CHAPTER 1V. 37 any informations from them in other points, and not abandon at once every thing they say, though we are well fixed in opposi- tion to their main point of arguing. Fas est, et ab haste doceri. Vtaa. Seize upon truth where'er'tis found, Amongst your friends amongst your foes, OnChristianor on Heathen ground ; The flower's divine where'er it grows : Neglectthe prickles, and assume the rose. XIV. What I have said hitherto on this subject, relating to books and reading, must be chiefly understood of that sort of books, and those hours of our reading and study, whereby we design to improve the intellectual powers of the mind with na tural, moral, or divine knowledge. As for those treatises which' are written to direct or to enforce and persuade our practice, there is one thing further necessary ; and that is, that when our consciences are convinced that these rules of prudence or duty belong to us, and require our conformity to them, we should. then call ourselves: to account, and enquire seriously whether we have put them in practice or no ; we- should dwell upon the ar- guments, and impress the motives and methods of persuasion' upon our own hearts, till we feel the force and power of them` incliningus to the practice of the things which are there recom- mended. If folly or vice be represented in its open colours, or its aecret disguises, let us search our hearts, and review our lives, and enquirehow far we are criminal ; nor should we ever think we have done with the treatise till we feel ourselves in sorrow for our past misconduct, and aspiring after a- victory over those vices, or till we find a cure of those follies begun to be wrought upon our souls. In all our studies and pursuits of knowledge, let` us remem- ber that virtue and vice, sin and holiness, and the conformation of our hearts and lives- to the duties of true religion and mo- rality, are things of far more consequence than all the furniture of our understandings, and the richest treasures of mere specu- lative knowledge ; and that because they have a more immediate and effectual influence upon our eternal felicity or eternal sorrow. XV. There is yet another sort of books, of' which it is pro-' per I should say something while I am treating on this subject ; and these are history, poesy, travels, books of diversion or amuse- ment ; among which we may reckon also little common pam- phlets, news-papers, or such like : for many of these, I confess once readingmay be sufficient, where there is a tolerablegood memory: Or when several persons are in company, and one reads to the rest such sort of .writings, once hearing may be sufficient; c 3
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