earneft beholding him in the book of the creatures; there is not the most contemptible being, which by virtue of the Almighty fiat, at first started out of nothing, that will not (if it be throughly searched and followed) at length bring us home to its eternal Father; As of him, and from him, and through him; fo to him also are all things, to whom be glory for ever, Rom. xi. 36. But how much more shall we be instructed in this divine lesson, by intimately contemplating that heavenly work of works, the sum and height of the visible creation, that honourable piece, tantum non angelical, in which the creator himself, rested in time, delighted from eternity, being the true pattern of his own Divine Image; Man. And God in his providence having so ordered, that the holy writings should begin with the history of the creation of all things, and lastly and chiefly of man; doth plainly teach us this leffon, that none are so idoneous hearers, or so meet receivers of the words of his mouth, as those that have first well underftood and abundantly admired the works of his hand. All which fall under our confideration, as the proper subject of our knowledge; but chiefly the chiefest, which cannot but in the end bring us to him, who made and knows all things, as the saying of the woman did the Samaritans, John iv. 39, 42. and being hereby brought unto him, we afterwards hear him

ourselves, and believe now, for his own word fake; That he is God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.

We are so far from flighting or contemning the scripture, that we are the great admirers of it, and do endeavour to advance it above all other writings whatsoever, and that even in natural things, though never fo accidentally or cursorily handled; and we had rather that all our other books, though very curious, and greatly valuable, should be burnt; than that one line, nay one letter, one jot, or tittle of it should in any wise pass away.

And on the other hand, I hope I have perfuaded and prevailed with all my own brethren, to be more wife for themselves, and more wary in respect of others, than some fevere and jealous-headed cenfurers have judged them to be: that we may none of us give the leaft occafion for any one to speak evil of the things they understand not; but by taking heed to a fure rule, we may bring perpetual honour to our own faculty, and shame to the loose profeffors of a better. A light and fuperficial knowledge of natural things, may indeed consist with atheism, but a deep and a profound search into them, doth bring men back again to God, and neceffarily bind them over to religion. Solomon's wifdom stayed not in the creatures, though he perfectly knew so great a variety; but did from them only (as it were) take its rise, and mount higher than the cedars, even into heaven itself, and there only could find its rest, from whence it had its first beginning; like the spirit of man, returning to God that gave it. Let no man think he hath sufficient knowledge in natural things, who hath not by them been directed to divine; or that he hath viewed the creatures enough, who hath not been led through them to the Creator. Nor shall ever any one have my consent to pass for a philosopher, who keeps himself so ignorant of the scripture, as with devotion to admire that academical inscription, ἀγνώσῷ Θεῷ, Acts xvii, 23. Knowledge natural and spiritual are not so contrary one to another, but that they may very well agree together, and cohabit in the same mansion: nay, they are greatly conducive to the growth and promotion of each other. None can be a better evangelist than the beloved physician; and none so complete a physician, as he who is frequently conversant in the word of God; and able to evangelize: For that is the fountain that sends forth plentifully of both these waters, and is alone able to make a man perfect, throughly furnished to very good work.

Now in the last place, I must acknowledge, upon the review of what is here written, that there are many things herein (I myself being judge) which might have been delivered after

another manner, much more confonant to those plausible and probable doctrines which are the products of the industry and ingenuity of this inquifitive age. It is far more eafy to be sceptical, and to overthrow the positive assertions of others, than to produce anew. those which will prove more firm and lasting, or to inftaurate better in their room. But I question not but the good intention hereof will, among all honest and candid persons, in some measure compenfate for all those mifcarriages; especially since by this leading attempt, in a way fo obscure and difficult, and withal so untrodden, men of the greatest parts and abilities will be induced for the future to step into, and to become painful labourers in the vineyard of God.

Which will be a most acceptable work to the whole christian world, and most honourable to themselves; for as Hiram was eminent in Tyre, for his wisdom, understanding, and cunning in all manner of workmanship, 1 Kings vii. 14. yet that which crowned all his excellencies, and renowned him to this very day, was, that he came to the adorning of the temple of God at Jerusalem. Those learned men who exercise themselves in natural philosophy alone, produce only news-books for the present generation, and so a little time doth confume all together: Whereas the labour that is taken in the word of God, is of a far more durable nature, and is like to run parallel with everlasting truth.

But

But yet more particularly, I cannot but call for help upon this individual subject: It is my earnest defire that physicians would study the gerocomical part of physick more than they do: And indeed no part wants our help so much as this; for among all the verbosious Gracians there is not one compleat tract upon this subject only: And there are but very few to be found among all other writers, and those so miferable and barren, that the readers are left exceedingly in the dark, and can scarcely be resolved in the first question belonging thereunto, namely to what part of physick it most properly appertains. That one aphorism of Hippocrates * which a man might easily prove (would it not give occafion to some foul-mouthed libellers farther to detract from the reverence due to antiquity) is not totum teres atque rotundum, perfect and compleat in all things; hath scarce been out-done for these 2000 fucceeding years.

Now, as this part of physick needs it most, so I am as bold to say, it is as capable of improvement as any other part whatsoever; and the improvement that may be made thereof would be as useful to mankind as any one difcovery of nature, that hath at any time hitherto been made. Let none give over their patients when they come to be burdened with the infirmities of age, as though they