The Holy State, Book 2 · Chapter 7
CHAP. 7. The generall Artist.
I Know the generall cavill against generall learning is this, that aliquis in omnibus est nullus in singulis. He that sips of many arts, drinks of none. However we must know, that all learning, which is but one grand Science, hath so homogeneall a body, that the parts thereof do with a mutuall service relate to, and communicate strength and lustre each to other. Our Artist knowing language to be the key of learning, thus begins.
Maxime 1His tongue being but one by nature he gets cloven by art and industry. Before the confusion of Babel, all the world was one continent in language; since divided into severall tongues, as severall ilands. Grammer is the ship, by benefit whereof we passe from one to another, in the learned languages generally spoken in no countrey. His mother-tongue was like the dull musick of a monochord, which by study he turns into the harmony of severall instruments.
2He first gaineth skill in the Latine and Greek tongues. On the credit of the former alone, he may trade in discourse over all Christendome: But the Greek, though not so generally spoken, is known with no lesse profit, and more pleasure. The joynts of her compounded words are so naturally oyled, that they run nimbly on the tongue; which makes them though long never tedious, because significant. Besides, it is full and stately in sound: onelyonly it pities our Artist to see the vowels therein rackt in pronouncing them, hanging oftentimes one way by their native force, and haled another by their accents which countermand them.
Hence he proceeds to the Hebrew, 3the mother-tongue of the world. More pains then quicknesse of wit is required to get it, and with daily exercise he continues it. Apostacy herein is usuall to fall totally from the language by a little neglect. As for the Arabick, and other Orientall languages, he rather makes sallies and incursions into them, then any solemn sitting down before them.
Then he applies his study to Logick, 4and Ethicks. The latter makes a mans soul mannerly & wise; but as for Logick, that is the armory of reason, furnished with all offensive and defensive weapons. There are Syllogismes, long swords; Enthymems, short daggers; Dilemma's, two-edged swords that cut on both sides; Sorites, chain-shot: And for the defensive, Distinctions, which are shields; Retortions, which are targets with a pike in the midst of them, both to defend and oppose. From hence he raiseth his studies to the knowledge of Physicks, the great hall of Nature, and Metaphysicks the closet thereof; and is carefull not to wade therein so farre, till by subtle distinguishing of notions he confounds himself.
He is skilfull in Rhetorick, 5which gives a speech colour, as Logick doth favour, and both together beauty. Though some condemne Rhetorick as the mother of lies, speaking more then the truth in Hyperboles, lesse in her Miosis, otherwise in her metaphors, contrary in her ironies; yet is there excellent use of all these, when disposed of with judgement. Nor is he a stranger to Poetry, which is musick in words; nor to Musick, which is poetry in sound: both excellent sauce, but they have liv'd and died poore, that made them their meat.
6Mathematicks he moderately studieth to his great contentment. Using it as ballast for his soul, yet to fix it not to stall it; nor suffers he it to be so unmannerly as to justle out other arts. As for judiciall Astrology (which hath the least judgement in it) this vagrant hath been whipt out of all learned corporations. If our Artist lodgeth her in the out-rooms of his soul for a night or two, it is rather to heare then believe her relations.
7Hence he makes his progresse into the study of History. Nestor, who lived three ages, was accounted the wisest man in the world. But the Historian may make himself wise by living as many ages as have past since the beginning of the world. His books enable him to maintain discourse, who besides the stock of his own experience may spend on the common purse of his reading. This directs him in his life, so that he makes the shipwracks of others sea-marks to himself; yea accidents which others start from for their strangenes, he welcomes as his wonted acquaintance, having found presidents for them formerly. Without History a mans soul is purblind, seeing onelyonly the things which almost touch his eyes.
8He is well seen in Chronology, without which History is but an heap of tales. If by the Laws of the land he is counted a Naturall, who hath not wit enough to tell twenty, or to tell his *Fits Herbert de nat. brev. de Idiota inquiren.age; he shall not passe with me for wise in learning, who cannot tell the age of the world, and count hundreds of years: I mean not so critically, as to solve all doubts arising thence; but that he may be able to give some tolerable account thereof. He is also acquainted with Cosmography, treating of the world in whole joynts; with Chorography, shredding it into countries; and with Topography, mincing it into particular places.
Thus taking these Sciences in their generall latitude, he hath finished the round circle or golden ring of the arts; onelyonly he keeps a place for the diamond to be set in, I mean for that predominant profession of Law, Physick, Divinity, or State-policie, which he intends for his principall Calling hereafter.