_Servius_ on the second _Æneid_, writes, “_anguis_ is a proper name of the water-snake, _serpens_ of the land, _draco_ of those belonging to temples.” By which, ultimately, our representations must be meant, tho’ probably by the author not understood, as having no acquaintance with our kind of works. But it unavoidably brings to our mind the temples of the ancients kept by dragons, which we so frequently meet with in classical history. And we may well presume they mean such temples as this of _Abury_, _Dracontia_. “The serpent,” says _Maximus_ of _Tyre_, _Dissert._ 38. “was the great symbol of the deity to most nations, and as such was worshipped by the Indians.” The temples of old made in the form of a serpent, were called for that reason, _Dracontia_. The universality of this regard for serpents, shews the high antiquity of the symbol, and that it was antediluvian. To give us light into the affair, first it will be convenient to discourse a little concerning the nature of the serpent, and why mankind should make it a symbol of divinity. For it looks a little strange, after our first mother was seduc’d from her innocence, by the devil under this form, that so high a regard should be paid to it. The first learning in the world confided chiefly in symbols. The wisdom of the _Chaldeans_, _Phœnicians_, _Egyptians_, _Jews_, of _Zoroaster_, _Sanchoniathon_, _Pherecydes Syrus_, _Pythagoras_, _Socrates_, _Plato_, of all the ancients, that is come to our hand, is symbolic. “It was the mode,” says _Serranus_, on _Plato_’s _Symposium_, “of the ancient philosophers, to represent truth by certain symbols and hidden images. It leads us gradually, sweetly, yet most efficaciously, towards the contemplation of the first being, which is the end of all philosophy and theology.” We may add, it was the method of ancient divines too, from the beginning to our Saviour’s time. No one cultivated it more than he, in all his sermons and discourses, which were affecting, well wrought up, lively, apposite, entertaining in the highest degree. Some of them complete _dramas_. And in general, we must conclude, it gives a beautiful gloss and amiable face to truth.