A decorative woodcut border at the top of the page featuring repeating floral and vine-like motifs.

To the Reader.

A large decorative historiated initial 'I' embellished with leafy foliage and scrollwork.

I Have had some
conflict with my-
self in the arrange-
ment original: "Diſpoſall" of this piece,
the subject being
contrary to the spirit
of the age original: "Genius of the Times" — referring to the prevailing intellectual or moral atmosphere of the era.,
which is both corrupt,
and irritable Splenetic: bad-tempered or spiteful; historically believed to be caused by an imbalance of the spleen.. It was my desire
to keep it private, but the con-
nection it bears to my former
writings original: "former Diſcourſes" hath forced it to the press. It is
the last mirror original: "Glasse" of my thoughts, and
their first reflection being not complete,
I have added this to perfect their im-
age, and proportion original: "Symmetrie". I must con-
fess I have no reason for it, but what