THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEMIND; CONTAINING 4 variety of ,Remarks and Rules for the Attainment and Communication of Useful Knowledge, in Religion, in the Sciences, and in Common Life. THE FIRST PART. Directions for the Attainment of useful Knowledge. INTRODUCTION. No man is obliged to learn and know every thing ; this . can neither be sought nor required, for it is utterly impossible; yet all persons are under some obligation to improve their own un- derstanding, otherwise it will be a barren desart, or a forest overgrown with weeds and brambles. Universal ignorance or infinite errors will overspread the mind, which is utterly neg- lected and lies without any cultivation. Skill in the sciences is indeed the business and profession but of a small part of man- kind ; but there are manyothers placed in such an exalted rank in the world, as allows them much leisure and large opportu- nities to cultivate their reason, and to beautify and enrich their mind with various knowledge. Even the lower orders of men have particular callings in life, wherein they ought to acquire a just degree of skill, and this is not to be done well without thinking and reasoning about them. The common duties and benefits of society, which belong to every man living, as we are social creatures, and even our native and necessary relations to a family, a neighbourhood, or a government, oblige all persons whatsoever to use their reason- ing powers upon a thousand occasions; every hour of life calls for some regular exercise of our judgment as to times and things persons and actions ; without a prudent and discreet determina- tion in matters before us, we shall be plunged into perpetual, errors in our conduct. Now that which should always be prac- tised, must atsome time be learnt. Besides everyson and daughter of Adam has a most im- portant concern in the affairs of a life to come, and therefore it is a matter of the highest moment for every one to understand, to judge, and to reason right about the things of religion. It is in vain for any to say, we have no leisure or time for it. The daily intervals of time, and vacancies from necessary labour; A 3
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