I3-] 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 



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