why they should not endeavour to get "out of that darkness, and others to bring "them out of it; than why ignorant and "slow people in matters of other knowledge, "should not endeavour to learn or be in"structed.

"It is not unreasonable to suppose, that "the same wise and good principle, what"ever it was, which disposed the Author "of nature to make different kinds and "orders of creatures, disposed him also to

place creatures of like kinds in different "situations; and that the same principle "which disposed him to make creatures "of different moral capacities, disposed him "also to place creatures of like moral 'capacities, in different religious situations, "and even the same creatures in different "periods of their being.

'Again, a system or consitution (as that of nature) implies variety, and so complicated an one as this world, very great variety; so that

were Revelation universal, yet from men's "different capacities of understanding, from "the different lengths of their lives, their dif"ferent educations, and other external cir"cumstances,

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cumstances, and from their difference of temper and bodily constitution, their religious situations would be widely different, "and the disadvantage of some in compa"rison of others, perhaps altogether as much

as at present." Considerations these which prove that all objections to Revelation derived from its want of universality, are contrary to the analogy of nature, and founded on mere arrogance and presumption.

* If any one who may happen to peruse this work, finds himself disposed to believe, that the difficulties or objections which he thinks may be alledged against Revelation, from its not being universal, or its proof appearing deficient, justify him in neglecting its evidence or violating its precepts; I earnestly entreat him to read and to reflect on the considerations Butler suggests, in the remaining part of this chapter: to prove that such difficulties and objections may be intended to try his sincerity and moral rectitude, and that negligence and inattention under such a probation may prove most criminal and destructive. Vide Butler, Part II. ch. vi. p. 323.

PART III.

LECTURE V.

SECT. II.

Philosophy not introduced into Europe until near the period of the Babylonish Captivity-Thales-Anaximander-Anaxagoras-Probability that some of their opinions were ultimately derived from the Jews-General circumstances in the history of Grecian philosophy and religion, render the same thing probable of them-Their sages travelling for learning into Egypt and the East-Connection of the Jews with Egypt at this period-Early philosophers of Greece delivered their tenets dogmatically-Inference from thence-The higher we trace the philosophy and religion of Greece, the purer it is found-Inference-Providence gradually prepared the world for the Gospel-Grecian language and literature-Connection of Greece with Asia increased-Conquests of Alexander --Singular distribution of the Jews at this period-Jews in Egypt use the Greek tongue-Septuagint translation, its importance-The formation of the Alexandrian library— Sects of Grecian philosophy―Their effect-Extension of the Roman empire---Facilitated the spread of Christianity.