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To the Judicious READER.
MOst of the time of my Minority, I have spent in search∣ing out the Things of Nature, and the Ground and Foundation thereof, as you may find was from the Beginning of Times, as in Genesis, viz. when God had perfected that Wonderful Work of his, I mean the Frame of the whole World, and had ascribed to every part thereof his especial Duty, namely, to the Air, to uphold all Feathered Fowle, the Water to harbour the Fish, the Earth for all Beasts, and to produce and bring forth good and wholesome things, which may be reduced into three words, viz. Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, and over all these things he appointed Man as Regent and Governour, being the last and most Noble Creature, and did infuse into him a Considerable Mind, apt to understand his Mysteries, and with his Tongue to unfold the Arcanaes of his Labour and Industry: This was that Consideration that moved that Wiseman Solomon to wade so far into the searching out the Cause of Things and to apply his Mind to the Study of Nature, not only of Birds, and Beasts, but likewise of Trees, even from the Cedar of Leba∣non, to the Hyssop that grows on the Wall; It is high time for me to mind that place of Scripture, viz. Try all things, and hold fast that which is good; So that being setled and steadfast in the opinion of my study and Labour in secret things of Nature; I rest satisfied that the true Principles of Natural Bodies, and the beginning of all things, pro∣ceed from Fire. There hath lately come forth a Book, whose Author is Mr. Bacon, which in perusing, I found lame and defective, so that I thought myself obliged to take some pains in Confuting him of his errors, by reason he perswades the World to believe what is not, viz. that Water is the prin∣ciple of all Bodies, which is not the Opinion of your Friend
From my House in Lambeth, May 12. 1682.
JOHN CASE.