Society_ to render an _Accompt_ of their Proceedings to _any_ who are not of the _Body_, and that carry on the _Work_ at their own _expence_ amidst so many Contradictions?
It is an _Evil Spirit_, and an _Evil Age_, which having sadly _debauch'd_ the _Minds_ of Men; seeks with Industry to blast and undermine 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 _signalizing_ a Work worthy of _Immortality_) had long since given _Hostages_ to _Fortune_, and so put my self out of a Capacity of shewing my _Affection_ to a _Design_ so glorious; I would not only most chearfully have _contributed_ towards the freeing it from the _Straits_ it has so long struggl'd under; but _sacrific'd_ all my _Secular Interests_ in their Service: But, as I said, this is reserv'd for that Gallant _Hero_ (whoe'er it be) that truly weighing the noble and universal _Consequence_ of so high an _Enterprize_, shall at last free it of these _Reproaches_; and either set it above the reach of _Envy_, or convert it to _Emulation_.