358 LOGIC: OR, TAE RIGHT USE Os REASON. to help a wandering and fickle humour, it is proper to have a book or paper in our hands, which has some proper hints of the subject that we design to pursue. We must be resolute and la- borious, and sometimes conflict with ourselves, if we would be wise and learned. Yet I would not be too severe in this rule : it must be con- fessed there are seasons when the mind, or rather the brain, is over -tired or jaded with study and thinking; or upon some other accounts animal nature may be languid or cloudy, and unfit to assist the spirit in meditation ; at such seasons (provided that they return not too often) it is better sometimes to yield to the present indisposition : for if nature entirely resist, nothing can be done to the purpose, at least in that subject or science. Then you may think it proper to give yourself up to some hours of leisure and recreation, or useful idleness : or if not, then turn your thoughts to some some other alluring subject, and pore no longer upon the first, till some brighter or more favourable- mo- ments arise. A student shall do more in one hour, when all things concur to invite him to any special study, than in four hours, at a dull and improper season. I would also give the saine advice, if some vain, or worthless, orfoolish idea, will croud itself into your thoughts; and if you find that all your labour and wrestling cannot defend yourself from it, then divert the importunity of that which offends you by turning your thoughts to some entertaining subject, that may amuse you a little, and draw you off from the trouble- some and imposing guest; and many a time also in such a case, when the impertinent and intruding ideas would divert from the present duty, devotion and prayer have been very suc- cessful to overcome such obstinate troubles of the peace and pro- fit of the soul. If the natural genius and temper be too volatile, fickle, and wandering, such persons ought in a more especial manner to apply themselves to mathematical learning, and to begin their studies with arithmetic and geometry; wherein new truths con- tinually arising to the mind, out of the plainest and easiest prin- ciples, will allure the thoughts with incredible pleasure in the pursuit : this will give the student such a delightful taste of rea- soning, as will fix his attention to the single subject which he pursues, and by degrees will cure the habitual levity of his spirit : but let him not indulgeand pursue these so far, as to neg- lect the prime studies of his designed profession. CHAP. VI.-- Special Rules to direct our Conceptions of Things. A Great part of what has been already written is designed to lay a foundation for those rules which may guide and regulate
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