Of the Abbe de S A D E. 121 



the evidence on which it is built, has afforded me confiderable 

 pleafure, while, at the fame time, I have flattered myfclf that 

 the refult of this examination has been a complete detedion of 

 its infuihciency, I am prompted to fubmit my remarks to the 

 confideration of this Society, which embraces, in its comprehen- 

 five inftitution, equally the fubjeds of philofophical refearch 

 and of hiftorical and critical difquifition. 



In the examination of this hypothefis, I laid down to myfelf 

 certain rules, which, as they are of a general nature, may, as I 

 imagine, be applied with propriety to all inveftigations of a 

 fimilar kind, where the evidence is of that compound fpecies I 

 have mentioned. Thefe rules are the following : 



I. Where a doubtful fadl is to be afcertained, by bringing 

 together, comparing and weighing the fenfe of various paffages 

 of an author's writings, the conftrudlion put on ambiguous ex- 

 preflions ought to be fuch as is confonant with the fenfe of 

 thofe paffages or expreffions, which, on the fame fubjeA, are 

 plain and unambiguous. 



II. Where a perfon's charaEler and manner of thinking^ 

 feeling, or aSiing, are clear, from the general tenor of his life 



and writings, no interpretation ought to be given to doubtful 

 paffages of thofe writings, which contradi(5ls, or is inconfiftent 

 with, fuch charaSier, fentiments, and conduSi. 



III. Where many paffages concur to eftablifh the belief of the 

 difputed fad, a fingle paffage, though apparently contradidlory 

 to that fuppofition, muft not be allowed weight, if it is poflibre 

 to give it an explanation confiftent with that opinion which is 

 better fupported. 



IV. In fuch a cafe, where many paffages concur to eftablifh the 

 belief of a certain fad, and there appear one or two paffages in 

 apparent contradidion to that belief, there is room to fufped 



either 



