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Vicomt St, Alhm 





efcape the cognizance of fchfe, even when it is well dif- 

 pofed, and no way impcdite : either by reafon of the fub- 

 tility of the entire body, or theminutnefs of the parts, 

 thereof, or the diftance of place, or the flownefs , and 

 likewife fwiftnefs of motion 5 or the familiar converfe 

 with the objeft, or fome other caufes. Again, nor where 

 fenfe truly apprehends its objeft , are her Precepts fo ve- 

 ry firm : for the tejiimony and information of fenfe ^ is e- 

 *verfrom the Analogy of Man, and not from the Analogy of 

 the World, znd k is an error of dangerous confequence to 

 affert, that fenfe is the meafure of things. Wherefore to 

 encounter thefe inconveniences, we have with painful and 

 faithful fervice every where fought out, and collefted af- 

 fiftances , thut Supplements to Deficients , to Variations, 

 KeBifications, may be miniflred. Nor do we undertake 

 this fo muchby tnjirnmentf', as by experiments ; for the fubtil- 

 ty of Experiments, IS far greater than of fenfe it felf,though 

 aflifted withexa^inftrumentSj wemean/«<:& experiments, 

 which to the intention of the thing inquired, are skilfully 

 according to Art invented and accommodated. Where- 

 fore we do not attribute much to the immediate and parti* 

 cular perception of fenfe •■, but we bring the matter to this 

 ilTue, that fenfe may judge only of the experiment, the 

 experiment of the thing. We conceive therefore, thac 

 oi^ fenfe, (from which all knowledge in things natural 

 muft be derived, unlefs we mean wilfully to go a witlefs 

 way to work) we are become the religious Pontifs ', and 

 the not inexpert interpreters of her Oracles j fo as others 

 may feem in outward profeffion ; but we in deed and a£li* 

 on, to pr(ite61: and honour fenfe. And of this. kind are 

 they which we prepare; ' for the light of Mature, the a^lu. 

 ating, and immifllon thereof, which of themfelves were 

 fufficient, were humane Intel le<^ equal, and a fmooth in- 

 anticipated Table. But when the minds of men are after 

 fuch ft range ways befi^ged, that for to admit the true 

 beams of things, af fincere and polifht Area is wanting 5 

 it coritterns us, of necefirty to bethink our felves of fcek- 

 ing out fome remedy for this diftemperature. The Ido- 

 laes, wherewith the mind is preoccupate are cither At-* 

 traSfed^ or Innate •-, Attracted have Aid into mens minds,' 



cicher 



