I know that they deny, with the _Peripatetick Aristotle_[255], the Existence of the _Muliebrian SEED_. Nay, I farther know, that, _this_ is not all, which they will _object_ against; for the _Four Galenick HUMOURS_ will be as hard to _digest_. But as I leave all _Men to think and judge for themselves_, without differing with any for dissenting from me in _Opinion_, so I know that _Men of Probity_ and _Ingenuity_ will allow me the same _Privilege_ and act in a suitable Manner: Whereas I doubt not but some _Momus_, or _Zoilus_, or some _Member_ of the Body of the _Sophistical_ SCIOLISTS will rise up, and pronounce me either altogether _Ignorant_, or an unjust _Vilifier_ of the reigning _Modern Opinions_, by laying down some Authentick _Positions_ of the ANTIENTS, THIS cannot more certainly befall me, than I expect it; wherefore, I am not only in some measure upon my _Guard_; but also otherways resolved to hear, and even bear such _Controversial Wranglings_ with Patience: Which I need think the less of doing, or suffering with Pleasure, considering the many Glorious _Examples_ already set before my Eyes of _Those_ who have deserved the greatest _Applause_, and the _Best_ of Mankind in all Ages. To pass by some living _MONUMENTS_ of _Detraction_, who are at this Day universally acknowledged to be _Eminent_ and _Excellent Men_; have not some of the best _Authors_ that ever wrote been unjustly scourged by the _black Tongues_, and even scandaliz’d by the _Satyrick Pens_, of their COTEMPORARIES? And are not the same SUFFERERS, I mean their _Names_ and _Memories_ immortaliz’d at this Time, through all _Nations_? Besides, in short, will they not continue to be so through out all succeeding _Generations_ for their essential _Helps_ and ingenious _Discoveries_ in the Noble and Heavenly Art of PHYSICK? Moreover, have we not too many _Instances_ of THIS, to go no farther, in _England_, even too well known to require a _Repetition_? HOW vain then would it be in me to hope to escape the Common _Fate_ of all WRITERS in general? No, before ever I _put Pen to Paper_, I plainly foresaw, that, in this degenerate Age, no honest Man could safely subscribe to the genuine truth of Things, without suffering by publick Malice, under the _Character_ of being reckon’d either an Ignorant or an _obsolete_ SINGULARIST. HOWEVER, yet, as I would willingly avoid being ranked among litigious _Disputants_, so I have taken Care (if it be possible) to mitigate the _Censure_, by not insisting too stiffly upon any TOPICK, which may be suppos’d to tend more to curious _Speculation_, than to real _Practice_ in our ART: Neither have I set off any _Hypothesis_ with recommendatory _Glosses_, nor other fine _Embellishments_, serving more for _Ornament_ than _Use_.