OP SAMUEL HARTLIB. 7 



and noblest designs that can be thought on, and for 

 the want whereof this nation perishes, I had not yet 

 at this time teen induced, hut at your earnest entreaties 

 and serious conjurements ; as having my mind for the 

 present half diverted in the pursuance of some other 

 assertions, the knowledge and the use of which, can- 

 not but be a great furtherance both to the enlarge- 

 ment of truth and honest living, with much more 

 peace. Nor should the laws of any private friendship 

 have prevailed with me to divide thus, or transpose 

 my former thoughts, but that I see those aims, those 

 actions which have won you with me the esteem of 

 a person sent hither by some good providence from 

 a far country, to be the occasion and incitement of 

 great good to this island. And as I hear, you have 

 obtained the same repute with men of most approved 

 wisdom, and some of highest authority among us. 

 ITot to mention the learned correspondence which you 

 hold in foreign parts, and the extraordinary pains and 

 diligence which you have used in this matter, both 

 here, and beyond the seas; either by the definite 

 will of God so ruling, or the peculiar sway of nature, 

 which also is God's working. Neither can I think 

 that so reputed, and so valued as you are, you would 

 to the forfeit of your own discerning ability, impose 

 upon me an unfit and over ponderous argument; 

 but that the satisfaction which you profess to have 

 received from those incidental discourses which we 



