( 4**3 
And yet (infliort to convince and reclaim as many as are hope- 
ful) I dare, without leave , but with fincere affe&ions, in behalf of 
the Learn ed virtuofi, undertake to joyn iffue with them , and to 
ofe fair proof , That , whereas they pretend to Ariftotle as their 
•Grand Oracle , we have a true and higher efteem for his true worth, 
than thefe Pretenders do effe&ually manifeft. 
We fay, his Logic ks and Rhetoricks are very valuable. His 
M thicks and Politicks , for the moft part, found. His Metaphyftcks 
in many Notions acute. But all thefe are generally overwhelmed 
and degraded by the fwarms of Infertile Syftemesand dilute - Com* 
mentaries; 
And as for the other more ufeful Volumes of Ariftotle , his 
Traffs of Animals (which did coft Great Alexander fo many Ta- 
lents for the furniture , and an ample Sala ry for encouragements) 
his Mathematical Difcourfes ,and Mechanicks y thefe they never fa- 
lute. They weed out his onely defedls and animolities , his Ve- 
litations with his Elders and Compeers about Atomes and darker 
Principles; a Matter ^ which is neque quid , neque quantum , neque 
quale , a Formal and Suhftantial 'evr ehe^&a, ( a word too hard for 
Cicero to tranflate) and Privation , a Principle as good as the 
reft,; his Definitions of Caufes ana Affedlions ; his Quaternion 
of grofte Elements and groffer Mixtures , and infipid Comp fit ions 
and Qualities , leffe fignificant than the popular Air : All of them 
much fitter to beget £*-mWControverfies , than to adminifter any 
fatisfa&iontoareafonableUnderftanding. Thefe they gather up 
for the fweeteft Pofies and faireft Garlands , wherewith to adorn 
their Brows and T emples ; and fo they take their leave of Ariftotle 
at the very T hrefhold . 
T hus they rejed the Harmony , and wafte all their time in tuner 
ing thelnftrument , . and are beft pleafed, evenravifh’d, with thofe 
ftrokes which glance below the Bridge , by which they fharpen 
and turn their Spirits habitually ? and fet the teeth of their difci- 
pies on edge ; and then 
Quo femel eft imhuta recens , fervabit , &c. 
We take leave to ask ^Whether Ariftotle did not illuftrate his 
beft Conceptions in his Works , with Mathematical Demonftrau- 
ons? In this, Blancanm will initiate their Obfervations withfuf- 
fic eat iadu'gence. We ask further Which of the Philofophers 
of, 
