A HISTORY OF SCIENCE 



of Philosophy, and are especially famous for the Art of 

 Astrology. They are mightily given to Divination, 

 and foretel future Events, and imploy themselves either 

 by Purifications, Sacrifices, or other Inchantments to 

 avert Evils, or procure good Fortune and Success. 

 They are skilful likewise in the Art of Divination, by 

 the flying of Birds, and interpreting of Dreams and 

 Prodigies : And are reputed as true Oracles (in declar- 

 ing what will come to pass) by their exact and diligent 

 viewing the Infrals of the Sacrifices. But they attain 

 not to this Knowledge in the same manner as the Gre- 

 cians do ; for the Chaldeans learn it by Tradition from 

 their Ancestors, the Son from the Father, who are all 

 in the mean time free from all other publick Offices and 

 Attendances; and because their Parents are their Tu- 

 tors, they both learn every thing without Envy, and 

 rely with more confidence upon the truth of what is 

 taught them; and being train'd up in this Learning 

 from their very Childhood, they become most famous 

 Philosophers, (that Age being most capable- of Learn- 

 ing, wherein they spend much of their time). But 

 the Grecians for the most part come raw to this study, 

 unfitted and unprepar'd, and are long before they at- 

 tain to the Knowledge of this Philosophy : And after 

 they have spent some small time in this Study, they are 

 many times call'd off and forc'd to leave it, in order to 

 get a Livelihood and Subsistence. And although some 

 few do industriously apply themselves to Philosophy, 

 yet for the sake of Gain, these very Men are opiniona- 

 tive, and ever and anon starting new and high Points, 

 and never fix in the steps of their Ancestors. But the 

 Barbarians keeping constantly close to the same thing, 



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