_MADAM,_
You have been pleased to send me the Works of four Famous and Learned
Authors, to wit, of two most Famous Philosophers of our Age, _Des
Cartes_, and _Hobbs_, and of that Learned Philosopher and Divine Dr.
_More_, as also of that Famous Physician and Chymist _Van Helmont_.
Which Works you have sent me not onely to peruse, but also to give
my judgment of them, and to send you word by the usual way of our
Correspondence, which is by Letters, how far, and wherein I do dissent
from these Famous Authors, their Opinions in _Natural Philosophy_. To
tell you truly, _Madam_, your Commands did at first much affright me,
for it did appear, as if you had commanded me to get upon a high Rock,
and fling my self into the Sea, where neither a Ship, nor a Plank, nor
any kind of help was near to rescue me, and save my life; but that I
was forced to sink, by reason I cannot swim: So I having no Learning
nor Art to assist me in this dangerous undertaking, thought, I must
of necessity perish under the rough censures of my Readers, and be
not onely accounted a fool for my labour, but a vain and presumptuous
person, to undertake things surpassing the ability of my performance;
but on the other side I considered first, that those Worthy Authors,
were they my censurers, would not deny me the same liberty they take
themselves; which is, that I may dissent from their Opinions, as well
as they dissent from others, and from amongst themselves: And if I
should express more Vanity then Wit, more Ignorance then Knowledg, more
Folly then Discretion, it being according to the Nature of our Sex, I
hoped that my Masculine Readers would civilly excuse me, and my Female
Readers could not justly condemn me. Next I considered with my self,
that it would be a great advantage for my Book called _Philosophical
Opinions_, as to make it more perspicuous and intelligible by the
opposition of other Opinions, since two opposite things placed near
each other, are the better discerned; for I must confess, that when
I did put forth my Philosophical Work at first, I was not so well
skilled in the Terms or Expressions usual in _Natural Philosophy_; and
therefore for want of their knowledg, I could not declare my meaning so
plainly and clearly as I ought to have done, which may be a sufficient
argument to my Readers, that I have not read heretofore any _Natural
Philosophers_, and taken some Light from them; but that my Opinions
did meerly issue from the Fountain of my own Brain, without any other
help or assistance. Wherefore since for want of proper Expressions,
my named Book of _Philosophy_ was accused of obscurity and intricacy,
I thought your Commands would be a means to explain and clear it the
better, although not by an Artificial way, as by Logical Arguments or
Mathematical Demonstrations, yet by expressing my Sense and Meaning
more properly and clearly then I have done heretofore: But the chief
reason of all was, the Authority of your Command, which did work so
powerfully with me, that I could not resist, although it were to the
disgrace of my own judgment and wit; and therefore I am fully resolved
now to go on as far, and as well as the Natural strength of my Reason
will reach: But since neither the strength of my Body, nor of my
understanding, or wit, is able to mark every line, or every word of
their works, and to argue upon them, I shall onely pick out the ground
Opinions of the aforementioned Authors, and those which do directly
dissent from mine, upon which I intend to make some few Reflections,
according to the ability of my Reason; and I shall meerly go upon the
bare Ground of _Natural Philosophy_, and not mix Divinity with it,
as many Philosophers use to do, except it be in those places, where
I am forced by the Authors Arguments to reflect upon it, which yet
shall be rather with an expression of my ignorance, then a positive
declaration of my opinion or judgment thereof; for I think it not onely
an absurdity, but an injury to the holy Profession of Divinity to draw
her to the Proofs in _Natural Philosophy_; wherefore I shall strictly
follow the Guidance of _Natural Reason_, and keep to my own ground and
Principles as much as I can; which that I may perform the better, I
humbly desire the help and assistance of your Favour, that according to
that real and intire Affection you bear to me, you would be pleased to
tell me unfeignedly, if I should chance to err or contradict but the
least probability of truth in any thing; for I honor Truth so much, as
I bow down to its shadow with the greatest respect and reverence; and I
esteem those persons most, that love and honor Truth with the same zeal
and fervor, whether they be Ancient or Modern Writers.
Thus, _Madam_, although I am destitute of the help of Arts, yet being
supported by your Favour and wise Directions, I shall not fear any
smiles of scorn, or words of reproach; for I am confident you will
defend me against all the mischievous and poisonous Teeth of malicious
detractors. I shall besides, implore the assistance of the Sacred
Church, and the Learned Schools, to take me into their Protection, and
shelter my weak endeavours: For though I am but an ignorant and simple
Woman, yet I am their devoted and honest Servant, who shall never quit
the respect and honor due to them, but live and die theirs, as also,