Worlds, that us'd to astonish the Minds of Men. A Blessing for which we ought to be thankful, if we remember, that it is one of the greatest Curses that God pronounces on the Wicked, that they shall fear where no fear is.
From what I have said may be gather'd, That Experimental Philosophy will prevent Mens spending the strength of their Thoughts about Disputes, by turning them to Works: That it may well be attended by the united Labours of many, without wholly devouring the time of those that labour: That it will cure our Minds of romantic Swelling, by shewing all Things familiarly to them, just as large as they are: That it will free them from Perversity, by not permitting them to be too peremptory in their Conclusions: That it accustoms our Hands to Things which have a near resemblance to the business of Life; and, that it draws away the Shadows which either inlarge or darken human Affairs. And indeed of the usual Titles by which Men of Business are wont to be distinguish'd, the Crafty, the Formal, and the Prudent; the Crafty may answer to the Empyric in Philosophy; that is, he is such a one who has a great Collection of particular Experiences, but knows not how to use them but to base and low Ends. The Formal Man may be compar'd to the meer Speculative Philosopher: For he vainly reduces every Thing to grave and solemn general Rules, without Discretion, or mature Deliberation. And lastly, the Prudent Man is like him who proceeds on a constant and solid course of Experiments. The one in Civil Life neither wholly rejects the Wisdom of Ancient or Modern times: The other in Philosophy has the same reverence for former Ages, and regard for the present. The one does not rest upon
