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IN what darknesse Philosophy lies hudled up, and how perplexing Chimaera's reduce it to de∣speration, 'tis needlesse to men∣tion: They see't, whoever see any thing in it. As superflu∣ous, therefore, 'twere to Apolo∣gize, why I would lend it my slender endeavours. Why, such as you see, I offer them, take this Account.
The main fault seem'd to me to lye at their doores, who neither do themselves nor can endure others should expect any certainty from It. Of these I have observ'd two sorts: Some there are that avouch as much of Geometry it self: some, that attribute this, not to the defect of Nature, but to the difficulty of the Mat∣ter, and the intricatenesse of Natures folds. And, I was about to provide a pream∣bulatory disputation to the former: when this Dilemma
came into my head, that, They either admit the evidence of a legitimate Syllogism, or not: if they admit it, they cannot contest against Geometry; if they admit it not, I saw not what farther evidence there was in Nature able to force them: They were, therefore, desertours of humane Na∣ture; nor otherwise to be dealt with, then as Mad-men. Turning, then, to the la∣ter sort, I saw ther's no so smart proceeding as the Geo∣metricall way; where, when
'tis ask'd whether a thing can be demonstrated? the Affirm∣er, producing a demonstration, presently destroyes the Pro∣bleme: So, I thought, I was to proceed by Instances, if I meant to perswade any thing. Thence sprung this grain of Mustard-seed; which, to what growth it may hereaf∣ter rise, 'tis not yet evident.
Why I have stiled them Institutions, the shortnesse and concise connection of the work sufficiently discover. I call them Peripateticall, be∣cause,
throughout they subsist upon Aristotle's Principles; though the conclusions some∣times dissent. That I declare them written in the way of that eminent Person and excellent Philosopher Sir Kenelm Digby; 'tis, because, since, in that so justly-to-be∣envy'd Book, Of the Im∣mortality of the Soul, he has dissected the whole compo∣sition of Nature, from the first Notion of Body, to the very joynts and articles of an invisible spirituall Soul, and
laid it before the eyes of all; any other way, then that He had traced out, I neither would nor could proceed. Whatever, therefore, you meet with, upon that Subject, is borrow'd thence: but so, as that I have transferr'd only the naked Bones, scarce hang∣ing together by their sinews; wholly destitute of those Nerves and Colours with which they are sated there. There look for Nature, where you shall misse neither Oratour nor Philosopher:
we only act the part of A∣bridgers or Summulists. The other things which are treat∣ed through this whole work, ly yet hid in His Cabinet, ex∣pecting the pains of greater leisure. If I have call'd this the Theoricall part; I would not, thence, have you expect another Practicall one: for, I meant only to declare, that I touch't nothing upon the Morall. In Logick you have a little; yet, some∣thing, unlesse I'm deceiv'd, more then need: for, few Pre∣cepts
are to be prescrib'd for Use, but a great deal of exer∣cise. Out of the rest, if I have cut off the intricate and un∣profitable petty Questions; me∣thinks I have deserved thanks.
Do you ask, What fruits I expect? That you should be∣lieve there is, in Nature and in things beyond Nature, a no-lesse connection of Terms & force of Consequences, then in Mathematicks: For, this the Order, and Brevity, and the invincible firmnesse, sure∣ly, of some Consequences will
obtain of an unobstinate per∣son. This if I shall have at∣tain'd; since all Science is last∣ly resolv'd into the unity of Definitions▪ I hope, naturall Science will be rescu'd from desperation. I have divided the Books into Lessons and ve∣ry frequent Breaks: both for the greater clearness & com∣modity of Citation; as also, be∣cause, conceiving the entrance into these Institutions would be scarcely open to Novices, without the help of some more skilfull, I have call'd a Les∣son
so much as may, at one fit∣ting, be explicated; a Break, that which at one breath, or with one effort of the Mind and Voice; to afford, betwixt the Breaks, a breathing space from speaking.
To the Auditours, Questi∣oning is permitted, in that kind as may make them under∣stand the things propos'd; Op∣position is prohibited, till they have, once or twice, run through the whole Work: For, whilst they are yet ignorant of what lies hid in the things to
follow; by forestalling the or∣der, they spoil the Discourse, whilst they tamper with obje∣cting. The Work is but short; and, for a little while, the affe∣ction of Credulity may be fairly exacted in a Learner, that he may clearly apprehend the things propos'd: When he shall have understood against what he's to object, there will be li∣berty enough of disputing.
You see, a Walk or Garden may serve well enough for this exercise: I have therefore gi∣ven you a volume which will
not load your Pocket. I have follow'd that Method which the necessity of consequences drew on, not, the rules of Lo∣gick prescrib'd, though yet it be not averse from this. If you blame the Obscurity,* 1.1 re∣member, Acroases are so to be pub∣lished, that they become not pub∣lick: that their penetration may be difficult without a Clue, yet not unpassable to a resolute pursuance.
Aristotles orall In∣structions to Alex∣ander.