16. Reason of my being so large on this subject.
What has been said here of mixed modes is, with very little
difference, applicable also to relations; which, since every man himself may observe, I may spare myself the pains
to enlarge on: especially, since what I have here said concerning Words in this third Book, will possibly be
thought by some to be much more than what so slight a subject required. I allow it might be brought into a
narrower compass; but I was willing to stay my reader on an argument that appears to me new and a little out of
the way, (I am sure it is one I thought not of when I began to write,) that, by searching it to the bottom, and
turning it on every side, some part or other might meet with every one's thoughts, and give occasion to the most
averse or negligent to reflect on a general miscarriage, which, though of great consequence, is little taken notice
of. When it is considered what a pudder is made about essences, and how much all sorts of knowledge, discourse,
and conversation are pestered and disordered by the careless and confused use and application of words, it will
perhaps be thought worth while thoroughly to lay it open. And I shall be pardoned if I have dwelt long on an
argument which I think, therefore, needs to be inculcated, because the faults men are usually guilty of in this kind,
are not only the greatest hindrances of true knowledge, but are so well thought of as to pass for it. Men would
often see what a small pittance of reason and truth, or possibly none at all, is mixed with those huffing opinions
they are swelled with; if they would but look beyond fashionable sounds, and observe what ideas are or are not
comprehended under those words with which they are so armed at all points, and with which they so confidently
lay about them. I shall imagine I have done some service to truth, peace, and learning, if, by any enlargement on
this subject, I can make men reflect on their own use of language; and give them reason to suspect, that, since it is
frequent for others, it may also be possible for them, to have sometimes very good and approved words in their
mouths and writings, with very uncertain, little, or no signification. And therefore it is not unreasonable for them
to be wary herein themselves, and not to be unwilling to have them examined by others. With this design,
therefore, I shall go on with what I have further to say concerning this matter.