f m 3 



of deception; for if thdfe fadls which are agreeable 

 to and fupported by the common fenfe of mankind 

 cannot be depended upon for certain infallible 

 truths, then there is no fuch thing as certainty at- 

 tainable by human nature. Is it poflible to doubt, 

 jf fh^p glorious luminary the fun, which difpen- 

 fes heat, and light, and life, to this lower world, 

 hath any real exiftence, and is the caufe of thofe 

 fenfations? Surely it is not; and yet in what does 

 this certainty confift, but the common fenfe of man- 

 kind ? I fee, feel, perceiv^, and am affecled in a 

 particular manner by the appearance of this foun- 

 tain of life; all mankind are impreft with identical 

 or fimilar fenfations, perceptions, and afFedions; 

 therefore no man doubts, or can poffibly doubt of, 

 the certainty and reality of the fun's exiftence. 



All truths which are derived from common 

 fenfe, are equally certain with the above; for if it 

 were poflible that all men could be deceived in any 

 of thofe fenfations, perceptions, and affedions, 

 which are conjmon to all men ; that is, if they 

 could fee, feel, and be affedled in any way or man- 

 ner they could not fee, feel, and be affeded, then 

 truth and certainty to the human mind would be 

 an impofllble thing; there being no criteria by 

 which truth might be diftinguifhed from falfhood, 

 nor man indued with faculties to perceive and 

 mark the diiference of things. 



Thofe 



