i8 UNIVERSAL ERUDITION. 



extravagancies the moft ridiculous, and frequent- 

 ly moft criminal, in their ceremonies, feafts, li- 

 bations, facrifices, &c. It is to be feared, 

 that, as long as there are upon the earth men of 

 our limited capacities, this triple religion will 

 conftantly fubfift under different forms , and we 

 are much deceived, if it may not be found under 

 the empire of Chriflianity itfelf, notwithftanding 

 the purity of its doctrine. It will be eafily con- 

 ceived, that it is not of the religion of philofo- 

 phers, nor that of the populace, of which we are 

 to treat in this chapter on Mythology , but of 

 that which fubfifted under the authority of the 

 magiftracy and the priefthood, and confequently 

 of paganifm in general. 



V. As far as we are able to judge by all the 

 ancient authors we have read, the pagans adored 

 the Sovereign Lord of the univerfe under the 

 name of Fate or Deftiny, (Fatum) which we mud 

 not confound with Fortune^ who was regarded 

 as a fubaltern divinity. Jupiter himfelf, all the 

 gods, every animated being, the heavens, the 

 earth, the whole frame of nature was fubfervient 

 to Deftiny, and nothing could reverfe its decrees. 

 This divinity was fo highly adorable, as to be 

 above all rank, and was regarded as too fupreme 

 to be reprefented under any fenfible image or 

 ftatue, or to have any temple erected for its 

 worfhip. We do not remember to have read, that 

 any facrifice was ever offered to this Deftiny, or 

 that any temple or city was ever dedicated to its 



name. 



