_MADAM,_
I have thus far discharged my duty, that according to your commands,
I have given you my judgment of the works of those four famous
Philosophers of our age, which you did send me to peruse, and have
withal made reflexions upon some of their opinions in Natural
Philosophy, especially those, wherein I did find them dissent from the
Ground and Principles of my own Philosophy. And since by your leave
I am now publishing all those Letters which I have hitherto written
to you concerning those aforesaid Authors, and their Works, I am
confident I shall not escape the censures of their followers; But, I
shall desire them, that they will be pleased to do me this Justice, and
to examine first my opinions well, without any partiality or wilful
misinterpretation of my sence, before they pass their censure: Next,
I desire them to consider, That I have no skill in School-learning,
and therefore for want of terms of Art may easily chance to slip, or
at least, not express my opinions so clearly as my readers expected;
However, I have done my endeavour, and to my sense and reason they
seem clear and plain enough, especially as I have expressed them in
those Letters I have sent you; for concerning my other Work, called
_Philosophical Opinions_, I must confess, that it might have been done
more exactly and perspicuously, had I been better skilled in such
words and expressions as are usual in the Schools of Philosophers;
and therefore, if I be but capable to learn names and terms of Art,
(although I find my self very untoward to learn, and do despair of
proving a Scholar) I will yet endeavour to rectifie that work, and
make it more intelligible; for my greatest ambition is to express my
conceptions so, that my Readers may understand them: For which I would
not spare any labour or pains, but be as industrious as those that gain
their living by their work; and I pray to God, that Nature may give me
a capacity to do it. But as for those that will censure my works out of
spite and malice, rather then according to justice, let them do their
worst; for if God do but bless them, I need not to fear the power of
Nature, much less of a part of Nature, as Man. Nay, if I have but your
Ladiships approbation, it will satisfie me; for I know you are so wise
and just in your judgment, that I may safely rely upon it: For which I
shall constantly and unfeignedly remain as long as I live,
Madam,
_Your Ladiships most faithful Friend_
_and humble Servant._