Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/12

 Princes. For, to increase the Powers of all Mankind, and to free them from the Bondage of Errors, is greater Glory than to enlarge Empire, or to put Chains on the Necks of Conquer'd Nations.

What Reverence all Antiquity had for the Authors of natural Discoveries, ''is evident by the diviner Sort of Honour they conferr'd on them. Their Founders of philosophical Opinions were only admir'd by their own Sects: Their valiant Men and Generals did seldom rise higher than to Demy-Gods and Heroes: But the Gods they worshipped with Temples and Altars, were those who instructed the World to plow, to sow, to plant, to spin, to build Houses, and to find out'' new Countries. This Zeal indeed, by which they express'd their