A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soul of man With the…A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soule of man With the…

Secondly, Solidity of Judgement to try and weigh the particulars, which we apprehend. That out of them we may sever for our use the precious from the vile; for Knowledge lies in Things as Gold in a Mine, or as Corn in the Straw; when by diligent inquiry after it, we have digged it up, and threshed it out, we must then bring it to the fire, and fan, to give it us purified from dross and levity. And this in Speculation answereth unto the general virtue of practical prudence in Morality, whereby we weigh the several Mediums unto the true Ends of life, and accordingly select and prosecute the Best.

Secondly, Solidity of Iudgement to try and weigh the particulars, which wee apprehend. That out of them wee may sever for our use the pretious from the vile; for Knowledge lies in Things as Gold in a Mine, or as Corne in the Straw; when by diligent inquiry after it, wee have digged it up, and thresh'd it out, wee must then bring it to the fire, and fanne, to give it us purified from drosse and levity. And this in Speculation answereth unto the generall vertue of practicall prudence in Morality, whereby wee weigh the severall Mediums unto the true Ends of life, and accordingly select and prosecute the Best.

Thirdly, Fidelity of Retention; for he is not¹ likely to grow Rich, who puts up his Treasure as the Prophet speaks, into a ^*bag with holes. For as Nature hath given to the Bodies of men for the furtherance of corporeal strength, and nutriment, ⟨p. 453⟩a Retentive power to clasp and hold fast that which preserveth it, until a through concoction be wrought; so proportionably is the Faculty of Memory given to Reason, as a means to consolidate and enrich it. And fluxes, as in the Body, so in the Mind too, are ever Arguments and Authors of Weakness. Whence it comes to pass that in matter of Learning many of us are fain to be Day-labourers, and to live from hand to mouth, being not able to lay up any thing. And therefore in the choice of fit persons to breed up unto Learning, we should take a like course as wise Architects do in choice of fit timber for Building. They choose first the straitest and that which hath fewest knots, and flaws in it; which in the mind answereth unto clearness, and evenness of Apprehension. For a clear mind, like strait and smooth timber, will work easiest. Next, they take the heart and strongest substance, and cut out the sap: because that is best able to bear the weight that shall be laid upon it: And this answers unto Maturity and firmness of Judgement. Lastly, they do not take Sally, or Willow, or Birch, and such other Materials as are quickly apt to putrefy and wear away, but such Timber as is lasting and Retentive of its Nature, as Oak and Elm, which may make the Superstruction of the nature of the Foundation, strong and lasting: and this answereth to that excellent Faculty of the Mind, a Rational