Page 13
CHAP. V.
That the soul of man is not Abrasa Tabula, and in what sense shee might be said ever to have had the actuall knowledge of eternal truths in her.
ANd now wee have found out this Idea of a Being ab∣solutely perfect, that the use which wee shall hereafter make of it, may take the better effect, it will not be amisse by way of further preparation, briefly to touch upon that no∣table point in Philosophy, whether the Soul of man be Abra∣sa Tabula, a Table book in which nothing is writ; or whether shee have some innate Notions and Ideas in her self. For so it is that shee having taken first occasion of thinking from ex∣ternall objects, it hath so imposed upon some mens judge∣ments, that they have conceited that the Soul has no Know∣ledge nor Notion, but what is in a Passive way impressed, or delineated upon her from the objects of Sense; They not wa∣rily enough distinguishing betwixt extrinsecall occasions and the adaequate or principal causes of things. But the mind of man more free and better excercised in the close observations of its own operations and nature, cannot but discover, that there is an active and actuall Knowledge in a man, of which these outward objects are rather the reminders then the first begetters or implanters. And when I say actuall Know∣ledge, I doe not mean that there is a certaine number of Ideas flaring and shining to the Animadversive faculty like so many Torches or Starres in the Firmament to our outward sight▪ or that there are any figures that take their di∣stinct places, & are legibly writ there like the Red letters or Astronomical Characters in an Almanack; but I understand thereby an active sagacity in the Soul, or quick recollection as it were, whereby some small businesse being hinted unto her, she runs out presently into a more clear and larger con∣ception. And I cannot better describe her condition then thus;