of Mankind, for ſo glorious a Preſent as I here make them, for the common Good; but alas! I find the envious World, has cut out a deal of other Work for me, and that I muſt anſwer a Crowd of malicious Objections, which my learned Friends aſſure me, are levell'd againſt this unparallel'd Performance, by thoſe who ſaw it in Manuſcript.
But as this is Preface enough of Conſcience for one Time, I muſt ſay with St. Auſtin when he us'd to cut his Sermons into two, Parcite mihi fratres, non dicam vobis quod ſequitur; and beg the Reader to indulge me in a Liberty always allowed great Writers, of treading in unbeaten Paths, and for my Eaſe and his own, as well the Novelty and Boldneſs of the Stroke, to pardon me if, like the Adventure of the Bear and the Fiddle, I break off here a little abruptly, and (as I have reſolv'd for a Coup d'Eclat to make three Prefaces to this glorious Work) ſend him for the Second and Third to the Middle and End of this Volume.
ME-
