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CAP. 22.
Of the impediments which have been in the affection of
pride, specially of one kind, which is the disdain of dwelling and being
conversant much in experiences and particulars, specially such as are
vulgar in occurrency, and base and ignoble in use. That besides certain
higher mysteries of pride, generalities seem to have a dignity and
solemnity, in that they do not put men in mind of their familiar actions,
in that they have less affinity with arts mechanical and illiberal, in
that they are not so subject to be controlled by persons of mean
observation, in that they seem to teach men that they know not, and not
to refer them to that they know. All which conditions directly feeding the
humour of pride, particulars do want. That the majesty of generalities, and
the divine nature of the mind in taking them (if they be truly collected,
and be indeed the direct reflexions of things,) cannot be too much
magnified. And that it is true that interpretation is the very natural and
direct intention, action, and progression of the understanding delivered
from impediments. And that all Anticipation is but a deflexion or
declination
by accident.
[@ Works III, 250-1]
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