ix THOMAS FULLER, M. D. Be ye Wife as SERPENTS, and Harmlefs The THIRD EDITION. LONDON: U ΤΟ My only SON J. F. DEAR SON, E VER fince you were born, I began very early with you; for while you were in your Infantile State, and your Brain was as yet dark and void, I endeavour'd to ftrike Light into it, and furnish it with Simulachra and Ideas of Things. As foon as I found your Mind began to operate, I exercised it a little, put Motion into it, and fet Thought a-going. Afterwards, as your Perception and Memory increafed, I helped you to A 2 com compare your Notions, draw Conclufions, make Axioms, and treasure them up for the future Ufes of Life. And when I had thus led you into the Art of Thinking and Reafoning, I by degrees rectify'd your little Apprehenfions and Fancies, taught you the Ufes and Abufes of the Paffions, educated you, as you grew fit for it, in Piety, Morality, Learning and good Breeding; and never fpared for either Care or Coft toward the fitting you up to make an handfome Figure among the best of Men, and act a commendable Part in common Life. But I am grown old, and must defcend to my Fathers; and leave you young and unexperienc'd to fhift for your felf, and ftruggle thro' a troublefome World. I most earnestly wish to affift you ftill; but fince it's not permitted me to do it viva voce, I have thought of this way of fupplying it with a Panoply of Directions, Counfels and Cautions; to help and defend you in all Difficulties and Dangers, and render you |