The apostle tells us, 1 Cor. 1. 23. that “Christ crucified was to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Gentiles foolishness.” The grand Sophies of the world esteemed it absurd and unreasonable to believe, that he who was exposed to sufferings, could save others: but those who are called, discover that the doctrine of salvation, by the cross of Christ, which the world counted folly, ver. 24. is the great “wisdom of God,” and most convenient for his end.
Oh! ye who build up monuments, defiled With gore, like Nadir Shah, that costive Sophy,Who, after leaving Hindostan a wild, And scarce to the Mogul a cup of coffeeTo sooth his woes withal, was slain, the sinner!.
Hange thy selfe Drusus, hast nor arms nor brain?Some Sophy say, The Gods sell all for paine.
Francis Moyen was, as here described, an interesting character in his way; a sparkling, talented, thoughtless Parisian, full of adventure and, with his beloved violin in his baggage, ever on the wing. Voltaire and Boileau were winning the world in those days. Moyen, like every young man of the period, had read them, could quote them, and would sometimes utter himself in their particular sophy; half scoffing, and half religious, and half philosophical by turns, a thorough Frenchman, carelessly throwing off his first thoughts whatever they were and whoever was near.
Who knoweth not the difference betweene…semblance, and assurance; docosophy, and sophy?.