CHAPTER 1V. gI applies that general apostolic precept, Speak evil of no man ; Tit; iii. 2. VIII. Be not too hasty to erect general theories from fern particular observations, appearances or experiments. That is what the iogièians call a false induction. When general obser- vations are drawn from so many particulars as to become certain and indubitable, these are jewels of knowledge, comprehending great treasure in a little room ; but they are therefore to be made with the greater care and caution, lest errors become large and diffusive, if we should mistake in these general notions. A hasty determination of some universal principles, without a due survey of all the particular cases which may be included in them, is the way to lay a trap for ourownunderstandings in their pursuit of any sùbject, and we shall often be taken captives into mistake and falsehood. Niveo in his youth observed, that on three Christmas - days together there fell a good quantity of snow, and now he hath writ down in his almanack- as part of his wise remarks ou the weather, that it will always snow at Christmas. Enron a young lad, took notice ten times that there was a sharp frost when the wind was in the north -east, therefore in the middle of last July, he almost expected it should freeze,...because the wea- ther -cocks shewed him a north-east wind ; and he was still more disappointed, when he found it a very sultry season. It is the same hasty jùdgment, that hath drawn scandal on a whole nation for the sake of some culpable characters belong -. ing to several particular natives of that country ; whereas all the Frenchmen are not gay and airy ; all the Italians are not jealous and revengeful ; nor are all theEnglishover -run with the spleen. CHAP. IV. Of Books and Reading. 1. THE world is full of books, but there are multitùdes which are so ill written they were never worthy any man's read- ing ; and there are thousandsmore which may be good in their kind, yet are werth nothing when the month or year, or occasion is past for which they were written. Others may be valuable in themselves, for some special purpose or in some peculiar science, but are not fit to be perused by any but those who are engaged in that particular science or business. To what use is it for a divine or physician, or a tradesman, to read over the huge vo- lumes of reports of judged cases in the law? or for a lawyer to learn Hebrew and read the Rabbins? It is of vast advantage for improvement of knowledge and saving time, for a youngman to have the most proper books for his reading recommended by a judicious friend. H. Books of impórtance of any kind, and especially coin-
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