364 ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. Book KI. 



Greece, — When men began to eat flejlo^ animals were offered te 

 the Gods. — This done fo conjlantly -when they killed animals., that 

 to kill ivas /aid to Aicrifice. — This enjoined in Jome nations as a 

 duty ^—particularly among the Jews. — The Gods, by thofe facri- 

 Jices, were fuppofcd to have their fmcll gratifed, and their cars 

 pleafed by the mufic accompanying the facrifice. — Their eyes alfo 

 f leafed by magnifcent Temples, Altars, and Proceffions. — In return 

 for thefe offerings, it was expelled that the Gods would give them 

 Juccefs in war and their other occupations; — and would reveal to 

 them future events, which they /uppofcd was done in many different 

 laays. — Among the Jews, Mofes was obliged to eflablijh a Religion 

 refembling the Religion of the times : — They were incapable of re- 

 ceiving any other. — This the Jl ate of Religion in the firfl ages of the 

 world, before arts andfciences had made any confiderable progrefs. — 

 But after arts andfciences were improved. Religion wore a very dif- 

 ferent face. — All arts, fciences, and Philofophy, came originally 

 from Egypi- — From Egypt they went to Greece. — Of the great dif- 

 coveries made by Philofophy in Theology. — Of the Platonic DoEirine 

 ef the Irinity. — The firfl, fecond, and third perfons of that Trinity 

 explained. — An error Pdo%vn in our Englifh tranffation, with ref- 

 peEl to the fecond perfon of the Trinity. — Of Plato'' s doBrine with 

 refpeEi to a flat e of pre-cxifence, and a future flate of rewards and 

 punifhments. — The Religion of the Philofophers of Egypt brought to 

 Greece, aid from Greece to Italy,— where it was much cultivated 

 among the Romans. — The popular Religion of Egypt alfo came to 

 Greece and Italy. — The opinions of the Philofophers mufl have had 

 an influence even upon the opinions of the world. — Of the flate of 

 Religion at the time ivhen our Saviour came to the Earth. — The un- 

 ier/landing of man fo much then improved, that they had formed the 

 idea of Beings fupcrior to thenijelves — But their ideas of fuch Be- 

 ings very grofs — By the advances made in Sciences and in Philofo- 

 phy^ men were difpofed to receive a purer Religion when our Sa- 

 viour 



