( 8c8 ) 
brines, as Yythagoras Zacinthws, Vophyrius, Numirius : He regrets the lob 
alfoof many Polyhiftorians, as, Thiopovpus^ Phavcrinus znd Alixandtr Po- 
iyhifioY ; alfa force of the Writings cf Drodorus Siculus and Varro. Now 
whereas fome alledge fome few ethers that ha\c been famru* for I hiiofophy 
in other parts of the World, yet not what they knew of maintained } and 
there being no Monuments remaining of fuch their Knowledge, the Author 
leaves them in the ObfcuHty he found tl em, ar.d thjr ks he his performed 
his defigned Undertaking to feek what there cou!d be found worthy of pre- 
ferring among the fluines ar.d Reliefs of the mofi ancient Khilcfcpbers, 
more particularly relating to the Beginning of things, and has left no 
quarter unfearched, nor omitted any thfng which he judged material to this 
pwrpofe j though other Particulars not percinenr, whether bad cr gocd, he 
has omitted, as being impertinent. 
To end this Difquiiition, in the Fourteenth Chapter he enquires concerning 
the Beginning of the Barbarick Philofophy ; that is,whence the Egyptians, Etki» 
vpians, Cbaldeans y Phoenicians, Arabian^ Indians-, and other Orientals obtained 
their firft Knowledge. There are two Opinions concerning it : One, that they 
were invented by thcmfelves ; aad the other,that they were taught by Mofes or 
Abraham. The Author approve* neither of thefe. Not the firft, becaufc he meets 
with no Mention of Experiments, or Obfervarions, or Rtafoning and Demon- 
ftrations, or Method, or particular Explications •, but what was known was 
Traditional and Pofitiye. Not the Latter, becaufe this Learning was eminent 
long before thofe times \ for that Mofis was bred up in the Schools of Egypt, 
and for that the Ethiopians were much preceeding* to the Egyptians. Ecfide* 
the Inftance of Job y who is thought by the Author to have much preceded 
Mofes 5 for that he takes no uotice of the Jewifh Laws, Ceremonies or Sab- 
bath, yet was he one that worftip^d the true God; and for that the Age of 
his Life was above aoo years, and he offered his own Sacrifices without a 
Prieft. Upon the wtiole therefore the Author thinks it was conveyed to 
Mankind by the Sons of Noah, and by him from the Parriarchs of the Anti- 
^iluvian World. Thefe are the principal Matters treated of Id the Firft 
Book. 
fa 
• 
