his Preface. 



full of Words and Queftions j but barren of Works and 

 real Improvements ; for Angmentation backward and heart- 

 Jefs ; pretending perfection in the whole, but il Infilled up 

 in the Parts i for choice Popularj and of the Authors them- 

 felves fufpcded, and. therefore fortified and countenanced 

 by artificious evailons. § And the Perfons who have en- 

 tertained a defign to make trial themfelves, and to give 

 (bme Ad'vaticement to Sciences , and to Propagate their 

 bounds, even thefe Authors durft not make an open de- 

 parture from the Common received Opinions i nor vific 

 the Head-fprings of Nature, but take themfelves to have 

 done a great matter, and to have gained much upon the 

 Age, if they may but interlace^ or atinex any thing of their 

 own; providently confidering wirh themfelves, that by 

 thefe middle courfes, they may both conferve the modesty 

 of AjfenttHg •-, and the liberty of Adding. But whiI/1: they 

 thus cautioufly conform themfelves to Opinions and Cu- 

 ftoms, thefe Flanfible moderations, redound to the great 

 prejudice and detriment of Learning '■, For at once to Ad- 

 ptire and go beyond Authors, are habits feldom compatible : 

 hut it comes to pafs here after the manner of Waters, which 

 will not afcend higher than the le'vel ofthefirji Spring-head, 

 from whence they defcend ; wherefore fuch writers amend 

 many things, but promote little or nothing, making a 

 Proficience in Melioration, not in Augmentation. § Nei- 

 ther hath there been wanting undertaking Spirits , who 

 with a more refolute confidence, prefuming nothing yet 

 done, take themfelves to be the men, muft redifie All ; 

 and imploying the ftrength of their wits in crying down, 

 and reverfing all former judgements, have made paffage 

 to themfelves, and their own Placits; whofe bufie Cla- 

 mor, hath not much advanced Kwon^/^^^e, fince their aim 

 and intention hath been, not to enlarge the bounds of Phi- 

 lofophy and Arts, by a.fincere and folid Enquiry ; but only 

 to change the Placits, and tranflate the Empire of Opini- 

 ons^ and fettle it upon themfelves, with little advantage 

 to Learning', feeing amongji oppofite Errors, the Caufes of 

 Erring are commonly the fame. § And if any inconcern* 

 ed natures, not mancipate to others, or their own opini- 

 ons, but affed^ing liberty, have been fo far animated, as to 



defire: 



7 



