The travels and adventures of Edward Brown ... Containing his observations on France and Italy: his voyage to the Levant; his account of the isle of Malta; his remarks in journies thro' the Lower and Upper Egypt; together with a brief description of the Abyssinian Empire / [John Campbell].
- John Campbell
- Date:
- 1739
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The travels and adventures of Edward Brown ... Containing his observations on France and Italy: his voyage to the Levant; his account of the isle of Malta; his remarks in journies thro' the Lower and Upper Egypt; together with a brief description of the Abyssinian Empire / [John Campbell]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
398/472 page 378
![1378 ] Learning; and in Support of this I frail offer Fads only, having already placed all Authorities on this Subjed under the former Head. As to the Knowledge of the ancient Egyptians in Theology, I am perfuaded it was very great. Nor can I bring my feif to believe that any of the Fables which are attributed to the Egyptians were believed by them, that is, ilridly and literally. On the contrary, I am convinced that they were alle¬ goric Syftems of natural Myfteries, and that we have the true Keys of very few of them. As to that Divilion which I heretofore mention’d of hidden and open Divi¬ nity, I will not hide my Sufpicion, that as the open Divinity confifted in downright Idolatry, fo the hidden, which was in very few Hands, did not fall much frort of the true Religion, that is to fay, it confifted in know¬ ing that the popular Religion was made up of Types and Shadows, and that the true Worfhip of Goo con- lifted in acknowledging his Unity, and in doing Good to his Creatures, Neither do I conceive that this hidden Divinity was peculiar to the Egyptians, but that it was known to the Legiflators of moft of the heathen Nations, and that the Difcoveries they fometimes made of it to their favourite Difciples gave Rife to thofe Sufpicions of Atheifm, which we find fo rudely fixed upon them by Writers who were zealous, or affe&ed to be zealous for the Vulgar Faith. I should very willingly enter into the Detail of the Reafons which have not only led me to, but confirmed me in this Opinion, were this a proper Place. But in- afmuch as fuch an Account would take up a great deal of Room, and lead me into many Digreffions, I will content my felf for the prefent with obferving, that if in the](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30505185_0398.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
