The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

1. Discourse. I mean (that I be not mistaken by the vulgar Reader) the discourse of the ⟨p. 91⟩mind or ratioc•nation, that way of attaining the knowledge of things, by comparing one thing with another, considering their mutual relations, connections, dependencies; and so arguing out what was more doubtful, and obscure, from what was more known and evident.

1. Discourse. I mean (that I be not mistaken by the vulgar Reader) the discourse of the ⟨p. 91⟩mind or ratioc•nation, that way of attaining the knowledge of things, by comparing one thing with another, considering their mutual relations, connexions, dependencies; and so arguing out what was more doubtful, and obscure, from what was more known and evident.

To the altogether unlearned it will hardly be conceivable; and to the learned it need not be told, how high a gratification this employment of his Reason naturally yields to the mind of a man: When the harmonious contexture of truths with truths; the apt coincidence, the secret links, and junctures of coherent notions are clearly discerned; When effects are traced up to their causes; ¹Properties lodged in their native subjects: Things sifted to their Principles. What a pleasure is it when a man shall apprehend himself regularly led on (though but by a slender thread of discourse) through the Labyrinths of nature; when still new discoveries are successfully made, every further enquiry ending in a further prospect; and every new Scene of things entertaining the mind with a fresh delight! How many have suffered a voluntary banishment from the world, as if they were wholly strangers, and unrelated to it; rejected the blandishments of sense, macerated themselves with unwearied studies for this pleasure; making the ease and health of their bodies, to give place to the content and satisfaction of their minds!