Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/274

 sure of Destroying in Matters of this Kind, is not much less than the Pleasure of Building. And therefore, when we see that those Books which have been written against some of the eminentest of these Discoveries, though but a few Years ago, comparatively speaking, are so far dead, that it is already become a Piece of Learning even to know their Titles, we have sufficient Assurance that these Discoverers, whose Writings outlive Opposition, neither deceive themselves, nor others. So that, whatsoever it might be formerly, yet in this Age general Consent in Physiological Matters, especially after a long Canvass of the Things consented to, is an almost infallible Sign of Truth. (3.) The more Ways are made use of to arrive at any one particular Part of Knowledge, the surer that Knowledge is, when it appears that these different Methods lend Help each to other. If Malpighiuss, or Leeuwenhoeks Glasses had made such Discoveries as Men's Reason could not have agreed to, if Objects had appeared confused and disorderly in their Microscopes, if their Observations had contradicted what the naked Eye reveals, then their Verdict had been little worth. But when the Discoveries made by the Knife and