Imatges de pàgina
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It may be said, "It is properly the office and care of parents to watch over and correct the tempers of their children in the first years of their infancy, when it may easiest be done." But if it be not done effectually then (as it very seldom is) there is the more necessity for it afterwards. But the truth is, it is the proper office and care of all who have the charge of youth, and ought to be looked upon as the most important and necessary part of education.

It was the observation of a great divine and reformer. that he who acquires his learning at the expense of his morals, is the worse for his education. And we may add, that he who does not improve his temper, together with his understanding, is not much the better for it. For he ought to measure his progress in science by the improvement of his morals; and remember that he is no further a learned man than he is a wise and good man; and that he cannot be a finished philosopher till he is a Christian. But whence is it that moral philosophy, which was so carefully cultivated in the ancient academy, should be forced in the modern to give place to natural, that was originally designed to be subservient to it? Which is to exalt the handmaid into the place of the mistress. This appears not only a preposterous but a pernicious method of instruction. For as the mind takes a turn of thought in future life, suitable to the tinc ture it hath received in youth, it will naturally conclude, that there is no necessity to regard, or at least to lay any stress upon, what was never inculcated upon it as a matter of importance then. And so will grow up in a neglect or disesteem of those things which are more necessary to make a person a wise and truly understand ing man, than all those rudiments of science he brought with him from the school or college,

It is really a melancholy thing to see a young gentleman of shining parts, and a sweet disposition, who has gone through the common course of academical studies, come out into the world under an absolute government of his passions and prejudices; which have increased with his learning, and which, when he comes to be better acquainted with human life and human nature, he is soon sensible and ashamed of; but perhaps is never able to conquer as long as he lives, for want of that assistance which he ought to have received in his education. For a wrong education is one of those three things to which it is owing (as an ancient Christian and philosopher justly observes) that so few have the right government of their passions.

I would not be thought to depreciate any part of human literature, but should be glad to see this most useful branch of science, the knowledge of the heart, the detecting and correcting hurtful prejudices, and the right government of the temper and passions, in more general esteem; as necessary at once to form the gentleman, the scholar, and the Christian.

And if there be any thing in this short treatise which may be helpful to students, who have a regard to the right government of their minds, whilst they are furnishing them with useful knowledge, I would particularly recommend it to their perusal.

I have nothing further to add, but to desire the reader's excuse for the freedom with which I have delivered my sentiments in this matter, and for detaining him so long from his subject; which I now leave to his candid and serious thoughts, and the blessing of Almighty Gop to make it useful to him.

PART I.

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TREATISE

ON

SELF KNOWLEDGE.

PART I.

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CHAP. I.

The Nature and Importance of the Subject. A DESIRE of knowledge is natural to the mind of man. And nothing discovers the true quality and disposition of the mind more, than the particular kind of knowledge it is most fond of

Thus we see that low and little minds are most delighted with the knowledge of trifles; as in children. An indolent mind, with that which serves only for amusement, or the entertainment of the fancy. A curious mind is best pleased with facts. A judicious, penetrating mind, with demonstration and mathematical science. A worldly mind esteems no knowledge like that of the world. But a wise and pious man, before all other kinds of knowledge,prefers that of GoD and his own soul.

But some kind of knowledge or other the mind is continually craving after. And by considering what that is, its prevailing turn and temper may easily be known.

This desire of knowledge, like other affections planted in our nature, will be very apt to lead us

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