FAVOURABLE 



READER. 



HE intended Apologetick, for the In- 

 ilauration of Sciences, and the jitfiifi- 

 cation of this Author, nphichjhonld ha^e 

 been prefix'd this worJ^j, as a preparation 

 thereto J is not pHhIi/ht. Motii^ei tothis 

 rcfolution, were di'vers^ whereof fome are 

 'very concerning. Apologeticks/br/«f^ 

 Authors and fnch enterprifes are entertained with jealoufeesy 

 as if they threatned an innovation in the Jiate of Learning j 

 by re'verjing the judgements of Antiquity, and the Piacits of 

 the Modern ; and by bringing in a nerp Primum Mobile , 

 into the IntelleciHal Globe of Sciences , to the fnbverfion of 

 the Arts received. But thefe are groundhfs fears, fancied 

 by fuchy rvho either underftand not the intention of this at- 

 tempt •, or, engaged in ^Profeflbry way , fnfpeEi their pro- 

 »jit and reputation to be in danger, if fnch dejigns ponld tah^ 

 effeB. Our Author protefis againU fnch daring vanities, the, 

 raifing of any new Se£i:,upon the ruins of Antiquity 'jand 

 every where endeavours to improve the labours of Ancient 

 and Modern Writers, and fo muji he do who defends him,ifhe 

 mderjiands the buftnefs he goes about. The point is not,touch' 

 ing what is already done ', nor of the Abilities of the Afrents; 

 nor of the capacity of their Injiruments ', which could not be 

 undertaken without emuhus comparifons poth of Perfons, A- 

 Bions and Things : but the point is touching propagation 

 and advancement of Knowledges ; the improvement, and 

 not the confervation only of the Patrimony of our Anafiors : 

 and that by opening to the under/landing a different way, 

 than hath been known to former Ages ; and clearing that 

 glafs to the letting in of a more plentiful light. The ways 

 and ends of thefe two hjiowledges (I mean of what we have, 

 and of what we may have) thus different ; and the princi' 



[Bj pies, 



