A Christian Directory

§. 15. Direct. 10. So certain are the numerous errors of Philosophers, so uncertain a multitude of their assertions, so various their sects, and so easy is it for any to pull down much which the rest have built, and so hard to set up any comely structure that others in like manner may not cast down, that I cannot persuade you to fall in with any one sort or sect, who yet have published their sentiments to the World. The Platonists made very noble attempts in their enquiries after spiritual beings: But they run into many unproved fanaticisms, and into divers errors, and want the desirable helps of true method. The wit of Aristotle was wonderful for subtlety and solidity. His knowledge vast; His method (oft) accurate; But many precarious, yea erroneous conceptions and assertions, are so placed by him, as to have a troubling and corrupting influence into all the rest: The Epicureans or Democratists, were still and justly the contempt of all the sober sects; And our late Somatists that follow them, yea and Gassendus, and many that call themselves Cartesians, yea Cartesius himself, much more Berigardus, Regius and Hobbes, do give so much more to mere Matter and Motion, than is truly due, and know or say so much too little of Spirits, Active Natures, Vital Powers, which are the true principles of motion, that they differ as much from true Philosophers, as a Carcass or a Clock from a living man. The Stoics had noble Ethical principles, and they (and the Platonists with the Cynics) were of the best lives: But their writings are most lost, and little of their Physics fully known to us, and that also hath its errors. Patricius is but a Platonist so taken with the nature of Light, as insisting on that in Fanatical terms, to leave out a great deal more that must be conjoined. Telesius doth the like by Heat and Cold, Heaven and Earth, and among many observable things, hath much that is unsound and of ill consequence. Campanella hath improved him, and hath many hints of better Principles (especially in his Primalities) than all the rest: But he fanatically runs them up into so many unproved and vain, yea and mistaken superstructures, as that no true Body of Physics can be gathered out of all his works. The attempt that pious Commenius hath made in his small Manual hath much that is of worth; but far short of accurateness.

§. 15. Direct. 10. So certain are the numerous errours of Philosophers, so uncertain a multitude of their assertions, so various their sects, and so easie is it for any to pull down much which the rest have built, and so hard to set up any comely structure that others in like manner may not cast down, that I cannot perswade you to fall in with any one sort or sect, who yet have published their sentiments to the World. The Platonists made very noble attempts in their enquiries after spiritual beings: But they run into many unproved fanaticisms, and into divers errours, and want the desirable helps of true method. The wit of Aristotle was wonderful for subtility and solidity. His knowledge vast; His method (oft) accurate; But many precarious, yea erroneous conceptions and assertions, are so placed by him, as to have a troubling and corrupting influence into all the rest: The Epicureans or Democratists, were still and justly the contempt of all the sober sects; And our late Somatists that follow them, yea and Gassendus, and many that call themselves Cartesians, yea Cartesius himself, much more Berigardus, Regius and Hobbes, do give so much more to meer Matter and Motion, than is truly due, and know or say so much too little of Spirits, Active Natures, Vital Powers, which are the true principles of motion, that they differ as much from true Philosophers, as a Carkass or a Clock from a living man. The Stoicks had noble Ethical principles, and they (and the Platonists with the Cynicks) were of the best lives: But their writings are most lost, and little of their Physicks fully known to us, and that also hath its errours. Patricius is but a Platonist so taken with the nature of Light, as insisting on that in Phanatical terms, to leave out a great deal more that must be conjoyned. Telesius doth the like by Heat and Cold, Heaven and Earth, and among many observable things, hath much that is unsound and of ill consequence. Campanella hath improved him, and hath many hints of better Principles (especially in his Primalities) than all the rest: But he phanatically runs them up into so many unproved and vain, yea and mistaken superstructures, as that no true Body of Physicks can be gathered out of all his works. The attempt that pious Commenius hath made in his small Manual hath much that is of worth; but far short of accurateness.