GREA T INS TA URA T/O.V. 405 



zeal at some prejudged effect, seeking those which produced fruit 

 rather than knowledge, in opposition to the Divine method, which on 

 the first clay created time alone, delaying its material creations until 

 the sun had illumined space. 



Lastly, those who recommend logic as the best and surest instru 

 ment for improving the sciences, very justly observe, that the under 

 standing, left to itself, ought always to be suspected. But here the 

 remedy is neither equal to the disease, nor approved ; for though the 

 logic in use may be properly applied in civil affairs, and the arts that 

 are founded in discourse and opinion, yet it by no means reaches the 

 sublilty of nature ; and by catching at what it cannot hold, rather 

 serves to establish errors, and fix them deeper, than open the way of 

 truth. 



Upon the whole, men do not hitherto appear to be happily inclined 

 and lilted fur the sciences, cither by their own industry, or the authority 

 of authors, especially as there is little dependence to be had upon the 

 common demonstrations and experiments ; whilst the structure of the 

 universe renders it a labyrinth to the understanding ; where the paths 

 are not only everywhere doubtful, but the appearances of things and 

 their signs deceitful ; and the wreaths and knots of nature intricately 

 turned and twisted : through all which we are only to be conducted by 

 the uncertain light of the senses, that sometimes shines, and some 

 times hides its head ; and by collections of experiments and particular 

 facts, in which no guides can be trusted, as wanting direction them 

 selves, and adding to the errors of the rest. In this melancholy state 

 of things, one might be apt to despair both of the understanding left 

 to itself, and of all fortuitous helps ; as of a state irremediable by the 

 utmost efforts of the human genius, or the often-repeated chance of 

 trial. The only clue and method is to begin all anew, and direct our 

 steps in a certain order, from the very first perceptions of the senses. 

 Yet I must not be understood to say that nothing has been done in 

 former ages, for the ancients have shown themselves worthy nf admira 

 tion in everything which concerned either wit or abstract reflection ; 

 but, as in former nges, when men at sea, directing their course solely 

 by the observation of the stars, might coast along the shores of the 

 continent, but could not trust themselves to the wide ocean, or discover 

 new worlds, until the use of the compass was known : even so the 

 present discoveries referring to matters immediately under the juris 

 diction of the senses, are such as might easily result from experience 

 and discussion ; but before we can enter the remote and hidden parts 

 of nature, it is requisite that a better and more perfect application of 

 the human mind should be introduced. This, however, is not to be 

 understood a&amp;lt;? if nothing had been effected by the immense labours of 

 so many past ages ; as the ancients have performed surprisingly in 

 subjects that required abstract meditation, and force of genius. But 

 as navigation was imperfect before the use of the compass, so will 

 many secrets of nature and art remain undiscovered, without a 

 more perfect knowledge of the understanding, its uses, and ways of 

 working. 



