Dedications; to the reader

To my Deare mother, the most famous Universitie of Oxford.

I HAVE observ'd (most deare Mother) and that in most of thy Sons, a Complexion of Fame, and Ingratuitie. Learning indeed they have, but they forget the Brests that gave it. Thy Good works meet not with one Samaritan, but Many hast thou cur'd of the Leprosie of Ignorance. This is the spot, that soyls our perfections: we have all drunk of thy Fountaine, but we sacrifice not the Water to the Well. For my own part, I can present thee with nothing that's Voluminous, but here is a Mustardseed, which may grow to be the Greatest amongst Herbs. The Draught it self hath nothing of nature, but what is under the Veile: I wish indeed thou mayst see her sine Flammeo, but her face like that of the Annun[…]iata expects the Pencil of an Angell. I cannot say this Composure deserves thy Patronage, but give me leave to make it my Opportunitie, that I may returne the Acknowledgement, where I receiv'd the Benefit. I intend not my Addresse for the Banks of Isis; Thou hast no Portion there, unlesse thy Stones require my Inscription. It is thy Dispersed Body I have knowne, and That only I remember. Take it then wheresoever Thou art, in thy sad Removes and Visitations. It is neither Sadducee nor Pharisee, but the Test of an Israelite, and

Thy Legitimat Child. 1650. E. P.

In Summum Virum Thomam Bodleium Equitem Auratum, Bibliothecae Oxoniensis Structorem Magnificum.

SAncta Anima! & tam Sancta simul salveta Favilla[…]
Sit q; semel Cineris fas meminuisse tu[…]
Instructor Caeli, & Stellarum Plenior O[…]do,
Qui Sporadas per Tc, non sinis Astra sore.
Quippe Lares Lib[…]is vel rite vagantibus addis,
Et Caelum, quo sint Sydera fixa, cluis.
Nos Vitam ut Patres, largimur Faetibus: at T[…]
Quo Vitam hanc poss[…] vive[…]e, Sol[…] habes.
Hospitium agnoscunt Artes: Hic Qua[…]libe[…] intr[…]
Post Ob[…]etrices, nec Pereg[…]ina, Manus.
Scaena Togae, Docti q; capax Panegyris Orbis,
Et Mare, vel Potius Plen[…]or Unda Mari.
Concursus Goniorum, & Meta Extrema Lyeaei,
Qu[…] nullum nisi sit Sanctius, iret Opus.
Syllabus Heroum, Mentis q; Omniscia Proles,
Est baec & Sensu Theca animata suo.
Bodleii Laus ampla, & Fusior Urna Sepulti,
Qu[…] Vitam invenit Mors sua, Mors q; Necem.
Hinc se fracta Fugae dedit, absumptis q; sagittis
Impievit Vacuas sola pharetra Manus.

Par Tibi Vox nulla est: Satagis dum Condere Musam,
[…]cisti, Quod non noverit Illa loqui.
Pium est Agnoscere, per Quos profecisti.

To the Reader.

I Have had some Contest with my self in the Disposall of this Piece, the Subject being crosse to the Genius of the Times, which is both Corrupt, and Splenetic. It was my Desire to keep it within Doores, but the Relation it bears to my former Discourses hath forc'd it to the Presse. It is […]he last Glasse of my thoughts, and their first Reflex being not compleat, […] have added this to perfect their Image, and Symmetrie. I must confesse I have no Reason for it, but what my Adversaries supply me withall: I would advance the Truth, because they would suppresse it. Indeed I have been scurvily rewarded, but the successe of this Art grows from its Opposition, and this I believe, our late Libellers have observed, for they quit the Science, to quash the Professors.

It is not enough to abuse and misinterpret our writings: with studied Calumnies doe they disparage our persons, whom they never saw, and perhaps never will see. They force us to a Bitternesse beyond our own Dispositions, and provoke men to sin, as if they did drive the same Design with the Devill.

For my own part, I will no more hazard my soule by such uncivill Disputes, I know I must give an Accompt for every idle word. This Theme hath reduc'd my passions to a Diet, I have resolv'd for the future to suffer: for this I am sure of, God will condemn no man for his patience.

The World indeed may think the truth overthrown, because shee is attended with her Peace, for in the judgement of most men, where there is no Noyse, there is no Victorie. This I shall look upon as no Disadvantage. The Estimat of such Censors will but lighten the Scales, and I dare suppose them very weak Brains, who conceive the Truth sinks, because it outweighs them.

As for tempestuous Out-cries, when they want their Motives, they discover an irreligious spirit, one that hath more of the Hurry-cano, than of Christ Jesus. God was not in the wind, that rent the Rocks to pieces, nor in the Earth-quake, and Fire at Horeb: He was in Aura tenui, in the still, small voice.

My Advise is, that no Man should resent the common spleen. Who writes the Truth of God, hath the same Patron with the Truth it self, and when the world shall submit to the generall Tribunal, he will find his Advocate, where they shall find their Judge. There is a mutuall Testimonie between God and his Servants, if the Baptist did beare witnesse of Christ, Christ also did as much for the Baptist: He was a burning, and a shining Light.

This, Reader, I thought fit to Preface, that if any Discourse of mine be traduc'd hereafter, thou maist not expect my Vindication. I have referr'd my Quarrell to the God of Nature, it is involv'd in the Concernments of his Truth. I am satisfi'd with the Peace and Test of a good Conscience: I have written nothing but what God hath verified before my Eyes in particular, and is able to justifie before the world in generall. I have known his secret Light, his Candle is my School-master; I testifie those things, which I have seen under his very Beams, in the bright Circumference of his Glory.

When I did first put my Thoughts to paper, God can beare me witnesse, it was not for any private ends. I was drawn, and forc'd to it by a strong Admiration of the Mysterie and Majestie of Nature. It was my D[…]sign to glorisie the Truth, and in some measure to serve the Age, had they been capable of it. But the barbarous Insults I have met withall, and without any Deserts of mine, have forc'd my Charitie to keep at Home. Truly, had not I been robb'd of my Peace, I had imparted some things, which I am confident this Generation will not receive from another Pen. But the Times in this Respect fall not even with providence, for the Years of Discoverie are not yet come. This Truth, like the Dove in the Deluge, must hover in winds and Tempests, overlooke the Surges and Billows, and find no place for the Sole of her Foot. But the wise God provides for her: on all these waves and Waters she hath a little Ark to returne to. Me thinks I see her in the window all wet, and weather-beaten. She hath been rejected abroad, and now I will take her Home. Come in with thy Branch of Olive!

To conclude, this Discourse is my last, and the only Clavis to my First. What I have written formerly, is like the Arabian's Halicali: it is Domus signata, a House shut up, but here I give you the Key to the Lock. If you enter, seale up what you see in your Hearts: Trust it not to the Tongue, for that's a Flying Scroul. Thus I deliver my Light to your Hands, but what Returns you will give me, I know not. If you are for Peace, Peace be with you: if for War, I have been so too, but Let not him that girds on his Armour, boast like him, that puts it off. Doe well, and Farewell.

1651. E. P.