Free Thoughts on Religion, the Church, and National Happiness (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1723 Excerpt: ...the Year of Romcf 580, and then, the irregularity of the Spring having provd very detrimental, a Decree was made to have them exhibited Yearly. From all which it is evident, that the Superstition of the Pagans to the Goddess of Flowers was no pretence but a reality. Lastly she Fund, to defray the Charges of the Floral Games, was the Money ac- cruing from the Fines of those, who had appropriated to themselves such Lands as belonged to the Republick, and not any thing left by a Common Woman.: ' VOSSIVS and others have taken notice of this Slander, and the first cautions ps not to adopt for Truth whatever the Fathers have writ against the Gentiles A Man may relate a falfhood by mistake without any intention to deceive. This is pardonable j but the Fathers did it often willfully, and what is worsejboafted ot itf when they tiad done; as if either Strength or deceit, and every thing bad been fair against a Heathen. St.Jerom, carries V Way by the Violence. of this prejudice has not scrupled to tell us: f that the Fathers were oblig'd to fay hot what they thought, but every thing requisite to refute what the Heathens believ'd. He endeavours to vindicate them by St. Ptuss Examples, but Blonde I has taken him up for it as he deserv'd. No such Conduct can be prov'd upon any of the Apo: -Ale: . sties, and Truth needs not the aid, nay scorns, the support of Falsliood.: . It is a Vulgar Notion, that after the coming of Christ, or at least upon the % Preaching of the Gospel all.the Pagan Qracles immediately ceased 5 What Father or Priest was the Author of it I know not/ But it is manifest, that in the Reign of Constantit/t, the $on of Conjlantixe thi Qrttty the Oracle, of the God Besa, sub-. fisted still at Abydus, a City of AEgypt, famous upon many accou..