PREFACE.
the right way if he endeavour any thing that is really excellent: but he must study the little plausibilities, and accommodate the humour of the MANY, who are active Ministers of Fame, being zealous and loud in their Applauses, as they are clamerous and impetuous in their oppositions. As for these, 'tis one of my chief cares to make my self as much unconcerned at their Censures as I am at the cackling of a Flock of Geese, or at the eager displeasure of those little snarling Animals that are angry when I go along the Streets. Nor can any Man be either wise or happy till he hath arrived to that greatness of Mind, that no more considers the tatling of the multitude than the whistling of the Wind. Not that I think the common People are to be contemned for the weakness of their understandings; 'tis an insolent meanness of Spirit that doth that; but when conceited Ignorance sits down in the Judgment Seat and gives peremptory Verdicts upon things beyond its Line, the wise Man smiles and passeth by. For such (if that may signifie any thing to keep them from troubling themselves about the following CONSIDERATIONS) I desire they would take notice from me, that I writ not those things for such as they; and they will do well to throw up the Book upon this Advertisement, except they will stay to hear, That though Philosophical Discourses to justifie the common belief about Witches, are nothing at all to them, or those of their measure; yet they are too seasonable and necessary for our Age, in which Atheism is begun in Sadducism:
