Reflections upon the conduct of human life with reference to the study of learning and knowledge : in a letter to the excellent lady, the Lady Masham / by John Norris ... ; to which is annex'd a visitation sermon, by the same author.

The Conclusion.

ANd now (Madam) having fi∣nish'd my Threefold Reflection upon the Intellectual Conduct of Human Life, I have a double Ap∣plication to make, one to your Ladyship, and another to my self. That to your Ladyship is this, that you would consider to what a nar∣row compass, by vertue of the pre∣ceding Discourses, these three things are reduced, which before use to take up so large a room, viz. Learn∣ing it self, the Method of Learning, and the Desire and Prosecution of Learning. The first of which is comprized within the Limits of Necessary Truth, the second within those of Thinking, Purity and Prayer; the third within its usefulness to the furtherance of good life. These in∣deed are great retrenchments, but I think such as are just and necessa∣ry to the Regulation of our Intel∣lectual

Conduct, which I am glad to find so compendious and disin∣cumber'd, that being a Mark of no small Probability to confirm me in the Truth of it, as the Rightest Line is also always the Shortest.

And since both Learning it self, its Method, and limits of Prosecution are all so reduced, I would further commend to your Ladyships consi∣deration, whether from this great Abridgment you can forbear dedu∣cing these two Corollaries, first, that this Bookish Humour which every where so prevails, is one of the Spi∣ritual Dyscrasys, or Moral Diseases of Mankind, one of the most Ma∣lignant Reliques of Original depra∣vation. It carrying in it the very Stamp and Signature of Adam's Transgression, which owed its birth to Curiosity, and inordinate desire of Knowledge. Secondly, that those who have Eyes, may in a great Measure spare them, and that those who have not, should not, upon the account of Learning,

much lament the want of them which is what particularly con∣cerns your Ladyship's case, and is now address'd to your Private Con∣siderarion.

Now as to my own particular Concern, the Result of what I have written is this. I am so inwardly and throughly convinc'd of the certainty of those Principles, I have here lay'd down, that I think I am not only under a particular Obligation, but almost under a Necessity of con∣ducting my studies according to the Measures proposed. The last of which has left such a strong influ∣ence, such a deep impression upon me, that I think I shall now fol∣low the Advice of the Heathen (M. Antonius as I remember) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, rid my self of the Thirst after Books, and study nothing but what serves to the advancement of Piety and good life.

I have now spent about Thir∣teen years in the most celebrated

University in the World, and, according to the ordinary Measures, perhaps not amiss, having accom∣plish'd my self in a competent de∣gree both with such Learning as the Academical Standard requires, and with whatever else my own Private Genius inclined me to. But truly I cannot say that I have order'd my studies in that Theatre of Learning, so much to my own Satisfaction, as to my Reputation with others. To be free with you, I must declare, that when I reflect upon my past Intellectual Conduct, I am as little satisfy'd with it as I am with that of my Morals, and that I think I have nigh as much to answer for the Former, as I have for the Latter, being very Conscious that the greatest part of it has been imploy'd in Vncon∣cerning Curiosities,, such as derive no moral influence upon the Soul that contemplates them.

But I have now (if I sufficiently understand my self) a very diffe∣rent

Taste and Apprehension of things, and intend to spend my uncertain remainder of time in studying only such things as make for the Moral improvement of my mind, and the Regulation of my Life, not being able to give an ac∣count upon any rational and con∣sistent Principles, why I should study any thing else.

More particularly I think I shall cheifly apply my self to the Read∣ing of such Books as are rather Perswasive, than Instructive, such as are Sapid, Pathetic and Divinely∣relishing, such as Warm, Kindle and inlarge the Interiour, and awaken the Divine Sense of the Soul, as considering with my self that I have now, after so much Reading and Speculation, more need of Heat than of Light. Tho if I were for more Light still, I think this would prove the best Method of Illumination, and that when all's done, the Love of God is the best Light of the Soul. For I consider

with the Excellent Cardinal Bona,* 1.1 that a Man may have Knowledge without Love. But he that Loves, altho he wants Sciences humanely ac∣quired, yet he will know more than Human Wisdom can teach him, be∣cause he has that Master within who teaches Man Knowledge. Purity of Heart and Life being one of the Methods of Consulting the Ideal World, as was shewn in the Se∣cond Part.

And now (Madam) I cannot well presage how your Ladyship will relish this Renunciation of all studies Meerly Curious, from one whom you apprehended (perhaps upon too just grounds) to have been so naturally disposed to them, and so deeply ingaged in them. Perhaps you'll say I am already Countrify'd since I left the Vniversity. How far that Metamorphosis may seize upon me, I can't yet tell, if Soli∣tude and Retirement be enough to bring it, I am I confess in great Danger, being now got into a

little Corner of the World, where I must be more Company to my self than I have been ever yet. But the best on't is, I have not been so great a stranger to my own Com∣pany all along, as to fear any great alteration by it now. Nor do I think the Management of the Pre∣sent undertaking a sign of any such change.

Whether I should have had the same Thoughts in the Vniversity or no, I can't say, I rather believe they are owing to my Country-Retirement (as I hinted in the Begin∣ning) but however that be, sure I am they were entertain'd upon the deepest and severest Consideration, and I believe are so well grounded, that the more your Ladyship con∣siders, the more you will be con∣vinc'd both of the Truth of what I have Discours'd, and of the Reason∣ableness of what I design; which is to devote my self wholly to the ac∣complishment of my Moral part, and of my Intellectual, only so

far as is Subservient to the other.

And now (Madam) having bid farewel to all unconcerning Studies, all the dry and unsavoury parts of Learning, 'tis high time to take my leave of your Ladyship too; which I do with this Hope, that one great ground of your Trouble for the Misfortune of your Eyes is by the foregoing Considerations removed: And with this Assurance, that if these Discourses be too Weak to bring you over to my present Opinion, they will however prove Strong enough to work you into a Better, which is to believe, that I still continue in all Reality,

Your Ladyships Most Faithful Friend and Servant, Iohn Norris.

Newton St. Loe, Sept. 2. 1689.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Via com∣pendii ad Deum. p. 172.