Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/397

 thereon. This will be evident, when we behold the Agreement that is between the present Design of the Royal Society, and that of our Church in its Beginning. They both may lay equal claim to the word Reformation; the one having compass'd it in Religion, the other purposing it in Philosophy. They both have taken a like course to bring this about; each of them parting by the corrupt Copies, and referring themselves to the perfect Originals for their Instruction; the one to the Scripture, the other to the large Volume of the Creatures. They are both unjustly accus'd by their Enemies of the same Crimes, of having forsaken the Ancient Traditions, and ventur'd on Novelties. They both suppose alike, that their Ancestors mighr err; and yet retain a sufficient Reverence for them. They both follow the great Precept of the Apostle, of trying all Things. Such is the Harmony between their Interests and Tempers. It cannot therefore be suspected, that the Church of England, that arose on the same Method, though in different Works; that heroically pass'd through the same Difficulties, that relies on the same Sovereign's Authority, should look with jealous Eyes on this Attempt; which makes no change in the Principles of Mens Consciences, but chiefly aims at the Increase of Inventions about the Works of their Hands.

This was the last Particular in this Subject which I undertook to make good; That our Church can never be impair'd by the Growth of the useful Arts of Life. But now I come nearer to it, I find that I may safely omit it: For the thing itself is so manifest, that there can be no ground of raising a Question about it. If our Church should be an Enemy to Commerce, Intelligence, Discovery, Navigation, or any fort of Rh