Part 9 (2/2)

[5.]

And great Comfort, with good hope, may the _Vniuersities_ haue, by reason of this _Englishe_ +Geometrie, and Mathematicall Praeface+, that they (hereafter) shall be the more regarded, esteemed, and resorted vnto. For, when it shall be knowen and reported, that of the _Mathematicall Sciences_ onely, such great Commodities are ensuing (as I haue specified): and that in dede, some of you vnlatined Studentes, can be good witnesse, of such rare fruite by you enioyed (thereby): as either, before this, was not heard of: or els, not so fully credited: ”Well, may all men coniecture, that farre greater ayde, and better furniture, to winne to the Perfection of all Philosophie,

[Vniuersities.]

may in the Vniuersities be had: being the Storehouses & Threasory of all Sciences,

and all Artes, necessary for the best, and most n.o.ble State of Common Wealthes.”

[6.]

Besides this, how many a Common Artificer, is there, in these Realmes of England and Ireland, that dealeth with Numbers, Rule, & c.u.mpa.s.se: Who, with their owne Skill and experience, already had, will be hable (by these good helpes and informations) to finde out, and deuise, new workes, straunge Engines, and Instrumentes: for sundry purposes in the Common Wealth? or for priuate pleasure? and for the better maintayning of their owne estate? I will not (therefore) fight against myne owne shadowe. For, no man (I am sure) will open his mouth against this Enterprise. No m (I say) who either hath Charitie toward his brother (and would be glad of his furtherance in vertuous knowledge): or that hath any care & zeale for the bettering of the Cmon state of this Realme. Neither any, that make accompt, what the wiser sort of men (Sage and Stayed) do thinke of them. To none (therefore) will I make any _Apologie,_ for a vertuous acte doing: and for cmending, or setting forth, Profitable Artes to English men, in the English toung. ”But, vnto G.o.d our Creator, let vs all be thankefull: for that, +_As he, of his Goodnes, by his Powre, and in his wisedome,

hath Created all thynges, in Number, Waight, and Measure_+: So, to vs, of hys great Mercy, he hath reuealed Meanes, whereby, to atteyne the sufficient and necessary knowledge of the foresayd hys three princ.i.p.all Instrumentes: Which Meanes, I haue abundantly proued vnto you, to be the _Sciences_ and _Artes Mathematicall_.”

And though I haue ben pinched with straightnes of tyme: that, no way, I could so pen downe the matter (in my Mynde) as I determined: hopyng of conuenient laysure: Yet. if vertuous zeale, and honest Intent prouoke and bryng you to the readyng and examinyng of this Compendious treatise, I do not doute, but, as the veritie therof (accordyng to our purpose) will be euident vnto you: So the pith and force therof, will persuade you: and the wonderfull frute therof, highly pleasure you. And that you may the easier perceiue, and better remember, the princ.i.p.all pointes, whereof my Preface treateth,

[The Ground platt of this Praeface in a Table.]

I will giue you the +Groundplatt+ of my whole discourse, in a Table annexed: from the first to the last, somewhat Methodically contriued.

If Hast, hath caused my poore pen, any where, to stumble: You will, (I am sure) in part of recompence, (for my earnest and sincere good will to pleasure you), Consider the rockish huge mountaines, and the perilous vnbeaten wayes, which (both night and day, for the while) it hath toyled and labored through, to bryng you this good Newes, and Comfortable profe, of Vertues frute.

So, I Commit you vnto G.o.ds Mercyfull direction, for the rest: hartely besechyng hym, to prosper your Studyes, and honest Intentes: to his Glory, & the Commodity of our Countrey. _Amen_.

_Written at my poore House At Mortlake._

_Anno. 1570. February. 9._

[Decoration]

<script>