I Shall here present to the World , Section 1. The Preface , and Design of this Discourse . an Account of the First Institution of the Royal Society ; and of the Progress , which they have already made : in hope , that this Learned and Inquisitive Age , will either think their Indeavours , worthy of its Assistance ; or else will be thereby provok'd , to attempt some greater Enterprise ( if any such can be found out ) for the Benefit of humane life , by the Advancement of Real Knowledge .

Perhaps this Task , which I have propos'd to my self , will incurr the Censure of many Judicious Men , who may think it an over-hasty , and presumptuous Attempt : and may object to me , that the History of an Assembly which begins with so great expectations , ought not to have been made publique so soon ; till We could have produced very many considerable Experiments , which they had try'd , and so have given undenyable Proofs , of the usefulness of their undertaking .

In answer to this , I can plead for my self , that what I am here to say , will be far from preventing the labours of others in adorning so worthy a Subject : and is premis'd upon no other account , then as the noblest Buidings are first wont to be represented in a few Shadows , or small Models : which are not intended to be equal to the Chief Structure it self , but onely to shew in little , by what Materials , with what Charge , and by how many Hands , that is afterwards to be rais'd . Although therefore , I come to the performance of this work , with much less deliberation , and ability , then the weightiness of it requires : yet , I trust , that the Greatness of the Design it self , on which I am to speak , and the zeal which I have for the Honour of our Nation , which have been the chief reasons , that have mov'd me to this confidence of writing , will serve to make something for my Excuse . For what greater matter can any man desire , about which to employ his thoughts , then the Beginnings of an Illustrious Company , which has already laid such excellent Foundations of so much good to Mankind ? Or , what can be more delightful for an Englishman to consider , then that notwithstandng all the late miseries of his Country ; it has been able in a short time so well to recover it self : as not onely to attain to the perfection of its former Civility , and Learning , but also to set on foot , a new way of improvement of Arts , as Great and as Beneficial ( to say no more ) as any the wittiest or the happiest Age has ever invented ?

But besides this , I can also add , in my Defence , that though the Society , of which I am to write , is not yet four years old , and has been of necessity hitherto chiefly taken up , about Preparatory Affairs : yet even in this time , they have not wholly neglected their principal End ; but have had Success , in the tryal of many remarkable things ; of which I doubt not , but I shall be able , as I pass along , to give instances enough to satisfie the curiosity of all sober Inquirers into Truth . And in short , if for no other end , yet certainly for this , A Relation of their First Original ought to be expos'd to the view of Men : that by laying down , on what course of Discovery they intend to proceed , the Gentlemen of the Society , may be more solemnly engag'd , to prosecute the same . For now they will not be able , handsomely to draw back , and to forsake such honourable Intentions : when the World shall have taken notice , that so many prudent men have gone so farr , in a business of this Universal Importance , and have given such undoubted Pledges , of many admirable Inventions to follow .

I shall therefore divide my Discourse into these three general Heads . Sect. II. The Division of the Discourse .

On the First and Last of these Particulars , it is not needfull that I should long insist : because several Great Men have already so much prevented me about them ; that there is hardly any thing can be spoken , in which I shall not almost tread in their very Footsteps . But yet it is requisite , that something be here said to that purpose , though it be onely in Repetition : because I perceive , that there is still much prejudice remaining on many mens minds , towards any now Discoveries in Natura Things . This I shall try to remove , not that I imagine , that those Reasons can have any great effect in my weak hands , which were not able fully to prevail , when they were inforc'd by the Eloquence of those Excellent Men , who have gone before me in this Argument : But I rather trust to the inclination of the Age it self , wherein I write ; which ( if I mistake not ) is farr more prepar'd to be perswaded to promote such Studies , then any other time that has gone before us .

And first , Sect. III. The Philosophy of the East . let us observe the Practice of the best , and the civilest Nations , amongst the Antients ; and a little trace out the course which they followed , to inrich their Countries , by the introducing of Forein Arts , or a searching into New .

It is evident , from the universal Testimony of History , that all Learning and Civility were deriv'd down to us , from the Eastern parts of the World . There it was , that Mankind arose : and there they first discovered the wayes of living , with safety , convenience , and delight . It is but just , that we should attribute the original of Astronomy , Geometry , Government , and many sorts of Manufactures , which we now enjoy , to the Assyrians , the Chaldeans , and Egyptians . And as to them we owe the Invention ; so from them proceeded the first Corruption of knowledge . It was the custom of their Wise men , to wrap up their Observations on Nature , and the Manners of Men , in the dark Shadows of Hieroglyphicks ; and to conceal them , as sacred Mysteries , from the apprehensions of the vulgar . This was a sure way to beget a Reverence in the Peoples Hearts towards themselves : but not to advance the true Philosophy of Nature . That stands not in need of such Artifices to uphold its credit : but is then most likely to thrive , when the minds , and labours of men of all Conditions , are join'd to promote it , and when it becomes the care of united Nations .

Into the East , the first Inquisitive Men amongst the Grecians traveled : By what they observed there , they ripened their own imperfect Conceptions , and so return'd to teach them at home . And that they might the better insinuate their opinions into their hearers minds , they set them off with the mixture of Fables , and the ornaments of Fancy . Hence it came to pass , that the first Masters of knowledge amongst them , were as well Poets , as Philosophers : For Orpheus , Linus , Musaeus , and Homer , first softned mens natural rudeness , and by the charms of their Numbers , allur'd them to be instructed by the severer Doctrines , of Solon , Thales , and Pythagoras . This was a course , that was useful at first , when men were to be delightfully deceiv'd to their own good : But perhaps it left some ill influence , on the whole Philosopy of their Successors ; and gave the Grecians occasion ever after of exercising their wit , and their imagination , about the works of Nature , more then was consistent with a sincere Inquiry into them .

Sect. IV. The Philosophy of Greece . When the fabulous Age was past : Philosophy took a little more courage ; and ventured more to relye upon its own strength , without the Assistance of Poetry . Now they began to gather into Assemblies , and to increase their interest : and , according to the different temper of the Grecians , from the Eastern Nations ; so were their Arts propagated in a different way from theirs . The Greeks , being of a vigorous , and active humour , establish't their Philosophy , in the Walks , and Porches , and Gardens , and such publick places about their Cities : whereas the Graver , and more reserv'd Aegyptians , had confin'd it to their Temples .

In Greece , the most considerable ( and indeed almost the onely successful ) Tryals , that were made in this way , were at Athens . The wit of whose Inhabitants , was ( 't is true ) admirably fit , for the reducing of Philosophy into Method , and for the adorning of it with the noblest words ; when once it had been before compleated in its substance : But yet their Genius was not so well made , for the undergoing of the first drudgery and burden of Observation , which is needful for the Beginning of so difficult a work . This will appear , if we remember , that they were the Masters of the Arts of Speaking , to all their Neighbours : and so might well be inclin'd , rather to choose such opinions of Nature , which they might most elegantly express ; then such , which were more useful , but could not so well be illustrated by the ornaments of Speech . Besides this , their City was the General Schole , and Seat of Education : and therefore the Epitome's of knowledge best served their turn , to make their Scholars , in a short time , finish the course of their Studies , and go home satisfied with a belief of their own Proficience , and their Teachers Wisdom . They were also commonly ( as most of the other Grecians ) men of hot , earnest , and hasty minds : and so lov'd rather to make sudden Conclusions , and to convince their hearers by argument ; then to delay long , before they fixt their judgments ; or to attend with sufficient patience the labour of Experiments . But to say no more , they had but a narrow Territory ; and the condition of those times , would not allow a very large commerce , with forein Nations : they were much exercis'd in the civil Affairs of their Country : they had almost a perpetual Warr , at home , or abroad : which kinds of busie , and active life , breed men up indeed for great Employments : but not so well for the diligent , private , and severe examination of those little and almost infinite Curiosities , on which the true Philosophy must be founded .

Sect. V. The Original of the Philosophical Sects . In that City therefore , the knowledge of Nature had its Original , before either that of Discourse , or of humane Actions : but it was quickly forc'd to give way to them Both. For it was not yet come to a sufficient ripeness , in the time of Socrates . And he , by the authority of his admirable wit , made all parts of Philosophy to be taken off from a condition of encreasing much farther , that they might be immediately serviceable to the affairs of men , and the uses of life . He was one of the first men , that began to draw into some order , the confus'd , and obscure imaginations , of those that went before him : and to make way for the composing of Arts , out of their scattered Observations . All these various Subjects , the vastness of his Soul comprehended in his casual Disputations : but after his death they were divided amongst his Followers , according to their several inclinations . From him most of the succeeding Sects descended : and though every one of them had its different principles , and rendezvouses : yet they all laid claim to this one common title of being his Disciples . By this means , there was a most specious appearance of the increase of Learning : all places were fill'd with Philosophical disputes : controversies were rais'd : Factions were made : many subtilties of confuting , and defending , were invented : but so insteed of joyning all their strength to overcome the Secrets of Nature ( all which would have been little enough , though never so wisely manag'd ) they onely did that , which has undone many such great attempts , before they had yet fully conquer'd her ; they fell into an open dissension , to which of them , her spoyls did belong .

'T is true , at the same time , some few men did continue an earnest , and laborious pursuit , after Natural causes , and effects : and took that course , which , if it had met with us much incouragement , as the others had , would without question have produc'd extraordinary things . But these Philosophers , digging deap , out of the sight of men ; and studying more , how to conceive things aright , then how to set off , and persuade their conceptions , to others ; were quickly almost quite overwhelm'd , by the more plausible and Talkative Sects .

This was the success of that Famous Age of the Grecian Learning , Sect. VI. The Philosophy amongst the Romans . in respect of Natural knowledge . They stay'd not for an information sufficient for such a noble Enterprise : They would not suffer their posterity , to have any share with them , in the honor of performing it : But too suddenly , for present use , they clap'd up an entire Building of Sciences : and therefore it is not to be wonder'd , if the hasty Fabrick , which they rais'd , did not consist of the best materialls .

But at last with their Empire , their Arts also were transported to Rome : the great spirit of their Law-givers , and Philosophers , in course of time , degenerating into Rhetoricians , and wandring Teachers of the opinions , of their private Sects . Amongst the Romans , the studies of Nature met with little , or no entertainment . They scarce ever dream't of any other way of Philosophy , then only just reducing into New Method , and eloquently translating into their own Language , the Doctrines , which they had receiv'd from the Greeks . And it was a long time too , before even that could obtain any countenance amongst them . For , in the first warlick and busie Ages of that State , they onely apply'd themselves to a severity of Moral vertue ; indeavor'd after no other skill , then that of the Customes , and Laws of their Country , the Ceremonies of their Religion , and the Arts of Government : esteeming every thing that came out of Greece , as an outlandish fashion , which would corrupt the manners of their Youth ; and allure them , from that strictness of Discipline , and Integrity of Life , by which they had inlarg'd the Bounds of their Common-wealth . Till at length their power being increas'd , and their minds a little softned by the Greatness of their commands , and having tasted of the pleasures of the East ; they were content too , by degrees , to admit their Philosophy . And yet all the use , that they made of it at last , was onely , either that they might thereby make their speech more plentiful ; or else , that when they were at leisure from Civil affairs , they might have that as a companion , and comfort of their Retirements . Sect. VII . The Philosophy of the Primitive Church .

This was the condition of Philosophy , when the Christian Religion came into the World . That maintain'd it self in its first Age , by the innocence , and miracles , and suff'rings of its Founder , and his Apostles . But after their Deaths , when Christianity began to spread into the farthest Nations , and when the power of working wonders had ceas'd : it was thought necessary , for its increase , that its professors should be able to defend it , against the subtilties of the Hethens ; by those same ways of arguing , which were then in use , among the Hethen Philosophers . It was therefore on this account , that the Fathers , and chief Doctors of our Church , apply'd themselves to the Peripatetick , and Platonick Sects : But chiefly to the Platonick : Because that seem'd to speak plainer about the Divine Nature ; and also , because the sweetness , and powerfulness of Plato's Writings , did serve as well to make them popular speakers , as disputers . Having thus provided themselves against their adversaries , they easily got the victory over them : and though the Idolatrous Gentiles had kept the instruments of disputing , in their own hands , so many hundred years ; yet they soon convinc'd them , of the ridiculousness of their worships , and the purity , and reasonableness of ours .

But now the Christians having had so good success , against the Religions of the Heathens , by their own weapons ; instead of laying them down when they had done , unfortunately fell to manage them one against another . So many subtile brains having been set on work , and warm'd against a Forein enemy : When that was over , and they had nothing else to do ( like an Army that returns victorious , and is not presently disbanded ) they began to spoyl , and quarrel amongst themselves . Hence that Religion , which at first appear'd so innocent , and peaceable , and fitted for the benefit of humane Society ; which consisted in the plain , and direct Rules , of good Life , and Charity , and the Belief in a redemption by one Savior , was miserably divided into a thousand intricate questions , which neither advance true Piety , nor good manners . Hence arose all the Heresies of those times Against these , besides the force of Disputation , the Church obtain'd the Arm of the Civil Magistrate : and so at last by the help of many General Councils , got them extinguish'd , ( if I may say they were extinguish'd , seeing in this age wherein we live , we have seen most of them unhappily reviv'd ) . But still by his means , there was no knowledge in request , but the Disputative Philosophy . For while things were in this posture , and so many great Wits ingag'd in the heats of controversie : it was not to be expected , that they should look out for further assistance , then the Arts , which were already prepar'd ; or that they should make any considerable indeavors , about new inventions , and the tedious tryal of Experiments . Nor can we much blame them for it : seeing in a time of War , every man will rather snatch up that armor which he finds ready made , then stay till men go to the Mine , and digge out new Ore , and refine , and harden it a better way ; in hope to have his weapons of a stronster , and nobler Metal at last .

Nor was that Age unfit for such an enterprise , only on the account of these Warrs of the Tongue : But also by reason of the miserable distempers of the civill affairs of the World , about that time : which were chiefly occasion'd by the Roman Armies usurping the Right of choosing Emperors , and by the invasions of Barbarous Nations , which overwhelm'd the greatest part of Europe . Amidst these distractions , it was impossible for any thing of this Nature to have prosper'd : and in so vast in inundation of ignorance , which carri'd away with it the very grown and aged Trees themselves ( those parts of Learning which had taken root , so many generations past ) it would have been in vain , to have committed any new plants to the ground . Such studies as these , as they must receive incouragement from the Sovereign Authority , so they must come up in a peacefull time , when mens minds are at ease , and their imaginations not disturb'd , with the cares of preserving their Lives , and Fortunes .

To go on therefore with the matter of Fact : Sect. VIII . The Philosophy under the Church of Rome . Having left that dismall Bloody Age , we come into a Course of Time , which was indeed farr quieter : But it was like the quiet of the night , which is dark withall . The Bishops of Rome taking the opportunity of the decay of the Roman Empire , had wrested from it so many privileges , as did at last wholly destroy it : and while it was gasping for life , forc'd it to make what Will , and Testament they pleas'd . Being thus establish'd , and making Rome , whose name was still venerable , the Seat of their Dominion , they soon obtain'd a Supremacy over the Western World . Under them for a long space together men lay in a profound sleep . Of the Universal ignorance of those times ; let it suffice to take the Testimony of William of Malmsbury , one of our antient English Historians , who says , That even amongst the Priests themselves , he was a Miracle that could understand Latine . Thus they continued ; till at last , that Church adopted , and cherish'd , some of the Peripatetick opinions , which the most ingenious of the Moncks , in their solitary , and idle course of life , had lighted upon . This Sect was excellently well made for their turn . For by hovering so much , in geneall Terms , and Notions , it amusd mens minds , in things that had not much difficulty : and so the Laity being kept blind , were forc'd in all things to depend on the Lips of the Roman Clergy . From that time , even down to the Reformation , the Gentlemen of all these Countries , imploying themselves , chiefly in arms , and adventures abroad : and the Books of the antients , being either destroy'd by the Goths , and Vandalls ; or those which escap'd their fury , lying cover'd with dust in the Libraries of Monasteries : few or none regarded any of the Arts of Wit , and Reason , besides the Church-men .

This , I will take the boldness to say , must needs be very injurious to the increase of Generall Learning . For though I shall justly affirm , to the honor of that sacred profession , that all knowledge has been more search'd into , and promoted by them , then by any other order of men , even from the Egyptians times , ( whose Priests in good part invented , or at least preserv'd , the Learning of the East ) down to our present Age : yet I must also adde , that whenever all the studious spirits of a Nation , have been reduc'd within the Temples walls , that time is naturally lyable to this danger , of having its Genius more intent , on the different opinions in Religion , and the Rites of Worship , then on the increase of any other Science . Of this I shall give two instances : one , from the Antients : the other , from our selves .

It is manifest , that amongst the Iews , all the men of Letters still appli'd themselves to the understanding of their Law : that being the publick way of preferment , to the highest places of Judicature and Authority in the State . For that many Fraternities were erected , and ( as I may call them ) Iudaical Monast'ries constituted . Hence came all the interpretations on the Writings of their Great Lawgiver : which at last grew so numerous , and various amongst themselves , that Christ , when he came , could hardly find any thing of Moses his mind , in all they had writ : But perform'd more himself towards the explanation of the Law , in two Chapters , then they had done in all their infinite Volumes . But while they were so excessively busie , about such sorts of contemplations , the other parts of Learning were neglected : Little or no footsteps of Philosophy remaining amonst them , except onely the memory of that History of Plants , which was not written by any of Aarons family , but by their wisest King .

But my other instance comes neerer home , Sect. IX . The Philosophy of the Schole-men . and it is of the Schole-men . Whose works when I consider , it puts into my thoughts , how farre more importantly a good Method of thinking , and a right course of apprehending things , does contribute towards the attaining of perfection in true knowledge , then the strongest , and most vigorous wit in the World , can do without them . It cannot without injustice be deny'd , that they were men of extraordinary strength of mind : they had a great quickness of imagination , and subtilty of distinguishing : they very well understood the consequence of propositions : their natural endowments were excellent : their industry commendable : But they lighted on a wrong path at first , and wanted matter to contrive : and so , like the Indians , onely express'd a wonderful Artifice , in the ordering of the same Feathers in a thousand varities of Figures . I will not insist long on the Barbarousness of their style : though that too might justly be censur'd : for all the antient Philosophers , though they labor'd not to be full , and adorn'd in their Speech : yet they always strove to be easie , naturall , and unaffected . Plato was allow'd by all to be the chief Master of speaking , as well as of thinking . And even Aristotle himself , whom alone these men ador'd , however he has been since us'd by his Commentators , was so carefull about his words , that he was esteem'd one of the purest , and most polite Writers of his time . But the want of good Language , not being the Schole-mens worst defect , I shall pass it over : and rather stop a little , to examine the the matter itself , and order in which they proceeded .

The Subjects about which they were most conversant , were either some of those Arts , which Aristostle had drawn into Method , or the more speculative parts of our Divinity . These they commonly handled after this fashion . They began with some generall Definitions of the things themselves , according to their universal Natures : Then divided them into their parts , and drew them out into severall propositions , which they layd down as Problems : these they controverted on both sides : and by many nicities of Arguments , and citations of Authorities , confuted their adversaries , and strengthned their own dictates . But though this Notional Warr had been carry'd on with farr more care , and calmness amongst them , then it was : yet it was never able to do any great good towards the enlargement of knowledge : Because it rely'd on generall Terms , which had not much foundation in Nature ; and also because they took no other course , but that of disputing .

That this insisting altogether on establish'd Axioms , is not the most usefull way , is not only cleer in such airy conceptions , which they manag'd : but also in those things , which lye before every mans observation , which belong to the life , and passions , and manners of men ; which , one would think , might be sooner reduc'd into standing Rules . As for example : To make a prudent man in the affairs of State , It is not enough , to be well vers'd in all the conclusions , which all the Politicians in the World have devis'd , or to be expert in the Nature of Government , and Laws , Obedience , and Rebellion , Peace , and War : Nay rather a man that relyes altogether on such universal precepts , is almost certain to miscarry . But there must be a sagacity of judgement in particular things : a dexterity in discerning the advantages of occasions : a study of the humour , and interest of the people he is to govern : The same is to be found in Philosophy ; a thousand fine Argumentations , and Fabricks in the mind , concerning the Nature of Body , Quantity , Motion , and the like , if they only hover a-loof , and are not squar'd to particular matters , they may give an empty satisfaction , but no benefit , and rather serve to swell , then fill the Soul .