_First_, We should endeavour to write as plainly and intelligibly as we can, and never amuse our _Readers_ with Expressions void of Sense, or with false Reasoning against our _Adversaries_, where we want what's good and solid. This _Rule_ none can except against: Whether I am an Observer of this _Rule_, my Readers are to be Judges. As I am to answer it to God and a good Conscience, I endeavour to observe it; but much question, whether some of my _Adversaries_ can say so too, or they would never vent such dark, impertinent and unintelligible Stuff, if it was not, because they are at a Loss for what's clear and shining. There's no End of giving Instances out of their Writings to this Purpose. I shall only mention one, that's repeated amongst them, and that is, of their pretended Distinction between Popish _Persecution_ and Protestant _Prosecution_ for Opinions, wherewith they have amused weak and injudicious Heads. The Wife, I am sure, can discern no more Difference here, than between a _Rope_ and a _Halter_ to hang an innocent Man, in which Case too there is a _nominal_ Distinction without a _real_ Difference. _Secondly_, We should be open and sincere in our Opinions, and not profess with our Mouths to believe, what we disown in our Hearts; nor, like _Watermen_, that look one way and row another, should we pretend to have one Design in View, when we are pursuing the quite contrary. This is a reasonable _Rule_, and ought to be observ'd, or we shall confound the Understandings of our _Readers_, who will soon lose Sight of our Arguments, if they apprehend not their Aim and Drift. This _Rule_, my Adversaries will say, is levell'd at my self, than whom no body has more dissembled and prevaricated in his Opinions. Have not you, will they say to me, frequently declared, that your Design in your _Discourses_ is to make way for the Proof of the Truth of Christianity, and of the Messiahship of the Holy _Jesus_, when you mean and intend the Subversion of both? And is not here grand Hypocrisy, and a Transgression of this Rule? Yes, if I intend the Subversion of Christ's Religion and Messiahship, here is grand Hypocrisy, and a Transgression of this _Rule_; and I can't think of such a Piece of Prevarication without Horror. The Bishop of _St. David_'s[357] and Mr. _Stackhouse_,[358] in particular, have animadverted upon me for such Hypocrisy; and if I was guilty of it, in much gentler Terms than I deserv'd. This Hypocrisy, which they falsely charge me with, is as heinous a Sin as I can think of; it is as bad as wilful _Perjury_, as bad as a _Clergyman_'s taking the Abjuration Oath, with his Heart full of Zeal and Affection for the Pretender, and worse than his giving his solemn Assent and Consent to Articles of Religion he believes little or nothing of. I should hardly have mention'd this _Rule_ to be observ'd in Controversy, if I had been guilty of the Breach of it. It is somewhat excusable in _Infidels_ a