Page:Characteristicks of men, manners, opinions, times Vol 3.djvu/89

Rh tofore treated with profound respect, and lay unexpos'd to vulgar Eyes, became publick and prostitute; being enforc'd with Terrors, and urg'd with Compulsion and Violence, on the unfitted Capacitys and Apprehensions of Mankind. The very Jewish Traditions, and Cabalistick Learning underwent this Fate. That which was naturally the Subject of profound Speculation and Inquiry, was made the necessary Subject of a strict and absolute Assent. The allegorical, mythological Account of Sacred Things, was wholly inverted: Liberty of Judgment and Exposition taken away: No Ground left for Inquiry, Search, or Meditation: No Refuge from the dogmatical Spirit let loose. Every Quarter was taken up; every Portion prepossess'd. All was reduc'd to Article and Proposition.

a sort of philosophical overspread the World. And (a Species of Superstition hardly known before) took place in Mens Affections, and arm'd 'em with a new Jealousy against each other.

barous