CHAP. II.] METHOD APHORISTIC AND REGULAR. 229 



have been, by the veil of tradition to keep the vulgar froiu 

 the secrets of sciences, and to admit only such as had, by tho 

 help of a master, attained to the interpretation ot dark say 

 ings, or were able, by the strength of their own genius, to 

 enter within the veil. 



The next difference of method is of great moment with 

 regard to the sciences, as these are delivered either in the 

 vay of aphorism or methodically. It highly deserves to be 

 noted, that the general custom is, for men to raise as it were 

 a formal and solemn art from a fe\v axioms and observations 

 upon any subject, swelling it out with their own witty in 

 ventions, illustrating it by examples, and binding the whole 

 up into method. But that other way of delivery by apho 

 risms has numerous advantages over the methodical. And 

 first, it gives us a proof of the author s abilities, and shows 

 whether he hath entered deep into his subject or not. Apho 

 risms are ridiculous things, unless wrought from the central 

 parts of the sciences; and here all illustration, excursion, 

 variety of examples, deduction, connection, and particular 

 description, is cut off, so that nothing besides an ample stock 

 of observations is left for the matter of aphorisms. And, 

 therefore, no person is equal to the forming of aphorisms, 

 nor would ever think of them, if he did not find himself 

 copiously and solidly instructed for writing upon a subject. 

 But in methods so great a power have order, connection, and 

 choice, 



&quot; Tantum series juncturaque pollet ; 



Tantum de medio sumptis accedit honoris, &quot; d 



that methodical productions sometimes make a show of I 

 know not what specious art, which, if they were taken to 

 pieces, separated, and undressed, would fall back again almost 

 to nothing. Secondly, a methodical delivery has the power 

 of enforcing belief and consent, but directs not much to prac- 

 ojal indications, as carrying with it a kind of demonstration 

 in circle, where the parts mutually enlighten each other, and 

 so gratifies the imagination the more ; but as actions lie scat 

 tered in common life, scattered instructions suit them tho 

 best. Lastly, as aphorisms exhibit only certain scraps and 

 fragments of the sciences, they carry with them an invitation 



* Her, Art, &amp;gt;et, 24* 



