_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.