Although that this Reason might sufficiently justifie me for what I have done , yet I had more powerful inducements which pressed me unto this design ; and those are the exigences of the English Monarchy ; whereunto since the good Providence of God hath subjected us once again , it is the prudence of every particular person to contribute all he can to the support of it , against all such intendments as may either introduce Popery on the one side , ( which renders the Title of our King , and his power precarious , and will subvert the whole Commonalty of England in their Estates , Whosoever would be satisfied about the imprudence v●nity , and perniciousness of all attempts to subvert the M●●archy of Eng●and now , and introduce a Democracy ; I would advise him to read over the Political discourses of Mal●●zzi in Tacitus , disc. 3. Boccalini advert . cent. 2. advert . 30. Paolo Paruta disc. polit. c. 8. Chr. Fo●stuer . in Tacit. l. 1. p. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. Ut verissime dixerit Cosmus Me●ices Cardinali Salviato , in tanta ●pum inaequalitate , morumque corruptione , Floren●inam Rempub. non esse amplius lib●rtatis capacem , quae optari potius quam sperari debeat . The reas●ns why the last Brutus miscarried in his design , will convince any man . not to mention the concern of our Souls , and that intellectual slavery whereto we must submit ) ● and against all Ana●chical projects , or Democratical contrivances , whereof a debauched and ungenerous Nation is not capable , and which cannot take effect without such variety of changes , as no sober man will think upon without horror , nor any that is wise pursue as feasible . I do avow therefore that the desire I had to contribute what I could to uphold the Fundamental Policy of these Kingdoms , was the prin●ipal motive I had to write this Treatise : and that how willing soever I was otherwise to discharge all intelligent persons from the insupportable prating of these Comical ●its , and to avenge my own faculty upon ●hese insolents , yet the circumstances which I saw might create me future troubles and vexations were such , that nothing less than a generous and necessary inclination to serve my Countrey could have made me despise them . I have so small a regard for deep and subtle inquiries into Natural Philosophy , and the intricate Mechanismes by which this World is said to be governed , that could Physick be unconcerned in their debates , could Religion remain unshaken amidst the writings of these Vertuosi , could that Education be carried on happily whereby the Subjects are qualified to serve their Prince in all Negotiations and Employments , and their Countrey in Parliament , I should not entermeddle : but , if we look de facto upon these Experimental Philosophers , and from too fatal tryals judge how little they are fitted for those trusts ● and management of business by that so famed Mechanical Education : and if we con●ider how much this Nation owes to Burleigh , Walsingham Iewel , Abbot , Perkins , Whitaker , Usher , Davenant , Casaubon , &c. & ●hat by complying with these Novel projects for the breeding up of Youth , we deprive our selves of all our hopes to see such persons either in Church or State ; we must rise as high in our resentments against the Authors of this History , & Mr. Glanvils Books ( where more than ●n● or two Virtuosi that contributed unto it ) as the concerns of the present Age and of our posterity can animate us . The Art of reasoning by which the prudent are discriminated from fools , Mr. S●rat . pag. 324. which methodizeth and facilitates our discourses , which informs us of the validity of Consequences , and the probability of Arguments , See Mr. Glanvill's ●lus ultra pag. ●23 . & pag. 118 , 119. and manifests the fallacies of Impos●ors and Comical Wits ; that Art which gives life to solid Eloquence , and which renders States men , Divines , Physicians and Lawyers accomplished , how is this cried down and vilified by the Ignoramus's of these days ? Mr. Sprat pag. 341 , 342. What contempt is there raised upon the disputative Ethicks of Aristotle , and the Stoiques ? And those Moral instructions which have produced the Alexanders and the Ptolomeys , the Pompeys and the Ciceroes , are now slighted in comparison of day-labouring ! Did we live at Sparta , where the dayly imployments were the exercises of substantial vertue and Gallantry , and men , like setting-dogs , w●re rather bred up unto than taught reason & worth , it were a more tolerable proposal ( though the different policy of these times would not admit it ) but this working so recommended is but the feeding of Carps in the Ayr , the weighing of a pike in water , the cooling of Wine with Sal Armoniac , ( published long ago by Berigiardus ) the guilt varnish ( no secret to some Trades-men in London ) or the inventing of an Ambling●saddle . As for the study of Politicks , and all Critical Learning together with Church-History , these are either pedantical , or tedious to those who have a shorter way of studying Men ? Mr. Sprat pag. 32● . Those Metaphysicks which the constant po●icy of Christendom hath found so advan●ageous , that wit●out a Miracle we could not have born up against the Heathen-Philosophers , Arrians , Sarracens , and Socinians , and out of which we do so confound the Papists , these must be laid aside ; and are we not then in a ●it posture to encounter Bellarmine , and Baronius ? I remit these things to the consideration of all serious patriots , and do earnestly desire that they would with attention read over Campanella concerning the Spanish Monarchy , I follow the English Edition of Campan●lla , and do recommend these places , especially the last Citation , to every serious Patriot his consideration . Ch. 23● pag. 142. ch. 25. pag. 157. ch: 27. pag. 177 , 182. and the last part of the History of the Royal Society , and maturely whether the projects of the one be not put in execution by the other .

I doubt not but this attempt of theirs was no part of the intentions of their Royal Founder : I am sure the publique utility is more dear unto Him than the giving of some men an opportunity to entertain their Melancholy , and divert their idle hours , or to acquire the reputation of Airy wits and Drolls : if He be their patron , it is certain that He is the Father of his Country , and the Head of the Church ; the obligations he hath to these are so great and so near unto him , that these little Engagements must give place thereunto : Nay , He hath herein been Exemplary to his Subjects , by withdrawing much of his Encouragements , and testifying frequently his disesteem of these Experimental Philosophers . Thus many of the Nobility , most of the Physicians , and other understanding and serious persons have either totally deserted the Society , or discontinued their presence at their Assemblies . And I could wish they would not abuse the World with ●alse Catalogues , but give us a true one of such men as do now frequent their meetings , keep correspondence with them , and pay the usual contribution .

Having so great Presidents to justifie my contempt of them , methinks I need not apprehend the censure of those Illustrious and Honorable personages who might otherwise seem concerned in this Quarrel . The same motives which prompted them to advance the Royal Society , must now excite their indignation against them : the desire of advancing of the Glory , and the trading of this Nation , & of understanding natural curiosities engaged them in this Society ; but now that these men have no way answered their expectation , since their relations and Experiments , are so trivial , defective , and false , since that the Authors of this fatal History have more in them of Campanella , than of Mr. Boyl ; since they have relinquished the original designs , and deviated so notoriously from the intention of the Royal Founder , and what those Eminent persons purposed , who first closed with them . I will not think them any more involved in this contest , than patrons are where their favours are abused . And I protest that I bring with me all the respect and Honor in the world for those persons of Honor , who in so dissolute an Age gave the world that testimony of their generous intentions , which was to design the improvement of useful knowledge by these men : And I am concern'd to see their Gallantry so abused , so that nothing exasperated my peace more than a resentment for their Honor : Had the Experimental Philosophers acquitted th●mselves in their trust better , yet ought I to have been comme●ded for animadverting upon these Books : the notorious unt●u●hs and Errors against common Literature were such , that Foreiners , who inquire into the Writings and transactions of these Comical Wits , would have concluded that we were universally degenerated into the old British ignorance , and that the Baras once more swayed in this Land : But I have taken off from the generality of this imputation ; and dare presume that those that were no more than Honorary Members ( and consequently not concerned in the private contests and suits of the Corporations they so stand related unto ) will express a kindness for my performance .

Having thus excused my self to the persons of Honor , I shall bri●fly say something to those of unquestionable Learning that reside amongst the Society : I am sorry to finde them there , and that I must accommodate to their worth that Ancient saying , Ingenium Galbae male habitat : their number , and interest seems so small there , that this History could pass with applause , notwith●tanding them , and Mr. Glanvil be commended : with what credit can they r●sort unto the meetings of these Comical Wits , whose ridiculous actions reflect upon them , and upon which Assembly to bestow the El●gies of the Learned , or Vertuous , 't would be as improp●r in an Aristotelian , as to denomina●e an Aethiopian to be white because of his Teeth ? He must be insensible of ●ll merit that can derogate from Sir Robert Murray , Dr. Wren , or Dr. Wallis : and to suspect that the truly Honorable and inquisitive Mr. Boyle would abet a design that should subvert pi●ty , and the Protestant Religion , doth not become any that knows him , or his Writings . But since good men are often-times made use of to pernicious ends , and unwittingly become instruments of the basest frauds ; since none are to judge of Affairs by their tendencie , and not by the persons that openly manage them , I doubt not but even these persons and others of integrity and solid worth will not imagine themselves concer●ed in the maintenance of those Errors , which they cannot approve of , and every one knows they could not commit , nor ●inder .

I have been thus large in the Preface to remove all umbrages and misconstructions to which this undertaking might subject me : the Preface also against Mr. Glanvill may seem a little prolix in comparison of the subsequent Discourse ; but the Specimen being lodged at London , partly in transcribing , and partly because that the distance of the Term made the Edition less seasonable , I thought fit to inlarge that Preface much during my stay at Bathe , and to annex those other Observations made there , and what else is taken out of the Disputations of Vander Linden about the Circulation of Blood , which Book I could not procure the sight of before .

There be many defaults in the Language , and connexion of ●assages which may be liable to some ce●sure : But whilst the ●●dy of my Discourse stands firm , the advantages which the ●●mical Wits shall derive from those peccadilloes will not be ●uch : especially when I shall plead that the work was written amidst the heat of my practice : that the papers were not written , nor any discourse finished at one time , but with fre●●ent interruptions : that the several parcels and fragments were sent to sundry Learned persons to experiment their judgment ; that they were joyned together with some alterations and new ●●nexions , without any review of mine , at London : several ad●●tions being to be inserted , as they came into my mind , in di●●●s places , and so transmitted by the post : which occasioned great trouble : in fine , had not some publique spirited Gentlemen there undertook to translate the Italian pieces , and to see the work transcribed , and the insertions made , and the connexion in some measure supplied , I could never had leasure to finish my intendments .

After this piece there shall follow the next Term ( if God give me leave to perfect what is almost finished now ) A Vindication of Aristotle from the calumnies with which Mr. Glanvill hath aspersed his person● in his Letter which is joyned to the Edition of his Scepsis Scientifica , which bears the Arms and is dedicated to the Royal Society , : as as he repeats again and again the same things , so he is still the same illiterate person : having never so much as read over Diogenes Laertius .

There are also three Letters of mine which may at some time or other become publique . The first , to a person of Honor and Member of the Royal Society , shewing how my writing against these Comical Wits doth not derogate from the persons of Qua●lity who are Honorary Members of the same Assembly : especially since they have acted so much contrary to the intentions o● those illustrious Patriots that at first encouraged them ; ther● are the passages of Campanella set down , and commented ●on● & the third part of the History of the Royal Society animadver●e upon , as being directly subservient to his Propoposals for the r●●storation of Popery , with some occ●ssional Characters , whic● Mr. Sprat , and Mr. Glanvil bestow upon the useful Universit● Learning .

The second , to a person of Honor , no Member of the Roy●● Society , shews , that it is impossible to arrive at any exact Scien●● in Natural Philosophy ; that if it were possible , yet th●se Com●●cal Wits and their Method could never atchieve it : I shew he● th●ir negligence in making observations ; their falshood in relat●●● them : 〈◊〉 I further pursue Mr. S●●●t for the mistakes ag●inst common 〈◊〉 , with which the Histo●y abounds that they either are ignorant of what is published Antient and Modern Writers , or most egregious plagiaries : 〈◊〉 the Aristotelians and Galenists were never enemies to Expe●●●ments , but cautious about concluding any thing rashly fr●● them , or making such as were unsafe and inconsistent with good conscience : and that the Experiments recorded by the ●enical Physicians infinitely surpass as to Physick , and even Natural Philosophy , what ever th●se Comical Wits can pretend unto . I add , that the deep study of Natural Philosophy is not requisite , but rather destructive to all Polities , ( as appears by History ) neither is that or the Mathematicks necessary to the improvement of Manual Trades and Arts , since those Countries where Philosophy and Mathematicks , have been generally ignored , ( as in Asia , and during the times of the Romans luxury ) Mechanical Artisans , and such Manufactures have most flourished : that the Luxury which is now in fashion hath nothing in it that may compare with the ingenuity of the Antient Vertuosi : that those of old Rome did make an Icarus to fly , and in his flight to fall down and besprinkle Nero with his Blood ; whereas our Fopps have been these many years studying how to flie , yet have not so much as effected the most facile part of ●he attempt , which is , to break their necks .

The third is to a learned Physician , shewing the damages our Faculty hath sustained by these impertinents : the condition of Physick and Chyrurgery as it is at present by reason that the Divines , Mountebanks , Quacksalvers , Apothecaries , and every ●ude Experimentator countenanced by the principles and repute of these Virtuosi , all practise it : the inconveniences to the Monarchy thereby are considered ; and the unreasonableness of what the Virtuosi alledge , as also the vanity of sundry of their Experiments ( besides what are old , and impudently obtruded on us for new ) is demonstrated .

And if there be any person worthy of my indignation that will justifie the Rhetoricalness of the History of the Royal Society , I will write a fourth about that , shewing that choice of words , and ● smooth and numerous period is not compleat Eloquence ; but if ●he Subjec●-matter be foolish and irrational , 't is a sort of mad●ess in the judgment of Tully : and that if all the instances of pu●●ile & jejune Eloquence were lost , which are recorded by Sene●● and Quintilian , I protest I could supply a great part of that d●mage out of this famed History : and if any fitting Adversary declare hereupon , I will make these Comical Wits as much ●enounce the A●tient Orators , as they do now the Philosophers .

THe goodness of the Quarrel I am engaged in makes me fear no Judges ; but yet to chuse the most competent : I am secure of the honest and true ; but submit the decision to the learned and prudent . All that are sensible of those studies by which the Morality , Religion , and Civil Policy of this Nation hath been carried on happily before these Impertinents & Innovators ; and how this Nation is declined and debauched from every thing that is serious and sober now , are convinced of the justice of my complaints , and how necessary it was that some body should attacque them ; but it is for you to determine of the validity of my charge , and of those proofs with which I come to implead them . I am not troubled at the glorious Titles with which these Comical Wits boast themselves ; Of the Lyons which they bear , they have only this faint resemblance , that they are not so brave as they are painted I have stooped the Talbots ( your Supporters ) for them , and if they ever hunt well hereafter , this Age knows whom they are obliged unto . The name of Virtuoso signifies as little with me , as it does in Italy , where they will bestow on a Pastry-Cook or M●llener , even with that fair accessional of molto Illostre ; But it seems a little too open and palpable to fetch the project of the Society from Italy , and their name too : though Campanella contrived the former , yet would He not have advised them unto the latter ; and if their invention were so barren as not to suggest unto them a fitting denomination , they might without robbing meaner Artizans , have borrowed one from the Academy of Perugia , or some where else there , and stiled themselves the INSENSATI , &c. It is manifest now that the Antient Learning ( and not only the Natural Philosophy ) is the Rubbish they would remove ; Mr. Gla●vi●● pag. 91. This work they have so diligently pursued , as if they had forgot Their first and chief Employment , carefully to seek , and faithfully to report how things are de facto — This Specimen acquaints you with what integrity they perform their undertakings ; and if the Ensamples they exhibite to the world , whilst They are yet probationers for the glory of Natural Philosophers , if they be so faulty ● what estimate may we rationally make of those that are laid up in the Treasury of their Archives ? Mr. Glanvill tells us , pag. 90. that They have done more than all the Philosophers of the notional way , I shall hereafter give the wor●d an examen of the rest of the 〈◊〉 : and I , design to try them by that piece . since Aristotle opened his shop in Greece : which saying ( he adds ) may perhaps look to some like a bold and fond sentence ; but whosoever compares the Repository of this Society , with all the volumes of the Disputers , will finde it neither immodest nor unjust ; and their History hath given us instances sufficient of their Experiments and Observations , and Instruments to justifie a bolder affirmation . — I am indeed apt to believe that all the Philosophers of the notional way in Greece , Alexandria , Arabia , Spain , and the rest of Europe , neither have , nor would have attempted anything like to what they have done ; and when I reflect upon the lamentable narratives and proposals which their History , the Transactions and other Books of theirs represent unto us , I think they purpose to grow famous , as the Turks do to gain Paradise , by treasuring up all the waste paper they meet with . But I shall not anticipate your censure , nor endeavor to prepossess you against them by the sense of your interest , nor exasperate your passion any way : Be as unbyassed as it is possible ; Be as Loyal and Monarchical , as any English-man imaginable ; Be as great friends as you can to the Protestant Religion , sober vertue , and the real Honor and utility of these Kingdoms ; I wish for such Arbitrators ; and your Sentence shall never be declined upon those accounts , by