524 LOGIC : OR, T'bE RIGHT USE OF REASON, of a discourse, nor the particular design of ít, can to precisely determine the method, as to leave no room for liberty and variety. The very same theme may be handled, and that also with the same design, in several different methodi, among which it is hard to say which is the best. In writing a System of Divinity, some begin with the scriptures, and thence deduce all other doctrines and duties. Some begin with the Being of God and his Attri- butes, so far as he is known by the light of nature, and then proceed to the doctrines of revelation. Some distinguish the whole subject into the Credenda and Agenda, that is, things to be believed, and things to be doue. Some think it best to ex- plain the whole christian religion by an historical detail of all the discoveries which God has made of himself to this lower world, beginning at the creation in the first chapter of Genesis, and so proceeding onward according to the narrative of the Old and New Testament. And there are others that endeavour to include the whole of religion under these four heads, namely The Apostle's Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Command- ments, and the two Sacraments ; though I cannot but think this is the least accurate of any. The same variety may be allowed in treating other subjects, this very treatise of Logic is an instance of it, whose method differs very considerably from any others which I have seen, as they differ also greatly from one another, though several of them are confessed to be well writtto. 3. Though a just view of our subject and our design may dictate proper rules of natural method, yet there must be some little deference at least paid to the custom of the age wherein we live, and to the humour and genius of our readers or hearers ; which if we utterly reject and disdain, our performances will fail of the desired success, even though we may have followed the just rules of method. I will mention but this one instance : In the former century it was frequent with learned men to divide their theme or subject into a great multitude of co- ordinate mem- bers or parts, they abounded also in the forms of logic and dis- tinction, and indulged numerous ranks of subordination. Now though we ought not to abandon the rules of just method and division, in order to comport with the modish writers in our age who have renounced them, yet it is prudent to pay so much re- spect to the custom of the age, as to use these forms of division with due moderation, and not affect to multiply them iii such a manner, as to give an early and needless disgust to the generality of our present readers. The same may be said concerning vari- ous other methods of conduct in the affairs of learning, as well as the affairs of life, wherein we must indulge a little to custom : and yet we must by no means suffer ourselves so far to be im- posed upon and governed by it, as to neglect those rules of me- thod which are necessary for the safe, easy, and complete enquiry
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