_Synesius_ submits his Book of _Dion_ to the Judgment of _Hypatia_; his
Description of his Censurers.
Of his _Dion_ therefore he begs _Hypatia_’s Judgment, resolving not to
publish it without her Approbation. He informs her moreover, that she’s
the first among the _Greeks_, or rather the _Heathens_, to whom he
communicates his Treatise _of Dreams_; and that he might complete, he
says, the sacred Number _Three_, he adds to these two his _Account of
the Astrolabe_ presented to _Peonius_. It will not be a Digression
altogether foreign to the Subject (as we shall see hereafter) if we
insert here part of the fine Description, which he has given of the
second Sort of those that censured him; “who being full of Ignorance
(says he) yet armed with Confidence, are readier than all other Men to
discourse concerning GOD; and if you happen to light upon them, you will
strait hear some of their unreasonable Reasonings, which they will needs
obtrude, on such as are desirous of no such Matter; because, I suppose,
it is for their Interest so to do. For on the Score of such Things they
are made Preachers in Towns, which is the same Thing as to enjoy
_Amalthea_’s Horn _or Plenty of all Things_, which these think
themselves obliged to use. I fancy by this Time you perceive, what this
forward Generation of Men may be, that blame my generous Purpose. They
invite me to come into their Discipline, promising, that in a short Time
I shall appear most confident in Things relating to GOD, and ever after
be capable to dispute incessantly both Night and Day.” I believe this
Race of Men is not yet extinct; but another Time they may hear of a
certain _Speech_ addressed to them by the same Truth-telling _Synesius_.