confessed so often the reason of man too weak for the works of nature, did ever drown himself upon the flux and reflux of _Euripus_. We do but learn to-day, what our better advanced judgements will unteach to-morrow; and _Aristotle_ doth but instruct us, as _Plato_ did him; that is, to confute himself. I have run through all sorts, yet find no rest in any: though our first studies and _junior_ endeavours may style us Peripateticks, Stoicks, or Academicks, yet I perceive the wisest heads prove, at last, almost all Scepticks, and stand like _Janus_ in the field of knowledge. I have therefore one common and authentick Philosophy I learned in the Schools, whereby I discourse and satisfie the reason of other men; another more reserved, and drawn from experience, whereby I content mine own. _Solomon_, that complained of ignorance in the height of knowledge, hath not only humbled my conceits, but discouraged my endeavours. There is yet another conceit that hath sometimes made me shut my books, which tells me it is a vanity to waste our days in the blind pursuit of knowledge; it is but attending a little longer, and we shall enjoy that by instinct and infusion, which we endeavour at here by labour and inquisition. It is better to sit down in a modest ignorance, and rest contented with the natural blessing of our own reasons, than buy the uncertain knowledge of this life, with sweat and vexation, which Death gives every fool _gratis_, and is an accessary of our glorification. [C] Farther-sin, 1682. SECT. 9