Philosophy in Generall

Thus have I concluded this portion of learning touching Civill knowledge, & with Civill knowledge have concluded Humane Philosophy and with Humane Philosophy, Philosophy in General; and being now at some pause, looking backe into that I have passed through: This writing seemeth to me (Si nunquam fallit imago) as farre as a man can judge of his owne worke, not much better then that noise or sound which Musitians make while they are in tuning their Instruments, which is nothing pleasant to hear, but yet is a cause why the Musique is sweeter afterwardes. So have I beene content to tune the Instruments of the Muses, that they may play, that have better hands. And surely when I set before me the condition of these times, in which learning hath made her third visitation, or circuite in all the qualities thereof: as the excellencie and vivacitie of the wits of this age; The noble helpes and lights which we have by the travailes of ancient writers. The Art of Printing, which communicateth Bookes to men of all fortunes. The opennesse of the world by Navigation, which hath disclosed multitudes of experiments, and a Masse of Naturall History: The leasure wherwith these times abound, not imploying men so generally in civill businesse, as the States of Græcia did, in respect of their popularitie, and the State of Rome in respect of the greatnesse of their Monarchie: The present disposition of these times at this instant to peace: The consumption of all that ever can be said in controversies of Religion, which have so much diverted men from other Sciences: The perfection of your Maj: learning, which as a Phœnix may call whole volyes of wits to followe you, and the inseparable proprietie of Time, which is ever more and more to disclose truth: I cannot but be raised to this perswasion, that this third period of time will farre surpasse that of the Græcian and Romane Learning: Onely if men will know their own strength, and their owne weakenesse both: and take one from the other, light of invention, and not fire of contradiction, and esteeme of the Inquisition of truth, as of an enterprise, & not as of a qualitie or ornament, & imploy wit and magnificence to things of worth & excellencie, & not to things vulgar, and of popular estimation. As for my labors, if any man shall please himselfe, or others in the reprehension of them; they shall make that ancient and patient request, ver bera, sed audi. Let men reprehend them so they observe and waigh them: For the Appeale is lawfull (though it may be it shall not be needefull) from the first cogitations of men to their second, & from the neerer times, to the times further of. Now let us come to that learning, which both the former times were not so blessed as to knowe, Sacred & inspired Divinitie, the Sabaoth and part of all mens labours and peregrinations.