AUTHORS PREFACE 15 



yet make their experiments at random, without any method 

 of inquiry. And the greatest part of these have no consid 

 erable views, but esteem it a great matter if they can make 

 a single discovery; which is both a trifling and unskilful 

 procedure, as no one can justly or successfully discover 

 the nature of any one thing in that thing itself, or without 

 numerous experiments which lead to further inquiries. And 

 we must not omit to observe that all the industry displayed 

 in experiment has been directed by too indiscreet a zeal at 

 some prejudged effect, seeking those which produced fruit 

 rather than knowledge, in opposition to the Divine method, 

 which on the first day created time alone, delaying its ma 

 terial creations until the sun had illumined space. 



Lastly, those who recommend logic as the best and surest 

 instrument for improving the sciences, very justly observe, 

 that the understanding, left to itself, ought always to be 

 suspected. But here the remedy is neither equal to the 

 disease, nor approved; for though the logic in use may be 

 properly applied in civil affairs, and the arts that are 

 founded in discourse and opinion, yet it by no means 

 reaches the subtilty of nature; and by catching at what 

 it cannot hold, rather serves to establish errors and fix 

 them deeper than open the way of truth. a 



Upon the whole, men do not hitherto appear to be hap 

 pily inclined and fitted for the sciences, either by their own 

 industry, or the authority of authors, especially as there is 

 little dependence to be had upon the common demonstra 

 tions and experiments; while the structure of the universe 

 renders it a labyrinth to the understanding; where the paths 

 are not only everywhere doubtful, but the appearances of 

 things and their signs deceitful; and the wreaths and knots 

 of nature intricately turned and twisted; 3 through all which 



* For exemplifications of these opinions, the reader may consult Morhof s 

 &quot;Polyhistor.,&quot; and the other writers upon poly mathy and literary history. 

 Shaw. 



3 By wreaths and knots, is understood the apparent complication of causes, 

 and the superaddition of properties not essential to things ; as light to heat, yel 

 lowness to gold, pellucidity to glass, etc. 2b. 



