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THE
PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS
O F
FRANCIS BACON,
Baron of Verulam, Vifcount St. Albans,
AND
Lord Hio^h-Chancellor of Endand-,
Methodized, and made Englijb, from the ORIGINALS.
w I T H
OCCASIONAL NOTES,
To explain what is obfcure ; and Ihew how far the feveral PLANS
of the A U T H O R, for the Advancement of all the Parts of
Knowledge, have been executed to the prefent Time.
In Three Volumes.
By T E T E R S H A fF, M. D.
VOL. IL
Verier a J fed Audi.
L O NT> O N:
Printed for J. J. and P. Knapton ; D. Midwinter and A. Ward -, A. Bet-
TESwoRTH and C. Hitch; J. Pembertox; J.Osborn and T. Longman;
C. Rivington; F. Clay i J.Batley ; R. Hett; and T. Hatchett.
M.DCC.XXXin.
f\-l
CONTINUATION
OF THE
General SUPPLEMENT
T O T H E
'>.>.•■
De Aiigmentis Scieniiartim :
O R,
The feveral Pieces of the Author tending to fup-
ply the Deficiencies of Knowledge, pointed out in that
Work.
ERRATA in Volume
< )
IT.
Page
49-
■Ah
A
59-
77-
IC4.
t6o.
198.
aoy.
359.
345.
353.
3 J 4.
Line.
4. for fre r. free.
i^. for then r. them.
'^ ^f. fcr ^friceljits r^ Tiracelfijis.
it^- 4e;e 4g^toi; ;: ^._ ^,^^
4. tor expatiate r. expiate.
9. for cjuarelfome r. quarrelfome.
24. before feldom infert but.
5. for Prefidents r. Precedents.
15. for te r. fe.
io. after fhould dele to.
4. for Chojc r. Choice. '-^ i \ >'
32, for regard r regards. *^
1 5. before they infert that.
4. after than infert ro.
ult. for Sea. II, r. Seft. HI.
55. for wa verily r. waveringiy.
Page,
355
^ 40 J:
|>id.
409.
415.
418.
452.
447.
458.
\66.
481.
485.
502.
505.
Line.
^tnx. A^h. 2. and 17.
24. for Syllogifms r. Syllogifm.
ip./iete find. '
,• 20. ddk may.
'■■ 43- after in dele l\\i,
26. after delivering /iek the.
21. after have infert been.
I. for Experiment r. Experiments.
16. for Pitch r. Pith.
21. for J/>h. 4. (5.tf.) r. -(^Z:'. 4. 5.(5'.
a. for Dilation r. Dilatation.
* 3 4- Side Note, after direftly dek to.
54. after ought infert not.
56. r. See Vol. III. p. 72.
3 6 . for Micogra^hia r. Micrographia.
U A Srfj 'lo 83D9M i£l3V0> sHT
;jrf.i ni jijo h^wkri ,9^,boiwoft/( "iogaiansi'jns^G <?/i-| -
CONTENTS
OPT II E
Second Volume.
SUPPLEMENT VIII.
A Specimen of the Persian Magic k.
Page
Political Rules, drWiJin frotn
Thyfical Obfervations^ a-
mong the Perfians, 5^
Illnjhated by Examples in the
Celefiial Bodies^ ibid.
The raifiiig of Vapour., and return-
ing of Rain, ibid.
The General Aff'e^tions taking
place of particular., ibid.
Sudden Changes nfually attended
'■j:;ith Violence^ 6
yln Attempt to revive the Perfian
Magick, in the Inflance of uni-
ting Kingdoms^ ibid.
And particularly applied to the 'V-
nion of England and Scotland,
ibid.
Page
That Force is jlrengthenedby 'Vni'
on : Exemplified by the Sun in
Leo. The Moon, 7
The T>urability of Liquors in large
Quantity ; and the little 'Preju-
dice from general Earthquakes^
ibid.
Union by Vi^ory., exemplified in
Natural Operations., ibid.
The "Difference befji-ixt Compcfi-
t ion and Mixture^ ibid.
Examples of impe?fe6i Mixtures,
ibid.
Of perfect Mixtures, 8
The T)o^rine applied to civil fo-
licy ; and illujtrated in the Ro-
man State, ibid.
a Aeon-
CONTENTS.
Page
A contrary Conrfe in other States
has produced contrary Effects,
9
Four 'Particulars required to the
" ferfetf Vnion of States ; viz. ( i .)
Vnion in Name (2.) Language^
ibid.
(3.) Laws, under which come Tri-
Page
viledgesy Judicial Laws, and
Manners, 10
(4.) Employments, ibid.
Two capital Rules of Vnion in
Government, draivn from Na-
ture ; viz. To allow Time ; ajui
fuffer the greater to attraEl
the lefs,
ibid.
SUPPLEMENT IX.
A Specimen of Animated Astronomy, <^c.
T^Jkednefs and Simplicity re-
•*■ ' quired in the Htfory of the
Heavens, 1 5"
The 'Dejign of this Enquiry is
to form a genuine Thilofophy
bf the Heavens, 1 6
Theories are endlefs, but Truth
fimple and one, . ibid .
The Enquiry to be founded on the
immutable Laws of Nature, 1 6
An Exhortation to profccute Te-
le fcopial Obfervatiof/s, SCc. 17
Three ^Particulars to be regarded
in a Hijtory of the Heavens;
viz. (i.) the End; {z.)the Alat-
ter, and (3.) the Manner, 18
SECT. L
Philofophical Queftions about the Syftem of the World, to be clear-
ed up in the particular Hiftory of the Heavens.
The Reafbns for proceeding here
by an Induction of ^lefions, 18
§lueJlion 1. Whether there be any
Syftem ? The Opinions For and
^^^gainft, 19
The leading ^leftions that deter-
, mine it, :iO
^he Vfe of coupling ^icftions to-
gether,, ibid..
^{ eft ion %. What is the Centre
of the Syftem ? The Arguments
for the Earth, and the Argu-
ments for the Sun, 2 1
Inconveniencies in the Gopernican
Syftem, ibid.
The Earth's Motion urged againft
a Syftem, ibid.
^leftiou
CONTENTS.
Page
G^ueftion % . JFhether the fixed
Stars are not placed at diffcr-
en t Alt it tides ? 22
T/je Anf'-ji'er upon Suppofaion of
the Earth's Stability, ibid.
Ijpon Suppojitinn of the Earth's
Motion, ibid.
G^teftion 4. Ho'sj is the Sjftem
conne^cd? Whether the iuter-
jiellar Regions are void of Mat-
ter ? An/i^er For^ and x 3
Again (t^ 14
Whether there be any Vacuum ?
ibid.
Whether the Mther be continuous
or contiguous ? 25
rage
The T roc c dure of Nature, in diffe-
rent 'Degrees of Change from
one Body to another, ibid.
The Heavens divided into three
principal Tarts, 16
The gradual and ft art in g Trace-
dure ufed by turns in the Hea-
•vens, ibid.
^leftion 5". What is the Order
of the Heavens ? 17
1)pon the Syftem of the Ancients,
ibid.
Whether the T lanes of the T la-
nets do not inter feet each other ?
ibid.
Recapitulation 28
SECT. II.
Phyfical Queftions concerning the Subftance of the Celcftial Bodies.
The Necefftty for uniting Thyftcks
and Aftronomy, 2 8
^uejtion I . irhether the Celeftial
Bodies are of the fame Nature
'■ji'ith the Terreftrial ? 29
That the Terreftrial and Celeftial
Bodies may differ in Proper-
ties, and not in Ejfence, ibid.
That the internal Tarts of the
Earth may be as immutable as
the Heavens, ibid.
And its Changes reach not belovij
its more fiiferficial Tarts, ibid.
That Earthquakes.^ SCc. happen
only near the Surface, 30
Earthquakes in the Earth, fet
againft Comets in the Heavens,
ibid.
That poffibly the internal Tarts
of the Earth fuffer no Lofs, and
vaant no Repair, 30
The Mutability of the external
Earth accidental, 3 1
The Arguments for the Immuta-
bility of the Heavens not con-
cluftve, as no Change is vifible,
ibid.
Vifible Changes found in the Hea-
vens, ibid.
The Appearance of ncjs Stars.
Changes in the Sun. Altera-
tions in Venus. 'Difappearance
of Stars, 3 1
Thefe Changes not Juftly affigiied
to the Air, j,-»,
a 2
Order
CONTENTS.
Page Pagt
Order and exaff Motion, no Ar- That folid Bodies do float in the
gument of Immutability in the j^ther, 3 9
Heavens, 3 5 The Stars to be ranged into Suns
Circular Motion no Argument of and Moons, ibid.
Eternity in the Heavens, ibid, ^tejfion 4. Are the fixed Stars
Whether the Earth be capable of fo many Fires ? 40
afe6fing the Heavensy ibid. The Fire of the fixed Stars differ-
That the Celefial Bodies may fuf- ent from culinary Fire, in r?-
fer from one another, 34 fpc^ of Situation, ibid.
The fictitious Machinery of the In refpefl of Snbftance, ibid.
Aflronomers, to prevent 1)if- The TDifference between celefial
orders in the Heavens, ibid. and culinary Fire, ibid.
The Neutrality of the Scripture Flame in ^ther permanent, 41
/';/ this Matter, 3 5 'Difiierence betwixt the celefial
The Extremities of the Heavens and terref rial Flame, ibid.
towards the Earth greatly in- ^ueflion f. Are the Stars fed^
fefed, ibid. and capable of Extin£f ion? \hidi.
Heat denied by Ariftotle to the The Stars not fed after the Man-
Celefial Bodies, ibid, ner of common Fire, ^z-
^nefion 2. II 'hat are the Con- ^lefion 6. JFhether the Stars
tents of the interficllar Spaces? increafe, or diminijh in their
36 Wholes? ibid.
Terhaps a luminous Snbftance of Falfe Appearances of the Stars,
the fame Mature with the fixed from the Interpofition of the
Stars, ibid. Clouds, ibid.
TheirTiiffcrence not well explain- JFhether Stars are generated and
ed by'Denfity in the Stars, and dijfipated? 43
Rarity in the jEt her, ibid, ^lefion 7. What: is r/j^ Milky
^uefion 3. Whether there are W ay ? ibid.
any compaEt and folid Globes be- ^tefion 8 . What is the Number
fides the Earth? 37 of the Stars? 44
Whether the Moon be a folid Bo- G^ieftion 9. What their Magni-
dy? ibid. 'tude'i ibid.
Whether there be not other folid ^lefion 10. What their Figures?
celefial Bodies, be fides the Moon ? 45-
38 ^uefiion 11. What their TDifian-
Many invifible dark Globes may ces^ ibid.
be difperfed in the Heavens, ib<
SUPPLE^
CONTENTS.
SUPPLEMENT X.
A Free Cenfure, or Critique, of the more eminent
Philosophers, ^c.
SECT. I.
The Arraignment of the Philofophers.
Page Page
ATimiration of the Ancients The Arabian Thyficians. Ferneli-
prjudicial to the Sciences, us. Arnoldus de Villa Nova,
The CharaBer of Anftotle, Car- The CharaEier of Paracelfus, ibid.
dan, Ramus, 5X Scverinus, and the Chemijis, 55-
The Chamber 0/ Aquinas, Plato, The Charade/ of Hl^Tpoci^tes and
Cicero, Seneca, Plutarch rt//^ Ga- Celliis, ^6
Icn, 53
SECT. II.
The Judgment to be paffed upon the ancient and modern Philofophers:
With the Intimation of a jufter Way of Building up the Sciences.
ObjeEi'tons to the preceding Cha- That fome Truths have been dlf-
raifers, 5 7 covered by the ylnclents^ 5-9
Anfv:;ered x.That fomething con- The 'Difference befiz-ixt Idola-
Jiderable may have been done by trous Knv^-ledge, and the True^
the Ancients^ ibid, 60
No vi'onder if the Ancients have The JVritings of the Ancients to
fallen into Error ^ 58 be (lill preferved, ibid.
That the Author has been in ear- The Author's Vievi- in the JVhole^
nefi vjith his CharaEiers^ 5-9 6j
Avoids more particular Confuta-
tions^ and ''yi'hy^ ibid.
S U P P L F.
CONTENTS.
SUPPLEMENT XI.
Interior a Rerum : Or, Essays upon Moral, Oecono-
mical and Political Subjects.
SECT I.
Essays upon moral Subjects.
Eflay I. Of Studies.
Page
THE Advantages ofLearningy6 5-
■Its 'Vfe dnd Mfife, ibid.
^ireEiions for its ^fe and Ac-
quirement^ 66
The different Effelts of different
Studies^ ibid.
The T)efe5ts of the Mind reme-
died by St tidies^ ibid.
Eflay II. Of Civil Ceremonies and
Behaviour.
Some 'Degree of Ceremony necef-
fary, 66
How to be acquired^ ibid.
Where Ceremony is moft nfiful,
j!iot to be carried too far, ibid.
Eflay III. Of Boldnefs.
A^ion in Oratory compared to
Boldnefs in Bnjiiiefs, 164
The Bold are Emffiricks in To-
licy, 68
And the Ridicule of the Wife, ib.
The proper 'Vfe of Boldnefs, ibid.
Eflay IV. Of Simulation and Dif-
fimulation.
Page
The "Vfe of Dijfimulatiori, 1 66
Three Kinds of iJiJJimulation, 69
Viz. Taciturnity, ibid.
T>ifflmulation^ ibid.
And Simulation, ibid,
The Advantan^es of Simulation and
Diffimulationy 70
Their T)ifadvantages, ibid,
Efl"ay V. Of Friendfhip.
Whether love of Solitude be a
divine or brutal Virtue, 70
The Advantages of Friendjhip,
viz. eafing the Mind, 7 1
Improving the IJnderJiandijig^yhi^.
Securing good Counjel, 71
This Counfel of fwo Kinds, re-
garding (i.) Morality, ibid.
And (^.) Bujinefs, ibid.
The third Advantage of Friend-
fhip, viz. Affiftancc, ibid.
Eflky
CONTENTS.
EfTay VI. Of the moral Duty of
a Judge.
Page
The general Duty of a Judge, 73
His Office divided, as it delates
to the contending "Tarties or
Ofenders, ibid.
(1.) 'To the Advocates^ or Council,
7+
(3.) To the Clerks, and Officers,
75
(4.) To the Sovereign, or State, ib.
Eflay A'll. Of Fame or Rumours.
The Toetical T>cfiription and Ori-
gin of Fame ^ 76
The Subjert of Fame important
in 'Toliticks, ibid.
The general Effects offalje Ru-
mours, ibid.
EfTay YIII. Of Vain-Glory, or
Oftentation.
The Vanity of Boafters, yj
The 'Vfe of the Vain-glorious in
Civil Life, ibid.
In Martial Men, ibid.
In the Learned^ ibid.
The prudent JVay of jheizung ones
felf to Advantage, 78
Summary of the Whole, ibid.
Effay IX. Of Praife.
Traife of the Vulgar often falfe.
The falfe Colours of Traife, ibid.
The Kinds of 'Praife, ibid.
The good EffeEis of feafonable and
moderate Traife, 79
HoiiJ Traifes may be gracefulji\A^,
Effay X Of Honour and Re-
putation.
Page
The true Means of procuring Ho-
nour., "J 6
'The popular Means, ibid.
"Dire^ ions for acquiring Honour,
ibid.
The Degrees of fupreme Honour,
ibid.
The Degrees of inferior Honour,
80
A rare Degree of Honour, ibid.
Effay XI. Of Adverfity.
The lofty Saying of Seneca upo^
Adverfity, 80
Trofperity and Adverfity com-
pared, ibid.
A Joy in Adverfity, ibid.
Effay XII. Of the Viciffitude of
Things.
The Lift ability of 'Things on Earth,
81
The Caufes of Oblivion, ibid.
Deluges and Earthquakes leave
a Remnant of Teople behind,
ibid.
Changes in the Heavens, ibid.
Vicijfitudes of Tears, 8x
The Viciffitudes of SeBs and Re-
ligions, ibid.
TvDo Requifites to the IntrodnSiion
of a new Religion, ibid.
Three IVays of introducing new
Sefts ibid.
'The JFays of fuppr effing new Se6is,
ibid.
The Vicijfitudes of fVars, ibid.
Tha
CONTENTS.
Page
The Caufis of Wars; viz T>iff'o-
lution of States, 8 z
Their Enlargements, 83
yl ujant of providing for the Na-
tives, ibid.
Military States gro-j:;ing effemi-
nate, ibid.
The Revolutions of Artillery and
Fire -Arms, 83
The'Proj'erties of Arms, ibid.
TheTrogrefs of Military ConduB
and Tiif tip line, ibid.
The Revolutions of Learning, ibid.
Eflay XIII. Of Truth.
The Nature of Truth in general,
84
The Nature ofDivine and Thilo-
fophical Truth, ibid.
The Nature of Truth, or Veracity,
in civil Life, ibid.
Eflay XIV. Of Anger.
Anger not to be exftinguijhed, 8 s
Hovo to be moderated, ibid.
How governed, ibid.
Three Caufes of Anger ; viz. Sen-
fibility of Injuries, ibid.
Straining of the Intention, ibid.
Over-Tendernefs of CharaBer, ib.
To prevent Anger from proving
mifchievous, 8 6
How to raife or allay Anger in
another, ibid .
Eflay XV. Of Revenge.
The Imprudence of taking Re-
venge, ibid.
Injuries feldom done for their ovan
Sakes, ibid.
Page
The prudential TVay of taki^ig
Revenge, 8<>
T^erfidious Friends how to be
treated, ibid.
Tublick Revenge fortunate, but
not private, 87
Eflay XVI. Of Envy.
Envy and Love have fomething
like Fajcination, ibid.
What Terfons are moji inclined
to Envy ; viz. the lefs virtuous,
ibid.
The Inquijitive, ibid.
The Nobility, ibid.
The IDeformed, Illegitimate, &c.
ibid.
The Unfortunate refiored, 88
Thofe defirous of many Excellen-
cies, ibid.
Relations and Collegues, ibid.
The Terfons leaf apt to be envied;
viz. the Worthy, ibid.
The Nobility, ibid.
Thofe who win theirHonours hard-
ly, ibid.
The Cure of Envy, 89
The iJifference betwixt publick
and private Envy, ibid.
Tublick Envy like InfeBion, ibid.
How known to be upon the Mini-
fers, and how upon the Frince,
ibid.
Is a reft lefs Fajfion, ibid.
Eflay XVII. Of Love.
Great Men leaf liable to extrava-
gant Love, 90
Love tyrannizes over Things, ibid.
2 Its
CONTENTS.
Page
Its Tides ^ 90
Is a natural 'Pr'mciple in Man,
ibid.
Effay XVIII. Of Goodncfs and
Good-Nature.
Cooduefs and Good-Nature^ '•ji'hat.
Good- Nature implanted in Man-
kind^ ibid.
Rules for the Conduct of Good-
nefs, ibid.
Good-Nature natural to fbme, and
not to others^ ibid.
The Marks and Tokens of Good-
nefsy 92
Eflay XIX. Of Charity.
Three T)egrees of Charity, ibid.
May have their Allay ^ ibid.
Effay XX. Of joining Trudence
with Innocence.
The Way of effe6iually cottnfelling
the Vicious., 93
Effay XXI. Of Superftition.
Atheifm lefs pernicious than Su-
per fit ion ^ ibid.
The 'Procedure of Superfiition^ 94
Its Caufes, ibid.
Its 'Deformity^ ibid.
Super/tit ion to be avoided in Re-
formation^ ibid.
Effay XXII. Of AthciCn.
The Belief of a T>eity neceffary,
ibid.
Page
That Atheifm is rather in Mens
JVords than Thought Sy 95'
The Opinion of Epicurus upon the
SubjeEty ibid.
The Savages have a Notion of
Gody ibid.
IV ho are At he if s, ibid.
The Caufes of Atheifm , ibid.
The T)ifadvantages of Atheifm to
particular Terfons^ 96
And to Nations^ ibid.
Effay XXIII. Of Miracles.
The 7)iference betwixt the Mira-
cles of Chrifl and others^ ibid.
Effay XXIV. Of Impofture.
Three Stiles of Impofture ^ 97
Effay XXV. Of Hypocrites.
The Vaunts of Hypocrites ^ regard
Sacrifice rather than Mercy^
ibid.
77»^ counterfeit Refemblance of
Hypocrify to Trayer^ ibid.
The diftinguijhing Marks of Hy-
pocritesy 98
Effay XXVI. Of Herefies.
Two Caufes of Herefy, ibid.
The 'Difference between Super fti-
tion and Atheifm^ ibid.
The Herefies that leffen the Tow-
er of God y are of three Degrees^
99
Effay XXVII. Of the Church.
ibid.
Kffdv
CONTENTS.
Page
Eflay XXVIII. Of Death.
The Fear of T)eath weak and
childi/hy I oo
Page
Great Minds defpife ity ibid.
How to dim'tnijh the Tain and ylp-
frehenjion of 'Death, ibid.
SECT. 11.
Essays upon Oeconomical Subjects.
Eflay I. Of Youth and Age.
Toitth feldom pajfed to the bejl Ad-
vantage, ID I
Impetuous Tempers not foon fit
for A6iiony ibid.
Vivacity in old Age makes a fit
Compofition for Bufinefs, ibid.
The difference betwixt the Er-
rors of young Men and old^ ib.
A Mixture of Old and Toung re-
commended in Bufinefis, ibid.
Toung Men more moral than old
ones, \oi
Three Kinds of early ripe Genius's,
ibid.
Eflay II. Of Marriage and fingle
Life.
That childlefs Men have been be-
neficial to the Tub lick, ibid.
The Caiifes of Mens living Single,
ibid.
The Advantages, and 'Difadvan-
tages^ofCelebacy,to the f ever al
Trofeffion^y ibid.
The Tempers befl difpofed for Ma-
trimony, 103
Why bad Husbands have often
good JVives, ibid.
Eflay III. Of Parents and Chil-
dren.
The State of Tarents compared
with thofe that are without
Children, ibid.
The Affe£lion of Tarents often
unequal to their Children, ibid.
Tarents to be liberal to their Chil-
dren, 104.
Emulation not to be ftirred up be-
twixt Brothers, ibid.
No great Difference betwixt Sons
and Nephews, ibid.
Tarents to determine early the
Courfe of Life for Children,
ibid.
Eflay IV. Of Education.
The Tower of Cuftom only match-
ed by votary Refolution, ibid.
Infiances of the Tyranny of Cuf-
tom, 105:
Good Habits to be acquired early,
ibid.
The Force of Cufiom greateji in
Society, ibid.
Eflay
CONTENTS.
Effay V. Of Converfation and
Difcourfc.
Page-
Errors and Toverty in Conver-
fat ion Iwjj to be avoided ^ 105-
Jejiing ho-ju to be regulated, 106
Rules for the Conduft of 'Dif-
courfc, ibid.
The Incoin-enieucies of Sufpicion,
ibid.
Is not al'sjoys O'-j'jing to Fear, 1 07
Its Remedies, ibid.
An Explanation to be fought from
the Terfon fufpened, ibid.
Effay VI. Of Cunning.
Cunning, what, ibid.
The Cunning of the Eye, ibid.
Cunning for procuring T>ifpatch
in Bufiuefs, 108
For quajhing an Affair, ibid.
For caufing a ^uejiion, ibid.
For relating difagreeable Mat-
ters, ibid,
To avoid being feen^ ibid.
To gain an Opportunity, ibid.
To lay a Bait for one's Adverfa-
ry, ibid.
The turning of Cat in 'Pan, 109
The Artifice of Story-telling, ibid.
To procure an Anfj:;er in the
f Fords of another, ibid.
The wanting an Opportunity to
/peak, ibid.
Sudden bold ^uejiions, ibid.
A Lift to be made of the petty
Toints of Cunning, ibid.
Some Men fitter for Cunning than
real Bufinefs, ibid.
Eflay VII. Of Sclf-Gunnlng.
Page
Self Cunning not to be over-in-
dulged, ibid.
This Cunning fuits better with
Trinces than private Terfons,
ibid.
No prime Officers to be chofe of
this Character, no
The Self-Cunning often unfortu-
ftate, ibid.
EflTay VIII. Of affeding the
Appearance of Wifdom.
That Men differ in Toint of fVif
dom, ibid.
The Artifices of thofe who afe6i
to feem wife, "ibid.
The feeming-wife Men not to be
trufied in ferious Bufinefs, m
ElTay IX. Of Delays.
The Nature of Fortune, ibid.
The proper Condu6i in T)a7igers,
ibid.
^Dangers not to be over-rated, or
provoked, ibid.
The Ripenefs of Opportunity to be
feized^ ibid.
Effay X. Of Difpatch in Bufi-
nefs.
AffeSled Difpatch pernicious, i ii
The falfe Difpatch, ibid.
The true, ibid.
To procure Difpatch tn the Rela-
tor, ibid.
By cutt ing off fuperfiuous Speech-
es^
ibid.
Bv
By a right T>ifpofal of Biifinefs^
ibid.
The three Tarts of Bufinefs^ ho-jv
to he managed, 113
Bufinefs to proceed upon fome
CONTENTS.
Page
Where Liberality may be well
placed^ 117
Page
Tlan,
ibid.
Eflay XI. Of Cares.
Cares to be moderated, ibid.
T-<i^'0 Excefes of Cares, ibid.
The fecond Excefs^ ibid.
EfTay XII. Of Hope.
Hope and Fear deceitful Taffions^.
ibid.
Hope almojl ufelefs in Cafes of
Trofperityy 1 14
The fer.n'tcious Effect of Hope in
Jd-verfityi ibid.
Mens Minds diftempered by Hope,
ibid.
In what Cafes Hope may be allow-
ed, ibid.
The proper ObJe£l of Hope, 1 1 s
Effay XIII. Of Fortune.
Fortune often accidental, ibid.
Certain Habits procure Fortune,
ibid.
The EffeEis of fudden and exer-
cifed Fortune, ibid.
How to decline Envy, ibid.
Afmcoth Fortune procurable, 116
Eflay XIV. Of Expence.
Expences how to be regulated,\\Adi.
Accompts to be infpeCiedy ibid.
Expences to be balanced, ibid.
The Way of redeeming a Mort-
gaged Eflate^ ibid.
Eflay XV. Of Ufury, or lending
upon Interefl:.
The befi Way of under fianding the
Nature of the Subje^i, ibid.
The 'Di fadv ant ages of "V fury, ibid.
Its Advantages, ibid.
Its Regulation, by introducing two
Sorts, \\%
The Firfiy ibid.
The Second, ibid.
An ObjeEiion to the Tropofal an-
fwered,, ibid;
Eflay XVI. Of Riches.
Riches the Baggage of Virtue, 119
Cautions againfi growing Rich too
foon, ibid.
The Ways of acquiring Riches,
ibid;
Eafy to raife a great Eft ate, when
a fmall one is acquired, ibid.
The honefl and dijhonefi Trojits,
no
fobbing, ibid.
T'artnerfhipf ibid.
^fury, ibid.
Inventors, ibid.
Venturers, ibid.
Monopolies, ibid.
Tojts of Honour, ibid.
Toaching for Executorjhips, ibid.
Riches, neither to be defpifed nor
niggardly ufed, ibid.
Riches^ how to be difpofed of, ibid.
Eflay
CONTENTS.
Effay XVII. Of Nature, and na-
tural Dirpofitions in Men.
Page
Nature only fubdued by Cujhm^
III
jf/(7W the Couquejl is to be obtain-
ed over Nut toe, ibid.
Ho'Wy'-^ben Nature is flrong^ ibid.
IntermiJJions to be ufcd along "Ji'itb
Endeavours^ ibid.
Victory over Nature not to be
trujted, ibid
il/tv;x natural Temper, ho'jj dif-
covered, ibid .
The natural Temper to be Juited
liith the Life, iiz
Studies again It the Inclination to
be appointed, ibid.
Every Alan's Nature affords Herbs
or IVeedsy ibid.
EfTay XVllI. Of Deformity.
*T)e^ormed 'Perfons^ how revenged
of Nature^ ibid.
deformity, not to be confidered as
a Sign, but a.Caiife^ ibid.
Why deformed ^etfons are bold,
ibid.
j4nd indujlrious^ ibid.
The Advantages of 'Deformity,
ibid.
Why Eunuchs and deformed Ter-
fons are employed by 'Princes^
ibid.
Whence deformed Terfons fome-
times excel, ibid.
EfTay XIX. Of Beauty.
Great Virtues feldom joined with
great Beauty^ IZ3
Page
The Efcntials of Beauty^ ibid.
Why Perfons of middle Age are
fomctimes more beautiful, ibid.
The Advantages and ^Difadvan-
tages of Beauty, ibid.
Elfay XX. Of the Rules of
Health, 124, and \-l$
Eflay XXI. Of Travelling, ibid.
Toung Men to travel under Tu-
tors^ ibid,.
'Diaries to be kept of Travels^
ibid,.
The Things to be obferved in tra-
vellings ibid:
How to travel to advantage, 126
The Acquaintance to be made, ib.
Quarrels to be avoided, ibid.
The Condu^f to be obferved after
returning^ ibid, .
ElTay XXII. Of Buildings.
Convenience the principal End of
Building, 127
Aproper Situation to be chofe, ibid.
The Things included under bad
Situation^ ibid.
The Model of a Royal Talace pro-
pofed, ibid.
A perfeB Talace to have two
Tarts, joined by a Tower, ibid-,
A Banquet-Part, ii8
And a Houjho Id-Tart, ibid.
The Structure of the Tower and
Stairs, ibid.
The L'ourt-Tard, how to be built^
ibid.
The ornamental Tarts of the Ban-
quet and Houjhold- Apartments,
ibid.
Garden
CONTENTS.
Garden and Grotto^
Infirmaries^
Open Galleries^
Cabinets,
Fountains^
Three Courts^
Terrajfes,
Offices^
Page
129
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid.
130
Page
ibid,
ibid.
EflTay XXIII, Of Gardens.
Gardening ajfords a pure kind of
Tleafure, ibid.
Royal Gardens to produce Month-
b^
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid,
ibid.
131
ibid.
For December and January,
February,
March,
April,
May <?;/^June,
July,
Auguft,
September,
Odober and November,
What Tlants yield little Odour^
as they grow, ibid.
Thofe that perfume the Air moft^
when gro'-jjingi ibid.
Thofe that do it when trod <?;/,ibid.
The Tlatform of a Garden Roy^
a I, ibid.
The Green^ with its two fide
Walks, ibid.
The Form of the Garden, ibid.
The great Hedge ^ how to be raifed,
The 'Difpofai of the Garden, ibid.
The Walks and Mounts
Fountains,
The Heath, 133
Walks, ibid.
The Walks of the main Garden,
ibid.
Aviaries, 1 3 4
Conclufion, ibid.
Effay XXIV. Of latent Prophe-
cies.
Secret 'Prophecies, ibid.
That of the VythoniSa. to Saul, ibid.
Seneca of America, ibid.
Polycrates'j- T^aughter, ibid.
Philip of Macedon, 135'
The Phantom to Brutus, ibid.
That of a Ruler coming out of Ju-
dea, ibid.
That of Domitian a little before
his 'T>eath, ibid.
Henry the Sixth, ibid.
That of an JJirologer, of a King
of France, ibid.
A fuppofed Tredi^ion of the
Change of the King o/England'j
Titki ibid.
Another of the Spanifh hrcafion,
ibid.
That of Regiomontanus, ibid.
Cleon'j Dream, 136
The Judgment to be made of thefe
Prophecies, ibid.
Whence they have been encourag-
ed, ibid.
SECT.
CONTENTS,
SECT. 111.
Essays upon Political Subjects.
Eflay I. Of State Counfcl.
Page
The Advantages of Counfel to
'Princes^ 137
Its Inconieniencies^ ibid.
The divulging of Secrets, ibid.
Cabinet Councils, ibid.
Lejfeuing of Authority^ 138
Sinijier Counfel^ ibid.
''Terfons to be confidered as "jicll as
Things, ibid.
The Regulation of Councils, ibid.
Comtnittees, 139
Standing Conimijfions, ibid.
The T^ifference betit'een long and
fquare Council Tables, ibid.
The ConduEl to be obferzed by a
King in Council, ibid,
Eflay II. Of the Regulation of
Empire.
The State of Kings, ibid.
The true Temper of Empire, 140
The modern Politicks imp erf eh:,
ibid.
The Affairs of Trinces, ibid
Regard to their Neighbours, ibid.
Wives, 1 4 1
Children, ibid.
^Prelates and Clergy, ibid.
Nobles, ibid.
Gentry, ibid.
Merchants, ibid.
The Common Teople-, 141
Page
And the Soldiery, ibid»
Ttt'^ Admonitions to Kings, ibid,
Eflay III. Of Ambition.
The Nature of Ambition, ibid.
The 'Vfes of ambitious Men, ibid .
How ambitious Men are to be
curbed, 143
A fecond Ale an s, ibid.
'Different Kinds of Ambition^ ibid.
The Advantages of Honour, ibid.
EflTay IV. Of Great Place.
The Inconveniencies of Great
Tlace, 1 44
Men in high Tofts only happy by
Report, ibid.
The Advantages of Great Tlace,
ibid.
Trecepts for Men in Office, ibid.
The Vices attending the Exercife
ofTov^er; viz, Delays, 145-
Bribery, ibid.
Roughnefs, ibid .
Facility,
Tlace Jhevi-s Men,
The IV ay of rijing,
Rules for Behzviour in
ibid.
ibid.
146
Office,
ibid.
Eflay V. Of Followers and Friends.
Followers of what Sort to be chofe,
and to what entitled^ ibid,
Various
CONTENTS.
Page
f anions Follo'-ji'erxy ibid.
Boafting Followers^ ibid.
Spying Follo-wersy -ibid.
Follo'-ji-ers of the fame Order with
the T'atron, ibid.
77?!? mof honourable and iifefnl
Followers^ ibid.
Followers how to be nfed, ibid.
Cautions - required with regard to
Followers and Friends, 147
To take Advice of a few ^ ibid.
.■Little Friendjhip in the World,
ibid.
Effay VI. Of Nobility.
Nobility neceffary in Monarchies^
not in Republicks, ibid.
The .Advantage of Republicks^ ib.
The Advantages and Inconvenien-
cies of Mobility to a Kingdom^
ibid.
The .Advantage of Nobility in
particular Verfons, 148
The Founders of noble Families
often more virtuous than their
'Tiefcendants, ibid.
The Advantage of ufing Nobles to
a Kingy ibid.
Effay VII. Of Mafques and Pub-
lick Entertainments.
The Mufick Tart, how to be con-
ducted, ibid.
The Scenes^ ibid.
The T>refes, ibid.
The Anti-mafque, 149
'Perfumes, ibid.
Effay VIII. Of Petitioners, or Suitors.
The Tionble- dealing pracltfcd in
Tetitionsj ibid.
Page
■Every Suit attended with a Right,
ibid.
Opinion to be taken in doubtful
Suits^ ibid.
T Iain-dealing in Suits, efleemed a
Favour^ ibid.
The being firjl in a Tetitioi of
no great Weighty ijo
Cautions to be objcrved in 'Peti-
tioning^ ibid.
Where a great Thing, cr a Icfs,
jhonld be asked^ ibid.
Letters of Recommendation, ibid.
General Contrivers of J//'' j, ibid.
Effay IX. Of Negot<ating.
When beji to negotiate by Letter,
and when in Per fan, i f i
The '1 crfons to be employed in
negtiating, ibid.
'Dire^icvs pr negotiating to ad-
vantage.
ibid.
The Ways of moulding Men, ibid.
How to negotiate with the Crafty^
ibid.
^Difficult Negotiations not to be
hurried, ibid.
Effay X. Of Plantations.
Plantations heroic al Works, ibid.
Hafy Profits the Bane of Plan-
tations, ibid.
Not to People with Felons, Out-
laws, 8Cc. ifz
The Trades to plant with, ibid.
The Method of Planting, ibid.
The Beajis and Birds to be car-
ried over, ibid.
Husbanding required in the Pro-
vijions, ibid.
The
C O N T
Pago
The Commodities to be fought of-
fer, lyj
The Govcriwjciit of the Tlauta-
tiov, 1 5" I
The Colony not to be over-fcck'd^
ihid.
To but Id from the Sea, ibid.
The native Savages how to be
treated, ibid.
IVhcn JFojnen are to be admitted,
ibid .
A heinous Thing to abandon an ad-
vanced T^lantatiouy ibid.
EfTay XI. Of Innovations.
Innovations the mijhaped Births of
Time, 1,5-j.
Medicine and Time Innovators,ihid.
The Advantages of Cufom and
Change, ibid.
To be tenacious of Cufom as per-
nicious as Innovation, ibid.
New Experiments not to be rafhly
tried in States, ibid.
Eflay XII. Of Factions or Parties.
How to deal with Faff ions, i S5
The Trocedure ofFa&ions, ibid
Traitors in Faction often fucccf-
ful, ibid.
Kings not openly to fide with any
Faction, ibid.
Fan ions how to be govern d by
R N T S.
Page
Farther Trognoficks ofSedit ions,
. . ibid.
\ 12. TV hen Trijices fide with Tar-
ties.
ibid.
li'hen they lofe their Reverence,
Trinccs^
YS^
EfTay XIII. Of Seditions and '
Troubles.
The 'VrogJioficks of State Tempefs,
ibid.
Rmnours how beji fupprejfedy ibid.
1 57
The Matter of Sedition, ibid.
'Poverty, ibid.
And T) if content, i bi d .
TbeCanfes of Sedition, 158
Its Remedies ibid.
The Prevention ofToverty by re-
gulating Trade, £Cc. , ibid.
Tr even ting a Surcharge of Teo-
P^<-\ ibid.
Trade coiififls in three Things^\h\i^.
The Money of a Kingdom not to be
engrojfed, ij^
TheRe^noving ofDifcontents, ibid.
To. give them vent, ibid.
lo feed Men with Hopes, ibid.
To fujfer no fit Head of Faction^
ibid.
To fow TDifruft among Factions,
160
Tritices to beware of foort poig-
nant Sentences, ibid.
Kings to have feledi military Of-
ficers in con f ant waiting, ibid.
Eflay XIV. Of Unity in Religion.
Religion to be kept within the
Bounds of Unity and Charity,
Two Fruits of 'Unity in Religion.^
~ ' ' ibid.
Herefies and Schifms the great eft
Scandals in the Church, ibid.
e Tiifer-
CONTENTS.
Page
T)iferent Ofinions of Hereticks Viz. the Lighter,
occafion Religion to be ridiculed, And the more Subtile,
ibid. Twofalfe Vnities,
The Fruit of Vnit/y within the
Church, ibid.
The Limits of Vnity, 162
T^o Kinds of Cofitroverjy to be
avoided in Religion, ibid.
Page
ibid,
ibid.
. ^.j^^j^ - -, 1^3
The Means of procuring Unity,
ibid,
Terfecution how to be o^pofed,
ibid.
SUP PLEMENT XII.
A Difcourfe of War.
SECT. I.
Of the juft Caufes of W a r.
iThe Requifites of a War, 1^8
Three Grounds of War, ibid.
Thefirft Ground, ibid.
The Judgment upon a War to be
clear, ^ ^9
The Cafe fated, ibid.
Exemplified, ibid.
Wars are Revenges and Repara-
tions, 1 70
The Title of Trofcription, ibid.
The Seat of a War free after ^ In-
diBion, ibid.
The fecond Ground of a War, viz.
ajujiFeart »7^
Exemplified, ibid.
Strengthened by Authorities^ 172
By the Tolicy of the ivifefi Ra-
tio Jis, ibid.
Trinces, ibid.
And 'Divines, 1 73
27?^^ Britain has a jufi Caufe of
Fear from Spain, ibid.
The encreajing Tower tf/Spain, 1 74
The Eye of Spain upon England
from without, ibid.
Their Tra^ices within, 1 75
The third Ground of War, \ ^6
S E C T.
CONTENTS.
SECT. II.
Of the Force rcquifite to a W a r.
Page Tdgp
The Forces (;alla>icedOet''Ji'ixt S^^\n The Fight of Sir Richard GrconviJ,
avd Britain, \ y6 Commander of the Revenge^ in
■S^2i\n not an Over-match for 'En^- li^n, ibid.
land, ibid. Cadiz taken by the Enghfli , in isp^f
Shcji'n by Experience, ibid. 183
The Battle of Rimenant, in ij/S, The Battle of Newport, in 1600,
177 ibid.
Ireland invaded by the Tope, in The Battle <?/' Kingfalc, in i6or,
15S0, ibid.. 184
The Retreat <?/ Gaunt, in ijSa, The Enterprize of V^nzm^iy 1S5
178 The State <?/ Spain compared^ in
The takingofC:inhc^enz, inis^S^ 1588 and 1614. ibid. 187
ibid. The Spaniards eafier to quit than
Sir Francis Drake' j- Expedition imagined^ 187
againf tkc Spaniards,/// 1587, ibid. The Advantage ip/'Britain over Spain
The Spiniih j!/m. 7 da, in 1588, 175) in T'oint of Situation, ibid.
Sail from the Groyney 180 Courage^and native Soldiers, ibid.
Anchor at Calais, ibid. The Riches of Spain precarious.
Fail of their Land- Forces, 181 188
Chafed from GxzytXxn^^ ibid. ASea/f''ar'-jvithSpa.\ngainful,ihid.
Their 'Defeat, ibid. Spain dejiitiite of fure Confede-
Spain invaded by the Englifh, in rates, ibid.
I
,-8p, 1 8a
SUPP LEMENT XIII.
The Prudent Statefman ; or. The Office of Prime
Minifters.
The NeceJJity a7id Vfe of T rime AGeneralT>ir€6iion for their Con-
Minifersj 1^3 du^t
c a The
CONTENTS.
Page
The Office of 'Prime Mintjiers di-
JlriOuted, 1 5)4
I.
Rcligicns Matters^ ibid.
BiJl)ops, ibid.
%)eans^ Canons, Svc. ibid.
Ceremonies of the Church, 1 95
The Per fins of Eiclefiajticks, ibid.
77?^ Patrimony of the Church, ibid.
Colleges and Schools, ibid,
II.
Afatters of Lfrji), ibid.
No Arbitrary Po-j;er to be alloived,
ibid.
Judges, ibid.
None to interpofe in Judicial Ca-
fes, 1^6
Circuits, ibid.
Cha-ges to be given the Judoes bc-
jore their Circuits, ibid.
The Judges to continue longer in
their Circuits, ibid.
Sheriffs of the Counties to attend
the Judges, ibid.
No Place of JurifdiBion to be
ThePuifne to he raifed to Chief
J^idges, ibid.
Serjeants at La'-ji'^ ibid.
The King's Council at LaiJi\ ibid.
Attorney and Soliicitor General,
ibid.
Attorney of the 1VardsandT>utchy,
ibid.
The Weljh Judges, ibid.
Contentions about thejurifdidfion
of Courts to be prevented^ ibid.
Ths High Sheriffs, ibid,
Page
Not to be frickea or excufed for
Money, j^g
Lieutenants and 1>e_ptity- Lieute-
nants of Counties, ibid.
Jufices of Peace, ibid!
Not to be chofe for Favour, ibid.
Jufiice and Mercy hovj to be mix-
^^' ibid.
The Court of Parliament, ibid.
Are a Council to the King, ibid.
Lwjjs hcji' paffed, jpn
The Houfe of Peers a Court of Ju-
dicature, ibid
The Po'-jicr of the Houfe of Com-
z-tons, ibj^j^
Vfe of the Parliament, ibid.
The Civil Law, ibid.'
Civilians, jbid
III.
Two Sorts of Counfellors, ibid.
The Council fable, ^co
The Council how to be chofe, ibid.
Their Number to be limited, ibid.
T>eputy Privy Counfellors, ibid.
Privy Counfellors not to give Opi-
nion of the Sudden, ibid.
Refolutions not to be frecipitated,
ibid.
The King to be frefent, ibid.
Secrecy required in Privy-Coun-
fellors, ibid.
Counfellors how to be chofen, aoi
The great Offices and Officers, ibid.
IV.
Embajjies^ ibid.
Of Leremony, ibid.
Embajfies of Bufinefs, ibid.
The Attendants of Embufadors^
ibid.
MercaU'
Page
J 'cr'-aPtile Negotiations^ loz
L.cfidentSy ibid.
Their Ififtru^ions, ibid.
The Education of Foreign Miui-
Jters, ibid.
V.
JFars^ ibid.
To prevetit an Invajion, ibid.
Naial Stores^ 203
Tackling^ ibid.
Shit)'building^ ibid.
Ammunitiony ibid.
Sailors, ibid.
Sea-Officers, ibid.
Foreign IFars, ibid.
Alliance ziith Holland, ibid.
C'/v// /^ «;-, ibid.
Alone y, 204
Magaz,ineSj ibid.
Experienced Com wanders, ibid.
2 /.7f Conducl to be obfh"i,ed -Jihen a
Civil I Far is ended, ibid,
Vi.
7r^^^ /?f //(JWf, ibid
TtlLv:^e, _ ib;d.
Improiements in Husbandry^ ibid.
Garaeiiirg^ 2.05
Hop-Tar'di, JVoadti^c. ibid.
Vr.n'is ibid.
IDraihhig, ibid.
Fcrejfs and Commons to be im:>ro-
t-ed, ibid.
Isavigable Rivers^ ibid.
So'-s;i>ig ofHeinp and Flax, ibid.
Luxury to be rejirained in Cloaths,
ibid.
Av.dTiict, ibid.
7 /6c native Commodities to be ufed,
ac6
Endilh JLiZ'^'J- W ^e- iucouracjd^
ibid.
C O.N TENTS.
Page
Grazing, ibid.
Alining, ibid.
Fijherics, ibid.
Merchandizing, ibid.
Monopolies to be prevented, ibid.
VII.
Plantations, 207
C/^^/Vf »/" /'/j^ !P/rtff /^r Tlanta-
tions, ibid.
37;f/r Governors, ibid.
TT'f/'r CommiJJion and Injlru^ion,
ibid.
777?ir Laws^ ibid.
Z/^f/r Religion, ibid.
Z/:)<vr Forces and T>e fence, ibid.
Their Beginning, 208
77jf/r Employs^ ibid.
Trades^ ibid.
Shipping, ibid.
iVtf Out-lA^JJS, Sec ?o ^^ admitted^
ibid.
T'^cir T^r^i^" fo ^f regulated, ibid.
Comnufjhners of -Plantations ^WaA.
The -Ditties ho'-jo to be laid, ibid.
VIII.
77;^ Court.
Kivgs how to be advifed.
205)
ibid.
ThtConduEi of the Minifers, ibid.
Gr^.-?? Officers oftheHoufr)old,\\nfi.
The other Min'ijierial Officer s^\\)\^.
The White Staffs and Green Cloth,
ibid.
T/jf" TurveyancCy ibid.
T/'C Rezenues, ibid.
iV<? Officers to be re-joarded -^ith
Forfeitures^ 2 1 9
Mafcjues and Tublick Entertain-
ments, ibid,
SUPPLE-
CONTENTS.
SUPPLEMENT XI\'.
A Propofal for a n^w Digeft af the Laws of England.
Page
Kings to perpetuate their Teo-
fle's Good hy La'JJS, 2 1 3
The Ufe of Laws with regard to
"Princes, ibid.
Laws the be ft Means of perpetu-
ating the Memory of Trinces,
ibid .
Examples of the Thing in Hiftory,
The Kings <?/ Rome, ibid.
The T>ecem-jirs, ibid.
Caelar, ibid.
Juftinian, 2.15
The Sexviri <?/ Athens, ibid.
King Edgar, ibid.
Alphonfo of Caftile, ibid.
Lewis XL of Fiance, ibid.
Henry YIII. of England, ibid.
The Laws of England charaUteri^
zed, }o6
Require Amendment^ ibid.
The Work recommended to King
James, on Account of his Iffue^
ibid.
And learned Times. ibid.
The Author's Tropofal to af/ift
therein^ ibid.
AView of the Thing propofed^ 2 1 7
Its Dignity, ibid.
Its Safety andConvenience, ibid.
Objedlions. i.] That the JVork is
needle fs, anfweredy ibid.
The Law of England better than
Foreign LawSy ibid.
Page
InconveuicMce of the Law ofJLng-
land, ibid.
To know when the T)efe5t is in the
Law, 2 1 8
TenalLawSy ibid.
Accumulation of Statutes., ibid.
2.] The Charge of Inmvation^ an-
fwered from Reafon, ibid.
And fro m 'Precedents, % \ o
3. J That much Good may be taken
away, aufwered, ibid.
4 ] Whether better to form a Text-
Law, avfweredy ibid.
5.] That it will caufe the Law to
be learnt a-uew, 120
Anfwered, ibid.
How the Work is to be efeEied^
ibid.
Viz. By compiling a Book concern-
ing the Antiquities of the Law,
ibid.
A Courfe of Law in the Order of
Time, ibid.
Homonjmi^ to be left out, aaa
Antinomias how to be treated, ibid.
Idle ^leries to be avoided, ibid.
Tedious Caufes to bcfbortened^ihid.
Reporters to he appointed, ibid.
Auxiliary Books, ibid.
Inftitutions, ibid.
A Treat ife of Maxims and Rules
of Law, aaa
Law-T)i6lionaryy ibid.
Abridgement's y ibid.
fhe
CONTENTS.
Page Page
The Statute-La''j:j how to be re- The Taialties of /owe to be miti-
compiled, ibid. gated, 223
The Statutes concerning Cafes va- Concurrent Statutes to be reduced^
nijhed, to be difcharged^ zzi ibid.
The iifelefs and enfnaring Ones to The Whole to be a Tarliafnentary
be repealed, ibid. ^61, ibid.
SUPPLEMENT XV.
A Hiftory of the Nature, Ufe, and Proceedings of the
Law of England.
S E C T. I.
The Procedure of the L a w in Matter of the P e a c e.
^/e of the La'-ji-, '■Ji^herein It con-
fijis, lap
Surety to keep the Teace^ ibid.
A^ioti for Slandtr, Battery, ?<c.
ibid.
Appeal of JSIurder giieti to the
next of Kh, ibid
Ma-! (laughter, 'Sj/.ev a Forfeiture
ofGoodsi and'-JihcH notf 230
Felo dc fe, ibid.
Felony by Mifchavce, ibid.
T'jiniflyment for Example, ibid.
The Office ofConfable of the Teacc,
ibid.
Hi^lh-Conf able for every Hundred,
and a TettyJCon fable for every
Village y 231
Authority of Con ftables, ibid.
Origin of High-Confab les^ ibid.
Ojfce of the Court-Leer, ibid.
Juri/di51ion ofCourt-Leets, 132
Eleflion of Confab les^ ibid.
Are to afl gratis, ibid.
Are punijhable for Rcfufil, ibid.
The 'Fo"j:;er oj Confiables, ibid.
In Matters of the Croizm, 233
In Matters of Nuifance and Grie-
vance, ibid.
Confab les hozv punijhable^ ibid.
The Oath of Confables, ibid.
The Authority of Confables, 234
Deputy-Confab les. ibid.
Simntary of the Confable's Office^
ibid.
SECT.
C ON TENT S.
S E C T. IT.
The Office of Juftices of the Peace.
Page
The K'ntgs Bench zvhen fir ft infti-
mted, and its Jnrifdi£ilon^^^^s
Court of Marjhalfea, its Jurifdic-
tio7i, ibid.
Sheriffs Totirne ipftitiited^ ibid.
Stibdivijion of the County-Court
into Hundreds^ ibid.
'^The Charge of the County commit-
ted to the Sheriffs 236
The Sherif Judge of all County
Court!, ibid.
County Courts kept Monthly^ ibid.
The Office of the Sheriff, ibid.
Hundred Courts to -juhom firft
granted, ibid.
Lord of the Hundred to appoint
two High-Conftables, ibid.
What Matters are enquired of in
the Leets and Lwji'-'Days, 237
Confervators of the 'Peace-, at the
King's •Pleajure, ibid.
Their Office,, ibid.
Confervators of the 'Peace by Vir-
tue of their Office, ibid.
Page
Juftices of the Teace ordained in-
ftead of Confervators, ibid.
Their Seffions and Office-^— ibid.
^larter-Seffions held by the Ju-
ftices of thePeace,'^ ■'■_■. 238
The Authority of thb Juftices of
Pence out of Seffions, ibid.
Judges of AJftzein-the Pla:rof
the ancient Judges in Eyre,
The Authority of the Judges in
Eyre, tranflated to the Juftices
of /^Jfize^ ibid.
Juftices of Affize leffened by the
Court of Common r:P leas y ibid.
Their Commiffions. Oyer and Ter-
miner, ibid.
Goal-'Ue livery, ibid.
The Manner of proceeding therein,
240
Benefit of the Clergy, 24 1
Comm iffion ofylffizes, ibi d .
Commiftion of Nill Prius, ibid.
Commifjion of Peace , 242
SECT. HI.
The Procedure of the Law in Matter of Property.
'Property of Lands ^ how acquired. Occupancy, 244
243 Property of Lands-byT>efcent^\h\d.
Property by Entry, ibid. Three Rules by T>efcent, ' ibid,
■r Land left by the Sea belongs to the Cuftoms of certain P laces ^ 245
King, ' ibid.
Every
CONTENTS.
Page
"Every Heir having Land is bound
by the Binding ABs of his Jn-
cejiors, 145'
Heirs charged for fa l/c Tlea^ 146
Tropcrty of Lands by Efcheat, ibid .
Tl^e Caufcs of Efcheat^ ibid.
Attainder of Treafon entitles the
King, ibid.
Knights Service infituted, ibid.
Knights Service in Capite, 247
The Inflitution ofSoccage in Capite,
14S
Office of Alienation^ ibid.
Aid, Vi'hat, ibid.
Tenants by Soccage in Capite, ibid.
Mannors, hoiv firfi created, ibid.
Page
Tenants by Knights Service, 14^
Soccage Tenure, ibid.
Relief of Tenants in Soccage, 249
Tenure by Copy, ibid.
Court Baron, ibid.
JVhat Attainders give the Efcheat
to the Lords, 250
Outlavi;7y, ibid.
Trayer of the Clergy, ibid.
Standing mute, ibid.
¥c\o^q{i:, and Flying, ibid.
Not Snrrendring, ibid.
Forfeiture of Lands to the Crown,
For Treafon, ibid.
Felony, ibid.
SECT. IV.
of P R o p E R T Y of L A N D s by Conveyaticc,
Efates how created by Leafe-parole, Terfctuity, ibid.
aja Fee- Simple, 255-
Leafesgo to Executors, not Heirs, The 'Difference betwixt Reverfioii
ibid. and Remainder, ibid.
How forfeited, ibid. Lands conveyed by Feojfment,\\yid.
Chattels real, ibid. Recovery, 2^6
Leafes for Lives, andFreeholds,!') ^ Feoffments and Recoveries, 257
How forfeited, ibid. Vfe, what, ibid.
Entails, ibid. Conveyance to fiandfeized to ^fes.
Their Origin, ibid. ibid.
Their Inconveniencies, ibid. Conveyance by Will in Writing,
Remedied by Statutes, 254 2)8
SECT.
CONTENTS.
SECT. V,
OfPROPERTYmGoODS.
Page Page
Tropertyby Cifty a6o Troving the Will-, ibid^
by Sale ^ 261 By Letter of AdminiJlration,\\i\d.
by Theft, or taking in The Granting of Adminifration,
Jejt, ibid. 2^3
by Waving of Goods, ibid . How Executors are to proceed, ibid.
by Straying, z6x How Adminiftrators,. ibid.,
by JVreck, . ibid. Ordinary., what, 2(^4
by Forfeitures, o.6x 'Property by Legacy^ ibid.
by Executorjhi^i ibid,
SECT. VI.
Cafes of Treafon ; with the Trial, Penalties, and Proceedings therein.
Cafes 0^ Trea fin., 265" Mifpri fin of Treafon, ibid.
The Tunijhments and Proceedings Tetty-Treafon, ibid,
in Treafon, x66 Tunijhment and ^Proceedings in
Mtjprifon of Treafon, 267 ^etty-Treafou, 26^8.
TuHiJhment and Proceedings in
SECT. VII.
Cafes of Felony J with the Trial, Punifhment and Proceedings therein.
Cafes of Felony, 268 in CafisofVuxmuvinc, 27a
Punijhment of Felony, a 6^ Cafes ofAbjuration and Exile, with
Felony de fe, with the Tunijhment the Proceedings therein, ibid.
and Proceedings, 271 Cafes of Herejy, and the Proceed-
Cafis of Vixmunirc, ibid. ings therein. 273
The Puni/hment and Proceedings
SECT.
CONTENTS.
SECT. viir.
The Prerogatives of the C r o w n.
^ Page Page
The Kings Trerogati-ce in Tarii- In Matters of Trade and Traffic k,
amcnt, 273 174
LiMartef-sofTeaceandfrar/ihid. IH the Terforis of bis Stibje&s^
Ih Matters of Money ^ ibid. ibid.
SEC X IX.
Of the Nature and Office of Grand-Juries ; particularkj^ the J u r y of the
VERGE.
The Office of Grand Juries, 274 Cafes of TreaJoHy ibid.
Particular Office of the Jury of the Military Men, ibid.
Verge ^ 27^ Trophecies^ ibid.
The Verge, "what, ibid. Capital Offences relating to the
Ho'j:: regulated anciently, ibid. 'People^ xj<^
The Offences to be pre fented, ibid. Murder, ibid.
Regard God and the Church, ^j6 Tetty-Treafon, ibid.
^Profanation, . ibid. Man- Slaughter, ibid.
Contempts of the Church, ibid. Rapes, T)ouble-Marriages, 2<c.
*Divifions and Breach of Unity, \h\d. 280
Terjury, xyy Robberies, ibid".
Conjuration and Witchcraft, ibid . Offences againfi theTeople^ that are
Offences againjt the State, ibid. not Capital^ ibid.
againji the King's Per fon. Force, ibid.
ibid. Exactions, ibid.
againJiPrivy-Counfellors^\h\d. Frauds, 281
The King's Per/on reprefented Kufances and Grievances, ibid.
three 'ji-ays, ibid. Breach of Statutes, ibid.
Treafons of three kinds, 278 Killing the King's Game, ibid.
Invafton and Rebellion, ibid. Food, ibid.
Alienation of Hearts, ibid, Manufa5fures, ibid.
d 2 SUPPLE-
CONTENTS.
SUPPLEMENT XVI.
Charaderifticks of a Believing Chriftian. 285
SUPPLEMENT XVII.
An Attempt to promote the Peace of the Church. 189
SECT. I.
Of the Gontroverfies oftheCHURCH Qi England'.
Page The Occafion of Church Controvert
n~'H E Church always liable to Jies^ ibid.
■^ Controverjies^ 15)1 TheCalumn'tathtgof BiJhops^WM^
The Controverjies of the Church of The Regard paid them by the an-
England not dangerous., ibid. emit Councils and Synods^ 196-
Require Rejt rather than- Remedy y The SecondOccaJion of Church Con-
%^z troverfiesy ibid.
Concern not the great parts ofWor- Emulation and 'Party nourijbed by
fhip, ibid. the Uuiverjities^ 297
'Peace heji built upon a Recolle^io7i The ylbufe of Names ^ ibid.
of Injuries, 25)3 AThird Occajion of Church Con~
Religion treated in the Theatrical trover fies ; viz. an extremeflying
Manner, ibid. from Herejy or Corruption, ibid.
Religious Tiifputes to be handled The T>anger of this Error, 25)8
with Gravity, ibid. A fourth Occafton, the Imitation
The Blame where jufly laid, 15)4 of foreignChurches, ibid.
A declaration required of the Inco7iveniences in the Foreign
Clergy, ibid. Churches, 299
Two kinds ofTamphlets, ibid. TheFruitsof the foreign Clntrches,
Violent Oppofition to Epifcopacy, ibid.
ibid. The Growth and Progrefs of Con-
The Cure of thefe T>iJiurbanceSy troverfies, ibid.
ibid. The Progrefs of the Side for Re-
Five Particulars blameable in re- formatiouy ibid.
lation to Church Matters^ 295
Of
CONTENTS.
Page
Of thofe on the Side of the EJia-
blijhtnenty 300
Each 'Party greatly dijfers from
itfelf ibid.
The Error oftheSeparatiJis, ibid.
The Stifnefs of the Bijhops, 301
IJncharltable Trocedure^ ibid.
OftheTartyhiTozicr^ 302
Of the Tarty out of'To'-ji-er, 303
The ^Procedure oj the Separatijis^
or Oppofcrs of Epifcopal Go-
vernment^ ibid.
Their Pretences to Zeal and Sin-
cerity, ibid.
Their Pretences to Light and Ter-
fe&ion^ ibid.
Their Reproach of Preachers, 304
j'heir O'-jun manner of Preaching, ib.
Page
Their erroneous and iynperfeSi ,
Manner of teaching the 'PeoplCy
ibid.
Their Admijfion of the People to all
Controver/ies, 305
Their manner of Handling the
Scriptures, ibid.
Their extreme Magnifying of
^reaching, ibid.
Their Stifne fs, and Fondnefs'\\>\^.
their ozi'7i Tenets, ibid.
A CoJifideration of their JVays laid
before them, ibid.
The "j.-ay of conduffing Religious
Cont 7 •over/ies, 3 o5
The P'eople no Judges ofControver-
Jies, ibid.
Coticlufion^ ibid.K
S E C T. IL
Of the Regulation of the Church of England.
The Defign, 307
T'-Ji-o Object ions to it, 308
Whether good Policy alloiji's of Re-
formation in Religion, ibid.
The Church of England compared
'iz/ith foreign Churches, ibid.
Thebejl Time for Reformation, 305»
That Alteration for the Better is
to be feared, ibid.
yo Form of Church 'Difcipline di-
re fled in Scripture, ibid.
Rites and Ceremonies left to T>if-
cretion,
,10
Primitive Examples horx; to be fol-
lo'-Ji-edr ibid.
The Government of Bijhops to be
continued, ibid.
The Exercife and 'Deputation of
their Authority, 3 1 1
Bijhops affing alone not counte-
nanced by parallel Injiances^
ibid.
Not fo from the Firfl, ibid.
Not fo in the Bijhops (7/"Rome, 3 1 2
Whether Strength Jhou'd be added
to the Convocation, ibid.
Bijhops
CONTENTS.
Page
B'tjhopf not to depute their Au-
thor-ity^ 3 1 ^
As Kings do, SU
Bij}?ops able to difcharge their
Ojjire in Terfon, ibid.
The Oath that obliges Men to ac-
cuje themfelves^ 3^4
'^Prayer to be revereiicedy 3 1 5
As well as Treaching, ibid.
'The proper Form of Trayer^ ibid.
Exceptions to thelXi^ir^Jy it«d.
Abfolution,
Coufirmatim,
Baptifm^
Matrimony^
Church Muficky
The Cap and Surplice,
Snbfcription^
The Cafe of a.Treaching Mini fry,
ibid ,
ibid,
ibid.
ibid.
J 17
ibid,
ibid,
ibid.
Page
Trophejying to be reflored, as an
Exercife, 3 1 S
With Additions, 315)
Examination of Minijlers before
Ordination, ibid.
Flow a Sufficiency of Tajiors is
procurable, ibid.
Fhe Abnfe of Excommunication, ibid.
Its Rectification, 320
By 'Permutation, ibid,
Nojt-Refidents, and 'Pluralities,
ibid.
Study, 321
Extraordinary Service of the
Churchy ibid.
Pluralities, ibid.
The Provifion for the Maintenance
of the Churchy ibid .
Commendams, 3 2 i
Impropriations, ibid.
INSTAURATION,
PART IL
Q R,
A New Machine for Rebuilding the Sciences.
P R E LIMIN ARIES.
APhorifmsforajujlInterpreta- Interferes not with the Ancients ^
"** tion of Nature, 333 338
IntrodtiEiion, 3 3 7 Philofophers reduced to two Tribes,
The State of the Ancient Philofo- 33^
phies, ibid. Requi^testo judging of the Work,
The T>efigtt of the Work, ibid. ibid.
PART
CONTENTS.
PART I.
S E C T. I.
General Aphorlfms for Interpreting Nature, and Extending the Empifc
of Man over the Creation.
Page Page
JLJA N'sTo'-ji-erJ.iO'w limited^ 343 "^f^^ common Axioms^ how form' d^
^^*Man requires Injtrumeiits^ ibid . ibid .
Tower and Knowledge co-incide^ The Anticipation and Interfreta"-
344 t ion of Nature^ what^ ibid.
Arts and Sciences im^erfeB, ibid. The Force of Anticipation^ ibid.-
Logic, 345 The proper Ufe of Anticipation
Syllogifm, ibid. and Logic k, 345)
Notions not fafely trnjied, 346 Anticipation of no Service in the
Two Ways of difcovering Truth, Sciences^ ibid.
3 47 The Sciences not greatly advanced
The ABionoftheunaffiJiedlJnder- by engrafting new Inventions
Jianding, ibid. 07t old, ibid.
Its ABion in a fo her Genius, ibid. The prefent Undertaking not to be
The'Differenceof the tw:- IV ays of judged of by Anticipation, ibid.
difcovering Truth, ibid. Confutations, where of no Service^
Falfe Images of the Mtna, 34S 3jo
Axioms raifed by Arguments, ufe- The Courfe obferved by the Author,
lefs in Works t ibid. ibid,
SECT. It
of the falfc Images, or Idols of the Mind.
Idols, what, 351 Idols of the Theatre, what, ibid.
Their Kinds, ibid. The particular Idols ofthcTribe,
Idols of the Tribe, what, ibid. viz. (i.) From imaginary Relati-
Idolsofthe'Den,whati 35a ons, ? >3
Idols of the Market, what, ibid. {1.) From Diftortions, ibid,
(3.) Unduf
CONTENTS.
rage
(3.) Undue Motions of the Under^
jiand'iHg^ 354
(4.) Reft lefsJf petite. ibid.
(i ) Impure Light of the Vnder-
(tanding^ ibid.
(^.) "DefeBs iTithe Senfes, 355
(7.)' ^«<3^ Fondue fs for Abfraffiojis,
ibiJ.
The particular Idols of the 'Den,
3i^
(i.) From Ajfediion to particular
Studies., ibid.
(2.) The principal Difference of
Capacities, ibid.
Page
(3.) Affe^ation of Jntiquity, or \
Novelty, 357
And (4.) ill Choice ofObjeffs, ibid.
The Rife of the Idols of the Den^
ibid.
Idols of the Market, from JVords,
.358
Are ofT'wo Kinds ; viz. Karnes of
Things not exifling, ibid.
And JVords -wrong form'd from
Things, ibid.
Depravities in Words, 355)
Idols of the Theatre palm'd upon
the Mind, ibid.
SECT. III.
of the different Philofophical Theories.
Theories whence, andhoiz' fupprcf-
fed, 3^0
The Origin of Errors, ^61
Among the Rational Thilnfophers;
, viz. Ariftotle, fCc. ibid.
The Empirical Thilofophj, 162
And the fuperftitious, 3(^3
Exemplified in Pythagoras and
Plato, ibid.
The corrupt Matter of Contempla-
tion, ibid.
(i.) From Errors in the mechanic
Arts and Nature, 3 64
(2.) From Logical Notions in Thy-
Jics, ibid.
How Thyfical Notions differ from
Metaphyfical, 3^5
(3.) Not Keeping a Mean in Na-
ture, ibid.
And (4.) From Exceffes in point of
Afent, ibid.
Thefe ExceJJes of two Kinds, ibid.
Injtanced in AtiHotle, ^66
Plato, ibid.
Pyrrho, ibid.
All Idols to be renounced, ibid.
Ealfe 'Demonflrations countenance
the Idols of the Mind.^ ibid.
The befl 'Demonflrations are from
Experience, 3^7
The Errors of leavingExperiments
too foon, 3(58
The common Experience a falfe
'Demonflrationy ibid.
SECT.
CONTENTS.
SECT. IV.
of the Signs, or Charaderifticks, of falfe Philosophies.
Page Page
(i.) The Grecian Thilofophy faul- The Chemijls a feWy but cafually^
ty in its Origin^ and deceitful^ ibid.
369 (3.) The Signs from the Trogrefs
The Greeks Afajfers of but little ofThilofophies^ 37a
Ktio-iz- ledge, lyo (4) The Confejfion of Author s^iyi.
(2.) The beji Signs of Thilofophiesy The 'Difentions ofTrofeffors.^i
from their Fruits, 371 ( j . ) The Argument of general Con-
The Greek Thilofo^hy has yielded fent fallacious, ibid.
noney ibid.
S E C T. V.
Of the Caufes of Errors in Philosophies.
TheCaufes'-Ji'hy all the formcrThi- The vulgar Motion of Antiquity
lofophers have erred, S7S erroneous, ibid.
Viz. (i.) fVantofTimesfuitedto The Voyages of the Moderns, ibid.
Learning, ibid. The JVeaknefs of admiring Au-
(a.) Little Labour befovj'dufon thors, 381
natural Thilofophy, ':,y6 (8.) Admiration of the JVorks in
The Times, at beji, unfavourable to 'Vfe, ibid.
natural Thilofophy, ibid. But fe-jn' Inventions difcovered in
(3.) ¥evj emtrely addicted to na- - prop07^tion to the Time, ibid.
tural Thilofophy, 3 77 Little Variety of Matter in Books,
(4.) The End of the Sciences wrong 3 82
fixed, ibid. The Trocedure of the Alchemifts,
(j.) A vurong Way chofey 378 ibid.
The Logical fV ay, ibid. The'Procedure of the ¥olloix;ers of
Experience to be follovjed, 375) natural Magic, ibid.
And a due Order to be objerved, Superjtitious Magic, 383
ibid. (5).) The Artifice of Teachers, and
{6.) Tl?e NegleB of Experiments, Writers, in the Sciences, ibid.
ibid. The aphortfiical Way of Writing
(j.) Regard to Antiquity and Au- recommended, ibid.
thority, 380
c (16.) Ofien-
CONTENTS.
Page Page
( 1 0.) Opntatious Tromifes of the count of the School 'fheology^ ibid.
Moderns y 38+ The mixture of Thilo/b^hy with
(11.) fFant of profofing worthy Religion, 387
Tasks, 385- The Opinion that deep natural
Laying the Imp erf e5i ion of Arts Enquiries Jhould fubvert Reli"
to we Charge of Nature^ ibid. gion, ibid.
Secrets in fome Things, lie open (13.) Schools and Academies prov-
in others, 3 8^ ing unfavourable to Thilo/ophy^
Slender ^Performances over-rated, 388
ibid, {i:^.) IVant of Rewards, ibid,
(la.) Superftition and Zeal being (15.) T>efpair,andthe fippojition
oppofite to natural Thilofophy, of ImpoJJibility, 385^
ibid. Tranfltion, ibid.
'Dangerous to philofophize, on ac-
SECT. VI.
of the Grounds of Hope, for the farther Advancement of P h i l o s o-
p H Y and the S c I E N c E s.
The greateft Motive of Hope JO be A want of informing Expert-
found in the fourth Tart of the ments, 35>4
inftauration, 35)0 A better Order in Experimenting,^
ThegoodnefsoftheT)eJIgn^ a Mo- ibid.
tiveof Hope for improving Thi- Inventions to be wrote down, 35)5
lofofhy, 35>i Hijiorical Materials to be tabled.
The Errors of the Ancients to be ibid*
removed, and new IV ays to be Axioms to be formed from Expert'
tried, 391 ments., ibid.
The rational and experimental Fa- Axioms to be forme din a new Man-
cult ies to be united, 3512 ner, 396
Natural Thilo/ophy to be pure. The Underjianding to be kept
ibid. feady, 397
The Mind to be purged, ibid. A new Form of Indu^ ion, ibid^
IVrong Ideas to be difcharged,},')'^ The Caution required in forming
The Author compared to Alcxan- Axioms by its means, ibid,
del, ibid. Thilofophy to . be extended to the
A jujt Foundation not hitherto Sciences, and they brought back
laid for Experience, ibid, to Thilofophy, 35)8.
^ifcoveries
CONTENTS.
Page Page
^ifc6verlei~MAy be expeHed from No great Time and Treafure he-
JHigent Enquiry^ 398 Jlorz-ed upotiTbilofopIjy^ ibid.
Many Mtiexpcclcd T)ifcoveries Experience but little profectitcd,
fiiade, ibid. ibid.
Ordnance^ 3 pp The Author's Example propofed^
TheCompafs^ S^c. ibid. 402
AU.ajford an Argument of Hope^ Experiments to be gone upon, ibid.
400 Recapitulation^ 408
The obz-ious Invention of Trinting The three Confutations ufcd, ibid.
l^ng unbwJi-n^ ibid. The Mind previoujly to be inform-
The perverfe Aflion of the Mind ed of. the fecond Tart, ibid.
in Invention, 401
SECT. VII.
■An Idea of the New Method of interpreting Nature.
The Author J>ropofes to found 710 The Re a fin of the Author'' s differ-
Seitt 404 ingfrom others^ ibid.
Kor regards Opinions^ ibid. The Obje&^ion, that the prefent
Tromifes no JVorks, 405 "Defign draws avi-ay from the
^The Natural Hiftory hitherto col- Abfira^Contemplationof Truth,
le&ed^ unfit for the Turpofe, 411
ibid. Anfjoered, ibid,
Ko Tielay made in the T>ifcovery That after all, fome former 'Phi-
of JVorks, ibid. lofophies may be fallen uJ>ony
Suppofing falfe FaEis in a Natural 41 a
Hiftory, 4c5 Anfjaered, ibid.
Trite and vulgar Particulars, The Charge of Scepticijm, 413
ibid. Anfv::ered, ibid.
Such as are difagreeable, 407 That the prefent 'Defign regards
Too curious or fubtile, 468 thevjholeofThilofophy., ibid.
TheObjecfion of di fear ding the An- The T)efign not to abolijh the pre-
cients, and all the Sciences, ^o^ fent Arts and Scieiices, 414
Anfjiered, as to reje^ingA?it iqui- The Excellence of the End in View,
ty, ibid. 415
All Authors, and the Sciences, The Honour of Inventors, 416
410 The Efficacy of Inventions, ibid.
The Accufation of hifolence an- Three Kinds of Ambition, ibid.
fwered, ibid.
e 2 The
CONTENTS.
Page Page
The great Advantage of the f re- The Art of interpreting Nature^
fent T>ejigny 417 no Stranger to the Mind^ 418
That Arts and Sciences may be The Art of Invention to increafe
mifemplojed, ibid. with Inventions, ibid.
Anfwered, ibid.
PART II.
SECT. I.
Particular Aphorisms for interpreting Nature : Or, the Means of en-
larging the Human Power and Knowledge, by the Difcovery
of F o R M s.
'T~H E Office oft he human Tc-juer^
•'■ and Knowledge, 423
Caufes of four Kinds y 424
Forms., ijvhaty ibid.
The Knowledge of Forms leads to
great 'Dijcoveriss, ' ibid .
'Pra^ice to govern Theory, 425
The T toper ties of a go odRul ejor
Tra^ice, 426
The T recent for a perfect Rule of
Tra^ice, ibid.
The Trecept for a true and perfect
Theoretical Axiom, ibid.
Axiom for the Transformation of
Bodies, 4^7
Second Axiom for Tranfmutation,
ibid.
Regards Motions as well as Gejie-
r at ions, 428
The 'Pra6iice anfwering to the The-
ory, ibid.
Latent Trocefsy what, ibid.
Contains numerous Particulars,
ibid.
Unregarded in the Sciences, 425)
The concealed Struilure unknown^
ibid.
And difficult to come at, ibid.
Indu6iion to ben fed, inJieadofFirCj
iji the Analyfis of Bodies, 430
The Spirit and tangible Parts of
Bodies to be enquired after,\\)\^.
Objections to the Bufinefs in hand
anfwered.^ ibid.
Philofophy divided, with regard to
primary and feeondary Axioms,
451
The Indication for interpreting
Nature, ibid,
viz. A Hijfory of Nature, 43 i
Tables of Injtancesy ibid.
Genuine InduEiion, ibid.
The Procedure of the Enquiry of
FormSy ibid.
The
CONTENTS.
The true Method of Difcovering Forms, illuftratedby
an Example in the Form of Heat.
TABLE I.
Inftances agreeing in the Nature of H e a T.
Jfirtnative Injlances of
Page
Heat,
433
Page
Ajiimals, 434
Excrements, ibid.
Celejiial,
Subterraneous,
ibid,
ibid.
Chemical T reparations, ibid.
Aromatic s, ibid.
Common and extraordinary.
By Attrition or 'T ercujjiouy
Tntrefaffion,
Solution,
ibid.
434
ibid.
ibid.
Acids, ibid.
Cold, 435
The Method of forming the fecond
Table, ibid.
TABLE II.
Inftances of Approximation, yet wanting the Nature of Heat.
Negative Inftances of Heat,
435
Attrition gives Heat^
441
The Celeftial Kind,
436
Herbs heating.
443
The burning Glafs,
437
G^iicklime flaked.
ibid.
Comets and Meteors,
43S
Metals in Solution,
ibid.
Corrufcations,
ibid.
Heat of Animals,
444
Flame,
435>
Heat of Excrements,
ibid.
Ignition,
ibid.
Heat of Mevjiruums,
ibid.
Hot Springs,
440
Spirit of Wine,
445
Hot Liquors,
ibid.
Aromatics,
ibid.
Hot Vaponrsy
ibid.
Cold Things,
ibid.
Hot Air,
ibid.
Some .mictions common to Heat and
Hot Seafons,
ibid.
Cold,
ibid.
Subterraneous Air,
441
A third Table to be for
'med.
44(5
Warmth of Wool, Kq.
ibid.
The comparative T>egrees of Heat,
All Bodies heatablcy
44Z
ibid.
Flint and Uteel,
ibid.
TABLE
CONTENTS.
TABLE in.
VI Table of th e Degrees of K e • A't.
Page ■ Page
No Matter hot in itfilf, 446 Fire extinguijhed by Jlrong Com-
Potential Heats, 447 prejjion, 452
T litre faB'ton attended 'li^ith a la- Heat increafed by Approach ^ ibid.
tent Heat, 448 By Vnion, ■ ibid.
The fir ji Degree of Heat, that of By Continuance, ibid.
Animals, '^ ibid. By Cold, ibid.
T)ifferent Heats of Animals, ibid. TheT>egrees of Reception of M^at,
And different Tarts of the fame ibid.
Animal, 445) In Air, ibid.
27?^ Heat of the celefial Bodies, 'Weatber-Glaffes, how made, ibid.
ibid. The Scale of Bodies mofl fufcepti-
How increafed, 450 ble of Heat and Cold, 45-3
A Difference, in Degree, betwixt Heat averfe to tangible Bodies,
the Milder Heats, ibid. ibid.
The Degrees of Heat indicated. Natural Hijiory defe^ive, 454
ibid. '1)fe of the preceding Tables, ibid.
Metallic Flames^ ibid. Forms known intuitively to fub-
Lightning, 451 lime Intelligences, ibid.
The Degrees of Heat in ignited The Bufinefs of Genuine InduSii-
Bodies, ibid. on, ibid.
Ignited Bodies compared with The Notion of Forms limited, 455
Flames, ibid. The fe Forms fimple, ibid.
Heat increafed by Motion, ibid. Not ideal, ibid.
Conflagrations Jirongeji again fl the Nor too abflraBed, 45(^
Wind, ibid. TheExcliifion, orRejeBion, ofNa-
Strong Flame requires a Cavity tures not belonging to the Form
and Confinement, ibid. of Heat ^ ibid.
Iron heated by the Hammer, ibid.
TAB L E
C O N T E N T S.
TABLE IV.
An Example of the Exclufion, or Rejedion of Natures, from the
Form of Heat. 457
Page Page
Exclujion leads to InduSiiotty 458 Heating not of the Form of Heat,
TretniJJion to the Vnderjiand- ibid.
ing^ or the fir ft Vintage of En' The fir ft Tiiference of Motion in
quiry, 459 the Form of Heat y 461-'
The Form found more eminently in The Second 'Difference, . 462
fome Inftancesy than in others. The third Tiifference, 4(^3
ibid. The fourth 'Difference, 4(^4
Motion the Form of Heat, ibid. The Theoretical Fruity 464
Or its Genus, 460 The Tra6lical Fruit, ibid^
Heat relative to Man, ibid.
S E G T. II.
The Do&rine of Inftances ; or the Method of Expediting the Interpre-
tation of Nature, and the Inveftigation of Forms, by Prerogative In--
ftances.
Travfition to the Doctrine of In- Their D egrces to beobferved,
ftances, 4^7 ^ 471
The Divifion of the remaining (3.) Glaring Inftances, ibid.
'Parts of the Novum Organum, Their IJfc, ibid.
4(^8 Exemplified in the Subje£l Heat,
(r.) vSolitary Inftances, -j^hat, ibid. ibid.
Their Ufe, ibid. And Gravity, 47-
Exemplified in the Subje^ of Co- (4) Clandeftine Inftances, ibid.
lours, ibid. Exemplified in Confiftence or So-
{2.) Travelling Inftances, 469 lidity, ibid.
Their Vfe, ibid. In Drops ofJVater, ibid.
Lead to Trail ice, ibid. Drops of Metal, 473
Exemplified in the Subje£i of Tenacious Fluids, ibid»
Tranfparcncy andlVhitenefs,i^'fO Soapy JVater, ibid.
The Caution required in them, ibid. Froft and Snow, ibid.
I Again
CONTENTS.
Page Page
Jgahi excniplijied in the StibjeB The Manner of Compiling a Na-
of AttraEtion^ ibid. tural Hijlory intimated^ ibid.
/// the Load/tone-, ibid. Conformable Infiances in the Con-
In fVood-Arro'^'s difcharged from jiguration of the JVorld, 480
a Gun., ibid. In Cold and Heat., ibid.
/// Jir and IVater, 474 In Axioms., ibid.
Mojt obfervable in the fmallT art s (7.) Heteroclite Infiances, ibid.
of Bodies, ibid. Their Vfe, ibid.
(5.) Gonftituent Inftances, 'what. Exemplified., 481
ibid. A Cohesion to be made of them.
The Caution they require^ ibid. ibid.
Exemplified in the Subjeil of Ar- (8.) Deviating Inftances, ibid.
tificial Memory, ibid, differ from Heteroclite Infiances,
By Order., T lace and Verfe, 475 ibid.
Striking the Senfe^ ibid. Conduce more directly to TraBice.,
Moving the Tafiions, ibid. ibid.
TVhen the Mind is unoccupied,ihid. Require no Examples,, 48a
Holds for the Mind., ibid. But a ColleHive Hifiory^ ibid.
Things expected., ibid, (p.) Frontier Inftances, ibid.
Leffer Forms of Helps for the Me- Their ^fe., ibid.
mory., ^76 Exemplified, ibid.
Exemplified in the SubjeEi of Tajte, (10.) Inftances of Power, 483
ibid. Their Vfe, ibid.
And the Communication of ^uali- The Caution they require, ibid.
ties, without a Communication of A Hifiory to be made of them, 484
Sub fiance^ ibid. The Singularities of Art to be Col-
The 'Vfe of this Kind of hifiatice, levied, ibid.
ibid. Thefe Singularities exemplified,
(6.) Parallel, or Conformable, In- in Taper, 485-
ftances, 477 Matters of 7)exterity, ibid.
Exemplified in Reflexions, ibid. Magical and fuperftitions Mat-
The Axioms they may lead to.^ ibid. ters, ibid.
Exemplified in "Plants, 478 'Vfe of the Hifiory, 48^
Gums and Gems, ibid. (11.) Friendly and Hoftile Inftances,
27^^ Scortum <2W Matrix, ibid. The ^fe of Friendly Infiances,{\)\d.
The moving Limbs of Animals, Exemplified in the Subjeii of
ibid. Flame, 487
Teeth and Beaks ^ 475) And Confifiencyy ibid.
Men and Tlants^ ibid.
Admo-
CONTENTS.
Page
Adtnonitlons relating to them^^^y
(ii.) Subjundive Inftances, 488
Their Vfe, ibid.
Exemplified^ ibid.
(13.) Inftances of Alliance, ibid.
Their Vfe, ibid.
Exemplified in Heat^ 4S9
Lead to ^Differences, ibid.
Four T)ijferences in Heat^ ibid.
Infianccs of ^lUiance exemplified
in Vivification by Heat^ 45)0
Exemplified in Motion and Reft,
ibid.
The regular Motion of the Comets^
ibid.
The Motion of the Air^ 45) i
Exemplified in the Tides of the
Sea, ibid.
In the Afcent of light Bodies^ ibid.
In Gravity^ ibid.
Its Caufe '•ji'here, ibid.
Exemplified by an Infiance of Ap-
proach in JVater- Spouts^ 45»i
/// the rea fining Faculty^ ibid.
In Vifion., ibid.
(14.) Crucial Inftances, 45*3
Their Nature^ ibid.
Their Ufie and Excellence^ ibid.
Exemplified in the Tides of the
Sea^ ibid.
The Motion of the Tides referred
to t-jno Kinds, ibid.
To determine 'Vi'hich of the fjjo is
the FacTy ibid.
The crucial Infiances in this Cafe,
Suppofing the Earth to revolve^
ibid.
The Crucial Infiance in the rifing
Motion of t foe Sea, ibid.
Page
May happen t force Ways^ 4^4
Tfoe If ay of At trail ion cloofe for
an Example^ 4^5-
Tfje Crucial Infiance in this Cafe,
ibid.
The apparent diurnal Motion of
the Heavens^ a^()(s
A Crucial Infiance tfocrein, ibid.
Tfoe Copcrnican Motion of tfoe
Heavens and Earth, it' foe t her
real or fiffitious, ibid .
A Crucial Infiance in the Cafe, 497
Tfoe Caufe of Gravity , ibid.
A Crucial Infiance therein, ibid.
The Verticity of t foe Needle, ibid.
A Crucial Infiance in tfoe Cafe, 498
Tfoe Subftance of tfoe Moon the
^uefiion, ibid.
The Crucial Infiances therein, ibid.
The Motion ofTrojeciiles, ^p^
The Crofs-JVay thereof, ibid.
A Crucial Infiance in tfoe Cafe,
ibid.
The Expanfion of GunpO'wder in-
to Flame, joo
The Crofs-Road, ibid.
Tfoe Crucial Infiances in the Cafe
offJi'o Kinds, ibid.
Tfoe Firfiy joi
Tfoe Second, ibid.
Tfoe tranfitory Nature of Flame,
ibid.
The Crofs-Road, ibid.
A Crucial Infiance in tfoe Cafe,
ibid.
A Second Crucial Infiance, jc2
Thefe Crucial Infiances why fo
largely dv:;elt upon, ibid.
(15.) Inftances of Divorce, ibid.
Their Vfe, ibid.
f Exem.
CONTENTS.
Page
Exemplified in JJeat^ Light, Ra-
rity and Mobility, 503
/;/ the corporeal Nature, and na-
tural ABion, ibid.
Magnetical AEiion, an Injtance of
'Divorce, ibid.
A Corollary from it, ibid.
{\6.) Inftances of Light, 504
Ranged into five Orders, ibid,
Infiances of Entrance, ibid.
Of three Kinds for the Sight,
ibid.
viz. (i.) Microfcopes, ibid.
The Error to ijvhich they have gi-
ven Occafion, S'^S
Inconvenience of the Contrivance,
ibid.
(2.) Telefcopes, ibid.
The "Difcoverics made by their
Means, ibid.
(3.) hiftruments of Sight andMen-
furation, iO(5
(17.) Summoning Inftances, ibid,
Caiife Things to appear, ibid.
The Ways la-herein Things efcape
the Senfes, ibid.
Subftitution to be ufed in the firft
Way, ibid.
Reduction in the Second, 507
The Redu£tions required in the
Third and Fourth, ibid.
Exemplified in the ABion of the
Spirit of Bodies, ibid.
This A^ton defcribed, ibid.
How made fenfible, ibid.
By the Ruftingof Metals, ibid.
The Shrinking of Bodies^ 508
Whence the different Effe^s of
Heat, ibid.
Page
The Formation ofOrganical Bo-
dies, 5" 08
How brought down to Senfe, ibid.
Three different Kinds of Spirits
in Bodies, fottnd by ReduBion,
ibid.
The more fubtile Textures made
fenfible by Reduction, 509
The'Denfity and Rarity of Bodies^
ibid.
That the different fpecific Gra-
vities of Bodies are determina-
ble, ibid.
The Denfity of Matter made fen-
fible by Weighty 510
A Table of the fpecific Gravities of
Bodies, ibid.
Its Vfe, ibid.
An Attempt to difcover the Tro-
portion betwixt tangible and un-
tangible Bodies, ibid.
Imperceptible Heat, orCold^bronght
to the Senfes by the Thermome-
ter, 511
The Mixtures of Bodies, or theTro-
perties of their different Tarts,
ibid.
The erroneous Trocedure of the
Chemifis therein^ ibid.
Alterations caufed by the Fire^
ibid.
Adulterations in Bodies to be
fought, 5ii
The Alotion of Bodies being either
too fwift or too fiow, ibid.
How reduced to the Senfes, ibid.
How Reduction is made where the
ObJeSf is too powerful^ ibid.
Where
CONTENTS.
Page
fFbcre the Sciife is full charged,
ReduFt'ion fomcthncs made to the
Seiife of other yjnimals, ibid.
(i8.) fouinying Inflanccs, 513
Strangely pa [fed over^ ibid .
Exemplified in Vegetation, ibid,
/;/ the hatching of Eggs, 6vc. 5-14
/// the relaxing^ or opening, of
inanimate Bodies^ ibid.
(15»,) Supplemental Infl;ances,cr ///-
jianccs of Subflitution^ ibid .
Viz. (i.) By Apfroximation^ ibid.
Exemplified in the Load-Stone,
And in Heat^ ibid.
Ajid {1.) By Analogy^ ibid
Exemplified in the Mixture of
Spirits, ibid.
In the Compofition of nntangible
Bodies, ibid.
Supplemental Inftanccs, rji-herein
ujefnl '■ji.'hen the proper ones
may be had, ^16
(20.) Lancing Inftances, their "Vfe,
ibid.
Exemplified in great Variety, ibid.
Introduhion to 'Practice, 5 1 7
Vracfical Inftances, '■johat, ibid.
Mathematical Infiauces, 518
'Pra^ice ho'vj rendered burden-
fof/je, ibid.
Propitious Infiauces, ibid.
(xi.) Inftances of the Staff, ibid.
Virtues have their Sphere of Acti-
vity, ibid.
So7ne operate at a 'Diflance, ibid.
Som^ operate only *n Contact, ib.
Others operate at a fmall 2)/-
jiance, 515)
rage
Some at very great ones, 5 1 9
Infianccd in I lame, Heat and Co Id,
ibid.
/// Odours, Sounds, and Light, ib.
All Virtues limited, ibid.
Sctne a&^ at a TDfiance, and not by
'Contact, 5-20
ExcivplificdinVifion, ibid.
The Motion of Expanfion to be
meafured, ibid.
Exemplified in a blcji.'nBladdcrfxh.
In Air under IVuter, ibid.
The Rarifacl ion of t he Air, 5 2 1
Tangible Bodies hard to comprefs^
ibid.
fVater compreffed, ibid.
Solids Imrder to comprefs, 521
Calculations^ or Efiimations, to be
made of every Kind, ibid.
(22.) Inftances of the Courfe, 512
Their Office, ibid.
Actions performed in different
Times, ibid.
Exemplified in many 'Particulars,
ibid.
In Sound, ibid.
AndVifion, ibid.
The Motion of Light from the
fixed Stars, 52,3
Is extremely fi^'ift, ibid.
TheMeafnres of Motions and Ani-
ons to be found comparatively,
ibid.
Motions that differ comparatively^
ibid.
JVhence Galilaeo accotmted for the
Tides, .5-24
The'\)fe of the comparative Mea-
fures of Motions^ ex-emplified in
Povjdcr-Mines^ ibid.
f i This
C O NT E N T S.
Page Page
This the Foundation of magical Is languid^ 530
hijlances^ 524 {Z.) The Motion of the lejfer Con-
The Cafe to be regarded in all na-
tural AElions^ ibid.
(23 ) Inftances of Quantity, <?rDofes
of Nature, 525
Exemplified in various T'articu-
larsy ibid,
Smallnefs of Quantity has fome-
timcs the greater EjfeEt^ ibid.
The Meafures of the Virtues in
gregatton, ibid.
'Differs from the Motion ofJVanty
ibid.
Subdued three JVays j viz. firft, by
Ina^ivity, 53 1
JVhich is fet free (i.) by Heatj
ibid.
{1,) By the Virtue of a Body re-
lated, ibid.
each Body to be particularly (3) And by brisk Alot ion, ibid.
fought y ibid. The Motion of the leJferCongrega-
The T^ofes of Nature to be fub- tion fnbduedySt::cox\d\y^ by apve-
Joined in every Enquiry, $z6 dominating Body, ibid.
(24.) Inftances of Reludance, ibid. And, Thirdly, by external Motion^
Belong to all the Species of Motion, 532
ibid. Exemplified, ibid.
Motions divided and diftinguijhed In the Contrail ion of dry Bodies^
into ( r.) the Motion of Refifiance, ibid.
ibid. Motions meeting at a 'Diftance^\\i\^.
(2.) The Motion of Connexion,
ibid.
{^.) The Motion of Liberty, ibid.
Its T'hanomena ht Tenfion, 5x7
Four dift in ^ Motions of the Load-
fi'Oney ibid.
The AttraBion betwixt ^ick~
filver and Gold, 53 j.
This Motion to be well difingui- {g-) Magjietical Motion, or the Mo-
Jhed, ibid.
Violent Motion, the Motion of Li-
berty, ibid.
(4) The Motion of Extention, ^2%
Exemplified in Air, ibid.
And JVater, . ibid.
(5.) The Motion of Continuity, ibid.
(6.) The Motion of Ac qui fit ion, ^2<^
Exemplified in Leaf Gold, ibid.
Spongy Bodies attr ailing Moifiure,
ibid.
tionof Attra^ion, in large Bo-
dies, ibid.
(10.) Motion of Avoid arte By ibid;
Exemplified, in Taftes and Odours,.
In the Antiperiflafis of Cold and
Heat, ibid.
In odoriferous Bodies^ and ^uick-
filver, 'ibid.
In Oil and Water, ibid.
(11.) Motion of Affimilation, ibid.
A Rule for diffolving Bodies, ihid. Exemplified in the Nutrition and
Ele^ricity what, ibid. Affimilation of Tlants and Am-
(7.) Motion of the greater Congre- ma Is, cjc
gat ion, ibid.
Para-
CONTENTS.
Page
ParacellusV Notion of Nutrition
cciifured^ S 3 f
Nutrition^ ho'iu ferformed^ ibid.
Accretion, ibid.
The Motion ofJJJlmilation regards
the Tropagation of Bodies, 5-36
(12.) The Motion of Excitation ^\h.
Wherein it agrees and differs from
the Motion ofAJJimilation^ ibid.
exemplified in Heat t ibid.
/;; the Magnet^ Kc. ibid.
(ij.) The Motion ofhnprejfion, ib.
'Differs from the t'-jjo preceding
Mot ion Sy ibid.
depends upon the fir ji Mover ^ s}7
Exemplified in Light, Sound, ibid.
And Magnet ifm, i bi d .
( 1 4.) Ihe Motion of Configuration
cximflificd in ihe Motion oj the
Heavens^ 538
The Magnetic Needle^ ibid.
And the Arrangement of Concretes,
ibid.
(15.) The Motion ofTravfition,'\h.
(16.) The regal or political Mo-
tion, ibid.
Exemplified in Spirits,. ibid.
(i7") Spontaneous Motion of Rota-
tion, 539
Motion in General, of three Kinds,
ibid.
Motion ofRotation has nineT>iffcr-
ences^ ibid.
U'l. ether the Motion of Rotation be
proper to the celefiial Bodies, ib.
(18.) The Motion of Trepidation,
5^0
Exemplified, ibid.
(i(?.) :\jOt ion of Indolence, ibid.
Exemplified, ibid.
Recapitulation oftheT)o6lrine of
Motions, 54 1
' Page
Ufe of this 'Doctrine, 541
The Motion of Ref fiance invinci-
ble; but not, perhaps, that of
Connexion, ibid.
The other Motions govern and obey
each other, j^ y
Exemplified, ibid.
The Manner and Proportion "ci; here-
in Motion yields, to be obferved,
54a
TJye Refifiance of Motion to be dif-
covered, ibid.
The Rules of Tredominacy to be
CO Heeled, ibid.
(25.) Intimating Inftances, 545
(2^,) Sovereign Inftances, ibid.
The feven Ways or Means of Tra-
^ice, ibid.
The Infiruments and Contrivances
required in the firfi Way ; viz.
containing Veffels and Covers^
^ 544
Caves, Tits and Wells, ibid.
The T>iving-Bell^ ibid.
A neiv Vfe ofclofe Operation, ibid.
An Objetlion to it removed, 54 j
The fecond Means of Tra^lice j
viz. Violence, ibid.
Whether Bodies may be perma-
nently condenfed, or rarified, by
force, 54«^
An Experiment recommended for
condenfing JVater, ibid.
Another for rarifying Air, ibid.
Such Condenfations and Rarifa£ii-
ons probable, ibid.
The third Means ofTra&ice, 5'47-
The increafing of Cold recommend-
ed, ibid.
Bodies potentially coU, 5:48
Tii-o Ways of condenfing the Spirits
by Narcoticks, ibid.
The
C O K T E N T S.
Page Page
TheTreJ^arativestoCold, 548 cf Things^ ffx
The Ways of condenfing, '■^•itborit The Conjent beti^ixt Bodies, a-nd
Cold] to be enquired after, ibid. their Aliments, S5l
Art of four Kinds, ibid. The Confent bet'-jvixt the Senfes
Condenfations by Confent in Ani- and their Objefis, ibid.
jnals, 549 Sympathies and Antipathies, ibid.
The Vfes to be made of Heat, ibid. To be duly colMicd, 554
The gentle Heats recommended, ib. The Confent of the Moon, ibid.
Art operates quicker than Na- A T>ifpofition, or Indifpofition, to
turcy SS'^ ^Onioii by Appojition, ibid.
The froeral T>iverfities of Heat The laft Means of 'Practice ; viz,
to be tried, ibid. by varioufly combining the for-
Small, irregular, fated Heats re- rner Six. 5-5-5-
commended, ibid. (17) Magical Inftanccs, ibid.
The Inadvertence oftheAlchemifts Magical Effects, ho'-sj produced, ib.
/;/ ufuig a con f ant Heat, 551 Their Requifites, ibid.
The fourth Means ofTraBice-^ The t^ovnmOxgmum, not a Thilo-
viz. Continuance, ibid. fophy, but a Logic k, f j<^
TheMotionsofconfinedBodiesfufer Recapitulation of the T>oclrine of
Violence, ibid. Prerogative Infances, ibid.
The ffth Means of Operating ;y\z. Thefe Infances aflft either the
by regulating Motions, 552 Senfe or Vnderjtanding, ibid.
The fix th Means ofTraBice ; viz. Their Vfe to Tracfice, 557
Confent, 552- Ho'-sj thefe feveral hiftances are to
The more nniverfal Confents of be employed, ibid.
Things ; their ^Differences, ibid. Conclufmii ibid.
Sulphur and Alercury fsso Tribes
A T T E N D I X
To the Second Part of the Instauration.
n~ H E l>io\um Oiganum left U7!- Gunthefs Books of Method, ibid.
•^ finijhed, j^i /?^^/^£'////j-'sAnalyfis Ariftotdica,ib.
Thefinifl}ingofit,aThingofCon- Des C2incs de Methodo, ibid.
fcqncnce, ibid. Tfchirnhaus's Medicina Mentis, ib.
The Author has left T)ire5iion a- The Occafion of that Work, ibid.
bout it, ibid. The TerfeBion oj Algebra, 563
The Attempts of others in the fame The foundation of Certainty, ibid.
general Kind, 5-62 The Cautions required in laying it,
Anftotle'j- Analytics, ibid. ibid.
The
C O N T
Page
The JVaf of difco'Vering ncji^T ruths-,
That Men may form jtijl 'Defini-
tions, 5 6+
Rules for forming;^ them, ibid.
The Fir ft, ' ibid.
The Second, ibid.
TheThird, ibid.
The Elements of Thinzs, ibid.
This Method Algebraical, 565
Ho-ji- to be facilitated i viz. (i.) by
cor retting Errors, ibid.
(2.) 'Diftinguijhingbet'-jj'ixt the Un-
der fianding and Imagination ; and
making them co-operate^ ibid.
Valuing -Jihat is knO'Zi-n j and hav-
ing no immediate Regard to Uti •
tity, 5<56
Helping the Indifference of the
Mind i Jhortning the li'ork; and
obtaining Time for it, ibid.
The 'T>ifco%-erY of unkno^^n Truths,
to regard three Particulars, ibid.
The Medicina Mentis compared "jjith
the Novum Orgaaum, ibid.
77?^ Engliih Philofophers "ji-ho have
endeavoured at Methods, 567
Mr. Boyle's Method, ibid.
Mr. Locke's Ellay upon Human Un-
der ft an ding, 5 6 S
T>r. Kooke's Method of improving
Natural Philofophyy ibid.
Left unfinift)ed, ibid.
Sir Ilaac Newton J Method con-
jeciured, 5^9
•liis Algebra and Fluxions, ibid.
His Method of InduBion, ibid.
The general Scheme of the Novum
Or^^^num divided into tvjo Parts,
ibid.
The fhrft Part divided into feven
Sections, no
E N T S.
Page
The Refultofthe firftSeBion, 570
The Refiilt ofthefecond SeBion, ib.
Falfe Imaginations belonging to Men
in general, ibid.
Others to each Man in particular,
Falfe Notions ariftng from Words,
ibid. -
The Reft It of the third SeElion, 572
Sophiftical Philofophies.,v;hat, ibid.
Falfe Notions ariftng from fantaftic
Theories, ibid.
Etnpirical Philofophies, v:hat, ibid.
Superftttious Philofophies v;hat, ib.
The Mind abufes ttfelf by forming
falfe Notions, ibid.
The Mind ftibjeB to tv:o Exceffes,
S7Z
Falfe T>emonflrations, ibid.
The Logical Kind falfe vshen ap-
plied to Phyftcs, ibid.
Experience the beft 'Demonftration,
ibid.
The Refult of the fourth SeBion,
ibid.
The corrupt Philofophy of Ariftotlc
fpread over Europe, ibid.
The beft Way of Judging a Philofo'
phy is by its Fruits, 5 74
The Refult of the fifth Section,
ibid.
Natural Philofophy little cultiva-
ted i and has laboured under great
Difficulties through the feveral
Ages of the World, ibid.
The Refult oft the fixth Section,
ibid.
The Reafons there are to expec-i a
further Improvement of Philofo-
phy ; or the Way of building up
Philofophy a-nevi', "ibid.
The
CONTENT
S.
Page
By for faking the paji Errors, $76
^nd proceeding in a ne'jj Method,
ibid.
Refiilt of the lafl Section of the fir Jl
Part, S77
That a ha fly T>e(ire of Advantages
in Philofophy frujirates itfelf, ib.
Obje^ions againfl a Hifiory of Na-
ture anfivered, ibid.
Objections that all former Philofo-
phies are reje^ed, 578
Anfvoered, ibid.
That this Scheme has regard to Con-
templation as -well as TraStice, ib.
The Method here propofed not ufed
by the Ancients, ibid.
1)oes not deflroy the Sciences already
in being, 5 79
General Scheme of the fecond Part,
ibid.
The Foundation of the Whole hid
in theT)ifcovery of Forms, ibid.
The Ufe of Forms, 'in'hcn difcovered,
ibid.
The T>ifcovery of Forms explained
and illujl rated, 580
Praffice toprejide in building up the
Sciences, ibid.
The Canons and Axioms required to
Practice, 5 S r
77?^ Interpretation of Nature, divi-
ded into tvuo Parts, ibid.
The Hifiory requifite thereto, ibid.
The Method of invefligating Forms,
ibid.
Tables to be made, fSz
From whence to be derived, ibid.
Page
The Method of Reject ivn, how to be
pradtifed^ ibid.
The Interpretation of Nature, how
be;iun, ibid.
By JFay of Permiffion to the Under-
ftanding, 5 8 3
The fecond S eft ion tends to perfect
the Art of InduBion, ibid.
The various Kinds of hijiances, for
that Purpofe, ibid.
The T>ooIrine of Inftances, how
treated by the Author, 5 84
The NovumOrganum how imperfect,
ibid.
Eight general Heads thereof re-
maining unfpoke to, 5 8 J
The Helps of Induction, ibid.
The Rectification of Indu£tion,\h\<i.
Means of rectifying InduBiotii 586
Indu^ion a Priori, ibid.
hiduCtion a Pofteriori, ibid.
The Method of varying Enquiries^
587
The Procedure from Particulars to
Generals^ ibid.
77?^ Prerogative Natures for En-
quiry^ ibid.
The Limits of Enquiry, 58 S
The Hifiory of Nature^ to be col-
le^ed, ' ibid. U
The reducing of Enquiries to Pra- "
Bice, ibid.
The Preliminaries to Enquiry, 589
The afcending and deficending Scale
of Axioms, ibid.
Conclufion, ^99
SUP-
SUPPLEMENT VIII.
A
SPECIMEN
OF THE
Persian Magick:
O R,
j4n Essay towards deriving V ohiric a i. from
Natural Knowledge; on occajion of
an Union hefwixt ENGLAND and
SCOTLAND.
Dedicated, in private, to King James I.
Vol. II. B
PREFACE.
THE primary Vie'X' of the follo'-j:;ijig Tiece "jvas, doubt-
lefs, hidire^ly to convey lnjtru6lion to the King^ in his
TDefign of uniting the t-ivo Kingdoms : A Snbjeti after-
'n-ards thoroughly digejied^ and clofely Jludied by the
Antho7\ in all its Branches^ under the Title «?/ Certain Articles,
or Confiderations, touching the Union of the Kingdoms of Eng'
land and Scotland, coUetted and dilperfed, for his Majcfty's bet-
ter Service *.
To gain the more favourable audience of a Trince '■ji'ho valued
himfelf for his Learnings the Author ferns to have chofe this
learned Expedient ; and under pretence of reviving the Pcrfian
Magick, reads a political Lecture upon the proper method of
uniting Kingdoms. Tet this primary Intention did not over -rule
the Author s Tiefign of giving a Specimen of vijhat may, both
from the nature of the thing, and the ancient accoimts, be
rationally conceived a part of the Perfian Magick ; viz. the
drawing Rules and Maxims of Government from Phyfical Ob-
fervations ^ ; JVhich is alfo faid to be done, vaith great Exa^nefs,
by the Chinefe. The SubjeB is profecuted by the Author in the
fame manner as he interprets the Heathen Mythology , in his
Sapientia Vcterum. And in that manner it had been eajy for a
perfon of his extenfive Knovidedge in Phyficks and Politicks, to
have "wrote a Syftem of this kind of Perfian Magick : A Work re-
ferved for fome other eminent Philofopher and Politician, to Jinijh
upon this Plan.
' See Mr. BlacKhcurne's Edition of the Autlioi's Works, Vol. IV. p. 254.
^ For more particular Informal ions in this refpeft confuk the De Au^mentis Scientia-
Tum, Seft. Ill & VI. and Dr. Hyde's Hijloria Retigionis Vtterum Perfnnim, etrumq-, Ala-
gcrum, &c. p. 574, &c.
B 2
J
( T )
A
SPECIMEN
O F T H E
Persian Magic k., &c.
>rT^i
1. 5^~r^IS no wonder, excellent A";»!;, ihatv/hen Heraclitus the ol>fatre. Political
had publifh'd a certain Book, not now extant, many took it '^"'^s dra-u-n
for a Difcourfe of Naluye^^ and others for a Treatife of Politicks : ^''^" ^^p'^^'
For there is a great affinity between the Rules of Nature^ and "o^^ amons
the true Rules of Policy ; the one being no more than an Order in the Government the Perdans.
of the JVorld, and the other an Order in the Government of a State. Whence
the Kings of Perfia were educated, and inftructed in a Science that went
by a name of great reverence, tho now degenerated, and taken in an ill
fenfe : For the Perfian Magick, which was the fecret Literature of their Kings,
was an application of the contemplations and obfervations of Nature^ to a
political fenfe ; thus making the fundamental Laws of Nature, an Original,
firfl Model, or Pattern, for Government ''.
2. In purfuance of this method, the Per/tan InfirtiSlors fet before their iiiuji rated h
Kings, the Examples of the celeflial Bodies ; the Sun, the Moon, &c. which i^xampUs
have great glory and veneration, but no reft j being in a perpetual office ''''^"'" -'^^f"?
of motion, for cherifhing the inferior bodies in their refpedive turns ^.nd'j/Jjj^y^"'.
courfe : Thus likewife expreffing the true nature of the motions of Go-
vernment; which, tho they ought to hefwift and rapid, in refped of dif-
patch and occafions, yet are to be conflant and regular, without wavering
or confiafion.
3. Their Inftruftors alfo reprefented to them, that the Heavens are not The raijing
enrich'd by the Earth and the Seas-, nor ^^ee^p :i dead flock, or untouch' d 'f^ '^f""^ "ni
treafure of what they attraft from below : But whatever moifture they ''"'"'"'"Z
levy, and take from both thofe Elements inVapour, they fpend, and return "'"'
in Shoivers ; only holding and ftoring them up for a time, in order to ilTue
and diftribute them \r\ feafon '^.
4. But chiefly they exprefs'd, and explain'd to them ihe fundamental ^^f general
Lava of Nature, whereby all things fubfift, and are preferved ; viz. that all ^^J^'°"^
things in Nature, tho'' they have their oivn private and p-articular affciiions ««<^ c/ paniculL,
appetites,
' See the He Angmtnth Siier.t'iariim, Se£i. III. 3.
'' The Author makes a happy ufe of this method in his own Pclitical Writings-, and
conftantly draws and illuftrates his Politicks from Philofophy, and examples of Nature.
And fureiy fomewhat confiderable might be efTefted, by thus making the Government of
the Vnne-fe, a Model for the Government of Stales. See tlie Sapientia Vilerum, Scft. lU.
* The Author fhews great jiddrefs in his fcveral Applications to King James the F^rfl :
A Prince whofe Ttmptr and. Difpejitton he thoroughly underftood. Sec SuppiiMiNT V,.
lid fir.tin.
6 A ST E C I M E K
appetites, which they folloiv in [mailer matters^ when free from more general and
common Refpe£ls; yet, ivhen there is caufe for fujlaining the more general;
for fake their own particular s^andconfpire to uphold thePnblick. Thus we fee Iron
in a fmall quantity will afcend, and approach x.\\t Loadflone, by a particular
fympathy : But if the Iron be in any large quantity, it drops its appetite
of amity to the Load/lone, and, like a true Patriot, cleaves to the Earth ;
which is the Region of mafly bodies. S© fFater, and other matters, fall
towards the centre of the Earth, which is their Region or Country ; and yet
nothing is more ufual in Water-works and Engines^ than for the Water, ra-
ther than fuffer any difunion in Nature, to afcend ; and forfaking the love
of its own Region or Country, apply itfelf to the Body next adjoining.
iiiAihri ^. There are numerous Examples of this kind. Your Majefty fingled
^kiingti ^^^^ Qj^g jj^ yQ^j. gi-acious Speech of Thanks to your Council, when princely
ten'Ld with acknowledging their vigilancy and merits, you were pleas'd to note, that
■violence. it was a Succefs and Event above the courfe of Nature, to have fo great a
change brought about with fo great quiet : bccaufe fuddcn mutations as well in a
State as in Nature.^ rarely happen without violence and perturbation ' .• Whence
again I conclude there kti. congruity between the Principles of Nature and Policy.
And , lell your own Inftance fliou'd feem to contradift the affertion, I oiTer
your Majefty a type, or example in Nature^ much refembling this event in
your State ; viz. Earthquakes, which often produce great terror and fur-
prize, but no real mifcliief ; the Earth trembling for a moment, and fud-
denly eftablifliing itfelf in a perfe6t quiet again.
An attempt 6. T\\\% Knowledge therefore of making the Government of the World a Mirror
Pei'jha^Ma-/'"' ^^•'^ Government of a State, being almoft loft, by reafon, perhaps, of tlte
gick, in the difficulty for one man to compafs both PJiilofophies g ; I have thought pro-
Inft.mce of per to make fome little Effay to revive it, in treating of one particular '',
"lyti^iig wherewith I humbly prefent your Majefly : For as 'tis a Form of Difcourfe
° ' anciently ufed to Kings ; what King could it more properly be laid before,
than a King ftudious of joining contemplative and aftive Virtue together.^
And parti. 7- Your Majefty is the firft King, who had the honour of being tlie
cuiariy ap. Comer-Stone to unite thefe two mighty and warlike Nations of England and
plied to the Scotland, under one fovereignty and monarchy. It does not appear by the
EnMand a»i-^^^'"'^^ '''' Memoirs of any true Hifory ; and fcarce by o.ny fabulous Nar-
ScoiLind. ration, or Tradition, that ever this Illand of Great Britain was from any
antiquity united under one King before this day. And yet there are no Moun-
tains nor Ridges of Hills ; no Seas or great Rivers ; no diverjity of Tongue or
Language, that has invited, or provoked, this ancient feparation or divorce.
The Lot of Spain was to have the feveral kingdoms of that Continent, ex-
cept Portugal, united in a late age ; and now in our age that of Portugal
alfo: Which v/as the laft that held out from being incorporated with the
reft.
'' This ii ("[joke with regard to the King's firjl c«ming in. See SupplementII.
8 For it is very rave that Potiticiani are good Katural Philofophers ; tho doiibilefs many
eitcellent Rules and Examples ot Govenimcm are eafily derivable from Phyfical Obfer-
■vations.
h
Viz. the Confideration of the Vnion betwixt England and Scotland; Co that the fol-
lowing Doftrine chiefly regards this particular Union; without taking notice of the other
Point! of GoventmeiJt ; fuch as Conquejl, Laivs, Liberties, Civil Rite, Taxes, Trade, Reli-
gion, fee. wliicli miglit perhaps be advantageoufly treated in tlie fame manner; by copj.
ing Nature, or the Wifdom difplay'd in the Government of tht World and its Parts.
o/'/Zj^PersianMagick. 7
reft. It has likewife been the Lot of France^ much about the fame time,
to have re-annex\i to that Crotvn the fcveral Dutcb'tes and Portions which
were in former times diiTevcr'd. The Lot of this Ifland is the laft,
refcrved for your Majcfty's times, by the fpecial providence and favour
of God, who has brought you to this happy conjundtion with great
confent of hearts, in tlie ftrength of your years, and the maturity of your
experience. It remains, therefore, that I fet before your Majefty the
Grounds of Nature, in the union and commixture of Bodies \ and the correfpond-
cnce they have witli tlie Grounds of Policy^ in the conjunction of States and
Kingdoms.
8. Firft then, the Pofition that Force is corroborated by Union; being one That Force
of the common notions ot the mind, needs no great induftion or illuilra- '* ftiength-
tion. (i.) We find the Sun in Leo caufcs more vehement heats than when ^"'^ ^
in Cancer -, tho his Rays are more perpendicular in the latter Sign : The Exemplified
reafon whereof, in great meafurc, has been truly afcribed to the conjunCiionly the Sun
and cor-radiation of the Sun with four Stars of the firft magnitude; viz.'" ^'^°-
SiriuSf Canicula^ Cor Leonis, and Cauda Leonis. (2.) So the Moon, likewife. The Mcon,
whilft in Leo i is by ancient tradition faid to be at the heart -, not for any
affinity which that Place of the Heavens can have with that part of the
human Body ; but becaufe the Moon is then, thro' her conjundion and
near approach to the aforelliid fix'd Stars, in greateft ftrength and influ- The durahi^
ence; and thence operates upon that part in inferior bodies, which is prin- '"y "f L'-'
cipal, and moft viral. (3.) Thus again, Waters and Liquors.^ in fmall qi^i'in- ^""'^' '" ^''^'
tity, eafily putrefy and corrupt ; but in larger quantities fubfift long ; ^„,; ,;[,/ /y^,
from the ftrength they receive by union. (4.) So in Earthquakes., the more tie prejudice
general ones do little hurt, by reafon of the united weight they offer to /'"''"' J'"""-''
fubvert ; but limited and particular Earthquakes have often overturned ^" ^^"•'''«-'•
whole Tozvns and Cities.
9. The force cf Union therefore is evident : But the manner of Union may v»ion hy
require a fuller illuftration. It will not at prefent be pertinent to treat oi'^":{ory exem-
Union by Ficiory. when one body merely fubdues another, and converts the^''^^ 'f """
r •■• ■ -n ■ 3 11- 1 • """'■ off*'
lame mto its own nature; extmguilhing and expelling the parts it cmnot uons.
overcome: As when the fire converts wood into fire; purging away the
fmoke and the afties, as matters unapt to inflame : Or when the body of a
Jiving creature converts and affimilates food and nouriftiment, purging off
and expelling what it cannot convert. For thefe reprefentations anfwcr in
matters of Policy to Union of Countries by conquejl ; where the conquering
State extinguifhes, extirpates, and expells any part of the State conquered,
which it finds fo contrary, as not to be alter'd or converted. And there-
fore, leaving %'i'Jent Unions., we will confider only fuch as are natural.
10. It is an excellent Difference which the beft Obfervers of Nature The Dijfir-
make between Compofition and Mixture, or putting together and mingling : ^"'■' tt^-^-'xt
The one being but a conjuntlion of bodies in place; the other of quality and ^^^^j^"^"^
consent : The one, the mother of Sedition and /iltcraticn ; the other of Peace
and Continuance ; the one rather nConfuJion than an Union; the other proper-
ly an Union '. Therefore we fee ( i .) that thofe Bodies call'd imperfeSl Alixts, ' F.xampU*
continue not; but are loon diffolved. For *example, Snoiv and Ice, which of imperftci
are ■*■''■*""■*'•
' The due Profecution of this Difference, in its pliyfic.-il C.iufef, miijl.t import natural
rhihfopiry , no lefs than civil Pelicy.
8 A ST E C I M EK
are Compojiihm of Jir and iVater, eafily fever and diiTolve ; the -wmr
clofing together, and excluding the Air. (2.) So the three bodies cele-
brated by the Jlchemtfls, as the three Principles of fhings ; viz. Earth,
Water., and O//-, or Salt., Mercury and Sulphur., if united only by compofi-
tion., or putting together, we fee how weakly and rudely they incorporate:
For JVater and Earth make but an imperfeft Slime-, and tho forced toge-
ther by agitation, yet upon a little {landing, the Earth fubfldes to the bot-
tom. (3.) So when Water and 0/7, are by agitation brought to an Un-
guent •, yet after a little Handing, the Oil will float a-top : For thefe im-
of perfell perfect Mixtures continue no longer than they are forced •, and ftill in the
Mixtures, g^^^ j.j^(, worthieft gets uppermoft. (4.) But the cafe is otherwife in per-
fect Mixtures. Thus the three bodies of Earth, IVater, and Oil, when
"ioin'd in a Vegetable or Mineral, are fo united, as that without great fubtil-
ty of art, and force of extraftion, they cannot be feparated and reduced to
the fime fimple bodies again. Whence the difference between Compofition and
Mixture is clearly this ; that Compofition is the joining, or putting together of
Bodies without a new form; and Mixture the joining, or putting together of
Bodies, under a new form. For the new form is the common Link, without
which the old ones will be at flrife and difcord ^.
rht DoHririe 1 j . To refleft this Light of Nature upon Mattirs of State : Two different
affiled to i^inds of Policy have been praftifed for uniting and conjoining of States
civi 0 ic^ ; ^^^ Kingdoms \ the orie is to retain the ancient form flill fevered, and
only conjoined in Sovereignty, the other to fuperinduce a new form, agreeable
and convenient to the entire State. The former of thefe has been the more
ufual, and is the eafefl ; but the latter the more happy. For whoever atten-
tively revolves the Hiflories of all Nations, and forms a true judgment
And illuJlrA- upon them, v/ill conclude that no States, befides the Roman,vfert a good com-
ted m the mixture. And this being the beft State in Fliftory, and the beft Example
Roman tate. ^^ ^^^ prefent point, we will chiefly infift upon it. In the Antiquities of
Rome, Firgil brings in Jupiter, by way of Oracle or Prediftion, fpeaking
of the mixture of the 'Trojans and the Italians, where Jupiter makes a kind
of partition or diftribution ; viz. that Italy fliou'd give the Language and
the Laws j 'troy a Mixture of men, and fome religious Rites ; and both peo-
ple fhou'd meet in the fole name of Latins '.
12. Soon after the foundation of the City of Rome, the Romans and
Sabines mingled upon equal terms: Wherein the interchange went fo even,
that, as Livy notes, the one Nation gave name to the place, the other
to the people. For Rome continued the name, but the people were call'd
^uirites ; which was the Sabine word, deriv'd from Cures, the country of
Tatius. 13. But
'< Wlioever wou'J profecute this Perjian Magic!; in other parts of Government, fliou'd
imit.Tte the Author in thus keeping a fteady Eye both upon Nature and Art ; or Phyficks
au^l Poliiich!, at the fame time: A thing whereof there are numerous inftanccs in iiis
Writings; more p.inicularly in the Sapient'i.i Veteriim. See Supplement VII. Seft. III.
' Sentioiem Aiifonii fatriu;n morefq; tenebiint :
Utq; e/i nomen erit ; sommixli corpore tantum,
Sithjideiit Tencri ; iiiorem, ritufif; facrormn
Adjiciam ; faciawq; omnes, uno ore, Latinot.
nine genus jiufonio rnifium, quod funguine furget,
Su^ra homines, /upnt ire Deft ^ietatt Vtdebis, X.n. Lib.XlI, J^. S34, ^c.
I
o/ //;(? Persian Magic K. 9
1 :?. But what is chiefly to be oblerveil in the whole concinuince of the Roman
Government -, they were fo liberal of Naturalization, that in eHcdil they made
ferpttual Mixtures. For the manner was to naturalize, not only particular
perlbns, but Families., Lineages, and even whole Cities and Countries. Whence
at length Rome became a Patria Communis^ or common Country, as Ibme Civi-
Jians call it.
1 4. So we read of St. Paul., after he had been bcaren with rods, and there-
upon charged the officer with die violation of the privilege of a citizen of
Rome ; the captain faid to him, jirt thou then a Roman? That privilege has cojl
me dear. To whom St. P.i«/ replied, but I was Co boin; and yet, in another
place, St. Paul profefTes that he was a Jeivby tribe : Whence 'tis manifeft that
fome of his anceftors were naturalized ; and fo the Right was convey'd to him
and their other defcendants. Thus it was one of the firft defpites done to
Julius Cdcfar, that whereas he had obtain'd Naturalization for a City in Gaul, a
Perfon of that City was beaten with rods by the conful Marcellus. So we find
in Tacitus, that in the Emperor Claudius's rime, the wilder part of the Nation
of Gaul, call'd Comata, fued to be made capable of becoming Senators and
Officers of Rome : And after long Debate, it was carried that they ffiould be
admitted. So likewife Macbiai-el, enquiring the caufes of the growth of the
Roman Empire, gives judgment, that there was none greater; for tliis reafon,
that the State fo eafdy compounded and incorporated ivith grangers.
i5.'Tis true, moft States and Kingdoms have taken the contrary method; A contrary
whence the enlargement of Empire and Territory became matter of burthen """'f' '"
to them, rather than ftrength "' : And even kept alive the feeds and roots of ^'^/''.^^'""
revolts and rebellions for many ages ; as we fee by a frefh and remarkable duced con-
Example in the kingdom of ./dragon : Which, tho united to Cajiile by mar- "■"o «/«'-'?^'
riage, not by conqueft, and fo defcended in hereditary union for more than a
hundred years -, yet becaufe it was continued in a divided Government, and
not well incorporated and cemented with the other Crowns, now lately enter'd
int€> a rebellion, on account of their liberties.
16. The feveral parts of the form whereby States and Kingdoms become Ftf«r p<*m-
perfectly united, are, befides the fovereignty itfelf, four -, viz.{i.) Union in Name ; "'^!"'' '"'-
(2.) Union in Language; (3.) Union in Laws; and (4.) Union in Employments. p"rfl-i unLn
(i.) For N^ame ; tho it feem but a fuperficial and outward matter ; yet it of states-^yiz.
carries great impreffion, and enchantment: The general and common name of ('•)
Grxcia made the Greeks always ready to unite (tho otherwife full of Divifi- I,"""' "*
ons amongft themfelves) againft other Nations, which they call'd barbarous.
The Helvetian Name is no fmall Cement to their Leagues and Confederacies. The
common name of Spain, no doubt, has been a fpecial means of the better union
and conglutination of the feveral kingdoms of Cafile^ yfragon^ Granada, Na-
varre, Fakncia^ Catalonia, and the reft ; comprehending Portugal, of late.
17. (2.) Vox Language, 'tis needlefs to infift upon it; becaufe both your (2.)
Majefty's kingdoms are of one Language, tho of feveral Dialects ; and the Language,
difference is fo fmall ber^veen them, as promifes rather an Enrichment of one
Language, than a Continuation of two.
" See the Fable of Perfeus explam'J !ii the De Augmentis Sciemiarum, SeiV. II. See alfo
5ecV. X.YV. of that Work, and the Safientia Veterum, Supplement VII. Seft. III.
Vol. II. C {3.) Foe
lo A ST E C I M E N, S>LC.
(5.) (3.) For Laws^ in general-, which are the principal /ww^ of Government;
Privileges ; they „ _ _
Connubti; (2.) Jus Civitatis ; (3.) Jus Suffragii; and (4.) Jus Petitionis^ or
Honorum. i . Jus Connubii is a thing at prelent out of ufe : For Marriage is
epen betwixt all Diverfities of Nations. 2. Jus Civitatis anfwers to what we
Gall Denization, or Naturalization, q . Jus Suffragii anfwers to our Foice in
Parliament ; and 4. Jus Petitionis anfwers to our place in Council, or Office.
The Romans afterwards feparated thefe Freedoms ; granting Jus Connubii^ fine
civitate; Civitatem fine Suffragio; and Suffragium fine Jure Petitionis ; which
was commonly with them the laft
judicial 18. For thofe we call Judicial Laws : 'Tis a matter of curiofity and incon-
i^aws. venience to endeavour the extirpation of all particular Cuftoms ; or to draw all
Subjefts to one place of Judicature and Seffion. 'Tis fufficient that there be an
Uniformity in the principal and fundamental Laws, both Ecclefiajlical a.nd Civil.
'And Man- i^. For Alanners; a confent in them is to be induftrioudy fought, but not
"'"' enforced : As nothing breeds fo much pertinacity in a People to hold their
Cuftoms, as fudden and violent Attempts to change them.
(+■) 20. And for Employments % it requires no more, than to carry an indifferent
Employ- hand, and fliew no favour to one Nation more than another".
^wo^caMtal 21. There remains only to remember, from the Grounds of Nature, the two
Hules of unioK conditions of perfect Mixture; the firft whereof is 'Ti7ne. The natural Philo-
in Govern- fophers fay well, that Compofiition is the work of Man j but Mixture the work of
ment drawn^ j^^^i^y^^ fgy 7/j f}jg gfii^^ ofi ^an to make a fit application of bodies together :
viz. T^ allow But the perfeS fermentation and incorporation of them muft be left to "Time
Time, and Nature; and all unnatural haftening does but difturb the Work, not
promote it. So after the Graft is put into the Stock and bound up ; it
muft be left to Time and Nature to make that continuous, which at firft was
but contiguous. And 'tis not any conftant preffing or thrufting of the Parts
together, that will haften Nature's Seafon •, but rather hinder it. So in Li-
quors, thofe Commixtures which are at the firft troubled, grow afterwards
clear and fettled, by the benefit o{ Refi and 'time.
'ufyidfufer 22. The Second Condition is, that the greater draw the lefs. So when two
^^/ ^'^Sl'th *" Lights meet, the greater darkens and dims the lefler. And when a fmaller
lefs. River runs into a larger, it lofes both its Name and Stream. And hereof we
fee an excellent Example in the Kingdoms o{Judah and Ifrael. The Kingdom
of Judah contained two Tribes; the Kingdom of Ifrael ten. King David
reigned over Judaio for certain Years v and after the Death of Jflibofijeth, the
Son of Saul likewife obtain'd the Kingdom of Ifrael. This Union continued
in him, and in his Son Solomon, feventy years, at leaft, between them both:
But becaufe the feat of the Kingdom was kept ftill in Judah, and fo the
lefs fought the greater; upon the firft occafion offer'd, the Kingdom broke
again, and fo continued ever after". S U P-
" Miglit not the feveral Cafes abovemeiition'd be exemplified, and illufti'ated, byaptPhy-
lical Obfei'vations J
° This Piece is only propofed as a Specimen, not a finilh'd \5(^oik ; and may in fome mea-
fiire be fiipplied from the Do^rine of Government, dcVwey'd in the De Aapntntis Scientiarum,
Seft. XXV. the Snpientm Vcterum, Supplement VII. Seft. III. xhn Piece of War, Sup-
ELEMENT Xll. and tiie Prudent StMefman, Supplement XIIJ,
SUPPLEMENT IX.
A
SPECIMEN
O F
Animated Astronomy;
O R,
An Essay towards a Philosophical History
oj the Heavexs,
c z ^ R E-
PREFACE.
TH I S is an ImperfcEi 'Piece, and, doubt lefs^ never intend^
cd by the Author to be publ'ijh'dy till it had, in his ufual
manner, undergone a jiri6l Correction.
7"A^ Original makes part of the Scripta, or the Author's
Latin rofthunioiis Pieces publijh'd by Gruter ; and is inconfiderately
tack'd to certain imperfeEi Chapters of the De Augmentis Scien-
tiarum, under the 'Title of Defcriptio Globi Intellcftualis. TJjc
Defign, ho''Ji'ever, appears by the Introdu6fion, to have been com-
pleatly form'd in the Mind of the Author-^ tho not executed in-
all its T^arts ; nor perfectly indeed in any one : For the firjl
Part, "-jshich is the only one -xt have of it, wants the Ufes pro-
mi fed in the Introduftion. Had it been fnifh'd, it might have
nobly fupplied the Animated Aftronomy fet down for deficient
;« /^f De Augmentis r- and, as it now fan ds^ it exhibits the
whole Plan, executes feme confidcrable Proportion, and infrudfs
a lefs able Archite6l to carry on the IVork.
The Author proceeds in the cautious way of Enquiry^ by Qiie-
ftions, and Arguments on both fides ; without undertaking to de-
termine any thing in a Subject that lies fo remote from direct Ex-
periment. This Method has, perhaps, been too much neglected by
IFritcrs in Aftronomy ', for ^uefions are in the power of the-
^terif, and jnay gradually lead to great and folid T)iJcoveries ;
whiljt a dogmatical Procedure, pretending to over-rule things^,
is often friifrated, or fa Iffy' d by farther Enquiry.
! See the De Augtntnth Scientiarumi Scft. IV. 4, &c.
A SPE-
< II )
SPECIMEN
O F
Animated Astronomy", &c.
INTRODUCTION.
1 . ^ ■ ""^ H E Hijlory of the Cdejlial Bodies fhould be fimple, and unmix- y^aheinejs
I ed with Mens Conceits, or Opinions ; and candidly drawn up, an^ simpli'
m without anyTindture of Prseoccupation, or fondnefs for Theory ; "^]l^'^,"J^'
" fo as,feparately and nakedly, to exhibit thofe Phsenomena,which ^y ,^j ^^^.
are, at prefent, bundled and drefs'd up into Theories and Syftems. We vins.
would, therefore, have this HifiOry wrote in fuch a manner, as if no De-
cree had pafs'd •, nor any thing been dogmatically afferted in all Aflronomy
and Afirology : And only the Obfervations, in both, had been taken, and
the Experiments made, and fet down with Accuracy, Judgment and Per-
fpicuity. But there is nothing of this kind found among us ^ Pliny has
only glanced at the Subjed curforily, and fomewhat rudely. But perhaps
a tolerable Hijiory of the Celeflial Bodies might, with the afliftance of the
modern Obfervations, be drawn from the Works of Ptolemy^ Copernicus,
and other learned Jfironomers ; only fuch a Hijiory would entirely want
the Light of Experiments ^ .
2. It
^ For the reafon of the Title, See De Au^mentts Scientiarum, Seft. IV. 4, &c.
^ It were to be wifh'd that more of it cou'd be found at prefent : But Men feem
BOW fo thoroughly perfuaded, that they have a true Afironomkal i^jftem, on a mathema-
tical Foundation, as fcarce to admit of its being called in queftion. However, it may
not be amifs for Pofteiiry to receive our Doubts as well as our Doclrmes.
*" Which are what uiuft fhew the true Caiifes of things, in the Syfietrt. and ^rameof thf
Vttivwfi.
i^ J STEC I M EK
TheDefignof 2. It may, perhaps, feem ftrange, that we fliould here bring the j>-
this Enquiry ffg^^^^ ^j^^^ ],_^ye been raifed, iniprov'd.and enlarg'd with fo much Labour,
'««{//«7/4/ back to their original, artlefs forms, and fimple obfervations : But we have
Tofo'i'hyoft'Lii much greater /Vork in view ; tho without any intention of lofing the
Heavens. leaft of forfMCf Difcovcries. For lue here propofe, not only the bufmefs of
Jflronomical Calculations, and fure JJIrohgkal PrediBions; but a gemmc
Philofvpby, for informing the Underftanding -, not only a difcovery of the
motions and revolutions of the celeftial Bodies, but alfo their fubftance, in-
fluence, powers and qualities of all kinds: And this according to the natu-
ral and found reafons of things themfelves ; without levity, credulity, or
any fuperftitious regard to Traditions: Intending fuch a Philofopby asfhalj
not invent Solutions, plaufibly adapted to the Phenomena ; but fhew what
is the real Faft, or Truth, in Nature ^
TheorUs are 3. 'Tis eafy to perceive, that both they who alTert the Rotation, and
endlefs, hut they who adert the Stability of the Earth, plead and produce Phenomena on
Truth jimpie ^^^^v fides, with almoft equal uncertainty. But the Author of the new
and one. jjiro^jo^iical Syjiem of our time', who makes the 5a» the centre of the
fecondary movement-, and the Earth the centre of the primary jas if the
- Planets peform'd their Revolutions round the Sun (which fome of the An-
cients fufpefted of Mercury and Feniis) would have excellently folved the
difficulty, had he verified and confirmed the fuppofition ''. And we make
no queftion but other ConJlruSiions and Theories of like kind, may be in-
vented by men of a fharp and fubtile genius -, but the Perfons who offer us
fuch Theories, are not greatly concerned, whether they be perfcUly true ;
and only fuppofe them for the convenience of calculation, and the forming of
jijlronomical Tables"". Our Defign, therefore, differs greatly from theirs;
as tending not to the difcovery of Theories, and real Solutions, which may
be various and numerous; but the truth of things, which is fimple and one:
And to this difcovery of Truth, the way Is open'd by a genuine and pure
Hiflory of Phenomena ; but block'd up by one that is perverted and in-
feiSted with Opinions.
The Enquiry 4. We muf^, however, openly profefs, that our hope of dilcovering
to he founded ^\y^ truth, with regard to the CeleJIia! Bodies, depends not Iblcly upon fuch
"tlhle^LauT' ^ Hiflory, raifed after our own manner ; but much more upon the obferva-
*/ Nature, tion of the common ■ Properties, or the Pafflons and Appetites of the matter
of both Globes. For as to the Separation that is fuppofed betwixt the athe-
rial and fublunary Bodies, it feems to us no more than a Fiftion, and a de-
gree of Superftition, mix'd with Raflinefs: For it is certain, that numerous
Etteds,
' Doubtlefs this is a juft .nnd worthy End of the Enquiry : But wh.it true (leps h.Tve
been t.iken towards this End; and how far we are at prefent from it, may deferve Con-
fideration.
' Viz. Tycho Brahe.
' Was not this Siippofition thouglit to be well verified, and confirmed, to many in its
Time ?
* This fccms rather ?i candid ConftrucTwn of the Author, than the Intention of the The-
crijls; who generally defire the World fhould take their Solutioiv for true Difcoz/eries. See
Jicreafter, Sed. J. 9.
O/' ANIM A TED ASTRONOM y. 17
Effe<n:s, as expanfion^ contraclion^ imptejjio;}, yielding^ coUellion^ atira5lion^ re-
fulfwn^ ajfimilation^ m'lon^ and the like, have place, not only here upon
the lurface -, but alfo in the bowels of the Earth, and regions of the Hea-
vens*. And no more faithful guide can be ufed or confulted, than thef^;
fropeities of matter^ to condud the underftanding to the depths of the
Earth, which are abfclutcly not feen at all, and to the fiiblime regions of
the Heavens, which are generally feen, but falfely ; on account of their
great Dijlance, the refrallion of the Jir, the imperfeSlion of Glajfes^ &c.
The Ancients, therefore, excellently reprefented Proteus as capable of vari-
ous ihapes, and a mod extraordinary IProphet, who knew all things, both
th.e pau, the future, and the Secrets of the prefent : For he who knows
the univerfal properties of Matter^ and by that means underftands what may
be, cannot but know what has been, is, and fhall be the general ftatc
and ifiue of things y. Our chiefeft hope and dependance in the confidcra-
tion of the Cekflial Bodies, is therefore placed in pbyfical Reafons \ tho not
fuch as are commonly fo call'd-, but thofc Laijjs, with regard to the Appe-
tites of Matter, which no diverfity of place or region can abolifli, break
thro', difturb, or alter'-.
c.. We would not, however, on this account, have Mens Diligence at An Exhor-
all flacken'd, in obferving and recording the Phenomena of the celeftial f"''"" '" f''''
Bodies; for when a larger ftock of thefe fhall be procured, every thing -^""^"^-^^T.^
aftenvards will be the readier and better eflablifh'd. And here we cannot vatiom, &c.
but congratulate Mankind upon the care, induflry and alacrity of certain
Artificers, and Men of Letters ; who have lately attempted a new inter-
courfe or traffick with the celeflial Bodies, by the means of fekfcopes, and
optical Inflrumenis ; as it were, by fo many boats and fhips in the way of
Navigation =". This is an attempt, which we judge extremly noble, and wor-
thy of Mankind ; both in its beginning and end : the rather, becaufe the
obferv'ers are no lefs commendable for their fidelity, than their enterprize ;
as' having ingenuoufly and clearly laid down how each Particular appeared
to themfelves. All that remains, therefore, is only for them to perfevere
with great Severity of Judgment, and change of Infiruments ; increaftng the
number of the evidence^ or eye-tuitneffes ; and to try each particular over and over
again^ in different manners ; and laflly to raife objections to themfelves, and
open and explain to others, all the ObjeSlions that may be brought on the con-
trary fide of the quefiion, ivithout defpifing even the flighteji fcruple j lefl it
Jbould happen to them^ as it did to Democritus, in the cafe of the figs, "ivhicb
bad a boney-tafie ; 'wherein the old ff'oman proved ivifer than the Pbilofophcr :
* On this feems founded Sir Ifaac Kewton's tfiird Regula Philofofhandl ; viz. Jhet thcfe
§lifaliiies of Bodies which are incafaile of Augmentation and Diminution, and hold true in all
the Bodies whereon Experiments may he made, ought to fafsfcr general Sjualities, refidingin all
Bodies indi^'erently. See his Princifia, Lib. 111. in init. See alfo hereafter, Seft. !. i.
^ See an Attempt towards enumerating thefe univerfal properties oj Matter in the Sylva
Syharum ; under the Article characters of matter.
* Such as RejiJIance, Gravity, Jmpenetral/Hity, &c,
' How far Telefcopes and other optical Inftruments are improvable to the purpofes of
Aftronomy, has no:, perhaps, been hitherto fully confider'd, efpecially Sir Jjaac New-
ton's Rcfleifing Ttlefcofe, with regard CO the Metal and the Strukiirt.
Vol. IL D For
x8 ^ ST EC I M EN
For a mighty Jlender and ridiculous Error may be the caufe of great and won''-
derful Speculations ^.
Three Parti- g_ In order to lay the foundMion for a. pure and genuine Hijlory of the
'"eflrdedina ^ekjlial Bodies, we will (i.) propofe certain capital philofophical ^eries;
Hiftory of the annexing thereto fuch Ufes, as may probably be drawn from a confidera-
Heavens ; tion of tlie Cekjlial Phanomena : And this to fhew the fcope of fuch a
"'^' . Hijlory as we propofe; that they who would affift in its compilement, may
Iht End. perceive its tendency, and all along bear in mind the Queftions ; whereby
they may be direfted to procure fuch a Hiftory as fhall ferve to determine
thefe ^eftions; and afford other the like fruits and ufes for the fervice of
Mankind. The ^lejlions we mean are fuch, as, according to the proper
office of Hijlory, enquire into the FaSls of Nature ; and not into their
(i) Caufes. (2.) In the next place, we fhall diftindly fhew wherein the ///-
•W<?/r«'r. j^^^.y ^y fj^^ Heavens confifts ; what are its parts ; what things are to be
learn'd, or carefully fought after-, what experiments to be made, and pro-
cured -, and what obfervations to be ufed and confidered : Thus laying
down, as it were, certain Heads of hiduilion, or Articles of Enquiry, con-
^»i.(3.) T^scerning the celeftial Bodies'^. (3.) Laftly, we fhall give iDireftions, how
i.Unntr. ^y^^ things fought for fhould be confider'd, when obtain'd ; how they are
to be exhibited •, and how recorded : Left,, otherwife, the diligence ufed in
the firft Enquiry, fhould come to nothing ; or, what is worfe, the fuc-
ceeding flrufture be built upon a weak and treacherous foundation'*.
S E C T. I.
Philosophical Questions about the Syllem
of the World, to he clear d up in the Parti^
cuLAR History of the Heavens.
TAe Rfj/o»j, jT^ *-^NY will here fuppofe' me raifing the Allies of Queftions
^hJJb"tn^ iyX ^o"g fi'^ce bury'd, to join them with others of later Date : But
JriduHion. of^ ^s the Philofnphy we at prefent enjoy, about the Heavens, has no
§j*tHwns. ftability in it; as 'tis our fix'd Refolution to fubmit every thing to our
new
•> Let it, therefore, be freely queftionVi even at tliis D.iy, whether the Earth has a
Diurnal c.Rd Annual Rotation f W,hether .ill the Stars are folid Bodies? Whether a Comet
may occafion a Delude? Whether we have a juft Theory of the Moon ? Whether the Cnufe-
sf the Tides is jiiftly afliguM ! CT'c And this, if it were only to procure more rigid and
perfeft DemonJIrations : For thefe things are not, .perhaps, fo.pcrfeiftly fettled, as necef-
ikiily to exclude all modeft, and fcientifical Doubting.
' After the C.\me manner, peihapSj, as the Author's particular Enquiries into Windf, Life-
and Death, 6cc. are conduced.
"^ Hete are three Parts propofed, but only the firft is profecuted, and that imperfeftly,
as :iiention.-d in the Preface. 'Tis pity the other two were not finiftied: For, tho .
Aftronomy has been ftrenuoufly cultivated fince the Author's Tim?; yet the. manner efi-
Treiitme.ntjicrc laid down, has noi,bcea fufficicntly c!>fervcd;
(?/" A N I M A T E D A S T R 0 N 0 M Y. I 9
new Teft of Examination, and genuine liidiiilion '; and as, perhaps, if any
^efiions were left: untouch'd, fo much the lefs pains and diligence would
be employ'd in the Hijiory ; becaufc it might feem needlcfs to enquire into
things, whereof no q^u e s t i on has been ilarted ; we find it nccefiary to
take in all the q^u e st ion s, which the Nature of the thing holds out to
us. Bcfides, we are the more willing to admit oi ^ejlioris here; as being
lefs certain of their Decifion, by our method -, and not feeing clearly in-
to the IlfLie'.
2. Let thejjr/l c^u e s t i o v therefore be this. Is there any sys- ^(fl'on.
T E M? Or, Is the Univerfe fpherical in its ivbok^ and having its proper cen- jy^^^} ^
tre-y or do the particular Globes of the Earth and Stars, lie fcattered^ and ad- there be any
heringeach to its own feat ^ ivithout any Syftcm, or common Centre? syfiemr
The Schools of Dcmocritas and Epicurus boalled, that their Founders had ^'•'^ Ofmiom
broke dozvn the walls of the IForld; but this was no exaft confequence of'''"^'
their Doclrine : For as Demoeritus held Matter, or an infinite quantity of
Seeds, finite in properties and powers, to be in a perpenial agitation ; and
by no means fixed from eternity •, he was oblig'd, by the force of riiis
uenet^ to maintain Worlds of various figures, fubjeft to Rife and Deltru-
ftion ; fome of them better, and fome of them worfe regulated, and put
together; and alfo rough Draughts and imperfecft Ellliys of worlds. But ad-
mitting all this, the portion of matter deltin'd to form the World within
our fight, might have a fpherical Tigure ; fince all his Worlds muft ne-
ceflarily be of fome Figure. For tho there can be no middle in Infinity,
.yet a round Figure may fubfift in the parts of Infinity, as well in a World
as in a Ball.
3. The Opinion which defi:roys the exiftence of a Syftem, is that of^^^.'^P'"'"''
Heraclidcs, Ecphantus, Nicetas, Philolaus^ Gilbert^ and all thofe, except'''''"
Copernicus, who make the Earth a mofing Planet. For, according to this
Opinion, the Planets, and all the numberlefs fixed Stars, both vifible and
invifible, have each its own Sphere and primary Form, thro the vaft ex-
panfe of the Heavens, where they are fprinkled like Ifands in the Ocean,
and revolve not about a common Centre, but each in its own Orbit ; fome
fimply, and others with a fmall progrelTive motion of their Centres. What
appears molt exceptionable in this Opinion, is, that it takes away reft or
immobility from Nature : For it fiiould feem, that as there are revolving
•^ As laid down in the Sovum Organum.
' The Author here .Appears to intimate fome Diftruft of the Method of his Novum Or-
ganum, in deducing the ftrici Philofof/jical Hifiory of the Heavens ; I fuppofe on account of
the Di^culty, or apparent Impojjibilifj of making the proper Experiments upon the Ceieftial
Bo.iies, and procuring Crucial Inftances. And, perhaps, more Caution is here required,
than fome of the modern mathematical, and mechanical Philofophers have ufed : For
what certainty is there, that, becaufe all Bodies gravitate here on Earth, therefore the
S;ars and Sun mull gravitate, after thefame manner, in the Heavens; before 'tis proved,
tiiat the Stars and Sun are more than Flame ? Tis true, there are other wavs of coming
at the Difcovery, as Sir Jfaac Neu'ton has (hewn : But this particular Induclion feenis of
itIeU too haftily made -, and may deferve more Intermediates, if procurable, to render it
perfeftly fafc and conchifive. See Sir T/imc A>u7o»'s third Regula Philofof hands, as illuffra-
tfd at the beginning of the third Book of his Principia. See alfo above. Sett. IV. and
compare the whole with the Second Part of the Novum Organum,
D 2 Bodies
ao ~ A STECI MEK
Bodies in the Univerfe, that is, Bodies carried with an infinite, and per-
petual Motion ; fo, on the contrary, there fliould be fome Body at reft ?
a middle Nature 6 betwixt the two, being that of Bodies in reftilinear
Motion.
The leading 4. But this ^iejlion^ Whether there he a Syfiem or not, may receive a
ff /j"i determination from a decifion of thefe points ; yiz. (i.) Whether the Earth
mine it. move, Or ftand ftill ^. (2.) Whether the fub fiance of the fixed sr aks be of
a SOLID or FLAMY Nature '. And, (3.) Whether the interftellar fpaces be-
corporeal, or empty of Matter ^. For, i . If the Earth ftands Jlill, and the
Heavens revolve, with a diurnal Motion, then doubtlefs, there is a Sy-
JlemK But if the Earth revolve, it is not thence perfeftly fhewn, that
there is no Syjlem ; becaufe there may be another centre of the Syjlem, fup-
pofe the Sun ^. 2. If only the Globe of the Earth be a denfe and folid
Body, the matter of the Univerfe may feem to come together, and be
condenfed at the Centre °. But if the Moon, or other of the Planets, be
found to confift of a denfe and folid Matter -, then denfe Bodies fhould
feem not to colleft to any Centre •, unlefs difperfedly, and, as it were, for-
tuitoufly. 3. Laftly, If the interfiellar Spaces be a Vacuum, then each
Sphere will have firft finer Effluvia, and afterwards a Vacuum about it ;
but if thofe Spaces are fiU'd with Matter, then there will feem to be a col-
leftion of the denfer Bodies in the middle ° ; whilft the rarer are thrown
to the furface p.
Tht vfe of g_ 'jjg Qf great ufe in the Sciences to underftand the coupling of ^lefii-
Quefttons ^^^ ' ^ecaufe fome of them contain Hijlory, or matter of Indu^ion, for
iogither. Decifions j and fome of them do not.
6. Sup-
t The later Difcoveries, fo far as they go, feem rather to fhew that there is no fuch-
thing as abfolute Reft in Nature ; unlefs we allow the fixed Stars to be at reft : But
whether the whole vifible Syftem of things be at relative Reft, or in uniform reftili-
near Motion, through an infinite Expanfum, feems not fatisfaftorily determined. See Sir
Ifaac Kewton'i Principia, Lib. III. Prop. XI, XIV, &c.
'' Strong Arguments are produced by tlie Moderns, both for the Diurnal and Annual
Motion of the Earth ; but perhaps they ftill require to be verified. Thus the rifing of the
equatorial Parts, and the linking of the polar, if well confirm'd by Experience, may
prove a Crucial Inftance for the Diurnal Motion ; as the exaft Determination of the Paral-
lax of the fixed Stars, may, perhaps a Demonftration of the Annual. See the Attempt of
Dr. Hook to prove the Motion of the Earth by Obfervations : Which has alfo been attempted
fince by others, but without Succefs. See Sir Ifaac Newton's Principia, hih. III. Prop. XX.
' This Point ftill feems to remain conjeftural.
* They appear, by Sir Ifaac Newton's Experiments and Calculations, neither an abfohite
Vacuum, nor confiderably charged with Matter. See the Principia, Lib. 111. Prop. VI.
' And has the Earth, or tlie Centre thereof, for its Centre.
^ Which comes nearly up to the Cafe lately difcover'd by Sir Ifaac Newton.
" See Sir Ifaac Newton's Principia, Lib. III. Prop. XX. p. 386.
" See again the Principia, Prop. XX, &c.
P The prefent Difcoveries in Afironomy fcarce reach beyond that commonly called the
Solar Syjiem ; including the Earth, Aloon, Planets, and Cornets: Which appear to make a
Syfiem, in the Senfe ot the Author; unlefs we require the uimoft Precifion ; the common
Centre of Gravity of ihe Earth, Sun, and all the Planets and Comets, being its Cf»/rf, and
not differing much from the Centre of the Sun. See Sir Ifaac Newton's Princifia, Lib. III..
Frof. XII. Corol. and Prop. XIV.
^Animated Astronomy. ii
6. Suppofing a Syftem; the next qjj e st ion will be. What i s t h e <slutftion
CENTRE OF THE SvSTEM? what"^ A
For if any one of the Globes muft be in the place of a Centre, there are centrt of the
two principal ones which bid fair for tliis purpofe ; -viz. the Earth and Sun. Syflem ?
The human Sight and inveterate Opinion are on the fide of the Earth in this ^^« ^rgu-
Queftion : feut the greateft Reafon here is, that as all denfe Bodies come ^^"^;/'"' '^*
into a little fpace, but rare ones difRife tliemfelves wider •, it fliould fcem to
follow, that Matter muft contract itfelf about the middle part of the
World, as the Area of a Circle contrafts itfelf to its Centre : This being,
as it were, the projjer and only Seat of denfe Bodies.
7. On the other fide -, it makes for the Sun, that the thing which has the The Argu-
greatelt efficacy in the Syflem, fliould have the chiefeft place affigned it ; fo '""" /"'' *'"
as to a<5V commodioufly, and diffufe itfelf thro' the whole: But as the Sun ""'
appears to vivify, and animates the World, by imparting its Heat and
Light thereto ; it fliould feem very jutlly and regularly placed in the mid-
dle of the World.
8. Another Argument on the fame fide is, that the Sun manifefl:ly has
its Attendants or Satellites; viz. Fenus And Mercury, and, according to
the Opinion of Tycho, all the other Planets ; whence the Sun really feems
to be the Centre, or, in fome refpefts, to perform the Office thereof; and
thus, confequentlv, comes the nearer to being the Centre of the whole ; ac- ■
cording to the Opinion of Copernicus "J.
9. But there are many and great Inconveniencies found in the Copernican inconvenien-
Syjietn : For (i.) It muft be accounted a great one to load the Earth with <■'" •" ff»
three different Motions. (2.) It likewife feems unwarrantable to feparate ^°P^'^""^^'""
the Sun from the Choir of the Planets ; wherewith ic has fo many Proper- ^ ^'"*
ties in common. (3.) To introduce fo much immobility into Nature, by
fuppofing ihe Sun inA. fixed i'/^r; immoveable; whilil they are, of all others,
the moft lucid and fliining Bodies. (4.) To make the Moon adhere to the
Earth, as it were in an Epicycle ; with other Particulars of like kind ; which
feem feign'd, or only fuppos'd in Nature, merely for the fake of Calcu-
lation '.
10. But if the Motion of the Earth be allow'd •, it feems jufter, thxit The Earth's
there fliould be no Syflem at all ; or that the Celefiial Globes are fprinkled ^"'V'"' "''i"^
indifferently up and down the Heavens, rather than that there fliould be a^;^«^^ *
Syjlem
^ This has a great Agreement with the InduH'tve Erujuiry of Sir Jfaac Ke-juton upon
the fame Subject. See Princtp. Lib. III. Prop. Xl!. and Xlll.
' It may deferve a particular Regard, that Mathematicians, when they apply to Aftro-
nomy, or other Branches of Phyficks, are apt to put off neut Solutions of Phctiomenn foi
Demcnjlraticns ; efpecially if fuch Solutions afford eafier and exafter Methods of Calcula-
tion, fo as to make ail come ri^ht, as they phrafe ir. Thus, perhaps, the ftrefs of the
Arguments at prefent in ufe, for proving the truth of the Copernican Syftem, lies chiefly in
x\\<: Concmity, and ;'rff//7o«, which that iy/tra affords in Calculation, and the full Solution
of all the Phaenomena of the celeftial Bodies: Whilft, at the fame time, that Syftem
may poffAlf be talfe ; tho thefe Calculations prove exaft, and the Solutions adequate.
Tl is treacherous Faculty of the Miad fhould be carefully watch'd. See the i^ovum^ Orga-
num, Part I. Seft. IL. and 111.
■^^ A ST EC I M EK
Syftem with the Sun for its Centre ^. And this Opinion was chiefly receiv'd
and approv'd by Antiquity, and former Ages : For the Opinion of the
Earth's Motion is no new one, but borrow' d from the Ancients ' ; tho it be
quite new to make the Sun the Centre of the Worldly and immoveable: And of
this Copernicus is the oiiginal Author.
-S^uepm 1 1 . The next qjj e s t i o n concerns the Dimenftons of the Syjiem j tho
, ^y'} , not fo as to take any perfeft meafure thereof; but only to afcertain, ff^he-
f.xed 'stars ^^^^^ the flarrj Heavens be like one continued Region^ Orb, or Sphere; or whe-
are not placed ther the fixed Stars are fame of them immenfely higher than others? For 'tis
at different impoITible they fhould be exaftly all of the fame height : As the Stars are,
AMitftden doubtlefs, fituate, not like Spots upon a Plane, that have only a Dimen-
fion in Surface •, but as entire, large, and deep Globes. And as they are
form'd of fuch different Magnitudes, fome of them muft necefllirily bulge
out either upwards or downwards, more than others -, and then one Surface
cannot pofiibly take them all 'in, either on their upper or lower Parts.
And if this be the Cafe in the parts of the fixed Stars, it would be rafli to
affert, that the Stars, in their entire Body, are not fome of them higher
•than others. But allowing this -, yet there may be fuppofed a certain de-
•finite, tho confiderable, thicknefs of the Region called the Sphere of the
fixed Stars; which may, in fome meafure, terminate thole prominences
and degrees of height : For we fee in the Apogees and Perigees of the
Planets ; each of their Orbits has a remarkable depth, wherein they afcend
and defcend '. But the meaning of the qjj est ion is only, Whether
fome fixed Stars are higher than others ; and, as it were, in different Orbs,
like the Planets?
.The Anfwer 12. And this Q_u E s T i o N alfo has a relation to that other of the Mc-
Hfon suppofi- tion or Refi of the Earth : For if the Stars have a diurnal Rotation, round
twn of the ,j-]^g Earth ; and all of them move with an equal Velocity ; and as the
M^iy/ '"" Planets, according to their fituation higher or lower, differ in velocity
and flownefs of Motion; it feems probable, that the fixed Stars, being
equal in the velocity of their Motion, are alfo placed in one and the fiime
Region of .Slther ; the depth whereof being fuppos'd very confiderable,
may, yet, not be fo great as to caufe a difference in their Velocity : But
all things may feem to move together thro that whole Region, as if link'd
and bound to one another by a natural Sympathy : Or, at leaft, the dif-
ference may be too fmall to become vifible to us, by reafon of the diftance.
■nrpon the 13. But if the Earth move, the Stars may either ftand ftill, according
suppofitionof^Q the Opinion o? Copernicus; or what feems much more probable, they
Motion m^Y' ^^ Gilbert firft advanced, each of them have a Rotation about its
,own Axis, in its own place, without any motion of their Centres ; in the
fame
*' It is not to be expefted, tliat this Argument fhould h.ive any Weight, at prefent.
• See Sir Ifaac Newton's Pr'incip. Lib. III.
' Nicetas of Syracufe is faid to be the frflivho difcover'd the diurnal Motion of the Earth ^
and Philolaus the fiift that difcovei-'d its annual Motion about the Sun. See Ciceron. Quefi.
S^ufcuL Lib. IL ad fmem, and Plutarch. Lib. 111. De Placit. Philofoph. C.ip. n. & 13. Ste
alfo, Laert. Lib. VIII. Cap. 8?. ^nd ylrchimed. Areaar, in itrit.
* Vix,. the Obliquity of the Planets Orbits.
9
^Animated Astronomy. ij
fame manner as the Earth itfclf, if its diurnal Motion were treed from thofe
nvo additional ones afllgned by Copernicus^'. But which ever be the Cafe,
the/.vf^ Stars may be feme of them higher than others ; fo long as they
efcape our fight*.
14. The Fourth q^u es t i on may be concerning the Connexion of tbe^'fl'on
Syjicm. This q^uestion admits of three Cafes; viz. (i.) Vacuity, ^^•}
(2.) Contiguity; and (3.) Continuity. Let it, therefore, /r/? be enquired, ^TJ'^'„'
IVkether t':: inter fiellar Spaces are empty of Matter. Gilbert is exprefs in the netled? whf
Affirmative ; and fo feem to be fome of the Ancients, who conceived, that 'her the in-
the Stars were diffufcd without any Syftem ; bat efpecially fuch of them as '"'A'''"' ^*-
alTerted compadnefs of Body in the Stars. The whole of the Opinion i^-ylf^MZier"/
(i.) that both the Stars and Earth confift of a denfe and folid Matter;
(2.) that they are immediately furrounded with a certain kind of Bodies,
fomewhat of the fame nature with the Globes themfelves, refpedively ;
tho more imperfe<5t, languid, and attenuated ; being no other than the
Effluvia and Exhalations of the Globes themfelves, fuch as are Vapours,
and the Air, with refpeft to the Earth; (3.) that thefe Effluvia did not
reach to any great diftance, around each Globe ; and (4.) that all the other
immenfe intermediate Spaces were void of Matter.
15. This Opinion feems countenanced from hence, that the Bodies of For.
the_/fxe'(/ Stars are vifible to an immenfe diftance: For if that entire Space,
thro which we fee them, were fill'd, efpecially with fuch Bodies as mud
needs be very unequal' in point of Rarity and Denfity, the Rays of Light
would be fo. refracted, as never to arrive at cair Eyes: Whereas, if murh
the greateft part of that Space be empty ; the Light, 'tis probable, will
come the eafier tc us. However, the Determination of this Queftion
will, in good meafure, depend upon what we fhall foon propofe about the
fuhjlance of the Stars ^: For if their fubftance ht folid ; it fhould feem, that
Nature has bufied herfelf with little more than the Globes themfelves, and
their /itt/iofpheres ; and left the intermediate Spaces defolate, and forfaken :
Whence it might appear probable, that all the Globes are denfcr about their
centres., and rarer toivards their furfaccs > ; fo that their Atmofplmes^ at
length.^ ceafng.^ they terminate in Vacuity ^.
16. On
* This approaches neareft to the modern Opinion, which fuppofes the fixed Stars to be
every one ot" them a Sun, and the Centre of a Syflem like the (olar. This indeed requires
an immenfe quantity of.^^.jff ; but Space is faid, in its nature, to be infinite. Such kind of
Excurlions are highly pleafing ; and gratify the Mind, which delights in ranging at large,
thro' inir.ite Regions; but fnould not fober Phihfophj here ufe the Rein ? See Siry/^jae
Seuion's Princip. Lib. HI. Schoi. General, in inir.
*" There are feveral curious Obfervations, and fublime SpecvUtions, relating to this Quc-
ftion, in the Philofophical Tranfaclions. See particularly N" 364. pag. 12. See alfo. Sir
Jjaac Neii'ton's Princip. Lib. IIL Prop. XIV, &c. andthe S*ueries at the end of his Otiticki,
* See below. Sect II.
y Is not this the Cafe in the Earth, and alt the Planets and Comets? S«e Keu-ton. Prin-
eip. Lib. III. Prop» XX, &c.
* Sir ifaa: Kewton has profecutcd this Enquiry by a variety of accurate Evpe.'f-
ments, made with Penddums, and falling Bodies, in different Mediums. The Refult
wkereof» -^J tar. as relares to thj. prefent Ejrpofe, i:, (i.) that the Keiiftances of equal .
glo^-
44 ASTECIMEK
Agatnjl. ^^ Q_ Qn the contrary •, if the fixed Stars be of a nirified and flaming
Subftance% 'twill appear, that the nature of Rarity is not only a decreafe
of Denfity, but, of itfelf, a powerful a.nd primary thing; no lefs than the
nature of Solidity : And that it takes place both in the Air, the Mther,
and the Stars themfelves, fo as to leave no neceffity for a Facuum.
whctherihert j^_ 'pj^g prcfsnt ^ieftion alfo concerning a Vacuum in the interjlcUar
cuuin'^> Spaces, has a dependance upon that other belonging to the Principles of
Natural Philofophy, viz. Whether there be &ny Facuum? Bur this Que-
ftion muft be put v/ith fome diftindtion: For 'tis one thing to deny a. ftm-
fle, and another to deny a colleElive Facuity \ fince the reafons producible
for the exiftence of an inter fper fed Facuity (admitting the Relaxation or Ra-
rification of Bodies) are ftronger rivan thofe which make for a collective
Vacuum, in the vafter Spaces. And this diilinftion was not only perceived
by Hero, a fubtile mechanical Philofopher •, but alfo by Leucippus and De-
fnocritus, the Introducers of a Facuum, which jiriflotle combats with cer-
tain Subtilties and turns of Wit. But the two above-mention'd acute and
famous Philofophers allow an interfpers^d Faculty ; fo as to deftroy the No-
tion of a colleSlive one : For, in the Opinion of Democritus, Vacuity is fo
circumfcribed, that Bodies cannot be drawn afunder, any more than they
can be compell'd together, beyond certain Bounds. And tho this is no
where exprefly aflerted in thofe. iVritings we have remaining of Democritus^ ;
yet he feems to fay as much, by making Bodies infinite, as well as Space :
Which he does for this Reafon, that Bodies otherwife, would never hold
together-, viz. if Space were infinite, and Bodies finite: And, therefore, if
Matter be equally infinite with Space, Facuity is neceflarily bound up with-
in certain Limits': Which feems to be his true Opinion, fairly explain'd ;
fo as to fet certain Boundaries to the expanfion of Bodies, by the Facuity
wherewith they are coupled ; without allowing any pure ox ftmple Facuity,
uncontained in Matter''. i8. But
globular Bodies, moving with equal Velocity, in Air, Water, and Sluickjilver, are as the
Denfiiies of the Fluids; (2.) that tho the Water, Air, or Siuickfilver, wert rarified by an
infinite Subdivifion of their Parts, fo as to become Mediimis infinitely fluid ; they would
ftill refill, after the fame manner as before : Becaufe this Refiftance proceeds from the
inaftivity of Matter ; which is effential to Bodies, and conftantly proportion'd to their
quantity of Matter. For, tho to divide the parts of a Fluid, may lelFen that Refiftance
which proceeds from the Fridion and Tenacity of the Parts ; yet the quantity of Matter
is not diminiOied by fuch Divifion: And whilft the quantity ot Matter remains the fame,
fo will its inaftivity, to which the Refiftance here underftood, is ever proportional.
(3.) Tiiar, therefore, to diminiOi this Refiftance, the quantity of Matter muft be diminifh-
ed in the Spaces thro which the Bodies move : Confequently, the inierftellar Regions,
thro which the Globes of the Planets and Comets conftantly revolve in all direftions,
with great freedom, are not filled with any corporeal Fluid; excepting only for fome
highly rarified Vapours, and the Rays of Light tranfmitted thro thofe Regions. See
Prmcip. Lib. II. Schol. Gen. and Lib. 111. Prop. XL, &c.
^ See hereafter. Sect. II. 30.
•> See Siorhof. Polyhijl. Tom. II. Lib. II. Cap. VII. p. 179, &c.
* This is attempting to account for Cohcfion in Bodies; which put into a Vacuum,
fliould fall to pieces, if the Pofition were true.
'^ Sir Ifaac Neivton proves, that all Spaces are not equally fill'd ; becaufe, otherwife,
the fpecifick Gravity of the fluid that poflelTes the Region of the Air would be equal to
that
^'Animated Astronomy. if
18. But if there be no Facuiim, after tlie manner of a Solution of^^'l'uhertht
Continuity; yet fo grciit a divcrfity in tiie Parts and Regions of the Sy-'^'^'"''"""'
fiem of Bodies, that they feem to be, as it were, of different Nations, c"ntkuous?
and Countries ; there hence arifes a fecond ^iieflietu witli regard to the
connexion of the Syflcm ; viz. IVbether pitre /Lther be one tuiiform or con-
tinued Fluid ; or ivhethcr it confijls of 'many contiguous Parts? By a contigu-
ous Body we here main a Body that lies upon anotlier, without mixing with
it. Nor do we underftand iuch a hard Flooring as the common Altrono-
mers have fcign'd ; but fuch an one as may admit of flowing ; as when
Water floats on Quickfilver, Oil on Water, and Air on Oil. For no
doubt, but in that imrnciife traft of iEther, there are very confiderable
diflercnces in point of Rarity and Denfity -, befides many others': But this
may be die Cafe, whether the parts of the i^ther are continuous or contigu-
ous. For 'tis manifeft, that even in the Sea itfelf, the Water on the top
is not of the lame Tafte and Confillence with that at the bottom'. And
in the Atmoffhere there is a great difference betwixt the Air adjacent to the
Earth, and that high above it ; and yet there is one entire and conflianc
Flow in the Atmofpherei^. The ^uef.ion therefore comes to this-, viz.
IVhetber the differences in the traSl of ALthcr infinuate themfelvcs gradually,
and by a continued Flux ; or -whether they are conftitutedy and difiributed, at
ctituin confiderable dijtances, or limits, where Bo.dics mectf. that ivill not
mix ; as here below the Air floats on Water ''. And to take the thing
fimply, that whole, pure, and limpid Body, wherein the Globi^s of the
Earth and Planets float as in an immenfe Ocean, which in its dimenfion,
and tlie fpace it pofleiTes, almofl: infinitely exceeds the dimenfions of thofe The Proct-
Globes, feems to be one undivided and perfectly united thing \ '^■■«'e of no-
19. But whoever carefully obferves Nature, will find her Method is to'"''* '" '''.f-
proceed by degrees, for certain fpaces-, and then, of a fudden, to ad-"p^'^^-/_^///'"
vancc by itarts i and to ufe this procedure alternately: Otherwife, to con- from one Body
to another.
<hit oi i?iu'ic'<fiher. Gold, or .my other the denfcft Bodies; which, therefore, could not
dcfcenJ in Air: For no Bodies can defcend in fuch Fluids as are not fpecifically lighter
than the Bodies. See Prlncip. Lib. III. Prop. VI. And, as the fame Philofopher (hews,
there is no abfoliits I'acuity in the iriterjieliar Regions, on account of fome fiibtile and
highly rariHed Vapour, the Rays ot Light, and fome fmall Refiftance, which the feve-
ral celefliai Bodies Aiftain in their Motions, his Doftrine on this Head feems fomc-
what agreeable to that of Democrhns, as here explained ; efpecially if a fibtUe ela-
fiic Fluid, or Spirit, be fiippofed the Caufe of Gravity, or Cohejion, in Bodies. See Prin-
cip. Lib. 111. Schol. Gen. Md fivetn. See alfo tiie ff^neries at the end of the fame Author's
Cyitickr.-
' Perhaps tlie finer parts of tiie Atmofphercs of the Planets and Comets may go off
into the Region of Jither, if there he any fuch Fluids as they pafs along it; and thus,
by degrees, imp'resnate that immenfe Ocean, and render it a kind of compound Tin-
fturc, as the Earth's Atmofphere more manifcftly is. See Sir ifaac Ke'J.tons Conjefture
as to the Ufe of the Comets; Princip. Lib. 111. Prop. XLI. pag. 471, 473. Mr. Boyle'^
A:emoirs for a General hifiory of the Air. Dr. Hook's Micrograph',/!, &c.
^ See Mr. Boyle on the Saltnefs oj the Sea, &c.
S See Mr. Boyle's A\'emoirs for a General Hifiory of the Air.
*' See the Piece bft cited.
' I' pen what e.vperimcntal Foundation does this Notion of jEtliM ftand; as of an
aftual Fluid exifting in the intcrftellar Regions J
Vol II. E fidec
%6 A STEC I MEN
fider it clofely, there could be no Fabric of things; no organical Confor-
mation, if fhe conftantly proceeded by infenfible degrees. This gradual Pro-
cedure, therefore, may take place in the intermundane Spaces, and not in
the World itfelf ; the Strufture whereof requires very different things to
be feparated, or fhut up, from, and yet approach one another. Hence,
the Air immediately touches, and fucceeds to, very different Bodies from
itfelf; viz. the Earth and Water; without going in a fcale, firft from
Earth to Mud., and then from Mud to Water., from Water to Vapour., or
Clouds, and, laftly, to Air ; but Nature here jumps at once to Air., with-
out any intermediate degree''.
•rht Heavens 20. But the moft obfervable and fundamental Divifion of all, in the
divided into Air and JEther, feems derivable from the Nature, which is more or lefs
'far* '"^""^ fufceptible of a ^ftellar Nature. Whence there feem to be three very re-
markable kinds of Regions between the Globe of the Earth, and the utmoft
extent of the /^^(3!W»j ; viz. (i.) the TraSi of Air ; {2.) the TraSl of the
planetary Heaven^; and (3.) the 7ra& of the fiarry Heaven. Now the Jlellar
Nature does not exift in the lower 'Trail ; but in the middle one it begins ;
and there comes together into a few particular Globes ; and in the upper
diffufes itfelf into a very large number of Globes ; fo that its top may feem
to reach the entire empyrean Heaven.
T^e gradual 21. It muft, however, be remember'd, according to what was juft now
p"^j.gj^i"g"S mentioned, that Nature here ufes this gradual ^.nd Jiarting Procedure hy
ufedl/y turns t^rns, fo as to make the Confines of the firji Region communicate with
in the Hca- the fecond; and thofe of the fecond with the third: For in the higher Air.,
-^tni- after it begins to be purged of the Earth'' s Effluvia ; and to be more rarified
by the Effluvia of the celeftial Bodies ; it tries and endeavours to become
Flame ; as in the cafe of the lower Comets ", which feem of a middle na-
ture ; between the confiflent one of the Stars, and a more perilhable one.
Again, the Heavens about the Sun may feem to grow ftarry, and begin
to pafs into the nature of the Jlellate Heaven : For the Spots which have
been accurately obferved in the Sun, may pofTibly be certain Rudiments of
a fiarry Matter^. But, in the Heavens, about Jupiter, the Stars appear
in their perfeftion ; tho, by reafon of their fmallnefs or diftance, they are
ihvifible to us, without the afliftance of Telefcopes °. And again, at the
greateft height of the fiarry Heaven, the fiellar Nature feems to be more
continu'd, and diffus'd ; from thofe numberlefs twinklings or radiations of
the iEther, among the fixed Stars that are number'dP.
22. There
" This appears a capital Obfervation for interpreting the Works of Nature.
1 Now commonly called the Solar Syftem,
"i All the Comets are (hewn by Sir Ifaac Seivton to be higher in the Syftem than the
Moon; and to revolve in long Ellipfes about the 5««. See Princip. Lib. 111. Prop. XLI.
" See the feveral Obfervations upon thefe Spots of the Sun in the Philofophical Tranf-
atlions, French Memoirs, &c. or a Summary of the whole in Wolf. Eiement. Afironom.
pag> 4S9, 460, 6cc.
" Are any fixed Stars certainly found fo low in the S<jflem as Jupiter ?
f Thefe Twinklings are thought, by Sir Ifaac Newton, to proceed from the Refraftion
oPour Eyes, and the tremulous Motion of the Air. See I'rincip. Lib, III, pag. 467. See
alfo hereafter. Sec t. U.
(p/'Animated Astronomy. x7
22. There is a fifth kind of ^eftion regarding the fttuation of the^tJl'OK
parts of the Sy/iem, or the Order of the Heavens. And whether there be a „^, ^^'^ ,
V. /I • 1 1 n r • /-> n n 11/- I What IS the
Syftemy with the Sun for its Centre, or no Syjiem at all, lo as to leave ori^r o/" /Ai
the celeftial Bodies loofe and ftraggling ; or whether Jflronomers fhall Hcjvent >
hereafter difcover any new Sy(lcm\ the Enquiry will ftill remain, 'what
Planet is near efi to, or fartheji from, another -, and, in like manner, what
Planet has a greater, and what a lefs Elongation from the Earth or Sun.
27,. If the Syfiem of the Ancients be admitted ; there appears no reafon Vfon the Sy-
for infilling ftrenuoufly upon ti\e ne'iu Enquiry, about the four fuperiorA'"."/'^'
Regions ; viz. that of the fixed Stars, and thofe of Saturn, Jupiter, and '^""*""-
Mars: As their Order and Pofition have been agreed to by all Ages,
without contradidlion from any Phenomenon. Their refpedlive Motions
are alfo fettled, and caufe no Error in Calculation "3. But the Ancients,
even upon their own Syfiem, had doubts about the 5««, f^enus. Mercury,
and the Moon ; and the Moderns likewife have queftion'd, which was the
higher Planet, Fenus or Mercury. That Fenus fliould be the higher
is argued, becaufe fhe moves fomewhat (lower ; and that Mercury fhould
be the higher, becaufe he feems more ty'd to the 5"«» •, whence 'tis con-
ceived, he muft be placed the neareft to him. But for the Moon, fhe was
always placed neareft the EartJa ; tho there is fome difpute about her ap-
proach to the Sun^
24. There is alfo another kind of ^eft'ton regarding the Conflitution of whether the
the Syfiem: For example, -whether one Planet moves fometimes over and fome- •P|''»« »/ '''<
times under another, by turns: Which feems demonftrated in the cafe ^^ „f1"il,lerfecl
Fenus, from diligent Obfervations •, whereby flie has been found fometimes mc;& other f
above, and fometimes below the 5««. And 'tis proper to enquire whether
the Apogee of a lower Planet may not reach the Perigee of a higher ; and
thus produce an Interfecftion of Orbits'^.
25. The laft ^efiion, as to ihefituation of the parts of the Syfiem is this.
jfre there fever al different Centres in the Syfiem j and feparate Revolutions '
round them? Efpecially,fmce not only the Earth has been made the Centre
of the firft Movement ; and the Sun the Centre of the fecond ; but alfo
Jupiter is made the Centre of thofe lefler Planets, or Satellites., lately dif-
covered by Galilao '.
E 2 26. And
' But thefe Particulars are fettled to greater Exaftnefs by later Obfervations. See Sit
Ifaac Snrtors, Dr. Gregory, H'oljius, &c.
* See thefe Particulars adjufted in Sir Ifaac Newton's Princifia, Part III. Be Syftemate
Mundi, and from tiience by the later Writers of jlftrorttmy j but particularly Wolfius in hit
Eltmenta jifironom'u.
' How the Motions of the Planets are perform'd round the Sun, without clafhing or in-
rertering with each other, fee exhibited in a fingle Theorem, by Wolfius, in his hlementa
jlftronomii, pag. 505, 506.
• And which Sir Ifaac Neivton demonftrates, revolve about the Centre of Jupiter, with
a force reciprocally as the Squares of their Diltances from it. See Princip. Lib. III.
Prop. 1. And the bed Solutions of all the preceding Queftions feem derivable from the
fame admirable Work; but thofe who have not a fufficient ftock of Mathcmaticks ta
underftand that Piece, may to good advantage confult Chrift. Wolfii Elementa Ajtrorumi* \
where all is explain'd in a much more familiar and entertaining; ye: Geometrical Mannei,
aa A ST EC I M EH
KecafttuU' 26. And thus there are five capital ^uejlions which fhould be fifted
'""'• with regard to the Syftem itfelf; viz. (i.) Whether there be a Syfieml
(2.) What is its Centre? (^.) IFhat its Dimenfions? (4.) What its Connexion'^
And, (5.) Whcit its Order of Parts? But for the external parts of the
Heavens, and the empyrean Heaven, we raife no ^leftions about them : For
of thefe things there is no Hiflory nor Phenomena extant -, and therefore,
what is to be known of them, muft be had by Confecution, not by In-
dii^ion '. - This Enquiry, therefore, muft wait its proper time ; and ex-
peft its s u I'T ABLE MET HOD'. But for the immaterial Heavens, we
had better truft them wholly to Religion: For what the Piatonifis of old,
and Patricius of late (to fhew themfelves Divines in Philofophy) have faid
on this Head, is mix'd with manifeft Superftition, Arrogance, and Phren-
fy, and, like the Icons znd jEons, or Dreams and Fictions oi Fakntimis, hold.
and fruitlefs-, fo that we rejeft it all, as trifling, vain, and prepofterous:
For to canonize -Folly, as in t\ve jfpotheofts of Claudius into a Mujliroom-
God, is intolerable : And to venerate Vanities is extreme Abomination ;
and the bane of the Underjianding.
S E C T. It.
Physical Q.u e s t i o n s concerning the Suhftance
of the Celestial Bodies.
TheKecelJhy i. TTTE come next to the ^lejiions regarding the Subjlance of the hea-
"S ""cksLd W "^'^"^y ^^^'^^ i i"to which, and the Caufes of their Motions, 'tis
Aftronomy. t^he principal Office of Philofophy, to enquire. But Afironomy
alfo undertakes to enquire into their Motions, with the Properties there-
of; and both Philofophy and Afironomy into their Influence and Powers,
There is, however, a Difference to be made betwixt Afironomy and Philo-
fophy : Aftronomy fhould be conceived to lay down fuch Hypothefes as beft
ferve the Purpofes of a ready and expeditious Calculation ; but Philofophy
fuch as nearly approach the Truth and Reality of Nature. Again, the
Hypothefes of Afironomy may be fubfervient to their own Convenience, but
fliould in no wife prejudice the 'Truth of things; and the Determinations of
Philofophy fliould here be perfectly explicable upon the Ph^noinena. of Afiro-
nomy.
» What kind of Tntimatioir is this ?' The Method of enquiring by Indiiftion is known-,
and fully explained in the Author's Xovum Organum ; But what is the Method of Difco-
"jery by Confecution ? Perjjaps, 'tis meant, that when the Bufinefs of i:jduflive Enquiry
fhall be cai-ried its due length, \v\ Aftronomy ; and the immenfe Regions of the fixed Stars
be as well underftood as the SoLir Syflemi at prefent ; the Notion of an empyrean Heaven
may, by Confecution, appear, to future Generations, a Vanity., or a 'Fiction ; or elfe all
that fuppofed Region be found full of Worlds and Syftems, like the folar. . But this ma-/
b'e launching too far, . .
<7/"Ani MATED Astronomy. xp
nomy. But, at prefcnt, tlic direct contrary is the call' ; for the FiBions of
yfftronomy are introduced into, and have corrupted Pbilofophy ; and the
Speculations of Philofophers about the cclejlial Bodies pleafe none but them-
felves ; and in a manner run olT from JJlronotny ; as regarding only the
Hea'jetis in genera!, without at all reaching to the particular Phtemwena and
their Caufes. Therefore, as both thcfe Sciences^ in their prefent State, are
but light and tottering things; their Foundations fhould, by all means,
be ftronger fix'd •, and in fuch a manner, as if the two, which, by reafon
of the School Ufes made of them, and the Narrowncfs of Mens Com-
prehenfions, have, for fo many Ages, been fcparated and disjoined, were
but one and the Hxme thing, to be wrought up together into a fingle Corps <? „,/?,•(,„
of Science, under the Title of Phikfopbical yfjlronomy". "^ (i.)
2. Let the firft qjl'estion, therefore, be this. Is the Subjiance op^'^^'''"' ''"
the cekjiial Bodies of a different nature from that of the terreflrial? For the'J^fff^f"
rafh and difputatious Temper of yirijlotk, has given us an imaginary Hea- fame Mature
ven, made of the ^linta. EJJentia, that is not fubjeft to Alteration, or ''""h the ur-
even to Heat. But to drop, for the prefent, fpeaking of the four Ele- '■'A'"' •'
ments, which this ^tinta EJfentia fuppofes ; it was certainly a very confi-
dent Attempt, entirely to cut off all relation betwixt the elementary and ce-
lefiial Bodies ; whilft tvvo of the Elements, viz. Air and Fire, have fo great
an Agreement with JEthcr, and the Stars: But it was the pradice of ^\y3^X.Thxt th
Philofopher to abufe his own Genius, make himfelf Work, and affedt ri-y?^^/ and
Obfcurities '^. There is, however, no doubt, that the Regions both hdow "^'J^'"^ Bodies
and above the Moon, together with the Bodies they contain, differ from '""^ ^f"' "^
one another in many and great rcfpefbs : But 'tis no lefs certain, that theandf^'t'in
Bodies of both thele Regions have numerous Properties, Tendencies, and Epnce.
Motions, in common ; fo that we fhould rather diftinguilh betwixt, than
rend them afunder: as being, at the bottom, of the fame nature".
3. As to that Opinion of their Heterogeniety, which makes the celeJlialThat the in-
Bodies etanal, and the terrejlrial pcrifiable ; it feems fallacious on both fe^nal parts
fides: For the Heavens have not that Conjlancy, nor the Earth that Mu-°^ [^' ^'"''''
lability which is coined by the Favourers of this Notion. Whoever ,'^'^,„^^'j ^,
would form a true judgment of the Earth, can only do it from fjch parts;/.? Hdven-^
thereof as have been feen •, but all the terreflrial Bodies hitherto obferved
by Men, have fcarcely been dug, or thrown up, from a greater depth
than that of three Miles from the Surface; which is nothing in compari-
fon of the Earth'' s Semidiameter, and the whole Contents of the Globe :
And therefore the internal parts of the Earth may, for any thing that has
hitherto appeared, be as durable as the Heavens^.
4. And if the Earth did fuffer Changes at greater depths; the Confc- ^„^ ,v^_,
quences thereof muft neceffarily produce greater Accidents, than appear chanlzs
on rcuh-not be-
" Which the prefent Age has feen fuccefsfully promoted by Sir Ijaac Newten. r /."'.'''''
" See his full Charafter in the following Piece, S u p p L I m E n t X. J-iperjUmi
* Is this Pofition c.ipable of a drift Induflive Proof? Or can any nearer Advances be " '
ajade to the Difcovcrv, than bv Sir Ifaac Newton' i x\^xA Rtgula Philofophavdi ? See abeve^^
Sect. I. 2. ■ '
'' See .Mr. Ec-jle, of the Sui/terrane.%i Revons, . *-.
^ A ST EC I M EK
on the Surface : But in all the Changes we perceive towards the fuperficial
parts, there is almoft conftantly fome other manifeft Caufe of them deri-
vable from above; as difference of the Seafons, Rains, Droughts, Heats, fj'f.
fo that the Earth of itfelf, and its own proper Force, feems to afford no
Caufe of any confiderable Change. And allowing, what is probable, that
not only the celejlial Bodies^ but alfo the Earth, afts upon the Regions of
xhtJir-y either by breathing out Cold, difcharging IVinds, or the like;
yet all this Variety may happen in thofe Regions of the Earth which lie
near the Surface -, and where no one can doubt but there are numerous
Changes and Revolutions.
That Earth- g_ But of all the Phsenomena of the Earih ; Earthquakes, and Acci-
tjiinhes.u-c. (lents of the like kind, muft be allowed to penetrate by far the deepeflj
ntf/the"slr- ^^ ^^^ Eruption of Water, the Erudlation of Fire and Flames, Chafms,
face. and falling in of the Earth, ^c. and yet thefe do not happen at any great
Depth -, as mofl of them ufually affeft but fome little fpace on the furface
of the Earth, without fpreading far : For the wider an Earthquake, or
the like, fhould fpread upon the Earth's Surface, the deeper its Origin
muft be conceived, and vice ver/a'^.
Earthcfuahs 6. 'Tis true, there fometimes happen fuch Earthquakes, as fhake very
in the Earth ]arge and fpacious Countries ; tho thefe are not frequent, but extraordi-
fet agamjl Cafes ; and may therefore be, pertinently, compared to the Comets^
Comets m the . ? . -i- i "^ r i i t- i i r /- i • • • i
fitavens. which alio appear but feldom: ror the bulmels here is not to maintain tne
Immutability of the Earth ; but only to fhew there is no great difference be-
tAvixt the Heavens and the Earth in point of Conftancy and Change.
That pojjihly 7. And further ; that the internal parts of the Earth are not more fub-
the internal j^Q^ jio Corruption than the Heavens themfelves, may be argued from
^E^rthf 'frl hence ; that things ufually decay and perilh, where they may be recruited
730 Lofs, and ^nd renewed. For as Showers and other falling Meteors, which renew the
'u'ant no Ke-face of the Earth, can, by no means, penetrate to its internal parts; which,
fair. neverthelefs, maintain their bulk, and quantities ; it fhould feem to follow,
that nothing is there loft •, as there is nothing at hand to repair any lofs ^.
8. Laftly,
* This, tho probable, m.iy require to be better confirm'd ; becaufe the Force that was
great at iirft, and exerted on the central Parts, might be fuTpefted to diminifh near the
Surface ; fo as not there to produce any very confiderable Effeft.
" This Conjefture may receive fome Light from the Converfe thereof, which is in-
timated by Sir Ifaac Newton in his Principia, upon better grounds, perhaps, than he there
exprefTcs; tjiz. that as the Sea is abfolutely neceflary to the Conftitution of the Earth,
in order to afford a fufficient quantity of Vapour,which is raifed by the Sun; and being either
condenfed into Clouds, falls back again in Rain, to water and fupply the Earth, for the
produdion of Vegetables; or elfe being condenfed upon the cold tops of Mountains,
runs down into Springs and Rivers; Co, Comets feem neceffary for fupplying the Seas,
and proper Moijlure in the Planets ; that what Liquors are there confumed in Vegetation
and PutrefaHion, and converted into dry Earth, may be feafonably recruited and made
good, by the Exhalations and Vapours of the Comets. For all Vegetables wholly receive
tiieir Growth from Liquids ; and afterwards turn, by Puttefaftion, in great meafurc, to dry
Earth. Whence the bulk of dry Earth is perpetually upon the increafe, and Liquids,
unlefs otherwife fupplied, perpetually upon the decreafe, fo a* to tail at laft. Prjncjlu
Lib. in, pag. 473.
o/' Animated Astronomy. 31
8. Laftly, the Mutability obferved in the more external farts of the J/^' Mutabii
Earth, feems only accidental^: For the thin outfide 6>,v/?, which appears '"^"-^ '**
to reach but a tew Miles downwards, and to contain the two wonderful ^^^^^^t,"^,.^,-.
Laboratories oi Plants and Minerals, would receive little Variety, much \tk dental.
produce luch beautiful and elaborate Works, without feeling the Influences
and perpetual Animation of the celeftial Bodies. To imagine that the heat
and acftive powers of the Sun, and other celeftial Bodies, may ftrike quite
thro the entire Body of the terreftrial Globe, muft be a ftrange degree of
Superftition and Enthufiafm ; whilft it plainly appears how fmall an Objedt
is lufRcient to check and reftrain them.
9. No fure Argument for the immutability of the Heavens^ can be drawn The Argu-
from hence \ that the Effeds thereof are not vifible : for the Sight is fru- ^'nn for the
ftruted as well by Diftance, excefs, or defedt of Light, as the fubtilty or^^"'^"'^^^'"^
minutenefs of the Objeft: So an Eye placed in xhtMoon could not difcover -j^J/„^/^/„.
the changes which happen here upon the Earth's Surface ; fuch as Inundations^ clujivc, as no
Earthquakes^ and nhc like; for thefe are but as Atoms at fo great a diftance. c^.j"i*»
Nor is it fafe, beciufe the interftellar Heaven appears tranfparent, and the'^'^"^''"
fixed Stars, on clear Nights, appear the fame, both in Number and Com-
plexion, to pronounce from thence, that the entire body of the jEther is
clear, pure, and unchangeable : For the yiir receives numberlefs varieties of
Heat^ Cold^ Odours^ and Mixtures, of all kinds, in fubtile Vapours, and
Effluvia ; and yet appears tranfparent. So likewife the clear face of the
Heavens is no Proof of their Purity, Homogeneity^ and Incorruptibility. For
if thofe huge mafles of Clouds, which fometimes overfpread the Heavens,
and, by reafon of their nearnefs to us, hide the Sun and Stars from cnir
fight, were to float in the higher parts of the. Heavens ; they would not at all
fully or obfcure the clearnels thereof: As themfelves could neither be feen,
on account of their diftance, nor darken the Stars, on account of the
frnallnefs of their Body, with regard to the Body of the Stars fo near
them^ Even the Body of the Moon does not alter the face of the Hea-
vens, except on that half which receives the Sun's Light ; fo that, were it
not for that Light, even fuch a vaft Body as the Moon would be perfeft- '
ly hid from us.
10. On the other hand, it plainly appears from thofe maffes of Bodies, VifMe chan-
which by their bulk and fize fupply their want of nearnefs -, and which, •?" /"«'"^ "'■
by means of their luminous Matter, brifkly ftrike the Eye -, that there are
ftrange and extraordinary Changes in the Heavens. Thus the higher Co-
mets, feen in the form of Stars, without their Tails, are not only by the
Dodtrine of the Parallax, demonftrated to be above the Moon'*, but have
alio been found to preferve their own Figures, Stations, and Conftancy,
for fome time, like the fixed Stars •, without wandering in the manner of
Planets. And fuch Comets have more than once appeared in our Time :
Firft
•• That is owing to Caufes from without.
' Compare this with Sir 1/aac i\ewion's Dodrine of the Tails of Come». Princi^
Lib. III. pag. 466, 467, 468, err.
t Sec Kevton. Princif. Lib. 111. Lem. IV.
32.
The jiffear-
ance of new
Stars.
Change! In
the inn.
iterations
in Venus.
^ STE C I M EN
Firfl: in CaJJiopeia^ and again in Opbiticus ^. That this Conftancy of the
Comets fliould proceed from their waiting upon fome certain Star, which
was the Notion ofJriJiotle, has been long fince exploded-, with a reflexion
upon the Procedure of that Philofopher, who durft venture to raife Hypo-
thefes upon fuch fuperficial Confiderations, and tie the Comets to fingle
Stars -, and the Milky JVay to Conjiellations.
1 1 . Nor does this alteration in the celcfiial Regions hold only of thofe
Stars which may feem of a perilhiable nature •, but alfo of thofe that are
fix\l and con jl ant: For the Ancients, in the Cafe of the neiv Star of
Hipparchus^ make mention of an appearance, but none of a Difappear-
ance : And a ne-w Star lately began to appear in the Breaft of Cygnus,
which has now continued for the fpace of twelve years ; a term much
greater than Men commonly allow to the Comets : And this without any
diminution or tendency to a Difappearance'.
12. Nor is it abfolutely true, that the ancient Stars remain perfedtly
the fame, and unchangeable ; whilft only thofe of late date are fubjedl to
alteration : For, not to mention the Jrcadian Fables about the firft appear-
ance of the Moon ; there are in Hifiory, and the faithful Records of things,
certain examples to our purpofe. T'he Sun has three feveral times changed
his Face, for many days together ; whilft the Air remained clear and fe-
rene, without any Eclipfe., or interpoluion of Clouds. At one of thefe
times his Light was little -, and at the two others brownifh. This hap-
pen'd in the year 790, for feventeen days together :
in the time of
Difappear-
ance of Stars,
Jujlinian, for half a year -, and, after the Death of Julius Cafar, for fe-
veral days fucceffively. Virgil bears a remarkable Teftmiony of the Dark-
nefs that happen'd upon the Death of Julius Cuefar^.
13. The Account oi Farro, a Man extreme-ly well vers'd in Antiquity,
found in St. Aufiin, concerning the Planet Fenus^ might feem incredible ;
had not the liJce tiling happen'd again in the year 1578 : For Farro fiys,
that in the time of King Ogyges, Fcnus changed both her Colour, her Mag-
nitude, -^nd, her Figure: But in our own time, there was, for a whole year
together, a moft remarkable alteration In the fame Planet ; when fhe ap-
pear'd of an unufual Magnitude, and Splendor ; exceeded even Mars in
redhefs-, and frequently changed her figure''. And that ancient Star which
' yJriJiotk declares hirnfelf to have feen in Coxa canicul<e, bearded fomewhat
like a Comet; and vibrating Its Beard, efpeclally upon a tranfient view'-,
now feems changed, and to have loft its Beard : For it no where appears
at prefent. We may add, that numerous alterations in the celeftial Bodies,
but
■ * See the Author laft mentiou'd. Princip. Lib. III. pag, 455, &c. and IVolf. Eletu.
jil)ron. pag. 594.
^ See Woljii F.lementa Aflronomit, pag. 594.
^ Ille etiam extin^o miferatus Csfare Romam,
Cum caput obfcura nitidum ferru^tne texit.
'' See Woljii I'lementa Aftronomii, p. 47;, 474.
' Compare this with Dr. Hook'% Dilcourfeof Comets, 5\r Jfaac Kewton's Princip. Lib. IH.
p. 467, and with Wolfiiii'i Dodiine of Comets. Element. Aflronom. p. 595, &c.
^AnimatedAstronomy. 33
but efpecially in zhefmal.'cr Stars, may cafily be loll to us v or, thro neg-
le(5t, and want of Curiofit)', efcape our Oblervation "^.
14. If any one ftiould attribute thcfe apparent Changes to the interpofi- ^*»/' chjn-
tion of ^'apours, and the difpofiiion of the Medium -, we anfwcr, T hat •^'i ""'-'"''' '^
fuch Changes as are conftantly, equally, and for a long time together, f^g ^,^^
found in the Body of a Star, and revolve along with it, muft neceiTarily
be cither in the Star itfelf, or in the jEtber adjacent thereto ; and not in
the lower Region of the Air. And 'tis a Confirmation hereof, that fuch
Changes happen but feldom, and at long periods ; whereas the Changes
that happen in the Air, from the interpofition of Vapours, are frequent.
15. Again, if any one fliall judge from the Order of the Heavens, and Order and
the Equability of their Motion, that they are mmutabk ; and take the '^"^ Motion,
exaftnefs of their Periods and Revolutions, as a certain fign of their Con- "J- /^^"^j"*
ftancy, becaufe fuch a conjlancy of Motiofi may feem unfuitable to a cor- bility m the
niptible Subflance -, he fhould confider a little more attentively, that thefe tieavtns.
regular Returns and fixed Periods are alfo found in fome things upon the
Earth ; particularly in the ebbing and flo'wing of the Sea : And that the
fmaller Differences which there may be in the celejlial Bodies, their Periods
and Resolutions, efcape our Sight and Calculation'.
16. No more can the circular Motion of the Heavens, be brought as andrcular Mo-
Argument of their Immutability; as if becaufe a c/Vca/^r Motion has "o*^"„"l^pf^\
End, kjhould be adapted to an ever durable Subflance: For even the lower „;,j, /„ ,;i,g
Comets defcend below tlie Moon ; and that from a Force of their own -, Heavens.
unlefs any one had rather give into that idle Fiction of Ariflotle, of their
being tied to a Star. And if Men would argue for the Eternity of the ce-
leftial Bodies, from their circular Motion -, the Argument fliould be ap-
plied to the whole Expanfe of the Heavens, and not to their Parts : For
the Air, the Sea, and the Earth, are eternal in their entire Mafles ; but
perifhable in their Parts. On the contrary •, fuppofing ihe Rotation of
the Heavens, their Eternity cannot be thence collected ; for their Motion
is not perfeftly circular, or fuch as reftores itfelf exaflly, in a Circle; but
has its Declinations, Curvatures, and Spirals".
17. Again, if any one fhould retort our own Argument, 'wYiich z.f^(irts whether the
the Changes happening in the Earth to be accidental, or proceeding from ^"rth be ca-
above ; and maintain the Cafe to be otherwife in the Heavens ; which ain^"^ "J^ ^'
by no means fuffer, in like manner, from the Earth ; whofe Influences ueai^ns.
muft all fall fhort, without reaching to the celeflial Bodies ; fo that, proba-
bly, the Heavens, being exempted from all hoftile Violence, are capable of
Eternity ; as not liable to Injury, or difturbed from any oppofite Nature :
We acknowledge the Force of the Objedtion ; for we pay no deference to
* For an Account of fuch Stars, fee the Philofophlcal Tranfa6lions, and JVoIjihs's Ele-
mertta Afironom'u, pag. 59;, 594, 595.
' The late Improvements made in Teie''co}'es, and other 0/>/;m/ InJIrnmenis, have enabled
Aftronomers to difcover fuch fmaller Objeds and Variations in the Heavens, as without
fuch Improvements, muft have been dill unknown. See iVolf.i Eiem. Aftronom. pajjim.
■" But in the Hypothecs of the Earth's Motion, things appear much more (imple ; tho
■this, as w:s before obferveJ, is no Proof of the Truth of that Hypothefis.
Vol. II. F the
34^ A ST EC I MEK
the Opinion of Thales, who would have the cekflial Fires fed and main-
tain''d by the Fapours arifing from the Earth and Ocean: For thefc Va-
pours fall back nearly in the fame quantity they afcended •, are abfolutely
infufficient for recruiting both the Earth and the cekjfial Bodies ; and, in-
deed, can, by no means, rife fo high. But, however the material Efflu-
via of the Earth may fall fl-iort of rifing to the Heavens •, yet, if the Earth
fliould, according to the Opinion of Parmenides^ and 1'clcjius^ be the pri-
ffiary cold Body of Nature •> 'tis not eafy to lay, with certainty, to what
Height this unfriendly and rival Firtue to the Heavens, may infinuate it-
felf, gradually, and hy fucceffl on; efpecially ■xsftibtile Bodies imbibe, and long
V'(i\*^^ r' P''^^'^'"^^ '^he nature and impreflion of Cold and Heat. But granting the
may fJlr' Heaxens not to be affefted by the Earth ; yet the celeftial Bodies may fuffer
from one a- and be changed by one another, as the Sun by xkz fixed Stars ; the fixed
nother. Stars by the Sun ; the Planets by both ; and all the Stars by the JEther
they float in, efpecially on their Surfaces".
The filiitwus jg_ 'pj^g Notion oi the Eternity of the Heavens kerns to receive much
thTAftrono- Countenance from that Machinery and Architedlure which Aflronorners have
mers to fro- bufily introduced. They have been extremely careful that the ccleflial Bo-
"jent Difir- ^/^_f fliould be fubjeft to nothing more than a/imple Rotation; and, in all
Hear"}!" Other refpefts, remain quiet and undifturbed. Hence they have, as it
were, nail'd down each Star to its Orbit ; and for their Declinations,
Retrogradations, ^c. they make fo many perfedl Rings, ot a proper thick-
nefs, and turn and polifli both their concave and convex fides fo exqui-
fitely, as to leave no Roughnefs thereon ; but adapt and fit them to one
another, in fuch a manner, as to make them Aide fmoothly and equably,
without ftickage. And this kind of Grooving and Machinery is an ingenious
contrivance for Ecernity ; as it removes all Violence and Diforder, which
are the infeparable Forerunners of Corruption and Deftruftion. For,
doubtlefs, if fuch vaft Bodies as the Globes of the Stars, were to cut thro
the iEther, and not remain continually in the fame parts thereof, but fail
thro various Portions, and very difterent Tracks of it -, as they fometimes
mount upward, fometimes defcend downward, towards the Earth, fome-
times tend to the South, and fometimes to the North ; there muft be great
danger of numerous Impreffions, Shocks, Fluftuations, and mutual Com-
motions in the Heavens: Upon which would follow fuch Condenfations
and Rarifa<5tions of the celeftial Bodies, as might pave the way for new
Generations and Alterations". And, as it appears from phyfical Reafons,
and alfo from the Phsenomena themfelves, that this latter is plainly the
'Cafe
" sir Ifaac Ketvton (liev.'s, tli.it the fixed Stnrs, on nccoiint of their immcnfe Diftince,
c.in have very h'ltle Force in dilhirbiiig the Planetnry Syftem by their Gravity; which is
alfo balanc'd ortteftroyM by their mutu.il A£lion every way upon one another; But may
not foinc fjiiall £iTe£i be Vi'rought by the Light of the fixed Stars upon the Planets ? See
Newton. Princip. Lib. HI, Prop. XIV. and Mr. BiyU's Afolopj fir Afirology, in his Me-
moirs for a General H'iftory of the Air.
° This Dclcription (eems cxadly to fiiit the Comets, which move In all Direftions thro
the Planetary Regions; and may occation very great Changes, in numerous refpefts.
See Dr. Hook's Difcourfe of Comtts,
^Animated Astronomy. 35-
Cafe in Nature ; and that chc ^hovcmcnuonW Machir.cry of the Aftroromcrs
ii but a FuliQii., or a nu're empty Impofition upon Nature ; the fame Judg-
ment nwy he likewife pafled upon the Opinion of the Eternity of the cele-
Jiia! Bodies, which is ioincd rhcrowirh, and built upon it.
19. But if any one fhouki here attack us from kcligio/i, we anfwer •, 'Tis. T/;f Keuirs-
only the Heathen Arrogance that attributes this Eternity to the Heavens t'^y^of '*«
alone; whereas the Scriptures attribute it both to the Heaven and R'^^' ^^ ■' tj^(s'"Zattei:
For we not only read, that tlic Sim and the Moon are eternal and faithful
jrUr.eJI'cs in Heaven -, but alfo, that Generations floall come and go, but the
Earth endure for ever : Whilfl of the frail and perifliable Nature of both,
'tis at once fiid, the Heavens and Earth pall pafs aiv.iy, but the JFord of the
Lord fiall not pafs aivay P.
20. If any one fliall ftill infift, tho it caru^ot indeed be denied, that The Exire-
infinite Changes do happen on the fur face of the Earth, and the Parts adjacent ; mines of the
but not after the fime manner in the Heavens; we anfwer, that we do not ^^-""^'"y-
compare them together in all refpcdts ; and yet to take thofe call'd the up- i^,^/ great,
per and middle Regions of the Air for the Surface, or Covering of the Heavens ; h inftjied.
as we do that upper Part, or Cruft, wherein Animals, Plants, and Mine-
rals are contained, for the Covering of the Earth; there will alfo be a great
variety of Generations found therein. And thus all kinds of Tumults, Con-
flicfts and Diforders, may feem to have place only in the Confines of the
Heavens and Earth : As we fee in political Government, it frequently hap-
pens, that the Frontiers of two Kingdoms are infefted with continual In-
curfions and Outrages ; whilft the Heart, or more central Provinces of
each enjoy a conunutdL Peace; or are only now and then molefted with de-
ftrudive JFars.
21. As to that other kind of Heterogcnity, confifting in a denial of Heat Heat Je»ied
to the celeflial Bodies, invented by Jrijlotle, to prevent the Conflagration of^^ ^u^^Tn^ i
Heraclitus, and making them only heated by Accident, in rubbing :i^z\rA'^J^'J"^ '"
and beating the Air ; we are at a lofs to know what Ariftotle could mean
by thus forfiking Experience, aiid running oppofite to the Confent of the
Ancients. But 'tis no new thing with him, to fnatch a fmgle Inflame from
Experience, and itnwiediately to inf'ult Nature ivith it, in the manner of a Bra-
vo'^. But we fhall fay more to this Point under the ^efiion. Whether
the Stars are real Fires ^ : Propofing, however, to treat it more accurately,
and at large, in our Dire&ions for the Hiftory of the Cardinal Virtues of
Nature -y where we fhall explain the Nature and Origin of Cold and Heat ;
a Subjett hitherto unknovun and untouch' d '^ Thus much may ferve to the
F 2 ftate
^ See the Arguments drawn from Revelation, for or againft any jiflronomkal Syfiemt
briefly conlider'd in Woijius's Elementa j^Jironomu, Schol, 4, 5, 6. pag. 503, 504.
1 Perhaps no Commentator ever underftood AriftotWi Works better than our Author.
•■ See hereafter, pag 40.
*" The Hiftory here intimated was never publifh'd : We may, however, make fome
Conjefture what it would have been, from the Sylva Sylvarum ; the Hiftory of Wind!,
Life and Death, &c. Mr. Boyle feems to have had a direft View to fupply it; which he
has done, in fome meafure, by his Hiftory of Celd ; but his Enquiry into heat was un-
fonunately loft. See Dr. Hooli's Ltclnres of Light.
3<r
A ST E CI M EN
ftate of the ^ueflion, as to the Heterogenity of the Heavens. Perhaps, the
nature of the thing might require that yirlflotk''?, Opinion fhould here be
condemned, without farther delay j but it is not our prefent bufmefs to
pafs Sentence,
eitieflion 2 2 . Let the fecond qjj e s t i o m be. What are the Contents of the inter-
C^-) flellar Spaces? For they are, (i.) either empty, ■x% Gilbert imagin'd, or,
Zmlnnof'^^-^ fill'd with a Body, which may be to xkt fised Stars, as Jir is to Flame ; .
the interjlel- Or, (3.) fili'd with a hicid Body, homogeneous to the Stars-, tho of a
lar sj>aces ? kfs briglit, and vibrating Nature. This latter feems to be the common
Opinion, in making the Stars the denfeft part of their own Orbits : For
a lefs lucid Body may be tranfparent, and tranfmit a ftronger Light •, fince,
asTeleJius accurately obferved, even the common u^/> may hold fome Light ;
becaufe there are certain Animals that fee by Night, whofe Eyes are fitted,
to receive, and be affedled by, a very fmall degree of Light : For 'tis not fo.
Perhaf! a /«- probable, that the J5l of Fijion fhould be performed without Light, or
fiance of the i^om the ha.re internal Light or the vnual Spirits ^ flame itlelr alio ap-
fame Nature pcats tranfparent i fo as to tranfmit the Image of an opaque Objeft ; as we
■with the fixed f^Q by theWieck of a burning Candle : And much eafier might it tranfrnit
""' intenfer Light than itfelf. Again, fome Flames are paler than others.
This proceeds either from the nature or quantity of the Body inflamed : for.
the Flame of Tallow or PFax is more luminous and fiery, than the Flame of
Spirit of IVine ; which feems fomewhat more opaque, and, as it were, aerial ;
efpecially, when in a fmall quantity •, fo as not to thicken itfelf And ta
this purpofe we have made an Experiment ., by caufing Spirit of Wine to
burn around a flaming Taper ; where it was eafy to perceive the Flame of
the Wax-Candle fhining white, thro the midft of the weaker and more
dufky Flame of the Spirit of Wine. In like manner, we frequently fee
fhining Gleams fhooting in the Air, that of themfelves afford a manifelt
Light, and remarkably illuminate or dilTipate the Darknefs of the Night ;
whilft, at the ftme time, we perceive the Stars, clear thro the Bodies of
thefe Gleams.
jheW differ- 23, But this Difference between th.t fixed Stars and the interfiellar jEther
ence "<>' f^''^^ is not Well defined by Rarity and Denfity ; fo as to make the Star denfe,
'nenfity m tie '^^^ the jEthcr rare: For here below. Flame is generally a more fubtile.
Stars, and and more rarified Body, than jlir : and the like may probably obtain in
'Rant-) in the the celeftial Regions. But 'tis a grofs Error to conceive the Stars to be a
^ther, p,^j.j. Q^ their own Orbits, and, as it were, naird on to them ; which con-
founds the fixed Stars with the others. This is no more than a Fi&ion; for
the Stars in their courfe muft eitheir cut the TEther, or the TEther re-
volve with them. For tho they fhould move obliquely, they muft ne-
ceffarily float thro the .Slther. And we have above obferved ' , that
the mechanical Noticn of coniigiwus Orbs frarned together., fo that the Con-
cavity of the fuperior Orb fiould receive the Convexity of the inferior^ as in
a po-
• See Sir Ifaac Newton's Oftkks. Quer. 16. pag. 321, &c,
• See above, 18.
o/" Ani MATED Astronomy. 37
a polijh'd Groove, without hindering each other's Revohition, has no
reality : Whilll the Body of the JEthcr is one continued thing, like the
Body of the ^/r" ; only becaufe there is a great diverfity found betwixt
them, with regard to Rarity and other Properties^ it is convenient to di-
ftingiiifh them into different Regions, for the fake of Information and
Clearnefs. Let the prefent c^u e st i on, therefore, be confidered, as we
have here explained it ^.
24. Next follows a complex clue st ion concerning the fubjlance of the^eflion
Stars; wherein we arc firfl to enquire, IFhetber there are any other Globes of , (J.)
/olid and compaa Matter, befidcs the Earth? For it may be Jullly conceived, '^'^J"'^^"'^'^^^''_'
that Nature, in the diftribution of Matter, did not work up the whole "pan'^ndjo'-
flock of compact Body into this fingle Globe of Earth ; whilft there ap- lid Globes bt-
pears to be lb large a number of others, confiding of a rarer and more/"'" ''"
expanded Subftance. Gilbert has indulged this Thought fo immoderately ^'"^'"■
(tho fome of the Ancients were before him in it) as to aflcrt, not only the
Earth and Moon, but numerous other folid and opaque Globes, to be dif-
fufed among the fhining ones, thro the vaft expaiife of the Heavens. He
likewile fuppofes, that even the fiining Globes themfelves, as the Sun,
and all the brighteft Stars, confift of a certain folid, tho more fhining and
equable Matter ; thus confounding original Light with fecondary Light, or
Splendor ; which is only Light refleded'': For he alfo imagined, that our
Sea^ did, of itfelf, dart out Light, to a confiderable diftance. The
fame Author acknowledges no Globes of other than folid Matter ; and the
Atmofpheres about them, he fuppofes to be only the fubtile Parts or Ef-
fluvia thereof; whofe expanfion, at length, ceafmg, leaves the unpoiTefTed
Space a Vacuum.
25. And, certainly, the Suppofirion of the Moon's being a folid and ma- whether the
terial Body, may juftly require a A'ery diligent and ferious Enquiry, from ^toon be a
thofe who defire to fearch into the Works of Nature : For the Moon does^"'"^ ^'^"^ •
not tranfmit Light, but reflecfl it ; has, in a manner, no Light of her
own -, and is full of Inequalities : Which are all Properties of a folid Body.
And we fee, that both the Mther and the Air, which are rare Bodies,
receive the Light of the Sun -, but not refled it as the Moon does/. And
the Rays of the Sun are fo aftive, as to penetrate and pafs thro the denfell
Clouds^
• See above. Seel. I. \%, See.
" It is before obferved, tliat Sir Jjaac 'Seviton\\-\% fhewn the interficUar Spac:> contain
but a verv fubtile Matter; or elCe that jEther, allowing its Exiftence, makes no conliJer-
able Refinance to the Planets and Comets continually floating in it : But what this JEthtr
is, has not been hitherto fatisfactorily (hewn, by Induclion : Tho there feem to be a con-
fiderable number ot Experiments and Obfervations, made by the Moderns, which, if duly-
laid together, inigl.t afford fome Light in this Matter. See above, Sccf. I. 17, iS.
" See the Table of Enquiry into Light and Splendor, towards the beginning of the s c a 1 a
INTELLECT us, V 01. 111. See alfo. Dr. Hook's Letlures of Light.
'■ Let it be remember'd, that Light is not viliblc in the Rays of Light ibemfelves, for
a Feam of the Sun being admitted" into a dark Room, has no effed on the Eye ; but
only, as it is reflefted by the Particles of Dud or Elfiuvia, continually floatiag in tli«
Air. See ^ieu-ton. Pn':::f. Lib. liL pag, 467. and Otticks, ^nlfm.
3«
whether
there be sot
ether /olid
ceUJiial Bo-
dies bejides
the Moon.
Mf.ny invl-
fible dark
Globes ma'j
be difperfed
in the He.i-
"vens.
A ST EC I M EK
Clouds, -which are of an aqueous fubftancc ; but they do not thus pafs tints
the Moon. The Moon, however, is obftrved, in Edipfes, to have fome
little obfcure Light ^ ; but in the New Moon, the iucreiife^ and the ivane-,
there is none found ; except on the Part illumin'd by the Sun. Again,
impure and turbid Flames, fach as Empedocks fuppofjd the Moon to be,
are certainly unequal ; tho then thefe inequalities are not fix'd, but gene-
rally moveable : Whereas the Spots, and dufky parts of the Moon, are
thought to be conftant. Add to this, that thefe Spots in the Moon arc
alfo found, by the "Tckfcops, to have their lefler inequalities ; fo that the
Moon is now certainly known to be varioufly figured : And t\\A.t Geography,
or Map of the Moor., which Gilbert conceived in his Mind, may now, by
the Induttry of Galilieo, and others, feem to be actually making =».
26. But if the Moon really confift of a certain folid Matter, like the
Earth ; let it next be confidered, whether fie be the only celeftial Body of this
kind : for Mercury alfo, is fometimes found in conjunction with the Sun, as a
little Spot^ or minute Eclipfe, of that Luminary ^. But thofe very black Spots
found in the Southern LJemifphere, as fix'd and conftant as the milky W'ay,
may give us ftill farther fufpicion, tliat there are opaque Globes, even in the
higher parts of the Heavens: For it feems improbable, that the Heavens in
thofe places fhould be thin., and, as it were, perforated ; becaufe fuch a
decreafe and v;ant of vifible Matter, could by no means ftrike the fight at
that diftance : whilft, at the fame time, all the reft of the JEther is invi-
fible to us, and undiftinguifhable •, but by comparifon with the Bodies of
theyzAY^ Stars. It flrould feem probable, that thefe Blackneftes are owing
to a defeft of Light ; becaufe there are few Stars found in that Quarter
of the Heavens : as, on the other hand, there are [more obferved about
the Milky IVay ; which, therefore, appears continually luminous ; as the
others appear dark. For the celeflial Fires feem placed nearer together in
the Southern Hemifphere, than in the Northern ; or the fixed Stars to be
there fewer, and the fpaces between them larger. But the Account of
thefe Spots is not hitherto well verified ; at leaft, the diligence ufed in ob-
ferving them has not been fo confiderable as to allow of Confequences to
be drawn from it *-'.
27. It comes clofer to the prefent Enquiry, that there may be more opaque
Globes, difpcrfed thro the Mther 3 tho no ixjay vifible : For the Moon in her
firft
* Sufpefted owing to her Atmof^here. See the late Afironomers ; but p.irticularly WolJU
Element a Afironomii, p. 467.— 471.
* And is now aclu.iUy delineated by the Labours of Heveltus, in his Selenographia, and
by others. See Wolfii Elem. Aflronom. pag. 470, &c.
'' Every one knows, that all the Planets, with their Satellites, are, in the prefent Sv-
ftem of /jftroriom'y, allow'd to be a kind ot Earths ; and the Comets themfelves a kind of
Planets. Sir [faac Neii'to?i's Determination of their Motions and Situations, from the i^jw
of Gravity, is a great prefumption for the Truth of this Suppofition.
= For a farther Account of thefe Particulars, confult Father Noel's Obfervationes Mathe-
maticszsr' Phyfics in India a' China faiU Wolf- Elem.AJlron. 420, 411. ^94, 595, &c, and
the Philofophical Tranfaftioiis. Loivth. Abridg. Vol. I. p. 247, &c.
^Animated Astronomy. 39
firft and earl left appearance, ftrikes the Eye, from the fide iJlumin'd by
the Sun, with a thin Rim, or external Part of a Circle -, but remains in-
vifible in the other part of her Face-, or undiftinguifhable from the /Ether:
And the Satellites of Jupiter are drowned from the fight, like little invi-
fihle Iflands, by the Ocean of /Ether they float in. So, likewife, if that
infinite number of fmall Stars which now fet thick together, make the
Milky IVay, were placed feparate, and at a diftance from one another, they
would perfeftly efcape our fight ; as numberlefs others do, which flaine in
clear Nights ; cfpecially in the Winter Scafon. Thus, again, many nebu-
lous Stars° are now diftinftly niimber'd, by means of the Telefcope ; whiciv
has r.lfo adlually difcovered dark Parts, Spots, and Inequalities, in that
pure Fountain of -Light the Sun'^. And, certainly, if nothing elfe, yet
the Gradation obferved among the Stars in point of Light j defcending
fi-om fuch as are mofl: clear and bright, to fuch as are dufky and obfcure ;
may perfuade us, ihat poffil>ly there are Globes perfeSlly opaque : For, the de-
gree from a Kcbukus Star to an opaque Body, feems to be lefs than from
the brighteft Star, to a nebulous one. Befides; the human fight is plainly
limited, and deceived : For whatever is difperfed in the Ileai-ens, llut has
no remarkable Magnitude, nor affords a ftrong and vivid Light, lies con-
cealed from us, and alters not the face of the Heavens.
28. And let no urlkiltlil Perfon be here furprized at putting the qju e s- That [olid
T I o K •, Whether Glebes of compact Matter may hang and float in jEther ? hoJies do
For the Earth itfelf floats pendulous in the midft of its own foft bed, rhe-^"^'" '*''
yftmoffbere : And vaft Mafies of watery Clouds, and Mountains of Snow.,
hang in the Regions of the Jir ; and are thence rather precipitated, than
fufrer'd to defcend, before they approach near the Earth. Whence Gil-
bert very well obferved, that beaiy Bodies removed to a vaft diftance from
the Earth., gradually lofe their motion of Defcent ; which Motion has its Ori-
gin from no other appetite of Bodies, than that of coming to and afib-
ciating with the Earth., which is the Mafs of Bodies of its own Nature'.
And this Motion is terminated within the Sphere of its own Aftivity ;
For as to what Men talk of a Motion to the Earth's Centre., this were
to make a mere nothing have an aSive Firtue, and attrad; all things to itfelf;
whereas one Body can never be acted upon, but by another 8.
29. This Q^^uESTiox, therefore, concerning opaque and foUd Globes., T^f^e st.ir; te
the it be new, and may found hai-fh to vulgar Ears, fliould be received ^* ranged m-
into our Hiftory of Philofophical Jftronomy, and coupled along with that 'li/".[ ""'
other ar.cient qjj e st ion, hitherto undetermined ; viz. l^ljich of the Stars
afford an original Light of themfehies^ and ivbicb receive their Light from the
Sun? The Determination of this question will range the Stars into
Suns
"* For t'-efe, confult the Auihors Lift mcntion'd.
' See the Phihfovh. TranfaiK 'French Memoirs, Vv'clpus, &c.
^ This is only, in other Words, cxprefling the Motion of Gravitation to the Eartli.
B This feems to be the fame Doftrine as Sir Ifaac KesL-ton intends, when he criJea-
vours to affign the Caufe of Gravity ; by means of a faitilt Matter. See the Queries at
the End of his Opticks.
40 A STECIMEK
Sum and Moons. To thefe two qju e s t i on s fhould likewife be annexed
the Enquiry into the different fuhftance of the Stars, m re/f ^t of each other :
For their Subftance appears to be various ; fome being found conftantly
and manifefcly rcldiflo ; others livid, others white, others hight and Jhiningy
others nebulous, &c ^.
(^efliott go. Let the fourth q.u e s t ion be this. Jre the fixed Stars aElual Fires ?
^+) This QjJESTiON requires to be prudently ftated, and diftinftly under-
ftar!fomany ^0°^ : For 'tis one thing to fay, that iht fixed Stars are real Fires -, and a
Tires J very different one, to fay tliat they have all the Virtues, and produce the
fame Effefts as common culinary Fire. We do not here mean any notion-
al or imaginary Fire, that retains only the Name, wirhout having the
Properties of Fire : For if our common Fire were to be placed in the
The Tire of -^ther, in fuch a quantity as 'tis in Sl fixed Star, it might produce different
thefixedstars Effefts from what we find among us here below. All Natures have very
'''I?""'/'':"" different Virtues; not only according to their Quantity, but alfo their Si-
^Tn'refpln'of tuation, with refpeft to other things. For the larger MaiTes of Mat-
sitiiation. ter, or Bodies of the fame Nature, which are collefted together, in fuch a
quantity as bears fome proportion to the fum of the Univerfe, have cer-
tain cojmical Virtues in their Wholes, that are no way found in their
Parrs. Thus the Ocean, which is a huge colleftion of Water, ebbs and
flows ; but Ponds and Lakes have no Motion of this kind. So again, the
whole Body of the Earth hangs pendulous •, but fmall portions of the
Earth drop and fall downwards. Whence the fi tuation of a thing is of the
greateft Moment, in every refpeft, both in the larger and fmaller Por-
tions thereof-, by reafon of agreement, or difagreement, of the things which
lie contiguous or adjacent to it'.
In refpCiH of g I ■ But there muft neceffarily happen a greater divcrfity between the Fire
subjlance. q^ xht fixed Sars, and our Fire below ; becaufe they differ not only in 5/-
tuation, but fomewhat alfo in Subftance: For the ftel/ar Fire is pure, entire,
and native ; but our Fire is degenerate ; and, like Fulcan thrown from
The diference Heaven to Earth, proves lame with the Fall. Thus, to obferve it clofe-
tetzvixt cele- jy . pjre, with us, feems to be out of its own Situation ; trembling, fur-
ImarT'Tire"' ro'^^ided with its Oppofites, needy, and requiring a conftant fupply of Ali-
ment to preferve it from fudden perifhing : Whereas, in the Heavens, Fire
feems, in its due and natural Situation -, feparated and removed from all
oppofite Violence; conftant in itfelf; preferved by things of its own like-
nefs ; and performing its proper Operations, free and unmolefted. Pairi-
cius, therefore, had no occafion, for folving the pyramidal Form of Flame,
as 'tis found among us, to feign, that the upper parts of the Stars oppo-
fite to the .Either might be pyramidal; tho the lower parts oppofite to us
are
'■ This is done in a very .igreenble, geometrical Manner, by VVolfius in lir's Element.
Afironom. To f.ir as the prefent Difcoveries reach. Thus .ill the Planets and Comets are
made Aloons to the i««, in the rol.ir Syftem; and all ihe fixed Stars probably (hewn to
be Suns^ with their feveral Moons about them.
' See tliis Dodrine more largely expLiined by Mr. 'Bo'^le, m his Cofmkal QH/ilitics, and
Cofmiciil Siifpicions,
^Animated Astronomy. 41
are globular : For xhK pyramidal figure of Flame is only accidental, and
proceeds from the prcfiure and conflriclion of the Air upon it; which thus
fqueczes it from the round figure it has about its own Fewel, and gradual-
ly forms it into a Pyramid : Whence Flame becomes broad at the Bafis, and
fnarp at the Vertex ; contrary to what happens in Smoke, which appears
like an inverted Pyramid •, bccaufe the Jir receives Smoke, but comprefles
Flame. Hence it fhould feem probable, that as Flame is pyramidal here
below, 'tis globular above K
32. So likewife Flame below is a momentary Body, but in jEther per- vUmein
mancnt and durable ; and even with us, /7ijw<? might remain, and fubfift in ''Ktiier pcr-
its own Form, were it not deftroy'd by the Bodies which furround it ; as """""'*
manifertly appears in large Flames: For Flame fituated in the midft of,
and totally furrounded by another Flame, is not deftroy'd ; but remains
in a rapid Motion, numerically the fame, and unextinguiflied. The Vio-
lation of Flame begins from the fides •, and thence proceeds its Suffoca-
tion. And that an internal Flame will permanently continue of a globu-
lar figure, whilft an external Flame plays and vanifhes in a pyramidal
one, may be experimentally demonftrated, in two Flames of difi"erent
Colours).
33. There may likewife be a great difference in the beat of the celeflial '^'ff'^'^'"
and terreftrial Flame : For the celeftial plays, and fpreads itfelf with eafe and *^'^'^' '^
freedom, as in its own proper Sphere •, whilft the terreftrial is bound down, terreftrial
burns and rages, as in a Sphere not its own : For all Fire burns the ftrong- tlame.
er for being pent up, and imprifon'd ; and even the Rays of the celeftia]
Flame, after they arrive at more denfe and ftubborn Bodies, depofite their
gentlenefs, and become nx)re violent anci fcorching. ^njlotle, therefore,
need not have been afraid that Heraditui's Conflagration would fire his
World, tho he had allowed the Stars to be real Fires'". This question.,
therefore, may be received according to the Explanation here given of it.
34. The next cluestion may be this. Do the Stars receive nourijh- siueftion
ment^ increafe, diminution^ generation, and extinction? 'Tis certain, that fome ('•)
of the Ancients imagined, from rude and vulgar Obfervation, that ^^'^^ fij" an/'I-
Stars were nourifhed, like Fire; and fed from the Waters, the Ocean, and^^j'/f of Ex.
moifture of the Earth ; or recruited by the Vapours and Exhalations tliere- tindion?
of: But this Notion is unworthy of being made the Subjeft of a q^u e s-
T I ON. For, as we before obferved", fuch Vapours never reach any thing
Jiear the height of the Stars; nor is their Stock, by any means, fufficientto
recruit the Waters here below, refrefli the Earth by Rain and Dews, and at
' See Dr. Hooli's LeSlures of Light pajjim.
' For inftance, the white one of Wax, or a proper Compofition of Camfhire, furround-
ed by the blue one of Sfirit of Wine.
" The Author's Experiments and Difcoreries upon the Subjeft of Light, Tire and Tlame,
tho he has no where profecuted the Enquiry, as he intended, feem to lay the Founda-
tion, whereon Dr. Hook, Mr. Boyle, and Sir Ifaac Newton have fince proceeded. See, in
particular. Dr. Hook's Leclures of Light.
" See above, J. 17.
Vol. II. G the
4t A ST E C I MEn
the fame time nourifh and feed fuch vafl: Numbers, and fuch huge MaiTes,
as the cekfiial Globes : whilft 'tis manifeft that the Earth and the Ocean have
not vifibly loft of their Moifture for fo many Ages ; whence there feems
to be as much reuirned back as was raifed in Vapour".
rhe stars not ^S- Nor do the Stars require to be nourifh'd after the manner of our
fed after the pj^p_ Pqj. ^yhere Matter is loft, and wafted, fomething of the lilce kind
7ommon%ire.'^'^ fupplied and affimilated -, which kind of Aftimilation has its Origin in
Bodies, from their being furrounded with things contrary to, or unlike,
themfelves : But nothing of this kind can be fuppofed to happen in the in-
ternal and fimilar parts of the fixed Stars ; no more than in the lower
parts of the Earth ; which alio feem not to be nouriftv'd, but preferve
their own fubftance by Identity^ and not by JJJimilation?. But concerning
the outward parts of the Bodies of the Stars ; 'tis a proper qjjest ion.
Whether they remain in the fame conflant 'Tenor, without preying upon, and
fome way tinging the Aither they float in. And in this fenfe let the qjlt es -
T I o N be put concerning the Nutrition of the Stars 'J.
Giiiejlion 36. To the foregoing qjje st ion may be properly annexed another
(6-) concerning the increafe or diminution of the Stars in their entire Bodies ; tho
/I/Lari ;«- fliei'e are but very few Phenomena to occafion the doubt. For firft, there
ereafe, or di- is no Example, nor any thing of the like nature, found here below, to
tninifh in countenance the ^iieftion ; fince our own terraqueous Globe appears to re-
their wholes r ^^lyQ ^lo remarkable increafe or diminution in its whole ; but preferves its
bulk and quantity, uniformly and entire''. And tho the Stars appear to
our fight, fometimes greater, and fometimes lefs, in their Bodies -, yet this
alteration of their fize may be owing either to their greater or lefs diftance
from the Earth, as in the Apogees and Peregees of the Planets, or to the
cUfpofition of the Medium^. But the alteration here caufed by the difpofition
of the Medium is eafily diftinguiftied, becaufe it affedts the appearance of no
iingle Star, but the appearance of them all equally •, as we find in frofty
Nights, when all the Stars feem larger on this account, that the Va-
pours rife more fparingly, or are more forcibly held down, than whilft the
entire Atmofphere is fomewhat condenfcd, and brought a little to an aque-
ous or cryftalline nature, which magnifies Objefts^
Talfe iipf""^- 2 -7. And if any particular Vapours fliould interpofe between a Star and
\:ars from ^'^ Sight, fo as to magnify that Star, which frequently and manifeftly hap-
thehmrpo- pens in the Sun and Moon, and therefore may do the fime in the other
ft'wa of the celeftial
CloiiJs.
" See tliis Matter confideiM by Sir i//(/jc Xewton. Pr'mc'tp.'LW). III. p.ng. 473. Or, fee
above, §. 7. and the Note thereon.
I* See above, § 7 and tlic Note thereon,
'<■ See the Queftion difculFed by Dr. Hook, in his tenures of Li2^ht.
' See the Note upon §. 7. above.
' See fome uncommon Obfcrvations made to this Purpofe in Wolf. Element, Ajlronom.
p- 594. 595.
' Compare tiiis with Sir Ifaac Newton. Princifi. Lib. III. p. +67, &c. and the Modern
Doftrine of RefruClion. See Wolf. Elem.Ajlromm. Cap. VU. De Refra^ione O" Parallaxi
Fixarum.
(^/'Animated Astronomy. 4.3
celeftlal Globes, yet this appearance cannot deceive us, becaufe fuch alter-
ation of Magnitude does not continue, or follow, the Star m its Motion ;
but the Star foon gets clear of it, and recovers its ufual appearance. There
has, however, in ancient times, and again in our own, happcn'd a great
and mod remarkable Change undReHoz-ation in the Flxnct Fc/ius, both as to
Alagnituiie, Colour^ and Figure K Since therefore the Change which conftantly
and regularly follows a Star, and revolves along with its Body, muft necefla-
rily be in tiicStar itfelf, and not in the Medium ; and fince thro a negleft of
Obfervation, many things that do vifibly happen in the Heavens, may
efcape us -, we judge it proper to receive xhhpart of the qjj e s t i o n into
our HISTORY.
38. The Other /><7r/ of the q_uestion; viz. Are the Stars generated whether
and di JJip.it ed in a long Jeries of Ages? is of the fame kind, but countenanced stars are gt.
by a greater number of Phenomena; tho of one kind only. For as to "'C?'"' ""''
all the old Stars., there is no mention made of the firft appearance of any w'?'"' •'
one of them, thro all the Ages of the World ; excepting only that idle
Story of the Arcadians about the Moon: Nor, to tliis day, is there any
one wanting of their number. But for the Comets, which both in their
Form and Motion refemble the Planets ; they feem to be perfedly new
Stars., whofe appearances and difappearances we have ourfelves feen, as well
as received from the Ancients, (i.) Some imagine thefe Comets to be fpent
and confumed in time; (2.) Others judge them to be ratified and refolved
into iEther; (3.) others, that they only abfcnt tliemfclves for a feafon, and
return ag.iin ; and (4.) others, that they appear to us only in their Perigees^
or near Approximations to the Earth, and then go back again from our
fight to the higher Regions of the Heavens in tYmr Apogees. But this entire
Queftion concerning the Jirjl appearance of nevj Stars, we aflign to that
place w hich treats exprefiy oj co m e t s ".
39. There remains a yk'f«?^ qjl' es t ion concerning the Milky ^ay ; siueJUon
liz. ffliiti-fr the Milky JVay be a colleclion of minute S'ars, or a continued _ (7)
Body.^ and part of the yEther, of a middle nature befjji.^t fcllar and athereal ? ^^^^' w'^'l
The Opinion, that the Milky Way was an Exhalation, is long fince ex- ' ^
ploded, to the merited Reproach of Arifiotle ; who dared to impofe a tran-
litory and changeable Nature, upon fo jixed and conjiant a Phanomsnon. And,
indeed, the qj-' e s t i o n, at prefent, feems to be decided by C.ililao ; who
has divided that confiifed 'Trail of Light into diftinft ?.nd fmall fixed Stars.
For that the Milky Way fhould not intercept the fight of the other Stars
betwixt it, does not determine the Point ; nor incline the §ueJiion either
G 2 way.
' That Venush horned, or has the fame Ph^fes as the Moon, is now commonly known,
and allowed. See Woif. Elem. jiftronom. p. 4S0, 481.
^ The Author, we fee, defigned to have treated the q.ue stick of Comets; but
1 find it no v\ here among his Works. He feems to have had a Forefight of the prefent
Corrutary, as well as tUnetary Syftem : And, for the prefent Syjlcm of the fixed Stan, he
had it in great Perfection. We obferved in oai Preface, that the Piece is imperfed.
44^ A ST EC I M E N
way. Only it may, pofTibly, intimate, that the Milky iVay is not placed'
lower than the Sphere of the fixed Stars : For if it were, and a con-
tinued Body of fome Thicknefs, it probably would intercept the
Sight. But if placed at an equal Height with the fi>!ed Stars that feem to
appear thro it ; doubtlefs there may be Stars in the Milky Way, or in
other parts of the ^rher. We therefore receive this qoj e s t i o n, that
the Point may be fairly decided^.
^efiion ^Q_ The Q u E s T I o N s /"or determining (i.) i/je Number, (2.) the Magni-r
What 'I the ffii'l^^i {3-)^^^ Figures, and (4.) the Dijlances of the Stars, abftrafted from the
Number of Ph^nomem 3.nd Hifiorical ^jieftions^, which we fliall hereafter propofe, are
ths SxAXi'i Jittle more than fimple philojophical Problems ^. Thus, with regard to the-
Number of the Stars, let it be enquired, IVhether there he fo many of them
as there appears to be, or more ? and compare them with the Catalogue carefully
made by Hipparchus, and laid dotvn in their places on the celejlial Globe.
For it is but a fuperficial Reafon which is offered for the appearance of
an innumerable Multitude of latent or fkulking Stars, on clear and'
frofty Nights, that this Phenomenon fhould not be owing to the exiftence
of any fmaller Stars ; but only to the fhining, fparkling and vibrating-
Motions of thofe already known. GaliUo has difcovered new Nations of
little Stars •■> not only in the Milky Way, but alfo in the Region of the
Planets themfelves. And Stars may be invifible, not only by the Small-
nefs of their Bodies, but alfo by their Opacity -, and again by their elon-
gation and diftance from the Earth. But we refer the cyj e s t i o n con-
cerning the additional mrmber of the Stars, from the generation of new ones,
as we did that of their firft appearance, and difappearance, to the place
where we fhall treat of the c o m e t s '^.
^efiio»-. ^j_ ^2.) As to t)\t Magnitude of the Stars ; their apparent Magnitudes is
What their matter of Obfervation ; but their real one matter of Philofophical Enquiry.
Mainitudet: Let it therefore be fought, l^hat is the real Magnitude or Dimenfion of each
Star, either abfolutely or comparatively? For 'tis eafier to difcover and de-;
monftrate, that the Globe of the Earth is bigger than the Globe of the Moon,-
than that the Globe of the Moon is fo many Miles in Circumference. But
Idt the utmoft Endeavours be ufed to afcertain their precife Magnitudes ;
and if thefe cannot be procured, let their comparative Magnitudes be noted.
Their real Magnitudes are to be had either from Eclipfes, and their Sha-
dows ; or from the extent of their Light and other Virtues •, which each
Body projefts and diftufes, to a greater or fmaller diftance, in proportion
to its Magnitude: And again, from the Proportion and Symmetry of the
Vmverfe, which, by a certain Neceffity, terminate and afcertain the Limits
* Set Wolf. Element. Aflronom, Cap. VIII. de Stellis fixis v novis, atqne Cometis. Par-
ticularly, obfervation 36.
* Obferve, that the Author calls an .Account of Tails by the Name of Hijlory ; which-
we now often call by the Name of Obfervations.
f But thefe are wanting,
^ Sec.abovc; §, :8, .
o/ Animated Astronomy. 4.7
of Bodies of the fame individual Nature. But no great dependance, as to
the real Magnitudes of the Stars, JJjoi.'ld be had upon the MenfuratioHS and Cal-
culations hitherto gizr» us hy yljlronomers : For tho this has the appearance of
great Care and Exaftnefs, yet 'tis too licencioufly and rafhly undertaken -,
whence more gcriiii)tc and trufly methods of Proof fiould be diligently enquired
after. The Magnitudes and Diftances of the Stars mutually indicate each
other, by optical Proportions; tho thefe require to be more thoroughly
lifted and difcufs'd \
42. (3). The Qucftion concerning, the Figures of the Stars may be put£(<fyf/c»
thus. Jre the Stars real Globes, or Collegians of Matter into a folid and ?'"■) .
fpberical Figure ? The Stars to the Eyefeemto liave three dillerent Figures-, ^^'" '^/"^
I'iz. (i.) one that is fpherical a.nd radiant, as the 5*««. {i.)fpherical3.T\i\ cor- '^'"'"'
fluted, :is the fxed Stars ; and {^.) fimply fpherical, as the Moon. But here
the Radiancy and the singles regard only die Sight ; and the fphcrical Fi-
gure only the Subflance of the Bodies themfelves. 'Tis remarkable, that
among all the Stars there is none of an oblong, triangular, fquare, or other
polygon Figure. And it fhould feem, as if all the larger malTes of things
naturally collefted themfelves into Globes, for their own Prefervation, and
the exafter Union of their Parts'".
43. (4.) Laftly, IF hat is the true Diflance of each Star in the Depth ofs^'fl'o"'
the Heavens? For the fide Diftances of the Planets, as well in refpeft of ,^" ) -^
one another, as of the/.ve^.S'/rtr^, are governed by their Motions. And here, Dijianas?
as we juft now obferved of the Magnitude of the Stars, if their e.\-a6l Di-
ftances cannot be had, at leaft, let their rcfpeHive Diftances be adjuftcd. Thus
if we do not know the true Diftance of Saturn or Jupiter from the Earth ;
yet this we fhould be certain of, that Saturn is higher in the Syftem than
Jupiter. But hithei'to the planetary Syftem is not fettled, nor the Order of
the Planets Places, above one another, abfolutely adjufted : The Difpute ftill-
remaining with fome, which is the higheft. Mercury or Venus"?
44. The
' Great Accuracy nppe.nrs to be iifed by the later Aflroncmers, in procuring fiiiiflied
Ihilrumcnts for the bufinefs of Obfcivation ; efpecially by Hevelixs, Dr. Hook, and many
others, fince tiie Inftituiion of the Royal Objervatoria at Greenwich, Pans, Sec. And
upon a Collcftion of Obfcrvations made in this way it is, that Sir Ifaat Kezvton buildi-
his Theory of the Moon, and the wliole Solar Syftem. But, as our Author obfervcsof liis
own lime, fo ftill greater Precifion is, even at prcfent, required in this Matter. .\\u\,
perhaps, it were not amiCs, if the Mathematical PhiUfcphers would verity their Obfcrva-
tions, by the due Vfe and Improvement of the phyjical Method, here laid down by
the Lord Bacon : For it is highly probable, that the te/l ways of making jiftronomical Dij-
coveries, are not yet known. It is very feldom, that fuch eminent Contrivers, and
Inventors, as the Lord Bacon, "Dr. Hook, and Sir Jfaac Kczvton appear; and yet till many
fuch Genius's fhall have contributed all their ^tock, Philofophy will not be pertei^ ; iunlcis'
Men of more llender Cap.icities could, as doubtlefs tlicy might, be tauuht the art of
INVENTING. See the Novum Organum fajfim, ar.d Dr. Hook's Method of improving
Natural Philojophy.
^ According to tha Modern Difcoveries, the Sun, and all the Planets^ and Comets, are
fpherical, or rather, according to Sir IJ^ac Kenton, fpheroidical.
• See tkefc Particulars adjufted by the laicr Aflroncmers, in Wolf. Ehm. jiflronom. paffm.
4^ j4 STECI MEK
44. The Way of difcovering the true Diftances of the Stars is, (i.) by
t\\e\v Parallaxes; (2.) by Eclipfcs; (3.) by their re fpedlive Motions ; and
(4.) by their different apparent Magnitudes. But ocher AfTiftances are to be
procured for this purpofe ; and fhould be recommended to the future In-
duftry of Mankind ^.
d Ceitninly, the Moderns have nobly profecuted this grand Enquiry : and yet we Tnould
not ftand ftill, as if all were performed by Sir Ifaac Newton, who has, indeed, done
Wonders ; but ftill proceeil, with Vigour and Alacrity, to farther Difcoveries ; which
himfelf direfts, and has laid Foundations for. Great Genius's are never fatisfied with ma-
king new Difcoveries in their own Perfons ; but always endeavour to lead Mankind into
the way themfelves have trod, defirin^ to be outdone by Pofterity. And the greater the
Soul, the more it indulges this worthy Appetite, Hence our Author, in particular, feems
to have wholly bent himfelf upon putting all things in the direft way of Enquiry and De-
termination; wl'icii is a near Approximation to Difcoveries, and infinitely preferable to
a few imperfeft Difcoveries themfelves ; as teaching both the prefent and future Genera-
tions, what Particulars are to be chiefly regarded, and fought after, for bringing Philofo-
phy to perleftion.
SUP-
SUPPLEMENT X.
A
Short Scientifical Critique
O N T H E
Works of the more Eminent Philosophers,
Ancient and Modern.
PRE-
PREFACE.
THE follo'n-ing is an 'un^erfeEf Piece, found among the
Pofthumous s c R I p T A, publljhed by Grutcr. But, im-
ferfe6i as it isy it iJi'illy per haps ^ be ejieemed^ by com-
petent Judges, of no fmall Value ; as tending to fre
l^lankind from the Tyranny of great Names, and leave us at li-
berty to follcx' Nature.
ff^hat particular ^fe the Author dejigned it for^ or in "juhat
'Part of his JVorks he i!;ould have introduced it, had he liv'd to
revife and finijh it, I cannot fay : But it manifejily appears, by
the v;hole Tenour, to have an Eye to the Novum Organum ; up to
"ivhich it direfily leads. It might, therefore, have been properly
f laced at the Entrance of that JVork ; vjere it not required as a
Supplement to the "De Augment is Scientiarujn'^.-
It may be reafonably fuppofed, that many of thofe who have
read the "Works of the Philolbphers ccnfured by the Author, vaill
not perceive the Juflnefs of the Cenfures. A curfory Reading of
them is not fufficient for this Turpofe : It requires an intimate
Knowledge of Nature, and of what Men, by proper application,
are capable of performing, to judge of the Validity or Invali-
dity of the ancient and modern Philoibphies.
Be fides ; if we would not flatter our fe Ives, we lie under
a kind of Incantation , from Prejudice, Prcpofleflion and Cu-
ftom, with regard to great Names, and Authors , celebrated
thro numerous Ages ; whence fome of us cannot, tho we frongly
defired it, ufe a freedom and jujinefs of Thought in this Matter,
But thofe who ^are mofl themfelves, and can here exercife a free
and tndependant Judgment, will, perhaps, perceive^ that the
Author^ with a few Mafier-Strokes, has drawn the ancient Phi-
lofophers, and their modern Followers, to a truth; andwiflo the
Work were continued down to later Times, to fhew us, as in one
Pidure, what it is that the great Men of all Ages have bufied
themfelves about.
' See that Work, Seft. XIX. of C R I t i c i s m.
VojL. 11. H A F R E E
SeA, I. Si
A
FREE CENSURE,
O R
c R I T I au E,
Of the more
Eminent Philofophers, bV.
SECT. I.
The Arraignment of the Thilofophers.
i.'W "^Ip ▼* E plainly, perceive, that the Sciences will not be confidera- Admiration,
m /» / ^'y advanced, till Men fhall be once made thoroughly 'Z '^« ^""-
\l V/ acquainted with the proper Characters, and Merits, of thofe 'fj ^"Itt^
▼ T ancient and modern Philofophers they fo much admire. The sciences,
prefent Defign is, therefore, to deal roundly •, and fix a Mark upon fuch pre-
Unded PbUofophei-s as we take to have been more faiulous than the Poets;
Debaucbers of Mens AIif:ds, and Falfifiers of the IVorks of Nature ^ ; and
to make, at lead, as free with that degenerate, fervile Tribe, their Follow-
ers, Flatterers, and the Hirelings, who corrupt Mankind for Gainc. And
we Ihall uke the liberty to cite each of them by Name ; left, as their
Authority is fo great, we fhould be apprehended only to a^ a part -, and,
H 2 under
^ Thefe Exprefllons will lofe of their Strangenefs, if the Reader be acquainted with
the Author's Pieces De ^ugmentis Scientiarum and Hozum Organum.
« This aims at Profejfory Infiitutions ; defiln'd to teach the Philofophy oi Ariftotle, fup-
pofe, or any other Author, inftead of the Philofifhy of nature.
S^
The Charac-
ter of Ai'i-
ftotle.
Cardan.
Ramus.
y^FREE Censure of the Se6t. I.
under colour, fide with fome or other of them "^ ; fince they cherifli fuch
violent Difputes and Animofities among themfelves.
2. Let ARISTOTLE firft appear •, whom we charge, (i .) with ahomi-
)iable Sophifiry, (2.) ufelefs Subtilty; and, (3.) a vile fportingimtb J-Fords.
Nay, when Men, by any Accident, as, by a favourable Gale, arrived at
any Truth, and there caft anchor; this Man had the affurance to fetter the
Mind with the heavieft Irons; and compofmg a certain art of mad-
ness", enflaved Mankind with Words.
Again, from the nurfing and tutoring of this Man, have arifen a Aoal
of cunning I'riflers ; who, turning their backs upon Nanire, and all the
Light of Things and Hiftory"^, overfpread the World with numerous
Mock-Schools ; rais'd, by the reftlefs agitation of Wit, principally upon
that extremely duftile Matter of his Precepts and Pofttions \ But they
indeed, are more excufxble than their haughty DiSlator; becaufe they did
not, like him, offend againji better light and knoivkdge : For he, after having
trod in the open Plains of Hijlory, and viewed the Works of Nature "",
yet dug to himfjlf a Dungeon, and fiU'd it with the vainefl Idols". And,
what adds to his Guilt, he has, even upon the fJiJiory of Particulars,
raifed certain Cobweb StruSlures, which he would palm upon Mankind for
causes; whilft, in reality, they are matters of no Validity nor Value y
but nearly refembling thofe, which, in our time, that Antipode to Things,
as well as to himfelf. Cardan, bufied himfelf in forming".
But whilft I thus arraign the Works of Jriftotle, let me not be fuppofed
a Confpirator, and in League with Ramus, that modern Rebel againft him.
I have no affedlion for tlut /calking Hole of Ignorance, that deftruiflive Book-
•worm of Learning, that Father of Epitomes, who, when he wrings and
prefles things with the Shackles of his Method, and Contraction ; the Sub-
ftance, if there was any, immediately ftarts out, and efcapes him ; whilft
he grafps nothing but the empty Chaff, and exhaufted Carcafs v.
Aquinas
*' The Candor and Impartiality of our Author feems every where prefevved. Thus,
t4io he, even in his youth, perceived the vanity, and fmall fignificance of Ariftcth's Phi-
lofephy ; yet he omits no Occaiion of recommending fuch Particulars in it, as are any way
jufl and ufeful. The fame Conduft he preferves with regard to other Founders of Seds,
d'C, fo as to be defervedly cfteemed the Father of the modern EcleHic Philofophy.
' Calmly to view the feveral Syftems of Philofophy that have prevailed in feveralAges;
what arc they more than fo many Arts of Madnefs; See the Novum Origanum, Part I.
Seft. I, zS'C.
^ Without a Metaphor, neglefting Experience and Obfcrvat'wn,
' This explains the Art of Mndnejs abovementioned; for, as in Natural Madne/s, Men
Srgue upon things that have no Exiftence or true Foundation ; fo, in Ph'tlofophical Mad-
tiejs, we reafon about things, whofe Hiilory, or true State, we have no clear and cer-
tain Knowledge of, from Experiment and Obfervation : But as Madmen do, take all for
granted, according to out frantic Notions.
■" Arijlotle was for a time converfant in the Hi/lory of Nature ; as appears particularly
from his Hijlory of Animals.
" What thefe idols ate, fee in the Novum Orgamon, Part I. Seft. II.
° It requires, as was obferved in the Preface, a confiderable Knowledge in the Works
of Arijlotle, to fee the juftnefs of thefe Obfervations. And the fame muft be underflood
of all the following Authors^
f See more to this purpofe in the De Aitgmentis Sciemiarum,$e&, XVUI. of Rhetorick.
Se6t. I. more eyninent Philosophers. fg
Jqtiinas has gone further, and fpun a variefy of things out of nothing ; Aquinas,
leaving, by way of compcnfition, a SoHtude in things themfelves. And
altho he has done this, yet he has the alTiirance to be frequently talking of
hum.in Ufes ; fo that I take him for a mod prevaricating Sophiflcr. And
the lame Accufation I likewife bring againft Scotus, and his Followers'J.
3. Let PLATO next appear -, whom we charge with being (i .) a ivell- The cha-
bred Sophifler ; (2.) a tumid Poet ; and (3.) a fanatical Divine; who, by fine- ''^'^'f'- of:'
ly polifhing, and working together, ctvt\\n philofophical Rnmoun; and dif- '^'°'
fembling his pretence to Knoivkdge ; endeavoured to loofcn and unfettic
Mens Minds by vague Inductions ; and has thus indeed fupplied abundant
matter of I'abk-Talk to Men of Letters, in refpcft of civil Converfation^
polite Life, ornament, and fweetnefs oi familiar Difcourfe : But when he
fiilfly alTerted, that Truth was not an Inhabitant of the human Mind, but a
Stranger come from far •, and turned Mens Thoughts from the Hiftory of Na-
ture, and from Things themfelves ; (tho never fufficiently applied thereto)
and taught the Mind to enter into itfelf -, and there, under the Name of
Contemplation, to tumble over its own blind and confufed Idols'; then it was
he committed the capital Cririie of which we accule him. And no lefs im-
pioufly has he introduced the Canonization of Folly % and had the aflurance
to fkreen his degenerate and corrupt Notions under the Cloak of Religion.
And here lies the firength of the Charge. But for his being the Father of
Philology, polite Literature, and elegant Writing, who by his Example,
Authority and Succefs, captivated, perfuaded, and led Numbers to con-
rent themfelves with a CharaSlcr for f^it, Politenefs, Agreeablencfs^ and a
popular knoivlcdge of things, to the Detriment and Corruption of a fevere Cicero,
and rigorous Enquiry after Truth ; we account this a lefs heinous Offence. Seneca,.
And among the Men thus captivated by him, we reckon Cicero, Seneca, ^'ut^'"'^''*
and Plutarch, with numerous others, no way comparable to them ^.
4. Let us next proceed to the Phyjicians ; and firft fummon g a l e n to Galen's
appear: whom we implead, (i.) as a Alan of a very narrow Mind; (2.) a. characler,..
Deferter of Experience ; and (3.) an idle Caviller. This is the Man that would
fkreen the ignorance and floth of Phyficians from their deferved Reproacli ;
and preferve them unattack'd ; whilft himfelf moll feebly and unequally
pretends to perfect their yfrt, and fill up their Office. This is the Man,
that, like the raging Dog-Star, or the Plague, devotes Mankind to Death
and DeJlruElion, by pronouncing fuch tribes of diseases in-
curable; taking away all glimmering of hope, and leaving no room
for fijture induftry. This is the Man, who makes his ovin fiction of Mix-
tme to be Nature's fole Prerogative. This the Man, that is every where
fond of {hewing and boafting the Sedition, Strife, and Difagreenient betwixf
the celeftial Heat and that of Fire : And upon this, and all other occafions,
malicioufly curbs the human Power ; and endeavours to furround and prote^
Ignorance
'See a farther Account of the Schoolmen, In the J3e Augment. Scientiar.PreUm. Seft. III. 33,
^ See Nov- Orpin. Part I. Seft. II.
•" Mere Ptatcnijis, or Men of Contemplation, muftiiot here be the Judges: But thoie
well verfcd in Phyjical Knozi'letl^e, the Dodriiie of B:!/inefs, the Wants of Mankind, and
tJie Ways of fupplying them.
5-4 ^ Free Censure ^//?^ Se6t. I.
Ignorance 'with eternal Delpair. 'Tis owing to this Man's Unworthinefs,
that we dwell no longer upon his Charge. Let him then be difmifs'd ; and
Take along with him, his long train of Aflbciates ; thofe Difpenfatory Com-
The Anhhttf Hers the Jrabians^ who have fhewn fuch Folly in their 'Theories ; and from
Phyjicians. their fiipine and jejune CoKJeSftms, amaffed together fuch Heaps of Promifes,
inftead of real Helps, from vulgar Remedies. And let the Rear be brought
up with that fuperficial Tribe of modern Do£lors^ whofe Names are not
worth the m-enrioning^
Fcrnelius. ^. We milft, however, make fome ditFerence in this Tribe of Tr'iflers;
the v/ortt and moll abfurd fort whereof, are thofe who have pent the whole
Art mto firici Methods, and narrow Syftems; which Men commonly cry
up for the fake of their Regularity ancl Style : and fuch a kind of Author
is Fernelius. But they are lefs prejudicial to the yfr?, and to Mankind,
who deliver a large flock, and variety of Obfervations, Experiments, and par-
ticular Cafes, even tho they pollute and obfcure them with their abfurd
Anioldus de and foolifh Reafons, idle Hypothefes and Solutions-, like Jrmldus de Villa
Villa Nova, /^o-j^, and others of the fame Stamp.
The cha- 6. On the oppofite fide ftand the Tribe of Chemijls^ with p a r a c e l-
ratier of g ^ ^ ^^ j-j^^jj. j^ead ; who, for his Infolence, deferves to be feparately cha-
arace us. ^^jj-^j^^^ 2. flagrant Example : For thofe accufed above are only Falfifiers and
Pretenders; but this Man is throughout a Monfter. What Bacchanalian
Oracles are thofe he utters in Meteorology ; whilft he is ridiculoufly aping of
Epicurus? All that Epicurus offers upon the SubjecSt is but drowfy Opinion,
which he unconcernedly left to its Fate ; but Paracelfus, blinder than Fate,
and more rafh than Chance, is ready to avouch the abfurdeft Falfhoods.
What Dreams of Refemblances^ Correfpondences and Parallels of the Fro-
.duftions of his Elements, are given us by this fanatical Linker-together of
Idols! YWs three Principles, indeed, might be received with fome Utility,
as having a Foundation in Nature : But he is continually wrefling them to
every thing, according to his great Dexterity in Delnfion and Impofiure.
But thefe are not the worft of his Crimes : For, befides all this, he, like a
facrilegious Impoftor^ has mix'd and polluted divine things with natural; fa-
xred with prophane ; Fables with Hcreftes ; and human Truths with religious ;
fo as not, like the ancient Sophifls, to have hid, but utterly extinguiflied
t\\2Ltfacred thing he has fo frequently in his impious Mouth, the l i g h t of
NATURE. The Sophifls were only Deferters of Experience, but Paracel-
fus has betrayal it ; and fubjeding the crude and perfonated Evidence of
things to Rules of Contemplation, and deriving the various alterations of
Subftances from imaginary Motions ; he has thus endeavoured to corrupt
the Fountains of Science, and dethrone the human Mind. At the fame time, fo
far is he from underftanding, or juftly reprefenting Experience., that he has
added to the Trouble and Tedioufnefs in experimenting, of which the So'
phifls
' Some fobei- Phyjic'mns, who have read Galen with Care, may, peihaps, avouch, this
Charailer does not (iiit him If fo ; let it be examined whether fuch Phyficiani are ac-
quainted with the imperfctt ftate of Phyfick in different A^es And Countnes; whether they
are fenfible of its Imperfections 5 and can lay down any folid Scheme for improving it.
Sed. I. more eminent Philosophers. ss
fbifls complain, and to which the Empiricks are unequal. In fhort, he has
every where, to the utnioft, magnified the abfurd Pretences of Magici-
ans; countenanced fiich Extravagancies; and encouraged others to believe
them, from his own AlTurances -, being thus, at once, the fVork and Servant
of Impofture^.
7. 'TIs great pity he fhould ever have found fuch an Abettor and Apo- Severinus,-
logifl: assEVERiNUs; whofe Abilities might have been much better
employed, than upon the Fooleries of that Man. It is Seveyhms, who has
modulated the Bray itigs of that Afs" ; and by his own fkill in Mufick, play'd
then fweetly oft", in a fine variety of Times: And thus converted JJjocking
and monfirotts Pillions, and FalJJwods into plcafing and delightful Fables. This
Author, indeed, is the more excufablc, in that, being fick of the Doftrine
of the Sophijis, which is not only barren of Works, but profefledly tends
to introduce Defpair, he went in queft of firmer Foundations, in this ge-
neral Decay of Philofophy and Arts. And thus when the Works of Pa-
racelfus offered themfelves, and came recommended witli pompous Shew,
the fubterfuge of Obfcurity, affinity with Religion, and other Impoftures,
Severitius gave into them, delivered not the real Fountains of Things ; but
only throw'd out Promifes and Hopes, with fomewhat of Warmth and In-
dignation : Whereas, would he have afted as he ought, he fhould have left
the Determinations and Maxims of JVit and Genius, and gone over to the
real Doiirines and Precepts of Nature ; which alone is the way to Jhorten
jirts^ and lengthen Life ".
8. This Charge we have brought againft Paracelfus feems to aftonifH the The Che- -
reft of the Chemifls ; who greedily fwallow thofe Decrees and Points of Doc- ^^^^'
trine which he has rather promulgated and promifed, than aftually laid
down, or made good ; and defended them with Jrrogance infiead of Cau-
tion. His whole Tribe of Folloivers appear link'd to one another by the
lying Spirit that fliews itfelf in their fwoln Flopes and Promifes ; which they
are conftantly boafting. However, by wandering thro the TVilds of Ex-
periaice, they fometimes ftumble upon certain ufeful Biftoveries -, not by
Reafon, but by Accident '^^: Whence, proceeding to form Theories, they
plainly carry the Smoke and TarniJJ} of their Art along with them. For as
that fimple Youth, who finding a Stick upon the Shore, would needs con-
vert it into a Ship ; fo thefe childiili Operators at the Furn.ice m.uft needs
be
' The Paracelfits Vi\\\, doubtlefs, be for interpofing here: But they are excluded, by
the Condition of the Enquiry. They miift h.-n'e better Talents, and greater Knowledg»
than their Mafter, before they can judge of his Merits.
* The Reader will pleafe to remember, that this Piec« is imperfeft, and in tlie Orig>
nal delivered under an uncertain Fcrtn ; fometimes by way of advice to a Sen, and fome-
times in the Form of Pleading : Which latter Form we have endeavouredto keep to ; as ad-
mitting a greater freedom of Exprefllon. The Author was too well bred to ufe any coarfft
or vulgar Language. What, therefore, may appear of this kind, mull be fuppofed
fpoke under the Veil of Fiction.
" Without fome Knowledge of the Works of Sever'mui, the Force and Juftice of what
is here faid will not be underftood. The Author appears to have had all the Wer!;s ha-
bere cenfures flrongly imprefTed upon his Mind.
"" See De Augment. Scienter. Seti. XII. of Learned Experience.
-f^ .^ F R E E C E N s u R E ^ the Se€t. L
be ralfing Philofophy from a few Experiments of Dijiillation ; and intro-
ducino-, at every turn, their own Idols of Separation and ^nalyfis, where no
Traces of them are really found '■'.
9. Yet we do not accufe them all in the Lump ; but make a difference
between that little ferviceable Set, who, being not very follicitous about
raifing of 'Theories, principally pradlife a certain mechanical Subtilty in fearch-
ino- out, and laying hold of new Inventions, and Difcoveries ; with their ex-
tenfive Ufes; after the manner of Friar Baconf ; and diftinguifh thefe
from that impious Tribe, who endeavour only at procuring applaufe to their
Theories, and court and beg it by a pretended Zeal for Religion, by large
Promifes, and the Art of Impofture ; which is the way of Bafil Falentine,
Hollandus, and much the greateft part of the Chemical Authors '•.
The cha- jq_ Y_,tt HIPPOCRATES be next call'd to the Bar ; whom we arraign
Hippocfates. (i-) ^^ a Creature patched up of Antiquity, and (2.) a Retailer of other Mens
' Knoivledge ; under whofe Authority, both Galen and Paracelfus ridiculoudy
endeavour to fhelter themfelves, like Afies under a Tree*. To do him ju-
flice, he feems to have had his Eyes at firfb perpeuially fixed upon Expe-
rience''; but then they are fix'd indeed, llupid and immovable, without
■ranging, and fearching for «0^/?, manly, and full Fieivs: And afterwards,
recovering a little from this Stupidity, he takes in certain Idols ' -, tho
not thofe monftrous ones of Theories, but fuch as are more neat, elegant,
and furround the limits oi Hijlory, and having drank thefe in, he becomes
fvjollen^ fophiftical; and, according to the Cuftom of the Age he lived in,
wraps himfelf up in Brevity ; and thus, as his Followers imagine^ utters Ora-
cles^ of which they are ambitious of being thought the Interpreters ; whilft
in reality he does no more than deliver sophistry, by broken^ fJjort and in-
terrupted Sentences, fo as to pre'vent a Confutation ; or elfe in a haughty manner
records fuch Obfervations as are trite, vulgar, and known to every Rufiic^.
Celfus. ij. CeJfus, as he is juftly allowed, comes nearly up to the Fiews and
Defigns of Hippocrates, which are not fo faulty, as they are ufelefs ; but
he llicws himfelf a more pradifed Sophiflcr, and a better Modeller of
^ Hiflory than his Mafter. He is, however, for checking the advancement
of Science, from moral and civil Confidcrations : Thus paring off the ex-
tremities of Errors, inftead of cutting them down at the Root*.
This
^ This general Cenfure of the Chemijis appears extremely iuft,
y Add to him, as capital Authors and adual Inventors of Inter Date, the Lord Veru-
iam, Mr. Beyle, Becher, Homberg, and Stahl.
^ It may appear furprizing, that the Author (liould have known the Chemifis fo well, as
to )ud«e and diftinguifh thus accurately between them.
^ See the Note upon Seft. 7. above.
'' The Author's Cenfure of Hipocrates requires a Reader of extenfive Knowledge, free
from Prejudice, and well broke to the felf-denying DoSlrine of the Novum Organum.
' See the Novum Organum, Part I. Seft. II.
'^ Hippocrates has bore fuch a high Charafter thro fevcral Ages, that 'tis extremely
hard to get rid of the Prejudice : But let his Admirers fpecify what direft Improvements
he has made in Phyfick; and whether he cured more Patients in proportion, than hi*
PredecefTors, or thofe in other Countries, who never heard of his Name.
' In pafUng a Judgment on Celfus, v/e muft guard againfl being impofed upon by his
Style; and confider only his Matter : which, perhaps, is little more, or better, at bottom,
tlian that of Hij>pocrates.
2
Sedl. II. more eminent Philosophers. si
This free Ccniurc of chc moll cmiricnt Men will, doubclcfs, have a
ftrange Appearance to many, and yet, in truth, we produce it not as an
inflamed or aggravated Accufation \ but as the real ftate of the Cafe,
rcprefenting the very bottom of their Writings, which Mankind are fo
fontl of, and take for the Pillars and Fabrkk of all Arts and Sciences'.
SECT. II.
The Judgynent to he pajjed upon the ancient and
modern Thtlofophers : IVith the intnnation of a
jujler way of tiiilding up the Sciences.
1 . T T may be alledg'd, that we have above reprefented the worft fide objeSlions t»
J[ of Antiquity and the PbiLfophers ; efpecially as the Sciences generally '*« preceding
appear in a ftate of Dcynocracyi-., that Time, like a River, has'"'
brought down to us only fuch Wrecks of former Ages as were light, and
luj.XTticial -, but funk all that were folid and ponderous: That great things
have been done by thofe ancient Enquirers after Truth, Heraclitus, Demo-
critHS, Pythagoras^ J/uixagcras, Empedocks-, and others, whofe Writings
are loll ; and that the Silence and Knoivledge o{ Antiquity are not to be light-
ly efteemed. To all which we will here anfwer, in our natural manner,
candidly, and with a view to the good of Mankind ''.
2. And firft, I acknowledge a Fragment or two of early Antiquity; by Anfwer' d^
which I do not mean Books, hut Inventions -y that are, however, rather, a , ('•)
Specimen of the Author's Diligence and Ingenuity, Ithan deep Knowledge, ^^^:^',"'^^*
in refpc(5l of Philcfopby and the Sciences; and handed down to us by ozher have been
Writers. But for thofe things which have never come down to us, nor ^o"' h '^e
any Traces of them, 't\vere an endlefs Labour to make Conjedtures '^''"*'"^'
about them. Nor can I think it at all proper for me, who am engaged
in doing the utmoft Service I am able for Pollerity, to go back to the Phi-
lology or polite Literature of the Ancients. But in order to give Manlcind
a view of the prophetical Janus-iicc of the prefent ftate of things, and
how it looks both back upon times paft, and forward upon times to
^ As the Au'.hor has been fo free in his Cenfures of the iormer Philcfophers, i: m.iy very
iuftly provoke a thorough Sitting and Examination of himfeU. This we could wifh to fee
done by a Hand equal to the Wovk ; and fuch an one as could not be fufpcdcd of
I'rciudice, or I'artialitv, for or againft him. And were it not alfo proper, that fuch
a tee Siftint; and manly Cenfurin^ Diould be continued down to later Authors; in order
the belter to examine how far tiie Sciences arc improved J
* And are therefore not to be judged of by the Laws of Arlftocracy, as the Author
may fccai to have done by cenfuring the Heads, or moft capital Philofophers of Antiqui-
ty ; inftcad of the Sciences thcmfelves, difperled among the Body of Mankind.
'■ For a thorough E.xpurgationj it may be proper to perufe the whole De An^mentis
Scientiarum, and tsovum Organum.
Vol II. I come.
t8
No wonder
if the Anci-
ents have
fallen into
Error.
y^ Free Censure o/" //j^ Sea. II.
come, I have determined within mylelf to form Tables of both thefe
times; which may not only exhibit the Courfe, and the Ebbs and Flows of
Knowledge; but likewife other Apprehcnfions and Forefights of things.
Nor, perhaps, can the World have a notion, what kind of Performance
this will be, till they fee it ; or, were it not to be put into their Hands,
know how to afk for, or expefl: it ; as they are now bound and enthrall'd '.
For this we lay down as a certainty, that Kmwhdge is not to be fetclfd from
the darknefs and ohfciirity of Antiquity ; but to he derived from the light
OF NATURE. Nor docs it fo much concern us to know what has been
done, as to fee what may be done. Would a private Man, put in poflefTion
of a Ki^igdom, fubdued by Arms, and right of Conqueft, raife Queftions
and Difputes, whether his Anceftors poffelTed it before him ; and perplex
himfelf with Rumours of Genealogies and Defcents ; or would he not ra-
ther fecure his Poireflion, and eftablilh his Dominion.''
3. And whoever confiders the Matter clofely, will not find it ftrange, that
the above-cenfured Heads of Se^s, and numberlefs others, of the fame kind,
fhould fall into Errors, which are various and endlefs ; whereas Truth is
but one fimple fingle thing. And had not the Policy or Foreftght of Times
been oppofite to fuch wild Wanderings of the human Genius, no doubt but
many other Coafts of Errors would have been rambled over : for 'tis an
immenfe Ocean that furrounds the IJland of Truth ; and there ftill remain
m-xny pernicious Idols, of late invention, to be thrown down^. Thus Telefius
lately trod the Stage, and afted a new philofophical Romance ; without
any great Elegance or Applaufe. And to this day the Motions of the
Heavens are, by fibulous Aflronomers, perplexed with Eccentricks and Epicy-
cles; and the Stability and Mobility of the Earth are ftrenuoufly pleaded for
on both fides, from the uncertain atteftation of Ph<enomena '. And this
is the general Cafe of Theories, in which Men ufually proceed, as he
would do, who underftan ding no Language but his own, fliould under-
take to interpret a Book in another ; where obferving that a few Words
up and down correfponded, in Sound and Letters, to the Words of his
own Language, he immediately aflerts, with Confidence and AlTurance,
thefe Words to be of the like fignification, (tho they might frequently
differ very widely) and thence, by farther comparifon, v/ith great Labour
and Trial of Wit, and, at the iame time, with great Licentioufnefs, di-
vines the Senfe and Meaning of the whole. And iuft fuch Interpreters,
Philofoplicrs generally are, of the Senfe and Meaning of Nature, in the
the Univerfe; for every one brings his own particular
Idol,
grand Volume of
' The Work liere mentioned, tbo, perhaps, never executed, in the Form of Talles;
at leaft, never publilhcd by the Author ; may very well have been conceived in his
Mind : And whoever dcfires to have fonie perception of the thing, may, wi'h due at-
tention, derive it I'rom the Author's Pieces Be Augrnetitis, the Sap:entia Veter.-nn, the No-
vum Organmn, and the Phanomtna of the Univerfe. But the whole might have appetved
to much greater Advantage, it any confiderable Progrefs had been made in the Secon-
d.iry Philofophy, or fixth and laft Part of the Grand Ins T aura T 10 N.
^ See the Novum Crganiiin, Part I. Seff. II.
' See the Specimen of Anmuited A(lro»omy, Supplement IX.
Se£l. II. more eminent Philosophers. yp
/tfW, as ic were his Mothcr-Tongvic, to the Ilijhry of Nature; and as foon
as he finds any thing found like ir, this he eagerly catches at, and inter-
prets every thing elft analogous thereto'".
4. 'Tis now time we fhould expatiate ourfelves, after handling \\\c\\ That the ^in-
prophane and polluted Matters ; tho it has been only with a defire of Im- '*<"" ^''< ttcH
proving. And we here declare, that all the Charges we have brought ''".'f'T"-/^
ag;nnfJ: the Philofophers, fall far fhort of their Guilt : Tho we do' not ex- cLrJlen.
peel: the generality fliould underftand in what manner we have convifted
them. But they may be afTured, that tlie Cenfures pafs'd upon them have
not the Icafl: participation of Calumny or Scandal: For I have not here,
like felleius in Cicero, afted the Declamcr, who lightly touched Opinions,
and then threw them afide, without entering into their Merits; much lefs,
done like our modern yigrippa, who, indeed, deferves not to be mention'd
in a Difcourfe of this Nature ; as being a trifling Scoffer, th.zt aims to wrefb and
make fport with every thing": But whoever looks intently, and is quali-
fied to fee it, will find that, under the Feil of a feigned Severity, there are
juft and flinging jlccufatiom couched, contrafted to a little compafs, and,
not without fome Addrefs, thrown direftly into the Ulcers of the Mif-
chief And tho they all feem involved and embroiled together in the fxme
Crimes and Guilt ; yet I have accufed each of them with that only which
is peculiar to himfelf, and xsf a capital Nature. For the human Mind,
fwoln with the Incur/tons and Obfer-vations of Things, works up, and draws
out of them. Errors of various Shapes and Forms: So that Ariflotle^ for
example, appears like a tall Plant, of a particular Species ; Plato, as
another of a different kind ; and fo of the reft.
5. But for me to enter mzo particular Confutations of their feveral Works, Avoids more
would be a heinous Offence, an Injury to the Fortunes of Mankind, and t'"'"^"^'"'.
confume the Time, deftin'd to their Service, in a Conflid; with Sha- and'^.ty"'"'
do^LVS ; which may vanifh of themfelves. Indeed, the only thing required,
is to fet up the bright and shining light of truth;
which may illuminate all the things around it ; and in a moment difperfe
all the Errors and Darknefs with which Mankind arebefet°: For it would
be endlefs to carry weak and fickly Tapers about into all the fculking
Holes and Corners of particular Errors and Falfhoods.
6. But notwithftanding what we have faid, it muft not be fuppofed, T*<t//«w«
that all which the Philofophers above-mentioned have delivered, is per- Truths have
fedly vain and falfe: For there is no one of them but has fometimes ftum- jY°'l
bled upon a Truth ; and indeed their Errors feem rather owing to their ^"cients.
I 2 great
" This is properly a Species of Philofofhkal Madntfs. See above, Seci. I, 2. and the
Intrcduciion to the Novum Grganum.
" I fuppofe the Author has his Eye more immediately upon that Piece of Agrifpa, en-
titled De Vanitate Sdentiarum ; a Title as different from his own De Augmentis Scie»-
tunim, as the two Perfons, and their Abilities.
" This was the Defign of the Sovum Organum ; which the Author had once entitled,
Aphcrifmt i^ Cor./iiia, de Auxdils Mentis, c^ Accenjicne luminis naturalis. But
as that Work was left imperfeft, we have only fome Portion of this Grand Light b«ld
out to us.
6o ^FreeCensureo/'/Z?^ Sed. II.
great Unhappinefs, than to their Ignorance. When Hcraditus declared, that
Men ought to feek for Knowledge, not in the private World of themfelves., but
in the common eytenjal World, he feems to have laid a juft Foundation for
Philofophy. When Democritus attributed immenfe Variety, and infinite
SucceJJion to Nature, he ran counter to nearly all the other Philofophers ;
who abfolutely went down with the ftream of their times -, enflaved
to Cuftom : and by this Oppofition he deftroyed both Falfhoods, dafh-
ing them one againft the other -, and thus opening a way to Truth
betwixt the two Extremes, he happily fhewed himfelf a Philofopher. The
Numbers of Pythagoras, likewife promifed foine good Event. Dindamus
the Indian fpoke well, when he called Death by the Name of Nature^s
Enemy. Epicurus alfo is tolerable ; tho he diiputes but weakly, and
with philological Arguments, againft the Explanation of intentional and
final Caufes. Even the fceptical Pyrrho, and the fluftuating Jcademicks
(tho confined to fcanty Bounds, and behaving themfelves to their Idols like
peevifli Lovers, that are always quarrelling, but never part) may be read
in the way of Recreation ; for whilft others are made to drag their An-
chors, by their Idols > the Academicks are only whirl'd round in their
Cock-Boat. Nay, Paracelfus and Severinus make excellent Heralds ; and
found the alarm to Experiments.
The Differ- 7. But fhall we fay that thefe Men were in pofleffion of Truth? They
ence ietwtxt -v^rerc Certainly far from it. 'Tis a good homely Proverb : That a Hog^
Knowledtre ^'^" h mooting the Ground he may make the firft Letter of the Alphabet., yet can-
tmd theTuie. not write a Play. For the Tfrutb difcovered by Analogy of Knowledge, is
widely different from that delivered by the ftart of an Idol : The for-
mer is regular, conftant and manifold, whilft the other is incongruous,
unfteady and fingle •, and the Cafe is the lame in Works. Thus the Dif-
covery of Gun-powder, had it not been accidental, and a fudden ftart,
but the effeft of Reafoning, would not have been fingle ; but accompanied
with a Number of other noble Inventions, which fill under the fame Ale'
vidian. Underftand the like of other Works and PofitionsP. I would
therefore require, if any ones Idol ftiould in any Point interfeft the Truth
of the things I have here laid down, that he be not hence conceived the
better, nor I the worfe of; as 'tis manifeft this Difference muft proceed
from Ignorance, and not from any Analogy of Knowledge '3.
The Writing 8. After all ; we hope no one will conceive our Intention is to condemn
of the ■^'"''- the Writings of the ancient and modern Philofophers to the Flames'', or the
TreferleJ ^^''"'^''^^ of ^^^ Groccr. They have ftill fome Ufe •, tho, indeed, but little,
and of narrov/ Extent ; very different from that they were defigned for,
and are at prefent employed in. To this we may add, that many other
Writings, of Icfs Fame and Note, are much more ufeful than thofe of the
Philo-
J" See this pi-ofeciued in the fiift P.ut of the Novum Organum.
■^ This will not be underftood, unlefs the DoClrine of Idols, delivered in the Novum Or-
gatiuTH, be mafter'd.
' As Mr, Hobbi is faid to have done.
Seel. II. more eminent Philosophers. 6i
Philofophers. The E thicks of Jrijlof/e and Plafo have found numerous
Admirers ; but the Moral Obfetvatious of Tacitus exprefs Nature more to
the Life. But for the particular Ufes to be made of thefe JVritings •, which
of chem are more ferviceable than others ; and how fmall a part of them
conduce to the Interpretation of Nature, we may fliew in due time ^.
9. It may here be afk'd, IVill the jiuthor pretend himfelf alone to fupply The Amhor'f
the place of all the Pbilofopbers he thus cenfures and rejeSts ? He anfwers can- ['"f^ •'» '*«
didly, and without DiHlmulation, that his fole View is to join Mankind ^''°''
and Things together, in a facred, legitimate and inviolable Link ; that
from this Conjunclion may proceed a happy Race of Heroes, to fubdue the
infinite Neceflities of human Nature ; and fettle their whole Affairs in a
plcntihil, peaceful and happy Security ^
*" See the Novum Orgamim, Part I. fajftm,
' Some Readers m.iy beat a lofs to know what the Author drives at in this Piece; or
in what fenle to unJcrftand him ; unlefs they have been conveifaiu in the reft of his
Writings. The Point of View is this; that the ancient ^ni modern Phiiofophers, tal<cn in
a Body, have miferably mifpent their Time, and abufed their Talents ; without once en-
tering into the high Road ot Truth, or the way of making the proper Difcoveries, for
improving the ^rti and Sciences, that might greatly benefit human Life. This every one
may Tatisfy himfelf of, by examining what has been done by Plato, Ariftotle, Hip-
pocrates, Sec. towards difcovering the Art of inventing Arts ; or making Lite more
nappy and agreeable. For who among them has taui;ht the Art of prolont^ing Li'e, or
fpinnin^ the full Thread thereof to its natural Period, free from Difeafes, Pain and Sick-
ncfs; io far, we mean, as the condition of Mortality permits? Who has fliewn the way
of curing inveterate Difealcs, as the Stone, the Gout, &:c ? Who has t.iught us to fecurs-
our Habitations from Fire, Inundations, Earthquakes; our Ships from Storms, and pe-
rilhing at Sea ? Who has taught us to predid the Weather, or given us the leaft Com-
mand of it? Who has fliewn us a way to fupply parched Countries with Water, where_
natural Springs are denied? Who has fhewn us a practical way of governing our Ap..
pctites, and correcting our Vices; (o as to prevent that Train of Ills which attend Ty-
ranny, Opprellion, Superftition, and falfe Religions: Numerous Inllances of this kind
might be mentioned, all tending to the accommodation of Life ; which Phiiofophers, as-
they are called, feem ;o have overlock'd, or defpaired of. But thefe were the things that
employed our Author's Thoughts; and <z Method of procuring Remedies for all human tviif^ .
feems ta have been the one capital thing he aimed at^
SUP-
SUPPLEMENT XI.
Interior a Rerum.
O R,
ESSAYS
UPON
Moral, Oeconomical and Political
SujiJECTS,
P R E=
PREFACE.
OF all the Author s IVorks^ his Eflays appear to havi
had the greatejt Currency ; both in his own Life-time,
and fince. He judged the Rcafon to be^ that they came
home to Mens Bufinels and Bolbms. And hence he ven-
tured to predict ^ that the Latin Volume of them, being in the uui-
"uerfal Language^ might lafl as long as Books themfelves fhould
laji \ And fo, fays a modern fp^ell-isjijher to his JVorks^ may
the Englifh Edition too ; // fome equal Hand would, once in a
Century^ repair the Decays of their fleeting Language. Certainly
they enter deep into the Nature of Men, and Things ; and con-
tain very ufeful Infiru^iions for the Coudu^ of civil Life. The
Author in Modejly entitles them Eflays ; but., perhaps, they are
in JiriSfnefs, Aphorifms : for they have a Nerve; a fullnefs of
Matter ; and really exhibit the Infides of Things, without fo-
reign Ornament', fo as to verify their Latin Titles. It Jhould
fcem, they were rather intended to injiruEl Men than Children ;
and, perhaps, there are not many, who clearly perceive their full
Scope and 'Vtility. Whence both the Teacher and the Learner
had need be intelligent, where thefe Efl^liys are taught in Gram-
mar-Schools. Tofjibly they are better adapted to the 1)fe of Stu-
dents in the Univerfities ; who being come to fome ripenefs of
Judgment^ are a little verfed in the Ways of Men. The
greatefl Toliticians, or thofe that arc bejt acquainted with civil
Affairs, need not blnfl) to have them found on their Table.
In the prefent Edition they are divided into the three 'Parts
indicated by their Latin Title ; 7nethodized according to their na-
tural Order ; collated with the later and fuller Latin Edition j
and enrich' d by the Addition of fever al 'Pieces, originally writ-
ten in Latin, by the Author, and never before tranflatcd into
Englifli. .
It may not be improper to advert ife, that fome Writers have
objeBed to feveral Particulars in thefe EflTays, from a hafy
Confideration of a few obvious Infiances ; xc hereas the Author
conjlantly praififcs the method of rejection; and never
admits of his own firft Thoughts, nnlejs authortfed by his fe-
cond; or:^ perhaps^ by a more rigorous Trial ; viz. the Art of
re dr effing the Infirmities of the Mind, according to the 'Direct ions
of his Novum Organum,
^ Sec liis Dcdic.ition to the Duke of BiKkingham.
* Sec the Author's Letter to rather FiiUentio,
Scc^. L ^T
Interior a Rerum :
O R,
ESSAYS
UPON
Moral, Oeconomical and Political
Subjects.
S E C T. I.
Essays upon Moral Subjects.
Essay I. Of Studies.
I . ^*>< T U D I E S and Reading ferve for Delight, Ornament and jlbiU- The Advan-
^^^ ty ; for Delight in Privacy and Retirement ; for Ornament in '"^*' ?f
^^k Difcourfe •, and for Ability in the Judgment and Direction of ^"''"'"S'
^J Bufinefs. Expert Men can execute, and, perhaps, judge of Par-
ticulars, fingly; but general Counfels, Schemes, and the marlhalling of
Affairs, come beft from the Learned.
2. To fpend too much time in Studies, is Sloth ; to ufe them too much itsUfe and
for Ornament, is yfffeclation ; and to judge wholly by their Rules, is pe- ■^^"/'•
(lantick and unprofperous. Letters perfeft Nature ; and are perfedted by
Experience : For natural Abilities, like Plants, require pnning by Study :
and Studies themfelves give Direftion too much at large, unlefs bounded
by Experience. Crafty Men contemn Studies •, fimple Men admire them ;
and wife Men ufe them : For Letters do not fufficiently teach their own
Ufe •, but this is a Wifdom beyond, and above them, gained by Obfer-
vation.
Vol. II. K 3. Read
^^ Moral Essays. Se6t. I.
P'nflionsfir ^, Read not to contradidl and confute; nor to believe, and take upon
Its vfe, and jj-^fl; ., nor to find matter of Difcourfe; but to learn, conrider,'and ufe a
^^*"^^"'*"'' free Judgment. Some Books fliould be tafted ■, others fwallowed ; and
fome few fhou'dbe chewed and digefted : That is, fome Books are to be read
only in part-, others to be read thorough, tho curforily •, and fome few to be
read and flrudied, with Diligence and Attention. Some Books alfo may be
read by Deputy ; and Extrafts made of them by others : but this fhould
be done only in the lefs important Subjefts, and the meaner fort of Books :
Otherwife, diftiird Books are like the common diJiiWd Waters ; flafliy things.
The different 4. Reading makes a full Man ; Conference a ready Man ; and Writing an
Effe^s ofdif.Qxa.6t Man. Therefore, he who writes little has need of a good Memory ;
ferent Studies. ^^^ who confers little, has need of a prefent Wit; and he who reads little,
has need of much Cunning, that he may feem to know what he does not. Hi-
flory makes Men wife •, Poetry., ingenious ; Mathematicks^ fubtile ; Natural Pbi-
lofophy^ deep ; Moral Philofophy, grave ; Logick and Rhetorick, able to con-
tend: jibeunt jludia in mores ^'.
The Defers ^. Nay,there is fcarce any Impediment in the Mind, but may be removed
"f '^I'^'l'^ by luitable Studies v as Difeafes of the Body have their appropriated Ex-
7iudie's '*' ercifes. Thus Bowling is good for the Stone and Kidneys; Shooting for
the Lungs and Breaft ; gentle Walking for the Stomach ; Riding for the
Head, £5?^. So, if a Man's Wit be wandering, let him ftudy Mathema-
ticks ; if not apt to diftinguifli, let him ftudy the Schoolmen ; if unapt to
btat over Matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illuftrate ano-
ther, let him ftudy Law-Cafes : And thus every Defeft of the Mind may
have a particular Remedy''.
Ess AY li. O/ Civil Ceremonies, and Behaviour.
Some degree I . TT E who is only real, had need have a plentiful ftock of Virtue ;
ef Cercmon-j JLx as the Stone had need be rich, which is fet without Foil. It is
necejfary, j^^ Praife and Commendation, as in Gains : For as light Gains make heavy
Purfes, by coming thick, whilft large ones come but feldom ; (o fender
Virtites procure great Commendation, becaufe in continual Ufe; whereas
the opportunity of exercifing any capital Virtue comes but feldom :
Whence it adds greatly to a Man's Reputation, and is like perpetual Let-
Row to he ters of Recommendation, to have difcreet and graceful Forms of Behaviour.
acquired. p^^^ ^^ attain thefe, it almoft fuffices not to defpife them : For thus a Man
will obferve them in others ; and let him truft himfelf with the reft. For
if he endeavour too much to exprefs them, he will lofe their Grace ; which-
is to be natural and unafiedted y. Some Mens Behaviour is like a Verfe ;•
wherein
* Studies turn into Habits; and nppear in our Behaviour.
^ The Merits of Learning, and Sf.idia, here wrapt up aphoriftically, are profecuted ac
large in the entrance of the De Augmcntis Scientiarum. See hreiim. §. HI. And the
Whole of the De Augmentis itfelf is an ilkiftrious Comment upon this Text. The Helps fo't
the intelkcltial Faculties are alfo touched upon in the Author's Letter to Sir Henry Saville:,.
ii\ Supplement V.
y Direilion c.in go no farther.
Se6l. I. M 0 R A L E s s A Y s. 6j
wherein every Syllable is meafured. How can a Man be equal to great
Matters, who fubjetSts his Mind to fuch trifling Obfervations?
2. Not to life decent Ceremonies at all, is teaching others not to ufe them JVhere Cere-
again -, and lb diminiflies the Relpedt due to one's felf : Efpecially they '"'"> '* ^'^
fhould not be omitted to Strangers, and formal Natures. But to dwell up-"-''-^""
on them, and ftretch them above meafure, is not only tedious, but lelTens
the Credibility and Weight of the Speaker. There is a highly ufeful
way of infinuating efieftual and Lifting Impreflions along with Comple-
ments; if a Man have the Addreis». Among Equals we ate to expeft
Familiarity ; and therefore 'tis here proper to keep a little State. Among
Inferiors, one is furc of Reverence ; therefore 'tis here proper to be a lit-
tle familiar. He who is too profufe either in Words or Aftions, fo as to
give another an occafion of Satiety, makes himfelf cheap. To apply ones
felf to others, is proper ; provided it appear to be done out of Refped, and
not Facility. 'Tis a good Precept, in feconding another, always to add
fomewhat of your own : thus if you aflent to his Opinion, let it be with
fome Diftinftion •, if you follow his Motion, let it be on condition -, if you
take his Counlll, let it be with alledging a farther Reafon.
3. Men fliould be very cautious of appearing too great Mafters of Ce- Kot tote car-
remonies : For thootherwife ever fo fufficient, tlieirEnviers will give them that '"'^'^ "" /"''•
Title, to the difadvantage of their greater Virtues. 'Tis a lofs alfo in
Bufineis, to be too full of Refpefts, or too curious in obferving Times and
Opportunities. Solomon iays, He that confidereth the "wind^ Jhall not foiu ■■,
and he that looketb to the clouds^ Jliallnot reap. A wife Man will make more
Opportunities than he finds. Mens Behaviours fliould be like their Cloaths;
not too ftreight, but free and eafy^.
Essay III. Of Bol dness. Affion m
Oratory com'
I. T^Ewo^^fww being afk'd. What was the chief Qualification of an „jy^ i„ £„y,-.
\^ Orator? he anfwered, A^ion. What next? AElion. What next «f/'i.
again ? AHion. He faid this, who knew it beft ; and had himfelf, by
Nature, no great Advantage in what he recommended. It may defervedly
feem ftrange, that this part of Oratory, which is but fuperficial, and rather
the Qualification of a Player, fhould be placed fo high above thofe other
noble parts, Invention, Elocution, and the reft. The Reafon is, hu-
man Nature generally participates more of the FooU than of the wife Man ;
and therefore thofe Faculties are the moft prevalent, by which the weaker
part of Mens Minds is taken.
The Cafe of Boldncfs in civil Buftnefs is extremely like, and parallel to
this. What is the firft Qualification in Bufinefs? Boldnefs. What the fe-
cond and third ? Boldnefs. And yet Boldnefs is the Cluld of Ignorance
K 2 and
* An over-modeft Man is, perhaps, incapable of praftifing tiiis Art; which feems
founded in making another well pleafed or facisfied with himfelt.
' See more upon this Subject in the De AugmentU Sckntlarum, J. X. z. O/ CI VI I.
DOCTRINE,
(J8 Moral Essays. Se6l. I
and Bafenefs ; far inferior to other Parts of Civil Prudence'^ : neverthelefs,
it fafcinates, and leads thofe captive, who are either fhallow in Judgment,
or weak in Courage, ( which are the many- ) and, even prevails over
wife Men, at their weak times : whence we fee it has done Wonders in
popular States ; but lefs with Senates and Princes. Nay, bold-fpirited Men
perform more at their firft entrance upon Aftion, than afterwards : For
Boldnefs does not ftand to its Promife.
The Bold are 2. Surely, as there are Empiricks for the natural Body, fo there are
pTlfr^'" '" Mountebanks for the political Body : Men that undertake the moft diffi-
cult Cures, and have, perhaps, been lucky in two or three Experiments ;
butwanting the Grounds of the Science^ prefently foil. However, you Ihall
often fee your bold Fellows work Mahomet's, Miracle, and go to the Moun-
tain, when the Mountain will not come to them ; that is, when they have
promifed great Matters, and failed moft fhamefully, yet if they have the
PerfeElion of Boldnefs, they will flight it over, uirn themfelves round, and
there's an end on't.
And the Ki- 3. Certainly bold Perfons are a Sport to Men of Judgment: and even
dnule of the iQ xhe. Vulgar, Boldnefs has fomewhat of the ridiculous. For if Abfurdity
'^"' be the Subjedl of Laughter •, great Boldnefs is feldom without fome Abfur-
dity. Efpecially, 'tis a great Pleafure to fee a bold Fellow out of counte-
nance •, for that necefiltrily puts his Face into a moft ftirunk and wooden-
Pofture. In baftiful Perfons, the Spirits go and come a little ; but in bold
Men, upon the fame occafions, they ftand like a Stale at Chefs, where it is
no Mate •, and the Game cannot proceed'^.
The proper 4. It deferves to be confider'd, that Boldnefs is ever blind ; for it fees
irfeofBold- not Dangers and Inconveniencies : Whence ''tis bad in Counfel, tho good
**■'*•■ in Execution. The right Ufe of bold Perfons therefore is, that they never
command in chief; but ferve as feconds, under the Diredlion of others.
For in Counfel, 'tis good to fee Dangers; and in Execution, not to fee
them ; unlefs they are very great''.
Essay IV. Of Simulation, mid Dissimulation»
nhe Ufe of i . y^ Iffimulation is the Civil Art in Epitome ; and a fiiint kind of Po-
iDiffitmlatwn J_^ j-^y . p^^. jj. requires a ftrong Head, and a ftrong Heart, to
know when to tell the Truth, and dare to do it : whence the weaker
fort of Politicians are the greateft Diflemblers. We muft, therefore, care-
fully diftinguifli betwixt the Civil Arts and Pretences^. Thus, if a Man
has the happy Penetration and Perfpicuity to difcern wliat fliould be laid-
open V
* See the De jiuxment'is Sdtnttarum, §. XXI. Of Ch'il Prudence.
* Obferve, that in this Incident at Chefs, the Game is not won ; only the Partner
cannot ftir : Which aptly exprefles the Caie 0} a bold Man confounded.
•* For more upon this Sub)eftj fee De Augment. Sdentiar. J. XX. Of E t H i c k s, o R
MORAIITT.
« See Prelim, to the T)t Augment. Scient'uzr. §. III. 10, it, ji, 5cc. Se« alfo, the
PcUiicai Mytholoiy of the Ancierus, in the Sapitari^i Veitrnm.
Se£l. I. MoralEssays. 6^
open ; what kept fecret ; what Ihould be Ihewed in H.ilf-Iights ; and to
whom, and when ; (^which arc the true Political and Civil Arts^ as Tacitus
juftly terms them) a Habit of Diflimulation would be only a Hinderance.
But if a Man cannot atuin to this degree of Judgment and Difcretion ;
'fis generally beft to be clofe, and diflemble. For where there is no choice
in Particulars, 'tis the fafell to proceed warily in the general ; as they
walk foftly, who are dim-fighted. Certainly, the ableft Men have been
open and frank in their Dealings, and had the Reputation of Punfluality
and Veracity; but then, like well-manag'd Horfes, they knew where to
flop or turn. And if at any time they pradifed DilTimulation, when the
Cafe required it ; their former Character of free and open Dealing render'd
them perfectly invifible'.
2. There are three Degrees of veiling ones felf The /?r/? is taciturnity ; Three kinds
whereby a Man keeps his Mind to himfclf, without difcovering his Opi- "/ :^'^'"''-
nion to others. The /econd is riegatiie DiJJirnukition ; when a Man defign- ■"''"'
cdly drops Intimations that he is not what he is. And the third is affirma-
tive Simulation ; when a Man openly and exprefly feigns and pretends to
be what he is not.
3. As for the firfi of thefe-, viz. Taciturnity; 'tis the Virtue of a Con- Vit.. Taci-
fejfor: and certainly the fecret Man hears many ConfeJJions. For who wilP"''"")"-
open himfelf to a Blab? But the Reputation of Secrecy, eafily unlocks the
Minds of others. And as ConfeJJicn is not for wordly Ufe,but for the Eafe
of the Confcience ; fo filent Men, for the fime reafon, come to the Know-
ledge of many things, while others rather difcharge their Mind, than im-
part it. In fhort, Myjleries are due to the Silent. Befides, Nakednefs is
uncomely as well in the Mind as the Body : and not to be too open pro-
cures no fmall Reverence toMensCounfels andAftions. On the other hand,
great Talkers are commonly vain and credulous : For he who talks what
he knows, will alfo talk what he knows not. Let it therefore pafs for a
Maxim, that a Habit of Taciturnity is both a political and a moral Virtue.
Add to this, that a Man's Face fliould not contradid: his Tongue. For
to betray ones felf by the Countenance or Gefture is a great Weaknefs ;
and a thing frequently more obferved and credited than a Man's Words.
For the fecond^ which is Diffimulation ; it often neceflarily follows upon D!iTIraul.v
Taciturnity : So that to be fecret, one muft, in fome degree, diflemble. tion.
For Men are too cunning to permit, that any one fhould preferve an In-
difference ; without inclining the Balance on either fide. They will fo be-
fet a Man with fubtile Queftions, draw him on, and fift him, that, with-
out an abfurd Silence, he mufl fhew an Inclmation one way or other; or
elfe they will conclude as much from his Silence, as if he had fpoke. A.nd
for Equivocations and Ambiguities, they cannot hold out long. Whence
no Man can be ftcret, without fome degree of Diffimulation ; which is, as
it were, the Verge of Secrecy.
5. But for the third Degree, which is Simulation., or falfe Profejfion ; I And. Simu-
hold it more culpable, and lefs politick ; unlefs it be in great and extra- l^»*"^
ordi-
^ This is a great Secre: in C'rAl Policy ; and the Moral of Pl:tto's Helme
tgo Moral Essays. Se6t. I.
ordinary Matters. Hence a conftant Cuftom of falfe Profejfidn is a Vice,
arifing eitlier from a natural Fearfulnefs, or a Mind that labours under
fome great Defefl: which abfolutely requiring to be difguifed, caufes Si-
mulation to be pradifed in other things alfo -, that the Habit may be kept
up.
The Advan- 6. The Advantages of Simulation and Diffimulation are chiefly three.
mges of ■5'- The firfi is, to lay Oppofition afleep ; and to furprize. For to publifh ones
^£X»"„ Intentions is founding the Alarm to Oppofers. T\\t fecond is, to fecure an
honourable Retreat ; for to engage ones felf by an open Declaration, is to
be wedged by the Dilemma of going through or being foiled. The third
is, to difcover the Defigns of another : For he who divulges his own De-
figns will feldom be flopped; but rather urged to go on, whilft the Hear-
er turns this freedom of Speech, to freedom of Thoughts. It is
a fhrewd Proverb of the Spaniard ; Tell a Lie, and find a Truth: As if 5/'-
mulation were the Key of Difcover y.
TheW D'lfad- J. There are alfo three Difad'vantages to balance the former. For, (i.)
■vantages. Simulation and Diffimulation commonly argue Timidity ; which clips the
Wings of Bufinefs. (2). They puzzle and perplex the Minds of ma-
ny, who, perhaps, would otherwife co-operate : which makes a Man
walk almoll alone to his own Ends. But, (^) the greateft Difadvan-
tage is, that they deprive a Man of a principal Inilrument of Aftion ; Truft.
The bed Compofition is, to have the Reputation of Veracity; the Habit
of Taciturnity ; the feafonable Ufe of Diffimulation ; and the Faculty of
Simulation^ when it is necelTary ^.
Essay V. O/ F r iendship.
whether Uve\. T T were difficult to put more Truth and Falfhood together, in few
of Solitude be ^ Words, than in that Saying, Whoever delights in Solitude is either a
a Divine or ^^-j^ geajl, or a God. For 'tis true, that a natural and fecret Hatred of
ruta If . gQj,jg|-y^ Yi3.s fomewhat of the Savage : But falfe, that it fhould have any
Mark of the Divine Nature -, except it proceed not from a Love of Retire-
ment, but a Defire to fequefter ones felf for the fake of fublimer Contem-
pllations. But little do Men perceive what Solitude is ; and how far it ex-
tends. For a Crowd is no Company : Mens Faces are but like Pi6liu-es in
a Gallery •, and Talk but a tinkling Cymbal ; where there is no Love. This
is intimated by the Latin Proverb, Magna Civitas, Magna Solitudo \ For
in large Towns, Friends and Acquaintance are more difperfed, and hold
Converfation lefs than in fmaller Neighbourhoods. We may go farther,
and
s Both the Latin and the Engliji) are here fomewhat perplexed, or ambiijuous . The
Cafe intended feems to be a Cafe of Simulation; or falfe Profejfwn ; when one Perfon
opens himfelf to another, fuppofing him his Friend ; which Opinion the other counte-
nances, till he has drawn out the Secret, and then turns it to his own Advantage.
h See the Preliminaries to the De Augment. Scient. §. III. and the De Augmtntis it
felf, §. XX. O/ethicks, ormoRAllTr.
' Great Cities are wide Defarts,
Se6J:. I. Moral Essays. 7t'
and truly aflert, that it is a more mifcrable Solitude, to want true Friends :
without which the World is but a Wildernefs. And in this fenfe alio of
Solitude, whoever in his Nature and Affeftions is averfe to Friendflnp, par-
ticipates of the Brute.
2. A principal Advantage o{ Friendfiip is the eafe and difcharge of that ^*' ji~han~
Anxiety, and fiillnefs of Heart, which PafTions of all kinds induce. Thofe '^"" "i ■
Diieales of the Body that proceed trom Stoppage and bunocation, arCyiz. ^yi»^
the moft dangerous ; and the cafe is much the lame in Diforders of the the Mind,
Mind. Sarza is fud to open the Liver ; Steel the Spleen, &c. but nothing
opens the Heart like a true Friend ; to whom we may impart, in the way
of Civil ConfeJJion, our Griefs, Joys, Fears, Hopes, Sufpicions, Cares,
Counfels, and whatever lies upon the Heart to opprefs it. 'Tis ftrange
how highly Monarchs prize this Fruit of Friendfhip-, fo as often to pur-
chafe it at the hazard of their Safety and Greatnefs. For Princes from
the height of their Fortune, above that of their Subjefts, cannot reap
this Advantage, but by raifing fome Perfon to be, as it were, their Com-
panion or Equal; which frequently has its Inconvenience. Modern Lan-
guages give fuch Perfons the Name oi Favourites or Minions ; as if it were
matter of Grace and Favour ; but the Roman Title, Participes Curarum,
exprefles their true Ufe and Caufe : for to have them Partners in their
Cares, is that which ties the Knot. And this has been praftifed, not by
weak and effeminate Princes only, but aHb by the wi(ell: and moft po-
litical -, who, after the manner of private Perfons, have often joined to
themfelves fome of their Servants, under the common Name and Notion
of Friends. That myftic Precept of Pythagoras is dark, but juft -, Eat not
the Heart. Certainly, to give the thing a harfh Phrafe, thofe who want
Friends to open their Griefs to, are Canibals of their own Hearts.
This communicating of ones felf to a Friend, has two contrary Effefts -,
for it doubles Joys, and halves Griefs : Since no Man imparts his Joys
to a Friend, but rejoices the more ; nor his Griefs, but grieves the lefs.
For, asm Bodies, Union ftrengthens and cherifties all nauiral Adlions;
but weakens and blunts all violent Impreffions ; the cafe is the fame in-
Atinds.
3. The y^fow^ Advantage of Friendfiip regards the Underftanding ; && Improving-
the former does the AfFeclions: For as Friendfliip makes Serenity in the'"' rnisr-
Affections; fo it makes Day-light in the Underftanding. And this holds-''"' '"^'
true, not only of faithful Coun/el ; but whoever has his Mind clouded, or
overcharged with Thought, his Underftanding clears up, and makes, as
it were, a fair Day, by communicating freely, and difcourfing with ano-
ther : For, by this means, he revolves his Thoughts more eafily, mar-
ftials them better, fees how they look when turn'd into Words, and grows
wifer, by an Hour's Converfation, than by a Day's Meditation. It
was juftly faid by Themiflodes, that Speech is like Tapejlry unfolded, when
the Imagery appears diftinifl ; but 'Thoughts, like Tapeflry in the Bale, where
the Figures are rolled up together. Nor is this fecond Advantage of Friend-
ftiip, viz. the opening of the Underftanding, reftrained to fuch Friends,
as
^%
Moral Essays.
Sea. I.
as are able to advlfe •, bar even without this, a Man thus learns of himfelf,
brings his own Thoughts to light, and whets his Wit as againft a Stone,
which has itfelf no Edge. In fhort, a Man had better impart himfelf to a
secur'mg gooi Statue, or a PiSlure, than fuffer his Thoughts to fmother. In Silence. But
Coiinfel. to compleat this fecond Advantage of Friendfhip, faithful Counfel is like-
wife required from a Friend. HcracUtus faid well. Dry Light is the befi.
And, certainly, the Light that a Man receives in the way of Advice from
another, is drier and purer than what comes from his own Underftanding
and Judgment ; which is ever infufed and drenched in his own Affeftions.
Whence the Advice of a Friend differs as much from a Man's own Opi-
nion, as the Advice of a Friend from that of a Flatterer: For there is
no greater Flatterer than a Man to himfelf -, and no fiirer Remedy
againft Self-Flattery, than the Liberty of a Friend.
■vhti Counsel 4. Counfel is of two kinds ; and regards either Morality, or Buftnefs.
of two kinds, Y or the firjf ; the beft Prefervative of the Mind, is the fiiithful Admoni-
regarding,
li.) Mora-
lity.
Bufirtefs.
The tliird
uidvantage
ef Fiiemi-
ftip ; "uiz,
jijjiflance.
tion of a Friend. Striift Self-Examination is fometimes too piercing and
corrofive a Remedy: Reading Books of Morality, is a little flat and dead:
Obferving our own Faults in others, is fometimes unfuitable to our Cafe:
The beft Medicine, for operation and taking, is friendly Admonition. 'Tis
ftrange, what grofs Errors and Abfurdities are committed, efpecially by
the Great, for want of a friendly Admonifher ; to the dif-idvantage both
of their Fame and Fortune. For they are as Men, that behold their Face
in a Glafs, and prefently forget their Features^.
5. As for Bufinefs; 'tis an ancient Saying, that two Eyes fee more than
one. 'Tis alfo certain, that a By-ftander often fees more of the Game than
a Player ; and that a Mufquet is fired truer upon a Reft, than upon the Arm \
tho fome lofty Natures think thcmfelves all In all. But this is certain,
whatever may be alledged to the contrary, that Counfel is what dife£ls and
fettles Bufinefs. But if a Man think to take Counfel piece-meal, and to aflc
Advice of one, in this Bufinefs, and of another in that -, it may be bet-
ter than not to afk Advice at all ; but he runs two Riiques-, viz. (i.) that
of not being fxithfuUy advlfed : For 'tis rare, unlefs from a perfect and
entire Friend, to receive Advice that fhall not be diftorted to the Ends of
him who gives it: And (2.) that the Advice he thus receives from differ-
ent Perfons, tho ever fo well Intended, fhall often prove pernicious, or a
Mixuire of Remedy and Inconvenience-, like confulting a Phyfician verfed
in the Cure of the Difeafe, but unacquainted with the Conftiaition -, who
may therefore effeft a prefent Cure, and injure the Health in fome other
refpeft. But a Friend fully acquainted with our Cafe, will be cautious of
falling upon farther Inconveniences, whilft he promotes the prefent Bufmefs.
Depend not, therefore, upon fcatter'd Counfels ; for they will rather di-
ftrad: and miflead, than direft and fettle.
6. After thefe two noble Advantages of Friendfiip, viz. Peace in the
Affeftions, and fupport of the Judgment, comes that which is like the
Pome-
■' See the KJfay upon Counfel, or Advict.
SecV. I. MoralEssays. 73
Pomegranate, full of Kernels ; *:•/::. yiffiflance., and bearing a Part in ail
jiclions and Occaficns. And here the moft expeditious way of juftly repre-
fenting the numerous Ufes of Friendlhip, were to enquire how many
things there are, w'lich a Man cannot well do for himfelf ; whence it will
appear but a moderate Saying of the Ancients, th.it a Friend is a fecond
Self : For to judge truly, a Friend may be more than ones felf. Men are
mortal, and often die without finilhing what they principally affeded ; as
the bellowing of a Child •, the finilhing of a Work, and die like. If,
therefore, a Man has a true Friend, he may reft fccure, the Care of thefe
things will be continued after him : So that he has, as it were, t'vjo Lives
in bis Defires. Man is confined to a Body, and that Body confined to a
Place v but where Friendlhip is, all the Offices of Life are perform.ible,
either by himfelf or his Deputy ; that is, his Friend. How many things
are there which a Man cannot, with any Grace, or Decency, fay or do for
himfelf.' A Man can fcarce alledge his own Merits with Modefty ; much
lefs extol them : He cannot fometimes fubmit to fupplicate, petition, (^c.
But all ihefe things are graceful in the Moutli of a Friend. So again, a
Man ftands in many Relations, which he cannot diveft himfelf of. Fie
cannot ipeak to his Son, but as a Father ; to his Wife, but as a Hufband ;
to his Enemy, but with Referve : Whereas a Friend may fpeak to them
all, as the Cafe requires, without the fame Refpeft of Perfons. It were
needlefs to cnum.erate all the things of this kind. We have given die Rule:
And when a Man cannot a(ft his Part in his own Perfon, and has no Friend
to appear for him, 'us the better way to quit the Stage.
Essay VI. Of /^^ M o r a l Duty o/ ^ J u d g e,
r . T" U D G E S fliould remember, that their Office is to interpret the Law, ^^^ gmeral
J not to make it : otherwife, their Authority would be like that claimed S"'^ "^**
by the Church of Rome; which, under pretence of interpreting Scripture, ^''^''
fometim.es adds, alters, pronounces what is not found, and, under the co-
lour of Jntiqttity, introduces Novelty. Judges fliould rather be learned
than ingenious -, reverend than affable ■, advifed than confident. Above all
things. Integrity is their Portion and proper Virtue. Curfed, fxys the
Law, is I:e that removeth the ancient Land-Mark. Certainly, the Miflayer
of a Mark-Stone is to blame : but the unjufl: Judge is a capital Remover
of Land-Marks, when he determines amifs of Lands and Properties. One
unjuft Sentence is more pernicious than many bad Examples : For thefe
only corrupt the Stream ; but that the Fountain. So Solomon fays, a righ-
teous man falling before the ivicked., is as a troubled Fountain, and a corrupt
Spring.
2. The Office of a Judge may relate, (i.) to the Parties; (2.) the n'n ojficf di~
Pleaders ; (3.) tbeClerks and inferior Officers ; anci (4.) totbe Sovereignor State. """1^^' "' '>
Firfl, for die Parties. There are thoje., fays the Scripture, that turn judgment ZnuLl'm'
into 'xoynrjjood ; and furely there are thole that turn it into Vinegar: Tor Panla.orof.
L ln.-Jm.iers,
74 Moral Essays. Se£t. I.
Injaftice makes it bitter, and Delays make it lour. The principal Duty of a
Jiidge, is to fupprefs Force and Fraud ; die former whereof is the more perni-
cious when open •, the latter, when clofe and difguifed. Add to this, that
contentious Suits fhould be quickly ejefted, as the Surfeit of Courts. A Judge
fhould prepare his Way to a juft Sentence, after the Example of God, by
raifmg Falleys, and levelling Hills. So when a high hand appears on either
fide, by a virulent Profecution, Stratagems, Combination, Power, great
Patronage, Difparity of Counfel, ^c. the Virtue of a Judge appears in
bringing all to an Equality ; that he may found his Judgment as upon le-
vel Ground.
3. Violent Purging forces away Blood-, and when the Wine-prefs is
hard wrought, it yields a harfli Juice, that taftes of the Stone. Judges
fhould therefore avoid hard Conftruftions, and ftrain'd Inferences ; for
there is no worfe Torture than the Law upon the Rack. Efpecially in
penal Laws, let them be carehil, that thofe meant for Terror, be not
turned into Rigour ; and bring upon the People that Shower of which the
Scripture fays, it J}:allrain Snares upon them: For penal Laws, executed in
their Rigour, are like a Shower of Snares upon a People. Let fuch Laws,
therefore, if they have flept long, or are grown unfuitable to the prefent
Time, be, by prudent Judges, reftrained in the Execution. A Judge
muft regard Times as well as Things. Judges, in capital Caufes, fhould,
as far as the Law allows, in the midft of judgment remember mercy ; and call
a fevere Eye upon the Offence, but an Eye of Mercy upon the Offender,
(j) 4. Secondly, for the Advocates or Pleaders : Patience and Gravity in
Totht ^(/x-ff- hearing Caufes is an effential Part of Juftice ; and a loquacious Judge is
ltd or Coun- ,^Q well-tun'd Cymbal. 'Tis not commendable in a Judge over-haftily to
fejze what might in due time come better from the Council ; or to fhew a
quicknefs of Thought in cutting Evidence and Pleadings too Ihort ; or
to anticipate Information, even by pertinent Quellions. The Office of a
Judge upon the Bench, is(i.) todireft the Courfe of the Evidence ; (2.) to
moderate the Length, Repetition, or Impertinence of Speeches in the
Council, and Witnefles; (:?.) to fum up, fcled, and compare together the
material Points of the Evidence-, and (4.) to give Sentence. Whatever
goes beyond this, is too much ; and proceeds either from Oftentation,
fondnefs for Speaking, impatience of Hearing, weaknefs of Memory, or
want of fedate and equable Attention. 'Tis ftrange to obferve how fre-
quently the Boldnefs of Advocates prevails with the Judge; who is to
imitate God, whofe Seat he holds, in curbing the prefumptuous, and eredt-
ing the humble. But 'tis ftill ftranger, that Judges fhould have m.anifeft
Favourites among the Council : For this muff needs enlarge fuch Councils
Fees, and give fufpicion of Corruption, and indited: ways of coming at
the Judge. W^hen Caufes are judicioufly and fairly pleaded, fome Com-
mendation and Notice is due from the Judge to the Advocate -, efpecially
on the lofing fide : for this both keeps up the Client's good Opinion of
his Council, and renders him lefs conceited of his Caufe. There is likewife
■due to the Publick a modeft Reprehenfion of Advocates ; where there is
crafty
ill.
Sc(5t. I. Moral Essays. 75-
crafty Inftriiftion, grofs Negledt, flight Information, indecent PrcfHng, or
a too bold Defence. And let not the Council at the Bar interrupt the
Judge; nor artfully bring on a new Pleading of the Caul'e after Sentence-
is given. On the other hand, let not the Judge meet the Caufe halfway;
nor give occafion for the Client to complain that his Council and Wit-
nelTes were not heard.
5. Thirdly, for Clerks and Officers : The Seat of Juftice is Hicred ; tliere- (^)
fore not only the Bench, but the Ranges, and Precindls thereof, fliould Ti? the cleris
be without Scandal and Corruption. For as grapes are not gathered of thorns, ""-^^ffictn.
fjor figs of thijlles; fo neitlier can Jullice yield a fwect Fruit among the
Briars and Brambles of catching and rapacious Clerks and Officers. There
are four pernicious Attendants of Courts ; viz. (i.) Sowers of contentious
Suits; who make a fat Court, and a lean People. (2.) Sticklers for the Ju-
rifdiclion of Courts ; who, not like Friends as they would feem, but Para-
fites of the Court, fwell her Pride for their own Advantage, (j.) Per-
vert ers of Juflice; who may be accounted the left hands of Courts, and are
Perfons full of Turns, Shifts, and Devices ; whereby they pervert the
plain and direft Courfes of Courts, and bring Juflice into oblique crook-
ed Wavs and Labyrinths; and {4..) Rapacious ExaiJors; who juflify the
common comparifon made of Courts to a Bramble Bufli ; whereto the
Sheep flying for fhelter in bad Weather, leave part of their Fleece behind
them. On the other fide ; a veteran Clerk, verfed in Precedents, exaift
in Regiflring, and diligent in the Bufinefs of the Court, is an excellent
Finger of a Court ; and often points out the Way to the Judge himfelf.
6. Yourzhly, for the Soiereign or State: Judges ought, above all things, (4-1
to remember the Conclufion of the Roman twelve Tables, Sulns populi fupre- ^° ■^"'^''"'S."
ma lex^; and that Laws, unlels in order to that End, are captious things ; ' ''
and Oracles ill infpired. 'Tis therefore happy for the People, when Kings
or States frequently confult with Judges ; and again,, when Judges often
confult with Kings or States: the one, when matter of Law arifes in bu-
finefs of State ; the other, when State-Confiderations arife in matter of
Law. For it often happens, that a Cafe of Afeum and Tuum, may in its
Confequence extend to Realbns of State. By extending to Reaibns af
State, I undcrfland not only what regards the Rights of the Crown ; but
alfo whatever may introduce a dangerous Innovation, an unfafe Precedent,
or manifeftlv opprefs a great number of People. And let no weak Judg-
ment imagine, that juft Laws and true Policy, have any Oppofition : For
they are like the Spirits and Nerves ; the one moves within the other. Let
Judges remember, that Solomon's Throne was on both, fides fupportcd by
Lions : let them be Lions, but Lions under the Throne ; and cautious of
infringing or oppofmg any part of the Royal Prerogative. To conclude ;
.let not Judges be fo ignorant of their own Right and Prerogative, as to
think themfelves denied a principal part of their OfHce ; viz. a found and
L -2 prudent
'' The Good of the People is the fiipreme I.aiv.
' See more upon this Subieft in the Dc Augtntntis Scinliar. Se£t. XX. and again in t5je
Author's Speeches. Supplement IV.
16
Moral Essays.
Se6l. I.
The Poetical
Dtffription
and (Jrig'tn
of Fame.
The Suhjecl
of Tame \m
fort ant m
Polmcki,
The gnat
Effects of
falfe Tames.
prudent Ufe and Application of the Law : For they may remember that
the Jpojlle fays of a greater Law than the human ; U^e knoiu that the Lavj
is good, if a man ufe it laivfully '.
E s s A V VII. Of Fame, or Rumours.
I . f-Tp H E Poets make Fame a Monfter : They defcribe her on one fide
X with great Finery and Elegance; but fententioufly on the other.
They lay, how many Feathers Ihe has, fo many Eyes lie underneath ; fo
many Tongues •, fo many Voices ; fo many Ears. I'his is a Flourifh, but
followed with excellent Metaphors •, as that fhe gathers Strength in going •,
that flie walks upon the Ground, yet hides her Head in the Clouds ; that
in the day-time fhe fits upon a Watch-Tower, and chiefly flies by Night -,
that fhe mixes things done, with things not done ; and that Ihe is a Ter-
ror to great Cities. Above all, they tell us, that the Giants, who made
War againft Jupiter, being deftroyed by him; their Mother, the Earth,
incenfed thereat, brought forth Fame, by way of Revenge. For
Rebellions, here denoted by the Giants, and feditious Fames, and Libels,
are Brothers and Sifliers •, Male and Female "'.
2. Now to tame this Monfter, bring her to feed at hand, govern her,
' and flie her at other ravenous Fowl, were worth the Endeavour. To fpeak
ferioufly, and without a Metaphor, there is not in all Politicks a Subject
lefs handled, than this of Fame. It fliould therefore be enquired •, (i.) what
are falfe Fames-, (2.) what true Fames; (3.) how they may beft be difco-
vered ; (4.) how fown and rais'd ; (5.) how fpread and multiplied ; and
(6.) how check'd and laid dead".
3. Fame is fo powerful, that there is fcarce any great Aftion wherein it
has not fome confiderable Share ; efpecially in War. Mucianus ruin'd Fi-
teUius by a Fame he had fpread, that Fitellius purpofed to remove the Le-
gions of Syria into Germany ; and the Legions of Germany into Syria ;
whereby the Legions of Syria were violently inflamed. Julius Ctefar took
Pompey unprovided, and laid afleep his Induftry and Preparations, by a
Fame he cunningly gave out, that Cafar's own Soldiers loved him not ;
and being wearied with the Wars, and laden with the Spoils of Gaul,
would forfike him as foon as he came into Italy. Livia fettled all things
for the Succeflion of her Son 'Tiberius, by continually giving out, that her
Hufband Auguftus was upon the Recovery. And 'tis ufual with the Ba-
Jhaws to conceal the Death of the Grand Signior from the Janizaries ; to
prevent their facking of Conftantinople, &c. 1'bemijlocies made Xerxes poft
out of Greece,hj fpreading a Rumour, that the Grecians pui"pofed to break
down his Bridge of Ships, which he had made acrofs the Hellejpont. There
are
' See more upon this Subjeft in the Be Augment. Scientiar. Seft. XX. and again in tlie Au-
thor's Speeches. Supplement IV.
" Sec the FMe of Perfeus, explained in the Tie Augment. Scientiar. Seft. II.
" Only the fiift of tliefe Heads is here touch'd upon : The Profecution of the reft be-
ing, perhaps, purpofely omitted ; that ir might not lay fome Secrets of Government too open.
See the De Amment. Scientiar. Seft. XXVI.
Sed. I. Moral Essays. 77
are thoufands of Examples to the £ime purpofe. Let all wife Governors
therefore have as careful a watch over Fames and Rumours, as they have
over Actions and Defigns themfelves ".
'o
Essay MIL O/" Va in-G lor y, or Ostentation.
I. T T was elegantly feigned oi ALfop, that a Fly fitting upon tlie Axle- "^he Vanity of
JL tree of a Chariot, cry'd out to hcrfelf, IFhat a Dufi do Lrcitfe ? Yor^''^^"'"'"
thus certain vain and empty Perfons, if they touch but a Bufmefs, ima-
gine themfelves prime Movers -, tho the Motion be either fpontaneous, or
excited by greater Means. The vain-glorious are always quarelfome ; for
Oftentation is grounded on Comparifon -, and Men of this Cafl mufl needs
be violent, in order to effcdhiate their Boaftings : but they cannot be fi-
lent, and therefore commonly effeft nothing ; according to the French
Proverb, Beaiicoup de Bruit pen de Fruit P.
2. Such Men, however, may fometimes have their Ufe in Life : For where "^heVfe of the
a Reputation is to be raifed, or an Opinion to be fpread, whether of Vir- ^"'"•sj"^"!*''
tue or Power, they make excellent Trumpeters. Again, Lies on both'"^^'
fides may be fometimes highly ferviceable ; as when an Agent, to engage
two Princes in a War againfl: a third, feverally exaggerates the Forces of
both ; or as when he who goes between two, raifes his own Credit with
both, by pretending greater Power than he has with either. In thefe and
the like Cafes it often happens, that fomewhat is produced out of nothing :
for Lies are fufficient to caufe Opinion; and Opinion brings on Aftion and
Subftance'i.
3. In Commanders alfo, and Gentlemen of the Sword, Vain-glory Jn martld
is of ufe : For as Iron fharpens Iron, fo Soldiers fharpen and excite ^^*"'
each others Courage by Boafting and Oftentation. Again, fome Inter-
mixture of vain-glorious Tempers puts Life into Bufmefs -, and makes a
fit Compofition in grand Enterprizes, and hazardous Undertakings. For
Men of folid and fober Natures have more of the Ballaft than of the
Sail.
4. For Learning; the Flight of its Reputation will be flow, without^»'**'""''''
fome Feathers of Oftentation. They who write Books upon the Contempt'^'
of Glcry, ftill add their Names in the Title. Even Ari(iotk, Socrates and
Calen, were Boafters'. And, certainly, /^«/«-^/ory greatly contributes to
fpread a Man's Fame : and even Virtue is lefs beholden to human Nature
for her Charafter, than to herfelf. The Fame of Cicero, Seneca^ and
Pliny, would fcarce have continued till now, at leaft not fo lively, had it
not been joined with fome degree of Vanity and Oftentation in themfelves :
For
" In order to fupply the Deficiency of this ElTay ; fee the De Augment. Scientiar. Seft.-
XXVI. and the third Seftion of the Sapientia Veterutn.
f Great Cry and little Wool.
"i Here is a Foundation laid for the DoClrint of Lies; a SubjcA little touch'd upon j tho
of great Importance in Social, Civil and Pditical Life.
' See Su PPlEMENT X.
78
Moral Essays. Se6l. I.
For Oftentation is like Varnifl-i, that makes Wood not only fiiine, but
laft.
The prudent 5. By Fain-glory and Ojientation I do not here underftand the Ta-
Wa'^js of jgri,- which T'acitus afTigns to Mucianas, of fliewing all our Words and
fin"^JT' Aftions to Advantage -, which is not the EfFecfl of Vajiity, but of Art
vantage. " and Prudence, accompanied with a certain Greatnefs:- And in the Perfons
who feem by Nature form'd thereto, this is not only a graceful, but a win-
ning and happy Accomplifhment. For genteel Excufes, prudent Con-
cefTions, and even Modefty itfelf well governed, are but y^ris of OJlenta-
tion. And among thefe Arts, there is none more fuccefsful than that men-
tioned by Pliny; viz. liberally to praife thefc Excellencies in others^ for which
ourf elves are eminent ^.
Summary of 5. The vain-glorious are the Scorn of wife Men ; the Admiration of
the Whole. Fools; the Pr£y of Parafites; and the Slaves of their own Vanity',
Essay IX. O/ Praise.
fraifeofthe ^ T\ RAISE is the Refledlion of Virtue ; and, like Light, partici-
vulgar often y^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^.j^^ refieding Body. If it proceed from the Herd, it is
commonly falfe; and rather attends the Vain, than the Virtuous: for
the Vulgar have no feeling of many eminent Virtues. The lefTer ones
extort their Praife ; the middle ones raife their Wonder ; but of the
higheft they are quite infenfible. Appearances of Viruies ftrike them moft.
Hence Fame is like a River, that bears up things light and tumid ; but
fmks thofe that are ponderous and folid. But if Perfons of Judgment and
Worth concur with tlie Vulgar-, it is then that a good Name becomes as pre-
cious Ointment ; diffufes itfelf around ; and long continues in Vigour : For
tlae Odours of Ointments are more durable than the Odours of Flowers.
Thefalfe 2. Praife has fo many falfe Colours, that a Man may juftly fufpeft it.
Colours oj Some Praifes proceed merely from Flattery. The common Flatterer has
Praije. his general Complements, that ferve every Man alike; the cunning Flat-
terer will exaflly copy that arch Flatterer» ones felf ; and lay his Praife
where ourfelves believe it due : but the impudent Flatterer will bear you
out, that your very Defeds are the Virtues which both himfelf and you are
confcious you have not.
7he Kinds of 3. Some Praifes proceed from Good-will, join'd with Refpefb. This Ts
f raife, ^ Form of Civility due to Princes and great Perfonages ; which, by paint-
ing them well, humbly fliews them what they fliould be. Some Men are
praifed malicioufly, with a Defign of raifing Envy and Jealoufy againft
them : whence it was proverbial among the Grecians, that he who was
praifed to his Difadvantage, would have a Pimple rife upon his Nofe ; as
we fay, a Blifter will rife upon the Tongue that tells a Lie.
4. Genteel
*" See the De Augmentis Scientiarum. Se&. XXV.
' They aie the Slaves of their own V.inity, in' thinking themfelves fometimes obli^eJ
:o nrtcmp; what they have fo often boaflcJ.
Sed. I. Moral Essays. 75
4. Genteel and moderace Pniilc, le.ifonably beftowcd, has a gieit Effect. "^Z-" S'o^ Pf-
Solomon lays, be that praifes bis friend aloud, riftnz cirly. it pall be to bim no^'i]"^ ^f-^'"'
better than a Curie '-'. To magnify cicher Man or Matcer above meaiure, jirau praife.
llirs up Contradidion, procures Envy, and expofes to Contempt.
5. To praife ones felf is indecent ; unlefs in very extraordinary Cafes : How Praijei
but a Man may praife his Office, his Profellion, or his Studies, with a '"''3' *« i''"'"' •
tolerable Grace, and fome kind of Magnanimity. St. Paul, when he-'"'
boails of himfelf, often interlaces, I /peak as a fool ; but of his Calling he
fays, / 'will magnify my /ipojlkjliip.
Essay X. Of Honour and Reputation.
1. 'T"' HE jufl: Means of acquiring Honour and Reputation, is for a. The true
X Man to difplay his own Virtues and Abilities to advantage: For "^^'"'"'^ "//""*-
thofc who court and hunt after Fame in their Aftions, are commonly much ""^'"^""""""^"
talk'd of, but inwardly little admired. And thole again who cloud their
\'irtue in fhewing it ; are not efteemed equal to their Merit.
2. For a Man to undertake and execute a Matter that was never a.t- The popular
tempted before, or elfe attempted and deferted -, or that has been effeft- a^m»/.
ed, but not in the beft and happieft manner ; procures him more Honour,
than it would to accomplifli a Matter of much greater Difficulty or Mo-
ment, wherein he is but a Follower. And if a Man fo blend his Acftions,
as in fome one or other of them to pleafe all Factions, the Confort will
be the fuller,
2- He is an ill Hufband of his Honour, who enters upon any A(5tion, Direcfiom for
the failing wherein may difcredit him more than the carrying it through '"^7'"'''"5 ^»-
could grace him. Honour acquired by outfliining another has the quick- "'"*'''
eft Refledtion -, like a Diamond cut with Fafcets^. Therefore let a Man
endeavour to excel Competitors in Honour, by out-fhooting them in their
own Bow. Difcreet Followers and Familiars contribute much to Repu-
tation. Envy, that Canker of Honour, is beft diftinguiflied by appear-
ing to feek Merit rather than Fame; and by attributing Succeftes rather
to Providence and Felicity, than to a Man's own Virtue or Policy".
4. The Degrees of fovereign Honour are thus iuftly marfhall'd. Y'lr^The Degrees
come Founders of Empires ; fuch as Romulus, Cyrus, Ciefar, Ottoman, offapreme
Jfmael. In the fecond place come Legiflators ; who are alfo cal led y?'^(?«^ ""'"""'•
■Founders, or perpeuial Princes ; becaufe they govern by their Laws, after
their own Deceafe : fuch were Lycurgus, Solon, Jufinian, Edgar ^ &c. In
the third Place come Deliverers, or Prefervcrs of dieir Country ; fuch as
put an End to long Civil Wars, or free their Countries from Tyrants, or
Servitude to Strangers ; as Auguflus Coefar, Fefpafiau, Aurelian, Henry the
Seventh
" See this Aphorifm explained in the D« Augmenth ScUntkr. Se£^. XXIV. 36,
■ ■■" i. e. Brillant-cut. ,
* See De Augmentis Sciennar, Scft. XXV.
8o Moral Essays. Sect. I.
Seventh of England, &c. In the fourth Place come Defenders, or En-
largers of Empire ; fuch as in honourable Wars extend their Territories,
or make a noble Defence againfl Invaders. And in the laft Place, come
the Fathers of their Country ; who reign juftly, and make their People
happy.
The Degrees 5- Degrees of Honour in Subjecfts are firft, Partakers of the Cares of
of inferior Ho- Princes ; or thofe on whom Princes difcharge the Weight of their Affairs.
noun. qphe next are great Leaders ; fuch as fupply the Places of Kings, and per-
form capital Service in War. The third are fuch Favourites as prove a
Solace to the Sovereign ; and harmlefs to the People. And the fourth,
fuch as hold great Offices under Princes ; and execute them with Prudence
and Juftnefs.
A ran Vegree 6. There is likewife an Honour, which, tho rare, may be reckon'd
of Honour. among the greateft ; viz. of fuch as devote themfelves to Death or Dan-
ger, for the Good of their Country -, as did Regulus, and the two Decii..
Essay XI. O/ Adversity.
TheloftySay. i. T T was a lofty Saying of Seneca, and in the Stoical Manner, that
»»^(?/ Seneca J^ jj^g j^dvantages of Profperity are to be ivifiyd; but the Advantages of
upon Adver- j^^gj-py jg ^g admired. Certainly, if it be juftly faid, that Miracles are
Conqueils over Nature, thefe appear moll in Adverfity. There is
ftill a fublimer Saying of the iame Author, and too fublime for a Hea-
then ; viz. 'That it is tine Greatnefs, to have the Frailty of a Man, and the
Security of a God. This Saying might have fuited better with Poetry ;
where Plyperboles are more allowable. And indeed the Poets have been
bufy with it; for 'tis in effeifl the thing figured out in that ftrange Fiftion
of the ancient Poets, which feemsto contain a Chrifttan Myftery •, ivs. that
Hercules, when he went to unbbd Prometheus, by wliom human Nature
is reprefented, failed the length of the great Ocean in an earthen Pitcher ;
thus lively defcribing Chriftian Refolution, that fiils in the frail Barque
of the Flefh thro the Waves of the World ^.
Profierity 2. To fpeak more moderately •, the principal Virtue of Profperity is
And Adverft- Temperance -, and of Adverfity, Fortitude •, which in Morality is allow-
tj compared. ^^ ^}^g more heroical Virtue. Profperity is the Bkffing of the Old Tefla-
tncnt, Adverfity of the New, which is greater, and affords a clearer Re-
velation of the Divine Fa\^our. Yet even in the Old Teftament we find
David's, Harp play'd as many Dirges as Carols : And the Pencil of the
Holy Ghoft has more fully defcribed the Afflidlions of Job, than the Fe-
licities of Solomon.
„ -«^(Z- 3- Profperity has its Fears and Diftaftes ; Adverfity its Hopes and Com-
•wWirv.' forts. In Embroidery v^/e find it m.ore pleafing to have a lively Work up-
on a folemn Ground, than a dark Work upon a light Ground.- Whence
we
> See the Fable oi Fromoiheus, explained in the 5<7//«»/m retemm.
Sed. I. Moral Essays. 8i
we may judge of the Pleafure of the Heart, by the Pleafure of the Eye.
Certainly, Virtue is like fome Perfumes, that are moft fragrant when
burnt, or bruifcd : for Profperity bell difcovers Vice j but Adverfity Vir-
tue.
'Essay XII. Of the Vicissitude of Things.
I. ^ 0Z,0 A/0 iV fays, /here is no new thing under the Sun r Therefore, The injiability
iJ as Plato imagiii'd, that all Knowledge is but Remembrance; ^o^^^f^"^* "*
Solomon pronounces, that all Novelty is but Oblivion. Whence we may fee, "'' "
that the River Lethe runs as well above Ground as below. A certain ab-
ftrufe and obfcure yijlrologer fays, were it not for two things, that are con-
llant -, viz. the fixed Stars in their fituation, and the diurnal Motion in
its return, no Individu.il would lad a Moment. And certainly Matter is
in a perpetual Flux, never at a flay.
2. The great Winding-Sheets that bury all things in Obliv^ion, are De- The Caufa o/
hges And Earthquakes. Asfor Conflagrations, 3.nd grea.t Droughts, they do notoW/t/w».
totally difpeople or deftroy. Phaeton drove the Sun's Chariot but a Day :
And the three years Drought, in the time of Elias, was but particular,
and left People alive. The Devaftations by Lightning, fo frequent in the
fFcft-Indics, are but of narrow extent: And Peftilences do not fweep away
whole Nations.
3. In the Deftrudions by Deluges and Earthquakes the Remnant of^/'^S" ""'^
People are commonly ignorant and mountainous -, fo that they can give ^^j'J^ altem-
no account of the time pafl. Whence the Oblivion is the fame as if no „ant of People
Inhabitants had been left^. If we thoroughly confider the Natives of l\it behind.
IVefi- Indies, 'tis highly probable they are a newer, or a younger People,
than die Inhabitants of the old World. And it fhould feem that the De-
ftrudlion which accidentally befel them, came not by Earthquakes, but ra-
ther by a particular Deluge : for Earthquakes are very rare in thofe Parts ;
but they have fuch vaft Rivers, that thofe of yifta^ Africa, and Europe, ap-
pear but Brooks to them. Their Andes likewife are exceeding high Moun-
tains ; whereby 'tis likely fome Remnants of Men were faved from fuch a
particular Deluge''.
4. The Viciffitudes or Changes in the celeftial Globe, are not much to changes in
our prefent Purpofe. Comets, doubtlefs, have fome Influence upon the ''"^ Heavens.
Grofs and Mafs of things : but they are rather gazed at and waited upon
in their Journey, than prudently obferved in their refpeftive and compa-
rative Elfeds : For example •, what kind of Comet for Magnitude, Co-
lour, Radiation, Situation in the Heavens, or Duration, produces what
kind of Efieds'.^'
Vol. II. M 5. They
' This is a Confideration not to be (lightly pafTed over by thofe who would enquire
into tfie Caufe of the prefent Face of Things on the Globe.
*■ See this Matter farther proiccuted in the Author's Ke'Jj Atlantis, Seft. I. 26^ 17.
' See the Author's Specimen of Animated Aftronomy, Supplement IX.
8x Moral Essays. Se^, I.
"'icijfitudcs of /J. They fay 'tis obferved in the Lozv Countries, that once in thirty-
five years, the fiime kind of Weather and Series of Years come about again ;
as hard Frofts, Inundations, Droughts, warm Winters, i^c. and this Re-
volution they call the Prime. 'Tis a thing I the rather mention, becaufe
by computing backwards, I have found fome kind of Correfpondence.
TheVicifi- ^ 6. The greateft Viciffiuide of things among IVIen, is that of Sells and
^andKciWions -^^^^S^"'" ' which are the Orbs that rule in Mens Minds the moft. True
' Religion is built upon a Rock •, the reft are tofled upon the Waves of
Time. When a received Religion is rent by Difcords ; the Holinefs of its
ProfelTors decayed ; their Lives grown fcandalous ; and the Times ignorant
and barbarous, fufpefl the Introduftion of a new Seft •, efpecially if any
wild paradoxical Spirit fliould now arife to efpoufe it : All which concur-
red when Mahomet publiflied his Law.
TwaRequi- y_ JsJ^q «^^y Sell can fpread, unlefs, (i.) it oppofe or fubvert the efta-
introdutlion blirtied Authority; which is an extremely popular thing; and (2.) opens
of a new Re- the Door to Luxury and Pleafures. But for fpeculative Herefies; fuch
U^on: as the ^rian of old, and the Arminian of late, tho they operate ftrange-
ly upon Mens Minds, yet they produce no great Alterations in States ;
unlefs by the favour of civil Occafions.
"lime Wajsof g. There are three Ways of planting new Sefts; viz. (i.) by Miracles ;
Vw'^seZ^ (2.) Eloquence; and (3.) the Stvord. As for Martyrdoms, I reckon them
among Miracles; becaufe they feem to exceed the Strength of human Na-
ture ; and underftand the like of fuperlative Holinefs of Life.
The Ways of g_ There is no better Way to flop the Rife of new Sefts and Schifms,
J«tfe^'"g ^\-y^^ ^o reform Abufes ; compound the lefler Differences ; proceed mildly
from the firft ; refrain from fanguinary Perfecutions ; and rather to
foften and win the principal Leaders, by gracing and advancing them,
than to enrage them by Violence and Bitternefs.
TheVkiffitudes jq. Xhe ViciJJitudes of Wars are numerous ; but chiefly turn upon three
efWars. Points ; viz,, (i.) x.\\t Seat of War ; (2.) xhz kinds of Arms ; and (3.) the
Difcipline ufed. (i.) Wars feem'd anciently to move chiefly from Eafi: to
Weft : For the Perfians^ Affyrians, Arabians, and "Tartars, who were the
Invaders, are all Eaftern People. The Gauls indeed were Weftern : but
we read only of two Incurfions they made > the one upon Gallo-Gr^cia •■,
the other upon the Romans : And as the Eait and Weft arc no fixed Points
in the Heavens ; fo of the Wars from the Eait or Weft, we have no cer-
tain Obfervation : But the North and South are fix'd by Nature; and it
has been feldom or never feen, that the fixr Southern People invaded the
Northern ; but the contrary. Whence it appears, that the Northern Traft
of the World is naturally the more martial : Whether this be owing to
the Stars of that Hemifphere, or to the vaft Continents upon the North ;
or to the Coldnefs of thofe Parts, which naturally renders the Body hardy,
and the Heart courageous.
rhe Caufes 0/ II. Upon the breaking and fhivering of a great Empire, Wars are cer-
Wars iviz. tainly to be expefted : For great Empires, while they flourifh, enervate
nljfolution "/[{^e native Forces of their Provinces, by relying wholly upon their own
Se6t. I. M 0 R A L E S S A Y s. 8 g
SolJicrs :u home; fo that when rhefc foil, all goes to Ruin ; and the Em-
pire becomes a Prey to other Nations. Thus ic happened in the Declen-
fion of the Roman Empire, and the Empire of jllmaign, after Charles the
Great; every Bird taking its own Feathers.
I 2. On the other hand, great Enlargements and Unions of Kingdoms Their En-
occafion Wars. For when a State Iwells with Power, it is like a River fwel- largmcnt.
ling with the Land-Waters, and threatening an Inundation ; as appeared in
the Empires of Rome, Turkey, Spain, &c.
I q. When the World abounds with civilized Nations, that will not ufu- ^ want of
ally marry, or beget Children, whilft unprovided of the Means of living ; providing for
there is no danger of Inundations or Tranfmigrations of People : But when '** ^»tfve!.
vaft fho.ils of Men continue populating, without any Provifion for their
Maintenance ; they muft of neceffity, once in an Age or two, difcharge a
Portion of their Natives upon other Nations. This the ancient Northern
People ufually did by Lot : which determined what part fhould continue
at home, and what remove.
14. When a military State grows foft and effeminate, War certainly Ar/V/Mr^»
follows. For fuch States commonly grow rich in the time of their degene- ^,""^^ i''"^'-
rating ; whence the Prey invites, and their Decay in Valour encourages an '"'^ 'Jl"^""^ '•
Invafion upon them.
15. IFcafons, Jrr/is, or JrtiUery, tho they hardly flill under Rule and ^^' ^'■''■'''''•
Obfcrvation ; yet even thefe have their Returns and VicilTitudes. For Brafs y"^"^ "^/i!"''
Cannon was known in the Time of Alexander the Great, at the City oi Arms.
Oxydraces in India ; being what the Macedonians call'd Thunder, Light-
ning, and Magical Operations. And the Cbinefe have had the Ufe of Ord-
nance and Gunpowder above two thoufand Years.
1 6. The Properties and Improvements of Arms are,/?;/? that of reaching The Properties
to agreatDiftance: for this out-runs Danger; as in Ordnance and Mufkets. "f ■^"f"''
Secondly^ the Strength of the Percuffion ; wherein likewife Ordnance ex-
ceed all Arietations, and ancient Inventions. The third is, Commodiouf-
nefs of Ufe, as that they may ferve in all Weathers ; that the Carriage be
light, nnanageable, (yc.
17. (3.) As for Military Condud and Difcipline ; at the firft. Men X«< Progrefs
principally relied upon Number, and trufted to downright Force and Va- "^ ^/''"'^ .
Jour ; frequently appointing pitch'd Battles, and fo trying it out upon ^jfcpii^e^"
even Terms. They were then unfkill'd in drawing up and marfhalling
their Armies : Aftem'ards they depended rather upon competent, than
vaft ones. They now took the Advantages of Place, praftlfed Feints, Stra-
tagems, (j'c. and grew more fkilful in preparing for Battle.
18. In the Youth of a State Arms flourifh ; in the middle Age Learn- The Revolu-
ing ; then both of them together for a time ; and in the Decline, mecha- tior.s of Learn-
nicai Arts and Trades. Learning has its Infancy, when 'tis but trivial and'"'»*
childifh •, next its Youth, when it is luxuriant and juvenile ; then its
Strength, when 'tis folid and reduced ; and laftly, its old Age, when it
becomes dry, exhaufted and talkative. But it is improper to look long
upon thefe turning Wheels of Viciffitude, left we become giddy.
M 2 Essay
84^
Moral Essays.
Sea. L
The Nature
of Truth hi
general.
w
The Nature
cf Divine and
Philefophifal
Truth.
The Nature
of Truth, or
Veracity, in
Civil Life.
Essay XIII. O/ Truth.
H A T is Truth ? fiiid Pilate in Derifion > and would not ftay
for an Anfv/er. Certainly fome Men delight in Giddinefs; and
count it Bondage to fix an Opinion : Thus affefting a Freedom of Will
in thinking, as well as in afting. And tho the Sefts of this kind of Philo-
fophers are ceafed -, there ftill remain certain difputatious Wits, of the fmie
Vein, tho not fo rich. 'Tis not, however, the Difficulty and Labour of
difcovering Truth, nor the Captivity of Thought it impofes, when difco-
ver'd, that brings Lies into Favour : But a natural, tho corrupt Love of
the Lie itfelf. 'Tis hard to fay,why Men Hiould love Lies ; which they nei-
ther make for Pleafure, nor Advantage, but for the Lies fake. I know
not how. Truth is a kind of naked and open Day-light ; that fhews not
the Mafks, and Mummeries, and Triumphs of the World, half fo ftate-
ly as Torches and Candle-light. Truth may, perhaps, bear the Price of a
Pearl, that fhews beft by Day •, but not rife to the Price of a Diamond,
that Ihews beft in varied Lights. A mixture of a Lie always adds Plea-
fure. And if vain Opinions, flattering Hopes, falfe Valuations, Imagi-
nations, and the like, were abolifhed, furely mens minds would be left
poor flirunken things •, poflefTed with Melancholy, Uneafmefs and Difplea-
fure. One of the Fathers called Poetry the PFine of Devils ; becaufe it fills
the Imagination, tho but with the Shadow of a Lie. Tho 'tis not the Lie
that pafles thro the Mind, but the Lie that finks and fettles in it, which
does the mifchief. And however thefe things are, in our depraved Judg-
ments and Affedlions ; yet Truth, which alone can judge itfelf, teaches,
that the fearch or courting the acquaintance and pofleffion thereof, is the
fovereign Good of human Nature.
2. The firft Creature of God, in the fix days Works, was the Light of
Senfe •, the laft was the Light of Reafon •; and his Sabbath-work, on foot
ever fince, is the Illumination of his Spirit. Firft he breathed Light upon
the face of Chaos; then into the face of man ; and ftill he breathes Light
into the face of his chofen. Lucretius laid well, " 'Tis a pleafure to ftand
*' upon the Shore, and fee Ships tofs'd at Sea •, a Pleafure to ftand in a Caf-
tle, and view a diftant Battle : but no Pleafure is comparable to ftand-
ing upon the Rifing-ground of Truth, and furveying the Errors, the
Wanderings, the Mifts, and the Tempefts of Mankind, in the Vale be-
*' low : " provided this Survey be made with Compaffion, and not with
Pride. 'Tis certainly Heaven upon Earth, for a Man's mind to move
in Charity, reft in Providence, and turn upon the Poles of Truth.
3. As for Truth, or Veracity, in civil Affairs ; even thofe who praftife
it not, acknowledge, that clear and round dealing is the Honour of Man's
Nature-, and that a mixture of Falftiood, is like allay in Gold ; which, tho
it may make the metal Work the better, yet debafes it. For thefe wind-
ing and crooked Courfes are the Ways of the Serpent, that goes bafely up-
on
«c
((
Se6l. I. Moral Essays. 85-
on the Belly ; and not upon the Feet. No Vice fo covers a man with
Sh.ime, as to be found fidJe and perfidious. And therefore Montaig» afligns
this Iharp Reafon why giving the Lie Ihould be fo odious ; •viz. that it calls
thePcrfon xBravado towards God, but a Coivard towards Men: For a Liar
afuiults Gcd^ but fhrinks from Man. Surely the Wickednefs of Faldiood,
and Breach of Faith, cannot be higher exprefled, than in that it fhall be as
the lait Peal, to call the Judgments of God upon the Generations of men : 'f^^^.AiJjkjr nu^ ke^
For 'tis foretold, that Chrijl, at his fccond coming, fiall not find -Fahli u^cn ^^- —
the Earth.
Essay XIV. O/ A n g e r.
I. fT^ O pretend utterly to extinguifh Anger, is but a Stoical Oftenta- -^''5"' ""^
X. tion. We have better Oracles -, be angry., but fin not : Let net '"-j^'^^n,^^
the Sun go do'-u.-n upon your wrath. Anger mufl be limited and confined, both *
in point of Height and Duration.
2. To allay a Habit or natural Inclination to Anger, there is no better «"^ '" I"
Way than to reflecl: ferioufly upon the Calamities and Difturbances it oc- '»cif4«rf.
cafions in Life. The beft time for this Reflection is foon after the Fit is
over ; when it may be feen ftrongly by a Retrofpe<51:ion. Seneca faid ele-
gantly, .r/wgfr/V like a falling Hou/e, that breaks itfelf to pieces upon every thing
inits-jjay. The Scripture exhorts us, to pofifefis our fouls in patience. And
certainly, whoever is out of Patience, is out of die polTefllon of his Soul.
It is not for Men to imitate Bees, and fting to the lofs of their Souls ^.
3. To confider it juftly. Anger is a mean thing, below the Dignity oiz^ovi govtm.
Man i as appears by the Weaknefs of thofe in whom it principally reigns i ''
•viz. Children, Women, the Aged, and the Sick. And therefore if a
Man happen to be angry, let him, if he would not forget his Dignity,
carry his Anger, not with Fear, but Contempt of the Perfon •, fo as to
feem above the Injury offer'd : which is eafily done, where a Man can
bend and govern his Anger a little.
4. The Caufes and Motives of Anger are chiefly three: viz. (i.) too Three Caujes
great a Senfibility of Injuries •, for no Man is angry, who feels not him- of dinger ;
felf hurt. Whence tender and delicate Perfons mull needs be often angry ; viz.$«;/i*/wy
as having fo many tilings to ruffle them, which are fcarce felt by more"-' "j'*"'''
robufl Natures.
5. (2.) \fecond Caufe or Motive of Anger, is a quick Apprehenfion and straining of
an ingenious ftraining of an Injury oiFer'd,with regard to the Circumftances '*' imennon.
thereof ; fo as to reprefent it highly contemptuous. For Contempt whets
Anger, more than the Injury itfelf. And therefore the Men who are in-
genious in picking out Circumllances of Contempt, flrangely inflame their
own Anger.
6. (3.^ Laflly, the Thought of an Affront, or confequential Diminu- o-^"" Tfwifr-
tion of Reputation, fharpens and increafes Anger. The Remedy is, to "^J^ff ^^*'
have,
* jfnimdfque in vuljurt fcnunt
>».
86 Moral Essays. Se6l. I.
have, a& Gon/alvo ad vifed his Soldiers, ^. good Jlrong Cloth of Honour. But
in all bridling of Anger, 'tis beft to gain time, and make ones felf believe
the opportunity of Revenge is not yet come -, but that we forefee a defi-
rable one at hand, and fo to quiet ourfelves in the interim, and referve it.
To prevent 7. To keep Anger from proving mifchievous, there are three things that
Anger from j-gqyjj-g particular Caution. One is to avoid fevere Words -, efpecially fuch as
{''hkvcls. ^'■^ cutting and appofite : For common Railing has little Sting. The
■■ fecond is, that in Anger a Man reveal no Secrets ; for this unfits him for
J^*%-1 !?«♦'« Society. The //;/><;/ is, not peremptorily to break off the prefent Bufmefs,
in a Fit of Anger ; but however Paflion may rife, to aft nothing that is
irrevocable.
tJow to ra'ife g. Anger, in another, is raifed and appeafed chiefly by a prudent choice
or allay An- ^^ Times ; as to incenfe Men -when they are fad, and out of humour :
germane •'*''• ^j^^^ again, by raking up and repeating all that may any way fhew or
aggravate the Contempt. The Storm is laid by the two contrary Means ;
VIZ. the choice of ferene or chearful Hours, for firft relating difagree-
able or provoking Matters ■, becaufe the firft Imprefllon is ftrong. The
other is the feparating, by all pofhble Means, the Conftruftion of the In-
jury from the Contempt •, imputing it to Ignorance, Fear, Paflion, or
what you will.
Essay XV. O/" Revenge.
The impru- j _ yj EVENGEis a kind of wild Jufliice ; which, the more it fpreads
kinzRevln''^. -t^ '" human Nature, the more ought the Law to weed it out.
" ' For the firft Injury only offends the Law ; but Revenge entirely fets
afide its Authority. Certainly, in taking Revenge a Man is but even
with his Enemy ; whereas by forgiving, he becomes his Superior : For it
is a princely thing to pardon. And Solomon lays, 'tis the glory of a man to
pafs over a tranfgrejjion. What is paft is irrevocable ; and wife Men find it
enough to regard what is prefent and to come : thofe therefore do but
trifle, and difquiet themfclves in vain, who labour about what is paft.
Injuries fel- 2. No Man does Wrong for the Wrong's fake; but either to procure
^JJ^^'^^'^'J"'' KimMf Profit, Pleafure, Honour, or the like. Why therefore ftiould I
fakes. be angry with a Man for loving himfelf better than me .'' And if a Man
fliould do wrong, merely out of ill Nature ; yet 'tis but like the Thorn
or the Briar, which prick and fcratch, becaufe it is their Nature.
The pruden- ^. Revenge is the more excufable, where the Law has provided no Re-
takin^^l.e- mcdy : but then the Revenge muft be fuch, as there is no Law to punifh :
■vengt. otherwife a Man doubles his own Punifliment -, and gives his Enemy the
Advantage. Some, when they take Revenge, give notice when it comes.
This fliews a more generous Temper; that delights not fo much in doino-
the Injury, as in making the Aggreffor repent : But bale and cowardly
Natures are like the Arrow that flicth in the dark.
Terjidious 4. Coftnus, Duke of Florence, had a flinging Apopthegm againft perfidi-
Triends ^"'^ q^s Fricnds j as if they were unpardonable. " You Ihall read, fays he.
Se(5t, I. Moral Essays. 87
" that we are commanded to forgive our Enemies -, but you never read,
" that we are commanded to forgive our Friends". The Spirit of Job
was in better Tune •, who faid, fl^all ive receive Good at the hands of God,
and not be content ivith Evil alfo ? This is certain ; he who ftudies Revenge,
keeps his own Wounds green; which would otherwife heal.
1^. Publick Revenge is generally profperous; as for the Deaths of de/ar, Pul>lick Re-
Pertinax^ Henry the Third of France, and many more: But in private Re- *'«"5« /<"■'«-
verge the Cafe is otherwife. Nay, vindicative Perfons have rather the""-"^^^"' ""
Fate of Witches ; who living mifchievous, generally die unfortunate.
Essay XVI. 0/Envy.
I. -vtONE of the PafTions are fuppofed to fafcinate, but Love and ^"^y ""''
_1^ Envy : both which caufe violent Defires ; fuddenly form them- a^^^',^,^^'
fclves into Imaginations and Suggeflions •, and both readily come into the /it, rafcina-
Eye ; efpecially upon the Prcfence of the Objedl : which are the Points t'wn.
tJiat conduce to Fafcination, if any fuch thing there be*. The Scripture
calls Envy an evil Eye ; and the Aftrologers call the bad Influences of the
Stars, evil ylfpe^s : fo that in the Aft of Envy, there feems to be generally
acknowledged an Irradiation, or Darting of the Eye. Nay, fome have ob-
ferved, that an envious Eye proves moft pernicious when the Perfon envied
is view'd in Triumph ; which gives an edge to Envy : And befides, at
fuch times the Spirits of the Perfon envied come into the outward Parts,
and fo meet the Blow ^.
2. He who has no Virtue in himfelf, is apt to envy it in another. For ^'^"^ P'r-
Mens Minds will either feed upon their own Good, or others Evil : and/""f. "^* ""^
he who wants the one, will feize the other. Again, he who defpairs of ;.;„^,j, . yig
attaining to the Virtue of another, will gladly diminifh the Difference, the kfs vh-
by depreciating his Rival. tmus.
3. Meddling and inquifitive Perfons are commonly envious; for to be ^^« initifi-
very inquifitive about other Mens Bufinefs, cannot greatly conduce to the""'^'
doing of ones own. Whence bufy Natures take a kind of Theatrical
Pleafure, in viewing the Fortunes of others. Nor can the Man intent up-
on his own Bufinefs, find much Occafion for Envy ; which is a gadding
Paffion, that loves to be abroad 8.
4. Men of noble Birth are obferved to be envious towards new-rifing The XohiUty.
Men ; the former Diftance being now alter'd : like a Deceit of the Eye,
when as things appear to go off', fome others come on.
5. The deform'd. Eunuchs, old Men, and the illegitimate are envi- The defirm'J
ous : For he that cannot mend his own Cafe, will do his utmoil to im- illegitimate, '
pair anothers ; unlefs thefe Defeats light upon generous and heroical Na- ^'^•
cures, who endeavour to make them a part of their Glory: as to have it
faid, that an Eunuch, or a Cripple, did this, in the way of a Wonder ; as in
the
* See the S'^lva Sjlvarum, under the Article, Imagination.
■^i- ^ See the Article Imagination, in the Sylva Sylvarnm,
' Hon eft curiofu!, quin idem jit mdevolus.
€8 Moral Essays. Se6t. I.
the Cafe of Narfes^ the Eunuch, and of Jgefilaus^ and Tamerlane, who
were lame.
rhe Vnfcr- 6. The Cafe is much the fame with thofe that rife after Misfortunes :
tum7te re- fu^h Men being commonly angry with the Times ; and relifh other Mens
■'"'^ ■ Sufferings as a Compenfation of their own.
TJjtife defirous 7. They who, out of Levity and Vain-glory, defire to excel in too
"/ '"""y ^^- many ways, muft needs be envious; becaufe 'tis impoffible but many
<eUencies. f^ould furpafs them in one or other of thefe ways. Thus the Emperor
Adrian mortally envied Poets, Painters, and other Artificers in Ways
wherein he was ambitious to excel.
Relations and 8. Laftly, neat Relations, Fellows in OfEce, and Perfons bred up to-
Colltguts. gether, are apt to envy their Equals upon being advanced ; becaufe this
Advancement upbraids them with their own Fortunes : as it were pointing
at and galling them. It likewife comes more into the Obfervation of others ;
and Envy always reflefls and redoubles from Fame and Difcourfe : whence
Cain's, Envy appears the more malignant ; becaufe, when Abel's, Sacrifice
was better accepted, no Man ftood by to obferve it.
rhe Perfom g. Perfons of eminent Virtue are lefs envied when advanced ; becaufe
haft apt to_ he Promotion feems their due : and no Man envies the Payment of a Debt.
the Tvorthy. ' Befides, Envy is always joined with Self-comparifon •, fo that where there
is no Comparifon, there is no Envy : whence Kings are only envied by
Kings. The Unworthy are moft envied in their firft Rife, and after-
wards lefs •, but Men of Merit are moft envied upon a long Enjoyment of
Fortune. For tho their Virtue be ftill the fame, yet it now lofes of its
Luftre ; frefli Men growing up to eclipfe it.
Ncbility. lo. Nobles are lefs expofed to Envy in their rifing •, becaufe Honours
feem due to their Birth •, and make but little apparent Addition to their
Fortune: For Envy is like the Sun, that beats hocteft upon rifing Grounds,
On the fame Account, Perfons raifed by degrees are lefs envied than thofe
advanced of a fudden.
Thiife who 1 1 . They whofe Honours are joined with great Fatigues, Anxieties and
v'ln their Dangers, are lefs envied. For in this Cafe Men conceive, that Honour
^Irdl" ^'^^ dearly purchafed -, and fometimes begin to pity the Purchafer : but
Pity is almoft the certain Cure of Envy ■'.Whence the more deep and fober
Politicians in high Places, are always complaining what a Life they lead -,
and chanting a ^anta patimur : Not that they feel what they fay ; but
merely to blunt the Edge of Envy, This is to be underftood of Bufi-
nefs impofed upon fuch Men ; and not of what they procure to themfelves ;
For nothing excites Envy more, than an ambitious Grafping, and immo-
derate Monopoly of Bufinefs ; as nothing extinguifhes it more, than for a
Man in a s:reat Poft to continue the full Rights and Privileges to his in-
feriour Officers ; who thus become fo many Skreens betwixt himfelf and
Envy.
12. Above all. Envy beats ftrongeft upon thofe who carry the Great-
Tiefs of their Fortunes with lafolence and Haughtinefs ; and are always
Ihewing
*• See below, §. 13.
SecV. I. Moral EssATs. 89
flicwing ir, eicher by outward Pomp, or by triumphing over their \-an-
quifhcd Adverfarics or Competitors i whereas wife Men will rather lacri-
fice to Envy, in fuffcring themlelves to be fometimes crofTed, and conquer-
ed, in Matters of no great Moment. Yet an open and undiirembled Ma-
nifeftation of Greatnefs, v/ithout Arrogance and Vain-glory, raifes lefs
Envy, than when carried in a more crafty and fkulking Manner. For by
this difguifed Conduft a Man impeaches Fortune, as if confcious of his
own want of Worth •, and fo provokes others to envy him.
13. And, as we above obferved, that the Adl of Envy has fomewhatT/;^ Cure »f
of Fafcination in it -, fo it admits of no other Cure, but the Cure of En- i^"'^y'
chantment : that is, to remove the Lor, and lay it upon another. For
which purpofe the wifer fort of Politicians always bring upon the Stage
fome Servant, Affociate, (^c. on whom to derive the Envy that would
otherwile fail upon themfelves. And for fuch Tools, there are never want-
ing certain rafh and enterprizing Spirits-, who, to get into Power, or Of-
fice, will take it on any Condition.
14. There is, however, fome Good in publick Envy; tho none in pri- ^'-"^ Difer.
vate. For publick Envy is a kind of wholfome Oftracifm, that eclipfes"^^^'^^"''^''^'
Men when they grow too great: and therefore proves a Rein to keep »rr;/4/e£wy.
Men of Power within bounds.
In. Publick Envy, call'd in the modern Languages, Male-content, ^"^^"^''/"'"y
is a^Difeafe in a State, like to Infection': For as Infedlion fpreads '"^* ^"■'"'^'"''
and taints what is found -, fo when Envy is got into a State, it traduces
even the beft Adions and Inftitutions thereof; and turns them into an ill
Odour : whence there is little advantage in intermixing plaufible and po-
pular Aftions with fuch as are odious: For this only argues Weaknefs
and Fear of ^n\y ; which thus proves more pernicious, as in InfeCbion,
which thro Fear is caught the fooner.
16. This publick En^^ feems to beat ftronger upon the principal Offi- How known
cers or Minifters of a Kingdom, than upon Kings and States themfelves. '" ^« "/"'"
And here it is a Rule, that if the Envy be great againft the Minifter, 'j'^^^'j"j^"''
when the Caufe in him is fmall ; or if the Envy be almoft general, or upon the
againft all the Minifters of State, then, tho fecret, it ftrikes at the King Frince,
or State itfelf.
1 7. Envy, of all the AfFe<fl:ions,is the moft importunate and continual : For is a reftlejs
the Occafions of the other Paffions occur but feldom. Whence it was well ^"^»»-
faid, that Emy makes fio Holidays : For 'tis ever at work. And hence it
is alfo obferved, that Love and Envy make a Man lean ; v/hich the other
Affcftions do not, becaufe not fo continual. 'Tis likewife the vileft Af-
feftion, and the moft depraved ; for which Reafon 'tis the proper Attri-
bute of the De\'il, who is called the envious Man, that fozveth Tares
among/} the JVheat by night : for Envy always works craftily in the dark ;
and to the Prejudice of the beft things, fudi as Wheat.
Vol. n. ' N Essay
' See the£flay upon Stditiom and Troublts, SeA. Ill,
90
Moral Essays.
Sea, I.
Great Men
Itaft I'utble to
extravagant
Love,
tove tyran'
Tiizes over
Things.
Its Tides,
Is a natural
Principle in
Essay XVII. Of Love.
I- '~r^ H E Stage is more beholding to Love, than real Life : For Love
A is the conftant Subjedl of Comedy, and fometimes of Trage-
dy : but in Life it frequently proves mifchievous ; one while as a Sjrcn,
another as a Furji. Among all the great and illuftrious Perfons, whether
of ancient or modern Date, fcarce one has been afFefted with the mad
degree of Love: which fhews, that great Minds and great Bufinefs ex-
clude this effeminate Paflion. We muft, however, except Marc Antony
and Appins Claudius ; the former a voluptuous and luxurious, but the lat-
ter an auftere and prudent Man: Whence it appears, that Love may
fometimes enter not only an open, but even a well fortified Heart ; if a
careful Watch be not kept. It was a groveling Saying of Epicurus ; We
are a fufficiently ample 'theatre to each other : As if a Man, made to contem-
plate the Heavens, fhould, inftead thereof, adore but a little Idol ; and fub-
je£t himfelt to the Eye, an Organ given him for a nobler Purpofe.
2. 'Tis ftrange to obferve the Excefs of this PalTion -, and how it in-
fults the Nature and true Value of things : infomuch that to fpeak in a
perpetual Hyperbole fuits no Subjefl: but Love. Nor is this Hyperbole
confined merely to Phrafe. The arch Flatterer, wherewith all the petty
Flatterers have Intelligence, is juftly liiid to be a Man's felf ; but the Lov-
er is a greater Flatterer even than this : For never did proud Man think
fo abfurdly well of himfelf, as the Lover does of his Miftrefs. Whence
the juftnefs of that common Saying •, '''fis impojfible to love., and be wife. Nor
does this Phrenfy appear to others only, but moft to the Perfon beloved,
unlefs the Love be reciprocal. For 'tis a true Rule, that Love is always
repaid with Love, or fecret Contempt. Whence Men fhould be watchful
of this Paffion ; as it lofeth not only other things, but even itfelf The
other Loffes attending it are elegantly expreffed in the Fable of the Poets,
which fliews that he who prefcrr'd Helen., quitted the Gifts of Juno and
Pallas : For whoever gives himfelf up to Love, bids adieu both to Riches
and Wifdom.
3. This PafTion has its Spring-Tides when the Mind is weakeft •, viz.
at the times of great Profperity, and of great Adverfity : tho the latter
may have been lefs obferved. For both thefe times kindle up Love, and
make it more fervent : which fhews it to be the Child of Folly. They
do beft, who, if they miifb admit of Love, make it keep quarter ; and
feparate it wholly from their ferious Affairs, and the Bufinefs of Life : For
if it once interfere with Bufinefs, it difturbs the whole Frame thereof; and
hinders Men from being fteady to their own Ends.
4. However it happens, military Men are much given to Love ; per-
haps as they are given to Wine : For Dangers commonly require to be
paid with Pleafures. There is in human Nature a fecret Inclinaiion and
Motion to the Love of others ; which, if noi fpent upon fome one, or a
few J
Se61:. I. M o R A L E s s A Y s. 91
few, it naturally fpreads towards many, and makes Men humane and cha-
ritable ; as we fometimes fee in Monks. Conjugal Love produces, fo-
ciaJ Love improves, but wanton Love corrupts NIankind ^.
Essay XMIL Of Goodness an^ Goo d-n a t u r e.
G'
I Oodnefs I call the Habit, and Good-nature the Inclination to pro- Goodnefs and
mote the Welfare of Mankind. This is the greateft Virtue of^'""^-""""'''
the Mind J the Charafter and Copy of the Deity; without which '^ ''■''*
Men are but noxious Animals. Goodncfs anfwers to the theological \'ir-
tue of Charity ; and admits no Excefs, but Error. The dcfire of Power
in Excefs caufed the Angels to fall ; the defire of Knowledge in Excefs
caufed Man to fall ; but in Charity there is no Excefs: neither can Angel
or Man come into danger by it.
2. An Inclination to Goodnefs is deeply implanted in human Nature ; f^"'"^-»-'-''"'»
and if it wants an Opportunity of exerting itfe If towards Men, it turns ""^'"."'''f "*
afide to Brutes ; as we lee in the 'Turks ; who, tho a cruel and barbarous
People, are merciflil to Beads, and give Alms to Dogs and Birds. Yet
this Virtue of Charity is not without its Errors. The Italians have a
fhrewd Proverb ; So good, as to be good for nothing. And Macbiavcl ventu-
red to write, almoft in plainTerms, that the Chrijiian Faith gai-e up the Good
and the Innocent a Prey to Tyrants: which he fiid becaufe no Law, Sed:,
or Opinion ever carried the Point of Goodnefs fo high as the Chr^ftian
Religion does. To avoid, therefore, both the Scandal and the Danger,
it is proper to know the Errors of fo excellent a Habit.
7,. Endeavour the Good of others without being a Slave to their Faces, Rules fir the
or Fancies; otherwife this is Facility or Softnefs, which takes an honeft '^""'''^^ "/
Mind Prifoner. Neither throw a Gem to y£/o/)'s Cock, that would be better "" "'^^'
pleafed with a Barley-Corn. The Example of God is our beft Direction
in this Cafe: He fends hisRain both upon the jujl and unjufl ; but does not rain
Wealth, nor fliine Honour and Virtue upon all Men equally. Common
Benefits are to be communicated with all ; but peculiar Benefits with a
chofen few. And beware of breaking the Pattern in taking the Portrait ; for
Divinity makes the Love of ourfelves the Pattern, and the Love of our
Neighbours the Portrait. Sell all that thou hajt, and giz-e it to the poor, and
follow me. But fell not all that thou haft, except thou come and follow
me; that is, except thou have a Vocation, wherein thou mayft do as much
good with a little, as with much : othervvife, in feeding the Streams, thou
drieft the Founuiin.
4. Nor is there only a Habit of Goodnefs, directed by right Reafon -, Good-naturt
but in fome Men there is a natural Difpofilion and Propenfity to ic ; as in y"*''"^ '"
others there is a natural Malignity : For fome are naturally averfe to the good „^,7'^ l"hcrs,
ol others. The lighter kind of Malignity turns to Morofenefs, Oppofition,
Pcrverfnefs, Obftinacy, or the like ; but the blacker fort to Envy and Ma-
N 2 lice.
* See the Tabic of Cufid, or Love, explained in the Author's Saftenth Veter:im>
px Moral Essays. Se6t. I
lice. Such Men almoft rejoice in the Calamities of others, and are always
a"-crravating of them ; not like the Dogs that licked Lazarus^?, Sores, but
like Flies that are always buzzing about any thing that is raw. And there
are many Mifantjoropes who delight in bringing Men to the Bough, tho
they have never a Tree for the purpofe, as Timon had, in their Garden.
Such Difpofitions are the Cancers and Impofthumes of human Nature.
And yet thefe are the fitteft Blocks to make Politicians of; like bent Tim-
ber, that is good for Ships defigned to be tofs'd, but not for Houfes that
are to ftand firm.
■ihe Marks ' 5. There are feveral Parts and Signs of Goodnefs. If a Man be civil
amlTokens «/^nd courteous to Strangers, it Iliews him a Citizen of the WorM ; whofe
Coodnefs. Wtzxt is no Wand cut off from other Lands, but a Continent that joins
them. If he be compaffionate to the AfBifted, it fhews a noble Soul ; like
the Tree which is wounded when it gives the Balm. If he eafily pardons
and forgives Offences, it fhews a Mind perched above the reach of Inju-
ries. If he be thankful for fmall Benefits, it fliews he values Mens Minds
before their Treafure. But above all, if he has St. Paul\ Perfe6lion, and
wiflies to be anathematized for the Salvation of his Brethren, it fhews a
divine ^Nature, and a kind of Conformity with Chrift himfelf.
Essay XIX. O/ Charity.
Three Degrees j _ f-r-\ Q return the Love of our Friends is the Charity of Publicans,
,/ charity. |_ ^j^j founded on the Bond of Utility •, but to be well affefted to-
wards our Enemies, is one of the fublimeft Vh-tues of the Chriflian Reli-
gion^ and an Imitation of the Divinity. But this Charity has feveral De-
grees -, the firft whereof is the forgiving our Enemies upon Repentance.
And there is fome refemblance of this Charity found among the more ge-
nerous wild Beafls : For 'tis faid that the Lion will not exercife Cruelty
upon the Creatures that fubmitand fill before him. The fecond Degree is
Forgivenefs of Enemies-, tho they remain flubborn, without Reconciliation
or Attonement. The third Degree is that, which not only pardons and
excufes, but even confers Benefits and good Offices upon Enemies.
Ma'y have 2. But thefe Degrees either liave or may have fomewhat of Oflentation -,
their Alia':), at leaft fomewhat of Greatnefs of Mind: and not proceed entirely from
pure Charity. For pofTibly when any one feels Virtue flow out of him, he
may be lifted up with it -, and be more delighted with the Fruit of his
own Virtue, than the Good and Happinefs of his Neighbour. But if a
Man, when he finds any Misfortune befall his Enemy from another
Quarter, be grieved and troubled at it, from the bottom of his Heart;
without fecretly rejoicing, as if he thought that his Day of Revenge and
Retribution were come ; this is the Virtue whofe Oppofite Job detefts r
If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him that hated me^ and triumphed that rnif-
fortune had found him out ; and this is the Exaltation, and top Perfeftion of
Charity.
Essay
Sed. I. Moral Essays. 55
Essay XX. Of johnng Prudence vj'ith Innocence.
WHEN the Judgment of a Man is depraved and corrupted, ^^'^ffJ^V,'^
will perpetually defpile and render infignificant all the Inftruc- '-^^^l^J;;^
tion and Perfuafion that does not begin with a Detcdion, and Reprefenta- r*; lii;,,;,^.
tion of the bad Complexion, or ill Habit, of" his Mind : For this would be
to apply a Remedy before the Wound is known and fearched. Men of no
Morals, who can never think jullly, are prcpoiTelled with a Notion, that
Goodncfs in others proceeds only from Simplicity, IgnocancG, and want
of Pradice in human Affairs ; and therefore they laugh at the moft pru-
dent and wholefome Advice of their Inftnidor, fo long as they find him
unacquainted with the things they have in their own Hearts ; and the moft
inward Concealments and Difguifes of their immoral Pradices. For as
SolcmoH juftly obfcrvcs; a Foci iviUne^>:cr reccrve the IFord of trifdom till you
/peak the very things he has ia his heart. He, therefore, that aims not at a
folitary Goodnefs, but at fudi as is feminal and generative, fo as to draw
and prevail upon others, ihould underftand all thofe things which are call-
ed the depths of Satan ; that he may fpeak with Authority, and truly en-
ter into the Minds of the vicious. And to this End was given us the
Precept ; Try all things., and hold to that which is befi. Whereby we
are direded firft to a general Examination •, and then to the making a ju-
dicious Choice. And from the fimc Fountain fprings that other Admoni-
tion ; Be vjifc as Serpents, but harmlcfs as Doi-es. So that there is no fcr-
pentine Tootlx, no Venom, no Sting, that we ought to be unacquainted,
with. And let not any one here be afraid of Pollution and Taint: For
the Sun, tho it enters the moft loathfome Places, is not defiled thereby.
Nor again, let any one fufped it is tempting of God ; for we are affured.
in Scripture, that be is fufficient to keep us ttnjpotted '.
Essay XXI. O/' S upe rs t it lo n.
I. TT T is better to have no Belief of a God, than one that is difgrace- AthtifmUfs
X. ful and unworthy of him : The firft being but Infidelity ; the other /'«'■"'"«"'^
Impiety and Contumely. And certainly Superftition is a Reproach of the '^'^" ^'^^'^'
Deity. Plutar-ch faid well, " That he had rather Men fiiould aftert there-' ""'
*♦ was no fuch Perfon as Plutarch ; than that there was one Plutarch who
*' devoured his Children as foon as they were born". And as the Reproach
of Superftition is greater towards God ; fo the Danger thereof is greater
towards Men. Athcijm ftill leaves a Man to Senfe, to Philofophy, na-
tural AfFedion, Laws, and the Defire of Reputation : All which, tho
Religion were wanting, may procure an external moral Virtue. But Super-
ftition difmounts all thefe ; and fets up an abfolute Tyranny in the Minds
of Men. Whence Atheifm feldom breeds Dift^jrbances in States : For it
makes
» See the Dc Angmenth Sciemiarum, Sed. XX, uc>
94- Moral Essays. Se6l:. I.
makes Men cautious and mindful of their own Security. Nay, we fee that
the Times inclin'd to Athcifm^ as thofe of Aiignflm Cafar^ were quiet
Times. But Supojiition has been the Ruin of numerous States -, as intro-
ducing a new Pimum Mobile, that over-rules all the Spheres of Govern-
ment.
The Proce. 2. The Mafter of Super flition is the People-, and in all Superftirion
terkt ^"' "^''"^ Men follow Fools ; and Arguments are fitted to Praftice, in an in-
verted Order. It was gravely faid by certain Prelates in the Council of
Trent, that the Schoolmen, whofe Doftrine was there prevalent, were like
Aftronomers, who had feigned Eccentricks, Epicycles, (^c. to folve the
celeftial Phienomena, tho they knew there was really no fuch Machinery -,
for that in like manner, the Schoolmen had framed fubtile and intricate
Axioms, to folve the Pradtice of the Church.
Its Caufes. 3. The Caufes of SuperJIition are, (i.) pleafing and fenfual Rites and
Ceremonies •, (2.) Excefs of external and pharilaical Holinefs ; (3.) too
great Reverence of Traditions, which muft needs load the Church ;
(4.) the Stratagems of Prelates for their own Ambition and Lucre ;
(5.) the over-fivouring of good Intentions, which opens the Door to No-
velties and Superftitions ; (6.) the injudicious Application of human Exam-
ples to divine Matters, which breeds a fpurious mixture of Imaginations ;
and (7.) barbarous Times, efpecially if join'd with Calamities and Di-
fturbance.
Its Defor- ^_ Superftition unmafk'd is a deform'd thing : for as the being fo like
' ^' a Man adds Deformity to the Ape ; in like manner Superftition is the
more deform'd for its Likenefs to Religion. And as wholefome Meats
corrupt to little Worms ; fo good Forms and Orders corrupt into petty
Obfervances.
Superftition to 5. There is fometimes Superftition fliewn in avoiding Superftition •, when
ie avoided m y^^^ tWnk to do beft, by receding fartheft from the Superftition that be-
ejorma to . ^^^^ prevailed. Care therefore fhould be taken in the Reformation of Re-
ligion, left, as in ill purging, the good be taken away with the bad : which
commonly proves the Cafe, when the People is the Reformer.
Essay XXII. O/ Atheism.
The Belief o/j. "T T is harder to believe all the monftrous Fables of the Alcoran, the
^eF'"^ "*" X Talitml, or the Legend, than that this univerfal Frame is without
a Mind. God therefore never wrought a Miracle to confute Atheifm •, be-
caufe his ordinary Works confute it. 'Tis true, that a little natural Phi-
lofophy inclines Men to Atheifm ; but ciepth in Philofophy always brings
them about to Religion. For while the Mind looks upon fecond Caufes
fcatter'd, it may fometimes go no farther : but when it beholds the Chain
of them collected and linked together, it muft needs have recourfe to Pro-
vidence and a Deity. Nay, that School which is moft accufed of Athe-
ifm, moft clearly demonftrates Religion; iiiz. the School of Leucippus,
Demo-
Scfft. I. MoralEssays. py
Dcniocritus and Epicurus. For it is much more probable, that four muta-
ble Elements, and one immutable fifth EUcncc, duly and eternally placed,
fhould require no God -, than that a Holl of Atoms, and infinite Seeds
floating at random, fhoukl have produced this regular and beautiful Frame
of things, without a divine Marflial.
2. We read in Scripture, tbe Fool hath faid in bis heart, there is vo God. ThatAthelfm
'Tis not the Fool bath thought in his heart ; fo that he rather fays it " rather in
to himfelf, as what he would willingly have, than as what he can tho- ^l'"' 'r'"^'!'
roughly believe. For only they deny a God, who wifh there were none. "" ""^ "
That Atheifm is rather in the Lip than in the Heart appears in nothing
more than in this, that Atheifts are always defending their Opinion ; as if
they diftrurted it, and would gladly be ftrcngthened by the Confent of
others. Nay, we find Atheifls ftrive, as other Sefts do, to make Con-
verts ; and what is monftrous, fome of them will fuffer for Atheifm, ra-
ther than recant: whereas if they were really perfuaded there was no God,
why (hould they trouble themfclves about it ?
2- Epicurus is charged with diflembling, merely for his Reputation, when The opinion
he affirmed there were blefled Natures -, but fuch as enjoyed themfelves, "/ Epicmus
without interpofing in the Government of the World. In this they fiy "^^" the Sub-
he temporized ; and fecretly thought there was no God. But certainly'^
he is traduced ; for his Words are noble and divine. 'T/V fwt prophane,
fays he,-^ deny the Gods of the Vulgar ; hut it is prophane to apply tbe vul-
gar Opinions to the Gods. Plato could not have fpoke better. Whence it
appears, that tho he had the alTurance to deny the divine Adminiftration
of things •, yet he went not fo far as to deny the divine Nature.
4. The Weft Indians have Names for their particular Gods, tho they The Savages
have no general Name for God : As if the Romans fhould have had the '•'.'"'' " ^°'
Names, Jupiter, Jpollo, Mars, &c. but not the word Deus. This fhcws, """ "^ '^'^'
that even thofe barbarous People have a Notion of the Thing, tho not of
the Extent thereof So that the mere Savages join with the fubtilcft Phl-
lofophers againft the Atheifts.
5. The contemplative Atheift is rare; fuch as Diagoias, Bion, or Lucianwho are
perhaps, with fome few others: yet they feem to be more than they are ; ^''^"/'^r
becaufe all that oppofe a received Religion, or Superftition, are branded
by the contrary Party with the Name of Atheifts. But the great Atheifts
indeed are Hypocrites; who are ever handling holy things, wiihout feel-
ing : fo that they muft needs be cauterized in the End.
6. The Caufes o( yltheifm are, (i.) Divifions in Religion, if they heThe Caufesoj
numerous; for any one Divifion increafes Zeal on both fides; but many -^'^"J'"-
introduce Atheifm. (2.) Another Caufe is, the Scandal of Priejrs; where
St. Bernard's Words prove true : fFe can no longer fay like People, like Priefl ;
for tbe People mv: are not fo had as the Priefls. (3.) A third Caufe is, a
prophane Cuftom of Sporting, and Ridiculing in ftcred things; which by
degrees defaces the Reverence of Religion. (4.) And laftly, learned Times,
efpecially if attended with Peace and Profperity : For Troubles and Acl-
verficits ftrongly bend the Mind to Religion.
:. To
9^ Moral Essays. Se(St. I.
The Difad- y, To deny a God deftroys the Nobility of human Nature: For cer-
laKuses of (^iniy ]y[an is allied to the Bruce by his Body -, and if he be not aJlied to
tin/^ar" God by his Spirit, he is a bafe and ignoble Creature. It likewife deftroys the
Perfom. human Magnanimity and Exaltation : For example, obferve what Gene-
rofity and Courage a Dog will put on, when he finds himfelf fupported
by a Man •■, who to him is a kind of God. This Courage is manifeftly
fuch, as the Creature, without confidence of a better Nature than his own,
could never attain. So Man, when he relies upon the divine Proteftion
and Favour, acquires fuch a Strength and AlTurance as human Nature, left
to itfelf, could never obtain. Therefore, as Atheifm is every way odious,
fo alfo in this, that it deprives our Nature of the Means of rifing above
human Frailty.
And to Ka- g_ xhe Cafe is the fame in Nations as in particular Perfons. Never
*'""^' was fuch a State for Magnanimity as the Roman ; of which Cicero declares,
that it excell'd all others merely in Piety, and the Belief of an over-ruling
Providence".
Essay XXIIL O/ Miracles.
The Differ- TTTHEN God had Created the Univerfe, he furveyed it ; and faw
ence henvixt yy that all was extremely good. And our Saviour in all his Miracles,
'** ■'t^'^a'^'". which are new Creations, that break thro the Laws of the firft, perform-
ethers "" ^^ none but fuch as breathed Beneficence and Love. Mofes performed Mi-
racles ; and brought variety of Plagues upon the Egyptians. Elijah per-
formed Miracles •, and fluit up the Heavens, fo that it rained not upon the
Earth : And again, brought the Fire of God from Heaven upon the Cap-
tains and their Bands. EliJJja performed a Miracle ; and brought two of
the Bears out of the Wood to deftroy the Children that mock'd him.
St. Peter flruck Ananias dead ; and St. Paul ftruck Elymas the Sorcerer
with Blindnefs : But Jefjs did nothing of this kind. The Spirit of God
defcended upon him in the form of a Dove ; in allufion to which he faid,
ye knoTv not what Spirit ye are of: For the Spirit of Jefus is the Spirit of
the Dove. Thofe Ser^'ants of the Lord were as his Oxen treading out
the Corn, and trampling down the Chaff: But Jefus, the Lamb of God,
is without Anger, without Judgments. All his Miracles were beflowed
upon the Body -, and all his Doftrine upon the Soul of Man. Man's Body
ftands in need of Suftenance, Defence from external Injuries, and of Re-
medies : Accordingly Jefus brought ihoals of Fifh into the Nets to fupply
Man with Provifion ; he converted Water into Wine, to rejoice the Heart
of Man ; he pronounced Barrennefs upon the Fig-tree for not perform-
ing its Office, and fupplying Food to Man 5 he multiplied 'Fifhes and
Loaves
" S)uam volumui, licet, Patres Cenfcript'i, nos amemus, tamen nee numero Hifpanos, nee
robore Gatlos, nee calliditate Pcenos, nee artibus Gncos, nee deniq; hoe ipfo hu'us gentis c? ter-
n domeftico nativoq; Jenfu Itahs ipfos, (S' Latinos, fed Pietate ac lleligione, atque hae una
fapientia, quod Deorum imtnortalium Numine omnia regi gubernariq; perj'Hximus, omnes gentes
•nationefque fuperavimus. .
Se£l. I. MoralEssays.
I.oaves for the feeding of thoufands. lie allay'd the Winds, which
threatncd Dctlrudion to the Mariners •, he rcftored Limbs to the Lame,
Sight to the BHnd, Sjxrech to the Dumb, Health to the Sick, clean Flerti
to the Leprous, a found Mind to the Pofleffed, and Life to the Dead.
But 'yej'us pcrform'd no Miracles of Judgment; his were all Works of
Beneficence, and friendly to Man: fo that we may truly fay of him, he
did all things XLell.
97
V>'
E s s A V XXIV. Of Imposture.
IMpofture has three kinds of Stile or Forms of Speech. The firft is Thr» stiU:
ufcd by thofe, who, as foon as they have got any Matter, work it "f imfoftHre.
into an Art, impofe Technical Terms upon it ; then reduce all things in-
to Diilinctions; and from thefe draw out Pofitions, or Points of Doflrine,
and raife Oppofitions by Queftion and Anfwer. And hence proceeded the
Duft and Chaff of the Schoolmen.
2. The fecond is the Stile of thofe who with a flight of Wit, like in-
fpired Poets, invent vaft varieties of Examples -, to draw in the Minds of
Men. Whence we have the Lives of the Fatliers, and numberlefs Fi(ftions
of the ancient Hereticks.
5. The third, is the Stile of thofe who fill all things with Myfteries,
lofty Speeches, Allegories and AUufions : And in this Myftic and Gnoftic
Way, many Hereticks have trod. The firft is calculated to enfnare the
Senfe and Underftanding-, the fecond to entice ; the third to ftupefy : and
all of them to feduce Mankind ".
Essay XXV. Of Hypocrites.
I. 'T~* H E Boafts of Hypocrites are confined to the Works of the ^r^ The Vaunts of
X Table •, or confift only in the Veneration due from Man to God. «>;»-''''' ".7-
There are rwoReafons of this: For firft, thefe Works have a greater Pomp^''^;^^^^^";/'
of Sandlity -, and fecondly, a lefs Oppofition to Vice. The Confutation ^Vf^rcy.
therefore of Hypocrites is, to fend them from the Works of Sacrifice to
the Works of Mercy. I ivill have Mercy, and not Sacrifice. And again,
pure Religion and unfpotted before God is this, to vifit the Fatherkfs and IVidoivs
in Affliction. And again. He ivho loves not his Brother whom he has feen,
how Jlmll he love God, whom he has not feen?
2. But there are certain fublime and tumid Hypocrites, who being de- 3"/^« R'/'w.
ceived, and thinking themfelves worthy of a clofe Converfation with God, ^•''"«.^/
negleft the Offices of Charity and Beneficence to their Neighbour, as pj'/.'er *"
fmaller Matters. And this Error, tho it was not the Foundation of a
monaftic Life, yet added Excefs to what at firfl was well defign'd. For
'tis juftly faid, that the Gift of Prayer is a great Gift in the Church; and.
Vol. II. O 'tis
* See more to this Purpofe, in the firft Part of the Author's Ktvum Orianum,
98 Moral Essays. Sed. L
'tis of Ufe to the Church that there fhould be Societies of Men releas'd
from worldly Cares, and fet apart to folhcit God with their devout and
adidaous Prayers for the Good of the Church. But Hypocrify has a great
Refemblance with this Ordination •, tho the whole Inftitution is not con-
demned, but only the fierce and boafting Spirits reproved : For Enochs
who walked with God, prophefy'd, as we find in St. Jude, and benefit-
ed the Church with the Fruit of his Prophefy •, and John the Baptift,
whom fome make the Founder of a monaftick Life, minifler'd greatly
both in prophefying and baptizing.
The d'ifim- g^ gm; for thofe who are fo very officious towards God, this Queftion
^Mar'h^of is put ", If ihou palt do juftly, what dofi thou give to God, or what fiall he
Hypocrite!, receive from thine Hand ? The Works of Mercy therefore, when they are
wanting, infallibly diftinguifli Hypocrites. The contrary is the Cafe
with Hereticks: For as Hypocrites cloak their Injuries to Man under their
pretended Sandlity towards God ; fo Hereticks, under a certain kind of
Morality towards Man, infinuate their Blafphemies againft God. Another
Mark of Hypocrites is, that in the Church, and among the People, they
fwell, as if blown up with a facred Fury, and fet all things in a Flame •,
but to fee them in their Solitudes, private Meditations and Converlations
with God, they are cold, lifelefs and languid ; full of Malice, and the old
Leaven.
Essay XXVL Of Heresies.
Two Caufe! j _ M-t HERE are two Caufes of Herefy •, viz. the Ignorance of the
of Herefy. y \N\\\, and tlie Ignorance of the Power of God : which ii well
expreis'd in this fundamental Canon ; 2e err, not kaozving the Scriptures ;
nor the Power of God. The Will of God is bell reveal'd in the Scriptures,
which we are to fearch ; but his Power is beft reveal'd by the Creatures,
which we are to contemplate. The Fullnefs of the Power of God fhould
therefore be fo afferted, as not to blemifh his Will ; and the Goodnefs of
his Will to be fo maintain'd as not to leiTen his Power. True Religion
therefore lies in a Mean betwixt Superftition and fuperftitious Herefies on
the one fide, and Atheifm and prophane Herefies on the other.
The Differ- 2. Superflition, rejedling the Light of Scripture, and following corrupt
enu between qj. apocryphal Traditions, new Revelations, or falfe Interpretations of the
^andAiheifm. Scriptures, feigns many things concerning the "Will of God, that deviate
from, and are foreign to their Senfe. But Atheifm mutinies, and takes
Arms againft the Power of God ; not believing his Word, or that it re-
veals his Will, from a Difbelief of that Power, to which all things are
pofllble. And the Herefies proceeding from this Fountain feem of a more
heinous Nature than the refl: ; for thus in Civil Government 'tis a blacker
Crime to diminilh the Power and Majefty of the Prince, than to touch
his Charafter.
.q- The
Se£l. L Moral Essays. 99
;. The Hcrcfies which aiminilli the Power of God, arc of dirce I^-'" 2,V/2"
grecs, exclufive of downright Athcifm ''; and reft upon one and the fame [y,^' /J,^^^ ^y
Myftery, or Pretence of Goodnefs-, viz. the clearing of the Will ot God a^d are of
from all Afperfion of Evil. The fiyjl Degree is of thofe who make zv/o thnc Degrees.
equal Principles, contrary to, and contending with each other ; the one a
Principle of Good, and the other a Principle of Evil. The fecond De-
gree is of thofe who think the Majellyof God injured by raifing a pofirivc
and aiflive Principle againfl him ; and therefore, rejecting this Audacity,
oppofe to him a negative or privative Principle : For they would have the
Work of Matter and the Creation, by a native, internal, and fubftantial
Principle, to tend and return into Confufion and nothing : not confidering
that it requires the fame Omnipotent Power to annihilate Matter, as to create
it. The third Degree is of thofe who reftrain the former Opinion to hu-
man Acftiorts, which are fmful ; and make them fubftantially depend, with-
out any Connexion of Caufes, upon the internal Will and Pleafure of
Man ; aligning wider Limits to the Knowledge, than to the Power of
God, or rather to that Part of his Power (bccaufe Knowledge is Power)
by which he knows; than to that by which he moves and afts : Thus ma-
king him indolently to foreknow things which he does not predeftinate or
pre-ordain. But whatever depends not upon God, as an Author and Prin-
ciple, muft, by Conneflion, and fubordinate Degrees, be in the Place of
God •, a new Principle, and a kind of under-God. Whence this Opini-
on is juftly rejefted as injurious, and leflenlng both to the Majefty and
Power of God. For it is truly faid, that God is not the Author of Evil :
Not becaufe he is no Author, but becaufe he is no evil Author.
Essay XXVII. O/ f/^f Church.
WE every where meet with the Contradiftion of Tongues out of the
Tabernacle of God ; but within that it is faid, Men fhall be pro-
teded from them. 'Thou palt pyotetl them in thy Tabernacle from the Con-
tradition of Tongues. Accordingly, which way ibever we turn ourfelves,
there is no Determination of Controverfies, except within this Tabernacle ;
that is the Unity of the Church. But obferve, that in the Tabernacle
there was an Ark ; and in that Ark the Teftimony, or Tables of the Law :
fo that the Shell of the Tabernacle is little, without the Kernel of the Te-
ftimony. The Defign of the Tabernacle was to preferve and deliver the
Teftimony. In the fame manner 'tis the Office of the Church to preferve
and deli^'er down the Scriptures : but the Soul of the Tabernacle is the
Teftimony p.
• See above, Es i a y XXII.
P See the Eflay upon Unity in Religion, Seft. III. fub finem.
O 2 Essay
ICO Moral Essays. Se6l. L
Essay XXVIII. O/ Death.
The Tear of j, \ J[ ^^ fear Death, as Children fear the Dark. And as that natu-
^nTchTdi -^^ ^^^ ^'^^^ ^" Children is increafed by frightful Tales -, fo is the
other. Certainly, the Contemplation of Death, as the Wages of Sin,
and the Paflage to another World, is pious and wholefome •, but the Fear
of it, as a Debt due to Nature, weak and empty. Groans, Convulfions,
weeping Friends, Funeral Ceremonies, and the like, fhew Death terrible :
yet there is no Paflion fo weak, but conquers the Fear of it ; and there-
fore Death is no fuch terrible Enemy. Revenge triumphs over Death ;
Love flights it; Honour afpires to it; Dread of Shame prefers it ; Grief
flies to it ; Fear anticipates it. After Otho had (lain himfelf. Pity, the
• tendereft of the Affeftions, moved many to die and follow him. Nay,
Seneca judges a Man would die, tho he were neither valiant nor miferable ;
merely thro a we.irinefs of doing the fame things over and over again.
Great Minds »Tis no lefs Avorthy of notice, how little alteration the approaches of
dcfpife It. Death make in good Minds, who appear the fame to the lafb. Jugitflus
died with a Compliment ; 'tiberius in Diffimulation ; Vefpafmn with a Jeft;.
Galba with a Sentence ; and Septimius Severus with a form of Difpatch.
The Stoicks beftow'd too much Coft upon Death ; and by their great Pre-
parations made it appear more frightftil. Whereas it is as natural to die,
as to be born •, and to an Infint, perhaps, the one is as painful as the
other.
How to di- 3. He who dies in fome earneft Purfuit, is hke a Man wounded in hoc
mimjij the Blood ; and fcarce feels the Blow. Whence to have the Mind fix'd and
Pain and intent upon fome good Objeft, leffens the Pain of Death. But above
Apprehenjion ,, , ■ r n.i 1 »/r 1 i-,ii-t-i 1
of Death. ^^^' ^^^ Iweetelt to depart when a Man has obLim d his Ends, and wor-
thy Expedations. Death alfo has this Advantage, that it opens the Gate
to Faroe, and extinguifhes Envy.
SECT.
Sed. II. Oeconomical Essays. ioi
S E C T. II.
Essays upon Oeconomical Subjects.
Essay I. Of Youth, and Age.
I. \ Man young in Years, may be old in Hours; If hcrhas loft no Tout h feldom
f\ Time: buc rhis rarely happens. Youth is generally like thcM^"' ""^■"
-*• *■ firft Thought, not fo wife as the fecond : For there is a Youth ,f, "'
in Mens Thoughts, as well as their Ages. Yet the Invention of young
Men, is more lively than of old ; and In^aginations ftream into their
Minds better, and as it were more divinely.
2. Natures diforder'd with much Heat, violent Defires and Perrurba- /w/^w/»»
tions, are not ripe for Adtion, till they have pafs'd the Meridian of Life: ^>'«;«^^ "ot
as we fee in Julius Cafar ; and again in Septimius Severus, of whom 'tis{^°."^^^' ■^'"'
fiid. That his juvenile Tears were full of Errors, or even Furyi; and yet he
was almoft the ableft Emperor of the. whole Lift. But corripofed Na-
tures may flourifti even in Youth : as appears by Juguflus Ctefar, Cofmus
Duke of Florence, and others.
3. On the other hand. Heat and Vivacity in old Age make an excellent vivacity in
Compofition for Bufinefs. Young Men are fitter to invent than to judge ; "''^ -^5^
fitter for Execution, than for Counfel ; and fitter for new Projefts, than '^"^"^. /^
eftablifti'd Bufinefs. For old Mens Experience dircdls them in things ^'^'^ fc^BuU^^s
fall within its reach •, but mifleads them in new Matters.
4. The Errors of young Men are often the Ruin of Bufinefs : where- The niffcr-
as the Errors of old ones feldom go farther than this, that more might «»c» ieru-ixt
have been done, or fooner. Young Men in the Management of Bufinefs '^' furors of
grafp more than they can hold ; ftir more than they can ftill ; flie to ^^Q^anPcU.'^
End, without well confidering the Steps and the Means; abfurdly follow
certain Rules they have fallen upon by Accident ; ufe violent Remedies at
firft; and laftly, v.hat doubles all Errors, do not acknowledge or retraft
them ; like an unruly Horfe, that will neither ftop nor turn. Old Men
objed: too much, confult too long, venture too little, repent too foon,
and feldom drive Bufinefs to a fiiU Period ; but content themfelves with a
Mediocrity of Succefs.
5. Certanly it were proper to mix old Men and young together in Bu- yi mixture ef
finefs. This would prove ufcful in prefent, becaufe the Advantages of o.'rf4»iro«B^:
both Ages might thus correft the Defeds of either : and ufeful in future, i''^^o"">"n^i<i
becaufe young Men might thus learn, while old ones govern'd. And '" "■/'"^•'^'
laftly, it \^'ould be better for compofing externa! Accidents ; becaufe Age
procures Authority, as Youth does Favour and popular Eftecm.
6. But
9 Juventuiem e^'t trrorilus, ima furorik:4s plenam^
101 Oecokomical Essays! Se^. II.
Young Men g. g^it in Morality, Youth perhaps will have the Preheminence •, as Age
more ptoral -^.^^ -^^ Policy. A certain Rabbi from this Texx, Tour yoms Men fio all fee
than old ones, ,,. , ■' n %/> n m i r^ • r i TV»
J/ ijions^ and your old Men jball dream Dreams, inters, that young Men
arc admitted nearer to God, than old ones •, becaufe Vifxon is a clearer Re-
veLiition tfean Dreamt And. certainly, the more a Man drink.s of the
World, the more he is intoxicated with it ; and old Age rather improves
Men in the Powers of the Underftanding, than in the Virtues of the Will
and Affedtions.
rhrie Km,is 7. Some fhew an over-early Ripenefs in Youth, but foon fade and de-
of early rife cay as they advance in Years. Thefe are fi7-fi fuch as have brittle Wits,
Geniui's. j.j^g Edge whereof is foon turn'd ; fo Htrmogenes, the Rhetorician, wrote
Books that are extremely fubtile, and foon after became ftupid. A fecond
Sort are thofe that have fome natural Faculties, more becoming Youth
than Age •-, fuch as fluent and florid Speech -, which is laudable in the
young, but not in the old. So Tiilly faid of Hortenfius, He cmtinued the
fame when he ought not'. A third kind is fuch as fet out too fafl: at firfl; ;
and have a greater Vivacity than fucceeding Years can fupport : as was
the Cafe of Scipio Africcmus, of whom Livy fays, his latter Life fell Jbor4
of his firfi \
Essay II. O/ Marriage, /z^^/ Single Life.
That child- j_ r-p HE Man who hath a Wife and Children has given Hoflrages to
leeu hemihial ^ Fortune •, for they are Impediments to great Enterprizes, whe-
to thePubiick. thcr in the way of Virtue or Vice. Certainly the noblefl: public Works
have proceeded from childlefs Men -, who both in Afi^edrion and Fortune
wedded and endowed the People. Yet it feeins more reafonable that
thofe who have Children fliould fhew the greater Concern for Futurity •,
to which they know their dearefl: Pledges muft be tranfmitted.
The Caufesof 2. There are fome, however, who having no Children, are regardiefs
Mens living ^f ^[.^,.1^. q^^ Memory, terminate their Thoughts with themfelves, and
■'"'^ "' imagine the Care of Pofterity belongs not to them. There are others that
account a Wife and Children but as Bills of Charges. Nay, there are
fome rich covetous Men, who foolifhly pride themfelves in having no
Children •, in order to be thought fo much the richer. But the mofl com-
mon Caufe of living fingle is Liberty •, efpecially in certain felf-pleafing
humorous Minds, which are fo fenflble of every Reflrraint, as almofl: to
think their Girdles and Garters to be Bonds and Shackles.
The Advan' ^. Unmarried Men are the befl: Friends, beft Mafters, befl: Servants,
'"^" "'' ^'f' but not always the beft Subjefts •, for they are light to run away : and al-
of Cetehan "^°^^ ^^^ Fugitives are Batchelors. Celebacy fuits well with Ecclefiafticks ;
to the fever aliov Clmrity will hardly water the Ground, where it mufl; firfl: fill a Pool.
ProfeJJitns. 'Tis a thing indiff^erent in Judges and Magifl:rates : for if they Ihould be
facile
"^ Idem tnanehat, neque idem decehat,
' Ultima primis cedebant.
Seel. II. O ECONOMICAL Essay s. 105
t'lcile and corrupt, a Servanc might prove much more rapacious th.in a
Wife. As for Soldiers, I find that Generals in their Hortatives, com-
monly put them in mind of their Wives and Children. And the Con-
tempt of Marriage amongft the Turks debafes the common Soldiery. Cer-
tainly, Wife and Children are a kind of humanizing Difcipline ; and fin-
gle Men, tho they are often more munificent and charitable, becaufe their
Fortunes arc lefs exhaulted, yet prove more cruel and hard-hearted ; be-
caufe their Tendernefs is Jeis called upon.
4. Grave Natures, led by Cuftom, and therefore conflant, generally "^''^ '^'^'"^"'^
make uxorious Hulbands. Thus it is faid of Ulyffes^ that he preferred his rj' 'j^j^'j^^
old Woman to Immortality. Challe Women are commonly proud and fro- ;;,(,„y/
ward •, as prcfuming upon the Merit of their Chaftity. 'Tis one of the
bell Bomls, both of Challity and Obedience in the Wife, if Hie think her
Hulband wife; which flie will never do, if fhe find him jealous. Wives
are young Mens Millreflcs ; Companions for middle Age; and old Mens
Nurfes. So that a Man may have a Reafon to marry at any time '. But
he was reputed one of the wife Men, who being afked when a Man
Ihould marry ; anfwer'd, ^ young AJm not yet, a» old Man not at all.
5. It often happens, that bad Hulbands have good Wives; whether M^Ay had
the Hufb.ind's Kiixlnefs is in this Cafe more highly valued when it comes; Husi^ands
or whether tlie Wife takes a Pride in her own Patience. However this be, „Yii{v"s
if the biid Hulband was of her own choofing, againft the Confent oP
Friends, fhe will be fure to ftifle her Sufferings, and varnilh her Folly.
Essay III. Of Parents, an^ Children.
I , '~T^ H E Joys of Parents are fecret ; fo are their Griefs and Fears : The State of
JL They cannot utter rlie one, and will not utter the other. Chil- ^'"'^"'^ ""'"
dren fweeten Labours ; but they imbitter Misfortunes: They increafe the^;//^^ ,W/ir«
Cares of Life ; but niitigate the Thoughts of Death. Perpetuity by Ge- zvfthontchil-
ncration is common to Brutes -, but Perpetuity by Memory, Deierts and '^ren.
Works, is proper to Man. And furely the nobkll Works and Founda-
tions ha^'e proceeded from childlefs Men ; who endeavoured to cxprefs the
Images of their Minds, where thofe of their Bodies foiled. Whence the
Care of Pofterity appears greateil in thofe that have no Pofterity. Tlie
firft Ennoblers of tlieir Families are moft indulgent towards their Chil-
dren ; beholding them as the Continuance, not o.nly of their Sjx-cies, but
alfo of their Works ; and fo both Children and Creatures.
2. The Degrees of Affeftion in Parents towards their Children is often t/?< Affeclio»
unequal, and fometimes unjuft ; efpecially in the Mother. So Sokmon fiys ; "/ P^ncnti
jl 'wife Son rejoiceth bis Father, but a fooliJJ: Son is the beavinefs of his Mother, "j'"! '"'■'%""!■
We ifhall fometimes fee, in a Houfe full of Children, one or two of the}''„„^"'^
eldeft refpedted, and the youngeft fondled; whilft others in the middle
feem ^/
• Socrates being .isk'd by one whether he (hould marry 5 is faid to have anfweiMj Do or
Jo notj you ii'ill repent it.
104^ Oeconomtcal Essays. Se6t, IT.
fecm in a manner overlook'd, who neverthelefs frequently prove the
beft.
Parents to he ^. The Ulibcraliry of Parents towards their Children, is a pernicious
children "^ Error ; as it renders them bafe •, acquaints them with Shifts ; makes them
herd with mean Company ; and riot more when they come to Plenty.
It is, therefore, proper that Parents fhould keep a ftridl Authority to-
wards their Children, but a flack Purfe.
Emulation 4. There is an imprudent Cuftom on foot among Parents, Schoolmafters
T' ''"/' h ^ Servants, of breeding Emulation between Brothers, during Childhood -,
twixt £ro-' '^'^'^'^ frequently turns to Difcord when they are Men, and difturbs Fa-
thers. milies.
No great ilif- 5. The Italians make little difference between Children and Nephews,
ference be- qj. j^^^j- Relations; but provided they be of the fame Blood, they judge it
ondKeihe-Ms. "^^^ '^^''7 material to have them their own IflTue. And to fay the Truth,
in Nature 'tis much the fime ; fo that we often fee a Nephew refemble an
Uncle, or a Kinfman, more than his own Parent.
^d^'^min" ^' P'^rents fix their Children young in the kind of Life they intend
Mr/y the them : for at this time they are moft flexible. And let them not in the
Cour[e of Choice pay too great a Regard to the Inclination of their Children •, as
Life for ch'il- imagining a Child will take beft to that which he likes moft. If indeed
'^""^ the Afteftion or Aptnefs of the Child be extraordinary, 'tis proper not to
crofs it -, but generally the Precept is good, Cboofe what is beji, and Ctijlom
will make it pleafant and eafy. Younger Brothers are commonly fortunate ;
feldom or never, where the elder are difinherited.
Essay IV. Of Custom, and Education. .
The Poiverofi. "\ yT E.N commonly think according to their Inclinations; fpeak ac-
Cuftom only XVX cording to their Learning, and imbibed Opinions; but general-
Zotlry Rejo- ^7 ^*^ according to Cuftom. And therefore, as Machiavel well obferves,
lution. tho in a bad Example, there is no trufting to the Force of Nature, nor great
Proteftations, unlefs they are ftrengthen'd by Cuftoin. His Example is,
that for going thro with a defperate and cruel Undertaking, no Dependance
fhould be had upon the Fiercenefs of a Man's Nature ; or upon daring Pro-
mifes, much lefs Oaths ; but that a Perfon ftiould be chofe for the pur-
, pofe, who had been accuftom'd to Blood and Slaughter. Machia'vel knew
nothing of a Friar Clement, nor a Ravillac, nor a Jauregny, nor a Balta-
zar Gerard, nor a G«j Faux ; yet his Rule holds good, that Nature, and
all the Ties of Words, are not fo ftrong as Cuftom. But Superftition is
now arrived to fuch an height, that the ftaunch Aflaffin is as remorfelefs
as the harden'd Butcher ; and "votary Refolntion is become, even in matter
of Blood, equivalent to Cuftom.
2. In
SeiSt. II. Oeconomical Essays. ioj-
2. In all other Cafe? the Power of Cnftom is maniild ; fo that one might ^"ftances of
wontlcr to hear Men profefs, proteft, engage, fpcak high, and yet go on ^/''c' //"'"'^
to adt in their accuftom'd manner, regardlefs of all that had pafs'd ; as if ""''
they were mere Images,or Machines moved only by theWheels of Cuftom.
The Tyranny of Cuflom appears in many other Particulars. The Indian
G)iT>nofophilts, both ancient and modern, quietly laying themfelves up-
on a Pile of Wood, were liicrificed by Fire : And even the Women ftrove
to be burnt with their Hufbands. The Spartan Boys were anciently
fcourged upon the Altar of Diana, almoft without a Cry or a Groan.
I remember, in the beginning of Queen EHzabeth'% Reign, a condemn'd
Irifi Rebel petition'd the Deputy to be hang'd in a W^ith, and not in a
Halter; becaufe a With had been ufed in executing former Rebels. There
are Monks in RtiJJia, who for Penance will fit a whole Winter's Night in
a Vcflel of Water, till they are wedged between Ice. And many fiirpri-
zing Examples may be produced of the Force of Cujlom^ both upon the
Mind and Body. Since Cuflom, therefore, is the principal Ruler of human
JLife, let Men endeavour to engraft good Cuftoms.
3. Certainly that Cullom is mod powerflil, which is tegun in Youth. '^""'^ JJalits
This we cxW Education; tho no more than an early Cuftom. So, the '" ',""^'''"''*'^
Tongue is more pliant to all the Exprefllons and Sounds of the Languages,
and the Limbb more agile and fit for all Motions, in Youth, than after-
wards. For thofe wlio learn l.ite, cannot fo well take the Ply ; except
fuch Minds as have not fufier'd thenifelves to fix, but are kept open to
receive continual Improvement : which is exceeding rare.
4. But if the Force of Cuflom, when fimple and feparate, be fo great; rhe Force of
the Force of Cuflom, when conjoined and alTociated, is much greater. Yor Cuftom great-
here Example teaches, Society refrefhes. Emulation ftimulates, and Glory 'fi "* ^'""y-
raifes: So that here tiie Force of Cuflom is in its Exaltation. Certainly,
the great increafe of Virtues in human Nature, depends upon Societies
well inftituted and difciplin'd. For good Governments, and good Laws,
nourifh Virtue when grown ; but do not much mend that Seed. The Mif-
fortune is, that the moft efFeftual Means are fometimes applied to the leaft
defirable Ends.
Essay V. Of Conversation and Discourse.
I . Q O M E in Difcourfe rather affeft being commended for Wit, in ^>''">" "'l^
i3 maintaining all Arguments, than for Judgment, in difcerning the ^"^^'"'V"
Truth; a.s if it were a Praife to find what might be faid, and not "ffh-xthow'tobe"^'
fhould be concluded. Some abound in certain Sets of common Places ; avoided.
but in other Subjects want Variety. This kind of Poverty is ufually
irkfome, and, when once difcovered, ridiculous. The more honourable
part of Difcourfe is to give die Occafion ; and again to moderate and
pafs to another Subject : For this is leading the Dance. 'Tis proper in
Converfation to vary the Subjedl fometimes, and intermix Difcourfe of
the prefent Occafion with Difpute ; Relations with Arguments ; Queflions
Vol. II. P with
io6 Oeconomical Essays. Se(5l. II.
with Opinions-, and Jeft with Earneft: For 'tis cloying to dwell long up-
on any thing.
^efing, how 2. As for Jefling, there are certain things that ought to be privileged
10 be regu- from it ; fiich as Religion, Affiiirs of State, great Perfonages, private
lated. Bufinefs of Importance, and all Cafes of Pity. Yet fome think their
Wits afleep, when they are not darting out their Stings. But this Hu-
mour fhould be curb'd. And, in general, a Difference is to be obferved be-
tween what is ftlt, and what bitter. Certainly, he who has a Satyrical
Vein, and makes others afraid of his Wit, had need be afraid of their
Memory.
Huks for the 3. To afk many Queftions is the Way to improve ones felf, and
Conduit of pieafe others : efpecially if the Queftions be fuited to the Skill and Capa-
Vifcourfe. ^j^.^. ^^ ^j^^ Refpondent -, who will thus have an Opportunity of fliewing
his Knowledge, whilft the Querift gains Information. But thefe Queftions
fhould not be troublefome -, otherwife the Querift adls the Examiner : He
who would ppeferve the Dignity of flimiliar Difcourfe, muft give others
their turn to fpeak. And if any one would engrofs all the Talk to him-
felf, let another find Ways to break him off, and bring the reft on ; as
Muficians do with thofe that dance too long. If you fometimes diflemble
a Knowledge of what you are fuppofed to know ; you ftiall another
time be thought to know what you do not. A Man fliould feldom fpeak
of himfelf -, and then it fliould be with Judgment. 1 knew a Perfon who
would frequently fay, in the way of Irony, He muft needs be a ivife Man^ he
[peaks fo much of himfelf! There is fcarce more than one Cafe wherein a
Man may decently commend himfelf ; and that is, by commending the
Virtue in another, which himfelf lays claim to. Stinging Reflections
fhould be fparingly ufed : For Converfation ought to be as a Field to walk
in •, not as a Road that leads home. Difcreet Difcourfe is better than Elo-
quence -, and to fpeak agreeably, is better than to afi^eft choice Words, or
a regular Order. A good continued Speech with bad Interlocution, fhews
Slownefs •, and a good Reply without the Talent of making a continued
Speech, difcovers Poverty, and the want of a grounded Knowledge. So
we fee in Brutes, thofe that are floweft in the Courfe, are nimbleft at the
Turn ; as the Hare and the Greyhound. To ufe too many Circumftances
before the Matter of the Speech is enter'd upon, proves tedious; and to
ufe none at all, is abrupt and difpleafmg.
Essay VI. Of Suspicion.
The incon- j. QUfpicions amongft Thoughts, are like Bats amongft Birds; and
■venienues of ^ never fly but by Tv/ilight. Certainly they ought to be reprefs'd,
ujpicion. ^^ ^^jj gyj^^j(j(^ . Pqj. (-]^gy cloud the Underftanding, alienate Friends, and
clafli with Bufinefs ; fo that it can neither go current nor conftant. They
difpofe Kings to Tyranny, Hufbands to Jealoufy, and even the prudent
to Irrefolution and Melancholy.
2. They
Sedl. 11. Oeconomical Essays. 107
2. They are Defeds rarhcr of the Head than the Heart: For they en- ii n.n ai-v.iys
ter the moll courageous Natures-, as appears by King Hcmy VII. who ""'"i '* ^*'""*
was both extremely lufpicious and courageous. But in fuch a Compofition
they do little hurt : being here feldom admitted without examining into
their Foundation. But in fearRil Tempers they reign too much.
3. Nothing makes a Man lb fufpicious as to know little: whence the ^" Remtti'us.
beft Remedy againft Sufpicion is Enquiry: For Darknefs and Smother
feed the Diliemper. What would Men have .'' Do they think the Perfons
they employ and converfe with are Saints, or Angels ? Can we be ignorant that
they purfue their own Ends -, and will always have the firft Regard to thcm-
felves? There is therefore no better Method of moderating Sufpicions, than
to provide againll them as if they were true -, yet bridle them as if they
were talfe : for fo tar Sufpicion may be of ufe, as to put Men upon their
Guard ; that tho the thing fufpefted were true, it Ihould not hurt them.
4. The Sufpicions that the Mind forms to itfelf are no more than Buz- -^" Explana-
zes; but thofc kept up by the Artifice of others, or put into Mens'/''"/,'' /^
Heads by Rumours and Whifpers, have Stings. The diicft way out oi the ferfon
this thick Wood of Sufpicions is, a frank DecL.ration of them to thefuffccled.
Perlbn fufpectcd : For thus we are fure to know more of their J.iltnefs
or Unjuftnefs, than before •, and at the fame time to render the fufpeded
Perlbn more cautious of giving us fxrthcr Occafion of Sufpicion. But
this fhould not be done to Men of bafe Natures; who, if they find them-
felves once fufpefted, will never be true. The Italians have a Proverb,
Sofpetto Ucentia fede •■, as if .^«/^/«0« diflblved Fidelity: Whereas it Ihould
rather provoke the fufpeded Perfon to clear himfelf.
Essay VII. O/ Cunning.
I . T> Y Cufining I underftand a certain finifter or crooked Wifdom : For Cunning;
X) there is a great Difference between a cunning Man and a zvife Man •, ''""''•
not only in point of Probity, but alfo in point of Ability. There are
thofe who can pack the Cards, and yet not play well ; and fo fome are
good at canvafTing and bridling of Factions, who are otherwife weak Men.
Again, 'tis one thing to underftand Perfons, and another to underftand
Things : For many are verfed in Mens Humours, yet uncapable of real
Bufinefs-, as having ftudied Men more than Books : and fuch are fitter for
Pradice than for Counfel ; as excelling only in the way they have been
ufed to. And becaufe thefe cunning Men are like Haberdafhers of Small
Wares, it may not be amifs to examine their Shops.
2. 'Tis a piece of Cunning to glance an obferving Eye upon tlie Coun- The Cunning
tenance of the Perfon fpoke with •, after the manner direded . by the Je- 'f '** ^"?^-
fuits: For many prudent Men have fecret Hearts and tranfparent Counte-
nances. But this fhould be done with a modeft Dejedion of the Eye by
turns ; as the Jefuits pradife it.
P 2 3. Another
io8 Oeconomical Essays. Se6l.IL
Cunning for 3 Another Artifice is, when you defire to have a Matter immediately
procuring difpatch'd, to entertain and amufe the Perfon with Difcourfe upon a
s'flinef '^ different Subjeft ; that he may be thus prevented from making Difficulties
^'' ' and Obieftions. I knew a Secretary of State, who whenever he came to
Queen Elizabeth with Bills to fign, would firfl enter her into fome ferious
Affairs of Government •, that fhe might be the lefs intent upon the Bills.
The like Advantage may be obtained by propofing things of a fudden,
when the Perfon applied to is in too much hafle to confider thoroughly
of them.
Tor quailing 4. When a Man would crofs a Bufmefs which he fufpefts might be ef-
aii jfair. fgftually propofed by another, he often pretends to be well affefted to it ;
but propofes it in fuch a manner, as to quafh or difturb it.
Tor caufinga ^_ Tq break off in the middle of a Difcourfe, as if a Man took
eiuejiion. himfelf up, raifes a Curiofity in the Hearer to know further. And
becaufe a thing has a greater El^eft when forced out by a Queftion, thai»
when it is voluntarily otfer'd -, a Bait may be laid for a Queftion, by an
unaccuftomed Change of the Countenance. This Nehemiab feems to have
praftifed, "who had not till that time been fad before the King.
■For relating ^ j^ ^-j-^g fl^ft relating of difagreeable News, or Matters that may be
difagreeable j^ejiiQ^fiy taken, 'tis proper to break the Ice by the Means of others,
whofe Words are of lefs weight ; and rcferve the Voice of greater Autho-
rity, to come in as by chance, upon a Queftion raifed by the occafion :
as in the Cafe of NarciJJiis relating to Claudius., the Marriage of Mijfalina,
and Silius.
To avoid bi- 7. In Matters where a Man would not himfelf be feen, 'tis a point
ing feen. ^^ Cunning to borrow the Name of the World •, and introduce them with
a they fay. I knew one who, in writing of Letters, would conftantly put
the moft material Points in the Poftfcript •, as if they were things he had
almoft forgot. I knew another, who in Converfation would pafs over
the Thing he moft intended ; take his Leave; but come back again, and
fpeak of it, as if it before had flipt his Memory.
To gain an 8. Some lie in wait to be lurpriz'd by the Perfon they have a Defign
opportunity. ^pQj^ ^ J^p^,^ ^^j^^ (-oj-g j-o be found with a Letter in their Hand, or doing
fomewhat unufual, in order to be queftion'd about the Matter they would
open.
To lay a'Bait p. 'Tis a piece of high Cunning to let fall Words in one's own Perfon,
for one's Ad. q^ purpofe for another to catch, and ufe to his Ruin. I Icnew two Com-
verjary, petitors for the Secretary's Place in Queen Elizabeth's time, who neverthe-
lefs kept Terms with each other, and often conferr'd upon the Subjeft of
their Rivalfhip. At length one of them fiiid, that to be Secretary in the
Decline of a Monarchy ivas a ticklijh thing, and a kind of Honour he did not
affeSl. Thefe Words, which were enfnaringly fpoke, the other prefently
catched ; and in Simplicity ufed, as his own, among his Friends. The other
took hold of this, and found means to have the Queen acquainted with
what his Competitor had thus given out, about the Decline of a Monarchy j
which the Qiieen fo refented (as then thinking herlelf in the Glory of her
Reign) that file would never after hear of his Suit.
10. There
Se(5V. n. O E C 0 N 0 M 1 C A L H b S A Y s. IC9
10. There is a Cunning which we in England call the turning of Cat in ^*« tuminr
fan; which is, when what a Man iays to another, he pretends another "-'^ *""""■?•'"•
had faid to him : and 'tis not ealy when fucha Matter paffed between two,
to make it appear from which of tliem it originally came.
11. There is an Artifice of glancing at others, by juftifying ones (di The Artljicc
in Negatives; as to fay, 'This I do not. And fome have fiich a ready Ta- "J story-tell-
lent at Story-telling, that there is nothing they would infinuate, but they '"^*
can wrap it up in a Tale, whereby they keep themfelvcs fecure ; as affirm-
ing nothing exprefly, and at the lame time ciufe the thing they intended
to be fpread with the greater Pleafure.
12. 'Tis an ufefiil Cunning for a Man to couch the Anfwer he defires ^"^/'"""'f' ""
in the others own Words and. Propofitions -, for this brings over the other the Word" of
with greater Eafe. another.
13. 'Tis ftrange how long fome Men will wait to fpeak what they in- The -^-.lititig
tend -, how far they will fetch it -, and how many other Matters they will "" opponu-
beat over to come near it. This is a thing of great Patience, but of much ""^ '° ^^"^'''
Ufe.
14. A fudden, bold and unexpected Queftion fometimes furprizes a Sudden bold-
Perfon, and lays him open. Thus, a Man who went by a falfe Name, ano- ^>ifi'or:s.
ther coming behind him and calling him by his tnie one, is fiid to have
forgot himfelf, and prefently look'd back.
15. But thefe fmall Wares, and petty Points of Cunning, are numerous. -4 Lift tolc
It were proper, however, to make a L ill of them •, for nothing proves '""''^ "/. ''"^
more mifchievous in States, than to have cunning Men pafs for wife. If c„,^^,l,l
16. There are thofe who know the Stops and P.iufes of Bufmcfs, hwt iome Men
cannot enter the Heart of it; like fome Houfes that have convenient Stairs/'^''/'"'
and Galleries, but never a good Room. Hence fuch Men find commodi- ^'(""'"ithan
ous Exits in the Conclufion of Debates ; tho tliey are no ways able to examine "j""J^-
and deliberate Matters. Yet they commonly take advantage of their
Inability ; and would be thought Genius's fitter to direct and determine,
than to difpute. And fome depend rather upon the abufing and tricking
of others, than upon the Soundnefs of their own Proceedings. But Solo-
mon fays, 'The Fool turnetb aftde to Deceit^ ii-hilji the prudent Man looketh ivell
to bis Goings.
Essay VIII. Of S e l f-C u n n i n c.
I. ' ■ ^ H E Ant has much Self-cunning, but proves a mifchievous Thing Self-cunning
JL in a Garden : and certainly Self- lovers hurt the Publick. \Yc"'yoiecier
fhould therefore divide equally betwixt Self-love and publick Spirit. Be '"•^^ '
true to thyfelf, but not injui-ious to others; efpecially not to thy King and
Country 'Tis groveling for a Man's Actions to center in himfelf.
z. It is more tolerable in Princes to refer all things to themfelvcs, htca.ufcV'."^'^^^"^^"^
they act in a publick Capacity v but SelfiOmefs is highly pernicious in a ^.„^ pnnces
Subjeft or Servant of the State: for all the publick Afiairs that pafs through t^<i7z private
no Oeconomical Essays. Se6l. II.
fuch Hands, will be bent to felfifh Ends ; which muft often prove eccen-
trick to the Ends of the governing Power.
xo prime o. Therefore let Princes choofe fuch Minifters and Servants as are not
ToTo/this ^^^^^ ' ""'^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ fecondary. What makes the Efteft more
charaihr. pernicious is, that it preferves no Proportion. It is a wide Difproportion,
where the Servant's Advantage is preferred to the Matter's ; but a violent
Extreme, where a fmall Advantage of the Servant is preferred to a great
one of the Mafter. Yet this is frequently the Cafe in corrupt Minillers,
Treafurers, AmbafTadors, Generals, and other felfifh Officers and Ser-
vants ; who clap a Biafs upon the Bowl of their own petty Ends, which
draws afide their Mafters important Affairs. The Advantages fuch Ser-
vants receive generally fquare with the Model of their Fortunes ; but
the Damage they do in Exchange is according to the Model of their Ma-
fter's Fortune. For it is the Temper of fuch violent Self-lovers /o fire a
Houfe^ fo they can but roafi their Eggs. Yet fuch Minifters often keep in
their Prince's Favour, becaufe they ftudy but thefe two Points, to pleafe him,
and profit themfelves-, and they will betray hislntcreft for the Sake of either.
The Self-cun- 4- Self-Cunning is a depraved Thing in many of its Branches. 'T is the
»;»^ ()//•(;»««- Cunning of Rats, that will leave a Houfe fomewhat before it falls : 'Tis
fortunate, j-|^g Cunning of the Fox, that turns out the Badger, who made the Den :
'Tis the Cunning of the Crocodile, who weeps over his Prey : But what
is moft obfervable, extreme Self-lovers, who, as Cicero fays of Pompey,
are without a Rival in their Love, generally end unfortunate •, and, as
they ficrificed to themfelves through the whole Courfe of their Lives,
are at length ficrificed by the Inconftancy of Fortune ; whofe Wings they
thought to have clipped by their hopeful Cunning.
Essay IX. Of affe6img the Appearance of Wisdom.
That Men i . T T is a receiv'd Opinion, that the French are wifer than they appear ;
dijjer in point J[_ ^j^^ j-]^^,- ^]^g Spaniards appear wifer than they are : But however it
"/ ij'om. |-,g jjgj-^egi-j Nations, 'tis certainly thus between Man and Man. For, as
the Apoftle fays of Godlinefs, having the Form of GocUinefs, but denying the
Power thereof : fo there are certain Solemn Trifiers, no way deferving the
Name of wife, that deliver Levities with Labour '.
The Artijices 2. 'Tis a ridiculous thing to Men of Senfe, and a Subjedt fit for Satyr,
"^Ifa^^ 7*" ^° ^^^ ^"'•^ ^■'°^^ many Shapes thefe Formalifts will change ; and what Per-
wift, fpeftives they ufe to make Surfaces appear as Solids. Some are fo clofe
and fecret as, only to fhew their Goods by a half-light ; and feem to inti-
mate more than they fpeak -, and when they are confcious they talk of a
Subjeft they do not underftand, yet pretend to know what they may not
fafely utter. Some help their Difcourfe with Looks and Geftures, and
would fliew themfelves wife by Signs. Some affeft to fhine by talk-
ing big and peremptory, nimbly taking for granted the Things they can-
not
* Magno canatH magnas nngas.
SeiV. II. OeconomicalEssays. hi
not prove. Others will fcem to defpife, as impertinent or trifling, what-
ever is beyond th*ir Sphere; and thus put oit" their Ignorance for Judg-
ment. Others are never witliout their Ditlindions ; and generally skip
over the Matter, by puzzling the Company. Such Men in Converfation
commonly take the negative Side -, and would raife a Chnracler by ftarting
Difficulties, and foretelling Inconveniencies : becaufe, when Propofitions
are denied, there is an End of them ; but if proved, frefh Work is cut
out. So that this falfc Wifdom proves the Bane of Bufinefs.
3. In fhort, no breaking Merchant, no fccret B.uiknipt has fo mxny Tke ffemin;
Shifts to keep a Credit, as thefe pretending wife Men to fi^^port their "''^* ^"' ""*
darling Sufficiency. And, though fuch Men may eafily catch the Ofi- Z^aiofs"^
nion of the Crowd ; yet let them never be trufted in ferious Bufinefs, or tujinefs.
Affairs of Weight. Certainly Bufinefs is better condutSled by Men that
commit fome Abfurdities, than by fuch difigreeable, empty Formalifts.
Essay X. Of Delays.
I. T^Ortune is like the Market, where, if Men can wait a little, theT/^e Nature
X" Price will fill. 'Tis fometimes like the 5'%//'s Offer, which 'f ^'"'"'"^^
firft prefents the Commodity entire, then confumes a Part, and flill keeps
up the Price. For Opportunity firft offers the Handle of the Bottle, then
the Belly.
2. There is no greater Wifdom than rightly to time the Beginnings of^^' f'^"'
Things. Dangers are no longer light, if they once feem light : and more ^7»w '"
Dangers have deceived Men, than forced them. Nay, it were better to "^
meet fome Dangers halfway, than to be perpetually enquiring after their
Motions, and watching their Approach •, for in watching too long. Men
are apt to fall afleep.
3. On the other hand, to be deceived by long Shadows, as fome have ^^"S^'"' "'^
been, when the Moon was lovr, and fhone on their Enemies Back, and fo '^.^,//^ " ^7]«
to (hoot off before the Time -, or to provoke Dangers, by over hzQ.ily '^^rovo'ked.
arm ng againft them, is the contrary Extreme.
4. The Ripenefs orUnripenefs of the Occafion mufi: be well confidered ; ^^« Ripenefs
and generally 'tis beft to commit the Beginnings of all great Aftions jq "^ *^^?'"''?"''
jfrgus with his hundred Eyes, and the Ends to Briarciis with his hundred 'J/f ^
Hands : firft to watch, and then to fpeed. Plato's Helmet, which ren-
ders the Politician invifible, is Secrecy in Counfel, and Difpatch in Exe-
cution. For when things are ripe for Execution tliere is no Secrecy com-
parable to Difpatch".
" 5« ihe Fable o/Perfeus explained, Vol.1. Pa^. 64. See alfo Essay XL
Essay
I IX
Oeconomical Essays. Se6t. II.
The falfe
l^ifpatch.
E s s A y XL O/ D I s p A T c H /■« B U S I N E s s.
Agefhd Dif- I . T Mmature and affeded Difpatch generally proves the Bane of Bufinefs.
fate/} fernki- ±_ 'Tis like what the Phyficians call hafty Digeftion; which fills the
"'"■ Body with Crudities, and the ftcret Seeds of Difeafes. Therefore we are
not to meaRire Difpatch by the Time beftowed in Confultation ; but by the
Progrefs made in theBufmefs confulted about. And as in the Courfe, it is
not the large or the high Step, but the low and equable Motion of the
Feet, that conftitutes Fleetnefs ; fo in Bufinefs, the keeping clofe to the
Matter, and not greedily taking too large a Part at once, procures Dif-
patch.
z. Some only affeft the Appearance of doing a great deal in a little
Time, or contrive falfe Periods of Bufinefs, that they may feem Men of
Difpatch. But 'tis one thing to five Time by contradling, and another
by breaking off. Bufinefs treated at feveral.Meetings, generally fludtuates,
backwards and forwards, with great uncertainty. I knew a wife Man,
who, when he found People over hafty, would conftantly fay to them.
Stay a little^ that "dje may have done the fooner.
3. On the other hand, true Difpatch is a valuable Thing. For Time
is the Meafure of Bufinefs, as Money is of Commodities •, and therefore
Bufinefs will be dear bought, where Time is too long delay'd. The Spar-
tans and Spaniards have been remarked for Slownefs. Let my Death
come from Spain, fays the Proverb -, for then it will be long in coming.
4. Lend a patient Ear to the firft Informers in Bufinefs ; and rather
direft them in the Beginning, than interrupt them often in the Thread of
their Difcourfe : for a Man put out of his own Method, will ramble, and
prove more tedious while he recollefts his Memory, than if he had been
fuffered to proceed without Difturbance. But fometimes the Moderator
is more troublefome than the Relator.
Jy cutting off 5. Repetitions generally wafte Time, which however is never faved more
Ihe true.
To procure
Difpatch in
the Relator.
fuferfiuous
Speeches.
By a right
Bifftofal of
Bujinefs.
than by often repeating the State of the Queftion ; for this ftifles many
impertinent Speeches in the Birth. Prolix and florid Harangues are as
unfit for Bufinefs, as a long Robe for a Race. Prefaces, fine Tranfitions,
Apologies, and other perfonal Speeches are great Wafters of Time ; and,
tho they may feem to proceed from Modefty, are in reality Oftentation :
yet beware of coming bluntly to the Matter, when there is any Obftru-
ftion or Impediment in Mens Wills ; for pre-pofiefiion of Mind always
requires a preparatory Speech, like a Fomentation to make the Unguent
enter.
6. Above all. Order, Diftribution, and an apt fingling out of Parts is
the Life of Difpatch, provided the Diftribution be not too fubtile -, for
he who does not divide, will never enter well into Bufinefs : and he who
divides too much, will fcarce come out of it clearly. To choofe Time, is
to fave Time : for an unfeafonable Motion is but beating the Air, and a
Lofs of Time.
There
Se6l. II. Oeconomical Essays. 115
7. There are three parts of Bufinefs i riz. the Preparation, the ExcnKt-T^t thru
nation ov Debate, zr\(\x.hc Execution ; where, if Difp.xtch is intended, let the ^'""f/ ^'^""
Examination be the Work oi many ; but the Preparation and Execution /J^^'^'^'"
the Work of few.
8. To enter upon Bufinefs from fome Scheme drawn up in Writing, B"/'"»/"»
generally promotes Difpatch ; for tho fuch a Scheme fhould be wholly j^^. prMedupon
jecSlcd, yet even this aftords more Direction, than to have had no definitive ^**
Scheme at all : as Afliesare more fertilizing than Dufl*'.
r
Essay XII. Of Cares.
I. TF Cares be not moderated they fruftrate themfelves, opprefs the Cares uie
X. Mind, confound the Judgment, and run out into Prophanenefs -^ ""'^f'''""^'
for they fhew th;U a Man promifes himfejf a kind of Perpetuity in the
Aflairs of this World. But Life being fo fhort, we fhould be Men of
to day, and not of ro morrow, and feize Time as it comes-, leaving Fu-
turity to be prefent in its turn. Care for immediate Things is, therefore,
the principal Bufinefs of Men ; and fufficient to the day is the evil
thereof.
2. Moderate Cares, however, whether of a publick or private Nature, T"'» ^xcejfes
are not to be condemned ; but they may have two Excefies. The /?;-y? is, "-^ ^""^
svhen our Cares are extended to too great a length, and to Times very
remote; as if by our Care we could bind the divine Providence, which
was always an unufual, and reckoned an unprofperous thing, even among
the Heathens : for it has generally happened, that they who attributed
much to Fortune, and kept themfelves on the watch for prefent Occafions,
met with great Succefs : whereas they who by Anxiety, and deep Fore-
thought, trufted they had confidered and provided for every thing, have
proved unfortunate.
^. The fecond Excefs is, when we dwell longer upon Cares than is ne-'^^' f"'"^
celiary for a juft Deliberation and Determination. For what Man can^*"-'^'*
pofllbly take even fo much Care as fhall fuffice to clear his own Way, or
to judge that he cannot clear if, but muft often beat over the fame Tracks
again to no purpofe -, run round in the fame Wheel of Thought ; and yet
vanifh from himfelf at lad ? And this kind of carking Care or Sollici-
tude, is a Thing directly contrary to all Meafures, both divine and
human.
Essay XIII. Of Hope.
1. 'T"* IS truly faid, that the Sight of the Eye is better than the Tro- Hope ar.d
1. greffion of the Mind ; for a diftincfl and clear Perception of Par- J'ear deceitful
ticulars, puts the Underftanding into a better Frame than progreffive and ^"■'^'"'^*
■ The Meaning feeras to be, that Parnculars are more inftruftive than Generals j as
Dud is 3 zeneral Earth, and Afhcs a particular Species.
Vol": II. Q^ endlefs
114 Oeconomical Essays. Se£t. II
endlcfs Imaginations. But it is the Nature of the Mind, even in the
gravefb Tempers, from a Perception of Particulars, immediately to ftart
forwards, and bound and leap, and promife itfelf, that every thing elfe
will prove like what gives the prefent Impulfe : whence if the Senflition
be of a Good, Men eafily run out into extravagant Hopes -, and if of an
Evil, into extravagant Fears. But Hope and Fear are two bad Prefagers,
and not to be trufted.
Hope almcft 2. There is, however, fome Ufe of Fear; as this prepares the Mind
"fi'ofp'r^fpt-^^''^ fullering, and whets the Induftry''. But Hope feems to be almoft
rlty. ufelefs •, for to what purpofe ferves the Anticipation of good Fortune ?
If the Succefs prove lefs than was hoped, it feems to be rather a Lofs
than a Gain; as falling fhort of the thing expecfted. If the Succefs be
adequate to the Hope •, yet even thus the Flower of the Benefit is crop-
ped by Hope-, and fades in the Enjoyment. Laftly, If the Succefs be
greater than was hoped, there feems indeed to be fome Advantage recei-
ved ; but were it not ftill better to have had the Principal without hoping
at all, than the Intereft, by hoping too little ? And this is the Operation
of Hope in Matters of Profperity.
Jr 1/7'«"^ 3 . In Matters of Adverfity , Hope breaks the true Courage of the Mind :
inAdier/ty. for there is not always an Occafion of hoping ; and with any, even the leaft
Defertion of Hope, almoft the whole Support of the Mind is gone. It
alfo leflens our Dignity to bear Misfortunes by a certain Alienation and
Error of the Mind ; and not with Firmnefs and Strength of Judgment.
'Twas therefore wrong in the Poets to make Hope the Antidote and Mi-
tigator of human Calamities ; when in reality it rather exafperates, multi-
plies, and renews them.
Mens Minis ^, The Generality, however, give themfelves wholly up to thefe Ima-
dijiempered gj^^tions of Hope, and endlefs ProgrelTions of the Mind ; and pro-
^ ving unthankful for things paft, and almoft forgetfijl of the prefent, fole-
ly depend upon thofe that are future ; which is the worft Difeafe, and
maddeft State of the Mind.
jnwhat Ca- ^_ jj- ^.^y bg afked, is it not better, fince Things are placed in Uncer-
jes Hope may j.^j,^].y^ jq expecl thcbeft, and rather to hope than defpair ; becaufe Hope
procures the greater Tranquillity to the Mind ? I anfwer, that in all De-
lay and Expedlation, I judge a ferene and fteddy State of the Mind, ari-
fing from a due Regulation and Compofure thereof, to be the principal
Strength and Support of human Life -, but rejeft the Tranquillity which
depends upon Hope, as a weak Thing. Tho it may not be improper, from a
found and fober Conjefture, to prefuppofe and forefee both good and bad
Fortune, that we may the better fuit our Aftions to the Probability of
Events-, provided this be made the Office of the Underftanding and
•judgnnent, and is attended with a juft Sway of the AfFedions.
6. But
* Non uUa Lahorum,
,. O virgo, nova mi fanes, inopmaxe fiirgit :
Omnia prdcepi, ut'j; animo meciim ante feregi.
SeiSt. IL Oeconomical Essays. iiy
6. But where is the Man whom Hope has fo reftraincd, that when, "^^f ;«/""•
from a vigihnt and found Ufe of his Underftanding, he has predi(5ted ^o^J'^'"^
himfelf the better Fortune, as the more probable ; does not reft upon the
Anticipation, and indulge plcafing Thoughts thereof, as fo many plea-
fing Dreams? And this is what renders the Mind light, tumid, irrefolute,
and wandring : wherefore all Hope fliould be employed only upon a fi.t-
ture Life in Heaven. But for this World ; the purer our Senfations of
the prefcnt Things are, and the freer from all Infedlion and Tindture of
the Imagination ; the more does a wifer and better Spirit forbid us to che-
rilh any long Hopes of a Life fo extremely fliort.
A
Essay XIV. O/ For tune.
Ccident and Chance have certainly a Power over the Fortunes o^^"'"*"' o/'"»
Men : we mean fuch Accidents as the Favour of the Great i """^*""'''
Opportunity ; the Death of others ; Occafions fuited to certain Virtues,
£ffc. tho ftilla Man's Fortune chiefly depends upon himfelf The moft fre-
quent external Caufe is, that the Folly of one Man proves the Fortune of
another : for we never profper fo fuddenly as by the Errors of others.
2. Open and manifeft Virtues procure Praiie ; but fecret and hidden <^f''"'» -f^"-
ones produce Fortune. Thefe are certain namelefs Talents of extricating ^'^^'''"^"'''
ones felf ; where there is no Stickage in a Man's Temper, but the
Wheels of his Mind move along with thofe of his Fortune. He there-
fore who looks fharply and attentively, may fee Fortune : for tho flie be
blind, yet herfelf is not wholly invifible. The Way of Fortune is
like the Milky-PFay ; a Clufter of many fmall Stars, not feparately
vifible, but luminous all together : for they are a Number of lit-
tle, and fcarce difcernable Virtues, or rather Faculties and Habits, that
render Men fortunate. The Italians note fome of them, and fuch as
one would little expeft. When they fpeak of a Perfon whofe Fortune
they will anfwcr for •, they add to his other Qualities, that he has Poco di
Ahtto : And certainly there are not two more fortunate Properties, than
to have a little of the Fool, and not too much of the Honeft. Hence
extreme Lovers of their Country, or Prince, never were, nor can be for-
tunate : for when a Man places his Thoughts withbut himfelf, he cannot
well go his own Way.
3. Sudden Fortune makes Men enterprizing, and fomewhat turbulent ; The Ejfensof
but an exercifed Fortune makes them pru ient and able. Doubtlefs, Por-/"'^'^'"'""^
tune is to be honoured and refpedted, thr> it were only for her Daughters, ^]^.^"
Confidence and Reputation : for Felicity cp-eds Confidence in a Man's felf,
and Reputation in others towards him.
4. Prudent Men, to decline the Envy wi .ich their own Virtues might How to de-
occafion, attribute all to Providence and Fortune ; for thus they may ^{-cimcEn-jy.
funic them the more freely, and with the better Grace : Befides, it adds a
kind of Majefty to a Man, that he fhould feem to be the Care of the higher
0^2 Poweri
II^
Oec GNOMICAL Essays.
Sea. IL
Powers. So Ctefar Cud to the Pilot in a Tempeft, Thou carriefi Csf.ir ar:d
his Fortune : So Sylla chofe the Name of Happy, not of Great. And ic
has been obferved, that thofe who openly afcribed too much to their own
"Wifdom and Policy, have ended unfortunate.
AfmoothFor- c;. Certainly, as Plutarch obferves of I'tmoleon, the Fortunes of fome
t^me frocura- y^^^ are like Homer's Vcrfes, which run fmoother than thofe of other
Poets : and to effect this, in great meafjre, is doubtlefs in a Man's own
Power?.
Essay XV. Of E "x p e n c e.
Expends how
tj ie regula-
ttd.
Accompt! to
be infpetled.
Expends tD
he balanced.
The Way of
redeeming a
mortgaged
F.jhte.
I . «Tp H E Ufe of Riches is Expence •, and the End of Expence is
J. Honour and worthy A6lions : So that extraordinary Expence
muft be limited by the Worth of the Occafion : for voluntary Poverty
fhould be fometimes fuffered for the fake of ones Country ; as well as for
the Kingdom of Heaven. But ordinary Expences ought to be limited by
a Man's Eftate, and fo regulated as to keep within the Returns, and not
be fubjedt to the Fraud and Abufe of Servants -, but the Bills to fall fhort
of the Eftimation. Certainly, if a Man would keep even hand, his or-
dinary Expences fhould be but half his Income "^; and if he would grow
rich, but a third.
2. 'Tis no Meannefs for the greateft Men to infpeft their own Ac-
compts. Some decline it, not fo much out of Sloth, as Fear to find them-
felves bad : but "Wounds are not cured without fearching. He who can-
not be his own Steward, fhould make a prudent Choice of the Servants
he employs, and change them often ■, for new ones are more timorous, and
lefs fubtile. He who looks into his Accompts butfeldom, fliould, as much
as pofTible, bring both his Income and Expence to Certainties.
3. If a Man be expenfive in one way, he fhould be faving in another :
Thus, if he exceed in Diet, let him five in Apparel : If he be profufe in the
Hall, let him fpare in the Stable, (^c. For to be profufe in all kinds of
Expence, can fcarce end but in Ruin.
4. A Man may as well hurt himfclf by clearing an incumber'd Eftate
too foon, as by letting it run too long : for hafty felling is commonly as
difadvantageous as the paying of Interelt. Befides, he who redeems all at
once, is in danger again ; becaufe now finding himfelf releafed, he will
be apt to return to his former Cuftoms : But he who clears by degrees,
thus procures a Habit of Frugality, and at once redeems both his Mind
and Eftate. Certainly, he who would repair a decay'd Eftate, fhould
not defpife even the fmalleft Things: and in general, 'tis lefs dilhonour-
able to abridge petty Expences, than floop to petty Gains.
5. A
V See thisSubjeft farthei- profecutel in t!ie Be Anzment. Scientar. §. X.XV,
' Refervin " t'le other againft ConuDgejicies, Loflcs, Sicknefsj CT'f.
Sed:. IL Oeconomical Essays. 117
5. A Man (hould be very cautious of beginning thofe Ext.xnce<-, which ff'j'f' ^'tf-
if once begun will continue ; but may be more liberal on fuch Occafions ^^^'JJ^^'^^''^> ^*'
as are not likely to return '.
Essay XVI. O/ U s u r v ; or lending upon Inter eft.
r. rnpHERE are many witty Invedives againft Ufury. But ^\nct rh: bejl Way
X there is a NecefTity of Borrowing and Lending; and Men arc"/ ""'''"'-
Co hard of Heart as not to lend Gratis ; it follows that Ufury muft ^^s "turf of tie
permitted. There are but few who have treated folidly and ulcfully ofsub'ecl.
this Subjed:. The bi.fl: way is, to fet before us the Conveniencies and In-
conveniencies of Ufury ; that the Good may be either weighed or fepa-
rated : And agai.T, to beware that whilfl: we receive a Benefit trom Ufury,
we be not led into Snares.
2. The fncorrjer.iencies of Ufury are thefe : (i.) It lefiTens the Number ^^'I^'^^<1-
of Merchants; becaufe were it not for this lazy Trade of Ufury, Money ^''j-^^^S^' °
would not lie ftill, but be chiefly employ'd in Trade -, which is the F'ena
Porta of Wealth to a State. (2.) It impoverifhes the Merchant : for, as
the Farmer cannot cultivate his Ground fo well, if his Rent be large •, fo
the Merchant cannot trade fo well, if he pays great Intereft for Money.
(3.) It lelTens the Cufloms ; which ebb or flow with Commerce. (4.) It
brings the Coin of the Kingdom into a few Hands : for the Ufurers Profit
being certain, and that of others uncertain, at the End of the Game mofl
of the Money will be in the Box ; whereas it is a Maxim, that a State
always fiouriflies moll when Money is not hoarded, but fpread. (5.) It
finks the Price of Land : for Money is either employ'd in Trade or Pur-
chafing ; but Ufury feems to intercept them both. (6.) It cramps all In-
duftry. Improvement, and new Inventions; wherein many would be em-
ploy'd, if it were not for this Slug, (7.) And lajlly, it is the Canker
and Ruin of many Eftates ; which in time occafions a national Poverty.
3. The Mvaiitagcs of Ufury are thefe: (i..) However in fome Refpefbs^' Adv.inta-
it may hurt, yet in others it promotes Trade ; the greateft part whereof^"""'*
is carried on by young Merchants, upon borrowing at Intereft : v/hence if
the Ufurer cither call in, or rtfufe his Money, a great Stagnation of
Trade will prefently enfue. (2.) If this eafy borrowing upon Intereft did
not relieve Men in tlieir NecefTity, they would foon be reduced to the ut-
rnofl Extremities; and forced to fell their Lands or Goods at an under
Price: And thus, whereas Ufury does but gnaw upon them, thefe hafty
Sales would devour them. Mortgaging or Pawning will here afford no
great Relief: for either Men will not cake Pledges without Ufe ; or if
they do, will act to the Rigour, and take the Forfeit, in cafe the Payment
be not punftual. I remember a hard-hearted rich Man, who ufed to fay ;
I'ke Devil take this Ufury, it keeps us from Forfeitures cf Mcrtagagcs and
Bonds. (3.) Lafily, 'Tis Vanity to conceive there Ihould b> an eafy bor-
rowing
' See the EfHy upon i?/V^«; viz.. Ess at XVII. of t!-.e prefenfSeft.
ii8 Oeconomical Essays. Se6l. II.
rowing without Ufe : and 'tis impoflible to conceive the numberlefs In-
conveniencies tliat will enfue, if Borrowing be cramped. Therefore to
think of totally abolifhing Ufury, is a Notion only fit for Utopia : for all
States tolerate the Thing, under one rate of Intereft or other.
itsRegidation, ^. Jt appears upon thus balancing the Conveniencies and Inconveniencies
hy wtrodu- ^^ Ufury, that there are two things to be reconciled -, the one, that the
'fms''^" Teeth of Ufury be ground, that they bite not too much: the other, that
a Way be opened for inviting money'd Men to lend the Merchant, for
the continuing and quickening of Trade. And this cannot be effefted
without introducing two forts of Ufury •, a lefs and a greater : For if you
reduce Ufury to one low Rate, this will indeed eafe the common Bor-
rower -, but the Merchant will be to feek for Money. And the Trade of
the Merchant being the moft gainful, might bear a higher Intereft than
other Contracts.
The firft. g_ 'j'o anfwer both Intentions, there may be two Rates of Ufury ; the
one free for all •, the other under licence, and reftrained to certain Perfons,
and certain Places of great Commerce. Firft, therefore, let Ufury in
general be reduced to Five per Cent. Let this Rate be proclaimed current -,
and let the State renounce all Penalty for the fame. This will preferve
Borrowing from any general Stop or Difficulty ; eafe numerous Borrowers ;
and in good meafure raife the Price of Land ; becaufe Land in England,
at fixteen Years Purchafe, will yield above Six per Cent, whereas the above-
mentioned Rate of Intereft yields but Five. Laftly, This will encourage
Induftry, and the Difcovery of ufeful Iinprovements ; becaufe many will
rather venture this Way, than take up with Five per Cent, efpecially as
having been ufed to greater Profit.
Thefecond. 6. Secondly, Let there be certain Perfons licenfed to lend to known Mer-
chants, and no others whatfoever-, and this under the following Cautions:
(i.) Let the Intereft be fomewhatlower than that they formerly paid ; whence
all Borrowers, as well Merchants as others, will be eafed by this Reforma-
tion. (2.) Let the State be paid fome fmall Acknowledgment for each
Licence; and the reft go to the Lender : for if the Diminution be but
fmall to the Lender, he will not be difcouraged from lending. Thus, if he
before took Ten or Nine in the Hundred, he will fooner defcend to Eight
than give over his Trade of Ufury ; and change Certainty for Hazard.
(3.) Let there be no determinate Number of thefe licenfed Lenders, but
let them be reftrained to certain principal Cities and Towns of flourifliing
Trade: for then they will have no Opportunity of lending, under the Pre-
text of L I c E N c E s, other Mens Money inftead of their own : nor will
the licenfed Rate of Nine or Eight thus fwallow up the general Rate of
Five -, fince no Man will choofe to lend his Money flu- off", nor truft
it in unknown Hands.
An ohjeHion j. If it be objefted that this Scheme would authorize Ufury, which
f" f^« ■P'""/'^- before was in fome Places only permiflive •, I anfwer, that 'tis better to
jal anfwered. j^jj.jg,^j.g uf^^y by Declaration, than fuffer it to rage by Connivance.
Essay
SeiV. II. OeconomicalEssays. 119
EssAv XVII. Of Riches.
r. TJ ICHES may be aptly termed the Baggage of Virnic : for Bag- ^'uhes the
Xv g-age is to an Army, what Riches are to Virtue; neceflary, but ^.•'^"■^^ "■/"
cumberfome -, and cannot be left behind, tho they hinder the March ; ^'"'"'
and even frequently lofe or delay the Vidtory. Great Riches are of no
ufe but to expend ; the reft is Imagination. Solo?non fays. Where much is,
there are many to confuf/ie it ; attd "what hath the Owner, but the fight of it
■with bis Eyes ? The Poneflion of Rjches gives no fenfible Pleafure to the
PofiTeflbr : there is indeed a Care to preferve, a Power to beftow, or a
Reputation and a Pride to poflefsthem -, but no folid Ufe to the mere Pof-
feflbr. What feign'd Prices are fet upon Gems and Rarities ! What emp-
ty Projects are enter'd upon, out of pure Oftentation, to make the World
believe there is fome Ufe of Riches! But it may be faid, their Ufe prin-
cipally appears in this, that they free the PoiTefTor from Danger and Trou-
ble i according to the Saying of Sokmon, Riches are as a flrong hold in the
imagination of the rich man : But Solomon prudently adds, they are fo in
Imagination, not in Fad : for certainly more Men have been enfnared,
than redeemed by their Riches.
2. Endeavour not to raile immenfe Riches, but fuch as may be pro- Cautions a-
cured juftly, ufed foberly, diftributed chearfully, and loft contentedly ^g^'mft grow-
yet have no monkilli Contempt of them ; but diftinguifh httwixt procii-'r/"''' ""
curing U^ealth vjith an avaritious Plew, and a Fietx) to the doing of Good.
Hearken alio to Solomon, and beware of growing rich too fuddenly. The
Poets feign, that when Plutus, which denotes Wealth, is fent from Jupi-
ter, he limps and goes flow •, but when fent from Pluto, he runs, and is
fwift of foot : intimating that Riches procured by laudable Means and
juft Labour, advance llowly ; but coming by Death, that is by Will, In-
heritance, 6?f. fall precipitantly.
3. The Ways to grow rich are various ; but moft of them unfair : Par- the Ways of
fimony mr.y be accounted one of the beft, tho not entirely innocent ; be- '"^!1"'''"'S
caufe it interferes with the Works of Bounty and Charity. Ao-riculture ^" '"'
feems the moft nauiral Way of obtaining Riches ; but 'tis (low : Yet
when Men of Fortune ftoop to Farming and Hufbandry, they often "row
immenfely rich. I knew an EnglifJj Nobleman, w'lio had the laroeft Re-
turns from Country Affairs, of any Subjeft in my time. He was rich in
Herds, rich in Flocks, Woods, Coals, Corn, Lead-Mines, Iron-Mines,
and many other matters of Huft^andry. So that the Earth was like the
Ocean to him, perpetually importing Commodities.
4. It was well obferved by a Perfon upon himfclf, that with oreat Dif- ^4l " '''''fi
ficulty he procured a fmall Eftate, and with great Eafe a large one. For " ^""^ ^/t'n
when'a Man's Stock is fo great, that he can' wait the Advantage of \hii'"/iJ!i!
Market, and make fuch Purchafes as are too large for moft other Purfes, red.
yet
\ro
The honeft
and difljonejl
Projits.
fobbing.
Partnerfliip,
Ufury.
Inventors.
Venturers.
Monopolies.
Pojls tf Ho-
nour.
Poaching for
F.xecutor-
Jliips.
Riches neither
to he dejpife i,
nor niggardly
ufed.
Riches how to
be difpofed of.
Oeconomical Essays. Se(St. II.
yet remain Partaker of the Induftry of the poorer fort ■, he cannot fail of
b;;coming extremely rich.
5. The Profits arifing from the ordinary Trades and Profeflions, are
doubtlefs honeft, and increafed chiefly by two things -, Diligence and a
Charafter for fair dealing. But the Gaini arifing from large Contrafts are
generally of a more dubious Nature •, as for example, when a Man watches
to take the Advantage of others Wants and Neceflities ; bribes Servants
to the Prejudice of their Mafters ; craftily prevents the better Bidders ;
with the like fraudulent and culpable Praftices.
6. Purchafing with a Defign to vend again, commonly grinds on both
fides ; and opprefles as well the firft Seller as the fecond Buyer. Partnerfhips
are very enriching, if thePerfons concerned be well chofen. Ufury is one
of the fureft Means of Gain, tho one of the worft ; as that whereby a
Man eatshisBread /« the Sweat of another's Brow •, and keeps the Plough going
on Sundays. But tho it be certain, yet it has its Flaws : for Scriveners and
Brokers, to ferve their own Turns, will fometimes ftrongly recommend
unfafc Borrowers.
7. To be the firft in an Invention, or a Privilege, fometimes procures
an Inundation of Wealth -, as happen'd to the firft Sugar-Baker in the
Canaries. Therefore if a Man, like a fkilful Logician, can add Judgment
to Invention.^ he may certainly eflfeft great things; efpecially if the Times
be fuitable.
8. He who depends entirely upon certain Gains, will fcarce ever become
rich : on the other hand, he who puts all to the Rifk, will hardly efcape
Ruin. , It is therefore proper to back Ventures with Certainties, that may
balance LoiTes.
9. Monopolies for Refale, where not prohibited by Law, are a ready
Road to Riches -, efpecially it the Monopolizer can forefee what Commo-
dities will come in requeft •■> and fo provide himfelf with them before-
hand.
10. To grow rich in the Service of Princes, or Nobles, is honourable;
but if by means of Flattery, and other fcrvile Arts, it may be accounted
a bafe Way. But fifhing for Legacies and Executorfhips, is yet worfe ;
as this requires a Submifilon to meaner Perfons.
1 1 . Give no Credit to thofe who feem to defpife Riches ; for they de-
fpife them only becaufe they defpair of them : and none prove more pe-
nurious when they grow rich. Be not penny-wife : Riches have Wings,
and fometimes fly away of themfelves ; fometimes they muft be let go to
bring in more.
12. Men, at their Death, bequeath their Riches either to publick Ufe,
or elfe to their Children, Relations, and Friends ; in either Cafe moderate
Portions profper beft. A great Eftate left to an Heir, is as a Call to all
the Birds of Prey about him ; if he be not ripe both in Years and Judgment.
In like manner, great Gifts and magnificent Foundations for publick Ufe,
are as Sacrifices without Salt ; and but the painted Sepulchres of Alms ;
which will loon putrefy and corrupt inwardly. Let Gifts therefore be
rated.
Se6l. II. Oeconomi c A L Essays. hi
rated, not according to Largeners, but Ufe ; and reduced to a proper
Meafurc. Neither let Charities be dcferr'd till Death : for when juftly
confidered, this is certainly to be liberal, not of our own, but ano-
ther's.
Essay XVIII. Of ^f>.iv v. -e, and natural T) iff ojit ions in Men.
I. "VTAture is often eclipfed, fometimes conquered, hwx. k\(^6m txtm- Natun only
i\| guifhed. Force makes her more violent in the Recoil ; Do(5trine/«^'^''<''^>
and Precept check the naniral Affcftions ; but Cuftom alone is that which ^'"•'^'"''•
perfedly fubdues and alters Nature.
2. He who would conquer his Nature, fliould fct himfelf neither too ^"'^ tf't Cm-
ercac, nor too fmall Tafks : in the former Cafe he would be difcouraged ^,""^" ?*'
t*. T-i-i I'l 1 i-T» r 111/, I ovtatyiea over
by frequent Failures ; and m the other his rrogrels would be ilow, tho Mature.
he often prevailed. At firft let him praftife with Helps; as young Swim-
mers do with Bladders: but after a time, praftifc with Hindrances-, as
Dancers do with heavy Shoes. For it always gives Perfcdlion to have the
Exercife harder than the ordinary Ufe.
3. When Nature is powerful, and therefore the Victory difficult, tht How when
Procedure muft be gradual : for example, (i.) By flopping Nauire for a ^'^'■"■''' "
while •, like him, who in his PafTion would repeat die Letters of the Al--' '^""'^'
phabet, before he did any thing elfe. (2.) By moderating Nature, and
bringing her a Step lower ; as if a Perfon, to conquer his Love for Wine,
fhould firft fink from Bumpers to half Glafles •, and by Degrees totally
difcontinue the Ufe of it : But if a Man has the Refolution and Strength
of Mind to free himfelf at once; this were the better Way ^. Nor fhould
the ancient Rule be rejefted, to bend Nature, likeaWand, to the contrary
Extreme, in order to bring her ftrait ; fuppofing the contrary Extreme
tends not to Vice. ..-
4. But let no Man force a Habit upon himfelf, by an uninterrupted iniermijfwiis
Endeavour, without fome IntermilTions. For the Paufe renews and ^.n- *" ^' "f'.'^'''
forces the new Onfet : and if a Beginner be in continual Exercife, he will ^naeavoun
pradife his Errors as well as his other Acquirements ; and thus procure one
Habit of both : and there is no Remedy for this, but by feafonable Inter-
miffions.
5. Again, let no Man too far truft his Viftory over his own Nature : vi^ory over
for Nature will lie long buried, and yet revive upon the Temptation, f"''""'^' ""' '"
jEfop's Damfel, transformed from a Cat, fat very demurely at the Table,
till a Moufe ran before her. Therefore let a Man either wholly avoid the
Occafion ; or offer himfelf often to it, that it may move him the lefs.
6. Every ones natural Difpofuion is beft difcovered, (i.) By familiar Af««J ""'•'"••!'
Acquaintance; for here there is no Affectation. (2.) In Paffions ; ]jq. Tf^p^'' ^^"^
' aijcoveiea.
' Optimus ille animi vindex, Udentia PeHns
Vincula qui rupit, dedoluitquefemel.
Vol. II. R caufe
iix Oeconomical Essays. Se£l. II.
caufe thefe throw off all regard to Rules and Precepts : And, (3.) In new
and extraordinary Cafes -, becaufe here Cuftom forfakes us.
7. They are happy whofe natural Difpofitions fuitwith their Profefiions,
or "Ways of Life ; otherwife they may truly fay, with the Pfilmift, Mul-
tum incola fuit anima mea ; as converfing in things they do not affedl.
8. In Studies, let a Man have fet Hours for thofe Subje<fts, which are
contrary to his natural Inclination ; but for thofe agreeable to his Nature,
he need appoint no fixed times ; becaufe his Thoughts will fpontane-
oufly fly to them, as other Studies and Bufinefs give leave.
9. Every Man's Nature readily fprouts into Herbs or Weeds : let him
therefore feafonably and diligently water the one, and pluck up the
other.
The natural
Temper to be
ftttted with
the Life.
Studies a-
gainft the In-
clination to be
appointed.
Every Man's
Nature af-
fords Herbs or
Weeds.
Informed
Perfons how
revengtd of
nature.
Deformity
not to be con-
fidered as a
Sign, but a
Caufe,
IVhy deform-
ed Perfons
are bold.
Jr.duftrious.
The Advan-
tages of De-
formity.
Why Eunuchs
.-\nd deformed
Perfons are
employed by
Princes.
whence de-
formed Per-
Jons fome-
times excel.
Essay XIX. O/ D efor m i t y.
r. T~xEformed Perfons are generally revenged of Nature : for as Na-
\^ ture has been unfavourable to them ; fo are they unfavourable to
Nature ; being moft of them without natural jiffeEllon.
2. Certainly there is a Confent between the Body and the Mind ; and
where Nature errs in the one, fhe ventures in the other. But fince Man
has a Choice as to the Frame of his Mind, and lies under a Neceflity as
to the Structure of his Body -, the Stars of natural Inclination are fome-
times obfcured by the Sun of Virtue and Difcipline. Whence it were
proper to confider Deformity, not as a Sign, which is fometimes falla-
cious ; but as a Caufe which feldom fails of the Effeft.
3. Whoever has any thing in his Perfon to occafion Contempt, has a
perpetual Spur within him, to vindicate himfelf from it : whence deformed
Perfons are extreme bold •, at firft in their own Defence, as being expofed
to Scorn : but in time this turns to Habit.
4. Deformity alfo whets Induftry ; efpecially that of watching and ob-
ferving the Defefts and Weaknefs of others ; to furnifh themfelves with
a Reply.
5. Again, Deformity allays Sufpicion and Jealoufy in Superiors ; who
confider the Deformed as Perfons they may at pleafure defpife. It like-
wife lays their Rivals and Competitors afleep ; who never fufpeft fuch Per-
fons Ihould be promoted, till they fee them in pofleffion. So that, to con-
fider the Matter clofely. Deformity in a great Genius is a means of
rifmg.
6. Kings anciently, and to this Day in certain Empires, put great Con-
fidence in Eunuchs ; becaufe they who are envious towards all, will be
more faithful and devoted to one : Yet they truft them rather as good
Spies and Whifperers, than as good Magiftrates and publick Minifters.
And the Cafe is much the fame in deformed Perfons.
7. The Rule above laia down holds good ; and the Deformed, if Men
of Spirit, will do their utmoft to free themfelves from Scorn and Con-
tempt :
Sedt. II. Oeconomical Essays. ii;
rempt : and this can onlv be eftedled by Virtue or Malice. Whence it is
no wonder tJiey fhould Ibmetimes prove extraordinary Perfons •, fuch as
were Jgefthus, Zangcr the Son of Solyman, ^/op, Ga/ca Prefident of Peru ;
to whom might be added Socrates^ and many more.
Essay XX. Of B e a u t v.
I. "VTlrtue, like a rich Gem, is beft when plain fct -, and certainly^''""'"'""'
V appears to advantage in a Body that is comely, rho without ^^-^^Jh^freAt
licate Features ; or that has rather Dignity of Prefence, than Beauty oi Beauty.
Afpeft. 'Tis rare that very beautiful Perfons are highly virtuous ; as if
Nature endeavoured to commit no grofs Errors, rather than to produce any
thing perfeft. Whence the Beautiful, tho agreeable in Company, are
but low in Sentiments ; and ftudy Gentility rather than Virtue. But
this does not always hold ; for yiugujlus Cafar, "Titus Fefpafi.v/i, Philip le
Belle of France, Eihvard the Fourth of England, ^Icibiades of Athens^
and Ifmad the Sophy of Perfia, were very great Men, and yet extremely
beautiful.
2. In Beauty, that of Make is greater than that of Complexion ; a.nd The EJfent'uds
a decent and graceful Play of the Face, and Motion of the Body, greater"/ ^"""y-
than that of Make. That is the beft Part of Beauty which a Pidure
cannot exprefs •, nor even the Life itfelf at the firft Sight. There is no
exquifite Beauty without fome Irregularity in the Proportion. It is hard
to fay, whether yllbert Durer or Jpellcs was the greater Trifler ; the firft
for attempting to draw a Man by Geometrical Proportions ; the odier for
taking the beft Features from feveral Faces, in order to form one that
fhould be excellent. Such Piiflures, I conceive, could pleafe none but the
Painter. A Painter. I allow, may draw a more beautiful Face than ever
Life afforded -, but then he muft do it by a kind of Felicity, or Chance,
(as Muficians play their Voluntaries) and not by Rule. There are Faces
which, if examined Feature by Feature, fcarce afford a good one ; yet
prove agreeable all together.
3. If Beauty principally confift in decent Motion, no wonder that elder ^h Pffo'^^
Perfons fhould fometimes appear more amiable than the younger <=: ^Q^'f middle Age
Youth can never be graceful in all Refpefts, otherwife than by Curtefy ; "^'oreTeauti-
and allowing the want of Years to balance the want of Decorum. /«/.
4. Beauty is like Summer Fruit, eafily corrupted, and not lafting. It The a dvan-
often renders Youth diflblute, and Age penitent; but if well placed, it'^VJ f"'^ .
makes Virtues ftiine, and Vices blulh. fjf^rlT.t
gcs of Beauty.
PuUhnrum autumnus pulcher.
R 2 Essay
J14- Oeconomical Essays. Sed. 1L
Essay XXI. Of the Rules <?/ Health.
I, 'T^ HERE is a Prudence in the Management of Health, beyond the
A Rules of Phyfick. Every Man's own Obfervation of what he
finds good, and what hurtfiil to the Body, is the beft Means to preferve
Health.
2. It is a fafer Conclufion to fay, this I have found prejudicial, there-
fore I will leave it off ; than to fty, this has not hurt me, therefore I may
ufe it. For the Vigour of Youth covers many Exceffes, which. Age muft
feel the Effefbs of
3. Difcern the Approach of Years; and think not to continue in the
fame Courfe always : for there is no fighting againft Age.
4. Beware of a fudden Change in any capital part of Regimen ; and if
Necefllty require it, fit the other Parts to the Change. For it is a Secret
both in Nature and Policy, that many things may be fafer changed than
a fingle great one.
5. Let the Cuftoms of Diet, Sleep, Exercife, Cloathing, Habitation,
and the like, be examined -, and if any thing is judged hurtful, try to
difcontinue it by degrees : but return to it again if any Inconvenience en-
fue upon the Change ; for it is hard to dillinguifii what is good, and
wholfome in general, from that which fuits a particular Conftitution.
6. To be unbent and chearful at Hours of Meat, Sleep and Exercile,
is one of the beft Precepts for prolonging Life.
7. As for Paffions of the Mind and Studies; avoid Envy, anxious
Fears, ftifled Anger, fubtile and knotty Enquiries, Joys and Exhilara-
tions in Excefs, and deep Sadnefs uncommunicated. On the other hand,
entertain Hope ; Mirth rather than Joy ; Change of Pleafures rather than
Satiety; Admiration, and therefore Novelties; Studies that fill the Mind
•with gay and illuftrious Objefts ; wz. Poetry, Hiftory, the Excurfions of
Nature, ^c.
8. Wholly to abftain from Phyfick in Health, will make it too unfuit-
able to the Body in Sicknefs ; and if render'd familiar in Health, it will
work no extraordinary Effect in Sicknefs.
9.. Rather ufe appropriated Diets at certain Seafons, than frequent Phy-
fick ; except it be grown into a Cuftom : for fuch Diets alter the Body
more, and difturb it lefs.
10. Defpife no new and unufual Accident in the Body ; but take Advice
upon it.
1 1 . In Sicknefs, let Health be the principal Care ; and in Health,
Aftion and Exercife ; without being over delicate and tender : for thofe
who render their Bodies hardy in Health, may in moft Difeafes that
are not acute, be cured by an exadt Diet and Regimen, without much
Phyfick.
12. Cdfm
SedV. II. O E C O N 0 M I C A L E S S A Y Sk iiy
12. Cel^us could never have given that excellent Rule of his, as a Phy-
fician, had h^ not alfo been a wife Man. He advifes it as a Secret for pre-
ferving Health and lengthening Life, to vary, and fometimes interchange
Contraries ; always inclining to the more benign Extreme : Thus for ex-
ample, to ufe a (pare and a fiill Diet, but oftener the latter -, Watching
and Sleeping, but rather Sleeping -, Sitting and Exercifc, but rather
Exercife ; and the like. For thus Nature may be at once recruited and
ftrengthen'd.
13. Some Phyficians are fo indulgent to the Humour of their Patients,
as not to purfue the true Cure of the Difcafe ; whilft others proceed fo
regularly, ftridly, and according to Art, in the Cure of the Difeafe,
as not fufficiently to regard the State and Condition of the Patient. Choofe
a Phyfician therefore of a middle Temper ■, or ii' this cannot be found in
one, join two Phyficians together, or one of either fort ; calling in as well
the beft acquainted with your Conftitution, as the beft experienced in his
Art.
T
Essay XXII. O/ T r a v el l in g.
Ravelling is a part of Education in young Men ; and in the elder Young Men to
a part of Experience. He who goes into a foreign Country be- '^^'^^^ "''■'^''
fore he has made fome Progrcfs in the Language, goes to School ; not to
travel. I approve that young Men fhould travel under the Direction of
fome Tutor, or experienced Servant, who underftands the Language, and
has been in the Country before •, fo as to inftruft his Pupil what dcferves
to be there feen and known ; what Friendfhips and Familiarities are to be
contrafted ; and laftly, what Studies or Exercifes flourifli in the Place :
Otherwife young Men will travel hood-wink'd, and fee little.
2. 'Tis ftrange, that in Voyages, where nothing appears but Sky D'^'^ries to be
and Sea, Men Ihould keep Diaries •, yet generally omit them in Travels, "''!'' "/ ■'■'''''
where fo much is to be obferved : as if accidental things were fitter to be
regiftered than Matters of fixed and certain Obfervation. Let Diaries
therefore be here brought into Ufe.
^. The things to be feen and obferved in Travelling, are the Courts of ^'-^ '^''«i^ "
Princes, efpeci.illy when they give Audience to foreign A iiibaffulors ; ^^^^^ /^"j/jiJ^ '"
Courts of Juftice, whilft they fit, and hear Caufes ; Ecclefiaftical Confifto-
ries. Churches, and Monafteries, with their Monuments ; the Walls and
Fortifications of Cities and Towns -, Havens and Harbours ; Antiquities
and Ruins ; Libraries, Colleges, Difpurations and Ledlures •, Shipping ;
Palaces, and Gardens of State and Pleafure-, Armories, Arfenals, Maga-
zines, publick Vaults, and Granaries ■, Exchanges, and the Places of pub-
lick Concourfe -, Store-houfes ; Exercifes of Horfemanfliip ; Fencing ;
the Exercifes of the Soldiery, and the like. To thefe we add the Plays
whereto the better fort of Perfons refort ; Repofitories of Jewels and
Robes ; Cabinets, Curiofities, Rarities ; and, to conclude whatfoever is
celebrated
l^6 Oeconomical Essays. Sed. II.
celebrated or remarkable in the Place. And after all the Things of this
kind, the Tutors and Servants above-mentioned ought to make diligent
Enquiry. As for Triumphs, Malks, Feafts, Weddings, Funerals, capi-
tal Executions, and the like. Men need not be put in mind of them ; tho
thefe are not to be neglefted.
How to tra- 4. If young Men would reduce the Fruits of their Travels into a
''''/'"''^'^■'"''fmall Compafs, and collect much in a (hort time ; let them, (i.) acquire
"^^' fome knowledge of the Language before they fet out. (2.) Choofe a
Servant or Tutor, that knows the Country well. (3.) Procure fome Map,
or Book, that defcribes the Country •, which will ferve as a Key to Enqui-
ry. (4.) Keep a Diary. (5.) Not Hay long in any one City or Town, tho
more or lefs as the Place deferves, but by no means long. (6.) Change their
Lodgings frequently in the fame City or Town, from one part to ano-
ther •, for this is attraftive of large Acquaintance. (7.) Avoid aflbciating
too much with their own Countrymen ; and eat at thofe Ordinaries where
the beft Company of the Natives meets. (8.) Let them upon Removes
procure Letters of Recommendation to fome Perfon of Eminence, refi-
ding in the Place they remove to ; for procuring his Favour and AfTiftance
in any Matters defired to be feen or known. And thus may Travelling
be abridged to Advantage.
rhtAcquam- g. As for the Acquaintance and Friendfhips to be contrafted in Travel-
fance to be jjj^g ^ j-j^g ,^Qf^ ufeful kind is that of the Secretaries, and neareft Servants
'"'' "' of Ambafilidors : for thus by Travelling in one Country, the Knowledge
and Experience of many may be gained. A Traveller alfo fhould vifit
the eminent Perfons in all kinds, whofe Names are famous abroad ; in or-
der to obferve how far the Life agrees with Report.
Giuarrels to be 6. Quarrels, and private Animofities, muft bedifcreetly and carefully
avoided. avoided. Thefe commonly arife about Miftrefles, Healths, Precedency,
and Words of Reproach. And let a Man beware of keeping Company
with the Pafiionate and the Quarrelfome j who will otherwife engage him
in their own Quarrels.
rheConduH ►,_ When our Traveller returns home, let him not wholly leave foreign
l/>fr''r««r»- ^^""'•"^^ behind him; but preferve and cultivate, by Letters, theFriend-
i„^_ fliip of the more worthy of thofe with whom he con traded a Familiarity
abroad. And let his having travelled rather appear in his Difcourfe, than
in his Clothes or Gefture. In his Difcourfe, likewife, let him rather endea-
vour at folid Anfwers, than give into the Vein of Story-telling. Let
him alfo fhew that he has not changed the Manners of his own Nation
for thofe of another ; but only ftuck a few foreign Flowers among the
Cufloms of his native Country.
Essay
SeiV. 11. O E coNOMicAL Essays. 117
■H
We \ci\
Essay XXIII. Of Buildings.
Oufes are built to live in, not to look at: therefore let Conveni- Convenience
cnce here take place of Beauty •, unlefs when both may be had. '^^ frmci^al
>'c the pompous Houfes, for Beauty only, to the enchanted Palaces ^•^"'''•' "'
- - . , /WIT.
of the Poets ; who raife them with little Expence.
2. He who builds an elegant Houfe with a bad Situation j commits A proper si-
himfelf to Prifon. I call that a bad Situation, not only where the Air is*""'.'"" '«^*
unwholfome •, but likewife where it is unequal : as in the Cafe of Houfes'^ "^^'
built upon an Eminence, furrounded, like a Theatre, with higher Hills;
where the Heat of the Sun is kept in, and the Wind collefted as into Chan-
nels, running with different Streams •, fo as to caufe as fudden and great
Diverfities of Heat and Cold, as would be felt in feveral different Places.
3. Nor is it any unfivourable Circumftance of the Air alone, that makes r/;f Things
a bad Situation -, but bad Markets, bad Roads, and bad Neighbours ; the 'j"'"'^'/ ""'
Want of Water, Fewel, Shade and Shelter -, the Want of Fertility or Mix- f'-,„ "^*"
ture of Soil of feveral kinds ; the Want of Profpedl ; the Want of level
Grounds and Places adjacent for Hunting, Hawking, and Horfe-Racing ;
the lying too near the Sea, or too remote from it ; the Want of navigable
Rivers, or the Inconvenience arifmg from their overflowing ; the being at a
diftance from large Cities, which may hinder Bufmefs -, or elfe too near them,
which confumesProvifions, and makes all Commodities dear ; theNecefllty
of having too much Land lying together ; or elfe too little, fo as to be cramp-
ed and confined ; all which Inconveniencies I enumerate, not as if any
Houfe could be free from them all ; but that as many of them as poflible may
be avoided : and again, that if any Gentleman builds himfelf feveral Seats,
he may manage fo as to have thofe Conveniencies in one, which are want-
ing in another. It was a proper Anfwer of Lucullus to Pompey, who upon
viewing the magnificent and luminous Rooms and Galleries in one of Lu-
cullus'% Palaces, cry'd out, yin excellent Seat for the Summer ; but how do
you endure the Winter ? Lucullus replied. Do you think I hai-e not the
Prudence of Birds, who fome of them change their Habitation towards
Winter ?
4. We now pafs from the Situation to the Houfe itfelf ; endeavouring TjEi«Afi!i/f/ of
in this Eflay to imitate Cicero, who wrote certain Books upon Oratory ; " ^"5"'' '"''-
and one which he called the Orator : in the former whereof he delivered '■^'^''■'"'■'
the Precepts of the Art ; and in the latter its Perfeftion. We therefore
next proceed to defcribe a Palais Royal ; and exhibit a kind of Model
thereof : for it is ftrange to fee in Europe fuch vaft Piles of Building, as
the Vatican, Efcurial, and fome others •, yet fcarce a very magnificent
Room in them.
5. And this we lay down as a Foundation, that there can be no ^tr(e6tAperfertPx-
Palace without two Parts -, one for the Banquet, as is mentioned in the ^"^ '" ^"'" '
Book of Hcjicr ; and another for the Houlhold : the firft for Feafts, '-ZeTb^
Shews, row.'#r.
ixS Oeconomical Essays. Se(Sl. II.
Shews, and Magnificence ; the fecond for Habitation. I mean that thefe
two Parts be built not as Sides, but as Fronts ; and to be uniform with-
out, tho differently partitioned within : And again, to be joined by a lofty
and magnificent Tower, in the middle of the Front.
A Banfuet 6. On the Banquet Part, let there be only one Room above Stairs, fifty
Pi-'ri, Foot high at the lead -, and under it another, of the fame length and
breadth, for conveniently receiving the Machines, Decorations, Dreffes,
and the Aclors themfelves, whilft they get ready at the Times of pub-
lick Entertainments.
and n Hon/- y. Let the Houfhold Part be divided chiefly into a large and ftately Hall,
held Part. J^pd a Chapel •, not running however the whole length of this Part -, but
to have at the farther end two Parlours, one for Winter, and one for Sum-
mer : and under all thefe, except the Chapel, let large Cellars be funk to
ferve for Privy-Kitchens, Larders, Pantries, and the like.
The siruHiire 8. Let the Tower be raifed two Stories (each of them fifteen Foot high)
oftbeTcwer ^bove the Csvo Wings of the Front; and be flat-leaded, and railed at the
top, with Statues interpofed. Let the Tower alfo be divided into Lodg-
ing-Rooms, at Difcretion. The Stairs are to be wide, winding, divided
into fixes, and on both fides adorned with Images of gilt Wood, or at
leafl of a brafs Colour ; and to have a fpacious Landing-Place at the fop.
But in this Cafe let none of the adjacent lower Rooms be made a Dining-
place for Servants ; otherwife the Steam of the Meat will afcend as it
were through a Funnel : and fo much for the Front. Only I underftand
the height of the firfl Stair-Cafe to be twenty Foot; which is the height of
the firfl: Story.
The Court- cj. Beyond this Front let there be a fpacious Court- Yard, with its three
Yard how to ^^j^^ much lower built than the Front. And in the four Corners of this
Court, let there be raifed Stair-Cafes, cafl: into Turrets on the outfide, and
projefting from the Row. But thefe Turrets are not to rife fo high as the
Front -, yet proportionably higher than the lower Edifices. And let not
the whole Court be paved with broad fquare Stone ; becaufe this fl:rikes a
great Heat in Summer, and Cold in Winter : but let fome Walks be
made of this Stone, running along the fides of the Building, and making
a Crofs in the middle, with Quarters for Grafs, which is to be kept fhort
cut.
Thesrnamen- lo. Let the whole Banquet-fide of the Court be filled with magnificent
'f ' '^"'■'^ 'f Galleries -, in each whereof let there be three or five beautiful Cupo-
and HoufioU ''^'^' placed at equal Diftances through the whole Lengths : and let the
.rf/'/'.jr/wfn;^. Windows be of Glafs varioufly coloured and wrought. On the Houfliold-
fide, and that oppofite to the Front, fhould be Prefence-Chambers, and
others for ordinary Ufe and Entertainments •, as alfo Bed-Chambers •, and
let all three fides be built in form of a double Houfe, without thorow
Lights, or with Windows only one Way -, fo that there may be Rooms free
from the Sun, both Forenoon and Afternoon : and contrive it fo as to have
Rooms fliady for Summer, and warm for Winter. We fometimes fee ele-
gant Houfes fo full of Windows, that one can fcarce find a Place to be
out
Sed. IL Oeconom ic A L Essays. 119
out of che Sun or Cold. I approve oi Bow-Windows, as convenient
things. In Cities indeed plain Windows are beft, for the fikc of Uni-
formity, next the Street ; otherwife they are convenient Retiring- Places
for Conference ; and at the Cime time keep off both the Wind and Sun :
for what would otherwife ftrike almoft thro the Room, can thus fcarce
reach beyond the Window. But let thefe Bow-Windows be few, or not
exceeding four -, lis. two on each hand of the Area.
1 1 . Beyond this let there be an inner Court -, of the fime Circuit and Garden ani
Height ; furrounded on the outfide with a Garden ; and witli beautiful '^"'"'•
arched Tcrrafs-Walks within, as high as the firft Story. Let tht outward
part of the lower Story, towards the Garden, have the two fides turned to
a Grotta, or place of Shade -, and either open, or lafhed only towards the
Garden. And let this Grotta not be funk, but lie level with the Ground ;
and have a proper Flooring to pre\'ent Dampnefs. There fliould alfo be
a curious Fountain, or fome magnificent Work of Statuary, in the midfl:
of this Court ; with a Pavement like to that of the other.
12. Let the Building on both fides of this Court be deftined for Privy- •''"/'''«•"■'^•'■•j
Chambers-, and the end for Privy-Galleries: But Care mud be had that ' >
fome of the Rooms, Clofets, and Galleries, be appointed tor Infirmaries ;
in cafe the Prince and any of the Royal Family fliould be fick. And
each Infirmary fhould have its Anti-Chamber, Bed-Chamber, and With-
drawing-Room. And let this be upon the fecond Story.
13. Let the end of the lower Story towards the Garden, be converted 0/'« C/iW
ro a magnificent open Gallery, fupported by Pillars. And again, upon*"''^'
the third Story, let there be on all the three fides, the like kind of elegant
open Galleries, raifed on Pillars •, for taking the Profpeft and Frefhnefs of
the Garden ''. At both Corners of the farther fide, on the fecond Srory,
let there be two Clofets, or Cabinets, curioufly inlaid, richly hung, fafhed C''*'»'''^-
with cryfl:al Glafs, and rifing in an elegant Cupola in the middle. Let
thcfe Cabinets be filled with all kinds of the noblefl Curiofities. The up-
per Galleries alfo I would, if pofTible, have adorned with fmall Fountains, Vount^'ms.
playing from die Wall in different Places ; and difcharging the Water by
fecret Conveyances.
14. And thus much for the Model of the Palace ; not here intending xAree c««r'j.
to fpeak of Baths, Fifli-Ponds, ami the like. We fliall only fartlier^pb-
ferve, that there fliould be three Coflfts leading up to the Front of' the
Palace ; "c'tz. a plain green Court furrounded with a Wall, and Trees
growing regularly along the fides thereof ; a fecond Court of the fame
Dimenfion, but with little Turrets, or the like Embellifliments upon the
Wall ; and a third, to make a Square with the Front ■, but not to be
built round, nor enclofed with a naked Wall, but furrounded with Tev-Terrafes.
raffes, raifed not upon Arches, but upon Pillars ; and either leaded or
flagged with broad Stone a-top ; and adorned with little brafs-coloured
Images.
For the Subjed of Royal Gardens, fee the following Eflay,
o
Vol. II. S 15. A
I go Oeconomical Essays. Se<5l. II.
offices. 15. As for Offices, let them ftand at fome diftance from the Palace;
and have low covered Galleries leading from them to it.
Gardening
affords a pure
kind of Plea-
lure.
Royal Gar-
dens to pro-
duce monthly .
for Decem-
ber and Ja-
nuaiy.
February.
M.'ircli.
April.
May and
June.
JiJy.
Aiijruft.
Essay XXIV. Of Gardens,
I . /^~^ O D firft planted a Garden : and indeed of all human Pleafures,
Vj that of a Garden is the purefl •, and highly refreflies and recreates
the Spirits : infomuch that without it, Buildings and Palaces are butgrofs
Handy-works -, that have nothing of Nature in them. And weconftantly
find, that as Nations advance in Civility and Magnificence ; they fooner
arrive at Elegance in Building, than in Gardening : as if the latter were
the more perfeft thing.
2. I lay it down as fundamental, that Gardens Royal fhould have a
Garden fuited to every Month of the Year ; fo as to produce all thofe
things a-part, which flourifh and come in Seafon monthly. For Decem-
ber, January, and the latter part of November, choofe fuch things as
are green all Winter ; viz. Holly -, Ivy •, Bays ; Juniper -, Cyprefs ;
Yews •, Box •, Pines ; Firs -, Rofemary ; Lavender •, Periwinkle, both
the white, the purple, and the blue -, Germander ; the feveral kinds of
Iris ; Orange-trees -, Lemmon-trees •, and Myrtles -, if preferved in the
Green-houfe ; as alfo Sweet Marjoram fet to the warm Sun.
3. For the latter end of January and February, there are the Mezereon
Tree, which then hloflbms ; the Crocus P'ernus, both the yellow and the
grey ; Primrofes •, Anemonies -, the early Tulip ; the Oriental Hyacinth ;
the Chamairis; and the Fritellaria.
4. For March, there are Violets of all kinds, efpecially the fingle blue,
which are the earlieft •, the yellow Daffiidil ; the Daify ; the Almond-
tree ■, the Cornel-tree in Bloflbm ; and the Sweet-briar.
5. In jipril follow the doable white Violet ; the Wall-flower ; the
Stock-gilliflower ■, the Cowflip ; the Flower-de-luce ; Lillies of all
kinds; Rofemary-flowers -, the Tulip; the double Piony ; the pale Dafi^a-
dil ; the French Honey-fuckle ; the Cherry-tree, the Pear, and all the
Plumb- trees in Bloflbm ; the Bear's-breech in Leaf ; and the Lelach-tree.
6. In May and June come Pinks of all forts, efpecially the Blufli-Pink ;
Rofes of all kinds, except the Mufk-Rofe, which comes later ; Honey-
fuckles ; Strawberries ; Buglofs ; Columbine ; the French Marygold ;
77oj y//"nV.2»»^, fingle and double ; the Cherry-tree in Fruit ; Currants; Figs
in Fruit; Rafberries in Fruit; the Vine in Flower; Lavender in Flower;
the Garden Satyrion, with the white Flower ; Herba Mufcaria ; the Lilly
of the Valley ; and the Apple-tree in Bloflbm.
7. In July come Gilliflowers of all forts ; Mufk-Rofes ; the Lime-tree
in Bloflbm ; early Pears, Plumbs and Apples, in Fruit.
8. In Juguji come Plumbs of all forts in Fruit; Pears; Apricots;
Barberries ; 1- ilberds ; Mufl^melons ; and Monks-hoods of all Colours.
9. In
Se£l. II. Oeconomical Essays. igi
9. In September come Grapes ; Apples ; Poppies of all Colours -, September.
Peaches ; Melo-cotones ; Neftarines •, Cornels-, Wardens; Quinces.
10. In Olfober, and the beginning of A'o':rwZ'fr, come Services ; Med- 0'^°''^^ "^-^
lars -, Sloes •, Rofes cut or removed to come late; Holly-oaks, (y:. The "^^"
Plants here mentioned are for the Climate of London : but our meaning is
to Ihew, how a kind of perpenial Spring may be procured in other Pla-
ces alfo, according to their Nature.
11. And becaufe the Odour of Flowers is much fweeter in the Air"'^''' ^'.'""'
(where it undulates, like the warbling of Mufick) than when in die Hand ilj^ur 'as thiy
nothing contributes more to procure the Pleafure of their free Scent, than^ro-.i>.
to know what Plants beft perflime the Air while growing. Rofes, both
the Damafk and the Red, are, whilft on the Bufh, retentive of their Odours i
or perfume the Air fo little, that you may walk by a whole Hedge-Row
of them, without perceiving their Sweetnefs ; even on a dewy Morning.
Bays, Rofemary, and Sweet-Marjoram, likewife yield little Scent as they
grow.
12. What moft perfumes the Air whilft growing, is the Violet; efpe-^*lA '^"f
cially the white double Violet, which flowers twice a Year •, viz. about^'^^''^'^' '
the middle of jlpril, and towards the end of Augufl. Next to tliis is the „.^j„ gr^w-
Mu(k-Rofe -, then come the Strawberry-leaves, which as they wither, Ing.
yield an excellent cordial Odour : then the VineBloflbms, which appear like
the Durt upon the Stalk of a Bent. The next in order is Sweet-briar ; then
Wall- flowers, which are very delightful if fet under a Parlour-window:
then Pinks and Gilliflowers -, then the Flowers of the Lime-tree -, then the
Honey-fuckle at fome fmall diftance : and laftly, the Flowers of Laven-
der. We do not mention Bean-blofl"oms, becaufe they are Field- flowers.
13. The Plants which agreeably perfume the Air, not when growing, ^'"'/«'^•"'''^"
but by being trampled upon and crufhed, are three ; cvz. Burnet, Wild-^^"' '"
thyme, and Water-minr. Therefore whole Walks fhould be planted
with thefe ; to have the Pleafure of their Odour in walking upon them.
14. Royal Gardens* ftiould not contain lefsthan thirty Acres of Ground; The platform
and may be properly divided into three parts : a Green at the Entrance \''^ a Garden
a Heath or Wildernefs at going out; and the main Garden in the middle ; ''^" '
befides Walks on both fides. And I fhould allot four Acres to the Green,
fix to the Heath, eight to the Side-walks, and twelve to the main
Garden.
15. The Green has two Advantages ; the one, as nothing is more plea- The Green,
fant to the Eye than verdant Grafs, kept fhort cut; the other, as it will ''^'"/^''^'^o
afford a Walk in the middle up to a ftately Hedge, which is to enclofe [he •^"'^""'*^''''**'
main Garden. But becaufe this Walk will be long; and becaufe the Shade
ought not to be purchafed by walking fo far in the Summer's Sun ; two
Cover'd Walks, one on each fide the Green, fliould be made, rsvelve Foot
high, of Wood-Work ; fo as to afibrd a fhady Pafl"age into the Garden.
16. Let the Figure of the Garden be fquare, and encompaflfed round r/^^ Forw o/
with a beautiful arched Hedge ; the Arches being ten Foot high, fix Foot '^e G^ri^w.
• The .Author here l.iys down the Platforjn of a Royal Garderij as in the foregoing Eflay
he gave the Model of a Royal Palace.
S 2 wide ;
I3X
The great
Hedge, how
to be ra'ifed.
The Difpofa.
of the Gar-
den,
The Walks
and Mount.
rountams.
Oeconomi CAL Essays. Se6l, II.
•wide ; and fupported by Pillars of Wood-Work ; ftanding at fix Foot
diftiince from each other. Over the Arches, let there bd a continued
Hedge, four Foot high, framed alfo of Wood: And over this, at the top
of every Arch, let there be a little Turret; with a Cavity fufFicient to re-
ceive a Cage of Birds. And over every Space between the Arches, place
fome other gilt Figure, containing Plates of colour'd GL'.fs for the Sun to
play upon.
17. This Hedge: I propofe fliould beraifcd upon a Bank, gently fiop'ed
to the hciglu of fix Foot -, and fet all over with Flowers. I alfo mean,
that this Square of the Garden fhould not take up the whole breadth of
the Ground, but leave room enough on both fides for the making of va-
rious Walks •, to which the two cover'd Alleys of the Green may lead.
But there muft be none of thofe Walks with Hedges, either at the end or
entrance of the Garden: Not at the Entrance, becaufe this would hinder the
Profpeft of the beautiful Hedge from the Green ; nor at the End, becaufe
that would hinder the Profpeft thro the Arches, from the Hedge, upon the
Heath.
i 18. I leave the Difpofition of the Ground, contain'd within the great
Hedge, to be varied at Pleafure ; advifing only, thit whatever form it is
caft into, it be not too full of Labour and Curiofity. Images cut in Ju-
niper, or other Trees, I cannot approve of -, as being only fit for Chil-
dren. But low Hedges, cut round like Edging, with fome little Pyra-
mids interfperfed, are agreeable : and in fome few Places, tall Pyramids
and Columns of Wood, cover'd with Hedge-work, may be allowed.
19. I would alfo have the Walks fpacious and large. Narrow Alleys
indeed may be allowed upon the fide Grounds ; but none in the main Gar-
den. I would alfo advife a large Mount in the middle of the Garden ;
with three Afcents, and three Walks, broad enough to receive four Per-
fons abreaft. Thefe Walks I would have circular, without any Bulwarks
or Emboffments. Let the whole height of the Mount be thirty Foot ;
and have an elegant Banqueting-houfe a-top, with neat Chimneys ; and
not too much Glafs.
20. Fountains are very ornamental and refrefhing •, but Ponds and Fifh-
Pools fhould be rejefted -, as rendring the Garden unwholefome, and
filling it with Flies, Frogs, and the like. I would have the Fountains of
two forts •, the one to play as Jet d' Eaitx ; the other to receive Water
in a beautiful Bafm, thirty or forty Foot fquare ; without Fifh, Foul-
nefs, or Mud. The common Marble Statues, or gilt Images, are a pro-
per Ornament for the former ; but the principal thing in this cafe is, to
procure a conflant Courfe to the Water, that it may neither flagnate in
the Shells nor Ciflern ; fp as to grow green, red, or otherwife difcolour-
ed ■, or contradl any Mofs or Putrefaftion. Let it alio be cleanfed every
Day by the Hand, that it may remain limpid. It would be likewife an
Ornament to have fome Steps leading up to the Fountain ; and a proper
Pavement about it. The other kind of Fountain, which we may call a
Bath, will admit of a great Variety of Ornaments ; thus the bottom
and fides may begraced with Images, and fet off with varioufly coloured
Glafs,
Sect. IL Oeconomical Essays. 135^^
Glrtfs, or other things of Luftre ; and railed in, or furrounded with low
Statues. But here again, the capital thiiig is, that the Water be in perpe-
tual Motion; tailing from a Head higher than the Bath; into which it
Jhould be deliver'd by beautifi'l Spouts, and then immediately difcharged
unJtr Ground by ^n equal Range of Pipes ; fo as to prevent Stagnation.
As for artificial Rocks, and the curious Invention of arcliing Water with-
out fpilling, or throwing it into various Forms, as of Feathers, Drink-
ing-glalTes, Canopies, ^c. thefe are agreeable Sights ; but contribute no-
thing to Health or Neatncfs. .'
21. We now come to the Heath ; vhich is the third part of our gene- The Heath.
ral Plan : And this I would have nearly refemble a natural Defart. Let
there be no Trees planted in it ; only in fome Places certain Rows of
them ; to allow of Ihaded \Valks, or fafhed Galleries on their tops, co-
ver'd after th^ manner of Arbors. Let there be alfo fome Thickets, up
and down, of Sweet-briar, Honey- fuckle, and Wild-vine. And let nei-
ther thefe Thickets, nor the Galleries on the Trees, be placed in any re-
gular Order ; but at Difcretion. Let fome part of the ground be thick-
fet with Violets, Straw- berries, and Primrofes : for thefe are fweet, and
profper in the Shade. Let there alfo be little Hillocks raifed like the na-
tural Mole-hills in wild Heaths ; and fet, fome with wild Thyme, fome
with Pinks, fome with Germander, which has a beautiful Flower, fome
with Periwinkle, Violets, Straw-berries, Cowflips, Daifies, red Rofes,
Lilly of the Valley, red Sweet-Williams, Bears-foot, and the like low
Flowers, which are both fweet and beautiful. Let fome of thefe Hillocks
have little Standards, or Buflies fet on their tops; fuch as tlie Rofe, the
Juniper, Holly, Barberry, red Currant, Goofeberry, Rofemary, Bays,
Sweet-briar, i^c. all of them to be kept cutting, that they may not grow
irregularly. And, except in thefe Particulars, let the main part of the
Heath be open, without Trees or Shrubs.
22. Let the Side-grounds be divided into a variety of private Walks -^Walks.
that fome of them may be Ihaded at all times of the Day. Some alfo
fliould be defended from Wind ; fo that Perfons may walk in them as in
a Gallery. And for this purpofe, fuch Walks mull be clofed at both
ends. And let thek clofe Walks be not green, but gravell'd ; to keep
them conftantly dry. In many of thefe Walks may be fet Fruit-Trees of
all forts ; as well on the outfide, as the infide Ranges. And let it be ob-
ferved in general, to make the Borders, wherein the Fruit-trees are plant-
ed, wide, low, moderately inclining ; and to fet them fparingly with
Flowers, for fear of defrauding the Trees. At the ends of both the Side-
grounds, I would have two Mounts raifed fome confiderable height; fo as
to leave the Wall of the Enclofure breaft-high, for affording a Profpecl
into the Fields.
23. To return to the main GArden ; there may here alfo be fome fpa- T^e K'ij/i; «/
cious Walks, fet on both fides with Fruit-trees ; as alfo certain elegant '^^J""'"-
Groups of Fruit-trees, and beautiful Arbors, with Seats ranged in regular
Order ; but thefe fhould, by no means, b; fee thick : for the main Garden
ihould
i?4
'^Aviaries,
Conclufion.
Oeconomical Essays. Se£t II.
l"hould be left open, and every way expofed to the Air. There are
fide- Walks for Shade, in the Heat of the Day or Year : But the main
Garden is defigned for the more temperate Parts of the Year, as the
Spring and Autumn •, and alfo for the Summer Mornings and Evenings,
or the more cloudy Days.
24. I cannot approve of ylviaries, unlefs they are made fo lai^e, as to
be turfed, and fet with live Shrubs and Bufhes; both to give the Birds
more freedom of flight, and perching -, and to avoid the Appearance of
Foulnefs on the Floor.
25. As to the making of Walks upon Cliffs, and various agreeable Af-
cents; thefeare the Gifts of Nature, and not always to be procured. Bist
we have fuited our Defcription to every Place ; and thus given a Plat-
form of a Garden Royal ; partly by Precept, and partly in the way of
general Model -, tho only the Outlines of it are touched. We have fpared
for no Coft in the Defign : But the Expence is nothing for Princes -, who
generally advife with Gardiners ■■, and with no lefs Charge combine ma-
ny things together with little Judgment •, fometimes adding Statues and
the like, for State and Magnificence : tho thefe Matters no way conduce
to the genuine Pleafure and Delight of a Garden.
Essay XXV. Of latent Prophecies.
Secret Pro-
phecies.
IPropofe not here to fpeak of divine Prophecies, nor of heathen
Oracles, nor of natural Prediftions -, but only of Prophecies that
have been of certain Memory, and from fecret Caufes.
That of the 2. Saith the Pythonijfa, to Saul^ To 'morroiu thou and thy fort JJoall be luitb
Firgil has thefe Verfes from Homer :
Pvthonifla/o
Saul. ^^
Seneca of
America.
j^t donius JEne£ cuncl'n dominahitur oris.,
Et nati miorumj ^ qui nafientur ab illis.
A Prophecy, as it feems, of the Roman Empire.
3. Seneca the Tragedian hath thefe Lines :
. Venient annii
Siecula /iris, quibus Occanus
Vincula rerum laxet, ly ingens
P^eat Tellus, 1'iphyfque novos
Detcgat Orbes ; nee fit Terris
Ultima Thuk.
Tolycrates'/
Vanzhter.
A Prophecy of the Difcovery of .i^merica.
4. The Daughter of Polycrates dreamed, that Jupiter bathed her Fa-
ther, and that yipollo anointed him; and ithappen'd, that he was crucified
in an open Place, where the Sun made his Body run with Sweat, and the
Rain wafhed it.
5. Philip
/
Se£V. 11. O E coNOMicAL Essays. igr
5. Pbilip of M.icedon dreamed that he lial'd up his Wife's Belly -, whence Pl'il'P "/
he' fuppofed his Wife fViould be barren : but Jriflander, the Soothfayer, ^ia«Jo"-
told him his Wife was with Child ; becaufe Men do not feal up empty Vcf-
fels.
6. A Phantafin that appear'd to M. Brutus in his Tent, faid to him, T^^'' Phantom
iTjou jljiilt fee me again at Philippi. Tiberius faid to Galba ; And thou Galba '" ^'■"'"^•
jhalt alio tafle of Empire.
7. \n Fefpaft art's time there went a Prophecy in the Eaft, that {omtThntof a
coming out of Jud^sa, fliould reiprn over the World ; which tho, perhaps, R»'^'' "'"'"S
meant of our Saviour, yet Tacitus explam d it or rejpafian. '
8. Domitian dreamed, the Night before he was flain, that a golden Head ^'■J''/ "/ ^°-
was growing out of the Nape of his Neck: and indeed the SuccelTion fof"/^'^"^^;.;^'/'
many Years had golden times. Death.
9. Henry the Sixth of England, fiiid of Henry the Seventh, when a Henry the
Lad, and gave him Water ; This is the Lad that fJjall enjoy the Crown for ^i'^'^'-
which ive ft rive.
I o. When I was in France, I heard from Dr. Penas, that the Queen- Tku of an
Mother, who was given to curious Arts, caufed the King her Hufljand's'^^';'''''^*';''/
Nativity to be calculated under a falfe Name -, and the Aftrologer an- fialf/e.
fwer'd, that he fhould be killed in a Duel : at which the Queen laughed,
as thinking her Hufband to be above Challenges : but he was flain at Tilt;
the Splinters of the Staff of Montgomery going in at his Beaver.
II. There was a trivial Prophecy when I was a Child, and Qnc&n A fuppofd
Elizabeth in the Flower of her Years-, When Hempe is fponne, England'^ ^/■^'''^'"'" "-^ ,
done. Whereby was generally conceived, that after the Princes Reigns, '/^' Kh^lf
who had the Letters of the Word Hempe for Initials (which were Henry, Eni5l.inJ'i
Ediuard, A'lary, Philip, and Elizabeth) England fhould come to Confufion : Title.
which, thanks to God, is verified only in the Change of the Name ; the
King's Title now being no more of England, but of Britain.
11. There was alfo another Prophecy before the Year «V/.^/y-f/VZ'/, which '^"'"^'^'' "■("
I do not well underftand. '!" ^,^'T^
lnvajio?i.
There JJ:aU be fee» upon a Day,
Bet-dieen the Baugh and the May,
The black Fleet of Norway :
fFben that is come and gone,
England build Houses of Lime and Stone,
For after Wars fimll you have none.
m
It was generally conceived to be meant of the Spanijh Fleet, that came _
eighty-eight : for the King of Spain's Sirname, they fay, was Norivay.
13. The Predidion of i^mewo«/iW«J-, That of Ke-
OSiogeftmus oSlavus mirabilis Annus ; mu.
was thought likewife to be accomplifh'd, in the fending of that Fleet ; be-
ing the greateft in Strength, tho not in Number, that ever rode the Sea.
14. As
1^6
Oeconomical Essays. Sect. II.
Cleon"; j^. As for Cleon's Dream, of his being devour'd by a long Dragon, and
Dream. expounded of a Saufige-maker that troubled him •, I take it to be a Jeft.
There are many of the like kind ; efpecially if we include Dreams, and
the Prediiflions of Aftrology : but I have fet down only thefe few, of
certain Credit, by way of Example.
7ke ^ud^- ^^ My Judgment is, that they fhould all be defpifed ; and ferve but
^"Je7f/hefe^or \Tmtsr Talk by the Fire-fide. Tho, when I fay defpifed, I mean
Prophecies, as to Belief : for the fpreading, or publifhing of them has done much
mifchief And I find many fevere Laws made to fupprefs them.
whence they jg What has given them countenance and fome credit, confifts in three
,w«rLeX ^'^' 'things ; (i.) That Men mark when they fucceed, and not when they fail.
(2.) Probable Conjectures, or obfcure Traditions, often turn into Pro-
phecies; while the Nature of Man, which is fond of Divination, thinks
it no rifle to foretel, what in Reality is but colleded : as in the Cafe of
Seneca's Verfes above-mentioned -, for it was in his time matter of Dcmon-
ftration, that the Earth ftretched far beyond the Atlantick ; which might
probably be conceived not all Sea: and adding thereto the Tradition in
Plato's T'mieui., and his Jtlanticu^, this might encourage a Man to turn
it into a Prediftion. (3.) But the principal thing is, that almoft all of
them, being ijifinite in number, have been Impollures •, and merely contri-
ved and feigned by idle and crafty Brains, after the Event ^.
^ See more upon this Subje£t in the Be Augment. Scientiar. Sect. IV.
SECT.
Sefl. III. Political Essays. 137
SECT. III.
Essays upon Political Subjects.
EssAvI. 0/StateCounsel. ^
r
I, ' I"^ H E greateft Truft berween Man and Man, is that of giving r/« Advan-
\ Counfel. In other Trufts we venture only Parts of our For- '^S">f ^^o""-
tune; as Lands, Children, Reputation, (^c. but to our Coun--''^ tiPrtmes.
fellors we commit the whole : who are therefore the more obliged to ufe
the utmoft Sincerity and Integrity. The wifcft Princes flioukl think it no
diminution of their Authority, to advife with fele<5t Council. God him- ^fptiXhl
felf is_not without his^Counfeli having made it one of his Son^s highefl: /T/fr' ^ W^
TTtlcs to iSe calFd the Counfellm\ And Solomon pronounces, that in Coun- C^t^*^^ \
fel is Stability. Human Attairs~muft and will have eitlier a firft or fecond Yltri^IWyt ^* » '^ vht
Agitation : and if they be not tofled upon the Arguments of Counfel ; ^ 4^.w:^/<^'^ tf^^
they will be tofled upon the Waves of Fortune; and be full of Incon-*'^^ ' J
ftancy, weaving and unweaving, like the reeling of a drunken Man. J--. ' $fA: X\ 0-2/j
Solomon faw the NecefTity and Ufe of Counfel ; and his Son felt the force
of it ; for the beloved Kingdom of God was firft rent and broken by fuch
ill Counfel, as holds out to us two evident Marks, whereby bad Counfel
may always be known ; viz. tliat it was young for the Perfons, and vio-
lent for the Matter.
1. The Inconveniencies of calling and taking Counfel, are fuppofed to ^" inconvt-
be three ; ( i . ) ^fhe divulging of Secrets ; ( 2 . ) Lejjening the Authority of Princes ; "'^""">
and {^.) f he danger of finifter Advice. To prevent thefe Inconveniencies, the
Doftrine of Italy, and the Practice of France, has, in the Reigns of cer-
Dxin Kings, introduced Cabinet -Councils ; which is a Remedy worfe than
the Difcafe.
3. (i.) As to Secrecy; Princes are not bound to communicate all things ^^"^'^'«(?'»»
to all Counfellors; but mav iudicioufly exrraft and feleft both Perfons and"-^ Secret.
Affairs. Nor is it neceflarv for a Prince who confults what he fliould do,
to declare what he will do. But let Princes beware left themfelves reveal
their own Secrets.
4. As for Cabinet-Councils; their Motto may be Plenus Riniarum. OneCaWw-
futile Perfon, wlio glories in knowing and revealing Secrets, will prove ''''"""'■'■
more pernicious than many, who know it their Duty to conceal them.
'Tis true, fome Artairs require the utmoft Secrecy ; and ftiould hardly go
beyond the Knowledge of one or two ; befides the Prince himfelf. Nor
;ire fuch Counfels ufually found unprofperous ; as being not only fecret,
but generally conducted fteadily, in the fame Spirit, without Difturbance.
But to render them fuccefsful, the King muft be prudent, and of great
{■«erfonal Abilities ; and his Counfellors alfo, Mtn of Sagacity, and true
^ oL. II. T to
igS Political Essays. Seft. III.
to Kis Ends : as in the Cafe of King Henry the Seventh, who communica-
ted his more important Secrets to but two Counfellors, Morton and Fox.
Lcjfemng ef ^_ ^,.) As for diminifhing of Authority ; the Majefty of Kings is ra-
nt om-j, j.j^g^ exalted than diminiflied, when they fit in the Chair of Council : Nor
is there any Inftance of a Prince leflTened in his Prerogative by his Coun-
cil ; unlefs where too great a Power was lodged in fome one Counfellor ;
or too ftrift a Combination entered into by feveral : which are Inconve-
niencies eafily difcovered and remedied.
sir.ijler Ceun- 6. (3.) The laft Inconvenience is, that Men will counfel with an
jeL £y.g t-Q themfelves. But doubtlefs that Text, Be fiall not find Faith upon
the Earth, is to be underftood of the Times, and not of particular Perfons.
There are certainly Men fiithful in their Nature -, fincere, plain, and di-
reft ; without Craft or Difguife. Let Princes, above all things, procure
^ fuch Men about them. Befides, Counfellors are feldom fo united, as not
• to keep watch upon one another : fo that if any one fliould give fadlious
or felfifh Counfel, it prefently comes to the Prince's Ears. But the beft
Remedy is when Princes endeavour to know their Counfellors ; and their
Counfellors to know them ?. On the other hand, Counfellors fhould not
pry too much into the Perfon of their Sovereign. The true Compofition
of a Counfellor, is to underftand his Mafter's Bufinefs better than his
Temper ; for fuch a Counfellor will probably advife him juftly ; and not
comply with his Humour in hopes of pleafmg. It may likewife prove of
great Ufe for Princes to take the Opinions of their Council both fepa-
rately and conjointly : for private Opinion is more free ; and publick Opi-
nion more folemn : as Men in private follow their own Affedlions -, but in
Company are more influenced by thofe of others. 'Tis therefore proper
to take both ; viz. from Men of the inferior Rank rather in private, that
Freedom may be preferved ; and from thofe of the fuperior, rather in pub-
lick, that they ufe not too great a Liberty.
Perfons tobe y , 'Tis in vain for Princes to deliberate of Things, unlefs they alfo de-
cwjidered as Y{\^Q^n^xe carefully of Perfons: for Things are bur as dead Images; whilft
Thims. '^'■'c Life of the Execution chiefly confifts in the Choice of the Perfons.
Nor is it fufiicient totonfider of Perfons, in the general, as in the abfl:ra(fl, or
mathematically, what their Kind and Charader fhould be ; for the greatefl
Errors are committted, and the moft Judgment fhewn, in the Choice of
Individuals. It fliould alfo be remember'd, that the befl Counfel comes from
the Dead^^ : for Books will fpeak the naked Truth •, where living Counfel-
lors perhaps would flatter. 'Tis therefore of ufe to be converlant in Books ;
efpecially fuch as were written by Perfons in employ.
TheRegula- g. The Councils of this Age are, in moft Places, little more than fa-
tian of Coun- fnjiiar Meetings and Converfations, where Matters are lightly talked of,
rather than ferioufly debated ; and generally hurry too faft to the Order
or Jcl of Council. It were better in A flairs of Weight, to have the Sub-
iefl propofed one Day, and debated the next v that the Pillow may be con-
fuked,
^ 8 Princifis efl Virtus maxiina nojfe fuos.
^ Oft'imi Confiliarij mortuL
Setl. III. Political Essays. 139
fulced'. This was done in thcTteaty of Union, between the Commiffioners
of England and Scotland ; which was a regular and well conduced Aflem-
bly. But for private Petitions, I approve of certain fixed Days; asthisgivcs
the Suitors notice of the proper Times for applying-, and eafes the more
folemn Meetings, or prevents their being interrupted in their more imme-
diate Bufinefs.
9. In appointing Committees to prepare Matters for informing theCoun- CommUtees.
cil ; 'tis better to choofe indifferent Perfons, than to make a kind of Neu-
trality, by adding fome ftrong Partizans on both fides.
ID. I alfo approve of feparate Standing Commijfiom \ for .Trade, x}ntstand\ng
Treafury, War, Suits, Grievances, particular Provinces, i3c. And^'"""''J^'""'
where there are feveral fubordinate Councils, and but one Council of State,
as in S/ain, they are nearly fuch Standing Commiffions as we fpeak of ;
only v/ith greater Authority. Let the Perfons who are to inform Coun-
cils, from their particular Profeffions, as Lawyers, Seamen, Artificers,
C^c. be firft heard before Committees ; and then, as occafion ferves, before
the Council. And let them not come in a tumultuous or rude manner,
for that were to clamour at Councils, not Inform them.
11. A long and fquare Table, or Seats to the Walls of the Council- J'^'^'^"'^"'''
Chambers, may feem things of Form, but are things of Subftance ; "^'fLale^
for only a few at the upper end of a long Table, in effedl carry the whole Ci>«»«i-r4-
Bufinefs ; but in the other Cafes, the Counfellors, who fit lower, may^'«^
alfo affift.
12. Let a King when he prefides in Council, beware of declaring his TA« c*»(/»<??
own Opinion too foon ; otherwife his Counfellors will fall in with him ; ^" "^/"'J-'';'»
and inftead of free Advice, fing him a Song of Placebo ^. Ctuncil, "
Essay II. 0/* /^^ Regul a tion <?/" Empire.
I. TTT^IS doubtlefs a miferable State of Mind, to have few things to T^? 5t;ir# <»/
1 defire, and many to fear: yet this is almoft peculiar to Kings ; ^'"i^-
who ftanding on the top Round of Glory, can afpire no higher ; and
therefore grow languid. "Whilfl: on the other hand, they have many Ap-
prehenfions of Dangers, and flying Shadows to cloud their Minds. And
this one Reafon why the Hearts of Kings are infcrutahle. For Multiplicity
of Jealoufies, and the want of fome predominant PafTion to command
the reft, renders Mens Hearts hard to be known. And hence again. Prin-
ces often create Defires to rhemfelves, and apply to lefier Matters ; as the
erecting of a Building ; the creating of an Order -, inftituting a Col-
lege -, the advancing a Favourite ; or the acquiring a Perfeftion in fome
Art, as Nero in playing upon the Harp •, Domitian in drawing the Bow •,
Commodus in fencing ; Caracalla in driving the Chariot, Cjfr. all which ap-
' In noife Confil'mm.
^ For more upon this SiibjeifV, fee the Sapient' a Veterum, Secl.Wl. particularly the Fable
of Juj>i:er and Metis explained of Princes and tlieir Council.
T 2 pears
14© Political Essays. Sed. III.
pears incredible to thofe unacquainted with this Axiom -, that the Mind is
more cxbilcrated and gratified by advancing in [mall "fbings, than hy rejilng in
great ones. We fee alfo that Kings who have been fortunate in the be-
ginning of their Reigns, finding it impofTible to advance and prove
fuccefsful for ever -, ufually turn fuperftitious and melancholly at kft ;
as Alexander the Great ; Dioclefian ; and in our own time, Charles the
Fifth, i^c. for he who has been always accuftomed to advance, but at
length meets with a Stop ; here finks in his own Opinion, and no longer
remains the thing he was '.
ThetrueTtm- 2. We now proceed to confider the true Temper of Empire: which is
fcr of Em- rarely found, and hard to preferve ; for both Temper and Diftemper con-
^"^' fills of Contraries. But it is one thing to mix Contraries, and another to
interchange them, yipollonius being aflced by f^efpafia», what was Nero's
Ruin ; anfwered, with great Sagacity, that Nero could tune and touch the
Harp with Skill ; but in Government fometimes flrained the Strings too high,
andfometimes let them down too low. And certainly nothing deftroys Au-
thority fo much, as the unequal and unfeafonable Interchange of Power,
over-ftretched and relaxed, by Starts.
The modern ^. The modern Politicks, however, confift chiefly in difcovering pre-
^"'''J'^""*' fent Subterfuges or Evafions, and oppofing Remedies to impending Dan-
* ' gers ; rather than in any folid, prudent, or iettled Scheme to prevent
their Approach. This is coming to clofe Combat with Fortune : but be-
ware of flighting the firfl; Occafions or Beginnings of Troubles ; for no
Man can prevent the Spark ; or tell from what Quarter it may come.
The Difficulties and Obftacles in the Affairs of Princes, are doubtlefs great
and many ; but the greateft often lie in their own Pafllons and Tempers.
For as Tacitus well obferves, 'tis common with Princes to defire Contra-
diftions"" : it being the Solicifm of exorbitant Power, to expeft the End
without procuring the Means.
TheAffairstf ^. xhe Afi^iirs of Princes regard, (i.) their Neighbouring Nations ;
t™''*' ^^-^ their Wives -, (3.) their Children; (4.) Prelates and Clergy;
^'"' is-) Nobles ; (6.) Gentry ; (7.) Merchants ; (8.) Common People ;
and, (9.) their Soldiery ; from each whereof Dangers arife, unlefs care-
fully prevented.
their Keigh- ^. (j.) As for their ueighbour'ing Nations ; no general Rule of Cau-
htitrh j-Jon can be given ; becaufe of the difi^erence of Occafions; except this,
which always holds, that the Prince keep conftant Watch, whether any of
his Neighbours over-grow, by Increafe of Territory, Trade, or the like;
fo as to become more formidable than before. And this is generally the
Office of Standing Councils " to forefce, and prevent. The Opinion of
certain Schoolmen is not to be admitted ; as if a War were unjufl:, ex-
ccj)t upon preceding Injury or Provocation : for a jufl: Fear of impending
Danger,
' See the following Effay.
» Sunt fltrumij:ie tiegurr. iiolnntittes vthcmciftts ; v" intir fe «mtrtirlu
" See above, Efjit'j 1. §. 10.
Sed. III. Political Essats. 14-1
Danger, is doubtlefs a lawful Caufe of a War ; cho no hoftile Violence had
been°offer'd°.
6. (2.) For their Wrjes ; there are cruel Examples of the kind. LiviaWnHy
is infamous for poilbning Atiguflus Cafar ; Roxolan.i was the Deftruftion of
Sultan Muftapha ; the Queen of Edward the Second of England, had the
principal Hand in depofing and murthering him. And this kind of Dan-
ger is to be chiefly fear'd, when the Wives have Children by a former
Hufband, or live in Adultery.
7. (^.) Tor i\\t\r Children; the Tragedies aft ed by them are many : andcA/Wrs»,
in general, the Sufpicions harboured by Fathers againll their Children,
have proved unfortunate. The Murder of Muftapha was lb fatal to Soly-
man's Line, that the SuccelTion of the Sultans from Solyman to this Day,
is fufpefted to be fpurious ; becaufe Selymus the Second was thought to be
fuppofititious. And many the like Examples there are ; but few or none
where the Fathers have received any Advantage from their Diftruft ; ex-
cept where the Sons were in open Rebellion againft them ; as Selymus the
Firft againft his Father Bajazet : and the three Sons of Henry the Second
of England.
8. (4.) There is alfo Danger from their Prelates, when powerful or Prelates and
afpiring ; as in the times of Anfelm and Thomas a Becket, Archbilhops of c'fj)-
Canterbury, who with their Crofiers almoft difputed it with the King's
Sword -, yet they had to deal with lofty and couragious Kings, TFHliam
Rnfus, Henry the Firft, and Henry the Second. But this Danger from
Prelates is not much to be feared, except where the Clergy depend upon
the Authority and Jurifdiclion of a foreign Prince ; or where the Eccle-
fiafticks are chofe by the People, and not prefented by the King, or any
particular Patron.
9. (5.) As for their Nobles; the fe are to be reftrained, and kept as it A'aWw,
were at a due diftance from the Throne. To deprefs them may indeed
make a King more abfolute •, but at the fame time more unfafe, and lefs
able to aft his Pleafure •, as I have obferved in my Hiftory of Henry the
.Seventh, who continually depreffed his Nobility ; whence his Times were
full of Difficulties and Troubles : for the Nobility, tho they continued
loyal, yet did not co-operate with him in his Affairs ; fo that in effeft he
afted by himfelf
10. [6.) As for the Gentry ; there is not much Danger from them ; be- Gentry,
caufe they are a Body difperfed. They may fometimes indeed difcourfe
high, but have little effeft : befides, they fnould be encouraged as an ex^
ctllent Counterpoife to the Nobility -, fo as to prevent their growing -
too potent. And again, their Autliority being immediately exercifed over
the common People ; they can beft allay popular Commotions.
11. (7.) The Alc'chants are like the Fena Porta ; and unlefs they Ron- Merchanti, _
ri/h, a Kingdom may have fome good Limbs indeed, but will have empty
Veins ; and a wafted Body. Immoderate Taxes and Impofts upon them,
Icldom encreafe the King's Revenue ; for what he thus gains in the Parts,
he
" See tl;c Author"? Difcourfe of a War with S/j;», Vol, \l. Suff'.em. 1 1.
I4i
Common
People.
y}>id the
Soldiery.
Political Essays.
Sea. III.
Two Admo-
nitions to
Kings.
he lofes in the Whole •, the particular Rates being enlarged, whilft die na-
tional Trade is diminifhing.
12. (8.) There feldom s.rifes any Danger from the common People;
unlefs they are headed by powerflil and popular Leaders ; or unlefs a
Change is introduced in Religion, and their ancient Cuftoms •, or unlefs
heavy Taxes are impofed •, or their way of living otherwife abridged.
13. (9.) Laftly for the Soldiery; 'tis extremely dangerous where they
remain in a Body, whether by way of Army or Garrifon, and are ufed
to Donatives : this we fee remarkably in the Janizaries, and the Pretorian
Bands of Rome. But the raifing and exercifmg of Soldiers, provided it
be in different Places, under feveral Officers, and without Donatives, are
things of Ufe, Defence, and no Danger.
14. Princes are like the celeftial Bodies, that caufe happy or unhappy
Times by their Influence ; and receive much Veneration, but no Reft. All
the Precepts with regard to the Admonitions to Kings, are comprehended
under thefe two ; Remember thou art mortal : and remember thou art God's
Vicegerent. The one tends to bridle their Power, and the other to re-
gulate their Will p.
Essay III. Of Ambition.
The Mature of I. \ Mbition is like the Bile, which if unobftrufted, renders Men ac-
Ambition. _/\_ jiive, briflc, and eager •, but if flopped, becomes aduft, malig-
nant and venomous : for thus ambitious Perfons, if the Way prove open
for their rifing, fo that they continually advance, are rather bufy than
dangerous ; but if checked, and fometimes fruftrated in their Defires,
they become fecretly difcontent -, look upon Men and Things with an evil
Eye -, and are inwardly beft pleafed at Misfortunes : which is a bad Tem-
per in any Servant of a King or State. Princes therefore, if they em-
ploy ambitious Officers, fhould make them always progreffive, and never
retroo'rade. But as this cannot be done without Inconvenience, it were
better not to employ fuch Perfons at all: for if they rife not with their
Service, they will endeavour to fmk their Service with them.
2. Good Generals and Leaders muft however be chofe, tho they are
ambitious •, becaufe the Ufefulnefs of their Service over-balances the In-
convenience : and to choofe a Soldier without Ambition, is to pull off his
Spurs. Ambitious Men are alfo highly ufeful, as Screens to Princes in
Matters of Danger and Envy : for no Man will take this Poft unlefs he
be like a blinded Pigeon, that mounts becaufe he cannot fee about him.
There is another confiderable Ufe of ambitious Men, in pulling down the
Greatnefs of any Subject that over-tops •, as 'tiberius ufed Macro in pulling
down Sejanus. Since therefore ambitious Men are neceffary in the Cafes
above-
P See moi-e upon this Su'ojeft in the De Augment. Scientiar. Vol.1. SeH. XXV. under
th^Donrine of Government. Again in the Safientm Veteritm, Scd. III. Vol.11. Supplem.
II, 13. See alfo the following f/Ziryj.
The Ufes of
ambitious
Men.
Seft. III. Political Essays. 143
above-mentioned •, kc us fee by what means they may be curbed and re-
ftrained, fo as to prove lefs dangerous.
3. And firft, they are lefs dangerous when of mean Birth, than when ^""'^ '»'"*'-
noble ; when rather harfh in their Nature, than gracious and popu- '""' ^'"l ^J"^
l.ir i and if rather new raikd, than when grown fubtile, and fortified in
their Greatnefs. 'Tis generally accounted a Weaknefs in Princes to have
Favourites ; but in reality, this of all others is the beft Remedy againft
any exorbitant Power of the Nobles, or great Officers : for when the
Power of forwarding and retarding lies in the Favourite, 'tis almoft impof-
fible for another to be over-great.
4. A fecond ufeftil Means of curbing them, is to balance them by others^ feccnd
as ambitious as themfelves. But then there Oiould be fome moderate Coun- •*'"""•■
fellors to interpofe and keep Matters fteddy ; for without this Ballaft, the
Siiip will roll too much. At leaft, a Prince may encourage and animate
Ibme meaner Pcrfons to be Scourges to ambitious Men. To keep them
under apprehenfion of Ruin, may have a good Effeft in timorous Na-
tures : but this would precipitate the Stratagems and Endeavours of
fuch as are bold and daring-, and thus prove dangerous. If Neccflity re-
quires they fhould be pulled down, and yet it is not lafe to do it of a fud-
den ; the beft Way is continually to interchange Favours and Difgraces,
in order to furprize and confound them ; that they may not know what
to expeft, but walk as it were in a Wood.
5. The Ambition of prevailing in great Things, is lefs hurtful than that O/j^re»/
of intermeddling in all ; which caufes Confufion of Councils, and deftroys^'."'^^''/-^''''*
Bufmefs : yet there is lefs Danger from an ambitious Man, aclive in Bufi- ""'""
nels, than from one that is powerful in Intereft and Dependants. He who
endeavours to excel amongft able Men, has a great Tafk -, but this is al-
ways of publick Advantage: whereas, he who contrives to keep wife Men
out of the way, that himfelf may be the only Figure amongft Cyphers,
is the Peft of an Age.
6. Honour is recommended by three Advantages ; '.'iz. (i.) the Power ^^' Advan-
ox doing goodi (2.) Accefs to Potentates; and, (3.) an Opportunity oP''-~" "/ "*■
raifing ones private Fortune. He who in afpiring has the beft of thefe"*""^'
three Intentions, is honeft-, and the Prince who can difcern and diftinguifh
them in his Servants, is wife. But, in general. Princes fhould endeavour
after fuch Minifters as are led more by Duty, than by Ambition •, and
fuch as love Bufmefs rather out of Confcience, than Oftentation. And
laftly, let Princes judicioufly diftinguifh betwixt a bufy Temper and a
willing Mind.
E S S A T'.
14-4
Political Essays.
Sea. III.
Essay IV. O/" Great Place.
The Incon le-
niencies of
Great place.
Men inMgh
Pofls only
happy by re-
port.
The advan-
tages of Great
Place.
2'recefts for
Alen m Office,
I . Tk yT E N in great Place are thrice Servants ; Servants of the Sove-
JLVX reign ; Servants of Fame ; and Servants of Bufinefs : fo that
they enjoy no Liberty, either in their Perfons, Aftions, or Time. 'Tis
a ftrange Pafllon to covet Power, and lofe Liberty ; or to afFeft Power
over others, and lofe it over ones felf. The rifmg in Office is laborious ;
and one painful Step leads to another more painful : fometimes alfo it is
ignoble ; and Dignity acquired with Difgrace. The Standing is flippery,
and the Return either a Fall, or at lead an Eclipfe ; which itfelf is a me-
lancholy thing 1. Nay, Men cannot retire when they would ; nor will
they when they fhould : but grow impatient of Privacy, even under Age
and Sicknefs, which require the Shade : thus afting like old Townfmen,
who will be ftill fitting at their Street-door, tho they thereby expofe them-
felves to Scorn.
2. Men in great Place had need borrow other Mens Opinions to think
themfelves happy ; for if they judge by their own feeling, they cannot
find it : but if they revolve with themfelves, what other Men think of
them ; and how willingly others would change Conditions with them ;
it is then they are happy, as it were by Report: when perhaps they fi.nd the
contrary within. For they are the firft that find their own Misfortunes ;
but the laft that find their own Faults. Men in high Station are certainly
Strangers to themfelves •, and in their Hurry of Bufinefs, want time to at-
tend their own Health, both of Body and Mind^
3. Great Place affords great Opportunities both of doing Good and
Evil : the latter whereof is to be accounted a Curfe ; for in Evil the beft
Condition is not to will ; the fecond, not to be able. But to acquire the
Power of doing Good, is doubtlefs the true and lawful End of Afpiring.
For good Thoughts, tho God accept them, are with regard to Man, lit-
tle better than good Dreams ; unlefs reduced to Aftion : and that cannot
be done without fome publick Pod, and Power ; in the way of the com-
manding Ground. Merit and good Works are the true Ends of Man's La-
bour •, and Confcioufnefs of the fame, is the Perfeftion of his Reft, ylnd
the Lord looked., and beheld the works of his hands, and faw that all ivas ex-
tremely good : And then followed the Sabbath. Thus if a Man can be a
Partaker of God's Work, he fliall likewife be Partaker of his Reft.
4. In the Difcharge of thy Office, fee before thee the beft Examples; and
after fome time, thy own Example ; examining thyfelf ftriftly, whether
thou didft not begin better, than thou holdeft on. Nor negleft the Ex-
amples of fuch as have behaved ill in the fame Poft •, tho this not to fct off
thyfelf
« Cum «on fis qui fiieris, non ejfe c:ir 1 eli: vi-vere .'
"■ llli mors gra-vis incubat,
•^li notiis nimis cinnibus,
Ignotus morimr Jdi.
Se6t. III. Political Essays. 14.5-
thyfelf by raxing their Memory -, but to learn what to avoid. Reform,
therefore, wirl^jut Oftentation, or Scandal to former Times and Perfons ;
yet ever obfer\ e tc fer good Prefidenrs, as well as to follow them. Reduce
things to their firfl Inilitution -, and examine wherein, and by what means -
they have degenerated : yetconfuk with both Times -, with the ancient to
learn what is beft -, and with the later to know what is fitted. Endeavour to
confine all Afts of Power to Rule ; that Men may know before-hand what
to expe(5t : yet be not too pofitive and peremptory -, and carefully to explain
the Reafon, when thou digreffeft from thy Rule. Preferve the Right of thy
Place ; but without moving Queftions of Jurifdiftion : and rather alTume
and exercife thy Right with Silence and in Faft, than claim and challeno-e
it with Vociferation. Preferve likewife die Rights of inferior and fubor-
dinate Places -, and think it more Honour to direft in chief, than to be
bufy in all. Embrace and procure Afliftance and Information, as to the
Execution of thy Office : and drive not away, as Medlers, thofe that of-
fer their Service therein ; but rather invite and receive them with Favour.
5. The Vices apt to attend the Exercife of Authority, are chiefly four ; T"^e yicei at.
viz. Delays, Corruption, Roughnefs, and Facility. With regard to Delays ; '""^"'S'^'
give eafy Accefs ; keep appointed Times -, go thro with what is in hand ; power 'iz.
and admit no new Bufmefs but of Neceffity. Delays,
6. For Corruption ; not only bind thy own Hands, and the Hands of Bribery.
thy Servants, from taking ; but the Hands alfo of Suitors from offcrino-
Bribes. The firft End is fecured by the Ufe of Integrity -, and the fe-
cond, by Integrity profefs'd, with a manifeft Deteftation of Bribery : and
avoid not only the Crime, but the Sufpicion. Whoever is found variable,
and changes manifcftly without manifell Caufe, gives Sufpicion of Corrup-
tion. Therefore, whenever a Man in Office changes the Opinion he had
once declared, or the Courfe once entered upon ; let him always profefs it
ingenuoufly ; and at the fame time fully explain and inculcate the Reafons
that moved him thereto ; without hoping to efcape unobferved. A favou-
rite Servant that has Interefl with his Mafter, without any manifeft Caufe
of Efteem, is commonly thought no other than an oblique Way to Cor-
ruption.
7. As for Roughnefs ; itoccafions Envy and Ill-will, without receiving any R^'^Awf/i,
Advantage -, for Severity occafions Fear -, but Roughnefs, Hate : whereas
even Reproofs fro.-n Authority fliould be grave, and not reproachful.
8. Facility is worfe than Bribery : for Bribes are feldom offer'd ; but if facility.
a Man be fway'd by Importunity, or idle Refpefts, thefe are always at
hand. Thus Solotnon fays-, to refpeSl perfons is not good : for fuch a man will
tranfgrefs for a piece of bread.
9. 'Tis a true faying, P lace fje'-jus the Man ; and it fhews fome to Advantage, Plice fiews
others not. Tacitus fxys, that Galba was univerfally allowed fit to govern, till-^'"-
be became Emperor : And that Vefpaftan alone, of all the Emperors, was altered
for the better. It is an evident Sign of a generous Difpofition, when Honour
improves the Man •, for Honour is, or fhould be, the Place of Virtue : and
Vl. II. U as
1^6 Political Essays. Se£l. III.
as in Nature, Things move violently to their Place, and calmly when they
are in it : fo Virtue is violent in Ambition ; but in Honour more calm.
TheWayof lo. There is no rifing to great Place, but by winding Siairs ; and if
rifing. Faftion reigns, it is beft for a Man to take his Side in rifing •, and to ba-
lance himfelf when raifed.
Rule! for Be- ii. Hurt not the Memory of thy Predecefl.br; otherwife it is a Debt
haviour in ^^\\\ j^g repaid thee by thy SucceflTor. If thou hafb Colleagues in Office,
^""■^- treat them as Friends ; and rather call them when they do not expeft it,
than exclude them when it is proper they fhould be called. Mention not
thy Office too much in Converfation ; but let it be rather laid, ivhen he fits
in his Place J he is another Man.
Essay V. Of Followers and Friends.
Tolloivers of i . Tr' Xpenfive Followers are not to be admitted ; left whilft a Man makes-
■what fort to^^ JCj his Train longer, his Wings grow fliorter. Under expenfive
tl what en- Followers, I reckon not only thofe who charge the Purfe ; but fuch alfo
titled, as are importunate and troublefome in their Petitions. Ordinary Followers
ought to expeft no higher Conditions than Countenance, occafional Recom-
mendation, and Protedion from Injuries.
Faflious Tol- 2. Faclious Followers are ftill more to be avoided, who apply not out of
lowers. Affedtion to their Patron -, but Hatred to another Perfon : whence often
proceeds that Mifunderftanding we fee between Men of Power.
Voafling Tol- g. Again, thofe boafting Followers are pernicious, who like Trumpets
lowers. refound the Praife of their Patrons : for fuch Followers taint Bufmefs by
divulging it; and, if well confidered, export the Honour of their Patron,
and bring him Envy in return.
sp'^j'mg Vol- 4. There is another kind of Followers who are extremely dangerous ;
lo-wers. being indeed no other than Spies, that fearch out the Secrets of the Fami-
ly, and whifper them to others. Yet fuch Followers often ftand high in
the Favour of their Patrons ; becaufe they are officious, and generally ex-
change Whifpers.
ToUoivirs of 5 . T he Patronage of certain Orders of Men, of the fame Profefflon with the
the fame Or- p^j-j-on ; as for a General to patronize Soldiers, ^c. has been always efteem'd
'plmn. ' '" ^ graceftil Thing, and well received even in Monarchies ; provided it be
done without much Pomp or Popularity.
Themoftho- 6. But the moft honourable kind of Patronage, is for a Perfon to profefs
"='"'"^'*''"'' himfelf the Patron of thofe v/ho are eminent in Virtue and Merit ; of what-
fwers " * ^^^^ Order or Condition tbey are. But where there is no remarkable Dif-
ference in Merit, 'tis better to patronize the fomewhat lefs, than the more
virtuous. For, to fpeak the naked Truth, aclive and induftrious Men are
more ferviceable in corrupt Times, than the truly virtuous.
Tollowers, 7 . In Government indeed 'tis beft to treat Subjedts of the liime Rank equal-
how to be ly : for highly to countenance a few, is to make them infolent ; and the reft
iifed. difcontentcd : fince Parity of Rank requires Parity of Favour, as its Due. On
the
Se6l. III. Political Essays. 14.7
the other hind, in matters of mere Favour, it is proper to ufe Men with
Diftincflion and Choice -, for this will make the Perfons preferred more thank-
ful, and the reft more officious : nor can any one here juftly complain, be-
caufe the whole is matter of Favour, not of Duty.
S. 'Tis a Point of Difcrction, not to favour any Man too highly at the^*""'^"^ '"''
firft ; becaufe fucceeding Favours can fcarce hold in the fame Proportion. ^^"^'^^^ ^'^'p';.
To be mo-alded and governed by any one Friend, is not fafe ; becaufe k towers and
fhews Soitnefs, and gives cccafion to Scandal and Difrepute : for many that hViends.
would not immediately ccnfure ourfelves, will take greater Liberties with
our Intimates, and thus wound our Honour. Yet to be fubjeft to the Power
of many, and differently diftraflcd thereby, is {lill worfe; for this makes
a Man to be of the Liji ImpreJJion, and foil of Inconftancy.
9. To confult with fome few Friends is honourable and ufefLil : for By- T» fh Ad-
ftanders often fee more thiui the Players •, and the Vale beft difcovers the '^"^"■^ ** ^'"'*
Hill.
10. There is little true Friendfhip in the World, and theleaftof all he- ^''fle Friend'
rween Equals -, which is the kind fo much magnified by the Ancients. A]l{^^^/J_ ' *
there is lies betwixt Superior and Inferior ; whofe Fortunes may each compre-
hend the other "^
Essay Wl. O/ N o b i l i t y.
A Monarchy without Nobles, is an abfolute Tyranny, as in the Turk- Mobility ne-
ijlj Empire : ibr Nobility tempers Sovereignty ; and fomewhat "£7/-(r? ^m't
draws the Eyes of the People from the regal Line. But Nobles are not re- ;„ Republkks.
quired in Democracies ; which commonly prove lefs fubjeft to Fadion and
Difturbance, where there are no Stirps of them : for then Mens Eyes are fixed
upon Bufinefs, not upon Perfons : or if upon Perfons, 'tis for the fake of the
Bufinefs •, as fuch Perfons are fitteft to manage ; and not for their Arms and
Enfigns.
2. The Republick of Switzerland, we fee, continues to flourilli ; notwith- TheAdvan.
ftarding their Diverfity of Religion, and of Cantons : for not Dignity, but 1"^^" •^^'■^"^'
Utility is their Bond. The Form of Government in the United Provinces
of Holland is excellent : for where an Equality reigns, the Debates are more
impartial ; and the Taxes more chearfolly paid.
3. For the Nobles to have great Authority m a Monarchy, adds Majefty "^keAdvan-
to the Monarch •, but diminifhes his Power : it alfo puts Life and Spirit ^^^"J;"fJ^
into the People, tho it deprefles their Fortunes. 'Tis well when the ^ohl(t% of Nobility to
are not greater than Sovereignty and Juftice require •, yet fupported with fjch a Kingdom.
a Dignity, as may break the Infolence of the People, before it pours too fafl
upon the Majefty of Kings. On the other hand, a numerous I-Tobility,
which is generally lefs powerfol, caufes Poverty in a State •■> as occafioning a
Profofion of Expence : and as many of the Nobles muft in time neceflarily
' See the Eflay on Triendjlii^, SeJl. 1. EJfay ^.
U 2 be-
14^8
Political Essays. Sed. III.
become indigent -, this makes a kind of Divorce or Inequality between
Riches and Honour.
The Ativan- 4. As for NobUity in particular Pcrfons •, it is a venerable thing to fee an
tage of N«i/- g^i^f-jgpj Caftle, or Seat undecay'd ; or an old Timber-tree found and perfeft :
ctua "persons. ^^^ much more venerable to behold an ancient noble Family unhurt by
the Waves and Storms of Time. For new Nobility is the Aft of regal
Power -, but ancient Nobility the Work of Time.
The Founders 5. The firft raifed to Nobility, commonly excel their Defcendants in
oj noble Fa- Biigi-^tnefs of Virtue, but not in Innocence : for Men feldom rife to Ho-
wrTw-f/Ls^ours without a Mixture of good and evil Afts. But it is juft that the Me-
than their mory of their Virtues fhould continue down to Pofterity ; and their Vices
Defcendants. die with thcmfelves.
Kol/ility 6. Nobility of Birth ufually flackens Induftry ; and he who is not in-
/arfewj /» Jm- duftrious, envies another's Diligence. Befides, Nobles cannot rife much
tmtJihes *^' higher; and he that ftands at a Stay whilft others advance, will hardly
Envy. avoid being envious. On the other hand. Nobility prevents the Envy of
others; becaufe Nobles feem born in the PoflelTionof Honours.
The Advan- y_ Certainly Tuch a King as has prudent and able Nobles about him,
^Nohles'toT' ■^^^^ ^"'^ ^'^ Bufmefs go fmoother by ufmg them chiefly : for the People
King. nanirally bend to them, as born, in fome fort, to command.
Essay VII. 0/ M a s qju e s and Tublick Entertainments.
TheMuftck I. '"p* HESE things are but Toys ; yet fince Princes will have them,
I'art, how to _| 'tis better they fhould be graced with Elegance, than fullied with
teccnduaed. ^^^ Dancing to Song is a thing of great State and Pleafure, if the Song
be in Choir, aloft, accompanied with broken Mufick ; and the Tune be
fitted to the Defign. Afting in Song, efpecially in Dialogue, has an ex-
treme good Grace. I fpeak this of Afting, not Dancing, (which is a mean
and vulgar thing) the Voices of the Dialogue being ftrong and manly
(a Bafe and a Tenor, without the Treble) and the Air high and tragi-
cal '. Several Choirs placed one againft another, and taking the Voice by
Catches, Anthem-wife, give great Pleafure. Let Songs be loud and chear-
ful ; not chirping or puling. Let the Mufick likewife be fharp, well pla-
ced, recreative, and mixed with fome ftrange Changes.
.The Scenes. 2. The turning of Dances into Figure, is a childiOi Curiofity. Chancre
of Scenes without Noife, is a thing of great Beauty and Pleafure ; for this
feeds and relieves the Eye before it is cloy'd with the fame Objeft. Let the
Scenes abound with Light, efpecially coloured and varied : and let the Parts
that are to come down from the Scenes have fome Motions upon the Scene
itfelf, before they defcend. For this attrafts the Eye flrangely, and makes
it, with great Pleafure, defire to fee what it cannot perfeftly difcern.
The Drejfes. 3. The Colours that fliew beft by Candle-light, are white, carnatior>,
and a kind of Sea-green. Spangles alfo, tho not coflly, are of great Lu-
ftre:
« The Author feems to mean what we find in fome of our beft Italian Oper.i's.
Se6l. III. Political Essays. 149
ftre: but rich Embroidery is loft, and not difcerned. Let tlu Drefles b^
gniceRil, and becoming the Peribn, when the Vizard is o'lY ; but not com-
mon, as thofe of -Turks, Soldiers, Sailors, (^c.
4. Let the Anti-mafques be fhort ; they have commonly confifted of The Antl-
Fools, SarjTS, Baboons, Wild-men, Antiques, Beafts, Spirits, Witches, '»-'/^«'.
Pygmies, Cupids, moving Statues, and the like. As for Angels, 'tis too
ferious to put them in Anti-mafques -, and any thing hideous, as Devils,
Giants, t^c. is as unfit.
5. Sweet Odours arifing fuddenly, without, any Drops falling, are highly Pirfumez.
agreeable and refrefhing in large Companies. Double Mafques, one of
Men, another of Ladies, add State and Variety. But all is nothing, ex-
cept the Room be kept clear and neat.
Essay VIII. Oy Pet it ion ers, or Suitors.
I. '\JC ANY ill Defigns and Projefts are enter'd upon ; and private ^^'.0"«^?-
iV-L Suits corrupt the publick Advantage. Many things alfo, good ^^'^^'"^ ^^^•'*
in thcmfelves, are undertaken with a bad Intention ; or with a fmifter and tions.
crafty Purpofe, not direcled to the Execution. Some readily lav hold of
Suits, and eagerly promife to forward them, without ever intending to do
it: but if they find the Bufinefs fucceed by the means of others ; they will
fifti for Thanks, take a fccondary Reward, or at leaft, whilft the Affair
is in hand, make their own Ufe of the Suitor's Hopes. Some embrace
Suits merely with a View to crofs the Purpofe of another ; or elfe fubtily to
exhibit an Information, for which they could not other%vife have a proper
Pretext-, and this without regarding what becomes of their Suit, when that
Turn is ferved : or, in general, to make other Mens Bufinefs a Bridge to
their own. Nay, fome act fo craftily as to undertake Suits, with a full In-
tent to drop them ; and thus oblige their Competitor.
2. Certainly, if confider'd, every Suit is attended with a certain Right -, ^'"«^y ^"'^f
viz. a Right of Equity, if it be a Suit of Controverfy -, or a Right of ^'"^^*^. ^^
Merit, if it be a Suit of Favour. When Affeftion leads a Man to favour "^
the wrong Side in a Suit of Equity ; let him rather ufe his Authority to
compound the Matter, than to carry it. If Affection incline a Man to the
lefs worthy in a Suit of Favour ; let him not however calumniate the
more defen.'ing Perfon.
3. Suits which a Man does not well underftand fhould be committed to opinion to le
fome Friend, of Fidelity and Judgment, for his Opinion, whether they^""^^"^
may be honourably engaged in ; but this Friend muft be prudently chofe, suit/.
to prevent being impofed upon.
4. The Suitors of thefe times are fo harrafled with Delays and Abufes, Plain-dealing.
that Plain-dealing in rejecting their Suits at firft, and nakedly reporting |"^^,'^^^*-^^^
the Succefs, without laying claim to more Thanks than are merited, is be- .j^^r^
come not only a laudable thing, but a Favour,
5. In
aSo Political Essays. Se6t IIL
rhebein^firjl ^. jn Suits of Favour, to gi/e in the firfc Petition fliould be a thing of
'cflio'n'naT "*^ weight ; tho fo far Regard may be had to the Fidelityof the firft Peti-
weighi. tioner, in making the Difcovery, that if ' • Intelligence could not be other-
wife procured,' this Iliould prove no Prejudice ; but rather an Advantage to
him. To be ignorant of the Value of the Thing fued tor is Simplicitv ; as
to negleft the Right thereof, argues a bad Confcience.
Caat'wns to 6. Secrecy in Suing is a great means of obtaining ; for to boaft of Hopes,
tettfonlnf '" ^''"^^ it may difcourage fome Competitors, will quicken others. But Oppor-
. "^" tunity is the prir.cipal thing in Suits ■, not only with refpeft to the Pcrfon,
who has the Power of granting or refufing •, but alio with refped; to thofe
who are likely to crofs the Petition. In the Choice of the Peribn to whom
the Care of the Suit is committed, regard Fitnefs before Greatnefs •, and
rather employ one that engages but in certain matters, than one that grafps
at all. A repeated Denial is fometimes equal to a Grant, if the Petitioner
appears neither dejefted nor difcontented.
when a great -,_ ^^^^ ^ ^rra? thing to obtain a moderate one, is a good Rule, where a
JljouWoe ■'^^" ftands well in Favour ; otherwife it were betttr gradually to rife to the
asked. main thing intended : for he who would have ventured at firft the Lofs of
his Suitor's Service, will not at laft willingly lofe both that and the Benefit
of his Favours already conferr'd.
Letters of Re- 8. It is thought a fmall matter to requeft the Recommendatory Letters of
commenda- ^^ ^^-^^^ Perfon ; yet if thefc be given'in an unjuH; or difhonourable Caufe,
they detrafl- fo much from the Reputation of the Writer.
General Con- 2. There is not a more pernicious Set of People in a State, than general
's'llT "^ Contrivers of Suits ; for they are the Peft and Bane of publick Bufinefs.
Essay IX. Of Negotiating.
^ntTtiaul" "• 'np IS generally better to negotiate by Speech, than by Letter ; and
Letter, and A by the Mediation of a third, than in ones own Perfon. Let-
ivhen in Per- itrs are ufehil, (i.) when an Anfwer is defired in Writing; (2.) when it
/"». may be of fervice to produce ones own Copies ; and, (3.) laftly, when
there is Danger of being interrupted in Difcourfe, or heard by Piece- meal.
On the other hand, it is better to negotiate in Perfon, (i.) when a Man's
Face is apt to ftrike an Awe ; as it generally docs in difcourfing with Infe-
riors. (2.) In tender Points, where Direftion may be taken by the Eye
fixed upon the Countenance, how far to proceed : and, (3.) generally where
a Man would referve to himfelf a liberty, either of difowning or explain-
ing- . . . )
The Perfins^ 2. In negotiating by others it is more prudent to choofe plain Men, and
'n»e7na- ^"'''^ '^^ ^'^ likely to perform the Truft repofed in them •, and faithfiilly re-
ting. port the Succefs •, than fuch as are cunning at contriving, out of other Mens
Bufinefs, fomewhat of Honour or Advantage to themfelves -, and foften the
Anfwer they bring back, in order to pleafe. Employ alfo fuch Perfons as
affeft the Bufinefs entrufted with them •, for that is a Spur to Indultry : and
ligain,
SeiV. III. Political Essays. isi
acrain, fuch as are fit for the thing they undertake ; as bold Men for Ex-
poftulation ; fair-fpoken Men for Perfuafion ; crafty Men for ftrlcl Enquiry
and Obfervation -, refraftory and fomcwhat abfurd Men where matters are
not quite fair, ii^c. Ufe alfo fuch as you have fucccfsfijlly employ'd before ;
for this breeds Confidence ; and they will endeavour to maintain the Opinion
conceived of them.
3. 'Tis more proper to found a Perfon at a diftance, than to fall direflly Dh-e^hns for
upon the Point at firft -, except you mean to confound and furprize him by negotiating to
fome fhort Queftion. It is better to negotiate with Men in purfuit, than "^'"''"'^S''
with thofe who have obtained their Ends. If you negotiate with another
upon Conditions, it is a principal Point who begins to perform firft. This
one cannot reafonably demand of another ; unlefs the Nature of the thing
requires it to precede ; or we can dextroufly perfuade the other, that he will
want our AlTiftance in fomething elfej or unlefs ourfelves are accounted Men
of great Veracity and Integrity.
4. All Negotiating tends either to difcover or to effeSl. Men difcover Tht Ways of
themfelves either in Confidence, PafTion, Surprize, or of NecefTity, when moulding
they want a proper Pretext. If you would mould a Man to your Turn, you ^^"*'
muft either well underftand his Temper and Inclinations, and fo lead him -, or
his Ends, and perfuade him •■, or his Weaknefs, and fo awe him ; or elle
you muft win over thofe that have greateft Intereft in him, and fo govern
him.
5. In negotiating with fubtile and crafty Perfons, no regard muft be had Howtonego-
to their Words -, unlefs you have their Ends and Intentions to interpret them """ ^"^ ''■"
by. It is alfo the beft way to fiy little to them, and what they leaft ^''''^''^^
cxpe<5t.
6. In all Negotiations of Difficulty, a Man muft not hope to fow and Difficult xe-
reap at once •, but fliould prepare Bufinefs, that it may ripen by de- gotiations not
^ „ ^ ^ so be humid.
grees ".
Essay X. Of Plantations.
I . T)Lantations are eminent amongft ancient and heroical Works. When plantations
X. the World was young ir produced more Children •, but now it is f^roical
old, it produces fewer : for we may reckon new Plantations to be the Chil- '^'"■"■^•
dren of more ancient Nations. I approve of thofe Plantations where one
People is not deftroy'd to make room for another : otherwife it is an Extir-
pation, not a Plantation.
2. Planting of Countries refembles the planting of Woods; which is Ha/Iy Props
attended with a Lofs of twenty Years Profits, tho richly rewarded in xhc'^''^'"'^,''f
end. And the chief Bane of Plantations has been the fordid and hafty ^'''"""'"""
catching at Profit in the beginning. Quick Returns indeed are not to be
neglefted, fo far as confifts with the Good of the Plantation, but no far-
ther.
3- 'Tis
• See the Dodrine of Bufinefs in the De Augmin:. Sdentiar. Sect. XXIV.
ij-i Political Essays. Sedt. III.
^ot to people g. 'Xis bafe and unprofperous to plant with the Scum of a People, Out-
o«;.w/&:c ^'^^^ ^""^ condemn'd Maletadlors. This alfo corrupts and deftroys the Co-
' lony ; for fuch profligate Wretches will live like Vagabonds, and not
work i but commit Outrages, confume Provifions, grow weary of the
Place, and then write over to the Prejudice and Difcredit of the Plan-
tation.
The Trades to ^_ Let the People carried over be chiefly Gardeners, Ploughmen, La-
bourers, Smiths, Carpenters, Joiners, Fifliermen, Chirurgeons, Apothe-
caries, Cooks, Bakers, Brewers, and the like.
The Method ^_ Y'n&i examine what kind of Efculents and Potulents the Country
/ a/irmg. yj^j^^^ fpontaneoufly ; as Chefnuts, Walnuts, Pine-apples, Olives, Dates,
Plumbs, Cherries, wild Honey, and the like. Then confider what kinds
of efculent things the Soil will produce within the Year ; as Parfnips, Car-
rdts. Onions, Cabbage, Radiihes, Melons, Pompions, Cucumbers, Je-
rufalem-Artichoaks, Maiz, (^c. ■ Wheat, Barley, and Oats require too
much Labour : but Peafe and Beans may be begun with, both becaufe
they require lefs Labour, and ferve for Meat, as well as for Bread. Rice
llkewife yields a large Increafe ; and is alfo a kind of Meat. But there
fhould at firfl:, be chiefly brought in. Plenty of Bifket, Oatmeal, Flower,
Meal, l^c. to ferve, till Bread may be procured upon the Spot.
TheBeafts 6. For beafts and Birds ; take chiefly fuch as are leaft fubjeft to Difeafes,
Te'lanfed" and breed the foflefl: ; as Swine, Goats, Codes and Hens, Turkeys, Geefe,
nT^ir, Houfe-doves, Rabbits, and the like. Fifliing mufl: be clofely follow'd ;
both for the Support of the Colony, and alfo for the Profit upon Expor-
tation.
TheHusland- 7. The Ptoviflons in a Plantation fliould be almoft as fparingly diftri-
*m the'^Provi-^^^^^'' ^^ ^" ^ befieged Town; that is, by a certain Allowance. And let
pons. t^he main part of the Ground be converted to Gardens or Corn-fields, for
raifing a common Stock, to be preferv'd in publick Granaries, and dif-
penfed in proportion •, whilfl: fome Spots however remain for Particulars
to exercife their Indufl:ry upon.
TheCommo- g. Confider likewife what Commodities the Country naturally yields, that
fouXt^ after ^^ Exportation thereof to the befl: Market, may help (as in the Cafe of
■* ' Tohxcco zx Virginia) to defray the Charge of the Plantation : provided this
be not, as we before obferved, to the untimely Prejudice of the Colony.
Woods commonly abound in defirt Countries ; and therefore Timber fit
for Building, Shipping, and the like Ufes, may prove a capital Commo-
dity. If there be Iron-ore, and Streams for Mills, Iron is an excellent
Commodity where Wood abounds. The making of Bay-Salt by the Heat
of the Sun fhould be- attempted, if the Climate be proper for it. The
growing of vegetable Silk likewife upon the Spot is a gainful Bufinefs.
Pitch of all forts maybe made where there is Plenty of Firs and Pines. So
again, Drugs and Sweet-woods, where they are found, yield confiderable
Profit. Pot-aflies likewife may be gainful ; and other things may be enquired
after. But depend not too much upon Mines, efpecially at firfl ; for Mines are
very
Se61:. III. Political Essays. 15-3
very fallacious and expenfive, and by the pleafing Hope they afford, apt
to render the Planters indolent in other rcfpcdts.
9. Let the Government of the Colony be committed to a fingle Perfon, "^'^ Ccjern-
afTifted with Council : and let them have CommifTion to exercife Martial "V"' "-^. '^"
Laws, with fome Limitation. Above all, let Men make that Advantage """"•""*•
of being in the Wildernefs, as to have God always, and his Service, be-
fore their Eyes. The Government fhould not depend upon too many
Counfellors, and Undertakers in the Plantation ; but upon a moderate
Number -, and thofe rather of the Nobility and Gentry, than- Merchants,
who are too intent upon the prefent Gain. Let there be an abfolute Free-
dom from Cuftoms and Imports, till the Plantation be grown ftrong : and
full liberty of exporting Commodities to all parts allowed ; unlcfs there be
fome weighty Rcafon to the contrary.
10. Let not the Colony be furcharged, by fending Company after Com- ^^^ Colony
pany ; but rather learn how they wafte ; and only fend Supplies propor- """ff'^''^"'-
tionably ; that the whole Number may live commodioufly, without ftrug- '^ *
ling with Want.
1 1 . The building too near the Sea or Rivers, in marfliy and damp Pla- r» build from
ces, has proved very prejudicial to the Health of many Plantations : and ^^^ ■^'^''•
therefore, tho it may be fometimes proper to begin in fuch Places, for the
Convenience of Carriage, and other Advantages ; yet build gradually up
from the Water, towards the higher parts of the Country. It likewifc
imports the Health of the Plantation to have Plenty of Salt, for prefer-
ving their Meat, which might otherwife often corrupt.
12. When a Plantation is carried on among Savages, amufe them notThe native
wholly with Trifles ; but oblige them by juft and courteous Ufage ; tho Savages how
without abating of any neceflary Guard. Neither procure then- Favour by '^" ^« "'«'"^»-
helping them to invade their Enemies : but to defend them when attack'd,
may not be improper. 'Tis alfo of Ufe frequently to fend over fome of
the Natives to the Mother- Country ; that they may there fee a much bet-
ter Way of living than their own ; and publifh it to their Fellows at their
Return.
13. When the Plantation is grown to fome Strength, it will be time to when Women
bring in Women ; that the People may propagate within themfelves, and '"'f <" *« 'J'^-
noc always depend upon foreign Affiftance. mitted.
14. 'Tis a mofl heinoufly wicked thing to forfake and abandon a Plan- ^.^"«««^
tation once in Forwardnefs : for befides the Diflionour, 'tis mere Trea-'i""^""'^''"'
chery, and being guilty of the Blood of many miferable Men^. vamed^lan'
" See more upon this Subjeft in the Author's Letter to King Jamei, concerning the
Planting of Ireland, Vol I. Supplan. V. See alfo the Prudent State/man, Vol. II. Sup-
plem. XIII.
Vol. U. X Essav
if^ Political Essays. Sed. 111.
Essay XI. Of Innovations.
jnHovations j, AS the Births of living Creatures appear ill-fhaped at firfl: -, fo do
^BtrThfoT'^ XIl all Innovations, which are the Births of Time: and as the firfl:
Time! Ennoblers of their Family generally out-fhine their Defcendants in Dig-
nity; fo the firfl good Precedent is feldom equall'd by the Imitation of
After-ages. For Evil in human Nature has a natural Motion, which
grows ftronger by Continuance : whilft Good, as in all forced Motion, is
ftrongeft at firft.
Medicine and 2. Certainly every Medicine is an Innovation ; and he who will not ap-
Time innova- -ply j^g^ Remedies, mufl: expeft new Diftempers: for Time is the greatefl
'""■ Innovator. And if Time, of courfe, alters Things for the worfe, and
Prudence and Induftry fhall not endeavour to alter them for the better,
what End will there be of the Evil ?
The Adz/in- ^. It muft be allow'd, that what is fettled by Cuftom, tho lefs good ;
^n^""-^?"' yet at leaft is fuited to the Times-, and that things, which have long rolled
Chancci together, are ioined as it were by Confederacy : whereas new things do not
fo well fuit with old •, but tho they pleafe by their Utility, yet difl:urb
by their Novelty and Non-conformity. And furely Novelties are like Stran-
gers ; more admired, and lefs favoured.
Tobetenaci- 4. AH this is true, if Time ftood flill -, but on the contrary, it moves-
ciousofcii- conftantly round : whence a ftiff and obftinate Retention of Cuftom is as
fiomas ^<rw- ^^j^yjgj^f. ^g Innovation ; and they who fuperfl:itioufly reverence ancient
■vation. Times, become a Scorn to the prefent. It were therefore proper for Men
in their Innovations to imitate Time, which innovates greatly ; but quiet-
ly, by Degrees, and almofl; imperceptibly. And this is certain, that No-
velty comes unexpecfled, and adds fomething to one Man, and takes away
from another ; whilft he who receives Advantage by the Innovation, thanks
Fortune and the Times: but he who is hurt by it, accufes the Author of
the Innovation.
l^ewExftri-, ^, 'Tis proper alfo not to try new Experiments in the political Body;
mints not to ^^^^^^ the Neceffity be urgent, or the Utility evident : and take great
i'/stltesT" Care that the Defire of Reformation may occafion the Change ; and not
the Defire of the Change plead for Reformation. Again, let all Novel-
ty, tho it cannot perhaps be rejefted, yet be held fufpecled. And laflly,
as the Scripture direfts. Let us fiand upon the old Paths, and fee and ask for
the good Way^ and walk therein.
Essay
Se£l:. III. Political Essays. iSS
Essay XII. Of Factions or Parties.
1. T T is an erroneous Opinion, tho generally receiv'd, that a Prince in f^''^" to deal
A. governing his People, or a great Perlbn in conduifting his A f- "" ' ^'''''''
fairs, ihoiild have a principal regard to the prevailing Fadions ; as if this
were a capital Point of Policy or Prudence. On the contrary, the pru-
dential Talent is chiefly feen either in the Regulation of thofe things which
regard all Men equally, and wherein different Facflions agree ; or in foothing,
reconciling, and treating with particular Perfons. The Confideration of
Fadlions is not however to be neglecled. Men of low Fortune muft,
in their rifing, adhere to fome Party : but the Great, who have Strength
within themfelves, had better preferve a Neutrality. And for Candidates
to fide fo cautioufly, as to feem of one Party without being obnoxious to
the other, is finding a Way to Preferment thro the midft of Fadions.
2 . The lower and weaker Fadiion proves, generally, the firmer and more ^^* Proct-
killing in Coniunftion : and it is often found, that a few who are ob- ^''^ "f ^"'^ ''
Hinate and refolute, will in the end tire out and deprefs a more nume-
rous moderate Fadlion. When one Fadlion is extinguidied, the other
fubdivides: as the Fadion of Lucullus and the Nobles continued vigorous
for fome time, againft that of Pompey and Cafar ; but when the Autho-
rity of the Senate and Nobles was funk, the Fadlion of Cafar and Pompey
foon broke. And the fame holds in Civil, as well as Military Faftions.
Hence thofe that are fecond in Fa6i:ions, often prove Principals when the
Faftion fubdivides : But on the other hand, they frequently lofe all Power;
for many a Man's Strength lies in Oppofition -, and when that ceafes, he
prefently (lackens. 'Tis no lefs remarkable than common, for Men that
have gained their Ends, and feated themfelves in the Place they courted,
to fide with the contrary Faction ; thinking, perhaps, they are fecure of the
former Party, and are now prepared to purchafe the other.
3. The Traitor in Faflion generally fucceeds beft: for when matters Trjwr; i»
have long hung balancing, fome one going over to the contrary fide, cafts ^'"''^"'" f*^"'
the Scale, and obtains all the Thanks. To carry it evenly between two^""'^'^'^ '
Fadions, does not always proceed from Moderation -, but fometimes from
Subtilty ; (as a Man is conftantly trueft to his own Ends) and expecfting to
make an Advantage of both Parties. In Italy they fufpeft the Pope, when
they have Padre commune frequently in their Mouths ; and obferve it as a
Sign that he is bent upon aggrandizing his own Family.
4. Kings fhould be very cautious of profefling and making themfelves Kings not a-
of any Faction or Party with their Subjects: for Leagues of Confederacy /"'"'y 'ojide
within the State are always deftruftive to Monarchies ; as introducing '^n'^'J^-^^^
Obligation fuperior to that of Sovereignty, and making the King as one
of us.
X 2 5. When
is6 Political Essays. Se6l. III.
Taflions how ^, When Faflions are openly carried with a ftrong Hand, 'tis a Sign of
*h Prnces' ^ declining Power in Princes ; and greatly prejudices borli their Authority
and Bufinefs. The Motions of Faflions, under Kings, fhould be like the
aftronomical Morions of the inferior Orbs ; where each Orb has its own
proper Motion ; but in the mean time, they all quietly revolve with the
higher Motion of the Prmum Mobile ^.
Essay XIIL O/ Seditions /?«^ Troubles.
The Prognof. j _ rT^ H E Shepherds of the People fhould underftand the Prognofticks of
*Tem°pefls*f"' -* State-Tempefts ; which are commonly greateft when matters tend
to an Equality : as the natural Tempefts are greateft about the Equinox.
And as hollow Blaftsof Wind feemingly at a diftance, and fecret Swellings
of the Sea, often precede a Storm ; the Cafe is parallel in the Storms of
a State >". Scandalous Libels ; licentious and reflefting Difcourfes, flying
thick and openly -, falfe Rumours every where fpread, and greedily receiv'd,
to the Di fad vantage of the Government, are certain Prognofticks of Trou-
bles. Virgil^ in giving the Origin of Fame, makes her Sifter to the Giants'^;
as if Rumours were the Reliques of paft Seditions : but they are alfo Pre-
ludes of Seditions to enfue. It is however well obferved, that feditious Tu-
mults, and feditious Rumours, differ but as Brother and Sifter, Male and
Female -, efpecially when Matters are at fuch a height, that the moft me-
ritorious Adlions of the State, which ftiould give the greateft Satisfadlion,
are mifconftrued and traduced : for this ftiews the Envy to be great '.
n.umours, 2. But it does not follow, that becaufe thefe Rumours are a Sign of
^o'^^ffi f"p- Troubles, therefore the fupprefling of them with Severity is the Remedy •, for
•'' ■ they generally vanifti fooneft when defpifed : whereas the earneft Endea-
vour to check them, makes them laft the longer.
Farther Prog- 3. That kind of Obedience alfo, which, as Tacitus exprelTes it, is rea-
noftuks of Se- ^-^y. ^g interpret than execute the Commands of the governing Power ; ftiould
be fufpeded ^. To difpute, canvafs, and cavil with Commands, is at-
tempting to ftiake off" the Yoke, and offering at Difobedience : efpecially
if in thefe Difputes, they who are for the Direftion, plead timoroufly and
tenderly •, whilft they that oppofe it, fpeak obftinately and audacioufly.
Viz- 4. Again, (as y\/«f^/^w/ well obferves) when Princes, who ought to aft
lid!"J]T"^ as common Parents, fide with a Party •, 'tis like the over-fetting of a Boat
Parties. by too much weight on one fide. This appear'd remarkably in the Cafe of
Henry
* See more upon this Subjeft, in the Sapientia Veterum, Vol.1, ad finem. Seil. 3. faf.m.
See alfo the following Eflay.
>' Ilk etiam cacos Inftare Tumultus
S.ipe monet, Frattdefcjtte c/ operta lumefcere Bella.
* lllam Terra parens, Ira trrttata Deoriim,
Extremam {ut ferhtbent) do, Enceladeque Sorcrem
Progenuit .——"-
^ Conflata magna Invidia, feu bene feu male Gejla premunt.
*> Erant in officio, fed tamen qui mallent mandata Im^erandum interpretari, quam exequi,
I
Sed. III. Political Essays. 1^7
Ilcnij tiie Third of h'r.ince ; who from the firlt, would enter the Leigiiefor
extirpating thj Proceftants -, when die f!ime League foon after turned
againft himfelf. For when the Authority of Princes is made but an Accef-
firy to a Caufc, and another Bond arifcs ftronger than that of Sovereign-
ty, Kings begin to lofc their Authority.
5. Again, when Difco'rds, Quarrels and Fadlions, fliew themfelves open- W'**» '/'O*
ly and audacioufly ; 'tis a Sign that the Reverence of Government is loft : ^'fi '*"'' ^'
For the Motions of the Great Perfons in a Government, ought to be as """"'
the fuppofed Motions of the Planets ; every one of them carried fwiftly
by the higheft Mover, and flowly in their o^vn Morion. Therefore when
the Great move violently in their own particular ; or as Tacitus exprefles it,
regard lefs of the ruling Power''-, 'tis a Sign the Orbs are out of frame.
For Reverence is the Girdle of Princes, given by God, who threatens to
unloofeit: I will loofen the Girdles of Kings. Laftly, when any of the four
Pillars of Government -, viz. Religion, Jujlice, Counfel, and I'reafure, arc
fhaken or weaken'd. Men had need pray for fiir Weather. But leaving
thefe Prognofticks to be farther illuftrated by what follows -, let us defcend
to examine, (i.) the Matter ; (2.) the Caufes or Movers ; and (3.) the
Rerredics of Seditions.
6. The Matter of Sedition is a Point to be well confidered; the furefl: T-ir 'U-j./^rsf
means to prevent Sedition, being (if the Times will allow it) to remove ^' '"""'
the Matter of them. For if there be Fewel prepared, 'tis not eafy to fay
from what Quarter the Sparks fhall come to light it. The Matter of Se-
dition is of two kinds ; great Poverty and great Difcontent. For certainly Pov-'r/y»
there are as many Voices for Difturbance, as there are ruined Eftates and bro-
ken Fortunes. Hence that Obfervation of Liican., as to the State of Rome.,
a little before the Civil War ^ : for when War is deem'd advantagious,
this is an inflillible Sign of a State difpofed to Seditions and Troubles.
And if the Indigence or diminifhed Fortunes of the firft Rank, be joined
with the utmoft Want and Neceflity in the common People, the Danger
is imminent and great : For the worft Rebellions are thofe of the Belly.
7. As for Difatfeclions and Difcontents, they are in the politick Body, ""'^ Di/icn-
wljat malignant Humours are in the natural ; apt to generate prsternatural'^"''
Heats, and to inflame. And let no Prince meafjre his Danger by the Juft-
nefs or Unjuflnefs of thcfe Difaffeftions and Difcontents ; for that were to
imagine the Vulgar too rational, who often fpurn at their own Good : nor
again by the fmallnefs or greatnefs of the Grievances from whence they
rife ; fince thofe are the moft dangerous Difcontents, where the Fear is
greater than the Feeling : for Feeling has Bounds, but Fear has none ^. Be-
fides, in great Oppreffior.s, the things that provoke, at the fame time abate
the Courage : but in Fears it is otherwife. Neither let any Prince or State
lightly
' Literius quam ut Imperantlum mtminiffent.
** Hint Ufura -jorax, rafidumque in tempore Txnui}
Hisc concujf.t Fides, cj- muhis utile Bellum.
' Dolendimodus, Timendi non item.
1^8 Political Essays. Sed. III.
lightly efteem a Difcontent, for having raged long or often, without Pre-
judice to the Government : for as every Vapour does not turn to a Storm -j
fo Clouds, tho they often blow over, yet gather and fall in a Storm at
laft.
The Canfes of 8. The Caufes of Sedition are, (i.) Innovation in Matters of Reli-
tedii'ion. gion ; {^.) Taxes and Impofts -, (q.) Alteration of Laws and Cuftoms ;
(4.) Violation of Immunities and Privileges -, (5.) General OppreOion ;
(6.) the advancing of unworthy Perfons ; (7.) Admiffion of Foreigners;
(8.) Dearths-, (9.) the difbanding of Soldiers without a Provifion; (10.) Fa-
ftions grown defperate; and, (11.) in fliort, whatever offends the People,
fo as to make them unite and confpire together in a common Caufe.
lis Remedies, g. As for Remedies, there are fome general Prefervatives, which we fhall
here mention ; but the juft Cure is to be fuited to the particular Difeafe ;
and muft therefore be left to Council, rather than Precept. The firfi: Re-
medy or Prevention of Sedition, is, by all poffible means, to remove its
ThePreven- material Caufes, Poverty d.x\A Difcontent K To the removing of Poverty,
ticn of Po- j-gj^fjg^ (-J,) the opening and balancing of Trade; (2.) the introducing
'i]tiLj"/fe]^r\d fupportingof Artificers and Handicraftfmen •, (3.) the banlfhing of
■&C. 'sloth and Idlenefs •, (4.) the fuppreffing of Luxury and Profufion by
fumptuary Laws j (5.) the improving of Hufbandry ; (6.) regulating the
Prices of Commodities -, (7.) moderating the Taxes, Duties, and the
like.
Preventing a lo. In general. Care muft be had that a Surcharge of Inhabitants, in
SnrchArge of Times of Peace, when none are cut off by the Sword, do not over-grow the
People. Stock of the Kingdom, which fhould maintain them. Nor are the People
in this View to be eftimated by Number only ; for a fmaller Number, that
confumes much, and gains little, wears out a State fooner than a greater
that lives fparing, and lays up Money. And therefore an Over-proportion
of Nobility and Gentry, foon impoverifhes a State : fo likewife does a
numerous Clergy -, for they bring nothing to the Stock. And the cafe is
the fime when more are bred Scholars, than the Civil Employs can main-
tain.
Trade conjijls j j . We fhould not Omit, that as all Increafe of publick Treafure muft
of Neceffity arife from foreign Countries (for whatever is gain'd in one
'*^' Place, is loft in another) there are but three things which one Nation can
fell to another -, 'viz. (i.) the natural Commodity -, (2.) the Maniifatliire %
and (3.) the Carriage or Freight. So that if thefe three Wheels go well.
Riches will flow as in a Spring-tide. And it often happens, according to
the Poet's Obfervation g, that the Manufacluring and Carriage exceed the
Price of the Material, and prove more enriching to a State : as we fee
by an eminent Example in the Dutch, who have the richeft Mines above
Ground of any Nation.
12. Above
*■ See above, §. 6, 7.
s Materiam [tt^erabat Opus.
three
{hint's.
Seel. III. Political Essays. 15-9
12. Above all tilings, good Policy muft be ulcd, to prevcnc the Trea- T>Jf A/owyii/"
fiirc of a Kingdom from getting into few Hands ; otherwife a State ni^^y ^ f ',"^/. ".
ftarve in the midft of Wealth: for Money is, like Manure, unfruitful ifgrojfeJ.'^
not fpread. This is principally effeifled by fupprelTing, or at leafl re-
flraining thofe great Dcvourers, U/ury., Monopolies., exorbitant Pafturage,
and tlie like.
I :?. As for the removing of Difcontcnts v at lead the Dangers that might The removing
arife from them ; we muft obferve, that as every State has two kinds of"/ ^'fi""-
Subjefts; viz. Nobles and Commons ; if only one of thefe bedifcontent"^"'^'
without the other, the Danger is not great ; for the Vulgar are flow of
Motion, unkfs excited by the Great : And again, the Great have lictlc
Strength, unlefs the People be difpofed and ready to move of themfelves.
But the Danger is impending when the Great wait only for the troubling of _--'/'
the fVaters, amongft the Multitude; that they may declare themfelves. pi^ rjcr-ir^^ C
The Poets feign, that the Gods confpired to bind Jupiter •, which he be- ^^2"^ '
ing apprized of, by the Counfel of Pallas^ fcnt for Briareus, with his hun-
dred Hands, to affift him. This Emblem doubtlefs admoniflies Prin-
ces how hie and prudent it is for them to fecure the Good-will of the
People K
14. 'Tis a llife Way to indulge a moderate Liberty, for the Difcontcnt to To pvttUm
evaporate •, provided it be not attended with Inlblence and Audacity : for'^''"'*
to turn the Humours back, and make the Wound bleed inwards, endan-
gers malignant Ulcers, and pernicious Impoftumations.
15. For foftening of enraged and malevolent Spirits, the Part of £p/- To /ce^ jv/c»
metheui might well be transfcrr'd to Prometheus'^ ; as there is no better j^g. "^^'''^ -f^"/'^*
medy. Epimetheus., when he perceived Evils and Misfortunes fly out, at '
laft clap'd on the Lid, and kept Hope in the bottom of the Box. Cer-
tainly the political and artificial keeping up and cherilliing of Hopes, and
kading Men round from Hope to Hope, is one of the ftrongeft Antidotes
againft the Poifon of Difcontent. And there is no furer Sign of a wife
Government, and prudent Adminiftration, than where Mens Hearts are
detained with Hopes, whilft Satisfaftion cannot be given : And again,
where Matters are managed with fuch Forefight, that no Misfortune can
happen lb adverfe as not to have its Out-let of Hope. And this is the
lefs difficult to provide for, becaufe Fa(5iions, as well as private Peribns, are
apt to flatter themfelves ; or at leaft, to glory in more than they be-
lieve.
16. It is, indeed, a common, but excellent Caution, for preventing rD/»^;«i;
Danger from Difcontent, that there be no fit Head or Leader whereto thej^'-^'-'''"^
Difatfefted may refort, and form a Body under his Protection. I under-
ftand by a fit Head or Leader, a Perfon of Nobility and Charafter, ac-
ceptable to the Malecontents •, who turn their Eyes upon him, and believe
him difcontenced in his own particular. Such Perfons as thefe are either
to
•> See Vol. I. tlie S.ip'icntia Veteritm, SeiT. 3. paffim. 1
' Se; the Fable explained in the Sapientiti Vetenim, SeSl- 1.
>'pr
i6o Political Essays. Se<St. III.
to be won over, and reconciled to the State, in a firm and folid manner ;
or elfe to be oppofed by others of the fame Party, to divide the popular
Efteem.
TofoivBi- 17. It is generally conceived no bad Remedy, to divide and break Com-
ftruft among j^jnations and Faflions againft the State, by fetting them at variance with
each other ; or at leaft by fowing Diffidence among them : for it would
be extremely hard upon Governments, if the Difaffefted to them fhould
continue entire and united ; whilft the Well-afFefted remain full of Dif-
fentions.
Princes to be- 18. It is obfervable, that ingenious and fharp Sayings falling inconfide-
'u>are of Jlwrt ^..^^^^ from Princes, have fometimes given Fire to Seditions. Cafar gave
uncel" ''^" himfelf a fatal Wound by that Saying, Scylla nefcivit Literas, di£iare ma,
potuit * : For this fingle Sentence cut off all the Hope before entertain'd
' ^' by the People, that he would in time refign xhc DiSlatorfiip. Galba ruin'd
^^^ ' himfelf by that Saying, Legia te militem, non emi\. For hence the Soldiers
defpaired of the Donatives. And Ptobtis had no better Succefs with that
Expreffion, Si vixero non opus erit amplius Romano Imperio viilitibus ^. For
this alfo was matter of Defpair to the Soldiers ; and there are many In-
ftances of the like kind. Certainly it concerns Princes in tender Points,
and ticklifli times, to be cautious of what they fay -, efpecially in thefe
fliort Sentences, which fly abroad like Darts ; and are thought to proceed
from their fecret Intentions. But large Speeches are flatter things ; and
not fo much regarded ^.
xings to have 1 9. Lafl:ly, againfl: all Events, let Kings have confl:antly near them,
/eierf wi/irary certain Perfons of approved military Valour, for the quelling of Seditions
Officers m -^^ ^j^^jj. ^^^ j^j^^ . otherwife the Courts of Princes are in more Confufion
'juaitin". than is proper upon the firft breaking out of Difliurbances : and the State
labours under that kind of Danger which Tacitus thus exprefl"es. Such was
the general Difpofttion, that few durjl attempt the heinous Crime •, more luijhed
it ; but all permitted it to be committed K But letfuch military Perfons be of
great Fidelity, and high Efl;eem, rather than faftious or popular ; and
alfo have a good Underilanding with the other Great Men of the State: or
elfe the Remedy is worfe than the Difeafe ".
* That Scylla could not dklate for want of Learning.
f That he did not buy, but raife the Army.
i If I live, the Roman Empire will have no farther need of Armies.
•■ See the Author's CoUedion of apophthegms. Vol. I. Supplem. VI.
' jitque is habitus animorumfuit, ttt fejfimum Facinus auderent fauci, plures velltmt, otnnes
paterentur.
"> See more upon this general Subjeft in the Sapientia Vetirum, Vol. I. Supflem. VII.
S«6l. 3, pajjim.
Essay
Se6t. III. Political Essays. i<5'i
Essay XIV. Of U n i t y in Religion.
I. AS Religion is the chief Bond of Society, 'tis proper that xx.itAi iicVi'^ior. io ht
J^A. fl\ouId be bound in the true Bonds of Unity and Charity. Quar- *^/" ^'"'""
rcls and Difientions about Religion were Evils unknown to tlie Heathens ; ['^'-""y/
their Religion confilting rather in Rites and Ceremonies, than in any fixed charity.
Belief and Confeirion. For it is eafv to conjefture what kind of. Faith they
had, when die chief Dodors and Fathers of their Church were the Poets.
But it is an Attribute of the true God, that he is a jealous God ; and there-
fore his Worfhip admits of no Mixture or Partner. We will therefore
here fpcak of the Unity of the Church ; and confider, (i.) what are the
Fruits thereof; (2.) what the Limits -, and (3.) what the Means of pro-
curing this Unity.
2. (I.) The principal Fruits of Unity (befides its being highly p\e3.C\ngTwi> Fruits of
to God, which is firft to be efteem'd) are two •, the one regarding f^".''y "'•'^'■
thofe without the Church, the other thofe within. For the former-, 'tis ^^"'"'
certain that Herefics and Schifms are the greateft Scandals in the Church ;
even greater than Corruption of Manners : as in the natural Body,
Wounds and Solutions of Continuity are worfe in kind than corrupt Hu-
mours. Whence nothing fo much deters fome Men from coming into the Herefies and
Church, and drives others out of it, as the Breach of Unity : and there- ^'^^'J'^'^J"
fore, when the times are come that fome fiy, Ecce iff Defa-to .' and others, ^^^^/^w tH'J^'
Ecce in Penetralibus! that is, when fome feek Chrift in the Conventicles oi church.
Hereticks, and others in an outward Face of a Church, 'tis neceflary to
have this Voice continually founding in Mens Ears, Go not out.
3. St. Paul, whofe peculiar Province it was to take care of the Gen- 'Different opi-
tiles, or thofe without the Church, afks this Queftion : If an Infidel, or un- "^'"^'f ^^*
learned Perfon, enters your Congregations, and hears you /peak with different p^' rJ-^^'j^^
Tongues; will he not fay you are -mad? And certainly, 'tis little hmtr, toberiduuled.
when Atheifts, and prophane Perfons, fee fuch great Contentions, and fo
many clafhing Opinions in Religion. For this turns them from the Church ;
and makes them ft down in the Chair of the Scorners. It may feem too
trifling for fo ferious an EfTay, to mention the following Particivlar -, but
it admirably defcribes the Deformity of the Thing. A certain eminent
Jefter, in giving the Catalogue of a fabulous Library, puts down, among
other Books, one with this Title : The Morris-DaJice of Hereticks : for as
every Morris-Dancer has his own peculiar ridiculous Motion, and deformed
Gefture of Body -, fo has every Heretick his peculiar Humour and Defor-
mity of Mind : which cannot fiil of being ridiculed by Libertmes, and
depraved Politicians ; who are apt to tall into a Contempt of holy
Things.
4. As for the Fruit of Unity, redounding to thofe within the Church ; The Fruit of
it is in one Word, Peace ; which contains innumerable Bleffings : for [lenity withm
Vol. II. y eftablifhes'*^ "^^"'^**
i6i Political Essays. Se£l. III.
eftiibliflies Faith, and kindles Charity : and the outward Peace of the
Church diftils by degrees into internal Peace of Confcience ; and turns the
Labours of Controverfy-Writers, into Books of Piety, and Devotion.
The Limn of 5. (2.) As for the Limits of Unity ■, to place thefe juftly, is of great
vmty. Importance to the whole of Religion. There appear to be two Extremes in
fixing them : For all mention of Peace is odious to Zealots. Is it Peace,
Jehu ? What hafl thou to do ivith Peace ? Fol/oiv me : as if Peace were no-
thing, but Party all. On the other hand, certain Perfons, lukewarm in the
Caufe of Religion, like the Laodiceans^ think to drefs up agreeable Sum-
maries of Religion, by going in a middle way, ingcnioufly accommoda-
ting Opinions, and acling as Reconcilers between God and Man. Both
thefe Extremes are to be avoided ; and may be, by clearly underftanding
and diftinguifhing between thofc two Points of the Covenant of Chriftians,
laid down by our Saviour himfelf, which at firft fight feem to clafh ; viz.
He that is not 'with us, is againfi us: and again, He that is not againfi us, is
with us : that is, if the truly eflential and fundamental Points of Religion,
were iuftly difcerned and diftinguidied from thofe that are, not of Faith,
but of probable Opinion, or pious Intention ; and defign'd for the fake
of Order, and the Government of the Church. This may appear trivial
to many •, and a matter done already : but if done with lefs regard to Party,
it would be more generally receiv'd.
Two hinds of 6. Let Men beware of rending God's Church by two kinds of Con-
Controverfy troverfies : The one, when the Point controverted is finall and trifling, not
to he avoided (jefej-ving the Contention raifed about it ; but inflamed merely by Op-
v'z.^X""' pofition. For, as one of the Fathers elegantly obferv'd, the Coat of Chriji
tighter, 'was 'without Seam ; but the Church'' s Veflure of various Colours : then adds.
Let the Variety of the Garment continue, and no Rent be made. For Unity
and Uniformity are widely different.
andthemore 7. The o//?;^r kind of Controverfy is, when Subjeft has Weight, butisre-
fithtile. duced to too great Subtilty and Obfcurity ; fo that it becomes a thing rather
ingenious than fubftantial. A Man of Learning and Underftanding may
fometimes hear unfkilful Perfons differ about a Queftion, and fee clearly
that they think alike, and mean the fame thing -, tho they themfelves
would never agree. And if this may fometimes happen between Man and
Man, where there is fo little Difparity of Judgment, is it not reafonable
to believe that God, who fearches and knows the Heart, clearly perceives
that frail Men, in fome of their Controverfies, think alike, and gracioufly
accepts of both .'' The Nature and Character of fuch Controverfies are ad-
mirably expreifed by St. Pauly in his Admonition and Precept about them :
Avoid prophane and vain Bablings ; and Oppofitions of Science, falflyfo called.
Men imagine Oppofitions, which in reality do not exift ; and couch them
in new Terms, which they make fo fixed and invariable, that tho the
Meaning ought to govern the Term, the Term here governs the Mean-
ing".
S. There
" See the Novum Orgamim, Part I. Seft. II.
Se6l. III. Political Essays. 1^3
S. There are alfo two falfe Unities ; the one grounded upon an im- ^^«"'/4'*
plicit Ignorance ; for all Colours will agree in the dark : The other "'""'
pieced up of Expofitions, diredlly contrary, in fundamental Points.
For Truth and Falfhood are like the Iron and Clay in the Toes of the
Image that Nebuchadnezzar fiw in a Dream : they may cleave, but not
incorporate.
9. (3.) Tor tht Means of procuring Unity, let Men beware, whilfl: they '^"' ^""" "-^'
fecure and guard an Unity of Religion, they do not difiblve and demolifli^r^^"'^"'^
the Laws of Charity, and Society. There are but two Swords received
amongft Chriftians, the Spiritual and 'temporal ; and both have their Place
and Office in propagating and protedling the Chriftian Religion. But the
third Sword, which is that of Maboinet, fhoukl never be taken up ;
that is. Religion mud never be propagated by War •, or the Confciences
of. Men forced by fanguinary Perfecutions ; unlefs in Cafes of open Scan-
dal, infolent Blafphemy, or Plots and Praiftices againft the Civil State ;
much lefs to abet Seditions -, fpirit up Confpiracies and Rebellions ; put
the Sword into the Peoples Hands, and the like : all which manifefl-
ly tend to leflen the Authority, and fubvert the Foundation of Liwful
Government, which is the Ordinance of God. For this is to break the firft
Table againft the fccond -, and to confider Chriftians, fo as to forget they
are Men.
10. Lucretius., placing before his Eyes y^gatnemnon f.icrificing his own Perfecueiou,
Daughter, exclaims, 1'antum Religiopotuit fuadere malorum * / But what would ^"C" r] ^'
he have faid, had he known of the Mafllicre in France ; or the Powder-Plot"^ ''
in England ? Surely he would then have been a greater ./Ithcifl and Epicurean
than before ! For as the temporal Sword is to be drawn with great Judgment
and Circumfpeftion in the Caufeof Religion •, 'tis monftrous to put it into
the Peoples Hand. Let this be left to the Jnabaptijls, and other Furies.
It was a great Blafphemy, when the Devil faid, I ivill afcend, and be like the
moft High: but it is a greater to perfonate God, and bring him in faying, /
ivill dejccnd., and he like the Prince of Darknefs : yet what difference is there
ber^vixt this, and making the Caufe of Religion defcend headlong to the
cruel and execrable Ads of murthering Princes, maflacring People, and
fubverting States ? Surely this is like bringing down the Holy Ghoft in
the Form of a Vulture or a Raven, inftead of a Dove ! or like hoiftino-
the Flag of Pyrates and Aflaffins on board the Ship of the Church ! It is
therefore juft, and required by the Neceflity of the Times, that the
Church by its Doctrine and Decrees -, Princes by their Sword ; and all
Learning, both religious and moral, ftiould endeavour, as by their Afer-
cury-Rod, to charm down and confine to the infernal Regions, for ever,
all Fads and Opinions tending to encourage and fupport thefe Practices ;
as in good meafure has been already done. It were to be wifhed, that in
Councils convened upon the Affair of Religion, this Admonition of the
Apoftle hung up to open View -, the IVrath of Man worketh not the
Could e'er Religion lead to fo much 111 I
o
Righ.
i6^
Political Essays.
Sea, III.
Rigbteoufnefs of God. And to fay the Truth, it was excellently and pm-
dently obferved by a very wife Father of the Church ; and fpoke with
great Sincerity and Ingenuity, that they ivho advife the Jlramng and forcing
of Confciences, only cover their oijon Pajfiom under that Pretence ; and think
their Interefl concerned in the thing °.
" See the whole of this Subieft fai-ther profecuted in the Author's Difcourfe upon pro-
moting the Peace of the Cliuich, Suj>pUm.XVU,
s u p.
SUPPLEMENT XII.
DISCOURSE
O F
W A
On Qccafion of a War isjiih SPAIN,
k
Se£V. I. 1^7
DISCOURSE
O F
WAR, &c.
INTRODUCTION.
YOUR Highnefs p has an imperial Name. It was a Charles that
brought the Empire firft into France ; a Charles that brought it
firft into Spain ; why fhould not Great Britain have its Turn ?
But to lay afide all that may favour of Fume or Fancy, and to
fpeak Solids : A War with Spain is a great Work -, it requires ftrong Ma-
terials and acftive iVIotions. He who fays otherwife is zealous ; but not
according to Knowledge. Yet Spain is no fuch Giant : and he who thinks
Spain a great Over-match for this Kingdom, aflifted as it is, and may be,
is no good Aflay-mafter ; but takes Greatnefs of Kingdoms according to
their Bulk and Currency ; and not according to their intrinfick Value.
Altho, therefore, I had wholly fequeftred my Thoughts from Civil Affairs ;
yet becauie 'tis a new Cafe, and concerns my Country infinitely, I obtain'd
of ray felf to fet down, out of long continued Experience in Bufinefs of
State, and great Converfotion in Books of Policy and Hiftory, what
I thought pertinent to this Bufinefs ; and in all Humility prefent it to your
Highnefs -, hoping that at leaft you will difcern the Strength of my Affe-
(ftion, thro the Weaknefs of my Abilities: for the Spaniard has a good Pro-
verb; There is no Heat of Affection hut is joined ivith fonie Idlenefs of Brain 'i,
* This Piece was dedicated to Prince Charles in the Year i6i4,
* Dt Suaritfi tmfre con la calentura.
SECT.
i<58
A Difmirje of War, 6cc. Sed. I.
SECT. I.
Of the jufl Causes of War,
IheReiju'ifitc
tf a War.
Three
Grounds of
War.
The firft
Ground,
T
(i.) a juft Quarrel •, (2.) fufficient For-
O a War are required -, (i.j a
ces and Provifions -, and (3.).^ prudent Choice of the Defign.
So that I will firjl juftify the Quarrel ; fecondly, balance the
Forces ; and lajily, propofe a Variety of Deftgns for the Choice; but not
advife the Choice ; for that were unfit for a Writing of this Nature : nor
is it a Subjefl within the Level of my Judgment ; I being in effeft, a
Stranger to the prefent Occurrences ^
2. Wars, where not ambitious and predatory, are Suits of appeal to
the Tribunal of God's Juftice, when there are no Superiors on Earth to
determine the Caufe. And they are as Civil Pleas, Plaints or Defences.
There are therefore three jufi Grounds of a War with Spain •, one upon
Plaint, and two upon Defence. Solomon fays, A Cord of three is not eafily
broken: but efpecially when every one of thefe Lines will hold fingle by
itfelf. They are thefe: (i.) the Recovery of the Palatinate; (2.) a jufi
Fear of the SuH'erJion of our Civil State ; and (3.) a juji Fear of theSubver-
fion of our Church and Religion. For in the handling of the two laft
Grounds of War, I fhall make it plain, that preventive Wars upon juft
Fears, are true Defenfives •, as well as upon aftual Invafions : and again,
that defenfive Wars for Religion, are moft juft ; tho offenfive Wars for
Religion are feldom or never to be approved, unlefs they have fome Mix-
ture of Civil Titles. But all that I fhall fay in this Argument, will be
like Thread in the Bottom, which with a good Needle may be flouriftied
into large Works.
I. 3. For aflerting the Juftice of the Quarrel, the recovery of the P^/rt/i-
mte -, I fhall not go fo high as to difcufs the Right of the War of Bohe-
mia i which if freed from Doubt on our Part, there is no Colour nor Sha-
dow why the Palatinate ftiould be retained ; the raviftiing whereof was a
mere Excurfion of the firft Wrong, and a double Injuftice. But I do not
take my felf to be fo perfeft in the Cuftoms, Tranlaftions and Privileges
of that Kingdom of Bohemia., as to treat this Part properly : and will not
offer at what I cannot mafter. Yet this I muft fay pofitively, and refo-
lutely ; that 'tis impoftible an eleftive Monarchy fliould be fo free and
abfolute as an hereditary ; no more than 'tis pofllble for a Father to have
fo fiill Power and Intereft in an adopted Son, as in a natural one : becaufe a
natural Obligation is ftronger than a civil. And again, that received Maxim
is almoft unlTiaken and infallible ; There is nothing more agreeable to Nature.,
than that Things fioould be diffolved by the fame means they ivere conflituted.
So
The third Part was not publifhed.
Sedl. I. A T>tfcourfe of W atl, &:c. 1^9
So that if the Part of the People or State be fomewhac in the Eledlion,
you cannot make them Cyphers in the Privation or Tranflation.
4. If it be faid that this is a dangerous Opinion for the Pope, Emperor, ^'-^ ^'"^i:-
and elective Kings •, true, 'tis a dangerous, and ought to be a dangerous |^.^"''^"^^" "
Opinion, to fuch perfonal Popes, Emperors, or eledtive Kings, as fhallc/fj,-,
tranfccnd their Limits, and become tyrannical : but it is a fafc and found
Opinion for their Sees, Empires, and Kingdoms ; and for tliemfclves alfo,
if they be wife : For a Plenitude of Power is a Plenitude of Commotion ^.
But the chief Reafon why I (lo not fearch into this Point is, becaufe I need
it not. And in handling the Right of a War, I am unwilling to inter-
mix doubtful Matter with that which is out of doubt. For as in capital
Caufes, where but one Man's Life is in queftion, the Evidence ought to
be clear ; fo much the more in a Judgment upon a War, which is capital
to thoufands. I fuppofe therefore the worft -, that the ofienfive War upon
Sohetnia had been unjuft ; and then put the Cafe : which is no fooner put
than refolved ; if not enwrapped, but flated plainly and perfpicuoufly.
5. 'Tis this. An ofFenfive War is made, which is uniuft in the Aggreflbr ; The Cajefla'
the Profecution and Courfe of the War, carries the Defendant to invade the '"^'
ancient and undoubted Patrimony of the firil Agreflbr, who is now turned
Defendant : fliall he fit down, and not put himfelf in defence ? Or if he
be difpoflefTed, fhall he not make a War for the Recovery ? No Man is fo
poor of Judgment as to affirm it.
6. The Caftle of Cadmus was taken, and the City of Thebes itfelf in- Exemplified,
vefted by Phoebidas the Lacedemonian, infidioufly, and in Violation of the
League: the Procefs of this Adtion drew on a Re-furprize of the Caftle by
the I'hebans, a Recovery of the Town, and a Current of the War, even
to the Walls o^ Sparta. I demand, Was the Defence of the City of Sparta y
and the Expulfion of the Tbebans out of the ancient Laconian Territories
unjuft .' The fharing of that part of the Dutchy of Milan, which lies upon
the River of yidda, by the Venetians, upon Contraft with the French, was
an ambitious and unjuft Purchafe. This Wheel fet on going, poured a
War upon the Venetians with fuch a Tempeft, that Padua and Trevigi were
taken from them, and all their Dominions upon the Continent of Italy
abandoned, and they confined within the Salt Waters.
7. Will any Man lay, that the memorable Recovery and Defence of
Padua, when the Gentlemen of Venice, unufed to Wars, but from the
Love of their Country became brave and martial the firft Day ; and fo
likewife the re-obtaining of Trevigi, and the reft of their Dominions,
was matter of fcruple, whether juft or no ; becaufe it arofe from a Quarrel
ill begun ? The War of the Duke of Urbin, Nephew to Pope Julius
the Second, when he made himfelf Head of the Spanijh Mutineers, was
as unjuft as unjuft could be ; a Support of defperate Rebels ; an Invafion
of St. Peter's Patrimony i and what you will. The Courfe of this War
fell upon the Lois of Urbin itfelf, which was iht Duke's undoubted Right;
'' Pienltudo fotefiatis, eft flenitudo temfeftatis.
Vol. n. Z yet
I70 A ^Difcourfe of W aVl, &c. Sea. I.
yet in this Cafe no Penitehtiory, tho he had enjoin'd him ever fo ftrift
Penance to expiate his firft Oiftnce, would have counfelled him to ha\re
given over the Purfuit of his Right for Url/in ; which afterwards he prof-
peroufly re-obtained, and has tranfmitted to his Family to this Day. No-
thing more unjuft than the Invafion of the Spanijh Jrmada in eighty-eight
upon our Seas •, for our Land was Holy Land to them •, they might not
touch it : fliall I fay therefore, that the Defence of Lisbon, or Cales, af-
terwards, was unjuft ?
WarsareKe- 8. There are thoufinds of Examples ; but it were unneceflary to produce
■i-enges and them in an undoubful Cafe. The Reafon is plain -, Wars are Revenges
Keparatmis. ,^^^ Reparations. But Revenges are not infinite -, but according to the
meafure of the firft Wrong. Therefore when a voluntary offenfive War,
by the Defign or Formne of the War, is turned to a necefTary defenfive
War, the Scene of the Tragedy is changed -, and it is a new A&^ to begin.
For the particular Adlions of War, tho complicated in Faft, are yet fe-
parate and diftindl in Right ■, like crofs Suits in Civil Pleas, which are
fometimes both of them iuft. But this is fo clear as to need no farther
Proof. Yet if in things io clear, it were fit to fpeak of more or lefs clear
in our prefent Caufe-, 'tis the more clear on our part, becaufe the Pofief-
fion of Bohemia is fettled with the Emperor. For tho it be true, that
there is no compenfation of Injuries ; yet were there fomewhat more Colour to
detain the Palatinate, as in the Nature of a Recovery, in Value or Com-
penlation, if Bohemia had been loft, or were ftill the Seat of the War.
TheTitleof g ^^ foj- xht Title of Profcription or Forfeiture, wherein the Empe-
Profcrlpnon. ^^^^ u^on the matter, has been Judge and Party, and jufticed himfelf ; God
forbid but that it ftiould well endure an Appeal to a War. For certainly
the Court of Heaven is as well a Chancery t» fave and debar Forfeitures, as
a Court of Common-Law to decide Rights : and there would be Work
enough in Germany, Italy, and other Parts, if imperial Forfeiuires fliould
go for good Titles. And thus much for the firfi Ground of a IVar 'with
Spain, being in the Nature of a Plaint for the Recovery of the Palatinate ;
omitting here, what might be the Seed of a larger Difcourfe, and is verified
by a Number of Examples ; that whatever is gained by an abufive Treaty,
ought to be reftored to the full. We fee the daily Experience of this in
Civil Pleas ; and the Images of great things are beft feen contrafted in
fmall Glafles. Thus all Pretoria» Courts, if any of the Parties be enter-
uined or laid afleep, under Pretence of Arbitrement or Accord ; and the
other Party, during that time, cauteloufly gets the Start and Advantage
at Common-Law, tho it be to Judgment and Execution ; yet the Pretoria»
Court reftores all things to their former State, without any refpe<fi: to fuch
Eviftion or Difpofleffion.
The Seat of a 1 o. Laftly, let there be no Miftake ; as if when I fpeak of a War
War free after ^QY the Recovery of the Palatinate, I meant that it muft be direftly
indiilion. upon that Place : for look into the Fecial Law, and all Examples, and it
will be found, without Scruple, that after a Legation for Recovery, and a
Refufal, and a Denunciation or Indiftion of a B^ar, the IVar is no niore
confined
Sea I. A T>ifcourfe of W A ^, ^c. 171
confined to the Place of t\\c Quarrel ; but left at large, and to choice, as
Opportunities and Advanr.xges iluiil invite.
11. If. To proceed, tlierefore, to the fecond Ground of a War with Spain ; V" 1"'"^
we have fct it down to be, «, jufi Fear of the Subi-erfion of our Civil State, f^^"" ^"^ ^
So that the War is iiot foi- the Palatinate only, but for Enghvid, Scotland, juft Fear.
Ireland, our King, our Prince, our Nation, and all that we have. Where-
in two things arc to be proved : tlie one, that a juft jFear, without an
actual Invallon or Olfence, is a fa^cient Ground of War ; and in the na-
ture of a true Defenfive : the other, that we have, with regard to Spain,
Caule of iurt Fear. I fay, juft Fear : for as the Civilians well define,
that the legal Fear, in private Caufes, is a jufi Fear in a courageous Man ' ;
fo in publick Caufes, there is a juft Fear in a couragtous Senate " -, not out of
Umbrages, light Jealoufics, or Apprehenfions afar off, but out of clear
Fore-fight of imminent Danger.
12. As to the former Propofttion, 'tis proper to hear what Time i,\ys. Exemplified.
7'bucydides, in his Hiilory of" the great Peloponnefian War, fets down in
plain Terms, that the true Caufe of that War was the over -growing
Graitnels of the ylthcuians ; and die Fear that the Lacedemonians flood in
tlicreby : and doubts not to call it a NecefTity impofed upon the Lacede-
vwiiians of a War •, which are the Words of a mere Defenfive : addino-
tliat tlie other Cafes were but fpecious and populai". The trueft Caufe of this
JfVo}-, tJjo U(>fi 'voiced, I conceive to have been this ; that the Athenians being
grown great, to the terror of the Lacedemonians, impofed upon them a Ne-
cefjity of a Ifar : but the Caufes voiced abroad -iHere thefe, &c.
13. Sulpitius Galba, the Conful, when he perfuaded the Romans to a
preventive War, with the later Philip, King of M^cedon, in regard of the
great Preparations which Philip had then on foot, and his Defigns to ruin
Jbme of the Confederates of the Romans, confidently fliys, that they who
cook it for an oftenfive War, underflood not the State of the Queftion.
Te feem to me, O Romans, not to underftaud, that the Confultation before
you is not, whether you fiiall have War or Peace -, {for Philip 'will take care
youfball be no Choofers, "who prepares a mighty War both by Land and Sea ;)
but liihether you jhall iranfport the War into Macedon, or receive it into iDily.
Antiochus, when he incited Prufias, King of Bithynia, at that time in
League -with the Romans, to join with him in War againft them, lets be-
fore him a juft Fear of the over-fpreading Greatnefs of die Romans ; com-
paring it to a Fire that continually fpread from Kingdom to Kingdom :
Ikying that the Romans came to pull dovun all Kingdoms, and make the State
of Rome an univerfal Monarchy ; that Philip and Nabis ivere already
ruin'd, and noiv was his turn to be affailed ; fo that as every State lay next to
the other that ivas oppreffcd, fo the Fire perpetually fpread. Where it is to be
well noted, that towards ambitious States, which afpire to great Monar-
chies, and feek upon all Occafions to enlarge their Dominions, all par-
ricuLr Fears grow and multiply from a View of the general Courfes and
' ^Jufius metus, qui cadit in confi<inttm iirum.
" Jufius metus, o^ui cadit in conft/ir.iem Senjitum.
Z 2 Pra(5lice
17 i A Dljcourfe of War, &c. Se6l. I.
Praftice of fuch States. Therefore in Deliberations of IFar againft the
Turk, it has been often, with great Judgment, maintain'd, that Chriftian
Princes and States have always a fufficient Ground of an invafive War
againft the Enemy •, not for the Caufe of Religion, but upon a juft Fear ;
as it is a fundamental Law, in the TurkiJIi Empire, that they may without
any other Provocation make War upon Chrifiendom, for the Propacra-
tion of their Law ; fo that the Chriftians lie under a perpetual Dread of a
War from them -, and therefore they may at all times be upon the preventive.
Strengthened 1 4. Demojlhcnes derided IVars which are not preventive •, comparino- thofe
by Authon- j-}^^^ make them to Country-Fellows in a Fencing-School, who never
parry till the Thruft is given. You Athenians make War with Philip, as
ignorant Rtifticki fence ; for with them, he that gets a Hit, direElly falls to
guarding againji another in the fame place ; and if hit again in a different place,
thither his Guard goes likewife ; but has neither the Skill nor Intention to fore-
fee the Stroke, nor to guard againji it.
15. Clinias the Candian, in Plato, fpeaks defperately and wildly, as if
there were no fuch thing as Peace between Nations •, but that every Nation
only waits its Advantage to make War upon another. Yet in this extra-
vagant Speech thus much may have a civil Conftruftion •, that every State
ought to ftand upon its Guard, and rather prevent, than be prevented.
The Words are thefe ; JVhat Men generally mean by Peace, is but a naked
and empty Name : the Truth is, that all States are ever at a fecret War. I
know that this is the Objeftion, not the Decifion ; and is afterwards
confuted : yet it bears thus much of Truth, that if the general Malignity
ajid Predifpofition to War, which he falfly reprefents to be in all Nations,
is produced and extended to a juft Fear of being opprefTed, then it is no
more a true Peace, but the Name of a Peace.
By the Policy 1 6. The Opinion of Iphicrates, the Athenian, demands not fo much as a
of the ivifefi juft Yfix to a War ; but rather approaches the Opinion of Clinias ; as if
atuns. there were among Nations a Broodingof a War -, and that there is no fure
League, but a want of Power to hurt. For in the Treaty of Peace with
the Lacedemonians, he fpeaks plain, and tells them ; There could be no true
and fecure Peace, except the Lacedemonians yielded to thofe things, ivhich,
when granted, it would be no longer in their Power to hurt the Athenians, tho
ihey would. And to fay truth, if we mark it well, this was in all Hiftory
the main Piece of Wifdom, in ftrong and prudent Councils, to be on per-
petual Watch, that the States about them ftiould neither by Approach,
nor by Increafe of Dominion, nor by ruining Confederates, nor by block-
ing of Trade, nor by any the like means, have it in their Power to annoy
the State ; and whenever any fuch Caufe did but appear, immediately to buy
it out with War ; and never to take up Peace at Credit, and upon Inte-
reft.
Srimtf. iy, 'Tis frefh in every ones Memory, how that Triumvirate of Kings,
Henry Vlll. of England, Francis I. of France, and Charles V. Emperor
and King of Spain, were in their times fo provident, as that fcarce a Palm
of Ground could be got by either, but the other two would do their beft
Sea. I. A Difcourfe of War, &c. 175
to for the Balance of Europe upright again. And the like Diligence was
ufed in the Age before, by that League (wherewith Guicciardhie begins his
Hiftory, and makes it, as it were, the Calendar of the good Days of Italy)
which was contrafled between Ferdinando, King oi Naples, Lorenzo of Me-
dici, Potentate of Florence, and Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, defign'd
chiefly againft the growing Power of the F'enetians ; yet fo as the Confede-
rates had a perpetual Eye upon one another, that none of them Ihould over-
top. And however fome School-men, (otherwife revered Men, yet fitter
to guide Pen-knives than Swords,) feem precifely to ftand upon it, that
every ofFenfive War muft be a Revenge, that prefuppofes a Precedent, Af-
fiult, or Injury ; yet they do not defcend to this Point, of a juft Fear :
nor are they of Authority to judge the Qucftion againft all the Precedents
of Time. For certainly as long as Men are Men, the Sons of Prometheus,
and not of Epimetheus"", and as long as Reafon is Reafon, a juft Fear will
be a juft Caufe of a preventive War : but efpecially if it be part of the
Cafe, that there is a Nation manifeftly detedted afpiring to Monarchy and
new Acquifuions ; then other States cannot be juftly accufed for not wait-
ing the fifft Blow •, or for not accepting Polyphenins^s Courtefy to be the
laft that fhall be eaten up.
18. Nay, in thatPaflage of Plato, above cited, a juJI Fear is jujlificd
for a Caufe of an invafive War ; tho the Fear proceed not from the Fault
of the Foreign State to be attacked : for it is there infinuated, that if a
State, thro the Diftemper of its own Body, fears Seditions, and inte-
ftine Troubles, in its own Bowels, it may difcharge its ill Humours,
by a foreign War, for a Cure. And this kind of Cure was tender'd
hyjafper Coligni, Admiral of France, to Charles IX. of that Kingdom;
when by a vigorous and forcible Perfuafion, he moved him to a War upon
Flanders, for the better extinguifhing the Civil Wars of France.
19. But neither was the Counfel profperous, nor will I maintain the •D/'W»«.
Pofition -, for I never fet Politicks zgi'inA Ethicks ; efpecially as true Etbicks
are but like a Hand-maid to Divinity and Religion. St. 'Thomas, who had
the largeft Heart of all the School-Divines, bends his Style chiefly againft
the depraved Pafllons which reign in the making of Wars •, fpeaking thus
out of St. Auguftine : The Defire of Injuring, the Cruelty of Revenge, an tmpla-
cable Spirit, the Savagenefs of Rebellion, the Thirjl of Rule, &c. are all juftly
blamed in Wars. And the fame St. Thomas, in his own Text, defining the
juft Caufes of a War, leaves it upon very general Terms thus : ^ juft Caufe
is required in War ; and that the Invaded, thro fome Fault, ftiould have defer-
red the Invafton. And fo much for theftrft Propofttion, that a juft Fear is a
juft Caufe of a War : and that a preventive War is a true defenftve.
20. T\\e:fecond or minor Propofttion was ; that this Kingdom has a juft Caufe rhut Britain
to fear an Overtljrexv from Spa.\n. And here it is true, that Fears are twtrhas a juft
feen in dimmer Lights than Fads : as on the other fide. Fears are often ^^^SMin^^
reprefented in fuch an imaginary manner, as rather to dazzle Mens Eyes,
than open them. I will therefore fpeak as the Subjedt requires ; that is,
probably,
* See the Fable of Promttheus, in the Satientia Veterum, Stcl. I. Fab. x.
17+ -^ "Difiourfe of Wab, &c. Se^a, I.
probably, moderately, and briefly ; withovit deducing thefe Fears to pre-
fent Occurrences ; but point only at general Grounds, leaving the reft to
more fecret Counfels.
rhe Increa- Is it nothing, that the Crown of Spain has enlarged its Bounds, within
/j«» Power c/this laft fix-fcore Years, much more than the Ottomans ? I fpeak not of
Sj).>in. Matches or Unions, but of Arms, Occupations, and Invafions. Granada,
Naples, Milan, Portugal, the Eaft and Weft-Indies ; all tliefe are aftual
Additions to that Crown. They had a mind to French Britain, and the
lower part of Picardy and Piedmont ; but they have let fall their Bit.
They have, at this 3Day, fuch a hovering PolTeffion of the Valtoline, as a
Hobby has over a Lark ; and the Palatinate is in their Talons : fo that no-
thing is more manifeft, than that Spain runs a Race of Empire •, whilft all
other States of Chriftendom in effeft ftand ftill. Look next into the Ti-
tles whereby they have acquired, and now hold thefe new Portions Qf
their Crown ; and you will find them of fo many Varieties, and fuch
Natures, as may, to fpeak with due refped, be eafily minted ; and fuch as
can hardly at any time be wanting : and, therefore, fo many new Conquefts
and Purchafes; fo many Strokes of the Alarum-Bsll of Fear, and awaking
to other Nations. Ancl the Facility of the Titles, which hand over head
have ferved their turn, rings the Peal fo much the fharper and the louder.
The Eye of 21. Shall we defcend from their general Difpofition of enlarging their
Ent'lanT" Dominions, to the particular Difpofition and Eye of Appetite, which
from wt'botitAhey have had towards us? They have now twice fought to poflefs them-
felves of this Kingdom of England; once by Marriage v/ith Queen Mary,
and again by Conqueft in eighty-eight ; when their Forces by Sea and Land
were not inferior to thofe they have now. And at that time, the Counfel
and Defign of Spain was by many Advertifements reveal'd and laid open
to be, that they found the War upon the Low-Countries fo churliih and
tedious, that they grew to a Refolution, that as long as England remain'd
able to fuccour thole Countries, they fliould but confume themfelves in an
endlefs War -, and therefore there was no other way, but to invade a,ijd
deprefs Englmd, which was as a Back of Steel to the Fkmmings. And
who can warrant that the llime Counfel and Defign will not return .again ?
So that we are in a ftrange Dilemma of Danger: for if we fuffer the Fkmr
mings to be ruined ; they are our Out-work, and we Ihall remain naked
anti difmantled : if we fuccour them llrongly, as we ought, and fct them
upon tlieirFeet, and do not withal weaken Spain-, we hazard changing the
Scene of the War, and turning it upon Ireland ov England : like Rheums and
Defluxions, which, if you apply a ftrong Rcpercufllve to the Part aftecled,
and do not take away the Caufe, will Ihift and foon fall upon another.
They have alio twice invaded Ireland ; once uoder the Pope's Banner,
when they were defeated by the Lord Gray : and afterw;ards in their own
Name, when they were defeated by the Lord Mountjoy. And let this fuf-
fice for a Tafte of their Difpofition towards us.
22. Butitwillbefliid, this is an ^//K(j«wf^ for the old Year : fincee;ghty-
eio-ht all has been well •, and that Spain has not invaded this Kingdom, tho
highly
Sect. I. A DifcoHrfe of ^ a^, &c. I7y
highly provoked by two feveral Iiivafions from us. 'Tis true; but then
conlKlcr, that immediately after eighty-eight, they were long embroil'd in
the Prote(5lion of the League of France, whereby tliey had their Hand;.
fiill: and after being brought extreme low, by their vaft and continual En-
terprizes, thcv were forced to be quiet, that they might take Breath, and
make Reparations upon their former Walles. But now of late, things
feem to come on apace to their former State ; nay, with far greater Dif-
advantage to us : for now that they have almoft continued, and, as it were,
arched their Dominions from Milan, by the Faltoline and Palatinate, to the
Low-Ceuntfies ; we fee how they thirft and pant after the utter Ruin of
thofe States ; having the German Nation almoft in Contempt, and fearing
little Oppofition, except from Engh;id : whereby either we mufl: fuffer the
Dutch to be ruined, to our manifeft Prejudice j or put it to the hazard that
Spain will throw at the faireft.
2^. Neither is the Point of internal Danger, which grows upon us, toThelr PraHl-
be forgot -, liz. that the Papifts in England are become more knotted, «*""'*"»•
both in Dependance towards Spain, and among thcmfelves, than rhey have
been. Where again comes to be remember'd the Cafe of eighty-eight ; for
then alfo itappear'd by diverfe fecret Letters, tl.at the Defign of Spain was,
for fome Years before the Invafion, to prepare a Party in this Kingdom that
fhould adhere to die Foreigner at his coming. And they bragged that they
doubted not but to abufe, and lay afleep, the Qvieen and Council of England,
as to their having any fear of the Papifts here ; for they knew, they faid, the
State would caft but an Eye, and look about to fee, whether there were any
eminent Head of that Party, under whom it might unite itfelf ; and finding
none worth the thinking on, reft fecure, and take no Apprehenfion ; where-
as they meant, they faid, to deal with the People, 'and Particulars, by
Reconcilements, and Confeflions, and fecret Promifes, and regarded not
Heads of Party.
24. And this was the true Reafon, why after that the Seminaries began
to bloflbm, and to make MKTions into England, which was about the three
and twentieth Year of Queen Elizabeth, (at which time alfo was the firft Suf-
picion of the Spanijl? Invafion,) then, and not before, grew the fharp and
fevere Laws againft the Papifts. And therefore the Papifts may do well to
change their Thanks ; and as they thank Spain for their Favours, thank
them for their Dangers and Miferies, if they fhould fall upon them : for
nothing ever made their Cafe fo bad as the Hope of the Greatnefs of Spain -,
which adding Reafon of State to Matter of Confcience and Religion, whet
the Laws againft them. And this Cafe alfo feems to return again, at this
time ; except the Clemency of his Majefty, and the State, fuper-abound ;
as, for my part, I wifti it fliould : and that the Proceedings towards them
may rather tend to Security, and Provifion, and Point of State, than to
Perkcution for Religion. But to conclude ; thefe things, briefly touched,
may ferve as in a Subjeft conjeftural and future, to reprefent how juft a
Caufe of Fear this Kingdom may have of Spain : omitting, as was faid
before, all prefent and more fecret Occurrences.
2^. The
1^6 A 'Dijcourfe of W ar, &c. Se^t. I.
The third HI. 25. The third Ground of a MAii' with SpMVi, I have fet down to be.
Ground of the ^ j^f^ pg^j. of the Subverfion ofour Church and Religion. This Point nrrds
^'"'' not to be long dwelt upon : For if the War be defenfive, as I have prov'd
it to be, no Man will doubt, that a defenfive War agiinll a Foreigner for
Relif^ion is lawful. Of an olFenfive War, there is more Difpute. But no
• MarTwill doubt, if the Pope^ or King of Spain, fliould demand us to forfake
our Relio-ion upon Pain of a War, whether it were as unjull a Demand, as
the Perfians made to the Grecians of Land and Water -, or the jimmonites
to the Ifraelitcs of their right Eyes. And we fee all the Heathens ftyled
their defenfive Wars, pro aris ^ focis ; placing their Altars before their
Hearths. So that 'tis in vain to fpeak farther of this. Only we muft fay,
that the Fear of the Subverfion of our Religion from Spam, is the more
iuft, becaufe all other Catholick Princes and States content themfelves to
maintain their Religion within their own Dominions, and meddle not with
the Subiefts of other States •, whereas the Praftice of Spain has been, both
in Charles the Fifth's time, and in the time of the League in France, by
W^ar, and now with us by Conditions of Treaty, to intermeddle with fo-
reio-n States •, and to declare themfelves Protestors General of the Catho-
licks, all over the World. As if the Crown of Spain intended to plant the
Pope's Law by Arms ; as the Ottomans do the Law of Mahomet. And
thus much concerning the firft main Point, of juftifying the Quarrel.
SECT. 11.
Of the Force requifite to a War.
Tht Tones 1 . ' 1'^ H E fecond main Part of what I propofe, is to balance the Forces
laUanced he- I betvjeen Spain ««^w. And this alfo tends to no more than what the
r»!i*Bmai'n King may do. For what he may do, is of two kinds : what he
may do as juft -, and what he may do as pojftble. Of the one I have already
fpoke •, and of the other I am now to fpeak.
Spain «of <j» 2. I faid Spain was no fuch Giant : and yet if he were a Giant, it will
Over-match j^g ^j^t as between David Tind. Goliath ; for God is on our fide. But to leave all
for ngan . ^j-g^i^iCTits that are fupernatural, and to fpeak in a human and politick
Senfe, I am led to think that Spain is no Over-match for England, by that
which leads all Men ; viz. Experience and Reafon. And with Experience
I will begin •, for there begins all Reafon.
shewnbyEx- 3. Is it Fortune, fhall we think, that in all Actions of War or Arms, great
ftnence. ^^^ fmall, which have happened thefe many Years, ever fince Spain and -£»^7
land have had Debates, that the Englijl} upon all Encounters have perpetu-
ally come off with Honour, and the better ? 'Tis not Fortune fure ; fhe is
not fo conftant. There is fomewhat in the Nation, and natural Courage of
the People, or fome fuch thing. I will make a brief Lift of the Particu-
lars
Sea. II. A Difcourfe of W ar, &c. 177
lars thcmlclves, in the ftricl: W;iy of hiftorical Truth. This were a fie
Speech, you will f.iv, for a General at the Head of an Army, going to join
Battel : yes -, and ic is no lefs fit to be fpoke at the Head of a Council,
upon a Deliberation of Entring into a War. Neither do I fpeak this to
difparago the SpaniJ}} Nation, which I take to be of the beft Soldiers in
Enrope : But that redounds to our Honour, if we flill have had the better
of them.
4. In the Year 1578, was that famous Lammas-day which buried th.QThe-Bdttelof
Reputation of Don John of yiuftria ; himfelf not furviving long after. Rimenant,
Don John, being fuperior in Forces, affiftcd by the Prince of Farina, Mon-'" '5''8'
dragon, Manfell, and other the beft Commanders of Spain, confident of
Vidory, charged the Army of the St\tcs nt^r Rimenaf;t, bnivoly and furi-
oufly at tlie firft ; but after a Fight maintain'd for the Space of a whole Day,
he was repulfed, and forced to retreat, with great Slaughter of his Men -,
whereby the Courfe of his farther Enterprizcs was wholly flopped : and this
chiefly by the Cour.ige and Virtue of the EnglifJ) and ScotlJJj Troops, un-
der the Conduft of Sir John Nonis, and Sir Rokit Stuart. Which Troops
came to the Army but the Day before •, harrafled with a long and wearifome
M.irch : when the Soldiers, more fenfibleof a little Heat of the Sun, than
of any cold Fear of Death, threw afide their Armour and fought in their
Shirts. And as it was generally conceived, had it not been that the Count
of BoJlit was flack in charging the Spaniards upon their Retreat, this Fight
had ended in an abfolute Defeat. But it was enough to chafl:ize Do» John
for his infidious Treaty of Peace, wherewith he had abufed the States at his
firft coming. And the Fortune of the Day may be the better afcribed to
the Service of the Englifi and Scotch, by comparing this Charge near
Rimenant, where the EngliJJi and Scotch were in great Numbers, with the
like Charge given by Don John, half a Year before at Gemblours, where the
Succcfs was contrary : there being at that time in the Army but a Handflil
of EngliJ]} and Scotch ; and they put into Confufion by their own Horfe.
5. The firft Dart of War, which was thrown from Spain or Rome, upon Ireland in-
the Kingdom of Ireland, was in the Year 1580 •, for the Defign of Stnkely'^'^'^^'^.^y '^'
blew over into Africk ; and the Attempt of Sanders and Fitz- Maurice had a ^°^''"^ '5^°'
Spice of Madnefs. In that Year Ireland was invaded by Spanifi and Italia»
Forces, under the Pope's Banner, and the Conduft of San Jofepho, to the
Number of 700, or more, who landed at Smerwick in Kerry. A poor
Number it was to conquer Ireland to the Pope's Ufe ■■, for their Defign was
no lefs : but withal they brought Arms tor 5000 Men above their own
Number, intending to arm fo many of the Rebels of Ireland. And
their Purpofewas, to fortify themfelvesin fome ftrong Place of the wild and
defolate Country, and there to neftlc till greater Succours came •, they being
haften'd to this Enterprize upon a fpccial Reafon of State, not proper to the
Enterprize itfelf; which was by the Invafion of Ireland, and the Noife
thereof, to trouble the Council of England; and to make a Diverfion of cer-
tain Aids, that were then preparing from hence for the Low Countries. They
chofe a Place where they creeled a Fort, which they called Fort del Or ; and
Vo L. II. A a fix»m
178 A T>iJcourJe of War, &c. Sea. 11.
from thence they bolted like Beafts of the Foreft, fometimes into the
Woods and Faftnefles ; and fometimes back again to their Den. Soon after,
Siege was laid to the Fort, by the Lord Gray^ then Deputy, with a fmaller
Number than thofe within the Fort •, adventuroufly indeed : but hafhe was
made to attack them before the Rebels came in to them. After a Siege of
four Days only, and two or three Sallies, with lofs on their part, they who
fhould have made good the Fort for fome Months, till now Succours came
from Spain, or at leafl from the Rebels of Ireland, yielded themfelves with-
out Conditions. And as there were not in the EngliJJ] Army enough to
keep every Man a Prifoner ; and as alfo the Deputy expefted inftantly to
be attacked by the Rebels ; and again, as there were no Barks to put diem
into, and fend them away by Sea •, they were all put to the Sword : with
which Queen Elizabeth was afterwards much difpleafed.
The Retreat 6. In the Year 1582, was that memorable Retreat of Gaunt ; than which
of Gaunt, '« there has not been an Exploit of War more celebrated. For in the true
'' *' Judgment of military Men, honourable Retreats are no way inferior to
brave Charges ; as having lefs of Fortune ; more of Difcipline ; and as
much of Valour. There were to the Number of three hundred Horfe,
and as many thoufand Foot, EngliJJj, commanded by Sir John Norris,
charged by the Prince of Parma, coming upon them with feven thoufand
Horfe ; befides that the whole Army of the Spaniards was ready to march.
Neverthelefs, Sir John Norris maintained a Retreat without Difarray, for
the fpace of fome Miles, to the City of Gaunt, with lefs Lofs of Men
than the Enemy: the Duke of Jnjou, and the Prince of Orange, beholding
this noble Adion from the Walls of Gaunt, as in a Theatre, with great
Admiration,
TheTaktrtgof 7. In the Year 1585, followed the profperous Expedition of Drake and
Carthagena, Q^yin^ \^iq t:he Weft- Indies ; in which I fet afide the taking of S. J ago
' '■ and S. Domingo in Hifpaniola, as Surprizes rather than Encounters. But
that of Carthagena, where the Spaniards had warning of our coming, and
had put themfelves in their full Strength, was one of the hotteft Services,
and moil dangerous Aflaults, that has been known. For the Accefs of the
Town was only by a Neck of Land, between the Sea on the one part, and
the Harbour-Water, or inner Sea, on the other ; fortified clear over with
a llrong Rampart and Rirricado ; fo that upon the Afcent of our Men,
they had both great Ordnance and fmall Shot, that thundered and fhower'd
upon them from the Rampart in the Front, and from the Gallies that lay
at Sea in Flank. And yet they forced the Paflage, and won the Town ;
tho likewife very well mann'd.
sir Francis 8. As to the Expedition of Sir Francis Drake in the Year 1587, for de-
Drake'^ Ex- ftroying of the Spanifl) Shipping and Provifion upon their own Coafl ; as
feihtion a- j j-^^nnot fay that there intervened in that Enterprize any fliarp Fight, or
Spaniards,;'» Encounter; fo neverthelefs it ftrangely difcovered, either that Spain is ve-
1587. ry weak at home, or very flow to move -, when they fuffered a fmall
Fleet of Englift} to make an hoftile Invafion, or Incurfion, upon their Ha-
vens and Roads, from Cadi-z to Ca^a Sacra, and thence to Cafcais ; and to
fire.
Sea IL A 'Difcotirfe ^ Wa R, 5:c. 179
fifiT, fink, and carry away at the leaft, ren thouHind Ton of their great
Shipping, befides fifty or fixty of their finalkr Veflels ; and that in the
Siaht, and under the Command of their Forts, and almoft under the Eye of
their great Admiral, the btft Commander of Spain by S."a, the Marquis
de Santa Cruz ; without ever difputing it by any Figlit of importance. I
remember Drake, in the vaunting Stile of a Soldier, would call this Enter-
prize, rheSir.geing of the King of i'/'.^/w's Beard.
9. The Enterprize of eighty-eight deferves to be dwelt upon a little ^^'^P'"'^
more fully, as being a Miracle of Time. There was armed from Spain in T»^ '"
the Year 1588, the greateft Navy that ever floated upon the Sea: for tho
there have been far greater Fleets in number ; yet for the Bulk and Build-
ing of the Ships, with the Furniture of great Ordnance and Provifions, there
never was the like. The Defign was not to make an Invafion only, but an
utter Conquefl of this Kingdom. The Number of VefTels was one hun-
dred and thirty ; whereof GalliafTes and Galleons leventy-two ; the refl
ftatelv Ships, like Floating-Caftles, mann'd with thirty thoufand Soldiers
and Mariners. This Navy was the Preparation of five whole Years at the
leaft. It repofed itfelf alfo upon divine AfTiftance •, for it received fpecial
Blefling from Pope Stxtus ; and was defign'd as an Apoftolical Million for
reducing this Kirgdom to the Obedience of the See of Rome. And in
firther token of this holy Warfare, there were among the reft of rhefe
Ships, twelve, called by the Names of the twelve Apoftles. But it was
tndy conceived, that this Kindom of £«^/^«</ could never be overwhelm'd,
except the Land-waters came into the Sea-tides. Whence there was alfo
in Readinefs in Flanders, a mighty ftrorg Army of Land Forces, to the
Number of fifty thoufand veteran Soldiers, under the Condudl of the Duke
of Parma, the beft Commander, next the French King Henry IV. of his
time. Thefe were defign'd to join with the Forces at Sea ; there being
prepared a Number of flat-bottom'd Boats to tranfport the Land-Forces,
under the Wing and Convoy of the great Navy : For they queftion'd
not, but the Navy fhould be abfolute Mafter of the Seas. Againft thefe
Forces were prepared on our part, to the Number of near one hundred
Ships-, not fo great of Bulk indeed, but of a more nimble Motion, and
more ferviceable -, befides a lefs Fleet of thirty Ships, for the Cufto-
dy of the narrow Seas. There were alfo in Readinefs at Land, t%vo Ar-
mies i befides other Forces, to the Number of ten thoufand, difperfed
among the Coaft-Towns in the Southern Parts. The nvo Armies were
appointed ; one of them confifting of twenty-five thoufand Horfe and
Foot, for repulfirg the Enemy at their landing ; and the other, of twenty-
five thoufand, for Safeguard and Attendance about the Court and Queen's
Perfon. There were alfo other dormant Mufters of Soldiers throughout
all the Parts of the Kingdom, that were put in Readinefs, but not drawn
together. The two Armies were affign'd to the leading of two Generals,
noble Perfons, but both of them rather Courtiers, and allured to the State,
than martial Men •, yet lined and afTifted with fubordinate Commanders of
great Experience and Valour.
A a 2 10. The
i8o AVifcourfe of Wau, &c. Sea. IL
Sail from the \o. The SpaniJIj Navy fet fail from the Groyne in May, and was difper-
Groyne. ^^^ ^^^ driven back by Weather. Our Fleet fet out fomewhat later from
Plymouth, and bore up towards the Coaft of Spain, to have engaged the
Spanifi Navy -, but partly by reafon of contrary Winds, partly upon Ad-
vertifement that the Spaniards were gone back, and upon fome Sufpicion
alfo that they might pafs by, towards the Coaft o^ England, whilft we were
feeking them afar off; it returned to Plymouth about the middle of ya/y. At
that time came more confident Advice, tho falfe, not only to the Lord
Admiral, but to the Court, that the Spaniards could not pofTibly come for-
ward that Year : whereupon our Fleet was upon the Point of difbanding,
and many of our Men gone afhore : at which very time the invincible vir-
tnada, for fo it was called, in a Spanijh Oftentation throughout Europe, was
difcovered upon the Weftern Coaft. It was a kind of Surprize -, becaufe
our Ships were ready to feparate. Neverthelefs the Admiral, with fuch
Ships only as could be got ready, made out towards them ; but fo that of
a hundred Ships, there came fcarce thirty to work. However, with thefe,
and fuch as came daily in, we fet upon them, and gave them the Chafe.
But the Spaniards for want of Courage, which they called want of Com-
miffion, declined the Fight ; cafting themfelves continually into Rounds,
their ftrongeft Ships walling in the reft ; and in that manner they made a
flying Retreat towards Calais. For five or fix Days we purfued them clofe,
fought with them continually, made great Slaughter of their Men, took
two of their great Ships, and gave diverfe others of their Ships their Death's
Wounds, whereof they foon after funk and perifhed -, and, in a word,
diftrefled them almoft in the Nature of a Defeat : ourfelves in the mean
time receiving little or no Hurt.
'Anchor at \\. Near Calais the Spaniards anchored ; expefting their Land Forces,
Calais. -which came not. It was afterwards alledged, that the Duke of Parma, ar-
tificially delay'd his coming : but this was a Pretence, given out by the
Spaniards ; partly upon a Spanijh Envy againft that Duke, being an Ita-
lian, and his Son a Competitor to Portugal ; but chiefly to fave the mon-
ftrous Scorn and Difreputation, which they and their Nation received by
the Succefs of this Enterprize. Therefore their Colours and Excufes
were, that their General by Sea had a limited CommilTion, not to fight
till the Land Forces were come in : and that the Duke of Parma had par-
ticular Reaches and Ends of his own, under hand, to crofs the Defign.
But it was both a ftrange CommifTion, and a ftrange Obedience to a Com-
miflion, for Men in the midft of their own Blood, and being fo furioufly
attacked, to hold their Hands, contrary to the Laws of Nature, and Ne-
ceflity. And as for the Duke of Parma, he was reafonably well tempted
to be true to that Enterprize, by no lefs Promife than to be made a feuda-
tory, or beneficiary King of England; under the Scignory, in chief, of the
Pope, and the Protedion of the King of Spain. Befides, it appeared
that the Duke of Parma held his Place long after in the Favour and Truft
of the King of Spain, by the great Employments and Services that he
performed in France. And again, 'tis manifeit that the Duke did his beft
to
Sea. II. A T>ifcourfe of Wah, 8lc. i8i
to comedown, and to put to Sea. The Truth w.ts, that the Spam'/Ij Na-
vy, upon thofe Proofs of Fight which they had with the Eng/iJIj, finding
how much Damage they had received, and how little Hurt th#y did, ty
rcafon of the Aiflivity and low Building of our Ships, and the Skill of
our Sea-men ; and being alfo commanded by a General of fmall Courage
and Experience -, and having loft at the firft, two of their hravcft Com-
manders at S"a, Petro de Faldez, and Michael de Oquenda ; durrt not ven-
ture a Sea-fight, but refted wholly upon the Land Enterprize.
12. On the other fide, the tranfporting of the Land Forces failed in the Tall of their
very Foundation : for whereas the Council of Spain made full Acco'int, ^""'i-^"''^"'
that their Navy fhould be Mafter of the Sea -, and therefore able to guard
and proteft the Veflels of Tranfportation ; when it fell out, to the con-
trarv, that the great Navy was diftrclTed, and had enough to do to fave
itk'lf ; and again, that the Hollanders imprifoned their Land Forces with a
brave Fleet of thirty Sail, excellently well appointed : Things, I fay,
being in this State ; it came to pafs, that the Duke of Parma muft have
flown, if he would have come into England; for he could get neither Bark
nor Mariner to put to S:a. Yet it is certain, that the Duke looked ftill
for the Return of the jfrmada ; even at that time when they were wan-
dering upon the Northern Seas.
13. But the y^/wWj, which we left anchor'd at C<?/^«, was from thence, c^"/''^/''"»
■\%'is\x Walter Raivlcigh ufcd prettily to fxy, fuddenly driven away with ^''^^^''"S*
Squibs ; for it was no more than a Stratagem of Fire-boats ; manlefs, and
fent upon them by the favour of the Wind in the Night-time, that put
them into fuch Terror, that they cut their Cables, and left their Anchors
behind. After they had hovered fome two or three Days about Graveling,
they were there again beaten in a great Fight ; when our fecond Fleet,
which kept the narrow Seas, was come in and join'd to our main Fleet.
Then the Spaniards falling into farther Terror, and finding alfo diverfe of
their Ships every Day to fink, loft all Courage ; and inftead of coming
up into the 'thames for London, as their Defign was, fled on towards the
North, to feek their Fortunes •, being ftill chafed by the Englifi Navy at
their Heels, till we were obliged to give them over for want of Powder.
1 4. The Breath of Scotland the Spaniards could not endure -, neither ihtir Defeat.
durft they as Invaders land in Ireland ; but only ennobled fome of the
Coafts thereof with Shipwrecks. And fo making Northward aloof, as
long as they had any Sufpicion of being purfued ; at laft, when they were
out of reach, they uirned, and crofiTed the Ocean to Spain ; having loft
fourfcore of their Ships, and the greater part of their Men. And this
was the End of that Sea- Giant, the invincible jirmada : which having not
fo much as fired a Cottage of ours at Land, nor taken a Cock-boat of
ours at Sea, wandered thro the Wildernefs of the Northern Seas -, and ac-
cording to the Curfe in Scripture, came out againfi us one ivay, and fled
from us /even ivays : Serving only to make good the Judgment of an
Aftrologer, long before given, Oiiuagefimus oSla-vus mirabilis annus : or ra-
ther, to make good, even to the Aftonilhment of all Pofterity, the won-
derful
I8^
Spain inva-
ded by the
Englidi;'»
1589.
The Fight of
Sir Richard
Greenvil,
Commander
of the Re-
venge, in
j4 'Dijcourje ofWAVL, &c. Sea. II.
dcrful Judgmencs of God, commonly poured down upon vafl and proud
Afpirings.
15. In *he Year enfuing, viz. 1589, we gave the 6>^«/^r^x no Breath,
but turned Challengers ; and invaded the Main of Sp^in. In which Enter-
prize, altho we failed of our End, which was to fettle Don Antonio in the
Kincrdom of Portugal; yet a Man fliall hardly meet with an Adion that
■bettei- reveals the great Secret of the Power of Spain : which well fought
into, will be found rather to confift in a veteran Army ever on Foot, in
one part or other of Chriftendom, than in the Strength of their Dominions
and Provinces. For what can be more ftrange, or more to the Difcreditof
the Power of th« Spaniard upon the Continent, than that with an Army of
eleven thoufand EngliJ}} Land Soldiers, and a Fleet of twenty-fix Ships of
War, befides fome weak Veffels for Tranfportation, we fhould within the
compafs of two Months, have won one Town of Importance by Scalado ; bat-
tered and aniiulted another ; overthrown great Forces in the Field, and this
under the Difadvantage of a Bridge ftrongly barricadoed -, landed our Ar-
my in three feveral Parts of the Kingdom •, marched feven Days in the
Heart of the Country •, lodged three Nights in the Suburbs of the princi-
pal City, beat their Forces into the Gates thereof; pofTelTed two Frontier
Forts-, and came off, after all, with fmall Lofs of Men, otherwife than
by Sicknefs ? And it was verily thought, that had it not been for four
o-reat Disfavours of the Voyage-, viz. the flailing in fundry Provifions that
■were promifed, efpecially Cannon for Battery ; the vain Hopes of Don
j^ntonio, concerning the People of the Country coming in to his Aid ; the
Difappointment of the Fleet, that was direfted to come up the River of
Lisbon ; and the Difeafes which fpread in the Army, by reafon of the
Heat of the Seafon, and of the Soldiers Irregularity in Diet \ the Enter-
prize had fucceeded, and Lisbon been carried. But however, it gives Proof
to the World, that an Invafion of a few Englifi upon Spain, may have a
juft Hope of Viftory, at leaft of Paflport to depart fafely.
16. In the Year 1 59 1 , was that memorable Fight of an EngliJJj Ship, call-
ed the Revenge, under the Command of Sir Richard Greenvil ; memorable
even beyond Credit, or to the height of fome heroical Fable : and tho it were
a Defeat, yet it exceeded a Vidtory -, being like the Aft of Sampfon, that
killed more Men at his Death, than in all the time of his Life. This
Ship, for the fpace of fifteen Hours, flood like a Stag among Hounds at
Bay ; and was fieged and fought with, in turn, by fifteen great Ships of
Spain, part of a Navy of fifty-five Ships in all ; the reft, like Abet-
tors, looking on afiir otf. And among the fifteen Ships that fought, the
great S. Philippo was one -, a Ship of fifteen hundred Ton, Prince of the
twelve Sea Jpojlles, but glad to be fhifted oft' from the Revenge. This
brave Ship, the Revenge, being mann'd only with two hundred Soldiers and
Mariners, whereof eighty lay fick, yet after a Fight maintained fo many
Hours, and two Ships of the Enemy funk by her fide, befides many others
torn and battered, and great Slaughter of Men, never came to be enter'd,
but was taken by Compofition ; the Enemies themfelves having in Ad-
miration
Sea. II. A Difcourfe of W a R, &c. 183
minicion the Virtue of the Comnvinder, and the wliole Tragedy of that
Ship.
17. In the Year 1596, was the fecond Invafion that we made upon the CaJiz ^^f»
main Territories of Spain •, profperoufly atchieved by that worthy and ix-^^'^'. ^""
mous Robert Earl of Effex, in confort with the noble Earl of Nottingham,'^ ' '"'''■
then Admiral. This Expedition was like Lightning -, for in the fpace of
fourteen Hours the King of Spain's. Navy was dcftroy'd, and the
Town of Cadiz taken. The Navy was no kfs than fifty tall Ships -, be-
fides twenty Gallies to attend them. The Ships were prefently beaten,
and put to flight, with fuch Terror that the Spaniards in the end were their
own Executioners; and fired them all with their own Hands. The Gal-
lies, by the benefit of the Shores and Shallows, got away. The Town
was a fair, ftrong, rich and well built City ; funous in Antiquity, and
now moft fpoken ot for this Difafter. It was mann'd with four thoufand
Foot, and fome four hundred Horfe. It was ficked and burned -, tho great
Clemency was ufed towards the Inhabitants. But what is no lefs ftrange
than the fudden Victory, was the great Patience of the Spaniards ; who-
tho we ftay'd upon the Place diverfe Days, yet never offered us any Play
then ; nor ever put us in Suit by any Aftion of Revenge, or Reparation
at any time after.
18- In the Year 1600, was the Battel oi Newport, in the Low -Countries, TheBattehf
where the Armies of the Arch-Duke and the States, tried it out by a jufl: ^"^^^P""' "*
Conteft. This was the only B.ittel fought in thofe Countries for many ' °°'
Years before. Battels in the French Wars have been frequent, but in the
"Wars of Flanders rxTc; astheNatureof a Defenfive War requires. The For-
ces of both Armies were nor much unequal : that of the States fomewhat
exceeded in number; but this again was compenf\ced by the quality of the
Soldiers : for thofe of the Spaniard were of the Flower of all their Forces.
The Arch-Duke was the Afiliilant and Preventer ; and reaped the Fruit of
his Diligence and Celerity. For charging certain Companies of Scotijlj
IMen, to the Number of eight hundred, fent to make good a Pafs, and
thereby fevered from the Body of the Army -, he cut them all in Pie-
ces : for thxy, like a brave Infintry, when they couM make no honourable
Retreat, and would take no difhonourable Flight, made good the Place
with their Lives. This Entrance of the Battel whet the Courage of the
Spaniards, tho it blunted their Swords -, fo that they came proudly on,
confident to defeat the whole Army. The Encounter of the main Battel
■which followed, was a juft Encounter ; not haftening to a fudden Rout ;
nor the Fortune of the Day refting upon a few former Ranks •, but fought
out to the Proof by feveral Sqiudrons ; and not without Variety of Suc-
cefs-, bccrct pede pes, denfufque "viro vir. There fell out an Error in fhe
Dutch Army, by the over hafty Medley of fome of their Men with the
Enemy's -, which hinder'd the playirg of their great Ordnance : but the
End was, that the Spaniards were utterly defeated ; and near five thoufand
"of their Men in the Fight, and in the Execution, (lain and taken ; among
whom were many of the principal Perfons of their Army. The Flonour
of
l6oi
184. A T>ifcourfe of W ar, Sec. Sea. IL
of the Day was, both by rhe Enemy and the Dutch themfelves, afcribed to
the Englijlj ; of whom Sir Francis Fere, in a private Commentary which he
wrote of tliat S-rvice, teftifies, that of fifteen hundred in Nuinber ; for
they were no more ; eight hundred were flain in the Field : and what is
lilmoft incredible, in a Day of Viftory, of the remaining feven hundred,
two Men only came off unhurt. Sir Francis Fere himfelf had the principal
Honour of the Service-, to whom the Prince of Orange tranfmitted the
Direftion of the Army for that Day ; and in the next Place Sir Horace
Fere, his Brother, who was the Principal in the aftive Part. The Service
alfo of Sir Edward Cecil, Sir John Ogle, and diverfe other brave Gentle-
men, was eminent.
rlMVattelof i^. In the Year 1601, followed the Battel of KingfaJe in Ireland.
Kuvifale, m g^ j-j^j^ Spanljlo Invafion of Ireland, which was in September that Year, one
may guefs how long a Spaniard will live on Irifh Ground ; which is four
Months at the moft. For they had all the Advantages in the World ;
and no Man would have thought, confidering the fmall Forces employed
againft them, that they could have been driven out foon. They obtiin'd,
without Refiftance, in the End of September, the Town of Kingf.ik ;
a fmall Garrifon, of one hundred and fifty Englijli, leaving the Town upon
the Spaniards Approach \ and the Townfmen receiving the Foreigners as
Friends. The Number of Spaniards that put themfelves into Kiw^^jale,
was two thoufand veteran Soldiers ; under the Command of D^n John
d' Jquila, a Man of good Valour. The Town wasftro:.g of irfjf ; nei-
ther wanted there any Induftry to fortify it on all Parts, and make it tenable,
according to the Skill and Difcipline of the SpanifJj Fortification. At that
time the Rebels were proud, being encouraged upon former Succefles ; for
the then Deputy, the Lord Mountjoy, and Sir George Carew, Prefident of
Munjier, had performed diverfe good Services to their PrejucHce ; yet the
Defeat they had given the Englijh at Black-water, not loi g before, and the
Treaty with rhe Earl of EJfex, was yet frefh in their Memory.
20. The Deputy loft no time, but made hafte to have recovered the
Town before new Succours came, and fat down before it in OElober ; and
laid fiege to it three "Winter Months or more : during which time. Sallies
were made by the. Spaniards ; but they were beat back with Lofs. In Ja-
nuary came frefh Succours from Spain ; to the number of two thoufand
more, under the Conduft of Alonzo d' Ocampo. Upon the Comforts of
thefe Succours, firone and Odonnell drew up their Forces together, to the
number of feven thoufand, befides the Spanifi Regiments, and took the
Field -, refolved to relieve the Town, and to give the Englifi Battel. Here
then was the Cafe : an Army of Englifi, of fome fix thoufand, wafted
aiTd tired with a long Winter's Siege, engaged in the midft, between an
Army of a greater Number than themfelves, frefh and in Vigour, on rhe
one fide ; and a Town ftrong in Fortification, and ftrong in Men, on the
other. But what was the Event ? This, that after the Irifi and Sp.mifi
Forces had come on, and fhewed themfelves in fome Bravery -, they were
content to give the EngUJli the Honour of charging them firft : and when
It
Sea. 11. A Dijcotirfe o/W An, &c. iSs
iccame to the Charge, there appeared no difference between the Valour of
the Irijh Rebels, and the Spaniards ; but that the one ran away before they
were charged, and the other foon after.
21. Again, the Spaniards that were in the Town had fo well remcmber'd
their Lofles, in their former Sallies, that the Confidence of an Army,
which came for their Deliverance, could not draw them out again. There
fucceeded an abfolute Victory for the EngliJ/j, with the Slaughter of above
two thoufand of the Enemy ; the taking of nine Enfigns, whereof fix
were Spanijh ; and the UTking of the SpanifJ} General, d'Ocampo, Prifo-
ner : and this with the Lofs of fo few of the Englijh as is fcarce credible ;
being, as has been rather confidently than credibly reported, but of one
Man, the Cornet of Sir Richard Greame ; tho not a few hurt. There
followed immediately after the Defeat, a Surrender of the Town by Ca-
pitulation i and not only fo, but an avoiding, by exprefs Articles of Trea-
ty, of all other Spanif}) Forces throughout Ireland, from the Places and
Nefts where they had fettled themfelves in greater Strength than at King-
fale ; wWichvfereCaftlehave», Baliimore, and Bcerehaven. Indeed they went
away with found of Trumpet ; for they did nothing but publifh and trumpet
all the Reproaches they could devife, againft the /rip Land and Nation ;
infomuch as D' /Iquila faid in open Treaty, that when the Devil upon the
Mount fhewed Cbrifi all the Kingdoms of the Earth, and the Glory of them,
he did not doubt but the Devil left out Ireland, and kept it for himfelf
2 2. 'Tistrue, that among the late Adventures, the Voyage of Sir Fr^w/V r^e ^««r-
Drake, and Sir John Hatvkins, to the IVeft-Indies, was unfortunate ; yet^*""^* '^ ^^'
fo as not to break, or crofs the Aflertion of our having had the better of
the Spaniards in all Fights of late. For the Difafter of that Voyage was
caufed chiefly by Sicknefs ; as may well appear by the Death of both the
Generals, Sir Francis Drake, and Sir John Hawkins, of the fame Sicknefs
among the reft. The Land Enterprize of Panama, was an ill-meafured and
immature Counfel •, as grounded upon a filfe Account, that the Paflliges to-
wards Panaf»a were no better fortified than Drake had left them. And yet it
redounded not to any Fight of Importance, but to a Retreat, after the
Englijh had proved the Strength of their firft Fort •, and had notice of
the two other Forts beyond, by which they were to have marched. 'Tis
true, that in the Return of the EngliJ]} Fleet, they were fet upon by ^vel-
hneda. Admiral of twenty great Spanip Ships ; our Fleet being but four-
teen, fijll of fick Men, deprived of their two Generals by Sea, and ha-
ving no Pretence, but to fiil homewards : and yet the Spaniards did but
falute them, about the Cape de losCorienlcs, with fome fmall offer of Fight,
and came off" with Lofs ; akho it was fuch a new thing for the Spaniards
to receive fo little Hurt, upon dealing with the Englijl:, that Jvellaneda made
great Brags of it, for no other matter than the waiting upon the Englijl:
afar off^, from Cape de los Corientes to Cape Jtitonio ; which neverthelefs, ,
in the Language of a Soldier, and of a Spaniard, he called a Chace.
23. But before I proceed farther, 'tis good to anfwer an 0'b]t6\i\on,T>^i^tateof
which, if not removed, the Conclufion of Experience from Time paft, ^Pj"^^ "?%%'
Vol. II. Bb - to^„^,6»4.,.
i8d A Difcourfe o/Wab., &c. Sed. II.
to the Time prefent, will not be found and perfeft. For it will be faid,
that in the former Times, whereof we have fpoke, Spain was not fo
mighty as it is now •, and England, on the other fide, more powerflil.
Therefore let us compare, with Indifference, thefeDifparities of Times, and
we Ihall plainly perceive that they make for the Advantage of England a.t
prefent. And, the lefs to wander ire Generalities, we will fix the Compa-
rifon to precife Times •, comparing the State of Spain and England, in the
Year eighty-eight, with this prefent Year 1624.
24. Firjl, therefore, it is certain, that Spain has not now a Foot of
Ground, in quiet Poflefilon, more than it had in eighty-eight. As for the
Faltoline, and the Palatinate, it is a certain Maxim in State, that all
Countries of new Conqueft, till fettled, are rather Matters of Burden than
of Strength. On the other fide, England has Scotland united, and Ireland
reduced to Obedience, and planted •, which are great Augmentations.
25. Secondly, in eighty-eight, the Kingdom of France, able to counter-
balance 5/^^/» itfelf, much more in Conjunftion, was torn with the Party of
the League •, which gave Law to their King, and depended wholly upon
Spain. Now France is united under a valiant young King, generally
obeyed, if he will himfelf, and King of Navarre, as well as of France ;
and no ways taken Prifoner, tho he be tied in a double Chain of Alli-
ance with Spain.
26. Thirdly, in eighty-eight, there fit in the See of Rome a fierce thun-
dering Friar, that would fet all at odds : and tho he would after have
turned his Teeth upon Spain ; yet he was taken Order with before it came
to that. Now there is afcended to the Papacy, a Perfonage, that came
in by a chafte Eleftion, no way obliged to the Spaniards : a Man bred in
Embaflages and Affairs of State ; that has much of the Prince, and no-
thing of the Friar : and one, that tho he love the Chair of the Papacy
well, yet loves the Carpet above the Chair ; that is, Italy and the Liber-
ties thereof.
27. Fourthly, in eighty-eight, the King of Denmark was a Stranger to
England, and rather inclined to Spain ; now that King is incorporated to
the Blood of England, and engaged in the Quarrel of the Palatinate.
Then alfo Venice, Savoy, and the Princes and Cities of Germany, had but
a dull Fear of the Greatnefs of Spain, upon a general Apprehenfion only
of the fpreading and ambitious Defigns of that Nation : now their Fear is
fharpened and pointed, by the Spaniards late Enterprizes upon the Falto-
line and the Palatinate, which came nearer to them.
28. Laflly, the Dutch, the Spaniard''^ perpetual Duelift, has at prefent, five
Ships to one, and the like Proportion in Treafure and Wealth, to that they
had in eighty-eight. Neither is it poflible that the Coff"ers of iy/)^/» fhould
now be fuller than they were in eighty-eight ; for at that time Spain had no
other Wars, but thofe of the Low-Countries, which were grown into an Or-
dinary ; but now they have had coupled therewith the Extraordinary of the
Valtoline, and the Palatinate. And thus I conclude my Anfwer to the Obje-
dion as to the Difference of Times ; not entring into more fecret Paflages of
State,
Sea. II. A 'Difcourfe ofWAn, &c. 187
State, but keeping that Charafter of Scile whereof Seneca fays, // denotes
more than it expejjes ".
29. Here I would end with Matter of Experience, did I not hold it^^'Spnni-
necefliiry to difcover a wonderfiil erroneous Obfervation that walks about, "^l^;^^"^^'^^'*
and is commonly received, contrary to all the true Account of Time and „„j^i„frf.'
Experience ; ;;/~. that the Spaniard, where he once gets in, will feldom
or never be got out again. But nothing is lefs true than this. Not long
fince, they had footing at Brcji, and fome other Parts in French Britain,
and afterwards quitted them. They had Calais, yfrdes, and Amiens, and
furrendered them, or were beaten out. They had fince Ferfiiilles, and fair-
ly left it. They had, the other D.iy, the FaltoUne, and now have put it in
Depofit. What they will do with Ormus, which the Per/tan has taken
from them, we fhall fee. So that to fpeak truly ; of later Times, they
have rather poached and offered at a Number of Enterprizes, than main-
tained any conftantly : quite contrary to that idle Tradition. In more
ancient Times, (leaving their Purchafes In Africk, which they after aban'-
doned) when their great Emperor Charles had clafped Germany in his Fiflr,
he was forced in the End to go from Isburg, and to quit every Foot in
Germany round, that he had gained -, which I doubt not will be the here-
ditary IfTue of this late Purchafe of the Palatinate. And fo I conclude
the Ground I have to think, that Spain will be no Over-match for Great-
Britain ; if his Majefty fhall enter into a War, from Experience, and the
Records of Time.
30. The Grounds from Reafon are many. I will extradl the principal, ^/'«^ix'^»*
and open them briefly, and as in the Bud. For Situation, I pafs it over ; '"l'"-^ ^""
tho no fmall Point : England, Scotland, Ireland, and our good Confede- sp.iin, /»
rates, the United Provinces, lie all plum together ; nor accelTible but by Sea ; fo'm ofsitua-
or at leaft by the paffing of great Rivers, which are natural Fortifications. '''-'»•
Whereas the Dominions of Spain are fo fcattered, as to yield great Choice
of the Scenes of the War ; and promifes flow Succours to fuch Parts as
fhall be attempted.
31. There are three main Parts of military Puifiance; Men, Money, Courage^ and.
and Confederates. Men are to be confidered with regard to Valour and"^"'^*^"^'
Number. Of Valour I fpeak not ; take it from the WitnefTes above-pro-
duced : yet the old Obfervation is true, that the Spaniards Valour lies in
the Eye of the Looker on ; but the EngUJlo Valour lies about the Soldier's
Heart. A Valour of Glory, andaValourof nauiral Courage, are two things. .
But for Number ; Spain is a Nation thin fown with People ; partly by reafon
of the Sterility of the Soil •, and partly becaufe their Natives are exhaufted
by fo many Employments in fuch vaft Territories as they poffefs. So that it
has been counted a kind of Miracle, to fee ten or twelve thoufand native Spa-
niards in an Army. And it is certain, as we touched above, that the Secret
of the Power of Spain confifts in a veteran Army, compofed of mifcellany
Forces of all Nations ; which for many Years they have had on Foot upon
■ Plus fignificat qitam loquitur.
B b 2 one.
i88 A Dijcourje of W \^, &c. Sed. II.
one Occafion or other: and if there {hould happen the Misfortune of a
Battel, it would be a long Work to draw on Supplies. They tell of a
Spanijjj Embaflador, that was brought to fee the Treafury of St. Mmk at
Venice, and ftill he looked down to the Ground •, and being afked, why
he did fo •, faid, he was looking if their Treafure had any Root, as his
Mafter's had. But however it be of their Treafure, certainly their Forces
have fcarce any Root •, or at leaft, it is fuch a Root as buds poorly and
flowly. 'Tis true, they have Walloons, who are tall Soldiers ; yet that is
but a Spot of Ground. But on the other fide, there is not in the World
again fuch a Spring and Seminary of brave military People, as is Eng-
land, Scotland, Ireland, and the United Provinces : So that if Wars
fhould mow them down ever fo faft, they may be fuddenly fupplied, and
come up again.
The niches of ^2. Money, no doubt, is the principal Part of the Greatnefs of Spain ;
Spain/T^i:/?- f^j. ^y ^^^ ^^^ maintain their veteran Army : and Spain is the only State
of £«ro/»e that is a Money-Grower. But in this refpeft, of all others, comes
moft to be confidered, the ticklifh and brittle State of the Greatnefs of
Spain. Their Greatnefs confifts in their Treafure, their Treafure in their
Indies, and their Indies, if it be well weigh'd, are but an Acceflion to
fuch as are Matters by Sea. So that this Axletree, whereupon their
Greatnefs turns, is foon cut in two by any one that fliall be ftronger than
them at Sea. Herein, therefore, I refer to the Opinions of all Men, whe-
ther the maritime Forces of Great-Britain, and the United Provinces, be
not able to beat the Spaniards at Sea ? For if fo, the Links of that Chain,
whereby they hold their Greatnefs, are diflblved.
ASeaWar ^^. Now if it be faid, that admit the Cafe oi Spain fuch as we have put
'saLfyl^^"^ it -, yet if we defcend into our own Cafe, we fhall find we are not in a Con-
dition to enter into a War with Spain : I anfwer •, that I know no fuch
thing •, the Mint beats well -, and the Pulfes of the People beat well.
But there is another Point that quite deftroys this Objedtion : for whereas
Wars are generally Caufes of Poverty, or Confumption -, on the contrary,
the particular Nature of this War with Spain, if made by Sea, is likely
to be a gainful and reftorative War : So that if vve go roundly on at the
firft, the War in Continuance will find itfelf. And therefore you mud
make a great Difference between Hercules's Labours by Land, and Ja/on's
Voyage by Sea for the Golden Fleece.
Sfumde/li- 34. Asto Confederates, I will not take upon me the Knowledge how
t:<teof fare jj^g Princcs, States, and Counfels of Europe, at this Day, ftand afFefted
onje crates, ^q^^^j-^^j Spain \ for that entrenches upon the fecret Occurrents of die pre-
fent Time, wherewith, in this Treatife, I have forborn to meddle. But to
fpeak of what lies open and in View •, I fee much Matter of Quarrel and
Jealoufy, but little of Amity and Truft towards Spain, almoft in all
other States. France is in Competition with them for three noble Portions
of their Monarchy, Navarre, Naples, and Milan ; and now frefhly in
Difference with them about the FaltoUne. And we fee that once in thirty
or forty Years comes a Pope, that cafts his Eye upon the Kingdom of
Naples,
5ea. II. A Difcourfe ofWx^, &c. 189
Naples, to recover it to the Church : as it was in the Minds of Jalius the
Second, Paul the Fourth, and S:xfus the Fifth. As for that great Body
of Germany, they have greater reafon to confederate themfdves with the
Kings of France, and Great-Britain, or Denmark, for the Liberty of the ^
German Nation, and for the Expulfion of the Spanifi and foreign Forces,
than they had in the Years 1552 and 1553. At which time they con-
tradled a League with Henry the Second, the French King, upon the (ame
Articles againft Charles the Fifth -, who had poflTefled himfelf of a great
part of Gerynany, thro the Difcord of the German Princes, which him-
felf had fown and fomented. And this League at that time did the Deed ;
drove all the Spaniards out of that part of Germany ; and re-inftated
that Nation in their ancient Liberty and Honour. For the Wejl-lndies ;
tho Spain has not yet had much aftual Diilurbance there, except from
England; yet I fee all Princes lay a kind of Claim to them ; accounting
the Title of Spain but as a Monopoly of thefe large Countries, wherein
they have, in great part, but an imaginary PofTefTion. For Africk, upon
the Weft ; the Moors of Valentia expelled, and their Allies, yet hang as a
Cloud or Storm over Spain. Gabor, on the Eaft, is an anniverfary Wind,
that rifes once every Year upon the Party of Juflria. And Perfia has
entred into Hoftility with Spain ; and given them the firft Blow by the
taking of Ormus. 'Tis within every Man's Obfervation alfo, that Venice
thinks their State almoft on fire, if the Spaniards hold the Valtoline.
Savoy has learned by frefli Experience, that Alliance with Spain is no Se-
curity againft the Ambition of Spain. And Bavaria has likewife been
taught, that Merit and Service obliges the Spaniard but from Day to
Day.
35. Neither do I fiy, for all this, that Spain may not reftify much of
this ill Blood by their particular cunning Negotiation : but yet it is in the
Body, and may break out, no Man knows when, into ill Accidents : at
leaft it fhews plainly, what ferves for our Purpofe, that Spain is very defti-
ftute of afllired and taft Confederates. I, therefore, conclude this Part, with
the tart Saying of a prefent Counfellor of State in Spain, who, upon Oc-
cafion, faid to the King his Mafter ; " I will declare thus much for
" your Comfort ; your Majefty has but two Enemies, whereof the one
" is all the World, and the other your own Minifters." And thus I
end my fecond main Point, the Balancing of the Forces betijueen England and
Spain.
SUP-
SUPPLEMENT XIII.
THE
Prudent Statesman.-
OR, THE
OFFICE
O F
PRIME MINISTERS*.
THE
* See FoJ. I. pag. 241.
^93
THE
Prudent Statesman:
OR, THE
Office of Prime Minifters.
I . ^ ■ ^ H E Adminiftratlon of publick Affairs lies principally upon T^e Kectjjity
I the Officers of States. Kings cannot poffibly fee all things ""f^ ^'f' ."/
I with their own Eyes -, nor hear all things with their own 'a'^"^' "* '"'"
.^L. Ears : they muft commit many great Trufts to their Mini-
fters. And hence even the wifeft Princes have had their Friends, and Fa-
vourites, in all Ages; and made their feveral Ufes of them : fometimes for
communicating their Thoughts, and thereby ripening their own Judg-
ments ; fometimes interpofing them betwixt themfelves, and the Envy of
their People, £s?f. for Princes either cannot err ; or throw their Errors
upon their Minifters : and they who ftand neareft muft bear the greateft
Load. Kings are anfwerable to God for their Acflions -, but the Minifters
of Kings, whofe Eyes, Ears, and Hands they are, muft be anfwerable
not only to God and the King, but alfo to the Subjeft.
2. In a Poft of fo much Difficulty and Danger, too great Caution znd A general
Circumfpeclion cannot be ufed, on the Part of the Mmifter ; to fecure, ■^"'"'^"'" ■^'"'
and approve himfelf in the Eyes of God and Man. And for the better'*"'"'^''"
Difcharge of his Duty, and the Difpatch of Affairs, he might do well to
appoint and fet apart certain Times for receiving Petitions, and the gi-
ving of Audience: And whenever the Matter proves weighty or difficult,
let it always be delivered in Writing ; and a Day fixed to be attended again.
In the mean time, the Writing may be read by another •, who by mark-
ing out the moft material Part, fhall prepare it for a ready Perufal. And
now a felect Friend or two, of tried Judginent and Fidelity, may be afked
their Opinions -, and defired to fet down their Reafons, on both fides of the
Queftion. But if the Matter be of extraordinary Confequence, it were
not amifs to fend feveral Copies of the fame Petition to feveral different
Friends, all of them unacquainted with this Procedure, and requeft their
V 0 I.. II. C c refpe(5tive
The Office of
Priinc Mini-
flcn dijiribu-
teil.
Religious
Matttrs.
194^ The Prudent Statesman.
refpeftive Anfwers, in Writing: whence, by comparing them together,
the Minifter fhall be able to give a true Judgment upon the Matter, and
at the 1-xme time difcern the Abilities and Fidelity of his Friends. And in
fuch Cafes no Minifter fhould truft his own Judgment and Capacity ; for
no Man is omnifcient : nor fhould any Confidence be repofed in Servants,
or Dependants, who in fuch Cafes always have their own Intereft in
view.
3. The Office of a Prime Minifter may be confidered under the follow-
ing Heads; -viz. (i.) Matters of Religion, the Church and Clergy:
(2.) Matters of Juftice, the Laws, and the Profeffors thereof : (3.) Coun-
fellors, the Council-Table, and the great Offices and Officers of the King-
dom : (4.) Foreign Negotiations and Embaffies : (5.) Peace and War ;
the Navy, Forts, and what belongs to them: (6.) Trade at home and
abroad : (7.) Colonies, or foreign Plantations: (8.) The Court and Cu-
riality.
I.
4. When any thing is offered with regard to the Church, Churchmen,
or Church-Government; it is fafeft for a Prime Minifter to take the Opi-
nion of fome grave and eminent Divines, efpecially fuch as are of exem-
plary Lives. And if any Queftion be moved concerning the Doftrine of
the Church of England, exprefled in the 'Thirty-nine Articles ; 'tis prudent
not to give the leaft Ear to the Movers thereof : this Doftrine being fo
orthodoxly fettled, as not to be queftioned without extreme Danger to the
Honour and Stability of our Religion •, which has been fealed with the
Blood of fo many Martyi^s and Confeflbrs, as are famous thro the Chriftian
World. The Enemies and Underminers thereof are the Roman Catho-
licks, on the one hand, whofe Tenets are inconfiftent with the Truth of
the Religion profefted and protefted by the Church of England ; and the
Anabaptifts, Separatifts, and Secftaries, on the other hand -, whofe Tenets
are full of Schifm, and inconfiftent with Monarchy : and they have been
feveral times very bufy in this Kingdom, under the Colour of Zeal. Let
us beware of them in England ; a little Countenance or Connivance fets
them on fire. But for the regulating of either, there needs no other
Coertion thin the due Execution of the Laws eftabliftied by Parliament.
Sijhojis., 5. The Archbifhops and Billiops, next under the King, have the Go-
vernment of the Church and Ecclefiaftical Affairs : and a good Minifter
will be no means of prefering any to thofe Places, for by-Refpefts ; but
only for their Learning, Gravity and Worth ; as their Lives and Doc-
trine ought to be exemplary.
Pm»j, Car 6. Deans, Canons, or Prebends of Cathedrals, at their firft Inftitution,
Kons, &c. ^ygj.g Q^ great Ule in the Church -, and were not only to be of Counfel
with the Biftiop for his Revenue, but chiefly for his Government in Ec-
clefiaftical Caufes. The beft means fliould be ufed to prefer fuch to thefe
Places as are fit for the Purpofe ; Men eminent for their Learning, Piety
and Difcretion : and let them be reduced again to their firft Inftitution.
A
The Prudent Statesman. 195-
A prime Minilter will be often follicitcd, and perhaps importuned to
prefer Scholars to Church-livings : and Friends may be advanced that
Way, aeterh paribus ; othcrwife thefc are not Places merely of Favour :
for the Charge of Souls lies upon tliem ; the greateft Account whereof
will be required at their own Hands : but fuch will ihare deeply in their
Faults, who are the Inllruments of their Preferment.
7. Order and decent Ceremonies in the Church, are comely and com- Cenmomti of
mendable v but there muft be great Care not to introduce Innovations: they'*' church.
will quickly prove fcandalous ; Men are naturally prone to Sufpicion ;
the Proteftant Religion is feated in the golden Mean ; the Enemies to her
are the Extremes on either Hand. '
S. The Perfons of Church-men are to be had in due refpeft, for their ^■^' /'"■/"'•
Works fake, and protected from Scorn : bur if a Clergyman be loofe and ^"■^^.^"^'■/'''■^'
fcandalous, he muft not be patronized or winked at ; the Example of a
few fuch will corrupt a great many.
9. Prudent Care muft be taken, tiiat the Patrimony of the Church htT^he chunk' i
not facrilegioufly diverted to Lay-Ufes. Patrtmony.
t o. Colleges and Schools of Learning are to be cheriftied and encou- CoWe:» nnd
raged, for breeding up a new Supply to furnifh the Cliurch and Common- '^'^*'"''^"
wealth, w-hen the old Stock are tranfplanted. This Kingdom in later
Ages has been flunous for good Literature ; and if Preferment fhall attend
the Defervers, there will not want Supplies.
II.
11. Next to Religion, let the principal Care be to promote Juftice. -'^^'^'e" «/
By Juftice and Mercy the King's Throne is eftabliflied. ^""'^*
Let the Rule of Juftice be the Laws of the Land ; an impartial Arbi-
ter bet^veen the King and his People, and between one Subjeft and ano-
ther. I ftiall not fpeak fuperlatively of them, left I be fufpefted of Par-
tiality, in regard of my own Profeffion •, but this I may truly fay, they
are fecond to none in the Chriftian World. They are equal between Prince
and People; by which the King has the jufteft Prerogative, and the Peo-
ple the beft Liberty : and if at any time there be an unjuft Deviation,
Hominis eft i-itium^ no» ProfeJJionis.
12. And let no arbitrary Power be intruded. The People of this King- KoarBitrary
dom love the Laws thereof; and nothing will oblige them more, than a ^^"'^*'' j" *«
Confidence of freely enjoying diem. What the Nobles once faid in Par-
liament, Nolumus Leges Anglt<e mutari, is imprinted in the Hearts of all
the People.
13. But becaufe the Life of the Laws lies in their due Execution ^ndjud^e:.
Adminiftration, let an Eye be had, in the fiirft Place, to the Choice of
good Judges. A good Judge muft be learned in his Profeffion, patient
in Hearing, prudent in Governing, powerfiil in Elocution, juft in his Judg-
ment : and, to fum up all, he muft be a Man of Courage, fearing God,
and hating Covetoufnefs. An ignorant Man cannot, and a Coward dares
not, be a good Judge.
C c 2 14. By
19^
The Prudent Statesman.
Noneto'mier. 14. By no means let a Minifter interpofe, either by Word or Letter,
pofe in ;udt. j^^ ^^y Caufc depending, or like to be depending, in any Court of Juftice ;
ajes. ^^^ fulTer any other great Man to interpofe •, and even difTuade the King
himfelf from it : for if this Ihould prevail, it perverts Juftice. And if the
Judge be fo juft, and of fuch Courage, as not to be inclined thereby •, yet
it always leaves a Taint of Sufpicion behind it. Judges muft be as chafte
as C^far's Wife ; and neither be, nor be fufpefted of Injuftice. And in-
deed the Honour of the Judges in their Judicature, is the King's Honour ;
whofe Perfon they reprefent.
Circuits.. jg_ fi^g Judges may be of great Ufe in their Circuits; which are, twice
in the Year, held throughout the Kingdom. The Trial of Caufes between
Party and Party, or delivering of the Goals in the feveral Counties, are
very ufeful for the Expedition of Juftice; yet the Judges are of much
more Service for the Government of the Counties thro which they pafs,
if this were well confidered. For if they had Inftniftions to this Purpofe,
they might be the beft Intelligencers to the King of the true State of his
whole Kingdom, of the Difpofition of the People, of their Inclinations,
Intentions and Motions, which are necelHiry to be truly underftood.
Charges to be 16. To this End I could wifti, that againft every Circuit all the Judges
giz'en the fhould, fometimcs by the King himfelf, and fometimes by the Lord
^l^'l^^^^^^"'' Chancellor, in the King's Name, receive a Charge of thofe things which
the prefent Times may require ; and at their Return deliver a faith-
ful Account thereof ; how they found and left the Counties thro which
they paffed, and in which they kept their Affizes. And that they
might the better perform this important Office, it will not be amifs if
fometimes the Charge be publick ; as it ufes to be in the Star-Chamber,
at the end of the Terms, next before the Circuit begins ; where the King's
Care of Juftice, and the Good of his People, may be publiflied ; and if
fometimes alfo it be private, to communicate to the Judges fome things
not fo fit to be openly delivered.
rhe^udicsto 17. I could wifh alfo, that the Judges were direfted to make a little
continue Ion- longer Stay in a Place than ufually they do ; a Day more in a County
germ their .yyould be a very good Addition ; altho their Salary for their Circuits were
ircuit!.. jncreafed in Proportion: it would fuit better with the Gravity of their
Employment. W^hereas, now they are fometimes obliged to rife too early,
and fit too late, for the Difpatch of their Bufinefs ; to the extraordinary
Trouble of themfelves, and of the People : and, what is principally to
be regarded, have not leifure to inform themfelves of the true State of the
Country.
sheriff's of the jg. The Attendance of the Sheriffs of the Counties, accompanied with
Counties to j-j^g pj-jncipal Gentlemen, in a comely, and not coftly Equipage, upon the
%'udzes/^ Judges of the Affize, at their coming to the Place of their fitting, and at
their goir.g out, is not only a Civility, but alfo of Ufe: as it raifes a Re-
verence CO the Perfons and Places of the Judges; who coming from the
King himfelf on fo great an Errand, fliould not be neglected.
19. If
77?^ Prudent Statesman. 197
T9. If any one fue to be made a Judge, I fhould fufpeft him: but if ^^* f/,"" "^
either diretlly or indircftly he fhould bargain for a Place of Judicature, ^^^^'/y^'J'"
let him be rejecfted with Shame ; F'endeie jure potefi, emerat ille prius.
20. When the Place of a Chief Judge of a Court becomes vacant, a The Pu'ifre
puifne Judge of that Court, or of another Court, who has approved '"W/'C"''"''^
himfelf fit and deferving, fhould be fometimes preferred. This would be.^^^ ',;
a good Encouragement for him, and others by his Example.
21. Next to the Judge, Care fhould be ufed in the Choice of fuch as Serjeants at
are called to the Degree of Serjeants at Law -, for fuch they muft be firft, ^"w.
before they are made Judges : and none fhould be made SL-rjcants but fuch
as probably might be held fit for Judges afterwards -, when the Experience
at the Bar has fitted them for the Bench. Therefore, by all means, fupprcfs
the unworthy Courfe of late in Ufe, of paying Money for it: which may
fatisfy fome Courtiers, but is no Honour to the Perfon preferred ; nor to
the King, who thus prefers them.
22. The King's Council at Law, efpecially his Attorney and SoUicitor The King's
General, being of continual Ufe in the King's Service; not only for his <^''""'^'''"
Revenue, but for all the Parts of his Government; fhould doubtlefs be^''"J' ^^^
Men every way fit and able for that Employment : they fhould be learned soiiicitor-Gt'
in their Profeffion ; not ignorant in other things ; and dextrous in thofe neral.
Affairs, the Difpatch whereof is committed to them.
23. The King's Attorney of the Court of Wards is in the tnie QmWtj yinorney of
of a Judge; therefore what has already been obfcrved of the Judges, in-thciiards
tended principally of the three great Courts of Law at IVejhninJier, may ''"'^ ■^""^^3'.
be applied to the Choice of xht Attorney of this Court. And the like
for the Attorney of the Dutchy of Lancajler; who partakes of both Qua-
lities, partly of a Judge in that Court, and partly of an Attorney-
General ; for fo much as concerns the proper Revenue of the Dutchy.
24. The Judges of the four Circuits in the twelve Shires oi Wales, tho xhc Welfii
they are not of the firfl Magnitude, nor need be of the Degree of tht Judges.
Coif ; except '!.e Chief Juftice of Chefler, who is one of their Number ;
yet their Choice fhould be directed by the fame Rules as for the other
judges. And indeed thefe fometimes are, and fitly may be, tranfplanted
into the higher Courts.
25. There are many Courts; fome fupcrior, fome provincial, and hmt Contentions
of a lower Orb : it were to be wifhed, and is fit to be fo ordered, that''*'""^f*' ^J*'
each of them keep v.irhin its proper Sphere. The Harmony of Juftice ^^%urt'sToie
fweetefl, when there is no jarring about the Jurifdiftion of the Courts : prevented. ,
whi>.h methinks Wifd'^m cannot much differ upon ; their true Bounds being
for the moft part fo clearly known.
26. Thus much for the Judges ; next for the principal Minifters of Ju- The High-
llice. The High-Sheriris of the Counties have been very ancient in this '^^"''J^^*
Kingdom; I am lure before the Conqueft: and fuch muft be chofe as are- .
fit for the Office ; which is of great Truft and Power ; the Po^e Com-
tat us , the Power of the whole County, being legally committed to them.
Therefore ic is agreeable to the Intention of the Law, that the Choice of
them .
198
The Prudent Statesman.
them fhould be by the Recommendation of the great Officers of the King-
dom •, and by Advice of the Judges; who are prefumed to be well ap-
prized of the Condition of the Gentry of the whole Kingdom: and altho
the King may do it of himfelf, yet the old way is the good way.
Not to be 27. I Utterly condemn the Praftice lately crept into the Court ; that
■^'■'^'■■''^ /"■ ^^' fome who are pricked for Sheriffs, and were fit, fhould get out of the
wC "'Bill •, and others who were neither thought on, nor worthy, fhould be no-
minated : and both for Money.
L'leutmauts 28. As for the Lord Lieutenants^ and Deputy Lieutenants of the Coun-
and Deputy jjgj .^ j-j^gj^ proper Ufe is for the IManagcment of military Affairs, againfl
Co-mles" ' '^^ Invafion from abroad, or a Rebellion or Sedition at home. Good Choice
fhould be made of them, prudent Inflruftions given them, and as little of
the arbitrary Power, as poffible, left them. And let not the Mufter-
Mafters, and other Officers under them, incroach upon the Subjeft ; for
this will detraft much from the King's Service.
Jufticesof 29. The Juftices of Peace are of great Ufe. Anciently there were
Peace. Confervators of the Peace : thefe are the fame •, only feveral A<5ts of Par-
liament have altered their Denomination, and enlarged their Jurifdidion
in many Particulars y : and the fitter they are for prcferving the Peace of
the Kingdom, the more Care fhould to be taken in the Choice of them.
Kottolechofe go. But none fhould be put into either of thefe Commiffions, with an
for Favour. £yg ^^ Favour to their Perfons ; to give them Countenance or Reputa-
tion in the Places where they live ■, but for the King's Service only : nor
fhould any be turned out for the Disfavour of any great Man. This has
been often ufed ; and proved of no good Service to the King.
^ujliccand gj. Let it be well obferved that the Execution of Juflice is committed
Mercy, how ^^ ^^^ Judges, which feems the feverer Part ; but the milder Part, which
is Mercy, is wholly left in the King's immediate Hand : and Juftice and
Mercy are the true Supports of the Throne. If the King fhall be wholly
intent upon Juitice, it may appear too rigid ; but if he be over-remifs and
eafy, it draws Contempt upon him. Examples of Juftice mufl fome-
times be made for Terror ; Examples of Mercy fometimes for Comfort
to others : the one procures Fear, and the other Love. If a King be not
both feared and loved, he is loft.
The Court of ^2. The Court of Parliament in England is fuperlative -, and therefore
Parliament, j^ ^jjj become me to fpeak the more cautioufly of it. Its Inflitution is
very ancient in this Kingdom. It conEfts of the two Houfes, of the Peers
and Commons, as the Members ; and of the King's Majefty, as the Head
of that great Body. By the King's Authority alone, and by his Writs,
they are afTembled -, and by him alone are they prorogued and difTolved :
but each Houfe may adjourn itfelf.
are a Council g^. Being thus affembled, they are more properly a Council to the
to ike King. King, than a Court ; the great Council of the Kingdom, to advife his
Majefty in thofe things of Weight and Difficulty, which concern both the
King and People.
34- No
y See Supplement XY. Seii. II.
The Prudent Statesman. 199
34. No new Laws can be made, nor old Lazvs abrogated or altered, ■^•'"'i'^ how
but by common Conlent in Parliament; where Bills are prepared and pre-^"-^'''-
fented to the two Houfes, and then delivered ; but nothing is concluded
without the King's Royal Aflent : Laws are but Embryos, till he gives
them Life.
35. Yet the Houfe of Peers has a Power of Judicature in fome Cafes ; Tf'c^<>"f' of
properly to examine, and then to affirm -, or if there be Caufc, to re- ^r^'";^""'^'
verle the Judgments, which have been given in the Court or King s- Bench, /„;-f,
the Court of higheft Jurifdicftion in the Kingdom for ordinary Judicature:
but in thefe Cafes it muft be done by Writ of Error in Parliamento. And
thus the Rule of their Proceedings is not abfoluta potejlas, as in making
new Laws; but limttata poteJlaSy according to the known Laws of the
Land ^
36. The Houfe of Commons have only Power to cenfure the Members^*' Powr of
of their own Houfe, in point of Election or Mifdemeanors, in or towards'^'' Houfe of
that Houfe ; and have not, nor ever had Power, fo much as to adminilter
an Oath to prepare a Judgment.
37. The true Ufe of Parliaments in this Kingdom, is very excellent -.ufeof the
and they fliould be often called, as the Affairs of the Kingdom require ; ■^'"''''""""'
and continued as long as is neceflary, and no longer : otherwife they are but
Burdens to the Pe pie, by reafon of the Privileges juftly due to the Mem-
bers of the two Houfes and their Attendants ; which their juft Rights and.
Privileges, are religioufly to be obferved and maintained : but if they
fliould be unjuftly enlarged, beyond their true Bounds, they might leflen
the iuft Power of the Crown ; as bordering fo near upon Popularity.
38. Thus far we have fpoke of the Common Law of England, gene- '^^e civil
rally and properly fo called ; becaufe 'tis moft general and common to al- ^'^''"'
moll: all Cafes and Caufes, both civil and criminal : but there is alfo ano-
ther Law, called the Civil or Ecdefiaftical Law, which is confined to fome Civiliam.
few Heads ; and this is not to be neglected. And altho I am a Profeffor of
the Common Law, yet I eameftly advife that the Civilians be not difcoun-
tenanced nor difcouraged : otherwife, when we fhall have to do with any
foreign King or State, we fhall be at a miferable Lofs for want of learned
Men in that Profeflion.
in.
39. We come now to confider thofe things which relate to Counfellors oCtwo Sorts of
State, the Council -Table, and the great Offices and Officers of the King-C'"'"/^'''"'^-
dom. Of Counfellors there are two forts ; tht firi\:, ConftliariJ nati : fuch are
the Prince of fFales, and others of the King's Sons, who are bom Coun-
fellors to the King ; and are early to learn the Art of Governing. But the
ordinary fort of Counfellors are fuch as the King, out of a due Confidera-
rion of their Worth, Abilities, and Fidelity to his Perfon and Crown, calls
to be of Council with him, in his ordinary Government. And the Council-
Table
* See I'ol. I. i^ag. 140, z^e.
ICO The Prudent Statesman.
The Conned- Table is fo called from the Place where they ufually affemble and fit : and
Table. their Oath is the only Ceremony ufed, to make them fuch -, which Oath is
folcmnly given them at their firft Admiflion. Thefe honourable Perfons
are from thenceforth of that Board and Body -, and cannot come till they
are thus called : and the King, at his Pleafure, may fpare their Attendance -,
which they at their own Pleafure may not do.
The Council. 40. The Council therefore muft be chofen of Perfons of great Truft,
ho-^- to he Fidelity, Wifdom, and Judgment, who are toaffift in bearing up the King's
chofe. Throne •, and of known Experience m publick Affairs. Yet it may not
be unfit to call fome that are younger, to train them up in that Trade •,
and fo fit them for thofe weighty Atlairs, againft the time of greater Ma-
turity •■, and fome alfo for the Honour of their Perfons : but thefe two forts
not to be tied to fo ftritft Attendance as the others, from whom the prefent
Difpatch of Bufinefs is expefted.
Their Niitn- 41. I could wifh that their Number might not be too great : the Per-
bertobelimi- j-^j^g q£ jj^g Counfellors would then be the more venerable. And Queen
"' ■ Elizabeth^ in whofe time I had the Happinefs to live many Years, was nor
fo much obferved for having a numerous, as a wife Council.
Depufj Prl- 42. The Deputy of a Privy- Counfellor to the King, I conceive, is, not
-vy-Counfel- Q^ly to attend the Council-Board, at the times appointed ; and there to
^'"''' confult of what fhall be propofed •, but alfo to ftudy thofe things 'which
may advance the King's Honour and Safety, and the Good of the King-
dom •, and to communicate the fame to the King, or to his Fellow-Coun-
fellors, as there fhall be Occafion.
Prhy-Coan- 43. And when any new thing fhall be propofed to Confideration, it
fellorsnotto -were advifeable that no Counfellor fuddenly.deliver'd any pofuive Opinion
'of'a'Mden thereof •, becaufe it is not eafy with all Men to retraft their Opinions, tho
' 'there fhould be Caufe for it : but only, at moft, to break it, at firft, that it
may be the better underilood againfl the next Meeting.
Refolutions 44. When any Matter of Weight has been debated, and feems ready
Tiot to be f«-for a Relblution ; I could wifh it might not be concluded at that Sitting,
ctfitated. .jp ^j^^ NecefTity of the time do not prefs it ; left, upon fecond Thoughts,
there fhould be Caufe to alter : which is not for the Gravity and Honour
of that Board.
TheKingtobe 45. I wifh alfo that the King would be pleafed fometimes to be prefent
frefent. at that Board ; it adds a Majefty to it : and yet not be too frequently there ;
which would render it lefs efteemed, when it is become common ; and might
alfo make the Counfellors not fo free in their Debates, as they would be in
Abfence of the King.
Secrecy requi- 46. Befides the giving of Counfcl, the Counfellors are bound by their
redinPrny- Duties, ex Z'i te> '/}!!ni, as well as by their Oaths, to keep Counfel ; and they
Counfeliors, ^^^ therefore called de private conjilio Regis ; (3 a fecretioribus confiliis Regis.
One thing I add, in the Negative, which is not fit for that Board ; the
entertaining of private Caufes, of metim ^ tuum : thefe fliould be left to
the ordinary Courfe and Courts of Juftice.
47. As
The Prudent Statesman. loi
47. As great C.ire fhould be ul'ed, in choofing the Counlellors tliemfelves ; CcunfHlors,
folikewifein choofing the Clerks of the Council, forSccrecyof Confultation ; ^"^ '" ^«f*»-
and it were fit that his Majefty gave ftrift Charge, and bound it alfo with
a folemn Order, that no Copies of the Orders of that Table be delivered
out by the Citrks of the Council, but by the Order of the Board : nor any
one, not being a Counfellor, or a Clerk of the Council, or his Clerk, to
have Acccfs to the Council-Books; and, to this purpofc, that the Servants
attending the Clerks of the Council be bound to Secrecy, as well as their
Mailers.
48. As to the great Offices and Officers of the Kingdom, there need -^'^ ^''''" °/'
little be faid ; the greatcft part of them being fuch, as cannot well be fe-^"^ andoffi.
vered from the Counfellorfliip : and therefore the fime Rules are to be
obferved in the Choice of both. But in the Quality of the Perfons, I con-
ceive it moll convenient to have feme of every fort, as it was in the time
of Queen Eliz,abeth; one Biffiop at leaft, in refpedl of Queflions touching
Religion, or Church- Government ; one or more fkilled in the Laws ; fome
for martial Affairs ; and fome for foreign Affairs : by this Mixture, one
will help another in all things, that fliall happen to be moved. But if this
fhould fail, it will be a fafe way, to conllilt with fome other able Per-
fons, well verfed in that point, which is the Subjeft of their Confulta-
tion. And this may be done fo warily, as not to difcover the princinal
End therein.
IV.
49. We come next to foreign Negotiations and EmbafTies. Embajpts
With regard hereto it was the Courfe of Queen Elizabeth to vary, ac-
cording to the Nature of the Employment, and the Quality of the Per-
fons file employed -, which is a good Rule to go by.
50. If it were an EmbafTy of Congratulation or Ceremony, (which mufl''/Ce''c»»<"'>'.
not be negledled) Choice was made of fome noble Perfon, eminent in
Place, and able in Purfe ; who would take it as a Mark of Favour •, and
difcharge it, without any great Burden to the Queen's Coffers, for his own
Honour.
5 1 . But if it were an EmbafTy of Weight, > concerning Affairs of State, f.mbajpei of
Choice was made of fome grave Perfon, of known Judgment, Wifdom, ^"l">^f'-
and Experience ; and not of a young Man unpracftifed in State Mat-
ters-, nor of a mere formal Man, whatever his Title or Outfide Oiould be.
52. Yet in Company of fuch were ufually fent fome promifing yovir\<y The Atten-
Noblemen, or Gentlemen, as AfTiflants or Attendants, according; to the '^""'^ "Z^"*"
Quality of the Perfons ; who might be thereby prepared and fitted^ for the ^''■^'"'''"*
like Employment another time.
5^. And along witli them were always fent fome grave and fober Men,
fkilful in the Civil Law -, fome in the Languages ; and fome who had been
formerly converfant in the Courts of thofe Princes, and knew their Ways :
thele were AfTiflants in private ; but not trufted to manage Affairs in
Vol. II. Dd publick :
loi The Prudent Statesman.
publick : as that would detraft from the Honour of the principal Embaf-
fador.
Mercantile c,^. If the Negotiation were upon Merchants Affairs -, then the Perfons
£iegotiations. ^jf^^Uy employ'd were Doftors of the Civil Law, affifted with fome other
difcreet Men : and in fuch Cafes, the Charge was ordinarily defray'd by the
Company or Society of Merchants, whom the Negotiation concerned.
Refiients, c^c,. If Refidents, or Agents, were fent to remain at the Courts of fo-
reign Princes or States ; as it was ever held fit, to hold Correfpondence
with them upon all Occafions; fuch Perfons were made Choice of as were
prefumed to be vigilant, induftrious, and difcreet ; and had the Language
of the Place where they were fent : and with thefe went fuch as promifed
to be worthy of the like Employment hereafter. Their Care was, to give
true and early Intelligence of all Occurrences, either to the Queen herfelf,
or the Secretaries of State ; to whom they had their immediate Rela-
tion.
c,6. Their Charge was always born by the Queen •, and duly paid out of
the Exchequer, in fuch Proportion, as, according to their Qualities and
Places, might give them an honourable Subfiftence abroad : but for the
Reward of their Service ; they were to expeft that upon their Return, by
fome fuch Preferment as might be worthy of them ; and yet be little Burden
to the Queen's Coffers or Revenues.
Their injlntc- 57. At going out, they had their general Inftruiflions in Writing, whicK
rtons. might be communicated to the Minifters of the States whereto they were
fent ; they had alfo private Inftruiflions, upon particular Occafions : and
at their Return, they always rendered an Account of fome things to the
Queen herfelf; of fome to the Body of the Council ; and of others to the
Secretaries of State ; who made ufe of them, or communicated them, as
there was Occafion.
TheEaucation 58. In thofe Days there was a conftant Courfe held, by the Advice of the
"//"'■f'^» -Mi- Secretaries, or fome principal Counfellors, offending into feveral Parts be-
"•'*"* yond the Seas, fome young Men of promifmg Parts, to be trained up, and
made fit for fuch publick Employments -, and to learn the Languages..
This was at the Charges of the Queen, and rim not high ; for they tra-
velled but as private Gentlemen : and as their Deferts appeared by their
Induftry, fo they were farther employed or rewarded. And this is an ex-
cellent Courfe to breed up a Nurfery of fuch publick Plants.
V.
Wars. 59. We come next to Peace and f^ar.
Wars are either foreign or domejlick : As for a War of Invafion from
abroad ; we muft not be over-fecure : that is the way to invite it. And
for Peace at home ; Juftice is the beft Protedlor thereof
To prevent an " 60. In order to prevent any Invafion or War from abroad. Care muft
invajion. ^g j^^^j of our Out-works, the Royal Navy, and the Shipping of our King-
dom ; which are the Walls thereof. Every great Ship is an impregnable
Fort ;
TVj^» PRUDENt Statesman. ioj
Fort ; and our many fate and commodious Ports and Haven?, in thefe
Kingdoms, arc as the Redoubts to fecure them.
6i. No Nation in the World can rival Etiglaitd in the Oak-Timber, N(»t/.i/.5«r/;.
\rhereof the Bodies of our Ships are built -, and we need not borrow of our
Neighbours Iron for Spikes, or Nails to fliften them together : but there
muft be a great deal of Caution ufed, and Provifion made, that our Ship-
Timber be not unneccfHirily wafted.
62. But for Tackling, as Sails and Cordage, we are beholden to owYTacklini.
Neighbours •, and buy them for our Money : thefe therefore muft be fore-
feen and ftored up againft a time of Need •, and not fought for when we
are to ufe them. But we arc much to blame, that we make them not at
home ; only Pitch and Tar we have not of our own.
6^. For the true Art of Building Ships, both for Burden and Service, ship-building.
no Nation in the World exceeds us. Ship- Wrights, and all otlicr Artifans
belonging to that Tr.ule, muft be cheriflied and encouraged.
64. Powder and Ammunition, of all forts, we can have at home -, and m Ammunition,
exchange for other homeCommodities we may be j>lentifully fupplied there-
with from our Neighbours : which muft not be ncglefted.
6:;. This Kingdom is plentifully furnifhed with Mariners and Sfx-mtn. bailors.
The conftant Trade of merchandizing will fupply us at time of Need •, and
navigable Rivers will repair the Store, both to the Royal Navy, and to the
Merchants, if employ'd, and well paid for their Labour.
66. Sea-Captains, Commanders, and other Officers, muft be encouraged, 5M-0;^(erx.
and raifed by degrees ; as their Fidelity and Induftry deferve it. And never
let brave Spirits, that have fitted themfelves for Command, either by Sea
or Land, be laid by ; as Perfons unneceflary for the Time. Let Arms and
Ammunition of all forts be provided and ftored up, as againft a Day of
Battel ; and let the Ports and Forts be fo fitted, as if by the next Wind
we fliould hear of an Alarm : fuch a known Provifion is the fureft Pro-
tection.
67. And for z foreign War., intended by ourfelves, to enlarge the Bounds foreign Wars,
of our Empire ; I have no Opinion either of the Juftnefs or Fitnefs of it :
our own Territories feem large enough, and are naturally bounded by the
Ocean. And it were very hard to attempt fuch a War with Hopes of Suc-
cefs -, as the Subjects of this Kingdom believe it illegal to be forced beyond
the Seas, without their own Confent, upon Expeftation of an unwarranted
Conqueft ; but to refift an invading Enemy, or to fupprefs Rebels, the
Subject may, and fhould be commanded our. The whole Kingdom muft
be one entire Body ; otherwife that Saying will be verified, Dum fingu-
li pugnnmus., cmncs I'incemur.
68. Our ftricT: League of Amity and Alliance with the Dutch, is a mu- -^i^'""'" "w*
nial Strength to both •, and the Shipping of both, in Conjunction, being fo "o^'^"'^-
powerful, no Foreigner will venture upon it. This League and Friendftiip
muft inviolably be obferved.
69. There remains then no Danger to this Kingdom, but from a C'rcil civil War.
ffar; which is the moft defperate of all. The King's Wifdom and Juf-
D d 2 tice
104 The Prudent Statesman.
tice muft forefee and prevent it -, or If it fhould happen, quench fuch a
Wildfire, with all pofllble Diligence. The Cures of a Civil War are effect-
ed either by preventive Remedies; which by jufl: and equal Government
take away the Occafion ; or by fevere ones, if the other prevail not. The
Service and Vigilancy of the Deputy-Lieutenants in every County, and of
the High-Sheriffs, will herein contribute much to our Security. But if this
fhould not prevail, peccant Humours, and the Difaffeded, muft by a timely
Enquiry be difcovered, purged out, or cut off. Mercy, in fuch a Cafe, is
real Cruelty in a King. Yet if the Heads of the Tribes can be taken off,
and the mided Multitude will fee their Error, and return to their Obedi-
ence •, fuch an Extent of Mercy is both honourable and profitable.
Money. 70. A King, againft a Storm, muft ever provide a convenient Stock of
Treafure -, and neither be without Money, which is called the Sinews of
War ; nor depend upon the Curtefy of others, which may fail at a Pinch.
Magazines. 71 . He muft alfo have a Magazine well-ftored with all forts of Arms and
Engines of War -, which alfo muft be had from foreign Parts, or provided
at home ; and committed to feveral Places, under the Cuftody of trufty
and faithfijl Minifters and OlBcers.
Experienced 72. He muft make choice of experienced and able Commanders, to con-
<^'""»'''"''^"' ducSt and manage the War, both againft a foreign Invafion, andadomeftick
Rebellion •, who fhould not be young and giddy, but fit to govern others
as well as themfelves.
73, Let not fuch be difcouraged, if they deferve well, by Mif-infor-
mation, or for fatisfying the Humours or Ambition of others -, perhaps, out
of Envy ; perhaps, out of Treachery, or other fjnifter Ends. A fteddy
Hand in governing military Affairs, is more rcquifite than in Affairs of
Peace -, becaufe an Error committed in War, may, perhaps, prove irre-
trievable.
The ConduH 74. When a Civil War is ended, thofe who have been found faithful m
to be ohferved^^^ Land, muft be regarded and rewarded ; the traiterous, or treacherous,
mTis'ended who have mifled others, feverely punifhed ; and the Neutrals and falfe-
' hearted Friends and Followers, who have ftarted afide like a broken Bow,
be noted.
VL
Trade at 7^. We now turn to Trade : and this likewife is either domeftick or
heme. foreign. We begin with home Trade •, which enables the Subjedt to live ;
and lays the Foundation for a foreign Trade, by TrafKck.
Tillage. 76. And firft ; Tillage muft be encouraged, to fupply the Kingdom
with Corn for the Natives, and to fpare for Exportation. I remember
more than once, in times of Dearth, when it drained .much Coin out of
this Nation, to ftirnifh us with Corn from foreign Parts.
Improvements yy^ Good Hufbands will find means of improving their Lands by
inHHsbandry. j^j^^^^ Chalk, Marie, or Sea-fand -, where it can be had : but they Ihould
be put in mind thereof, and encouraged in their Induftry.
78. Planting,
The Prudent Statesman. lof
78. Planting of Orchards, In n Soil and Air fit for them, is very pro-
fitable, as well as pleafont. Cyder and Perry arc good Beverage in Sea
Voyages.
79. Gardens likewife are very profitable, if planted with Artichokes, Gariwi»^.
Roots, and fuch other things as are fit for Food j whence they are pro-
perly call'd Kitchen-Gardens.
So. The planting of Hop-Yards, and the fowing of Woad, and Rape- Hop-Yards,
Seed, are found very profitable for the Planters, in Places fit for them ; and ^'^'"'"' ^^^
confequently profitable for the Kingdom ; which for feveral Years was
flirniiKed with them from beyond the Seas.
81. The planting and preferving of Wood-Lands, cfpccially thofe^"""^*-
productive of Timber, is not only profitable, but commendable •■, to flir-
nifh Pollerity, both for Building and Shipping.
82. The kingdom might be much improved by draining of drowned Dw»»'»^.
Lands, and recovering them from the overflowing both of (lilt and frefli
Waters. And many fuch Grounds would be very fit for Dairies ; which
when well look'd after, are exceedingly commodious^.
83. Much good Land might be gained from Forefls and Chafes, more Forefls and
remote from the King's Accefs, and from other Places of Common ; pro- f-'»"'"""" '"
vided due Care be taken that the poor Commoners receive no Injury by * '^r'""'
fuch Improvement.
84. The making of navigable Rivers would prove very profitable ; they Navigable
being as fo many Inlets of Wealth, by conveying Commodities with eafe ^'"'■'^"'
from Place to Place.
85. The planting of Hemp and Flax for Linen Cloth and Cordage, Sowmg of
would be an unknown Advantage to the Kingdom ; many Places therein ^"^^ ""
being as fit for it, as any foreign Parts. Underftand the fame ot Wool and
Leather of the Kingdom, if they be converted into Manufadures.
86. Let the Vanity of the Times be reftrained, which the Neighbour- ■^«^'"'■y-'''^'^
hood of other Nations has introduced : and we flrive apace to exceed our jj'"''?'^^' "*
Pattern. Let Vanity in Apparel, and which is more vain, that of the
Fafhion, be avoided. In Spain, they allow the Players and Curtefans the
Vanity of rich and coftly Cloaths •, but to fober Men and Matrons, they
forbid it upon pain of Infixmy : a feverer Punifhment upon ingenuous Na-
tures than a pecuniary Mul(5l.
87. Excels in coftly Meats and Drinks, fetch'd from beyond the Seas, "»'' -D'w.
fhould be avoided : wife Men will avoid this without a Law ; and I wifh
there might be a Law to reftrain others. The Excefs of Wine cofts the
Kingdom much; and returns nothing but Surfeits and Difeafes. Were
we as wife as we eafily might be, within a Year or two at the moft, if we
would needs drink Wine, we might drink it for half the Coft *.
88. But
» See Mr. BuJIieU's Abridgement of the Lord, hizon' s Phihfophical Theory, in Mineral Profe-J^/(^
cutions.
" The Author appears to mean, by planting Vines in England; which if well undci-
ftood and regulated, would not fail of Succefs ; as we learn, not only from the ancicat
Hillories of England ; bat alio from modern Experience,
%o6
The Prudent Statesman.
Xhenative .88. But inftead of crying up all things, which are either brought from
*^T'"r!^/'"" beyond Sea, or wrought here by the Hands of Strangers ; let us advance
the native Commodities of our own Kingdom, and employ our Country-
,,-„.y,,. men before Strangers ■■, let as turn the Wool of the Land into Cloths and
Stuffs ; and the Hemp and Flax growing here, into Linen Cloth and
Cordage : it would fet many thoufand Hands on work, and thereby ortff
Shilling worth of the Materials, would, by Induftry, be multiplied to
five, ten, and often twenty times the Value when wrought. But of all
forts of Thrift for the publick Good, I would principally recommend the
Encouragement of Hufbandry -, and the Improvement of Lands for Til-
.■C-.-.-. lage : there is no fuchUfury as this. The King cannot enlarge the Bounds
of thefe Wands, which make up his Empire ; the Ocean being the unre-
moveable Wall which inclofes them ; but he may enlarge and multiply the
Revenue thereof, by this honed and innocent Way of Hufbandry.
Engllfh Laces S9. Our Engli/Ij Ladies are much given to the wearing of coftly La-
fo he encou- ces, ^c. and, if brought irom Italy, France, or Flanders, they are in
raged. great Efteem ; whereas if the like were made by the Englijlj, fo much
Thread as would make a Yard of Lace, being put into that Manufacture,
would be five times, or perhaps ten or twenty times, the Value.
Graxjng. 50. The breeding of Cattle is great Profit ; efpecially the breeding of
Horfes, in many Places, not only for Labour, but for the Saddle ; the
EngUJl} Horfe, for Strength, Courage and Swiftnefs, not being inferior to
the Horfes of any other Kingdom.
91. The Minerals of the Kingdom, efpecially Lead, Iron, Copper,
and Tin, are of great Value, and fet many able bodied Subjefts to work :
it is great Pity the Bufinefs of Mining fhould not beinduftriouflyprofecuted.
92. But fcarce any thing is more advantageous than fifhing upon the
Coafts of thefe Kingdoms ; and the Seas belonging to them : our Neigh-
bours, within half a Day's Sail of us, with a good Wind, can fliew us the
Ufe and Value thereof And, doubtlefs, there is Sea-room enough for
both Nations, without offending one another ; and it would exceedingly
fupport the Navy.
93. This Kingdom is much enriched of late by the Trade of Merchan-
dize, which the Engl'ifi drive in foreign Parts ; and, if it be wifely ma-
naged, it muft of Neceffity prove very beneficial : Care being taken, that
the Exportation exceed the Importation in Value ; for then the Balance
of Trade muft be returned in Coin or Bullion. This would eafily be
effefted, if the Merchants were to make their Returns in folid Commodi-
ties, and not too much thereof in Vanity, tending to Excefs.
94. But fpecial Care muft be taken, that Monopolies, which are Can-
kers of all Trade, be not admitted, under fpccious Colours of publick Good.
95. To put all this under a Regulation •, if a conftant Commiffion, to
Men of Honefty and Underftanding, were gnanted, and well purfued, for
direfting the Management of thefe things, both at home and abroad, to
beft Advantage ; and this Commiffion were made fubordinate to the Coun-
cil-Board, it is conceived very good Effedts would follow.
VII.
Mining.
tijfierks.
Mtrchandi-
z.mg.
MmopoUes to
be prevented.
7^-6^ Prudent Statesman. 107
VII.
96. The next thing, is that of Colonies :ind foteign Plantations ; which ^'■""""«'''^
are very neceflary, as Outlets to a populous Nation, and may be profit-
able alio, if managed difcreetly.
97. The Choic of the Place requires many Circumftances -, viz. (i.) that Choice of
the Situation be near the Sea, for the fake of a commodious Intercourfe ^'^ P'^*;*/"''
with England; (2.) that the Temper of the Air and Climate be fuch as ^''"'""'°'"'
may beft agree with the Conftitutions of the Englijlj, rather inclining to
Cold than Heat ; (3.) that the Place be ftored with Woods, Mines, and
Fruits, which are natural to the Place ■, (4.) that the Soil be fuch as will
probably prove fruitful tor Corn, and other Conveniencies ; and for breed-
ing of Cattle ; (5.) that it have Rivers both for Paflage between Place and
Place, and alfo for fifliing ; and, (6.) that the Natives be not fo nume-
rous, but that there may be Elbow-room enough for them : all which arc
likely to be found in the JVejl-hidies.
98. The Place alfo fhould be fuch as is not already planted by theSub-
jefts of any Chriftian Prince or State; nor too nearly bordering upon their
Plantation. And it would be more convenient, to be chofen by fome of
thofe Gentlemen or Merchants who firft move in the Work ; than to be
affigned them from the King : for it muft proceed from the Option of
the People, elfe it founds like an Exile -, fo that the Colonies muft be raifed
by the leave of the King, and not by his Command.
99. After the Place is chofe, the firft ftep muft be, to choofe a fit Go- Their Gover-
vemor ; who, altho he have not the Name, yet muft have the Power of"""-
a Viceroy : and if the Perfon, who principally moved in the Work, be
not fit for that Truft ; yet he fhould not be excluded from Command ; but
then his Defeft, in the governing Part, muft be fupplied by Afliftants to be
joined with him, or fuch as he ftiall very well approve of.
100. At their fetcing out, they muft have their CommilTion, or Let- Tiw Cen-
ters-Patent from the King-, that they may acknowledge their Dependance, '"#"" '?."'^
and be under the Protection of the Crown of England : and they muft re- ^"f"'"'"""'
ceive fome general Inftrudlion how to difpofe of themfelves, when they
come there •, which ftiould be in the Nature of Laws to them.
loi . But the gener.al Law, by which they muft be guided and governed, Their Laws.
fhould be the Common Law of England ; and to that End, it will be fit
that fome Man, reafonably fkilled in the Law, and otherwife qualified
for fuch a Purpofe, be inclined, or perfuaded, to go thither as a Chancellor
among them, at firft ; and when the Plantation is more fettled, then to
have Courts of Juftice there as in England.
102. For the Difcipline of their Church •, it will be neceflary to hzvcThehMigic»,
it agree with what is fettled in England., elfe it will make a Schifm and a
Rent in Chrifi's Coat, which muft be feamlefs ; and, to this Purpofe it
will be proper, that, by the King's fupreme Power in Caufes ecclefiaftical,
within all his Dominions, they be lubordinate to fome Birtiop and Bilhoprick
of this Kingdom.
10^ At
io8
Their Forces
and Defence.
The Prudent Statesman.
103. At the firft planting, or as foon after as poffible, they muft de-
fend thcmfelves both againft the Natives, and Strangers -, and to that Pur-
pofe, muft have the Afliftance of feme able military Man ; convenient Arms
and Ammunition •, left, on a fudden, they be expofed a Prey to fome other
Nation, when they have fitted the Colony for them.
1 04. For their better Defence againft a common Enemy -, it feems beft,
that foreign Plantations fliould be placed in one Continent, and near toge-
ther : for if they are too remote from one another, they will be dif-united,
and weaker.
105. They muft provide themfelves of fuch Houfes as they can, for the
prefent; and, at more leifure, fuch as are better : and they muft firft
plant for Corn and Cattle, i^c. for Food and neceflary Suftenance ; and
after, they may enlarge themfelves to thofe things, which may be for Pro-
fit, Pleafure, and Traffick.
106. Wood for Shipping, in the firft place, may doubtlefs be there had,
and Minerals found -, however Mines out of the Fruits of the Earth, and
Seas, and Waters adjoining, will not be wanting.
107. Regard muft be had to employ the Colony in profitable Trades
and Manufadures, fuch as the Clime will beft fuit, and fuch as may be
yfeflil to this Kingdom -, and return to them an Exchange of neceflary
things.
108. In a fhort time they may build Veflels and Ships, for Traffick with
the Parts near adjoining, and with England alfo ; trom whence they may
be furniftied with fuch things as they want ; and, in Exchange or Barter,
fend from thence others, with which, either by Nature or Art, they may
foon abound.
NoOutlaws, J 09. But no known Bankrupt, for Shelter •, nor known Murderer or
^f^.j ^^'"^'other wicke-d Perfon, to avoid the Law ; nor known Heretick or Schif-
matick, ftiould be fuffered to go into thofe Countries •, or if they do creep
in there, they muft not be harboured or continued : elfe the Place would
receive them bad, and return them to England^ upon all Occafions, worfe.
no. Let the Trade, to and from the Plantations, be fo ordered, that
Jome few Merchants and Tradefmcn
the Colonies with Neceffaries, grind
in Poverty.
Commiff oners in. And to regulate all thefe Inconveniencies, which will infenfibly
Their Begin-
ning.
Their Em
ploys.
Trades,
Shipping.
mitted.
Their Trade
to he regula-
ted.
may not, under colour of fiirnifhing
them, fo as fliall always keep them
of Planta
tions
grow upon them, it were advifable
the King
ftiould ereft a fubordinate
Council in England; whofe Care and Charge it ftiould be, to advife and
put in Execution, all things which fliall be found fit for the Good ot the new
Plantations ; and who, upon all Occafions, fliall give an Account of their
Proceedings to the King, or to the Council-Board ; and from them receive
fuch DireftioRs as may beft agree with the Government of the Place.
The Unties, 112. The King's reafonable Profits are not to be neglecfted ; and may
how to be laid. ^^-^^^ from Refervation of moderate Rents and Services-, by Cuftoms and
Duties upon the Exportation, and Lnportation ot Merchandize : which,
for a convenient time after the Plantation begins, fliould be very eafy, to
encourage
The Prudent Statesman. 209
encournge the Work ; bur after it is well fettled, may be riifed to a con-
fuierable Proportion. Care muft be taken, that, when the Indiiflry of one
Man has fettled the Work, a new Man, by Infinuation, or Mif-informa-
tion, may not fupplant him ; which is the Difcouragement of all fxitliful
Endeavours.
VIII.
T I ^ We come now to the laft thing propofcd ; wz. the Court and Cti-il^i Court,
riality.
The King in his own Perfon, both in refpeft of his HoXifhold or Kings, how t»
Court, and in refpeft of his whole Kingdom (for a little Kingdom is but *""'''"/'•'•
as a great Family) muft be exemplary : Regis ad exemplutfi, &c. But
Kirgs are Men ; and feafonable Memento's may be ufeful : and being dif-
creetlv given, cannot but be well taken. And here an Admonition from
a dead Author, or a Caveat from an impartial Pen, whofe Aim neither
was, nor can be taken, as any particular By-Defign, will prevail more,
and have a better Effedl, than a down-right Advice ; which perhaps may
be miftaken, as if it were fpoken magifterially.
114. And in the next Place, the Prime Minlfter muft give no juftCaufer/^irCowiai^
of Scandal, either by light, vain, or oppreffive Carriage. of the Mini-
ng. The great Officers of the King's Hoiiftiold had need be difcreet^""' ^^
and provident Perfons, both for his Honour, and for his Profit; ^^^y of tL Ho"'-
muft look both Ways, elfe they are bur half-fighted : yet in the Choice hold.
of them, there is more Latitude left to Afiedtion, than in the Choice
of Counfellors, and the great Officers of State, who muft always be
chofe merely out of Judgment ; for in them the Publick has a great
Concern.
116. The other minifterial Officers in Court, as for Diftinftion (xke The other mi-
they may be termed, alfo require an Eye upon them. They have ufually "'!/'"'"'' o#-
rifen in the Houfhold by Degrees; and it is a noble Way to encourage"""
faithful S:;rvice : but the King muft not bind himfelf to a Neceffity here-
in ; for tlien it would be held ex debito : neither muft he alter it, without
an apparent Caufe. But to difplace any who are in, upon Difpleafure,
which ufually happens upon the Information of fome great Man, is, by all
means, to be avoided ; unlefs there be a manifeft Reafon for it.
1 1 7. But it feems beft to leave the ordering of the Houftiold-Affairs toT^e white-
the White-Staffs, who are thofe honourable Perfons, to whom it mo-^"^S^'' ""'^,
perly belongs, and are anfwerable to the King for it ; and to thofe other '
Officers of the Green-Cloth, who are fubordinate to them, as a kind of
Council, and alfo a Court of Juftice. Tho for the Green-Cloth Law, in
the largeft Senfe, I have no Opinion of it, farther than it is regulated by
the juft Rules of the Common Laws of England,
118. Towards the Support of his Majefty's own Table, and of the.rhePiir%e-j-
Princes, and of his necefiary Officers, his Majefty has a good Help by ""'^^"
Pur\'eyance, which juftly is his Due ; and, if juftly ufed, is no great
Burden to the Subjecft : but by the Purveyors, and other under Officers, it is
V 0 L. II. E e often
no The Prudent Statesman.
often abufed. In many Parts of the Kingdom it is reduced to a Certainty
in Money ; and if it be indifi^erently and difcreedy managed, it would be
no liard matter to fettle it fo throughout the whole Kingdom •, tho to be
renewed from time to time : for that will be the befl and fafeft, both for
King and People.
The Revenues. 119. The King muft be put in mind to preferve the Revenues of his
Crown, both certain and cafual, without Diminution -, and to lay up Trea-
fure in Store againft a time of Extremity. Empty Cofiers give an ill found •,
and make the People many times forget their Duty ; thinking that the
King muft be beholden to them for his Supplies.
No officers to no. I by HO means think it fit, that the King fhould reward any of
bereii\irde,i j^j^ Servants with the Benefit of Forfeitures, either by Fines in the Court
7ures. '' o*^ Star-Chamber, or High-CommilTion Courts, or other Courts of Juf-
tice •, or that they fhould be fxrm'd out, or beftowed upon any, fo much
as by Promife, before Judgment given : this would neither be profitable
nor honourable.
M.ifyues and 121. Laftly ; befides Matters of ferious Confideration, in the Courts of
un 'i"'^'' Princes, there muft be times for Recreation and Sports : when there is a
Queen, and Ladies of Honour attending her, there muft fometimes be
Mafques, and Revels, and Interludes. And when there is no Queen, or
Princes, yet at Feftivals, and for the Entertainment of Strangers, or upon
Inch Occafions, they may be proper alfo. But Care fhould be taken, that,
in fuch Cafes, they be fet oft' more with Wit and Livelinefs, than with
Coft and wafteful Expence ^.
^ For more upon the whole of this ufeful Subjeft, fee ihe Author's EJfays, Seil. III.
SUP-
SUPPLEMENT XIV.
PROPOSAL
F O R A
New Digest
OF THE
LAWS of England;
Made to King J A M E S l.^
Ee X
* See Fol. I. pag. 259.
115
A PROPOSAL/or a New Digest
of the Laws.
I. A M O N G the Degrees and Arts of heroical Honour, the firft Kingitopir-
y% or fecond is the Perfon and Merit of a Law-gher " . Princes,/'""^" ''•""■
f-\ who govern well, are Fathers of the People: but if a Pa- f '"^"^ ^"""^
Ji^ J^ ther educate his Son well, or allow him liberally while he ^ "^^
lives ; yet leaves him nothing at his Death, whereby both he and his
Defcendants may be the better ; the Care and Piety of a Father is not here
compleat. So Kings, who make a Portion of an Age happy by their
good Government ; yet, if they do not make Teftaments, whereby a
Perpetuity of Good may dcfcend to riieir Country, they are but mortal,
and tranfitory Benefactors.
2. If any of the meaner Politicians, whofe Talent it is to fee the worft The vfe of
of things, fhall think, that Laws are but Cobwebs; that good Princes may ^"«^^» '^'f*
do well without them ; and that bad ones will not value them much ; they '"^*"'"'' '"
judge neither well nor wifely. For certainly, good Laws are fome Bridle
to bad Princes ; and as a Wall about Government. And if Tyrants
fometimes make a Breach into them, yet they mollify even Tyranny it-
felf ; as Solon's Laws did the Tyranny of Piftjiratus : and befides, they com-
monly rife again, upon the firft Advantage of better times.
3. Other Means to perpetuate the Memory, and Mcrks of Sovereign Lau's tLe l>efi
Princes, are inferior to this. The Building of Temples, Tombs, Palaces, -'^^f'"'^ "/ /""■-
Theatres, and the like, are honourable things ; and look big upon Pofte- ^'''"'"'"^ '^*
rity : but Conjlantine the Great gave a proper Appellation to fuch Works, ^prmcel.
when he call'd Trajan, who was a great Builder, by the Name of Parie-
taria, or Wall-Flower ; becaufe his Name was upon fo many Walls.
Mrian's Vein was better ; for he determined to wreftle a Fall with Time :
and going frequent ProgrefTes over all his Empire -, whenever he found any
Decays of Bridges, or Highways, or Cuts of Rivers and Sewers, or Walls,
or Banks, or the like, he gave fubftantial Orders for their Repair. He
alfo granted Multitudes of Charters and Liberties for the Comfort of de-
cay'd Companies and Corporations : fo that his Bounty ftrove with the
Ruins of Time. Yet tho this was an excellent Difpofition, it reached,
in effeft, but to the Shell and Outfide of a Commonwealth : it avail'd
nothing to Virtue or Vice. A bad Man might take the Benefit and Eafe
of
* See below, J. 10.
ZT^ y^ FRO? OS ALj for a New
of the Ways and Bridges, as well as a good one ; and a bad People might
/ purchafe good Charters. The better Works of Perpetuity in Princes, are
doubtlefs thofe that wafh the Infide of the Cup : fuch as Foundations of
Colleges, and Leftures for Learning, and the Education of Youth ; Foun-
dations and Inftitutions of Orders, and Fraternities, for Noblenefs, En-
terprize. Obedience, and the like. Yet thefe too are but like Plantations
ot Orchards and Gardens, in Spots of Ground, here and there ; they do
not Till the whole Kingdom, and make it fruitful, like the eftablifhing of
good Laws and Ordinances ; which renders a whole Nation as a well re-
gulated College or Foundation.
tj"^""-"^" ."..&.
Examples of 4. This kind of Work is rare enough in Hiftory, to fliew it excellent -,
the Thw^ m y^j j^qj- fg ^^j-g ^5 j-q make it fufpefted for impoffible, inconvenient, or
'■^""^' unfafe. Hfo/es, who gave Laws to the Hebrews, being the Scribe of God,
is fitter to be mentioned for Honour to other Law-givers, than to be
rank'd among them. Minos, Lycurgus, and Solon, are Examples for the
Themes of Grammar-Schojars. For ancient Perfonages and Characters,
as Times go now, become Children again ; tho the Parable of Pindar is
true, that the be ft of things is TVater : for common ;ind trivial Things are
the beft, and are rather defpifed thro Pride, becaufe they are vulgar, than
for any juft Caufe. Certainly, the Laws of thofe three Legiflators had
' great Prerogatives : firfl, the Prerogative of Fame; becaufe they were
a Pattern among the Grecians ; fecondly, that of Lifting -, for they conti-
nued longeft without Alteration ; and thirdly, that of a Spirit of Revival,
to be often opprefled, and often reftored.
The Kinase/ ^. Among the feven Kings of Rome, four were Law-givers: for it is
Rome. iuftly obferved, that never State was fo well fwaddled in its Infixncy, as
the Roman, by virtue of their firft Kings •, which was a principal Caule of
the wonderful Growth it afterwards received.
r/?e Decern- g. Xhe Decemvir's Laws were Laws upon Laws, and not Originals ;
^"^' for they grafted Laws of Greece upon a Roman Stock of Laws and Cuf-
toms -, but fuch was their Succefs, that the twelve Tables they compiled,
were the main Body of the Laws, which framed and wielded the great
Body of that State. Thefe lafted long, with fome Supplemental, and
the Prctorian Edifts in Albo ; which were, in refpeft of Laws, as Writing-
Tables in refpect of Brafs •, the one to be put in and out, whilft the other
is permanent. Lucius Cornelius Sylla reformed the Laws of Rome : for he
had three Singularities, which never Tyrant had befides ; viz. (i.) that he
was a Lawgiver ; (2.) that he fided with the Nobility •, and, (3.) that he
turned private Man, not thro Fear, but Confidence.
Ca:far. ^_ Ctejar, long after, defired to imitate him only in the firft ; for other-
wife he relied upon new Men -, and for refigning his Power, Seneca defcribes
him right : Cajar foon JJjeathed bis Srjord, but never laid it afide ''. And
himfelf took it upon him, laying in Scorn of Sylla's Refignation ; Sylla
knew no Letters, he could not dilate ". Bur for the Part of a Law-giver,
Cicero
•^ C&fiir Gladimn c'lio conditlit, nunjuam pofiiit.
' Sylla nefctvit Literas, dlB'are non potuii.
Digest (?/' /Z?^ Laws. iiy
Cicero g\yci b.im the Attribute i If you had aiiCd Qtc^ax what be did in the
Gown, he ivotild ha-jc anpvjered, that he ?iiade many excellent Lazvs '. His
Nephew Jugtifius trod the llime Steps, but with dt-epcr Print, beciuife of
his long iind peacctiil Reign ; whereof one of the Poets of his Age f;;ys ;
Thai IV hen L: had given Peace to the Earth , he bent his Mind to the Confider-
ation of Rights and Privileges, and the eua&ing of jafl Laics ?.
8. From that time there was fuch a Race of Wit and Authority, be- Juftini.in.
tween the Commentaries and Decifions of the Lawyers, and the Edidls of
the Emperors, that both Laws and Lawyers were out of Breath. Wliere-
upon Jujiinian in the End recompiled the whole, and made a Body of fuch
Laws as might be wielded -, which himfelf glorioufly and truly calls, the
raiftng of a Temple facred to Jujlice; built indeed on the former Ruins of
Books, as Materials, and fome new Conltitutions of his own.
9. In yithens t\\(iy \-\:i.d Scxviri, :i% /Efchines obferves, or Staading-Com-rhe'^exvlriof
mijjioners, who watched to fee what Laws grew improper for the Times, Athens.
and what new Law in any Branch crolled a former •, and lb ex officio pro-
poled their Repeal.
10. King Edgjr collcfted the Laws of this Kingdom ; and gave them xi^^ Edg.\r.
the Strength of a F.tggot bound •, whereas they formerly were difperfed.
And that was more Glory to him, than his failing about this Ifland, with
a potent Fleet : which was, as the Scripture lays ; the ivay of a Ship in
the Sea; it var.iflied, but this lafts.
11. Jlphonfo the Wife, the Ninth of that Name, King of Cafiile, A\^hon^oaf
compiled the Digeft of the Laws of Spain, entitled the Sicte Partidas ; Caftile.
an excellent Work, which he finiflied in feven Years. And as Tacitus well
obferves, that tl\e Capitol, tho built in the Beginnings of Rome, was yet
fit for the great Monarchy that came after ; fo that Building of Laws
fuffices for the Greatnefs of the Spaniflj Empire, which has fince enfued.
12. Leivis XI. had it at heart to have made one conftant Law of France, Lew's \'I. of
extrafted out of the Civil Romani^i^xi , and the Cuftoms of the Provinces, Fr.uue.
which are various, and the King's EdiSls, which, with the French, are
Statutes. Surely he might have done well, if, as he brought the Crown
from Page, which is his own ExprefTion, fo he had brought his People
from Lackey ; that they might not run up and down for their Laws to the
Civil Latv, the Ordinances, the Cuftoms, the Difcretions of Courts, and
the Difcourfes of Philofophers, as they do.
13. King Henry VIII. in the twenty-feventh Year of his Reign, was Henry VIII.
authorized by Parliament, to nominate thirty-two CommiiTiorers, part"/ ^"S'-i"'^-
ecclefiaftical, and part temporal, to purge the Canon Law, and make it
agreeable to the Law of God, and the Law of the Land ; but it took no
eti'tA : for the Acts of that King were commonly rather Proffers and Ru-
mours, than well grounded, or well purfued. But I may err in producing
fo
' Cifar, fi ab to quircretur, quid egijfet in Toga, Leges reffondijfet multas V pncUras
tulijfe. "
8 Pace data Terris, animum ad civilia vertit
Jura fuum -, Lege/que tulit jujlijjimus author.
%i6 y^ ?K0? O SAL, for a New
fo many Examples. For as Cicero faid to Ciefar, fo may I fay to your
Majefty, Nil 'vulgare te dignum videri pojjit ''. And indeed, the thing well
tinderftood, is fivr from vulgar : for the Laws of moft Kingdoms and States,
have been like Buildings of many Pieces ; and patch'd up from time to time,
according to Occafions, without Frame or Model.
The Laws of j^_ For the Laws of jE^^Z-^W; to fpeak my Opinion, without Partiality
^^Untcf"' ^'^*^'" ^^ "^y Profeffion or Country ; as to the Matter and Nature of them,
ra eri^i . ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ moderate : they give to God •, they give to
Cafar ; they give to the Subjedt what appertains. True, they are as mix'd
as our Language; compounded of Britip, Roman, Saxon, Daniflj, and
Norman Cuftoms : And furely as our Language is thereby fo much the richer ;
our Laws are likewife by that Mixture the more compleat.
Require A- j^_ -^q^ ^q^^ thjs attribute lefs to them, than thole who would have
mmdmint. ^^^^^ ^^ j^^^^ ^^^j j.|^g j-^^^^^ j^^ ^U Mutations : for no Tree is fo good firft
fet, as by tranfplanting and grafting. But tho the Matter of them be ex-
cellent, they certainly require Amendment in point of Form ; which to re-
duce and perfeft, I hold as one of the greateft Dowries that can be con-
ferred upon this Kingdom.
rhcWorkre- j g_ This Work, as for its Excellency, it is worthy of your Majefty's
xi^rjames'" Aft and Times ; fo it has fome Circumftance of Propriety agreeable to
on account o/your Perfon. God has blefTed your Majefty with Pofterity •, and I am not
his ijfue. of the Opinion, that childlefs Kings are fitteft to fupply Perpetuity of Gene-
rations, by Perpetuity of noble Afts ; but contrarywife, that they who leave
Pofterity, are the more interefted in the Care of future Times •, that as well
their Offspring, as their People, may participate of their Merit.
And learned j^. Your Majefty is a great Matter in Juftice and Judicature; and it
■^""'^" were a Pity the Fruit of that your Virtue fhould not be tranfmitted to fuc-
ceeding Ages. Your Majefty alfo reigns in learned Times ; the more, no
doubt, in regard of your own Perfeftion in Learning ; and by your Patro-
nage thereof. And it has been the Misfortune of Works of this Nature,
that the lefs learned Times have wrought upon the more learned ; which
now will not be the Cafe.
The Author's ig. As for myfelf, the Law was my Profeffion-, to which I am a Debt-
^1%"^^ '? or : fome little Helps I have of other Arts ; which may give Form to Mat-
ter. And I have now, by God's merciful Chaftizement, and by his fpecial
Providence, Time and "Leifure, to put my Talent, or half Talent, or
what it is, to fuch Exchanges, as may perhaps exceed the Intereft of an
aftive Life. Therefore, as in the beginning of my Troubles, I offered
your Majefty to take pains in the Hiftory of England; and in compiling a
Method and Digefi of your Laws -, I have, in fome meafure, performed the
firft ', which refted only upon myfelf ; and now, in all Humility, renew the
OiTer of this latter, which will require Help and Affiftance ; if it ftiall
ftand with your Majefty's good Pleafure to employ my Service therein.
19. To
^ Tlmt nothing vulgar feems worthy of yoii.
' As having now publifhed liis Hiftoiy of King Henry VII.
Digest of the Laws. 117
19. To give your Majefty fome View of the Work, as I propofe \x_^-^'^'itvji>ftht
permit me to lay fomewhat of its Dignity., its Safety and Convenience ; and ^^'"^ f"^"'
laftly, to fhew how it may be cffedied : which will bcft dcmonftrate it to
be no vafl or fpeculative Thing, but real and fcafible.
20. And firft, I have nothing to fay by way of taxing the Laws ; /^j Di^»//y.
but fpeak only by way of perfeEling them ; which is eafieft in the
beft things : for tnat which is greatly amifs, hardly receives Amend-
ment -, but that which has already, to that more may be given. What
I fhall propofe being not as to the Matter of Laws •, but only as to
the Manner of their Regiftring, ExprelTion, and Tradition ; fo as to
give them rather Light than any new Nature. Thus then, for the Z)/>-
nity of the Work, I fcarce know where to find the like ; tor furcly that
Scale, and thofe Degrees of fovereign Honour, arc true and rightly mar-
fhalled : Firft, the Founders of States •, then Law-givers ; then Deliver-
ers after long Calamities ; then the Fathers of their Countries, or juft and
prudent Princes ; and laftly. Conquerors : an Honour not to be received
among the reft ; except where there is more Addition of Country and Ter-
ritory to a better Government, than that of the Conquered. Of thefe, in
my Judgment, your Majefty may, with more Truth than Flattery, be en-
titled to the firft ; becaufe of your uniting Britain, and planting Ireland ;
both which favour of the Founder. What I now propofe, may adopt you
alfo to the fecond. La-jo-groers have been called Principes perpelui -, as be-
ing, after their Dcceafe, ftill Kings and Rulers, in their Laws. But this
Work ftiining fo in itfclf, needs no Taper.
21. For the Safety and Convenience thereof -, 'tis proper to confider, and its Safety and
anfwer thofe Objeftions, or Scruples, that may arife, or be made againft 'n^ Convenience.
The firft may be this.
Ohjedlion I.
22. That it is a ncedlefs thing ; that the Latxj, as it now fiands, is in (jObjeaions.
good State, comparable to any foreign Law ; and that it is not pojfibk for ihe^'''"'jfl^'"'''
Wit of Man, in refpetl of the Fraiity thereof, to provide againfi the Incer- " ""'
tainties and Eva/tons, or Omiffions, of Law.
Anfwer.
23. For the Comparifon with foreign Laws ; it is in vain to fpeak of it : The Law of
for Men will never agree about it. Our Lawyers will be for our munici- ^r^^'^"'^/
pal Laws ; Civilians, Scholars, and Travellers, will be of the other Opi- [han foreign''
nion. Ltnv!.
24. But certain it is, that our Laws, as they now ftand, are fubjeft to inconvenience
great Incertainties, and Variety of Opinion, Delays and Evafions : whence "^ '^' '''^'''^ "-^
follows, (i.) great Multiplicity and Length of Suits. (2.) The concen- ^"='^"'**
tious Perfon is armed •, and the honeft Subjeft wearied and opprefTed.
(3.) The Judge is moreabfolute ; and in doubtful Cafes, has a greater Scope
and Liberty. (4.) The Chancery-Courts are more filled •, the Remedy of
Law being often obfcure and doubtful. (5.) The ignorant Lawyer ikreens
Vol. II. Ff his
xi8
^PROPOSAL y^r^ New
To knoiv
Pen A Laws.
his Ignorance of Law, in frequent and numerous Doubts : and, (6.) Mens
AfTurances of their Lands and Eftates by Patents, Deeds, and Wills, are
hollow, and often fubjeft to Queftion •, with many the like Inconvenien-
cies.
25. And as all Laws do, more or lefs, participate of Incertainties, it is a
■when the Df- good Rulc and Direftion, to mark whether the Doubts that arife are only
^Uw '" ^" Cafes of ordinary Experience, or in fuch as happen not every Day : if in
the firft, impute it to Frailty of Man's Forefight, that cannot reach by
Law to all Cafes ; but if in the latter, be afTured there is a Fault in the
Law. Of this I fay no more, but that (to give every Man his Due) had
it not been for Sir Edward Cook's Reports (which, tho they may have Er-
rors, and fome peremptory and extrajudicial Refolutions, more than are
warranted ; yet they contain infinite good Decifions, and Rulings over of
Cafes) the Law by this time had been almoft like a Ship without Ballaft ;
for the Cafes of modern Experience are fled from thofe that are adjudged,
and ruled in former time.
26. But the Neceffity of this Work is yet greater in the Statute Law.
For firft, there are as many enfnaring Penal Laws, which lie upon the
Subjedt : and if in bad Times they fhould be awaked, and put in Execu-
tion, would grind them to Powder. A learned Civilian interprets the Curfe
of the Prophet, // Jlmll rain Snares upon them., of a Multitude of Penal
Laws ; wiiich are worfe than Showers of Hail, or Tempefts upon Cattle ;
for they fall upon Men. There are fome Penal Laws fit to be retained 1
but their Penalty is too great : for it is ever a Rule, that any over-great
Penalty, befides the Acerbity of it, deadens the Execution of the Law.
There is a farther Inconvenience of obfokte Penal Laws ; for this brings
a Gangrene, Negleft, and Habit of Difobedience upon other wholfome
Laws, that are fit to be continued in Praftice, and Execution : fo that
our Laws endure the Torment of Mezentius ; 'The Living die in the Arms of
the Dead.
27. Laftly, there is fuch an Accumulation of Statutes concerning one
Matter, and they fo crofs and intricate, that the Certainty of Law is loft
in the Heap.
Objemon II.
28. That it is a great Innovation; and Innovations are dangerous, beyond
Forefight.
Anfwer.
Tht charge of 29. All Purgings and Medicines, either in the civil ornatural Body, are
imiovation Innovations : whence this Argument is a Common-place againft all noble Re-
anfvjered formations. But the Truth is, that this Work ought not to be termed, or
jrom eajon, j^^y^ ^^ Innovation in the fufpefted Senfe., For thofe are the Innovations
objefted and ipoken againft, that concern the Confciences, Eftates, and
Fortunes of particular Perlbns : but this of general Ordinance, pricks not
Particulars, but pafies filently. Befides, 'tis on the favourable Part ; for
it
Accu-r>ula-
tion of Sta
ttttes.
Digest of the Laws. 119
it eafes and prefles noc : and laflly, 'tis rather Matter of Order and Ex-
planation, than of Alteration. Neither is this withoiit Precedent in former ""'^ f'^"'"
Governments. For, as was above obferved, the Romam, by their Decern- ^''"' '"'^'
virs, made their twehe Tables ; but that indeed was only a new enafting or
conftiniting of Laws, not a regiftring or recompiling : and they were made
out of the Laws of the Grecians, not out of their own Cuftoms. In Athens
they had Sexz-iri, who were Standing Comminioners to watch what Laws
became improper for the time ; and what new Law in any refpeft croflld a
former ; and fo motion'd their Repeals. Lewis XL of France intended to
have made one perfect and uniform Law, out of the Roman I,aw, and the
provincial Cuftoms of France. Jujiinian, by CommilTions direded to di-
verfe Perfons, learned in the Laws, reduced the Roman Laws from Vaft-
nefs of Volume and a Labyrinth of Incertainties, to that Courfe of Civil
Law-, which is now in ufe. And at home. King Henry VIII. in the twen-
ty-feventh Year of his Reign, was authorized by Parliament to nominate
thirty-two Commiflloners ; part ecclefiaftical, part temporal, to purge the
Canon Laiv, and make it agreeable to the Law of God, and the Law of
the Land : and the fame was revived in the fourth Year of Edward VI. tho
neither ' "* "^
mental.
neither took effeft. And the Statutes of King Edward I. were fiinda
Obje^ion III.
30. In thus purging the Courfe of Common Laws y and Statutes, w«f^ Gooi That much
may be taken away. ^1°^ "^^^^ ^'
■' ^ taken away.
jinfwer.
31 . In all Purging, fome good Humours maybe difcharged ; but tliat is
largely recompenfed by lightening the Body of much bad.
ObjeBion IV.
32. Labour were better bcfowcd, in bringing the Common Laws of Eng- Whctherbet-
land to a Text Law., as the Statutes are ; and fetting both of them down in "^'' '° ^°'''" ^
Method, and by Titles. ^"" ^'"^''
Jnfwer.
33. 'Tis too long to debate, \^\\e\hex Lex Script a, autnonScripta, uText
Law, or Cufoms well regiftred, with received and approved Grounds and
Maxims, ;md judicial Ads and Refolutions, from time to time duly enter'd
and reported, be the better Form of declaring and authorizing. It was
the principal Oracle of Lycurgus, that none of his Laws fhould be written.
Cuftoms are Laws written in living Tables ; and fome Traditions the
Church does not difauthorize. In all Sciences, they are the foundeft that
keep clofc to Particulars ; and I am fure there are more Doubts arife upon
our Statutes, which are a Text Law ; than upon the Common Law, which
is no Text Law : but however the Queftion be determined, I dare not advife
cafting the Law into a new Mould. The Work I propofe tends but to
F i - prune
axo j^ VKOV OS Ah for a New
prune and graft rhe Law •, a id not to plough up and plant it again : for
iuch a Remove, I fliould hold indeed for a dangerous Innovation.
ObjeSlion V.
That it will 34, It 'Will turn the Judges, Cotmfellors and Students of Law, to School
caufe the again •, and make them at a lefs ivhat to bold and ad'vife for Law : and it will
Law 10 be ^ r^ ^ ^^,y Charge upon all Lawyers, to furnifi thenifehes with new Books
of Law.
jinCwer.
Anjwni. 35- The former, 'tis true, would follow, if the Law were new moulded
into a Text Law ; for then Men muft begm anew •, and this is one of the
Reafons for which I difallow that Courfe. But in the way I now pro-
pofe, the entire Body and Subftance of the Law will remain, only dif-
charged of idle and unprofitable, or hurtful Matter •, and illuftrated by
Order, and other Helps, towards the better underftanding of it, and
forming Judgment thereon.
36. For the latter part of the new Charge ; 'tis not worth the fpeaking
of, in a Matter of fo high Lnportance : it might have been ufed of the
new Tranflation of the Bible, and the like Works. Books muil follow
Sciences, and not Sciences follow Books.
UowtheWcrh 37. The Work itfelf, or the Recompilement of the Laws of England.,
utobeejfe(led-,\^ ^o be eflefted in this manner. It confiils of two Parts; (i.) the Digcfl,
or recompiling of the Common Lav/; and, (2.) that of the Sta-
tutes. In the firft of thefe, three things are required ; (i.) the com-
piling of a Book de Jntiquitatibus Juris. (2.) The reducing or perfeSling of
the Courfe or Corps of the Common Laws : and, (3.) 7'he compofmg of certain
introduiiory and auxiliary Books, directing the Study of the Laws.
Viz, 38. I. For the frjl of thefe; all ancient Records in your Majefty's
By compiling fower, or elfewhere, containing Afts of Parliament, Lords Patents,
a Book con- Commifllons, Judgments, and the like, are to be fearched, perufed, and
"AntiqJiies ff/weighed : and out of them are to be fclefted thofe that are of moft worth
theLaw. and weight ; and in Order of Time, not of Titles, (for the greater Con-
formity with the Tear-Books) to be fet down and regiftred, rarely in h^c
z-erba ; but fummed with Judgment : not omitting any material part.
Thefe are to be ufed for reverend Precedents ; but not for binding Autho-
rities.
A Courfe of 39. II. For thc fecond, which is the main, there is to be made a perfed
Lavj in the Courfe of the Law infcrieTemporis, or Year-Books, as we call them, from
'"^"'''^^'"^' Edzvardl. to this Day. In the compiling of this Courfe of Latv, or
Year-Books, the following Points are to be obferved. Firji, all Cafes,
which at this Day are clearly no Law, but always ruled to the contra-
ry, fliould be left out ; as they do but fwell the Volumes, and feafon the
Wits of Students in a contrary Senfe of Law. So likewife all Cafes,
wherein that is folemnly and long debated, whereof there is now no quef-
tion at all, are to be cnter'd as Judgments only, and Refolutions ; but
without
Digest of the "Lavj s. an
without the Arguments, which are now become frivolous. Yet, for the
Obfcrvation of the deeper fort of Lawyers ; that they may fee how the
Law has alter'd ; I advife, that upon the firft, in time, of thofe obfolete
Cafes, tliere be a Memoranduy» fet, denoting that at this time the Law was
th«s taken, until fuch a time, ^c.
40. Secondly, Homonymla:, as Jujlinian calls them, that is Cafes merely Homony-
of Iteration and Repetition, are to be purged away ; and the Caf^-s of "^'•^ '" ^' ''/*
Identity, which arc befl reported and argued, to be retained inftead of the"'"*
reft : the Judgments neverthelefs to be fet down, every one in time as
they are ; and with a Quotation or Reference to the Cafe, where the Point
is argued at large : but if. the Cafe confift part of Repetition, part of new
Matter, the Repetition is only to be omitted.
41. "Thirdly y as to the yfntinomiie, or Cafes judged to the contrary ; itAminomii,
were too great a Trull to refer the Decifion of the Law, either way, to^""'" 'j ^'
the Judgment of the Compilers of this Work ; except there be a current "" ' '
Stream of Judgments of later times : and then I reckon, the contrary Cafes
among obfolete Cafes, of which I fpoke before. Neverthelefs, fuch Cafes
of Contradiction fhould be efpccially noted and collected ; to the end thofe
Doubts, that have been fo long militant, may either by affembling all the
Judges in the Exchequer-Chamber, or by Parliament, be reduced to a
Certainty. For to do it, by bringing them in queftion under feign'd Par-
ties, is to be diQiked. Nil babeat Forum ex Seem ^.
42. Fourthly, All idle Queries, which are but Seminaries of Doubts and idleSiuerie!
Incertainties, fliould be omitted ; and no Queries fet down, but of great '" ^* '''"'"^"'*
Doubts, well debated and left undecided, on account of their Difficulty :
but all doubting or upftarting Queries, tho touched in Argument, for Ex-
planation, yet were better to die tlian be preferv'd in the Books.
43. Laftly, Cafes reported with too great Prolixity, fliould be dra.wn Tedious Cafes
into a more compendious Report ; not in the Nature of an Abridgment ; f^J>'fl>o'''"^-
but Tautologies and Impertinencies to be cut off. As for Mifprinting, and '
infenfible Reporting, which often confound the Students ; thofe will be
amended occafionally. But principally, if there beany thing in the Report
which is not well warranted by the Record -, thatalfo is to be rectified.
44. The Courfe being thus compiled, it remains only for your Majefty ^«'/'«'■'f" '" ^e
to appoint fome grave and found Lawyers, with an honourable Stipend, to''^^'""
be Reporters ', for the time to come : and then this is fettled for all times.
45. III. The /Auxiliary Books conducing to the Study and Knowledge -^«««/'«'•y
of the Law, are three; i7Z. (i.) Inftitutions: (2.) a Treatife Z)^ /?^^«/«^'"'*'*'
Juris: and (3.) a better Book, De Verboriim Significationibus, or Terms of
the Law.
46. (i.) For the Injlitutions ; there are Books of Introductions of good i^ftituwns.
Worth, efpecially Littleton and Fitzher bet's Natura Brcvium: but they are
no
'' Let not the Courts of Juflice copy the Stage.
' The Author here adds a Note; viz, " This Conftltution of Reporters I obtained
" of the King, after 1 -^vas Chancellor; and there are two appointed, each with a Sii-
" pend of 100 /. a Year."
aix A PROPOSAL /<?r^ New
no way in the Nature of an Inftitution •, the Office whereof is to be a
Key and general Preparation to the reading of the Courfe. And principal-
ly it ought to have two Properties ; the one, that of a perfpicuous and clear
Method •, and the other that of an univerfal Latitude or Comprehenfion :
whence the Students may have a little Prs-notion of every thing ; like a
Model towards a great Building.
A Treatife of ^y_ (■j) po,- j^g Treatife De Regulis Juris, I hold it of all things the moft
RukJoflaw important to the Health, and good Inftitutions of any Laws : it is indeed
like the Ballaft of a Ship, to keep all upright and ftable. But I have feen
little in this kind, either in our own, or other Laws, that fitisfies me. The
naked Rule or Maxim, has not the EfFeft : it mud be made ufeful by good
Differences, Ampliations, and Limitations, warranted by good Autho-
rities ; and this not by raifing up of Quotations and References, but by
Difcourfe and Deducement in a juft Treatife . In this I have laboured my-
felf ; and will go on with ic, if God and your Majefty will give me
leave ". And I affure your Majefty, 1 have good Hopes, that when
Sir Edward Cook's Reports, and my Rules and Decifions, fhall come to
Pofterity •, there will be, (whatever is now thought,) Queftion, who was
the greater Lawyer.
Law-Didio- ^g. (3.) For the Books of the Terms of Law ; there is a poor one : but I
"'"■> wifh for a better, wherein fhould be comprifed not only the Expofition
of the Terms of Law, but of the Words of all ancient Records and
Precedents.
Abridge- ^g_ ^5 for ylbridgements, I could wifli, if it were poffible, that none
■ments. might ufe them, but fuch as had read the Courfe firft ; that they might
ferve for Repertories to learned Lawyers ; and not to make a Lawyer in
hafte: but fince that cannot be, I wilh there were a good Abridegment com-
pofed of the two that are extant, and in better Order. And fo much for
the Common Law.
T/i^Statute- ^q. IV. The Reforming and Recompiling of the Statute Law confifts
le7e'Jn7ied ^^ four Parts, (i.) The firji is, todifcharge the Books of thofe Statutes,
rheTtTtutes where the Cafe, by Alteration of time, is vanifhed ;. as Lombards, Jews,
concerning Gaul's Half-pence, i^c. Thefe may yet remain in the Libraries for An-
Ca:es vanifi}- tiquities ; but lliould not be reprintecl. The like I propofe of Statutes long
'i"'t'/'^' fi'ice expired, and clearly repealed ; for if the Repeal be doubtful, itmuft
" ' be lb propounded to the Parliament.
The afekfs 51. (2.) The next is, to repeal all Statutes, which are fleeping and not
And enfnaring Qf i;fe ; but yetenfoarlng and in force. And here it will perhaps be fome-
pealed.
"> Tlie Author publifhed a Specimen of a Treatife of this kind, and dedicated it to
Queen lllix,aheth ; with a Preface containing part of the Scheme, here laid down, for the
Amendment and Recompiling of the Laws of England. It is entitled, A Coiledion of
fame principal Rules and Maxims of the Common Laiv ; with their Latitude and Extent. This
Piece conlifts of twenty-Kve ftiort Rules, or Maxims, of Law ; explained, exemplified,
and applied, in tlie Language peculiar to the iazf ; fo as defignedly to exclude all Rea-
■ ders, but thofe of the Profellion. The Author publifned only thefe twenty-five firit, as
a.Tafte; defigning to h.ivc followed them with a much larger Number ; having, as he
tells us, coUectedthree hundred for the piirpofe : but the reft never appeared.
D I G E S T ^?/' //j^ L A W S. 115
times requifite to fubftiuitc a more reaibnable Law inftead of them, agree-
ble to the time ; in others a fimple Repeal may fuffice.
52. (3.) The third is, that the Grievoufnefs of the Penalty in many ^*« ^"''''•'"•■
Statutes be mitigated ; tho the Ordinances (land. fnlZul
5^. (4.) The lajl is, the reducing of concurrent Statutes, heaped one up-
on another, to a fingle, clear, and uniform Law. Towards this there has htcnccncurrent
already, upon my Motion, and your Majefly's Direfbion, a great deal ofi'^'»'" to It
good Pains taken ; my Lord //c^iir/, myft-lf. Sergeant F;W/^, M.r. Hefie.ige'^' """
Finch, Mr. Noye, Mr. Hackwell, and others, whofe Labours being of a
great Bulk, 'tis not fit now to trouble your Majefty with any farther Parti-
culars therein ■, only by this, you may perceive the Work is already ad-
vanced.
54. But becaufe this part, which concerns the Statute Laws, muft of Ne- The whole to
ceffity coiTie to Parliament ; and the Houfes will beft like what themfelves^'"^'"'^"'"
guide, and the Perfons themfclves employ ; the way were to imitate the "'^"''"^■^ "^' '
Precedent of the CommifTioners for the Canon Laws in 27 Hen. VIII. and
4 Ed-M. VI. and the CommifTioners for the Union of the two Realms, pnmo
of your Majefty ; and fo to have the CommifTioners named by both Houfes -,
yet not with a precedent Power to conclude, but only to prepare and pro-
pound to Parliament.
;;5. This is the beft way, I conceive, of accomplifhing fo excellent a
Worki of Honour to your Majefty's Times, and of Good to all Times:
which I fubmit to your Majefty's better Judgment ".
" For the Reafons why no greater Progrefs was made in this Undertaking, fee the Au-
thor's Letter to Bilhop Andrews ^ Snfflem. V. SeJt^ II. ad finem. See alfOj the De At'.g-
mtnt. Saentiar. fag. 241, vc.
SUP-
SUPPLEMENT XV.
HISTORY
O F T H E
Nature, Use,
AND
Proceedings,
OF THE
LAWS of England.
Vol. II. Gg PRE-
PREFACE.
TH E folloiving Tiece is a familiar Account of the Na-
ture, Vfe, and Troceedings of many of the Lais:js of
England. It feems chiefly intended for the Information
of fuch as do not frofefs the Law\ or make that their
particular Study. 'Tis no finijhed Work ; nor continued thro
all the Branches of the LwjiJ. The Author iz-as difcouraged from
frofccuting the great iJefign he had formed of "Digefting,, Amend-
ing, and Reducing the Law ; by finding it an ^Undertaking that
required the AJJiftance of more Hands than his oian. And^ as
the Body of the Lavjs of England, has rather received Addi-
tions and Explanations^ than Alterations^ in later Times ^ the
follo'-Ji'ing Hiltory ''Ji'ill not be found to have out-liv'd its Ijfe :
for it contains Accounts of numerous Laivs.^ not only at ^refent
in force j btit likely to continue fo for Ages.
G g X A H I S-
Se<5t 1 ^^p
HISTORY
OF THE
Nature, Use, bV.
s E C T. I.
The Procedure of the Law m Matter of
the Peace.
I. ^ ■ ^ H E Ufe of the Law confifts principally in three Things ;V/eoftht
I viz. (i.) The fecuring Mens Perfons from Death and Vio- ^''"'' '^^(re.
I lence. (2.) The difpofing of the Property of their Goods'" " "''^'^'■
J^ and Lands. And, (3.) The Prefervation of their Names,
from Shame and Infamy.
2. (i .) For the Safety of Metis Perfons ; the Law provides that any Mans««/)r to kup
(landing in Fear of another, may take his Oath, before a Jufitce of Peace, '*' Peace,
that he ftands in f&ir of his Life •, and the Juftice fhall compel the other
to be bound, with Sureties, to keep the Peace.
3. If any Man beat, wound, or maim another ; or give falfe, fcanda- -4(3/'o» /«r
lous Words, that may touch his Credit ; the Law grants thereupon an'^'""'^"'' *"'•
jUiion of the Cafe^ for the Slander of his good Name ; and an Action of"'^' ^'
Battery -, or an Appeal of Maim, by which Recompence fhall be recover-
ed, to tlie Value of the Hurt, Damage, or Danger.
4. If any Man kill another, with Malice, the Law gives an Appeal to Appeal of
the Wife of the Deceafed, if he had any, or to the next of kin, that is Murdergtven
Heir in Defluslt of a Wife ; by which Appeal the Defendant convicted is^../" ^*""'^
to fu.icr Dea:h, and to lofe all his Lands and Goods : but if the Wife or
Fleir
^
xjo The Trocedure of the Law Se6t. I.
Heir will not fue, or be compounded withal ; yet the King is to punifh the
OfFenceby Indiftment or Prefentment of a lawful Inqueft and Trial, before
competent Judges ; whereupon the Perfon being found guilty, he is to
fuffer Death, and to lofe his Lands and Goods.
Man-flau^h- g. If one Man kill another upon a fudden Quarrel, this isMan-Slaugh-
"r, when a ^^^ ^ for which the Offender mull die, except he can read ; and if he can
Goods "Ind read, yet he muft lofe his Goods, but not Lands".
■when'not. 6. If a Man kill another in his own Defence, he fhall not lofe his Life,
nor his Lands ; but his Goods ; except the Perfon flain was the AiTailant,
to kill, rob, or difturb the other by the High-way fide, or in his own
Houfe ; and then he fhall lofe nothing.
Felo defe. J. And if a Man kill himfelf, all his Goods and Chattels are forfeited ;
but not Lands.
Telony by 8. If a Man kill another by Misfortune, as by fliooting an Arrow at a
Mlfchance. gutt or Mark, cafting a Stone over a Houfe, or the like -, this is the Lofs
of Goods and Chattels, but not of Lands, nor Life.
Deodand. 9. If a Horfe, a Cart, a Beaft, or any other thing, kill a Man; the
Horfe, Beaft, or other thing is forfeited to the Crown, and is call'd a
Deodand; and ufually granted and allowed by the King to the Bifhop Al-
moner, as Goods are of thofe that kill themfelves.
Maiming. 10. The cutting out of a Man's Tongue, or putting out his Eyes ma-
licioufly, is Felony ; for which the Offender is to fuffer Death, and lofe his
Lands and Goods.
Punijhme'it II, But as all Punifhment is for-E'xample, 'tis proper to fee the Means
forExample. -whereby Offenders are brought to Punifliment. And firft for Matter of
the Peace, the ancient Laws of England, planted here by the Conqueror,
were, that there fhould be Officers of two forts in all Parts of this King-
dom, to preferve the Peace i viz. (i.) Conjlabularij Pads; and (2.) Con-
fervatores Pads.
The Office of 12. The Office of the Conjlable was, to arreft the Parties he had feen
Conftabki of breaking the Peace, or in Fury ready to break the Peace •, or was truly in-
the Peace. form'd by others, or by their own Confeffion, that they had newly bro-
ken the Peace •, which Peribns he might imprifon in the Stocks, or in his
own Houfe, as his or their Quality required ; rill they had become bound
with Sureties to keep the Peace : which Obligation from thenceforth was
to be fealed and delivered to the Conjiabk, for the Ufe of the King. And
the Conftable was to fend to the King's Exchequer or Chancery, from
whence Procefs fhould be awarded, to levy the Debt -, if the Peace were
broken.
13. But the Conjiabk could not arreft any Perfon, or make any one put
in Bond, upon Complaint of threatening only -, except they had feen them
breaking the Peace, or had come newly after die Peace was broken. Thefe
Confiables alfo were to keep watch about the Town, for apprehending
Rogues, Vagabonds, Night-walkers, Eves-droppers, Scouts, and fuch as
go
* See hereafter, Se5i. 11. §. 30.
Sed. I. in Matter of the V v. kqi.. 131
go arm'd. They ought likewifc to raife Hue and Cry againft Murderers,
Man-flayers, Thieves, and Robbers.
14. Of this Office of Conftable there were High-Conflabks, two of tvtry nlgh-ConJla-
Hundred ; Petty Conftables, one in every Village : they were in ancient *'"/""''-'«'•)'
Time all appointed by the Sheriff of the Shire yearly, in his Court, caird^j'j'^''p ' _
the Sheriff's "Tourne; and there they received their Oath. But at this Day conftabl'e for
they are appointed, either in the Law-day of that Precinft, wherein xht-y every viUage.
ferve, orelfe by the High-Conjiabk in the Seffions of the Peace.
15. The Authority of Conftables was granted upon the ancient hav^'s ^"ihority «f
and Cuftoms of this Kingdom, praftifed long before the Conqueft -, and ConftMei.
intended and inftituted for the Confervation of the Peace, and repreffing
all manner of Difturbance and Hurt of the People -, and that as well
by way of Prevention as Punifhment : but yet fo, that they have no ju-
dicial Power, to hear and determine any Caufe -, but only a minillerial Power.
16. The Origin of the Office of High-Conftable is more obfcure ; Origin ef
for tho the High-Conftable's Authority has the more ample Circuit, ht ml^-ConJla'
being over the Hundred, and the Petty-Conftable over the Village •, yec
I do not find that the Petty-Conftablc is fubordinate to the High-Con-
ftable ; or to be ordered or commanded by him : therefore I doubt the
High-Conftable was not ah origine ; but that when the Bufinefs of the
Country increafed, the Authority of the Juftices of Peace was enlar-
ged by diverfe Statutes ; then, for Conveniency fake, the Office ot High-
Conftable grew in Ufe, for the receiving the Commands and Precepts from
the Juftices of Peace -, and diftributing them to the Petty-Conftables.
And in token of this, the Eleftion of High-Conftables, in moft parts of
the Kingdom, is by the Appointment of the Juftices of Peace ; whereas the
Eledion of the Petty-Conftable is by the People.
17. But there are two things to which the Office of Conftable has fpe-
cial Relation, and which of Neceffity, or at leaft by a kind of Congruity,
muft precede the Jurifdiftion of that Office ; viz. (i.) The Divifion of
the Territory, or grofs of the Shires into Hundreds, Villages, and Towns;
for the High-Conftable is Officer over the Hundred ; and the Petty-
Conftable is over the Town or Village. (2.) The Court-Leet, to which
the Conftable is a proper Attendant and Minifter ; for there the Con-
ftables are chofen by the Jury -, there they are fworn ; and there that
part of their Office, which concerns Infonnation, is principally to be per-
form'd : for the Jury is to prefent Offences; and Offenders are chijfly to
take light from the Conftables of all Matters of Difturbance and Nufance
of the People, which they, in refpedl of their Office, are prefumed to have
beft, and moft particular Knowledge of *
18. The fir Ji End of the Inftitution of the Court-Leet, is, to take the officeof the
ancient Oath of Allegiance of all Males above the Age of twelve Years. Court-Lett.
The fecond, to enquire of all Offences againft the Peace; and for thofe
that are againft the Crown and Peace both, to enquire of only, and to
certify to the Juftices of Goal-Delivery ; but thofe that are againft the
Peace fimply, they are to enquire and punifti.
The
■" See hereafter, Se£l. IX.
agx The Trocedure of the Law Se6t. I
19. The third is, to enquire of, punifh, and remove all publick Nufances
and Grievances, concerning Infection of Air, Corruption of Viftuals,
Eafe of Chaffer, and Contraft of all other Things that may hurt or grieve
the People in general, in their Health, Qiiiet and Welfare.
20. And to thefe three Ends, as Matters of Policy fubordinate, the
Court-Leet has Power to call upon the Pledges that are taken for the good
Behaviour of the Refiants, that are not Tenants •, and to enquire of all De-
faults of Officers, as Conftables, Ale-Tafters, and the like : and likewife
for the Choice of Conftables, as aforefaid.
yurifd'inion o i . The Jurifdidion of thefe Leets ever remains in the King, and is in
(7/ Court- that Refpecl exercifed by the Sheriff in his Toarw ; which is the grand
^"'*" Leet, granted over to theSubjeds •, but 'tis ftill the King's Court.
F.letTionof 2 3. The Eleftion of the Petty-Conftabk is, at the Court-Leet by the
Conftables. jnqueft that makes the Prefentments -, the Eleftion of the Head-Conftables
is by the Juftices of Peace at their Quarter-SelTions. The Office is annual,
except they be removed. They are now Men of inferior, yea, of bafe Condi-
tion ; which is a mere Abufe or Degenerating from the firft Inftitution : for
the Petty-Conftables in Towns ought to be of the better fort of Refiants
in the faid Town ; fave that they fhould not be aged or fickly ; but Men
of able Bodies, in refpedt of the keeping Watch and Toil of their Place ;
neither ought they to be in any Man's Livery : and the High- Conftables
ought to be of the ableft fort of Freeholders, and of the fubftantialleft fort
of Yeomen, next to the Degree of Gentlemen ; but they ought to be fuch
as are not incumbred with any other Office, as Mayor of a Town, Under--
^ Sheriff; Bailiff, ^c.
j.rt to aiH 23. They have no Allowance; but are bound by Duty to perform their
Ciatis. Offices Gratis: which may the rather be endured, becaufe it is but annual ;
and they are not tied to keep or maintain any Servants or Under-minifters,
becaufe every one of the King's People are bound to affift them.
Are punijij- 24. LTpon Complaint made of hisReflifal toany one Juftice of Peace, the
able for Re- faid Juftice may bind him over to the Seffions •, where if he cannot excufe
^"^"^' himfelf by juft Allegation, he may be fined and imprifoned for his Contempt.
The Power of 25. The Authority of Conftables, as it is fubftantive, and of itfelf ; or
Conftables. fubftiuited, and bound to the Warrants and Commands of the Juftices of
Peace •, fo again it is original, or additional : for either it was given them
by the Common Law, or elfe annexed by diverfe Statutes. And as for fub-
ordinite Power, wherein the Conftable is only to execute the Commands of
the Juftices of Peace; and likewife the additional Power, which is given by
diverfe Staaites ; 'tis hard to comprehend them in any Brevity : for they cor-
refpond to the Office and Authority of the Juftices of Peace, which are very
laroe; and are created by the Branches of feveral Statutes; which" are things
of different Natures. But for the original and fubftantive Power of a Confta-
ble, it may be reduced to three Heads ; "viz. (i.) Matter of Peace only ;
(2.) Matter of Peace and the Crown ; and (3.) Matter of Nufance,
Difl^rbance and Diforder ; akho not accompanied with Violence and Breach
of the Peace.
26. For
SecH:. I. in Matter of the Ve ace. 155
26. For pacifying of Quarrels begun, the Conftables may, upon Imr
Words given, or likelihood of Breach of Peace to enfue, command them,
in the King's Name, to keep the Peace, and depart, and forbear : and fu
he may, where any Fray is made, part the fame, and keep the Parties
afunder •, and arreft and commit the Breakers of the Peace, if they will not
obey ; and call Power to affift him for the fame purpofe.
27. For the Punilhment of Breach of Peace pail, the Law is very ten-
der and fparirg in giving any Authority to Conllables ; becaufe they have
no judicial Power: and the Ufe of the Office is rather for preventing or
ftaying Mifchicf, than for punifliing Offences ; for in that part he is
rather to execute the Warrants of the Juftices -, or when any fudden Mat-
ter arifes upon his View, or notorious Circumftances, to apprehend Offend-
ers, and carry them before the Juilices of Peace ; and generally to im-
prifon in like Cafes of Neceflity, where the Cafe will not endure the pre-
sent carrying of the Party before tlie Juftices.
28. For Matters of the Crown, the Office of Conftable confifts chiefly /» Af-j/Kn of
inthefefour Parts: (i.) Arreft; (2.) Search ■, (^.) Hue and Cry ; and,''''* *^''''-''"-
(4.) Seizure of Goods. All which the Conftable may perform of his own
Authority, without any Warrant of the Juftices of Peace.
29. (i.) For, firjl, if any Man will lay Murder or Felony to another's
Charge, or do fufpedt him of Murder or Felony, he may declare it to the
Conftable ; and the Conftable ought, upon fuch Declaration or Complaint,
to carry him before a Juftice : and if by common Voice or Fame any
Man be fufpecled, the Conftable of Duty ought to arreft him, and bring
him before a Juftice \ tho there be no other Accufation or Declaration.
30. (2.) If any Houfe be fufpecled of receiving or harbouring any
Felon; the Conftable, upon Complaint, or common Fame, may fearch.
31. (3.) If any one fly upon the Felony, the Conftable ought to raife
Hue and Cry, and fearch his Goods, and keep them hk without impairing,
and to inventory them in the Prefence of honeft Neighbours.
32. (4.) For Matters of common Nufince and Grievance, they are of/» Matters of
a very variable Nature, according to tlie feveral Comforts which Man's "'^V'"'" ""'^
Life and Society requires, and the Contraries which infeft the fame. nevance.
^^. In all which, be ic Matter of corrupting Air, Water, or Viduals,
or ftopping, ftraitening, or endangering Paflage ; or general Deceits in
Weights, Meafures, or Sizes ; or counterfeiting Wares, and things vendi-
cable ; the Office of the Conftable is to give, as much as in him lies. In-
formation of them, and of the Offenders in Leets, that they may be
prefented : but becaufe Leets are kept only twice in the Year, and many
of thefe things require prefent or fpeedy Remedy ■■, the Conftable, in
things of notorious and vulgar Nature, ought to forbid and reprefs them
in the mean time.
34. Conftables are for tlieir Contempt to be fined and imprifoned by theConJlabUs,
Juftices in their Seffions. ^"^ punifi-
35. The Conftables Oath runs tlius. " You ftiall fwear that you ^"^'q^,^ „y
" fliall well and truly fcrve the King, and the Lord of this Law-day ; confiabUs.
Vol. II. Hh " and
134- The Trocedure of the 1j k'N , &c. Se6t. I.
" and you fliall caufe that the Peace of our Sovereign Lord the King
" fhall be well and duly kept, to your Power : and you fliall arreil
" all thofe that you fee committing Riots, Debates, and Affrays, in
" Breach of Peace: and you fhall well and duly endeavour yourfelf, to
" your beft Knowledge, that the Statutes of Wimhefter for Watch, Hue
" and Cry, and the Statutes made for the Punilliment of fturdy Beggars,
" Vagabonds, Rogues, and other idle Perfons coming within your Of-
" fice, be truly executed, and the Offenders punifhed : and you fhall en-
" deavour, upon Complaint made, to apprehend Barratters and riotous
" Perfons making Affrays; and likewife to apprehend Felons: and if any
*' of them make Refiflance with Force, and Multitude of Mif-doers,
" you fhall make Out-cry, and purfue them till they be taken ; and fhall
*' look unto fuch Perfons as ufe unlawful Games : and you fhall have re-
" gard to the Maintenance of Artillery : and you fhall well and duly
•' execute all Procefs and Precepts fent to you from the Juftices of
" Peace of the County : and you fhall make good and fiithful Prefent-
" ments of all Blood-fheds, Out-crys, Affrays, and Refcues made within
*' your Office : and you fhall well and duly, according to your Power
*' and Knowledge, do that which belongs to your Office of Conftable to
*' do, for this Year to come. So help, (^c."
The Author'i- 36. The Authority of the twoConflables is the fame in fubflancc ; differing
ty of Conjla- Qj^y in extent : the Petty - Conftable ferving only for one Town, Parifh, or
■ Borough -, the Head-Conftable ferving for the whole Hundred. Neither is
the Petty-Conftable fubordinate to the Head-Conftable for any Command
that proceeds from his own Authority -, but it is ufed, that the Precepts
of the Juftices be delivered to the High-Conftables, who being few in
Number, may better attend the Juftices •, and then the Head-Conftables,
by virtue thereof, make their Precepts over to the Petty- Conftables.
neputy-Co»' 37. In Cafe of Neceffity the Conftable may appoint a Deputy, or in
jlables. pefault thereof, the Steward of the Court-Leet may ; which Deputy
ought to be fworn before the laid Steward.
Summary cf 38. In fine, the Office of Conftables confifts wholly in thefe three
iheConJlatle's xh'ings ; VIZ. (i.) The Confervation of the Peace ; (2.) the ferving of Pre-
^■^"- cepts and Warrants of the Juftices ; and, (3.) their Attendance for the
Execution of Statutes.
SECT.
Se£t. II. igr
SECT. 11.
The Office of Justices of the Peacf.
I. * I ' H E Sherift'^s Tourne is ;i Court very ancient, incident to his Of- The K'ini;s
I fice. At the firfl: it was erefted by the Conqueror, and called b^^^^ /'/'"•
the King's Bench ; appointing iVlen flcilled in the Law to execute/''''"'"^'./"''
Juftice, as Subftitutes to him, in his Name; which Men are to be ci\\cA%^„"'^ '''
Jtifticiarij ad placita coram Rege ajjignati : one of them being Capitalis Jujli-
ciarius, call'd to his Fellows -, the reft in Number as pleafes tlie King-, of
latebut three J»/^'^''»'^ were held by Patent. In this Court every Man above
twelve Years of Age was to take his Oath of Allegiance to the King-, if
he were bound, then his Lord to anfwer for him. In this Court the Con-
ftables were appointed, and fworn -, Breakers of the Peace punifhed by Fine
and Imprifonment •, the Parties abufed or hurt recompenfed upon Com-
plaints of Damages ; all Appeals of Murder, Maim, or Robbery, decided ;
Contempts againll the Crown, publick Annoyances againft the People,
Treafons, Felonies, and all other Matters of Wrong betwixt Part and
Party for Lands and Goods.
2. But the King feeing the Realm grow daily more and more popuhus. Court of Mar-
and that this one Court could not difpatch all ; firft ordain'd that his Mar- /■"'(/'''''. """^
flial fhould keep a Court, for Controverfies arifing within the Verge, ''f- ^*"''/'''"
which is within twelve Miles of the chiefeft Tunnel of the Court : which
only eafed the King's Bench, in Matter concerning Debts, Covenants, and
fuch like, of thofe of the King's Houfhold alone ; never dealing in
Breaches of the Peace, or concerning the Crown by any other Perfons, or
any Pleas of Lands.
3. The King, for farther Eafe, having divided this Kingdom intosherifs
Counties, and committing the Charge of every County to a Lord or ^"«''"^ '"/''
Earl-, direded that thofe Earls, within their Limits, fhould look to the'""'^'
Matter of the Peace, take charge of the Conflables, reform publick
Annoyances, fwear the People to the Crown, and take Pledges of the
Freemen for their Allegiance •, for which purpofe the County kept a Court
once a Year, called the Sheriff's Tourne; at which all the County, ex-
cept Women, Clergy, Children under twelve, and not aged above fixty,
appeared to give or renew their Pledges for Allegiance. And the Court
was call'd. Curia franci Pkgij^ a View of the Pledges of Freemen ; or,
7'urKus Comitatus.
4. At which Meeting or Court there happened, by occafion of great •^"^^'""'V'''"
Affemblies, much Bloodfhed, Scarcity of Provifions, Mutinies, and the'^^^'^fj^"'^'
like Mifchiefs, incident to the Congregations of People; by which the HZdZls.
King was moved to allow a Subdivifion of every County into Hundreds;
and e\cry Hundred to have a Court ; whereto the People of every Hun-
H h 2 dred
^l6
the County
cemmitted to
the S her if.
The Sheriff
"Judge of all
Hundred
Courts.
The OFFICE of Sea. IT.
dred fhould be afiembled twice a Year, for Survey of Pledges, and ufe of
that Juftice, which was formerly executed in that grand Court for the
County -, and the Count or Earl appointed a Bailiff under him, to keep
the Hundred-Court.
The charge of c;. But in the end, the Kings of this Realm found it neceflary to have
all Execution of Juftice immediately from themfelves, by fuch as were
more bound than Earls to that Service, and readily fubjeft to Correction
for their Negligence or Abufe ; and therefore took to themfelves the ap-
pointing of a Sheriff yearly in every County, calling them Ficecomites,
and to them direfted fuch Writs and Precepts for executing neceffary Juf-
tice in the County -, committing to the Sheriff Cujiodiam Comitatus ; by
which the Earls fparpd their Toil and Labour ; and that was laid on the
Sheriffs. So that now the Sheriff does all the King's Bufinefs in the
County : and this is now called the Sheriff's Tourne ; that is to fay, he is
Judge of this grand Court for the County •, and alfo of all Hundred- Courts
not given away from the Crown.
County-Court 6. He has another Court, called County-Court, belonging to his Office,
ke}t monthly . y^\yQ^Q\^ Men may fue monthly for any Debt or Damages under 40/. arid
may have Writs to replevy their Cattle diftirained and impounded by others ;
and there try the Caufe of their Diftrefs : and by a Writ called Jujiicies,
a Man may fue for any Sum. And in this Court, the Sheriff, by a Writ
called an Exigent, proclaims Men fued in Courts above to render their Bo-
dies, or elfe they are out-law'd.
7. The Sheriff ferves the King's Writs of Procefs, be they Summons,
or Attachments, to compel Men to anfwer the Law; and all Writs of Exe-
cution of the Law, according to Judgments of fuperior Courts, for taking
Mens Goods, Lands, or Bodies, as the Caufe requires.
8. The Hundred -Courts were moft of them granted to religious Men,
Noblemen, and others of great Place : many Men alfo of good Quality
have obtained by Charter, and fome by Ufage within Manors of their
own. Liberty of keeping Law-days ; and there to ufe Juftice appertain-
ing to a Law-day.
9. The Lord of the Hundred-Court is to appoint two High-Conftabks of
the Hundred; and alfo to appoint in every Village a Petty- Conftabie, with
a Tithing-Man, to attend in his Abfence, and to be at his Command, when
he is prefent, in all Services of his Office, for his Affiftance.
10. There have been, by Ufe and Statute-Law, (befides the furveying
of the Pledges of Freemen, giving the Oath of Allegiance, and making
Conftables,) many Additions of Powers and Authority given to the Stew-
ards of Leets and Law-days, to be praftifed in their Courts : as for Ex-
ample; they may punifh Inn-keepers, Viftuallers, Bakers, and Tradef-
men of all lorts, felling with Underweights or Meafures, or at exceffive
Prices, or things unwholfome, or ill-made, in Deceit of the People. They
may punifh thofe that ftop, ftraiten, or annoy the High-ways; or do not,
according to the Provifion enafted, repair or amend them ; or divert
Water-courfes, or deftroy Fifh, or. ufe Engines or Nets to take Deer,
Conies,
The office of
the Sheriff.
hundred
Courts to
zvhom frfi
granted.
Lord of the
Hundred to
appoint two
Uigh-Confia-
biei^
Sedl. II. Justices <?/■ /Z;f Peace. a37
Conies, Phealants, or Partridges, or build Pidgcon-houfes •, except he hewhat Matters
Lord of the Manor, or Parfon of tlie Church. They may alfo take Pre- '^7 ^«-j"'"
fcntmcnt upon Oath of the twelve fworn Jury before them, of all Ftlo-'f^'f[^"J'"''
nies i but they cannot try the Malefidors ; only they muft by Indenture (f^^^.j.
deliver over thofe Prefentmcnts of Felony to the Judges, when they come
their Circuits into that County.
1 1 . All the Courts before-mentioned are in Ufe, and exercifed as Law
at this Day, concerning the Sheriffs Law-days, and Leets, and the Offi-
ces of High-Conftablcs, Petty-Conftables, and Tithing-men ; tho with
feme farther Additions by Statute-Laws, laying Charge upon them for
Taxation for the Poor, for Soldiers, and the like, and dealing without
Corruption, and the like.
12. Confeivators of the Peace were in ancient Times certain, and :i(-ConfervatDn
figned by the King to fee the Peace maintained -, they were called to the "/ '^'^ '',"'■',
Office by the King's Writ, to continue for Term of their Lives, or '^^-"pifj.,^'"^'^
ring the King's Pleafure.
13. For this Service, Choice was made of the beft Men of Calling mThek office.
the Country, and but few in the Shire. They might bind any Man to
keep the Peace, and to good Behaviour, by Recognizance to the King
with Sureties ; and they might, by Warrant, fend for the Party, directing
ihcir Warrant to the Sheriff, or the Conflable, to arreft the Party, and bring
him before them. This they did when Complaint was made by any one,
that he flood in tear of another, and fo took his Oath •, or elfe, where the
Confervator himfelf did, without Oath or Complaint, fee the Diipofuion
of any Man inclin'd to Quarrel, and Breach of the Peace, or to mifbehave
himfelf in fome outragious manner of Force or Fraud : there at his own
Difcretion, he might iend for fuch a Party, and make him find Sirreties
of the Peace, or of his good Behaviour, as he lliould fee Caufe -, or elfe
commit him to the Goal, if he refufed.
14. The Judges of either Bench in Wejlminjlcr^ Barons of the Exche- Confervatort
quer, Mafter of the Rolls, and Juftices in Eyre, and Affizes, in their C\r-f 'J'^J^J^
cuits, were all, without Writ, Conlervatorsof the Peace in all Shires of Eng- iheir office.
land, and continue to this Day.
In. But now Confer vators of the Peace are out of ufe-, and in lieu ofj^fiicaof
them there are ordained Juftices of the Peace, aiTicn'd by the King's Com-'** ^''ff'°'''.
._ . ^ ■' ,., 11 IT/- -5 Si r (Limed mfleait
iniflions in every County, which are moveable at the Kings rlcalure ; r ci,„rfrt,A-
but the Power of placing and difplacing Juftices of the Peace, is by u[c .-ors.
delegated from the King to the Chancellor.
16. That there fhould be Juftices of the Peace by CommiiTions, was
firft enac'^ced by a S:atute made i Eckv. III. and their Authority augmented
by m.any Statutes made fince in every King's Reign.
17. They are appointed to keep four SefTions every Year; that is, every Thr-ir SfiJ:'ons
Quarter, oae. Theic Se.T:ons are a Sitting of the Juftices, to difpatch the ""'' '^^'^*'"
Affairs of their Commiflions. They have Power to hear and determine in
their SefTions, all Felonies, Breaches of the Peace, Contempts and Tref-
palies, fo far as to fine the Offender fo the Crown ; but r.ot to award Re-
compcnce to the Party grieved.
18. They
ag8 Tke OFFICE of Sea II.
18. They are to fupprefs Riots and Tumults-, to reftore PoflefTions for-
cibly taken away, to examine all Felons apprehended and brought before
them ; to fee impotent poor People, or maim'd Soldiers, provided for,
according to the Laws •, and Rogues, Vagabonds, and Beggars punifhed.
They are both to licenfc and fupprefs Ale-houfes, Badgers of Corn and
Yicluals, and to punifh Foreftallers, Regraters, and EngrofTers.
19. Thro thefe, in effedt, run all the County Service3 to the Crown; as
Taxations of Subfidies, muftring of Men, arming them, and levying For-
ces, by a fpecial Commiflion from the King. Any of thefe Juftices, upon
Oath taken by a Man that he ftands in fear that another will beat, or kill
him, or burn his Houfe, are to fend for the Party, by Warrant of Attach-
ment, directed to the Sheriff or Conftable, and then to bind the Party with
Sureties, by Recognizance to the King, to keep the Peace ; and alfo to ap-
pear at the next Seffions of the Peace -, at which next SefTions, when every
Juftice of Peace has therein delivered all his Recognizances fo taken,
the Parties are called, and the Caufe of binding to the Peace examined ;
and both Parties being heard, the whole Bench is to determine, as they fee
Caufe, either to continue the Party fo bound, or todifcharge him.
G)uarter-Sef- 20. The Juftices of Peace in their Seffions are attended by the Confta-
jions held by bles and Bailiffs of all Hundreds, and Liberties, within the County ; and by
'^^ ^"-^'"^ "Ahe Sheriff, or his Deputy, to be employ'd as Occafion ferves in execu-
ting the Precepts and Direftions of the Court. They proceed thus : The
Sheriff fummons twenty-four Free-holders, difcreet Men, of the faid
County, whereof fome fixteen are elefted and fworn, and have their Charge
to ferve as the Grand Jury. The Party indifted is to traverfe the Indidt-
ment, or elfe to confefs it, and fo fubmit himfelf to be fined as the Court
fhall think fit •, except the Punifhment be certainly appointed, as it often
is, by fpecial Statutes.
rhe uiuthon- 2 1 . The Juftices of Peace are many in every County ; and to them are
/yo//^e 5«/- brought all Traitors, Felons, and other Malefaftors, diredlly upon their be-
^"^' f>: ^fr"" ^"§ ^""^ apprehended ; and that Juftice to whom they are brought examines
outoj '#"'"• fi^^j^^^ ^^^ j^P^j.5 (.j^gjj. Accufation, but judges not upon it ; only if he find the
Sufpicion light, he takes Bond, with Sureties, of the Accufed, to appear
either at the next Affizes, if it be a Matter of Treafon or Felony ; or
elfe at the Quarter-Seffions, if it be concerning Riot or Mifdemeanor, or
other fmall Offence. He alfo then binds thofe to appear that give Teftimo-
ny, and profecute the Accufation, and all the Accufers and Witneffes, and
fo fets the Party at large. And at the Affizes or Seffions he certifies the
Recognizances taken of the Accufed, Accufers and Wicneffes ; who being
there, are call'd ; and appearing, the Caufe of the Accufed is debated, ac-
cording to Law, for his clearing or condemning.
22. But if the Party accufed feem, upon pregnant Matter in the Accu-
fation, and to the Juftice, guilty, and the Offence be heinous, or the Offen-
der taken with the Manner; then the Juftice is to commit the Party, by his
Warrant call'd a Mittimus, to the Goaler of die common Goal of rhe
County, there to remain till the Affizes. And then the Juftice is to certi-
Se6t. II. Justices of the Peace. 139
fy his Accufation, Examination, and Recognizance taken for the Appear-
ances and Profeciition of the Witnefles •, fo that the Judges may, when
they come, readily proceed with him as the Law requires.
23. The Judges of the AfTize, as they are in Place of the ancient Judges JudgesofAf-
in Eyre, call'd Jujiiaarij Itinerantes, which, in the prime Kings, after the/":''"''"
Conqueft, till Hary the Third's Time efpecially, and after in lefs Mea- ^^""'{^'.^
fure, even to Richard the Second's Time, executed the Juftice of the^";"'^^,."'''*"
Realm. They began thus. The King, unable to difpatch Bufinefs in his
own Perfon, erefted the Court of King's Bench -, and that being unable
to receive all, nor proper to draw the People all to one Place •, there were
ordained Counties, and the Sheriff's Tourns, Hundred-Courts, and par-
ticular Leets, and Law-days, as before-mentioned ; which dealt only with
Crown Matters for the Publick ; but not with the private Titles of Lands,
or Goods, nor the Trial of grand Offences of Treafons and Felonies: but
all the Counties of the Realm were divided into fix Circuits ; and two
learned Men, well read in the Law of the Realm, were afTigned, by the
King's Commiffion, to every Circuit; and to ride twice a Year thro thofe
Shires allotted to that Circuit j making Proclamation before-hand, a con-
venient time in every County, of the Day of their coming, and Place of
their fitting ; to the end that People might attend them in every County of
that Circuit. They were to flay three or four Days in every County ; and
during that time, all Caufes of that County were brought before tliem by
the Parties grieved, and all Prifoners of the faid Goal, in every Shire ;
and whatever Controvcrfies arofe concerning Life, Lands, or Goods.
24. The Authority of thefe Judges in Eyre, is in part tranflated by r/« AuthsrU
A6t of Parliament to the Juftices of Aflize, which are now the Judges oi'tyo/ the
Circuits -, and they to ufe the llime Courfe that Juflices in Eyre did, to^/"^.?"'"
proclaim their coming every half Year, and the Place of their fitting. 'Huo'th"
25. The Bufinclsof the Juftices in Eyre, and of the Juftices of A{^\ze., juflues of
at this Day, is much lefTen'd ; for in Henry the Third's Time there Ajjize.
was erefted the Court of Common-Pleas at IVeftm'wfler ; in which Court '}ufiices of
have ever been fince, and yet are, begun and handled, the great Suits of Afflze lejfemd
Lands, Debts, Benefices and Contrails, Fines for AfTurances of Lands J cow7w»-
and Recoveries, which ufed to be either in the King's Bench, or before pleas.
the Juflices in Eyre. But the Statute of Magna Charta is negative
againfl it ; viz. Commuuia placita non fcquantur curiam nojlram, fed teuean.-
tur in aliquo loco certo ■■, which Cert us Locus muft be the Common-Pleas •,
yet the Judges of Circuits have now five CommifTions, by which they fit.
26. The firji is a CommifTion of Oyer and 7'erminer, direfted to them. Their Com-
and many others of the befl Account, in their Circuits ; but in this Com-»»^''»^-
miffion the Judges of AfTize are of the Quorum, fo that without them there ^^^*" ""'^
can be no Proceeding. This Commifiion gives them Power to deal with
Treafons, Murthers, and all manner of Felonies, and Mifdemeanors what-
ever ; and this is the largefl CommifTion they have.
27. The fecond is a Commiffion of Coal-Dcii'very ; that is only to iheGoal-Dell-
Judges themfelves, and the Clerk of the AfTize aflbciate : and by this ''^^O-
Commiflion
a4o The 0¥¥ ICE of Sea. 11.
Commiffion they are to deal with every Prifoner in the Goal, for what
Offeree foever he be committed •, and to proceed with him according to
the Laws of the Realm, and the Quality of his Offence : and they can-
not by this CommifTion do any thing with any Man, but fuch as are Pri-
foners in the Goal. The Courfe now ufed in Execution of this Commif-
fion of Goal-Delivery, is this. There is no Prifoner committed but by
fome Juftice of the Peace, who, before he committed him, took his Exa-
mination, and bound his Accufers and WitneflTcs to appear and profecute
at the Goal-Delivery.
The manner 28. This Jullice certifies thefe Examinations and Bonds; and there-
of Proceedin^^^QY^ tJ^e Accufer is call'd folemnly into the Court •, and when he appears,
therein. ^^^ Juftice is will'd to prepare a Bill of Indiftment againft the Prifoner,
and to go with it to the Grand Jury, and to give evidence upon Oath, he
and the Witneffes -, which he does : and the Grand Jury write thereupon
either Billa vera, and then the Prifoner ftands indided ; or elfe Ignoramus,
and then he is not touched. The Grand Jury deliver thefe Bills to the
Judges in their Courts ; and fo many as they find indorfed Billa vera,
they fend for the Prifoners. Then every Man's Indidment is put and
read to him ; and they afl< him whether he be guilty or not : if he fays
Guilty, his Confeffion is recorded ; if he fxys not Guilty, then he is afked
how he will be tried ; he anfwcrs, by the Country. Then the Sheriff is
commanded to return the Names of the twelve Free-holders to the Court ;
which Free-holders are fworn to make true Delivery between the King
and the Prifoner ; then the Indidment is again read, and the Witneffes
fworn to fpeak their Knowledge concerning the Fad ; and the Prifoner is
heard at large what Defence he can make •, and then the Jury go together
and confult. And after a while they come in with a Verdid of Guilty or
not Guilty, which Verdid the Judges record accordingly. If any Prifoner
plead not guilty upon the Indidment, and yet will not put himfelf to
trial upon the Jury, or ftand mute, he is to be preffed.
29. The Judges, when many Prifoners are in the Goal, do in the End,
before they go, perufe every one. Thofe that were indided by the
Grand Jury, and found not guilty by the Seled Jury, they judge to be
quitted ; and fo dehver them out of the Goal. Tiiofe that are found guil-
ty by both Juries, they judge to Death ; and command the Sherif}' to fee
Execution done. Thofe that refufe Trial by the Country, and ftand
mute upon the Indidment, they judge to be preffed to Death. Some, whofe
Offences are pilfering, under twelve Pence Value, they judge to be whipp'd.
Thofe that confefs their Indidments, they judge to Death, Whipping, or
otherwife, as their Offence requires. And thofe that are not indided at
all, but their Bill of Indidment returned with Ignoramus by the Grand
Jury •, and all others in the Goal, againft whom no Bills are preferred,
they acquit, by Proclamation, out of the Goal ; fo that one way or other
they rid the Goal of all the Prifoners that were in it. But becaufe fome Pri-
foners have their Books, and are burned in the Hand, and fo delivered,
it
Sefl. II. Justices <?/ the Peace. 141
it is nccclliiry to lliew the Realbn thereoh This having their Books, h
called their Clergy, which in ancient Time began thus.
30. For the Scarcity of the Clergy in the Realm of England, to be^""-^'*/"
difpofed in religious Houfes -, or for Priefts, Deacons, and Clerks of Pa- '^*^*
rilhes, there was a Prciogative allowed to the Clergy, that if any Man
that could read as a Clerk, were to be condemned to Death, the Bifliop of
the Diocefe might, if he would, chiiin him as a Clerk -, ;ind he was to
fee him tried, in the Face of die Court, whether he could read or not.
The Book was prepared, and brought by the Bifliop; and the Judge was to
turn to fome Place, as he fliould think proper-, and if the Prifoher could
read, then the Bifliop was to have him delivered over to him, to difpofe
of in fome Place of the Clergy, as he fliould judge convenient : but if
tither the Bifliop would not demand him, or the Prifoner could not read,
then he was to be put to Death.
31. And this Clergy was allowable in ancient Times and Law, for all
Oficnces whatever, except Treafon, and the robbing of Churches. But by
many Statutes made fince, the Clergy is taken away for Murder, Burgla-
ry, Robberys Purfe-cutting, Horfe-fl:eaIing, and diverfe other Felonies,
p.irticularized by the Statutes to the Judges : and laftly, by a Statute
made 1 8 Elizabeth, the Judges themfelves are appointed to allow Clergy
to fuch as can read, being not fuch Offenders from whom the Clergy is
taken away by any Statutes, and to fee them burned in the Hand, and lb
difcharge them, witliout delivering them to the Bifliop •, tho the Bifhop
appoints the Deputy to attend the Judges with a Book, to try. whether
tliey can read or not.
32. The //&;W CommifTion that the Judges of the Circuits have, is a. CommljTion tf
CommilTion diredled to themfelves only -, and the Clerk of the AfTize to '^^zes.
take Afllzes-, by which they are call'd Jtifiices of Jjjize. And the Office
of thofe Juflices is to do right upon Writs call'd AiTizes, brought before
them by fuch as are wrongfully thrufl out of their Lands. Of which
Number of Writs, there were many more brought before them in ancient
Times than now ; becaufe Mens Seizons and PofTeffions are fooner reco-
vered by fealing Leafes upon the Ground, and by bringing an EjeEllone
firme, and trying their Title fo, than by the long Suits of AfTizes.
33. T\\t fourth CommifTion, is a CommifTion to take A''//? Prius, d'l- Commijjion cf
refted to none but to the Judges themfelves, and their Clerks of Afllzes ; ^'^' Prius.
by which they are call'd Juflices of Nifi Prius. Thefe AT/? Prius happen
in this fort. When a Suit is begun for any Matter in one of the three
Courts, the King's Bench, Cor/nnon Pleas, or die Exchequer ; and the Par-
ties, in their Pleadings, vary in a Point of Fa<5l : as for Example, if in an
Adion of Debt upon Obligation, the Defendant denies the Obligation to
be his Debt; or in any Action of Trefpafs grown for taking away Goods,
the Defendant denies that he took them ; or in Adlion of the Cafe for
flanderous Words, the Defendant denies that he fpoke them, ^c. then
the Plaintiff is to maintain, and prove that the Obligation is the Defen-
dant's Deed ; that he either took the Goods, or fpoke the Words ; upon
To L. n. I i which
^^^ Tke OFFIC E, &c. Sea. II.
v/hich Denial and Affirmation the Law fays, that the IJfuc is joirCd betwixt
them ; which Ifiue of the Faft is to be tried by a 'Jury of twelve Men of
the County, where it is fuppofed by the Plaintiff to be done. And for that
purpofe the Judges of the Court award a Writ of Venire Facias^ in the
King's Name, to the Sheriff of that County •, commanding him to caule
four and twenty difcreet Freeholders of his County, at a certain Day, to
try this Iflue fo ioin'd -, out of which four and twenty, only twelve are
chofe to ferve. And that double Number is returned, becauie fome may
make Default, and fome be challenged upon Kindred, Alliance, or par-
tial Dealing.
34. Thefe four and twenty the Sheriff names, and certifies to the Court;
and withal, that he has warned them to come at the Day, according to their
Writ. But becauie at the firft Summons there falls no Punifhment upon
the four and twenty if they come not, they very feldom or never appear
upon the firft Writ ; and on their Default there is another Writ return'd
to the Sheriff, commanding him to diftrain them, by their Lands, to appear
at ascertain Day appointed by the Writ; which is the next Term after-,
Nifi Prim Jufliciarij nojiri ad JJJifas capiendas vefierint, &c. from which
Words the Writ is call'd a Ni/i Prius. And the Judges of the Circuit of
that County, in that Vacation, before the Day of Appearance appointed
for the Jury above ; here by their CommilTion of Nift Prius, have Autho-
rity to take the Appearance of the Jury in the County before them -, and
there to hear the Witneffes and Proofs on both fides, concerning the Iffue
of Fad: ; and to take the Verdift of the Jury -, and againft the Day they
fliould have appeared above, to return the Vcrdift in the Court above;
which Return is call'd a Poftea. And upon this Verdift clearing the Mat-
ter in Faft, one way or other, the Judges above give Judgment for the
Party for whom the Verdift is found ; and for fuch Damages and Cofts the
Jury affeffes.
-^i^. By thofe Trials call'd Nifi Prius, the Juries and the Parties are
much eafed of the Charge they would be put to, by coming to London
with their Evidences and Witneffes ; and the Courts of IVeftminfler are
much eafcd of the Trouble they would have, it all the Juries for Trials
fhould appear, and try their Caufcs in tKofe Courts ; tor thefe Courts above
have little Leifure now. And tho the Juries come not up, yet in Matters
of great Weight, or where the Title is intricate or difficult; the Judges
above, upon Intbrmation to them, retain thofe Caufes to be tried there ;
and the Juries do at this Day, in fuch Cafes, come to the Bar at IVefi-
minjier.
Commifflonof 36. The fifth Commiffion that the Judges in tKeir Circuits fit by, is the
i>eace. CommiJJion of the Peace in every County of their Circuit. And all the
Juftices of the Peace, having no lawfid Impediment, are bound to be pre-
fent at the Affizes, to attend the Judges, as Occafion fhall require. If any
^, one make Default, the Juges may feta Fine upon him, at their Difcretion.
Alfo the Sheriff in every Shire, tliro tlie Circuit, is to attend in Perfon, or
jby a fufficient Deputy allow'd by the Judges, all the time they are within
the
Sedl. III. The 'Procedure of the Law, &c. 143
the County : and the Judges may fine him, if lie hiil, or for Ncgl igencc or
Mifbehaviour in his Office before them. And the Judges above may alfo
fine the Sheriff, fornoc returning, or not fufficient returning of Writs be-
fore them.
S E: C T. III.
The Procedure of the Law in Matter of
Property.
I. T)Roperty in Lantls is acquired or transferred; (i.) by Entry ; Property of
\^ (2.) by Defcent ; (3.) hy Efcbeat ; and, (4.) moft commonly by ^^"^.'^'J'^
Conveyance. ^""^' '
2. Property by Entry is, where a Man finds a Piece of Land that no^J""^^''''^ h
Perfon poflefles, or has Title to -, and he that fo finds it enters: this ""^^'
Entry gains a Property. This Law feems to be derived from this Text,
Terr am dedit filiis hominum •, which is to be underllood, to thofe that will
till and manure it ; and fo make it yield Fruit : and that is, he who enters
into it, where no Man had it before. But this manner of gaining Lands
was in the firft Days, and is not now of ufe in England ; for by the Con-
queft, all the Land of this Nation was in the Conqueror's Hands, and
appropriated to him •, except religious and Church Lands, and the Lands
in Kent, which by Compofition were left to the former Owners, as the
Conqueror found them -, fo that none but Bifhopricks, Churches, and the
Men of Kent, can at this Day make any greater Title than from the Con-
queft, to any Lands in England. And the Lands poffefled without any fuch
Title, are in the Crown, and not in him that firft enters-, as it is by Land
left by the Sea. This Land belongs to the King, and not to him that h.'xs Land left by
the Lands next adjoining, which was the ancient Sea-bank. This is to be'''^ ^^" ^f'
underftood of the Inheritance ot Lands -, ziz. that the Inheritance cannot be j^-;'^^
gained by the firft Entry. Suppofe a Man call'd y/, having Land convey'd
to him for the Life ot B, dies without making any Eftate of it-, there,
whoever firft enters into the Land after the Deceafe of y/, gets the Pro-
perty in the Land, for time of the Continuance of the Eftate which was
granted to yf, for the Life of B ; which B yet lives -, and therefore the
faid Land cannot return till B die. And to the Heir of A it cannot go,
becaufe it is not any Eftate ot Inheritance -, but only an Eftate for another
Man's Life -, which is not dependable to the Heir, except he be fpecially
named in the Grant ; "-jiz. to him and his Heirs. As for the Executors of
yf, they cannot have it ; for it is not an Eftate teftamentary, that it fhould
go to the Executors, as Goods and Chattels fhould ; fo that in truth no Man
I i 2 can
Occufancy.
Property of
Lands by
Defccnt,
Three Rules
af Defcent.
The Trocedure of the Law Se6l. III.
can entitle himfelf to thofe Lands : and therefore the Law prefers him that
firft enters •, and he is call'd Occupans, and fhall hold it during the Life
of B -, but muft pay the Rent, perform the Conditions, and do no wafte :
and he may by Deed affign it to whom he pleafe in his Life-time. But if
he die before he affign it over -, then it fliall go again to whomfoever firft
enters and holds ; and fo all the Life of 5, as often as it /hall hap-
pen.
3. Likewife, if any Man wrongfully enters into another's PofTeffion, and
puts the right Owner of the Freehold and Inheritance from it -, he thereby
gets the Freehold and Inheritance by Difleifin ; and may hold it againft all
Men; but him that h;is Right, and his Heirs, and is call'd ■x Dijfeifor.
Or if any one die feifed of Lands, and before his Heir enters, one that
has no Right enters into the Lands, and holds them from the right Heir,
he is call'd an jibator ; and is lawful Owner againft all Men but the right
Heir.
4. And if fuch a Perfon, Abator or Diffeifor, provided the DIfteifor has
quiet Poffeffion five Years next after the Dilteifin, continue Pofl^efTion, and
die feifed, and the Land defcend to his Heir •, they have gained the Right
to the Poffeflion of the Land againft him that has Right, till he recover
it by fit Aftion real i;r the Common Law. And if it be not fued for at
the Common Law within threefcore Years after the Difleifin, or Abate-
ment committed, the right Owner has loft his Right by that Negligence.
And if a Man has diverfe Children, and the elder, being a Baftard, enters
into the Land, and enjoys it quietly during his Life, and dies fo feifed
thereof; his Heirs ftiall hold the Land againft all the lawful Children, and
their IfTues.
5 . Property of Lands by Defcent., is that where a Man has Lands of In-
heritance and dies, not difpofing of them, but leaving them to go, as the
Law cafts it, upon the Heir. This is call'd a Defcent of Law ; and uporr
whom the Defcent is to light, is the Queftion. For which purpofe, the
Law of Inheritance prefers the firft Child before all others ; and amongft
Children, the Male before the Female ; and amongft Males, the firft-born.
If there be no Children, then the Brother ; if no Brother, then Sifters ;
if neither Brothers nor Sifters, then Uncles ; and tor want of Uncles,
Aunts ; then Coufins in the neareft Degree of Confanguinity, with thefe
three Rules of Diverfities. (i.) That the eldeft Male fhall folely inherit ;
but if it come to Females, then they being all in an equal Degree of
Nearnefs, fhall inherit all together, and are call'd Parceners ; and all thefe
make but one Heir to the Anceftor. (2.) That no Brother, nor Sifter of
half Blood, ftiall inherit to his Brother or Sifter, but as a Child to his
Parents : for Example ; if a Man have two Wives, and by either Wife a
Son, the eldeft Son out-living his Father, is to be preferred to the Inhe^
ritance of the Father, being Fee-fimple ; but if he enters and dies chiidlefs,
the Brother fhall not be his Heir, becaufe he is of the half Blood to him ;
but the Uncle of the eldeft Brother or Sifter of the whole Blood : yet if
the eldeft Brother had died, or had not entered in the Life of the Father,.
eithej'
St6t. III. in Matter of Property. 14-^
either by fuch Entry or Conveyance*, tlicn the yoiingeft Brother fhould m-
hcrit the Lund th.it the Father liad, altho it were a Child by the fccond
Wife, before ;iny Daughter by the nrll. (;.) The third RuJeabout Defcenrs,
is, That Land purclialld lb by the Parry himfelf that dies, is to be inhe-
rited -, firft, by the Heirs of the Father's fide ; then if he have none of
that Part, by the Heirs of the Mother's fide. But Lands defcending to him
from his Father or Mother, are to go to that fide only from which they
came, and not to the other fide.
6. Thefe Rules of Defccut, are to be underftood of Fee-fimpks^Caftomsof
and not of entailed Lands ; and they are reftrained by forte particular "''''""^''''"*'
Cuftoms of particular Places : as namely, the Cuftoms of Kent, that
every Male of equal Degree of Childhood, Brotherhood, or Kindred,
fhall inherit equally, as Daughters fliall, being Parceners : and in many
Borough Towns in England, the Cuftom allows the youngeft Son to inherit,
and fo the youngeft Daughter. The Cuftom of Kent is call'd Gavel-kind.
The Cuftom of Boroughs, Burgb-Englip.
7. There is another thing to be obferved in Fee-fimple Inheritance ; '^•^'«'■> ^'"'
z'iz. that every Heir having Fee-fimple Land or Inheritance, be it by Com- i'"^f?"^'
mon Law or by Cuftom, either of Gaz'el-kind or Biirgb-EngliJ]}, is charge- ',/;,°^';^^,„^
able, fo far as the Value thereof extends, with the binding Acfts of the jicls of h%
Anceftors from whom the Inheritance defcends •, and thefe Acts are colla- -^"cejlors.
teral Incumbrances: and the Reafon of this Charge is, ^rti fentit commo-
dum, [entire debet £5? incommodum, five Onus. As for Example ; if a Man
bind himfelf and his Heirs in an Obligation, or Covenant by Writing, for
him and his Heirs, or grant an Annuity for him and his Heirs, or make a.
Warranty of Land, binding him and his Heirs to \Varranty ; in all rhefe
Cafes the Law charges the Heir, after the Death of the Anceftor, with this
Obligation, Covenant, Annuity, and Warranty -, yet with thefe three
Cautions : firft, that the Party muft, by fpecial Name, bind himfelf and
his Heirs, or covenant, grant, and warrant for himfelf and his Heirs ;
otherwife the Heir is not to be touched.
S. Secondly, that fome Action muft be brought againft the Heir, whilft:
the Land or other Inheritance refts in him unaliened away : for if the An-
ceftor die, and the Heir, before an Aflion be brought againft him upon
thefe Bonds, Covenants, or Warranties, do alien away the Land, then the
Heir is clean difcharged of the Burden •, except the Land was by Fraud
convey'd away, on purpofe to prevent the Suit intended againft him.
9. 'thirdly, that no Heir is farther to be charged, than the Value of the
Land defcended to him, from the fame Anceftor that made the Inftrument
of Charge •, and that Land alfo, not to be fold out-right for the Debt >
but to be kept in extent, and at a yearly Value, until the Debt or Da-
mage be run out.
1 o. Neverthekfs, if an Heir that is fued upon fuch a Debt of his An-
ceftor, do not deal clearly with the Court when he is fued -, that is, if he
come not in immediately, and by way of Confeffion fet down rhe true
Quantity of his Inhericance defcended ; and fo fubmit himfelf, as the Law
requires i
14<J The Trocedure of the Law Se6t, III.
Beirs charged rea^mrt?,; then the Heir that otherwiie demeans himfelf, fhall be charged
for J.I fe Plea. ^^ his own Lands, or Goods, and of his Money, for this Deed of his
Anceftor.. As for Example •, if a Man bind himfelf and his Heirs in an
Obligation of one hundred Pounds, and dies, leaving but ten Acres of Land
to his Heir -, if his Heir be fucd upon the Bond, and comes in, and de-
nies that he has any Lands by Defcent ; and it is found againfl: him by the
Verdidt, that he has ten Acres -, this Heir fhall be new charged by his
filfe Plea of his own Lands, Goods and Body, to pay the three hundred
Pounds, altho the ten Acres be not worth ten Pounds.
Property of II. Property of Lands by Efcheat, is where the Owner died feifed of the
Yfhat^ Lands in PolTefTion, without Child or other Heir, whereby the Land, for
want of other Heir, is faid to efcheat to the Lord of whom it is held.
r/;eCrt«/es o/This Want of Heir happens principally in two Cafes: firft, where the
Efcheat. Land's Owner is a Baftard. Secondly, where he is attainted of Felony or
Treafon : For neither can a Baftard have any Heir, except it be his own
Child, nor a Man attainted of Treafon, tho it be his own Child.
Atta'milcr of 12. Upon Attainder of Treafon, the King is to have the Land, tho
Tnafon enti-]^^ j-,g ^q^ jjig Lord of whom 'tis held -, becaufe it is a royal Efcheat. But
ties the King. ^^^ felony, the King is not to have the Efcheat, except the Land be held
of him: and yet where the Land is not held of him, the King is to have
the Land for a Year and a Day next enfuing the Judgment of the Attain-
der, with a Liberty to commit all manner ot wafte, all that Year, in Hou-
fes, Gardens, Ponds, Lands and Woods.
13. In thefe Efcheats two things are efpecially to be obferved ; viz.
(i.) the Tenure of the Lands, becaufe it direfts the Perfon to whom the
Efcheat belongs ; viz. the Lord of the Manor of whom the Land is held.
(2.) The manner of fuch Attainder which draws with it the Efcheat.
Concerning the Tenure of Lands, it is to beunderftood, that all Lands are
held of the Crown, either mediately or immediately •, and that the Efcheat
appertains to the immediate Lord, and not to the mediate. The Reafon
why all Land is held of the Crown immediately, or by Mefne Lands, is
this. The Conqueror got, by Right of Conqueft, all the Land of the
Realm into his own Hands, in Demefne -, taking away from every Man all
Eftate, Tenure, Property, and Liberty of the fame ; except religious
and Church-Lands, and the Land in .^1?«/ .• and ftill as he gave any of it
out of his own Hand, he referved fome Retribution of Rents, or Services,
or both, to him and his Heirs •, which Refervation is called the Tenure of
Knight's 5«r-Land. In which Refervation he had four Inftitutions, exceeding politick
'.ncmJl.tHud.^^^ fuitable to the State of a Conqueror.
14. The firji was, that feeing his People to be part Normans and part
Saxons ; (the Normans he brought with him, the Saxons he found here ;) he
bent himfelf to conjoin them by Marriages in Amity •, and for that pur-
pofe ordains, that if thofe of his Nobles, Knights, and Gentlemen, to
whom he gave great Rewards of Lands, fhould die, leaving their Heir
within Age, a Male within twenty -one, and a Female within fourteen
Years, and unmarried -, then the King Ihould have the beftowing of fuch
Heirs
Se6t. 111. in Matter ^Property. 147
Heirs in Marriage in fiich a Family, and to llich Perfonsas he fhoiild think
fit ; which Intereft ot Marriage went dill implied, and is at this Day in
every Tenure call'd Knight's-Servicc.
15. The fecond was, to the End that his People fliould be flill continued
in warlike Exercifcs, and able for his Defence. When, therefore, he gave
any good Portion of Lands, that he might make the Party of Ability or
Strength, he withal refervcd this S^'rvice, that the Party and his Heirs ha-
ving fuch Lands, fhoiild keep a Horfc of Service continually, and ferve
upon him, himfelf, when the King went to War : or eife having Impedi-
inent, to excufe his own Perfon, fliould find another to ferve in his Place :
which Service of Horfe and Man, is a Pare of that Tenure call'd Knigbt's-
Service at this Day.
16. But if the Tenant himfelf bean Infint, the King is to hold this
Land himfelf till he come to full Age, finding him Meat, Drink, Ap-
parel, and other NecelTaries -, and finding a Horfe and Man with the
Overplus, to ferve in the Wars ; as the Tenant himfelf fhould do, if he were
at full Age.
17. But if this Inheritance fhould defcend upon a Woman, that cannot
ferve by her Sex, then the King is not to have the Lands; fhe being four-
teen Years of Age; becaufe fhe is then able to have a Hufband that may-
do the Service in Perfon.
18. The third Injiittition was, that upon every Gift of Land, the King
referv'd a Vow and Oath, to bind the Party to his Faith and Loyalty ;
that Vow was called Homage, and the Oath Fealty. Homage is to be
done kneeling ; holding his Hands between the Knees of the Lord ; fly-
ing in Frenchy 1 become your Man of Life and Limb, and of earthly
Honour. Fealty is to take an Oath upon a Book, that he will be a faith-
flil Tenant to the King, and do his Service, and pay his Rents according
to his Tenure.
19. The fourth Inftitntion was, that for Recognition of rhe King's Bounty,
by every Heir fucceeding his Anceftor in thofc Knight's-Service Lands, the
King fhould have Primter Seiftn of the Lands, which is one Year's Profit
of the Lands ; and till this be paid, the King is to have PofTefTion of the
Land, and then to reflore it to the Heir ; which continues at this Day,
and is the very Caufe of fuing Livery, and that as well where the Heir
has been in Ward, as otherwife.
20. Thefe are the Rights of the Tenure call'd Knight's-Service in Ca- Knight'sSef.
fite; which is as much as to fay, a Tenure de Perfona Regis ; and Caput '^'." '" ^-^^
being the chiefeft P^irt of the Perfon, it is call'd a Tenure in Capite, or in ^''"^'
chief 'Tis alfo to be noted, that as this Tenure in C.ipile by Knight's-
Service, generally was a great Safety to the Crown ; fo alfo the Conquer-
or inftituted other Tenures in Capite, neceflary to his Efhxte ; i-iz. he
gave diverfe Lands to be held of him, by fome fpecial Sen'ice about his
Perfon, or by bearing fome fpecial Office in his Houfe, or in the Field,
which have Knight's-Service, and more in them ; and thefe he call'd 7f-
fiures by grand Sergeantry. He alfo provided, upon the firft Gift of Lands,
to
5.4-8 The Trocedure of the Law Sed. Hi
to have Revenues by continual Service of ploughing his Land, repairing
his Houfes, Parks, Pales, Caftles, and the like : And fometimes to a
yearly Provifion of Gloves, Spurs, Hawks, Horfes, Hounds, and the
like -, which kind of Refervations are call'd alfo Tenures in chief, or in
Caplte of the King •, but they are not by Knight's-Service ; becaufe they
required no perfonal Service ; but fuch things as the Tenants may hire
another to do, or provide by Money.
rlie inftitu- 21. And this Tenure is call'd a Tenure by Socage in Capie ; the
tionof Soc- \Yord Socagium fignifying the Plough ; tho in later times, the Service of
pife.'" ^ ploughing the Land is turnqri into Money Rent ; and fo of Harveft
Works ; becaufe the Kings do not keep their Demefne in their own Hands,
as they ufed to do ; yet what Lands were de antiquo Dominio Coronie, well
appears in the Records of the Exchequer call'd the Book of Doomfday.
And the Tenants, by ancient Demefne, have many Immunities and Privi-
leges at this Day, that in ancient Times were granted to thofe Tenants by
the Crown ; the Particulars whereof are too long to fet down.
22. Thefe Tenures in Capite^ as well that by Soccage, as the others by
Knight's-Service, have this Property ; that the Tenants cannot alien their
Lands without Licence of the King : if they do, the King is to iiave a
Fine for the Contempt, and may feize the Land, and retain it till the
Fine be paid. The Reafon is, becaufe the King would have a Liberty in
the Choice of his Tenant; fo that no Man fliall prefume to enter into
thofe Lands, and hold them, for which the King was to have thofe fpe-
cial Services done him, without the King's Leave. This Licence and
Fine, as it is now digeiled, is eafy, and of Courfe.
office of jilie- 2 J. There is an Office call'd the Office of vllienation, where any Man
nation. ^^^^^ \\zve Licence at a reafonable Rate ; that is, at the third part of one
Year's Value of the Land moderately rated. A Tenant in Capite by
Knight's-Service, or grand Sergeantry, was reftrained by ancient Statute,
that he fhould not give, nor alien away, more of his Lands, than that with
the reft he might be able to do the Service due to the King •, but this is
now difufed.
uiid, what. 24. And to this Tenure by Knight's-Service in Chief, was incident that
the King fliould have a certain Sum of Money, call'd ^id, due to be ra-
tably levied among all thofe Tenants proportionably to his Lands, to make
his eldeft Son a Knight, or to marry his eldcft Daughter.
Tenants by 25. And it is to be obferved, that all thofe who hold Lands by the
{""czvlt" Tenure of Soccage in Capite, altho not by Knight's-Service, cannot alien
without Licence •■, and they are to fue Livery, and pay Primier Seifm, but
not to be in Ward for Body or Land.
Manors, ho-M 26. In Imitation of the King's Policy in thefe Inftitutions of Tenures,
firjl created, the great Men and Gentlemen of this Realm did the like, as near as they
could : thus when the King had given to any of them two thoufand Acres
of Land, the Party purpofing in this Place to make his Dwelling ; or,
as the old Word is, his Manfion-Houfe, or his Manor-Houfe, devifed
haw he might make his Land a complete Habitation, to fupply him with
all
Sed.'in. in Matter «j/'Propertx'. 249
aJl Neceflaries ; and for that purpofe he would give of the extreme Parts of
thofe two thoufand Acres, a hundred, or two hundred Acres, more or lefs,
as he fhould think fit, to one of his nioft trufty Servants, with feme Re-
fervation of Rent, to find a Horfc for the Wars, and go with him when
he went with the King to the Wars; adding a Vow of Homage, and the
Oath of Fealty, Wardfhip, Marriage, and Relief Th\% Relief k to \\\y
five Pounds for every Knight's Fee, or after that Rate for more or lefs, at
the Entrance of every Heir -, which Tenant fo created and placed, was,
and is to this Day call'd a Tenant by Knight' s-Service, and not by his ownTenanrby
Perfon, but of his Manors : of thcfe he might make as many as he plea- '^"'l^i' s-ser-
fed. Then this Lord would provide that the Land he was to keep ''"'
for his own Ufe, fliould be ploughed, and his Harveft brought home, his
Houfe repaired, his Park paled, and the like : and for that end he would
give fome lefler Parcels to fundry others, of rwenty, thirty, forty, or fifty
Acres; referving the Service of ploughing a certain Quantity, or fo many
days of his Land, and certain Harveft Works, or Days in the Harveft, to
labour ; or to repair the Houfe, Park-Pale, or otherAvife ; or to give
him for hisProvifion, Capons, Hens, Pepper, Cumin, Rofes, Gilliflow-
ers. Spurs, Gloves, or the like -, or to pay him a certain Rent, and to
be fworn his futhfijl Tenant ; which Tenure was call'd a Soccage Tenure ; Soccage-Te-.
and is fo to this Day : tho moft of the Ploughing and Harveft Services are""'"'-
turned into Money Rents.
25. The Tenants in Soccage, at the Death of every Tenant, were to payR^Z/'e/ »/ T'-
Relief, which was not as Knight's-Service is, five Pounds a Knight's Fee ; """'^ '" ^o'-
but it was, and is ftill fo, one Year's Rent of the Land ; and no Ward-'^"'^''
ftiip, or other Profit to the Lord. The Remainder of the two thoufand
Acres he kept to himfelf; which he ufed to manure by his Bondmen, and
appointed them, at the Courts of his Manor, how they fhould hold it, ma-
king an Entry of it into the Roll of the Remembrances of the Afts of
his Court ; yet ftill in the Lord's Power to take it away ; and therefore
they were call'd Tenants at Will, by Copy of Court- Roll ; being in irnz\iTenure by
Bond-men at the beginning : but having obtained Freedom of their Per-'^W-
fons, and gain'd a Cuftom by uie of occupying their Lands, they now
are call'd Copy-holders, and are fo priviledged, that the Lord cannot put
them out ; and all thro Cuftom. Some Copy-holders are for Lives ; one,
rwo, or three fuccefTively ; and fome Inheritances from Heir to Heir by
Cuftom ; and Cuftom rules thefe Eftates wholly, both for Widows,
Eftates, Fines, Harriots, Forfeitures, and all other things.
26. Manors being thus made at the firft, it was reafonable the Lord ofCourt-Baren.
the Manor fhould hold a Court ; which is no more than to affemble his
Tenants together at a time by him appointed : in which Court he was to
be informed, by the Oath of his Tenants, of all fuch Duties, Rents, Re-
liefs, Wardftiips, Copy-holds, or the like, that had happened to him -,
which Information is call'd a Prefentment : and then his Bailiff is to feize
and diftrain for thofe Duties, if they were denied or with-held. This Court
is call'd a Cotirt-Baron : and herein a Man may fue for any Debt or Tref-
VoL. II. Kk pafs
rSo
what Attain-
ders give the
Efcheat to the
Lord,
Outlawry.
Prayer of
Clergy.
Standing
mute.
Felo de fe,
«nd fiying.
Nttfurrert-
dring.
The Trocedure of theX^k'fi Se€t. III.
pa.fs under forty Pound Value ; and the Freeholders are to judge of the
Caufe, upon Proof produced on both fides. And therefore the Free-
holders of thefe Manors, as incident to their Tenures, do hold by Suit of
Court ; which is to come to the Court, and there to judge between Party
and Party in thofe petty Aftlons •, and alfo to inform the Lord of Duties,
Rents, and Services unpaid to him from his Tenants. By this Courfe it is
difcerned who are the Lords of Lands -, fuch as if the Tenants die with-
out Heir, or be attainted of Felony or Treafon, fhall have the Land by
Efcheat.
27. Now for v/hat Attainders fhall give the Efcheat to the Lord ; it
mult either be by Judgment of Death, given in fome Court of Record
againfl the Felon found guilty by Vcrdift, or ConfelTion of the Felony ;
or elk by Outlawry of him.
28. The Outlawry proceeds thus. A Man is indidted for Felony, being
not in hold •, fo that he cannot be brought in Perfon to appear and be
tried ; infomuch that Procefs of Capias is therefore awarded to the Sheriff,
who not finding him, returns, non efi inventus in balliva mea ; and there-
upon another Capias is awarded to the Sheriff, who likewife, not finding
him, makes the fame Renirn •, then a Writ, call'd an Exigent, is direcfted to
the Sherift', commanding him to proclaim him, in his County-Court, five
feveral Court- Days, to yield his Body: which if the Sheriff do, and the
Party yield not his Body, he is fiid, by the Default, to be out-law'd ;
the Coroners there adjudging him out-law'd, and the Sheriff making
the Return of the Proclamations, and of the Judgment of the Coroners
upon the Back-fide of the Writ. This is an Attainder of Felony ; where-
upon the Offender forfeits his Lands, by an Efcheat to the Lord of whom
they are held.
29. But a Man found guilty of Felony by Verdict or Confefiion, and
praying his Clergy ; and thereupon reading as a Clerk, and fo burnt in
the Hand and difcharged ; is not attainted •, becaufe by his Clergy he pre-
vents the Judgment of Death, and is call'd a Clerk- Convift -, who lofes
not his Lands, but all his Goods, Chattels, Leafes, and Debts.
qo. So a Man indidled, that will not anfwer, nor put himfelf upon
Trial, altho he be by this to have Judgment of preffmg to Death, yet
he forfeits no Lands ■, but Goods, Chattels, Leafes, and Debts •, except
his Offence be Treafon; and then he forfeits his Lands to the Crown.
31. So a Mafi that kills himfelf fhall not lofe his l.,ands, but his Goods,
Chattels, Leafes, and Debts ; and the like of thofe that kill others in
their own Defence, or by Misfortune. A Man that being purfued for
Felony, and flys for it, lofes his Goods for his flying; altho he return and
is tried, and not found guilty of the Fadt.
32. So a Man indifted of Felony, if he yield not his Body to theShe-
rifi^ till after the Exigent of Proclamation is awarded againft him, for-
feits all his Goods for his Delay ; altho he be not found guilty of the Fe-
lony : but none are attainted to lofe Lands, befides fuch as have Judg-
ment
Se6t. III. in Matter ^Propertt. ^Sl
mcnt of Death by Tri.il upon Vcrdicl, or their own ConfefTion, or are
by Judgment of the Coroner's out-law'd, as before.
33. Befides the Efchears of Lands to the Lords of whom they are held forfeiture of
for want of Heirs, and by Attainder of Felony, which only hold Place ^,""'^'""^'
in Fee-fimple Lands ; there is alio Forfeiture of Lands to the Crown, '^''^"'
bCit not to the Lord.
34. And if a Man having an Eftate for Life of himfelf, or of another, Fsr Tn^on.
commit Treafon or Felony, the whole Eftate is forfeited to the Crown ;
but no Efcheat to the Lord.
35. But a Copy-hold, for Fee-fimple, or for Life, is forfeited to the
Lord, and not to the Crown ; and if it be entail'd, the Lord is to have
it during the Life of the Offender only ; and then his Heir is to have it.
36. TheCuftom oi Kent is, that Gavelkind-Land is not forfeitable, nor
efcheatable, for Felony : for they have an old Saying •, The Father to the
Bough, and the Son to the Plough.
37. If the Hufband was attainted, the Wife was to lofe her Thirds, in
Cafes of Felony or Treafon-, yet fhe is no Offender ; but at this Day 'tis
held by Statute- La\V, that fhe lofes them not for the Hufband's Felony.'
The Relation of thefe Forfeits runs thus. That Men attainted of Felony
or Treafon, by Verdict or ConfelTion, forfeit all the Lands they had at
the time of the Offence committed -, and the King or the Lord, who-
ever of them has the Efcheat or Forfeiture, fliall come in, and avoid all
Leafes, Statutes, or Conveyances done by the Offender, at any time fince
the Offence committed. And fo the Law is clear alfo, if a Man be at-
tainted for Treafon by Out-lawry. But upon Attainder of Felony by
Out-lawry, it has been much doubted by the Law Books, whether the
Lord's Title by Efcheat fhall relate back to the time of the Offence done,
or only to the Date or Teft of the Writ of Exigent for Proclamation •,
whereupon he is out-law'd: tho at this Day it is ruled, that it fhall reach
back to the time of his Faft •, but for Goods, Chattels, and Debts, the
King's Title fhall look no further back than to thofe Goods which the
Party attain'd by Verdift or Confeffion, had at the time of the Verdifb
and Confeffion, given or made ; and in Out-lawries, at the time of the
Exigent, as well in Treafons as Felonies: wherein it is to be obferved, thztTelony.
upon the Parties being firft apprehended, the Kings Officers are to feize
all the Goods and Chattels, and preferve them together •, difpending only
fo much out of them, as is fit for the Suflentation of the Perfon in Prifon •,
without any Wafte or difpofing of them till Conviction -, and then the Pro-
perty of them is in the Crown, and not before.
38. Note alfo, tliat Perfons attainted for Felony or Treafon, have no
Capacity to take, obtain, or purchafe, fave only to the Ufe of the King,
till the Party be pardoned. Yet the Party gives not back his Lands or
Goods, without a fpecial Patent of Reflitution ; which cannot reftore the
Blood without an A6t of Parliament. So if a Man have a Son, and then
is attainted of Felony or Treafon, and pardoned -, and purchafes Lands,
and then has Iffue another Son, and dies; the Son he had before he was
K k 2 pardoned.
^^^ The Troperty o/' L a n d s Se6t. IV.
pardoned, altho he be his eldeft Son, and the Patent have the Words of
Reftitiition to his Lands, fliall not inherit, but hisfecond Son fhall ; becaufe
the Blood is corrupted by the Attainder, and cannot be reftored by Patent
alone, but by Aft of Parliament. And if a Man have two Sons, and the
eldeft is attainted in the Life of his Father, and dies without Iflaie, the
Father living, the fecond Hiall inherit the Father's Lands ; but if the eld-
eft Son have any liTue, tho he die in the Life of his Father, then neither
the fecond Son, nor the Iffue of the eldeft, fhall inherit the Father's
Lands •, but the Father fhall there be accounted to die without Heir, and
the Land fhall efcheat, whether the eldeft Son have IflTue or not, after-
wards or before, tho he be pardoned after the Death of his Father,
SECT. IV.
CyPROPERTY ofluA-^-DS hy CONVEYANCE.
Eftates, howl. T^ STATES are created by Word, by Writing, or by Record.
created by [~*^ Eftates of Tears, which are commonly call'd Leafes for Years, are
Leaje Parole. made thus. Where the Owner of the Land agrees with the other
by Word of Mouth, that the other ftiall have, hold, and enjoy the
Land, to take the Profits thereof for a certain Term of Years, Months,
Weeks, or Days, agreed between them •, this is call'd a Leafe Parole.
Such a Leafe may be made by Writing, Pole, or indented of Device,
Grant, and to Farm let, and alfo by Fine of Record -, but whether any
Rent be referved or no, is not material.
Leafes ^0 to 2. To thefe Leafes may be annexed fuch Exceptions, Conditions, and
Executon, Covenants, as the Parties can agree on. They are call'd Chattels real ;
not Heirs. ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ inheritable by the Heirs, but go to the Executors and Admi-
niftrators, and are faleable for Debts in the Life of the Owner, or in the
Executors, or Adminiftrators Hands, by Writs of Execution upon Sta-
how forfeit- tutes. Recognizances, Judgments of Debts or Damages. They are alfo
*''• forfeitable ro the Crown by Out-lawry, by Attainder for Treafon, Felony,
or Pramunire, Self-Murder, flying for Felony, altho not guilty of the
Faft ; ftanding out, or refufing to be tried by the County, by Conviftion
of Felony, by Verdift without Judgment, Petty-Larceny, or going be-
yond the Sea without Licence.
chattels real. ■ ^. They are forfeitable to the Crown, in like manner as Leafes for
Years, or Intereft, got in other Mens Lands, by extending for Debt upon
Judgment in any Court of Record, Statute-Merchant, Statute-Staple,
Recognizances ; which being upon Statutes, are call'd Tenants by Statute-
Merchant, or Staple; the other Tenants by f/f'_g//, and by Wardftiipof Body
and Lands: for all thefe are call'd Chattels real, and go to the Executors
and
Se<5t. IV. fy Conveyance. zsi
and Adminillrators, and not to the Heirs ; and are faleable and forfeit-
able, as Leafes for Years are.
4. Leafes for Lives are alfo call'd Freeholds ; and may likewife be made^f/"/'"'
bv Word or Writing. There mull be Livery and Seifm given at thef^"'"''^''"'
making ot the Leale by him we call the Leflbr ; who comes to the
Door, Backfide, or Garden, if it be a Houfe ; if not, then to fome part
of the Land, and there exprcflcs, that he does grant to the Taker, call'd
the Leflee, for Term of his Life : and in Scifin thereof, he delivers to
him a Turf, Twig, or Ring of the Door : and if the Leafe be by
Writing, then commonly there is a Note written on the Backfide of the
Leafe, with the Names of thofe WitnefTes, who were prcfent at the time
of the Livery and Seifin made. This Eftate is not faleable by the She-
riff for Debt ; but the Land is to be extended for a yearly Value, to fa-
tisfy the Debt. 'Tis not forfeitable by Out-lawry, except in Cafes oi How forfelt-
Felbny ; nor by any of the Means before-mention'd, of Leafes for Years ;"^-
faving in an Attainder for Felony, Treafon, or Pramunire ; and then only
to the Crown, and not to the Lord, by Efcheat.
5. And tho a Nobleman, or other, have liberty by Charter, to have
all Felons Goods -, yet a Tenant holding for Term of Life, being attaint-
ed of Felony, forfeits to the King, and not to this Nobleman.
6. If a Man have an Eftate in Lands for another's Life, and dies; this
Land cannot go to his Heir, nor to his Executors, but to the Party that
firll enters; and he is call'd an Occupant, as before-mention'd.
7. A Leafe for Years, or Life, may be made alfo by Fine of Record, Entails,
or Bargain and Sale, or Covenant, to ftand feized upon good Confider-
ations of Marriage, or Blood : the Reafons whereof are hereafter ex-
prefTed.
8. Entails of Lands are created by a Gift, with Livery and Seifm to
a Man, and to the Heirs of his Body ; this Word, Body, making the
Entail, may be demonflrated and retrained to the Males or Females,
Heirs of their two Bodies, or of the Body of either of them, or of the
Body of the Grandfather or Father.
9. Entails of Lands began by a Statute made in the time of Edward the Their Origin.
Firft ; by which alfo they are fo much ftrengthened, as that the Tenant
in Tail could not put away the Land from the Heir, by any Aft of Con-
veyance or Attainder ; nor let it, nor incumber it, longer than his own
Life.
10. But the Inconvenience thereof was great; for by that means, t\\Q incon-jenien-
Land being fo fure tied upon the Heir that his Father could not put it from ""
him, it made the Son difcbedient, negligent, and wafteful ; often marry-
ing without the Father's Confent; and to grow infolent in Vice; know-
ing that there could be no Check of difmheriting him. It alfo made the
Owners of the Land lefs fearful to commit Murders, Felonies, Treafons,
and Man-daughters ; as they knew none of thefe Acis could hurt the
Heir of his Inheritance. It hinder'd Men who had encail'd Lands, that
they could not make the bell of their Lands by Fine and Improvement ;
becaufe
^S4' The Troperiy of Lands Se6l. IV.
becaufe none, upon fo uncertain an Eftatc, as for the Term of his own
Life, would give him a Fine of any Value ; or lay any great Stock upon
the Land, that might yield Rent improved. Laftly, thefe Entails de-
frauded the Crown, and many Subjecls, of their Debts ; becaufe the
Land was not liable any longer than his own Life-time ; whence the King
could not fafely commit any Office of Account to fuch whofe Lands were
entail'd, nor other Men tnift them with Loan of Money.
remedied u. Thcfe Inconveniencies were all remedied by A6ls of Parliament,
h Statutes, j^jg^ fj^^n the Afts of Entails, made 4//^«. VII. 32 Hen. VIII. A Tenant
in Tail may difinherit his Son by a Fine, with Proclamation ; and may by
that means alfo make it fubjeft to his Debts and Sales.
12. By a Statute made 26 He>i. VIII. a Tenant in Tail forfeits his Lands
for Treafon : and by another Aft of Parliament, 32 Hen.Vlll. he may
make Leafes good againft his Heir for one and twenty Years, or three
Lives ; fo that if it be not of his chief Houfes, Lands, or Demefne, or
any Leafe in Reverfion, nor lefs Rent referved than the Tenants have
paid mod part of one and twenty Years before ; nor have any manner of
Difcharge for doing Waftes and Spoils : by a Stature made 33 Hen. VIII.
Tenants of entail'd Lands are liable to the King's Debts by Extent; and
by a Statute made 13 and 39 Eliz. they are laleable for the Arrearages,
upon his Account, for his Office ; fo that now it refts, that entail'd Lands
have two Privileges only -, ftz. Firft, not to be forfeited for Felonies:
and fecondJy, not to be extended for Debts after the Parties Death ; except
the Entails be cut off by Fine and Recovery.
Perietuity. 13. But note, that fince thefe notable Statutes and Remedies provided
by Statutes, dock Entails, there is ftarted up a Device call'd Perpetuity ;
which is an Entail with an Addition of a Provifo conditional, tied to his
Eftate, not to put away the Land from his next Heir ; and if he do, to
forfeit his own Eftate. Which Perpetuities, if they fliould ftand, would
brino- in all the former Inconveniencies fubjeft to Entails, that were cut off
by the former Statutes, and far greater -, forby the Perpetuity, if he that is
in Poffeffion ftart away never fo little, as in making a Leafe, or felling a
little Quillet, forgetting after two or three Defcents, as they often do,
how they are tied -, the next Heir muft enter, who peradventure is hi?
Son, his Brother, Uncle, or Kinfman. And this raifes unkind Suits,
fetting all that Kindred at Jars; feme taking one part, fome another; and
the principal Parties v/afting their Time and Money in Suits of Law.
So that in the end they are both conftraincd by Neceffity, to join in a Sale
of the Land, or a great part of it, to pay their Debts, occafioned thro
their Suits : and if the Chief of the Family for any good Purpofe of well
feating himfclf, by felling that which lies far off, is to buy that which is near,
or for the Advancement of his Daughters, or younger Sons, fliould have
reafonable Caufe to fell ; this Perpetuity, if it fhould hold good, reftrains
him. And more than that, where many are Owners of Inheritance of
Land not entail'd, they may, during the Minority of the eldeft Son, appoint
the Profits to go to the Advancement of the younger Sons and Daughters,
and
Se(St. IV. ^>' C O N V E Y A N C E. ISS
and pay Debts ; but by Entails and Perpetuities, tlie Owners of thefc
Lands cannot do it ; but they muft iuffer the wliole to dcfcend to the eldeft
Son, and fo to come to the Crown by Wardfhip all the time of his Infancy.
14. Wherefore, feeing the dangerous Times and untowardly Heirs,
they might prevent thofe Mifchicfs of undoing their Houfes, by convey-
ing the Land from fuch Heirs, if they were not tied to the Stake by thcfe
Perpetuities, and reflrained from forfeiting to the Crown, and difpofing
it to their own, or to their Childrens Good ■, it is worthy of Confidera-
tion, whether it be better for the Subjeft and Sovereign to have the Lands
fecured to Mens Names and Bloods by Perpetuities, with all the Incon-
venienciesabove-mention'd, or to hazard the Undoing of Families by un-
thrifty Pofterity.
15. The lafl and greateft Eftate of Lands is Fee-fimpk ; and beyond t\-\\%Tee-fimfU.
there is none of the former for Lives, Years, or Entails ; but beyond
them is Fce-fimp!e. For it is the greateft, lafl, and utmoft Degree of
Eftates in Land ; therefore he that makes a Leafe for Life, or a Gift in
Tail, may appoint a Remainder when he makes another for Life or in
Tail, or a third in Fee-fimple •, but after a Fee-fimple he can limit no
other Eltate. And if a Man difpofe not of the Fee-fimplc by way of
Remainder, when he makes the Gift in Tail, or for Lives ; then the Fee-
Ample reils in himfelf as a Reverfion.
16. The Difference between a Reverfion and a Remainder is this. The The Difference
Remainder is always a fucceeding Eftate, appointed upon the Gifts of ^^t'f^'ixt Re-
precedent Eftate, at the time when the Precedent is appointed. But ^he^v^^^y"^
Reverfion is an Eftate, left in the Giver, after a particular Eftate made by
him for Years, Life, or Entail : where the Remainder is made with the
particular Eftates, then it muft be done by Deeds in Writing, with Livery
iuid Seifin, and cannot be by Words ; and if the Giver will difpofe of the
Reverfion after it remains in himfelf, he is to do it by Writing, and not
by Word ; and the Tenant is to have Notice of it, and to atturne it ;
which is to give his Aflent by Word, or paying Rent, or the like : and
except the Tenant will thus atturne, the Party to whom the Reverfion is
granted, cannot have the Reverfion -, neither am he compel him by any.
Law to atturne, except the Grant of the Reverfion be by Fine ; and then
he may, by a Writ provided for that purpofe : and if he do not purchafe that
Writ, yet by the Fine the Reverfion fliall pafs-, and the Tenant fhall pay
no Rent, except he will himfelf; nor be puniftied for any Wafte in Hou-
fes, Woods, (^c. unlefs it be granted by Bargain and Sale, by Indenture
enroH'd. Thefe Fee-fimple Eftates lie open to all Perils of Forfeitures,
Extents, Incumbrances, and Sales.
17. Lands are convefcl fix Ways ; (i.) by Feoffment, which is vrhtrs, Lamis con-
by Deed, Lands are given to one and his Heirs, and Livery and Seifin "■'O'f'^.^3'
made according to the Form and Efteft of the Deed : if a lefler Eftate ^^°'*'^^"^
than Fee-fimple be given, and the Livery of Seifin made, it is not call'd
a Feoffment, except the Fee-fimple to be conveyed ; but it is otherwife
call'd a Leafe for Life, or Gift Entail, as above-mention'd.
18. (2.)
%S6 The Troperty of Lands Seft. IV.
1 8. (2.) A Fitte is a real Agreement, beginning thus ; Hac eji finalis con-
cordia, &c. This is done before the King's Judges in the Court of Com-
mon Picas, concerning Lands that a Man fhould have from another to
him and his Heirs, or to him for his Life, or to him and the Heirs male
of his Body, or for Years certain •, whereupon Rent may be referved, but
no Condition or Covenants. This Fhic is a Record of great Credit : and
upon this Fine are four Proclamations made openly in the Common Pleas ;
that is, in every Term one, for four Terms together ; and if any Perfon,
having Right to the fame, make not claim within five Years after the Pro-
clamation ended, he lofes his Right for ever-, except it be an Infant, a
Woman Covert, a Mad-man, or one beyond the Seas-, and then his Right
is faved ; fo that the Claim be made within five Years after the Death of the
Hufband, Recovery of Senfes, or Return from beyond Sea. This Fine is
call'd a Feoffment of Record ; becaufe it includes all that the Feoffment doesj
and works farther of its own Nature, and bars Entails peremptorily, whe-
ther the Heir claim within five Years, or not ; if he claim by him that
levied the Fine.
Recovery. 19. (3.) Recoveries are when for Aflurances of Lands, the Parties agree
that one fhall begin an J£lion real againfl. the other, as if he had good
Right to the Land ; and the other lliall not enter into Defence againft it,
but alledge that he bouglit the Land of J. H. who had warranted it unto
him, and pray that J. H. may be call'd in to defend the Title; which
J. H. is one of the Criers of the Common-Pleas ; and is call'd the Com-
mon-Voucher. This J . H. fhall appear, and make as if he would defend it ;
but fhall pray a Day to be affign'd him in his Matter of Defence -, which
being granted, at the Day he makes Default, and thereupon the Court is
to give Judgment againft him ; which cannot be for him to lofe his Land,
becaufe he has it not -, but the Party that he fold it to has that, who
vouched him to warrant it.
20. Therefore the Demandant^ who has no Defence made againft it,
muft have Judgment to have the Land, againft him that he fued, who is
call'd the Tenant -, and the Tenant is to have Judgment againft J. H. to
recover in Value fo much Land of his, where in Truth he has none, nor
never will. And by this Device, grounded upon the ftrift Principles of
Law, the firft Tenant lofes the Land, and has nothing for it ; but it is
by his own Agreement for AfTurance to him that bought it.
21 . This Recovery bars Entails, and all Remainders and Reverfions that
ftiould take place after the Entails -, faving where the King is the Giver of
the Entail, and keeps the Reverfion to himfelf i then neither the Heir, nor
the Remainder, nor Reverfion, is barred by the Recovery.
22. The Reafon why the Heirs, Remainders and Reverfions, are thus
barred, is becaufe, in ftrift Law, the Recompence adjudged againft the Crier
that was Vouchee, is to go in SuccefTion of Eftate, as the Land fhould
have done ; and then it was not Reafon to allow the Heir Liberty to keep
the Land itfelf, and alfo to have Recompence > and therefore he lofes the
Land, and is to truft to the Recompence.
23. This
Sed. IV. ^Conveyance. 15-7
23. Tliis Device was firft invented, wlu-n Entails lell out to be fo incon-
venient as is before declared ; fo that Men made no Conlcience to cut them
off", if they could find Law for it. And now, by ufe, rhofe Recoveries are
become common AfTurances againft Entails, Remainders and Reverfions,
and are the greateft Security Purchafers have for their Money ; for a Eine
will bar the Heir in Tail -, and not the Remainder, nor Reverfion, but a
common Recovery will burthen all.
24. Upon Feoffmr'.ts md Recoveries, the Eftate fettles as the life znd^"f'"""'
Intent of the Parties is declared by Word or Writing, before the Aft was^"^ Recove-
done : as for Example; if they make a Writing that one of them fliall le-
vy a Fine, make a Feoftment, or fufter a common Recovery tothe other;
but the Ufe and Intent is, that one fliould have it for his Life, and after
his Deceafe, a Stranger to have it in Tail, and then a third in Fee-fimple :
In this Cafe the Land fettles in an Eftate, according to the Ufe and Intent
declared. And that by reafon of the Statute made 27 Hen. VIII. convey-
ing the Land in PoflcfTion to him that has Intereft in the Ufe, or Intent of
the Eine, Feoffment, or Recovery ; according to the Ufe and Intent of
the Parties. Upon this Statute is likewife grounded the fourth and fifth of
the fix Conveyances ; i-iz. Bargains, Sales, and Covenants, to fland felzed
to Ufes ; for this Statute, whereever it finds an Ufe, conjoins the Poflef-
fion to it, and turns it into like QuaHty of Eftare, Condition, Rent, and
the like, as the Ufe has.
25. (4.) The Ufe is but the Equity and Honefty to hold the Land in'^fi» «'^''^
confdentia bent I'iri. ' As for Example ; I and you agree that I fliall give
you Money for your Land, and you fhall make me Affurance of it. I
pay you the Money ; but you made me no Aifurance of it. Here, altho
the Eftate of the Land be (till in you, yet the Equity and Honefty to have
it is with me ; and this Equity Is call'd the Ufe : upon which I had no
Remedy but in Chancery, till this Statute was made of 27 Hen. VIII.
and now this Statute conjoins and contains the Land to him that has the
Ufe. I, for my Money paid to you, have the Land itfelf, without any
other Conveyance from you ; and it is call'd a Bargain and Sale.
26. But the Parliament which made that Statute, forefaw it would be
mifchievous that Mens Lands fhould fo fuddenly, upon the Payment of
a little Money, be convey'd from them, perhaps in an Ale-houfe, or a
Tavern, upon ftralnable Advantages ; and therefore gravely provided ano-
ther A(5t in the fame Parliament, that the Land, upon Payment of this
Money, fliould not pafs away, except there were a Writing indented,
made between the faid two Parties ; and the faid Writing alfo, within fix
Months, enrolled in fome of the Courts at Wefiminjler^ or in the Seflions
Rolls in the Shire where the Land lies ; unlefs it be In Cities or Corporate
Towns, where they ufed to enroll Deeds ; and there the Statute extends
not.
^7- (5-) Tht fifth Conveyance of a Fine, is a Conveyance to ftand fdz'd c<'»'!'«y'»»«
to Ufes : it is in this fort. A Man has a Wife and Children, Brethren '//;f,JJ"=-'
and Kinsfolks, may, by Writing under his Hand and Seal, agree, that for
Vol. II. LI their.
a 5-8 The Troperiy of Lands Se6l. IV.
their, or any of their Preferment, he will ftand feized of his Lands to
~ their Ufes, either for Life in Tail or Fee -, fo as he fhall fee Caufe : upon
which Agreement in Writing, there arifes an Equity or Honefty, that the
Land fliould go according to thofe Agreements; Nature and Reafon allow-
ing thefe Provifions ; which Equity and Honefty is the Ufe. And the
Uje being created in this fort ; the Statute of 27 Hen. VIIL before-men-
tioned, conveys the Eftate of the Land as the Ufe is appointed.
28. Kndio t\\K Covenant to ftand feized to Ufes, is at this day, fmce the
faid Stature, a Conveyance of Land ; and with this Difference from a Bar-
gain and Sale, that this needs no Enrollment, as a Bargain and Sale does •,
nor needs it to be in Writing indented, as Bargain and Sale muft : and if
the Party, to whofe Ufe he agrees to ftand feized of the Land, be not
Wife or Child, Coufm, or one that he means to marry, then will no Ufe
rife, and fo no Conveyance ; for akho the Law allow fuch weighty Confi-
derations of Marriage and Blood to raife Ufes ; yet it admits not fuch tri-
fling Confiderations, as of Acquaintance, Schooling, Services, or the
like^
29. But where a Man makes an Eftate of his Land to others, by Fine,
Feoffment, or Recovery, he may then appoint the Ul'e to whom he plea-
fes, without refpeft of Marriage, Kindred, or other things •, for in that
Cafe his own Will and Declaration guides the Equity of the Eftate. 'Tis
not fo when he makes no Eftate, but agrees to ftand feized -, nor when he
has taken any thing, as in the Cafes of Bargain, and Sale, and Covenant,
to ftand to Ufes.
Conveyance ^o. (6.) The laft of the fix Conveyances is a Will in Writing; which
Wrtln '" Courfe of Conveyance was firft ordain'd by a Statute made 32 Hen. VIIL
before which Statute no Man might give Land by Will, except it were in
a Borough Town, where there was an efpecial Cuftom, that Men might
give their Lands by Will •, as in London, and many other Places.
31. The not giving of Land by Will, was thought to be a Defe(51: at
Common Law, that Men in Wars, or fuddenly falling fick, had not
Power to difpofe of their Lands, except they could make a Feoffment, or
levy a Fine, or fuffer a Recovery ; which want of time would not permit ;
and for Men to do it by thefe means, when they could not undo it again,
was hard : befides, even to the laft Hour of Death, Mens Minds might
alter upon further Proofs of their Children or Kindred, or Increafe of
Children or Debt, or Defeft of Servants or Friends to be altered. Whence
it was reafonable that the Law fhould permit Men to referve to the laft In-
ftant, the difpofing of their Lands •, and to give them Means to difpofe
thereof : but that not fuiting. Men ufcd this Device.
32. They conveyed their full Eftates of Lands, in their good Health,
to Friends in Truft, properly call'd Feoffees in Truft -, and then they
would by their Wills declare how their Friends fhould difpofe of their
Lands : and if thefe Friends would not perform it, the Court of Chan-
cery was fo compel them by reafon of Truft ; and this Truft was call'd
the Ufe of the Land ; lb that the Feoffees had the Land, and the Party
himfelf
Se<a. IV. ^Conveyance. 25"9
himi'elf had the Ufc ; which Ule was in Equity, to take the Profits for
hiinfelt ; and that the Fcofiees lliould make llich an Ellate as lie fhouki ap-
point them -, and if he appointed none, then the Ufe fhould go to the
Heir, as the Eftate itfelf of the Land fhould have done ; for the Ufe
was to the Eftate like a Shadow following the Body.
33. By this Courfe of putting Lands into Ufe, there arofe many Incon-
veniencies ■■, viz. the giving Men Power and Liberty to difpofe of their
own, was turned to deceive many of their juft and rcafonablc Rights -, fo
that a Man who had Caufe to fue for his Land, knew not againft whom to
bring his Adlion, nor who was the Owner of it. The Wife was defraud-
ed of her Thirds ; the Hufband of being Tenant by Courtefy -, the Lord
of his Wardlliip, Relief, Heriot and Efcheat •, the Creditor of his Ex-
tent for Debt ; the poor Tenant of his Leafe : for thefe Rights and Du-
ties were given, by Law, from him that was the Owner of the Land, and
no other -, which was now the Feoflee of Trull ; and fo the old Owner,
which we call the Fcoffer, fhould take the Profits, and leave the Power to
difpofe of the Land, at his Difcretion, to the Feoffee ; and yet he was not
fuch a Tenant as to befeized of the Land, fo as his Wife could hive Dower ;
or die Lands be extended for his Debts -, or that he could forfrit it for
Felony or Treafon ; or that his Heir could be Ward for it, or any Duty
of Tenure fall to the Lord by his Death •, or that he could make any Lea-
fes of it. Which Frauds, by Degrees of time, as they increafed, were re-
medied by diverfe Statutes. Thefe Frauds neverthelefs multiplying daily,
in the End, 27 /J^-w. VIIL the Parliament purpofing to take away all thofe
Ufes, and reducing the Law to the ancient Form of conveying of Lands
by publick Livery of Seifin, Fine, and Recovery, ordained, that where
the Lands were put in Truft or Ufe, there the Poflefilon and Eftate fhould
be prefently carried out of the Friends in Truft, and fettled and invefted
on him that had the Ufes, for fuch Term and Time as he had the Ufe.
34. By this Statute of 27 Hen. VIIL the Power of difpofing Land by
Will, isclearly taken away among thofe Frauds ; whereupon 32 Hen. VIIL
another Statute was made to empower Men to give Lands by Will in this
fort. FirJ}, it muft be by Will in Writing. Secondly, he muft be feized
of an Eftate in Fee-fimple •, for Tenant for another Man's Life, or Term
in Tail, cannot give Land by Will; by that Statute 32 Hen. VIII. he muft
be folely feized ; and not jointly with another •, and then being tlius feized
for all the Land he holds in Soccage Tenure, he may give it by Will,
except he hold any Piece of Land in Capite by Knight's-Service of the
King ; and then laying all together, he can give but two Parts by Will ;
for the third Part of the whole, as well in Soccage as in Capite, muft de-
fcend to the Heir, to anfwer Wardftiip, Livery, and primer Seifin to the
Crown. And fo if he hold Lands by Knight-Service of a Subjedl:, he
can devife of the Land but two Parts; and the third, the Lord by Ward-
fhip, and the Heir by Defcent, is to hold.
35. And it a Man that has three Acres of Land held in Capite by
Knight's-Service, do make a Jointure to his Wife of one, and convey
another to any of his Children, or to Friends, to take the Profits, and to
L 1 2 pay
z6o Of Property iu Goods. Sedt. V.
pay his Debts or Legacies, or Daughter's Portions, then the third Acre,
or any part thereof, he cannot give by Will ; but muft fufFer it to defcend
to the Heir, and that muft fatisfy Wardfhip. Yet a Man having three
Acres as before, may convey all to his Wite or Children, by Conveyance
in his Life-time, as by Feoffment, Fine, Recovery, Bargain and Sale, or
Covenant to ftand feized to Ufes, and to difinherit the Heir. But if the Heir
be within Age when his Father dies, the King, or other Ward, fliall have
that Heir in Ward •, and fliall have one of the three Acres during the
Wardftiip, and to fue Livery and Seifin. But at fliU Age the Heir fliall
have no part of it ; but it fliall go according to the Conveyance made by
the Father.
36. It has been debated how the Thirds fliall be fet forth. For it is the
Ufe, that all Lands which the Father leaves to defcend to the Heir, be-
ing Fee-fimple, or in Tail, muft be part of the Thirds ; and if it be a
full Third, then the King, nor Heir, nor Lord, can intermeddle with
the reft ; if it be not a full Third, yet they muft take it, fo much as it is,
and have a Supply out of the reft. This Supply is to be taken thus : if
it be the King's Ward, then by Commiffion out of the Court of Wards;
whereupon a Jury, by Oath, muft fet forth fo much as he fliall make up the
Thirds •, except the Officers of the Court of Wards can otherwife agree
with the Parties. If there be no Wardfhip due to the King, then the
other Lord is to have this Supply, by a Commiffion out of the Chancery,
and Jury thereupon.
37. But in all thefe Cafes, the Statutes give Power to take him that
makes the Will, to fee forth and appoint of himfelf, which Lands fliall go
for Thirds ; and neither King nor Lord can refufe it. And if it be not
enough, yet they muft take that in part, and only have a Supply in the
manner before-mentioned, out of the reft.
S E C T. V.
Of Property in Goods.
I. ' I * H E fi^veral Ways whereby a Man may get Property in Goods
I or Chattels, are, (i.) by Gifi; (2.) by Sale ; (3.) by Stealing ;
(4.) by Waving ; (5.) by Straying •, (6.) by Shipwreck •, (7.) by
Forfeiture; (8.) by Executor JJiip; (9.) by Jclminifiration; and, (10.) by
Legacy.
Property hy 2. By Gift, the Property of Goods may be pafled by Word or Wri-
cift. ting i but if there be a general Deed of Gift made of all his Goods, this
is fufpicious to be done upon Fraud, to deceive the Creditors.
5. And
Sed:. V. Of Property in Goods. 161
7,. And if a Man who is in Debt make a Deed of Gift of all his Goods,
to protract the taking of them in Execution for his Debt ; this Deed of
Gift is void, as againll thole to whom he ftood indebted ; but as againft
himfelf, his own Executors or Adminiftrators, or any Man to whom after-
wards he iliall fell or convey them, it is good.
. 4. By Sale, any Man may convey his own Goods to another ; and althoBy Sale,
he may fear Execution for Debts, yet he may fell tjiem out-right for Mo-
ney, at any time before the Execution ferved ; fo that there be no Referva-
tion of Truft ber\veen them •, paying tlie Money, he fhall have the Goods
again-, for that Truft in fuch Cafe, proves plainly a Eraud, to prevent the
Creditors from taking the Goods in Execution.
5. If any Man fteal my Goods or Chattels, or take them from me \x\'^i p>i:['. "^
jeft, or borrow them of me, or as a Trefpafler or Felon carry them to the''' '"^ '" -''■' *
Market or fair, and fell them ; this Sale bars me of the Property of my
Goods, faving, that if he be a Horfe, he muft be ridden two Hours in
the Market or Fair, between ten and five o'Clock, and toll'd for in the
Toll-Book -, and the Seller muft bring one to avouch his Sale, known to
the Toll-Book- Keeper, or elfe the Sale binds me not. And for any other
Goods, where the Sale in a Market or Fair, ftiall bar the Owner, being
not the Seller, of his Property, it muft be Sale in a Market or Fair,
where ufually things of that Nature are fold. As for Example ; if a Man
fteal a Horfe, and fell him in Smithfield^ the true Owner is barred by this
Sale ; but if he fell the Horfe in Cheap/jde, Newgate, or IVeJim'mflcr Mar-
ket, the true Owner is not barred by this Sale ; becaufe thefe Markets are
ufual for Flefti, Fifh, (^c. and not for Horfes.
6. So whereas, by the Cuftom oi Lcndo/i, in every Shop there is a Mar-
ket all the Days of the Week, faving Sundays and Holidays ; yet if a Piece
of Plate or Jewel that is loft, or Chain of Gold or Pearl, that is ftolen or
borrowed, be fold in a Draper's or Scrivener's Shop, or any other but a
Goldfmith's, this Sale bars not tlie true Owner.
7. Yet by ftealing alone of Goods, the Thief gets not fuch Property,
but that the Owner may feize them again wherever he finds them -, except
they were fold in a Fair or Market, after they were ftolen ; and that, bona
fide, without Fraud. But if the Thief be condemned of the Felony, or
out-law'd for the fame, or out-law'd in any perfonal Aftion, or have com-
mitted a Forfeiture of Goods to the Crown, then the true Owner is with-
out Remedy.
8. Neverthelefs, if frefti after the Goods were ftolen, the true Owner
make Puriuit after the Thief and Goods, and take the Goods with the
Thief, he may take them again. And if he make no frefti Purfuit, yet
if he profecute the Felon, fo far as Juftice requires, that is, to have him
arraign'd, indi6led, and found guilty, (tho he be not hang'd, nor receive
Judgment of Death,) or have him out-law'd upon the Indiclment •, in all
thefe Cafes he fliall have his Goods again, by a Writ of Reftitution to the
Party in whofe Hands they are.
9. By waving of Goods, a Property is gotten thus. A Thief having By w4x;.'»j o/
ftolen Goods, being purfjed, flics away and leaves the Goods : This Leav- *^'""'''
ing
t6z Of Property /«Goods. Se<5t. V,
ing is call'd Waving, and the Property is in tlie King ; except the Lord
of the Manor have a Right to it by Cuftom or Charter. But if the Fe-
lon be indifted, adjudged, found guilty, or out-law'd, at the Suit of
the Owner of thefe Goods, he fhall have Reftitution of the Goods as
before.
By paying. jq. By ftraying. Property in live Cattel is thus got. When they come
into other JVIens Grounds, ftraying from the Owners, the Party, or Lord,
into whofe Grounds or Manors they come, caufes them to be feized, and
a Wythe put about tlieir Necks, and to be cried in three Markets adjoin-
ing, fhewing the Marks of the Cattle : Which done, if the true Owner
claim them not within a Year and a Day, then the Property of them is in
the Lord of the Manor, whereto they ftray'd ; if he have all Strays by
Cuftom and Charter-, elfe to the King.
^''■«'^^■' II. By Shipwreck, Property of Goods is thus got. When a laden
Ship is caft away upon the Coafts, fo that no living Creature that was in
it when it began to fmk, efcaped to Land with Life ; then all thofe Goods
are faid to be wreck'd, and they belong to the Crown, if they be found i
except the Lord of the Soil adjoining can entitle himfelf to them by Cuf-
tom, or by the King's Charter.
Forfeitures. 12. By Forfeitures, Goods and Chattels arc thus got. If the Owner
be out-law'd ; if he be indifted of Felony, or Treafon ; or either confefs
it, or be found guilty of it, or refufe to be tried by Peers or Jury ; or be
attainted by Judgment, or fly for Felony -, altho he be not guilty, or fuf-
fer the Exigent to go forth againft him ; altho he be not out-law'd, or that
he go over the Seas without Licence, all the Goods he had at the Judgment,
he forfeits to the Crown ; except fome Lord by Charter can claim them.
For in thofe Cafes Prefcript will not ferve, except it be fo ancient, that it
has had Allowance before the Juftices in Eyre, in their Circuits, or in the
King's Bench, in ancient time.
By Executor- i^. By Executorfliip, Goods are got, when a Man pofTefled of Goods
■^"f- makes his laft Will and Teftament in Writing, or by Word ; and makes
one or more Executors thereof: Thefe Executors have by the Will and
Death of the Parties, all the Property of their Goods, Chattels, Lea-
fes for Years, Wardfhips and Extents-, and all Right concerning thofe
things.
14. Thefe Executors may meddle with the Goods, and difpofe them
before they prove the Will ; but they cannot bring an Aftion for any Debt
or Duty, before they have proved the Will.
Proving the 1 5. The proving of the Will is thus. They are to exhibit the Will into
ivill. the Biftiop's Court, and there they are to bring the WitnefTes to be fworn,
and the Bifhop's Officers are to keep the Will original, and certify the
Copy thereof, in Parchment, under the Bifnop's Seal of the Office : which
Parchment fo fealed, is called the Will proved.
By Letter of j g. By Letters of Jdrfiiniftration, Property in Goods is thus got. When
Adminiftra- ^ y^^^ poffefled of Goods dies without any Will, fuch Goods as the Exe-
'""'■ cutors Ihould have had, if he had made a Will, were by ancient Law to
come
Se6l. V. (y Property /«Goods. 1^3
come to die Bifhop of the Diocefe, to dilpofe for the Good of his Soul
that died ; he firft paying his Funeral and Debts, and giving the reft ad
fios ufus.
ij. This is is now altered by Statute Laws, fo as that the Bifliops are
to grant Letters of Adminiftration of the Goods at this Day to the Wife,
if fhe require it, or Children, or next of kin : If they refufe it, as they
• often do, becaufe the Debts are greater than the Eftate will bear -, then fomc
Creditor, or foine other will take it, as the Bifliop's Officers fhall think
meet.
18. It comes often in Queftion what Bifhop has the Right of proving The Granting
Wills, and granting Adminiftration of Goods : in which Controverfy the "/ -^:'"'"»^-
Rule is, that if the Party deceafed had at the time of his Death Bom no-^'''""'"'
tahilia, in diverfe Diocefes, of fome reafonable Value ; then the Archbifliop
of the Province where he died, is to have the Probat of his Will, and to
grant the Adminiftration of his Goods, as the Cafe falls out •, otherwife
the Bifliop of the Diocefe where he died is to do it.
19. If there be but one Executor made, yet he may refufe the Execu-
torlhip coming before the Biftiop -, provided he has not intermeddled with
any of the Goods before, or with receiving Debts, or paying Legacies.
20. And if there be more Executors than one, fo many as pleafe may Haw Execu-
refiife •, and if any one take it upon him, the reft that did once refufe, """^ "''' "
may, when they will, take it upon them; and no Executor fhall be far-^""'
ther charged with the Debts or Legacies, than the Value of the Goods "
come to his Hands -, provided he forefee that he pay Debts upon Record,
firft Debts to the King, then upon Judgments, Statutes, Recognizances ■■,
then Debts by Bond and Bill fealcd. Rent unpayed, Servants Wages,
Payment to head W^orkmen ; and laftly, Shop-Books, and Contradls by
Word. For if an Executor or Adminiftrator pay the Debts to others be-
fore the King, or Debts due by Bond before thofe due by Record, or
Debts by Shop-Books, and Contrads before thofe by Bond, Arrearages of
Rent, and Servants or Workmen's Wages, he ftiall pay the fame over
again to thofe others in the faid Degrees. Yet the Law gives them choice,
tliat where diverfe have Debts due in equal Degree of Record or Speciali-
ty, he may pay which of them he will, before- any Suit brought againft
him ; but if Suit be brought, he muft firft pay them that get Judgment
againft him.
21. Any one Executor may convey the Goods, or releafe Debts with-
out his Companion -, and any one by himfelf may do as much as all toge-
ther •, but one Man's releafing of Debts, or felling of Goods, ftiall not
charge the other to pay fo much of the Goods, if chere be not enough to
pay Debts ; but it fhall charge the Party himfelf that did fo releafe or
convey.
22. But it is not fo with Adminiftrators: for they have but one Awxho- How Admi-
rity given them by the Bifhop over the Goods ; which Authority being mftrators.
given to many, is to be executed by all of them join'd together. And if
an
ad4 Of Property in Goods. Se£l. V.
an Executor die, making an Executor, the fecond Executor is Executor
to the firft Teflator.
Ordinary, 23. But if an Adminiftrator die inteftate, then his Adminiftrator fhall
■what. j^Qj J3g Executor or Adminiftrator to the firft ; but in that Cafe the Bi-
fhop, whom we call the Ordinary^ is to commit the Adminiftration of the
firft Teftator's Goods to his Wife, or next of kin, as if he had died in-
teftate ; always provided, that what the Executor did in his Life-time, is
to be allowed for Good. And fo if an Adminiftrator die, and make his
Executor, the Executor of the Adminiftrator fhall not be Executor to the
firft Inteftate ; but the Ordinary muft now commit the Adminiftration of
the Goods of the firft Inteftate again.
24. If the Executor or Adminiftrator pay Debts, or Funerals, or Le-
gacies of his own Money ; he may retain fo much of the Goods in kind,
of the Teftator or Inteftate, and fhall have Property of it in kind.
Property by 25. Property by Legacy, is where a Man makes a Will and Executors,
Legacy. ^^^ gives Legacies; he or they to whom the Legacies are given, mufl
have the AfTent of the Executors, or one of them, to have his Legacy ;
and the Property of that Legacy, or other Goods bequeathed to him, is
faid to be in him ; but he may not enter, nor take his Legacy without the
AfTent of the Executors, or one of them ; becaufe the Executors are
charged to pay Debts before Legacies. And if one of them afTent to pay
Legacies, he fhall pay the Value thereof out of his own Purfe ; if there
be not otherwife fufficient to pay Debts.
26. But this is to be underftood by Debts of Record to the King, or
by Bill and Bond fealed, as Arrearages of Rent, or Servants or Workmens
Wages, and not Debts of Shop- Books, or Bills unfealed, or Contraft by
Word •, for Legacies are to be paid before them.
27. And if the Executors doubt that they fhall not have enough to pay
every Legacy, they may pay which they pleafe firft -, but they may not
fell any ipecial Legacy, as they pleafe, to pay Debts, or a Leafe of Goods
to pay a Money Legacy : But they may fell any Legacy they will to pay
Debts, if they have not enough befides.
28. If a Man make a Will, and leave no Executors, or if the Execu-
tors refufe, the Ordinary is to commit Adminiftration, cum T'eftamento an-
WA'o, and take Bonds of the Adminiftrator to perform the Will ; and he
is to do it in fuch a fort, as the Executor fhould have done, if he had been
named.
SECT.
Sea. VI. x6s
SECT. VI.
Cases o/'Treason; 7i^tth the Trial, P e-
N A L T I E Sj and Proceedings therein,
I . 'IT THERE a Man compafTes or imagines the Death of the King, tlie CafesofTrta^
Yy King's Wife, the King's cldeft Son, and Heir apparent; if it-^*""
appear by an Overt-a(5t, it is Treafon.
2. Where a Man violates the King's Wife, the King's eldeft Daughter
unmarried, the Wife of the King's eldell Son, and Heir apparent, it is
Treafon.
3. Where a Man levies War againft the King in the Realm, it is Trea-
fon.
4. Where a Man is adherent to the King's Enemies, giving them Aid
and Comfort, it is Treafon.
5. Where a Man counterfeits the Kbg's Great Seal, Privy Signet, or
Sign Manual, it is Treafon.
6. Where a Man brings into this Realm falfe Money, counterfeited to
the Likenefsof Englifi, with an Intent to merchandize, or make Payment
thereof, and knowing it to be falfe Money, it is Treafon.
7. Where a Man counterfeits any Coin, current in Payment within this
Realm, it is Treafon.
8. Where a Man brings in any Money, being current, within the Realm,
the fame being falfe and counterfeit, with an Intent to utter it, and know-
ing the fame to be falfe, it is Treafon.
9. Where a Man clips, waftes, rounds, or files, any of the King's Mo-
ney, or any foreign Coin, current by Proclamation, for Gain's-fake, it is
Treafon.
10. Where a Man any way impairs, diminifhes, falfifies, fcales, or light-
ens Money current by Proclamation, it is Treafon.
11. Where a Man kills the Chancellor, the Treafurer, the King's Jufti-
cesinEyre, the King's Juftices of Affizes, the Juftices o^ Oyer and Termi-
ner, being in their feveral Places, and doing their Offices, it is Treafon.
12. Where a Man procures, or Confents to Treafon, it is Treafon.
13. Where a Man perfuades or withdraws any of the King's Subjefts
from their Obedience, or from the Religion eftablillied by his Majefty, with
an Intent to draw any from the King's Obedience, it is Treafon.
14. Where a Man is abfolved, reconciled, or withdrawn from his Obe-
dience to the King, or promifes Obedience to any foreign Power, it is
Treafon.
Vol. II. Mm 15. Where
%66 Cases of Treason. Sedt. VI.
15. Where any Jefuit, or any other Prieft, ordain'd fince the firft Year
of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, fhalt come into, or remain in any part
of the Reahn, it is Treafon.
16. When any Pcrfon being brought up in a College of Jefuits, or Se-
minary, fhall not return within fix Months after Proclamation made, and
within two Days after his Return, fubmit himfelf to take the Oath of Su-
premacy ; if otherwife he do return, and within fix Montlis after Procla-
mation made, it is Treafon.
17. Where a Man committed for Treafon, voluntarily breaks Prifon,
it is Treafon.
18. Where a Jailor voluntarily permits a Man committed for Treafon
to efcape, it is Treafon.
19. Where a Man relieves, or comforts a Traitor, and knows of the
y Offence, it is Treafon.
20. Where a Man affirms, or maintains any Authority of Jurifdiclion
fpiritual, or puts in Ufe, or executes any thing for the Advancement or
fetting forth thereof, the third time. It is TreafOn.
2 1 . Where a Man refufes to take the Oath of Supremacy, being ten-
dered by the Bifhop of the Diocefe, if he be any ecclefiaftical Perfon ; or
by Commiffion out of the Chancery, if he be a temporal Perfon ; fuch
Offence, the fecond time, is Treafon.
The Punifli- 22. In Treafon, the corporal Punlfhment is by drawing on a Hurdle,
mints anil fro^i the Place of Prifon, to the Place of Execution, by hanging, and
^"^it'rT being cut down ahve, bowelling and quartering ; and In Women, burn-
23. In Treafon, here enfues a Corruption of Blood in the Line afcend-
ing and defcendlng.
24. In Treafon, Lands and Goods are forfeited, and Inheritances, as
well entailed* as Fee-fimple, and the Profits of Eftates for Life..
25. In Treafon, the Efcheats go to the King, and not to the Lord of
the Fee.
26. In Treafon, the Land forfeited fliall be in the King's actual Poffef-
fion, without Office.
27. In Treafon, there are no Acceffiries, but all are Principals.
28. In Treafon, no Sanftuary, nor Benefit of Clergy, or peremptory
Challenge Is allowed.
29. In Treafon, If the Party ftand mute, yet Judgment and Attainder
fhall proceed all one as upon Verditt.
30. In Treafon, no Counfel is to be allov/ed ; nor Ball permitted to the
Party.
31. In Treafon, no WItnefs fliall be received upon Oath, for the Par-
ties Juftification.
32. In Treafon, if the Faft be committed beyond the Seas, yet it may
be tried In any County where the King will award his Commiffion.
33. In Treafon, if the Party be non fana memoria, yet if he had for-
merly confeffed it before the King's Council, and that it be certified he was
of
Se6l. VI. C A s E s o/' T R E A s 0 N. 1(^7
of good Memory at the time of his Examination and ConfelTion -, t!:e
Court may proceed to Judgment, without calling or arraigning the
Party.
34. In Treafon, the Death of the Party before Conviction, difcharges
all Proceedings and Forfeitures.
35. In Treafon, if the Party be once acquitted, he fliould not be brought
again in queftion for the fame Faft. fim'.
36. In Treafon, no new Cife, notexpreflfcd in the Statute of 25 Eliz.-^.
or made Treafon by any fpecial Statute fince, ought to be judged Trea-
fon, without confulting the Parliament.
37. In Treafon, there can be no Profecution but at the King's Suit ;
and tlie King's Pardon difcharges.
38. In Treafon, the King cannot grant over to any Subjeft, Power,
and Authority, to pardon it.
39. In Treafon, a Trial of a Peer of the Kingdom is to be by fpecial
Commiffion, before the Lord High-Steward ■, and thofe that pafs upon him
to be none but Peers. The Proceeding is with great Solemnity ; the Lord -
Steward fitting under a Cloth of State, with a white Rod of Juftice in
his Hand ; and the Peers may confer together, but are not any ways fhut
up ; and are demanded by the Lord-Steward, their Voices one by one :
and the Plurality of Voices carries it.
40. It hiis been an ancient Ufe and Favour from the Kings of the
Realm, to pardon the Execution of Hanging, Drawing, and Quarter-
ing ; and to make Warrant for their Beheading.
41. The Proceeding in Cafe of Treafon, with a common Subjeft, is
in the King's Bench, or by Commiffion of Ojt'r and 'Terminer.
42. Where a Man only conceals High-Treafon, without any confort- Af//?"''!/»» »/
ing or abetting, it is Mifprifon of Treafon. Treafon.
43. Where a Man counterfeits any foreign Coin of Gold or Silver, not
current in the Realm, it is Mifprifon of Treafon. ^
44. Where a Man fixes an old Seal to a new Patent, it is Mifprifon of
Treafon.
45. The Punifhment of Mifprifon of Treafon is by perpetual Impri- P«n;7?;rof«/
fonment, Lofs of the IfTues and Profits of Lands during Life ; and i\yt'^>'d Proceid.^
Lofs of Goods and Chattels. fin'ofrfLT
46. The Proceeding and Trial is as in Cafes of High-Treafon. /<,».
47. In Mifprifon of Treafon, Bail is not admitted.
48. Where a Servant kills his Mailer, the Wife her Hufband, the Pttty-Trea-
fpiritual Man his Prelate, to whom he is Subordinate, and owes Faith and-^""'
Obedience, it is Petty-Treafon.
49. Where a Son kills his Father or Mother, it has been queftioned
whether it be Petty-Treafon ; and the late Experience and Opinion feems
to fway to the contrary, tho againft Law and Reafon, in my Judgment.
50. Where a Servant kills a Matter or Miftrefs, after being put out of
Service, it is Petty-Treafon,
M m 2 51. In
^6^ Cases of Felony. Se6t. VIT.
Pm[(lment /^j. Jn Petty-Treafon, the corporal Punifhment is by drawing on a
f"'^^'""^^ Hurdle, and hanging -, and in a Woman, burning. '^
Tnafon.' 5^- ^" Peccy-TreafoD, the Forfeiture is the Hime as in Cafe of Fe-
lony.
§2- In Petty-Treafon, all AccefTaries are but as in Cafe of Felony.
SECT. VIL
Cases of Felony; with the Trial, Pu-
nishment, and Proceedings therein.
Cafes of Fe- j . ▼▼ THERE a Man commits Murder, or Homicide, of Malice *r^-
lony. Yy ^enfe, it is Felony.
2. Where a Man commits Murder in breaking of a Houfe,
with an Intent to commit Felony, it is Felony.
3. Where a Man commits Man-flaughter, that is. Homicide of fud-
den Heat, and not of Malice prepenfe, it is Felony.
4. Where a Man rides armed with a felonious Intent, it is Felony.
5. Where a Man malicioufly and felonioufly burns any Man's Houfe,
it is Felony.
6. Where a Man malicioufly burns Corn upon the Ground, or in the
Stack, it is Felony.
7. Where a Man malicioufly cuts out another's Tongue, or puts out
his Eyes, it is Felony.
8. Where a Man robs or fleals, that is, takes away another Man's
Goods, to above the Value of 12 d. out of his PofTefTion, with an Intent
to conceal the fame, it is Felony.
9. Where a Man embezzels and withdraws the King's Records at ^eji-
mifijier, whereby a Judgment is reverfed, it is Felony.
10. Where a Man having the Cuftody of the Knights Armour, Muni-
tion, or other Habiliments of War, malicioufly conveys away the fame,
it is Felony ; if it be to the Value of twenty Shillings.
1 1 . Where a Servant has Goods of his Mafter delivered to him, and
goes away with the fame, it is Felony.
12. Where a Man conjures or invokes wicked Spirits, it is Felony.
13. Where a Man ufes or praftifes Witchcraft, whereby any Perfon
Ihall be killed, wafted., or lamed, it is Felony.
14. Where a Man praftifes any Witchcraft, to difcover Treafure hid,
or to difcover ftolen Goods, or to provoke unlawful Love, or to impair
or hurt any Man's Cattle or Goods, the fecond time, having been once
before convicted of the like Offence, it is Felony.
15. Where
Scd. VII. Cases of Felony. %6^
15. Where a Manufes the Ciafi of Mulnplicition of Gold, or Silver,
ic is Felony ^
16. Where a Man receives a feminary Prieft, knowing him to be fuch,
it is Felony.
17. Where a Man takes away a Woman againft her Will, not claiming
her as his Ward, or Bond-Woman, it is Felony.
iS. Where a Man or Womaa marries again, a former Hufband or
Wife being alive, it is Felony.
19. Where a Man commits Buggery with a Man or Bead, it is Felony.
20. Where any Perfons, above the Number of twelve, ihall aflemble
themfelves with an Intent to put down Inclofures, or bring down the Prices
of Vicluals, and do not depart after Proclamation, it is Felony.
2 1 . Where a Man fhall ufe any Words to encourage, or draw People to-
gether, as above, and they aflemble accordingly, and do not depart
after Proclamation, it is Felony.
22. Where a Man, being the King's fworn Servant, confpires to mur-
der any Lord of the Realm, or any Privy-Counfellor, it is Felony.
25. Where a Recufmt, which is a Seducer, Perfuader, and Inciter of
the King's Subjefts againft the King's Authority, in ecclefiaftical Caufes,
or a Perfuader of Conventicles, fliall refufe to abjure the Realm, it is Fe-
lony.
24. Where Vagabonds are found in the Realm, calling themfelves
Egyptians, it is Felony.
25. Where a Purveyor takes without Warrant, or othenvife offends
againft certain fpecial Laws, it is Felony.
26. W^here a Man hunts in any Foreft, Park, or Warren, by Night
or by Day, with Mzard or Difguife, and is examined thereof, and con-
ceals his Fait, it is Felony.
27. Where any one fteals certain Kinds of Hawks, it is Felony.
28. Where a Man commits Forgery the fecond time, having been onoe
before convicted, it is Felony. /
29. Where a Man, being imprifoned, breaks Prifon, it is Felony.
30. Where a Man procures or confents to Felony, it is Felony ; fo as
to make him acceflary before the Faft.
31. Where a Man receives or relieves a Felon, it is Felony ; fo as to
make him acceflary after theFaft.
32. Where a Woman, by Conftraint of her Hufband, in his Prefence,
ioins with him in committing of Felony, it is not Felony in her, either as
Principal, or as AcceflTary.
33. Homicide, or the killing of a Man, is to be confidered in four
kinds; ^■iz. (i.) Chance-Medley. (2.) Se defendendo. (3.) Man-flaugh-
ter. (4.) Wilfiil Murder.
34. In Felony, the corporal Punifhment is hanging ; and ic is doubtful pun:!limir.t
whether the King may turn it into beheading in the Cafe of a Peer, or other "/ ^elon-j.
Perfon of Dignity -, becaufe in Treafon the ftriking off the Head is Part
of
* This Wis repealed by the Interceffion of Mr. Bo-^k,
i
170 Cases of Felony. Se£l. VII.
of the Judgment-, and fo the King pardons the reft : but in Felony, it is
no Part of the Judgment, and the King cannot alter the Execution of the
Law ; yet Precedents have been both Ways : if it be upon Indiftment,
the King may ; but upon an Appeal, he cannot.
35. In Felony, there follows Corruption of Blood, except it be in Cafes
made Felony by fpecial Statutes ; with a Provifo that there fhall be no
Corruption of Blood.
36. In Felony, Lands, in Fee-fimple, and Goods and Chattels are for-
feited, and the Profits of Eftates for Life, but not Lands entaii'd : and \ Tf
by fome Cuftoms, Lands in Fee-fimple are not fo forfeited. I'be Father
to the Bough, the Son to the Plough, as in Gavelkind, in Kent, and other
Places.
37. In Felony, the Efcheats go to the Lord of the Fee, and not to the
King •, except he be Lord : but Profits for the Eftates for Lives, or in
' Tail, during the Life of Tenant in Tail, go to the King -, and the King
has likewife annum, (^ diem, £5? vajium.
38. In Felony, Lands are not in the King before Office, nor in the Lord
before Entry or Recovery, in a Writ of Efcheat, or Death of the Party
attainted.
39. In Felony, there can be no Proceeding with the Acceflary, before
there is a Proceeding with the Principal : if he die, or plead his Pardon,
or have his Clergy before Attainder, the Acceflary can never be dealt with.
40. In Felony, if the Party ftand mute, and will not put himfelf upon
Trial, or challenge peremptorily above that the Law allows, he fhall
have Judgment, not of hanging, but of preffing to Death •, but there he
laves his Lands, and forfeits only his Goods.
41. In Felony, at the Common Law, the Benefit of the Clergy, or
San<5tuary, was allowed •, but now, by Statute, it is taken away in moft
Cafes.
42. In Felony, Bail may be admitted where the Faft is not notorious,
and the Perfon not of an ill Name.
43. In Felony, no Council is to be allowed the Party, no more than in
Treafon.
44. In Felony, if the Faft be committed beyond the Seas, or upon the
'Seas, fjiper altum mare, there is no Trial at all in one Cafe, nor by Courfe
of Jury in the other, but by the Jurifdiftion of the Admiralty.
45. In F'dony, no Witnefs fhall be received upon Oath for the Party's
Juftification, no more than in Treafon.
46. In Felony, if the Party be non fana memorise, altho it be after the
Faft, he cannot be tried nor adjudged, except it be in Courfe of Out-
lawry ; and that is alfo erroneous.
47. In Felony, the Death of the Party before Convidlion difcharges all
Proceedings and Forfeinires.
48. In Felony, if the Party be once acquitted, or in Peril of Judg-
ment of Life lawfully, he Ihall never be brought in queftion again for the
fame Fadt.
49. In
Se6l. Vir. Cases ^Felony. 171
49. In Felony, the Profecution may be either at the King's Suit, or by
way of Appeal ; the Defendant having his Courfe, and producing Wit-
nefles upon Oath, as in Civil Guifes.
50. In Felony, the King may grant Hault-juftice to a Subje<ft, with
the Regality of Power to pardon it.
51. In Felony, the Trial of Peers is all one as in Cafe of Treafon.
52. In Felony, the Proceedings are in the King's Bench, or before the
CommifTioners of Oyer and Terminer, or of Goal-delivery •, ^nd in fome
Cafes before the Juftices of the Peace.
53. In the Civil and other Laws, they make a Difference in Cafes of fe'c«y de fe.
Felony de /e ; for where a Man is call'd in Queflion upon any capital ^.''i^'^'^"'
Crime, and kills himfclf to prevent the Law ; there they give the Judg- pifccedmzi.
ment in all Points of Forfeiture, as if he had been attainted in his Life-
time : and on the other fide, where a Man kills himfelf upon Impatience
ofSicknefs, or the like, they do not puniOi it at all : but the Law of Eng-
land takes it all in one Degree, and punifhes only with the Lofs of Goods
to be forfeited to the King, who generally grants them to his Almoner,
where they are not formerly granted to fpecial Liberties.
54. Where a Man purchafes or accepts any Provifion, that is. Collation Cafes ofVvx'
of any fpiritual Benefice, or Living, from the See of Rome, it is Pramti- mumre.
nire.
§§. Where a Man fhall purchafe any Procefs, to draw People oft"
the King's Allegiance out of the Realm, in Plea whereof the Cogni-
zance pertains to the King's Court, and comes not in Perfon to anfwer his
Contempt in that B,.-half, before the King and his Council, or in his
Chancery, it is Priem:'.nire.
56. Where a Man fues in any Court, which is not the King's Court, to
defeat or impeach any Judgment given in the King's Court, and appears
not to anfwer his Contempt, it is Pnemunire.
57. Where a Man purchafes, or purfues in the Court of Rome, or elfe-
where, any Procefs, Sentence of Excommunication, Bull, or Inftrument,
or other thing which touches the King in his Regality, or his Realm in
Prejudice, it is Pramtinire.
58. Where a Man maintains or affirms any foreign kind of Jurifdiftion
fpiritual, or puts in Ufe or Execution, any thing for the Advancement or
fetting forth thereof ; fuch Offence, the fecond time committed, is Pr<s-
miinire.
59. Where a Man refufes to take the Oath of Supremacy, being ten-
dered by the Bifhop of theDiocefs, if it be an ecclefiaftical Perfon ; or by
a CommifTion out of the Chancery, if it be a temporal Perfon ; it is Pra-
munire.
60. Where a Dean and Chapter of any Church, upon the Conge d'/lire of
an Archbilhop, or Bifhop, retiife to cleft any fuch Archbidiop or Bifliop
nominated to them in the King's Letters Miffive, it is PriSmunire.
61. Where
%"]% Cases of Felony. Se6t. VII.
Si. Where a Man contributes, or gives Relief to any Jefuit or Seminary
Priefts, or to any Perfon brouglit up among them, and call'd home, and
not returning, it is Pnsmunire.
62. Where a Man is a Broker of an ufurious Contraft, above ten in
the lumdred, it is Pramunire.
The Piinifi- 63. The Punifhmcnt in Cafes of Pramunire., is by Imprifonment du-
"proceeVm''s'n^'^^^^ Life, Forfeiture of Goods, Forfeiture of Lands in Fee-fimple, and
c^fes of Pri- Forfeiture of the Profits of Lands entail'd, or for Life,
munire. 64. The Trial and Proceeding is the fame as in Cafes of Mifprifon of
Treafon -, and the Trial is by Peers, where a Peer of the Realm is the
Offender.
6c:,. Striking any Man in the Face of the King's Courts, is Forfeiture
of Land, perpetual Imprifonment, and Lofs of that Land.
Cafes of Ah- 66. Where a Man commits any Felony, for which at this Day he may
juration and j^^jyg Privilege of Sanftuary, and confefTes the Felony before the Coroner,
the Proceed- '''^ ^^^^ abjure the Liberty of the Realm, and choofe his Sanftuary ; and
in^s thereon, if he commit any new Offence, or leave his San<5luary, he fhall lofe the
Privilege thereof, and fuffer as if he had not taken Sanfbuary.
6y. Where a Man, not coming to the Church, and being a Popifh Re-
cufant, perfuades any the King's Subjects to impung his Majefty's Autho-
rity in Caufes ecclefiaftical, or fhall perfuade any Subjedl to come to any
unlawful Conventicle, and fliall not after conform himfelf within a time,
and make his Submiffion, he fhall abjure the Realm, and forfeit his Goods
and Lands during Life •, and if he depart not within the time prefixed,
or return, he fhall be in the Degree of a Felon.
68. Where a Man, being a Popifh Recufint, and not having Lands to
the Value of twenty Marks per annum, nor Goods to the Value of 40/.
fhall not repair to his Dwelling, or Place where he was born, and there
confine himfelf within the Compafs of five Miles, he fhall abjure the
Realm ; and if he return, he fliall be in the Cafe of a Felon.
69. Where a Man kills the King's Deer in Chafes or Forefts, and can
find no Sureties after a Year's Imprifonment, he fhall abjure the Reahn.
70. Where a Man is a Trefpaffer in Parks, or in Ponds of Fifh, and
after three Years Imprifonment cannot find Sureties, he fliall abjure the
Realm.
71. Where a Man is a Raviflier of any Child, whofe Marriage belongs
to any Perfon, and marries the faid Child after Years of Confent, and is
not able to fatisfy for the Marriage, he fliall abjure the Realm.
Cafes of He- 72- The Declaration of Herefy, and likewife the Proceedings and Judg-
re{y, and the ment upon Hereticks, is by the Common Laws of this Realm referred to
Proceedings j^g Jurifdidion ecclefiallical ; and the fecular Arm is reached to them by
t ereon. ^.j^^ Common Laws, and not by any Statute for the Execution of them by
the King's Writ de Haretico comburendo.
SECT.
Sea. VIIL a73
SECT. VIII.
The Prerogatives of the Crown.
I . ' 1'^ H E King has an abfolute negative Voice to all Bills that pafs the '^1" ^'mg't
I Parliament ; fo that without his royal Aflent, they have a mere Nul- Prercgauvt
lity, and not fo much as the Jtithoritas pr^fcripta., or Senatiis Con- '^ ^f/'^'*^"
fulta had, nonvithflanding the Intcrceflion of the Tribunes.
2. The King may fummon Parliaments, difTolve them, prorogue them,
and adjourn them, at his Pleafure.
3. The King may add Voices in the Parliament at his Pleafure ; for he
may give Privilege to Borough- Towns, as many as he will ; and may like-
wife call and create Barons, at his Pleafure.
4. No Man can fit in Parliament, except he take die Oath of Alle-
giance.
5. The King has Power to declare and proclaim War 5 and to make and ^" ^fatten »f
conclude Peace and Truce, at his Pleafure. ^""' ""i
6. The King has Power to make Leagues and Confederacies with fo-^"'^*
reign States, more ftrift and lefs ftrid •, and to revoke and difannul them,
at his Pleafure.
7. The King has Power to command the Bodies of his Subjefls for the
Service of his Wars ; and to mufter, train, and levy Men ; and to tranf-
port them by Sea or Land, at his Pleafure.
8. The King has Power, in time of War, to execute martial Law, and
to appoint all Officers of War, at his Pleafure.
9. The King has Power to grant his Letters of Mart, and Reprifal, for
Remedy to his Subjefts upon foreign Wrongs, at his Pleafure.
10. The King has Power to declare Laws, by his Letters Patent, for
the Government of any Place, conquered by his Arms, at his Pleafure.
1 1 . The King may give Knight-hood ; and thereby enable any Subjed
to perform Knight's-Service, at his Pleafure.
12. The King may alter his Standard, in Bafenefs or Finenefsof Coin,/» Matters»/
at his Pleafure. Money,
13. The King may alter his Stamp, in form, at his Pleafure.
14. The King may alter the Valuations of his Coin; and raife and fall
Money, at his Pleafure.
15. The King, by his Proclamation, may make Money of his owa
current, or not current, at his Pleafure.
16. The King may take or refufe the Subjedls Bullion ; and coin more
or lefs Money.
17. The King, by his Proclamation, may make foreign Money current
or not current.
Vol. II. N n 18. The
i74- The Nature and Office Se6t. IX.
jn Matters of iS. The King may reflrain the Perfon of any of his Subjedts not to
T-rlict'"'' so °"C o^ "^he Reahn.
■ 19. The King may conftrain any of his Subjefts to go out of the
Realm, into any foreign Parts.
20. The King may forbid the Exportation of any Commodities out of
the Realm. ' "
2 1 . The King may forbid the Importation of any Commodities into the
Realm.
22. The King may fet a reafonable Impofl upon any foreign Wares
that come into the Realm ; and fo of native Wares that go out of the
Realm.
In the Per- 23. The King may create any Corporation or Body politic, and en-
^rL°a *" ^^^^ thzm to purchafe, grant, fue, and be fued ; and that with fuch Re-
" ^* ^' flridlion and Modification as he pleafes.
24. The King may denizon and enable any Foreigner, for him and his
Defcendants after the Charter •■, tho he cannot naturalize, nor enable him to
make Pedigree from Anceftors Paramount.
25. The King may enable any attainted Perfon, by his Charter of Par-
don, to purchafe, and to purge his Blood, for the time to come ; tho he
cannot reftore his Blood for the time paft.
26. The King may enable any Perfons dead in Law, as Men profefled,
to take and purchafe to the King's Benefit.
nes.
SECT. IX.
Of the Nature and Office of Gran d-J u-
R I E s ; particularly the Jury of the Verge.
The office of 1' T T is the happy State of the Subjeft of England, not to be impeach-
Crandju- j cd in his Life, Lands, or Gcois, by flying Rumours, wan-
dring Fames and Reports, or fecrJt and private Inquifitions ; but
by the Oath and Prefentment of Men of honefl Condition, in the Face of
Juftice. But this happy State of theSubjcdt will turn to Inconvenience, if
Grand Juries fliall be negligent, or remifs, in their Duty : For as of the
two Evils it were better that Mens Actions fhould be feverely examined,
than that there fliould be a notorious Impunity of Malefaftors i or as
it was juftly faid, it were better living where nothing is lawful, than where
all things are lawful -, it is the Office of Grernd Juries to difcover and pro-
fecute Offences : For it is with them that Jufbice begins. And the Law
cannot purfue and chafe Ortenders to their defcrved Fall, unlefs thefe Ju-
ries put them up and difcover them j whereby they may be brought to an-
fwer.
Se6l. IX. c/* G R A N D-J U R I E S. 17T
fwer. For the Juries Verdift is concluding to condemn : But it is firfl: ne-
ceflliry to charge ; and without it the Court cannot proceed to condemn.
2. Confidering, therefore, that they are the Eye of Jufticc, they ought ^*"'"'''''''""
to be fingle, without partial AfFedlion ; watchful, not afleep, nor falfe2^"'^'f^',
afleep, winking at Offenders : and they ought to be fliarp-fighted, vtrge."
to proceed with Underftanding and Difcretion. For if they fhall not
prefent to the Court all fuch Offences, as fhall appear to them, either
by Evidence given in, or otherwife of their own Knowledge, to have
been committed within the Verge ; which is, as it were, the Limits of
their Survey; but fhall fmother and conceal any Offence willingly ; then
the Guilt of others will cleave to their Confciences before God : and be-
fides, they arc anfwerable, in fome Degree, to the King and his Law, for
fuch their Default and Suppreflion. But there is a greater Reafon why they
fhould take more cfpecial Regard to their Prefentments, than other Grand
Juries within the Counties of England at large -, for as it is a nearer De-
gree and Approach to the King, who is the Fountain of Juftice and Go-
vernment, to be the King's Servant, than to be the King's Subjed •, fo this
Commiffion, ordained for the King's Servants and Houfhold, ought, in the
Execution of Juflice, to be exemplary to other Places. David (who was
a King) faith. The wicked Man fliall not abide in my Houfe \ as well obferv-
ing, that tho it was impoffible for Kings to banifh Wickednefs, by ex-
tending their utmoft Power and Care over all their Land, or Empire ; yet,
at leaft, they ought to undertake to God for their own Houfe.
3. The Law fo efteems the Dignity of the King's fettled Manfion-Houfe, ^'^' '^"X**
that it has laid to it a Plot of rvvelve Miles round, which we call the Verge^ '^^'"*
fubject to a fpecial exempted Jurifdiflion, depending upon his Perfon and
great Officers. This is as a H^ilf-Pace, or Carpet^ fpread about the King's
Chair of State-, which therefore ought to be cleared and void, more than
other Places of the Kingdom : for if Offences fhall be fhrouded under the
King's Wings, what Hope is there of Difcipline and Juftice in the more
remote Parts? When the Sun is at the brighteft, there may perhaps
be a Bank of Clouds in the North, or the Weft, or remote Regions ;
but near his Body few or none : for where the King comes, there ftiould
come Peace and Order, and an Awe and R -verence in Mens Hearts.
4. And this Jurifdiftion was in ancient time executed, and fince by Stz-How reguU-
tutes ratified, by the Lord Steward, with great Ceremony, in the Nature "'^ ""'^'""'y*
of a peculiar Kings Bench for the Ferge •, for it was thought a kind of
cclipfing to the King's Honour, that where the King was, any Juftice
Ihould be fought, but immediately from his own Officers. But in refpeft
that Office was often void, this Commiffion has fucceeded: which Charge,
tho it hath lefs State, yet it has more Strength legally •, whence Juries of
the Verge are to leave and give a Pattern to others, in the Care and Con-
fcience of their Prefentments.
5. The Offences to be prefented are of four kinds. 316« offences
(i.) The firft, fuch as concern God and his Church. tobe^refen:-
(2.) The fecond, fuch as concern the King and his State.
N n 2 q. The
i']6
The t^ AT V RE and Ov VICE Sedt. IX.
(3.) The third, fuch as concern the King's People, and are capital.
(4.) The fourth, fuch as concern the King's People, and are not ca-
pital.
Regard 6. (i.) The Service of Almighty God, upon whofe Bleffing the Peace,
Goi//i«/i the Safety, .ind good Eftate of the King and Kingdom depends, may be vio-
lated, and God difhonoured, in three manners-, viz. (i.) by Profanation ;
(2.) bv Contempt ; and, (3.) by Divifion, or Breach of Unity.
Profanation. 7. Firfl, if any Man has depraved or abufcd, in Word or Deed, the
blefied Sacrament, or difturbed the Preacher, or Congregation, in the rime
of divine Service ; or if any have malicioufly ftricken with Weapon, or
drawn a Weapon in any Church or Church-yard ; or if any Fair or Mar-
ket have been kept in any Church-yard ; thefe are Profanations within the
Purview of feveral Statutes-, and thefe the Juries are to prefent : for holy
Things, Aftions, Times, and lacred Places, are to be preferred in Reve-
rence and divine RefpecT:.
Contempts of g. For Contempts of our Church and Service, they are comprehended
fhe Church. -^^ ^j^^j. j^nown Name, which too many bear, Recufancy : which Offence
has many Branches and Dependencies : the- Wife-Recufant tempts ; the
Church-Papift feeds and relieves ; the corrupt Schoolmafter fows Tares ;
the Diflembler conforms, and does not communicate.
9. Therefore, if any Perfon, Man or Woman, Wife or Soul, above
the Age of fixteen Years, not having fome lawful Excufe, have not re-
paired to Church according to the feveral Statutes -, the one for the weekly,
the other for the monthly Repair ; both the Offence, and the time how
long, are to be prefented.
10. Again, fuch as maintain, relieve, or keep Recufants in Service of Live-
ry, tho themfelves be none, are alfo to be prefented ; for thefe are like the
Roots of Nettles, which fting not themfelves, but bear and maintain the
flinging Leaves. Undcrftand the fune if any one keeps a Schoolmafter,
who comes not to Church, or is not allowed by the Bifhop ; and fo of
fuch Recufants as have been convifted and have conformed, yet do not re-
ceive the Sacrament once a Year ; for that is the Touchftone of their true
Converfion : and of thefe Offences of Recufints, efpecial Regard is to
be taken. Twelve Miles from Court is no Region for fuch Subjefts.
Why fhould not twelve Miles about the King's Chair be as free from Pa-
pift Recufants, as twelve Miles from the City of Romf, tlie Pope's Chair,
is from Proteftants ? There may be Hypocrites and Atheifts ; but no open
Contempt of their Religion is endured.
Divijions and II. For Matter of Divifion and Breach of Unity; it is not without a
Breach of Myftery that Clirift's Coat had no Seam : no more fhould the Church,
Vnity. jjr jj ^^j.^ poffible. Therefore if any Minifter refuf.;s the Book of Com-
mon-Prayer, or wilfully fwerveth in divine Service from that Book ; or if
any Perfon whatfoever do fcandalize that Book, and fpeak openly and ma-
licioufly in Derogation of it ; fuch Men do but make a Rent in the Gar-
ment ; and fuch are to be enquired of. But much more fuch as are not
only
Se6t. IX. <?/ G R A N D-J U R I E s. 177
only diflfering, but in a manner oppofue to it ; by ufing a fuperftitious and
corrupt Form of divine Service ; I mean fuch as fay or hear Mais.
12. Thcle Offences recited are againfl; the Service and Worfhipof God:
there remain two, which likewife pertain to the Diflionour of God -, the
one is the Abufc oi his Name by Perjury ■■, the other is the adhering to
God's declared Enemies, evil and out-caft Spirits, by Conjuration and
Witchcraft.
1 ;?. For Perjury •, it is hard to fay whether it be more odious to God, or Pfj"ry.
pernicious to Man ; for an Oath, faith the Aportle, is the End of Contio-
lerftes : if therefore that Boundary of Suits be taken away, or mifplaced,
where fhall be the End ? Therefore wilful and corrupt Perjury is to be en-
quired of, in any of the King's Courts, even the Court-Barons, and
the like ; and that as well of the AiStors, as of the Procurers and Suborn-
ers.
14. For Witchcraft ; by the former Law it was not Death, except h Conjuration
were aclual and grofs Invocation of evil Spirits, or making Covenant vvich "'"^ '*'"^^"
them •, or taking away Life by W^itchcraft : but now by an Adl I jfacok"^'^^''
Charms and Sorceries, in certain Cafes of procuring unlawful Love, or bo-
dily Hurt, are made Felony, the fecond Offence ; the firft being Impri-
fonment and Pillory.
15. (2.) All the lateStatutes which infli(5l capital Punifhment upon Extol- o/c«(-«
lers of the Pope's Supremacy, Denytrs of the King's Supremacy, Jefuits^S"'"/^ '*«
and Seminaries, and other Offenders of that Nature, have for their prin- " ''
cipal Scope, not the Punifliment of the Error of Confcience ; but the re-
prefTing of the Darger of the State. This is the true Spirit of the Laws,
and therefore fuch Offences are to be placed under the Offences that concern
the King and his State.
1 6. Thefe Ofiences, therefore, refpeft either the Safety of the King's Per- j^gamjl
fon, or the Safety of his State and Kingdom ; which tho they cannot \,t^''' ^'H''
difcovered in Deed, yet they may be diftinguiflied in Speech. Firft then,
if any have confpired againfl the Life of the King, or the Queen's
Majefty, or of the Prince their eldeft Son ; the very CompafTing,
and Imagination thereof, is High-Treafon ; if it can be proved by
any Faft that is overt : for in the Cafe of fo fudden, dark, perni-
cious, and peremptory Attempts, it were too late for the Law to take a
Blow before it gives : and this High-Treafon, of all others, is moft hei-
nous ; of which Juries are to enquire.
17. There is another capital Offence, that hath an Affinity with this, Pn-yy-Co»»-
whereof Juri; 5 within the Verge are moH: properly to enquire. The King's/^''""*
Privy- Council are as the principal Watch over the Safety of the King •, fo
that their Safety is a Portion of his : If, therefore, any of the K ing's Servants
within his Chequer-Roll (for to them only the Law extends) have con-
fpired ciie Death of any of the King's Ptivy-CoU'icH, this is Felony.
18. The King's Perfon and Authority is reprefented In three things ; The King's
viz. inhisSe-als, in his Monies, and in his principal Magiflrates : if, therefore, Perfonrepre-
any have counterfeited, clipped orfcalcd his Monies, or other Monies cur- -^"^'^''^^
rent, "•" "
a78
Treafons of
three kinds.
Jnvajion and
Rebellion.
Hearts.
20.
from Foreigners
The Nature and Office Se6t. IX.
rent, this is High-Treafon. So likewife to kill certain great Officers, or
Judges, executing their Office.
19. The Treafons which concern the Safety of the King's State, are of
three kinds ; anfwerirg to three Dangers, which may happen to a State,
Thefe Dangers are foreign Invafions, open Rebellion, or Sedition ; and
privy Praftice, to alienate and eftrange the Hearts of the Subjeft -, and to
prepare them either to adhere to Enemies, or to burft out into Tumults
and Commotions of themfelves.
Therefore, if any Perfon have follicited or procured an Invafion
or if any have combined to raife and ftir the People to
Rebellion within the Realm ; thefe are High-Treafon, tending to the
Overthrow of the State ; and to be enquired of
Alienation of 21. The third Particular, or Privy Praftice, hath diverfe Branches, but
one principal Root, which is the vaft and over-fpreading Ambition and
Ufurparion of the See of Rome ; for the Pope of Rome is, according to
his Lift Challenge and Pretences, become a Competitor with the King, for
the Hearts and Alienations of the People ; and would make them as Fewel
ready to take fire upon any of his Commands. This is that Yoke which
England happily caft off, even at fuch time when the Popifli Religion was
neverthelefs continued ; and which diverfe States, that were the Pope's
Vaflals, begin to fhake off.
22. If, therefore, any Perfon have maintained and extolled the ufurped
Authority of the Bifhop of Rome, within the King's Dominions, by
writing, preaching, or Deed advifedly, or diredly and malicioufly : or if
any Perfon have withdrawn and reconciled any of the King's Subjefts ■, or if
any Subje6l hath refufed, the fecond time, to take the Oath of Suprema-
cy lawfully tendered -, or if any Jefuit or Seminary come and abide in
England ; thefe are, by feveral Statutes, made Cafes of Treafon : the Law
accounting thefe things as Preparatives, and the fecret Motions of Sedi-
tions and Revolts. And thefe are to be enquired of, both as to the Re-
ceivers, Maintainers, Concealers, ^c. as well as the Principal. In fome
Cafes it is Mifprifion of Treafon •, and in fome others. Felony -, as name-
ly, that of relieving Jefuits and Priefts. The bringing in and difperfing
of J''nus Dei, CrofTes, Picftures, or fuch Trafh, h Yikewife Praemunire :
and fo is the Denial to take the Oath of Supremacy the firft time.
23. And becaufe in the Difpofition of a State to Troubles and Perturba-
tions, military Men are the moft dangerous ; therefore, if any of the King's
Subjefts go over to ferve in foreign Parts, and do not firfl endure the
Touch, that is, take the Oath ; or if they have boreOffice in any Army,
and do not enter into B.nd, with Sureties, as is prefcribed ; this is made
Felony : and of fuch the Juries are to enquire.
Prophecies. 24. Laftly, Becaufe the Vulgar are fometimes led with vain and fond
Prophecies; if any fuch (hall be publifhed, to the end to move Stirs, or
Tumults, this is not Felony •, but puniflied by a Year's Imprifonment and
Lofs of Goods : and of this alfo the Juries are to enquire.
Cafes of
Treafon,
Military
Men.
25. The
Sed. IX. ^ G R A N D-J u R I E s. X79
25. The Efcape of any Prifoner committed for Treafbn, is Treafon ;
whereof the Juries are liicewife to enquire.
26. (3.) The third part of the Divifion relates to thofe Offences which ^"Z"'"' ^Z'"-
concern the King's People, and are capital ; which nevcrchelefs the Law terms "l^p^HiJ" "
Offences againft the Crown, in refped of the Proteftion that the King af-
fords his People ; and the Intereft he has in them and their Welfire : for
touch them, and you touch the King. Thefe Offences are of three Natures ;
the firft concerns the Prefervation of their Lives •, the fccond the Honour
and Honefty of their Perfons and Families •, ;uid the third .their Sub-
ftance.
27. Firft for Life. In general. Life is grown fo cheap in thefe Times, Murder.
as to be fet at the Price of Words ; and every petty Scorn and Difgrace
can have no other Reparation : nay, fo many Mens Lives are taken away
with Impunity, that the very Life of the Law is almoft taken away with
the Execution ; and therefore, tho Life cannot be reftored to thofe Men that
are flain ; yet the Law may be reftored to Life, by proceeding with due Se-
verity againft the Offenders : and efpecially the Plot of Ground, which is
the King's Carpet, ought not to be ftained with Blood, crying in the Ears
of God and the King. It is true neverthelefs, that the Law does make
diverfe juft Differences of Life taken away ; but yet no fuch Differences as
the wanton Humours and Braveries of Men have, under a reverend Name
of Honour and Reputation, invented *.
28. The higheft Degree is, where fuch an one is killed, to whom the ^<"y-^''M-
Offender bore Faith and Obedience -, as the Servant to the Mafter, the-^'"-
Wife to the Huft^and, the Clerk to the Prelate, and the Child to the Fa-
ther and Mother : and this the Law terms Petty-Treafon.
29. The fecond is where a Man is flain upon fore-thought Malice,
which the Law terms Murther ; and it is an Affront horrible and odious,
and cannot be blanched.
30. The third is, where a Man is killed upon a fudden Heat or Affray, Man-flaugh-
whereunto the Law gives fome little Favour ■, becaufea Man in Fury is not '""•
himfelf. Ira furor brezis •, Wrath is a fliortMadnefs. And the VVifdom of
the.Law has made a Difference of the Stab given, where the Party ftabb'd
is out of Defence, and had not given the firft Blow, from other Man-
flaughters.
^x. The fourth Degree is that of killing a Man in the Party's own
Defence, or by Mifadventure ; which tho they be not Felonies, yet the
Law does not fuffer them to go unpunifhed •, becaufe it kindles Sparks of a
bloody Mind in the one, and Defence in the other.
32. And the fifth is, where the Law admits Fortification ; not by Plea,
(for a Man that fheds Blood, may not juftify the Fafl with pleading not
guilty) and the Cafe is found by Verdift, being difclofed upon the Evi-
dence ; as where a Man in the King's Highv/ay and Peace, is aflailed to
be murdered or robbed -, or when a Man defending his Houfe, v/hich is his
Caftle, againft unlawful Violence ; or when a Sheriff or Mi.aifter of Juf-
tice,
• See the Author's Speech againft Duelling, Vol.1, fag. 393.
xSo The N A T u RE and Office Se£t. IX.
tice, is refifted in the Execution of his Office •, or when the Patient dies
in the Chirurgeon's Hands, upon cutting, or otherwife : for thefe Cafes
the Law privileges ; becaufe of the Neceffitv, and becaufe of the In-
nocency of the Intention. And thus much for the Death of Man -, of
which Cafes the Juries are to enquire, together with the Acceffaries before
and after the Fadl.
t(.apes, double gq. For the fecondkmA^ which concerns tlie Honefty and Chaftity of
Marriages, pgrfons and Families •, the Juries are to enquire of the Ravifhment of Wo-
*''* men -, of the taking of Women out of the PoflefTion of their Parents, or
Guardians, againft their Will -, or marrying or abufing them, or double
marrying, where there was not firft feven Years Abfence, and no notice
that the Party fo abfent was alive •, and other Felonies againft the Honefty
of Life.
Robberies. 34. For the third kind, which concerns Mens Subftancej the Juries fliall
enquire of Burglaries, Robberies, cutting of Purfes, and taking of any
thing from the Perfon •, and generally of all other Stealths, as wdl fuch as
are plain, as thofe that are difguifed. But firft they are to ufe Diligence
in prefenting, efpecially thofe Purloi^^irgs and Imbezzelments, which are
of Plate, Veffels, or whatfoever elfe, within the King's Houfe. The
King's Houfe is an open Place ; it ought to be kept fafe by Law, and
not by Lock : and therefore requires the more Severity.
35. Now for coloured or difguifed Robberies ; to name two or three of
them ■, the Purveyor that takes without Warrant is no better than a Thief;
and it is Felony. The Servant that has the keeping of the King's Goods,
and o^oes away with them, tho he came to the PolTeffion of them lawfully,
it is Felony. Of thefe the Juries are to enquire, Principal and Accefla-
ries. The voluntary efcape of a Felon is alfo Felony.
ofinces A- 36. (4.) For the laft Part, which is of Offences concerning the People,
gamfl the Peo- ^^^^^ ^^^ many : they are of three Natures.
mtcapiul. (i •) The firft is Matter of Force and Outrage.
(2.) The fecond. Matter of Fraud and Deceit.
(3.) The third, Breach and Non-obiervance of certain wholfome and
politic Laws for Government.
Force. 37. For the firft; the Juries fliall enquire of Riots and unlawful AlTem-
blies ■, of forcible Entries and Detainers with Force -, and properly of all
Afiaults of ftriking, drawing Weapons, or other Violence, within the
Kino-'s Houfe, and the Precinfts thereof ; for the King's Houfe, (from
whence Examples of Peace ftiould flow into the fartheft part of the King-
dom, as the Ointment of ^aron'% Head to the Skirts of his Garment,)
ouc^htto be ficred, and inviolate from Force and Brawls -, as well in refpeft
of Reverence to the Place, as in refpeft of Danger and Trouble ; and of
fetting an Example to the whole Kingdom : and therefore in that Place, all
fhould be full of Peace, Order, Regard, Forbearance, and Silence.
ExASliens. 38. Befides open Force, tliere is a kind of Force coming with an open
and armed Hand, but difguifed ; tho no lefs hateflil and hurtflil ; and that
is, Abufe and Oppreffion by Authority.
39. And
Se£l. IX. ^ G R A N D-J u R I E s. i8 1
39. And therefore the Juries are to enquire of all Extortions in Officers
and Minifters ; as Sheriffs, Bailiffs of Hundreds, Efcheators, Coroners,
Conftablcs, Ordinaries, and others, who by Colour of Office do poll the
People.
40. For Frauds and Deceits -, thofe chiefly commended to the Care of Frauds.
Juries, are die Frauds and Deceits in what is the chief Means of all jufl:
Contracts and Permutation ; viz. Weights and Meafures ; wherein, tho
God has pronounced that falfe Weight is an Abomination, yet the Abufe
is lb common and general, diat if a Man were to build a Church, he
need but take the falfe Weights, that may be every where found near at
hand ; the Weights, or Piles, of Brafs to make the Bells, and the Weights
of Lead to make the Battlements : and herein Juries are to make Spe-
cial Enquiry, whether the Clerk of the Marketwithin the Verge, to whom
it properly appertains, have done his Duty.
41. For Nufinces and Grievances-, Juries are to prefent the Decays ><'«/''»"•" '"*^
of Highways and Bridges ; for where the Majefty of the King's Houfe ^'■"^'""^'^•
draws Recourfe and Accefs, it is both difgraceful to the King, and bur-
thenfome to the People, if the Ways near about be not fair and good :
wherein it is ftrange to fee the chargeable Pavement and Caufways in tlie
Entrance of Towns abroad, beyond the Seas •, whereas LoWo«, the fecond
City, at lead, of Europe, in Glory, in Greatnefs, and in Wealth, cannot
be difcerned by the Goodnefs of the Ways, tho a little perhaps by the
Broadnefs of them, from a Village.
42. For the laft Part, three Laws are to be regarded by the Juries. Breach of
(i.) The one concerning the King's Pleafure. statutes.
(2.) The fecond, concerning the People's Food.
(3.) And the third, concerning Wares and Manufactures.
43. The Juries Ihall therefore enquire of the unlawful taking of Patrid- KiU'mg the
ges and Pheafants, or Fowls -, the Detradlion of the Eggs of the faid Wild ^ing'' (^"'"t'
Fowl ; the killing of Hares or Deer ; and the flealing of Venifon or Hares :
for that which is for Exercife and Sport, and Courtefy, fhould not be
turned to Gluttony, and Sale-Victuals.
44. The Juries fhall alio enquire whether Bakers and Brewers keep their ^"O'^-
Aflize; and whether as well they as Butchers, Innholders, and Victuallers,
do fell that which is wholfome, and at reafonable Prices •, and whether
they do link and combine to raife Prices.
45. Laltly, the Juries are to enquire whether the good Statute be oh- ^^f"'*/"'-
ferved, whereby a Man may have what he thinks he hath, and not be"""""
abufed in what he buys -, that is, the Statute requiring that none ufe any
manual Occupation, but fuch as have been feven Years Apprentice to it :
which Law being generally tranfgrefled, makes the People buy, in Effed,
Chaff for Corn ; for that which is ill-wrought will wear ill.
V o L. n. o o s u p-
SUPPLEMENT XVI.
CHARACTERI8TICKS
O F A
Believing Christian;
I N
PARADOXES,
AND
Seeming Contradictions.
O o I PRE-
P R E F A C
SOME Advertifement may be Jiecejfary to prevent a M'lf-
conftruSiion of the prefent ^aper. When rightly conji-
dered, it appears no way ludicrous^ Jarcafiical^ or prophane :
hit, with a particular Addrefs, to be levelled againjl that
well-tneant, but perhaps erroneous ^raciice^ of mixing Faith
and Realbn, or Revelation <z«^ Philofophy, together-^ which the
Author apprehended made an heretical Religion, and a fuperfti-
tious 'Philofophy^. Certainly, it may well deferve to be confi-
dered, whether Reafon and Revelation are not two Things, that
Jhould be kept feparate, for the mutual Service of both ; the
true Ends of Religion ; and the Advantage of civil Society :
and whether a contrary Procedure does not occafion Herefiest
foment 'Difputes and '\Divifions, rend the Church, diflurb Go-
vernments, and fop the Trogrefs of Philofophy.
» ^t^ de Augment. Sdtnuar. p. 162, and the KovumOrganum, pag. 363,38(1, Vc.
C H A-
a8r
CHARACTERISTIC KS
O F A
Believing Christian.
I. X Chriftian is one who believes fuch Things as his Reafon can-
/\ not comprehend ; hopes for Things he never iliw ; and la-
/ % hours for what he knows he fhall not obtain : yet in the
A JL Ifllie, his BeUef appears not to be flilfe ; his Hope makes him
rot alhamcd •, his Labour is not in vain.
2. He believes Three to be One, and One to be Three •, a Father not to
be older than his Son ; a Son to be equal with his Father ; and One pro-
ceeding from both, to be equal with both : as believing three Perfons in
one Nature ; and rvvo Nanires in one Perfon.
q. He believes a Virgin to be the Mother of a Son v and that very Son of
hers to be her Maker. He believes him to have been fhut up in a narrow
Cell, whom Heaven and Earth could not contain. He believes him to
have been born in time, who was, and is, from everlafting. He believes
him to have been a weak Child, and carried in Arms, who is the Al-
mighty •, and him once to have died, who alone has Life and Immorta-
lity in himfelf.
4. He believes the God of all Grace to have been angry with One
that never offended him ; and God who hates Sin, to be reconciled to
himfelf, tho finning continually ; and never making, or being able to make
him Satisfaftion. He believes a mod juft God to have punifhed a moft
iuft Perfon; and to have juftified himfelf, tho a mod ungodly Sinner.
He beheves himfelf freely pardoned ; and yet a fufficicnt S.itistadion was
nude for him.
5. He believes himfelf to be precious in God's Sight; and yet loaths
himfelf in his own. He d.ires not juftify himfelf, even in thofe things
wherein he can find no Fault with himfelf-, and yet believes God accepts
him in thofe Services, wherein himfelt is able to find many Faults.
6. He praifes God for his Juflice; yet fears him for his Mercy. He is
fo afliamed, that he dares nor open his Mouth before God ; and yet he
comes
%26 Christian Paradoxes.
comes with Boldnefs to God, and afks him any thing he needs. He is Co
humble as to acknowledge himfelf to deferve nothing but Evil ; yet he
believes that God means him all Good, He fears always ; yet is bold as a
Lion. He is often forrowful, yet always rejoicing •, many times com-
plaining, yet always giving of Thanks. He is the moft lowly-minded,
yet the greateft Afpirer ; moft contented, yet ever craving.
7. He bears a lofty Spirit in a mean Condition. When he is ableft, he
thinks meaneft of himfelf. He is rich in Poverty, and poor in the midft
of Riches. He believes all the World to be his ; yet takes nothing
without fpecial Leave from God. He covenants with God for nothing ;
yet looks for a great Reward. He lofes his Life, and gains by it -, and
whilft he lofes it, he faves it.
8. He lives not to himfelf; yet of all others he is moft wife for himfelf
He denies himfelf often -, yet no Man loves himfelf better. He is moft
reproached, yet moft honoured. He has moft Affliftions, and moft Com-
forts.
9. The more Injury his Enemies do him, the more Advantages he
gains by them. The more he forfakes worldly things, the more he en-
joys them.
10. He is the moft temperate of all Men, yet fares moft delicioufly :
he lends and gives moft freely, yet he is the greateft Ufurer : he is meek
towards all Men, yet inexorable by Men. He is the beft Child, Huf-
band, Brother, Friend; yet hates Father and Mother, Brother and Sifter.
He loves all Men as himfelf-, yet hates fome Men with a perfed Hatred.
11. He defires to have more Grace than any Man has in the World j
yet is truly forrowful when he fees any Man have lefs than himfelf He
knows no Man after the Flefti ; yet gives all Men their due Refpecls. He
knows, if he pleafe Man he cannot be the Servant of Chrift -, yet, for Chrift's
fake, he pleafes all Men in all things. He is a Peace-maker ; yet is a con-
tinual Fighter, and an irreconcilable Enemy.
12. He believes him to be worfe than an Infidel, that provides not for
his Family ; yet himfelf lives and dies without Care. He reverences all his
Superiors ; yet ftands ftiffly upon Authority. He is fevere to his Chil-
dren, becaufe he loves them ; and by being favourable to his Enemies, he
revenges himfelf upon them.
13. He believes the Angels to be more excellent Creatures than him-
felf; yet counts them his Servants. He believes that he receives many
good things by their Means ; and yet he neither prays for their AfTiftance,
nor offers them Thanks ; which he does not difdain to the meaneft Chri-
ftian.
14. He believes himfelf a King, how mean foever he be : and how
great foever he is, yet he thinks himfelf not too good to ferve the
pooreft Saint.
15. He is often in Prifon, yet always at Liberty : a Freeman, tho a Ser-
vant. He loves not Honour amongft Men ; yet highly prizes a good
Name.
^ 16. He
Christian Paradoxes. a87
1 6. He believes that God has bid every Man who does l\im Good, to
do it i yet of any Man he is the mofl thanktlil to thofe that do for him.
He would lay down his Life to five the Soul of his Fnciny ; yet will not
venture upon one Sin to fave the Life of him, who laved his.
17. He fwears to his own Hinderance, and changes not ; yet knows
that his Oath cannot tie him to Sin. ^
iS. He believes Chrifl. to have no need of any thing he does-, yet he
reckons he relieves Chrifl: in all his A6ls of Charity- He knows he can do
nothing of himfelf ; yet he labours to work out his own Salvation. He
profcfles he can do nothing i yet as truly profeifes he can do all things.
He knows that Flefli and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God ; yet
believes he fhall go to Heaven both Body and Soul.
19. He trembles at God's Word, yet counts it fweeter to him than
Honey, and the Honey-Comb i and dearer than thoufands of Gold and
Silver.
20. He believes that God will never damn him ; and yet fears God for
being able to call him into Hell. He knows he fhall not be Hived by,
nor for his good Works -, yet does all the good Works he can.
21. He knows God's Providence is in all things; yet is lb diligent in
his Calling and Bufinefs, as if he were to work out his own Happinefs. He
believes before-hand that God has purpofed what he Ihall be, and that no-
thing can make him alter his Purpofe ■, yet prays and endeavours, as if he
would force God to fave him for ever.
22. He prays and labours for what he is confident God means to give;
and the more alTured he is, the more earneft he prays for what he knows
he Ihall never obtain; and yet gives not over. He prays and labours for
what he knows he Ihall be no lefs happy without. He prays with all
his Heart not to be led into Temptation ; yet rejoices when he is fallen
into it. He believes his Prayers are heard, even when they are denied j
and gives Thanks for that which he prays againft.
23. He has within him both Flefh and Spirit ; and yet is not a double-
minded Man. He is often led Captive by the Law of Sin ; yet it never
gets dominion over him. He cannot fin ; yet can do nothing without Sin.
He does nothing againft his Will ; yet maintains he does what he would
not. He w-.vers and doubts ; yet ftill obtains.
24. He is often tolTed and fliaken, yet is as Mount Sio». He is a
Serpent and a Dove ; a Lamb and a Lion ; a Reed and a Cedar. He is
fomctimes fo troubled, that he thinks nothing true in Religion ; yet if he
did think fo, he could not be troubled at all. He fomctimes thinks that
God has no Mercy for him ; yet refolves to die in the Purfuit of it. He
believes, like Abraham, againll Hope ; and tho he cannot anfwer God's
Logic, yet with the Woman of Cafiaan, he hopes to prevail with the
Rhetoric of Importunity.
25. He wrefliles, and yet prevails ; and tho yielding himfelf unworthy of
the leaft Blefling he enjoys, yet Jacob like, he will not let go without a.
new Blefling. He fomctimes thinks himfelf to have no Grace at all ; and
yet
a88 Christian Paradoxes.
yet how poor and afflicted ibever he is befides, he would not change Con-
ditions with the moft profperous IMan under Heaven, that is a nrianifeft
Worldling.
26. He fometimes thinks that the Ordinances of God do him no good;
yet he would rather part with his Life than be deprived of them.
27. He was bom dead •, yet fo that it had been Murder for any one to
have taken his Life away : and after he began to live, he was ever dying.
28. And the he has an eternal Life begun in him, yet he accounts he has
a Death to pafs through.
29. He counts Self-murder a heinous Sin ; yet is ever bufied in cmci'y-
ing the Flefh, and in putting to Death his earthly Members -, not doubting
butthere will come a Timcof Glory, when he fhallbe efteemed precious in
the Sight of the Great God of Heaven and Earth, appearing with Bold-
nefs at his Throne, and afking any thing he needs -, being endued with Hu-
mility, by acknowledging his great Crimes and Offences ; and owning that
he deferves nothing but fevere Punifhment.
30. He believes that his Soul and Body fhall be as full of Glory, as theirs
that have more •, and no fuller than theirs that have lefs.
3 1 . He lives invifible to thofe that fee him •, and thofe that know him
beft, do but guefs at him •, yet thofe many times judge more truly of him
than he does of himfelf
32. The World will fometimes account him a Saint, when God accounts
him a Hypocrite ; and afterwards, when the World brands him for a Hy-
pocrite, God owns him for a Saint.
33. His Death makes not an End of him. His Soul, j,which was put
into his Body, is not to be perfected without his Body -, yet his Soul is
more happy, when it is feparated from his Body, than when it was joined
to it.: and hisBody, tho torn in Pieces, burnt to Afhes, ground to Pow-
der, or nn'n'd to Rottennefs, fhall be no Lofer.
34. His Advocate, his Surety fhall be his Judge •, his mortal Part fhall
become irtimortal -, and what was fown in Corruption and Defilement, fhall
be raifed in Incorruption and Glory ; and a finite Creature fhall poflefs an
infinite Happinefs.
SUP-
SUPPLEMENT XVII.
A N
ATTEMPT
To PROMOTE the
PEACE
OF THE.
CHURCH*
* See de Augment. Scientiar. pag. 265.
Vol. II. Pp PRE.
PREFACE.
TH E following Attempt conjijls of two Pieces, wrote at
different Times ; but both of them having the fame
Scope ^ and tending to allay the Fury of religious Con-
troverffes, and edify the Church of England The firfi
was wrote in the Reign of ^teen Elizabeth ; and the fecond was^
many Tears afterwards^ dedicated to King James : but for their
Agreement , they are here joined together, as two Seclions of the
fame IVork ; to fupply, as they do in great Meafure^ the Defi-
ciency of a Difcourle upon the Degrees of Unity in the City of
God, pointed out as wanting, under the Dodrine of infpired Theo-
Icgy, in the dc Augmentis Scientiarum *.
The firft of thefe Tieces is direEled to the contending Tar-
ties ; and moderates calmly betwixt the Church of Eng-
land, and the budding Sc^aries ; yet fo as to open the 'Vlcers on
both Sides ; the better to difpofe them for healing. And thus it
may not be mifeafonable^ even at this iJay ; tho^ by Length of
Time, one might hope the Malignity is dif charged ; and the old
Leaven confumed.
The fecond is of a higher Nature ; and directed to thofe who
had the Tower of regulating both the Civil and Ecclejiajlical
Affairs of the Kingdo-m : fo that the two may be looked upon as
Counterparts to each other ; and both together as a very promi-
Jing Means of effecting a happy Reconciliation^ and promoting
the Teace and Tranquillity of the Church of England.
* Pag. 165.
A N
Sea. L %^i
A N
ATT E M P T
To PROMOTE the
Peace of the CHURCH.
SECT. I.
Of the Controversies of the Church of
ENGLAND.
I
T is but Ignorance to expeft, that the State of Religion fhould T:ht church
rot, efpecially in the Times of Peace, be exercifed with Con-''^^''^^ '"'^''
troverfies : for it is the Condition of the Church militant, to bel"^^"""'''^"^'
ever und t Trials. Thus when the fiery Trial of Perfecution
ceafes, there fuccecds another ; which, by contrary Blafts of Doftrine,
fifts and winnows Mens Faith ■, and proves whether they know God aright :
as the Trial of Afflidions difcovers whether they love him bf"tter than they
do the World. Accordingly, it was foretold by Chrift himf^lf, Th^t in
the latter Times it poiild be /aid, lo here, lo there is Chrift : which is to be
iinderftood, not as if the very Perfon of Chrift fhould be afllimed and
counterfeited ; but that his Authority and Preheminence fliould be chal-
lenged and pretended. Thus we have fcen that Saying fulfilled, Ecce in
Dejefto ; ecce in Peuetralibus : while fome have fought the Truth in the
C omen tides of Here ticks and Se diaries ; others in the external Face and Re-
frefentation of the Church ; and both have been feduced.
2. If, therefore, the Controverfies of the Church of England were not ^** ^ """■"■
only fucli as unfwathe her Bands, the Bands of Peace •, but even fuch as '"'/'^"y^''''*
divided ±e Unity of the Spirit ; yet there would be no Occafion for Ca- En^l^and, n^
P P a tholicks dan^erom.
%^t
Require
Re/l rather
Jin Attempt to promote Se6l. I.
fhoUcks to judge, nor for irreHgious Perfons ro defpife us. Bat our Con-
tentions need not fo much that general Canon of Chrift, pronounced againft
Hereticks ; le ar, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the Potiuer of God ; as
the Admonition of St. James \ Let every Man be fwift to hear^ flow to
fpcak, flow to Wrath : for the Wound is no way dangerous, if we do not
poifon it wirh our Remedies. And as others have no reafon to make them-
felves Mufick in our Difcord ; fo I hope that nothing will difpleafe our-
felves, which fliall be candidly and modeftly propofed for the appeafing of
thefe Diflentions. For he who is oHended at this Voice ; Te are Brethren,
why flrive ye ? will give a great Prefumption, that he is the Perfon who
wrongs his Brethren.
^ . I will not enter into the Controverfies themfelves -, as judging that the
J Difeafe requires Reft rather than any other Cure. We all know and con-
t a>iReme..y.^-^^^ ^.j^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ higheft Nature -, for they do not concern the
fublime Myfteries of Faith, fuch as detain'd the Churches for many Years
after their firft Peace, when the Hereticks moved curious Queftions, and
made ftrarge Anatomies of the Natures and Perfon of Chrift ; and when
the Catholick Fathers were- compelled to follow them \^ith all the Subtlety
of Decifions and Determinations, to exclude them from their Evafions,
and to take them in their Labyrinths ; whence it was truly faid, that in
thofe Days, it was an ingenious and fuhtle thing to he a Chrijlian.
4. Neither are they concerning the great Parts of the Worfliip of God -,
(for it is juftly faid, there will be no Unity of Belief, without an Uni-
ty of Worftiip) fuch as the Controverfies of the Eaftern and Weftern
Churches about Images ; and many of thofe between the Church of
Rome and us, about the Adoration of the Sacrament, and the like ; but
we contend about Ceremonies and 'things indifl'erent ; or about the external
Policy and Government of the Church. And if we would but remember
that the ancient and true Bonds of Unity, are one Faith, one Baptifm ; and
not one Ceremony, or one Policy ; if we would obferve that League of Chri-
ftians made by our Saviour, he that is not againfi us, is with us ; if we
could but comprehend that Saying, the Diverflties of Ceremonies floew the
Unity of the Do6lrine ; and that Religion has Parts which relate to Eternity,
and others which relate to Time ; and if we did but know the Virtue of Si-
lence, and Slownefs to fpeak, recommended by St. James ; our Contro-
verfies would of themfelves foon clofe, and grow together : efpecially, if
we forfook the turbulent Temper of thefe Times, and revived the Pro-
ceedings of the Apoftles, and primitive Fathers of the Church, (which in
the like and greater Cafes never entered into AfTertions and Pofitions, but
deliver'd Counfelsand Advices ;) we fhould need no other Remedy. Bro-
ther, if that which you give as an Aflfertion, you would deliver by way of
Advice ; Reverence would be due to your Counfel : but Faith is not due to
your JJfertion. St. Paul was content to fpeak thus, /, and not the Lord :
and according to my Counfel : but now Men too lightly fay ; not I, but the
Lord ; and bind it with a heavy Denunciation of his judgments, to terrify
the
Concern not
the great
Part! ofWor-
W
Sed. I. the Peace of the Church. 193
the fufiple, who have not i'lifficiently iinJcrftood out of Solomon, that the
caufdcfs Curfefiall not come.
5. Therefore, as the Accidents are what breed the Danger, and not the ^'^" ^^^
Things themfelves, in their own Nature ; it is proper tlie Remedies flioiild ^l^lil^,^^ ^f
beappHed, after opening tiiat on either fide, which keeps the Wound frefli ; the injuries.
and worlcs an Indifpofition in Mens Minds to a Re-union. And certainly
Peace is the beft built upon a Rccolleftion of the Wrongs fuftained.
Tlie Speeches made, by the wifcft Men, for Concord and Harmony, have
call'd to remembrance the Extremities ufedon both fides. Andy indeed, he
ivho [peaks Peace, without repeating the Conditions of the parrel; rather
fwcctens Mens Minds ivith fallacious Hopes of Peace, than equitably compofes
the Difference *.
6. And firft, it is time that an end were made of that immodcfl and deformed ^f'P"", ""2"*
manner of ffriting, lately pradifed ; uherei» Matters of Religion are ^''^«^- ^^/j"//,^^» *
led in the Style of the Stage. Indeed, bitter and earneft Writing muft notntr.
be haftily condemned •, for Men cannot contend coldly about things they
hold dear and precious. A politic Man may herein write, without much Senfe
or Feeling ot what he fays ; as in a Speculation that regards him not : but
a feeling Chriflian will exprefs in his Words a Charafter either of Zeal or
Love. The latter whereof I could wifh rather embraced -, as being more
proper for thefe Times : yet own the former is warranted by great Exam-
ples. But to putoff all reverent and religious CompafTion towards Evils, or
Indignation towards Faults-, and turn Religion into a Comedy or a Satyr -, to
fearch and rip up Wounds with a laughing Countenance ; to intermix Scrip-
ture and Scurrility fometimes in a Breath : this is far from the Behaviour
of a Chriftian, and fcarce becoming an honeft and fober Man. T'here is
no greater Confufion, than the confounding of fefi and Earnefl ^. The Ma-
jefty of Religion, and the Contempt and Deformity of Things ridiculous,
are diredl Oppofites. There are two principal Caufes of Atheifm ;
•viz. vain Controvcrfies, and prophane Scoffing : and if thefe two are
join'd, no doubt but they will make a great Progrefs ^.
7. Job, in his own Perfon, fpeaking of the Majefty and Gravity of a Mlpous T>iJ.
Judge, fays. If I fmiled, rhey believed it not : that is, if I glanced "pon L'"'^jf''i'* ,-.£,
Mirth, yet Mens Minds were fo poffelTed with a Reverence of the Aftion g^^^,/^^.
in hand, that they could not receive it. Much lefs ought this mirth-
ful Difpofition to reign among Bifliops and Divines, when they difpute
about holy Things "^. And therefore, tho fome think it Policy to encoun-
ter the Scoffer with his own Weapon, as when Cardinal Sanfovino advifed
Julius the Second to encounter the Council of Pifa with the Council of
Lateran ; or as Mr. Jeivel made a Challenge to confute the Catholicks
from
' gf(i Pacem traftat non repetitis Conditionibus Dijftdij, is magis animos hom'mitm duhedini \
Pacts failit, tjuam nquitate componit, t\
*' Kan eft major Confufto quam Scrr C ^oci.
' See the Author's ElTay on Atheifm, p.ig. 94. of this Volume. See alfo the Lovd Shaftef-
bury's Chara^erifticks.
<* An affected and ill-matched kind of Pleafantry was found in many Divines of that
Age ; when even the Pulpit became theatrical; and fome of the Preachers were Punfters.
194^ -^^ Attempt to promote Se£fc. I.
from the Fathers -, yet this will not excufc the Imitation of Evil in ano-
ther. It fliould be otherwife with us -, or as C<efar faid. Lei them all as
they do ; and me like my [elf ^ : but now, while we differ about good things ^ ive
agree in fiich as are evil ^.
The Blame, g. jf J ^vere afked on v/hich fide lay the Blame? I fhould remember the
w ere juj y Pj-Qv^rb, that the fecond Bioiv makes the Fray \ and the Saying of an ob-
fcure Perfon ; he who replies, multiplies & ; and fhould determine the Que-
ftion with this •, the one begun, but tlje other will hear of no end^.
A Vedara- g. And indeed I wonder, that fonie of thofc Preachers, who call out for
tien required Reformation, do not publifli a Declaration, to fatisfy the World that they
of t e *''£y'jif,i]^g jj-^cir Caufe fhould be thus Ibllicited : for I hope afTuredly that my
Lords of the Clergy, have no Intelligence with this interlibelling ; butalto-
- gether difallow that their Credit fhould be thus defended.
Two kinds of lo. And furely, there is not an inditferent Hand carried towards Pam-
PamfhUts. pjji^f^ .^ for one fort f^ies in the D irk -, and the other is uttered openly :
where I might obferve out of a wife Writer, that to punlfi Men of GeniuSy
fpreads their Authority '. And indeed we fee it always happens, that the
forbidden JVtitlngs are deemed certain 5y)^r^i of truth, which fly in theFices
of thofe that would ftifle and fead them out : whereas an authorized
Book is thought to be but the Lmguage of the Times. And in plain truth,
I find thefe open Pamphlets no lefs proper to be fuppreffed than the other :
becaufe, as the former deface the Government of the Church, in the Perfons
of the Bifhops and Prelates ; fo the latt";' expofe the Exercifes of Reli-
gion to Contempt, in the Performs of certain Preachers ; and difgrace a
higher Matter, tho in the meaner Perfon.
Violent oppo- j j_ B^fides ; I find certain indifcreet and dangerous Pofirions, as if the
topac'j'. ^^^^^ Government had almoft loft the Force of its Sinews, and were ready
to fall into a Convulfion ; all things bciug full of Faction and Diforder :
which is as unjuflly acknowledged, as filfiy affirmed. I know the Mean-
ing is to enforce the irrevetv^nt and violent oppofmg of the Government of
Bifhops, as a fufpeded Fore-runner of a more general Contempt. And I
grant there is a Sympathy betv/cen the States -, but rio fuch Matter in the
civil Policy, as def-Tves fo difhonourable a RcileAion.
The Curs of j2. To conclude this Point, it were to be wiHied that fuch Writings
Vances. ' ^■^^ never feen the Sun. The next thing is, fince theyaie common abroad,
that they be cenfared by all who have Underftanding and Confcience ; as the
intemperate Extravagancies of fbme light Perfons. And farther, let Men
beware, unlefs they mean to rilque depriving themfclves of Religion, and
to pave their own Tlcarts, as the High-way -, how they are convcrfant in
them ; and much more how they delight in that Vein : But kt them ra-
ther turn their laugbiiig ivxo blufiing; and be afhamed, as of a fliort Mad-
nefs, that they have taken their Sport and Solace in Matters of P^eligion.
This
"^ ISt'il malo quam eos fim'tles elfefui, cr mime!.
^ Dum de Boms conte/idimus, tie Mails confentitnus.
K 61«j reflkat muUiplicat,
'' Alt:r prmc-.pium malo ,Ud'it, alter rnodum abftuiit,
' Pitmi.s Ingeniis, gl'ifclt J.uthjriias.
Sedl. T. the Peace of the Church. 19;-
This perhaps is a Fault that will be fcon acknowledged ; tho I perceive
there are fome who endeavour to blar.ch and excufe it.
i:?. But to defcend to a true View and Confideration of the Accidents F'" Partlcu*
and Circumftances of thefe ConiroverfteSy wherein both fides deferve Blame '"V^^ *'"'"'"
or Imputation ; I find generally, that Men in Church Matters offend ''>^1ion't"clu'rch
fome or all of thefe five Points. Matters.
(i.) The giving Occafion to Controverfies ; and the inconfiderate
and ungrounded taking of Occafion. <
(2.) The extending and multiplying of Controverfies, to a more gene-
ral Oppofition than appears at the firft, when Mens Judgments are
leafl: partial.
(3.) The pafTionate and unbrotherly Praftices and Proceedings of both
fides, towards the Perfons of each other ; to their Difcredit and
Suppreffion.
(4.) The Courfes taken on either fide, for the drawing their Partizans
to a more drift Union within themfelves ; which always imports a
farther Diftradion of the entire Body.
(5.) And Liflily, the improper and inconvenient propofing, publifh-
ing and debating of thefe Controverfies.
I.
14. As to the Occafions of Controvcrftes ; it cannot be denied, that theTheOccafio»
Imperfeftions in the Converfition and Government of thofe who hold chief"/ church
Place in the Church, have ever been the principal Caufes and Motives ^f^o"'"'"^''!'"-
Schifms and Divifions. For while the Bifhops and Governors of the
Church continue full of Knowledge and good Works ; whilft they tru-
ly feed the Flock ; whilft they deal with fecular States, in all Liberty and
Refoluiion, according to the Majefty of their Calling, and the Care of Souls
impofed upon them -, fo long the Church is fituated as upon a Hill : no
Man makes queftion of it, or feeks to depart from it. But when thefe
Virtues in the Fathers and Leaders of the Church, are eclipfed ; and
they grow worldly Lovers of themfelves, and Pleafers of Men ; then
Men begin to grope for the Church as in the Dark -, they queftion whether
thefe are the Succeflbrs of the Apoftles, or of the Pharifees : yea, tho they
fit in Alofes's Chair, yet they can never fpeak as having Authority ; be-
caufe they have loft their Reputation in the Ccnfciences of Men, by declining
from the JVay they trace out to others. Whence Men had need continually
have founding in their Ears, go not out ; fo ready are they to depart from
the Church upon every Voice. And therefore it is juftly obfer\'ed by
one who writes as a natural Man, that the Hypocrify of Friers did, for a
long time, fuppcrt and bear out the Irreligion of BifJwps and Prelates ^.
15. For this is the double Policy of the fpiriojal Enemy, either hy The Calumni.
counterfeit Holinefs of Life to eftablifh and authorize Errors •, or by Cot-''''"^ "f ^''
ruption of Manners to difcredit Truth, and the things that are lawful/"'^''
* See Vol.l. f.it.
This
%^6 An Attempt to promote Se6l. 1
This concerns my Lords the Bifliops, to whom I am Witnefs to myfelf,
that I ftand affefted as I ought. No Contradiclion has fupplanted in me
the Reverence I owe to their Calling; neither has any Detraftion or Ca-
lumny debafed my Opinion of their Perfons. I know fome of them,
■whofe Names are moft pierced with thefe Accufations, to be Men of great
Virtues ; altho the Indifpofition of the Times, and the Want of Corret
pondence many ways, is enough to fruftrate the beft Endeavours to edify
the Church. And for the reft, generally, I condemn none. I am na
Judge of them that belong to fo high a Mafter : neither have I two Wit-
neffes. And I know it is juftly faid of Fame, that fie relates Things falfe
as well as true '. Their Accufations rife not all from one Quarter : they
have many and different Enemies, ready at hand to invent Slander -, more
are ready to amplify it, and the moft are ready to believe it. And Credulity is
the Jttrailive of Lies ". But if there are any againft whom the fupretne Bifiop
has not a few, but many things ; if any one has lojl his fir ft Love ; if any be
neither hot nor cold ; if any one has ftiimbled too fondly at the Threfhold, fo
that he cannot fit well, bccaufe he entered ill ; it is time they return from
whence they are fallen, and confirm the things that remain. Great is the
Weight of this Fault ; and for their Caufe Men did abhor the WorfJnp of
God. But however it is, thofe who have fought to defame them, and caft
Contempt upon them, are not to be excufed. It is the Precept of Solomony
that the Rulers be not reproached ; «o, not in Thought : but that we draw our
very Notions into a modeft Interpretation of their Actions. The holy-
Angel would give no Sentence of Blafphemy againft the common Slanderer;
but fiid, the Lord rebuke thee. St. Paul, tho againft him who polluted
facred Juftice with tyrannical Violence, he juftly denounced the Judgment
of God, faying, the Lord will firike thee; yet in faying, thou whited fFally
he thought he had gone too far, and retrafted it : whereupon a learned Fa-
ther faid. He dreaded even the empty Name, and Shadow of a Prieft ".
The Regard 1 6. The ancient Councils and Synods, as we find in ecclefiaftical Hiftory,
faid them by when they deprived a Bifhop, never recorded his Offence •, but buried it
the ancient -^ perpetual Silence. Cham purchafed his Curfe, by revealing his Fa-
sl'nods. ** ther's Difgrace. And it is a much greater Fault toafcend from their Per-
fon to their Calling •, and draw that in queftion. Many good Fathers
fpeak with rigour and feverity of the Unworthinefs of Bifliops ; as if it
diredtly forfeited and ceafed their Office. One fays, we are caWd Priefts,
but Pricfis we are not°. And another fays, unlefs you undertake the good
PFork, you cannot be a Bifiwp p .• yet they meant nothing lefs than to raife
any Doubt of their Calling or Ordination.
The fecond I J. The fecond Occafion of Church Controverfies is the Nature and
Occafion of Humour of fome Men. The Church never wants a kind of Perfons, who
church Con- j^y^, ^]^^ Salutation of Rabbi, Mafier ; not in Ceremony or Complement,
^ but
' PariterfiifJa, attune inftifa c.inelat.
■" Magnes Mendacij CrsJulitas.
" Iffum quamvis inane nomen, cj" umbram Sacerdotis exfavit,
" iacerdotes nomi7iam:(r, ij' non fiimus.
* Niji bonum opus amphitaris, Epifcop'/H ejfe non poles»
Sc6t. I. fbe Te ACE of i/je Chvrc h. 197
but from an inward Authority which they afteft over Mens Minds, in
drawing them to depend upon their Opinions, and to feek Knoivledge at
their Lips. Thcfc Men are the true Succeflbrs of D/o/r^/ito, the Lover of
Pre-heniinence, and not Lord Bifliops. Thefe alfo have their Adherents,
'who:'e Glory is Obedience ^ ; (liff Followers, and fuch as have a wonderous
Zeal for thofc they have once chofcn to be their Mafters. This latter Ibrt
are generally young Men, of fiiperficial Underftanding, and carried away
with partial Refpeds of Perfons, or with the enticing Appearance of god-
ly Names and Pretence : feiv follow Things themfehes, mw'c follow the
Names of Things., atid mojl the Names of their Mafiers '.
iS. About thefe general Aftedlions are wreathed and interlaced acciden- r.muUticu
tal and private Emulations and Difcontents •, all which together break ""'' ^,'"''^.
forth into Contentions ; fuch as either violate Truth, Sobriety, or Peace. "he'^L/nhciji-
Thefe Generalities apply thcmfelves. The Univerfitics are the Seat or Con- ita.
tinent of this Difeafe ; whence it has been, and is derived into the reft of
the Kingdom. There Men will no longer be of the Number. There do
feme fide themfelves, before they know their right Hand from their left :
fo true it is that they skip from Ignorance to Prejudice ^; and never take a
found Judgment in their Way. But as it is well obferved, betwixt the
Judgment of J'outh, and the Prejudice of old Age ; all Truth is corrupted '.
When Men are indifferent, and not partial, their Judgment is weak
and unripe, thro Wimtof Years •, and when it grows to Strength and Ri}>e-
nefs, by that time it is foreftalled with fuch a Number of prejudiced Opi-
nions, that it becomes unprofitable.
19. In the mean time, the honourable Names of Sincerity, Reformation., The Abufe ef
and Difcipline, are fet foremoft -, fo that Contentions and fiirious Zeal can- i^imes.
not be touched, but thefe holy Things are firft thought to be violated. But
however Sollicitation for the Peace of the Church may be cenfured to
proceed from carnal Senfe •, I will conclude with the Apoftle •, JVhik there
is Zeal and Contention amongfl you., are ye not carnal ? And however the
compounding of Controverfies may be thought to favour of Man's Wif-
dom, and human Policy ; and however others may think themfelves led
by the Wifdom which is from above ; yet I fay with St. James., This Wif-
dom defcends not from above ; but is earthly, fenfual, devilifJj : for where En-
vying and Strife is, there is Inconflancy, and every evil U^ork ". Of this /«-
confancy it is well faid by a learned Father; they endeavour to' go forward
fliU, not to Perfeclion, but to Change ■*".
20. The third Occafion of Controverfies I ohferve to be, an extreme and un- AthWdOccj-
Umited Deteflatiun of fome former Herefy, or Corruption of the Church, al-i'"""!'-^"*'^^
ready acknowledged and convtacd. ' Connov.rPes.
•' ° an extreme
9 ejuerum Gioria in Ohfe^^u'w. . flyi„gfrom
' Pauci res if/as j'equuirrur, flures nominarerum, flurimi nomina Magifirorum. HcrsfyorCtr-
^ Tr.infeunt ab Igntrantia ad Prijudici:tm. rWtticn.
• Inter •uvenilejudic'::im, u" ferAh Pnjudlc'r.'.m, omnis Veritas corrumpitur.
" Sen eji i/lafafienti.t defurjHin defceu'dens. fed terrenj, animalis, diabolica : X'hi enim Zelus
C^ Contentio, iti Inconftanti.i c? cmne Opus farvxm.
* Prtcedere xoinnt, n»n ad Perfeificnem, fed ad Permutaticntm.
Vol. H. Q^q Thus
apS An Attempt to promote Se6l. I.
Thus the Caufe of the Arian Herefy was particularly grounded upon
a Deteflation of Gentilifm •, left the Chriftians fliould feem, by the
Aflertion of the equal Divinity of Chrlfl, to approach to the Acknow-
ledgment of more Gods than one. The Deteftation of the Herefy of
Arius produced that of Sabellius ; who holding for execrable the Dif-
fimilitude which Arius pretended in the Trinity, fled fo far from him
as to fall upon that other Extremity, of denying the Diftlnction of Per-
fons ; and to lay they were only Names of feveral Offices and Difpen-
fations. And moft of the Herefies and Schifms of the Church have fprung
from this Root : while Men have made it, as it were their Rule, to mea-
fure the moft perfedl Religion, by taking it fartheft from the Error laft
condemned, 'thefe are Herefies which rife out of the dead AJhes of others ".
And this way of judging, in fome Degree pofteftes many at prefent. They
think it the true Touch-ftone of Good and Evil, to meafure every
thing as it is more or lefs oppofite to the Inftitutions of the Church of
, Rome -, be it Matter of Ceremony, Policy, or other Inftitutions of great-
er Weight ; deeming that ever moft perfeft which is fartheft removed
from her ; and that ever polluted and blemiHied, which participates in any
Appearance with her.
TheDangerof 21. This is a fubtile and dangerous Notion for Men to entertain ;
this Error, being apt to delude the Efpoufers ; more apt to delude the People ; and
apteft to make us calumniate our Adverfaries. This Notion might almoft
bring us to the re-baptization of Children, baptized according to that
Religion : For the re-ordaining of Priefts, is a Matter already refolutely
maintained. Let Men therefore beware how they are abufed by this Opi-
nion ; and know that it is a Matter of much greater Wifdom and Sobriety, .
to be well advifed, whether in the general Demolition of the Inftitutions
of the Church of Rome, there were not (as Mens Actions are imperfeft)
fome Good purged away with the Bad ; rather than to purge the Church,
us they pretend, every Day anew : which is the way to make a defperate
Wound in h<'X Bowels-, as is already begun.
^ fourth Oc- 2 2. T\\t fourth Occafion of thefe Controverfles, and which alfo troubled
c/tj!0!i,iheimf ^]-^q Church in former times, is a partial Affectation and bnitation of the fo-
^remchur- *^^&" Churches. For many of our People, efpecially during the time of
c/>es. Perfecution, having been converfant in Churches abroad ; and received
great Impreffion of the Form of Government there ordained, have vio-
lently endeavoured to intrude the fame upon our Church. But I anfwer,
let us agree in this, that every Church do what is convenient for its own State •■,
if we do not agree in particular Cuftoms y. And tho their Churches had
received the better Form ; yet we are often to feek, not that which is belt,
but that good Thing which is readieft to be had ^. Our Church is not
now to plant ; being already fettled and eftabliflied. Perhaps in civil
States, a Republic is more political than Monarchy : yet God forbid that
all lawful Kingdoms fhould be bound to innovate, and make Alterations.
He
^ Po/ihuMi Hisrejium filij. _
V Confentuimus in ea quod cor.vemt ; non in eo quod recej>tum efi,' ,
• JSon quod optimum, fed e Bonis q:iid jiroxin.^im.
Se6l. I. the Peace of the Church. i;?9
He 'xho brings in evil Cujloms, reftjls the jnil of God revealed in hii IVord :
he -xho brings in ne^v Things refifis the IF ill of God revealed in things themfehes'.
Take CoimiVl of the Providence of God, as well as of his Word''. Nei-
ther do I admit that their Form, tho it were poflible and convenient, is
Ix'ttor than ours •, if fome Abiifes were taken away. The Parity and Equa-
lity of Minillers is a thing of great Confufion -, fo is an ordinary Govern-
ment by Synods, which ncceffarily enfues upon the other.
23. It is hard in all Cafes, but efpecially in Religion, when Voices fhalH!'""""''''""-
be numbered, and not weighed. Thefe were the Words of a wife Father -, rehnVhur'^''
7'ofay the Truth, I am utterly determined never to come to any Council of Bi- (ha.
fijops ; for I never yet favu a good End of any Council : for their Councils do
not abate, but rather increafe the Mi/chief ^ Which is to be underftood not
fo much of general Cottncils, as Synods, met for the ordinary Government
of the Church. As for the Deprivation of Bifliops, and the like Caufcs;
this Mifchief has taught the Ufe oi ArchbifJiops, Patriarchs, ■xn^ Primates ;
as the Abufe of them fince has taught Men to diflike them.
24. But it will be Hiid, regard the Fruits of the Churches abroad, and^/-»» bruits of
ours. To which 1 fay, that I befeech the Lord to multiply his Graces '^'-^"T^"
and Bleffings upon thofe Churches an hundred fold : Yet it is not good to*^ ''"' "'
fall upon numbering of them. Perhaps our Peace has made us more wanton :
perhaps alfo (tho I would be loth to derogate from the Honour of thofe
Churches, were it not to remove Scandal) their Fruits are as Torches in
the dark -, which appear greateft afar off. I know they may have fome
ftrict Orders, for the repreffing of various ExcefTes. But when I confider
the Cenfures of certain Perfons, paffed as well upon particular Men, as
upon Churches, I think of the Saying of a Platontfi ; Certainly the Fices of
the irafcible Part of the Sotil, are more heinous than thofe of the concupifci-
ble, altho more fecret^ : a Matter that appear'd flagrant by the ancient Con-
tentions of Bifhops. And thus much for the Occafions of thefe Contre-
verftes.
II.
25. "We now proceed to the Growth and Progrefsof the Controverfies ; The Growth
•whereby the Saying of Solomon will be verified ; That the Courfe of Con- ""'^ Prognft
tention is to be flopped at the fir Jl ; being otherivife as the IVatcrs; vjhich iffcrfeT."^"'
they gain a Breach, it v-'ill fcarce ever be recovered.
26. The Side that calls for Reformation exprefles, (i.) fome Diflike o^^htProgrefs
certain Ceremonies, fuppofed to be fuperftitious. (2.) They complain qi»/ the side for
dumb Minifters, who poffefs rich Benefices. (3.) They inveigh againft ^{^^^'f"-'»^''-""'
' &u't mala introduci:, tjohintatetn Dei opfugnat revelatam in Verba ; qni nova introducit,
volumatein Dei ofpugnat revcU'am in Rchus.
'■ Confute Providcntiam Dei, cum Verbo Dei.
' Equtdem, ut vere quod res eft fcrikam, prorfus decrevi fugert emnem Conveiitum EpiTco-
porum ; nullius enim Concilij boninn exitiim unquam vidi : Conciiia enim non rninuunt mala,
jtd augent fotius.
** Certe viiia irufcibilis partis ar.imi funt gradu pravioni, quam conmfifcibiiis, tametji oc-
cuUiara.
Qj\ 2 idle
300 An Attempt to promote Se6l. I.
idle and monajikal Continuance of fucb Miniliers in the Univerfities, as have
Livings to refide upon ; and the hke Abuf;s. (4.) Then they go on to
condemn the Gcocrmnent of BiJJjops -, as an Hierarchy, remaining to us of tlie
Corruptions of the Church of Rome. (5.) They except to fcveral Inflitutions
in the Church -, as not fufficiently freed from the Pollutions of former Times.
(6.) And laftly, they define of an only and perpetual Form of Policy in the
Church ■, which, without Confideration of Poffibility, and Forefight of
Danger, and Perturbation of the Cirurch and State, muft he created and
planted by the Magiftrates. Here they flop. Others not able to keep
footing on fuch fteep Ground, defcend farther; and pretend the fame muft
be entered into, and accepted by the People, at their Peril; without at-
tending the Eftablifhment of Authority. And in the mean time they re-
fufe to communicate with us ; reputing us to have no Church. This has
been the Progrefs of the one Side : I mean of the Generality. For I know,
fome v/ere at the highefl Strain at firft.
ofthofeon 27. Neither has the Side which maintains the prefent Government of
'^f l'%f!a- ^^^ Church, kept one Tenour. For (i.) the Ceremonies pretended to be
biijlmient. corrupt, they maintain'd to be things indifferent ; and oppofed the Ex-
amples of the good Times of the Church, to the Challenge made them ;
becaufe they were ufed in the later Times of Superllition. (2.) They
were alfo content mildly to acknowledge many Imperfections in the Church ;
as Tares coming up among the Corn -, which yet, according to the Wif-
dom of our Saviour, were not contentioudy to be pulled up ; left it might
fpoil and fupplant the good Corn : but they were to grow on together
till the Harveft. (3.) They afterwards proceeded to a more abfolute
Defence of all the Orders of the Church ; and ftifHy maintained, that
nothing was to be innovated -, partly, becaufe there was no Occifion ;
partly, becaufe it would make a Breach upon the reft. (4.) Hence, exaf-
perated thro Contention, they are fallen to a diredl Condemnation of the
contrary Party, as of a SeSt. And, (5.) fome indifcreet Perfons have
been bold, in open Preaching, to ufe difhonourable and derogatory Speech
and Cenfure of the Churches abroad ; infomuch, that fome of our Men,
ordain'd in foreign Parts, have been pronounced unlawful Minifiers.
Each Party 28. Thus, we fee, the Beginnings were modeft ; but the Extremes are
ireatl^ /#''^ violent : fo that each Side now differs almoft as much from itfelf, as at firft
from itjef. ^j^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^.^^^ ^.i^^ Other. And tho my Meaning is not to enter into the
Controverfies themfelves ; yet I admonifti the Maintainers of the above-
mentioned Difcipline, to weigh and confider ferioufly and attentively, how
The Error of near they are to them, with whom tiiey will not join, 'Tis veryJiard to
theSqara- affirm, that the Difcipline, which they fay we want, is one of the eifential
"^'' Parts of the Worfhip of Goi ; and not to affirm withal, that the People,
upon the Peril of Salvation, without ftaying for the Magiftrate, are to
gather themfelves into it. I demand, if a civil State fliould receive the
Preaching of the Word, and Baptifm ; and interdict and exclude the Sacra-
ment of the Lord' s Supper ; were not Men bound, upon Danger of their
Souls, to collect to Congregations ; wherein they might celebrate this
Myftery ;
Se6l. I. the Peace of the Ch u r c h. 301
Myllery •■> and not content themfeJvcs with that Part of God's Worfliip
which the Magiftrate had authorized ? This I fpeak, not to draw them
into a Diflike of others ; but into a more deep Confideration of them-
felves : Perhaps they do not return for -want of knowing to -what length they
have run '.
29. Again, to my Lords the Bidiops I fiy, that it is hard for them to Th: Stljfmfi
avoid Blame, in the Opinion of an indifferent Judge, for ftanding fo nre- of the hifie^s^
cifely upon altering nothing: Laws unrefreJJjed with new ones, grow four \
Jnd without changing what is bad^ the Good cannot be continued ^'. To take
away many Abufcs iupplants not good Orders; but etlablifhes them. A
contentious Retaniing of Cuflom, is as turbulent a thing, as Innovation ''. A
good Hulbandman is ever pruning his Vineyard, or his Field ; not un-
feafonably indeed, nor unfkilfully, but lightly: he ever finds fomewhac
to do. We hear of no Offers made by the Bifhops of Bills in Parliament ;
which, no doubt, proceeding from them to whom it properly bcloncrs,
would have every where met with Acceptance. Their own Conftitutions
and Orders have reformed them little. Is nothing amifs ? Can any Man
defend the Ufe of Excommunication, as a bafe Procefs, to lacky up and
down for Duties and Fees ; it being a precurfory Judgment of the latter
Day .' Is there no means of training and nurfing up Minillers, (for the
Yield of the Univerfities will not ferve, tho they were ever fo well go-
verned -, ) to train them, I fay, not to preach (for that every Man con-
fidently adventures to do) but to preach found Doftrine ; and to handle the
Scriptures with Wifdom and Judgment ? I know Prophefying was fubjedl
to great Abufc ; and would be more abufcd at prefent •, becaufe the Heat
of Contentions is increafed : but, I fay, the only Reafonof the Abufewas,
becaufe there wasa popuLir Audience admitted to it •, and becaufe it was noc
contained within a private Conference of Minifters. Other things mio-ht
be mentioned. I pray God to infpire the Bifhops with a fervent Love and
Care of the People •, and that rhey may not fo much urge Things in Con-
troverfy, as Things out of Controverfy ; which all Men confefs to be
right and good. And thus much for the fecond Point.
III.
30. As to the third Point, that of unbrotherly Proceeding.on either Side •,^^»charital>lt
it is direftly contrary to my Purpofe to amplify Wrongs: it is fufficient ^''*'^*'^'"'*
to note and number them ; which I do alfo, to move CompafTion and Re-
morfe on the offending Side ; and not to animate Challenges and Com-^
plaints on the other. And this Pomt chiefly regards the Side which has
the greatefl Power : for Injuries proceed from thofe that have the upper hand'.
31. The.
* Torti non redeunt, quia fuum progrejfum /ton intelligunt.
^ Lei.es, novls legibus non recreati, acefcunt.
e g«ii mala non permutat, in bonis non ferfeverat.
^" Morofa maris rettntio, res turbulenta efi, tqtte ac novitas.
' Injuri* fotentiorkm funt.
3 ox An Attempt to promote Sedt. I.
of the Party 31. The Wrongs of thofe poflfened of the Government of the Church,
m Poiver. ^q {[iq others, can hardly be diflembled or excufed : they have charged
them as if they had denied Tribute to C^r •, and withdrawn from the civil
Magiftrate the Obedience they have ever yielded and taught. They
have forted and coupled them with the Family of Loir ; whofe Herefies
they have laboured to deftroy and conflite. They have been fwift to
receive Accufations againft them, from thofe that have quarrelled with
them, only for fpeaking againft Sin and Vice. Their Accufations and In-
quifitions have been ftricft, fwearing Men to Blanks and Generalities ; not
included within the Compafs of certain Matter, which the Party who
takes the Oath may comprehend : And this is a captious and ftrained thing.
Their urging of Subfcription to their own Articles, is but irritating and
provoking the Difeafes of the Church ^ ; which otherwife would fpend and
difcharge themfelves. He feeks not Unity, but Divifion, ivbo exahs that in
Words, ivhich Men are content to yield in Aftion '. And there are fome
who, I am perfuaded, will not eafily oflfend by Non-conformity, yet make
a Confcience to fubfcribe ; as knowing this Mark of Inconftancy, and De-
feflion from what they have long held, will difable them from doing
that Good they might otherwife effeft : for fuch is the Weaknefs of ma-
ny, that they think their Miniftry would be thereby difcredited. As for
their eafy filencing them, in fuch a great Scarcity of Preachers -, this is to
punifli the People, and not the Priefts. Ought not the Bifliops to keep
one Eye open upon the Good thofe Men do ; and not to fix them both
upon the Evil only fuppofed to proceed from them ? Indeed for fuch
as are intemperate and incorrigible"'; God forbid they fhould be per-
mitted to preach : but Ihall every inconfiderate Word, fometimes cap-
tiouQy watched, and for the moft part harfhly enforced, be a Forfeiture
of their Voice and Gift in Preaching? As for particular Moleftations; I
take no Pleafure to recite them. If a Minifter fliall be troubled for fay-
ing in Baptifm, do yoti believe, for doejl thou believe ? If another fhall be
called in queftion for praying for her Majefty, without the Additions of
her Titles •, whilft the very Form of Prayer in the Book of Common- Prayer,
has, thy Servant Elizabeth, and no more. If a third fhall be accufed upon
thefe Words, uttered with relation to our Controverfies, tollatur Lex, £5*
fiat Certamen ■" : (whereby w^as meant, that the Prejudice of the Law re-
moved, the Reafons on both Sides fhould be equally compared) as if it
were calling the People to Sedition and Mutiny ; or as if he had faid,
away ivith the Law, and t-ry it out by Force. If rhefe, and the like Parti-
culars be true, which I have but by Rumour, and cannot affirm -, it is to
be lamented, that they fliould labour amongft us with fo little Comfort.
I know that reftrained Governments are better than remifs ones •, and I am
of his Mind, who fiid, 'tis better /0 live where nothing is lawful, than where
all things are lawful. I diflike that Laws fliould be difcontinued, or Dif-
turbers
^- Laceffere CT' irritare morhos ecdeji-t.
' Non confenf'im qu^rit fed di/Jidipir/j, ijn't, quod fi^is frsflalur, :n vcrl'n ixigit.
■" Set afide the Law, and let Trial be made.
Sedl. I. the Peace ^ /Z?^ Church. 303
turbers go unpunifhcd : but Laws are like the Grape, that when too much
prefled, yields a harfli and unwhollbme Wine. Of thefe things I muft
lay ; The IVrath of Man ivorkctb not the Right eoufncfs of God.
32. As for the Injuries of the other Side •, they are but headlefs Arrows -, of the Party
fiery and eager Invectives-, and, in feme fond Men, uncivil and irreverent ""'"Z ^''"'*''*
Behaviour towards their Superiors. This laft Invention alio, which expo-
fes them to Derifion and Obloquy by Libels, charges not the whole Side:
nor even that other, tho llill more odious, pradifed by the worft fort of
them •, which is to call in certain mercenary Troops, that opp6fe Bifliops,
.md all other ecclefi.iftic.il Dignities, to the Spoil of their Endow-
ments and Livings. Of thefe I cannot fpeak too feverely. It is an Intel-
ligence between Incendiaries and Robbers j the one to fire the Houfe, tJie
otJxcr to rifle it.
33. The fourth Po/«/ wholly regards thofe who oppofe the prcfent ec- The Procedure
cUfutftical Government ; and who, altho they have not cut themfelves off"/''^*^''^'"'''"
from the Body and Communion of the Church ; yet affeft certain Cogni- ''/r^^/^^^'
zances and Differences, wherein they feek to correfpond among them- Epifcopal Co-
felvesi and to be fcparatefrom others. And it is truly fiiid, that/Z;i?;Y ^?-^ f fr«OT«»;.
as "well fcbifmatical PafinonSy as Opinions "^. Firft, they have impropriated to '^^<'"' P'-i'i"-
themfelves the Names of zealoHS, finccre, and reformed; as if all others ''"f^ ■^
were cold Minglersof holy and propliane Things, and Friends to Abufes. ""
Nay, let a Man be endued with great Virtues, and fruitfiil in good Works ;
yet if he concur not with them, they term him, in Derogation, a civil
and moral Man ; and compare him to Socrates, or fome heathen Philofopher :
whereas the Wifdom of the Scriptures teaches us, to judge and denominate
Men religious, according to their Works oi z]\q fccond Table : becaufe they
of the firfl are often counterfeit, and pratlifed in Hypocrify ". So St. John
fays, that a Man vainly boajls of loving God, whom he has not feen, if be
love not his Brother, '■ivhom be has feen. And St. James fays, this is true Re-
ligion, to vifit the fatberlefs and the Widow. So that what is with them hut
philofophical and moral, is, in the Apoftle's Phrafe, trite Religion and Chri-
Jiianrty.
34. And as in Affedion they challenge- th6 Virtues of Zeal, Since- ^*"'' P>;t>t»-
rity, i^c. fo in Knowledge, they attribute to themfelves Light and Per- "' I'^'f'^^
fellion. They fay the Church of England, in King Edward's Time, and f'/j^.
the Beginning of the Queen's Reign, . was but in the Cradle ; and
that the BilLops of thofe times did fomewhat for Day-break ; but th.it
Maturity and Fulneis of Light proceeds from themfelves. So Sabinius,
Bifhopof Heraclea, a Macedonian Heretick, faid, that the Fathers in the
Council of Nice were but Infants, and ignorant Men •, and that the Church
was not fo perfeft in their Decrees, as to refufe the farther Ripenefs of
Knowledge, which Time had revealed. . And as they cenfure virtuous
Mai,
" Tam ftint Mores quidam Schifmatici, quam Dogmata Schifmatica. .
" See ihe Author's EJfays, pag. 97, 9$. of this Volume.
304-
rhe}r Re-
froach of
Preachers.
Their own
Manner of
Preaching.
An Attempt to promote Se<3:. I.
Men, by the Names of civil and moral \ lb they cenfure Men truly reli-
gious, and wife, who fee into the Vanity of their Affeftions, by the
Name of political Perfons •, faying, that their IVifdovi is but carnal, and
favouring of Man's Brain. So lilcewife, if a Divine preach with Thought
and Care, not in the vain fcholaftical Manner, but witli Strength and So-
lidity ; ordering the Matter he handles diftinftly, for the fake of Memo-
ry •, deducing it down in the Way of Dire<5lion •, and authorizing it with
ftrong Proofs and Warrants ■, they cenfure it as a Form of fpeaking, not
becoming the Simplicity of the Gofpel ; and refer it to the Reprehenfion
of St. Paul, fpeaking of the enticing Speech of Man's IVifdom. Now for
their own manner of Preaching, what is it ? Surely they exhort well, work
Compundlion of Mind, and bring Men to the Queftion, ?Aen and Bre-
thren, ivhat floall nsoe do ? But that is not enough ; except they refolve the
Queftion. They handle Matters of Controverfy weakly, and flightly ;.
and as before an Audience that will accept of any thing. In their Doc-
trine of Manners there is little but Generality and Repetition. The Word,
the Bread of Life, they tofs up and down ; but they break it not : they
draw not their Direftions down to Cafes of Confcience ; that a Man may
be warranted in his particular Adtions, whether they are lawful or not :
neither indeed are many of them able to do it, thro the Want of grounded
Knowledge ; or thro the Want of Study and Application. 'Tis an eafy
thing to call out for the Obfervance of the Sabbath ; or to fpeak againft
unlawful Gain : but what Aftions and Works may be done upon the Sab-
bath, what not -, and what Courfes of Gain are lawful, and in what
Cafes •, to fet this down, and to clear the whole Matter, with good Dif-
tinflions and Decifions, is a Work of great Knowledge, and Labour ;
that requires much Meditation, converfing with the Scriptures, and other
Helps, which God has provided and preferved for Inftrudion.
■^S- Again ; they carry not an equal Hand in teaching the People their
eusand iin- lawful Liberty, as well as their Reftraints and Prohibitions : but think a
ferfeilMan- -[yj cannot SO too flir in what has the Shew of a Commandment. Thev
ner of teach- p i t^ • i i j n it,- ■>
in^thePeotle.i^o^E^^ ^'^^^ there are Sms on the Kight-hana, as well as on the Left ; and
that the Word is double edged, and cuts on both fides; as well the pro-
phane Tranfgrefilons, as the fuperf!:itious Obfervances. Who doubts that
it is as unlawful to put where God has opened, as to open tvhere God has Jljttt;
to bind ivhere God has loafed, as to loofe iihere God has bound >' Among Men
it is commonly as ill taken to rehafe Favours, as to difobey Commands.
In this kind of Zeal they have pronounced generally, and without Differ-
ence -, as for Example, that all Untruths are unlawful ; notwiihftanding
the Midwives are diredUy reported to have been bleffcd for their Excufe : as
Rahab is faid by Faith to have concealed the Spies. And Solomon's fele(5led
Judgment proceeded upon a Simulation : And our Saviour, the more to
touch the Hearts of the two Difciples with a holy Dalliance, made as if
he would ha\'e pafTed Ernmaus. Farther, I have heard fome Sermons of
Mortification, which, I think, with very good Meaning, they have preached
out of their own Experience and Exercife ; and Things in private Coun-
fels
TL
heir errone-
Sed. I. the Peace of the Church. 305*
fcls not improper •, but furely no found Doftrincs, only fuch as fire rather
apt to breed in Men weak Opinions and perplexed Dcfpairs, than lilial and
true Repentance.
•^7. Another Point of great Inconvenience and Danger, is entitling the ^^«'•■^'^'"j'-
Pcople to hear Controverfies, and all kinds of Dodriiic. They fay, "O'V^^w"^'^*^//
part of the Counfel of God is to be fupprefled ; nor the People defrauded : controverjies.
fo that the DiiTerencc which the Apollle makes between Milk and Strong *
Afciit, is confounded •, and his Precept, that the H'eak be not admitted to
^uejlions and Controi'erfies^ negleded.
38. But chiefly their Manner of handling the Scriptures is ro be fufpecl- Their Manner
cd, as a Seed of farther Inconvenience; for whilfl they endeavour to y>i-o. of handling
(luce Scripture for every thing ■, and have, in a manner, deprived them-' ' ci^tuies.
fclves and the Church of a particular Help and Support, by debafing the
Authority of the Fathers ; they have recourfe to naked Examples, con-
ceited Inferences, and forced Allufions •, fuch as ruin all Certainty of Re-
ligion P.
39. Another Extremity, is the exceffive magnifying of that, which. t\\o Their exircmt
it be a principal and mod holy Inftitution ; yet has its Limits ; as well as '"''5'"/?""5 "/
all other Things. We fee that wherever, in a manner, they find the ^/^«-^, nacung.
fpoken of in Scripture, they expound it of Preaching : they have made it
almoft eflential to die Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to have a Precedent
Sermon ; and they have, in a fort, annihilated the Ufe of Liturgies, and
divine Service ; altho the Houfe of God be denominated, in a particular
manner, the Houfe of Prayer, and not the Houfe of Preaching.
40. As for the Life of the good Monks and Hermits in the primitive Their Stlfnefs
Church ; I know they will condemn a Man as half a Papift, who main- ^'"i^^ondnefs
tains them to be other than prophane : becaufe fuch Hermits heard no ^&^- Tenet u "
mons. In the mean time, ivhat Preaching is, and who may be faid to preach,
they do not enquire : but, as far as I fee, every Man, who prefumes to
fpeak in the Chair, is by them accounted a Preacher. But I am aflaired,
that many who call hotly for a preaching Minifiry, deferve to be the firft that
fhould be expelled. All thefe Errors and Mifconducl of theirs, they for-
tify and intrench by a rivetted Refpe^ to their own Opinions ; and an Impatience
to hear Contradiaion or Argument. And I know fome of them that would
think it a Tempting of God, to hear or read what may be faid againft
them ; as if Men could hold faft to that which is good, without trying all
thinn firft.
41. This may fuffice to offer them a Thought and Confideration, whe- ^ Confidem-
ther in thefe things they do well or no ; and to correal and aflTuage the Par- fj°" "-^ '^^"''
tiality of their Followers. But for any Man, who fliall hereby enter '^'^^<^ heflrtthm.
a Contempt of their Miniftry ; it is but his own Hardnefs of Heart. I know
the Work of Exhortation chiefly refts upon thefe Men ; and they have
Zeal, and a hate of Sin. But again, let them beware it be not true which
P It may perhaps require a competent Share of good Scnfe, to underftand the Caution here
inculcated, which is fuch as can fcarce be felt by religious Zealots j who thro their Igno-
rance generally render themfelyes contemptible to the Men of Seiife, and Learning.
V o L. II. R r one
^o6 An Attempt, &c. Se6l. T.
one of their Adverfaries faid ; viz. that they have only two /mall Wants,
Knowledge and Charity. And ib I conclude this Point.
V.
The Way of 42. The lafl Point, 'viz. ilit Axit publilJ)ing and debating of thefe Contro-
conduamgre- ,^,^yp^_^ „gg^ ^ot be enlarged upon. And the ftrange Abufe of Jntiques and
mverfia.' PafquHs has been touched before <5. Certainly the Charafter of Love is
more proper for Debates of this nature, than that of Zeal. And as for all
direft or indireft Glances upon Mens Perfons ; they were ever in thefe
Cafes difallowed.
The People no 43. And whatever may be pretended, the People are no fit Arbitrators ;
Judges of ^3^1- rather the quiet, the modeft, and private Aflemblies, and Conferences
Controierjie'.^^ the Learned. He ivho /peaks before an unqualified Hearer, does not difpute,
but calumniate ''. The Prefs and Pulpit fhould be free from thefe Conten-
tions. Neither Promotion on the one fide, nor Glory and Heat ori the other,
ought to continue fuch Challenges at the Crofs, and other Places : but ra-
ther all Preachers, efpecially fuch as are of a good Temper, and have
Wifdom with Confcience, ought to inculcate Peace, Silence, and a Truce.
Neither let them fear Solon's Law, which in Factions compell'd every
Perfon to range himfelf on the one fide, or the other -, nor yet the fond
Calumny oi^ Neutrality : but let them know, what a wife Man faid is true ;
viz. that Neuters in Contentions are either better, or ivorfe, than either fide.
Conclufton. 44. Thefe things I have wrote in all Sincerity and Simplicity, as to the
Controverfies which now diftiu-b the Church of England; and that without
all Art and Infinuation : and therefore am not likely to pleafe either Party.
Yet I hope that what I have faid will find a Correfpondence in thole
Minds which are not imbarked in Partiality ; but love the Whole better than
a Part.
' See above, §. 6, 7.
^ g«/ apHd incafacem loquitur, non difceptat, fed calumniatur. ^
SECT.
Sea-. 11. 307
SECT. 11.
of the Regulation of the Church^* ^
ENGLAND.*
I. # J ^ Cckfia(iical Matters appertain not properly to my Profcffion ; hwtTheVefgn.
f^ J fince a Man who {lands a little removed from a Spot of Ground,
may often furvey it better than thofe who are upon it ; 'tis not
impolTible, but as a Spe<5lator, I may have obfervcd fome things which the
* The following Sefllon was by the Author dedicated to King James, under the Title
of Certain ConJiJerations touching the better Pacification and Edification of the Church of Eng-
land. And fince this Seftion is of a higher, or more poh'tical Nature, than the preceding ;
as recommending certain Alterations to be made in the Church ; it ous^ht to be obfer-
ved that the whole was humbly fubmittej to his Majefty and his Council, in the follow-
in" manner. " The Unity of your Church, excellent Sovereign, is no Icfs precious
" than the Union of your Kingdoms ; they being both Works wherein your Happinefs
•' may contend with your Worthinefs. Having therefore prefumed, not without your
" Majefty's gracious Acceptance, to fay fomewhat of the one ^ ; I am the more encou-
■" ra"cd not to be (ilent on the other : and the rather becaufe it is a Subjeft which I
•' have confidered herctotbre ''. But of all Things this animated mc the mod, that I
" found in thefe my Opinions, which 1 have long embraced (as may appear by what
" 1 have written many Years ago ') a Confent and Conformity with what your Maje-
«' fty has publifhed of your own moll; chriftian, wife, and moderate Senfe in thefe
" Cafes ; wherein your Majefty has fhewn that you ever \\e\d the Whole more dear than any
" Part. For many give Opinion in thefe Matters, as if they defired not to purge the
" Evil from the Good, fo much as to protect the Evil by the Good. Others aft as if
" they would fliew what is good, without examining what is poflible ; which is wifh-
" mc, and not propofing. And others again proceed as if they would rather remove
" than reform. But tlio both fides, as Men, and excellent Men too, run into Extremes j
" yet your Majefty is difpofed to find the Golden Mean, and eftablifh what is found,
" and repair what it corrupt or decay'd.
" To your princely Judgment, therefore, I humbly fubmit whatever I propofe ; of-
" feringthe fame but as a Mite into theTreafury of yourWifdom. For as the Aftronomers
" well obferve, that when three of the fuperior Lights meet in Conjunction, it produces
*• fome extraordinary Ettefts ; So tliere being joined in your Majeftv, the Light of Na-
" ture, the Light of Learning, and above all, the Light of God's Holy Spirit; your
" Government muft needs be as a happy Conftcllation over your Kingdoins.
" Neither is there wanting to your Majefty that fourth Light, which tho but a bor-
" rowed Light, is ye: of iingular Efficacy and Moment, added to the reft ; 'jiz- the
" Light of a moft wile and well compounded Council : to whofe honourable and grave
" Wifdoms 1 likewife fubmit whatever I fay; hoping there is no Occafion for me to
" proteft my Mind and Opinion to be, that till your Majefty ftiall otherwife determine
" and order, all aftual and full Obedience is to be given to the Ecclefiaftical jiirifdiilion,
" as it now ftands ; and again, when your Majefty has determined and ordered, that
" every good Subjeft ought to reft fatisfied, and obey your Majefty's Laws, Ordinances,
" and royal Commands."
' See fag. ?. of this Volume.
^ Viz., in the preceding Seiflion.
« fiz. in the foregoing Settion, and in the de Augment. Sc'itntiar. Seft. XXVIH.
R r 2 Adors
5o8
Tv>o Objefll-
ons to it.
Whether good
Policy allows
of Reforma-
tion in Reli-
gion.
The Church
of England
compared
v.'ith foreign
Churches.
An Attempt to promote Seft. 11.
Aflors themfelves do not. And being confcious to myfelf, that what I fliall
offer arifes from no Vein of Popularity, Oftentation, Defire of Novelty,
Partiality to either Side, Difpofition to intermeddle, or any the like Lea-
ven -, I conceive Hopes, that what I want in Depth of Judgment, may
be coiintervail'd by Simplicity and Sincerity of Affeftion.
2. But here it may be proper to remove two Opinions, which directly
confront and oppofe all Reformation in Religion : the one bringing it to No-
thing ; and the other to an Impoffibility. The firji aflferts it to be againft
good Policy to innovate any thing in Church Matters ; and the other pre-
tends that all Reformation muft be after one Platform.
3. (i.) The firji of thefe Objedions is excellently anfweredby the Pro-
phet ; Jiand upon the old IVays, and confider ivhich is the right and true Way^
and walk therein. He does not fay, frand upon the old Ways, and walk there-
in : for with all wife and moderate Perfons, Cuftom and Ufige are indeed
of Reverence fufBcient to caufe a Stand -, and make them look about them ;
but are no Warrant to guide and conduft them : fo as to be a juft Ground
of Deliberation, but nor of DIreftion. And who knows not that Time
is truly compared to a Stream, which carries down frefh and pure Waters
into! that Dead-Sea of Corruption, furrounding all human Acftions ?
Therefore, If Men fhall not by their Induftry, Virtue, and Policy, as it
were with the Oar, row againft the Stream, and Bent of Time ; all In-
ftitutions and Ordinances, be they never fo pure, will corrupt and dege-
nerate. And I would afkwhy the Cm/ State fhould be purged, and refto-
red, by good and wholfome Laws, made every SefTion of Parliament, de-
vifing Remedies as faft as Time breeds Mifchief ; and yet the Ecclefiaflical
State continue upon the Dregs of Time, and receive no Alteration at all?
If it be replied, that had the like Intermiffion been ufed in Civil Affairs
alfo, the Error had not been great -, furely the WIfdom of this Nation has
thought otherwife, from Experience, for fome hundreds of Years. But if
it be faid, that there is a Difference between Civil and Ecclefiaftical Mat-
ters ; one might as well fay, that Churches and Chapels need no repair,
tho Caftles and Houfes do : whereas, commonly, to fpeak the truth.
Dilapidations of the inward and fplritual Edifices of the Church, are in
all times as great as the outward and material. Sure I am, that the very
Word and Stile of Reformation, ufed by our Saviour, from the Beginning
it was not fo, was applied to Church Matters ; and thofe of the higheft na-
ture -, "oiz. the Moral Law.
4. He were indeed ungrateful, and unwife, who fhould deny that the
Church of England flourlfhed under Queen Elizabeth. But to compare our
own with foreign Churches, I would rather compare them in Virtues than
In Defeats •, or rather as the Vine and the Olive, to fee which was the moft
fruitful ; than as the Briar and the Thiftle, to difcern which was the moft
unprofitable. For the fame Reverence fhould be ufed to the Church, as the
good'Sons of Noah ufed to their Father's Nakednefs ; viz. to go as it were
backwards.
Se(5l. II. the Peace of the Church. 309
backwards, help the Dcfeds thereof, and yet diiTcmble them. And it
muft be acknowledged, that fcarce any Church, fince the primitive one,
yielded, in like Number of Years, and Latitude of Country, a greater
Number of excellent Preachers, famous Writers, and grave Governours :
and for the Difcipline and Orders of the Church, as many ; the chiefeftof
them holy and good. Yet if St. John were to write an Epiftle to the Church
of England, as he did to that of yJfia, it would furely contain the Claufe,
/ bale a few 'Things againji thee.
5. Another Objedion under this Head regards not the Matter, but thex^t beftTimt-
Time ; and pretends, that tho Reformation were necefiliry -, yet it is notf''.''^'^'"'""'-
now feaibnable, at his Majefty's firll Entrance. But Hippocrates Hiid, /f^'""-
any Alteration be tiecejfary, make it at firfi'^. And all Examples fliew, that,
as the wifeft Princes have always been flow in removing Servants and Offi-
cers upon their coming in ; fo for redifying Abufcs and Enormities,
and for reforming the Laws, and Policy, of their States, they have
chiefly endeavoured to ennoble and recommend their Beginnings by them :
as well knowing that the firft ImprefTion with the People continues long ;
and that when Mens Minds are moft in Expeftation and Sufpenfc, they
are then beft wrought upon. Hence it feems to me, that as the Spring of
the Year is the bell Time for purging the natural Body-, fo the Spring
of Kingdoms is the propereft Seafon for the purging and rectifying of po-
Ktical Bodies.
6. There remains another Objeftion, rather of Sufpicion than of Rea-Tto Altera-
fon ; yet fuch as makes a great ImprefTion in the Minds of wife and well"''"/^r ''■'*
affefted Perfbns ; viz. that if a Way be given to Alteration, tho in remo- /''^^J' '" '
I'ing Abufes ; yet it may fo acquaint Men ivith the Sweet nefs of Change,
as to undermine the Stability even of that which is found and good. This
furely had been a jufl Allegation in the ancient Contentions and Divifions
between the People and Senate of Rome -, where things were carried at the
Appetites of the Multitude, who can never keep within the compafs
of Moderation : but thefe things having an orderly PaiTage under a King
of a royal Power, and approved Judgment •, that knows as well the Mea-
fure of Things, as the Nature of them ; 'tis furely a needlefs Fear. For
a wife King, with the Advice of his Council, will difcern what Things
are intermixed, like the Tares among the Wheat -, what have their Roots
fo entangled, that the one cannot be pulled up without endangering the
other i and what are mixed, but as the Chaff and the Corn, which need
only the Fan to fift and feparate them. And fo much for the firfl Opi-
nion of admitting no Reformation at all.
7. (2.) For xki<i. fecond Opinion, that there fliould be but one Form of Dif- NoTormcf
cipline in all Churches ; and that impofed by the Neceffity of a Command, and^^""^ f*^'
Prefcript out of the Word of God : it is a Matter whereof Volumes have "f ;^ ^..Jf '
been t»re.
*■ si quid moves, a frincifio movn
0 10 An Attempt to promote Sedt. IT.
been written ; and therefore cannot receive a fhort Decifion. But, for my
part, I confefs, that in reading the Scripmres, I could never find any fuch
thing ; but- that God had left the hke Liberty to Church Government,
as he has to the Civil Government •, to be varied according to Time,
Place, and Accidents : wliich neverthelefs his high and divine Providence
orders and difpofes. For all Civil Governments are reftrained from God
to the general Grounds of Juftice and Manners •, but their Policies and
Forms are left free : fo that Monarchies and Kingdoms, Senates and Seig-
ndries, popular States, and Commonwealths, are lawful j and where they
are planted, ought to be maintained inviolate.
Rites atidCe- 8. Thus in Church Matters, the Subftance of Dodlrine is immutable ;
remonks left and fo are the general Rules of Government : but for Rites and Ceremo-
foDifcretion. j^jg^^ the particular Hierarchies, Policies, and Difciplines of Churches;
they are left at large. 'Tis therefore proper to return to the ancient
Bonds of Unity in the Church of God ; which were one Faith., one
Baptifm •, and not one Hierarchy, one DifcipHne. And here we muft ob-
ferve the League of Chriilians, as it is delivered by our Saviour ; which
in Subftance of Dotlrine is this -, He that is not ivith us, is againfl us : but
in things indifferent, and only regarding Circumftances this ; He that is not
agair.fi us, is ivith us : provided the general Rules be obferved 4 viz. that
thrift's Flock be fed -, that there be a SuccefTion of Biftiops and Minifters,
which are the Prophets of the New Teftament -, that there be a due and
reverent Ufe of the Power of the Keys ; that thofe who preach the Gof-
pel, live by the Gofpel ; that all things tend to Edification ; that all
things be done decently, and in order, ^c. But other Matters arc left to the
holy Wifdom and fpiritual Difcretion of the Mafter Builders, and inferior
Builders in Chrift's Church ; according to the excellent Allufion of the
primitive Father, who obferved that Chrift's Garment was without Seam ;
and yet the Churches Coat of many Colours : and thence fet dov/n as a
Rule •, Let the Variety of the Garment continue, but no Rent be n>ade ^.
Primitive g. In this Variety, however, it is a fafe, and a wife Courfe, to follow
Examples good Examples and Precedents ; but then, by the Rules of Imitation and Ex-
hwed" "ample, we muft confider, not only what Things are beft •, but what are moft
fuitable : for inftance, the Government of the Church in the pureft Times,
of the firft good Emperors that embraced the Faith. For the Times of
Perfecution, before temporal Princes received Chriftianity, were excellent
Times for Doftrine and Manners ; but are improper and unfuitable Ex-
amples of external Government and Policy. And fo much for this gene-
ral Point : We next proceed to the particular Points of Reformation.
The Govern- I o. And firfi for the Government of Bijhops. Without prejudging the
mentofBi- Precedents of other reformed Churches; I hold the Government of Bi-
clm^nuet ^°P^ warranted by the Word of God ; and by the Praflice of the ancient
Church in the beft Times ; and that it is much more convenient for King-
doms
' In vejli varietasft, fcijfura non fit.
Sedl. ir. the Ve ACE of the Church. 31X
doms than a Parity of Minifters, and Government by Synods. But then
it is to beconfidered, that the Church is not now to plant, or build ; but
only to be pruned from Corruption ; and to be repaired and reftored in cer-
tain Decays. For it is worth noting, what the Scripture fiys, thztthePrieji-
hood being tranjlatcd^ there nsiift alfo be a 7'ranjlation of the Law. And it is
not polTible, on account of the great and near Sympathy between the Civil
and the F.cclcfiaftical State, to make fo grand an Alteration in the Church,
without having a dangerous Etfeft upon Kingdoms ; and therefore it is fit
that this Controverfy ihould be in Peace and Silence.
11. But there are two Circumllances in the Adminiftration of Bifhops, ^'--^ '^^f <^'>
wherein I could never be fatisfied : the one is thefolc Exercife of their Au-'""'^'/'"'''".
thority ; the other the Deputation of their Authority. 'Tuthir'ity''^
12. For the firll ; the Bifhop grants Orders alone f, excommunicates jj-yT,^.^ ^^•„^
alone, judges alone. This feems to be a thing almoft without Exam pie <j/owf, mt
in good Governments •, and therefore not unlikely to have crept in, du- countenanced
ring degenerate and corrupt Times. The greateft Kings and Monarchs^^/'"'''''^^
have their Councils. There is no temporal Court in England, of the "■''"''"''
higher ibrt, where the Authority refts in one Ferfon. The King's Bench,
Common Pleas, and the Exchequer, are Benches of a certain Number of
Judges. The Chancellor of England has an Afiiftance of twelve Mafiers in
Chancery. The Mafier of the Wards has a Council of the Court: fo has
the Chancellor of the Dutchy. In the Exchequer Chamber, the Lord Trea-
furer is joined with the Chancellor, and the Barons. The Maflers of the
Requefls are always more than one. The Juftices of Afllze are two. The
Lord Prefidents in the North, and mlFales, have Councils of di>,'erfe. The
Star-Chamber is an AfTembly of the King's Privy-Council, interfperfed
with the Lords Spiritual and Temporal : iio that in the Civil Courts, the
principal Pcrfon has always his Colleagues or Afleflbrs.
13. The like is to be found in other well governed Common-Wealths A'«/o from
abroad, where the Jurifdiftion is yet more difperfed •, as in the Courts of'^'A/'
Parliam.ent in France, and other Places. No Man will deny, but the
Afts that pafs the Bifhop's Jurifdidlion, are of as great Importance as
thofe that pafs the Civil Courts : for Mens Souls are more precious than
their Bodies or Goods ; and fo are their good Names. Bifhops have their
Infirmities, and no Exemption from that general Maledidlion pronounced.
againft all Men living -, PFo to him that is alone when he falls, &c. Nay,,
the firft Warrant in fpiritual Caufes is directed to a Number : Tell the
Church ; which is not fo in temporal Matters : and we fee that in o-e-
neral Cafes of Church Government, there are as well Aflemblies of all
the Clergy in Councils -, as of all the States in Parliament. Whence
ftiould this fole Exercife of Jurifdidiion come .■* Surely one may fuppofe, .
upon good Ground, that from the Beginning it was not thus \ and that the
Deans and Chapters were Councils about the Sees and Chairs of Bifhops at
the firft i and were to them a Prelbytery or Confiftory j and intermeddled
not
* See btlow, J, 14.
3 HL An Attempt to promote Se6l. 11.
not only in the difpofing of thdr Revenues and Endowments •, but much
more in ecclcfiailical Jurifdiflion. And it is probable, that the Deans and
Chapters fluck clofe to the Bifhops in Mattters of Profit and the World ;
and would not lofe their Hold, except in Matters of Jurifdiftion ; (which are
accounted only Trouble and Attendance) and thus fufFered the Bifliops to
encroach and ufurp : fo that the one continues wliilft the other is loft.
We fee that the Bifhop of Rome {Fas enhn ^ ab hofle dceri) performs all
ecclefiaftical Jurifdidtlon, as in Confiflory. And no queftion but the firft In-
ftitutions in that Church were excellent.
Xoi [o in the 14. And this Confiftory is made up of the Parifh Priefts of Rome, who
siJhoi>s of (-gj-p-, themfelves Cardinals, a cardinibus mundii; becaufe the Bifhop pretends
to be univerfal over the whole World. And of this again, we fee many
Shadows ftill remaining ; as that the Dean and Chapter, for Form's fake,
choofe the Bifliop ; which is the highefl Point of Jurifdiftion : and that
the Bifliop when he grants Orders, if there be any Miniflers cafually pre-
fent, calls them to johi with him in the Impofition of Hands ; and
fome other Particulars. Therefore it feems to me, a thing reafonable,
religious, and agreeable to the firft Inftitution, that Bifhops in the
greateft Caufes, and thofe which require a fpiritual difcerning, (for Exam-
ple, in the ordaining, fufpending or depriving of Minifters ; in Excommu-
nication ; in fentencing the Validity of Marriages and Legitimations ; in
judging criminal Caufes, as Symony, Inceft, Blafphemy, and the like,)
fhould not proceed fole and unafTifted. And this Point, as I underftand it,
is a Reformation that may be planted y?«^7?r£'/)/Vrt -, and without any Diftur-
bance at all. And it is a Matter that will give Strength to the Bifhops,
Countenance to the inferior Degrees of Prelates or Minifters, and the better
Iflue, or Proceeding, to the Caufes that fhall pafs.
Whether 15. And as I wifli this Strength given to the Bifliops by Council ; {o
n"^^"idi d '*■ ™^y "°'' ^^ unworthy the royal Confideration, whether Strength Ihould
Jed to the ' "°^ b^ given to the general Council of the Clergy, the Fionfe of Convo-
Convocatlon. cation ; which was reftrained when the State of the Clergy became fufpedled
to the Kingdom, on account of their late Homage to the Bifhop of Rome:
which Cafe is now altered.
Bifnops not to 1 6. For the fccond Point, which is the Deputation of tbeir Authority ; I
depute their fee no perfeft and fure Ground for it •, as being fomewhat different from the
Authariiy. Examples and Rules of Government. The Bifhop exercifes his Jurifdi-
ftion by his Chancellor, and Commiffiry Official, t^c. We fee in all
Laws in the World, Offices of Confidence and Skill cannot be pur over,
or exercifed by Deputy ; except it be efpecially contain'd in the original
Grant : and in that Cafe it is doubtful. And for Experience, there was ne-
ver any Chancellor of England that made a Deputy : there was never a
Judge in any Court that made a Deputy. The Bifhop is a Judge, and of
a high Nature : whence comes it, that he fhould depute i confidering that
all Truft and Confidence, as was faid, is perfonal and inherent ; and nei-
ther
s From the four Quarters of the World,
Swcl. II. the Peace of the Church." 315
ther can, nor ought to be tranrpofcd. Surely, in this again we may-
fay, Ffom the beginning it luas not fo : but it is probable, that Bifliops,
when they gave themfclves too much up to the Glory of the World, and
became Grandees in Kingdoms, and great Counfcllors to Princes, now .de-
legated their proper Jurifdidions, as things of too inferior a Nature for
their Greatnefs ; and then in Imitation of Kings and Counts Palatine, rhey
would have their Chancellors and Judges.
17. But that Example of Kings and Potentates affords no good DdcncQ.As K'ms^ dn^
For the Reafon why Kings adminiftcr by their Judges, tho themfclves be
fupreme Judges, are two : the one, becaufe the Offices of Kings are, for
the moll part. Offices of Inheritance -, and it is a Rule in all Laws, that
Offices of Inheritance are rather Matters that ground in Intercft than in
Confidence ; as they may fall upon Women, Infints, Lunaticks and Ideots,
who arc incapable of executing Judicatute in Perfon ; and therefore fuch.-^
Offices, by all Laws, might ever be exercifed and adminiftred by Delega-
tion. The fccond Reafon is, the Amplitude of their Jurifdiftions -, which
is as great as cither their Birth-right from their Anceflors, or their Swords
right from God makes it. And therefore, if Mofcs, the Governor
over no great People, and thofe collefted together in a Camp, and not
fcattered in Provinces and Cities, and himfelf of an extraordinary Spirit,
■was yet infufficient in Perfon to judge the People -, but did by the Advice
oijethro, approved from God, fubftitute Elders and Judges; how much
more fhould other Kings and Princes .''
18. There is alfo a thiid Reafon ; viz. that Kings either in Refpeft o^ Eifliops ahU ti
the Commonwealth, or of the Greatnefs of their own Patrimonies, ^re '^J^'^-^ q-S •
ufually Parties in Suits; and then their Judges ftand indifferent between j,/^!-„_^^ '
them and the Subjeft. But in the Cafe of Bifliops, none of thefe Reafons
hold. For firft, their Office is eleftive, and for Life -, not patrimonial or
hereditary ; and an Office merely of Confidence, Knowledge, and Quali-
fication. And for the fecond Reafon ; it is time their Jurifdidlion is ample
and fpacious -, and their Time to be divided between the Labours, as well
in the Word and Doftrine, as in Government and Jurifdiftion : yet I do
not fee (fuppofmg the Bifliops Courts to be ufed incorruptly ; and without
any indirc(fi: Courfe to multiply Caufes for Fees) but that the Bifliop might
very well for Caufes of Moment, fupply his judicial Funftion in his own
Perfon. For one Chancellor of England difpatches the Suits of the whole
Kingdom in Equity. And if hold be taken of what was faid before,
that the Bifliop's Labour in the Word mull take up a principal Part of
his Time •, fo I may fiy again, that Matters of State have taken up
m.oft of the Chancellor's Time -, they havingbeen, for the mofl: part, Perfons
upon whom the Kings of this Realm li;ive relied for Matters of Coun-
fcl. And therefore there is r.o doubt but the Bifliop, (whofe Circuit is
lefs ample, and the Caufes in their Nature not fo multiplying ; with the
Help of References and Certificates to and from fit Perfons, for the better
ripening of Caufes in their mean Proceedings, and fuch ordinary Helps
Vo L. II. S f incident
3 14 An Attempt to promote Se6l. II.
incident to Jurifdiclion,) may very well fuffice his Office. Yet there is
another Help ; for the Caufes that come before him are, Tythes, Lega-
cies, Adminiftrations, and other teftamentary Caufes •, matrimonial Cau-
fes; Accufitions againft Minifters, tending to their Sufpenfion, Depriva-
tion, or Degrading -, Symony, Incontinency, Herefy, Blafphemy, Breach
of Sabbath, and other like Caufes of Scandal. The two firft of thefe, in
my Opinion, differ from the reft : for Tythes and Teftaments are
Matters of Profit, and in their Nauire temporal -, tho by a Favour and
Connivance of the temporal Jurifdiction, they have been allowed and per-
mitted to the ecclefiaftical Courts : the one to the end that the Clergy
might fue for what was their Suftentation before their own Judges ; and
the other in a kind of Piety and Religion, which was thought incident to
the Performance of the Wills of the Dead. And furely for thefe two the
Bifhop may with lefs Danger difcharge himfclf upon his ordinary Judges.
And 1 think likewife it will fall out, that thofe Suits are in the greateft
Number. But for the reft, which require a fpiritual Science and Difcre-
tion, in refpeft of their Nature, or of the Scandal, it were proper no
Audience fhould be given but by the Bifliop himfelf ; he being alfo affifted,
as was touched before. It were neceflary alfo that he fhould be attended
by his Chancellor, or fome others his Officers, learned in the Civil Laws,
for his better Inftruftion in Points of Formality, or the Courfes of tlie
Court ; which if done, there were lefs Ufe of the Officials Court, whereof
there is now fo much Complaint. And Caufes of the Nature aforefaid, be-
ing only drawn to the Audience of the Biftiop ; it would reprefs frivolous,
and prowling Suits ; and give a grave and incorrupt Proceeding to fuch
Caufes as fhall be fit for the Court.
The Oath ig. There is a third Point alfo, not of Jurifdiftion, but of Form of
that obbits Proceeding, which may deferve Reformation : the rather, becaufe it is con-
ihlniilhe'. ^"^^^y to the Laws and Cuftoms of this Land •, which, tho they do not
rule tiiofe Proceedings, yet may be advifed with for better Diredions ;
and that is the Oath e>: Officio, whereby Men are bound to accufe them-
felves ; and even fworn to Blanks, and not to Accufations and Charges
declared. But by the Law of England no Man is bound to accufe him-
felf In thehigheft Cafesof Treafon, Torture is ufed for Difcovery, and
not for Evidence. In capital Matters no Delinquent's Anfwer upon Oath
is required •, no, nor permitted. In criminal Matters not capital, hand-
led in xht Star-Chamber, and in Caufes of Confcience handled in the Chan-
cery, for the moft part grounded upon Truft and Secrecy, the Oath of the
Party is indeed required. But how .? Where there is an Accufation and Ac-
cufer, which we call Bills of Complaint, (from which the Complainant
cannot vary, and out of the Compafs of which the Defendant may not be
examined,) exhibited to the Court, and by Procefs notified to the Defen-
dant. But to examine a Man upon Oath, out of the Infinuation of Fame j
or out of Accufations fecret and undeclared ; tho it have fome Counte-
nance from the Civil Law, yet it is fo oppofite ex diametro to the Senfe
and
Sed. II. the Veace of the Ckvvlch. giy
mid Courfe of the Common Law, that ic may well receive Ibmc Limita-
tion.
20. For the Liturgy; great Refpeft and Care fhould be taken, left hy Pr.f^er to he
inveighing againft the dumb Miniftry, due Reverence be not withdrawn '^'-'''■"'"''•
from the Liturgy. For tho the Gift of Preaching be far above that of
Reading •, yet the Aiflion of the Liturgy is as high and holy, as that of
the Sermon. 'T is fa id, Domusmea domus orationisvocabitur: my Houfc Jball
be called the Houfe of Prayer ; not the Houfe of Preaching. And whereas
the Apoftle fiys, Hoiv fiall Men call upon him, ivhomt bey have not bcliei-ed?
jind how Jlmll they believe unlefs they hear? ^nd hoiv jlmll they hear without a
Preacher^ It appears, that as Preaching is the more Original, fo Prayer is
more Final -, as the Difference is between the Seed and the Fruit : for the
keeping of God's Law, is the Fruit of the Teaching of the Law ; and
Prayer, or Invocation, or divine Service, or Liturgy., is the immediate
hallowing of the Name of God, and the principal Work of the firft Ta-
ble, and of the great Commandment of the Love of God.
21. 'Tis true, that the preaching of the Word of God is the fowing^f; -xell as
of the Seed -, it is the lifting up of the Brazen Serpent ; the Miniftry ofPreachmi.
Faith -, and the ordinary Means of Salvation : yet it is good to take Ex-
ample, how the beft Aftions of the Worftiip of God may be extolled
exceflively and faperftitioufly. Thus the extolling of the Sacrament, bred
the Superftition of the Mafs -, the extolling of the Liturgy and Prayers,
bred the Superftition of the monaftical Orders and Oraifons : and fo, no
doubt, Preaching likewife mav be magnified and extoH'd fuperftitioufly ;
as if the whole Body of Chrift's Worftiip fiiould be turned into an Ear.
So that none of found Judgment will derogate from the Liturgy, if the
Form thereof be in all Parts agreeable to the Word of God, the Example of
the primitive Church, and that holy Decency which St. Paul commends.
And therefore the firjl Point is, that there be a/et Form of Prayer ; and that it "^^'^ ("""^'^
be not left either to an extemporary or arbitrary Form. Secondly, that it con- p^^cr
fift as well of Lauds, Hymns, and Thankfgivings -, as of Petitions, Prayers,
and Supplications, 'thirdly, that the Form thereof be quickened with fome
Shortnefs and Diverfities of Prayers and Hymns ; and with fome Inter-
changes of the Voice of the People, as well as of the Minifter. Fourthly,
that it admit fome Diftindlions of Times, and Commemorations of God's
principal Benefits, as well general as particular. Fifthly, that Prayers
likewife be appropriated to fcveral Neceftities and Occafions of the Church.
Sixthly, that there be a Form likewife of Words and Liturgy in the Ad-
miniftration of the Sacraments, and in the denouncing of the Cenfures of
the Church, and other holy Adlions and Solemnities. Thefe things I think
•will not be much controverted.
22. But for the particular Exceptions to the Liturgy in the Form it nov/ F.xrei'tJont n
ftands, I think many of them, allowing they were juft, yet feem not to '/'« ^-""■■sy*
be weighty •, otherwife than that nothing ought to be counted light in
Matters of Religion and Piety : as the Heathen himfelf could fay, £tiam
S f 2 vultu
5 1(^ An Attempt to promote Sefl. IL
'vultu, pepe l^ditur pietas. Thus the Word Priejl fhould not be continued,
efpeci.illy with Offence ; the Word Mi/iifler being already made fa-
miliar. And it may be held as a good Rule in Tranflating, never to
confound that in one Word in the Tranflation, which is precifely diftin-
o-uilhed into two Words in the Original ; for fear of Equivocation and
Traducing. And therefore feeing the Word 'urpiaCu'nQpi and /fpeo'5, are
always diilinguifhed in the Original ; and the one ufed for a Sacrificer,
the other for a Minifter •, the Word Prkfi being made comm.on to
both, whatever the Derivation be, yet in Ufe it confounds the Minifter
with the Sacrificer. And for an Example of this kind, I approve
the Difcretion and Tendernefs of the Rbemifi Tranflation, that find-
ing in the Original the Word dytfrn, and never epw5, always tranflates
Charity, and never Love-, becaufe of the Indifferency and Equivocation
of the Word with impure Love.
'Ahfolutitn. 23. Asto the yilnfo hit I on, it is not unworthy of Confideratiqn, Vv'hether it
may not be thought Improper and unnecefiiiry : for there are but two forts
of ^bfolution ; both fuppofing an Obligation precedent ; the one upon an
Excommunication, which is religious and primitive -, the other upon Con-
feffion and Penance, which is fuperftitious, or at leaft pofitive; and both
particular, neither general. Therefore fince the one is taken away, and
the other has its proper Cafe, what means a general Abfolution, wherein there
is neither Penance nor Excommunication precedent ? For the Church never
loofes, but where the Church has bound. And furely this at the firft was
allowed in a kind of fpiricual Difcretion -, becaufe the Church thought the
People could not be fuddenly weaned from their Conceit of aifoiling, or
abfolving, to which they had been fo long accuftomed.
'Confirmation. 24. For Confirmation; to my Underftanding, the State of the Queftion
is, whether it be not a Matter miftaken and altered by Time ; and whether
that be not now made a fubfequent to Baptifm, which was indeed an
Inducement to the Communion. For whereas in the primitive Church,
Children were examined as to their Faith, before they v/ere admitted to the
Con^munion ; Time may feem to have turned it, as if it had been to re-
ceive a Confirmation of their Baptifm.
^ftifm. 25. Toi-prrjate Baptifm by IVomen, or Lay-Perfons ; the beft Divines
utterly condemn it : and I have often wondered, that whereas the Book in
the Preface to publick Baptifm, acknowledges that Baptifm in the Pradlice of
• the primitive Church, was anniverfary, and but at certain Times; which
fhews that the primitive Church did not attribute fo much to Ceremony as
to break an outward and general Order for it -, the Book fliould afterwards
allow of private Baptifm, as if the Ceremony were of fiich Neceffity, that
the very Inftitution which committed Baptifm only to the Minifters,
fliould be broken in regard of the fuppofed Neceffity. And therefore
this Point of all others, I think, was but a Concejfum propter duritiem
mdii..
26. Fqk-
Scdl. II. the Peace of the CnvRcu. 3 17
26. Tor ihtTorm oi cekbrat'tiig Alatriiiiony, the Ring feems to m\ny. Matrimony.
even of vulgar Senfe and Underftanding, a Ceremony not grave ; efpeci-
ally to be nude, as the Words make it, the eflcntial Part of the Adion:
bcfides iome others of the Words are noted in Speech to be not fo decent
and fit.
27. For Mufuk in Churches ; that there (hould be Singing of P/Ti/w; ^^«'■fA- A/»-
and fpiritual Songs, is not denied : fo the Quefticn is de modo ; where, if^*^^'"
a Man will look attentively into the Order and Obfcrvation of it, 'tis
eafy to difccrn between the Wifdom of the Inflitution, and the Excefs of
the late Times. For firft, there are no Songs, or Verfes, fang by the Choir,
which are not fiippofed, by continual Ufe, to be fo familiar with the Peo-
ple, as that they have them without Book -, whereby the Sound hurts not the
Underftanding: and thofe v.'ho cannot read the Book, are yet Partakers
of the Senfe, and may follow it with their Mind. So again,, after the
reading of the Word, it was thought fit there fhoulJ be Ibme Paufj for
holy Meditations, before they proceeded to the reft of the Service : which
Paufe, was thought fit to be filled rather with feme grave Sound, than with
a ftill Silence ; which was the Reafon of playing upon the Organ after the
Scriptures read : all which was -decent, and tending to Edification. But
then the Curlofity of Divifion, and Reports, and other Figures of Mu-
fick, have no Affinity with the reafonable Service of God ; but were added
in the more pompous Times.
28. For the Cap and Surplice ; fince thefe are things in their Nature in- The Cap and
different, yet by fome held fuperftitious -, and fince the Queftionis between •^'"■•^''"'
Science and Confcience ; it feems to fall within the Apoftle's Rule, that the
fironger condefcend and yield to the 'H'eaker. Only the Difference is, diat it
will be materially faid, the Rule holds between private Man and private
Man -, but not between the Confcience of a private Man, and the Order
of a Church. But yet, fince the Queftion at this time is of a Toleration,
not by Connivance, which may encourage Difobedience, but by Law,
whidi may give a Liberty ; it is good again to be advifcd whether it. fill
not within the Equity of the former Rule : the rather bccaufe the filencing
of Minifters by this Occafion, is, in this Scarcity of good Preachers, a
PunilTiment that lights upon the People, as well as upon the Party. And
for the Suifcription, it feems to me in the Nature of a Confeffion ; and Suhfcripthx*.
therefore more proper to bind in the Unity of Faith, and to be urged ra-
ther for Articles of Doftrine, than for Rites and Ceremonies, and Points
of outward Government. For however political ConfiJerations and Reafons
of State may require Uniformity ; yet chriftian and divine Grounds look
chiefly upon Unity.
29. To fpeak of a learned Minijlry ; it is true the Worthinefs of th6 Pa- TheCafi
ftors and Minifters is of all other Points of Religion the moft fummary ; "-^^" ^f^^f",
or the moft effecflual towards the reft : but here, to my Underftanding, '"^ ""•
while Men go on in Zeal to haften this Work, they are not aware of as
great or greater Inconvenience,, than they fcek to remove. For while they
it.veigh..
3 18 An Attempt to promote Se6l. II.
inveigh againft a itimh Mimjlyy, they make too eafy, and too promifcuous
Allowance of fuch as they account Preachers ; having not Refpeft enough to
their Learning in other Arts •, which are Handmaids to Divinity ; nor Refpedl
enough to Years, except it be in cafe ofextraordinary Gift ; nor Refpeft enough
to the Gift itfelf, which many times is none at all. For God forbid, that
every Man who can take to himfelf the Boldnefs to fpeak an Hour together
in a Church, upon a Text, fhould be admitted for a Preacher •, tho he mean
ever fo well. I know there is a great Latitude in Gifts, and a great Va-
riety in Auditories and Congregations ; but yet fo as that there is aliquid in-
funiim, below which you ought not to defcend. For you muft rather leave
the Ark to fliake, as it fhall pleafe God, than put unworthy Hands to
hold it up. And when we arc in God's Temple, we are warned rather to
put our hands upon our Mouth, than to offer the Sacrifice of Fools. And fure-
ly it may be juftly thought, that among many Caufes of Atheifm, which
are miferably met in our Age -, as Schifms and Controverfies, profane Scof-
fings in holy Matters, i^c. it is not the leaft that many venture to
handle the Word of God, who are unfit and unworthy. And herein I
would have no Man miftake me, as if I extolled curious and afFefted
Preaching -, which is as much to be did iked on the other fide ; and
breeds Atheifm and Scandal as well as the former •, (for who would not be
offended at one that comes into a Pulpit, as if he came upon the Stage ;)
neither on the other fide, would I difcourage any who have a tolerable
Gift,
yrophefyinj 30. But upon this Point I ground three Confiderations : Firfi, whether
to be re/lorcd i l^ werc HOt requifitc to renew that good Excrcife pradlifed in this Church
asaa ixer- j-qj^^ Years ; (tho afterwardsput down, indeed by Order from the Church,
■' * in regard of fome Abufe thereof, inconvenient for thofe Times j and yet
againft the Advice and Opinion of one of the greateft and graveft Prelates
of this Land, (and commonly called Prophefying ; which was this.)
The Minifters within a Precinft met upon a Week-day, in fome princi-
pal Town, where there was fome ancient grave Minifter that was Prefi-
dent, and an Auditory admitted of Gentlemen, or other Perfons of Lei-
fure. Then every Minifter fucceftively, beginning with the youngeft,
handled one and the fime Part of Scripture •, fpending feverally fome
Quarter of an Hour or better ; and in the whole fome two Hours : and fo
the Exercife being begun and concluded with Prayer, and the Prefidait
giving a Text for the next Meeting, the AiTembly was diflblved. And
this was, as I take it, a Fortnight's Exercife •, which, in my Opinion,
feems the beft Way that has been praftifed to frame and train up Preachers
to handle the Word of God, as it ought to be handled. For we fee Ora-
tors have their Declamations, Lawyers have their Moots, Logicians their
Sophifms i and every Pradlice of Science has an Exercife of Erudition
and Initiation, before Men come ro the Life ; only Preaching, which is the
worthieft, and wherein it is moft dangerous to do amifs, wants an Intro-
duftion, and is ventured and rufticd upon at the firft : but to this Exer-
I cife
Se£t. II. /^^ Peace o/ the Chitrch. 319
cife of Prophecy^ I couKl wifh thefe two Additions : the one, that after wUh Adii-
this Exercife, which is in fome fort publick, there were immediately a pri- '•'"«*•
vate Meeting of the fame Minifters, where they might brotherly adino-
nifh one another ; and efpecially the elder the younger ; of any thing that
had pafled in the Exercife in Matter or Manner unfoand and uncomely ;
and in a Word, might mutually ufe fuch Advice, Inftruftion, Comfort,
or Encouragement, as Occafion direftcd ; for public k Rcprehcnfioii
Ihould be debarred. The other Addition I mean, is, that the fame Exer-
cife fhould be ufed in the Univerfities for young Divines, before they pre-
iiimed to preach, as well as in the Country for Minifters. For they have
in fome Colleges an Exercife called a Common -Place ; which can in no De-
gree be fo profitable -, being but the Speech of one Man at one Meeting. And
if it be feared, that it may give Occafion to whet Mens Speech for Contro-
verfies ; this is eafily remedied, by fome ftrift Prohibition, that Matters of
Controverfy tending any way to the violating or difturbing the Peace of the
Church, be not handled or entered into : which Prohibition, in regard
there is ever to be a grave Perfon Prefident, or Moderator, cannot be
fruftrated.
3 1 . The fecond Confideration is, whether it were not convenient that there /examination
fiiould be a more exadl Probation and Examination of Minifters : namely,"/ Mmiften
that the Biftiops ftiould not ordain alone, but by Advice : and then that an- ^^A''' '^'^•'''
cient holy Order of the Church might be revived, by which the Biftiop"'"""'*
ordained Minifters but at four fet Times of the Year ; which were called
^atuor 'Tempera ; and which are now called Ember- IFeeks : it being thought
fit to accompany fo high an Action with general Fafting and Prayer, and
Sermons, and all holy Exercifes. And the Names likewife of thofe that
were to be ordained, were publifhed fome Days before their Ordination j
to the end that Exceptions might be taken if juft Caufe were.
32. The //j;r^ Confideration is, if it be the Cafe of the Church of Eng- HowaSuffi-
land, that were a Computation made of all the parochul Chirrches, al- ciency of Pa-
lowing the Union of fuch as were too fmall and adjacent -, and again 3.-^'"'' ff ^'''''
Computation made of the Perfons who are worthy to be Paftors j ""^" "'
and upon the faid Eftimate, if it fall out that there are more Churches
than Paftors ; then of Neceftity Recourfe muft be had to one of thefe Re-
medies ; viz. either that Pluralities muft be allowed -, efpecially if you;;
can by Permutation make the Benefices more compatible ; or Preachr-
ers to have a more general Charge, to fupply and ferve by turn the Par-
rifties unfurniftied : for that fome Churches fhould be provided of Paftors
able to teach -, and others wholly deftitute; feems to me againft the Com-
munion of Saints and Chriftians ; and againft the Praftice of the Primitive
Church.
33. Excommunication is the greateft Judgment upon Earth; hdngP/ the Aiufi-
tlm which is ratified, in Heaven^; and a precurfory or prelufory Judg- "Z^*'""""'*'
ment'oF the great")' u'dgment of Chrift in the End of the World. And'""^'
for this to be ufed irreverently, and to be made an ordinary Procefs,
;©■
nicaiioih
3X0 ^;^ Attempt to promote Sed. 11.
to lacky up and down for Fees •, how can it be without Derogation to
God's Honour, and making the Power of the Keys contemptible ? I know
very well the Def.-nce thereof, which has no great Force ; that it iffues not
for tlie Thing itfelf, but for the Contumacy. I deny not, but this Judg-
ment is of the Nature of God's Judgments ; of the which it is a Model.
For as the Judgment of God takes hold of the lafk Sin of the Impenitent,
and takes no hold of the greateft Sin of the Convert or Penitent ■, fo Ex-
communication may in Cafe iflue upon the fmalleft Offence, and in Cafe
not illlieupon the greateft : but is this Contumacy fucha Contumacy where-
in Excommunication is now ufcd ? For Contumacy muft be fuch as the
Party, fo far as the Eye and Wifdom of the Church can difcern, ftands in
a State of Reprobation and Damnation •, as one, who for that time feems
given over to final Impenitency. Upon this Obfervation I ground two
Jti ne^lijica- Confiderations : the one, that this Cenfure be reftored to the true Dignity
"""• and Ufe thereof ; which is, that it proceed not but in Caufes of great
Weight ; and be decreed not by any Deputy or Subftitute of the Bifhop,
but by the Bifliop in Perfon ; and not by him alone, but by the Bifliop
affifted.
"By Fev/nuta- ^ ,_ T\\t. other Confideration is, that in lieu thereof, there be given to
11072 • - ■ •
the Ecclefiaftical Court feme ordinary Procefs, with fuch Force and Coer-
tion as appertains •, that thus the Dignity of fo high a Sentence being retain-
ed, and the NecefTity of a mean Procefs fupplied, the Church may indeed
be reftored to the ancient Vigour and Splendor. To this End, joined
with fome other holy and good Purpofes, there was a Bill brought into
Parliament, in the three and twentieth Year of the Reign of Queen
Elizabeth ; which was the graveft Parliament that I have known ; and the
Bill was recommended by the graveft Counfellor of State in Parliament ;
tho afterwards it was ftayed by the Queen's fpecial Command ; the Na-
ture of tliofe Times being confidered.
Uon-Refi- c;^. '^ox Non-Refidcnce ; except in Cafe of neceffary Abfence, it feems
t'fl^'.,:^"^ an Abufe derived form Covetoufnefs and Sloth : for that Men fliould
live of the Flock they do not feed, or of the Altar at which they do not
ferve, can hardly receive a iuft Defence : and to exercife the Office of a
Paftor, in Matter of the V/ord, and Doftrine, by Deputies, is a thing
unwarranted. The Queftions upon this Point arife on the Cafes of Ex-
ception and Excufe, v/hich fliall be thought reafonable and fufficient, and
which not. For the Cafe of Chaplains-, I fliould think, that the Atten^
dance they give at Court, and in the Houfes and Families of their Lords,
were a iufter Reafon why they fliould have no Benefice •, than why they.
fliould be qualified to have two : for as it ftands with Chriftian Policy,
that fuch Attendance be in no wife neglefted ; becaufe the Good, which
thence enfues to the Church of God, may exceed, or countervail that
which may i'ollow from their Labours in jinj, tho ever fo large a Congre-
gation ; fo it were reafonable that their Maintenance'Tliould honourably
and liberally proceed from thence, where their Labours are employ'd. Nei-
ther
Pluralities.
Se£l. II. /^^ Peace o/ /7->^ Church. 311
ther are there wanting, in the Church, Dignities and Preferments not
joined with any exaifl Cure of Souls ; by which, and by the Hope of
which, fuch Attendants in ordinary may be fartlicr encouraged and re-
warded. And as for extraordinary Attendants, they may very well re-
tain the Grace and Countenance of their Places and Duties, at Times in-
cident thereto, without Difcontinuance or Non-Refidence in their Paftoral
Charges.
26. Next, for the Cafe of attending Studies in the Unlverfities, it -wiW study.
more cafily receive an Anfwcr •, for Studies do but ferve and tend to
Pradice : and therefore, for that which is mod principal and final
to be left undone, for the attending ot that which is fubfervienr,
feems to be againft Proportion of Rcafon. Ami they proceed well
in all Knowledge who couple Study with Praclice ; and do not firll
ftudy altogether, and then praftife altogether ; and therefore they may
very well ftudy at tlieir Benefices.
37. Thirdly, for the Cafe of extraordinary Service of the Church ; as Excraordi-
if fome Paftor be fent to a general Council, or to Convocation -, and "■^O' Service
likewife for the Cafe of Neceffity, as in the Particular of Infirmity oi'^'^'^'""'''-
Body, and the like ; every Man will allow there may be fome Subfti-
tution for fuch a Time. But the general Cafe of NecelTity is the Cafe
of Pluralities •, the Want of Paftors, and Infufficiency of Livings confi-
dered ; on Suppofition that a Man faithflilly and inceftantly divide
his Labours between two Cures : which kind of Necefiity I come now to
fpeak of.
38. For Pluralities ; in cafe the Number of able Minifters were {uf- Pluralities^
ficient, and the Value of Benefices fufficient, then Pluralities were in no
fort tolerable. But we muft take heed we defire not Contraries. For
to defire that every Parifh fhould be furnifhed with a fufficient Preacher ;
and to defire that Pluralities be forthwith taken away ; is to defire Things
contrary ; confidering, de faHo, there are not fufficient Preachers for eve-
ry Parifh : whereto add, that there is not fufficient Living and Mainte-
nance in many Parilhes for a Preacher -, and it makes the Impoffibility yet
much greater. The Remedies are but three -, viz. Union, Pennutation,
and Supply. Union of fuch Benefices as have the Living too fmall, and the
Pariffi not too large, and that are adjacent. Permutation to make Benefices
more compatible ; tho Men be over-ruled to fome Lofs in changing a bet-
ter for a nearer. Supply, by ftjpendlary Preachers, to be rewarded with
fome liberal Stipends, to fupply, as they may, fuch Places which are
unfiirnifhed of fufficient Paftors : As Queen Elizabeth, among other gra-
cious Afts, erected certain of them in LancaJJj ire; towards which Penfions,
I fee no Reafon but Reading Minifters, if they have rich Benefices, fhould
be charged.
39. As for Church Maintenance ; it fhould well be weighed what is Jure The Provi-
dfvino, and what Jure pofitivo. 'Tis a Conftitution of the divine Law,/"» jor the
from which human Laws cannot derogate ; that thofe who feed the 'Y''""'"'''"f
Flock, ftiould live of the Flock ; that thofe who ferve at the Altar, "•'"'* ^'^'"''**
V 0 L. n. [ T t ] fhould
311. j4u Attempt to promote Sed. II.
f1\oiild live oi" the Altar ; that thofe who difpenfe fpiritual Things»
ihould reap temporal Things : of which it is alfo an Appendix, that
^h.e Proportion of this Maintenance be not fmall or neceffitous, but plen-
tiful and liberal. Whence, that all the Places and Offices of the Church
be provided of fuch a Dotation, as they may be maintained, according
to their feveral Degrees, is a Conftitiition permanent and perpetual : but
for Particularity of the Endowment, whether it fhould confift of Tythes,
or Lands, or Penfions, or be mixed, might make a Queftion of Conve-
nience -, but no Queftion of precife NecelTity. Again, that the Cafe of
the Church, de faUo^ is fuch, that there is a Want of Patrimony in the
Church, is confeffed. For the principal Places, namely, the Bifhop's
Livings, are in fome Particulars not fufficient ; and therefore obliged to
Commtnilams-he fupplied by Toleration of Co}nme>2dams ; things of themfelves ua-
fit, and ever of a bad Report. And for the Benefices aiui Paftors Pla-
ces, it is manifefb that many of them are very weak and penurious. On
the other fide, that there was a Time when the Church was rather bur-
rhened with Superfluity, than with Want, is likewiie apparent ; but it is
long lince v fo that the Fault was in others, and the Want redounds to
us. Again, that it is to be wifhed Impropriations were returned to the
Church, as the moft proper and natural Endowments thereof, is a Thing
likewife wherein Mens Judgments will not much vary. Neverthelefs, that
it is an Impoflibility to proceed now, either to their Refumption or
Redemption, is as plain on the other fide. For Men are flated in them
by the higheft AlTurance of the Kingdom, which is, A£t of Parliament;
and the Value of them amounts to much above ten Subfidies ; and the Re-
ftimtion muft oi Neceffity pafs thofe Hands, where they are now in
Poffcflion or Intereft.
improfrla. 40. But from thefe things, which are manifeftly true, to draw Ibme
lions. Conclufions. Firft, in my Opinion, I muft confefs, that all the Par-
liaments fince 27 and 31 oi Hen. VIIL who gave away Lnpropriations
from the Church, feem to ftand in a fort obnoxious, and obliged to
God in Confcience, to do fomewhat for the Church, to reduce the
Patrimony thereof to a Competency. For fince they have debarred
Chrilt's Wife of her Dowry, it were reafon they made Her* a compe-
tent Jointure. Next, to fiiy that Impropriations fhould be only charged -,
that carries neither Pofllbillty nor Reafon. Not PofTibility, for the Rea-
fons touched before : Not Reafon, becaufe if it be conceived, that if any
Perfon be charged, it would be a Re-charge, or Double-Charge, inafmuch
as he pays Tythes already, that is a thing miftaken. For it muft be re-
membred, that as the Realm gave Tythes to the Church, fo the Realm
fince has given Tythes away from the Church to the King ; as they
may give the eighth or ninth Sheaf. And therefore the firft Gift being
evacuated, it cannot go in Defeafance, or Difcharge, of that perpetual
Bond, wherewith Men are bound to maintain God's Minifters. And fo
we fee in Example, that d.iverfe well-difpofed Perfons, not Impropriators,
are
Se£l. II. the V^ACE of the CnvViQ, h.
;ire content to increafe their Preachers Livings ; which, tho in Law it is
but Benevolence, yet before God it is Confcience. Farther, that Im-
propriations fliould be foinewhat more deeply charged than other Revenues
ot the like Value, methinks cannot well be denied ; both in regard of" the
ancient Claim of the Church, and the Intention of the firft Giver : and
again, becaufe they have pafTed, in Valuation between Man and Man,
fomewhat at a lefs Rate, in regard of the faid Pretence or Claim of the
Church, in Confcience, before God. But of this Point, touching Church.
Maintenance, I do not think fit to enter into fardier Particulars at pre-
fent.
irz
End of the General Supplement to the De Aug-
mentis Scientiarmu.
e^l^K320K-SC-3^Gi!£^3:32^3-C-SC-3^2::(^3^l^
INSTAURATION
PART II.
Vol. II. T t
Novmi Orgamtm Sctentiarum :
A
NEW MACHINE
For Rebuilding the
SCIENCES;
o R, A
Particular LoGicK for difcovering Arts,
AND
Interpreting the Works of Nature.
WITH
Rules for aiTifting, conduding, and
guarding the Understanding in the Search of
Truth; and Examples of Enqjjiry for raifing a
foHdStruaure of UNIVERSAL PHILOSOPHY;
and extending the Empire of Man over the
WORKS of the CREATION.
PREFACE.
M@^^P)i^ 5 /Zv following Piece appears to have been the leaji
i read of all the Author s Writings, tho' in itfelf of
) great Importance ; 'tis agreeable to our Intention of
1 facilitating the underjianding of his Philo/bphical
^ IVorks in general, to have a particular regard to the
facilitating of this. It feems, therefore, proper to
give here, by the way of Preparative, Fir ft, a Jljort
analytical View of the entire Plan, and Defign cf
the Piece ; and, Secondly, the Rules by which the Author feems to
have proceeded in it.
Tl:e Defgn of the Novum Organum, was to execute the Second Part
c/'/Z't^ I N s T A u R A T I o N ; by advancing a more perfeSl Method of ufing
the rational Faculty, than Men were before acquainted with ; in order
to raife and improve the Underjianding, as far as its prefent ifnperfeSl
State admits -, and enable it to conquer and interpret the Dificulties and
Obfcurities of Nature.
With this View it undertakes the Care and Condu£l of the Under-
jianding ; and draws out and defcribes the Apparatus and Injiruments
that conduce to the true formiiig, fiiodelling and applying the Power of
Reafonitig : whence it appears to endeavour at a new kind o/'Logick,
tho greatly fuperior to the Comtnon, which, thro the Abufes crept into it^^
appears fitter to corrupt than fireiigthen and improve the Mind. For
the Scope and Ufe of this new Logick, is not to difcover Arguments and
probable Reafojis, but Arts and Works.
It is divided into two principal Parts j viz. a preparatory Part, and
one that is fcientificial and inftruftive. T'he firfi Part tends to prepare
and purge the Mind; and fit it to receive and ufe the hifiruSliom and
Infiruments laid down in the fecond : the Mind, like a Mirror, re-
quiring to be leveWd and polifi'd, or dijchargd of its falfe Imagina-
tions
26 PREFACE.
tions and perverted Notions, before it can be Jet to receive and refe&
the Light ofl'ruth and ji/Jl Information.
And this levelling Part is of four Kinds, with refpeB to the four
different Sorts of Idols, or falfe Notions, that pofej's the Mind. The/'e
Idols are either acquired or natural; a7id proceed either from theVio-
d;rines a7id Seels of Philofophers, the perverted and corrupt Laws and
Methods of Demonjiration ; or elfe are innate and inherent in the very
Confitution of the Mind itfelf. L'he firjl Labour, therefore, is to dif-
charge and free the Mind from it's Sivarms of falfe 'Theories, which occa-
fionfuch violent CofifiBs and Oppof tions. The next Point is to releafe it
from the Slavery of perverted Demoiifrations. And the lajt is,
to put a Check iipion this feducing Power of the Mind ; and either to
pluck up thefe iiinate Idols by the root ; or, if that cannot be dotie, to
point them out, that they may be throughly known and watched; and fa
have the Depravities, ivhich they occafon, correSled. This levelling Part,
therefore, is perform' d by three kinds &/' Confutation ; viz. the Confuta-
tion of Philofophies, the Confutation of Demonftrations, and the
Confutation of the natural unaflifled Reafon.
When thus the Mind is retiderd equable and imbiajjed, the Work
proceeds to Jet it in a proper Situation, atid, as it were, with a bene-
volent AfpeSi to the remai7iing hiJlruBions ; whereby the Bufnefs of
preparing the Mind is fill further carried on. And the whole JDrift
of this enfuing Part, is only to pofjefs MaJtkind with a juft Opinioti
of the whole Inst au rati o N ^or a time, that they may wait with
Patience the IJJ'ue and Event thereof, upon folid Afurances of fome con-
fiderable Benefit and Advantage from it, when its Scope JImU come to
be well iinderfiood. And thence it proceeds difiinSlly to obviate all the
Obje^iicns, and jalfe Sufpicions, which may he raifed about it, thro' the
prevailing Notio?7s atid Prejudices drawn from religious Confiderations,
thofe of abJlraSl Speculation, natural Prudence, Difirufi, Levity, 6cc.
Thus endeavouritig to pacify and allay every Wi?id of Oppof tion.
To render this Preparation fill more complete and perfeB, the next
thing is to raife the Mind from the Languor and Torpidity it may con-
tratf from the apparent miraculous Nature of the Thing. And as
this wrong Dijpofition of the Mi fid cannot be re^ified without the Dif-
covery of CauJ'es, the Work proceeds to mark out all the Impediments
which have hitherto perverfely retarded and block' d the Way oj true
Phllofophy J and thus makes it appear no Wonder at all, that Man-
kind Jhould have been fo long entangled a?id perplexed with Errors.
When the Ways of removing thefe Impediments are Jhewn, there
follows a Chain of Arguments for efiabltfnng a folid Foundation of
Hope
PREFACE. 'xin
Hope for the better Succefs of genuine and ferviceable Philofophy in
future. For it is hereby demonjlrated, that tho' the Interpierarion
of Nature, intended by /i6t- 1 n s t a u r a t lo n, tnay indeed be dijiailt ;
yet much the greater Part of the Dijicukies attej^ding it are in the
Po^xer of Man to remcve, as arifmg from the Nature of the Senfes,
and 'Things themj'ehes ; but only require that the Mind be reSltfied
in order to their Retnoval. And this firjl general Part concludes
with an Account of the Excellence of the End in Vie-w.
The preparatory Part being thus difpatch'd, the Work proceeds to the
Bu/infs of Information^ the PerfeSling of the Under ft aJiding^ and the
Delivery of the Art ofivorking ivith this new Machine in the Interpre-
tation of Nature. This is laid doTvn in three feveral Branches, ivith
regard to the Senfe, the Memory, and the Reafon ; each lahereof is
ajjifted in its turn.
The Ajjijiance afforded to the Senfe peivs thefe three Things ; \\z.
(i.) How a juft Notion may be formed; and how the Report of the
Senfes, which is always refpeBive to Man, tnay be rectified, and made
correfpondent, or fet to the Truth of the Univerfe : for no great Strefs
is laid upon the immediate Perceptions of the Senfe ; but only fo far as
they manifefi the Motion or Alteration of Things. (2.) How thofe
Things which efcape the Senfes, either thro the Subtilty of their Wholes,
the Minutenefs of their Parts, the Re mote fiefs, Slownefs, or Velocity of
their Motion, the Familiarity of the ObjeB, &c. may be brought to tlie
Senfes, and fubmitted to their fudgment : and in cafe they cannot be
thus render d fenfible, what is to be done ; atid how the Senfes are to be
afpfied upon this failure, either by hiflruments, or skilful Obfervations
of the Degrees they a£l in, the Indications of proportionate Bodies, frotn
fuch as are fenfible tofucb as are infenfible, or by other Means and Contri-
vances to help the Senfes. (3.) Tlje Ways are fewn of cornpiling a Hi-
ftory of Nature, and engaging in the Bufinefs of Experiments ; what
that Hiftory of Nature Jhould be, which is required for the building up
of Philofophy ; and again, what kind of Experiments fioidd be gone upon
where that Hifiory proves deficient : and here certain Suggefiions and Cau-
tions are occafionally interfpersd, for raifing and fixing the Attention -,
as much Matter feems to be already contained in Natural Hifiory ; and
as Experiments long fitjce known, are not yet brought into ufe, thro' hat-
tent ion of Mifid. And thus the Senfes are provided for, as they require
Matter and Affifiance : ^er Hiftory and Ex^tuments fupply the Mat-
ter ; Subfiitutions fiipply the DefeBs; and Rectifications correB the Er-
rors of the Senfes.
I The
^" /
328 PREFACE.
"The Memory is ({[jifted in fuch a manner, as JJ:ews hoiv, from a Mul-
titude of Matters, and a conji fed Heap of Natural Hijlory in general,
particular Hifories may be deduced, ranged a?id dijpofed ; Jo as that the
Judgment foall a£i ivith Freedom, and perform its Office to Advantage :
For a fober Fftimation mujl be made of the Powers of the Mind, with-
out hoping that they may extend to the Infinity ofl'hings ; as 'tis manifeft
that the Memory is ufiable to comprehend and retain any vaji Number of
Particulars; or to fuggeji all thofe that belong to any particular Enquiry.
A Remedy is propofed for the firf Defect by this Rule, That no Enquiry
or Difcovery be trufted but in writing ; tho' this alone is 7iot fujficient,
unlefs the Matter be th?-own into a regular Table, at once to afjift both
the Memory and the Reafon.
And after the SubjeSl of an Efiquiry is fix'd upon, ivell defirid, di-
fiinguifoed, feparated from the Mafs of other 'Things, and fet in a
clear Light, there are three Afjiflances afforded the Memory. The Firjl
is, to foew ivhat Matters thofe are which ought to be enquired into
with relation to the Subject propos'd; or' to fuggeft particular Heads of
Enquiry, from a Survey of the Hifory of Nature. The Second is, to
Jhew in what Order the Things them fe Ives are to be ranged and digejled
into Tables ; tho' this without expeBing to hit upon the true Order of
Things originally efiablifed in Nature : for the Divifion here propofed is
arbitrary ; and only ferves to 7nake fome Separation of Things, that the
Mind 7nay aB upon them : as Truth will eafier rife from Falfliood than
from Confufion ; and as Reafon may eafier correB a Divifon than enter
the Mafs of a SubjeB at once. The Third Afffiance, is to Jhew by what
Means, and at ivhat Times, an E?iquiry is to be renew' d; and how the
precediiig TshXt?, are to be tranjpos'd and form' d into frefo ones ; and
how often the Enquiry poidd be repeated : for the firJl, or even the fe-
cond Sett of Tables are not to fiand ; as being 7io more than Effays or
firjl Atte7npts towards an E7iquiry. This general Afffiance, therefore,
to the Me7nory, C07ifijh of three Poi7its; or regard the (i.) Heads of En-
quiry, (2.) the forming of Tables, a7id (3.) the re7iewing of the E7iquiry.
Afiifiaiice is ttext afforded to the Reafon ; for tho' the former AJ-
fifiances have regard thereto, yet thoj'e of tlmnfelves do 7iot teach how
to foi-m Axioms ; but only difii7iB Notions, and a digefied Hifiory.
And here that Afiijlance to the Reajon is mofi defiirable, which befi fits
it for performing its Office, a/id obtauiing its E7id.
The Operation of the Reafon, tho' but one thi7ig in itfelf is yet
double in its End and Ufe : for the End of Man J s either Knowledge
and Conte77iplation, or ABion and Execution ; Jo that he dejires either
to know and conjider CauJes ; or to have a Power and Opportunity
PREFACE. 329
of producing F.ffeBs. Whence 'tis the Intention of human Knom;-
ledge to iinderjland the Caufh of an Effe£l, or Nature ajjignd,
in any Subjdl -, and the Intention of the human Power to procure, or
fuperinduct\ tcithin a!l pojjible Limits, any Eff'eB, or Nature, upon
a given Bajis of Matter.
But theje two Intentions, if duly confiderd, come in EffeB to one
and the fame Thing : for that which in Contemplation holds the
Place of the Cau/e, holds, in Operation, the Place of the Means ; Jince
•we underftaiid by Caufes, and operate by Means. Sd that if all
the Means requifte to the ProduBion of every Work were ready at
the Call of Man ; there would be no Occafon for treating thefe two
fcparatt'!)'. But Metis Power in operatiiig is confn'd to much nar-
rower Bounds than their Knowledge ; by Reafon of their various Ne-
cejjities and Wants : whence they frequently require to the operative
Part, not a general and open Kno^'ledge, Jo much as a prude?tt,
ready, and well-vers'd Sagacity in the Choice offuch Things as they
have at hand ; on which account it might feem -proper to treat the
Theory and PraSlice feparate, were it not for the pernicious and in-
veterate Cujloni of running into abflraSi Notions ; which makes it ne-
cejj'ary to join them together ; and accordingly the Author mixes the
contemplative with the executive Part. The Contemplative Part is
J}:en.vn to confift wholly in one Thijig ; which is no other than the
forming of jiiji Axioms, or Chains of Axioms, which are folid Por-
tions of Truth ; as if they had all three Dimenfons : whereas fimple
Notions are, in comparifon with them, but as Surfaces. And there
is no other Way of drawing, and raifng thefe Axioms, but by a legi-
timate and proper Form of' LiduSlion ; capable of breaking and fepa-
rating Experience-, and concluding of neceffity, after all the proper
Rejections and Exclufions are made. For 'tis manifejl, that what-
ever is concluded by Indudion of any Kind, is at the fame Titne
both difcovered and judged of; and does Jiot depend upon Principles
or Mediums, but fan ds entirely upon its own Foundation, without far-
ther Proof or Support : much more mufi Axioms, rais'd by a true and
legitimate Form of Indudlion, fubfiji from within thcmfelves ; and
prove more folid, jujl, and certain, than even thofe call d Prmciples.
The Author, therefore, is extremely follicitous to deliver, with Diligence
and Perfpicuity, this whole Affair of Indudlion, or the Doctrine of
raifng Axioms.
There are found to be three Things of capital Importance in this ■
Bufnefs of Axioms ; and without an Explanation whereof, the En-
quiry propofed, tho' excellent in itfelf, might yet be thought tedious and
Vol. II. U u operofe
330 P R E F A C E.
operofe in ufe. Thefe three Things are the Method of (i.) continuing^-
(2.) varying, and (3.) contraBing an Enquiry, Jo that nothi?jg in the
ivkole Procedure may be left abrupt, contradiBory, or be protraSled toa
long, 'with refpeB to the Shortnefs of Life. The Ufe of the Axioms
difcoverd by legitimate hiduBion is, therefore, next taught ; fo as by
their Means to inveftigate and raife up others, of a higher and more
general Nature ; 'till, by fure, and uninterrupted Steps, Men come,
without Stop or Gap, to the Top-round, or Unity of Nature ; there
being, at the fame time, added, a Way of examining and verifying
thefe higher Axioms by primary Experiments ; to prejerve them from
tumbling back again to CofijeBures, Probabilities^ and Idols. And this
is the DoBrine of the Continuation of Enquiries.
// was before obferved, that the practical or executive Part, /y^
by the Form of Induction, continually intermixed and bletided along
with the contemplative Part : for the Nature of Thi?igs is fuch, that
Propofitions and Axioms deduced, by logical Aigumetits, from ge-
neral Principles, and derived dowfi to Particulars a?id Works, give-
but a very obfcure atid uncertai^i hiformation ; whereas Axioms,
drawn from Particulars, lead o?i to 7iew Particulars, as it were, by
a manifeji Correjpondence, a?id continued Thread. And here Men are
required to remember, that in all aBive or praBical Enquiries they muji
perpetually proceed downward, or in the defending Scale ; which is of
no UJe or Service in contemplative Etiquiries : For every Operation
confjls in Individuals, which are Thijigs of the lowefl Clafs ; and there-
fore nmfi be defended to by Steps from Generals. Nor, again, is it
pofible to arrive at them by fimple Axioms ; for all Works, and the
Methods of working, are perform' d and laid out from a ColleBion of
different Axioms.
This aBive or praBical DoBrine confifs of three Parts ; the Firft
whereof propcfes a diftinB and proper Method of Enquiry, where not
a Caufe nor an Axiom, but the efeBing of a Work, is the Point in
View, and the SubjeB of the Enquiry. The Second teaches a Method
of making General Pradtical Tables, by Means whereof all Kinds of
Plans for Works are laid down with greater Eafe, and Readinef.
The Third delivers a certain Method of difcovering or invejiigating
Works, which, thd incomplete, has fill its Ufes ; as, by Means thereof.
Men may proceed from Experittient to Experiment, without the raifng
of Axioms : for as one Axiom leads to another, fo likewife there is
a certain Method of Difcovery open from one Experiment to ano-
ther : and this Method, tho' uncertain and fallacious, fiill dtferves
to be mention d.
I Next
PREFACE. 331
Ncxf are J}:c'd'n the Methods of varying Enquiries, both according
to the different Renfcrts for ichich they are undertaken, and the diffe-
rent Natures of the I'hings upon which they turn. Wljere, dropping
the Con/ideraticn of final Caules, ivhich have entirely perverted natu-
ral Philofophy ; the Method of varying, turning, and tabling ETiqtiiries
isjheu-n; for inveftigating /Zv Forms, or true peculiar dfcriminating
Natures and Properties of 'Things : u-hich, 'till now, was ever look'd
upon as a de/perate and hopelefs Attempt ; as well it might, whiljl
jiOJie but logical Arguments , and cafual Keafonings, were employ d
about it.
The Defgn of the Contradion of Enquiries, is to f:iew the JJnorteJ}
Ways of coming at the Things fought for, by cutting acrofs the winding
Roads that lead to them indireSfly. And here- Things are J]:ewn to
have two Prerogatives, or extraordinary Natures, greatly conducing
to the Abridgment of Enquiries ; viz. one which fits them to be pro-
duced as Irijlances ; and another for being propofed as SubjeSfs of
Enquiry. It is here JJjcwn, therefore, what are the Infiances, Obfer-
vations, and Experiments, that have a prerogative Light ; or excel
others in bringitig Enquiries to an Iffue ; Jo that a few of them may
ferve in /lead of a larger Number, atid thus prevent the Labour of an
■extraordinary Search, a?id Jwelling the Bulk of the Hiftory. In the
laft Place'tis Jloewn, what thofe Enquiries are which ought to lead
the Way in the Bufinefs of Interpreting Nature ; as having a Tendency
and Difpoftion to give Light to all the reji, either on Account of
their extraordinary Certainty, their univerfal Nature, or their Uj'e-
fulnefs, and NeceJJity, to mechanic Arts, Inventions, and new Difcove-
ries. And thus the Whole is clofed with pointing out and direSling
to Leading Experiments, aiid Leading Enquiries, for a full Inter-
pretation and Vnderfianding of all Nature j and the Production of all
neceffary Works and EffeSls.
This is the general Scheme of the Novum Organum ; in the Ex-
ecution whereof, the Author feems to have proceeded upon the Strength
and DireSlion of the folWmng Aphorifms, laid down by himfelf con-
cerning the Salifications of a jufi Interpreter of Nature.
U u 2 APHORISMS
332 PREFACE.
Aphorisms for a juft Interpretation
of NATURE.
Aphorism I.
/IS Man is but the Servant and Interpreter of Nature, he can
•*■ ■* mcork and underjland no farther, than he JJjall, either in Adlion
or Contemplation ^, obferve of the Proceedings of Nature ; to whofe
Laavs he remains fubjeil.
Aphorism II.
7he Limits, therefore, of the human Power and Knowledge, lie
in the ^Ratifications wherewith Man is by Nature endow d, for
adling and perceiving ; and again in the State of T'hings prefented
to hitn : and beyond thefe Limits his Infiruments and Abilities can
never reach.
Aphorism III.
Mejts Ratifications a?id Endowments, thd of themfelves but fender^
and unequal to the Work ; yet, when properly and regularly ufed and
applied, are capable of bringing fuch Things before the fudgment,.
and into PraBice, as lie extremely remote from the ordinary Senfe
and ASlion ; and again of conquering greater Difiiculties in Works
and Obfcurities in Science, ttmn any one at prefent knows fo much
as to wifi3 for t>.
Aphorism IV.
As Truth is but one fimple Thing ; fo likewife is the Interpreta-
tion of Nature : but the Senfes are fallacious, the Mind unfiable,
and the Caife prefiitig ; yet the Bufinefs of Interpretation is rather
uncommon tfpan difiicult.
Aphorism V.
He who is not praStis'd in doubting, but forward in afferting and
laying down fuch Principles as fje takes to be approved, granted, and
manifefi j and according to ttoe efiablifij'd Truth thereof, receives or
rejeSls
' Fiz. In what we vulgarly call Theory and Praftice.
* We have many Inftances hereof in Mathematicks, Mechanicks, Aftronomy, Op-
ticks, Acouflicks, Chemiitry, and particularly in the modern Mathematical Philofophy.
\
PREFACE.
rejeBs every thing, as fquaring with, or proving contrary to them * ;
is only fitted to mix and corifowid Things nvith Words, Reafon with
Madnefs, and the JForld with Fable and FiStion ; but not to inter-
pret the IVorks of Nature.
Aphorism VI.
He who does not blend together, and bring into a Mafs, all the
vulgar Dijlinclions of Things, and their Names ^, cannot perceive the
Unity of Nature^ nor obferve the true Lines of Things ; and, of courfe^
cannot interpret.
A P H o R I s M VII.
He 'who has not in the firjl Place, and above every thing elfe^
throughly examined the Motions of the human Mind ; and with the
utmojl Accuracy noted, and made a kind of Map of the Paths of
Science, and the Seats of Error therein, will find all Things under a
Mask, or as it were enchanted; and unlej's he breaks the Charm,
can never interpret ^.
Aphorism VIII.
He who only is vers'd in difcovering the Caufes of obvious and
compounded Things, fuch as Flame, Dreams, Fevers, Sec. but has no
recourf to fimple Natures ; arid firfi to thofe that are fuch in popular
Efieem ; then to thofe which are artificially reduced, and as it were
fublim'd to a truer Simplicity ; may perhaps, if he otherwife errs noty
make fome tolerable Additions {bordering upon Difcoveries) to the Things
already known : but will have no Succefs in conquering the inveterate
and general Prejudices of the Age; and cannot be called an Interpreter «^.
Aphorism
» Is not this the Manner wherein Philofophers generally proceed ?
'' Viz. He who does not obLterate, or as it were annihilate, in his Mind the vulgar
Notions and Terms, which are feldom juft, precile and adequate, cannot perceive the
Harmony and Con/ent of Things ; nor obfen'e tlieir true Differences, or Lines of Sepa-
ration ; after the Manner that one Gauntry is diftinguifhed and feparated from another
in Maps.
' He who does not underftand Mens Prejudices, Opinions, Kinds and Degrees of
Knowledge, Errors, ^c. can never remove, alter, improve, or redrefs them ; and un-
Icfs he finds a Way of entering and convincing the Mind of its Errors, falfe Notions,
Superltitiont, and Dcliifions, he can never greatly improve and increafe the Mafs of
found and Icrviceable Knowledge.
"* The modern Improvements in the SubjecS of Light, may iUuftrate this Aphorifm :
For till Light was analyfed, or refolved, from its naturally compounded State, into Ampler
Parts, or Rays of different Colours ; no \'ery great Difcovery was made therein. So
that Sir Ifaac Nnutcn, in this refpeiS, may be call'd the Interpreter ; and be faid to have
eonquer'd the Prejudices that formerly prevail'd about tlie Do«rine of Light,
333
334 PREFACE.
Aphorism IX.
He ivho iJDOuld come duly prepared, and fitted, to the Bujinefs of
Interpretation, muft iielther be a FoUoiver of Novelty, Cujlom, nor
Antiquity ; Jior iJidulge hi?? f elf a Liberty of coiitradiBifig ; mr Jervikly
folo'w Authority. He muji neither be hajly in affa-t?n?ig, ?ior loofe and
fceptical in doubting ; but raife up Particulars to the Places afjig?i d
thein by their Degree of Evidctice a?id Proof His Hope r??ujl encou-
rage htm to labour, and not to reft j he ??iuji not judge of T'lmigs by
their wicom??ion Nature, their Dificulty, or their high Chara£ler ; but
by their jufi Weight and Ufe. He ??iiift, i?i his oivn Particular, carry
on his View with Concealment ^; and yet have a due Regard for Pojl e-
rity. He muJi prudently obferve the firfi Entrance of Etyors into
'Truths, arid of Truths into Er-rors ; without defpifing ot ad}?iiri?jg any
thing. He ?nufl under(ia?id his own Tale?its a??d Abilities, or the
Advantages of his own Nature. He ?nuji cotnply with the Nature
of others. He mufl, as with one Eye, furvey the Natures of Thi?igs,
a?id have the other turned towards human Ufes ^. He ?nufl di-
ftinSlly miderjla?id the tnix'd Nature of Words ; which is extre?7iely
capable both of prejudicing and q/fijiing. He muji lay it down to
himfelf that the Art of d7jcoveri?ig will grow up, and i?nprove, alo?ig
with Difcoveries themfelves. He muJl not be vain either i?i deUveri?ig
or concealing the Knowledge he has acquired; but i?ige?iuous a?id pru-
dent ; a?id communicate his Inventions without Pride or Ill-nature : and
this in a Jlrong and lively Ma?iner, well defended againjl the Injuries
of Time, and ft for the Propagation of K?iowledge, without occafioning
Errors ; and, which is the pri?icipal Thing of all, it mifl be j'uch
as may feleSi and chufe for itfelf a prepared and fuitable Reader <=.
Aphorism X.
The Interpreter thus qualified, Jhould proceed in this Marnier. He
mufi firfi confider the State of Mankind ; next remove the Obfiacles
in the Way of his Interpretation ; and then, comi?tg direBly to the
Work, prepare a Hiftory a?id regular Setts of Tables of Invention ;
fijeio
" The Author explains the Meaning hereof, fo far as he thought neceflary, under
Part I. Sj(ft. VI r. of the following Piece.
" Fiz- The Ufes of Life, and the Service of Mankind in general.
' If the Reader, therefore, (hould be fhocked, difgufted, or unentertained with .the
foUowrng Piece, he may pleafe to examine himfelf, Whether he be of the Number of
thofe for whom it was defign'd.
PREFACE. 335
(hew the Ufes thereof, their Re/aticns, Depefidencies, ofid Subfervieticy
to each other. He muft reprej'ent hou) little real and fervic cable Kno~x-
ledge Mankind is pofjejidof; and how all jujl Enquiry into Nature has
been negledfed. He tnuji ufe Choice and jfudgnient in Jingling out and
giving the Jirji Place to j'uch Subjects of Enquiry, as are mojl funda-
mental or important ; that is, fuch as have a principal Tende?icy to the
Dijcovery of other T'hings, or elfe to fupply the Necejities of Life. He
muft likeixife obferve the Preheminency of Inftanccs ; ivhich is a T'hijig
that greatly conduces to Jloorten the Work. And u-hen thus p7-ovided, he
mujl again renew his Enquiries, draw out jrejh Tables, and now, with
a greater Ripenefs of Knowledge, more Jiiccejsfully enter upon, and pe?'-
feii the Bufnefs of Interpretation : which will thus bccotne eafy, and
follow, as it were, fpontaneoujly ; fo as in a manner to he feafonably an-
ticipated by the Mind. And when he has done this, he will dire^ly fee
and enumerate, in a pure and native Light, the true, eternal, and moft
fimple Motions of Nature ; from the regular and exadl Progrefs whereof
proceeds all that infinite Variety of the Vniverfe. In the mean time, he
mufi not, from the very Beginnmg of the Work, omit, with AJjiduity,
to obferve a7id fet down, many new and unknown Things, for the Ser-
vice cf Mankind ; as it were in the Way of Interejl, 'till they receive
the Principal. And afterwards, being wholly intent upon the Difco-
very of human Ufes », and the State of T'hings then prefent, he will
regulate and difpofe all in a different Manner for PraSlice ; afigning
to the mofi fecret and hidderi Natures ^, others that are explanatory
thereof; and fuch as are fuperinducing to thofe that are moji ab-
fent c. And thus at length he will, like another Nature, form fuch
general Axioms of all Knowledge, Works, and Effects, as Jl:all rarely
err ; and if they Jhould, thcfe Errors will appear but as Monfiers in
Nature, and yet leave the Art., by which they were found, unviolated
in its Prerogative.
In this aphorifiical Ma7iner, the Author proceeds thro the Whole
of the following Piece ; which is no more than a cofitinued String
c/' Aphorifms i or fummary Expreffions of pure Matter of Science, in
fitnple
» See above, Aph. IX.
' Properties fuppofe.
• P'iz. Be enabled to give tiie Properties of one Body to another ; or introduce Pro-
perties where they were not : As, to gi\ e an incombuftible Property to Wood ; Inflam-
mability to Water ; Tranfparency to Metals ; Malleability to Glafs ; the Colour and
Gravity of Gold to SiJ\er, i^c. which are at preient efteem'd Things either impoflible
or impracticable.
336 PREFACE.
JimpJe Language, ivithoiit foreign Ornament ; and ufon the foctitig of
competent Expcrie?ice and Ohfervaticn. Hence aphorijlical IVritings
are rich and pregnant 'Things, capable of being unfolded, explained,
illujirated, and deduced into great Variety. Tet an Aphorifm dif-
fers from an Axiom 5 as a true and perfedi Axiom is incapable of
farther Impro'vement ; but an Aphorifm fill improvable : So that
Aphorifms are a kind of imperfeB Axioms, that ought to point and
lead up to the ferfeB. And as Aphorifms thus approach to Axioms ;
we fmild not defpair of raifng an Axiomatical Philofophy upon
the Strength of the following Sett.
INTRO-
">&:
^<-^
INTRODUCTION.
HEY who confidently or magifterially pronounce ^/^/^ «/ /^,
of Nature, as of a Thing already difcover'd, have aident Phi-
higlily injured Philofophy and the Sciences •, and had ¥°t^*^'-
the Succefs, not only to enforce a Belief, but to
ffop farther Enquiry. Others, whether from an
Averfion to the ancient Sophifts, Inflabilityof Mind
or too large a Meafure of Knowledge, alTert, that
nothing is kncivable, and produce no defpicable
Realbns for their Opinion ; tho' they do not de-
rive it from its true Principles : and being carried away with Zeal and
Affeftation, they have exceeded all Bounds. The ancient Greeks, whofe
Writings are lofl, wifely held a middle Way, between the Arrogance of
the former, and the Defpondency of the latter : and tho' they were fre-
quently complaining of the Difficulty of Enquiries, and the Darknefs
wherein Things are wrapp'd ; yet they kept on their Courfe, tho' they
champ'd the Bit •, without lofing Sight of Nature ; as if refolved not to
difpute, but to try whether anything were knowable ^ Yet even thefe,
ufing only die Eifort of the naked Underftanding, did not apply the
Rule ; but placed all Things in Subtlety of Thought, and Fludtuation
of the Mind.
2. The Thing we propofe, is to fettle the Degrees of Certainty ; to Dejign cf ttf
guard the Senfe by a kind of Reduftion '' •, generally to rejeft that Work ff^ork-
of the Mind which is confequent to Senfe ; and to open and prepare a
new and certain Way for the Mind, from the immediate Perceptions of
the Senfes. And thus much was, doubtlefs, intended by thofe who have
fo highly magnified the Art of Logic : which plainly fliews they fought
for fome AfTiflances to the Underflanding ; and held the natural Procedure,
and fpontaneous Motion of the Mind fufped. But this Remedy came
too late, after the Mind was pofTefled, and polluted by Cufloms, Le-
' See heresftcr, SeSi. IV.
' Viz. By contriving Ways of fubmitting Things, in a proper manner, to the Senfes; that
a true Judgment may be formed of them, when thus again brought under View.
Vol. II. X X ftiu-es.
338 INTRODUCriON.
(Stures, ami Doftrines •, and filled with vain Idoh % or falj'e Notions. Whence
this Superinduftion of Logic, far from corrcfting what was amifs, ra-
ther fix'd the Errors of the Mind, than open'd a Way to Truth. The
only Remedy left is, therefore, to begin the whole Work of the Mind
anew ; and, from the very firft, never leave it to itfelf ; but keep it un-
der perpetual Regulation, as if the Bufinefs were perform'd by a Ma-
chine^. And indeed, if Men had fet about mechanical Works, with their
bare Hands, unaffifted with Infhruments •, as they have ventured to fet
about intelledtual Works, almoft with the naked Powers of the Mind ;
they would have found themfelves able to have effedted very little, even
tho' they combined their Forces. If fome large Obelifk were to be raifed -,
would it not feem a kind of Madnefs, for Men to fet about it with their
naked Hands ? And would it not be greater Madnefs ftill to increafe the
Number of fuch naked Labourers, in Confidence of effeding the Thing?
And were it not a farther Step in Lunacy, to pick out the weaker bo-
died, and ufe only the robuft and ftrong -, as if that would certainly do .''
But if, not content with this, recourfe fliould be had to anointing the
Limbs, according to the Art of the ancient Wreftlers ; and then all be-
gin afrefh ; would not this be raving, with Reafon ? Yet this is but like
the wild and fruitlefs Procedure of Mankind in Intelleftuals ; whilft they
expeft great Things from Multitude and Confent ; or the Excellence and
Penetration of Capacity •, or ftrengthen, as it were, the Sinews of the
Mind with Logic. And yet, for all this abfurd Buftle and Struggle,
Men ftill continue to work with their naked Underftandings. At the
fame time, it is evident, that in every great Work, which the Hand of
Man performs, the Strength of each Perfon cannot be increafed ; nor that
of all be made to aft at once, without the Ufe of Inftruments and
Machines ^
Interferes not ^ . Upon the whole. Men are here to be reminded of two Things ;
(i.) That it fortunately happens, to prevent all Controverfy and Ela-
tion of Mind, that the Ancients will remain undifturb'd in the Honour
and Reverence due to them •, whilft we purfue our own Defign, and reap
the Fruits of our Moderation. For if we fliould pretend to produce any
thing better than the Ancients, yet proceed in the fame Way as they
did ; we could, by no Art of Words, prevent fome apparent Rivalftiip
in Capacity, or Ability : and however allowable this might be, as it is
a Liberty they took before us -, yet we fhould know the Inequality of our
own Strength, and not ftand the Coniparifon. But now, as we go upon
opening a quite new Way for the Underftanding, untried and unknown
to the Ancients ; the Cafe changes, and all Party and Conteft drops.
(2.)
« See hereafter, SeSl. IT. Jph. 37.
^ Hence we may learn the Reafon of the Tit'e, 'Novum Organum ; tho' dou'otlefs the Au-
thor alio intended fome Allufion to the Organon, or Logick oi Ariftotle.
" The Foundation of the Novum Ori^trimm feems laid in this Paragraph; fo that if this be not
found juft, the Superlh-ufture mull fill of courfe.
2
v>itb the An-
tients
INTRODUCTION. 339
(2.) That we are no way bent upon difturbing the prcfent Philofophy,
or any other that is, or fhall appear, more perfeft : the common Syfteni,
and others of the fame Kind, may continue, for us, to cherifh Difputes,
cmbellilh Speeches, i^c. the Philofophy we would introduce, will be ot little
Senice in fuch Cafes : nor is ours very obvious, and to be taken at once ;
nor tempting to the Underflanding ; nor fuited to vulgar Capacities-, but
folely rells upon its Utility and Etfeifls. Let there be, therelbrc, by joint PhUofnphers
Confent, two Fountains, or Difpenfations, of Doftrine-, and two Tribes Q^rtduai to tw
Philofophcrs, by no means Enemies or Strangers, but Confederates and mutual
Auxiliaries to each other : and let there be one Method of cultivating, and
another of difcovcring the Sciences. And to thofe who find the former more
agreeable, for the fake of Difpatch, or upon civil Accounts, or becaufe the
other Courfe is lefs fuited to their Capacities, (as muft needs be the Cafe
with far the greater Number ;) we wilh Succefs in their Procedure -, and
they may obtain their Ends. But if any one has it at heart, not only to
receive the Things hitherto difcovcr'd, but to advance ftill flirther ; and not
to conquer an Adverfary by Difputation, but to conquer Nature by Works ;
not neatly to raife probable Conjectures, but to know Things of a certainty,
and demonftratively ; let him, as a true Son of the Sciences, join IlTue with us,
if he pleafcs : that, leaving the Entrance of Nature, which infinite Num-
bers have trod, we may, at length, pafs into her hincr Courts ^ To make
our felves ftill more intelligible, we fhall give Names to thefe two Me-
thods of Procedure ; and familiarly call the firft the Anticipation of the
Alind ; and the other the Interpretation of Nature.
4. And now, we have only this Requeft to make i that as we have Requifius to
bellowed much Thought and Care S not only that what we offer ^qmXA judging of tht
be true ; but alfo, as much as is poffible, that it fhould be acceflible to '^'"''^"
the human Mind, tho' ftrangely befet and prepoflefied ; we entreat it, as
a Piece of Juftice at the Hands of Mankind, if they would judge of any
thing we deliver, either from their own Senfe, the Cloud of Authorities,
or the Forms of Demonftration, which now prevail, as fo many judicial
La--d.s; that they do it not on the fudden, and without Attention ; but
firft mafter the Subject ; by degrees make Trial of the Way we chalk
out; and accuftom therafelves to that Subtiky of Things, which is im-
printed in Experience ; and, laftly, that by due and leafonable Perfe-
^ Notv.ithllanding this Dillinftion, the Author has been fufpefled to oppofe the Ancients :
tho' his Dcfign every where is to make ufc of all the Afliftance they afFord, fit for the Purpofe ;
and to advance the \Vholc of Philofophy to a greater Perfedlion. But how few Helps and Ma-
terials, for this Purpofe, are derivable from the Ancients, is another Confideration. See
Supplem. X. and hereafter 5<v7. IV. See alfo hereafter, jlph. 31, is'c.
' The Author wrote the following Piece twelve Times over, with his own Hand ; making
it a Rule to rcvife, correft, and alter it once a Year, till he brought it to the prefent degree of
Pcifedion. And whoever deilres to fee how far it was, by this means, improved, may compare
it with the Cngitata is Vifa, publifhed by Gruter ; which was the rough Draught of the firll
Book only, of the Nivum Organum ; and sketched out, at leaft thirteen, if not many more, Years
before the Publication of this Piece : for Sir Iho. Bodley, in the Year 1607, complains of the
Author for having kept it fo long in his Coffer.
X X 2 verance,
340 INrRODUCriON.
verance, they correft the ill Habits that clolely adhere to the Mind : and
when thus they begin to be themfelves, let them ufe their own Judg-
ment, and welcome ''.
J" Tho' this Requeft might be more neceflary, at the Time the Author made it ; yet perhaps
it is not ftill unfeafonable : for, poiEbly, the generality, even of Philofophers, are not to this
Day, fufEciently divefted of Preoccupation, Party, and Prejudice, to form a true Judgment of
what the Author wrote fo long ago.
Novum
'Novum Organmn Scientiarum
NEW MACHINE
For Rebuilding the
SCIENCES
'''-r^rw
PART I.
SECT. I.
General Aphorisms for interpreting
Nature; and extending the Empire
of Man, over the Creation.
Aphorism I.
A N, who is the Servant and Interpreter of Nature, can Man's Power,
acl and underftand no farther than he has, either in *»» limited.
Operation, or in Contemplation, obferved of the Me-
thod and Order of Nature '.
Aphorism II.
2. Neither the Hand without Inftruments, nor the unaffifted Under- Man requires
ftanding, can do much ; they both require Helps, to fit them for Bufi- Injiruments.
nefs : and as Inftruments of the Hand, either ferve to excite Motion, or
dired it ; fo the Inftruments of the Mind, either fuggeft to, or guard and
preferve the Underjianding *.
Aphorism
* Human Knowledge is acquired by Ob/ervation, and Experience ; or by converfmg with the
Things about us, thro' the Mediation of the Senfes, and fubfequcnt Reflexion : therefore, the
more we obferve and try' ; the mere we learn and are enabled to perform. And thus Knowledge
and Power go hand in hand : fo that the way to increafe in Power, is to increafe in Knowledge.
The Europeans exceed the favage Indians in Power, by having a fuperior Knowledge of jirts,
Jrms, fee. Seeyfti-3-
" This Aphorifm in another Place is turn'd thus. " The nalced and unajjifted Hand, how-
" ever ftrong and true, is adapted only to the Performance of a few eafy Works; but when
" afliited hy Inftruments, becomes able to perform abundance more, and of much greater dif-
" ficulty : and the Cafe is exaflly the fame with the Mind." The Whole will be abundantly
explained ajid iiluftrated by what follows. See alfo IntroiuHitn, §. 2 and 3.
344 Aphorisms for mterprstmg Nature. Part I.
Aphorism III.
Toioer and 3. The Kncwkdge and Porccr of Man are coincident: for whifft igno-
Kno^vledge co- rant of Caufes, he can produce no Effe^s : Nor is Nature to be con-
'"" ^- quer'd but by SubmifTion \ And that which in SpeculatMi ftands for the
Canfe-y is what in Pradice ftands for the Rule ^.
Aphorism IV.
4. In "Works, Man can do no more than put natural Bodies together,
and take them afunder : all the reft is perform'd by the internal Ope-
rations of Nature.
Aphorism V.
^'■'^ ^"If"' 5- The Mechanic, the Mathematician, the Ph'sfician, the Chemift^ and the
fia. natural Magician, are concern'd in the Works of Nature , but, all of
them, at prefent, fu-perficialh, and to little purpofc ^.
Aphorism VI.
6. 'Tis Madnefs, and a Contradiftion, to expeft that Things which were
never yet perform'd, fliould be effedted, except by Means hitherto untried.
Aphorism V^II.
7. The Produftions of the Mind and Hand, feem exceedingly numerous
in Books and Worh ; yet all this Variety arifes from the particular fub-
tilizing
' V'tT. By condefcending lo enquire into, and obferve her Methods of working ; as a Ser-
vant who would learn of his Mafter. For no Power of Man can poflibly break the Chain of
natural Caufes ; fo that the only Method whereby Men can rule Nature, muft depend upoa
learning her Ways.
<i This Aphorifm is otherwife expreffed by the Author in another Place ; thus. " The hu-
" nan Power has this for its ObjeB ; to impofe or introduce any Nature upon a given Bafis of
" Matter, within the Condition of Poffibility ; and the ObjeB of the hunuui Kr.ozvledge is the
" Difcovery of the Caufes of an EfFeft affign'd, in any Subjeft. And thefe are two coincident
" hitenticni : for what in Contemplation is affign'd as the Caufe, is in Operation the Means
" of producirjg the Effeft." And again, thus. " There is, in Faft, no difference betwixt
" a theoretical and praelical Propojitisn : thus to aflert that Light belongs not to the Nature
" of Heat ; is the fame as to aflert, that in the Produftion of Heat there is no neceffity for
" the producing of Light." This Matter ahb will be fully illultrated hereafter ; tho' it
be indeed felf-evident upon a little Attention.
■^ This Aphorifm is more fully dcliver'd in another Place ; thus. " The Knowledge of
" which Mankind are hitherto poffefled, does not reach to Certainty; and tlie Produftion of
" great Eftefts. Phyficians pronounce many Difeafes incurable ; and frequently millake and
" fail in the Cure of the rell : the Alchemift never relinquifhes his Hopes : the Works of the
" natural Magician are unftable, and of little Advantage : the mechanic Arts derive no great
" Light from Philofophy ; and but languidly profecute Experiments in low and trivial Sub-
" jeds J fo that the Difcoveries at prefent in ufe are extremely crude, and f^r from perfeft.
3
Se<5l. I. A p H o R r s M s /o/' inUrpreting Nature. 345
tilizing upon, and applying, a few known Things -, and not from any
Number of Jxionn ^
Aphorism VIII.
8. Nay, the Works hitherto difcover'd, are owing rather to Accident
and Trial, than the Sciences ; which, as they now ftand, are nothing but
Comfilmcr.'.s of Things found out before ; and not Methods of Enqtii-q,
or Plans of nctv fForks.
Aphorism IX.
9. The Root of all the Mifchief in the Sciences, is this ; that faljly
niiigiiifsing and admiring the Powers of the Mind, we feek not its real Helps.
Aphorism X.
10. The Subtilty of Nature, flir exceeds the Subtilty of the Senfe and
Undcrftanding •, fo that the fublime Meditations, Speculations, and Rea-
fcnings of Men, are but a kind of Madnefs ; if a fit Perfon were to ob-
ferve them ^.
Aphorism XI.
1 1 . As the Sciences now in being, are ufelefs in the Difcovery of Works ; Logic.
fo is the prefent Logic in the Diicovery of the Sciences "
Aphorism XII.
12. The common Logic is better fitted to fix and eftablifli Errors, which
are founded in vulgar Notions, than for fearching after Truth i fo as to
be more prejudicial than ufetul '.
Aphorism XIII.
13. Syllogifm is not applied to the Principles of the Sciences', and 'tis Syllogi/r/i.
in vain applied to intermediate Axioms ^ ; as being unequal to the Sub-
' Thus the numerous Books wrote upon Religions, Laws, Morality, (^e. may be reduced
back to a few Particulars, which gave them Origin ; and the Arts of Glafs, Medicine, the modern
Art of War, (Jc. to the cafual Obfervation of Afhes melted by Heat, the accidental Difcovery
of Simples, Gun-powder, isfc. whereas had all thefe proceeded from the Light of ^at/ow/ ;
they would have proved much more perfeft, ferviceable, and advantagious : But the Axioms
are wanting for this Purpofe.
e This Aphorifm deferves Attention. Certainly, upon examining, tvtiy Man may find his
common Notions of Things very inadequate ; or far from correfponding even with thofe he
gains byconverfmg more familiarly and intimately with Nature. And yet, after a Life fpent
ijpon any particular Enquiry, in the common Method, there IIL'I ufually remains fome Subtilty
of Nature behind, which we cannot catch ; and are apt, perhaps very extravagantly, to guefs at.
And if this be the Cafe in fenfible and material Things ; what muft our general Theories
and Syftems be ?
'' This feems to have been fully fhewn in the Je Jugmentis Scientiarum.
• This Matter has alfo been dilcuffed b the ^e Augmcntis Scientiarum.
* See below, Jpb. 19.
Vol. II. Yy tilty
34-6 Aphorisms for interpreting Nature. Part I,
tilty of Nature : and therefore catches the Affent j but lets Things them-
felves flip through ',
Aphorism XIV.
14. Syllogifm confifts of Propofitions, Propofitions of Words, and Wordb
are the Signs of Notions ; therefore, if our Notions, the Bafis of all, are
confufed, and over haftily taken from Things ; nothing that is built upon
them can be firm : whtnce our only Hope refts upon genuine LiduSlion *".
Aphorism XV.
Notitni »or 15. No Notion can be fiifely trufted, either in Logics or Phjfics ; not
fij^/y irujled. ^^^^ ^)^^^^ ^^ Subftances, ^alities. Anions, Fajfwns, and Exipnce ; much
lefs thofe of Gravity, Levity, Denfiiy, Tenuity, Moijlure, Drynefs, Generation,
Corruption, AtlraElion, Avoidance, Element, Matter, Forin, &c. but all are
.phantaftical, and ill defined ".
Aphorism XVI.
16. The Notions of the lo'-juer Species, as of a Man, a Dog, a Dove ; and the
immediate Apprehenfions of Senfe ", as Heat, Cold, PFhite, Black, Src. do not
greatly deceive us ; tho' thefe alfo are fomerimes greatly confounded by the
flowing in of Matter, and the putting of Things together. And for all
the reft, which Mankind have hitherto employ'd, they are miftaken j or
not duly abftradled, and raifed, from Things ■'.
Aphorism XVII.
17. Nor is there lefs Licentioufnefs, or fewer Miftakes, in the raifmg
of Axioms, than in the forming of Notions ; and this even in Principles
themfelves, which depend upon the vulgar InduSiion '' .• much more in the
inferior Axioms, and Propofitions, deduced by Syllogifm.
Aphorism
■ See the next Aphorifm.
■" Viz. A competent Catalogue oi Injlaneei, on both Sides of the Queflion ; fo that when
all the Exceptions we properly made, a found, or at leaft a ferviceable. Portion of Truth may
be left, as an Axi:m, behind. See Aph. 10;, 106.
" Mr. Locke's Chapter of Ideals, in his Eifay upon Human Underftanding, is a kind of Com-
ment upon th-s Aphorifm.
" Now commonly called Setifalisns.
P See Mr. Locke's Effay upon Human Vnderjianding.
1 The vulgar InduRion, to explain it in a familiar manner, is that Method of arguing which
Men ufe, when they fay, Til give you an Iiiftance ; and then produce a Cafe, or feveral Cafes,
Tvhercin their Propofition holds And in the fame manner, the common Ljgica/ Indu/Jion pro-
ceeds upon an Enumeration of particular Inftances, or Examples ; but without a due Regard
to thole that may be produced on the contrary, or negative Side : fo that this Indudlion is ab-
folutely unfafe and trifling; as being liable to be fet afide by the contradiftory Inftances, when-
ever they Qull appear. And this we fee frequently happens, both in Difcourfe and Writing.
What the Author's Method of Indidlion is, may appear from the Note upon Jj)/;, 14. above ;
but more fully hereafter, A/ib. 105, 106. and in the Second Part of this Piece.
I
Scd. I. Aphorisms fijr interpret ing Naturb, 34,7-
Aphorism XVIII.
iS. AH hitherto difcover'd in the Srur.ces^ falls nearly under vulgar
Notions : but to proceed farther into Nature, 'tis requifnc that both
Notions and Axioms be form'd from Things, in a furer and more guarded
Manner -, and that a better and more certain Way of '■jcwkiiig vith the
Underjlauding be introduced.
Aphorism XIX.
19. There are two Ways of fearching after, and difcovering T rnth : Tvio Ways »f
the one, from Senfe and Particulars, rifes directly to the molt genera] difcovmng
Axioms ; and refting upon thefe Principles, and their unfhaken Truth, "''
finds out intermediate Axioms: and this is the Method in ufe. But the
other raifes Axioms from Senfe and Particulars, by a continued gradual
Afcent ; till at lad it arrives at the mofl: general Axioms : which is the
true Way ; but hitherto untried "".
Aphorism XX.
20. The Underftanding, when left to itfelf, takes the firft of thefe Ways ; fhe Jahn »f
and prepares it in logical Order : for the Mind delights in fpringing the unajftfled
up to the moft general Axioms •, that it may find reft. But after a Underjiand-
fhort Stay here, it difdains Experience ; and thefe Mifchiefs are at length '"^'
increafed by Logic, for the Oftentation of Difpute '.
Aphorism XXI.
21. The Underftanding being left to itfelf, in a fober, patient, a.nd Its JJlien in
fedate Genius-, and efpecially if unprejudiced by any former Doctrine ; ^y^*^'' *^^''"'^"
will make fome Attempt in the fecond or right Way ; but to little Ad-
vantage : for unlefs regulated and aflifted, the Underftanding is here very
unequal, and abfolutely unfit to conquer the Obfcurity of Things.
A p h o R I s .M XXII.
22. Both thefe Ways begin with Senfe and Particulars? and end ^i^ The jiferinee
the moft general Principles : but they otherwife differ immenfely. The o/ the tzoo
one lightly pafles over Experience and Particulars; which the other ^"y^ ^/ d'/-
duly and orderly dwells on : the former conftitutes ceruin abftra<5l and ^S^'^l"^
' And upon this Way it is that the Author refts his greateft Hopes of improving Philofophy
and the Sciences. See hereafter, Jph. 105;,
' There is fcarce a more pernicious Thing to Philofophy, than the common Praftice of dif-
puting with Heat, and a halty turbulent Ufe of Syllogi&i. Thefe i^md of captious and fophi-
lUca! Contefts are as the Fevers of the Reafon.
y y 2 ufelefs
';
34^ Aphorisms for Interpret mg Nature. Part I.
ufelefs Generals from the Beginning -, but the latter rifes gradually to
fuch as Nature really acknowledges '.
Aphorism XXIII.
Falj'e Imtiges 23. There is a wide Difierence betwixt the Idch of the human Mind, and
of the Mind, j-j^g Ideai of the divine Mind : that is, betwixt certain \'ain Conceits, and
the real Characters and Impreflions ftamp'd upon the Creatures, as they
are found ".
Aphorism XXIV.
Axioms raifed 24. 'Tis impofTible that Jlxhms, raifed by Argumentation, fliouki be
^v Arguments ufeful in difcovering new Works •, becaufe the Subtilty of Nature vaflly
iifelefs in exceeds the Subtilty of Argument ^ : But Axioms, duly and methodi-
cally drawn from Particulars, will again eafily point out new Particu-
lars ; and fo render the Sciences adive ^.
Works.
Aphorism XXV.
The common 25. The Axio?ns in ufe, being derived from (lender Experience, and a
Axioms, how few obvious Particulars, are generally applied in a correfponding manner :
form'd. j^Jq wonder, therefore, they lead us not to new Particulars. And if any
Inftance unobferved before happens to turn up •, the Axiom is preferved,
by fome trifling diftlndtion, where it ought rather to be corredted *'.
Aphorism XXVI.
The Antictpa- ^6. The natural human Reafoning, we, for the Sake of Clearnefs,
^iertretltion'of ^'^^'^ ihc Anlicipiticn of Nature ; as being a rafh and hafty Thing'': and
Nature, what, the Reafon duly exercifed upon Objefts, we call the Interpretation of Nature.
Aphorism XXVII.
The Force of 27. This Jntidtation has Force enough to procure Confent ^ ; for if all
Anticipation. Mankind were mad, in one and the fame manner, they might ftill agree
among themfelves.
Aphorism
' That is, fuch as Men may fafdy proceed upon, in producing Effects : for being drawn
from Nature, they readily find the Way to Nature again ; and in this Senfe are acknowledged
by her, as her own.
" See above, Aph. 10. Aftronomers diilinguilh betwixt the real and apparent Motions of
the Heavens ; the one being refpeftive to Man, and the other to the Truth ; or fuppoiing an
Obl'erver feated in the Centre of the Syftem. This may, perhaps, illuftrate the prefent
Aphorifm.
*■ To depend upon Argumentation, or the common Method of Reafoning, in Phyfical En-
quiries, is working only with Words and Thoughts, where manual Operations, and Experi-
ments are required.
" See above, Aph. 22.
y Has not this been generally the Cafe, from the Time of Ariftotle to the prefent ?
^ See above, Aph. 20. See alfo Introduliion, §. 3.
" Is it not alfo the chief Spring of human Ailions ?
Sccl. I. Aphorisms for interpreting Nature. 349
Aphorism XXVIII.
28. Antuipat'ions^ alfo, have a much greacer Power to entrap the Aflent,
than htcrpretaiions ; becaufe, being collected from a few funiiJiar Par-
ticulars, they immediately ftrike the Mind ; and fill the Imagination :
whereas Inurfre.'iUions, being feparately collecfted frdm very various and
very diftant Things, cannot ftiddenly afFeft the Mind ; whence, of nectf-
fity, in difficult and paradoxical Matters, thefe Interpretations appear
almofl: like Mysteries of Faith''.
Aphorism XXIX.
29. In the Sciences founded on Opinion and Decree, Anticipations ^indi The proper Vfe
Logic are of great Service ; where not Things, but the Aflent is to be >f-^"'^"P^^
brought under Subjeclion '. ^,Y^.
Aphorism XXX.
30. But tho' the Labours and Capacities of the Men in all Ages were Anticipation
united and continued, they could make no confiderable Progrefs in xS\^ofno^r-i'icein
Sciences, by Anticipation ; becaufe the radical Errors, in the firft Conco- '"^^"'^"'•
<ftion of the Mind, are not to be cured by the Excellence of any fuc-
ceedin^ Talents and Remedies ''.
*3
Aphorism XXXI.
31. And 'tis in vain to expect any great 7\dvancement of the Sciences, TheScienc/t
by fuperinducing or engrafting new Inventions upon old : The Reftoration nst greatly
mufl be begun from the very Foundation -, unlefs Men chufe to move con- "'^^"""^ ''')
tinually in a Circle, without confiderably advancing. ^nfw Inventi-
ons on old.
Aphorism XXXII.
32. All the ancient Authors will ftill remain poflefled of their Ho-
nour ; and unrival'd in their Genius and Ability : as we only point
out a new Path, without cenfuring their Proceedings.
Aphorism XXXIII.
33. No true Judgment can by Anticipation be form'd of this new "^It- ^g prefeut
thod of ours ; nor of the Things it difcovers : for they cannot, in Juftice, be Undertaking
tried ""^ '' ^^ i"<^Z'
ed of by An-
ticiDstion»
'' This Aphorifm feems capita], or almoft Axiomatical : 'tis made great ufe of hereafter ; and
requires to be well remember'd.
' See the de Augm. Sclent. Seft. XVIII. See alfo the Fable of Orpheui, explained in the
Sapientin Velerum, Sect. I Fab. 3.
• Let this Aphorifin be well confider'd ; and, if found juft, remember'd.
35-0 Aphorisms for interpreting Nature. Part I.
tried by the Method of Reafoning at prefent ufed •, which is itfelf called
in Queflion '.
Aphorism XXXIV.
34. Nor is it an eafy Matter to deliver, or explain, what we have to
produce ; becaufe Things new in themfelves will ftill be underftood
from their relation to the old '.
Aphorism XXXV.
Confutations, 35- Confutations are of no Service, where Men differ about Principles,
tohtre of no Notions, and the Forms of Demonftration ^ : and our Defire is not Vi-
Servtce. ftory ; but only to find the Minds of Men prepared, and capable of re-
ceiving what we offer.
Aphorism XXXVI.
TheCourfe ob- 3^. We have but one fimple Way left Us; and that is leading Man-
ferved by the kind to Particulars ; their Series, and their Orders : whilft they prevail
Author. upon themfelves to forfake their Notions for a Time*, and begin an Ac-
quaintance with Things '
E
Aphorism XXXVII.
37. Our Method has fome Refemblance with that of the Sceptics, at
the Entrance ; but differs widely from it, and becomes oppofite to it, in
the End. They fimply aflfert, that nothing is knowable ; and we fay,
that much cannot be known of Nature, in the common Way : but then
they deftroy the Authority of the Senfe and Underfl:anding •, whereas we
fupply them both with Helps '',
' The common Talent has, however, been employ'd upon this Performance ; and fome
other Parts of the Inftauration. There are remarkable Inftances of it in Alexander Rofs, Dr.
Sitdis, and certain French Authors. Sir Tho. Bodley's Letter to the Author, relating to the Co-
gitatii £3" n/a, is alfo a Thing of this Kind, that may well deferve to be read, in order to
keep the Mind from inclining too much to Novelty. See ^0/. I. Supplcm. V. SeSt. II.
3 See her£.ifter, Aph. 109.
f Yet are not moll Confutations of this Kind ?
e The Things here intended, the Author propofed to felcft with Judgment ; as they
fliould appear moft ufcful in themfelve.s ; fittell for raifing of Axioms ; enriching the Under-
ftanding, d?V. and to range them in fome proper Order, or in the Form of regular Tables ;
that the Mind might aft to Advantage upon them, without Diftraftion or Confufion. This
ke principally defigned in the Scala Intelleilus : and his Hijiory of Life and Diath, and Hi-
Jiory of tVinds, are capital Inftances of the Kind.
'' This will be explained and illuflrated, by a Variety of Examples, in the Second Part of
the Work.
SECT.
Sccl. II. The Dc&rinc o/" falfe Notions, &'c. 351
S E C T. IL
Of the falfe Images, or Idols, of the
Mind.
Aphorism XXXVIII.
I . ^ I ■* H E Idols \ and falfe Notions of the Mind, take fuch Root Idoh, nbat.
JL therein, and fo poflefs it, that Truth can hardly find Entrance :
am: .-.-n when it is enter'd, thefe will again rife up, and grow trouble-
fome, in the rebuilding of the Sciences ; unlefs Men guard agamft them,
with all poffible Diligence ^.
Aphorism XXXIX.
2. There are four Kinds of Idols that pofiefs the Mind of Man. In Their Kinds.
order to be the better unJerftooJ, we will affign Names to them j
and call tli^- rirfl Kind, Idcls of the Tribe ; the fecond. Idols of the Den i
the third. Idols of the Market ; and the fourth, Idols of the Theatre.
Aphorism XL.
3. The raifing of Notions and Axioms by legitimate I/iduofion^, is doubt-
lefs the proper Remedy for removing and driving out the Idols of the
Mind ; yet the Indication of Idols " is a thing of great Ufe : the Doctrine
of them being to the Interpretation of Nature, what the Dodtrine of the
Confutation of Sopbifms is to the common Logic.
Aphorism XLI.
4. Idols of the Tribe have their Foundation in human Nature, and the IJoJs of the
Tvhole Tribe or Race of Mankind : for it is a falfe Aflertion, that the ^'■'*<'> w^"'-
human
' The Author here feems to have made a happy Choice of the Word Idol; which elegantly
diftinguifhes falfe Science from true : as erroneous Knowledge is a kind of Idolatry ; or a Wor-
fllip paid to falfe Gods, which is only due to the tn.ie One.
* The Docuiae of Idoh has been already open'd in the dt Jugmait, SiUntiar. Seft. XIV.
' See above, Jfh. 14.
■" Fiz. The difcoveriug or poinung of them out.
35 2 The DoEirine of falfe Notions: Part I.
human Senfe is the Meafure of Things ; fince all Perceptions, both of
the Senfe and Mind, are with relation to Man, and not with relation to
tlie Univerfe ". But the human Underftanding is like an unequal Mirror
to the Rays of Things ; which, mixing its own Nature with the Na-
tures of Things, diftorts and perverts them ".
Aphorism XLII.
laoCs of the 5. Idols of the Den, are the Idols of every Man in particular ^ ; for, be-
D«n, what. ^-^^^^ ^^g general Aberrations of human N;'.ture, we every one of us have
our peculiar TDen or Cavern -, which refradts and corrupts the Light of
Nature : either becaufe every Man has his refpedive Temper, Education,
Acquaintance, Courfe of Reading, and Authorities : or becaufe of the
Differences of Impreffions, as they happen in a Mind prejudiced or pre-
poffelTed ; or in one that is calm and equal, i£c. So that the human Spi-
rit, according to its Difpofition in Individuals, is an uncertain, very
diforderly, and almoft accidental thing. Whence Heraclhus well obferves,
that Men feek the Sciences in the lefler Worlds; and not in the great or
common one ''.
Aphorism XLIII.
JM r.f the 6. There are alfo Idols that have their Rife, as it were, from Com-
Maritt,tt>hat. -p^^Q-^ and the Aflbciation of Mankind ; which, on Account of the Com-
merce and Dealings that Men have with one another, we call Idols of the
Market. For Men aflbciate by Difcourfe ; but Words are impofed ac-
cording to the Capacity of the Vulgar : whence a falfe and improper
Impofition of Words ftrangely poflelTes the Underftanding. Nor do the
Definitions and Explanations, wherewith Men of Learning, in fome Cafes,
defend and vindicate themfelves, any way repair the Injury : for Words
abfolutely force the Underftanding, put all Things in Confufion, and
lead Men away to idle Controverfies and Subtleties, without Number ^
Aphorism XLIV.
Idols of the 7. Laftly, there are Idols which have got into the human Mind, from
1heatre,vibat. the different Tenets of Philofophers ; and the perverted Laws of Demon-
ftration.
" Philofophers fhould, if poflible, conceive of Things as they are Parts of the Univerfe; and
as they have their Office and Ufe therein : but Men generally confider Things only as they
have fome particular relation to the Senfe; which cannot poffibly difcover the fyftematical or
cofniical Qualities and Ufes of Things.
" See above, Aph. z^. and hereafter, Aph. \i,.
p The Author, in another Place, confiders this kind of Idol, as every Man's particuLir Da-
mon, or feducing Familiar ; and again, he confiders every Man's Mind as a Glafs, with its
Surface differently cut, fo as differently to receive, refledt, and refraft the Rays of Light that
fall upon it.
1 See the de Augm. Scient. Seft. X.
' See Mt. Lode's Eff^y upon Huma;i Under/landing i i.n6.(h.t A\i(\\oi^s de Augm. Scient. Sefl.
XVI, i^'c. particularly fee below, Apb. 59.
Sed. II. Or 1 D o L s of the Mind. 353
ftration. And thcfe we denominate Idols of the 'Thea/re ; becaufe all die
Philofophies that have been hitherto invaited or received, are but as fo
niany Stage-Plays, written or acted ; as having fliewn nothing but ficli-
rious and theatrical Worlds. Nor is this laid only of the ancient or
prefcnt Sects and Philofophies ; for numberlefs other Fables, of the like
Kind, may be rtill invented and drefs'd up ; fince quite different Errors
will proceed from almoft the fime common Caufes. Nor, again, do we
mean it only of general Philofophies ; but likewife of numerous Priuci-
flrs and Axioms of the Sciences, which have prevailed thro* Tradition,
Belief, and Negled. But thefe feveral Kinds of Idols mull be more fully
and difi;in£tly fhewn, that the Mind may be upon its Guard againft
them.
Aphorism XLV.
S. The Mind has this Property, that it readily fuppofcs a greater Or- ThepartuuUr
der and Conformity in Things, tkin it finds: and tho' many Things \\\'^^o\% of the
Nature are fingular, and extremely difllmilar ; yet the Mind is ftill ima- /'. 'prom'ima-
gining Parallels, Correfpondencies, and Relations between them; ^'\\ic\\ gi„„ry Rela-
have no Exillence. Hence the Fiction, that all the celeftiall Bodies tUm.
moved in perfeA Circles ; hence the fictitious Element of Fire, with its
Orb, was added to the three fenfible Elements, to make them four -,
and fuch kind of Dreams. Nor does this Folly prevail only in Tenets,
but aiib in fimplc Notions.
Aphorism XLVI.
9. When the Mind is once pleafed with certain Things, it draws all (2) .^"^ ^•'-
others to confent, and go along with them : and tho' the Power and"'^"^'"""'
Number of Inftances, that make for the contrary, are greater ■■, yet it
either attends not to them, or defpifes them ; or elfe removes and re-
je(5ts them, by a Diftinction ; with a ftrong and pernicious Prejudice, to
maintain the Authority of its firit Choice unviolated. And hence, in
moft Cafes of Superftition -, as of AftroJogy, Dreams, Omens, Judg-
ments, 6fi\ thofe who find Pleafure in fuch kind of Vanities, always ob-
ferve where the Event anfwers ; but flight and pafs by the Inllances where
it fails ; which are much the more frequent. This Mifchief dilTufes it-
felf ftill more fubtilly in Philofophies and the Sciences-, where that which
has once pleafed infects and fubdues all other Things, tho' much more
fubftantial and valuable than itfelf. And tho' the Mind were free from
this Delight and Vanity ; yet it has the peculiar and conftant Error of
being more moved and excited by Affirmatives, than by Negatives :
whereas it Ihould duly and equally yield to both. But, on the con-
trary, in the raifing of true Axioms, negative Inftances have the greateft
Force '.
* As will be more fully ihewn hereafter. See Part II. SeSl. II.
Vol. II. Zz Aphorism
354
T'he DoSirine of falfe Notions: Part I.
Aphorism XL VII.
(3.) Undue 10. The human Intellect is nioft moved by thofe Things that ftrike
Motions of the and enter it all at once ; To as to fill and fwell the Imagination :
Vnderftand. y^^^ f^^ ^^ ^^^^ jj. fgig,^s and fuppofes them, after a certain imperce-
** ptible manner, to be like thofe few that poflefs the Mind : whilft the
Undcrftanding is quite flow, and unfit to pafs fo readily to remote and
diflimilar Inftances, whereby Axioms are tried, as it were, in the Fire ' ;
unlefs the Tafk be impofed upon it by fevere Laws, and a potent Au-
thority.
Aphorism XLVIII.
(4.) '^.efllefs II. The human Undcrftanding fhoots itfelf out, and cannot reft ; but
jppetite. ftill goes on, tho' to no purpofe. Thus 'tis inconceivable there ftiould be
any Bounds to the Univerfe ; yet it conftantly, and, as it were, neceflarily
recurs, that there muft be fomething farther. So, again, it cannot be con-
iftceived how Eternity fliould have flow'd to the prefent Time : and there
is the like Subtilty as to the infinite Divifibility of Lines, i^c. all ari-
fing from the Weaknefs of human Thought. But this Impotence of the
Mind proves more pernicious in the Difcovery of Cattfes : for altho'
the higheft Unherfals, in Nature, ought to be pofitive Things ; becaufe
they are found, and cannot be made -, yet the Undcrftanding, not knowing
how to ftop, is ftill defirous of greater Satisfaftion -, and endeavouring to
ftretch farther, lights upon ffial Caufes ; which are plainly of the Nature of
Man, rather than of the Nature of the Univerfe ". And from this Foun-
tain Philofophy has been ftrangely corrupted : For it is as fenfelefs, and
unphilofophical, to expedt Caufes in the moft general Cafes, as not to
require them in fuch as are fubordinate *.
(5.) Impure
Light of the
Vndtrjiand-
ing.
Aphorism XLIX.
12. The Light of the Undcrftanding is not a dry or pure Light, but
drench'd in the Will and Affedions ; and the Intellcd forms the Sciences
accordingly : for what Men defire fhould be true, they are moft inclined
to believe. The Undcrftanding, therefore, rejefts Things difficult, as
being impatient of Enquiry •, Things juft and folid, becaufe they limit
Hope •, and the deeper Myfteries of Nature, thro' Superftition : it rejedts
the Light of Experience, thro' Pride and Haughtinefs ; as difdaining the
Mind fhould be meanly and waverily employ'd : it excludes Parado.xes,
for fear of the Vulgar. And thus the Afi^eftions tinge and infeft the
Undcrftanding, numberlcfs Ways ; and fometimes imperceptibly.
Aphorism
' See above, SeB. I. Aph. 14. and hereafter, Part II. Sen. II.
» For final Caufes are only expefted to be fuch as fatisfy the Mind.
* See the de Augm. Sdentiar. Seft. V. See alfo here.-iftcr. Part II. SeB- IL
2
Sc(fl. ir. Or I D o L s (?/ the Mind. 355
Aphorism L.
13. Buc much the greateft Impediment and Deviation of the Under- (6.) £>^<7/ />
(landing, proceeds from the Dullncfs, Incompetency, and Fallacies o^ the Senjcs.
the Senfcs ; whence tlie Things that llrii<.e the Senfe, unjuftly over-ba-
lance chofe that do not ftrike it immediately : So that Contemplation
ufiialiy ends with Sight -, and little or no Obfervation is made of Things
invifible. And hence all the Operations of the Spirits, included in tan-
gible Bodies, all fubtile Organizations, and the Motions of the Parts, are
unknown to Mankind : and yet, unlefs thefe are difcover'd and brought
to Light, notliing very confiderable can be done in Nature, with regard
to Works ". Nay, the Properties of the common Air, and numerous Bo-
dies of greater Subtlety than that, remain almoll unknown : For Senfe, of
itfelf, is a weak and erroneous Thing. Nor can Inltruments, for im-
proving and fharpening the Senfes, be here of any great Service : all
true IiUerp-etations of Nature being made by proper and appofite Injlances
and Experiments ; wherein Senfe judges of the Experiment only -, and the
Experiment judges of Nature, and the Fadl ".
Aphorism LI.
14. The Underftanding is, by reafon of its own Nature, carried on {-j .) And Fond-
to Abftraiflion •, and fancies thofe Things to be conftant, which are wa- "efsfor A^
vering : but it is better to diffecfl Nature, than to abftradt her "^ ; as wd.s-^''"^""''
pradtifed by the School of Democritus ; which went farther into Nature,
than any of the reft. And as Matter is principally to be confider'd in
all its Schemes and Organizations ; fo likewife are pure Adlion, and the
La'-dis of A5lm, or Motion : but for the Arijlotelian Fonns, they are Idols,
or Figments of the Mind ; unlefs we call the Laws of Motion, Forms *.
Aphorism LII.
15. And this kind of Idols are what we term Mob of the 'Tribe : which
have their Origin, either from (i.) the Uniformity of the human Spi-
^ See the Syha Sylvarum, under the Articles Imagination, Nature, Spirits, and Sympathy.
Mere grofs Matter is a dull unaftive Thing ; th«y are Motions, and fubtile Matters in Motion,
that perform the chief Operations of Nature.
>■ See above, Aph. 24, and hereafter, Aph. 70. See alfo Fol. I. p. 12. where this Matter
is farther explained ; but the full Illuflration and Profecution of it comes in the Second Part of
the prefent Work.
^ That is, by making of Experiments, rather than by Contemplation, and Reafoning upon
Notions, without the proper Fafts.
» This is meant of abJiraB Forms ; but for phyjical Forms, or the effential, and efficient
Caufc ot the peculiar Properties of Things, it is the principil Defign of the Second Part of
the prefent Work, to (hew how they may be difcover'd. See Aph. 17. of that Part. See alfo
de Augment. Scientiar. Scft. V.
Z z 2 rit'';
rt
^6 "The DoSir'me of falie Notions: Parti.
rit''-, (2.) its PrepoiTeffion ' ; (3.) its Nurrownefs " ; (4.) its reftlefs Mo-
tion'-, (5.) Thie Tindture of the Affeftions '" -, (6.) the Incompetency of
the Senfes ^ ; or (7.) the Manner of the Impreffion *".
Aphorism LIII.
ne particular 16. Idoh of the Den take their Rife from the peculiar Nature of every
jdoli of the particular Perfon •, both with regard to Soul and Body : as alfo from
■ Education, Cuftom, and Accidents. This kind is various and manifold ;
but we will touch upon fuch as require the greateft Caution, and have
the greateft Force to pollute the Underftanding.
Aphorism LIV.
{\.\¥romAf- 17. Men are fond of particular Sciences and Studies i either becaufe
fehim to par- ^hgy believe themfelves the Authors and Inventors thereof \ or becaufe
ticular Stii- j.j^^y j^^^g beftow'd much Pains upon them -, and principally applied
themfelves thereto. And fuch Men as thefe, if they afterwards take to
Philofophy and univerfal Contemplations, generally wreft and corrupt theni
with their former Conceits : of which v/e have a fignal Example in Arijlotk •»
who made his Natural Philofophy iuch an abfolute Slave to his Logic, as ren-
der'd it contentious, and, in a manner, ufelefs. The Tribe of Chemifts,
from a few Experiments of the Furnace, have run up a phantaftical Phi-
lofophy, of very fmall Extent. AnJ fo Dr. Gilbert, after he had, with
immenfe Labour, profecuted his magnetical Studies, prefently invented a
Philofophy agreeable to his own Notion '.
Aphorism LV.
(2.) The prh- 1 8. The great and radical Difference of Capacities, as to Philofophy
tifalDiffe- ^nd the Sciences, lies here; that fome are ftronger and fitter to obferve
renceofCa- ^hg Differences of Things; and others to obferve their Correfpondencies.
fatttus, p^^ ^ fteady and fharp Genius, can fix its Contemplations ; and dwell,
and fallen upon all the Subtilty of Differences : whilft a fublime and
ready Genius perceives, and compares, the fmalleft and mod general
Agreements of Things. But both Kinds eafily fall into Excefs ; by
grafping either at the dividing Scale, or Shadows of Things.
Aphorism
* See above, ^/;&. 45.
' See Aph. 46.
* See Aph. 47.
<= See Aph. 48.
' See Aph. 49.
e See Aph. 50.
* See Aph. 51.
' Thus we fee of later Date, when Mathematicians apply to Phyficks, Medicine, Chemi-
ftry, i3c. they rend--» them all mathematical ; when Chemills apply to Phyficks, Medi-
cine, fa'c. they render them chemical : fo when Divines apply to Philofophy, they often ren-
der it fcriptural, tl/V. SeebeloWj Aph, 65.
Sect. II. Or 1 D o L s of the Mind. 357
Aphorism LVI.
19. Some Men of Genius are wrapp'd up in the Admiration of Antiquity •, (3) Ap^";
others fpcnd themfclves in a Fondnefs for Novelty ; and few are fo ^^^-'gulty, or^Nc-
per'd as to hold a Mean : but either quarrel witli what was juftly laid z'tlty.
down by the Ancients; or defpife what is juftly advanced by the Mo-
derns. And this is highly prejudicial to Philofophy and the Sciences -,
as bei-^g rather an AtieCtation of Antiquity, or Novelty, than any true
Judgment : for Truth is not to be derived from any Felicity of Times,
which is an uncertain Thing •, but from the Light of Nature and Expe-
rience, which is eternal. Thefe Affedtations, therefore, are to be laid
afide ; and Care taken, tlaat the Underftanding be not hurried by them,
into Confcnt ^.
Aphorism LVII.
20. To contemplate Nature and Bodies, in their Simplicity, breaks {4) /^"'^ '''
and grinds the Underftanding; and, to confider them in their Compo- ^'^°'" ^•^'-**'
fitions and Configurations, blunts and relaxes it: as appears plainly,-'
upon comparing the School of Leucijfus and Democriltis with the other Phi-
lofophics. For the former is fo taken up with the Particles of Things,
as almoft to negleft their Strudlure ; whilft the others view the Fabrica-
tion of Things with fuch Aftonifhment, as not to enter into the Simpli-
city of Nature. Both thefe Contemplations, therefore, are to be taken
up by Turns ; that the Underftanding may at once be render'd more
piercing and capacious ; and the Inconveniences above-mention'd, witiv
the Jclcls thence arifing, be prevented '.
Aphorism LVIII.
21. And, in this manner, let comtemplative Prudence proceed^ in chz- The Hife of
fing and diflodging the Idols of the Den; which principally have their '*^-^'^'"'^"/'**
Rife, (i.) from Prevalency ; (2.) tiie Excefs of Compofition, and Divi- ■^'"'
fion ; (3.) Atiedlations for Times ; or (4.) from too great, and too fmall
a Size of Objcfts "". And, in genen.l, whoever ftudies the Nature of
Things, fhould hold for fufpeft, whatever powerfully ftrikes and detains
the Mind ; and ufe fo much the greater Caution to preferve his Under-
ftanding pure and equable, in fuch kind of 1 tnets.
Aphorism
^ How much regard has been had to ■ ^i\m, in the late Contefts for and againft the
Superiority of I' licii-at and mrJcr- Le-
' How the Author practiied this ? ,XF-^'s ^om his Syiva Sylvarum, Hilloriesof
li'inds. Life and Death, ic.
» Sec Afh. 54, 55, 56, 57,
358
l^be DoBrlne of falfe Notions : Part I.
Aphorism LIX.
Idols of the 22. But none are fo troublefome as the Idols of the Market; which
Market, from infmuate themfelves into the Mind, from the Afibciation of Words and
Terms. For tho' Men believe that their Reafon governs Words ; it
alfo happens, that Words retort, and refleft their Force upon the Un-
derftanding : whence Philofophy and the Sciences have been render'd
fophiftical, and unadlive. Words are generally impofed according to vul-
gar Conceptions ; and divide Things by Lines " that are moft apparent
to the Underftanding of the Multitude : And when a more acute Un-
derftanding, or a more careful Obfervation, would remove thefe Lines,
to place them according to Nature •, Words cry out, and forbid it. And
hence it happens, that great and ferious Difputes of learned Men, fre-
quently terminate in Controverfies about Words and Terms : which it
were better to begin with, according to the prudent Method of the Ma-
thematicians, and reduce them to Order by Definitions. But in natural
and material Things, even thefe Definitions cannot remedy the Evil ; be-
caufe Definitions themfelves confift of Words ; and Words generate
Words : fo that, of necefiity, recourfe muft be had to particular /;/-
fiances, their Series, and Orders -, as we fhall fhew, when we come to the
Manner of raifing Notions., and Axioms °.
Are of two
kinds; viz.
Names of
Things not
€xijiing.
And Words
•wrong forrnd
from Things.
Aphorism LX.
23. The Idols which Words impofe upon the Underftanding, are of two
Kinds ; as being either the Names of Things that have no Exiftence ; or
the Names of Things that do exift •, but Names confufeTl, ill defined,
and rafhly and irregularly abftrafted from Things. Of the former Kind
are fuch as Fortune, the Primitm Mobile, the Orbs of the Planets, the Ele-
ment of Fire, and the like Figments •, which arife from imaginary and falfe
Theories. For as there are Things that, thro' want of being obferved,
remain without Names ; fo there are Names coined upon phantaftical
Conceits, and have no Things correfponding to them. Idols of this Kind
are diflodged by a conftant rejecftion and repeal of Theories, and
phantaftical Notions ^.
24. But the other Kind, raifed by a wrong and unfkilful Abftraftion,
is intricate and deep rooted. For Example : let us choofe any Word,
as the word Moijiure, for inftance, to try how fir the Things agree which
are fignified by it -, and we fhall find it no other than a confufed Mark
of
" Differences, or Diftinftions.
• See Part II. SeB. I. See alfo the de Augment. Scient. Sed. XV. and XVII.
P See Mr. Locke''i EJfay upon Human Underftanding, Chap, of Words, See a'.fo hereafter,
Jph. 64, isc.
Seft. ir. Or Idols of the Mind. 359
of different Adions, that are inconftant and irreducible to one another.
For Moijiure fignifies, (i.) that which can eafily diffufe itfelf round ano-
ther Body ; (2.) that which is indeterminable of itfelf, and cannot fix;
(3.) that which yields eafily every way ; (4.) that which readily divides,
and fcatters itfelf; (5.) that which eafily unites with itfelf, and collefts
together ; (6.) that which eafily flows, and is eafily put in Motion ;
(7.) that which readily fticks to another Body, and wets it ; (8.) that
which is eafily melted, or reduced from a Solid to a Liquid. , And there-
fore, when this Term comes to be publifhed andimpofed-, with an Ex-
ception of fome of the Significations, Flame will be moift ; with the Ex-
ception of others, y/ir is not moift -, and, again, with fome other Ex-
ceptions, fine PozciicTS and Gbfs are moift. \\'hence it eafily appears that
this Notion is inconfiderately taken from Water only, and fome other
common and obvious Liquors •, and not duly verified ''.
25 There are alfo certain Degrees of Error and Depravity in Words. Depravities ia
The leaft faulty Kind, is that of the Names of Subftances ; efpecially the'^'"'''^-
lower Species, which are well deduced •, for the Notions of Chalk and
CLiy are juft : but the Notion of Earth inadequate. The Tribe of
Adtions is more faulty; fuch as Generatioity Cormption, and Alteration:
but the Notions of Qualities, except the immediate Objeds of Senfe,
are the moft depraved ; as. Gravity, Levity, T'eimity, Denfity, &c. Yet
fome of thefe Notions muft, of neceflity, be jufter than others, in all
the Kinds ; according to the Number of Inftances ±at have fallen un-
der the Senfes ^
Aphorism LXI.
26. But for the Idols of the 'Theatre, they are neither innate, nor ie,- Jdoh of the
cretly infinuated into the Underftanding ; but plainly palm'd upon it ; Theatre palm' d
and received from fabulous Theories, and the perverted Laws of Demon- "^'"'
ftration. To undertake a Confutation of thefe, is by no means con-
gruous with what we have already advanced ' : for where neither Prin-
ciples nor Dcmonftrations are agreed upon, there can be no arguing.
And this happens fortunately, to leave the Ancients poflefsM of their
Glory .- we can detrad nothing from them ; whilft the Queftion is only
concerning the Way '. And a Cripple in the right Way may beat a Racer
in the wrong one. Nay, the fleeter and better the Racer is, who has once
mifs'd
"< A Language formed and verified after the manner here indicated, is greatly wanting in
Philofophy ; and perhaps cannot be compleated, till Philofophy itfelf is perfefted.
' Whence it is plain, that a juft Language cannot be formed without a competent Know-
ledge of Philofophy.
> See above, Upb. 35.
' The Author is extremely apprehenfive of being fufpefted to rival the Ancients; which.
Apprehenfion, if he had not well guarded againft it, might have prejudiced his whole Defign t
as indeed it in fome meafure did ; and ilill continues to do with nuny.
360 The DoBrhie of Philofophical Theories. Part I.
mifs'd his Way •, the farther he leaves it behind. Our Method, however,
of difcovering the Sciences, does not much depend upon Subtiky, and
Strength of Genius ; but lies level to almoft every Capacity, and Under-
ftanding. For, as it requires great Steadinefs and Exercife of the Hand
to draw a true ftrait Line, or a Circle, by the Hand alone ; but little or
no Praftice, with the Afliftance of a Ruler, or Conipafles : fo it is v/ith
our Method. And altho' there be here no ufe of particular Confuta-
tions ; yet fome Notice mult be taken (i.) of the Sects and Sorts 01
thefe Theories ; (2.) the falfe Colours thereof-, (3.) the Caufes of lb great
an Infelicity ; and (4.) the Caufes of fo lafting and general a Confcnt in
Error ; and all this, that the Pafiage to Truth may be made the eaficr ;
and the Underftanding the more difpofed to cleanfe itfelf, and put away
its Idols''.
" Dr. Hcoke has familiarized and illuftrated fome Part of this Doflrine of IJo!!, in his General
Scheme, or Idea, of the prefent State of Natural Philofiphy. See Hoeke'i Pofthumous Works,
;^. 7— II.
SECT. III.
Oj the di^ event Philofophical Theories.
Aphorism LXII.
Theorits, i.^TT'HE Idols of the 'Theatre, ox Theories, are many ; and will probably
whence, and ^ grow much more numerous": for if Men had not, thro' many
howfufprefs'd. Ages, been prepofieflfed with Religion and Theology ; and if civil Go-
vernments, but particularly Monarchies, had not been averfe to Innova-
tions of ttiis kind, tho' but intended ; fo as to make it dangerous and
prejudicial to the private Fortunes of fuch as take the Bent of Inno-
vating*-, not only by depriving them of Advantages, but alfo by ex-
pofing them to Contempt and Hatred ; there would, doubtlefs, have
been numerous other Seds of Philofophies and Theories introduced j of
kia
" The Number of them has been great ; even fince this Piece was wrote.
? S^Q the AMhoi's EJhy i/po» Innovation, Supplem. XI. SeJi.lII. *d Jin.
Sc6l. II I. The DoSirlne of Philofophical Theories. 361
kin, to thofe that, in great Variety, formerly fiourifhed among the
Gneks. And thel'e theatrical Fables have this in common with drama-
tical Pieces ; that the fidlitious Narrative is neater, more elegant and
pleafing, than the true Hiftory ^
2. In general, Philoibphy receives much Matter from a few Pinicu- The Origin c/
lars -, or elfe but little from many : fo that, in both Cafes, it is founded ^''^''^
on too narrow a Balls of Experience, and Natural Hiftory -, and pro-
nounces from too little Knowledge *,
3. (i.) The rational Tribe of Philofophers haflily take' up vulgar
Things from Experience, without finding them to be certain ■■, or care-
fully examining and weighing them : and commit all the reft of the
Work to Thought, and the Difcuflion of the "Wit \
4. (2.) Another Kind of Pliilofophers labour, with great Diligence
and Accuracy, in a few Experiments ; and thence venture to deduce
and build up Philofophies : and ftrangely wreft every thing elfe to thefe
Experiments *".
5. (3.) Laftly, there is a Kind of fuch as mix Theology, and Tradi-
tions of Faith and Worfhip, with their Philofophy ; and the Vanity of
fome among them has turn'd afide, to derive the Sciences from Spirits
and Angels "^ : fo that the Origin of Errors, and falfe Philofophy, is of
three Kinds ; z-iz. (i.) Sopnjlical ; (2.) Emprical ; and (3.) Superjlitious^.
Aphorism LXIII.
€. We have an eminent Example of the frji Kind in jirijlotle ; who ^^,„- ,^^ ^^.
corrupted Natural Philofopy with his Logic ; in forming the World of Ca- tionalPhHofo-
tegories, or Predicaments ; paffing over the Bufinefs of Rarifadtion and M^r-" ^''z.
Condenfation, with the jejune Diftinftion of J£l and Power; afferting ''^ ^''^'
but one proper Motion to all Bodies ; and impofing numerous other
Fiftions, at his own Pleafure, upon the Nature of Things : being all
along more follicitous how Men might defend themfelves by Anfwers,
and advance fomething that fhould be pofitive in Words j than to come
at the inward Truth of Nature '. This will appear to the full, by com-
paring the Philofophy of Arijiotle with the other Philofophies, that were
r Thus the Cartefian Philofophy is more agreeable to read, than the Nextoniait.
* Commonly in the way of the vulgar Induftion above-mention'd, Aph. 1 7.
» See more of this below, Apb. 63.
♦ See below, jlpb 64.
« Thus, in partic-lar, Chemillry and Natural Magick, have been thought derived from An-
gels and Spirits.
^ See below, Aph.6^.
' As our Education in Europe is chiefly Arijhtelian ; we fhould have a ftrift Watch upon our
felves in all Philofophical Enq. iries, Writings, and Difcourfes ; that we are not led away v,-ith
AtiftiteHan Notions. It Ihould i'eem as if all our common Reafoning was infefled with Arifto-
ttlian Prej dices ; {q as to be affeftedly logical and captious, rather than juft and philofo-
phical i or formed upon the true Nature of Things. See hereafter, Aph. 77.
Vol. II. Aaa celebrated
362 'The DoSirine of Philofophkal Theories. Part I.
celebrated among the Greeks. For the Homoiomera of Anaxagoras, the
AtQ7ns of Lencippiis and Democritus, the Heaven and Earth of Parmenides,
the Efimity and ^^/n'/y of Empedodes, the Refohition of Bodies into the
neutral Nature of Fire, with their Return to Denfity, according to Hera-
ditits ; all favour fomewhat of Natural Philofophy, and Experience : whereas
both the Ph'jfics, and Metaphyfics, of Arijlode, fpeak little more than logical
'Terms. 'Tis true, his Books of Animals, Problems, and other Pieces, mak©
frequent Ufe of Experiments ; but then he had firft pronounced witliout
their Affiftance •, and did not duly confult Experience in forming his
Decrees and Axioms : but after he had pafled Judgment according to his
own Humour -, he winds Experience round, and leads her captive to his
Opinions. And, upon this Account, he is more culpable than his mo-
dern Followers, the fcholaftic Philofophers, who meddled not with Ex-
perience at all '.
Aphorism LXIV.
The Empirical 7- But the Empirical Philofophy produces Opinions more deform'd and
Philofophy. monftrous, than either the fophijlical or the rational ; as not being found-
ed in the Light of vulgar Notions ; (which, tho' fiender and fuperficial,
is yet in fome fort univerliil) but refts in the narrow Confines and Obfcu-
rity of a few Experiments. "Whence fuch a Philofophy appears proba-
ble, and in a manner certain, to the Men who daily converfe with thefe
Experiments -, and thereby deprave their Imagination ^ : whilft to all
others it feems incredible and vain. We have a notable Example hereof
in the Chemifts, and their Doftrines ; tho' the like, at this Time, perhaps,
is not to be found, unlefs in Gilbert' % Philofophy. Yet the Caution, with
regard to thefe Philofophies, fhould by no means be pafs'd over ; be-
caufe we forefee, and venture to foretel, that if Mankind, being ad-
monifh'd by us, fliall at length, in earnefl, betake themfelves to Ex-
perience ; and lay afide fophiftical Do£irines ; even then, thro' an over
eager, and precipitant Hurry of the Underflanding -, and the Defire it
has of bounding or flying to Generals, and firft Principles ; there
will be great Danger from thefe narrow Philofophies ^ : which is an Evil
we ought to remedy '.
Aphorism
' For a farther Account ol Arijloth, fee p. 52. of tKisFo/ame.
s That is, give it a Bent fome one particular way ; as we fee in thofe who have long applied
Ihemfelves to a certain Trade; theDifcovery of the Longitude; the making of Gold; the writing
a certain Book ; or the profecuting any one Set of Experiments : for thus, without a prudent
Change and Intermixture of Studies, and Employments, the Mind will be warped ; and
ftrangely draw foreign Things to fome Confent with thofe under Confideration; or clfc negleft
and overlook whatever does not immediately regard the prefent View.
' Thus, the' there is always fome one reigning or general Philofophy ; yet almoft every
Enquirer into Nature has a particular lefler Syftem, form'd upon his own Experience. This .ap-
pears remarkably in the Members of the Royal AcaJemy of Sciences at Paris, i^c.
' Regard is had thereto through the whole Courfe of the Work.
Scd. III. The DoStrine of Philofophical Theories. 363
Aphorism LXV.
S. Buc the Ccrmption of Pbilqfophy, from the Admixture of Superjiiiion jnJ the Su-
and Thcckgs, is much more exccnfuc and pernicious-, either to \s\\o\t f""./^''''"'-
Bodies of Fhilofophy, or their Parts : For the Underftanding is as fub-
ject to the Imprcflions of Fancy; as to the ImprefTions of vulgar No-
tions. The difputatious, or fophiftical Fhilofophies, may indeed entrap
the Underftanding ; but the fuperftitious, tumid, and, as it were, poeti-
cal Kind, flatters and courts it more : for Men have a ceruin Pride of
the Underftanding, as well as of the Will -, efpccially Men of an elevated
Genius '.
9. We meet with an Example of this Kind among the Greeks, and ExempliJieJ in
principally in Pylhagcms ; tho' join'd with a grofs and burthenfome Su- Pythagora»
perftition : but a more dangerous and fubtile one in Plato, and his"" *'""
School'. The fame kind of iSlifchief likewife happens in the Parts of
the other Fhilofophies ; as, by introducing alftraSl Forms, final Caufes,
and firjl Caufes ; commonly omitting thofe that are intermediate. And
in this Cafe the utmoft Caution ftioukl be ufed ; for nothing is more
pernicious than to canonize Errors : and to venerate Vanities, fhould be
accounted the Peft of the Underftanding. Yet fome of the Moderns have
fo far indulged this ftrange Levity, as to endeavour the founding of Na-
tural PbHofcpIjy upon the firft Chapter of Genefs ", the Book of Job, and
other Parts of Sacred Writ ; thus feeking the Dead among the Living. And
this Vanity is fo much the rather to be reftrain'd and fupprefs'd ; as from
the wild Mixture of divine Things with human, arife not only phanta-
flical Philofophies, but heretical Religions ". 'Tis, therefore, of great Impor-
tance, with a fober Mind, to give to Faith no more than the Things that
are Faith's. And thus much for the bad Authorities of Philofophies ;
which are founded (i.) in vulgar Notions ; (2.) Scantinefs of Experi-
ments ; and (3.) in Superftition °.
Aphorism LXVI.
10. We proceed next to the corrupt Matter of Contemplation^, tfpe- <n,e esrrupt
cially in Natural Philofophy. The Underftanding is perverted by xlavt Matter ofdn-
Sight of Things performed in the mechanic Arts, which generally alter (""P^^'''"-
■ See below, Jpk. 71.
^ See hereafter, Apb. 105.
' See below, Apt. 75, 76, 77, 96, lOJ.
■" See Dr. Ktir% Philofophical Examination of certain Tbecries of the Earth.
= Th:s Caution appears to have been too little obfen-ed by the modern Philofopherj.
• As is fliew-n in the preceding Afborijms ; 63, 64, 65.
P Viz. Where erroneous Notions arc formed of Things ; and applied, by the mental Powers,
in the building up of Philofophy.
Aaa 2 the
364 'The DoBrlne of Philofophtcal Theories. Part I.
(i.) frw; £r- the Bodies by Compfiiion^ or Separation'^ : whence Men are apt to ima-
rorsmthe gine, that fomething of the like Kind happens in all natural Bodies:
and Nature. ^^^ from this Notion, the Figment of the Eleinents, and their uniting
to compofe all natural Bodies, had its Rife. Again, when Men contem-
plate Nature in her Freedom, they meet with different Species, or Ap-
pearances, of Things •, as. Animals, Vegetables, Minerals ; and hence
readily imagine there are in Nature certain primary Forms, or Differences,
which fhe endeavours to difclofe or educe -, whilft the other Varieties pro-
ceed from fome Impediments and Deviations of Nature in her Work ; or
from the Struggle of different Species, or Bodies, together •, and the Tranf-
plantation of one into another ^ The former Imagination produced the
Notion of prbnar], or detnenlary ^lalities ; and the latter that of occult
Qualities, or fpecific Virtues : both which are owing to the empty abridging
of Contemplations -, wherein the Mind refting, is kept from more folid
Knowledge. But Phyficians operate better by Means of the fecondary
^falities, and Virtues of Things -, fuch as thofe of attracting, repelling,
attenuating, difcuffing, ripening, (j^c. and might have advanced much far-
ther, but for that fruitlefs Abridgment by the above-mention'd elemen-
tary ^mlities, and fpecifc Virtues ; wherewith they corrupt the others,
which are juflly obferved •, either by reducing them to primary ^alities,
and their fubtile and incommenfurable Mixtures ; or by not carrying
them on, with continued Diligence and Obfervation, to third and fourth
^alities ; but unfeafonably breaking off the Confideration. Nor are
thefe, and the like Qualities, to be enquired after only in Medicines for
the human Body; but alfo in the Changes of all other natural Bodies'.
{z.) From lo- u. But it is much more prejudicial, that the quiefce/it Principles,
g'^a/ Notions whereof Things confift, fhould be ftudied and enquired into ; and not
yj" ■ i]^Q moving Principles, whereby they a6i: : the former relating to Difcourfe ;
but the latter to Works. For thofe vulgar Differences of Motion in the
common Natural Philofophy ; fuch as Generation, Corruption, Augmenta-
tion, Diminution, Alteration, Reinoval, &c. are of little Significancy •, as
meaning no more, than that if a Body, otlierwife unmoved, be put out
of its Place, this is Removal ; but if the Place and Appearance remain
the fiime, and the Body be changed in Quality, this is Alteration ; and if,
from fuch a Change, the Bulk and Quantity of the Body do not remain
the fame, this is a Motion of Augmentation, or Dijninution ; but if Bodies
are fo fir altered as to change both Appearance and Subftance, and turn
into others, this is Generation, and Corruption. But thefe are mere popu-
lar Notions, that no way enter into Nature ; being only the Meafures
and
1 And hence Mechanics and Chemijls are frequently deceived ; when tliey fuppofe that Na-
ture feparates and joins Bodies, after the manner that Men join and feparate them.
' As when Monliers are produced.
' If Light be required in this Subjeft, Mr. Boyle's Enquiry into the Origin of Forms and
^lalities, may be advantagioufly confulted. See, in particular, th.t Abridgment of his Works,
yol. I. p. 27 1 J 272. See alfo the Author's Sytva Syharum ; paffim.
3
Sc6l. III. The Do&rine of Phikfophical Theories. 365
and Periods, and noc the Species of Motion ' ; and pointing out only hoio
far, and not by what Mentis Tilings li;nc proceeded. Nor do they inti-
mate ihe Jr/entfs of Bodies "., or the Operations ot" their Parts; but only
when the Motion exhibits a Thing to the Senfe, in a grofs manner, dif-
ferent from what it was -, Men there begin their Diftindtion. Nay, when
they would intimate any thing, as to the Caufes ot Motions, and raife
a Divifion from them, they idly introduce a jejune Diftinftion betwixt
natural and violent Motion ; this itfelf being but a mere vulgar Con-
ceit : for all violent Motion is truly natural ; the external Efficient only
fetting Nature otherwife at work, than flie was before ".
12. On the other hand -, if any one fhould obferve that Bodies hxvc Ho^v pbyfun!
an Appetite to touch each other, fo as to prevent a Vacuity, or Separa- t^cti-^m di£er^
tion in the Union of Nature ; or that Bodies have an Appetite of con--^^"i'"' "''^'
trafting themfelves within their own natural Dimcnfions, out of which,
when they are cither ftretched or fqueezed, they immediately endeavour
to reftore themfelves, and recover their former State •, or that Bodies
have an Appetite of coming together to the MafTes of Matter limilar to
them ; that is, the Mafs of denfe Bodies towards the Globe of the F.arth :
Thefe, and all fuch, are true phyfical Kinds of Motion. But the for-
mer are merely logical, and fcholaftic ; as will manifeftly appear, by
comparing the two together.
13. Nor is it a lefs Misfortune, that Men, in their Philofophies and (^' N"' ^''''^
Contemplations, bellow their Time in difcovering and treating the ulti- 'jfaturc!""
mate Principles, or lajl Reforts of Nature : whereas all Utility, and Power
of Afling, lies in the Mid-way *. But, generally. Men ceafe not to ab-
ftradl Nature, till they arrive at potential and uninform'd Matter ; or
till they ha' e divided her fo fiir, that they come to Atoms : which
Things, tho' ever fo real, make but little to the Advantage of Man-
kind ^
Aphorism LXVII.
14. The Underftanding alfo is to be guarded againft the Excejfes o^ And [\.] frtn
Philofophies, as to the yielding or withokiing of Afient ; becaufe fuch p''"-^"f'lr
kinds of ExceiTes feem to fix, and, in a manner, perpetuate, Idcls ; as /'^" ^ •'
not allowing any Opportunity for their Removal.
15. Thefc Excejfes are of two Kinds: the one belonging to fuch z^ihefeExceJfes
pronounce haftily i and make the Sciences pofitive and magifterial : the »/'«'«' ^""^'•
other to thofe who have introduced Scepticifm, and a vague indetermi-
n.ite
« For the Species of Motion, fee hereafter, TartW. Aph.\%.
"■ Viz. The Difpofitions that Bodies have to be affefted and altered by each other, upon Con-
taft. Mixture, i£c. as the Loadflone attrafts Iron, Gold attrafls Quicldilver, i^c.
* This is farther illullratcd in the Second Part of the prefent Work ; and in the S;jha Syl'
varum. See the Articles Nature., Motion, Spirits, &c.
" This is already ex pUin'd xin^ix Aph. 48, 51, 57.
y See above, Apb. 19, 20, 21, 22, . .
366 The DoBrifie of Phiiofopbical TnEOTf-i^s. Parti.
nate Method of Enquiry. The former of thefe deprefles, and the latter
Injlaneed in enervates the Underftanding. The Philofophy of Arijlotle, (when, after
Ariftotle. ^he Tttrkijh Manner, it had flain its Brother-Rivals to the Throne,) pro-
nounced upon every thing -, fuborning Queftions at Pleafure, and dif-
patching them again, to fliew that all v/as now certain and decided. And
this Method has alfo prevailed, and is in ufe, among the Arijioldian Suc-
ceflbrs of Philofophy ''.
VlAto. 16. But the School of Plato introduced Scepticifm ; at firft in the way of
Jeft and Irony, to oppofe the ancient Sophills, P^'otagoras, Hippias ^, and
the reft ; who feared nothing fo much as the appearing to doubt of any
thing \ But the new Academy dogmatized upon Scepticifm, and pro-
fefs'd it. And tho' this was a fairer Procedure than by pronouncing
licentioufly ; (for they declared they meant not to confound Enquiry,
Pyrrho. as Pyrrho and his Followers did -, but held what they purfued as probable,
tho' not what they profefled as true -,) yet, when once the Mind defpairs
of finding Truth, all Things languifli : whence Men rather turn afide to
Philology, agreeable Converfation, Difcourfe, and Roving -, than confine
themfelves to the Severity of Enquiry. But the Point we conftantly
have before us, is not to lefTen the Authority of the Scnfe and Intel-
led, and expofe their Imperfeftions ; but to afford them all the Helps
we can.
Aphorism LXVIII.
All Idols to ie i7_ And thus much for the feveral Sorts o^ Idols ; which are all of
renounced. them to be folemnly and for ever renounced ; that the Underftanding
may be thoroughly purged and cleared : for the Kingdom of Man,
which is founded in the Sciences, can fcarce be enter'd otherwife than
the Kingdom of God ; that is, in the Condition of little Children ".
Aphorism LXIX.
Ta!fe Demon- 18. Corrupt Bemonftrations ferve as the Guards and Defenders of the
ftratians coun- Idols of the Mind i logical Demonftrations being generally fuch as fub-
tenancethe j^^cj. ^^^ enflave the World to the Thoughts of Men -, and Thoughts
Mind. ' " ^° Words '' : whereas genuine De-monjlrations are, potentially. Sciences and
Philofophies themfelves ^ For fuch as are the Demonftrations, or, ac-
cording as they were conduced, well or ill ; fuch are the Dodrines and
Specula-
» See hereafter, Jpfj.'ji, 72.
* See below, jdpb. yi.
' See ^0/. I. p. 31. and /.118.
' Fiz. By difcharging all the falfe, complex Ideas, and unjaft Notions, enforced or im-
bibed thro' Education, Cuftom, Prejudice, particular Studies, or any of the Caufes above-
mentioned.
' It muft here be remember'd, what was faid above, that Syllogifms confift of Propo-
fuionf, Propofitions of Words, i^(. See A/>f>. 11, 12, 13. and again, 24,47.
' Stt Jph. 2Z. Demonitrations are potentially Sciences and Philofophies; becaufe, as the
Demonftrations arc juft or falfe j fo will the Doftrines that follow from them be true or er-
j-oneous.
Sed. III. 11}c DoBrbie of Philofaphical Theories. 367
Speculations that follow upon them. Thole Demonftraclons, we at pre-
lent ule, in the whole Proceis that leads froai Senie and Things, to yixmns
and Condujicns, are fallacious and infufBcient ^ This Proceis is of four
Kinds -, and fo are its Errors, (i.) The Imprefllons of the Senfe itfelf
are vicious : for the Senfe both fails and deceives. But its Failures are
remedied by Subjlitu'.ki: ; and its Fallacies by Rtitification ^ (2.) Notions
are ill form'd from die Impreirions of the Senfes ; and prove indetermi-
nate and confufed ; but ought to be clear and well limited ^ {t,.) In-
du^icn is faulty •, as inferring the Principles of the Sciences by fim-
ple Enumeration ; without duly excluding, refolving, and fcparacing
Things or Natures '. (4.) Laftly, chat Method of Invention and Proof,
which firft raifes the moll general Principles, then applies the interme-
diate Axioms thereto, and tries them ; is the Motlier of Errors, and the
Deftrudion of all the Sciences ^
Aphorism LXX.
19. But Experience is by far the bed Demonjl ration ; provided it dwell in The bejl De-
the Experiment : for the transferring of it to other Things judged alike, tnonftratkns
is very fallacious •, unlefs done with great Exadnefs and Regularity, "/^^/l""
But the prefent Method of Experimenting is blind and ftupid ' : and
therefore, whilft Men wander, and hold no certain Courfe, but take Ad-
vice only as Things occur ■, they are hurried round to abundance of Par-
ticulars, without advancing forward. And fometimes they are pleafed,
fometimes difconcerted ; but always find Matter of farther Enquiry ".
It commonly happens that Men make Experiments flightly, and as in
the way of Diverfion ; fomewhat varying thofe already known : and
if they fucceed not to their Expectation, they grow fick of the Attempt,
and forfake it. Or, if they apply in earned to Experiments, they com-
monly beftow all their Labour upon fome one Thing ; as Gilbert upon the
Loadjlcne, and the Alchemijis upon Gold. But this Procedure is as unfkilful
as it is fruitlefs : For no Man can advantagioufly difcover the Nature
of any Thing in that Thing itfelf; but the Enquiry muft be extended to
Matters that are more common °.
20. Again,
*■ See above, Jpb. 26, 27, 28, 29.
* Viz. By means of fuitable Inflruments and Experiments. See Jph. 16, 18, 50. But for
affifting, reftifying, and verifying the St'»/^/, fee hereafter. Part II. Apb. 1%, 39, 40, is^c.
•^ See .^^^.15. i8, 19, 20, and 40.
' See Aph 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.
^ See above, Aph. ig, ^V.
' Not led by any Light of Knowledge, or Axioms ; but proceeding by Conjefture, and
at Random.
■^ The Remedy for all this is propofed in the Second Part of the Work.
° Thus, in che Enquiry after the Means of prolonging Life in Man, the Author firft enquires
into the Ways of rendring fimpler Bodies durable ; and endeavours to find out the Requifites for
that Purpofe ; then transfers, fo much as is fuitable of the Difcovery, to the human Body.
368 T'he DoSirine of PhilofophicalTv.Y.o'^iz^ Parti.
7he Error of 20. Again, if Men do profecute any Science or Doclrine, in the way of
having Expe- Experiment-, yet they generally go off to Prailice haftily and unprepared :
rimenu too ^^^ ^.j^j^ ^^^ j-^ ^^^^^ f^j. ^[^^. ^jg ^,^^ Benefit of the Praftice itfelf, as
to receive a kind of Security in fome new Work, that they fhall not
fruitledy employ themfelves in others ; as alfo, that, from a Manifeita-
tion of their Succefs, they may procure a better Opinion of themfelves,
as to what they have in hand. And thus, like Atalanta, (looping to
take up the golden Fruit, they interrupt the Courfe, and lofe the Viftory.
But, in the true Courfe of Experience, and applying it to new Works,
we fliould follow the Example of the divine Wifdom, and Order. For
as God, in the firft Day of Creation, made nothing but Light ; allowing
one whole Day to that Work -, without creating any material Thing
therein : fo Caufes and true Axioms are firft to be drawn out from all
Kinds of Experience i and the Experim r,i Is of Light, and not oi Profit, to
be inveftigated. For Axio??is, duly difcover'd and eftablidi'd, will af-
ford plentiful Harveft of Praftice , and draw after them whole Sheaves
of Works °.
The common 21. At prefent, we have only fpoke of vulgar Experience, as a falj'e
Experience, a Demonjiralion ; but fhall hereafter confidcr thofe Ways of Experimenting,
Jr{"ti?n'"""' which are no lefs block'd up and bcfet than the Ways of Judging p.
But firft, we muft treat of the Signs that manifeft the prefent Philo-
fophy, and the Sciences, to be faulty •, as alfo the Caufes of fo ftrange a
Thing : For thefe are tv/o very ufeful Means of gently and calmly ex-
tirpating the Idols of the Mind ; as a Knowledge of the Signs prepares
the AfTent -, and the Explanation of the Caufes takes away the Miracle.
• It is extremely difficult to convince the Mind of this ; at lea ft, fo far as to make Men aft
upon it. For Philofophers do not feem greatly employ'd in difcovering tiiele Caufes, and raifing
thefe Axioms, upon which a ferviceable Philofophy is to be founded.
P Sec 5^/7. V. Aph. \o, 11, 87, 88, {^c.
SECT.
Sed.V. The CharaSiertftich^ 5cc, 369
SECT. IV.
Of the Signs, or Charadterifticks, of falfe
Philosophies.
Aphorism LXXI.
I. ' k ' H E Sciences we pofTefs are almoft wholly derived from the Greeks: (j.) The Gr«-
J_ For whac the Roman, Arahiati, and more modern Authors have cian P^/ATa-
added, is not much, or of any great Weight -, and alfo built upon the ^.^^ ^""/'^ '"
Difcoveries made by the Greeks. But the Knowledge of the Greeks was 'alai deceitful.
of the profeflbrial and difputatious Kind ; which is abfolutely unfit for
fearching after Truth. And hence the Name of Sophift was, by thofe
who defired to pafs for Philofophers, contemptuoufly thrown upon the
old Rhetoricians ; as Gorgias, Protagoras, Hippias, Polus, and almoft the
whole Number ; as Plato, Arijlotle, Zeno, Epicurus, Theophrajlus, and their
Succeflbrs Cry/ippus, Carneades, &c. There was only this Difference be-
twixt them, that the former were a wandring, mercenary Tribe, who went
from City to City, making a Shew of their Wifdom, and afking a Reward :
whilft the other were more grave and generous •, who having fix'd Habi-
tations, open'd their Schools, and taught without Fee. Yet both Kinds
v/ere profeflbrial ; they both reduced every thing to Difpute ; and in-
ftituted and defended certain Sefts and Herefies of Philofophy : fo that
their Doctrines, as Dionsftus fharply fiid of Plato, were only the Talk of
idle old Men, to raiv young Fellozvs. But the more ancient among the Greeks,
as Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Leucippus, Democritus, Parmenides, Heraclitus,
Xenophanes, Philolaus, &c. open'd no Schools that we hear of; (for we
omit Pythagoras, as fuperftitious * ;) but applied themfelves to the
^ In another Place, the Author obferves of Pythagoras, that his Doftrine aid Difcoveries
principally regarded the Founding of a certain Religious Order, rather than the opening any
School of Philofophy ; as may appear from the Event : becaufe his Doftrine prevailed more in
the Manicbean Herefy, and the Alabometa/i ^uperjlition, than among Philofophers.
Vol. II. Bbb Difcovery
370 T*he CharaBer'tJl'ich . Parti.
Difcovery of Truth, with greater Severity and Simplicity ; or with lefs
Affeftation and Shew. And hence, we conceive, they made a greater
Progrefs '' ; only thro' Traft of Time their Works are loft, and fuper-
feded by lighter Studies ; which prove more pleafing, and better fuited
to the vulgar Capacity and Affedions : Time thus, like a River, bringing
down to us fuch Things as are light and tumid -, but finking thofe that
are weighty and folid. Neither were thefe Philofophers clear of the Fault
of their Nation •■, but had too ftrong an Ambition and Vanity for building
Sefls, and acquiring popular Fame. But the Search after Truth is to
be held defperate, when it turns afide to fuch empty Things as thefe.
The Eg'jpian Prieft judged, or rather prophefied, well of the Greek$ ;
that they would always be Children ; without Aniiqiiit-j of Knowledge, or
Knowledge of Jntiquit-j : and indeed, they have this Property of Children,
that they are ready at Talk, but unripe for Generation ; their Know-
ledge being verbal, and barren of Works. And therefore, the Cha-
ra^ei'iflicks of the Philofophy in ufe among us, taken from that Ori-
gin and Nation, are falfe and deceitful '.
Aphorism LXXII.
7be Greeks 2. Nor are the Signs taken from the 'Time and Age of the Grecian Phi-
Majlers of but lofophv, much better than thofe taken from the Nature of the People
little Know- -^ •' h^.
ledge.
For
I" The Author, in another Place, obferves, that we have the Works o^ Plato and Ariftotle
extant ; To that we may form fonie tolerable Judgment of their Philofophies, from the Foun-
tains themfelves : But as to Pythagoras, Empedocles, Heraclitus, Anaxagoras, Democritus, Parme-
nides, Xenopkanes, &c. the Cafe is different ; becaufe we have only fome Fragments preferved of
them, and receive their Opinions at fecond hand, or from certain Rumours : fo that to difcover
their Philofophies, requires greater Diligence of Enquiry, and Soundnefs of Judgment, to ba-
lance the Lofs. Upon this, the Author declares, he had, with the utmoft Diligence and Ex-
aftnefs, collcfted all that related to their Opinions, from Ariftotle''^ Confutations thereof, or
as they are cited by Plato and Cicero ; the Colleflions of Plutarch, the Lives of Laertius,
the Poem of Lucretius, or wherever elfe he could find the leaft mention of them j and faithfully
examined the Whole.
■^ The Philofophies of Plato and Arijhtle are the chief of thofe dcliver'd down, in any tole-
rable Perfeftion, to us from the Greeks. That oi Ariftotle has been diligently explained,
and illullrated ; but lefs Pains feems taken with the Platonic Philofophy. The Author ob-
ferves, that Ariftotle'i Philofophy is founded in ^oilgar Notions ; and the ufelefs comparing of
them together ; fo as to fhew where they clafh, and how they may be reconciled ; whilfl: no-
thing folid can be cxpefted from the Man, who made the Syflem of the World a logical Thing ;
and corrupted all his Natural Philofophy with logical Terms and Notions. As for Plato; the
Author eiiecms him a Man of a more fublime Genius, who attempted even the Difcovery of
Forms; and ufed the Form cf InduBion, not only in Principles, but in every thing; tho' after
a fruitlefs manner ; as always catching at, and receiving, vulgar InduBions, 3.nd abftrad Forms :
fo that whoever attentively confiders his Writings and Manner, will find he was not very fo-
licitous about Natural Philofophy ; only fo far as might ferve to keep up the Name and Repu-
tation of a Philofopher ; and enable him to grace, or add a certain Majefty, or Dignity, to
his Civil and Moral Doflrines ; whilll, at the fame time, he corrupted Nature as much by
his Theology, as Ariftotle did by his Logick ; and approached as near to a Poet, as Ariftotle did to
a Scphift. See more to this purpofe, p. 52, 53. of this Volume.
Sect. IV. of MCc Philosophies. 371
For that Age lud but a very flendcr Knowledge, both of Times, and
the habitable World : which is a great Defect, elpecially with fuch as place
all Things in Experience. For they had not the Hillory of a thoufand
Years, that defcrved the Name of a Iliftory -, but only Fables, and
Rumors of Antiquity. And for the dial-rent Countries of the World,
they knew but a very fmall Part thereof-, as calling all the more Nor-
thern People Si-\thia>:s ; and all the Weitern Cc'/.V", indifcriminately. They
had no Knowledge in Jfric^, beyond the nearell Part oi' El/jt'jia ; nor in
jif:a, beyond the Ganges : and for the new World, they never heard of
it -, nor had any certain Tradition about it. Nay, they pronounced
many Climates and Zones uninhabitable -, where infinite People are found.
And for the Travels of Df/zwiT/'/wj, Plato, Pythagoras, &c. tho' celebrated
as fomething confiderablc, they were but fliorf, and almoft within their
own Walls, compared with the Voyages of our Times, into numerous Parts
of the new World, and the Extremities of the old: whence we are fup-
plied with a vaft Stock, of Experiments. And therefore, if Signs are to
he taken of Philofophics, in the Aftrological manner, from the Times of
their Generation and Nativity •, no great Good is thence promifed of
the ancient.
Aphorism LXXIII.
3. But of all the Signs of Philofophics, none are more certain and (2) T/jdf/f
noble, than thofe taken from their Fruits : for Fruits, and the Difcovc-^^'^^^_,^^ /^
ries of Works, are as the Vouchers and Securities for the Truth of Phi- /^^;> p/uits.
lofophies. But from the Philofophics of the Greeks, and their Dcfcents
thro' particular Sciences, now for the Space of fo many Years, fcarce a
fingle Experiment can be produced, tending to accommodate or improve
the State of Man, that may be juftly attributed to the Speculations and
Doctrines of their Philofophy. And thus much is ingenuoufly and pru-
dently allow'd by Celfus, that Experiments in Medicine were firft made, and
that Men afterwards philofophized upon them, to find out and affign their Caufes ;
hut did not, contrariwife, difcover and deduce Experiments from Philofophy, and
the Knowledge of Caufes. Whence it was no wonder the Egyptians, who The Greek
beftowed Divinity and Confecration upon the Inventors of Things, ]:\x(\ Philofophy has
more Images of Brutes, than of Men : for Brutes, by their natural Jn- J"^^'^^'' '""''•
ftinft, have made many Difcoveries ; whilft Men, with their Difcourfes
and rational Conclufions, have made few or none*.
4. 'Tis true, the Induftry of the Chemijls has produced fome ; tho' ra- jjj^ chemifts
ther accidentally, and without Defign ; or by varying Experiments, ■x'iafeiui but
Mechanicks do •, and not by the Rules of Art, or from Theory : for the '""Z""^''.)'-
Theory which they have imagin'd is rather hurtful than advantagious.
^ This, and feveral other Paflages of the fame general Kind, have been already nfed in the
it Augmenti! Scientiarum j but are not needlefly repeated here, becaufe they fervc to prove new
Points : otherwife it might have been proper to drop them.
Bbb 2 So
372 The CharaSiertJlkh Parti.
So likewife the noAural Magicians have difcover'd a few light Things, that
approach to Impofture : and therefore, as 'tis a Caution in Religion,
that Faith be manifejled byfforks; an admirable Rule may ht hence de-
rived into Philofophy, viz. that it be judged by its Fruit ; and held as vain,
if it prove barren : and this the more, if inftead of Graj:es and Olives^
it produces the Thiftles and Thorns of Difputes and Altercations.
Aphorism LXXIV.
(3.) The Signs, 5- Signs are alfo to be taken from the Progrefs and Increafe of Phi-
from the Pro- lofophies, and the Sciences : for Things planted in Nature will grow,
grefj ef PhiU- ^^^ enlarge; but Things founded in Opinion will differ, and not thrive.
And therefore, if the ancient Dodtrines had not been like Plants pluck'd
up and fever'd from their Roots, but ftill adhered to the Womb of Na-
ture, and were fed by her ; that could not have happen'd, which we fee
has happen'd, for thefe two thoufand Years : the Sciences ftill remaining
where they were ; and almoft in the lame Condition, without any confi-
derable Improvement : nay, they rather flourifli'd moft in their orginal
Authors, and afterwards declined. On the contrary, the mechanic Arts,
which are founded in Nature, and the Light of Experience, and remaining
pregnant, as it were, with Spirit, fo long as they continue to pleafe ;
are ever upon their Increafe and Growth ; being firft rude, then fafhion'd,
and, laftly, polifh'd, and perpetually improved.
Aphorism LXXV.
U-) The Con- ^- There is another Sign to be taken from the Confeflion of the Au-
fe^oii ofAu- thors themfelves, now follow'd by Mankind : tho' this is rather a Te-
tkm. ftimony, of the ftrongeft Kind, than ftriftly a Sign. For tho' thefe Au-
thors pronounce upon Things with fo much Confidence ; yet at Inter-
vals, when they come to themfelves again, they fall upon complaining of
the Subtilty of Nature, the Obfcurity of Things, and the Infufficiency of
the human Nature. And if this were done in Simplicity, it might deter
the Fearful from farther Enquiry •, and ftir up others of a brifker and more
daring Genius, to a farther Profecution : But not content to acknowledge
only for themfelves ; they place beyond the Bounds of Poflibility, every
thing that was either unknown, or untried by them or their Mafters ;
and thus haughtily and invidioudy pronounce Things impoffible to Art ;
and bend the Weaknefs of their own Difcoveries, to calumniate Nature,
and propagate Defpair. Hence proceeded the new School of the Aca-
demics, which made Profefiion of Scepticifm, and condemned Mankind
to eternal Darknefs ^ : hence the Opinion, that phyfical Forms, or the
real Differences of Things, were impofTible, or beyond the Power of
Man
^ See above, Jfb. 67.
Seft. IV. o/" falfe Philosophies. 373
Man ro difcover : hence thofe Notions as to Operations, that the Heat
of the Sun is a Thing ablblutely different from the Heat of Fire ; lell
Men fhould think they might produce by Fire, fome Things like the
Produiflions of Nature. And hence proceeds the Notion, that Compofition
only was the Work of Man, and Mixture the Work of Nature ; to keep
Men from expedling any artificial Generation, or Transformation of na-
tural Bodies '. And thus Men are eafily perfuaded, by this falfe Colour,
not to rifk their Fortunes, and their Labours, in Things not only con-
demned, but already given up to Defpair ^.
Aphorism LXXVI.
7. We mufl: not omit that otiier %;; -, viz. the great Difagreement TXv Diffention
among the ancient Philofophers, and the Differences of their Schools j e/^ ^''"/c^"-
which fufficicntly fhews, that their Way from Senfe to the Underftanding
was not well guarded ; whilil: one and the fame Subjedl of Philofophy,
the Nature of Things, was rent and fplit into lb many, and fuch wild
Errors. And altho', at prefent, the Diffentions and DiHigreements of
Opi lions, as to firft Principles, and entire Philofophies, are in a manner
extind:''; yet fuch innumerable Queftions and Controverfics ffill remain
among us, as make it plainly appear, that there is nothing fix'd and
liable, cither in our prefent Philofophies, or the manner of our De
monltrations '
Aphorism LXXVII.
8. Men have an Opinion of a general Confent in the Philofophy of(s)'^'^^^''.?""*
Arijlotle ; as if, after that was once publiflied, the more ancient Phi- '"IfcQ-'^t'
lofophies ceafed, and grew into Difufe ; and that nothing better ^^^s fallacious. '
difcover'd in the fucceeding Ages ; this being fo well founded, as to
draw
f The Author has a great Regard to the abolifting of thefe falfe Imaginations, in all the
Parts of his Injlauration. See his Sylva Syharum, pajjitn ; and the Second Part of the pre-
fent Piece.
e This fcems to be a grand Obftniftion to the Improvement of Philofophy and Arts ; and
extremely difficult to remove ; as having not only Aiens natural Indolence to ilruggle with ;
but alfo their artificial and learned Defpondency ; in which, fober and intelligent Perfons gene-
rally think they flicw thsir Judgment. And hence new Improvements in Mech.inics, Medi-
cine, i3c. meet with a flow Reception, by thofe efteem'd for Sobriety and Judgment. And
tho' this Slownefs may often be well placed ; yet, in general, it appears to proceed from
a want of knowing th^; Powers of Man and Nature; or from an inveterate Prejudice againil
the PoiTibility of doing Things not done, or not believed to have been done before. The fol-
lowing ffth and Jixth Sc^ions are direflly levell'd at reforming this Error.
^ As chiefly agreeing in the Peripatetic DoBrine.
' The Uncertainty cf the common Demonftrations might give Occafion to the introducing
of mathematical ones int Phyfics : and thefe being the molt certain, il they could be univerfally
applied, ? '.wn wculd the . differ in Philofophy as little as they do now in Mathematics : but it
may deferve a ferious Cunfider tion, whether Mathematical Demonjlrations, applied to Matter,
are fuited t j the Purpofe ; or .o .lot, like the common Syllogifra, let Nature flip through; and
leave the Demonfuation aa empty Thing.
z
374 ^^' CharaSicriflich^ 6cc. Part I.
draw both former and latter Times into it : But the Whole is a Fallacy.
For (i.) the Works of the more ancient Philofophcrs were in being to
the Times of Cicero^ and the following Ages •, till the Inundation of the
Barbarians upon the Reman Empire ; when the Philofophies of /Irijlotle
and Plato were faved from the general Shipwreck of human Learning ; as
light Planks, fupported by the Waves of Time. And (2.) that alone
can be juftly called Confent, which confifts in a Freedom of Judgment
agreeing in the fame Thing, after due Examination : but hir the greater
Number of thofe who confent in Arifictle'^ Philofophy, are enflaved to it
by the Prejudice and Authority of others -, fo that 'tis rather an Obfi'
quioiifnefs than a Confent. But tho' it were a free and general Confent ;
yet Confent ought to be fo far from paffing for any real Authority, as to
give a violent Sufpicion of the contrary : for of all Charafterifticks, that
is the worft which Men take from Confent., in Matters of the Under-
Handing -, except fuch as concern Religion and Politicks, which properly
go by Voices. For nothing can pleafe the Many, but what ftrikes the Ima-
gination •, or binds the Underftanding with the Cords of vulgar Notions ''.
So that the Thought of Phocion ', may be juftly transferr'd from Morals
to Intelleftuals ; for Aden ought dire"lj to examine thetnfelves, -wbenin they
have err'd, or done amifs ; when the Multitude confent s, and apjlands them.
This Sign, therefore, of general Confent, is one of the moft unfivourable
that a Philofophy can have ". And thus much for the flilfe Charaderi-
flicks of the Philofophies and the Sciences, in ufe •, whether taken (i.) from
their Origins -, (2.) their Fruits ; (3.) their Progrefs ; (4.) the Confefllons
of their own Authors ; or (5.) from Confent ".
^ This Jphorifm requires a ftrift Attention ; and unlefs the Mind be thoroughly convinced of
the Truth and Certainty thereof, the Reader will, on many Occafions, be apt to conceive, that
in what follows, the Author is delivering a kind of laborious, learned Dream, inflead of a folid
ufeful Work.
' Phocion being once highly applauded by the Multitude ; turn'd round to his Friends, and
ask'd what Abfurdity he had committed.
■" Becaufe, if the Confent be general, the Vulgar alfo muft be admitted Judges ; and we all
know what Judges they are, or what the Things muft be that pleafe the Multitude.
n SceJfb. 71—77.
SECT.
Se6l. V. The Caufes c/ Errors, ^c. 375
^^^^I'm'khwk^^w^l^M'^w^^^'^'^^^'^^^^^^^^
SECT. V.
Of the Caufes of Errors /;/ Philo-
sophies.
Aphorism LXXVIII.
I. T7f T E next proceed to the numerous and prevalent Caufes of Errors, The Caufes
\ \ and their Continuance thro' fo many Ages ; that Men may no ^h all the
longer wonder, how the Things we advance have hitherto been hid from-^'Tf '^ ""
them ; and this alone remain the Surprize, how they fliould now come"^^^^.
into any one's Mind : which, however, in our Judgment, is owing to a
Felicity, and not to any Excellence of Talent ; fo as rather to appear the
Produft of Time, than the Produdl of Genius °.
2. And (i.) fo many Ages, ifjuftly confider'd, fhrink to a fmall Com- ^/2;.(i.)^'"''
pafs ; for of r\venty-five Centuries, wherein the Memory and Learning of Times fuited
of Mankind have been exercifed, fcarce fix can be cull'd out as fertile 'm '" ^^'"'"'"S'
Sciences, or fuirable to their Improvement : for Times, as well as Coun-
tries, have their Waftes and Defarts. There can be properly reckon'd but
three Periods and Revolutions of Learning -, one among the Greeks, ano-
ther among tlie Romans, and the third among our felves, or the Wefiern
Nations oi Europe ; to each whereof fcarce two Centuries can be fairly attri-
buted. The middle Ages of the World were unhappy, as to any plenti-
ful Harv'cft of the Sciences. Nor need we mention any thing either of
the Jralnans, or the School-7nen ; who, in the intermediate Times, rather
ground down the Sciences by numerous Treatifes, than added to their
Weight .
D*
" In reading the Author's Works, this feems to be the general Stumbling- Stone : Hrj) fhouli
he le able to -^i more than Plato, Ariftotle, and all the Ancients put together ? Shall he only
be in tie Right, and every Body elfe in the Wrong? Such a Conceit of a Man's oten Ability is
rtonflrous, Jhocking, and intolerable. This is R^afoning by Anticipation ; or in the common
Way of Men. But when the Fury is over ; the Queftion to be calmly confider'd is, What has
be dene? But to conquer Prejudice, and bring the Mind better prepared to confider of this
Qucftion, the Author here endeavours to account for the Strangenefs of the Thing ; and to
pacify and reconcile the Mind, before he informs it.
2
37^ The Caufes o/' Errors, Parti.
Weight P. And therefore, the firft Caufe of fo little Progrefs in Know-
ledge, is, properly, a Scantlnefs of Tunes well fiiited for it.
Aphorism LXXIX.
{2.)littleU- 3- (2.) A fecond Caufe, of very great Moment, is, that thro' all thofe
boarbeftow'd Ages, wherein Men of Genius and Learning principally, or even mode-
''P'"^'""ral rately, flourifh'd-, the fmalleft Part of human Induftry has been fpent upon
"J'P y- Natural Philofophj ; tho' this ought to be efteem'd as the great Mother
of the Sciences '' : for all the reft, if torn from this Root, may perhaps
be polilh'd, and form'd for Ufe -, but can receive little Increafe. And,
'tis manifeft, after the Chnfiian Religion Was receiv'd, and gain'd Ground,
that much the greater Part of the fine Genius's bent themfelves to 'Theo-
lo^ ; whereto both the nobleft Rewards were annex'd, and all Kinds of
AfTiftance liberally afforded. And this Study chiefly employ'd the
third Period of Time "■ amongft the IVeflern Europeans ; the more, as
Learning then began to flourifh, and Controverfies about Religion to arife.
But, in the preceding Age, during the fecond Period, the principal Study
and Labour of the Phiiofophers, among the Romans, were beftow'd upon
Morality ; which, to the Heathens, was inftead of Theology. Befides, the
greateft Genius's of thofe Times chiefly applied themfelves to Politics ;
the large Extent of the Roman Empire requiring large Affiftance. But
that Time wherein Natural Philofophy feem'd principally to flourifh among
the Greeks, was of fhort Duration ; and, in the ftill earlier Ages, the
feven fFife Men, as they were call'd, all, except Thales, applied them-
felves to Moral Philofophy, and Politics : and when Socrates afterwards
brought down Philofophy from the Heavens to Earth, the Study of Mo-
rality prevailed ftill more; and turn'd the Minds of Men from Natural
Philofophy.
The Tunes, tit 4- Nay, that very Period of Time, wherein natural Enquiries moft
ieft, unfavour- prevail'd , was corrupted , and render'd ufelefs by Cavils ; and the
^^i Ph^u"' Oftentation of new Opinions. And therefore, as thro' thefe three Pe-
«/r. ' riods. Natural Philofophy was either greatly neglefted, or greatly ob-
ftrudted •, 'tis no Wonder if Mankind made little Progrefs in it, whilfb
their Minds were wholly bent another Way ^
A P H o R I
SM
P As repeating the fame Matter over and over again ; and new modelling and dividing it, with-
out maicing any ronfiderable Addition thereto.
1 Natural Philofophy, that is, a Knowledge of Nature, appears to be the great Mother of the
Sciences; bccaiife neither the Arts of Speech, Logic, Medicine, Civil Policy, Morality, Re-
ligion, (Jc. can be advantagioufly exercifed, improved, underllood, or inftituted without it ;
and all the mechanical Arts depend upon it.
' See Aph. 78.
5 Let Care be taken to verify of falfify this Account from Hijlory as much as poffible ; whcre-
ever it may be required.
Sc(fl. V. ;>/ Philosophies. 377
Aphorism LXXX.
/;. Add to this, that Natural Philojbphy fcarce ever found one, among (3) ^^'^ ^i-
thofe who ftudy'd ic, that gave himfclf wliolly up thereto ; tfpecially in \%l'!;ff
thefe latter Times -, unlefs we fhould here and there except a Monk in phUofiiby.
his Cell, or a ftudious Gentleman at his Country-Seat : whence this Phi-
lofophy has always been but as a Paflage, and Introduction, to other Things.
And thus the great Mother of the Sciences is, with furprizing Indignity,
degraded to the Office of a Handmaid ; adminillring to tiie Occafions
of Medicine or Matiiematics, and tending the unripe Capacities of
Youth -, or giving them their firft Tinflure, for the more commodious
and fuccefsful Attainment of other Kinds of Learning.
6. But let none cxpeft any great Promotion of the Sciences, efpecially
in their eifeftive Part, unlefs 'Natural Philofiph-j be drawn out to particuhxr
Sciences -, and again, unlefs thefe particular Sciences be brought back to
Natural Philofophy. From this Defeft it is, that yijlro/iomy. Optics, Mufic,
mxVi^ Mechanic Arts, Medicine itfelf; and, what fecms ftranger, even A/o-
ral and Civil Philofopbs, and Logics, rife but little above their Foundations,
and only fkim over the Surfaces and Varieties of Things •, viz. becaufe, after
thefe particular Sciences are divided oB^", and form'd, they are no longer
nourilh'd by Natural Philofopby ; which might give them new Strength and
Increafe : as from the Caufes and genuine Confideration of Motions,
Light, Sounds, the Texture and Structure of Bodies, the Affeftions, and
intclledual Apprehenfions. And, therefore, no Wonder if the Sciences
thrive not, whilft they are feparated from their Roots '.
Aphorism LXXXL
7. Another great Reafon of the (low Progrefs of the Sciences, is this ; (+•) The End
that 'tis impoffible to proceed well in a Courfe, where the End is not"f'^^"^"J"J"
rightly fix'd and defined. Now the true and genuine End of the Sci-
ences, is no other, than to enrich human Life with new Inventions, and
new Powers -, but much the greater Number of the Sciences produce no-
thing in this Kind ; being mere Hirelings, and profelforial : unlefs fome-
times, by Accident, an ingenious Artificer, thro' Defire of Glory, endea-
vours after fome new Invention ; which he generally purfues to his own
Lofs ; whilft the Bulk of Mankind are fo far from propofing to enlarge
the Mafs of Arts and Sciences, that they only take from the prefent
Colleftion, or covet fo much as they can convert to the Ufe of their
Profcffion ; their own Advantage, Reputation, or fome fuch narrow
and inferior Purpofe ". But if any one of the Number does ingenuoufly
* This coincides with yiph. 79.
' Does not this remain the general Cafe ftill ?
Vol. II. Cos affed
37^ ^^ Caufes of Errors, Part I.
affeft a Science for its own Sake ; yet he will be found to purfue a Va-
riety of Thoughts and Doftrines, rather than a feverc and rigid Enquiry
after the Truth. Or if any exaft Enquirer fliould turn up -, yet even lie
will propofe to himfelf fuch a meafure of Truth, as may fuisfy his own
Mind, in afllgning the Caufes of Things already known -, and not that
which may procure frefh Pledges and Earnefts of Works, and new
Light of Axioms ". Therefore, fince the End of the Sciences has not
hitherto been well fixed, and defined, by any one ; we need not wonder
if Men have erred and wander'd in the Things fubfervient to the pro-
per End.
Aphorism LXXXII.
{5.) A wrong 8. Again •, if this End had been rightly propofed -, yet Men have chofe
Way chofe. a very wrong and impaflable Way to proceed in. And it may ftrike
any one with Aftonifhment, who duly confiders it, that no Mortal fhould
hitherto have taken Care to open and prepare a Way for the human
Underftanding, from Senfe, and a well condufted Experience ; but that
all Things fliould be left, either to the Darknefs of Tradition •, the
giddy Agitation, and Whirlwind of Argument " ; or elfe to the uncertain
Waves of Accident, or a vague, and uninform'd Experience. Let any one
foberly and carefully confider, what that Way is, which Men have ac-
cuftom'd themfelves to, in the Enquiry and Difcovery of any Thing ;
and he will, doubtlefs, find, that the manner of Invention moft com-
monly ufed, is fimple and unartful ; or no other than this : viz. when
a Perfon goes upon an Enquiry, in the firft Place he fearches out and
perufes what has been faid upon it by others ; in the next Place, adds
his own Thoughts thereto \ and, laftly, with great Struggle of the Mind,
follicits and invokes, as it were, his own Spirit to deliver him Ora-
cles " : which is a Method entirely deftitute of Foundation, and rolls
wholly upon Opinions.
<j-jje logical 9- Others may chance to call in the Affiftance of Logic; but this is
Way. only a nominal Affiftance : for Logic does not difcover the Principles
and capital Axioms upon which Arts are built ^; but fuch only as feem
agreeable thereto : and when Men are curious and earneft with it, to
procure Proofs, and difcover Principles, or firft Axioms, it refers them to
Faith,
" Let the more eminent of the modern Inventors, and Philofophers, be examined by this
Rule.
>^ See above, Apb. 10 14, 20, (sfc.
y This is the theoretical Philofopher in his Study, who writes with Struggle and Pangs,
out of his own Invention ; inftead of confulting Nature and Experience, which alons afford
Materials worth the recording.
' See Jp/;. 13, 14, Is'c.
Sc«£l. V. ?';; P n I L o s o r HI E s. 379
Faith, or puts them off with this trite and common Anfwer, that Every
Artiji intijl he believed in his own Art *.
10. There remains, therefore, nothing but mere Experience ; which of- Experience u
fering itfelf, is call'd Accident; but when ibught. Experiment. And x\{\^be folhzv'if.
kind of Experience is but like loofe Twigs '' ; and a bare feeling about
for the right Way in the dark : whilfl it were much more advif ble to
wait for Day, or light up a Flambeau -, and then purfue the Road '.
On the otlier hand, the true Method of Experience firft procures the
Light, then fhews die Way, by its Means ; beginning witli well regu-
lated and digelled Experiments, (not fuch as are wild, fcatcer'd, and
rambling 0 and from thence deriving Axioms ; and, again, from thefe
Axioms, well eftablilh'd. Setts of new Experiments ■*. For the divine Word
itfelf, did not operate upon the Mafs of Things without Order.
11. Men, therefore, may ccafe to wonder that the Sciences are no far- And a due Or-
ther advanced ; when they have entirely mifs'd the Way, and quite for- '^"' '" ^' ^*-
faken Experience j or elfe, bewildering themfelves therein, have courfed''^'^
about it, as in a Labyrinth : for it is a well appointed Order, that muft
lead, in a continued Path, thro' the Thickets of Experience, to the
open Plains of Axioms ^.
Aphorism LXXXIII.
12. This Mifchief has obtain'd a furprizing Spread, from a certain (6.) TheNeg-
Opinion, or rivetted Conceit, no lefs tumid than dcftru(flive ; as if [i ^(^ of Expert-
were a Diminution to the Majefty of the Mind to be long converfant '"^" ''
in Experiments, and fuch Particulars as are fubjeft to Senfe, and con-
fined to Matter; efpecially as thefe Things are ufually laborious in the
Enquiry, ignoble in Speculation, unpolite in Difcourfe, ungenteel in the
Practice, infinite in Number, and of little Sublimity : the Iffue of all
which is, that the true Way has not only been forfaken, but alfo block'd
• This having obtained as an almoft general Rule, the natural and mechanical Philofophers,
even of the prelent Time, are obliged to refort to Artiz.^ns, Mechanics, and Tradefinen, to
difcover their Praftices ; end learn of the Shops what Works are perform'd bv Art and Jnduftry :
whereas, if Things were in their proper Channel ; all Arts, Inventions, and Works, ihould flow
from natural Philofopers ; and Lie owe thofe Advantr^ges to them, which it now receives from
ingenious and inventive Xfechanics. The Confideration hereof feems to have occafion'd that
noble Defign of Mr. B^yie, to put a Sett of ingenious Youths Apprentices to feveral Trades i in
order, by their Communications, and Difcoveries afterwards, to improve the State of Natural
Philofophy.
" Viz.. According to the common Expreflion, a Broom or Faggot unbound; as having little
ufe, till reduced, from their ftraggling State, into Colleftions of fome Form or Order, and fit for
certain Purpofes.
' In allufion to the Light which the Ai.thor, in this Piece, endeavours to fet up.
^ The Method in doing this, is fliewn in the Second Part.
' 5ee this farther explained, FoL III. p. 316.
C C C 2 Up
3 8o Tloe Catifes of Errors, Part I.
up and obftru6led ; and Experience not only deferted and ill conduded,
but difdiiin'd ^
Aphorism LXXXIV.
{■j)RegarJio 1 3- Again ; the Reverence of Antiquity, and the Authority of fuch
AntiquUy and z.^ have bore a great Reputation for. Philofophy, and thence the current
Juihonty. Confent, lias withheld, and almoft chain'd down Mankind from ach'ancing
the Sciences. But of Confent wc.have fpoken above ^
7he vulgar 14. The Opinion which Men entertain of Antiquity is a very idle
NoiionofJn- Thing; and almoft incongruous to the Word: for the old Age, and
^nmP^'''^"' ^^"gt^h of Days of the World, fhould, in reality, be accounted Anti-
quity -, and ought to be attributed to our own Times, not to the Youth
of the World, which it enjoyed among the Ancients : for that Age,
tho', v.'ith refpedl to us, it be ancient and greater ; yet, with regard
to the World, it was new and lefs. And as we juftly expert a greater
Knowledge of Things, and a riper Judgment, from a Man of Years,
than from a Youth, on account of the greater Experience, and the greater
Variety and NiuTiber of Things feen, heard, and thought of, by the
Perfon in Years ; fo might much greater Matters- be juftly expefted from
the prefent Age, (if it knew but its own Strength, and would make
Trial and apply,) than froni former Times : as this is the more ad-
vanced Age of the World ; and now enrich'd and furnifli'd with infinite
Experiments and Ohfervaticns ^.
^be Voyages of 15. It muft alfo go for fomcthing, that by means of the long Voyages
}ke Moderns. ^^^ Travels, fo famous in our Times, numerous Things have been pro-
cured, and difcovered in Nature, for giving new Light to Philofophy :
and it would be fcandalous for Mankind to have the Trafts of the ma-
terial Globe, its Countries, Seas, and the Heavens themfelves, greatly laid
open to the View of thefe Times ; and yet the inteUeoiual IVcrld remaia
within the narrow Confines of the Inventions of the Ancients '.
16. 'Tis
'' And furely, if Natural Philofophy has received any Improvement of late, it is principally
owing to the greater Reputation which Experience and Praftice have gained ; and the pro-
fecuting, with iome tolerable Care and Order, the Bulinefs of Experimenting, in a Variety of
Subjefts.
8 Ste. Jph.-j-j. See alfo Aph. 55.
* Let us beware there is no Defeifl in this Argument. 'Tis to be apprehended that many of the
Arts known to the Ancients» are now loll ; particularly the ancient Baliflicks, &c. And even,
if all the Knowledge and Difcoveries of the Ancients were continued down to us ; forae will Hill
queiion, whether the Capacities of Men in later Times are equal to tljofe of former. As to
the Point of Capacity ; the Author anfwers, to avoid Difpute, that a Cripple in the right Way
may beat a Racer in the wrong ; and n.i to the Knowledge of the Ancients, he allows it to have
been great ; and that only fome of their more fuperiicial and popular Philofophies have defc.end-
ed to us. See above, ^/i". 7 1 . So that we can only judge of what we have : tho' the utmoll
Diligence fhould, doubtlefs, be ufed to recover all the Arts, Inventions, and Philofophies, tlut
flouriflied among the Ancients. See the Author's Sapientia Fetcrum.
' So far as we knov/, them.
Se(fl. V. ///Philosophies. j8i
1 6. 'Tis the greAtefl Weaknefs to be attributing infinite Things to The Weakneft
Autiiors, whilft we are refufing Juftice to the Author of Authors, and «f admiring
all Authority ; which is Time : for Truth is juftly call'd the Daughter ■^"''^^'''-
of Time, not of Authority. Whence 'tis no wonder, if thefe joint
Fafcinations, viz. of Authors, of Antiquity, and Coiifent, fhould fo far
bind the Faculties of Men as to keep them, like Perfons pofll-fs'd, from
converfing with Things themfelves ''.
Aphorism LXXXV.
17. And not only the Admiration oi Antiquity, Authority, and Confent, (i.) Admin-
has conftrain'd the Induftry of Men to acquicfce in Things already di{- ^'"' f '.^' ^
cover'd ; but alfo an Admiration of the Works they have long polTcfs'd. ^^"^ ' '"
For when a Man views that Variety and beautiful Apparatus of Things
introduced, and provided by the mechanic Arts, for human Ufes ; he is
rather inclin'd to admire the Opulency of Mankind, than entertam a Senfe
of their Want : not confidering that the original Obfervations of Men,
and the Operations of Nature, which proved like the Soul and firft
Mover of all this «Variety ', wereneitlier numerous, nor derived from any
great Depth of Knowledge -, and that the reft was owing only to the Patience
of Men, and the fubcile or regular Motion of the Hand, or Inilruments.
Thus, for Example, 'tis certainly a very fubtile and accurate Piece of
Workmanfllip to make a Clock, that Ihall feem to imitate the Revo-
lution of the heavenly Bodies, and the Pulfation of the Bodies of Ani-
mals, by a regular and fuccefTive Motion ; and yet this depends upon
but one or two Axioms of Nature ".
iS. And if any one flmll confider that Subtilty fiiewn in the liberal 5i//^w /«-
Arts i or the Preparation of natural Bodies by the mechanic Arts, and ve^itisns difi:-
the like ; fuch, for Example, as the Difcovery of the celeftial Motions i «'^'"Y "^ /^^"
the Notes in Mufick ; the Letters of the Alphabet, (which to this Diy^^jf,"
are not ufcd among the Cbinefe ;) or, again, in the mechanic Arts, the
Productions of Bacchus and Ceres ; that is, the Preparation of Wine,
Malt-Liquors, Bread, Paftery, the Furniture of the Table, Diftilla-
tions, i^c. and if, at the fame time, he refleft, thro* what a Number
of Years all thefe (except Diflillation, which alone is not ancient) are ar-
rived to that Degree of Perfeclion, wherein we now enjoy them •, and yet
how little of Ohfervatiofi, or of the Axioms of Nature, they have in them, (as
wc before inftanced in Clocks -,) and how readily, or, as it were, by ob-
vious Occafions, and neceflary Confiderations, they might be difcover'd;
will eafily ceafe his Wonder, and rather pity the Condition of Mankind,
that
'' Obfen-e how the Author endeavours to break the Charm, mention'd in the Prrface under
' Viz. The Obfervations upon wlxich they were formed.
■- Kiz- The L.^w of Pendulums, fuppofe, and Elafticitj^-
3
382 'The Caufes of Errors, Part I.
that for fo many Ages there fhould have been fo great a Want and
Barrennefs of Inventions. Yet all the Difcoveries now mention'd ", are
more ancient than Philofophy, and the intelleftual Arts : fo that, to fay
the Truth, when the rational and dogmatical Arts came upon the Stage,
the Invention of ufeful Works went off °.
Little Variety 1 9. If a Man turn his Eyes from the Shops to Libraries, he may
of Matter in perhaps be furprized at the immenfe Variety of Books he finds-, but upon
Books. examining and diligently weighing their Matters and Contents, he will
be ftruck with Amazement on the otuer Side •, and after finding no End
of Repetitions, but that Men continually treat and fpeak the fime Things
over and over again, fill from his Adn^.iration of the Variety, into a
Wonder at the Want and Scantinefs of thofe Things, which have hitherto
de4tain'd and pofTefs'd the Minds of Men ".
TheProcedure 20. And again -, if any one fliould condefcend to regard fuch Things
of the Alche- as are accounted rather curious than ufeful •, and take a thorough View
^'J^'- of the Works of the Jilchemifis^ or the Followers of natural Magic ; he
might, perhaps, be at a Difficulty which he fliould withhold, his Tears,
dr his Laughter. For the Akbemijl goes on with an eternal Hope ; and
where his Matters fucceed not, lays the Blame upon his^own Errors -, and
accufes himfelf, as not having fufficiently underllood either the Terms of
his Art, or his Author : whence he either hearkens out for Traditions
and auricular Whifpers •, or elfe fancies he made fome Miftake, as to the
exaft Quantity of the Ingredients, or Nicety of the Experiment ; and
thus repeats the Operation without End. And if, in the mean time, among
all the Chances of Experiments, he throws any which appear either new
or ufeful •, he feeds his Mind with thefe, as fo many Earnefts -, boafts and
extols them above meafure -, and conceives great Hopes of what is behind.
It muft, indeed, be allow'd that the Alchemifts have made many Difco-
veries, and obliged Mankind with ufeful Inventions •, but they are well
reprefented in that Fable of the old Man, who left an Eftate to his Chil-
dren, (buried fomewhere or other, he told them, in his Vineyard;) which
they, therefore, fell to dig for with great Diligence ; whereby, tho' they
found no Gold in Subftance, yet they received a better Vintage for their
Labour.
7he Procedure 21. But fuch as apply to natural Magic, and explain every thing by
cftheFoUozv- Sympathies ?ind Aiitipathies, have, by fupine and indolent Conjedlures, placed
en of Natural (^j-.^j^gg Virtues and Operations in Things •, and if, at any time, they have
produced
" Except DilHllation, which was excepted before.
" If this, upon a fair and fi'll Enq iry, fli.xU appear to be the Cafe ; it might afford a
rtrong Argument againll admitting the rational and dogmatical Arts; or any Philofophy, but
the pr.i(ftical and experimental Kind.
f Hence the Author, in another Place, ohferve?, that there is a great Agreement betwixt
the Shops of Artificers, and the Libr.iries of the Learned ; as both make a great Shew of Va-
• riety, yet contain nothing but infinite Repetitions of a few Things, or numerous Applications
of a few Principles, differently drcffed and modelled, according to particular Humours, Fa-
,'hions, or E.xigcncies.
Seel. V. ///Philosophies. 383
produced Works, they are rather fuited to Admiration and Strangenefs, than
to Fruit and Advantage''.
22. And ^OT fuperjlitious Magic, if we were difpofed to fpeak thereof, it Superflitious
would come firft to be obferved, that there is only one certain and de- ^'-S"^-
terminate Kind of Subjedl, in which the curious and fuperftitious Arts,
thro* all Nations, Ages, and Religions, could take Place, and have any
Effecl, or impofe \ But of this we lay no more. In the mean rime, 'tis
no wonder if an Imagination of great Plenty has proved a Caufe of Want.
Aphorism LXXXVI.
23. This Admiration of Mankind, as to Dodrine and Arts, which h [q.) ne Ani-
a fimple and almoft childifh Thing in itfelf, has been increafed by i\x(; )'':(<>/ Teach-
Craft and Artifice of fuch as treat and deliver the Sciences ; who propofe '^^^''J^ ,^"*
them widi that State and Affedlation, or fo finely fafhioned ; and bring Sciences.
them fo drefled upon the Stage, as if they were perfed in every Part ;
and fo many finiflied Things. For to look upon the Methods and Divi-
fions of thcfe Teachers, they might feem to contain and include every
thing that can fall within the Subjeft -, and tho' the Parts are ill fill'd
up, and in reality little more than empty CarcaiTes •, yet they pafs cur-
rently among the Vulgar, as having the Form and Fulnefs of compleat
Sciences '.
24. But the primitive Enquirers after Truth, with greater Fidelity, 7"^^ ,j/>^ar/W-
and a happier Condud, ufed to tlirow all the Knowledge they ^^ttv- ^^^ ^fy of
mined to colledl, and treafure up for ufe, into Aphorifms, or fliort and ^^''"'"S ^^'
loofe Sentences ; not ranged into Method ; without profefling or pre- '
tending to fct down the whole of an Art '. But, as the Cafe now ftands,
'tis
1 See 3e Augment. Scitnt'uir. Se£l. VI.
' TliC Author apper.rs to r-.ean that the weak, and credulous, are this Subjefl. He exprefles
himfeif, in another Pin-.e, th s. The Magician, when, according to his own Underllanding,
he fees fome Things effected that are beyond the Power of Nature ; and thus fuppofing her to
be once forces .-.nd Subdued ; he adds Wing« to his Imagination ; and fcarce believes the Efteft
to differ according to the Degree of more and lefs ; and therefore promifcs himfeif that he may
obtain the grerreit Things of a]' ; without confidering that they neSubjecIs of one peculiar Kind,
w herein Magic r.nd Superftitiun have had any Power and Influence, thro' all Nations and Ages.
See the Sylva S^ivarum, under the Articles Imagination and Sympathy.
» This Inconvenience is very apt to attend the writing oi Syjlemi, and Bodies of Sciences;
where tl.e Writer having th; Matter beQjre him, feldom corrfiders of any thing more than how
to give it the bed Form, and render it moft agreeable to the Reader. This, tho' it may ufually
b« eiteem'd 2 !r'ud:h!.° Thing, has yet a pernicious Effeft, and doubtlefs retards the Advance-
irrnt of the Scicn^.; ; whence it fhould be avoided by Philcfophers, and fevere Enquirers into
Truth. iS a kind cf Impofture . See ■TJcbirnhauf. Meduina Mentis in init. See alfo Vol. III.
/. 8, c. I'
' 1. ^ Author thus «-rforces the present Confideration in another Place. The firft and moft:
ancient Enqircrs after 'J rt.th, .. 'th more Sinrerity, and better Succefs, threw the Knowledge
they gathcr'd fro.-n the Conte.-nplation oi Things, and propofed to lay up for Service, into
J'/torijms, or ihort and inaepcndcnt Expreffions ; which fliewing Inventions naked as they were,
and
3 S4 77?^ Caufes of Errors, Part T.
'tis no wonder if Men make no farther Progrefs in thofe Things, which
are deliver'd as if already perfedlcd.
Aphorism LXXXVII.
{10. ) OJlenta- 25. Things of Antiquity have alfo received an additional Reputation
thus Promifcs and Credit, from the Vanity and Levity of fuch as offer'd new ones ;
"'dcm^"' efpecially in the effeftive and operative Part of l^atural Philofoph'j. For
certain boafting and fantaftical Perfons, partly thro' Credulity, and parti v
thro' Impofture, have amufed Mankind with great Promiies of the Pro-
longation of Life^ the Retardation of old Age, the Mitigation of Pain, the
Repair of natural Defeats, Cures for the Deceptions of the Senfes, the Wa-j
of bending and exciting AffcRions, the Illumination and Exaltation of the in-
telleofual Faculties, the 'Tranfmutation of Suhftances, the Jlrengthning and
multiplying of Motions at Pleafure, the Impreffions asid Alterations of the Air,
the bringing down and procuring of celeftial Influences, the Divination of fu-
ture Events, the Reprefentation of "Things remote, the Revelation of Secrets, Sec.
The Truth is, there feems to be the fime Difference in the Doftrines of
Philofophy, between thefe Vanities, and the real Arts ; as there is be-
tween the hiftorical Narrations of the Exploits of Julius Ccrfar, or Alexan-
der the Great ; and the Atchievements of Amadis dc Gaul, or Arthur of
Britain. For thofe celebrated Emperors are found, in Fa6b, to have ac-
complifh'd greater Things, than the other fliadowy Heroes are even
feign'd to have done : and yet this, by fuch Means as are no way fa-
bulous or monftrous. Nor fhould it detraft from the Credibility of
real Hiftory, that it has fometimes been injured and abufed with Fa-
bles. In the mean time, 'tis not ftrange that a great Prejudice fhould
be raifed againft new Propofxls, efpecially thofe relating to Works, upon
account of thefe Impoftors, who have attempted the like ; whence the
Excefs and Difdain of Vanity ", have, even at prefent, left no Spirit for
fuch great Defigns ".
Aphorism
and at the fame time indicating the Spaces that remain'd to be fill'd with Difcoveries ; they were
hence the lefs deceived, and Mens Thoughts and Minds the more excited to judge, and difco-
ver. On the contrary, the prefent Method is, to place tlie Sciences in fuch a Light, as may pro-
cure them the moll Credit, not excite the Judgment ; and, by a-feverc Authority, to ftop Inven-
tions in the Bud : fo that the Sciences now defcend, as in the Perfons of Majler and Scholar,
hillead of hiventor and Improver : whence no wonder if they are not advanced.
" Viz^ Excefs on one Side, and Difdain on the other; or on the Side rio:h of Projeftors,
and Anti-Projedlors.
"• And under this Difadvantage the Author lay in his great Dcfigns, for enriching the King-
dom by mineral Works ; erefting his S^/owm's College ; his Enquiries for prolonging Life ;
commanding the Winds, and the Weather j his nevi Logic, &c. &c.
}the
Sed. V. ?/? I/iin osoPHiEs. 385
Aphorism LXXXVIII-
26. But the Sciences have b-cn mii:h more hurt by Pufihnlmicy •, anJ (n) Want cf
the Slendernels of the Tafks v/hich Men propos'd thcmfelves : and yet,r<'/'g|^«""'-
to enhance the Mifchief, this Pulilanimity is not without its Pride and' ^ ''"' ''
Difdain.
27. For firft, 'tis a common Excufe with every Artiflr, to lay the Im- Laying the
perfection of his Art, as a Reproach, at the Door of Nature ; and ^'^^"^f^""^^^
what his Art does not perform, to pronounce, from that Art, impoffible ^^^^^ ''^ J. "
in the Nature of Things ; and certainly tlie Art will not be condemned, iqature.
whilft itfelf is the Judge. Nay, the prefent Philofophy contains and pa-
tronizes fome Opinions, which, if diligently examin'd, wholly tend to
perfuade Mankind, that nothing great, or very commanding over Na-
ture, can be expected from Art, or the human Powers, (as we inftanced
above, in the Diiference benvixt folar and culinary Fire, Compofition,
Mixture, iSc. ") which, in the refult, is no other than malicioufly to
limit Mens Faculties ; and to invent, and introduce, an artificial Defpair,
that fhall not only dillurb and unfettle our Hopes and Expectations,
but take away the Motives to Induftry, cut its Sinews, and difappoint
or prevent all the Chances of Experience ; whilil the Artift is only fol-
licitous about this, that his Art fhould be efteem'd perfect : thus endea-
vouring at an exceeding vain and deftrudtive Glory, in having it be-
lieved, that every Thing not yet difcover'd and underftooJ, is abfolutely
impoffible to be found out, or known ". And if any one applies him-
felf to Nature, and endeavours to ftrike out fomething new ; yet he will
generally propofe and fix upon fome one Invention, without farther
Search : For Example, tlie Nature of the Loadjlone, the Tides^ the Theory
of ibe Heavens, and the like ; which feem to conceal fome Secret ; and
have been hitherto unfuccefsfully explained : whereas 'tis, in the higheft
Degree, unfkilful, to examine the Nature of any Thing, in that Tiling
itfelf. For the fame Nature, which in fome Things lies hid and con-
cealed, appears open and obvious in others ; fo as to excite Admiration
in the one, and to pafs unobferved in the other : thus the Nature of Con-
ftftejice is not taken Notice of in Wood or Stone, but flighted under the
Term of Solidity, without farther Enquiry into its Avoidance of Sepa-
ration, or Solution of Continuity •, whilft the fame Thing appears fub-
tile, and of deeper Enquiry, in Bubbles of Water, which throw them-
felves into thin Skins, of a curious hemifpherical Figure, in order, for
the inflant, to avoid a Solution of Continuity.
» See Jpb. 75.
y Some will confine this to the more illiterate Mcchinics and Aitifanj ; and others extend it
to the Liberal Sdcnces, Medicine, Philofophy, i^c.
Vol. II, Ddd 28. And
386
Secrets in
Jome Things
lie open in
others.
Slender Pcr-
firmances
over-rated.
28. And, again
in other Cafes, a
difcover'd, whilft
'The Caufes of Errors, Part I.
thofe very Things which are accounted Secrets, have,
common and manifeft Nature ; which can never be
the Experiments and Thoughts of Men run wholly
upon them ^. And generally thofe Things are efteem'd new Inventions in
mechanical Works, that are no more than better Ways of finifhing,
adorning, joining, compounding, rendering more commodious, enlarging,
or contrafting the Bulk of the old ones ; and the like ^.
29. So that 'tis no wonder if noble and worthy Inventions, fuitable
to the Dignity of Mankind, are not brought to Light ■, whilft Men con-
tent and pleafe themfelves with fuch (lender and childifh Performances ;
and at the fame Time imagine that they perform great Matters by them.
{\2.) Superfti-
tion and Zeal,
being oppofite
to Niitural
Pbilojhphy.
Dangerous to
philofophize,
on account of
the School
Theology.
Aphorism LXXXIX.
30. We muft not omit, that Natural Philofophy has, thro' all Ages,
had a troublefome and difficult Adverfary to contend with •, viz. Super-
Jlitkn, and the blind, furious Zeal of Religion. For we find among the
Greeks, that they who firft affign'd the natural Caufes of Thunder and
Storms, whilft the Ears of Men remain'd unaccuftom'd to fuch Expla-
nations, were condemn'd for Impiety againft the Gods •". Nor did thofe
meet with much better Fate, from Ibme eminent Fathers of the Chrijlian
Church; who, upon infallible Demonftration , which no Man in his
Senfes would now oppofe, alferted the fpherical Figure of the Earth ;
and confcquently the Exiftence of Antipodes.
31. And, as Matters now ftand, 'tis ftill more difficult and dangerous
to difcourfe upon Nature, by reafon of the Summaries and Methods of
the fcholailic Divines ; who having imperioufly reduced 1'heclogy to Or-
der, and ftftiion'd it into an Art, have, at the fame time, blended too
much of the thorny and contentious Philofophy of Arijlotle into the Body
of Religion ^
32. And.
^ Thus Tranfmutaticn, tho' exprefty endeavour'd after, to little purpofe in fome Cafes; yet in
others feems to occur almoU fpcntaneoufly. See Sylva Syharum, under the Anidsi Alterations
and Tranfm'i tat ions.
■' In another Place the Author obferves, that if a Mechanic happens to adj fome Ornament,
and a greater Luilre, to any former Invention ; or combines two or three Th'ngs, thit bcrore
were fcpLuatc ; or f.ts them irore commodioufly for Praftice ; or exhibits the Tiling either in a
greater, or a lefs Bulk ; he prefently writes himfelf in the Lift of Inventors : whe-ice Men
(i.) difdain the Invention of new Arts and Works, as an idle, fruitlefs. and fufpefted Endeavour;
or {2.' believe th.u tliere are noble Invention- d'lcover'd ; but that they lie con^edvd, with the
«tuioft Silc ice and Caution, in a few Hands; or (3.) take thefe fmaller Additions and Altera-
tions of Inventions, for new Difcoveries. All whicji tends to turn Mens Minds afide from the
true and lit orious Method of Enquiry j and prevents fuch Tasks and Difcoveries as are worthy
of M.'.nkit.d.
•" See tlie Clouds of Ariflopbanes.
' See de Augment. Scientinr. Sefl. XXVIII. This occafion'd the Author a great Difliculty in
iis Time ; tho' he v/as naturally inclined, and admoniflied by others, to ufe the utmoil Caution
againll it.
3
Se(5l. V. Z;; Phtlosopihes. 3S7
32. And to this Head belongs, tho' in a different rcfpe(fl:, the 1^\- Tie Mixtvre
bours of fuch as have ventured to deduce and confirm the Truth of tlie "^^'^''^J^'f.^f
Chriftian Religion, from the PrincipKs and Authorities of Philofophers : !^-5„^
Thus, with great Pomp and Solemnity, celebrating the Inter-Marriage of
Fa'ub and Saife, as a lawful Corijuncftion j and foothing the Minds of
Men with a pleafing Variety of Matter ; tho' at the fame time rafhly
and unequally intermixing Things divine and human. But in fuch Med-
lys of Divinity and Philofophy, only the Tilings at prefent rcceiv'd in
Philofophy are comprehended ; whilll new ones, tho' better, arc almoft
quite rejected and excluded ''.
■2,1. Laftly, we find, thro' the Unfkilfulnefs of certain Divines, ^■\t7he Opinion,
the Paflage to any Philofophy, tho' ever fo juft, is in a manner '-'-""' '''■'P ""-
block'd up : For fome weakly fufpect, that deep Enquiries into Nature will ^"^'''f"f"'
tranfgrefs the Bounds of Sobriety -, and injudicioudy wrefting what k /ubvirt^Reli'
faid in Scripture, of thofc who pry into the divine M)jleries, api:)ly it gion.
to the Secrets of Nature -, from which we are no where forbid. Others,
with greater Cunning, conceive, that if the Means remain unknown ', all
Things may be the eafier managed by the Dexterity of the Hand., and
the divining Red ; which they imagine highly ferviceable to Religion : but
this is no other than offering to God the unclean Sacrifice of a Lye^. Others
dread the Example ; left the Difturbances and Changes in Philofophy
fhould extend to, and terminate in Religion. And others, again, feem afraid,
left fomething ftiould be found in the Enquiry of Nature, to fubvert, or
at leaft undermine Religion ; efpecially among the Ignorant. Thcfe two
latter Fears appear to us to be deeply tinged with low grovling Wifdom ;
as if Men, in their fecret Thoughts, cheriHi'd fome Doubt and Diftruft
about the Strength of Religion, and the Power of Faith over the Senfes ;
and therefore apprehend Danger to it from the Search of Truth, in
natural Things : but whoever rightly confiders it, will find, that Natural
Philofophy is, next after the Word of God, the moft certain Cure of
Superftition ; and the bcft Support of Faith. Philofophy, therefore, is
defervedly appointed as the true Handmaid to Religion ; the one mani-
fefting the IVill, and the other the Power of God. For 'twas no Error
in him who faid, I'e err, not knowing the Scriptures, and the Power of God:
thus infeparably mixing, and joining together the Information of his
IFill, and the Knowledge of his Power. 'Tis, therefore, the lefs Won-
der, that Natural Philofophy has been fo little improved, when Reli-
gion, whofe Power over Mens Minds is exceeding great, has, thro' the
Ignorance and unwarrantable Zeal of fome, been made to oppofe it.
* Sec de Augment. Scientiar. Seft. XXVIII. and Sufplem. XVI, XVJL
' Viz.. If Men are kept in Ignorance.
' For Knowledge can never make Men irreligious ; or independent upon God. See Vol. I.
p. 16 — 18.
Ddd2 Aphorism
3B8 7^^ C^z^j <?/ Errors, Part L
Aphorism XC.
(13.) Srhooh 24- Again ; in the Cuftoms and Inftitutions of Schools, Univerfities,
/ixJ Atademies Colleges, and the like Conventions, deftin'd for the Seats of learned
%7o"rahl"'to Men, and the Promotion of Knowledge, all Things are found oppo-
Philofophy. fitc to the Advancement of the Sciences : for the Readings and Exercifes
are here fo managed, that it cannot eafily come into any one's Mind to
think of Things out of the common Road. Or if here and there one
fhould venture to ufe a Liberty of Judging , he can only impofe the
Tafk upon himfelf-, without obtaining Affiftance from his Fellows : and
if he could difpenfe with this, he will ftill find his Induftry and Refo-
lution a great Hindrance to the raifing of his Fortune. For the Stu-
dies of Men in fuch Places are confin'd, and pinned down to the Wri-
tings of certain Authors ; from which, if any Man happens to differ,
he is prefently reprehended as a Diihirber and an Innovator. But there
is furely a great Difference between Arts and Crvil Affairs : for the Dan-
ger is not the fame from fiew Light, as from new Co7nmotions. In Civil
Affairs, 'tis true, a Change even for the better is fufpedted, thro' Fear
of Difturbance ; becaufe thefe Affairs depend upon Authority, Confent,
Reputation, and Opinion, and not upon Demonftration : But Arts and
Sciences fliould be like Mines, refounding on all Sides with new Works,
and farther Progrefs. And thus it ought to be, according to right Rea-
fon •, but the Cafe, in Faft, is quite otherwife. For the above-mentioned
Adminiftration and Policy of Schools and Univerfities, generally oppofes
and greatly prevents the Improvement of th-c Sciences *.
Aphorism XCI.
(14.) Want 35. And tho' this Contrariety fhould ceafe; yet 'tis fufHcIent to check
of Rewards, the Progrefs of the Sciences, that fuch Endeavours and fuch Induftry
are not rewarded " : for thofe who cultivate the Sciences, have not the
Power of rewarding. The Improvement of the Sciences proceeds from
great Capacities ; but the Salaries and Rewards for them lie in the Hands
of the Vulgar ; or fuch Rulers of State as are rarely Men of confiderable
Learning. And what is more, fuch kind of Advancement not only fails
of Reward, and Encouragement, but is deftitute even of popular Praife ;
as being above the Reach of the Crowd, and eafily beat down and
extinguilhed by the Winds of vulgar Opinion. Whence, again, 'tis no
Wonder that tliis Bufinefs has proceeded no better; whilft, inftead of
Encouragement, it has met with Difefteem-
^ts~
A p li o R I s ^s
E See more upon this Subjeft, Vol. I. p. 39-— 42,
^" See above, Aph. 90.
Se£l.V. /;; PA^iLosoPHiES. 389
Aphorism XCII.
36. But the greateft Obftacle of all, to the Progrefs of the Sciences, {15.) DcfpaW,
and the Undertaking of new Tafks and Provinces in them, lies in }^\^ and the Sup-
Defpair of Mankind, and the Suppofition of Impofiibility. For Prudent ^^^'J^^"-^
and exa(5k Men, generally diftrult fuch kind of Attempts ; upon confi-
dering with themfelves the Obfcurity of Nature, the Shortnefs of Life,
the Fallacy of the Senfes, the Weaknefs of the Judgment, the Difficulties
of Experimenting, i3c. Whence they conceive, tliat there are certain
Ebbings and Flowings of the Sciences, thro' all the Revolutions of Times
and Ages •, fo as one while to increafe and fiourifh, and another to de-
cline and lie ncgledted ; and, when arrived at one certain State and
Degree, to become uncapable of rifing higher '. Therefore, if any Man
fhould hope or undertake for the contrary, they think it the Sign of
a weak and unripen'd Judgment -, and that fuch Attempts begin with
Pkafure, proceed with Difficulty, and end in Confufion.
37. And as thefe are Thoughts which readily occur to grave and ju- Tranf.tion.
dicious Men ; we muft indeed beware, left being our felves caught with
the Love of a Thing that has an excellent and beautiful Appearance,
we fhould flacken the Reins of Judgment. We fhall, therefore, next
proceed, with Care, to examine what Degree of Hope there is of future
Succefs, and from what Quarter it arifes -, (with the Purpofe of rejedling
the lighter Gales thereof;) and diligently difcufs and weigh thofe Grounds
that appear the ftrongeft. And here Crdl Prudence alfo is to be confulted -,
which diftrufts by Prefeription ; and fufpeds the worft of human Affairs *".
And whilft we thus enquire into the Grounds o^ Hope, we our felves make
no Promifes, offer no Violence to the Mind, and lay no Snares for the Judg-
ments of Men : but only lead them by the Hand.
■ See Six Thomas Badlefi Letter to the Author, Vol. I. Si/pplem. V. p. 487.
^ See above, Jpb. 75.
SECT.
2^0 The Grounds of Hope, Parti.
SECT. VI.
Of the Grounds of Hope, for the
farther Ad-vancement of Philosophy
and the Sciences.
Aphorism XCIII.
The greateft i. f | ^^IHO' the moft powerful Motive of Hope, will hereafter be deli-
Motive of JJ^ ver'd, (when we fliall lead Mankind to Particulars ; efpecially
found in ^ ^^ "^^ propofe to digefl and range them in our Tables of Inventmi, which
the fourth principally belong to the fourth Part of our general Defign ^ •, ) where
Part of the Things themfelves, rather than Hopes, will be ofFer'd ; yet, that all
Inltauration. ^^^^ y^^ done in the fmootheft manner, we fhall here proceed in our Pur-
pofe of preparing the Minds of Men. And in giving them a View of
the Hope there is for improving the Sciences, confifts no fmall Part of
this Preparation ; as, without it, all the reft has a greater Tendency to
dejeft Mankind, than raife them to a chearful and induftrious Profecution
of Experiments ; and only give them a meaner Opinion of the Things
they at prefent enjoy, and a deeper Senfe of their own Misfortune. We
fhall, therefore, here open and propofe our Conjedures, for ren-
dering the more favourable Expedlations of the Sciences probable •, in
Imitation of Columbus, who, before he undertook his furprizing Expedi-
tion thro' the jitlantic Ocean, produced his Reafons why he expefted to
find new Lands and Continents, befides thofe that were then difcover'd :
Which Reafons, tho' at firft rejedled, yet being afterwards confirmed by
Experience, were the Caufe and Origin of very great Things.
•2. We
* See Vol. in. f. 3—18, y<:. l£c.
icdl. VI. for the Advancement (?/"Philosophy. 391
2. We begin with God, the Author of all Good, and the Father cf ri-^ GWrr/>
Lights-, from whom the Goodncfs of this Defign manifeftly fhews it x.o'>f'f"I^ff'g''>
proceed. We fee in the divine Works, that the fmalleft Beginnings ^'^^ "lift"^' im-
certainly fucceeded by the Effects. And what is faid of fpiritual Things, imfrlving^'
that the Kingdom of Ccd comes not uith Ohfervation ; is alfo found true in Philofc^ky,
every great Work of divine Providence -, where all things go quietly on,
without Noife or Buftle : fo that the Whole is accomplilh'd, before Men
imagined or took Notice that it was in hand. And we (hould here re-
member the Prophecy oi Daniel, concerning the latter Ages of the World:
yV/tf «V fiall go to and fro upon the Earth, and Knc-icledge Jhall he increafed :
Thereby plainly intimating it to be the Defign of Providence, that
when the World was laid open to a general Intercourfe ; as by our nu-
merous long Voyages it now begins to be ; at the fame Time alfo the
Sciences fliould receive Increafe *".
Aphorism XCIV.
3. A capital Reafon of our Hope, may be ajfo derived from the Er- The Errors of
rors of pall Times-, and the \\' ays that Hill remain untried. The fo[. t'-e -^'"■'("^^
lowing Reprehenfion of a civil State, that had fhewn little Condud in 'iJi^eZiVav
in its Affairs, is excellent'. " What, with regard to Times paft, is the tp if tritd.
" worft -, fhould, for the Time to come, be efteem'd the bell. For if
" you had perform'd your Duty to the full, and yet your Affairs had
" gone backwards; there would have been no Hcfes of their Amend-
*' ment : but, as the bad Poft:ure of your Affairs proceeds, not from Ne-
*' ceffity, but from your own Errors -, there is room to ho/:e, that when
*' thofe Errors are forfiken, or corrected, a great Change for the better
*' may enfue." In like manner, if Mankind had, for fo many Ages,
held on in the true Courfe of difcovering and improving the Sciences,
and yet could have advanced them no higher ; it would indeed be bold
and prefumptnous, to believe them capable of farther Improvement : but
if the Way itfelf has been miftaken '' ; and the Labour of Mankind been
beftowed where it ought not ; it follows, that the Difficulty does not arife
from hence, that Things lie out of our Reach ; but from the Underftanding
itfelf, its manner of Ufe, and Application ; which may ftill be remedied '.
It were, therefore, advif^ble to enumerate thefe very Errors: for fo
many Impediments as pall Errors have proved, fo many Argiunents there
are
* We may now be enabled, in fome meafure, to judge how far thefe Grounds of Hope
♦ere folid, and well laid. Certainly a f tc t Revo'ution in Philofophy has gradually eiifued-
Kpon the Endeavours cf the Author ; and l-hilofophers have been infenlibly drawn ofr from 5/>^-
ciieticB ivAThecry, lo PraSlUe »r\A Experience : whence many ufeful Inventions and.Workt
have proceeded ; and more may, perhaps, proceed.
' The Reprehenfion oi Demojlhenes to the Athenians.
* See above, Jph 8i, 82, 83, is'c.
^ See hereafter, Jfb. 105, 106- and Part II. ihroughout;
392 "the. Grounds of Hope, Parti;
are of future Hope. And tho' we have already touched upon them
above *" ; yet we think proper here again to reprefcnt thsm, in a concife,
naked, and fimple manner.
l^he rational
and expert'
mental Facul-
ties to be
united.
Aphorism XCV.
4. Thofe who have treated the Sciences, were either Empirics, or Ra-
itonalijls. The Empirics, like Ants, only lay up Stores, and ufe them -,
the Rationalifts, like Spiders, fpin Webs out of themfelves : but the Bee
takes a middle Courfe, gathering her Matter from tue Flowers of the
Field and Garden -, and digefting and preparing it by her native Powers.
In like manner, that is the true Office and Work of Philofophy, which,
not trading too much to the Faculties of the Mind, does not lay up the
Matter, afforded by Natural Hiftor'j and Mechanical Experience, entire or
unfafliion'd, in the Memory ; but treafures it, after being firft elaborated
and digefted in the Underftanding ^ : and, therefore, we have a good
Ground of Hope, from the clofe and flrift Union of the experimental
and rational Faculty ; which have not hitherto been united ".
Natural Phi-
lofophy to be
pure.
Aphorism XCVI.
5. Natural Philofophy is not hitherto found pure, but infeded and
corrupted •, in the School of Arijlotle, by Logic -, in that of Plato, by
Theology -, in the fecond School of Plato, Proclus, and others, by Ma-
thematics, which ought only to terminate Natural Philofophy, and not to
generate or create it '. And, therefore, we have another Ground of
Hope, from a Natural Philofophy pure and unmixed.
Aphorism XCVII.
The Mind to 6. No Man has yet appeared, of fo great Conftancy and Firmnefs of
be purged. Mind, as to impofe upon himfelf the total Extirpation of Theories,
and
*■ ^ea.V. Aph. 78—92.
8 This is the Office and Defign of tlie Author's Sylva Syharum.
^ The Author, however, cautioufly obferves in another PJace, that there have been feme
Empiric.1l Philofophers, who would not be cfteem'd merely empirical ; and, again, fome Ra-
tionalifts, who defired to appear indultrious, and verfed in Experience ; but that this was only
the Artifice of certain Men, in endeavouring to raife themfelves a Charafler and Reputation,
for excelling in their difterent Seds : whilft, in reality, the two Faculties were ever feparated,
and almoll oppofed to each other.
' See /'W. I. ^.90,91. Here feems to be a Direflion of great Moment, for the Ad-
vancement of genuine Philofophy ; which certain Men conceive cannot be fo efFeftually pro-
moted, as when Mathematics prefides therein, and direfls. But this (hould be farther confider'd ;
and without all Partiality to Mathematics : for the Logician would have his Art prefide in Phi-
lofophy ; the Chemift his ; and the Metaphyfician is apt to reduce all to Abllraftion and Ideas.
Certainly Philofophy (hould refufe none of thefe Helps : but to make choice of any one of
them, fo as to exclude the reft, muft needs occafion a partial Philofophy., And hence the
Chemical Philofophies, the Logical Philofophies, the Metaphyfical Philofophies, and even the
Mathematical Philofophies, cannot, perhaps, be fafely depended upon.
Se(ft. VI. for the Adva?iceme?it of Fhilosovuy. 393
nnd common Notions ; and offer the Undcrftanding quite plain and
fmooth, to receive Particulars anew : and, therefore, that Knowledge
we have, is nothing more than an undigefted Heap, and Colleftion, of
much Faith and Accident, mix'd with abundance of childifh Notions,
imbibed in our Youth *"
7. Whence, if any one of riper Years, found in his Senfes, and o^ n Wrong IJeattt
clear, unbiafled Mind, were to apply himfelf afrefli to Experience and ^"^'y^'*'"^^^'^-
Particulars •, better Things might be expefted from him. And in this re-
fped:, we promife our felves the Fate of Alexander the Great. But let
us not prefently be accus'd of Vanity, before the End of the Story
be heard ; which regards the laying afide of all Vanity.
8. For JE/cbines, fpeaking of Alexander and his Exploits, has thefe T'-fr^ Author
Words: " Surely we lead no mortal Life-, but are born to this"''/''"''?''*
" End alone, that Pofterity fhould relate ftrange Things of us." As
if he efteem'd the Atchievements of Alexander miraculous. But Lhy
coming, long afterwards, to confider, and look better into the Thing,
faid of it, that " Alexander did no more than dare to defpife Vanities."
And fuch a Judgment we expecb Pofterity will pafs upon us ; viz. that
we have done no great Matter j but only efteem'd thofe as little Things,
which were accounted great ones. In the mean time, there is no Hope,
as we bcfcrs obferved, but in the Regeneration of the Sciences •, or the
raifing and building them up anew, in a certain Order, from Experience :
which no one, perhaps, has hitherto attempted or thought of '.
A 1' H o R I s M XCVIII.
9. And for the Foiaidations of Experience ; which is the next Thing \vt j4 jujl Founda-
muft proceed to ; they either have not hitherto been laid, or very weakly. ''"" ""/^'J/.
Nor has a Colledion of Materials, competent either in Number, Kind, or 'E^-^lcriinci.
Certainty, for informing the Undcrftanding, or any way fufficient, and wor-
thy of the End propofed, been hitherto made : but, on the contrary, learned
iSIen, after an eafy, indolent manner, have received certain Rumours of Ex-
perience, and the popular Reports and Tales thereof, both for building
and ftrengthening their Philofophy ; and given them the Weight of ftrong
Teftimonials : which is juft as if a Kingdom fhould govern itfelf, not ac-
cording to the Advices and Intelligences of its Ambafladors, and trufty
Officers in foreign Courts ; but by the idle Rumours, and common Town-
talk of its People. For as to Matter of Experience, there is nothing
hitherto well difcovered, verified, adjufted, weighed, or meafured, in
Natural Hif:(^y. but whatever is undefin'd and vague in Obfervation,
, i' See above, Jpb. ig, 27, 28, 29.
I Let Antiquity be farther fearched upon this Head ; as alfo the Cbinefe Hiftorv, and the Hi-
Hories of other ancient Nations confulted ; to fee if nothing of this kind was ever propofed
before. What the Author means, will fully appear hereafter, under Sect. VII. but more par-
tkularl/ in the Second Part of this Work. See aJfo above, Apb. 2 1 .
V o L. II. E e e muft
394« ^^ Grounds of Hope, Parti.
muft needs be fallacious and deceitful in the Information. And if this
fhall feem furprizing, or the Complaint appear unjuft, to any one •, whilft
fo great a Philofopher as Jriftotle, affifted with the Purfe of fo great a
Prince as Alexander, has compiled fuch an exaft Bijlory of Anhnals ; and
whiift fome others, with greater Diligence, tho' with lefs Buftle, have
contributed many Things thereto ; and whilft others, again, have wrote co-
pious Hiftories, and Accounts of Plants, Metals, and Foffils ; he does not
feem fufficiently to underftand our Meaning. A 'Natural Hijlory, com-
piled for its own fake, is one thing ; and a Natural Hijlor-^, collected
for informing the Underftanding, in order to the building up of Natural
Philofophy, is another. And thefe two Hiftories, as they differ in other
refpedls ; fo principally in this, that the former contains various Defcriptions
of natural Bodies, but not Experiments of mechanic Arts. For as, in civil
Life, the Temper of a Man, and the fecret Difpofitions of his Mind and
Affedions, are better underftood, when he is ruffled, than othervvife ; fo the
Secrets of Nature are better got out by the Torturing of Arts, than when
fuffer'd to take their own courfe. And, therefore, we may then have
good Hopes of Natural Philofophy, when Natural Hiftory, which is the
Bafis thereof, fhall be better fupplied ; and not before ".
Aphorism XCIX.
Awantofin- 10. Again ; in the very Stock of viechanical Experiments, there is a
forming Exfe- great Want of fuch as principally conduce to the Information of the Un-
rments. deftanding. For the Mechanic, being no way concerned about the Difco-
very of Truth, applies his Mind, and ftretches out his Hand, to nothing
more than is fubfervient to his Work : but we may then rationally ex-
pedt to fee the Sciences farther advanced, when numerous Experiments
fhall be received, and adopted into Natural Hiftor-j, which of themfelves
are ufelefs ; and tend only to the Difcovery of Caufes and Axioms : Thefe
being what we call Exj.eriments cf Light, to diftinguifti them from Expe-
mcnts of Proft. And they have this wonderful Property, that they never
deceive or fruftrate the Expedtation : for being ufed, not in order to
effedt any Work ; but for difclofing of natural Caufes, in certain Particu-
lars ; let them fall which way they will, they equally anfwer the Inten-
tion, and folve the Queftion".
Aphorism C.
AheiierOrder \\. And not only a larger Stock of Experiments is to be fought, and
inExperi- procured, of a different Kind from what has hitherto appeared ; but alfo
meriting. ^ ^^^-^.^ different Method, Order, and Procedure, is to be introduced,
"» SeeFoL III. f>. 8—16.
?• See the Sy/va Sytvarum, paffim.
Sedl. VI. for the Advancement o/" Philosophy. 395
for continuing and advancing Experience itfclf: for vague Experience,
that purfues nothing but itfelf, is, as was before obferved, a mere groping
about in the dark ° •, and rather amazes Mankind, than informs them.
But when Experience fhail be conduced by certain Laws, orderly and
confequentially, we may have better Hopes of the Sciences ''.
A P H o R I s M CI.
12. And when a proper Quantity of fuitable Materials, for fuch a natural invention! ti
and expenviental Philofoph)', as is required for the Work of 'the U ndcr- if «rote Jaw/i.
ftanding, or the Bufinefs of Philofophy, fhall be provided, and got ready;
yet the Underftanding is no way qualified to a6l upon thefe Materials
fpontaneoufly, and by Memory ; no more than a Man fliould expedl to
inake the Calculations for an Almanack, by the bare Strength of his Me-
mory. Yet Contemplation has hitherto been more employ'd in Invention
than PFriting : nor is Experience yet made learned ''. But no Inven-
tion fhould be allow'd, or trufted, except in Writing. And when this
comes into ufe, fo that Experience may be made a Matter of Learning
and Science, we may then have better Hopes ^
Aphorism CII.
13. Again; the Number, or, as it were, the Army of Particulars, ////i'cr/.-a/
being fo large, fcatter'd, and confufed, as to diftraft and confound the Materials i»
Mind; little Good can be expedled from the Skirmifhes and Sallies oi'" '^'''"^'
the Underftanding ; unlefs it be fitted, and brought clofe to them, by
means of proper, well-difpoled, and ad:uating Tables of Invention, con-
taining fuch Things as belong to the Subjeft of every Enquiry : and
unlefs the Mind be applied to receive the prepared and digefted Af-
fiilance they afford '.
Aphorism CIII.
14. And even when a Stock of Particulars is exaftly and orderly Axioms to be
placed before us ; we muft not immediately pafs on to the Enquiry, /''■''^'(/'■'"»
and Difcovery, of new Particulars, or Works: at leaft, if this \^^^''P<^''imiits,
• See above, /Iph. 82.
P See Vol. I. p. 119 — 125. and hereafter in the Second Part, paflim.
s See SeSi. XII. of Learned Experience, in the de Augment. Scientiar.
' The Caution here laid down is extremely neceffary : for the natural Powers of the Mind
are fo infirm, and weak, as by no means to be trufted, in the Bufinefs of Invention, Obferva-
tion, or Experiment. We fee it is common for Men, after fome Time, to forget their own Ob-
fervations and Experiments. Nor is the Memory fufficiently ready and apt to prefent Things
as they may be wanted ; nor the Judgment always clear, ftrong, and in right Order. So th.it
even natural Things, whilft they dwell only in the Memory, or Imagination, feem litt e better
than Phantoms; and require to be dillinftly wrote down, for the Service of Philofophy. Sec
hfireafter. Part II. pajfim.
^ See hereafter, Part II. Sea. I. See alfo. Vol. III. p. 320—340.
E e e 2 done.
39^ 7^^ Grounds of Hope, Parti.
done, we mufl: not dwell upon it. We deny not, that, after all the
Experiments of every Art fliall be collefted, digefted, and brought to
the Knowledge and Judgment of a fingle Perfon ; many new Difcove-
ries may be made, for the Ufe and Advantage of Life, thro' the Tran-
flation of the Experiments of one Art into another •, by means of what
we call Learned Experience ' : yet lefs Hope is to be conceived hereof ;
and a much greater of a new Light of Axioms, drawn regularly, and in a
certain manner, from thofe Particulars -, fo that fuch Axioms may again
point out, and lead to new Particulars. For the Way lies not tliro' a
Plain •, but thro' Mountains and Valleys : Erft afcending to Axiofns, and.
then defcending to PForks ".
Axiom! to le
formed in a
new manner.
Aphorism CIV.
15. But the Underflanding mufh not be allowed to leap, or fly from
Particulars, to remote, or the moft general kind, of Axioms, at once ;
(fuch as are called the Principles of Arts and Things '" •,) and fo prove,
and draw out, middle y:/.vw«w, according to the eftabliflied Truth of the
former -, as has hitherto been done by a natural Sally of the Under-
flanding: which is naturally inclined this Way, and has been long trained
and accuftomed to it, by the Ufe of thofe Demonftrations, which pro-
ceed upon Syllogifm ". But we may conceive good Hopes of the Sci-
ences, when, by continued Steps, like real Stairs, uninterrupted or broken.
Men fhall afcend from Particulars to leflTer Axioms ; and fo on to middle
ones •, from thefe again to higher ; and laftly, to the moft general of all ^ .
For the \o^d^ Axioms differ not much from bare Experience''-, and the
higheft, and moft general ones, as they are now efteem'd, prove only
notional, theoretical, and of no Solidity ; vvhilft the middle Axioms, are
the real, the folid, and animated Kind, wherein the Affairs and Fortunes
of Men are placed ' : and above thefe, come fuch as are truly the
moft
' Seer<j/. I. ^.119.
" Tnis will be more folly explained in the Second Part. S?C alfp Fo/. Ill, pr 3 < 6. The Au-
thor intended to treat of the /tfcendtr.g and defcending Scale of Axioms, as a Part of the prefeht
Work ; but it was never publiflied. And as this Method has not, that we know of, been hi-
therto tried, it affords an Argument of Hope, that Philofophy and the Sciences may be improved
by its means.
"' Suppofe the Fiflion of the Four Peripatetic Elements, which have been made the Bafis of
Natural Philofophy ; the Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury of the Chemifts ; l\izFuga Vacni, &c.
^ Seeabove, Afh. 13, 14, 19, *20, 25, i^c.
y This was the Defign of the Scala IntelhBus : and how the Thing was propofed to be ef-
feSed, may be feen by Examples in the Author's Hiftory of L(/? and Death, Winds, Sec. See
Fo/.IU. p. 8— 16.
^ Such as in Chemiftry, that animal Subftances yield no fixed Salt, by Calcination; in Mufic,
that Concords intermixed with Difcords, make Harmony, {5V.
' Such as in Optics, that the Angle of Incidence is equal to the Angle of Reflexion, in ail
5orts <£ Surfaces i, in Phyjics, Sir Ij'aac Nexto/i's three Lam of Motion, &c.
Sedl. VI. for the Advancement (?/'Philosophy. 397
nioft general \ yet not metaphyfiail ; but juftly limited by thefe inter-
medi.ite ones "
16. i\nd, therefore, the Underftanding does not want Sail, fo much ^^^ LW^r-
as Ballaft ; to keep it from fkipping and bounding : but as this is ^i-{^"fj"fj'' ^
therto a Dejideraium i when it Hull be fupplied, we may have better
Hopes of tlie Sciences.
Aphorism CV.
17. Again; a different Form of hdu^iort, from what has hitherto been J new Form o/.
ufed, mull be invented, for the raifing of Axioms : and that not only for •^'"^*'^"*
the difcovering and proving of Priuci/les, as they are call'd •, but likewife
for afcertaining the iellcr, middle, and, in fliort, all kinds of Axioms. For
that hdu^iion which proceeds by fimple Enumeration, is a childifh Thing -,
concludes with Uncertainty -, (lands expofed to Danger from contradi£iory
Injlances ; and generally pronounces upon fcanty Data ; and fuch only as-
are ready at hand ' : but the Indu5lion ufeful in the Difcovery and De-
monflration of Arts and Sciences, ought to fift Nature, by proper Reje-
Sioas and Exclufwfts ; and then conclude upon Ajjirmatives, attcr the due
Number of Negatives are thrown out : a Thing never yet done, nor at-
tempted ; unlefs by Plato, who made fome little Ufe of this Form of /«-
duUicH, in the lifting of Definitions and Ideas'*. But for the juft and re-
gular forming of this Inducfwn, or Demotijl ration, numerous Particulars
are required, which have been hitherto thought of by no Mortal;
fo that greater Pains mud be bellowed upon it, than has been bcftowed
upon S\llcgifrns. And the AlTiftance of this Induction muft be ufed, not
only for the difcovering of Axioms ; but alfo for the defining of Notions '.
And in this Bufinefs of InduSlion is lodged the greateft Hope of impro-
ving the Sciences.
Aphorism CVI.
18. But in forming thefe Axioms by this InduBion, it muft be \v&\\ The Cnuthn
examin'd and try'd, whether the Axin:r: irRcimed be only adapted, and required in
made accor'^L"- lu rne meafure of thofe Particulars from which it is ex-^^ri^.r"**''
traded ; Mm;/;.'
^ The higlieft Sort may be called Axioms o( Axioms ; and were intended to make the fixth
and lad V rt of the Injhiuration : but it Ihould feem that Philofophy in the general, or the Au-
thor's Method in particular, has not been fo far profecuted as to afford them. For Approximations
fee the imperfed Canons, or Axioms, at the Clofe of the Hijlory of Winds, Life and Death, &c.
See alfo below, Aph. f05, io6.
' See above, A-ib. 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, i^c.
^- See above, Afb. 71. Th^s Bufinefs of Induftion is farther explained in another Place, thus.
Such 3 Form oflnduai'sn may be introduced, as to draw (omtGencra/ Conehjion from certain Par-
ticulars ; fo as at the fame Time to demonftrate, that no contradictory Injlances can be found :
for othcrwife we might eafily pronounce upon too few Particulars; and thefe alfo of the ob-
vious kind.
« See above, Aph. i<). See alfo Part II. SeJ?. I. paj/im.
39 ^ ^^ Grounds of Hope, Part I.
traiftcd ; or whether it be larger, and extend beyond them ^. If it be
more extenfive, regard muft be had whether it confirms its own Exten-
fivenefs, by promifing well ; that is, by defigning, or pointing out
new Particulars : left otherwife we Ihould either ftick in Things al-
ready known ■, or elfe, with a weak Endeavour, catch at Shadows, and
abflra5l Forms ; and not grafp fuch Things as are folid, and fix'd in
Matter ^. And, when this Pradice fhall take Place, a folid Hope will
juftly attend it.
Aphorism CVII.
Philofiphy to 19. And here fhould be repeated what we faid above, concerning the
^/^sT/^'^'" ^'''^^"'^'"g of Natural Philofophj, and the bringing particular Sciences back
atnl they ' ^g-^'" thereto '' ; fo as to prevent all rending and difmembring of the
brought back Sciences. For, unlefs this be done, there is lefs Hope of their flirther
to Philofiphy. Advancement. And fo much for preventing Defpair, and exciting
Hope, by way of forfaking or redlifying the Errors of Times paft. "We
proceed next to confider what other Motives of Hope are ftill behind.
Aphorism CVIII.
Difioveries 20. And, firft, fincc many ufeful Things have been difcover'd, as it
mpbe ^-^/J^- were by Accident, or NecelTity -, without any Enquiry, or particular
geM Enquiry. Regard, on the Side of Men; there can be no doubt, but if Men were
to look out, and bend their Minds to it, in a certain Method and Or-
der ; and not by Fits and Starts ; that many more Difcoveries would be
made. For altho' it may now and then happen, that a Man fliall acci-
dentally hit upon a Thing, which had before efcaped a great and diligent
Search ; yet, queftionlefs, the contrary is found in the Whole of Things :
and, therefore, many more, and much better Difcoveries, are to be ex-
pefted from the Reafon and Induftry, the DireSiion and Intention., of Man-
kind ; and that in lefs Time •, than from Chance, the Inftinft of Brutes, ^c.
which have hitherto given the firft Hints of Difcoveries '.
Many unex-
feiled Difco-
i/eries made.
Aphorism CIX.
21. It may likewife be an Argument of farther Hope, that fome of
the Things already difcover'd, are fuch, as, before their Difcovery, did
not
f Thefe are the Axioms which the Author principally intends ; viz. not fuch as fhall be made
to fit a few particular Inflances ; which are no more than naked Expreffions of the Refult of
certain Fafls ; but fuch as fhall far exceed the Particulars from whence they were drawn ; mark out
new Particulars ; and lead to greater Difcoveries.
8 The Meaning of this is largely exphiined in the Second Part of the prefent Work.
•■ See above, Aph. 80.
' See above, Aph. 74— .85. See alfo de Augment. Scientiar. Seft. XIII,
3
Sedl. VI. for the Ad\!ancctnent (t/'Philosophy. 399
not enter into Mens Minds even to fufpefb ; fo that any one would have
delpikd them as Impoffibilitics. For it is an ufual Way with Mankind,
to form Conjeftures of new Things, according to the Examples of old
ones ; and according to the Opinion thence preconceived, and enter-
tained : which is a very fallacious Manner of judging ■■, for many Par-
ticulars derived from the Fountains, or Origins of Things, do not flow
in the common Channels *".
22. So, if a Man, before the Difccver-j of Ordnance, fliould have x.\\\i%Ordnancr.
defcribed the Thing by its Efteds ; 'viz. that there was a certain Way of
battering down Walls, and the ftrongefl Fortifications, at a great Di-
rtance -, Mens Thoughts would have run upon multiplying the Force of
tlieir common Engines of War, the known Battering-Rams and Machines,
by the Means of Weights, Wheels, and the other mechanical Powers ;
but fcarce any one would have fuddenly fallen upon the Invention of
raifing a fiery Wind, that fhould blow out of a Tube, with fuch prodi-
gious, expanfive Violence, as to produce the above-mention'd Effect :
an obvious Example thereof, having never been feen, unlefs, perhaps, in
Earthquakes, or Thunder-Storms ; which, as being grand Works in Na-
ture, Men would prefently have rejefted as inimitable by Art '.
23. So, likewife, before the Invention of Silk; if any one fhould ha.veSi/ii
faid there was a certain Way of making a certain Cloth for Apparel, and
Houfhold-Furniture, far exceeding that of Linen, or of Woollen, in Fine-
nefs, Strength, Glofs, and Softnefs •, Men would immediately have fallen to
conjedluring about fome vegetable Silk ; the finer Furs of Animals ; or
the Feathers and Down of Birds ; without ever dreaming it fhould pro-
ceed, in fuch Plenty, from the anniverfary Spinning of a fmall Worm.
And if any one fhould have but dropp'd a Word about fuch a Worm,
he would certainly have been laugh'd at, as the Projedtor of a new
Spider- Work.
24. So, again, if, before the Ufe of the Compa/s, any Man had f^'id. The Cmfafi,
that a certain Inflrument was known, for exaflly difcovering the Quarters
and Points of the Heavens •, Mens Invention would hence prefently have
run upon a more exact Conftruccion of aftronomical Inftruments ; and
various Ways of applying them : but that any thing fhould be found,
whofe Motion had fuch a Correfpondence to the heavenly Bodies ; and
yet the Thing itfelf be no celeflial, but only a bare terreflrial, ftony, or
metallic Subftance ; would have fecm'd abfolutely incredible. Yet thefe,
and the like Particulars have been hid from Mankind for fo many Ages ;
and, at laft, were not difcover'd by Philofophy, or the rational Arts ;
but by Chance, or Accident : and are of fuch a Nature, as to appear
perfedlly foreign, and remote from the Things known before •, fo that no
previous Notion could any way lead to them.
25. Whence
* See above, Jfb. 24.
It cannot be too carefully remembei'd, that all our Knowledge is in proportion to what-'
we have feen; and not to what is contained in Nature.
4-00 T'he Grounds of Hope, Parti.
jU affsrd an ^5- Whence there is great room to exped, that there ftill remain in
Argument of the Bofoni of Nature, many Things, of excellent Ufc, that have no man-
fiope. j^gj. Qf Relation, or Analogy, to the Things already difcover'd ; but
lying perfedlly out of the Road of the Imagination ™ ; and which, tho'
hitherto unknown, may, doubtlefs, thro' numerous Revolutions, and Suc-
ceffions of Ages, be one Time or other difcover'd ; as thofe above-
-mention'd have been. But, by the Method we propofe, they will more
readily, and fuddenly, be reprefented, and anticipated ", at once °.
Aphorism CX.
7he obvious 2^^ There are alfo other Inventions of fuch a Kind as to fhew, that
Printing, long'^^'^ may pafs by, and overlook, noble Difcoveries, which lie before their
itnknoton. Feet. For tho' the Invention of Gunpowder, Silk, the Compafs, Sugar,
Paper,
"" Such ns the B:irk, and other Specifics in Medicine ; Phofphorus, Aqua Firtis, and Aqua
Jlegia, in Chemiftry; the ufc ax Lead and Antimsnv. in Refining, ^c.
" That b, be dilcover'd, or at lealt forefeen in the Mind ; and the Ways of bringing them into
ufe difcern'd ; much fooner, than by waiting tlie ordinary, or flow-paced Courle of Things ;
as is fliewn in the Second Part.
° The following Aphorifm, found detached in another Place, may deferve to be added
here.
I . " It may, perhaps, feem incredible to many, that there fhould ftill remain undifcover'd
" any confiderable Number of ufeful, and beneficial Works ; and, again, llranger, that they
" fhould hereafter be difcover'd, of a fudden : and great, to be fure, will be the Wonder,
" what thefe particular Works can be- The direfl Anfwer is, that as the Ignorance of Man-
••■ kind has led them into Defpair ; fo Knowledge will lead them out of it, into the Regions
" of Hope, or, rather, of Certainty. But whoever duly confiders it, will not find it ftrange,
" if our Method of Interpreting Kature prevails, that there fliould, in a hnall Compafs of
" Time, many new and ufeful Inventions grow up : for the Births of Knowledge are
" quick ; but the Births of Time are flow. And all the noble Inventions at prefent in Ufe,
" rather proceeded from Accident, and random Trials, or Conjeftures ; than from any pre-
" vious Light of Knowledge : whereas the Method of difcovering by InduBion is certain,
" regular, and direft ; without waiting for accidental Hits, and lucky Chances.
2. " And, that there may ftill remain new Difcoveries to be made, at leaft with regard to
" our felves, may be fairly argued from hence ; that \ve have no certain Knowledge of all the
«' Inventions known to lormer Ages, the different Countries of the World, or to all par-
" ticular Perfons. And 'tis certain, were it not for Men, we fhould never have feen Multi-
" tudes of thofe Things we at prefent enjoy ; efpecially thofe vulgarly c^XCAProduBionf of Art;
" fuch as Cloth, Coin, feV. And, to confider it cloiely. Mankind will be fjund direfted by
" certain Motions, which they obey in their Difcoveries. Thefe Motions, indeed, appear fubtile,
•' and hard to be diftinftly comprehended, and underftood ; but are not the lefs certain for
" that. And tho', in this Cafe, Men may be faid to obey their own Will ; that alters not the
•" Nature of the Thing i for Will, in Man, aiffs like that call'd Fortune, or Accident, in the
" World. Such Things, therefore, as require the Affiftance of Men to produce, and have hi-
" therto lain quite out of their Road, may be reafonably expefled from this new Method, which
" was unknown to former Ages. For Men fometimes ftumble upon Things, before they are
" aware of them ; and go in queft of others, with a certain View ; and py fuch Means as they
" know : But the Knowledge of the Means for Difcovery, has hitherto come by common
*' Obfervavations, and obvious E.xperiments ; whereas our Method tends to produce fuch
" Works as have neither an obvious Eftcft, an obvious Operation, nor an obvious LigKf ;
" being indeed no other than the Worh of Knozuledge i that are not otherwilc producible,
" than by pure Science, and dirccl Interpretation, neither of them obvious ; but removed
*' infinite Degrees from fuch Things as arc common.
Sed . VI. for the Advancement ^Philosophy. 401
Ta^ei\ &c. may leem co depend upon certain Properties of Tilings, and
of Nature; yet, doubclds, the Art oi Priuliiig contains notliing that is
not open, and in a manner obvious. But Men not obfcrving, that, tho'
it were harder to range the Types of Letters, than to draw Letters by
the Hand ; yet there was this Difference, that the Types of Letters,
being once fet, would ferve for numerous Impreflions ; whilft Charaftcrs,
drawn by the Hand, afforded only a fingle Writing : or, perhaps, not re-
flecting that Ink. might be fo thicken'd, as to Ihiin without flowing,
efpeci.dly if tlie Face of the Letter ftood upwards, and the Imprefiion
was Ilru:k downwards ; the World has, for fo many Ages, been without
this acimirable Invention, which fo nearly concerns the Propagation of
Knowledge.
27. And, in this Courfe of Invention, the Mind is frequently fo per- t^^^^ perverfe
vcrfe, childifli, and contradi<5tory, as firft to diftrull, and prefcntly after ^'7'«»?/"'^'
to defpife itfelf : for Men firft conceive it incredible, that any fuch Uif- ^^'"i '" ^"'
covery fliould be made ; but, after it is once made, they again think it
incredible, that it was not found out before. And hence we juftly deduce
another Ground of Llope, that there may ftill remain a large Treafury
■of Inventions, deducible not only from the unknown Operations to be
hereafter difcover'd ; but alfo from transferring, compounding, and ap-
plying thofe already known ; by the Means of what we call Learned
Experience ■',
Aphorism CXI.
28. As a farther Ground of Expedlation, Men may pleafe to confider A'^ ^r«/ T/W
the infinite Expence of Genius, Time, and Treafure, that has been be- ""'^ Treufure
Itow'd upon Things, and Studies, of very little Ufe and Value ; whilfl:, ''pf^^J'"
if but a Part thereof were employ'd upon found and ferviceable Mat-
ters, every Difficulty might be conquer'd. And this we think pro-
per to mention here, becaufe we mufl: confefs that fuch a Colieftion of
Natural and Experimental Hijlory "*, as we have meafur'd out in our Mind ;
and fuch as really ought to be procured ; is a great and royal Work ;
requiring the Purfe of a Prince, and the Afliftance of a People.
Aphorism CXII.
29. And let no Man Ihrink at the Multiuide of Particulars required ; Experience
but turn this alfo to an Argument of Hope. For the particular Phe- '"'^ ^'"^^ f"
nomena of A7-ts and Nature, are all of them like Sheaves, in Comparifon-^"''"^'
of the Inventions of Genius, when disjoin'd, and metaphyfically fepa-
rated from the Evidence of Things. The former Road fooji ends ift
an open Plain ; whilft the other has no IflTue •, but proves an infinite
P See de Augment. Scietitiar. Seft. XII.
, s See Vol. HI. p. 8—16.
Vol. II. Fff Laby-
40 2 7^^ Grounds of Hope, Part I.
Labyrinth : for Men have hitherto made little Stay in Experience ; hut
pais'd lightly over it -, and, on the other hand, fpent infinite Time in
Contemplation, and the Inventions of Genius : whereas, if we had any one
at our Elbow, who could give real Anfwers to the Qaeftions we fhould
put about Nature •, the Difcovery of Caiifes^ and of all the Sciences^ would
be a Work but of few Years ".
Aphorism CXIIl.
ne Author's 30. We judge alfo, that Mankind m.ay conceive feme Hopes from our
Example fro- Example : which we offer, not by way of Oftentation ; but becaufe it
^ ' may be ufeful. If any one, therefore, Ihould defpair, let him confider a
Man as much employ'd in Civil Affairs, as any other of his Age -, a Man
of no great Share of Health, who muft therefore have loft much Time ;
and yet, in this Undertaking, he is the firft that leads the Way, un-
affifted by any Mortal : and ftedfaftly entering the true Path, that
was abfolutely untrod before ; and fubniicting his Mind to Things ;
may thus have fomewhat advanced the Defign. And after this, let him
who defponds confider, what may be expected from Men of Lei-
fure -, a Conjunftion of Labours •, and a Succeffion of Times •, pro-
ceeding upon the Notices we have given them : efpecially as it is in a
Way, not open only to certain Perfons -, as the rational JVa^ is ' ; bur
where the Labours of all Men, efpecially in the collefting of Experi-
ments, may be well diftributed, employed, and afterwards joined toge-
ther. For then it is that Mankind will begin to know their own Strength ;
when not infinite Numbers fhall perform the fame Things ; but fome
execute one Thing, and fome another.
Aphorism CXIV.
Mxperimnisto 31. Laftly •, altho' a much weaker and fainter Breeze of Hope Ihould
if gone upon, breathe from the New Continent ' ; yet we muft abfolutely determine for
the Bitfinefs of Experi?nenling ; unlefs we had rather be quite abje6t and
defponding. For 'tis not equally dangerous to refufe trying, and not
to fucceed •, becaufe Trial has a Chance of procuring a great Advan-
tage ; and Failure, the Chance but of a fmall Lofs of Labour. To fum
up all ; it appears to us, both from what has been faid, and what re-
mains unfaid, that there is Hope fufficient, not only for a Man of Cou-
rage to try, but alfo for a prudent and fober Man to believe "..
Aphorism.
' It may here add fome Weight, to find that general Scholar, Dan. Geor. Morhofoi Opinion,
that the Author himfelf was equal to the Interpretation of all Nature; if he had not been pre'
vented by Civil Bufinefs. See Morhof. Pel)hi}. Tom. II. p. 381.
» See above, Jph. 95. See alfo Vol. III. />. 8- «6.
» The future Profpeft of improving the Sciences.
■ But the greateft Argument with moft, is good Stuccfs ; which, in this Cafe, has not been
wanting; fo as to encourage a farther Profecution of this Delign, upon as jufl; Foundationsas
the Merchant trafficis.
Se(5l. VI. for the Advancement ^t/'Philosophy. 403
Aphorism CXV.
32. And thus much, by way of removing Defpair ; (which is a ^na- Recapitula-
cipal Caufe of the flow Progrefs of the Sciences -,) at the fame Time, '""•
finifliing what we had to offer concerning tlic Signs and Caufes of Errors ;
and the prevailing Indolence and Inactivity of Men : for as to the more
fubtile Caufes, which come not under popular Judgment, 'or Obferva-
rion, they fliould be referred to what we have fliid above, concerning the
Idols of tbe Mind ".
33. And here likewife muft end that Part of our Inst au r a t i on tj^/^^-^^C^;,.
which regards the pulling down of the old Structure ; and which h- t(-futathns ufeJ.
fefted by three Kinds of Confutatia:; viz. (i.) the Confutation of the
natural Reafon, -when left to itfelf ; (2.) the Confutation of the Manner of
Demonjlraticns •, and (3.) the Confutation of the received Theories., or pre-
vailing Pbilofopbies, and Do^rines. And this latter Confutation has been
fuch as it might be ; viz. derived from Signs, and the Evidence of Caufes :
for no other Confutation could polTibly be ufed by us, who differ from
all others in Principles and Demonltrations ^
34. It would, therefore, be Time to proceed to our Rule and ^rt ofTheMindpn-
Tnterjreling Nature ; did not fomething ftill lie in the Way, that re- ^.'"''J^y '" ^f
quires to be removed. For, as we propofed, by an IntroduSlor-j Sett of'^ll™^^^^
Apborifms, to prepare the Mind, as well to underftand, as to receive, Part.
what is to follow ; having now levell'd and polifli'd the Mirror ; it
remains, that we fet it in a right Pofition, or, as it were, with a bene-
■\-olent AfpeCt, to the Things we fhall further propofe. For, in every
new Undertaking, not only the being ftrongly prepoffeffed with an in-
veterate Opinion •, but alfo a falfe Notion, or Expectation, of what is to
follow, proves fufficient to give a Prejudice. We muft, therefore, next
endeavour to eftablifh a juft and true Opinion of the Thing we intend ;
tho' this Opinion be only temporary, and of Ufe but till the Thing it-
felf is well underftood.
" See afc)ve, Se^. II.
^ See above, Jfh. 35.
Fff2 SECT.
404 7^^ New Method «9/ Parti.:
SECT. VII.
An Idea of the New Method
of Interpreting Nature .
Aphorism CXVI.
The Author I. TT^T E poftulate it of Mankind, that they would not imagine we have
propofes to V V ^"y defigo to form a Sefl in Philojoj-hy ; after the manner of
jounii no Sea. j-j^g ancient Greeks, or fome of the Moderns. This is far from our View.
Nor do we judge it material to the Fortunes of Mankind, what abftradt
Opinions any one entertains of the Nature and Principles of Things :
no doubt, but many of thefe may be borrowed from Antiquity ; ■ and
many new ones be introduced. Thus, for E.xample, a great Variety
of Hypothefes, tho' different among themfelves, may well enough folve
tie Phcenomena of the heavenly Bodies '".
Nor regards 2. We are not follicitous about fuch ufelefs Things, as depend upon
Opinions. Opinion ; but, on the contrary, refolve to try whether we can lay any
firmer Foundations of the human Power and Greatnefs ; and enlarge the
Bounds thereof. And, altho' we have, as we conceive, difcover'd certain
Particulars much more juft, true, and advantageous, than thofe, at pre-
fent in ufe ; and referve them for the Fifth Part of our whole Defign " ;
yet we lay down no one entire, or general 'Theory : for the Time of this
is not yet come ; nor have we any Hopes of living to finilh the Sixth
Pare
" The Idea given in this Seftion of the Author's Method of interpreting Nature, is rather a
negative than a pofitive Idea ; and formed by excluding what it is not, rather than by direftly
ihewing what it is, which will be the Bufinefs of the Hecsrid Part to unfold. But this Seftion
was necefTary, to give fome Glimpfe of the Thing itfelf ; and prepare the Mind, by degrees,
for the great Light to be afterwards fet up.
' Obferve, that the moil elegant and plaufible Solutions of Ph:Enomena, may be far removed
from Truth ; and that various, contradiftory, and yet equally probable Solutions, may be fre-
quently given of the fime Appearance. So that to iblve Phxnomena hypothetically, is a weak
and childifh Thing in Philofophy ; or bo better than the Sport of Fancy, and Imagination.
' See Vol. III. ad finem.
3
Scd". VII. I/Uerpr£^//ig NArvREj explained. . 405
Part of our Inst au ration •, which is deftincd to receive a Philo-
Ibphy difcovered by tlie genuine InUrfretation of Nature : but hold ic
fuHicient to carry ourfelves ibberly and ufefiilly, in moderate Things ;
and, in the mean Time, to fow the Seeds of pure Truth for Pofteiiry ;
and not be wanting, in our AITiftance, to the firft Beginning of great
Things.
Aphorism CXVII.
3. And, as we are no Founders of a Seft ■, fo are we no Promifcrs /"/-mr/W r»
.of particular Works. But, licre it may be replied, that we, who fo lf''orh.
frequently make mention of JVorh, and refer all Things to them, fliould
alfo give fome Earnefts of them. But our Defign, as we have often Hiid,
is not to derive PForks from IVorks, or Experiments from Experiments, like
Empirics ; but, like true Interpreters of Nature, from Works and Ex-
periments, to derive Caufes and Axioms ; and from thefc Caufes and Axioins,
new JVorks and Experiments ''.
4. And, altho' any one of tolerable Diligence and Perfpicuity, m:\.y The Naiural
find in our 'Tables of Invention, which make the fourth Part of our In- Hljiory, hi-
Jlatiraticn"; as alfo from the Examples of Particulars, produced in ^^ ^^- J'^ I^kI'L,-
cond Part of the prefent Piece ; and again, in our Obfervations upon the the Purpefe^
Hijhry dfcrihal in the Third Part ^ ; may, every where, find Indications
and Defigns of numerous noble Works -, yet, we ingenuoufly confefs, that
the Natural Hiflcry we have hitherto been able to procure, either from
Bocks, or our own Enquiry, is not fo copious, and fo well verified, as
alone to ferve for, or even adminifler to, a genuine Interpretation of Natures.
5. And therefore, if any one finds himklf difpofed, and fitted {or q^o- No Delay ^
ing upon Mechanical Works ; and has a Sagacity at difcovering them, '^'^f '" '°''
from barely converfing with Experiments ; we leave him free, and recom- jf^l^ks.
mend it to his Induftry to collect many Particulars from our Hijhry
r.»nd Tables, as it were in PalTige, and apply them to tForks ; after
the manner of Intereft, for a time, till the Principal may be received''.-
But, as ourfelves endeavour after greater Things ; we here condemn all
hady
* After the Method of the Syha Sylvan/m, Hijlory of Life and Dealb, H-'inJs, Sec. when
the Defign of each feparate Enquiry is ro difcover Axioms, Cai/fei, or Rules of Prattice, for
producing Works, in the way of a lively, aftive, and praftical Phiiofophy.
' itzFot. 111. p. 313 — 327.
' Viz. The Sjlva Siharum.
f This feems no way fpoke oat of Modefty ; but as the real Truth : whence the principal
Thing, in order to a jull and full Interpretation of Nature, is to procure an extenfive and faith-
ful Hij'ory of Nature and Art.
" It is no difficult Matter, from the Tables, larger Ohfervntims, improvable Axioms, and va--
riable Canons, that occur in the Author's fcveral Pieces, to draw vii. Models and Patterns o'i-
conCcerable Works; or new praftical Art;, of Importance : only, as Phiiofophy is hitherto very
impcrfefl ; thefe Models will fcarce be perfedl in the firll Eflliys ; b.it may require many Amend-
ments, before they v. ill anfwer. Whereas, in the Author's Manner of Proceeding, it would be
eafy to f rm a jull Notion of the Thing dcfigned; and then direflly put it in Praftice; without
Danger of niifcarrying. But tliereaie few that feem to apprehend the Pradlicability. hereof.
4©6 . I'he New Method of Parti.
hafty and unfeafonable Stops -, as being like the flopping of Atalanta \
(a Compariibn we frequently ufe :) for we do not childifhly affc£t
golden Fruit ; but place the Strefs of the whole Courfe, upon the V-iftory
of Art over Nature. And we are not fo eager, as to reap Mofs for
.Corn ; or the tender Blade for Ears ; but wait, with Patience, the ripe-
nefs of the Harveft \
Aphorism CXVIII.
Zupp-ofing fatje 6. And fome, without doubt, upon reading our Hijlcry and 'Tables of
f"-"^'!".^^^' Invention, will meet with Experiments not well verified, or even abfo-
iun 1 y- jyjgjy fj]fg J gj^^i j^2,y thence, perhaps, be apt to fufpeft, that our In-
ventions are built upon doubtful Principles, and erroneous Foundations.
But this is nothing : for fuch Slips mufl neceflarily happen in the Be-
ginning. 'Tis but as if here and there a Letter fhould be mifplaced, or
niiftaken, in a Writing, or printed Book -, which does not, ufually, much
interrupt the Reader : as fuch Errors are eafily corredled, from the Senfe of
the Place. In the fime manner, let Men obferve, that Experiments may
be flilQy believed, and received in Natural Hijiory ; and yet foon after be
expunged and rejefted, when Caufes and Axioms are difcovered ^. Tho',
'tis true, that if there fhall be many, and frequent, and continued Errors,
in a Natural and Experimental HiJlory, they cannot be corrected by any
Felicity of Art or Genius: and therefore, if m onv Natural Hiftory, which
is colledbed, and examined, with fo much Diligence, fo rigorous, and, as it
it were, with fo religious a Severity, there fliould fometimes happen any
Falfity, or Miflake, with regard to Particulars ; what muft be thought
of the cormnon Natural HiJlory, which, in comparlfon of ours, is fo neg-
ligent and remifs ; or, what of the Philofopby, and the Sciences, built upon
fuch Quickfmds • ? Let no one, therefore, be concerned, if our Hiftory
has its Errors.
Aphorism CXIX.
Mn
7rite and 'jul- J- There will alfo occur, in our I li/lory and Experiments, many Things
gar Particu- that appear at firft Sight -, ( i .) trifling and vulgar -, ( 2.) filthy, fordid, and
unpolite -, (3.) too fubtile, and merely fpeculative, or, as if it were ufe-
lefs:
' See the Fable of Atalanta explained, in the Sapientia Veterum.
*= It muft be carefully obferved, that even a large Number of Errors, or F.ilfities, in a Natu-
ral Hijloiy, defigned for the Foundation of Philofopby, would not render it ufelefs for the
Purpolc ; unlcfj the Number of Errors fhould exceed the Number of Truths, it contained.:
for in that Cafe, indeed, the Caufes, here mention'd, would be wrong afligned ; and the Axium
erroneous. But this cannot happen, where more Truth than Falfity prevails ; and a few Caufes
and Axioms, difcover'd and form.'d, tho' but with tolerable Exaftncfs, may difcovcr the Depra-
vity, or Errors, of particular Fads and Experiments. This will appear plainer in ihe Sea/id
Part of the prcfent Work.
'The Cafe requires no more than Argumenta ad Hmnititm. See the Preface to Vil. III.
Seel. VII. L!terprei{?ig Nature, explained. 407
lefs : which may difgufl:, and alienate the Minds of Men, from confi-
dcrini^ them™.
8. (i.) But, as for what our Hidory may contain ofFiilg^ir; let Men
refleft, that they hiclierto, ufually, do little more than- refer and accom-
modate tlie Caufes of fuch Things as are rare, to fuch as are more com-
mon ; without Searching for the Caafej of thofe that frequently happen;
but only receive them as granted and allowed.
9. Thus they feek not the Caufes of Gravity, of the Celefthil Motions,
of Heat, Cold, Light, Hardnefs, Softncfs, Rarity, D^nfity, Fluidity, Con-
fiftencc. Animation, Inanimation, Similarity, Diffimilarity, Organiza-
tion, is'c. but difcourfe and judge of thefe, as of Things evident, ma-
nifefl: and received •, and thence of others, which occur lefs frequently,
and fimiliarly.
10. But, as we are well apprized, that no Judgment can be made of
uncommon and remarkable Things ; much lefs that any new ones (hould
be brought to Light ; unlefs the Caufes, and the Caufes of the Caufes of
common Things, are juftly examined and difcovered ; we are necelfarily
obliged to receive the com.moneft Things of all, into our Hiftory. And,
indeed, we find nothing proves more prejudicial to Philofophy, than that
fuch Things as arc obvious, and often occur, fliould not arrefl: and de-
tain the Confideration of Mankind ; but are only received tranfiently,
without enquiring into their Caufes : whence Irformation is not fo frequenlly
icauted in Things unkncivn ; as Attentkn in fuch as are hio^a;n.^
Aphorism CXX,
11. (2.) But for unpolite, or even fordid Particulars", which, as Pliny Sucb as are
obfervcs, require an Apology for being mentioned; even thefe ought x.o^'^^^"'"'^^''
be received into a Natural Hiflory, no lefs than the moft rich and deli-
cate : for Natural Hijhry is not defiled by them, any more than the Sun,
by fliining alike upon the Palace and the Privy. And we do not endeavour
to build a Capitol, or ereft a Pyramid, to the Glory of Mankind ; but to
found aTemple, in Imitation of the World, and confecrate it to the Human
Underftandirg : fo that we muft frame our Model accordingly. For what-
ever is worthy of Exiftence, is worthy of our Knowledge, which is the
Image of Exiftence : but ignoble Things exift, as well as the noble. Nay,
as fome excrementitious Matters, for Example, Musk, Civet, &c. fome-
times produce excellent Odours ; fo fordid Inftances fometimes afford
great Light and Information". But enough of this ; as fuch a Delicacy is
perfedly childifh and effeminate.
Aphorism
" Let this be underllood of Objecflions made to the Author's Syha Sylvarum.
" Such, for Example, 05 Obfervations and Experiments upon Putrefaction, the Excrements
of Animals, is'c.
"The Reader of the Sjlva Sylvarum, (^c. will find many Things of this Kind, that here
feem at once fufficiently apologized for.
4o8 Tl:ie New Method of Parti.
Aphorism CXXI.
Tooairms, or 12. (3.) It deferves a much clofer Confideration, that many Particu-
fubtile. lars in our Natural Hijlory will, to an ordinary Capacity, or even to
any Mind accuftomed only to the prefent Philofophy, appear like cer-
tain laboured, ufelefs Subtilties : and therefore, this Objection deferves
a primary Regard. We have already obferved, that at the Beginning,
and for a Time, we feek Experiments that may afford Light, not Pro-
fit : in Imitation of the Creator, who, as v;e muft often repeat, produ-
ced nothing but Light for the firft Day's Work.
13. And to pretend that thefe fubtile Things are Ufelefs, feems like
imagining, that Light has no Ufe ; becaufe it is not a folid, or tangible
Body. And, in reality, the Knowledge of fimple Natures ^ well exa-
mined and defined, is like Light ; and illuminates all the dark RecelTes
of Works : and tho of no great Ufe in itfelf, yet potentially includes,
and draws after it, whole Troops and Armies of TVorks, and Fountains
- of the nobleft Axioms fl. So the Letters of the Alphabet feparately, and
of themfclves, are infignificative and ufelefs •, yet prove like firft Matter in
the Formation, or Compofition, of all Speech and Difcourfe, Even the
Seeds of Things, tho' of fuch great Efficacy, are ufkfs, without the pro-
per Treatment -, and the fcattered Rays of Light itfelf, unlefs brought
clofe together, do not impart their Virtue.
14. But if any one is offended at Speculative Suhtilties ; what would he
fay to the Schoolmen, who have given into Subtilties without End .'' And
yet thefe Subtilties were about Words, or at lealt vulgar Notions, which
comes to the fame Thing -, and not about Nature •, and- have proved alfo
as ufelefs in their Confequence, as in their Origin i being not of that
Kind, to be ufelefs for the prefent, but infinitely ufeful in future i as
thofe are vv hereof we now fpeak. And Mankind may be certain of this,
that all Subtilty of Difpute, and Reafoning of the Mind, if ufed only
after Axioms are difcovered, comes too late, and out of Seafon •, and that
the true, proper, or at leaft the principal Time for Subtilty, is in contem-
plating Experience, and forming Ax!o?/is from it "■ : for that other Kind of
Subtilty catches at Nature, without ever taking hold of her. And what
is ufually faid of Opportunity, or Fortune, holds perfedlly true, iftranf-
ferred to Nature ; viz. th3.tJJje has Locks before, but none behind.
15. Laftly;
■ ^ Such as Heat, Cold, Gravity, Fluidity, ^r.
1 See ro/. I. ^. 84.
: ' This alone is-what properly deferves the Name of 77Y(?r)) in Philofophy ; that is, the view-
ing, or confidering in the Mind, how Things arc in Nature : and thence forming Axioras, or
Rules of Practice., for producing Works and Effects. For want of attending to this fundamen-
tal Point ; Men are apt to imagine, that Philofophy is a light, airy Thing, wherein every one
may amufc hfrnfeff, by raifing Hypothefes, and building Syftcms, without the Drudgery of
cgnfulting Nature, and Experience. But let it be well remember'd, that \\\i End of Philofophy,
is PraSlice ; or, that Philofophy is no farther of \Jk, than as it may be made operative.
Interprethig Nature, explained. 409
15. Laftly ; with relation to this Contempt of Natural Hijlory, on
account of its containing Things that are vulgar, ignoble, fubtile, or ufc-
lefs in their Origins, we fliould here ronfider, as an Oracle, the Saying
of the poor Woman to the haughty Prince, who rejefted her Petition,
as a thing below his Dignity to take notice of; I'hen ceafe to Reign : for, 'tis
certain, that whoever will not attend to Matters of this Kind, as if they were
too minute or trifling, Ihall never obtain Command or Rule over Nature'.
Aphorism CXXII.
16. It may alfo feem a llrange and fhocking Thing, that we fhould 7"^^ 9^;^.''"''
at once rejedt all the Sciences, and all Authors, at a Stroke; '^^^^^'^^^^"'^/ '^%'f/ie^t^
admitting any one of the Ancients to afiift, or defend us; but truft,^^,^ ^// /;>,^'
as it were, to our own fingle Strength. Sciences.
1 7. We are well aware, that if we were any way difpofed to aft in- Anfwer'd, as
fincerely, it would not be difficult for us to attribute what we produce, '♦ rejeaing
either to the early Ages', (when, perhaps, the Knowledge of Naturc^""^""^"
flourifhed more, tho' with lefs Pomp, than after it came into the Flutes
and Trumpets of the Greeks,) or, even in certain Particulars, to fome
of the Greeks themfelves ; and thence derive Authority and Honour to
our Inventions ; after the manner of new raifed Perfons, who fetch their
Nobility from fome ancient Line, by the fiivour of Genealogies and De-
fcents. But relying wholly upon the Evidence of Things, we rejedl all
Stratagem and Impojlnre" ; and judge it of no greater Moment to the
Bufinefs in hand, whether what fhall be now difcovered was known to
the Ancients, and by the Viciffitude of Things, and Ages, is made to
fee and rife ; than to be follicitous, whether America is the Ifland
Atlantis, mentioned by Plato, and known to the Ancients ; or v/hether
» This whole Aphorifm will, if duly confider'd, appear felf-evident. If any farther liluftra-
tion be required, fee Vol. III. /. 8—16.
' This might have been an eafy Artifice for the Author ; confidering how well verfed he
was in Antiquity ; and what a Talent he had at explaining the Mythology thereof: but this would,
indeed, have been an Impolition, or Impoftiire ; fince no evident Signs of any fuch Induftive
Method, as that he propofes, are found in the Ancients. But tho' the Author does not ufe this
Artifice; 'tis certain he has ufed a particular Art, in procuring Credit and Reputation to his In-
ventions. B.;t what kind of Art this is, deferves, perhaps, like the Art of Government, to be
in fome meafure concealed. Certainly the Subtilty of the Serpent, may be joined with the In-
nocence of the Dove. See hereafter, Aph. 1 28.
" In another Place, the Author mentions, that if he were difpofed to deal collufively with
Mankind; it would be no difScult Matter to perfuade them, that the ancient Philofophers,
long before the Times of the Greeks, had a much deeper Knowledge of Nature ; and thence
artificially infinuate, that they profecuted Enquiries in the Method himfelf propofes : whence
he imagines he might have gained over to his Side, all t^s Admirers of Antiquity ; or thofe
whorell upon Authorities; which are a large Number; and thus have found tlie lefs Oppofttion
in his promoting his grand Defign. But tho' himfelf apppears to have conceived highly of
the Knowledge of the earliefl Ages of the World ; as we find by his Piece de Sapientia Veterum ;
yet he rcjefts this Artifice as diiihoneft.
Vol. II. G g g it
410 'The New Method of
it were firfl dilcovercd by Columbus : for the Difccveij of 'Things, is to be
derived from the Light of 'Nature \ and not from the Darkmfs of Antiquity^.
All Authoys i^' -B""^ ^?'^o the general Cenfure, of ftriking out all Authorities and
and theSci- all the Sciences, at once ; certainly, whoever confiders It rightly, will
■ences. find this Procedure more rational, and more modeil, than to have done
the Thing but in part. For if Errors had not been rooted in Mens
firft Notions •, fome Things, juftly diicovered, might have redified others :
but as Errors have been fundamental ; and of fuch a Kind, that Men
have rather neglefted and pafled Things over, than form'd a wrong or
falfe Judgment about them •, 'tis no wonder if they have not obtained
what they never had in view ; not arrived at the End they never propo-
fed ; nor performed the Courfe which they never entered".
Ihe Accujation i^_ p^^^ -jj jq the Point of Infolence ; 'tis true, that if one Man
tifmiT'' fliould, by the Steadinefs of his Hand, and the Strength of his Eye, pre-
tend to draw a more perfeft Right Line, or Circle, than another, there
would then be a Competition in Excellence ; but for a Man to afTert,
that by the Ruler, or Compafs, he can draw a more perfect Line, or Cir-
cle, than another by the fole Ufe of his Hand and Eye, is furely no
great matter of Oftentation. And this holds good, not only in our pre-
fent, firft Attempt •, but regards thofe alfo who fliall endeavour to im-
prove it after us : for our IVay of Difccvering the Sciences, almoft levels
the Capacities of Men •, and leaves little room for Excellence ; as it per-
forms all Things by fure Rules and Demonftrations : and therefore, thefe
Difcoveries of ours, are, as we have often faid, rather owing to Felicity,
than any great "Talent ; and are rather the Produdlion of Tijne, than of
Genius. For there is, doubtlefs, no lefs of Accident in the Thoughts,
than in the Works and Adlions of Men.
Aphorism CXXIII.
niReafonof 20. And therefore we may fay of our felves, what was formerly faid in
the Author's jj^g ^^y ^f Pleafantry -, that 'tis impofftblc thofe who drink Water, Jhould
f^lrl"^ ^^"^ have the fame Sentiments with thofe that drink IVine'^ . For all Mankind,
both Ancients and Moderns, have drank a cruie Liquor in the Sciences;
as
'•'' Notwithllanding the high Opinion which the Author entertain'd of Antiquity, he tells us
in another Place, that, after having examined all the Sefts of Philofophy among the Greeks,
and other Nations; he turnM his Eyes upon early Antiquity ; which he found as a remote
Traft, cover'd with Clouds, and hid in Obfcurity.
" This Sentiment is diiierently exprefled in another Place ; thus. " As to the Rejeftion of
" former Doftrines, this mull be underllood only of Opinions ; and not as derogating from the
" Genius, or Labours, of the Authors that have gone before us. For the greater Genius any
" Man has, and the more Pains he takes, after having left the Light and Hiftory of Nature,
" and the Evidence of Particulars; into the more dark and intricate Dens and Dungeons of Fi-
" clions, and Idol?, he runs, and becomes involved.
y The Saying of Philocrates, when he differ'd from Demojlbenes ; viz. Do not vjonder, Athe-
nians, that I differ from Demollhenes : for he drinks Water, and I drink IVine.
3
Interpreting Nature, explained. 411
.-IS a Water that either flowed fpontaneoufly from the Underfl:anding ;
or was drawn out of the Well, by the Wheels of Logic : whilft we
drink a Liquor, and offer it to others, prepared from an infinite Num-
ber of Grapes, ripe and feafonably gathered, in Ciufters ; fomcwhat fquee-
zed in the Prefs ; and, laftly, purged and clarified in the VeffeP. Whence
'lis no wonder if we differ from others.
Aphorism CXXIV,
21. It will alfo, doubtlefs, be obferved of us, that our felves have not'^l^-^^jj''^'^'''-'
propofed the true, and beft End, or Scope of the Sciences; (rhe Thing^^^/p^^^f^^"
•we cenfure in others -,) as the Contemplation of Truth is of greater jram 'atc/iy
Dignity and Sublimity, than all Utility, and Greatnefs of Works ; v/h\\{\:/nimtbe ni-
the long and follicitous dwelling in Matter, Experience, and the Un- A"'^ Conntn>-
certainty of Particulars, which we recommend, fixes the Mind to Earth •, <Jf,^(l,^
or rather finks it into an Abyfs of Confufion and Perturbation : at the
fame Time, driving and keeping it aloof from the Serenity and Tran-
quillity of a much diviner State, that of obftraEl Wifdom.
11. We willingly allow the Force of this Argument; and above ■^"/«"'''^'
all Things, endeavour after what it intimates and requires. For we
would place a true Model of the World in the human XJnderflayiiingy
fuch as the World is found to be ; and not fuch as any ones Reafon
might make it. And this cannot be done, without firft very carefully
dilTefting and anatomizing the World. But for thofe ridiculous and
Mock-models of Worlds, which the Fancies of Men have formed in
Philofophies, we rejecf them abfolutely "" : and therefore, let Men well
confidjr, and underftand, the diference there is between the Idols of the hu-
man Mind, and the Ideas of the divine Mind ; the former being no more
than arbitrary Abftradions ; but the other, the true Signatures of the
Creator upon the Creatures, as imprefied and limited in Matter, by
true and exadl Lines ''. And therefore, Truth and Utility, are here the very
^ The Allegory is not difficult to interpret. The fpontaneous Water of the Underftanding,
is the natural, unaffifled human Reafon; in the ordinary Way of exercifing its T.-ilent. The
Wattr drawn by the Wheels of Logic, is chiefly fuch Doflrine as we find in Arifiotle, his
Commentator.s snd Followers ; but the Wine of the Author, is the Knowledge gained from a
large Number of attentive Obfervations made upon Nature ; and a Variety of careful Experi-
ments; or i Ss/z/a of Matter, colleded with Choice, and Judgment; ruminated upon in the
Mind, and fomcwhat digelled, and formed into Jxiomi, and Rules ofPrafiice.
■* Such, fuppofe, as the Categorical World of Ariftotle, the World oi Epicurus, the Platonicai
World, and, of later Date, the dirtefian World, (dc. almoft every Philofopher pretending to
model the World in his own manner; or to (hew, if he had been the Creator, how wifely he
would have made it. But to find out what the World is in itfelf, as the Autiior of Nature has
made it, is the Thing here propofed.
•> yiz. Things themfeives, with their Differences, Relations, Dependencies, l^c.
G g g 2 Things
4 1 2 l*he New Method of
Things required : and Works fhould be more efleemed, as they arc
Pledges of Truth, than as they are Ufeful in Life =.
Aphorism CXXV.
Thai, after 23. It may, perhaps, be likewife objedled, that we are only doing
ail, fomefor- what has been done before ; that the Ancients proceeded in the llime
mrPhilofo- -Way that we do; and, and therefore, that we fhall probably, af-
fallen ufott. '•^'' ^■'^ '^"'^ Struggle and btnving, but at length come to fome one or
other of thofe Philofophies, which prevail'd among the Ancients : for,
that they, in the Beginnings of their Contemplations, procured a
large Stock of Examples and Particulars ; digefted them into Regifters,
Common-place Books, and Titles ; and thence compofed their Philofo-
phies, and their Arts ; thus pronouncing upon full Difcovery : that
they added Examples occafionally, by way of Confirmation, and as a
Help to Inftruftion ; but thought it needlefs, and burthenfome, to pub-
lifh their Notes, Memoirs, and Common-place Books of Particulars ;
herein following the Example of Builders, who, after they have erefted
an Edifice, take down the Ladders and the Scaffolding, and remove them
from Sight.
Anfwer'd. 24. It is true, one cannot eafily believe that the Ancients Ihould have
proceeded otherwife : but unlefs we forget what has been above deli-
vered, this Objedlion, or Scruple, is eafily removed. For, we confefs,
that the Ancients had a Form of Enquir'j and Difcovery ; and their Wri-
tings fliew it: but this Form, was no other than flying from certain /"i^r-
liadar Examples, with the Afllftance of common Notions, (and, perhaps,
fome fcwourite Part of the received Opinions,) to the moft general Con-
cIufioMS, or Principles of the Sciences ; from the fixed and undifturbed Truth
whereof, they drew out, and proved inferior Concliifions, by intermediale
Propofitions ; and built their Arts of thefe Materials : and if new Particu-
lars, and Examples arofe, or were produced, to oppofe their eftabliflied
Do(ftrine ;
' Obferve, thnt Works, in the Author''s Senfe, being derived from a Knowledge of Nature;
are Proofs that Nature is underftood, fo far as regards the Work effeded : For Works cannot
be performed, without knowing how to perform them. And tho' this be a valuable Fruit of
Knowledge, yet it is not the only one ; but the Contemplation of the Truth, hereby con-
firmed to the Mind, raifes in it that Veneration, which is due to the Author of Nature ; and
wherein the Pcrfeftion of the human Intellcft feems to confift. To this Purpofe, the Author
adds, in snother Place : If any one, delighted with the Love and Veneration of Contemplation,
fiiould think the frequent and honourable mention we made of Works, founds harfh and difigree-
able ; let him aflure himfelf, that he adls contrary to his own Defires ; for in Nature, Works are
not only beneficial to Life, but the Tols'cn of Truth. And as it is jutlly required in Religion,
that Faith fhould be demonflrated by Works ; fo it is congruous in Natural Philofophy, that
Knowledge alfo fhould be flicvvn, and demonilrated by Works : For Truth is more mani-
fefled and confirm'd by the Indication of Works, than by Arguments ; or even than by Senfe.
So that the State and Condition of Men is improved by the very fame Meam that improve the
Mind. We, therefore, judge, that what we have faid of the Dignity and E.xcellence of Works,
ajid the End in View, is not etpal to, but comes far fhoit of the Truth. See Apb. 129. §• 33.
Interpreting Nature, explained. 413
DoiStrlne ; they cither made them fquare, by fubtile Diftindtions, or ac-
commodated Exphinations of their own Rules ; or elfe, in a grofs manner,
ftruck them out by Exceptions : at tlie fame Time, hiborioufly and ob-
ftinately wrefting, and fitting the more tradtable Particulars to their own
Principles. We muft add, that neither t\\c'n- Natural Hiflor-j^ nor Experience^
was any way fuch as the Cafe required ; and that their Method of bound-
ing at once to the moft general Conclufwiis, was the Bane of Philofophy"*.
Aphorism CXXVI.
24. It may alfo be objefted, that as we difallow a Liberty of Pronoun- The Charge of
cing, and laying down fure Principles, till, by intermediate Steps, wcSceituifm.
Ihail have regularly come to the moft univerfal Conclufions ; wc patro-
nize a Sufpenfion of the Judgment, and bring all to a State of Scepti-
cifm. The Truth is, we intend and propofe, not the Art of Doubting, Anfwr'd.
in general ; but the Art of Doubting, properly : for we do not detract from,
but adminifter to the Senfe i and do not defpife, but regulate the Un-
derftanding. And 'tis better to know fo much as is neceflary, and yet
not think ourfelves to know all ; than to think that we know all, and
yet remain ignorant of that which is neceflary".
Aphorism CXXVII.
25. It may likewife be doubted, whether we fpeak only of perfefting Tiat the pre-
Natural Pkilofopb), incur manner; or of the other Sciences alfo; us Lcgic^fim Defg»
Ethics, Politics, &c. Our Anfwer is, that what we here deliver re- '3f''f' 'fp^-
gards them all. And as the common Logic, which governs Things by lojopbsf
S\lhgifm, belongs not only to the natural Sciences, but to all ; fo our
nrj: Logic, which proceeds by Indudlion, comprehends every Thing. For
we defign and draw up Ilifcries, and Tables of Invention, (i.) for the
Paffions of Anger, Fear, Modejiy, and the like ; ( 2.) for Models of Go-
vernment and Civil Afi^airs ; and, (3.) for the mental Adions of the Me-
mory, Compofition, Divifion, Judgment, ^c. ( 4.) for Heat, Cold,
Light, Vegetation, is'c. But as our Method of Interpretation, after our
Hijiory fliall be once procured, and prepared, does not, like the cotnmon
Logic, regard only the Motions and Reafonings of the Mind, but likewife the
Nature of Things ; fo we condudl the Mind, in fuch a manner, as that
it may, in every refpedt, properly apply icfelf to the Nature of T hings :
and therefore fhall deliver many different Precepts, in the Doolrine of In-
terpretation, which may, in fome Meafure, relate to the Quality and
Condition of the Subjedt enquired into, and the Manner of Invention ^.
Aphorism
■" Sec above Sell. I. and II. pajfim.
' Sec the de Aigment. Sc'untiar. p. it 8.
' A confiderable Part of this Dircftion comes in the Second Part of the prefent Work. And
tiiit the Author extended his View, and fitted his new Logic, to the Purpofes not only of Pliy-
2 fics.
4^4 '^^s ^^'^ Method of
Aphorism CXXVIII.
TbeDef.^n, 26. But no One, fare, can fufpeft, that we defire to deftroy and de-
"VreSf '"""'^^ ^^^ Philofoph-j, the Jrts, and the Sciences, at prefent in Ufe •, for,
'jruand'sci- °" ^"^^ Contrary, we embrace their Ufe, and willingly pay them all due
^ca. Honour and Obfervance. And, indeed, we would no ways hinder them
from being ufed in maintaining Difputes, adorning Difcourfes, and
ferving in the profeflbry Offices, and fliort Methods of adling in Civil
Life; or, again, from being received, like Coin, by the common Confent
of Mankind. For we openly declare, that the Things we oflfer, are not
very conducive to thefe Purpofes -, as they cannot be brought down to vulgar
Capacities, otherwife than by Eftefts and Works. And how fincerely
we profefs this Aftedlion and Good-will towards the Sciences already re-
ceived, our former Attempt for their Advancement, may fave us the Trou-
ble of repeating. But this we firmly and exprefly aver, that by the
Methods now in Ufe, no great Progrefs can be made in the contempla-
tive and dodlrinal Sciences ^ ; nor they pofTibly be employ'd for the enlarg-
ing and extending of Works *".
Aphorism
fics, butuniverfal Philofophy, and the whole Body of Arts and Sciences, appears from his de Aiig-
mentis Snentiarum, and Syha Syharum ; as well as from the prefent Piece, and the particular En-
quiries himfelf has begun; fuch as the Hijiory of Life and Death, the Hijtor-f of Winds, the
liijlory of Aftronom-j, t)\e Hijiory of Philofophy, x\t Hiftory of Authors, Difcourfes of War, Go-
vernment, Morality, Oeconomy, &c. So that the Method of working by Tables and Indu-
P.ion, feenis excellently fitted for the due and commodious Profecution of all Kinds of En-
quiries.
s See Vol. I. p. 1 0^1 5. IS alibi pajfim.
•> This feems the proper Place wherein to infert, and preferve, a few Afhorifms,he\ongmg to
the prefent Subjeft, that were found fcatter'd in other Parts of the Author's Works.
1. " But if any one fhall think it needlefs in us, to bellow fo much Pains and Diligence, in
" preparing the Minds of Men j or imagine, that we do it, in fome meafure, to fhew our
" Parts and Learning ; and, therefore, had rather, without all Circumlocution, and prepara-
" tory Difcourfe, be told the Thing itfelf, diredly, in few Words : We anfwer, that we
" could wifh, for the Good of Mankind, this were the Cafe ; or that it were as eafy to fur-
•' mount the DifHculties, and remove the Impediments in our Way, as it is for us to lay afide
" empty Pride, and Oftentation. But we defire Mankind fhould know, that we have had
" fome Experience of the Way, in this great Solitude we are entering; as theSubjefl we have
"now in hand abfolutely requires we fliould ; and that we would by no means expofe or betray
" fuch a Subjeft, thro' a Want of Skill to treat and deliver it. We muft, therefore, affiire
" them, from a thorough Confiderarion and Infight both of Things, and the Minds of
'* Men, that we find it almoft harder to gain Accefs to the Mind, than to Things; and
" that we find the Labour and Di.flculty of Delivering, not much lefs than of Difovering. So
" that ■(ve are here obliged to praflice, what is ahnoll a new Thing in intelleiflual Matters,
" Complaifimce, or Courtfliip; and at once to bear the Load, not only of our own Thoughts,
" but thofe of other Men. For the only way of fubverting the Idols of Vanity, is by ap-
"• preaching them obfcquioufly ; and not by rufliing in upon them with Violence, and
" Fury.
2. " And this does not wholly happen from hence, that Men are captivated with the Admi-
" ration of Authors ; or fwollen with their own Conceits ; or becaufe, thro' Cuftom, and Pre-
"■ judice, they will not be impartial : for, tho' a Man would very gladly impofe a juft and ;
Interpret:?!g Nature, explained. 415
Aphorism CXXIX.
27. It remains, that we fay fomething to the Excellency of the 'E.n^^TheExccHerce
in View; which, if faid before, might have feemed no more than a ^/*^ ^""^ "'
good Wirti : but: now, when the Grounds of Hope are laid, and unjuft
Prejudices removed, it may, perhaps, have greater Weight. If, in-
deed, we had perfedled the whole Defign ; and did not defire others
to fliare the Labour with us -, wc wou'd have dropp'd every thing
of
•' even Temper upon himfelf; and, as it were, forfwear all Prejudice; yet even fuch a Dif-
" poiicion oi Mind cannot be trufted. For no Miin has a Command over his ozvn Under-
" Jlanding, u-hich depends not upon his Will : Nor is the Spirit of the Philofophcis, anf more than
" the Spirit of the Prophets, Jubjeil to thofe it reigns in. 'Tis not, therefore, the Equity, the
" Sincerity, or the Facility, of other Men ; but our own Conduft, Difcretion, and Condefccn-
" fion, that muft fecure us in our Undertaking, and render it fuccefsful.
3. " And here, again, we lie under no fmall Difficulty, on account of our own natural
" Temper and Manners ; for it is an irrevocable Decree with us, ever to retain our native Can-
" dor and Simplicity ; and not attempt a PafTage to Truth under the Condufl of Vanity ; but
" fo to moderate and behave our felves, as not by any Artifice, Craft, Cunning, Impofition,
" Impollure, or any thing like Impofture ; but barely by the Ornament of Order ; and by
" diligently engrafting new Difcoveries upon the foundeft Part of the old ones; to work
" our Wiy, and effe(fl our Defign. So far, therefore, from labouring this Point too much, that
" we rather judge we have bellow'd lels Pains and Diligence in preparing Mens Minds, and
" conquering fuch great Difficulties, than the Nature of the Defign requires.
4. " 'Tis obfervable, that mod Men, m Delivering or Concealing thc'w lLno\v\cAgc, do not
" deal fincerely ; or as the Nature of the Thing demands. And tho' the Crime may be lefs, yet
" the Mifchief is the fame, in thofe who are of found Morals, and approved Candor ; but want
" Prudence, or the Art and Method of delivering the Things in their jull Order. Yet this
«♦ unfair, ungenerous, or unskilful Manner of delivering tlie Sciences, is not greatly to be
" complain'd of; as fuch Writers have not, by their Way of Delivering, broke the Force of the
*' Things they deliver ; for a perverfe Way of Teaching is jullly preferved, where only Tri-
" fles are taught. But, as our Defign is not to deliver the Fidlions of our own Fancy, the
" Sport of Words, a Mixture of Philofophy and Religion, nor certain popul-ir Obfervations, or
•' confidcrable Experiments, work'd up into .fabulous Theories ; hwt real Nature, with all her
" fruits about her ; we fhould think it a betraying of our Trull, to infeiS fuch a Subjcft, cither
" with an ambitious, an ignorant, or any other faulty manner of treating it. Our utmoft
" Study is, therefore, bent upon a juft and proper Method of delivering our felves.
5. " Many will, doubtlefs, be inquifitive to know, what this juft and proper Method is;
" and require it to be told them naked and artlefs, without any Preamble ; that they may exer-
" cife their own Judgments upon it : and we wiih, indeed. Matters were fo well with them,
" that we might gratify their Requeft. But the Truth is, the Minds of Men have the Ways and
" Paflages up to them, fo thick befet, and obftrufted with fuch dark, deep rooted, and
* ' inveterate Idols, as in no wife to be foon cleared, laid level, and polilh'd, to receive the true
" and native Images of Things. Whence we are obliged to u.'e our utmoft Addrefs, to infinuate
•' and Aide into thefe dark and thick Coverts. For as Lunaticks are only to be cured by
" Art, and proper Applications; but are rather made worfe by Force, Oppofition, and
" rough Ufage ; the fame Courfe are we obliged to take, and ufe a gentle Method in the Cure
" of this univerfal Madnefs. And here we, furely, have a hard Task ; to deliver Stience {o
•' innocently, as to give no Occafion of Error and Offence ; yet with fuch a native and im-
" planted Force, as may procure Credit, guard againft the Injuries of Time, and deliver Know-
■' ledge down to Poflerity ; like a vigorous and lively Plant, that may daily grow and in-
" creafe ; whilft, at the fame time, we fingle out for our felves, and, as it were, adopt a rightly
" difpolcd and legitimate Race of Readers. But whether we have done all this, mutl be Icit to
•' the Judgment of Poilerity.
41 6 The New Method of
of this Kind \ left it fhould be taken for publifhing our own Merit : but
as an Edge muft be given to the Induftry of others ; and their Minds
be excited and raifed ; 'tis proper we fhould here admonilh Mankind of
a few Particulars.
The Honour cf 28. And, firft ; the Introdudion of noble Inventions Teems to hold, by
Inventors. f^j.^ ^ht moft excellent Place among all human Actions. And this was
the Judgment of Antiquity -, which attributed divine Honours to Inventors ;
but conferr'd only heroical Honours upon thofe who deferved well in Ci-
vil Affairs ; fuch as the Founders of Empires, Legiflators, and Deliverers
of their Country. And whoever rightly confiders it, will find this a
judicious Cuftom in former Ages ; fince the Benefits of Inventors may
extend to all Mankind ; but Civil Benefits only to particular Countries,
or Seats of Men : and thefe Civil Benefits feldom defcend to more than
a few Ages ; whereas. Inventions are perpetuated through the Courfe of
Time. Befides, a State is feldom amended in its Civil Affairs, without
Force and Perturbation -, whilft Inventions fpread their Advantage, with-
out doing Injury, or caufing Diflurbance.
29. Difcoveries, alfo, are like new Creations, and Imitations of the
divine Works. And, 'tis obfervable of Solomon^ that he fixed not his
Glory in any of the Privileges of Royalty, or other Excellencies, where-
of he was pofTefTed •, but in this fingle Bufinefs of Invention. 'Tis the
Glory of God, fays he, to conceal a Thing ; and the Glory of the King to find
it out.
30. Again ; Let any one confider, what a Difference there is betwixt
the Life led in any polite Province of Europe, and in the favage and
barbarous Parts of the IVeft-Iftdies ; and he will find it fo great, that one
Man may defervedly feem a God, to another ; not only on account of
greater Helps and Advantages ; but alfo upon a Comparifon of the two
Conditions : and this Difference is not owing to the Soil, the Air, or bodily
Conftitution ; but to Arts.
The Efficacy of 3 1- -Again •, It may not be improper to obferve the Poiver, the Effi-
Inventkns. cacy, and the Confequences of Inventions ; which appear no where plainer,
th ui in thofe three Particulars, unknown to the Ancients ; and whofe
Origins, tho' modern, are obfcure and inglorious ; 1:72;. the Art oi Print -
ir.g, Gunjcivder, and the Compafs ; which have altered the State of the
World, and given it a new Face ; ( i.) with regard to Learning •, ( 2.) with
regard to War ; and (3.) with regard to Navigation : Whence, numberlefs
VicifTitudes of Things have enfued ; infomuch that no Empire, no Se£f,
no Celeftial Body, could feem to have a greater Efficacy, and, as it
were. Influence over human Affairs, than thefe three Mechanical In-
ventions have had.
Three Kindi of 3^- Again; It may not be amifs to diftinguifli three Kinds, and, as It
Jmbition. were. Degrees of Ambition in Mankind -, the firft, that of fuch as defire
to aggrandize their private Power in their own Country ; which is the
mofl vulgar and degenerate: tht fecond, of fuch as endeavour to enlarge
the
Se6l. VII. Literprcting Nature, explained. 417
the Power and Empire of their Country, in rcfped: of others -, which is
more noble, tho' no lefs cupidinous : but if any one fhould ftrive to
reftore and enlarge the Po-zcer, and Em fire of Mankind, over the Uni-
verfe of Things ; this Ambition, (if it defcrves the Name of Ambition)
is, without difpute, more folid and majeftic, than the others. But the
Empre of Man over Things, is entirely founded in Arts and Sciences:
for Nature cannot otherwife be commanded, than by obeying her Laws.
33. But if the Utility of any particular Invention, can aficft M:).n- The great AJ-
kind fo much, as to make them think him more than human, who z'antjigcrfthe
could, by any fingle Benefit, oblige the whole Species; how much more ^''^-''""'^^■''^*'
noble muft it appear, to difcover fome 07ie Thing, by which all others may
readily he difcover ed' ? And yet to l;iy the Truth, as we are greatly obliged
to Light, becaufe by its Means we can fee to Read, find our Way,
exercife our Arts, and diftinguifh one another; whilft the Sight of tlie Light
it felf, is a more excellent and beautiful Thing, than thefe its various Ufes ;
fo, without difpute, the Contemplation of Things, as they are in them-
felves, without Superitition or Impofturc, Error or Confufion, is itfelf,
of greater Dignity, than all the Benefits of Invention \
34. If any one, in the lafl: Place, fliould objeft, that the Arts znd That Arts and
Sciences may be wrefted, and turned to evil Purpofes or Sin, Luxury, i^c. Sciences may
this can have little Weight; becaufe it may be fuid of all the h^H ^^ ""MP'') ^^
Things in the World, fuch as great Capacity, Courage, Strength, Beauty,
Riches, Light itfelf, ^c. Let but Mankind recover their Right over Na- AnfweiL
ture, which was given them by the divine Being ; let them be well
provided of Materials ; and re£!ifed Reafon, and found Religion, will di-
rect the Ufe '.
Aphorism
■ Viz. A new Machine, or Lf)gic, direfting the Mind to aft upon all Subjefts, with
great Advantage. This Diicovery the Author, in another Place, compares to the Difcovery of
the Compafs ; thus. " As in former Ages, when Navigation was diretled barely by obfer-
*' ving the Stars, Men could do no more than coail it along the Shores of the old World ;
" or crois fome narrow Seas ; vvhilft the Ufe of the Compafs was required, before the great
" Ocean could be traverfed, and the new World be difcovcred : In like manner, the prcfent
" Difcoveries in Arts and Sciences, might be made by Inflinft, Experience, Obfervation, and
" Conteniplation ; as lying not very remote from Senfe ; but, before the deeper and more re-
" mote Parts of Nature can be laid open, a better and more perfeft Way of ufing and work-
" ing with the Mind is neceflarily required." He farther obferves, that " the new World
" of Knowledge, differs from the new World of America ; the former being much better fur-
" niihed with Arts, than the latter; fo that the known Arts oi Europe are gre.it Things there:
" whereas, on the contrary, the Additions ftill required to the Arts in ufe, muft be of a higher
" kind, and fo effeftual, as to bend, fubdue, and conquer Nature ; or afteft her radically : for
" it almoftconftantly happens, that theThings eafy to find, prove but of little Service; whilft
" the Roots of greatelf Virtue and Efficacy arc deepcft buried.
'' See above, Aph. 1 24.
' Perhaps it is not eafy to form any confiderable Objeftion to the prefent Defign, befidcs
thofe that have been already anfwcr'd. However, if any remain, they have a Right to be pro-
pofed ; even tho' derived, as poffibly all the above-mention d are, kom A?iticif alien ; or the
T TT TLj 4. ' common,
V 0 L. IL H h n
41 8 7;5^ New Method of Parti.
Aphorism CXXX.
The Art of in- 35. 'Tis now Time we fhould propofe the Art itfelf, of Interpreting,
terpretingl<l?.- ]\^^^iiyg .^ wherein, tho' we conceive that we have laid down highly ufeful
^ger'tl" the'^' ^"'^ J'^ft Precepts ; yet we attribute no Perfection, or abfolute Neceffity,
Mind. to this Art of ours ; as if nothing could be done without it. For it is our
Opinion, that if Men were po0efled of a juft Hiftor-j of Nature and Ex-
perience ; were thoroughly verfed therein ; and could command themfelves but
in two Particulars ; the one, in laying afide received Opinions and No-
tions -, the other, in witholding the Aflent, for a Seafon, from general
Conclufions ; they might, by their proper, and native Force of Mind,
without any other Art, fall upon our Form of Interpretation : for the
Whole is no more than a genuine and natural Work of the Mind ;
when the Obftacles to it are removed : tho', doubtlefs, all will be made
readier for ufe, and receive great Strength, by our Precepts.
The Art of In- 3^* "^^^ ^^ ^^ ^'^7' ^^'^^ nothing can be added to thefe Precepts of
■vention, to in- onrs : on the contrary, we who do not hfghly efteem the Mind in its
ereafe with own Faculty ; but chiefly fo far as it is furnifhed and joined with Things ;
Inventions, ought to lay it down, that the Jrt of Invention ma-j grow up with Inven-
tions themfelves ".
common, imperfeft, and hafty Ufe of the ntional Faculty. Upon a Retrofpeflion, thofe that
have produced appear chiefly perfonal ; and are anfwer'd, accordingly, by Arguments aJ
Hominem ; that do not direftly afieft the Main of the Quellion ; only tend to mollify and
afl'uage Mens Minds, and allay the Winds of Prejudice, and hafty Oppofition.
"■ I'he Author's Piece, entitled Cogitata is Vija^ which was a rough Draught of this fint,.
or preparatory Part oitht Noz':i>nOrgiin:un, concludes thus. " The Matter we have in hand is not
" an Opinion, but a Work ; and not defigned to lay the Foundations of any Sed orparti.d Do-
" ^rine ; but to prove gener.Uly, and extenfively ufeful. Whence it h.is required the greater
" Care, and Confideration, not only with regard to the perfefting of the Thing itfelf; but
" alfo with regard to the manner of delivering and communicating it. For it is commonly
" found, that Men have Views to Fame, and Oftentation ; fometimes in concealing, and
" fometimes in uttering the Knowledge they think they have acquired. And thofe alfo who
" have Things but of little Weight to offer, ufually defcribe and put them oft" in Half-lights;
" the better to ferve and humour their own Vanity. But for our Undertaking, we judge it
" of fuch a Nature, that it were highly unworthy to pollute it with any Degree of Ambition
" or Affeftation. And yet, unlefs we were greatly unskilled in the Nature of Mens Minds,
" and of Things; and deiired to enter the Road at once, without making the leaf): Trial
*' thereof; it lies upon us to remember, that inveterate Errors can only be rooted out by Art,
" and gentle Treatment: and that, therel'ore, a certiin Prudence, and Compliance, mull be
'< ufed, fo far as may comport with Candor and Simplicity; in order to prevent Oppofition,
«< before it is made. And, for this Purpofe, we are preparing a Philofophical IVork, that
" may have a quiet and agreeable Accefs to the Senfes of Men. And this, we hope, will prove
" the eafier, becaufe we do not propofe our felves as Leaders ; but derive and fcatter Light from
'* Nature herfelf: fo that there fhall hereafter be no occafion for Leaders. But Time, in the
'' Interior!, being on the Wing ; and the Author too much engaged in Civil Affairs; efpe-
" cially confidering the Uncertainties of Life ; he would willingly haften to fecure fome
'*Pf.rt of his Defign from Contingencies: and after, much clofe Thought, and a deliberate
Confir-
Se£l. VI I. Interpreting Nature, explained.
Confideration, he determined, th;it, to prevent {o ufeful a Thing from DiHiiler, the lie.1
Courfe was to propofe and l,iy doivn certain Tables of Invention, or Forms of genuine Enquiry,
that is, the digelled Matter of Particulars, defign'd for the Work of the Undcrftanding ; aiid
this in fome determinate Subjeds, by \V.\y of Example, or a pa!pab!e Model of the H''ho!e.
Nor could he devife any thing better, for fetting the true Manner of Procedure, and the
Errors of the Way, in a clear Light; or for evidently fliewing, that the Things dciivcr'd
are folid, and not the Sport of Words ; and, again, for diftinftly pointing out what they fliouid
avoid, who either diftruft the Defign, or conceive too highly of it. And hence, tho' wc
(hould not our felves compleat the Undertaking ; yet Men, of a folid and lublime Genius
being thus admoniflied by what we have ofFer'd, may, without any greater AiEftance, ex-
pcft the reft from themfelves ; and finilh it. For, as to the Matter in hand, we are almoft of
his Opinion, who faid. This is enough for the Wife ; and for theUnuiife, more would not bt
ferviceable. But as it would have appear 'd too abrupt, to have begun with the Tables them-
felves i we thought proper to inttoduce them by this Preparatory Dif courfe.
4T9
Hhh 2
Ifovum
}^ovitm Orgamim Scientiarum
PART n.
GaK>33e^^5E£G5>3?3GSuSG^^
PART IL
SECT. I.
Particular Aphorisms for Interpreting
Nature : or, the Means of Enlarging
r/;6' Human Power ^;/^ Knowledge^
by the Dif cover j of Forms.
Aphorism I.
1.(1
.') ' v,7=
^; I S the Office, and End, of the human Fewer, to gene- The Office of
W'^ rate, or fuperinduce, a new Nature, or Natures, '^^ ''"'"""^^
egfS| upon a Body affign'd : and, ( 2.) the Office, and j^ZlvlJge.
I^V'^ End, of the human Knozvledge, to difcover the Form
;||^ of a Nature affign'd ; that is, its real Difference,
naturizing Nature, Law, or the Fountain from
whence it flows ; which are Terms we ufe, in or-
der to give fomc rolerabl.: Notion of our Meaning *. And, fubfervient
to tliefe two pimar^ fFcrk;, there are two other fecondary ofics, of inferior
Confide-
» For a fuller Notion of Forms, fee below, Jph. 2, 17, 20. and Seff. II. Jpb. 23, 27, &c. But,
to render this Jfborifm more clear and intelligible ; we may turn it thus. "Upon a given Bjfis
" of Matter, to form, or introduce, a new iNjture, in all poCible Cafes, is tht; Ufe and Ex-
" ercife of our Powers ; and to difcover the Cnt/fes of the Eftccls in all Subjefts, is the Ufe
" and Exercife of our Knowledge : which are two coincident Intentions; and, in E^ffcft, the
" lame. For what, in Speculation, appears to be the Cruife ; is, in Praftice, the Mea7is of
" Aftion ; and direfls ;:.- in the performing the Thing. Thus, for Example, upon finding that
" the fpecific and dcrermmate Virtues, or Talks and Odours of certain aromatic Plant?, refide
" in their ElTential Oils ; we arc hence direclcd to obtain thefe Oilf, in order to procure the
" peculiar Virtues, Talks, and Odours of fuch Plants. And thus the Cafe holds univerfally ;
" as will racrc full app.-ar hereafter." See below, Aph. 3, 4, il, iz, i^c
424 T'h& Invcftigation Part II.
Confideration : thus, ( i.) to the former belongs the transformation of
Concretes, from one 'things into another, tbrcugh all pojfihle Variety ; and,
(2.) to the latter, the Difcovery of the latent Procefs in ever^ Generation
and Motion, as it is continued from the manifefl Efficient, and the manifejl
Matter, up to the giving of the Form ; and, in like manner, there belongs
to it the Difcovery of the concealed Stru5iure of quiefcent Bodies, or Bo-
dies that are not in Motion ''.
Aphorism II.
Caufes of four 2. How inadequate and unfuccefsful that human Knowledge is, which we
Kinds. have at prefent in Ufe, may appear from the Things commonly aflerted '.
'Tis certain, that true Knc^ledge, is the lOwwledge of Caufes. Now we may
properly make four Kinds of Caufes ; viz. (i.) the Matter ; (2.) the Fortn ;
(3.) the Efficient ; and, (4.) the End. But the latter, ov final Caufe, is fo
far from being ferviceable, that it corrupts the Sciences ; unlefs it be re-
ilrained to human Aftions '^. The Difeovery of Forms, is held dcfperate ;
and the efficient and material Caufes, in the manner they are at prefent
fought after and admitted, {viz. the remote Efficient, and the reniote
material Caufes, without the Knowledge of the latent Procefs up to the
Form,) are trifling and fuperficial Things ; that fcarce at all contribute to
real, and effeftive Knowledge. 'Tis true, we above noted and correfted
the Error of the Mind, in attributing the Eflences of Things to Fonns ^ :
but altho' in Nature, nothing really exifj-s befides individual Bodies, that
perform individual Adlions, by a Law ; yet in Doctrine, this Law itfelf,
the Enquiry into it, with the Difcovery and Explanation thereof, is
Firms, ■^'■'I'lt. the Foundation as well o^ Knowledge, as oi' IForks : and 'tis this Law,
and its Parts, that we underftand by the name of Forms ^ ; efpecially as
the Term already prevails, and is grown familiar ^
Aphorism III.
The Kno"ji- 3. He who knows the Caufe of any Nature, as, for Inflance, that of
hdgeof'Pormi'^^^^^ qj. Whitenefs, in certain Subjects only, has an imperfect Knowledge;
^ni '-'eries"^ ^^^ '^^° ^^" produce an Effeft upon certain Matters only, among thofe
fufceptible thereof, has, in like manner, an imperfeft Power ; and he
who
^ The prefent Sett of Aphorifms will require a confiden.ble Degree of Attention ; and (lioi Id
be re.id in the manner ol Mathematical Dcmonftrations.
"^ Which are feldom found, upon farther Enquiry, to be derived from their Caufes ; fo that
they frequently fail, when ufed as ^i/^j of Praflice. See the Firji Part, paflim.
■I See yoi. I. p. 83, 84, isc.
" See above, j^pb. 51.
f By the Word Forms, therefore, we arc to underftand a full and clear Knowledge of the Laa>,
Procedure, or 71/i'<»7/j of Nature, in produc'ng Effedls. This Notion will, however, be farther
improved and explained hereafter. See below, Apfj.iy, 20.
8 The Author every where endeavours, as much as poifible, to retain the ancient Terms ; tho'
he conveys new Meanings under them ; as judging it bell to innoi'ate, like Time, by Degrees.
Sedl. I. (f ^ o RMS. 425
who knows only the efficient and material Caufes *", which are iinftable,
and, in Ibme Cafes, no more than Vehicles, or Caufes that carry the
Form ; may arrive at new Inventions in a Subjedl fomewhat fimilar and
prepared -, tho' he cannot remove the Boundaries of Things that are
deeper fixed : but he who underftands Forms, wi!l perceive the Unity '
of Nature in the moft dilTimilar Cafes ; and may therefore difcovcr and
produce fuch Things as have not hitherto appeared -, or fuch as neither
the Viciflitude of Nature, nor the Indultry of Experimenting, nor Chance
itfelf, could ever have brought into being : nor would they otherwife have
entered the Thoughts of Men ''. So that Juftnefs of Theory, or Contem-
plation, and Freedom of P;dt7itv, or Operation, depend upon the Dj/ctwry
of Forms.
Aphorism IV.
4. Altho* the human Power, and human Knowledge, are nearly allied, PrafiUe tt
and, in a manner the fime -, yet by reafon of the pernicious and inve- gi^crn Tbeorj,
tcrate Cuftom of dwelling in abllraft Notions, 'tis abundantly the fafeft
Way to begin and build up the Sciences, from thofe Foundations which
are laid in order to Pra£lice, fo as to let this mark out, and determine
the Thetry. We fhall, therefore, here examine what Kind of Rule, Di-
reiftion, orJLeading, a Man would principally wifh for, in order to fuper-
induce an affigned Nature upon a given Body.
•^ See Jf<b. 2- of this Part.
' F:z. The Uni/ormif)', or r.nhcT the IJentity, or S/imenefs, of Nature; for by the Suppo-
fition, F^rms are the La:vi of Nature ; according to which fhc conftantly afts ; thjt is, ever in
one and the Gme manner : fo that a Knowledge of Forms is a Knowledge of the Unity, Iden-
tity, or what may be called the M.inner of Nature.
- In another Place, the Author has broke this Aphorijm into Parts ; which may render it
more intelligible ; vi~.
1. " He who underftands the Caufe of any Nature in certain Subjefls only, has but an im-
" perfcft Kiovihdge ; as he who can produce an Effcdl only in one certain Matter, of all thofe
" fufccpt'-ble thereof, has but an imperfeft Pozcer.
2. " He who underftands efficient and material Caufes, is thence inftruifled how to com-
" pound, divide, transfer, or produce, and even proceed to new Difcoverie;, in Subjects of a
" fomewhat fimilar and difpofed Matter ; but cannot by this Means alter the deep fixed Li-
" mits of Things
3. " He who underftands the Caufes of zny Nature but in certain Subje(fls, knows only
. " the efficient, or material Caufes, which are unftable Things ; and no more than '/'ehicles of
" Caufes, wherein the Form refiJes : but he who underftands the Unformiiy of Nature, in very
" different Kinds of Subjefls, has a Knowledge of the Forms of Things.
4. " He who underftands Forms, will difcover and produce fuch Things as are hitherto
" unknown, and unproduced ; and fuch as neither the Revolutions and Changes of Nature, nor
" Experience, would ever have manifefted ; nor the Thoughts of Men ever otherwife have
" conceived.
5. " The Way and Pertftion of Truth and Power is the fame ; vix. the Difcovery of Forms ;
" upon which enfues bo'h a juft Theory, and an unlimited Praftice. And hence it appears,
" thu the Perfeclion of human Knowledge, both fpecul.itive and praftical, is the Knouiledge
" cf F'.rms. For to contemplate the Procefs of Nature in her Works, is a juft Theory, that
" leads to a peneft Pradice." No Wonder, thTcfore, if the Difcovery of Forms be the fole -
Bufinefs of this Second Part of the Novum Qrganum.
Vol. II. I i i 5. Thus
426 'The Invefligation Part II.
TkeProperiiis 5- Thus if any one fliould defire to fuperinduce upon Silver the yellow
c/ a gooii Rule Colour of Gold, and to increafe its fpecific Gravity, or to fuperinduce
forPraSlice. Tranfparency upon an opaque Stone ; Malleability upon Glafs; Vegeta-
tion upon a Body not of the vegetable Kind, i£c. he would, doubtlefs,
defire to be fhewn, (1.) fome Way that fhould not fruftrate his Labour,
or fail him upon the Trial. (2.) He would defire fuch a Method as fhould
not tie him down, or confine him to the Ufc of certain determinate Means,
and particular Ways of Working •, becaufe he might, perhaps, be unpro-
vided herein ; or not have the Power and Convenience of procuring the
neceflary Helps : And if there were other Methods, within his Power, be-
fides that delivered in the Rule, for fuperinducing fuch a Nature, that he
might not be excluded their Ufe, thro' the Limitation, or Narrowncfs
of his Rule-, and fo not receive the Benefit of thofe Methods. (3.) He
would wifh to be fhewn fomething lefs difficult than the Operation he
enquires after ; and fuch as might approach nearer to Pradlice.
The Precept 6. The Precept, therefore, for a true and perfedl praftical Rule, is, that
for a perfea the Ride he Jure, iinreftrained to particular Means or Expedients ; and difpofe
Rule of Pr a- of lead directly to AElion : and this is the fime Thing with the Difcovery
•"^' of a real Form. For, the Form of any Nature, is fuch, that where it
is, the given Nature muft infallibly be : The Form, therefore, is perpe-
tually prefent, when that Nature is prefent -, afcertains it univerfilly,
and accompanies it every where. Again, this Form is fuch, that when
removed, the given Nature infallibly vanifhes : Therefore the Form is
perpetually wanting, when that Nature is wanting •, and thus confirms its
Prefence, or Abfence ; and goes and comes with that Nature alone.
Laftly, a true -For;;/ *", is fuch as can deduce a giv^en Nature from fome
ejfential Property'^, which refides in many Things-, and is more inti-
Thi Precept mately known, or linked to Nature, than the Form itfclh The Precept,
for a true an J therefore, for a true and perfedl 'Theoretical Axiom is, to find another Na-
^' I A i""^' ^^'^^'> ^^■'^^ ^^^'^ ^^ convertible -ivith the Nature ajjigned -, 'jet limit the more
common Nature, like a true Genus °. Thefe two Precepts, the former
whereof is pradlical, and the latter fpeculative, are one and the fame
Thing '' i and fo what proves mod ufeful in Praofice, is alfo perfectly
juft in Theory'^. Aphorism
"" Viz. A Knowledge of Nature's Means, in producing any EfFeft. See Jpb. 3. of this
Part.
" To find this Property, therefore, readily difpofes and leads to Praftice, by fingling out
one p:irticular Property, whereon the reft depend ; inllead of purfuing a great many. Thus,
it fhould feem, that if any Matter could be made as ponderous as Gold, it would become Gold ;
or if any Matter could be made as hard and refplendent as the Diamond, it would become Dia-
mond, (s^e.
" So, for Example, by enquiring into the Form of Heat, a particular fhuddering Motion
among the fmall Parts of Bodies, feems the convertible Nature, or Form, that, like a true Genus,
limits the more common Nature of Heat. See beJow, Apb. 15, i6 17, 18, Isic. but parti-
cubrly, Aph. 7.Q (3.) and (4..)
P See Part I. Aplj. 3.
■i The Meming is, that to gain the bcft praEtkal Rules, we muft difcover the Forms of
Things ; th.u Formi are Rules ; and Theory and Praliice the fame Thing. The following
Aphoriims will add more Light hereto. See in particular, j^pb. 9.
Sect. I. of Forms. 427
Aphorism V.
7. But the /2«/^, or Axiom, for the Tranfmutation of Bodies "■, is <^^ Xy^Q Axiom for the
Kinds. The f.rft, regards a Body, as a certain Colle6tion or Combina- Transfirrr..i-
tion oi'jhnjU Natures'. Thus, tor Example, in Gold, there meet to-''"" "f^"'^'^-
gether Yellownefs, a determinate Gravity, Malleability to a certain de-
gree, Fixednefs in the Fire, a particular Manner of flowing in the Fire,
a determinate Way of Solution, tiff, which are the fimple Natures in
Gold. And, therefore, this Kind of Axiom deduces the Thing from the
Forms of fimple Natures. For he who underftands Forms, and the Man-
ner of fuperinducing this Yellownefs, Gravity, Duclility, Fixednefs, Fa-
culty of Fufion, Solution, (s?c. with their particular Degrees, and Pro-
portions, will confidcr and provide how to join them together in fome
Body -, fo that a Tranfmutation into Gold lliall follow ' : and this Kind
of Operation regards the principal A(5lion. For the Way is the fame of
producing any one fimple Nature, as many : only Man is more confined
and reftrained in working where many are required ; becaufe of the Diffi-
culty of uniting a Variety of Natures together, which do not eafily
meet, except in the common and beaten Roads of Nature". And yet
this Method of working, which regards fimple Natures, tho' in a concrete
Body, may proceed upon fuch Principles as are conftant, eternal and
univerfal in Nature ; and aftbrd fuch broad Ways to the human Power,
as the Mind, in the prefent State of Things, can fcarce conceive or re-
prefent to itfelf ".
8. But the fecond Kind of Axiom, which depends upon difcovering the S(^on J Jxhm
latent Procefs ", does not proceed by fimple Natures -, but by concrete/»'" Tranj'mu-
Bodies, fuch as they are found in the ordinary Courfe of Nature : For '''"'"'•
Exyanple, when Enquiry is made from what Origin, by what Means,
and what Procedure, Gold, or any other Metal, or Stone, is generated,
from its firft fluid Matter, or Rudiments, up to a perfect Mineral : Or,
again, by what Procefs Plants are generated, from the firft Concretions
of their Juices in the Earth, or from the Seed, to a formed Plant ; to-
gether with the whole Succeffion of Motiojj, and the various and con-
tinued Endeavours of Nature. Underftand the fame of regularly explain-
ing the Produdion of Animals, from the firft A(5t of Generation j and
fo of other Bodies ".
' SeeJpt. I. of this Part.
' Or what we commonly call Properties.
' See Fo/. III. /. 8S, 89.
° riz. As they are united by Nature herfelf ; for Example, in Gold, Quickfilver, ^c.
"■ There are fevera] Attempts of this Kind in the Sylva Syh'arxm. See particularly, the Ar-
ticles GolJ, Tranfmutation;, Sec. But a more pcrfeft Hijlory of Nature and Art muft be pro-
cured, before any fuccefsful Method of this Kind can be formed.
" Viz. The feveral continued Steps, or whole Procedure of Nature, in producing EfFefts.
See below, A ph. 6.
'■ Let an Eye be had all along to the firft Aphcrifm of this SeSlim ; where a Fouadation of
the Whole is laid.
I i i 2 9. An4
428
Regards Mo-
tiom, as well
as Generati-
tns.
The PraBice
anj-d-ering to
the Theory.
Latent Pro-
teji, what.
Contains mi-
mrous Par ti-
tulars.
llje Inveftigation Part II.
9. And this Enquiry does not only regard the Generation of Bodies ;
but lilcewife other Motions and Works of Nature : for Example, wlicn
Enquiry is made into the whole Series and continued Aftions of Nutri-
tion, from the firft receiving of the Aliment, to a perfect Affimilation ;
or, after the fame Manner, into the voluntary Motion of Animals, from
the firft Impreflion of the Imagination, and the continued Eti'orts of
the Spirit, down to the bendirg and moving of the Limbs; or, again,
in explaining the Motion of the Tongue, Lips, and other Organs, up
to the Formation of articulate Sounds. For thefe Things alfo have re-
gard to concrete Natures, or Natures aflbciate and organical ; and be-
long, as it were, to the particular and efpecial Cuftoms of Nature ; and
not to the fundamental and common Laws which conftitute jPc?-otj. It
muft indeed be allowed, that this Method feems more facile, quick and
promifing, than the prmary Method, above mentioned ''.
10. But the eheftive Part, which anfwers to this fpeculative one, in like
manner extends, and advances its Operation, from thofe Things which
are commonly found in Nature, to certain otliers that lie near, or not
very remote : tho' the higher and radical Operations upon Nature require
the former j:nmary Axioms. And where Mankind has no Power of ope-
rating, but only of contemplating, as in the Celcftial Bodies, which we
cannot operate upon, change or transform ; yet the Enquiry of the Fadt,
or Truth of the Thing, belongs, no lefs than the Knowledge of Caufes,
and Relations, to the fri?nary, and umverfal Axioms of fimple Natures'' : fup-
pofe, lor Example, the Enquiry about the Nature of fpontaneous Rota-
tion, Attraftion, and rtiany other Natures •, which are more common and
flimiliar to us than the Celeftial Bodies themfelves. And let no one expedt
to determine the Queftion, whether the diurnal Motion belongs to the
Heavens or the Earth, unlefs he firft underftand the Nature of fpon|ta-
neous Rotation*.
Aphorism VI.
11. The latent Procefs we fpeak of\ is a thing that cannot eafily enter
the Mind, fo befet as it is at prefent : for we do not here mean certain
vifible Meafures, or Signs, or Steps of Procedure in Bodies •, but a per-
fedc continued Procefs, the greateft Part whereof efcapes the Senfe.
12. Thus, for Example, in every Generation and Transformation of
Bodies, it comes to be enquired what is loft, or flies off ; what ftays
behind •, what is added •, what dilated ; what contracted ; what united ;
what feparated ; what continued -, what cut off ; what impeiis ; what
obfirufts ; what prevails J what yields, i^L.
13. Nor
'' See above, §. 7. and again, Jph. i.
^ See above, §. 7.
' Becaufe the more fimple, common, and obvious N:itures muft be underftood, before we
can hope to underftand fuch as are compounded, remote, or abllrufe. See Fol. II. p. 15^
16, l^c
" See Part II. Jph. i.
Seel. I. of F OR M s. 429
13. Nor are th?fe Things only to be fought in the Generation, or VnregarJed in
Translbrmatio-', of Bodies -, but after the fame manner, it comes to hz tbeScicncs.
enquired in all otiier Alterations and Motions; what precedes ; what fuc-
ceeds -, what is quick ; what flow -, what gives Motion, what governs it ;
and the like. But all thefe Things remain unknown, and untouched in
the Sciences, wiiich are, at prefent, formed in a very grofs, and perfectly
inadequate Manner. For as every natural Adtion is perforxned by the
fniallert Particles, or at leall by Particles fo fmall as to efcape the Senfes; /
let no Man expect to govern Nature, or turn her Courfc, till he has,
in a prop^-r manner, becoaie acquainted with thefe fmall Particles".
Aphorism VII.
14. Again-, the Enquiry, and Difcovery, of the concealed 5/r«^«r^ '' mThe conceakJ
Bodies, is as much a new Thing, as the Difcovery of the latent Procefe Struciure, u»-
and Form : for Men have hitherto trod only in the outer Courts of Na- '""^"'
ture-, and are not prepared to enter within. But no one can fuperinduce
a new Nature upon a given Body ; or fuccefsfully and appofitely change
it into another Body ; unlefs he has firft a competent Knowledge of the
Body to be altered, or transformed •■, as without it he will fall upon fri-
volous Methods, or at leaft fuch as are difficult, perverfe and unfuitable
to the Nature of the Body whereon he operates : and therefore in this re-
fpeCl alfo, a Way muft be ncceilarly opened and prepared.
15. Labour is properly and advantageoufly beftowed upon \}as. Anatorrv^ And difficult
of organical Bodies ; fuch as thofe of Men and Brutes : as it feems a Thing '" "'"^ "•'•
of Subtilty, and a good Scrutiny of Nature. But this kind of Anatomy
is a \\'ork of the Eye, fubjedt to Senfe, and takes place only in orga-
nical Bodies ; fo that it is an obvious and facile Thing, compared with
the real Anatomy of the latent Stritolure in Bodies accounted fimilar -, efpe-
cially in fpccificate Things and their Parts ; as Iron, and Stone -, the fimi-
lar Parts of Plants and Animals, as the Root, Leaf, Flower, Flefh, Blood,
Bone, £?f. And in rl is Particular, human Induftry has not been entirely
wantiig -, as appears from the Sepirations of fuppofed fimilar Bodies by Di-
ftillations, and other Methods of Solution, in order to fhew the DilTimi-
larity of the Compound, by feparating and colle6ting its different homo-
geneous Parts together : Which is a Thing of Ufe, and makes to our
prefcnt Purpofe : tho' it is often fallacious ; becaufe many Natures are
attributed to S; paration, as if they prc-exifted in the Compound -, whilft
th:;y are really given, and originally fuperinduced by the Fire, Heat,
or odicT Method of refolving them. And this alfo is but a fmall Part
of the Bufinefs of finding the true Strufture of a Compound ; as this
Structure is a Thing of very great Delicacy and Subtilty, and rather
confounded
• See Vol. III. p. 222, fefr.
* Sec sbove, Part II. Aj^h. i.
43° ?^^ Inveftlgation Part II.
confounded them difcovered, and brought to Light, by the Operations of
the Fire ^.
IiiluBion to be \6. Bodies, therefore, are to be feparated, and refolved, not by Fire,
ufetl iiiJ}i-adof\^^l by Reafon^ and genuine Imhi^fion ; with the Affiftance of Experi-
^^^^'-JjL-g;,. inents : and again, by comparing them with other Bodies, and reda-
jies. cing them to fimple Natures, and their Forms, which meet and are com-
bined in the Compound ; for we muft go over from Vulcan, to Mmerva,
if we would bring to Light the real Textures and Structures of Bodies ;
wherein all the fecret and fpecific Properties and Virtues of Things de-
pend ; and from whence the Rule of every powerful Alteration, and
Transformation, is to be derived.
The Spirit and I/. Thus, for Example, we muft enquire, what the Spirit in every
tangible Parts Body is ; and what the tangible St^bftance ; whether this Spirit be copious
cfBcJ!es,iobe ^^^ turgid, or hungry and fmall in Quantity, whether it be thin or
"grofs; airy or fiery; brisk or Quggifli ; weak or ftrong ; in Progrefs
or Recefs ; interrupted or continued ; agreeing or difagreeing with the
Things external and .circumjacent, &'c. And in like manner we are to
enquire about the tangible Subftance (which admits as many Diffe-
rences as the Spirit ;) what its Coats, its Grain, and Fibres, its Kinds
of Texture. Again, under the fame Enquiry comes the Diftribution
of the Spirit through the corporeal Mafs ; with its Pores, Pa(II\ges,
Veins, Cells, and the Rudiments, or firft Lineaments, of the organical Body.
In which Cafes alfo, and confequently in the Inveftlgation of every con-
cealed Striiclure, a true and clear Light is afforded, by our pimary
JxiomSi fufficient to difpel all Darknefs and ufelefs Subtllty f.
Aphorism VIII.
Objeaions to jS. Nor will this bring us to the Hypothefis of Atoms; which erro-
handa"n-"^^'^^^y prefuppofes Vacuity, and a permanent State of Matter; but
ftve/d. to real Particles, fuch as they are found. Nor need any one dread
this Subtilty as inexplicable^ ; for, on the contrary, the more the En-
quiry tends to fimple Natures, the plainer and clearer will every Thing
become ;
' The File is a very improper Analyfer in many Cafes; efpecially where the Subjeft is ca-
pable of being fcorched, or rendered empyreumatic ; which quite perverts or alters its Nature ;
as wee fee in burnt Sugar, i^c.
f Set Part U. Aph. i, 5, and 7.
^ This Caution appears to be fcafonably interpofed ; for, doubtle(s, many Readers, who have
not been ufed to abllrufe Speculations, or mathematical Reafoning, wDl be at a Lofs to perceive
what the Author drives at ; or be apt to imagine the Whole an intricate Subtilty, not worth the
Trouble of Underftanding. Thofe who think in this manner, may pleafe to pafs over, for a
Time, the firtt isn Jphorifms of this Second Pari, and begin with the eleventh; for the pra-
nical Tables, and aftual Method of inveftigating the Forms of Things ; (where all is performed
by Examples and fenfible Reprefentations;) will prepare the Mind, and facilitate the under-
ftanding of thefe more abftrufe Aphorifms, if read after fome tolerable Notion of the Bufmefs in
Jband, and the Method of conduding it, is procured.
Se6t. T. of F o R\i s. 431
become ; the Biifinefs being thus brought from Multiplicity to Simpli-
city i from Incommenfurables to Commenfurables -, from Surds to Com-
putables ; and from Things finite and vague, to fuch as are definite
and certain -, as in tlie Cale of the LeHcrs of the Alphabet, and the Notes
of Mufic ^. And 'tis then that a natural Enquiry proceeds juflfy, when
phyfical Confiderations terminate in fuch as are matliematical '. And
again, let no one be frighted at Muhitw.ie or FraSlioiis : for in Things
performed by Numbers, 'tis as eafy to fet down, or think of a Thou-
iimd, as of One ; or of the thouflindth Part of an Unite, 'as of an Unite
itfelf.
Aphorism IX.
19. From the two Kinds o^ Axioms above laid down'', arifes a ]n^ PhUofiphy di-
Divifton of Pbilofopby and the Sciences ; taking the received Terms (which fUeii, with
come neareft in exprefling the Thing) agreeably to our own Meaning ; '■<?'"'' '"/7'
•viz. lb that the Enquiry of Forms, which from the Reafon of the Thing "'fJJjrTjxi^
Ttfelf, and their own Law, are eternal, and immutable, may make Me- c.vu.
tapbsfics ; and the Enquiry into the Efficient, the Alatter, the concealed
Procefs, and latent Struofure, may conftitute Phyfics ' ; as thefe feveral
Particulars regard the common and ordinary Courfe, and not the fun-
damental and eternal Laws of Nature. And let each have its corre-
fponding Branch of Pradlicc •, and Mechanics be made fubfcrvient to Pby-
fics ; and Magic (taking that Word in its genuine Senfe) to Metap}o\fics ;
on account of the wide Paflage which Magic affords into, and the great
Command it has over Nature"". And having thus eftabliflicd the Scope
and End of our Doftrine j we proceed, in a regular Manner, to Precepts ".
Aphorism X.
20. The Indications for jbe Interpretation of Nature, include two ^tnt-7he IndUati-
ral Parts : the firfi relates to the raifmg of Axioms from Experience ; and ""' f"" '"'""'
turc.
' For as all the Variety of Sounds and Words are made out of twenty-four Letters; and all
the Variety of Tunes out of eight Notes ; fo a fc^v fsmph Natures, or primary Properties, (fuch
as Fluidity d.nA,Firmnefi , Volatility and Fixednefs, &c.) appear to compofe all that Variety which
we find in Bodies.
' For all the Motions, Powers, Forces, Operations, Energies, and Quantities of Bodies,
muit be computed, meafured, and determined, before Natural Pbihjopby can be perfefted. But
let not the Calculation be raftly applied, before the Falls are difcovered and afcertained; for
Mathematics is not to eonjlitute, but only to limit Phyfics. See Vol. I. /. 90.
* Aph. 5. S- 7- and 8.
' See Vol. I. p. 73, 74.
■" See Vol. I. p. 87, isc. This Divifion appears extremely juft and ufeful ; but has not,
perh:ips, been any way confider'd and regarded as it deferves, on account of the imperfedl State
of Philoiophy : for as Philofophy improves, this Divifion niuft, almoft of Ncccirity, take Place.
" The nine preceding Aphsrifms are a kind of clofe wrought, axiomatical Chain of Doftrinc,
that, when rightly undcrftood, will appear deep, fagacious, and drawn from Nature; To as to
lay a firm, jul>, and adequate Foundation for the intended Ney/ Logic, or Method of invejliga-
tir.g the Forms oj Things.
432
The InYeftioration
Pcirt ir.
Viz. ^ Hi-
Jtory of Na-
ture.
labia of In-
Jiences.
Genuine In-
duliion.
The Procedure
of the Enquiry
sf Forms.
the feconcl to the deducing or deriving of new Experiment from Axioms °.
The firjl is divided into three Kinds of Adminijlrations, or Helps •, z'iz.
the Helps (i.) for the Semfe ; (2.) for the Memory; and, (3.) for the
Reafon.
21. ( I .) Therefore, a jufl: and adequate. Natural and Experimental Hijlory,
is to be procured, as the Foundation of the whole Thing : for we are not
to fancy, or imagine, but to difcover what are the Works and Laws
of Nature.
22. (2.) But Natural iLnd Experimental Hijlory is fo copious and diffu-
five a Thing, as to confound and diftrafl the Underllanding •, unlefs fuch
Hiftory be digefted and ranged in proper Order : therefore Tables, and
fuhfervient Chains of Inftances., are to be form'd and digefted in fuch a Man-
ner, that the Underftanding may commodioufly work upon them.
23. (3.) And tho' this were done ; yet the Underftanding left to its
felf, and its own fpontaneous Motion, is unequal to the Work, and unfit
to enter upon the ra\£m^oi Axioms ; unlefs it be firft regulated, ftrengthned
and guarded : therefore, in the third place, genuine and real InduBijn muft
be ufed as the Key of Interpretation. But we are to begin at the End ; and
proceed backwards to the reft^.
24. The Enquiry of Forfns ' proceeds in this manner. Fiyft, all the
known Inftances agreeing in the fame Nature, tho' in the moft difllinilar
Subjeds, are to be brought together, and placed before the Underftand-
ing. And this Colleftion is to be made hiftorically, without any over-
hafty Indulgence of Speculation ; or any great Subciky, for the pre-
fent. We will illuftrate the Thing by an Example in the Enquiry into
the Form of Heat.
' See Vol. III. /. 314, l^c. This deriving; of new Experiments from Axioms, is a Part of
the prel'ent Work, th.n was not publifhed. See below, Aph. 21 .
P That is, we are to begin with InduBion ; and proceed backwards to the forming of a Na-
turn/ and Experimental Hijlory ; and then to the forming oi Axioms, he.
1 Whereon the Advancement and Perfedion of Philofophy, the Sciences, and all praftical
Arts, depend ; as has been fliewn above, Aph. i — 7.
3
Tk
Sed. I. ^ F o RMS. 433
The true Method of Difco'vering
Forms; Uhiflrated, hj an Example
in the Form (?/ H e a t.
TABLE I.
Instances agreeing in the Nature of Heat *.
(i.) " I ^ HE Suns Rays, efpeciaUy in Summer, and at Noon-day. Affirmative
\ (2.) The reJJex and colleSled Rays of the Sun -, as be- Inftances of
tii'ixt Mountains, and Walls j but particularly in Burning-glaJJes. Heat.
(3.) Fiery Meteors. _ Celeftial.
(4.) Burning Lightning.
(5.) EruBations of Flame from the Caverns of Mountains^ &c. Subterrane-
(6.) Flame of all Kinds. o"s-
(7.) Ignited Solids. ^^--- ^.
(8.) Natural Hot Springs. binary.
(9.) Heated Fluids.
(10.) Hot Vapours, and Fumes : and the Air itfelf; 'which concei'-ces
a "violent and raging Heat, li'hen pent up ; as in Reverberatory
Furnaces.
( 1 1 .) Certain clear, fultry Seafons, from the Conjlitution of the Air ;
iL-ithout regard to the Time of Tear.
(12.) Subterraneous Air, confned in certain Faults or Caves; efpe-
ciaUy in the Winter.
(13.) All jhaggy Matters ; as Wooly the Furs and Plumage of Ani-
mals, have Jome degree of Warmth.
* Viz. A ColleAion of the Particukrs wherein Heat is found ; fo tliat the following
Particulars agree in having the Nature of Heat common to them all.
Vol. II. . Kkk (14.)^//
434 ^^ Inveftigation Part II.
(14.) All Bodies, as ivell /olid as fuid, denfe as rare, even the
Air itfelf, expoj'ed to the Fire for a Seajbn, become hot.
By Attrition, (jc;.) 'The Sparks caiifed by a firong Perctijjion betwixt the Fli7it
orPercuffion. ^„^ Steel
(16.) All Bodies upon a firong Attrition; as Stone, Wood, Cloth, &c.
isohence the Axletrees and Wheels of Ca^-riages, fometimes take fire :
and it has been a PraBice to procure Fire by Attrition, in the Weft:
Indies ^
Putrefailion. (17.) Green and moifi Plants laid up and prefs d clofe together;
as Rofies, Peafe in Carts, &c. fo likewtfie Hay fiacU d before 'tis dry,
often takes fire <=.
Solution, (18.) ^lick-lime, fiaked ivith Water.
(19.) Iron, lohen firfi difohed ivith acid Spirits, tho contained
in a Glafs, without any Affiance of the Fire : and, in like manner.
Tin, &c. tho' not fo intenfely.
Animals. (20.) Animals, ejpecially their inward Parts ; tho' in Infers, by
reafon of the Smallnefs of their Bodies, no Heat is difcoverable to the
Touch.
Excrements. (2 I.) Horfe-diing, and the like recent Excreme77ts of Animals.
Chemical (22.) OH of Vitriol, Aqua Fortis, ^c. have the EffeSls of Heat
Preparations. /« hunmig Litien, &c.
(23.) T'he efential Oil of Origanum, a7id the like, have the Ef-
feBs of Heat in burning the Teeth ^.
(24.) Well reSlified Spirit of Wifie, has the EffeEl of Heat; fo as
to blanch and harden the White of an Egg put into it, almofi like
boiling Water : it alfo hardens or fcorches, as it were. Bread that is
fuffer'd to lie therein.
Aromatics. (25.) Spices, a?id fpicy Herbs, fiich as Dragons, old Creffes, &c.
thd not hot to the Hand, either whole nor in powder; yet when
chewed a little, are found hot, or burbling, to the Tongue and Palate.
Acids. (26.) Strong Vinegar, ajid all Acids, caife a Pain, not greatly
differing from that produced by Heat, when fuch Acids are applied
to any Part of the Body, that is not defended by a Scarf-skin; as
the Eye, or tongue, for Exajnple, that are naked, or any other Part
that is wounded and laid bare.
(27.) Even
^ Viz. By rubbing two Sticks together in a particular manner.
■^ See Boerhciave's Cheiivjiry, Procefs 88. or ihc Putnfiidion of Vegetables. See alfo
the Paper of Dr. Cox, upon the fame Subjedr, in the Philofophical TranfaSiiom.
^ AH the eflential aromatic Oils, feem heating and inflaming to the Body ; parti-
cularly the Oils of Cinmmon, Cloves, Cortex JVintercimis, &c.
Sea. I. of V o RMS. 435
(27.) Even fevere and intefife Cold produces a Senfat'ion like that of Cold.
Burning ^.
(28.) InHnncts forget, or omitted^.
And this Table "we call the Prefenting, or Affirmative Table ».
Aphorism XII.
25. In the ficond Place, rhofc Injhvices are to be brought before xhtThe Method of
Underftanding, which have not the Nature afligned ; becaufe the Form,M"''"S 'h'
as we laid *", ought no lefs to be wanting, where the given Nature is-'''"''
wanting ; than to be prelent, where that is prefent : but as it would be
endlefs to purfue thefe Inftances throughout ; Negatives are to be fub-
joinetl to the AlJirmatives ; and the want of the given Nature, to be con-
fidered only in fuch Subjefts as are nearefl related to thofe wherein it
refides and appears. And this Table we call the Tahle of Declination ;
or of Al'firce in Approach '.
TABLE II.
Instances of Approximation; yet wanting the
Nature of Heat.
The firft Negative, or Subjundive, Inllance ; to the firfl Affirmative.
(i.) T^HE Rays of the Moon, Stars and Comets, are 7/0^ ^o^^W Negative In-
1 hot to the Touch ; and the Jharpejl Colds are ohferved^^^ °^
« — Bsrea: penetrabile frigus adurit. Thus the handling of Snow or Ice will make
the Fingers glow.
' Obferx'c, that this Table is here only to ferve as an Example, and not as an acSual
Enquiry profecuted to its due length, as thofe of Life and Death, fVinds, &c. in Vol. III.
P- 337, 44'5 ^''■
« Becaufe it exhibits the Fa£b, or fliews in what Subjedls the Nature enquired after
jefides.
*■ See above, §. 6.
' Becaufe it exhibits thofe Particulars, wherein, thro' Nearnels, or apparent Similarity,
the given Nature might be expedted ; and is yet found to be wanting. Thus, as the
Rays of the Sun are found hot, the Mind is apt to infer the fame, in a lefs Degree, of
the Rays of the Moon : But the Rays of the Moon have no fenfible Heat ; tho' they
are the very Rays of the Sun by Reflection.
K k k 2 in
43^ ^^ Inveftigation Part IT.
i'/t the Full of the Moon. But when the Sun is in ConjunBion with
the larger Fixed Stars, or approaches near them, fuch Stars are
thought to augment the Heat ; as when, for Example, the Sun is in
Leo, during the Dog-days ^.
A fecond, Negative Inftance ; to the fecond Affirmative.
The celeftial (2-) The Rays of the Sun, heat not in that call'd the Middle Region
Kind. of the Air : and the Reafon commonly affgned, with fome Probability,
for it, is, becaufe the Body of the Sun that emits the Rays, never
fufficiently approaches either that Region, or the Earth, which imme-
diately refeBs them : and this appears from the Tops of Mountains,
unlcfs extremely high, where the Snow continually lies. But, on the
contrary, 'tis obferved by fome, that no Snow is lodged on the Tops of the
Tike of Teneriff, and the Andes, or high Mount ai?is of Peru, but
only upon the lower Declivities. Befides, the Air on the Tops of thefe
Mount aifis is not found cold ; but only thin and jl^arp ; fo as on thofe
of Peru, to prick and velUcate the Eyes, and Mouth of the Stomachy
and caufe a Vomiting by their Acritnony. And, 'tis obferved by the
Ancietits, that the Air was fo thin on the Top of Mount Olympus,
as to make it necefary for fuch as went up, to carry along with
them Spunges dipt in Vinegar and Water; and every now and then
apply them to the Mouth and Nofe ; becaufe the Air, through the great
degree of its RarifaBion, was not there fuficient for Refpiration ^.
And 071 the Top of this Moimtai?i there was faid to be fo great a
Serenity and Tranquillity, from Rain, Snow, and Wind, that the Let-
ters drawn by the Fingers of thofe who facrificed there, upon the
Altar of Jupiter, would remain in the Ajhes of the Sacrifice, unal-
tered, till the Tear enfumg. And at prefent, the Perfons that go
up to the Top of the Pike of' Teneriff, travel by Night, not by Day ;
and foon after Sun-rifng are advis'd and prefs'd by their Guides
to make bajle down, for fear of being render d Breathlefs by the Tlmi-
iiefs of the Air ™.
A third
■^ It might be proper, in Pra<5h'ce, or wlren any particular Enquiry is gone upon, to
write thefe Tables in oppofite Columns, on the lame Paper ; which would render the
Whole more commodious, and ready for Ufe.
' Will this Expedient, in any refpedf, fupply the Want of Air for Refpiration ?
'■'' It is, with Certainty, found, by the Rarometer, and otherwife, that the Air grows
xgrer and jarer, in proportion to the Height afcended upon Hills.
3
Sedl. I. of F ORUS. 437
A third Negative ; to the fecond Affirmative.
(3.) T'/je RefeBion of the Sun's Rays, in the Parts near the Polar
Circles, is found exceeding iceak, and faint, in Point of Heat ; fo that
the Hollanders, icho li'intered in Nova Zembla, expelling, by the be-
ginning of July, their Ship to be freed from the Mafs of Ice "where-
in f:e icas froze, found then f ekes difappointed ; and li-'er^ obliged to
commit themfelves to their Long-boat. "Therefore, the dircB Rays of
the Sun fecm to have little Power, even upon a fat Surface : audfo have
the rtfex Rays aljb, unlefs multiplied and united, as they are when the
Sun becomes more perpendicular ; becaufe the Rays thenftrike in acuter
Angles, and Jo come nearer to one another ; whiljl in great Obliqui-
quities of the Sun, the Angles are very obtufe \ and confequently the
Rays at a greater Dijlance one from another. It mujl, however, be
obferved, that there may be many Eff'eSls of the Sun's Rays, atid fuch as
participate of the Nature of Heat, which are not proportioned to our
Senfe of Touch ; fo that with refpeB to us, they produce no Warmth-y
tbo' with refpeB to fome other Bodies, tbey may have the EffeSi of
Heat ".
A fourth ; ro the fecond.
(4.) Let this Experiment be made : Take a Glafs, fajhioned in ^ The Burning
contrary manner to that of the common Burning-glafs ; and place it Glafs.
between the Hand and Rays of the Sun, in order to obferve whether
it di minifies the Sun's Heat, as a Burning-glafs increafes it °. For,
'tis manifejl, with regard to the Optic Rays, that according as a
Glafs is made of a different Thicknefs, with refpeSl to the Middle
and the bides ; fo the ObjeBs feen through it appear larger, or more
diminijhed : The EffeB Jhould, therefore, be tried in Heat.
A fifth ; to the fecond.
(5.) Let a careful Experiment be made, tojhew, whether, by the mcfi
powerful and beji cofit rived Burning-glafs, the Rays of the Moon may be
colleBed fo as ■ to afford any,, the mtjl tninute degree of Warmth. But if
this JVarmth Jhould prove too fubtile and weak to be perceived by the
Touch ;
" See Mr. Bmles Hijlory of CM. Abridgm. Vol. I. p. 574 — 584, ^c.
° The Meaning feems to be, inilead of a Lens, or double Con\ex Glais, to try a i
double Conca\e.
438 'The Inveftigation Part II.
'touch ; recourfe mujl be had to Thermometers ; ivhich Jl:ew the Heat,
or Coldnefs of Air ; fo as to throw the Moons Rays, by a proper
Burning-glafs, upon the Top of fuch a Thermometer ; and objerve whe-
ther the Height of the included Liquor be altered by the Warmth p.
A fixth; to the fecond.
(6.) Let a Burning-glafs be tried, with a Heat that is not lumi-
nous, or pining ; as that of Iron, or Stone, heated, but not ignited ;
boiling Water, and the like : and obferve whether the Heat is increa-
fed, as in Cafe of the Smis Rays.
A feventh ; to the fecond.
(7.) Let a Burning-glafs alfo be tried with common Flame.
An Eighth ; to the third.
Comets and (^O ^f "^^ ^^^ difpofed to reckon Comets among the Meteors ; Co-
Meteors. w^/i are not obferved to have any co7tfant or manifefl EffeSl in increa-
fmg the Heat of the Seafotis : thd Droughts have been frequently ob-
ferved to attend them. Bright Gleams of Light, Star-foots, the
Opening of the Firmament, and the like, appear oftener in Winter, than
in Summer ; and principally, durittg intenfe Cold, attended with Dry-
nefs ; yet Lightning, Corrufcations and Thunder feldom happen in the
Winter ; but ifually in fultry Seafojis. And thofe called Falling Stars,
are commonly thought rather to conffi of Jbme Jhining, vifcous Matter,
fet on Flame ; than to be of any frong, fiery Nature. But this
fhould be farther enquired into "3.
A ninth; to the fourth.
C f - (9-) "^^^^^ ^^^ certain Corrufcatio7is, which afford Light, but burn
tions. not : and thefe always happen without Thunder.
A tenth ; to the fifth.
(10.) EruBations and Eruptions of Flame, are found no lefs in cold
Countries, than in hot ojies ; as in Iceland aiid Greenland : and Trees
in
P This Experiment was tried by Dr. Hook ; fo far as to fhew, that the Rays of the
Moon are neither confiJerably hot nor cold : but the Matter may require to be farther
£xamined, by Means of more accurate Inllruments. See Hook's LeilKva of Light, p. 80.
4 Confider of tlie Aurora Borealis, and other Appearances of Light in the Heavens.
Gcd. I. of Forms. 439
in cold Countries are fometinies more injiammable, f itchy and rejinous,
than in hot ones ; as the Fir, the Pine, &c. But in what Situation and
Nature of Soil thefe kind of Eruptions ufually happen, has not hitherto
teen jo licll examined, as to afford a Negative to the Affirmative '.
An eleventh j to the fixth.
(11.) All Flame is conjlantly hot, in a greater or lefs degree j fo that Flame.
there is here ?io Negative at all fubjoined : and yet they fay that the
Ignis fatuus has not much Heat; being, perhaps, fome^hat like the
Flame of Spirit of Wine ; ivhich is mild and gentle. But that Flame
ferns fill milder, ic-hich fme credible and grave Hiforians relate to
have appeared upon the Heads of Children, without burnmg orf?iging
them ; or only gcnth playing about their Hair. And, 'tis certain,
that there has fometimes been feen a Corrufcation, ivithout maniff
Heat, about a Horfe, fweating in his "Journey, by Night, in clear
Weather. And Loaf-Sugar, and other I'hings hard candied, being
broke or fir aped with a Knife in the dark, yield Light : fo does Sea-
water, forcibly ftruck in Rowing ; and the Froth of the Sea frongly
agitated, in a Stor?n, by Night ^ But as to the Flame which the
ancient Mariners calVd Caftor and Pollux, and the Moderns term
the Brothers j what kind of Heat it has^ is not fifficiently known ^
A twelfth ; to the feventh."
(12.) Every Thing ignited to Redfiefs, is perpetually hot, fho' with-Jgmtion.
cut Flame ; and to this Affirmative, there is no Negative fubjoin'd :
but what coines neareft to a Negative, feems to be rotten Wood ; which
finnes by Night, without Heat ; and the Scales of putrefied Fifi:), which
alfiofi:ine in the dark, yei are not hot to the Touch ; no more than the
Body of the Glow-worm, or the Lucciole or Light-fly.
A thir-
' See the Accounts of Burning Mountains, in the Philofophical Tranfaiiions, the Fo-
reign Journals, Mr. Boyle's IVorks, Sec. And obferve, that, in all Natural Enquiries,
Injiances of various kinds, both on the negative and affirmative Side, are frequently
•vanting ; or have not been collected, and recorded by Authors. Whence we fee the Ne-
ceflity of a Sylva, or particular Storehoufe of Obfervations, and Experiments, to be ufed
as the Materials in building a ferviceable Philofophy.
' Confider of the \itreous Phofphori, or Glafs rubbed in tlie dark ; the Phofphorus of
Urine, and all the other kinds of Phofphori ; puti etied Flefh ; putrefied Fifli ; Diamonds, 13 c.
See Mr. Bo)U upon Phofphori, and feveral Pieces, to tlie fame Purpofe, in die Philofophical
Tranfaiiions, Fraich Me?noirs, &c.
' See Fcl. in. p. 322, 327, and 489,
440 The Invefllgatica Part II.
A thirteenth ; to the eighth.
Hot Springs, (13.) '"T/j not fufficiently di [covered^ as to hot Springs, in what Situa-
tion and Nature of the Ground they ujually jlow j aiid therefore ?io Ne-
gative is here Jiibjoitied ".
A fourteenth ; to the ninth.
Hot Liquors, (14.) ^Negative of the Nature of Fluidity, is fiibjoitid to heated
Fluids, from the Thing itfef; for there is no tangible Fluid biown,
that in its oivn Nature remains conjlantly hot ^" : but Heat is fuper in-
duced upon it, for a Time only, as an adventitious Nature ; fo that
the Things mojl hot, potentially and operatively, as Spirit of JVine, di-
Jiill'd aromatic Oils, Oil of Vitriol, &c. tho' they Joon prove burnings
are cold upon the firji Touch. And the Water of hot Springs being
received into a Vejely and feparated from its Fowitain, grows cold; like
Water heated by the Fire. 'Tis true, that unSiuous Bodies are fomnvhat
lefs cold than Water, Silk than Liticn, &c. But this belongs to the
Tables of the Degrees of Cold '^.
A fifteenth ; to the tenth.
Hot Vapours, (i^.) In like manner, ^ Negation o/" ?^^ Nature of Vapour, fuch as
we fnd it ivith us, is fubjoined to hot Vapours : for Exhalations from
oily Bodies, thd eafily infammable, are fiot perceived hot ; unlefs newly
exhaled from the hot Body.
A fixteenthj to the tenth.
Hot Air. (16.) So likewife, a Negative of the Nature of Air, is fubjoined to
hot Air : for Air is not found hot with us ; unlefs it be put up, rubbed,
or work'd together, or manifefly heated by the Sun, Fire, or other hot
Body.
A feventeenth ; to the eleventh.
HotSeafons. (i?-) Here wefubjoin a Negative, from the Seafons colder than
agrees with the Time of the Tear ; which Seafons happen with us upon
Eajl
" See Becker's Phyfica Subteiranea ; and Hoffman's Pieces upon Mineral Waters.
^ Therefore, Fluidity is not of the Nature of Heat ; or, in other Words, Fluidity
is not eifential to Heat.
" See below, Aph. 13..
Secfl. I. ?/ Fo ^i^^s. 44*
Eajl and North Winds ; as the contrary do upon Weft and South Winds.
So a T'endency to Rain, efpccially in Winter, attends a 'warm Scafon ;
and a Tendency to Froft, a cold one.
An eighteenth ; to the twelfth.
(i8.) Here ive fubjoin <? Negative, /ro/« the Air i?2ciu-ded in ^^f Subteraneous
fame Faults or Caves, during the Summer. But the Buftnefs of in- Air.
eluded Air ftiould be very carefully examined : for, fit ft, it may be ivell
doubted, ivbat is the Nature of the Air itfelf as to Heat and Cold ; ft nee
it manifeftly receives Heat from the Impreffton of the Celeftial Bodies %
and Cold, perhaps, from the Expirations of the Earth ; and, again, in
that called the Middle Region of the Air, from the cold Vapours and
Snoiv : So that no true Judgment can be made of the Nature of the
Air, from the Air abroad, and unconfined ; but a better when it is ftnit
up. And, here it is necejfary to include it in fuch a Veftel, or Sub-
ftance, as may neither communicate Heat nor Cold, by its own Nature^
to the Air ; nor eaftly receive the Imprcftion of the external Air. Let
the Experiment, therefore, be made in an earthen Veftel, well covered
with fever al Leathers, to defend it from the external Air ; keeping
the Veff'el well clofed for three or four Days ; then opening it, to dif
cover the Alteration, either by the Hand, or a good Thermometer,
regularly applied^.
A nineteenth? to the thirtieth.
(19.) There is likewife a Doubt, whether the Warmth in Wool, Furs, Warmth of
Plumage, and the like, proceed from fame fmall Degree of Heat in- Wool, i2c.
herent in them, as they grow, or are thruft out by the Animals ; or
from a certain fat, and unStuous Subftaiice, which is of a Nature
congruous to Warmth; or whether, by ftmttiiig up, and breaking oft"
the Communication of Air, as in the foregoing Article : for all Air^
cut oft' from the Continuity of the external Air, feems to have fome-
thing of Warmth. Let the Experiment, therefore, be tried in ft^aggy
Stuff's, made of Linen, not of Wool, Feathers, or Silk ; which are
animal Excretions. 'Tis likewife to be obferved, that all Powders, which
manifeftly include Air, are lefts cold than the whole Subfta7tce they were
y See Mr. Boyle's Hi/lory of Cold, in init.
Vol. II. Lll tnade
442
AH Bodies
beatable.
Flint and
Steel.
'The Inveftigation Part II.
made from : and fo we imagine, that all Froth, as containing Air^
is Jefs cold than the Liquor it is cotnpofed of *.
A twentieth ; to the fourteenth.
(20.) T'his has no Negative fubjoind ; for there is fiothing found
amo?ig us, whether tangible, or not tangible, which does not conceive
Heat, when expofed to the Fire : tho the Bodies differ in this,, that
Jbme conceive Heat foo?ier, as Oil, Air, and Water ; and others /lower,
as Stone and Metal : but this belongs to the Table of Degrees ^.
A twenty-firft ; to the fifteenth.
(21.) Inhere is 710 other Negative fubjoind to this Inftance, but
to have it well obferved, that no Sparks are produced by a Flint
and Steel, or any hard Subflance, without firiking off fome fmall
Farts from the Subfance of the Stone or Metal '° ; and that the At-
trition of the Air does not produce the Sparks as is comtnonly ima-
gined ; wbilf the Sparks, by the Weight of the ignited Body, rather
tend downwards tha?i upxvards ; and, upon going out, become a kind
of fuliginous Matter.
A twenty-fecond ; to the fixteenth.
Attrition (22.) We judge that ?io Negative is producible to this Inftance;
gives Heat, for we fnd no tangible Body but what manifefly grows hot by At-
trition : whence the Aticients imagined, that the celeftial Bodies had
no other Means, or Faculty, of growing hot, but by the Attrition of
the Air, in their quick and rapid Revolutions. But here it ffould
be farther enquired, whether the Bodies difcbarged out of Engines,
as Bullets out of a Gun, do not acquire Jo}?ie Degree of Heat, from
the Percuffion ; fo as to be found hot after their Fall <^. But Air,
in
* Here, again, confult Mr. Boylis Hljfory of Cold; tho*^ certain Experiments feem flill
waiitins, to give a fuller Information in this Cafe. But we are not here \o far to regard
the Prosecution of the Enquiry itfelf, as to forget that the Thing propofed is to give an
Example of the Method of conducing Enquiries : tho' the Author has all along con-
trived to carry on the Enquiries themfelves, at the fame Time that he gives Examples.
" See below, Aph. 1 3 .
"" See Dr. Hook's Micrographla.
' The Heat of a leaden Bullet, difcharg'd barely by the Force of the Air, out of a
Wind-Gun, againft a metalline Plate, fo as to become confiderably flatted, has been
found.
Sc<£l. I. of ¥ o RMS. 443
in Motion, cools more than it Ijeats ; as appears from Winds, Bel-
lous, 6cc. For this Motion is not fo rapid as to excite Heat ; and
is a Motion of the Whole, not of the Particles : whence 'tis no ivon-
dcr it Jhould not generate Heat.
A twenty-third ; to the feventeenth.
(23.) T'his Inftance JJ:ould be diligently enquired into; for rt// Herbs heat-
Herbs, and green and moijl Vegetables, fe^m to contain fame fecret '"»•
Heat; tho' fo fmall, as to be imperceptible to the 'Touch in fmall
Portions : but ii;hen many are join'd, and clofe Jhut up together, fo
tfjat their Spirit cannot breath out into the Air, but the Parts muji
mutually foment and cherif.^ each other; a manifeft Heat is pro-
duced ; and fometimes a Flame, if the Matter be difpofed thereto ^.
A twenty-fourth ; to the eighteenth,
(24.) T/'/; Inftance alfo fhould be carefully examined: _/or ^/V/^- Quicklime
lime feems to conceii-e Heat, ichen Water is throicn upon it ; either flaked.
by the u?iiting of the Heat, nchich was before fatter ed ; as in the
Cafe of confined Vegetables, jujl now meyitioned ; or becaufe the fiery
Spirit is irritated, or exafperated, by the Water, fo as to make a
Cojjfidl and Struggle. This Matter might be ea/ily determined, by
ufng Oil injlead of Water; becaufe Oil would ferve, as well as
Water, to unite, but not to irritate, the included Spirit. The Expe-
riment alfo f:ould be extended, as well to the Afes and the Calxes
of different Bodies, as to the life of different Liquors ^.
A twenty-fifth ; to the nineteenth.
25. This Inftance has the Negative of all other Metals; which Metzls ]n
are more fo ft and yielding : thus Gold diffohed in Aqua Regia, L^^^ Solution.
in Aqua Fortis, and ^ickfiher in Aqua Regia, ajfbrd little Heat
to the Touch, in the Acl of Solution ^ : but Silver, and Copper, afford
found fo great, as to bum the Fingers, when taken up direcHy. But it is not certain,
that Bullets acquire Heat, barely by moving through the Air. This might be commo-
dioufly tried witli a Wind-Gun, and a proper Inftrument for difcovering a fmall Degree
of Heat.
'' See above. Tab. I. §. (17.)
' See Mr. Beyle's Works, paffim ; and the Medicinal Ufe of Lime-Wat er , in the
French Memoirs, An. i 700.
' S^ tht Hi/lory of CundenfationinA Rarifa£lion, VoL III. Seft. VIII, p. S545 55J•
L 1 I 2 more;
444 1^^ Invefligatlon Part II.
more ; Tin Jlill more ; and Iron the moji of all : and in the two
latter, be fides a jlrong Heat, there is aljo excited a violent Ebullition
in the Di[folutio7t. JVhence the Heat feems to proceed from the Con-
flici ; whilft the acid spirits enter, force into, feparate, and divide
the Parts of the refifling Body : but ivhere the Body yields ea/ily,
there is little Heat produced s.
A twenty-fixth ; to the twentieth.
HeatofAni- (26.) To the Heat of Animals, we annex no Negative; except
'"^'^- that of Infefts, as was before obferved ^, on account of the Smallnefs
of their Bodies. For Fijh, compared with Land Animals, have ra-
ther a Degree of Heat, than a Privation. But in Vegetables atid
Plants there is no Degree of Heat perceptible to the 'Touch ; neither
in their Tears, nor in their medullary Parts, newly laid open. In
Animals there is fomid a great Diverfity of Heat, not only in their
Parts (as the Heat of the Heart differs from that of the Brain ;
and this again from that of the external Parts ; ) but alfo with
regard to Accidents ; as in violent Exercife, Fevers, &c.
A twenty-feventh ; to the twenty-firft.
Heat of Ex- (27.) A Negative can fcarce be fubjoined to this Inflance ; Jince
crements. ^^^;^ the flak Excrements of Animals have a manifefi potential
Heat J as we fee in the manuring of hand.
A twenty-eighth ; to the twenty-fecond, and twenty-third.
Heat of (28.) Such Liquors, whether aqueous or oleaginous, as have a
Mo'Jiruums, great and powerful Acrimony, produce the Effects of Heat, in the Se-
paration and Burning of Bodies, after fome Time ; thd at firfl fuch
Liquors were not hot to the Touch. And thefe Liquors operate accord-
ing to the Pores of the Body, whereto they are applied ; for Aqua
Regia diffolves Gold., and 7iot Silver ; Aqua Fortis diffolves Silver,
and not Gold ; but neither of them diffolves Glafs : atid fo of Li-
quors '.
A twenty-
8 The other Solutions and Mixtures, wherein Heat is generated, might alfo be pro-
duced as Inftances to the prefent Purpole. See the CJiapter of /V;v, in Bairhaavif'i
Chemijiry.
^ See above. Tab. I. §. (20.)
' See the Chapter oi MenJJruums, in Bccrhaavi% Chemijhy.
Sea. I. of Forms. 445
A twenty-ninth ; to the twenty-fourth.
(;^.) Let TnjJ be made of Sfint of Wuic upon iVood, Butter, ^^^^^^
H'av, or -Pitch ; whether, by its HeJt, it zvil/, in Jbine degree, "^^'
dijfolve them : for the twenty-fourth Inftance fews, that Spirit
of irine has a -Power refembliug that of Heat, hi Scorching ; and
therefore, let the Experiment be made aJfo in LiqnefjiBion. Let
'Trial likewife be made by a Water-Thermometer, with a Hollow in
the Top, on the o:itfde ; and pour high retVtfed Spirit of iFine into
that Hollow ; then cover it, the better to keep in the Heat ^ and oh-
J'ervc whether it makes the J-Vater fill or rife '^
A thirtieth ; to the twenty-fifth.
(30.) Spices, and 'J^lants that prove acrimonious to the 'Palate, Awnntxc?.
are found much hotter when taken internally : let it therefore be
confdered in what other re/pe£ts they may have the Effefi oj Heat.
'Tis related by Sailers, that when large Parcels of Spices, which
have been long kept clof'e ccnfn'd, come to be opened, thofe who
frft take them out, run the hazard of catching Fevers, and Inflam-
mations of the Spirits. Trial, therefore, might be made whether
the Powders of fach Spices and Herbs would ]JOt, like the Smoak
of a Fire, dry Bacon or Fifh hung over them.
A thirty-firft; to the twenty-fixth.
(31.) There is an Acrimony or ^agency both in cold Things, CoXdTU'ngi.
fuch as Vinegar and Oil of Vitriol; and in thofe potentially hot, fuch
as Oil of Origanum, SCc. whence they both alike caufe ^Pain in ant-
mate Bodies ; and feparate and confume the ^arts in fuch as are in-
animate. Nor is any Negative annexed to this Inftance. But
there is no ^ain in Animals, without a certain Senfation oj Heat.
A thirty-fecond ; to the twenty-feventh.
(3a.) There are many Anions in common to Heat and Cold, /•^0' Some Adi-
ihey difer greatly in the Manner. Thus Snow feems to burn Jbon ons common
ajter it is handled; Cold preferves Fief 3 from '^utrefaBion, ^s^^f^'f*'"''^
well
^ See ths Chapter of Fire, in Boerhaaves Chevvjli-y.
V
44^ 'The Invelligation Part 11.
'voetl as the Fire ; and Heat makes fame Bodies fir'ink^ as well as
Cold. But 'tis more proper to refer theje and the like Inftanccs to the
Enquiry about Cold '-
Aphorism XIII.
AthirA'Vz\.\t 26. In the third. Place, thofe Infiances muft be brought before the
to be formed. Underftanding, in which the Nature enquired after refides, according to
the Degree of more or lefs •, whether the Comparifon of Increafe and
Decreafe be made in the fime Subjeft, or refpedively in different Sub-
jefts : for as the Forjn of a Thing, is the very Thing itfelf; or as a
Thing differs not from the Form, othcrwife than Appearance does from
Exiftence, External from Internal, or with refpeft to Man, and with
refpeft to the Univerfe *" ; it follows, that no Nature fliould be received
as a true Form^ unlefs it perpetually decreafe when the Nature decreafes •,
and perpetually increafe when the Nature increafes. The liable reprefent-
ing this, we therefore, call the T a b l e of Degrees, or the Table
of Comparifon.
The eompara- 27. We fliall firft, therefore, confider fuch Things, as to the Touch
live Degrees of ihtvi no Degree of Heat at all ; but feem only to have a certain po-
H'"'-- tential Heat., or a Difpofuion and Preparation towards aftual Heat : and
next proceed to fuch as are aEluall^ hot, or hot to the Touch ; and ob-
ferve their different Strengths, or Degrees.
TABLE III.
A Table of the Degrees of Heat.
No Matter (i-) A Movg all the foil d and tangible BodieSy there is noth'mg found
hot in itfelf. Xv originally hot^ in its own Nature ; no Stone, Metal., Sul-
phur, or other Fojjil ; no tVood., Water, or animal Carcafs : for the
Water of hot Wells feems to he heated accidentally, either hy Flame,
or fuhteraneous Fire, fuch as is thrown up hy ^tna, and many other
burning Mountains ; or elfe hy the ConJliB of Bodies ; as Heat is
produced
■' See Mr. Boyle\ Hi/iory of Cold.
" lliefe Expreflions may gi\c us a fuller Information, as to what the AutJior means
by Forms.
3
Sc6l, I. of Forms. 447
f reduced in the D'ljfulut'tons cf Iron or Tin ", Therefore to the human
Touchy there is no degree of Heat in inanimate Bodies. j4nd thoje
we have mentioned aJfo differ in degree of Heat ^ for Wood is not
fo cold as Iron. B.it this belongs to /^e Table of Degrees, for the
Hirtory ofCokl.
(2.) But for potential Heats and Difpoftions to Flame^ there Potential
are numerous inanimate Bodies found greatly dij'pofed thereto ; fuch "'^^'ts.
as Sulphur, Naphtha, and Petreol.
(3.) The Bodies that are frevioujly heated., as Horfe-dung in the
Jnimal, ^lick-lime., and ferhaps Jfjes or Soot, by the Fire \ retain
fomejecret Remains of their jormer Heat : whence certain Digefiionsy
Dif illations and Separations are made cf Bodies by burying them
in Horfe-dung ; and thus Heat is excited in ^lick-lime, by throW'
iny TVater upon it., as was above cbferved °.
(4.) Among Vegetables there is no 'Tlant, or part of a '^lant., whe-
ther the excreted Tear., or internal ^itch, found hot to the human
Touch : but green '^Plants., as above inftanced., become hot by 'Tref-
fure \, and fome Vegetables are found hot, others cold, to the inter-
nal Touch, viz. to the palate or Stomach, or even to the external
^Parts, ajter continuing applied for fome time; as we fee in ^Plai/lers
and Unzuents P.
(5.) There is nothing found hot to the human Touch in the 'Parts
of ylnimals after Death, or after Separation from the Body. Even
Horfe-dung retains not its Heat, unlefs it be prefsd together and
buriid ; yet all Dung feems to have a potential Heat, as appears
from Compojis and Manuring. In like manner, the Carcajfes of
.Animals have a latent and potential Heat ; infomuch that in the
Church-yards where Burials are frequent, the Earth collects a cer-
tain Heat, which confumes a Carcafs newly laid in it, much fooiter
than mere Earth q, Jnd 'tis reported that the People of the Eaft
haze a certain fne, fof't Cloth, made of Birds Feathers, which by its
native Heat will diffolve Batter, gently wrapt up therein ■".
(6-) Thofe
" See above. Tab. II. §. (26.) Confider alfo of the ipontaneous Heating of Marca-
fites with Water; Iron Filings and Sulphur, moiRen'd with Water; and other Infiances
of t!;is Nature.
" Tab. I. §. (18.) and Tab. II. §. (24.)
*■ Thus the Emp. Efifpnf.k. Emp. Stcmachic. magi/Ircl. Emp. e Cymino. Ung.
Alartiat. Ung. Majilchh:. &c. are heating ; and Emp. de Ram's cum IvUrrittio, Emp.e
Cicuta ; Ung. Nutritum, Ung. Populnesum, &c. are cooling.
"■ I5 the Fact fufEciently verified ?
' This may require farther Confirmadon.
44 8 The Invefligation Part II.
((^.) T^o/t' Th'tiJgs ihjt mend La)!d, fucb as Dungs of all forts %
Chalky Sea-fmd^ Salt^ 6Cc. have fame Difpoft'ion to Heat t.
Putrefadion (Z-) Ml '^utrefaB'wu ts attended With Jome J'mall Tendency to Heat -^
attended with tho' not fo mtich as to he perceived by the Touch " / for neither thofe
a latent Heat. 2"^^^^^^^ ^^J^-jcIj when piitrefed^ turn to Animals^ as ¥lep?^ Cheefe^ &.c.
are found hot to the Touch \ nor rotten l-Vood that fnnes in the
dark : but Heat j'bmetimes difcovers iff elf in ^PntrefaBions^ by highly
jetid and abominable Odours ™.
ThefirftDe- (8.) The fiift degree of Heat, therefore, of thofc Things which
gree of Beat, feel hot to the human Touch, feems to be that of Animals \ which has
that of Am- ^^ ^^^^ great Extent in its Degrees : for the lowejl, as in InJ'etis, is
fcarce perceptible to the Touch \ and the higheft J'carce equals the Heat
of the Sun, in hot Countries and Seafons \ nor is it Jo great but
the Hand may endure it : tho' 'tis related of Conftantius and
fome others, of a very dry Habit oj Body, that they have been
fo hot in acute Severs, as in a manner to burn the Hand applied to
them ".
Different (^)-) Animals have their Heat increafed by Motion, Exercife, Wine^
Heats of A- high Feeding, Venery, burning Fevers, and by '^Pain.
nimak (lO-) Men in the Fits of an Intermitting Fever, are frjl feized
•with Cold and Shivering ; and foon after grow very hot : but they
continue hot from the beginning, in burning and pejlilential Fevers.
(ii.) Let farther Enquiry be made oj the comparative Heat in
different Jnimals ; as Fijh, ^ladrupeds, Serpents and Birds : and
again, in their different Species ; as in Man, the Lion, the Kite, &Cc.
for according to common Opinion, Fifh have little Heat in their
inward ^arts j but Birds a great deal-, efpecially 'Pigeons, Hawks
and EJiriches.
(la.) Farther
' Except that of Geefe, according to vulgar Obfervation.
' But is this Difpofition greater than that of many Things which do not mend Land ?
And, in this Light, what is to be faid of Nitre ?
" Nor, as is faid, by a Thermometer, applied to a putrefying animal Carcafs ; tho'
this may require to be more exailly tried.
" The Argument feems conclufive ; for Odours, perhaps, cannot exifl without a
certain Degree of Heat. See Boerhaave's Che?nlfiry, under the Chapter of Fire ; and the
Procefs of PutrefaSiion. See alfo Mr. Boyle's IVorks, pafllm.
" This feems to be no unfrequent Cafe ; when inflammatory Fevers happen in ro-
buft and fanguine Conflitutions ; if by burning the Hand, be meant a difagreeable, or
Ibmewhat painful Senfation of Heat.
SeA. T. c/ F o R M ?. 449
(i2.) Farther Enquiry Pmild Ukeivife be made, as to the comfya- And M^rcnt
rathe He^f of the fowe 'Aniinal, in its differetit Parts and Limbs ; Pa^s oHhc
for Milk, Blood, Sperm, ar.! Eggs, are found moderately tepid, or lef ^^^^
^hot than tic outioard Flejh of the Creature upon Exercife, or ivhen
moved, or excited -, but ii hcs not hitherto been examined ichat the
Degree of Heat ^s in the Brain, Stomach, Heart, &c.
(13.) All Animals are externally cold in the Winter, and cold Sea-
fons ; hut are then thought to be hotter within Y.
(14.) The Heat of the cele/lial Bodies, even in the hotteft C<?««- TheHeatof
tries, and hot t eft Times of the l^ear and Day, is not able to fre the jj^-^''^^'"*
drie/i JVood, Straw, or Tinder ; unlefs flrengthend by the Burning
Glafs : tho it may raife a Vapour from moijl Matters ''-.
(15.) According to the Tradition of Aftronomers, fome Stars are
more, a?id others lefs hot. Among the Platiets, Mars is faid to be
the hottefl, or tiext to the Sun; then Jupiter; and then Venus: but
the Moon is fuppofed to be cold; rt;/i Saturn the coldefl Planet of all.
Among the Fixed Stars, Sirius is fuppofed the hottefl; then Cor Leon is;
then the lef'er Dog-Star, ^c.
(16.) The Sun pro'ves hotter to us, the nearer he comes to the Per-
pendicular, or Zenith ; and the fame is to be imderflood of the Planets,
according to their different Degrees of Heat. For Example, Jupiter
proves much hotter to us when he is in Cancer or Leo, than when in
Capricorn or Aquarius.
(17.) 'Tis to be fuppofed that the Sun, and all the Planets heat
more in their Perigee, when they are nearefl the Earth, than in
their Apogee, when they are farthejl from it : hut where-ever the
Sun is at the fame time both in its Perigee, and iiearefl the Zenith,
it mufl neceffarily be hotter, than where the Sun is in its Perigee,
but farther difiant from the Zenith. So that the comparative Afcen-
fions of the Planets mufl be here regarded, as they approach to, or re-
cede from the Perpendicular, in difjerefit Countries.
(18.) The Sun and Planets are fuppofed hotter in their Appulfe to
the larger Fixed Stars. So when the Sun is in Leo, 'tis nearer the
Cor Leonis, the Cauda Leonis, Spica Virginis, Sirius atid Cani-
cula, than when in Cancer ; where yet it is tiearer the Zenith. And
> Suppofe, by what is called Antiperijlafis ; but this does not, perhaps, appear by the
Thermometer. See Mr. Boyle s Hijiory of Cold ; and Dr. Boerhaave\ Chemiflry ; under
the Chapter of Fire.
'■ The dired Rays of the Sun are faid to be capable of melting Lead, in certain Cli-
raates; or even to fire the Houfes. See Boyle, Abridgm. Vol. 111. p. 55, ^c.
Vol. II. Mm m 'tis.
45° ^^ Inveftigation Part II.
'tis to he fiippofed that thofe Parts of the Heavens give the greateji
Heat, tbo' not perceptible to the Touch, that arefidlejl of Stars, efpe-
cially Stars of the firfl Magnitude.
How increa- (19-) 'The Heat of the Celeftial Bodies is increafed three Ways ; viz.
fsJ- (i.) by their Perpendicularity; (2.) their Nearnefs of Approach, or
Perigee; and (3.) by the Stars lying thick together.
A Difference (^O-) There is a very great IDiff'erence found betiveen the Degree
in Degree be- of Heat in Animals, and that of the Celefial Bodies, as it affeSls
'^^n^H ^'■^' ^^^ the one fide ; and the mildeft Flame, all ignited Bodies, or even
' Liquors, and the Air itfelf, much heated by the Fire, on the other : for
the Flame of Spirit of (Vine, even thd diffufed and uncollcSled, is
able to burn Straw, Linen, or Paper ; which animal Heat will not
do ; nor folar Heat, without the Afjiflance of the Burning-Glafs.
The Degrees (^i-) But there are numerous Degrees of Strength and WeaLncfs of
of Heat indi- Heat, in Flame, and Bodies ignited ; tho as 710 careful Enquiry has
cated. i^^^fj^ made about them, we are obliged to pafs them lightly over.
(i.) The Flatne of Spirit of Wine fe ems to be the foftefl ; imlefs we
except the Ignes Fatui, and the Corrufcations of fweating Animals.
(2.) The Flame of Spirit of Wine, we judge, isfuccccdedby the Flame
of porous and fpongy Vegetables ; as Straw, Rufies, and dried Leaves ;
from which the Flame of Hair or Feathers does not greatly differ.
(3.) Next to this, perhaps, may follow the Flame of Wood ; efpecially
of fuch as abounds not in Pojin or Pitch : but the Flame of Brujl:-
Wood, or Twigs, (which are commonly bound up into Faggots,) is
more gentle than that yielded by the Trunks and Roots of Trees ; as
is found by Experience, in the Furnace for melting Iron from the
^tone ; where fmall Wood is of little Service. (4.) Next to this
qomes, in our Eflimation, the Flame of Oil, Tallow, Wax, and the
like tniBuous and fat Bodies ; which have no great Acrimony.
(5.) But a ftronger Heat is found in Pitch and Rofrn. And, (6.) a
fill ftronger in Sulphur, Camphire, Naphtha, Petreol, and Salts, af-
ter their crude Matter is dij'charged ; and in the Compofitions hereof; as
in Gun-powder, and Wildfre of different Ki?ids ; which have fo fub-
born a Heat, that Water can hardly extinguifh tt.
Metallic (22.) (7.) We fuppofe alfo, that the Flame arifing from certain
Flames. Kijids of imperfect Metals is exceeding frong and Jharp ^ ; but of
this a farther Enquiry fhould be made.
(23.) (8.) The
^ As in making the common .Regulus of Antimcny:, Priticis Metal, witli Zink and
Copter; and many other metallurgical Experiments.
Sccr. I. of F o RU s. 451
(23.) (8.) The Flame of fircvg Lightning fcems to exceed all /z?;^ Lightning.
former ; fo as fonietimcs to melt perfeB Iron itfelf, into Drops ;
lihich thc/e other Flames cafinot lio.
(24.) (9.) There are alfo different Degrees of Heat in Bodies ig- The Degrees
nited ; tho thefe like^vife haie not hitherto been diligently enguired °^.^^''^y^'?,-
into. The u-eakeft Heat of this kind ive take to be, (i.) that of Tin-'''^^^°^'^-
der ; a7id the Match ufed in the firing of great Guns ; after which
come (2.) ignited Char-Coal, Pit-Coal, Brick, &c. but, (3.) the
hottejl of all ignited Bodies feem to be Metals ; as. Copper, Iron, &c.
tho farther Enquiry Jl:ould he n:ade about them.
{21;) Some ignited Bodies are found much hotter than feme Flames : Ignited Bo-
for ignited Iron is much tnore hot and burning, than the Flame c/'"'^^ ^"'["P^"
Spirit of Wine. , . . , , FJam^!'
(26.) There are alfo feme Bodies, ichich, tho un-ignited, and only
heated by the Fire ; fuch as boiling Water, and Air pent up in Rever-
beratory Furnaces ; are hotter than many Flames, and Bodies ignited.
(27.) Motion increafes Heat ; as appears by Bellows and Blow- Heat increa-
pipes ; ijtfomuch that the harder Metals will not melt in a dead, or fill fftl I'y Mo-
Fire, that is not animated by the Blaft. """•
(28.) Let Trial be made with the Burning-glafs : for, as I remember,
if the Glafs be held, for Example, at the Difiance of ten Inches frorn
a combufiible Body, it will not then burn fo much, as if it be
fir ft placed at the Difiatice of five Inches j a7id then be gradually
and fowl)' drawn away to the Difiance of ten ; tho' the ColleBion
and Cone of Rays re?nain the fame : the bare Motion thus increafing
the EffeB of the Heat.
(29.) Thofe Confiagratiojis which happen in the Time of a firo7ig Conflagrati-
IVind, are thought to advance fafier towards the Wi?td, than from *^"^. ^^ongeft
// ; becaufe the Flame recoils fwifter when the Wind fiackens, than ^yj'^j '
it advances forwards when the Wind drives it.
(30.) Flame proves firo?ig, vigorous, and generative, only when StrongFlame
it finds feme Cavity wherein to move, and play, and exert /^^'//'j squires a Ca-
except the flatulent Flame of Gufi-powder, and the like ; where Com- c'^^' °' °'^'
prefiion and Confinement increafe its Force.
(31.) The Anvil grows very hot by the repeated Strokes of the Tmn heated
Hammer ; fo that if it were thin, we judge it might be ignited by ^^ ^"^^ ^^'""
firong and fuccefiive Strokes : but this remains to be tried ^. '""'
'' 'Tis certain, that a Piece of Iron has, by various Strokes of the Hammer, nimbly
repeated, been foon made to appear red hot ; infomuch, that this is fometimes ac-
counted no bad Expedient for lighting a Fire, among Nailors, and thofe Workers in
Iron who ufe a quick Hammer. See Dr. Hod's Lectures of Light, p. 1 17.
M m m 2 32. But
men
45 2 'The Inveftigation Part 11.
Fire extin- (3 2.) But 171 fuch ignited Bodies as are porous^ atid afford Space
guiftied by enough for the Fire to move in ; if the Fire's Motion be curbed by
preffion °"^" ^ Jirong CofnpreJJion, the Fire is immediately extinguiJJjed : as when
Tinder, or the burnijig Wieck of a Lamp, a faming Coal, &c. is
Jqueezed by the Foot, or the like ; upon which the EfeBs of the Fire
prefently ceafe.
Heatincrea- (3 3-) 'The Approach of a hot Body increafesHtat:, according to the
fedbyAp- Degree of Nearnefs; arid the Caje is the fame in Light: for the
proach. nearer an Obje£l is placed to the Light, the more vifble it becomes.
By Union. (34-) '^'^^ unitifig of different Heats increafes Heat ; u?ilefs the
Bodies come to be mixed : for a great Fire and a fmall one being
near each other, fomewhat increafe each others Heat ; but warm
Water put into boiling Water, cools it.
By Continu- (35-) ^^^ Contifiuance of Heat in a Body, increafes Wt^t: For
ance. Heat, thus perpetually flying off, is mixed with the Heat before ex~
ijling ; fo as to midtiply the Heat. Thus a Fire kept up for half an
Hour, does not heat the Room fo much, as if the fame Fire were kept
up for an Hour. Bui this is not the Cafe in Light ; for a Lamp
does not enlighten a Room more, by long continuing to burn, than when
it is firfi lighted.
By Cold. (36.) External Cold increafes Heat: for we find that Fin
fcorches violently in frofly Weather. This, we conceive, happens not
only from the Heat being flmt up a7td contraSled, which is a kifjd of
Union '^ ; but alfo by Irritation. Thus when the Air, or any elaflic Body,
is violently compreffcd or bent ; it recoils not only to the Point it was
forced from, but beyond it. Therefore let careful Trial be made, by
placing fome combujlible Material in Flame, to fliew whether it will not
be burnt fooner on the Surface, than in the midfl of the Flame ^.
The Degrees (37-) There are many Degrees in the Reception of Heat, And
ofRecLption fir ft it is to be obferved, how fmall and fender a Wtzt may fomewhat
of Heat. change, and a little warm thofe Bodies which are Icaji of all fufcep-
tible of Heat. For the Heat of the Hand will warm a Bullet of Lead,
or any other Metal, held for a while in it : Jo eafily, and in all Cafes,
is Heat tranfmitted, and excited; thd the Body, to Appearance, feemi
no way changed.
In Air. (38.) But of all Bodies that we know. Air the eafef receives and
communicates Heat ; as appears by Weither-Gkffes ; which are made
Weather- thus. Take a bellied Glrfs, with a long and fender Stem ; and invert
Glafles, how the
made.
■^ See above, §. (34.)
'' See Dr. Hook's Leiiures of Light ; and Difcourfe of Comets. See alfo hereafter, Apb. 20.
Sedt. I. c/" F o R M s. 45 3
the Nib of it into another glafs Fefel of JVater ; fo that the Aperture
of the fr ft Glafs may touch the bottom of the fecond; 'whilft the Stem is
fupportcii a little by the Mouth of the ufjder Glafs, fo as to ftand, icith-
out hwcing its Orifce entirely clofed. And the better to effeSl thisy
apply fame Wax to the Mouth of the under recei'-cing Glafs ; but fo as
uot to fop this up neither. Before the bellied Glafs is inverted into the
other, let its Belly be heated at the Fire ; and 'when placed, as above-
mentioned, the Air which was dilated by the heating, ivill contraB
itfelf (after the adventitious Heat is gone) to an equal Dimenfion ivith
that of the external or common Air, at the "Time ; and raife the Water »
upwards in the fatne Proportion. And now, when a Scale of Degrees,
made upon a long Slip of Paper, is pajled along the Stem ; ac-
cording as the Weather grows hotter or colder, the included Air will
central with the Cold, and expand with the Heat ; and f^ew the
EffeSl ; by the Afcent of the Water, when the Air is contrasted ; a7id
by the Defcent thereof, when the Air is expanded. But the Senjibility
of the Air, in refpeSl of Heat a7id Cold, is fo fubtile and exquifite,
as far to exceed the Perception of the human 'Touch ; infomuch, that
a Ray of the Sun, or the Warmth of a Mans Breath, much more
the Heat of ones Hand, placed upon the Top of the Glafs, will im-
mediately caufe the Water manifeftly to Jink ^. Thd we conceive that
the Spirit of Animals has a flill more exquifite Senfe of Heat a?id
Cold ; unlejs it be cbfrucled and blutited by the gr offer Matter of their
Bodies.
(39.) Next to Air, we judge thofe Bodies to be mojl fenfible 0/ Hear, The Scale of
which are newly changed, and compreffed, by Cold; fich as (i.) i'woii' Bodies moft
and Ice : for thefe begin to relent and dijfolve with any gentle Heat, ^ceptible of
(2.) After thefe, perhaps comes ^lickflver : After this comes iz-) fa^ Cold
Bodies ; fuch as Oil, Butter, Sec. (4.) Wood ; (5.) Water -, (6.) and
lafily. Stones and Metals : which do not eajily heat, efpecially within j
thd they very long retain the Heat they have once received ; fo that a
red-hot Brick, Stone, or piece of Iron, quenched in a Bafon of cold Wa-
ter, retain fuch a Heat, for fome Minutes after, that they cannot be
handled.
(40.) The lefs Bulk a Body is of, the fooner it conceives Heat, ^^' Heat averfe
the approach of a hot Subjlance : which ffews that all Heat with us is to tangible
in a manner averfe to tangible Bodies ^ Bodies.
(41.) Heat
< For the Improvement of Thermometers, fee Mr. Boyle's Hijfcrj of Cold; and
Dr. Hock's Works, paflim. See alfo Dr. Boerhaaiie's Chemi/iry.
' As being readicft cc.T.municatcd in the fmnlleft, and perliaps tlie moft rarified Bodies.
454-
'The Inveftig-adon
Part II.
(4 1.)' Heat, to the Senfc and humajil'onch, is an undetermirid, re-
lative Thing ; fo that i^arm Water Jl^all feem hot to a cold Hand ;
and cold, if the Hand be hot s.
s See Mr. Bcylis Hljlory of CcU, in init.
A P H O R i S J/I XIV.
IsaturalUi- ' 28. How Unprovided we, at prefent, are in Natural and Experimental
Jlory defe^ive. Hijlory, maybe eafily obferved from hence ; that in the preceding Tables
we are frequently obliged to direft Experiments, and farther Enquiry
to be made into Particulars -, and that inftead of approved Hijlor'j, and
fuch Injlanccs as may be depended upon, we are fometimes driven to in-
fert Traditions and Relaiiotts ; tho' we do this always with a manifeft
doubting of their Truth and Authority *.
Vfeof the pre-
ceding Tables.
Aphorism XV.
29. The Office and Ufe of thefe three Tables, is, to prefent a Vie-j)
of Iiijlances to the Under/landing. And when this Fiew is procured, the
Bufinefs of InduBion is to be put in Praftice. For, upon a particular
and general View of all the Inflances, fuch a Nature is to be difcovered,
as may be continually prefent, or abfent, and always increafe and de-
creafe, with that Nature ; and, as we above laid down, limit the more
common Nature \ But if the Mind fhould attempt to do this affirma-
tively from the firft, as it ufes to do when left to itfeli, there prefently
rife up PJiantoms and notional Hypothefes, ill defined ; and Axioms
that daily require a mending-hand •, unlefs, after the Cuftom of the
Schools, we would contend for Falfehood: tho' doubtlefs thefe Axioms
would be better or worfe, according to the Powers and Strength of the
Underftanding that formed them. God, the great Giver and Creator of
Forms, doubtlefs, knows them, by immediate Affirmation, at the firft
Glance of the Underftanding •, and fo, perhaps, may Angels, and fuch
fjblim.e Intelligences : but this far exceeds the human Capacity ; which
can only firft proceed by Negatives, and laftly, after a perfedt Exclu-
fion, end in Affirmatives.
Aphorism XVI.
The Suftnefs 3°- We muft, therefore, make a perfedt Refolution and Separation of
of genuine Nature, not by Fire, but by the Mind ; which is, as it were, the divine
Iiidiidlion. Fire.
" Little Progrefs can be expefled in Philofophy, and trie Sciences, till an ample and exaft
Hijiiry fNtiture and Art is procured ; out of whicli, as Out of a Storehoufe, P.irticulars fhould
be dr.iwn, as they come to be w.inted, in all Enquiries.
■^ See above, Part II. Aph. 4.
Forms hnoion
intuiti'vely to
fublime Intel'
Hgences.
Seel. I. d?/ Forms. 455
Fire. And thus the firft Ji'crk cf ge>:u!m hdunion, m the Difcovery
of Forms, is to throw our, or exclude, fuch particular Natures, as are
net found in any hifiance, where the given Nature is prefent : or fuch
as are found in any hjlauce, where that Nalure is abfent : and again,
fuch are found to increafe in any Inflame, when the given Nature de-
creafes ; or to decreafe when that Nature increafes. And then, after this
Rejection and Exclufion is duly ma(,le, the affirmative, folid, true, and
well cicfined Fcrm, will remain as the RefuTt of the Operation ; vvhilft
the volatile Opinions go off in Fume'. And this is eafdy exprefTed in
"V\'ords ; but the Thing itfelf cannot be come at, without numerous
Turnings and Windings. "We will, however, endeavour not to omit any
one Step that conduces to the End.
Aphorism XVII.
31. But here a general Caution, or perpetual Admo7ntion, muft bs ^'^^"<ir\;The Notion of
left, as we feem to attribute fo much to Forms, what we fay of them Forms, //-
Ihould be undcrftood of fuch Forms, as Men have hitherto accuftomed '"'fed.
themfelves to confider ''.
32. For, (i.) we do not at prefent fpeak of compound Forms, that is, Thefe Form
Combinations of fimple Natures, according to the common Courfe oifimple.
the Univcrfe ; as the Form of an Eagle, a Lion, a Rofe, Gold, l£c.
the Time of treating which will be, when we come to coticeal'd ProceJJes
■xnd fecret I'extures; and the Difcovery of them, as they are found in thofe
call'd Subftances, or concrete N.itures*.
33. (2.) And even in the Cale of fimple Natures, we muft not hz Not ideal.
underftood to mean any abftradl Forms, or Ideas, that are either unde-
termined, or ill determined in iMatter. For when we fpeak of Forms, we
mean no other than thofe Laws and Determinations of pure A^lion, "-jjlnch
regulate and conflitute an-j fimple Nature ; as Heat, Light, and Gravity ; in
all Kinds of Matter, and Subjeifs, fufceptible thereof : and therefore the Form
of Heat, or the Form of Light, is the fame Thing as the Law of Heat.,
or the Law of Light : for we perpetually keep clofe to Praclice, and
Things themL'Ives i; and therefore when we fay, for Example, in the
Enquiry
' The Metaphor Teems taken from the Operation of Tefting, or the Way of Refining, or AC-
faying Gold nnd Silver Ores, with Lead; which very appofitely illuftrates this Method of In-
duciicn : the Lead, fome way or other, carrying off with it, whatever is volatile, or vitrinable,
and not tri;e Gold or Silver. Fcr thus, the proper Sett of Injiames being procured, (like an
Ore, wherein the nobler Metals sre contained,) they arc tried by Induclion, as in the Furnace ;
fo as to leave the true Form behind, like a Brill of Gold or Silver, upon the Tell.
^ Viz.. The Peripatetic, or notional Forms, Sec.
' See de Augment. Sdentiar. p. 84.
' Certainly this Caution has not been Sufficiently obferved ; whence many have conceived
this Scc'.ni Fart of the Novum Orgcnum to be rather a deep, or, according to the vulgar Ex-
preffion, a metaphyfical Speculation, than a Thing direftly tending to Operation ; or, what
it is in reality, with regard to the Mind, PraSice itfelf.
45 6 The Inveftlgadon Part IT.
Enquiry into the Form of Heat, rejeul 7'enuily^, or 7'efiuity is not of the
Foufi of Heat; 'tis the lame as if we faid. Men may fuperinduce Heat., upon
a denfe Body ; or, on the other hand, that Men -may take away Heat from
a rare one ^.
Nor tao at- 34- (3-) And if any one fliall think that our Forms have fomewhat ab-
jlraRed. ftraftcd in them, becaufe they appear to mix and join together Things
that are heterogeneous ; as the Heat of the Ceieftial Bodies, and the Heat
of Fire •, the fixed Rednefs of a Rofe, and tlie apparent Rednefs of the
Rainbow, the Opal, or the Diamond ; Death by Drowning, and Death by
Burning, Stabbing, the Apoplexy, Confumption, i£c. which, tho' very
diffimilar, we make to agree in the Nature ot Heat, Rednefs, Death, i^c.
he muft remember, that his own Underftanding is held and detained by
Cuftom, Things in the grofs, and Opinions. For, it is certain, that the
Things abovementioned, hov.'ever heterogeneous and foreign they may
feem, agree in the Form, or Law, that ordains Heat, Rednefs, and Death.
Nor can the human Power be ocherwife freed, and fet at Liberty from the
common Courfe of Nature, and extended and exalted to new Efficients,
and new Ways of working, than by difclofmg and inveftigating this Kind
of Forms. But after treating of this Unity of Nature \ which is a mod
capital Thing ; we fhall proceed to the true Divifions and Paths of Na-
ture, as well the ordinary as internal *".
Aphorism XVIII.
TheExchifson, 35. But we are next to propofe an Example of the Exdufion or Re-
orRejeSihn of jeUion of thofe Natures, which by xht Tables of View, are found not to be
behn^rinz^to ^ ^^^ Form of Heat ; admonifliing, by the way, that not only each 'Table
iibe Form 0/ fuffices for the Rejeftion of any Nature; but alfo every fingle Inftance,
ffct. contained in eacli Table : for it is manifeft, from what goes before ', that
any one contradidtory Inftance deftroys the Notion ot Form. However, for
Clearnefs fake, we fometimes double or repeat the Exclufion ; the better
to demonftrate the Ufe of the Tables.
? See below, Taik IV. §. 8.
*' It cannot be too well remember'd, nor, perhaps, fuiBcienfly inculcated, tliat Theory and
FraB'ue, in the Mind, are but one and the fame Thing; or differ no more, in any refpeft,
than as Caufe and Efteft, or Rule and Work.
^ See above, Part II. A ph. 3.
^ See btlow, Sea. l\. pajfm.
' See in particular, Jph./^, 16, i^fc
TABLE
Scd:. I. c/ F o R M s. 45 7
TABLE IV.
An Example of the Exclusion, or Rejection,
of Natures, from the Form of Heat.
(i.) T> 2' the Siifis Rays ; reje^ Elementary, or Terreftrial Nature,
JD from the Form of Heat ^
(2.) By common Fire; and principally by the fuhterraneal Fires,
tvhicb are i-ety remote, and entirely cut off frovi the celejlial Rays;
reject celeftial Nature.
' (3.) By the beating of all kinds of Bodies, ivhether mineral, vege-
table, or animal ; ichether Water, Oil, Air, &c. upon the bare Ap-
proach of Fire, or other hot Body ; reject ^//Variety, or fubtile
Texture of Bodies.
(4.) By Jro7i, atjd ignited Metals, which heat other Bodies, ivithout
Lcfs of Weight, or Subjlance ; rejeB Communication, or Mixture of
any other hot Subftance.
(5.) By hot Water, hot Air, Metals, and other folid Bodies that
ivitl receive Heat 'without Ignition ; reject Light and Splendor.
(6.) By the Rays of the Moon, and :Stars, except the Sim ; again,
rejeSt Light and Splendor.
(7.) By the Comparifon of ignited Iron, and the Flame of Spirit
of /Vine; "whence t/je Iron appears to be hotter afid lefs lucid, but the
Flame of the Spirit more lucid and lefs hot ; again, rejedl Light and
Splendor.
(8.) By Gold atid other ignited Metals, 'which are very denfe in
their entire Subjiance ; rejeSl Tenuity.
(9.) By Air, ivhich is generally found cold, and yet remains thin
and fubtile; again, rejeB Tenuity.
( I o.) By ignited Iron, ichich fjoells not in Bulli, but remains of
the fame Dimenfion to Appearance ^ ; rejeB local, or expanllve Mo-
tion in the whole.
=■ That is, fince the Sun's Rays are found to be hot ; a terreftrial or elementary
Nature is not of the Form of Heat ; or Heat is not confined to terreftrial or elemen-
tary Bodies. See below, Aph. 19. and 20. (31.)
° Tho' not upon exad Trials. Let it be confider'd how juftly this Expanfion, or
Rarifaciion of the whole Body, has been made by fome the uuiverfal Criterion, or
Form of Heat. Se below, Aph. 20. (8.) (15.) (13-) (26.)
VoL.IL Nnn (n-) -?^.y
45 8 T*he Inveftlgation Part \\.
(il.) Bjy the "Dilatation of the Air in Weather-Glaffes, and the
like; where the Air is evidently moved- locally, and expanjively, with-
cut becoming manifejlly hotter; again, rejeB local or expanfive Mo-
tion in the whole.
(i2.) By the Facility ivherewith all Bodies are warmed , without'
DeJlruBion, or remarkable Alteration ; rejeSl Deftruftion, and great
Communication of any new Nature.
(13.) By the Similitude and Conformity of certain Operations, per-
formed both by Cold and Heat ; rejeSl as well expanfive as contra-
ctive Motion, in the whole.
(14.) By Fire following Heat upon the Attrition of Bodies; rejeSf
principal Nature, that is, a pofitive Nature, not caufed by a pre-
cedent one,
N. B. There are alfo other Natures to be excluded : for our 1'ables are.
not defigned as perfedt, but only as Examples.
N. B. Neither all, nor any one of the preceding Natures, are of the
Form of Heat : fo that Men in their Praftices upon Heat, are freed from
the Neceffity of introducing any, or all of them ^
' Obferve how this Inveftigation of Forms, correfponds to a juft Pra8ical Rule, (for pre--
ducing unlimited Effefts,) laid down above, under Jph. 4. (5. and 6.) If due Attention has been
ufed, the Reader will now begin to fee the the Scene open ; and find Caufe to expeft more
confiderable Things from the human Power and Knowledge, than have hitherto been pro-
duced by any Philofophers unacquainted \vith the true Method of Enquiring into Nature, by the
Means of this New Engine of the Mind.
Aphorism XIX.
Exelufm 25- The Bufinefs of Exdufwn lays the Foundations for a genuine /«>
leads to In- duclion ; which, however, is not perfedled till it terminates in the TViHr-
iuaion. mative : but our Exclujion is by no means pertedl •, nor can it poffibly be
fo at firft. For Exclufion, as we plainly fee, is the Rejedlion of fimph
Natures ; and if we have hitherto no juft and true Notion o{ fimple Natures,
how can the Bufinefs of Exclufion be reftified ? But feme ot the above-
mention'd Notions, as thofe of Elementary Nature, Cclejlial Nature, and
'Tenuit-j^, are vague and ill defined. Wherefore, not forgetting how
great a Task we have undertaken ; viz. no lefs than that of rendering
the human Underftatuling equal to Things and Nature ; we are by rro means
to ftop here ; but muft proceed to invent and afford greater Helr>5 to
the Mind. For, doubtlefs, in the Interpretation of Nature, the Mind is
to
■" Set ToMe IV . §. !, 2,7.
Sea. I. &/ Forms. 459
to be lb prepared and formed, that it may both reft upon proper De-
grees of Certainty ; and yet conceive, efpecially in the Beginning, that
the Things which are prefent, have a great Dependance upon thofc
behind ^
Aphorism XX.
36. And yet, becaufe Truth will fooner emerge from Error, tha.n PermiJ/io» tt
from Confufion ; we judge it ufeful to allow the Undcrftanding,- after having 'j^ UnJer-
made and confidered the three Tahks of p-e^aratvr) I'iczo ; in the Manner-^^" j"| y,^_
wc have laid them down; to apply itfelf, and attempt the Bufinefs oftageo/En-
Interpreting Nature in the Ajjlnnative ; on the Strength of the Inftances quiry.
contained in thefe Tables ; and fuch as may be otherwife procured. And
this kind of Attempt, we call a Permijfwn to the UnderJlaiiJing, the Rudi-
ments of Interpretation, or the firfi Vintage of Enquiry f.
' Sec above, Pa-'t I. Jpb. 1 30. a J fiitm.
f The firfl Vintage, in Wine-Countrie5, produces the pooreft Wines; which they ufually
diilil, for Brandy ; as being not fit to Iccep, in the Form of Wines.
TABLE V.
The Firft Vintage, or Dawn of Dodrine, from tl:ie
Form of Heat.
(i.) T -T appears from the preced'tng DcEirine^ that the Form of a
k. Thing refides in all the particular Inftances, -wherein the
Thing re fides j otherwife it -would not he a Form » : and therefore no
contraditiory Infance hereof can be given.
(2.) Tet the Form is found much more confpicitous in fome In- The Fom
^fiances, than in others , efpecially in thofe -where the Nature of the ^°'-^^ '"°''=
Form is hfs confined, ohJiruBed and fibdued by other Natures : fo™eTn- '"
and this Kind of Inftances -we call ftiining or glaring Inftances ^. ftances, than
And thus we now proceed to reap the Firft Fruits of our Enquiry '" °*^''5-
after the Form of Heat, in the fVay of Example.
(3.) In all the Inftances, confidered as well feparately as col- Motion \hz
Je^ively, the Nature whose Limitation is Heat, Form of
APPEARS TO BE MoTioN^. This We find chiefly in Flame., "^'•
» See above. Part II. Jph. 4.
"^ See below, Sc£}. II. yiph. 24.
' .See abo\e, Jph. 4.
N n n 2 -which
460 Tide Inveftigation Part II.
•which is in perpetual Motion ; a)2d in hot^ or boiling Liquors^ which
are alfo in a continual Jgitation. It Ukewife appears^ by the Sharp-
vefs or Jncreafe of the Heat, cans'd by Motion ; as in Bellows ajid
Elajis '' .• a)ul again, in ether Kinds of Motion ; for zvhich J'ee the
twenty-eighth and thirty-firft Inllances of the Third Table, 'Tis
found^ alfo in theExtingniJhing of Fire, and Heat, by all ftrong Com-
prejjion, which checks and puts a flop to Motion. See'the thirtieth and
thirty-lecond Inftances of the Third Table, ^gain, it is flewn
hy this, that all Bodies are deftroy'd, cr at leaf remarkably alter' d,
by all hinds oj Fire, or flrong or vehement Heat. Jnd from hence it
plainly appears, that Heat caufes a Tumult, Difturbance, and
brisk or eager Motion in the internal Parts of Bodies j which
gradually tends to a Diflblution of the Body.
OritsGt^m. (4.) JVhat we have thus f aid of Motion, is to be under ftood cf it,
as oj U Genus ^, with regard to Heat : and not as if Heat gene-
rated Motion ; or as if Motion generated Heat ; tho' this may he
true in fome CaJ'es : but the Meaning is, that Heat itfelf or the
very Exiftence of Heat, is Motion, and nothing elfe ' ; tho' Mo-
tion limited by the Differences we pall prefently fubjoin \ after
giving a jew Cautions jor the avoiding of Jnibiguity.
Heat relati\'e (5.) Heat to the Senfe is a relative Thing, that regards Mankind,
to Man. jjQf fjjg u„]^jerfe ; and is jujily ajftgned only as the Efe[i of Heat
upon the animal Spirit or Mind:, being in itj'elf an indeterminate Thing:
jor the Jame Body, according as the Senfe is predifpojed, may give the
'^reception as well of Heat as of Cold ; as appears by the forty-firft
Inftance of the Third Table.
Heating not {6.) But the Communication, or tranfitive Nature of Heat,
of the Form whereby one Body conceives Heat upon being applied to another that
"''• is hot^ muji not be confounded with the Form of Heat : jor Heat
is one Thing, and Heating another. Heat is produced by the Motion
of Attrition, without any Heat preceding that Motion; whence Hent-
ing is excluded from the Form of Heat. Jnd when Heat is produced
by the approach of a hot Body ; this does not proceed jrom the Form
of Heat j but depends entirely upon a higher and more common Na-
ture \
* See Tab. III. Tnjlance 27.
*■ Or univerral Kind.
f See above, Part II. A^h. 4.
Sedl. I. of Forms. 4.61
tiire e ; viz. rz/o;; the Nature of Communication, Affimilation, or
Self-multiplication ; zvh'tch demands a fefarate Enqutry.
(7.) 'The Notion of Fire is vulgar-^ and compofed of Heat and
SflcnJor^ as exiftitig in fame one Thing : for Example, in commcu
F/.ime^ and Bodies ignited, or made red-hot. Jnd having thus re-
moved all Ambiguities j we at length come to the true Differences,
zvhich Umitate Motion, Jo as to conjiitute it the Form of Heat ^.
I.
(S.) The firfl Difference is this; that Heat is an expanfive Mo-Tliefirft
tion, whereby a Body endeavours to dilate itfelf, and ftretch into J^'jjjfrence
a greater Sphere, or Dimenfion, than it before pofleffed '. -^'^^["he Formof '
this Difference appears principally in Flams, where the Smoaky or Heat,
uuducus Vapour, manifcfily dilates and opens itfelf into Flame. It
appears likewije in all boiling Liquors ; -which manijefily jwell, rife
up, bubble, and carry on their '^Procefs of Expanfon, till they change
into a much more rarifed Body, than the Liquors them/elves ; as
for Example, into Vapour, Flame or Air.
(p.) It appears Ukewife in Hood, and all combujlible Bodies y which
fometimes fweat ; but always evaporate.
(10.) It appears again, in the melting of Metals, which being of a
very compaB Suhfance, do not eafly J'well and dilate \ yet their Spi-
rit*^, after being itfelf dilated, and endeavouring at a Jiill greater
Extenfon, forces and agitates the more grofs 'Tarts into a Jinid
State : and if the Heat be greatly increafed, it refolves, volatizes,
and drives off' much of their Subfiance.
(11.) It appears alfo in Iron and Stone \ which at leaji arefoften'd,
if not liquified and fifed by Fire. So Ukewife Reds of Wood become
flexible^ by being Jomewhat heated in hot jJfes.
(la.) But
* This is a fubtik and curious Diftinfiion. The Meaning appears to be, that, when
Heat is once produced by the Exiftence of its Form, that is, by a particular Motion ; it ~^-
propagates itfelf, not by means of its Form, but by the Principle of Aflimilation, or Self-
Multiplication. See Sir Ifaac Newton upon the Heat of the Comets. Princip. Lib. III.
;.. 467, i^c.
^ See Part II. Aph. 4.
' Obferve, that this docs not contradict, but coincide v/ith the tentli and eleventh In-
Jfances of the Fourth Table; tho' the correipondence may not, perhaps, appear at fii ft
Sight. For farther Confirmation, fee below, §. (15.) (19.) (26.)
^ See the Sylva Syharum, p. 48, 49, jo.
46 2 7%s Inveftigation Part II.
(12.) But this Moth ft is bejf perceived in Air ; "which continually
and manifejlly diliates itfelf^ with a fmall Heat \ according to the
thirty-eighth Inftance of the Third Table'.
(13.) Jgain^ it appears from the contrary 'Nature of Cold: for
Cold contracts all Bodies, and makes them (brink \ infomuch that Nails
have dropt out of iValls, and brafs Veffels have crack' d, through Cold.
So likeiuife Glafs heated, and fuddenly brought into the Cold, cracks
and flies to pieces. Air contraBs it f elf even upon lightly cooling ; as
appears by the thirty-eighth Inftance of the Third Table'". But
the fullConfideration of thefe Particulars belongs to the Enquiry of
Cold.
(14.) And it is no Wonder that Cold and Heat fjould per-
form many Anions in common \ according to the thirty-fecond In-
ftance of the fecond Table ; becaufe two of the Differences, which
we fhall frejently mention, belong to both Natures " : tho' in the
frefent Difference, their Actions are diametrically oppcjite ; jbr Heat
gives an expanjive, and Cold a contra^ive Motion.
U.
The fecond (15.) T'he fecond Difference is a Modif cation of the former ; and
Difference, depends upon this, that Heat is an expanfive Motion, or a Motion
towards the Circumference ; but with this Law, that at the fame
Time it rifes upwards. And i\:e cannot doubt but there are many
mixt Motions ; as that of an Arrow, for 'Example, which revolves in
. going forwards, a?id advances by revolving. And, in like manner,
the Motion of Heat is, at the fame 'Time, both expanfive and up-
wards.
(16.) This Difference is perceived by heating one End of an Iron
Rod, held perpendicularly in the Fire ; in which Pojlure it will burn
the
' Neitlier does this contradict the eleventh InJIance of the fourtli Tuhle. The aflign-
ing of thefe Differences is a particular Work of the Underftanding, employ'd folely in ad-
julling and reconciling the Inftances of the preceding Tables, without Diftraftion or
Avocation.
■" It fhould here be remember'd, that Water expands in Freezing : for Ice is fpecifi-
cally heavier tlian the Water that affords it. How this happens, the Author explains in
xhe.HijIcryofCcndenfationandRjrifuflloJi, p. 551. But, perhaps, if the Water be very
well purged of its Air, before it is froze, the Ice will not be lighter than Water. See
Botrhaavis Chemijiry, under the Chapters of Fire and Water. See alfo Mr. Hawksbecs
Phyfico-Mechankal Experiments, p. 257,
'• See below, §. (25.) (26.) (29.)
Sedl. I. ^ F o R M s. 463
the Hand much fooner at the other EtiJ, than if it v:er« held ajlope,
or doiciiwards.
(17.) This Difference aljb appears from Dijii/iation per dcfcenfum,
or the Method of Dijlilling dcu-fiicards ; {ivhich is pra^ifed upon cu-
rious F/o^vers, ivhoje Odour is eafily loji j) viz. by applying the Fire
not below, but above the SubjeSl ; that it may fcorch the lefs : for
not only Flame, but all Heat tends upwards.
(18.) Let Trial be made of this in the contrary Nature, that of
Cold ; to fnd whether Cold will not contraB Bodies by moving
doivnwards ; as Heat dilates them, by rifing upwards. Take, there-
fore, two Iron Rods, or two Glajs Tubes, exaSlly alike -, heat them a
little, and place a Spunge full of Water, or a ^lantity of Snow,
under the cue ; and in like manner over the other : for we conceive
that Rod, or Tube, will cool fafler at the farther End, where
the Snow lies at the Top, than where it lies at the Bottom : contrary
to what happens in Heat '>.
IIL
(19.) yf third Difference is this; that Heat is not an expanfive, -pi^e third
uniform Motion, in refpedl of the Whole P ; but Expanfive in the Difference,
lefler Particles of a Body : and at the fame time chcck'd, repell'd
and reverberated ; fo as to become an alternative, perpetually fhud-
dering, or ftruggling Motion, or Adion ; which is irritated by the
Reaction of the Body 1 : whence proceeds the Violence of Fire and
Heat.
(20.) ^nd /^/V Difference appears chiefly in Flame, and boiling Li-
quors ; which continually tremble, Jwell in their fmall Particles, and
again fubfde.
(21.) It appears alfo in fuch Bodies as are of too hard a Texture, to
fwell, or increafe remarkably in Bulk, when heated or ignited ; as
red-hot Iron, in which the Heat is very intenfe ^.
(22.) // alfo appears from hence, that Fire burns Jharpejl in the
coldeji Weather.
(23.) Again,
" See the Experiments oi xht Academie del Cimento ZX. \h.cY.n6 ; znd Mr. Boyle's Hi/Iary
ofCold.
' As when a Bladder is dlftended by blowing into it.
' As when a Nail is drii'en up to the Head in a Board, and made to ftiudder and vi-
brate in its f'mall Parts, by the Stroke of the Hammer.
' It (hould fecm as if this fhuddering AcStion were vifible in Iron ; even tho' heated
below the Degree of Ignition : for in looking upon fuch heated Iron, the Eye receives ajr
odd Imprcffion, of a particular Kind of Waving, or recurrent Mo;ion,
■/^6'4- T'h^ Inveftigation Part 11.
(23.) Again, it appean from this, that when the Air Jlretches uni-
formly a?2ci equably in a Wcather-Glafs, there is no fenjibk Heat per-
ceived. And e-ve?i confined Winds, tho they blow and move violently,
yet produce no remarkable Heat ; becaufe the Motion is the Motion of
the Whole ; without an alternative or Jhuddering Motion in the Par-
ticles. And to this Purpofe, let Ti'ial be made whether Flame does
not burnjloarper, on the Surface than in the Middle ^
(24.) Lafily ; it appears from this, that all Burning paffcs through
the minute Pores of the Body burnt ; fo that the Burning undermines,
faps, pe7ietrates, and enters, like the Points of an infinite Nmnber of
Needles. And hence it is that all acid Spirits, if fuited to the Body
they aB upon, have the EffeB of Fire, from their dijfolving, or cor-
roding Nature ^
(25.) And this Difference we Jiow fpeak of, is common to the Nature
of Cold, wherein the contraBive Motion is reftrained by the contrary
Endeavour of Expanfion ; as the expanfive Motion is checkt in Heat,
by the oppofite Endeavour of ContraBion. And therefore, whether the
Parts of a Body penetrate from ivithout inwards, or from within out-
wards, the Cafe is fimilar ; thd the Force be very unequal : becaufe we
. have 710 Body here upon the Surface of the Earth, that is intcnfely
Cold ".
IV.
The fourth (26.) T^he fourth Difference is a Modification of the laft, and depends
Difference, ^^^^j,^ fj^^^^ ^j^^^ ^^ preceding Motion of Stimulation or Penetration
be fomewhat rapid, or no way fluggifli ; and alfo play among fuch
Particles as tho' minute, yet are not extremely fine, but as it were
of a moderate Size ^^.
(27.) This
' This is eafily tried in a common Candle ; where if a Piece of Packthread, or a Splinter
■of Wood, be thrufl into the Centre of the Flame, the Point will remain for a while
unburnt ; whilll the outermoll Part, in Contad both with the Flame and Air, readily
takes Fire, and burns away. Hence Flame appears to be a kind of P'ilm, or conical
Surface, whofe Infide is fill'd with the Smoak of the Fewel. Let the common Inllances
be here remember'd, of Sealing- Wax, iSc. fmoked by being held too far in the Flame
of the Candle. See Dr. Hook's Ledum of Light ; and Bocrhaave's Chem'Jiry, under die
Chapter of Fire.
' See Dr. Hook's LeSiures of Light ; and Micrographia, pallim.
" See Tab. I. Injlance 27.
^ Obferve how the Author, according to his own Rule, proceeds to limit the parti-
cular Motion, which, as a true Genus, is to conftitute the Form of Heat. See abo\'e,
Jph. 4.
3
SeS:. I. ^ F o R M s. 465
(27.) I'/jis Difference appears upon comparing the EfeSfs of Fire,
and the Eff'e^sof Time, or Age, iShicb ivitben, conj'umes, under tnines,
and reduces Bodies to JJJ:es, as ivell as Fire j or rather much more
I'ubtily : but becauj'e this kind of Motion is exceeding Jlow, and exer-
cifed upon very Jine Particles, the Heat is not perceived.
(28.) It again appears, upon ccmparifig the Diffolutions of Iron
and Geld : for Gold diffohes ivithout caufing a tnanifejl Heat j but
Iron excites a jlrong one ; thd it fear ce difohes quicker than Gold:
becaufe in Gold the Mtfftruunt not only enters milder, and more fub-
tily, but tie Parts of the Gold aljb prove more yielding ; ivhereas
in Iron, the Entrance of the Menjlruum is violent, and attended with
a Conflict ; the Parts of the Iron making a much greater Refi-
fance ^.
(29.) Lajlly, it appears alfo, in fome Meafure, from fiich Gan-
grenes and Mortifications of the Flejh, as caufe no great Heat or Pain,
by reafon of the Siibtilty of the PiitrefaSlion y. And let this ferve
for 'u-hat ive call the firft Vintage, or an Attempt tou^ards inter-
preting the Form of Heat ; which the IJnderfianding makes, as we
fdid, by the Way of PermilTion ''.
(29.) The Fruit of this firft Vintage, is, in Jhort, the following The tiKore-
true Definition, or Form of Heat, as it regards the tfniverfe 3 tical Fruit.
and not as it is only relative to the human Senfe : viz. Heat
IS AN EXPANSIVE, BRIDLED MoTION, STRUGGLING IN
THE SMALL Particles OF BoDiEs. But this Expanfion is
modified ; io that whilft it fpreads in Circumference, it has a greater
Tendency upwards. 'Tis aho modified alternately, or by Fits •■, fo as
to prove no way fluggifh ; but vigorous and adlive *.
(31.) And as to PraSlice, the Cafe is exaBly correfpondenf, and The przQl-
amoufits to this ; that if in any natural Body a Motion can be ex- cal Fruit.
» See the Hiftory of Condenfation and R.ar'ifa6iitm, p. 544, 545, 546.
'' And thefe kind of Gangrenes or Mortifications may happen by Cold, or bjr
Freezing. See Mr. Boyles Hljlorj of Cold, paffim.
^ See above, Afh. 5 6. The Meaning is, that as Men are apt to grow weary of
profecuting Enquiries, where the}- reap no quick Advantage, or recei\e no immexliate
Fruits of their Labours ; the Underflanding is permitted to gratify itfelf, by a kind of
Anticipation ; or by making fome Offer and firit Attempts at difcovering the Forms of
Things : but till die Enquiry is duly profecuted, ]\'Ien ha\e no Right to pronounce, or
e'.en to expect, that the Forms of Things can be perfectly difcover'd.
^- Here we have an Inflance of a genuine, or fcientificial Definition ; which is no other
than the Fortn or Nature of the Thing defined : So that true Definitions are the Re-
fults of Enquiries duly profecuted ; and not thofe flight arbitrary Notions ufually
call'd by the Name of Definitions.
Vol. II. O o o cited,
4^6 "The Invefligation, Mc, Part IT.
cited, which fhall dilate or expand, and again recoil, or turn back
upon itfelf; fo as that the Dilation fliall not proceed equably;
but partly prevail, and partly be check'd ; any Man may doubtlefs
produce Heat : without at all regarding 'whether the Body that is
wrought upon be elementary, as they call it, or earthly ; or whether
it be enriched with a celejlial Infuence ; whether it be luminous or
cpake ; rare or dejij'e ; locally expanded, or coyitaind within its origi-
nal Dimenfions ; whether it tend to DiJJ'olution, or remain in its native
State ; whether it be animal, vegetable, or mineral ; whether it be Wa-
ter, Oil, Air, or any other Subftance, that is fufceptiblc of the forej'aid
Motion k jind Heat, in rcfpeil of the Senfe, is the fame Thing ; only
with fuch Relations as belong to Senfe. And this may ferve as an
Example of our Method of Inveftigating Forms ^.
^ Hence we are furnifhed with a farther Criterion, or Argument, a po/feriori, that
will {hew in Fadt, whether the Form be juilly difcover'd. Thus if we can produce Heat
in all Bodies fufceptible thereof, by introducing into them the Motion here defcribed ; we
fhall have a Confirmation that this Motion is the For?n of Heat. And tlie only Exception
in Pradtice is, perhaps, JFatcr ; for introducing Heat into which, by the A'leans of this
particular Motion, a well adapted, mechanical Contrivance, feems hitherto wanting; tho'
poflibly it might with Eafe be fupplied.
' Tho' this Method is here fo fully deliver'd, and promifes better Tilings than poffi'uly
any other Method of Enquiry hitherto known ; yet it appears to be ftrangely difregarded.
And, certainly, it fliould feem as if very few were apprized that this Method, thoroughly
purfued, is an actual DemonJIration, as juftly and properly fuited to Phyftcs, or indeed to
z\l Philofophy ; as Mathematical Demonftration, and Algebra, are to GVww/ry, and ge-
neral Mathematics,
SECT.
ScA. It The Way of fiorleni?ig Enquiries^ &o. 467
S E C T. 11.
The Doctrine f?/ Instances:
or, the Method of Expediting the I n-
TERPRETATION of NaTURE,
and the Investigation of Forms,
hj Prerogative Instances '\
Aphorism XXI,
I. TTAviNG thus kid down the 7'ables, that aff'ord the firfi View of Tmnfition 10
X J[ -i Subje£l **, and given an Example of the Method of Rejeolion, 'he DoSlrlne
or Exdufton ; and a Specimen of the Fruits, ox firjt Dawn of Do5lrine xxi^f ^"fl"'""'
be derived from them -, we proceed to tlie other Helps of the Underftand-
i?ig, in the Bufmefs of Interpreting Nature ; or forming a true and perfect
Luiu^ion. And, in propofing thefe Helps, we fhall, where -ever 'Tables
are required, proceed upon tiie foregoing Subjed: of Heat ' \ but where
fewer Examples are fufficient, we will occafionally launch into Subjedls
' TheTio&.nn& oi Injiances is deliverM with great Diligence, Sagacity, and Exaflnefs, in
the prefent Seelion. The Defign is fo Jhew what are the principal, moll material, and cflen-
tial Particulars in every Enquiry ; or what Injlartces are chiefly to be fought after and regarded,
in order to difcover the real Natures oi Things, with the greateft Certainty and Expedition. It
is a Doftrine of the firft Importance in the Difcovery oi Forms; and for want thereof the Phi-
lofophical Enquiries we generally meet with, are but light Skirmifhes, inftead of clofe Grap-
plings with Nature : or, without a Metaphor, they have no ftrong and direft Tendency to the
Difcovery of Forms ; but appear vague, indetermined, and rather amufing than ufeful.
^ That is, in the way of Example ; and not in the way of a rigid and juft Enquiry ; which
requires much more Indnftry and Exaftnefs ; after the manner of the Author's Enquiry into
the Subjefts of Life and Death, Winds, Cwdenfation and RarifaHicn : tho' thefc alfo are but
a kind of larger Examples ; and not finijked Enquiries.
' The Tables, for that purpofe, being laid down in the preceding Seftion.
O O O 2 of
468 T^he Way of pjortcfi'tng Enquiries-, PartIL
of all Kinds •, without confounding our Enquiry of Heat, on tlie one
hand •, or confining our DooJrine to too fcanty Bounds, on the other "'.
The Divifion 2. We therefore propofe to treat, (i.) of Prerogative Inftances ; (2.) of
of the remain- tjjg j^gip ^ Indu^fioti ; (3.) of the Re5t\fication of Indu£imt ; (4.) of the
7he Novum ^'^^^od of varying Enquiries, according to the Nature of the Subjeft ;
Organum. CS-) of Prerogative Natures for Enquiry; or, what Subjefts are to be en-
quired into firft, what fecond ; (6.) of the Limits of Enquiry ; or, an /«-
ventory of all the Natures in the Univerfe ; (7.) of reducing Enquiries to
Pra5lice ; or, making them fubfervient to human Ufes ; (8.) of the Pre-
liminaries to Enquiry ; (9.) and laftly, of the afcending and defending Scale
of Axioms *.
Aphorism XXII.
(I.) Solitary 3. Among the Prerogative Inftances for interpreting Nature, in the firft
Inftances, place Come the folitary Kind^ ; that is, (i.) thofe which exhibit the Na-
ti/hat. ^j.g enquired after, in fuch Subjefts as have nothing common with others,
befides that very Nature i or, (2.) thofe that exhibit the Nature enquired
after, in fuch Subjects as are every way fimilar to others, excepting in that
Their U/e. very Nature. For it is manifefl, that fuch Inftances as thefe will fhorten
the Enquiry ; and promote and haften the Exclufion s ; fo that a few of
them may do the Service of many ''.
Exemplified A- For Example ; ( i .) if the Enquiry be about the Nature of Colour ; folitary
in the SiibjeB Inftances are Prifms, and Cryftal Gems, or Gla/Jes, which reprefent Colours, not
of Colours. Q,^]y jpi themfelves, but alfo externally upon a Wall, i£c. Underftand the
fame of Dews, i£c. For thefe have nothing in common with xkit fixed Colours
of Flowers, coloured Gems, coloured Glafs, Metals, various Woods, i^c.
befides the Colour it felf. Whence it may be eafily inferr'd, that Colour
is nothing more than an Alteration in the Rays of Light, occafioned, in
the
■1 And, in this View, the following Aphorifms will exhibit a little Map of the Roads for im-
proving all kinds of Knowledge.
"^ Of thefe nine General Heads, under which the remaining Parts of the NovumOrganiim were
to have been comprized, no more than the fird is profecuted by the Author. Nor was any thing
afterwards publidied towards executing the reft ; tho' it appears that the whole Dcfign was laid
from the firft ; and that, at Times, the other Parts were gone on v.'ith, after the prefent Piece
was publiflicd. See Vol. I. p. 504, 507, 509. See alfo Vol. III. p. 5. and hereafter, Apk. 52.
ad finem. The want of thefe additional Se^ions may, perhaps, be in fome meafure fupplied by
a clofe Attention to the prefent BoBrinc of Inftances : where many of the Particulars are tran-
fiently touchM upon ; as they alfo frequently are in feveral Parts of the ftrft and third Volumes of
our Edition. But, in order to render the Whole more generally intelligible and ufeful, it were
greatly to be wifhed, that feme tolerably qualified Perfon, would give an ^^j upon it, in as fami-
liar a manner as the Subjeft will allow. See Dr. HooVs. Method of Improving Natural Philofophy.
f Let it be remember'd that, with regard to the Names of the feveral kinds of Inftances here-
after mention'd, the Author had a Right to impofe them ; as the Subjcfl was entirely new, and
untouched. And, doubtlefs, certain Definitions, and Names, are required, where Things are to
be carefully difticguifhed.
8 See above, TMe IV. Aph. 18.
* See above, §. i. the Note ".
z
Se<5l. II. (i5y Prerogative Instances. 469
the firj} Cafe, by different Degrees of Incidence ^ ; and in the ficond, by
the different Texture, or Strudlure of the Body -, and fo refledled to the
Eye. But thefe Inftances are folltar-j, or fingle, in Point oi Likencfs'.
5. (2.) Again, in the fame Enquiry, the diftincb Veins of Black and
White in Marble, and the Variegation of Colours in Flowers of the fame
Species, are fclilary Inftames : for the black and white Parts of Marble,
or the Spots of White and Purple in Carnations, agree almofl: in every
refped;, except in Colour. Whence it is eafily colledied, that Colour
does not greatly depend upon the intrinfick Nature of the c6loured Body ;
but is owing to a fomewhat grofs, or bare mechanical Texture of the
Parts *". Thus thefe Inftances are foHlary, in Point of Difll-rencc. And
wc call both the Kinds by one and the fame Name.
Aphorism XXIII.
6. In the fecond Place come Travelling hjlances, or thofe wherein (2.) Traw///»»
the Nature enquired after, travels, or advances to Generation, when lilnjiinces.
was not before in Being ; or, on the contrary, travels, or tends to De-
ftruiflion, when it was in Being before. And, therefore, in either Corre-
lative, fuch Inftances are always duplicate ; or rather one Inftance, in Mo-
tion, or Paflage, is continued to the oppofite Period '. And Inftances of this qigir jjf,.
Kind, not only accelerate and confirm the Bufmefs of Exclufion ; but alfo
drive the Ajjirmation, or Form itfclf, into a narrow Compafs. For the Form
of the Thing, muft necefTarily be fomewhat introduced, or abolifhed, by
this Tranfmigration ^. And tho' all Exclufion promotes and forwards the
Ajfirmation ; yet this is more direftly done in the fime Subje£V, than in
different ones : for it plainly appears, from all we have faid before, that
the Form difcovering itfelf in one Thing, leads to its Dlfcovery in all the
reft. But the more fimple this Paffage is, the nobler the Inftance fhould be
efteemcd.
7. Again, thefe 'Travelling Injlances are of great Ufe in Praftice ; be- i^j (^ pn,.
caufe, as they exhibit the Form joined with an Efficient^ or Privation " ; nice.
they clearly defign, or mark out the pradical Operation in fome Cafes :
whence any eafy Pafiage is alfo afforded to the neighbouring Difcoveries.
There is, however, fome Danger in thefe Inftances, that requires a par-
ticular Caution : for they may be apt to reftrain the Form too much to
the
•> Viz. In the Prifm, ClafTes, Dew, (^e. Which kind of Inflavce led the Archbifhop of Spa-
hto. Dr. Hook, Mr. Boyle, Sir Ifaac Niviton, Sec. to very coniiderable Difcoveries, in the Subjeft
of Colours.
' riz. Diffimilir in all refpefts, belldes that of Colour; in which the Solitarinejs of the In-
Jiance confifts.
'' Sec Mr. Boyle of Cdours.
' That is, either there is both a Generation and DeJlruSlion i or elfc one and the fime Pre-
cefs begins with Generation, and ends with Deftruilion.
" See below, f 3.
" Sec above, Par: II. Se^.I. Aph. \, 4, l2c. _
^'O 'The TV ay of porte7iifig E?ip^lr/es -, Part IL
tht Eflcient ; and to infeft, or M leaft to tinge the Underftanding with
a falfe Notion of the Form, through an apparent Mixture of the Efficient •,
whereas the Efficient is never more than the Vehicle of the Fi,rm °. But
this Inconvenience is eafily remedied by making a juft Exclufion ^.
Exemplified in ^- To give an Example of a Travelling Inftance ; fuppofe the Na-
the Subjea of Cure enquired after were fyintenefs, an Inftance advancing to Genera-
'^"j'&l"'"^'^? ^^°^ '' '^ Glafs, whole, and in powder ; and again, fimple Water, and
andWhiteTiefs. y^T.^^^^ ^eat into Froth : for whole Glafs, and fimple Water, are tranfpa-
rent Bodies, not white -, but powdered Glafs, and the Froth of Water,
are white, not tranfparent. It comes therefore to be enquired, what has
happened to the Glafs, or Water, in this Tranfmigration "■ ; for, 'tis ma-
nifeft, that the Form of Wbitenefs travels, or is convey'd over by pound-
ing the Glafs, and agitating the Water : But nothing is here found
added, befides a bare Comminution of the Parts of the Glafs, and the
Water •, together with the Interpofition of the Air. And it is no fmall
Acquifition in difcovering the Form of Whitenefs, that two Bodies, of
themfelves more or lefs tranfparent ; viz. Air and Water, or Air and
Glafs ; being mixed together, in fiibtile or fmall Parts, fhould exhibit
Whitenefs, by differently reflefting the Rays of Light \
The Caution 9- ^^ muft alfo give an Example of the Danger, and Caution, above-
required in mentioned " -, for it may here readily occur to the Underftanding, depraved
them. by thefe Kinds of Efficients ", that Air is always neceffary to the Form of
Wbitenefs ; or that Whitenefs is generated only by tranfparent Bodies :
which two Pofitions are abfolutely falfe ; and rejefted by numerous Ex-
clufwns ". It will rather appear, without the Interpofition of the Air, ^c.
that the Bodies perfedly uniform, or fimilar, in their optical Parts, prove
tranfparent -, that thofe which have the fimple Texture, or Arrangement of
their Parts difturbed, are White ; that a Diflimilarity in the regular Texture
of Bodies, affords all Colours, except Black -, and that a Diffimilarity in
a compound, ablolutely irregular, and confufed Texture, conftitutes
Blacknefs^ And, iox ■xn Inftance advancing to Deftricclion in the fame Na-
ture of Whitenefs, we have it in Froth fubfided, or Snow diffolved ; for
Water
» See Part IT. Sc^. I. Aph. 2, Is'c.
J" SttTatleW. Aph. 18.
* Viz. The Generation of Whitenefs. See above, §.6. and below, §.9.
■■ Viz.. From Tranrparency to Whitenefs.
' See Mr. Boyle\ Hijiory of Colours, Dr. Hookh LeBures of Light, and Sir Ifaac Newtoii'i Op-
ticks, paffim.
' §-7-
" Such ae the Pounding of Glafs, the Agitating of Water, i^c. upon which the Tranfpa-
rency enfues.
" According to the Procedure oi Table W . Aph. 18. thus Cerufe is made of Lead ; an
opake pulpy Mafs makes white Paper, {^c. wliite Minerals are found in the Earth ; white En-
amels are made in the Fire, i3c. See Vol. I. p. 84.
* Po.rliaps thefe Intimations carry the Enquiry into the Caufes of Colours, on the Side of the
colour'd Body, farther than has been generally follow'd. See Mr. Boyle of Colours, and Sir Ifaac
Nezvtoii'i Optics.
Se(5l. II. ^Prerogative Instances. 471
Water depofites its Whitenefs, and puts on Tranfparency, upon becoming
entire, without any Intermixture of Air.
10. We muft by no means omit, that under Travelling InftancesThiir Dcgrcn
fhould be comprehended, not only thole which travel to abiblute Gene-^"^^ 'V'''"^^'^-
ration and Privation ; but luch likewife as travel to a greater or lefs De-
gree of the Nature fought : fmce thcfe alio tend to the Difcovery of the
Form ; as plainly appears both from the Definition of a Form, above laid
down *, and the Table of Comparifon '. And therefore the Inftance of Paper,
which is white, when dry, but proves lefs white, when wet j and comes
nearer to the State of Tranfparancy, upon the Exclufion of the Air, and
the Reception of the Water ; is of the fame Ufe, as the Inflances above.-
mentionecl ''.
Aphorism XXIV.
n. Among Prerogative Inflances, come in the third Place the ,'3.) Glaring
Glaring Kind, mentioned in our frji Dawn of Do5lrine from the Form of htftances.
Heat^ ; which we alfo call by the Name oi jhining, releafed, or predominating
Inflances. And thefe are fuch as fhew the Nature fearched after, naked^
and ftanding alone •, and this in an eminent manner, or in the higheft
Degree of its Power ; as being difenthralled, and freed from all Impe-
diments ■, or at leaft, by the Strength of its own Virtue, over-ruling,
conquering and fubduing them. For as every Body may receive many
united and concrete Forms of Natures, it happens that one may repell,
deprefs, break and bind down another ; whence all particular Forms are
obfcured. But there are certain Subjedts, wherein the Nature fought ^^- Their Ufe,
ter, appears more in its Vigour, than in others •, either through the Ab-
fence of Impediments, or the Predominancy of its own Virtue. And
Inflances of this Kind are what principally fhew the Form. But in thefe
alfo. Caution mufl be ufed, and the Alertnefs of the Underflanding be
reprefs'd : for whatever boafls the Form, and obtrudes it, fo as that it feems
to meet the Underflanding, fhould be held fufpedl ^ \ and Recouife be
had to a careful and fevere Exclufion '.
12. For Example, if the Nature enquired after be Heat ; then Exemplified in
the Weather-glafs is a Glaring Inftance of the Expanfive Motion, which the Subjea of
is, as wc faid above, a principal Part of the Form of Heat f. For Flame, ^*^^-
tho'
^ See above, Jpb. 4.
' See aboTe, Aph. 13.
*> Viz. TJic Whitenefs and Tranrparency of Glafi, Water, Sec. this latter being a kind of
intermediate Inftance, betwixt the former.
"= Sec above, Aph. 20. (2 )
"i As being very apt to deceive ; for Men have Rcafon to be aHured, that x\tForms cf Things
are not eafy to find. And let it be duly weigh'd and confi^er'd, how many certain Inftance:
there are of a true and perfect Difcovery oi Forms
' See above. Table IV. /1ph.()i.
f See Jph. 12. (37 ) 20. ad f.nem. See Table I, II, III, IV, and V.
472 l^he Way of portening E^tquiries ', Part II.
tho' it manifeftly fliews an Expanfion -, yet, by reafon of its momentary
Extindion, it does not ex'hibit the Progrefs thereof. Again •, boiling
"Water, becaufe of the eafy Tranfition of the Water into Vapour and
Air, does not fo well fhew the Expanfion of the Water, in its own
Body. Again ; Ignited Iron, and the like Bodies, are fo fiir from fhewing
the Progrefs, that on the contrary, the Expanfion itfelf is not vifible to
the Senfe, by reafon of the re-adion and breaking of the Spirit in the
compaft and grofs Parts ^ : but the Weather-glafs clearly and evidently
liiews a true progrelTive, and durable Expanfion ot the Air by Heat ^.
Atid Gravity. 1 3» For a. fecond Example; let the Nature enquired after be Gr^-
vity ; and then Quickfilver will prove a Glaring Injlance ; as having
a far greater fpecific Gravity, than any thing elfe, except Gold, which
however is not much heavier ' : but Quickfilver is a better Injlance for
difclofing the Form of Gravity, than Gold ; becaufe Gold being a folid and
confiftent Body, its fuperior Gravity may feem owing to its Solidity :
whereas Quickfilver is fluid, and full of Spirit, and yet proves much
heavier than Diamond, or any other of thofe Bodies that are efl:eemed
the moft folid. Whence it appears that the Forw of Gravity, or Weight,
refides fimply in the Quantity of Matter ; and not in Solidity, Firm-
nefs or Hardnefs of Texture.
Aphorism XXV.
14. In the fourth Place come thofe we call Clandejline Injlances, or
n re Manas I"ft^f"^^^ "f 'T'^iUgbt ; which are, in a manner, oppofite to Glaring In-
jlances ; as fhewing the Nature enquired after in its weakeft Virtue and
imperfect State, or Rudiments, ftriving, or as it were, firft attempting to
manifefl; itfelf ; whilft it remains cover'd and fubdu'd, or kept under by
a contrary Nature. And thefe Inftances are of extraordinary Service in
the Difcovery of Forms : becaufe, as the Glaring Injlances eafily lead to
Differences ; fo the Clandejline Injlances eafily lead to Kinds ; that is, to
thofe common Natures of which the Natures enquired into are no other
than Limitations^.
Exemplified in ^5* For Example; let the Nature enquir'd into be Confijlence, or So-
Conriftencs or liditj, the contrary of which is Liquidity or Fluidity ; then Clande/lme
SolUity. Injlances are fuch as exhibit fome faint and low Degree of Confiftency
in a Fluid -, luppofe a Bubble of Water, which is a kind ot con-
fiilent, and determinate Pellicule, made of the Body of the Water.
In Drops of In like manner Ifules, if there be Water to follow them, lengthen them-
Water. felves out in a very flender Thread, to prevent a Difcontinuity of the
Water ;
s All the fii-e f receding Tables, arc to be confulted on this Occafion.
* See above, 'Table II, III. (3,;?.)
' See the Table of the fpecific Gravities of Bodies, Vol. III. p. 512, 513.
•= See above, Pari II. Aph. ^. Whence it wrill evidently appear of what great Ufe thefe]/»*
ilancei are.
SecV. II. /$>' Prerogative Instances. 473
Water -, but if there be not a fufficient Quantity to follow, the "\V;.ter
then fills in round Drops ; which is the Figure thut befl. fuppoits
it againll Difconcinuation : and at the very Inllant when thi Thread
of Water ends, and the falling in Drops begins, the Water recoils up-
wards, to avoid being difcontinued. So in Metals, which are flu id upon Dro// r/M--
Fufion, tho' a little tenacious, fome of the meltedMafs frequently fprings '"^*
up in Drops-, and fticks, in that Form, to the fides of die Crucible. There
is a like Injlance in the Looking-GlaiFes, commonly made of Spittle by Tenacious
Children, in a Loop of Rufli or Whalebone; where we find. a confident ^''^""'^'•
Pcllicule of Water. But this is obferved to much better Advantage '\n Soapy WjUr.
that other Diverfion of Children, when they take ftrong foapy Water, and
blow in it with a Pipe, fo as to raife the Water into a Tower, or Caftle of
Bubbles ; whilll, by the Interpofition of the Air, the foapy Water becomes
confiftent to that Degree, as to be thrown a confiderable Diftance with-
out breaking. This alfo appears to Advantage in Froth and Snow, Froth and
which put on fuch a Confiftency, that they may almoft be cut with a *"^-
Knife ; tho' they are but Bodies form'd of Air and Water, both of
them fluid. Thefe feveral Inftances feem clearly to intimate that Flui-
^iiy and Confiftency are no more than vulgar Notions, relative to the hu-
man Senfe ; and that all Bodies have a real Appetite to avoid Difcon-
tinuation : tho' in homogeneous Bodies, fuch as Fluids are, it is but
weak and feeble ; whilft in thofe compounded of heterogeneous Matters,
it proves more ftrong and powerful : becaufe the Application of what
is heterogeneous, binds Bodies up -, but the Entrance of what is homo-
geneous, relaxes and difTolves them \
16. As a farther Example ; if the Nature fought were y^//r«i-7io«, or the ^.^/„ ^^^^.
Appetite of A^p-oach in Bodies ; a moft rem;irkable Glaring Infance, as to t}\e. plifieJ in the
Difcovery of the Form, is the Loadftone. The contrary of an attractive Na- Suijea of
ture, is an unattradtive Nature, tho'inafimilar Subftance ; as in Iron, which '"^" '""'
does not attract Iron •, nor does Lead attraft Lead, nor Wood attradl Wood,
nor Water attradt Water. But the Loadftone arm'd with Iron, or rather In the Load-
the Iron of an arm'd Loadftone, is a Clandejline Inftance : for here icA"'-
happens, that an arm'd Loadftone does not, at a certain Diftance, at-
tract Iron ftronger than an unarm'd Loadftone: But If the Iron be moved
ib near as to touch the Iron of the arm'd Loadftone ; then the arm'd
Loadftone will fupport a much greater Weight of Iron, than the naked
and unarm'd Loadftone ; by reafon of the fimilitude of Subftance be-
twixt Iron and Iron : which Operation was altogether Cla/idefine, and
fecret, or concealed in the Iron, before the Loadftone was applied.
Whence it is manifcft, that the Form of Attracflion, is a Thing that is
vivid and ftrong in the Loadftone ; but weak and latent in Iron.
17. After the fame manner, it is obferved, that headlefs Arrows q{ In JFood-Ar-
Wood, being fired out of a Gun, will penetrate farther into Wood, or ''^^^ -^^^^J""'
• Confider the Inftances derivable from Chemillry, and the Doclrinc of Menftruumi.
Vol. II. P p p the
474 ^^^ ^'^y ^f jhoj'Wiing 'Enquirki \ Part 11.
the fides of a Ship, than the fame Arrows headed, or pointed with Iron ;
by reafoQ of the Similitude of Subftance betwixt Wood and Wood";
tho' this before lay conceal'd in the Wood.
In Air, and i8. Again ; tho' Air does not manifeftly attraft Air, nor Water ma-
/* Water. nifeftly attrad: Water, in a State of Entirenefs ;. yet one Bubble ap-
proaching another, makes it eafier diflblve, than if the other Bubble were
away •, by reafon of the Appetite of Conjunction between Water and:
VVater, and between Air and Air.
Moft cbfervn- 19. And this kind of Clandefiine hijlances, which, as we before obferved,
tie i» the /mall }^r^yQ a noble Ufe, are moft remarkable in thefmall and fubtile Parts of Bo-
^ar^ s oj V- ^j^^ . becaufe the greater MafTes of Things follow the more general and
univerfal Fonns".
Aphorism XXVI.
(5 ) Conjiitu- 20. In the fftb Place, come Corijiittient or Cdknive Injlances ; that
cut Injiances, js, fuch as conftitute one S^:ccie5 of a Nature enquired after, in the way
'''^'^ ' ot a lejjer Form. For, as genuine Forms, which are always con-
vertible with the Natures fought °, lie deep, and are not eafily found -,
the Defign itfclf, and the W^eaknefs of the Underftanding, require that
partial Forms., which are coUeSfive of certain Packets of Inftances, (tho'
by no means of all) into fome common Notion, fhou'd not be neglefted ;
but carefully obferv'd : for whatever collefts and unites Natures, tho' it
be but imperfedtly, paves the Way to the Difcovery of Forms. And,
therefore, thofe Inftances which are ufeful to this Purpofe, have a con-
fiderable Power, and a prerogative Nature.
T^eCwthtt 21. But great Caution muft here be cmploy'd, left the Underftanding,
they require, after having found many of thefe particular or partial Forms ; and hence
made Arrangements or Divifions of the Nature fought after ; Ihould
wholly reft in them ; and not apply itfelf to the legitimate Difcovery of
the great Form ; but prefuppofe Nature to be manifold and divided, as
it were in the Root ; and therefore difdain and reject all flirther uniting of
her, as a Matter of needlefs Subtilty, and tending to mere abftraft Spe-
culation.
Exemplified in -^ 22. For Example, let the Nature fought be I^Iemor^, or the Means
the Subjea cf of Exciting and Helpng the Memor'j % the Conftituent Inftances will here
artificial Me- bg^ firft. Order, or Diftribtilion, and Places for Artificial Memory,
mcry. Order, or Diftributiori, manifeftly aflifts the Memory ; and Places for Ar-
tificial Memory, may either be Places in a proper Senfe, as a Door, a
Window, a Corner, ^c. or familiar and known Perfons ; or any other
Things at Pleafure ; provided they be placed in a certain Order ; as Ani-
mals,
■" Ts the F/iH certain ? See the Syha Syhariim, p. 37.
" We have, here a remarkable Opening into the Doflrine of Attraftion. See Sir- Ifgac^
J^tot-j/i's Principia, and Optics, paflim.,
«"■See Part II. Aph. 4,
Sect. II. by Prerogative Instances. 475
m.iLs Plants, Words, Letters, Ch.irafters, hiftorical Perfonagesi tfr.
tho' fome of thcfe are more, and feme lefs fie for the Piirpok-. But
fuch Kind of Places greatly help the Memory, and raife it far above its
natural Powers. Again ; Verfe is eafier learnt and rtmcmbred tlian
Profe P.
23. And this CoUe^kn^ oxPacht, cf lbs three ahcvementioned Infiances, £^ Order,
viz. Onhr, yinijidal Place, and /cV/?, conftitute one Species of Help for P'/ace, anH
the Memory : and this Species of Help may be juftly call'd the Pre- ^trje.
vent'ton of endlefs Search. For when a Perfon endeavours to recolleft, or
call a Thing to mind ; if he has no previous Notion or Perception of
what he is in queft of, he cafts about, and tries every Track, as it were
without End : but if he has any previous Notion, this Infinity of Search
is prefently cut fhort i and the Memory is brought to hunt nearer home.
But in the three Inftances abovementioned, there is a clear and certain
previous Notion contained. For in the frft, there is required fomewhat
agreeable to Order ; in the fecomi, an Image is required, that has fome
Agreement, or Relation, to thofe fxed Places ; in the third. Words that
will ftand in a Verfe : fo that Infinity is thus cut off or prevented ; and
the Search limited and reftrained.
24. Otiier Inflances will give this fecond Species ; that whatever striking tk
brings an intelleftual Thing to llrike the Senfe, (which is the Method Senfe.
principally ufed in Artificid Men:o}-y '') helps the Remembrance.
25. Other Injlances will give this third Species ; that thofe Things Moving the
which make an Impreflion by means of a ftrong Affeclion or Paflion, as PaJJlons.
by caufing Fear, Surprize, Blufhing, Delight, Qc. afiiil the Memory.
26. Other hijiances will give this fourth Species ; that thofe Things ^';j^^ ,^^,
fink the deepeft, and dwell the longeft in the Memory, which are Mind is un-
chiefly imprefs'd upon a clear Mind, that remains unprejudic'd, either occupied.
before or after the Impreflion ; as the Things that we learn in Child-
hood, or think of juft before going to fleep -, as likewife all the firft
Times that Things are taken notice of.
27. Other hijiatices will give this fifth Species; that a yinKitudt Holds fir the
of Circumftances, or, as it were. Handles, or Holds to be taken, help Mind.
the Memory : as the making of many Breaks in Writing, or Printing ;
Reading or Repeating aloud, i^c.
28. Laftly, ozhtr Ifijfances will give xKis ftxth Species of Help ; that thofe t^^/c^j ^a--
Things which are expefted, and raife the Attention, flick better, t]:izn pitied,
fuch as pafs flightly over the Mind: whence,- if a Man fhou'd read a
Writing twenty times over, he wou'd not remember it fo well, as if he
fhould read it but ten times, with trying between Whiles to repeat it ;
and confulting the Copy where his Memory fail'd,
f SeeFoI. I. />. I3J, 156.
1 ^ee the Jrt 0/ Me/mrj, in the de Augment. Scieali/ir. Seel. XV.
P p p 2 29. Hence
47 6 ^^ Way of Jhortentng E?2quiries. -, Part 11.
Liffer Forms 2g. Hence there are, as it were, fix lefTer Forms of Helps for the Me-
"f Helps for mory; viz. (i.) the cutting off Infinity ; (2.) reducing intelleftual to
iheMtmorj. fg^^ble Things; (3.) Impreffion by a ftrong Paffion ; (4.) Impreffion
upon a Mind free and difengaged ; ("5 J Variety of Handles, or Occa-
fions -, and, (6.) Expeftation conceived.
Exemplified in 30. In like manner, let the Nature fought be "Tafle, or 'Tafling ; and
theSutjeacf^Y^Q following Inflames are conflituent : viz. (i.) thofe who naturally
"■'''■ want their Smell, do not perceive or difliinguifli by the Tafte, fucb
Meats as are mufty or tainted ; or again, fuch as are mixed with Gar-
lick, Rofes, and the like.
31. (2.) Thofe who have their Noflirils obftrudted, by the accidental fal-
ling down of a Rheum, do not diftinguifli, or perceive Things that are
putrefied, mufty, or fprinkled with Rofe-Water.
32. ('3.J If thofe who are troubled with this kind of Rheum, hold
any fetid or perfum'd Thing in their Mouth, and at the fame time ftrongly
blow their Nofe, they immediately perceive the Stench or Perfume.
33. Thefe Inftances will afford, or conftitute, this Species, or rather
Par/ of the For/« of Tafte ■, viz. thattheScnfe of Tafting is, in fome mea-
fure, no more than an internal Smell, pafTmg and defcending from the
upper Cavities of the Noftrils, to the Mouth and Palate.
34.(4. )On the contrary ; Saltnefs, Sweetnefs, Acrimony, Acidity, Rough-
nefs, Bitternefs, ij^c. are all perceived, as well by fuch Perfons as want
their Smell, or have it obftrufted, as by any others. Which fliews that the
Senfe of Tafte is a certain Compofition of an internal Smell, and a kind of
exquifite Touch "■ : but this is no Place to profecute the Subjed.
And the Com- 35« -^.g^in, for Example, let the Nature fought be the Communication
munication of of ^alit-y 'Without Commixture of Sub (lance. The Injlance of Light will htre
^altttes, afford, or conftitute one Species of Communication ; and Heat, and the
Commiinica- Loadftone another : for the Communication of Light is, in a manner,
t'miofSub- momentary, and ceafes immediately upon removing the original illumi-
jlance. nating Body ; but Heat and the magnetic Virtue, when communicated,
or rather excited, in any Body, lodge and remain therein for a confide-
rable Time after the firft Caufe is taken away.
fheVfcsof 36. Laftly ; thefe Co«/Zi/«i?;;/ /«/?(2;.'r« have a very high Prerogative ; as
'/'/? '""'^ "^ being eminently ferviceable in the forming of Definitions, efpecially the
particular kind ; and again, in the making of Divifions, or Diftributions
of Natures ; with regard to which, Plato fiid well, That he is to he held
as a Cod, who hioivs perfeHly ho-jj to Define and Divide \
ApHO RI SM
' See the Sylva Syharim , p. 15;, 180, &e.
^ This Ufe will appear evident, by recurring to the Beginning of the prefent Aphori/m. And
without frequently going back, and comparing one Part of thefe Aphorifms with anotliefj it
c^aiiot be expedled th.u their Dgilrine and \Jk fhould be fully comprehended.
Sedl. 11. hy Prerogative Instances, 477
Aphorism XXVII.
37. The yJ.v/Z) Place may be afllgned to thofe Injlances which we qolW [6.) Parallel,
Parallel, Conformable, or Proportional Injlances ; and {omQX\me% phsfual'^Confarmaih
Parallels and Similitudes ; tliat is, fuch as fliew a Similicude, Correfpon- "J'""'"'
dence, and Relation betwixt Things, not in the lellcr Forms, like Conjiitiicnt In-
jlances ', but entirely in the Concrete ; and are therefore, as it were, In-
llances of the firll and loweft Degree, for the uniting of Nature". Nor
do they conftitute any Axiom immediately from the Beginning ; but only
point out, indicate, or prefent certain Relations of Bodies. And altho'
thefe Inftances are of no great Ufe in die difclofing of Forms -, yet they
very advantageoufly lay open the Structure of the Farts of the Univerfe ;
or make a kind of Anatomy in the Members thereof: and therefore
fometimes lead up to iliblime and noble Axioms : efpecially fuch as be-
long to the Configuration of the World, rather than to fimple Natures
and Forms "".
38. For Example, Parallel or Co?iformable Injlances are fuch as t\it&;ExempliJitdirt
1-iz. a Speculum and the Eye ; the Strudure of the Ear, and of the ca- J^fleaUiu.
vernous Places that yield an Echo, i3c. from which Conformity, be-
fides the Obfervation of the Similitude or Correfpondence (which is ufcful
in many refpedts) it is eafy to form and colIeCb this Axiom ; that the
Organs of the Senj'es, and the Bodies that iprocure Refie£fions to the Senfes, are
ff a like Nature.
39. And again, the Underftanding being thus admonifh'd, eafily riles 7:^^ Axioms
to a (till higher and more noble Axiom ; viz. that there is no Difference '^^y "«'3 ^^"^
hefji-een the Conj'ents, or Sympathies of Bodies endowed ivith Senfe, and thofe of"'
inanimate Bodies without Senfe ; only that in the former an animal Spirit is
added to the Body, fo difpofed ; but is wanting in the latter : whence as many
Ccfjfcrmities as there are among inanimate Bodies, fo many Senfes there
might be in Animals -, provided there were Organs, or Perforations in the
animal Body, for the animal Spirit to aft upon the Parts rightly difpofed,
as upon a proper Inftrument ".
40. And converfely, as many Senfes as there are in Animals, fo viany
Motions there may be in Bodies inanimate, where the animal Spirit is wanting :
the' there muft, of necelBty, be many more Motions in inanimate Bo-
dies, than there are Senfes in animate Bodies ; becaufe of the fmall
Number of the Organs of Senfe.
41. And
' See jfpk 26.
" Fiz. For difcovering the Similarity, Samenefs, or Unity of Nature, in diffimilar Subjefls.
Sec above, Part TI. Jpii. 3.
* This, and the like genera! Defcriptions of Inftances, will be ufually intricate and abftrute
of themfelves, till the fnbfcquent Exemplifications are read; which render the Whole plain and
intelligible. Whence after reading the Examples, it may be proper to go over tlie general De-
fa-iption again, in ord-.r the better to take the Scnfc, and obferve tiie Correfpondence.
' Sec Vol. m. p. 608.
4/8
Exemplified in
iPlanti.
Gum! and
Gems-
The Scrotnin
and Matrix.
Ihe moving
Limbi ofAni
mail.
I'he Way of JJjortenifig Enquiries ; Part II.
41. And of this we have a manifcfl- Example in Pains: for, as there
are numerous Kinds of Pains, in Animals ; and, as it were, different
Charadlerifticks thereof; there being one Pain of Burning; another of
Freezing ; another of Pricking -, another of Squeezing ; another of
Stretching, &c. 'tis certain that all thefe, with regard to the Motion,
exift in Bodies inanimate, as they do in animate Bodies ; for Example,
in Wood, or Stone, when burnt, froze, pricked, cut, bent, bruited, i^c.
tho' there be no Senfe attending them in thefe inanim.ate Bodies, for
want of the animal Spirit ''.
42. Again ; the Roots and Branches of Plants, tho' this may feem
ftrange, are Conform-able Inflames : for every Vegetable fwells, and thrufts
out its Parts towards the Circumference, as well upwards as downwards:
and the Difference betwixt the Roots and the Branches, is no more than
this, that the Root is contained in the Earth ; but the Branch expofed
to the Air and Sun.
43. For if a young thriving Branch of a Tree be bent down into any
Parcel of Earth, tho' it does not reach to the Ground, it will foon be-
come a Root : and again ; if Earth be laid on the Top of a Plant, and
be fo preffed down by a Stone, or other hard Subftance, that the Plant
cannot grow upwards ; 'twill flioot out Branches downwards, into the
Air ".
44. The Gums of Trees, and moft Gems of the Rock, are alfo Con-
formable Infiances ; both of them being no other than Exudations, and
Percolations of Juices ^. For Gums are but the tranfuded Juices of
Trees ; and Gems the tranfuded Juices of Stones : whence the Clearnefs
and Tranfparency of them both are procured, by means of a curious and
exquifite Percolation. And hence it is, that the Hairs and Furs of Ani-
mals are not of -fuch beautiful, and vivid Colours, as many Feathers of
Birds ; viz. becaufe the Juices are not fo fubtily ftrain'd thro' the diredt
Skins of Beafts, as thro' the Subftance of the Quill in Birds.
45. The Scrotum alfo in Male Animals, and the Matrix in the Female.,
are Conformable Inflames: fo that the noble Strufture which diflinguifhes
the Sexes in Land Animals, feems to be nothing more than a Difference
as to External and Internal ; becaufe, by a greater Force of Heat fuppofe,
the genital Parts in the Male Sex are thruft outwards ; whilft the Heat
is too feeble in Females, to effeft fuch an Extrufion ; whence thofe Parts
in them come to be contained within.
46. Am.ong Conformable Inflames alfo, come the Fins of Fifh, tr.e Feet
of Quadrupeds, and the Feet and Wings of Fowl ; to which Ariflotle
adds
y See the S^lva S'^lvarum, under the Article Spirits, &c.
■^ Sec the Experiments upon Vegetation, in the Phihfophical Tranfailions, French Memoirs,
and the Author's Sylva Syivarum.
* See the Article Percolation, in the Syl'ja Syharum.
Seel. II. "/^Prerogative Instances. 479
.-uicis the four Wreachs of Serpents'": So that in the Strii(flure of the Uni-
verse, the N!otion of living Creatures fcems gcnerallj' performed by
quadruple Limbs, or Flexures.
47. Again •, the Teeth in terreftri.d Animals, and the Beaks in Birds, Teetk and
are Conf'.rmable Inflances \ which fliew, that in all perfeft Animals, a cer- ■B^''^-'-
tain hard Subflance flows to the Head ".
48. It feems alfo no abfiird Similitude, or Conformity, that yi\\x\ Men and'
/hould refemble an inverted Plant -, the Root of the Nerves and animal P^""''-
Faculties rcfiding in the Head -, and the feminal Parts being feated be-
low -, if we do not take in the Extremities of the Legs and Arms : but
in a Plant, the Root, which anfwers to the Head in a Man, is regu-
larly placed below, and the Seeds above ■*.
49. But this Precept cannot be too frequently inculcated, that the The Mavner of
Procedure and Method of Mankind in their Enquiries and Endeavours '■S!"f'^"'fyf.
to collect a Natural Hijhn, muft be entirely alter'd from the Method ftory^T;///!»!?-
at prcfent in Ufe : for Mens Curiofity and Diligence have been hitherto nd.
principally employ'd in obferving the Variety of Things, and explaining
the precife Differences of Animals, Vegetables and FofTils -, the grcatert
Part of which Variety and Difterences are rather the Sport of Nature,
than Matters of any confiderable and folid Ufe to the Sciences. Such
Things, indeed, ferve for Delight, and fometimes contribute to Praftice •,
but afford little or no true Information, or thorough Infight into Na-
ture : human hdujlry, therefore, muft be bent upon enquiring into, and obferving
the Similitudes o./d Analogies of Things, as ''^ell in their Wholes as in their
Parts; for thefe are what unite Nature", and begin to build up the
Sciences.
50. But here a fevere and rigid Caution muft be ufed, that thofe In-
ftances only be received for Conformable and Proportional, which (as we all
along require ' ) denote real phyfical Likeneffes and Refem.blances ; that
is, fuch as are true, fubftantial, and actually lodged and feated in Nature •,
not fuch as are accicental and fhovvy ; much lefs iuch as are fuperfticious or
vain ; like thofe which the V.'^riters of natural Magick, (a vain Sett of
Men, that fcarce deferve to be mentioned in the ferious Subjedl we are
now upon) every where boaft of, in defcribing, and fometimes, with great
Levity and Vanity, feigning empty Similitudes and Sympathies.
51. To
'' Are there but fc'jr Wreaths mr.de in the progreffive Motions of Snakes, Vipers, isc. f
Confider alfo tiie Motion of Caterpillars, Worms, isc.
^ See the Syha Sfli^arum, under the -Articles Bjkc! and Teeth.
^ Animals likewife appear to refemble inverted Plants in another refpedl ; c/'z. in having their
Roots within; whilft Plants have them without; for the ladleal Veins in Animals nearly cor-
refpond with the Fibres of the Roots in Plants : fo that Animals feem nouriihed from within ■
themfclves, as Plants are from without.
' See above. Part U. Sea. I. Apb.^.
' See Part II. Jfb. 1,4, 5, 20, (^c. Sec alfo hereafter, uifh. 33. ad finem.
V 3.
^
480
Conformahk
Inftances in
the Configtira-
tisn of tl:it
World.
In CM and
Heat.
In Axioms.
The Way of portening Enquiries ; Part II*
51. To proceed •, Conformable hftances are not to be negleded in the
Configuration of the World itfelf, with regard to its larger Parts. Thus
Africa, and Peru, with the Continent up to the Streights of Magellan
have fimiliar Ifthmus's and fimilar Promontories : which does not happen
without fome Caufc.
52. So again ; both the old World and the new, are wide and
extended towards the North j but narrow and pointed towards the
South.
^l- But among the nohleft Inftances of Conformily, come the intenfe
Cold in that called the Middle Region of the Air -, and the violent
Fires often found to break out from fubterraneal Places : for thefe two
Things are Extremes, and Limitations ; the one limiting the Nature of
Cold, towards the Arch of the Heavens •, and the other limiting the Na-
ture of Heat towards the Bowels of the Earth ; by Antiperijlafis, or the
Rejeolion of a contrar-j Nature.
54. Laftly ; a Conformit-j of Inflances deferves to be obferved in the
Axioms of the Sciences. So the Figure in Rhetorick, caUed InexpeHa-
tion, when a Matter comes in unexpefledly, is comfoimable to that Figure
in Mufic, which is c^Altd. finJdng of the Cadence"^. So again; the Ma-
thematical Poftulate, that 'Things equal to the fame third, are equal among
thetnfelves, is conformable with the Struflure of a Syllogifm, in Logick -,
which unites Things agreeing in a middle Term. To conclude ; a cer-
tain Sagacity in fearching out and difcovering phyfical Conformities and
Similitudes, is a very ufefui Thing on many Occafions *".
Aphorism XXVIII.
(7.) Heiero- 55- In the feventh Place come thofe we term Singular, Irregidar or
elite Inftances. Hetoroclite Inflances ; borrowing the Exprefiion from the Grammarians;
that is, fuch as fliew Bodies, in the Whole or Concrete, which feem to
'be out of Courfe ; or as if they were broken in Nature ; fo as not to
agree witli other Things of the fame Kind. For, Conformahk Inftances
are like fomething elfe ; but Heteroclite or Singular Inftances are only like
themfelves.
TheirVfe. 56. The Ufe of thefe Singular Inftances is the fame as of Clandeftine
Inftances ; viz. for raifing and uniting Nature ; fo as to difcover Kinds,
or common Natures, that are afterwards to be limited by real Diffe-
rences '. Nor fliould the Enquiry be dropt, or broke off, till the Pro-
perties and Qualities found in fuch Things as may be efteem'd Miracles
■in Nature, are reduced, and comprehended under fome Fw-;«, or certain
Law ;
' When the Mufic drops, r>s it were, or finks on the fudden.
'■ See the tie Atigmcnt. Scientiar. p. 70. See alfo the S;jlva Sylvarttm, paflim ; particularly
under the Article Sormd.
' How £ir .this contributes to the InvJiftigation of Forms, may appear from J[>h. 4. ScSl. I.
Part II.
Scd. II. by Prerogative Instances. 481
Law ; fo that all IrreguKirity or Singularity may be difcover'd to de-
pend upon Ibme common Form ■■, and the Miracle only reft in the exadt
Diiicrcnces, Degree, and extraordinary Concurrence ; and not in the Spe-
cies itfclf. But the Contemplations of Men at prefent proceed no far-
ther, than to fuppofe fuch Things as thelc to be Secrets, g;e.it \^ oi ks ot
Nature, and as it were caufelels, and to make them Exceptions to
general Rules.
57. As Examples of Si>!guljr Inflances, we have the Sun and ^loon ExempHJied,
among the Stars ; the Loadftone among Stones ; Quickfilver among Me-
tals ; the Elephant among Quadrupeds •, the Senle of venereal Pleafure
among the Kinds of Touch ; and the Scent of the Blood-hound among
the Kinds of Smell.
58. So with the Grammarians, the Letter S is hdA fingular ; for the
eafuiefs of its Compofition with Confonants ; fometimes with double, and
fometimes with triple ones : which is a Property of no other Letter.
59. A large Collection of fuch Inftances fliould be made; htcsLuk AColleahnt»
they whet and quicken the Enquiry -, and alfo reftify and cure the Un- ^^^'^"'^^ "-^
derftanding, depraved by Cuilom, and Things of common Occurrence''.
Aphorism XXIX.
60. In the eighth Place come Deviating hjlances ; that is, the Errors (?.) Deviating
of Nature, and Things monftrous and uncommon, where Nature tiyns Itfi"»"!-
afide from her ordinary Courfe. For the Errors of Nature differ from
Singular Injlances, in this, that Singular Infiances are Miracles in Species, Differ from
but Errors of Nature are Miracles in Individuals': tho* thtk Deviating ^eterodite Is^
Itijlances have nearly the fame Ufe with the former; as tending to reftify-'^'"''^"'
the Underftanding, depraved by the Things to which it is moft accu-
ftomed, and to difclofe the moft common Forms. For here alfo the En-
quiry is not to ceafe, till the Caufe of the Deviation be difcovered ; tho'
this Caufe does not properly rife to any Fortn ; but only to the latent
Procefs " that leads towards it : for as he who knows the Ways of Na-
ture, will the eafier obferve her Deviations ; fo he who knows her De-
viations will more exaftly defcribe her Ways.
61. They differ in this alfo from Singular Inftances, thcit they conduce ^f""'*'''^ '»'''-
much more to Pradlice, than thofe : for it would be very difficult to ge- /Jp^raatt,
nerate new Species ; but 'tis eafier to vary the known Species ; and thence
to produce many extraordinary and unknown Things ; there being a ready
Pajfage from the Mirades of Nature, to the Miracles of Art. For if Na-
•= Let it be all aloag obfen-ed, and carefully remember'd, that this whole BoHrine of In-
fiances lays down Precepts for condufting Enquiries, both general and particular ; with a
direft View to the Inve/iigatior. cf Forms, or the full Interpretation cf Nature. And in the Light
of this Intimation, the Author's larger Enquiries are alfo to be confider'd. See Vol, III. faJp.TS,
' See zbove, J. 56, 57.
^ See Ptfr/ II. 5^.?. L Jph. 1,4, 5, i^c.
V o L. II. Qj\ q cure
Require no
Examples.
But a coHe-
3 we Hijiory.
"The Way of Jhortening Enquiries ; Part II.
cure fhall once be difcovered in her Variation, and the reafon of it be-
come manifefr, 'twill be eafy to lead her thither again by Art, v-ihere
fhe err'd by Accident ; and that not only in one Cafe, but in others :
for Errors on one fide, fhew and open the Way to Errors and Deviations
on all fides.
62. And here Examples are not neceffary -, becaufe they are fo nu-
merous and common. But a CoUeftion, or particular Natural HiJlory
footdd be made of all prodigious and monfirous Births and Produ£lions of Na-
ture ; and of all things new, extraordinary and uncommon in the Univerfe " ;
But this is to be done with the ftricteft and moft judicious Choice; fo
that it may be fafely relied on. And here thofe Things are principally to
be held fufpeft, which in any fort relate to Religion •, as the Prodigies of
Livy : and thofe no lefs, which are found in the Writers of Natural Ma-
gick. Alchemy, or other Writers of the like Kind, who are the profefled
Admirers, or as it were Adorers of Fable and Fiflion. But all the
Particulars for this Purpofe are to be derived from grave, judicious and
foithful Hiftory, and juft Relation.
(9.) Frontier
Injlances.
Ther Vfe.
Exemplified.
Aphorism XXX,.
63. In the ninth Place come Frontier Injlances ; which we fometimes alfo
call Participles °. Thefe are fuch as exhibit thofe Species of Bodies which
feem compofed of two Species, or to be Rudiments betwixt one Species
and another •, but thefe Injlances may be juftly reckoned among the fn-
gular or hetoroclite Kind ^, as being rare, or extraordinary in the Univerfe ;
yet for their Dignity they ought to be feparately placed and treated.
For they excellently indicate the Compofition and Stru6lure of Things ;
and fugged the Caufes of the Number of the ordinary Species in the
Univerfe ; and lead the Underftanding from that which is, to that which
may be.
64. Examples of thefe are, (i.) Mofs, which is fomething betwixt
Putrefaftion, and a Plant ; (2.) certain Comets, which are of a Nature
betwixt Stars and fiery Meteors -, (3.) Flying-Fifhes, which are a Species
betwixt Birds and Fifli •, (4.) Batts, which are betwixt Birds and Qua-
drupeds; (5.) the Beaft fo like ourfelves, \X\tApe<\ ; (6.) the biform'd
Births of Animals ; (7.) the Mixtures of different Species, ^c \
Aphorism-
" Seen/. I. /45. and Vol. III. p. 8-16.
" From their Participation of two-difierent Natures; as a Participle, in Grammar, partici-
pates of a Noun and a Verb.
p See above, Aph. 28.
■) Simiii qunm jimilis, turpijjima.hejlia, vobis.
' Viz. Mules, Mungrels, Dogs by the Mixture of a Dog and a Fox; and the like in other-
.Be.->.fts, Birds, andFilh, \v.here the /)7/?<»»i-fj can be found.
3
SecH:. II. /y Pre Ro GAT I VE Instances. 483
A p H o R I s ^! XXXI.
65. In the tet:th Place come Injlances of Pcv;er ; or, as we lometimes (lo) /«.-i'.^w.v/
call them, Trophies or Ejijig)is of Pciver, Iirjc/iiions, or the Works of Mens of?oxcr.
Hands ; that is, the moll noble and perfect Works, and as it were the
Mafterpiece in every Art. For fince the Defign is to bend Nature to
Things, and bring her to lerve the Turn of Man "■ ; 'tis abfoiutely pro-
per that the Works already in Mens poffeffion Ihould be enumerated and
fet down, (as fo many Provinces already fubducd and cultivated) efpe-
cially fuch Works as are beft underftood, and brought ncareil to Pcr-
fedlion : becaufe thefe afford a fhort and eafy PafTage to farther Difcove-
ries. For if any one, after an attentive Confideration of the Works Their Ujt.
already extant in this Kind, wou'd determine to ufe his beft and ftrongeft
Endeavours, he might doubtlefs either carry them fomewhat farther, or
convert them to fome otlier obvious Purpofe ; or apply and transfer
them to more noble Ufes than were known before '.
66. Nor is this all ; but as by extraordinary and uncommon, or mi- jj^e Camion
raculous Works of Nature, the Underftanding is rouzed, excited, and they require.
elevated to die Difcovery of the Forms capable of producing them ' ; fo the
like is done by the wonderful and extraordinary Works (or Miracles) of
Art •, but in a much greater Degree : becaufe the Manner of effecting,
producing, and working fuch Miracles of Art, is generally plain ; whereas
Miracles of Nature are commonly more obfcure and dark. But here the
greatell Caution is required, that fuch Miracles of Art may not deprefs
the Underftanding, and fix it, as it were, to the Earth.
67. For there is Danger left, in thefe Works of Art, which appear like
fo many ultimate Perfedions, and utmoft Stretches of human Induftry,
the Underftanding fhould be captivated, chain'd down, or, as it were,
enchanted with them -, fo as not to convcrfe with other Things ; but
imagine that nothing of the fame kind can poflibly be effefled in any
other Way -, and that no farther Improvement can be made, except by
operating in die fame Way, with greater Diligence, Exaftnefs, and a
better Apparatus.
68. On the contrary, this is to be held certain, that the Ways
and Means of cffedting the Things and Works hitherto difco-
ver'd and defcribed, are generally fcanty and defective ; and that all
■■ Let a clear and ftrong Conception be had of the Etid in View ; which is no lefs than to
.icquirc fuch a Command and Maftery over Nature, as that Men may ufe her like a readv Inftru-
mcnt, or Agent, in effeiling the grcateft Works ; fuch as lengthening Life, ruling tlie Wea-
ther, and the like ; which to vulgar Philofophers appear Impollibilities.
• This direfts us to a fhort and facile Method of improving the known Arts, and inventing
new ones. See the Sedlion upon Learned Experience in the de Augmcntii Scientiarum, Vol. 1.
p. 119.
' For every thing producible, is produced hy its Form. See Part IL Aph. 4. and the f^rft
Seftion throughout. This Point being abfoiutely fundamental, and of the very utmoft Impor-
tance, cannot be too often inculcated, or too \vell underftood : for in this, all the Power both
of Men and Nature centers.
Q^q q 2 greater
484 ?^^' Way of fioriening Eiiqtiiries ; Part II.
greater Power and Ability depends, and is regularly deducible from the
FouniPMi of Forms, not one whereof is hitherto difcover'd '".
6^. And, therefore, as we formerly obferved ", though a Man fhould
ever fo thoroughly have ftudied the Nature of the warlike Engines, and
battering Rams of the Ancients, or even have fpent his whole Life in
the Enquiry •, yet he would never have fallen upon the Invention of
Ordnance, and Gun-Powder •, no more than he who fhould have em-
ploy'd his Obfervations and Thoughts upon the Woollen and Linen
Manufiftures, would have thence difcover'd the Manufafture of Silk ".
70. And hence all the more noble Inventions will, if duly confider'd, be
found owing not to flender Difcoveries, Applications, and Enlargements
of Arts •, but entirely to Chance, or Accident ; whofe flow and lingring
Motion, with which it creeps thro' Ages, nothing can anticipate, prevent,
or fliadow out before-hand, but the Difiovery of Forms ^.
J Hijlory to 71. The Things of this Kind are fo numerous, as to need no parti-
be made of cular Inftances. The direft Bufinefs is, to vifit and thoroughly inlpedt
them. ^11 j.j^g mechanic Arts, and all the liberal ones too, with regard to Works ;
and thence to- make a Colledion, or ■particular Hiftory, of the capital Dif-
coveries, Adajicrpieces, and niofl perfect Works in each ; together iiith the IVays
of producing the Effe£f, or the Manner of every Operation *.
72. But we do not confine the Diligence that fhould be ufed in this
Colledlion, to Things which are only judg'd Mafterpieces and Secrets
in any Art, fo as to raife the Admiration : for Admiration is the Child
of Unfrequency ; as whatever happens feldom, tho' in its Kind but vulgar,
yet produces Wonder.
The Singula- 73. On the contrary, thofe Things which ought to be admired, by
rities "f '^''t reafon of the Differences of their Species, compared with other Species,
to be colliaed. ^^^ fliglitly paffed over, if they are familiar and obvious: Whereas the
Singtdarities of Art are not lefs to be obferved than the Singularities of
Nature, mentioned above'': and as among the Singularities of Nature,
we have placed the Sun, and Moon, the Loadftone, iSc. which tho'
very common Things, are almofl Angular in their natures ; the fame is
to be done in tli.e Singularities of Art..
74. For
■"■ Vix. Not according to the precii'e and inf.iUibk Method of the Author, kid down and ex-
emplified in the firft Sedtion of this Second Part of his Novum Org/inttm ; and farther continued
and improved in the prefent SeSlion ; which, however, leaves the Bufinefs iraperfed ; the Com-
pletion of the Whole being referved for a Third Part of this general Work. See above,
Jph. 2t.
^ Page 399.
" See Part I. Aph. 109, no.
^ Let fufficient Attention be given to this Paragraph ; for much depends upon it.
» This indeed would be a capit.d Work ; and we coniiive Hopes that fomcthing of the kind
isthe View and Defign of the Royat Academy 0/ Sciences at Paris ; r'/s. the dcfcribing the chief
Tnechanic.ll Arts and Trades of //■^«(■^, with the Engines, Inllruments, Tools, Procefie , and
Ways of Working at prefent made ufe of by the bcft Maflers. This Work is faid to have been
many Years in hand ; and will doubtlefs add great Honour to that illuflrious Body.
" jiph. 28.
Sccl. II. hy Prerogative Instances. 485
74. For Example, Paper, tho' a very common Thing, is ^ fingular Tl-efi Singula
Injlance of Arts. For if well obferved, artificial Matcers are either merely rities exem-
wove with dired and tranlVerfe Threads, as Silk, Cloth, Linen, y^- . /'''iA'''^. "» /*«-
or made of concreted Juices, as Brick, Clay, Glafs, Enamel, Porcelane, "
and the like, which if well united fhine, but if lels united, prove hard,
but bear no Polifh. And all thefe latter Subftances, made of con-
creted Juices, are brittle, and do not hold tenacioudy together. On
the contrary. Paper is a tenacious Subilance, that may be cut, or torn ;
fo that it rcfembles, and in a manner rivals the Skin, or Membrane of
fome Animal ; the Leaves of fome Plant •, or the like Producflion of
Nature : for 'tis neither brittle, as Glafs ; nor thready, as Clotli ; for
tho' it has its Fibres, yet it has no diftinct Threads ; but exaiSlly re-
fembles the Texnire of natural Matters : infomuch that the like can hardly
be found again among artificial Things •, but it remains perfcclly fingu-
lar. And in artificial Things, thofe, doubtlefs, are to be preferr'd which
imitate and refemble Nature the neareft ; or which, on the other hand,
powerfully govern, invert or change her ^
75. Again ; among Inftances of Power, or die Inventions and manual Matters of
Works of Men, Matters of Dexterity, Delufion and Diverfion, are not •^''•^'^'■'(y-
to be rejefled wholly : for fome of thefe, tho' of fmall Ufe, and only
ludicrous, may yet be rich in Information.
76. Laftly ; neither are fuperftitious, and thofe commonly call'd Magical end
magical Matters, to be quite excluded: for altho' Things of this Kmd-'^f^^f''""''
lie If rangely buried, and deep involved in Falfhood and Fable ; yet fome
regard fhould be had to difcover whether no natural Operation is con-
cealed in the Heap : For Example, in Fafcination ; the Power of Imagi-
nation ; the Sympathy or Confent of Things at a diftance -, the Com-
munication of Impreflions, from Spirit to Spirit, as well as from Body
to Body ; and die like*^.
Aphorism XXXII.
77. It appears from what is above deliver'd, that five of the /«- J Hljlory gf
fiances already mentioned; {i:'vz. (i.) the Conformable; (2.) the Sw.gnlar ; fi^'e kinds if
(3.) the Deviating; (4.) the Frontier Infiances ; and, (5.) the Inftances ?/^^"')^"^""
Po^xer, ought to be referved, as the reft before explained, and many of
the following ought to be, till any particular Nature is enquired into ;
but a Collection of them is immediately to be made from the Beginning -,
as a certain particular Hiftory ; in order to the digefting of the Things which
enter the Underftanding, and correft the bad Habit of the Mind itfelf -,
for the Mind muft needs be unged, infefted, and at length perverted and
diftqrted
' See the S\ha Syharum, paffim.
* See the Articles Imagination, and Sympathy, in the 5y/r-» Syharum^
4^6 T'he Way of Jhortsnmg Enquiries \ Part II.
diftorted, by the daily and accuftom'd Inroads, and Incurfions made
upon it''.
/// Ufe. 78- Thefe Inflames, therefore, are to be employ'd as a certain Pre-
farative, to reftify and cleanfe the Underftanding " : for whatever draws
the Underftanding from the Things whereto it is accuftomed, at the lame
time Jays it fmooth and even, for receiving the dry and pure Light of
juft Ideas and Notions. Tiiefe Inflames alfo prepare and open the Way
to Praolicc ■■, as we fhall fhew hereafter ^
Aphorism XXXIII.
{w) Friendly 79- ^" the eleventh Vhce come Friendly, or Accojnpanying und Hoflik Itir-
and HoftUe flames, which we call Inflames of fixed Propfit'wns. Thefe are fuch In-
Injlances. flames as exhibit a Body, or Concrete, wherein the Natul^e enquired after
conftantly attends, as an infeparable Companion ; or, on the contrary,
wherein the Nature fought perpetually abfents, and difappears, as a Foe
or Enemy. And of this Kind of Inflames, fixed, determinate and gene-
ral Propofitions are formed, either negative or affirmative j wherein the
Suhjeil will be a certain Body, in the Concrete, and the Predicate, will
be the Nature fought ^ But particular Propofitions are by no means
fixed, where the Nature fought is fluftuating and moveable in any Con-
crete ; whether it be coming on, or acquired ; or again, going off or de-
pofited : therefore particular Propofitions have no great Prerogative ;
excepting only in the Cafe of 'Tranf?nigration, of which we fpoke above ''.
Yet even thefe particular Propofitions are of great Ufe, when confronted,
and compared with thofe that are univerfal ; as we fhall fiiew in its
proper Place \ But we do not require, even in thefe univerfal Propofi-
tions, a rigorous or abfolute Affirmation or Negation ; they being fuffi-
cient for the Purpofe, tho' there fhould be fome fingular or rare Ex-
ception to them.
TJm Ufe of 80. The Ufe of Accompanying, or Friendly Inflances, is to bring the
friendly In- Affirmation of the Form to a narrow Compafs ; for, as in the Travelling
fi^V"' Inflances,
^ The Meaning is, that by conftantly converfing with fuch Thmgs only as are common, fa-
miliar, and obvious, the Mind acquires a ftrong Bent, or Habit ; whereby it judges that all
Things jare conformable to thefe : And hence we frequently impofe grofs Sophiftry upon
our felves for Truth ; and argue, and aft, in a ilrangely perverle and ignorant Manner :
whereas, before we can reafon, judge, or philofophize truly, the Mind muft be acquainted and
familiarized with Things of agreeing, dilagreeing, participating, lingular, and extraordinary
Natures ; as well as with thofe of the common, the obvious, and ordinary Kind. See the
DoBrine of Idols, Part L Aph. iZ —bi .
" Viz.. From its Idols.
*■ See below, Aph. 50. of the prefent SeBion.
» So, in the Enquiry of Heat, Flame is the Subjeft, in the Concrete; and Heat the Pre-
dicate, or Nature fought. See below, §.81,82.
*" See above, Apb. 23.
' Which feems to be in the afcendihg and defcending Scale of Axioms, which is wanting.
S«p above, Aph. zi.
Se<5l. II. hy Prerogative Instances.
Injiances^, the Affirmative of the Form is contrafted, ib that the
Form of tlie Thing muit be found to be fomewhat introduced, or de-
ftroy'd, by the Ad of Tranfinigration ; after the fame manner, in Ac-
compansing Inftances, the Affirmative of the Form, is fo pent up or con-
fined, ^that it mull necelfarily be fomewhat that may attend and enter
fuch a Concretion of BoJy •, or clfe fly from and iliun it : whence he
who well underilands the Conftitution or Strudlure of this Body, will not
be far from difclofing the Form of the Nature fought.
8 1. For Example, let the Nature fought be Heat; And' :xn Accom- Exmfi/i/eJ in
panying Inftance is Flame : for in Water, Air, Stone, Metal, and numerous 'te Subjca of
other Bodies, Heat is moveable, and may come and go ; but all Flame ^''""''^
is hot : fo that Heat perpetually attends in the Concretion, or Whole,
of Flame. But there is no Hofiile Inflame ' of Heat to be found ; for, as
to the internal Parts of the Earth, the Scnfe has no Cognizance there-
of; but of all the Bodies known to Men, there is no Concrete unfu-
fceptible of Heat ">.
82. Again, let the Nature fought be Conffience \ and Air is a Hofiile And Confifterh
Inflaiice " ; for Metal may flow, and be confiftent ; fo may Glafs : W^ater 0'-
likewife may be confiftent, when it is froze : but 'tis impoflible that Air
fhould ever be confiftent, or put off" its Fluidity.
S3. But there remain two Admciiitio7is, with regard to thefe Inflances Aimonitkm
of fixed Propfiihus, ufeful to the Bufinefs in hand: the firft is, that if an '■^''"'''^^ '*
Affirmative or Negative be univerfally and plainly wanting, this fhould
be careflilly noted, as a Non-Entity ; as we did in the Subjedl oi Heat ° ;
where a Negative, as to all the Bodies within our Knowledge, is univer-
fally wanting ^
84. In like manner, if the Nature fought ht Eternity, or LtcorruptihiUly,
we have univerililly no Affirrnative upon this Earth "* : for neither can
Eternity or Incorruptibility be attributed to, or predicated of any Subflance
below the CelefUal Bodies, or above the irtcrnal Parts of our Globe.
85. The other Admonition is, that to the univerfal Propofitioiis ,.
as well affirmative as negative, with regard to any Concrete, thofe
Concretes alfo be fubjoitt'd ', which feem to approach nearefl to that
which is the Non-Entity : as for Example, in the Subjedl of Heat, the
foftefl or mildefl Flames ; or fuch as burn the leafl ' ; and again, in
the
* See above, yiph 23.
' yiz. The Converfe of an accompanying Lijlance. See §. 79.
^ See the labia for inveftigating the Form of Heat, p. 433, i^c.
" Becjufe Confillence always flies from Air ; or, in other Words, Air always remains fluid.
" See r^W? 11. and III. See alio above, §. 81. - ^
P All the known Bodies, being, without Exception, fufceptible of Hifat. See 7al>!e III.
Apb. 20.
■^- That is, nothing kere below is excluded from Corruptibility and Change.
' See belo'V, j4/:i;. 34.
* Suppofe the Flame of Spirit of Wine, the Ignis FaiMus, or that harmlefs lambent Flaroc,
if real, iaid to have play'd about the Heads of certain Children.
4^8 T'he Way of Jljortening Enquiries:, Part IT.
the Subjedl of Incorruptibility, Gold, which comes the neareft to an in-
corruptible Body : for all thefe Things indicate the Limits of Naturi', or
ihew the Dillance betwixt Exiilence and Non-Exiftence ; and ferve to
confine, or circumfcribe Forms., fo as to keep them from Aiding or
wandering out of the Limits and Conditions ot Matter '.
Aphorism XXXIV.
(12.) Sdjiin- 86. In the hi-elfth Place come the Suhjunoiive Inftances, mentioned in the
a'we Injian- preceding Aphorifm " ; which we otherwife call Inftances of Extremif^, or
ces. 'Termination : for thefe Injlances are not only ufeful, as being fubjoined to
fixed Propofitions ; but alfo by themfelves, in their own Particular ; as
nelr Ufe. excellently fhewing the true Divifions, or Separation of Nature ; the
Meafures of Things ; and how far Nature may aft, or fuffer: and
again, they fliew the Tranfition of Nature, from one Thing to another.
Exmplifed. ^7- Of this Kind are Gold, in Weight ; Iron, in Hardnefs •, the Whale,
in Bulk of animal Body -, the Hound, in Point of Scent ; the Explofion
of Gunpowder, in fudden Expanfion ; and the like. Thofe Things alfo
which are laft in the loweft Degree, fliould be no lefs regarded than
thofe that are firft in the higheft : as Spirit of Wine, in Weight, or
Levity ; Silk, in Hardnefs or Softnefs •, the minute Worms of the Skin,
in animal Bulk", He.
Aphorism XXXV.
U'x.) Mances S8. In the thirteenth Place come Injlances of Alliance, Confederacj, or
of Alliance. Union *, that is, fuch as mix and unite Natures, fuppofed to be hetero-
genous, and noted and marked out for fuch by the Divifions commonly
received. For thefe Injlances of Alliances fhew, that the Operations and
Effedls attributed as peculiar to certain heterogeneous Natures, agree alfo
to others ; fo as to prove that the Heterogeneity which was founded in
Opinion, is not true, or efl^ential •, and nothing more than the Modifi-
7hetr We. cation of a common Nature. Whence thefe Inftances are of excellent
Ufe, to rouze and elevate the Underftanding from DiiFerences to Ge-
nu0es, or Kinds ; and to take off the Masks, and difcovcr the counter-
feit Refemblances of Things, that occur and prefent themfelves drefs'd,
as it were, in concrete Subilances.
89. For
' It deferves to be obferved, how extremely careful and follicitous the Author is to keep
his Form: from being any way notional, or abftraft Things : which one might, at the iirit
mentioning, be apt to fuppofe them ; efpecially as Mens Ears have been accullom'd to Ari-
Jlotelian Forms.
" §-85-
'' Thefe are correlative to the former ; fo that the two Kinds limit Nature both Ways ; or
.as well in the defcending as the afcending Scale.
Seel. II. hy Prerogative Instances. 489
89. For Example, let the Ndture fought be Heat ; in this Cafe it (ctmsExempHjieJ in
a fettled and authorized Divifion, that there are three Degrees of Heat ; ^^""■
viz. (i.) that of the heavenly Bodies -, (2.) that of Animals ; and, (3.) that
of Fire; and that thcfe Heats, (efpecially one of them compared with the
other two), are in EfTence and Species, or in tleir fpecific Natures,
perfectly different and heterogeneous •, as the celcftial and animal Heats
generate and cherifh -, but the Heat of culinary Fire corrupts and de-
ftroys. Here, therefore, we have an Inftance of Alliance in that common
Experiment, when a growing Branch of a Vine is brought withinfide of
a Houfe, or into a Room where a continual Fire is kept, fo as to ripen
the Grapes a Month fooner than the Grapes of the fame Vine are ri-
pen'd without Doors : whence it appears, that Fruit, even while it hangs
upon the Tree, may be ripened by culinary Fire ; tho' fuch ripening
might fccm to be a peculiar Work of the Sun.
90. And upon fuch an Information as this, the Underftanding cafily ZMi/zuD//"-
rouzes, throws off the Notion of effential Heterogeneity, and enquires inzoJ"''-''""-
thofe real Differences to be found betwixt the Heat of the Sun, and the
Heat of culinary Fire, which caufc their Operation to be fo diffimilar,
tho' they partake of a common Nature ^.
91. Thefe Differences will be found to be Four; viz. (i.) that the Four Different
Htat of the Sun, with refp.ft to the Heat of Fire, is much more rnild'^-' '" ^^*'^-
and gentle in Degree -, (2.) that it is of a much moifter Quality, efpecially
as derived to us through the Air ; (3.) and principally, that it is very un-
equal, approaching one while increas'd in Srrength, and afterwards receding
decreafed ; which is a Thing of capital Ufe to the Generation of Bodies:
for it was juftly obferved by Arifiotle, that a chief Caufe of the Gene-
rations and Corruptions upon the Surlacc of the Eartii, is the oblique
Motion of the Sun through the Zodiac •, whence the Heat of the Sun,
partly by the alternate Changes of Day and Night, and partly by the
Succeflion of Summer and Winter, becomes wonderfully unequal. And
yet this Philofopher immediately after, corrupts and fpoils his own juft Pofi-
tion -, for r.ifhly prefuming to judge of Nature, as his manner is, he very
magifterially affigns the Caufe of Generation to the Approach of the
Sun ; and the Caufc of Corruption to its retiring : whereas both the Ac-
cefs and Recefs of the Sun give occafion to the Generation, as well as
to the Corruption of Things ; not refpcctively ; but as it were indifferently :
for inequality of Heat adminifters to their Generation and Corruption ;
but Equality of Heat, to their Confervation only ''.
92. There is a fourth Difference, of very great Moment, between the
Heat of the Sun and of Fire •, viz. that the Sun infinuates its Operation
-for great Lengths of Time -, whereas the Operations of the Fire, thro'
the Impatience of Mankind, are hurried to a Conclufion, in fhort Inter-
* See the Tables, p. 433, i^c. . - ,
y Sec the Syha Sjharum, under the Articles Preftrvation, and Pulrefadion.
Vo L. II. R r r vals.
490 l^he Way of fhortenirig Rnquiries ; Part II.
vals. But if any one were intent upon tempering the Heat of Fire, and
reducing ic to a moderate and gentle Degree, which is eafily practica-
ble feveral Ways ; and would fometimes fprinkle and intermix a little
Moifture -, and particularly if he would imitate the Heat of the Sun in
Point of Inequality, and wait with Patience fomewhat longer than Men
ufualiy do in Chemical Procefles -, he might get quite clear of that falfe
Notion of the Heterogeniety of Heat -, and eafily imitate, rival, or in
fome Cafes exceed the Operations of the S''.n, by the means of culinary
Fire^
Inftitr.ce! of c)j_ \v^ j^a^ve a like Inflame of Alliance in Butterflies benum'd, and as
emlli'fied In' ^^ were become dead with Cold ; for thefe Creatures are re-animated, or
Vivification, brought again to Life, by means of a fmall Warmth of Fire : wlience
by Heat. it eafily appears, that Fire can as well vivify Animals, as ripen Vege-
tables. Thus in the famous Invention of Fracaflorius, the metalline Pan,
llrongly heated and applied near the Head of a Perfon in a dangerous
Fit of the Apoplexy, expands the Animal Spirits, comprefs'd, and as ir
were fuffocated, by the Humours and Obftrudions ot the Brain -, and
thus excites them to Motion -, in the f;me manner as Fire operates upon
Water, or Air ; and at the fame time confequently expands and quickens
them.
94. Sometimes alfo Eggs are hatched by the Heat of a Fire ; which
in this refped perfectly refembles Animal Heat. Thefe Inftances therefore,
with numerous Inftances of the like Kind, render it unqueftionable, that
the Heat of Fire may, in many Cafes, be modified fo as to refemble, and
imitate, the Celeftial and Animal Heats.
Exemplifiedin 95. Again ; let the Nature fought be Mot'wn and Reft. Here it feems
Motion and ^ fettled Divifion, drawn from the Depth of Philofophy, that natural
^' Bodies either revolve, move in a ftrait Line, or continue at Reft : be-
caufe Motion is either without End, proceeding to an End, or ftationary
in the End, Now, conftant Rotation feems proper to the Heavenly Bo-
dies ; Station or Reft to the Terreftrial Globe ; and the other Bodies,
called Heavy and Light, being out of their natural Places, are carried
ftrait upwards, or downwards, to the Mafles or Congregations of fimilar
Bodies ; thofe that are light, towards the Heavens, and thofe that are heavy,
towards the Earth : and all this appears neat and plaufible in Difcourfe.
'ne irregular ^6. gut we have zn Injtance of Alliance in fome of the lower Comets;
Motion o/ibe y/\^\(-}^^ ^ho' they defcend below the Celeftial Bodies, yet move irregu-
larly through the various Quarters of the Heavens ; as appears by Ex-
perience and Obfervation ^.
97. Another
« Here is a Foundation kid for a kind of Ckmijry that feems to be very little known, ot
praftifed.
» See W. IL /i. 43;^ £s'<-.
Sed. II. by Prerogative Instances. 491
97. Another Injlance of Alliance rehiring to this Subjeft, is the Motion The Motion of
of the Air, which, hetwcen the Tropicks, where tlie Circles of Rotation '*' -^t.
are larger, ftans itfelf to revolve from Eaft to Vv'cit ''.
98. The Flux and Rcfiux of the Sea, might be another Injldnce of Exemplified in
Alliance, if th.e Sea was obferved to revolve, tho' but (lowly and faintly, il'e Tides of
from Eaft to Well ; yet fo as to be driven back twice a Day. Upon -"^ ^*''''
thcfe Suppofitions, therefore, it it is manifeft, that this Motion of Ro-
tation does not terminate in the celeftial Bodies j but is communicated alfo
to the Air and Ocean '.
99. Agam ; that Property of afcending upwards, found in light "Qq- In the Afcent
dies, labours under a Defeft ; and, to this purpofe, an Inftance of Jl- of /igi-t Bo-
liance may be taken from a Bubble of Water; tor if Air be thruft un- '"'
der Water, it haftily afcends to the Surface, by the Motion of Im-
pulfe, as t)emocritus calls it, wherewith the defcending Water impels and
raifes the Air upwards -, and not by the Striving or Endeavour of the
Air itfelf: but when it comes to the Surface of the Water, the Air is
kept from afcending farther, by a fmall Refiftance it meets with in the
Water ^, which will not prcfently yield to be difcontinued, or feparated :
fo that the Appetite of the Air to rife upwards is exceeding weak ''.
100. In like manner, let the Nature fought be Gravity. 'Tis a vt- in Gravity.
ceived DiFFerence, that denfe and folid Bodies move towards the Centre
of tlie Earth ; but rare and light ones towards the Heavens ; as if, in
each Cafe, it were to their proper Places. But as to thefe Places, tho*
the Notion of them prevails in the Schools ; yet it is perfcftly idle and
childifh to imagine that Place can have any Effeft. Whence it is trifling
in Philofophers to aflert, that if the Earth was perforated, heavy Bo-
dies, let fill in the Perforation, would ftop at the Centre : for, in that
Cafe, a kind of Nothing, or a mere mathematical Point, would have a
Virtue and Efficacy ^ ; fo as either to affcdt other Bodies, or other Bo-
dies to afFedl it: whereas Body is never affected but by Body.
loi. This Appetite of Afccnt and Defcent, is either in the Structure //^ C<;///;-,
of the Body moved ; or in a Sympathy, or Confent, with fome other tubere.
Body. But if any denfe and folid Body can be found, which does not
move 10 the Centre of the Earth, this received Difference will be filfi-
fkd. And if the Opinion of Gilbert be admitted, that the magnetic Vir-
1- See Vol. III. p. 4;z, £?V.
' See the En?.y upon the Ebbing end Flozvivg of the Sen. Vol III. ad finem.
■• The Water now throwing itfelf into a thin Film, or fpherical Bubble, to avoid a Solution of
Continuity.
' Or, according to the late Difcdveries, none at all. See Mr. Boyle's Works, and Sir Ij'aac
Ketafon's ''rintipia, paflim.
• This is the general Cafe of nnathernatical Demonftrations applied to Phyfics; where mere
mental Powers, or Forces, are fuppofed, infteid o"^ thofe that really exiil in Nature. Hence
gre.it Ca tion is required ;n the reading of m:ithemitic.il Wr ters upon phvficil SuHjedl-s ; left
ideal Powers fliould be inadvertently introduced into iVIattcr And et it be well confiacr'd and
rcmcmber'd, that what is mathematically juft and true, may be piiyfically falfe and abfurd.
R r r 2 tue
49^ ^*? T^ay of portening E?2quiries-\ Part IL
tueof the Earth, whereby it attrafts heavy Bodies, extends not beyond
its own Sphere of Adivity, which always operates to a certain Diftance, and
no farther •, and this be verified by any Iiiftance ; fuch an Infiance will be
an Infiance of Alliance upon this Subjeft : but at prefent there is no cer-
tain and manifeft Infiance thereof ^.
Exempnjietl if I02. What feems ta come neareft to it, is x.\\z CataraSli, or Sjc/tls,
an Indnvce of which are met with, in failing thro' the Atlantic Ocean, towards either.
j^proach, in jj^g £^ji q^ j^gji j^^j^^ . fgj. jj^g Quantity and Bulk of Water fuddenly
. ^'■^ /""■'• Jij-(,j-,jrged by thefe Cararads, appear {o great, that they feem to be
Colledions of Water made before; and to have reded and remained in
thefe Places ; and afterwards to be thrown down by fome violent Caufe,
rather than to fall by the natural Motion of Gravity. Whence we may
_ conjefture, that a denfe and compatt Body, of a large Bulk, may re-
/ main, at a great Diftance from the Earth, pendulous, like the Globe of
the Earth itfclf, without falling •, till it be violently precipitated, or
thrown down ". But, with regard hereto, we affirm nothing for certain.
Only in this, and numerous other Cafes, it may eafily appear how defi-
cient we are in Natural Hiftory ; when, inftead of verified and aiTured
Infia?ices, we are often obliged to bring bare Suppofitions, in the way
of Examples '.
Inthereafon- 103. Again; let the Nature- fought be the reafoning Faculty. A jult
hig Faculty. DJftinftiorj, here feems made betwixt the human Reafon, and the Sagacity
of Brutes •, yet there are fome hifiances of Aftions which Brutes perform,
whereby they alfo feem to reafon. Thus it is reported of a Raven, that in
a Time of great Drought, efpying Water in the hollow Trunk of a Tree,
where the Orifice was too fmall for her to enter ; fhe continued to drop
fmall Stones therein, till tlie Water rofe high enough for her to drink.
"Whence the Reafon of the Raven afterwards became proverbial.
In Vifim. 104. Laftly ; let the Nature fought be V'lfion. Here it feems to be
an extremely juft and exad: Diftindion betwixt Lig^^ and Colour^ that
Light is an original vifible Thing, afrording the primary Means of
Sight ; and that Colour is a fecondary vifible Thing, not to be f^en
•without Light ; whence it may feem no more than the Image or Mo-
dification of Light : and yet there appear to be Infianccs of Alliance on
both Sides. Thus, for Example, in large Quantities of S)ww, there feems
to be a fomev/hat original, lucid Colour ^ ; and in the Flame of Sulphur, a
Light tending to Colour V
Aphorism
s Sir Tfaac NewtotPs Doftrine and Difcoyeries upon this Head, are now generally known-.
But, perhaps, the pkyjical Caujc of Gravity lUll remains unaffigned ; fo far, we mean, as. it
may be.
* See the Account of Spouts in the Fhilofiphical TranfaBions-.
' See above, PartW. Aph. 14.
'' For Snow affords a confidenble Degree of Light, by means whereof Men travel by Night
in the Northern Regions. See Mr. BoyWi Hi/lery of Cold,, paflim.
' Kiz. Blaenefs. '
Seel. II. by Prerogative Instances. 493
Aphorism XXXVI.
105. In i\it fourteenth Place come thofe we entitle Crucial Injlances-; {14.) Craaa/
deriving the Word from the Cnjps fet up where two Roads meet, to Ivfi'^"''^-
point, and mark out their Separation again. We otherwife call them
Decijlve^ and IrJicatorj Injlances ; and, m fome Cafes, Oracukus and Com-
mamUiig Injlar.ces.
106. They are of diis Kind, that when in the Search of any Nature, the ndr Naiurt.
Underftanding comes to an Equilibrium, as it were, or ftands fufpended,
as to which of two or more Natures, the Caufe of the Nature enquired
aJter (hould be attributed, or affign'd, by reafon of the frequent and
common Concurrence of feveral Natures ; then thefe Crucial Injla7ice5 fhew
the true and inviolable Aflbciatlon of one of thefe Natures to the Nature
fought ; and the uncertain and feparable Alliance of the other : whereby
tJie Queilion is decided ; the former Nature admitted for the Caufe ;
and the other rejedted.
107. Thefe Injtances therefore afford great Light, and have a kind o^Theh Ufe and"
over-ruling Authority; fo that the Courfe o^ Interpretation will fome- ^•'''^'''""''•
times terminate in them, or be finiflied by them. Sometimes, indeed,
thefe Crucial Injlances occur, or are found, among tiiofe already fct down ;
but in general they are new, and exprefly and purpofely fought and ap-
plied, or after due Time and Endeavours, difcovered, not without great
Diligence and Sagacity..
loS. For Example; let the Nature fought be the Tide of the Sea \ Exemplified in
which happens twice in the Day ; and is fix Hours in coming in, zvA'fff'i'^" "f
fix in going out ; with a certain Difference coinciding with the Motion
of the Kloon. Now, the Crofs-way of this Subjedt lies as follows.
109. This reciprocal Motion muft of Neceffity happen either, (i.) ^rom The Mot ioa of
the Waters going forward and backward, like Water moved in a Bafon -, ''*'^"^^^' "-
which, when it rifcs on one fide, forfakes the other ; or^ (2.) from the rifing-^^^^^'"^'*'"
and f.illir,g down of the Waters ; like Water that rifes in Boiling, and
again fubfides : but to which of thefe Caufes the Ebbing and Flowing of
the Sea fhould be affign'd, is the Doubt. If the former Afferrion be
admitted ; v/hcn the Sea flows on one Shoar, it mufl neceffirily ebb,
about the fame time, fome where on the oppofite Shoar: the Ejiquiry;
therefore is thus brought to a Point.
no. Now Jccjla, and fome others, luve found, by diligent Oh(trv\- To determim-
tions, that on the Coaft of Florida, and the Coafts of Sfain and Africa, '^^^'f^ f^f'^
the Sea f^ows and ebbs at the fame Times ; not contrariwife, that when /-^^.7.
it flows on the Coafl of Florida, it ebbs on the Coafls of Spain and
Africa ; and yet, when carefully confidered, the rifiiig Motion is not
proved by this ; and the progrejfve Motion difproved " : for it is poffible
3 that
a See above, §. tog-
494 ^^ "^^^y of JJjoriening Enquiries ; Part II,
that the Waters may have a progreffive Motion ; and yet overflow the
oppofitc Shoars of the fame Channel at the fame time ; that is, if the
Waters be protruded and driven from another Quarter : which is the
Cafe of Rivers ebbing and flowing on both Shoars at the fame Hours ;
tho' the Motion here be clearly progreffive ; viz. the Motion of the
Waters entering at the Mouths of the Rivers from the Sea.
III. It may, therefore, happen, in like manner, that an immenfe Col-
leftion of Waters, _ rolling from z\.t Indian Ocean, may be compelled and
driven into the Channel of the Atlantic ; and thus overflow both Shoars
at once. It muft, therefore, be enquired, whether there is any other
Channel, through which the Waters may at the fame times be difchargerf
or taken off; and we find there is the South Sea at hand; a Sea not
Jefs than the Atlantic; but rather wider, and of larger Extent; which
may fuffice for this Purpofe ".
TZv Crucial ri2. And thus, at length, we come to the Crucial Inflance in this
Inftance in Subje6t : and it lies thus. If it be once certainly difcovered, that when
tbts Cnfe. j^ -J p]qq(^ qj^ j]^g oppofite Coafts of Florida and Spain, in the Atlantic
Ocean, 'tis alfo Flood on the Coafl: of Peru, and along the Coaft of
China, in the South Sea ; then the Quefl:ion is determined, by this Decifi-vs
Injlance ; and the Flux and Reflux of the Sea we enquire after, is Ihewn
to happen by a p-ogrejjwc Motion : for there is no other Sea, or Place
left, where the Return or Reflux fliould be at the fame time. And
this may moft commodioufly be known, by enquiring of the Inhabitants
of Panama and Lima, (where the Atlantic and Southern Oceans are fe-
parated by a fmall Ifthmus ; ) whether the Sea flows on the contrary
Parrs of that Ifthmus, at the fame time, or not.
■SiippofjKg the 113- And this Decifion, or Determination, feems certain, upon a Sup-
E<irtf;i to re- pofitioH of the Stability of the Earth ; but if the Earth revolve, there
z'olve. might thence poffibly happen, from the different Velocity between the
rotatory Motion of the Earth, and the Waters of the Sea, a violent
Protrufion or Compulfion of the Waters in a Heap upwards, fo as to
make the Flux ; and a falling of this Heap downwards, after it could be
kept up no longer, fo as to make the Reflux. But of this a feparate En-
quiry fhould be made. Yet upon this Suppofition, it remains equally
certain, that the Sea muft, of Neceffity, ebb in feme Places, at the
fame time that it flows in others.
The Crucial 1 14. In like manner, let the Nature fought be the latter of thefe two
Inibnce in Motions ; 1/72. the Motion of the Sea fpontaneoiifly rifing up, and fuhfiding
the rifing Mo- p^rain. If it fhould happen, that upon a careful Examination, the pro-
lion of the rr- n » ■ /-1 r ,-, < • n j I I /-> r r-
Sea, gremve Motion we fpeak of mult be rejected ; then the Lrois-way or
this Nature would lie thus ; or go off in three different Roads. For it
May happen muft neceflarily happen, that this Motion, whereby the Waters rife in
three Ways, plowing, and again fall back, in Ebbing, (without any additional Wa-
ters
» Seer,;/. III. p.62i,^c.
Sed:. II. by Prerogative Instances. 495
ters joining them) mull proceed in one ot' thele three Ways ; viz. (i.) either
this Qu.inticy of Waters miift fpring, or flow, from the Bowels of the
Earth; and again fall back into its Receptacle; or, (2.) the Qiiantity
of Water is not enlarged, but only the fame Quantity extended, or
ratified, fo as to poflefs a greater Space, or Dimenfion, and again con-
traded V or, (3.) neither the Quantity nor the Bulk, is enlarged ; but
the Waters, remaining both of the fame Weight and Denfity, arc raifed
by fome Attractive Virtue, that draws them upwards, and calls them forth
by Confent ; and then permits them to go again.
115. Therefore, dropping the two other Motions", let the Enquiry, t^^ ^^/y ,/
for Example, be reduced to the laft ; and the Queftion will be, whe- -^ttraaion
ther any fuch Rifing may hapi:)en by a Confent, or Attra£live Virtue. ^^^^^^^-^^ ""
And here, in tlie firft Place, it is manifeft, that all the Waters, as they
lie colleded in the Cavity, or Bafon, of the Sea, cannot be lifted up in one
Mafs together, for want of fomcwhat to fucceed them at the bottom '' ;
and therefore, tho' they had any fuch Appetite of raifing thcmfelves,
yet it would be broken and prevented by the ConneSlion of Tkings, or as
the common Phrafe is, by Nature's Abhorrence, or Dread of leaving a
Vijctfum behind. It remains, therefore, tliat they muft rife in one part ;
and confequently be diminifhed, and give way in another : whence again
it will follow, that thsAttraSirve Virtue, as it cannot operate equally upon
the Whole, muft operate ftrongly upon the Middle, fo as to raife the
Waters there ; and when they are thus raifed, the Shoars will be fuccef-
fively left, or forfaken by the Waters *.
116. Thus, at length, we come to the Crucial Inflame. "? ox \i \X.ht (fhe Crucial
found, that in the Ebbing of the Sea, the Surface of the Water is more Ir.ftance in
arched, and fpherical, whilfb the Waters rife up in the Middle, and leave '^'" ^"-'"^"
the Sides, that is, the Shoars, fliallow ; and if in the Flowing, the fame
Surface fhall become more flat and equal, vi-z. whilft the Waters return to
their former Situation ; then it may doubtlefs be admitted, that the Sea -
rifes by AitraBion : or otherwife it fhoukl be totally rejedled. And it
were not difficult to try, by the Sounding-L.ine in Streights, whether in the
Tide of Ebb towards the middle of the Sea, the Sea be not deeper or
higher than in the Tide of Flood. But if this fhall prove the Cafe, it
muft be obferved, that, contrary to the common Opinion, the Waters
rife in the Ebb, and fall in the Flood ; fo as in the latter only to cover
and overflow the Shores '.
117. Again i
* Sec above, \. 114.
f Nothing, by Suppofition, could here fucceed but atmofpherical Air.
1 As is now generally allowed to be the Cafe. See Sir Ij'nac Newt<in'% Theory of the Tides, ex-
plained by Dr. Halley in the Pbilofophical Tranfafiicns, N 226
' For more to this purpoi'e, fee the Author's Effaf upon the EbbtKg and Fleming tf the Sea,
Vol. III. p. 614. And compare it wkh Sir I/aac Neuito/i'i Principia, Lib. III. Prop. 24. and
Dr. Gregory's JJironomy, Lib. IV. Prop. 64, 65.
496
The apparent
diurnal Mo-
tion of the
Heavens.
A Crucial In-
ftance therein.
The Copernl-
can Motion of
the Heavens
ar,d Earth,
whether real
or Jiiiitious,
"The Way of jhortemng "Enquiries ; Fart II.
117. Again ; let the Nature fought be the spontaneous Motion of Rota-
tion; and in particular, ivbether the Diurnal Motion.^ whereby the Sun and
Stars rife and fet, to the Sight, be a true Motion of Rotation in the heavenly
Bodies ; or only apparent in them., and real in the Earth. The following
may be a Crucial Inftance in this Enquiry. If any Motion, from Eait
to Weft, is found in the Ocean, tho' it be ever fo Imguid and feeble -,
if the fame Motion be found fomewhat quicker in the Air, efpe-
cially between the Tropicks, where, becaufe o: the larger Circles, it will
be more perceptible ; if the fame Motion be found brisk and ftrong in
the lower Comets -, if the fam.e Motion be found in the Planets, fo dif-
penfed and proportioned, that the nearer it comes to the Earth, the
flower it proves, and the farther off the quicker -, but quickeft of all in
the Sphere of the Fixed Stars ; then doubtlefs the Diurnal Morion fliould
be received for real in the Heavens, and the Motion of the Earth be re-
jeded : becaufe it would then be manifeft, that the Motion from Eaft
to Weft is perfectly Cofmical % and by Confent of the Univerfe ; which
having the greateft Velocity in the greateft Heights ol the Eleavens, gra-
dually decreafes ; and at length terminates, and comes to nothing, in what
is immovable ; viz. the EartL
118. On the other hand, let the Nature enquired into be that other
Motion of Rotation, fixmous among Aftronomers, and oppofite and con-
trary to the Diurnal Motion ; viz. the Motion/rc;« ff'^efl to Eajl ; which the
Aftronomers attribute to the Planets and Sphere of the Fixed Stars ; but Co-
pernicus and his Followers affign likewife to the Earth : and let it be
fought whether there is any fuch Motion in Nature ' ; or whether it be
only imaginary, and fuppofed for the Readinefs and Convenience of
Calculation, and the fake of the Beauty and Regularity of a Syftem ; fo as
10 make the Celeftial Motions performed in perfe6l Circles.
119. This Motion is by no means proved true and real in the higher
celeftial Bodies ; neither from hence, that a Planet does not, in its
diurnal Motion, return to the larne fixed Star again •, nor from hence,
that the Poles of the Zodiac differ from the Poles of the World :
which are the two Things whereon this Motion is founded. For, the
fiift Phcencmenon is well folved, by the Suppofition of Antecedence and
Derelidion ; and the fecond, by fpiral Lines : fo that the Inequality of
the Revolution, and the Declination to the Tropicks, may be rather Modi-
fications of the fame diurnal Motion, than contrary Motions, or per-
formed about different Poles. And if we may here, for once, fide with
the Vulgar, and leave the Fictions of Aftronomers and the Schools, (who
in many Cafes, without Reafon, offer Violence to the Senfes, and rather
affeft Obfcuricies,) we judge this Motion to be to the Seufe, fuch as we
have
' Viz.. As belonging to the whole Syftem of Things.
' See below, §. 120.
Sc<fl. II. by Prerogative Instances. 497
have above defcrib'd ic, from a Model \vc once had purpolely made, of
Iron Wire, to rcprefent ic".
120. But ic may be a Crucial Lijlance in this Enquiry, if it fhall ht -^ Cnicj,i! In-
found, from any Hiftory worthy of Credit, that there was a Corner, which-^-^":'' '" ''-"
did noc revolve in a m.inifeft Confent (tho* ever fo irregularly) with "■'"'
the vifible Diurnal Motion ; but rather to the oppofice Part of che
Heavens : for then it will be free to judge that fome fuch Motion, con-
trary to the vifible Diurnal Rotation, may exift in Nature. But if no-
thing of this Kind can be found, fuch a Motion fhould not be embraced ;
but Recourfe be iiad to other Crucial Iiiftances about it*'.
121. Again; fuppofe the Nature fought was Gravity, this will \)Q'rhe C^ufe of
the Crofs-Kcad ". Heavy and ponderous Bodies muft either have a natu- '^"^"^'
rai Tendency to the Centre of the Earth, on account of their proper Me-
chanifm, or elfe be attraifled by the corporeal Mafs thereof; as by a
Collection of Bodies of the fame Nature ; and fo be carried to it by
Confent.
122. If the latter be the Caufe, it will follow, that the nearer all
heavy Bodies approach to the Earth, the ftronger, and with the greater
Force and Velocity, they will tend to it ; but the farther they are from
it, the weaker and the flower ; and this to a certain Diftance : whence,
if they were removed fo lar from the Earth, as that the Virtue thereof
could noc a<ft upon chem •, they would remain pendulous, like the Earth
itfelf, without falling *'.
123. And, with regard hereto, this may be a Crucial Inftance, Take -^ Crucial Is-
a Clock that moves by Weights, and another that moves by a Steel ^""^^ tbereta.
Spring ; let them be exactly adjufted, that neither of chem may go
fafter than che other ; place the Clock that goes with Weights, upon
the Top of fome very high Building ; keep the other below ; then care-
fully obferve if the Clock above move flower than ufual, on Account
of the diminifh'd Virtue of its Weight. Let the fime Experiment be
made in the deepeft Mines ; to fhew whether fuch a Clock will not
move fafter there, for the contrary Reafon ; and if the Virtue of the /*■'
Weights fhall be found diminifh'd above, and increas'd below the Sur-
face of the Earth, let the Attraftion of the terreftrial Mafs be receiv^ed
as the Caufe of Weight, or Gravity ".
1 24. Again -, let the Nature fought be the Ferticity of the magnetic The Vertidty
Needle; and the Crofs-Way will be this. The Touch of the Magnet 'Z'*^^'^"^^-
muft either, of itfelf, neceflarily give Iron the Property of pointing North
and South ; or elfe only excite and prepare, or fit the Iron for the
Purpofe ; and the Motion itfelf, (as Gilbert conceives, and laborioufly en-
" See above, §. 117. and Vol.ll. p. 15, l^c.
" See the Author's Specimen of Animated AftroMtny, Vol. II. p. 15 — 46.
" See above, ^. 105.
>■ Compare this with Sir Ifaac Kextcn^s Lotos of Motion. See his Princip. in init.
* See Sir Ifaac Netvto/i'a Principia, paffim.
Vol. II. Si( deavours
498
A Crucial In-
ftance hi the
Caje.
of ti>-e Muon ;
i^. i^ejiion.
The Crucial
Inftanca
therein.
Tloe Way of fjorteniiig Enquiries -, Part II.
deavours to prove,) be given by the Prefence of the Earth : and, there-
fore, the Particulars which he has, with much Sagacity and Indullry,
difcover'd, amount to this -, that an Iron Nail, which has long continued
in the Diredion of North and South, may, by that mere Continuance,
receive a Verticity ; without the Touch of the Magnet : as if the Earth
itfelf, tho' it operates weakly, by reafon of its Diftance, (for the Surfice,
or external Cruft of the Earth, has no magnetic Virtue, according to
him,) fhould yet, in fo great a Length of Time, fiipply the Defedt of
the Loadftone ; excite the Iron -, and afterwards make it comply, when
thus excited. And, again ; that if ignited Iron be quenched, pointing
in the Diredion of North and South, it alfo receives a Verticity, witii-
out the magnetic Touch ; as if the Parts of the Iron, put in Motion
by the Ignition, and afterwards contrafting themfelves, in the very In-
ftant of quenching, were more fufceptive and fenfible of the Virtue ri-
fing from the Earth, than at another Time ; and thence become ani-
mated : but thefe Particulars, tho' well obferved, do not clearly prove
his Point.
125. This may be a Crucial Injiance in the prefent Cafe. Mark the
Poles of a Terella, and place them Eaft and Weft -, then lay an un-
touched Needle thereon, and let it remain for fix or feven Days. The
Needle, no doubt, whilft it lies upon the Magnet, will quit the Poles
of the World ; and conform to thofe of the Magnet ; and, therefore, as
long as it remains thus, it points Eaft and Weft. But if the Needle
fhall be found, when removed from the Tcrella, or Magnet, and placed
upon its Pin, immediately to turn North and South •, or by degrees to
move into that Diredtion •, then the Earth's Pref.nce is to be admitted
for the Caufe : but if it turns as before, Eaft and W^eft ; or lofes its
Verticity ; then that Caufe Ihould be accounted doubtful ; and farther
Enquiry be made ".
126. In like manner, let the Subjed of Enquiry be the Suhjiance of
the Moon, to determine whether it be rare, flamy, or aerial, as many
of the ancient Phllofophers conceived •, or folid and denfe, as Gilbert.,
with many of the Moderns, and fome of the Ancients, contend. The
Reafons of the latter Opinion depend chiefly upon this, that the Moon
reflects the Rays of the Sun -, and that Light appears to be reflefted by
none but folid Bodies. And, therefore, it there are any, thofe m.iy be
reckon'd Crucial Injlances., with regard to this Subjedl, which demonftrate
that Refledion may be made by a rare Body, as Flame is, provided it
be fufBciently thick.
127. And, doubtlefs, one Caufe of the Twilight, among others, is
the Refledlion of tlie Sun's Rays from the upper Part of the Air.
We fometimes fee the Rays, of the Sun reflecied in clear Evenings,
from the Edges of dewy Clouds, with a more refplendent Brightnefs than
tliat
» See the Sjha Sylvarum, under tlie Article Magntiifm,
Sed. II. by Prerogative Instances. 499
tli.ic afiordcd by the Body of the Moon i and yet it is not certain that
thofe Clouds are colkded into a dcnfe Body of Water. So Jikewife,
we fee that the dark Air behind a Window, by Night, refledts the
Light of a Candle, as well as a denfe Body.
1 28. Experinient alio ihould be made of tranfmitting the Sun's Rays
thro' a Hole, upon a dufky, or blue Flame : for the free, open, and un-
confined Rays of the Sun, falling upon obfcure Flames, fcem to deaden
them -, and make them appear rather like white Fumes than Flames ''.
And thefe are Inllances that occur for the prefcnt, to fliew the Nature and
Uie of the Crucial Injlames, with regard to this Subject: tho', doubtlcfs,
better may be found for the purpofe. But let it always be oblerved,
that a Refledion from Flame is not to be expected, unlefs the Flame
be of fome Depth, Thicknefs, or Body ; for otherwife it inclines to
Tranfparency. But tliis is to be held certain, that Liglit, in an uni-
form Subftance, is always either received and tranfmitted, or re-
fleded ".
11^. Again; let the Nature fought be Proje£Iile Motion, as the Motion The Motion of
of a Dart, an Arrow, a Bullet, i^c. thro' the Air. This Motion the ProjeaUes.
Schools, according to their Cuftom, have Qightly pafs'd over, efleeming
it fufEcient to dillinguifli it by the Name of Violent Motion, from that
they call Natural;- and for the firft Impulfe, fatisfying themfelves with
this, that two Bodies cannot be in the fame Place, otherwife a Penetra-
tion of Dimenfions would enfue ; without at all regarding the continued
Progrefs of this Motion ''.
130. The Crofs-Way here lies thus. This Motion is either caufed by The Cro/s-
the Air propelling and gathering itfelf behind the Projcdile ; as ^"y '^^""f-
the Water does behind a Ship ; and the Winds behind the Chaff
which they blow away, &c. or elfe by the Parts of the Body not fu-
ftaining the Impulfe ; but urging forwards to relax themfelves, by Suc-
ceflion, from the impelling Force. Fracajtorius, and nearly all thofe who
have made any fubtile Enquiry into this Motion, take the firll Path :
nor can it be queftion'd, but the Air has fome Share herein -, tho', doubt-
lefs, the other Motion is the true one ; as appears from numerous Expe-
riments.
131. But, among the reft, this may be 2i Crucial Injlance to the pur- A Crucial In-
pole -, that a Piece of ftubborn Iron Plate, Wire, a Quili, or the like, /"«'"^ « *h«
being bent in the middle by the Fingers, will when let go, fpontaneoufiy -^'
fly back. Now, it is plain, that this Motion cannot be attributed
to the Air, colledling itfelf behind the Body •, becaufe the Origin of
die Motion is in the Middle of the Plate, Wire, or Quill i and not in
the Extremities, or Eads ^.
^ See Sir Ifaac Ne:ototCs Optics, paffim ; and Dr. Hook\ LeSures of Light.
' See'.' Colours, iaiii>'^t Ijuac Nezutoii'i Optics.
■< See / 1J07.
' See tnc ii^./j up'jn I^Usnt and Pr:je3ile Motion, Vol. HI. p. 606, b'f-
S f f 2 132, A_ain;"
^oo 'The Way of portenhig E?iquirks ; PartlL
The Expavfion 1 32. Again; let the Nature fought be the rapid and prrjoerful Ex-
of Gunpowder panfton of Gunpowder into Flame ; whereby fuch vaft Mafie? of Building
tntoFlame. ^j.g overturn'd ; and fuch great Weights thrown to a confiderable Di-
ftance ; as we fee fee in the Springing of Mines, tlie Firing of Mor-
tars, i£c. The double Road here lies thus. This Motion is either ex-
cited by the mere Appetite of the Body, to dilate itfelf, after it is kx.
on Fire ; or by a mix'd Appetite of the crude Spirit of the Nitre, which,
with great Rapidity, avoids and flics from Fire -, and violently burfts out
TheCrofs. from the midft thereof, as from a Prifon. The Schools, and the vulgar
RW. Opinion, here confider only the former Appetite : for Men liave thought
they philofophized notably, in aiTerting Flame to be endowed, by the
Form of the Element, with a necefiary Quality of poflefling a larger
Space, than the fame Body poffefs'd when it had the Form of Gun-
powder ; and that this Motion muft from thence enfue.
133. But here they obferve not, that, tho' this be true, upon Sup-
pofition the Flame is ready generated ; yet the Generation of Flame
may be hinder'd by a Mafs of Matter, able to fupprefs and fuffocate if,
fo that the Thing may not be reduced to the Neceffity they fpeak of.
Indeed, as to the Neceffity of the Expanfion, and the confequent Ex-
plofion, or Difcharge of the Bullet, or obftrufting Body, when the
Flame is generated ; they judge rightly : but this Neceffity is plainly
avoided, if the folid Body fupprefs or prevent the Flame, before it is
generated. And we fee, tliat Flame, efpecially in its firft Generation, is
foft, and gentle ; requiring a Cavity wherein to play, and exert it-
felf; v/hence fuch a Violence cannot be attributed to Flame of it-
felf.
134. Without Doubt, the Generation of this flatulent Flame, or, as
it were, fiery Wind, arifes from a Conflift of two Bodies, that have very
different Natures -, the one being highly inflamable, which is the Nature
powerful m Sulphur ■, the other highly impatient of Flame, which is the
Cafe in the crude Spirit of the Nitre : whence a wonderful Conflid
arifes; the Sulphur immediately catching all the P'lame it is capable of;
and the Spirit of Nitre burfting forth with all its Violence ; at the fame
Time dilating itfelf, as Air, Water, and all crude Bodies do, when af-
fefted by Heat ; and whilfl: it breaks forth, and flies off every Way, it
blows up the Flame of the Sulphur, as it were, with internal Bellows r
the Willow-Coal, in the Compofition, ferving for little more, than to
incorporate, and commodioufly unite, the Sulphur and Salt-Petre to-
gether ^
TheCrucial 135. But the Crucial Inflances upon this Subjedl might be of two Kinds ;
hiftances in ^^ gy,(. ^ith peg irn to thofe Bodies which are moft inflammable, as Sul-
^^^ ^K-^ds"'^ phur, Campiiirc, Naphtha, ^c. with their Mixtures; and which, if not
otherwrfe
f See the Effay upon the Caufe of the M^ition efExplofioih io Gum and Gunpowder, Vol. Ill
p. 6j].
Sc(5l. II. ^ Prerogative Instances. 501
otherwile hindered, take Flame more cafily than Gunpowder : from whence ne ^ry?.
it is plain, that the Appetite of Inflammability does not, of itfelf, pro-
duce this ftupendous Effeft.
136. The aber Kind is, of thofe Bodies which refift and repel ?"^^/^«'J'^-
Flame, as all Salts do : for we find, when thefe are thrown into the
Fire, a watery Spirit breaks out, with a crackling Noife, before they
take Flame ; which the more ftubborn kind of Leaves 5 do alfo, m a
gentler manner ; their aqueous Part burfting forth before their oily Part
takes Flame. But this appears more eminently in Qulckfilver, which is
not improperly called a foflll, or metallic Water: for Quickfilver, without
taking Flame, almofl: rivals the Force of Gunpowder, by bare F.ruption
and fimple Expanfion *" ; and being mix'd with Gunpowder^ is faid to increafe
the Strength thereof '.
137. Lallly, let the Subjeft of Enquiry be the Tranfttor^ Nature ofThe tranfitorf
Flame, and its momentary Extiu£lion : for the flamy Nature does not with ^^■^'^^^ 'f
us appear perm.anent, and at a ftay ; but to be momentarily generated,
and prefcntiy after extinguifhed again. It is manifeft, that in the Flame
here fuppofed to be continued and durable, the Duration is not of the
fame individual Flame ; but happens by a Succeffion of new Flame, regularly
generated, without continuing numerically the fame-, as eafily appears from
hence, that if the Fewel or Aliment be taken away, the Flame prefently
goes out.
138. The two Ways in this Subject lie thus. The momentaneous TJ^ Crofs-
Nature proceeds either from a Rcmiffion of the Caufe that firfl: pro- ^'"^•
duced it, as in Light, Sounds, and thofe called violent Motions •, or elfe
from hence, that Flame, in its own Nature, cannot fubfift here below
without fuflering, and being defl;roy'd, by the contrary Natures around it.
139. This, therefore, may be a Crucial Inflame in the Cafe. '^^i^„[""„ /^J
fee in great Conflagrations, that Flames will afcend to a confiderable ^^/^.
Height ; for the wider the Bafis of the Flame, the higher its Vertex
rifes ; and therelbre Extindtion appears to begin about the Sides, where
the Flame is comprefs'd, and oppofed by the Air : but the inner Parts
of the Flame, untouch'd by the Air, and every where furrounded by
other Flame, remain numerically the fame-, without being extinguifh'd,
till they come to be gradually fqueezed by the Air diffufed about the
Sides : and therefore all Flame is pyramidal, or large in its Bafis, about
the Fewel, but fharp at the Vertex -, the Air being its Antagonift,
and not fupplying Fewel. But the Smoak, which is narrower about the
Bafis, dilates itfelf m afcending, and becom.es like an inverted Pyramid •,
becaufe
f Such, in particular, as Tvy, Bays, i^c.
^ That is, fuppofing the Quickfilver clofe confined and heated, as it might be, to fhew the
Thing, in a Gun-barrel, with the Touch-hole (lopped, and the Charge hard rammed down with
Paper, i3'c.
■ Conkicr of tht ji:iru"i Fulminans i the common Pulvis Fu.'mifians ; the Wsys of making
the Mercuriui Fulminan< ; and the Means of increafing the Strength cf Gunpowder, by Sals of
Tartar, Prtcifitaied Metals, &c.
5<^2 T^he J/Fay of Jljortening Enquiries; Part II.
becaufc the Air receives Smoak, but comprcfles or fqueezes Flame. And
let no one fondly imagine, that Flame is Air fet on fire ; for Flame
and Air appear perfeftly heterogeneous \
Afccond Cru- 140. We might have a more accurate Crucial Inftance to this Purpofe,
ciallnjlar.ee. if the Thing could be manifefted by Flames of different Colours. Take,
therefore, a fmall metalline Difli, and fix therein a fmall Wax-taper
lighted ; fet the Diili in a wider Veflel, and pour Spirit of Wine round
it, in a moderate Quantity, fo as not to touch the upper Rim or Edge
of the Difli ; fire the Spirit of Wine, and tliis will exhibit a bluilh
Flame ; but the Wax-taper one that is yellower : and now let it be ob-
ferved, whether the Flame of the Taper remains pyramidal ; which may
eafily be diftinguiflied through the blue-colour'd Flame of the Spirit of
W^ine, (for Flames do not prefently mix as aqueous Liquors do ;) or whe-
ther it tends not to a fpherical Figure ; as there is nothing prefent to
deftroy or comprefs it. And if the latter prove to be the Cafe, it may
be held certain, that Flame remains numerically the fime, fo long as it
is furrounded by other Flame, without feeling the hoftile Effeft of the
Air \
7hefe Crucial 141. KvAio TVi\xc}s\{or Crucial Inftances ; upon which we have been the
Injlancei, -aihy fuUgr, that Men may gradually learn and accuftom themfelves to judge
dwelnipln. ^^ Nature by Injlances of the Crofs j and Exj)erif!ieiits of Light ; and not
by probable Reafoningi "".
Aphorism XXXVII.
Inftances of -^^i. In the fifteenth Place, zxviOVi^ P rerogative Inftances, come the /«-
Divorce. fiances of Divorce ; which indicate the Separation of fuch Natures as fre-
quently meet or come together. Thefe differ from the SubjunffiveKind, or
htflan-ces fubjoined to Accompa7t'jing Inflances " ; becaufe thofe indicate the
Separation of a Nature from a Concrete, wherein it familiarly appears ;
but thefe the Separations of one Nature from another. Thefe alio differ
from Crucial Inflances, as determining nothing -, but only admonifliing us
of the Separability of one Nature from another.
Their Ufc. 143. Their Ufe is to difcover/rz//^ Forms ° ; and to diffipate fuperficial
Notions and Speculations arifing from obvious Things ; fo that they add,
as it were, Ballafi to the Underflanding.
144. For
*= Dr. Hook''s Leisures of Light, paflim.
' This is a fubtile Experiment, and of great Moment. See Vo!. Ill-, p.
■" Which are Endlefs, and lead to no iblid Determinations. And by this Time, if the Reader
has been tolerably attentive and diligent, he will have a clear Perception of the fuperior Excel-
lence and Ufe of th's Doctrine of Prerogative Iiijinncei ; and he enabled, in fome tolerable De-
gree, to profecnte £//£///>/>j by their Means; in order to the full Invelligation and Difcovery of
the Fonm of Things. But the Author's larger Examples, that occur in the third Volume, will
render the whole Itill plainer.
" See above, Jph. 33 and 34.
° See below, §. 144.
Sect. II. ^Prerogative In sTANCJ-s. 503
144. For Example, let die Subject of Enquiry be thoie four Namrcs £.v,„;_f/,^^^
whicli Tdejhis calls Chamber-fcUozvs ; as if tliey came ouc of the fame in Heat,
M 00m ; vi;s. Heat, Lkht, RaiL'\; and Mchility, or Aptnefs to Motion. ^'S^'' ^,"^'.'
1T 1 . 1 i- X. ;• I 1 I J » .1 ty and Mibi-
Now tho thefe Natures lecm to be nearly related, yet there are many /,,^
InJ] (Dices of Divorce found among them: for, (1.) the Air is rare, and
ready to Motion, but not hot or fhining ; (2.) the Moon is lucid, with-
out Heat -, (j.) Water is hoc without Light ; (4.) the Motion of the
magnetic Needle in the Compafs, is fwift and nimble ; yet that Needle
is a cold, dcnfe and opaque Body : and there are many other Examples
of this Kind ^
145. Again •, let the Suhjeft of Enquiry be the Corporeal Nature, and I" '^{p'l"'-
Naturd Aclioti : for N.itural A6lion feems to be no where found, ^^^ ^^ '^j „a!ural'
it fubfifts in fome BoJy or other: and yet with regard hereto, there jj^ion.
may, perhaps, be hijlances of Divorce % as in the magnetic Action fuppofe,
where Iron is attraflL-d to the Loadftone ; and heavy Bodies to the Globe
of the Earth •■, to which may likewife be added fome other Operations Magnetical
performed at a Diltance. For this Kind of Adlion is both performed in ■^^"n "» {"-
Time, by fucceffive Moments, or not inftantaneoufly ; and in Place, hy ■^''"'^^ °-f ^''
Degrees, and through Space : whence, confequentiy, there is fome Moment
of Time, and fome Diftance of Place, wherein this Virtue, or Atlion,
muft be in the middle, between the two Bodies that caufe the Motion.
146. The Confidcration, therefore, amounts to this ; whether the Bo-
dies, which are the Boundaries of the Motion, difpofe or alter the in-
termediate Bodies, fo as that by Succefllon, and real Contaft, the Virtue
may (lide from Poi.it to Point ; and in the mean time exift in the in-
termediate Body : or whether there be nothing of this Kind, befides the
Bodies, the Virtue, and the Space, or Diftance.
147. Now in the Cafe of the Rays of Light, Sounds, Heat, and fome
other Things operating at a Diftance ; 'tis probable, that the interme-
diate. Bodies are afiefted and altered : the rather becaufe a qualified Me-
dium is required to convey fuch Operations. Bat the magnetic or at-
tracfive Virtue pafles through all Mediums indifferently ; tor it is not
hindered by any o;;e. But if this Virtue or Adtion is independant on
the intermediate BoJy ; it follows, that it is a natural Power, or Adion,
fubfifting, for a Time, in fome Place, witnout a Body ; fince it neither
fubfilrs i;i the termin.itingnor intermediate Bodies. And hence the magnetic
Action may be an Injlance of Divorce, in me Subject of Corporeal and Na-
tural Afiion.
148. To this may be added, by way of Corollary, the following con- ^Ccro/z^jr?
fiderdbleDifcovery ; viz. that by philofophizing, even according to Senfe, 2. from it.
Proof may be had of the Exiftence of feparated and incorporeal Beings
a;nd
p By comparing this with ^/ii". 4. of the prcfent Part, the Ufe of thefe /;//?«wJ?/, in difcover-
mgfa/fcFormi, will fufHciently appear.
504 T'he Way of pjorte7iw.g Rfiquiries ; Part II.
nnd Subftances : for if natural Virtues and Adtions, flowing from a Body,
may fubfift without a Body, for fome time, in Space, or Place -, 'tis
ponible that fuch Virtues or Atlions may proceed originally from an in-
corporeal Subftance ; for a corporeal Nature feems no lefs required to
fupport and convey, than to excite and generate, a natural Adion.
Aphorism XXXVIII.
Inflantes of ^49» Now follow five Orders of Inflames^ which by one general Ex-
Light. preffion, we term Inftances of Light, or Injlances of pi-imarj, and original In-
formation ; being fuch as adminifter to the Senfes : for as all Interpreta-
tion of Nature begins from Senfe ; and, from the Perception of the Senfes,
leads, in a ftrait, continued and guarded Path, to the Perceptions of the
Underjlanding, which are true Notions and Axioms ; it necefliirily follows,
that the more copious and exaft the Reprefentations or Informations of
the Senfe Ihall be, the more eafy and fuccefsful every Thing elfe will
prove ^.
Ratigeil into 1 50. The firji of thefe five Orders of Inftances of Light, are fuch as
JveOrden. ^ ftrengthen, enlarge and refbify the immcdi;ite Adions of the Senfes, The
fecond, are fuch as bring down infenfible Things to fenfible. The thirds
are fuch as indicate the continued Proceflx^s, or Series, of thofe Things
and Motions, which remain generally unobferved in their End or Period.
The fourth, fubftitute fomewhat to the Senfe, in thofe Cafes that leave it
perfcdly deftitute. And the fifth, raife the Attention and Edge of the
Senfe •, and at the fame time limit the Subtiky of Things. To each of
thefe five Kinds we fliall fpeak in their Order ^
Aphorism XXXIX.
Inftances of 151- In the fixteenth Place, we therefore range Inflames of Entrance,
Entrance. or Inftances of the Portal ; by which we mean thofe that affift the im-
mediate Aftions of the Senfes. But of all the Senies, the Sight has the
chief Prerogative in Point of Information ; and, therefore. Helps are prin-
cipally to be fought for the Improvement of the Sight. And thefe Helps
Of three may appear of three Kinds •, viz. (i.) fuch as enable us to fee Things that
Kinds for the ^^^ otherwife invifible ; (2.) fuch as enable us to fee Things at a greater
'^ ' Diftance ; and, (3.) fuch as caufe to fee more exafUy and diftindly.
Viz.[\.)Mi- 152. (i.) Of the firft Kind are the newly invented Microfcopes, which
crofcopes. fhew the latent, and otherwife invifible fmall Parts of Bodies •, and their
fecret Textures and Motions, remarkably increafed in the Magnitude of
the Objedl j by means whereof, the exaft Figure and Lineaments of the
Body
<i This Paragraph being fundamental and leading, requires to be well underftood and remem-
bred ; the Bufinefs of raifing Axioms depending upon it.
' See below, Jph. 39—43.
3
Se»5l. II. by Prerogative Instances. 505
Body of the minuted Creatures -, fuch as Flies, Fleas, Mites, ^c. as alfo
Colours and Morions, before invifible, may be feen, in a delightful, and
furprizing manner'.
153. And here, as is ufual in new and ftrange Difcoveries, a iwi^tx- The Error ta
llitious Obfervation has crept into the Minds of Men ; as if this Inven- '^'^"'^ '!"3
tion of Microfcopes did Honour to the Works of Nature, but Dif- ^/^^Sfj'^"
honour to the Works of Art, by fhewing the one much finer than the
o:her*: whereas the Truth only is, that natural Textures ate much more
ilibcile, than artificial ones. For thefe Microfcopes arc only of Ufe in
the Cafe of minute Objedts ; fo that \i Deinocritus had (ctn them, he would
perhaps have rejoiced, and imagined a Way was now difcovcred for
rendering the Atoms vifible, which he pronounced to be no Objeft of Sight.
154. But the Unfuitablencfs and Infufficiency of thefe Micrrfco[es, ^"x.- jnconvenienee
ccpt for very minute Bodies, (and then only when fuch minute Bodies o/'/i'<r Coa/r/-
are not Parts of larger) deftroys the Ufe of the Invention : which, if it ^"n"-
cou'd be extended to large Bodies, or to fmall Particles of large Bodies,
in the Piece, after the Manner of making a Piece of fine Lawn, appear
like a Net -, fo as that by this Means the latent fmall Particles and Inequa-
lities of Gems, Liquors, Urine, Blood, Wounds, and many other Things
might be diilinguilhed ; great Conveniencies would doubtlefs arife from the
Difcovery ".
115. 0( the fecofid Kind, are Telefcopes ; which were nobly attempted (3.) ^'^^^A"/"'*
and difcovered by Galilcuo ; by means whereof, as by Boats or little Ships
of Intelligence, a nearer Commerce may be opened and carried on with
the Celeftial Bodies". For by the Help of thefe Glafles, (i.) the milky jy^ Difceve-
JVay appears to be a Knot or Clufter of little Stars, perfeftly feparate rics made by
and diftincl ; of which the Ancients had but a bare Sufpicion. (2.) And their Means.
again, by their Means it fhould feem, that the Planetary Regions con-
tain more Stars befides the direft Planets*; and that the Heavens may-
begin to be fpangled with Stars at a great Diftance below the Sphere of
the Fixed Stars ; tho' with fuch only as are invifible, without the Help
of Telefcopes. And, again i (3.) by their Afllftance, we may behold
the Motion of thole fmall Stars, or Satellites, about the Planet Jtqiter ;
fro.ii whence it may be conjectured, that the Revolutions of the Stars
have regard to feveral Centres". (4.) Again; by their Means, the lumi-
« See Dr. Hoik'i Micografbia, Dr. Poti/er's Experiments, and Leuweiiboeck^s Obfervafions,
pajftm-
' Becaufe fome Microfcopical Obfervers, upon viewing the Point of a Needle, or other
the fineft Works of the Hand, and comparing thefe with the Hairs, or downy Feathers of Ani-
mals, ijc. find the former to be courfe, rough, and unfiniflied, in comparifon of the latter ;
and thence fondly extol the Excellence of the Works of Nature, above thole of Art.
" But no confiderable Improvement of this Kind h.is hitherto appeared; the greatell Magni-
fiers bcmg the fmalle.fl Globules, or Spheres of Glafs. See Sir Ij'a/ic\ Newton's Optics ; Dr. Hioi's
LeBures of Light, and Micrographia ; and the Elements of Dioptrics in Wolfius^i Elementa Ma-
thejeos Univerfte. Tom. II. p. 284.
- See Fol. III. p. 17.
» Viz. The Satellites of Jupiter, Isc.
T .As in Sir Ifaec Newtoii's Syjiem they are found to have.
Vol. II. T t t nous
5^6 *]*he Way of Jhortening Enquiries ; Part IL.
nous and opaque Inequalities are more diftinftly perceived and afcertained
in the Moon ; from whence a geographical Defcription might be made
thereof ^ (5.) And, laftjy ; by means of thefe Glaffes, Spots in the
Sun, and other Things of that Kind, appear to the Sight : all which are,
doubtlefs, noble Difcoveries, fo far as they may be fafely depended upon
for real. But, indeed, I the rather incline to fufpeft them, becaufe Ex-
perience feems wholly to reft in thefe few Particulars, without difcover-
ing, by the fame Means, numerous others, equally worthy of Search
and Enquiry*.
(3.) hiftru- ^ 156. (3.) Of the third Kind, are thofe Stafs, Jjlrolahes, and the like
meats rf Sight Inftruments, for meafuring Diftances ; which not only enlarge and improve
//i. '*^ Sight-, but alfo reftify and direft \i\ And as for the Injtances that
affift both this, and the other Senfes, in their immediate and individual
Adlions, without affording any Information beyond that Affiftance ;.
we here omit them, as making nothing to the prefent Purpofe. And
hence we do not mention the Contrivances for correfting any particur
hr Defeft of the Sight -, becaufe thefe afford no farther Information.
(17.) Sammon-
ing Inftances.
Caufe fhing!
to appear.
Tht JVays
wherein
Things efcape
the Senfes.
SulftUution
to ie ufed in
the fir ft Way
Aphorism XL.
157. In the. feventeenlh Place, among Prerogative Inftances, come thoft
we call Sujnmoning or Citing Inftances ; borrowing the Term from the
Bar ; where Perfons are fummoned, or cited to appear, who did not
appear before: And, accordingly, thefe Inftances bring down infenfible
Things, to fuch as are fenfible.
158. Things efcape the Senfes, either, (i.) through the Diftance of the
Objed, as to Place i (2.) through the Interception of interpofing Bo-
dies ; (3.) becaufe the Objeft is unfit to make an Impreffion upon the
Senfe ; (4.) becaufe the Objed is not fufficient, in Quantity, to ftrike the
Senfe ; (5.) becaufe the Time is not proportionate, fo as to aduate the
Senfe ; (6.) becaufe the Percuflion of the Objed is not endured by
the Senfe ; (7.) and laftly ; becaufe an Objed before detained, and pof-
fefs'd the Senle, fo r^s to leave no room foi' a new Motion.
159. And thefe feveral Ways chiefly regard Fifton in the firft Place,
and Touch in the fecond : for thefe two Senfes give Information at large,
and of common Objeds ; but the three others give little Information, be-
fides what is immediate, and relates to their correfponding Objeds.
160. In the ftrft Way tliere is no reducing the Objed to Senfe, except,
v/hcn Things cannot be perceived by reafon of the Diftance, others are
ufcd, or fiibftituted for them, which may excite and ftrike the Senfes
at
" j^3 is done by Hevelius, in his Selenografbia.
' See the Author's Elfay towards a Phihfiphicat Hiffory of the Heavens, Vol. II. p. i^'. And
Sir Ifaa^ tiizutons Ptanelar-^ Sift cm, in the third Book of his Princifia.
° The Inilrumcnts of this JCind are numerous ; :ind their Dcfcriptions frequent in the Wri-
ters upon l':ftruments, Level/ing, Praclieat Mathematics, Navigation, Sec. See thefe Writers
cn'imeratcd it the End of the fecond Tome of fFotfi.'ts'i Elementa Mathefeos UHirerfar.-
Setfi:. II. 4>' ^Prerogative Instances. 507
■AC a great Diftancc : as in giving Signals by the lighting up of Fires,
the ringing of Bcils, fifr.
161. In the fdco mi Way, a Redudion is made, when fuch Things lis RsJuSio» />>
lie conceal'd within, by reafon of the Interpofition of Bodies that cannot ihefa-.tiJ.
beconimodioufly open'd, tire brought to the Senfes, by means of thole
Things v/hich are upon the Surface, or flow from within ; as the State
of th-i human Body is known by the Pulfe, or Urine, and the like.
162. But the Reduvftion in the tJArd ami fourth Ways, regard nume- 7^''^ ■^'"'^«f ''-.
rous Particulars; and ought on all fides to be colleded in Enquiries. ''"^^^^"'J'^^^'j'
Thus, for Example, it appears that the Air, the Spirit, and Things ofyi;,,,^..
that Kind, which in their whole Subilance prove light and fubtilc, can
neither be perceived nor touched : whence in the Enquiry after fuch Bo-
dies, we mufl: neceflarily ufe RedtiLiions. /
163. Suppofe, therefore, the Subjed: of Enquiry were the A5lion lind Examplified
Motion of the Spirit included in iatigible Bodies : for every tangible Body, '» ^^^ -"^" •»»
with us, contains an invifible and untangible Spirit, over which the Body "{/^IjI'"
is drawn like a Garment. And hence arife thofe three powerful Springs,
and that wonderful Procefs, of the Spirit in tangible Bodies. For,
(1.) the Spirit being difcharged out of a tangible Body, the Body contracts
and dries -, (2.) whilft detained, it makes the Body tender, fupple, and
foft ; and, (3.' being neither totally difcharged, nor totally held in, it
informs, flilhions, affimilatcs, ejects, organizes, i^c. And all thefe are
rendered fenfible by vifible Effects'^.
164. For in every tangible, inanimate Body, the included Spirit firi^This Aaion
multiplies itfelf, and, as it were, feeds upon thofe tangible Parts which ''^'^^'■'^'''*
are moft difpofed and prepared for that Purpofe ; and thus digefts, works,
and converts them into Spirit ; till at lafl: they fly off together.
165. And this Bufinefs of making and multiplying the Spirit, is brought //iw /iwifyjw-
down to the Senfe, by the Diminution of the Weight ot the Body : for/^^'-
in all Drying, part of the Quantity goes off ; which is not only the Spirit
that pre-exifted in the Body, but a Part of the Body itfelf ; that was
before tangible, and is now newly converted into Spirit : for the pure
Spirit has no Gravity"^.
1 66. The Emifllon, or Exit, of this Spirit is rendered fenfible by the By the tufting
Rufting of Metals ; and other Corruptioiis or Putrefactions of that Kind ; of Metah.
which (top before they come to the Rudiments of Life : for in the more
compact Bodies, the Spirit finds no Pores and PalTages, through which
to efcape -, and is therefore obliged to protrude the tangible Parts, and
^ This requires to be well underftood ; and is explained in what follows : but for farther ■*
Information, fee the Sylva Sylvarum, and Hiftory of Life and Death, palTim.
^ In the Air at leaft ; as being fpecifically lighter than Air. But whether any thing farther be
here meant by Spirit having no Gravity, will beft appear from the Author's Hijhry of Life
and Death ; the Hiftory of Condenfation and Rarification, hz. See in particular. Vol. III.
p. 419, 420, 422, 524» 556, i^c. See alfo below, \. 175,
T 1 1 2 drive
5^8 iTje TVay of porte7ting Enquiries ; Part II.
drive them before it j fo as to make them iflue at the fame time : whence
proceeds Ruft, and the like '.
The prinilng 1 67. But the Contraction of the tangible Parts, after fome of the
rf Bodies. Spirit is difcharged, upon which Drinefs enfues, is made fenfible by the
increafed Hardnefs of the Body •, but much more by the fubfequent
cracking, or fplitting of the Body ; and the contracting, wrinkling, and
and overwrapping of the Parts. Thus the Parts of Wood crack, or
fplit afunder, and are contrafted ; Skins wrinkle •, and if the Spirit be
fuddenly forced out by the Heat of Fire, they fhrink fo faft as to curl
and roll themfeves up '', i£c.
Whence the 168. On the other hand, where the Spirit is detained, and yet dilated
different Ef- and excited by Heat, or fomething analagous thereto, (as happens in the
feas of Heat, jj^qj.^ ^q|j^^ q^ tenacious Bodies) then the Body is either foften'd, as in
the Cafe of ignited Iron ; or flows, as in melted Metals ; or liquifies, as
in diflblved Rofin, Wax, l£c. therefore thefe contrary Operations
of Heat, hardening fome Bodies, and liquifying others, are eafily re-
conciled -, becaufe in the firft Cafe the Spirit is driven out ; but agitated
and detained in the fecond : the latter being the proper Adlion of Heat
and Spirit; and the former the Adion of the tangible Parts, fucceeding
upon the EmilTion of the Spirit.
The Formation 169. But where the Spirit is neither quite detain'd, nor quite dif-
efOrgamcal charged ; but only attempts and tries to force its Prifon ; and readily
"'' meets with fuch tangible Parts as will obey, and yield to its Motions ; fo
that wherever the Spirit leads, they follow it ; then it is that an or-
ganical Body is formed ; with its diftinft Parts, or Limbs ; and that
all the vital Adions enfue, as well in Animals as Vegetables.
How brought 1 70. And thefe Operations are principally brought down to the Senfe,
down to Senfe. by diligently obferving the firft Beginnings, Rudiments, Strugglings, or
Tendencies towards Life, in the little Creatures bred from Putrefaftion ;
as in the Eggs of Ants, in Worms, Flies, Frogs after Rain, ^c. For
there are required to Vivicafition, both Gentlenefs of Heat, and Tenacity
of Body •, that the Spirit may neither break forth too haftily ; nor be
too much confined, by the Stubbornnefs of the Parts ; but rather be
able to mould and fafhion them, like Wax.
Thm different 1 7 1. Again; that noble Difference of the Spirit, which has regard
Kinds of Spi- to fo many Things, is brought and fubmitted, as it were, to View, by
J,. J... numerous
rits in Bodies
found by Re-
duBion.
£f
' Ruft, is now ufually fuppofed to be occafioned by the external Air, or fomething contained
therein, that preys upon, and in pirtdiflblves the external Surface of the Metal. Here then is
what the Author callsaCr»/}-/?5/?^, that requires a Crucial Infianee. Let Trial, therefore, be made,
whether Iron will ruft in an exhauftcd Receiver. And, by the way, let not the Examples here
produced, as Illuflrations of the Doftrine o<i Prcrozative l:ff,inces, be fuppofed any way intended
as Decifive : their Defign being rather logical than philofophical ; fo as to ftiew the way of
profecuting Enquiries; and not themfelves to ferve as Enquiries. And in this View fee the
feveral regular £/;y.v/r/Vj of the Author in the third /'W««if.
^ See/W. III./. 5j6, £sfr.
Sed. II. Sy Prerogative Instances. 509
numerous Sunimemng or Redt'Mory Jnjiances '. This Difference, we mean,
is that of the tmncate Spirit, the Spirit Jimply ramcus, and the Spirit both ra-
motis and celltdous : the frji whereof is the Spirit of all inanimate Bodies ;
the fecond the Spirit of Vegetables •, and the third the Spirit of Animals «.
172. In like manner, it appears, that the more fubtile Textures znd Tbe more /u6-
Struftures of Things, (tho' vifible and tangible in their entire Bodies,) are *^lJ'%"Mle
neither feen nor felt -, and, therefore, in thefe alfo the Bufinefs of Infor- ^"/^^^^i^^.
nution proceeds by Rednllion. But the moft radical and primary Dif-
ference of Struftures, is taken from the greater or lefs Quantity of Mat-
ter contained in the fame Space or Dimenfion : for the other Struflures
depending upon the Diffimilarity of the Parts contained in the fame Body,
and tlieir Situations, are but fecondary, in refpcd: to thofe.
173. Thus, let the Subjedt of Enquiry be the Expanfwn or ContraHion The Denjjty
of Matter in Bodies, refpe£JiveIy; to difcover what Quantity of Matter ^"-^^^.^j'-*
fills what Quantity of Space in each. Now, there is nothing truer in -^
Nature, than thofe Twin-Propofitions, that Nothing can never Jnake Some-
thing ; and that Something can never be reduced to Nothing ^ : but the en-
tire Quantity, or total Sum of Matter in the Univerfe, ftill remains the
fame, without Increafe, or Diminution. 'Tis alfo as certain, that a greater
or lefs Quantity of Matter is contain'd under the fame Space, or Dimen-
fions, according to the Difference of Bodies '. Thus Water contains more
Matter than Air : whence to affert, that an equal Bulk of Water is
convertible into an equal Bulk of Air ; is to aflert, that fomething is
reducible to nothing : as, on the other hand, to aflert, that a certain
Bulk of Air may hi turned into an equal Bulk of Water •, is the fame,
as to aflert, that fomething may be made out of nothing. And from
this greater or lefs Quantity of Matter, thofe Notions of Denfity and
Rarity, which are varioufly and promifcuoufly received, may be cor-
redted, or new ones juftly derived.
174. It muft be likewife allowed as certain, that this greater or Iti^ That the diffe-
Quantity of Matter we (peak of, contained in Bodies, may, by Compa- 'cra-jitiesef
rifon, be brought to Calculation ; and the exaft, or nearly exaft, Pro- Bodies are de-
portion determined. Thus, for Example, we fhouid not greatly differ terminable.
from the Truth, to fay, that a given Bulk of Gold contain'd about two
and twenty times as much Matter, as an equal Bulk of Spirit of Wine -,
or that a Bulk of Spirit of Wine equal to the Bulk of Gold, muft
poflefs about two and twenty times as much Space as the Gold ''.
175. But
' See the Sy/r^J Sjharum, paflim.
« See the Hi/lory of Life and Death, paffim.
" See Fol. III. p. <;o5, fjfc.
' On this is founded the Ufe of xktHjdroftattcal Balance. See the Author's Hiftory of Con-'
denjation and Rarifacii'jn, p.iffim.
f See the Author's Table Qi%\iZ Specific Gravities of Bodies, Vcl. III. p. 512, 513.
2
^1
510 "^the Way of Piortening Enquiries ; Part II,
The DmF.ti tf 175. But the Denfity of Matter, and the Proportions thereof, are
Mattcr'made made fenfible by Weight-, for Weight corrcfponds to Quantity of
.^^A' by Matter ; with regard to tlie tangible Parts of Bodies : but Spirit, and
"^ ' its Qiuntity of Matter, is not cognizable by the Bnlance ; becaufe it ra-
ther diminiflies than increafes Weight '. And, with this View, we have
y? Table»/" made a Table, to fhew the fpecinc Gravities, or Weights and Bulks,
the fpecific of all the Metals; the principal Stones, Woods, Liquors, Oils, and
%7du!"' ^ "^^"y '^"^^^'' Bodies, as well natural as artificial "". And fuch a Table we
judge to be of infinite Ufe ; as well to procure the Light of Information,
as to ferve for a Rule in Pra£lice ; and again to difcover many Parti-
culars, that would have been abfolutely unexpefted ".
lis Ufe. 176. It is no fmall Advantage of this Table, to demonftrate, that all
the Variety found in the numerous tangible Bodies known to us, (which
are compadt, and neither fpongy, hollow, nor in great part filled with
Air,) exceeds not the proportion of twenty-two to one °. So finite a
Thing is Nature; at leaft that Part thereof whofe Life principally re-
gards our felves ^.
An Attempt to 177. W^e alfo thought it worth trying, to difcover the Proportions of
difcover the untangible, or pneumatic Bodies, with refpeft to fuch as are tangible :
Proportion be- t^^^ ^vhich purpofe, we took an Ounce Vial ; chufing it fmall, that the
anduntangibh following Evaporation might be performed with the lefs Heat. This
Bidies. Vial we fill'd almoft to the Neck, with fuch Spirit of Wine as we ob-
ferved by the Tahle^ mention'd above, to be fpecifically lighter, or to con-
tain lefs Matter under the fame Dimenfion, than all other tangible Bo-
dies that are clofe and compaft. Then we exaflly mark'd down the
Weight of the Spirit, and the Vial together. After this, we took a Blad-
der, containing about a Quart, and fqueez'd all the Air out, as near
as poffible ; till the Sides of the Bladder coUapfed, and became conti-
guous ; having firft gently oil'd it, to render it the clofer or tighter,
by filling up the Pores, if there were any. This Bladder we ftrongly
tied with a Wax Thread about the Neck of the Vial ; putting the Mouth
■of the Vial into the Neck of the Bladder : then fetting the Vial upon
a Chafing-Dilh of warm Embers, the Vapour of the Spirit, dilated by
.the Heat, and thus render'd pneumatical, gradually diftended or fwell'd
■out the Bladder every way, like a Sail. Then we immediately remov'd
.the Glafs from the Fire ; and placed it upon a Carpet, to prevent its
breaking by the Cold: and now we directly made -a Hole in the upper
Part of the Bladder, left the Vapour, as the Heat diminifh'd, fhould fall
back, or condenfe into Liquor, and difturb the Calculation. Then
taking
' See above, \. 165.
•" See^s/. III. /. 512, i£c.
" See r«/. III. ^.519, I3c.
' Suppole the Difference in fpeclfic Gravity between Gold and Spirit of Wine. See
above, §. 174. See alfo /-'c/. IJI. /.512, 513,517.
P Fiz. The tangible Part.
Seel. IL (^ Prerogative Instances. 511
taking away the Bladder^ we weigh'd the remaining Spirit of Wine i
and thence computed how much was wailed in Vapour : and, by com-
parilbn, calculating how much Space the Body poflcls'd in the Form ot"
Spirit of Wine in the \'ial ; and again, how much it pofll'fs'd when ren-
dcrM pneumatical in the Bladder -, it plainly appeared, that the Body, fo
converted and changed, acquired a Degree of Extenfion a hundred times
greater than it had before.
17S. In like manner,, let the Nature fought be Heat cr Qold^ fo -j-cak I"'tf''"P*'^^'^,
in Degree as to he imperceptible. Thcfe are brought to the Senfe by means ^^"^'1^^^°^^'
of a Weather-Glafs -, fuch as we have above defcribed ' ; wherein Hcxt senjh by the
expands, and Cold contracts the Air. Neither is this Expanfion And Thermometer.
Contraclion of the Air perceptible by Sight ; but the Air, when expanded,
dcprelfes Water ; and, when contracted, raifes it up : and thus alone it
is that the Thing becomes vifible, and fenfiblc ; and not otherwifc.
179. In like manner, let the Subject of Entjuiry be the Mixiur: of The Mixtures
Bcdies ; to determine what they contain that is aoueous, oJeaginous, {m-"/^'^'^'"' T
r 1 • I f ^- • .-1 u ' Tj -^ '^ the Properttes.
rituous, faline, earthy, isc. or, in particuhir, how mucn Butter is con- ^fii,,f jijf.
tain'd in Milk; how much Curd; how much Whey, ^c. All ihtkrcnt Pam.
Things are reduced and brought down to the Senfes by artificial and
fkilful Preparations, exhibited in the Form of tangible Bodies ^ But
the Nature of the Spirit in them, tho' not immediately perceived, is difco-
ver'd by the various Motions, and Endeavours of tangible Bodies, in the
Aft and Proceis of their Separation ; as alfo by the Acrimony, Corro-
fivenefs, diiferent Colours, Smells and Taltes of the fame Bodies, after
Separation.
180. And, with regard hereto. Men have beftowed great ^i'ms, The errcneoa:
upon Diftiliations, and artificial Separations ; but not with much bet- ^["'Jj""'/
ter Succefs than in the other Experiments hitherto praclifed: as ^^"3^- herein
ing proceeded altogether by feeling out their Way in blind Roads ; or
with more Labour than Underftanding •, and, what is worfe, without
imitating, copying, or rivalling Nature : but by their violent Heats, and
ovtrpowerful Operations, deflroying all the Subtilty of Strudure, in v/hich
the fecret Virtues and Relations ot Things are principally feated '.
1 8 1 . Nor iiave Men, as wc elfewhere obferved ^ hitherto taken No- Alteration!
tice, wkh regard to this kind of Separations, that numerous Qualities, in '^"Mh '^'
the torturing of Bodies, as well by Fire as otherwife, proceed from the
Fire itfclf i and the Matters employ'd in the Separation ; which Quali-
ties were not before in the Compofition : whence llrange Fallacies have
arifen. Thus all the Vapour which Water emits by Fire, is not the
Vapour, or Air, before exifting in the Body of the Water ; but in great
meafure
^ Apb, 13.
' As in all thofe called Chemical AnaUfes, or Rejdutiom.
' Hence there are few genuine S-parations to be found in the coramoi» Chemijlry ;. even as
pra&iied by the . eft Hand-. See the Syka Syhvri/m,. under the Article GM, Sec.
' See above. Part. 11. J;t. 7. and the Sj.V<j i>Wr««j, palliiB.
3
512 'The Way of portenmg Enquiries ; Part II.
meafure produced by the Dilatation of the Water, thro' the Interpofition
of the Heat of the Fire.
Ahherations 182. So likewife, in general, all exqulfite Trials and Examinations of
in Bodies to ie Bodies, whether natural or artificial, made to diftinguilla the genuine
/ougi>t. £j.Qj^ j.j^g adulterate, and the better from the worfe, fhould be referred
to this Head ; as thefe alfo make what is infenfible to appear fenfible :
and therefore are, with great Care, to be coUefted from all Quarters ".
ne Motion of 1 83. As to tht fifth Way of Concealment from the Senfes"-, 'tis m.a-
BoJies being nifeft that the Aftion of Senfe is performed in Motion, and Motion in
%ift, or too Time ; whence, if the Motion of any Body be either fo flow, or fo
Jlozo.' fwift, as not to be proportion'd to the Moments wherein the A£i cf
Senfation is performed, the Object will not be perceived ; as we find in
the Motion of the Hand of a Clock ; and the Motion of a Bullet dif-
charged from a Gun.
How red need 1^5- ^^t the Motion which is not perceived thro' its Slownefs, is
totheSenfes. eafily and commonly reduced to Senfe, by the Refult or Amount of
the Motion : but that which is imperceptible thro its Velocity, is not
hitherto well meafured ; yet t|ie-Eccjuiry of Nature demands that this
fhould be done in forne^Crtfcs'*.
HozoReduaion ^'^^- ^" the fixth Cafe, where the Senfe is hinder'd by the too great
is made,n'here^o^cr of the Objeft '' , Redudlion is made either (i.) by removing the
theObjcais Objeft farther from the Organ of Senfe ; or (2.) taking off from its
too powerju . Yoxzt, by the Interpofition of fuch a Medium as may weaken, but
not annihilate it -, or (3.) by admitting and receiving the Reflexion of
the Objeft, v/here the dired: Force of it is too fl:rong -, as by receiving
the Reiieftion of the Sun in a Bafon of Water.
Where the 1 87. The feveiith Cafe of Concealment from the Senfes, (viz. that
Senfe is full wherein the Senfe is fo full charged with the Objeil, as to leave no room
c:arged. |-^j. ^.j^^ Admifllon of a nev/ one,) is almofl: wholly confined to the Senfe
of Smelling, and Odours : and docs not confiderably regard the Subjeft
in hand. So that thus much may fufiice for the Bufinefs of reducing
infenfible Things to fuch as are fenfible.
Beduaion 1 88. Sometimes alfo Rcduftion is made, not to the Senfe of Man,
fimctimes but to the Senfe of other Creatures, whofe Senfations, in fome Parti-
made to the culars, exceed thofe of Men ; as the Senfition of a Hound, in fome
Anirnals! ^'' Kinds of Smell ; and the Senfiitions of a Cat, an Owl, i£c. which fee
Things in the Night by the latent Light of the Air, which is not ex-
ternally illuminated. For 'Telefius has jufi:ly obferved, that there is a
certain original Light in the Air itfelf > tho' fmall, faint, and generally
unferviceable ,
" See Mr. Bowles, Medicina Hydrojlatica i .ind the de Augmentis Scientiarum, p. 46.
" See above, §. i 5S.
" Thus the Motion of Sounds, and even of Light, which feems ihe fwifteft Motion of all,
is now reduced to Calculation. See the Author's Hijlory cf Sounds, in the Syha Sylvarum i
' jnd Sir Ifsac Nctuton\ Optics, and Principia, paffim.
)■ See above, §. 158.
Sect. II. (^Prerogative In STANCES. 513
unferviceable, with regard to the Eyes of Men, and many other Crea-
tures ; becaufe the Animals to whofe Senfe this Light is proportioned
can fee by Night ; which it is not fo probable they fliould do without
Light, or by an internal Light of their own ^
189. It mufl: here be obferved, that we treat only of the Failures or
Infufficiencies of the Senfes, and the Remedies thereof: for the Decep-
tions of the Senfes fliouId be referred to the particular Enquiries of Senfe,
arJ Sc'KfMit-j " -, excepting only that grand Fallacy of the Senfes, in
making the Meafure and Rule of Things correfpond to Man ; and
not to the Univerfe : which is an Error that cannot be corrected, but by
Reafon and univerfal Philofophy ''.
Aphorism XLI.
190. Among our Prerogative Injlauces^ we affign the eighteenth Place (ig.) ^'«r»^-
to Jourr.sing Injlances ; which we alfo term Inftances of the Road, and fome- i>ig Injhuces.
times Jointed Injlances : that is, fuch as indicate the Motions of Nature,
gradually continued, or connefted. But the Injlances ot this Kind rather
cfcape the Obfervation than the Senfe. And, indeed, the Negligence oi Strangely faf-
Men is here furprizing : for they contemplate Nature only by Fits and /''' '"'^''•
Starts, or periodically •, and then too it is after Bodies are compleat and
nniflied -, and not in their Procefs, or whilft the Operation is in hand.
But if any Man defired to confider, and examine, the Contrivances and
Induftry of a certain Artificer, he would not be content to view only
the rude Materials of the Workman, and then immediately the finilh'd
"Work -, but covet to be prefent whilft the Artift profecutes his Labour,
and cxercifes his Skill. And the like Courfe fliould be taken in the
Works of Nature.
191. For Example ; if any one would enquire into the Vegetation of Exemplified ir.
Plants, he fliould have an Eye from the firft fowing of the Seed, Vegetation.
and examine it, almoft every Day, by taking, or plucking up, a Seed
after it had remain'd, for one, two, or three Days, in the Ground ; to
obferve, with Diligence, (i.)when, and in what manner, the Seed begins
to fwell, grow plump, and be fiU'd, or become turgid, as it were, with
Spirit; (2.) Next, how it burfts the Skin, and ftrikes its Fibres, with fome
Tendency upwards ; unlefs the Earth be very ftubborn : (3.) How it
flioots its Fibres, in part, to conftitute Roots downwards ; in part, to
form Stems upwards ; and fometimes creeping fideways, if it there find
^ See the Author's Table of Enquiry for the Hiftory of Light and Splendor, Vol. III.
/• 322.
■" See ie Augment. Scicntiar. p. 1 1 1, 1 12, 113; and the Sylva Sylvarum, paflim.
*• See Part I. Aph. 42, Is'c.
Vg l. II. U u u the
514 'I'h^ Way of portening E?iqui)'ies ; Part II.
the Earth more open, pervious, and yielding : with many Particulars of
the fame Kind ".
In the Batch- 192. And the like fhould be done as to Eggs, during their hatching;
tng of Eggs, where the whole Procefs of Vivification, and Organization, might be
'"' eafily viewed; and what becomes of the Yolk, what of the White ''•, i£c.
Underftand the fame of Creatures bred from Putrefacirion : for as to
perfeft, terreftrial Animals, 'tis fomewhat inhumane to enquire into them,
by cutting the Fcetus out of the Uterus ; unlefs v/hen Opportunity of-
fers, by Death, Abortions, the Fortune of the Chace, isc. A Watch,
therefore, is, by all means, to be kept upon Nature -, as fhe is better
difcover'd by Night than by Day ' : for thefe Contemplations and En-
quiries may be called Noclurnal -, by reafon of the Smallnefs, and Dura-
bility, or flow burning of the Watch-Light, here fet up.
Jn the relax- 193. The fame is alfo to be atcempted in inanimate Bodies ; and this
jngcr opening ^g \vxvt endeavour'd after, by obferving the Ways wherein Liquors open
Bo'die"'^^ ^ themfelves by Fire : for Water opens one way. Wine another. Vinegar
another. Verjuice another ; and Milk, Oil, l£c. with a (fill greater
Difference ; as may be eafily perceived by boiling them over a foft Fire,
in a Glafs Veffel '. But thefe Things are here touched lightly ; the Place
for treating them more exadlly and fully, being when we come to en-
quire into the latent Procefs of Things ^ : for it muft be all along remem-
ber'd, that we do not, at prefent, treat Things themfelves, but barely
produce Examples.
A P H b R I s M XLII.
Ua.) Supple- ^94- ^n ^^^ nineteenth Place come Supplemental Liflances; or In-
mental In- fiances of Subjlitution ; which we alfo call InftatKCS of Refuge •, that is,
jances, or fuch as afford Information where the Senfes perfeftly fail us : fo that we
Inftances of j^^^^ recourfe to them when the proper Infiances cannot be had. This
iiubjhtution IS procured two Ways ; viz. either by Approximation, or by
tZ'ways'. Analogy.
Viz .(i.) B3 ^95- Fot" Example; there is no Medium found, that can poffibly ex-
jipproxima- elude the Operation of the Loadftone, in moving Iron ; not Gold, not
Silver, Stone, Glafs, W^ood, Vv^ater, Oil, Cloth, Air, Flame, (^c. yet,
by an exadl Scrutiny, fome Medium may perhaps be found to
deaden this Virtue, more than any other Medium, comparatively, and
in fome degree.
196. So,
' See Dr. Grevj's J»at$my of Plants, as alfo that oi Malpigbi ; and feveral Pieces to the fame
Purpofe in the Philofophical TranfaBions, French Memoirs, &c.
'' See Harvey, Highnore, Malpighi, &c. upon this Subjeft.
* y^iz. Where fhe is removed from human Sight; as fhe is in thefe grand Works, the For-
mation of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals.
' See this Subjedl profecuted in th^ Juthor''s Hijlory of Condenfation end RarifaHion, p. 535,
536.
6 See the Author^ Hijlorj of Condenfation and Rarifailisn throjghcut. Vol. III. p. 507, frV,
2
tien.
Sed. II. <^ Prerogative Instances. 515
196. Thus fuppofc, the Loadftone would not attra(5b Iron {o much thro' Exemplified in
Gold of a certain Thicknefs, as thro the fame Space of Air ; or not io 'be Loadftone.
much thro' ignite^ Silver, as thro' the fame when cold, iSc, for we
have not made the Trials : but it is fufficient to propofe them, by way
of Example "*.
197. In like manner, there is no Body found here upon the Earth, ■^■"'^ '» '^"''•
but what is fufceptible of Heat, when applied to the Fire : yet Air re-
ceives Heat much fooncr than a Stone. And fuch is the SubJlUution
made in tlie way of Degree, or Approximation.
198. The ^«/{//rVK/K)» by Analogy, is ufeful ; but lefs certain : and there- ^■"'^ (^») ■^^
fore to be praftifed with Judgment. This is perform'd v/hen an infen- ■^■^"
lible Thing is brought down to the Scnfe ; not by the fcnfible Operations
of the infenfible Body itfelf ; but by confidering fome other fenfible
Body of kin thereto.
199. For Example ; if the Subje(5l of Enquiry were the Mixture of ^''''"Pj'J'''^ '"
Spirits, which are invifible Subftances : we are here to obferve, that there '//spirltu'
feems to be a certain Affinity between Bodies, and the Matter that feeds
or nourifhes them. Thus Oil and fit Bodies fecm to be the Food of
Flame ; and Water and aqueous Bodies, the Food of Air : for Flames
multiply themfelvcs upon the Exhalations of Oil ; and Air upon the
Vapour of Water. In this Enquiry, therefore, we may confider the
Mixture of Water and Oil, which is manifeft to the Senfe ; tho' the
Mixture of Air and Flame is not perceptible. Now, Oil and Water
are very imperledly mix'd together by Compofition, or Agitation ; but
more curioufly and elaborately in Plants, Blood, and the Parts of
Animals : and, therefore, fomething of the like kind may happen as
to the Mixture of Flame and Air in untangible Bodies. For, tho' Flame
and Air do not well incorporate by fimple Motion •, yet they feem to
mix in the Spirits of Plants, and Animals ; the rather, becaufe all ani-
mal Spirits prey upon both Kinds of Moifture, viz. the aqueous, the
un61:uous, as its Aliment'.
200. In like manner, if the Subjed: of Enquiry be not the perfedl /«/yJ^C^w/^-
Mixture of pneumatical, or untangible Bodies, but only their Com-f''''"'jf"i-
pcfiiion ; viz. "whether they niiU eafily mix among themfelves : or rather, 'J'"S'^^^^'''
fuppofe, for Example, certain Winds, or Exhalations, or other pneuma-
tical Bodies, which mix not with common Air, but only lodge and float
therein, under the Form of Globules and Drops ; as being rather broke
.and ground by the Air, than received into and incorporated with it.
Now this cannot be perceived by the Senfe, either in common Air,
or other pneumatical Bodies, by reafon of their Subtilty, or Finenefs ;
but a certain Image, or Reprefentation, may be had of the Thing,
•> See below, Apb. 43. 5- 204-
■ See the Axioms at the Clofe of the Hiftory of Life and Death, Vol. III. p. 418, ^C. See
ilfo Mr. BoyUi Experim«nts to this purpofe. Abridgm. Vol. II. p. 469.
U u u 2 with
5i6 The Way of Jhortenmg E?tquiries \ Part IL
with regard to its Poffibility, in tangible Fluids ; fuch as Quickfilver»
Oil, Water ^, and even in Air itfelf, when it is broke and difTipated ;,
or rifes in fmall Particles, or Bubbles thro' Water i and again, an Image
of it may be had in the grolTer Fumes ' -, and laftly, in Dull, rais'd and
floating in the Air ; in all which Cafes, there is no Incorporation made.
And this Reprcfentation is not taulty, provided it be firft carefully ex-
amined, whether, among pneumatical Bodies, there may be fuch an He-
terogeneity as is found among Liquors : for in cafe there is, then thcfe
Reprefentations by Analogy may be commodioufly fubftltuted •".
Supplementai 201. And tho', as we before obferved, Information is to be derived
Inftances, from th&^Q Supplemental Injlances^ by way of Refuge or Recourfe", when
^htretnufe- proper Inftances are wanting -, yet we would have it underftood, that they
the proper cues ^^^ alfo of great Ufe, even when the proper Inftances are procurable ;
may 6e had. particularly in ftrengthening the Information, with the Affiftance of
thofe. But the Time for treating of thefe Inftances more exaftly, ii
when we come, by the Law of Order, to the Helps of Induciion °.
Aphorism XLIII.
(20.) Lancing ^°2- ^" '^he twentieth Place come Lancing Inftances ; which we
Inftances. alfo, for a different Reafon, call by the Name of Vellicating Inftances,
neir Ufe. We call them Vellicating Inftances, becaufe they twitch the Underftanding ;
and Lancing Inftances, becaufe they cut or lance through Nature : whence
we alfo call them Democj-itical Inftances ' ; that is, fuch as remind the Un-
derftanding of the admirable and exquifite Subtilty of Nature -, fo as to
excite and awaken it to Attention, Obfervation, and proper Enquiry.
Exemplified in 203. For Example -, the following are Lancing or Vellicating Inftances.
great Variety. {\.') That fo fmall a Drop of Ink, in a Pen, fliould be drawn out into
fo many Letters, or Lines, as we find it ; (2.) that Silver gilt upon its
external Surface, ftiould be drawn to fuch a vaft Length of gilded Wire '' i
(3.) that fo very fmall a Worm as that found in the Skin, fliould have a
Spirit, and a peculiar Strufliure, and Organization of different Parts ;
(4.) that a little Saffron fliould tinge a whole Hogfliead of Water "■ ;
(5.) that a little Civet, or Mufl<, fliould fill a large Chamber with its Odour ;
(6.) that fuch a great Cloud of Smoke fliould be rais'd from a little
Incenfe ; (7.) that the exaft Differences of Sounds fliould be every Way
convey'd
^ Thefe being heterogeneous Fluids, and not mixing together upon fhalcing.
' Which do not incorporate with the Air.
■" See Mr. Boyle upon the different Surfaces of Fluids in contadl. Abridgm. Vol. I. p. 316 —
318. and 388 396.
" See above, §. 194.
° A Part of the Novum Organum that is wanting. See above, P artW. Jph. 21.
P Alluding to the y//,?OT/ ^/"Democritus. See the Author's ElTay upon the Corfx/cu/ar Pti-
Je/ophy, Vol. HI. p, 599.
•i See Mr. Boy/e ujion Effluvia, Abridgm. Vol. I. ^.405.
! ^ztM.\. Boyle M'^an Effluvia, Sec. Vol.1. />• 397— 43ii.
Se£l. II. /^/PrerogativeIn STANCES. 517
convey'd through the Air ; and even through the Holes and Pores of
Wood and Water, (tho' much weakened, indeed, in the PafHage;) and
be reflected with great Diilindnefs and Velocity -, (8.) that L-ighcand Co-
lour iliould lb fuJdcnly pals through fiich a Bulk of folid Matter, as Glafs,
or of a Fluid, as Water •, yet lb as at the fame time to convey a
great and cxquifite ^''ariety of Images ; even tho' the Light fuffers Re-
traction and Rcfledion ; (9.) chat the Loadftone fliould operate through
all Kinds of Bodies, even the moll Compa<5l and Solid •, and what is ftill
more wonderful; (lo.) that in all thefe Cafes, the Acflion of one Thing,
does not greatly hinder the Aftion of another, in a neutral or indiire-
rcnt Medium, fuch as the Air is. Thus numberlcfs Images of vifiblc
Objects are carried through the Air ; numb;rlefs Percufllons of articulate
Voices; numberlefs fpeciiic Odours; as thofe of Violets, Roles, &c. even
Cold, Meat, and magnetical Virtues ; all pafs through the Air, at once,
without obllrud'ting one another ; as if each of them had its own feparate
Way or PalTage, fo as to prevent impinging againft, meeting with, or
obftructing one another.
204. To t)\t(e. Laming Injlances, maybe advantageoufly fubjoined thole
we term the Limiting Injiances, with regard to this Lancing ; as for
Example, in the Cafes juft mentioned, that (i.) one Aftion does not
difturb or hinder another of a different Kind ; tho' two ot the Hime
Kind damp or extinguifh each other ; that, (2.) the Light of the Sun
extinguiflies or overpowers the Light of the Glow-worm ; that, (3.) the
Report of a O.nnon drowns the Voice ; that, (4.) a ftronger Odour over-
powers one that is more delicate ; that, (5.) a ftronger Heat prevails
over one that is more gentle ; and, (6.) that an Iron-Plate put between
the Loadftone and a Needle, hinders the magnetic Virtue. But the pro-
per Place ot treating thefe Injiances alfo, is under the Helps of Induction '.
205. And fo much for the Injiances of Help to the Senfes ; which are Intrsduaien
of capital Ufe in the Bufinefs of Information : for Information begins with '" ^raRice.
the Senfe '. But the whole Affliir terminates in Praftice, and Works :
which are the End ; as Information is the Beginning ". And, therefore,
the Infiances of principal Uje in PraSlice, are next to follow.
Aphorism XLIV.
2c6. The Injiances of principal Ufe in Praoiice are of two Kinds, and Praaicalln.-
feven in Number ; all which we call by the general Name of Pra5licalft'^"^>'"'^'^'-
Infiances. Now Praflice has two Inconveniences, or Defedts ; and fo
many general Kinds of Prerogative In/lances ". For Praftice either fails,
or over-burdens. Pradtice fails principally from a wrong Determina-
tion,
» A Part not entered upon by the Author. See above, ^ph. 2 1 . and 43 .
' See above, Jp6. 38.
» See Part II. ^^^. i .
" fiz. Two, correfponding to the two Kinds of Defefls of Praftice : four Defeds of the
£rft Kind are «numerated in this Paragraph ; and three of the fecond, in the ne.xt.
5 1 8 "Tl^e IVay of fjortenrng E?iquines ; Part 11.
tion, and Meafiire of the Powers and Aftions of Bodies •■, efpecially after
a diligent Enquiry into the Subjeft. But the Powers and Adlions of
Mathematical 'Qod'izs, are circumfcribed and meafured ; either, (i.) hy Space of Place ^;
Injlances. ^j.) h"^ Moment $ of 'Tme^ \ (3.) h'j the Correfpondence or Proportion of Sluan^
tily ^ ; or, (4.) by the Predominancy of Firtue * : and unlefs thefe four Things
are well and diligently weigh'd, the Sciences indeed, may, perhaps, be
beautiful in Show and Appearance •, but they will remain unfruitful, or
barren of Works. And ths four Infances, with regard to thtkfour Parti-
culars, we call, in general, Mathematical Inftances ; or Inflames of Men-
furaiicr. ^.
PraBia, hotu 207. Practice proves burdenfome either, (i.) from the admixture of
rendered hur- ufelefs Things "^ ; (2.) from a Multiplicity of Inftruments "^ ; or, (3.) from
denfome. ^j^^ g^^jj. ^^ ^,^g Matter, and Bodies required, in certain Works "=. Thofe
Liflances, therefore, ought to be highly efteemed, which either, (i.) di-
reft and determine Praftice to fuch Things as chiefly regard the Benefit
and Advantage of Mankind •, or, (2.) retrench the Number oflnftru-
ments required •, or, (3.) fave and lelTen the Materials to be employ'd.
Propitious In- 2o8. And the three Inftances correfponding to thefe three Parti-
Jlames. culars, or Requifites, we call by the fingle Name of Propitious or Bene-
volent Inftances f. We fhall fpeak of thefe feven Inftances, feparately -,
and with them conclude this Seftion of the Doolrine of Prerogative In-
flames.
Aphorism XLV.
{2\.) In/lances 209. In the twenty-firft Place, therefore, among Prerogative Inftances,
of the Staff, come hflances of the Staff, or Meafiiring-Rod; which we alfo call Per-
meating, or 'Teminating Inftances ; for the Forces and Motions of Things
operate and exert themfelves in certain Spaces, that are not indefinite or
fortuitous, but determinate and finite : and the due Obfervance and mark-
^he'r%here ^"S °^ ^^^^^ Spaces in every Nature fought, is of great Importance to
cfAaivity. Practice -, not only in preventing us from being deceived by it i but
Some operate alfo in enlarging and rendering it more extenfive and powerful: For it
at a Diftance. is fometimes poffible to extend Virtues and Powers ; and, as it were,
bring Diftances nearer, as we fee in 'Telefcopes.
Some operate 2io. There are alfo many Virtues that operate and extend their Force
o?ily in Con- only by manifelt Contaft -, as in the Percuffion of Bodies ; where one
taa. Body does not move another, unlefs the impelling Body touches the
Body impelled. So, likewife, external Remedies, as Unguents and Plai-
fters,
'■■ See below, j^fih./^^.
'I See below, Aph. 46.
^ See below, Aph. 47.
» See below, Aph. 48.
'' Which fee below, Aph. 45 —48.
■^ See below, A-ph. 49.
^ Se-: below, Aph. 50.
o See below, Aph. ji.
f See Aph. 49—51.
SeA. II. by Prerogative Instances. 549
fters, exert not their Virtues, without touching the Body. And, laftly,
the Objects of the Tafte, and Touch, do not ftrike, or afieft, if not
contiguous to the refpedive Organs.
211. There are alfo other Virtues, which operate at a fmall TiXIk'xnzt \ Others operate
very few whereof have been hitherto obfcrved ; whilft there are more of "'"/""■' ^*-
them than Men fufpefb. Thus, to give obvious Examples ; Amber, and-'^"'"^'^'
Jet, attrad Straws, and other light Bodies. Bubbles of Water approach-
ing each other, run together. Some purgative Medicines draw the Hu-
mours downv/ards, and the like. But that magnetic Virtus whereby Iron
and the Loadftone, or Loadftones themfelves, meet each other, opefates
only in a certain little Sphere of Aftivity -, but if there be any magnetic
A^irtue flowing from the inner Parts of the Earth, to the Needle, in
refpedt of its Verticity, the Operation is performed at a great Diftance.
212. Again; if there be any magnetic Virtue, which operates by Con- Ssnt at very
fent, between the Globe of the Earth, and ponderous Bodies ; or between -?'''■''' '"'^^•
the Globe of the Moon and the Waters of the Sea ; which feems highly
probable from the Spring-Tides ^ •, or between the Sphere of the Fixed
Stars and the Planets, fo as to attraft the Planets to their Apogees ; all
thefe muft operate at very great Diftances.
21:5. There are alfo found certain Communications of Flame, to cow- Infl anted in
fiderable Diftances, in certain Materials: as they relate, in particular, ^''^'"l.'^^'''»
of the Na-[htha of Bab-jlon. Heat, likewife, infinuates itfelf to great Di- ""
Ilances •, and fo does Cold : infomuch, that the huge Mafles of Ice broke
off, and floating in the North Sea, and thence coming into the Atlantic
Ocean, ftrike a Coldnefs many Leagues ofF, perceptible to the Inhabitants
about Car.adu ''.
214. Odours, likewife, tho' thefe feem always attended with a corpo- ^" OJourt,
real EmiiTion of the odoriferous Subftance, operate at confiderable Di-^f^^"^^' ""'^
ftances ; as appears to fuch as fail along the Coafts of Florida, or fome "
Parts of Spain, where there are whole Groves, or Woods of Lemmons,
Oranges, and the like odoriferous Trees ; or Thickets of Rofemary,
Marjoram, ^c. ' And laftly. Sounds, but particularly the Rays of
Light, operate to prodigious Diftances ''.
215. But all thefe Virtues, whether they operate to fmall, or h^ro^t All Vhtuis
Diftances, certainly operate to finite ones, and fuch as are known loi'-mited.
Nature : fo that there are certain fixed Bounds, which they cannot ex-
ceed ; and that in Proportion, either (i.) to the Bulk and Quantity of
the Bodies ; or, (2.) to the Strength or Weaknefs of the Virtues ; or,
(3.) to the Suitablenefs or Unfuitablenefs of the Medium : all which,
ought
B See^'!?/. III. ;». 614, &c.
" See Mr. Boyle % Hijhry of Ctld, paffim.
■ See Mr. Bo'jle ofEffiuvia.
■' See Mr. Boyle, Dr. Hiok, Sir Ifaac l^eafsn, the Phihfopbical Tranfafiions, French ils-
msin. Sec.
^20 T'he Way of JJjortcjiing E?iquiries ', Part II.
ought to be carefully obferved, and brought to Computation '. And
again ; the Meafures of thole called Violent Motions, or the Motions of
Projedliles, as Bullets from Guns, the Motions of Carriages, i^c. ought
to be obferved and determined : for thefe alfo have manifeftly their fixed
Limits.
Some aa at a 2 1 6. There are, likewife, certain Motions and Virtues, contrary to
Diftmice, and thofe that Operate by Contaft, and not at a Diftance •, as afting at
not by Cent na. ^ Diftance, and not by Contact: and again-, others that operate weaker
at a fmall Diftance, and ftronger at a greater. Thus Vifion is not
well performed in Contaft -, but requires a certain Medium, and a cer-
tain Diftance, to be pertedl : tho' I have been affured, by a Perfon of
Veracity, who was couched for Cataracts in his Eyes, (which is an Ope-
ration performed by means of a fmall filver Needle, thruft between the
firft Coat of the Eye, to remove and force away the Film of the Cata-
ra6t into the Corner of the Eye,) that he clearly faw the Needle mov-
ing over the Pupilla, or Sight of the Eye "".
Exemplified 2.1 7. But allowing this, 'tis maniteft, that larger Objcdts cannot be
ill Vifion. well or diftindly feen, except in the Vertex ot a Cone, made by the con-
verging of the Rays from fome Diftance. Thus old Men fee better
when the Objed: is removed a little fai'ther off, than when it is near.
And it is certain, that in Projedliles, the Percuftion is not fo ftrong a,t
too fmall a Diftance, as it is foon after, or at the due Diftance. The
Meafures, therefore, of thefe Things, and others of the lilce Kind, are to
be fet down, to determine their Motion in Point of Diftance.
ne Motions of 2 18. V7e muft not omit another Kind of Local Meafure of Motions,
Expanjion to which regards not progreffive, but fpherical Motion ; that is, the Ex-
be mtafured. p^^^fion of Bodies into a larger Sphere, or their Contradion into a iefs.
For we ftiould enquire, among the Meafures of Motion, what Degree of
Compreffion or Extenfion, Bodies, according to their Nature, may eafily
and readily fufter ; and at what Point they begin to refift -, and at length,
will fuftain no more. Thus when a blown Bladder is comprefs'd, the
Exemplified in hSx fuftains fome Degree of Compreffure ; but if the Compreflure be
n blown Blad- jqq great, the Air enduring it no longer, burfts the Bladder, and frees
'^"'- itfelf.
In Air under 219. But to make a more exadl Experiment to this Purpofe, we took
Water. ^ fmall, light, and thin metalline Bell ; and plunged it into a Bafon of
Water, fo that it carried down along with it the Air contained in its
Cavity, to the bottom of the Veflel ; where we had firft placed a little
Ball, which the Cavity of the Bell was to fill upon. When this Ball was
little in Proportion to the Cavity of the Bell, the Air fhrunk itfelf into
a Iefs Compafs, without efcaping ; but if the Ball was fo large, that
the Air could not freely yield, the Air would then, as being impatient
o'f
^ Hers we may obferve the proper Ufe of CilcaUition, or Mathematics, in Phyfics.
"' See Sir IJ'aac Nextn^i Optics i particularly the Queries at the End thereof.
Se<^. II. hy Prerogative Instances. 521
of a greater Preflure, raife up the Boll, on one fide, and afcend in
Bubbles ^
220. Again ; to try what Degree of Extenfion Air is capable of, •vrtTheR-.rifa!}:-
took a Glafs-Egg, with a fmall Orifice at one End thereof; and by»" e/^'^^^'''-
Itrong Sudion drew out the Air; then immediately flopping the Orifice
with the Finger, we plunged the Glafs in Water ; where the Finger be-
ing removed, the Air that was ftretchcd and dilated by the Suction,
now endeavouring to contraft itielf ; (fo that if the Glafs had not been
plunged in Water, it would have drawn in the external Air with a hif-
fing Noife ;) it drew in fuch a Quantity of Water, as fufficed to reco-
ver the remaining Air to its former Bulk or Dimenfion °.
221. And it is certain, that pneumatical, or rare Bodies, fuch as t\\t'^angiMeBo'
Air, will fu.Ter a remarkable Contraclion ; but that tangible Bodies, fuch^j" ^X '"
as Water, fufi"er Comprefllon with much greater Difficulty, and in a lefs
Degree. What this Degree might be, we attempted to difcover by the
following Experiment.
222. Wecaufeda hollow and ftrong Globe of Lead to be formed, C2.- Water com-
pable of containing two Wine Pints ; and having made a Hole therein, yi^P^J"^-
fill'd the Globe with Water ; then foldcr'd up the Orifice with Lead ; and
now beat the Sides of the Globe flat out with a large Hammer : whence the
Water was of neceflity contracted ; becaufe a Sphere is the Figure of largefl:
Capacity. And when hammering was of no farther Service, in making
the Water fhrink ; we put the Lead Veflel into a Prefs, and fqueezed
it; till at length the Water forced itfelf thro' the foiid Lead ; and ftood
upon its Surface, like a Dew. We afterwards computed into how much
lefs Space the Water was driven, by this violent Preffure ■".
223. But folid, dry, or more compadl Bodies, as Stones, Wood, and ^«//V^ harder
Metals, fuftain a much lefs, and almoft imperceptible ComprefTion, and '^ "'"P'''P'
Extenfion ; and either releafe themfclves by breaking, moving, fqucezing
out, or other Evafions ; as appears in the bending of Wood, or Me-
tal ; in Spring-Clocks, or Watches ; in Projeftiles, Hammering, and nu-
merous other Motions.
224. But all thefe Particulars, together with their Meafures, are to Calculations,
be diicover'd and fet down, in the Enquiry into Nature, either in theWay '"'^-^"'''."''''j;'
of certain Calculation, Eftimation, or Comparifon ; as the Cafe will e^/ry^kind.
admit.
" The Dcfign was here, to eftimate the Force wherewith Air refifls its own Condenfation, or
endeavour to efcape. SeeMr. Boyle's Pneumatical Experiments ; particularly .(^^r;V^w. Vol. II.
p. 670—672.
" See Jilr. Boyle's Works, AbriJgm. Vol. II. p. 414.
P See the Experiments of the Academie del Cimento ; and Mr. Boyle's Works, Abridgm.
Vol. I. p. 628, 629. Vol. II. p. 290, 666, 703, i3'c.
Vol. II. Xxx Aphorism
5 2 2 *The Way of po?'te?ung Enquiries ; Part II.
Aphorism XLVI.
(22) Injlances 225. In the iwefily-fecond Place, among our Prerogative Inftances, come
of the Courfe. Injlances of the Courje, or Slage ; which we alfo fometimes call Hydro-
7netrkal Inftances '' ; deriving the Term from the Hour-Glaflfes of the
Their Office. Ancients, wherein they ufed Water inftead of Sand. Thefe Inftances
meafiire Nature by Moments of Time % as the Injlances of the Staff ^ mea-
fure them by Degrees of Space. For all Motions, or natural Aftions,
are perform'd in Time ; one indeed fwifter, and another flower ; but all
Jaions per- in certain Moments well known to Nature. Even thofe Adbions which
farm" d ill dif- feem fuddenly performed, or in the twinkling of an Eye, as we phrafe
ferent Times, jj.^ ^^^ y^^ found to differ in Time, as to more or lefs.
Exemplifiedin 226. And, firfl. We fee that the Revolutions or Returns of the Ce-
many Pmtuii- jeftjji Bodies are performed in certain Times or Periods ; fo likewife is
the Flux and Reflux of the Sea. The Defcent of heavy Bodies towards
the Earth, and the Afcent of light Bodies towards the Heavens, is per-
form'd in certain Moments-, according to the Nature of the Body, and
the Medium it moves in. The Motions of a Ship, in failing ; of a Horfe,
or other Creature, in running ; of a Projeftile, in flying, idc. are all,
in like manner, performed in certain Times, meafurable in the Amount
or Refult. And, with regard to Heat, we fee that Boys, in the Win-
ter, will wafli their Hands in the Flame of a common Fire, without
burning themfelves •, and, in the way of Sport, others will, by a nim-
ble and equable Motion, turn Glafles of Wine, or Water, upfide-dov/n,
and recover them again, without fpilling : and there are many Par-
ticulars of the fame Kind.
In Sound.. 227. So, likewife, fome Compreffions, Dilatations, and Eruptions, or
Explofions of Bodies, happen fwifter, "and others flower, according to
the Nature of the Body, and the Motion •, but they happen in certain
Moments of Time. Thus, in the joint Explofion of leveral large Can-
nons, which may be heard fometimes to the Diftance of thirty Miles,
the Report is firft audible to thofe near the Place, where the Difcharge is
made i and afterwards to thofe who are farther off'.
JndViJson. 228. And in Vifion, where the Aftion is exceeding fwift, 'tis plain,
that certain Moments of Time are required to its Performance : as is
plain from hence, that Bodies are rendered invifible through too great a
Velocity of Motion -, as in the Dif.harge of a Bullet from a Gun ;
where the Ball flies too fwift to have its Imprefllon received by the
Eye.
229. And,
1 Asif it were Inftances of l\\t Time-Keeper, at Hmr-Glafs.
' See above, jiph. 44.
^ See above, jJfh. 45.
' See Mr. Whifi^nh Second Edition of his Effay upon the Longitude ; and Dr. Dcrbam's.
Psper upon the Motion of Sounds, in the Pbihfofhieal Tranfaliions, N' 313.
Sed. II. fy Prerogative Instances. 523
229. And, upon comparing rhis wich the like Cafes, we have ^omt- The Motion of
times entertain'd a ftrange Sufpicion -, viz. whether the Stars of a clear %*'• /j""»
Sky be feen by us at the precife Time they really exift, or rather ^J^-f^"^'
Ibmewhat later ; and, whether tliere be not, wich regard to the Sight
of the Heavens, a true and apparent Time, as well as a true Place, and.
apparent Place ; which is obferved by Allronomers in the Parallaxes. For
it fccms incredible, that the Rays of the celcftial Bodies fhould inftantly
travel fach an immcnfc Diilance to the Sight ; and not rather take up
fome confiderable Time in the Journey. ".
230. But this Sufpicion, as to any great Interval betwixt the real and I' extremely
apparent Time, afterwards vaniiTi'd ; upon confidering that infinite Lofs-^''^''
and Diminution of Quantity, as to Sight, between the real Body of a
St;ir, and the apparent Objeft ; which Difterence is caufed by the Di-
ftance ; and, at the fame time, confidering to what a Diftance Ob-
je6b that are barely white may, of a fudden, be feen here below ; amounting
to fixty Miles at the leaft " : for there is no queftion, but that tha
Light of the celeftial Bodies has not only the vivid Strength of White-
nefs; but alfo vaftly exceeds the Light of Flame, as we find Flame here,
in Power and Strength of Radiancy. Nay, that immenfe Velocity where-
with grofs Matter moves, in the diurnal Rotation, renders this wonder-
fully fwift Motion of the Rays of Light, from the Fixed Stars, more pro-
bable. But what has the greateft Weight with me, is this ; that if there
fhould here be any confiderable Space of Time between Reality and
Sight ; or the Exiftence of the Object, and its being feen ; it muft then
happen, that the Sight would be frequently intercepted and confounded
by Clouds, arifing in the mean time; or by the like Diflurbances in the
Medium. And thus much for the funi-le MenfuraUon of Tune.
231. The Meafure of Motions and Aftions is not, however, to ht The Meufures
fought only fimply ; but much rather comparatively : this being a '-Crj^'/'"' ""/
Thing of excellent Uk ; and having regard to very many Particulars. yj,^„^„'^^^.
We find, that the Flafh of a great Gun is feen before the Sound is rati~je!y.
heard ; altho' it is certain that the Bullet mufl ftrike the Air, before Motions that
the Flame, which was behind it, could get out ; and that this muft differ eampa-
happen from a greater Velocity in the Motion of Light, than in the ''"'"''J''
Motion of Sound. We find alfo, that vifible Objefts are fooner re-
ceived than let go by the Sight ; whence it is that the Strings of a mu-
fical Inftrument ftruck with the Finger, appear double, or treble, in
the Vibration -, viz. becaufe a new Objedl is received before the other is
dilcharged : and, for the fame Reafon, Rings twirling upon an Axis feem
Spheres ; and a lighted Flambeau, carried haftily by Night, appears
tail'd, like a Comet.
" See this Time computed by M- Huygens de la Lumiere, p. 8 and g. See alfo Sir I/aac
Keti'ton upon the Subjed! ; and compare them both with the Papers of M. Maraldi in tha
French Memoin, Ann. 1707
" See, again, Mr. Whijlon's Eflay upon the Longitude.
Xxx 2 232. And
524 T^he Way of portening Enquiries', Part II.
Whence GiVi- 232. And, from this Foundation of the Inequality of Motion in point
laso accounted of Velocity, GalilcEO imagin'd the Caufe of the Flux and Reflux of the
for the Tides. 5^^ ^^ j^g f^^^ j.j^g Earth's revolving with a greater Velocity than the
Waters : whence the Waters gathering into a Heap upwards, afterwards
funk down by degrees; as we fee in a Veflel of Water brifkly revolved.
But this Solution he invented barely upon Suppofition, and not upon
Proof, of the Earth's Motion •, and alfo without being well informed of
the fexhorary Motion " of the Sea.
7heUfeofthe 233. But We have an eminent Example of the comparative Meafure
(omparatwe of Motion, and at the fame time of its remarkable Ufe, in the Bufinefs
Mothnsfex. of Powder-Mines; wherein vaftMaflesof Earth, Piles of Buildings, i£c.
emplijied in are overturn'd, and tofs'd into the Air with a fm.all Quantity of Gun-
Powder- powder. The Caufe whereof is, doubtlefs, this ; that the Motion of
Mines, Dilatation in the Powder, which is the impelling Force, is many De-
grees fwifter than the Motion of Gravity, which makes the Refiftance -, fo
that the prevailing Motion is perform'd, before the oppofite Motion begins :
whilft, at firft, there was a kind of Neutrality, or want of Rerifl:ance. And
hence, in all Projeftiles, it is not fo much the ftrong, as the fharp and
quick Stroke, or Percuffion, that carries the Body fartheft. Nor was it
poffible that a fmall Quantity of Spirit in Animals, efpecially in thofe fo
bulky as the Elephant, or the Whale, fhould move, and manage fo great
a Mafs of Matter ; but for the Velocity of the Motion of the Spirit ;
and the Inability of the corporeal Mafs to refift.
*rhis theToun- 234. And this is one of the principal Foundations of the Magical In-
dation of Ma- fiances, which we fhall foon confider ^ ; wherein a fmall Quantity of Matter
guallnftan- overpowers and fubdues a much greater: that is, where there may be a
Pre-occupation, or Anticipation of Motions, by the Velocity of one, be-
fore another is ready ".
The Cafe to he 235. Laftly, this Bufinefs of Anticipation and Subfequence, fhould
regarded in all ht obfetved in all natural Aftions. Thus in the Infufion of Rhubarb,
natural JSt- jh^ purgative Virtue is drawn out firfl ; and the aftringent Virtue after-
wards ^. And fomething of the like kind we have found upon infufing
Violets in Vinegar ^ ; where the fweet and delicate Odour of the Flowers
is firft received •, and afterwards the more earthy Part ; which confounds
the Odour : therefore, if Violets be infufed for a whole Day, their Smell
is obtain'd much fainter, than if they were infufed only for a Quarter
of an Hour, and then taken out. And becaufe Violets contain but little
odoriferous Spirit, if frefh ones be infufed in the fame Liquor, every
Quarter of an Hour, for fix Times ; the Tindure, or Infufion, will
become fo rich in the Space of an Hour and an half, as to continue, for
2 a whole
» See Vol. III. p. 624.
'' See below, .^ph. 51.
^- This deferves to be carefully confider'd and rementb;r'd; for many extraordinay Opera-
tions, and Cafes of Praftice, depend upon it.
^ See the Sylva Syk'a/.vm under the Article Infufion.
* See the Place laft cited.
Sed. 11. hy Prerogative Instances. 525
a whole Year, of cin exceeding grateful Odour, not inferior to the Flowers
themfelves. But it mull be obferved, that the Odour does not come
to colled its full Strength, till a Month after the Infufion is made.
And the Bufinefs of Dillillation affords numerous remarkable Examples
to the fame Purpolc.
Aphorism XLVII.
236, In the tivent-j-third Place, among Prerogative Injiances, come In- (23.) Inftances
Jlcvices of Sluanttls ; wliich we alfo call the Dofes of Nature ' ; borrowing '{^^'"f^'p
the Expreflion from Medicine. Thefe are fuch Injlances as meafureVir- J^^^^^^" *■'
cues by the Quantities of Bodies ; and indicate what the Quantity of a
Body contributes to the (^lantity of Virtue.
337. And, firft, there are certain Virtues fubfifting only in a Ccfmical Exemplified in
Quantity ; that is, fuch a Quantity as has a Confent with the Configuration v"^'""^ Partt-
and Strufture of the Univerfc. Thus the whole Body of the Earth, '"
unmoved fuppofe in its "Whole, does not fall downwards, tho' its
Parts do : the Waters ebb and flow in the Sea, but not in Rivers ; un-
lefs where they communicate with the Sea : and almoft all particular Vir-
tues operate in proportion, as the Body is bigger or lefs. Large Col-
leflions of Water do not eafily corrupt ; as fmall ones do. New Wines
and Drinks ripen quicker, or become fooner potable, when contained in
fmall Vefiels, than when in large ones. If a Plant be added to a large
Proportion of Liquor, it makes an Infufion rather than a Tindure ;
but if to a lefs, it makes a Tinfture rather than an Infufion. So, with
regard to the human Body, bathing is one Thing, but fprinkling ano-
ther. And thus the fineft Dev/s never fall in the Air, but are diffipated
and incorporated with it. And we fee in breathing upon polifh'd Gems,
that the fmall Quantity of Moiflure thus left upon their Surface, is
prefently licked up by the Air •, as a light Cloud, or Mifl, is diffipated
by the Wind. Again, a Piece of a Loadftone will not attradl fo much
Iron as the whole Loadftone would do.
238. There are alfo Virtues, wherein Smallnefs of Quantity has xht Smallnefs of
greateft Eftedl ; as a fharp Point penetrates eafier than a blunt one ; ^'""I'ly ^as
and as the angular Point of a Diamond cuts Glafs : with other ^^^^IP^^^^rJ^a^'Z^Effa.
of the like kind.
239. But we are not here to dwell upon Indefinites-, but fhould enquire 7^^ M<?-j/ar^j-
into the Proportions of the Quantity of a Body, with regard to xh^ofthe ^irtues
Meafure of its Virtue : for one might eafily imagine, that the Propor-^"|^^,^^^°^^l
tions of Quantity correfponded to the Proportions of Virtue ; as that 2i Urly fought.
leaden Bullet of two Ounces fhould fall twice as fwift as another of one
Ounce ; which is abfolutely falfe. Nor do the fame, but very different.
Proportions, obtain in all kinds of Virtues ; and, therefore, thefe Mea-
fures
' See above, jiph. 44.
^26 I'he Way of foortening inquiries ; Part II.
fares muft be derived from Experiments, and Things themfelves ; and not
from Probabilities, or Conjeftures.
TheDi/es of 240. Laftly v in every natural Enquiry^, the Quantity of the Body re-
Nature to be quired to produce any Effect muft be let down ; as the Dcfe : and the
fubjoin'din e- Cautions, with regard to Quantity, either in Excefs or Defed, conti-
^jery Enquiry, j^^^jj^ intcrfpers'd.
Aphorism XLVIII.
{zA..) Injl<i!ices 241. In the tvjenly-fcurlhFla.ce come Injlances of ReluHance; which we
cfRelu^ance. alfo call by the Name of Prevailing Infiances ; that is, fuch as fhew the
Predominancy, or Subjeftion of Virtues to one anothe ; or which of them
is the ftronger, and prevails -, and which the weaker, and fubmits : for
the Motions and Struggles of Bodies are no lefs compounded, recom-
Belongtoall pounded, and complicate, than Bodies themfelves. We will, therefore,
the Spedes ef firft lay down the principal Species of Amotions, or active Virtues ; that
Motion. jj^ejr Comparifon, in Point of Strength, may be the clearer ; and thence
the Inflames of Relu£iance and Prevalence, be the better known and
defigned.
Motions di-jt- 24^- '^^^ fi^fi ^^^''0^ i"^y be the Motion of Reftflance in Matter, or
dedanidiftin-xkie Motion that refides in all the Parts thereof, and will not fulfer it
guijhed into x.o be any way annihilated ; fo that no Force of Fire, no Weight, or
^e?i\fRern-'' Depreffion, no Violence, no length of Time, or Continuance of Dura-
ance. tion, can ever poflibly reduce any the leaft Particle of Matter to no-
thing ; but it it will ftill continue fomething ; poflefs a certain
Space •, and to whatever Neceffity it be reduced, free itfelf, either by
changing its Form or Place ; or, if it cannot do that, it will continue
as it was •, fo that the Time fhall never come, when it is nothing, or
has no Exiftence. And of this Motion we need produce no Examples,
becaufe it is univerfal, or exifts in all Bodies ■*.
(2)7hMo- 243. "Let the. fecond Motion he iliAt we ttrm Motion of Conne£}ion ; whereby
tion ofCinne- Bodies fuffer not themfelves to be divided, or feparated from others,
Sioti. on account of the mutual Contact and Connexion they affeft : which
is a Motion call'd by the Schools, the Motion preventive of Vacuity ;
as when Water is forced upwards by Suftion, or by the Pump -, or
when the Flefh is raifed by Cupping-GlalTes -, or, as when Water
runs thro' a Siphon ; with numerous other Examples of the fame
kind ^
(■!,.) 7be Mo- 244. Let the third Motion be what we c^Al Motion of Liberty, or Freeing
tion of Li- Motion ; whereby Bodies endeavour to cafe and free themfelves from any
'^'''y- preternatural PrefTure or Tenfnn j or reilore themfelves to the Dimen-
fions agreeable to their own Natures. And of this Motion alfo the Ex-
amples are numerous. Thus Water endeavours to free itfelf from Pref-
fure
^ See the A:ithor'% Hi/iorf ofCortdenfation and Rarifaffion, Vol. III.
' Let it be confidered whether all thefe Motions are juftly explained by the Weight, Spring,
or Preflure of the Air.
Sc6l. II. by Prerogative Instances. 527
fure in the Aftion of Sailing, and Rowing ; the Air, in the Adlion
of Flying, and in the Undulations of the Winds ; the Springs in
Watches •, comprcfs'd Air in Pot-Guns» which forces out the Pellet, i^c.
245. And, for this Motion of Liberty in the Cafe of T^enfiov., we fee, jts pls^rfin-
the Air frees itfclf therefrom, when it remains after Sudion in G\dik- r^er.a in Tijt-
Eggs ' -, we fee it alfo in Strings, Leather, Cloih, i^c. which reftore-^""-
themfelves after Ter.fion \ unlefs where they remained fo long llretch'd,
as to have their Motion of Liberty fubdued. This Motion is unfcien-
tifically called, by the Schools, the Motion of the Elemenlar-j Forms :
for it does not only belong to Air, Water, and Flume -, but to all the
Divcrfnies of confident Bodies ; as Wood, Iron, Lea I, Cloth, Skins, i^c.
each Body having its own Meafure of Extent or Dimenfion, from whence
it is with difficulty It retched to any confiderable Dillance ^.
246. But as this Motion of Liberh is, of all others, the moft obvious ; 7;:,;V M//(;;r
and alfo extremely general; it requires to be well and clearly d'A'm- to ie toeli di'
guifhed : ior fome very inadvertently confound it with the Alction of Re-J^'"S"'P^^-
ftjicir.ce, and the Alotion of ConKt£Iicn. Thus when, by this Motion, Mat-
ter frees itfelf from PrelTure, they confound it with the Motion of Re-
fijlance ; and when Matter frees itfelf from Tenfion, they confound it with
the Motion of Connexion ; as it compreflcd Bodies yielded or dilated them-
felves only to prevent a Penetration of Dimenfions ; and as it, when
ftrctched, they reftored, or contrafted themfelves, to prevent a Vacuum :
whereas, if comprefs'd Air were to become as denfe as Water ; or Wood
as denfe as Stone ; there would be no danger of a Penetration of Dimen-
fions -, even tho' thefe Bodies could be much farther comprelTed than they
any way admit of. So likewife, if Water were to be dilated to the
fame Degree of Rarifaflion with Air ; or Stone to the fame Degree of
Rarifaftion with Wood ; there is no NecefTity that a Vacuum fhould en-
fue ; even tho' thefe Bodies could be extended much farther than their
Natures any way allow''. And therefore, the Cafe is not brought
to a Penetration of Dimenfions, and Vacuity, except in the utmoft Li-
mits of Condenfation and Rarifacftion : whereas thefe Motions flop far
fhort of thofe Limits ; as being no more than Appetites which Bodies have
of continuing themfelves in their own Confiftencies, or Dimenfions •, and
rot fudcenly departing frcm them, unlefs altered by gentle Means, and
by Confent.
247. But it is much m.ore neceflary, as being a Thing of great Confe- Fhlent Mi-
quence, to obferve that violent Motion, as 'tis called, is no other than 'i^"' iheAh-
this very Motion of Libert), tending from Compreflion to Relaxation. "^*'-^^'^""'-'''
For in all fimple Protrufion, or Flight through the Air, there is no Ten-
dency to Motion, or Change of Place, before the Parts oi the Body fuRer
preter-
' See above, jlph. ^i^- §. 220.
? See xt^e. Hilary of Condinfatim ani Rari/aHisn, paffim ; and the Article JMI;//tfff, in the
Sylva Syh-.^rum.
*" See the Author's Hijisry of Condenjation and ILirifaltion, Vol. III.
528 I'hz Way of fjortening Enquiries y Part 11.
preternaturally, and are coinprefTed by the impelling Force ; whence it is
that fome Parts fucceffively preffing againft the reft, the whole Body is
driven off, or protruded; and no^ only in a progreffive, hut at the fame
time, in a rotatory or revolating Motion ; fo as that by this Means alfo,
the Parts may free themfelves, or fuffer more equally '.
(4.) The Ma- 248. Let the fourth Motion be the Motion of Extenfion ; which is, in
/ton of Ex ten- ^^^^ meafure, the Oppofite to the Motion of Liberty : for in the Motion
of Liberty, Bodies avoid, dread, and fly from a new Dimenfion, or a
new Degree of Dilatation, or Contraction ; and endeavour, with all their
Force, to recover their former State : whereas, on the contrary, in the
Motion of Extenfion, Bodies affedt a new Dimenfion ■, and fometimes wil-
lingly and haftily afpire to it, even with a violent Endeavour ; as we fee in
Gunpowder. And the moft powerful, or at lealt the mod common,
tho' not the only Inftruments of this Motion, are Heat and Cold.
Exemplified in 249. For Example, if Air be dilated by I'enfion, as it is in Sudlion, it
•^ir- has a great Appetite of reftoring itfelf ; but if Heat be applied thereto,
it, on the contrary, tends to dilate, and occupy a new Dimenfion •, and
goes willingly over thereto, as into a new State : and after fome Con-
tinuance of this Dilatation, it has no great Appetite to return, unlefs folli-
cited thereto by the Application of Cold ; which is no fpontaneous Re-
turn, but a repeated Change.
JdW ur ^5°' ^° likewife Water, when compreffed, refills, and endeavours, as
it were, to enlarge itfelf; but upon the Continuance of intenfe Cold, it
fpontaneoudy and readily concretes into Ice : and if the Cold continues
very long, without Interruption from any Warmth ; as perhaps fometimes
happens in the deeper Caverns ; the Water is turned into Cryftal ; or
Matter approaching thereto ; and never recovers the Nature of Water
again ~.
(5.) The Mo- 251. Let the fifth Motion be the Motion of Continuity; by which we do
tion cfCon- not mean a fimple and primary Continuation with any other Body ; for
tmutty. ^j^^j. 1^ Motion of ConneElion ; but of Self-Continuation in a certain Body.
For, 'tis manifeft, that all Bodies refift a Solution of their Continuity ;
fome indeed more, and others lefs ; but all of them in a Degree. And,
as in hard Bodies, fuch as Steel and Glafs, the Refiftance of Difcon-
tinuation is very ftrong ; fo likewife in Liquors, where this Motion feems
either to ceafe, or at leaft to languift, yet it is not abfolutely wanting:
but it plainly refides in them, as it were, in the loweft Degree, and
difcovers itfelf by numerous Experiments ; as particularly in Bubbles ; the
Sphericity of Drops ; the fine Threads of Ificles ; in the drawing out of
glutinous Bodies, i£c. But this Appetite principally appears, when a
Difcontinuation is attempted in the fmall Parts of Bodies : Thus, in beating
the
i See Vol. III. f. 606.
•= See the Sylva Sylvamm, under the Article Iranfmutation. See alfo Mr. Bo;jk upon the
Origin of Gems.
Sc*ft. II. ^Prerogative Instances. 529
the Mortar, after the Pulverization is carried to a certain Degree, the
Pertel operates no further upon the Matter, to reduce it finer. And fo
Water will not enter into fine Cracks, or Fifiures ; nor Air, tho' fo ex-
tremely fubtile, readily infinuate into the Pores of folid VeflTels.
252. Lee the/.v/A Motion be that \vc call Moliou of Acqinftloti, or Mo- [6 ) The Mo-
tion of IFant ; by which. Bodies, when placed among others that are \\Q..ti}n of Jcjui-
terogeneous to, and as it were at H:imity with them, if they find an-'"""''
opportunity of flying and avoiding thefe, and applying thenifclves to
others nearer related, tho' without any clofe or intimate Confent, yet
they prefently embrace the Occafion ; and chufe the latter before the
former, as it were in the Way of Acquifition ; or as if they ftood in "want
of fuch Bodies ; from whence we derive the Name.
253. For Example, Leaf-Gold, or any other Metal in the Leaf, de--^-*'^^/>/'/^'/'«
lights not in the ambient Air; and therefore if it touches any tangible -'"''
or grofs Body, as the Finger, Paper, i^c. it prefently flicks diereto, and
is not eafily feparated again.
254. So Paper, Cloth, ^c. have no great Agreement with the Ait Spongy Bodies]
refiding or lodged in the Pores thereof ; and therefore, fuch Bodies readily ^"'^^''^"'^
imbibe Water, or other Moillure, and rejedl or throw out the Air. So ^'J ""'
if Sugar, or Spcnge, be dipt only at one end in Water, or Wine ; whilft
the other Part remains far above the Surface of the Liquor ; yet thefe
Bodies gradually attraft the Wine or Water upwards '.
255. Hence we may derive an excellent Rule for the opening and dif- ^ jija/^yJr
folving of Bodies: for, (not to meddle at prefent with Corrofive M.tn- diffolving Bo-
ftruums, which force themfelves a Paflage) i? a fuitahle Body can he found '^'"^
that has a greater /Igreement, or Confent, with any Solid, than the Matter has
Vyheremlh fuch a Solid is mixed, as it were by Necejfity "> -, the Solid will
immediately open, a?id relax itfelf, to receive the latter, and exclude and rejeSl
the torvier ". Nor docs this Motion of Acquifition operate only in imme- EMn'citj,
diate Contaft : For the eleSirical Virtue, (about which Dr. Gilbert and «'*'"•
others have invented fuch Fables) is an Appetite excited by a gentle
Friftion ; and not well agreeing with, or enduring the Air •, but affeds or
covets other tangible Bodies, if it find them near at hand ".
256. Let the feventh Motion be that we call the Motion of t-he greater (7) Motion of
Congregation, whereby Bodies are carried to the Mafles of their own Na- ^^ greater
tures ; heavy ones, to the Globe of the Earth ; and light ones to the ""^''"^
furrounding Heavens. This, by the Schools, from a fuperficial Confide-
' See the Syha Sj Ivarum, under the Article AttrtiHion.
" The In/liiKces hereof are numerous in Chemiftry, as in adding Oil of Vitriol to Nitre,
Sea-Salt, is'c. when the Oil of Vitriol feizes i.pon the earthy Part, and fets the Spirit of
Nitre, ia'c. Tree.
" See the Article /y//r^:!2/i!/7. in the Sylva Syharum. See alfo the Chapter oi Menjlruums in
Boerkaave'i Chemiftry ; and M Geoffroyi Table of the different Relations obferved in Chemi-
ftry, betwixt diiicrent Bodies, in the French Memiiri. An. ijlS.
" See Mr. Bi^jle of Eleilricity. See alfo the Author's Syha Sylvarum, under the Article
Ek.nricity.
Vo L. II. Y y y ration.
S30
Is languid.
(8.) The Mo-
tion of the
leffer Congre-
gation.
Differs from]
the Motion of
Want.
Thii Way of JJjortejting 'Enquiries ; Part II.
ration, is called Nalural Motion •■, becaufe they found nothing that was
externally vifible to give if; and therefore imagined it to refide natu-
rally, or to be innate in Things theinf^lves : or again, perhaps, becaufe
it is a ceafelefs, or continual Motion. And no wonder, fince the Heavens
and the Earth are always at hand ; whereas the Caufes and Origins of
many other Motions, are fometimes prefent, and fomctimes abfent : and
hence they laid this down, for a conftant and proper Motion ; and the
others for acquired ones.
257. But, in reality, this Motion is weak, and languid ; as yielding and
fubmitting to other Motions, lo long as they continue to operate ; unlefs
the Bulk of the Body be confiderable. And altho' this Motion has {q
pofTefs'd the Thoughts of Men, as almoft to have ftifled or fuperf^rded
the reft ; yet it is very little that they know thereof; but run into
many Errors about it ''.
258. Let the c'l^nh Motion be the Motion of the leffer Congregation,
whereby the homogeneous Parts in any one Body feparate themfelves
from the heterogeneous, or colleft together ; and whereby alfo diftinft
and entire Bodies, from a Similitude of Subftance, embrace, cherifli, and
fometimes colled and attract each other, and come together from a cer-
tain Diftance : as when in Milk, the Cream, after fome Continuance,
floats a-top ; and in Wine, the Lees fmk to die Bottom. Nor does it
happen only through the Motion of Gravity and Levity, that fome Parts
fhould rife to the top, and others fink to the bottom; but much more
through an Appetite, that homogeneous Bodies have of meeting and
uniting together ^.
259. This Motion differs from the Motion of TVant\ in two refpeds ;
the one, that in the Motion of IFant there is a Stimulus, or Incitement of
a malignant and contrary Nature ; whereas in this Motion, when all Ob-
ftacles and Lnpediments are removed, the Parts unite by Congruity or
Aftedion ; tho' there be no foreign Nature prefent, to caufe an Aver-
fion. The other refped is, that the Union here proves clofer, and, as it were,
ftronger, with greater Appetite or Choice. For, in the former, if the
Thing at Enmity be avoided, the Bodies meet, tho' they are not greatly
related; but in the latter, Subftances come together, as if perfedly related
by Similitude, and make, as it were, one Whole. And this Motion
refides in all compound Bodies ; and would eafily fhew itfelf in each, if
it were not bound down and reftrained, by other Appetites, and Ne-
celTities of Bodies, which difturb and hinder this Union \
160. This
I
P See the Article Motion in the Syha Syharuf/t.
^ See nbove, §. 255.
' See above, §. 252.
5 Thefe Appetites, or Laws of Motion, require the ftrifteft Regard ; as being the Things
whereon all the Aftions and Paffions, or all the Phaenomena andEffefts, of Bodies, principally
depend. See below, Jj>h. 50.
Se<^. II. by Prerogative Instances. 531
260. This Motion is, generally, bound down three Ways ; viz. (i.) hy SubdueJ thre*
the Inactiviiy of Bodies ; (2.) by the Check of a predominating 'QoAy ; ^(''uysimz.firji
and, (3.) by external Motion. As to the firft, 'tis certain, that tangible ^J' ■'«'"'''"O''
Bodies have a kind of Inadivity or Sluggifhnefs, in a greater or lefs
Degree, whereby they dread or refill local Motion ; fo that, unlcfs ex-
cited, they tend rather to continue in their prefcnt State, than to move
or change for a better '.
261. This Siuggiflinefs is taken off by three Means; viz. (i.) tithtv jrhich is fet
by Heat-, (2.) fome eminent Virtue of a Body related : or, (3.) by ay>tv, (1.) by
brisk and powerful Motion. And, fyfi, as to the Afftjlance of Heat \ it ^"'*-
hence arifes, that Heat is laid to feparate heterogeneous, and congregate
homogeneous Bodies ; which is a Definition of the Peripatetics., juftly
derided by Dr. Gilbert •, as being like the defining a Man to be a Tiling
that lows Corn, and plants Vineyards: a Definition formed only upon
particular Efiects. But the former Definition is flill more faulty, becaufe
the Efiects, whatever they arc, proceed not diredly from the Property
of Heat i but only by Accident : for Cold will do the fame, as we
fhall fhew hereafter " -, and is really owing to an Appetite which the ho-
mogeneous Parts have of coming together ; the Heat only affifting to
difpel the Siuggiflinefs that before fubdued, or bound down this Ap-
petite.
262. SecondU., As to the AJfiftance of the Virtue communicated by a Body {2.) By the
related ; this appears furprizingly in the armed Loadftone, which excites Virtue of a
in Iron a Virtue of detaining Iron, by fimilitude of Subftance ; the Vir- ^^^ related.
lue of the Magnet here difpelling the Sluggifhnefs of the Iron.
263. And, Tkirdly, for the AJjiftance of Motio^n; we fee it in Arrows (3-) -^nd by
of Wood, with wooden Points, which penetrate flirther mto Wood than '^'""'* ■''^'"""'*
if they were tipt with Iron ; through a Similitude of Subftance ; the In-
aftivity of the Wood being fliook off by the Velocity of the Motion, as
we before obferved, under Clandejline Injlames ".
26.4. The binding of the Motion of the IciTer Congregation, ^y ne Motion of
the Check of a predominating Body, appears in the Refolution of Blood, the lejfer Con-
and Urine, by Cold: for fo long as thefe Fluids continue full o^ z\\\xtS''cg'"'i'' M-
active Spirit, which direcfts, governs and fubdues their Parts, of every j ] '^'p"^."
Kind, as Lord of the Whole ; fo long the difterent Parts do not colle<fi: dominating
together-, by reafon of t\\t Check upon them : but after this Spirit h tvx- Body.
porated, or dcaden'd, by Cold ; then the Parts being relaxed, and un-
bridled, feverally come together ; according to their natuial Appetites.
And hence it is that all Bodies, containing a fliarp Spirit, as Salts, and
' This fcems to be what is now called, by Mathematical Writers, the Fit Inertia of Matter.
See alfo hereafter, §. 297 and 300.
" As' particulirly, in the freezing of Brandy, Wine, falinc Liquors, i^c. See below,
Jph. 50.
»" See above, Jph.21. See a'fo the Sylva Sylvarum, under the Article AttraSlion.
y y y 2 £h§
532
And, thirdly,
by external
Motititi.
T'he JVay of JJjo?'tening Ejtquirtes ; Part II.
the like, continue unfeparaced ' ; viz. by reafon of the permanent and
durable Check of the prefiding, or over-ruling Spirit.
265. We have an eminent Example of the Motion of the Icffer Con-
gregation being fubdued by external Motion^ in the Agitations of Bodies,
which are preventive of Purrefaftion : for all Putrefadion depends upon
the uniting of the homogeneous Parts -, whence there gradually cnfaes a
Corruption or Deftruction of the former State, or Appearance, and the Intro-
dudfion of a new one : for a Solution of the old State muft precede
Putrefadlion, which paves the Way to the Generation of a new Thing. And
this Solution is the Colledlion of the homogeneous Parts toget'icr: and
if not obftrufted, the Solution is fimple ; but if various Obftacles inter-
vene. Putrefaction enfues ; that is the Rudiments of a new Genera-
tion. But if a frequent Agitation be made, by external Motion -, then
the Motion of Union, which is here delicate, foft, and requires Reft from-
without, becomes difturb'd, and ceafes ; as we find by numerous Ex-
amples.
266. Thus the continual Agitation, or Running of Waters, prevents
their putrefying: Winds purge and purify a peftilential Air: Corn, by
being turned and agitated, is kept found in the Granary : and, in fliort,
all Things that are kept in Agitation from without, do not eafily putrefy
from within'.
267. We muft not here omit that Conjundlion of the Parts of Bodies,
from whence Hardnefs and Drynefs principally proceed : for after the Spi-
rit, or Moifture turn'd into Spirit, is fled, from any porous Body ; as
Wood, Bone, Parchment, i^c. the groflTer Parts forcibly contrail:, and
come together ; whereupon Hardnefs, or Dryncis enfues : which we judge
not to proceed fo much from the Motion of Connexion, as from the Mo-
tion, or Appetite, of Amity, of , Union.
268. As for the Motions that meet from a Diftance, thefe are extra-
ordinary and uncommon ; yet may-be found in more Things than have
been ufually obferved.. 'We find Examples hereof in Bubbles, that rufli
into and diflblve one another,-, in Medicines that attraft or drain off"
Humours by Similitude of Subftance " ; two Violins in Unifon with
each other, when the one being ftruck, the other will move, ^c. We
likewife fufpeft this Motion prevails in the Spirits of Animals •, tho' it
remains perfeftly unknown. 'Tis doublefs exerted in the Loadftone, and
animated Iron.
269. But with regard to the Loadftone, there are four diftindt Mo-
/^"T?" "'^ '^^ tions. Virtues, or Operations, that fhould not be confounded ; tho' thro' •
'" J one. Admiration and Aftoniihment, Men have blended them together. The
firfi is, the Attradion betwixt Magnet and Magnet ; Iron and the
Magnet j
' Vi'x.. Unrefolved into their diJlerent Principles, or heterogeneous Parts.
' See the Sylvn S'flvarum, under the Article Putrefaliion.
." P'iz. As Rhubarb does the Bile, i^c. 2
Exemplijied.
Ill the Con-
traRions of
dry Bodies.
Motions meet-
ing at a Di-
Jlance.
Tour diflittll
Seel. II. ij> Prerogative I^!s^T,A,^^CEs. 533
Magnet 4 or animated Iron andiron. The fecoKd is", ithe Verticity of the
touch'd Needle, or its Property of pointing North and South ; together
with its ^'ariation, or Declination from that Diredion. The third is the
Virtue of penctracing Gold, Gl.ds, Srone, &c-. And the fourth is, the
Communication of V'irtue from the Stone to Iron, and from Iron to
Iron, without a Crmn.unication of Subftancc". But, at prcfcnr, we fpeak
only of the firft of thefe Virtues ; that of Approach, or. Attraction.
270. There is alfo a remarkable iVlotion of Attraftion btrween Quick- P"^;^'"""'*'""'
filver and Gold ; fo that Gold will atuad: Quickfilver, tho' it be made .^'//^'///ifr
up into Ointments. A.nd thof^ that work nvich among the Vapours w G»/*/. :
of QjiLkfilver, commonly hold a Piece of Gold in their Mouths, to
coll.ct the mercurial Enluvia -, which would otherwife penetrate the
Skull, and Bo.>es of the Body, ^c. and the Gold fo employ'd, foon
alter becomes wliite ". And fo much for the Motion of the lefTer Con-
grcg.uion. ,
271. Let tlie ninth. Motion be Magnetical Motion^ which, tho' a Thing (9 ) M^rfw/;-
of the fame Kind with the Moticn cf the leSTcr Conrregation ; yet, if it ope- '"' ^f'!'"' "J
► i T^a J 1 a/i rr r M ► •► J r the Motion of
rate to gnat Diltances, and upon large Mafies or iVlatter, it delervcs Attraakn in
a feparate ETiquiry ; efpecially if it neither, like moft other y\ox!\om^ Urge Btdiea
begins with Cont.:(51: ; nor comes to that -at lad-, as all the Motions of
Congregation do •, but only raffes Bodies, or makes them fwcil, withoqt
any farther Elied:. For if the Moon raifes the Waters, or rnakes moift
Things fwell j.or if the Sphere of the fixed Scars attradls the Planets,
towards xXyt^iX Afcgees\ or if the Sun attrafts Venus_ and Mercury,, and keeps
them always near its Body -, thefe Motions fcem not-juftly to fall under
thofe of the greater or lef Congregation \ but to be Q.txx.z\x\ middle and im-
jerfe^ Motions cf JJTcmbtage •, that fhoukl, therefore, conftitute a parti-
cular Species.
272. Let the tenth Moticn be x.\\c Motion of Avoidance ; which isaMo-f'o) Moths
tion contrary to that of the leffer Congregation ; and makes Bodies, by "f ■^'•'o'^'"'''-'
Antipathy ^, fly from, and keep otF, others, that are difagreeable to them •,
or feparate themfelves therefrom ; or refufe to mix therewith. For alcho'
this Motion may feem, in fome Cafes, to be only an accidental, or a
confequential Thing, with refpedl to the Motion of the leffer Congregation ;
as homogeneous Bodies cannot come together, till fuch as are heteroge-
neous be excluded and removed ; yet it fhould be particularly men-
tion'd,
" See the Article Magnetifm,\\n the Syha S.ylt/arum.
" It has been lately queftion'd, whether, when Perfons are falivated by Mercury, a Piece
of Gold will be whiten'd, by being held, for fevcral Hours, to any Part of the Body, where no
Mercury, from without, is fuppofed to come ; or none befides what has pafled thro' the Courfe
of Circulation, along with the animal Juices.
> Let it always be remember'd, that the Author Qonftantly chufes the old Words, \vhcre he
msy ufe them fo as to convey his own Meaning, with any tolerable Advantage. This is the
more neccflary to be remarked, becaufe Men arc extremely apt to take particular Difgufts, as
well "as particular Lilcincs, to Words and Phrafes.
534 ^^ IVay of Jljortening Enquiries', Part 11.
tion'd, and made a Species •, becaufe, in many Things, the Appetite of
Repi'.ljion feems more capital than the Appetite of AttraFlwn.
ExempUfiedin 273. This Motion appears remarkably in the Excretions of Animal ;
Tafta andO- and no lefs in the Objeds odious to fome of the Senfes •, particulariy
dturs. J.Q j.j^g Smell and Tafte : for a fetid Odour is fo repulfed by the Or-
gan of Smell, that it even caufes a Motion of Expulfion, by Confent,
in the Mouth of the Stomach ^. A bitter and horrid Tafte is fo re-
pulfed by the Palate and Throat, as to caufe, by Confent, a particular
Shake, or Shuddering of the Head.
JntheAnti- 274. This Motion of Avoidance has alfo place in other Things ; for
ferijlaf.s of jt appears in fome Kinds oi /intiperiftafis ". Thus the Cold in the middle
g/^^aW Region of the Air, feems to be a Repulfion of the Cold from the Con-
fines of the celeftial Bodies : as thofe great Heats and Burnings,
found in fubterraneous Places, feem to be a Repulfion of Heat, from
the inner Parts of the Earth. For Heat and Cold defliroy each other,
when their Degrees are fmall ; but when collecfted into large Mafles, or,
as it were, into full Armies, they violently repel, and difplace each
other in the Conflift.
Jn odoriferous 275. 'Tis alfo reported, that Cinnamon, and other odoriferous Bodies,
Bodiei, and fufpended in a Jakes, or other fetid Place, retain their Scent longer ; as
^ic fiher. ^^^ keeping themfelves within, and refufing to mix with Matters of an
ill Odour. And Quickfilver, which, of itfelf, unites into a continued
Mafs, is, by grinding with a little Spittle, Turpentine, l£c. kept afunder •,
fo that its Parts unite not again, by reafon of the Averfion they have to
the Bodies employ'd -, from which, as every way mix'd in among them,
they ihrink, and fhut themfelves up ; their Appetite of avoiding thefe Par-
ticles interpofed, being greater than their Appetite of uniting with their
own fimilar Parts : and this is what they call the killing of ^dckfiher.
In Oil and 276, So, again, the Reafon that Oil will not mix with Water, is not
Water. fo much owing to their Difference of Gravity, as to their want of
Confent : which appears from hence, that Spirit of Wine, tho' lighter
than Oil, yet mixes with Water. But the Motion of Avoidance is moft
remarkable in Nitre., and the like crude Bodies, which fly from Flame ;
as we find in Gunpowder, Quickfilver, and Gold ^
{\i.) Motion of 277. Let the eleventh Motion be the Motion of A/Jimilation, Motion cf
JJftmilation. Self-Multi]:Ucaiion, or Motion of Si?ttjle Generation. By Simple Generation,
we do not underftand the Generation of entire Bodies ; fuch as Plants,
and Animals -, but of fimilar Bodies : fo that by this Motion, Bo-
dies convert other Bodies related to them, or, at leafl, fuch as arc
well difpofed and prepared to be converted, into their own Subftance
and Nature.
27S. Thus
' Viz.. A Retching.
=> Seen/. III. ^.564,565.
I" Viz. Quickfilver confined, and he.ited ; and in the Aarum Fulminans. See /';;/. III.
/.494, i^c.
Seci:. ir. by Prerogative Instances. 535
278. Thus Fl.ime «lultiplies icfelf upon unfbuous ExhaLicions, and oily Exnnplifiedin
Bodies, and generates new Flame; Air multiplies itfclf upon Water, /*<• A'vrr/V/cB
and produces nev/ Air; and the vegetable and animal Spirit multiplies '^"'^-'^'''';"'''"
iflelf, or feeds upon the fofr, aqueous, and oleaginous Parts, and \^^- aadJaimals:
gets new Spirit ; the folid Parts of Plants and living Creatures,
as the Leaves, the Flowers, the Flcfli, t!ic Bones, i^c. are all aflimi-
Ijted trom tae Juices of the Aliment -, and thus beget new Matter, and^
new Subllance upon themfelves fucceflively '. For let no one dream, Paracelfu^v
with Paracelfus, (wlio appears as if blinded by his Diftillations,) '' that Nu- KcthucfNu-
trition is pL-rformcd merely by Separation ; and that the Eyes, the Nofe, 'rition, an-
the Brain, the Liver, i£c. lie concealed in Bread or Food -, or that the-^'''^'^"
Roots, the Leaves, and Flowers of ^''egetables, are lodged in the Juice
of tlie Earth : for he afTcrts, that as the Workman, by feparating and
paring oft" what is fuperfluous, from a rude Block of Stone or Wood,
educes out of it a Leaf, a Flower, an Eye, or a Nofe •, fo the Ar-
(heus, that internal Operator of his, produces all the different Limbs,
and Parts, out of the Aliment, by Separation and Reie<5l:ion.
279. But, to leave fuch trifling •, it is certain, that all the Parts, as well Kutrition,how
fimilar as organical, in Vegetables and Animals, firft attracSt, with {omt pi^firmed
Election or Choice, nearly the fame common, or not very different Juices,
for their Aliment ; and afterwards aflimilate, or convert, them into
their own Nature'. Nor is this Aflimiiation, or fim[le Generation, per-
formed only in animate Bodies •, but inanimate Bodies alfo partake there-
of; as was formerly obferved of Flame and Air ^ And even the lan-
guid Spirit contain'd in all tangible inanimate Bodies, conftantly endeavours
to digert the groflcr Parts, and turn them into Spirit, to be afterwards
difcharged ; whence proceeds Diminution of Weight, and Drynefs, as was
formerly obferved ^.
2S0. Nor muft we, in the Bufinefs of Aflimiiation, rejeft that ^ccT<t- ^(cretian^
tion commonly diftinguifh'd from Aflimiiation ; as when Clay, mix'd
among Stones, concretes, and is turn'd into a ftony Matter ; or when the
Scales of the Teeth are turn'd into a Subflrance as hard as the Teeth
themfelves, i£c. For we judge, that all Bodies have an Appetite of
aflimilating, as well as of uniting, what is homogeneous to themfelves ;
but that both Powers are bound down, or fupprefl^ed, tho' not in the
fame manner. All thefe Ways of binding, and the correfpondent ones
of loofing, fhould be diligently enquired after ; becaufe they regard the
Prolongation of Life, or the Alleviation of old Age ''.
2 2S1. Laftly,
' See the Hifttry of Life and Death, the Hijlery of Winds, and the Syha S;jlvarttm, paffim.
^ See Fol. II. p. 54.
* See the Sylva Sylvarum, under the Article Vegetation,
'' See above, Apb. 42.
K See above, Aph. 40.
*> See the Author's Hiftory of Life and Death, Vol. III.
^^6 'The Way of portening Enquiries ; Part IL
7he Motion of 281. Laftly, 'tis worth obferving, that in the ttn preceding Motions,
Jfftmilation Bodies feem only to affect, or endeavour, the Prefervation of their own
regards the Natures ; but in this eleventh, to endeavour their Propagation.
^fttdieT" ^^^- ^^^ ^^^ twelfth Motion be the Motion of Excitation ; which feen^s
(12) The Mo- of the fame kind with the Motion of AJfwiilation ; as being diffufive, coni-
lioncfExci- municative, tranfitive, and multiplicative, like that; fo as generally to
tation. agree therewith in the EHe6l ; tho' they differ in the Subjedl, and Manner
Wherein it of effeftmg : for xh^ Motion of /Iffimilalion proceeds with a kind of Sway,
agrees, and Authority, and Power ; as it commands and compels the Matter adimi-
^^h'jJi' ^"'"f ^^^^^> ^^ ^^^'^ ^"^ change into the Matter affimilating ; wereas the Mo-
Jnimilation. ^'^on of Excitation proceeds as if it were by Art, Infmuation, and Stealth •,
thus folliciting and difpofing the excited Matter to affume the Nature
of the Matter exciting. So, again, the Motion of AJfimilation multiplies
and transforms Bodies and Sabftances ■, and thus produces mora Flame,
more Air, more Spirit, more Flefh, ^c. but in the Motion of Excitation
none but Virtues are multiplied and communicated : whence there is ge-
nerated more Heat, more Magnetifm, more Putrefi^dlion, i£c.
Mxemplifed in 283. And this Motion is remarkably found in Heat and Cold: for
Heat. Heat does not diffufe itfelf in heating, by the Communication of the
original Heat •, but only by exciting the Parts of the Body to that Mo-
tion which is the Fonn of Heat ; as was mentioned above ' : and, there-
fore. Heat is much flower, and more difficultly excited in Stone or Me-
tal, than in Air ; by reafon of the Indifpofition and Unfitnefs of thofe
Bodies to admit of that Motion : whence, poffibly, there may lodge in
the Bowels of the Earth, Matters which cannot be heated ; as being, by
a greater Condenfation, depriv'd of that Spirit with which this Motion
of Excitation generally begins *".
Jn the Mag' 284. So the Magnet gives Iron a new Difpofition of Parts, and a
jiet. Sec. conformable Motion -, whilft itfelf lofes nothing of its Virtue. So like-
wife Bakers Leaven, Yeafl:, Rennet, and certain Poifons, refpeftively ex-
cite and follicit a fuccelTive and continued Motion, in the coming of
Cheefe, the making of Bread, the fermenting of Beer, andin poifoning the
human Body -, and this not fo much by the Power of the exciting Mat-
ters, as by the Predifpofition and eafy yielding of the Bodies excited.
{13.) The Mo- 285. Let the thirteenth Motion be the Motion of Imfrejfwn; which like-
t ion of I m- wife feems of the fame Kind with the Motion of Affimilation ; and is the
preffion. xx\Q)'^ fubtile of diffufive Motions : but we think proper to make it a
Species, by itfelf, becaufe of a remarkable Difference it has in refpedl
Hiffers from of the two former. For the fim^le Motion of Affimilation transforms Bodies
thetwoprece- themfelves i fo thr.t if what gave the firft Motion be removed, it is of
iingMotions. no Significance to what follows •, for the firft lighting up of Flame, or the
firll Converfion into Air, makes nothing to the fucceeding Generation
of
' See Aph. 13. and 20.
J Confttit the Tabid above laid down, Aph. 11,12, 13, 18, 20.
Secft. II. by Prerogative Instances. ^37
of Flame or Air. So, likewife. Motion of Exc'uaUon remains perfcft, for
a confiderable Time after the firfl Mover is taken away : as in a heated
Body, after what gave the firft Heat is removed ; in animated Iron,
after the Loadltone is laid afide ; and in Bread before baking, when the
Leaven is taken away. But tlie Motion of Imprejfwn, tho' it be diffu- Depends upin
five, and tranfitivc, yet feems conftantly to depend upon the firft Mover ; the firft M.<i-
fo as if that be taken away, it immediately ceafes, and comes to no-*'^''*
thing. This Motion is, therefore, performed momentancoufiy, or at lead
fuddenly : for which Reafon we call the Motions of JJJimilalion and Exci-
tation, the Motions of Jupiter\ Generation ; becaufe the Generation re-
mains : bi«: this Motion of Imprejfwn, the Motion of Saturn's Generation ;
becaufe the Oftspring is prcfcntly devoured and fwallowed up.
286. This Motion fliews itftlf in three Things j viz. (i.) the R.ays of Exemplified in
Light, (2.) the Percufiion of Sounds, and (3.) the Communication of ^'S^'> ^"^'"^'
magnerical Virtues. For (i.) when Light is removed. Colour and all
vifible ^Appearances immediately vanifh ; and (2.) upon Removal of the
firfl: Percufiion, and tlie Concufiion of tlie Body confequent thereto,
Sound foon vanifhes. For altho' Sounds are tofs'd, and agitated, in their
Medium, by Winds, as it were by Waves ; yet it muft: be carefully ob-
ferved, that Sound does not continue fo long as the Refounding cohtt-
nues. For when a Bell is ftruck, the Sound feems to continue a
good while after •, but it would be very erroneous hence to conceive,
that the Sound fludluated, and hung in the Air, all that while : for the
Refounding is not the fame, numerical Sound, but a new one-, as appears
plainly by flopping the Body ftruck : fo if the Bell be ftrongly com-
prels'd whilft it refounds, and be thus rendered motionlefs, the Sound
inftantly ceafes, and no more Refounding is heard. So, likewife, in
ftringed Inflruments, if a String be touched, with the Finger, after the
firft PcrculTion, the Refounding prefcntly ftops. (3.) And, lajily, vfhtn Jnd Magne-
the Magnet is removed, the Iron fufpended by it prefently falls down : ''>?<
but the Moon cannot, by us, be removed from the Sea ; nor the Earth
from a ponderous Body in falling ; and, therefore, no Experiment
can, in this refped, be made on them -, tho' the Cafe be, otherwife,
the faine '.
287. Let the. fourteenth Motion be the Motion of Configuration, or Situa-iH-) TheMfi.
tion ; whereby Bodies feem not to affed coming to, or flying from, one'"'" "^ '^""■fi'-
another •■, but a certain Pojition, Situation^ and Configuration, with refpeft
to others. This, indeed, is a very abftrufe Motion, and little enquired
into : and, in fome Cafes, it feems to be without a Caufe ; tho' we judge
it not to be really fo.
' Sir Ifiiae Neicton attempts to (hew, by Calculation, that the Moon, and whole Solar Sy-
Hem, may be fenfibly afiefled by the Attradion of the Earth ; and conjeftures thut the Effeft
will become more Tenfible hereafter, by caufing a great Difturbance in the celellial Motions.
Sec Ne-jitnn. Princip. Lib. III.
Vol. II. Z z z 288. Thus
53^ ^^ ^ciy of p^ortening Eiiquirks \ Part IL
Exemp/tfiedin 288. Thus, if it fhould be afl<ed, why the Heavens rather revolve from
the Motion of £aft to Weft, than from Weft to Eaft ; or turn upon Poles placed near
/ e eavens. ^^ North and South, or nearer the Bear, than near Orion, or any other
fix'd Star -, the Queftion would appear wild and furprizing ; as being fuppol^d
a Thing that ought to be received from conftant Obfervation and Expe-
rience. And, 'tis true, there are, in Nature, certain ultimate Reforts ;
and Things without a Caufe : but this does not feem to be one of them.
For we judge it to proceed from a certain Harmony, and Confent, of
the Univerfe, hitherto unobferved. And if we admit the Motion of the
Earth from Weft to Eaft, the fame Queftion would recur -, becaufe
the Earth alfo muft move upon certain Poles ; but why fliould thefe
Poles be placed rather where they are, than elfewhere ?
ne magnetic 2S9. So, likewife, the Verticity, or the Diredion and Variation, of the
J^eec.ie. magnetic Needle, may be referr'd to this Motion of Confignj-ation. And
j^ai' th Jr- tJ^ere are found in Bodies, both natural and artificial, efpecially fuch as
ruTi^ement of are confifttnt, and not fiwid, a certain Difpofition and Situation of Parts,
Concretes. jij jj; were in the manner of Threads and Fibres •, which Arrangements
fhould be diligently fought after : for without a Difcovery thereof, fuch
Bodies cannot be commodioufty treated, managed, or wrought "".
(15) The Mo- 2'^o. Let the ffteenth Motion be the Motion of Tranfition, or Amotion of
ti'm oflranfi- Paffage ; whereby the Virtues of Bodies are more or lefs hinder'd, or
'""' promoted, on Account of their Mediums ; according to the Nature of
the Body, and the Virtue of the Medium : for one Medium fuits beft
with Light, another with Sound, another with Heat and Cold, another
with magnetic Virtues, ^c. refpedlively.
I b\ 7h Re- ^9^' ^^^ the fixteentb Motion be what we call by the Name o^ Regaly
gai, orFoliti-^^ Political Motion; whereby the Parts predominating and ruling in any
cal Mjtion. Body, curb, fubdue, and regulate the other Parts; and compel them to
unite, feparate, fix, move, and range themfelves, not according to their
own Appetites -, but as it is conducive to the Well-being of that over-
ruling Part ; fo as to make a kind of political Government, exercifed
by the ruling Part, over the Parts in Subjeftion to it.
Exemplifiedin ^9^" '^'^'^ Motion principally reigns in the Spirits of Animals, and
Spirits. regulates and tempers all the Motions of the other Parts, fo long as it-
felf remains in Vigor. 'Tis alio found, in a lefs Degree, in other Bo-
diesj as was faid above of Blood and Urine" ; which do not refolve till
the Spirit that mix'd and held their Parts together, is evaporated or
ftifled. Nor is this Motion peculiar to Spirits ; tho' tliefe govern or pre-
fide
"' Thus, for Example, the Diamond is flaky or leafy; and has a Grain, or a perpetual Si-
tuation of Plates ; fo as in this refpeft to refemble Talc, &c. Wood has its Grain, or longi-
Uidica! Direaion of Fibres, bjc. And the Knowledge of thofe Properties in Bodies, direfts
the Ways of treating or managing them; as we fee in the cutting and polilhing of Di?.-
iTionds, the fplitting »nd planing of Wood, {jV.
' Sec.above, §. 264,
Sed. II. hy Prerogative Instances. 539
fide in mofl: Bodies, by reafon of their Velocity and Penetration ; but
in Bodies more condenled, and not full of a vivid, brifk, Spirit, (fuch
as is found in Quickfilver, and Vitriol,) the grofs Parts rather have the
Afcendant •, fo that unlefs this Yoke, or Obrtaclc, could, by fomc means,
be fhook off", or removed, there are no Hopes of any new Transforma-
tions to be wrought in fuch Bodies.
293. Let no one here imagine, that we forget our immediate Bufinefs ;
and (whereas this Arrangement and Diftribution of Motions regards
notliing more than the better enquiring into, and difcovering their Pre-
dominancy, by the h.flances of Relu£lance° •■,) here treat ol this Pre-
^omi/uincs-, among the Motions themfelves : for in the Defcription of this
Regal Motion, we do not treat of the Predominancy of Motions, or Vir-
tues ; but of the Pndomwaftcy of the Parts in Bodies : this being that Pre-
dominancy which conftitutes the peculiar Species of Motion, at prefenC
under Confiderition.
294. Let xht fcventeenth Motion be xht Spontaneous Motion of Rotation; [17) Sportta-
whereby Bodies in Motion, and favourably fituated, enjoy their own "^^^J^ Motion
Nature, follow themfelves, and no other Thing ; but run, as it were,
into their own Embraces. For Bodies feem either to move without any Motion in ge-
certain End -, or perfectly to reft ; or elfe to be carried to a Period, "^""^' oftkret
where they may either revolve, or reft according to their Nature. But '" '"
the Bodies that are favourably fituated, if they move at all, move in a
Circle •, that is, with an eternal, and infinite Motion. The Bodies that
are well firuated, and yet abhor Motion, are perfectly at reft : but fuch
as arc not well fituated, move in a ftrait Line -, that is, in the ftiorteit
Way, to 'the Aflbciation of Bodies of their own Nature.
295. This Motion of Rotation has nine Differences; regarding (i.) ^\t Motion of Ro-
Centre, about which the Motion is performed •, (2.) the Poles, witli regard to tationhas nine
which they move ; (3.) the Circumference, in refped: to its Diftance from the ^'m^''^''"'-
Centre ; (4.) the Degree of Velocity ■, (5.) the Confecution, or Order, of
the Motion ; as whether from Eaft to Weft, or Weft to Eaft, i^c. (6.) the
Declination from a perfect Circle, by Spirals, farther off, or nearer to
die Centre "" ; (7.) the Declination from a perfed Circle, by Spirals, far-
tlier from, or nearer to the Polos ; (8.) a greater or lels Diftance of
the Spirals from one another •, (9.) and laftly, the Variation of the Poles
themfelves, if movable : which Particulars belong not to Rotation, un-
lefs it be circular.
296. And this Motion, according to common and more fettled Opinion, Whether the
is held to be the proper Motion of the heavenly Bodies. But there is ^^^^^'"hem-
a great Controverfy, with regard to this Motion, between certain oi per to the ceU-
the Ancients, as well as the Moderns •, who, fome of them, attribute /w/^^'^'V'^
Rotation to the Earth. But, perhaps, it were a more proper Subjeft
° See above, Aph.if'i, J. 241.
r Viz. Their elliptiwl Motion.
Z Z Z 2 of
540
(i-8.) The Mo
tion ofTrepi ■
iation.
iJje Way of portenwg E?tqmrtes- ; Part II.
of Controverfy, (if the Thing be not already paft Difpute,) whether this
Motion, fuppofing the Imnnobility of the Earth, be limited or contain'd
witliin the Bounds of the Heavens ; or rather defcends, and becomes
com.municated to the Air and Waters ''. But for tlie rotatory Motion
of Projeftiles, we refer it to the Motion of Liberty ^
297. Let the eighteenth Motion be the Motion of Trepidation ; whereto, as-
it is underftood by Artronomers, we give no great Credit. But we meet
with this Motion, upon ferioufly fearching into the Appetites of natural
Bodies: and it feems proper to conftitute it a Species by itfelf This
Motion is, as it were, a Motion of eternal Captivity : for where Bodies
are not perfectly well placed, or fituated, according to their Natures,
and yet are not in a perfeftly bad State, they perpetually tremble, and
prove reftlefs 5 neither content with their prefent Situation, nor daring to
proceed farther.
Sxmpnjied. 298. This Motion is found in the Hearts and Pulfes of Animals -, and
muft neceffiirily refide in all Bodies that remain in a doubtful State, be-
tween Convenience and Inconvenience ; fo as that when ftretched or
drav/n, they try to free themfelves ; at which Time they again fuffer a
Repulfion -, and yet are conftantly trying.
299. Let the nineteenth and lafl Motion be that which, tho' it fcarce
anfwers to the Name of a Motion, is yet clearly of that Kind ; viz. the
Motion of Indolence ; or, as we may otherwife call it, the Motion of Dreading
or Refijting of Motion \
300. By this Motion it is that the Earth ftands firm in its own Bulk ;
whilft the Extremities thereof move themfelves tov»'ards the Middle : not
to an imaginary Centre, but to Union. By this Appetite, likewife, all
Eodies violently condenfed, have an Averfion to Motion ; their fole
Appetite being not to move : and altho' tliey fhould be inftigated and
incited to Motion, infinite Ways •, yet they 'obilinately preferve their
own Nature, as far as pofiibly they can. But if they are compelled to
move ; they ftill conftantly endeavour to regain Reft, and recover their former
State, fo as, if poftible, to move no more. And, in this Cafe indeed,
they become agile and fwift ; and, as if impatient of all Delay, ftrive with
Velocity and Rapidity, to replace themfelves. But we have only a par-
tial Image, or imperfeft Notion, of this Appetite ; becaufe here, with
us, no tangible Bodies are condenfed to the urmoft ; on Account of the
Influence and Agency of the celeftial Bodies upon them ' : and befides,
they aifo have fome Mixture of Spirits ".
(ig ) Motion
tf Indolence.
Sxemplijied,
301. And
'' See Vo/.m. p 620.
' See above, §. 244. See alfo Voi. III. p. 60G, 607.
' See above, §. 261.
' See above, f 283.
' See the Tui/e for a legitim.ate Enquiry into Motion, Fof.'TU. p. 322.
SecV. II. hy Prerogative Instances. 54.1
301. And thus we have propofed the Species, or fxmpU Elements of Mo- Recapitulation
iici:s, Affctit^s, and atVive Virtues, which are mod univerful in Nature, "/'^ Dosirint
and under which much natural Knowledge is contained. We deny noc^
th 't other Species may, perhaps, be added ; that thefe Divifions may
be b- ttcr .u.juiled to the true Divifions or Ramifications oi Things ; and
that they may be contrafted in Number. But we mean not this of any
abfi:ia<::t Divifions i as if any one fliould lay, that Bodies defired either
the Co if.rvation, Exaltation, Propagation or Fruition ot their own Na'-
tures ; or that die Motion oi Things tends to the Confervation and Good,
either of the Univcvfe, us the Motions of Rcfiftance, and Conwilirji ; or of
the larger Univerfalities, as the Alotion of the greater Congregation, Rota-
tion, and Indolence ; or of particular Forms, as in iill the reit : for tho' this
wre true; ytt it would be Speculative, and of lialc Ufe •, unlefs it termi-
nated in Matter, and Structure, according to the true Divifions, or Lines
of Nature.
302. In the mean time they will fufRce, and be of good Service, in Ufe of this D>
examining the Pre-dominaiTcie;- of Vircae, and fearching out the Injlances^'''"'^-
of Rclu£lance, which is the prefent Bufinefs. For of the Motions here laid
down, fome are abfolutely unconquerable ; fome are more prevailing
than others, fo as to bind, check and dif^ole thofe others; fome dart
themfelves fiirther out than others ; fome g in excel others, in Point of
Time and Velocity -, and laftly, fome cherifii, ftrengthen, enlarge and
accelerate others.
303. The Motion of Ref: fiance is adam;mtine, and invincible; but'^he-ne Motion of
ther the Motion of Connection be invincible or no, is a Queftion : for wq Ref, fiance in-
determine neither for nor againll a Vacuum, whether interfperfed or col-^J^^^'^J-f^^^"^
leftive : only conceive it plain, that the Reafon why a Vacuum was m- thatofConne-
uodiwcA, by Leucipfus and Democritus, (viz. becaufe without it the fame ^ion^
Bodies cou'd not pofiefs and fill a greater or lefler Space,) is ill founded :
becaufe Matter may wrap and unwrap itfelf in Space, within certain Li-
mits, without the Interpofition of Vacuity. Nor has Air two tliou-
fand times more Vacuity than Gold ; as on that Suppofition it ought
to have. And this appears fufficicr.tly from the extremely powerful Vir-
tues of pneumaticiil Bodies ; (wcich niuit otherwife float like fine Duft
in Vacuo ; ) and from many other Proofs ".
304. But the other Motions govern and obey each other, according to ^^ ^,^,^^;i,^.
their Proportions of Strength, Quantity, Velocity, Sphere of Atlivity ; /,-5;,;^(;vfr«
and alfo according to the Aids and Impedim.ents they meet with, "p or and oky each.
Example, there are armed Loadftones that will attrafb, and fufpend, Cxty '"'^'''■•
times their own \\ . ight of Iron ; fo much does the Motion of the kffcr ExcmpUfctl.
Congregation prevail over the Motion of the larger : but this Motion yields.
If the Weight be greater. Leather extends to a certain Degree, witl>
cut
"■ Se; the Author's Hifsry of Condeafatiin and Rarifallion, paffim. See alfo Vtl. III.
f. 610.
542 The Way of fhortenmg 'Enquiries ; Part IT.
out breaking ; and fo far the Motion of Contmnt-j over-rules the Alotion
of 1'enftoH ; but if the Tenfion be carried further, the Leather breaks,
and the Motion of Continuation gives way. Water runs out at a Crack
of a certain Size ; in which Cafe, the Motion of the greater Congregation
prevails over the Motion of Contimiity : but if the Crack be fmaller, the
Motion of the greater Congregation gives way ; and that of Continuity pre-
vails. If a Mufquet be charged with Sulphur, it will not throw out the
Ball ; in which Cafe, the Motion of the greater Congregation overcomes the
Motion of Dilatation : but when the Mufquet is charged with Gunpowder,
/^ the Motion of Dilatation in the Sulphur prevails, by the Afliftance of
the Motion of Dilatation, and of the Motion wherewith Nitre flies from
Flame. And the like is to be underftood of the other Cafes. For the
Inflances of Reluctance, which indicate the Predominancy of Virtues, and
the Proportions wherein they conquer, and yield, are on all Sides to be
fought out, with great Diligence.
The Manner^ 205- So, likewife, the Manner and Proportions wherein Motions
mdfroporti- give way, are to be carefully examined ; as whether they yield entirely,
on tvherem qj. j-^ther refill to a Degree, but are fubdued : for in the Bodies among
lobTolfe'rved. "-''' ^^''eJ'e is no fuch Thing as true and perfeft Reft; neither in the
Wholes, nor in the Parts ; but only to Appearance. And this apparent
Reft either proceeds from an Mqidlihrium, or an abfolute Predominancy
of Motions : by an ^Equilibrium, as in the Balance ; v,rhich refts on both
Sides, when the Weights are equal : by Predominancy, as in Siphons, or
perforated Watering- Pots ; where the Water refts, and is kept from fal-
ling through, by the Prevalency of the Motion of Connection ^.
TJjs Refj/taMe 306. But» as we faid above ^', it muft be obferved, how far thefe
■ef Motions to yielding Motions refift ; for if any Perfon fliould be forcibly bound
■be difcovered. W-^^~^^ ^nd Foot, or otherwife detained, notwithftanding all the Struggle
he could make ; his Rcfiftance is not the lefs, becaufe it does nor pre-
vail. And the State of this Matter, {viz. whether the yielding Motion
be, as it were, annihilated by the Predominancy •, or whether the Refi-
ftance be continued, tho' latent, in the Conflift) may perhaps appear
from Concurrency. For Example •, let Trial be made in Shooting, whe-
ther a Mufquet, or Cannon, fired at its utmoft Random, or Point-blank
Diftance, throws a Bullet more forcibly upwards, where the Percuffion
is fimple -, or downwards, where the Motion of Gravity concurs, or con-
fpires with the Stroke.
The'Ruhsof 307. Laftly, the. Canons, or Rules of the Predominancies, which occur.
Predominancy fliould be collefted ; as for Example, that the more common the Good which
tobecMaied. ^^ defired, the flronger the Motion ; and tlvAl the Motion of ConnetiioJi, which
regards the Com?mmon of the Univerfe, is Jlronger than the Motion of Gra-
vity, which regards the Communion of Denfe Bodies ; again, that the Ap-
3 ptites
>■ See above, §. 243.
^ ,§• 305-
Se6l. II. ^ Prerogative Instances. 543
fettles of afrhale Good do mi generally prevail againfi the Appetites of a more
puhlick Good, unlefs in fmall Quantities. And it were to be wifhed this
alfo obtained in Civil Aftairs *.
Aphorism XLIX.
308. Amox\o Prerogative hjlances, we affign the t'xenty-fiftb Place to (2^-) Infi/^a-
Inthnatiug Injlances ; that is, fuch as hint, or point out, the Advantages ting Injiances.
or Conveniencies of Mankind : tor bare Power and Knowledge only en-
large, but do not enrich human Nature; and therefore fuch Things as
principally appertain to the Ufcs of Life, are to be fcledled, or cull'd
out from the general Mafs of Things *■. The more proper Place for
fpeaking of thefe, will be when we treat of Reducing Knowledge to Pra-
iitce ". But through the whole Bufinefs of Interpretation, we conftantly, in
every particular Enquiry, or upon every Subjefb, allot a Place for the
Tajle of human Ufes ; or the Table of Deftderata, Wifhes, or Optatives'^ x
for it is a part of Knowledge to enquire, and even to wifh difcreetly.
Aphorism L.
309. In the twenty-fixth Place, among Prerogative InHances, come So- (26 )Scpcreigi}
vereig?!, or General Injlances ; that is, fuch as regard a Variety of Parti- /»/<""'«'-•
culars, and occur frequently : whence they gre itly fave Trouble, and
prevent the Search after new Demonftrations. But for the Inftruments
themfclves, and the particular Managements, the more proper Place to
treat of them is, when we come to the ^ays of PraSiice, and the Method
of Experimenting ' : for the Things hitherto known and ufed, in the Exer-
cife of all particular Arts, muft be defcribed. But at prefent we will
fubjoin a few Generals, with regard thereto ; in the way of exemplifying
thefe Sovereign Injlances.
310. Man, therefore, (befides the Bufinefs of fimply putting 'QoA'itifhe fever.
together, and taking them afunder) operates upon natural Bodies feven Ways, or
principal Ways ; viz. (i.) by excluding fuch Things as might hinder oi- ^eans of
didurb the Procefs-, (2.) by comprefTing, extending, agitating, and the like ;
(3.) by Heat or Cold -, (4.) by continuing the Matters in a convenient Place ;
(5.) by the moderating and governing of Motion -, (6.) by particular
Confents ; (7.) by a leafonable and due Change, Alteration, or Series
and Succeflion, of all the preceding Ways, or at leaft fome of them.
311. With
» Here is an Opening in that Kind of Perfian Magic, which the Author has profeciUed far-
ther on another Occafion. Set: W. II. p. 5. Let the feveral Kinds of Motion, above laid
«lown, be compared \vith thoi'e of Sir Ifaac Netcton, and the modern Mathematical tVriters.
^ Sec yol. III. p. 17, 18, 19, c?V. and the Sylz'a Sylvarum, pa Aim.
' A Part not gone uoon nthe Noum Or^anum. See above, A^h. 21-
^ See the Clofe of the Hi'.cory of Winds, Ftl. III. p. 497. and Condenfation and Rari/aaiiti^
p. S71.
' See the Sylva Syivarum tliroughout. See alfo tlie dc Ajgment. Scieiitiarum, Seci. 12.
Vejfets, and
Coven.
544 m^e Way of fIjorie?iing Enquiries', Part II.
The Injlru' gii. 'With regard to ths frjl Means of Pradlice ; viz. by excluding
mevtsandCiH-f^^Ql^ Things as might hinder or difturb the Procefs ; the ccmmon Air,
'qidreTin /X '^^ich is every where at hand, infinuating itfelf, and the Rays of the Ce-
/r/7a^/j;;; viz. lefbial Bodies, caufe great Difturbance ; and therefore fuch Things as
Containing exclude them, may defervedly be accounted Sovereign. And to this be-
long the Matter and Strength, or T hicknefs, of the VefTels, wherein the
Subjeft, or Bodies prepared for the Operation, are included ; as alio the
exaft MedK)ds of clofing up thefe VelTels, with proper and ftrong Ma-
terials, or with Phihfophical Luting, as the Chemifts call it. So likewife
the clofing of Veffels, by means of Liquors applied on the outfide, is a
very ufeful Thing -, as when they pojr Oil upon Wine, or other vege-
table Juices : for the Oil floating on the top, like a Stopple, excellently
preferves them from the Injuiies of the Air. Nor are Powders unfit for
this Purpofe ; which tho' they contain a Mixture of An , yet expel and
prevent the Force of the external Air ; as we fee in the Preferving of
Grapes, and other Fruits, by Sand or Flower. So again. Wax, Honey,
Pitch, and the like tenacious Bodies, are properly ufcd with a View to
clofe Veflels perfedly, and exclude the external Air, or Atmof; here.
And we have fometimes buried VefTels and other Bodies in Quickiilver ;
the denfeft Fluid that can be employ'd tor Lhis Purpofr.
Caves, Fits, 3^2- Pits, Caves, and fubtcrraneous Recepcxcles, are likewife of great
andWeUs. Ufe, to exclude the Sun ; and the open Aj v, 'nch preys upon Things.
And thefe kinds of Caves are ufed, in the Northern Part of GerniatTj, for
Granaries •■. And to this Head belongs alfo the fullering o\ Bodies to lie
at the bottom of Water. Thus I remember to I'.ave heard, that certain
Bottles of Wine, let down to cool in a Well, being by a cafual Neg-
Jeft left there and forgotten, for many Yeari, but at length drawn up
again -, the W'ine was found to be grown, not vapid or flat, but much
more generous and noble ^ But if it fliould be required to fink Bodies
to the bottom of a River, or the Sea, without their touching the
Water, or without being included in il:opp'd Veflels, and yet be furround-
ed by Air j the Diving-bell, which is a Veflel fometimes employ'd for
working upon Wrecks, or Ships under Water, may here prove of good
Service.
The Diving' 3 1 3- This VeflTel is made of Metal, hollow like a Cask -, and being let down
gell. with its Bottom parallel lo the Surface of the Water, it carries along with
it all the Air it contains, to the bottom of the Sea*"; and having three
Feet to Hand upon, fomewhat fliort of the Height of a Man, the Diver,
when he v/a'-ts to breathe, conveys his Head into the Cavity of the Vef-
fel ; where b^ing reirefh'd with Air, he afterwards continues his Work.
And we have heard, that a Boat, or fmall Ship, was lately contrived,
wherein
f See Vol. I. ;. 291. and Vol. III. p. 168, 169, ^c.
8 See the Article Maturation, in the S)lva S'iharum.
^ See Dr. Hj'Vsji's Account of the Diving-Bell, in iYitPbilofiphical TranfaOions, N*349.
S.eealfo^«/. HI./. 566.
Se£l. II. hy Prerogative Instances. 545
wherein Men may row under Water, tor fome Diftance^ However this
be, under fuch a VelTel as we jufl: now defcribcd, Bodies may be eafily
fufpended in Air, at the bottom of the Sea.
314. There is allb another Uie of carefully including, and fhutting up, y^ «t-w 17/'? »/
Bodies in VelTels ; -c'tz. not only to keep out the external Air, but alfo '■("T'' Opera-
te keep in the Spirit of the Body, operated upon internally •■, for 'tis *'""'
necelTary the Operator upon natural Bodies fliould be certain of his Quan-
tities ; or that nothing fliould expire or go off: for 'tis then that deep
or great Alterations are made in Bodies, when, as Nature prohibits An-
nihilation, Art alfo prevents Lofs, or the Efcape of any Pare of the
Subject.
315. But a falfe Notion has here prevailed, which, if it were true, the ■^". ^'^/'''''"'^
Prefervation of the entire Quantity of a Body, without Diminution, might'" '' '"'"'""
be in a manner defpaired of. The Notion is this, that the Spirits of
Bodies, and Air highly rarified by Heat, can be contained by no Vef-
fels ; but conftantly efcapes through their Pores. Men have been per-
fuaded to this Opinion, by thofe common Experiments ; (i.) of invert-
ing a Glafs, with a piece of lighted Paper, or Candle in it, into Water,
whence the Water rifes upwards -, and, (2.) of Cupping-Glafles, which
being heated with Flame, attraft the Flefh. For Men have imagined
in both Cafes, that the Air is attenuated, difcharged, and lefTened in Quan-
tity ; whence the Water, or Flefh, fucceeds by the Motion of Connexion \
316. But this is erroneous; for the Air is not here leflened in Quan-
tity, but contra6ted in Space : nor does the Water rife betore the Flame
is exrir.guifhed ; or the Air grown cold ; infomuch that Phyficians,
to make the Cupping-Glafles draw the better, clap Sponges upon them,
dipt in cold Water '. Therefore Men need not be fo apprehenfive, that
Air, or Spirits, fliould eafily efcape this Way "^ : for tho' it be true,
that the mod folid Bodies have their Pores ; yet Air or Spirit, will not
eafily be fubtilized to fuch a Degree : as neither will Water pafs thro'
a very fniall Crack '.
317. As to the fecond Means of PraHice ; viz. by comprejjmg, ex- Tlje feconi
tending, agitating. Sec. 'tis principally to be obferved, that Compreffions ^^^''"^?/'.^'''*'
and fuch kinds of Violence, are of very great Force in local Motions, ^^.^^^^^^^*^'
and the like ; as in Machines and Projedliles •, even fo as to deftroy
organical Bodies, and their Virtues or Powers, which plainly confift in
s An Invention of this Kind is ufually attributed to Ccrnelius Drebbel, who is faid to h.ive
kad a volatile Liquor for relloring the Air to its priftine Temper, after having been fpoiled by
Refpiration. 'Tis farther faid, that this Effeft was produced barely by unftopping the Glaft,
wherein the Liquor was contained. But of this Matter there feems to be nothing known with
Certainty ; or at beft, not with the requifite Particularity.
^ S«e above, V ^44
' The later manner of explaining this Phasnomenon by the Rarifaflion of the internal Air, and
the Prcfiure of the external, will not here alter the Cafe ; becaufe the Air, upon this Suppofi-
tion, does not pafs thro' the Glafs.
" See Vol. III. ^.614.
> See more to this Purpofc in Tii/. Ill, ;>. 5:2- 613.
V 0 L. II. A a a a Motion :
546
Whether Bo-
dies ;//<7v be
fcrmaneJitly
candenfed, or
rarified i>y
Force.
An Experi-
ment recom-
nerided for
condenfing
Water.
Another for
rarifying AW.
Such Cnden-
fatioti! and
Ri^rifalih»!
frsbahli.
T'he Way of jhortenlng Enqui?'ies ; Part II.
Motion : for as all Life, all Flame and Ignition, are deftroy'd by Coin-
preffion ; io is every Machine fpoiled, and its Parts confounded, or de-
ftroy'd, by the fame. They are alfo of Force to deftroy the Virtues con-
fifling in Arrangement, or Pofition, and a fomewhat grolfer DifTimilarity
of Parts; as in Colours : for the Colour of a Flower, when whole, differs
from its Colour, when bruifed -, and fo the Colour of Amber when whole,
differs from the Colour of Amber, when bruifed. So again, with regard
to Taftes ; the Tafte of an unripe Fruit is not the fime as when ripe,
or after having been fqueezed and prefs'd ; but manifeftly fwecter. Thelc
Violences, however, have no great Power over the more noble Transfor-
mations, and Alterations of fimilar Bodies i becaufe Bodies, by their means
do not acquire any new, permanent, and quiefcent State ; but one that is
tranfitory, and always endeavouring to reftore and tree itfelh
318. But it might be proper to make fome careful Experiments to
fhew, whether the Condenfition of a fimilar Body, as Water, Oil, i^c."
or a Rarifaftion violently introduced, may become conftant and fixed ;
fo as to change, as it were, the Nature of the Subjeft : and it fhould
firft be tried by bare Continuance, and afterwards by Helps, and Con-
fents. This would be eafier to do in the Experiment formerly men-
tioned for attempting the Condenfation of Water, included in a Lead
Veffel, and wrought by the Hammer, and the Prefs''; in which Cafe,
the metalline Globe, when beat flat, ihould be left in that State, ibr
fome Days before the Water was taken out •, in order to fee whether
it would immediately fill the fime Dimenfions it had before the Ope-
ration : for if it did not, either immediately, or foon after, the Conden-
fation might feem to have been permanent ; or otherwife, if the Water
reftored itfelf, the ComprefTion would appear to have been only tran-
fitory.
/ 319. And fomething of the fame kind might be tried, as to the Ex-
tenfion and Rarifacftion of the Air, in Glafs-Eggs, after the manner for-
merly mentioned i : when, the Air being ftrongly extracted by Sudtion out
of the Glaffes, and the Orifices fuddenly clofed, and well fecured •, the
Glafles are to remain thus for fome Days •, and afterwards to be opened,
to fee whether the external Air would be attrafted with a hifling Nolle
in at the Orifices of the Glaffes -, or, if being opened under Water, the
fame Quantity of Water would be drawn in, as if they had been dire^ft-
ly plunged into Water at firft, after the Air was fucked out.
320. It is probable, (or at leaft deferves to be proved) that fuch
Condenfations and Rarifaftions may be made •, becaufe Continuance of
Time has the like Effedt in Bodies a little more Diffimilar : thus, for
Example,
" S«ean Experiment of this Kind performed upon Air, ia Mr. Haukskcs PhyJicn-Mec-hani-
{a! Experiments, p. 162---166.
f See above, Aph. 45. §. 222.
* bcc above, Alik. 45. §. 22a.
Sedl. II. by Prerogative Instances. 547
Example, a Stick being bene by Comprenion, tor ibme time, does not
come limit ag.iiii. And this cannot be attributed to any Lots in tiie Quan-
tity ot the Wood, by tiie Continuance ; becaufe the fame thing hap-
pens alio in a Plate of Iron, whicii is not exhalable. But tho' the Ex-
periment fhould not fucceed by bare Continuance, ftill the Bufinefs is
not to be deferted ; but other AfTillances uled "■ : tor 'tis no imall Ac-
quifition, it" fixed and conllant Natures may be given to Bodies by Vio-
lence ; tor thus Air might be converted into Water, by Condenfation ;
and many Things of the like Kind be performable : for Man has a
greater Command over violent Motions than he has over the reil '.
321. The third Means of Practice regards that grand Engine, or \n-<Yhe third
ftrumcnc, both of Nature and Art; viz. Heat and Cold. And here ^t Means of
human Power teems perfectly Lame on one Side •, for we have the Heat Praa-.ce.
of Fire infinitely ftronger, or more intenfe, than that of the Sun, as it
naturally comes to us ■, or than the Heat of Animals : but Cold is want-
ing ; unlefs fo fir as it may be procured by the Severity of Winter ; by
Caverns -, or, by the Application of Snow and Ice " : which, in the way
ot Comparifon, may about equal the Degree of Heat, afforded by the The increaftiig
Noon-day Sun, in tome Parts of the torrid Zone ; increas'd by the Re- of C»/</ re-
verberation of Mountains and Walls : lor fuch a Degree of Heat and *''""'*'" ' *
Cold, may, for a fmall time, be endured by Animals : but this is nothing
to the Heat of a Melting-Furnace, or to a Degree of Cold, that an-
fwers to fuch a Degree of Heat. And therefore all Things, with us,
tend but to Rarifadlion, Deficcation, and Confumption ; and fcarce any
to Condenfation, and Inteneration, or Supplenefs, unlefs by Mixture,
and, as it were, by fpurious Means. Wherefore bijlances of Cold are with
great Diligence to be fought after ; fuch as may perhaps be found by
expofing Bodies, at great Heights, in fharp Frofts ; laying them in fubter-
raneal Caves ; lurrounding them with Snow and Ice, in deep Places, or
Refervatories made for the Purpoie ■, by letting Bodies down into Wells ■,
burying them in Quickfilver, and Metals -, plunging them in the Waters
which petrity Wood " ; burying them in the Ground, (as they relate of the
Matter for making Porcellane) and the like. So likewife, the Condenfations
naturally made by Cold are to be fought, that their Caufes being difco-
vered, fuch Condenfations may be transferred into Arts. Such natural
Condenfitions we fee in the fweating of Marble and Stone ; in the Dew
condenfed on the infide of Glafs Windows, after a frofty Night -, in the
' Such as large and ftrong Condeniing VcfTels, and Syringes, for compieffing and confining
the Air.
* The Experiments of this Kind feem to have been no way duly profecuted. The Succefs
which .Mr. H/iuksbee met with, in a flight Attempt to dellroy the Spring of common Air,
might very well encourage the Ufc of greater Violence, ilronger V^eiTels, and a greater Length
of Time, for the Purpofe. SqcKis Phyfics-Mechanical Experiments, ^. 162, l^c.
' See the Sylva Syharum, under the Article Cold.
° For producing the grcatellj)egrees of artificial Cold, by freezing Mixtures, fee Mr. ^ay /A
hijory of Cold; and the Chapter of /vW, in Dr. Boerhaavi'% Cbemijiry.
A a a a 2 Conden-
54B 'The Way of JJjortenmg Enqumcs \ Part II
Condenfation of Vapours into Water within the Earth, wlience Springs
frequently arife -, and other Examples of this Kind.
Bodies poten- 322. But befidcs thofe Things which are cold to the Touch, there are
tially cold, certain others potentially cold -, which alfo condenfe : tho' they feem to
operate only upon Animal Bodies, and fcarce upon others. And of this
Kind are many Things in Medicine ; for fome Remedies condenfe the
Flefh and tangible Parts, fuch as Ailringencs and I'hickners •, and others
condenfe the Spirits, as appears chiefly in Narcoticks ".
'TwoWapof 323- There are two Ways of condenfing the Spirits by foporiferous
condenfing the Medicines -, the one, by appeafing the Motion of the Spirits ; and clie
Spirit, by other by difpelling, or putting them to Flight. Thus Violets, Rofes,
'Narcoticks. l^^xXMCt's,, and the like mild and gentle Things, by their friendly and mo-^
derately cooling Vapours, invite the Spirits to unite, and reftrain their
brisk and reftlefs Motion ; but the ftronger Opiates, by a malignant and
unfriendly Quality, put the Spirits to flight ••, and therefore, if thefe are ap-
plied externally, the Spirits prefently retire from the Part •, and willingly en-
ter into it no longer : but if taken internally, their Fumes afcending to the
Head, every way chafe away the Spirits, contained in the Ventricles of
the Brain : and when the Spirits thus retreat, and are unable to fly into
any other Part, they confequently come together, and are thus conden-
fed ; or, fometimes quite extinguifh'd, or fufFocated : tho' the fame
Opiates taken in Moderation, have the Virtue, by a fecondary Accident,
(or by that Condenfation, which fucceeds upon the coming together of
the Spirits) of fupporting, and fortifying the Spirits, and checking their
ufelefs and incentive Motions -, whence fuch Opiates become of good Ser-
vice in the Cure of Difeafes, and the prolonging of Life *.
ThePrepara- ^04. The Preparations of Bodies, likewife, for the AdmifTion or Recep-
sives toCoid. jjon of Cold, cannot be omitted. Thus it is thought that a little warm-
ing of Water, haftens its freezing by Cold, more than '\i the Water was
not warmed at all. And the Inftances of this Kind are to be colledted '"'.
^he Ways 325. But as Nature fupplies Cold fo fparingly, we fliould here imi-
ef Condenfing j-^j-g jj^g Apothecaries, (who when a Simple cannot be procured, fubfti>
^sfe"nqui°red' ^^^ °"^ thing for another) and carefully fearch out the Subftitutes or
cfter. Succedaneums for Cold -, that is, we fhould enquire how Condenfations
may be made in Bodies, without Cold, whofe proper Office it is to ef-
feft them.
Jre of fo 3^^- ■^"'^ ^^^^^ Condenfations feem to be of four Kinds ■, the firjl where-
Kinds. of depends upon hire Co>!truj!on ; which becaufe of the Refiftance, or Re-
coiling of Bodies, has but little Force in caufing a permanent Denfity ; tho'
it may do fomewhat as an Auxiliary. The fecoiid is made by the Cofi-
traciion of the grofler Parts of a Body, after tlie Avolation, or Exit, of
3 'i^-
"■ BtttheHiftory of Life and Death, Vol. III. p. 376,.
» See the Hi/lory of Vfe and Death, paffim.
1 See Mr. Boykh Uifttry of Qtld,
Sed. II. ^v P R ^ R O G A Tl V E I x\ S T A N C E s. ^49
the finer ; as happens in Indurations by the Fire, and the repeated quench:-,
ing of Metals, iifc. The ihird is made by tlie Jfproach, or coining toge- t
tber, of the more folid, or fofiderotis, homogeneous Parts of a Body, which be-
fore were feparated and mixed among the lefs foUd -, as in recovering
die Quickfilver from Mercury-Sublimate, which in Powder pofleffes much
more Space tlian fimple Mercury : and fo again, in purging and fepa-
rating of Metals from their Drofs. The fourth is made by Confent, or
applying fuch Things as condenfe by a fecret Virtue in Bodies ; tho'
thefe Confents have hitlierto ffldom appeared ; which is no wonder, be-
caufe till fome Progrefs is made in the Difcovery of the Forms and
Siruclures of Things, there can be but flender Hopes of Advantage ari-
fing from the Enquiry into the Confents of Bodies ".
327. But with regard to the Bodies of y\nimals, there are doubtlefs CoW<r»/<:rf«»
many Remedies, both internal and external, which condenfe, as it v/erc h ^""Jj"' '"
by Confcnt -, according to what was juft now obferved : but this Kind of ** '"
Operation is rare in inanimate Bodies ". There goes a Report, as well
in Writing as Difcourfe, of a Tree in one of the Tercera JJlands, that
perpetually diflils Water, fo as to be of fome Convenience to the In-
habitants '' : and Paracelfus fays, there is a Plant called Rofa Sells, or Ros
Solis, that remains full of Dew in the Noon-day Heat ; when all other
Herbs are dry "^. And if thefe Injlances are true, they might prove of
noble Ufe, and very worthy of farther Examination. But for thofe
Honey-Dews, which, like Manna, are found upon Oak-Leaves in the
Month of A/^Y •, we judge they are not made, or condenfed, by any Con-
fent, or Peculiarity in the Oak-Leaf ; but that they fall upon other
Leaves alio, and are only catched and detained upon the Leaves of the
Oak, becaufe thefe are clofer, and not fo fpongy as moft other Leaves ^.
3:8. As to Heat, Men have a large Supply, and a great Comm'3.nd7heVfesto ee
thereof ; tho' fome of its moft neceflary Particulars ftill remain to be '""'^^ ofUt»:.
obferved, and enquired into, notwithftanding the Boafts of the Cbetnijls.
For tho' the Works of intenfe Heat are much fought after and admired ;
yet the Effefts of a flow Heat, (which are chiefly thofe produced by
Nature,) remain unexperienced and concealed. Hence we fee, by t\\t The gentle
violent Heats now commonly ufed, the Spirits of Bodies are greatly ex- Hi^ts rnom-
alted ; as in mineral acid Spirits, and certain chemical Oils ; but the """ '
tangible Parts are harden'd, and fometimes fixed ; with the Lofs of the
volatile ones. And thus the homogeneous Parts are feparated, and the
heterogeneous grofsly incorporated and roix'd together •, whilft the Stru-
cture, ar.d more fubtile Texture of compound Bodies, is, by this means,
confounded and deftroy'd : fo that the Effeds of a milder Heat ought,
by
^ Becaufe fuch Confents, or particular Agreements, depend thereon. See below, §. 335.
* See the Hijtory of dndenfation arid Rar:J\iliioTi, paflim.
•> See Fo/. 111. p. 563. Seealfo T'cSprar's Hijtory of the Royal Society.
» S^. theSji/t'fl Sy/tiirum, Vol. i^i. p. 260.
* See the Sjl. a Sjlvarum, p. 261.
550 'The Way of porienwg Enquh'ies \ Part 11.
by all means, to be try'd and difcover'd : whence much more fubtile
Mixtures, and regular Textures, or Struftures of Bodies, might be pro-
cured in Imitation of Nature, and the Works of the Sun -, according to
what we intimated above ". For the Operations of Nature are perform'd
by much flower Degrees, or much fmaller Steps and Portions at a time,
and by more exquifite and various Pofitions, or Arrangements, than the
Works of Fire, as it is now employ'd. And 'tis then that the htanan P(Kver
may feem truly enlarged, when, by Heats and artificial Ways, the Works of
Nature may he exactly imitated, or exprfs'd in Appearance, perfeofed in Vir-
tue, and varied in Number ; to which we may alfo add, accelerated in
Aftoperntei TiVwf *^- Thus the Ruft of Iron is a long while in making ; but expe-
/ju'tekcr than ditioufly obtained in the artificial Crocus Martis. And the fime is to
Nature. be underftood of Verdigreafe and Cerufe. Cryftal is produced by a long
Procefs ; but Glafs by a fhort one : Stones grow flow ; but Bricks are
prefently made.
TJje fiveral 3^9- ^^'^ ^^^ '^'''^ Diverfities of Heat, with their different Effeds, are,
Dherfities of with Diligence and Induftry, to be fought out and colleded from all
Heat to be Qiiarters ; vi%. (i.) thole of the heavenly Bodies, by their direft Rays;
' ' and as they are reflefted, refrafted, and united by Burning-GlaflTes ^ :
(2.) thofe of Lightning, Flame, and Coal-Fires: (3.) Fires of different
Materials : (4.) open Fires, clofe Fires, ft:raiten'd and ftrearaing Fires ■■,
or Fires modified by all the various Structures ot Furnaces: (5.) Fire
animated by the Blaft : (6.) Fire left to itfelf, and unexcited : (7.) Fire
removed to a greater or Icfs Diftance : (8.) Fire adling thro' different
Mediums : (9.) moid Heats, as thofe of the Balneum Maricc, and the Dung-
hill •, external and internal animal Heats -, comprefs'd Hay, i£c : (10.) dry
Heats •, as of Afhes, Lime, Sand ; and, in fliort. Heats of all Kinds,
with their various Degrees ''.
S;m//, irregu- 330- Above all, the Enquiry and Difcovcry of the Effefts and Pro-
lar, flated duftions of Pleat, continued and remitted gradually, regularly, and pe-
Heats recom- riodically, at due Diftances, and with due Continuance, fliould be at-
"'''" ' ■ tempted : for this ftated Inequality is a true Ofi'spring of the Heavens,
and the Mother of Generation. Nor is any thing extremely great and
commanding to be expedled from a vehement, hafty, and fubfultory Heat.
This appears plainly in Vegetables •, and again in the Wombs of Animals,
where there is a great Inequality of Heat, from the Motion, the Sleep,
the Food, and the Paffions of the Female in Geftation : and, laftJy, the
fime Inequality takes Place in the Matrices of the Earth, where Metals
and Minerals are formed.
331. This
" See Aph. 3;.
^ Sec the Sy/V/J Sih/iriim, Vol. III. p. 32.
8 See the Experiments made, with the Duke of Or!,'ans''s Burning Len.?, by M Hombcrg ;
Memoir, de V Acmi. Rof. An. 1702. ^^.tAio^V^PkiloJophuiil 'Tniiijuni'jns, in6.Germari Epbc-
rnerides, to the Gmc Purpofe.
■i Sec the Author's New Athuitis, Vol. I. p. 295. Sec alfo the Sylz'a Sylz'ariim, Yo\. III.
/>. 92-96.
S c£l, II. /^;; P R E R O G A T I V E I N S T A N C K S. 5 5 I
331. Tliis renders the Unfkilhilncfs of fome modern Alcheir.iflis t.\\^ The in^^r'tr-
more remark.ible ; who cxptifl Co obc.iin their End by means of an All- a nor, ttnce of the
or the equable Heats of Lamps, i£c. kept burning, in one conftnnt man- ^l<ktmi]h, in
ner\ And fo much, at prefcnt, for the Works and Kffefts of Heat. ^/^^^f 4",''
Nor is it yet the Seafon to examine thefe Particulars thoroughly, before
the Fcrms and Textures of Bodies lliall have been farther difcovercd and
brougiit to Light : for 'tis then that Inllruments are to be fought our,
applied, and adapted ; when the Kxamples, N'iews and Dcfigns are fixed
and determined.
332. '\'\\<: fourth Means of Pradice, viz. Continuance, is the Provider -TZv/oKr//!»
and Difpenfcr of Nature. We call that Ccntinuame, when a Body is left J^ii^"[ "f
for a confidcrable Time to itfelf, guarded and defended from all external ^'^''f'"^'' y.
rorce; in which otare the intcitine Motions dilcover, and nniUi, or per-
fetl their own Courfe ; whilll the extraneous and adventitious Motions
are excjutied : for the Works of Time are much more fubtile, than the
Works ot Fire *". Wine can no way be fo well clarified by the Fire,
as by Time -, nor are the Incinerations made by Fire fo exquifite as
the Refolutions, Confumptions, and Decays of Time. The fudden and
precipitate Incorporations and Mixtures made by Fire, are tar inferior
to thofe made by Time. And the different and various Textures, which
Bodies endeavour at by Continuance, as in the Cafe of Putrefadlions, are
dcftroy'd by Fire, or a violent Heat'.
333. It may be here proper to obferve, that the Motions of 'Qod^'xes The Motions of
perfedlly included, or clofe confined in Veflels, fuffer fomething of Wo-toafinedBcdies
fence •, as this Imprifonment hinders the fpontaneous Motions of ^f^^ i£'^ '"'
Body : and therefore Continuance in an open Veffel, conduces more to Se-
paration ; but in a Veflcl perfectly clofed, to Commixture, or Combi-
nation ; and in a Veflcl imperfe<ftly clofed, without excluding the Air,
to Putrefaclion " : and in all thefe Cafes, Inflances cf the Works and Ef-
feUs cf Continuance are to diligently coUeded from all Quarters.
334. The fftb .Means of operating, viz. by Government and Regulation The ffih
cf Motion, is extremely powerful. We call that the Government ji.nd Msum of ofe-\
Regulation of Motion , when one Body, by meeting another , hin- 'i"!'p^J r^r'
ders, repels, or directs its fpontaneous Motion. And this generally con- Mjtion.
fifts in the Figure and Pofition, or Situation of the ^'eflcls : thus the
Figure of an erefl Cone forwards the Ccndenfation of Vapours, in Alem-
bics •, but an inverted Cone promotes the purging of Sugar, or the
Difcliarge of the Treacle into the Receivers ". Sometimes alfo Cur-
vature,
' Sec the S^lva S'ihariim, under the Article Gold.
* See the Si/va Syharum, under the Articles Heat, Prefervation, snd Putrffaclion.
' See the 5v/rv» Sfharum, paffim.
" See the Article Putrefaflicn, in the Syha Sfhariim.
" And hence the Figures, or iMskc of .ill the chcmic.t!, or other Veffsls, may be esfily d.etcr-
inioed. See Bierta.ivii Cheniillry, under the Chapter oi fc^iJ:.
5^2 'The Way of jhorten'nig Enquiries ; Part II.
vature, or Flexure, Straicneft, and Dilatation, are required by Turns,
and the like. And all Percolation depends upon this, that whiift
the oppofing Body opens to one Part of the Liquor, it clofes upon
or Hops another °. Nor is the Bufinefs of Percolation, or other
Regulation of Motion, always carried on by external Means ; but alfo
by internal, or by Means of one Body within another : as when Stones
are put into Water to colled: its Sediment, or earthy Parts ; or when
Syrups are clarified with the Whites of Eggs, whereto the grofler Fse-
culences adhere, and may be afterwards feparated ^ And to this Regu-
lation and Diredtion of Motion, I'ekfnu, from a flight and fuperficial
Confideration, attributes the Figures of Animals ; as if they were moulded,
and took the ImprelTion of the veiny, wrinkled, and hollow'd Sides of the
Matrix. For he ought to have confider'd, that tho' Eggs alfo are formed
in the Uterus., after the fame manner as the Fivtus ; yet no Wrinkles or
Inequalities appear on their Shells. But it is true, indeed, that the
Regulation of Motion produces Figure in Moulding and Caft-Work.
The ftxth 335- T\\s. fixth Means of Prafbice confifts in operating by Confents, or
Jl^^/7«/(j/"Pr^- Avoidances, which frequently lie deep concealed: for thofe ufually
C^^r 7^' call'd occult, znd fpecific Properties, and Sympathies and Antipathies, are
in great meafure the Corruptions of Philofophy. Nor can we have any
foiid Hopes of difcovering the Confents of Things, before the Difcovery
of Forms, and fimple Textures : for Confent is no more than the Sym-
pathy or Correfpondence of Forms and textures to each other ''.
The ntsre iini- 336. But the greater, and more univerfal, Confents of Things, are not
'jerfdCsn. abfolutely obfcure. We will, therefore, begin with thefe. The firjl
Jfp'' "f and principal Diverfity of Things, is this ; that fome Bodies differ
'^The'^'hiffe- gf^^tly in their Quantity, and Rarity of Matter ; yet agree in Texture :
rences. whilft Others agree in Quantity and Rarity of Matter ; but differ in
Texture. For it is well obferved, that the two chemical Principles, Sul-
phur and Mercury, run, as it were, thro' the Univerfe of Things '. And,
doubtlefs, there appears to be a certain Confent of Nature, or an Agree-
ment of Bodies, in thefe two Principles, from a Confideration of the
Sulphur and moft univerfal Phenomena. Thus there is an Agreement betwixt Brim-
Mercury, flone. Oil, unftuous Exhalations, Flame, and perhaps the Body of
two Tribes of t^g s^^rs : and, again, between Quickfilver, Water, and aqueous Va-
''"■^^" pours. Air, and perhaps the pure interftellar /Ether. But thefe two
larger Sets, or Tribes, of Things, dilfer prodigioufly from each
other, in Quantity of Matter and Denfity -, tho' they greatly agree in
Texture ; as appears in numerous Inftances. But, on the other liand,
the different Metals have a great Agreement in Quantity of Matter, and
Denfity ;
" See the Articles Clarification and Percolation, in tlie S}lva Sylvaruitt.
P See Vol. III. p. 49, iffc.
■ 1 See above, §. 326.
' -See the Sylva Syharum, under the Article, Principles ofChemifiry.
Scdl. IT. by Prerogative Instances. 553
Dcnfity -, efpecially in refped of Vegetables i i£c. but dilfcr greatly in
Texture: whilft Vegetables and Animals have an infinite Variety of
Texture; yet differ not confiderably in Quantity ot Matter, or Don-
fity '.
337. The next moft ^f-wr/?/ Co«/t7;/, is that betwixt primary, or perfedt ^''''' C^':'*''"
Bodies, and their foftering Matters, that is their Solvents and Aliments. ^'\^^'^^^^^^^" ^.^
It mufl therefore be examined, in what Climate, in what E.irth, or Glebe, _^//^,;,/_
and at what Depth, all the Metals are generated'; and fo of Gems, whe-
ther thofe of the Rock, or produced in Mines": in what Glebe, or Earth,
all Trees, Shrubs and Plants, principally grow, and delight ; likcwife
what Amendments, or Kinds of Compolls, whether of Chalk, Sea-find,
Aflies, l£c. fucceed the beft " ; and which of them are fitted, and moft
fervice.ible, according to the difference of the Land. So again, the Graft-
ing and Inoculating of Trees, and Plants; with the Methods thereof:
for the moft fuccefsful Ingrafting has a great Dependance upon Confent,
berwixt the Trees ingrafted. In which refpcft, it is an agreeable Experi-
ment, which we are informed was lately tried, of the ingrafting of Field-
Trees ; which has hitherto been pradifed only in thole of the Garden :
whence the Leaves and Mafl of the former have been obtained much larger,
and the Trees render'd more fhady *. In like manner, the Aliments of
Animals mufl: be rcfpectively noted, in general ; together with their Ne-
gatives ^ : for carnivorous Animals cannot be fed with Herbage. Whence,
(tho' the Will in Men has a greater Influence over their Bodies, than in
other Animals,) the Order of the Folieiani, or Leaf-Eaters, is faid to have
dropp'd, after Trial, upon finding that Leaves were not capable of nou-
rifhing the human Body ^ Again, the different Matters of Putrefiidions,
whence little living Creatures are bred, fhould be likewife regarded ".
338. The Confents betwixt perfcft Bodies, and their Subordinates, tisT/^^ Ccnjint
exemplified above, are fufBciently manifefl: ; whereto may be added the^^'^*'-*'''''^'
Confents betwixt the Senfes and their OhjeHs : And as thefe latter Confents tbi/rOijIcis
are exceeding evident, well obferved, and thoroughly difcufs'd ; they may
afford great Light to other Confents that are hitherto latent ''.
339. But the internal Confents and Avoidances of Bodies, or their AfFe--'>vw*fl/^;>x
ftions and Difagreements, vulgarly, and often fuperfiitioufiy, call'd by ''^f' ^"^'f*--
the Name of Sympathies and Antipathies (whence we unwillingly ufe the
Expreffion) are exceeding rare ; as being either falfely attributed to.
' See the Hiftorj ofCondenfation and Rarifaaion, Voi. III. p. Sii, 513. ^c-
' See Becher'i Phjf.ea Suburranea.
■ See Mr. Boy/e's Piece of the Origin and Virtues of Gems.
" ^ttVol. HI. p. 244, 281, is'c.
" Stsethi SylvaSylvarum, under the Article Fegetai/es ind Vegetation.
^ As in difcoveiMg the Fcrr^ of H£/:t. See the Taiies, Apb. 12, (^c.
' See the Sylva Sylvarum, Vol. III. p 77.
' See the Sjha Syharum, paflim.
' See the Syha Sylvarum, under the Articles Imaginatien, Seafss, Sound, Sympathy, &c.
Vol.. IL Bbbb Things i-
^54- ^^ Way of porie?nng Ertauiries ; Part II.
Things-, mix'd with Fables-, or overlook'd and negljfted. Thus there
is faid to be an Enmity between the Vine and the Colewort " ; becaufe
they thrive not well, when planted near each other : whereas the Rea-
fon is, that both of them are fiicculent, and powerfully attraft the
Moifture of the Earth ; whence they mutually defraud each other. So
To be duly col- there is faid to be a Confent, and Friendfhip, betwixt Corn and the red
.leiled. Poppy ; becaufe they both grow only in plough'd Ground : whereas
there rather feems to be an Enmity between them ; becaufe the Poppy
grows from fuch a Juice of the Earth, as was left and rejedled by the
Corn -, fo that the fowing of Corn prepares the Ground to yield Pop-
pies. And there is a great Number of thefe falfe Reafons, and liftitious
Solutions of Confents, or Sympathies, prevailing. But Fables are here to
be abfolutely rejefted : whence there will remain but a Qender Stock of
fuch Confents as are approved, by certain Experience -, like thofe, be-
tween Iron and the Loadftone ; Gold and Quickfilver, iSc. the' there are
fome others alfo found worthy of Obfervation, in chemical Experiments
upon Metals "*. But the moft are to be obferved in certain Medicines,
which, by fecret and fpecific Properties, regard either certain Parts,
or Humours of the Body, or certain Difeafes, and fometimes in-
dividual Natures ^.
ne Confents 34°- Nor are the Confents between the Motions and Changes of the
of the Moon. Moon, and the Affedions and PalTions of the inferior Bodies, to be
omitted ; fo far as they may be obferved, and coUedted, from the Ex-
periments of Agriculture, Navigation, and Medicine, or otherwife, with
the requifite Severity, and Juftnefs of Choice and Judgment '. And the
lefs common all the Inflames of fecret Confents are, with the greater Di-
ligence they ought to be enquired into, upon the Footing of faith-
ful Hiftory and juft Relation •, provided this be done without Le-
vity, or Credulity, and with a proper Degree of Doubt, Sufpenfion,
and Tradition ^.
AH'iMiilon 341 • There is ftill another Confent of Bodies, in the way of operating,
or Jndifpofi- which, tho' it feems inartificial, is yet of excellent and various Ufe, and
tUn to Union, ought therefore to be enquired into by the Means of careful Obferva-
by Jppofition. jjyj^ . ^,^-_2_ ^ Difpofition, or Indifpofition, to unite by fimple Compofi-
tion, or Appofition : for fome Bodies eafily and readily mix and incor-
porate ; but others with Difficulty, and unwillingly. Thus Powders
mix bed with Waters ; but Calxes and Afnes with Oils, ^c. And not
only the Inftances of the Propenfity or Averfenefs of Bodies to mix,
are to be colledled -, but likewife the Inftances of the Arrangement of
3 Parts }
■^ See Vol. III. p. 258.
^ See Becker's Ph\(!ca ^itbterranea.
' ^ct Mr. Boyle oi Specijjc Remedies.
f See the Syha Syhan/m, and Hijlory of Winds, paffim.
' See the Syha Syharum, under the Articles Imagination, Sympathy, &c.
Sedl. II. Av Prerogative I i\s TAN cEs. 555
Parts i cheir Diflriburion and Digcftion upon Mixture -, and, laftly, thofe
of Predominancy after the Union is made''.
342. Theyhv«/,6 and Lift Method, or Means of Praclke, is to o^cntt The laJiMe.ins
by changing, and varioujly combining the former fix. But till each of thofe "f. P'"^'^'' }
fhall have .Ijcen farther enquired into, it will not be feafonable to offer J,^"^ combfn-
any Examples of this Method. The Series, or Chain, of this Kind o^ A\- ing the forimr
ternation, or different Combination of Ways, as it may be accommoda-/'*"-
ted to the Produiflion of particular EiFefts, is, indeed, exceeding diffi-
cult to be underftood •, tho' extremely powerful in the effefting of Works.
But Mankind labour under the utmofl Impatience, with regard to
this Kind of Enquiry and Praulice^; tho' it be like a Clue to the Laby-
rinth of great fForks ^. And thus much by the way of illuftrating Sovereign
Inflames.
Aphorism LI.
343. In the twents-feventb, and lad Place, among our Prerogative In- (27) Magical
fiances, come Magical Inftances ; by which we underftand fuch wherein Injlanca.
the Matter, or Efficient, is but fmall, compared with the Greatnefs of the
Work, or Effeft, produced : fo that tho' thefe Injlances were common,
they would ftill be almoft miraculous •, fome of then» at firft Sight, and
others even when attentively confidered. Nature, indeed, of herfelf,
affords thefe fparingly ; but what fhe may do, when farther fearched
and entered into ; and after the Di/'ccvery of Forms, latent Procefjes and
concealed StruHures ; will appear to Pofterity '.
344. Thefe Mugical EffeEls, fo far as we can hitherto conjecture, are j^j^dcal Ef-
produced three Ways-, viz. (i.) by Self-Multij)lication, as in Fire, 3.ndfeSis, how fro-
thofe Poifons, called Specific ; as alfo in Motions, which pafs and '^«^<'«''
increafe, as they go, from Wheel to Wheel ; (2.) by Excitation, or Invita-
tion, in another Body ; as the Loadflone animates numberlefs Needles,
without Lofs, or Diminution of its Virtue : and we find the fame kind of
Virtue in Yeaft, isc. (3.) by the Preoccupation of Motion, as we above ob-
fei ved in Gunpowder, Guns, and Mines °».
345. The two former of thefe Methods require the Difcovery of Con- Their Reqiii^
fents ; and the third, the Meafure of Motions. But whether there be anyj''-'"-
^ It deferves to be attentively confider'd, how ready and commodious a Thing FraBict
would prove, if all the Alu;Unces here pointed out, were procured ; and employ'd, as they
might be, according to the Defign of this Piece.
• That is, they have not Patience to go through the Enquiry, which alone direftly leads up to
TraBice : Or they prepofteroufly defire to obtain the End, without enduring the Means.
'= The Reader may have fomc tolerable Notion of the Thing here meant, by carefully
reading over the Author's Hiftories of Life and Death ; of. Winds, and oi Condenjal-.on and
Rarif.ciij' : and underllanding to what Difcoveries they lead ; or what the Tendency is
of tlie '•■ .c'.. Inflauration ; for which, fee Vol. I p. 10 — 16.
' L.;Lie Progrefs has been hitherto made in this medullary Part of Phyjics ; for Men have
frequently miftaken, or wilfully deferted, the Ro d thr.t leads to it ; tho' this was not only
Jointed out, but entered by t'-c Author ; as appears remarkably in his Sylva Sylvarum ; tii-
iry of Life and Death; llijhry of Winis, Sex...
■" Afb. 36.
B b b b 2 Method
'55^ ^^ T'^ay of portening 'Enquiries ; Part IT.
Method of changing Bodies in their fmalleft Parts, and tranfpofing the
more fubtiie Textures, or Strudures, of Matters (which is a Thing that
regards all Kinds of Transformations in Bodies ; fo that Art might thus
quickly effedt, what Nature is a long while in bringing about. We have
hitherto no certain Indications ". For as in Things that are folid, true
and ufefiii, we afpire to the ultimate, or higheft Ferfedion ; fo we per-
petually defpife, and to the utmoft of our Power, difcard and rejeft fuch
as are vain, tumid and empty. And fo much for the Subjeft of Prero-
gative Injlances.
Aphorism LII.
77^^No"um 34^- It muft be obferved, that in this our new Machine for the Under-
Orginum, notftanding, we deliver a Lcgick, not a Pbilofoph-j : but as our Logick direfts
r Phi/ofiphy, the Underftanding, and inftrufts it, not like the common Logick, to
hutaLogtck. (,^j.(,j^ ^^^ i^y j^QJj Q^ abftraded Notions, as it were by the flender
Twigs, or Tendrels, of the Mind •, but really enters, and cuts through
Nature, and difcovers the Virtues and Adlions of Bodies, together with
their Laws, as determined in Matter ; fo that this Knowledge flows not
only from the Nature of the Mind, but alfo from the Nature of Things,
and the Univerfe -, hence it is no wonder, that in order to give Exam-
ples and Ilhijlrations of cur Art, we every where employ phyfical Confi-
derations and Experiments.
Recnpttulation 347- ^^ have here laid down twentyfeven Prerogative Injlances, viz.
oftheDoBrineii.) Solitary Injlances; (2.) 'Travelling Injlances; (3.) Glaring Injlances;
«/■Prerogative (4.) Clandejiine Injlances ; (5.) Conjlituent Injlances ; (6.) Conformable In-
Inflances. jiances ; (7.) Singular Injlances ; (8.) Deviating Injlances ; (9.) Frontier In-
jlances; (10.) Injlances of Power ; (11.) Accompanying s.nd Hojlile Injlances;
(12.) Suhjun^ive Injlances; (13.) Injlances of Alliance ; (14.) Crucial In-
jlances; (15.) Injlances of Divorce ; (16.) Injlances of Entrance; {ly.) Sum-
moning Injlances ; (18.) Journying Injlances; (19.) Supplemental Injlances;
(20.) Lancing Injlances ; (21.) Injlances of the Staff; (22.) Injlances of the
Courfe ; (23.) Dofes of Nature ; (24.) Injlances of Reluoiance ; (25.) Inti-
. mating Injlances ; (26.) Sovereign Injlances ; and, (27.) Magical Injlances.
les^am'^el^her^^'^'' '" Point o{ Information, they affift either the Senfe, or the Under-
lie Senfe or Jl^nding : the Senfe, as the five Inftances of Light ; and the Underfland-
JJnderftand- ing, either by haflening the Exclufion of the Form ", as the Solitary In-
'"S- Jiances ; or by cont rafting, and more nearly indicating, the Affirmative of the
Form P ; as the Travelling, Glaring, Accompanying, and Subjunlfive Injlances ;
or by raifing the Underftanding, and leading it to Kinds, and common
Natures j and that either immediately, as the Clandejline, and the Singular
Injlances,
' See Vol. I. />. 87—89.
• See the Tables, Apb. 11, 12, ^r.
» See the y^j^/^/, Aph. n, i:^c.
Seel. II. (^v Prerogative Instances. 557
Jnjiances, and Inftances of Jlliance -, or in the next Degree, as fhe Conjli-
luent Injlances ; or in the loweft Degree ; as the Conformable Iiijlances ; or
again, by redtilying the Undcrftanding, depraved by the Things whereto it
is accuftomed, as the Deviating Injlances ; or by conducing it to the great
Form, or Fabrick of tbe Univerfe^ as the Frontier Inftanca ; or, laftly, by
guarding it againft/fl^^i-orOT^, andCa«/^j, as the Crucial Injlances y and In-
jlances of Divorce.
348. And as to PraHice; they either mark out, meafure or facilitate <;7-,^,>j/^-,,,
it. They mark it out by Ihcwing with wh.it Particulars we arc to be- Praa-U'e.
gin, to prevent labouring in vain ; as the Injlances of P cruder \ or to what
we fhould afpire, if it be attainable j as the Intimatini^ Injlances : the four
Mathematical ones, meafure and limit it v and the Sovereign and Magi-
cal ones, facilitate it ^.
34. And of thefe twenty -feven Injlances, a Colledion of io^^ How tiiefe fe-
fliould be made at firll: ; as was .above obferved"' ; without waiting till vie veral Injiances
come to particular Enquiries: and of this Kind are die Conformable, tW are to bt em-
Singular, the Deviating, and the Frontier Injlances ; the Injlances of Paaer, and^ '^' '
of Entrance, Intimating, Sovereign, and Magical Injlances : becaufe thefe either
afTill and reftify the Undcrftanding, or the Senfc ; or afford Inftruction
with regard to Pradtice in general : and for the reft, they arc to be
fearched out when we make Tables of View ' for the Bufinefs of the Inter-
preter, upon any particular Subjeft. For the /«/^«c^/ honoured and enobled
with thefe Prerogatives, are like a Sou! among vulgar Injlances of Vieiv ;
and as we faid at the firft ', a few of them ferve inftead of many : and
therefore when we make Tables, fuch Inftances are ftudioufty to be fought
out, and fet down therein. The Doftrine of them was alfo neceffary to
what we defign ftiall follow ; and therefore a preparatory Account thereof
was here requifite.
350. And now we fhould proceed to the Helps, and Re£lif cation, of Tn- Condujton,
duhion, then to Concretes, latent ProcefTes, concealed Structures, i^c.
as
' If all this has not been clearly perceived in reading the foregoing DiHrine of Prerogative
Injlaruts, the whole may deferve to be read over again, in the Light thit is here afforded. And
as a Foundation, \mht fourth Aphorifm of this Secsnd Part be well underftood. When the
whole is conquer'd, it will appear, that this Do/lrine of Injlances is a very important Part of the
Hovum Organum; and makes the Bufinefs of Enquiry an almoft mechanical Thing, level to
every Capacity : for if the Infiances, that is, Particulars, be collefled upon any Subjeft, and
thrown into Tables, in the manner here direfted ; they of themfelves exhibit a concife Hiilory
of the Subjeft ; that leads up to its Form, or latent Procefs. Hence this DoHrine of Injlances
is a kind of general Direclion, or Table, for the due conducing and profecuting of all Enquiries ;
fo as at the fame time to determine, limit, or almoll grafp, the Form of the Nature enquired
into, and lead direftly to Praftice. And in this View let the Author's particular Hillorics be
conftantly read ; us thok of Life art J Death; Winds ; Condenfation and Rarifaciion; and feveral
in the Syha Sylvarum.
' See Afh. 32.
• See Jpb. II, fcff.
' See Jph, 22.
^^B 'Jthe Way of portening E7tquiriesj &c. Part IT.
as mention'd in order, under the twentyfirjl Aphorifm •, that at length, like
fiiithful Guardians, we might poflefs Mankind of their Fortunes, and
releafe and free the Underftanding from its Minority : upon which
an Amendment of the State and Condition of Mankind, and an En-
largement of their Power over Nature, muft neceflarily enfue. For
by the Fall, Man at once forfeited his Innocency, and his Dominion over
the Creatures ; tho' both of them are, in fome meafure, recoverable,
even in this Life: the former by Religion and Faith; and the latter by
Arts and Sciences. For the World was not made abfolutely rebellious by
the Curfe ; but in Virtue of that Denunciation, In the Sweat of thy Brow
thou Jhalt eat thy Bread, it is at length, not by Difputes, or indolent
magical Ceremonies", but by various real Labours, fubdued, and brought,
in fome Degree, to afford the Neceflaries of Life ".
" Such as thofe in the Sympathetic Philofophy; the Magical Philofophy of Paracelfus, ice.
" See Fol. III. />.. 4, 5, 6.
APPENDIX
tiJ^JC^J:iaXti^i;^lJU4,;f^^J^ii^ii\Xt^^ti^^^f^u^iu^i^^2'<^^
APPENDIX
To the Second Part of the
INSTAURATION
Containing fome Intimations for perfecting the
NOVUM ORGANUM.
^#&
APPENDIX
To the SECOND PART of the
INSTAURATIOK
mm
|HE Author purpofely left many Parts of his New Engine
untouched, to go in queft of proper Materials whereon
to employ it ; and, being prevented by Death, did not
return from profecuting the latter Defign, to finifh the
lormer. Whence tho' the Parts that are treated, appear
perfed, as Parts ; yet the Whole of this grand Engine
wants much of being compleated '.
2. The Contrivance itfelf has, by the greateft Mafters in Science, been
thought the bell adapted, and moil ferviceable, of all thofc at any time
propofed, for the Advancement of Philofophy and Arts ; fo that to per-
tefl and fit it for general Ufe, may deferve more than ordinary Care
and Concern.
3. And tho' to bring it fo forward as we find it, was the Labour of
a Mafi.r-Buil.ler ; tho' the Work, in its own Nature, is difficult, and,
to vulgar Phiiofophers, fomewhat paradoxical ; yet, perhaps, the Au-
thor has left fuch Inllrudlions concerning it, as may enable Workmen
of a lower Clafs to finifli it, and render the Method of ufing it generally
intelligible : wnich feems rather to require fedulous Application, than
any extraordinary Learning, or uncommon Abilities.
The Novum
Organum Itft
tinfinijhed.
The finiping
of it, a Thing
ofConfequcnce.
The Author
has left Dire-
aions about it.
» See Vol. III. f. 5, 6.
Vol. II.
C c c c
4. Iq
562 APPEN D IX /0 the
The Attempts A- I-'"' order, therefore, to promote the finifliing thereof, it may be
tf others in proper to indicate the more confiderable Attempts that liave hitiierto
the Jame ge- \^(.^^ made, v/ith a View to fomething of the Kind ; and fhew what fiir-
ther remains to be done, with regard to the perfefting of this noble In-
vention, and bringing it into familiar Ufe.
Arirtot'e'j A- 5. Anjtotle has left us four Books of Anahtics : the two firft whereof,
valyties\ fliew how to conftrucl the Forms of Reafonins; ; and the two latter, de-
liver the Art of Difcovering and Judging of Things.
GuntheiV 6. Thefe Books of Analytics appear to have been little underftood,
Books of Me- till they were illuftrated and explain'd by Gunther ; with the Addition
ihod. q|- y;^]-,^]- is found to the fixme'Purpofe in Plalo^ and Galen '^. Gu fit her has
two Treatifes upon the Subjeft : from whence many later Writers upon
Methods, feem to have drawn their Doftrine ; only illuftrating it with
Examples derived from Mathematics, Algebra, and Phyfics ''.
WeigeliusV 7. This Work of Gunther was many Years after fucceeded by another
Analyfis An of jj-jg great Mathematician JVeigelius ; wherein he endeavours to deduce
ote ica. j.j^^ ^j.j. ^^ Demonftration from mathematical Principles ; and farther
to explain, illuftrate, and fliew the Ufe of Arijiotk's Anahtics '.
Des Cartes de §_ -phe celebrated M. des Cartes wrote an exprefs Treatife de Me-
^^ ° °' thodo ; wherein he reduces the whole Art to four Rules, that feem con-
tain'd in Arijhtle'^ Analytics ; and will be found to coincide with the Me-
dicina Mentis, mentioned below ^ This Method of des Cartes, is deli-
ver'd, with confiderable Improvements, in the fourth Part of the Art
de Penfer ; where the Author conftitutes two Methods •, viz. the Analy-
tical, and Synthetical ; the former for Difcovering, and the latter for
Teaching. And he illuftrates the Whole with a Variety of Examples,
as well phyfical as mathematical.
TfchirnhausV p. Upon the fame Foundation, in the Year 1687, the excellent M.
Medicma 'Tfchirnhaus, a Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, pub-
lifhed an Eflay towards a genuine Logic, or Method of difcovering un-
known Truths ^ This is an extraordinary Performance, that pro-
ceeds entirely upon the mathematical, or rather algebraical Method ; and
deferves to be read with Care and Attention.
IheOccafion 10. M. 'Tfchirnhaus, reflecting that Mathematicians being the only Set
of that Work. qP IVfen, who either maintain'd no Controverfies, or at leaft foon came
to a Determination of them ; hence apprehended, that Mathematicians
alone
•> See Plato, in Fhiedr. palTim.
'■ See Galen, de optitn. Docend. gen.
■1 See Ou-enus Gunther r/s Mcthodorum TraBatus duo, continentes tolius artis Logic a; medullam,
facultatem omnium Scientiarum ac Betnonftrationum Principia inveniendi, dijudicandique ra-
tionem. Helmftad. i 586.
= ?,tt Anahfis Arifiolelica, ex Euclide rejlituta. Jenae 1638.
< i 9. '
E Medicina Mentis, Jive Artis Inveniendi Pracepta Generalia : or what explains theDelign
better^ Tnntamen genuina Logics, ubi differitur de Methodo detegendi incognitas Veritates. The
Second Edition is corieded and enlarged by the Author.
Second Part of the Inffaunition. 563
alone were poflcllcd of the right Method of Elnquiry. Upon thii, lie
applied hiniklf to nutliematicU Studies •, in order to fee whether, by
making the proper Alterations, the mathematical Method could not alfo
be accommodated to other Subjects.
11. In particular, he applied h.\mic.\i to Al'iehra ; and found that xhhfbe PcrfeSion
Art performs even more than it promifes -, and with the higheft?/" Algebra.
Degree of Certainty : when, having acquired a Habit of folving the
greatell: DifRcultics therein, and examining the fecret Nature of its Me-
thod, or Manner of Procedure ; he lays, he obfci-ved that unknown
Truths may be difcover'd, after the fame Manner, not only in Mathe-
matics, but in every other Science.
12. He makes the Foundation of human Certainty to lie in thok The Fo:/rrJati-
Things wherein the Operation of the Underftanding is moll manifcft ; '""'/^"''"'''
or thofe which may be conceived, without any PolTibility of a Contra- '■'■
didion •, as that the Whole is greater than a Part ; that the. Radii of a Cir-
cle are equal, ^c. whence numerous other Truths may be drawn : and,
on the other hand, he lays it down for certain, that thofe Things which
cannot be conceived, are falfe.
13. But here the Author cautions us againfl: being deceived by t\iQ The Cautions
Imagination -J for, according to him, many Things are perceived by the '■^?'^"'^'/ '"
Imagination only-, of which Things no diftinft Notion, or Conception, "3'"^''
can, by Words, be communicated to another ; as in the Cafe of Pain,
Light, Colours, Sound, ^c. Hence he recommends two Ways of di-
ftinguifliing between the Perreptions of the Imagination, and the Conceptions
of the Underj}anding. The firft is, by large and frequent Experience,
and efpecially, by the Help of Mathematics, to acquire a Habit of
finding the Difference betwixt them ; and the fecond, is to confider the
Equality there is in the human Underftanding> which all Men have
equally alike : for what a Man truly conceives, he can communicate to
another •, as we fee in mathematical Demonftrations, which are equally
underftood by all Men ; whereas thofe Things which are perceived by
the Imagination, as he calls it, are perceived unequally, or more by
fome, and lefs by others. And by juftly diftinguifhing betwixt thefe
two Powers, or Faculties of the Mind, he fuppofes many great Errors
may be avoided.
14. W^e next proceed to the Author's Method of difcovering ntviTheWayof
Truths -, wherein he fuppofes that any one may continually advance difim^rtng
to an indeterminate Length, without Danger of falling into Error. And ''^"'
here he advifcs us firft to procure, with great Diligence, a Stock of
all the poffible Conceptions which the Mind, in the common Courfe of
Studies and Occafions, takes Cognizance of. For, from thefe Con-
ceptions, Dejifiitions, in his Method, are to be immediately formed ; then
Properties to be deduced from thefe Definitions ; which Properties he
calls by the Name of Axioms : and from the Definitions, combined all
C c c c 2 manner
That Men wjji
fcrtn jujl Defi-
nitions,
564. APPENDIX /0 ^y^^
manner of Ways, he difcovers fecondary 'Truths,, or Theorems \ dius ma-
king the whole Procefs algebraical.
15. He determines it to be in the Power of Men to form fcientifical
definitions ; and in order to form them juftly, advifcs us to confider the
iVIanner wherein the Thing to be defined is itfelf aftually formed : or,
as he calls it, ftill in Allufion to Mathematics, generated -,- and from
this Confideration, he direfts us to derive the Definition. Thus, for
Example, he defines Virtue to be the Power which Men have of prefer-
ving their own Nature, according to the Laws of jufi: Reafon ; or of
procuring to themfelves all the real Perfedlions both of Body and Mind j
or, again, the Perfection, or Melioration of human Nature, according
to the Laws of juft Reafon.
Rules for 1 6. To facilitate this Bufmefs of forming Definitions, he lays down
firming them, three general Rules. The fir Ji is, for reducing Things, in Thought, un-
Ihe firft. der their ultimate Kinds, or moft general Conceptions. And thefe higheft
mental Kinds, or Claffes, he makes to be three ; relating to Things
ItJiaginary, Mathematical, and Phyfiical : under which Heads all Things that
exift may be ranged.
The fe-ond. 17. The feeond Rule is, when Things are thus reduced under their higheft
Kinds, or Clafies, to obferve, either by Reafon or Experience, what
Things thofe arc which remain continually prefent in every Con-
ception.
fht third. 18. The third 'Rule is, that all the formed Conceptions be fo order'd,
as to fucceed each other, according to what he calls the Number of Pof-
fibilities, or Elements ; or according as one Thing fuppofes the Exift-
ence of another : beginning with the fimple Cafes,, and proceeding gra-
dually to the more complex.
Toe Elements 19. The firft Elements oi Tmagmar-j Things, perceived by the Senfe ^
of Things. he makes to be Fluidity, and Solidity •, the firft of the Mathematical,
he makes to be Points, ftrait Lines, and Curves •, and the firft of the
Phjfiical, Matter, Motion, and Reft ; without which nothing farther can
be conceived. Thefe Rules he explains and illuftrates by many Exam-
ples, efpecially of the mathematical Kind : and then proceeds to ftiew.
the Way of forming Axioms from thefe genuine Definitions; which he
fuppofes to be the Elements, or firft Principles of Truths. And by
confidering thefe Definitions, either fimply, or comparatively, and in all
their elementary Relations, he deduces thofe Truths from them, which he-
calls Axioms. And thus, by confidering the fcientifical Definitions of a.
ftrait Line and a Circle, or the Relations arifing from their Genera-
tions •, a large Number o^ Axioms may be deduced. For Example, from
confidering the Generation of a Circle, by the Revolution of a ftrait
Line about a fixed Point, this Axiom arifes ; viz. that the Motion Is
flower.
?Se« above, f. 13*
Seco?id Part of the Inftaumtion. 565
flower towards the Centre, and quicker towards the Circumference. And
fo in otlier Cafes.
2C. After the requifite Definitions are formed, and compared together, The Metksd,
the J.ift Thing is to combine, or join them with each other, fo as to "'i^^raua/.
conllitute what the Author calls Theorems, or new Truths. For two or more
Definitions, or Natures, being thus joined together, there may hence
arife different Natures, or new Pofiibilities, depending upon eaci other:
as we fee in compound Machines, tff. And this tl\e Author again
illaftrates with a great Variety of geometrical and phyfical Examples.
The whole Procedure he declares to be the fame that is ufed by the
Mailers of Algebra, for folving fuch Problems, as at firft Sight might
appear unfolvable, by any human Genius. For a Problem being pro-
pofed, the Thing is repreftnted to the Eye, as if it were already
known and difcover'd ; fo as clearly to fhew what Particulars are here
joined together ; wailil: the Natures, or Definitions, thereof are either
already known, or adually exhibited. Then each different Nature is fe-
parately confider'd, and expreffcd by a difi"erent Equation, in the mod
fmiple Cliarafflers pcflible. And now thcfe feveral Equations are vari-
oufly compared, er combined together, till a fingie Equation thence
arifes, and includes the Natures before exprefs'd by different Equations ;
fo as clearly to demonil.ate how the Qaeftion propofed may receive a So-
lution.
21. The Author afterwards fhews how his Method of difcovering Truth How to he fa.
may be eaf.-d : and in order thereto, firfl removes the Impediments in the ^^}'"''^-
Way; among tlie chief whereof h,: places i^ai{/?icciij. Prejudices, and Erron -, ^^^^^Jy^| -''
enquires into their Origin ; and produces Inftances thereof, in K\s Errors. "^
three Kinds of Subjects, viz. Imaginary, Mathematical, and Phyfical. He
accounts thofe the moil fuotiie :.nd treacherous Errors, when imaginary
Matters are confounded with real, or phyfical ones ; which he obferves
to be done even by the moll acute Philofophers among the Moderns, in
laying down the Principles of Nature ; and fhews how various Sefts and
Prejudices have thence arifen,. and fpread themfelves.
22. Thefc faJfe Philofophies, and reigning Prejudices, he apprehends /\ p,-^/^.
may be correfted two Ways ; viz. fird, by exadlly diftinguilhing be- guiihing be-
twixt the Operations of the UnderflunJiing, and thofe of the Imagina- •'•'"'-'•■' '^«^'•■-
tion '■ ; and, fecondly, by afTifting the Underllanding, in the Difcovery Qi[^'>'ft'"i'^"'g
Truth, with the Imagination direfted by a good Method of Inveftiga- ""i^n ; "'"fnj
tion. And this Help is afforded, (i.) by a juft adaoting of Words to making ihem
Things i (2.) by proper C.haradlcrs for different Ideas; (3.) by Motions, «■''-''/"^'■'''^•.
or moving Engines, and Contrivances, to aflift the Mind in its Operations ;
and, (4.^ by new Experiments," which gl'/e new Conceptions. And by
this Means he fuppofes the Imagination may be brought to co-operate
with the Underllanding.
23. The
' See above, ^. 13."
S66 APPENDIX /^ the
Valuing tab at 23. \'\\z fecoiid Impediment, he makes to be this-, that we do not duly
is known ; and YQOQ^rd, nor attentively confider, the Things already known: and tne
J^dlaiZgard^'^'-^'^K^^'^^^ we too much regard the Ufefulnefs of Knowledge, and Dil-
uUtility. coveries ; whereas, he fays, we ought to content ourfelves with the bare
Difcovery of new Truths : otherwife we block up the Way to the moft ufe-
ful Things of all. For a very fmall natural Power, which in the ab-
ftrad Conception, appears of very little Significance, may yet prove in-
finitely ufeful in its future Applications -, as in the Cafe of the Magnetic
Needle, Printing, Gunpowder, (^c. For numberlefs Inventions of this
Kind may be derived from trivial Experiments.
Helping the 24. The fourth Impediment, he makes to be a natural Indifpofition
Indifference of'm Men ; whence they are not always fit to go upon the Enquiry
jhe Mind; ^ft-gj- Truth: and for this Indifpofition he propofes feveral Reme lies.
mlk'l'Ldd-'^^^ fiP^ Impediment, is a too long Series of Inveftigation ; which he
tainingTime endeavours to remove by a proper Diftribution of the Work, and efta-
for it. blifhing a proper Order. And the fixth hnpediment, he makes to be this -,
that the Affairs of Life often prevent our enquiring after Truth : which
Hindrance he propofes to remove, by direfting us to follow our own In-
clination in Purfuits.
The Difcovery 25. In the laft Place, he comes to deliver the Method of difcovering
cf unknown unknown Truths, with refpedl, (i.) to ourfelves, in following our own
^"^ ''^'y_,^°^/^' Inclinations ; (2.) with refpedl to thofe Sciences, the Knowledge whereof
.Particulars, is the moft neceflary, or moil pleafing ; and, (3.) with refpecl to Na-
tural Philofopiiy, which, when known is, according to him, the moft
delightful of all Science. For by Natural Philofophy he underftands a
Knowledge of the Univerfe, demonftrated a priori, in exaft mathematical
Order •, and confirmed a pojlericri, by manifeft Experiments, fufficient to
convince the Imagination.
TZj^Medicina ^6. Such is the general Plan of the Medicina Mentis ; wherein we may ob-
Mentis«;«- ferve much Sagacity and Ingenuity : but perhaps, when clofely examined,
fared with the ii-^Q Work will appear a little too much influenced by the Notion, which
Novum Or- ^^^ Author at firft efpoufed, of fitting the dircft Algebraical Method to
univerfal Philofophy •, and that he has thus endeavoured to found an uni-
verfal Art of Invefiigation upon one, which, tho' extremely noble and
excellent, is yet limited or confined : or that, at beft, his Method is not
fufficiently general, or fitted for univerfal Praftice -, but rather formed
according to the Model of Man, than the Model of Nature. It may alio, till
farther improv'd, appear to be more mental than pradlical •, and to be
better fitted for folving Phasnomena in the ordinary Manner, affigning
probable Reafons of Things, and making all fquare with the human Mind •,
than to difcover, and fuch actuating Caufes as Ihall enable Men to fub-
due and conquer Nature by Works : in which Light, it feems to fall
yaitly fliort of the Novutn Organum, or Art of Invejiigating Forms.
27. But
ganura.
Sccojtd Fort of the Inftaiiration. 567
27. But tho' in this principal View, the AfoZ/Vi/.-j M<f«//-; may not be lo
ufet'ul as the Novum Orgaiintn^ yet they have a remarkable Agreement
in numerous other refpeds ; and may be made greatly to affift and pro-
mote each other : efpecially the Medlcwa Mentis will prove ferviceablc
to the Novum Orgamm, in the forming of Notions ; which M. 'Tfibinihaus
terms the forming of Definilions. Thus much is certain, that they both
defcrvc to be farther improved, and reduced to Pradlice : for the Field
of Nature is fo large, as to require all the Engines, and artificial Helps,
that can any way be procured. And if this Method of M. Tfihirnhaus
fhall be brought to Perfeftion, or commodioufly fitted for PraJIice ; it
will then, perhaps, be found to coincide with the Novum Organum, fo
as to conditute a Part of that general Engine, from whence, it feems in great
meafure, to have been derived : for, as the Medicina Mentis is the yllgebra of
Alen, applied to 'Things ; fo the Novum Organum may be called the Algebra of
Nature, applied to herfelf
28. Amongll the later Philofophers of our own Nation, who have T',?'^ Englifii
endeavoured to improve, or find out, Methods of making new Difcoveries ; Philofophers
the Principal feem to be Mr. Bo^le, Mr. Locke, Dr. Hooke, and Sir Ifaacy/J^ld'at
Nev:tcn. Mr. Boyle has given us a particular Account of the Method he Methods.
purfued, in his Philofophical Enquiries ; which plainly appears to be formed
upon the Model of the Lord Bacon ; and is no other than a loofe and imper-
t'cct Kind of Indudtion, proceeding upon certain Tables of Enquiry, or general
Heads of Hijlory. For in every regular Enquiry, Mr. Boyle firft propofed Mr. BoyleV
to himfelf three Kinds of Orders, Ranks or Clafles, under which he Method.
ranged all the Particulars relating to the Hiftory of his Subjeft ; whe-
ther it were a Body, a Quality, an Operation, or a Procefs. The firft general
Order, or Place, was deftined to receive all fuch Titles, or Heads of
Enquiry, as readily occurred upon the firft deliberate View, or ge-
neral Survey of the Subjeft ; the Titles being made fufficiently nume-
rous and comprehenfive, and not accommodated to any Hypothefis. His
Titles of the fecond Order were fet down, after a careful Confideration
of the Heads of the firft -, trying the Experiments, and making the Ob-
fervations there propofed -, and after reading Authors, converfing with
Philofophers, and meditating upon the Subjeft ; fo as thus to have procured
a full Information with relation to the "Whole thereof. This Set of Titles
will, of courfe, be more exaft, more full, and better ranged than
the firft -, whence the Materials here contained or indicated, will, with
the proper Introduftion, Alterations in Method, Connexions, Tran-
fitions. Additions, farther Direftions, tff. begin to form a Natural Hi-
ftory of the Subject ; that may be improved, from Time to Time, or
from Age to Age, till it arrives at Perfedtion. Laftly, where the Enquiry
was difficult, or large, the Author thought proper to form a middle Or-
der of Titles, interpofing betwixt the two former ; and this by carefully
examining and comparing the feveral Particulars ranged under the Titles
of the firft Order : fo as thus to difcover many new Diretflions, and
: Heatis
568
APPENDIX to the
Heads of Enquiry ; which being afterwards added to the former, may
■require the whole to be new-moulded -, and afford a much more copious
^ and ufeful Set^ of titles, than the firft : all which Titles are to be filled
up, as Experiments or Obfervations are made, or the proper Informa-
tions obtained. But after all, as many Particulars may happen to be
omitted, or not be thought of at the proper Time, or when they are
wanted ; and as the Hiftory muft needs be improvable by After-thought,
and farther Knowledge ; the Author leaves a Place empty, by way of Ap-
pendix to his Titles, for receiving the Particulars omitted, that belong
to fome of the Titles ; but were forgot or overlooked : and another for
Particulars to be added ; under which fuch new Matter was to be received,
as might be procured by farther Difcoveries and Improvements made,
after the Hiftory Ihould be written, or publifhed «>.
Mr. Locked 29. Mr. Locke appears to have defigned a kind of familiar Explanation,
aZarUnder- ^""^ Illuftf^tion of many Aphorifms of the firft Part of the Novum Or-
ftanding." ^*^' l'^"^^ ' i" his excellent Effay upon Human Underftanding ; and again, in his
pofthumous Piece concerning the Conduol of the Underftanding: but he
feems no where to have explained the fecond Part of the Novum Organum ;
or the Art of Invefligating Forms. His Philofophical Writings are now
generally known and read ; but as they tend to the curing of Preju-
dice, preparing the Mind, and fitting it for the Difcovery of Truth,
rather than to open any frefli Fountains of Science, or teach the Art of
Difcovery, they need not here be infilled on •, efpecially as they have
but little immediate regard to Natural Philofophy ; from whence all the
Sciences iliou'd be derived and fupplied. And the fame Charafter may be
underftood proportionably of Father Malbranche^s Recherche de la Verite.
Dr. Hooke'/ 30. Dr. Hooke, who was a great Mafter in the Art of Invention ; as
A/, /^«r/ c//«- appears by his numerous Contrivances and Difcoveries; purfued much
TdPhihfiphy- ^"^^ ^^"^^ Method as Mr. Bofte. In his Piece for Improving Natural Phi-
^ ^ ^' lofophy, he feems to have propofed to perfeft the Defign of the Lord
Bacon's Novu?n Organum. And it is great Pity that a Perfon fo well fuited
to the Work, did not proceed farther in it. All he has done towards it, is
little more than a familiar Repetition of what the Lord Bacon had before
■ laid down under the Do5lrine of Idols ; Helps for the Senfes ; the DoHrine
of Prerogative Inftances -, and the Method of colleSfing a Hiftory of Nature :
tho' the Do(5tor has fometimes added apt Illuftrations, large Explana-
tions, and particular Improvements.
Left unfi' 3 1- Had Dr. Hooke finifhed the Piece, according to the Scheme he at
tiijbed. firft propofed, it would doubtlefs have familiarized the Parts of the
Novum- Organum, which are already extant; and, perhaps, have fupplied
the reft : but as it now ftands, it is defedlive in thofe very Parts wnich
are wanting in the Novum Organum. It was indeed a pofthumous Piece ;
and, perhaps, purpofely negleded by the Doftor towards the Clofe of his
Life,
" See Mr. Boyk\ Works, Abridgm. Vol. J. Prdim. Difc. p. 24.
Second Part of the Iiiftauradon. 569
Life; Tor fear of divulging \\\% Mechanic aU ovPhilofo^hical, Algebra, which
he fecnis to have learnt from the Ncvuvi Organum, and defired to con-
ceal u.
32. Sir Ijaac Nnvton appears to hav^ had a very extraordinary Me- S/> Ifaae
thod of making Difcoveries : but as that great Phi lolbpher did not think ^cwtonV Jlfir-
proper to reveal it -, Philolbphers of an inferior Rank can only guefs at ^l^fj"^''
it, and admire what they do not fully underftand. Where the Bufmefs
of Inveftigation depended upon Experiments; as particularly in his excellent
Enquiries about Light ; he feems firil to have imagined, in his Mind,
how Things were ; and afterwards contrived his Experiments, on purpofe
to fhew, whether thofe Things were as he had preconceived them, or not :
and according to the Information thus obtained ; whether from his own
Experiments and Obfervations, or thofe of others ; he altered and im-
proved his Notions, till after various Trials, and various Amendments,
his Notions appeared to be juft and perfeft. And this is a fliort, or me-
chanic.d Method of Induction.
2,^. Eut befides this kind of mechanical Method, Sir Jfaac Newton hid His ^/gehs
a mathematical one, afforded him by his Dexterity in Algebra, and h;is<""^ ^'•""'>'"-
admirable Invention of Fluxions ; which are not to be underftood and
applied in Philofophy, without great Sagacity and Caution : for other-
wife they will be apt to miflead. And here this great Author has fhewn
uncommon Addrefs ; and found the Secret of calculating mathematical,
or mental Forces, Powers, and Motions, and afterwards applying them
to natural Bodies, and natural Things. But the Attempt is fuitable
only to a diftinguiOiing and fublime Genius, that can let Mathematics
conftantly rule and prefide over Phyfics, without corrupting Philofophy,
or rendering it f^ntaftical.
34^ At other Times this great Philofopher obferved the ftrider 'Lzvfs, His Method 0/
of Induction ; colleclred the neceflary Fafts, Obfervations, and Expe- Iiduaioit.
riments ; and by contemplating them in his Mind, or reafoning upon
them, gave the Refult, with its Confequences ; as in the Theory oi the
1 ides. Moon, Comets, i^c. So that he feems to have ufed all forts of
Methods, by Turns; or to have formed one to himfelf, compounded of
the mechanical, mathematical, and the ufual indudive Method. So that
if this mixed Method alfo were to be profecuted, and brought to the
greateft Perfedion whereof it is capable, it may fall under that ftill more
general one of the Novum Organum.
35. This Novum Orgamm, we have feen, is divided by its Author 'mX-OTht general
two general Parts ; viz. one that is dcfigned to be preparatory or intro- ^^^^^'-^^'f '
duclory to the other, which is fcientifical or doctrinal ; fo as clearly to ganum, di-
deliver a new Way of Proceeding upon all kinds of Enquiries; yfi^ vided into
two Parts.
n See the Account of his Life, prefixed to his PiJIkumous Works, p • 4. See alfo his Method
of improving Natural Philofophy, p. 65. and compare the whole of that Piece, the Preface to
his Micrograpbia, and his own particular Enquiries, with the Doftrine of the Novum Or-
ganum.
Vol. II. D d d d the
570 AVVENDIX to de
the greateft Advantage to the Mind, for acquiring a thorough Knowledge
of the Works of Nature ; and leading to an unlimited Praftice for ac-
commodating human Life.
Thefirflfart 36. The Defign of the preparatory Part, is to remove Prejudice, pro-
divided into cure a fair Hearing, and give fome tolerable Notion ot the whole In-
fevenSedions. jiauration. It may be fubdivided into feven lefler Parts, or Sedions ; the
firft whereof endeavours (i.) to awaken the Mind, as it were from its
Lethargy ; and make it fee that Philofophy and the Sciences are fo
far from being perfe6ted -, that (2.) Men are hitherto unprovided of
the true Inftruments and Means of forming the Sciences-, (3.) that, as
The Refult of Knowledge and Power conftantly go hand in hand. Men have but little
the firft Se- Knowledge, becaufe they produce but few confiderable Effeds ; (4.) that
/thn. j-]^e common Ways of Reafoning and Contemplating, tho' fo much mag-
nified, are but delufory Things, and require much Reftification and
Amendment •, (5.) that the common Logic and Syllogifm, however ufeful in
common Affairs, are of no Service in Philofophy ; (6.) that our firft
Notions of Things are faulty, and require to be correfted, improved,
and verified ; (7.) that the fure Way of difcovering Truth has not hitherto
been tried ■, (8.) that Men form vain Idols to themfelves, inftead of dif-
covering the Truths of Nature •, (9.) that a more powerful Logic than
the common, or a kind of Engine for the Mind, is abfolutely required
for the Service of Philofophy ; (10.) Men prepofteroufly delight in a
hafty and erroneous Way of difputing, judging, and confuting, according
to the fcanty Meafure of their own Knowledge, and the fuppofed Truth
of their own ill-form'd Notions.
The Re/u/t 0/ 37. The Second SeHion fhews the feveral Errors we commit in forming
thefecondSe- our Notions of Things ; and how detrimental fuch Errors are to the
aim. Progrefs of Philofophy. It fhews that the Mind is tinged and infefbed
Talje Imagi- four feveral Ways : for (i.) Men in general have a ftrange Propenfity,
nations be- and obftinate Property, of referring all Things to themfelves •, as if no-
^'"gifg '0 thing exifted otherwife than is reprefented by their immediate Senfes ;
ral". '" ^'"^' <^'" ^^ ^f '^^^''^ ^^^ nothing in Nature, but what their Senfes immediately
perceive: whereas the other Parts of the Univerfe, as the Air,
^ther, i^c. and other Creatures, are to be regarded in Philofophy, as
well as Man. And here Man is fhewn (i.) inclined to feign and invent
from within himfelf, inftead of fearching and difcovering ; (2.) to be
extremely liable to PrepofTefTion and Prejudice, fo as with Difficulty to
remove thofe falfe and fuperftitious Notions he has once imbibed ; as of
Aftrology, Omens, Judgments, i3c. (3.) to be eafily moved and led
away by thofe Things that affeft the Imagination, more than the Rea-
fon i (4.) to be fond of launching into Infinity, and the higheft Univer-
fals i diftlaining the intermediate Truths, which in Praftice are more
ferviceable -, (5.) to be drenched in the Affeftions of his Body, and
thence eafily turned afide to Pride, Vanity, falfe Hopes, i£c. (6.) 'tis
iliewn tint the human Senfes, without fartiier Afiiflance, are of little Ufe
Second Part of the Inflauratlon. 5 7 r
in Philofophy, tho' Men atrrihuie fuch great Mutters to them •, and
(7.) that Men are fond of abllrad Notions, and general Theories-, at
the liime time neglecting the due Enquiry into Nature, and Particulars;
which alone can fliew them what Tilings are. And thefe Imperfcdions
belong to the Species of Men, or Mankind in general.
38. (2.) The Mind is alfo infcded difterently, according to the Con- othc-rs to eaelf
ftitution. Complexion, Bent, or Inclination of each particular Perfon ; ■'W""'« />'"'''-
or according to his Education, Cullom, Converfation, Stuilies, Courfe oi'""'^'
Reading, Employ, and other accidental Matters -, whence every Man
has his own peculiar Biafs ; or, as it were his own particular Glafs,
tinged to his Humour, thro' which he views every thing. And hence
fome Men doat on Mathematics ; others on Chemiftry -, others on Lo-
gic, i^c. and accordingly tinge and infcft whatever they apply to, with
Mathematics, Chemiilry, Logic, &V. whereas the true Philofopher fliould
not be warped to any particular Branch of Science ; but remain equally
aiie(fted to them all ; as they may all afford their Afljftancc in promo-
ting Philofophy. But in the prefent State of Men and Things, fomc
fubtile Capacities purfue the minute Difierences of their Subjeft, and
make no End of fplitting and dividing-, as in Anatomy, i^c. till the
mechanical Strudure, or Organization, of the Parts, is loft : and others, on
the contrary, confider only the Wholes, without examining the Parts. Some
fondly admire the Ancients, as Arifiotle, PLito, Src. and others fome favourite
modern Philofopher. But unlefs the Mind be thoroughly convinced of
tlie Folly and Abfurdity of fuch a Procedure -, and be brought, by Art
and Habit, to a quite contrary Temper -, true Philofophy cannot be efte-
(Slually promoted : for the Sciences formed by diftemper'd Minds will
partake of the Diftempers -, and accordingly appear trifling, grofs, par-
tial, half-faced, diftortcd, fantaftical, i^c. ■
39. (3.) The third Way wherein the Mind becomes perverted, is by F^//e Nothnt
the Abufe, or improper Ufe of Words -, for the philofophical Words, "^l^^"""
in all Languages, are commonly falfe, or inadequate, Marks, or Signs,
of Things -, and by no means convey juft and perfeft Notions. So that
Men are continually impofed upon, even againft their Wills, by a wrong
Impofition of Words ; which are generally coined by the Vulgar -, or it
by Philofophers, it is without taking the requifite Pains and Care to
form Notions duly, from Things -, and then give fuitable Names
to thofe Notions. And hence the Reafonings, the Difcourfes, and even
the Writings of Men, are often ftrangely confufed, or but feldom per-
feclly intelligible ; and propagate imperfect Notions, which Men take
by Confent, without enquiring whether they are juft, or how they were
formed. But, in order to improve Philofophy, it is of great Impor-
tance to have Words fuitably adapted, and kept invariably to denote
perfeft Notions ; fo as to exprefs or convey fuch Notions without De-
lufion, or Impofition. But no Language of this kind can be made, till a
Set of fuch Notions fliall be duly formed, from Things ; which depends
D d d d 2 upon
572
A P P E N D I X /<? /y^^
Hion.
SophifiUal
Philofiphiei,
what.
Talfe Notions
Empirical
Phihfipbies,
vihat.
upon the Ufe of Indudtion. And as this Language, and thefe Notions,
are hitherto, in great meafure, wanting ; the Mind thus remains unpro-
vided of one very great Help for the Improvement of Philofophy.
TheRefultof 40. (4.) The Mind is, again, ftrangely perverted, by fibulous Theo-
the third Se- ries, and romantic Philofophies ; which are extremely numerous, and
ftill continue to increafe. The "Third Se3ion divides them into three ge-
neral Kinds ; viz. Sopbiflical, Empirical, and Stiperjlitious. Sophijlical Phi-
lofophies are thofe formed upon common, or hafty Obfervations, and Ex-
periments ; by a fubfequent Operation of the Mind. Thus Arijlotle's
Piiilofophy was formed upon common Obfervations, wrought up by his
Logic i fo as to become fophiftical, and corrupted : for common Ob-
arifing from fervaiions, and obvious Experiments, are not of themfelves, fit to build
fantaftic The- ^ ferviceable Philofophy upon ; as they by no means fliew all the fe-
cret Motions of Nature ; and the Laws by which Things are go-
vern'd. Nor is the common Logic an Engine at all fuited to deal
with Experiments, Obfervations, and Nature.
41. Empirical Philofophies are thofe formed upon only a few Experi-
ments, tho' made with great Exaftnefs •, as Dr. Gilbvrl's Philofophy is
formed upon his magnetical Experiments ■, and the Philofophy of the
Chemijls upon a few repeated Experiments of the Furnace, ^c. But to
form a general Philofophy upon a few Experiments, muft needs appear
a childifh Attempt, to thofe who confider the Variety and Extent of Na-
ture ; and the treacherous, faulty, or rafh Propenfity of the Mind, in
reafoning from them.
42. Superjlitious Philofophies are thofe where Matters of Faith and Re-
ligion are worked up with thofe of Reafon and Senfe •, which makes
fantaftical Philofophies, and heretical Religions. Thus the Philofophy
of P'^thagoras was clogged with grofs Superftition ; and that of Plato
with one more dangerous : and thus, of later Date, a Variety of Theo-
ries have been given of the Earth, from the firft Book of Genefis ;
which has had the Fate to be differently explained, and worked up into
oppofite Syftems, according to the different Fancies of Men ; or tlie
prevailing Philofophies of the Times. And thus it appears, that fcarce
any one has had Thoughts of deriving a pure and perfeft Philofophy
from Nature, that fhould be a true Model of the World, without any
more Mixture of Logic, Mathematics, Chemiftry, Magnetics, &c. than
may be found in Nature.
43. In the next Place are fiiewn fome particular Ways which the
bujes itjelfp Mind has of abufing itfelf, by forming wrong Notions of the Things
Nations. ^'^^ ^''^ ^^^" ^"'^ confider'd. Thus upon feeing the Changes wrought
in Bodies by the mechanic Arts, in the way of Combination and Refo-
lution. Men are apt to imagine that Nature makes ufe of the fame Ex-
pedients in compounding and feparating Bodies ; whence feem to have fprung
the delufory and imperfeifl Notions of the four common Elements ; as if all
Bodies were compounded of, and refolved ijito tliefe : hence thofe called
the
Superjiitious
Philofophies,
Kbat.
The Mind a-
Second Part of the In.ftaurarion. 573
the Chemical Principles, &c. And :hus from keing Mechanics work with the
Ruler and Compals, leems to have arifen the crude and imperfect Notion,
that Nature operates geometrically, (s'c. Butthefe, and the like Notions
being fuperficial, and erroneous, cannot be admitted into Philofophy, with-
out corrupting it. The lame is to be undcrllood of Logical, Mathe-
matical, and Metaphyfical Notions ; raflily introduced and mixed with
luch as are Phyfical.
44. Again, the Mind is apt to run into two contrary Extremes; Co Tie Mind /u£-
as either to be very pofitive and dogmatical; or elfe extremely \ooit j"T to t^oo Ex
and fceptical, in Philofophy. Thus Arijhlle determining to cut off alF'^^-
future occafion ot doubting, called up Queftions, and refolveJ them ;
to Ihew that all was now fettled and determined. But Pyrbo and his
Followers doubted of every thing. And in this manner Men commonly
either rtop fhort too foon, and fancy that enough is known already ; or
continue fluduating in Incertainties ; or elfe turn afide to Amufement, in-
ftead of endeavouring to procure an a(5live and ferviceable Philofophy.
And unlefs thefe perverfe Habits be correfted, no pure Philofophy can
be obtained.
45. But inftead of endeavouring to correft thefe ill Habits of the F^/je Demon-
Mind, Men have the Talent to confirm and ftrengthen them, by cor-flratims.
rupt and perverted kinds of Proofs and Demonltrations ; which are
generally ufed inftead of the true. For logical Demonftrations wreft the
Works of Nature, to make them fquare with the Thoughts of Men ;
whereas the Thoughts of Men ought to be fubmitted, and formed
according to the Works of Nature : fo that logical Demonftrations, ap- y^^ tozical
plied to phyfical Matters, are only the Play of Words; or at beft, dc- KinJ fulfe,
ceitful and incompatible. For the unafllfted Senfes are incompetent ; «'*<''"»//'/'>''
Notions are ill formed from their Reports ; the Principles of the Sciences'" ^-'^'''*
can never be juftly inferr'd from a Number of Inftances produced only
on one Side ; and the prefent Method of arguing from Prmciples, is
erroneous and inconclufive.
46. The beft Method of Demonflration, is fhewn to be the Demc«i- ^;^^^;.,,,,^^ ,^^
ftration by PLxperiencc ; provided we do not ralhly endeavour to judge ^</? Demon-
of other Things from it ; but proceed therein with great Circumfpedlion,''^''''"*''-
and rigorous Exaftnefs : which Method having been little obferved, no
wonder if true Philofophy be but little advanced.
47. The fourth SeHicn proceeds to fhew by what Signs, or Ma.rks,rj^g j^r^^ ^^
falfe Theories and Philofophies may be difcovered ; fo as to prevent the the fourth
Mind from being impos'd upon. And here it is made appear, that \}n^Se£iion.
Philofophy in vogue over Europe^ is principally the fuperficial, profef-
forial, difputatious, and fophiftical Philofophy of the Greeks, and chiefly '^'^./r?'^'-?
oi Ariftoile ; a Philofophy which, however it may have fpread, is I'ttle^j'-j^j^-'' ^
more than Logical, or Verbal; that does not convey fuch Diredlions 3iS fpread o'er
may enable us to perform any thing confiderable for the Advantage and Europt
Accommodation of Life. And, again, it is Ihewn that the Greeks were
Mafters
574 APPENDIX /^ //5^
Mafters of little Knowledge, efpecially with regard to the Bafis and
Matter of all other Knowledge, Natural Philofophy.
The bfjl Sign of 48. And here the fureft Sign whereby to judge of any Philofophy, is
Phfuotih^ is ^^^" "^° ^^ '^y '"-^ Fruits or Ufefulnefs, in fupplying the Neceffities of
!'•) its' Fruits'. Mankind; and improving the praftical Arts whereon the Accommoda-
tions of Life principally depend. But the Gtvek Philofophy having
yielded none of thefe Fruits, it is to he accounted barren. And the fame
Judgment is to be made of the Chemical and Magical Philofophies ;
neither of which have enlarged the human Power, in any tolerable Pro-
portion to their high Pretenfions. We are not, therefore, to form a Judg-
ment ot any Philofophy from its Show and Appearance ; the Greatnefs
of its ^Authors ; the Antiquity of its Origin •, the multitude of its Ad-
mirers ; the Reputation it has gained among learned Men -, nor even from
general Confent itfelf; but principally from its Ufe, or the Tendency
it has to improve the Mind, enlarge the human Powers, and give us
a Command over Nature.
The Refult of 49. The. fifth Sexton is defigned to fliew the Reafons why the Philofophers
the fifth Se- of all Ages have fallen into Errors; and made fo little real Improve-
^■"'"' ment in the Bufmefs of Philofophy. Thefe Reafons amount to this,
(i.) that when a true Eftimate is made, there has, through the feveral
Ages of the World, been very little Time well fuited to the Cul-
tivation of Natural Philofophy ; whicli, as muft be well remembred, is
the Foundation of all philofophical Knowledge ; or the true Matter
NaturalPhi- whereof the Sciences fhould be formed : (2.) that during the Times beft
lofphy little fuited to the Study of Natural Philofophy, little Labour has been be-
cultivated, but ftowed thereon ; the Men of Genius and Learning having chiefly ap-
'"^"tiiffiad-V^^^^ themfelves to Morality, Civil Policy, and Religion : (3.) that fcarce
ties through any fingle Perfon ever applied himfelf entirely to the Study of Natu-
the feveral ral Philofophy ; which having been always look'd upon as a kind of
■^," f '^-"^ fecondary Thing, was only confulted occafionally ; and, in a perverted man-
ner, made fubfervient to Phyfic, Mathematics, l3c. (4.) That the true
End of Philofophy has been entirely miftaken ; which is to enrich
and ennoble human Life with ufeful Inventions, new Arts, and new
Powers ; whereas Philofophers, as they are called, have had Views to
the raifing of Seds, aggrandizing their own Names, gaining a Domi-
nion over Mens Minds, or fome fuch inferior and pernicious Ends.
(5.) That wrong Ways have been chofe for advancing Philofophy ;
and Argument ufed inrtead of Experiment ; Reafoning and Speculation,
inftead of clofe Obfervation, and genuine Induftion ; and the true Me-
thod of raifing fruitful Axioms, and difcovenng Works worthy of Man-
kind, entirely neglefted. (6.) That a few ancient Philofophers have been
obftinately and perverfly admired, or almoft adored, as Men ot fuper-
natural Abilities ; to the fliameful NegleCl of improving the human
Power: Whereas the Ancients, living in the younger Days of the World,
were in many Points of Experience and Knowledge, inferior to the Mo-
derns.
Second Part of the Inftauration. 575
derns. (7.) That a flilfe Imagination, as if Men were poflefled of many
excellent Arts, and perfed Sciences, has fatally hindered the Improve-
ment of Philolbphy : whereas, the Arts and 'Sciences at prefent in life,
are, in reality, but few and weak, in comparifon of what may be dif-
covered by the Light of .Axioms. (S.) That much Craft, and a kind of
Impofture, has been generally ufed, to make the Sciences appear more per-
fect and compleat than they are ; whereby many have been deluded.
(9.) That much ^^anity has been fhewn by fome modern Authors, in
boafting themfelves, and making great Promifes of delivering extraor-
dinary Things for the Advantage of Mankind ; but fliamefully failing
in the Performance, fober Men have hence taken a Diftafte, and too
obftinately believed other practicable Things, to be of the fame Stamp.
(9.) That Men have generally neglefted to propofe themfelves noble and
fuitable Tasks for the Improvement of Philofophy -, and inftead thereof,
have indolently determined many fober and rational Things to be mere
ImpofTibilities, or beyond the reach of Art ; at the fame time greatly
over-valuing flender Performances. (10.) That religious Zeal, Bigotry,
Superftition, and the School Divinity, have, through feveral Ages, been
very unfavourable to the Improvement of Natural Philofophy, and checked
its Progrefs. (11.) That the common Schools, Univerfities, Colleges
and Societies of learned Men, have alfo generally oppofed all new and
confiderable Improvements in Knowledge. (12.) That no fufficient Re-
wards have been allowed for Inventors and Improvers. And, laftly, that
fedate and fober Men have indulged an untimely Defpair, or entertained
a Belief that no farther Improvements can be made in Philofophy. So
that under all thefe Obftacles and Difcouragements, it is no wonder if
very little true Philofophy has appeared in the World,
50. The/;^/i^ Seciion, of the firft Part of the Novum Organum, tends to^V^' Refuhof
raife the Mind from the Languor it may have been thrown into, by the^^-^'*^
melancholy Profpecft of the former Section ; and fets before us, in a
native Light, what folid Reafons there are to expedl, that, notwithftand-
ing the Obftacles and Difcouragements above enumerated, a genuine
Philofophy may be fee on Foot ; and, if Men will not remain wanting
to themfelves, be brought to Perfe6tion ; and afford all thofe Fruits
and Advantages that the human State is capable of affording.
51. And here the Author obferves, (i.) that as the Art of Naviga- 7"-^^ ^wys».-
tion has difcovered new Countries; and carries on a Correfpondence even '^^f''""'* '" ^•*'-
betwixt the moft diftant Parts of the Globe -, great Opportunities are ^^^^j^j/^g^gn'^
afforded, of procuring the neceffary Informations for enlarging x)i\t ^f phihfofhy :
Bounds of Knowledge. (2.) That, as we may plainly perceive the Errors or ti;e tfay cf
which the ancient Philofophers fell Lnto, and the Reafons why they failed ^'''^^"'■f.''^^
in promoting the more ferviceable Sciences; if the Errors they commit- ^^.J^"-^"'^ -^
ed are carefully avoided, and a different Method to be taken, there are
Grounds to hope for better Succefs in future. (3.) That therefore, the
Art of Experimenting, and the Art of Reafoning, are to be joined -to-
gether s,
57^ APPENDIX /^ the
gether •, or a new Art to be formed by a Mixture of the two, in order
to procure a S-jlva, or fuitable Colledlion of prepared and well digefted
Materials for Philofophy. (4.) That Natural Philofophy muft be kept pure
and uncorrupted with Logic, Mathematics, and Divinity. (5.) That
the Mind muft difcharge itfelf of all Prejudice, falfe Notions, phanta-
Byfirfnkiiig ftical Theories, and ufelefs Philofophies ; and become fit to receive fuch
thcpaftEr- ]NJotions as are juft, and purely philofophical ; without any way corrupt-
ing or debafing them. (6.) That a juft Foundation muft be laid for
Experience, in a Hijlory of Nature, collefted with the greateft Exadneis,
Diligence, Fidelity and Judgment •, fo as to make it extenfive, or to mea-
lure of the Univerfe ; without admitting any thing faulty, foreign, or
fuperfluous. (7.) That, in particular, the more leading and informing
Experiments are to be carefully fought and procured. (8.) That a true
Order, or juft Method, of experimenting be introduced; fo that Experi-
ments may not remain cafual Things ; but an Art of Experimenting be
formed. (9.) That no Inventions, or particular Ways of working, or
combining, the Materials of Philofophy, be trufted to Thought and
Contei]iplation ; but the whole Procefs be exaftly wrote down, or de-
fcribed on Paper. (10.) That the Matters of a pure Hijlory of Nature
be not left in loofe Particulars ; but be regularly digefted and brought
into 'Tables ; according to the Nature of every Subject •, that the Under-
ftanding may work thereon to the beft Advantage. (11.) That Axioms
be formed from, thefe Tables •, fo as to point out new Experiments, and
thence afford ftill higher Axioms, leading to greater Works. (12.) That
thefe Axioms be formed, not in the Way of the Ancients, by rifing, at
once, from Particulars to the moft general Conclufions ; but by careful
Steps, in a fife and guarded manner ; fo that the Axioms, thus raifed,
fhall not afterwards deceive, but be thoroughly verified, and remain
juft and pregnant Expreffions of the Laws and Fafts of Nature and
Art. (13.) That a new Method of InduBionh& employ'd in raifing thefe
Axioms ; viz. fuch a Metliod, as is fuited at once, to difcover and demon-
Jlrate Arts and Sciences ; by inveftigating the real and internal Natures of
Things. On this new Method, or Art of Indu£lion, the Author builds
his principal Hopes of improving Philofophy. And to deliver this Art,
was the principal Purport of the Novum Organum ; the Part we are
now upon being only introductory thereto. And to give fome Intima-
tions for perfeding this Art, the prefent Appendix is wrote. (14.) The
laft Foundation of Hope, in the way of forfaking paft Errors, is this ;
that Natural Philofophy may be extended, or made to afford Matter
to the Sciences •, and they again be brought back to Philofophy ; fo as
to make them center therein, without mutilating or difmembring the
Sciences ; whilft they, together with Natural Philofophy, conftitute one
ferviceable Corps of Knowledge.
Anaproceeding 52. (15.) The next Fountain of Hope for the Improvement of Know-
inanetoMe- ledge, is the Profpeft which Men may have of future Difcoveries ; if
'^'^- thev
Second Part of the Inftaiiration. 577
they will put thenilelves into the proper Way of Enquiry. For, fince
many Difcoveries have been hit upon, unexpecftcdly, or by Accident ;
as by the Inrtindl of Brutes, ^c. without going in quell of them ; greater
Succefs may be, doubtlefs, expeded from a proper Method of Enquiry,
and the Art of experim-ncing with Rcafon, Indullry and Sagacity ;
muro efpccially by the Melbod of ludu^ion, abovementioned, which is a
Coiiirivance for the fpeedy bringing of new Difcoveries to Light. (i6.) Some
confiderable Improvement of Philofophy m.iy be alfo reafonably cxpefted,
if the requifice Time, Expcnce, and Application fliall be ufcd in colJedl-
ing fuch a Hijiory of Nature, as was mL-ntioned above; wliich is a Thing
that has never hitherto appeared ; but may be procured, and is no im-
polTible, or impracticable Sciicme. (17.) And, laftly, tho' we had lefs
Encouragement to hope for Succefs than we have -, yet a Courfe of Trial
and Experimenting Ihould be undertaken ; becaufe there is thus, at leafl:,
a Chance ot improving Philofophy, at the Expence of a little Labour :
whereas, to fit down defponding, or refolved againft all Trial and At-
tempt, fcems unworthy of Human Nature.
5j. The feventh and laft Se5iion of this preparatory Part of the Nffvumj(_ef„itoftbe
Orgjuam, is calculated to give fome tolerable Notion, not only oi x.\\t: hji SeBicn of
Defign of the fecond Part ; but alfo of the whole hijlauration : that iXv^theJiTji Part.
Nature and Ufe of the new Method of Induction may be better under-
ftood. And here the Author declares, that he has no View to found a
Sedil in Philofophy, or procure Followers ; but only to lead Men by
the hand a little, in order to fhew them the way of following Nature ;
and freeing themfelves from the NecclTity of following any Philofopher
whatever. And in order to prevent all Mifunderftanding, or Mifcon-
ftruction of this his real Defign, he proceeds to anfwer the more con-
fiderable Objeflions, that might be apt to arife againfl it ; from the Pre-
judices, and talfe Notions which Men commonly imbibe.
54. And firft, becaufe Men are naturally impatient, and immediately defire That abajlv
to fee the Advantages of new Undertakings, the Author guards his Reader Defin of Ad-
againft all rafh and hafty Endeavours after Profit and Advantage -, as vantages in
what will prove highly pernicious, and tend to prevent the good Ef- ^f^^ntlt,
fefts expefted. But for thofe who cannot wait, he leaves them at li-y?/^
berty to ufe, in their own Way, the feveral Helps he has afforded towards
the Production of confiderable Works and Effeds : for he would by no
means hinder, but as much as pofTible promote and expedite the Difco-
very of all advantageous Arts and Works. But till a tolerable Hifloi-y
of Nature is procured, he judges that no very confiderable Progrefs can
be made in what he calls the genuine Interpretation of Nature ; or forming
of rich Axioms, that fliall lead to new Arts and capital Works. Such a
Hiftory, therefore, himfelf propofes to procure.
55. But he apprehends, that feveral Objeftions will be made to this^^M""'!,.'''
Hiftory, as that it will contain falfe Facts, erroneous Experiments, anddif-J^"-'^y-;y^/^^
agreeable, fubtile, vulgar or abftrufe Particulars. But all this he fhews anfwtred.
V o L. II. E e e e amounts
578 APPENDIX /(? the
amounts to little -, becaufe ( i .) ^ few Errors, and even Falfhoods, muft necefla-
rily happen in ^e beginning of a Hiftor'j of Nature ; and will not prove of any
very badConfec^uence -, (tho' they flioukl indeed be cautioudy guarded againft :)
for fuch Errors and Falfhoods, where but few, are eafily difcovercd and
corredled, when Axioms come to be raifed, or the Interpretation oi Na-
ture to be entered upon. (2.) Vulgar Things being ufually as much
unknown, with refpeft to their Caufes, as Things uncommon ; fuch vulgar
Things fhould not be rejefted, but received into a Hiftory of Nature.
(3.) Difagreeable or fordid Matters, fuch as Corruptions, Putrefadiions, ^c.
muft be here neceflarily confider'd, no lefs than others ; becaufe they
give great Light into the Operations of Nature : and Things for this
Defign muft not be judged of by the Rules of Elegancy ; but accord-
ing to Utility. And, (4.) ftibtile, fj^eculative Matters, are not here re-
ceived for the Sake of Subtilty and Speculation ; but only as they af-
ford Information, lead to praftice, and affift in the Interpretation of Nature.
Ohjeaioththat ^6. The Author apprehends, it will appear ftrangely fhocking, info-
all former fhii- j^j^j. ^^^ monftrous, that he lliould at one Stroke fet afide all the an-
'rifeaed.'"'^ cient Philofophies, and all the Sciences-, and go entirely upon a new
Scheme of building up Fhilofophy from a different Foundation. But he
Anf-jieid. judges, that this Procedure, when duly confidered, will be found more
rational, modeft:, and ferviceable, than to have ufed artful Accommoda-
tions, and patched up a deceitful Syltem of new and old Materials : for
as the Ancients raifed their Philofophies upon falfe Notions, or falfe
Principles, difcovered in an erroneous Manner •, there was an abfolute
Neceffity of beginning the whole Work anew. Nor does he think it in-
folence, if by means of an Engine for the Mind, or particular Helps
which the Ancients never knew, any one, of common Abilities, fhould
raife a more ferviceable Structure of Philofophy, than they by means of
the naked Uuderftanding.
That this 57- To the Objeftion, that the End of all this Labour is wrong fixed ;
Scheme haf re- Z.S tending to Pra6lice, and the Accommodation of Life; and not to the
gardtoCon- abftraft Contemplation of Truth, which is a much nobler Thing; 'tis
^wdilTpra- anfwered, that the latter is indeed preferable to the former ; but that, in
nice. the Method propofed, both Ends are anfwered at once : the Defign be-
ing here to give a genuine, a native, and juft Reprefentation of the World,
fuch as it exifhs ; which is not only the moft ufeful Knowledge, but
the nohlefi: Contemplation ; that unites Theory and Praiflice together, in
their higheft Degree, and makes them one and the fame Thing.
The Method 58. To the ObjeAion, that perhaps the Author's new Method is no
kere propofed, more than fome old one, and therefore not of any extraordinary Ufe ;
"ai tnts^ '^^ ^^ anfwers, that the Ancients have delivered their Method of forming
the Sciences ; which was by flying immediately from a few Particulars
to general Conclufions ; a -Method very different from the Method he
propofes, by a rigorous and careful ImluHton : that, in particular, his
Mctiiod docs not tend to Scejitififm, but to a fcientifical doubting at firft,
that
Second Pari of the Inftaiiration. 5-9
that the greatcft Certainties may be afterwards difcovcreJ ; and that
this Method regards not any one particular Art or Science, but all Arts
and all Subjeclis univcrlally.
S9- But the Author hopes th.\t no one will fufpefl his Dc-fign is to Does koi de-
abolilh, and utterly dcftroy the Arts and Sciences at prefent in \3{^ ; ftroy the Scien-
efpecially as he has, in his de Augmen'.is ScUr.iiarum^ taken fo much Pains ^''^. "^'"''''^^' "■
to improve, and fhew die Way of perfecting them : all he aims at, ''"^'
in this refpecl, being to convince the Mind, that the Sciences in vogue
are ot no Ufe for enlarging the Bounds ot Knowledge, and difcovcring
new Arts, and pradicai Works : which End, his own Method is entire-
ly calculated to promote. And yet he does not pretend that this Me-
thod of his is ablblutely pcrfeft or unimproveabie ; but, on the con-
trary, that it will doubtlefs improve, as new Arts are found, or new
Difcovcriss made. And thus he concludes the firfl:, or preparatory Part
of this Work.
60. The fcco>:d Part, as was before obferved, is wholly dodlrinal, or General Sebms
fcientifical; and goss direftly upon delivering the new Art of IrJuilion, of the feconit
or Method of Interpreting Nature, in order to form an extenfive Philo- ^'"''•
fophy ; or procure an exaft Copy of the Univerfe, for perfecting the Un-
derftanding, and leading to an unlimited Pratlice. And here, as the
moft excellent Things are often the moft difficult to obtain ; the Do-
ftrine delivered will appear fomewhat abftrufe, till the Mind becomes a
little acquainted with it ; after which all the Difficulties vanifli, and an
agreeable Profpcft is obtained of a fure and practicable W"ay of pro-
curing, in a moderate Time, with the proper Affiftances, fuch a Phi-
lofophy as ffiall highly improve the State of Human Nature.
61. The Foundation of the Thing is laid in finding a Method of m- The Fsundaii-
creafing the human Powers and Knowledge, to their greateft poffible Per- ^".'/'^^ ^*''"
fedion. And this the Author fhews may be done by difcovering what ^L^^* ^y
he, in a new and peculiar Senfe, calls the Forms of Things ; that is, the Forms.
Laws or Powers of Nature, by which Things phyfically exift, are ge-
nerated, or have their Effisfts. And thefe Forms, or Laws of Nature^
he holds to be difcoverable by Men -, and IhewJ how to difcover them :
in which fingle Point the whole of his new Engine centers. There
are but two Sections finifhed of this fecond Part : the firft whereof lays
the Foundation of the Doctrine of Forms, and exemplifies it by a gene-
ral Example, and a Set of Tables for the Purpofe : and the fecond Se-
nion fhews how to fhorten Enquiries, condufted in this Method ; by fe-
ledling only the more eminent Fa6ts and Obfervations, or Capital ^ In-
jlances, that lead to a full and perfeft Difcovery -, without ranging,
in an endlefs manner, through that immenfe Variety of Particulars, to be
found in Nature.
61. But as it would be a fruitlefs Labour to go upon difcovering thefe The Ufe of
Fc
Forms, wheu
Irms, without knowing their Ufe, when found ; the firft Seftion of this ^^^[^^^J^
fecond Part fhews, that the End of Philofophy is to increafe eitl.er the
Eeee 2 Know-
58o
The Difio' ery
of Forms ex-
flained and il-
iujlrated.
BraHice to
prejide in
building up
thi: ^iincts.
A P P E N D I X /0 //j<?
Knowledge, or Power of Man ; fo as to enable him to underftand
the Ways and Procedure of Nature -, or elfe to produce fuch Effeds as
make for his own Advantage : and that to difcover Forms, is at once to
acquire both this Kvcivledgc, and this Power •, becaufe by finding the
Laws of Nature, and her Ways of producing Efiefts, Men will be en-
abled, fo for as their Condition allows, to ufe the fiime, as Rules of Praftice v
and thus, in fome Cafes, to equal, regulate, Aibdue, or even excel Nature
by Art. So that upon the Difcovery of For?ns depends the Perleftion of
Philofophy, or the Enlargement of the human Knowledge and Power.
63. This Buiinefs of difcovering For77i5 being of fuch infinite Impor-
tance, the Author endeavours to make it as intelligible as its Nature will
admit, in the prefent imperfeft State of Minds and Things ; and fliews,
tliat in eftedl, to difcover Forms, is the fame Thing as having fome
extremely intelligent Perfon, ready at hand, to confult upon all Occafions
concerning the Works of Nature ; the Search alter Forms being like ask-
ing of Queftions -, and the Difcovery of them like the receiving of An-
fwers : fo that there is no Point of Theoretical Knowledge , no
Rules, or Diredtions, required in Praiflice, but what may as well be had
by the Difcovery of Forms, as if Nature herfelf were to fpeak, and tell
Men how flie works •, and what they muft do to imitate, lead, or com-
mand her. For to find a For7H, is to find a Nature, that fhall be equi-
valent to the Nature fought ; fo as when prefent, or abfent, to conflitute,
or abolifli, that Nature refpeftively. Or, to make the Conception ftill plainer,
the Form of a Thing is the eftedtive Power, or phyfical A61, by which
it exifts. Thus if the Nature fought were Fluidity, or the Means of
converting Charcoal into a fluid Mafs ; and it be found, by a proper
Courfe of Enquiry, called the Invefligation of Forms, that the Form,
Law, or Nature of Fluidity confifts in a certain Size, or Smalinefs of
Parts, join'd with a certain Motion ; this is finding a Nature equiva-
lent to, or convertible with. Fluidity : whence Men are dired;ed to give
thisSmallnefs of Parts to Charcoal, along with the particular Motion difco-
vered ; upon which, the Charcoal will put on the Nature of Fluidity :
and accordingly, if Charcoal be reduced to Powder, and detained in a
clofe Vefl'el in the Fire, till its Parts are fufficiently agitated, it will have
the Appearance of a Fluid. And this may illuftrate, or give fome fen-
fible Image of the Thing under Confideration ; and fhew that both a per-
feft Theory, and a pertedi: Praftice, depend upon the Difcovery of Forms.
64.. But as a pernicious Cuftom of leaving Experience, and running
into abftradt Speculations, has prevailed •, the Author judges it much
the fureft Method to begin to raife the Sciences from Practice ; or to
let the practical Part dcfcribe and limit the theoretical, or contempla-
tive. He therefore enquires what are the beft pradical Rules that could
be wiflied for -, and finds them afforded by the Difcovery of Forms : fo
that, on all Accounts, the Invefligation of Forms is the firll: and principal
Thing that can be gone upon, in order to improve Philofophy, and
perfeft
Second Part of the Inftaiiration. 581
perfeft the Sciences ; efpccially as, ar the fame time, . chefe Fo;v«i alio af-
ford, accordiOj; to what was before obfcrved, pcrfeft theoretical Axioms,
as well as the bell pradical Rules, Canons., or Precepts.
65. On this tcoting, tlie Rcquifites ro Pradice mud be firft confider'd ; The Cmons
that is, the Means of enlarging the human Power, and enabling it to "iil Jxioms
introduce all poffible Changes upon Matter; or produce all pofTible Ei'- p'^"'!^^" '"
feels. And here tlie Author flicws there are two diherent Kinds of Ca~
7io!ts, or Axioms, tor producing Tranfmutations, or Changes ; viz. one
with regard to Bodies, as they are an Alfemblage, or Combination, of
a Set of Properties ; as Gold is of a determinate Gravity, Duftility, ^c.
and another that depends upon finding the Way wherein Nature herfelf
proceeds in the Generation or Produilion of Bodies ; as how Gold
was made in the Bowels of the Earch, isc. The firft kind of Axiom
Ihews how Things are made by introducing a certain Set of fimple Pro-
perties into a Mafs of Matter fufceptible thereof j and tke fecond di-
reds the Way of proceeding by feminal Properties, as it were ; or be-
ginning with tlie Rudiments of Things, and ufing the fxme firft Matter,
and Means, that Nature herfelf employs. And where the Power of Man-
kind cannot pofiibly reach to operate, as in the Heavens, fc?r. yet even
there the Fadts of Nature may be fought ; and her Laws and Manner
of proceeding difcover'd. The whole Procefs of finding thefe Axioms,
and difcovering the Caufes of Things, the Author calls by the Name
of the Inter-relation of Nature.
66. This Interpretation of Nature has two Parts ; the firft with regard q-j,e interpre-
to the forming of Axioms from Experience •, and the fecond with re- tation ofNa-
gard to the contriving of new Experim.ents from Axioms. The firft vt-'."'^^ dtvidid.
quires proper Helps for the Mind ; or AfTiftances for the Senfe, the^fj^^,^"
Memory, and the Reafon : and hence, before this Interpretation of
Nature can be exercifed to Advantage, a juft and extenfive Hijiory of
Nature and Art muft be procured ; as the firft Matter out of which
Axioms are to be framed. Forms difcovered, and Philofoph'j built.
67. This Hiftory is not to be a Rhapfody, or confufed Collecftion o^Th Hijlory
all forts of Matters, thrown together on a Heap ; but to be carefully requifitethere-
digefted, and formed into regular Tables, or Packets of Inftances, and''''
prepared Parcels of Hiftory -, as the Pillars, the Rafters, (jjc. are made
ready for a Building. And when fuch a Hiftory fhall be procured, the
Underftanding is not to work upon it by means of its own fimple na-
tural Powers ; but is to be affifted by the Ufe of genuine Indn£fion ;
and thus enabled to pratftife the Art of invefigaliag Fcrms.
68. (i.) The Subjed of Enquiry being chofe •, fuppofe, for 'E.Xd.m-p]^., fhe Method o/,
the Form of Heat ; all the Inftances wherein Heat is found are to be duly col- iiwefligating
lecled, and ranged in a particuL.r Table; io as to afford a clear View of^°"'**
thefe Inftances to the Mind. A diftinct Enumeration muft, therefore, be
matle of all the Things that are hot •, as the Sun's Rays, Flame, ignited
iron, iic. (2.) A Collection is to be made,. and a regular Table formed,
of.
582 AP PEN D IX /0 the
Tub.'es te bt of tliofe Things wlierein Heat does not refide : but as this might fwell
fi-r.cd. the 'Table immoderately ; only fuch Things need be mention'd as approach
near to the Nature of the former, except in the fingle Property of Heat,
which they are witliout ; fuch as the Rays of the Moon, certain Corrufca-
tions, Glow-Worm-s, ^c. that afford Light, but no Heat. And thus
the Things that are not hot, being placed over againft the Things that
are hot, the Mind may diftinclly compare the two forts together. (3.) A
'TaUe muft next be formed, to fhew the dilferent Degrees of Heat,
that are found in different Things -, or to exhibit, at one View, all the
Inftances of Heat, with regard to more and le& ; beginning with fuch
1 hings as are not fcnfibly hot to the Touch, and proceeding gradually
to the mofl: violent Heats, as thofe of Vulcano's, the Burning Concave,
Frm vihence 69. Thefe 'TaUes ought to be drawn from the Hiftory of Nature and
to te derived. Art, mentioned above; or borrowed from the Natural Hijloria/i ; and
laid before the Philofopher, or Interyreter of Nature ; whofe Office it is
to pradlife the Art of Induction upon them ; fo as by comparing them
together, both in general, and in particular, to find fuch a Nature,
Law of Motion, or Adlion, as being prefent, exerted, or performed, in
any Body, or Portion of Matter whatfoever, the Nature of Heat, or
Heat itfelf, fhall of neceffity be produced therein •, and fuch as when
that Law, Motion, or Adion is abfent. Heat fhall be abfent ; and fo
come and go with that Law, Motion or A.(5lion perpetually ; or at-
tend it in any intermediate Degree, according to the exaft Proportion
wherein that Law, or A ft ion is exerted : which is what the Author means
by the Form of Heat.
TheMethidof 7°. But here, if the Mind fhould of itfelf diredly endeavour,
Rejeaiin, how mthoMl farther Affiftance, to difcover the Forms of Things; ic would
uiefraai/ed.f^ll ypo^ iH defined Notions, Imaginations, Gueffes, Probabilities, and
imperfedl Axioms, in-ilead of true and genuine Forms ; and thus be fir
from obtaining the End propofed by this new Method. The next Step,
therefore, is to praftife the Bufinefs of Exclufion or Rejeftion ; viz. to
throw away, or feparate in the Mind, all thofe Things from the Nature
of Heat, which do not immediately, and of abfolute neceffity, belong
to it •, fo that a compkat and perfeft Notion, Axiom, or Forin, that is,
the pure Conception of the true Caufe, Effence, or Nature of Heat,
may remain as a folid and perfeft Portion of Truth behind. And this
Exclufion alfo is to be performed in the Way of a Table, wrote down
as the former. Hence, as the Sun's Rays are found to be hot, the fu-
perficial Notion that Heat is peculiar to terreftrial Bodies, muft be re-
jeded, fcff.
„ _ 71. And thus the Bufinefs of Induction is begun -, but by no means re-
MiJo/Na- dified and finifhed : for as this Exclufion, or Rejedion, is the throwing out
ture, how be- of fimple Natures, or Properties, from the Nature of Heat ; a perfed
l"'*- Knowledge of fimple Natures is previoufly required, before the Indudion
can
Second Part of the Tnflaiiration. 583
an be complcatcd. But Men have not hitherto acquired perfccl: Notions
of fimple Natures, or tlie limpleft Properties of Things •, fuch as Tenuity,
Fluidity, Texture, isc. In the mean time, becaufe Truth will eafier
arife from Error, than from Confufion ; the Underftanding maybe per-
mitted, by confidering the fcvcral Tables, to make fome Attempt to-
wards interpreting Nature, in the Affirmative ; or to find out the pofi-
tive, a<5tual Form i tho' without pretending that it is truly and perfedly
difcover'd, till all the preceding, TaNa fliall have been perfeded: which,
as was before obferved, depends upon a perfeft Hijlory cf Nature -, and
again, upon ufing a perfe<5b InJunio» •, which is an Art that has not hi-
therto been duly profecuted, and brought to the necelTary Degree of
Perfcdion.
72. However, to give an Idea of the whole manner of Procedure tn ^y ''^'"yf^^''-
this Bufincfs of lutcrprcting Nature, when all Things Ihall be properly '^fj'J'J'jl'
fitted for the Purpofe ; the Author here adds a fifth Table, to reprcfent /„^. "
what he calls the f.rji Vintage, or Daiin of DoJIrine, from the hlrvi of
Heat. And this Table fcts to View the Procefs of the Mind, folely em-
pioy'd, without Diftradion, or Interruption, upon the feveral preceding
Tables, in order to invcltigate, or difcover the Form of Heat. The Refult
of the whole Procefs amounts to this, that Heat is an expanfive, bridled
Motion, firuggling in the fmall Particles of Bodies : which is a fummary
Exprefilon, or Jxiom, defcribing the Fcr}n of Heal, fo far as could be
derived from the imperfeB Tables, and the imperfed: Art of Indudion
here employ'd. And with this Idea of the Whole, the Author concludes
the firft Section of the Second Part ot the Novum Orgaman.
y2- In the Second Set! ion, the Author proceeds to perfed the /irt of'^^'fi^'""^^^-
difccvering Forms, or to fhew the manner of framing an InduHion thut ^'"^ '^"f' 'J ,
fhall conclude as juftly in Philofophy, as Syllogifm does in Logic, ^'^^«'^/^5.'^'
or Demonflration in Mathematics. Accordingly, he here direftly treats of
Prerogative hj}a?:ces, or the Way of procuring proper Colledions of fuch
Facts, Obfervations , and Experiments , as are befl: fitted to enter
the three Tables of "\'iew, corrciponding to the three firft, above-men-
tion'd ; fo that a few of thefe Inftances may anfwer the Purpofe of
many, fhorten the Bufinefs of Search and Enquiry, and afford a pre-
pared and proper Matter for Indu5lion, in all kinds of Subjeds.
74. And of thefe Inftances, he makes twenty- feven different kinds ; 77^^ 5^^^,;;^/
viz. (i.) Such as exhibit the Nature enquired after, in Things that agree ^'"'i'-' ?/^-In-
with, or differ from others, in refped to that Nature only. (2). In- ^2"<^^-' fi''
ftances wherein the Nature fought appears in a State of Generation, pj.'-"'A'"^^^>''-
Dcftrudion. (3.) Thofe wherein the Nature enquired after ftands alone,
in a high Degree of Perfedion or Predominancy. (4.) Such as fhew
the Thing enquired after, in its loweft State, weakeft Virtue, or firft Ru-
diments. (5.) Such as exhibit the Nature enquired after, in the way of
a leffer Forin. (6.) Such as fhev/ a Likenefs and Relation in the Con-
crete, fo as to help in uniting Nature. (7.) Such as (hew Bodies in the
3 Concrete,
584 APPENDIX to the
Concrete, as it were out of their Courfe, or broken in Nature. (8.) Er-
rors of Nature, Things monftrous, extraordinary, or out of the
Courie of Nature. (9.7 Bodies confifting of two liiiierent Natures, or
double Species. (10.) Tlie moll perfeft Works of Men in every Kind.
(11.) Inftances wherein the Nature fought is either conftantly prefent, or
conftantly abfent. (12.) Inftances tliat fliew the Limits oi Nature, or
the Bounds betwixt Exiitence and Non-Exiftence, in ali Subjefe.
(13.) Such as mix and join Natures fuppoi'ed to be incompatible, or he-
terogeneous. (14.) Such as fhew an inviolable Conjunduon of one Na-
ture to another, and the feparable Alliance ot others. (15.) Such as
fhew the Separation of Natures that frequently meet. (16,) Such as
affift the Actions of the Senfes •, particularly the Sight. (17.) Such as bring
thofe Things to the Senfes that did not appear before. (18.) Such as dif-
cover the Motions of Nature conntcled, or gradually continued. (19.) Such
as afford Information, where the Senfes lail. (20.) Such as excite tlie At-
tention, and hint the Subtilty of Nature. (21.) Such as meafure the Powers,
and Virtues of Things, by Space. (22.) Such as meafure the Powers of
Nature by Time. (23.) Such as fhew in what Proportion, Quan-
tity of Body contributes to Q-iantity of Virtue. (24.) Such as fhew the
Prevalency or Subjection of Vu'tues to one another ; under which come
all the Species of Motion, or aftive Powers. (25.) Such as point out
Advantages and Conveniences for Mankind. (26.) Such as regard Things
of common Occurrence, and therefore fave the Trouble ot new Demon-
ftrations ; under which come the feveral Ways of Pradtice, or Means
of Operation. And (27.) Such Inftances as Ihew that a fmall Quantity
of Matter, or an apparently fmall Efficient, may have a great Etfett.
^leDoarine 75. This Doctrine of Prerogative Inftances is treated with Care;
tf/ Inftances, ^j^^j lUuftrated with a fuitable Variety of Examples, that open
fh Author ^^^^ Way to Enquiries of all Kinds, and lead to the Improvement
of all the Parts of Philofophy ; fo as to fhew, in a fummary View,
what is already known, in numerous Subjefts, and direft a farther
Profecution ; at the fame Time that the Author is carrying on his own
particular Defign of perfefting the Art of hdu5iion -, and laying down Pre-
cepts, and giving Direftions for the Execution of the remaining Parts
of his hiftauration. And here ends all that is left us of the Novu7n
Organum.
T^i- Novum 76- It is extremely to be regretted that the Author did not finifli
Organum im- this Piece ; of which it is evident he had the complete Idea, with its al-
ferfia. moft infinite Train of Ufes. But there being nothing at that Time ex-
tant, which could, in any tolerable Degree, atiord the necefiary Inftances
for the Tables of View ; he thought it incumbent upon him to fet an
Example, at leaft, of the manner of procuring them ; as he did in his
S'jlva Syharum ; and afterwards digefted and fafliioned many of them
into particular Tables, in his Hiftory of JVinds, Hiftcrj of Life and
Death, &c.
77- He
Second Part of the Inftauration. 585
77. He had propofed to deliver the remaining Parts of this Orga>:um Eigit gentra/
under the following Heads; viz. (i.) the Helps of Indunicn ; (2.) tht ^""^s thertof
Remjicatioti cf IrJuHion ; (2.) the Method of 'varying Enquiries; ^40 the /J^.^'^j"? «*"
Prerogative J^atures for Enquiry, (^.) xhc Limits of Enquiry \ (6.) thei?^-'
duHion of Enquiries to Praolice ; (y.) the Preliminaries to Enquiry ; and
(S.) the afcending and defcendifig Scale of Axioms'. It might, perhaps, be of
fome Utility, briefly to go over thefe feveral Heads, fo as to indicate
a little of the Manner wherein it may be conjcdtured, from his other
Writings, the Author propofed to treat them ; and, at the fame time,
refer the Reader to thofc Parts of his own, and others Works, where
farther Li»ht and AfTiftance may be procured towards finifhing the
Whole.
78. (i.) The firft Thing in order, after the DoSlrine of Prerogative The Helps of
Injianees, was, to lay down tlie Helps of InduBion : under which it flioidd ^"'Z"^"'"-
feem, that the Author propofed to deliver, (i.) the Way of procuring
a genuine Hiftory of Nature and Art ; as the Bafis, or Matter, of In-
dudJon •" i (2.) to explain the Manner wherein this Matter might occa-
fionally be reduced into regular Tables of View, according to the Nature
of eachSubjeft'^ -, (^.) to flicw the Order, or Method, wherein the Mind
is to confider the Inflances contained in thefe Tables., both feparately and
comparatively, or colleftively, in order to difcover the Caufes of the
Thing enquired after ; and deduce the Axioms for diredling new Experi-
ments '' ; ('4J How thefe Tables of View are afterwards to be improved,
or made more full or comprehenfive, and ranged anew •, fo as to exhi-
bit all the Particulars, in their mofl: natural Order, and afibrd ftill greater
AfEftance to the Mind, in forming more jiift and perfcft Conceptions,
Notions, and Axioms' i and (s-) the feveral W^ays that might be con-
trived for helping or improving the Senfes, the Memory, and the Reafon,
in order to the forming a more perfect Induclion ^
79. (2.) The Renification of Induclicn ftands next in order; by which ^^^^5//^^^^''*
appears to be meant the making a due Exclufion, or Rejsdlion, ot all ^,j,„"
thofe fimple Natures, or Properties, that do not eflentially contribute in
conftituting the Form of a Thing ; fo that, after fuch an Exclufion is
compleatly made, the pure Form fhall remain behind, unattended with
=" See Part II. A}h. 2 1 .
•■ See Fol.l. p. 44 47. 291 300. Fol. II. p. 327, 393 398- 406 408.
Vol. III. p. 8 18. & alibi pajpm. See Dr. Hook's, Method cf improving Pbilojophy, p. i8
33. andMr. 55vVs Works, paffim.
' See Fol. I. /. \2^ 130. Vol. II. p. 328, 335, 395, 433 466- l^ol. III. /. 320
^■^^~— ^27 ^3*7 21.1 f^r
•i See hi. I.'/). 117, 119, 127. Vol. II. p. 328, 329, 424 466. Vol. III. p. 16 i3.
• See /v. II. p. 328, 334, 335, 454.455- ^»''- I"- P- 3?'- 322. „ „ , , ^ .
f See Fol. II. p. 327, 504 513, 514 517. See alio Dr. Hiois Method of improving
Pkilo/ophy, p. 12 18. 34—42. and M. Tjchirnbaus'' % Medicina Muttis, p. 182
311, iifr. 2d Ed.
Vol. II. F f f f any
586
Means of re-
flifpHg Indu-
{lion.
Indunhn x
priori.
InduBion x
pollcriori.
APPENDIX to the
any thing more than is abfolutely neceffary, or effential to it: that is,
a perfedl Notion of the Eflence, or conftituent Caufe, of the Thing, will
be obtained, according to what was mentioned above ^.
80. The Bufinefs of rectifying Induciioti, will, therefore, require ("i. J a
previous Knowledge of fimple Natures, or a Set of juft and philofophical
Notions ; and (2.) the Way of contriving and making certain Experiments,
or Trials, for producing certain Works, that fliall verify and confirm the
Truth of the I>idu£fion ; by fiiewing, that if Men operate according to
fuch Rules as are afforded by the Axioms., or For^ns difcover'd by
InduBion, they may produce the Works and Effed:s thus pointed out ;
which are fuch as could not be otherwife fcientifically produced by Men ''.
81. The Way of forming thefe Notions, is by the Ufe of InduRion
itfelf'; and requires an entire Extirpation of all falfc Theories, Idols,
and vain Imaginations ; that the Mind may become perfectly equable,
and difpofed to receive thefe genuine Notions ^ •, which are not to be
made conformable to the Senfe of Man, but in exaft Agreement to the
Senfe of Nature ; fo as to be fcientifical and juft ExprefTions of Things,
as they exift in Nature -, and not as the Mind, of itfelf, from the firft
Information of the Senfe, is apt to imagine them. And thefe No-
tions will enable us to make a true Indu^fion., as it were, a prio-
ri.
82. But the other Way of reCufy'mg InduBion, is a pojleriori ; and de-
pends upon this, that when a Form, an Axiom, or Canon, is found, or
luppofed to be found, by ufing the Tables of View, and the Method of
RejeSiion ; the proper Experiments are to be contrived, for determining
whether this Form, Axiom, or Canon, i)e real, and not imaginary, or
fictitious. And here the Dodlrine of Prerogative Infla?2ces is of great
Service, in indicating the requifite Trials, Experiments, or Works, for
this Purpofe '. If the expedied Effeft fhould in no wife follow, the Par-
ticulars of the TaUes were either falfe, or incompetent •, for the Method,
when properly purfued, muft needs be infallible. If the Eifeft arrfwei-
but in part, and no Error has been committed in the Experiment ; then
the Form, Axiom, or Canon, muft be mended, by going over the In-
dufcion with more Exaftnefs, and better Helps. If the EfFeft anfwers
to the full, under a due Variation of Circumftances, and in all Trials ;
a Proof will thus be gain'd of the Juftnefs of the Procedure, the Good-
nefs of the Induction, and the Validity of the Difcovery. And thefe two,
it
•' i 71.
" See Fol. II.
335.425-
' See V'J. II. /. 325, 326, 351 368, 397.
^ Sec I'd. II. p. 327, 346, 504. See .ilfo Dr. H^ok'i Method of im^rovi/ig Pbih/oph^, p. 9.
and M. Tfchirtihaus's Medicine Mentis, p. 72 O!.
' See 'rtl. II. p. 467, t^c.
Second Part of the Inflauration. 587
ic fliould fcem, were the principal Ways, which the Author propofed
tor reclifymg his Indu^ion '".
5 1. (3.) The next Heud is the Me! bod of varying Enquiries: by which rZv M-zW ?/"
we are to underftand not only the fuiting of the Manner of Enquiry to f-'p'"*' £«-
die Nature of the Subject occafionally •, but alfo the Ways of tranfpofmg, ?""■"•'
enlarging and improving the Parts of an Enquiry, both witli regard to the
Matter and Metliod, according as new Information, and farther Light,
is obtained.
84. Thus, when the \'iew is to difcover Axioms or Forms, the It^n-TheProcttiure
quiry muft proceed from Particulars to Generals; or from a Variety of/f^'" f''^''''--
appofitt Inftances, difpofed in fuitable T'ablcs, to the Axioms they af-'^j/^/" ""
ford, or the Form they point out : but when the Defign is to lay out
a Work, which itklf is a particular Thing, we mull begin with Gene-
rals, or the Axioms already obtained; and defcend, by degrees, to the
Work required ". And, in both ihefe Cafes, moft of the Steps that are
firft taken will remain improvable ; as the Mind becomes better ac-
•ijuainted v/ith the Subjeft, and the Things that relate thereto: till at
length the Enquiry turns to a perfeSi fcieniifical Hijiory ; where no far-
ther Alteration of the Method can be made to Advantage ; nor any
thing fartlier be added, for difcovering the Form, or directing the ff^'ork ;
which was the original Subjidl of the Enquiry °.
85. (4.) The next general Head of the Second Part of the Novum Or-^e ^rtroga-
gamim, is the Prerogative Natures for Enquiry ; whereby we are to un- r'^ V^^^r^
derftand the Art of chufing thofe Subjects, a few of v/hich may ferve''^'"^
inftead of many ; as in tlie Doftrine of Prerogative Inftances ; where the
Author has fhewn how all Infinity of Search may be cut off; or how,
inftead of an infinite Number of Particulars, a few may be felccted, that
Ihall more advantagioufly anfwer the fame End : For the like is to be
done in Enquiries. So that the Defign here feems to have been to in-
dicate a few capital, or leading Enquiries, which being duly profecuted,
fhould unfold Nature as effectually as if all pofllble Enquiries were
profecuted ; thus proportioning the Bufinefs of perfecfling Philofo-
phy, to the Shortness and Cafualties of Life ^. What thefe Enquiries
are, may be learnt from thofe which the Author direftly went upon ; and
thofe he intended to have proceeded with <5 : and in what Order thefc
Enquiries Ihould be profecuted ; or which Ihouid come firlt, which fecond,
tff. muft be determined either according to their Utility in Life, or
" See Vc/. 11. p. 330.
" Sec A»/. If. /.330, 517 f6o. n/. III. p. 3i'6, 520. See alio beloiv, f 88, 89, 90.
" See above, \. 76. See alfo Mr. Boyle'i Method 0/ prifecuting En^uiria, Abridg. yd. I.
in init. p. 24, 25.
p See Fol. II. p. 330, 331.
s See Fit. III. p. 11,12, 19, 29, 335, 337, 437, 503. See alfo Dr. Hook's Method of im-
provingFhihfipb^, p. 18 70.
F f f f 2 the
588 APPE ND IX /<? /^^
the Tendency they have to prepare the Way, and lead to, or faci-
litate the reft, and pcrfeft the entire Body of Philofophy "■.
The Limits tf 86. (5.) The Limits of Enquiry, or an Inventory of all the Natures in
Enquiry. the Univerfe, is the Head that comes next in order -, under which, in all
Probability, the Author intended to fhew, that the whole Scheme of his
Injlatiration was no impoflible, or infinite Thing ; but limited and cir-
cumfcribed within moderate Bounds ; fo as to be executed by Men, in
their prefent State, without a Miracle, by the due Exercife of their Facul-
ties, for a competent Time ' : Since Nature her felf is limited -, and fince
the Univerfe confifts but of a certain Number of fimple Natures, com-
bined into numerous Things ; as the Letters of the Alphabet are into nume-
rous Words : whence, if thefe fimple Natures were underftood, the whole
Syftem of Things might be eafily unravelled '.
TbeHiftorycf 87. The principal Difficulty feems to lie in the coUedling a juft and
Nature, to be fufficient Hijlory of Nature and Art ; for if this was once procured,
colhiied. tj^g j-efj- would follow almoft fpontaneouGy. And yet this Hijlory,
when foberly and prudently confider'd, will be found 'no monftrous or
imprafticable Undertaking ; provided the proper Expence be allow'd,
a fuitable Number of Hands be employ'd, and the true Method of
doing it be obferved ". The Author has endeavoured to give an Epitome
of the whole Thing, in the Compafs of a few Lines ".
The reducing 88. (6.) The next general Head is the reducing of Enquiries to Pra-
of Enquiries tt ^^^^^ ^^ making them fubfervient to human Ufes. This feems chiefly to re-
taitice. gard the conducing of Enquiries, where not Forms, Axioms, or Canons,
are the Things in View, nor even the Difcovery of Experiments ; but
where W'orks and new Arts arc to be invented, laid out, and brought
into Ufe, for a common Benefit and Advantage. And the gene-
ral Method of effeding this was above obferved " to be by pro-
ceeding downwards, from general Axioms, to the particular Work
propofed.
89. But
' See Fcl. III. p. 17. The Direftion of the MediciKa Mentis is here different ; as it would
have no regard paid to Excellence, or Utility ; and nothing to be primarily intended but the
fimple Difcovery of Truths. See that Work, p. 2og 212.
» SeeFo/.I. p. 4, 10 16. Ft/. II. p. AO^. Vol. III. p. 319,320.
•- See FoJ. I. p. 84. Vol. II. p. 344, 381 .
•" See ^»/. I. />. 13, 14 ^c/. II. /t. 393, 394,401,405. Vol. III. General Preface. Seealfa
Vol. III. p. 1 5. and Dr. Hcok'% Method of improving Natural Philofophy, p. 27, 29, 36. but
particularly /.21. where the Doftor has thefe Words : " I have very good Reafon to believe
" that the whole Mafs of Natural Hijlory may be contained in much fewer Words than the
" Writings of divers fingle Authors : and the Method of ufing them will be much more eafy ;
" and the Labour of interpreting or underftanding them, if done aright, will be .ilmoil as e^iyy
" as to unravd a Bottom when you begin at the right End."
»■ See Vol. 111. p. 320.
Second Part of the Inftaiiration. 589
89. But befides this, the Author intended to Ihew the Method of
making general Pratiical Tables, for laying out Works with the greater
Eafe, and bringing them more fpcedily to Perfeftion. And in this
View it feems to be, that in every Enquiry he conftantly referved a par-
ticular Head, or Tabh\ for receiving the Things that more immediately
regarded Practice, and human Ufes ".
90. Again, befides the Method of deriving new Arts, or Works,
from Axioms; there is another more mechanical and facile Method of deriving
them from former Experiments, or Works themfclves : which Method,
tho' by no means fo fafe and certain as the former, may however prove
of confiderable Service ; efpecially if it were duly cultivated and im-
proved ''.
91. (7.) The next Head is Prelimiiianfs to Enquiry; by which \\.The Pre/lm't-
may be conjectured the Author meant not only the getting rid of Pre- "'"','^' '" ^"^
judices, and falfe Notions * ; the confulting one's own Genius, Difpofi- ^""^^"
tion, and Abilities'" ; but likewife the procuring all neceflary Afliftances
for the Purpofe ; and particularly ufing the artificial Armour, or Machinery
of the Mind ; fo that the Mind may aft in the higheft Degree of its
Powers, and Faculties "^. And under this Preparation may be included Tables,
or Heads, of Enquiry , previoufly drawn up, to direft the Mind what
Particulars it fliould enquire after ; what Queries it fhould make ; and
what Intimations it fhould obferve, with regard to the fubfequent Bufi-
ncfs of Interpretation ^, ifc.
92. (8.) The laft general Head of the Second Part of the Novum Or- The afcending
ganum, is the afcending and dejlending Scale of Axioms ; which was touched ""'^ '^''A""^'^S
above '. It may be farther added, that the Bufinefs of Enquiry, ^''"^'^ 'f-^^'-
and the Improvement of univerf;l Philofophy, depend entirely upon
(i.) forming Axioms from Particulars, by legitimate Indu^ion' \ (2.) veri-
fying thefe Axioms^; (3.) raifing ftill nobler and more general Axioms
from the former, till thofe of the higheft Order are obtained, reaching
even to the Univerfalities of Nature '' ; and (4.) refolving thefe fublime
Axioms again, by fure Steps, or Gradations, into lower Axioms, that
lead
y See VcL II. :• 530. Fol. III. /. i8, 497.
» See Vo/. I. ';. 119, i3c. Fol.U. p. 330, 517, i^c.
» See F^l. U. />. 351 ^c.
" See Fo/. II. p. 334.
" See Fol II. p. 327, 328, 334, 335, 338, l^c. Vol. III. p. 316 — 320. See alfo Dr.
Hook's MethcJ of improving Philofopky, p. 12, 18, 42, 64.
"i Sec A'a/. II. /) 332 — 335. yol.Wl. p.S 16, 313,327. Sec 3.h'o Dr. Hook's Mftbod
if improving Philofopai^, paffim.
' S- 84. 88.
f See Vol. II. p. 329, 396, 397, i^c.
e See above, §. 78, So.
>■ See Vol. I. p. 510. Vol. IJ. p. 334, 33J. Vol. III. p. 316, l^c.
590 AFFENDIX io the, ^c.
ftad m m unlimifBicd Praftice, and difcover a<ll the Arts and Works due
•ffre Wanting to accommodate human Life '.
Cmclufion. 93. And tiius the general Heads that require to be filled up, for per-
fedling the Defign of the Ncmum Orgatnim, have been briefly fpoke to,
either in the way of Conjefture, or from parallel Places of the Author ;
with this View, that Perfons of Leifure, who have been verfcd in pra-
dlieal, as well as fpeculative Philofophy, may be the readier induced
to finiHi a Work, whereon the Good of Mankind fo much depends.
' See Foi.U. p- 335. and ^0!. III. p. 316, 317.
END of the SECOND VOLUME.
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