The Publisher to the Reader.

...sons well versed in philosophical speculations have bestowed such high praises original: "Encomiums", especially a writer of our own. This writer, besides the many commendations he adorns him with throughout his writings, compares him (in his Appendix to the defense of his Philosophical Cabbala) to Bezaleel and Aholiab Biblical craftsmen from the Book of Exodus, inspired by God to build the Tabernacle, as if he were inspired from above with a wit so curiously mechanical as to frame such a consistent structure of mechanical philosophy as he did.

Furthermore, the late learned author of Philosophy the Interpreter of Scripture original: "Philosophia Scripturæ Interpres", after a laborious, subtle, and extensive effort to prove that philosophy is the best interpreter of the Bible—as if all that effort had been intended on behalf of Descartes original: "Des-Cartes" to place him in the infallible chair of authority—concludes at last with a very high and unparalleled eulogy of the Cartesian philosophy. Therefore, it may very well be questioned whether it was wise for the writer of these Dialogues to risk his own reputation by so openly opposing and attacking the great name and authority of such a famous and eminent philosopher as Descartes original: "Cartesius".

But for my part, I must confess that the more he may have exposed himself by this freedom (provided that he is in the right, which the impartial reader must judge), the points that are debated are of such great consequence that I think his actions are a more conspicuous act of virtue. I believe that the very reasoning used to accuse him of over-reaching is a principle to be abhorred by all good and generous spirits; namely, the idea that it is imprudent to care less for one's own private reputation than for the glory of God and the public good, or the idea that anyone should lose respect for doing what is truly worthy and praiseworthy.