}NTRODOOTION. 315 under which these things appear to the mind, or the result of our conception or apprehension is called an idea. II. Judgment is that operation of the mind, whereby we join two or more ideas together by one affirmation or negation ; that is,'we either affirm or deny this to be that. So this tree is high ; that horse is not swift; the mind of man is a thinking being ; mere matter has no thought belonging to it; God is just; good men are often miserable in this world ; a righteous governor will make a difference betwixt the evil and the good ;_ which sentences are the effect of judgment, and are called propositions. III. Argumentation or reasoning is that operation of the mind, whereby we infer one thing, that is, one proposition, from two or more' propositions premised. Or it is.the drawing a conclusion which before was either unknown or dark, or doubtful, from some propositions which are more known and evi- dent. So when we have judged that matter cannot think, we then inter and conclude; that therefore the mind ,f man is not matter. So we judge that a just governor mill make a difference between the evil sad the good; we judge also that God is a just governor; and from thence we conclude, that God trill make a difference between the evil and the good. This argumentation may be carried on farther, thus, '6 God will one time or another make a difference betwen the good and the evil ;" but " there is little or no difference made in titis world ;" therefore "there must be another world wherein this difference shall be made." These inferences or conclusions are the effects of reasoning, and the three propositions taken all together are called a syllogism or argument. 1V. Disposition is that operation of the mind, whereby we put the ideas, propositions and arguments, which we have formed concerning one subject, into such an order as is fittest to gain the clearest knowledge of it, to retain it longest, and to explain it to others in the best manner o Or, in short, it is the ranging of our thoughts in such order, as is best for our own and others con- ception and memory. The effect of this operation is called metlwd. This very descriptionof the four operations of the mind and their effects, in this order, Is an instance or example of method. Now as the art of Logic assists our conceptions, so it gives us a large and comprehensive view of the subjects we enquire into, as well ass clear and distinct knowledge. of them. As it regulates our judgment and our reasoning, so it secures us from mistakes, and gives us atrue and certain knowledge of things; and as it furnishes us with method, so it makes our knowledge of things both easy and regular, and guards our thoughts from confusion. Logic is divided into four parts, according to these four operations of the Mind, which it directs, and therefore we shall treat of it in this order.
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