apply, and, instead of leading him to Truth, where they will betray him into Error.

THESE three different METHODS Conftitute the proper, and, I think, the whole, bufinefs of LOGIC, that ufeful and univerfal Art, which for two thousand years has been twisted and tormented into ten thousand shapes; which has been proudly and formally profeffed by many, but philofophically practifed or understood by few.

This LOGIC is legitimate in its origin, and rational in its progrefs. Confidering all TRUTH as the furniture of the MIND and differing with its Faculties, it takes account of these Faculties from the First Philosophy, with which univerfal fcience it has a near connection, diftinguishing their separate objects and operations. It then applies Reason to the EVIDENCES or FIRST PRINCIPLES of every Kind, and advances by a flow and

* Ἡ δὲ ΔΙΑΛΕΚΤΙΚΗ τὴν πρώτην μιμεμένη φιλοσοφιάν τὰ πάντα πειρᾶται δεικνύναι, ὥσπερ πάντων αὐτῇ ὑποκει Hévwv. Philoponus.

gradual

gradual motion to GENERAL TRUTHS OF SECONDARY PRINCIPLES, which form the bafis of farther conclufions to be deduced in another but easier way. And it evinces and illuftrates the whole by correfpondent and COLLATERAL PROOFS. Thus it fixes a juft criterion for determining its ASSENT in all.

It does not begin with Definitions of its own invention ingeniously formed and verbally conftructed, calculated only to answer its own views, and to ferve its own intentions. It does not erect its own imaginary notions and premature affumptions into Dogmas and Principles which are gratuitous, and which it forbids to be examined. Instead of purfuing the quibbles and niceties of Terms divorced from things and arbitrarily defined, it defcends to the minutie and subtlety of Things themselves experimentally examined ; making it the chief object to canvass and to establish the real Principles of knowledge. From thefe Principles it does not spin the cobwebs of imaginary Systems without use or end,' but erects upon them the fuperftructure of useful and fubftantial Sciences.

› Hoc genus doctrinæ minus fanæ et fe ipfam corrumpentis invaluit, præcipue apud multos ex fcholafticis, qui fummo

Instead of relying on mere memory for information, it prompts the mind to the exercife of reflection. Inftead of building on the vague authority of others, where it can, it judges for itfelf. Thus prejudices begin to foften and prepoffeffions to vanish, and that weak opinion, which governs the multitude, to lose its influence.

have

It is not prefumptive but inquifitive, not indolent but active, not verbose but operofe. It does not waste our time in Wrangling and Difputation, which, however they may been magnified in their ufe when viewed through the medium of that ignorance of which they are the patrons, or extolled by

fummo otio abundantes, atque ingenio acres, lectione autem impares (quippe quorum mentes conclufæ effent in paucorum authorum, præcipue Ariftotelis dictatoris fui fcriptis, non minus quam corpora ipforum in cœnobiorum cellis) hiftoriam vero et naturæ et temporis maxima ex parte ignorantes; ex non magno materiæ ftamine, fed maxima fpiritus, quafi radii, agitatione, operofiffimas illas telas, quæ in libris eorum extant, confecerunt. Etenim, mens humana fi agat in materiam, naturam rerum et opera Dei contemplando, pro modo materiæ operatur, atque ab eadem determinatur; fin ipfa in se vertatur (tanquam aranea texens telam) tum demum interminata eft, et parit certe telas quasdam doctrinæ, tenuitate fili operisque admirabiles, fed quoad ufum frivolas et inanes. De Aug. Sc. lib. i. p. 40.

the

the tongue of foolish adulation, had never any other purpose than to retard the progress of good Learning, and to check the growth of Truth, and, in the pointed language of the Apostle, "to minifter queftions and to

gender ftrifes." What it fairly acquires of whatever kind, it enjoys with gratitude, and communicates with fimplicity. It difcriminates between Certainty and Probability, Knowledge and Conjecture, and their feveral modes. It endeavours to ascertain the just limits and extent of the HUMAN UNDERSTANDING, and has courage to be ignorant of what lies beyond its reach.

Profeffing to fill the great and general office of conducting men in the invention and communication of all it is poffible they can know, it difdains the narrow limits of all human system, and refuses to be pronounced as an Art which by that fyftem is made complete and perfect. Though fubject to the rules which are prefcribed by the nature

Logica quæ in ufu eft ad errores ftabiliendos et figendos valet, potius quam ad inquifitionem veritatis; ut magis fit damnofa quam utilis. Nov. Org. lib. ii.

aph. 12.

of

of the truth which is its object, it refuses to be confined within the tramels of Mood and Figure, and to be cramped in its motion by the artificial forms of Ariftotle, Smiglecius, Burgerfdicius and Wallis. It is always in a ftate of free investigation and progreffive improvement, changing with the changes, and advancing with the advancement, of learning, till all Truth be found.

But, I fear, I have dwelt too long upon a dry unpopular fubject, which, however important, is not calculated to meet the approbation, or to hit the tafte, of the prefent age more anxious for a few hours entertainment from what is thought fine-reading, than for the interefts of TRUTH.

CHAP.