The Preface.
a Lye: for they gave way to the Enemies growth, till at laſt the Tares poſſeſt the Field, and then was the true Graine caſt into the Fire. Nor indeed could it be otherwiſe, for this Buſhel being placed over the Light, the Darkneſs of it invited Ignorance abroad: and now ſteps out Ariſtotle like a Pedler with his pack, the Triumphs of whoſe petulant School had but two weak ſupporters, Obſcurity and Envie. Both theſe proceeded from the Malignancie of ſome eminent Authors, whom God had bleſt with Diſcoveries Extraordinary: Theſe to ſecure themſelves and the Art, judged it their beſt courſe to blot out the path, that ſuch as were unworthy might never be able to follow them. It cannot be denyed but this Myſtery and cloud of the letter carried with it both Diſcretion and Neceſſitie, but what ſpoyl’d all was the Exceſs of the Contrivers, for they past all Decencie both in the Meaſure, and the Maner of it. I could be numerous in Examples, and proofs of this kind, but that I hold it ſuperfluous to pauſe at a point which is acknowledged on all Hands. To
be
