Averroeana being a transcript of several letters from Averroes an Arabian philosopher at Corduba in Spain, to Metrodorus a young Grecian nobleman, student at Athens in the years 1149 and 1150 : also several letters from Pythagoras to the King of India, together with his reception at the Indian court, and an account of his discourse with the King, and his gymnosophists, and his rules and precepts : his account of the power and efficacy of numbers, and magical uses thereof : to which is prefixt, a Latin letter by Monsieur Grinau, one of the Messieurs du Port Royal in France, to the ingenious Monsieur Gramont, merchant at Amsterdam, concerning the subject of these papers, and how they came to his hands : the whole containing matters highly philosophical, physiological, Pythagorical and medicinal, the work having been long conceal'd is now put into English for the benefit of mankind, and the rectification of learned mistakes.

Fourth Letter.

Most Renowned King,

ANother thing I find to be matter of Complaint against us, is our practice of Singing contrary to common Usage and Custom, nor do I know any grounds for Admiration, except that the Consent and Joyfulness of our Suf∣ferings may create Wonder in our Per∣secutors. We are perswaded that the Soul of Man (when rightly tuned; that is, not misguided by Passion, nor swayed by Interest) is a perfect Com∣position of Harmony.

Musick is endued with wonderful Excellencies, and equal Parts, not only of the Celestials, but also of the Terre∣strials: For numerous Sounds digested into pleasant Songs, do wonderfully quicken the inward Faculties, and by a

soft and natural Inclination, and Sym∣pathetick Attraction, allure and unite all the Vertues and good Powers; and its influence is so great, when it pro∣ceeds from a well-tuned and composed Mind, that it does not only change the Affections, Intentions, Gestures, Mo∣tions, Actions and Dispositions, but it imposeth its own Harmonious Proper∣ties, both on the Singers and the Hear∣ers. It pacifies the disorder of the Spi∣rits, not only of Men, but even affects Birds and Beasts. Wild Indian Ele∣phants are tamed by Melodious Voices, yea, the Elements themselves submit to their power. Do not labouring Peo∣ple sing to mitigate the Toil of their Employments; for Harmony chears and refreshes the Animal Spirits, cau∣sing an equal Operation of all the Qua∣lities, which in all respects forrifie Na∣ture, and at the same time chase away dull, sordid Thoughts, and Saturnine Humours, rendring the Body and Mind capable to receive Divine Impressions. Musick is a sure and constant Friend to

Health, and many times we have known Diseases give place to its saluti∣ferous strains, by a Magical Power, and Sweet Violence, raising all that is good into equality, by moderating the Affections, and composing the Mind. Harmony is the true Musick of the Spheres, acquainting Mankind with the Sympathetical Concord of the Uni∣verse, that Golden Chain which unites Heaven and Earth. It is the true En∣tertainment of Man's Soul, fitting and preparing the Mind to understand both Divine and Humane Mysteries; like∣wise our Preservation and Salvation in this World, and in that which is to come, do consist in a Harmonious Dis∣position of Parts.

Now our Songs are both Prayers and Praises to our Creator, for his Infinite Goodness and Mercy. Sleep is as it were a transitory Death, during the Body's natural repose, having shaken off for that time the Fetters of the gross Senses: And while the Spirits are upon the Wing, and as it were in the Sub∣urbs

of Eternity, the holy Demons, or good Angels and Spirits, have their secret Intercourses with our Souls, by whom, (as we are found worthy) they open and communicate the Divine Mysteries, to such as have submitted themselves to the Government of the Innocent Harmonious Powers, (as I said before.). Sleep is a transitory Death, in which state there is no pro∣gression or passing of time perceived by our Senses; and if we pass away into Eternal Regions, we esteem it a Bles∣sing, and all our Fathers say, That an easie Death is a Favour from the Powers of Heaven, as being nearest equality; therefore we sing out our Prayers and Praises to our Creator, and as much as in us lies, do keep our selves sensible and mindful, that we may expect to be called out of this World every moment; also that our Dreams may be Equal and Harmonious; for Dreams and Visions are the greatest and clearest Arguments of the Immortality of our Souls, and the only way and means whereby our

Creator does vouchsafe to reveal and communicate his Secrets to the Sons of Wisdom. It is also to be noted, that our Songs being composed of equal Parts, and being impregnated by the Vertue and Power of our Minds, they do by a mutual Consent and Agree∣ment, compose and unite all that is good, by a Sympathetical Inclination, which renders us capable of the holy Unity.

These are the Reasons, O King, that mov'd us to Recommend Musick and Singing to our Disciples, the good and innocent Effect whereof we have oftentimes and abundantly experienc'd.