Denne, John (1693-1767)

A Sermon Preached at St. Sepulchre's Church

London

Printed by M. Downing

May 6, 1736

"Others, with equal truth and justice, have likened the Minds of Children to a rasa Tabula, or white Paper, whereon we may imprint, or write what Characters we please; which will prove so lasting, as not to be effaced without injuring or destroying the Beauty of the whole."

To express this to us by Similitudes both just and beautiful; some Philosophers compare an human Soul to an empty Cabinet, of inexpressible Value for the Matter and Workmanship: and particularly, for the wonderful Contrivance of it, as having all imaginable Conveniencies within, for treasuring up Jewels and Curiousities of every kind.--But then we ourselves must collect and sort them, and we shall ill deserve such a Present from the Maker, if we either keep it empty, or fill it with Trifles; nay, if we do not, as we have opportunity, furnish and enrich it with whatsoever is of use or worth in Art or nature.----This ought indeed to be the main Business of our Lives.--Others, with equal truth and justice, have likened the Minds of Children to a rasa Tabula, or white Paper, whereon we may imprint, or write what Characters we please; which will prove so lasting, as not to be effaced without injuring or destroying the Beauty of the whole; even as Experience shews, and the Son of Sirach advises, My son gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom, till thine old age.--These first Characters therefore ought to be deeply and [end page 7] beautifully struck, and the Learning they express should be of great Price. And this, if timely Care be taken, may be done with ease because the Mind is then soft and tender: and because Truth and Right are by the nature of Things, as pleasant to the Soul, as Light and Proportion to the Eye, or as sweet as Honey to the Taste. But if such Impressions be not made, either ignorance and Folly will prevail; or Errors and Prejudices will take possession, and afterwards prevent the Knowledge of Wisdom from entring or striking on the Mind with its innate force and lustre. And when once we have lost our natural Sense and Love of Truth and Right, and when the Light within us is become Darkness, how great must that Darkness be, and how irretrievable the Misery of such a State? Wise there was the caution of our blessed Master, who is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life, Take heed, that the Light which is in thee be not Darkness.
(pp. 7-8)

Writing::Tabula Rasa Writing::Paper::White Paper

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Denne, John. A Sermon Preached at St. Sepulchre's Church; May the 6th, 1736. (London: Printed by M. Downing, 1736). <Link to ECCO>

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