular fludies, endeavour to
keep to thofe rules ; not indeed with a
precifenefs,
fuperflitious
good degrees of
but
with
a regular conflancy.
fome
Order
and method in a courfe of fludy faves much
time, and makes large improvements
:
Such a fixation of certain hours will have
a happy influence to fecure you from
trifling and wailing away your minutes in
impertinence.
XII.
fludy
at
Do
not apply yourfelf to any one
one time longer than the mind
is
capable
OR
capable
M
E D-I
of giving
a
T A T
O N.
I
clofe attention to
Do
without wearinefs or wandering.
the fpirits
over-fatigue
the
mind be
any
at
with
ieized
263
ir.
not
time,
left
a laffitude,
and
thereby be tempted to naufeate and grow
tired of a particular fubject before
finifhed
you have
it.
XIII. In the beginning of your application to any
new
under prefent
be not too uneafy
fubject,
difficulties
occur,
that
nor
too importunate and impatient for anfwers
and folutions
Perhaps
to
a little
any queftions
more
that
ftudy, a little further
acquaintance with the
fubjecl:,
a little time
and experience, will folve thofe
make
untie the knot, and
nifli
:
efpecially,
if
you
difficulties,
your- doubts va-
are
under the in-
ftruclion of a tutor, he can inform
your enquiries are perhaps too
that
ples
arife.
you
that
early,
and
you have not yet learned thofe princiupon which the folution of fuch a dif-
ficulty depends.
XIV. Do
not expect to arrive at certainty
in every fubjeclare a
which you purfue.
There
hundred things wherein we mortals
S
4
in
STUDY,
OF
264
dark and imperfect
in this
content with
mull be
ftate
where our
probability,
befl
light and reafonings will reach no further.
We
mull: balance
can,
and
where we
enough on
with
fcale,
we muil
arguments
either
as juflly as
cannot
weight
find
the
determine
to
fide
fovereign force
and
we
all u ranee,
content ourfelves perhaps with a
fmall preponderation.
This will give us
a
probable opinion, and thofe probabilities are
fufhxient for the daily determination of a
thoufand actions in
human
life,
and many
times even in matters of religion.
It
admirably well expreffed by a
is
writer,
" When
argument
fet
there
before us, if
do what appears moil
objection
little
is
is
fit
great ftrength of
we
will refufe to
for us,
till
every
removed, we mall never
one wife refolution
take
late
as
long
as
we
live."
Suppose I had been honeftlv and long
fearching what religion I mould chufe, and
yet
1
could not find that the arguments in
defence of Chriftianity arofe
certainty, but
went only
to
complete
fo far as to give
me
;
MEDITATION.
OR
me
a
probable evidence of the truth of
though many
I
practice that religion
for the
;
to receive
God
affent
according to the befl evidence
we
he
as
is
and
and
act
have, even
and complete
be not abfolute
it
-,
of nature
and reafon has bound us to
though
it
remained, yet
difficulties ftill
mould think myfelf obliged
and
265
our fupreme judge, his abound-
ing goodnefs and equity will approve and
man whofe
acquit the
confcience honeftly
and willingly leeks the befl
it as far as
But
he can difcover
light,
and obeys
it.
importance in
in matters of great
him join all due diligence with
and humble prayer for divine aid in
religion, let
earneft
his inquiries
gence
as
fuch prayer and fuch
;
as eternal
concerns require, and fuch
he may plead with courage before the
judge of
all.
XV. Endeavour
lative
ftudy,
practical ufe,
may
in
dili-
as
far
to apply every fpecupoffible,
as
to
fome
that both yourlelf and others
be the better for
natural philofophy
amufements, and
it.
Enquiries even
mould not be mere
much
lefs
in
the affairs
of
STUDY,
OF
266
Refearches into the fprings of
of religion.
mould
lead
happy methods for the
eafe
natural bodies and their motions
men
to invent
and convenience of human
life
-
y
or at leafl
they mould be improved to awaken us to
admire the wondrous wifdom and contrivance of
God our
works of
creator in all the
nature.
If
we
purfue mathematical fpeculations,
they will inure us to attend clofely to any
iubjecl, to feek
and gain
clear ideas, to dif-
tinguim truth from falfehood,
and
to argue flrongly
more
directly
j
to judge juflly,
and thefe fludies do
furniih us
with
all
rious rules of thofe ufeful arts of
meafuring, building,
Even
failing,
the
life,
va->
viz.
&c.
our very inquiries and difputations
about vacuum or fpace, and atoms, about
incommenfurable quantities, and the infinite divifibility of matter, and eternal durawill
which feem to be purely fpeculative,
fhew us fome good practical leilbns,
will
lead
tion,
us
to
fee
the weaknefs
of our
and mould teach us humility in
arguing upon divine fubjects and matters
of
nature,
•
OR
MEDITATION.
This mould guard us
of facred revelation.
againfr.
267
rejecting any doctrine
which
is e:;-
prefsly and evidently revealed,
though we
cannot fully underfland
good fome-
it.
It is
times to lofe and bewilder ourfelves in fuch
fludies
reafcn, and
for this very
this practical advantage,
this
to
attain
improvement
in true modefty of fpirit.
XVI. Though wc mould always be
ready
change our ientiments of things upon
jud: conviction of their falfehood, yet there
to
is
not the fame neceffity of changing our
accuflomed methods of reading or fludy
and practice, even though we have not
been led
at
nrfl into the happiefr.
Our thoughts may
method.
we may
be true, though
have hit upon an improper order of think-
Truth does not always depend upon
the moil convenient method.
There may
be a certain form and order in which we
ing.
have long accuflomed
ourfelves
our ideas and notions, which
for
us now, though
it
to
may
range
be beft
was not originally
The inconveniences
changing may be much greater than
beft
in
itfelf.
of
the
conveni-
268
O F
T U D
S
we could
conveniences
Y,
obtain
by a new
method.
As
for inftance;
days has ranged
all
if a
man
in his
younger
his fentiments in theo-
logy in the method of Ames's Medulla *The-
Bifhop Umer's Body of Divinity,
ologia, or
may be much more natural and
him to continue to difpofe all his
it
acquirements
perhaps
in
neither
the
of
written
themfelves
fame order,
thefe
in
treatifes
mod
the
in
are
in
perfect
any particular order, viz. accord-
ing to their languages,
fubjecls,
betical
though
and ranged our
cafes of fhelves in a library,
their
further
So when we have long fixed our
method.
books
eafy for
or
or according
according
to the alpha-
names of the authors, &c. we
perfectly well
to
are
acquainted with the order in
which they now Hand, and we can find
any particular book, which we feek, or add
a new book which we have purchafed,
with
much
finer cafes
greater
eafe
than
we do
in
of fhelves where the bcoks were
ranged in any different manner whatfoever
any
different pofition of the
;
volumes would
be new and ftrange, and troublefome to us,
and
OR
MEDITATION.
269
and would not countervail the inconveniences of a change.
&
So
if a
man of
forty years old has been
taught to hold his pen awkwardly in his
youth, and yet writes fufficiently well for
all the purpofes of his flation, it is not
worth while
to teach
him now
the moft
accurate methods of handling that init.ru-
ment
;
for this
would
create
him more
ble without equal advantage,
he might never
he has placed his
this
new
attain
trou-
and perhaps
to write better after
fingers perfectly right with
accuracy.
CHAP.
27
(
)
CHAP.
FIXING THE ATTENTION.
OF
A
STUDENT
mould labour by
all
proper methods to acquire a fteady
of thought.
fixation
Attention
ceflary thing in order to
The
XV.
is
a very ne-
improve cur minds.
evidence of truth does not always ap-
pear immediately, nor flrike the foul at
light.
It is
we
that
want of
by long attention and infpection
arrive at
it
We
make
and
a
firfl
evidence,
we judge
haile
falfely
of
to determine
fudden view,
and
it
many
upon
is
for
things.
a
flight
we confirm our guefTes
glance, we pafs a judg-
which arife from a
ment while we have but
a confufed or
ob-
fcure perception, and thus plunge ourfelves
into miftakes.
This
walking in a mitt,
diflance
tree, a
much
is
or
from any vifible
man, a horfe, or
like a
man, who
being at a great
object,
(fuppofe a
a church,) judges
amifs of the figure, and fituation, and
4
colours
:
THE ATTENTION.
OF FIXING
271
and fometimes takes one for
colours of
it,
the other
whereas, if he would but with-
;
hold his judgment
or flay
would
clearer
till
fix his eyes
fecure himfelf
Now
he come nearer to
light comes, and then
longer upon
it,
we may
Get
a
obferve that
obferve thefe rules
good liking
there
in confining the
is
to the
mind
not
to
have a great deiire to
ally
which
It is
t^hey are
if
he would
from thole miftakes.
paint
ftudy or
We
knowledge you would purfue.
we
it,
in order to gain a greater facility cf
attention,
I.
till
much
may
difficulty
contemplate what
know; and
efpeci-
matters cf fenfe, or ideas
themfelves upon
the
fancy.
but acquiring an hearty good-will and
refolution
to
fearch
out
and
furvey the
various properties and parts of fuch objects,
and our attention will be engaged if there
be any delight or diverfion in the ftudy or
contemplation of them.
Therefore mathematical ftudies have a ftrange influence towards fixing the attention of the mind,
1
and giving
pofition,
a fteadinefs to a
becaufe they deal
wandering
much
in
dif-
lines,
figures,
OF FIXING THE ATTENTION.
272
numbers,
and
figures,
which
and
affect
pleafe the fenfe and imagination.
Hiflories
have a ftrong tendency the fame way, for
they engage the foul by a variety of fenfible occurrences
-
3
knows not how
know
the final
it
hath begun,
leave off}
to
event,
it
longs
travels,
this
and accounts of ffrange
the
This
work.
mind by
expectation
which may
to
Voy-
countries and ftrange appearances, will
in
it
through a natural
belongs to mankind.
curiofity that
ages and
when
fort
afiin:
of iludy detains
the perpetual occurrence and
of fomething new,
gratefully
flrike
and
that
the imagin-
ation.
II.
Sometimes
fenfible things
illuftration
we-
may make
ufe
of
and corporeal images for the
of thofe notions which are more
abflracted and
intellectual.
grams greatly
affift
and philofophy
;
Therefore dia-
mind in aflronomy
and the emblems of virtues
the
and vices may happily teach children, and
pleafingly imprefs thofe ufefui moral ideas
young minds, which perhaps might
be conveved to them with much more
on
difficulty
THE ATTENTION.
OF FIXING
by mere
difficulty
moral
273
and abftracted
difeourfes.
I
confess,
in this practice of reprefent-
ing moral fubjecrs by pictures, we mould
be cautious
we
left
immerfe the mind
fo far
in corporeal images,
render
as to
it
unfit to
take in an abftracted and intellectual idea,
form wrong conceptions of
immaterial things. This practice, therefore,
or caufe
is
to
it
rather to be ufed at
firft
in order to get a
fome
fixed habit of attention, and in
only; but
it
can never be our conftant
and method of purfuing
ftracted,
IIL
and
fpiritual
Apply
into a
moral,
way
ab-
themes,
yourfelf to thofe fludies, and
read thofe authors
jedts
all
cafes
who draw
out their fub-
of connected
perpetual chain
reafonings, wherein
the following parts of
the difcourfe are naturally and eafily derived
from thofe which go
mathematical fciences,
pily
ufeful
for
Several of the
before*
if
not
all,
purpofe.
this
are
hap-
This will
gender the labour of itudy delightful to a
rational
mind, and will
fix
the powers of
the understanding with ilrong attention to
T
their
0F FIXING tilt ATTENTION.
274
their proper operations
of
Labor
it.
ipfe voluptas,
portion, wherefoever
Do
IV.
by the very pleafur©
it
is
happy pro-
a
can be applied.
not chufe your conftant place of
itudy by the finery of the profpects, or the
mod
and
various
fenfible
entertaining
Too much
things.
variety of objects
which
light,
frrike
of
fcenes
or
a
the eye or
the ear, efpecially while they are ever in
motion or often changing, have a natural
and powerful tendency to ileal away the
mind
any
from its lleady purfuit of
which we contemplate; and
too often
fubjecl:
thereby the foul gets a habit of
fity
and impertinence, of
dering,
filly
trifling
curio-
and wan-
Vagario thought himfelf furnimed
with the
bell;
clofet for his
ftudy
the beauties, gaieties, and diverfions
finp-ton or
Hampton-Court; but
among
of Ken-
after feven
years profeffing to purfue learning, he
a
mere novice
V. Be not
was
flill.
in too
much
hafte to
come to
the determination of a difficult or important point.
Think
to find out truth.
it
Do
worth your waiting
r
=t
give your aflent
up
OF fIXllsQ THE ATTENTION.
tip
to either
Zj$
of a queftion too foon,
fide
merely on this account, that the ftudy of
is
long and
Rather be content-
difficult.
ed with ignorance for
in fufpence
tion,
it
a feafon,
and continue
your attention and medita-
till
and due labour, have found out fufevidence on one
ficient
know
fond to
a great deal
to talk of things
Some
fide.
at
are fo
once, and love
with freedom and boldnefs
before they thoroughly underftand them, that
they fcarcely ever allow themfelves attention
enough
matter through and
to fearch the
through.
Have
VI.
fenfual
nature
a care of
indulging the more
and
of
pafiions
j
appetites
animal
they are great enemies to attention.
Let not the mind of
influence of any
a ftudent be
warm
affections
under the
to things
of fenfe, when he comes to engage in the
improvement of his
fearch of truth, or the
underftanding.
of love, or
fear,
A
perfon under the power
or
deep forrow, hath fo
his foul,
that
anger,
little
great
pain,
government of
he cannot keep
it
attentive to
the proper fubject of his meditation.
paffions
call
or
The
away the thoughts with in-
T
2
ceflant
THE ATTENTION.
OF FIXING
276
ceflant
importunity towards the object that
excited
them
rife
we indulge the frequent
of paffions, we mail thereby
and
;
and roving
if
procure an unfteady and unattentive habit of
mind.
Yet
this
ted, viz. If
one exception mufr, be admit-
we
can be fo happy as to engage
any paffion of the foul on the
which we
particular ftudy
may
tion
are purfuing, it
have a great influence to
more flrongly
VII. It
of the
fide
fix
the atten-
to it.
therefore very ufeful
is
to fix
and engage the mind in the purfuit of any
iludy by a confideration of the divine pleafures of truth and
knowledge
God
of our duty to
— by
— by
the
—by
a fenfe
a delight in
exercife of our intellectual faculties
hope of future
tures,
our fellow-crea-
and glorious advantage to ourfelves,
both in
come.
fervice to
the
this
world and that which
is
to
Thefe thoughts, though they may
move our
affections, yet they
proper influence
:
do
it
with a
Thefe will rather
affift
and promote our attention, than difturb or
divert
it
from
the" fubjedt
of our prefent
and
:
OF FIXING^
THE ATTENTION.
and proper meditations.
A
foul
277
infpired
with the fondeft love of truth, and the
warmeft afpirations
after fincere felicity
celeftial beatitude,, will
keep
all its
attentive to the incefTant purfuit of
Paflion
is
is
and
powers
them
then refined and confecrated to
divineft purpofes.
T
3
CHAP,
:)
( ftjtfl
,.
.
H A
G
#
?
ENLARGING
T H E
M
THERE
efpecial
I
•
.
XYL
P.
;
.
G A ? A C
I
T V •© »
T H
which in art
make up that
are three things
manner go
to
amplitude or capacity of mind, which
one of the
noblefl: characters
the underflanding
1.
great
When
and
-|j
N D.
the
is,
belonging tq
:
mind
fublime
is
ready to take ia
without pain or
ideas
difficulty.
2.
When
and flrange
the
ideas,
mind
upon
is
free to receive new*
juft evidence, with-*
out great furprize or ayerllon.
3.
When
or furyey
the
many
mind
ideas at
is
able to conceive
once without confunoru
;
OF ENLARGING THE CAPACITY, &C. 279
and
fufion,
form
to
a true
judgment derived
that, ex ten five furvey.
from
The
who wants
perfon
may
characters,
in,
that refped be faid to
Let us
have a narrow genius.
meditations a
That
I.
which
is
little
is
upon
difrufe
our
this fubjeft.
an ample and capacious
mind
ready to take in vaft and fublime
without pain or
ideas
either of thefe
Perfons
difficulty.
have never been ufed to converfe with
who
any thing but the common,
little,
and ob-
have acquired a narrow
or contracted habit of foul, that they are not
vious
affairs
of
life,
able to ftretch their intellects wide
to admit large and noble thoughts
ready to
make
;
their domeftic, daily,
enough
they are
and fa-
miliar images of things, the meafure of
that
is,
and
Talk
to
all
that can be.
them of the
the planetary worlds;
{tar
called
all
Jupiter
is
hundred and twenty
earth; that the Sun
vail dimenfions
tell
them
a folid
that the
globe,
times,, bigger
two
than our
ayah: globe of
is
of
fire
above a thoufand times bigger than Jupiter
T
4
tha t
that
ENLARGING THE
OF
2Bo
two hundred and twenty thoufand
is,
times bigger than the earth; that the
tance from the earth to the fun
one millions of miles
is
dif-"
eighty-
and that a cannon
;
from the earth would not arrive
at the nearer!: of the fixed flars in fome hundreds
bullet (hot
of years
but hear
nomy
they cannot bear the belief of
;
all
as a
it,'
thefe glorious labours of aftro-
mere
idle
Inform them
romance.
of the amazing fwiftnefs
of the motion of fome of the fmalleft or
the biggeft bodies in nature
;
affure
them,
according to the belt philofophy, that the
planet
Venus
our morning or evening
(i. e.
which is near as big as our earth,)
though it feems to move from its place but
a few yards in a month, does really fly
flar,
feventy thoufand
them
miles
in an
that the rays of light
fun to our earth
at the
rate
hour;
tell
moot from the
of one hundred
and eighty thoufand miles in the fecond of
a minute, they ftand aghaft at fuch fort of
talk,
and believe
of giants
fifty
it
no more than the
tales
yards high, and the rabbinical
fables of Leviathan,
who
every day fwallows
a filh of three miles long, and
is
thus pre-
.
paring
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
281
paring himfelf to be the food and entertain-
ment of the
of Para-
blefled at the feaft
dife.
These
manner
unenlarged fouls are in the fame
with the wonders which
difgufted
the microfcope has
concerning
difcovered
the fhape, the limbs, and motions of ten
thoufand
little
animals, whofe united bulk
would not equal
ready to give the
a pepper-corn
lie
to all the
they are
:
improvements
of our fenfes by the invention of
of
and will fcarcely believe any thing
glafles,
beyond the
without the
Now,
manner
a variety
if
to
teftimony of their
afiiflance
of
art.
we would attempt
relieve
naked eye
the minds
in a learned
that
labour
under this defect,
1.
It
is
ufeful to
begin with fome
principles of geometry, and lead
ward by degrees
which
firffc
them on-
to the doctrine of quantities
incommenfurable, or which will
admit of no common meafure, though it
are
be never fo fmall.
By
this
means they will
fee
the .neceffit&.'pf admiring the. infinite
fee
.
divinbility- gf
q uantity or matter.
This fame
doctrine
to their under£hndings>
fenfes,
may
alfo
As
clofing of a pair
of.
be proved
and almofi
by fom,e .eafiei- arguments
obvious manner.
...
to tlpeir
in
a
more
the very opening and
compares
rwilj
evident
ly prove, that if the frnaUeft fuppofed part
of matter or quantity be put betvyeen
.
.the
v
points, there will be itill lefs
tances or quantities all the
legs,
till
you Come to
wherefore there
as
is
and
way between
trie
But
a.
little
thematical learning would foon teach
no
there are
limits, either
as
-
p
poffible
quaintance with true philofophy and
that
the
head or joint
no fuch thing
the fmalleft, quantity,
lefs di£*
ac-
ma*
them
to the
extenfion of fpace, or to the divifion of body,
and would lead them to believe there are
bodies amazingly greater fmall beyond their
prefent imagination,
2.
It
is
proper alfo to acquaint them
with the circumference of our earth, which
may
be proved by very eafy principles of
geometry,
.
geography,
5
and aiironomy, to
be
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
283
be about twenty-four thoufind miles round,
as
it
been actually' found; to have this
has
mariners /who -have
dimenilon 'by
round
in.
Then
it.
them
be^ taught, that
every twenty-four hours either the fan
and fhrs muil
.or
let
failed
move round
all
this
the earth mu(l turn round upon
.
axis.
earth,
its
own
If the earth itfelf revolve thus, then
each houfe or mountain near the equator
muil move
in an
the rate of a thoufand miles
at
hour: but
if,
pofe* the fun or liars
then
they generally fup-
as
move round
of
circumference
(the
the earth,
their feveral
fpheres being vaitly greater than
orbits or
they mufl have a motion pro-
this earth)
digioufly
fwjfter
an hour.
Such
than
a
thouiand
miles
a thought as this will
by
degrees enlarge their minds, and they will
be taught, even upon their
own
principle
of the diurnal revolutions of the heavens,
to
take
in
fome of
of the heavenly
the
bodies,
vail:
dimenfions
their fpaces
and
motions,
3.
To
this
telefcopes,
wonders
in
to
mould be added the
help them to fee the
the
ikies
;
and
j
ufe of
diftant
microfcopes,
which
THE
op ENLARGING
2%4
'
which
difcover the minuteft parts of little
animals, and reveal fome of the finer and
mofl curious works of nature.
be acquainted
of
inventions
alfo
They mould
with fome other noble
modern philofophy, which
have a great influence to enlarge the
which
underftandin-g, of
iion to fpeak
4.
For
I fhall
human
take occa-
more under the next head.
the fame
invited to read
purpofe they
may be
thofe parts of Milton's ad-
mirable poem, entitled Paradife Loft, where
he defcribes the armies and powers of angels,
the
wars and the fenate of devils,
the creation
of this earth, together with
the defcriptions of Heaven,
Hell, and Pa-
radife.
It
mufl: be granted that poefy often deals
m thefe vaft
if the
and fublime
fubjecl: or
not require
And
ideas.
poem doth
matter of the
fuch
even
amazing and
extenfive
thoughts, yet tropes and figures, which are
fome of the main powers and
beauties
of
poefy, do fo glorioufly exalt the matter, as
to give a fublime
imagination
its
proper
relim and delight.
So
:
:
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
So when
a boar
His
And his
285
chafed in hunting
is
noflrils,
flames expire,
red eye -balls roll with living fire.
Dryden.
When
fes his
UlyfTes with-holds and fuppref-
refentment,
His wrath comprefi
Recoiling, mutter
d thunder
in his breafl.
Pope.
But efpecially where the
the poet
fubjecr. is
not to reprefent
fails
it
grand,
in all its
grandeur.
So when the fupremacy of
a
God
is
de-.
fcribed,
He fees with
A hero per if
equal eye, as
b,
Atoms
or a
God of
all,
fp arrow fall
or fyjlems, into ruin hurl'd,
And now a
bubble burfl,
and flow a world.
Pope.
&
These
OF
aS6
These
ENLARGING
And
it.
the
make fublime
arid
I
of writing have a
forts
tendency to enlarge
mind,
TtfE
inftead
capacity
ideas
natu'faj
of the
familiar to
of running always
to the
ancient Heathen poefy with this defign,
may with
we
equal, if not fuperior advantage,
apply ourfelves to converfe with fome of the
bed of our modern
poets, as well as
with
the writings of the. prophets, and the poe-
of the Bible, viz. the book of
Job and the Pfalms, in which facred authors
we mall find fcmetimes more fublime ideas,
tical
parts
more glorious
defcriptions,
language than the fondeft
found
elevated
have ever
verifiers either
4
Rome for the Eaftern writers
allow much Wronger figures and
of Greece or
ufe and
critics
Heathen
in any of the
more
;
tropes than the Weftern*
Now there are
many and
great and facred
advantages to be derived from this fort of
enlargement of the mind.
It
will lead us into
henfions of the great
ever
we had
before.
thoughts with
holy
more exalted
God
It
appre-*
our creator than
will entertain our
wonder and amazement,
CAPACITY OF
THET.
MIND.
Z%j
ment, while we contemplate that Being who
created thefe various works of furprizing
has diiplayed moft unconceivable
the contrivance of
motions of thefe
little
of
extent
wifdom
in
the parts, powers and
all
who
the naked eve:
divine
who
and furprizing fmaJlnefsj
greatnefs,
animals, invifible to
has manifested a
power and
knowledge,
greatnefs, in forming,
mod
moving and manag-
ing the moft extenlive bulk of the heavenly
bodies, and in furveying and
ing
thofe unmeafurable fpaces in
all
Fancy, with
they move.
is
comprehendher images,
all
overwhelmed
fatigued and
which
in following
the planetary worlds through fuch immenfe
ftages,
fuch aftonifhing journies
and refigns
which
its
as thefe arc,
place to the pure intellect,
by degrees
in
fuch
ideas as thefe, and to adore its Creator
with
learns
new and fublime
And
take
devotion.
we taught to form
great God by thefe me-
not only are
jufter ideas of the
thods,
to
but this enlargement of the mind
carries us
on
to nobler conceptions
of his
The mind that deals
common ideas is ready to
intelligent creatures.
•only in vulgar
and
imagine
ENLARGING THE
OF
288
imagine the nature and powers of man to
come fomething too near to God his maker,
becaufe
we do
not fee or fenfibly converfe
with any beings fuperior to ourfelves. But
when the foul has obtained a greater amplitude of thought,
imme-
pronounce every thing to be
diately
which
will not then
it
is
above man.
pofe there
may be
It
then learns to fup-
many
as
God
various ranks of
beings in the invifible world, in a conflant
gradation fuperior to
us,
as
we
ourfelves
are fuperior to all the ranks of being beneath
us in this vifible world
j
even though
we
defcend downward far below the Ant and
the
the
Worm,
leaft
the
and
Snail and the
to
the
Oyfter, to
dullefl
animated
atoms which are difcovered to us by microicopes.
By
this
means we mall be able to fup-
whe-
pofe what prodigious power angels,
ther good or bad, muft be furnifhed with,
and prodigious knowledge in order to over*
fee the realms of Periia and Graecia of old, or
if
any fuch fuperintend the
Britain,
France,
in our days
:
Ireland,
What power
affairs
of Great
Germany,
and fpeed
„&c-.
is
ne-
ceifary
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
one hundred eighty-five
ceflary to deftroy
thoufand armed
camp
Aflyrian
289
men
in one night in
of
the
and
Sennacherib,
all
the nrft-born in the land of Egypt in ano-
both which are attributed to an an-
ther,
gel.
By
more juft
ideas
the
deur,
God, and
mail afcend to form
of the knowledge and gran-
Man
power and glory, of the
Jefus Chrift,
is
we
thefe ileps
is
who
intimately united to
is
one with him.
Doubtlefs he
furnifhed with fuperior powers to
angels in heaven, becaufe he
is
all
the
employed in
and appointed to be the
Sovereign Lord of all the vifible and invifuperior
work,
worlds.
fible
It
is
his
human
which the Godhead dwells
nature, in
bodily, that
is
advanced to thefe honours, and to this empire; and perhaps there
in the
or nothing
government of the kingdoms of na-
ture, and grace, but
the
is little
Man
Jefus,
what
inhabited
is
tranfacled
by the divine
power and wifdom, and employed
dium
by
as a
me-
or confcious inflrument of this exten-
sive gubernation.
U
JI,
I
pro-
OF
2pO
II.
I
ENLARGING THE
proceed now
to confider the
next
thing wherein the capacity or amplitude of
mind confifts, and that is, when the
mind is free to receive new and ftrange ideas
the
and proportions upon juft evidence without
Thofe who
any great furprize or averiion.
coniine themielves within the circle of their
own
who
hereditary ideas and opinions, and
never give themielves leave fo
much
as to
examine or believe any thing befide the dicof their
tates
juftly
are
family, or ie£t, or party,
charged
with a narrownefs of
Let us furvev fome inftances of
foul.
imperfection,
of
own
this
and then direct to the cure
it.
1.
Persons who have
their days within the
been bred up
fmoke of
all
their father's
chimney, or within the limits of their native
new
town or
village,
are furprized at every
when they travel a
from home. The plowman Hands
fight that appears*
few miles
amazed at the fhops, the
trade, the crouds
of people, the magnificent
pomp
and
told
buildings,
the
and riches and equipage of the court
city,
him
and would hardly believe what was
before he faw
it.
On
the other
hand
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
hand the cockney,
try,
is
at
coun-
travelling into the
many
furprized at
many common
of the
actions
quadruped and winged animals
and
29I
in the field,
of rural
practices
affairs.
If either of thefe happen to hear an ac-
count of the familiar and' daily cuftoms of
foreign countries, they pronounce
once indecent and ridiculous
fo
at
narrow are
and their thoughts fo
their understandings,
confined, that they
:
them
know
not
how
to believe
any thing wife or proper befides what they
have been taught to practife.
This narrownefs of mind mould be cured
by hearing and reading the accounts of
dif-
ferent parts of the world, and the hiftories
of pad; ages, and of nations and countries
diftant
from our own,
polite parts of
much
travelling,
making
e.
more
Nothing tends
enlarge the mind
mankind.
this refpecl: fo
i.
efpecially the
to
in
as
a vifit to other towns,
which we
and where our
cities or countries, befides thofe in
were born and educated
condition of
life
:
does not grant us this prill
2
vilege,
::
OF
2<)2
vilege,
Want of
ENLARGING THE
we mull
it
endeavour to fupply the
by books.
It is the fame narrownefs of mind
that awakens the furprize and averiion of
fome perfons, when they hear of doctrines
and fchemes in human affairs, or in religion,
quite different from what they have em2.
braced.
Perhaps they have been trained up
-from their infancy in one
fet
of notions,
and their thoughts have been confined to
one fingle
life,
tract
both in the civil or religious
without ever hearing or knowing what
other opinions are current
among mankind
or at leafl they have feen
all
befides their
own
other notions
reprefented in a falfe an4
malignant light, whereupon they judge and
condemn
their
at
own
a piece
once every fentiment but what
party receives, and they think
it
of juftice and truth to lay heavy
eenfures upon the practice of every different feci in ChrifUanity or politics.
They
have fo rooted themfelves in the opinions
of their party,
that they cannot
hear
an
objection with patience, nor can they bear
a vindication, or fo
much
as
an apology,
for any fet of principles befide their
own
all
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
all
the reft
is
293
nonfenfe or herefy, folly or
blafphemy.
This
be relieved by free
defect: alio is to
converfation with perfons of different fenti-
ments
-
?
this will teach us to bear
with pa-
tience a defence of opinions contrary to our
own.
If
we
we mould alfo read
our own tenets, and
are fcholars
the objections againfl
view the principles of other
parties, as they
own
are reprefented in their
authors,
not merely in the citations of thofe
We
would confute them.
mould
and
who
take an
honeft and unbiaffed furvey of the force of
reafoning on
all fides,
and bring
all to
the teft
of unprejudiced reafon and divine revelation.
Note,
this
not to be done in a ram and
is
manner; but with a humble
dependance on divine wifdom and grace,
while we walk among fnares and dangers.
felf-fufficient
By
fuch a free converfe with perfons of
different feels,
(efpecially thofe
who
differ
only in particular forms of Chriftianity, but
agree in the great and neceffary doctrines of
it)
we
good
fhall find
fenfe
and
that
there are perfons of
virtue,
U
3
perfons
of
piety
and
ENLARGING THE
0F
294
much
and worth, perfons of
who
goodnefs,
candour and
belong to different' parties,
and have imbibed fentiments
oppofite
to
This will foften the roughnefs
each other.
of an unpolimed
and enlarge the ave-
foul,
nues of our charity toward other?, and in-
them into all the degrees
of unity and affection which the word of
cline us to receive
God
requires.
?.
I
might
both of
receive
freedom and
this'
new
borrow further
truths,
illuftrations
averlion
this
to
from modern aflronomy
and natural philofophy.
vulgar part of the world
How much
is
the
iurprized at the
talk of the'diurnal and annual
revolutions
of the earth? They have ever been taught
by
their
fenfes
and
their
neighbours
to
imagine* the' earth fiands fixed in the centre
of the univerfe, and that the Sun, with
the planets and the fixed
round
this
four hours
little
;
globe
ilars,
once
not considering
all
are whirled
in
that
twentyfuch
a
diurnal motion, by reafon of the diftance of
fome of thofe heavenly bodies, muft be almoft infinitely fwifter and more inconceivable than any
which the modern
aftrono-
mers
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
295
mers attribute
to
that the fun
fixed in the centre, that
earth with
is
the
all
Teli thefe perfons
them.
the
round the
planets roll
fun in their feveral periods, and that the
moon
round the earth
rolls
in a lefier circle,
me
while together with the earth
round the fun
of
;
new and
this
pronounce
it
is
carried
they cannot admit a fyllablc
ftrange doctrine, and they
utterly contrary
fenfe
to all
and reafon.
Acquaint them
moons
there
that
perpetually rolling
alfo
four
are
round the
him
planet Jupiter, and carried along with
in
his
which
the
periodical
circuit
round the Sun,
moons were never known till
1610, when Galileo difcovered
little
year
them by
telefcope
his
Saturn has
five
;
inform them that
moons of
attending
him
planet
encompaiied with
is
;
the fame kind
and that the body of that
a
broad
flat
cir-
cular ring, distant from the planet twenty-
one thou land miles, and twenty-one thousand
things
miles
as
tales
you that the
with vain
they look
broad,
and fancies,
and will
thefe
tell
do but delude your eyes
glaiies
images
upon
-,
U
and even when
4.
they
themfelve
ENLARGING THE
OF
296
own
themfelves confult their
eye-fight in
the ufe of thefe tubes, the narrownefs of
their
mind
is
believe their fenfes
new and
And
to lead
that they will fcarcely
fuch,
when
they dictate ideas fo
flrange.
if
you proceed
them
into
further, and attempt
thefe
a belief that all
planetary worlds are habitable,
and
is
it
probable they are replenifhed with intellectual
beings dwelling in bodies, they will
deride the folly of
him
that informs
for they refolve to believe there are
bitable worlds but this earth, and
them 5
no ha-
no
dwelling in bodies befides mankind
;
fpirits
and
it
is
well if they do not fix the brand of here-
fy
on the man
who
is
leading
their long imprifonment,
fetters
them out of
and loofing the
of their fouls.
There
are
many
other things relating
to mechanical experiments, and to the properties
of the
air,
water,
fire,
iron,
the
loadflone,
and other minerals and metals,
as well as
the doctrine of the fenfible qua-
lities, viz.
colours, founds, tafles, occ.
which
this
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
this rank of
men
297
cannot believe for want of
a greater amplitude of mind.
The
beSt,
way
to convince
them
by
is
giving them fome acquaintance with the various experiments in philofophy, and prov-
ing by ocular demon fixation the multiform
and amazing operations of the air-pump,
the loadftone, the chemical furnace, optical
glaSTes,
By
and mechanical engines.
means the understanding will Stretch
itfelf by degrees,
and when they have
this
found there
are fo
many new and
ilrange
things that are moll evidently true,
will not be fo forward to
new
propolition
in
they
condemn every
any of the other
fci-
ences, or in the affairs of religion or civil
life.
III.
The
capacity of the understanding
includes yet another qualification in
that
is
it,
and
many ideas at
The ample mind
an ability to receive
once without confufion.
takes a furvey of Several objects with one
glance,
keeps them
all
within Sight and
prefent to the foul, that they
may
be
com-
pared together in their mutual refpects
;
it
forms
OF
298
ENLARGING THE
forms juft judgments, and
it
draws proper
from this comparifon even to a
great length of argument and a chain of de-
inferences
mon flrations.
The
narrownefs that belongs to
fouls in general,
is
human
a great imperfection
wifdom
and
and
impediment
to
There
few perfons who can contem-
are but
happinefs.
plate, or practife feveral things at
faculties
are
'
very
and while we
limited,
upon one
are intent
once; our
part or property of a
we have but a flight glimpfe of the
But it is
reft, or we lofe it out of fight.
a fign of a large and capacious mind, if we
fubject,
can with one fingle view take in a variety
of objects
apply
;
or at leaft
when
a fucceffion, and in fo few
tains almoft the
fame ends
done in the fame
inftant.
is
moments,
as if it
at-
as
were
all
a neccftary qualification in order
to great knowledge
and good judgment
for there are feveral things in
in religion, and in the fciences,
various
mind can
objects with fo fwift
itfelf to feveral
This
the
circumftances,
human
:
life,
which have
appendices and relations
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
299
lations attending
them; and without
vey of
ideas
thole
all
which
a fur-
fland in con-
nection with and relation to each other,
we
are often in danger of parTing a falfe judg-
ment on the
fubject propofed.
reafon there are fo
found
among
numerous controverlies
and
learned
the
It is for this
unlearned
•world, in
matters of religion as well as in
the
of civil government.
affairs
tions of fin and duty to
God
The no-
and our fellow-
and
creatures ;. of law, juftice, authority,
power; of covenant,
faith, juftifi cation, re-
of church,
demption and grace;
them
when we are
Sec. contain in
prefbyter, ordination,
fuch complicated ideas, that
to judge of any
bifhop,
thing concerning
them,
hard to take into our view at once
it
is
all
the attendants or confequents that muil
and will be concerned in the determination
of a fingle queftion
due attention
to
:
many
and yet
without a
or moil: of thefe,
we
are in danger of determining that queftion
amifs.
It
minds
peril
is
owing
that
in the
we
to
are
the narrownefs of our
expofed
matters of
to
the
fame
human duty and
prudence.
:
OF
300
ENLARGING TH£
many
prudence.
In
we ought
not only to
naked action
which we do,
confider the mere
things
but the perfons
itfelf,
the persons toward
whom,
who
act,
the time when,
the place where, the manner how, the end
which the action is done, together with
the effects that muft or that may follow,
for
and
other furrounding
all
thefe things
muft
circumftances
be taken into
neceffarily
our view, in order to determine whether
the action,
which
indifferent in
is
itfelf,
be either lawful or unlawful, good or
decent or indecent,
wife or foolifh,
per or improper, as
it
fo
is
evil,
pro-
circumftanti-
ated.
Let me
give a plain inftance for the
Mario
luftration of this matter.
which, confidered merely in
it
look unlawful.
it;
r.efs
gives
this
again.
It
it
was done
it
:
an
;
air
at
church, and in
thefe circumftances
of irreligion.
the dog flew at Mario, and put
3
feems
itfelf,
an appearance of lawful-
time of divine fervice
added, caft on
dog,
now the dog
not his own; this makes
But Timon bid him do
to be an indifferent action
was Timon's, and
kills a
il-
him
But
in dan-
S er
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
30I
ger of his life : this relieves the feeming
o
Yet Mario might
impiety of the adion.
have efcaped by flying thence; therefore
But the
the action appears to be improper.
dog was known to be mad: this further
circumftance makes it almoft neceffary that
the dog mould be flain, left he might worry
Yet
the affembly, and do much mifchief.
Mario
again,
killed
which he happened
him with
whole congregation was
now
when we
that
ftance,
arTaulted
by
efcape, and
it
and dif-
terrified
an
it
:
confider a further
Mario
mad
a
broken
appearance of
indecency and impropriety in
nil,
hereby the
and divine fervice was
carries
this
off;
piftol,
to have in his pocket
fince yefterday's journey;
compofed,
a
thus
being
great
but after
circumviolently
had no way of
dog,
had no other weapon about him,
feems to take away
impropriety,
indecency
all
or
the colours of
unlawfulnefs,
and to allow that the prefervation of one or
many lives will juftify the aft as wife and
good.
Nov/
all
thefe concurrent appendices
of the action ought to be furveyed, in order
to pronounce with juftice and truth concerning
it.
There
There
in private
in
THE
OF ENLARGING
302
are a multitude of
life, in
domeftic
human
actions
affairs, in traffic,
government, in courts of
civil
in fchools of learning, &c.
which have
many complicated circumftances,
with regard
fituations,
to
perfons and things, that
any one to pafs
a right
juftice,
afpects
fo
and
time and place,
it is
impoffible for
judgment concern-
ing them, without entering into moft of
circumftances,
thefe
extenfively,
them
all
and furveying
them
and comparing and balancing
aright.
t>
i
j
Whence by the way, I may take occafion
to fay, How many thoufands are there who
take upon them to pafs their cenfures on the
perfonal and the domeflic actions of others,
who pronounce
boldly on the
affairs
public, and determine the juilice or
nefs,
the
wifdom
niftratidns,
men
neither
God
a
of judgment?
pofl:
mad-
or folly of national admi-
of peace and war, &c.
nor
of the
whom
ever qualified for fuch
They were
not ca-
pable of entering into the numerous con-
curring fprings of action, nor had they ever
taken a furvey of the twentieth part of the
circum-
:
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
303
circumftances which were neceflary for fuch
judgments or cenfures.
It
is
the narrownefs of our minds, as
well as the vices of the will,
that often-
times prevents us from taking a full view
of
all
the complicated and concurring ap-
belong
pendices that
thence
comes
it
to
human
to pafs that there
actions
is
fo little
right judgment, fo little juftice, prudence
decency,
or
mankind
;
practifed
thence
arife
and cenfures, alike
You
fee
thing
it
therefore
is
among
infinite
fooliiTi
how
the bulk
of
reproaches
and unrighteous.
needful and happy a
to be poiTelied of
of this amplitude of foul,
feme meafure
in order to
make
us very wife, or knowing, or juii, or prudent, or happy.
confess this
pacity of mind is
I
gift of nature, for
more capacious
The
fort
in
fome
of amplitude or caa great
are
meafure the
born with
much
fouls than others.
genius of fome perfons
is
fo
poor
and limited, that they can hardly take in
the connection of two or three propofitions
6
unlefs
OF
304
unlefs
ENLARGING THE
be in matters of
it
and which
fenfe,
they have learnt by experience
they are
:
utterly unfit for fpeculative fludies
it
;
is
hard for them to difcern the difference betwixt right and wrong in matters of reaion,
on any abftracted
never to
to
felves
which
up
fet
thefe
ought
for fcholars, but apply
them-
fubjects
;
thcfe arts and profeflions of life
are to be learnt at an eafier rate,
by
flow degrees and daily experience.
Others
have a foul
a little
more capaci-
ous, and they can take in the connection of
a
few propofitions pretty well
chain of confequences be a
but if the
-,
little
prolix, here
they flick and are confounded.
If
per-
make ever devote themfelves
they mould be well arTured of a
fons of this
to fcience,
folid
and ftrong conftitution of body, and
well refolved to bear the fatigue of hard la-
bour and diligence in fludy
blunt,
more
King Solomon
tells
:
if the
us
iron be
we mufl put
ftrength.
But,
in the third place, there are
fome
of fo bright and happy a genius, and fo
ample a mind, that they can take
in a
long
train
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
train of proportions,
if
not
at
30^
once, yet in
a very few moments, and judge well con-
cerning the
They
dependence of them.
can furvey a variety of complicated ideas
without fatigue or disturbance; and
a
ber of truths offering themfelves as
in
num-
it
were
one view to their understanding, doth not
This makes a
perplex or confound them.
great
man.
Now
though there may be much owing
to nature in this cafe, yet experience affures
us, that even a lower degree of this capacity
and extent of thought may be encreafed by
diligence and application, by frequent exercife,
and the obfervation of fuch rules
as
thefe.
I.
Labour
by
all
means
to gain an at-
tentive and patient temper of mind, a
power
of confining and fixing your thoughts
long on any
one appointed
you have furveyed
it
on every
fubjecl,
lide,
Co
till
and in
every fituation, and run through the feveral
powers, parts, properties, and relations, effects
and conlequences of
it.
He whofe
thoughts are very fluttering and wandering,
X
and
OF ENLARGING
3&6
THE
and cannot be fixed attentively to a few
ideas fucceffively, will never be able to fur-
vey
many and
various objects diftinctly at
but will
once,
be overwhelmed
certainly
and confounded with the multiplicity of
The
them.
rules for fixing the attention
in the former chapter are proper to be confulted here.
Accustom
II.
diftinct ideas
Be not
clearer
in every thing
fatisfied
to
may be
you think
things,
efpecially
obtained
:
it
importance in the queftion,
riety
and
of.
clear ones,
where
for one obfcure
or confufed idea, efpecially if
with many
clear
with obfcure and confufed
of
conceptions
yourfelf
be of great
intermingled
and placed in
its
va-
of afpects towards them, will be in
danger of fpreading confulioii over the whole
fcene of ideas, and thus
happy influence
ftanding
with
judgment.
to
an un-
overwhelm the under-
darknefs,
A
may have
little
and
black
fhamefully tincture and fpoil
pervert
the
paint
will
twenty gay
colours.
Consider
yet further,
that if
tent yourfelf frequently with
you con-
words inftead
of
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
of
307
with cloudy and confufed notions
ideas, or
how impenetrable will that darkand how vaft and endlefs that con-
of things,
nefs be,
mud
which
fufion
when many of
underflanding,
and confufed
furround and involve the
come
ideas
the foul at once
how
and
?
to
thefe obfcure
be
fet
before
impoffible will
it
be to form a clear and juft judgment about
them.
Use
III.
treafure
tions
diligence
all
up
to
a large ftore of ideas
Take every opportunity
:
thing to your itock
collection
them
rix
and no-
to add
fome-
and by frequent re-
;
in
your memory: no-
thing tends to confirm and enlarge the
mory
like
frequent review of
a
Then
fions.
with various
will
traces,
be propofed or
its
fubjeft.
-a
;
poflel-
fignatures and images,
treafure always
offered to the foul,
ready to
when
it
thoughts toward any particular
This will gradually give the mind
faculty
once
its
me-
the brain being well furnifhed
have a rich
directs
an4
acquire
as a
of
furveying
room
that
hung round with
is
many
objects
richly adorned and
a great variety
tures, flakes the eye almcfl at
X
2
at
of pic-
once with
all
;
all
ENLARGING THE
OF
30S
that variety, efpecially if they have been
furveyed one by
well
makes
at
more
habitual and
it
one
This
:
eafy to the
many of
habitants to take in
firft
in-
thofe painted
fcenes with a fmgle glance or two.
Here
by acquiring
that
note,
rich
mean only fmgle
treafure of notions, I do not
ideas,
a
but alfo proportions, obfervations and
experiences, with reafonings and arguments
upon the various
fubjects that occur
natural or moral,
common
that
when you
among
or facred affairs
judge concern-
are called to
ing any queiiion, you will have fome principles of truth,
afliil
ufeful
axioms and ob-
always ready at hand to direcl
fervations,
and
fome
your judgment.
IV. It
is
neceflary that
as pcffible entertain
we mould
as far
and lay up our daily new
ideas, in a regular order,
and range the ac-
quifitions of our fouls
under proper heads,
whether
law,
of divinity,
thematics,
meflic
morality,
life,
of caufe,
civility,
efTecl,
phyfics,
ma-
trade,
do-
politics,
decency, &c. whether
fubftance,
property, body, fpirit,
&c.
mode, power,
We
mould inure
our
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
3OO
our minds to method and order continually
»and when we take in any frefh ideas,
;
and
occurrences
difpofe of
fee
them
obfervations,
we mould
proper places, and
in their
they ftand and agree with the red
how
As
a
new book on
a
of our notions on the fame fubject
fcholar
would
proper fhelf
difpofe of a
among
:
kindred authors; or
its
an officer at the poft-houfe in
London
difpofes of every letter he takes in,
placing
as
it
box that belongs
in the
to the proper road
or county.
In any of thefe cafes
the
a heap,
any
of
addition
increafe the confufion
would
fpeedy and
gives a
with
things lay
if
eafe
in
object
but method
furvey of
fhort
and pleafure.
;
new
all
Method
is
them
of ad-
mirable advantage to keep our ideas from
and to preferve them
a confufed mixture,
The
ready for every ufe.
logy,
which
distributes all beings
and
all
the
whether abfolute or re-
affections of being,
lative,
fcience of onto-
under proper
claries,
is
of good fer-
yice to keep our intellectual acquilitions in
fuch order
as that the
mind may furvey them
at once.
X
3
V. As
ENLARGING THE
OF
310
V. As method is nece/Tary for the improvement of the mind, in order to make
your treafure of
all
ideas
mo ft
u feful
j
fo in
your further purfuits of truth and ac-
quirement of rational knowledge, obferve a
regular progrefiive method.
mod fimple,
Begin with the
eafy and obvious ideas
degrees join two, and three, and
-
}
then by
more of them
together: thus the complicated ideas grow-
ing up under your eye and obfervation, will
not give the fame confufion of thought as
they would do, if they were
mind
all offered to
the
without your obferving the
at once,
original and formation of them.
An
emi-
nent example of this appears in the ftudy
of arithmetic.
If a
fcholar juft admitted
into the fchool obferves his mafter perform-
ing an operation in the rule of divifion,
his head
is at
once difturbed and confound-
ed with the manifold comparifons of the
numbers of the
divifor
and dividend, and
the multiplication of the one, and fubtraction of
it
from the other
:
but if he begin
regularly at addition, and fo proceed by fub^-
and multiplication, he will then in
traction
a few weeks be able to take in an intelli-
gent furvey of
6
all
thofe operations in divifion,
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
fion,
1 I
and to practife them himfelf with eafe
and pleafure, each of which
all
3
feemed
at firft
intricacy and confufion.
An
of the like nature may
illuflration
be borrowed from geometry and algebra,
and
mathematical
other
eafily does an expert
glance of his eye
diagram made
tip
he judge of
defigned by
it,
take
in
?
complicated
a
of many
lines
How
and cir-
readily does
whether the demonstration
be true or
it
How
:
geometrician with one
angles and arches
cles,
practices
falfe
?
It
was by
degrees he arrived at this ftretch of under-
ftanding
he began with
;
a fingle line or a
point; he joined two lines in an angle; he
advanced to triangles and fquares, polygons
and
circles
:
thus the Dowers of his under-
were
{landing
ed daily,
till
flretched
and
augment-
by diligence and regular ap-
plication he acquired this extenfive faculty
of mind.
But
this advantage does not
to mathematical learning.
felves
at
fingle
ideas,
nrft in
If
belong only
we apply
our-
any fcience to clear and
and never hurry ourfdVes on
X
4
to
ENLARGING THE
OF
312
to the following and
of knowledge
more complicated
we thoroughly understand
we may prattile the fame
till
the foregoing,
capacity of
method of enlarging
the
foul with
any. one of
fuccefs
or
ences,
in
parts
in
the affairs of
life
the
the fci-
and
reli-
gion.
Beginning with A, B, C, and making
fyllables
out of
fyllables, has
letters,
and words out of
been the foundation of
all
that
glorious fuperftruclure of arts and fciences
which have enriched the minds and
ries
libra-
of the learned world in feveral ages.
Thefe
are the firft fteps
by which the am-
among mankind have
at that prodigious extent of knowwhich renders them the wonder and
ple and capacious fouls
arrived
ledge,
glory of the nation where they
live.
Plato and Cicero, Deicartes and
Mr. Locke and
lefs
Though
Mr. Boyle,
Newton, were doubt-
Sir Ifaac
favoured bv nature with a genius of
uncommon
years
and
amplitude;
firft
yet
in
their early
attempts of fcience,
this
was but limited and narrow in companion
of what they attained
and
capacious
were
at laft.
thofe
But how vail
powers which
thev
CAPACITY OF THE MINp.
313
they afterwards acquired by patient atten-
by the pur-
tion and watchful obfervation,
of clear ideas, and a regular method of
fuit
thinking.
Another
VI.
means of acquiring
amplitude and capacity of mind,
fal
this
a peru-
is
of difficult entangled queftions, and of the
folution of
and
them
any fcience.
Speculative
with
cafuiftical divinity will furnifh us
many fuch
are
in
fome fuch
difficulties in reconciling
Gofpel
a
;
Jewim law and
the Chriilian.
happy foluticn whereof will re-
fuch an
quire
fe-
Epifties of St. Paul, re-
veral parts of the
lating to the
There
and controverfies.
cafes
view of
exteniive
things,
and the reading of thefe happy folutions
will enlarge this faculty in younger {Indents.
In moral and political fubjccls, Puffendorf's
law of nature and nations, and
feveral de-
terminations therein, will promote the fame
amplitude
public
trials
courts
of
law
ftudied
of
attendance
and arguments
the
civil
ad-
purpofe; and after a
man
will
the general
nature
in
on
good
juftice,
vantage for this
has
An
mind.
of
and
be
of
principles
the
laws
of
of the
England
314
0F ENLARGING THE, &C.
land in proper books, the reading the reports of adjudged cafes, collected by
men
pf great fagacity and judgment, will richly
improve his mind toward acquiring
defirable amplitude
and more efpecially
this
and extent of thought,
in
perfons of that pro-
feflion.
CHAP.
3'5
(
)
CHAP.
OF IMP
XVII.
OVINC THE MEMORY,
P.
MEMORY
is
a
faculty of
diftindt
mind of man, very different
from perception, judgment and reafoning,
and its other powers. Then we are faid to
remember any thing, when the idea of it arifes
in the mind with a confcioufnefs at the fame
time that we have had this idea before. Our
the
memory
what we
occafion.
to
is
our natural power of retaining
learn,
and of recalling
Therefore
remember any
we
it
on every
can never be faid
thing, whether
it
or propofitions, words or things,
be ideas
notions,
we have not had
perception either by
or arguments, of which
fome former
idea or
fenfe or imagination,
but whatfoever
we
thought or
learn
reflection
;
from obfervation,
books or convention, &c.
it
mud
all
be
Lid
6
3
laid
IMPROVING
OF
1
up and preferved
would make
in the
memory,
if
we
really ufeful.
it
So neceffary and fo excellent a faculty is
the memory of man, that all other abilities
of the mind borrow from hence their
and
beauty
cities
perfection
for
of the foul are almoft
To what
out this.
want memory
have acquired
memory
foon
ufelefs
with-
as
our la-
all
we
what we
and wifdom,
What
if
fignify all other in-
improvements,
tellectual or fpiritual
are loft as
capa-
preferve and ufe
to
?
other
purpofe are
bours in knowledge
they are obtained
if
they
?
It is
alone that enriches the mind, by
preferving
daily
;
what our labour and
collect.
In
neither knowledge,
without memory;
improvement
of
a
word,
nor
nor
there
can
be
nor fciences
arts,
can
mankind
induflry
there
in
be any
virtue
or
morals, or the practice of religion, with-
out
the
power.
affiftance
and
Without memory the
would be but
of
this
foul of
man
influence
a poor, deftitute,
naked be-
ing, with an everhfling blank fpread over
it,
except the fleeting ideas of the prefent
moment.
Me-
THE MEMORY.
Memory
very ufeful to
is
to thofe
fpeak, as^well as
as
fcholar
the
who
thofe
who
It
learn.
teacher and the orator, as well
the
aflifts
317
the
or
The
hearer.
fpeeches and inftructions are almoft
beft
loft,
if
who hear them, immediately forget
them. And thofe who are called to fpeak
in public are much better heard and accepted, when they can deliver their difthofe
courfe by the help of a lively genius and
a ready memory, than when they are forced
to
read
to
their
that
all
they would communicate
Reading
hearers.
is
certainly
way of the conveyance of our
and there are very few mere
timents
heavier
-,
ders
who
have the
felicity
a
fenrea-
of penetrating
the foul, and awakening the pafiions of thofe
who
hear, by fuch a grace
oratory,
the
as
and power of
man who feems
to
talk
every word from his very heart, and pours
own knowledge upon
round about him by the help of
out the riches of his
the people
a
free
life
and
and copious memory.
fpirit to every
This gives
thing that
is
fpoken,
and has a natural tendency to make a deepit aer imprefllon on the minds of men
:
wakens the
dulleft
fpirits,
caufes
them
to
receive
8
OF.
31
IMPROVING
receive a difcourfe with
and adds
pleafure,
both
excellency
a
to
more
affection
and
grace
and
and
his
lingular
the
perfon
oration.
1
»
A good judgment and a
good memory are
very different qualifications.
A
perfon
may
have a very ftrong, capacious, and retentive
memory, where the judgment is very poor
and weak as lbmetimes it happens in thofe
-,
who
are
but one degree above an
idiot,
who
have manifeited an amazing ftrength and
memory, but have hardly been
able to join or disjoin two or three ideas in
a wife and happy manner to make a folid
extent of
rational proportion.
There
who
have been
inftances
of
others
have had but a very tolerable power
of memory, yet their judgment has been
of a much fuperior degree, juft and wife,
folid
and excellent.
Yet
where
it
a
raufl
be acknowledged,
happy memory
perfon, there
is
is
that
found in any
one good foundation
laid for
a wife and juft judgment of things, wherefoever
THE MEMORY.
%lg
foever the natural genius has any thing of
and brightnefs to make a right ufe
A good judgment muft always in fome
fagacity
of
it.
meafure depend upon
and compa-
a furvey
rifon of feveral things together in the
mind,
and determining the truth of fome doubtful
propofition by that furvey and comparifon.
When
the
mind
has, as
it
were,
form
to
true
a
are
propofition
or
it,
judgment concerning any thing,
termines that fuch
thofe
which
various objects prefent before
neceffary
fet all
it
then de-
and fuch ideas are to
be joined or disjoined, to be affirmed or denied ; and this in a confiftency and correfpondence with
all
thofe other ideas or pro-
portions which any way relate or belong
to the fame fubject.
Now
there can be
no
fuch comprehenfive furvey of many things
without
it is
tolerable
a
degree
by reviewing things
judge of the future:
times that
ject or
if
paft,
it
happens fome-
one needful or important ob-
idea be abfent,
cerning the
become
And
memory;
we learn to
of
the
judgment con-
thing enquired will
falfe or
thereby
miftaken.
You
IMPROVING
OF
320
You
will enquire then,
comes
pear in the world of bufinefs, as
in the world
it
to
fome perfons who ap-
there are
pafs that
How
well as
of learning, to have a good
judgment, and have acquired the juft character
of prudence and
wifdom, and yet
have neither a very bright genius nor fagacity
mory,
fo that
minds
at
to pafs a
Now
happy me-
nor a very
of thought,
they cannot
fet
before their
once a large fcene of ideas in order
judgment.
we may
of
account
learn
this
from Penferofo fome
You
difficulty.
fcarcely ever find this
man forward
in
ing and determining things propofed to
fhall
judg-
him
:
but he always takes time, and delays, and
before he
practifes
his
paries
a
things
maturely,
judgment:
Then he
ponders
and
fufpends
flow meditation,
ruminates on
the fubject, and thus perhaps in two or three
nights and days roufes and awakens thofe
ideas,
feveral
which
one
after another as
are neceffary in order to
he can,
judge aright
of the thing propofed, and makes them pafs
before his
doth to
review in fucccfiion
relieve
:
This he
the want both of a quick
fagacity
T
ME M
E
II
O R V.
32I
fagacity of thought and of a ready
and fpeedy
recollection
*
memory
and this caution
and practice lays the foundation of his juft
He
judgment and wife conduct.
furveys
well before he judges.
Whence
cannot but take occafion to
I
infer one
good rule of advice
higher
well as lower genius, and of large
as
well
as
as
to perfons
narrow memories,
of
That
viz.
they do not too haftily pronounce concernmatters
ing
there
is
forward
errors
doubt, or enquiry, where
not an urgent necedity of prefent
The
action.
fo
of
bright genius
often betrays itfelf into great
as
judgment,
in
ready to be
is
fpeech and
conduct,
a
continual guard upon
itfelf,
and
ufing the
bridle of the tongue.
And
it is
without
by
and precaution, that many a
this delay
perfon of
much
lower natural
abilities,
mall
often excel perfons of the brighteft genius
in
wifdom and prudence.
It
but
nius
a
is
often
feeble
is
found that a
memory
bright, and
the power of
:
fine
genius has
For where the ge-
the imagination vivid,
memory may
Y
be too
much
neglected
IMPROVING
OF
322
negle&ed and
lofe
An
improvement.
its
active fancy readily wanders over a multi-
tude of objects, and
continually enter-
is
with new flying images
taining itfelf
runs through a
number of new
it
;
new
fcenes or
pages with pleafure, but without due attention, and feldom fuffers itfelf
to dwell
long enough upon any one of them, to make
a deep
impreffion
commit
and
This
is
there are
it
thereof upon the mind,
to
remembrance.
lairing
one plain and obvious reafon
why
fome perfons of very bright
parts
and active
fpirits,
who
have but
narrow powers of remembrance
ing riches of their own,
fliort
;
and
for hav-
they are not foli-
citous to borrow.
And
as
fuch a quick and various fancy
and invention may be fome hindrance to the
attention and memory, fo a mind of a good
which is ever crowding
memory with things which it learns and
retentive ability, and
its
reads continually,
may
cramp the invention
Lectorides
offer
is
to his
prevent, reilrain, and
itfelf.
ever ready
The memory
upon
all
of
occafions to
mind fomething out
of other
men's writings or conventions, and
is
pre-
fenting
THE MEMORY.
fenting
him with
fons perpetually
323
the thoughts of other per-
Thus
:
man who had
the
naturally a good flowing invention, does not
fuffer
himfelf to purfue his
Some
perfons
who
own
have been
thoughts.
blefr.
by na-
ture with figacity, and no contemptible genius,
have too
of
by tying themfelves down
it,
mory of
the exercife
forbid
often
to the
me-
the volumes they have read, and
the fentiments of other
men
contained in
them.
Where
the
memory
been
has
almoil
conftantly employing itfelf in fcraping to-
gether
new acquirements, and where
there
has not been a judgment fufTicient to diftinguiih what things were
fit
to
mended and
in
the
and
what
a
things
the
needlefs,
up
treafured
be recom-
memory,
were
idle,
ufelefs
has
been
filled
mind
or
with
wretched heap and hotchpotch of words
or
ideas,
to have
and
the
had large
foul
may
poffeffions,
be
faid
but no true
riches.
I
have
writings a
fome of Mr. Milton's
very beautiful fmiile, whereby
read
in
Y
2
he
IMPROVING
OF
3^4
he reprefents the books of the Fathers, as
they are called in the Chriftian Church*
Whatfoever,
he,
faith
Old Time with
his
huge drag net has conveyed down
to
us
whether
it
be
ftream of ages,
along the
fhells or fhell-fifh, jewels or pebbles, flicks
ftraws,
or
the
ancients,
cafe
is
much
poffeffions
A
fea- weeds
are
thefe
the fathers.
thefe are
The
the fame with the memorial
of the greateft part of mankind.
few ufeful things, perhaps, mixed and
confounded with many
ner of rubbidi,
compofe
a
mud,
or
up
fill
and
their
memories and
all
their intellectual poneflions.
great happinefs
man-
trifles
therefore
to
It is
diftinguifli
things aright, and to lay up nothing in the
memory but what
and
is
worthy
has fome juft value in
to be
numbered
as a part
it,
of
our treafure.
Whatsoever
improvements
mind of man from
own
his
arife to the
the wife exercife of his
reafoning powers,
thefe
proper manufactures
may be
called
and whatfoever
;
he borrows from abroad, thefe may be termed
his
make
foreign
a wealthy
treafures
:
both
together
and happy mind.
How
THE MEMORY.
How
many
judgments and
excellent
Ibnings are framed in the
wifdom and ftudy
How
a
mind of
of years
length
been poftefled of in
own
?
notions
both by
life,
reafonings, and by his prudent and
laborious
collections
reading
But
?
alas
in
the courfe of his
how many
!
thoufands
of them vanim away again and are
empty
rea-
man of
a
many worthy and admirable
has he
his
in
325
air,
retentive
want of
for
memory
a ftronger
When
?
a
loft in
and more
young
practi-
tioner in the law was once laid to conteft a
point of debate with that great lawyer in
the
laft age,
Serjeant
Maynard, he
is
report-
ed to have anfvvered him, Alas, young man,
I
have forgot
much more law
than ever thou
haft learnt or read.
What an unknown and
pinefs
would
and who
is
it
in
own
engaged in
fome
beft
man of judgment,
the purfuit of know-
be to a
ledge, if he had but a
his
unfpeakable hap-
power of ftamping
fentiments upon his
indelible
characters
-
y
all
memory
and
if
he
could but imprint every valuable paragraph
and fentiment of the moil excellent authors
he has read, upon his mind, with the fame
Y
3
fpeed
IMPROVING
OF
326
fpeed and facility with which he read them
If a
man of good
but
retain
?
genius and fagacity could
and furvey
thofe numerous,
all
which
have ever parTed through his thoughts upon
any one fubjedt, how admirably would he
be furnifhed to pafs a juft judgment about
thofe wife and beautiful ideas at once,
all
prefent objects and
occurrences
What
?
would
a glorious entertainment and pleafure
fill
and
felicitate his fpirit, if
all thefe in a fingle
he could grafp
furvey, as the fkilful eye
of a painter runs over
a fine
and complicate
piece of hiflory wrought by the hand of a
Titian or a Raphael, views the whole fcene
at once,
and feeds himfelf with the exten-
five delight
But
?
thefe are joys that
do not
belong to mortality.
Thus
far I
unconnected
have indulged fome loofe and
thoughts
and
remarks
regard to the "different powers of wit,
mory and judgment.
ficult
to
For
throw them into
it
with more regularity
treat
me-
was very dif-
a regular
method without more room.
with
form or
now
memory
Let us
of the
alone
Though
THE MEMORY.
Though
memory
the
be a natural facul-
mind of man, and belongs
which are not incarnate, yet it
ty of
the
fpirits
which the
foul
united in this prefent
is
wherein the images of things
hard
very
is
with certainty.
thofe
very
brain,
which
us
for
It
it
affiftat the firft idea or
percep-
fmae which
recollection of
part of the
fervice,
probable that
of the
but ufes
it
memory
will follow that the
cial
determine
or traces
pores
fibres,
at the
alfo
is,
treafured
lie
to
mofr.
is
tion of any object, are the
fift.
is
di-
But what part of the brain that
ftate.
to
by the brain or the animal nature,
verfified
up,
much
hindered, and
greatly afTifted or
to
327
:
and then
has no fpe-
brain devoted to
its
own
thofe parts in general
all
which fubferve our
af-
our
fenfations, as well as
thinking and reafoning powers.
As
the
memory grows and improves
young perfons from
decays in old age, fo
art
their childhood,
it
may
or by
There
and
be increafed by
and labour, and proper
may be
in
exercife, or it
injured and quite fpoiled by floth,
a difeafe, or
are
a ftroke
on the head.
fome reafonings on
Y
4
this fubject
which
which make
a
IMPROVING
OP
328
evident that the goodncfs of
it
memory depends
upon
great degree
in a
the confidence and the temperature of that
which
part of the brain
fift
the exercife of
all
is
appointed to af-
our fenfible and intel1
ledtual faculties.
So
ceive
and forget
immediately
all
all
mud, and
impreflions
clofed
up again,
they
like
per-?
in
an
receives
it
water
or
them
images which are
retains fcarcely any of
immediately
are
there,
that
fo foft
is
the traces, forms or
drawn
%
hundred things
a
hour; the brain
liquid
children
for jnftance, in
:
effaced
or
though you wrote with
as
your finger on the furface of
a river,
or
on
a vefiel of oil.
On
the contrary, in old age,
remembrance of things
a very feeble
were
cj°ne
men have
of
late,
i.
e.
that
the fame day, or
week, or year; the brain is grown fo hard
that the prefent images or ftrokes make little
or no impreffion, and therefore they
diately yanifh
year, will
:
tell
when he was
imme-
Prifco, in his feventy-eighth
long
in
the
{lories
of things done
battle at
the Boyne,
almoft
THE MEMORY.
ago, and
almofr. fifty years
329
when he
ftudied
imprefTions were made when the brain was
they have been
more fufceptive of them
at
Oxford fevsn
years before
for thofe
:
-,
the proper feafon, and
deeply engraven at
therefore they remain.
which he
lately
But words or things
fpoke or did, they are im-
mediately forgctcen, becaufe the brain
grown more dry and
and receives not
if
is
now
folid in its confidence,
much more
imprefiion than
you wrote with your finger on
a floor
of
or
it
clay, or a plaifcered wall.
But
the
in
middle flage of
maybe from fifteen to
memory is generally
fifty years
in
its
life,
of age, the
happieft
ftate,
the brain eafily receives and long retains the
images and traces which are impreifed upon
it,
and the natural
range thefe
little
fpirits are
infinite
of things in their proper
to preferve
jielp
active to
unknown
cells
figures
or cavities,
and recollect them.
Whatsoever
jn its befl
more
therefore keeps the brain
temper and confidence, may be a
to preferve
the
memory
:
pf wine, or luxury of any kind,
but excefs
as well
as
excefs
IMPROVING
OF
33°
excefs in the fludies of learning or
of
fineifes
ry,
may overwhelm
life,
the bu-
memo-
the
by overftraining and weakening the
of the brain, over-wafting the
fpirits,
confiftence of that
juring the true
fibres
in-
tender
fubftance, and confounding the images that
are laid
A
up
there.
good memory
fications,
i.
ready to receive and ad-
It is
mit with great
has thefe feveral quali-
eafe the various
ideas
both
of words and things which are learned or
taught.
treaiure
2.
up
It
thefe
and variety.
3.
and copious
large
is
ideas
It
is
great
in
number
ftrong and
durable
to retain for a confiderable. time thofe
or
4.
thoughts
It is
which
faithful
are
to
committed
words
to
it.
and active to fugged and
upon every proper cccalion, all
thofe words or thoughts which have been
recommended to its care, or treafured up
recollect
in
it.
Now
a
in every one
memory may
proved
:
of thefe qualifications
be injured, or
may be im-
yet I fhall not infill diftindly on
thefe particulars, but only
in
general pro-
pofe
THE MEMORY.
33I
pofe a few rules or directions whereby this
noble faculty of memory, in
and
qualifications,
may be
{hew what
ed, and
both by reafon
tion
is
to
exercife.
that
and experience have been
to this purpofe.
one great and general direc-
which belongs
is,
affift-
practices
improvement of
to the
memory, and
other powers as well as of the
that
branches
preferved or
are the
found of happy influence
There
all its
keep
it
Many
always in due and proper
acts
by degrees form
ha-
a
and thereby the ability or power
bit,
is
flrengthened and made more ready to ap-
Our memories Ihould
pear again in aclion.
be ufed and inured from childhood to bear
a
moderate quantity of knowledge
them
and they will thereby become
early,
ilrong for
into
let
ufe
and
fervice.
As any limb
well and duly exercifed grows flronger, the
nerves of the body are corroborated there-
Milo took up
by.
it
his
on
his
a calf, and daily carried
moulders;
ftrength
grew
alfo,
as
the
and he
rived at firmnefs of joints
grew,
calf
at
enough
lafl
to
ar-
bear
the bull.
Our
OF
3^2
Cue
IMPROVING
memories will be
in a great
moulded and formed, improved
or injured,
according to the exercife of them.
them they
Thofe who are wont
never ufe
meafurc
If
we
be almofr.
loft.
to converfe or
read
will
about a few things only, will retain but a
few
to
memory
in their
thofe
:
remember things but
for
charge their memories with
will
who
are ufed
an hour, and
it
no longer,
them but an hour before they
And let words be remembered as
things, that fo you may acquire a
retain
vanifli.
well as
copia verborum
as
more ready
exprefs
to
well
as
rerum,
and be
your mind on
all
occafions.
Yet
fome
there lliould be a caution given in
cafes
:
the
infirm perfon
memory
of
a
child or any
mould not be over-burdened
for a limb or a joint
may
\
be over/trained
by being too much loaded, and
its
natural
power never be recovered. Teachers mould
wifely judge of the power and confcitution
of youth, and impofe no more on them
than they are able to bear with chcarfulneft
and improvement.
Akzx
:
THE MEMORY.
And
333
mould
particularly they
take care
memory of
the learner be not tco
much crowded with
a tumultuous heap or
that the
ideas
one time
at
of documents
multitude
over-bearing
;
this
the
is
way
member nothing ; one
idea effaces
An
does
graip
overgreedy
But
largeft handful.
memory with
a
to re-
another.
the
not retain
the exercife of
is
it
or
due moderation,
that
is
one general rule towards the improvement
of
it.
The
Due
1.
and
particular rules are fuch as thefe
know
attention and diligence to learn
remembrance,
to our
we would commit
things which
ceflity in this
cafe.
is
rule of great ne-
a
When
the attention
flrongly fixed to any particular fubject,
that
is
laid
preffion
concerning
makes
it,
a
There
upon the mind.
is
all
deeper imare
fome
who complain they cannot rememdivine or human difcourfes which they
perfons
ber
hear,
when
dering
half
in truth their
the
time,
thoughts are wanor
they hear with
fuch coldnefs and indifferency, and a trifling
temper of fpirit, that it is no wonder the
things
IMPROVING
OF
334
things which are read or fpoken
a flight impreffion
firm
footing in
on the brain, and get no
the feat of
foon vanifh and are
It
memory, but
loft.
needful,
is
make but
therefore,
if
wc would
maintain a long remembrance of the things
which we
we mould en-
read or hear, that
gage our delight and pleafure in thofe fubjecls,
and ufe the other methods which are
before prefcribed in order to fix the atten-
indolence and
Sloth,
tion.
no more
blefs
riches, than
it
idlenefs
mind with
the
will
will
intellectual
the hand with grain,
fill
the field with corn, or the purfe with treafure.
m
Let
flothful
felves
it
be added
and
alfo,
that not only the
the negligent
deprive
them-
of proper knowledge for the furni-
memory, but fuch
ture of their
to have active fpirits,
who
are
as
appear
ever fkim-
ming
over the furface of things with a vo-
latile
temper,
mind.
in
will
fix
nothing in
their
Vario will fpend whole mornings
running
over
pages, and with
loofe
and
unconnected
frefli curicfity is
ever glanc-
ing
THE MEMORY.
ing over
his
new words and
prefent fancy
:
thoufand objects of
treafures
up but
ideas
335
that
ftrike
He
is
arts
and fcience, and yet
little
fluttering over a
There
knowledge.
muft be the labour and the diligence of
attention
clofe
particular
to
fubjects
of
thought and enquiry, which only can im-
what we read or think of upon the
prefs
remembering faculty
Clear
2.
the things
and
in
diftincl:
apprehenfion of
which we commit
neceflary in order to
dwell there.
or learn
man.
If
memory, is
make them flick and
to
we would remember words,
the names of perfons or things,
we mould have them recommended to our
memory by clear and dillincl pronunciation,
fpelling or writing.
If we would treafure
up the
tions,
ideas
of things, notions,
arguments and fciences, thefe fhould
be recommended alfo to our
clear
propor-
memory by
and difiinct perception of them.
glimmering and confuted
like images feen
which we
understanding in
the
Faint
ideas will vanifli
in twilight.
learn fhould
a
Every thing
be conveyed to the
plainefl
expreilions
without any ambiguity, that we may not
2
miftake
OF
336
we
miftake what
is
IMPROVING
defire to
ploy
memory about words
the
though
it
This
whether we would em-
general rule
a
remember.
niufe be confer!: that
or things,
mere founds
and words
are
much
heart
the
knowledge of things and
real
than
harder
by
get
to
images.
For
this
take heed
reafon
(as
I
have
often before warned) that you do not take
up with words
inftead of things, nor
founds inilead of
Many
it
becaufe he never well under-
He
:
fentiments and ideas.
what has been taught
a lad forgets
him merely
ilood
real
mere
never clearly and difiinctly
took in the meaning of thofe founds and
fyllables
which he was required
to
get by
fceart.
This
fo
is
one true reafon
why
boys make
poor a proficiency in learning the Latin
tongue under mailers
who
grammars and rules written
which I have lpoken before.
common
cafe
them by
teach
in
Latin,
And
of
this is a
with children when they iearn
their catechifms in
language and the
their early days.
The
fentiments conveyed
in
thofe
THE MEMORY.
337
thofe catechifms are far above the under-
standing of creatures of that age, and they
have no tolerable ideas
under the words.
This makes the anfwers much harder to
be remembered, and in truth they learn
nothing
they
if
but words
are
ever
without
perfect
fo
ing the words, yet they
ideas;
and
repeat-
in
know nothing of
divinity.
And
reafon
for this
rule in teaching children
religion, that they
it
is
a
neceffary
the principles of
mould be
exprefTed in
very plain, eafy and familiar words, brought
low
as
down
as poffible
to their underftand-
ings according to their different
and
capacities,
fome
are
at
ufeful
treafured
the fame
thereby
knowledge
up
in their
time
ages
they will
and
obtain
when the words
memory, becaufe
they will
treafure
up
thofe divine ideas too.
3.
Method
we commit
order
to
poffeffion
long.
and regularity in the things
memory, is neceffary in
make them take more effectual
of
to
the
As much
mind,
and abide there
as fyflematical
Z
learning
is
decried
IMPROVING
©F
338
humorous
decried by fome vain and
of
the
way
age,
to furniih
the
the happiefl
certainly
is
it
trifkrs
mind with
a variety
of
knowledge.
Whatsoever
your memory,
would
you
let it
trufl
to
be difpofed in a proper
manner, connected well together, and referred to diflinet and particular heads or
claries,
both general and particular.
apothecary's boy will
much
the medicines in his
they
are
according
herbs,
or
ranged
to.
or
fhop,
when
on fhelves
their diflinet natures,
whether
drugs or minerals, whether leaves
roots,
whether chymical or
preparations,
&c.
fooner learn all
mailer's
boxes
in
An
galenical
whether fimple or compound,
and when they are placed in fome
order according to their nature, their fluidity or their confidence,
tles,
cafes,
gallipots,
genealogy of a family
when you
begin
as the root,
at
&c.
in phials, pot-
drawers, ccc. fo the
is
fome
more
eafily learnt
great grandfather
and diflinguim the flock, the
large boughs, the leffer branches, the twigs,
and the buds,
till
you come down to the
prefent infants of the houfe.
8
And
indeed
all
THE
339
of arts and fciences taught in a
forts
all
M..E.M O R Y.
method fomething of
committed
happily
mind
the
to
more
kind, are
this
me-
or
mory.
I
MIGHT
confirm
another plain fimile to
give
the
of
truth
all
rude and unwieldy loppings of
the various
branchy
horfe
up and bear away
or carriage can take
a
What
this.
tree
once
at
r
But
if they
are
divided yet further fo as to be laid clofe,
and bound up
into
ieveral
pings
in
a xnor.e
perhaps
faggots,
may be
all
uniform manner
.carried
thofe
as
lop-
one iingle
load or burden.
The
mutual dependence of
each other help the
memory of
things
both.
A
on
wife
connection of the parts of a difcourfe in a
rational
method,
the reader
or
membrance.of
great advantage to
gives
hearer in
it.
to
his
re-
many mathelong train may
Therefore
matical demon ftrations in
be remembered
order,
much
a
better.
than a heap, of
which have no connection. The
book of Proverbs, at lead from the tenth
fentenCes
-chapter
and onwards,,
Z
is
2
much
harder, to
remember
IMPROVING
OF
34©
remember than
realbn
this
me
book of Pfalms
the
for
and fome Chriftians have told
;
remember what is written in
to the Romans, and that to the
that they
the Epiftle
Hebrews, much
the facred
better than
many
others of
becaufe there
Epiflles,
more
is
method and connection obferved
exact
in
them.
He
would
that
mon which
learn to
remember
a fer-
he hears, mould acquaint him-
felf
by degrees with the method in which
the
feveral
livered.
important parts of
it
are de-
multitude
It is a certain fault in a
of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues
to render
refufe
their
the
fenfible
to
tempted
to think
auditors
mould
their fermons,
them
:
Or
method
was for
fear left
is,
uielefs one.
I
am
And
But
:
I
perfuade myfelf,
to
they imagine
more modim way of
;
of
and prevent their preaching
candour enough
particulars
their
remember too much
three or four times over
the true reafon
and
vifible
One would be
hearers.
it
they
at lean:
fure
it
it
have
that
to be a
preaching without
it
is
a
much more
would be of great advantage
THE MEMORY.
both to the fpeaker
vantage
to have difcourfes
34I
and
hearer
for the pulpit caft into a
plain and eafy method, and the reafons or
inferences ranged
in
a
that under the words,
proper order,
and
fecondly,
and
firft,
however they may be now fancied
thirdly,
found unpolite or unfilliionable
to
Archbimop
But
:
Tillotfon did not think fo in
his days.
A frequent
4.
of
petition
review and careful re-
we would
things
the
and an abridgment of them in
compafs for
to fix
them
this end, has a
in the
that the rules of
memory
:
learn,
narrow
a
great influence
Therefore
grammar, and
it is
ufeful ex-
amples of the variation of words, and the
peculiar forms of fpeech in any language,
are
fo
the
for
lefibns
repeated
tables
appointed
often
and
;
for
not fixed
fcholars
they
frequent
in the
cd upon the
by the matter
mind
to
are
at firft,
memory by
be frequently
contracted
review,
as
that
into
what
is
may be ftamp-
a perpetual
furvey
and rehearfal.
Z
3
Repe-
IMPROVING
OF
342
Repetition is fo very ufeful a practice, that Mnemon, even from his youth
never read a book without
to his old age,
making fome
in the
fmall points, dairies or hooks
margin, to mark what parts of the
dilcourfe were proper for
when he came
to the
all
end of
And
:
a fection
or
fhut his book, and re-
chapter, he always
collected
review
a
the fentiments
or expreflions
he had remarked, fo that he could give^
tolerable analyiis and abflract of every treatife
he had read, juft
Thence he became
after
he had finifhed
fo well furnifhed
it.
with a
rich variety of knowledge.
Even when
a perfon is
or a lecture, he
now
may
hearing a fermon
give his thoughts leave
and then to ftep back.fo
collect the feveral heads of it
ginning,
two or
lecture or fermon
three
is
serving in the
is
from the be-
times
finimed
or the lofs of a fentence or
amplifications,
far as to re-
before
the
The omiffion
two among the
:
richly compenfated by pre-
mind the method and order
of the whole dilcourfe in the molt important branches of
it.
If
;
THE MEMORY.
343
we would fix in the memory, the
difcourfes we hear, or what we defign to
fpeak, let us abitract them into brief comIf
pends, and review them often. Lawyers and
Divines have need of fuch
write
down
what they
memory
reviewed
They
much
to
defire
commit
in order to preach or plead
and
fuch abftracts
for
:
fhort notes or hints of the prin-
cipal heads of
to their
afiiftances
may be
epitomes
and
fooner,
the
feveral
amplifying fentiments or fentences will be
more
eafily
invented or recollected in their
The
proper places.
art
of excellent ufe for
purpofes.
thofe
who
It
muffc
this
of fhort hand
as
is
well as other
be acknowledged that
fcarcely ever take a pen in their
hands to write fhort notes or hints of what
they are to fpeak or learn,
to
call:
the
never try
things into method, or to contract
furvey of them,
them
who
to
their
in
memory,
order
to
commit
had need have a
double degree of that natural power of retaining and recollecting
what they
read, or
hear, or intend to fpeak.
Do
not plunge yourfelf into other bufi-
nefTes or fludies,
amuiements or
Z
4
recreations,
imme-
IMPROVING
OF
344
immediately
after
inftruction, if
time
you have attended upon
you can well avoid
if poffible to recollect
the things you
may
not be warned
have heard, that they
all
Get
it.
away from the mind by
a torrent
of
other occurrences or engagements, nor loft
in
the croud or clamour of other loud and
importunate
affairs.
Talking
over the
things which
you
have read with your companions on the
proper opportunity you have for
ufeful
manner of review
order to
nx them upon
them your younger
it, is
a
firft
mofk
or repetition,
the mind.
in
Teach
friends in order to efta-
own knowledge while you communicate it to them. The animal powers of
blifh your
your tongue and of your
ear, as
intellectual faculties, will
to
help the
memory.
all
well as your
join together
Hermetas
ftudied
hard in a remote corner of the land, and
in
folitude,
man.
He
yet he
became
a very learned
feldom was fo happy
as
to en-
home, and therefore
he talked over to the fields and the woods
in the evening, what he had been reading in
joy fuitable fociety
at
the day, and found fo conliderable advantage
THE MEMORY.
tage
by
probatum
we
to
ever therefore
commit
to his
him
to
fant
we
delight in the things
great
remembrance
the
his
fet
for feventeen years.
it
gives
learn,
he could
friends, fince
Pleasure/ and
5.
he recommended
this practice that
to all his
it
345
affiftance
Whatfochild mould
them.
of
defire that a
memory, make
pofiible
as
towards
;
it
as
plea-
endeavour
to
fearch his genius and his temper, and let
him
take in the inftructions you give him,
or the lelTons you appoint him, as far as
m3y
be, in a
the
luited to his natural incli-
would never
Fabcllus
nation.
moral
way
leiTons
till
fiction
till
pearance of a parable,
our
blefled
world
:
any
they were moulded into
form of fome
thofe of iEfop, or
learn
Saviour
or
fable
like
they put on the aplike
taught
thole wherein
the
Then he remembered
ignorant
well
the
emblematical instructions that
were given
him, and
moral fenfe
learnt to
pracTife the
and meaning of them.
Young
Spectorius
was taught virtue by letting before him a
variety of examples of the various good
qualities in
human
life j
and he was appointed
IMPROVING
OF
34-6
pointed daily to repeat fome ftory of this
The fame
the com-
kind out of Valerius Maximus.
lad was
mon
earlv inflructed to avoid
vices and follies of
manner.
This
whereby the
is
youth
a-kin
in the
method
trained up
the
to
Lacedaemonians
their children to hate drunkennefs
temperance,
man
ufeful imprefiions
Children may
many things
Some young
and
in
a
way of
creatures
fyllables,
parted or written
blets or dies.
bularies of
in
upon the
be taught to remember
fport and ptay.
have
learnt
their
and the pronouncing
by having them
and fpelling of words,
word
Such
and fenfible forms of inftru£tion will
make long and
memory.
letters
drunken
a
he had made of himfelf.
a bead:
vifible
and in-
company, and (hewing them
into their
what
by bringing
viz.
fame
upon many
little
flat
ta-
Some have been taught vocadifferent
languages,
having a
one tongue written on one
thefe tablets, and the fame
tongue on the other
fide
word
fide of.
in another
of them.
There
THE MEMORY.
There might
be alio
many
347
entertain-
ing contrivances for the inftrudtion of children in feveral things relating to geometry,
geography, and aftronomy, in iuch alluring
and
illufory
mod
methods, which would make a
agreeable
and
impreffion
lafling
on
their minds.
The memory
6.
receive confiderable aid if they are
into veife
in
:
tnrown
For the numbers and meafures
rhyme, according
ferent
may
of ufeful things
have
languages,
pocfy of dif-
to the
a
confiderable
in-
upon mankind, both to make them
receive with more eafe the things propofed
to their obfervation, and preferve them
fluence
How many
longer in their remembrance.
common
affairs
are
there of the
life
which have been taught
of hun.an
in early years
by the help of rhyme, and have been
nails fattened in a fure place,
like
and rivetted by
daily ufe.
So the number of the days of each month
are engraven on the memory of thoufands
by
thefe four lines
:
•
Thirty
;
JJ
:
OF IMPROVING?
4-S
Thirty days have September,
June and April, and November
:
February twenty-eight alone,
And
So
the reft have thirty-one.
all
have been taught frugality by
lads
furveying and judging of their
ces
by
own expen-
thefe three lines'
Compute
the pence but of one day's ex-
pence,
So many pounds, and angels, groats, and
pence,
Are fpent
in
one whole year's circumfe-
rence.
For
number of
the
three hundred fixty-five,
days in a year
is
which number of
pence makes one pound,
one angel,
one
groat, and one penny.
So have
in the
many
rules of health been prefcribed
book
called Scbola Salernitana,
and
a peribn has preferved himfelf doubt-
lefs
from evening gluttony, and the pains
and
difeafes
two
liiies
confequent upon
it,
by thefe
Ex
:
THE MEMORY.
Ex magna
Ut f.s
349
ccenajiomacho Jit maxima pcena;
notte Isvis, Jit tibi cceiza brevis.
Engl i (lied
.To be eafy all night,
Let your fupper be light
And
Or
elfe you'll
Of
a
itomach
complain
in pain.
hundred proverbial fentences in
various languages are formed into rhyme or
a verfe, whereby they are made to flick upon
the
a
memory of
It
is
from
have been
antiquity.
old and young.
this principle that
can: into a poetic
So the
golden
moral rules
mould from
verfes
all
of the
Pythagoreans in Greek; Cato's Diftichs De
Moribus in Latin ; Lilly's precepts to fchojars called
this has
A
%/ Mihi,
with many others
;
and
been done with very good fuccefs.
line or
two of
memory, have
this
kind recurring on the
often guarded youth
from
a
temptation to vice and folly, as well as put
them in mind of their prefent duty.
It
:
IMPROVING
OF
gjO
It
is
for this reafon alfo that the genders,
declenfions,
and variations
nouns and
of
verbs have been taught in verfe, by thofe
who
have complied with the prejudice of
long cuftom, to teach Englifh children the
by rules written in Latin
Latin tongue
And
truly thofe rude heaps of words and
terminations of an
unknown tongue would
have never been fo happily learnt by heart
hundred thoufand boys, without this
fmoothing artifice ; nor indeed do I know
by
a
any thing
elfe
can be faid with good rea-
fon to excufe or relieve the obvious abfurdities
of this practice.
When
you would remember new things
or words, endeavour to anociate and connect
them with fome words
have well
known
or things
which you
which are fixyour memory. This
before, and
ed and efbblifTied in
aflbciation of ideas
is
of great importance
and force, and may be of excellent ufe in
many
inftances
which
is
of
familiar
human
to
One
life.
idea
the mind, connected
with others which are new and ftrange, will
bring thofe
brance.
new
ifleas
into
eafy
Maronides had got the
remem-
firft
hundred
THE MEMORY.
351
dred lines of Virgil's iEneis printed upon
his
memory
fo perfectly,
that
he knew not
only the order and number of every verfe
from one to a hundred in perfection, but the
number of eveFy word
order and
verfe alfo;
in
each
and by this means he would
undertake to remember two or three hundred names of perfons or things by fome rational or fantaftic
connexion between fome
v/ord in the verfe, and fome letter, fyllable,
property, or accident of the
to
name
or thing
be remembered, even though they had
been repeated but once or twice
his hearing.
fame
art
of
Animato
.practifed
memory by
at moil:
in
much
the
-getting the Latin
names of twenty two animals into
his
head
according to the alphabet, viz. afinuSj bajilifcus, carJs, draco, tlepbas, felis,
gryfus, hir-
cus, juvencus, leo, mulus, noffua, ovis, pantfce-
ra, quadrupcs, rhi?ioceros i Jjmia i taarus, iirfus,
xipmaj, hyana or y ana, zibetta. Mofl of thefe
he divided
alfo
into four parts, viz. head
and body, fctt, fins or wings, and tail,
and by fome arbitrary or chimejical attach-
ment of each of thefe to a word or thing
which he .defired to remember, he committed
ted
IMPROVING
OF
552
them
memory, and
to the care of his
that with good fuccefs.
.•»
It
we may
the
by
alfo
is
of the
wherein we
is
If
time,
firfl
fome circum-
company, &c.
place,
recover an abfent idea,
it
to recollect thofe circumilances
of
The
time, place, &c.
times
it
be
fubftance will
and
recovered
brought
recurs to
our fancy by
garment, his
fize,
employment,
Sec.
its
colour,
many
to the
a
man
remembering
his
thoughts by recollecting the thadow
by
upon
idea
obferved, heard, or learnt
we would
ufeful
of ideas, that
new
better imprint any
memory, by joining with
ftance
it.
this aflbciation
:
or ftature, his office or
A
figure,
bird,
or fifh
or motion,
by the
beaft,
cage or court-yard or cittern wherein
it
was
kept.
To
this
head alfo
we may
refer that re-
membrance of names and things which may
be derived from our
likenefs to
either their
recollection of their
which we know;
refemblance in name, character,
other things
form, accident, or any thing that belongs
An idea or word which has been
to them.
loft or forgotten,
has been often
recovered
by
THE MEMORY.
353
by hitting upon fome other kindred word
or idea, which has the
to
and that
it,
nearelt.
fyllables, or
in the letters,
found of the name,
refemblance
as well as properties
of
the thing.
If
we would remember Hippocrates,
Galen, or Paracelfus, think of
or
a phyfician's
name beginning with H, G, or P. If we
will remember Ovidius Nafo, we may re-
man with a great nofe if Plamay think upon a perfon with
to, we
large moulders ; if Crifpus, we mail fancy
prefent a
>,
another with curled hair; and fo of other
things.
And
new or ftrange idea may
the memory by coniidering its
oppofite.
So if we cannot hit
fometimes
be fixed in
contrary or
a
on the word Goliath, the remembrance of
David may recover
it
:
or the
name of
a
Trojan may be recovered by thinking of a
Greek, &c.
8.
In fuch
cafes
feek after a local
wherein
memory,
it
may
or a
of what you have read by the
A
a
be done,
remembrance
fide or
page
where
IMPROVING
0F
354
where
it is
written or printed
whether the
;
right or the left, whether at the top, the
middle, or the bottom
ginning of
end of
whether
It has
it.
the be-
been fome advantage, for
accuftom one's
of the fame edition
and
:
and fpecial ufe
Chriftians
be
to
it
felf to
books
has been of con-
and private
to divines
with
furnifhed
Bibles of the fame edition^
ever they
at
a chapter or a paragraph, or the
this reafon, to
ftant
;
feveral
that wherefo-
whether in their chamber,
are,
parlour or fludy, in the younger or elder
of
years
and
life,
verfes
they
may
find the
chapters
Handing in the fame parts of the
page.
This
is
alfo a great convenier.cy to
be ob-
by printers in the new editions of
ferved
Grammars,
Teftaments,
Pfalms,
&c.
to
paragraph or verfe, in
print every chapter,
the fame part of the page as the former,
that fo
thofe
it
may
young
learners
who
the advantage of a local
9.
Let
happy
yield an
every thing
find,
affiftance
and even
to
feel
memory.
we
defire to
remember
be fairly and diftinctly written and divided
into
THE MEMORY.
into periods,
with large characters in the
we
beginning, for by this means
more
readily imprint the
on our minds, and
glance,
the
to
fhall the
matter and words
recoiled:
them with
a
more remarkable the writing
This
appears to the eye.
ideas
355
fenfe conveys the
the fancy better than
any other j
and what we have {^en is not fo ibon forWhat
gotten as what we have only heard.
Horace
mind
affirms of the
be faid alfo of the
memory
or pafiions
may
:
Segnius irritant animos demijpi per aurem
Qu&tn qucefunt ocnlisfubjettajidelibus t
& qua
Ipfe fibi tradit fpeftator*
Applied thus in Englifh
Sounds which addrefs the ear are
In one jhort hour
j
loft
:
and
die
but that which ftrikes the
eye.
Lives long upon the mind ; the faithful fight
Engraves the knowledge with a beam of
For
flrft
the
letters
every page,
lours
;
light.
afMance of weak memories, the
of every period,
or words
may be
in
written in diftincl co-
yellow, green, red, black, &c. and
A
a
2
if
if
IMPROVING
OF
356
you obferve the fame order of colours
the following fentences,
This
better.
and may
fion,
Under
much
the
flill
a greater impref-
aid the
memory.
we may take
which the memory
this
the advantage
make
will
may be
it
in
head
notice of
gains by
having the feveral objects of our learning
drawn out
into fchemes and tables
matters
;
of mathematical fcience and natural philo-
lbphy are not only
into the underftand-
let
ing, but preferved in the
The
and diagrams.
memory by
fituation of the feveral
parts of the earth are better learnt
day's
figures
converting with a
map
by one
or fea-chart,
than by mere reading the defcription
their fituation a
hundred times over
geography.
of
aftronomy,
vens, are
tables
the
more
ealily
ftars
fuch. fort
in
of memorials, figures and
hung round our
things will be greatly
I
conftellations
remembered by hemjfwell drawn.
It is by
ftudies or places
reiidence or reiort, that our
/as
books
and their position in the hea-
pheres of the
haying
So
in
of
have ihcwn
at
memory of
ailiited
of
thefe
and improved,
large in the twentieth
chapter, of the ufe of the fciences.
I
MIGHT
—
THE M E M
I
might
over what
add here
we
O R Y.
alio, that
defign to
more
we
write, will
mind than reading
in the
And
times.
once writing
remember, and giv-
ing due attention to what
fix it
357
in the
fame manner,
if
it
five
we had
a plan of the naked lines of longitude
and
projected on the meridian printed
latitude,
might much more
fpeedily advance himfelf in the knowledge
for this
ufe,
geography
of
figures of all
it
a learner
by
a
The fame
map
alio
conftellations
learner
cles
on
a
the
the parts of the world upon
by imitation,
vey of
own drawing
his
than by
many
days fur-
of the world fo printed.
may
of
be faid concerning the
heaven
drawn
by
the
naked projection of the cir-
of the fphere upon the
plane of the
equator.
10. It has fometimes been the practice
men to imprint names or fentences on
their memory by taking the fir ft letters of
of
word of that fentence, or of thofe
names, and making a new word out of
them. So the name of the Maccabees is
borrowed from the firft letters of the Hebrew words, which make that fentence
every
A
a
3
Mi
IMPROVING
OF
358
Mi Camoka
thee
like
written
Baelim Jehovah,
among
on
IX0TS,
thefe are the
Jefus
been called
by
the
a
fathers,
is
Chrift
filL,
in
becaufe
of thofe Greek
letters
firft
Who
Which was
?
banners.
their
our Saviour, hath
Greek
Gods
the
e.
i.
words, Jefus Chrift, God's Son, the Savi-
So the word Vibgyor teaches us to
our.
remember the order of the
colours
as
original
they appear by the fun-beams
through a prifm on white paper, or
caft
formed by the fun
to
feven
in a
rainbow, according
the different refrangibility of the rays,
viz.
violet,
indigo,
blue,
green,
yellow,
orange and red.
manner the Hebrew grammarians
teach their ftudents to remember the letters
which change their natural pronunciation
In
this
by the infcription of a dagefh, by gathering
thefe fix letters, beth, gimel, daleth, caph,
pe, and thau, into the
word Begadchephat 9
-
and that they might not forget the
named Quiefcent,
are joined in the
verfal
viz.
a,
h, v,
word Ahevi.
and
letters
i,
they
So the uni-
and particular proportions in logic
are
THE MEMORY.
359
remembered by the words Barbara, Ce-
arc
larent, Darii, Sec.
Other
be
artificial
helps to
memory may
mentioned here.
juft,
Dr. Grey,
his
in
book
called
Memoria
Technica, has exchanged the figures
3, 4,
6,
5,
b, d,
t, f, 1,
a, e,
i,
o, u,
thereby
bers,
ed
:
in a
fome confonants,
9, for
8,
7,
y, p, k, n,
and
1, 2,
and fome vowels,
feveral
diphthongs, and
formed words that denote num-
which may be more eafily rememberand Mr. Lowe has improved his fcheme
fmall pamphlet called Mnemonics de-
whereby in {even leaves he has
comprized almofr, an infinity of things in
lineated,
fcience and in
them
common
life,
and reduced
meafure like Latin verfe;
to a fort of
though the words may be fuppofed
very
barbarous,
to
be
being fuch a mixture of
vowels and confonants
as are very unfit for
harmony.
But
very writers on this
after all, the
fubjeel have confelfed that feveral of thefe
artificial
helps of
memory
A
a
4
are fo
cumberfome
OF
360
fome
as
perfon
;
IMPROVING,
not to be fuitable to every temper or
nor are they of any ufe for the de-
livery of a difcourfe
much
they
&C.
fervice in
may
by memory, nor of
learning the fciences
:
but
be fometimes practiied for the af-
fixing our remembrance of certain fentences,
numbers, or names.
CHAP,
3«i
(
)
CHAP.
XVIII.
OF DETERMINING A QUESTION.
I.
TT7HEN
VV
a
whether
propofed
is
to
your thoughts, confider whether
be knowable
it
fubjecT:
it
at
or no
all,
and then
-,
be not above the reach of your
enquiry and knowledge in the prefent ftate;
and remember that
a
great walte of
time to bufy yourfelves too
much amongd
unfearchables
to
dies is
ing
II.
ter
The
is
chief ufe of thefe ftu-
keep the mind humble, by find-
own
its
:
it
ignorance and weaknefs.
Consider
whether the mat-
again
be worthy of your enquiry at
then,
how
prefent
far
fearch
it
may
and
the
feffion,
world,
and
;
be worthy of your
labour
your age, your time of
in
all
according
life,
your capacity,
to
your ftation
your
your chief defign and end.
pro-
There
are
OF
362
are
many
DETERMINING
worth
things
man, which
not
are
there are things that
enquiry
fo to
may
to
another
;
one
and
deferve the ftudy
fame perfon in one part of life,
which would be improper or impertinent
To read books of the art of
at another.
of the
preaching, or difputes about church difcipline, are proper for a theological ftudent in
the end of his academical fludies, but not
To purfue
at the beginning of them.
mathematical fludies very largely, may be
ufeful for a profeffor of philofophy, but not
for a divine.
III.
Consider whether
your enquiry be eafy or
you have
fufficient
the fubject of
difficult
foundation or
;
whether
fkill,
fur-
niture and advantages for the purfuit of
It
young
carve a Venus
would be madnefs
attempt
at firft to
for a
it.
ftatuary to
or a
Mer-
cury, and efpecially without proper tools.
And
to
it
is
make
equal folly for a
great
man
improvements
to pretend
in
natural
philofophy without due experiments.
IV. Consider whether the
fubjecT:
be
any ways ufeful or no, before you engage
in
A
Q^U E
in the ftudy of
O N.
I
Often put
:
end will
it
attain
advantage,
natural or
this queftion
Is it for
?
men,
of God, for the good of
own
for
moral
evil,
be equal to the labour
many
fubtle
the
impertinencies
painful
the glory
for
your
the attainment
for
profit
many
?
removal of any
the
of any natural or moral good
fchools,
363
Cut bono ? to what purpofe
to yourfelves,
What
it
T
S
?
?
Will the
There are
learnt
in the
even
among
trifles
mathematical theorems and problems,
many
difficile*
various kinds,
nugce, or laborious
in.
A
due reflection
thefe things will call the
vain
of
which fome ingenious men
have been engaged
upon
from
follies
amufements,
and
mind away
lave
much
time,
V. Consider what tendency it has to
make you wifer and better, as well as to
make you more learned; and thofe queftions which tend to wifdom and prudence
in our conduct among men, as well as piety
toward God, are doubtlefs more important,
and preferable beyond
all
thole enqui-
which only improve our knowledge
mere fpeculations,
ries
in
VI. If
DETERMINING
OF
364
VI. If the queftion appear
worth your
diligent application,
are furnifhed with the
to purfue
it,
neceffary
be well
and you
requifites
then conftder whether
it
be
more words than
needful, and contain or include more com-
dreft
is
to
up and entangled
plicated ideas than
city
neceffary
is
endeavour to reduce
in
it
enquiry and argument
and
if fo,
to a greater fimpli-
which
and plainnefs,
;
eafier
will
make
and plainer
the
all
the way.
VII. If
fcure,
it
be ftated in an improper, ob-
or irregular form,
it
may
be melio-
rated by changing the phrafe, or tranfpoiing
the parts of
it
but be careful always to
;
keep the grand and important point of enquiry the
fame in your new ftating the
queftion.
Little tricks and deceits of fo-
phiftry,
words
by Hiding
as
in,
or leaving out fuch
change
entirely
the
queftion,
mould be abandoned and renounced by
fair
difputants
and
honeft
all
fearchers after
truth.
The
dating a
queftion
with
clearnefs
and juftice goes a great way many times toward
A
O^U E
ward the answering
of true knowledge
tion of things,
tincl:
T
S
O N.
I
The
it.
365
greater! part
percep-
lies in a diftincl
which
are in themfelves dif-
and fome men give more light and
;
knowledge by the bare
quef-
ftating of the
tion with perfpicuity and juftice, than others
by talking of it
in grofs confufion for
To
hours together.
ftate a
quefiion
whole
but
is
to feparate and difentangle the
parts
from one another,
irom every
as
well as
of
it
thing which doth not concern the quefiion,
and then to lay the difentangled
quefiion in due order and
of the
p.:rts
method
:
Often-
times without more ado, this fully refolves
the doubt, and
truth
lies
mews
the
mind where the
without argument or difpute.
VIII. If the queilion relate to an axiom
or
a
firft
principle of truth,
remember
long train of confequences
upon
it,
therefore
it
that
may depend
mould not be fudden-
}y admitted or received.
It
is
not enough to determine the truth
of a proportion,
much
lefs
the honour of an axiom or
to
fay,
that
it
to
firft
raife
it
to
principle,
has been believed through
many
;
many
many
DETERMINING
OF
$66
ages,
that
has
it
nations, that
it
is
been
almoft univerfally
acknowledged, or nobody denies
is
human
eftablimed by
by
received
that
it,
it
laws, or that tem-
poral penalties or reproaches will attend the
difbelief of
IX.
it.
Nor
enough
is it
any pro-
to forbid
pofition the title of an axiom, becaufe
it
has
been denied by fome perfons, and doubted of
by others
;
fome perfons have been un-
for
reafonably credulous, and others have been
Then only
as unreafonably fceptical.
a proportion be called an
dent truth,
when by
a
axiom or
fhould
a felf-evi-
moderate attention
to the fubject and predicate, their connection appears in fo plain a light, and fo clear
an evidence,
needs no third idea or mid-
as
dle term to prove
X.
While
them
you
to be connected.
are in fearch after truth
in questions of a doubtful
as
nature,
or fuch
you have not yet thoroughly examined,
keep up
indifference to either fide of
a juft.
the queftion,
into the truth
if
:
leaning to either
you would be led honeflly
For
lide,
a delire or inclination
biafies
the
judgment
ftrangely
A
Q^U E
ftrangely; whereas
T
S
by
I
this
O N.
367
indifference for
every thing but truth, you will be excited
to examine fairly inftead of prefuming, and
your
affent will be
fee u red
from going be-
yond your evidence.
For
XI.
the moil part people are
to their opinions,
bom
and never queftion the
truth of what their family, or their country,
or their party profefs.
They clothe their
minds
they do their bodies,
as
fafhion
in
vogue,
ever examines
nor one of
their principles.
pecled of lukewarmnefs
nation neceffary, and
tendency
to apoftacy,
it
to
after
the
hundred
a
It is
fuf-
fuppofe exami-
will be charged as a
if
we go about
to ex-
amine them.
Perfons are applauded for
prefuming they are in the right, and (as
Mr. Locke faith) he that confiders and enquires into the reafon of things,
a foe to
deviate
And
counted
orthodoxy, becaufe poffibly he
from fome of the received
thus
quifition
is
men without any
of their own,
may
doctrines.
induflry or ac-
(lazy and
idle as
they are) inherit local truths, i.e. the truths
of that place where they live, and are inured
to affent without evidence.
8
This
DETERMINING
OF
g6S
This hath a long and unhappy influence $
for if a man can bring his mind once to be
and
pofitive
for
fierce
propofitions
whofe
evidence he hath never examined, and that
in matters of the greater! concernment, he
will naturally follow this fhort and eafy
way
of judging and believing in
mo-
ment, and build
all
cafes of lefs
his opinions
upon in-
efficient grounds.
In determining a queflion, efpe-
XII.
cially
when
it is
a matter of difficulty
and
importance, do not take up with partial examination, but turn
your thoughts' on
fides to gather in
the light you can to-
all
ward the folution of
ufe
fore
all
it.
Take
time,
all
and
the helps that are to be attained be-
you
fully
where prefent
determine,
only
except
neceffity of action
calls
for
fpeedy determination.
If you would
know what may
be call-
ed a partial examination, take thefe instances, viz.
When
you examine an
or enquire into fome
objecl:
of
fenfe,
matter of fenfation
at
A
Q^U E
S
at too great a diftance
T
I
O N.
369
from the
in an inconvenient fituation of
it,
object, or
or under
any indifpofition of the organs, or any difthe organ of the object itfelf ;
medium or
or when you
examine
where others
guile whatfoever relating to the
by the
it
fenfe only,
might be employed ; or when you enquire
into it by fcnk only, without the ufe of
and judgment, and
the understanding,
reafon.
If
it
be a queflion which
to be de-
is
termined by reafon and argument, then your
examination
is
partial,
when you turn the
queflion only in one light, and do not turn
it
ly
on
all
fides
;
when you look upon
in its relations
it
on-
and afpects to one fort
of objects, and not to another; when you
confider only the advantages of
reafons for
it,
againfl
reafons
and
it,
-,
a fudden, before
felf a
due time for
stances,
and the
and neglect to think of the
inconveniences too
on
it,
never
furvey
its
when you determine
you have given yourweighing all circum-
&c.
B
b
Again
DETERMINING
OF
370
Again,
If
be a queftion of fact de-
it
pending upon the report or teftimony of
men, your examination
is
but
when
partial,
you enquire only what one man or
and avoid
fay,
when you only
afk
were not eye or
thofe
who faw
lars
;
fact,
or
it,
when
witnerTes, and neglect
and heard
when you con-
it ;
mere
loofe
and general
and never enter into particuthere are
many who deny
the
and you never concern yourfelf about
their reafons for denying
believe only thofe
There
partial
you
others;
what thofe report who
ear
tent yourfelf with
talk about
teftimony of
the
few
a
is
who
but refolve to
it,
affirm
yet further a
it.
examination of any queftion,
refolve to determine
it
your
fault in
when
by natural
rea-
fon only, where you might be affifted by fupernatural revelation
the point
by fome
paring
it
;
or
when you
decide
by fome word or fentence, or
part of
revelation,
with other
parts,
without com-
which might
give further light and better help
to de*
termine the meaning.
It
A
It
is
QJJ E
T
S
a culpable
alfo
N.
I
37J
partiality
if
you
examine fome doubtful or pretended vifion
or revelation without the ufe of reafon ; or
without the ufe of that revelation which
undoubted
divine.
and fufficiently proved
Thefe
we
iliould never determine
two
a queftion by one or
XIII.
tion,
be
are all inftances of imperfect
examination, and
may have
to
is
where we
lights,
advantage of three or four.
Take
heed
fome darling nofome favourite hypothecs, fome beleft
loved doctrine, or fome
common
mined opinion, be made
a teft
but unexa-
of the truth
or falfehood of all other proportions about the
fame
fubject.
Dare not build
fuch a notion or doctrine
till
much upon
be very
it
fully examined, accurately adjufted, and fuf-
Some
ficiently confirmed.
perfons, by in-
dulging fuch a practice, have been led into
long ranks of errors; they have found
themfelves involved in a train of iniftakes
by taking up fome pretty hypothefis or
principle,
or
either
religion,
grounds,
and
philofophy,
in
upon
flight
eftablifhing
Bb
2
politics,
and inefficient
that
as
a teft
and
DETERMINING
OF
372
and rule by which
to
judge of
all
other
things.
XIV. For
the fame reafon, have a care
ef fuddenly determining any one queftion on
which the determination of any kindred or
parallel cafes will eafily or naturally follow.
Take heed of
receiving any
wrong turn
in
your early judgment of things; be watchful as far as poffible againfl
which may be given
efpecially- in
giving credit to one
The
that
to be
falfe bias
to the underftanding,
younger years.
gence of fome one
mind open
any
filly
The
indul-
opinion, or the
foolifri fable,
lays
the
impofed upon by many.
Romans were taught to believe
Romulus and Remus, the founders of
ancient
their ftate and empire,
were expofed in the
woods, and nurfed by a wolf: This ftory
prepared their minds for the
any
tales
reception of
of the like nature relating to
Trogus Pompeius would
other countries.
enforce the belief that one of the ancient
kings of Spain was alfo nurfed and fuck-
from the fable of Romulus
and Remus. It was by the fame influence
they learned to give up their hopes and
led by % hart,
8
fears
A
fears to
Q^U E
S
T
O N.
I
373
omens and foothfaying, when they
were once perfuaded that the greatnefs of
empire,
their
their founder,
and the glory of Romulus
were predicted by the hap-
py omen of twelve vultures appearing to
him when he fought where to build
the
city.
They
readily received
following legends of
and
prognostics
for
prodigies,
many
ages
with which Livy has furnifhed
all
the
auguries,
together,
his
huge
hiftory.
So the child who
lieve any
once taught to be-
is
one occurrence to be a good or
evil
omen, or any day of the month or week
to be lucky or unlucky, hath a
wide inroad
made on
underftand-
the foundnefs of his
ing in the following judgments of his life;
he
lies
and
ever open to
all
the
idle tales of nurfes,
a foolifh
ftory
filly
impreffions
and imbibes
many
with greedinefs, which he
muil unlearn again
if ever
he become ac-
quainted with truth and wifdom.
XV. Have a care of
warm and religious zeal
which
interefting
in thofe
are not fufliciently evident in
B
b 3
your
matters
themfelves
DETERMINING
0F
374
felves, or
which
are not fully
proved
ly examined and
and thorough-
For
:
whether right or wrong, when
zeal,
this
it
once
is
engaged, will have a powerful influence to
your
eftabliiti
which
in thofe doctrines
and to flop up
are really doubtful,
of
avenues
the
all
own minds
will bring
further
upon the
awe and dread of
This
light.
foul a fort of facred
with a divine
herefy,
concern to maintain whatever opinion you
have efpoufed
divine,
as
you have efpoufed
it
though perhaps
without any juft evi-
dence, and ought to have renounced
falfe
it
as
and pernicious.
We
ought
be zealous for the mofl
to
important points of our
religion,
and to
contend earnestly for the faith once delivered
to the flints
j
but
this facred fervour
any
article,
till
we ought
of
not to employ
fpirit in the fervice
we have
feen
it
made out
with plain and itrong conviction, that
a necefTary or important
practice,
the
of
and
light of
revelation.
is
of
it
is
point of faith or
either an evident dictate of
nature,
Zeal
or an allured article
mult not reign over
the powers of our underftanding, but obey
them
.
A
them
a
God
:
God
Q^U E
God
the
is
S
T
O N.
I
375
of light and truth,
of reafon and order, and he never
mankind
requires
ufe their natural
to
fa-
culties amifs for the fupport of his caufe.
Even
the mod: myfterious and fublime doc-
trines
of revelation are not to be believed
without a juft reafon for
till
nor mould our
be engaged in the defence
pious affections
of them,
it;
we
have plain and convinc-
ing proof that they are certainly revealed,
though perhaps we may never
attain to
them
as
in this
world
fuch clear and diftinct ideas of
we
defire.
XVI. As
warm
a
ought never
zeal
to
be employed in the defence of any revealed
truth,
till
our reafon be well convinced of
the revelation
;
fo
neither
mould wit and
banter, jeft and ridicule, ever be indulged
to oppofe
and
any doctrines of pro-
alTault
feiTed revelation,
till
reafon has proved they
are not really revealed
;
and even then thefe
methods mould be ufed very feldom, and
with
the
utmoft
caution
Raillery and wit were never
our enquiries
a queftion
after truth,
and prudence.
made
to
anfwer
and to determine
of rational controverfy; though
B
b 4
they
DETERMINING
OF
2j6
may fometimes be
they
ferviceable to
ex-
pofe to contempt thofe inconfiftent follies
which have been
firft
abundantly refuted by
argument ; they ferve indeed only to cover
nonfenfe with fhame, when reafon has firft
proved
it
mere nonfenfe.
to be
-
It
therefore a filly and mod: unrea-
is
fonable
introduced
their
that
is,
not be
judge
are
combats
at
reafon and
u'njuft
bear
ridicule
and
beaten in
effectually
the weapons of men,
•
argument
(though
have
deifts
of divine revelation,
will
it
They
laughter.
all
to
try if
to
viz.
which fome of our
teft
it is
to fay, that they would'
;
and
a little
now
it
would
uncourtly)
attack our reli-
gion with the talents of a vile animal, that
is,
grin. and grimace.
I
cannot
think that a jefter or a monkey,
a droll or a puppet can be proper judges
or deciders
dreffes
up
all
of controverfy.
things in difguife,
ly to lead us into any
them.
der,
That which
juft.
is
not like-
fentiments about
Plato or Socrates, Caefar or Alexan-
might have
a fool's
coat clapt
any of them, and perhaps in
this
upon
difguife,
neither
A
QJJ E
S
T
O N.
I
377
wifdom of the one, nor the majefty of the other, would fecure them from
a fneer; this treatment would never inform
us whether they v/ere kings or Haves, wheneither the
The
ther they were fools or philofophers.
bed
flrongeft reafoning, the
politefl thoughts,
diculous
may be
by
light
fenfe,
and the
fet in a moil;
ri-
grinning faculty:
this
The moft obvious axioms of eternal truth
may be drefl in a very foolifh form, and
wrapt up in
abfurdities
by
this
ta-
but they are truth and reafon, and
lent;
good
artful
fenfe
flill.
Euclid, with
his de-
all
monurations, might be fo covered and over-
whelmed with
banter,
that
a beginner in
the mathematics might be tempted to doubt
whether his theorems were true or no, and
to imagine they could never be ufeful.
So
weaker minds might be
eafily
prejudiced
againft the nobleft principle of truth
and
and the younger part of mankind might be beaten off. from the belief of
goodnefs
-,
the moil: ferious, the
mod
rational
and im-
portant points, even of natural religion, by
the impudent jefls of a profane wit.
moral duties of the
articles
The
civil life, as well as
of Chriflianity,
may
the
be painted over
with
DETERMINING
OF
with the colours of
folly,
a ftage, fo as to ruin
among
virtue
and expofed upon
all focial
and perfonal
the gay and thoughtlefs part
of the world.
XVII. It mould be obferved
men
thefe very
ufe
of
debates,
flare,
and reproach in
railing
penalties and perfecutions of the
all
order to convince the minds and
in
of men, and determine points
confciences
of
cry out loudly againft the
fevere
all
that
alfo,
truth
and
Now,
error.
renounce
I
thefe penal and fmarting methods of conviction as
much
they do, and yet I think
as
Hill thefe are every
as
good for
print, or a
ter reft
and
as wife, as juft,
and
ri-
mould public mockery
in
this purpofe, as banter
Why
dicule.
whit
merry joke upon
a ftage, be a bet-
of truth, than fevere railing farcafms
and public perfecutions and penalties
mould more
light be derived
to the
Why
?
under-
standing by a fong of fcurrilous mirth, or a
witty ballad, than there
When
a profefibr
to be
laughed
mould help
faith any
at,
is
by a rude cudgel
of any religion
I
cannot
fee
is
fet
how
?
up
this
us to judge of the truth of his
better than
.if
he were fcourged.
The
a
The
o^u e
s
t
i
o n.
379
of a theatre, the pillory and the
jeers
whipping- poft
are very near a-kin.
the perfon or his opinion
When
made the
is
jefl
of the mob, or his back the fhambles of the
executioner, I think there
no more con-
is
viction in the one than in the other.
,
XVIII. Besides, fuppofing
it is
but bare-
God mould reveal
men by miracle, vi*
ly poffible that the great
his
mind and
will
to
fion, or infpiration, it
is
and profane infolence to
a piece
treat
of contempt
any tolerable
or rational appearance of fuch a revelation
with
jeft
whether
and laughter,
it
in
And
be divine or no.
be a proper
order
of revelation,
ten:
to
find
yet, if this
it
may
be
properly applied to the true as well as the
Suppofe a
falie,
in order to diftinguifh
royal
proclamation were fent to a
part of the
jects
King
dicule
diftant
kingdom, and fome of the fub-
mould doubt whether
or no
it.
;
mould
is
it
came from the
poffible that wit
it
ever
decide the
and
point?
ri-
Or
would the prince
ever think himfelf treated
with juft honour
to have his proclamation
canvaffed in this
manner on
a public ftage,
and become the fport of buffoons in order
to
DETERMINI N,.G
OF
380,
Whether
to determine a queflion,
word of
Let
a
King or no
fuch
fort
dearefl peril,
at their
;
let
them
and
at their peril
make
treat the facred
ar-
of Christianity with feoff and merri:
but then
let
them
lay afide all their
pretences to reafon as well as religion
as they expofe themfelves
them prepare
indignation of
and
men,
fo
meet the majefty and
to
God
;
by fuch writings
to the neglect and contempt of
let
the
.
of writers go on
a jeft at the Bible,
ment
is
and fport themfelves in their
own deceivings
ticles
?
it
without timely repent-
ance.
XIX. In
religious
reading philofophical, moral or
controverfies, never raife your ef-
teem of any opinion by the affurance and
zeal wherewith the author arTerts it, nor by
the higher!: praifes he beftows upon
on
the other
hand,
let
your
it
:
efteem
nor
of
an opinion be abated, nor your averfion to
it raifed by the fupercilious contempt cad
by a warm writer, nor by the foveLet
reign airs with which he condemns it.
the force of argument alone influence your
upon
it
aflent
A
O^U E
T
S
Take
aiTent or diiTent.
O N.
I
381
care that your foul
be not warped or biaffed on one fide or the
other by any drains of flattering or abufive
language 5 for there is no queftion whatfoever but hath fome fuch fort of defenders
and oppofers.
own
follies
Leave thofe writers to their
who
weaknefs of their
ment ;
leave
thus
practife
them
readers
to
upon the
without
triumph
fancied pofleffions and victories
argu-
in their
:
it is
own
often-
times found that their pofleffions are but a
heap of errors, and their boafted victories
are but
overbearing noife and clamour to
filence the voice of truth.
In philofophy and
all
parties are
and deal
religion the bigots of
generally the moft pofitive,
much
Sometimes thefe
of argument.
in this
fort
are the
weapons of pride,
haughty man fuppofes all his opinions
to be infallible, and imagines the contrary
fentiments are ever ridiculous, and not worfor a
Sometimes thefe ways of
thy of notice.
talking
the
.
.
are the
men who
mere arms of ignorance:
ufe
them know
little
of the
oppofite fide of the queftion, and therefore
they exult in their
own
vain pretences to
knowledge,
DETERMINING
OF
382
knowledge,
as
though no man of
They rail at an obown fentiments, be-
oppofe their opinion.
jection
fenfe could
againft their
caufe they can find no other anfwer to
but
And men
railing.
it
of learning by their
excefiive vanity have been fometimes
ed into the fame infolent practice
tempt-
as well as
the ignorant.
Yet
let it
be remembered too, that there
fome truths
are
the oppofition
countable,
fo plain
them
to
and evident that
is
ftrange,
and almofl monftrous
:
unac-
and in
vindication of fuch truths, a writer of good
fenfe
may fometimes
be allowed to ufe a de-
of afiurance,
and
gree
ffcrongly
with an
air
them
pronounce
of confidence, while
he defends them with reafons of convincing
force.
XX. Sometimes
pofed which
is
aqueflion
maybe
pro-
of fo large and extenfive a
nature, and refers to fuch a multitude of fubas
jects,
mined
at
fwer
as
:
ought not in
juftice to be deter-
once by a fingle argument or anif one mould afk me, Are you a
profeffed difciple of the Stoics or the Platonifls
?
Do
you
receive
and
3
affent
to the
principles
A
Q^U E
principles of
S
T
I
O N.
383
GafTendus, Defcartes, or Sir
Newton ? Have you chofen the hypothecs of Tycho or Copernicus ? Have you
devoted yourfelf to the fentiments of Armi-
Ifaac
nius or Calvin
Are your notions
?
prefbyterian, or independant
may
?
epifcopal,
think
Sec. I
it
be very proper in fuch cafes not to give
an anfwer in the grofs, but rather to enter
into a detail of particulars, and explain one's
own
fentiments.
Perhaps there
no man
is
men upon earth whofe fentiments
God has given me reaI entirely follow.
fon to judge for myfelf, and though I may
nor
fet
of
fee fufficient
ground
to agree to the greatefl
part of the opinions of one perfon or party,
yet
it
does by no means follow that
I
mould
them all. Truth does not always go
by the lump, nor does error tincture and
fpoil all the articles of belief that fome one
receive
party profefTes.
Since
there are difficulties attend every
fcheme of human knowledge,
for
me
in the
main
enough
it is
to incline to that fide
which has the fewefi
would endeavour, as far
rect the miftakes or the
difficulties
;
as poffible,
harm
and I
to cor-
expreffions of
one
DETERMINING
OF
384
one party, by foftening and reconciling mereducing the extremes, and by
thods, by
borrowing fome of the beil principles or
Cicero was one of
phrafes from another.
men
the greatefl
of antiquity, and gives us
an account of the various opinions of philofophers in his age ; but he himfelf was of
the eclectic
them fuch
ment came
XXI.
of
life
feci,
and chofe out of each of
pofitions
as
in his wifefl
judg-
neareft to the truth.
When
you
or religion
are called in the courfe
to
judge and determine
concerning any queflion, and to affirm or
deny
it,
take a full furvey of the objec-
tions againfl
for
it,
it, as far as
well as of the arguments
as
your time and circumflances
admit, and fee on which fide the preponderation falls.
If either the objections againfl
any proportion, or the arguments for the
defence of it, carry in them moil undoubted
evidence,
and
are
plainly
unanfwerable,
they will and ought to conflrain the alTent,
though there may be many feeming probabilities on the other fide, which at firfl fight
would
flatter
But where the
:
.
the
judgment
reafons
oa both
to
favour
fides are
it.
very
near
A
Q^U E
S
T
O N.
I
38^
near of equal weight, there fufpenfion or
doubt
our duty, unlefs in cafes wherein
is
prefent determination or practice
and there we mutt
is
required,
act according to the pre-
fent appearing preponderation of reafcns.
XXII. In
portance,
matters
is
it
moment and im-
of
our duty indeed to feek after
and conclufive arguments,
certain
(if
they
can be found) in order to determine a question
:
but where the matter
fequence,
fpend
ties
;
it
much
is
of
is
our labour to
not worth
time in feeking after certain-
And
offer themfelves.
even in matters of
where daily
greater importance, efpecially
attain
con-
fufficient here, if probable reafons
it is
practice
little
is
any
necerTary,
and where we cannot
fufficient or certain
determine a queftion on either
grounds to
fide,
we mult
then take up with fuch probable arguments
as
we
can arrive
mould be
our
affent
obferved, viz.
this
To
be no ftronger, or
in the degree of
ment
But
at.
it,
general rule
take heed that
rife
no higher
than the probable argu-
will fupport.
C
c
XXIII.
Thekb
DETERMINING
OF
386
There
XXIII.
many
are
things even in
religion, as well as in philofcpby
which we
life,
and
civil
with very different
believe
degrees of affent, and this
is
or
mould be
always regulated according to the different
degrees of evidence
which we enjoy
:
and
perhaps there are a thouiand gradations in
our affent to the things we believe, becaufe
there are thoufands of circumflances relat-
ing
or
-to
different
queftions,
which
increafe
diminim the evidence we have concern-
ing them, and that in matters both of reafon and revelation.
I
believe
dience
is
due to
creature: this
becaufe
it
is
I
God, and that obehim from every reafonable
there
I
is
a
am mod
fully affured of,
have the ftrongeft evidence, fince
the plain dictate both of reafon and
revelation.
Again,
I believe there is a
future refur-
re&ion of the dead, becaufe fcripture
tells
us fo in the plaineft terms, though reafon
fays
nothing of
it.
I believe alfo
that the
fame matter of our bodies which died) in
part at leaft) mail arife; but
I
am
not £o
fully
A
Q^U E
T
S
I
O N.
387
fully afiured of this circumstance, becaufe
the revelation of
not quite fo clear and
it is
Yet further,
exprefs.
men who were
earth, mall know each
I
perfuafion of
my
becaufe
it is
afTent to
other in heaven
has
told
arifes
it
but
only from cir-
men upon what
my
and therefore
us,
;
not abfolutely certain,
cumftantial reafonings of
God
the
here on
acquainted
•good
my
that
believe
evi-
dences are not flrong beyond a poiTibility of
miftake.
This direction cannot be too of-
ten repeated, that our afTent ought always
to keep pace with our evidence, and our belief
of any propoiition
higher than the proof or
to fupport
it,
mould never rife
evidence we have
nor mould our faith run
than right reafon can encourage
XXIV. Perhaps
Why then
nefits,
fo
will be obje&ed here,
much commend
a flrong
and lay out both his miraculous be-
and his praifes upon fome of thofe
poor creatures of
feft
it.
does our Saviour, in the hiftorie*
of the Gofpel,
faith,
it
fafter
little
who
reafoning,
pro-
an allured belief of his commiffion and
power
to heal
them
C
?
C 2
I
ANSWER,
DETERMINING
OF
388
answer, The God of
every man his own reafon
I
nature has giveri
to be
the judge
of evidence to himfelf
in particular,
and to
direct his afTent in all
things about
which
he
called to
is
judge; and even the matters
of revelation are to be believed by us, becaufe our reafon pronounces the revelation
to be
Therefore the great
true.
God
will
not, or cannot, in any inftances, require us
to afTent to
any thing without reafonable or
nor to believe any propo-
fufricient evidence,
rtion more ftrongly than what our evidence
for
it
will
We
fupport.
have
therefore
abundant ground to believe that thofe perfons of whom our Saviour requires fuch a
ftrong faith,
or
their flrong faith,
whom
had
he commends for
as flrong
and certain
evidence of his power and commiffion from
the credible and inconteftable reports they
had
heard of
his
wrought on purpofe
commiffion *.
miracles,
to
Now in
which were
give evidence to his
fuch a cafe both this
flrong
*
When
belief,
our Saviour gently reproves
John xx. 29. he does
it
Thomas
in thefe words,
for his
"
thou haft feen me, Thomas, thou haft believed
:
un-
Becaufe
bJelTed
we
A
Q^U E
ftrong faith, and
T
S
I
O N.
389
the open profeffion of
it
were very worthy of public encouragement
from our Saviour, becaufe of the
the magreat and public oppofition which
and
praife
gnates and the priefts and the dodtors of the
Nazaage made againft Jefus the man of
Mcffiah.
reth, when he appeared as the
And
befides all this
fuppofed,
it
may be
reafonably
with regard to fome of
thofe
are required
ftrong exercifes of faith which
had
and commended, that thefe believers
and
fome further hints of inward evidence
as
immediate revelation from God himfelf ;
Peter confefTes Chrift to be the
our bleifed
fon of God, Matth. xvi. 16, 17.
when
St.
Saviour
commends him,
faying,
>,
art
thou,
are they
Simon-Barjona;
who have
Blefled arc they
"
Bleffed
but he adds,
not feen, and yet have believed," i. e.
though they have not been favoured
who,
haft been, yet have
with the evidence of their fenfes as thou
fufficient moral evibeen convinced by the reafonable and
others, and have bedence of the well-grounded report of
upon that evidence. Of this moral evidence
lieved in
me
Mr. Ditton writes exceedingly
well in his
book of the Refur-
reftion of Chrift.
C
c 3
" Fldh
*'
DETERMINING
O-F
390
and blood hath not revealed
FJefli
thee, but
And
my
father
the fame
which
may be
is
unto,
it
Heaven."
in
faid
concerning
the faith of miracles, the exercife whereof
was fometimes required of the
others,
i. e.
when by inward and
God
fluences
allured
and
difciples
divine in-
them fuch miracles
fhould be wrought, their obedience to and
compliance with thefe divine illuminations
was expected and commended.
Now
this,
fupernatural infpiration carried fufficient evi-
dence with
it
to
them
prophets, though
as well as to the ancient
we who
never felt
it
not fo capable to judge and diftinguifh
XXV.
What
truth or doctrines,
cerning duties
fame
;
as the
;
is
faid before
may be
are
it.
concerning
con-
alio affirmed
the reafon of both
is
the
one are truths for our fpecu-
lation, the others are truths for
our practice.
Duties which are exprefsly required in the
plain language of Scripture, or dictated by
the molt evident reafoning upon
ciples,
ought
to
firft
prin-
bind our confciences more
than thofe which are but dubioufly inferred,
and that cnly from occalional occurrences,
incidents
(QUESTION.
A
am
ftance, I
God
my
;
circumftances
and
incidents
confcience
bound
is
caufe there are moil evident
to be
found
rived
from
pray to
As
:
ought
that I
certain
39I
for in-
to
pray to
to this,
commands
God
may
believe alfo that I
I
by
either
for it
be de-
in Scripture, as well as to
reafon.
be-
form, or
a written
without one, becaufe neither reafon nor revelation
either of thefe
exprefsly requires
modes of prayer
the other.
at
cannot
I
times,
all
or forbids
therefore
confcience to practife the one fo
but
to renounce the other;
tife
either of
them
as
my
my
bind
utterly
as
would prac-
I
reafon and other
circumftances direct me.
Again,
I
believe that Chriflians
ought to
remember
the death of Chrift by the fymbols
of bread
and wine;
ought
and
to be paftors hi
fome way ordained or
fet
believe
Chriftian
there
church
apart to lead
the
and to blefs and diftribute thefe
worfhip,
elements
a
I
;
but the
lart
of thefe practices
is
not fo exprefsly directed, prefcribed, and re-
quired in fcripture
fore
to
I
feel
my
remember
as the
former
;
and there-
bound
Death of Chrift with fome
confcience evidently
the
C
c
4
fociety
DETERMINING
OF
392
fociety of Chriftians or other,
command, though
plain
mofr.
fince
it
a
is
me-
their
thods of ordaining a paftor be very differother men,
ent from
opinion
my own
from
or
who
or whether the perfon
;
thefe elements
tributes
be
dis-
only an occa-
fional or a fettled adminiftrator
fince
;
none
of thefe things are plainly determined in
Scripture.
exprefs
mufl not omit or negledt an
I
command, becaufe fome unneceffary
And
circumftances are dubious.
{hall receive
day,
manner
if
and
to believe
proportion
in
have
I
the
to
my
truft I
God
approbation from the
Nature, and from Jefus
laft
I
Judge
at
of
the
endeavoured in this
pracftife
every thing
degree of
evidence
which God has given me about
which he has put me into a capacity
it,
or
to feek
and obtain in the age and nation wherein
I live.
Query,
and the
fatalifts
Sufficient
But
I
Whether
of Great-Britain will find
apology
leave
the obftinate deifts,
them
from
principle
this
to venture the
?
awful ex-
periment.
XXVI.
We
XXVI.
A
QJJ E
We
may
S
T
O N.
I
obferve thefe three rules
in judging of probabilities
determined by
393
which
relating
reafon,
are to be
to
either
things paft, or things to come.
i.
That
which
agrees
moft with the
of nature carries the greateft
conftitution
probability in
where no other circum-
it,
ftance appears to counterpoife
lity
fight of a hare
a large plain, there is
great probabi-
the greyhound will
feize her
thoufand
fparrows will
fight of a
hawk among them.
2.
the
That
which
not pafs away
mow;
quantities
of
the
at
moft conformable to
frequently
men,
repeated,
or
is
to
moft
:
As, that a winter will
in
England without lome
likely to be true
and
is
that a
;
away
fly
obfervations of
conftant
experiments
froft
if I
as,
:
greyhound within
let loofe a
upon
it
that if
ftrong
you
deal out
liquor to
many drunk;
aiTembly of men will be of
there will be
the
that a
great
mob,
large
different opi-
nions in any doubtful point; that a thief
will
make
doors of
it
his
efcape out of prifon, if the
are
unguarded
at
midnight.
3.
In
OF..DETE
394
3.
In matters of
prefent,
R
M
fuel,
I
N
I
N G
which
are pail or
where neither nature, nor obfernor cuftpm gives us any fufficient
vation,
information on either fide of the queftion,
that
we may
t atteil-ation
-of
from the
derive a probability
wife and honefl
men by word
cr writing, or the concurring witnerTes of
multitudes
•
they relate,
who
known what
&c. This teflimonyin many cafes
have feen and
will arife to the degree of moral certainty.
So we believe that the plant tea grows in
China 5 and that the Emperor of the Turks
lives
at
Conftantinople
;
that Julius Caefar
conquered France; and that Jefus our Saviour lived and died in Judea; that thoufands
were converted, to the ChriMian Faith
century
after-
the death of Chriil
:
in a
and that
the books which contain the Chriflian religion, are certain hiftories and epiilles
were written above
There
is
a
which
thoufand years ago.
an infinite variety of fuch propo-
which can admit of no reafonable
doubt, though they are not matters which
rtions
are directly evident to our
own
fenfes, or
our
mere reafoning powers.
XXVII.
When
A
XXVII.
juft
T
I
O N.
395
point hath been well
a
own judgment
fettled
furvey of the merits of the
would be
it
S
arguments in our manly age, and
large
after a
caufe,
When
and our
examined,
Upon
Q^U E
a weaknefs for us always
to continue fluttering in fufpenfe.
We ought
therefore to ftand firm in fueh well eftablifhed principles, and not to be tempted to
change and
alter for
the fake of every dif-
We
or every occafional objection.
ficulty,
are not to be carried about
with every flying
doctrine, like children toffed to and fro, and
wavering with the wind. "
It is a
good thing
to have the heart eftablifhed with grace, not
with meats
:"
that
is, in
the great doctrines
of the gofpel of grace, and " in Jefus Chrift,
who
is
the fame yeflcrday, to-day, and for
ever;" but
it is
not fo neceflary in the more
minute matters of
religion, fuch
as
meats
and drinks, forms and ceremonies, which
are of lefs importance,
ture has not given
This
is
Eph.
iv.
In
and for which Scrip-
fuch exprefs directions.
the advice of the great
14.
fhort,
Apoitle,
Jdeb. xiii. 8, 9.
thofe
truths
fprings of daily practice
which
mould be
are
the
fettled as
foon
7
:
DETERMINING
OF
396
foon as
we
can with the exercife of our
powers,
beft
manhood
wherein we may poffibly
after
but thofe things
miftake,
mould never be
finally eftablimed
we were
the ftate of
fo abfolutely
and determined,
infallible.
and
though
as
If the papifts of Great-
Britain had indulged fuch a refolute efta-
blifhment and aflurance in the days of King
Henry the VIII. or Queen Elizabeth, there
never had been a reformation
nor would
:
any heathen have been converted even under the miniftry of St. Paul, if their obftinate fettlement in their idolatries had kept
their eyes
Yet
this
our
mod
ihut againft
all
further
mould not hinder us from
light.
fettling
important principles of faith and
pra£Hce 3 where reafon {bines with
evidence, and the
Word
of
God
its cleared:
plainly de-
termines truth and duty.
XXVIII. But
let
us
remember
though the Gofpel be an
tion,
we
we
are
but
alfo, that
infallible
fallible interpreters,
revela-
when
determine the fenfe even of fome im-
portant proportions written there; and therefore
though we feem
to be eftablimed in the
belief of any particular fenfe of Scripture,
and
A
Q^U E
T
S
I
O N.
and though there may be juft
calls
vidence to profefs and fubfcribe
is
no need that we fhould
mife,
fubfcribe or fwear
our mind
fince it
:
is
297
it,
of Pro-
yet there
refolve or pro-
never to change
poffible in the nature
and courfe of things we may meet with
fuch a folid and fubftantial objection,
may
as
give us a quite different view of things
from what we once imagined, and may
before
us
trary.
We
furlicient
evidence of the
may happen
to
find
lay
con-
a fairer
light caft over the fame Scriptures, and fee
reafon to alter our fentiments even in
points of
i.e.
"
moment.
fo I believe,
fome
Sic fentio, fie fentiam,
and
fo I will believe," is
the prifon of the foul for life-time, and a bar
againft all
To
the improvements of the mind.
impofe fuch
a profeffion
on other men,
in matters not abfolutely neceffary, and not
abfolutely certain,
is
a criminal
ufurpation
and tyranny over faith and confcience, and
none has power
to require it but an infal-
lible dictator.
CHAP,
39&
(
)
CHAP.
Or
XIX.
ENQUIRING INTO CAUSES AND
F
OME
effects
caufes,
fects.
I.
E C
are
T
S.
found out by their
and fome caufes by their ef-
Let us confider both
When
caufes of
IT'
we
are
thefe.
enquiring
any particular
effect
into
or
the
appear-
the world of nature, or in
ance, either in
the civil or moral concerns of men,
we may
follow this method.
i.
ances
Consider what effects or
you have known of a kindred
appearnature>
and what have been the certain and real
for like effects have genecaufes of them
-,
rally
OF ENQUIRING INTO CAUSES, &C.
when
rally like caufes, efpecially
found
fame
they are
of fubjects.
fort
Consider what are the feveral pofcaufes which may produce fuch an ef-
2.
fible
fect
in the
399
:
and find out by fome circumftances
how many
of thoie pofiible caufes are ex-
cluded in this particular cafe: Thence proceed by degrees to the probable caufes,
a
more
till
and infpeclion mall
ciofe attention
exclude fome of them
alio,
and lead you
gradually to the real and certain caufe.
3.
Consider what
things preceded fuch
an event- or appearance, which might have
any
influence
cannot
upon
certainly
among
yet
may probably
further and
4.
the
light
more
;
and
determine
any thing only from
feet,
it
its
the
to
caufe
of
going before the ef*
many
forerunners,
upon the
true caufe
we
by
particular enquiry.
Consider whether one
ficient
though we
produce the
effect,
caufe be fufor whether
it
does not require a concurrence of feveral
caufes
;
and then endeavour
as far as pofiible
to adjuil the degrees of influence that each
caufe
;
ENQUIRING INTO
OF
400
caufe might have in producing the
efiTecl:,
and the proper agency and influence of each
of them therein.
So
what
near the
which we
fire
here
;
on
my
heat
call
when
mall find
I
it
fland
I
is
necef-
agency of the particles
fary that there be an
fire
find
principles and cau fes of that
are the
fenfation
of
would
in natural philofophy, if I
mediately by
either
flefh,
themfelves, or at leaft by the intermediate
air
j
there muft be a particular fort of
tion and vellication impreft
upon
my
mo-
nerves
there muft be a derivation of that motion
to the brain
tion of
my
-,
and there muft. be an atten-
foul
motion
to this
:
if either
of thefe are wanting, the fenfation of heat
will not be produced.
So
in the
moral world,
if I
the revolution of a ftate or
haps
I find it
own
kingdom, per-
brought about by the tyranny
or folly of a prince, or
of his
enquire into
fubjecls
and oppofition may
;
by the
and
di (affection
this difaffe&ion
arife either
upon the
account of impositions in religion, or injuries
relating to their civil rights; or the
revolution
1
CAUSES AND EFFECTS.
may
revolution
4.0
be effected by the invafion
of a foreign army, or by the-oppofition of
fome perlbn
home
at
or abroad
claim to the government,
who would
ple;
or
guard the
th_t lays
or a hero
*5cc.
of the peo-
liberties
by many of thefe concurring to-
we mull adjuft the influences
wifely as we can, and not afcribe
gether; then
of each
as
the whole event to one of them alone.
When
II.
are enquiring into the ef-
of any particular caufe or cauks,
fects
may
we
we
follow this method.
Consider
i.
every
caufe
diligently
nature of
and obferve what
apart,
fect every part
the
or property of
it
will
ef-
tend
to produce.
Consider
2.
the caufes united together
in their ieveral natures,
tion
j
enquire
perties of
effects
how
far
and ways of operathe powers or pro-
one will hinder or promote the
of the other, and wifely balance the
proportions of their influence.
D
d
3.
Consider
:
OF ENQJJIRING INTO
4<02
Consider what
3.
upon which the caufe
the fubject
to operate
is
-in or
is,
For the
:
fame caufe on different fubjects will oftentimes produce different effects, as the fun
which
foftens
Be
4.
wax
will harden clay.
frequent and diligent in making
all
proper experiments, in fetting fuch caufes
at
work, whole
effects
you
know,
manner
to
deli re
and putting together in an orderly
fuch things as are
fome ufeful
mod
effects,
likely
according to
furvey you can take of
all
produce
to
the beft
the concurring
caufes and circumfhnces.
Observe
5.
which happen
carefully
the
all
events
by an occafional con-
either
currence of various caufes, or by the induftrious
application
And when you
of
any happy
fee
tainly produced, and often
fure
of
it
it,
6.
knowing men
effect
repeated,
up, together with the
known
certrea-
caufes
amongft your improvements.
Take
a juft
furvey of
all
the cir-
cumftances which attend the operation of
any caufe or caufes,
whereby any
fpeciai
effect:
CAUSES AND EFFECTS.
produced
effect is
how
poffible
had
and find out
;
4O3
as
far as
any of thole circumffances
far
tendency either to obflruct or pro-
a
mote or change thofe operations, and con-
how
fequently
far the
effect
might be in-
fluenced by them.
In
this
improve
manner phyficians
known
rious
they
drugs,
They
their fkill.
effects
and
confider the va-
of particular herbs or
meditate
what will
of their compofition,
effects
practife
be the
and whether
the virtues of the one will exalt or diminish
the force of the other, or correct any of
Then
nocent qualities.
constitution,
native
per
or
what
they obferve
likely
medicine on fuch
common
be the
to
a patient.
cafes they
the
and the prefent tem-
circumftances of the patient,
is
its
effect
and
of fuch a
And
make wife and
in all
un-
cautious
experiments, and nicely obferve the effects
of particular compound medicines on different conftitutions, and in different difeafes,
and by thefe
treafuries
of juft obfervations
they grow up to an honourable degree of
fkill in
the art of healing.
Dd
2
So
OF ENQJJIRING INTO
404
So the preacher confiders the doctrines
and reafons, the precepts, the promifes and
word of God, and what
are the natural effects of them upon the
mind; he confiders what is the natural
threatenings of the
tendency of fuch a virtue or fuch a vice ;
he
well apprized that the reprefentation
is
rof fome of thefe things
may convince
underfbnding, fome may
fcience,
fome may
allure
terrify
the
the con-
the flothful, and
fome encourage the defponding mind; he
obferves the temper of his
or of
hearers,
any particular perfon that converfes with
him about
w ill
T
things facred, and he judges
be the
effects
fuch perfons
;
of each reprefentation on
he
what have been the
parts
by
what
and
reviews
effects
recollects
of fome fpecial
and methods of his miniftry;
and
a careful furvey of all thefe, he attains
greater degrees of fkill in his facred
em-
ployment.
Note, In
guim
all
thefe cafes
we
thofe caufes and effects
mufr.
diftin-
which
are na-
turally and neceifarily connected with each
other,
from thofe which
have
only an
accidental or contingent connection.
2
Even
ia
CAUSES AND EFFECTS.
in thofe caufes
tingent,
where the
effect is
we may fometimes
405
but con-
arrive at a very
high degree of probability ; yet we cannot
arrive at fuch certainty as where the caufes
operate by an evident and natural neceffity,
arid the effects
neceffarily follow the
ration.-^See more on this lubjedl:,
ope-
Logic,
Part II. Chap. V. Sett. 7.
D
d 3
CHAP.
:
4°6
(
)
CHAP.
OF THE SCIENCES,
XX.
AND THEIR USE
W
I
PARTICULAR PROFESSIONS.
j#
/
|
AHE
beft
way
to learn
any fcience,
is
to begin with a regular fyftem, or a
JL
Jfhort and plain fcheme of that fcience, well
drawn up into
narrow compafs, omitting
a
the deeper and more abftrufe
and that
alfo
parts of
it,
under the conduct and induc-
tion of fome fkilful teacher.
Syflems are
neceffary to give an entire and
comprehen-
five
view of the
whicli
may have
the explication
whereas. if a
efTays
feveral parts of
a
or
man
any fcience,
mutual influence toward
proof
of each other
and only in
deals always
and difcourfes on particular parts of a
fcience,
he will never obtain a
juft idea of the whole, and
fome important part of
may
it,
diftinct
and
perhaps omit
after feven years
reading of fuch occafional difcourfes.
For
OF THE SCIENCES, &C.
For
young ftudents mould
reafon
this
apply themfelves
fit
to
much
fyftems
their
to
That man
more than pamphlets.
fo
407
is
never
judge of particular iubjecls
relat-
who
ing to any fcience,
has
never taken a
furvey of the whole.
It
the remark of an ingenious writer,
is
fhould a barbarous Indian,
who
had never
feen a palace or a fhip, view their feparate
and disjointed
parts,
windows,
doors,
the one, or the
and obferve the
cornices
prow and
and
form but
a very
and
fails
to
lame and dark idea of either
manner,
like
the
of
and
would be able
of thofe excellent and ufeful
In
turrets
ftern, the ribs
marts, the ropes and fhrouds,
tackle of the other, he
pillars,
thofe
who
inventions.
contemplate
only the
fragments
from any
fcience, difperfed in fhort
or
pieces
broken off
uncon-
nected difcourfes, and do not difcern their
relation to each other,
and
how
they
may be
adapted, and by their union procure the delightful
fymmetry of
a regular
fcheme, can
never furvey an entire body of truth, but
111 u ft
always view
membered
-,
it
as
deformed and
dif-
while their ideas, which muft
Dd4
be
OF THE SCIENCES,
4-08
be ever indiflinct and often repugnant, will
lie in
thrown toge-
the brain unforted, and
ther without order or coherence
knowledge of thofe men who
:
fuch
is
the
live
upon the
lively
imagina-
fcraps of the fciences.
i
A
yojjth of genius and
tion,
of an active and forward
fpirit,
may
fprm within himfelf fome alluring fcenes
3nd pleafjng fchemes
fcience,
which
it
are utterly inconfifcent
which appear
And
end,
in
own
he never read and pafs through
if
hafly
is fatisfied
with
pleafing fchemes, and trea-
sures thefe errors
quisitions;
with
the middle or the
the whole, he takes up and
his
beginning of a
neceffary and fubflantial parts
fpme of the
of
in the
up amongft his
whereas
his
own
folid
labour and
liudy farther purfued would have fhewn
his early miflakes, and cured
ac-
himpf
him
his felf-
ilatteririg deluflQns.
Hence
£p
many
js
fo
it
comes
to
pafs,
that
we have
haif-fcholars now-a-days, and there
muc.n confufzon and inconfjftency in
the notions and opinions of fome perfons,
becaqfe
AND THEIR
hecaufe
USE.
4.09
they devote their hours of ftudy
entirely
and
eiTays
Short
to
pamphlets,
and cad contempt upon fyftems, under a
pretence of greater politenefs
;
whereas the
true reafon of this contempt of fyftematical
learning
is
mere
and want of
lazinefs
judgment.
II.
After we
grown well acquainted
fyftem or compendium of a
with a fhort
fcience,
which
molt, fimple
a large
we
is
are
written in the plained: and
manner,
it is
then proper to read
regular treatife on that itibject,
deiign a complete
vation of
it
:
knowledge and culti-
and either while
ing this larger fyftem, or after
it,
if
we are readwe have done
then occaiional difcourfes and efTays upon
the particular fubjects and parts of that fci-
ence
may bs
for in
read with the greateft
thefe e flays
considerable
we may
often
corrections and
profit:
find very
improvements
of what thefe compends, or even the larger
^ftems may have taught
us,
mingled with
fome mistakes.
And
1
thefe corrections or
improvements,
fhoulq be as remarks adjoined by
way of
note
410
THE SCIENCES,
OF
note or commentary in their proper places,
and fuperadded
Then
have read.
the regular
to
a ftudious
treatife
we
and judicious
review of the whole will give us a tolerable
acquaintance with that faience.
III.
It
is
a great happinefs to have fuch
a tutor, or fuch friends and companions at
hand,
who
are able to
inform us what are
the beft books written on any fcience, or
any fpecial part of
advantage
many
in reading
a
man
this
has wafted his time
over perhaps
lumes, and learnt
know
For want of
it.
little
fome whole vo-
more by
it
that thofe volumes were not
than to
worth
his reading.
IV. As for the languages, they are certainly beft learned in the
life.
The memory
is
younger years of
then moft empty and
unfurnifhed, and ready to receive
continually.
We find
new
that children in
ideas
two
years time after they are born, learn to fpeak
their native tongue,
V.
The
mere abflradted
fciences,
which
depend more upon the understanding and
judgment,
AND THEIR
USE.
4!
I
judgment, and which deal much in abftracted ideas, fhould not be impofed upon children too Toon
ethics,
ties
fuch are logic, metaphyfics,
;
Yet
of grammar and criticifm.
be conferTed the
are neceffary,
be
or the depths and difficul-
politics,
firft
it
mud
rudiments of grammar
or at leaft very convenient to
known when
youth learns
a
a
new
lan-
and fome general eafy principles and
guage
;
rules
of morality and divinity are needful
in order to teach a child
and man
his
duty to
God
but to enter far into abftracled
;
reafonings on
thefe fubjects
is
beyond the
capacity of children.
VI.
There
are
feveral
of the fciences
more agreeably employ our younger
and the general parts of them may
that will
years,
be
eafily
ciples
taken in by boys.
and
geometry,
heights,
ealier
plain
depths,
practices
The
of
trigonometry,
lengths,
firft
prin-
arithmetic,
meafuring
diftances,
&c.
the rudiments of geometry and aftronomy,
together
may
be
fomething
with
eafily
of
mechanics,
conve)ed into the minds of
acute young perfons, from nine or ten years
old and upward.
Thefe
Itudies
may be entertaining
OF THE SCIENCES,
412
tertaining and ufeful to
to gentlemen,
as
young
and to
ladies as well
thofe
all
bred up to the learned profeflions.
fex
may
dome/lie
fair
Boys may
life.
them with
knowledge of
be
taught
thofe.
who
never learn
to
of gram-
their rudiments
mar, and their labour in the languages.
even
are
intermingle thofe with the opera-
tions of the needle, and the
join
who
The
And
any language
but their mother-tongue, may be taught
thefe fciences, with laiting benefit in early
days.
That
this
may
be done with eafe and
advantage, take thefe three reafons,
i.
Because
they depend fo
fchemes and numbers,
figures,
images,
lines,
and
and fenfible things, that the imagi-
nation or fancy will greatly
flanding, and render the
inuch more
2.
much upon
affift
the under-
knowledge of them
eafy.
These
ftudies
are fo
pleafant,
that
they will make the dry labour of learning
words, phrafes, and languages more tolerable to boys in a Latin fchool by this mofl
agreeable
AND THEIR
youth in thefe
neglect
many of
4.13
The employment
mixture.
agreeable
USE.
of
tempt them to
ftudies will
the foolifh plays of child-
hood, and they will find fweeter entertain-
ment
by a
for themielves and their leifure hours,
cultivation of thefe pretty pieces of
alluring knowledge.
3.
The
fcience are
knowledge of thefe
both eafy and worthy
tained in
memory by
come
manly
to
through
all
all
the parts of
to be
of
re-
when they
children
for
years,
parts
they are ufeful
human
life
:
They
tend to enlarge the understanding early, and
to give a various acquaintance
fubjects betimes.
And
as poflible, to train
ledge
furely
it is
beil as far
up children in the know-
of thofe things which they fhould
never forget, rather than to
years of
which
with ufefui
life
are not
And
in
trifles,
or
let
in
them wafte
hard words
worth remembering.
here by the way
I
cannot but won-
der, that any author in our age fhould have
attempted
to
teach
any of
the
exploded
phyfics of Defcartes, or the nobler inventions
of Sir Ifaac Newton,
in
his
hypothecs
THE SCIENCES,
OF
414.
cf the heavenly bodies and their
thefis
of light and colours,
in his doclrine
tions,
and other parts of his phyfiology, or
children
flruel:
in
mo-
to in-
knowledge of the
the
theory of the heavens, earth and planets,
without any figures or diagrams.
boy or
give a
to
fible
a
Is
it
pof-
young lady the
and proper apprehenfions of
clear, diilindl,
thefe things, without lines and figures to defcribe
them
want the
Does not
?
aid of fancy
vey flronger and
inmoft
foul
j utter
Or do
:
their underftanding
and images to conideas of
they
youth can penetrate into
and
artifices
all
them
to the
imagine
thefe
that
beauties
of nature without thefe helps
which perfons of maturer age find neceffary for that purpofe ? I would not willingly
name the books, becaufe fome of the writers
are faid
to
be gentlemen of excellent
acquirements.
VII.
After we
have
gone through any of thofe
which
figures
are
and
geography,
to
firft
and
arts or fciences
be explained
fchemes,
learnt
fuch
by diagrams,
as
aftronomy, optics,
geometry,
mechanics,
&c. we may bed preferve them in memo-
AND THEIR
ry,
USE.
41 J
by having thofe fchemes and
figures in
large meets of paper hanging always before
the eye
bers,
in
clofets, parlours,
entries,
ftair-cafes,
chamThus the
halls,'
Sec.
•
learned images will be perpetually impreft
on the brain,
upon them
that depends
mind
the
life
alive
and frem in
through the growing years of
mere diagrams and figures will
The
:
and will keep the learning
ever recall to our thoughts thofe theorems,
problems and
corollaries
which have been
demonftrated by them.
It
how much
incredible,
is
may be
geography-
way by the two terhemifpheres,
and by particular
learnt this
reftrial
maps and
charts of the
ccafr.
and countries
of the earth, happily difpofed round about
us.
Thus we may
by
lations,
And
juft projections of the celeftial
hung
fphere
up
muft
I
learn alfo the eonftel-
the
in
confefs
fame
for
the
manner.
bulk
of
learners of aftronomy, I like that projection
of the
the
ftars
ftars
reaches
latitude,
in
to
beft,
which includes
in
it all
our horizon, and therefore
the
though
8
384its
degree
center
of
is
it
Southern
the Northpole.
6
OF THE SCIENCES,
41
This gives us a better view of thd
pole.
as
they appear every night
may
be made ufe of with a
heavenly bodies,
to
and
us,
it
little instruction
a nocturnal,
and with
mew
and
eafe,
the
to ferve fof
hour of
true
the night.
But
remember that if
louring upon thefe maps
mould
fcure
there be any co*
or projections,
be laid on fo thin as not
or
any part
conceal
figures or letters
of
ob-
to
the
it
lines,
whereas moil times they
;
are daubed fo thick with gay and glaring
colours, and
reach
read
hung up
high above the
fo
of the eye that mould
them,
as
though
furvey and
their only
dcfign
make a gaudy ihow upon the wall,
and they hung there merely to cover the
were
naked
to
plafler or wainfcot.
ThosE
which may be drawn
may alfo be thus hung up
fciences
out into tables,
and difpofed in proper places, fuch
abftracls of
hiftory,
as brief
&c. and
chronology,
indeed the fchemes of any of the arts or
fciences
may be
analyfed
fkeleton, and reprefented
in
upon
a
fort
tables,
of
with
the
AND THEIR
the
USE.
and connections
dependencies
various
417
of their ieveral parts and fubjects that be-
Mr. Solomon Lowe has
happily thrown the grammar of feveral lanlong to them.
guages into fuch tables
;
view of thefe
and epitomes would
abftracts
and a frequent re-
tend
much
when
they have been once well learned
would
to
keep
open, and
affift
memory.
In
imprint them on the brain,
learned
thofe
this
;
always
traces
the weaknefs of a labouring
manner may
this
a
fcheme
©f the Scripture hiflory be drawn out, and
perpetuate
thofe
which our
ideas
the
in
dailv reading furniuhes us.
Every man who
VIII.
mind with
character of a
fcholar
pretends to the
mould
attain
general and fuperficial idea of moil or
fciences
among
:
For there
all
the
a certain connection
is
the various parts of
ledge, {o that
fome
human know-
fome notions borrowed from
any one fcience may
afiift,
our acquaintance
with any other, either by way of explication,
iliuftration
fome
or
fciences
affinity
Though there are
conjoined by a much nearer
proof:
than others.
E
e
IX.
Let
OF
4l8
Let
IX.
THE SCIENCES,
thofe parts of every fcience be
chiefly ftudied at
firrt,
and reviewed after-
wards, which have a more direct tendency
to
our proper profeffion, as men, or
afiift
as Chriflians,
our general profeflion,
obferving what
we
always
ourfelves have found moft
neceffary and ufeful
to us in the
courfe of
Age and experience will teach
judge which of the fciences, and
our
lives.
us
to
which
parts of
them have been of
greatefl
and are mod; valuable; but in younger
years of life we are not fufficient judges of
ufe,
this matter,
vice
from others who
X.
There
among
are
us, viz.
Though
cine.
be
and therefore mould feek ad-
a fcholar
are elder.
three learned profefllons
divinity,
every
law, and
man who
medi-
pretends to
or a gentleman, fhould fo far
acquaint himfelf with a fuperflcial fcheme
of
all
like a
the fciences, as not to (land amazed
mere Granger
common
there
is
at
the mention of the
fubjedts that belong to
them; yet
no neceffity for every man of learn-
ing to enter into their difficulties and deep
xecelTes,
nor to climb the heights to which
fctne others have arrived.
The knowledge
of
AND THEIR
USE,
of them in a proper meafure
419
may be hap-
pily ufeful to every profeffion, not only be-
caufe
all
and fciences have a
arts
communion and
but
it is
ledge,
is
a
of
connection with each other,
grow
an angelic pleafure to
it
fort
know-
of honour and ef-
matter
man more
teem, and renders a
in
agreeable and
acceptable in every company.
But
them more
us furvey feveral of
let
particularly,
with
profeiTions
And
:
regard
of
firll
learned
the
to
the
mathema-
tics.
XI.
Though
I
have fo often commended
mathematical ftudies, and particularly the
fpeculations
as a
means
of arithmetic and
to fix a
geometry,
wavering mind, to be-
get an habit of attention, and to improve
the faculty of reafon
5
means be underftood
yet
to
I
would by no
recommend
to
all
a purfuit of thefe fciences, to thofe extenfive
lengths to which the moderns have ad-
vanced
them.
This
is
neither
necefTary
nor proper for any ftudents, but thofe few
who
mall make thefe ftudies their chief pro-
feffion
and bufinefs of
E
e
life,
2
or thofe gentle-
men
;
420
THE SCIENCES,
OF"
men whofe
and turn of mind arc
capacities
fuited to thefe ftudies,
and have
manner
all
©f advantage to improve in them.
The
general
algebra,
principles
of arithmetic,
and trigonometry,
geometry,
geography, of modern aftronomy,
and optics,
nics, ftatics
cf
mecha-
have their valua-
ble and excellent ufes, not only for the exercife
and improvement of the faculties of
the mind, but the fubje£ts themfelves are
mo-
very well worth' our knowledge in a
derate degree, and are often
ble fervice in
fubje<fts
as
human
life.
made of admiraSo
much
of thefe
Dr. Wells has given us in his
three volumes entitled,
The Young
man's Mathematics,
richly fufficient for
is
Gentle-
the greateft part of fcholars or gentlemen
though perhaps there may be fome
treatifes,
leait.
on fome of thefe fub-
which may be
jecTs,
more
at
ufeful
to
fingle
better
written
be perufed than
and
thofe of
that learned author.
But
ficulties
fluxions,
a penetration into the abftrufe dif-
and depths of modern algebra and
the
various methods of quadratures
AND THEIR
tures,
of
the menfuration
curves,
and
USE.
421
manner of
all
mutual transformation,
their
and twenty other things that fome modern
mathematicians deal
labour
who
of thofe
are not
in,
defign either of the
divinity, law, or
three learned profeflions,
phyfic,
the
as
who was
on
and writer
he affirms that they
This
life.
is
man,
viz.
a very
good
confiderable
a
Dr. George Cheyne,
proficient
of
bufinefs
the fentence of
worth the
thefe
fubjecls
:
but barren and airy
are
man entirely to live upon, and
man to indulge and riot in thefe
Iludies for a
that for a
exquifitely
bewitching
only proper
for
gentlemen of
public
eftates,
way,
propensity this
contemplations
profeflbrs,
who
is
or for
have a ftrong
and a genius
fit
to
cultivate them.
But,
own
a great but griev-
ous truth, though they
may quicken and
fays he,
to
Sharpen the invention, flrengthen and extend the imagination, improve and refine the
reafoning faculty, and
are
of ufe both in
the neceifary and the luxurious refinement of
mechanical
to
arts
;
yet having
rectify the will,
E
no tendency
to fweeten the temper,
e 3
or
mend
or
THE SCIENCES,
OP
422
the
a pofitivenefs and
ftifxnefs,
weak minds, which
cious
is
and
fociety,
to
leave
they often
heart,
the
to
on
fufficiency
much more
He
advantage can recompence.
perni-
interefts
the great end of our being, than
a
of
their
all
adds fur-
ther, concerning the launching intothedepth
of thefe
ftudies,
beget
that they are apt to
a fecret and refined pride,
and over-weening
and over-bearing vanity, the mofi: oppofite
temper to the true fpirit of the Gofpel.
This tempts them to prefume on a kind
of omnifcience in refpect
creatures,
who have
elevation;
nor are
the
in
a
a
heart,
and
teachable
fober
and long
XII.
metry,
who
lowly
a
have
fpirit,
temper.
to his Eilay
See
on health
life.
Some
of the practical parts of geo-
aftronomy,
tertainments
and
optics,
dialling,
mechanics, &c.
in every
their
to
be trufted
to
fit
humble
Dr. Cheyne's preface
tics,
rifen
hands of any but thofe
acquired
and
not
they
fellow-
to their
may
ilia-
be agreeable en-
amufements
to
fludents
profeflion at leifure hours, if they
.
enjoy fuch circumftances of
life
as
to fur-
^
AND THEIR
USE.
nim them with conveniences
423
far this fort of
improvement: But let them take great care
left they entrench upon more necelTary emand
ployments,
fo
fall
under the charge
and ceniure of wafted time.
•
Yet
cannot help making this obferyation, that where ftudents, or indeed any
I
young gentlemen have
made themfelves
in their early years
mafters
of a variety of
elegant problems in the mathematic circle
and gained the moft
of knowledge,
eafy,
and entertaining experiments in natu-,
philofophy, with fome fhort and agree-.
neat,
ral
able fpeculations or practices in any other of
the arts or fciences, they
a foundation
for the
mankind among
verfe,
in
have hereby laid
efteem
thofe with
and
whom
love of
they con-
higher or lower ranks of
life;
they have been often guarded by this means
from the temptation of nocent plealures,
fecured-
and have
both
their
own hours
and the hours of their companions from,
running to wafte in fauntering and trifles,
and from
dialogues.
a
thoufand impertinencies in fillyGaming and. drinking, and ma-
ny criminal and foolifh fcenes of talk and
E
e
4
adlion,
0V THE SCIENCES,
4^4
by
action, have been prevented
thefe inno-
improving elegancies of know-
cent and
ledge.
History
XIII.
the fupreme place for gentlemen
in politics.
and
The government
diftrefsful
have in
all
ftudy in
a necefTary
is
who
deal
of nations,
and defolating events which
ages attended the miftakes of po-
mould be ever prefent on their
minds to warn them to avoid the like conGeography and chronology, which
duct.
liticians,
precifely informs
where fuch
pened,
abfolute
tend
tranfactions
the
of
eyes
or
and
hiftory,
fome meafure
neceffity in
hap-
events
of
to at-
it.
But
fairs
are
us of the place and time
hiftory, fo far as relates
of the Bible,
as to
is
to the af-
as necefTary to divines
gentlemen of any profeiTion.
us to reconcile
many
difficulties
It
in
helps
Scrip-
ture, and demonftrates a divine Providence.
Dr. Prideaux's connection of the Old and
New
Teftament,
is
an excellent
treatife
of
thiq kind,
.
XIV.
Among
AND THEIR
Among
XIV.
USE.
the fmaller hiftories, bio-
graphy, or the memoirs of the
and good men,
4-2 5
has
of great
my
rank in
high
a
lives
worthy of the perufal of every
perfon who devotes himfelf to the ftudy of
efteem,
as
Therein we frequently find our
divinity.
holy religion reduced to practice, and many
parts of Chriftianity mining with a tranfcen-
We
dent and exemplary light.
how
learn there
deeply fenfible great and good
human
been of the ruins of
from God, and
nrft apoftacy
toiled
men
have
nature by the
how
they have
and laboured, and turned themfelves
feek
a
recovery in
vain,
on
all
till
they have found the Gofpel of Chrift an
to
fides,
all-fufficient relief.
We are
there furnimed
with effectual and unanfwerable evidences
that the religion of Jefus, with all its felfdenids, virtues and devotions,
ticable thing,
fmce
it
is
a very
prac-
has been carried to
fuch a degree of honour by fome wife and
holy men.
\Ve have
that the pleafures and
Chriftian
life,
been
there
aflured
fatis factions
of the
in its prefent practice
and
its
future hopes, are not the mere raptures of
hv-cy and
enthufiafm,
when fome of
the
uricleil
,
OF
426
THE SCIENCES,
profeffors of reafon have added
ftrictefl:
the
fanction of their testimony.
memoirs of perfons
fhort, the lives or
In
of piety well written, have been of
and unfpeakable advantage
and
to
the difciples
of Chriflianity,
profeffors
infinite
and
have
given us admirable inftances and rules
to
every temptation of a foothing or
refitl
a frowning world,
how
to
all,
to
felves,
God, and
to love
and to love our neighbours
live
by the
to die in the
and certain hope of
nal
impor-
practife
how
tant and difficult duties,
above
how
faith of the
fame
pur-
Son of
in fure
faith,
a refurrection
as
God
eter-
to
life.
XV. Remember
that
logic and onto-
logy or metaphyfics are neceffary fciences,
tho' they have been greatly abufed by fcholaftic
writers
them
in
who
have profeffed to teach
former ages.
Not only
all
ftu-
dents, whether they defign the profeffion of
theology, law or phyfic, but
mould
at
gentlemen
know-
lead acquire
a Superficial
The
introduction
ledge of them.
many
all
fubtleties, nice distinctions,
2
of
fo
and infignificant
AND THEIR
niacant
terms
USE.
without
clear
427
has
ideas,
brought a great part of the logic and metaphyfics of the fchools into juft contempt.
Their logic has appeared the mere art of
wrangling, and their metaphyfics the fkill
of fplitting an hair, of diftinguifhing without a difference, and of putting long hard
names upon common things, and fometimes
upon a confufed jumble of things which
have no clear ideas belonging to them.
It
certain
is
that an
unknown heap of
and impertinencies have been intermingled with thefe ufeful parts of learntrifles
upon which account many perfons in
this polite age have made it a part of their
breeding to throw a jeft upon them ; and
to rally them well, has been efteemed a more
ing,
valuable talent than to under/land them.
But
running into wide extremes,
nor ought thefe parts of fcience to be abanthis
is
doned by the wife, becaufe fome writers of
former ages have played the fool with them.
True
logic
teaches
us
ufe
our reafon
well, and brings a light into the
undemand-
ing
:
true
to
metaphyfics or ontology,
carts
a light
THE SCIENCES,
OF
428
upon
a light
the objects of thought and
all
meditation, by ranging every being with
abfolute and
the
proper ranks and
the
claries,
various
and
perfections
modes and attendants of
properties,
covers
relative
all
and thereby
relations
it
in
dis-
it
of things
to
each other, and what are their general or
from each other, wherein
great part of human knowledge confifls.
fpecial differences
a
And by
ftrudt
means it greatly conduces to inus in method, or the difpofition of
this
every thing into
proper rank and clafs of
its
beings, attributes or actions.
XVI. If
I
were
tural philofophy,- I
down my
-
-
think
fcience.
birds,
muft needs be very ufeful to
underfland fomething of natu-
it
The mere
as
life
to
&c.
fifties,
w ell
r
in all
as
natural hiftory of
of infects,
their
appearances,
trees,
of meteors, fuch as
lightnings,
clouds, thunders,
mon
lay
.
beads, and
and plants,
froft,
to
fentiments thus.
a divine to
ral
would venture
-
I
any thing of na-
to fay
common
may be
fnows, hail,
or
uncom-
of considerable
one who ftudies divinity,
to give
him
a wider
:
AND THEIR
a
USE.
429
wider and more delightful view of the
works of God, and
lively
and
to furnifh
happy images
drawn from the
large
«
and
him with
metaphors
volume of nature,
God
to difplay and reprefent the things of
and religion
molt beautiful and af-
in the
fecting colours.
And
if the
mere hiftory of thefe things
be ufeful for this purpofe, furely
of further advantage to
reafons, caufes
and
be led
effects
tion,
the
know
matter and
whereby the great God
extenfive
into
of thefe natural
objects and appearances, and to
eftablifhed laws of nature,
will be
it
carries
the
mo-
on his
works of providence from
the
creation to this day.
I
of
confess the
old Ariftotelean fcheme
this fcience will teach us very little that
worth the knowing about thefe matters
but the later writers, who have explained
is
nature and
its
operations in a
more
fenfible
and geometrical manner, are well worth the
moderate ftudy of a divine; efpecially thofe
who
have followed
the.
principles of that
wonder of our age and nation,
Sir
Ifaac
Newton.
Of
43°
Newton.
THE SCIENCES,
There
is
much
pleafure and en-
tertainment, as well as real profit to be de-
from thofe admirable improvements
rived
which have been advanced
in natural philo-
sophy in
afliftance
late years
by the
of ma-
thematical learning, as well as from the multitude of experiments
and are
flill
making
XVII. This
is
eminently belongs
ought
ture,
to
know
what
all
which have been made,
in natural fubjedts.
which indeed
a fcience
the
to
phyfician
the parts of
are the found
:
human
he
na-
and healthy func-
tions of an animal body, and
what
are the
diftempers and dangers which attend it; he
mould
alio
ledge of
be furnifhed with a large
plants
know-
and minerals, and every
thing which makes up the materia medica,
or the ingredients of which medicines are
made;
and many other things
in
natural
philofophy are fubfervient to his profelTion,
as well as to the
kindred art of furgery.
XVIII. Questions about the powers and
operations
of nature
come
into
the
cially
fuch
as
may
lawyer's
relate
to
alfo
fometimes
cognizance, efpeafTaults,
wounds,
murders,
AND THEIR
431
remember I have read a
man for murder by drowning,
murders, &c.
of a
trial
USE.
I
wherein the judge on the bench heard fevearguments concerning the lungs being
ral
filled or
not
with water, by infpiration
filled
or expiration, &c. to
much
himfelf fo
him any
great
all
which he
as did
a ftranger,
honour
profefTed
not do
in public.
XIX. But I think no divine, who can
obtain it, mould be utterly deftitute of this
knowledge. By the affiftance of this ftudy,
he will be better able to furvey the various
monuments of
wifdom
creating
heavens, the earth, and the
der and worfhip
:
feas,
God
in
much
with won-
mohe may commu-
and by the ufe of
derate fkill in this fcience,
nicate fo
the
in
a
of the aftonifhing works of
the formation and government
this vifible world,
of his hearers,
as
and fo
may
far inftruct
affift
many
the transfufion
of the fame ideas into their minds, and
them
to the
votion.
works
all
!
?
O
in
They
of
raife
fame delightful exercifes of deLord, how manifold are thy
wifdom
haft
are fought out
thou made them
by
all
that have
pleafure in them,
Besides,
THE SCIENCES,
OF
432
Besides,
it
worthy of the notice of
theology, that he ought to
is
every fludent in
have fome acquaintance with the principles
of nature, that he may judge a
they will go
upon
to
$
fo that
appearance in
may
nature for a miracle, that he
this fubjecT,
better confirm the miracles of
Chrift, nor yield
up his
and
reafon
may
that he
Mofes and of
faith to
tences of prodigy and wonder,
either the cccational
far
he may not be impofed
take every Arrange
the clearer upon
how
little
any pre-
which
uncommon
are
opera-
tions of the elements, or the crafty Heights
men
of
well ikilled in philofophy and
me-
chanical operations to delude the fimple.
XX. The knowledge
alfo
of aaimal na-
and of the rational foul of man, and
ture,
the mutual influence of thefe two ingredients of our compofition
is
worthy the ftudy of
upon each
a divine.
other,
It is
of
great importance to perfons of this character
and
office, to
judge
how
far the
animal
powers have influence upon fuch and fuch
particular appearances and practices of
kind
-
3
human
how
man-
far the appetites or paflions
nature are
owing
to the
fiefh
of
and
blood,
AND THEIR
mind
blood, or to the
be fubdued
thods
of
3
far
may
they ought to
me-
happieit.
By
this
better informed,
how
thefe
we may be
433
far they
and what are the
obtaining
fcience alfo
how
;
how
be moderated, and
USE.
ends.
far thefe paffions or appetites are lawful,
how
how
will,
and
they are criminal, by conlidering
far
far they are fubjecr. to the
and
how
they
far
power of the
may
be" changed
and corrected by our watchfulnefs,
and
care,
diligence.
a
It comes
alio very
properly under the
cognizance of this profeffion, to be able in
fome meafure
may
to determine questions
arife relating to
real infpiration or
phecy, to wild enthuiiafm, to
vulfive
kind,
&c. and what
to
which
pro-
of a con-
fits
melancholy or phrenzy,
directions are proper to
be
given concerning any appearances of this
nature.
XXI. Next
to the
knowledge of natural
things, and acquaintance with the
nature and conftitution,
of foul and body,
I
properly take
place.
its
F
which
is
human
made up
think natural religion
f
This
confifts
of
thefe
OF THE SCIENCES,
434
thefe
two
parts, viz.
I.
contemplative, which
God
The
is
fpeculative or
the knowledge of
in his various perfections,
and in his re-
lations to his rational creatures, fo far as may-
be
known by
the light of nature,
whjch
heretofore ufed to be called the fecond part
of metaphyfics.
It
includes
alfo
That
2.
which is practical or active, which is the
knowledge of the feveral duties which arife
from our relation to God, and our relation
to
our
and the
fellow-creatures,
proper
this
conduct and government of ourfelves
has been ufed to be called ethics or moral
-,
philofophy.
The
XXII.
is
proper for
becaufe
it
all
knowledge of thefe things
men
teaches
of learning
them
to
;
not only
obtain
j
utter
views of the feveral parts of revealed
reli-
gion and of chriftianity, which are
built
upon them, but becaufe every branch of natural religion and of moral duty
is
and neceilarily implied in
the revealed
religions that ever
world;
does not
God
all
contained
prefcribed to the
We
may well fufpect that religion
come from God which renounces
any part of natural duty.
Whether
AND THEIR
Whether
of the
penfation
the
or
Chrift,
true
mankind
we
God, and
bound
our Lord Jefus
to
that love
all
the one
him, that
to
with that obedience
to his will,
ligion requires.
know
that adoration
to practife all
faith in his perfections,
and fubmiffion
under the dif-
live
of
or
are
and reverence,
435
patriarchs, or of Mofes,
prophets,
ftill
USE.
We are
which
ftill
natural re-
bound
to exer-
cife that juftice, truth
and goodnefs towards
our neighbours, that
reflraint
tion of our
own
and modera-
appetites and paffions, and
that regular behaviour towards ourfelves and
all
our fellow-creatures around
us,
There
moral philofophy teaches.
is
which
no
fort
of revealed religion that will difpenfe with
thefe natural obligations
:
and
a
happy ac-
quaintance with the feveral appetites, inclinations,
an.d
paffions of
human
nature,
and the heft methods to rule and retrain, to
direct
them, are our conftant
and govern
bufinefs,
and ought to be our everlafting
ftudy.
Yet
I
would
lay
down
this caution,
That fince ftudents are inftructed
knowledge of the true God in their
F
f 2
in
viz.
the
lectures
on
THE SCIENCES,
OF
436
on Chriftianity, and
iince
among
the Chrif-
tian duties they are alfo taught all the
of the light of nature, or
dictates
plete
fcheme of
ethics,
there
is
a
no
moral
com-
a'ofolute
of learning thefe two parts of na-
neceffity
tural religion, as diflinct fciences, feparate
by themfelves
:
but
ftill it is
tance for a tutor, while he
and
of great imporreading to his
is
pupils thefe parts of the Chriftian religion,
them notice how
ture or mere reafon will
far the light
to give
of na-
inflruct. us in thefe
doctrines and duties, and
how
far
we
are
obliged to divine revelation and fcripture,
for clearing
up and eflabliming the firm
foundations of the one,
affording
for
us
fuperior motives and powers to pracrife the
other, for raifing
grees,
ture
and building
to
more exalted de-
(o glorious a fuperftruc-
upon them.
XXIII.
viz.
them
The
ftudy of natural religion,
the knowledge of
of virtue and piety,
as
God and
far as
the rules
they are dif-
covered by the light of nature,
is
needful
indeed to prove the truth of divine revelation
or fcripture,
manner
:
but
after
in
the
moft
effectual
the divine authority of
fcripture
:
AND THEIR
fcripture
eftabliihed,
is
fufricient
437
that will be a very
whence the bulk of
fpring from
mankind may
USE.
derive
their
knowledge of
divinity, or the Chriftian religion, in order
to their
own
prefent faith and practice, and
their future and eternal happinefs.
In this
fenfe, theology is a fcience neceflary for every
one that hopes for the favour of God, and
the felicity of another world
infinitely
arts
-,
and
it
is
of
more importance than any of the
and fciences which belong to any of the
learned profemons here on earth.
XXIV. Perhaps
ceflary
I
mould
it
will be thought ne-
fomething concerning
fay
civil law, or the
the ftudy of the
law of na-
ture and nations.
If
we would
and propriety,
fpeak with great juftnefs
the civil
law
fignifies
the
peculiar law of each Hate, country or city
but what we now-a-days ufually mean by
the civil law,
is
a
body of laws compofed
out of the beft of the
laws, and
which was
in the
Grecian
main received
Roman domiThe
twelve hundred years.
Romans
Ff 3
and obferved through
nions for above
Roman and
all
the
THE SCIENCES,
OF
43 8
Romans took
the
firft
grounds of
law
this
from what they call the twelve tables, which
were the abridgments of the laws of Solon
at
Athens, and of other
famous
knowledge
for
which they added
of the city of
their
cities
Rome, and
Greece,
wifdom
and
own
in
;
to
ancient cuftoms
the laws
which
were made there.
fubjedt to
Thefe written laws were
various interpretations, whence
they were deter-
controverfies daily arifing,
mined by the judgment of the learned;
and thefe determinations were what they
nrft.
called
Jus
Civile.
All this by degrees
number of volumes y and
therefore the emperor Juftinian commanded
his chancellor Tribonian to reduce them to
grew
to
a
vaft
and
this
that
which
a perfect body,
of the
is
called the
body
civil law.
XXV. But
portance for
ed with
is
all
learned
it
men
to
of
mo ft im-
be acquaint-
the law of nature, or the
ledge of right and
whether
is
know-
wrong among mankind,
be tranfacled between lingle per-
sons or communities, fo far as
common
rea-
fon and the light of nature dictate and direct.
This
is
what PuffendorfF
calls
the
law
AND THEIR
USE.
law of nature and nations,
if
you confult
mo ft
3.
appear
will
chap. III.
of the
valuable folio he has written on the
fubjecl:
every
feci:.
as
439
which
;
man
is
well worthy the ftudy of
of learning, particularly lawyers
and divines, together with other
treatifes
on
the fame theme.
If any queftion propofed, relate to right
and property and juftice between man and
man,
any polite and civilized country,
in
though
it
muft be adjudged
chiefly accord-
ing to the particular ftatutes and
that
country,
yet
laws of
the knowledge
of
the
law of nature will very confiderably affift
the lawyer and the civil judge in the determination
will
ill
thereof.
And
this
knowledge
be of great ufe to divines, not only
deciding
ol
cafes
among
of conference
men, and anfwering any difficult enquiries
which may be propofed to thern on this
fubjed, but
it
will greatly
affift
then: alfo
in their ftudies relating to the law of
God,
and the performance or violation thereof,
the nature of duty and fin, reward and
punifhment.
Ff4
XXVI.
I
HAVE
THE SCIENCES,
OF
440
XXVI.
have
I
fpoken fomething of the
languages before, but
thofe ftudies
grammar,
An
me
here refume the
pat in a few thoughts about
fubject, and
philological
let
are
wont
as
hiftory,
which
fuch
-
3
be called
to
languages,
rhetoric, poefy, and criticiim.
acquaintance with fome of the learn-
ed languages
at leafc,
is
neceiTary for all the
three learned profeffions.
XXVII. The
need of
leafl
foreign
underftand Latin.
tongues,
have the
ought
During many ages
very important matters
always
who
lawyers,
in
the
written and managed
guage by the lawyers,
in
to
part,
law were
that
lan^
prefcriptions in
as
medicine by the phyficians, and citations of
the Scriptures in divinity were always made
in Latin by the divines.
Prayers alfo were
ordained to be faid publicly and privately
in
the
Roman
tongue
:
pater-nofters
and
ave-marias were half the devotion of thofe
ages.
Thefe cruel impofitions upon the
peo-?
would not fufFer them to read in their
own mother-tongue what was done, either
pie
%o or for, their
own
fouls,
their bodies, or
their
AND THEIR
their
was
eftates.
all
am
I
owing
USE.
ready
to fufpect this
the craft and
to
44.I
the priefthood and church of
policy of
Rome, which
endeavoured to aggrandize themfelves, and
exalt their
own
profefiion
make mere
tyranny, and to
laity
of the
flaves
among mankind, by keeping them
in
darknefs and dependance.
utter ignorance,
And
into a fovereign
were willing to compound the
they
matter with the phyficians and the lawyers,
and allow them
a fmall
mare
in this tyranny
over the populace, to maintain their
fupreme dominion over
But we
God
thank
fomething wifer
all.
the world
and of
;
own
is
late years
grown
the Bri-
tifh
Parliament has been pleafed to give re-
lief
from that bondage in matters
to
relating
the law alfo, as in the age of the re-
formation
we were
prayers in Latin,
the word of
delivered
from faying our
from being bound
God
in
a
tongue
to read
unknown
to
the people, and from living in an everlailing
fubjeclion to the clergy in matters of this
life,
and the
life to
come.
But
But
forms
THE SCIENCES,
OF
442
to return
of
:
There
proceeding
are
in
fo many-
ftill
and
judicature,
things called by Latin names in the profeffion
of the law, and fo
many
barbarous
words with Latin terminations, that
neceffary
language.
mould underftand
lawyers
Some acquaintance
the old French
tongue
is
alfo
this
with
needful for the
fame perfons and profeflion, fince the
nures
of Littleton,
is
it
which
are
a
te-
of
fort
Bible to the gentlemen of the long robe,
were written in that language
tongue has been interwoven
:
in
And
this
fome forms
of the Englifh law, from the days of William the Conqueror,
mandy
who came from Nor-
in France.
XXVIII. Physicians mould be fkilled
in
the Greek as well as in the Latin, becaule
their great matter Hippocrates
tongue, and his writings are
value and ufe.
A
wrote in that
ftill
multitude of the names,
both of the parts of the body, of
and of medicines,
Greek language
cellent
retical
:
of good
are
derived
difeafes,
from the
and there are many ex-
books of phyfic both in the theo-
and practical parts of
5
it
which
are
delivered
AND THEIR
USE.
delivered to the world in the
443
Roman
tongue,
and of which that profefiion mould not be
ignorant.
XXIX. Such
as
intend the ftudy of theo-
logy, (hould be well acquainted alfo with the
Latin, becaufe
it
been for
has
many hun-
dred years the language of the fchools of
learning
their
:
difputations
limited to that language, and
generally
are
many and ex-
books of divinity muft be entirely
cellent
concealed from the ftudents, unlefs they are
acquainted with Latin authors.
But
feffion
thofe that defign
the
facred pro-
of theology, mould make
bour of chief importance
it
their la-
to be very
con-
yerfant with their Bibles, both in the
and
New Teftament
knowledge
of
:
at
languages,
which the Scriptures
tolerably in the
lead they
quainted with
a text
original
fome
with honour, /hould be able to read
Old Teftament
tongue
in
this requires
All that will purfue thefe
were written.
the
and
thofe
Greek and Hebrew,
ftudies
:
Old
it
mould be
as to find
Hebrew
fo far ac-
out the Cenfc of
by the help of a dictionary.
But
fcarce
THE SCIENCES,
0F
444
man
fcarce any
fhould be thought worthy
of the name of a folid divine, or a fkilful
teacher
of
Gofpel in
the
thefe
light and liberty, unlefs he has pretty
knowledge of the Greek,
of
days
good
impor-
fince all the
tant points of the Chriflian religion are derived
firft
from the
New
Tefiament, which was
written in that language.
XXX. As
the
for
and Arabic
Syriac
tongues, if one divine in thirty or in three
hundred
travel
enough.
A
far into thefe
few learned men
make
thefe languages, will
upon them
regions,
for the
Christian world
;
of
in
ikilled
fufiicient
fervice
is
it
remarks
the whole
which remarks may fome-
times happen to be of ufe to thofe divines
who
are unacquainted
ing the Bible.
tongues
is
with them, in read-
But the advantage of thefe
not of fo great importance as
My
has been too often reprefented.
when he
will agree with me,
the chief ufes of
The
Arabic
them
is
fome kindred and
a
reader
confiders that
are thefe.
language which has
affinity to
and perhaps we may
it
now and
the
Hebrew,
then guefs at
the
;
AND THEIR
USE.
44$
uncommon and
the fenfe of fome
doubtful
Hebrew word, which is found but once or
twice in the Bible, hy its fuppofed affinity
the Arabic
to
but whatfoever conjectures
:
may be made by fome kindred of
word
Arabic root, yet there
an
to
Hebrew
a
from
certainty to be gathered
it
is
no
for even
;
words of the fame language, which are undoubtedly derived from the fame theme or
primitive, will give us but very doubtful and
forry information concerning the
true icnfc
of kindred words which fpring from the
fame theme.
Let me
this
fies
The word
uncertainty.
{laughter
firamen
is
ft
or coverlid
:
;
critics
Jiratum
raw
;
Jirages figni-
Latin for a bed
is
and jlragulum
;
They
ed from Jierno
down,
two of
give a plain inftance or
drawn and deriv-
are all
which
me what
certain
throw
to
figniiies
to kill, or to fpread abroad.
tell
a quilt
is
Let the
they
fenfe
could put upon either of thefe four words
by
their
mere cognation with each other.
or their derivation from one
Again,
who
could
tell
me
common
the certain
verb.
mean*
ing and precife idea of the word honeji in
Engliflv
fHE SCIENCES,
OF
446
Englim,
man of integrity,
that
it
iignifies
juftice and probity,
Whereas
?
and
idea,
honejius hath
fignifies
a
a'
though
evidently derived from honefius in
it is
tin
me
and allure
La-
a very different
man of fome
figure in
man of honour. Let any
man judge then how little fervice toward
explaining the Hebrew tongue can be furthe world, or a
from
nifhed
the
all
language
of Arabia.
Surely a great part of the long learned fatigues and tirefome travels of
country,
this
make
the
As
almoft vain and ufelefs to
is
Hebrew
Bible better underftood.
for the Syriac language,
may
there
men through
it is
be fome fmall advantage drawn
from the knowledge of
it,
becaufe there
in
that
may fometimes
meaning
and
to
a
tongue
:
is
New
Tef-
and perhaps
this
a very ancient tranflation of the
tament
granted
give a proper and appofite
difficult
and doubtful text,
offer a fair hint for recovering the true
meaning of the Scripture from the perverfe
gloffes
of other
feveral
commentators
writers.
and
But there
lexicographers
who
have been acquainted with
riac
language,
and
have
are
given
the Syus
the
chief
AND THEIR
chief of thefe
USE.
447
on
their writings
hints in
Scripture.
And
after all,
none of thefe
fince
aflift-
ances can yield us a fufficient proof of a true
interpretation, and give us the certain fenfe
of a
who would
text,
be perfuaded to wafte
any great number of his better hours
fuch dry ftudies, and in labours of fo
tle profit
is
in
lit-
?
XXXI. The Chaldean language
much nearer to the Hebrew, and it
indeed
is
pro-
per for a divine to have fome acquaintance
with
it,
chapters
becaufe there are feveral verfes or
Ezra and
of
written in that language
Daniel
:
which
are
and the old Jewifli
targums or commentaries, which are written
in the Chaldean tongue,
pen
to
cafl:
a little light
Scripture of the
But
it
as
upon
a doubtful
Old Teftament.
muft be
knowledge of
deferve to
may fometimes hap-
flill
owned, that the
thefe Eaftern tongues does not
be magnified to fuch a degree
fome of the
proficients in
them have in-
dulged; wherein they have carried matters
beyond
THE SCIENCES,
OF
beyond
all
any of the
reafon and juftice, fince fcaree
mod
important fubje&s of the
Gofpel of Chrifl and the way of falvation
can gain any advantage from them.
XXXII. The art of grammar comes
now to be mentioned. It is a diftinct thing
from the mere knowledge of the languages $
for all mankind are taught from their infancy to fpeak their mother- tongue, by a
natural
imitation
knowledge
any
mothers
who are round
nurfes, and thofe
without
of their
of
and
about them,
the
art
of
grammar, and the various obfervations and
rules
is
that
relate
nothing
elfe
to
it.
Grammar
indeed
but rules and obfervations
drawn from the common fpeech of mankind
in
their
languages
feveral
-,
and
it
teaches us to fpeak and pronounce, to fpell
and write with propriety and exactnefs, according to the cirftom of thofe in every nation
who
are or
were fuppofed to fpeak and
own language bed:. Now it is
(hame for a man to pretend to Science and
write their
a
ftudy in any of the three learned profeflions,
who
fome meafure acquainted
with the propriety of thofe languages with
is
not
in
7
which
AND THEIR
which he ought
to
daily ftudies, and
more
be
USE.
449
conversant
in
his
efpecially in fuch as
he may fometimes be called upon
to write
as well as read.
XXXIII.
Next
grammar, we proceed
to
to confider rhetoric.
Now
rhetoric
perfuading, which
thefe three
general
in
the art of
is
may be diftinguhhed
parts;
viz.
i.
into
Conveying the
fenfe of the fpeaker to the underftanding of
the hearers, in the cleared and moft intelli-
gent manner, by the plaineft expreihons and
the moit. lively and ftriking representations of
it,
fo that the
mind may be thoroughly con-
vinced of the thing propofed.
Perfuad-
2.
ing the will effectually to choofe or refufe
the thing fuggefted and reprefented.
3.
Rail-
ing the paffions in the moft vivid and forcible manner, fo as to
ry
power of nature
fet all
the foul and eve-
work,
at
to
purfue or
avoid the thing in debate.
To
attain
this end,
there
is
not only a
great deal of art necelfary in the reprefentation of matters to the auditory, but alio
G
g
in
THE SCIENCES,
OF
450
in the difpofition or
thefe
particular
method of introducing
together
reprefentations,
which might convince,
and the various methods which might per-
with
the
reafons
fuade and prevail upon the hearers.
are certain feafons
of oration, in
may
thod,
wherein
a difguifed
a violent
torrent
and concealed me-
be more effectual than
nice forms
all
and
the
The
of logic and reafoning.
of interrogation
figures
There
exclamation
have fometimes a large place and happy effect in
this fort
of difcourfe, and no figure
mould be wanting here where
of iDeech
the fpeaker has art
troduce
to in-
it.
There
down by
a
enough happily
are
many remarks and
rules laid
the teachers of this art, to improve
young genius
into thofe glorious talents
whereby Tuily and Demofthenes acquired
that amazing influence and fuccefs in their
own
age and nation, and that immortal fame
through
all
And it is with
may be perufed
nations and ages.
great advantage thefe
rules
happy genius,
and learned.
But
a
imagination,
and
warm
paffions,
a lively
together
with a due degree of knowledge and
fkill
in
AND THEIR
USE.
in the fubject to be debated,
451
and a perpe-
of the belt ora-
tual perufal of the writings
and hearing the bed fpeakers, will do
more to make an orator, than all the rules of
tors,
art in
the world, without thefe natural ta-
lents,
and this careful imitation of the mofl
approved and happieft orators.
XXXIV. Now
you will prefently fup-
pofe that pleaders at the bar have great need
of this
juft
art
of rhetoric
5
but
it
has been a
doubt, whether pleading in our
Britifli
Courts of Juftice, before a fkilful Judge,
fhould
toric,
admit of any other aid from rhethan that which teaches to open a
caufe clearly, and fpread
fpicuous, complete,
before
the eyes of
it
in the
there
per-
and impartial manner
him
that judges:
impartial juftice being the thing
fought,
mod
mould be no
for
which
artifices
is
ufed,
no eloquence or powers of language employed to perfuade the will, or work upon
the paiiions, left the decifive fentence of
the judge fhould be biafted or warped into
injuftice.
banifn
all
For
this reafon,
Mr. Locke would
pleaders in the law for fees, out
of his government of Carolina, in his poft•
G
g
2
humous
THE SCIENCES,
OF
452
humous works, though perhaps
man might
poffibly be too
that great
fevere in fo uni-
versal a cenfure of the profeffion.
XXXV. But
with regard
pulpit,
to divines
beyond
cafe is very
the
all
different
the eloquence of the
:
controverfy, has a
much
larger extent.
Their
buiinefs is not to plead a caufe
of right and wrong before a wife and fkilful
judge,
but
addrefs
to
the
all
ranks
of
mankind, the high and low, the wife and
the unwife, the fober and the vicious, and
perfuade
in
them
virtue
juftice
all
with
to purfue
regard
to
and perfevere
themfelves,
and goodnefs with regard
neighbours, and piety towards God.
are
affairs
their
to
Thefe
of everlaffing importance,
moil of the per ions to
are -made are
whom
in
and
thefe addrefies
not wife and fkilful judges,
but are influenced and drawn ffrongly to the
contrary fide by their
own
finfui appetites
and paffions, and bribed or biaffed by the
corrupt cufcoms of the world.
There
-
AND THEIR
There
is
USE.
453
therefore a neceiTity not only
of
reprefentation
of a clear and faithful
things to men, in order to convince their
reafon and judgment, but of all the (kill
addreiied
and force of perfuafion
and Demof-
whole Senate of Rome,
thenes the Athenian people,
among whom
were capacities and inclinations of
variety
;
infinite
and therefore they made ufe of
the lightning and thunder,
and
the
So Tully addreffed
will and the pafiions.
the
to
terrors,
all
the
all
all
the entreaties
foothing
elegancies
and the flowery beauties of language which
Divines
their art could furniih them with.
in
the pulpit have
hearers,
much
fame
the
fort
of
and therefore they mould imitate
thole ancient examples.
ing indeed ought to be
The
fir ft
understand-
convinced by
the plaineft and ftrongeft force of reafon
in<*; but when this is done, all the power-
mould be ufed, which have any
juft influence upon human nature, all the
fprings of paffion mould be touched, to
ful motives
awaken the ftupid and the thoughtlefs into coniideration, to
hardeft heart,
to
penetrate and melt the
perfuade the
Gg.3
unwilling,
tQ
the sciences,
6f
454
lazy, to reclaim the obftinate,
to excite the
and reform the vicious part of mankind,
as well as to
encourage thofe
who
are
hum-
ble and pious, and to fupport their practice
The
and their hope.
funk into
fo fatal a
diftance
ful
are
degeneracy and dread-
from God, and from
holy and happy, that
is
men
of
tribes
all
that
all
the eloquence
which a preacher is matter of, mould be
employed in order to recover the world
from
(hameful
its
ruin
by the Gofpel of our
reftore
it
bleffed Saviour,
and piety, to
to virtue
happinef$, by the divine
O
pel.
may fuch
and wretchednefs
Power of
and
God and
this
Gof-
glorious mailers of facred
oratory never be wanting in the pulpits of
Great-Britain
!
XXXVI. Shall I now fpeak fomething
of my fentiments concerning poefy.
As
fcr
learned or
are
books of pcefy, whether in the
in
of pre^t
leifnre
by
all
the
uie
modern languages, they
to
be
re^.d
hours of
make any
pre-
or learning;
and
perfons that
tence to good education
at
that for feveral reaibns.
i.
Because
AND THEIR
i.
Because
ftanzas
there are
USE.
many
455
couplets or
written in poetic meafures,
which
contain a variety of morals or rules of practice relating to the
mankind,
as
common
prudentials of
well as to matters of religion,
and the poetic numbers (or rhyme
if
there
be any) add very confiderable force to the
memory.
Besides, many an elegant and admirable
fentiment or defcription of things which
are
found among the poets, are well worth
committing
to
memory, and the
meafures of verfe greatly
aflifb
lecting fuch excellent paffages,
fometimes
particular
us in recol-
which might
our converfation from low
raife
and grovelling fubjecls.
2.
In heroic
grander lyrics,
verfe,
but efpecially in the
there
are
fometimes
fuch
noble elevations of thought and paiTion as
illuminate all things around us, and con-
mod
vey to the foul
exalted and magnifi-
cent images and fublime fentiments
fur null
diums
tions,
us with
to raife
to
-,
glorious fprings and
thefe
me-
and aggrandize our concep-
warm
our fouls, to awaken the
G
g 4
better
THE SCIENCES,
OF
45^
and to elevate them even
better paflions,
to a divine
purpofes.
pitch, and that for devotional
It
which has
the Lyric ode
is
ihevvn to the world fome of the happier!
examples
of this kind, and
but this part of poefy has been
amufement above
ite
And
for
this
cannot fay
I
my
favour-
others.
all
reaforf
it
that
is
have
I
never thought the heroic poems, Greek, Latin
which have obtained the
or Englifb,
highefl:
fame
diverfified,
in
the world
are fufficiently
exalted or animated,
of the
interfperfiori
elegiac
or
lyric
of
ode.
want
for
now and
then an
This might
have
been done with great and beautiful propriety,
where the poet has intrdduced
a feafl,
or the joys
foliloquies
of
fong at
a
of a victory,
or
the
fatisfaction,
or
the
divine
pen five and defpairing agonies of diftreffing
for row.
Why
mould
that
which
is
called
the moit. glorious form of poefy, be bound
down and
lefs
confined to fuch a long and end-
uniformity of meafures,
when
it
kindle ormelt the foul, fwell or fink
ail
mould
it
into
the various and tranfporting changes of
which human nature
6
is
capable
?
Cowley.
AND THEIR
Cowley,
his
in
USE.
457
unfinished
fragment
of the Davideis, has fhewn us this way to
improvement; and whatever blemimes maybe found in other parts of that heroic
this beauty
and glory of
ferred for imitation.
if
Homer
tife
it,
glorified
ought
it
am
I
to be pre-
well aflured that
and Virgil had happened to prac-
it
would have been renowned and
by every
critic.
I
am
greatly mif-
taken, if this wife mixture of numbers
be
not
would
a further reach of perfection than
they have ever attained to without
be remembered, that
ftrifl
erTay,
reafon,
but
it
is
it
:
let it
not nature and
weak and awful reve-
a
rence of antiquity, and the vogue of fallible
and
men, that has
Roman
Greek
thofe
writings as abfolute and
plete patterns.
been fome
eftabliihed
men
com-
In feveral ages there have
of learning
who
have very
juftly difputed this glory, and have pointed
to
many of
3.
But
their miftakes.
fiill
there
is
another end of read-
ing poefy, and perhaps the moil confiderable advantage to be obtained from
bulk of mankind, and that
is
it
by the
to furnifh
our tongues with the richeft and the mofl
polite
THE SCIENCES,
OF
458
polite variety
all
of phrafes and words
occafions of life or
He
religion.
writes well in verfe, will often
upon
that
a ne-
find
ceHity to fend his thoughts in fearch through
all
the treafure of words that exprefs any
one idea in the fame language, that
may comport with
rhyme of the
with his
the
verfe
own moft
meafures,
which he
or
the
writes,
or
beautiful and vivid fen-
Now
timents of the thing he defcribes.
by much reading of
he
fo
this kind,
we
mall in-
fenfibly acquire the habit and fkill of diveriifying our phrafes
upon
all
occafions, and
of exprefling our ideas in the
mod
proper
and beautiful language, whether we write
or lpeak of the things of
It
is
pity that
God
or
men.
fome of thefe harmonious
writers have ever indulged any thing uncleanly or impure to defile their paper and
abufe the ears of their readers, or to offend
againit.
the rules
politenefs
:
but
of the niceft virtue and
Mill amongfr, the writings
of
Mr. Dryden, and Mr. Pope, and Dr. Young,
as
well as others, there
in
cur
own
is
a fufficient choice
language, wherein
we mail not
.
find
AND THEIR
mock
find any indecency to
defl
tongue or
Perhaps
pier
is
mo-
the moll
there has hardly been a writer
none
talent
459
ear.
may
in any nation, and I
there
USE.
in ours,
dare to affirm,
has a richer and hap-
of painting to the
life,
or has
ever difcovered fuch a large and inexhau fl-
ed variety of defcription,
as
Mr. Pope.
his tranflation
Homer's
terms
If
Iliad,
or
you read
the celebrated
you will find almofl
phrafes
in
;
but
if
you perufe
which defcends much more
life,
there
is
the
our tongue that are
needful to exprefs any thing that
magnificent
all
of
is
grand or
his OdyfFee,
into
common
fcarce any ufeful fubject of dif-
courfe or thought, or any ordinary occurrence
in the
which he has not
cultivated and drefTed
moil proper language
;
and yet
he has ennobled and 'enlivened
flill
even the
lower fubjects with the brighteft and moft
agreeable ornaments.
I
should
add here
alfo,
that if the
fame
author had more frequently employed his
pen on divine themes, his fhort poem on
the Mefiiah, and fome
part of his letters
between
OF THE SCIENCES,
466
betvveeen x^belard and Eloifa, with that ode
on the dying Chriftian, &c.
iure us that his pen
fufficiently af-
would have honourably
imitated fome of the tender fcenes of penitential
for row,
as we'll as the
fublimer odes
of the Hebrew Pfalmift, and perhaps difco-
manner than any
vered to us in a better
other tranflation has done,
fat
upon the throne of
4.
After
all
that
how
great a poet
Ifrael.
have
I
there
faid,
is
yet a further ufe of reading poefy, and that
when
mind has been fatigued with
lludies of a more laborious kind, or when
it is any ways unfit for the purfuit of more
is,
the
difficult fubjecls,
may
it
be as
it
were un-
bent, and repofe itfelf a while on the flowery
meadows where the mufes
dwell.
feniible relief to the foul
verv
J
over-iired, to
bers
and
amufe
itfelf
the beautiful
poets, and
in
a
little
It is
when
with the
it
a
is
num-
fehtiments of the
time this agreeable
amufement may recover the languid fpirits
to activity and more important fervice,
XXXVII. All
world
as
my
this
I
propofc
to
the
bell observations about read-
ing
AND THEIR
But
ing of verfe.
poefy
?
I
ftudent
a
divert
genius never
it
:
of a bright
himfelf with writing
when he canlower genius in ma-
would anfwer,
not poffibly help
461
the queftion were of-
if
me, Shall
fered to
USE.
a
yes,
would heartily wiili that he had
foent much more time in reading the beft
authors of this kind, and employed much
ture years
But it mud: be
fewer hours in writing.
conferTed, or fuppofed at lead, that there
may be
feafons
when
it is
hardly poflible for
a poetic foul to reftrain the fancy or
when
the flame,
it
is
quench
hard to fupprefs the
exuberant flow of lofty fentiments, and prevent the imagination from this fort of liyle
and that is the only feafon,
or language
:
I
mould be
think, wherein this inclination
indulged
efpecially
;
by perfons who have
devoted themfelves to profefiions of a difand one reafon is, becaufe
ferent kind
:
what they write in that hour is more likely
to carry in it fome appearance above nature,
fome happy imitation of the
dictates
of the
mule*.
XXXVIII.
*
The mufe
be a goddef-
;
in the ancient
Heathen
fenfe
but in the philofophic fenfe
is
it
fuppofed to
can
mean no
more,
OF THE SCIENCES,
XXXVIII. There
are other things be-
grammar and languages, rhetoric and poefy, which havje been included
under the name of philological knowledge;
tides hiftory,
fuch
as,
an acquaintance'with the notions,
cuftoms, manners, tempers, polity, &c. of
the various nations of the earth, or the diftiridt
This
feds and tribes of mankind.
is
neceffary in order to underftand hiftory the
better; and every
man who
is
a
lawyer or
a gentleman, ought to obtain fome acquaint-
ance with thefe things, without which he
can never read hiftory to any great advantage,
nor can he maintain his
and character
in life
own
ftation
with honor and dignity
without fome infight into them.
XXXIX. Students
in divinity
feek a larger acquaintance with
laws,
polity,
derftand
many
ought
to
the Jewifh
cuftoms, &c. in order to unpaftages of the
Old Tefta-
ment and the New, and to vindicate the
facred writers from the reproaches of infiAn acquaintance alfo with many of
dels.
more, than a bright genius, with a warm and ilrong imagination, elevated to an
uncommon
degree.
thf
AND THEIR
Roman and
the
Grecian
USE.
affairs is
463
needful to
New
explain feveral texts of fcripture in the
Teflament,
to
lead
fincere
enquirers into
the true and genuine fenfe of the evangelifts
and
and
apoftles,
guard their writings
to
from the unrealbnable
XL. The
fome
is
as
art
of criticifm
a diftinct part
nothing
in truth
cavils
it,
and
elfe
knowledge upon
to explain
what
;
but
it
fkill in
to
the other
apply that
occafions, in order to
all
judge well of what
reckoned by
than a more exact
readinefs
a
is
of philology
and accurate knowledge or
parts of
of men.
relates to thefe fubjedts,
obfcure in the authors
is
which we read, to fupply what is defective,
and amend what is erroneous in manufcripts
or ancient copies, to correct the miftakes of
authors
and editors in the fenfe of
the
words, to reconcile the controverfies of the
learned, and by this means to fpread a jufter
knowledge of thefe things among the inquifitive part of mankind.
Every man who
profeflions, if
pretends to the learned
he doth not
arife to
be a critic
3
OF THE SCIENCES,
464
tic
ScC.
himfelf in philological matters, he mould
be frequently converting with thofe books,
commentators, or other critics, which may relieve
any difficulties he meets with, and give him
whether
a
more
dictionaries,
exact,
paraphrafts,
acquaintance with thofe ftudies
which he purfues.
And
fuch
as
to
whenfoever any perfon
a degree of
knowledge
is
arrived to
in thefe things
furnim him well for the practice of
criticifm, let
him
take great care that pride
and vanity, contempt of others, with inward
wrath and infolence, do not mingle themLet
felves with his remarks and cenfures.
him remember the common frailties of human nature, and the miftakes to which the
wifeft man is fometimes liable, that he
may practife this art with due modefty and
candour.
THE END
V,'V
/
>v.
-v-
THE
I
M
R O V E M E N T
P
THE
OF
M
N
I
O
R,
D:
A
SUPPLEMENT
TO
ART
of
THE
LOGIC:
CONTAINING A VARIETY OF
REMARKS
and
RULES
FOR THE
Attainment and Communication of
Knowledge
and
in
By
Religion,
in
common
in
the
Sciences,
Life,
ISAAC IVATTS,
—
—
-<
ufeful
D. D.
"
LONDON:
BUCKLAND, AND T. LONGMAN,
T. FIELD ; AND C.
IN PATER-NOSTER-ROW
PILLY, IN THE POULTRY.
PRINTED
FOR.
J.
;
M PCC LXXXVII.
ADVERTISEMENT.
•'
Few books have been
perufed by
me
greater pleaiure than his Improvement of the
with
Mind>
of which the radical principles may indeed be
found
Locke's Conduct of the Underftanding',
but they are fo expanded and ramified by Walts,
in
as to confer
on him the merit of a work
in the
Whoever has
may be charged
higheft degree ufeful and pleafing.
the care of inftrucliing others,
with defkience in his duty
if this
book
is
not
recommended."
Br, John/on' s Life of Br. JVatts.
THE
PREFACE.
^HE
prefent Treatife,
if it
may
affume the honour of that name,
is
made up of
a variety of
remarks
and directions for the improvement
of the mind in ufeful knowledge.
It
was collected from the obfervations
which I had made on my own ftudies, and on the temper and fentiments, the humour and conduct of
other
men
in their purfuit of learn-
ing, or in the affairs of life
has
been confiderably
;
and
affifted
it
by
occafional collections in the courfe
of
my
reading, from
and on different
many
fubjects.
in far the greateft part
to
1
authors,
I
confefs
Hand bound
answer for the weakneifes or
A
3
defects
P R E FA C
vi
E.
defects that will be found in thef;f*
papers, not being able to point to
other writers, whence the twentieth
part of
them
are derived.
The work was compofed
ferent times and
Now and then
at dif-
by flow degrees.
indeed
it
fpread
itfelf
into branches and leaves like a plant
and advanced feven or
eight pages in a week; and fometimes it lay by without growth, like
in
April,
a vegetable in the winter,
not increafe half fo
much
and did
the
in
revolution of a year.
As
thefe thoughts occurred to
in reading or meditation, or in
me
my
notices of the various appearances of
amons mankind,
things
thrown,
make
tliev
were
under thole hea^s which
the prefent titles of the chaptersj
PREFACE.
ters,
vii
and were by degrees reduced
to fomething like a method, fuch as
the lubiect would admit.
On
thefe accounts
it is
not to be
expected that the fame accurate order mould be obferved either in the
whole book, or
the particular
in
chapters thereof, which
is
neceffary
whofe
fchemeis projected at once. A book
which has been twenty years a writing may be indulged in fome variety
of ftile and manner, though I hope
there will not be found any great
any
in the fyftem of
fciencc,
difference of fentiment
I
had improved
yond what
dailies
had
I
;
for wherein
latter years be-
in
firft
written, a few
and alterations have corrected
the miitakes
:
and
if
the candour of
the reader will but allow what
is
defective in one place to be fupplied
A
4
by
PREFACE,
viii
by additions from another,
I
hope
there will be found a fufficient re-
what might feem
conciliation of
firft
at
to be fcarce confiftent.
The
language and drefs of thefe
fentiments
is
fuch, as the prefent
temper of mind
dictated,
were grave or
pleafant,
If there has
fmiling.
expreffed with too
fufpecl
it
will be
whether
it
fevere or
been any thing
much
feverity, I
found to
fall
upon
thofe fneeriiig or daring writers of the
age againft religion, and againft the
Chriftian fcheme,
left reafon,
who feem
to have
or decency, or both be-
hind them in fome of their writings.
The fame apology
of the length
of years in compofing this book,
may ferve
alfo to
excule a repetition
of the fame fentiments
which may
happen
PREFACE.
happen to be found in
ix
different
without the author's defign
places
but in other pages
fo that thofe rules
it
was intended,
for the conduct
of the underftanding which are moft
neceffary, Ihould be fet in feveral
they might with more
lights, that
frequency and more force imprefs
the foul.
tisfied
(hall
I
be fufficiently
fa-
with the good humour and
lenity of
my
readers,
if
they will
pleafe to regard thefe papers as parcels
of imperfect fketches, which were
defigned by a fudden pencil, and in
a
thoufand
leifure
moments, to be
one day collected into landlkips of
fome
little
profpecls in the regions
of learning,
and in the world of
common life,
pointing out the
and moft
fruitful fpots,
faireft
as well
as
the rocks and wildernefles, and faithlefs
moraffes of the country.
But
I feel
PREFACE.
x
I feel
my
age advancing upon me, and
health
what
is
infufficient to perfect
had defigned, to increafe and
I
amplify thefe remarks, to confirm
and improve thefe
rules,
and to
il-
luminate the feveral pages with a
richer and
more
The
and new
examples.
endlefs,
beautiful variety of
fubject
follies,
fufficient
almoft
writers in the pre-
fent and in following ages
find
is
may
frill
weaknefies,
and dangers among mankind, to be
reprefented in fuch a manner as to
p-uard
youth againft them*
These hints, fuch as they are, I
hope may be rendered fome way
ufeful to perfons in
who
fal,
younger years,
them with a peruand who would feek the cultiwill favour
vation of their
own
in the early days of
underfcandings
life.
jrliaps
they
PREFACE.
xi
they may find fomething here which
may waken
rect the
Perhaps
dent
a latent genius,
and
di-
ftudies of a willing mind.
it
may
now and
point out to a ilu-
may em-
then what
ploy the moil ufeful labours of his
thoughts^
and accelerate
his
dili-
gence in the moil momentous enPerhaps a fprightly youth
quiries.
might here meet with fomething to
guard or warn him againft mistakes,
and with-hold him
at
other times
from thofe purfuits which are like
to be fruidefs and difappointing.
Let
it
be obferved
our age feveral of the
fcience with fuccefs
alfo that in
ladies
purfue
and others of
them are defifous of improving their
rcafon even in the common affairs
of
life, as
characters
;
well as the
which
are
men
:
here
yet the
drawn
occa-
Xll
PREFACE.
occafionally are almoft
applied to one fex
the other
fuits
;
but
univerfally
any of
if
fhall find a character
them, they
may by
which
a fmall
change of the termination apply
and affume it to themfelves, and accept the inftrucTdon, the admonition, or the applaufe
figned in
which
is
de-
it.
THE
CONTENTS.
Page,
r
T*HE
introduction.
I
CHAP.
I.
General rules for the improvement of knowledge-
5
CHAP.
II.
Five methods of improving, defcribed and compared, viz. objervation, reading, inf ruction by lectures, converfation and Jludy,
with their feveral advantages and defetfs.
35
CHAP.
Of
obfervation,
either by
III.
the fenfes or the
mind.
eg
CHAP.
Of reading and books,
thereto,
IV.
with directions relating
y>
I
CHAP.
1
N T
C O
xiv
E
N T
S.
Pige
CHAP.
Ihe judgment of
V.
books, both approbation
and
cenfure.
97
CHAP.
Of living
and
VI.
infruBions and lectures, of teachers
learners.
1
CHAP.
Of learning
2
VII.
a language, particularly the La-
tin.
-
C
II
A
P.
129
VIII.
-
Of
enquiring into the finfe
and
totalling
of
any writer or fpcaker, whether human' or
divine.
1 a
CHAP.
Of
converfation
and
IX.
profiting by
it,
perfonsfit or unfit for free converfe.
C
Of difputes,
H A
P.
j
and of
155
X.
and general rules relating
to them*
1S6
CHAP.
1
CONTENTS.
xv
Page
CHAP.
Of Socratical difputation,
XT.
by quejiion
and an2
fiver.
CHAP.
Of
XII.
Forcnjic difputes, in courts of jufitce or
218
'public ajfcmblies.
CHAP.
Of
1
XIII.
academic or fcholaftic difputes,
rules of them,
and bow fir
vfefuL
they
and
may
s.
CHAP.
the
be
224
XIV.
Offludy or meditation, and the fnal determination of things by cur
CHAP.
Of fixing
Of enlarging
270
XVI.
the capacity of the mind.
CHAP.
246
XV.
the attention.
CHAP.
Of the
own judgment.
278
XVII.
memory, and the improvement thereof
CHAP.
CONTENTS.
xvi
Pa^-e
*L>^
C H A
Of
del cr mining
about
it
XVIII.
P.
a quefion
;
fveral
of reafon and revelation
;
gument and
ridicule
;
of ajfent
of aronly in pro-
portion to evidence , &c.
C
Of enquiring
II
A
P.
into caufes
CHAP.
Of
the fcienccs,
prfcjjiops.
and
cautions
-,
361
XIX.
and
effects,
398
XX.
their ufe in particular
406
T H E
THE
IMPROVEMENT
OF
X
H B
MIND.
»•!
THE FIRST PART.
DIRECTIONS FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF
USEJUfc
ENOW LEDCE.
INTRODUCTION.
NO
man
every
is
obliged to learn and
thing;
this
fought nor required, for
port ble: yet
all
can
it
is
know
neither
utterly
be
im-
perfons are under fome ob-
ligation to
improve their
otherwife
it
own
underftanding,
be a barren defert, or a
foreft over-grown with weeds and brambles.
will
Univerfal ignorance or infinite errors will
overfpread the mind,
which
is
utterly ne-
glected and lies without any cultivation.
B
Skill
INTRODUCTION TO THE
2
in the fciences is indeed the
Skill
finefs
and profeffion but of a fmall part of
mankind
in
bu-
:
but there are
many
others placed
fuch an exalted rank in the world, as
allows
them much
leifure
and large op-
portunities to cultivate their reafon, and to
beautify and enrich their
minds with various
Even the lower orders of men
knowledge.
have particular callings in life, wherein they
ought to acquire a juft degree of fkill, and
this is not to
be done well without thinking
and reafoning about them.
The common
ciety,
as
we
duties and benefits of fo-
which belong
are
focial
to every
creatures,
man
living,
and even our
native and neceflary relations to a family,
a neighbourhood, or government, oblige all
ufe their reafoning
perfons whatfoever to
powers upon a thoufand occafions; every
hour of life calls for fome regular exercife
of our judgment
as
perfons and actions
-,
time and things,
to
without a prudent and
difcreet determination in matters before us,
we
(hall
be plunged into perpetual errors,
in our conduct.
Now
that
which fhculd
always
3
mind's improvement.
3
always be pra&ifed, mull at fome time be
learnt.
Besides,
and daughter
fon
every
of
Adam
has a mofl important concern in the
affairs
of a
is
come, and therefore
to
life
a matter of the higheft
moment
it
for every
one to underftand, to judge, and to reafon
right about the things of religion.
in vain for any to fay,
or time for
The
it.
We
It
is
have no leifure
daily intervals of time
and vacancies from neceffary labour, together with the one day in feven in the
chriflian world,
allows fufficient time for
men would but apply themfelves
with half fo much zeal and diligence
this, if
to
it
as
they do to the
life,
and
trifles
and amufements of
this
it
would turn
it
appears to be the neceffary duty
to infinitely better
account.
Thus
and the
intereft
of every perfon living to im-
prove his underftanding, to inform his judg-
ment, to treafure up ufeful knowledge, and
to acquire the fkill of good reafoning, as far
capacity and circumftances,
as his
flation,
furnifh
him with proper means
B
2
for
it.
Our
miftakes
4
INTRODUCTION, &C
may plunge us into
much folly and guilt in practice. By adding
without thought or reafon, we difhonour
the God that made us reafonable creatures,
We often become injurious to our neighbours, kindred or friends, and we bring fin
and mifery upon ourfelves for we are accountable to God our judge for every part
miftakes in judgment
:
of our irregular and miftaken conduct, where
he hath given as
fufficient
advantages to
guard againfl thofe miftakes.
CHAP.
(
5
)
CHAP.
I.
CKNERAL RULES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF
KNOWLEDGE*.
rule
TT^EEPLY
I.
&S
poffefs
with the
vaft
your mind
importance of
good judgment, and the rich and ineftimable advantage of right reafoning. Rea
view the inftances of your own miiconduct
in life; think ferioufly with yourfelves how
many follies and forrows you had efcaped
how much
and
prevented,
if
guilt and milery
from your
had but taken due pains
early
to
you had
judge aright
concerning perfons, times and things.
awaken you with
will
yourfelves to the
drefs
*
Though
addrefled to
you
years
This
lively vigour to ad-
work of improving
mod of thefe following rules
thofe whom their fortune or their
the
are chiefly
flation
re-
quire to addict themfelves to the peculiar improvement of
their
who
minds
of knowledge, yet every one
and opportunity to be acquainted with fuch
in greater degrees
has leifure
writings as thefe,
own
may
find fomething
among them
for their
ufe.
B
your
GENERAL RULES
6
your reafoning powers, and feizing every
opportunity and advantage for that end.
rule
Consider
II.
the weakneffes,
and miftakes of human nature in
frailties
general,
which
arife
from the very confti-
tution of a foul united to an animal body,
and fubjected to many inconveniences thereby.
Confider the
nelTes,
rived
many
mistakes and frailties
from our
weak-
additional
which
are de-
original apoftafy and fall
a flate of innocence;
how much
from
our powers
more darkened,
enfeebled, and impofed upon by our fenfes,
of understanding are yet
our fancies, and our unruly pafiions, &c.
Confider the depth and difficulty of
truths,
and the
falfehood,
whence
flattering
arifes
of dangers to which
judgment of things.
we
many
appearances
of
an infinite variety
our
are expofed in
Read with greedinefs
thofe authors that treat of the doctrine of
prejudices, prepofTeffions and fp rings of error,
on purpofe
to
make your
foul watchful
on
all fides, that it fuffer itfelf as far as poffible
to be
impofed upon by none of them,
RULE
III.
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
rule
A slight
III.
momentous
is
view of things
You
not fufficient.
therefore contrive and practife
methods
J
to acquaint yourfelf
fo
fhould
fome proper
with your
own
mind with
of the low and im-
ignorance, and to imprefs your
a deep and painful fenfe
perfect degrees of your prefent knowledge,
that
you may be
incited with labour and
purfue after greater meafures.
activity
to
Among
others
methods
as thefe fuccefsful.
i.
Take
of the
vaft
you may
iind
fome fuch
wide furvey now and then
and unlimited regions of learna
Let your meditations run over the
names of all the fciences, with their nu-
ing.
merous branchings, and innumerable particular themes of knowledge; and then
reflect
how few
of them you are acquaint-
ed with in any tolerable degree.
The mofl
learned of mortals will never find occafion,
to act over again
the Great,
that
what
is
fabled of Alexander
when he had conquered
what was called the Eaftern world, he wept
for want of more worlds to conquer.
The
worlds of fcience are immenfe and endlefs.
B
4.
2.
Think
;
GENERAL RULES
8
2.
Think what
a numberlefs variety of
queflions and difficulties there are belonging
even to that particular fcience, in which you
have made the greater!: progrefs, and how
few of them there
are in
arrived at a final and
which you have
undoubted certainty
5
excepting only thofe queflions in the pure
and fimple mathematics, whofe theorems are
demonflrable and leave fcarce any doubt
and yet, even in the purfuit of fome few of
thefe,
mankind have been
ftrangely
be-
wildered.
3.
Spend
a
few thoughts fometimes on
the puzzling enquiries concerning vacuums
and atoms, the doctrine of infinites, indivifibles and incommenfurables in geometry,
wherein there appear fome iniblvable difficulties : Do this on purpofe to give you a
more
fenfible impreffion of the poverty
your underflanding,
and the
of your knowledge.
This
what
is
know
a vain thing
all
it
of
imperfection
will
teach
you
you
you to
to fancy that
things, and will inftrucl
think modeflly of your prefent attainments,
when
every dull
of the earth,
and every
inch of empty fpace, furmounts your under-
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
derftanding, and triumphs
over your pre-
Arithmo had been bred up
emption.
accounts
n
to
and thought himfelf a
all his life,
complete matter of numbers.
But when
he was pufhed hard to give the fquare root
of the number 2, he tried at it, and laboured
long in millefimal fractions,
there was no end of the enquiry
much
learned fo
he conferled
till
modcily by
;
and yet he
perplex-
this
ing queftion, that he was afraid to
was an impoffible thing.
degree of improvement
fay,
it
fome good
It is
when we
are afraid
to be pofitive.
4.
Read
the accounts of thofevafl treafures
of knowledge which fome of the dead have
porTeffed, and fome of the living do pofleis.
Read and be aftonifhed at the almoft incredible advances which have been made in
fcience.
Acquaint
yourfelf
with
fome
perfons of great learning, that, by converie
among them, and comparing yourfelf with
them, you may acquire a mean opinion of
your
own
attainments,
be animated with
new
far as poffible, or to
and may thereby
zeal, to equal
exceed; thus
them
let
as
your
diligence be quickened by a generous and
laud-
\
;
GENERAL RULES
10
If Vanillus had never
laudable emulation.
met with
Scitorio and Palydes,
he had never
imagined himfelf a mere novice in philosophy, nor ever fet himfelf to ftudy in good
earneft.
*
Remember
fuperficial
this, that if
upon fome few
acquirements you value, exalt and
fwell yourfelf as
though you were
a
man
of learning already, you are thereby building a moft unpayable barrier againft all im-
provement j you will
and
idlenefs,
reft
lie
down and indulge
yourfelf contented
in
the midft of deep and fhameful ignorance.
" Multi ad fcientiam perveniffent Ji fe
M pervenije non putaffent"
Rule
IV.
Presume
not too
iliac
much upon
a bright genius, a ready wit, and good parts
for this without labour and ftudy will never
make
a
man of knowledge and wifdom.
This has been an unhappy temptation to
perfons of a vigorous and gay fancy to defpife learning
and ftudy.
They have been
acknowledged to fhine
in an aftembly,
and
fparkle in a difcourfe on
common
and
thence
they
took
it
into
topics,
their heads
to
aban-
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
II
abandon reading and labour, and grew old
in ignorance
;
but when they had
fottifh
even to contempt
and ridicule.
Lucidas and
young men of
this
converfation
ftamp
:
Scintillo
they mine in
own
;
they pride themfelves
images of fancy,
lively
imagine themfelves wife and learned
they had beft
fkilful,
are
they fpread their native riches
;
before the ignorant
in their
the
and youth, they
vivacity of animal nature
became ftupid and
loft
avoid
and the
teft
the
;
and
but
prefence of the
of reafoning;
and I
would advife them once a day to think forward a little, what a contemptible figure
they will make in age.
The
enough
men fometimes have fcnfc.
know their own foible, and
witty
to
therefore they craftily fhun the attacks of
argument, or boldly pretend to defpife and
renounce them, becaufe they are confcious
of their
their
own
ignorance, and inwardly confefs
want of acquaintance with the
fkill
of
reafoning.
Rule V. As
felf a learned
you
man
are not to fancy
your-
becaufe you are blelTed
with
: :
GENERAL RULES
12
with a ready wit, fo neither muft you imagine that large and laborious reading and a
memory can denominate you
ilrong
truly
wife.
What
that excellent critic has
when
mined
he
decided
the
queftion,
whether wit or ftudy makes the
may
deter-
befr,
poet,
well be applied to every fort of learn-
ing:
Ego nee Jludium fine
>
Nee rude quidprofit
Altera pofcit opem
,
divite vend,
video y mgenium : alteriusjic
res,
& conjurat amice,
Hor. de Art. Poet.
Thus made EngUJh :
Concerning poets there has been conteft,
Whether they're made by art,
But if I may prefume in this
Among
No
art
And
the reft
to declare,
avail,
without the help of
art will fail
But both ingredients jointly mufl
Or
befr,
affair,
my judgment
without a genius will
parts
or nature
unite,
verfe will never fhine with a tranfeendent
light.
Oldham.
It
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
It
it
is
I3
meditation and ftudious thought,
is
own
the exercife of your
judgment upon
fenfe even
all
you
reafon and
read, that gives
and affords
to the beft genius,
your understanding the
trueft
good
improvement,
A
boy of a ftrong memory may repeat a
whole book of Euclid, yet be no geometrician
for he
;
may
not be able perhaps to
Memorino
demonftrate one tingle theorem.
has learnt half the Bible by heart, and
become
a living concordance,
index to theological
derstands
A
little
and a fpeaking
and yet he un-
folios,
of divinity.
well-furnimed library and
memory
is
are indeed
a capacious
of fingular ufe toward
the improvement of the
mind
your learning be nothing
elfe
;
but
if all
but a mere
amaffment of what others have written,
without a due penetration into their meaning, and without a judicious choice and de-
termination, of your
not fee what
title
own
fentiments,
your head has
learning above your fhelves.
to
I
do
true
Though you
have read philofophy and theology, morals
and metaphyiicks in abundance, and every
other art and fcience, yet if your
7
memory
is
GENERAL RULES
14
is
the only faculty employed, with the neg-
of your reafoning powers, you can juft-
lect
ly claim no higher character but that of a
good
hiftorian of the fciences.
Here
more peculiarly proper
vices are
who
many of the foregoing ad-
note,
for thofe
are conceited of their abilities,
and are
ready to entertain a high opinion of them-
But
felves.
modefl humble youth, of a
a
good genius, mould not
furTer
himfelf to be
difcouraged by any of thefe confederations.
They
are
defigned only as a fpur to dili-
gence, and a guard againft vanity and pride.
Rule
VI. Be not
that a life of learning
fo
is
weak
as to
a life of lazinefs
up yourfelf
the learned profefiions, unlefs you
eafe
:
dare not give
ed to labour hard
at ftudy,
King,
It
—
is
no
Labor
idle
A man much
late
and
to any
of
are refolv-
and can make
your delight and the joy of your
ing to the motto of our
imagine
life,
it
accord-
Lord Chancellor
ipfe voluptas.
thing to be a fcholar indeed.
addicted to luxury and pleafure,
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
fure, recreation
I5
mould never
and pafUme,
himfelf entirely to the
pretend to devote
fciences, unlefs his foul be fo reformed
refined that
he can
ments eminently
tafte all thefe entertain-
in his
books and papers.
man and
and
Sobrino
a philofopher,
among
clofet,
is
his
a temperate
and he feeds upon
partridge and pheafant, venifon and ragouts,
and every delicacy, in a growing underftanding and a ferene and healthy foul, though
he dines on a
difli
of fprouts or turnips.
Languinos loved his
eafe,
and
chofe to be brought up a fcholar
much
therefore
;
he had
indolence in his temper, and as he
never cared for ftudy, he
under univer-
falls
contempt in his profeflion, becaufe he
fal
has nothing but the
Rule VII. Let
gown and
the name.
the hope of
new
difcove-
ries, as
well as the fatisfaclion and pleafure of
known
truths, animate your daily induftry.
Do
not think learning in general
at its perfection, or that the
any particular fubject
in
is
arrived
knowledge of
any fcience cannot
be improved, merely becaufe
it
has lain five
hundred or a thoufand years without improvement. The prefent age, by the bleffing
GENERAL RULES
1&
fing of
God on
the ingenuity and diligence
of men, has brought to light fuch truths in
Natural Philofophy, and fuch difcoveries in
the Heavens and the Earth, as feemed to be
beyond the reach of man.
But may there
not be Sir Ifaac Newtons in every fcience
You mould
?
never defpair therefore of finding
out that which has never yet been found,
unlefs
you
fee
which renders
fomething in the nature of
it
unfearchable, and above the
it
reach of our faculties.
Nor
mould
that our age
is
a fludent in divinity
imagine
arrived at a full understanding
of every thing which can be known by the
fe'riptures.
Every age
fince the reformation
hath thrown fome further light on
texts
difficult
and paragraphs of the Bible, which
have been long obfeured by the early
antichrift
many
:
and
of
there are at prefent
fince
difficulties,
rife
and darknefTes hanging
about certain truths of the ChrifKan religion,
and fince
tant
the
feveral
doctrines,
fall
of thefe relate to impor-
fuch
as
the origin
of
fin,
of Adam, the perfon of Chrift, the
blefied Trinity,
which do
flill
and the
decrees' of
God, &c.
embarrafs the minds of honefl
and
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
tj
m
enquiring
and
work
and which
readers,
controverfy;
for noify
it
make
certain
is
there are feveral things in the Bible yet un-
known and
it is
not fufhciently explained, and
certain that there
thefe
difficulties,
and
fome way
is
age,
reconcile
to
thefe
And why may
feeming contradictions.
a fincere
to folve
fearcher of truth in the
not
prefent
by labour, diligence, ftudy and prayer,
with the
beft ufe
of his reafoning powers,
find out the proper folution of thole knots
and perplexities which have hitherto been
unfolved,
and which have afforded matter
for angry quarrelling
who
?
Happy
is
man
every
mail be favoured of Heaven, to give a
helping hand towards the introduction of
the blefTed age of light and love*
VIII.
Do
not hover always on the furface
of things, nor take up fuddenly with mere
appearances
j
but penetrate into the depth of
matters, as far as
ftances
which
allow,
relate to
your time and circum-
efpecially
your
own
in
thofe
things
Do
profeffion.
not indulge yourfclves to judge of things
by the
fkial
firft
glimpfe, or a fhort and fuper-
view of them; for
C
this will
fill
the
mind
GENERAL RULES
iS
mind with errors and prejudices, and give it
a wrong turn and ill habit of thinking, and
make much work
is
carried
Subito
for retractation.
away with
title
pages, fo that he
ventures to pronounce upon a large octavo at
and
once,
to
when he had
volume of
recommend
wonderfully
it
Another
read half the preface.
controverfies, of equal fize,
difcarded by
him
at
once, becaufe
it
was
pretend-
ed to treat of the Trinity, and yet he could
neither find
the
word
ences in the twelve
firft
changes his opinions of
nor
effence
pages
:
fublifr.-
but Subito
men and books and
things fo often, that no-body regards him.
As
-for thole fciences, or thofe parts
of
knowledge, wmich either your profeffion,
^your leifure, your inclination, or your incapacity, forbid
you
to purfue
with
much
application, or to fearch far into them, your
mufl be contented with an hiftorical and fuperficial knowledge of them, and not pretend to form any judgments of your own on
thofe fubje&s
which you underftand very
imperfectly.
IX.
Once
a day, especially in the early
years
:
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
19
years of life and ftudy, call yourfelves to an
account what new ideas, what new propofition or truth you have gained, what further
confirmation of
known
truths,
and what
advances you have made in any part of knowledge
and
j
let
no day,
away without fome
if
poifible,
intellectual gain
pafs
fuch
:
muft certainly advance
ufeful knowledge.
It is a wife pro-
a courfe well purfued
us in
verb
among
lips
and practice of
"
the learned, borrowed
from the
celebrated
a
painter,
nulla dies fine lined :" let no day pafs with-
out one line
at
lead
and
:
was a facred
it
among the Pythagoreans, that they
mould every evening thrice run over the
rule
actions and affairs of the day,
what
their conduct hath
and examine
been, what they
had done, or what they have neglected
and they allured their pupils, that by this
method they would make
a noble progrefs
in the path of virtue.
M"/J{T VTTVQV [AXACtX.O~<ni> £7r'
TLpiv
III?
rot)v
Nor
ypipwoou tpyov rpig
srapiQriv
Taura
<r£
OppXGl
;
rl <T tpifcx
ms Sews
let foft
i
ZTpO<r$ijr%(rQctl
'ixouflov
Itti^sTv*
ti /uot $iov ovx £T£A£cri)rj
ocpiT^g slg
'iyviot.
-
S^Vfj.
llumber clofe your ey^s,
Before you've recollected thrice
C
2
The
:
GENERAL RULES
20
The train of action thro' the day
Where have my feet chofe out their way r
What have I learnt, where-e'er I've been,
From all I've heard, from all I've feen ?
What know I more that's worth the knowing ?
What have I done that's worth the doing ?
What have I fought that I fhou'd
What duty have I left undone ?
Or into what new follies run
fliun
?
1
I
>
?
Thefe felf-enquiries
That
I
are the road
leads to virtue,
would
Ch'riftian?,
gaged
among
young men
a nation
be glad,
to find
in the
and to God.
practice of
of
heartily en-
what
this
heathen
writer teaches.
Maintain
X.
a conftant
watch
times again ft a dogmatical fpirit
your
to
aflent
till
on
j
arrived at
till
all fides,
fome
clear
it,
and
till
and fure evi-
you have turned the propofition
and fearchcd the matter through
and through,
And
not
you have fome
firm and unalterable ground for
dence
fix
any proportion in a firm
and unalterable manner,
you have
:
at all
fo that
you cannot be miftaken.
even where you
may
think you have
full
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
grounds of affurance, be not too
full
21
early,
nor too frequent in expreffing this affurance
too peremptory and pofitive a manner,
in
•remembering that human nature
liable to miftake
A
Hate.
in this
dogmatical
veniences attending
i.
It
corrupt and feeble
fpirit
it
always
is
has
many incon-
as
:
ftops the ear again ft all further rea-
foning upon that fubjecl, and fhuts up the
mind from
all
knowledge.
If
further improvements
you have
your opinion, though
and
it
refolutely
of
fixed
be upon too flight
infuflicient grounds, yet
determined to renounce the
you will ftand
ftroncreft reafon
brought for the contrary opinion, and grow
obllinate
again ft the
argument.
is
a
of the cleareft
man of
this
cha-
and has often pronounced his affur-
racter,
ance
Poiitivo
force
of the Cartel!: n vortexes
fome further
light
:
year
laft
broke in upon his un-
derstanding, with uncontrollable
force,
bv
reading ibmething of mathematical philofo-
phy
yet having afTerted his
former opinions in a molt confident manner, he is tempted
;
now
to
wink
a
little
againft the
truth,
or to prevaricate in his difcourfe upon that
C
3
fub-
GENERAL RULES
23
fubject,
left
by admitting conviction, he
mould expofe himfelf
feffing his
to the neceffity
former folly and miftake
-,
of con-
and he
has not humility enough for that.
A dogmatical
2.
fpirit naturally leads
us to arrogance of mind, and gives a
fome
airs
converfation,
in
which
man
too
are
Audens is a man
and very good company, but
haughty and affuming.
of learning,
his infallible arTu ranee renders his carriage
fometimes infupportable.
A dogmatical
3.
to be cenforious of his neighbours.
one of his
ten as
it
own
opinions appears to
Every
him writ-
were with fun-beams, and he grows
angry that his neighbour does not
the fame light.
his
man
fpirit inclines a
He
correfpondents
is
as
fee it in
tempted to difdain
men of
a
low and
dark underflanding, becaufe they will not
believe
what he does.
in this wild
track,
Furio goes further
who
and charges thofe
refufe his notions, with wilful obfiinacy
vile
hypocrify
they
refift
•
he
tells
them
the truth, and
and
boldly, that
fin againfr,
their
confeiences,
These
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
These
men,
the
are
23
when they
that,
controverfy, delight in reproaches.
deal in
They abound
about
toiling
in
abiurdity
and ftupidity among their brethren:
caft
they
the imputation of herefy and nomenle
upon
plentifully
their antagonists
;
and in
matters of iacred importance they deal out
anathemas
their
abundance upon Chrif-
in
tians better than themfelves
damnation upon
neighbours without
mercy,
or
either juftice
pronounce
their
of
fentences
they denounce
;
and when
divine
they
wrath
own
gainft fuppofed heretics, they add their
human
and indignation.
lire
in religion
got, and
is
is
in
A
a-
dogmatift
not a great way off from a bi-
high danger of growing up to
be a bloody perfecutor.
XI.
Though
caution and flow aftent will
guard you againft frequent miftakes and retractations, yet
you mould get humility and
courage enough to retract any miftake, and
confeis
tokens
tions
to
;
an
error
frequent
:
of levity, in
yet you
our
changes
nrft,
mould never be
determinatoo proud
change your opinion, nor frighted
C 4
are
at
the
name
GENERAL RULES
24
name of
better
fee
is
judge
not to
I confefs
judge
than
:
fuddenly given up our
but
affent,
find
afterwards
to
is
till
we
we have
too
the wifefl
as
we have
does fometimes, if
what we
if
it
falfelyj;
wifer to with-hold our affent
complete evidence
man
foolifT}
in his old miftakes, for fear of being
charged with inconftancy.
it
fcorn
to
which confirm
thofe vulgar bugbears,
man
Learn
changeling.
a
profeffed
be
falie,
we
fhould never be afhamed nor afraid to re-
nounce a miftake.
to
is
a
noble efTay
found among the occafional papers
encourage the world to practife retrac-
which
"
That
is
tations ;" and I
would recommend
it
to the
perufal of every fcholar and every Chriftian.
XII.
He
that
would
raife
his
judgment
above the vulgar rank of mankind, and learn
to pafs a juft fentence
on perfons and things,
muft take heed of
a
mind, and
fairs.
a
fanciful
humorous conduct
Fancy and humour,
fbntly indulged,
run with
may
temper of
in his af-
early and con-
expect an old age over-
follies.
The
KNOWLEDGE.
TO OBTAIN
The
notion of a humourift
2$
one that
is
is
greatly pleafed or greatly'difpleafed with little
things,
who
fets
matters of very fmall
much upon
importance, who has
his heart
his will determined every day by
actions feldom directed by
trifles,
his
the reaibn and
nature of things, and his paflions frequently
raifed
this
by things of
practice
is
little
allowed,
warp the judgment
Where
moment.
to
it
will infenfibly
pronounce
little
things great, and tempt you to lay a great
weight upon them.
In fhort, this temper
will incline you to pafs an unjuft value on
almoft every thing that occurs
flep
you take
in this
path
is
;
and every
jufl fo far out
of the way to wifdom,
XIII.
trifling
For
the fame reafon have a care of
with things important and
momen-
tous, or of fporting with things awful and
facred
:
do not indulge a
fpirit
of ridicule,
fome witty men do on all occafions and
This will as unhappily bias the
fubjects.
as
judgment on the other fide, and incline
you to pafs a low efteem on the mod valuable
objects.
Whatfoever
indulge in practice,
it
evil
habit
we
will infenfibly obtain
a
power
;
GENERAL RULES
26
a
power over our underftanding, and betray
us
into
many
Jocander
errors.
is
ready
"with his jeft to anfwer every thing that
hears;
he
he reads books in the fame jovial
humour, and has gotten the
art
of turning
every thought and fentence into merriment.
How
many awkward and irregular judgments does this man pafs upon folemn fubjects, even when he defigns to be grave and
in earned ? His mirth and laughing humour
is
formed into habit and temper, and leads
his
underftanding fhamefully aflray.
will fee
him wandering
flying feather, and he
ignis fatuns into
day of his
is
You
in purfuit of a gay
drawn by
a fort of
bogs and mire almoft every
life,
XIV. Ever maintain
ous frame of
fpirit
:
a virtuous
and pi-
for an indulgence of
vicious inclinations debafes the underftand-
Whoredom
ing, and perverts the judgment.
and wine, and new wine, take away the
Senfuheart and foul, and reafon of a man.
ality ruins the better faculties
of the mind
an indulgence to appetite and paffion enfeebles the powers of reafon
judgment weak and
;
it
makes the
fufceptive of every faife-
hood 4
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
2J
hood, and efpecially of fuch miftakes as
have a tendency towards the gratification of
and
animal^
the
from
ftrangely
it
that
warps the foul
fteadfaft
afide
honefcy and
integrity that neceffarily belongs to the pur-
is
in a fair
man who
" God gives to
It is the virtuous
of truth.
fuit
way
wifdom.
to
thofe that are good in his fight, wifdom, and
Eccl.
knowledge, and joy."
Piety
He
neceffary qualifications
are
to
man.
that abandons religion muft act in fuch
a contradiction to his
befl
it is
ment of God
among
It
itfelf.
things, and
tain
own
confcience and
judgment, that he abufes and
faculty
up
judicious
and
wife
truly
a
26.
towards God, as well as fobriety
and virtue,
make
ii.
:
is
in their
to a reprobate
thus in the nature of
thus by the righteous judge-
even
the heathens,
God
fpoils the
the pretended fages
who
did not like to re-
knowledge, they were given
mind,
elg vvv
uhxipov, an un-
diftinguifhing or injudicious mind, fo that
they judged inconfiftently and practifed mere
abfurdities, ru prj uvqjcovTu,
Rom.
i.
28.
And
GENERAL RULES
28
And
it
2 ThefT.
antichrift,
" who
the character of the
is
10.
ii.
&c.
flaves
of
that thofe
receive not the love of the truth
were
expofed to the power of diabolical Heights
When
and lying wonders/'
divine revelation
Alines and blazes in the face of
men with
wink
their eyes
glorious evidence, and they
againft
it,
to blind
God
the
of this world
them even
in
fufFered
is
the mod: obvious,
common and fenfible things. The great
God of heaven for this caufe fends them
ftrong delufions, that they
mould
believe a
lye; and the nonfenfe of tranfubfcantiation
in the popifh world
is
plimment of
prophecy,
this
a
moft glarin^accom-
beyond ever
what could have been thought of
pected
among
creatures
who
or ex-
pretend
to
reafon.
XV. Watch againft the pride of your
own reafon, and a vain conceit of your own
intellectual powers,
with the neglect of di-
Prefume not upon
knowledge by your own
vine aid and blefling.
great attainments in
felf-fufficiency
:
thofe
own understandings
fools
in
the
who
trull
entirely, are
their
pronounced
word of God, and
5
to
it
is
the
wifefi
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
wifefr.
men
of
gives
ter advifes us to
this character,
own
his
that trufleth in
Prov. xxviii. 26.
them
heart
is
20,
" he
a fool,"
And the fame divine wri" truft in the Lord with ail
own underour own eyes,"
our heart, and not to lean to our
ftandings, nor to be wife in
chap.
iii.
5. 7.
Those who,
with
of religion
a neglect
and dependence on God, apply themfelves to
fearch out
God by
every article in- the
the mere dint of their
things
own
of
reafon,
have been fuffered to run into wild excefles
of
foolery,
and
Every one
opinions.
courfe, and will not
God
extravagance
ftrange
who
alii
of
purfues this vain
for the conduct of
in the ftudy of religion, has juft rea-
fon to fear
he
fhall
be
left
of God, and
given up a prey to a thoufand prejudices;
that he fhall be configned over to the follies
of his
own
heart,
and purfue his
temporal and eternal ruin.
common
ftudies
we
even in
fhould, by humility and
dependence, engage the
our
And
own
God
of truth on
fide.
XVI.
GENERAL RULES
36
XVI. Offer up
God
requefts to
would
your daity
therefore
the father of lights, that he
your attempts and labours
blefs all
Think
fludy and conversion.
in reading,
with yourfelf howeafily and
how
infenfibly^
by one turn of thought, he can
lead
into a large fcene of ufeful ideas
:
teach you to lay hold on a clew,
you
he can
which may
guide your thoughts with fafety and eafe
the difficulties of an intricate
through
all
fubject.
Think how eafily
the Author of your
beings can direct your motions by his providence, fo that the glance of an eye, or a
ftriking the ear, or a fudden
word
turn of
the fancy, mall conduct you to a train of
happy fentiments. By his fecret and fupreme method of government he can draw
you to read fuch a treatile, or converfe with
who may
fuch a perfon,
into
li<*ht
give
feme deep fubject
in
you more
an hour,
than you could obtain by a month of your
own
folitary labour.
Think, with yourfelf with how much
eafe the
minds
God
forne
happy turn
of
fpirits
can caft into your
ufeful fuggeition, and give a
to
your
own
thoughts, or the
thoughts
I
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
thoughts of thofe with
whence you may
verfe,
whom
you
uu
derive
"
J
con-.ble
:
light and fatisfaclion in a matter that has
long puzzled and entangled you
fhew you
a
he can
:
path which the vulture's eye has
unknown
not feen, and lead you by feme
gate or portal out of a wildemefs and laby-
rinth of difficulties, wherein you have been
long wandering.
Implore
conflantly his divine grace to
point your inclination to proper ftudies, and
to
you r
fix
there.
he:.rt
He
can keep off
temptations on the right hand and on the
left,
both by the courfe of his providence,
and by the
of his
and infenfible intimations
fe'eret
He
fpirit.
can guard your under-
flandings from every evil influence of error,
from the dinger of evil
books and men, which might otherwife have
and
fecure you
a fatal effect,
and lead you into pernicious
miftakes.
Nor
let
this
fort
of advice
fall
under
the cenfure of the godlefs and profane, as
a
mere piece of bigotry or enthufiafm, de-
rived
from
faith
and the Bible
:
for the
teafons
GENERAL RULES
32
reaibns
which
I
have given to fupport this
pious practice, of invoking the bleffing of
God on
our itudies, are derived from the
He
light of nature as well as revelation.
that
made our
fpirits,
fhall
and
fouls
the father of
is
he not be fuppofed to have a
moll friendly influence toward the in-ftruction and government of them ? The author of our rational powers can involve
in
darknefs
when he
or
diflemper,
own
filled
light.
ed in the
by
he can abandon
wander into dark and
they are
pleafes
a
them
fudden
them
foolifh opinions,
to
when
with a vain conceit of their
He expects to
common affairs
does as certainly expect
be acknowledg-
and he
of
life,
in
the fuperior
it
operations of the. mind, and in the fearch
The very Greek
of knowledge and truth.
Heathens by the light of reafon were taught
to fay,
*
A
'Ejc
A;©- dpxopsarQa, and the Latins,
Jove principium>
Mufa*
learning they thought
with God.
Mule
as
Even the
a goddefs
to
it
In works of
neceffary to begin
poets call
affift
them
upon the
in
their
compofitions.
The
:
TO OBTAIN KNOWLEDGE.
.
The
-firft
his OdyfTee, the
Homer
cf
lines
firfr.
line
in his Iliad
33
and
of Mufaeus in his
long of Hero and Leander, the beginning
of Hefiod in his
poem of Weeks and Days,
and feveral others, furnifh us with
examples of
fufficient
kind; nor does Ovid leave
this
out this piece of devotion, as he begins his
ftories
of the Metamorpholis. Chriitiarity fo
much
the
more
obli£
s
us by the precepts
of fcripture to invoke the afliftance of the
true
God
for the
our labours of the mind,
in all
improvement of ourfelves and others.
Bifhop Saunderfon
prayer
is
fays,
that ftudy without
atheifm, as well as
without ftudy
is
prefumption.
that prayer
And we
are
more abundantly encouraged by the
testimony of thofc who have acknowledged
from their own experience, that lincere
prayer was no hinderance to their ftudies
jftill
they have gotten more knowledge fometimes
upon
their knees
than by their labour in
perufing a variety of authors, and they have
left this
ordjj'e
obfervation for fuch as follow, Bene
ejl
bene Jluduijfe.
Praying
is
the beft
ftudying.
D
To
GENERAL RULES,
34
To
conclude,
join together,
happy
to
induftry and
ii.
2.
" Incline thine
r.pply thine heart
to
cry after knowledge, and
:
voice
:
as for
devotion
and you need not doubt the
fuccefs. Prov.
wifdom,
ing
let
6CC.
underftand-
up thy
lift
feek her as filver, and fearch for her
hidden treafures; then (halt thou un-
derfiand the fear of the Lord, &cc."
is
"
ear
the beginning of wifdom."
which
It is
the
" Lord who'gives wifdom even to the fimple, and out of his mouth cometh knowledge
and underftanding."
•
CHAP,
35
(
)
CHAP.
II.
OBSERVATION, READING, IKSTRfCTIOM BY LECTURES,
CONVERSATION AND STUDY, COMPARED.
THERE
are five
eminent means or me-
thods whereby the
in
mind
is
improved
the knowledge of things, and thefe are,
obfervation, reading, inftruction by lectures,
converfation, and meditation
a
molt peculiar manner
Let
them
laft
in
called ftudy.
is
all.
Observation
take of
which
us furvey the general definitions or
defcriptions of
I.
;
all
is
we
whe-
the notice that
occurrences in
human
life,
ther they are fenfible or intellectual, whether
relating
to perfons
or others.
or things, to ourfelves
It is this
from our infancy with
that furnimes
us even
a rich variety
of ideas
and propofitions, words and phrafes
by
this
we know
that fire will
D
2
:
it
is
burn, that
the
THE FIVE METHODS
36
the fun gives light, that a horfe eats grafs,
that an acorn
is a
being capable of reafoning and difcourfe,
that our
are
man
produces an o^k, that
judgment
is
weak, that our miftakes
many, that our forrows
our bodies
die,
and are carried
that
great,
are
to the grave,
and that one generation fucceeds another.
All thofe things which
we
which we
fee,
which we perceive by
or confcioufnefs, or which we know
fenfe
hear, or feel,
direct
in
a
manner, with fcarce any exercife of
our reflecting faculties,
or
our reafoning
powers, may be included under the general
name of
obfervation.
When
this
obfervation
any
to
relates
thing that immediately concerns ourfelves,
and of which we are confcious,
called experience.
experience, that
I
thinking, fearing,
appetites and
many
Sj
I
am
faid to
have in myfelf
loving,
padio.is
may be
know or
it
a
power of
&c. that
working
in
I
have
me, and
perfonal occurrences have attended
me
in this life.
Observation
therefore includes
Mr. Locke means by
8
all
that
fenfation and reflection.
When
:
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
When
we
of
thods
or
trials,
active powers or fet
to obferve
fort
this
what
I find it finks
:
if I beat
low fhape
a bullet into water,
and when
like a
together, I
throw the fame
I
I
fee
fwims
it
out this bullet into a thin hol-
the water too.
I
throw
called experi-
is
into quick-filver,
bullet
But
they would produce,
of obfervation
I
me-
various
when we apply fome
fome caufes to work
effects
So when
ment.
the nature
are fearching out
or properties of any being, by
37
dim, then
So when
it
will
I ftrike
they produce
find
throw a feed into the earth,
two
fire
it
fwim
:
in
flints
when
grows up
into a plant.
All
thefe belong to
knowledge, which
II.
Reading
method of
call obfervation.
that
means or method
of knowledge whereby
with what other
felves
firft
mall
I
is
the
we acquaint ourmen have written
or publifhed to the world in their writings.
Thefe
arts
infinite
made
tions,
of reading and writing are of
advantage;
for
by them we
are
partakers of the fentiments, obferva-
reafonings and
D
improvements of
3
all
the
THE FIVE METHODS
38
mod
the learned world, in the
tions,
remote na-
and in former ages, almoft from the
beginning of mankind.
III.
Public
or private lectures are fuch
verbal inftructions as are given by a teacher
while the learners attend
is
the
way of
This
in lilence.
learning religion from the
pulpit, or of philofophy or theology
profeffor's chair,
from the
or of mathematics by a
teacher fhewing us various theorems or pro-
blems, i.e.fpeculations or practices, by demonftration
and operation, with
ments of
IV.
all
the inftru-
art neceffary to thofe operations.
Conversation
another method
is
of improving our minds, wherein by mutual
difcourfe and enquiry
timents of others,
as
we
learn
the fen-
well as communicate
our fentiments to others in the fame manner.
Sometimes indeed, though both
parties fpeak
by turns, yet the advantage
only on one
lide
-,
as,
when
a
is
converfation
mutual.
we may
and
teacher
meet and difcourie together
the profit
is
:
Under
alfo
a
learner
but frequently
this
head of
rank difputes of
various kinds.
V.
Me.
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
Meditation
V.
thole exercifes of the
der
all
the former
mind whereby we
methods ufeful
by meditation we come
mory of things that
in the
ftudy includes
or
for
pafs
occurrences of
It is
through our thoughts
life,
own
our
in
ex-
we make
:
by meditation that we draw various in-
minds general
ferences, and eftabliih in our
principles of knowledge.
tion
ren-
confirm our me-
to
periences, and in the obfervations
It is
all
our in-
knowledge and wifdorp-
creafe in true
39
that
which we
we compare
derive
It
is
various
the
from our
by medita-
fenfes,
or
ideas
from
the operations of our fouls, and join them in
by meditation that we
fix in our memory whatfoever we learn, and
form our own judgment of the truth or
falmood, the ftrength or weaknefs, of what
propofitions.
It
is
others fpeak or write.
It
is
meditation or
ftudy that draws out long chains of argu-
ment, and fearches and
cult truths
finds deep
which before
lay
and
ciitti-
concealed in
darknefs.
It would
that our
own
be
a needlefs
thing to prove
fclitary meditations,
together
with the few obfervations that the men; part
D
4
of
THE FIVE METHODS
40
of mankind are capable of making, are not
fuflicient
of themfelves to lead us into the
attainment of any confiderable proportion
of knowledge,
improved
at leaft in
as ours is,
an age fo
without the
much
affiftance
of converfation and reading, and other proper inftructions that are to be attained in our
Yet each of thefe
days.
their
peculiar
ailift
each other
which have need
advantages,
;
whereby
and their peculiar
to be fupplied
Let us
affiftance.
methods have
five
trace over
they
defects.,
by the other's
ibme of the
particular advantages of each.
One method
I.
is
of improving the mind
obfervation, and the advantages of
it
are
thefe.
i.
It
is
owing
to obfervation
that our
mind is furnimed with the tiril, fimple and
complex ideas. It is this lays the groundwork and foundation of all knowledge, and
makes us capable of ufing any of the other
methods for improving the mind: for if
we
did not attain a variety of fenfible and
intellectual ideas
ward
objects,
by the fenfations of out-
by the confcioufnefs of our own
appetites
:
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
41
appetites and pail: on s, pleafures and pains,
and by inward experience of the actings of
own fpirits, it would be impollible eifor men or books to teach us any thing.
our
ther
It is obfer vation that
ideas of things,
as
muft give us our
includes in
it
firft
C^nft
it
and confcioufnefs.
All
2.
knowledge derived
our
obfer vation, whether
of proportions,
be of tingle ideas or
knowledge gotten
is
Herebv we
hand.
it
fee
from
and
know
they are, or as they appear to us
at
firfl
things as
;
we
take
them on our minds from
objects themfelves, which give
the imprefiions of
the original
a clearer and ftronger conception of things
thefe ideas are
portions
more
we
(at leaft in
verfation,
from
is
ideas, that is,
3.
lively,
many
and the pro-
cafes)
lectures,
much
reading, and con-
but the copy of other men's
the picture of a picture; and
one remove further from the original.
Another
advantage of observation
we may
gain knowledge
long, and every
moment of our
is,
are
Whereas what knowledge
evident.
derive
it is
more
that
all
the day
lives,
and
every
THE FIVE METHODS
42
moment
every
of our exiftence
we may bs
adding ibmething to our intellectual treafures thereby, except
fleep
;
only while
we
truths,
lay a foundation for a better acquaint-
and
ance with
human
nature, both in the powers
in the frailties of
II.
is
a-
and even then the remembrance of
our dreaming will teach us fome
and
are
The
it.
next way of improving the mind
by reading, and the advantages of
fuch
I.
are
as thefe.
By
reading
we
acquaint ourfelves in a
very extennve manner with the
tions
it
and
affairs,
ac-
thoughts of the living and the
dead, in the moil remote nations and in mofl
much eafe
as though they lived in our own age and
By reading of books we may learn
nation.
diftant ages;
and that with
fomething from
all
parts of
as
mankind; where-
by obiervation we learn all from ourfelves,
and only what comes within our own diredt
as
by converfation we can only
enjoy the a Alliance of a very few perfons,
viz. thofe who are near us and live at the
Cognizance
;
fame time when we do, that
is,
our neighbours,
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
43
knowledge is much more narrowed ftill, if we
confine ourfelves merely to our own folitary
bours, and contemporaries; but our
reading: for then
arife
much
without
reafonings,
or
our improvement muft
all
only from our
obfervation
powers, and
own inward
meditations.
By
2.
reading
we
learn
not
only the
actions and the fentiments of different nations and ages, but
we
and
the knowledge
transfer to ourfelves
improvements of the
beft of
moft learned men, the wifeft and the
mankind, when or wherefoever they lived:
for though many books have been written
by weak and injudicious perfons, yet the
mod of thofe books which have obtained great reputation in the world are the pro-
ducts of great and wife
ral
ages and nations
tain the converfation
only
who
are
:
men
whereas
we
can ob-
and inftruclion of thofe
within the reach of our dwel-
ling, or our acquaintance,
wife or unwife
fphere
in their feve-
-,
whether they are
and fometimes that narrow
fcarce affords
eminence in wifdom
any perfon of great
or learning,
unlefs
our inftructor happen to have this character.
And
;
THE FIVE METHODS
44
And
own
for our
as
even when
we
ftudy and meditations,
arrive
at
fome good degrees
of learning, our advantage for further improvement in knowledge by them is flill far
more contracted than what we may
derive
from reading.
When
3.
we
read good authors
the beft, the moft laboured and
we
mod
learn
refined
fentiments even of thofe wife and learned
men
;
for
they
have
ftudied
hard,
and
have committed to writing their matured
thoughts, and the refult of their long ftudy
and experience: whereas by converfation,
and in fome lectures, we obtain many
times only the prefent thoughts of our
tutors or friends,
which (though they may
be bright and ufeful) yet, at firft perhaps,
may be fudden and indigefled, and are mere
hints
4.
which have
It
is
rifen to
no maturity.
another advantage of reading,
we may review what we have
we may confult the page again and
that
read
again,
and meditate on it, at fucceflive feafons, in
our fereneft and retired hours, having the
book always
at
hand
:
but what
we
obtain
by
;
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
45
by converfation and
in
times loft again as
Toon
as
breaks up, or at
when
the day vanifhes
leaft
lectures,
we happen to have
good memory, or quickly
unlefs
down what
remarkables
And
thofe difcourfes.
the
often-
is
company
the talent of a
retire
we
and note
have found in
for the
fame reafon,
and for the want of retiring and writing,
many
a learned
man
has
loft
feveral ufeful
meditations of his own, and could never
them
recall
again.
The
III.
advantages of verbal inftructions
by public or
private lectures are thefe.
There
j.
is
more
delightful
living
diicourfe
fomething more fprightly,
and entertaining
of a wife,
in
the
learned,
and
well-qualified teacher, than there
and
filent
The
practice of
fedentary
is
in the
reading.
very turn of voice, the good pronunci-
ation,
and the polite and alluring manner
which fome
teachers
have attained,
will
engage the attention, keep the foul fixed,
and convey and infinuate into the mind,
the
ideas
forcible
of things in a more lively and
way,
than
the
mere reading
of
books
THE FIVE METHOD*
46
books in the
filence
and retirement of the
clofet.
2.
A tutor
raphrafes and explains
mark out the
which
precife point of difficulty or
He
it.
paragraphs
mew
can
of
are
importance, and which are of
He
pa-
can
other authors,
controverfy, and unfold
you
when he
or inftructor,
lefs
greateft
moment.
can teach his hearers what authors, or
what
parts of an
author,
are
belt
worth
reading on any particular fubjecl:; and thus
fave his difciples
much
time and pains by
fhortening the labours of their clofet and
private
He
ftudies.
fhew you what
can
were the doctrines of the antients
in a
com-
pendium, which perhaps would
cort.
much
many books to
inform you what new doc-
labour and the perufal of
attain.
He
can
trines or fentiments are rifing in the world,
before they
come
to
acquaint you with his
and his
own
be public-;'
own
as well as
private thoughts,
experiments and obfervations,
which never were, and perhaps^ never
will
the world, and yet
may
be, published
to
be very valuable- and ufeful.
3-
A
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
A living
3.
thofe
our fenfes
47
inftructor can
convey to
with
which he
notions
would furnifh our minds, when he teaches
us natural philofophy, or mod parts of ma-
He
thematical learning.
can
He
periments before our eyes.
figures
make out
the ex-
can defcribe
to the lines
and diagrams, point
angles, and
make
and
the demonftraticn
in
more intelligible manner by fenfible means,
which cannot be done fo well by mere readme, even though we mould have the fame
A
figures lying in a book before our eyes.
a
living teacher, therefore,
is a
mod
necefiary
Jielp in thefe fludies.
I
might
fubjed of
rhetorical,
add
alfo,
difcourfe
examples, and
tudes,
as
is
even where the
moral,
logical
or
&c. and which does not directly
come under the
tutor may explain
liar
that
notice
his
of
ideas
plain
our fenfes,
a
by fuch fami-
or fimple
fimili-
feldom find place in books and
writings.
4.
When
an inftru&or in
his
lecnires
delivers any matter of difficulty, or'expreffes
himfelf in fuch a manner as feems obfcure,
THE FIVE METHODS
48
feu re, fo that you do not take
clearly or fully,
lead:
when
up
his ideas
you have opportunity,
the ]^cl:ure
finimed, or at other
is
how
proper feafons, to enquire
fach a fen-
mould be underftcod, or how fuch
tence
difficulty
may be
at
a
explained and removed.
If there be permiffion given to free converfe with
of the
the tutor,
either in
the midfr.
or rather at the end of
lecture,
concerning any doubts or
difficulties
occur to the hearer, this brings
it
it,
that
very near
to converfation or difcourfe.
IV.
Conversation
of improvement, and
is
it is
the next
method
attended with the
following advantages.
When
we converfe familiarly with a
learned friend, we have his own help at hand
1.
to explain to us every
word and fentiment
that feems obfeure in his difcourfe, and
to
inform us of his whole meaning ; fo that we
are in much lefs danger of miftaking his
fenfe
:
whereas
really obfeure
in
may
books,
alfo
whatfoever
is
abide always ob-
feure without remedy, fince the author
is
not
not
OF
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
at
hand,
that
49
we may enquire
his
fenfe.
we
If
miftake the meaning of our friend
converfation,
in
again;
on
we
but in reading
in the
quickly
are
we many
tends
times go
fame miftake, and are not capable
of recovering ourfelves from
comes
right
fet
to
pafs
in ail
that
it.
we have
ages about the
fo
Thence
it
many con-
meaning of an-
cient authors, andefpecially the facred writ-
Happy mould we
ers.
be could
we but
converfe with Mofes, Iiaiah, and St. Paul,
and confult the prophets and
we meet with
a difficult text
rious converfation
is
apoftles,
when
but that glo-
!
referved for the ages of
future blelfednefs.
2.
Wren
theme with
we
are difcouriing
a friend,
we may
upon any
propofe our
doubts and objections againfi his fentiments,
and have them folved and anfwered
— The
difficulties that arife in
at
once.
our minds
may
be removed by one enlightening word of our
correfpondent; whereas in reading, if a difficulty
which
or
qutiiion
arife
in our thoughts
the author has not happened to
E
mention.
;
THE FIVE METHODS
50
wc muft
tion,
anfwer or
be content without a prefent
folution
of
it.
Books cannot
fpe.-k.
Not
3.
the
only the doubts which
mind upon any
eafily
arife
in
fubject of difcourfe are
propofed and folved in converfation, but
we meet with in books
and in our private fludies may find a relief
by friendly conference. We may pore upon
a knotty point in folitary meditation many
the very difficulties
months without
a folution, becaufe perhaps
wrong tract of thought
and our labour (while we are purfuing a falfe
we have
fcent)
but
it
gotten into a
is
not only ufelefs and unfuccefsful,
leads us perhaps
error for
into a long train of
want of being corrected
in the firft
down this difficulty
when we read it, we may propofe it to an inwe
genious correfpondent when we fee him
may be relieved in a moment, and find the
ilep.
But
if
we
note
-,
difficulty
vanifh
:
he beholds
perhaps in a different view,
the
fets it
object
before us
in quite another light, leads us at once into
evidence and truth, and that with a delightful furprife.
4.
Con-
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
Conversation
4.
51
out into light
calls
what has been lodged in all the receffes and
by occaiional
fecret chambers of the foul
:
hints and incidents
tions into
brings old ufeful no-
remembrance;
hidden
the
plays
it
unfolds and dis-
it
of knowledge
treafures
with which reading, obfervation and ftudy
By mutual
had before furnifhed the mind.
awakened and allured
hoards of knowledge, and
difcourfe the foul
to bring forth
it
learns
how
its
them moft
ufeful to
vaft reading,
without
to render
A
mankind.
is
converfation,
man of
is
who
like a mifer
lives
only
to himfelf.
In free and friendly conversation our
5.
powers are more animated, and
intellectual
our
fpirits a6l
quell:
is
with
and purfuit of
a fuperiar vigour in the
unknown
attends converfation, beyond
we
There
and fagacity of thought that
a fharpnefs
whilit.
truths.
are
what we find
fhut up reading and
Our
in our retirements.
fouls
mufmg
may be
fe-
rene in folitude, but not fparkling, though
perhaps
works
has
it
we
of
are
the
employed
brighteft
happened in
in
reading
writers.
Oftea
free difcourfe that
E
2.
the
new
thoughts
;
THE FIVE METHODS
$2
thoughts are ftrangely ftruck out, and the
feeds of
fparkle and
truth
which
company,
the
reading
By
would
blaze through
calm and
in
been
have
never
filent
excited.
converfation you will both give and re-
ceive this benefit
as
;
flints
when put
into
motion and ftriking againft each other produce living
fire
on both
fides,
which would
never have rifcn from the fame hard mate-
of
rials in a ftate
6.
reft.
In generous converfation, amongft in-
we have
genious and learned men,
a great
advantage of propofing our private opini-
own
ons, and of bringing our
the
teft,
and learning in
fentiments to
more compendi-
a
way what the world will
judge of them, how mankind will receive
them, what objections may be railed againft
ous
and
fafer
them, what defects there
and how
to correct our
our fcheme,
are in
own
miftakes
which
;
advantages are not fo eafy to be obtained
by our own
pleafure
we
private
meditations
take in our
own
:
for
the
notions, and
the pafiion of felf-love, as well as the nar-
rownefs
too
of our views,
favourable
an
tempt us
opinion
on
to
our
pafs
own
fchemes
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
fchemes
whereas the variety of genius, in
;
our feveral
how
tices
53
will give
affociates,
happy no
our opinions will ftand in the view
of mankind.
It
7.
is
tage of converfation, that
ftudent
the
the"
knowledge of men and
of
life,
as reading furnifhes
A man who
with book-learning.
together a
is
a
contemptible
A
of character in the world.
has been fhut up in his
has contracted a
lege,
dwells
among books, may have amaifed
vail heap of notions, but he may
be a mere fcholar,, which
who
him
days
all his
ruii
furnifhes the
it
with
affairs
fort
advan-
alfo another considerable
upon
fort
and
his foul,
cell
hermit,
a col-
in
of mould and
all his
airs
of beha-
viour have a certain awkwardnefs in them
but thefe awkward
degrees in
company
are filed and
The
zen or
a
friend;
he learns
them
:
are
the ruft and the
fcholar
now becomes
gentleman,
a
mould
how
to drefs his
in the ftrongeft light.
notions
as
3
citi-
fenti-
well as to fet
Thus he
with honour
E
a
neighbour and a
in the faireft colours,
qut his
worn away by
brufht off by polite conver-
fation.
ments
airs
;
;
brings
he makes
fome
THE FIVE METHODS
54
makes Tome ufe of them
and
in the world,
improves the theory by the practice.
But
we proceed
before
too far in nnifh-
ing a bright character by converfation,
mould
confider that fomething elfe
acquaintance with
fary befides an
books
and therefore
:
Mere
V.
to
wifdom.
flection,
all
make
It
is
thinking,
necef-
men and
.
reading,
lectures,
verfation without
cient
add,
I
is
we
and con-
are not
fuffi-
man of knowledge and
our own thought and re-
a
fludy and meditation muft attend
the other methods of improvement, and
perfect
with
I.
them.
It
carries
thefe advantages
it.
Though
obfervation and inftruction,
reading and convention
may furnim
us with
many ideas of men and things, yet it is
our own meditation and the labour of our
own thoughts that muft form our judgment
of things.
Our own thoughts mould
join or disjoin thefe ideas in a proportion
for ourfelves
:
it is
our
own mind
that
mult
judge for ourfelves concerning the agreement
or
OF IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
or difagreement of ideas,
$$
and form pro-
portions of truth out of them.
Reading
and converfation may acquaint us with many
truths and with
them, but
it
is
many arguments to fupport
our own ftudy and reaibn-
ing that muft determine whether thefe propolitions are true, and
ments
are juft
and
whether thefe argu-
folid.
It is confelt there are a thoufand things
which our eyes have not fetn, and which
would never come within the reach of our
perfonal and immediate knowledge and obbecaufe of the difbnce of times
fervation,
mud; be known by confuting other perfonsj and that is done ei-
and places
thefe
:
ther in their writings or in their difcourfes.
But
after all,
let this
be a fixed point with
own reflection and judgment mull determine how far we mould receive that which books or men inform us of,
and how far they are worthy of our alTent
us,
that
it
is
our
and credit.
2.
fers
It
is
meditation and ftudy that tranf-
and conveys the notions and fentiments
©f others to ourfelves,
E 4
fo as to
make them
pro-
THE FIVE METHODS
56
own judgment
upon them, as well as our memory of them,
that makes them become our own property.
properly our own.
It does as
were concoct our intellectual
it
food, and
turns
it
into a part of ourfelves
man may
juft as a
our
It is
his limbs
call
:
and his
flem his own, whether he borrowed the
materials
from the ox or the fheep, from
the lark
or the
rived
it
it
whether he de-
from corn or milk, the
or
the trees,
earth;
lobfter;
is
fruits
of
the herbs and roots of the
all
now become one
fubftance
with himfelf, and he wields and manages
thofe mufcles and limbs for his own proper purpofes,
which once were the fub-
ftance of other animals or vegetables
field
or
that
w eek was grazfwimming in the fea,
very fubftance which
ing in the
;
r
lafl:
waving in the milk-pail, or growing in the
garden, is now become part of the man.
3.
By
ftudy and meditation
the hints that
we have
vation, converfation
more time
in
we improve
acquired by obfer-
and reading
thinking,
and
:
we
by the
take
la-
bour of the mind we penetrate deeper into
the themes of knowledge, and carry our
thoughts
IMPROVEMENT COMPARED.
OF
thoughts fometimes
fubjects, than
we
much
ever
books of the dead,
living.
It is
our
farther
met with
or
own
CJ
on many
either in the
of the
difcourfes
reafoning that draws
out one truth from another, and forms a
whole fcheme of fcience from
which we borrowed elfewhere.
few hints
a
:
By
a
furvey of
theiV things
juftly conclude, that he
time
in
books,
who
we may
fpends
all
hearing lectures: or poring
his
upon
without obfervation, meditation or
converfe, will have but a mere hirlorical
.
knowledge of
learning, and be able only to
what others have known or
tell
fubjecl:
away
:
in
vation,
he
that
lets
converfation
all
his
faid.
on the
time flow
without due obfer-
reading or ftudy,
will gain
but a
and fuperficial knowledge, which will
be in danger of vaniiliing with the voice of
flight
the fpeaker: and he that confines himfelf
merely to his clofet and his
own narrow ob-
fervation of things, and
taught only by
his
own
tion
by
folitary
is
thoughts, without inftruc-
lectures,
fation, will be in
reading
or free
conver-
danger of a narrow
fpirit,
a vain conceit of himleif, and an unreafonable
THE FIVE METHODS,
58
able contempt of others
and
;
&C
after all
he
will obtain but a very limited and imperfect
and
view
knowledge
how
will feldom learn
of things,
and he
make
know-
to
that
ledge ufeful.
These
methods
five
of improvement
fhould be purfued jointly, and go hand in
hand, where our circumftances are fo hapas
py
to find
to enjoy
them
opinion,
that
opportunity and conveniency
all
:
though
I
muft give
two of them,
viz.
my
Read-
mould employ much
ing and meditation,
more of our time than public lectures, or
As for obferconverfation and difcourfe.
vation, we may be always acquiring knowledge that way, whether
we
are alone or in
company.
But
ment
it
will be for our further improve-
we go
if
over
all
thefe five
methods
of obtaining knowledge more distinctly and
more at large, and fee what fpecial advances
in
them
ufeful
fcience
we may draw from
all.
CHAP.
59
(
)
CHAP.
III.
RELATING TO OBSERVATION,
JtL'LES
npHOUGH obfervation
-*•
ed
iirft
of the word, and
from
meditation
in the (lri& fenfc
as
diftinguifh-
it is
and
iludy,
means of improvement,
ftridteft
fenfe
does
reafonings of the
is
and in
not include in
mind upon
it
the
the
its
any
thinp-s
which we obferve, or inferences drawn from
them; yet the motions of the mind are fo
exceeding fwift, that
for a thinking
man
it
hardly poffible
is
to gain experiences or
making fome
upon them and
obfervations without
fhort reflexions
in giving a
:
fecret
therefore,
few directions concerning
method of improvement,
rowly confine myfelf
and
this
I fhall
not fo nar-
to the firft
mere im-
preffion of objects on the
mind by
obferva-
tion; but include alfo fome hints which relate to the firft,
moft
flexions or reafoning
eafy,
which
and obvious rearife
from them.
I.
Let
;
RULES RELATING
60
I.
Let
the enlargement of your
know-
ledge be one conftant view and defign in
iince there
is
no time or place, no trans-
actions, occurrences, or
which exclude
us
proving the mind.
in
darknefs
life
and
engagements
in life,
this
method of im-
When we
are alone, even
from
iilence,
we may
converfe
own hearts, obferve the workingof our own fpirits, and 'reflect upon the
inward motions of our own paffions in
fome of the latefl occurrences in life we
may acquaint ourfelves with the powers
with our
-,
and properties, the tendencies and inclinations both of body and fpirit, and gain a
more
knowledge
intimate
When. we
are in
of
ourfelves.
company, we may difcover
fomething more of human nature, -of human
paffions and
follies,
vices and virtues,
and of human
by converfing with man-
kind, and obferying their conduct.
there
any
affairs,
thing more valuable
Nor
than
is
the
knowledge of ourfelves, and the knowledge
of men, except it be the knowledge of God
who made
us,
and our relation to him
as
our Governor,
When
we are in the houfe or the city,
wherefoever we turn our eyes, we fee the
works
TO OBSERVATION.
works of men
;
when we
6t
are abroad in the
we behold more of the works of
The fkies and the ground above and
country,
God.
beneath us, and the animal and vegetable
world
round
about
our obfervation
us,
may
entertain
with ten thoufand
vari-
therefore
fome
eties.
Endeavour
derive
to
improvement of the mind
from every thing which you fee or hear,
inftruction
or
from every thing which occurs in human
life, from every thing within you, or without you.
Fetch down
clouds, the
the
ftars,
revolutions
and draw
fome knowledge from the
moon, and
the planets.
Dig
the fun, the
of
all
up fome
valuable
from the depths of the
meditations
earth,
and fearch
them through the vaft oceans of water. Extract, fome intellectual improvements from
the minerals and metals ; from the won-
among
ders of nature
herbs,
leflbns
the
trees,
and
from the
meant ft
Learn
flowers.
birds,
in feci.
the vegetables,
and the
Read
the
beafts,
and
fome
and
wifdom of
God
RULES RELATING
6z
God
all
and his admirable contrivance in them
read
:
almighty power,
his
and various goodnefs, in
his
rich
the works of
all
his hands.
From
the day and the night, the hours
and the flying minutes, learn a wife im-
provement of time,
and be watchful to
ieize every opportunity to increafe in
know-
ledge.
From
the viciffitudes and revolutions of
from the various
nations and families, and
occurrences of the world, learn the inftability
of mortal
affairs,
the uncertainty of
the certainty of death.
From
to meditate
a funeral, learn
a coffin
life.,
and
upon your own
departure.
From
obferve what
how
and
the vices
is
of others,
follies
hateful in
them
-,
confider
fuch a practice looks in another perfon,
and remember that
yourfelf.
From
it
looks as
ill
or worfe in
the virtue of others, learn
fomething worthy of your imitation.
From
the
4
deformity,
the
diftrefs,
or
calamity
TO OBSERVATION.
63
calamity of others, derive lerTons of thank-
God, and hymns of
fulnefs to
grateful praife
your Creator, Governor, and
to
tor,
who
has formed you in a better mould,
and guarded you from thofe
the facred leflbn
own
Benefac-
eftate,
Learn alfo
evils.
of contentment in your
and companion to your neigh-
bour under his miferies.
From
your natural powers,
judgment, memory, hands,
this inference, that they
for nothing, but for
ment
fenfations,
make
feet, 6cc.
were not given you
fome ufeful employ-
honour of your Maker, and
for the good of your fellow-creatures, as
to the
well as for your
own
beffc
intereft
and
final
happinefs.
From
the forrows, the pains, the fick-
and fufferings that attend you, learn
the evil of fin, and the imperfection of your
nefles,
prefent
follies
flate.
learn
From your own fins and
the patience of God toward
you, and the practice of humility toward
God and man.
Thus
;
RULES RELATING
64
Thus from
every appearance in nature,
and from every occurrence of life, you may
derive natural, moral and religious obfervations to entertain your minds, as well as
rules of conduct in
and that which
this life,
In order to
II.
the affairs relating to
is
to
come.
furnifli the
mind with
a
rich variety of ideas, the laudable curiofity
of young people mould be indulged and
gratified,
difcouraged.
rather than
It is a
very hopeful fign in young perfons, to fee
them curious
and inquifitive
in obferving,
in fearching into the greatefl part of things
that occur
;
temper be
nor mould fuch an enquiring
frowned
into
rigoroufly reftrained, but
fatisfied
iilence,
mould
by proper anfvvers given
nor be
rather be
to all thofe
queries.
For
this
reafon
fortune allow
led into
alfo,
where time and
young people mould be
it,
company
at
proper feafons, fhould
be carried abroad to fee the
woods, and the
rivers,
and
cities difcant
they
mould be
from
fields,
and the
the buildings, towns
their
own
dwelling
entertained with the fight
of
TO OBSERVATION.
6$
of ftrange birds, hearts, fifties, infects ; vegetables, and productions both of nature
and
of every kind, whether they are
art
own
the products of their
tions
and
:
due time, where Providence
in
opportunity,
gives
or foreign na-
may
they
under
travel
a wile infpector or tutor to different parts
of the world for the fame end, that they
may
bring
home
of ufeful know-
treafures
ledge.
III.
Among
down what
mon
:
is
more remarkable and uncomremarks in
thefe
referve
proper occafions, and
a review
obfervations write
all thefe
of them.
at
proper feafons take
Such
a
practice will
give you a habit of ufeful thinking
this
:
workings of your foul from
will fecure the
running
for
ftore
to wafte,
and by
this
your loofer moments will turn
means even
to
happy
ac-
count both here and hereafter.
And
whatever
been made,
the
fubject
your friends
let
them be
of
at
ufeful obfervations have
at lean:
fome part of
your converfation
among
next meeting.
F
Let
OF .OBSERVATIONS BY THE
66
Let
life
circumftances or fituations of
the
mould never
may
neglect this improvement
which
Let him
be derived from obfervation.
and ful-
travel into the Eaft or Weft-Indies,
fil
man
or where they will, a
be what,
the duties of the military or the mercan-
tile
there
life
;
let
him
rove through the
own humour
earth or the feas for his
traveller,
man
him
:
let
him
mod
a
gentle-
diftant parts of the globe
carry on his
improvement of
his
render himfelf fome
5
knowledge and the
foul
by wife obferva-
In due time, by this means he
tions.
cieties
as
profperous or adverfe fortune call
to the
ilill let
world he pleafes
a
what
or purfue his diverfions in
part of the
as
way
ufeful to the
may
fo-
of mankind.
Theobaldino,
iited the
forefts
of
in his
younger
Norway on
years, vi-
the account
of trade and timber, and befides his proper
of
obfervations
the
growth of
trees
on
thofe northern mountains, he learnt there
was. a fort of people
called Finns, in thofe
which border upon Sweden, whofe
habitation is in the woods
and he. lived
confines
•
:
afterwards to give a good account of
them
and
THE MIND.
SENSES OF
6y
and fome of their caftoms to the Royal
Society
Turkey
of
natural
Puteoli was taken captive in-
knowledge.
to
improvement
the
for
and travelled with
in his youth,
his mafter in their holy pilgrimage to
whereby he became more
ca,
Mec-
intelligent
m
the forms, ceremonies and fooleries of the
Mahometan worfhip, than perhaps ever any
and by his manufcripts
Eriton knew before
we are more acquainted in this lad century
;
with the Turkiih facreds than any one had
ever informed us.
IV.
Let
poflible
us keep our minds as free as
from
thefe will give a
tions both
of
a
man
and prejudices; for
paffions
wrong turn
The
on perfons and things.
in the jaundice
fervations
to our obferva-
on
every
eyes
make yellow oband the foul
thing;
tinctured with any paffion or prejudice diifufes a
falfe
colour over the real
appear-
ances of things, and difguifes
many of
common
it
occurrences of
life
:
never be-
holds things in a true light, nor fuffers
them
Whenfoever there-
to appear as they are.
fore
the
you would make proper obfervatipns,
let Self,
with
all
its
F
influences, fland aiids
2
as
OF OBSERVATIONS BY THE
68
as far as poflible
own
and your
all
;
your own
abftracl:
interefl:
concern from them, and bid
friendships and enmities fland aloof and
keep out of the way, in the obfervations
you make
that
relating
pcrfons
to
and
things.
If this rule were
be
much
mon
w ell
r
obeyed,
better guarded againft
pieces of mifconduct in
tions of
men,
viz.
falfe
How
and envy.
pride
The
we mould
thofe com-
the obferva-
judgments of
ready
is
envy to
mingle with the notices which we take of
How often
other perfons
?
to put an
fenfe
ill
is
upon the
mankind prone
actions of their
neighbours, to take a furvey of them in an
evil
pofition,
And by
this
unhappy light?
means we form a worfe opiand
in
an
nion of our neighbours than they deferve;
while
at the
fame time pride and
ry tempt us to
ourfelves in our
make
own
unjuft obfervations on
ment on
In
favour.
vourable judgments
ourfelves,
felf- flatte-
we
pafs
we mould allow
a
all
the fa-
concerning
little
abate-
this account.
V. In
THE MIND.
SENSES OF
69
V. In making your obfervations on perfons, take care of indulging that bufy curiofity
which
domeftic
ever enquiring into private and
is
with an endlefs
affairs,
itch
learning the fecret hiftory of families.
of
It is
but feldom that fuch a prying curiofity
at-
any valuable ends ; it often begets lu£picions, jealoufies and diflurbances in houfe-
tains
holds, and
is
it
a frequent temptation
:
fome
what
they
perfons to defame their neighbours
body
know ;
a bufy
a tatler
upon every
Let
VI.
telling
help
cannot
perfons
is
moil
to
liable to
become
occafion.
your obfervations even of per-
fons and their conduct, be chiefly defigned
in order
to
lead
you
to
a better acquain-
tance with things, particularly with
nature
and
;
to
human
inform you what to imitate
and what to avoid, rather than to furnifh
out matter for the evil paflions of the mind,
or the impertinencies of difcourfe and re-
proaches of the tongue.
VII.
Though
times to
ing
it
make your
may be
proper fome-
obfervations, concernas things,
perfons as well
F
3
the fubjecl
of
BY THE
OF OBSERVATIONS
7P
of your diiccurfe in learned or ufeful converiation
;
what remarks you make on
yet
particular peribns, efpecially to their difad-
mould
vantaqe,
your
own
bread,
till
fome
fome necefTary
occafion,
leads
mod
for the
you
to fpeak to
part lie hid in
juft and apparent
call
of Providence
them.
If the character or conduct which you
be greatly culpable,
obferve
much
the lefs be publimed.
mould fo
You may treait
up fuch remarks of the follies, indecencies, or vices of your neighbours, as
fure
may
be a conflant guard again ft your prac-
tice
of the fame, without expofing the re-
putation of your neighbour on that account.
that our converfation
It is a
good old
mould
rather be laid out on things than
perrons
and
;
rule,
this
rule
mould
on
generally be
obferved, unlefs names be concealed, wherefoever the faults or fellies of
mankind
are
our prefent theme.
Our
late
Archbilhop Tillotfon has writ-
ten a fmall but excellent difcourfe
fpeaking,
on
evil
wherein he admirably explains,
limits
THE MIND.
SENSES OF
limits
and applies
general
that
7I
apoftolic
precept, Speak evil of no man, Tit.
Be
VIII.
2.
not too hafty to erect general
from
theories
iii.
a
few particular obfervations,
This
appearances or experiments.
When
the logicians call a falfe induction.
general obfervations are
particulars as to
drawn from
become
certain
table, thefe are jewels of
what
is
fo
many
and indubi-
knowledge, com-
prehending great treafure in a
little
room;
but they are therefore to be made with the
greater care and caution, left errors
We mould
large and diffulive, if
become
miftake in
thefe general notions.'
A hasty
determination of
univer-
principles, without a due furvey of all
fal
which may be included
the particular cafes
in
Tome
them,
own
the
is
to lay a trap for
our
underftandings in their purfuit of any
we mall
fubject, and
into
way
miftake and
youth obferved,
almanac
as
now
a
the weather,
Niveo
falfhood.
fell
a
hath writ
part of his
that
it
F
in
his
on three Chriftmas
that
days together there
fnow, and
often be taken captives
good quantity of
it
down
wife remarks on
will always
4
in his
fnow
at
Chriftmas.
OP OBSERVATIONS, &C.
72
Enron
Chriftmas,
times that
tice ten
when
it
:
and he was
when he found
is
mould
lair.
freeze,
mewed him
weather-cocks
took no-
lad,
the North-Ealt
in
middle of
the
moil expected
young
there was a fharp froft
wind was
the
therefore in
\vind
a
a
July he
al-
becaufe the
North-Eair.
more difappointed
ftill
a very fultry feafon.
it
;
It
judgment that hath thrown
fake of
on a whole nation for the
...
the fame hafty
fcandal
<
'
'
fome culpable characlers belonging
ral
natives
particular
whereas
all
and
•
airy
the
all
and revengeful
Italians
nor are
country 5
that
French men
the
$
of
to feve-
are not gay
are not jealous
all
the
Englifb
over-run with thefpleen.
CHAP.
73
(
)
CHAP.
OF
I.
BOOKS AND READING.
T^HE
world
full
is
of books,
there are multitudes
Jl
ill
IV.
which
but
are fo
written they were never worth any man's
and
reading;
there
more
thoufands
are
which may be good in their kind, yet are
worth nothing when the month or year or
occafion is pail for which they were writOthers may be valuable in themfelves,
ten.
for
fome
fpecial purpofe or in
fcience, but are not
but thofe
lar fcience
who
are
fit
fome peculiar
to be perufed
by any
engaged in that particu-
To what
or bufinefs.
ufe
is
it
for a divine or
phyfician or a tradefman to
read over the
huge volumes of reports of
the law? or for a lawyer to
judged
learn
cafes in
Hebrew and
the
read
Rabbins
?
It
improvement of
knowledge and faving time, for a young
is
of vafl advantage
man
to
have the
for
moft
proper books for
his
OFBOOKS
74
recommended by
reading
his
judicious
a
friend.
Books
II.
of importance of any kind,
and efpecially complete
mould be
jecl,
firffc
on any fub-
treatifes
read in
a
more general
and curfory manner, to learn a
the
treatife
promifes, and
little
what you may
expect from the writer's manner and
And
for this
end
would
I
what
ikill.
advife always that
the preface be read, and a furvey taken of
the table of contents, if there be one,
be-
By
this
fore the
firit
furvey of the book.
means you will not only be
the book the
give
will be
fal
of
much
it,
attention
reading,
flrfr.
affifled in
but you
your fecond peru-
which mould be done with greater
and deliberation, and you will
learn with
more
eafe
and readinefs what the
author pretends to teach.
ing,
better fitted to
mark what
is
new
or
In your read-
unknown
to
you
before, and review thofe chapters, pages or
paragraphs.
common
may
and
Unlefs
moil
a
reader
retentive
has an un-
memory,
venture to affirm, that there
is
I
fcarce
any book or chapter worth reading once,
that
is
not worthy of a fecond perufal.
At
leaft
AND READING.
leaf! to take a careful
all
the lines
-hs which you marked, and
or pared,
a
review of
75
recolk-
which you
of the feclions
^ii
make
thought truly valuable.
There
another reafon
is
would choofe
furvey
read
of
book, before
-a
and that
attention,
veral
to takeafupeffieial
and dwell upon
it,
alio
difficulties
is,
in
it
it
I
therefore
we
till
perufal
in
;
and curfory
fit
d$wn
a fuller
;at
the
firfl
comprehen-
fchemc And
we mould not
mailer every difficulty at the
appear to be folved
to
may be fewhich we cannot
fuch treaties,,
for -perhaps
I
there
the author's whole
fion of
ftay
want of
for
why
with ftudious
eanly undenland and conquer
reading,
.
firfl
many .of ,£befe wou-ld
when we have proceed-
ed farther in, that book, or would -vanifn of
themfelves upon a fecorxlreading-.
What
fir ft,
we cannot reach and penetrate at
may be noted down as matter of after
coniideration and enquiry, if the pages that
follow do not happen, to ftrike a complete
light on thofe
which w en£
r
before.
If
O F
/6
K
B O
S
If three or four perfons agree to read
III.
the fame book, and each bring his
marks upon
it at
converfation,
for
fome
own
re-
hours appointed
fet
they communicate
and
mutually their fentiments on the fubject,
and debate about
this
practice will
it
in a friendly
manner,
render the reading any
author more abundantly beneficial to every
one of them.
IV. If feveral perfons engaged
in the
fame
ftudy take into their hands diftinct treatifes
on one
fubject,
and appoint
a feafon of
com-
munication once a week, they may inform
each other in a brief manner concerning
the fenfe,
fentiments and method of thofe
feveral authors,
other's
and thereby promote each
improvement, either by recommend-
ing the perufal of the fame book to their
companions, or perhaps by fatisfying their
concerning
enquiries
it
by converfation,
without every one's perufing
V.
Remember
reading
or
in
that
it.
your bufinefs
converfation,
efpecially
in
on
fubjects of natural, moral or divine fcience,
is
not merely to
know
the opinion of the
author
AND READING.
author or fpeaker, for this
is
JJ
but the mere
knowledge of hiftory; but your chief bufinefs is to confider whether their opinions
folid
knowledge on that
tion
on
themes
the
fubjecl:
by medita-
of their writing or
Deal freely with every author
difcourfe.
you
own
no, and to improve your
right or
are
and yield up your
read,
aflent only to
evidence and juft reafoning on the fubjecl:.
Here
only of
would be underftood
I
human
fpeak
authors, and not of the fa-
In thefe our
cred and infpired writings.
bufinefs
to
only to find out the true fenfe,
is
true meaning
and underftand the
of the
paragraph and page, and our aflent then
bound
iied
that
the
might add
foning,
is
are before fatis-
is
Yet
divine.
that even this
this
fufficient
is
jufl:
I
rea-
evidence to
affent.
in the
ber you are a
is
writing
alfo,
and
demand our
But
when we
to follow
is
compofures of men, remem-
man
as well as
not their reafon but your
given to guide you
when you
they
own
;
and
that
it
is
arrive at years
of
:
:
S
manly age and
of
of discretion,
K
B O O
O F
78
judg-
ment,
VI.
Let
your prac-
therefore be
this
you have gone through
tice, efpecially after
one courfe of any fcience in your academical ftudies
if a
j
writer on that fubjecl:
maintains the fame fentiments as you do,
yet if he does not explain his ideas or prove
mark
the portions well,
the faults
feds, and endeavour to do
in the
it
or de-
better, either
margin of your book, or rather in
fome papers of your own, or
at
leaft let it
As
be done in your private meditations.
for inftance
Where
him
;
the author
where he
deficiencies
:
is
is
obfcure, enlighten
imperfect,
where he
fupply
his
brief
and
too
is
concife, amplify a little, and fet his notions
in a fairer
mark
view
:
where he
thofe paragraphs
when he
trifles
and
to
redundant,
is
be retrenched
grows
impertinent,
abandon thofe paflages or pages
:
where he
argues, obferve whether his reafons be conclufive: if the conclufion be true,
and yet
the argument weak, endeavour to confirm
3
it
by
AND READING.
by
proofs
better
fers
where he derives or in-
:
any propofitions darkly or doubtfully,
make the
and make
if
juilice of the inference appear,
further inferences or corollaries,
fuch occur to your mind
fuppofe he
is
he writes
fo well as to
judgment, both
up
in
:
where you
your ob-
in a miftake, propofe
jections and correct his
it
Jg
approve
juft
as
fentiments
what
:
itfelf to
your
and ufeful, treafure
your memory, and count
it a
part
of your intellectual gains.
Many
Note,
which
I
of thefe fame directions
now
have
given,
may
with regard to converfation,
ing, in order to render
as
be practifed
well as read-
ufeful in the
it
moil
extenfive and tailing manner.
VII.
nature
Other
may be
things
ufeful ly
alfo
of
practifed
the
like
with re-
gard to the authors which you read, viz.
method of a book be irregular, reduce it into form by a little analyfis of
vour own, or bv hints in the margin if
If the
:
thoie
ihould
things
are
heaped together,
be feparated, you
tinguifh and divide
them
:
may
which
wifely dif-
if feveral things
relating
OP BOOKS
80
relating to the
and down
fame
fubjecT: are fcattered
through the
feparately
you may bring them
ferences
or
j
valuable
throw
it
a
more
le/Ter
to
and
one view by re-
logical fcheme, or abridge
ment
method,
and
in
it
to
you
with
finifhed the treatife
upon
mine what
real
made by reading
in lo-
improve your judg-
general, and to give
obfervations
a fuller
When
recollect and deter-
it,
you have
improvements
that author.
table cf contents,
make one
that
as
you
exactnefs
as
it is
if
in
or
very ufeful
to
to include
you defigned
fumcient
it,
are reading
every page and paragraph,
done
your
all
VIII. If a book has no index to
good
it
:
the
not with
fenCe
of
which mould be
to print
it
;
but
it
is
your index to take notice only
of thofe parts of the book which are
to you, or
to
into a
fkill
furvey of that fubjecl: in particular.
you have
it
have a
thefe practices will
all
:
may
method, reduce
tendency both to advance your
gic,
book be
you
deferving,
into a better
form
treatife,
the matter of a
if
really
all
dp
new
which you think well written,
and
AND READING.
Si
and well worthy of your remembrance or
review.
Shall
be
I
free
fo
younger friends, from
that
in the
fir ft
and efpecially in the
you perufe
experience,
coil
your ftudy,
authors which
firfl
but the profit will richly
:
compenfate the pains.
And in
the following
you have read
after
life,
years of
my
any fcience, or on any par-
in
ticular fubjecr,
of
my own
afTure
methods of reading will
thefe
fome pains
years
to
as
a
few
valuable books on any fpecial iubjecl in this
manner,
it
will be very eafy to read others
of the fame kind,
ufually find very
becaufe
you will not
much new
matter in them
which you have not already examined.
VIII.
If
the writer be remarkable for
any peculiar excellencies or defects in his
manner of writing, make juff, obfervations upon this alio ; and whatfoever
ftyle or
ornaments you
find
there,
or whatfoever
blemifhes occur in the language or manner
of the writer, you may make juft remarks
upon them.
And remember
read over in this manner, with
G
that one
book
all this
laborious
§2
OF
.
BOOKS
more to enrich
your underfbnding, than the fkimming over
rious meditation, will tend
the furface of twenty authors.
IX.
By
perufing books in the manner
you
have defcribed,
make
will
I
your
all
reading fubfervieat not only to the enlarge-
ment of your
alfo to the
treafures of
knowledge, but
improvement of your reafoning
powers.
There
are
many who
read with con-
make no adThey are
vances in true knowledge by it.
delighted with the notions which they read
or hear, as they would be with ftories that
are told, but they do not weigh them in
ftancy and diligence, and yet
their
minds
as
in a juft
balance, in order
to determine their truth or falfhood
make no
obfervations
rences from them.
;
they
upon them, or infe-
Perhaps their eye
flides
over the pages, or the words Hide over their
ears,
and
tales, or
vanifii like a
rhapfody of evening
the fhadows of a cloud flying over
a green field in a
fummer's day.
i
Or
AND READING.
Or
if they
them
fix
with
in their
defign
a
review
them
fufliciently to
remembrance,
to tell the
83
merely
it is
over again,
tale
and fhew what men of learning they
they dream out their days in a courfe
Thus
of reading, without
man may
be eating
digeftion
is
with
real
all
intellectual food,
provement of
gefting
it
Be
X.
day, and for
may cram
;
diligent
thefe directions.
end-
themfelves in vain
and without
all
want of
di-
reflections.
therefore
in
obferving
Enter into the fenfe and
their proofs, and then
truth or
im-
real
arguments of the authors you" read;
mine
a
want of
fo thefe
their minds, for
by proper
As
advantage.
never nouriihed
readers
lefs
are.
exa-
judge of the
falmood of their opinions;
and
thereby you mall not only gain a rich in-
your
understanding,
by
thofe
creafe
of
truths
which the author teaches, when
them well fupported, but you fhall
you
fee
acquire alfo by degrees an habit of judg-
ing juftly, and of reafoning well, in imitation of the
good writer whofe works you
perufe.
G
2
This
\
BOOKS
OF
$4
This
laborious indeed, and the
is
backward
is
undergo
to
the
mind
fatigue
of
weighing every argument and tracing every
thing to
bour
ing
its
original.
to take all
is
much
It
is
things upon
eafier
much
lefs la-
trufr.
believ-
:
But when
than arguing.
mind to
method which I have
Studentio had once perfuaded his
tie itfelf
down
to this
prefcribed, he fenfibly gained an admirable
facility to read,
and judge of what he read,
by his daily practice of it, and the man
made large advances in the purfuit of truth ;
while Plumbinus and Plumeo made lefs progrefs in knowledge, though they had read
Plumeo fkimmed over
over more folios.
the pages, like a fwallow over the flowery
meads
and
in
May.
fyllable,
Plumbinus read every
line
but did not give himfelf the
trouble of thinking and judging about them.
They both
could boaft in company of their
great reading,, for they
.pages
knew more
titles
than Studentio, but were far
and
lefs
ac-
is
de~
talk,
and
quainted with fcience.
;
I
confess
figned only to
little
thofe whofe reading
fit
knowledge,
much
them
for
may
content
themfelves
to
AND READING.
to run over their authors in fuch
and
trifling
ries in this
libra-
manner, yet be poor realbners
no
folid
wifdom
at
true
or
who walks on
fair
foftly in a courfe that points right,
and
The
learning.
and
fudden
a
way; they may devour
and have
lafr,
$$
traveller
examines every turning before he ventures
upon
it,
will
come
fooner and fafer to his
journey's end, than he
who
runs through
every lane he meets, though he gallops full
The man
ipeed
all
much
read-
ing,
and a large retentive memory,
but
the day.
of
may become in the
fenfe of the world a knowing man ; and if
he converfe much with the ancients, he may
without meditation,
attain
the fame of learning too;
but he
fpends his days afar off from wifdom and
true judgment, and
porTeffes
very
little
of
jhe fubftantial riches of the mind.
XI.
human
Never
apply yourfelves to read any
author with a determination,
ber-
forehand, either for or againft him, or with
a fettled refolution to believe or difbelieve,
to confirm or to oppofe whatfoever he faith
but always read with
mind open
to
a defign
your
and to embrace
truth,
G
to lay
3
;
it
where-
!
BOOKS
OF
26
wherefoever you find
as well
it,
every falfhood, though
it
men who ieldom
thofe
appear under e-
How
ver fo fair a difguife.
as to reject
unhappy
are
take an author into
their hands, but they have determined be-
fore they begin, whether they will like or
diilike
his
him
They have
!
got fome notion of
name, his character, his party, or his
by general converfation, or per-
principles,
haps by fome flight view of a few pages;
and having
they read
beforehand,
with
own
their
all
opinions adjufted
all
he writes
that
a prepoffeffion either for or againft
him.
who hunt and purvey
for a
Unhappy
thofe
party,
and fcrape together out of every au-
thor,
all
thofe
which favour
things,
own
their
and
only,
thofe
while they
tenets,
defpife and neglect all the reft
XII. Yet take this caution.
be underftood here,
as
though
I
I
would not
perfuaded a
perfon to live without any fettled principles
at all, by
which
and things
:
to
judge of men and books,
or that
I
would keep
a
always doubting about his foundations.
man
The
chief things that I deiign in this advice, are
thefe three.
i.
That
AND READING.
i.
That
after
$J
our moil neceifary and
prudence
important principles of fcience,
and religion, are fettled upon good grounds,
with regard
our
to
future hopes,
we mould
freedom of thought,
treat
all
of fuch fubjects
as
and reafonable difpute.
our opinions be
in
read with a jufl
thofe books
which
may admit of doubt
Nor ihould any of
fo refolved
younger years,
and our
prefenr. conducl:
upon, efpecially
as never to hear or to bear
an oppofition to them,
When
we perufe thofe authors who
defend our own fettled fentiments, we
2.
fhould not take
and
folid
ftinction
>
but
all
we mould make
a wile di-
between the corn and the
folid
perficial
colours of
fwallow
nions becaufe
chaff,
reafoning and the mere fu-
between
dily
their arguings for juft
nor mould
it ;
we
rea-
down all their leifer opiwe agree with them in the
greater.
3.
That when we
which oppofe our moil
ed principles,
read
certain and eftablifh*
we ihould
.any informations
be ready to receive
from them
G
thofe authors
4
in other points,
and
:
OFBOOKS
88
and not abandon
fay,
at
once every thing they
though we are well
to their
main point of arguing.
Fas
Seize
fixed in ouroppoiition
eft
& ab hofte doceri.
upon truth where-e'er
Amongft your
'tis
Virg.
found,
amongft your
friends,
foes,
On
Chriftian or on Heathen ground;
The
divine
flower's
where-e'er
it
grows
Neglect the prickles, and aflume the
rofe.
XIII.
What
I
have faid hitherto on this
fubject, relating to
books and reading, muft
be chiefly underwood of that
fort
of books,
and thofe hours of our reading and ftudy,
whereby we delign
tual
powers of
mora'l or divine
treatifes
enforce
is
which
to
improve the intellec-
mind with natural,
knowledge. As for thofe
the
are written
and perfuade
to direct or
our practice,
one thing further necerTary
that
when our
conferences
;
there
and that
are
to
is,
convinced
that
AND READING.
89
that thefe rules of prudence or duty belong
to us, and require our
we mould
conformity to them,
then call ourfelves to account,
we have put
no; we mould dwell
and enquire ferioufly whether
them
upon
practice or
in
the arguments, and imprefs the motives
and methods of perfuafion upon our
hearts,
them
we
till
feel
own
the force and power of
inclining us to the practice of the
things which are there recommended.
If folly or vice be reprefented in
colours, or
its
open
fecret difguifes, let us fearch
our hearts, and review our
how
its
lives,
and en-
we are criminal 3 nor mould
we ever think we have done with the treatife till we feel ourfelves in forrow for our
quire
far
-
paft mifcondudt,
and afpiring
tory over thofe vices, or
of thofe
our
follies,
to be
we
a vic-
find a cure
wrought upon
fouls.
In
all
our ftudies and purfuits of
ledge, let us
fin
begun
till
after
remember
know-
that virtue and vice,
and holinefs, and the conformation of
our hearts and
lives to the duties
of true re-
ligion and morality, are things of far
more
confer
OF BOOKS
90
confequence than
all
the furniture of our
underftanding, and the
more
knowledge
fpeculative
caufe they have a
;
and that be*
more immediate and
upon our
tual influence
treafures of
richeff.
effec-
eternal felicity or
eternal forrow,
XIV. There
of which
thing while
and thefe
proper I fhould fay fome-
is
it
I
yet another fort of books,
is
am
treating
are, hiftory,
on
of thefe
I
;
among which
common pam-
-,
alfo little
news-papers,
phlets,
many
reckon
fubjecl:
poefy, travels, books
of diverfion or amufement
we may
this
fuch
or
:
for
confefs once reading
may
be fufUcient, where there
is
like
a tolerable
good
memory.
Or when
and
one
feveral perfons are in
reads
writings, once
to
the
hearing
reft
company,
fuch
may be
fort
of
fufficient,
provided that every one be fo attentive, and
fo free as
on fuch
to
make
their occafional
lines or fentences,
remarks
fuch periods or
paragraphs, as in their opinion deferve
Now
all
it.
thofe paragraphs or fentiments de-
serve a remark,
which
are
new and uncommon,
AND READING,
mon,
and excellent for the matter
are noble
of them,
and convincing
ftrong
are
9I
for
the argument contained in them, are beau-
and elegant for the language or the
tiful
manner, or any way worthy of a fecond rehearial
and
;
company
the requeft of any of the
at
let thofe
paragraphs be read over
again.
Such
happen
falfe
parts alfo
be remarkably
to
or
ftupid
as
or
may
filly,
mould become fubjects
criticifm, made by fome
mistaken,
of an occafional
of the company
cafion to
of thefe writings
the
;
and this may give ocof them for the
repetition
confirmation of the cenfure, for amufement
or diverlion.
Still
let it
be remembered, that where
the hiftorical narration
moment, where
ihine with
the
flitisfy a
oratory,
&c.
fome degrees of perfection and
mind
fort of writings
lefl
of confiderable
poeiy,
glory, a fingle reading
to
is
is
neither furBcient
that has a true tafte of this
;
nor can
we make
the ful-
and beft improvement of them without
proper
•
OF BOOKS
92
proper reviews, and that in our retirement
as well as
in
Who
company.
is
there that
has any gout for polite writings that would
be fufliciently
with hearing the
fatisfied
pages of Steele or Addifon, the
beautiful
admirable defcriptions of Virgil or Milton,
or fome of the
fineff.
or Dryden, once
poems of Pope, Young
over to them,
read
then lay them by for ever
XV. Among
and
?
thefe writings of the latter
kind we may juftly reckon fhort mifcellaneous
as
e flays
on
all
manner of
fubjedls
;
fuch
Occafional papers, the Tatlers, the
the
Spectators, and
fome other books
been compiled out of the
products
of the
tained a great
prefs,
that have
w eekly
T
or daily
wherein are con-
number of bright thoughts,
ingenious remarks, and admirable obfervations,
which have had
a confiderable (hare
in furnifhing the prefent age with
know-
ledge and politenefs.
I
wish
every paper
among
thefe writings
could have b~en recommended both
nocent and uftful.
idea and
I
as in-
wifh every unfecmly
wanton expreffion had bejn banilhed
AND READING.
9$
trifling
cd from amongfl: them, and every
page had been excluded from the company
of the
in
they had been bound
when
reft
volumes
:
but
it is
up
not to be expected,
imperfea a ftate, that Qv&ry page or
piece of fuch mixed public papers mould
Yet in
be entirely blamelefs and laudable.
in
fo
the main
much
it
mud
be confefTed, there
virtue, prudence, ingenuity and
Co
is
gobd-
them, efpecially in eight volumes
of Spedators, there is fuch a reverence of
things ficred, fo many valuable remarks
nefs
in
for our conduct in
improper
to
lie
in
life,
are not
that they
parlours,
or
fummer-
houfes, or places of ufual refidence, to en-
moments of
There
occur.
any
tertain
our thoughts in
leifure,
or vacant hours that
fuch a difcovery of the follies, iniquities
and fafhionable vices of mankind contained
is
in
them, that we may learn
humours and madneffes of
public world,
ment,
vicious
in
our
own
much
of the
the age and the
folitary retire-
without the danger of frequenting
company,
or receiving the mortal
infection,
.
XVI.
./
Among
;
OF BOOKS
94
Among
XVI.
other
books which are
proper and requifite, in order to improve
our knowledge
in
general, or our acquain-
tance with any particular fcience,
we mould
that
cefTary
and
Vocabularies
forts,
phrafes,
of
ufe
feveral
words, idioms and
to explain their fenfe
words or the terms of
their
in
arts
ne-
is
be furnimed with
Dictionaries
common
in order
technical
fhew
of
viz.
it
and
:
art,
fciences
;
of
to
of
names of men, countries, towns, rivers,
&c. which are called hiftorical and geographical Dictionaries, &c.
Thefe are to be
confulted and
and never
let
an
upon every occafion
ufed
unknown word
reading without feeking for
meaning
in
fupply the want of them
by confulting fuch
is
fenfe
its
and
fome of thefe writers.
If fuch books are not
it
your
pafs in
as
ufeful to note
at
hand, you muffc
as well as
you can,
can inform you
down
the
:
and
matters of
doubt and enquiry in fome pocket-book,
and take the
firfl
refolved, either
opportunity to get them
by perfons or books, when
we meet with them.
XVII. Be
AND HEADING
95
XVII. Be not fatisiied with
knowledge of the befl authors that
any
fubjecl:,
There
is
many
a
of enlarging his
mere
treat
of
of acquainting your-
inftead
thoroughly with
felves
a
the
fubjecl;' itfelf.
young ftudent that is fond
knowledge of books, and
he contents himfelf with the notice he has of
their title-page,
which
rather
perfons
under a
praclife thefe
two
Such
than a fcholar.
a bookfeller
are
the attainment of
is
great
follies,
temptation to
To
(i.)
number of books at
pence than moil of them can
a great
heap up
a greater
bear,
ex-
and to
their libraries infinitely better than
furnifh
their underftanding.
And
(2.)
when they
have gotten fuch rich treafures of knowledge
upon
men
their fhelves, they imagine themfelves
of learning, and take
a pride in talking
of the names of famous authors, and the fub-
which they treat, without any real
improvement of their own minds in true
fcience or wifdom.
At befl their learning
reaches no farther than the indexes and
jecls of
tables
how
ters
to
of contents,
while they
know
not
judge or reafon concerning the mat-
contained in thofe authors.
And
O F
96
And
B O O
K
S,
&C.
how many volumes of learnman pofTeffes, he is itill deplo-
indeed
ing foever a
rably poor in his underftanding,
made
till
he has
thefe feveral parts of learning his
property
by
reading
and
reafoning,
own
by
judging for himfelf, and remembering what
he has
read.
CHAP.
97
(
)
CHAP.
V.
JUDGMENT OF BOOKS.
I.
TF
we would form
a
judgment of
book which we have not
the
thing that offers
firft
and
of
defign
a
feen before,
the title-page,
is
and we may fometimes guefs a
import
a
little at
the
thereby;
book
muft be confeft that titles are
often deceitful, and promife more than the
book performs. The author's name, if it
though
it
known
be
may
the world,
in
conjecture at the performance a
and lead us
A
done.
further
affifl
I
before
recommended)
we have
read over the
the
titles
peruie
tions,
it is
it
may-
if
there be
will
give us
our judgment; and
fbme advancing
If
more,
perufal of the preface or introduc-
an index of the contents,
fiill
little
guefs in what manner
to
(which
tion
help us to
light.
not leifure or inclination to
book
itfelf regularly,
of chapters
feveral
we may
particular
and obferve
then by
be directed to
chapters
or
lec-
whether there be any
H
*
thing
THE JUDGMENT
9%
We
thing valuable or important in them.
find
fhall
hereby whether the author ex-
plains his ideas clearly,
whether he reafons
whether he methodizes well, whe-
ftrongly,
ther his thought and fenfe be
manly and
manner polite ; or on the other hand,
whether he be obfcure, weak, trifling and
his
confufed
;
or finally, whether the matter
may
not be folid and fubftantial, though the ftyle
and manner be rude and difagreeable.
II.
ters
By
having run through feveral chap-
and feclions in this manner, we
generally
worth
a
judge whether
the
complete perufal or no.
may
treatife
be
But
by
if
fuch an occalional furvey of fome chapters
our expectation be utterly difcouraged,
may
well lay afide that book
;
we
for there is
great probability he can but be an indifferent
writer on that fubjecl, if he affords but one
prize to divers blanks, and
downright blots
The
too.
ly be valuable if in {even or
which we perufe
evidence,
it
piece can hard-
eight chapters
there be but
force of
reafoning,
ingenuity of 'thought,
&c.
may be fome
little
truth,
beauty
and
mingled with
much
error,
nefs,
mean and common thoughts, inac-
ignorance, impertinence, dul-
curacy,
OF HOOKS,
95
curacy, fophirtry, railing, &c.
and time
fhort,
new book
every
that
it is
too
precious,
too
is
to
read
quite over in order to find
not worth the reading.
There
III.
is
Life
are
fome general miitakes
which perfons are frequently guilty of in
paffing a judgment on the books which
they read.
One
is
when
well, we
this
but tolerably
a treatife is written
;
are
favourable judgment of
exalt
its
it,
and fometimes to
character far beyond
agree with our
own
its
On
merit, if
it
and lupport
principles,
the opinions of our party.
if the
ready to pafs a
the other hand,
author be of different fentiments, and
we
can
find
neither wit nor reafon, good fenfe, nor
good
efpoufe
contrary principles,
language in
it
whereas, alas
;
!
if
our opi-
nions of things were certain and infallible
truth, yet a
in
filly
author
may draw
the defence of them,
and he
his pen,
may
at-
tack even grofs errors with feeble and ridi-
culous arguments.
Truth
in this
world
is
not always attended and fupported by the
wifeft and fafeft
methods
H
7.
;
and error, though
it
THE -JUDGMENT
100
it
can never be maintained by juft reafoning,
yet
may
An
ingenious writer
may put
own
miftakes.
be artfully Covered and defended.
upon
lours
nians,
his
who deny
the
Some
Soci-
Atonement of ChrinV
have written well, and with
ance of argument for their
tural
excellent co-
much appearown unfcrip-
fentiments; and fome writers for the
Trinity and Satisfaction of Chrift, have expoied themfelves and the facred doctrine by
their feeble and fooliili
Books
it.
manner of handling
are never to be
judged of merely
by their fubject, or the opinion they reprefent,
but by the juftnefs of their fentiment,
the beauty.
their
'of
manner,
their exprefiion, or the
the force of
flrength of reafon,
and the weight of juft and proper argument which appears in them.
But
this folly
and weaknefs of
inflead of arguing, does not
trifling,
happen
only to the {hare of Chriftian writers
are
fome who have taken the pen
to
fupport the
Deifiical
or
to fall
5
in
there
hand
Antichriftian
icheme of cur days, who make big pretences to reafon upon all occafions, but
feem to have
left it all
behind them
when
they
'
.
OF BOOKS.
they are jetting with the Bible,
ning
which we
the books
at
Some of
thought
not affaulted
;
and grin-
i
facred.
call
performances would fcarce
thefe
have been
10 1
the
they had
tolerable, if
Chriftian
though
faith,
now grown up to a place'amongtt
admired pens.
I much queftion whe-
they are
the
Cha-
ther feveral of the rhapfodies called the
racter i flicks
firft
would ever have furvived-the
edition,
ftrong
they had not difcovered fdl
if
tincture of infidelity,
a
and
now and
then can; out a profane fneer at our holy
religion*
how
ready to wonder
fo
readers
]y they
that
mud
much
are
form.
few books
from thefe
amongft them
literature,
fo
Sure-
fenfe.
and
may
write as
plebeian rank, and
trifle
fchool-man, though
it is
I
am
that
forced to fay, there
ever
made any pretences to a
which I derived fo little
as
obtain
ever
patrician
a
as an old
in another
been
be confcious in the perufal,
man of
a
indeed
book, in the main
amongft men of
fometimes
idly as
a
mould
loofely written,
many
as
fometimes
have
I
treatifes.
I
read,
great genius,
H
from
valuable knowledge
There
a lively pertnefs,
much
which
is
indeed
a parade or
of what fome folks
3
now-
THE JUDGMENT
X02
now-a-days
that
we
politenefs
call
;
but
hard
is
it
fhould be bound to admire
the
all
under the penalty of
reveries of this author
being unfafhionable.
Another
IV.
fons
fall
into
is
miftake which fome per-
this
when
:
they read a trea-
on a fubject with which they have but
tife
little
thing
acquaintance, they find almoft every
new and
ftrange to
them
;
un-
their
im-
derstandings are greatly entertained and
proved by the occurrence of
which were unknown
admire the
at
once
5
treatife,
whereas
a good degree of
to
and
if
many
them before
commend
things
;
they
the author
they had but attained
{kill
in that fcience, per-
haps they would find that the author had
written very poorly, that neither his fenfe
nor his method was juft and proper, and
that he had nothing in
very
common
him but what was
or trivial in his difcourfes
on
that fubjec~t.
Hence
Faber,
it
comes
who were
to pafs that Carlo
and
both bred up to labour,
and unacquainted with the fciences, mall
admire one of the weekly papers, or a
little
pamphlet
pamphlet that
K
B O O
O P
talks pertly
S,
103
on fome
critical
or learned theme, becaufe the matter
ftrange and
new
to
and for the
;
fame reafon a young academic
fhall
thor
dwell
(hall
a Journal or an Obfervator that treats
of trade and politics in a
and
all
them, and they join to
extol the writer to the ikies
upon
is
:
dictatorial
ftyle,
be lavifh in the praife of the au-
while
at the
fame time perfons well
fkilled in thofe different fubjects, hear the
impertinent
tattle
with a juft
contempt;
for they
know how weak and awkward
many of
thofe little diminutive difcourfes
are; and that thofe very papers of fcience,
politics, or trade,
which were
mired by the ignorant,
very
be
mean performances
alfo confeft there are
are,
;
fo
much
but
perhaps,
though
it
mull
fome excellent
fays in thofe papers, and that
ad-
ef-
upon fcience
as well as trade.
V. But there is a danger of miftake in
our judgment of books, on the other hand
alfo
:
for
when we have made
ourfelves
matters of any particular theme of
ledge, and furveyed
is
it
long on
know-
all fides,
there
perhaps fcarce any writer on that fubjedl
H
4
who
THE JUDGMENT
104
who much
entertains and pleafes us after-
we
wards,
becaufe
new
him; and
in
find
little
yet in a true
nothing
or
judgment,
perhaps his fentiments are mod: proper and
juft, his explication clear,
ftrong, and
all
and
'his
reafoning
the parts of the difcourfe are
well connected and
in a
fet
happy light;
but we knew moft of thofe things before,
and therefore they
in danger of
Thus
fr.rike
us not, and
we
are
difcommending them.
the learned and the unlearned have
their feveral diftinct. dangers and prejudices
ready to attend them in their judgment of
Thefe which
the writings of men.
mentioned
are a
I
have
fpecimen of them, and in-
deed but a mere fpecimen; for the prejuthat
dices
warp our judgment
afide
from
truth are almoh: infinite and endlefs.
VI.
Yet
I
cannot forbear to point out
more of
two
or three
may
attempt fomething toward the correc-
tion of them, or at
againfl
thefe follies, that
I
kail to guard others
them.
There
OFBOOKS.
There
fome perfons of
are
who
termeddle with
all
fond to in-
appearances
of know-
ledge, will give their
foon
as the title
forward
a
are
and lively temper, and
as
I05
judgment on
of
it
a
book
mentioned, for
is
they would not wittingly feem ignorant of
And efpeciany thing that others know.
ally if they happen to have any fuperior
character or pofTeflions of this world, they
fancy they have
a
thing that
every
upon
though
right to talk freely
or appears,
ftirs
they have no other pretence to this freedom.
Divito
litulus
worth forty thoufand pounds; Po-
is
a fine
is
mining things of
in all the
page
young gentleman who
Aulinus
;
is
of date,
minifter
read
dull (luff
fo
at
almofl
court
meet
to
where an excellent book of warm
and refined devotions lay
What
attendant on a
Thefe three happened
every day.
in a vifit,
is
and equi-
drefs
a fmall
and
fparkles
much
life,
nor would
fuch
treatifes.
is
here
?
in
laid
the
Divito
window.
;
I
never
nonfenfe in one page in
I
give a (hilling for
a
my
thoufand
Aulinus, though a courtier
and not uied to fpeak roughly, yet would not
allow there was
a line
of good fenfe in the
book, and pronounced him a
madman
that
wrote
THE
106
wrote
it
clared
him
his
in
D G
J
character,
T
N
that published
a fool
and de-
it
after his
more manners than
from men of fuch
to differ
a
rank and
and therefore he fneered
devout exprefiions
fccrn and
treatife
matter of
a
and vet
ridicule:
the
at
he heard them read,
as
and made the divine
known
E
fecrct retirement,
Politulus had
death.
M
it
was well
that neither this fine gentleman, nor
man
the courtier, nor the
a grain of devotion in
of wealth, had
them beyond
their
horfes that waited at the doer with their
gilded chariots.
world
:
blind
But
men
this
is
the
way of the
will talk of the beauty
of colours, and of the harmony or difpropcrtion
of figures
painting
in
;
the
deaf
will
prate of difcords in mufic, and thofe
who
have nothing to do with religion will
bed
arraign the
treatile
though they do not
on divine fubjecls,
underfland
language cf the fcripture, nor the
the
very
common
terms or phraies ufed in Chriftianity.
VII.
I
might here
of judges,
who
name another
will let themfelves
fort
up
to
decide in favour of an author, or will pro-
nounce him
a
mere blunderer, according to
th?
OF BOOKS.
IO7
company they have kept, and the judgment they have heard part upon a bock by
the
own ftamp
others of their
have
they
no knowledge or
themfelves.
fubject
or fize, though
of
tafte
Thefe with
a
the:
fluent
become mere echo's
of the praifes or cenfures of other men.
Sonillus happened to be in the room where
and voluble tongue,
gentlemen juft mentioned gave
the three
out their thoughts fo freely upon an admirable book of devotion
and two days
:
afterwards he met with fome friends of his
where
this
book was the fubject of conver-
fation and praife.
dulnefs,
Sonillus wondered at their
and repeated the
jefts
which he
upon the weaknefs of the
author.
His knowledge of the book and
his deciiion upon it was all from hearfay,
had heard
for
read
to
caft
he had never feen
it
it:
and
if
he had
through, he had no manner of right
judge about the things of religion, hav-
ing no more knowledge, nor
tafte
of any
thing of inward piety, than a hedge-hog or a
bear has of politenefs.
When
JProbus,
I
had written
who knew
all
thefe
the
remarks,
four gentle-
men,
THE JUDGMENT
108
men, wifhed they might have an opportunity to
read
own
their
Alas
reprefented here.
would do them very
may guard
there
is
fear
it
good, though
it
Probus,
!
little
I
:
for
never a one of them would find
is
read them,
in
though
thefe characters if they
and
fee
acquaintance
their
all
would acknowledge the
ately,
it
others againft their folly
own name
their
character as
features
immedi-
the perfons almofl alive in the
picture.
There
VIII,
which
principle
fons in
pamng
of others,
is
yet another mifchievous
prevails
judgment on the writings
and that is, when from the fee ret
a valuable
tempt upon
found
a
book,
and throw conand
:
reafon of their
they will
fure,
pride or envy, they
by wholefale
it
them the
aik
per-
a
itimulations of vanity,
defpife
among feme
tell
if
you
fevere cen-
you perhaps, they have
miftake or two in
it,
or there are
a few fentiments or expreffions not fuited
to their tooth and
down
humour.
Bavius cries
an admirable treatife of philofophy,
and
fays there
are
a
is
atheifm in
it,
becaufe there
few fentences that feem to fuppofc
brutes
:
,
OF BOOKS.
brutes to be mere machines.
Momus
influence,
fome
and heavy
flat
Under the fame
will not allow
Loft to be a good poem,
read
IO9
Paradife
becaufe he had
lines
in
it,
and he
much honour done
paltry humour that inclines
at any human performance,
thought Milton had too
him.
a
It
man
is
a
to rail
becaufe
it is
not abfolutely perfect.
would give us
Sunt
a better
Horace
example.
delicla quibus nos ignovijje velimus,
Nam
quam
neque chorda fonum reddit
mantis
vult
& mens,
Necfemperferiet quodcunquc minabitur arcus:
Atqueubipluranitent
Offendar macidis,
in carmine,
qitas
Aut butnana parum
nonego pauci's
aut incuria fudit
cavit natura.
Hor. de Art. Poet.
Thus
Be
Englifhed.
not too rigidly cenforious
A firing may jar in the
And
bejl
majler
s
hand,
the mojl Jkilful archer mifs his aim
;
So in a pGem elegantly writ
I will
not quarrel with a J,mall miftake,
Such as our nature 's frailty may
excufc.
roscommon.
This
;
THE JUDGMENT
HO
This
here
I
very honourable opinion of
cite, has a
Homer
whom
noble tranflator of Horace,
in the main, yet
he allows him to be
fome
juftly cenfured for
grofier fpots
and
blemiihes in him.
For who without
averfion ever /ook'd
On
thd by Ho?ner cook'd
holy garbage,
JVhofe railing heroes,
Make fome fufpecJ
Such
and whofe wounded gods
hefiores as well as nods.
wife and juft
made when we
ought
diftinctions
judgment on
mortal things, but Envy condemns by
Envy is a curled plant fome
wholefale.
to be
pafs a
-,
fibres
of
man's
nature,. and
it
fome pcrfons who
wifdom and
works
it
manner,
imperceptible
almoft
rooted
are
and
in
in
a
that
every
ily
even
and
in
men of
They know not how
main
in the
piety.
are
to bear the praifes that are given to
an in-
genious author, efpecially if he be living
and of their profeffion, and therefore they
will, if poflible,
find
writings, that they
it.
They
fome blemifh
may
beil
his
nibble and bark at
will endeavour
honour of the
in
to diminifh
treatife
the
that has been
writ-
OF BOOKS.
written on any fubject,
by
ufelefs
and to render
and the
lie afleep,
little
takes of that author to pafs unexpofed.
haps they will
commend
with a pretended
ral
pafs
many
fo
upon
it
IX.
remarks
mall effectually deftroy
as
praifes *.
in
him, he
Let him think with
it.
how many
whom
are the beauties of
much more
fuch
he cenfures, in compari-
remember
fon of his blemifhes, and
a
in gene-
the following confideration attempt
an author
is
Per-
of candour, but
humour working
the correction of
himfelf
work
mis-
a perfon feels any thing of
this invidious
may by
air
and formal
When
the
and invidious
fly
afterwards
their cold
all
that
find out
to
than faults
true and undifguifed candor
I
grant
when wifdom
performance,
an
in
air
:
it
him: but Envy
credible,
itfelf cenfures a
if the
when
make
it
and yet with
author has any thing valuable
its falfe
has a
bfighteft performances of a
is
weak and foollm
will oftentimes imitate the
able airs, in order to
and
peculiar beauties
will pafs its fevere fentence,
of candour,
it
honourable and good-na-
tured thing
*
it
their cenfures, rather than fuffer
envy to
their
HI
mind
human
cavils
to
fame favour-
appear more jufl
fnarl at
fome of the
writer,
a
much
THE JUDGMENT
112
a
mod) mere
Let him
accufation.
eaiv matter
man
amiable and divine talent than
find a
to
it is
who
authors,
what an
miftake in all hu-
reflect again,
are
fallible
necefTarily
and imperfect.
where
confess
I
himielf
lgs
ibvere:
almcf; deify
upon
(born
ially if
it is
and
Pagan ancients,
and
to
the moderns, ef-
all
the admirers of this
nature and thefe
that
writers always unite them.
made
though
the f.;me,
not
are
rit
know
author ihould
ture never
of
air
they do but favour of miracles
and the gofpel,
ancients
the
all
and
writers
exalt
and dictatorship,
_:.:;.•
up
lets
affumes an
and yet
i-cred,
hi 5
divine
ridicule
to
author
an
lb
me
Reafon and na-
thefe ancient heathens their
ilandard, either of art or genius, of writ-
nig or h
little
eflay
Sir
Hi
Richard
in his
Steele,
the Chriftian Hero, has
called
{hewn our Saviour and
St.
Paul in
a
more
glorious and tranfeendent light than a Virgil
cr
Homer
could do for their Achilles,
UlyfleSj or iEneas
;
and
Moles and Da\:d had
writers, thefe very
I
am
perfuaded, if
not been
infpired
men wculd have rank.^
them
OF BOOKS.
them
11^
with Herodotus and Horace,
at leaft
not given them the fuperior place.
But
if
.
where an author has many
beau--
confident with virtue, piety and truth,
ties
not
let
little
critics
mower down
ftretch
their
nature upon
ill
bounds or
without
meafure;
own powers
their
write a treatife fuperior to
condemn.
This
themlelves, and
e;;alt
the
is
but
of foul
:h:.:
him,
rather
they
til]
which
nobleil and
f
manner of fuppreillng what they cenfu
A
a
wit, or
little
a
good degree of
man
teach a
will
learning,
little
and
vanity
ill
cf remark and reproach upon cue
thor
and
:
fame
this
:
but
make
this
at
and good
a
by
be dreiTeu
who
t!.
loves reproach and fean-
the remarker
if
real
ana made entertaining en
talents,
to the world,
dal
great
a
may
zy
.
pour out whole pages
to
fancied mifrake or
with
attempt,
and
would but
try
to
c
:-.
c:;:e
:
.
:2
the author by writing a better back on the
fame fubject, he would foon be
of his
own
learn
to
infurhciency, and perhaps might
judge more juftly and
I
:
of
THE JUDGMENT
114
A
of the performance of other men.
ihoemaker may find fome
or a
ler
with the latchet of
fault
a
coolittle
fhoe that an
Apelles had painted, and perhaps with juftice too
traiture
the whole figure and pour-
fuch
is
as
none but Apelles could
Every poor low genius may
paint.
at
when
;
what the
performed;
and the nobleft hath
richeft
but
it
cavil
a fign
is
of envy and
malice added to the littlenefs and poverty
of genius,
fufficient
when fuch
reafon
becomes a
a cavil
pronounce
to
gainft a bright author
at
once a-
and a whole valuable
treatife.
X. Another, and that a very frequent
fault in pafling a judgment upon books is
this,
that perfons fpread the fame praifes or
the fame reproaches over a whole treatife,
and
all
the chapters in
it,
which
They judge
only to fome of them.
due
are
as it
were by wholefale, without making a due
diftinction
between the
feveral parts or fec-
tions of the performance
to lead thofe
who
hear
dangerous miftake.
juft
admirer of the
and
this is ready
them
talk, into a
j
Florus
late
is
a
great
Archbifhop
and
of
Cam-
;
OF BOOKS.
thing he
commends
and mightily
Cambray,
IIJ
every
and will allow no
has written,
whereas the writings of
him
excellent man are not all of a piece,
blemim
that
in
:
nor are thofe very books of his, which have
a
good number of beautiful and valuable
fentiments
them,
in
throughout, or
tion.
There
is
all
at
be recommended
to
once without diftinc-
his Demonftration of the
Ex-
igence and Attributes of God, which has
juftly gained
ing
an univerfal efteem, for bring-
down fome new and
noble thoughts of
the Wifdom of the creation to the understand-
ing of the unlearned, and they are fuch as
well deferve
the
man of
of the
perufal
fcience, perhaps as far as the
50th lection
but there are many of the following fections
which are very weakly
of them built upon an
written, and
enthufiaftical
fome
and
miftaken fcheme, akin to the peculiar opinions of Father Malebranche, fuch as Sect.
51, 53.
" That we know
the ideas
" That
the finite only by
of the infinite."
Sect. $$>
the fuperior reafon in
man
is
00.
God
himfelf acting in him." Sect. 6i # 62. u That
the idea of unity cannot be taken from creatures, but
from God only
I 2
:"
and
feveral
of
his
I
THE JUDGMENT
l6
from 6$ to 68, upon the docof liberty, feem to be inconfiftent.
his Se&ions,
trine
Again, toward the end of his book, he fpends
more time and pains than
are needful in re-
moving
changes, which
futing the Epicurean fancy of atoms
eternally through
might be done
infinite
effectually in a
much
fhorter
and better way.
So in his pofthumous
ters,
there
are
and his
efiays,
let-
many admirable thoughts
and experimental religion, and
in practical
very beautiful and divine fentiments in de-
votion
but fometimes in large paragraphs,
;
or in whole chapters together,
in. the clouds of
myftic
you
divinity,
never defcends within the reach of
ideas or
common
find
him
and he
common
fenfe.
i
But remember
but few
this alio, that there are
fuch authors
.who" talks; fo very
yet in other" places
as
this great
man,
weakly fometimes, and
is
fo
much
fuperior to
.the greateil part of writers.
There
'.where,
-are other in fiances
men
of this kind
of good fenfe in the main,
fet
up
:
OFBOOKS.
up
IIJ
many of
for judges, but they carry too
their
paffions
they are in
lovers,
of their
fair idol
upon
incenfe
thought
the
about them,
;
and
rapture
then like
name
the
at
they lavifh out
their
all
that fhrine, and
cannot bear
of
blemim
admitting
a
in
them.
You
mall hear Altifono not only admire
Cafimire of Poland in his lyrics, as the
utmoft purity and perfection of Latin poefy,
but he will allow nothing in him to be extravagant or faulty, and will vindicate every line
:
nor can
I
much wonder
him pronounce Lucan
I have heard
when
at it
the
bell:
of the ancient Latins, and idolize his very weakneiles and miftakes.
I will readily
acknowledge the Odes of Cafimire
more
and
to
fpirit
fire in
and force,
them, and
in
twenty places
ever meet with in any of our
am
afraid to fay that
has dignity enough in
it
have
more magnificence
more dignity and beauty, than
yet I
to
I
arife
could
modern poets
" Paliafutilis e luce'
for a robe
made
for
the Almighty. Lib. 4. Od. 7. 1. 37. or that
the Man of Virtue in Od. 3. 1. 44. «« under
the
ruins of
Heaven and
I
3
earth will bear
up
8
I
;
THE JUDGMENT
1
up the fragments of the
a
world with
falling
comely wound on his moulders."
late ruenti
Subjiciens fua colla ccelo
Yet
Mundum
decora vulnere fulclet
Inter que
cceli fragmina.
I
mufl needs confefs
hardly poflible a
alfo, that it is
man mould
to fo ex-
rife
alted
and fublime a vein of poefy
mire,
who
not in danger
is
fuch extravagancies
:
but
as Cafi-
now and
iiill
then of
they
mould
we pretend
not be admired or defended, if
judgment on the writings of
men.
to pafs a juft
the greateil
Milton
world agrees
radife Loft
noble
to confefs
is
a
mod
rivals the
a
is
it
glorious
and
genius,
;
his
the
poem of Pa-
performance^ and
famous pieces of antiquity
-
y
but that reader muft be deeply prejudiced
in
favour
him
of the poet,
who
equal to himfelf through
can imagine
all
that
work.
Neither the fublime fentiments nor dignity
of numbers,
preflion
are
nor force or beauty of exequally maintained,
3
even
in
a11
OFBOOKS.
all
thofe parts
force
beauty,
confent to
which
119
require grandeur or
or harmony.
Mr, Dryden's
I
opinion, though I
will not ufe his words, that for
of
lines
flatnefs,
together, there
and almoil
that fpirit of poefy
and flames
XI.
cannot but
is
a coldnefs
perfect
a
which
fome fcores
and
abfence
of
breathes, and lives,
in other pages.
When
you hear any perfon pretend-
ing to give his judgment of a book, confider
with yourfelf whether he be a capable judge,
or whether he
happy
may
not
is
a fufficient
his jufteft fentiments
Though
he
under fome un-
bias or prejudice, for or againft
whether he has made
form
lie
he be a
upon
or
enquiry to
it.
man of good
fenfe, yet
uncapable of paffing a true judgment
of a particular book,
if
he be not well ac-
quainted with the fubjed of which
and the manner in which
it
it,
verfe or
profe
j
it is
it treats,
written, be
or if he hath not had an
opportunity or leifure to look fufficiently
into the writing itielf.
I
4.
Again
1
JUDGMENT,
THK
20
Again, though he
judging on
all
&ftf.
be ever fo capable of
know-
other accounts, by the
ledge of the fubject, and of the book
yet
you
are to confider alfo,
itfelf,
whether there
be any thing in the author, in his manner,
his
in
language, in his opinions,
which may warp the fen-
.nicular party,
timents of
or
ill
of the
him
and his
that judgeth, to think well
treatife,
and to pafs too favour-
able or too fevere a fentence concerning
If you find that he
is
it.
either an unfit judge
becaufe of his ignorance, or becaufe of his
judgment of that book mould
nothing. Philographo is a good divine,
'prejudices, his
go
for
an ufeful preacher, and an approved expofitor
of fcripture, but he never had a
taite
for any of the polite learning of the age
he was fond of every thing that appeared
a
devout drefs
him
fine
:
he told
but
j
me
laft
all
verfe
:
in
was alike to
week there was
a
very
book of poems nubhfhed on the three
Hope, and Charity;
and a moil elegant piece of oratory on the
four laft things, Death, Judgment, Heaven,
chriftian graces, Faith,
and Hell.
'
Do
you think
I (hall
buy
either
of thole books merely on Philographo's re-
commendation
?
C
H A P,
121
(
)
CHAP.
VI.
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS AND LECTURES, OF
TEACHERS AND LEARNERS.
I. t
^HERE
h
1
nef rating
judgment,
genius and
and
fafely
His
a tutor.
fary for
all
and the
fo juft
a
bell:
of
fcience fo
even by the
books, without
afiiftance is abfolutely necef-
beginners.
but
pe-
afiiftance
any
fcarce
moil perfons, and
teachers,
,
is
fo fpeedily learned,
nobleft genius
fo
be capable of learning the
as to
There
teachers.
ing
a
few perfons of
and fciences without the
arts
for
are
Books
it is
very ufeful
are a fort of
dumb
they point out the way to learnif
we labour under any doubt
or
miftake, they cannot anfwer fudden queftions, or
culties
:
explain prefent doubts and diffithis
is
properly the
work of
a liv-
ing inftructor.
II.
There
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS
122
II.
There
learning,
to
as
who
are
with fuch univerfal
furnifhed
fufficiently
few tutors
are very
fuftain
all
provinces of inftruction.
the
The
numerous, and many of them
and
parts
fciences are
lie
far
wide
of each other; and it is beft to enjoy the
inftruction of two or three tutors at lead,
whole encycloof fciences, where it may
in order to run through the
paedia, or circle
be obtained
we may
then
;
expect that each
which
will teach the few parts of learning
are
committed to his care in greater perfec-
But where
tion.
this advantage
cannot be
had with convenience, one great man mull:
fupply the place of two or three common
inftructors.
It
III.
is
not fufficient that inftructors be
competently ikilful in thofe fciences which
:
but they mould have
the art or
method of teaching,
they profeis and teach
fkill alio in
and patience in the practice of
It
is
a
great unhappinefs indeed
peribns
by a
intereft,
or
tutors,
it.
who
fpirit
when
of party, or faction, or
by purchafe,
are
fet
up
for
have neither due knowledge
of
BY TEACHERS.
of fcience, nor
And
nication.
with
who
there are others
alas,
and infufficiency
their ignorance
all
way of commu-
the
fkill in
123
have felf-admiration and effrontery enough
up themfelves
to fet
fare
accordingly,
and the poor pupils
;
and grow lean in their
underflandings.
And
let
it
be obferved
there are
alfo,
fome very learned men who know much
themfelves, but have not the talent of
municating their
own knowledge
;
com-
or elfe
they are lazy and will take no pains at
it.
Either they have an obfcure and perplexed
way of
talking, or they
ing ufelefsly, and
make
mew
their
learn-
a long periphrafis
on
every word of the book they explain, or
they cannot condefcend to young beginners,
or they run prefently into the elevated parts
of the fcience, becaufe
it
gives themfelves
greater pleafure, or they are foon angry
and
impatient, and cannot bear with a few
im-
pertinent queftions of a
and fprightly genius
;
young
inquifitive
or elfe they fkim over
a fcience in a very flight and fuperficial fur-
vey, and never lead jheir qifciples into the
depths of
it,
IV.
A
OF
124
IV.
and
I<I
VI NC
A good
He is
mould have
tutor
characters
from
very different
qualifications
thefe.
INSTRUCTIONS
one
filch a
as
all
both can and will
apply himfelf with diligence and concern,
and indefatigable patience to
undertakes
to teach his
-
3
that they learn
5
effect
difciples
to adapt his
what he
and
fee
way and method
may be
to the various difpofi-
tions, as well as to
the capacities of thofe
near as
as
whom
he inftructs, and to inquire often into
their progrefs
And
and improvement.
he mould take particular care of
own temper and conduct, that there
be nothing in him or about him which may
be of ill example ; nothing that may favour
his
of a haughty temper, or a mean and fordid
fpirit
;
nothing that
averfion or to the
may
expofe
him
to the
contempt of his fcholars,
or create a prejudice in their minds againft
him and his
mould have
inftructions
fo
much
:
as
if poflible
he
of a natural candor
and fweetnefs mixt with
ments of learning,
but
all
the improve-
might convey know-
ledge into the minds of his difciples with
a
fort
of gentle infinuation and fovereign
delight, and
may tempt them
into the higheic.
im-
BY TEACHERS.
improvements of
and infenfible
reafon
their'
But
force.
125
by
I
a refiftlefs
have
fhall
more on this fubject, when I
fpeak more directly of the methods
occafion to fay
come
to
of the communication of knowledge.
The
V.
learner
stancy and care on
tutor
and
;
unavoidably
to retrieve
if
review
all
the instructions of his
at
the lofs by double induftry for
He
his
fubject, confer
fhould always recollect
lectures,
read
authors
upon
it
over
fome
Upon the
fame
with his inftructor,
or with his aflbciates, and write
cleared
refult
reafonings
of
his ..p-refent
and inquiries,
have recourfe
to:
amine them and
ufe,
any time
he muit endeavour
hindered,
author or
other
attend with con-
he happens to be
time to come.
and
mould
down
the
thoughts,
which he may
hereafter, either to re-exto apply
or to improve
them
them
to proper
farther to his
own
advantage.
VI.
A student mould never fatisfy him-
with bare attendance on the lectures
of his tutor, unlefs he clearly takes up his
felf
fenfe
and
meaning,
and
understands
the
things
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS
126
things which he teaches.
A
young
difciple
fhould behave himfelf fo well, as to gain the
and the ear of his
affection
that
inftrucTior,
upon every occafion he may with the utmoft
freedom afk queftions,
own
and talk over his
fentiments, his doubts and difficulties
with him, and in
humble and modeft man-
a
ner defire the folution of them.
Let
VII.
the
learner
-endeavour
to
maintain an honourable opinion of his in-
and needfully
itructor,
tions,
as
to his inftruc-
one willing to be led by
experienced guide
bound
liften
to fall in
:
and though he
-as
to refolve
prefume
it
a
an
is-
not
upon
comply with
a jufl confideration
of the matter, and try and examine
roughly with
more
with every fentiment of
his tutor, yet he fhould fo far
him,
a
him
tho-
before he
honefl heart,
to determine againft:
it
:
and then
mould be done with great fnodefty, with
humble jealoufy of himfelf, and apparent
unwillingnefs to differ from his tutor, if the
force of argument and
strain
truth did not con-
him.
VIII. It
BY TEACHERS.
VIII. It
is
a frequent
in our age, that pert
12^
and growing folly
young
difciples
ibon
who
teach
fancy themfelves wifer than thofe
them
the
at
:
firft
view,
or
upon
a
very
thought, they can difcern the infig-
little
weaknefs and miftake of what
nificancy,
teacher
their
The youth
afferts.
of our
day by an early petulancy, and pretended
liberty of thinking for themfelves, dare reject at once,
thofe
all
fentiments
teachers
their
after
and that with a
have
fort
of fcorn,
which
and doctrines
determined,
perhaps
long and repeated coniideration, after
years of mature ftudy, careful obfervation,
and
much
IX. It
prudent experience.
is
teachers and matters are
true,
not infallible, nor are they always in the
right
a
and
;
it
mull be acknowledged,
matter of fome
minds
difficulty for
to maintain a juit
it
is
younger
and folemn venera-
tion for the authority and advice of their
parents and the initructions of their tutors,
and yet
at the
felves a juft
We
their
fame time to fecure to them-
freedom in their
own
are fometimes too ready to
fentiments
without
thoughts.
imbibe
all
examination,
if
we
OF LIVING INSTRUCTIONS, &C.
128
we
reverence and
love
them;, or, on the
we take all freedom to conteft
opinions, we are fometimes tempted
other hand, if
their,
to
caft-
off that love
perfens,
Youth
is
and reverence
to their
which God and nature
dictate.
ever in danger of thefe
two ex-
tremes.
But
X.
thus
;
I
think I
may
fafely
though the authority of
conclude
teacher
a
muft not abfolutely determine the judgment
of his pupil, yet young and raw and unexperienced
learners
mould pay
proper
all
deference that can be to the inftructions of
their parents
and teachers, fhort of abfo-
lute fubmiffion
we mud
to their dictates.
maintain
this,
that
Yet
they
ftill
mould
never receive any opinion into their aifent,
whether
the
it
tutor's
dence of
be conformable or contrary to
mind,
it fir ft
without
given to their
fufficient
own
evi-
reafoning
powers.
CHAP.
;
(
C
OF
THE
firft
that
is,
H A
)
VII.
JJ.
LEARNING
author,
tutor
"9
A LANGUAGE.
thing required in reading an
or in hearing
of a
lectures
vou well underftand the Ian-
guage in which they write or fpeak.
Living
languages, or fuch as are the native tongue
of any nation in the prefent age, are more
eafily learnt and taught by a few rules, and
much
familiar converfe, joined to the read-
ing fome proper authors.
The dead
are fuch as ceafe to be fpoken in
languages
any nation
and even thefe are more eafy to be taught
may
(as far as
be) in that
living languages are
by
it
learnt,
partly
i. e.
and partly by rote or cuftom.
And
not be improper in this place to
men-
rule,
may
beft:
method wherein
tion a very few directions for that purpofe.
I.
Begin with
the
moft neceflary and
moft general obfervations and rules which
K
belong
LEARNING
OF
I30
belong to that language, compiled in the
form of
grammar; and
a
The
in moft languages.
thefe are but
few
regular declenfions
and variation of nouns and verbs mould be
early and thoroughly learnt by heart, together with twenty or thirty of the plaineft
and
moil: neceflary rules
But
let
of fyntax.
be obferved, that in almoil
it
languages fome of the very commonefl
all
nouns and verbs have many
in
them
verbs
fuch are
;
—to
and to have
be,
done,
&c.
latives
of
the
The
common
—
auxiliary
to do, and to be
comparatives and fuper-
words
the
irregularities
—good,
bad,
great,
much, little, &c. and thefe mould
be learnt among the firfl rules and varia-
fmall,
tions, becauie they continually occur.
But
as
to
other words
which
are lefs
frequent, let but few of the anomalies or
irregularities of the
tongue be taught among
the general rules to young beginners.
will
come
in afterwards to be learnt
Thefe
by ad-
vanced fcholars in a way of notes on the
rules, as in
the Latin
grammar
called
the
Oxford Grammar, or in Ruddiman's notes
7
on
A
on
bis
learnt
L
A N G UA G
I3I
E.
Or they may be
by examples alone, when they do
rudiments,
&c.
occur; or by a larger and more complete
fyftem of grammar, which defcends to the
more
particular forms of fpeech
So the
:
heteroclite nouns of the Latin tongue,
are
which
taught in the fchool-book called Qucz
Genus, mould not be touched in the
firft
learning of the rudiments of the tongue.
As
grammar by which you learn
any tongue mould be very fhort at firft,
fo it mult be written in a tongue with
which you are well acquainted, and which
II.
is
the
Therefore
very familiar to you.
prefer even the
common
(as it is called) to
I
much
Engliili Accidence
any grammar whatfoever
The
written in Latin for this end.
Englifh
Accidence has doubtlefs many faults: but
thole editions of
it
which were printed
the year 1728, under
the correction of a
learned profeflbr, are the beft
lifh
fince
;
or the
Eng-
rudiments of the Latin tongue by that
learned
North Briton Mr. Ruddiman, which
are
perhaps
this
kind
I
the
am
ally becaufe I
moil
ufeful
acquainted with
books
j
would not depart too
K
2
of
efpecifar
from
the
L E
O F
132
the ancient and
which
feveral
A
R N
common
I
I^G
forms of teaching,
good grammarians have done,
to the great detriment of fuch lads as have
been removed to other fchools.
The
and unreafonable method
tirefome
of learning the Latin tongue by a grammar
with Latin
rules,
thofe mailers
who
would appear even
teach
it
fo,
to
in its proper
colours of abfurdity and ridicule, if thofe
very mailers would attempt to
learn
the
Chinefe or Arabic tongue, by a grammar
written in the Chinefe or Arabic language.
Mr.
Clark, of Hull, has faid enough in a
few pages of the preface
mar 1723,
irrational
it
in
fo
to
make
new gram-
that practice appear very
and improper
warm and
to his
though he has
;
angry a manner, that
Mr. Ruddiman to write
him, and to fay what can be faid to
has kindled
cate a practice,
faid
which,
think,
I
is
it
againft
vindiutterly
indefenfible.
III.
At
the rules, begin alfo the
inftance,
when you begin
practice.
As for
the fame time,
when you
decline mufa, nutfce, read
and conftrue the fame day fome "eafy Latin
author,
LANGUAGE.
A
by the help of
author,
fome
Engliili
book whofe
ftile is
of difcourfe
not hard to
be
choofe.fuch
:
many
understood .;
mus's
men
wife
this view,
of
the fayings
writings,
little
of Greece, Cato's moral
which
little
fome of Eraf-
Colloquies,
Corderi.us's
and
obvious,
plain,
books have been compofed. with
as
a
fimple, and the fubjecl:
very
is
with
tutor, or
a
tranflation
I33
the
di-ftichs,
and the
reft
of Mr.
Ruddiman's Englim grammar; or
the
Teftament of
Latin
which
lation,
Thefe
&c.
Fables, and
Caftellio's
•
upon
are very proper
end
tranf-
oc-
this
with iE fop's and Phaedrus's
little
affairs
common
and the
ftories,
of domertic
But
Latin tongue.
in the
the
accounted the pureft Latin,
is
cafion, together
and daily
collected at
are
written
life,
let
the higher
poets, and orators, and hiftqrians, and other
writers,
whofe .language
and whofe fenfe
mon
life,
is
is
more laboured,
more remote- from com-
be rather kept out of fight,
there be fome proficiency
made
till
the lan-
in
guage.
•-•
:
.
It
is
ftrunge
tiiat.
matters
.
mould
•
teach
children fo early Tally's Epiftles, or Ora-
K
3
tions,
LEARNING
OF
134
tions, or the
poems of Ovid
or Virgil,
whofe
fenfe is often difficult to find, becaufe of the
great tranfpofition of the
found the
they have
they have very
little
words
;
and when
grammatical
ufe of
fenfe,
becaufe they
it,
have fcarce any notion of the ideas and defign of the writer,
being fo remote from
it
the knowledge of a child
common
flories
whereas
:
and colloquies,
rules of a child's behaviour,
vious fubje&s, will
memory
much
little
the
and
and fuch ob-
better
affift
the
of the words by their acquaintance
with the things.
IV.
Here
it
may be
ufeful alfo to ap-
point the learner to get by heart the more
common
and ufeful words, both nouns and
adjectives,
pronouns and verbs, out of fome
well formed and judicious vocabulary. This
will furnifh
him with names
for the
moft
familiar ideas.
V. As foon
let
the
tutor
tongue which
as ever the learner is capable,
converfe
is
to
with him in the
be learned,
living language, or if
it
if it
be a
be Latin, which
is
the living language of the learned world:
Thus
LANGUAGE.
A
Thus he
by
it
1
will acquaint himfelf a little
rote, as well as
For
ther-tongue,
I
and by living
rule,
of two years
if a child
method
old by this
with
by reading the writings
practice, as well as
of the dead.
by
35
learns
am
momethod
to fpeak his
fure the fame,
will greatly amft and facilitate
of any other language
the learning
who
to thofe
are
older.
VI.
Let
exercifes
learnt,
the chief leflbns and the chief
of fchools, v.
(at Ieair.
the
for
where Latin
c.
firft
is
year or more)
be the nouns, verbs, and general rules of
fyntax, together with a mere tranflation out
of fome Latin author into Engliih
fcholars be
;
and
employed and examined by
let
their
teacher daily in reducing the words to their
original or theme, to the
or
of
firit
firft
cafe of
nouns
tenfe of verbs, and giving an account
their formations
and changes, their fyn-
tax and dependencies,
mod
which
ing.
This
boys
into a complete and
is
a
is
called parf-
ufeful exercife to lead
thorough know-
ledge of what they are doing.
K
4.
The
.
LEARNING
OF
I36
The Englim
tranflations,
learner has made,
mould be
which
the
well corrected
by the mafter, and then they mould be
tranflated back again for the next day's
by the child into Latin, while the
Latin author is withheld from him ; but he
fhould have the Latin words given him in
exercife
their
be
firft.
cafe
left to feek
ary
:
and
tenfe
and mould never
;
them himfelf from
and the nearer he
a diction-
tranflates it to the
words of the author whence he derives his
Englim, the more mould the child be com-
Thus he
mended.
languages at once.
'
will gain fkill in
I
think Mr. Clark has
done good fervice to the public by his
lations of Latin
But
every
let
two
books for
trans-
this end.
the foolim cuflom of employing.
filly
boy
to
make themes
or decla-
mations and verfes upon moral fubjects in a
itrange tongue, before he understands
mon
fenfe,
even in his
own
com-
language, be
abandoned and cafhiered for ever.
VII.
As
the learner improves, let
him
acquaint himfelf with the anomalous words,
the irregular declenfions of nouns and verbs,
the
:
LANGUAGE.
A
the
137
more uncommon connexions of words
in fyntax, and the exceptions to the general
rules of
grammar.
duced, as far as
original and
But
1
them
be
all
.re-
thofe feveral
to
poffible,
which he has
general rules,
the proper
learned as
let
rank and
place
to
which they belong.
VIII.
While
.
he
is
doing
this,
.
may
it
be proper for him to converfe with authors
which
are
a
little
hiftorians, orators,
and
with
difficult,
but
let
Roman
or
poets, Sec.
inform him of 'the
tutor
his
more
Greek cuftoms which occur
therein.
Let
the lad then tranflate 'fome parts of
them
into his mother tongue, or into
well
known
again' into
language,: and
the
But
author.
into profe,
original.
-:
let
the
1
fome other
thence
language
verfe be.
for poefy does
.
back
of the
tranflated
not belong to
grammar.
IX.
By
this
time he.wlll'be able to ac-
quaint himfelf with fome of the fpecial
phafes of
fpeech, and
em-
the peculiar idioms
1
of the tongue.
'
He mould
be taught alfo
the fpecial beauties and ornaments -of the
language
;
LEARNING
OF
I38
language
:
and
this
may be done
the help of authors
and
fuch idioms,
who
by
have collected
them
call:
partly
into an eafy
method, and partly by the judicious remarks
which
inftructOr
his
may make upon
the
authors which he.reads,< wherefoever fuch
of fpeech or fpecial elegancies
peculiarities
occur.
Though
X.
the
is
by
lefTons
from
the labour of learning all
that
heart,
borrowed
are
which they conftrue,
and unneceffary impofition upon
poetical authors,,
an unjuft
the learner, yet he muft take the pains to
memory
commit
to
not
the
all
the moft neceffary, if
common
and fome of the
:
of grammar,
two under each of
with an example or
them
rules
and moft
felecl:
Latin or
uieful periods or fentences in the
Greek
learnt
which
author
by
choicer
fometimes
out
whole
poems, &c.j
of
may
their
epifodes
as well as
may be
reads,
with fome of the
heart, together
lefTons
the lyrics
he
poets
out of
;
and
heroic
whole odes among
defer ve this honour.
XI.
Let
LANGUAGE.
A
Let
XI.
the fenfe as well as
thofe
rules,
leflbns,
they attempt to
39
be always carefully obferv-
the learners
that
cd,
this
1
perfe&ly underftand
language of
the
or paragraphs
commit
which
Let
memory.
to
all
the teacher poffefs them- of their true mean-
become eafy
ing, and then the labour will
and
pleafant
whereas,
:
impofe
to
on
a
child to get by heart a long fcroll of un-
known
phrafes or words, without any ideas
under them,
a cruel
is
a piece
of
ufelefs tyranny,
impofition, and a practice
fitter
for
a jack-daw or a parrot, than for any thing
that wears the fhape of a
XII.
And
occafion given
man.
here, I think, I have
me
full
fair
to confider that queflion
which has been often debated
tion, viz.
a
in converfa-
whether the teaching of
a fchool
of boys to learn Latin by the heathen
Ovid in his Epiftles, and the filly
of his Metamorphofes, Horace, Juand Martial, in their impure odes,
poets, as
fables
venal,
fatires,
and epigrams, &c.
is
fo proper
and
agreeable a practice in a Chriftian country.
XIII. (1.)
-XIII. (i.)
ityle
LEARNING
OF
I4Q
of thofe
native tongue
I
grant
the language and
men who wrote
in their
own
mud: be more pure and perfect
fome nice elegancies and peculiarities,
than modern writers of other nations who
in
have imitated them
;.
and
that the beauties of: their
owned alfo
poefy may much
it
is
excel: but in either of thefe things, boys
cannot be fuppofed to be
.
much improved
or injured by one or the other.
XIV.
modern
(2.)
It mall be
confeft too, that
poets, in every living language, have
brought into their works
epithets,
heathen
many words,
and metaphors, from the
phrafes,
and
fables
fo
(lories
of their
Gods
and heroes, that in order' to underftand thefe
modern
little
Writers,
it
is
of thofe ancient
be anfwered,
fuch a book
that
as the
a
know a
but it may
neceffary to
follies:
good dictionary, or
Pantheon or hiftory of
thofe Gentile deities, Sec.
may
give fuftici-
ent information of thofe ftories, fo far as
they are neceflary
and ufeful
to
fchool-
boys.
XV.
(3.)
LANGUAGE.
A
141
XV. (3.) I will grant yet further, that
lads who are defigned to make great fchclars or divines,
may, by reading thefe hea-
then poets, be taught better to underftand
the writings of the ancient fathers
the Heathen religion
what ridiculous
;
againffc
and they learn here
fooleries the Gentile nations
what
believed as the articles of their faith,
wretched and foul
and praclifed
as duties
of religion, for want
of the divine revelation.
may
indulged
idolatries they
But
this
perhaps
be learnt as well either by the Pan-
theon, or fome other collection, at fchool
or
after
may
them
read
to,
they have
what
left
own
their
-,
they
the fchool,
inclinations lead
and whatfoever of
this
kind
may
be really ufeful for them.
XVI. But
all
the great queftion
thefe advantages
is,
whether
which have been men-
tioned, will compenfate for the long
months
and years that are waited among their incredible
and
and ihameful
defTes
trifling:
ftories
romances,
their falfe
of the Gods and
God-
and their amours, and the lewd heroes
and vicious poets of the Heathen world.
Can
thefe idle and
4
ridiculous
tales
be of
any
LEARNING
OF
142
human
any
real
Do
they not too often defile the mind with
and
folid
advantage in
life ?
?
Do
they not flick long upon the fancy,
and
vain,
leave
Do
mifchievous and impure ideas
an unhappy influence upon youth
they not
folly
tm&ure
the imagination with
and vice very early, and pervert
all that is
?
good and holy
it
from
?
XVII. Upon the whole furvey of things
it is
who
my
learn
fafer to
opinion, that for almoft
this tongue,
it
would be much
be taught Latin poefy
as far as they can
need
it)
us
(as
foon and
from thofe excel-
lent tranflations of David's
are given
boys
all
Pfalms, which
by Buchanan in the various
meafures of Horace
and the lower
;
claiTes
had better read Dr. Johnfton's tranflation
of thefe pfalms, another elegant writer of
the Scots nation, inftead of Ovid's Epiftles;
for
he has turned the fame pfalms perhaps
with greater elegancy
whereof the learned
W.
into
elegiac
verfe,
Benfon, Efq. has
lately publifhed a noble edition,
and
I
hear
that thefe pfalms are honoured with an en-
crealing ufe in
Scotland.
A
the fchools of Holland and
ftanza, or a couplet of thefe
writers,
A
ANG U A
L
G
E.
143
would now and then ftick upon
the minds of youth, and would furnilfo
them infinitely better with pious and moral
writers,
mak-
thoughts, and do fomething towards
ing them good
men and
A little
XVIII.
Chriftians.
book collected from
Bu-
the pfalms of both thefe tranflators,
chanan
and
Chriftian
for fchools
to
Latin poefy
;
them
begin
and
I
their
am
inftructions in
well afTured this
who
never defign a learned pro-
and yet cuftom has foolimly bound
to learn that language.
But
caft
few other
richly fufficient for all thofe in
lower rank,
fefiion,
a
would be of excellent ufe
poets,
would be
and
Johnfton,
mould be thought hard to
Horace and Virgil, Ovid and Juvenal,
left
it
entirely out of the fchools,
and there a few
fatires,
or
lyric
I
add, if here
odes, or
pieces of
fome epifodes of heroic
verfe,
with here and there an epigram of Martial,
all
which
(hall
be clear from the ftains of
vice and impiety, and
the
mind with noble
fancy with bright and
which may
fentiments,
warm
infpire
fire
the
ideas, or teach
leflbns
LEARNING
OF
144-
leffons
and
of morality
prudence,
chofen out of thofe ancient
Roman
were
writers
the ufe of the fchools, and were col-
for
lected and printed in one moderate volume,
two
or
at the
moft,
it
fufricient provifion out
would be abundantly
of the
Roman
for the inftruction of boys in all that
poets
is
ne-
cefTary in that age of life.
Surely
Juvenal himfelf would not have
the face to vindicate the matters
boys his 6 th
fatire,
teach
and many paragraphs of
when he himfelf
feveral others,
who
has charged
us,
Nil
diftu fcedum, vifuque, hcec limina tangat
Intra qua puer
eft.
Sat. 14.
no lewdnefs, nor indecent fpeech,
Th' apartment of the tender youth to reach.
Suffer
Dryden.
Thus
far
in
anfwer to the
foregoing
queftion.
But
Mr. Clark of Hull, in
of education, and Mr. Philips
I retire; for
his treatife
preceptor
LAN
A
preceptor to the
AGE.
G U
I45
Duke of Cumberland, have
given more excellent directions for learning
]
Latin.
XIX.
When
be of any ufe
at all,
forgotten again.
take
all j ufl:
frequently
pity
it is
It is
learnt,
is
it
proper,
if it
mould be
therefore, to
opportunities to read fomething
in
neceftary and
you
lan^uaee
a
that
language,
when
important ftudies
other
will
give
As in learning any tongue,
dictionaries which contain words and phrafes
fliould be always at hand, fo they mould
leave.
be ever kept within reach by perlbns
who
would remember a tongue which they have
Nor mould we at any time conlearnt.
tent ourfelves with
fenfe
or
a
doubtful guefs at the
meaning of any words which oc-
cur, but confult the dictionary,
which may
give us certain information, and thus fecure
us from miftake.
It
mere
is
(loth
which
makes us content ourfelves with uncertain
guefles
;
and indeed this
ufeful for perfons
is
neither fafe nor
who would
guage or fcience, or have
learn any lan-
a defire
to retain
what they have acquired.
L
XX.
When
LEARNING, &C.
XX. When you have learnt one or. many
OF
I46
languages ever fo perfectly,
heed of
take
priding yourfelf in thefe acquifitions
mere
are but
they
:
treasures of words, or inftru-
ments of true and
folid
whofe chief defign
is
knowledge,
to lead us into
and
an ac-
quaintance with things, or to enable us the
more
eafily-
to
convey thofe ideas or that
knowledge toothers.
the various tongues,
relief againft the
An
is
as
Babel,
nothing
elfe
and were
:
I
in
mafter
many languages as were fpoken at
I mould make but a poor pretence
to true learning or knowledge, if I
clear
but a
mifchief which the build-
ing of Babel introduced
of
acquaintance with
and
my
diftincl:
ideas,
and ufeful notions
head under the words which
tongue could pronounce.
a thing
had not
is
human
Yet
fo
my
unhappy
nature, that this fort of
knowledge of founds and
fyllables is ready
up the mind with vanity, more than
the moll valuable and folid improvements of
to puff
it.
The
pride of a grammarian, or a critic,
generally exceeds that of a philofopher.
CHAP.
('H7
)
CHAP.
VIII.
OF ENQUIRING INTO THE SENSE AND MEANING OP
ANY WRITER OR SPEAKER, AND ESPECIALLY THE
SENSE OF THE SACRED WRITINGS.
a
ITfuch
is
great unhappinefs
that there
is
an ambiguity in words and forms
of fpeech, that the fame fentence may be
drawn
it
into different fignifications
comes
to pafs, that
it is
difficult
reader exactly to hit
for the
whereby'
fometimes
upon the
which the writer or fpeaker had
Some
;
in his
ideas
mind.
of the beft rules to direct us herein
are fuch as thefe.
I.
itfelf,
mind
well acquainted with the tongue
Be
or
is
wherein
language
expreft.
the
Learn not only the true
meaning of each word, but the
thofe words obtain
particular
author's
when
which
placed in fuch a
and order.
fituation
fenfe
Acquaint
yourfelf with the peculiar power and
L
2
em-
phalis
KNOWING THE SENSE
OF
I48
phafis of the feveral
the
various
modes of fpeech, and
of
idioms
the
tongue.
The
which cuftom has fuperadded to many words, mould alfo be known,
as well as the particular and primary mean-
fecondary
ideas
ing of them,
if
we would understand any
See Logic, part
writer.
I.
Chap. 4.
§. 3.
1
II.
Consider
the fignification of thofe
words and phrafes, more efpecially
in
the
fame nation, or near the fame age in which
that writer lived, and in
what
fenfe they are
ufed by authors of the fame nation, opinion,
feci, party,
Upon
Sec.
this account,
we mav
terpret feveral phrafes of the
out of that verfion of the
learn to in-
New Teftament
Hebrew
Bible,
into Greek,
which
for though
that verfion be very imperfect:
and defective
to
me
New
many
in
is
called the Septuagint
many
things, yet
it
*
feems
evident, that the holy writers of the
Teftament made ufe of that verfion
times in their citation of texts out of
the Bible.
III.
Com-
OF WRITERS OR SPEAKERS.
Compare
the
kindred words and phrafes ufed
places of the fame author,
nerally called
fometimes
plain
its
in
which
places
parallel
;
other
are
ge-
as
one
and
which
expreffion explains another
fo
49
words and phrafes
one place of an author, with the fame or
III.
in
1
is
like
a contrary expreffion will
contrary.
Remember
Holy
Spirit to be the
agent in the writings of the
ment and
the
Hence the
himfelf.
that fcripture
ture;
New, he
is
ex-
always that
a writer beft interprets himfelf ; and as
believe the
it,
we
fupreme
Old Tefta-
can befl explain
theological rule arifes
the belt interpreter of fcrip-
and therefore concordances, which
(hew us
parallel places, are
of excellent ufe
for interpretation.
IV. Consider the fubject of which the
author
treating,
is
places where he
you may
you
are
and by comparing other
treats
of the fame fubject,
learn his fenfe in the place
reading,
which he
which
though fome of the terms
ufes in thofe
two places may be
very different.
L
3
And
:
KNOWING THE SENSE
OF
I50
And
on the other hand, if the author
ufes the fame words where the fubject of
which he
treats, is
not juft the fame, you
cannot learn his fenfe by comparing thofe
two places, though the mere words may feem
to agree
:
fome authors, when they are
for
treating of a quite different fubjecl:,
may
ufe
perhaps the fame words in a very different
fenfe, as St.
Paul does the words faith, and
law, and righteoufnefs.
V. Observe the fcope and delign of the
inquire into his aim and end in
writer
:
that book, or fe&ion, or paragraph,
particular fentences
will help to explain
for
we
which
fuppofe a wife and judicious writer
directs his expreffions
generally toward his
defigned end.
VI.
jecl
When
an author fpeaks of any fubfenfe
occafionally, let his
ed by thofe places where he
ftinctly
any
and profeffedly
fubjecl:
in
terms, explain
he
treats
are plain
:
be explain-
treats
of
it
di-
where he fpeaks of
myftical
or
them by other
metaphorical
places
where
of the fame fubjecl: in terms that
and
literal
:
where he fpeaks in
an
OF
an
way
ftrictly
where the author fpeaks
:
and particularly on any theme,
more
will explain the
expreffions
it
way,
perfualive
fame theme in a doctrinal or
treats of the
more
151
be explained by other places where
instructive
it
affecting, or
oratorical,
let this
he
WRITERS OR SPEAKERS.
where he
:
:
treats
and general
more
largely,
the fhorter hints and brief
will explain
intimations
loofe
wherefoever
and
more obfcurely,
fearch out
he
writes
fome more per-
fame writer, by
which to determine the fenfe of that ob-
fpicuous
pafTages
the
in
fcurer language.
is
VII. Consider not only the perfon who
introduced fpeaking, but the perfons to
whom
the fpeech
is
ftances of time and
fpirit
and
place,
of the fpeaker,
fpirit
:
in order
there needs
terpret fcripture well,
with
the temper and
well as the temper
as
of the hearers
acquaintance
circum-
directed, the
the
Jewifh
to ina
good
cuftoms,
fome knowledge of the ancient Roman and
Greek times and manners, which fometimes ftrike a Itrange and furprifing light
upon
palTages
which were before very ob-
fcure.
L
4
VIII. hi
KNOWING THE SENSE
OF
I52
VIII. In particular propofitions, the fenfe
known by
of an author may be fometimes
the inferences which he draws from them
and
may
thofe fenfes
all
•>
be excluded which
will not allow of that inference.
Note,
this
in reading
certain
indeed
rule
and interpreting
may
authors, becaufe they
ing their inferences
ture
;
but
fpired writers always
from
their
in
human
miftake in drawexplaining fcrip-
fure rule; ior the facred and in-
is a
it
not always
is
own
make
juft inferences
Yet even in
propofitions.
them, we muft take heed we do not miftake an allufion for an inference,
which
many
the fame
times introduced almofl in
is
manner.
IX.
If
it
be, a matter of controversy,
the true fenfe of the author
known
againil
byit.
fometimes
the objections that are brought
So we may be well
apoille fpeaks againil our
the fight of
is
God by
nefs," in the 3d,
our
"
j
a flu red,
the
unification in
own works of
holi-
4th, and 5th chapters of
Romans, becaufe of the
objection brought again ft him in the beginthe epiftle to the
ning
OF WRITERS OR SPEAKERS.
I
$%
ning of the 6th chapter, (viz.) " What Avail
we fay then ? (hall we continue in fin that
grace raay abound?" which objection could
never have been raifed,
ing our
j
he had been prov-
if
by our
unification
own works
of
righteoufnefs.
X. In matters of difpute, take heed of
warping the fenfe of the writer to your own
opinion, by any latent prejudices of felf-love,
and party-fpirit.
It is
this reigning prin-
ciple of prejudice and party, that has given
fuch
a variety
of fenies both to the facred
which would never have
come into the mind of the reader, if he
writers and others,
had not laboured under fome fuch prepoffeffions.
XI.
the
For
the fame reafon take heed of
prejudices
of
pafiion,
pride or oppofition
you may be
ealily
invidious fenfe
to an author,
tempted
upon
malice,
to
put
envy,
whereby
a falie
his words.
Lay
and
aiide
therefore a carping fpirit, and read even an
adverfary with attention and diligence, with
an honelf dehgn to find out his true mean-
ing; do not fnatch
at little
lapfes
and apoear-
"
154
OF
KNOWING THE
SENSE, &C.
pearances of miftake, in oppofition to his
avowed meaning ; nor impute
or opinion to him which he denies
declared and
any fenfe
to be his opinion, unlefs
it
be proved by the
moft plain and exprefs language.
Lastly, remember
that
you
treat
every
author, writer or fpeaker, juft as you yourfelves
would be willing
others,
who
be treated by
to
meaning
are fearching out the
of what you write or fpeak
:
and maintain
upon your fpirit an awful fenfe of the prefence of God, who is the judge of hearts,
and will punifh thofe
who by
mind
honeft turn of
meaning of the facred
common
a bafe
and dif-
wilfully pervert the
writers, or even of
authors under the influence of cul-
pable prejudices.
chap. 6. §.3.
See more, Logic, part
I.
" Directions concerning the
definition of names.
CHAP.
iss
(
CHAP.
)
IX.
RULES OF IMPROVEMENT BY CONVERSATION.
we would
IFverfation,
improve our minds by conis
it
a great happinefs to
be
acquainted with perfonswifer than ourfelves.
a piece of ufeful advice therefore to
It is
of their converfation fre-
favour
get the
quently, as far as circumftances will allow
they happen to be a
and
if
ufe
all
obliging
them what may
:
little referved,
methods to draw out of
encreafe your
own know-
ledge.
II.
wafte
Whatsoever company you
time in
not the
If
tinence.
;
mark
the
them according
to their
young buddings of in-
;
obferve the different motions
diitinct
workings of the animal and
fant reafon
and
and imper-
you fpend fome hours amongft
children, talk with
capacity
trifle
are in,
the mind, as far as you can difcern them
take notice by
what degrees the
little
;
creature
OF
1^6
CONVERSATION,
up to the ufe of his reafoning
powers, and what early prejudices befet and
endanger his underflanding. By this means
ture grows
you
will learn
how
addrefs yourfelf to
to
children for their benefit, and perhaps you
may
derive
fome ufeful philofophemes or
own
theorems for your
III. If
you happen
entertainment.
to
be in company with
a merchant or a failor, a farmer or a
nic,
a.
milk-maid or
mecha-
lead
a fpinfter,
into a difcourfe of the matters of their
peculiar province or profefiion
;
:
them
own
for every
know his own bufinefs
belt.
In this fenfe a common mechanic
By this means
is wifer than a philcfopher.
you may gain fome improvement in knowone knows or mould
ledge from every one you meet,
Confine
IV.
fort of
party
not yourfelf always to one
company, or
or
learning,
opinion,
religion
to perfons
either
or
the
of the fame
in
civil
matters
life,
of
left,
you mould happen to be nurfed up or
educated in early miftake, you mould be
if
confirmed and eftablifhed
take,
in the
fame mif-
by converiing only with perfons of the
fame
AND OF PROFITING BY
A
fame fentiments.
verfation
tries
free
I57
IT.
and general con-
with men of very various coun-
and of different parties, opinions and
practices (fo far as
may be done
it
of excellent ufe to undeceive us
fafely) is
in
many
wrong judgments which we may have framand to lead
ed,
It
is
China,
King of Siam, near
converfed with fome European
when
faid,
firit.
who
merchants,
ing on
into jufter thoughts.
us
his
fome of the
the
fought the favour of trad-
them
common appearances of fumhe enquired of
coaft,
mer and winter in their country ; and when
they told him of water growing fo hard in
their rivers, that men, and horfes, and laden
pail
carriages
fometimes
feathers,
ftones,
faid,
fell
over
down
as
it,
and
he would not believe
ice,
rain
white and light as
and fometimes almoft
for
that
fnow, and
as
hard as
a fyllable they
hail,
were names
and things utterly unknown to him, and to
his fubjects in that hot climate
ed
all traffic
would not
ple.
:
he renounc-
with fuch (hameful
fuffer
them
liars,
and
to trade with his peo-
See here the natural effects of grofs
ignorance.
Con-
CONVERSATION,
OF
I58
Conversation
with foreigners on vari-
ous occafions, has a happy influence to en-
and to
large our minds,
many
fet
them
we
and grofs prejudices
errors
from
free
arc
ready to imbibe concerning them. Domicil-
from
lus has never travelled five miles
mother's chimney, and he imagines
men
landifh
papiihes, and
are
thing but a crofs.
was bred up
never
a
favv
huge
out-
wormip no-
Tityrus, the fhepherd,
his life in the country,
all
Rome
village,
all
he fancied
;
his
it
to
and
be only
and was therefore infinitely
fuch palaces, fuch
furprifed to find
ftreets,
fuch glittering treafures and gay magnificence as his
firft
mewed
journey to the city
him, and with wonder he
confefles his folly
and miftake.
So Virgil introduces a poor fhepherd,
quam
TJrbem
Stultus
ego
dicunt
huic
Romam,
Melibcee,
noftrte Jimilem,
putavi
quo fcepe
Jolemus
Pajiores ovium teneros depelkre foetus ,
&c.
Thus
OF PROFITING BY IT.
AND
Thus
59
Englifhed.
I was, I thought
Fool that
1
Rome
a week we
imperial
Like market-towns, where once
come,
And
thither drive our tender lambs
from
home.
Conversation would
tyrus a better notion of
had never happened to
have given Ti-
Rome, though he
travel thither.
V. In mixed company, among acquaintance and flrangers, endeavour to learn fomething from
all.
Be fwift
cautious of your tongue,
to hear,
left
but be
you betray your
ignorance, and perhaps offend fome of thofe
who
are prefent too.
cenfures thofe
they
know
not.
who
The
fcripture fevereiy
fpeak evil of the things
Acquaint yourfelf therefore
fometimes with peribns and parties which
are far diftant
cufloms
:
from your common
this is a
life
and
way whereby you may
form
a wifer
Prove
all
things, and hold
good,
is
a
opinion of
men and
fait,
divine rule, and
it
the Father of light and truth.
things.
which is
comes from
But young
that
per-
l6o
perfons
OF
CONVERSATION,
mould
practife
under
and
limitation,
it
indeed with due
of their
eye
the
elders.
VI. Be not frighted nor provoked
nions different from your own.
at
opi-
Some
per-
fons are fo confident they are in the right,
come within
that they will not
of any notions but their
out to themfelves a
intellectual
They never
little
:
they canton
province in the
where they fancy the
world,
light fhines, and
own
the hearing
all
the reft
is
in
darknefs.
venture into the ocean of
know-
ledge, nor furvey the riches of other minds,
which
are as folid
haps are
poffeffed.
finer
and
as ufeful,
gold than
and per-
what they ever
Let not men imagine there
is
no
certain truth but in the fciences
which they
ffudy, and amongft that party in
which they
were born and educated.
VII. Believe that
it
fomething from perfons
felf.
We
are
our views are
all
alfo
is
poflible to learn
much below
your-
lhort-fighted creatures
;
narrow and limited; we
often fee but one fide of a matter, and do
not extend our fight far and wide enough
to
:
AND OF PROFITING BY
l6l
IT.
to reach every thing that has a connexion
with the thing we talk of: we
fee
but in
know but in part, therefore it is
no wonder we form not right conclufions,
becaufe we do not furvey the whole of any
and
part,
admirer of his
Even the proudeft
own parts might find it ufe-
ful to confult
with others, though of in-
ferior capacity
and penetration.
argument.
or
fubjedt
We
have
a different profpect of the fame thing (if
I
may
fo fpeak)
according to the different
pofition of our underfiandings toward
a
it
weaker man may fometimes light on no-
which have elcaped a wifer, and which
the wifer man might make a happy ufe of,
if he would condefcend to take notice of
tions
them.
VIII. It
We
is
are purfuing any difficult point
ledge,
to have
a fociety
refpondents at hand, to
pofe
it
:
when
of know-
of confiderable advantage
for every
different genius
man
and
of ingenious cor-
whom we may
pro-
has iomething of a
a various turn
of mind,
whereby the fubjedt propofed will be (hewn
in all
in all
its
its
lights,
forms,
it
will
and every
M
be
reprefented
fide
of
it
be
turned
CONVERSATION,
OT
l62
may
farned to view, that a jufter judgment
be framed.
To make
IX.
converfation
and ufeful, whether
accidental
vifit,
it
among
more valuable
be in a deiigned or
perfons of the fame
or of different fexes, after the neceifary fa-
com-
lutations arefinimed, and the ftream of
mon
low,
fome one
let
which may be
pany,
and
read in
it
perfon
take
agreeable to the
whole com-
ten lines or a paragraph or two,
till
fome word or fentence
two
to offer a thought or
:
company
relating to that
interruption of the reader fhould
be no blame, for converfation
:
whether
it
to correct
it,
to enlarge
it,
is
a-kin to
every one that pleafe add
difcourfe finks again,
him
that
reads
and
it ^
When
or diverts to
purfue
or
their opinion
and promote the converfation.
let
up-
to object againft it
to afk any queftion that
let
the bufi-
is
be to confirm what the
author fays or to improve
on or
him
let
gives an occaiion for any of the
fubjecl
book
a
by common confent
or a few pages,
nefs
and
talk begins to hefitate, or runs flat
the
trifles,
page,
read on further paragraphs or pages,
the
till
and
fome
occa-
AND OF PROFITING BY
occafion
with the utmoft
a
method
of
a vilit
by
this
as this,
By
may
Such
and freedom.
eafe
would prevent the hours
all
wafte
to
;
and
means, even among fcholars they
find occafion for that too jufl
bitter reflection,
in the
word or fentence
a
from running
would feldom
and
163
difcourfe to be darted, and that
new
for a
by
given
is
IT.
company of
fuch
"
I
have
my
loft
time
the learned."
a practice as
this,
young
ladies
very honourably and agreeably improve
while one applies
hours,
their
reading, the others
even
among
needle
;
cafional
guard
but
all
their attention,
artifices
trifling
of
the
of them make their oc-
remarks or enquiries.
a great deal
modiih
various
the
let
employ
herfelf to
This will
of that precious time from
impertinence
which might otherwife
afford
or
fcandal,
matter
for
painful repentance.
Observe
ever
it lies
vention,
this
in
let it
rule in general,
whenfo-
your power to lead the conbe directed to fome profitable
point of knowledge or practice, fo far as
be done with decency
M
;
2
and
let
may
not the difcourfe
;
OF
164
CONVERSATION,
courfe and the hours be furTered to run loofe
without aim or deiign
is
:
and when a
fubjecl:
fbrted, pafs not haftily to another, before
you have brought the prefent theme of difcourfe to fome tolerable iflue, or a joint
confent to drop
it.
X. Attend with iincere diligence while
anyone of the company is declaring his fenfe
of the queftion propofed 5 hear the argument
with patience, though
from your fentiments,
it
differ ever fo
for
much
you yourfelf
are
very defirous to be heard with patience by
others
who
differ
from you.
thoughts be active and bufy
Let not your
all
the while
to find out fomething to contradict, and
what means
in
to oppofe the fpeaker, efpecially
matters which are not brought
iffue.
This
by
is
a frequent
per and practice.
to
an
and unhappy tem-
You mould
intent and folicitous to take
rather
be
up the mind
and meaning of the fpeaker, zealous to feize
and approve
all
that
is
true in his difcourfe
nor yet mould you want courage to oppofe
where
it
is
necelfary
-,
but
let
your modefty
and patience, and a friendly temper, be as
confpicuous as your zeal.
XI.
When
AND OF PROFITING BY
XI.
When
freedom and
man
a
fpeaks
IT.
165
with
much
and gives his opinion in
eafe,
common
the plaineft language of
fenfe,
do
not prefently imagine you mall gain nothing
by
his
company.
who
a perfon
Sometimes you will
find
converfation or
his
his
in
writings delivers his thoughts in fo plain, fo
and perfpicuous a manner,
eafy, fo familiar
that
you both underftand and
thing he faith,
as
as faft
aflent to every
you read or hear
hereupon fome hearers have been ready
to conclude in hafte, furely this man faith
it
:
none but
common
before, or I
This
knew
things, I
would have
very great genius
wont
iimple and happy
nate he was
Pellucido was a
when he fpoke
;
much
faid all this mvfelf.
frequent miftake.
is a
as
in the fe-
convey his ideas in fo
to
manner,
a
as
to inftruct
and convince every hearer, and to inforce
the conviction through the whole illullrious
affemblv
that you
:
and that with
much
would have been ready
who
that every one
fame things
man
fo
:
evidence,
to
wonder,
fpoke had not faid the
but Pellucido was the only
that could
do
it,
had attained
this art
the writer of
whom
the only fpeaker
and honour.
Horace would
M
3
who
Such
is
Cay,
Ut
CONVERSATION,
CF
l66
Ut
fibi quivis,
Speret idem,fudet multum,frujlraque labor et
De
Aufus idem.
Poet.
x^rt.
Smooth be your jlyle, and plain and natural,
To Jirike the Jons of Wapping or Whitehall.
While others think
this eafy to attain.
and with
Let them but
try,
They'll fiveat
andf rive
'
pan.:n 1>
.
their utmoji
to imitate in
vain .
i
XII. If any thing feem dark in the difcourfe of your companion, fo that you have
not a clear idea of what
vour to obtain
a decent
a clearer
conception of
obfcurity,
fenfe or his words,
relieve
your
you may take up
own want
his
difficulties
it
by
not charge
either in
his
but entreat his favour
cr to add an enlightening
If
Do
manner of enquiry.
the fpeaker with
to
fpoken, endea-
is
of penetration,
word
or two, that
whole meaning.
arife
in
your mind,
and
conflrain your diffent to the things fpoken,
reprefent
what objection foine perfons would
be ready
to
make
againfi the
the fpeaker, without telling
This manner of addrefs
ientiments of
him you
carries
oppofe.
fomething
more
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
more modeft and obliging
in
it,
pear to raife objections of your
l6j
than to ap-
own by way
of contradiction to him that fpoke.
When
XIII.
you
from him who
forced
are
to
fenfe
delivers his
differ
on any
point, yet agree as far as you can, and re-
prefent
how
far
any room for
you agree; and
if there
explain the words of the
it,
which you can
fpeaker in fuch a fenfe to
in general affent and fo agree with
at lead
him
:
or
by a fmall addition or alteration of
fentiments
his
be
things.
It
is
mew
is
own
fenfe
of
the practice and delight of a
candid hearer, to
willing he
your
make
to differ
it
appear
how un-
from him that fpeaks.
Let the fpeaker know that
it is
nothing but
truth conflrains you to oppofe him, and let
that difference be always expreffed in
few
and
may
civil
and chofen words, fuch
as
give the leaf! offence.
And
be careful always to take Solomon's
rule with you, and let your correfpondent
his fpeech
fairly
finifli
"
he that anfwereth
for
M4
before
you reply;
a matter before
he
heareth
heareth
Prov.
A
CONVERSATION,
OF
l68
it,
it is folly
and fhame unto him."
xviii. 13.
little
tice in
things
watchfulnefs, care and prac-
younger
more
life,
eafy,
will
render
all
thefe
familiar and natural to
you, and will grow into habit.
XIV. As you mould
carry about with
conftant and fincere
you
a
own
ignorance, fo you
fenfe of
your
mould not be
afraid
nor afhamed to confefs this ignorance, by
taking
all
proper opportunities to afk and
enquire for farther information
;
whether
it
be the meaning of a word, the nature of a
thing, the reafon of a proportion, the cuf-
tom of
a nation,
&c. never remain
in igno-
rance for want of afking.
Many
fiderable
a perfon
had arrived
at
degree of knowledge,
fome conif
he had
not been full of felf-conceit, and imagined
known enough already, or elfe
was afhamed to let others know that he was
God and man are
unacquainted with it.
that he had
ready to teach the meek, the humble, and
the ignorant
to
know any
;
but he that fancies himfelf
particular fubject well, or that
will
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
169
will not venture to afk a queftion about
it,
fuch a one will not put himfelf into the
way of improvement by enquiry and diligence.
A fool may be " wifer in his own
conceit than ten men who can render a reafon," and fuch an one
everlafting fool
fhame renders
;
is
very likely to be an
and perhaps
alio
it is
a lilly
his folly incurable.
Stultorum incur ata pudor malus ulcer a
celat,
Hor. Epiit. 16. Lib.
I.
In Englifh thus.
f
If cols have ulcers, and their pride conceal 'em,
Theymujl have ulcers JIM, for none can heal 'em,
XV. Be
not too forward, efpecially in
the younger part of
queftion in
life,
to determine
company with an
infallible
any
and
peremptory fentence, nor fpeak with aiTuming
and with
airs,
a deciiive
tone of voice.
A
young man, in the prefence of his elders,
mould rather hear and attend, and weigh
the arguments which are brought for the
proof or refutation of any doubtful proportion
:
and when
it is
your turn
to fpeak,
propofe your thoughts rather in the way of
7
en-
°F
,17©
By. this means your
enquiry.
kept in
you
CONVERSATION,
temper
mind
will
be
and
be more ready to correct and im-
a fitter
will
prove your
not
been
But
if
own
to receive trut,h,
fentiments, where you hc.\c
too pofitiye in
them.
affirming
you have magisterially decided the
point, you will
to retract,
find a fecret unwillingnefs
though you mould
feel
an inward
conviction that you were in the wrong.
XVI. It is granjted indeed, that a feafon
may happen, when fome bold pretender to
fcience may aflume haughty and pofitive
airs,
to aiiert and vindicate a grofs and dan-
gerous error, or to renounce and vilify fome
very important
truth
:
and
if
he
has
a
popular talent of talking, and there be no
com-
remonftrance made again fl him, the
pany may be tempted too
ailent to the
eailly to give their
imprudence and
infallibility
They may imagine a
much vilified can never be
of
the prefumer.
pro-
portion
true,
fo
and that a doctrine which
is
fo boldly
cen-
fured and renounced can never be defended.
Weak minds
felves,
fo
that a
much
are too ready to perfuade
man would
aiTurance
them-
never talk with
unkfs-he were
certainly
in
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
IJl
in the right, and could well maintain
prove what he
itielf is in
By
faid.
means, truth
this
danger of being betrayed or
be no oppofition
if there
and
made
loft,
to fuch
a
pretending talker.
Now
tnodeft
in fuch
a cafe even a wife and a
man may
pel -infolence with
a
is
its
airs too,
" when
and re-
own weapons.
Solomon the
time, as
teaches us,
affume
a fool
There
wifeft of
men
mould bean fwered
according to his folly,
left
own
others too eafily yield
up
conceit," and
left
he be wife in his
and reafon to his imperious
their faith
Courage and pofitivity are never
more neceflary than on fuch an occafion.
dictates.
But it is good to join fome argument with
them of real and convincing force, and let
it
be ftrongly pronounced too.
When
fuch
fhall
find
draw
in
a
refiftance
is
fome of thofe bold
when
their horns,
made,
you
talkers
will
their fierce
and
feeble puihes againft truth and reafon are
repelled with
is
purning and confidence.
It
pity indeed that truth fhould ever need
fuch fort of defences
j
but we
know
that a
tri-
OF
172
CONVERSATION,
triumphant affurance hath fometimes fup-
com-
ported grofs falfehoods, and a whole
pany have been captivated
to error
by
this
fome man with equal affurance
has refcued them.
It is pity that any momeans,
till
mentous point of doctrine mould happen
to fall under fuch reproaches, and require
fuch a mode of vindication
happen to hear
back and
to turn
if I
my
off in filence, and leave
to fneak
the truth to
ought not
I
it,
though
:
lie baffled,
bleeding, and flain.
Yet I mufr. confefs, I fhould be glad to have
no occafion ever given me to fight with any
man
I
at
fcrt
this
mould be
fo
of weapons, even though
happy
as to filence his info-
lence, and to obtain an evident victory.
XVII. Be not fond of difputing every
thing pro and con, nor indulge yourfelf to
fhew your
A
ing.
little
lead
logic
worth.
you
of attacking and defend-
talent
j aft
which
teaches nothing elfe,
is
This temper and practice will
fo far
out of the way of
know-
ledge, and divert your honefh enquiry after
the truth which
fet
is
debated or fought.
In
often
laid
difputes every little flraw
hold on to fupport our
own
is
caufej every
thing
OF PROFITING BY IT.
AND
I73
thing that can be drawn in any way to give
colour to our argument is advanced, and
that perhaps with
vanity and
This puts the mind out of
proper pofture
and receive the truth.
to feek
XVIII.
rit
a
oftentation.
Do
not bring a
into a free converfation,
warm
party-fpi-
which
is
defign-
ed for mutual improvement in the fearch of
Take heed of allowing yourfelf in
truth.
which keep
thofe felf-fatisfied ailurances,
the doors of the understanding barred
admiflion
the
againft
new
of any
faft
fenti-
Let your foul be ever ready to
hearken to further difcoveries, from a conftant and ruling confcioufnefs of our prefent
ments.
fallible
and imperfect
ftate;
appear to your friends, that
talk for
little
you
words
foever
it
to learn
"
;
I
and make
it is
it
no hard
and pronounce thofe
was miftaken,"
how
hard
be for the bulk of mankind to pro-
nounce them.
XIX. As you may fometimes
quiries for your
provement,
wifdom and
and
own
raife
inflrudlion and
draw out
fine fentiments
the
en-
im-
learning,
of your friends,
who
who
CONVERSATION,
0F
174
perhaps
may be
fo at other times if
too referved or modeft,
you perceive
unlkilful in the matter of debate,
by queftions aptly propofed
method, lead him into
of the fubject
make
may
as
company above the
all
and to dif-
reft,
own
der yourfelf admirable to
understanding
would ren-
that are prefent.
feldom well taken in polite com-
much
pany,
not appear
heed of affecting always to
or your oratory, as though you
is
knowledge
then you become his in-
:
play the riches of your
This
you may
yourfelf his fuperior.
XX. Take
fhine in
perfon
in the Socratic
a clearer
flru&or in fuch a manner
to
a
of fpeech
mould you ufe fuch forms
mould infinuate the ignorance
lefs
as
of thofe with
or dulnefs
whom
you con-
verfe.
XXI. Though you
nourim
ftyle
in
in a copious
fhould not affect to
harangue and
a diffulive
company, yet neither fhould you
rudely interrupt and reproach
pens to ufe
it
:
him
that hap-
but when he has done fpeak-
ing, reduce his fentiments into a
more con-
mew of
correcting,
tracted
form
;
not with a
but
;
AND
but
as
upon
OF PROFITING BY IT.
who
one
his
I75
doubtful whether you hit
is
Thus
true fenfe or no.
may be brought more
matters
from
eafily
a wild
confuiion into a fingle point, queftions may-
be fooner determined, and
difficulties
more
readily removed.
XXII. Be not
fo ready
to charge igno-
rance, prejudice and miftake
you
are to fufpecl yourfelf of
der to
£how how
ces, learn
ence
upon
:
free
you
it
are
and in or-
:
from prejudi-
to bear contradiction
let it
others, as
with pati-
be eafy to you to bear your
own
opinion ftrongly oppofed, efpecially in mat T
ters which are doubtful and difputable a-
mongft men of fobriety and
virtue.
Give
a patient hearing to arguments on all fides
otherwife you
to fufpec!
that
give the
it
is
company
not
occafion
the evidence of
truth has led you into this
opinion, but
fome lazy anticipation of judgment ; fome
beloved preemption, fome long and ram
poiTeflion of a party-fcheme, in
defire
has
to reft undifturbed.
been eftablimed
ficient
grounds,
which you
If your affent
upon
juft
why mould you
and
Ef-
be afraid
to
8
OF
I76
CONVERSATION,
to let the truth be put to the trial of argu-
ment
?
XXIII. Banish
fation,
utterly out of all conver-
and efpecially out of
intellectual
all
learned,
and
thing
that
every
conference,
tends to provoke paffion, or raife a
fire
in
Let no fharp language, no noify
the blood.
exclamation, no farcafms or biting jefls be
heard
among you ; no
perverfe or invidious
from each
confequences be drawn
other's
opinions, and imputed to the perfon
:
let
there be no wilful perverfion of another's
meaning
no fudden feizure of
:
fyllable to play
upon
it,
nor any abufed con-
struction of an innocent miftake
your tongue to infult
that begins to yield
;
a
let
fuffer
:
not
opponent
niodeft
there be no
ing and triumph even where there
victory on your fide.
lapfed
a
is
crow-
evident
All thefe things are
enemies to friendship, and the ruin of free
converfation.
requires
per and
all
The
impartial fearch of truth
calmnefs and ferenity,
candour
:
tem-
all
mutual inftruction can
never be attained in the midft of paffion,
pride and clamour; unlefs
midfl of
mch
we
a fcene there
fuppofe in the
is
a loud
and
pene-
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
by both
read
penetrating lecture
1
fides
77
on
human
the folly and lhameful infirmities of
nature.
XXIV. Whensoever
happy word mail
might give you
the
riling
company
in
arife
r
therefore any un-
a reafonable difguil,
refentment, be
it
ever fo
that
quafh
jufl,
and command your foul and your tongue in-
you cancel the hopes of
to filence, left
improvement
and transform
for that hour,
the learned converfation into the
form
vulgar
reproaches
of
The man who begun
to
mean and
and
railing.
break the peace
in fuch a fociety, will fall under the
and conviction of fuch
a filent
he has any thing ingenuous
If this
all
mould not be fumcient,
fhame
reproof, if
about
him.
let a
grave
admonition, or a foft and gentle turn of wit,
with an
air
of plealantry, give the
difputer an occafion to
his indecent
Hop
warm
the progrefs of
not to retract the inde-
fire, if
cency and quench the flame.
XXV. Inure
-obliging
manner
and acquire the
ycurfelf to a candid and
in
art
all
ycur converfation,
of pleafmg addrefs, even
N
when
CONVERSATION,
OF
1^8
when you teach, as well as when you learn,
and when you oppofe as well as when you
aflert
or prove.
This degree of politenefs
is
not to be attained without a diligent attention to fuch kind of directions as are here
laid
down, and
tice
of them.
XXVI.
a frequent exercife and prac-
If you would
companions you mould
know what
fort
of
for the culti-
felecl:
vation and advantage of the mind, the general rule
is,
chufe fuch as by their bright-
nefs of parts, and their diligence in fludy, or
by
their fuperior
advancement
in
learning,
or peculiar excellency in any art, fcience,
or accomplishment, divine or
human, may
be capable of adminiftring to your improve-
ment; and be
fure to
fome due regard
always,
left
to
maintain and keep
their moral
character
while you wander in quell of
intellectual gain,
you
fall
eion of irreligion and vice.
would venture
into the conta^
No
wife
man
into a houfe infected with
the plague, in order to fee the fined: collections of any virtuofo in
Europe.
XXVII. No*
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
XXVII. Nor
is
every fober perfon of
it
your acquaintance,
Ijg
no, nor every
man of
bright parts, or rich in learning, that
is
fit
to engage in free converfation for the en-
quiry after truth.
Let
fo illuftrious talents, yet
aflbciate for
a
perfon have ever
he
fuch a purpofe,
is
if
not a proper
he
under
lie
any of the following infirmities.
If
i.
he be exceedingly referved,
and
hath either no inclination to difcourfe, or
no tolerable capacity of fpeech and lan-
guage for the communication of his fentiments.
he be haughty and proud of his
knowledge, imperious in his airs, and is
2.
If
always fond of impofing his fentiments on
the
all
company.
If
he be pofitive and dogmatical in
his
own
opinions, and will difpute to the
end
3
3.
if
he will
relift
the
brighten: evi-
dence of truth rather than fuffer himfelf to
be overcome, or yield to the plained and
flrongefl reafonings.
N
2
4. If
OF
iSo
CONVERSATION,
If he be one
4.
outfhine
all
who
always
to
affects
the company, and delights to
hear himfelf talk and flourifh upon a fubjecT,
make long harangues, while
and
mull be
all filent
the reft
and attentive.
i
5.
If he be a perfon of a whiffling and
who
unfteady turn of mind,
cannot keep
clofe to a point of controverfy, but wanders
from
to
perpetually, and
it
fay fomething,
always folicitous
is
whether
be pertinent
it
to the queftion or no.
If
6.
he be
and peevifh,
fretful
given to refentment upon
he knows not
or
is
if
he
how
to
occafions
all
;
if
bear contradiction,
ready to take things in a
is
and
wrong
fenfe;
fwift to feel a fuppofed offence, or
to imagine himfelf affronted, and then break
out into a fudden paffion, or retain
filent
and
fullen wrath.
7. If he affect wit on
is full
all
occafions, and
of his conceits and puns, quirks or
quibbles, jefts
and
repartees
•,
thefe
may
agreeably entertain and animate an hour of
mirth,
AND OF PROFITING BY
IT.
&I
I
mirth, but they have no place in the fearch
after truth.
8.
him
If he carry always about
a fort
of craft and cunning, and difguife, and act
Have
rather like a fpy than a friend.
of fuch
a
freedom
in
one
make
as will
converfation,
charge herefy upon you,
an
ill
a care
ufe of
and immediately
when ycu happen
from thofe fentiments which au-
to differ
thority or cuflom has efbblifhed.
In
fuch
fhort,
you mould avoid the man in
felect converfation,
thing that
is
fincere, free,
Now
who
practices
unbecoming the character of
a
and open fearcher after truth.
though you may pay
all
the relative
duties of life to perfons of thefe
qualifications,
and love,
any
and
unhappy
them with decency
religion and humanity
treat
fo far as
oblige you, yet take care of entering into a
free debate
in their
en matters of truth or falfehood
company, and
principles of religion.
of fuch
a
efpecially about the
I confefs, if a
perfon
temper happens to judge and talk
well on fuch a fubject, you
N
3
may
hear
him
with
CONVERSATION,
OF
l82
with attention, and derive what profit you
can from his difcourfej but he is by no
means
to
be chofen for a free conference in
matters of enquiry and knowledge.
XXVIII. While
would perfuade you
to beware of fuch perfons, and abftain from
too much freedom of difcourfe amongit
them, it is very natural to infer that you
mould watch
againfl the
felf.
.
your
in
evil qualities
happen
to be tainted
Men
I
working of thefe
own
you
bread, if
with any of them your-
of learning and ingenuity will
juftly avoid your acquaintance,
rind fuch an
when they
unhappy and unfocial temper
prevailing in you.
XXIX. To
conclude,
when you
retire
from company, then converfe with yourfelf
in folitude, and enquire what you have
learnt for the
improvement of your under-
standing, or for the rectifying your inclinations,
for the
increafe of your virtues,
or
the meliorating your conduct, and behaviour
in
any future parts of
fome
life.
of your company,
humble
in their
If you have
candid,
feen.
modeft,
manner, wife and fagacious,
juxt
OF PROFITING BY IT.
AND
juft and
pious
and graceful
clear
as well as
S3
polite
fentiments,
their
in
I
and ftrong in
and univerlally acceptable
their behaviour, endeavour to
their expreffion,
and lovely
in
imprefs the
idea
memory, and
of
theie
all
upon your
them up
treafure
your
for
imitation.
XXX.
and
civility
decency
the laws of reafon,
If
have
amongft your
been well obferved
not
of thofe
affociates, take notice
defects for your
own improvement
:
and from
every occurrence of this kind, remark fome-
thing to imitate or to avoid, in elegant, poPerhaps you
lite and ufeful converfation.
will find that fome perfons prefent have really
difpleafed the
company, by an
exceiTive
too vilible an affectation to pleafe,
i.
e.
and
by
giving looie to fervile flattery, or promifcuous
praife;
while others were
as ready to
oppofe
and contradict every thing that was laid.
Some have deferved juft ceniure for a morofe
and
affected taciturnity,
anxious and careful
be interpreted
a
and others have been
left
want of
their iilence
fenfe,
mould
and therefore
they have ventured to make fpeeches, though
jhey had nothing to fay which was worth
N
4
hearing,
CONVERSATION,
OF
184
hearing.
Perhaps you will obferve that one
was ingenious
his language, but he
felf,
and bright in
in his thoughts
that he let
was
fo top-full
on
it fpill
all
the
of him-
company
-
9
that he fpoke well indeed, but that he fpoke
too long, and did not allow equal liberty or
time to his
You
affociates.
remark,
will
that another was full charged to let out his
words before his friend had done fpeaking,
or impatient of the leafl oppofition to any
thing he
You
faid.
will
fome perfons have talked
remember that
at large
great confidence, of things
and with
which they un-
derstood not, and others counted every thing
tedious and intolerable that was fpoken
fubjecrs out of their fphere, and they
upon
would
fain confine the conference entirely within
the limits of their
and ftudv.
The
own narrow knowledge
errors of converfation
are
alrnoft. infinite.
XXXI. By
ties as thefe,
follies
fpoil
and
a review
of fuch irregularis
you may learn
pieces
of
ill
to
avoid thofe
conduct which
good converfation, or make
greeabie and
lefs ufeful
;
it lefs
a-
and by degrees you
will acquire that delightful and eafy
manner
of
AND
OF PROFITING BY IT.
of addrefs and behaviour in
185
ufeful cor-
all
which may render your company every where defired and beloved 5 and
refpondencies,
fame time among the beft of your
at the
companions you may make the higheft improvement
own
intellectual
acqui-
that the difcourfe of mortal crea-
fitions,
tures
your
in
will
allow,
under
ail
our difadvan-
tages in this forry ftate of mortality.
there
feized
coming when we fhall be
away from this lower clafs in the
is
a day
fchool of knowledge, where
der the
errors
But
many
we
labour un-
dangers and darknelfes,
and the incumbrances of
flefh
the
and
blood, and our converfation fhall be with
angels, and
more illuminated
fpirits in
the
upper regions of the univerfe.
CHAP.
(
186
)
CHAP.
X.
or DISPUTES.
I.
r
"
NDER
%^J
the general head of con ver-r
improvement of the
fation for the
mind, we may rank the practice of
puting
;
that
is,
when two
or
dis-
more perfons
appear to maintain different fentiments, and
defend their own, or oppofe the other's opinion, in alternate difcourfe, by fome methods
of argument,
II.
As
thefe difputes often arife in
earned, where the
two contenders do
believe the different proportions
fupport
as
;
mere
fo
really
which they
fometimes they are appointed
trials
of
fkill
fchools, by the ftudents
practifed,
good
:
in
academies,
or
fometimes they are
and that with apparent fervour,
in courts of judicature
by lawyers,
in order
to gain the fees of their different clients,
while,
GENERAL.
OF DISPUTES IN
while both
which
III.
are
is
perhaps are really of the
fides
ft ntiment
fame
with regard to the caufe
tried.
common
In
converfation,
regularity
or evil purpofes,
chiefly according
temper of the difputants.
be fuccefsful
fometimes
to
is
out
fearch
a
mere fcene of
truth,
truth,
and
at other
times
battle in
order
but
-
3
to the
They may fome-
effectual to maintain
convince the miftaken
a difpute
difputes
managed without any forms of
or order, and they turn to good
often
times
187
to victory and vain triumph.
IV.
There
are
fome few general
rules
which fhould be obferved in all debates
whatfoever, if we would find out truth by
them, or convince
friend
a
of his
error,
even though they be not managed according to any fettled forms of difputation
as
there are
almoft as
judgments of things
Co
when
as
feveral perlbns
many
:
and
opinions and
there are perfons,
happen
to
meet and
confer together upon any fubject, they are
ready to declare their different fentiments,
and fupport
them by fuch
reafonings
as
they
OF
l83
DISPUTES
This
they are capable of.
ing or difputing, as
When
V.
is
is
called debat-
above defcribed.
perfons begin a debate, they
ihould always take care that they are agreed
feme general principles or propositions,
in
which
either
the queflion
more nearly or remotely
in
hand;
for
affect
otherwife they
have no foundation or hope of convincing
each other
ground
-
}
they muft have fome
to iland
common
upon while they maintain
the conteft.
When
they find they agree in fome re-
mote
propofitions, then let
ther,
and enquire
how
them
fearch far-
near they approach
to each other's fentiments
;
propofitions they agree in,
and whatfoever
thefe lay a
let
foundation for the mutual hope of convic-
Hereby you
tion.
running
will be prevented
at every turn to
fome
original
from
and
remote proportions and axioms, which practice
As
both entangles and prolongs
a
difpute.
for inftance, if there was a debate pro-
pofed
betwixt a protefcant and a papift,
whether there be fuch
a place as
Purgatory
r
Let them remember that they both agree
in
;
IN
GENERAL
1
89
made fatisand upon this
in this point, that (Thrift has
atonement for
faction or
ground
fin,
them both
let
frand,
-
while they
fearch out the controverted doctrine of Pur-
gatory by
The
VI.
all
way of conference
queftion
or debate.
mould be
from
cleared
doubtful terms, and needlefs additions
and
things that belong to the queftion
all
ihould be exprened in plain and intelligible
language.
without
T*his
men
it
is
fo neceffary a thing, that
be
will
expofed to fuch
fort of ridiculous contefts as
was found one
day between the two unlearned combatants,
Sartor and Sutor,
who
and defend-
afiaulted
ed the doctrine of tranfubftantiation with
much
and violence
zeal
pening
come
to
:
but Latino hap-
into their
company,
enquiring the fubject of their difpute,
and
allied
each of them what he meant by that long
hard word tranfubftantiation.
Sutor readily
informed him that he underftood
at
the
him
name of Jefus
that he
the high
u you
but Sartor -ailured
meant nothing but
altar,
"
Latino,
:
that
**
No
— bowing
— bowing
wonder then,"
you cannot
agree,
at
laid
when
neither underftand one another, nor
5
"
the
"
DISPUTES
OF
I9O
word about which you contend." I
think the whole family of the Sartors and
Sutors would be wifer if they avoided fuch
the
kind of debates, till they underftood the
even their wives
terms better. But alas
!
carry on fuch conferences
one was heard
lefs
-,
the other day
in the ftreet explaining to
her
learned neighbour the meaning of meta-
physeal fcience, and
me
phyfics were medicines
allured her, that as
for
body,
the
metaphyfics was phyfic for the foul
this they
went on
to difpute the point
fo
upon
:
—how-
far the divine excelled the doctor.
Auditum
admtjji rifum teneatis amici \
Ridente??i dicere
Can
A
can
my
laugh,
VII.
F
Hor.
be faulty to repeat
dialogue that walk'd the flrcet
Or
A
it
verum quid vetat
graved friends forbear
when fuch
And
?
difputes they hear
?
not only the fenfe and meaning
of the words ufed in the queflion mould be
fettled
and adjufted between the difputants,
but the precife point of enquiry mould be
diftinctly
fixed
^
the
queflion
in
debate
mould
GENERAL.
IN
ihould be
limited precifely
191
to its
extent, or declared to be taken in
As
general fenfe.
are contending
for inftance, if
whether
the queftion
ferved,
a
more
two men
muft be.ob-
it
not whether
is
narchy in one man, or
its
government be
civil
of divine right or not; here
fpecial
mo-
republic in multi-
tudes of the people,
or an ariftocracy in a
few of the
appointed of
neceffary;
in
chief,
but whether
mod
its
is
whatfoever,
general
is
as
government
civil
fenfe,
God
or in any
form
derived from the will and
appointment of
God
Again,
the
point
of enquiry mould be limited further.
Thus
the
queftion
comes
fi
is,
?
whether government
not
>m the will of
God by
divine revelation, for that
whether
by the
it is
is
granted; but
derived from the will of
light of reafon too.
fpecification
the light of
This
fort
of
or limitation of the queftion,
and prevents the difputants
hinders
God
from
wandering away from the precife point of
enquiry.
It
fice
is
this trifling
humour or
difhoneft arti-
of changing the queftion, and wander-
ing away from the
ftrft
point of debate, which
gives
DISPUTES
OF
I£2
gives endlefs length to difputes, and caui'es
both the difputants to part without any
And
tisfaction.
this
;
one chief occafion of
when one of
caufe run low and
fa-
it is
the combatants feels his
and
fail,
is
juft ready to
be confuted and demolished, he
tempted
is
to itep afide to avoid the blow, and betakes
him
to a different queftion
thus, if his ad-
-,
verfary be not well aware of him,
new
with a new
he be-
gins to entrench himfelf in a
faftnefs,
and holds out the fiege
of thoughts and words.
artillery
man which
the fpring of this evil, and
is
an unwillingnefs
opinions
the pride of
It is
even
to
up
yield
to
be
own
their
overcome
by truth
itfelf.
VIII.
Keep
your mind
in
as
this always therefore
upon
an everlafring rule of conduct
your debates to find out truth, that a
refolute defign, or even a
of victory,
is
ment, and an
the bane of
effectual
miffion of the truth
feek.
every
and
difpute,
all real
which you
a
mifchievous
unlefs
affectation
improve-
bar again ft the ad-
This works with
powerful
warm
we
are
profefs to
fecret,
but a
influence,
in
much upon
our
GENERAL.
IN
our guard.
fation
appears in frequent conver-
It
of mankind are
fond of being in the
fo
know
that they
unhappy
this
93
every age, every fex, and each party
j
right,
1
not
prejudice,
how
to renounce
vain love of
this
victory*
When
truth with
bright
evidence
is
ready to break in upon a difputant, and to
overcome
his objections
and ready
fvvift
and fancy,
craft
mind
the
is
to engage wit
and fubtilty, to cloud and
perplex and puzzle the truth,
How
eager
is
queftion
fubject
?
How
to
much
with
its
truth.
the
is
errors,
to take
hold of fome
thereby to lead the difthe
point
human
and
in
nature
being
hand
of parting
overcome by
that nature hath taught ber,
back her mazes,
erodes and
founds her former track, and ufes
ble methods to divert the fcent,
in danger
imfs
So
?
Juft thus a hunted hare calls up
(hifts
treads
from
afraid
what
nature
all
flie
conpofTU
all
when
(he
of being feized and taken.
practife
?
from the main
divert
fvvift
occafional word,
off
if poflible
he to throw in fome imper-
tinent
courfe
how
and miftakes,
is
Let
teaches;
but
would
;
DISPUTES
OF
194
would one imagine that any rational being
mould take fuch pains to avoid truth, and
improvement of
to efcape the
standing
order
that
?
When
IX.
to
you
you come
it
avoid
in
doubtful
affect little
pleafure
;
fide
to
arts
hide not
;
and fubterfuges to
efpy
beams of truth, though
of your opponent
which
an argument
to
fincere
words and phrafes
fhifts
the force of
generous
a
Ufe no fubtle
appears.
cloud and entangle the queftion
yourfelf
prefume
are certainly ponefied of it before
defign of yielding to reafon, on
do not
difpute in
a
truth, do not
out
find
to
Enter the debate with
hand.
foever
under-
its
it
the
take
-,
a
rifing
firir.
be on the fide
endeavour to remove the
that
little
obicurities
fuffer
and encourage
hang about
it
it,
and
to break out
into
open and convincing light
;
that while your
opponent perhaps may gain the better of
your reafonings, yet you yourfelf may triumph
oyer error, and
more valuable
I
am
fure that
is
a
much
acquifition and vi&ory.
X.
Watch
GENERAL.
IN
Watch
X.
narrowly in every difpute,
your opponent dees not
that
warily to grant fome
which
fition,
I95
or propo-
principle
with
bring
will
you un-
lead
it
a
fatal
and lead you infenfibly into
confequence,
though
his fentiment,
be far aftray from
it
and by this wrong
you will
the truth
:
be, as
were, plunged into dangerous er-
it
you
before
rors
Polonides- in
aware.
are
free converfation led Incauto
him
bleffed
God
has
too
cafe to punifli* any
innocent;
till
he not only allowed
alacrity,
mod
univerfal
and
little
after,
defrauded
*
evil
The word
A
the innocence,
;
and
and thence
was impomble that God mould
guilty of any crime
fnare,
in
Polonides came in difcourfe to
ever punifh fo holy a perfon,
the
it
unguarded terms.
the virtues,
it
with
it
but afTerted
the piety of our blened Saviour
inferred,
the
that
much juftice in any
being who is in itfelf
an unthinking
commend
with
to agree
propofition,
plain
this
in
fr.ep
:
who was
never
then Incauto efpied
and found himfelf robbed and
of
the
great
doctrine
punifli, here fignifies,
2
the
to bring forne natural
upon a perfon on account of moral
O
of
evil
done.
atonement
DISPUTES
OF
I96
upon
atonement by the death of Chrifl,
which he had placed
his
immortal hopes ac-
This taught him to
cording to the gofpel.
bethink himfelf what a dangerous conceffion
he had made in
that
God would
never punifh any being
was innocent, and he faw
reftriclion
this
them
better,
or limitation,
fin,
by
viz.
fome way
unlefs this innocent being were
involved in another's
who
needful to recal
it
his words, or to explain
adding
manner,
fo univerfal a
or flood as a vo-
luntary furety for the guilty
:
by
this limi-
tation he fecured the great and bleffed doctrine of the facrifice of Chrift for
the fins
of men, and learnt to be more cautious in
his concefTions for time to
Two
tempted
months ago
his
and
prayer,
abandon
on the providence of
affairs
cefllon
of
life,
had
Fatalio
Fidens
friend
to
come.
God
in
leave
to
his
aim oft
off
dependence
the
common
by obtaining of him a con-
of the like kind.
Is
it
not evident
immenfe
the univerfe was
to reafon, fays Fatalio, that God's
fcheme of
tranfactions in
contrived and determined long before you
and
I
were born
?
Can you imagine,
my
dear
IN
GENE R
A
L.
dear Fidens, that the blefTed
his original
297
God
changes
makes new
interruptions in the courfe of them fo often
as you and I want his aid, to prevent the
contrivances, and
little
accidents of
them
?
Can you
or to guard us
from
furTer yourfelf to be
per-
life,
fuaded, that the great Creator of this world
to fupport a
takes care
make
quite rotten, and to
few minutes longer
ftand firm
it
till
while we two were palling by
worms
ruin
as
you and
are
I
it,
that fuch
might efcape the
r
But
tion in
prayer.
fo
a
you had rode over
will he uphold a falling tower
Or,
it ?
bridge which was
you
you prayed
the morning, and he
I
fay,
grant he
fond and weak,
knows
faid
for his protec-
it
he,
certainly hears
:
as
but are you
to
fuppofe
Lord of all had fuch a
word or two of your breath,
that the univerfal
regard to a
,make alterations in his own eternal
fcheme upon that account ? Nor is there
as
to
any other way whereby his providence can
preferve you in anfwer to prayer, but by
Creating
fuch perpetual interruptions and
3
changes
DISPUTES
OF
I98
changes in his
own conduct
according to
your daily behaviour.
I
acknowledge,
no other way
and therefore
I
theie
all
is
doctrine of di-
to fecure the
vine Providence in
there
fays Fidens,
common
affairs
begin to doubt whether
;
God
does or ever will exert himfelf fo particularly in our little Concerns.
Have
a
care,
yield not too far
granted too
that
take heed
you have
:
much
left
and furveys
future
all
view,
from the beginning
forefee
let
and diftant
could
things in one fingle
prayer for his protection,
me
God, who
Pray
to Fatalio.
afk of you, could not the great
grafps
you
good Fidens,
not he
your morning
and appoint
all
fecond caufes to concur for the fupport of
that
crazy
bridge,
tower ftand firm
or
till
to
make
that
old
you had efcaped the
Or could not he caufe all the
mediums to work fo as to make it fall before you come near it ? Can he not appoint
all his own tranfactions in the univerie,
danger
?
and every event in the natural world, in
Wif of perfect correfpondence with his
2l.
own
IN
own
GENERAL.
fore-knowledge,
and
actions,
world
in
of
all
of
appearances
every part of
direct every thing in
I99
the
the
events,
moral
Can he not
which is but
it ?
nature,
agreement with
his fervant, to act in perfect
his eternal preflience of our fins, or of our
piety
?
And hereby
the glory of Provi-
all
dence, and our neceffary dependance upon
it
by faith and prayer, are as well fecured,
as if
he interpofed to
every
moment.
Let me afk
counfels or
again
;
decrees
alter his
own fcheme
did not he in his
appoint
own
thunders and
lightnings and earthquakes, to burn up and
Sodom and Gomorrah, and turn
them into a dead fea, jufl at the time when
deftroy
the iniquities of thofe cities were raifed to
their
fupreme height
?
Did he not ordain
the fountains of the deep to be broken up,
and overwhelming rains to
ven, juft
when
be drowned
->
fall
from Hea-
guilty world deferved
to
while he took care of the
fe-
a
curity of righteous
Noah, by an ark which
mould float upon that very deluge of waters ?
Thus he can punifh the criminal when he
pleafes,
and reward the devout wormipper
O
4
in
OF DISPUTES
200
in the
proper feafon, by his original and
eternal fchemes of appointment, as well as
if
he interpofed every
Fidens,
heed,
that
Take
moment anew.
you be not tempted
away by fuch fophifms of Fatalio, to withhold prayer from God, and to renounce
your
faith in his providence.
Remember
this fhort
and plain caution
of the fubtile errors of men.
but once thruft in his head
Let
at
a fnake
fome fmall
unguarded fold of your garment, and he
will infenrlbly and
unavoidably wind his
whole body, into your bofom, and give you
a pernicious wound.
XI.
On
the other hand,
when you have
found your opponent make any fuch conceffion as
in
may turn
maintaining
the
watchful to obferve
improvement of
it.
your
to
truth,
it,
real
advantage
be wife
and make
a
and
happy
Rhapfodus has taken
a great deal of pains to detract from the
honour of
chriftianity,
by
fly
infinuations
that the facred writers are perpetually pro-
moting virtue and piety by promifes and
threatningsj
whereas neither the fear of
future
GENERAL.
IN
201
future punifhment, nor the hope of future
reward, can poffibly be called good affections, or fuch as are the acknowledged fprings
and fources of
He
actions truly good.
all
adds further, that this fear, or this hope,
cannot
goodnefs, if
it
with
reality
in
confift
as a confiderable
motive to any good action
fain
lead
and
future
Chriftians
of
gofpel
of the
or
either flands as effential to
any moral performance, or
would
virtue
Chrift,
:
to
be afhamed
becaufe of
promifes
eternal
and thus he
and
its
threat-
nings, as being inconuftent with his notion
of virtue
;
he fuppofes virtue mould
for
be fo beloved and practifed for the fake of
own
its
beauty and lovelineis, that
motives
from rewards or
arifing
ments, fear or hope,
juft fo
much from
do
really
all
other
punifli-
take
away
the very nature of virtue
influence reaches to: and no part
as their
Qf thofe good practices are really valuable,
but what
tue
itfelf,
from the mere love of
arifes
vir-
without any regard to punifh-
ment or reward.
But
obferve
he grants that
in
—
two pages afterwards,
this
principle of fear of
future
and
punifhment,
future
reward,
it
DISPUTES
OF
202
how mercenary and
may be
accounted,
cumftances
is
lull,
or
is
virtue
to
of
-,
future
foever
fervile
yet in
many
advantage,
great
a
and fupport
there
hope
cir-
fecurity,
where
efpecially
danger of the violence of rage or
any counter-working paflion
to
controul and overcome the good affections
of the mind.
Now
the rule and the practice of chrif-
tianity, or the gofpel, as
nected with
ments,
man
Rhapfodus,
in this prefent life,
con-
clofely
and
punifh-
by
fupported
well
Pray,
conceflion.
every
be
is
rewards
future
may
it
tell
this
me,
if
by the vio-
lence of fome counter-working paffion,
may
not have his good affections to virtue controuled or overcome
?
May
not,
therefore,
his eternal fears and hopes be a great advantage,
fecurity,
dangerous
a flate
ney through
and
this
and fupport to virtue in
is all
and fituation,
this
as
world towards
fo
our joura
better
?
that the defence of chriuia-
nity necefiarily requires.
And
GENERAL.
IN
And
me
yet further, let
203
afk our rhapfo-
you have nothing elfe, Sir, but the
beauty, and excellency, and lovelinefs of vir-
dift, if
tue to preach and flouriih upon, before fuch
and degenerate creatures as the bulk
of mankind are, and you have no future
rewards or punifhments with which to adforry
and
their hopes
drefs
thefe vicious wretches will
from
madnefs
and
temperance,
you ever reclaim
of profanenefs, in-
varieties
their
all
how many of
fears,
How
?
many-
have you ever actually reclaimed by this
fmooth
What
method, and thefe
foft
has
?
reafoning and rhetoric
that
all
words
fine
done which have been difplayed by your predeceflbrs the
and
excellency
has
it
Heathen
Perhaps
?
better natural
What
refined,
recovered
and perhaps
from
now and
then
mould has been
alfo
have been here and there a
or
?
this
been able to do towards the reform-
man of
little
of virtue
beauty
ing of a finful world
a
upon
moralifts,
injuftice
there
a
may
man
retrained
and
knavery,
from drunkenncfs and lewdnefs, and vile
debaucheries, by this fair reafoning and
philofophy
venge
:
but have the paflions of re-
and envy,
of
ambition and pride,
and
0F
204
DISPUTES
and the inward fecret vices of the mind
been mortified merely by this philofophical
language
made new
love to
Go
Have any of
?
of
men been
real piety
up
the virtues of
all
human
the beauties of your oratory,
all
and declaim aloud on the praife of
virtue,
nefs,
focial
and the amiable qualities of good-
till
among
and
?
drefs
nature in
men
creatures,
God
thefe
your heart or your lungs ache,
of mankind, and
loofer herds
the
you will ever
find, as
your Heathen fathers
have done before, that
and appetites of
men
the wild
paffions
are too violent to be
by fuch mild and filken language.
You may as well build up a fence of ftraw
reftrained
and feathers
to
quench
of
fair
to
refill:
a cannon-ball, or try
a flaming granado with a fhell
water, as hope to fucceed in
But an
attempts.
eternal
Heaven and an
eternal Hell carry divine force
with them
:
thefe
and power
This doctrine from the mouth
of Chriftian preachers has begun the reformation of multitudes
recovered
;
this
gofpel
has
among the nations
and death.
They have been,
thoufands
from iniquity
awakened
GENERAL.
IN
awakened by
thefe
awful fcenes to begin
religion,
and afterwards
improved
itfelf into fuperior
tbeir
fined principles and habits
and
high
to
rifen
though not
eminent degrees,
and
Rhapfodus
than
better
throughout
more
by the
proper and
drefs to
it
Word
his
has
by divine grace,
God knows human
blefied
virtue
and more re-
confummate
a
to
2O5
The
much
ftate.
nature
doth,
and
has
appointed a more
effectual
method of ad-
paffions of
hope and
fear,
by puni/hments and rewards.
If you read on four pages further in thefe
writings,
another
you
will find the author
concefiion.
He
allows
makes
that
— the
mailer of a family ufing proper rewards and
gentle
punifhments towards his children,
them goodnefs, and by this help
inftructs them in a virtue which afterwards
they practife upon other grounds, and withteaches
out thinking of a penalty or a bribe: and
this, fays
he,
is
what we
call a liberal
edu-
cation and a liberal fervice.
This new
alfo be
concefiion of that author
may
very happily improved in favour of
Christianity.
disputes
of
2.q6
What
Christianity.
in this
life
in virtue
They
?
by no means perfect
are
-
I
:
cf me::
be ft
the
are
all
but children
here
under the great m after of the family, and
he is pleaied by hopes 2nd fears, by mere:
and correction?,
onward
conduct us
m
us
to inltruct
virtue,
towards
the
fublimer and mere perfect practice of
it in
and
to
the future werid. where
own
ed, as in his
it
in all
be perform-
language, perhaps
— withe
And fince
conduct may be
thinking of penalties or bribes.
he hath allowed that
fervice,
let
the
cf
title
education,
liberal
a
ca'.
this
Christianity then
a liberal
education
fiuch
is
creatures,
ward?
and
be
a
inculg
alio,
frail
liberal
and
and linful
while they are training up
.;:'.:.;.:.:
t]
pf
:
the heavenly
itate.
XII.
with
a
Whin
;.
oa
per fen cf
from your felt,
are
engaged
in a difpute
very different p:
and
you
cannot had
les
any
him to embrace
the truth bv principles which vcu b:
freely acknowledge, ycu may fairly make
ufe of his own principles to {hew him his
mi flake,
ready way to prevail with
GENERAL.
IN
20 "J
him
miftake, and thus convince or filence
from
own
his
conceffions.
If your opponent
mould be
may purfue your
losopher or a Jew, you
argument
fome Chriftian
of
defence
in
a Stoic phi-
dodtrine or duty againft fuch a difputa,nt,
by axioms or laws borrowed either from
Zeno or Moles. And though you do not
how many
the inquiry
enter into
laws of Mofes
Zeno was
are abrogated,
right or
wrong
of the
or whether
in his philofophy,
yet if from the principles and conceffions
you can fupport your
of your opponent,
argument
for the gofpel of Chrifl, this has
been always counted a
and
adverfary,
it
is
hominem, or ratio ex
fair
treatment of an
called
argumentum ad
St.
concejjis.
Paul fome-
times makes ufe of this fort of difputation,
when he
talks
lofophers
y
-
with Jews or Heathen phi-
and
convinces them
ceflary
to
be
at leaft
:
he
which
done
filences
is
againft
if
not
fometimes nean
obftinate
and clamorous adverfary, that jufl honour
might be paid
were divine,
to
truths
which he knew
and that the only true doctrine
OF DISPUTES
208
might be confirmed arid
propagated among finful and dying men.
trine of falvation
Yet
XIII.
muft be taken,
great care
your debates break in upon your
left
pailions,
and awaken them to take part in the conWhen the opponent pufhes hard,
troverfy.
and gives
juft
and mortal wounds to our
own
opinions, our paflions are very apt to
feel
the ftrokes, and to
and defence.
Self
lentiments which
rife
we have
fuch a tender feeling of
which
made
is
are very ready
brawls
chofen, and has
all
them,
to
refentment
mingled with the
fo
is
in
to
the oppofition
that
come
perfonal
in
as
fe-
conds, to fucceed and finifh the difpute of
Then
opinions.
appear in
all
their fhapes,
and truth out of
How
noife and clamour and folly
and chafe reafon
fight.
unhappy
is
the cafe of
frail
and
wretched mankind in this dark or dufky
itate
fon
?
of flrong paflion and glimmering rea-
How
fions are
when our
engaged in the difpute,
more what
we
ready are we,
paf-
to confider
loads of nonfenfe and reproach
can lay upon our opponent, than what
reafon
GENERAL,
IN
20$
reafon and truth require in the controverfy
Difmal are the confequences man-
itfelf.
kind are too often involved in bv
principle;
it is
this
common
practice that carries the
that
fair
is
truth,
and honeft
the
or
and dangerous
heart afide
foul, that
of
propagation
St.
principle,
the
in
it
one's very
Jerome
his
in
follies as thefe.
fairly confclTes
apology for
this evil
himfelf to
Pammachius, (t that he had not fo much
garded what was exactly to be fpoken
fit
deed,
to lay a
I
fear
many of
affairs
this
was the
of thole times.
we
in
But
it
as
cuftom of
the church
will be a
dou-
more enlightened
will allow ourfelves in a conduct
fo criminal
who
vile
the writers even in
ble fcandal upon us in our
age, if
re-
what
load on Jovinian." And, in-
the controverfy he had in hand,
was
all
none of the Chriftian fathers had
been guilty of fuch
But
from
our fearch after
in
One would wifh from
world.
this evil
and diihoneft.
Happy
fouls,
keep fuch a facred dominion over their
inferior and animal powers, and all the in-
fluences of pride and fecular intereft, that
the fenfitive tumults, or thefe vicious influ-
P
ences
OF DISPUTES, &C.
210
ences never
rife
mind
better operations of the reafoning
XIV. These
ceiTary,
or
at
and
to diflurb the fuperior
!
general directions are neleafl
ufeful
in
all
debates
whatfoever, whether they arife in occafional
converfation, or are appointed at any cer-
tain
time or place
$
whether they are ma-
naged with or without any formal rules to
But there are three forts of
difputation in which there are fome forms
and orders obferved, and which are diftinguimed by thefe three names, viz, Socratic,
govern them.
Forenfic,
and Academic,
/. e.
the difputes
of the fchools.
Concerning
each of thefe
be improper to difcourfe a
a
few
it
little,
may not
and give
particular directions or remarks about
them.
CHAP.
211
CHAP.
XI.
THE SOCRATICAL WAjY OF D IS UTATIO M.
I"
I. r
A
g
HIS
method of difpute derives its
name from Socrates, by whom it
JL
was
and by other philofophers in
practifed,
his age, long before Ariftotle invented
particular forms of fyllogifm in
figure,
which
are
now
ufed
the
mood and
in
fcholaftic
difputations.
II.
The
way
Socratical
queftions and anfwers in
viz.
this,
belief
ftate
of
If I
a
would
managed by
fuch a manner as
is
lead a perfon into the
heaven or hell, or
of rewards and punifhments,
a
I
future
might
begin in fome fuch manner of inquiry, and
fuppofe the moft obvious and eafy anfwers.
Q^ Does
A.
not
Surely
God
govern the world?
he that made
P
2
it
governs
it.
Q^Is
THE SOCRATICAL WAY
%\1
Q^ Is
governor
A.
God
not
both
a
good and
a
righteous
?
Both
thefe characters doubtlefs be-
long to him.
Q^
What
is
the true notion of a good
and righteous governor
A.
That
?
he punifhes the wicked, and
rewards the good.
Q^ Are
the good always rewarded in this
life ?
A.
No
furely, for
many
virtuous
men
are
miferable here, and greatly afflicted.
Q^ Are
this life
A.
live
of
the wicked always punifhed in
?
No
certainly,
for
many of them
without forrow, and fome of the
men
vilefl
are often raifed to great riches
and
honour.
Q^ Wherein
OF DISPUTATION.
Q^ Wherein
appear that he
A.
of
it
I
own
then doth
213
God make
good and righteous
is
there
is
but
little
it
?
appearance
on earth.
Q^ Will
when
there not be a time then
the tables mall be turned, and the fcene of
changed,
things
kind righteoufly
fince
God
?
A. Doubtless, there muft be
time,
God
wherein
man-
governs
will
make
a
proper
that
good-
nefs and that righteoufnefs to appear.
Q^
can
it
If this be not before their death,
be done
how
?
can think of no other way but by
fuppofing man to have fome exiftence after
A.
I
this life.
Q^ Are you
not convinced then
that
there muft be a ftate of reward and punifh-
ment
after death
?
A. Yes
THE SOCRATICAL WAY
214
A. Yes
finely,
I
now
plainly that
fee
the goodnefs and righteoufnefs of God, as
governor of the world, neceffarily require
it.
i
Now
III.
the advantages of this
method
are very considerable.
1.
or
It
-reprefents
common
more
fprightly
to
converfation,
more
eafy,
way of
excite
the
penetration
the form of a dialogue
which
pleafant,
is
and
a
much
a
more
inftru&icn, and more
attention,
of the
and
learner,
fit
maroen the
than
folitary
reading or filent attention to a leclure.
Man
being a fociable creature,' delights more in
converfation,
if
it
could
and
learns
better
this
way,
always be wifely and happily
pradtifed.
This method hath fomething very
obliging in it, and carries a very humble
and condefcending air, when he that' !n2.
ftructs
feems to be the enquirer, and feeks
information from
him who
learns.
3-
Ir
OF DISPUTATION.
21 5
It leads the learner into the knowledge
'3.
of truth
which
as
were by his own invention,
a very
is
nature
it
thing to
pleafing
human
and by queftions pertinently and
;
propofed,
artificially
draw him on
does
it
own
to difcover his
much more
which he
is
relinquish
when he feems
effectually
as
eafily
miftakes,
perfuaded to
to have discovered
them himfelf.
It
4.
is
managed
great meafufe in
in a
the form of the moSb-eaiy reafoning, alwpvs
from fomething
ariiing
aSTerted
or
known
in the foregoing anfwer, and fo proceeding
to enquire
fomething unknown
lowing queSuon, which
makes way
-again
Now
for the next anfwer.
in the fol-
fuch an exercile
very alluring and entertaining to the un-
is
derstanding, while
are all along
its
own
realb'mrig
powers'
employed, and that without
labour or difficulty, becaufe the querift finds
out and propofes
all
the intermediate ideas
.
'
J
ex
1 1
or middle terms.
>
IV.
There
to this,
is
a
01
no
method very near a-kiiv
which has much obtained of
viz. writing Controversies
P 4
late,
by questions only,
or
THE SOCRATICAL WAY
2l6
or confirming or refuting- any petition, or
periuading to or dehor ting from any prac-
anfwer to them
is
fuppofed to be fo plain
fo necefTary, that they
and
The
by the mere propofal of queries.
tice,
are
not exprefT-
the query itfelf carries a con-
ed, becaufe
vincing argument
in
it,
and feems to de-
termine what the anfwer mufl be.
V.
If
framed
pute
in
by
catechifms
Chriftian
manner of
the
queftion
and
could
a Socratical
anfwer,
it
be
dif-
would
wonderfully enlighten the minds of children, and
al
it
would improve
and reafoning powers,
that
it
leads
religion
:
and
them
it
is
into
their intellectur
the fame time
at
the knowledge of
upon one account well
fuited to the capacity of children
queftions
may
;
for the
be pretty numerous, and the
querirl muft not proceed too fwiftly towards
the
determination
that he
of his point propofed,
may with more
eafe,
with brighter
evidence, and with furer fuccefs, draw the
learner on to afTent to thofe principles ftep
by
ftep,
from whence the
will naturally arife.
ence would be
this,
The
that
final
conclafion
only inconvenii:
children
were
to
OF DISPUTATION.
to reafon out all their
way
knowledge of every part of
21J
entirely into the
their religion, it
would draw common catechifms into too
large a volume for their leifure, attention,
or
memory.
Yet
to
thofe
who
explain their catechifms
them may, by due
application and fore-
thought, inftruct them in this manner.
CHAP.
(
ai8
CHAP.
OF
I.
fOREKSU
)
XH.
DISPUtES.
'T^HE
JL
forum was a public place in Rome
where lawyers and orators made their
fpeeches before the proper judge in matters
of property, or
in criminal cafes, to accufe
or excufe, to complain or defend
:
thence
all
of difputations in public aiTemblies or
forts
courts of juftice, where feveral perfons
make
their diftind; fpeeches for or againft any per-
fon or thing whatfoever, but more efpecially
in civil matters,
may come under
the
name
of Forenfic difputes.
This
II.
is
pra&ifed
not
only, in the
Courts of Judicature, where a fmgle perfon
fits
to
judge of the truth or goodnefs of
any caufe,
and to determine according to
the weight of reafons on either fide;
it
is
but
ufed alfo in political fenates or parlia-
ments,
OF FORENSIC 'DISPUTES.
ments,
ecclefiaftreal
fyttoife,
2 JO
and afTemblies
of various kinds.
is
In thefe afiemMles generally one perfon
cnoicn chairman or moderator, not to
give a determination to the controverfy, but
keep the fevcra! fpeakers to the
rules of order and decency in their conduct;
chiefly to
but the
determination cf the queifions
final
from
arifes
the
majority
of opinions
or
votes in the afTembly, according as they are
or ought to be fwayed by the fuperior
weight of reaibn appearing in the
fpeeches that are made.
III.
ally
in
perfon
feveral
The
method of proceeding is ufufome fuch form as this. The firft
who
fpeaks
when
the court
opens the cafe either more briefly cr
is
fct,
at large,
and propofes the cafe to the * judge or the
chairman, or moderator of the afTembly, and
gives his
own
reafons for his opinion in the
cafe Drooofed.
IV. This perfon
is
Succeeded by one, or
perhaps two or feveral more,
on the fame
2
ftbjecl.
who
paraphrafe
and argue on the fame
fide
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
220
of the queflion
fide
the
a
new reafons
then thofe w ho are
ftand up and make
has fpoken, and urge
firft
to enforce the fame
of
they confirm what
-,
7
:
different opinion
their feveral
fpeeches in a fucceflion, op-
pofing the caufe which others have maintained, giving their reafons
endeavouring
to
whereby the
firft
ed
againft
the
refute
fpeakers
have
and
it,
arguments
fupporU
it.
V. After this, one and another rifes
up to make their replies, to vindicate or
to condemn, to eftablifh or to confute
what
has been offered before on each fide of the
queftion
;
till at laft,
according to the rules,
orders, or cuftoms of the court or affembly,
the controverfy
is
decided, either by a fingle
judge or the fufFrage of the affembly.
VI.
Where
the queftion or matter in
debate confifts of feveral parts, after
once opened by the
fometimes thofe
them
firfl
who
it
is
or fecond fpeaker,
follow take each of
a particular part of
the debate, ac-
cording to their inclination or their prior
agreement, and apply themfelves to argue
upon
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
upon that
221
whole
eompkxion of the debate may not be thrown
into confulion by the variety of fubjects, if
every fpeaker mould handle all the fubjects
fingle point only, that fo the
of debate.
Before
VII.
mination
is
the
given,
final
it
is
and arguments,
reafons
on both
offered
rides,
fentence or deterufual to have the
which have been
fummed up and
repre-
more compendious manner ; and
done either by the appointed judge
fented in a
this
is
of the court, or the chairman, or fome noted
perfon
may
in the
afTembly,
proceed upon the
whole
man
that fo
fullefi:
fubjecl:, that as far as
affairs
nothing
judgment
furvey of the
hu-
poflible in
may be done
contrary to
a practice in
which mul-
truth and juftice.
VIII. As this
titudes
learned
leaft
in
of gentlemen, beiides thofe of the
profeffions,
their
would be
to
is
a
introduce
demies, viz.
may
be
engaged,
maturer years of
very proper and
this
to
cuftom
at
fo it
life,
ufeful thing
into
our
propofe cafes, and
let
aca-
the
flu-
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
22£
Undents debate them
in aforenfic
manner
in
the prefence of their tutors. There was fome-
thing of this kind pra&ifed by the
youth
their
in
them up
order to train
in
for orators, both in the
it
forum and
Perhaps Juvenal gives fome
in the fenate.
hints of
fchools,
Roman
when he
fays,
& nos
Conjilhim dedimus Sy/Ic?, privatus ut
—
Dormiret
—
—
Where with men-boys I flrove
ahum
Sat. I.
to get
renown,
Advifing Sylla to a private gown,
That he might
Sometimes
boys
fleep the founder.
thefc were afligned to the
as fingle fubje£fcs
mation
:
ib
of a theme or decla-
the fame poet fpeaks farcafti-
cally to Hannibal,
& ftcvas curve per Alpes>
TJt pueris placeas & declamatio fias.
i
/ demens,
Sat. 10.
Go
OF FORENSIC DISPUTES.
Go
To
223
climb the rugged Alps, ambitious fool,
pleafe the
boys,
and be a theme
at
fchool.
See more of
tiquities
the
of
Roman
this
Rome,
matter in Rennet's
An-
in the fecond ElTay
on
Education,
CHAP,
(
224
)
CHAP.
XIII.
OF ACADEMIC OR SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
THE commonmanaged
methods
putes are
in
which
dif-
in the fchools
of
learning, are thefe, viz.
I.
The
tutor appoints a queftion in
fome
of the fciences to be debated amongft his
fludents
:
one of them undertakes to affirm
or to deny the queftion, and to defend his
afTertion or negation,
and to anfwer
jections againft it; he
is
ent
:
fame
and the
reft
clafs, or
who
ob-
called the refpond-
of the fludents
in
the
purfue the fame fcience,
who
are appointed to dis-
raife objections
againft the proposi-
are the opponents,
pute or
all
tion thus affirmed or denied.
II.
in
Each
their
turn
of the ftudents
becomes the
fucceffively
refpondent or
the
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
225
the defender of that proportion, while the
reft
oppofe
fucceffively
alfo
it
in
their
turns.
It
III.
is
the bufinefs of the refpondent
to write a thefis in Latin, or fhort difcourfe
on the queftion propofed
and he either
-,
affirms or denies the queftion according to
the opinion of the tutor,
which
to be the truth, and he reads
is
fuppofed
it
at
the be-
IV. In his difcourfe (which
is
written
ginning of the difpute.
•
with
as great
accuracy
as
the youth
capable of) he explains the
queftion,
fixes
their
frees
them from
fenfe,
declares
it
it
ca-
terms of the
all
the
and meaning of the queiticn
rates
is
ambiguity,
true intent
itfeif,
fepa.-
from other queftions with which
may have been
complicated, and diftin-
from other queftions which may
happen to be a-kin to it, and then proguiihes
nounces
.cerning
V.
it
in
the negative or affirmative con*-
it.
When
this
is
done, then in the fe-
cond part of his difcourfe he gives his own.
Q^
itrongsfb
ACADEMIC OR
OF
226
ftrongeft
arguments to confirm the propo-
rtion he has laid down,
own
his
i.
of the queftion
fide
to
e.
vindicate
but he does
:
not ufually proceed to reprefent the objections againfl
for
objections in difputing.
VI.
dent
Note,
In fome fchools the refpon-
admitted to talk largely upon the
is
many
queftion with
tions,
flourimes and illuftra-
to introduce great authorities
ancient and
port of
in
$
the bufinefs of the other ftudents to
it is
"raife
and to folve or anfwer them
it,
it,
modern writings
from
for the fup-
and to fcatter Latin reproaches
abundance on
all
ferent fentiment.
thofe
But
who
this
are of a dif-
is
not always
permitted, nor
mould
dulged,
teach youth to reproach in-
left it
it
indeed be ever in-
ltead of reafoning.
VII.
When
the refpondent has read over
his thefis in the fchool, the junior ftudent
makes an objection, and draws
regular form of a fyllogifm
:
it
up
in
the
the refpondent
repeats the objection, and either denies the
major or minor propofition directly, or he
diftinguiihes
upon fome word or phrafe in
the
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
the major or minor, and
mews
in
227
what fenfe
the proportion may be true, but that thatfenfe
does not
clares
affecr.
the queftion
;
and then de-
which
that in the fenfe
prefent queftion, the proportion
and confequently he denies
Then
VIII.
the
affects
is
not true*
it.
the opponent proceeds by
another fyllogifm to vindicate the proportion that
is
denied
:
again the refpondent an-
fwers by denying or diftinguifhing.
Thus
the difputation goes on in a feries
or fucceffion of fyllogifms and anfwers,
the objector
is
filenced,
till
and has no more to
fay,
IX.
When
he can go no further, the
next ftudent begins to propofe his objection,
and then the third and the fourth, even to
the fenior,
X.
who
During
is
the
this
laft
opponent.
time the tutor
fits
in
the chair as prefident or moderator, to fee
that the
rules of difputation
be obferved on both
fides
;
and decency
and to admcnifh
each difputant of any irregularity in their
Q^2
con-
228
ACADEMIC OR
€>F
His work
conduct.
alfo to illuftrate
is
and
explain the anfwer or distinction of the re-
fpondent where
it
it
where
falfe
is
is
it
:
it is
obfcure, to flrengthen
weak, and to correct
and when
it
where
respondent
the
pinched with a ftrong objection, and
a
lofs for
an anfwer, the moderator
is
is
at
affifts
him, and fuggeits fome anfwer to the objection of the opponent, in
queflion, according to his
defence of the
own
opinion or
fen tirnent.
XI. In public difputes, where the opponents
fide
is
and refpondents
chufe their
own
of the queilion, the moderator's work
not to favour either difputant
only
fits as
prefident
to fee
;
but he
that the laws
of difputation be obferved, and a decorum
maintained,
XII.
Now
the laws of difputation relafe
either to the opponent, or to the refpondent,
er to both.
The
thefe
laws
obligine:
the
onoonent
are
;
i.
That
;
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
i.
That
22a
he mufl directly contradict the
proportion of the refpondent, and not merely
whereby the
attack any of the arguments
refpondent has fupported that proportion
for
it is
one thing to confute
a tingle
argu-
ment of the refpondent, and another
confute the thefis
2.
(Which
to
itfelf.
a-kin to the former) he
is
mufl contradict or oppofe the very
{cn{c
and
intention of the proportion as the refpon-
dent has ftated
it,
and not merely oppofe
the words of the thefis in any other fenfe;
for this
would be the way
to
plunge the
difpute into ambiguity and darknefs, to talk
belide the queftion, to wrangle about words,
and to attack a proportion different from
w hat
r
the refpondent has efpoufed, which
is
called ignoratio ele?ichi.
3.
He
muft propofe
his
argument
in
a
plain, fhort and fyllogiftick form, according
to
the rules of logick, without flying to
fallacies or
may
fophifms, and as far as
be,
be mould ufe categorical fyllogifms.
Q^3
4.
Though
:
ACADEMIC OR
OF
23O
Trough
4.
tacked either upon a point
cemon, which
which
is
is
called
cr by reducing
\ejjis,
is
may be atof his own con-
the refpondent
argument urn ex con-
him
called reduclio
ad
to
an abfurdity,
abfurduniy yet
it
the neateft, the moft ufeful, and the beft
fort
of difputation where the opponent draws
his objections
from the nature of the ques-
tion itfelf.
5.
Where the refpondent denies any pro-
portion, the opponent, if he proceed, muft
directly vindicate
tion,
i. e.
and confirm that propor-
he muft make that propofition
the conclufion of his next fyllogifm.
6.
Where
tinguiflies
any
the refpondent limits or d\Cpropofition,
the
opponent
mull dire&ly prove his own propofition in
that
fenfe,
and according to that
member
of the distinction in which the refpondent
denied
it.
XIII.
The
laws that oblige the refpon-.
dent are thefe
i.
To
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION,
To
23X
argument of the opponent in the very fame words in which it
i.
repeat the
was propofed, before he attempts to anfwer
it.
If the fyllogifm be falfe in the logical
2.
form of
he
it,
mud
difcover the fault ac-
cording to the rules of logic.
3.
If the argument does not directly and
he mull £hew
effectually oppofe his theias,
this
miftake, and
thefis is fafe,
make
it
appear that his
even though the argument of
the opponent be admitted
:
or at
the argument does only aim at
rally, or at a diftance,
throw
4.
it,
objection
refpondent muft grant what
muffc
deny what
it.
is falfe,
part of
is
which
which
it is
;
it,
true in
it,
the
he
he muft diftinguifh
or limit the proportion which
or doubtful
collate-
the matter of the opponent's
faulty in any
is
it
that
and not directly over-
or conclude againft
Where
leaft,
is
ambiguous
and then granting the fenfe in
true,
he muft deny the fenfe in
it is falfe.
0^4
5. If
:
:
GF -ACADEMIC
232
OR
If any hypothetic proportion be falfe,
5.
the refpondent muft deny the confequence
he mult deny the disjunc-
if a disjunctive,
tion
:
if a categoric or relative,
ply deny
.
6.
It
he muft lim-
it.
is
fometimes allowed for the re-
fpondent to ufe an indirect anfwer after he
has anfwered directly
and he may
:
alio
mew
how? the opponent's argument may be retorted againil himfelf.
-
j
XIV. The laws
that
both
oblige
dif-
•putants are thefe
1.
Sometimes
it is
necefTary there
mould
be a mention ot certain general principles
in
which they both
agree, relating to the
queftion, that fo they
.thole
things,
have been
2.
is
iiifl
When
well
agreed,
which
not difpute on
either are or
ought
the
flate
of the
controverfy
plainly determined and
muft not be
altered
by either dif-
putant in the courfe of the.difputation
the
to
granted on both fides.
known, and
it
may
refpondent
especially
mould
;
and
keep
a
watch-
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
watchful
on
eye
the
opponent
233
this
in
matter.
3.
Let
neither party invade
vince of the other; efpecially
the pro-
the refpon-
let
dent take heed that he does not turn op-
ponent,
upon
except in
retorting the
his adverfary after a direct refponfe;
and even
this is allowed only as an illuflra-
tion or confirmation of his
4.
argument
Let
own
refponfe.
each wait with patience
other has done fpeaking.
It is
till
a piece
the
of
rudenefs to interrupt another in his fpeech.
Yet, though
moderator may do
the
liberty,
either of
the difputants have not this
the difputants
and he may interpofe
it,
when
break the
rules,
fo far as to
keep them
to order.
XV. It muft
advantages
to the
be
to
difputation.
be conferTed there are fomc
It
attained
by academical
gives vigour and brifknefs
mind thus
exercifed, and relieves the
languor of private ftudy and meditation.
marpens
the
wit
and
all
the
It
inventive
powers.
OF ACADEMIC OR
234
powers.
lends
It
makes the thoughts a&ive, and
them on
and aniwers
all
fides
to find
both for oppofition and deopportunity of viewing the
fence.
It gives
fubjecl:
of difcourfe on
all
and of
fides,
what inconveniences,
learning
arguments
difficulties,
and objections attend particular opinions. It
furniflies the foul with various occafions of
flarting fuch
thoughts as otherwife would
never have come into the mind.
It
makes
a ftudent more expert in attacking and
re-»
futing an error, as well as in vindicating a
truth.
It inftrufts
the fcholar in the
vari*-
ous methods of warding off the force of
objections, and of difcovering
the fubtle tricks of fophifters.
alfo a
and refelling
It
procures
freedom and readinefs of fpeech, and
raifes the
modeft and diffident genius to a
due degree of courage.
XVI. But
there are
inconveniences
balance
young
all
that
thefe
ftudents,
by
fome very grievous
may fometimes
advantages.
over-
For many
a conftant habit of dif-
puting, grow impudent and audacious, proud
and difdainful, talkative and impertinent,
.:nd render themfelves intolerable by an obilinate
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
flinate
have
235
humor of maintaining whatever they
afTerted,
as
well as by a fpirit of con-
tradiction, oppofing almoft every thing that
The
they hear.
wakens the
difputation itfelf often a-
of ambition, emula-
paffions
tion,
and anger;
from
that
it
calm and
carries
away the mind
temper which
fedate
is
fo neceffary to contemplate truth.
XVII. It
is
evident alfo, that by frequent
exercifes of this fort, wherein opinions true
and
falfe
are argued, fupported
ed
on both
led
by
fides
;
the
and refut-
mind of man
infenfible degrees to an uncertain
is
and
fluctuating temper, and falls into danger of
a fceptical
humour, which never comes
an eftablifhment in any doctrines.
to
oppofe whatfoever
Many
much more
peribns by this means become
ready
to
is
offered
fearching out truth; they hardly wait
in
till
they have read or heard the fentiment of
any perfon,
employed
before their heads
to feek out
are
bufily
arguments againft
it.
They grow
naturally fharp in finding out
difficulties;
and by indulging
this
humour,
they converfe with the dark and doubtful
parts of a fubject fo long,
till
they almoft
ren-
OF
Z^h
ACADEMIC OR
render themfelves incapable of receiving the
of a proportion, and acknow-
full evidence
ledging the light of truth.
tendency to make
youth a carping
a
rather than a judicious
XVIII.
in
I
has fome
It
would
man.
add yet further, that
thefe difputations the refpondent
nerally appointed to maintain the
truth, that
is,
Now
if a fprightly
manage
his
But
the
truth.
young genius happens
arguments
all
warmly engaged
arguments againft
finding
ge-
is
fuppofed
the tutor's opinion.
the opponents are bufy and
in
critic,
fo well as to
to
puzzle
and gravel the refpondent, and perhaps to
perplex the moderator a
tempted
to
able, and
The
little too,
he
is
foon
fuppofe his argument unanfwerthe truth entirely to
lie
on
his
which he takes in having
found a fophifm which has great appearance of reafon, and which he himfelf has
managed with fuch fuccefs, becomes perfide.
il
pleafure
jos a fcrong prejudice to engage his
inward
fentjments in favour of his argument, and
in opposition to the
XIX'.
Yet
fuppofed truth.
perhaps
it
may be
poflible to
reduce fcholaftic difputations under fuch _a
guard,
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
2^J
fomc meafure prevent
moft of tbefe abufes of them, and the unhappy events that too often attend them
has
for it is pity that an exerciie which
guard,
may
as
in
:
fome valuable benefits attending it, mould
be utterly thrown away, if it be poflible to
fecure young minds againft the abufe of it;
which purpofe fome of
for
may feem
thefe directions
proper.
XX. General
directions for fcholaftic
difputes.
Never
i.
difpute
upon mere
trifles,
things that are utterly ufelefs to be known,
under
a vain pretence
the
for
from
fame
folid
of fharpening the wit:
advantage
may be
derived
and ufeful fubjects, and thus two
happy ends may be
attained at once.
Or
it
fuch difputations are always thought dangerous in important matters, let them be
utterly abandoned.
2.
Do
not
make
infinite
and unfearch-
able things the matter of difpute, nor fuch
made up of mere words
left it lead young perfons
propofitions as are
without ideas,
into
ACADEMIC OR
OF
238
into a
mod unhappy
habit of talking with-
out a meaning, and boldly determine upon
things that are hardly within the reach of
human
3.
capacity.
Let
not obvious and
or fome of the
mod
known
truths,
plain and certain propo-
rtions, be bandied about in a difputation,
for a
mere
pofes
them
of
trial
in this
of contracting
fkill
manner
a habit
for he that
:
op-
will be in danger
of oppofing
all
evi-
dence, will acquire a fpirit of contradiction,
and pride himfelf
brighter!:
light,
firongeft proofs
:
in a
power of
and
fighting
refitting the
againft
the
this will infenfibly injure
the mind, and tends greatly to an univerfal
fcepticifm.
Upon
the
whole,
therefore,
the moft
proper fubjecls of difpute ieem to be, thofe
queftions
which
are not of the very higheft
importance and certainty, nor of the meaneft
and
trifling
kind
;
but rather the inter-
mediate queftions between thefe two; and
there
is
fcicnces.
a large fufriciency
But
this I
put
of them in the
as a
mere propofal,
to
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
to be determined
239
by the more learned and
prudent.
It would be well
4.
if every difpute
could
be To ordered as to be a means of fearchine
out truth, and not to gain a triumph. Then
each
difputant
might come
to
the
work
without bias and prejudice; with a defire
of truth, and not with ambition of glory
and victory.
Nor mould
the aim and defign of the
refpondent be to avoid artfully and efcape the
which the opponent
them thoroughly, and
difficulties
offers,
to difcufs
folve
fairly, if
but
them
they are capable of being folved.
Again,
let
the opponent be folicitous
not to darken and confound the refponfes
that are given
let
him by
frefh fubtilties;
him bethink himfelf whether
but
they are
not a juft anfwer to the objection, and be
honeftly ready to perceive and accept them,
and yield
5.
to
For
them.
this end, let
and opponent ufe the
3
both the refpondent
clearefl
and moft diftinft
OF
240
tinct
ACADEMIC OR
and expreffive language in which they
Let them feek
can clothe their thoughts.
and
brevity and perfpicuity on both
'practife
without long
fides,
declamations,
tedious
circumlocutions, and rhetorical flourishes.
.
If there happen to be any doubt or ob-
fcurity on either fide, let neither, the one or
the other ever refufe to give a fair explica-
words they
tion of the
They mould
6.
of perfons
either
banter
Thefe
and
not
are things
fhould abftain
that
philofophical gravity,
every
in
fearch
all.
merriment.
break in upon that
fedatenefs and
fere-
to be obferved
truth.
However an
may be forne^
after
fubjecfs
times clothed with a
ilead
from
which ought
argument on fome
jell
dif-
their
in
laughter and
jeft,
nity of temper,
indulge ridicule,
things
or
They
putations.
ufe.
little
pleafantry
or witticlfm fhould never
;
yet a
be ufed in-
of an argument, nor fhould
it
ever be
fuftered to pais for a real and folid proof.
6-
But
efpeclally if the fubjccl beEfacred
or divine, and have nothing in
it
comical or
xidi-
;
SCHOLASTIC DEPUTATION.
ridiculous,
all
or comical
airs,
24I
ludicrous turns, and jocofe
mould be entirely excluded,
young minds become tinctured with a
left
filly
and profane
to jeft
and
trifle
fort
of ridicule, and learn
with the awful folemnities
of religion.
7.
Nor mould
farcafm and reproach, or
infolent language, ever be ufed
difputants.
Turn
fpeak of perfons.
all
among
fair
not off from things to
Leave
all
noify contefts,
immodeft clamours, brawling language,
and efpecially
to
rility
world.
all
the
Let
perfonal fcandal and fcur-
meaneft part of the
your manner be
vulgar
all
candour
and gentlenefs, patient and ready
to hear,
humbly zealous to inform and be informed
you mould be free and pleafant in every anfwer and behaviour, rather like well-bred
gentlemen in polite converfation, than like
noify and contentious wranglers.
8.
If the opponent fees victory to incline
to his fide, let
force
him be content
of his argument to
the
to
(hew the
intelligent
company, without too importunate and petulant demands of an an fvver,
part of the
R
'
and
ACADEMIC OR
OF
242
and without infulting over his antagonifl,
or putting the modefly of the refpondent to
Nor
the bldih.
let
over the opponent
tory declares
when he
On which
no more.
plies
herfelf,
is
fide
foever vic-
ther
which
fide,
truth, render
its
paffions
it
of
ei-
mind from
the
alienate
obflinate in the defence of
an error, and never fuffer
any of
evil
infolent
fhame or refentment on
anger,
pride,
them
neither of
let
awaken thofe
to
as
and re-
filent
manage with fuch unpleafing and
airs,
triumph
the refpondent
it
with
to part
old opinions.
In mort, when truth evidently appears
on
either
lide,
conviction.
plus, let
When
them
defire prefent
let
them
learn
either party
confefs the
afli fiance,
to yield
is at
to
non-
a
and
difficulty,
or further time and
retirement to confider of the matter, and
not rack their prefent invention to find out
little
mifts to avoid
the force and evidence
of truth.
9.
Might
it
not be
fafer practice,
a
in
order to attain the bed ends of difputation,
and to avoid fome of the
ill
effects
of
it,
if
the
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION,
243
the opponents were fometimes engaged on
the
of truth, and produced their ar-
fide
guments
in oppofition
if the refpondent
he was forced
And what
?
was appointed to fupport
the error, and defend
till
to error
it
as
well as he could,
to yield
at leafl to thole
arguments of the opponents, which appear
be
to
really juft,
fwerable
and flrong, and unan-
?
In this practice, the thefis of the refpondent mould only be a
tion,
fair ftating
of the quef-
with fome of the chief objections again ft
the truth propofed and folved.
Perhaps
this practice
might not
be perverted and abufed to
raife
foeafily
a caviling,
difputative and fceptical temper in the
minds
of youth.
I
confess,
in this
method which
propofe, there would be one
I
now
among
the ftu-
dents, viz. the refpondent, always
engaged
in the fupport of fuppofed error
;
but
all
the
would be exercifmg their talents in arguing for the fuppofed truth whereas in
reft
:
R
2
the
ACADEMIC OR
244
OF
the
common methods
fchools,
employed
io.
are
Jingle ftudent is perpetually
oppofe the truth and vindicate
to
once in
error, except
comes
where the fludents
efpecially
numerous, each
of difputation in the
when
long time,
a
it
to his turn to be refpondent.
Upon
that thefe
the whole,
it
feems neceflary
methods of difputation mould be
learnt in the fchools, in order to teach ftu-
dents better to defend truth, and to refute
error,
both in
where
the
writing and
converfation #
forms
fcholaftic
are
utterly
negle£ted.
But
may
after all, the advantage
gain by difputations, depends
the tutor or moderator
at the
putants
wherein
end of
know
it
fallacy of
it,
much on
he mould manage
:
with fuch prudence both
and
which youth
in
as to
the difputation
make
all
the dis-
the very point of controverfy
cdn'frfts;
he mould manifeft the
fophiftical
objections,
and con-
firm the folid arguments and anfwers.
might
art
teach
fludents
of difputation
how
to
'make
This
the
ufeful for the Searching
out
SCHOLASTIC DISPUTATION.
out the truth and the defence of
may
art
245
that
it,
it
not be learnt and pradtifed only as an
of wrangling,
fchools
feveral
which reigned
hundred
years,
the growing reafon of youth of
in
the
and diverted
its
beft
hopes
and improvements.
R
7
CHAP.
246
(
)
CHAP.
OF STUDY, OR
I.
XT
XIV.
MEDITATION.
has been proved and eftablifhed in
Jl fome of the foregoing chapters, that
neither our
own
obfervations, nor our read-
ing the labours of the learned, nor the attendance on the
befl:
lectures of inftruction,
nor enjoying the brighten; converfation, can
make
ever
man
a
truly
without the labours
knowing and
-of his
own
wife,
reafon in
furveying, examining, and judging concern-
ing
all
fubjects
A
can acquire.
thought,
a
upon the
belt evidence
good genius, or fagacity of
happy judgment,
memory, and
a
capacious
large opportunities of obfer-
vation and converfe, will do
felves
he
much
of them-
towards the cultivation of the mind,
where they
are well
improved: but where,
to the advantage of learned lectures,
instructions,
and well chofen books,
living
dili-
gence
OF STUDY, OR MEDITATION.
247
man
has all human aids concurring to raife him
to a iuperior degree of wifdom and knowgence and ftudy are fuperadded, this
ledge.
Under
it
the preceding heads of difcourfe
has been already declared
meditation
and
reflection-
improve
cultivate and
all
how
our
own
mould examine,
other methods and
advantages of enriching the underftanding.
What
remains in this
fome further
ploy our
chapter
occafional hints
own
is
how
to
give
to
em-
thoughts, what fort of fub-
we mould meditate on, and in what
manner we mould regulate our ftudies, and
how we may improve our judgment, fo as
in the moil effectual and compendious way
to attain fuch knowledge as may be mod
ufeful for every man in his c re um (lances of
jects
i
life,
and particularly for thofe of the learned
profeinons.
II.
The
firfl:
learn betimes
and things.
direction for youth
.to diftinguifli
Get
things you are
tent yourfelves
clear
fet to
is
this,
between words
and plain ideas of the
ftudy.
Do
not con-
with mere words and names,
R
4
left
left
STUDY,
OF
248
yeur laboured improvements only amafs
of unintelligible phrafes, and you
a heap
feed upon hunks
rule
unknown
of
is
But
the
danger
moll
common
the facred fcience
of theo-
v.
been
pronounced
The
and
have
here fettled terms and phrafes
logy,
which
ufe in every icience.
greateft
in
is
This
inftead of kernels.
yet have had no
fcholaftic
and
divine
divinity
meaning
many
ages
all
them.
in
would furnifh us
with numerous inftances of
yet for
orthodox,
this folly
truth and
all
:
and
herefy
have been determined by fuch
fenfelefs tefts,
and by words without
fuch Shibbo-
ideas
:
leths as thefe have decided the fecular
and bifhopricks or burning, mi-
of men
3
tres or
faggots, have been
-
different
nounced
thefe confecrated
piety, and
and
are
to
the rewards
perfons, according
To
pronounced them.
them,
fates
as
they
fyllables,
proor not
defend them was
pomp and triumph;
of
all
to defpife
doubt or deny them, was torture
death.
A
thoufand
thank-offerings
due to that Providence which has de-
livered our age and our nation
abfurd iniquities
2
!
O
that
from thefe
every fpecimen
and'
!
OR MEDITATION.
and fhadow of
249
madnefs were banifhed
this
from our fchools and churches
in every
fhape
Let
III.
not young ftudents apply them-
out deep, dark and abftrufe
felves to fearch
matters,
their
above
far
their
labour in any
or
reach,
fpend
peculiar fubjects,
for
which they have not the advantages of neceffary
antecedent
know
or
books,
or
Let them not be too hafty
obfervations.
to
learning,
things above their prefent powers,
nor plunge their enquiries at once into the
depths of knowledge,
nor begin
any fcience in the middle of
it;
to
ftudy
this will
confound rather than enlighten the underftanding
fuch
;
practices
may happen
and jade the mind
difcourage
tempt above
power,
its
it
may
to
by an atbalk the
understanding, and create an averlion to future diligence, and perhaps by defpair
may
forbid the difpute of that fubject for ever
afterwards
a
;
as a
weight above
its
the
limb overftrained by lifting
its
power,
may
never recover
former agility and vigour; or
man may
if it does,
be frighted from ever exert-
ing his ftrength again.
IV.
Nor
STUDY,
OF
25O
Nor
IV.
yet let any ftudent on the other
hand fright himfelf
furmountable
the truth
its
own
nor imagine that
difficulties,
are formidable fpeclres
undemanding
the
every turn with in T
wrapt up in impenetrable dark-
is
Thefe
nefs.
at
raifes
fometimes to
which
flatter
Thofe things which
lazinefs.
in a
remote and confufed view feetn very ob-
may be approached by
fteps, and may then un-
fcure and perplexed,
gentle and regular
fold and explain themfelves at large to the
The
eye.
and the
may be
Hep
hardeft
problems in geometry,
mod intricate
fchemes or diagrams,
explicated and understood ftep
by
every great mathematician bears a con->
:
ftant witnefs to this obfervation.
V. In learning any new
fhould be
to the
as little as
mind
at once,
poffible
thing,
firft
there
propofed
and that being under-
ftood and fully mattered, proceed then
to
unknown. This
a flow, but fate and fure way to arrive
If the mind apply itfeif at
knowledge.
the next adjoining part yet
is
at
fir ft
to eafier fubjects, and
kin to what
is
already
things near a-
known,
and then
advance to the more remote and knotty parts
of
;
MEDITATION.
OR
2JI
of knowledge by flow degrees, it will be
able in this manner to cope with great difficulties, and prevail over them with amazing and happy fuccefs.
Mathon
happened
new book of geometry
chapters of a
Ian:
and menfurations
was
frighted
two
to dip into the
he faw
as foon as
;
with
complicated
the
and
it,
dia-
grams which he found there, about the fruftums of cones and pyramids, &c. and fome
deep demonftrations
among
conic
fec"tions
he fhut the book again in defpair, and imagined none but a Sir Ifaac Newton was ever
fit
to read
fuaded
lines
it.
him
But
to begin
and angles
$
tutor happily per-
his
the
firft
pages about
and he found fuch fur-
prizing pleafure in three weeks time in the
victories
he daily obtained, that at
laft
he
became one of the chief geometers of his
age.
VI.
Engage
not the
tenfe purfuit of too
many
efpecially fuch as have
another.
mind
in
things at once;
no relation
This will be ready
understanding, and hinder
the in-
it
to
one
to diftract the
from attaining
per-
STUDY,
OF
2^2
perfection
Such
one fubject of
any
in
fludy.
a practice gives a flight {mattering of
feveral fciences,
without any
and fub-
folid
real
knowledge of them, and without any
and valuable improvement $ and though
two
or three forts of fludy
ftanti.il
carried on
with
at
variety,
with one
fort
it
mind
may not be
over-tired
much
diffract the at-
weaken the application of the
to any one of them.
Where
two or three
fciences are pur-
fued at the fame time, if one of
dry,
mind
of thoughts, yet a multitude
of fubjects will too
tention, and
be ufefully
to entertain the
once,
that
may
abflracted,
metaphyfics,
and unpleafant,
law,
languages,
let
them be
as
logic,
another
be more entertaining and agreeable, to
fe-
cure the mind from wearinefs, and averfion
to fludy.
Delight mould be intermingled
with labour
as far
as poflible,
to allure us
to bear the fatigue of dry fludies the
ter.
ry,
Poetry,
&c.
are
beU
practical mathematics, hiflo«»
generally efleemed entertaining
and may be happily ufed for this
Thus while we relieve a dull and
purpofe.
fludies,
'
heavy hour by fome alluring employments
of
MEDITATION.
OR
253
of the mind, our very diverfions enrich our
understandings, and our pleafure
turned
is
into profit.
VII. In the purfuit of every valuable fubject of
knowledge, keep the end always in
your eye, and be not diverted from
every pretty
Some
trifle
you meet with
it
in the
by
way.
perfons have fuch a wandering genius
they are ready to purfue every inci-
that
dental
have
theme or occafional
loft
Thefe
of
fight
are the
idea,
original
their
men who, when
till
they
fubject.
they are en-
gaged in converfation, prolong their ftory by
dwelling on every incident, and fwell their
narrative with long
have
loft their firft
parenthefes,
delign
fome
;
like a
is
fent in queft of
he
fteps afide to gather every flower
or ftands
ftill
to dig
they
man who
great treafure,
but
he finds,
up every mining pebble
he meets with in his way,
is
till
till
the treafure
forgotten and never found.
VIII.
Exert
your care,
gence about every
fubjecl:
fkill,
and
dili-
and every quei-
proportion to the importance
tion,
in a juft
of
together with the danger and bad con-
it,
fequences
STUDY,
° ?
254
fequences
Many
ignorance
of
or
error
therein.
from
excellent adavantages flow
this
one direction.
i.
This
careful in
you
rule will teach
be very
to
gaining forne general and funda-
mental truths both
gion, and in
human
in philofophy, in relilife
;
becaufe they are of
the highefl: moment, and conduct our thoughts
with
eafe into
ticular
a
thoufand inferior and par-
proportions.
principle in natural
of gravitation,
Such
that
great
philofophy— the doctrine
mutual tendency of
or
bodies toward each other,
Newton
is
which
all
Sir Ifaac
has fo well ellabliihed, and from
which he has drawn
mul-
the folution of a
titude of appearances in the heavenly bodies
as well as
Such
is
which our
on earth.
that golden principle of morality
hleiled
that to others
Lord has
given, us
which you think
juft and rea-
fonable that others lhouid do to you,
is
almofc lurlicient
— Do
which
in itfelf to foive all cafes
of conference which relate
to
our neighbour.
Such
—
MEDITATION.
OR
Such
are
thofe principles in religion
that a rational creature
Maker
Man
flate
immortal
accountable to his
is
actions
for all his
is
255
—
—
that the foul of
there
that
a future
is
of happinefs and of mifery depending
on our behaviour
which
all
the prefent
in
life,
on
our religious practices are built
or fupported.
We
all
mould be very curious
in
examining
proportions that pretend to this honour
of being general principles
and we mould
:
not without juft evidence admit into this
rank mere matters of
commonly
general
received opinions;
determinations
the eftablifhed
nation,
common
&c.
articles
for
there
fame,
or
no,, nor the
of the learned, or
any church or
of
are
many
learned
many fynodical and national
miftakes, many eiiabliihed falfehoods, as
well as many vulgar errors, wherein multitudes of men have followed one another for
prefumptions,
whole ages almon: blindfold.
importance for every
man
thefe general principles
for one error
may
lead
It is
of great
to be careful that
2re juft and true;
us
into thoufands,
which
STUDY,
OF
256
which
will naturally follow, if once a lead-
ing falfehood be admitted.
2.
This
more
points than mere fpe-
rule will direct us to be
careful about practical
culations, fince they are
commonly of much
greater ufe and confequence
:
therefore the
fpeculations of algebra, the doctrine of infi-
and the quadrature of curves in ma-
nities,
thematical learning,
train
of
theorems
together with
all
the
natural philofophy,
in
mould by no means intrench upon our fluEven in the
dies of morality and virtue.
fcience of divinity
culations of
it
itfelf,
the fublimeft fpe-
are not of that
worth and va-
God and
lue, as the rules of duty towards
towards men.
3.
In matters of practice we mould be
moil careful to
fix
our end right, and wifely
determine the fcope
caufe that
ufe of
all
is
at
which we aim, be-
to direct us in the choice
the means to attain
end be wrong,
all
as
If our
our labour in the means
will be vain, or perhaps
pernicious
it.
and
i'o
much
the
more
they are better fuited to attain
that
MEDITATION.
OR
miftaken end.
that
mere
If
257
fenfible plea-
human grandeur or wealth, be our
end, we fhall chufe means contrary to
fure, or
chief
piety and virtue, and proceed apace toward
real mifery.
4.
This
rule will engage our beft powers-
and deepen: attention
and
gion,
things
in
that
the affairs of relirelate
to
future
a
world; for thofe proportions which extend
only to the intereft of the prefent
but of
fmali
life,
are
importance when compared
with thofe that have influence upon our everlading concernments.
5.
And
even in the
affairs
of religion
we walk by the conduct of this
mall be much more laborious in
quiries
into
tal articles
the
neceffary
rule,
if
we
our en-
and fundamen-
of faith and practice, than the
appendices of Chriftianity.
The
great
doctrines of repentance towards
God,
faith
leffer
in
our
Lord Jefus
men, and
univerfal
Chriff,
holinefs,
with
will
love
to
employ
our bed: and brighteft hours and meditations,
while
the
mint, annife, and
cum-
min, the geftures and veftures, and frinS
ges
STUDY,
OF
258
ges of religion, will be regarded no farther
than they have a phin and evident connection with faith and love, with holinefs and
<*
peace.
6.
This
make
rule will
us folicitous not
only to avoid fuch errors, whofe influence
will fpread wide into the whole fchemc of
our
own knowledge and
practice, but fuch
miftakes alfo whofe influence would be yet
more extenuve and
well as to ourfelves
fons or
many
injurious
perhaps to
;
families,
a town, a country,
who
who
are railed to any
matters relating to the
civil,
the religious
a
mould
diffufe
along with
it
left
emi-
ought
to
principles
in
ftate,
their
life,
Upon
are called to in-
fettling
in
per-
whole church,
to a
nence either in church or
be careful
many
or a kingdom.
this account, perfons
struct others,
others, as
to
the moral, cr
miftake of theirs
wide milchief, mould draw
mofl pernicious confequences,
and perhaps extend to following generations.
These
arife
fome of the advantages which
from the eighth rule, viz. Purfu e
are
every
MEDITATION.
OR
259
every enquiry and fhidy in proportion to
and importance.
real value
IX.
Have
fome beloved no-
a care left
fome darling
tion, or
its
fcience, fo fat prevail
over your mind, as to give a fovereign tincture to
all
your
who
over
your other
all
ideas
fpreads
all
ftudies,
and difcolour
like a perfon in the jaundice,
;
a
yellow fcene with his eyes
the objects
which he meets.
I
have
known a man of peculiar fkill in mufic,
and much devoted to that fcience, who
found out
nafian
fingle
refemblance of the Atha-
a great
doctrine
note,
of
and
the
he
thought
fomething of argument
doctrine.
I
commodated
of creation
Trinity
it
the {even days of the
(even,
carried
in it to prove that
have read of another,
to
every
in
who
firfr.
ac-
week
notes of mulic, and
thus the whole creation became harmonious.
Under
this influence, derived
from ma-
thematical ftudies, fome have been tempted
their metaphyseal,
to can: all their logical,
and their theological
into
the
and
moral
learning
method of mathematicians, and
S 2
bring
STUDY,
OF
260
bring every thing relating to thofe abftradted, or thpfe practical fciences,
under theo-
rems, problems, populates, fcholiums, co-
&c. whereas, the matter ought
rollaries,
always to direct the method; for
jects or matters of
all
fub-
thought cannot be moulded
or fubdued to one form.
Neither the rules
for the conduct of the underftanding, nor
the doctrines nor duties of religion and virtue, can be exhibited naturally in figures
Things
diagrams.
they are in
them
-,
are to be confidered as
themfelves
;
their
natures are
and their natural relations unal-
inflexible,
terable
and
and therefore, in order
aright,
to conceive
we muft bring our under-
ftandings to things, and not pretend to bend
and
ftrain things
cies
and forms.
to
comport with our fan-
X. Suffer not any beloved fludy to prejudice your mind fo far in favour of it as
to
defpife
fault of
other learning.
all
fome
little fouls,
who
This
is
a
have got a
{mattering of aftronomy, chemiftry, mstaphyfics,
hiftory,
&c. and for want
of a
due acquaintance with other fciences, make
a feoff at
them
all
in
comparifon of their
favourite
1
MEDITATION.
OR
Their understandings
favourite fcience.
hereby cooped up
they
never
26
in
look
narrow bounds,
abroad into
are
fo that
other
pro-
vinces of the intellectual world,
which are
more beautiful, perhaps, and more fruitful
than their own
If they would fearch a lit:
other fciences, they might not only
tle into
new knowledge, but might
find treafures of
be furnimed alfo with rich hints of thought
and
glorious
ailifhnces
very province to
to
cultivate
that
which they have confined
themfelves.
Here
would always give fome grains
I
of allowance
which
ology*
all
the
reft,
to
the facred fcience of the-
is
incomparably fuperior to
as
it
teaches us the
knowledge
of God, and the way to his eternal favour.
This is that noble ftudy which is every
man's
duty,
called a
This
large
and every
creature
rational
one
is
who
can
capable of
be
it.
which would truly enthe minds of men, were it Studied
that fcience
is
with that freedom, that unbiaffed love of
and that facred charity which it
truth,
teaches
to its
;
and
own
if
it
were not made, contrary
nature,
the occafion
S
3
of
ft rife,
faction,
—
STUDY,
OF
262
malignity,
faction,
a
narrow
and
fpirit,
unreafonable impofitions on the mind and
Let
practice.
this,
therefore,
ftand always
chief.
XI.
Let
every particular fludy have due
and proper time affigned
it,
a favourite fcience prevail with
out fuch hours upon
it, as
and
let
you
ought
to
not
to lay
be em-
ployed upon the more neceflary and more
important
fion.
affairs
When
or iludies of your profef-
you have, according
bed of your
difcretion,
to
the
and according to
the circumflances of your
life,
fixed proper'
hours for particular fludies, endeavour to
keep to thofe rules ; not indeed with a
precifenefs,
fuperflitious
good degrees of
but
with
a regular conflancy.
fome
Order
and method in a courfe of fludy faves much
time, and makes large improvements
:
Such a fixation of certain hours will have
a happy influence to fecure you from
trifling and wailing away your minutes in
impertinence.
XII.
fludy
at
Do
not apply yourfelf to any one
one time longer than the mind
is
capable
OR
capable
M
E D-I
of giving
a
T A T
O N.
I
clofe attention to
Do
without wearinefs or wandering.
the fpirits
over-fatigue
the
mind be
any
at
with
ieized
263
ir.
not
time,
left
a laffitude,
and
thereby be tempted to naufeate and grow
tired of a particular fubject before
finifhed
you have
it.
XIII. In the beginning of your application to any
new
under prefent
be not too uneafy
fubject,
difficulties
occur,
that
nor
too importunate and impatient for anfwers
and folutions
Perhaps
to
a little
any queftions
more
that
ftudy, a little further
acquaintance with the
fubjecl:,
a little time
and experience, will folve thofe
make
untie the knot, and
nifli
:
efpecially,
if
you
difficulties,
your- doubts va-
are
under the in-
ftruclion of a tutor, he can inform
your enquiries are perhaps too
that
ples
arife.
you
that
early,
and
you have not yet learned thofe princiupon which the folution of fuch a dif-
ficulty depends.
XIV. Do
not expect to arrive at certainty
in every fubjeclare a
which you purfue.
There
hundred things wherein we mortals
S
4
in
STUDY,
OF
264
dark and imperfect
in this
content with
mull be
ftate
where our
probability,
befl
light and reafonings will reach no further.
We
mull: balance
can,
and
where we
enough on
with
fcale,
we muil
arguments
either
as juflly as
cannot
weight
find
the
determine
to
fide
fovereign force
and
we
all u ranee,
content ourfelves perhaps with a
fmall preponderation.
This will give us
a
probable opinion, and thofe probabilities are
fufhxient for the daily determination of a
thoufand actions in
human
life,
and many
times even in matters of religion.
It
admirably well expreffed by a
is
writer,
" When
argument
fet
there
before us, if
do what appears moil
objection
little
is
is
fit
great ftrength of
we
will refufe to
for us,
till
every
removed, we mall never
one wife refolution
take
late
as
long
as
we
live."
Suppose I had been honeftlv and long
fearching what religion I mould chufe, and
yet
1
could not find that the arguments in
defence of Chriftianity arofe
certainty, but
went only
to
complete
fo far as to give
me
;
MEDITATION.
OR
me
a
probable evidence of the truth of
though many
I
practice that religion
for the
;
to receive
God
affent
according to the befl evidence
we
he
as
is
and
and
act
have, even
and complete
be not abfolute
it
-,
of nature
and reafon has bound us to
though
it
remained, yet
difficulties ftill
mould think myfelf obliged
and
265
our fupreme judge, his abound-
ing goodnefs and equity will approve and
man whofe
acquit the
confcience honeftly
and willingly leeks the befl
it as far as
But
he can difcover
light,
and obeys
it.
importance in
in matters of great
him join all due diligence with
and humble prayer for divine aid in
religion, let
earneft
his inquiries
gence
as
fuch prayer and fuch
;
as eternal
concerns require, and fuch
he may plead with courage before the
judge of
all.
XV. Endeavour
lative
ftudy,
practical ufe,
may
in
dili-
as
far
to apply every fpecupoffible,
as
to
fome
that both yourlelf and others
be the better for
natural philofophy
amufements, and
it.
Enquiries even
mould not be mere
much
lefs
in
the affairs
of
STUDY,
OF
266
Refearches into the fprings of
of religion.
mould
lead
happy methods for the
eafe
natural bodies and their motions
men
to invent
and convenience of human
life
-
y
or at leafl
they mould be improved to awaken us to
admire the wondrous wifdom and contrivance of
God our
works of
creator in all the
nature.
If
we
purfue mathematical fpeculations,
they will inure us to attend clofely to any
iubjecl, to feek
and gain
clear ideas, to dif-
tinguim truth from falfehood,
and
to argue flrongly
more
directly
j
to judge juflly,
and thefe fludies do
furniih us
with
all
rious rules of thofe ufeful arts of
meafuring, building,
Even
failing,
the
life,
va->
viz.
&c.
our very inquiries and difputations
about vacuum or fpace, and atoms, about
incommenfurable quantities, and the infinite divifibility of matter, and eternal durawill
which feem to be purely fpeculative,
fhew us fome good practical leilbns,
will
lead
tion,
us
to
fee
the weaknefs
of our
and mould teach us humility in
arguing upon divine fubjects and matters
of
nature,
•
OR
MEDITATION.
This mould guard us
of facred revelation.
againfr.
267
rejecting any doctrine
which
is e:;-
prefsly and evidently revealed,
though we
cannot fully underfland
good fome-
it.
It is
times to lofe and bewilder ourfelves in fuch
fludies
reafcn, and
for this very
this practical advantage,
this
to
attain
improvement
in true modefty of fpirit.
XVI. Though wc mould always be
ready
change our ientiments of things upon
jud: conviction of their falfehood, yet there
to
is
not the fame neceffity of changing our
accuflomed methods of reading or fludy
and practice, even though we have not
been led
at
nrfl into the happiefr.
Our thoughts may
method.
we may
be true, though
have hit upon an improper order of think-
Truth does not always depend upon
the moil convenient method.
There may
be a certain form and order in which we
ing.
have long accuflomed
ourfelves
our ideas and notions, which
for
us now, though
it
to
may
range
be beft
was not originally
The inconveniences
changing may be much greater than
beft
in
itfelf.
of
the
conveni-
268
O F
T U D
S
we could
conveniences
Y,
obtain
by a new
method.
As
for inftance;
days has ranged
all
if a
man
in his
younger
his fentiments in theo-
logy in the method of Ames's Medulla *The-
Bifhop Umer's Body of Divinity,
ologia, or
may be much more natural and
him to continue to difpofe all his
it
acquirements
perhaps
in
neither
the
of
written
themfelves
fame order,
thefe
in
treatifes
mod
the
in
are
in
perfect
any particular order, viz. accord-
ing to their languages,
fubjecls,
betical
though
and ranged our
cafes of fhelves in a library,
their
further
So when we have long fixed our
method.
books
eafy for
or
or according
according
to the alpha-
names of the authors, &c. we
perfectly well
to
are
acquainted with the order in
which they now Hand, and we can find
any particular book, which we feek, or add
a new book which we have purchafed,
with
much
finer cafes
greater
eafe
than
we do
in
of fhelves where the bcoks were
ranged in any different manner whatfoever
any
different pofition of the
;
volumes would
be new and ftrange, and troublefome to us,
and
OR
MEDITATION.
269
and would not countervail the inconveniences of a change.
&
So
if a
man of
forty years old has been
taught to hold his pen awkwardly in his
youth, and yet writes fufficiently well for
all the purpofes of his flation, it is not
worth while
to teach
him now
the moft
accurate methods of handling that init.ru-
ment
;
for this
would
create
him more
ble without equal advantage,
he might never
he has placed his
this
new
attain
trou-
and perhaps
to write better after
fingers perfectly right with
accuracy.
CHAP.
27
(
)
CHAP.
FIXING THE ATTENTION.
OF
A
STUDENT
mould labour by
all
proper methods to acquire a fteady
of thought.
fixation
Attention
ceflary thing in order to
The
XV.
is
a very ne-
improve cur minds.
evidence of truth does not always ap-
pear immediately, nor flrike the foul at
light.
It is
we
that
want of
by long attention and infpection
arrive at
it
We
make
and
a
firfl
evidence,
we judge
haile
falfely
of
to determine
fudden view,
and
it
many
upon
is
for
things.
a
flight
we confirm our guefTes
glance, we pafs a judg-
which arife from a
ment while we have but
a confufed or
ob-
fcure perception, and thus plunge ourfelves
into miftakes.
This
walking in a mitt,
diflance
tree, a
much
is
or
from any vifible
man, a horfe, or
like a
man, who
being at a great
object,
(fuppofe a
a church,) judges
amifs of the figure, and fituation, and
4
colours
:
THE ATTENTION.
OF FIXING
271
and fometimes takes one for
colours of
it,
the other
whereas, if he would but with-
;
hold his judgment
or flay
would
clearer
till
fix his eyes
fecure himfelf
Now
he come nearer to
light comes, and then
longer upon
it,
we may
Get
a
obferve that
obferve thefe rules
good liking
there
in confining the
is
to the
mind
not
to
have a great deiire to
ally
which
It is
t^hey are
if
he would
from thole miftakes.
paint
ftudy or
We
knowledge you would purfue.
we
it,
in order to gain a greater facility cf
attention,
I.
till
much
may
difficulty
contemplate what
know; and
efpeci-
matters cf fenfe, or ideas
themfelves upon
the
fancy.
but acquiring an hearty good-will and
refolution
to
fearch
out
and
furvey the
various properties and parts of fuch objects,
and our attention will be engaged if there
be any delight or diverfion in the ftudy or
contemplation of them.
Therefore mathematical ftudies have a ftrange influence towards fixing the attention of the mind,
1
and giving
pofition,
a fteadinefs to a
becaufe they deal
wandering
much
in
dif-
lines,
figures,
OF FIXING THE ATTENTION.
272
numbers,
and
figures,
which
and
affect
pleafe the fenfe and imagination.
Hiflories
have a ftrong tendency the fame way, for
they engage the foul by a variety of fenfible occurrences
-
3
knows not how
know
the final
it
hath begun,
leave off}
to
event,
it
longs
travels,
this
and accounts of ffrange
the
This
work.
mind by
expectation
which may
to
Voy-
countries and ftrange appearances, will
in
it
through a natural
belongs to mankind.
curiofity that
ages and
when
fort
afiin:
of iludy detains
the perpetual occurrence and
of fomething new,
gratefully
flrike
and
that
the imagin-
ation.
II.
Sometimes
fenfible things
illuftration
we-
may make
ufe
of
and corporeal images for the
of thofe notions which are more
abflracted and
intellectual.
grams greatly
affift
and philofophy
;
Therefore dia-
mind in aflronomy
and the emblems of virtues
the
and vices may happily teach children, and
pleafingly imprefs thofe ufefui moral ideas
young minds, which perhaps might
be conveved to them with much more
on
difficulty
THE ATTENTION.
OF FIXING
by mere
difficulty
moral
273
and abftracted
difeourfes.
I
confess,
in this practice of reprefent-
ing moral fubjecrs by pictures, we mould
be cautious
we
left
immerfe the mind
fo far
in corporeal images,
render
as to
it
unfit to
take in an abftracted and intellectual idea,
form wrong conceptions of
immaterial things. This practice, therefore,
or caufe
is
to
it
rather to be ufed at
firft
in order to get a
fome
fixed habit of attention, and in
only; but
it
can never be our conftant
and method of purfuing
ftracted,
IIL
and
fpiritual
Apply
into a
moral,
way
ab-
themes,
yourfelf to thofe fludies, and
read thofe authors
jedts
all
cafes
who draw
out their fub-
of connected
perpetual chain
reafonings, wherein
the following parts of
the difcourfe are naturally and eafily derived
from thofe which go
mathematical fciences,
pily
ufeful
for
Several of the
before*
if
not
all,
purpofe.
this
are
hap-
This will
gender the labour of itudy delightful to a
rational
mind, and will
fix
the powers of
the understanding with ilrong attention to
T
their
0F FIXING tilt ATTENTION.
274
their proper operations
of
Labor
it.
ipfe voluptas,
portion, wherefoever
Do
IV.
by the very pleafur©
it
is
happy pro-
a
can be applied.
not chufe your conftant place of
itudy by the finery of the profpects, or the
mod
and
various
fenfible
entertaining
Too much
things.
variety of objects
which
light,
frrike
of
fcenes
or
a
the eye or
the ear, efpecially while they are ever in
motion or often changing, have a natural
and powerful tendency to ileal away the
mind
any
from its lleady purfuit of
which we contemplate; and
too often
fubjecl:
thereby the foul gets a habit of
fity
and impertinence, of
dering,
filly
trifling
curio-
and wan-
Vagario thought himfelf furnimed
with the
bell;
clofet for his
ftudy
the beauties, gaieties, and diverfions
finp-ton or
Hampton-Court; but
among
of Ken-
after feven
years profeffing to purfue learning, he
a
mere novice
V. Be not
was
flill.
in too
much
hafte to
come to
the determination of a difficult or important point.
Think
to find out truth.
it
Do
worth your waiting
r
=t
give your aflent
up
OF fIXllsQ THE ATTENTION.
tip
to either
Zj$
of a queftion too foon,
fide
merely on this account, that the ftudy of
is
long and
Rather be content-
difficult.
ed with ignorance for
in fufpence
tion,
it
a feafon,
and continue
your attention and medita-
till
and due labour, have found out fufevidence on one
ficient
know
fond to
a great deal
to talk of things
Some
fide.
at
are fo
once, and love
with freedom and boldnefs
before they thoroughly underftand them, that
they fcarcely ever allow themfelves attention
enough
matter through and
to fearch the
through.
Have
VI.
fenfual
nature
a care of
indulging the more
and
of
pafiions
j
appetites
animal
they are great enemies to attention.
Let not the mind of
influence of any
a ftudent be
warm
affections
under the
to things
of fenfe, when he comes to engage in the
improvement of his
fearch of truth, or the
underftanding.
of love, or
fear,
A
perfon under the power
or
deep forrow, hath fo
his foul,
that
anger,
little
great
pain,
government of
he cannot keep
it
attentive to
the proper fubject of his meditation.
paffions
call
or
The
away the thoughts with in-
T
2
ceflant
THE ATTENTION.
OF FIXING
276
ceflant
importunity towards the object that
excited
them
rife
we indulge the frequent
of paffions, we mail thereby
and
;
and roving
if
procure an unfteady and unattentive habit of
mind.
Yet
this
ted, viz. If
one exception mufr, be admit-
we
can be fo happy as to engage
any paffion of the foul on the
which we
particular ftudy
may
tion
are purfuing, it
have a great influence to
more flrongly
VII. It
of the
fide
fix
the atten-
to it.
therefore very ufeful
is
to fix
and engage the mind in the purfuit of any
iludy by a confideration of the divine pleafures of truth and
knowledge
God
of our duty to
— by
— by
the
—by
a fenfe
a delight in
exercife of our intellectual faculties
hope of future
tures,
our fellow-crea-
and glorious advantage to ourfelves,
both in
come.
fervice to
the
this
world and that which
is
to
Thefe thoughts, though they may
move our
affections, yet they
proper influence
:
do
it
with a
Thefe will rather
affift
and promote our attention, than difturb or
divert
it
from
the" fubjedt
of our prefent
and
:
OF FIXING^
THE ATTENTION.
and proper meditations.
A
foul
277
infpired
with the fondeft love of truth, and the
warmeft afpirations
after fincere felicity
celeftial beatitude,, will
keep
all its
attentive to the incefTant purfuit of
Paflion
is
is
and
powers
them
then refined and confecrated to
divineft purpofes.
T
3
CHAP,
:)
( ftjtfl
,.
.
H A
G
#
?
ENLARGING
T H E
M
THERE
efpecial
I
•
.
XYL
P.
;
.
G A ? A C
I
T V •© »
T H
which in art
make up that
are three things
manner go
to
amplitude or capacity of mind, which
one of the
noblefl: characters
the underflanding
1.
great
When
and
-|j
N D.
the
is,
belonging tq
:
mind
fublime
is
ready to take ia
without pain or
ideas
difficulty.
2.
When
and flrange
the
ideas,
mind
upon
is
free to receive new*
juft evidence, with-*
out great furprize or ayerllon.
3.
When
or furyey
the
many
mind
ideas at
is
able to conceive
once without confunoru
;
OF ENLARGING THE CAPACITY, &C. 279
and
fufion,
form
to
a true
judgment derived
that, ex ten five furvey.
from
The
who wants
perfon
may
characters,
in,
that refped be faid to
Let us
have a narrow genius.
meditations a
That
I.
which
is
little
is
upon
difrufe
our
this fubjeft.
an ample and capacious
mind
ready to take in vaft and fublime
without pain or
ideas
either of thefe
Perfons
difficulty.
have never been ufed to converfe with
who
any thing but the common,
little,
and ob-
have acquired a narrow
or contracted habit of foul, that they are not
vious
affairs
of
life,
able to ftretch their intellects wide
to admit large and noble thoughts
ready to
make
;
their domeftic, daily,
enough
they are
and fa-
miliar images of things, the meafure of
that
is,
and
Talk
to
all
that can be.
them of the
the planetary worlds;
{tar
called
all
Jupiter
is
hundred and twenty
earth; that the Sun
vail dimenfions
tell
them
a folid
that the
globe,
times,, bigger
two
than our
ayah: globe of
is
of
fire
above a thoufand times bigger than Jupiter
T
4
tha t
that
ENLARGING THE
OF
2Bo
two hundred and twenty thoufand
is,
times bigger than the earth; that the
tance from the earth to the fun
one millions of miles
is
dif-"
eighty-
and that a cannon
;
from the earth would not arrive
at the nearer!: of the fixed flars in fome hundreds
bullet (hot
of years
but hear
nomy
they cannot bear the belief of
;
all
as a
it,'
thefe glorious labours of aftro-
mere
idle
Inform them
romance.
of the amazing fwiftnefs
of the motion of fome of the fmalleft or
the biggeft bodies in nature
;
affure
them,
according to the belt philofophy, that the
planet
Venus
our morning or evening
(i. e.
which is near as big as our earth,)
though it feems to move from its place but
a few yards in a month, does really fly
flar,
feventy thoufand
them
miles
in an
that the rays of light
fun to our earth
at the
rate
hour;
tell
moot from the
of one hundred
and eighty thoufand miles in the fecond of
a minute, they ftand aghaft at fuch fort of
talk,
and believe
of giants
fifty
it
no more than the
tales
yards high, and the rabbinical
fables of Leviathan,
who
every day fwallows
a filh of three miles long, and
is
thus pre-
.
paring
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
281
paring himfelf to be the food and entertain-
ment of the
of Para-
blefled at the feaft
dife.
These
manner
unenlarged fouls are in the fame
with the wonders which
difgufted
the microfcope has
concerning
difcovered
the fhape, the limbs, and motions of ten
thoufand
little
animals, whofe united bulk
would not equal
ready to give the
a pepper-corn
lie
to all the
they are
:
improvements
of our fenfes by the invention of
of
and will fcarcely believe any thing
glafles,
beyond the
without the
Now,
manner
a variety
if
to
teftimony of their
afiiflance
of
art.
we would attempt
relieve
naked eye
the minds
in a learned
that
labour
under this defect,
1.
It
is
ufeful to
begin with fome
principles of geometry, and lead
ward by degrees
which
firffc
them on-
to the doctrine of quantities
incommenfurable, or which will
admit of no common meafure, though it
are
be never fo fmall.
By
this
means they will
fee
the .neceffit&.'pf admiring the. infinite
fee
.
divinbility- gf
q uantity or matter.
This fame
doctrine
to their under£hndings>
fenfes,
may
alfo
As
clofing of a pair
of.
be proved
and almofi
by fom,e .eafiei- arguments
obvious manner.
...
to tlpeir
in
a
more
the very opening and
compares
rwilj
evident
ly prove, that if the frnaUeft fuppofed part
of matter or quantity be put betvyeen
.
.the
v
points, there will be itill lefs
tances or quantities all the
legs,
till
you Come to
wherefore there
as
is
and
way between
trie
But
a.
little
thematical learning would foon teach
no
there are
limits, either
as
-
p
poffible
quaintance with true philofophy and
that
the
head or joint
no fuch thing
the fmalleft, quantity,
lefs di£*
ac-
ma*
them
to the
extenfion of fpace, or to the divifion of body,
and would lead them to believe there are
bodies amazingly greater fmall beyond their
prefent imagination,
2.
It
is
proper alfo to acquaint them
with the circumference of our earth, which
may
be proved by very eafy principles of
geometry,
.
geography,
5
and aiironomy, to
be
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
283
be about twenty-four thoufind miles round,
as
it
been actually' found; to have this
has
mariners /who -have
dimenilon 'by
round
in.
Then
it.
them
be^ taught, that
every twenty-four hours either the fan
and fhrs muil
.or
let
failed
move round
all
this
the earth mu(l turn round upon
.
axis.
earth,
its
own
If the earth itfelf revolve thus, then
each houfe or mountain near the equator
muil move
in an
the rate of a thoufand miles
at
hour: but
if,
pofe* the fun or liars
then
they generally fup-
as
move round
of
circumference
(the
the earth,
their feveral
fpheres being vaitly greater than
orbits or
they mufl have a motion pro-
this earth)
digioufly
fwjfter
an hour.
Such
than
a
thouiand
miles
a thought as this will
by
degrees enlarge their minds, and they will
be taught, even upon their
own
principle
of the diurnal revolutions of the heavens,
to
take
in
fome of
of the heavenly
the
bodies,
vail:
dimenfions
their fpaces
and
motions,
3.
To
this
telefcopes,
wonders
in
to
mould be added the
help them to fee the
the
ikies
;
and
j
ufe of
diftant
microfcopes,
which
THE
op ENLARGING
2%4
'
which
difcover the minuteft parts of little
animals, and reveal fome of the finer and
mofl curious works of nature.
be acquainted
of
inventions
alfo
They mould
with fome other noble
modern philofophy, which
have a great influence to enlarge the
which
underftandin-g, of
iion to fpeak
4.
For
I fhall
human
take occa-
more under the next head.
the fame
invited to read
purpofe they
may be
thofe parts of Milton's ad-
mirable poem, entitled Paradife Loft, where
he defcribes the armies and powers of angels,
the
wars and the fenate of devils,
the creation
of this earth, together with
the defcriptions of Heaven,
Hell, and Pa-
radife.
It
mufl: be granted that poefy often deals
m thefe vaft
if the
and fublime
fubjecl: or
not require
And
ideas.
poem doth
matter of the
fuch
even
amazing and
extenfive
thoughts, yet tropes and figures, which are
fome of the main powers and
beauties
of
poefy, do fo glorioufly exalt the matter, as
to give a fublime
imagination
its
proper
relim and delight.
So
:
:
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
So when
a boar
His
And his
285
chafed in hunting
is
noflrils,
flames expire,
red eye -balls roll with living fire.
Dryden.
When
fes his
UlyfTes with-holds and fuppref-
refentment,
His wrath comprefi
Recoiling, mutter
d thunder
in his breafl.
Pope.
But efpecially where the
the poet
fubjecr. is
not to reprefent
fails
it
grand,
in all its
grandeur.
So when the fupremacy of
a
God
is
de-.
fcribed,
He fees with
A hero per if
equal eye, as
b,
Atoms
or a
God of
all,
fp arrow fall
or fyjlems, into ruin hurl'd,
And now a
bubble burfl,
and flow a world.
Pope.
&
These
OF
aS6
These
ENLARGING
And
it.
the
make fublime
arid
I
of writing have a
forts
tendency to enlarge
mind,
TtfE
inftead
capacity
ideas
natu'faj
of the
familiar to
of running always
to the
ancient Heathen poefy with this defign,
may with
we
equal, if not fuperior advantage,
apply ourfelves to converfe with fome of the
bed of our modern
poets, as well as
with
the writings of the. prophets, and the poe-
of the Bible, viz. the book of
Job and the Pfalms, in which facred authors
we mall find fcmetimes more fublime ideas,
tical
parts
more glorious
defcriptions,
language than the fondeft
found
elevated
have ever
verifiers either
4
Rome for the Eaftern writers
allow much Wronger figures and
of Greece or
ufe and
critics
Heathen
in any of the
more
;
tropes than the Weftern*
Now there are
many and
great and facred
advantages to be derived from this fort of
enlargement of the mind.
It
will lead us into
henfions of the great
ever
we had
before.
thoughts with
holy
more exalted
God
It
appre-*
our creator than
will entertain our
wonder and amazement,
CAPACITY OF
THET.
MIND.
Z%j
ment, while we contemplate that Being who
created thefe various works of furprizing
has diiplayed moft unconceivable
the contrivance of
motions of thefe
little
of
extent
wifdom
in
the parts, powers and
all
who
the naked eve:
divine
who
and furprizing fmaJlnefsj
greatnefs,
animals, invifible to
has manifested a
power and
knowledge,
greatnefs, in forming,
mod
moving and manag-
ing the moft extenlive bulk of the heavenly
bodies, and in furveying and
ing
thofe unmeafurable fpaces in
all
Fancy, with
they move.
is
comprehendher images,
all
overwhelmed
fatigued and
which
in following
the planetary worlds through fuch immenfe
ftages,
fuch aftonifhing journies
and refigns
which
its
as thefe arc,
place to the pure intellect,
by degrees
in
fuch
ideas as thefe, and to adore its Creator
with
learns
new and fublime
And
take
devotion.
we taught to form
great God by thefe me-
not only are
jufter ideas of the
thods,
to
but this enlargement of the mind
carries us
on
to nobler conceptions
of his
The mind that deals
common ideas is ready to
intelligent creatures.
•only in vulgar
and
imagine
ENLARGING THE
OF
288
imagine the nature and powers of man to
come fomething too near to God his maker,
becaufe
we do
not fee or fenfibly converfe
with any beings fuperior to ourfelves. But
when the foul has obtained a greater amplitude of thought,
imme-
pronounce every thing to be
diately
which
will not then
it
is
above man.
pofe there
may be
It
then learns to fup-
many
as
God
various ranks of
beings in the invifible world, in a conflant
gradation fuperior to
us,
as
we
ourfelves
are fuperior to all the ranks of being beneath
us in this vifible world
j
even though
we
defcend downward far below the Ant and
the
the
Worm,
leaft
the
and
Snail and the
to
the
Oyfter, to
dullefl
animated
atoms which are difcovered to us by microicopes.
By
this
means we mall be able to fup-
whe-
pofe what prodigious power angels,
ther good or bad, muft be furnifhed with,
and prodigious knowledge in order to over*
fee the realms of Periia and Graecia of old, or
if
any fuch fuperintend the
Britain,
France,
in our days
:
Ireland,
What power
affairs
of Great
Germany,
and fpeed
„&c-.
is
ne-
ceifary
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
one hundred eighty-five
ceflary to deftroy
thoufand armed
camp
Aflyrian
289
men
in one night in
of
the
and
Sennacherib,
all
the nrft-born in the land of Egypt in ano-
both which are attributed to an an-
ther,
gel.
By
more juft
ideas
the
deur,
God, and
mail afcend to form
of the knowledge and gran-
Man
power and glory, of the
Jefus Chrift,
is
we
thefe ileps
is
who
intimately united to
is
one with him.
Doubtlefs he
furnifhed with fuperior powers to
angels in heaven, becaufe he
is
all
the
employed in
and appointed to be the
Sovereign Lord of all the vifible and invifuperior
work,
worlds.
fible
It
is
his
human
which the Godhead dwells
nature, in
bodily, that
is
advanced to thefe honours, and to this empire; and perhaps there
in the
or nothing
government of the kingdoms of na-
ture, and grace, but
the
is little
Man
Jefus,
what
inhabited
is
tranfacled
by the divine
power and wifdom, and employed
dium
by
as a
me-
or confcious inflrument of this exten-
sive gubernation.
U
JI,
I
pro-
OF
2pO
II.
I
ENLARGING THE
proceed now
to confider the
next
thing wherein the capacity or amplitude of
mind confifts, and that is, when the
mind is free to receive new and ftrange ideas
the
and proportions upon juft evidence without
Thofe who
any great furprize or averiion.
coniine themielves within the circle of their
own
who
hereditary ideas and opinions, and
never give themielves leave fo
much
as to
examine or believe any thing befide the dicof their
tates
juftly
are
family, or ie£t, or party,
charged
with a narrownefs of
Let us furvev fome inftances of
foul.
imperfection,
of
own
this
and then direct to the cure
it.
1.
Persons who have
their days within the
been bred up
fmoke of
all
their father's
chimney, or within the limits of their native
new
town or
village,
are furprized at every
when they travel a
from home. The plowman Hands
fight that appears*
few miles
amazed at the fhops, the
trade, the crouds
of people, the magnificent
pomp
and
told
buildings,
the
and riches and equipage of the court
city,
him
and would hardly believe what was
before he faw
it.
On
the other
hand
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
hand the cockney,
try,
is
at
coun-
travelling into the
many
furprized at
many common
of the
actions
quadruped and winged animals
and
29I
in the field,
of rural
practices
affairs.
If either of thefe happen to hear an ac-
count of the familiar and' daily cuftoms of
foreign countries, they pronounce
once indecent and ridiculous
fo
at
narrow are
and their thoughts fo
their understandings,
confined, that they
:
them
know
not
how
to believe
any thing wife or proper befides what they
have been taught to practife.
This narrownefs of mind mould be cured
by hearing and reading the accounts of
dif-
ferent parts of the world, and the hiftories
of pad; ages, and of nations and countries
diftant
from our own,
polite parts of
much
travelling,
making
e.
more
Nothing tends
enlarge the mind
mankind.
this refpecl: fo
i.
efpecially the
to
in
as
a vifit to other towns,
which we
and where our
cities or countries, befides thofe in
were born and educated
condition of
life
:
does not grant us this prill
2
vilege,
::
OF
2<)2
vilege,
Want of
ENLARGING THE
we mull
it
endeavour to fupply the
by books.
It is the fame narrownefs of mind
that awakens the furprize and averiion of
fome perfons, when they hear of doctrines
and fchemes in human affairs, or in religion,
quite different from what they have em2.
braced.
Perhaps they have been trained up
-from their infancy in one
fet
of notions,
and their thoughts have been confined to
one fingle
life,
tract
both in the civil or religious
without ever hearing or knowing what
other opinions are current
among mankind
or at leafl they have feen
all
befides their
own
other notions
reprefented in a falfe an4
malignant light, whereupon they judge and
condemn
their
at
own
a piece
once every fentiment but what
party receives, and they think
it
of juftice and truth to lay heavy
eenfures upon the practice of every different feci in ChrifUanity or politics.
They
have fo rooted themfelves in the opinions
of their party,
that they cannot
hear
an
objection with patience, nor can they bear
a vindication, or fo
much
as
an apology,
for any fet of principles befide their
own
all
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
all
the reft
is
293
nonfenfe or herefy, folly or
blafphemy.
This
be relieved by free
defect: alio is to
converfation with perfons of different fenti-
ments
-
?
this will teach us to bear
with pa-
tience a defence of opinions contrary to our
own.
If
we
we mould alfo read
our own tenets, and
are fcholars
the objections againfl
view the principles of other
parties, as they
own
are reprefented in their
authors,
not merely in the citations of thofe
We
would confute them.
mould
and
who
take an
honeft and unbiaffed furvey of the force of
reafoning on
all fides,
and bring
all to
the teft
of unprejudiced reafon and divine revelation.
Note,
this
not to be done in a ram and
is
manner; but with a humble
dependance on divine wifdom and grace,
while we walk among fnares and dangers.
felf-fufficient
By
fuch a free converfe with perfons of
different feels,
(efpecially thofe
who
differ
only in particular forms of Chriftianity, but
agree in the great and neceffary doctrines of
it)
we
good
fhall find
fenfe
and
that
there are perfons of
virtue,
U
3
perfons
of
piety
and
ENLARGING THE
0F
294
much
and worth, perfons of
who
goodnefs,
candour and
belong to different' parties,
and have imbibed fentiments
oppofite
to
This will foften the roughnefs
each other.
of an unpolimed
and enlarge the ave-
foul,
nues of our charity toward other?, and in-
them into all the degrees
of unity and affection which the word of
cline us to receive
God
requires.
?.
I
might
both of
receive
freedom and
this'
new
borrow further
truths,
illuftrations
averlion
this
to
from modern aflronomy
and natural philofophy.
vulgar part of the world
How much
is
the
iurprized at the
talk of the'diurnal and annual
revolutions
of the earth? They have ever been taught
by
their
fenfes
and
their
neighbours
to
imagine* the' earth fiands fixed in the centre
of the univerfe, and that the Sun, with
the planets and the fixed
round
this
four hours
little
;
globe
ilars,
once
not considering
all
are whirled
in
that
twentyfuch
a
diurnal motion, by reafon of the diftance of
fome of thofe heavenly bodies, muft be almoft infinitely fwifter and more inconceivable than any
which the modern
aftrono-
mers
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
295
mers attribute
to
that the fun
fixed in the centre, that
earth with
is
the
all
Teli thefe perfons
them.
the
round the
planets roll
fun in their feveral periods, and that the
moon
round the earth
rolls
in a lefier circle,
me
while together with the earth
round the fun
of
;
new and
this
pronounce
it
is
carried
they cannot admit a fyllablc
ftrange doctrine, and they
utterly contrary
fenfe
to all
and reafon.
Acquaint them
moons
there
that
perpetually rolling
alfo
four
are
round the
him
planet Jupiter, and carried along with
in
his
which
the
periodical
circuit
round the Sun,
moons were never known till
1610, when Galileo difcovered
little
year
them by
telefcope
his
Saturn has
five
;
inform them that
moons of
attending
him
planet
encompaiied with
is
;
the fame kind
and that the body of that
a
broad
flat
cir-
cular ring, distant from the planet twenty-
one thou land miles, and twenty-one thousand
things
miles
as
tales
you that the
with vain
they look
broad,
and fancies,
and will
thefe
tell
do but delude your eyes
glaiies
images
upon
-,
U
and even when
4.
they
themfelve
ENLARGING THE
OF
296
own
themfelves confult their
eye-fight in
the ufe of thefe tubes, the narrownefs of
their
mind
is
believe their fenfes
new and
And
to lead
that they will fcarcely
fuch,
when
they dictate ideas fo
flrange.
if
you proceed
them
into
further, and attempt
thefe
a belief that all
planetary worlds are habitable,
and
is
it
probable they are replenifhed with intellectual
beings dwelling in bodies, they will
deride the folly of
him
that informs
for they refolve to believe there are
bitable worlds but this earth, and
them 5
no ha-
no
dwelling in bodies befides mankind
;
fpirits
and
it
is
well if they do not fix the brand of here-
fy
on the man
who
is
leading
their long imprifonment,
fetters
them out of
and loofing the
of their fouls.
There
are
many
other things relating
to mechanical experiments, and to the properties
of the
air,
water,
fire,
iron,
the
loadflone,
and other minerals and metals,
as well as
the doctrine of the fenfible qua-
lities, viz.
colours, founds, tafles, occ.
which
this
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
this rank of
men
297
cannot believe for want of
a greater amplitude of mind.
The
beSt,
way
to convince
them
by
is
giving them fome acquaintance with the various experiments in philofophy, and prov-
ing by ocular demon fixation the multiform
and amazing operations of the air-pump,
the loadftone, the chemical furnace, optical
glaSTes,
By
and mechanical engines.
means the understanding will Stretch
itfelf by degrees,
and when they have
this
found there
are fo
many new and
ilrange
things that are moll evidently true,
will not be fo forward to
new
propolition
in
they
condemn every
any of the other
fci-
ences, or in the affairs of religion or civil
life.
III.
The
capacity of the understanding
includes yet another qualification in
that
is
it,
and
many ideas at
The ample mind
an ability to receive
once without confufion.
takes a furvey of Several objects with one
glance,
keeps them
all
within Sight and
prefent to the foul, that they
may
be
com-
pared together in their mutual refpects
;
it
forms
OF
298
ENLARGING THE
forms juft judgments, and
it
draws proper
from this comparifon even to a
great length of argument and a chain of de-
inferences
mon flrations.
The
narrownefs that belongs to
fouls in general,
is
human
a great imperfection
wifdom
and
and
impediment
to
There
few perfons who can contem-
are but
happinefs.
plate, or practife feveral things at
faculties
are
'
very
and while we
limited,
upon one
are intent
once; our
part or property of a
we have but a flight glimpfe of the
But it is
reft, or we lofe it out of fight.
a fign of a large and capacious mind, if we
fubject,
can with one fingle view take in a variety
of objects
apply
;
or at leaft
when
a fucceffion, and in fo few
tains almoft the
fame ends
done in the fame
inftant.
is
moments,
as if it
at-
as
were
all
a neccftary qualification in order
to great knowledge
and good judgment
for there are feveral things in
in religion, and in the fciences,
various
mind can
objects with fo fwift
itfelf to feveral
This
the
circumftances,
human
:
life,
which have
appendices and relations
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
299
lations attending
them; and without
vey of
ideas
thole
all
which
a fur-
fland in con-
nection with and relation to each other,
we
are often in danger of parTing a falfe judg-
ment on the
fubject propofed.
reafon there are fo
found
among
numerous controverlies
and
learned
the
It is for this
unlearned
•world, in
matters of religion as well as in
the
of civil government.
affairs
tions of fin and duty to
God
The no-
and our fellow-
and
creatures ;. of law, juftice, authority,
power; of covenant,
faith, juftifi cation, re-
of church,
demption and grace;
them
when we are
Sec. contain in
prefbyter, ordination,
fuch complicated ideas, that
to judge of any
bifhop,
thing concerning
them,
hard to take into our view at once
it
is
all
the attendants or confequents that muil
and will be concerned in the determination
of a fingle queftion
due attention
to
:
many
and yet
without a
or moil: of thefe,
we
are in danger of determining that queftion
amifs.
It
minds
peril
is
owing
that
in the
we
to
are
the narrownefs of our
expofed
matters of
to
the
fame
human duty and
prudence.
:
OF
300
ENLARGING TH£
many
prudence.
In
we ought
not only to
naked action
which we do,
confider the mere
things
but the perfons
itfelf,
the persons toward
whom,
who
act,
the time when,
the place where, the manner how, the end
which the action is done, together with
the effects that muft or that may follow,
for
and
other furrounding
all
thefe things
muft
circumftances
be taken into
neceffarily
our view, in order to determine whether
the action,
which
indifferent in
is
itfelf,
be either lawful or unlawful, good or
decent or indecent,
wife or foolifh,
per or improper, as
it
fo
is
evil,
pro-
circumftanti-
ated.
Let me
give a plain inftance for the
Mario
luftration of this matter.
which, confidered merely in
it
look unlawful.
it;
r.efs
gives
this
again.
It
it
was done
it
:
an
;
air
at
church, and in
thefe circumftances
of irreligion.
the dog flew at Mario, and put
3
feems
itfelf,
an appearance of lawful-
time of divine fervice
added, caft on
dog,
now the dog
not his own; this makes
But Timon bid him do
to be an indifferent action
was Timon's, and
kills a
il-
him
But
in dan-
S er
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
30I
ger of his life : this relieves the feeming
o
Yet Mario might
impiety of the adion.
have efcaped by flying thence; therefore
But the
the action appears to be improper.
dog was known to be mad: this further
circumftance makes it almoft neceffary that
the dog mould be flain, left he might worry
Yet
the affembly, and do much mifchief.
Mario
again,
killed
which he happened
him with
whole congregation was
now
when we
that
ftance,
arTaulted
by
efcape, and
it
and dif-
terrified
an
it
:
confider a further
Mario
mad
a
broken
appearance of
indecency and impropriety in
nil,
hereby the
and divine fervice was
carries
this
off;
piftol,
to have in his pocket
fince yefterday's journey;
compofed,
a
thus
being
great
but after
circumviolently
had no way of
dog,
had no other weapon about him,
feems to take away
impropriety,
indecency
all
or
the colours of
unlawfulnefs,
and to allow that the prefervation of one or
many lives will juftify the aft as wife and
good.
Nov/
all
thefe concurrent appendices
of the action ought to be furveyed, in order
to pronounce with juftice and truth concerning
it.
There
There
in private
in
THE
OF ENLARGING
302
are a multitude of
life, in
domeftic
human
actions
affairs, in traffic,
government, in courts of
civil
in fchools of learning, &c.
which have
many complicated circumftances,
with regard
fituations,
to
perfons and things, that
any one to pafs
a right
juftice,
afpects
fo
and
time and place,
it is
impoffible for
judgment concern-
ing them, without entering into moft of
circumftances,
thefe
extenfively,
them
all
and furveying
them
and comparing and balancing
aright.
t>
i
j
Whence by the way, I may take occafion
to fay, How many thoufands are there who
take upon them to pafs their cenfures on the
perfonal and the domeflic actions of others,
who pronounce
boldly on the
affairs
public, and determine the juilice or
nefs,
the
wifdom
niftratidns,
men
neither
God
a
of judgment?
pofl:
mad-
or folly of national admi-
of peace and war, &c.
nor
of the
whom
ever qualified for fuch
They were
not ca-
pable of entering into the numerous con-
curring fprings of action, nor had they ever
taken a furvey of the twentieth part of the
circum-
:
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
303
circumftances which were neceflary for fuch
judgments or cenfures.
It
is
the narrownefs of our minds, as
well as the vices of the will,
that often-
times prevents us from taking a full view
of
all
the complicated and concurring ap-
belong
pendices that
thence
comes
it
to
human
to pafs that there
actions
is
fo little
right judgment, fo little juftice, prudence
decency,
or
mankind
;
practifed
thence
arife
and cenfures, alike
You
fee
thing
it
therefore
is
among
infinite
fooliiTi
how
the bulk
of
reproaches
and unrighteous.
needful and happy a
to be poiTelied of
of this amplitude of foul,
feme meafure
in order to
make
us very wife, or knowing, or juii, or prudent, or happy.
confess this
pacity of mind is
I
gift of nature, for
more capacious
The
fort
in
fome
of amplitude or caa great
are
meafure the
born with
much
fouls than others.
genius of fome perfons
is
fo
poor
and limited, that they can hardly take in
the connection of two or three propofitions
6
unlefs
OF
304
unlefs
ENLARGING THE
be in matters of
it
and which
fenfe,
they have learnt by experience
they are
:
utterly unfit for fpeculative fludies
it
;
is
hard for them to difcern the difference betwixt right and wrong in matters of reaion,
on any abftracted
never to
to
felves
which
up
fet
thefe
ought
for fcholars, but apply
them-
fubjects
;
thcfe arts and profeflions of life
are to be learnt at an eafier rate,
by
flow degrees and daily experience.
Others
have a foul
a little
more capaci-
ous, and they can take in the connection of
a
few propofitions pretty well
chain of confequences be a
but if the
-,
little
prolix, here
they flick and are confounded.
If
per-
make ever devote themfelves
they mould be well arTured of a
fons of this
to fcience,
folid
and ftrong conftitution of body, and
well refolved to bear the fatigue of hard la-
bour and diligence in fludy
blunt,
more
King Solomon
tells
:
if the
us
iron be
we mufl put
ftrength.
But,
in the third place, there are
fome
of fo bright and happy a genius, and fo
ample a mind, that they can take
in a
long
train
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
train of proportions,
if
not
at
30^
once, yet in
a very few moments, and judge well con-
cerning the
They
dependence of them.
can furvey a variety of complicated ideas
without fatigue or disturbance; and
a
ber of truths offering themfelves as
in
num-
it
were
one view to their understanding, doth not
This makes a
perplex or confound them.
great
man.
Now
though there may be much owing
to nature in this cafe, yet experience affures
us, that even a lower degree of this capacity
and extent of thought may be encreafed by
diligence and application, by frequent exercife,
and the obfervation of fuch rules
as
thefe.
I.
Labour
by
all
means
to gain an at-
tentive and patient temper of mind, a
power
of confining and fixing your thoughts
long on any
one appointed
you have furveyed
it
on every
fubjecl,
lide,
Co
till
and in
every fituation, and run through the feveral
powers, parts, properties, and relations, effects
and conlequences of
it.
He whofe
thoughts are very fluttering and wandering,
X
and
OF ENLARGING
3&6
THE
and cannot be fixed attentively to a few
ideas fucceffively, will never be able to fur-
vey
many and
various objects diftinctly at
but will
once,
be overwhelmed
certainly
and confounded with the multiplicity of
The
them.
rules for fixing the attention
in the former chapter are proper to be confulted here.
Accustom
II.
diftinct ideas
Be not
clearer
in every thing
fatisfied
to
may be
you think
things,
efpecially
obtained
:
it
importance in the queftion,
riety
and
of.
clear ones,
where
for one obfcure
or confufed idea, efpecially if
with many
clear
with obfcure and confufed
of
conceptions
yourfelf
be of great
intermingled
and placed in
its
va-
of afpects towards them, will be in
danger of fpreading confulioii over the whole
fcene of ideas, and thus
happy influence
ftanding
with
judgment.
to
an un-
overwhelm the under-
darknefs,
A
may have
little
and
black
fhamefully tincture and fpoil
pervert
the
paint
will
twenty gay
colours.
Consider
yet further,
that if
tent yourfelf frequently with
you con-
words inftead
of
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
of
307
with cloudy and confufed notions
ideas, or
how impenetrable will that darkand how vaft and endlefs that con-
of things,
nefs be,
mud
which
fufion
when many of
underflanding,
and confufed
furround and involve the
come
ideas
the foul at once
how
and
?
to
thefe obfcure
be
fet
before
impoffible will
it
be to form a clear and juft judgment about
them.
Use
III.
treafure
tions
diligence
all
up
to
a large ftore of ideas
Take every opportunity
:
thing to your itock
collection
them
rix
and no-
to add
fome-
and by frequent re-
;
in
your memory: no-
thing tends to confirm and enlarge the
mory
like
frequent review of
a
Then
fions.
with various
will
traces,
be propofed or
its
fubjeft.
-a
;
poflel-
fignatures and images,
treafure always
offered to the foul,
ready to
when
it
thoughts toward any particular
This will gradually give the mind
faculty
once
its
me-
the brain being well furnifhed
have a rich
directs
an4
acquire
as a
of
furveying
room
that
hung round with
is
many
objects
richly adorned and
a great variety
tures, flakes the eye almcfl at
X
2
at
of pic-
once with
all
;
all
ENLARGING THE
OF
30S
that variety, efpecially if they have been
furveyed one by
well
makes
at
more
habitual and
it
one
This
:
eafy to the
many of
habitants to take in
firft
in-
thofe painted
fcenes with a fmgle glance or two.
Here
by acquiring
that
note,
rich
mean only fmgle
treafure of notions, I do not
ideas,
a
but alfo proportions, obfervations and
experiences, with reafonings and arguments
upon the various
fubjects that occur
natural or moral,
common
that
when you
among
or facred affairs
judge concern-
are called to
ing any queiiion, you will have fome principles of truth,
afliil
ufeful
axioms and ob-
always ready at hand to direcl
fervations,
and
fome
your judgment.
IV. It
is
neceflary that
as pcffible entertain
we mould
as far
and lay up our daily new
ideas, in a regular order,
and range the ac-
quifitions of our fouls
under proper heads,
whether
law,
of divinity,
thematics,
meflic
morality,
life,
of caufe,
civility,
efTecl,
phyfics,
ma-
trade,
do-
politics,
decency, &c. whether
fubftance,
property, body, fpirit,
&c.
mode, power,
We
mould inure
our
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
3OO
our minds to method and order continually
»and when we take in any frefh ideas,
;
and
occurrences
difpofe of
fee
them
obfervations,
we mould
proper places, and
in their
they ftand and agree with the red
how
As
a
new book on
a
of our notions on the fame fubject
fcholar
would
proper fhelf
difpofe of a
among
:
kindred authors; or
its
an officer at the poft-houfe in
London
difpofes of every letter he takes in,
placing
as
it
box that belongs
in the
to the proper road
or county.
In any of thefe cafes
the
a heap,
any
of
addition
increafe the confufion
would
fpeedy and
gives a
with
things lay
if
eafe
in
object
but method
furvey of
fhort
and pleafure.
;
new
all
Method
is
them
of ad-
mirable advantage to keep our ideas from
and to preferve them
a confufed mixture,
The
ready for every ufe.
logy,
which
distributes all beings
and
all
the
whether abfolute or re-
affections of being,
lative,
fcience of onto-
under proper
claries,
is
of good fer-
yice to keep our intellectual acquilitions in
fuch order
as that the
mind may furvey them
at once.
X
3
V. As
ENLARGING THE
OF
310
V. As method is nece/Tary for the improvement of the mind, in order to make
your treafure of
all
ideas
mo ft
u feful
j
fo in
your further purfuits of truth and ac-
quirement of rational knowledge, obferve a
regular progrefiive method.
mod fimple,
Begin with the
eafy and obvious ideas
degrees join two, and three, and
-
}
then by
more of them
together: thus the complicated ideas grow-
ing up under your eye and obfervation, will
not give the fame confufion of thought as
they would do, if they were
mind
all offered to
the
without your obferving the
at once,
original and formation of them.
An
emi-
nent example of this appears in the ftudy
of arithmetic.
If a
fcholar juft admitted
into the fchool obferves his mafter perform-
ing an operation in the rule of divifion,
his head
is at
once difturbed and confound-
ed with the manifold comparifons of the
numbers of the
divifor
and dividend, and
the multiplication of the one, and fubtraction of
it
from the other
:
but if he begin
regularly at addition, and fo proceed by fub^-
and multiplication, he will then in
traction
a few weeks be able to take in an intelli-
gent furvey of
6
all
thofe operations in divifion,
CAPACITY OF THE MIND.
fion,
1 I
and to practife them himfelf with eafe
and pleafure, each of which
all
3
feemed
at firft
intricacy and confufion.
An
of the like nature may
illuflration
be borrowed from geometry and algebra,
and
mathematical
other
eafily does an expert
glance of his eye
diagram made
tip
he judge of
defigned by
it,
take
in
?
complicated
a
of many
lines
How
and cir-
readily does
whether the demonstration
be true or
it
How
:
geometrician with one
angles and arches
cles,
practices
falfe
?
It
was by
degrees he arrived at this ftretch of under-
ftanding
he began with
;
a fingle line or a
point; he joined two lines in an angle; he
advanced to triangles and fquares, polygons
and
circles
:
thus the Dowers of his under-
were
{landing
ed daily,
till
flretched
and
augment-
by diligence and regular ap-
plication he acquired this extenfive faculty
of mind.
But
this advantage does not
to mathematical learning.
felves
at
fingle
ideas,
nrft in
If
belong only
we apply
our-
any fcience to clear and
and never hurry ourfdVes on
X
4
to
ENLARGING THE
OF
312
to the following and
of knowledge
more complicated
we thoroughly understand
we may prattile the fame
till
the foregoing,
capacity of
method of enlarging
the
foul with
any. one of
fuccefs
or
ences,
in
parts
in
the affairs of
life
the
the fci-
and
reli-
gion.
Beginning with A, B, C, and making
fyllables
out of
fyllables, has
letters,
and words out of
been the foundation of
all
that
glorious fuperftruclure of arts and fciences
which have enriched the minds and
ries
libra-
of the learned world in feveral ages.
Thefe
are the firft fteps
by which the am-
among mankind have
at that prodigious extent of knowwhich renders them the wonder and
ple and capacious fouls
arrived
ledge,
glory of the nation where they
live.
Plato and Cicero, Deicartes and
Mr. Locke and
lefs
Though
Mr. Boyle,
Newton, were doubt-
Sir Ifaac
favoured bv nature with a genius of
uncommon
years
and
amplitude;
firft
yet
in
their early
attempts of fcience,
this
was but limited and narrow in companion
of what they attained
and
capacious
were
at laft.
thofe
But how vail
powers which
thev
CAPACITY OF THE MINp.
313
they afterwards acquired by patient atten-
by the pur-
tion and watchful obfervation,
of clear ideas, and a regular method of
fuit
thinking.
Another
VI.
means of acquiring
amplitude and capacity of mind,
fal
this
a peru-
is
of difficult entangled queftions, and of the
folution of
and
them
any fcience.
Speculative
with
cafuiftical divinity will furnifh us
many fuch
are
in
fome fuch
difficulties in reconciling
Gofpel
a
;
Jewim law and
the Chriilian.
happy foluticn whereof will re-
fuch an
quire
fe-
Epifties of St. Paul, re-
veral parts of the
lating to the
There
and controverfies.
cafes
view of
exteniive
things,
and the reading of thefe happy folutions
will enlarge this faculty in younger {Indents.
In moral and political fubjccls, Puffendorf's
law of nature and nations, and
feveral de-
terminations therein, will promote the fame
amplitude
public
trials
courts
of
law
ftudied
of
attendance
and arguments
the
civil
ad-
purpofe; and after a
man
will
the general
nature
in
on
good
juftice,
vantage for this
has
An
mind.
of
and
be
of
principles
the
laws
of
of the
England
314
0F ENLARGING THE, &C.
land in proper books, the reading the reports of adjudged cafes, collected by
men
pf great fagacity and judgment, will richly
improve his mind toward acquiring
defirable amplitude
and more efpecially
this
and extent of thought,
in
perfons of that pro-
feflion.
CHAP.
3'5
(
)
CHAP.
OF IMP
XVII.
OVINC THE MEMORY,
P.
MEMORY
is
a
faculty of
diftindt
mind of man, very different
from perception, judgment and reafoning,
and its other powers. Then we are faid to
remember any thing, when the idea of it arifes
in the mind with a confcioufnefs at the fame
time that we have had this idea before. Our
the
memory
what we
occafion.
to
is
our natural power of retaining
learn,
and of recalling
Therefore
remember any
we
it
on every
can never be faid
thing, whether
it
or propofitions, words or things,
be ideas
notions,
we have not had
perception either by
or arguments, of which
fome former
idea or
fenfe or imagination,
but whatfoever
we
thought or
learn
reflection
;
from obfervation,
books or convention, &c.
it
mud
all
be
Lid
6
3
laid
IMPROVING
OF
1
up and preferved
would make
in the
memory,
if
we
really ufeful.
it
So neceffary and fo excellent a faculty is
the memory of man, that all other abilities
of the mind borrow from hence their
and
beauty
cities
perfection
for
of the foul are almoft
To what
out this.
want memory
have acquired
memory
foon
ufelefs
with-
as
our la-
all
we
what we
and wifdom,
What
if
fignify all other in-
improvements,
tellectual or fpiritual
are loft as
capa-
preferve and ufe
to
?
other
purpofe are
bours in knowledge
they are obtained
if
they
?
It is
alone that enriches the mind, by
preferving
daily
;
what our labour and
collect.
In
neither knowledge,
without memory;
improvement
of
a
word,
nor
nor
there
can
be
nor fciences
arts,
can
mankind
induflry
there
in
be any
virtue
or
morals, or the practice of religion, with-
out
the
power.
affiftance
and
Without memory the
would be but
of
this
foul of
man
influence
a poor, deftitute,
naked be-
ing, with an everhfling blank fpread over
it,
except the fleeting ideas of the prefent
moment.
Me-
THE MEMORY.
Memory
very ufeful to
is
to thofe
fpeak, as^well as
as
fcholar
the
who
thofe
who
It
learn.
teacher and the orator, as well
the
aflifts
317
the
or
The
hearer.
fpeeches and inftructions are almoft
beft
loft,
if
who hear them, immediately forget
them. And thofe who are called to fpeak
in public are much better heard and accepted, when they can deliver their difthofe
courfe by the help of a lively genius and
a ready memory, than when they are forced
to
read
to
their
that
all
they would communicate
Reading
hearers.
is
certainly
way of the conveyance of our
and there are very few mere
timents
heavier
-,
ders
who
have the
felicity
a
fenrea-
of penetrating
the foul, and awakening the pafiions of thofe
who
hear, by fuch a grace
oratory,
the
as
and power of
man who feems
to
talk
every word from his very heart, and pours
own knowledge upon
round about him by the help of
out the riches of his
the people
a
free
life
and
and copious memory.
fpirit to every
This gives
thing that
is
fpoken,
and has a natural tendency to make a deepit aer imprefllon on the minds of men
:
wakens the
dulleft
fpirits,
caufes
them
to
receive
8
OF.
31
IMPROVING
receive a difcourfe with
and adds
pleafure,
both
excellency
a
to
more
affection
and
grace
and
and
his
lingular
the
perfon
oration.
1
»
A good judgment and a
good memory are
very different qualifications.
A
perfon
may
have a very ftrong, capacious, and retentive
memory, where the judgment is very poor
and weak as lbmetimes it happens in thofe
-,
who
are
but one degree above an
idiot,
who
have manifeited an amazing ftrength and
memory, but have hardly been
able to join or disjoin two or three ideas in
a wife and happy manner to make a folid
extent of
rational proportion.
There
who
have been
inftances
of
others
have had but a very tolerable power
of memory, yet their judgment has been
of a much fuperior degree, juft and wife,
folid
and excellent.
Yet
where
it
a
raufl
be acknowledged,
happy memory
perfon, there
is
is
that
found in any
one good foundation
laid for
a wife and juft judgment of things, wherefoever
THE MEMORY.
%lg
foever the natural genius has any thing of
and brightnefs to make a right ufe
A good judgment muft always in fome
fagacity
of
it.
meafure depend upon
and compa-
a furvey
rifon of feveral things together in the
mind,
and determining the truth of fome doubtful
propofition by that furvey and comparifon.
When
the
mind
has, as
it
were,
form
to
true
a
are
propofition
or
it,
judgment concerning any thing,
termines that fuch
thofe
which
various objects prefent before
neceffary
fet all
it
then de-
and fuch ideas are to
be joined or disjoined, to be affirmed or denied ; and this in a confiftency and correfpondence with
all
thofe other ideas or pro-
portions which any way relate or belong
to the fame fubject.
Now
there can be
no
fuch comprehenfive furvey of many things
without
it is
tolerable
a
degree
by reviewing things
judge of the future:
times that
ject or
if
paft,
it
happens fome-
one needful or important ob-
idea be abfent,
cerning the
become
And
memory;
we learn to
of
the
judgment con-
thing enquired will
falfe or
thereby
miftaken.
You
IMPROVING
OF
320
You
will enquire then,
comes
pear in the world of bufinefs, as
in the world
it
to
fome perfons who ap-
there are
pafs that
How
well as
of learning, to have a good
judgment, and have acquired the juft character
of prudence and
wifdom, and yet
have neither a very bright genius nor fagacity
mory,
fo that
minds
at
to pafs a
Now
happy me-
nor a very
of thought,
they cannot
fet
before their
once a large fcene of ideas in order
judgment.
we may
of
account
learn
this
from Penferofo fome
You
difficulty.
fcarcely ever find this
man forward
in
ing and determining things propofed to
fhall
judg-
him
:
but he always takes time, and delays, and
before he
practifes
his
paries
a
things
maturely,
judgment:
Then he
ponders
and
fufpends
flow meditation,
ruminates on
the fubject, and thus perhaps in two or three
nights and days roufes and awakens thofe
ideas,
feveral
which
one
after another as
are neceffary in order to
he can,
judge aright
of the thing propofed, and makes them pafs
before his
doth to
review in fucccfiion
relieve
:
This he
the want both of a quick
fagacity
T
ME M
E
II
O R V.
32I
fagacity of thought and of a ready
and fpeedy
recollection
*
memory
and this caution
and practice lays the foundation of his juft
He
judgment and wife conduct.
furveys
well before he judges.
Whence
cannot but take occafion to
I
infer one
good rule of advice
higher
well as lower genius, and of large
as
well
as
as
to perfons
narrow memories,
of
That
viz.
they do not too haftily pronounce concernmatters
ing
there
is
forward
errors
doubt, or enquiry, where
not an urgent necedity of prefent
The
action.
fo
of
bright genius
often betrays itfelf into great
as
judgment,
in
ready to be
is
fpeech and
conduct,
a
continual guard upon
itfelf,
and
ufing the
bridle of the tongue.
And
it is
without
by
and precaution, that many a
this delay
perfon of
much
lower natural
abilities,
mall
often excel perfons of the brighteft genius
in
wifdom and prudence.
It
but
nius
a
is
often
feeble
is
found that a
memory
bright, and
the power of
:
fine
genius has
For where the ge-
the imagination vivid,
memory may
Y
be too
much
neglected
IMPROVING
OF
322
negle&ed and
lofe
An
improvement.
its
active fancy readily wanders over a multi-
tude of objects, and
continually enter-
is
with new flying images
taining itfelf
runs through a
number of new
it
;
new
fcenes or
pages with pleafure, but without due attention, and feldom fuffers itfelf
to dwell
long enough upon any one of them, to make
a deep
impreffion
commit
and
This
is
there are
it
thereof upon the mind,
to
remembrance.
lairing
one plain and obvious reafon
why
fome perfons of very bright
parts
and active
fpirits,
who
have but
narrow powers of remembrance
ing riches of their own,
fliort
;
and
for hav-
they are not foli-
citous to borrow.
And
as
fuch a quick and various fancy
and invention may be fome hindrance to the
attention and memory, fo a mind of a good
which is ever crowding
memory with things which it learns and
retentive ability, and
its
reads continually,
may
cramp the invention
Lectorides
offer
is
to his
prevent, reilrain, and
itfelf.
ever ready
The memory
upon
all
of
occafions to
mind fomething out
of other
men's writings or conventions, and
is
pre-
fenting
THE MEMORY.
fenting
him with
fons perpetually
323
the thoughts of other per-
Thus
:
man who had
the
naturally a good flowing invention, does not
fuffer
himfelf to purfue his
Some
perfons
who
own
have been
thoughts.
blefr.
by na-
ture with figacity, and no contemptible genius,
have too
of
by tying themfelves down
it,
mory of
the exercife
forbid
often
to the
me-
the volumes they have read, and
the fentiments of other
men
contained in
them.
Where
the
memory
been
has
almoil
conftantly employing itfelf in fcraping to-
gether
new acquirements, and where
there
has not been a judgment fufTicient to diftinguiih what things were
fit
to
mended and
in
the
and
what
a
things
the
needlefs,
up
treafured
be recom-
memory,
were
idle,
ufelefs
has
been
filled
mind
or
with
wretched heap and hotchpotch of words
or
ideas,
to have
and
the
had large
foul
may
poffeffions,
be
faid
but no true
riches.
I
have
writings a
fome of Mr. Milton's
very beautiful fmiile, whereby
read
in
Y
2
he
IMPROVING
OF
3^4
he reprefents the books of the Fathers, as
they are called in the Chriftian Church*
Whatfoever,
he,
faith
Old Time with
his
huge drag net has conveyed down
to
us
whether
it
be
ftream of ages,
along the
fhells or fhell-fifh, jewels or pebbles, flicks
ftraws,
or
the
ancients,
cafe
is
much
poffeffions
A
fea- weeds
are
thefe
the fathers.
thefe are
The
the fame with the memorial
of the greateft part of mankind.
few ufeful things, perhaps, mixed and
confounded with many
ner of rubbidi,
compofe
a
mud,
or
up
fill
and
their
memories and
all
their intellectual poneflions.
great happinefs
man-
trifles
therefore
to
It is
diftinguifli
things aright, and to lay up nothing in the
memory but what
and
is
worthy
has fome juft value in
to be
numbered
as a part
it,
of
our treafure.
Whatsoever
improvements
mind of man from
own
his
arife to the
the wife exercife of his
reafoning powers,
thefe
proper manufactures
may be
called
and whatfoever
;
he borrows from abroad, thefe may be termed
his
make
foreign
a wealthy
treafures
:
both
together
and happy mind.
How
THE MEMORY.
How
many
judgments and
excellent
Ibnings are framed in the
wifdom and ftudy
How
a
mind of
of years
length
been poftefled of in
own
?
notions
both by
life,
reafonings, and by his prudent and
laborious
collections
reading
But
?
alas
in
the courfe of his
how many
!
thoufands
of them vanim away again and are
empty
rea-
man of
a
many worthy and admirable
has he
his
in
325
air,
retentive
want of
for
memory
a ftronger
When
?
a
loft in
and more
young
practi-
tioner in the law was once laid to conteft a
point of debate with that great lawyer in
the
laft age,
Serjeant
Maynard, he
is
report-
ed to have anfvvered him, Alas, young man,
I
have forgot
much more law
than ever thou
haft learnt or read.
What an unknown and
pinefs
would
and who
is
it
in
own
engaged in
fome
beft
man of judgment,
the purfuit of know-
be to a
ledge, if he had but a
his
unfpeakable hap-
power of ftamping
fentiments upon his
indelible
characters
-
y
all
memory
and
if
he
could but imprint every valuable paragraph
and fentiment of the moil excellent authors
he has read, upon his mind, with the fame
Y
3
fpeed
IMPROVING
OF
326
fpeed and facility with which he read them
If a
man of good
but
retain
?
genius and fagacity could
and furvey
thofe numerous,
all
which
have ever parTed through his thoughts upon
any one fubjedt, how admirably would he
be furnifhed to pafs a juft judgment about
thofe wife and beautiful ideas at once,
all
prefent objects and
occurrences
What
?
would
a glorious entertainment and pleafure
fill
and
felicitate his fpirit, if
all thefe in a fingle
he could grafp
furvey, as the fkilful eye
of a painter runs over
a fine
and complicate
piece of hiflory wrought by the hand of a
Titian or a Raphael, views the whole fcene
at once,
and feeds himfelf with the exten-
five delight
But
?
thefe are joys that
do not
belong to mortality.
Thus
far I
unconnected
have indulged fome loofe and
thoughts
and
remarks
regard to the "different powers of wit,
mory and judgment.
ficult
to
For
throw them into
it
with more regularity
treat
me-
was very dif-
a regular
method without more room.
with
form or
now
memory
Let us
of the
alone
Though
THE MEMORY.
Though
memory
the
be a natural facul-
mind of man, and belongs
which are not incarnate, yet it
ty of
the
fpirits
which the
foul
united in this prefent
is
wherein the images of things
hard
very
is
with certainty.
thofe
very
brain,
which
us
for
It
it
affiftat the firft idea or
percep-
fmae which
recollection of
part of the
fervice,
probable that
of the
but ufes
it
memory
will follow that the
cial
determine
or traces
pores
fibres,
at the
alfo
is,
treafured
lie
to
mofr.
is
tion of any object, are the
fift.
is
di-
But what part of the brain that
ftate.
to
by the brain or the animal nature,
verfified
up,
much
hindered, and
greatly afTifted or
to
327
:
and then
has no fpe-
brain devoted to
its
own
thofe parts in general
all
which fubferve our
af-
our
fenfations, as well as
thinking and reafoning powers.
As
the
memory grows and improves
young perfons from
decays in old age, fo
art
their childhood,
it
may
or by
There
and
be increafed by
and labour, and proper
may be
in
exercife, or it
injured and quite fpoiled by floth,
a difeafe, or
are
a ftroke
on the head.
fome reafonings on
Y
4
this fubject
which
which make
a
IMPROVING
OP
328
evident that the goodncfs of
it
memory depends
upon
great degree
in a
the confidence and the temperature of that
which
part of the brain
fift
the exercife of
all
is
appointed to af-
our fenfible and intel1
ledtual faculties.
So
ceive
and forget
immediately
all
all
mud, and
impreflions
clofed
up again,
they
like
per-?
in
an
receives
it
water
or
them
images which are
retains fcarcely any of
immediately
are
there,
that
fo foft
is
the traces, forms or
drawn
%
hundred things
a
hour; the brain
liquid
children
for jnftance, in
:
effaced
or
though you wrote with
as
your finger on the furface of
a river,
or
on
a vefiel of oil.
On
the contrary, in old age,
remembrance of things
a very feeble
were
cj°ne
men have
of
late,
i.
e.
that
the fame day, or
week, or year; the brain is grown fo hard
that the prefent images or ftrokes make little
or no impreffion, and therefore they
diately yanifh
year, will
:
tell
when he was
imme-
Prifco, in his feventy-eighth
long
in
the
{lories
of things done
battle at
the Boyne,
almoft
THE MEMORY.
ago, and
almofr. fifty years
329
when he
ftudied
imprefTions were made when the brain was
they have been
more fufceptive of them
at
Oxford fevsn
years before
for thofe
:
-,
the proper feafon, and
deeply engraven at
therefore they remain.
which he
lately
But words or things
fpoke or did, they are im-
mediately forgctcen, becaufe the brain
grown more dry and
and receives not
if
is
now
folid in its confidence,
much more
imprefiion than
you wrote with your finger on
a floor
of
or
it
clay, or a plaifcered wall.
But
the
in
middle flage of
maybe from fifteen to
memory is generally
fifty years
in
its
life,
of age, the
happieft
ftate,
the brain eafily receives and long retains the
images and traces which are impreifed upon
it,
and the natural
range thefe
little
fpirits are
infinite
of things in their proper
to preferve
jielp
active to
unknown
cells
figures
or cavities,
and recollect them.
Whatsoever
jn its befl
more
therefore keeps the brain
temper and confidence, may be a
to preferve
the
memory
:
pf wine, or luxury of any kind,
but excefs
as well
as
excefs
IMPROVING
OF
33°
excefs in the fludies of learning or
of
fineifes
ry,
may overwhelm
life,
the bu-
memo-
the
by overftraining and weakening the
of the brain, over-wafting the
fpirits,
confiftence of that
juring the true
fibres
in-
tender
fubftance, and confounding the images that
are laid
A
up
there.
good memory
fications,
i.
ready to receive and ad-
It is
mit with great
has thefe feveral quali-
eafe the various
ideas
both
of words and things which are learned or
taught.
treaiure
2.
up
It
thefe
and variety.
3.
and copious
large
is
ideas
It
is
great
in
number
ftrong and
durable
to retain for a confiderable. time thofe
or
4.
thoughts
It is
which
faithful
are
to
committed
words
to
it.
and active to fugged and
upon every proper cccalion, all
thofe words or thoughts which have been
recommended to its care, or treafured up
recollect
in
it.
Now
a
in every one
memory may
proved
:
of thefe qualifications
be injured, or
may be im-
yet I fhall not infill diftindly on
thefe particulars, but only
in
general pro-
pofe
THE MEMORY.
33I
pofe a few rules or directions whereby this
noble faculty of memory, in
and
qualifications,
may be
{hew what
ed, and
both by reafon
tion
is
to
exercife.
that
and experience have been
to this purpofe.
one great and general direc-
which belongs
is,
affift-
practices
improvement of
to the
memory, and
other powers as well as of the
that
branches
preferved or
are the
found of happy influence
There
all its
keep
it
Many
always in due and proper
acts
by degrees form
ha-
a
and thereby the ability or power
bit,
is
flrengthened and made more ready to ap-
Our memories Ihould
pear again in aclion.
be ufed and inured from childhood to bear
a
moderate quantity of knowledge
them
and they will thereby become
early,
ilrong for
into
let
ufe
and
fervice.
As any limb
well and duly exercifed grows flronger, the
nerves of the body are corroborated there-
Milo took up
by.
it
his
on
his
a calf, and daily carried
moulders;
ftrength
grew
alfo,
as
the
and he
rived at firmnefs of joints
grew,
calf
at
enough
lafl
to
ar-
bear
the bull.
Our
OF
3^2
Cue
IMPROVING
memories will be
in a great
moulded and formed, improved
or injured,
according to the exercife of them.
them they
Thofe who are wont
never ufe
meafurc
If
we
be almofr.
loft.
to converfe or
read
will
about a few things only, will retain but a
few
to
memory
in their
thofe
:
remember things but
for
charge their memories with
will
who
are ufed
an hour, and
it
no longer,
them but an hour before they
And let words be remembered as
things, that fo you may acquire a
retain
vanifli.
well as
copia verborum
as
more ready
exprefs
to
well
as
rerum,
and be
your mind on
all
occafions.
Yet
fome
there lliould be a caution given in
cafes
:
the
infirm perfon
memory
of
a
child or any
mould not be over-burdened
for a limb or a joint
may
\
be over/trained
by being too much loaded, and
its
natural
power never be recovered. Teachers mould
wifely judge of the power and confcitution
of youth, and impofe no more on them
than they are able to bear with chcarfulneft
and improvement.
Akzx
:
THE MEMORY.
And
333
mould
particularly they
take care
memory of
the learner be not tco
much crowded with
a tumultuous heap or
that the
ideas
one time
at
of documents
multitude
over-bearing
;
this
the
is
way
member nothing ; one
idea effaces
An
does
graip
overgreedy
But
largeft handful.
memory with
a
to re-
another.
the
not retain
the exercife of
is
it
or
due moderation,
that
is
one general rule towards the improvement
of
it.
The
Due
1.
and
particular rules are fuch as thefe
know
attention and diligence to learn
remembrance,
to our
we would commit
things which
ceflity in this
cafe.
is
rule of great ne-
a
When
the attention
flrongly fixed to any particular fubject,
that
is
laid
preffion
concerning
makes
it,
a
There
upon the mind.
is
all
deeper imare
fome
who complain they cannot rememdivine or human difcourfes which they
perfons
ber
hear,
when
dering
half
in truth their
the
time,
thoughts are wanor
they hear with
fuch coldnefs and indifferency, and a trifling
temper of fpirit, that it is no wonder the
things
IMPROVING
OF
334
things which are read or fpoken
a flight impreffion
firm
footing in
on the brain, and get no
the feat of
foon vanifh and are
It
memory, but
loft.
needful,
is
make but
therefore,
if
wc would
maintain a long remembrance of the things
which we
we mould en-
read or hear, that
gage our delight and pleafure in thofe fubjecls,
and ufe the other methods which are
before prefcribed in order to fix the atten-
indolence and
Sloth,
tion.
no more
blefs
riches, than
it
idlenefs
mind with
the
will
will
intellectual
the hand with grain,
fill
the field with corn, or the purfe with treafure.
m
Let
flothful
felves
it
be added
and
alfo,
that not only the
the negligent
deprive
them-
of proper knowledge for the furni-
memory, but fuch
ture of their
to have active fpirits,
who
are
as
appear
ever fkim-
ming
over the furface of things with a vo-
latile
temper,
mind.
in
will
fix
nothing in
their
Vario will fpend whole mornings
running
over
pages, and with
loofe
and
unconnected
frefli curicfity is
ever glanc-
ing
THE MEMORY.
ing over
his
new words and
prefent fancy
:
thoufand objects of
treafures
up but
ideas
335
that
ftrike
He
is
arts
and fcience, and yet
little
fluttering over a
There
knowledge.
muft be the labour and the diligence of
attention
clofe
particular
to
fubjects
of
thought and enquiry, which only can im-
what we read or think of upon the
prefs
remembering faculty
Clear
2.
the things
and
in
diftincl:
apprehenfion of
which we commit
neceflary in order to
dwell there.
or learn
man.
If
memory, is
make them flick and
to
we would remember words,
the names of perfons or things,
we mould have them recommended to our
memory by clear and dillincl pronunciation,
fpelling or writing.
If we would treafure
up the
tions,
ideas
of things, notions,
arguments and fciences, thefe fhould
be recommended alfo to our
clear
propor-
memory by
and difiinct perception of them.
glimmering and confuted
like images feen
which we
understanding in
the
Faint
ideas will vanifli
in twilight.
learn fhould
a
Every thing
be conveyed to the
plainefl
expreilions
without any ambiguity, that we may not
2
miftake
OF
336
we
miftake what
is
IMPROVING
defire to
ploy
memory about words
the
though
it
This
whether we would em-
general rule
a
remember.
niufe be confer!: that
or things,
mere founds
and words
are
much
heart
the
knowledge of things and
real
than
harder
by
get
to
images.
For
this
take heed
reafon
(as
I
have
often before warned) that you do not take
up with words
inftead of things, nor
founds inilead of
Many
it
becaufe he never well under-
He
:
fentiments and ideas.
what has been taught
a lad forgets
him merely
ilood
real
mere
never clearly and difiinctly
took in the meaning of thofe founds and
fyllables
which he was required
to
get by
fceart.
This
fo
is
one true reafon
why
boys make
poor a proficiency in learning the Latin
tongue under mailers
who
grammars and rules written
which I have lpoken before.
common
cafe
them by
teach
in
Latin,
And
of
this is a
with children when they iearn
their catechifms in
language and the
their early days.
The
fentiments conveyed
in
thofe
THE MEMORY.
337
thofe catechifms are far above the under-
standing of creatures of that age, and they
have no tolerable ideas
under the words.
This makes the anfwers much harder to
be remembered, and in truth they learn
nothing
they
if
but words
are
ever
without
perfect
fo
ing the words, yet they
ideas;
and
repeat-
in
know nothing of
divinity.
And
reafon
for this
rule in teaching children
religion, that they
it
is
a
neceffary
the principles of
mould be
exprefTed in
very plain, eafy and familiar words, brought
low
as
down
as poffible
to their underftand-
ings according to their different
and
capacities,
fome
are
at
ufeful
treafured
the fame
thereby
knowledge
up
in their
time
ages
they will
and
obtain
when the words
memory, becaufe
they will
treafure
up
thofe divine ideas too.
3.
Method
we commit
order
to
poffeffion
long.
and regularity in the things
memory, is neceffary in
make them take more effectual
of
to
the
As much
mind,
and abide there
as fyflematical
Z
learning
is
decried
IMPROVING
©F
338
humorous
decried by fome vain and
of
the
way
age,
to furniih
the
the happiefl
certainly
is
it
trifkrs
mind with
a variety
of
knowledge.
Whatsoever
your memory,
would
you
let it
trufl
to
be difpofed in a proper
manner, connected well together, and referred to diflinet and particular heads or
claries,
both general and particular.
apothecary's boy will
much
the medicines in his
they
are
according
herbs,
or
ranged
to.
or
fhop,
when
on fhelves
their diflinet natures,
whether
drugs or minerals, whether leaves
roots,
whether chymical or
preparations,
&c.
fooner learn all
mailer's
boxes
in
An
galenical
whether fimple or compound,
and when they are placed in fome
order according to their nature, their fluidity or their confidence,
tles,
cafes,
gallipots,
genealogy of a family
when you
begin
as the root,
at
&c.
in phials, pot-
drawers, ccc. fo the
is
fome
more
eafily learnt
great grandfather
and diflinguim the flock, the
large boughs, the leffer branches, the twigs,
and the buds,
till
you come down to the
prefent infants of the houfe.
8
And
indeed
all
THE
339
of arts and fciences taught in a
forts
all
M..E.M O R Y.
method fomething of
committed
happily
mind
the
to
more
kind, are
this
me-
or
mory.
I
MIGHT
confirm
another plain fimile to
give
the
of
truth
all
rude and unwieldy loppings of
the various
branchy
horfe
up and bear away
or carriage can take
a
What
this.
tree
once
at
r
But
if they
are
divided yet further fo as to be laid clofe,
and bound up
into
ieveral
pings
in
a xnor.e
perhaps
faggots,
may be
all
uniform manner
.carried
thofe
as
lop-
one iingle
load or burden.
The
mutual dependence of
each other help the
memory of
things
both.
A
on
wife
connection of the parts of a difcourfe in a
rational
method,
the reader
or
membrance.of
great advantage to
gives
hearer in
it.
to
his
re-
many mathelong train may
Therefore
matical demon ftrations in
be remembered
order,
much
a
better.
than a heap, of
which have no connection. The
book of Proverbs, at lead from the tenth
fentenCes
-chapter
and onwards,,
Z
is
2
much
harder, to
remember
IMPROVING
OF
34©
remember than
realbn
this
me
book of Pfalms
the
for
and fome Chriftians have told
;
remember what is written in
to the Romans, and that to the
that they
the Epiftle
Hebrews, much
the facred
better than
many
others of
becaufe there
Epiflles,
more
is
method and connection obferved
exact
in
them.
He
would
that
mon which
learn to
remember
a fer-
he hears, mould acquaint him-
felf
by degrees with the method in which
the
feveral
livered.
important parts of
it
are de-
multitude
It is a certain fault in a
of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues
to render
refufe
their
the
fenfible
to
tempted
to think
auditors
mould
their fermons,
them
:
Or
method
was for
fear left
is,
uielefs one.
I
am
And
But
:
I
perfuade myfelf,
to
they imagine
more modim way of
;
of
and prevent their preaching
candour enough
particulars
their
remember too much
three or four times over
the true reafon
and
vifible
One would be
hearers.
it
they
at lean:
fure
it
it
have
that
to be a
preaching without
it
is
a
much more
would be of great advantage
THE MEMORY.
both to the fpeaker
vantage
to have difcourfes
34I
and
hearer
for the pulpit caft into a
plain and eafy method, and the reafons or
inferences ranged
in
a
that under the words,
proper order,
and
fecondly,
and
firft,
however they may be now fancied
thirdly,
found unpolite or unfilliionable
to
Archbimop
But
:
Tillotfon did not think fo in
his days.
A frequent
4.
of
petition
review and careful re-
we would
things
the
and an abridgment of them in
compafs for
to fix
them
this end, has a
in the
that the rules of
memory
:
learn,
narrow
a
great influence
Therefore
grammar, and
it is
ufeful ex-
amples of the variation of words, and the
peculiar forms of fpeech in any language,
are
fo
the
for
lefibns
repeated
tables
appointed
often
and
;
for
not fixed
fcholars
they
frequent
in the
cd upon the
by the matter
mind
to
are
at firft,
memory by
be frequently
contracted
review,
as
that
into
what
is
may be ftamp-
a perpetual
furvey
and rehearfal.
Z
3
Repe-
IMPROVING
OF
342
Repetition is fo very ufeful a practice, that Mnemon, even from his youth
never read a book without
to his old age,
making fome
in the
fmall points, dairies or hooks
margin, to mark what parts of the
dilcourfe were proper for
when he came
to the
all
end of
And
:
a fection
or
fhut his book, and re-
chapter, he always
collected
review
a
the fentiments
or expreflions
he had remarked, fo that he could give^
tolerable analyiis and abflract of every treatife
he had read, juft
Thence he became
after
he had finifhed
fo well furnifhed
it.
with a
rich variety of knowledge.
Even when
a perfon is
or a lecture, he
now
may
hearing a fermon
give his thoughts leave
and then to ftep back.fo
collect the feveral heads of it
ginning,
two or
lecture or fermon
three
is
serving in the
is
from the be-
times
finimed
or the lofs of a fentence or
amplifications,
far as to re-
before
the
The omiffion
two among the
:
richly compenfated by pre-
mind the method and order
of the whole dilcourfe in the molt important branches of
it.
If
;
THE MEMORY.
343
we would fix in the memory, the
difcourfes we hear, or what we defign to
fpeak, let us abitract them into brief comIf
pends, and review them often. Lawyers and
Divines have need of fuch
write
down
what they
memory
reviewed
They
much
to
defire
commit
in order to preach or plead
and
fuch abftracts
for
:
fhort notes or hints of the prin-
cipal heads of
to their
afiiftances
may be
epitomes
and
fooner,
the
feveral
amplifying fentiments or fentences will be
more
eafily
invented or recollected in their
The
proper places.
art
of excellent ufe for
purpofes.
thofe
who
It
muffc
this
of fhort hand
as
is
well as other
be acknowledged that
fcarcely ever take a pen in their
hands to write fhort notes or hints of what
they are to fpeak or learn,
to
call:
the
never try
things into method, or to contract
furvey of them,
them
who
to
their
in
memory,
order
to
commit
had need have a
double degree of that natural power of retaining and recollecting
what they
read, or
hear, or intend to fpeak.
Do
not plunge yourfelf into other bufi-
nefTes or fludies,
amuiements or
Z
4
recreations,
imme-
IMPROVING
OF
344
immediately
after
inftruction, if
time
you have attended upon
you can well avoid
if poffible to recollect
the things you
may
not be warned
have heard, that they
all
Get
it.
away from the mind by
a torrent
of
other occurrences or engagements, nor loft
in
the croud or clamour of other loud and
importunate
affairs.
Talking
over the
things which
you
have read with your companions on the
proper opportunity you have for
ufeful
manner of review
order to
nx them upon
them your younger
it, is
a
firft
mofk
or repetition,
the mind.
in
Teach
friends in order to efta-
own knowledge while you communicate it to them. The animal powers of
blifh your
your tongue and of your
ear, as
intellectual faculties, will
to
help the
memory.
all
well as your
join together
Hermetas
ftudied
hard in a remote corner of the land, and
in
folitude,
man.
He
yet he
became
a very learned
feldom was fo happy
as
to en-
home, and therefore
he talked over to the fields and the woods
in the evening, what he had been reading in
joy fuitable fociety
at
the day, and found fo conliderable advantage
THE MEMORY.
tage
by
probatum
we
to
ever therefore
commit
to his
him
to
fant
we
delight in the things
great
remembrance
the
his
fet
for feventeen years.
it
gives
learn,
he could
friends, fince
Pleasure/ and
5.
he recommended
this practice that
to all his
it
345
affiftance
Whatfochild mould
them.
of
defire that a
memory, make
pofiible
as
towards
;
it
as
plea-
endeavour
to
fearch his genius and his temper, and let
him
take in the inftructions you give him,
or the lelTons you appoint him, as far as
m3y
be, in a
the
luited to his natural incli-
would never
Fabcllus
nation.
moral
way
leiTons
till
fiction
till
pearance of a parable,
our
blefled
world
:
any
they were moulded into
form of fome
thofe of iEfop, or
learn
Saviour
or
fable
like
they put on the aplike
taught
thole wherein
the
Then he remembered
ignorant
well
the
emblematical instructions that
were given
him, and
moral fenfe
learnt to
pracTife the
and meaning of them.
Young
Spectorius
was taught virtue by letting before him a
variety of examples of the various good
qualities in
human
life j
and he was appointed
IMPROVING
OF
34-6
pointed daily to repeat fome ftory of this
The fame
the com-
kind out of Valerius Maximus.
lad was
mon
earlv inflructed to avoid
vices and follies of
manner.
This
whereby the
is
youth
a-kin
in the
method
trained up
the
to
Lacedaemonians
their children to hate drunkennefs
temperance,
man
ufeful imprefiions
Children may
many things
Some young
and
in
a
way of
creatures
fyllables,
parted or written
blets or dies.
bularies of
in
upon the
be taught to remember
fport and ptay.
have
learnt
their
and the pronouncing
by having them
and fpelling of words,
word
Such
and fenfible forms of inftru£tion will
make long and
memory.
letters
drunken
a
he had made of himfelf.
a bead:
vifible
and in-
company, and (hewing them
into their
what
by bringing
viz.
fame
upon many
little
flat
ta-
Some have been taught vocadifferent
languages,
having a
one tongue written on one
thefe tablets, and the fame
tongue on the other
fide
word
fide of.
in another
of them.
There
THE MEMORY.
There might
be alio
many
347
entertain-
ing contrivances for the inftrudtion of children in feveral things relating to geometry,
geography, and aftronomy, in iuch alluring
and
illufory
mod
methods, which would make a
agreeable
and
impreffion
lafling
on
their minds.
The memory
6.
receive confiderable aid if they are
into veife
in
:
tnrown
For the numbers and meafures
rhyme, according
ferent
may
of ufeful things
have
languages,
pocfy of dif-
to the
a
confiderable
in-
upon mankind, both to make them
receive with more eafe the things propofed
to their obfervation, and preferve them
fluence
How many
longer in their remembrance.
common
affairs
are
there of the
life
which have been taught
of hun.an
in early years
by the help of rhyme, and have been
nails fattened in a fure place,
like
and rivetted by
daily ufe.
So the number of the days of each month
are engraven on the memory of thoufands
by
thefe four lines
:
•
Thirty
;
JJ
:
OF IMPROVING?
4-S
Thirty days have September,
June and April, and November
:
February twenty-eight alone,
And
So
the reft have thirty-one.
all
have been taught frugality by
lads
furveying and judging of their
ces
by
own expen-
thefe three lines'
Compute
the pence but of one day's ex-
pence,
So many pounds, and angels, groats, and
pence,
Are fpent
in
one whole year's circumfe-
rence.
For
number of
the
three hundred fixty-five,
days in a year
is
which number of
pence makes one pound,
one angel,
one
groat, and one penny.
So have
in the
many
rules of health been prefcribed
book
called Scbola Salernitana,
and
a peribn has preferved himfelf doubt-
lefs
from evening gluttony, and the pains
and
difeafes
two
liiies
confequent upon
it,
by thefe
Ex
:
THE MEMORY.
Ex magna
Ut f.s
349
ccenajiomacho Jit maxima pcena;
notte Isvis, Jit tibi cceiza brevis.
Engl i (lied
.To be eafy all night,
Let your fupper be light
And
Or
elfe you'll
Of
a
itomach
complain
in pain.
hundred proverbial fentences in
various languages are formed into rhyme or
a verfe, whereby they are made to flick upon
the
a
memory of
It
is
from
have been
antiquity.
old and young.
this principle that
can: into a poetic
So the
golden
moral rules
mould from
verfes
all
of the
Pythagoreans in Greek; Cato's Diftichs De
Moribus in Latin ; Lilly's precepts to fchojars called
this has
A
%/ Mihi,
with many others
;
and
been done with very good fuccefs.
line or
two of
memory, have
this
kind recurring on the
often guarded youth
from
a
temptation to vice and folly, as well as put
them in mind of their prefent duty.
It
:
IMPROVING
OF
gjO
It
is
for this reafon alfo that the genders,
declenfions,
and variations
nouns and
of
verbs have been taught in verfe, by thofe
who
have complied with the prejudice of
long cuftom, to teach Englifh children the
by rules written in Latin
Latin tongue
And
truly thofe rude heaps of words and
terminations of an
unknown tongue would
have never been fo happily learnt by heart
hundred thoufand boys, without this
fmoothing artifice ; nor indeed do I know
by
a
any thing
elfe
can be faid with good rea-
fon to excufe or relieve the obvious abfurdities
of this practice.
When
you would remember new things
or words, endeavour to anociate and connect
them with fome words
have well
known
or things
which you
which are fixyour memory. This
before, and
ed and efbblifTied in
aflbciation of ideas
is
of great importance
and force, and may be of excellent ufe in
many
inftances
which
is
of
familiar
human
to
One
life.
idea
the mind, connected
with others which are new and ftrange, will
bring thofe
brance.
new
ifleas
into
eafy
Maronides had got the
remem-
firft
hundred
THE MEMORY.
351
dred lines of Virgil's iEneis printed upon
his
memory
fo perfectly,
that
he knew not
only the order and number of every verfe
from one to a hundred in perfection, but the
number of eveFy word
order and
verfe alfo;
in
each
and by this means he would
undertake to remember two or three hundred names of perfons or things by fome rational or fantaftic
connexion between fome
v/ord in the verfe, and fome letter, fyllable,
property, or accident of the
to
name
or thing
be remembered, even though they had
been repeated but once or twice
his hearing.
fame
art
of
Animato
.practifed
memory by
at moil:
in
much
the
-getting the Latin
names of twenty two animals into
his
head
according to the alphabet, viz. afinuSj bajilifcus, carJs, draco, tlepbas, felis,
gryfus, hir-
cus, juvencus, leo, mulus, noffua, ovis, pantfce-
ra, quadrupcs, rhi?ioceros i Jjmia i taarus, iirfus,
xipmaj, hyana or y ana, zibetta. Mofl of thefe
he divided
alfo
into four parts, viz. head
and body, fctt, fins or wings, and tail,
and by fome arbitrary or chimejical attach-
ment of each of thefe to a word or thing
which he .defired to remember, he committed
ted
IMPROVING
OF
552
them
memory, and
to the care of his
that with good fuccefs.
.•»
It
we may
the
by
alfo
is
of the
wherein we
is
If
time,
firfl
fome circum-
company, &c.
place,
recover an abfent idea,
it
to recollect thofe circumilances
of
The
time, place, &c.
times
it
be
fubftance will
and
recovered
brought
recurs to
our fancy by
garment, his
fize,
employment,
Sec.
its
colour,
many
to the
a
man
remembering
his
thoughts by recollecting the thadow
by
upon
idea
obferved, heard, or learnt
we would
ufeful
of ideas, that
new
better imprint any
memory, by joining with
ftance
it.
this aflbciation
:
or ftature, his office or
A
figure,
bird,
or fifh
or motion,
by the
beaft,
cage or court-yard or cittern wherein
it
was
kept.
To
this
head alfo
we may
refer that re-
membrance of names and things which may
be derived from our
likenefs to
either their
recollection of their
which we know;
refemblance in name, character,
other things
form, accident, or any thing that belongs
An idea or word which has been
to them.
loft or forgotten,
has been often
recovered
by
THE MEMORY.
353
by hitting upon fome other kindred word
or idea, which has the
to
and that
it,
nearelt.
fyllables, or
in the letters,
found of the name,
refemblance
as well as properties
of
the thing.
If
we would remember Hippocrates,
Galen, or Paracelfus, think of
or
a phyfician's
name beginning with H, G, or P. If we
will remember Ovidius Nafo, we may re-
man with a great nofe if Plamay think upon a perfon with
to, we
large moulders ; if Crifpus, we mail fancy
prefent a
>,
another with curled hair; and fo of other
things.
And
new or ftrange idea may
the memory by coniidering its
oppofite.
So if we cannot hit
fometimes
be fixed in
contrary or
a
on the word Goliath, the remembrance of
David may recover
it
:
or the
name of
a
Trojan may be recovered by thinking of a
Greek, &c.
8.
In fuch
cafes
feek after a local
wherein
memory,
it
may
or a
of what you have read by the
A
a
be done,
remembrance
fide or
page
where
IMPROVING
0F
354
where
it is
written or printed
whether the
;
right or the left, whether at the top, the
middle, or the bottom
ginning of
end of
whether
It has
it.
the be-
been fome advantage, for
accuftom one's
of the fame edition
and
:
and fpecial ufe
Chriftians
be
to
it
felf to
books
has been of con-
and private
to divines
with
furnifhed
Bibles of the fame edition^
ever they
at
a chapter or a paragraph, or the
this reafon, to
ftant
;
feveral
that wherefo-
whether in their chamber,
are,
parlour or fludy, in the younger or elder
of
years
and
life,
verfes
they
may
find the
chapters
Handing in the fame parts of the
page.
This
is
alfo a great convenier.cy to
be ob-
by printers in the new editions of
ferved
Grammars,
Teftaments,
Pfalms,
&c.
to
paragraph or verfe, in
print every chapter,
the fame part of the page as the former,
that fo
thofe
it
may
young
learners
who
the advantage of a local
9.
Let
happy
yield an
every thing
find,
affiftance
and even
to
feel
memory.
we
defire to
remember
be fairly and diftinctly written and divided
into
THE MEMORY.
into periods,
with large characters in the
we
beginning, for by this means
more
readily imprint the
on our minds, and
glance,
the
to
fhall the
matter and words
recoiled:
them with
a
more remarkable the writing
This
appears to the eye.
ideas
355
fenfe conveys the
the fancy better than
any other j
and what we have {^en is not fo ibon forWhat
gotten as what we have only heard.
Horace
mind
affirms of the
be faid alfo of the
memory
or pafiions
may
:
Segnius irritant animos demijpi per aurem
Qu&tn qucefunt ocnlisfubjettajidelibus t
& qua
Ipfe fibi tradit fpeftator*
Applied thus in Englifh
Sounds which addrefs the ear are
In one jhort hour
j
loft
:
and
die
but that which ftrikes the
eye.
Lives long upon the mind ; the faithful fight
Engraves the knowledge with a beam of
For
flrft
the
letters
every page,
lours
;
light.
afMance of weak memories, the
of every period,
or words
may be
in
written in diftincl co-
yellow, green, red, black, &c. and
A
a
2
if
if
IMPROVING
OF
356
you obferve the fame order of colours
the following fentences,
This
better.
and may
fion,
Under
much
the
flill
a greater impref-
aid the
memory.
we may take
which the memory
this
the advantage
make
will
may be
it
in
head
notice of
gains by
having the feveral objects of our learning
drawn out
into fchemes and tables
matters
;
of mathematical fcience and natural philo-
lbphy are not only
into the underftand-
let
ing, but preferved in the
The
and diagrams.
memory by
fituation of the feveral
parts of the earth are better learnt
day's
figures
converting with a
map
by one
or fea-chart,
than by mere reading the defcription
their fituation a
hundred times over
geography.
of
aftronomy,
vens, are
tables
the
more
ealily
ftars
fuch. fort
in
of memorials, figures and
hung round our
things will be greatly
I
conftellations
remembered by hemjfwell drawn.
It is by
ftudies or places
reiidence or reiort, that our
/as
books
and their position in the hea-
pheres of the
haying
So
in
of
have ihcwn
at
memory of
ailiited
of
thefe
and improved,
large in the twentieth
chapter, of the ufe of the fciences.
I
MIGHT
—
THE M E M
I
might
over what
add here
we
O R Y.
alio, that
defign to
more
we
write, will
mind than reading
in the
And
times.
once writing
remember, and giv-
ing due attention to what
fix it
357
in the
fame manner,
if
it
five
we had
a plan of the naked lines of longitude
and
projected on the meridian printed
latitude,
might much more
fpeedily advance himfelf in the knowledge
for this
ufe,
geography
of
figures of all
it
a learner
by
a
The fame
map
alio
conftellations
learner
cles
on
a
the
the parts of the world upon
by imitation,
vey of
own drawing
his
than by
many
days fur-
of the world fo printed.
may
of
be faid concerning the
heaven
drawn
by
the
naked projection of the cir-
of the fphere upon the
plane of the
equator.
10. It has fometimes been the practice
men to imprint names or fentences on
their memory by taking the fir ft letters of
of
word of that fentence, or of thofe
names, and making a new word out of
them. So the name of the Maccabees is
borrowed from the firft letters of the Hebrew words, which make that fentence
every
A
a
3
Mi
IMPROVING
OF
358
Mi Camoka
thee
like
written
Baelim Jehovah,
among
on
IX0TS,
thefe are the
Jefus
been called
by
the
a
fathers,
is
Chrift
filL,
in
becaufe
of thofe Greek
letters
firft
Who
Which was
?
banners.
their
our Saviour, hath
Greek
Gods
the
e.
i.
words, Jefus Chrift, God's Son, the Savi-
So the word Vibgyor teaches us to
our.
remember the order of the
colours
as
original
they appear by the fun-beams
through a prifm on white paper, or
caft
formed by the fun
to
feven
in a
rainbow, according
the different refrangibility of the rays,
viz.
violet,
indigo,
blue,
green,
yellow,
orange and red.
manner the Hebrew grammarians
teach their ftudents to remember the letters
which change their natural pronunciation
In
this
by the infcription of a dagefh, by gathering
thefe fix letters, beth, gimel, daleth, caph,
pe, and thau, into the
word Begadchephat 9
-
and that they might not forget the
named Quiefcent,
are joined in the
verfal
viz.
a,
h, v,
word Ahevi.
and
letters
i,
they
So the uni-
and particular proportions in logic
are
THE MEMORY.
359
remembered by the words Barbara, Ce-
arc
larent, Darii, Sec.
Other
be
artificial
helps to
memory may
mentioned here.
juft,
Dr. Grey,
his
in
book
called
Memoria
Technica, has exchanged the figures
3, 4,
6,
5,
b, d,
t, f, 1,
a, e,
i,
o, u,
thereby
bers,
ed
:
in a
fome confonants,
9, for
8,
7,
y, p, k, n,
and
1, 2,
and fome vowels,
feveral
diphthongs, and
formed words that denote num-
which may be more eafily rememberand Mr. Lowe has improved his fcheme
fmall pamphlet called Mnemonics de-
whereby in {even leaves he has
comprized almofr, an infinity of things in
lineated,
fcience and in
them
common
life,
and reduced
meafure like Latin verfe;
to a fort of
though the words may be fuppofed
very
barbarous,
to
be
being fuch a mixture of
vowels and confonants
as are very unfit for
harmony.
But
very writers on this
after all, the
fubjeel have confelfed that feveral of thefe
artificial
helps of
memory
A
a
4
are fo
cumberfome
OF
360
fome
as
perfon
;
IMPROVING,
not to be fuitable to every temper or
nor are they of any ufe for the de-
livery of a difcourfe
much
they
&C.
fervice in
may
by memory, nor of
learning the fciences
:
but
be fometimes practiied for the af-
fixing our remembrance of certain fentences,
numbers, or names.
CHAP,
3«i
(
)
CHAP.
XVIII.
OF DETERMINING A QUESTION.
I.
TT7HEN
VV
a
whether
propofed
is
to
your thoughts, confider whether
be knowable
it
fubjecT:
it
at
or no
all,
and then
-,
be not above the reach of your
enquiry and knowledge in the prefent ftate;
and remember that
a
great walte of
time to bufy yourfelves too
much amongd
unfearchables
to
dies is
ing
II.
ter
The
is
chief ufe of thefe ftu-
keep the mind humble, by find-
own
its
:
it
ignorance and weaknefs.
Consider
whether the mat-
again
be worthy of your enquiry at
then,
how
prefent
far
fearch
it
may
and
the
feffion,
world,
and
;
be worthy of your
labour
your age, your time of
in
all
according
life,
your capacity,
to
your ftation
your
your chief defign and end.
pro-
There
are
OF
362
are
many
DETERMINING
worth
things
man, which
not
are
there are things that
enquiry
fo to
may
to
another
;
one
and
deferve the ftudy
fame perfon in one part of life,
which would be improper or impertinent
To read books of the art of
at another.
of the
preaching, or difputes about church difcipline, are proper for a theological ftudent in
the end of his academical fludies, but not
To purfue
at the beginning of them.
mathematical fludies very largely, may be
ufeful for a profeffor of philofophy, but not
for a divine.
III.
Consider whether
your enquiry be eafy or
you have
fufficient
the fubject of
difficult
foundation or
;
whether
fkill,
fur-
niture and advantages for the purfuit of
It
young
carve a Venus
would be madnefs
attempt
at firft to
for a
it.
ftatuary to
or a
Mer-
cury, and efpecially without proper tools.
And
to
it
is
make
equal folly for a
great
man
improvements
to pretend
in
natural
philofophy without due experiments.
IV. Consider whether the
fubjecT:
be
any ways ufeful or no, before you engage
in
A
Q^U E
in the ftudy of
O N.
I
Often put
:
end will
it
attain
advantage,
natural or
this queftion
Is it for
?
men,
of God, for the good of
own
for
moral
evil,
be equal to the labour
many
fubtle
the
impertinencies
painful
the glory
for
your
the attainment
for
profit
many
?
removal of any
the
of any natural or moral good
fchools,
363
Cut bono ? to what purpofe
to yourfelves,
What
it
T
S
?
?
Will the
There are
learnt
in the
even
among
trifles
mathematical theorems and problems,
many
difficile*
various kinds,
nugce, or laborious
in.
A
due reflection
thefe things will call the
vain
of
which fome ingenious men
have been engaged
upon
from
follies
amufements,
and
mind away
lave
much
time,
V. Consider what tendency it has to
make you wifer and better, as well as to
make you more learned; and thofe queftions which tend to wifdom and prudence
in our conduct among men, as well as piety
toward God, are doubtlefs more important,
and preferable beyond
all
thole enqui-
which only improve our knowledge
mere fpeculations,
ries
in
VI. If
DETERMINING
OF
364
VI. If the queftion appear
worth your
diligent application,
are furnifhed with the
to purfue
it,
neceffary
be well
and you
requifites
then conftder whether
it
be
more words than
needful, and contain or include more com-
dreft
is
to
up and entangled
plicated ideas than
city
neceffary
is
endeavour to reduce
in
it
enquiry and argument
and
if fo,
to a greater fimpli-
which
and plainnefs,
;
eafier
will
make
and plainer
the
all
the way.
VII. If
fcure,
it
be ftated in an improper, ob-
or irregular form,
it
may
be melio-
rated by changing the phrafe, or tranfpoiing
the parts of
it
but be careful always to
;
keep the grand and important point of enquiry the
fame in your new ftating the
queftion.
Little tricks and deceits of fo-
phiftry,
words
by Hiding
as
in,
or leaving out fuch
change
entirely
the
queftion,
mould be abandoned and renounced by
fair
difputants
and
honeft
all
fearchers after
truth.
The
dating a
queftion
with
clearnefs
and juftice goes a great way many times toward
A
O^U E
ward the answering
of true knowledge
tion of things,
tincl:
T
S
O N.
I
The
it.
365
greater! part
percep-
lies in a diftincl
which
are in themfelves dif-
and fome men give more light and
;
knowledge by the bare
quef-
ftating of the
tion with perfpicuity and juftice, than others
by talking of it
in grofs confufion for
To
hours together.
ftate a
quefiion
whole
but
is
to feparate and difentangle the
parts
from one another,
irom every
as
well as
of
it
thing which doth not concern the quefiion,
and then to lay the difentangled
quefiion in due order and
of the
p.:rts
method
:
Often-
times without more ado, this fully refolves
the doubt, and
truth
lies
mews
the
mind where the
without argument or difpute.
VIII. If the queilion relate to an axiom
or
a
firft
principle of truth,
remember
long train of confequences
upon
it,
therefore
it
that
may depend
mould not be fudden-
}y admitted or received.
It
is
not enough to determine the truth
of a proportion,
much
lefs
the honour of an axiom or
to
fay,
that
it
to
firft
raife
it
to
principle,
has been believed through
many
;
many
many
DETERMINING
OF
$66
ages,
that
has
it
nations, that
it
is
been
almoft univerfally
acknowledged, or nobody denies
is
human
eftablimed by
by
received
that
it,
it
laws, or that tem-
poral penalties or reproaches will attend the
difbelief of
IX.
it.
Nor
enough
is it
any pro-
to forbid
pofition the title of an axiom, becaufe
it
has
been denied by fome perfons, and doubted of
by others
;
fome perfons have been un-
for
reafonably credulous, and others have been
Then only
as unreafonably fceptical.
a proportion be called an
dent truth,
when by
a
axiom or
fhould
a felf-evi-
moderate attention
to the fubject and predicate, their connection appears in fo plain a light, and fo clear
an evidence,
needs no third idea or mid-
as
dle term to prove
X.
While
them
you
to be connected.
are in fearch after truth
in questions of a doubtful
as
nature,
or fuch
you have not yet thoroughly examined,
keep up
indifference to either fide of
a juft.
the queftion,
into the truth
if
:
leaning to either
you would be led honeflly
For
lide,
a delire or inclination
biafies
the
judgment
ftrangely
A
Q^U E
ftrangely; whereas
T
S
by
I
this
O N.
367
indifference for
every thing but truth, you will be excited
to examine fairly inftead of prefuming, and
your
affent will be
fee u red
from going be-
yond your evidence.
For
XI.
the moil part people are
to their opinions,
bom
and never queftion the
truth of what their family, or their country,
or their party profefs.
They clothe their
minds
they do their bodies,
as
fafhion
in
vogue,
ever examines
nor one of
their principles.
pecled of lukewarmnefs
nation neceffary, and
tendency
to apoftacy,
it
to
after
the
hundred
a
It is
fuf-
fuppofe exami-
will be charged as a
if
we go about
to ex-
amine them.
Perfons are applauded for
prefuming they are in the right, and (as
Mr. Locke faith) he that confiders and enquires into the reafon of things,
a foe to
deviate
And
counted
orthodoxy, becaufe poffibly he
from fome of the received
thus
quifition
is
men without any
of their own,
may
doctrines.
induflry or ac-
(lazy and
idle as
they are) inherit local truths, i.e. the truths
of that place where they live, and are inured
to affent without evidence.
8
This
DETERMINING
OF
g6S
This hath a long and unhappy influence $
for if a man can bring his mind once to be
and
pofitive
for
fierce
propofitions
whofe
evidence he hath never examined, and that
in matters of the greater! concernment, he
will naturally follow this fhort and eafy
way
of judging and believing in
mo-
ment, and build
all
cafes of lefs
his opinions
upon in-
efficient grounds.
In determining a queflion, efpe-
XII.
cially
when
it is
a matter of difficulty
and
importance, do not take up with partial examination, but turn
your thoughts' on
fides to gather in
the light you can to-
all
ward the folution of
ufe
fore
all
it.
Take
time,
all
and
the helps that are to be attained be-
you
fully
where prefent
determine,
only
except
neceffity of action
calls
for
fpeedy determination.
If you would
know what may
be call-
ed a partial examination, take thefe instances, viz.
When
you examine an
or enquire into fome
objecl:
of
fenfe,
matter of fenfation
at
A
Q^U E
S
at too great a diftance
T
I
O N.
369
from the
in an inconvenient fituation of
it,
object, or
or under
any indifpofition of the organs, or any difthe organ of the object itfelf ;
medium or
or when you
examine
where others
guile whatfoever relating to the
by the
it
fenfe only,
might be employed ; or when you enquire
into it by fcnk only, without the ufe of
and judgment, and
the understanding,
reafon.
If
it
be a queflion which
to be de-
is
termined by reafon and argument, then your
examination
is
partial,
when you turn the
queflion only in one light, and do not turn
it
ly
on
all
fides
;
when you look upon
in its relations
it
on-
and afpects to one fort
of objects, and not to another; when you
confider only the advantages of
reafons for
it,
againfl
reafons
and
it,
-,
a fudden, before
felf a
due time for
stances,
and the
and neglect to think of the
inconveniences too
on
it,
never
furvey
its
when you determine
you have given yourweighing all circum-
&c.
B
b
Again
DETERMINING
OF
370
Again,
If
be a queftion of fact de-
it
pending upon the report or teftimony of
men, your examination
is
but
when
partial,
you enquire only what one man or
and avoid
fay,
when you only
afk
were not eye or
thofe
who faw
lars
;
fact,
or
it,
when
witnerTes, and neglect
and heard
when you con-
it ;
mere
loofe
and general
and never enter into particuthere are
many who deny
the
and you never concern yourfelf about
their reafons for denying
believe only thofe
There
partial
you
others;
what thofe report who
ear
tent yourfelf with
talk about
teftimony of
the
few
a
is
who
but refolve to
it,
affirm
yet further a
it.
examination of any queftion,
refolve to determine
it
your
fault in
when
by natural
rea-
fon only, where you might be affifted by fupernatural revelation
the point
by fome
paring
it
;
or
when you
decide
by fome word or fentence, or
part of
revelation,
with other
parts,
without com-
which might
give further light and better help
to de*
termine the meaning.
It
A
It
is
QJJ E
T
S
a culpable
alfo
N.
I
37J
partiality
if
you
examine fome doubtful or pretended vifion
or revelation without the ufe of reafon ; or
without the ufe of that revelation which
undoubted
divine.
and fufficiently proved
Thefe
we
iliould never determine
two
a queftion by one or
XIII.
tion,
be
are all inftances of imperfect
examination, and
may have
to
is
where we
lights,
advantage of three or four.
Take
heed
fome darling nofome favourite hypothecs, fome beleft
loved doctrine, or fome
common
mined opinion, be made
a teft
but unexa-
of the truth
or falfehood of all other proportions about the
fame
fubject.
Dare not build
fuch a notion or doctrine
till
much upon
be very
it
fully examined, accurately adjufted, and fuf-
Some
ficiently confirmed.
perfons, by in-
dulging fuch a practice, have been led into
long ranks of errors; they have found
themfelves involved in a train of iniftakes
by taking up fome pretty hypothefis or
principle,
or
either
religion,
grounds,
and
philofophy,
in
upon
flight
eftablifhing
Bb
2
politics,
and inefficient
that
as
a teft
and
DETERMINING
OF
372
and rule by which
to
judge of
all
other
things.
XIV. For
the fame reafon, have a care
ef fuddenly determining any one queftion on
which the determination of any kindred or
parallel cafes will eafily or naturally follow.
Take heed of
receiving any
wrong turn
in
your early judgment of things; be watchful as far as poffible againfl
which may be given
efpecially- in
giving credit to one
The
that
to be
falfe bias
to the underftanding,
younger years.
gence of fome one
mind open
any
filly
The
indul-
opinion, or the
foolifri fable,
lays
the
impofed upon by many.
Romans were taught to believe
Romulus and Remus, the founders of
ancient
their ftate and empire,
were expofed in the
woods, and nurfed by a wolf: This ftory
prepared their minds for the
any
tales
reception of
of the like nature relating to
Trogus Pompeius would
other countries.
enforce the belief that one of the ancient
kings of Spain was alfo nurfed and fuck-
from the fable of Romulus
and Remus. It was by the fame influence
they learned to give up their hopes and
led by % hart,
8
fears
A
fears to
Q^U E
S
T
O N.
I
373
omens and foothfaying, when they
were once perfuaded that the greatnefs of
empire,
their
their founder,
and the glory of Romulus
were predicted by the hap-
py omen of twelve vultures appearing to
him when he fought where to build
the
city.
They
readily received
following legends of
and
prognostics
for
prodigies,
many
ages
with which Livy has furnifhed
all
the
auguries,
together,
his
huge
hiftory.
So the child who
lieve any
once taught to be-
is
one occurrence to be a good or
evil
omen, or any day of the month or week
to be lucky or unlucky, hath a
wide inroad
made on
underftand-
the foundnefs of his
ing in the following judgments of his life;
he
lies
and
ever open to
all
the
idle tales of nurfes,
a foolifh
ftory
filly
impreffions
and imbibes
many
with greedinefs, which he
muil unlearn again
if ever
he become ac-
quainted with truth and wifdom.
XV. Have a care of
warm and religious zeal
which
interefting
in thofe
are not fufliciently evident in
B
b 3
your
matters
themfelves
DETERMINING
0F
374
felves, or
which
are not fully
proved
ly examined and
and thorough-
For
:
whether right or wrong, when
zeal,
this
it
once
is
engaged, will have a powerful influence to
your
eftabliiti
which
in thofe doctrines
and to flop up
are really doubtful,
of
avenues
the
all
own minds
will bring
further
upon the
awe and dread of
This
light.
foul a fort of facred
with a divine
herefy,
concern to maintain whatever opinion you
have efpoufed
divine,
as
you have efpoufed
it
though perhaps
without any juft evi-
dence, and ought to have renounced
falfe
it
as
and pernicious.
We
ought
be zealous for the mofl
to
important points of our
religion,
and to
contend earnestly for the faith once delivered
to the flints
j
but
this facred fervour
any
article,
till
we ought
of
not to employ
fpirit in the fervice
we have
feen
it
made out
with plain and itrong conviction, that
a necefTary or important
practice,
the
of
and
light of
revelation.
is
of
it
is
point of faith or
either an evident dictate of
nature,
Zeal
or an allured article
mult not reign over
the powers of our underftanding, but obey
them
.
A
them
a
God
:
God
Q^U E
God
the
is
S
T
O N.
I
375
of light and truth,
of reafon and order, and he never
mankind
requires
ufe their natural
to
fa-
culties amifs for the fupport of his caufe.
Even
the mod: myfterious and fublime doc-
trines
of revelation are not to be believed
without a juft reafon for
till
nor mould our
be engaged in the defence
pious affections
of them,
it;
we
have plain and convinc-
ing proof that they are certainly revealed,
though perhaps we may never
attain to
them
as
in this
world
fuch clear and diftinct ideas of
we
defire.
XVI. As
warm
a
ought never
zeal
to
be employed in the defence of any revealed
truth,
till
our reafon be well convinced of
the revelation
;
fo
neither
mould wit and
banter, jeft and ridicule, ever be indulged
to oppofe
and
any doctrines of pro-
alTault
feiTed revelation,
till
reafon has proved they
are not really revealed
;
and even then thefe
methods mould be ufed very feldom, and
with
the
utmoft
caution
Raillery and wit were never
our enquiries
a queftion
after truth,
and prudence.
made
to
anfwer
and to determine
of rational controverfy; though
B
b 4
they
DETERMINING
OF
2j6
may fometimes be
they
ferviceable to
ex-
pofe to contempt thofe inconfiftent follies
which have been
firft
abundantly refuted by
argument ; they ferve indeed only to cover
nonfenfe with fhame, when reafon has firft
proved
it
mere nonfenfe.
to be
-
It
therefore a filly and mod: unrea-
is
fonable
introduced
their
that
is,
not be
judge
are
combats
at
reafon and
u'njuft
bear
ridicule
and
beaten in
effectually
the weapons of men,
•
argument
(though
have
deifts
of divine revelation,
will
it
They
laughter.
all
to
try if
to
viz.
which fome of our
teft
it is
to fay, that they would'
;
and
a little
now
it
would
uncourtly)
attack our reli-
gion with the talents of a vile animal, that
is,
grin. and grimace.
I
cannot
think that a jefter or a monkey,
a droll or a puppet can be proper judges
or deciders
dreffes
up
all
of controverfy.
things in difguife,
ly to lead us into any
them.
der,
That which
juft.
is
not like-
fentiments about
Plato or Socrates, Caefar or Alexan-
might have
a fool's
coat clapt
any of them, and perhaps in
this
upon
difguife,
neither
A
QJJ E
S
T
O N.
I
377
wifdom of the one, nor the majefty of the other, would fecure them from
a fneer; this treatment would never inform
us whether they v/ere kings or Haves, wheneither the
The
ther they were fools or philofophers.
bed
flrongeft reafoning, the
politefl thoughts,
diculous
may be
by
light
fenfe,
and the
fet in a moil;
ri-
grinning faculty:
this
The moft obvious axioms of eternal truth
may be drefl in a very foolifh form, and
wrapt up in
abfurdities
by
this
ta-
but they are truth and reafon, and
lent;
good
artful
fenfe
flill.
Euclid, with
his de-
all
monurations, might be fo covered and over-
whelmed with
banter,
that
a beginner in
the mathematics might be tempted to doubt
whether his theorems were true or no, and
to imagine they could never be ufeful.
So
weaker minds might be
eafily
prejudiced
againft the nobleft principle of truth
and
and the younger part of mankind might be beaten off. from the belief of
goodnefs
-,
the moil: ferious, the
mod
rational
and im-
portant points, even of natural religion, by
the impudent jefls of a profane wit.
moral duties of the
articles
The
civil life, as well as
of Chriflianity,
may
the
be painted over
with
DETERMINING
OF
with the colours of
folly,
a ftage, fo as to ruin
among
virtue
and expofed upon
all focial
and perfonal
the gay and thoughtlefs part
of the world.
XVII. It mould be obferved
men
thefe very
ufe
of
debates,
flare,
and reproach in
railing
penalties and perfecutions of the
all
order to convince the minds and
in
of men, and determine points
confciences
of
cry out loudly againft the
fevere
all
that
alfo,
truth
and
Now,
error.
renounce
I
thefe penal and fmarting methods of conviction as
much
they do, and yet I think
as
Hill thefe are every
as
good for
print, or a
ter reft
and
as wife, as juft,
and
ri-
mould public mockery
in
this purpofe, as banter
Why
dicule.
whit
merry joke upon
a ftage, be a bet-
of truth, than fevere railing farcafms
and public perfecutions and penalties
mould more
light be derived
to the
Why
?
under-
standing by a fong of fcurrilous mirth, or a
witty ballad, than there
When
a profefibr
to be
laughed
mould help
faith any
at,
is
by a rude cudgel
of any religion
I
cannot
fee
is
fet
how
?
up
this
us to judge of the truth of his
better than
.if
he were fcourged.
The
a
The
o^u e
s
t
i
o n.
379
of a theatre, the pillory and the
jeers
whipping- poft
are very near a-kin.
the perfon or his opinion
When
made the
is
jefl
of the mob, or his back the fhambles of the
executioner, I think there
no more con-
is
viction in the one than in the other.
,
XVIII. Besides, fuppofing
it is
but bare-
God mould reveal
men by miracle, vi*
ly poffible that the great
his
mind and
will
to
fion, or infpiration, it
is
and profane infolence to
a piece
treat
of contempt
any tolerable
or rational appearance of fuch a revelation
with
jeft
whether
and laughter,
it
in
And
be divine or no.
be a proper
order
of revelation,
ten:
to
find
yet, if this
it
may
be
properly applied to the true as well as the
Suppofe a
falie,
in order to diftinguifh
royal
proclamation were fent to a
part of the
jects
King
dicule
diftant
kingdom, and fome of the fub-
mould doubt whether
or no
it.
;
mould
is
it
came from the
poffible that wit
it
ever
decide the
and
point?
ri-
Or
would the prince
ever think himfelf treated
with juft honour
to have his proclamation
canvaffed in this
manner on
a public ftage,
and become the fport of buffoons in order
to
DETERMINI N,.G
OF
380,
Whether
to determine a queflion,
word of
Let
a
King or no
fuch
fort
dearefl peril,
at their
;
let
them
and
at their peril
make
treat the facred
ar-
of Christianity with feoff and merri:
but then
let
them
lay afide all their
pretences to reafon as well as religion
as they expofe themfelves
them prepare
indignation of
and
men,
fo
meet the majefty and
to
God
;
by fuch writings
to the neglect and contempt of
let
the
.
of writers go on
a jeft at the Bible,
ment
is
and fport themfelves in their
own deceivings
ticles
?
it
without timely repent-
ance.
XIX. In
religious
reading philofophical, moral or
controverfies, never raife your ef-
teem of any opinion by the affurance and
zeal wherewith the author arTerts it, nor by
the higher!: praifes he beftows upon
on
the other
hand,
let
your
it
:
efteem
nor
of
an opinion be abated, nor your averfion to
it raifed by the fupercilious contempt cad
by a warm writer, nor by the foveLet
reign airs with which he condemns it.
the force of argument alone influence your
upon
it
aflent
A
O^U E
T
S
Take
aiTent or diiTent.
O N.
I
381
care that your foul
be not warped or biaffed on one fide or the
other by any drains of flattering or abufive
language 5 for there is no queftion whatfoever but hath fome fuch fort of defenders
and oppofers.
own
follies
Leave thofe writers to their
who
weaknefs of their
ment ;
leave
thus
practife
them
readers
to
upon the
without
triumph
fancied pofleffions and victories
argu-
in their
:
it is
own
often-
times found that their pofleffions are but a
heap of errors, and their boafted victories
are but
overbearing noife and clamour to
filence the voice of truth.
In philofophy and
all
parties are
and deal
religion the bigots of
generally the moft pofitive,
much
Sometimes thefe
of argument.
in this
fort
are the
weapons of pride,
haughty man fuppofes all his opinions
to be infallible, and imagines the contrary
fentiments are ever ridiculous, and not worfor a
Sometimes thefe ways of
thy of notice.
talking
the
.
.
are the
men who
mere arms of ignorance:
ufe
them know
little
of the
oppofite fide of the queftion, and therefore
they exult in their
own
vain pretences to
knowledge,
DETERMINING
OF
382
knowledge,
as
though no man of
They rail at an obown fentiments, be-
oppofe their opinion.
jection
fenfe could
againft their
caufe they can find no other anfwer to
but
And men
railing.
it
of learning by their
excefiive vanity have been fometimes
ed into the fame infolent practice
tempt-
as well as
the ignorant.
Yet
let it
be remembered too, that there
fome truths
are
the oppofition
countable,
fo plain
them
to
and evident that
is
ftrange,
and almofl monftrous
:
unac-
and in
vindication of fuch truths, a writer of good
fenfe
may fometimes
be allowed to ufe a de-
of afiurance,
and
gree
ffcrongly
with an
air
them
pronounce
of confidence, while
he defends them with reafons of convincing
force.
XX. Sometimes
pofed which
is
aqueflion
maybe
pro-
of fo large and extenfive a
nature, and refers to fuch a multitude of fubas
jects,
mined
at
fwer
as
:
ought not in
juftice to be deter-
once by a fingle argument or anif one mould afk me, Are you a
profeffed difciple of the Stoics or the Platonifls
?
Do
you
receive
and
3
affent
to the
principles
A
Q^U E
principles of
S
T
I
O N.
383
GafTendus, Defcartes, or Sir
Newton ? Have you chofen the hypothecs of Tycho or Copernicus ? Have you
devoted yourfelf to the fentiments of Armi-
Ifaac
nius or Calvin
Are your notions
?
prefbyterian, or independant
may
?
epifcopal,
think
Sec. I
it
be very proper in fuch cafes not to give
an anfwer in the grofs, but rather to enter
into a detail of particulars, and explain one's
own
fentiments.
Perhaps there
no man
is
men upon earth whofe fentiments
God has given me reaI entirely follow.
fon to judge for myfelf, and though I may
nor
fet
of
fee fufficient
ground
to agree to the greatefl
part of the opinions of one perfon or party,
yet
it
does by no means follow that
I
mould
them all. Truth does not always go
by the lump, nor does error tincture and
fpoil all the articles of belief that fome one
receive
party profefTes.
Since
there are difficulties attend every
fcheme of human knowledge,
for
me
in the
main
enough
it is
to incline to that fide
which has the fewefi
would endeavour, as far
rect the miftakes or the
difficulties
;
as poffible,
harm
and I
to cor-
expreffions of
one
DETERMINING
OF
384
one party, by foftening and reconciling mereducing the extremes, and by
thods, by
borrowing fome of the beil principles or
Cicero was one of
phrafes from another.
men
the greatefl
of antiquity, and gives us
an account of the various opinions of philofophers in his age ; but he himfelf was of
the eclectic
them fuch
ment came
XXI.
of
life
feci,
and chofe out of each of
pofitions
as
in his wifefl
judg-
neareft to the truth.
When
you
or religion
are called in the courfe
to
judge and determine
concerning any queflion, and to affirm or
deny
it,
take a full furvey of the objec-
tions againfl
for
it,
it, as far as
well as of the arguments
as
your time and circumflances
admit, and fee on which fide the preponderation falls.
If either the objections againfl
any proportion, or the arguments for the
defence of it, carry in them moil undoubted
evidence,
and
are
plainly
unanfwerable,
they will and ought to conflrain the alTent,
though there may be many feeming probabilities on the other fide, which at firfl fight
would
flatter
But where the
:
.
the
judgment
reafons
oa both
to
favour
fides are
it.
very
near
A
Q^U E
S
T
O N.
I
38^
near of equal weight, there fufpenfion or
doubt
our duty, unlefs in cafes wherein
is
prefent determination or practice
and there we mutt
is
required,
act according to the pre-
fent appearing preponderation of reafcns.
XXII. In
portance,
matters
is
it
moment and im-
of
our duty indeed to feek after
and conclufive arguments,
certain
(if
they
can be found) in order to determine a question
:
but where the matter
fequence,
fpend
ties
;
it
much
is
of
is
our labour to
not worth
time in feeking after certain-
And
offer themfelves.
even in matters of
where daily
greater importance, efpecially
attain
con-
fufficient here, if probable reafons
it is
practice
little
is
any
necerTary,
and where we cannot
fufficient or certain
determine a queftion on either
grounds to
fide,
we mult
then take up with fuch probable arguments
as
we
can arrive
mould be
our
affent
obferved, viz.
this
To
be no ftronger, or
in the degree of
ment
But
at.
it,
general rule
take heed that
rife
no higher
than the probable argu-
will fupport.
C
c
XXIII.
Thekb
DETERMINING
OF
386
There
XXIII.
many
are
things even in
religion, as well as in philofcpby
which we
life,
and
civil
with very different
believe
degrees of affent, and this
is
or
mould be
always regulated according to the different
degrees of evidence
which we enjoy
:
and
perhaps there are a thouiand gradations in
our affent to the things we believe, becaufe
there are thoufands of circumflances relat-
ing
or
-to
different
queftions,
which
increafe
diminim the evidence we have concern-
ing them, and that in matters both of reafon and revelation.
I
believe
dience
is
due to
creature: this
becaufe
it
is
I
God, and that obehim from every reafonable
there
I
is
a
am mod
fully affured of,
have the ftrongeft evidence, fince
the plain dictate both of reafon and
revelation.
Again,
I believe there is a
future refur-
re&ion of the dead, becaufe fcripture
tells
us fo in the plaineft terms, though reafon
fays
nothing of
it.
I believe alfo
that the
fame matter of our bodies which died) in
part at leaft) mail arife; but
I
am
not £o
fully
A
Q^U E
T
S
I
O N.
387
fully afiured of this circumstance, becaufe
the revelation of
not quite fo clear and
it is
Yet further,
exprefs.
men who were
earth, mall know each
I
perfuafion of
my
becaufe
it is
afTent to
other in heaven
has
told
arifes
it
but
only from cir-
men upon what
my
and therefore
us,
;
not abfolutely certain,
cumftantial reafonings of
God
the
here on
acquainted
•good
my
that
believe
evi-
dences are not flrong beyond a poiTibility of
miftake.
This direction cannot be too of-
ten repeated, that our afTent ought always
to keep pace with our evidence, and our belief
of any propoiition
higher than the proof or
to fupport
it,
mould never rife
evidence we have
nor mould our faith run
than right reafon can encourage
XXIV. Perhaps
Why then
nefits,
fo
will be obje&ed here,
much commend
a flrong
and lay out both his miraculous be-
and his praifes upon fome of thofe
poor creatures of
feft
it.
does our Saviour, in the hiftorie*
of the Gofpel,
faith,
it
fafter
little
who
reafoning,
pro-
an allured belief of his commiffion and
power
to heal
them
C
?
C 2
I
ANSWER,
DETERMINING
OF
388
answer, The God of
every man his own reafon
I
nature has giveri
to be
the judge
of evidence to himfelf
in particular,
and to
direct his afTent in all
things about
which
he
called to
is
judge; and even the matters
of revelation are to be believed by us, becaufe our reafon pronounces the revelation
to be
Therefore the great
true.
God
will
not, or cannot, in any inftances, require us
to afTent to
any thing without reafonable or
nor to believe any propo-
fufricient evidence,
rtion more ftrongly than what our evidence
for
it
will
We
fupport.
have
therefore
abundant ground to believe that thofe perfons of whom our Saviour requires fuch a
ftrong faith,
or
their flrong faith,
whom
had
he commends for
as flrong
and certain
evidence of his power and commiffion from
the credible and inconteftable reports they
had
heard of
his
wrought on purpofe
commiffion *.
miracles,
to
Now in
which were
give evidence to his
fuch a cafe both this
flrong
*
When
belief,
our Saviour gently reproves
John xx. 29. he does
it
Thomas
in thefe words,
for his
"
thou haft feen me, Thomas, thou haft believed
:
un-
Becaufe
bJelTed
we
A
Q^U E
ftrong faith, and
T
S
I
O N.
389
the open profeffion of
it
were very worthy of public encouragement
from our Saviour, becaufe of the
the magreat and public oppofition which
and
praife
gnates and the priefts and the dodtors of the
Nazaage made againft Jefus the man of
Mcffiah.
reth, when he appeared as the
And
befides all this
fuppofed,
it
may be
reafonably
with regard to fome of
thofe
are required
ftrong exercifes of faith which
had
and commended, that thefe believers
and
fome further hints of inward evidence
as
immediate revelation from God himfelf ;
Peter confefTes Chrift to be the
our bleifed
fon of God, Matth. xvi. 16, 17.
when
St.
Saviour
commends him,
faying,
>,
art
thou,
are they
Simon-Barjona;
who have
Blefled arc they
"
Bleffed
but he adds,
not feen, and yet have believed," i. e.
though they have not been favoured
who,
haft been, yet have
with the evidence of their fenfes as thou
fufficient moral evibeen convinced by the reafonable and
others, and have bedence of the well-grounded report of
upon that evidence. Of this moral evidence
lieved in
me
Mr. Ditton writes exceedingly
well in his
book of the Refur-
reftion of Chrift.
C
c 3
" Fldh
*'
DETERMINING
O-F
390
and blood hath not revealed
FJefli
thee, but
And
my
father
the fame
which
may be
is
unto,
it
Heaven."
in
faid
concerning
the faith of miracles, the exercife whereof
was fometimes required of the
others,
i. e.
when by inward and
God
fluences
allured
and
difciples
divine in-
them fuch miracles
fhould be wrought, their obedience to and
compliance with thefe divine illuminations
was expected and commended.
Now
this,
fupernatural infpiration carried fufficient evi-
dence with
it
to
them
prophets, though
as well as to the ancient
we who
never felt
it
not fo capable to judge and diftinguifh
XXV.
What
truth or doctrines,
cerning duties
fame
;
as the
;
is
faid before
may be
are
it.
concerning
con-
alio affirmed
the reafon of both
is
the
one are truths for our fpecu-
lation, the others are truths for
our practice.
Duties which are exprefsly required in the
plain language of Scripture, or dictated by
the molt evident reafoning upon
ciples,
ought
to
firft
prin-
bind our confciences more
than thofe which are but dubioufly inferred,
and that cnly from occalional occurrences,
incidents
(QUESTION.
A
am
ftance, I
God
my
;
circumftances
and
incidents
confcience
bound
is
caufe there are moil evident
to be
found
rived
from
pray to
As
:
ought
that I
certain
39I
for in-
to
pray to
to this,
commands
God
may
believe alfo that I
I
by
either
for it
be de-
in Scripture, as well as to
reafon.
be-
form, or
a written
without one, becaufe neither reafon nor revelation
either of thefe
exprefsly requires
modes of prayer
the other.
at
cannot
I
times,
all
or forbids
therefore
confcience to practife the one fo
but
to renounce the other;
tife
either of
them
as
my
my
bind
utterly
as
would prac-
I
reafon and other
circumftances direct me.
Again,
I
believe that Chriflians
ought to
remember
the death of Chrift by the fymbols
of bread
and wine;
ought
and
to be paftors hi
fome way ordained or
fet
believe
Chriftian
there
church
apart to lead
the
and to blefs and diftribute thefe
worfhip,
elements
a
I
;
but the
lart
of thefe practices
is
not fo exprefsly directed, prefcribed, and re-
quired in fcripture
fore
to
I
feel
my
remember
as the
former
;
and there-
bound
Death of Chrift with fome
confcience evidently
the
C
c
4
fociety
DETERMINING
OF
392
fociety of Chriftians or other,
command, though
plain
mofr.
fince
it
a
is
me-
their
thods of ordaining a paftor be very differother men,
ent from
opinion
my own
from
or
who
or whether the perfon
;
thefe elements
tributes
be
dis-
only an occa-
fional or a fettled adminiftrator
fince
;
none
of thefe things are plainly determined in
Scripture.
exprefs
mufl not omit or negledt an
I
command, becaufe fome unneceffary
And
circumftances are dubious.
{hall receive
day,
manner
if
and
to believe
proportion
in
have
I
the
to
my
truft I
God
approbation from the
Nature, and from Jefus
laft
I
Judge
at
of
the
endeavoured in this
pracftife
every thing
degree of
evidence
which God has given me about
which he has put me into a capacity
it,
or
to feek
and obtain in the age and nation wherein
I live.
Query,
and the
fatalifts
Sufficient
But
I
Whether
of Great-Britain will find
apology
leave
the obftinate deifts,
them
from
principle
this
to venture the
?
awful ex-
periment.
XXVI.
We
XXVI.
A
QJJ E
We
may
S
T
O N.
I
obferve thefe three rules
in judging of probabilities
determined by
393
which
relating
reafon,
are to be
to
either
things paft, or things to come.
i.
That
which
agrees
moft with the
of nature carries the greateft
conftitution
probability in
where no other circum-
it,
ftance appears to counterpoife
lity
fight of a hare
a large plain, there is
great probabi-
the greyhound will
feize her
thoufand
fparrows will
fight of a
hawk among them.
2.
the
That
which
not pafs away
mow;
quantities
of
the
at
moft conformable to
frequently
men,
repeated,
or
is
to
moft
:
As, that a winter will
in
England without lome
likely to be true
and
is
that a
;
away
fly
obfervations of
conftant
experiments
froft
if I
as,
:
greyhound within
let loofe a
upon
it
that if
ftrong
you
deal out
liquor to
many drunk;
aiTembly of men will be of
there will be
the
that a
great
mob,
large
different opi-
nions in any doubtful point; that a thief
will
make
doors of
it
his
efcape out of prifon, if the
are
unguarded
at
midnight.
3.
In
OF..DETE
394
3.
In matters of
prefent,
R
M
fuel,
I
N
I
N G
which
are pail or
where neither nature, nor obfernor cuftpm gives us any fufficient
vation,
information on either fide of the queftion,
that
we may
t atteil-ation
-of
from the
derive a probability
wife and honefl
men by word
cr writing, or the concurring witnerTes of
multitudes
•
they relate,
who
known what
&c. This teflimonyin many cafes
have feen and
will arife to the degree of moral certainty.
So we believe that the plant tea grows in
China 5 and that the Emperor of the Turks
lives
at
Conftantinople
;
that Julius Caefar
conquered France; and that Jefus our Saviour lived and died in Judea; that thoufands
were converted, to the ChriMian Faith
century
after-
the death of Chriil
:
in a
and that
the books which contain the Chriflian religion, are certain hiftories and epiilles
were written above
There
is
a
which
thoufand years ago.
an infinite variety of fuch propo-
which can admit of no reafonable
doubt, though they are not matters which
rtions
are directly evident to our
own
fenfes, or
our
mere reafoning powers.
XXVII.
When
A
XXVII.
juft
T
I
O N.
395
point hath been well
a
own judgment
fettled
furvey of the merits of the
would be
it
S
arguments in our manly age, and
large
after a
caufe,
When
and our
examined,
Upon
Q^U E
a weaknefs for us always
to continue fluttering in fufpenfe.
We ought
therefore to ftand firm in fueh well eftablifhed principles, and not to be tempted to
change and
alter for
the fake of every dif-
We
or every occafional objection.
ficulty,
are not to be carried about
with every flying
doctrine, like children toffed to and fro, and
wavering with the wind. "
It is a
good thing
to have the heart eftablifhed with grace, not
with meats
:"
that
is, in
the great doctrines
of the gofpel of grace, and " in Jefus Chrift,
who
is
the fame yeflcrday, to-day, and for
ever;" but
it is
not fo neceflary in the more
minute matters of
religion, fuch
as
meats
and drinks, forms and ceremonies, which
are of lefs importance,
ture has not given
This
is
Eph.
iv.
In
and for which Scrip-
fuch exprefs directions.
the advice of the great
14.
fhort,
Apoitle,
Jdeb. xiii. 8, 9.
thofe
truths
fprings of daily practice
which
mould be
are
the
fettled as
foon
7
:
DETERMINING
OF
396
foon as
we
can with the exercife of our
powers,
beft
manhood
wherein we may poffibly
after
but thofe things
miftake,
mould never be
finally eftablimed
we were
the ftate of
fo abfolutely
and determined,
infallible.
and
though
as
If the papifts of Great-
Britain had indulged fuch a refolute efta-
blifhment and aflurance in the days of King
Henry the VIII. or Queen Elizabeth, there
never had been a reformation
nor would
:
any heathen have been converted even under the miniftry of St. Paul, if their obftinate fettlement in their idolatries had kept
their eyes
Yet
this
our
mod
ihut againft
all
further
mould not hinder us from
light.
fettling
important principles of faith and
pra£Hce 3 where reafon {bines with
evidence, and the
Word
of
God
its cleared:
plainly de-
termines truth and duty.
XXVIII. But
let
us
remember
though the Gofpel be an
tion,
we
we
are
but
alfo, that
infallible
fallible interpreters,
revela-
when
determine the fenfe even of fome im-
portant proportions written there; and therefore
though we feem
to be eftablimed in the
belief of any particular fenfe of Scripture,
and
A
Q^U E
T
S
I
O N.
and though there may be juft
calls
vidence to profefs and fubfcribe
is
no need that we fhould
mife,
fubfcribe or fwear
our mind
fince it
:
is
297
it,
of Pro-
yet there
refolve or pro-
never to change
poffible in the nature
and courfe of things we may meet with
fuch a folid and fubftantial objection,
may
as
give us a quite different view of things
from what we once imagined, and may
before
us
trary.
We
furlicient
evidence of the
may happen
to
find
lay
con-
a fairer
light caft over the fame Scriptures, and fee
reafon to alter our fentiments even in
points of
i.e.
"
moment.
fo I believe,
fome
Sic fentio, fie fentiam,
and
fo I will believe," is
the prifon of the foul for life-time, and a bar
againft all
To
the improvements of the mind.
impofe fuch
a profeffion
on other men,
in matters not abfolutely neceffary, and not
abfolutely certain,
is
a criminal
ufurpation
and tyranny over faith and confcience, and
none has power
to require it but an infal-
lible dictator.
CHAP,
39&
(
)
CHAP.
Or
XIX.
ENQUIRING INTO CAUSES AND
F
OME
effects
caufes,
fects.
I.
E C
are
T
S.
found out by their
and fome caufes by their ef-
Let us confider both
When
caufes of
IT'
we
are
thefe.
enquiring
any particular
effect
into
or
the
appear-
the world of nature, or in
ance, either in
the civil or moral concerns of men,
we may
follow this method.
i.
ances
Consider what effects or
you have known of a kindred
appearnature>
and what have been the certain and real
for like effects have genecaufes of them
-,
rally
OF ENQUIRING INTO CAUSES, &C.
when
rally like caufes, efpecially
found
fame
they are
of fubjects.
fort
Consider what are the feveral pofcaufes which may produce fuch an ef-
2.
fible
fect
in the
399
:
and find out by fome circumftances
how many
of thoie pofiible caufes are ex-
cluded in this particular cafe: Thence proceed by degrees to the probable caufes,
a
more
till
and infpeclion mall
ciofe attention
exclude fome of them
alio,
and lead you
gradually to the real and certain caufe.
3.
Consider what
things preceded fuch
an event- or appearance, which might have
any
influence
cannot
upon
certainly
among
yet
may probably
further and
4.
the
light
more
;
and
determine
any thing only from
feet,
it
its
the
to
caufe
of
going before the ef*
many
forerunners,
upon the
true caufe
we
by
particular enquiry.
Consider whether one
ficient
though we
produce the
effect,
caufe be fufor whether
it
does not require a concurrence of feveral
caufes
;
and then endeavour
as far as pofiible
to adjuil the degrees of influence that each
caufe
;
ENQUIRING INTO
OF
400
caufe might have in producing the
efiTecl:,
and the proper agency and influence of each
of them therein.
So
what
near the
which we
fire
here
;
on
my
heat
call
when
mall find
I
it
fland
I
is
necef-
agency of the particles
fary that there be an
fire
find
principles and cau fes of that
are the
fenfation
of
would
in natural philofophy, if I
mediately by
either
flefh,
themfelves, or at leaft by the intermediate
air
j
there muft be a particular fort of
tion and vellication impreft
upon
my
mo-
nerves
there muft be a derivation of that motion
to the brain
tion of
my
-,
and there muft. be an atten-
foul
motion
to this
:
if either
of thefe are wanting, the fenfation of heat
will not be produced.
So
in the
moral world,
if I
the revolution of a ftate or
haps
I find it
own
kingdom, per-
brought about by the tyranny
or folly of a prince, or
of his
enquire into
fubjecls
and oppofition may
;
by the
and
di (affection
this difaffe&ion
arife either
upon the
account of impositions in religion, or injuries
relating to their civil rights; or the
revolution
1
CAUSES AND EFFECTS.
may
revolution
4.0
be effected by the invafion
of a foreign army, or by the-oppofition of
fome perlbn
home
at
or abroad
claim to the government,
who would
ple;
or
guard the
th_t lays
or a hero
*5cc.
of the peo-
liberties
by many of thefe concurring to-
we mull adjuft the influences
wifely as we can, and not afcribe
gether; then
of each
as
the whole event to one of them alone.
When
II.
are enquiring into the ef-
of any particular caufe or cauks,
fects
may
we
we
follow this method.
Consider
i.
every
caufe
diligently
nature of
and obferve what
apart,
fect every part
the
or property of
it
will
ef-
tend
to produce.
Consider
2.
the caufes united together
in their ieveral natures,
tion
j
enquire
perties of
effects
how
far
and ways of operathe powers or pro-
one will hinder or promote the
of the other, and wifely balance the
proportions of their influence.
D
d
3.
Consider
:
OF ENQJJIRING INTO
4<02
Consider what
3.
upon which the caufe
the fubject
to operate
is
-in or
is,
For the
:
fame caufe on different fubjects will oftentimes produce different effects, as the fun
which
foftens
Be
4.
wax
will harden clay.
frequent and diligent in making
all
proper experiments, in fetting fuch caufes
at
work, whole
effects
you
know,
manner
to
deli re
and putting together in an orderly
fuch things as are
fome ufeful
mod
effects,
likely
according to
furvey you can take of
all
produce
to
the beft
the concurring
caufes and circumfhnces.
Observe
5.
which happen
carefully
the
all
events
by an occafional con-
either
currence of various caufes, or by the induftrious
application
And when you
of
any happy
fee
tainly produced, and often
fure
of
it
it,
6.
knowing men
effect
repeated,
up, together with the
known
certrea-
caufes
amongft your improvements.
Take
a juft
furvey of
all
the cir-
cumftances which attend the operation of
any caufe or caufes,
whereby any
fpeciai
effect:
CAUSES AND EFFECTS.
produced
effect is
how
poffible
had
and find out
;
4O3
as
far as
any of thole circumffances
far
tendency either to obflruct or pro-
a
mote or change thofe operations, and con-
how
fequently
far the
effect
might be in-
fluenced by them.
In
this
improve
manner phyficians
known
rious
they
drugs,
They
their fkill.
effects
and
confider the va-
of particular herbs or
meditate
what will
of their compofition,
effects
practife
be the
and whether
the virtues of the one will exalt or diminish
the force of the other, or correct any of
Then
nocent qualities.
constitution,
native
per
or
what
they obferve
likely
medicine on fuch
common
be the
to
a patient.
cafes they
the
and the prefent tem-
circumftances of the patient,
is
its
effect
and
of fuch a
And
make wife and
in all
un-
cautious
experiments, and nicely obferve the effects
of particular compound medicines on different conftitutions, and in different difeafes,
and by thefe
treafuries
of juft obfervations
they grow up to an honourable degree of
fkill in
the art of healing.
Dd
2
So
OF ENQJJIRING INTO
404
So the preacher confiders the doctrines
and reafons, the precepts, the promifes and
word of God, and what
are the natural effects of them upon the
mind; he confiders what is the natural
threatenings of the
tendency of fuch a virtue or fuch a vice ;
he
well apprized that the reprefentation
is
rof fome of thefe things
may convince
underfbnding, fome may
fcience,
fome may
allure
terrify
the
the con-
the flothful, and
fome encourage the defponding mind; he
obferves the temper of his
or of
hearers,
any particular perfon that converfes with
him about
w ill
T
things facred, and he judges
be the
effects
fuch perfons
;
of each reprefentation on
he
what have been the
parts
by
what
and
reviews
effects
recollects
of fome fpecial
and methods of his miniftry;
and
a careful furvey of all thefe, he attains
greater degrees of fkill in his facred
em-
ployment.
Note, In
guim
all
thefe cafes
we
thofe caufes and effects
mufr.
diftin-
which
are na-
turally and neceifarily connected with each
other,
from thofe which
have
only an
accidental or contingent connection.
2
Even
ia
CAUSES AND EFFECTS.
in thofe caufes
tingent,
where the
effect is
we may fometimes
405
but con-
arrive at a very
high degree of probability ; yet we cannot
arrive at fuch certainty as where the caufes
operate by an evident and natural neceffity,
arid the effects
neceffarily follow the
ration.-^See more on this lubjedl:,
ope-
Logic,
Part II. Chap. V. Sett. 7.
D
d 3
CHAP.
:
4°6
(
)
CHAP.
OF THE SCIENCES,
XX.
AND THEIR USE
W
I
PARTICULAR PROFESSIONS.
j#
/
|
AHE
beft
way
to learn
any fcience,
is
to begin with a regular fyftem, or a
JL
Jfhort and plain fcheme of that fcience, well
drawn up into
narrow compafs, omitting
a
the deeper and more abftrufe
and that
alfo
parts of
it,
under the conduct and induc-
tion of fome fkilful teacher.
Syflems are
neceffary to give an entire and
comprehen-
five
view of the
whicli
may have
the explication
whereas. if a
efTays
feveral parts of
a
or
man
any fcience,
mutual influence toward
proof
of each other
and only in
deals always
and difcourfes on particular parts of a
fcience,
he will never obtain a
juft idea of the whole, and
fome important part of
may
it,
diftinct
and
perhaps omit
after feven years
reading of fuch occafional difcourfes.
For
OF THE SCIENCES, &C.
For
young ftudents mould
reafon
this
apply themfelves
fit
to
much
fyftems
their
to
That man
more than pamphlets.
fo
407
is
never
judge of particular iubjecls
relat-
who
ing to any fcience,
has
never taken a
furvey of the whole.
It
the remark of an ingenious writer,
is
fhould a barbarous Indian,
who
had never
feen a palace or a fhip, view their feparate
and disjointed
parts,
windows,
doors,
the one, or the
and obferve the
cornices
prow and
and
form but
a very
and
fails
to
lame and dark idea of either
manner,
like
the
of
and
would be able
of thofe excellent and ufeful
In
turrets
ftern, the ribs
marts, the ropes and fhrouds,
tackle of the other, he
pillars,
thofe
who
inventions.
contemplate
only the
fragments
from any
fcience, difperfed in fhort
or
pieces
broken off
uncon-
nected difcourfes, and do not difcern their
relation to each other,
and
how
they
may be
adapted, and by their union procure the delightful
fymmetry of
a regular
fcheme, can
never furvey an entire body of truth, but
111 u ft
always view
membered
-,
it
as
deformed and
dif-
while their ideas, which muft
Dd4
be
OF THE SCIENCES,
4-08
be ever indiflinct and often repugnant, will
lie in
thrown toge-
the brain unforted, and
ther without order or coherence
knowledge of thofe men who
:
fuch
is
the
live
upon the
lively
imagina-
fcraps of the fciences.
i
A
yojjth of genius and
tion,
of an active and forward
fpirit,
may
fprm within himfelf fome alluring fcenes
3nd pleafjng fchemes
fcience,
which
it
are utterly inconfifcent
which appear
And
end,
in
own
he never read and pafs through
if
hafly
is fatisfied
with
pleafing fchemes, and trea-
sures thefe errors
quisitions;
with
the middle or the
the whole, he takes up and
his
beginning of a
neceffary and fubflantial parts
fpme of the
of
in the
up amongft his
whereas
his
own
folid
labour and
liudy farther purfued would have fhewn
his early miflakes, and cured
ac-
himpf
him
his felf-
ilatteririg deluflQns.
Hence
£p
many
js
fo
it
comes
to
pafs,
that
we have
haif-fcholars now-a-days, and there
muc.n confufzon and inconfjftency in
the notions and opinions of fome perfons,
becaqfe
AND THEIR
hecaufe
USE.
4.09
they devote their hours of ftudy
entirely
and
eiTays
Short
to
pamphlets,
and cad contempt upon fyftems, under a
pretence of greater politenefs
;
whereas the
true reafon of this contempt of fyftematical
learning
is
mere
and want of
lazinefs
judgment.
II.
After we
grown well acquainted
fyftem or compendium of a
with a fhort
fcience,
which
molt, fimple
a large
we
is
are
written in the plained: and
manner,
it is
then proper to read
regular treatife on that itibject,
deiign a complete
vation of
it
:
knowledge and culti-
and either while
ing this larger fyftem, or after
it,
if
we are readwe have done
then occaiional difcourfes and efTays upon
the particular fubjects and parts of that fci-
ence
may bs
for in
read with the greateft
thefe e flays
considerable
we may
often
corrections and
profit:
find very
improvements
of what thefe compends, or even the larger
^ftems may have taught
us,
mingled with
fome mistakes.
And
1
thefe corrections or
improvements,
fhoulq be as remarks adjoined by
way of
note
410
THE SCIENCES,
OF
note or commentary in their proper places,
and fuperadded
Then
have read.
the regular
to
a ftudious
treatife
we
and judicious
review of the whole will give us a tolerable
acquaintance with that faience.
III.
It
is
a great happinefs to have fuch
a tutor, or fuch friends and companions at
hand,
who
are able to
inform us what are
the beft books written on any fcience, or
any fpecial part of
advantage
many
in reading
a
man
this
has wafted his time
over perhaps
lumes, and learnt
know
For want of
it.
little
fome whole vo-
more by
it
that thofe volumes were not
than to
worth
his reading.
IV. As for the languages, they are certainly beft learned in the
life.
The memory
is
younger years of
then moft empty and
unfurnifhed, and ready to receive
continually.
We find
new
that children in
ideas
two
years time after they are born, learn to fpeak
their native tongue,
V.
The
mere abflradted
fciences,
which
depend more upon the understanding and
judgment,
AND THEIR
USE.
4!
I
judgment, and which deal much in abftracted ideas, fhould not be impofed upon children too Toon
ethics,
ties
fuch are logic, metaphyfics,
;
Yet
of grammar and criticifm.
be conferTed the
are neceffary,
be
or the depths and difficul-
politics,
firft
it
mud
rudiments of grammar
or at leaft very convenient to
known when
youth learns
a
a
new
lan-
and fome general eafy principles and
guage
;
rules
of morality and divinity are needful
in order to teach a child
and man
his
duty to
God
but to enter far into abftracled
;
reafonings on
thefe fubjects
is
beyond the
capacity of children.
VI.
There
are
feveral
of the fciences
more agreeably employ our younger
and the general parts of them may
that will
years,
be
eafily
ciples
taken in by boys.
and
geometry,
heights,
ealier
plain
depths,
practices
The
of
trigonometry,
lengths,
firft
prin-
arithmetic,
meafuring
diftances,
&c.
the rudiments of geometry and aftronomy,
together
may
be
fomething
with
eafily
of
mechanics,
conve)ed into the minds of
acute young perfons, from nine or ten years
old and upward.
Thefe
Itudies
may be entertaining
OF THE SCIENCES,
412
tertaining and ufeful to
to gentlemen,
as
young
and to
ladies as well
thofe
all
bred up to the learned profeflions.
fex
may
dome/lie
fair
Boys may
life.
them with
knowledge of
be
taught
thofe.
who
never learn
to
of gram-
their rudiments
mar, and their labour in the languages.
even
are
intermingle thofe with the opera-
tions of the needle, and the
join
who
The
And
any language
but their mother-tongue, may be taught
thefe fciences, with laiting benefit in early
days.
That
this
may
be done with eafe and
advantage, take thefe three reafons,
i.
Because
they depend fo
fchemes and numbers,
figures,
images,
lines,
and
and fenfible things, that the imagi-
nation or fancy will greatly
flanding, and render the
inuch more
2.
much upon
affift
the under-
knowledge of them
eafy.
These
ftudies
are fo
pleafant,
that
they will make the dry labour of learning
words, phrafes, and languages more tolerable to boys in a Latin fchool by this mofl
agreeable
AND THEIR
youth in thefe
neglect
many of
4.13
The employment
mixture.
agreeable
USE.
of
tempt them to
ftudies will
the foolifh plays of child-
hood, and they will find fweeter entertain-
ment
by a
for themielves and their leifure hours,
cultivation of thefe pretty pieces of
alluring knowledge.
3.
The
fcience are
knowledge of thefe
both eafy and worthy
tained in
memory by
come
manly
to
through
all
all
the parts of
to be
of
re-
when they
children
for
years,
parts
they are ufeful
human
life
:
They
tend to enlarge the understanding early, and
to give a various acquaintance
fubjects betimes.
And
as poflible, to train
ledge
furely
it is
beil as far
up children in the know-
of thofe things which they fhould
never forget, rather than to
years of
which
with ufefui
life
are not
And
in
trifles,
or
let
in
them wafte
hard words
worth remembering.
here by the way
I
cannot but won-
der, that any author in our age fhould have
attempted
to
teach
any of
the
exploded
phyfics of Defcartes, or the nobler inventions
of Sir Ifaac Newton,
in
his
hypothecs
THE SCIENCES,
OF
414.
cf the heavenly bodies and their
thefis
of light and colours,
in his doclrine
tions,
and other parts of his phyfiology, or
children
flruel:
in
mo-
to in-
knowledge of the
the
theory of the heavens, earth and planets,
without any figures or diagrams.
boy or
give a
to
fible
a
Is
it
pof-
young lady the
and proper apprehenfions of
clear, diilindl,
thefe things, without lines and figures to defcribe
them
want the
Does not
?
aid of fancy
vey flronger and
inmoft
foul
j utter
Or do
:
their underftanding
and images to conideas of
they
youth can penetrate into
and
artifices
all
them
to the
imagine
thefe
that
beauties
of nature without thefe helps
which perfons of maturer age find neceffary for that purpofe ? I would not willingly
name the books, becaufe fome of the writers
are faid
to
be gentlemen of excellent
acquirements.
VII.
After we
have
gone through any of thofe
which
figures
are
and
geography,
to
firft
and
arts or fciences
be explained
fchemes,
learnt
fuch
by diagrams,
as
aftronomy, optics,
geometry,
mechanics,
&c. we may bed preferve them in memo-
AND THEIR
ry,
USE.
41 J
by having thofe fchemes and
figures in
large meets of paper hanging always before
the eye
bers,
in
clofets, parlours,
entries,
ftair-cafes,
chamThus the
halls,'
Sec.
•
learned images will be perpetually impreft
on the brain,
upon them
that depends
mind
the
life
alive
and frem in
through the growing years of
mere diagrams and figures will
The
:
and will keep the learning
ever recall to our thoughts thofe theorems,
problems and
corollaries
which have been
demonftrated by them.
It
how much
incredible,
is
may be
geography-
way by the two terhemifpheres,
and by particular
learnt this
reftrial
maps and
charts of the
ccafr.
and countries
of the earth, happily difpofed round about
us.
Thus we may
by
lations,
And
juft projections of the celeftial
hung
fphere
up
muft
I
learn alfo the eonftel-
the
in
confefs
fame
for
the
manner.
bulk
of
learners of aftronomy, I like that projection
of the
the
ftars
ftars
reaches
latitude,
in
to
beft,
which includes
in
it all
our horizon, and therefore
the
though
8
384its
degree
center
of
is
it
Southern
the Northpole.
6
OF THE SCIENCES,
41
This gives us a better view of thd
pole.
as
they appear every night
may
be made ufe of with a
heavenly bodies,
to
and
us,
it
little instruction
a nocturnal,
and with
mew
and
eafe,
the
to ferve fof
hour of
true
the night.
But
remember that if
louring upon thefe maps
mould
fcure
there be any co*
or projections,
be laid on fo thin as not
or
any part
conceal
figures or letters
of
ob-
to
the
it
lines,
whereas moil times they
;
are daubed fo thick with gay and glaring
colours, and
reach
read
hung up
high above the
fo
of the eye that mould
them,
as
though
furvey and
their only
dcfign
make a gaudy ihow upon the wall,
and they hung there merely to cover the
were
naked
to
plafler or wainfcot.
ThosE
which may be drawn
may alfo be thus hung up
fciences
out into tables,
and difpofed in proper places, fuch
abftracls of
hiftory,
as brief
&c. and
chronology,
indeed the fchemes of any of the arts or
fciences
may be
analyfed
fkeleton, and reprefented
in
upon
a
fort
tables,
of
with
the
AND THEIR
the
USE.
and connections
dependencies
various
417
of their ieveral parts and fubjects that be-
Mr. Solomon Lowe has
happily thrown the grammar of feveral lanlong to them.
guages into fuch tables
;
view of thefe
and epitomes would
abftracts
and a frequent re-
tend
much
when
they have been once well learned
would
to
keep
open, and
affift
memory.
In
imprint them on the brain,
learned
thofe
this
;
always
traces
the weaknefs of a labouring
manner may
this
a
fcheme
©f the Scripture hiflory be drawn out, and
perpetuate
thofe
which our
ideas
the
in
dailv reading furniuhes us.
Every man who
VIII.
mind with
character of a
fcholar
pretends to the
mould
attain
general and fuperficial idea of moil or
fciences
among
:
For there
all
the
a certain connection
is
the various parts of
ledge, {o that
fome
human know-
fome notions borrowed from
any one fcience may
afiift,
our acquaintance
with any other, either by way of explication,
iliuftration
fome
or
fciences
affinity
Though there are
conjoined by a much nearer
proof:
than others.
E
e
IX.
Let
OF
4l8
Let
IX.
THE SCIENCES,
thofe parts of every fcience be
chiefly ftudied at
firrt,
and reviewed after-
wards, which have a more direct tendency
to
our proper profeffion, as men, or
afiift
as Chriflians,
our general profeflion,
obferving what
we
always
ourfelves have found moft
neceffary and ufeful
to us in the
courfe of
Age and experience will teach
judge which of the fciences, and
our
lives.
us
to
which
parts of
them have been of
greatefl
and are mod; valuable; but in younger
years of life we are not fufficient judges of
ufe,
this matter,
vice
from others who
X.
There
among
are
us, viz.
Though
cine.
be
and therefore mould feek ad-
a fcholar
are elder.
three learned profefllons
divinity,
every
law, and
man who
medi-
pretends to
or a gentleman, fhould fo far
acquaint himfelf with a fuperflcial fcheme
of
all
like a
the fciences, as not to (land amazed
mere Granger
common
there
is
at
the mention of the
fubjedts that belong to
them; yet
no neceffity for every man of learn-
ing to enter into their difficulties and deep
xecelTes,
nor to climb the heights to which
fctne others have arrived.
The knowledge
of
AND THEIR
USE,
of them in a proper meafure
419
may be hap-
pily ufeful to every profeffion, not only be-
caufe
all
and fciences have a
arts
communion and
but
it is
ledge,
is
a
of
connection with each other,
grow
an angelic pleafure to
it
fort
know-
of honour and ef-
matter
man more
teem, and renders a
in
agreeable and
acceptable in every company.
But
them more
us furvey feveral of
let
particularly,
with
profeiTions
And
:
regard
of
firll
learned
the
to
the
mathema-
tics.
XI.
Though
I
have fo often commended
mathematical ftudies, and particularly the
fpeculations
as a
means
of arithmetic and
to fix a
geometry,
wavering mind, to be-
get an habit of attention, and to improve
the faculty of reafon
5
means be underftood
yet
to
I
would by no
recommend
to
all
a purfuit of thefe fciences, to thofe extenfive
lengths to which the moderns have ad-
vanced
them.
This
is
neither
necefTary
nor proper for any ftudents, but thofe few
who
mall make thefe ftudies their chief pro-
feffion
and bufinefs of
E
e
life,
2
or thofe gentle-
men
;
420
THE SCIENCES,
OF"
men whofe
and turn of mind arc
capacities
fuited to thefe ftudies,
and have
manner
all
©f advantage to improve in them.
The
general
algebra,
principles
of arithmetic,
and trigonometry,
geometry,
geography, of modern aftronomy,
and optics,
nics, ftatics
cf
mecha-
have their valua-
ble and excellent ufes, not only for the exercife
and improvement of the faculties of
the mind, but the fubje£ts themfelves are
mo-
very well worth' our knowledge in a
derate degree, and are often
ble fervice in
fubje<fts
as
human
life.
made of admiraSo
much
of thefe
Dr. Wells has given us in his
three volumes entitled,
The Young
man's Mathematics,
richly fufficient for
is
Gentle-
the greateft part of fcholars or gentlemen
though perhaps there may be fome
treatifes,
leait.
on fome of thefe fub-
which may be
jecTs,
more
at
ufeful
to
fingle
better
written
be perufed than
and
thofe of
that learned author.
But
ficulties
fluxions,
a penetration into the abftrufe dif-
and depths of modern algebra and
the
various methods of quadratures
AND THEIR
tures,
of
the menfuration
curves,
and
USE.
421
manner of
all
mutual transformation,
their
and twenty other things that fome modern
mathematicians deal
labour
who
of thofe
are not
in,
defign either of the
divinity, law, or
three learned profeflions,
phyfic,
the
as
who was
on
and writer
he affirms that they
This
life.
is
man,
viz.
a very
good
confiderable
a
Dr. George Cheyne,
proficient
of
bufinefs
the fentence of
worth the
thefe
fubjecls
:
but barren and airy
are
man entirely to live upon, and
man to indulge and riot in thefe
Iludies for a
that for a
exquifitely
bewitching
only proper
for
gentlemen of
public
eftates,
way,
propensity this
contemplations
profeflbrs,
who
is
or for
have a ftrong
and a genius
fit
to
cultivate them.
But,
own
a great but griev-
ous truth, though they
may quicken and
fays he,
to
Sharpen the invention, flrengthen and extend the imagination, improve and refine the
reafoning faculty, and
are
of ufe both in
the neceifary and the luxurious refinement of
mechanical
to
arts
;
yet having
rectify the will,
E
no tendency
to fweeten the temper,
e 3
or
mend
or
THE SCIENCES,
OP
422
the
a pofitivenefs and
ftifxnefs,
weak minds, which
cious
is
and
fociety,
to
leave
they often
heart,
the
to
on
fufficiency
much more
He
advantage can recompence.
perni-
interefts
the great end of our being, than
a
of
their
all
adds fur-
ther, concerning the launching intothedepth
of thefe
ftudies,
beget
that they are apt to
a fecret and refined pride,
and over-weening
and over-bearing vanity, the mofi: oppofite
temper to the true fpirit of the Gofpel.
This tempts them to prefume on a kind
of omnifcience in refpect
creatures,
who have
elevation;
nor are
the
in
a
a
heart,
and
teachable
fober
and long
XII.
metry,
who
lowly
a
have
fpirit,
temper.
to his Eilay
See
on health
life.
Some
of the practical parts of geo-
aftronomy,
tertainments
and
optics,
dialling,
mechanics, &c.
in every
their
to
be trufted
to
fit
humble
Dr. Cheyne's preface
tics,
rifen
hands of any but thofe
acquired
and
not
they
fellow-
to their
may
ilia-
be agreeable en-
amufements
to
fludents
profeflion at leifure hours, if they
.
enjoy fuch circumftances of
life
as
to fur-
^
AND THEIR
USE.
nim them with conveniences
423
far this fort of
improvement: But let them take great care
left they entrench upon more necelTary emand
ployments,
fo
fall
under the charge
and ceniure of wafted time.
•
Yet
cannot help making this obferyation, that where ftudents, or indeed any
I
young gentlemen have
made themfelves
in their early years
mafters
of a variety of
elegant problems in the mathematic circle
and gained the moft
of knowledge,
eafy,
and entertaining experiments in natu-,
philofophy, with fome fhort and agree-.
neat,
ral
able fpeculations or practices in any other of
the arts or fciences, they
a foundation
for the
mankind among
verfe,
in
have hereby laid
efteem
thofe with
and
whom
love of
they con-
higher or lower ranks of
life;
they have been often guarded by this means
from the temptation of nocent plealures,
fecured-
and have
both
their
own hours
and the hours of their companions from,
running to wafte in fauntering and trifles,
and from
dialogues.
a
thoufand impertinencies in fillyGaming and. drinking, and ma-
ny criminal and foolifh fcenes of talk and
E
e
4
adlion,
0V THE SCIENCES,
4^4
by
action, have been prevented
thefe inno-
improving elegancies of know-
cent and
ledge.
History
XIII.
the fupreme place for gentlemen
in politics.
and
The government
diftrefsful
have in
all
ftudy in
a necefTary
is
who
deal
of nations,
and defolating events which
ages attended the miftakes of po-
mould be ever prefent on their
minds to warn them to avoid the like conGeography and chronology, which
duct.
liticians,
precifely informs
where fuch
pened,
abfolute
tend
tranfactions
the
of
eyes
or
and
hiftory,
fome meafure
neceffity in
hap-
events
of
to at-
it.
But
fairs
are
us of the place and time
hiftory, fo far as relates
of the Bible,
as to
is
to the af-
as necefTary to divines
gentlemen of any profeiTion.
us to reconcile
many
difficulties
It
in
helps
Scrip-
ture, and demonftrates a divine Providence.
Dr. Prideaux's connection of the Old and
New
Teftament,
is
an excellent
treatife
of
thiq kind,
.
XIV.
Among
AND THEIR
Among
XIV.
USE.
the fmaller hiftories, bio-
graphy, or the memoirs of the
and good men,
4-2 5
has
of great
my
rank in
high
a
lives
worthy of the perufal of every
perfon who devotes himfelf to the ftudy of
efteem,
as
Therein we frequently find our
divinity.
holy religion reduced to practice, and many
parts of Chriftianity mining with a tranfcen-
We
dent and exemplary light.
how
learn there
deeply fenfible great and good
human
been of the ruins of
from God, and
nrft apoftacy
toiled
men
have
nature by the
how
they have
and laboured, and turned themfelves
feek
a
recovery in
vain,
on
all
till
they have found the Gofpel of Chrift an
to
fides,
all-fufficient relief.
We are
there furnimed
with effectual and unanfwerable evidences
that the religion of Jefus, with all its felfdenids, virtues and devotions,
ticable thing,
fmce
it
is
a very
prac-
has been carried to
fuch a degree of honour by fome wife and
holy men.
\Ve have
that the pleafures and
Chriftian
life,
been
there
aflured
fatis factions
of the
in its prefent practice
and
its
future hopes, are not the mere raptures of
hv-cy and
enthufiafm,
when fome of
the
uricleil
,
OF
426
THE SCIENCES,
profeffors of reafon have added
ftrictefl:
the
fanction of their testimony.
memoirs of perfons
fhort, the lives or
In
of piety well written, have been of
and unfpeakable advantage
and
to
the difciples
of Chriflianity,
profeffors
infinite
and
have
given us admirable inftances and rules
to
every temptation of a foothing or
refitl
a frowning world,
how
to
all,
to
felves,
God, and
to love
and to love our neighbours
live
by the
to die in the
and certain hope of
nal
impor-
practife
how
tant and difficult duties,
above
how
faith of the
fame
pur-
Son of
in fure
faith,
a refurrection
as
God
eter-
to
life.
XV. Remember
that
logic and onto-
logy or metaphyfics are neceffary fciences,
tho' they have been greatly abufed by fcholaftic
writers
them
in
who
have profeffed to teach
former ages.
Not only
all
ftu-
dents, whether they defign the profeffion of
theology, law or phyfic, but
mould
at
gentlemen
know-
lead acquire
a Superficial
The
introduction
ledge of them.
many
all
fubtleties, nice distinctions,
2
of
fo
and infignificant
AND THEIR
niacant
terms
USE.
without
clear
427
has
ideas,
brought a great part of the logic and metaphyfics of the fchools into juft contempt.
Their logic has appeared the mere art of
wrangling, and their metaphyfics the fkill
of fplitting an hair, of diftinguifhing without a difference, and of putting long hard
names upon common things, and fometimes
upon a confufed jumble of things which
have no clear ideas belonging to them.
It
certain
is
that an
unknown heap of
and impertinencies have been intermingled with thefe ufeful parts of learntrifles
upon which account many perfons in
this polite age have made it a part of their
breeding to throw a jeft upon them ; and
to rally them well, has been efteemed a more
ing,
valuable talent than to under/land them.
But
running into wide extremes,
nor ought thefe parts of fcience to be abanthis
is
doned by the wife, becaufe fome writers of
former ages have played the fool with them.
True
logic
teaches
us
ufe
our reafon
well, and brings a light into the
undemand-
ing
:
true
to
metaphyfics or ontology,
carts
a light
THE SCIENCES,
OF
428
upon
a light
the objects of thought and
all
meditation, by ranging every being with
abfolute and
the
proper ranks and
the
claries,
various
and
perfections
modes and attendants of
properties,
covers
relative
all
and thereby
relations
it
in
dis-
it
of things
to
each other, and what are their general or
from each other, wherein
great part of human knowledge confifls.
fpecial differences
a
And by
ftrudt
means it greatly conduces to inus in method, or the difpofition of
this
every thing into
proper rank and clafs of
its
beings, attributes or actions.
XVI. If
I
were
tural philofophy,- I
down my
-
-
think
fcience.
birds,
muft needs be very ufeful to
underfland fomething of natu-
it
The mere
as
life
to
&c.
fifties,
w ell
r
in all
as
natural hiftory of
of infects,
their
appearances,
trees,
of meteors, fuch as
lightnings,
clouds, thunders,
mon
lay
.
beads, and
and plants,
froft,
to
fentiments thus.
a divine to
ral
would venture
-
I
any thing of na-
to fay
common
may be
fnows, hail,
or
uncom-
of considerable
one who ftudies divinity,
to give
him
a wider
:
AND THEIR
a
USE.
429
wider and more delightful view of the
works of God, and
lively
and
to furnifh
happy images
drawn from the
large
«
and
him with
metaphors
volume of nature,
God
to difplay and reprefent the things of
and religion
molt beautiful and af-
in the
fecting colours.
And
if the
mere hiftory of thefe things
be ufeful for this purpofe, furely
of further advantage to
reafons, caufes
and
be led
effects
tion,
the
know
matter and
whereby the great God
extenfive
into
of thefe natural
objects and appearances, and to
eftablifhed laws of nature,
will be
it
carries
the
mo-
on his
works of providence from
the
creation to this day.
I
of
confess the
old Ariftotelean fcheme
this fcience will teach us very little that
worth the knowing about thefe matters
but the later writers, who have explained
is
nature and
its
operations in a
more
fenfible
and geometrical manner, are well worth the
moderate ftudy of a divine; efpecially thofe
who
have followed
the.
principles of that
wonder of our age and nation,
Sir
Ifaac
Newton.
Of
43°
Newton.
THE SCIENCES,
There
is
much
pleafure and en-
tertainment, as well as real profit to be de-
from thofe admirable improvements
rived
which have been advanced
in natural philo-
sophy in
afliftance
late years
by the
of ma-
thematical learning, as well as from the multitude of experiments
and are
flill
making
XVII. This
is
eminently belongs
ought
ture,
to
know
what
all
which have been made,
in natural fubjedts.
which indeed
a fcience
the
to
phyfician
the parts of
are the found
:
human
he
na-
and healthy func-
tions of an animal body, and
what
are the
diftempers and dangers which attend it; he
mould
alio
ledge of
be furnifhed with a large
plants
know-
and minerals, and every
thing which makes up the materia medica,
or the ingredients of which medicines are
made;
and many other things
in
natural
philofophy are fubfervient to his profelTion,
as well as to the
kindred art of furgery.
XVIII. Questions about the powers and
operations
of nature
come
into
the
cially
fuch
as
may
lawyer's
relate
to
alfo
fometimes
cognizance, efpeafTaults,
wounds,
murders,
AND THEIR
431
remember I have read a
man for murder by drowning,
murders, &c.
of a
trial
USE.
I
wherein the judge on the bench heard fevearguments concerning the lungs being
ral
filled or
not
with water, by infpiration
filled
or expiration, &c. to
much
himfelf fo
him any
great
all
which he
as did
a ftranger,
honour
profefTed
not do
in public.
XIX. But I think no divine, who can
obtain it, mould be utterly deftitute of this
knowledge. By the affiftance of this ftudy,
he will be better able to furvey the various
monuments of
wifdom
creating
heavens, the earth, and the
der and worfhip
:
feas,
God
in
much
with won-
mohe may commu-
and by the ufe of
derate fkill in this fcience,
nicate fo
the
in
a
of the aftonifhing works of
the formation and government
this vifible world,
of his hearers,
as
and fo
may
far inftruct
affift
many
the transfufion
of the fame ideas into their minds, and
them
to the
votion.
works
all
!
?
O
in
They
of
raife
fame delightful exercifes of deLord, how manifold are thy
wifdom
haft
are fought out
thou made them
by
all
that have
pleafure in them,
Besides,
THE SCIENCES,
OF
432
Besides,
it
worthy of the notice of
theology, that he ought to
is
every fludent in
have fome acquaintance with the principles
of nature, that he may judge a
they will go
upon
to
$
fo that
appearance in
may
nature for a miracle, that he
this fubjecT,
better confirm the miracles of
Chrift, nor yield
up his
and
reafon
may
that he
Mofes and of
faith to
tences of prodigy and wonder,
either the cccational
far
he may not be impofed
take every Arrange
the clearer upon
how
little
any pre-
which
uncommon
are
opera-
tions of the elements, or the crafty Heights
men
of
well ikilled in philofophy and
me-
chanical operations to delude the fimple.
XX. The knowledge
alfo
of aaimal na-
and of the rational foul of man, and
ture,
the mutual influence of thefe two ingredients of our compofition
is
worthy the ftudy of
upon each
a divine.
other,
It is
of
great importance to perfons of this character
and
office, to
judge
how
far the
animal
powers have influence upon fuch and fuch
particular appearances and practices of
kind
-
3
human
how
man-
far the appetites or paflions
nature are
owing
to the
fiefh
of
and
blood,
AND THEIR
mind
blood, or to the
be fubdued
thods
of
3
far
may
they ought to
me-
happieit.
By
this
better informed,
how
thefe
we may be
433
far they
and what are the
obtaining
fcience alfo
how
;
how
be moderated, and
USE.
ends.
far thefe paffions or appetites are lawful,
how
how
will,
and
they are criminal, by conlidering
far
far they are fubjecr. to the
and
how
they
far
power of the
may
be" changed
and corrected by our watchfulnefs,
and
care,
diligence.
a
It comes
alio very
properly under the
cognizance of this profeffion, to be able in
fome meafure
may
to determine questions
arife relating to
real infpiration or
phecy, to wild enthuiiafm, to
vulfive
kind,
&c. and what
to
which
pro-
of a con-
fits
melancholy or phrenzy,
directions are proper to
be
given concerning any appearances of this
nature.
XXI. Next
to the
knowledge of natural
things, and acquaintance with the
nature and conftitution,
of foul and body,
I
properly take
place.
its
F
which
is
human
made up
think natural religion
f
This
confifts
of
thefe
OF THE SCIENCES,
434
thefe
two
parts, viz.
I.
contemplative, which
God
The
is
fpeculative or
the knowledge of
in his various perfections,
and in his re-
lations to his rational creatures, fo far as may-
be
known by
the light of nature,
whjch
heretofore ufed to be called the fecond part
of metaphyfics.
It
includes
alfo
That
2.
which is practical or active, which is the
knowledge of the feveral duties which arife
from our relation to God, and our relation
to
our
and the
fellow-creatures,
proper
this
conduct and government of ourfelves
has been ufed to be called ethics or moral
-,
philofophy.
The
XXII.
is
proper for
becaufe
it
all
knowledge of thefe things
men
teaches
of learning
them
to
;
not only
obtain
j
utter
views of the feveral parts of revealed
reli-
gion and of chriftianity, which are
built
upon them, but becaufe every branch of natural religion and of moral duty
is
and neceilarily implied in
the revealed
religions that ever
world;
does not
God
all
contained
prefcribed to the
We
may well fufpect that religion
come from God which renounces
any part of natural duty.
Whether
AND THEIR
Whether
of the
penfation
the
or
Chrift,
true
mankind
we
God, and
bound
our Lord Jefus
to
that love
all
the one
him, that
to
with that obedience
to his will,
ligion requires.
know
that adoration
to practife all
faith in his perfections,
and fubmiffion
under the dif-
live
of
or
are
and reverence,
435
patriarchs, or of Mofes,
prophets,
ftill
USE.
We are
which
ftill
natural re-
bound
to exer-
cife that juftice, truth
and goodnefs towards
our neighbours, that
reflraint
tion of our
own
and modera-
appetites and paffions, and
that regular behaviour towards ourfelves and
all
our fellow-creatures around
us,
There
moral philofophy teaches.
is
which
no
fort
of revealed religion that will difpenfe with
thefe natural obligations
:
and
a
happy ac-
quaintance with the feveral appetites, inclinations,
an.d
paffions of
human
nature,
and the heft methods to rule and retrain, to
direct
them, are our conftant
and govern
bufinefs,
and ought to be our everlafting
ftudy.
Yet
I
would
lay
down
this caution,
That fince ftudents are inftructed
knowledge of the true God in their
F
f 2
in
viz.
the
lectures
on
THE SCIENCES,
OF
436
on Chriftianity, and
iince
among
the Chrif-
tian duties they are alfo taught all the
of the light of nature, or
dictates
plete
fcheme of
ethics,
there
is
a
no
moral
com-
a'ofolute
of learning thefe two parts of na-
neceffity
tural religion, as diflinct fciences, feparate
by themfelves
:
but
ftill it is
tance for a tutor, while he
and
of great imporreading to his
is
pupils thefe parts of the Chriftian religion,
them notice how
ture or mere reafon will
far the light
to give
of na-
inflruct. us in thefe
doctrines and duties, and
how
far
we
are
obliged to divine revelation and fcripture,
for clearing
up and eflabliming the firm
foundations of the one,
affording
for
us
fuperior motives and powers to pracrife the
other, for raifing
grees,
ture
and building
to
more exalted de-
(o glorious a fuperftruc-
upon them.
XXIII.
viz.
them
The
ftudy of natural religion,
the knowledge of
of virtue and piety,
as
God and
far as
the rules
they are dif-
covered by the light of nature,
is
needful
indeed to prove the truth of divine revelation
or fcripture,
manner
:
but
after
in
the
moft
effectual
the divine authority of
fcripture
:
AND THEIR
fcripture
eftabliihed,
is
fufricient
437
that will be a very
whence the bulk of
fpring from
mankind may
USE.
derive
their
knowledge of
divinity, or the Chriftian religion, in order
to their
own
prefent faith and practice, and
their future and eternal happinefs.
In this
fenfe, theology is a fcience neceflary for every
one that hopes for the favour of God, and
the felicity of another world
infinitely
arts
-,
and
it
is
of
more importance than any of the
and fciences which belong to any of the
learned profemons here on earth.
XXIV. Perhaps
ceflary
I
mould
it
will be thought ne-
fomething concerning
fay
civil law, or the
the ftudy of the
law of na-
ture and nations.
If
we would
and propriety,
fpeak with great juftnefs
the civil
law
fignifies
the
peculiar law of each Hate, country or city
but what we now-a-days ufually mean by
the civil law,
is
a
body of laws compofed
out of the beft of the
laws, and
which was
in the
Grecian
main received
Roman domiThe
twelve hundred years.
Romans
Ff 3
and obferved through
nions for above
Roman and
all
the
THE SCIENCES,
OF
43 8
Romans took
the
firft
grounds of
law
this
from what they call the twelve tables, which
were the abridgments of the laws of Solon
at
Athens, and of other
famous
knowledge
for
which they added
of the city of
their
cities
Rome, and
Greece,
wifdom
and
own
in
;
to
ancient cuftoms
the laws
which
were made there.
fubjedt to
Thefe written laws were
various interpretations, whence
they were deter-
controverfies daily arifing,
mined by the judgment of the learned;
and thefe determinations were what they
nrft.
called
Jus
Civile.
All this by degrees
number of volumes y and
therefore the emperor Juftinian commanded
his chancellor Tribonian to reduce them to
grew
to
a
vaft
and
this
that
which
a perfect body,
of the
is
called the
body
civil law.
XXV. But
portance for
ed with
is
all
learned
it
men
to
of
mo ft im-
be acquaint-
the law of nature, or the
ledge of right and
whether
is
know-
wrong among mankind,
be tranfacled between lingle per-
sons or communities, fo far as
common
rea-
fon and the light of nature dictate and direct.
This
is
what PuffendorfF
calls
the
law
AND THEIR
USE.
law of nature and nations,
if
you confult
mo ft
3.
appear
will
chap. III.
of the
valuable folio he has written on the
fubjecl:
every
feci:.
as
439
which
;
man
is
well worthy the ftudy of
of learning, particularly lawyers
and divines, together with other
treatifes
on
the fame theme.
If any queftion propofed, relate to right
and property and juftice between man and
man,
any polite and civilized country,
in
though
it
muft be adjudged
chiefly accord-
ing to the particular ftatutes and
that
country,
yet
laws of
the knowledge
of
the
law of nature will very confiderably affift
the lawyer and the civil judge in the determination
will
ill
thereof.
And
this
knowledge
be of great ufe to divines, not only
deciding
ol
cafes
among
of conference
men, and anfwering any difficult enquiries
which may be propofed to thern on this
fubjed, but
it
will greatly
affift
then: alfo
in their ftudies relating to the law of
God,
and the performance or violation thereof,
the nature of duty and fin, reward and
punifhment.
Ff4
XXVI.
I
HAVE
THE SCIENCES,
OF
440
XXVI.
have
I
fpoken fomething of the
languages before, but
thofe ftudies
grammar,
An
me
here refume the
pat in a few thoughts about
fubject, and
philological
let
are
wont
as
hiftory,
which
fuch
-
3
be called
to
languages,
rhetoric, poefy, and criticiim.
acquaintance with fome of the learn-
ed languages
at leafc,
is
neceiTary for all the
three learned profeffions.
XXVII. The
need of
leafl
foreign
underftand Latin.
tongues,
have the
ought
During many ages
very important matters
always
who
lawyers,
in
the
written and managed
guage by the lawyers,
in
to
part,
law were
that
lan^
prefcriptions in
as
medicine by the phyficians, and citations of
the Scriptures in divinity were always made
in Latin by the divines.
Prayers alfo were
ordained to be faid publicly and privately
in
the
Roman
tongue
:
pater-nofters
and
ave-marias were half the devotion of thofe
ages.
Thefe cruel impofitions upon the
peo-?
would not fufFer them to read in their
own mother-tongue what was done, either
pie
%o or for, their
own
fouls,
their bodies, or
their
AND THEIR
their
was
eftates.
all
am
I
owing
USE.
ready
to fufpect this
the craft and
to
44.I
the priefthood and church of
policy of
Rome, which
endeavoured to aggrandize themfelves, and
exalt their
own
profefiion
make mere
tyranny, and to
laity
of the
flaves
among mankind, by keeping them
in
darknefs and dependance.
utter ignorance,
And
into a fovereign
were willing to compound the
they
matter with the phyficians and the lawyers,
and allow them
a fmall
mare
in this tyranny
over the populace, to maintain their
fupreme dominion over
But we
God
thank
fomething wifer
all.
the world
and of
;
own
is
late years
grown
the Bri-
tifh
Parliament has been pleafed to give re-
lief
from that bondage in matters
to
relating
the law alfo, as in the age of the re-
formation
we were
prayers in Latin,
the word of
delivered
from faying our
from being bound
God
in
a
tongue
to read
unknown
to
the people, and from living in an everlailing
fubjeclion to the clergy in matters of this
life,
and the
life to
come.
But
But
forms
THE SCIENCES,
OF
442
to return
of
:
There
proceeding
are
in
fo many-
ftill
and
judicature,
things called by Latin names in the profeffion
of the law, and fo
many
barbarous
words with Latin terminations, that
neceffary
language.
mould underftand
lawyers
Some acquaintance
the old French
tongue
is
alfo
this
with
needful for the
fame perfons and profeflion, fince the
nures
of Littleton,
is
it
which
are
a
te-
of
fort
Bible to the gentlemen of the long robe,
were written in that language
tongue has been interwoven
:
in
And
this
fome forms
of the Englifh law, from the days of William the Conqueror,
mandy
who came from Nor-
in France.
XXVIII. Physicians mould be fkilled
in
the Greek as well as in the Latin, becaule
their great matter Hippocrates
tongue, and his writings are
value and ufe.
A
wrote in that
ftill
multitude of the names,
both of the parts of the body, of
and of medicines,
Greek language
cellent
retical
:
of good
are
derived
difeafes,
from the
and there are many ex-
books of phyfic both in the theo-
and practical parts of
5
it
which
are
delivered
AND THEIR
USE.
delivered to the world in the
443
Roman
tongue,
and of which that profefiion mould not be
ignorant.
XXIX. Such
as
intend the ftudy of theo-
logy, (hould be well acquainted alfo with the
Latin, becaufe
it
been for
has
many hun-
dred years the language of the fchools of
learning
their
:
difputations
limited to that language, and
generally
are
many and ex-
books of divinity muft be entirely
cellent
concealed from the ftudents, unlefs they are
acquainted with Latin authors.
But
feffion
thofe that defign
the
facred pro-
of theology, mould make
bour of chief importance
it
their la-
to be very
con-
yerfant with their Bibles, both in the
and
New Teftament
knowledge
of
:
at
languages,
which the Scriptures
tolerably in the
lead they
quainted with
a text
original
fome
with honour, /hould be able to read
Old Teftament
tongue
in
this requires
All that will purfue thefe
were written.
the
and
thofe
Greek and Hebrew,
ftudies
:
Old
it
mould be
as to find
Hebrew
fo far ac-
out the Cenfc of
by the help of a dictionary.
But
fcarce
THE SCIENCES,
0F
444
man
fcarce any
fhould be thought worthy
of the name of a folid divine, or a fkilful
teacher
of
Gofpel in
the
thefe
light and liberty, unlefs he has pretty
knowledge of the Greek,
of
days
good
impor-
fince all the
tant points of the Chriflian religion are derived
firft
from the
New
Tefiament, which was
written in that language.
XXX. As
the
for
and Arabic
Syriac
tongues, if one divine in thirty or in three
hundred
travel
enough.
A
far into thefe
few learned men
make
thefe languages, will
upon them
regions,
for the
Christian world
;
of
in
ikilled
fufiicient
fervice
is
it
remarks
the whole
which remarks may fome-
times happen to be of ufe to thofe divines
who
are unacquainted
ing the Bible.
tongues
is
with them, in read-
But the advantage of thefe
not of fo great importance as
My
has been too often reprefented.
when he
will agree with me,
the chief ufes of
The
Arabic
them
is
fome kindred and
a
reader
confiders that
are thefe.
language which has
affinity to
and perhaps we may
it
now and
the
Hebrew,
then guefs at
the
;
AND THEIR
USE.
44$
uncommon and
the fenfe of fome
doubtful
Hebrew word, which is found but once or
twice in the Bible, hy its fuppofed affinity
the Arabic
to
but whatfoever conjectures
:
may be made by fome kindred of
word
Arabic root, yet there
an
to
Hebrew
a
from
certainty to be gathered
it
is
no
for even
;
words of the fame language, which are undoubtedly derived from the fame theme or
primitive, will give us but very doubtful and
forry information concerning the
true icnfc
of kindred words which fpring from the
fame theme.
Let me
this
fies
The word
uncertainty.
{laughter
firamen
is
ft
or coverlid
:
;
critics
Jiratum
raw
;
Jirages figni-
Latin for a bed
is
and jlragulum
;
They
ed from Jierno
down,
two of
give a plain inftance or
drawn and deriv-
are all
which
me what
certain
throw
to
figniiies
to kill, or to fpread abroad.
tell
a quilt
is
Let the
they
fenfe
could put upon either of thefe four words
by
their
mere cognation with each other.
or their derivation from one
Again,
who
could
tell
me
common
the certain
verb.
mean*
ing and precife idea of the word honeji in
Engliflv
fHE SCIENCES,
OF
446
Englim,
man of integrity,
that
it
iignifies
juftice and probity,
Whereas
?
and
idea,
honejius hath
fignifies
a
a'
though
evidently derived from honefius in
it is
tin
me
and allure
La-
a very different
man of fome
figure in
man of honour. Let any
man judge then how little fervice toward
explaining the Hebrew tongue can be furthe world, or a
from
nifhed
the
all
language
of Arabia.
Surely a great part of the long learned fatigues and tirefome travels of
country,
this
make
the
As
almoft vain and ufelefs to
is
Hebrew
Bible better underftood.
for the Syriac language,
may
there
men through
it is
be fome fmall advantage drawn
from the knowledge of
it,
becaufe there
in
that
may fometimes
meaning
and
to
a
tongue
:
is
New
Tef-
and perhaps
this
a very ancient tranflation of the
tament
granted
give a proper and appofite
difficult
and doubtful text,
offer a fair hint for recovering the true
meaning of the Scripture from the perverfe
gloffes
of other
feveral
commentators
writers.
and
But there
lexicographers
who
have been acquainted with
riac
language,
and
have
are
given
the Syus
the
chief
AND THEIR
chief of thefe
USE.
447
on
their writings
hints in
Scripture.
And
after all,
none of thefe
fince
aflift-
ances can yield us a fufficient proof of a true
interpretation, and give us the certain fenfe
of a
who would
text,
be perfuaded to wafte
any great number of his better hours
fuch dry ftudies, and in labours of fo
tle profit
is
in
lit-
?
XXXI. The Chaldean language
much nearer to the Hebrew, and it
indeed
is
pro-
per for a divine to have fome acquaintance
with
it,
chapters
becaufe there are feveral verfes or
Ezra and
of
written in that language
Daniel
:
which
are
and the old Jewifli
targums or commentaries, which are written
in the Chaldean tongue,
pen
to
cafl:
a little light
Scripture of the
But
it
as
upon
a doubtful
Old Teftament.
muft be
knowledge of
deferve to
may fometimes hap-
flill
owned, that the
thefe Eaftern tongues does not
be magnified to fuch a degree
fome of the
proficients in
them have in-
dulged; wherein they have carried matters
beyond
THE SCIENCES,
OF
beyond
all
any of the
reafon and juftice, fince fcaree
mod
important fubje&s of the
Gofpel of Chrifl and the way of falvation
can gain any advantage from them.
XXXII. The art of grammar comes
now to be mentioned. It is a diftinct thing
from the mere knowledge of the languages $
for all mankind are taught from their infancy to fpeak their mother- tongue, by a
natural
imitation
knowledge
any
mothers
who are round
nurfes, and thofe
without
of their
of
and
about them,
the
art
of
grammar, and the various obfervations and
rules
is
that
relate
nothing
elfe
to
it.
Grammar
indeed
but rules and obfervations
drawn from the common fpeech of mankind
in
their
languages
feveral
-,
and
it
teaches us to fpeak and pronounce, to fpell
and write with propriety and exactnefs, according to the cirftom of thofe in every nation
who
are or
were fuppofed to fpeak and
own language bed:. Now it is
(hame for a man to pretend to Science and
write their
a
ftudy in any of the three learned profeflions,
who
fome meafure acquainted
with the propriety of thofe languages with
is
not
in
7
which
AND THEIR
which he ought
to
daily ftudies, and
more
be
USE.
449
conversant
in
his
efpecially in fuch as
he may fometimes be called upon
to write
as well as read.
XXXIII.
Next
grammar, we proceed
to
to confider rhetoric.
Now
rhetoric
perfuading, which
thefe three
general
in
the art of
is
may be diftinguhhed
parts;
viz.
i.
into
Conveying the
fenfe of the fpeaker to the underftanding of
the hearers, in the cleared and moft intelli-
gent manner, by the plaineft expreihons and
the moit. lively and ftriking representations of
it,
fo that the
mind may be thoroughly con-
vinced of the thing propofed.
Perfuad-
2.
ing the will effectually to choofe or refufe
the thing fuggefted and reprefented.
3.
Rail-
ing the paffions in the moft vivid and forcible manner, fo as to
ry
power of nature
fet all
the foul and eve-
work,
at
to
purfue or
avoid the thing in debate.
To
attain
this end,
there
is
not only a
great deal of art necelfary in the reprefentation of matters to the auditory, but alio
G
g
in
THE SCIENCES,
OF
450
in the difpofition or
thefe
particular
method of introducing
together
reprefentations,
which might convince,
and the various methods which might per-
with
the
reafons
fuade and prevail upon the hearers.
are certain feafons
of oration, in
may
thod,
wherein
a difguifed
a violent
torrent
and concealed me-
be more effectual than
nice forms
all
and
the
The
of logic and reafoning.
of interrogation
figures
There
exclamation
have fometimes a large place and happy effect in
this fort
of difcourfe, and no figure
mould be wanting here where
of iDeech
the fpeaker has art
troduce
to in-
it.
There
down by
a
enough happily
are
many remarks and
rules laid
the teachers of this art, to improve
young genius
into thofe glorious talents
whereby Tuily and Demofthenes acquired
that amazing influence and fuccefs in their
own
age and nation, and that immortal fame
through
all
And it is with
may be perufed
nations and ages.
great advantage thefe
rules
happy genius,
and learned.
But
a
imagination,
and
warm
paffions,
a lively
together
with a due degree of knowledge and
fkill
in
AND THEIR
USE.
in the fubject to be debated,
451
and a perpe-
of the belt ora-
tual perufal of the writings
and hearing the bed fpeakers, will do
more to make an orator, than all the rules of
tors,
art in
the world, without thefe natural ta-
lents,
and this careful imitation of the mofl
approved and happieft orators.
XXXIV. Now
you will prefently fup-
pofe that pleaders at the bar have great need
of this
juft
art
of rhetoric
5
but
it
has been a
doubt, whether pleading in our
Britifli
Courts of Juftice, before a fkilful Judge,
fhould
toric,
admit of any other aid from rhethan that which teaches to open a
caufe clearly, and fpread
fpicuous, complete,
before
the eyes of
it
in the
there
per-
and impartial manner
him
that judges:
impartial juftice being the thing
fought,
mod
mould be no
for
which
artifices
is
ufed,
no eloquence or powers of language employed to perfuade the will, or work upon
the paiiions, left the decifive fentence of
the judge fhould be biafted or warped into
injuftice.
banifn
all
For
this reafon,
Mr. Locke would
pleaders in the law for fees, out
of his government of Carolina, in his poft•
G
g
2
humous
THE SCIENCES,
OF
452
humous works, though perhaps
man might
poffibly be too
that great
fevere in fo uni-
versal a cenfure of the profeffion.
XXXV. But
with regard
pulpit,
to divines
beyond
cafe is very
the
all
different
the eloquence of the
:
controverfy, has a
much
larger extent.
Their
buiinefs is not to plead a caufe
of right and wrong before a wife and fkilful
judge,
but
addrefs
to
the
all
ranks
of
mankind, the high and low, the wife and
the unwife, the fober and the vicious, and
perfuade
in
them
virtue
juftice
all
with
to purfue
regard
to
and perfevere
themfelves,
and goodnefs with regard
neighbours, and piety towards God.
are
affairs
their
to
Thefe
of everlaffing importance,
moil of the per ions to
are -made are
whom
in
and
thefe addrefies
not wife and fkilful judges,
but are influenced and drawn ffrongly to the
contrary fide by their
own
finfui appetites
and paffions, and bribed or biaffed by the
corrupt cufcoms of the world.
There
-
AND THEIR
There
is
USE.
453
therefore a neceiTity not only
of
reprefentation
of a clear and faithful
things to men, in order to convince their
reafon and judgment, but of all the (kill
addreiied
and force of perfuafion
and Demof-
whole Senate of Rome,
thenes the Athenian people,
among whom
were capacities and inclinations of
variety
;
infinite
and therefore they made ufe of
the lightning and thunder,
and
the
So Tully addreffed
will and the pafiions.
the
to
terrors,
all
the
all
all
the entreaties
foothing
elegancies
and the flowery beauties of language which
Divines
their art could furniih them with.
in
the pulpit have
hearers,
much
fame
the
fort
of
and therefore they mould imitate
thole ancient examples.
ing indeed ought to be
The
fir ft
understand-
convinced by
the plaineft and ftrongeft force of reafon
in<*; but when this is done, all the power-
mould be ufed, which have any
juft influence upon human nature, all the
fprings of paffion mould be touched, to
ful motives
awaken the ftupid and the thoughtlefs into coniideration, to
hardeft heart,
to
penetrate and melt the
perfuade the
Gg.3
unwilling,
tQ
the sciences,
6f
454
lazy, to reclaim the obftinate,
to excite the
and reform the vicious part of mankind,
as well as to
encourage thofe
who
are
hum-
ble and pious, and to fupport their practice
The
and their hope.
funk into
fo fatal a
diftance
ful
are
degeneracy and dread-
from God, and from
holy and happy, that
is
men
of
tribes
all
that
all
the eloquence
which a preacher is matter of, mould be
employed in order to recover the world
from
(hameful
its
ruin
by the Gofpel of our
reftore
it
bleffed Saviour,
and piety, to
to virtue
happinef$, by the divine
O
pel.
may fuch
and wretchednefs
Power of
and
God and
this
Gof-
glorious mailers of facred
oratory never be wanting in the pulpits of
Great-Britain
!
XXXVI. Shall I now fpeak fomething
of my fentiments concerning poefy.
As
fcr
learned or
are
books of pcefy, whether in the
in
of pre^t
leifnre
by
all
the
uie
modern languages, they
to
be
re^.d
hours of
make any
pre-
or learning;
and
perfons that
tence to good education
at
that for feveral reaibns.
i.
Because
AND THEIR
i.
Because
ftanzas
there are
USE.
many
455
couplets or
written in poetic meafures,
which
contain a variety of morals or rules of practice relating to the
mankind,
as
common
prudentials of
well as to matters of religion,
and the poetic numbers (or rhyme
if
there
be any) add very confiderable force to the
memory.
Besides, many an elegant and admirable
fentiment or defcription of things which
are
found among the poets, are well worth
committing
to
memory, and the
meafures of verfe greatly
aflifb
lecting fuch excellent paffages,
fometimes
particular
us in recol-
which might
our converfation from low
raife
and grovelling fubjecls.
2.
In heroic
grander lyrics,
verfe,
but efpecially in the
there
are
fometimes
fuch
noble elevations of thought and paiTion as
illuminate all things around us, and con-
mod
vey to the foul
exalted and magnifi-
cent images and fublime fentiments
fur null
diums
tions,
us with
to raife
to
-,
glorious fprings and
thefe
me-
and aggrandize our concep-
warm
our fouls, to awaken the
G
g 4
better
THE SCIENCES,
OF
45^
and to elevate them even
better paflions,
to a divine
purpofes.
pitch, and that for devotional
It
which has
the Lyric ode
is
ihevvn to the world fome of the happier!
examples
of this kind, and
but this part of poefy has been
amufement above
ite
And
for
this
cannot fay
I
my
favour-
others.
all
reaforf
it
that
is
have
I
never thought the heroic poems, Greek, Latin
which have obtained the
or Englifb,
highefl:
fame
diverfified,
in
the world
are fufficiently
exalted or animated,
of the
interfperfiori
elegiac
or
lyric
of
ode.
want
for
now and
then an
This might
have
been done with great and beautiful propriety,
where the poet has intrdduced
a feafl,
or the joys
foliloquies
of
fong at
a
of a victory,
or
the
fatisfaction,
or
the
divine
pen five and defpairing agonies of diftreffing
for row.
Why
mould
that
which
is
called
the moit. glorious form of poefy, be bound
down and
lefs
confined to fuch a long and end-
uniformity of meafures,
when
it
kindle ormelt the foul, fwell or fink
ail
mould
it
into
the various and tranfporting changes of
which human nature
6
is
capable
?
Cowley.
AND THEIR
Cowley,
his
in
USE.
457
unfinished
fragment
of the Davideis, has fhewn us this way to
improvement; and whatever blemimes maybe found in other parts of that heroic
this beauty
and glory of
ferred for imitation.
if
Homer
tife
it,
glorified
ought
it
am
I
to be pre-
well aflured that
and Virgil had happened to prac-
it
would have been renowned and
by every
critic.
I
am
greatly mif-
taken, if this wife mixture of numbers
be
not
would
a further reach of perfection than
they have ever attained to without
be remembered, that
ftrifl
erTay,
reafon,
but
it
is
it
:
let it
not nature and
weak and awful reve-
a
rence of antiquity, and the vogue of fallible
and
men, that has
Roman
Greek
thofe
writings as abfolute and
plete patterns.
been fome
eftabliihed
men
com-
In feveral ages there have
of learning
who
have very
juftly difputed this glory, and have pointed
to
many of
3.
But
their miftakes.
fiill
there
is
another end of read-
ing poefy, and perhaps the moil confiderable advantage to be obtained from
bulk of mankind, and that
is
it
by the
to furnifh
our tongues with the richeft and the mofl
polite
THE SCIENCES,
OF
458
polite variety
all
of phrafes and words
occafions of life or
He
religion.
writes well in verfe, will often
upon
that
a ne-
find
ceHity to fend his thoughts in fearch through
all
the treafure of words that exprefs any
one idea in the fame language, that
may comport with
rhyme of the
with his
the
verfe
own moft
meafures,
which he
or
the
writes,
or
beautiful and vivid fen-
Now
timents of the thing he defcribes.
by much reading of
he
fo
this kind,
we
mall in-
fenfibly acquire the habit and fkill of diveriifying our phrafes
upon
all
occafions, and
of exprefling our ideas in the
mod
proper
and beautiful language, whether we write
or lpeak of the things of
It
is
pity that
God
or
men.
fome of thefe harmonious
writers have ever indulged any thing uncleanly or impure to defile their paper and
abufe the ears of their readers, or to offend
againit.
the rules
politenefs
:
but
of the niceft virtue and
Mill amongfr, the writings
of
Mr. Dryden, and Mr. Pope, and Dr. Young,
as
well as others, there
in
cur
own
is
a fufficient choice
language, wherein
we mail not
.
find
AND THEIR
mock
find any indecency to
defl
tongue or
Perhaps
pier
is
mo-
the moll
there has hardly been a writer
none
talent
459
ear.
may
in any nation, and I
there
USE.
in ours,
dare to affirm,
has a richer and hap-
of painting to the
life,
or has
ever difcovered fuch a large and inexhau fl-
ed variety of defcription,
as
Mr. Pope.
his tranflation
Homer's
terms
If
Iliad,
or
you read
the celebrated
you will find almofl
phrafes
in
;
but
if
you perufe
which defcends much more
life,
there
is
the
our tongue that are
needful to exprefs any thing that
magnificent
all
of
is
grand or
his OdyfFee,
into
common
fcarce any ufeful fubject of dif-
courfe or thought, or any ordinary occurrence
in the
which he has not
cultivated and drefTed
moil proper language
;
and yet
he has ennobled and 'enlivened
flill
even the
lower fubjects with the brighteft and moft
agreeable ornaments.
I
should
add here
alfo,
that if the
fame
author had more frequently employed his
pen on divine themes, his fhort poem on
the Mefiiah, and fome
part of his letters
between
OF THE SCIENCES,
466
betvveeen x^belard and Eloifa, with that ode
on the dying Chriftian, &c.
iure us that his pen
fufficiently af-
would have honourably
imitated fome of the tender fcenes of penitential
for row,
as we'll as the
fublimer odes
of the Hebrew Pfalmift, and perhaps difco-
manner than any
vered to us in a better
other tranflation has done,
fat
upon the throne of
4.
After
all
that
how
great a poet
Ifrael.
have
I
there
faid,
is
yet a further ufe of reading poefy, and that
when
mind has been fatigued with
lludies of a more laborious kind, or when
it is any ways unfit for the purfuit of more
is,
the
difficult fubjecls,
may
it
be as
it
were un-
bent, and repofe itfelf a while on the flowery
meadows where the mufes
dwell.
feniible relief to the foul
verv
J
over-iired, to
bers
and
amufe
itfelf
the beautiful
poets, and
in
a
little
It is
when
with the
it
a
is
num-
fehtiments of the
time this agreeable
amufement may recover the languid fpirits
to activity and more important fervice,
XXXVII. All
world
as
my
this
I
propofc
to
the
bell observations about read-
ing
AND THEIR
But
ing of verfe.
poefy
?
I
ftudent
a
divert
genius never
it
:
of a bright
himfelf with writing
when he canlower genius in ma-
would anfwer,
not poffibly help
461
the queftion were of-
if
me, Shall
fered to
USE.
a
yes,
would heartily wiili that he had
foent much more time in reading the beft
authors of this kind, and employed much
ture years
But it mud: be
fewer hours in writing.
conferTed, or fuppofed at lead, that there
may be
feafons
when
it is
hardly poflible for
a poetic foul to reftrain the fancy or
when
the flame,
it
is
quench
hard to fupprefs the
exuberant flow of lofty fentiments, and prevent the imagination from this fort of liyle
and that is the only feafon,
or language
:
I
mould be
think, wherein this inclination
indulged
efpecially
;
by perfons who have
devoted themfelves to profefiions of a difand one reafon is, becaufe
ferent kind
:
what they write in that hour is more likely
to carry in it fome appearance above nature,
fome happy imitation of the
dictates
of the
mule*.
XXXVIII.
*
The mufe
be a goddef-
;
in the ancient
Heathen
fenfe
but in the philofophic fenfe
is
it
fuppofed to
can
mean no
more,
OF THE SCIENCES,
XXXVIII. There
are other things be-
grammar and languages, rhetoric and poefy, which havje been included
under the name of philological knowledge;
tides hiftory,
fuch
as,
an acquaintance'with the notions,
cuftoms, manners, tempers, polity, &c. of
the various nations of the earth, or the diftiridt
This
feds and tribes of mankind.
is
neceffary in order to underftand hiftory the
better; and every
man who
is
a
lawyer or
a gentleman, ought to obtain fome acquaint-
ance with thefe things, without which he
can never read hiftory to any great advantage,
nor can he maintain his
and character
in life
own
ftation
with honor and dignity
without fome infight into them.
XXXIX. Students
in divinity
feek a larger acquaintance with
laws,
polity,
derftand
many
ought
to
the Jewifh
cuftoms, &c. in order to unpaftages of the
Old Tefta-
ment and the New, and to vindicate the
facred writers from the reproaches of infiAn acquaintance alfo with many of
dels.
more, than a bright genius, with a warm and ilrong imagination, elevated to an
uncommon
degree.
thf
AND THEIR
Roman and
the
Grecian
USE.
affairs is
463
needful to
New
explain feveral texts of fcripture in the
Teflament,
to
lead
fincere
enquirers into
the true and genuine fenfe of the evangelifts
and
and
apoftles,
guard their writings
to
from the unrealbnable
XL. The
fome
is
as
art
of criticifm
a diftinct part
nothing
in truth
cavils
it,
and
elfe
knowledge upon
to explain
what
;
but
it
fkill in
to
the other
apply that
occafions, in order to
all
judge well of what
reckoned by
than a more exact
readinefs
a
is
of philology
and accurate knowledge or
parts of
of men.
relates to thefe fubjedts,
obfcure in the authors
is
which we read, to fupply what is defective,
and amend what is erroneous in manufcripts
or ancient copies, to correct the miftakes of
authors
and editors in the fenfe of
the
words, to reconcile the controverfies of the
learned, and by this means to fpread a jufter
knowledge of thefe things among the inquifitive part of mankind.
Every man who
profeflions, if
pretends to the learned
he doth not
arife to
be a critic
3
OF THE SCIENCES,
464
tic
ScC.
himfelf in philological matters, he mould
be frequently converting with thofe books,
commentators, or other critics, which may relieve
any difficulties he meets with, and give him
whether
a
more
dictionaries,
exact,
paraphrafts,
acquaintance with thofe ftudies
which he purfues.
And
fuch
as
to
whenfoever any perfon
a degree of
knowledge
is
arrived to
in thefe things
furnim him well for the practice of
criticifm, let
him
take great care that pride
and vanity, contempt of others, with inward
wrath and infolence, do not mingle themLet
felves with his remarks and cenfures.
him remember the common frailties of human nature, and the miftakes to which the
wifeft man is fometimes liable, that he
may practife this art with due modefty and
candour.
THE END
