N. 3 - 21 aprile 2001 - Giano Bifronte

who admired the Sun, Moon, and Stars, the Works of God's Hands; and
have told us, They are many and wonderful, soughr out by all those who
take Delight therein. But these Gentlemen's Diversions lie in a much
meaner Plan, about impertinent Trifles and Fopperies, far below Human
Nature, and the Dignity of a rational Soul to busy itself about: Besides,
without entering into a long Detail of Arguments with these indolent,
insensible Creatures, the Matter is answer'd at once, and the grand
Question, Cui Bono? is finally decided: For what is the Intention of all
our Actions but to improve Knowledge? And what are the Advantages
of Knowledge, but to provide all Necessaries and Comforts to our
Bodies; such as Food, and Rayment, (and which is the least Part;) and to
improve the Light of the Mind, the sweet Contemplation of God and his
Works? Now because every Article of Knowledge hath no direct
Tendency to get a Penny, must it be therefore laid aside as useless?
What a strange and stupid Fancy would this be! Truly, beneath my
saying more of it, and very unworthy a rational Being to think so. But
these merry Gentlemen take a Delight to betray their slender Brains in
ridiculing the innocent Diversions of Philosophers, and vainly imagine
that none in the World are wiser than themselves. Yet these shall never
deter me from my Purpose, but let them laugh on, and shew themselves
like Nature's Asses, by braying at what they have not Heads capable to
understand; and as Truth and Knowledge are not any Ways indebted to
them, neither can they in the least destroy or damnify it, but like
indifferent Creatures, subsist only to shew themselves Nature's
Monkeies to mimick, and endeavour all the Mischief to Natural
Knowledge that they can. But as it is with them, so it is with these; they
have truly got Superiors, who will take sufficient Care never to let them
have their Wills.
LASTLY, the JUDICIOUS and CANDID READER is he who reads with
Judgement, censures kindly, and excuses Human Frailties in Writings;
knowing that none can wirte perfect, but that every Man has his Defects
in one Point or other: This is the Person, whom I desire should read my
Book, and from him ask Parson for what is amiss. As for all other sort
of Men, I shall value their Judgement as little as they shall value my
Doctrine, but shall be ready and willing to answer them, whenever they
shall think fit, publickly, to gainsay my Theory.
FINALLY, As to myself, all my Design in writing this Treatise was to
divert my own Mind, and all those who may take Delight in the same; to
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