Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/375

 Length. Whence also it has followed, that though these Great Men, who have defended our Faith against such subtile Adversaries would have shewn their Skill equally upon any other Subject which they should have undertook; yet upon these Questions, the Truth would otherwise have never been so perfectly known.

And here it ought to be observed, that the Art of making Controversies easie and intelligible, even though the Arguments should be all the same that had formerly been urged, shews much greater Skill, and a more thorough Understanding of those Matters, than had been discovered before: For, he that makes another understand a Thing in few Words, has a more clear and comprehensive Knowledge of that Thing, than another Man who uses a great many. Such a Man's Excursions, if he has a Mind at any Time to go out of the Way, or to enlarge, for the Ease of those who love to have Things expressed in an Homilitical Manner, will never tire; because, having his Point still in view, he will take Care that his Readers or Auditors shall always know where he is. Hence it is, that there are many Ser-