will be useless: But if they are scattered upon living Ground, they will make it more fertile, in the bringing forth of various Sorts of Fruits. To these Men then we are beholden, that we have a fairer Prospect about us: to them we owe, that we are not ignorant of the times that are gone before us; which to be is (as Tully says) to be always Children. All this, and much more, is to be acknowledg'd: But then we shall also desire of them, that they would content themselves with what is their Due: that by what they have discover'd, amongst the Rubbish of the Antients, they would not contemn the Treasures, either lately found out, or still unknown; and that they would not prefer the Gold of Ophir, of which now there is no mention but in Books, before the present Mountains of the West Indies.
Sect. XII. Religious Controversies and Arts of the Moderns.Thus I pass over this Sort of reviv'd learning. And now there comes into our View another remarkable Occasion of the Hindrance of the Growth of experimental Philosophy, within the Compass of this bright Age; and that is the great a-do which has been made, in raising, and confirming, and refuting so many different Sects, and Opinions of the Christian Faith. For whatever other Hurt or Good comes by such holy speculative Wars (of which whether the Benefit or Mischief over-weighs, I will not now examine) yet certainly by this means, the Knowledge of Nature has been very much retarded. And (to use that Metaphor, which an excellent Poet of our Nation turns to another purpose) that Shower has done very much Injury by falling on the Sea, for which the Shepherd and the Plough-man call'd in vain: The Wit of Men has been profusely pour'd out