THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER.

I Doubt not but I ſhall incur the Cenſures of learned Men for putting this Book into Engliſh, becauſe, they’ll ſay, it renders Philoſophy cheap and vulgar, and, which is worſe, furniſhes a ſort of injudicious People with a ſmattering of Notions, which being not able to make a proper uſe of, they pervert to the Injury of Religion and Science. I confeſs the Allegation is too true: but after Biſhop Wilkins, Dr. Burnet, Mr. Whiſton and others, to ſay nothing of the ancient Philoſophers, who wrote in their own Tongues; I ſay, after theſe great Authors have treated on as learned and abſtruſe Subjects in the ſame Language, I hope their Example will be allowed a ſufficient excuſe for printing this Book in Engliſh.

Concerning this Edition I can ſay, that I have taken care to have the Cutts exactly done, and have placed each Figure at the Page of the Book that refers to it, which I take to be more convenient to the Reader than putting them all at the End.

I have been careful to procure the beſt Paper, that I might in ſome meaſure come up to the Beauty of the Latin Edition, though this bear but half the Price of it.

And I hope the Tranſlator has expreſſed the Author’s Senſe aright, and has not committed Faults beyond what an ingenuous Reader can pardon.