14$ THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. with the known causes of it, amongst your improvements. tf. Take a just survey of all the circumstanceswhich attend the oper- ation of any cause or causes, wherebyany special effect is produ- ced, and find out as far as possible, how far any of those circum- stances bad a tendency either to obstruct or promote, or change those operations, and consequently how far the effect might be influenced by them. In this manner, physicians practice and improve their skill. They consider the various known effects of particular herbs or drugs, they meditate what will be the effect of their composition, and whether the virtues of the one will exalt or diminish the force of the other, or correct any of its innocent qualities. Then they observe the native constitution, and the present temper or circum- stances of the patient, and what is likely to be the effect of such a medicine on such a patient. And in all uncommon cases they make wise and cautious experiments, and nicely observe the effects of particular compound medicines on different constitutions, and in different diseases ; and by these treasuries of just ob- servations, they grow up to an honourable degree of skill in the art of healing. So the preacher considers the doctrines and reasons, the precepts, the promises, and threatenings of the word of God, and what are the natural effects of them upon the mind ; he con- siders what is the natural tendency of such a virtue or such a vice; he is well apprised that the representation of some of these things may convince the understanding, some may terrify the conscience, some may allure the slothful, and some encourage the desponding mind; be observes the temper of his hearers, or of any particular person that converses with him about things sacred, and he judges what will be the effects of each represen- tation on such persons ; he reviews and recollects what have been the effects of some special parts and methods of his ministry ; and by a careful survey of all these, he attains greater degrees of skill in his sacred employment. Note, In all these cases, we must distinguish those causes and effects which are naturally and necessarily connected with each other, from those which hava only an accidental or contin- gent connection. liven in those causes where the effect is but contingent, we may sometimes arrive at a very high degree of probability ; yet we cannot arrive at such certainty as where the causes operate by an evident and natural necessity, and the effects necessarily follow the operation. See more on this subject, logic Part II. Chap. V. Sect. 7. Of the principles and rules of judging concerning things past, present and to come, by the mereuse of reason.
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