. Our least Magnitudes,
can be diuided into so many partes, as the greatest. As, a Line of an
inch long, (with vs) may be diuided into as many partes, as may the
diameter of the whole world, from East to West: or any way extended:
What priuiledges, aboue all manual Arte, and Natures might, haue our two
Sciences Mathematicall? to exhibite, and to deale with thinges of such
power, liberty, simplicity, puritie, and perfection? And in them, so
certainly, so orderly, so precisely to procede: as, excellent is that
workeman Mechanicall Iudged, who nerest can approche to the representing
of workes, Mathematically demonstrated?

[->]

And our two Sciences, remaining pure, and absolute, in their proper
termes, and in their owne Matter: to haue, and allowe, onely such
Demonstrations, as are plaine, certaine, vniuersall, and of an aeternall
veritye?

[Geometrie.]

This Science of _Magnitude_, his properties, conditions, and
appertenances: commonly, now is, and from the beginnyng, hath of all
Philosophers, ben called _Geometrie_. But, veryly, with a name to base
and scant, for a Science of such dignitie and amplenes. And, perchaunce,
that name, by common and secret consent, of all wisemen, hitherto hath
ben suffred to remayne: that it might carry with it a perpetuall
memorye, of the first and notablest benefite, by that Science, to common
people shewed: Which was, when Boundes and meres of land and ground were
lost, and confounded (as in _Egypt_, yearely, with the ouerflowyng of
_Nilus_, the greatest and longest riuer in the world) or, that ground
bequeathed, were to be assigned: or, ground sold, were to be layd out:
or (when disorder preuailed) that Commons were distributed into
seueralties. For, where, vpon these & such like occasions, Some by
ignorance, some by negligence, Some by fraude, and some by violence, did
wrongfully limite, measure, encroach, or challenge (by pretence of iust
content, and measure) those landes and groundes: great losse,
disquietnes, murder, and warre did (full oft) ensue: Till, by Gods
mercy, and mans Industrie, The perfect Science of Lines, Plaines, and
Solides (like a diuine Iusticier,) gaue vnto euery man, his owne. The
people then, by this art pleasured, and greatly relieued, in their
landes iust measuring: & other Philosophers, writing Rules for land
measuring: betwene them both, thus, confirmed the name of _Geometria_,
that is, (according to the very etimologie of the word) Land measur