explications and particularities may be rectified, upon
further thoughts and clearer light. I know our best
writings, in this life, are but Essays, which we leave to
Posterity to review and correct.
As to the Style, I always endeavour to express my
self, in a plain and perspicuous manner: that the
Reader may not lose time, not wait too long, to know
my meaning. To give an Attendant quick dispatch,
is a civility, whether you do his business or no. I
would not willingly give any one the trouble of
reading a period twice over, to know the sence of
it: lest when he comes to know it, he should not
think it a recompence for his pains. Whereas, on
the contrary, if you are easie to your Reader, he
will certainly make you an allowance for it, in his
censure.
You must not think it strange however, that the
Author sometimes, in meditating upon this subject,
is warm in his thoughts and expressions. For to see
a World perishing in Flames, Rocks melting, the
Earth trembling, and an Host of Angels in the
clouds, one must be very much a Stoick, to be a cold
and unconcerned Spectator of all this. And when
we are mov'd our selves, our words will have a
tincture of those passions which we feel. Besides, in
moral reflections which are designed for use, there
must be some heat, as well as dry reason, to inspire
this cold clod of clay, this dull body of earth, which
we carry about with us; and you must soften and
pierce that crust, before you can come at the Soul.
But especially when things future are to be represented, you cannot use too strong Colours, if you would
give them life, and make them appear present to the
mind. Farewel.
