things themselves; are there not many ples of the demonftrative kind, from there follow fuch abfurdities, that, if the fpirit of difpute had always prevailed world, which is now fo remarkable; would have stopped the progress of rea even in mathematics? A remarkable inftance of this we have fcience of geometry. The nature of this fc you know, is to have every thing fairly incontestably demonftrated; and what cannot poffibly have any demonftrations t contrary; nor any abfurdities demonftrably nected with it; and every demonftration pends upon the undoubted truth of every der ftration previous to it. Yet is there one pro tion, which, although fairly demonftrated feemingly as fair demonftration of feveral furd and contradictory things annext to which our writers chufe to call paradoxes. the third book of Euclid it is the 16th pro fition. Aright line perpendicular to the diameter a Circle, through the extremity, falls enti without the Circle, and touches it in the extr point of the diameter; nor can any right lin drawn between it and the Circle to the poin contact, that shall not cut the Circle. In the edition of Euclid by Whifton upon Tacquet, you read Demonftratur et folvitur fallacia paradoxorum, quæ ex an lo contactus deduci folent-quæ omnem captum huma mentis excedunt. Hæc et plura ex hac propofitione deduci folent, quæ profe fita, ut proponuntur fefe habeant, merito incomprehenfibilia deri poffunt. Th This propofition is as fairly demonstrated, as any propofition belonging to the fciences, and yet feveral impoffible things feem to be demonftrable confequences of it, and which the Geometricians endeavour to íolve by a diftinction; an angle, say they, is not quantitas but modus quantitatis: and even this folution (if it be one) was not given till it paffed through a great number of hands, and all Geometricians, notwithstanding this, refted fatisfied of the truth of the propofition fairly demonftrated, and were not at all ftaggered with those many abfurdities, which had too much appearance of fair reasoning, to admit of any folution for many hundred years. In this cafe you might ask a fceptick what was to be done? Should mankind quit the purfuit of geometrical knowledge, which is exceedingly beneficial to the world, inasmuch as without it, land could never be measured, neither a house could be built, nor a ship made, nor a town fortified, nor various utenfils ef fected for the improvement of manufactures? What! must all thefe ufeful, nay neceffary arts, without which human life is barbarous and ignorant, be thrown afide, as being without foun dation of truth; fince one propofition belonging to the principles, upon which they all depend, is attended with infuperable difficulties? Perhaps the fceptick will fay, they are all to be thrown afide; for what is there too abfurd for the mind of man, when prejudice and error rule in it, inftead of reafon and impartiality. But however abfurdly the fceptick may speak, the bulk of mankind are not fo fottish, as not to I T may be proper previously to acquaint the Reader, that whereas this Book bear ing a Title fimilar to one of high estimation published on the fame fubject some years paft, raises a fufpicion that the matter of it may be borrowed thence; they who will read both, can see little foundation for fuch an opinion. Analogy is copious, and may afford matter for more Books than one. 7 C. Inafmuch as the three Parts formerly published are entirely preserved in this Book, the fhort addrefs alfo prefixt to them shall not be omitted. The ADDRESS prefixt to the three PARTS formerly published, viz. Parts 2. 4. 5. T Christian Reader, HE following Difcourfes upon Analogy, being part of the labours of one, who wishes well to Chriflianity, that is, to Mankind, who, be hopes, will all, fome time profess it in purity; he takes this method of laying fome of thofe important Truths before you, in the belief and practice of which he himself hopes for eternal life, and beartily wishes you the fame reward, by the fame means. Let not the form in which they appear difguft you, upon account of the commonness of it. Had they been intended for this public ufe at first, they should have had another dress: But the materials which have been once thrown into the form of an edifice, cannot eafily be taken down, and be again compiled in a new difpofition, without much trouble, and not perhaps without fome detriment. The Author has only one request to make, that you will patiently read; and if the Grace of GOD goes along with your Studies, and bis labours; bis intention in the publication is answered, as to this world; and he hopes to fhare with you in the eternal reward, which is to be enjoyed in another. Thus much the Author thought proper to write at that time; but having fince added a confiderable number of Analogies, it seems prudent to offer fomething to the reader concerning the prefent enlarged volume. Popular fame concerning authors and books, which often anticipates the publication, raised by the art of editors, and the affiduity of their friends, is never raised in favour of performances concerning the purity and fubftance of Christianity. But the contrary of this, which is lamentable, fometimes prevails, and a fort of diftafte precedes publication, or very foon follows it. And which is ftill more lamentable, they who enjoy the temporal emoluments of christianity in great opulence, fometimes con tribute to it: The Author of this book is verylittle concerned about the share of dif grace, which may fall upon him in this respect, having always acted, and intending ever to do fo, upon a nobler principle, than that paltry one of popular fame. But he is really concerned for any difgrace that may affect his book. Becaufe being perfwaded of the truth of the fubject matter himself, he heartily wishes, it may have proper influence upon others. The |