the Mathematical Sciences are So neceffary to the Attainment of fuch Apprehenfions of the Divine Excellency: On these Confiderations it may not unjustly be look'd on, as one Part of the Gentleman's Calling, to apply a due or confiderable Portion of his Time to the Study of Mathematicks. For to affirm this, is Nothing elfe but to affirm in other Words; that it is the Duty of a Gentleman, to allot a confiderable Portion of bis Time, (which by the Bounty of GOD in giving him a good Eftate, is exempted from mean and bodily Employments,) for Qualifying bimfelf to glorify his great Crea tor tor and Bountiful Benefactor, with the most exalted Notions be can; namely, by applying bimfelf (as to Books of Religion, which tend in a more fpecial Manner to fet forth the Divine Wisdom,as well asGoodnefs, in the Redemption of Mankind; fo alfo) to Books of Mathematicks, which tend in a more Special Manner to fet forth the Divine Wisdom and Goodnefs, in Making and Preserving the System or Frame of the Material World. Thefe Confiderations had a principal Share, in inducing Me to draw up this Course of Mathematicks for Young Gentlemen: Forafmuch as it bence appears appears to be a Work, which in its own Nature tends very much to the Promoting of GOD's Glory, and confequently to be a Work very proper for a Divine. And as what has been faid, do's, with Respect to my felf, carry in it a fufficient Justification for my Drawing up this Courfe of Mathematicks; fo with Refpect to Others, it carries in it fuch a Motive to the Study of Mathematicks, as will be of the greatest Weight with Young Gentlemen, who are of a Sober and Religious Difpofition. As for those, who are not to be influenc'd by Motives of a Spiritual Nature, or drawn from their Duty to G 0 D, confider'd either as their common Creator, or Special Benefactor, there are not wanting many fenfible Motives, or fuch as may be drawn from their temporal Intereft, to encourage Them to the Study of the Mathematical Sciences. Some of thefe Motives are expressly taken Notice of, in the particular Prefaces to the feveral Treatifes, which make up this Work: And others may be eafily gather'd from the Nature of many Examples contain'd in the Treatises themselves. I shall therefore, in this General Preface, content my felf with taking Notice of this General Advantage, arifing to a Gentleman from his Knowledge of the Mathematicks Namely, that He : is is thereby enabled to entertain Himself at any Time, (either without Door if the Weather be fair, or within Door if it be foul,) after such a Manner, as shall either beneficially instruct, or innocently divert his Mind; and confequently He needs never be at a Lofs how to pass away his Time as he ought, That most unhappy Condition, which has prov'd the fatal Ruin of fo many Gentlemen, as to Body as well as Soul, as to their Temporal as well as Eternal State. It remains only to observe, that another general Encourage. ment to Young Gentlemen for to Study the Mathematicks, and that no inconfiderable One, is the |