Prolegomena

Before we enter into the main controversy, it will be necessary to acquaint the reader, why I begin with the middle of the book; and it is because I there find these three principles, or positions, on which the other parts of his discourse are superstructed; and these being destroyed, his other discourses are but arenae, sine calce. I properly therefore begin with the foundation.

Next, I shall show how far we are [reconstructed: agreed] in the matters here [reconstructed: controverted], and where it is in each of these, that the controversy indeed lies between us; and as to