verfities) by Englishmen, and read with more Ease than other Languages; and the Hebrew hath been thought what your Dictionary-Latin, and moft of your Latin Writers, especially the Latin Tranflations of the Greek Writers Mr Hutchinfon had Occafion to cite, really are, but crabbed, ftiff Sort of Stuff; and it is eafing the Trouble of reading these Books, even to those who are much better qualified than we are, to have made thefe Tranflations. We have been more fparing of Notes than we at firft intended, because a close Attention to the Text will fupply that Want, and give the Reader the Pleasure of being his own Commentator. The former Errors of the Prefs, especially in the Pointing, and Divifion of Sentences, and which were very numerous, are carefully corrected in this Edition; and for for what may have crept in maugre all our Care, we must crave the Reader's Indulgence. The firft Part of the Data in Chriftianity was the last Book the Author lived to publish himfelf; the fecond Part of the Data was put together in the best Manner we could from his own Papers, and published in 1739; and then the Treatife on the Human Frame, wrote fair out by himself, was also published; as was Part of Glory Mechanical, which he had tranfcribed for the Prefs, no farther than to Page 86. The rest is taken from fome Rolls of Paper, which appear to have been Hints and Obfervations made at different Times; put down, as People do occafional Notes, on different Pieces of Paper, and at last pafted together: It is to be hoped, however, that they will not be without their Ufe. Thofe, who fincerely defire to find the Truth, 7 will confider every Hint, take what is beft; and if any thing feem to contradict another Part, or what has been fince explained, will take the Pains to correct it for themselves. Thofe, who chufe to spend their Time in finding Fault, and in endeavouring to pull to Pieces what others put together, may divert themfelves in that Way: But let it be remembered, that Pofthumous Works have a Right to challenge fome Allowance; and it is not every fingle Expression, or every fingle Obfervation, we fhall think ourfelves bound to answer for, tho' we have published it. Should the main Subject be attacked in a fair candid Way, we will either defend or retract. Having faid fo much for the Author, and for ourselves, we fhall conclude with faying for the Bookfeller, VOL. I. d that |