Printed by J. WRIGHT for J. KNAPTON in Ludgate Street, THE DESIGN. H AVING propofed to write fome Pieces on Human Life and Manners, fuch as (to use my Lord Bacon's expreffion) come home to Men's Business and Bofoms, I thought it more fatisfactory to begin with confidering Man in the Abftract, his Nature and his State: fince to prove any moral Duty, to inforce any moral Precept, or to examine the Perfection or Imperfection of any Creature whatsoever, it is necessary first to know what Condition and Relation it is placed in, and what is the proper End and Purpose of its Being. The Science of Humane Nature is, like all other Sciences, reduced to a few, clear Points: There are not many certain Truths in this World. It is therefore in the Anatomy of the Mind as in that of the Body; more Good will accrue to mankind by attending to the large, open, and perceptible parts, than by studying too much fuch finer nerves and veffels as will for ever efcape our obfervation. The Difputes are all upon these laft; and I will venture to say, they have lefs fharpen'd the Wits than the Hearts of Men against each other, and have diminished the Practise, |