$fS LOGIC: OR, THE RIGHT USE OF REASON. same matter, and especially about the same. parts or paragraphs of his writing : we must consider whether the word be used in a strict arid limited, or in a large anti general sense ;'whether in a literal, in a figurative, or in a prophetic sense; whether it has' any secondary idea annexed to it besides the primary or chief sense. We must inquire farther, what is the scope and design of the writer ; and What is the connection of that sentence with those that go before it, and those which follow it. By these and other. methods, we are to search out the definition of names, that is, the true sense and meaning in which any author or speaker IMPS any word, which may be the chief subject of discourse, or may carry any considerable importance in it. V. " When we communicate our notions to others, merely_ with a design to inform and improve their knowledge, let us in the beginning of our discourse take care to adjust the definition of names wheresoever there is need of it ; that is, to determine plainly what we mean by the chief words which are the subject of our discourse ; and be sure always to keep the same ideas, whensoever we use the same words, unless we give due notice of the change." This will have a very large and happy influ- ence, in securing not only others but ourselves too from confusion and mistake ; for even writers and speakers themselves, for want of due watchfulness, are ready to affix different ideas to their own words, in different parts of their discourses, and hereby bring perplexity into their own reasonings, and confound their hearers. H is by an observation of this rule that mathematicians have so happily secured themselves, and the sciences which they have professed, from wrangling and controversy ; because whensoever in the progress of their treatises they have occasion to use a -new and unknown word, they always define it, and tell in what sense they shall take it ; and in many of their writings you find a heap of definitions at the very beginning. Now if the writers of natural philosophy :and morality had used the same accuracy and care, they had effectually secluded a multitude of noisy and fruitless debates out of their several provinces ; nor had that sacred theme of divinity been perplexed with so many intricate disputes, nor the church of Christ been torn to pieces by so many, sects and factions, if the words grace, faith, righteousness, re -. pentance,,justification, worship, church, bishop, presbyters, &c. had been well defined, and their significations adjusted, as near as possible, by the use of those words in the New Testament ; or at least, if every writer had told us at first in what sense he would use those words. VI. " In your own studies, as well as in the communication, of your thoughts to others merely for their information, avoid. ambiguous and equivocal terms as much as possible." Do not
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