they ought chiefly to have applied themselves to remedy, redress, and
reduce to the best order the conceptions concerning the Gods, if there
were in them any thing confused or erroneous; or if not, to have left
every one in those sentiments which they had from the laws and custom
concerning the Divinity:
For neither now nor yesterday
These deep conceits of God began;
Time out of mind they have been aye,
But no man knows where, how, or when.[187]
But these men, having begun (as it were) “from Vesta” to disturb the
opinions settled and received in every country concerning the Gods,
have not (to speak sincerely) left any thing entire and uncorrupted.
For what man is there or ever was, except these, who does not believe
the Divinity to be immortal and eternal? Or what in the common
anticipations is more unanimously chanted forth concerning the Gods
than such things as these:
There the blest Gods eternally enjoy
Their sweet delights;[188]
and again,