214 THE IMPROVEMENT OP THE MIND- to justify those expressions, and vindicate those little lapses they were guilty of, rather than they will condescend to correct those little mistakes, or recai those improper expressions. O that zee could put of our pride, our self-sufficiency, and our infallibi- lity, when we enter into a debate of truth. But if the writer is guilty of mingling these things with his grand argument, happy will that reader be who has judgment enough to distinguish them, and to neglect every thing that does not belong to the ori- ginal theme proposed and disputed. Yet here it may be proper to put in one exception to this general observation or remark, namely, when the second writer attacks only a particular or collateral opinion which was main- tained by the first, then the fourth writing may be supposed to contain a necessary part of the complete force of the argument, as well as the second and third, because the first writing only occasionally or collaterally mentioned that sentiment which the second attacks and opposes; and in such a case, the second may be esteemed as the first treatise on that controversy. It would take up too much time should we mention instances of this kind, which might be pointed to in most of our controversial writers, and it might be invidious to enter into time detail.* SECT. IL Of reading Controversies. WHEN we take a book into our hands wherein any doc- trine or opinion is printed in a way of argument, we are too often satisfied and determined before-hand, whether it be right or wrong; and if we are on the writer's side, we are generally tempted to takehis arguments for solid and substantial ; and thus our own former sentiment is established more powerfully, without a sincere search after truth. If we are on the other side of the question, we then take it for granted that there is nothing of force in these arguments, and we are satisfied with a short survey of the book, and are soon persuaded to pronounce mistake, weakness and insufficiency concerning it. Multitudes of common readers, who are fallen Upon this it may be remarked farther, that there is a certain spirit of mo- desty and benevolence which never fails to adorn a writer on such occasions, and which generally does him much more service in the judgment of wise and sensi- ble men, than any,poignancy of satire with which he might be able to animate his productions ; and as this always appears amiable, so his peculiarly charming when the opponent strews that pertnessand petulancy which is so very common unsuch occasions. When a writer, instead of pursuing with eager resentment the antagonist that has given such provocation, calmly attends to the main gnes- tion in debate, with a noble negligence of those little advantages which ill- nacre and ill-manners always -give, he acquires a glory far superior to any trophies which wit can raise. And it is highly probable, that the solid instruction his pages may contain, will given continuance tohis writings far beyondwhat tracts of peevish controversy are to expect, of which the much greater part are borne 'away into oblivion by the wind they raise or burned in their own flames.
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