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Introduction.
WHEN I first entred on this Work, I had it in my thoughts to have replied both to Preface and Book, but through a very great and long Indisposition in Health, I was not able to make that speed I intend∣ed in the Design, and was greatly pleased to find my self pre∣vented in several parts of it, by the Learned Pens of those who had so successfully ingaged therein: Nor did I question, (what hath since happen'd) but that a very little time would produce a full answer to every thing that was material, in the whole Collection, though should there not have been a Sylla∣ble more offered in the Controversie, than what the Author had given me occasion to speak to from the Preface, I am apt to think, there would be little reason to boast his Monuments of Antiquity; the Gibeonitish Craft of old Sacks upon their Asses, of old and rent Wine-bottles, of old and clouted Shooes, of old Garments, and dry and mouldy Bread: Joshua 9. 4, 5. whereby ('tis easie to make out the Allusion) those, for whom he writes, are so much concern'd to hide all their Cheats, will be but a poor proof of their coming from a far Country (let me so ex∣press the remote and distant Ages of the Church) unless they bring with them, what the Gibeonites did not, Truth and Sincerity.
For is there not some Standard by which Antiquity it self must be tryed? For however, error can never be quid primum, yet it may be quid antiquum; we know it is as ancient, as the Fall of Man: Nay, more than that, as the Fall of Lucifer: So that the pretence of Antiquity alone, were all granted which is brought for such, would not be sufficient to establish matters in Debate, unless what is urged as antiquum, or what is ancient, be proved likewise to be primum or first, i. e. to be