/2. . ^^ . o Srom f^e £i6rarp of (]profe66or ^amuef (gtifPer in (gtemor)? of '^yxtq^t ^amuef (tttiffer Q0recftinr%e (Jjresente^ %t ^amuef (ttliffet QBrecRinrib^e feon^ to f ^e feifimrg of (J)rinceton C^eofogicaf ^emtnarj F Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/improvementofminOO m.^ 'frnJ^JuM" THE IMFBOYEMENT OF TH£ MIND; OH, A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ART OF LOGIC : COVTAIIVIXG A VAlflETT OF EEMARKS AND RULES FOR THE ATTAIN- MENT AND COMMUNICATION OF USEFUL KNOW- LEDGE, IN RELIGION, IN THE SCIEN- CES, AND IN COMMON LIFE. TO ■WHICH IS ADDED, MISCELLANEOUS PIECES. Hr BY ISAAC WATTS, D. D. PRINTED BY LEWIS DEARE'. 1813. PREFACE, In the last page of the treatise of logic, which I published many years ago, it is observed that there are several other things which might assist the cultiva- tion of the mind and its improvement in knowledge, which are not usually re- presented among the principles or precepts of that ai't or science. These are ihe subjects which compose this book ; these are the sentiments and rules, ma- ny of which I had then in view, and which I now venture into publick light. The present treatise, if it may assume the honour of that name, is made up of a variety o( remarks and directions for the improvement of the mind in me- ftd knoiuledffe. It was collected from the observations which I had made on my own studios and on the temper and sentiments, the luiraour and conduct of otlier men in their pursuit of learning, or in the affairs of life ; and it has been considerably assisted by occasional collections in the coiu-se of my reading, from many authors and on different subjects. I confess in far the greatest part I stand bound in answer for the weaknesses or defects that will be found in these papers, not being able to point to other writers, whence the twentieth part of them are derived. The work was composed at different times and by slow degrees. Now and then indeed it spread itself into branches and leaves like a plant in April, and advanced seven or eight pages in a -week ; and sometimes it lay by without growth, like a vegetable in the winter, and did not increase half so much in the revolution of a year. As theae'thoughts occurred to me in reading or meditation, or in my notices of the various appearances of things among mankind, they %yere tiirown under 4 PREFACE. those heads which make the present titles of the chapters, and were by degrep? reduced to something like a method, such as the subject would admit. On these accounts it is not to be expected that the same accurate order should be observeom'ed long in millesi- mal fractions, till he confessed tliei-e was no end of the enquiry ; and yet he learnt so much modesty by this per- plexing question, that he was afraid to say, it ivas an impossible thing. It is some good degree of improve- ment when we are afraid to be positive. 4. Read the accounts of those vast treasures of know- ledge which some of the dead have possessed, and some of the living do possess. Revid and be astonished at the almost incredible advances which hare been made in sei- 1*; IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. cnec. Acquaint yourselves with some persons of great learning, that by converse among them, and comparing yourself with them, you may acquire a mean opinion of your own attainments, and may thereby be animated with new zeal, to equal them as far as possible, or to exceed ; thus let your diligence be quickened by a generous and laudable emulation. If Vanillus had never met with Scitorio and Polydes, he had never imagined himself a mere novice in philosophy, nor ever set himself to study in good earnest. Remember tliis, that if upon some few superficial ac- quirements you value, exalt and swell yourself as though you were a man of learning already, you are thereby building a most unpassable barrier against all improve- ment ; you will lie down and indulge idleness, and rest yourself contented in the midst of deep and shameful ig- norance. MiiUi ad scientiam 'pervenissent si se illuc pei'- Ten'issc non putassent. IV. Presume not too much upon a bright genius, a ready wit, and good parts, for this without labour and study will never make a man of knowledge and wisdom. This has been an unhappy temptation to persons of a vigorous and gay fancy to despise learning and study. They have been acknowledged to shine in an assembly, and sparkle in discourse on common topics, and thence they took it into their heads to abandon reading and la- bour, and grew old in ignorance ; but when they had lost the vivacities of animal nature and youth, they be- came stupid and sottish even to contempt and ridicule. Lucidas and Scintillo are young men of this stamp : they shine in conversation, they spread their native riches be- LMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. i^7 tore the ignorant ; they pride themselves in their own lively images of fancy, and imagine themselves wise and learned; but they had best avoid the presence of the skilful, and the test of reasoning ; and I would advise them once a day to think forward a little, what a con- temptible figure they will make in age. The witty men sometimes have sense enough to know their own foible, and therefore they craftily shun the attacks of argument, or boldly pretend to despise and renounce them, because they are conscious of their own ignorance, and inwardly confess their want of ac- quamtance with the skill of reasoning. V. As you are not to fancy yourself a learned man because you are blessed with a ready wit, so neither must you imagine that large and laborious reading, and a strong memory, can denominate you truly wise. What that excellent critic has determined when he de- cided the question, whether wit or study makes the best poet, may well be applied to every sort of learning Ego nee studium sinedivite vena, Necrude quid prosit, video, ingenium : alterius sic Altera poscit opem res, & conjurat amice. BOB. ££ AST. POET. THUS MADE ENGLISH: Concerning poets there has been contest, "Whether they're made by art, or nature best : But if I may presume in this affair. Among the rest my judgment to declare, No art ■without a genius ■will avail. And parts without the help of art will ftiil ; But both ingredients jointly must unite. Or verse -mP. never thine -with a transce'ndent UgHt. oibbasi. 1» IMPROYEMENT OF THE MDfD. It is meditation and studious thought, it is the exercise of your own reason and judgment upon all you read, that gives good sense even to the best genius, and affords your understanding the truest improvement. A hoy of a strong memory may repeat a whole book of Euclid, yet be no geometrician ; for he may not be able perhaps to demon- strate one single theorem. Memorino has learnt half the Bible by heart, and is become a living concordance, and a speaking index to theological folios, and yet he un- derstands little of divinity. A well furnished library and a capacious memory, are indeed of singular use toward the improvement of tlm mind ; but if all your learning be nothing else but a mere amassment of what others have written, without a due penetration into their meaning, and without a judicious choice and determination of your ow n sentiments, I do not see what title your head has to true learning above your shelves. Though you have read philosophy and theology, morals and metaphysics in abundance, and ev- ery other art and science, yet if your memory is the on- ly faculty employed, with the neglect of your reasoning powers, you can justly claim no higher character but that of a good historian of tlie sciences. Here note, many of the foregoing advices, are more peculiarly proper for those who are conceited of their abilities, and are ready to entertain a high opinion of themselves. But a modest, humble youth, of a good genius, should not suffer himself to be discouraged by any of I hose considerations. They are designed only as a spur to diligence, and a guard against vanily and pride. IMFROTEMENT OF THE MTND. M VI. Be not so weak as to imagine that a life of learn- ing is a life of laziness and ease : dare not give up your- self to any of the learned professions, unless you are re- solved to lahour hard at study, and can make it your de- light and the joy of your life, according to the motto of our late Lord Chancellor Kingy Labor ipse voluptas. It is no idle thing to be a scholar indeed. A man much addicted to luxury and pleasure, recreation and pastime, should never pretend to devote himself entirely to the sciences, unless his soulbe so reformed and refin- ed that he can taste all these entertainments eminently in his closet, among his books and papers. Sohnno is a temperate man and a philosopher, and he feeds upon part- ridge and pheasant, venison and ragouts, and every deli- cacy, in a growing understanding and a serene and heal- thy soul, though he dines on a dish of sprouts or turnips. Languinos loved his ease, and therefore chose to be brought up a scholar ; he had much indolence in his temper, and as he never cared for study, he falls under universal contempt in his profession, because he has notli* ing but the gown aafl the name. VII. Let the hope of new discoveries, as well as the satisfaction and pleasure of known truths, animate your daily industry. Do not think learning in general is ar- rived at its perfection, or that the knowledge of any par- ticular subject in any science cannot be improved, mere- ly because it has lain five hundred or a thousand years without improvement. The present age, bytlie blessing of God on the ingenuity and diligence of men, lias brought to light such truths in natural philosophy and such dis- fiO IMPROVEMENT OP THE iOND. coveries in the heavens and the earth, as seemed to be beyond the reach of man. But may there not be Sir Isaac Newtons in every science? You should never despaii* therefore of finding out that which has never yet been found, unless you see something in the nature of it which renders it unsearchable, and above the reach of our fac- ulties. Nor should a student in divinity imagine that our age is arrived at a full understanding of every thing which can be knoA>Ti by the scriptures. Every age since the reformation hath thrown some further light on difficult texts and paragraphs of the Bible, which have been long obscured by the early rise of antichrist : and since there are at present many difficulties, and darknesses hanging about certain truths of the christian religion, and since several of these relate to important doctrines, such as the origin of siiif the fall of Adam, the person of Christ, the Messed THnity, and the decrees of God, &c. which do still embarrass the minds of honest and enquiring readers, and which make work for noisy controversy ; it is certain there are several things in the Bible yet un- taown and not sufficiently explained, and it is certain that there is some way to solve these difficulties, and to reconcile these seeming contradictions. And why may not a sincere searclicr of truth in the present age, by la- bour, diligence, study and prayer, with the best use of his reasoning powers, find out the proper solution of those knots and perplexities which have hitherto been unsolved, and which have afforded matter for angry quarrelling ? Happy is every man who shall be favoured of heaven, to give a helping hand towards the introduc- i\%n of the blessed age of light and love. IMPROVEMENT OP THE IMINU. %k VIII. Do not hover always on the surfr^ce of things, nor take up suddenly with more appearances ; hut pen- etrate hito tlie depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which re- late to your own profession. Do not indulge yourselves to judge of things by the first glimpse, or a short and su- perlicial view of them; for this will ilil the mind with errors and prejudices, and give it a wrong turn and ill habit of thinking, and make much work for retractation. Siibito is carried away with title-pages, so that he ven- tures to pronounce upon a large octavo at once, and to recommend it wonderfully Avhen he had read half the preface. Another volume of controversies of equal size, was discarded by Lim at once, because it pretended to treat of the Trinity, and yet he could neither had the word essence nor subsistences in the twelve first pages : hut SuMto changes his opinions of men and hooks and things so often, that nobody regards him. As for those sciences, or those parts of knowledge, which either your profession, your leisure, your inclina- tion, or your incapacity, forbid you to pursue with much application, or to search far into them, you must be con- tented with an historical and superficial knowledge of them, and not pretend to form any judgments of your own on those subjects which you understand very iuiper-. fectly. IX. Once a day, especially in the early years of life and study, call yourselves to an account what new ideas, what new proposition or truth you have gained, wliat :further confirmation of knorn truth?, and what advan* S2 IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. ces you liav:e made in any part of knowledge ; and let no ilay if possible pass away without some intellectual gain : such a course well pursued must certainly advance us io useful knowledge. It is a wise proverb among the learn- ed, borrowed from the lips and practice of a celebrated painter, J^'ulla dies sine linea ; let no day pass without one line at least : and it was a sacred rule among the Pythagoreans, that they should every evening thrice run over the actions and aifairs of the day, and examine what their conduct hath been, what they had done, or what they have neglected ; and they assured their pupils, that by this method they would make a noble progress in the path of virtue. ITs/v Tuv r.f/Lepitav (pyuv rpi?- eKXtrlev tTinX^fiv. IIj) TTXpeQiiv ; r) J' 'tpi^d ; r] (AjOi diov ovrC InXidr^vi j Nor let soft slumber close your eyes Before you've recollected thrice The train of actions thro'igh the day: Where have my feet chose out their way ?. What have I learnt, v here'er I've been, From all I've heard, from all I've seen ? . What know I more that's worth the knowing.' ■W^hat have I done that's worth the doinij ? What have T soue:ht that I should shun :' What duty have 1 left undone ? Or into what new follies run ? These self-enquiries arc the road That leads to virtue and to God. } I would he glad among a nation of Christians, to find young men hf^artily engaged in the practice of what this heathen writer teaches. IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. tf X. Maintain a constant watch at all times against a dogmatical spirit : fix not your assent to any proposition in a firm and unalterable manner, till you have some firm and unalterable ground for it, and till you have ar- rived at some clear and sure evidence ; till you have turned the proposition on all sides, and searched the matter through and througli, so that you cannot be mis- taken. And even wiiere you may think you have full grounds of assurance, be not too early, nor too frequent in expressing this assurance in too peremptory and pos- itive a manner, remembering that human nature is al- ways liable to mistake in this corrupt and feeble state. A dogmatical spirit has many inconveniences attending it : as, 1. It stops the ear against all further reasoning upon that subject, and shuts up the mind from all further im- provements of knowledge. If you have resolutely fixed your opinion, though it be upon too slight and insuffi- cient grounds, yet you will stand determined to renounce the strongest reason brought for the contrary opinion, and grow obstinate against the force of the clearest ar- gument. Positivo is a man of this character, and has often pronounced his assurance of the Cartesian vortex- es : last year some further light broke in upon his un- derstanding, with uncontrolable force, by reading some- thing of mathematical philosophy ; yet having asserted his former opinions in a most confident manner, he is tempted now to wink a little against the truth, or to prevaricate in his discourse upon that subject, lest by admitting conviction, he should expose himself to the necessity of confessing his former folly and nn-ifake; and he has not humility enough for J hat. «V DIPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. 2. A dogmatical spirit naturally leads us to arrogance of mind, and gives a man some airs in conversation, >vhich are too haughty and assuming, ^ludeiis is a man of learning and very good company, but his infallible assui*ance renders his carriage sometimes uusuppoiia- ble. 3. A dogmatical spirit inclines a man to be censori- ous of his neighbours. Every one of his opinions appear to him written as it were with sun-beams, and he grows angry that his neighbour does not see it in the same light. He is tempted to disdain his correspondents as men of a low and dark understanding, because they will not believe wliat he does. Fiirio goes further in this wild track, and charges those who refuse his notions, with wilful obstinacy and vile hypocrisy ; he tells them boldly, that they resist the truth, and sin against their consciences. These are the men, that when they deal in controver- sy, delight in reproaches. They abound in tossing about absurdity and stupidity among their brethren : they cast the imputation of heresy and nonsense plentifully upon their antagonists ; and in matters of sacred importance they deal out their anathemas in abundance upon chris- tians better than themselves ; they denounce damnation upon their neiglibours w ithout either justice or mercy, and when tliey pronounce sentences of divine wrath against supposed heretics, they add their own human fire and in- dignation. A dogmatist in leligion is not a great way off from a bigot, and is in high danger of growing up tT> be a bloody persecutor. mVfPROVEMENT OF THE MINfiv « XI. Though caution and slow assent will guard you against frequent mistakes and retractations, yet you should get humility and courage enough to retract any mistake, and confess an error ; frequent changes ai*c tokens of levity, in our first determinations ; yet you should never be too proud to change your opinion, not* frighted at the name of a cliangelhig. Learn to scorn those vulgar bvghears which confirm foolish man in his old mistakes, for fear of being charged with inconstan- cy. I confess it is better not to judge than judge falsely ; and it is wiser to withhold our assent till we see com- plete evidence ; but if we have too suddenly given up our assent, as the wisest man does sometimes, if we have professed what we find afterwards to be false, we should never be ashamed nor afraid to renounce a mistake- That is a noble essay that is found among the occasional papers to encourage tlie world to practice retractations: and I would recommend it to the perusal of every scho- lar and every christian. XII. He that Avould raise his judgment above the vul- gar j'ank of mankind, and learn to pass a just sentence ou persons and things, must take heed of a fanciful tem- per of mind, and a humorous conduct in his affairs. Fancy and humour early ar*d constantly indulged, may expect an old age overrun with follies. The notion of a humourist is one that is greatly pleas- ed or greatly displeased with little things, who sets his heart much upon matters of very small importance, who has his will determined every day by trifles, his actions seldom directed by the reason and nature of thiui^s, and his passions frequently raised by things of little moment. B IjMpkovement of the mind. Where this practice is allowed, it will insensibly warp the judgment to pronounce little things great, and tempt you to lay a great weight upon them. In short, this temper will incline you to pass an unjust value on almost every thing that occurs ; and every step you take in this path is just so far out of the way to wisdom. XIII. For the same reason have a care of trifling with things important and momentous, or of sporting with things awful and sacred ; do not indulge a spirit of ridicule as some witty men do on all occasions and sub- jects. This will as unhappily bias the judgment on the other side, and incline you to pass a Ioav esteem on the most valuable objects. Whatsoever evil habit we in- dulge in practice, it will insensibly obtain a power rove our understanding, and betray us into many errors. Jo- cander is ready with his jest to answer every thing that he hears ; he reads books in the same jovial humour, and has got the art of turning every thought and sen- tence into merriment. How many awkward and irregu- lar judgments does this man pass upon solemn subjects, even when he designs to be grave and in earnest ? His mirth and laughing humour is formed into habit and temper, and leads his understanding shamefully astray. You wUl see him wandering in pursuit of a gay, flying feather, and he is drawn by a sort of ignis fatuus int© bogs and mire almost every day of his life. XIV. Ever maintain a virtuous and pious frame of spirit ; for an indulgence of vicious inclinations debases the understanding and perverts the judgment. Whore- dom and wine, and new wine take away the heart and soul aud reason of a man. Sensuality ruins the better lAIPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. Sfl ilViculties of the mind. An iiululgence to appetite and pas- sion enfeebles the powers of reason, it makes the judgment weak and susceptive of every falseliood, and especially of sucli mistakes as have a tendency toward the gratifica- tion of the animal ; and it warps the soul aside strange- ly from that steadfast honesty and integrity that neces- sarily belongs to the pursuit of truth. It is the virtuous man who is in a fuir way to wisdom. God gives to those that are good in his sight, wisdonif and knowledgCt mid joi/....Eccl. ii. 26. Piety toAvards God as well as sobriety and virtue,, are necessary qualifications to make a truly wise and ju- dicious man. He that abandons religion must act in such a contradiction to his own conscience and l>est judgment, that he abuses and spoils the faculty itself. It is thus in the nature of things, and it is thus by the righteous judgment of God : even the pretended sages among the Heathens, who did not tike to retain God in their knowledge, they ivere given uj) to a reprohatc mind, (ii v«y ec^Uii^ov, an undistinguishing or injudicious mind, so that tbey judged inconsistently and practised mere absiu*- dities, T« ftj) unMtros,, Rom. i. 28 And it is the character of the slaves of antichrist, 2 Thess.ii. 10. &c. that those who receive not the love of the truth were exposed to the power of diabolical sleights and lying wonders. Wlion divine revelation shines and blazes in the face of men with glorious evi- dence, and they wink their eyes against it, the God of < his world is suifered to blind them oen in the most obvious, common and sensible things. The great God of heaven fov ilihaaufic sends tliem strong delusions that Ihcy tilionUi 2ii JMPROVE>rENT OF THE MlXU. beUcce a lie ; and the nonsense of transubstanliution in the popish rvorld is a most glaring accomplishment of this prophecy beyond ever what could have been thought of or expected amongst creatures who pretend to reason. XV. Watch against the pride of your own reason, and a vain conceit of your own intellectual powers, with liie neglect of divine aid and blessing. Presume not upon great attainments in knowledge by your own self-suf- ficiency t those who trust to their own understandings entirely are pronounced fools in the word of God, and it is the wisest of men gives them this character : he that trustelh in his oxen heart is afooU Prov. xxviii. 26. And the same divine writer advises us to ti^ist in the Jjord Tviih all our heart, and not to lean to our own under- standings, nor to be ivise in our oxvn eijes, Chap. iii. 5. 7. Those who with a neglect of religion and dependance on God apply tliemseives to search out every article in the things of God by the mere diut of their own reason, have been suffered to run into wild excesses of foolery, and strange extravagance of opinions. Every one who pursues this vain course, and w ill not ask for the conduct of God in the study of religion, has just reason to fear he shall be left of God, and given up a prey to a thou- sand prejudices ; that he shall be consigned ovei* to tlie follies of his own heart, and pursue his own temporal ?ind eternal ruin. And even in common studies Ave should by humility and dependence engage the God of truth on our side. XTI. Ofter up therefore your daihf rcqnrsls to God ihejiither ofUghtSf that he would bleas all your atteuntpt'? lMPROVE\rEXT OF THE ]VnND. ^ and labours in reading, study and conversation. Tliink with yourself how easily and how insensibly by one turn of thought he ean lead you into a large scene of useful ideas: he can teach you to lay hold on a clue which may guide your thoughts with safety and ease through all the