BOOK I.] CAVILS AGAINST LEARNING. OBJECTIONS OF DIVINES. 29 



learning in himself, is indeed little short of a mii'acle. And 

 the more since in your Majesty's heart are united all the 

 treasures of sacred and profane knowledge, so that like 

 Hermes your Majesty is invested with a triple glory, being 

 distinguished no less by the power of a king than by the 

 Mhimination of a priest and the learning of a philosopher.^ 

 Since, then, your Majesty surpasses other monarchs by this 

 property, which is peculiarly your own, it is but just that 

 this dignified pre-eminence should not only be celebrated in 

 the mouths of the present age, and be transmitted to ])os- 

 terJLy, but also that it should be engraved in some solid 

 work which might serve to denote the power of so great a 

 king and the height of his learning. 



Therefore, to return to our undertaking: no oblation 

 seemed more suitable than some treatise relating to that 

 purpose, the sum of which should consist of two pai-ts, — the 

 first of the excellence of learning, and the merit of those 

 who labour judiciously and with energy for its propagation 

 and development. The second, to point out what part of 

 knowledge has been already laboured and perfected, and 

 what portions left unfinished or entirely neglected ; in order, 

 since I dare not positively advise your Majesty to adopt any 

 particular course, that by a detailed representation of our 

 wants, I may excite your Majesty to examine the treasures 

 of your royal heart, and thence to extract, whatever to your 

 magnanimity and wisdom may seem best fitted to enlarge 

 the boundaries of knowledge. 



On the threshold of the first part it is advisable to 

 sift the merits of knowledge, and clear it of the disgrace 

 brought upon it by ignorance, whether disguised (1) in the 

 zeal of divines, (2) the arrogance of politicians, or (3) the 

 errors of men of letters. 



Some divines pretend, 1. " That knowledge is to be re- 

 ceived with great limitation, as the aspiring to it was the 

 original sin, and the cause of the fall; 2. That it has some- 

 what of the serpent, and pufieth up;" 3. That Solomon says, 

 " Of making books there is no end : much study is weari- 

 ness of the flesh ; for in much wisdom Ls much grief; and he 

 that increase Ih knowledge, increaseth sorrow:"^' 4. "That 



^ Pceniander of IIerine;< Trismegi.- tu». 

 » Kccleb. xu. 12. aad i. IS "" 



