This science, which is to be the subject of the ensuing treatise, hath these three peculiar properties in it, which distinguish it from, and render it preferable to all other.-(1.) "It is equally attainable by "all." It requires no strength of memory, no force of genius, no depth of penetration, as many other sciences do, to come at a tolerable degree of acquaintance with them; which therefore renders them inacceffible by the greatest part of mankind. Nor is it placed out of their reach through a want of opportunity, and proper assistance and direction how to acquire it, as many other parts of learning are. Every one of a common capacity hath the opportunity and ability to acquire it, if he will but recollect his rambling thoughts, turn them in upon himself, watch the motions of his heart, and compare them with his rule.-(2.) “It is " of equal importance to all, and of the "highest

παρνω, μονον δε διαφεροντα, καθολι προσφυη εσιν. Mar. Anton. Lib. x. § 37. When you talk of a man, I would not have you tack flesh and blood to the notion, nor those limbs neither which are made out of it; these are but tools for the foul to work with, and no more a part of a man, than an ax or a plane is a piece of a carpenter. It is true, nature hath glued them together, and they grow as it were to the foul; and there is all the difference. Collier.

1

"highest importance to every one *."
Other sciences are suited to the various
conditions of life. Some more neceffary
to fome, other to others. But this equal-
ly concerns every one that hath an im-
rmortal foul, whose final happiness he de-
fres and feeks.-(3.) "Other knowledge
is very apt to make a man vain; this
always keeps him humble." Nay, it is
always for want of this knowledge that
men are vain of that they have. "Know-
"ledge puffeth up," 1 Cor. viii. 1.
fmall degree of knowledge often hath this
effect on weak minds. And the reafon
why greater attainments in it have not fo
generally the fame effect is, because they
open and enlarge the views of the mind
fo far, as to let into it at the fame time a
good degree of felf-knowledge: for the
more true knowledge a man hath, the
more fenfible he is of the want of it;
which keeps him humble.

A

And now, Reader, whoever thou art, whatever be thy character, station, or distinction in life, if thou art afraid to look into thine heart, and haft no inclination

to

to self-acquaintance, read no further, lay aside this book; for thou wilt find nothing here that will flatter thy felf-esteem, but perhaps something that may abate it. But if thou art defirous to cultivate this important kind of knowledge, and to live no longer a stranger to thyself, proceed; and keep thy eye open to thine own image, with whatever unexpected deformity it may present itself to thee; and patiently attend, whilft, by divine assistance, I endeavour to lay open thine own heart to thee, and lead thee to the true knowledge of thyself in the following chapters.

CHAP. II.

The feveral Branches of Self-knowledge. We must know what fort of Creatures we are, and what we shall be.

THAT we may have a more diftinct and orderly view of this subject, I shall here confider the several branches of felf-knowledge, or some of the chief particulars wherein it confifts. Whereby perhaps it will appear to be a more copious and comprehenfive science than we imagine. And,

(1.) To know ourselves, is " to know

" and serioufly confider what fort of crea"tures we are, and what we shall be."

Man is a complex being, τριμερης υποσασις, a tripartite perfon, or a compound creature, made up of three distinct parts, viz. the body, which is the earthy or mortal part of him; the foul, which is the animal or fenfitive part; and the spirit or mind, which is the rational and immortal part *. Each Each of these three parts have their respective offices affigned them; and a man then acts becoming himself, when he keeps them duly employed in their proper functions, and preferves their natural subordination. But it is not enough to know this merely as a point of fpeculation; we must pursue and revolve the thought, and urge the confideration to all the purposes of a practical felf-knowledge.

B 2

We