Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/132

 the Good of future Times, but have not neglected their own; they have practis'd both the Parts of good Husbandry, planting Trees, and sowing Corn. This latter, for their own speedy Benefit and Support; and the other for the Profit, and Ornament of after-Ages.

Nor have they suffer'd their Diligence to be swallowed up, by the Pleasures and Enjoyments of present Discoveries; but have still submitted their noblest Inventions, to be made Instruments and Means for the finding out of others. This certainly is the most comprehensive and unerring Method; at once to make use of that Assistance they give, and to force them to be farther helpful to greater Ends. There is nothing of all the Works of Nature so inconsiderable, so remote, or so fully known; but, by being made to reflect on other Things, it will at once enlighten them, and show itself the clearer. Such is the Dependence amongst all the Orders of Creatures; the inanimate, the sensitive, the rational, the natural, the artificial; that the Apprehension of one of them is a good Step towards the understanding of the rest: And this is the highest Pitch of human Reason; to follow all the Links of this Chain, till all their Secrets are open to our Minds, and their Works advanced, or imitated by our Hands. This is truly to command the World; to rank all the Varieties, and Degrees of Things, so orderly one upon another, that standing on the Top of them, we may perfectly behold all that are below, and make them all serviceable to the Quiet, and Peace, and Plenty of Man's Life. And to this Happiness, there can be nothing else added; but that we make a second Advantage of this rising Ground, thereby to look the nearer into Heaven: Rh