Chap.XIV. AKTIENT METAPHYSICS. lyx 



HAP. XIV. 



The Author s Apology for hifijling fo much upon the Begeneiracy of Men 

 in later times, — This mufi give great Offence to Vanity, — Objection, 

 that this dif courages Men from the Service of their Country — An- 

 fwer, it is the Duty of every Man to prevent^ or delay ^ as long 

 as pojfible^ the iallofthe State of ivhich he is a Member. — It is 

 an Advantage that the Rulers Jloould knovo the Degenerate State 

 of a Nation. — An Example of this from the Hiflory of Athens. — 

 Another Example in the Cafe of the Conftantinopolitan Empe- 

 rors. — The Degeneracy of a Nation begins ivith the better Sort. 

 — Thefe become incapable of difcharging the great Offices of State. 

 — Other Men^ from other Nations^ ynufl be employed infuch a 

 Cafe.' — Examples of this from the Co^flantinopolitan tiifiory. — Some 

 Methods Jloould be attempted of a better Education of our Nobility 

 and Gentry. — A noble Example of this kind in Rufjia. — The Vanity 

 of a Nation^ fuch as the Romans ^flattering themf elves ivith the E- 

 ternity of their Empire. — Advantages that Men in private Life 

 may reap fromfuch Speculations, 



BEFORE Iconclude this Bookj I think it is not improper to 

 make fome apology for what I have faid of the degeneracy of 

 men in civil fociety, and for the comparifon that I have made be- 

 twixt antient and modern times, fo much to the difadvantage of the 

 latter. 



Any 



