the Art of Divination, by the flying of Birds, and interpreting
of Dreams and Prodigies: And are reputed as true Oracles (in
declaring what will come to pass) by their exact and diligent
viewing the Intrals of the Sacrifices. But they attain not to
this Knowledge in the same manner as the Grecians 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 Tutors, 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 Learning, 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 attain 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 opinionative, 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, attain to a perfect and distinct Knowledge in
every particular.

"But the Grecians, cunningly catching at all Opportunities of
Gain, make new Sects and Parties, and by their contrary Opinions
wrangling and quarelling concerning the chiefest Points, lead
their Scholars into a Maze; and being uncertain and doubtful what
to pitch upon for certain truth, their Minds are fluctuating and