IÍ `%d THE IMPRO#EMENT or THE MIND. VII. And not only the sense and meaning of the words used ia.the question should be settled and adjusted between the dispu- tánte, but the precise point of enquiry should be distinctly fxed ; the question in debate should be limited precisely to its special extent, ordeclared to be taken in its more general sense. As for instance, If two men are contending whether civilgovern- ment be of divine right or no; here it must be observed, the question is not whether monarchy in one man, or a republic in multitudes of the people, or an aristocracy in a few of the chief, is appointed of God as necessary ; but whether civil government in its most general sense, or inany form whatsoever, is derived from the will and appointment of God? Again, The point of inquiry should be limited further. Thus, the question is not whether government comes from the will of God by the light of revelation, for that is granted; but whether it is derived from the will of God by the light of reason too. This sort of specification or limitation of the question, hinders and prevents the disputers from wandering away from the precise point of enquiry. It is this trifling humour or dishonest artifice of changing the question, and wandering away from the first point of debate, which gives endless length to disputes, and causes both the dis- putants to part without any satisfaction. And one chief occasion of it is this ; when one of the combatants feels his cause run low and fail, and is just ready to be confuted and demolished ; he is tempted to step aside to avoid the blow, and betakes him to a different question : thus, if his adversary be not well aware of him, be begins to entrench himself in a new fastness, and holds out the siege with anew artillery of thoughts andwords. It is the pride of man which is the spring of this evil, and an unwil- lingness to yield up their own opinions, even to be overcome by truth itself. VIII. Keep this always therefore upon your mind, as an everlasting rule of conduct in your debates to find out truth, that a resolute design, or even a warm affectation of victory, is the bane of all real improvement, and an etual bar against the admission of the truth which you profess to seek. This works with a secret, but a powerful and mischievous in- fluence in every dispute, unless we are much upon our guard. It appears in frequent conversation ; every age, every sex, and oath party of mankind are an fond of being in the right, that they know not how to renounce this unhappy prejudice, this -vain loveof victory. When truth with bright evidence is ready to break in upon the disputant, and to overcome his objections and mistakes, how swift and ready is the mind to engage wit and fancy, craft and subtlety, to cloud and perplex and puzzle the truth, if possible ? I-low eager is he to throw in sume im- pertinent question to divert from the main subject ? How swift
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=