ON the Millennial question, I am always backward to speak; for I expect
no personal reign: look for nothing very immediate, and then merely
suppose a general or universal profession of Christianity throughout the
world, and deeper work in the hearts of believers. As to the time of
previous trial, I dare hazard but little—in sober truth, I do not suffer
myself to be puzzled, or even much occupied with _unfulfilled_ prophecy;
with this we have graciously little to do; it is purposely so revealed
that it cannot be previously known, that it may not seem, when
accomplished, to have been through its prediction fulfilled.
SIR ISAAC NEWTON.
(_From the Rev. T. Grinfield_.)
MR. MORTIMER had a fine mind for mathematical studies, and took a high
degree in the Senate House Examination of 1811. I have often questioned
him on topics connected with those studies;—and well remember asking him,
on one occasion, what he supposed might be the reason why NEWTON, with so
vast a mind for mathematical science, and after such unprecedented
success, should have deserted all further investigations of that kind
during the latter thirty years of his studious life. With his
characteristic sagacity, he promptly assigned a reason which has not
(that I know) been remarked by Sir D. Brewster, or the other biographers
of NEWTON, and which, while it exempts him from the unjust imputation of
an enfeebled mind, does just honour to his piety, and may probably be the
real, deep, and admonitory reason: “Ah, sir, we must remember that, great
as he was in intellect, after all NEWTON was but a man, who had the same
_wants and cravings of the heart_ with ourselves. Having achieved his
great discoveries, he began to feel within himself, _this also is
vanity_: he could not find, in his mathematical demonstrations, _rest for
his soul_—_satisfaction_ for his _heart_, he therefore turned his
attention from science to the _Scriptures_.” I thought the explanation
at once original and just, and, as it refers to “Magnum illum, NEWTONUM,
qui genus humanum ingenio superavit,” {284} singularly interesting and
impressive:—a fragment, among many reminiscences, that I would fain
preserve from being lost.