A brief natural history intermixed with variety of philosophical discourses and refutations of such vulgar errours as our modern authors have hitherto omitted / by Eugenius Philalethes.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

I Presume I shall no sooner appear up∣on the Stage I am prepared for, but I must without evasion ex∣pect to be assaulted by that furious and inconsiderate Monster called Censour; whose lashes I will receive

with the same slight concern, the Lacedemonians did the cruelty of their Correctors, sporting themselves whilst their backs were torn with the unmerciful Whip. Of that efficacy is Resolution, that it presents pain but meer Opinion, and values a scoffing Lucian, or a satyri∣cal Memphus, no more then a harmless Hellespont did the vain threats of a proud Xer∣xes. Seneca saith well, better aliud agere quam nihil, for

Idleness is the Devils oppor∣tunity: the Considerations of which (with my assent to the Judgment of Thucidi∣des, who sayes, To know a thing and not to express it, is all one as thongh he knew it not) made me to expose my self to publick view. My Subject is good and great, called by the Name of Na∣ture; here I present her, ex∣pressing mans Ingratitude, who is fit to strip her of those Robes of Priviledge

that God himself hath en∣dowed her with, not: consi∣dering that what she acts, is by the vertue of his Power; and that She is one of those Mirrours that represents him to us, which a Philosophick Passion adores as the supream Efficient. But indeed, how can She expect our Vene∣ration, till we have divested our selves of that prejudice ignorance possesses us with, which must be done by a se∣rious reflex upon her Effects,

as this little Volumn will ac∣quaint you, if you read it with an impartial and unbya∣sed Reason; for I have, as all others of the same Inclinati∣on must do, used Philosophy as the Tellescope by which we must make our Observati∣ons, as you will, when you see, find my curiosity descending to little Insects, and that with wonder at their production out of Corruption; from thence I view her care in beautifying this little Globe

we live in, with Robes suta∣ble to every Season; and when I ascend the lower Region, and mark the Clouds rang∣ing themselves in such bo∣dies as though they intended another Deluge, it occasions wonder; so likewise the cold∣ness of the middle Region with the heat of the upper, and the Element of Fire, must be Miracles to ignorance. And if we observe the Moon, with the Motion attending that of the Seas flux and re∣flux,

it would make us judge, that there is some secret con∣tract made ab Origine be∣twixt her and the watery Ele∣ment. Mercury and Venus I have spoken of in their pla∣ces: the next that presents us with cause of Admiration, is the glorious Sun, the Lumi∣nary of the Universe, called by some, and not improperly, the Anima Mundi, for we find her approach gives life to Ve∣gitives, sense to Animals, and almost a new Nature to Rati∣onals.

As for Mars, Jupi∣ter, and Saturn, the Eighth Sphere, and Christalline Hea∣ven, & the Empyreum, I have treated on, if not like a know∣ing Secretary of Nature, yet a submiss Admirer of her. And whereas I make a refuta∣tion of Errours, as an additi∣on to my Title, some perhaps will say, I am like the Tinker, that for stopping of one hole make two, or for my refut∣ing of one Errour, I have made two; it may be I have

in the Opinion of some: But whether I have or no, who shall be judge? for what ap∣pears an Errour to one, is to another a very evident truth: sometimes a Week or a Day, nay an hour puts a change upon an Opinion of many years standing. But let my Errours be as great and as ma∣ny as I pretend to correct, Reason shall convince me, and command my Acknow∣ledgment; for it's our Errours that presents us human. I

have writ this to give Satis∣faction to others if I can; but if not, howsoever I have secured it to my self; And let the Reader judge of it as it pleases him. I have writ that which delights me; And if envie cause a misapplication of my intention, it matters not, the contempt of it will make me bold to say, I value it and thee after the rate as thou dost it and me.

The assertions here laid down are plain and perspicu∣ous,

convincing and satis∣factory to the intelligent. But I know that common prejudice which is usually taken of any thing (though never so true) which is con∣trary to any mans belief, it does beget such Passion and animosity, &c. and makes such a breach as is hardly to be repaired. And since our own Opinion may make it disputable what reason we have to pretend of convince another by, I shall only offer

this for common satisfaction, that things demonstrable are the most evident marks of Truth; and that they are so clearly manifested in this lit∣tle Book, deserves nothing but sobriety and moderation, and a well weighing of the matter herein contained. Reader, I am loth to leave thee, but that I would not keep thee from the Book it self, which I hope will be to thy ample satisfaction, &c.

Vale.

Eugenius Philalethes.