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appear from hence, that our opinions are everywhere pro 

 posed naked and undefended, without endeavoring to bribe 

 the liberty of others by confutations ; for where the things 

 advanced prove just, we hope that if any scruple or objec 

 tion arise in the first reading, an answer will of itself be 

 made in the second. And wherever we have erred, we are 

 certain to have done no violence to the truth by litigious 

 arguments, the effect whereof is the procuring authority to 

 error, and detracting from what is well invented ; for error 

 receives honor and truth a repulse from contention. 



And here I cannot but reflect how appositely that answer 

 of Themistocles may be applied to myself which he made to 

 the deputy of a small village haranguing upon great things, 

 &quot;Friend, thy words require a city.&quot; For so it may be said 

 of my views, that they require an age, perhaps a whole age, 

 to prove, and numerous ages to execute. But as the great 

 est things are owing to their beginnings, it will be enough 

 for me to have sown for posterity, and the honor of the Im 

 mortal Being, whom I humbly entreat, through his Son, our 

 Saviour, favorably to accept these, and the like sacrifices 

 of the human understanding, seasoned with religion, and 

 offered up to his glory! 



