BOOK V.

_A SURVEY of MAN._

The first _Genus_ of Animals that I shall take Notice of, shall be _Man_, who may justly claim the Precedence in our Discourse, inasmuch as God hath given him the Superiority in the Animal World; _Gen._ i. 26. _And God said, Let us make Man in our Image, after our Likeness; and let them have Dominion over the Fish of the Sea, and over the Fowl of the Air, and over the Cattle, and over all the Earth, and over every creeping Thing that creepeth upon the Earth._

And as to Man, we have so excellent a Piece of Workmanship, such a Microcosm, such an Abridgment of the Creator’s Art in him, as is alone sufficient to demonstrate the Being and Attributes of _GOD_. Which will appear by considering the _Soul_ and the _Body_ of Man.

CHAP. I.

_Of the SOUL of Man._

My Survey of Man, I shall begin with the Soul of Man, by Reason it is his most noble Part[a], the Copy of the Divine Image in us[b], in which we have enough to fill us with Admiration of the Munisence, Power, and Wisdom of the Infinite Creator[c], when we contemplate the noble Faculties of this our superiour Part, the vast Reach and Compass of its _Understanding_, the prodigious Quickness and Piercingness of its _Thought_, the admirable Subtilty of its _Invention_, the commanding Power of its _Wisdom_, the great Depth of its _Memory_[d], and in a word, its Divine Nature and Operations.

But I shall not dwell on this, tho’ the superiour Part of Man, because it is the least known. Only there are two Things I can’t easily pass by, because they manifest the especial Concurrence and Design of the infinitely Wise Creator, as having a particular and necessary Tendency to the Management and good Order of the World’s Affairs. The

I. Of which is the various _Genii_, or _Inclinations of Men’s Minds_ to this, and that, and the other Business[e]. We see how naturally Men betake themselves to this and that Employment: Some delight most in Learning and Books, some in Divinity, some in Physick, Anatomy and Botany, some in Critical Learning and Philology, some in Mathematicks, some in Metaphysicks, and deep Researches; and some have their Delight chiefly in Mechanicks, Architecture, War, Navigation, Commerce, Agriculture; and some have their Inclinations lie even to the servile Offices of the World, and an hundred Things besides.

Now all this is an admirably wise, as well as most necessary Provision, for the easy and sure transacting the World’s Affairs; to answer every End and Occasion of Man, yea, to make Man Helpful to the poor, helpless Beasts, as far as his Help is needful to them; and all, without any great Trouble, Fatigue, or great Inconvenience to Man; rather as a Pleasure, and Diversion to him. For so far it is from being a Toil, that the greatest Labours[f], Cares, yea, and Dangers too, become pleasant to him who is pursuing his _Genius_; and whose Ardour of Inclination eggs him forward, and buoys him up under all Opposition, and carrieth him through every Obstacle, to the End of his Designs and Desires.

II. The next is, The _inventive_ Power of the Soul[g]. Under which I might speak of many Things; but I shall take Notice only of two, because they manifest the particular Concern and Agency of the infinitely wise Creator. The

1. Is, That _Man’s Invention_ should reach to such a great Variety of Matters; that it should hit upon every Thing, that may be of any Use, either to himself, or to human Society; or that may any Ways promote, (what in him lies,) the Benefit of this lower Part of the Creation.

For the Illustration of this, I might take a View of all the Arts and Sciences, the Trades, yea, the very Tools they perform their Labours, and Contrivances with, as numerous as their Occasions and Contrivances are various. Indeed, What is there that falleth under the Reach of Man’s Senses, that he doth not employ to some Use and Purpose, for the World’s Good? The celestial Bodies, the Sun, the Moon, with the other Planets, and the fix’d Stars, he employs to the noble Uses of Astronomy, Navigation and Geography. And, What a noble Acumen, what a vast Reach must the Soul be endow’d with, to invent those curious Sciences of Geometry and Arithmetick, both Specious, and in Numbers; and those nice and various Instruments, made use of by the Geometrician, Astronomer, Geographer and Sailor? And lastly, What a wonderful Sagacity is shewn in the Business of Optics, and particularly in the late Invention of the Telescope; wherewith new Wonders are discover’d among God’s Works, in the Heavens, as there are here on Earth, with the Microscope, and other Glasses.

And as for this lower World, What Material is here to be found; what kind of Earth, or Stone, or Metal; what Animal, Tree, or Plant, yea, even the very Shrubs of the Field; in a Word, what of all the excellent Variety, the Creator has furnish’d the World with, for all its Uses and Occasions, in all Ages; what, I say, that Man’s Contrivance doth not extend unto, and make some Way or other advantagious to himself, and useful for Building, Cloathing, Food, Physick, or for Tools or Utensils, or for even only Pleasure and Diversion?

But now considering the great Power and Extent of human Invention.

2. There is another Thing, that doth farther demonstrate the Super-intendence of the great Creator, and Conservator of the World; and that is, That Things of great, and absolutely necessary Use, have soon, and easily occurr’d to the Invention of Man; but Things of little Use, or very dangerous Use, are rarely and slowly discover’d, or still utterly undiscover’d. We have as early as the _Mosaick_ History, an Account of the Inventions of the more useful Crafts and Occupations: Thus _Gen._ iii. 23. Adam _was sent forth from the Garden of ~Eden~, by God himself, to till the Ground._ And in the next Chapter, his two Sons _Cain_ and _Abel_; the one was of the same Occupation, a Tiller of the Ground, the other a Keeper of Sheep[h]. And the Posterity of these, are in the latter End of _Gen._ iv. recorded, _~Jabal~ to have been the Father of such as dwell in Tents_[i]; _i.e._ He was the _Inventor of Tents_, and pitching those moveable Houses in the Fields, for looking after, and depasturing their Cattel in the Desarts, and uncultivated World. _~Tubal-Cain~ was an Instructer of every Artificer in Brass and Iron_[k], or the First that found out the Art of _melting, and malleating[l] Metals_, and making them useful for Tools, and other necessary Implements. And his Sister _Naamah_, whose Name is only mentioned, is by some thought to have been the Inventor of _Spinning_ and _Cloathing_. Yea, the very Art of _Musick_ is thus early ascribed to _Jubal_[m]; so indulgent was the Creator, to find a Means to divert Melancholy, to cheer the Spirits, and to entertain and please Mankind. But for Things of no Use, or but little Use, or of pernicious Consequence; either they have been much later thought of, and with great Difficulty, and perhaps Danger too, brought to pass; or else they still are, and perhaps will always remain, Exercises of the Wit and Invention of Men.

Of this we might give divers Instances: In Mathematicks, about squaring the Circle[n]; in Mechanicks[o], about the Art of Flying; and in Navigation, about finding the Longitude. These Things, although some of them in Appearance innocent, yea, perhaps very useful, yet remain for the most Part secret; not because the Discovery of most of them is more impossible, or difficult than of many other Things, which have met with a Discovery; nor is it for want of Man’s Diligence therein, or his careful Pursuit and Enquiry after them, (for perhaps, nothing already discover’d hath been more eagerly sought after;) but with much better Reason, (I am sure with greater Humility and Modesty,) we may conclude it is, because the infinitely wise Creator, and Ruler of the World, hath been pleas’d to lock up these Things from Man’s Understanding and Invention, for some Reasons best known to himself, or because they might be of ill Consequence, and dangerous amongst Men.

As in all Probability the Art of Flying would particularly be: An Art which in some Cases might be of good Use, as to the Geographer and Philosopher; but in other Respects, might prove of dangerous and fatal Consequence: As for instance, By putting it in Man’s Power to discover the Secrets of Nations and Families, more than is consistent with the Peace of the World, for Man to know; by giving ill Men greater Opportunities to do Mischief, which it would not lie in the Power of others to prevent; and, as one[p] observes, by making Men less sociable: “For upon every true or false Ground of Fear, or Discontent, and other Occasions, he would have been fluttering away to some other Place; and Mankind, instead of cohabiting in Cities, would, like the Eagle, have built their Nests upon Rocks”.

That this is the true Reason of these Matters, is manifest enough from holy Scripture, and Reason[q] also gives its Suffrage thereto. The _Scripture_ expressly tells us, That _every good Gift, and every perfect Gift, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights_, _S._ James i. 17. _Solomon_, Prov. ii. 6. saith, _The Lord giveth Wisdom; out of his Mouth cometh Knowledge and Understanding._ And _Elihu_ is very express, Job xxxii. 8. _But there is a Spirit in Man, and the Inspiration of the Almighty giveth them Understanding_, Πνοὴ παντοκράτορός ἐστιν ἡ διδάσκουσα, as the LXX render it, _The Inspiratus, the Afflatus of the Almighty, is their Instructor, Mistress or Teacher._ And in Scripture, not only the more noble, superiour Acts of Wisdom or Science; but much inferiour also, bear the Name of Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding, and are ascrib’d unto GOD. ’Tis well known that _Solomon_’s Wisdom is wholly ascrib’d unto GOD; and the Wisdom and Understanding which GOD is said to have given him, 1 _Kings_ iv. 29. is particularly set forth in the following Verses, by his great Skill in moral and natural Philosophy, in Poetry, and probably in Astronomy, Geometry, and such other of the politer Sciences, for which _Ægypt_, and the _eastern Nations_ were celebrated of old[r]: _And ~Solomon~’s Wisdom excell’d the Wisdom of all the Children of the east Country, and all the Wisdom of ~Ægypt~. For he was wiser than all Men, than ~Ethan~, &c. And he spake 3000 Proverbs: And his Songs were 1005. And he spake of Trees, from the Cedar to the Hyssop of the Wall, ~(_i.e._ of all Sorts of Plants;)~ also of Beasts, Fowl, creeping Things, and Fishes._ So likewise the Wisdom of _Daniel_, and his three Companions, is ascrib’d unto GOD, _Dan._ i. 17. _As for these four Children, God gave them Knowledge, and Skill in all Learning and Wisdom; and ~Daniel~ had Understanding in all Visions and Dreams._ And accordingly in the next Chapter, _Daniel_ acknowledgeth and praiseth God. ℣. 20. 21. _~Daniel~ answered and said, Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever, for Wisdom and Might are his.——He giveth Wisdom unto the Wise, and Knowledge to them that know Understanding._ But not only Skill in the superiour Arts and Sciences; but even in the more inferiour mechanick Art, is call’d by the same Names, and ascrib’d unto GOD: Thus for the Workmanship of the Tabernacle, _Exod._ xxxi. 2. to ℣. 6. _See, I have call’d ~Bezaleel~; and I have fill’d him with the Spirit of God, in Wisdom, and in Understanding, and in all Manner of Workmanship: To devise cunning Works, to work in Gold, Silver and Brass; and in cutting of Stones, to set them; and in carving of Timber, to work in all Manner of Workmanship._ So the _Spinsters_, _Weavers_, and other Crafts-people, are call’d wise-hearted, _Exod._ xxxiv. 10. 25. and other Places. And in _Exod._ xxxvi. 1. &c. the LORD is said to have put this Wisdom in them, and Understanding to know how to work all these Manner of Works, for the Service of the Sanctuary. And lastly, to name no more Instances, _Hiram_ the chief Architect of _Solomon_’s _Temple_, is in 1 _Kings_ vii. 14. and 2 _Chron._ ii. 14. call’d _a cunning Man, fill’d with Wisdom and Understanding, to work in Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron, Stone, Timber, Purple, Blue, fine Linen, and Crimson; also to grave, and find out every Device which should be put to him._

Thus doth the Word of _God_, ascribe the Contrivances and Crafts of Men, to the Agency, or Influence of the _Spirit_ of _God_, upon that of Man. And there is the same Reason for the Variety of _Genii_, or _Inclinations_ of Men also; which from the same Scriptures, may be concluded to be a Designation, and Transaction of the same almighty Governour of the World’s Affairs. And who indeed but HE, could make such a divine Substance, endow’d with those admirable Faculties, and Powers, as the rational Soul hath; a Being to bear the great Creator’s Vicegerency in this lower World; to employ the several Creatures; to make Use of the various Materials; to manage the grand Businesses; and to survey the Glories of all the visible Works of God? A Creature, without which this lower World would have been a dull, uncouth, and desolate kind of Globe. Who, I say, or what less than the _infinite GOD_, could make such a rational Creature, such a divine Substance as the Soul? For if we should allow the Atheist any of his nonsensical Schemes, the _Epicurean_ his fortuitous Concourse of Atoms, or the _Cartesian_[s] his created Matter put in Motion; yet with what tolerable Sense could he, in his Way, produce such a divine, thinking, speaking, contriving Substance as the Soul is; endow’d exactly with such Faculties, Power, and Dispositions as the various Necessities and Occasions of the World require from such a Creature? Why should not rather all the Acts, the Dispositions and Contrivances of such a Creature as Man, (if made in a mechanical Way, and not contriv’d by God,) have been the same? Particularly, Why should he not have hit upon all Contrivances of equal Use, early as well as many Ages since? Why not that Man have effected it, as well as this, some thousands of Years after? Why also should not all Nations, and all Ages[t], improve in every Thing, as well as this, or that Age, or Nation[u] only? why should the _Greeks_, the _Arabians_, the _Persians_, or the _Ægyptians_ of old, so far exceed those of the same Nations now? Why the _Africans_ and _Americans_ so generally ignorant and barbarous, and the _Europeans_, for the most part, polite and cultivated, addicted to Arts and Learning? How could it come to pass that the Use of the Magnet[w], Printing[x], Clocks[y], Telescopes[z], and all hundred Things besides, should escape the Discovery of _Archimedes_, _Anaximander_, _Anaximenes_, _Posidonius_, or other great Virtuoso’s of the early Ages, whose Contrivances of various Engines, Spheres, Clepsydræ and other curious Instruments are recorded[aa]? And why cannot the present or past Age, so eminent for polite Literature, for Discoveries and Improvements in all curious Arts and Businesses (perhaps beyond any known Age of the World; why cannot it, I say) discover those hidden _Quæsita_, which may probably be reserved for the Discovery of future and less learned Generations?

Of these Matters, no satisfactory Account can be given by any mechanical Hypothesis, or any other Way, without taking in the Superintendence of the great Creator and Ruler of the World; who oftentimes doth manifest himself in some of the most considerable of those Works of Men, by some remarkable Transactions of his Providence, or by some great Revolution or other happening in the World thereupon. Of this I might instance in the Invention of Printing[bb], succeeded first by a train of Learned Men, and the Revival of Learning, and soon after that by the Reformation, and the much greater Improvements of Learning at this Day. But the most considerable Instance I can give is, the Progress of Christianity, by means of the civilized Disposition, and large Extent of the _Roman Empire_. The latter of which, as it made way for human Power; so the former made way for our most excellent Religion into the Minds of Men. And so I hope, and earnestly pray, that the Omnipotent and All-wise Ruler of the World will transact the Affairs of our most Holy Religion, e’er it be long, in the Heathen World; that the great Improvements made in the last, and present Age, in Arts and Sciences, in Navigation and Commerce, may be a Means to transport our Religion, as well as Name, through all the Nations of the Earth. For we find that our Culture of the more polite and curious Sciences, and our great Improvements in even the Mechanick Arts, have already made a Way for us into some of the largest and farthest distant Nations of the Earth; particularly into the great Empire of _China_[cc].

And now, before I quit this Subject, I cannot but make one Remark, by way of practical Inference, from what has been last said; and that is, Since it appears that the Souls of Men are ordered, disposed and actuated by God, even in secular, as well as spiritual Christian Acts; a Duty ariseth thence on every Man, to pursue the Ends, and answer all the Designs of the divine Providence, in bestowing his Gifts and Graces upon him. Men are ready to imagine their Wit, Learning, Genius, Riches, Authority, and such like, to be Works of Nature, Things of Course, or owing to their own Diligence, Subtilty, or some Secondary Causes; that they are Masters of them, and at Liberty to use them as they please, to gratifie their Lust or Humour, and satsifie their depraved Appetites. But it is evident, that these Things are the Gifts of God, they are so many Talents entrusted with us by the infinite Lord of the World, a Stewardship, a Trust reposed in us; for which we must give an Account at the Day when our Lord shall call; according to the parabolical Representation of this Matter by our Blessed Saviour, _Matt._ xxv. 14.

Our Duty then is not to abuse these Gifts of God, _not to neglect the Gift that is in us_, not to _hide our Talent in the Earth_; but as St. _Paul_ exhorteth _Timothy_, _2 Tim._ i. _6._ we must _stir up the Gift of God which is in us_, and not let it lie idle, concealed or dead; but we must ἀναζωπυρεῖν τὸ χάρισμα, _blow it up, and enkindle it_, as the Original imports; we must improve and employ our Gift to the Glory of the Giver; or in that Ministration, that Use and Service of the World, for which he gave it. Our Stewardship, our Craft, our Calling, be it that of Ambassadors of Heaven, committed to us, as ’twas to _Timothy_,[dd] by the laying on of Hands; or be it the more secular Business of the Gentleman, Tradesman, Mechanick, or only Servant; nay, our good Genius, our Propensity to any Good, as suppose to History, Mathematicks, Botany, Natural Philosophy, Mechanicks, _&c._ I say all these Occupations, in which the Providence of God hath engaged Men, all the Inclinations to which his Spirit hath disposed them, ought to be discharged with that Diligence, that Care and Fidelity, that our great Lord and Master may not say to us, as He said to the unfaithful Steward, _Luke_ xvi. 2. _Give an Account of thy Stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer Steward_; but that he may say, as ’tis in the Parable before cited, _Mat._ xxv. 21. _Well done thou good and faithful Servant, thou hast been faithful over a few Things, I will make thee Ruler over many Things, enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord_. Since now the Case is thus, let us be persuaded to follow _Solomon_’s Advice, _Eccles._ ix. 10. _Whatsoever thy Hand findeth to do, do it with thy Might_[ee]: “Lay hold on every Occasion that presents it self, and improve it with the utmost Diligence; because now is the Time of Action, both in the Employments of the Body, and of the Mind; now is the Season of studying either Arts and Sciences, or Wisdom and Virtue, for which thou wilt have no Opportunities in the Place whither thou art going in the other World. _For there is no Work, nor Device, nor Knowledge, nor Wisdom in the Grave whither thou goest._”

FOOTNOTES:

[a] _Fam verò, Animum ipsum, Mentemque homines, Rationem, Consilium, Prudentiam, qui non divinâ curá perfecta esse perspicit, is his ipsis rebus mihi videtur carere._ Cic. de Nat, Deor. l. 2. c. 59.

[b]

_Sensum à Cælesti demissum traximus arce,_ _Cujus egent prona, & terram spectantia: mundi_ _Principio indulsit communis Conditur, illis_ _Tantùm Animas; nobis Animum quoque._

Juven. Sat. xv. v. 144.

_Es cum non aliter possent mortalia singi._ _Adjunxit geminas, illæ cum corpore lapsæ_ _Intereunt: hæc sola manet, bustoque superstes_ _Evolat._

Claud. de 4 Consul. Hon.

[c] _Nam siquis nulli sectæ addictus, sed liberâ sententiâ rerum considerationem inierit, conspicatus in tantâ carnium ac succorum colluvie tantam mentem habitare; conspicatus item & cujusvis animalis constructionem (omnia enim declarans Opisicis Sapientiam) Mentis, quæ homini inest, excellentiam intelliget, tum opus de partium utilitate, quod prius exiguum esse sibi videbatur, perfectissimæ Theologiæ verum principium constituet; quæ Theologia multò est major atque præstantior totâ Medicinâ._ Galen. de usu Part. L. 17. c. 1.

[d] Among many Examples that I could give of Persons famous for _Memory_, _Seneca_’s Account of himself may be one, _Hanc [Memoriam] aliquando in me floruisse, ut non tantùm ad usum sufficeret, sed in miraculum usque procederet, non nego. Nam & 2000 nominum recitata, quo ordine erant dicta, reddebam: & ab his qui ad audiendum præceptorem nostrum convenerunt, singulos versus à singulis datos, cùm plures quàm 200 efficerentur, ab ultimo incipiens usque ad primum recitabam._ After which, mention is made of the great Memory of _Latro Porcius_ (_charissimi mihi sodalis_, _Seneca_ calls him) who retained in his Memory all the Declamations he had ever spoken, and never had his Memory fail him, not so much as in one single Word. Also he takes Notice of _Cyneas_, Ambassador to the _Romans_ from King _Pyrrhus_, who in one Day had so well learnt the Names of his Spectators, that _postero die novus homo & Senatum, & omnem urbanam circumfusam Senatui plebem, nominibus suis persalutavit_. Senec. controvers. L. 1. init. Vid. quoque Plin. L. 7. c. 24. where he also adds other Examples, viz. _Cyrus rex omnibus in exercitu suo militibus nomina reddidit; L. Scipio populo Rom. Mithidrates 22 gentium rex, totidem linguis jura dedit, pro concione singulas sine interprete affatus. Charmidas (seu potiùs Carneades)——quæ quis exegerat volumina in bibliothecis, legentis modo repræsentavit._

[e]

_Diversis etenim gaudet natura ministris,_ _Ut fieri diversa queant ornantia terras._ _Nec patitur cunctos ad eandem currere metam,_ _Sed varias jubet ire vias, variosque labores_ _Suscipere, ut vario cultu sit pulchrior orbis._

Paling. in Scorp.

Οἵτως ὀυ παντεπι Θεὸς χαρίεντα δίδωσι Ἀνδράσιν, &c. _Ita non omnibus hominibus sua dona dat Deus, neque bonam indolem, neque prudentiam, nec eloquentiam: alius namque vultum habet deformem; sed Deus formam eloquentiâ ornat, ~&c.~_ Homer. Odys. 8. The like also in _Iliad. L. 13._

[f] Although _Solomon_ declares, _Eccles._ xii. 12. _That much Study is a Weariness to the Flesh_; yet we see with what Pleasure and Assiduity many apply themselves to it. Thus _Cicero_ tells of _Cato_, whom he casually found in _Lucullus_’s Library, _M. Catonem vidi in Bibliothecâ sedentem, multis circumfusum Stoicorum libris. Erat enim, ut scis, in eo inexhausta aviditas legendi, nec satiari poterat: quippe ne reprehensionem quidem vulgi inanem reformidans, in ipsa curiâ soleret legere sæpe, dum senatus cogeretur——ut Heluo librorum——videbatur._ Cicer. de finib. L. 3. c. 2.

[g] _Mentem hominis, quamvis eam non videas, ut Deum non vides, tamen ut Deum agnoscis ex operibus ejus, sic ex memoriâ rerum, & Inventione, & celeritate motûs, omnique pulchritudine virtutis vim divinam mentis agnoscito._ Cicer. Tusc. Quæst. L. 1. c. 29.

[h] _Gen._ iv. 2.

[i] ℣. 20.

[k] ℣. 22.

[l] Σφυροκόπος, the LXX call him, _i.e._ A Worker with an Hammer.

[m] ℣. 21.

[n] Although the _Quadrature of the Circle_, hath in former Ages exercis’d some of the greatest mathematical Wits; yet nothing has been done in that Way so considerable, as in, and since the Middle of the last Century; when in the Year 1657, those very ingenious and great Men, Mr _William Neile_, and my Lord _Brounker_, and Sir _Christopher Wren_ afterwards, in the same Year, geometrically demonstrated the Equality of some Curves to a strait Line. Soon after which, others at Home, and Abroad, did the like in other Curves. And not long afterwards, this was brought under an _analytical Calculus_: The first Specimen whereof, that was ever publish’d. Mr. _Mercator_ gave in 1688, in a Demonstration of my Lord _Brounker_’s Quadrature of the _Hyperbola_, by Dr _Wallis_’s Reduction of a Fraction, into an infinite Series by Division. But the penetrating Genius of Sir _Isaac Newton_, had discover’d a Way of attaining the Quantity of all quadrible Curves analytically, by his Method of _Fluxions_, some Time before the Year 1668, as I find very probable from an historical Account, in a long Letter of Mr. _Collins_, written in his own Hand, and sent to _Richard Townley_, Esq; of _Lancashire_, whose Papers are in my Hands. In that Letter, Mr. _Collins_ saith, That _in ~September 1668~, Mr. ~Mercator~ publish’d his ~Logarithmotechnia~, one of which he soon sent to Dr. ~Barrow~, who thereupon sent him up some Papers of Mr. ~Newton~’s, ~[now Sir _Isaac_;]~ by which, and former Communications made thereof by the Author, to the Doctor; it appears that the said Method was invented some Years before, by the said Mr. ~Newton~, and generally apply’d._ And then he goes on to give some Account of the Method; what it performs in the Circle, _&c._ what Mr. _Gregory_ had done in that kind, _who intended to publish somewhat in ~Latin~ about it, but would not anticipate Mr. ~Newton~, the first Inventor thereof_; with much more of this Nature. The Design, I find, of that indefatigable Promoter of Mathematicks, Mr. _Collins_, was to acquaint Mr. _Townley_, in his Letter, with what had been done; and to get the Assistance of that ingenious Gentleman, towards the compleating a Body of _Algebra_.

[o] I do not mention here the _perpetual Motion_, which hath exercis’d the mechanical Wits for many Ages; because it is a Thing impossible, if not a Contradiction: As the before-commended Dr. _Clarke_ asserts in _Rohaul. Phys._ p. 133.

[p] _~Grew~’s Cosmol. Sacr. l. 1. c. 5. §. 25._

[q] _Nemo igitur vir magnus sine aliquo afflatu divino unquam fuit._ Cic. de Nat. Deor. l. 2. c. 66.

[r] _Ægypt_, and some of the _eastern_ Nations, are celebrated for their Skill in polite Literature: both in Scripture and profane story: _Job_ was of those Parts; so were the Σοφοὶ and Μάγοι, the _Brachmans_ and _Gymnosophists_. _Moses_ and _Daniel_ had their Education in these Parts: And _Pythagoras_, _Democritus_, and others, travell’d into these Parts for the Sake of their Learning.

[s] As we are not to _accuse_ any _falsly_; so far be it from me to detract from so great a Man as _Monsieur Cartes_ was: Whose Principles, although many have perverted to atheistical Purposes, and whose Notions have, some of them, but an ill Aspect; yet I am unwilling to believe he was an Atheist; since in his _Principia Philosiphiæ_, and other of his Works, he vindicates himself from this Charge; and frequently shews seemingly a great Respect for Religion: Besides, That many of his suspicious Opinions are capable of a favourable Interpretation, which will make them appear in a better Form: Thus when he discardeth _final Causes_ from his Philosophy, it is not a Denial of them; but only excluding the Consideration of them, for the Sake of free philosophising; it being the Business of a Divine, rather than a Philosopher, to treat of them.

[t] For Ages of _Learning_ and _Ignorance_, we may compare the present, and some of the Ages before the Reformation. The last Century, and the few Years of this, have had the Happiness to be able to vie with any Age for the Number of learned Men of all Professions, and the Improvement made in all Arts and Sciences; too many, and too well known to need a Specification.

But for Ignorance, we may take the ninth Age, and so down to the Reformation; even as low as Queen _Elizabeth_, although Learning began to flourish; yet we may guess how Matters stood, even among the Clergy, by her 53 _Injunct._ Nᵒ. 1559, _Such as are but mean Readers, shall peruse over before, once or twice, the Chapters and Homilies, to the Intent they may read to the better Understanding of the People, the more Encouragement of Godliness._ Spar. Collect. p. 82. But this is nothing, in comparison to the Ages before, when the Monk said, _Græcum non est legi_; or as _Espencæus_ more elegantly hath it, _Gracè nôsse suspectum, Hebraicè prope Hæreticum_. Which Suspicion, (said the learned _Hakewill_,) _Rhemigius_ surely was not guilty of, in commenting upon _diffamatus_, 1 _Thes._ i. 8. who saith, that St. _Paul_ somewhat improperly put that for _divulgatus_, not being aware that St. _Paul_ wrote in _Greek_, and not in _Latin_. Nay, so great was their Ignorance, not only of _Greek_, but of _Latin_ too, that a Priest baptiz’d _in nomine Patria, & Filia, & Spiritua sancta_. Another suing his Parishioners for not paving his Church, prov’d it from _Jer._ xvii. 18. _Paveant illi, non paveam ego_. Some Divines in _Erasmus_’s Time, undertook to prove Hereticks ought to be burnt, because the Apostle said, _Hæreticum devita_. Two Fryars disputing about a Plurality of Worlds, one prov’d it from _Annon decem sunt facti mundi?_ The other reply’d, _Sed ubi sunt novem?_ And notwithstanding their Service was read in _Latin_, yet so little was that understood, that an old Priest in _Hen._ VIII. read _Mumpsimus Domine_, for _Sumpsimus_: And being admonish’d of it, he said, he had done so for thirty Years, and would not leave his old _Mumpsimus_ for their new _Sumpsimus_. Vid. _Hakew. Apol._ L. 3. c. 7. _Sect. 2._

[u] _There is (it seems) in Wits and Arts, as in all Things beside, a kind of circular Progress: They have their Birth, their Growth, their Flourishing, their Failing, their Fading; and within a while after, their Resurrection, and Reflourishing again. The Arts flourished for a long Time among the ~Persians~, the ~Chaldæans~, the ~Ægyptians~.——But afterwards the ~Grecians~ got the start of them, ~and are now become as barbarous themselves, as formerly they esteemed all besides themselves to be~._ About the Birth of _Christ_, Learning began to flourish in _Italy_, and spread all over _Christendom_; till the _Goths_, _Huns_, and _Vandals_ ransacked the Libraries, and defaced almost all the Monuments of Antiquity: so that the Lamp of Learning seemed to be put out for near the Space of 1000 Years, till the first _Mansor_, king of _Africa_ and _Spain_, raised up, and spurred forward the _Arabian_ Wits, by great Rewards and Encouragement. Afterwards _Petrarch_ opened such Libraries as were undemolished. He was seconded by _Boccace_, and _John_ of _Ravenna_, and soon after by _Aretine_, _Philelphus_, _Valla_, &c. And those were followed by _Æneas Sylvius_, _Angelus Politianus_, _Hermolaus Barbarus_, _Marsilius Ficinus_, and _Joh. Picus_, of _Mirandula_. These were backed by _Rud. Agricola_, _Reucline_, _Melancthon_, _Joach. Camerarius_, _Wolphlazius_, _Beat. Rhenanus_, Almaines; By _Erasmus_ of _Rotterdam_; _Vives_ a _Spaniard_; _Bembus_, _Sadoletus_, _Eugubinus_, Italians: _Turnebus_, _Muretus_, _Ramus_, _Pithæus_, _Budæus_, _Amiot_, _Scaliger_, Frenchmen; Sir _Tho. More_ and _Linaker_, Englishmen. And about this Time, even those Northern Nations yielded their great Men; _Denmark_ yielded _Olaus Magnus_, _Holster_, _Tycho Brahe_, and _Hemingius_; and _Poland_, _Hosius_, _Frixius_, and _Crumerus_. But to name the Worthies that followed these, down to the present Time, would be endless, and next to impossible. See therefore _Hakewill_’s _Apolog._ L. 3. c. 6. §. 2.

[w] Dr. _Gilbert_, the most learned and accurate Writer on the _Magnet_, shews, that its _Attractive_ Virtue was known as early as _Plato_ and _Aristotle_: but its _Direction_ was a Discovery of later Ages. He saith, _Superiori ævo 300 aut 400 labentibus annis, Motus Magneticus in Boream & Austrum repertus, aut ab hominibus rursus recognitus fuit._ De Mag. L. 1. c. 1. But who the happy Inventer of this lucky Discovery was, is not known. There is some, not inconsiderable, Reason, to think our famous Country-man, _Rog. Bacon_, either discovered, or at least knew of it. But for its Use in Navigation, Dr. _Gilbert_ saith, _in regno Neapolitano Melphitani omnium primi (utì ferunt) pyxidem instruebant nauticam.——edocti à cive quodam Jol. Goia_ A. D. 1300. ibid. If the Reader hath a mind to see the Arguments for the Invention, being as old as _Solomon_’s or _Plautus_’s Time, or of much younger Date, he may consult _Hakewill._ ib. c. 10. §. 4. or _Purchas Pilgr._ L. 1. c. 1. §. 1.

As to the Magnetick Variation, Dr. _Gilbert_ attributes the Discovery of it to _Sebastian Cabott_. And the Inclination, or Dipping of the Needle, was the Discovery of our ingenious _Rob. Norman_. And lastly, The Variation of the Variation was first found out by the ingenious Mr. _H. Gellibrand_. Astr. Prof. of _Gresham-Col._ about 1634. _Vid._ _Gellibr. Disc. Math. on the Variat. of the Mag. Need. and its Variat._ Anno 1635.

But since that, the before commended Dr. _Halley_, having formerly, in _Philos. Trans._ Nᵒ. 148, and 195, given a probable Hypothesis of the Variation of the Compass, did in the Year 1700, undertake a long and hazardous Voyage, as far as the Ice near the South Pole, in order to examine his said Hypothesis, and to make a System of the Magnetical Variations: Which being soon after published, has been since abundantly confirmed by the _French_, as may be seen in several of the late _Memoirs de Physique & de Mathematique_, publish’d by the French _Academie des Sciences_.

To these Discoveries, I hope the Reader will excuse me, if I add one of my own, which I deduced some Years ago, from some magnetical Experiments and Observations I made; which Discovery I also acquainted our Royal Society with some time since, _viz._ That as the common, horizontal Needle is continually varying up and down, towards the E. and W. so is the Dipping-Needle varying up and down, towards or fromwards the Zenith, with its Magnetick Tendency, describing a Circle round the Pole of the World, as I conceive, or some other Point. So that if we could procure a Needle so nicely made, as to point exactly according to its Magnetick Direction, it would, in some certain Number of Years, describe a Circle, of about 13 _gr._ Radius round the Magnetick Poles Northerly and Southerly. This I have for several Years suspected, and have had some Reason for it too, which I mentioned three or four Years ago at a Meeting of our Royal Society, but I have not yet been so happy to procure a tolerable good Dipping-Needle, or other proper one to my Mind, to bring the Thing to sufficient Test of Experience; as in a short Time I hope to do, having lately hit upon a Contrivance that may do the Thing.

[x] It is uncertain who was the Inventer of the Art of _Printing_, every Historian ascribing the Honour thereof to his own City or Country. Accordingly some ascribe the Invention of it to _John Guttenburg_, a _Knight_ of _Argentine_, about 1440, and say, that _Faustus_ was only his Assistant. _Bertius_ ascribes it to _Laurence John_, of _Harlem_, and saith, _Fust_ or _Faust_, stole from him both his Art and Tools. And to name no more, some attribute it to _John Fust_ or _Faust_, and _Peter Schoeffer_ (called by _Fust_ in some of his _Imprimaturs_, _Pet. de Gerneshem puer meus_.) But there is now to be seen at _Haerlem_, a Book or two printed by _Lau. Kofter_, before any of these, _viz._ in 1430, and 1432. (_See Mr. ~Ellis~’s Letter to Dr. ~Tyson~_, in _Phil. Trans._ Nᵒ. 286.) But be the first Inventer who it will, there is however great Reason to believe, the Art receiv’d great improvements from _Faust_ and his Son-in-Law _Schoeffer_, the latter being the Inventer of metalline Types, which were cut in Wood before, first in whole Blocks, and afterwards in single Types or Letters. See my learned Friend Mr. _Wanley_’s Observations, in _Philos. Trans._ Nᵒ. 288, and 310.

[y] Concerning the Antiquity and Invention of _Clocks_ and _Clock Work_, I refer the Reader to a little Book, called _the Artificial Clock-maker_, chap. 6. Where there is some Account of the Ancients Inventions in Clock-Work, as _Archimedes_’s _Sphere_, _Cresibius_’s _Clock_, _&c._

[z] The Invention of _Telescopes_, _Hieron. Syrturus_ gives this Account of, _Prodiit_ Anno 1609, _Seu Genius, seu alter vir adhuc incognitus, Hollandi specie, qui Middelburgi in Zelandiâ convenit Job. Lippersein——Jussit perspicilla plura tam cava quam convexa, confeci. Condicto die rediit, absolutum opus cupiens, atque ut statim habuit præ manibus, bina suscipiens, cavum scil. & convexum, unum & alterum oculo admovebat, & sensim dimovebat sive ut punctum concursûs, sive ut artificis opus probaret, postea abiit. Artifex, ingenii minimè expers, & novitatis curiosus cœpit idem facere & imitari, ~&c.~_ Vid. Mus. Worm. L. 4. c. 7.

[aa] Among the curious Inventions of the Ancients _Archytas_’s _Dove_ was much famed; of which _Aul. Gellius_ gives this Account: _Scripserunt Simulachrum Columbæ è ligno ab Archytâ ratione quâdam disciplinâque mechanicâ factum, volâsse: Ita erat scilicet libramentis suspensum, & aurâ spiritûs inclusâ atque occultâ concitum._ Noct. Attic. L. 10. c. 12. The same eminent _Pythagoræan_ Philosopher (as _Favorinus_ in _Gellius_ calls him) is by _Horace_ accounted a noble Geometrician too, _Te maris & terræ, numeroque carentis arenæ Mensorum Archyta._ Among the rest of his Inventions, _Children’s Rattles_ are ascribed to him. _Aristotle_ calls them Ἀρχύτου πλαταγὴ, _Polit._ 8. i.e. _Archytas_’s _Rattle_. And _Diogenianus_ the Grammarian, gives the Reason of his Invention, Ἀρχύτου πλαταγὴ ἐπὶ τῶν, &c. _That ~Archytas’s Rattle~ was to quiet Children; for he having Children, contrived the Rattle, which he gave them to prevent their [tumbling, διασαλεύσωσι] other Things about the House._

To these Contrivances of _Archytas_, we may add _Regiomontanus’s Wooden Eagle, which flew forth of the City aloft in the Air, met the Emperor a good Way off, coming towards it, and having saluted him, return’d again, waiting on him to the City Gates_. Also his _Iron-fly_, which at a Feast _flew forth off his Hands, and taking a Round, returned thither again_. Vid. Hakewill ub. supr. c. 10. §. 1.

As to other Inventions of the Ancients, such as of Letters, Brick and Tiles, and building Houses, with the Saw, Rule, and Plumber, the Lath, Augre, Glue, _&c._ also the making Brass, Gold, and other Metals; the use of Shields, Swords, Bows and Arrows, Boots, and other Instruments of War; the Pipe, Harp, and other Musical Instruments; the building of Ships and Navigation, and many other Things besides; the Inventors of these (as reported by ancient Heathen Authors) may be plentifully met with in _Plin. Nat. Hist._, L. 7. c. 56.

But in this Account of _Pliny_, we may observe whence the Ancients (even the _Romans_ themselves in some measure) had their Accounts of these Matters, _viz._ from the fabulous _Greeks_, who were fond of ascribing every Thing to themselves. _The Truth is_ (saith the most learned Bishop _Stillingfleet_) _there is nothing in the World useful or beneficial to Mankind, but they have made a shift to find the Author of it among themselves. If we enquire after the Original of Agriculture, we are told of ~Ceres~ and ~Triptolemus~; if of Pasturage, we are told of an ~Arcadian Pan~; if of Wine, we presently hear of a ~Liber Pater~; if of iron Instruments, then who but ~Vulcan~? if of Musick, none like to ~Apollo~. If we press them then with the History of other Nations, they are as well provided here; if we enquire an Account of ~Europe~, ~Asia~, or ~Libya~; for the first we are told a fine Story of ~Cadmus~’s Sister; for the second of ~Prometheus~’s Mother of that Name; and for the third of a Daughter of ~Epaphus~._ And so the learned Author goes on with other particular Nations, which they boasted themselves to be the Founders of. _Only the grave ~Athenians~ thought Scorn to have any Father assigned them, their only Ambition was to be accounted ~Aborigines & genuini Terræ~._ But the Ignorance and Vanity of the _Greek_ History, that learned Author hath sufficiently refuted. _Vid._ _Stilling. Orig. Sacr._ Part. 1. B. 1. c. 4.

[bb] Whether _Printing_ was invented in 1440, as many imagine, or was sooner practised, in 1430, or 1432, as Mr. _Ellis_’s Account of the _Dutch_ Inscription in _Phil. Trans._ Nᵒ. 286. doth import; it is however manifest, how great an Influence (as it was natural) this Invention had in the promoting of Learning soon afterwards, mentioned before in _Note (x)._ After which followed the Reformation about the Year 1517.

[cc] The _Chinese_ being much addicted to Judicial Astrology, are great Observers of the Heavens, and the Appearances in them. For which Purpose they have an _Observatory_ at _Pekin_, and five Mathematicians appointed to watch every Night; four towards the four Quarters of the World, and one towards the Zenith, that nothing may escape their Observation. Which Observations are the next Morning brought to an Office to be registred. But notwithstanding this their Diligence for many Ages, and that the Emperor hath kept in his Service above 100 Persons to regulate the Kalendar, yet are they such mean Astronomers, that they owe the Regulation of their Kalendar, the Exactness in calculating Eclipses, _&c._ to the _Europeans_; which renders the _European_ Mathematicians so acceptable to the Emperor, that Father _Verbiest_ and divers others, were not only made Principals in the Observatory, but put into Places of great Trust in the Empire, and had the greatest Honours paid them at their Deaths. _Vid._ _La Comte Mem. of China._ Letter 2d. _&c._

[dd] 1 Tim. iv. 14. 2 Tim. i. 6.

[ee] Bishop _Patrick_ in loc.

CHAP. II.

_Of Man’s BODY, particularly its POSTURE._

Having thus, as briefly as well I could, surveyed the _Soul_, let us next take a View of _Man’s Body_. Now here we have such a Multiplicity of the most exquisite Workmanship, and of the best Contrivance, that if we should strictly survey the Body from Head to Foot, and search only into the known Parts (and many more lie undiscovered) we should find too large and tedious a Task to be dispatched. I shall therefore have Time only to take a transient and general Kind of View of this admirable Machine, and that somewhat briefly too, being prevented by others, particularly two excellent Authors of our own[a], who have done it on the same Account as my self. And the

I. Thing that presents itself to our View, is the _Erect Posture_[b] of Man’s Body; which is far the most, if not the only commodious Posture for a rational Creature, for him that hath Dominion over the other Creatures, for one that can invent useful Things, and practise curious Arts. For without this erect Posture, he could not have readily turned himself to every Business, and on every Occasion. His Hand[c] particularly could not have been in so great a Readiness to execute the Commands of the Will, and Dictates of the Soul. His Eyes would have been the most prone, and incommodiously situated of all Animals; but by this Situation, he can cast his Eyes upwards, downwards, and round about him; he hath a glorious Hemisphere of the Heavens[d], and an ample Horizon on Earth[e], to entertain his Eye.

And as this Erection of Man’s Body is the most compleat Posture for him; so if we survey the Provision made for it, we find all done with manifest Design, the utmost Art and Skill being employ’d therein. To pass by the particular Conformation of many of the Parts, the Ligaments and Fastnings to answer this Posture; as the Fastning, for Instance, of the _Pericardium_ to the _Diaphragm_, (which is peculiar to Man[f]; I say, passing by a deal of this Nature, manifesting this Posture to be an Act of Design,) let us stop a little at the curious Fabrick of the Bones, those Pillars of the Body. And how artificially do we find them made, how curiously plac’d from the Head to Foot! The _Vertebræ_ of the Neck and Back-bone[g], made short and complanated, and firmly braced with Muscles and Tendons, for easy Incurvations of the Body; but withal for greater Strength, to support the Body’s own Weight, together with other additional Weights it may have Occasion to bear. The _Thigh-bones_ and Legs long, and strong, and every Way well fitted for the Motion of the Body. The _Feet_ accommodated with a great Number of Bones, curiously and firmly tack’d together, to which must be added the Ministry of the Muscles[h], to answer all the Motions of the Legs and Thighs, and at the same Time to keep the Body upright, and prevent its falling, by readily assisting against every Vacillation thereof, and with easy and ready Touches keeping the _Line of Innixion_, and _Center of Gravity_ in due Place and Posture[i].

And as the Bones are admirably adapted to prop; so all the Parts of the Body are as incomparably plac’d to poise it. Not one Side too heavy for the other; but all in nice Æquipoise: The Shoulders, Arms, and Side æquilibrated on one Part; on the other Part the _Viscera_ of the Belly counterpois’d with the Weight of the scapular Part, and that useful Cushion of Flesh behind.

And lastly, To all this we may add the wonderful Concurrence, and Ministry of the prodigious Number and Variety of Muscles, plac’d throughout the Body for this Service; that they should so readily answer to every Posture; and comply with every Motion thereof, without any previous Thought or Reflex act, so that (as the excellent _Borelli_[k] saith), “It is worthy of Admiration, that in so great a Variety of Motions, as running, leaping, and dancing, Nature’s Laws of Æquilibration should always be observed; and when neglected, or wilfully transgressed, that the Body must necessarily and immediately tumble down.”

FOOTNOTES:

[a] _Mr. ~Ray~ in his Wisdom of God manifested in the Works of Creation_,