Dedicatory.
said of Mithridates King of Pontus, that he was skilled in Two and twenty several Tongues, which were spoken in the several Provinces under his Dominion: Which, tho it were a very extraordinary attainment, yet how short a remedy was it against the Curse of the Confusion, considering the vast multitude of Languages that are in the World.
Besides that most obvious advantage which would ensue, of facilitating mutual Commerce, amongst the several Nations of the World, and the improving of all Natural knowledge; It would likewise very much conduce to the spreading of the knowledge of Religion. Next to the Gift of Miracles, and particularly that of Tongues, powred out upon the Apostles in the first planting of Christianity, There is nothing that can more effectually conduce to further accomplishment of those Promises, which concern the diffusion of it, through all Nations, then the design which is here proposed.
To which it will be proper for me to add, That this design will likewise contribute much to the clearing of some of our Modern differences in Religion, by unmasking many wild errors, that shelter themselves under the disguise of affected phrases; which being Philosophically unfolded, and rendered according to the genuine and natural importance of Words, which appear to be inconsistencies and contradictions. And several of those pretended, mysterious, profound notions, expressed in great swelling words, whereby some men set up for reputation, being this way examined, will appear to be, either nonsence, or very flat and jejune.
And tho it should be of no other use but this, yet were it in these days well worth a mans pains and study, considering the Common mischief that is done, and the many
