PREFACE. XXIX 



notions for the last place ; and insisting on such of 

 them as are not merely notional, but, coming from 

 nature, do also lead to her. 



This book containeth three parts, the Preface ; 

 the distribution of the work of the great Instaura- 

 tion ; Aphorisms, guiding to the interpretation of 

 nature. 



The preface considereth the present unhappy 

 state of learning, together with counsels and advices 

 to advance and improve it. To this preface there 

 fore, are to be reduced the Indicia, and the proem in 

 Gruter, (e) concerning the interpretation of nature ; 

 the first book de Augmentis Scientiarum, which 

 treateth generally of their dignity and advancement ; 

 and his lordship s &quot;Cogitata et Visa&quot; (/) written by him, 

 in Latin, without intention of making them public 

 in that form, and sent to Dr. Andrews, (g) as likewise 

 to Sir Thomas Bodley, with a desire to receive their 

 censures and emendations. The latter returned him 

 a free and friendly judgment of this work, in a large 

 and learned letter, published in the Cabala, in the 

 English tongue, and by Gruter in the Latin. (Ji) The 

 like, perhaps, was done by the former, though his 

 answer be not extant. 



To the distribution, belongeth that Latin frag 

 ment in Gruter, (i) called, The Delineation, and Ar- 



(e) Script, p. 28.5. and 479. 



(f) Pub by Gruter among the Scripta. 



(g) Anno 1607. See Resusc. p. 35. 

 (h) Inter Scripta Philos. p. 62. 



(i} Inter Scripta. p. 293. 



