ABSTRACT
BEING about to treat upon the Mathematical Sciences, according to my Office, before I enter into the inner Parts of the Edifice I chuse to tarry a little at the Entrance; and that I may humour, or rather oblige those who come less prepared to such Studies, shall first of all touch upon certain general things belonging thereto a . This, to pass by all unnecessary Circumstances, I shall closely assay to do in the following Method. First, I shall discourse a few things of the Name of these Sciences; then of their Object and the Division arising from thence; next of the manner of handling the Object, or investigating and demonstrating its Properties; (where an occasion will offer itself of enquiring into the Principles these Sciences assume, the Differences of the Propositions they exhibit, the twofold Method of demonstrating by Analysis and Synthesis, and other Matters of like kind) lastly, I shall perhaps subjoin something historical concerning their Rise. Progress, and Increase.
