TO THE READER. W Hofoever thou art, into whofe bands this paraphrafe may fall, know that the author of it is not near enough any Nobleman to put it into bis bands; nor bath he face enough (as is the mode of this daring age) to call at a distance; but could be do both, yet know alfo, be would do neither; for he defireth not, that any thing, either of others, or his own, fhould be patronized beyond its own native worth; and is himself as willing, as any touchy-beaded Decriers of anatomy and anatomifts, of all art and artists, that all the fame that is due to the ill managing of this good Subject, fhould return upon his own pate; and fuch is his allegiance to his king, that if he can but keep off their foul fingers from him, to which they are apt enough, he cares not how heavy they fall upon himself: And on the other hand, if there be any thing herein contained, of true value, it will but fine the brighter for the rubs and petulant endeavours of all conductitious detractors; who, being thrust out of fome A 2 mer mercenary employments, in a few months time, by their mother wit, (which for want of good neighbours they greatly cry up themfelves, and inftead of bad neighbours do clofely infinuate as tf all others wanted it) can get knowledge enough in phyfick to contemn and vilify, and in two words (viz. Galenifts and fools) abundantly confute all thofe worthy perfons, who from childhood to gray-hairs, have been studying, endeavouring, and praying; have been exercising both their minds and their bodies; their heads, their hearts, and their hands; that they may become expert feconds unto nature, and meet combatants for all thefe dreadful enemies that the fins of man bave stirred up against the peace of his own body. But befide this fcum of ill conditioned Zoili, there are others alfo nibbling at the heel of learned phyficians; whofe wounds, though feemingly flightly inflicted, yet are far worse than the former, and that not only because they are 1erfons of credit and knowledge, but because they pretend friendship, and kiss while they do the mifchief. Thefe are those, whom birth, education, and industry, have fo fesurely feated in honour, that nothing can pofbly dethrone them, but that which caft be angels from heaven, and man out of paradife; that abominable Quoíwors, which for ever did, and for ever will fet God in a refiftance; and the beft of their friends cannot but 1 And but in time mind them, that thofe fmart reflections without cause, both in private and publick, not only upon particular perfons, but upon whole focieties of men, half of whom they know not fo much as by bear-fay) feem to have a tincture of that virulent poifon, which as cafily and as quickly proceeds out of knowledge, as the worm did out of Jonah's gourd; and will (if not speedily prevented) foon wither into nothing all that content under which they have for a feafon gladly Shadowed themselves. bere I am afresh put in mind of the story of Herod, who perfecuted the world's worthies, and, becaufe be faw it pleased the people, be proceeded farther alfo : And thus prosecuting bis rage and ambition, in royal apparel, and with popular oratory, the angel of the Lord fmote him, because he gave not God the glory, and be was eaten of worms. That main and beft end, which fecureth all men in their undertakings, was it which first moved the author hereof to study facred philofophy, and to apply himself to the interpretation of fuch fcriptures, as border upon that faculty unto which he bath betook himself ever fince be bath had the judgment of election wherein be might be most ferviceable in his generation. This was the good feed: but falling into a barren and ill manured foil, bath, for the prefent, produced no better a blade, than what you here fee; which however, if it please the Lord defcribed the circular motion of the blood; the best and most useful invention of this latter age. And as for the fubject which is directly here intended, viz. the defcription of the infirmities of age, though it be compendiously handled by him, yet it is compleatly done in all things appertaining thereunto, both moral, natural, and divine. And indeed, what can the man fay that comes after the king? The most knowing and ingenious perfons in the best enlightned generations, can add no more hereunto, than they can unto their own ftature: It only remains, that fome fuch give us the full interpretation of what is here delivered, fince it pleafed the king to leave it to after ages, inveloped with a canopy of the fame wisdom that indited it. And if this weak effay may excite any fuch, for the future. lovingly to correct what is here amifs, and to Supply what is here deficient; it will be a most acceptable work; but if for the present, courteous reader, it may be of any use to thee, as a man, as a scholar, as a philofopher, as a phyfician, as a chriftian, follow the intimation that is here given thee, and I will follow thee with a good wish, which I am sure shall be accomplished for thee, and for all those, that boneftly labour in God's word and work; I mean, I bid thee God fpeed. J. S. |