ermine all
_Attempts_ and Endeavours that signifie to the Illustration of _Truth_,
the discovery of _Impostors_, and shake their sandy Foundations.

_Those who come (_says the noble _Verulam__) to enquire after _Knowledge_,
with a mind to _scorn_, shall be sure to find matter for their _Humor_;
but none for their _Instruction_: _Would_ Men bring light of _Invention_,
and not fire-brands of _Contradiction_, Knowledge would infinitely
increase._ But these are the _Sanballats_ and _Horonites_ who disturb our
Men upon the Wall{xciii:1}: But, _let us rise up and build_, and be no
more discourag'd. 'Tis impossible to conceive, how so honest, and worthy a
_Design_ should have found so few _Promoters_, and cold a welcome in a
_Nation_ whose _Eyes_ are so wide open: We see how greedily the _French_,
and other _Strangers_ embrace and cultivate the _Design_: What sumptuous
_Buildings_, well furnish'd _Observatories_, ample _Appointments_,
_Salaries_, and _Accommodations_, they have erected to carry on the Work;
whilst we live _precariously_, and spin the _Web_ out of our own _Bowels_.
Indeed we have had the Honour to be the _first_ who led the _way_, given
the _Ferment_, which like a _Train_ has taken _Fire_, and warm'd the
_Regions_ all about us. _This Glory, doubtless, shall none take from us_:
But whilst they flourish so _abroad_, we want the _Spirit_ should diffuse
it here at _home_, and give progress to so hopeful a _beginning_: But as
we said, the _Enemy_ of _Mankind_ has done us this despite; it is his
Interest to impeach (in any sort) what e're opposes his _Dominion_; which
is to lead, and settle Men in _Errors_ as well in _Arts_ and _Natural
Knowledge_, as in _Religion_; and therefore would be glad, the World
should still be _groping_ after _both_. 'Tis _he_ that sets the
_Buffoons_, and empty _Sycophants_, to turn all that's _Great_ and
_Virtuous_ into _Raillery_ and Derision: 'Tis therefore to encounter
_these_, that like those resolute _Builders_,{xciii:2} whilst we employ
one hand in the Work, _we_, with the _other_ are oblig'd to hold our
_Weapon_, till some bold, and _Gallant Genius_ deliver us, and raise the
Siege. How gloriously would such a _Benefactor_ shine! What a
_Constellation_ would he make! How great a _Name_ establish! For mine own
part (_Religiously_ I _profess_ it) were I not a _Person_, who (whilst I
stood expecting when others more worthy, and able than my self, should
have snatch'd the Opportunity of