13] ~~~ THE SECOND BOOK. 83 
have a kind of contract, fraternity, and correspondence 
one with the other, insomuch as: they have provincials 
and generals. And surely as nature createth brotherhood 
in families, and arts mechanical contract brotherhoods 
in communalties, and the anointment of God super- 
induceth a brotherhood in kings and bishops, so in 
- like manner there cannot but be a fraternity in learning 
and illumination, relating to that paternity which is attri- 
buted to God, who is called the Father of illuminations 
or lights. 
14. The last defect which I will note is, that there hath 
not been, or very rarely been, any public designation of 
writers or inquirers, concerning such parts of knowledge 
as may appear not to have been already sufficiently 
laboured or undertaken; unto which point it is an 
inducement to enter into a view and examination what 
parts of learning have been prosecuted and what omitted. 
For the opinion of plenty is amongst the causes of want, 
and the great quantity of books maketh a show rather 
of superfluity than lack; which surcharge nevertheless is 
not to be remedied by making no more books, but by 
making more good books, which, as the serpent of Moses, 
mought devour the serpents of the enchanters. 
15. The removing of all the defects formerly enu- 
merate, except the last, and of the active part also of 
the last (which is the designation of writers), are opera 
basilica; towards which the endeavours of a private man 
may be but as an image in a crossway, that may point 
at the way, but cannot go it, But the inducing part 
of the latter (which is the survey of learning) may be 
set forward by private travail. Wherefore I will now 
attempt to make a general and faithful perambulation 
of learning, with an inquiry what parts thereof lie fresh 
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