Philosophical temper books were even written in a languagewhich he did not understand,and opened to his view an account of manners

and customs very different from those with which he was familiar. The writingsof the ancients were to be collected,and their opinionsexamined ; and thus those studies which are peculiarlycalled

principalemployment of one who wished to be the champion of the Christian faith. The philosopher might speculate, but the theologianmust submit to learn. 2. It cannot, then,be maintained that Christianity has proved unfavourable to literarypursuits; yet, from the very encouragement it gives to these,an oppositeobjectionhas been drawn, as if on that very account it impeded the advancement of philosophical and scientific knowledge. It has been urged, with considerable plausibilittyh,at the attachment to the writingsof the ancients which it has produced has been prejudicialto the discoveryof new truths,by creatinga jealousyand dislike of whatever was ctoran-ry to received opinions. And thus Christianity has been representedas a system which stands in the way of improvement, whether in politicsce,adtu-ion, or science ; as if it were adaptedto the state of knowledge,and conducive to the happiness,of the age in which it was introduced,but a positiveevil in more enlightenedtimes; because, from its claim to infallibiliittyca,nnot itself change,and therefore must ever be endeavouringto bend opinionto its own antiquatedviews. Not to mention the multitude of half-educated men who are avowedlyhostile to Re
learned would form the