A10663:949
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…
A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soul of man With the several dignities and corruptions thereunto belonging. By Edward Reynolds, late preacher to the honourable society of Lincoln's Inn: and now rector of the Church of Braunston in Northamptonshire.A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soule of man With the severall dignities and corruptions thereunto belonging. By Edvvard Reynoldes, late preacher to the honorable society of Lincoln's Inne: and now rector of the Church of Braunston in Northamptonshire.
London: printed by R. Hearne and John Norton for Robert Bostock, 1640
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For as in the Generation of man, he receiveth his first life and nourishment ⟨p. 492⟩from one Womb, and after takes only those things, which are by the Nurse or Mother given to him; but when he is grown unto strength and years, he then receiveth nourishment not from Milk only, but from all variety of meats, and with the freedom of his own choice or dislike: so in the generation of Knowledge, the first knitting of the Joints and Members of it into one Body is best effected by the Authority and Learning of some able Teacher (though even of his Tutors, Gate being a child, was wont to require a reason)1 but being grown thereby to some stature and maturity, not to give it the Liberty of its own Judgement, were to confine it still to its Nurse or Cradle. I speak not this therefore to the dishonour of Aristotle, or any other, stom whose Learning, much of ours, as from Fountains, hath bin derived. Antiquity is ever venerable, and justly challengeth Honour, Reverence, and Admiration. And I shall ever acknowledge the worthy commendation2 which hath been given Aristotle by a learned man, that he hath almost discovered more of Natures Mysteries in the whole Body of Philosophy, than the whole Series of Ages since hath in any particular member thereof. And therefore he, and all the rest of those worthy Founders of Learning do well deserve some credit, as well to their authority, as to their matter. But yet notwithstanding3 there is difference between Reverence and Superstition; we may Assent unto them as Ancients, but not as Oracles: they may have our minds easy and inclinable; they may not have ⟨p. 493⟩them captivated and fettered to their Opinions As I will not distrust all, which without manifest proof they deliver, where I cannot convince them of Error: So likewise will I suspend my belief upon probability of their mistakes: and where I find express Reason of Dissenting, I will •ather speak Truth with my Mistress Nature, than4