But that which is yet more strange to me, is that Mr. _B_ his Friends did not advise him better, than in his declined Age to emit such crude matter to the public. As to the sometime Reverend Author, let his works praise the Remembrance of him; but for such as are either Erroneous and foisted upon him, or the effect of an aged Imbecillity, let them be detected that they may proceed no further.[70] I am not ignorant that the manner of Education of Youth in, I think, almost all Christian Schools hath a natural tendency to propagate those Doctrines of Devils heretofore (solely) profest among _Ethnicks_,[71] and particularly in matters of Witchcraft, _&c._ For notwithstanding the Council of _Carthage_ their taking notice that the Christian Doctors did converse much with the writings of the Heathens for the gaining of Eloquence, forbad the reading of the Books of the _Gentiles_; yet it seems this was only a Bill without a penalty, which their successors did not look upon to be binding. He that should in this age take a view of the Schools, might be induced to believe that the ages since have thought, that without such Heathen Learning a man cannot be so accomplish'd, as to have any pretence to Academick Literature: and that the vulgar might not be without the benefit of such Learning, some of their Dis[46]ciples have taught them to speak _English_, which has given me the opportunity to send you these following Verses. [Virg. Bucolicks. Eclog. 13.--Eclog. 8.--] _Sure love is not the cause their bones appear. Some eyes bewitch my tender Lambs I fear. For me these Herbs in_ Pontus Maris _chose. There ev'ry powerful Drug in plenty grows; Transform'd to a Wolf, I often_ Mæris _saw, Then into shady Woods himself withdraw: Oft he from deepest Sepulchers would Charm Departed Souls. And from anothers Farm, Into his own ground Corn yet standing take. Now from the Town my Charms bring_ Daphnis _back. Vanquisht with charms from Heaven the Moon Descends._ Circe _with charms transform'd_ Ulysses _friends: Charms in the Field will burst a Poysonous Snake, Now from the Town, &c._ [Ovid's Metamorphosis. Lib. 7.]