CHAPTER IV. 331 When a word, which originally signifies any particular idea or object, is attributed to several other objects, not so much by way of resemblance, but rather on the account of some evident reference or relation to the original idea, this is sometimes peculi- arly called an analogical word ; so a sound or healthy pulse ; a sound digestion ; sound sleep ; are all so called with reference to a sound and healthy constitution : but if you speak of sound doctrine or sound speech, this is by way of resemblance to health and the words are metaphorical ; yet many times analogy and metaphor are used promiscuously in the same sense, and not dis- tinguished. Here note, That the design of metaphorical language, and figures of speech, is not merely to represent our ideas, but to represent them with vivacity, spirit, affection and power ; and though they often make a deeper impression on the mind of the bearer, yet they do as often lead him into a mistake, if they are used at improper times and places. Therefore, where the de- sign of the speaker or writer is merely to explain, instruct, and to lead into the knowledge of naked truth ; he ought for the most part to use plain and proper words, if the language affords them, and not to deal much in figurative speech. But this sort of terms is used very profitably by poets and orators, whose busi- ness is to move, and persuade, and work on the passions, as well as ou the understanding. Figures are also happily em- ployed in proverbial moral sayings by the wisest and the best of men, to impress them deeper on the memory by sensible images; and they are often used for other valuablepurposes in the sacred writings. 5thly, I might adjoin another sort of equivocal words; as there are some which have a different meaning in common lan- guage, from what they have in the sciences ; the word passion signifies the receiving any action in a large philosophical sense ; in a more limited philosophical sense, it signifies any of the affec- tions of human nature, as love, fear, joy, sorrow, &c. But the common people confine it only to anger : so the word simple, philosophically, signifies single, but vulgarly it is used for foolish. ßthly, Other equivocal words are used sometimes in an ab- solute sense, as when God is called perfect ; which allows of no defect ; and sometimes in a comparative sense, as good men are oftentimes called perfect in scripture, in comparison of those who. are much inferior to them in knowledge or holiness : but I have dwelt rather too long upon this subject already, therefore I add no more. SECT. VIII. The Origin or Causes of equivocal Words. NOW, that we may become more skilful in guarding our- selves and others against the danger of mistakes which may arise from equivocal words, it may not he amiss to conclude this chap.
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