ences_ 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,

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and all Artes, necessary for the best, and most noble 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, & Cumpasse: 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 man (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 Common 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 commending, or setting
forth, Profitable Artes to English men, in the English toung. "But, vnto
God 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 principall
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)