and Virtue may owe her Panegyrics to Morality, but muft derive her Authority from Religion.

When therefore the Obligations of Morality are taught, let the Sanctions of Christianity never be forgotten; by which it will be fhewn, that they give Strength and Luftre to each other, Religion will appear to be the Voice of Reafon, and Morality the Will of GOD. Under this Article must be recommended Tully's Offices, Grotius, Puffendorff, Cumberland's Laws of Nature, and the excellent Mr. Addifon's Mcral and Religious Effays.

X. Thus far the Work is compofed for the Use of Scholars, merely as they are Men. But it was thought neceffary to introduce fomething that might be particularly adapted to that Country for which it is defigned; and therefore a Difcourfe has been added upon Trade and Commerce, of which it becomes every Man of this Nation to understand at leaft the general Principles, as it is impoffible that any fhould be high or low enough, not to be in fome degree affected by their Declenfion or Profperity. It is therefore neceffary that it should be univerfally known among us, what Changes of Property are advantageous, or when the Ballance of Trade is on our Side; what are the Products or Manufactures of other Countries; and how far one Nation may in any Species of Traffic obtain or preferve Superiority over ano

ther.

ther. The Theory of Trade is yet but little' understood, and therefore the Practice is often without real Advantage to the Public: But it might be carried on with more general Succefs, if its Principles were better confidered; and to excite that Attention, is our chief Design. To the Perufal of this Book may fucceed that of Mun upon foreign Trade, Sir Jofiah Child, Locke upon Coin, Davenant's Treatifes, the British Merchant, Dictionaire de Commerce, and for an Abstract or Compendium Gee, and an Improvement that may hereafter be made upon his Plan.

XI. The Principles of Laws and Government, come next to be confidered; by which Men are taught to whom Obedience is due, for what it is paid, and in what degree it may be justly required. This Knowledge by peculiar Neceffity constitutes a Part of the Education of an Englishman, who profeffes to obey his Prince according to the Law, and who is himself a fecondary Legiflator, as he gives his Confent by his Representative, to all the Laws by which he is bound, and has a Right to petition the great Council of the Nation, whenever he thinks they are deliberating upon an Act detrimental to the Intereft of the Community. This is therefore a Subject to which the Thoughts of a young Man ought to be directed; and that he may obtain fuch Knowledge as may qualify him to act and judge as one of a free People, let him be directed to add to this Introduction, Fortefcue's

Trea

Treatifes, N. Bacon's Hiftorical Difcourfe on the Laws and Government of England, Temple's Introduction, Locke on Government, Zouch's Elementa Juris Civilis, Plato Redivivus, Gurdon's Hiftory of Parliaments, and Hooker's Ecclefiaftical Polity.

XII. Having thus fupplied the young Student with Knowledge, it remains now, that he learns its Application; and that thus qualified to act his Part, he be at laft taught to chuse it. For this Purpose a Section is added upon Human Life and Manners; in which he is cautioned against the Danger of indulging his Paffions, of vitiating his Habits, and depraving his Sentiments. He is inftructed in these Points by three Fables, two of which were of the highest Authority, in the ancient Pagan World.

But

at this he is not to reft, for if he expects to be Wife and Happy, he must diligently study the SCRIPTURES of GOD.

Such is the Book now propofed, as the first Initiation into the Knowledge of Things, which has been thought by many to be too long delayed in the present Forms of Education. Whether the Complaints be not often ill-grounded, may perhaps be difputed; but it is at least reasonable to believe, that greater Proficiency might sometimes be made; that real Knowledge might be more early communicated; and that Children might be allowed, without Injury to Health, to spend many of thofe Hours upon ufeful Employ

Employments, which are generally loft in Idlenefs and Play; therefore the Public will furely encourage an Experiment, by which, if it' fails, nobody is hurt, and if it fucceeds, all the future Ages of the World may find Advantage; which may eradicate or prevent Vice, by turning to a better Ufe thofe Moments in which it is learned or indulged; and in fome Sense lengthen Life, by teaching Pofterity to enjoy those Years which have hitherto been loft. The Succefs, and even the Trial of this Experiment, will depend upon those to whom the Care of our Youth is committed; and a due Senfe of the Importance of their Truft, will eafily prevail upon them to encourage a Work which pursues the Defign of improving Education. If any part of the following Performance fhall upon Trial be found capable of Amendment, if any thing can be added or alter'd, fo as to render the Attainment of Knowledge more eafy; the Editor will be extremely obliged to any Gentleman, particularly those who are engaged in the Bufiness of Teaching, for fuch Hints or Obfervations as may tend towards the Improvement, and will fpare neither Expence nor Trouble in making the best use of their Informations.

INTRO