GEMMS IDGEMMS-SERMON-016288
Sermon TitleThe Doctrine of Thinking (descriptive title)
In ManuscriptThe Doctrine of Thinking: RB/2/28
Extentfols. 4r-43r
Autographyes
Composition Dateca. 1640 - 1649
Primary LanguageEnglish
Text TypeSermon Draft
Sermon Type(s)
Bible Texts
Associated Sermons
Preachings (old) - England - Occasion not identified; Note that this ‘sermon’ is not likely to have been preached.
Additional Material
Print Editions / WitnessesRobert Boyle, ‘The Doctrine of Thinking’, in The Early Essays and Ethics of Robert Boyle, ed. by John T. Harwood (Carbondale and Edwardsville, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1991), pp. 185-202.
DescriptionThe essay begins as follows (fol. 4r): ‘Amongst t[ha]t great Variety of Employm[ents] wch I haue fancy’d to take vp my thoughts with, I haue scarce found any more no[ble?] nor more worthy of them then the Contemplation of themselues.’ Boyle writes on fol. 5v that ‘[…] I shall therefore for the Present make my Thoughts these owne Theams & cast my Observations vpon this Subject. into […] following Directions’. Boyle advocates that one ‘Think often’, arguing for the ‘Benefits of Meditation’ (fol. 5v). Boyle also recommends that one ‘Think not sinfull Thoughts’ (fol. 10r) and ‘Abstaine from vaine Thoughts’ (fol. 17r). Biblical citations include Proverbs 15:26 (fol. 10v).
Source of DataThe National Archives online catalogue; Hannah Yip.
Other NoteThe title of the essay has been supplied by John T. Harwood. This is a draft of an essay, with insertions, deletions, and later corrections. There are also some extra notes in pencil, but there are no marginal annotations. Boyle alternates between writing on the rectos of the leaf only and using both sides of the leaves. He writes in a mixed secretary and round hand. The essay features many rhetorical characteristics familiar to readers of sermons. Languages used include Latin.
Attached URLs:
| URL | Notes |
|---|---|
| discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/9087d9f8-934b-48c0-a99b-277839791565 | TNA Catalogue entry for Royal Society, RB/2/28. |
GEMMS record createdFebruary 16, 2019
GEMMS record last editedFebruary 17, 2019