134 THE IMPROVEMENT OP THE MIND. been engaged in. A due reflectionupon these things wil call the mind away from vain amusements, and save much time. V. Consider what tendency it has to make you wiser and. better, as well as to make you more learned ; and those questions which tend to wisdom and prudence in our conduct among men, as well as piety towards God, are doubtless more important, and preferable beyond all those enquiries which only improve our knowledge in mere speculations. VI. If the question appear to be well worth your diligent application, andyou are furnished with the necessary requisites to pursue it, then consider whether it be drest up and entangled in more words than is needful, and contain or include more com- plicated ideas than is necessary : and if so, endeavour to reduce it to a greater simplicity and plainness, which will make the en- quiry and argument easier and plainer all the way. VII. If it be stated in an improper, obscure, or irregular form, it may be meliorated bychanging the phrase, or transposing the parts of it; but be careful always to keep the grand and important point of enquiry the same in your new stating the question. Little tricks and deceits of sophistry, by sliding in, or leavingout such words as entirely change the question, should be abandoned and renounced by all fair disputants, and honest searchers after truth. The stating a question with clearness and justice, goes a great way many times toward the answering it. The greatest part of true knowledge lies in a distinct perception of things which are in themselves distinct; and some men give more light and knowledge by the bare stating of the question with perspicuity and justice than others by talking of it in gross confusion for whole hours together. To state a question is but to separate and disentangle the parts of it from one another, as well as from every thing which doth not concern the question, and then to lay the disentangled parts of the question in due order and method ; oftentimes without more ado this fully resolves the doubt, and shews the mind where the truth lies, without argu, ment or dispute. VIII. If the question relate to an axiom orfirst principle of truth, remember that a long train of consequences may de- pend upon it, therefore it should not be suddenly admitted and received. It is not enough to determine the truth of a proposi- tion, much less to raise it to the honour of an axiom or first print ciple; to say that it has been believed through many ages, that it has been received by many nations, that it is almost universally acknowledged or no body denies it, that it is established by hu- man laws, or that temporal penalties or reproaches will attend the disbelief of it. IX. Nor is it enough to forbid any proposition the titleof an axiom, because it has been denied by some persons, and
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