ciety may perhaps be suspected to be a little too much inclined; because they always professed to be so backward from settling of Principles, or fixing upon Doctrines. But if we fairly consider their Intentions, we shall soon acquit them. Though they are not yet very daring, in establishing Conclusions, yet they lay no Injunctions upon their Successors not to do the same, when they shall have got a sufficient Store for such a Work. It is their Study, that the way to attain a solid Speculation should every Day be more and more pursued; which is to be done by a long forbearing of Speculation at first, till the Matters be ripe for it; and not by madly rushing upon it in the very beginning. Though they do not contemplate much on the general Agreements of Things, yet they do on the particular; from whence the others also will in time be deduced. They are therefore as far from being Scepticks, as the greatest Dogmatists themselves. The Scepticks deny all, both Doctrines and Works. The Dogmatists determine on Doctrines, without a sufficient respect to Works: and this Assembly, though we should grant that they have wholly omitted Doctrines, yet they have been very positive and affirmative in their Works. But more than this, it must also be confess'd, that sometimes after a full Inspection, they have ventured to give the Advantage of Probability to one Opinion, or Cause, above another: Nor have they run any manner of Hazard by thus concluding. For first, it is likely, they did hit the right, after so long, so punctual, and so gradual an Examination: or if we suppose the worst, that they should sometimes judge amiss (as we cannot but allow they may, seeing it will not be just to bestow Infallibility on them alone, while we deny it to all others)
