Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/383

 soon after the Revival of Learning in these parts of the World. There is no doubt, but the Thoughts of many very able Men were taken up with those Controversies; who, if they had turned them with the same Application to natural or civil Knowledge, would therein have done very extraordinary things. Yet, considering all things, it may be justly questioned, whether Learning may not by these very Disputes, have received either immediately, or occasionally, a very great Improvement, or at least, suffered no very considerable Diminution. For, (1.) it is certain, That whatsoever relates to Divinity as a Science, has hereby been better scanned, and more accurately understood and explained than otherwise it would ever have been; and, I suppose, this will be readily owned to be one of the most excellent Parts of Knowledge. (2.) It is a Question, whether very many of the greatest Promoters of any Part of this Theological Knowledge, would, or could have done so great things, upon any other Subject. Opposition in general, whets Mens Parts extremely, and that inward Satisfaction which a good Man takes, in thinking that he is em-