M Y T H L O G V. 17 



think we fhould) to the divinities, and to the re- 

 ligious ceremonies of the pagans, a fenfe that is 

 frequently myftic, and always allegoric , if we 

 remember, that the firft heathens deified thofe 

 great men to whom the reft of mankind \v-.rc 

 indebted for any fignal benefits, as Jupiier, 

 Apollo, Ceres, Bacchus, Hercules, jEfculapius, 

 &c. in order to induce others, as well of .he 

 prelent as future ages, to reverence and to imitate 

 them. Would not an ancient pagan, it he were 

 to return upon the earth, have fpecious argu- 

 ments, at lead, to fupport his religion, when he 

 faw weak mortals beatify or canonize, merely by 

 their own authority, o- J < mortals (fre- 



quently mere pedants) ard place them in heaven, 

 without the pcrmilfion or approbation of the 

 Supreme Being ? Happy is it for mankind, 

 when at different times iagacious pontiffs purge 

 the calendar, and the brains of the people, from 

 a herd of prettnu;u Taints, and prevent them, 

 at leaft after their death, from doing injury to 

 fociety, by interrupting the induflry of the labo- 

 rious inhabitants with keeping their feftivah. 



IV. The third religion was idolatry, or the 

 religion oi" the populace. For the common 

 people, born to be deceived in every tin-:;, con- 

 founding in their imaginations i!,c (Utucs o; 

 gods, the idols of their divinities, the emblems 

 of their virtues and of religious worfhip, 

 the gods, divinities, virtues and worihip ; 

 fclves, adored thcfc i:i 

 -,.111. B 



