little to disguise their real Sentiments, for fear of the Danger they may incur by an open Profession of them: But such a gross and foul Mask of Hypocrisy, as some think I have here put on, is intolerable, and must be hateful to _Infidels_ as well as _Christians_, being obstructive to Truth, which, in all Inquirers after her, loves Sincerity and Simplicity. No doubt, but my _Adversaries_, some of them, will still think me a Transgressor of this _Rule_; but my present and following _Defences_ will absolutely clear me. And if none of my _Adversaries_ are more guilty of the Transgression of it than my self, we are all entirely innocent. _Thirdly_, In Controversy we should avoid all wilful Misrepresentation of the Sense of our _Adversaries_, and of the _Authors_ we pretend to cite. Mistakes and Misapprehensions of one another will sometimes unavoidably happen, and are then as innocent things as involuntary Errors. But wilful Perversion and Falsification of another Author's Words, to the Service of our selves, or to the Prejudice of our _Adversaries_, is most blameable, and of that ill Consequence to the Search after Truth, that it will keep us always at a Distance from her. This then is another good _Rule_ to be observed in Controversy, which some may wonder I have mention'd, because of that Misrepresentation and Falsification of Authorities I am charg'd with. And I must confess, my _Adversaries_ have here made an hideous Outcry against me; which if I can't acquit my self of, I am the foulest Controvertist that ever appear'd in Print. The Bishop of _St. David_'s[359] calls my _Falsification_ of Authorities, an _Immorality_, and speculative _Forgery_; but if I was so guilty as he would have me thought, he speaks too favourably of it. He should have deem'd it as great a Crime as practical _Forgery_ by the Law; and all Philosophers and Lovers of Truth should wish it might be likewise punish'd.