Friar Bacon: His Discovery of the Miracles of Art, Nature, and Magick

" A Prejudate eye much lessens the noblenesse of the Subject. Bacons name may bring at the first an inconvenience to the Book, but Bacons ingenuity will recompence it ere he be solidly read. ¿is as an Apology is the usher to his other Workes, which may happily breath a more free Air hereäer, when once the World sees how clear he was, from loving Negromacy. 'Twas the Popes smoak which made the eyes of that Age so sore, as they could not discern any open hearted and clear headed soul from an heretical Phantasme. ¿e silly Fryers envying his too prying head, by their crä had almost got it off his shoulders. It's dangerous to be wiser than the multitude, for that unruly Beast will have every over- topping head to be lopped shorter, lest it plot, ruine, or stop the light, or shadow its extravagancies. How famous this Frier is in the judgment of both godly and wise men, I referre you to the Probatums of such men, whose single Authorities were of sufficiency to equallize a Jury of others; and as for the Book, I refer it to thy reading. As for myself, I refer me to him, whom I serve, and hope thou wilt adore...."