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instead of the odium and persecution I now endure. For then also, whilst I only practised Physick, no Sect or Faction was jealous of mee; whereas since, every one of them, thought even my thoughtlesse Musings were plottings against their Interest: Then I acted as a Proceptor and Director to the greatest and best persons, whereas now I have been a constant Drudge and Slave possibly to the worst; the most part whereof were not capable to value my Services: Then I spent even my time of Labour itself in choice Company and Conversations; since I have been tyed all the day long to a stake, to be baited for the most part by irrational Creatures: Then my spare hours were spent on new and curious Speculations; since I have had no spare hours at all, nor scarce time to eat or sleep, or to make reflections upon my own Miseries, or to think how to get out of them: Then no man maligned mee for supplanting him; since all my Competitors, for the places I acted in, hated mee more or lesse according to their respective judgment and honesty, some mortally, having been the uncessant Plotters of my ruine: Then I
