The doctrine of Epicurus is ever ruinous to Society:
It had it's rife when Greece was declining, and
perhaps haftened it's diffolution, as also that of
Rome; it is now propagated in France and Eng-
land, and feems likely to produce the fame effect
in both; GRAY MEMOIRS, P. 202.

OXFORD:

AT THE CLARENDON PRESS, MDCCLXXX VI
SOLD BY D. PRINCE AND J. COOKE, OXFORD:
G. ROBINSON, J. F. AND C. RIVINGTON,
AND T. CADELL, LONDON.

141. n

133.

PREFACE.

L

2

ET no reader take offence, though the subjects debated in the following pages be of a ferious nature, if the ideas and images employed fhould fometimes border upon the ludicrous. The contest between Elijah and the votaries of Baal was a very ferious one, and heaven itself interpofed in it's decifion. Yet, ftrong and pointed is the irony of the ProphetCry aloud,

66 ---

66

for he is a God; either he is

talking, or he is pursuing, or "he is in a journey, or perad

a 2

"venture