nics; how could it be fit for the present Genius of this Nation? What greater Advantage could its Adversaries have against it? How should we be able to reconcile these two Titles, which so justly belong to one King, of Defender of the Faith, and Patron of Experimental Knowledge.
But in this I am not only encourag'd to promise, that our Church will be out of all danger; but to recommend this Enterprize to it, as that which will become its other Excellencies, and is most worthy of its Protection. And I shall most humbly represent to its Consideration, that this is not only an honourable Work, but even a necessary Duty, to which it is oblig'd by Natural Affection. The present inquiring Temper of this Age was at first produc'd by the Liberty of Judging, and Searching, and Reasoning, which was us'd in the first Reformation. Though I cannot carry the Institution of the Royal Society many Years back, yet the Seeds of it were sown in King Edward the Sixth's and Queen Elizabeth's Reign: And ever since that time Experimental Learning has still retain'd some vital Heat, though it wanted the Opportunities of ripening itself, which now it enjoys. The Church of England therefore may justly be styl'd the Mother of this sort of Knowledge; and so the Care of its Nourishment and Prosperity peculiarly lies upon it.
And indeed this is an Honour which seems reserv'd for it alone. For all the several sorts of Enthusiasts, I fear, there cannot much help be expected towards such Works, 'till they shall have left off to abhor them under the Title of vain Philosophy.
The Reformed Churches of other Countries, though they have given us many Men, who have been eminent in this way, yet are not in a Condition to pro-
