lars usually confine it; I will now also strengthen that Argument, by briefly comparing the Skill and the Works of the unlearned Parts of the present World with those that are past. The antient Barbarians then, those Nations I mean, who lay without the Circle of those Arts which we admire; the Gauls, the Britains, the Germans, the Scythians, have scarce left any Footsteps behind them, to shew that they were rational Men. Most of them were savage in their Practices; gross in their Contrivances; ignorant of all, that might make Life either safe, or pleasant. Thus it was with them, and this all History speaks with one Voice; whereas Barbarians of our Times (if I may take the Liberty still to use that Word, which the Pride of Greece first brought into Fashion) the Turks, the Moors, the East Indians, and even the Americans, though they too are utterly unacquainted with all our Sciences; yet by the Help of an universal Light, which seems to overspread this Age, are in several Handicrafts most ready, and dextrous; in so much that in some, they can scarce be imitated by the Europeans themselves. I shall leave it to any Man to conjecture from hence, which of these two Times has the prerogative; and how much better Helps are probably to be found at this Day, in the most civil Countries; when we now find so much Artifice, amongst those our Cotemporaries, who only follow rude, and untaught Nature.
Sect. XI. Their Matter.Of the Extent of the Matter, about which they have been already conversant, and intend to be hereafter; there can be no better Measure taken, than by giving a general Prospect of all the Objects of Men's Thoughts; which can be nothing elfe but either God, or Men, or Nature.
