Page:The Analyst; or, a Discourse Addressed to an Infidel Mathematician.djvu/82

72 Science. Thus the direct Method precedes the invere, and the knowledge of the Principles is uppoed in both. But as for operating according to Rules, and by the help of general Forms, whereof the original Principles and Reaons are not undertood, this is to be eteemed merely technical. Be the Principles therefore ever o abtrue and metaphyical, they mut be tudied by whoever would comprehend the Doctrine of Fluxions. Nor can any Geometrician have a right to apply the Rules of the great Author, without firt conidering his metaphyical Notions whence they were derived. Thee how neceary oever in order to Science, which can never be attained without a precie, clear, and accurate Conception of the Principles, are nevertheles by everal carelely paed over; while the Expreions alone are dwelt on and conidered and treated with great Skill and Management, thence to obtain other Expreions by Methods, upicious and indirect (to ay the leat) if conidered in themelves, however recommended by Induction and Authority;