CHAP. IV.-V.] THE USE AND END OP THE WORK. 85 



disposition and indisposition to different kinds of learning ; 

 13. the accidents of time, whether favourable or destructive 

 to the sciences ; 14. the zeal and mixture of religion ; 15. the 

 severity and lenity of laws ; 16. the remarkable patronage, 

 efforts, and endowments of illustrious men, for the promotion 

 of learning and the like. All which we would have handled, 

 not in the manner of critics, who barely praise and censure ; 

 but historically, or in the way of a naked delivery of facts, 

 with but a sparing use of private judgment. 



For the manner of writing this history, we particularly 

 advise the materials of it to be drawn, not only from histories 

 and critical works, but also that the principal books of ^.\ery 

 century be regularly consulted downwards ; so far we mean, 

 as tliat a taste may be had, or a judgment formed, of the 

 subject, style, and method thereof; whence the literary 

 genius of every age may at pleasure be raised, as it were, 

 from the dead. 



The use and end of this work is not to derive honour and 

 pomp to learning, nor to gmtify an eager curiosity and fond- 

 ness of knowing and preserving whatever may relate thereto; 

 but chiefly to make learned men wise, in the prndent and 

 sober exercise and administration of learning, and by mark- 

 ing out the virtues and vices of intellectual things, as well as 

 the motions and perturbations of states, to show how the 

 best regulation and government may be thence derived ; for 

 as the works of St. Austin or St. Ambrose will not make so 

 wise a di\-ine as a thorough reading of Ecclesiastical History, 

 the same will hold true of learned men with regard to 

 particular books and literary history : for whoever is not 

 supported by examples and the remembrance of things, must 

 always be exposed to contingencies and precipitancy. 



CHAPTER V. 



The Dignity of Civil History and the Obstacles it has to encounter. 

 Civil history, particularly so called, is of prime dignity and 

 authority among human writings ; as the examples of anti' 

 quity, the revolutions of things, the foundations of civil 

 prudence, ^vitll the names and reputations of men, are 

 committed to its trust. But it is attended with PO les.'* 



