iv PREFACE. 



they not be ihc fource of tlie greatcft mifcry in the pofllfTion 

 of the ignorant and foolifli ? But further : 1 defire to know, 

 whether knowledge in iti'elf, abflra^led from all profu or 

 advantage by ir, is not tlic highefl enjoyment of the rational 

 nature: Whether it be not the only enjoyment of man, con- 

 fidered as an intellectual creature .' Thefe are queftions that, 

 I think, mult be anfwercd in the affirmative, in an age that 

 pretends to be learned. In an age which, by many, is 

 reckoned a barbarous age, I mean the age of the Trojan 

 war, we are told by Homer, that Ulyflcs, the wifeft of all 

 the Heroes who fought at Troy (for Nellor did not figiu there, 

 but only affifled with his Counfels), was invincible by plea- 

 fure, as well as by toils and dangers, and could not be kept 

 from his country, his family, and his friends, by the 

 charms of two GoddefTes, and by all the pleafures of a gay 

 and luxurious Court ; but the fame hero it was neceffary to 

 bind with ropes upon ropes in order to reflrain him from 

 going to the Syrens. And what did thefe EnchantrefTes pro- 

 mife him ? Nothing but Knowledge *. And if Knowledge 

 makes the happinefs of man, muft not that Knowledge, of 

 which the object is the highcft and moft excellent, make his 

 chief happinefs. Now what is fo high and excellent as God, 

 and Nature, and the Univerfe? 



But I fay further ; that as Religion is neceflary for the 

 well-being, I think for the very being of Society, it is of the 

 greatefl confequence to a nation, that the Philofophy in it 

 fhould be of the religious kind. In a country where Letters 

 are cultivated, there will of neceffity be a fpirit of curiofity 

 and inquiry, which will lead men to philofophife right or 



* Whoever comes to us they fay, Ti^-^'afJ.tvtf vsirai, xx.^ irMtovx iJui. OSu<t. f/.. 



s wrong J 



