LIFE O F WILLIAM BEDELL,D.D. OF KILMORE IN IRELAND. By. Dr. GILBERT BURNET, The Second Edition, with Additions. DUBLIN: Printed by M. RHAMES, For R. GUNNE, Bookfeller in Capel-ftreet, 210.fr 355. THE PREFACE T HE Contests that have been raised in this Age concerning the lawfulnefs and the usefulness of the Epif copal Government, have engaged fo many learned Men to treat that Argument fo fully, that as there is very little excufe left for the Ignorance or Obftinacy of those who ftill ftand out against the Evidence of a Caufe made out fo clearly, fo there is fcarce any thing left to be faid by any, whofe zeal may fet him on to handle a matter that feems to be now exhaufted. There is one fort of Argu ments yet remaining, that as they are more within every one's compafs to apprehend and apply, fo they have a greater force on Mens affections, which commonly give a bias to their understandings, For conviction has an eafy access to us when we are already inclined to wish that were true, concerning which we imploy our enquiries: And in practical matters, fuch as Government, Arguments fetched from great Patterns do not only pres pare us to think well of fuch Forms, but really give us truer and jufter Ideas of them than fpeculative Difcourfes can raife in us; which work but coldly on Perfons unconcern ed. |