11. We are fitted for moral science, but only for probable interpretations of external nature.
From whence it is
obvious to conclude that, since our faculties are not fitted to penetrate into the internal fabric and real essences of
bodies; but yet plainly discover to us the being of a God and the knowledge of ourselves, enough to lead us into a
full and clear discovery of our duty and great concernment; it will become us, as rational creatures, to employ
those faculties we have about what they are most adapted to, and follow the direction of nature, where it seems to
point us out the way. For it is rational to conclude that our proper employment lies in those inquiries, and in that
sort of knowledge which is most suited to our natural capacities, and carries in it our greatest interest, i.e., the
condition of our eternal estate. Hence I think I may conclude that morality is the proper science and business of
mankind in general, (who are both concerned and fitted to search out their summum bonum;) as several arts,
conversant about several parts of nature, are the lot and private talent of particular men for the common use of
human life and their own particular subsistence in this world. Of what consequence the discovery of one natural
body and its properties may be to human life the whole great continent of America is a convincing instance:
whose ignorance in useful arts, and want of the greatest part of the conveniences of life, in a country that
abounded with all sorts of natural plenty, I think may be attributed to their ignorance of what was to be found in a
very ordinary, despicable stone; I mean the mineral of iron. And whatever we think of our parts or improvements
in this part of the world, where knowledge and plenty seem to vie with each other; yet to any one that will
seriously reflect on it, I suppose it will appear past doubt, that, were the use of iron lost among us, we should in a
few ages be unavoidably reduced to the wants and ignorance of the ancient savage Americans, whose natural
endowments and provisions come no way short of those of the most flourishing and polite nations. So that he who
first made known the use of that contemptible mineral, may be truly styled the father of arts, and author of plenty.
