,,critical ,,exam9ation ,,( ,,! ,,life  
,,( ,,/4 ,,paul  ,by ,b\lang]           
,translat$ ,f ,! ,fr5* ,( ,b\lang]      
,paul1 ?\ art beside ?yself1 mu* le>n+  
do? make !e mad4  ,acts1 *ap4 #bf1 v]4  
#bd4  #ahbc  ,,introduction4  ,,epi/le  
,,d$icatory ,,to ,m4 ,l4 ,n4  ,sir1 ,9  
our la/ conv]sation y appe>$ to me1 v   
mu* smitt5 ) ,/4 ,paul & 8 works2 y     
recomm5d$ me to rep]use 8 writ+s2 assur+
 me t ,i %\ld !re f9d argum5ts well     
calculat$ to %ake incr$ulity & confirm a
 ,*ri/ian 9 8 fai?4  ,al?\gh ! actions (
 ?is celebrat$ ,apo/le1 relat$ 9 !      
,acts1 & 8 doctr9e conta9$ 9 8 ,epi/les1
 7 already p]fectly kn[n to me1 yet to  
con=m myself to y\r desires1 & give y   
pro(s ( my docility1 ,i h aga9 read ^?  
works1 & ,i c assure y t ,i h done x ) !
 greate/ att5tion4 ,y w judge ( t       
y\rself1 by ! reflections ,i s5d y2 !y w
 at lea/ prove to y t ,i h read )       
att5tion4 ,a sup]ficial glance is only  
likely to deceive u or leave u 9 error4 
,! passions & ! prejudices ( m5 prev5t  

!m f exam9+ ) c&\r1 & f _! indol5ce !y  
are (t5 disgu/$ ) ! rese>*es necess>y = 
discov]+ tru?2 t has also be5 ) s mu*   
c>e veil$ f _! eyes3 b x is 9 va9 to    
cov] x1 its spl5d\r w soon] or lat] %9e 
=?2 ! works ( en?usiasm or impo/ure1 w  
always end by betray+ !mselves4 ,z = !  
re/1 read & judge4 ,y w f9d1 ,i ?9k1 at 
lea/1 "s reasons = abat+ a little f t   
high op9ion1 t prejudice gives u ( !    
,apo/le ( ! ,g5tiles1 & ( ! religi\s    
sy/em ( ! ,*ri/ians1 ( :i* ,/4 ,paul 0  
evid5tly ! true ar*itect4 ,i am n       
ignorant t x is v difficult to undo at  
"o bl[ ! ideas to :i* ! m9d has be5 s   
long accu/om$2 b :atev] may be y\r      
judgm5t x w n alt] ! s5tim5ts ( fri5d%ip
 & atta*m5t :i* are due to ! goodness ( 
y\r he>t4  ,i am1 c1 c4     ,,critical  
,,exam9ation ,,( ,,! ,,life ,,( ,,/4    
,,paul     ,,*apt] ,i4 ,is ! ,conv]sion 
( ,/4 ,paul a pro( 9 fav\r ( ! ,*ri/ian 
,religion8  ,_m !ologians w\ld make u   
reg>d ! miracul\s conv]sion & apo/le%ip 
( ,/4 ,paul z "o ( ! /ronge/ pro(s ( !  

tru? ( ,*ri/ianity4 ,b 9 view+ ! ?+     
closely x appe>s t ?is conv]sion1 f> f  
prov+ any ?+ 9 fav\r ( ?is religion1    
invalidates ! o!r pro(s ( x1 9 fact1 our
 doctors cont9ually assure u t !        
,*ri/ian religion draws its /ronge/     
pro(s f ! prophecies ( ! ,old ,te/am5t1 
:il/ !re is n 9 fact a s+le "o ( ^!     
prophecies t c be lit]ally appli$ to !  
,messiah ( ! ,*ri/ians4 ,/4 ,paul       
himself will+ to make use ( ^! oracles (
 ! ,jewi% nation to prove ! mission (   
,*ri/1 is oblig$ to di/ort !m1 & to seek
 9 !m a my/ical1 allegorical1 &         
figurative s5se4 ,on ! o!r side1 h[ c ^!
 prophecies made by ,jews & address$ to 
,jews1 s]ve z pro(s ( ! doctr9e ( ,/4   
,paul1 :o _h evid5tly =m$ ! design (    
alt]+1 or ev5 ( de/roy+1 ! ,jewi%       
religion1 9 ord] to raise a new sy/em on
 its ru9s8 ,su* be+ ! /ate ( ?+s1 :at   
real connection1 or :at relation1 c !re 
be betwe5 ! religi\s sy/em ( ! ,jews1 & 
t ( ,/4 ,paul8 ,= ?is ,apo/le to h _h ! 
"r ( mak+ use ( ! ,jewi% prophecies1 x  

w\ld h be5 necess>y t he %\ld h rema9$ a
 ,jew2 8 conv]sion to ,*ri/ianity       
evid5tly depriv$ him ( ! privilege (    
s]v+ himself1 by hav+ rec\rse to !      
prophecies belong+ to a religion t he _h
 j ab&on$1 & ! ru9 ( :i* he m$itat$4    
,true prophecies c only be f\nd 9 a     
div9e religion1 & a religion truly      
div9e1 c nei!r be alt]$1 re=m$1 nor     
de/roy$3 ,god himself1 if he is         
immutable1 c\ld n *ange x4  ,9 fact1    
might n ! ,jews h said to ,/4 ,paul1    
,apo/ate t y are6 y believe 9 our       
prophecies1 & y come to de/roy !        
religion f\nd$ ^u ! same prophecies4 ,if
 y believe 9 our oracles1 y are =c$ to  
believe t ! religion :i* y h quitt$ is a
 true religion & div9ely inspir$4 ,if y 
say1 t ,god has *ang$ 8 m9d1 y are      
impi\s 9 pret5d+ t ,god c\ld *ange1 & 0 
n suffici5tly wise1 to give at once to 8
 p a p]fect wor%ip1 & "o :i* _h no ne$ (
 be+ re=m$4 ,on ! o!r side1 d n !       
reit]at$ promises ( ! ,mo/ ,high1       
confirm$ by pa?s to our fa!rs1 assure u1

 t 8 alliance ) u %\ld endure et]nally8 
,y are !n an impo/or1 &1 accord+ to our 
law1 we ought to ext]m9ate y2 see+ t    
,moses1 our div9e legislator1 ord]s u to
 put to dea?1 :oev] %all h ! tem]ity to 
prea* to u a new wor%ip1 ev5 ?\gh he    
%\ld confirm 8 mission by prodigies4 ,! 
,god t y prea* is n ! ,god ( our fa!rs3 
y say t ,*ri/ is 8 son2 b we "k t ,god  
has no son4 ,y pret5d t ?is son1 :om we 
h put to dea? z a false prophet1 has    
ris5 f ! dead1 b ,moses has n spok5 ( ! 
resurrection2 ?us y\r new ,god & y\r    
dogmas are contr>y to our law1 &        
consequ5tly we ought to hold !m 9       
abhorr5ce4 ,9 %ort ^! same ,jews might h
 said to ,/4 ,paul3 ,y deceive y\rself 9
 say+1 t y are ! disciple ( ,jesus1 y\r 
,jesus 0 a ,jew1 dur+ ! :ole ( 8 life he
 0 circumcis$1 he con=m$ himself to all 
! legal ord9ances2 he (t5 prote/$ t he  
came to accompli%1 & n to aboli% ! law2 
:il/ y 9 contempt ( ! prote/ations ( !  
,ma/]1 ^: ,apo/le y say y are1 take !   
lib]ty ( *ang+ ?is holy law1 ( decry+ x1

 ( disp5s+ ) its mo/ ess5tial ord9ances4
  ,moreov] ! conv]sion ( ,/4 ,paul      
/rangely weak5s ! pro( t ! ,*ri/ian     
religion draws f ! miracles ( ,jesus    
,*ri/ & 8 ,apo/les4 ,accord+ to !       
evangeli/s !mselves ! ,jews 7 n at all  
conv9c$ by ^! miracles4 ,! transc5dant  
prodigy ( ! resurrection ( ,*ri/1 !     
wond]s s9ce wr\ght by "s ( 8 adh]5ts did
 n contribute m to _! conv]sion4 ,/4    
,paul believ$ no?+ ( !m at fir/1 he 0 a 
zeal\s p]secutor ( ! fir/ ,*ri/ians to  
su* a degree1 t1 accord+ to ! ,*ri/ians1
 no?+ %ort ( a new miracle1 p]=m$ = him 
alone1 0 able to conv]t him2 :i* proves 
to u t !re 01 at lea/1 a "t :5 ,/4 ,paul
 did n give any cr$it to ! wond]s t !   
p>tisans ( ,jesus relat$ at ,j]usalem4  
,he ne$$ a p>ticul> miracle to believe 9
 ^? miracles1 t we are oblig$ to believe
 9 at ! "t 9 :i* we live1 )\t heav5     
op]at+ any new prodigy to demon/rate to 
u ! tru? ( !m4     ,,*apt] ,,ii4        
,op9ions ( ! fir/ ,*ri/ians ^u ! ,acts (
 ! ,apo/les1 & ^u ! ,epi/les & ,p]son ( 

,/4 ,paul4  ,x is 9 ! ,acts ( !         
,apo/les1 & ! ,epi/les ( ,/4 ,paul1 t we
 f9d ! details ( 8 life & ! sy/em ( 8   
doctr9e2 b1 h[ c we be c]ta9 ( !        
au!nticity ( ^! works1 :il/ we see _m ( 
! fir/ ,*ri/ians d\bt & reject !m z     
apocryphal8 ,we f9d1 9 fact1 t f !      
e>lie/ p]iod ( ! *ur*1 entire sects (   
,*ri/ians1 :o believ$ t _m ( ! ,epi/les 
publi%$ "u ! "n ( ?is ,apo/le1 7 n      
really 84 ,! ,m>cionites 7 confid5t t ! 
gospels 7 fill$ ) fal%oods1 & ,m>cion1  
_! head1 pret5d$ t 8 gospel 0 ! only    
true "o4  ,! ,mani*eans1 :o =m$ a v     
num]\s sect at ! comm5cem5t (           
,*ri/ianity1 reject$ z false1 all ! ,new
 ,te/am5t1 & produc$ o!r writ+s1 q      
diff]5t1 :i* !y gave z au!ntic4 ,!      
,cor9?ians1 z well z ! ,m>cionites1 did 
n admit ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les4 ,!        
,encratites & ! ,sev]ians did n adopt   
ei!r ! ,acts or ! ,epi/les ( ,/4 ,paul4 
,/4 ,john ,*ryso/om 9 a homily1 :i* he  
has made ^u ! ,acts1 says1 t 9 8 "t 7t  
is to say1 t[>ds ! end ( ! f\r? c5tury7 

_m m5 7 ignorant n only ( ! "n ( !      
au?or1 or ( ! collector ( ^! ,acts1 b   
ev5 did n "k ?is "w4 ,! ,val5t9ians1 z  
well z _m o!r sects ( ,*ri/ians accus$  
our scriptures ( be+ fill$ ) errors1    
imp]fections1 & contradictions1 & ( be+ 
insuffici5t )\t ! assi/ance (           
traditions2 ?is is a fact t is atte/$ to
 u by ,/4 ,ir5u4 ,! ,ebionites or       
,naz>5es1 :o1 z we %all soon see1 7 !   
fir/ ,*ri/ians1 reject$ all ! ,epi/les (
 ,/4 ,paul1 & reg>d$ him z an impo/or & 
hypocrite4  ,x w n fail be+ said to u1 t
 we ought n to rely on ! te/imony (     
h]etics2 b ,i %all reply1 t 9 ! matt] 9 
"q1 _! te/imony is ( ! same weight z t (
 ! or?odox1 see+ t all ! diff]5t sects  
consid] !mselves z or?odox1 & h treat$  
_! adv]s>ies z h]etics4 ,h[ %all we     
unravel ! tru? if we d n he> bo? p>ties8
 ,by :at signs %all we "k ^? on :om we  
ought to rely8 ,%all we c$e ! cause )\t 
exam9+ _! adv]s>ies1 to writ]s :o utt]  
to u fal%oods )\t numb]1 :o contradict  
ea* o!r1 :o are nev] agre$ among/       

!mselves1 & ^: discordant writ+s are    
nev]!less produc$ z pro(s ( :at !y      
advance8 ,9 any o!r subject su* a       
conduct w\ld seem to betray a p>tiality 
or ev5 ins9c]ity3 b 9 religi\s matt]s1 e
 ?+ is fair1 & !re is no necessity ( be+
 s nice4  ,h[ev] t may be1 x does n     
foll[ t because "o sect has receiv$ or  
reject$ a "w1 t ! "w itself is ei!r true
 or false2 !re _c be o!rwise ?an1 a     
div]sity ( op9ions betwe5 p]sons (      
diff]5t p>ties2 _! te/imony ought to h  
equal weight1 until ! p>tisans ( "o     
sect1 h be5 convict$ ( be+ great] *eats 
& li>s1 ?an ^? ( ! o!r4 ,if we pay no   
reg>d to ! au?ority ( h]etics1 x is     
because !y h n _h suffici5t p[] to en=ce
 _! op9ions4 ,x is p[] or weakness :i*  
makes or?odoxians or h]etics3 ! la/ are 
always ^? :o h n p[] en\gh to make _!   
op9ions curr5t4  ,:at c\rse %all we !n  
pursue to discov] on :i* side is ! tru?8
 ,an imp>tial man w no m expect to f9d x
 9 "o p>ty ?an 9 ano!r1 ?us ! te/imony (
 ! "o c h no great] weight ?an t ( ! o!r

 9 ! eye ( an unprejudic$ man4  ,?is    
grant$1 we _c rely on ! au?ority (      
,*ri/ian traditions :i* v>y 9 all sects1
 & we %all be r$uc$ to recur solely to  
reason1 especially :5 we f9d t ! works1 
:i* are to-day reg>d$ z au!ntic1 h 9 o!r
 times be5 consid]$ z suppositi\s1 or   
apocryphal1 by "s v anci5t sects (      
,*ri/ians1 & t ! works & writ+s1 !n     
reg>d$ z apocryphal1 h s9ce be5 adopt$ z
 true4  ,x appe>s t 9 ! anci5t *ur*es1  
!y read at once ! works t we n[ reg>d z 
true1 & ^? t n[-pass = suppositi\s1 9   
su* sort1 t !re is reason to believe !y 
7 !n held to possess equal claim to     
au!nticity3 x is1 at lea/1 v1 difficult 
to demon/rate ! contr>y 9 ! pres5t "t4  
,"s *ur*es h attribut$ ! same au?ority  
to false or d\btful writ+s z to true4   
,! ,roman ,*ur* to-day adopts z au!ntic 
& div9ely inspir$ _m books ( ! ,bible1  
absolutely reject$ by ! ,prote/ants4 ,h[
 is x possible to decide :i* is ! p>ty t
 deceives itself8  ,by :at "r c we !n   
affirm to-day t ! works ( ,/4 ,paul1    

=m]ly reject$ by s _m ,*ri/ian sects1   
are au!ntic1 t is to say1 truly belong  
to ?is ,apo/le8 ,on ! o!r h&1 h[ c we   
attribute to div9e inspiration writ+s   
fill$ ) inconsi/5cies1 contradictions1  
mi/akes1 & false reason+s1 9 a ^w1 :i*  
be> e "* ( delirium1 ( ignorance1 & (   
fraud8 ,i ackn[l$ge t ^? :o want valid  
pro(s1 always d "r to affirm ! ?+1 ) !  
tone ( au?ority2 b ?is tone proves no?+1
 & always prejudices aga9/ ^? :o take x4
 ,no?+ is m injuri\s to ! int]e/ ( tru?1
 ?an ! arrogance ( an usurp$ au?ority4  
,^! are1 h[ev]1 ! arms t are incessantly
 oppos$ to ^? :o d\bt ( religion4 ,x    
w\ld seem t its def5d]s h no o!r        
argum5ts ?an _! pret5ces2 x is easy to  
feel t ^! argum5ts are e ?+1 b conv9c+4 
,! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 adopt$ by !      
,ebionites or ,naz>5es1 relate among/   
o!r ?+s1 t1 ,paul 0 orig9ally a ,pagan1 
t he came to ,j]usalem :]e he dwelt = "s
 "t2 t be+ desir\s ( m>ry+ ! daught] ( !
 ,high ,prie/ he became a proselyte1 & 0
 circumcis$2 b n be+ able to obta9 !    

woman he desir$1 he qu>rell$ ) ! ,jews1 
began to write aga9/ ! circumcision1    
aga9/ ! obs]vation ( ! ,sabba?1 & aga9/ 
legal ord9ances4  ,we "k t ! "n (       
,naz>5es 0 ! fir/ :i* 0 giv5 to !       
,*ri/ians4 ,/4 ,epiphanius1 f :om !     
prec$+ passage is tak51 says1 t !y 7 ?us
 nam$ because ( ,jesus ( ,naz>e?1 ( :om 
!y 7 ! fir/ disciples4 ,! ,jews call$ !m
 ,naz>5es f ! ,hebrew ^w ,noz]im1 :i*   
signifies "o sep>at$ or excommunicat$2  
aga9 !y designat$ !m "u ! "n ( ,m9eans1 
t is to say1 h]etics4 ,!y 7 also by     
contempt call$ ,ebionites1 :i* signifies
 poor1 m5dicant1 weak-m9d$4 ,9 fact1 !  
,hebrew ,ebion1 means poor1 mis]able1 & 
we "k1 t ! fir/ foll[]s ( ,*ri/1 7 e ?+ 
b opul5t or intellig5t m54  ,! fir/     
fai?ful1 7 ,jews conv]t$ by ,jesus      
himself1 or by ! mo/ anci5t ,apo/les1   
su* z ,pet]1 ,james1 & ,john1 :o z well 
z _! ma/]1 liv$ 9 ,judaism4 ,^!         
,apo/les1 disciples1 & new conv]ts1     
diff]$ f ! ,jews 9 no?+ b ! belief 9    
,jesus ,*ri/1 :om !y reg>d$ z ! ,messiah

 pr$ict$ by ! prophets2 o!rwise !y      
believ$ !mselves b\nd con/antly to      
obs]ve ! ,mosaic law1 p]suad$ t _!      
,messiah 0 come to accompli% & n to     
de/roy ?is law4 ,9 consequ5ce ( ?is1 !y 
obs]v$ circumcision1 ! ab/95ce f c]ta9  
meats1 sep>ation f ! ,g5tiles1 9 a ^w1 !
 ,jewi% rites & ord9ances4  ,?us ! fir/ 
,apo/les1 & _! adh]5ts1 7 only ,jews1   
p]suad$ t ! ,messiah 0 already come1 & 0
 go+ soon to comm5ce 8 reign1 :i* made  
!m hat$ & p]secut$ z s*ismatics or      
h]etics by _! fell[-citiz5s4 ,/4 ,j]ome 
in=ms u1 t ev5 d[n to 8 "t1 ! ,jews us$ 
to ana!matize ! ,*ri/ians1 "u ! "n (    
,naz>5es1 ?ree times a day 9 _!         
synagogues4  ,all ?is evid5tly proves1 t
 ! ,naz>5es1 ( ,ebionites1 7 ! fir/     
,*ri/ians1 taught by ! mo/ consid]able (
 ! ,apo/les1 & t ! fir/ ,*ri/ians 7 only
 re=m$ ,jews2 ?is is cle>ly ! only idea 
we c =m ( ,*ri/ianity1 su* z x 0 taught 
by ,jesus ,*ri/ himself4  ,h[ !n comes x
 t s9ce ,jesus1 ,*ri/ianity has be5 s   
sep>at$ f ,judaism8 a slight att5tion w 

prove to u t ?is is ow+ to ,/4 ,paul4   
,repuls$ by ! ,jews1 or p]haps desir\s (
 play+ a m important "p1 we see him     
sep>ate himself f 8 bre?r5 ( ,j]usalem1 
& und]take ! conv]sion ( ! ,g5tiles1 =  
:om ! ,jews ent]ta9$ no s5tim5t b       
horror4 ,enc\rag$ by 8 fir/ successes & 
wi%+ to ext5d !m1 he disp5s$ ! ,pagans f
 ! pa9ful c]emony ( circumcision2 he    
decl>$ t ! law ( ,moses1 0 only a law ( 
s]vitude1 f :i* ,jesus 0 come to free   
mank9d2 he pret5d$ t all ! old law 0    
m]ely ! emblem & figure ( ! new2 he     
ann\nc$ himself z ! ,apo/le ( !         
,g5tiles1 & leav+ ,pet] & ! o!r ,naz>5es
 to prea* ! gospel ( circumcision1 he   
prea*$ 8 own gospel1 :i* he himself     
call$ ! gospel ( uncircumcision3 9 a ^w1
 he made a divorce ) ! ,jewi% laws1 to  
:i* 8 apo/olic bre?r5 believ$ !y ought  
to hold !mselves atta*$1 at lea/1 9 mo/ 
respects4  ,! conduct ( ,paul1 mu/      
naturally h displeas$ 8 s5iors 9 !      
,apo/le%ip1 b fe> appe>s to h det] m9$  
!m to c$e1 at lea/ = a "t1 to our       

mission>y :o _h already made a          
consid]able p>ty4 ,nev]!less ! ,acts ( !
 ,apo/les & ! writ+s ( ,paul1 prove to u
 8 qu>rels ) 8 bre?r51 :o1 accord+ to   
appe>ances1 nev] view$ ) a fri5dly eye1 
8 ent]prizes & innovations4 ,moreov]1   
,eusebius & ,/4 ,epiphanius in=m u1 t   
our ,apo/le 0 reg>d$ z an apo/ate1 an   
impo/or1 & an enemy by ! ,ebionites1 t  
is to say1 by ! fir/ fai?ful4 ,b ,/4    
,paul's p>ty hav+ 9 ! end prevail$1 !   
,jewi% law 0 entirely bani%$ f          
,*ri/ianity1 & ! ,ebionites1 or         
,naz>5es1 ?\gh ( m anci5t date & ?\gh   
=m$ by ,*ri/ & 8 fir/ apo/les 7 decl>$  
h]etics4  ,x is prop] to rem>k 9 ?is    
place t ^! ,ebionites1 or fir/          
,*ri/ians1 believ$ t ,jesus 0 b a man1 z
 mu* on ! side ( 8 fa!r z on t ( 8 "m1 t
 is to say1 ! son ( ,joseph & ,m>y2 b t 
he 0 a wise1 j1 & excell5t p]son1 ?us   
m]it+ ! appellation ( ! son ( ,god1     
because ( 8 holy life & good qualities  
:5ce we see t ! fir/ ,*ri/ians 7 z well 
z ! fir/ ,apo/les1 true ,soc9ians4 ,b   

,/4 ,paul to give1 )\t d\bt1 m lu/re to 
8 m9i/ry1 & 8 adh]5ts aft] him1 will+ to
 extol ! hol9ess ( _! religion1 made a  
,god ( ,jesus1 a dogma :i* x is no m    
p]mitt$ to d\bt1 especially s9ce !      
p>tizans ( ,paul h become m num]\s1 &   
/rong] ?an ^? ( ,/4 ,pet] & ! o!r       
,naz>5es1 or ,jewi% f\nd]s ( primitive  
,*ri/ianity1 :i* ?us totally *ang$ its  
face z to its capital dogmas4  ,hav+ ?us
 become ma/]s ( ! field ( battle1 ,paul1
 8 adh]5ts1 & ! disciples =m$ 9 _!      
s*ool1 saw !mselves 9 possession ( ! p[]
 ( regulat+ belief1 ( inv5t+ new dogmas1
 ( mak+ gospels1 & ( arrang+ !m 9 _! own
 mann]1 ( =g+ to !mselves titles1 & (   
excommunicat+ z h]etics all ^? :o %[$   
!mselves untea*able4 ,x is ?us t ! au?or
 ( ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 only speaks1 z 
x 71 ( 8 ma/]1 ( ,/4 ,paul1 & glances v 
slightly ov] ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les ( !   
contr>y p>ty4 ,! same au?or 7,/4 ,luke7 
is presum$ to h compos$ 8 gospel f !    
notes furni%$ him by ,/4 ,paul1 ?\gh he 
_h nei!r kn[n nor se5 ,jesus ,*ri/4     

,fau/us1 ! ,mani*ean1 said on ! subject 
( ! gospels1 t !y _h be5 compos$ a long 
"t aft] ! ,apo/les1 by "s obscure       
individuals1 :o fe>+ t fai? w\ld n be   
giv5 to hi/ories ( facts ) :i* !y mu/ h 
be5 unacqua9t$1 publi%$ "u ! "n ( !     
,apo/les _! own writ+s1 s fill$ )       
mi/akes & discordant relations &        
op9ions1 t we c f9d 9 !m nei!r          
connection nor agreem5t ) !mselves4  ,a 
little fur!r on he l\dly accuses 8      
adv]s>ies1 :o _h ! cr$it ( be+ or?odox1 
& says to !m1 ,x is ?us t pr$ecessors h 
ins]t$ 9 ! writ+s ( our ,"l _m ?+s :i*1 
?\gh !y be> 8 "n1 d n  at all agree ) 8 
doctr9e4 ,t is n surpris+ s9ce we h (t5 
prov$ t ^! ?+s h n be5 writt5 by himself
 nor by 8 ,apo/les1 b t = ! great] "p !y
 are f\nd$ on tales1 on vague reports1 &
 collect$ by ,i "k n :o1 half ,jews1 b  
little agre$ among !mselves1 :o h       
nev]!less publi%$ !m "u ! "n ( our ,"l1 
& ?us h attribut$ to him _! own errors &
 deceptions4  ,origeo in=ms u1 t ,celsus
 exclaim$ aga9/ ! lic5ce t ! ,*ri/ians (

 8 "t1 _h tak5 ( alt]+ _m times         
imprud5tly ! orig9als ( _! gospels1 9   
ord] to be able to d5y or to retract ^? 
?+s1 :i* emb>rass$ !m4     ,,*apt]      
,,iii4 ,( ! ,au?ority ( ! ,c\ncils1 ( ! 
,fa!rs ( ! ,*ur*1 & ( ,tradition  ,x is 
only 9 ! ,fa!rs ( ! ,*ur*1 & ! ,c\ncils1
 t we c f9d ! pro(s ( ! au!nticity ( !  
,*ri/ian traditions1 & accord+ to !     
pro(s :i* rema9 x appe>s1 t !y only     
approv$ or reject$ op9ions1 z !y f\nd !m
 fav\rable or injuri\s to ! int]e/s ( ! 
p>ty :i* !y _h embrac$4 ,e ecclesia/ical
 writ]1 & e assembly ( ,bi%ops1 adopt$ z
 canonical ! writ+s 9 :i* !y f\nd _! own
 p>ticul> dogmas1 ! o!rs !y treat$ z    
apocryphal or suppositi\s4 ,a slight    
acqua9tance ) ! writ+s ( ! ,fa!rs1 w %[ 
u t we _c rely on !m = any facts2 we    
%all f9d t _! books are fill$ )         
neglig5ces1 tales1 imp]t95ces &         
falsehoods2 we %all see !m buri$ 9 !    
?icke/ d>kness ( sup]/ition & prejudice4
 ,e ^w ann\nces _! incr$ulity or _!     
ins9c]ity4 ,/4 ,clem5t ! ,roman1 believ$

 ! fable ( ! pho5ix reviv+ f its a%es1 &
 cites x z a pro( ( ! resurrection4     
,papias1 :o 0 ! ma/] ( ,/4 ,ir5u1 01 9 !
 op9ion ( ,eusebius himself1 a man (    
weak m9d1 a fabul\s au?or1 :o _h        
contribut$ to lead _m m5 into error1 &  
among/ o!rs ,/4 ,ir5u :o 0 8 disciple1  
:om ,eusebius reg>ds z a v cr$ul\s man1 
?\gh he 0 ! fir/ ecclesia/ical hi/orian 
( note4 ,x is n surpris+ t ^? :o h      
foll[$ su* guides h fall5 into error4   
,on ! o!r side1 we %\ld nev] f9i%1 7 we 
to ent] into a detail ( ! excesses      
committ$ by ! ,fa!rs ( ! ,*ur* & !      
,c\ncils3 _! hi/ory w\ld only s]ve to   
prove _! ambition _! pride1 _!          
infatuation1 _! s$iti\s _s1 _! *eats1 _!
 intrigues1 & _! cruelties 9 !          
p]secutions :i* !y excit$ aga9/ _!      
adv]s>ies4 ,x is nev]!less on ! probity 
& on ! k ( ^! great p]sonages t we are  
call$ to rely6 ,x is pret5d$ t x is f !m
 t we hold ! pure oracles ( tru?2 mu/ we
 !n take lessons ( mildness1 ( *>ity1 (1
 hol9ess1 f ! writ+s ( "s facti\s       

individuals1 :o 7 p]petually qu>rell+ & 
treat+ _! adv]s>ies ) ! utmo/ cruelty1  
^: works 7 fill$ ) gall1 ^: conduct x is
 admitt$ ev5 by _! own fri5ds & admir]s1
 0 almo/ always unju/1 viol5t1 &        
crim9al8 ,h[ c x be expect$ t we %\ld   
f9d any po9t ( unity 9 ! canons &       
decrees ( assemblies agitat$ by         
intrigue1 discord1 & animosity8 ,h[ c we
 reg>d z sa9ts1 & infallible doctors1 z 
p]sons wor?y ( our confid5ce1 p]v]se m51
 cont9ually involv$ 9 disputations )    
o!rs1 & 9 contradictions ) !mselves8    
,:at guide c we expect to f9d 9 turbul5t
 prie/s ^: ambition1 av>ice1 & intrigu+ 
& p]secut+ _s are e :]e visible8 ,x is  
only necess>y to read ecclesia/ical     
hi/ory to be conv9c$ t ! picture :i* we 
h drawn ( ! ,c\ncils & ,fa!rs is no ways
 exagg]at$4  ,on ! o!r h& ! writ]s &    
,c\ncils on ^: au?ority1 ,*ri/ians are  
call$ ^u to f\nd _! belief1 d1 9 all _! 
traditions1 b bl9dly foll[ & copy ea*   
o!r2 we see !m devoid ( ! arts (        
reason+1 ( logic1 & ( criticism2 h5ce _!

 works are f\nd fill$ ) fables1 vulg>   
errors1 & =g]ies4 ,is x possible to     
believe ! traditions ( su* a man z ,/4  
,j]ome1 :o 9 8 life ( ,/4 ,an?ony1      
assures u t ?is holy man _h a conf]5ce )
 satyrs ) goats feet8 ,d we n ju/ly d\bt
 ! s9c]ity ( ,/4 ,augu/9e1 :5 he says1 t
 he _h se5 a nation compos$ ( m51 :o _h 
eyes 9 ! middle ( _! /oma*s8 ,are su*   
au?ors m entitl$ to cr$it1 ?an ^? (     
,rob9son ,crusoe1 & ( ! ,?\s& & ,"o     
,nights8  ,suppos+ ev5 t at ! comm5cem5t
 ( ,*ri/ianity1 !re _h be5 au!ntic books
 9 :i* ! actions & ! disc\rses ( ,jesus 
,*ri/ & 8 ,apo/les _h be5 fai?fully     
relat$1 %\ld we be ju/ifi$ 9 suppos+ t  
!y h be5 h&$ d[n to u su* z !y 7        
orig9ally8 ,prior to ! inv5tion ( pr9t+1
 x 0 d\btless mu* easi] to impose ^u !  
public ?an x is n[1 & not)/&+1 we see t 
! ,press gives curr5cy to innum]able    
falsehoods4  ,! _s ( p>ty causes e ?+ to
 be adopt$ t is useful to its own cause4
 ,t grant$1 h[ easy 0 x = ! heads ( !   
,*ur*1 :o 7 once ! only gu>dians ( !    

holy books1 ei!r f pi\s fraud1 or a     
det]m9$ wi% to deceive1 to ins]t        
falsehoods & articles ( fai?1 9 ! books 
entru/$ to _! c>e4  ,! le>n$ ,dodwell   
admits1 t ! books :i* compose ! ,new    
,te/am5t did n appe> 9 public1 until at 
lea/ #ajj ,ye>s aft] ,*ri/4 ,if ?is fact
 be c]ta91 h[ %all we conv9ce ourselves 
t !y exi/$ prior to ?is "t8 ,^! books 7 
solely entru/$ to ! c>e ( !             
ecclesia/ical g5try1 till ! ?ird or f\r?
 c5tury1 t is to say1 to ! gu>dian%ip ( 
m51 ^: conduct 0 univ]sally regulat$ by 
self int]e/ & p>ty _s1 & :o possess$    
nei!r ! probity nor k requisite =       
discov]+ ! tru?1 or ( transmitt+ x 9 its
 orig9al purity4 ,?us ea* doctor _h !   
p[] ( mak+ su* holy books z he pleas$1 &
 :51 "u ,con/ant9e1 ! ,*ri/ians saw     
!mselves support$ by ! ,emp]or1 _! *iefs
 7 able to accept1 & cause to be accept$
 z au!ntic1 & ( reject+ z apocryphal1   
su* books z suit$ _! int]e/1 or did n   
agree ) ! prevail+ doctr9e4 ,b 7 we ev5 
sure ( ! au!nticity ( ! books1 :i* !    

*ur* ( ?is day adopts1 we are nev]!less1
 )\t any o!r gu>antee ( ! au?ority ( !  
scriptures ?an ! books !mselves4 ,is !re
 a hi/ory :i* has ! "r to prove itself  
by itself8 ,c we rely ^u witnesses :o   
give no o!r pro( ( :at !y advance ?an _!
 own words8 ,yet ! fir/ ,*ri/ians h     
r5d]$ !mselves fam\s by _! deceptions1  
_! factions1 & _! frauds1 :i* are t]m$  
pi\s :5 !y t5d to ! advantage (         
religion4 ,h n ^! pi\s falsehoods be5   
ascrib$ to ! works ( ,jesus ,*ri/       
himself & to ! ,apo/les 8 successors8 ,h
 we n1 9 _! mann]1 sybill9e v]ses1 :i*  
are evid5tly all ,*ri/ian prophecies1   
made aft]w>ds1 & (t5 copi$ ^w = ^w into 
! ,old & ,new ,te/am5t8 ,if x _h pleas$ 
! ,fa!rs at ! c\ncil ( ,nice1 to reg>d  
^! prophecies z div9ely inspir$1 :at or 
:o %\ld h prev5t$ !m f ins]t+ !m into ! 
canon ( ! ,scriptures8 ,& f t !         
,*ri/ians w\ld n h fail$ to reg>d !m 9 !
 pres5t day1 z indubitable pro(s ( !    
tru? ( _! religion4  ,if ! ,*ri/ians at 
! comm5cem5t ( ,*ri/ianity1 gave cr$it  

to works fill$ ) rev]ies1 su* z !       
,%eph]d ( ,h]mas1 ! ,gospel ( !         
,infancy1 ! ,lett] ( ,jesus ,*ri/ to    
,alg>us1 :at confid5ce c we h 9 su* ( _!
 books z rema98 ,c we flatt] ourselves1 
) hav+ ev5 ^! su* z !y 7 orig9ally      
writt58 ,h[ c we at ! pres5t "t1 di/+ui%
 ! true f ! false1 9 books1 9 :i*       
en?usiasm1 rogu]y & cr$ulity p]vade e   
page4  ,s9ce ! gospels !mselves fail 9 !
 pro(s necess>y to e/abli% _!           
au!nticity1 & ! tru? ( ! facts :i* !y   
relate1 ,i d n see t ! epi/les ( ,/4    
,paul1 or ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 enjoy 9 
?is respect a great] advantage4 ,if !   
fir/ ,*ri/ians _h no difficulty 9       
attribut+ works to ,jesus1 w\ld !y h be5
 ov] scrupul\s1 9 do+ ! same to 8       
apo/les1 or 9 mak+ = !m romantic leg5ds1
 :i* l5g? ( "t has caus$ to pass =      
respectable books8 ,if a body ( p[]ful  
m51 _h x 9 _! p[] to comm& ! cr$ulity ( 
! p1 & f\nd x _! int]e/1 !y w\ld succe$1
 at ! end ( a few c5turies1 9 e/abli%+ !
 belief t ! adv5tures ( ,don ,quixote 7 

p]fectly true1 & t ! prophecies (       
,no/radamus 7 inspirations ( ! div9ity4 
,by means ( gloss>ies1 comm5t>ies &     
allegories1 we may f9d & prove :atev] we
 desire2 h[ev] gl>+ an impo/ure may be1 
x may1 by ! aid ( "t1 deception1 & =ce1 
pass 9 ! end = a tru?1 :i* x is n       
p]mitt$ to d\bt2 ,det]m9$ *eats support$
 by public au?ority may cause ignorance1
 :i* is always cr$ul\s to believe :atev]
 !y *oose1 especially by p]suad+ x t !re
 is m]it 9 n p]ceiv+ inconsi/5cies1     
contradictions1 & palpable absurdities1 
& t !re is dang] 9 reason+4     ,,*apt] 
,,iv4 ,life ( ,/4 ,paul1 accord+ to !   
,acts ( ! ,apo/les  ,i h ?us f> %ewn t  
no?+ 0 m de/itute ( pro( ?an !          
au!nticity ( ! books :i* conta9 ! life &
 writ+s ( ,/4 ,paul4 ,i h %ewn t ! ,acts
 ( ! ,apo/les1 & ! ,epi/les ( ,/4 ,paul1
 7 reject$ by "s ,*ri/ian sects :i*     
subsi/$ f ! e>lie/ times ( ! *ur*4 ,x   
mu/ h be5 se5 t ! op9ion ( ! au!nticity 
( ^! books 0 f\nd$ solely on traditions1
 to :i* x is v difficult to give cr$it1 

consid]+ ! *>act]s ( ^? by :om ^!       
traditions h be5 transmitt$1 x is h[ev] 
^u su* suspici\s gu>antees1 t ! au?ority
 ( ^! works has be5 pret5d$ to be       
e/abli%$2 x w !n be necess>y to admit !m
 at once & )\t exam9ation1 or else recur
 to reason 9 ord] to exam9e = ourselves1
 :at we ought to ?9k conc]n+ !m4  ,to =m
 our ideas ( ,/4 ,paul1 let u !n consult
 only ^! works1 h[ev] suspect$ _! orig9 
may appe> to u1 :i* conta9 ! detail ( 8 
life2 !re are no o!rs to :i* we c h     
rec\rse4  ,! au?or ( ! ,acts ( !        
,apo/les1 :oev] he be1 relates !        
miracul\s conv]sion ( ,saul1 aft]w>ds   
call$ ,paul1 9 ! n9? *apt]4 ,we f9d him 
already nam$ 9 ! two prec$+ *apt]s1 fir/
 z approv+ ( ! dea? ( ,/4 ,/eph51 ! fir/
 m>tyr = ! ,*ri/ian religion1 & next z  
p]secut+ & desolat+ ! *ur*4 ,n cont5t$ )
 torm5t+ ! ,*ri/ians ( ,j]usalem1 he    
furni%$ himself ) lett]s f ! ,high      
,prie/ :i* au?oris$ him to seize ^? :om 
he might f9d at ,damascus2 b1 :ile on ! 
road a miracle caus$ him to *ange all 8 

projects2 he is sudd5ly surr\nd$ by a   
div9e light1 )\t see+ any "o1 he he>s ! 
voice ( ,jesus ( ,naz>e?1 :o dem&s ( him
 ! motives ( 8 p]secutions4 ,saul       
trembl+ enquir$ :at conduct he ought to 
pursue4 ,jesus tells him1 t at ,damascus
 he w\ld be in=m$ ( 8 int5tions4 ,our   
p]secutor on ?is occasion is /ruck bl9d1
 b 8 he>t is conv]t$1 & sight is        
miracul\sly re/or$ to him by a ,*ri/ian 
( ,damascus nam$ ,ananias1 :o _h be51 by
 a p>ticul> revelation in=m$ ( 8 ho/ile 
designs aga9/ ! *ur*1 & ( ! great       
designs ( ,god1 :o1 ( ?is p]secutor1    
w\ld =m a vessel ( election1 t is to say
 ! ,apo/le ( ! ,g5tiles4  ,soon aft] ?is
 conv]sion & cure1 ,saul is baptiz$ &   
comm5ces prea*+ ,*ri/ 9 ! synagogues1   
conf\nd+ ! ,jews to su* a degree t !y   
came to ! resolution to take away 8     
life4 ,b ! new mission>y deceiv$ _!     
vigilance by sav+ himself dur+ ! night  
by means ( a basket1 9 :i* he 0 l[]$1 & 
made 8 escape f ,damascus4 ,he return$  
to ,j]usalem :]e ! disciples ( ,jesus 7 

?r[n into con/]nation at 8 appe>ance2 b 
,b>nabas pres5t$ him to ! ,apo/les1     
in=m$ !m ( 8 conv]sion1 & enroll$ him to
 _! college4 ,9 consequ5ce he prea*$ !  
,gospel2 ?is conduct soon rais$ tr\bles 
& p]secutions aga9/ him on ! "p ( !     
,jews1 :o aga9 =m$ ! design ( putt+ him 
to dea?4 ,b he f\nd means ( escap+ f _! 
fury by ! assi/ance ( "s disciples :o   
conduct$ him to ,ces>ea1 :5ce !y aft]w>d
 s5t him to ,t>sus4 ,b>nabas came & jo9$
 ,saul 9 ! latt] city1 :5ce he l$ him to
 ,antio*4 ,"h ,saul & ,b>nabas rema9$   
dur+ a ye>1 !y !re made a great numb] ( 
conv]ts2 x 0 !re t ! proselytes fir/    
took ! "n ( ,*ri/ians4 ,to w>m ! zeal ( 
! new conv]ts1 !y s5t = prophets f      
,j]usalem1 "o ( ^! nam$ ,agabus pr$ict$ 
a great fam9e1 :i* det]m9$ ! disciples (
 ,antio* to di/ribute alms to _! bre?r5 
( ,judea2 ,saul & ,b>nabas 7 ! be>]s (  
^! m>ks ( g5]osity1 & ! ,apo/les1 :om ! 
fir/ fai?ful made ! deposit>ies ( _!    
ri*es1 knew1 )\t d\bt1 ! price ( !      
acquisition t ! sect _h made 9 ! p]son (

 ! new mission>y994       99 ,acts (    
,apo/les1 *ap4 #ab4     ,,*apt] ,v4 ,/4 
,paul /yles himself ! ,apo/le ( !       
,g5tiles--,causes ( 8 ,success4  ,all   
proves to u t ,paul & 8 associate       
,b>nabas f\nd x mu* easi] to conv]t !   
,g5tiles ?an ! ,jews1 :o %[$ !mselves   
almo/ always rebels to _! lessons4 ,!   
docility ( ! fir/1 & indocility ( !     
latt] may be trac$ to v natural causes2 
! idolators 7 de/itute ( in/ruction1 _! 
prie/s1 cont5t ) exact+ f !m _! (f]+s & 
sacrifices1 nev] ?\ght ( in/ruct+ !m 9  
_! religion2 ?us our mission>ies        
enc\nt]$ few ob/acles 9 p]suad+ !m ( !  
tru? ( ! novelties :i* !y came to       
ann\nce to !m4 ,x 0 n ?us ) ! ,jews1 :o 
_h a law1 to :i* !y 7 v /rongly atta*$1 
s9ce !y 7 conv9c$ t x _h be5 dictat$ by 
,god himself4 ,9 consequ5ce our prea*-4 
ers c\ld n make !mselves li/5$ to1 b1 9 
proportion1 z ! doctr9e !y prea*$ agre$ 
) ! notions ) :i* ! ,jews 7 previ\sly   
imbu$4 ,! ,apo/les 7 !re=e compell$ to  
reason ) ! ,jews1 accord+ to _! own     

sy/em1 to %ew !m t ! ,*ri/ :om !y       
ann\nc$ 0 ! ,messiah :i* !y expect$ f _!
 own prophets2 9 a ^w1 9 prea*+ !       
,gospel to ! ,jews1 ! prea*]s 7 driv5   
into emb>rass+ discussions1 & p]petually
 expos$ to cavils & contradictions :i*  
!y _h no fe> ( on ! "p ( ! ,g5tiles1 :o 
receiv$ )\t disput+ ! novelties :i* !y  
broa*$ to !m1 & :i* besides agre$ well  
en\gh ) ! notions ( ! pagan my?ology1 z 
we h %ewn 9 ano!r "w4  ,on ! o!r side   
also1 ! idolators _h n ! exclusive ideas
 ( religion peculi> to ! ,jews2 !y 7    
tol]ant1 !y admitt$ e species ( wor%ip1 
& 7 dispos$ to pay homage to e ,god t 0 
propos$ to !m4 ,! ,hebrews 7 n ( ?is    
disposition1 !y believ$ !mselves alone 9
 ! possession ( ! k ( ! true ,god1 &    
reject$ ) horror /range ,gods & wor%ips4
  ,^! reflections are suffici5t to      
expla9 to u ! reason ( ! great success t
 ! ,apo/les _h 9 prea*+ to ! ,g5tiles1  
comp>$ ) _! endeav\rs among/ ! ,jews2 !y
 likewise %[ u especially ! true motives
 ( ,paul's conduct4 ,9 fact1 repuls$ by 

! cavils & opposition ( ! ,jews1 we see 
,paul & ,b>nabas turn !mselves to ! side
 ( ! ,pagans1 :o li/5$ to !m ) m        
att5tion & decl>$ to ! ,jews1 t ,god _h 
=sak5 !m994       99 ,acts ( ,apo/les1  
*ap4 xiii4 v]4 #de1 c1  ,! ,g5tiles 7   
app>5tly flatt]$ by ! pref]5ce2 numb]s (
 !m adopt$ ! religion ann\nc$ to !m1 :i*
 did n h9d] ! ,jews f excit+1 aga9/ our 
mission>ies1 ! zeal ( ! female devotees 
^: clam\r oblig$ !m to quit ,antio*4  ,f
 !nce our two associates1 aft] hav+ %ook
 ! du/ ( _! feet aga9/ _! oppos]s1      
repair$ to ,iconium1 :]e !y aga9 met )  
opposition on ! "p ( ! ,jews :o ev5     
irritat$ ! ,g5tiles aga9/ !m1 :i*       
compell$ !m to fly to ,ly/ra 9          
,lycaonia4 ,!re accord+ to ! ,acts ( !  
,apo/les1 ,paul ?\ght x necess>y to p]=m
 a miracle1 well kn[+ t no?+ is m       
efficaci\s ?an a prodigy 9 mak+ an      
impression on ! m9ds ( ! vulg>4  ,he !n 
cur$ a lame man4 ,?is miracle conv9c$ ! 
idolators1 :o took ,paul & 8 comrade =  
,gods1 & "u ?is idea w\ld h (f]$ !m     

sacrifices4 ,h[ev] ?is wond] did n      
produce ! same effect ^u ! ,jews2 ^!    
app>5tly reg>d$ x z a deception1 or "s  
trick ( :i* !y 7 n ! dupes4 ,9 fact we  
see t ! ,jews1 :o nev]!less yield$ to no
 p 9 cr$ulity1 s f> f be+ mov$ by       
,paul's miracle1 t !y /on$ him z a      
malefactor & left him = dead4 ,f ?is    
unlucky affair he h[ev] extricat$       
himself & return$ to ,antio*1 :5ce he   
set out 9 ord] to give an acc\nt ( !    
success ( 8 mission1 f :i* x appe>s t he
 _h no reason = self congratulation1    
s9ce1 if he made a numb] ( recruits =   
,jesus1 he _h succe$$ at ! exp5ce ( mu* 
p]sonal ill usage4  ,nev]!less !        
,naz>5es1 or ,ebionites1 i4 e4 ! fir/ ( 
! ,jews1 :o _h embrac$ ! doctr9e ( !    
,apo/les1 7 p]suad$ t ! religion ( ,*ri/
 0 m]ely a re=m$ ,judaism4 ,always      
atta*$ to ! practices ( ! ,mosaic law1  
!y believ$ !mselves call$ ^u to ev9ce _!
 zeal 9 its fav\r2 9 consequ5ce ( :i* !y
 pret5d$ t ! ,g5tiles1 conv]t$ by !     
,apo/les1 ought1 l !mselves1 to submit  

to ! rite ( circumcision4 ,b ,paul &    
,b>nabas /rongly oppos$ ?is op9ion992 !y
 7 well aw>e t s pa9ful an op]ation1    
especially aft] a c]ta9 age1 w\ld be v  
likely to di%e>t5 ! hea!n :om !y _h     
drawn to _! sect4 ,b z ! affair appe>$ v
 important !y ref]r$ ! decision to !    
,apo/les :o rema9$ at ,j]usalem4 ,9     
consequ5ce ,paul & ,b>nabas1 & also !   
p>tisans ( circumcision1 repair$1 ?i!r1 
ea* ) ! view ( ma9ta9+ _! own op9ion4 ,!
 "q 0 argu$1 & our two mission>ies      
conv9c$ ! ,apo/olic ,college ( !        
necessity ( free+ ! ,g5tiles f a rite at
 :i* !y revolt$4 ,?us1 accord+ to !     
au?or ( ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 7:o appe>s
 to h be5 devot$ to ,/4 ,paul's p>ty7 x 
0 decid$1 t ! newly conv]t$ ,g5tiles    
%\ld be exempt$ f a c]emony :i*1 until  
n[1 _h be5 reg>d$ z highly ess5tial1    
s9ce x _h be5 orda9$ by ! ,div9ity      
himself4       99 ,see ,acts ( ,apo/les1
 *ap4 xv4 v]4 #e2 see also 9 !          
second *apt]1 ( ?is "w :at is said ( !  
,naz>5es4  ,!re is reason to believe t !

 old ,apo/les did n subscribe )\t great 
reluctance to a decision :i* seem$ to   
annul "o ( ! capital po9ts ( ! ,mosaic  
law1 & _h ! appe>ance ( rectify+ !      
ord9ances1 ( ! ,mo/ ,high4 ,jesus       
himself 9 8 infancy und]w5t ! c]emony ( 
circumcision2 dur+ 8 life he practis$ ! 
cu/oms prescrib$ to 8 nation2 he =m]ly  
decl>$ t he 0 come1 n to de/roy1 b to   
accompli% ! law ( ! ,jews2 & nev]!less  
we see ,/4 ,paul & 8 adh]5ts1 ( _! own  
au?ority1 annul at "o bl[ a c]emony (   
div9e in/itution1 approv$ ( & obs]v$ by 
_! ma/] & t = political & worldly       
consid]ations1 :i* sa9ts ought nev] to  
reg>d4  ,h[ev] ?is may be1 by ?is       
decision1 :i* ,paul extort$ f !         
,apo/les1 x seem$ f t "t to give !      
signal ( ! s*ism1 :i* 9 ! end totally   
sep>at$ ! ,jews f ! ,*ri/ians4          
,nev]!less we %all soon see ,paul1 :o on
 ?is occasion took 9 h& ! cause ( !     
,g5tiles1 prep>e 7resum+ ! old errors7 &
 circumcise a disciple himself4 ,s true 
x is1 t ! greate/ sa9ts are n always    

consi/5t 9 _! op9ions1 nor uni=m 9 _!   
conduct4  ,! ,apo/les hav+ %ewn s mu*   
indulg5ce 9 ! article ( ! circumcision (
 ! ,g5tiles1 71 h[ev] desir\s ( giv+ a  
k9d ( satisfaction to ! p>tisans (      
,judaism2 ) ?is view !y prohibit$ ! new 
conv]ts f wor%ipp+ idols1 f giv+        
!mselves up to =nication2 & ord]$ !m to 
ab/a9 f ?+s /rangl$ & f ! blood (       
animals4 ,by ^! means !y s\ght to       
conciliate e "o2 ! ,g5tiles 7 n         
circumcis$1 & submitt$ !mselves1 9 "p1  
to ! ord9ances ( ! ,jews1 :o ?us saw a  
def]5ce always paid to ! law ( _! fa!rs1
 to :i* !y 7 ev] /rongly atta*$ 994     
99 ,see ,acts ( ,apo/les1 *ap4 xv4 ,all 
seems to prove t      ! ,apo/les soon   
rep5t$ ( ! weakness !y _h be5           
guilty ( 9 c$+ to ,/4 ,paul1 = we f9d he
 =m$ a      sep>ate p>ty1 :o prea*$ !   
,gospel 9 8 own mann]1      t is to say1
 ! ,gospel ( ! uncircumcision4  ,furni%$
 ) ?is decision ( ! c\ncil ( ,j]usalem1 
9 :i* ! ,apo/les decl>e !mselves        
au?oris$ by ! ,holy ,_s1 ,paul &        

,b>nabas return$ to ,antio*1 :5ce !y 7  
desir\s ( visit+ ! t[ns :]e !y _h       
already prea*$2 b a conte/ respect+ !   
*oice ( an associate ( _! lab\rs1 made a
 brea* betwe5 our two mission>ies &     
caus$ a sep>ation betwe5 !m4 ,b>nabas   
accompani$ by ,m>k emb>k$ = ! ,isle (   
,cyprus1 :il/ ,paul ) ,silas1 8 new     
companion1 trav]s$ ,syria & ,cilicia to 
confirm 9 ! fai? ^? :o _h be5 rec5tly   
conv]t$ 994       99 ,x ought "h to be  
rem>k$1 t !re exi/s yet a      ,gospel (
 ! ,naz>5es1 ! hon\r ( :i* has be5      
decre$ to ,/4 ,b>nabas1 & 9 :i* ,paul is
 r\ghly      h&l$4 ,9 fact ?is ,apo/le  
prea*$1 z we h %ewn1      besides       
uncircumcision1 a doctr9e v diff]5t f t 
( ! ,naz>5es1 ,ebionites1 or fir/       
,*ri/ians1 :o1      accord+ to ,/4      
,ir5u1 ,/4 ,epiphanius1 & ,eusebius1    
reg>d$ ,jesus m]ely z a man1 ! son (    
,joseph & ,m>y1      & :o 0 call$ ! ,son
 ( ,god1 only on acc\nt ( 8             
virtues4 ,?is may enable u to guess at !
 cause ( ,paul's      qu>rel ) ,b>nabas1

 ^: ,gospel ins9uates t ,paul 0      9  
error 9 tea*+ t ,jesus 0 ,god4          
,,*apt] ,,vi4 ,paul prea*es 9 ,asia     
,m9or1 ,mac$onia1 & ,greece  ,^u 8      
arrival at ,ly/ra1 ,/4 ,paul1 not)/&+ ! 
indulg5ce ( ! ,c\ncil ( ,j]usalem1 ?\ght
 x good policy to circumcise a proselyte
 nam$ ,timo?y1 :o 0 born ( a ,g5tile    
fa!r & a ,jewi% "m4 ,! ,acts ( !        
,apo/les in=m u ( ! motive ( ?is        
circumcision 7*ap4 xvi4 v]4 #c7 x be+   
done because ( ! ,jews :i* 7 9 ^?       
qu>t]s4  ,our two ,mission>ies n[       
travell$ ov] sev]al prov9ces ( ,asia    
,m9or1 su* z ,phrygia & ,galatia1 & yet 
we f9d t ! ,holy ,gho/ =bade !m to      
ann\nce ! ^w ( ,god 9 ,asia4 ,we may    
inde$ suppose1 t 9 ?is passage1 ! ,holy 
,gho/ is only int5d$ to indicate t our  
mission>ies !mselves p]ceiv$1 t x w\ld  
be dang]\s = !m to prea* _! doctr9e2 = 9
 ! ,holy ,scriptures ! p]sons ( :om x   
speaks are always suppos$ to act f div9e
 impulse4  ,paul _h a vision1 :i*       
p]suad$ him to g to ,mac$onia4 ,be+     

arriv$ at ,phillippi1 he prea*$ to !    
wom5 ) su* success1 t he _h ! happ9ess (
 conv]t+ a deal] 9 purple1 nam$ ,lydia1 
:o1 f gratitude1 invit$ !m press+ly to  
lodge 9 h] h\se4 ,!y 7 well accommodat$ 
no d\bt1 s9ce devotees take great c>e ( 
_! directors2 b our holy p]sonages _h ! 
mis=tune to p]=m a miracle :i* d]ang$   
all _! affairs4 ,paul ca/ out ! evil _s 
f a damsel1 :o hav+ a _s ( div9ation1   
br\ght great pr(it to h] ma/]s by       
soo?say+4 ,! cure1 or p]haps conv]sion1 
( ?is slave1 displeas$ h] ma/]s1 !y     
c>ri$ _! compla9t to ! magi/rates2 ! p  
took a "p aga9/ our prea*]s1 :o 7 beat5 
) rods & !n s5t to prison4 ,an e>?quake 
retriev$ _! affairs1 !y ga9$ ov] ! gaol]
 :om !y conv]t$ to ! fai?4 ,9 ! meantime
 ! magi/rates s5t him an ord] to release
 our prison]s4 ,b ,paul1 be>+ 9 m9d !   
sc\rg+ !y _h receiv$1 requir$ t !       
magi/rates %\ld come 9 p]son & release  
!m1 ass]t+ t !y 7 ,roman citiz5s3 at ^! 
words ! magi/rates 7 intimidat$1 & came 
) apologies to set !m free1 begg+ !m to 

leave _! city1 :i* reque/ !y compli$ )1 
aft] hav+ be5 to console ,lydia ! dev\t1
 & ! bre?r51 :o accord+ to appe>ances   
did n suff] !m to dep>t empty-h&$4 ,?is 
bad success did n disc\rage our         
mission>ies :o 7 aw>e d\btless1 t !y 7  
inconv5i5ces atta*$ to _! pr(ession4 ,!y
 n[ w5t to ,!ssalonica1 :]e ,paul _h !  
good luck to make "s proselytes bo?     
among ,jews & ,g5tiles2 he conv]t$      
especially1 "s ladies ( quality2 b !    
h>d5$ ,jews 7 v mu* irritat$ at 8       
successes2 !y endeav\r$ to appreh5d     
,paul & ,silas1 b n be+ able to f9d !m1 
!y dragg$ ,jason1 _! ho/1 & "s ( !      
bre?r51 be=e ! magi/rates1 accus+ !m (  
treason1 & ( ackn[l$g+ ano!r k+ besides 
,cs>4  ,?is upro> oblig$ our mission>ies
 to decamp dur+ ! night f ,!ssalonica1 &
 take ! road to ,b]ea1 :]e !y 7 well    
receiv$ by ! ,jews1 s9ce ,paul succe$$ 9
 conv9c+ !m t ! ,gospel :i* he ann\nc$ 0
 cle>ly pr$ict$ 9 _! own ,scriptures3   
!re is reason to believe t ?is 0 effect$
 by ! aid ( my/ical1 cabali/ical1 &     

allegorical s5ses1 ( :i* he s well knew 
! use1 9 f9d+ 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t         
suffici5t to e/abli% :atev] he 0 desir\s
 ( prov+4  ,he ga9$ 9 ?is city a great  
numb] ( recruits f among/ ! ,greek      
females ( quality1 wom51 accord+ to ,/4 
,j]ome are be/ fitt$ to propagate a     
sect2 _! levity makes !m easily caught  
by novelties2 _! ignorance r5d]s !m     
cr$ul\s2 _! talkativ5ess spreads !      
op9ions ) :i* !y are imbu$2 &1 9 %ort1  
_! ob/9acy /rongly atta*es !m to ! way (
 ?9k+ !y h once adopt$4 ,9 a ^w we see1 
t 9 all times ! ,*ri/ian religion has   
be5 "u ! greate/ obligations to wom52 x 
is to !m t innovators ought especially  
to address !mselves :5 !y h op9ions to  
e/abli%1 x is by _! aid t fanatics &    
dev\t impo/ors succe$ 9 giv+ importance 
to _! doctr9e1 & s[ ! se$s ( discord 9  
society4 ,x appe>s t 9 ! "t ( ,paul1    
wom5 _h ! "r ( speak+ or ( prophesy+ 9 !
 *ur*1 ( ?is1 !y h s9ce be5 depriv$1 &  
!y are only all[$ ! privilege ( bawl+ 9 
public1 9 fav\r ( ! sy/ems ( _! holy    

directors1 :om !y always believe        
infallible1 )\t s mu* z kn[+ ! /ate ( ! 
"q4 ,! ,quak]s are n[ ! only sect :i*   
p]mits wom5 to prea* 994       99 ,!re  
appe>s "s little ambiguity 9 ?is        
p>agraph1      s9ce if ! levity ( wom5  
r5d]s !m s easily      susceptible to ! 
embrac+ new op9ions1 ! ob/9acy      )   
:i* !y are *>g$ 9 adh]+ to old ones1    
w\ld      seem to neutralize ! opposite 
prop5sity1 & l !      inf9ite attributes
 ( ,ju/ice & ,m]cy 9 ! ,*ri/ians'       
,god1 !y w\ld annihilate ea* o!r4 ,!    
fact is1 t !      ignorant ( ei!r sex1  
are always ! mo/ cr$ul\s1 &      _!     
op9ions1 :5 imbib$1 are seldom to be    
dignifi$      ) any o!r t]m ?an         
prejudice4 ,( ! great influ5ce      (   
woman 9 society1 no "o c d\bt1 & x is ! 
duty (      all :o ?9k1 & :o desire a   
re=mation ( ! pres5t      semi-b>b>\s   
/ate ( society1 to endeav\r to in=m &   
enlight5 ! female m9d2 x belongs to man 
to w> aga9/      old sy/ems1 & errors   
r5d]$ sacr$ by _! antiquity1      &     

p]haps to lay d[n "s few elem5t>y       
pr9ciples1      f\nd$ ^u a m rational   
basis1 b s long z !      infant m9d is  
"u ! contr\l ( woman1 x is to h]      t 
we mu/ look to see ^? pr9ciples         
implant$3 x is      by ! aid ( woman t !
 mass ( mank9d w 7if ev]      x be done7
 be trans=m$ f a h]d ( slaves1 to a race
      ( happy & intellig5t be+s1 kn[+ _!
 rights1 &      d>+ to def5d !m4  ,!    
,jews ( ,!ssalonica proce$$ to tr\ble   
our prea*]s1 9 _! apo/olic lab\rs1 to   
su* a degree t ,paul 0 "u ! necessity ( 
fly+4 ,he1 h[ev]1 took c>e to leave two 
mission>ies at ,b]ea1 to wat* ov] !     
flock :i* he _h ga!r$4 ,nev]!less ^!    
soon receiv$ ord]s to jo9 him at ,a!ns4 
,9 ?is celebrat$ city ! zeal ( our      
,apo/le k9dl$1 he _h conf]5ces ) !      
philosoph]s3 desir\s to le>n ! nature ( 
! discov]ies :i* ?is man _h come to     
ann\nce to !m1 !y conduct$ him to !     
,areopagus1 !re ,paul h>angu$ !m & spoke
 to !m ( 8 ,god1 9 a mann] some?+       
con=mable to ! notions already ent]ta9$ 

by "s ( ! ,greek philosoph]s ( !        
,div9ity4 ,to confirm 8 disc\rse he cit$
 to !m a passage f ! poet ,aratus1 :o   
nev]!less appe>s to suppose1 accord+ to 
! doctr9e ( ,plato1 t ,god is ! s\l ( ! 
_w4 ,he inveigh$ aga9/ gods made ( /one 
& metal1 :i* did n %ock ! philosoph]s1  
^: ideas 7 m ref9$ ?an ^? ( ! vulg>4    
,?us f> our orator 0 att5tively he>d1 b 
! sages ( ,a!ns w\ld no long] li/5 to   
him1 :5 he began to speak ( ! la/       
judgm5t1 & ( ! resurrection1 :i* !y     
reg>d$ z an absurd & ridicul\s notion4  
,nev]!less ! prea*+ ( ,paul 0 n totally 
useless at ,a!ns1 ! dogma ( !           
resurrection 0 no ob/acle to ! conv]sion
 ( ,dionysius1 ! ,areopagite1 a woman   
nam$ ,dam>is1 & "s o!rs4 ,^! 7 none ( !m
 %ock$ at ?is doctr9e1 :i* 0 s revolt+  
to philosoph]s1 :o 7 accu/om$ to ! /udy 
( nature1 & :o refus$ to adopt1 )\t     
exam9ation1 su* m>vell\s & romantic     
ideas4     ,,*apt] ,,vii4 ,prea*+ ( ,/4 
,paul at ,cor9? & ,ephesus  ,aft] leav+ 
,a!ns our ,apo/le came to ,cor9?4 ,x    

appe>s t at fir/ he _h n mu* success1 = 
he took to 8 old trade ( t5t-mak+4      
,h[ev]1 he v5tur$ to prea* 9 !          
synagogue1 :]e ! ,jews 7 indignant at 8 
disc\rse3 !y c>ri$ him to ! tribunal ( !
 proconsul ( ,a*ate1 :o _h suffici5t    
prud5ce to refuse to int]f]e 9 _!       
conte/s4 ,! ,jews did n imitate 8       
mod]ation2 !y ill-treat$ ,so/5us1 ! *ief
 ( _! synagogue1 ei!r = hav+ all[$ ,paul
 to prea* !re1 or = hav+ be5 conv]t$ by 
8 disc\rse4  ,paul1 aft] "s days1 dep>t$
 f ,cor9?1 he cut (f 8 hair to fulfil a 
v[ he _h made1 & :i* app>5tly oblig$ him
 to be pres5t at ,j]usalem1 9 ord] to   
sacrifice 9 ! temple1 accord+ to ! law4 
,:5ce we see t our ,apo/le _h n yet     
totally ab&on$ ! ,jewi% religion1 & t he
 judg$ x good policy1 occasionally to   
manoeuvre ) ! ,jews4 ,9 fact we         
cont9ually see him sometimes practis+1 &
 at o!rs decry+1 ,judaism4 ,f ,j]usalem1
 ,paul w5t to ,antio*1 :]e he rema9$ "s 
"t1 b ! activity ( 8 m9d soon put him 9 
motion4 ,aft] hav+ cross$ ! high        

prov9ces ( ,asia he came to ,ephesus1   
:]e he f\nd ! secret ( unit+ to 8 sect !
 disciples ( ,/4 ,john ! ,bapti/1 :om he
 rebaptiz$1 & made !m acqua9t$ ) ! ,holy
 ,gho/ ( :om !y _h no idea4 ,hav+ n[    
increas$ 8 p>ty by ^! new recruits1     
,paul set ab\t prea*+ 9 ! synagogue1 b  
f9d+ ! ,jews r untractable1 he )drew    
himself1 & sep>at$ 8 disciples f !m4 ,he
 !n comm5c$ tea*+ 9 a sep>ate s*ool &   
p]=m+ miracles to confirm 8 disc\rses2  
he cur$ ! sick1 & especially ^?         
possess$1 9 :i* he succe$$ mu* bett] ?an
 ^? ( ! ,jews1 :o endeav\r$ f 8 example 
to attempt su* cures4 ,^! miracles      
conv]t$ _m p]sons4  ,nev]!less1 ! prea*+
 ( ,paul at ,ephesus gave rise to an    
affair1 :i* _h ne>ly prov$ v tr\blesome4
 ,! ,goldsmi?s ( ?is city d]iv$ mu*     
pr(it f ! manufacture ( little silv]    
%r9es ( ,diana1 ! patroness ( !         
,ephesians ,^! artisans 7 mu* di/urb$ ) 
! prea*+ ( our apo/le1 :o decri$ ! gods1
 & might ?us occasion ! ru9 ( _! trade2 
_! clam\r al>m$ ! p1 & caus$ a great    

commotion2 ! public1 z is g5]ally !     
case1 :5 ! affair relates to religion1  
grew v viol5t1 )\t kn[+ :y4 ,!y         
compreh5d$1 9 g5]al t]ms1 t _! religion 
& its patroness 7 attack$2 & !re ne$$   
no?+ m to inflame _! zeal4 ,h[ev] !     
t[n-cl]k ( ! city hav+ expla9$ to !m t  
_! goddess 0 9 no dang]1 succe$$ 9 calm+
 ! fury ( ! sup]/iti\s populace1 & ?us  
extricat$ our apo/le f 8 emb>assm5ts4   
,paul1 h[ev]1 ?\ght prop] to quit a     
city1 9 :i* he _h run su* a risk1 & aga9
 put himself 9 motion4 ,arriv$ at ,troas
 he recomm5c$ prea*+1 :5 8 s]mon1 be+ a 
little too long1 s5t a "y man to sleep1 
:o fell f ! ?ird /ory into ! /reet3 !y  
took him up = dead1 :5 our ,apo/le hav+ 
embrac$ him1 assur$ !m t he liv$1 !     
au?or ( ! ,acts1 takes ?is fact = a     
miracle1 & tells u gravely t ,paul rais$
 a dead man on ?is occasion4  ,not)/&+  
?is pret5d$ miracle1 :i* if x _h be5    
true ought to h conv]t$ ! :ole t[n1     
,paul w5t directly away1 & recomm5c$ 8  
travels4 ,at ,miletus he took leave ( ! 

prie/s ( all ! adjac5t places1 aft] hav+
 made !m a pa!tic exhortation1 9 :i* he 
boa/s ( 8 humility & dis9t]e/$ness1 &   
desires !m to wat* ov] ! flock :i* he _h
 ga!r$ toge!r by 8 prea*+ &             
indefatigable ex]tions4     ,,*apt]     
,,viii4 ,! ,apo/le gets into            
emb>rassm5ts at ,j]usalem1 & is s5t to  
,rome  ,paul n[ emb>k$ = ,j]usalem2     
not)/&+ 8 own pres5tim5ts1 ! w>n+s t 7  
giv5 him1 & ! pray]s ( 8 adh]5ts1 he 0  
ob/9ately det]m9$ to resort to ?is city1
 :]e ! ,jews irritat$ by 8 successes1   
prep>$ him an unpleasant reception4 ,he 
0 welcom$ by ! bre?r51 to :om he relat$ 
! progress ( ! new sect1 b ^! in=m$ him 
( ! bad designs ( ! ,jews1 :o pret5d$1 &
 n )\t reason1 t he taught a doctr9e    
contr>y to t ( ,moses4 ,to sil5ce ^!    
rum\rs1 & to calm ! ang] ( ! populace1  
!y advis$ him to fulfil "s ( ! ,jewi%   
c]emonies 9 public1 & to give to ^! acts
 ( religion mu* solemnity4  ,paul       
cons5t$ to ?is c\nsel1 b ! ,jews (      
,asia1 7 n ?us dup$1 !y knew :at to keep

 to respect+ ! doctr9e :i* _h disgu/$   
!m2 !y !n excit$ ! ,jews ( ,j]usalem1 by
 say+1 t he br\ght ! ,g5tiles into !    
,temple4 ,all ! city 0 soon 9 an upro>1 
! dev\t p seiz$ ,paul1 drew him out ( ! 
,temple1 ! gates ( :i* 7 clos$ aga9/ ?is
 pr(an]4 ,!y 7 go+ to kill him1 _h n a  
tribune rescu$ him out ( _! h&s1 & %ut  
him up 9 a =tress1 9 ! mid/ ( ! clam\r (
 an enrag$ populace1 :i* dem&$ 8 dea?4  
,! ,apo/le ready to ent] 8 prison1 ask$ 
( ! tribune p]mission to h>angue ! mob1 
:i* 0 grant$ aft] 8 ,conductor 0        
probably assur$ t he 0 n ! brig& :o _h  
lately excit$ an insurrection 9 !       
c\ntry4  ,9 8 disc\rse1 :i* he pron\nc$ 
9 ,hebrew1 ,paul relat$ to ! p ! hi/ory 
( 8 miracul\s conv]sion1 ne>ly 9 ! mann]
 9 :i* x has be5 n>rat$4 ,?is recital f>
 f s(t5+ ! ,jews1 made !m lose all      
pati5ce1 especially :5 our ,apo/le told 
!m he 0 s5t to ! ,g5tiles4 ,!y !n broke 
sil5ce1 cry+ out1 away ) su* a fell[ f !
 e>?1 x is n fit t he %\ld live4 ,!     
tribune !n %ut him up 9 prison1 & comm&$

 t he %\ld be sc\rg$1 9 ord] to draw f  
him an ackn[l$gm5t ( ! crime :i* _h     
excit$ ! fury ( ! ,jews4 ,paul !n decl>$
 himself a ,roman citiz51 & repres5t$ to
 ! c5turion *>g$ ) ! execution ( ^!     
ord]s1 t x 0 contr>y to law1 ?us to     
treat a citiz5 )\t a trial4 ,! c5turion 
in=m$ ! tribune1 :o 0 fe>ful ( hav+ act$
 ) too mu* precipitation4 ,he 0 desir\s 
( kn[+ = a c]ta9ty ( :at he 0 accus$ by 
! ,jews1 & ! next morn+1 free+ him f 8  
*a9s1 pres5t$ him to ! prie/s & c\ncil (
 ! nation4 ,paul !n began to h>angue !  
c\ncil4 ,he fir/ decl>$ t 9 all he _h   
done1 he _h foll[$ /rictly ! dictates ( 
8 consci5ce4 ,at ^! words ! ,high ,prie/
 gave him a box on ! e>1 at :i* ,paul   
be+ irritat$1 in/ead ( turn+ ! o!r *eek1
 accord+ to ! precept ( ,jesus1 abus$ ! 
,high ,prie/1 treat$ him z a hypocrite1 
or :it5$ wall4 ,b z he p]ceiv$ t he _h  
giv5 (f5ce by 8 insol5ce to a man       
respect$ by ! ,jews1 he mod]at$ himself1
 & alleg$ t he 0 ignorant t x 0 ! ,high 
,prie/ :om he _h ?us address$ 9 su*     

t]ms2 an ignorance1 h[ev]1 :i* _c fail  
to excite surprise1 consid]+ t he 0 a   
man1 :o mu/ h be5 in=m$ respect+ ! place
 :]e he 01 & ! quality ( ^? be=e :om he 
0 speak+4 ,our orator 0 m ( an adept1 9 
manag+ ! op9ions ( 8 auditory3 aw>e t ! 
c\ncil 0 compos$ ( ,sadducees1 :o d5i$ !
 doctr9e ( ! resurrection2 & (          
,ph>isees1 :o support$ x1 he knew h[ to 
pr(it by ?is circum/ance1 by s[+ ! se$ (
 discord among 8 judges4 ,9 ord] to ?is 
he pret5d$ t he 0 a ,ph>isee1 & ! son ( 
a ,ph>isee1 & ass]t$ t !y s\ght 8 life1 
because ( 8 hope 9 ! resurrection ( !   
dead1 ,?is /ratagem produc$ ! desir$    
effect1 ! ,ph>isees decl>$ 9 8 fav\r1 & 
ackn[l$g$ 8 innoc5ce1 say+1 ,we f9d no  
evil 9 ?is man1 b if a _s or an angel   
ha? spok5 to ?is man1 let u n fight     
aga9/ ,god4 ,! tumult increas$1 & !     
tribune fe>+ t ! orator w\ld be torn 9  
pieces1 put him "u a gu>d ( soldi]s1 &  
c>ri$ him back to prison4  ,dur+ !      
foll[+ night1 ,paul _h a vision1 9 :i*  
he ?\ght he saw ! ,"l1 :o told him to be

 ( good c\rage2 & propheci$ t he %\ld g 
to ,rome to be> witness4 ,on ! o!r h&   
=ty fanatical ,jews1 made a v[ nei!r to 
eat nor dr9k till !y _h assass9at$      
,paul4 ,?is resolution _h ! approbation 
( ! pr9ces & prie/s1 :o1 accord+ to !   
cl]ical _s1 f\nd no?+ m j ?an           
assass9ation 9 ord] to get rid ( an     
enemy4 ,! s5ators also cons5t$ to ?is   
trea*]y4 ,b ,paul's nephew hav+ in=m$   
him ( ?is plot1 he made ! tribune       
acqua9t$ ) x1 :o to secure ! safety ( 8 
prison]1 & to rescue him f ! fury ( !   
,jews1 conduct$ him "u a good escort to 
,cs>ea1 & put him "u ! protection (     
,felix1 ! gov]nor ( t prov9ce4  ,paul1 &
 8 accus]s1 made _! appe>ance be=e !    
pagan gov]nor1 :o1 little v]s$ 9 !      
!ological disputes ( ! ,jews1 told !m t 
he %\ld decide ! affair :5 he 0 m fully 
acqua9t$ ) ! p>ticul>s4 ,h[ev] "s days  
aft]1 he caus$ ! ,apo/le to be br\ght   
be=e himself1 & 8 wife ,drusilla1 :o 0 a
 ,jewess2 !y he>d :at he _h to say to !m
 ( fai? 9 ,jesus ,*ri/4 ,b :5 ,paul1    

aft] hav+ prea*$ to !m ( ju/ice1 *>ity1 
& rep5tance1 spoke ( ! la/ judgm5t1 !y 7
 afraid1 & ord]$ him to retire1 po/pon+ 
! he>+ till a future "t4 ,felix hop+ to 
draw "s money f 8 prison]1 (t5 s5t = him
 to conv]se ) him4 ,?is conduct la/$ two
 ye>s1 at ! end ( :i* p]iod ?is ,gov]nor
 0 replac$ by ,fe/us4  ,! ,jews proce$$ 
to accuse ,paul be=e ! new gov]nor1 &   
dem&$ t he %\ld be s5t to ,j]usalem4 ,! 
accus$1 well kn[+ t ! place ( ?is sc5e  
w\ld be unfav\rable to him1 & fe>+ t    
,fe/us w\ld yield to ! importunities ( 8
 enemies1 appeal$ f him to ,cs>4 ,?is   
appeal susp5d$ all proce$+s4 ,h[ev]     
,fe/us hav+ spok5 ( 8 prison] to ,k+    
,agrippa1 :o _h ! curiosity to see a man
 t _h made s mu* noise 9 ,judea4 ,paul  
appe>$ be=e ?is pr9ce1 ju/ifi$ himself f
 ! accusations br\ght aga9/ him1 & f9i%$
 by prea*+ ! resurrection ( ,jesus      
,*ri/4 ,?is doctr9e appe>$ s /range to  
,fe/us t he did n d\bt a mom5t ( 8 be+  
d]ang$4 ,h[ev] z folly did n seem to him
 a crime wor?y ( dea?1 he w\ld in/antly 

h acquitt$ him1 _h he n made an appeal  
to ,cs>4 ,9 consequ5ce ( ?is appeal1    
,paul 0 put on bo>d a %ip ab\t to sail =
 ,italy4 ,aft] _m difficulties he 0     
%ipwreck$ on ! coa/ ( ! isle ( ,malta1  
:]e ! au?or ( ! ,acts1 f :om we h tak5  
?is n>rative1 does n fail to make him   
p]=m miracles1 a necess>y season+ to    
leg5ds4  ,among/ o!r wond]s :i* ,paul   
wr\ght 9 ! isle ( ,malta1 he cur$       
himself1 9 a v natural mann]1 ( ! bite (
 a vip]2 9 fact1 x appe>s t he appli$   
fire to x imm$iately1 a simple & well   
kn[n rem$y1 b :i* 0 su* a prodigy 9 !   
eyes ( ! poor ,maltese1 t !y took him1  
:o 0 9 possession ( s f9e a secret1 = a 
,god994 ,!re 0 app>5tly no?+ m wond]ful 
9 ! ,apo/le cur+ ! son ( 8 ho/1 :om he  
f\nd ill ( a fev] & dys5t]y2 disord]s   
:i* we f9d yield to v simple rem$ies4   
,/ill ?is cure ga9$ ,paul great         
reputation1 !y soon br\ght him a great  
numb] ( sick1 :o1 accord+ to our        
hi/orian1 he did n fail to cure4 ,!y    
r5d]$ him great hon\rs1 furni%$ him ) ! 

necess>y provisions = 8 voyage1 & he    
emb>k$ = ,italy4       99 ,acts *ap4    
xxviii4 v]4 #c-f4  ,^u 8 arrival at     
,rome1 ,paul 0 p]mitt$ to conf] ) !     
,*ri/ians1 & to prea* to ! ,jews1 :om he
 endeav\r$ to conv]t to ! fai? ( ,*ri/  
by ! law ( ,moses & ! prophets1 :i* he  
_h ! tal5t ( apply+ wond]fully to 8     
views3 ,"s smitt5 ) ! my/ical1          
cabali/ical1 & allegorical explications1
 t our ,apo/le gave !m1 adopt$ 8        
op9ions1 :ile _m o!rs resi/$ 8 argum5ts4
  ,indignant aga9/ ! latt]1 he told !m t
 _! h>dness ( he>t _h be5 pr$ict$ by    
,isaiah2 he !n gave !m to und]/&1 t ,god
 _h =m$ ! project ( bl9d+ !m1 9 ord] to 
h a fair pretext = reject+ !m1 &        
transf]r+ to ! ,g5tiles1 ! light &      
salvation ( :i* ! ,jews _h made !mselves
 unwor?y1 by ! ob/9acy 9 :i* x 0 ! w (  
,god t !y %\ld p]si/4  ,?is conduct ( ! 
,div9ity mu/ d\btless h appe>$ v /range 
to ! ,jews4 ,s ! ,acts in=m u1 t !re    
arose f ^! prea*+s ( ,paul1 great       
conte/s among !m4 ,!y turn$ app>5tly ^u 

pr$e/9ation & grace2 que/ions ^u :i*    
,*ri/ian !ologians1 h n aft] eighte5    
c5turies be5 able to come1 ei!r to an   
und]/&+ or agreem5t4  ,x appe>s t       
not)/&+ ! obscurity ( 8 doctr9e our     
,apo/le succe$$ 9 ga9+ proselytes to 8  
sect2 ?is obscurity itself1 has *>ms =  
_m p]sons1 :o believe t a doctr9e1 is s 
mu* ! m m>vell\s or div9e1 z x is above 
! p[] ( ! und]/&+4 ,he prea*$ dur+ two  
ye>s to ! ,romans1 )\t any p]son ?r[+   
ob/acles 9 8 way1 & ?us lab\r$ to spread
 ?is religion 9 ! capital ( ! _w4  ,!   
,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 :i* ! *ur* ord]s u  
to receive z ( div9e inspiration1 in=ms 
u no?+ m4 ,/ ,luke to :om ?is "w is     
g5]ally attribut$1 has transmitt$ to u1 
nei!r ! actions1 miracles nor dea? ( 8  
h]oes4 ,we are r$uc$ to seek our        
in=mation !reupon f traditions1 :i* !   
int]e/s ( ! cl]gy w\ld wi% u to reg>d1  
almo/ z sacr$ z div9e inspirations4     
,accord+ to ^! respectable traditions1  
our ,apo/le %$ 8 blood = ! fai? 9 !     
propagation ( :i* he _h lab\r$2 he 01   

say !y1 behead$ 9 ! reign ( ,n]o1 & 9 ! 
sixty-six? ye> ( ! ,*ri/ian era4  ,aft] 
:at has be5 said1 we ought naturally to 
reg>d ,/4 ,paul z ! true f\nd] ( !      
pontifical see ( ,rome4 ,nev]!less c]ta9
 traditions1 useful to ! ,roman         
,pontiffs1 oblige u to believe t x 0 ,/4
 ,pet]1 :o e/abli%$ 8 ?rone 9 ! capital 
( ! _w2 ! popes h ?\ght1 t _! int]e/s   
requir$1 t !y %\ld pass = ! au?oriz$    
successors ( ?is ,pr9ce ( ! ,apo/les1 to
 :om ,*ri/ himself accord+ to ! ,gospel1
 grant$ imm5se rights & privileges4 ,^! 
traditions !n make ,/4 ,pet] travel to  
,rome1 prior to ,/4 ,paul1 & only reg>d 
! latt] z ! subalt]n associate 9 !      
,apo/olic lab\rs ( ! =m]4  ,nev]!less "s
 critics h v5tur$ to d\bt ( ! reality ( 
,/4 ,pet]'s voyage to ,italy1 & 8       
f\ndation ( ! fir/ see 9 ! _w1 "s au?ors
 o!rwise v or?odox1 )\t reg>d+ ! int]e/s
 ( ! ,pope1 or respect = ! traditions   
:i* fav\r !m1 h treat$ ^? pret5sions z  
*im]as3 z to ! h]etics1 ! sworn enemies 
( ! au?ority ( ! ,roman ,pontiff1 !y h  

ass]t$1 t ! voyage ( ,/4 ,pet] to ,rome 
0 a fable inv5t$ by ! support]s &       
p>tizans1 ) a design to exalt 8         
au?ority4 ,bo? p>ties f\nd _! d\bts or  
ass]tions ^u ^! gr\nds4 ,fir/1 ,t !     
books :i* ! *ur* consid]s z inspir$1    
make no m5tion ( ! voyage ( ,simon      
,pet]1 al?\gh ! circum/ance ( go+ to    
plant ! fai? 9 ! capital ( ! _w1 0      
suffici5tly rem>kable to claim a notice 
9 pref]5ce to all ! m9or cities1 :i* !  
,acts in=m u t he visit$ to prea*2 9    
fact1 ! ,holy ,gho/1 or ,/4 ,luke 8     
organ1 wi%+ to in=m u 9 ?is hi/ory ( !  
means made use ( by ,god1 to propagate !
 ,gospel1 c\ld n )\t inju/ice1 omit su* 
a signal success1 nor fail to give !    
hon\r ( x to ,/4 ,pet]1 9 case he _h a  
claim to x4  ,secondly1 ,/4 ,paul :o 0  
at ,rome at ! same "t1 t ,pet] 0 suppos$
 to h be5 !re1 nev] once m5tions ?is    
,pr9ce ( ! ,apo/les1 9 ! epi/les to !   
fai?ful at diff]5t places1 :ile he      
speaks to !m ( _m o!r disciples ( mu*   
less consid]ation ?an 8 illu/ri\s       

colleague3 we ought pi\sly to suppose t 
if ,/4 ,pet] _h really e/abli%$ ! fai?  
at ,rome1 ! ,apo/le ( ! ,g5tiles w\ld h 
be5 too equitable to ravi% f him !      
glory1 t mu/ h accru$ to him f s f9e a  
conque/4  ,?irdly1 ,our two ,apo/les1   
aft] ! disputes1 :i* !y _h at ,antio*   
w\ld n h be5 desir\s ( meet+1 or        
exhibit+ 9 ! same place4 ,/4 ,pet] w\ld 
naturally avoid a haughty colleague1 :o 
resi/$ him to 8 face1 & :o publicly     
reprov$ him 9 a mann] suffici5tly       
disagreeable4 ,besides ,rome be+ a pagan
 city1 naturally fell into ! dep>tm5t ( 
! ,apo/le ( ! ,g5tiles4 ,9 %ort accord+ 
to ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 ,/4 ,paul 0 too
 ha/y to agree long ) an associate      
great] ?an himself4 ,8 qu>rel )         
,b>nabas1 = a slight diff]5ce1 proves t 
,paul 0 easily irritat$4  ,f\r?ly1 ,/4  
,pet] wrote 8 fir/ epi/le f ,babylon1 & 
n f ,rome4 ,x is true t ! advocates (   
?is voyage ( ,pet]'s1 pret5d t ,babylon 
is ! same city z ,rome1 b ?is is a      
geographical error1 t )\t a great %>e ( 

fai? c nev] be admitt$ = a tru?4 ,aga91 
! city ( ,babylon 9 ,syria1 no long]    
exi/$ 9 ! "t ( ,pet]1 !re 0 !n only a   
,babylon 9 ,egypt2 x is only !re t we c 
suppose ,pet] to h writt5 ?is fir/      
epi/le4  ,fif?ly1 ,! traditions :i* make
 ,/4 ,pet] travel to ,rome1 are fill$ ) 
fables1 :i* make !m v suspici\s1 su* z 8
 dispute ) ,simon ! magician1 :o hav+   
rais$ himself into ! air1 by virtue ( 8 
art1 fell d[n & broke 8 limbs by virtue 
( ! ,apo/les pray]s4 ,we may also place 
9 ! li/ ( fables1 ! app>ition ( ,*ri/ to
 ,pet]1 :5 he fl$ f ,rome1 & 8          
crucifixion ) 8 head d[nw>ds4 ,^! facts 
are relat$ nei!r by inspir$ au?ors1 nor 
eye witnesses1 !y are f\nd$ on          
traditions only1 t is to say1 popul>    
rum\r1 :i* _m p]sons d n respect s mu* z
 ! ,pope1 & ! cl]gy seem to desire4  ,at
 ! risk !n ( uncov]+ ,pet] to cov] ,paul
 we say t all ^! reasons1 seem at lea/  
to au?orize a d\bt respect+ ! voyage (  
,/4 ,pet] to ,rome1 at any rate ! ,acts 
( ! ,apo/les appe>s to ins9uate t ,paul 

0 ! true f\nd] ( ! see ( ,rome4 ,he mu/ 
!n be reg>d$ z ! fir/ ,pope4 ,besides ! 
popes h adopt$ 8 maxims1 & fai?fully    
imitate 8 policy 9 _m respects2 ?is w\ld
 easily be prov$ by comp>+ ! almo/      
con/ant pr9ciples ( ! *ur* ( ,rome1 ) ^?
 ( our ,apo/le1 :i* we %all soon h      
occasion to exam9e4     ,,*apt] ,,ix4   
,reflections on ! ,life & ,"* ( ,/4     
,paul  ,su* is 9 a few words ! life (   
,/4 ,paul :om we are ju/ly entitl$ to   
reg>d z ! pr9cipal f\nd] ( ! ,*ri/ian   
,religion4 ,9 fact x appe>s t )\t him1 !
 ignorant & rude disciples ( ,jesus1    
w\ld nev] h be5 able to spread _! sect4 
,9 ord] to succe$ !y requir$ a man (    
great] in=mation & activity1 m ent]pris+
 & en?usia/ic1 & possess+ m dext]ity ?an
 any ( ^?1 :o compos$ ! apo/olic        
college1 be=e x 0 jo9$ by ,paul4 ,9 him 
we see all ^? qualities unit$1 :i* made 
him ( all o!rs1 ! mo/ fitt$ to lay !    
f\ndation ( a new sect4 ,he knew h[ to  
pr(it by ! lessons he _h receiv$ f      
,gamaliel2 f him he _h acquir$ a pr(\nd 

k ( ! ,jewi% ,scriptures1 & le>nt ! art 
( expla9+ !m 9 an allegorical s5se1 or1 
9 o!r words1 ! ,cabala by :i* we may f9d
 9 ^! books :atev] we desire4  ,x c     
h>dly be d\bt$ t our ,apo/le1 possess$  
mu* en]gy & ambition4 ,we fir/ see him  
p]secut+ ! disciples ( ,jesus ) ard\r2 &
 ) ! view ( ga9+ 8 ends1 & mak+ c\rt to 
! prie/s1 /oop to ! trade ( in=m] & spy4
 ,app>5tly he expect$ by ^! means to    
advance himself1 b see+ ! futility ( ^! 
ambiti\s hopes1 & probably despis$ &    
neglect$ ev5 by ^? :om he _h ?us        
zeal\sly s]v$2 he *anges 8 batt]ies1    
?rew himself ^u ! enemies side1 & see+ !
 abilities ( ^? :om he f\nd at ! head ( 
! new sect1 he felt h[ easily he c\ld   
eclipse !m1 & con/itute himself ! *ief4 
,!re is reason to believe t ^! 7 ! true 
motives ( ,paul's conv]sion2 a m9d ( 8  
/amp 9 decl>+ itself on ! side ( ! new  
sect1 at once satisfi$ its v5geance &   
ambition4 ,x 0 !n v easy = ,ananias to  
make him li/5 to reason4 ,! apo/les 7 n 
sl[ 9 discov]+ ! value ( _! new         

acquisition2 !y ackn[l$g$ ! sup]iority (
 su* a man2 !y =esaw ! advantages ! ris+
 sect w\ld d]ive f 8 k1 8 active &      
p]sev]+ g5ius & intrepidity ( "*4 ,?us  
we see ! new ,apo/le1 f ! mom5t t he 0  
enroll$ 9 ! ,apo/olic ,college1 p]=m !  
pr9cipal "p1 & ?r[ 8 coadjutors         
completely 9 ! %ade4 ,^! cont5t$ )      
prea*+ at ,j]usalem1 seldom %[$ !mselves
 at a di/ance f ?is city1 :il/ our h]o1 
cont9ually trav]s$ ! prov9ces1 made     
spiritual conque/s1 & /r5g!n$ 9 a hundr$
 places ! cause ( ! disciples ( ,*ri/1  
n[ become 8 own4 ,9 a ^w ,paul n[       
becomes ! s\l ( 8 sect2 8 en?usiasm     
ext5ds itself2 he braves dang] :5 x is  
necess>y to increase ! numb] ( 8        
p>tizans2 8 ambition is flatt]$ by !    
empire t he has ga9$2 crosses1 fatigues1
 imprisonm5ts1 & bl[s are n capable (   
abat+ 8 ard\r2 det]m9$ to succe$ at any 
co/ he sacrifices e ?+ to ! desire t he 
has ( ext5d+ ^? op9ions1 :i* give him ! 
p[] ( reign+ ov] ! m9ds ( m54 ,he knew  
well t no-empire ^u e>? is m grateful or

 /rong] ?an t ( op9ion4  ,no?+ appe>s t 
ought to induce u to reg>d ! activity1  
ob/9ate con/ancy1 & c\rage ( ,paul z    
miracul\s or sup]natural effects4 ,we   
f9d ! same zeal1 & frequ5tly ! same     
intrepidity & ob/9acy 9 all ^? /rongly  
animat$ by ambition or any o!r passion4 
,ob/acles b s]ve g5]ally to irritate    
en]getic m9ds1 m & m1 !y make a m]it (  
brav+ dang]s2 torture1 & ev5 dea?1 _c   
re/ra9 ^? :o are ?or\ghly enam\r$ ) any 
object 9 :i* !y h plac$ _! happ9ess4    
,/4 ,paul has be5 held up to u z a man  
dive/$ ( all p]sonal views4 ,8 humility1
 con/ancy1 dis9t]e/$ness1 & pati5ce1 h  
be5 advanc$1 z und\bt$ pro(s ( 8        
s9c]ity1 & pure zeal = 8 religion4 ,b we
 say t all ^! ?+s prove no?+ b 8 viol5t 
desire = success4 ,! prea*]s ( an infant
 & oppress$ sect1 de/itute ( p[]1 mu/   
always ann\nce !mselves ) mu* suppl5ess1
 mildness & humility2 an ambiti\s man   
mu/ 9 ord] to ga9 m5's he>ts1 effect mu*
 mod]ation & appe> dis9t]e/$2 besides he
 is sure ( los+ no?+1 :5 he %all succe$ 

9 e/abli%+ 8 empire ov] ! m9d4 ,d       
devotees ev] neglect _! spiritual       
guides8 ,9 %ort pati5ce & con/ancy are  
necess>y 9 all ent]prises2 e man :o w\ld
 cr[n a great adv5ture ) success1 ought 
to avoid ha/9ess4 ,nev]!less if we turn 
to ! hi/ory ( ,/4 ,paul1 we %all see t  
pati5ce 0 n always 8 rul+ virtue2 he v  
(t5 spoil$ 8 plans by 8 eag]ness1 &     
especially he ali5at$ ! m9ds ( ! ,jews1 
r ?an conv]t$ !m to 8 op9ions4 ,he w\ld 
p]haps h succe$$ mu* bett] ) !m1 _h he  
kept a bett] gov]nm5t ov] 8 impetu\s    
temp]1 at :i* x appe>s 8 coadjutors (t5 
revolt$4 ,devotees g5]ally mi/ake t =   
zeal1 :i* is b a vice 9 _! "*1 & an     
imprud5ce 9 _! conduct4 ,! bitt] reply t
 ,paul made to ! ,high ,prie/1 proves t 
our ,apo/le 0 n excessively endur+1 &   
=got1 at lea/1 on "s occasions 8        
,*ri/ian pati5ce4     ,,*apt] ,x4 ,( !  
,en?usiasm ( ,/4 ,paul  ,x appe>s c]ta9 
t ?is apo/le 0 fill$ ) en?usiasm & zeal4
 ,x w p]haps be ask$ :e!r we h a "r to  
reg>d him z an impo/or8 a ?\s& examples 

prove to u1 t no?+ is m common1 ?an to  
witness en?usiasm1 zeal & impo/ure unit$
 9 ! same p]son4 ,! mo/ s9c]e en?usia/  
is g5]ally a man ^: passions are        
turbul5t1 & capable ( bl9d+ him2 he     
takes 8 passions = div9e impulses1 be   
deludes himself1 & if we may be all[$ ! 
expression1 gets intoxicat$ ) 8 own w9e4
 ,a man :o at fir/ engages 9 a p>ticul> 
cause f motives ( int]e/1 or ambition1 v
 frequ5tly f9i%es by atta*+ himself to x
 ) s9c]ity & ) /r5g? proportion$ to !   
sacrifices he may h made = x4 ,if he    
succe$ 9 p]suad+ himself1 t ! cause ( 8 
passions is ! cause ( ,god1 he w make no
 scruple ( support+ x by all sorts (    
means1 he w sometimes all[ ! use (      
artifice1 deceit1 & oblique ways (      
ma9ta9+ ! op9ions ( :i* he happ5s to be 
conv9c$4 ,x is ?us we daily see v zeal\s
 devotees1 employ deception1 fraud1 &   
sometimes crime1 9 support ( ! int]e/s (
 religion1 i4 e4 ( ! cause !y h embrac$4
  ,?us al?\gh 9 ! fir/ in/ance ! desire 
( be+ rev5g$ on ! prie/s1 or ambiti\s   

views1 may h det]m9$ ,/4 ,paul to jo9 ! 
sect ( ,*ri/ians1 he might h be5 able by
 degrees to atta* himself /rongly to x1 
to p]suade himself t x 0 pref]able to ! 
religion ( ! ,jews1 & to employ         
objectionable means1 9 ord] to make x   
succe$ 9 ! _w4  ,! exam9ation t n[      
rema9s = u to make ( "s features 9 !    
conduct ( our apo/le1 & ( "s passages 9 
! writ+s :i* are attribut$ to him1 w    
s]ve bett] ?an any reason+ to det]m9e ! 
judgm5t1 we ought to come to respect+   
?is p]son4 ,let u !n he> :at he has to  
say = himself4 ,?is analysis w %ew u    
:e!r ,paul 0 s s9c]e1 dis9t]e/$1 humble1
 mild1 & upright z 8 p>tizans1 ma9ta9   
him to h be54  ,/4 ,paul 9 speak+ (     
himself says3 ,t he knew a man :o 0     
caught up into ! ?ird heav51 & t !re he 
he>d unspeakable words1 :i* x 0 n lawful
 = man to utt]994 ,x appe>s 9 ! fir/    
place t no "o b a man ( a v heat$       
imag9ation c\ld ) s9c]ity pret5d to h   
be5 caught up into ! ?ird ,heav52 & no  
"o b an impo/or1 c\ld ass]t su* a fact  

)\t be+ p]suad$ ( x4 ,9 ! second place  
we may ask ( :at use c\ld x be to mank9d
 t ,/4 ,paul %\ld he> 9 ! ?ird heav51   
unspeakable words1 t is to say1 su* z x 
0 unlawful = man to utt]8 ,:at %\ld we  
?9k ( a man :o %\ld come & assure u1 t  
he possess$ a secret mo/ important to   
our happ9ess1 b yet "o :i* he 0 n       
p]mitt$ to divulge8 ,?us ! voyage ( ,/4 
,paul is ei!r a *im]a eng5d]$ by a      
sickly bra91 or a fable1 contriv$ by a  
*eat1 :o s\ght to make himself respect$ 
by boa/+ ( ! peculi> fav\rs ( !         
almighty4 ,?is voyage !n 0 p]fectly     
useless1 s9ce x 0 n p]mitt$ him :o made 
x to relate t :i* he le>nt f x4 ,9 %ort 
!re is malice 9 ,/4 ,paul ?us irritat+ !
 curiosity ( 8 he>]s & refus+ to satisfy
 x4 ,"u :atev] po9t ( view !n we behold 
?is hi/ory or tale ( ,paul's ravi%m5t   
into ! ?ird heav51 x c be ( no utility  
to u1 & reflects b little hon\r ^u      
himself4       99 #b ,cor9?ians1 *ap4   
xii4 v]4 #b1 #c1 #d4     ,,*apt] ,,xi4  
,( ! ,dis9t]e/$ness ( ,/4 ,paul  ,9     

n>r[ly exam9+ into ! conduct ( our      
,apo/le1 we %all h mu* difficulty 9     
discov]+ t dis9t]e/$ness ) :i* 8        
p>tizans are s desir\s ( inve/+ him4 ,we
 h already expos$ ! natural motives :i* 
may h contribut$ to 8 conv]sion4 ,if x  
be true z ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 adopt$  
by ! ,ebionites or ,naz>5es1 ass]ts1 t  
,/4 ,paul flatt]$ himself ) ! idea (    
m>ry+ ! high prie/'s daught]1 & fail$ 9 
! project1 ! disappo9tm5t might to a man
 ( 8 passionate & ha/y temp]1 be a      
motive suffici5t to det]m9e him to *ange
 sides1 & f be+ z we h %ewn him to h be5
 ! spy & satellite ( ! prie/s1 basely   
seek+ to ga9 _! good w1 by becom+ ! ag5t
 9 _! furies aga9/ ! disciples ( ,jesus2
 to decl>e himself 9 fav\r ( ^?1 :o 7 _!
 greate/ enemies4 ,x 0 p]haps ! ill     
success ( ,paul's am\rs1 t det]m9$ him  
to a life ( celibacy1 & to boa/ ( x z   
m]itori\s1 :il/ accord+ to ! ,jewi% law1
 no?+ 0 held 9 less repute ?an ?is /ate4
 ,?is holy man w\ld d\btless trans=m    
into a virtue1 a conduct1 :i* 9 him 0   

no?+ b *agr9 & ill temp]4 ,he ass]ts t x
 is good = m5 to ab/a9 f wom52          
consequ5tly our cl]gy h reg>d$ celibacy 
z a virtue3 !y h fanci$ !mselves oblig$ 
to imitate ! great ,/4 ,paul ev5 9 8    
res5tm5ts aga9/ ! sex4 ,!y h flatt]$    
!mselves ) ! idea ( be+ able to resi/ l 
him ! temptations ( ! fle%1 :i* (t5     
torm5ts !m2 if !y h indulg5tly p]mitt$  
m>riage to ! pr(ane1 x is because ,paul 
has said1 x is bett] to m>ry ?an to     
burn4 ,x is not)/&+ probable t !        
conv]sion ( ,/4 ,paul 0 occasion$ by o!r
 motives ?an ! anecdote relat$ by !     
,acts ( ! ,ebionites1 :i* appe>s expos$ 
to _m objections4 ,9 fact1 accord+ to ^!
 ,acts1 ,paul 0 a pagan born1 0 made a  
proselyte1 & consequ5tly he c\ld n1 )\t 
hav+ be5 guilty ( great folly1 pret5d to
 ! daught] ( a high prie/1 ^: dignity 0 
s em95t among/ ! ,jews4 ,on ! o!r h&    
accord+ to ! writ+s adopt$ by !         
,*ri/ians ( our "t1 ,/4 ,paul 0 ( !     
tribe ( ,b5jam91 & w\ld n h be5 p]mitt$ 
to m>ry ! daught] ( a high prie/1 :o mu/

 necess>ily h be5 ( ! tribe ( ,levi4    
,aga9 ,paul 0 a me*anic1 a t5t-mak]1 a  
situation :i* mu/ h depriv$ him ( all   
hope ( an alliance s illu/ri\s z t ( a  
sov]eign ,pontiff4 ,?us unless we       
suppose t love _h totally bl9d$ our h]o1
 to ! ob/acles :i* naturally oppos$     
!mselves to 8 desires1 !re is reason to 
believe t 8 conv]sion1 or *ange ( p>ty1 
orig9at$ f o!r motives1 ?an ! *agr9 (   
see+ 8 am\rs fru/rat$4 ,!re is reason to
 believe t ,paul be+ ( a v unquiet      
g5ius1 0 tir$ ( 8 trade3 desir\s ( try+ 
8 =tune1 & liv+ )\t "w1 he became ! spy 
( ! prie/s & ! in=m] aga9/ ! ,*ri/ians4 
,dissatisfi$ ) ! prie/s1 :o p]haps _h n 
rew>d$ him to ! ext5t ( 8 expectations1 
he jo9$ ! new sect1 :i* assi/$ by 8     
tal5ts promis$ good success1 or ev5 a   
probability t he might become ! head2 at
 lea/ he might fairly calculate on an   
easy & hon\rable subsi/5ce )\t be+      
oblig$ to make t5ts1 ,9 fact he saw1 t !
 apo/les1 :o 7 vulg> m5 mu* inf]ior to  
himself1 liv$ v well at ! exp5ce ( ! new

 conv]ts1 :o eag]ly br\ght _! weal? &   
laid x at ! apo/les feet1 consequ5tly   
,paul 0 s5sible1 h[ easy x 0 = him to   
live 9 ! same way1 & provide himself a v
 com=table bir?1 9 a sect1 9 :i* he felt
 himself capable ( play+ a v important  
"p4 ,8 ambition mu/ h be5 m gratifi$ )  
occupy+ "o ( ! fir/ po/s1 ev5 among/    
begg>s1 ?an ( cr++ 9 an infam\s &       
di%on\rable capacity1 "u av>ici\s1      
haughty & disda9ful prie/s4 ,inde$ ,paul
 himself tells u t he _h relations (    
consid]able note among ! apo/les1 :o    
hav+ embrac$ ! fai? be=e him1 might h   
lab\r$ ) success = ! conv]sion ( a man s
 dispos$499       99 ,epis1 to ,romans1 
*ap4 xvi4 v]se #g4  ,! p]secutions t he 
_h excit$ aga9/ ! disciples c\ld n h put
 any v s]i\s ob/acles 9 ! way ( 8       
admission into ! apo/olic college3 no?+ 
0 requir$ b to expla9 & agree ^u facts4 
,! *iefs ( ! sect 7 v mu* flatt]$ at    
see+ ! conque/ made by _! p>ty ( an     
inconv5i5t adv]s>y1 :o came ( 8 own     
accord1 & (f]$ 8 s]vices4 ,8 conv]sion1 

effect$ by a miracle1 did hon\r to 8    
mission1 & %[$ ! vulg> ! protection (   
heav51 :i* *ang$ ! he>t ( ! mo/ bitt]   
enemy ( ! ,*ri/ians4 ,z ,paul 0 n       
ignorant t 9 ?is sect great value 0 set 
^u miracles1 visions & revelations1 he  
?\ght ?is 0 ! mo/ fav\rable door by :i* 
he c\ld ent]1 & r5d] himself acceptable 
to ! ,apo/les2 !y receiv$ him ) op5 arms
 well assur$ ( ! s9c]ity ( a man :o aft]
 hav+ made su* an upro> c\ld n rec$e )\t
 mak+ himself equally odi\s bo? to ,jews
 & ,*ri/ians4 ,/4 ,paul among/ o!r      
tal5ts :i* r5d]$ him a fit p]son to     
propagate ! new religion1 und]/ood1     
accord+ to appe>ances1 ,hebrew1 ,greek1 
& ,lat91 :il/ 9 spite ( ! gift (        
tongues1 we d n f9d1 t ! o!r apo/les    
possess$ ^! advantages4 ,9 fact we see  
!m rema9 at ,j]usalem1 prea*+ to ! ,jews
 only1 :il/ ! new apo/le ext5d$ 8       
spiritual conque/s1 into ! prov9ces (   
,asia & ,greece1 :]e x appe>s t )\t him 
! ,gospel w\ld n h be5 prea*$ s soon4   
,once connect$ ) ! new sect1 ,paul _h   

d\btless a great int]e/ 9 spread+ x1 9  
/r5g!n+ 8 p>ty1 & mak+ conv]ts 9 ord] to
 ga9 support1 & h ! pleasure ( reign+   
ov] a great numb] ( devotees4 ,?us1 "u e
 po9t ( view1 we see t our ,apo/le1 :e!r
 9 8 conv]sion1 or 9 8 prea*+1 0 e ?+ b 
neglig5t ( 8 int]e/4 ,all mission>ies h 
necess>ily ambition2 !y propose to      
!mselves ! pleasure ( gov]n+ m9ds1 & e  
?+ proves t ,paul 0 n exempt f a passion
 inh]5t 9 all f\nd]s ( sects4 ,& fur!r  
hav+ once e/abli%$ 8 ecclesia/ical p[]1 
we (t5 see him tak+ c>e ( 8 temporal    
int]e/s1 & mak+ 8 flock feel h[ j x is t
 ! prie/ %\ld live by ! alt>2 9 a ^w to 
occupy himself ) ! emolum5ts ( 8 prea*+4
 ,let him1 says he1 t is taught 9 ! ^w  
communicate unto him t tea*e? 9 all good
 ?+s499 ,he speaks 9 ! same tone to !   
,!ssalonicans 7*ap4 v4 v]4 #ab47 ,he    
likewise recomm5ds !m an abundant *>ity4
       99 ,epis1 to ,galatians1 *ap4 vi4
 v]4 #f4  ,x rema9s to be obs]v$1 ,/4   
,paul is n l 8 successors ungrateful = !
 b5efits :i* he has receiv$4 ,he ?anks !

 ,philippians = hav+ twice assi/$ him 9 
8 ne$4 ,x appe>s t 9 8 "t ! ,apo/les did
 n possess ! div9e "r t m5 _h ! goodness
 to give !m3 b ! cl]gy h s9ce ass]t$ t  
!y hold f ,god alone1 t :i* !y obta9$ f 
! g5]osity ( pr9ces & p1 :i* evid5tly   
frees !m f ! necessity ( %[+ gratitude  
to any "o4     ,,*apt] ,,xii4 ,( !      
imp]i\s ,tone & political ,views ( ,/4  
,paul  ,x appe>s by ! writ+s attribut$  
to ,paul himself t ! empire :i* he      
ex]cis$ ov] ! memb]s :om he _h add$ to 8
 sect1 0 n "o ( mildness4 ,9 pro( ( ?is1
 may be cit$ ! mann] 9 :i* ?is spiritual
 despot speaks to ! fai?ful ( ,cor9?4   
,moreov] 7says he7 ,i call ,god = a     
record ^u my s\l1 t to sp>e y1 ,i came n
 z yet into ,cor9?499 ,aga91 ,= to ?is  
end also did ,i write1 t ,i might "k !  
pro( ( y1 :e!r ye be ob$i5t 9 all       
?+s99994 ,he ?reat5s ! ,cor9?ians1 &    
says to !m1 if ,i come aga9 ,i w n sp>e4
 ,aga9 he ju/ifies ! tone 9 :i* he      
talks1 by say+1 ,!re=e ,i write ^! ?+s  
be+ abs5t1 le/ be+ pres5t ,i %\ld use   

%>pness1 accord+ to ! p[] :i* ! ,"l ha? 
giv5 me to edification1 & n to          
de/ruction4999999 ,x is probably by     
virtue ( ?is "r ( *a/is+1 "h assum$ by  
,/4 ,paul1 t ! ,pontiffs & ,prie/s ( !  
,*ri/ians h s9ce arrogat$ to !mselves an
 unlimit$ spiritual p[] ov]1 ! ?\ghts ( 
_! subjects4 ,_! empire ext5d$ itself by
 degrees ov] _! p]sons2 ,*ri/ian prie/s1
 exce$+ ! ,apo/le to :om ! ,"l _h giv5  
?is p[] to edify1 avail$ !mselves ( x to
 de/roy ^? :om !y f\nd n suffici5tly    
submissive to _! decisions4 ,if ,/4     
,paul did n ex]cise ov] 8 %eep a p[] s  
ext5sive1 x is d\btless because he _h n1
 l our pa/ors1 pr9ces1 magi/rates &     
soldi]s "u 8 ord]s1 capable ( execut+ 8 
holy w3 ) 8 imp]i\s temp] we may ju/ly  
conclude t he w\ld h conduct$ himself   
mu* 9 ! same mann] z "s fa!rs ( ! *ur*1 
! ,pontiffs ( ,rome1 or ! ,holy         
,inquisition4  ,we see also t ! ,apo/le1
 n satisfi$ ) be+ sole judge 9 spiritual
 affairs1 0 desir\s ( ! p[] ( decid+ 9  
civil suits4 ,d>e any ( y hav+ a matt]  

aga9/ ano!r g to law be=e ! unju/1 & n  
be=e ! sa9ts8 ,d ye n "k t ! sa9ts %all 
judge ! _w899999999 ,?is passage        
evid5tly proves t ! ,apo/le 9 ! dep? ( 8
 policy _h already =m$ ! design ( mak+ !
 sa9ts1 i4 e4 ! cl]gy1 ma/]s ( ! =tunes 
z well z ! consci5ces ( ! fai?ful4 ,9   
fact1 he adds1 "k ye n t we %all judge  
angels8 ,h[ mu* m1 ?+s t p]ta9 to ?is   
life8 ,we _c suffici5tly admire !       
mod]ation ( ! ,*ri/ian cl]gy1 9 n hav+  
rigor\sly act$ up to ! lett] ( ?is      
decisive text1 :i* =mally gives !m ! "r 
( judg+ 9 all temporal affairs1 or !    
conc]ns ( ?is life4 ,inde$ x appe>s     
accord+ to ?is passage1 t ,*ri/ians 9 _!
 transactions1 ought to h no o!r judges1
 or ev5 sov]eigns1 ?an ! *ur*4 ,x is f  
^! maxims1 t our prie/s h become c5sors1
 or a k9d ( magi/rates1 :o int]f]e ) e  
?+1 & set !mselves up = ! judges ( !    
legitimacy ( civil acts1 ( bir?s &      
m>riages1 ( :i* !y h made !mselves      
ma/]s2 9 a few words1 !y seize ^u man ! 
mom5t he is born1 & regulate all 8      

motions until 8 dea?4 ,x is f ^!        
pret5ces1 t ! popes h impud5tly arrogat$
 ! p[] ( dispos+ ( cr[ns1 ( excit+      
insurrections & w>s1 & ( decid+ ^u !    
rights ( sov]eigns & p4       99 #b     
,cor9?ians1 *ap4 i4 v]4 #bc4       9999 
#b ,cor9?ians1 *ap4 ii4 v]4 #i4         
999999  #b ,cor9?ians1 *ap4 xiii4 v]4   
#b4 & #aj4       99999999 #a ,cor9?ians1
 *ap4 vi4 v]4 #a4 & #b4  ,x is by no    
means surpris+ t ! heads ( ! ,*ri/ian   
*ur*1 h at all times held up ,/4 ,paul1 
z a man div9ely inspir$2 h = a di/9ction
 entitl$ him1 ! ,apo/le1 h inculcat$ = 8
 writ+s ! mo/ pr(\nd v5]ation1 & h caus$
 !m to be consid]$1 z ! oracles ( !     
,holy ,gho/4 ,?is ,apo/le 0 evid5tly !  
ar*itect ( ! *ur*4 ,we may consid] him  
especially z ! f\nd] ( ! ecclesia/ical  
hi]>*y4 ,x is to him t are ow+ !        
pr]ogatives1 privileges1 div9e rights & 
pret5ces ( ! cl]gy4 ,/4 ,paul e/abli%$  
bi%ops1 assign$ !m _! rights1 & 9 8     
writ+s laid ! f\ndations ( t spiritual  
p[]1 :i* has s9ce become s =midable to  

temporal au?ority4 ,h[ c\ld ! inv5tor ( 
s _m useful ?+s1 fail to be reg>d$ z !  
organ ( ! div9ity4  ,nev]!less1 if we   
read ! gospels ) ! slighte/ att5tion1 we
 %all f9d t ,jesus has no :]e spok5 (   
?is hi]>*y or p[]1 nor ( ! pr]ogatives (
 ! cl]gy2 on ! contr>y1 we see him'     
incessantly prea*+ to 8 apo/les1        
equality1 humility & pov]ty4 ,b 9 t z 9 
_m o!r in/ances1 our ,apo/le ?\ght      
himself at lib]ty to correct !          
in/itutions ( ,*ri/1 :o on all occasions
 %ew$ himself unfav\rable to prie/s4 ,^!
 *anges effect$ by ,paul are suffici5t  
to make u acqua9t$ ) 8 secret policy4   
,he endeav\r$ app>5tly to make himself !
 spiritual & temporal head ( ! *ur*es1  
:i* he _h by 8 lab\rs1 f\nd$ among !    
,g5tiles1 ) :om1 z we h %ewn1 he _h m   
success ?an among/ ! ,jews4 ,x 0 to ga9 
!m ov] t he became all ?+s to all m51 t 
he disp5s$ !m1 z we h said1 f ! mo/     
ess5tial ord9ances ( ! ,mosaic law4 ,9  
%ort he _h ! secret ( ins9uat+ himself1 
into ! m9ds ( idolators1 :om he         

sometimes took by surprize accommodat+  
himself to _! capacities1 & giv+ !m z he
 himself has said1 sometimes milk1 & at 
o!rs1 solid food4 ,z we h already       
suffici5tly %ewn1 ,paul aft] 8 successes
 ) ! ,g5tiles1 gave himself little      
tr\ble respect+ ! conv]t$ ,jews1 or ) 8 
eld] bre?r5 9 ! apo/le-%ip2 & op5ly     
decl>$ himself aga9/ ! ,mosaic law4 ,z  
we h se5 be w5t himself to ,j]usalem1 to
 solicit a decree1 to disp5se ! ,g5tiles
 f ! rite ( circumcision2 ?is he _h mu* 
at he>t1 feel+ h[ necess>y ?is indulg5ce
 01 9 ord] to secure 8 new subjects4    
,?us x 0 he :o enl>g$ ! brea*1 ?\gh     
small 9 its orig91 :i* sep>at$ ! ,jews f
 ! ,*ri/ians1 or ,naz>5es4 ,?is conduct 
naturally displeas$ ! re/ ( ! apo/les1  
:o appe>$1 ev5 aft] ! c\ncil1 always    
atta*$ to ! ,jewi% ord9ances1 b :o on   
?is occasion1 f\nd !mselves compell$ to 
c$e to ,paul1 or at lea/ to temporize ) 
a man :o _h ga9$ an asc5dancy ov] !m4   
,,*apt] ,,xiii4 ,( ! ,humility1 ( ,/4   
,paul  ,) ! ability & ambiti\s conduct  

:i* we h j rem>k$ 9 ,/4 ,paul x is      
difficult to conceive t humility c\ld h 
be5 8 rul+ passion4 ,p]us+ 8 writ+s1 we 
%all )\t mu* difficulty discov] t :5 he 
humbles himself x is g5]ally ) a view ( 
exalt+ himself 9 ! eyes ( 8 adh]5ts2 he 
does n fail to boa/ ( ! p5alties1       
suff]+s1 & lab\rs t he has submitt$ to =
 love ( !m1 x is ^u ?is1 t he f\nds 8   
claims to _! respect & gratitude4 ,let a
 man s acc\nt ( u1 z ( ! m9i/]s ( ,*ri/1
 & /ew>ds ( ! my/]ies ( ,god3 fur!r on  
he adds1 = ,i ?9k t ,god ha? set =? u1 !
 apo/les la/1 z x 7 appo9t$ to dea?3 =  
we are made a spectacle unto ! _w1 & to 
angels1 & to m54  ,/4 ,paul !n reproa*es
 ! ,cor9?ians1 ) _! ease1 _! luxury1 &  
_! pret5ces1 & comp>es _! happy         
situation ) 8 own4 ,we are1 7says he to 
!m17 fools = ,*ri/'s sake1 b ye are wise
 9 ,*ri/3 we are weak1 b ye are /rong2  
ye are hon\rable1 b we are despis$4 ,ev5
 unto ?is pres5t h\r we bo? hung] &     
?ir/1 & are buffet$1 & h no c]ta9 dwell+
 place1 & lab\r1 work+ ) our own h&s4   

,he !n enum]ates ! evils he has suff]$1 
& adds ,i write n ^! ?+s to %ame y1 b z 
my belov$ sons to w>n y4 ,( :at8 ,he    
expla9s himself1 & says1 ,= ?\gh y h t5 
?\s& in/ructors 9 ,*ri/1 yet h ye n _m  
fa!rs2 = 9 ,*ri/ ,jesus ,i h begott5 y  
?r\gh ! gospel4 ,our humble mission>y   
s5ds !m 8 lieut5ant1 ,timo?y1 to br+ !m 
back to _! duty1 i4 e4 to ! ob$i5ce !y  
ow$ to _! spiritual fa!r1 he ?reat5s !m 
himself1 & mildly dem&s ( !m1 ,:at w ye8
 ,%all ,i come unto y ) a rod1 or 9     
love1 & 9 ! _s ( meekness8  ,9 all ?is  
rem>kable tirade !re are no traces ( t  
pr(\nd humility1 = :i* cr$it has be5    
giv5 to ,paul3 on ! contr>y1 all        
discov]s a dom9e]+ _s1 & a desire (     
exclusive p[] ov] ! fai?ful :om he _h   
conv]t$4 ,x is g5]ally ! pr\de/ m5 :o   
compla9 ! mo/ bitt]ly ( be+ despis$ &   
treat$ ) contempt2 &1 among/ devotees1  
,pride kn[s h[ to cov] appe>ances ) !   
g>b ( humility4 ,h[ev]1 our ,apo/le does
 n give himself ! tr\ble to mask 8      
self-love3 9 fact1 :5 he comp>es himself

 to ! re/ ( ! ,apo/les1 he makes u      
und]/&1 t ?\gh he t]ms himself ! la/1 he
 has a "r to be consid]$ z ! fir/4 ,he  
says1 ,= ,i suppose ,i 0 n a :it beh9d !
 v *iefe/ apo/les4 ,x seems t !         
,cor9?ians 7 %ock$ ) ! h>%ness ( 8 tone2
 = he adds1 b ?\gh ,i be rude 9 spee*1  
yet n 9 k3 b we h be5 ?or\ghly made     
manife/ among y 9 all ?+s4 ,!n feel+ t  
!y might be disgu/$ ) ^! imprud5t self  
comm5dations1 he says1 ,see+ t _m glory 
aft] ! fle%1 ,i w glory also4  ,x is    
easy to see t our ,evangelical ,doctors 
propose to !mselves ,paul's humility z a
 model = _! own4 ,x is d\btless1 9      
imitation ( ?is great ,sa9t1 t ! ,pope  
calls himself ! ,s]vant ( ! ,s]vants (  
,god1 :i* does n1 h[ev]1 prev5t him f   
mak+ ^? :o refuse to ackn[l$ge 8        
unlimit$ p[]1 & bl9dly subscribe to 8   
infallible decisions1 feel 8 pa/oral    
rod2 b :5 ! rul]s ( ! ,*ur* make use (  
?is rod1 x is only to %ew _! great zeal 
= ! int]e/s ( ! ,"l4     ,,*apt] ,,xiv4 
,( ! ,zeal ( ,/4 ,paul2 ,reflections on 

?is ,*ri/ian ,virtue  ,t passion :i* 9  
common life is t]m$1 ang]1 fury1        
v5geance or delirium1 becomes zeal z    
soon z its object is religion1 or !     
cause ( ,god4 ,x is a maxim among       
,*ri/ian devotees1 t we _c love ,god too
 mu*1 consequ5tly we _c s9 9 excess (   
zeal4 ,accord+ to ^! pr9ciples1 our     
doctors 9 _! qu>rels1 injure1 defame1   
calumniate1 & asp]se1 & :5 !y h ! p[]1  
p]secute & ext]m9ate ea* o!r4 ,ea* sect1
 firmly p]suad$ t x is 9 ! "r1 & t its  
peculi> way ( ?9k+ is ! only "o t ,god c
 approve1 ?9ks itself ju/ifi$ 9 de/roy+ 
! op9ions ( its adv]s>ies1 :i* displeas+
 to itself1 mu/ consequ5tly displease ! 
div9ity4 ,?us 9 att5tively exam9+ ! ?+1 
we f9d t religi\s zeal is no?+ b ang]1  
excit$ 9 a bigot by op9ions adv]se to 8 
own1 or ^? ( ! p>ty he has esp\s$4 ,9 a 
^w1 zeal is ! gall :i* contradiction    
secretes 9 ! s\ls ( bigots4 ,!re c be no
 d\bt1 b t ,/4 ,paul has left a model ( 
?is sort1 :i* our evangelical doctors1 h
 9 all times fai?fully copi$4 ,if ?is   

great ,apo/le did n g to ! ext5t (      
p]secut+ ^? :o resi/$ 8 argum5ts1 or    
refus$ bl9dly to submit to 8 supreme    
decisions1 x is because he 0 n          
suffici5tly /rong2 o!rwise judg+ f !    
w>m? ( 8 temp]am5t we may reasonably    
presume1 t he w\ld h be5 easily c>ri$ to
 extremities1 well calculat$ to ju/ify !
 holy passion to :i* ! heads ( ! *ur* h 
s9ce giv5 !mselves up on all occasions1 
:5 !y h _h suffici5t p[] to give a lu/re
 to _! zeal4  ,9 fact we f9d1 t ,paul's 
self love1 did n suff] contradiction )  
too mu* pati5ce4 ,he deliv]s ov] to     
,satan ^? :o refuse to obey him1 he     
pret5d$ t any o!r ,gospel1 ?an 8 own1 0 
abom9able4 ,i m>vel t y are s soon      
remov$ f him t call$ y into ! grace (   
,*ri/ unto ano!r gospel4 ,he pret5ds &  
affirms t he alone taught ! true        
doctr9e1 & t all o!rs are impo/ors1     
false prophets1 & di/urb]s2 we are      
oblig$ to believe on 8 own ^w t he      
possesses infallibility4  ,he goes s f> 
z to say 9 ! heat ( 8 self-love ,b ?\gh 

we1 or an angel f heav5 prea* any o!r   
gospel unto y1 ?an t :i* we h prea*$    
unto y1 let him be accurs$4 ,z we said  
be=e1 s say ,i n[ aga91 if any man prea*
 any o!r gospel unto y1 ?an t ye h      
receiv$1 let him be accurs$499 ,?is     
language might well appe> insol5t1      
presumptu\s1 & ev5 impi\s to ^? :o h n  
fai?1 nev]!less x is t :i* is inv>iably 
held by ! *iefs ( e sect2 we see !m1 ^u 
_! own au?ority1 cont9ually ana!matiz+1 
excommunicat+1 damn+ & deliv]+ ov] to ! 
devil1 :oev] has ! tem]ity to und]/& !  
,gospel 9 any o!r way b _! own4 ,e      
doctor l ,paul1 decl>es himself & ev5   
believes himself to be infallible2 no?+ 
9 ! _w1 7n ev5 ! angels ( heav57 c\ld   
make him r5\nce op9ions :i* 8 self-love1
 8 ob/9acy1 & 8 vanity1 cause him to    
behold z ! only true4       99 ,epi/le  
to ,gal4 ,*ap4 i4 v]4 #h & #i4  ,!      
hi/ory ( ,paul1 h[ev] furni%es u ) an   
emb>rass+ circum/ance4 ,ard5t 9 dispute 
& ob/9ately atta*$ to 8 own ideas1 we   
see ?is infallible ,apo/le boa/$ ( hav+ 

resi/$ ,cephas1 i4e4 ,pet]1 to 8 face1  
:o nev]!less appe>s to h _h titles to   
infallibility1 /ill bett] e/abli%$ ?an  
^? ( our ,apo/le2 9 fact if ,paul1 9    
ord] to prove 8 own infallibility1      
supports x by 8 visions1 inspirations1  
revelations1 & miracles3 ,/4 ,pet] might
 9 fav\r ( 8 own1 oppose to him a great 
numb] ( visions1 dreams1 & prodigies    
equally au!ntic ) ^? ( 8 bro!r4 ,if     
,paul f\nd$ ! div9ity ( 8 mission1 & !  
tru? ( 8 p>ticul> way ( ?9k+ on 8 own   
te/imony1 c\ld n ,/4 ,pet] cite1 9      
support ( 8 au?ority1 ! te/imony (      
,jesus ,*ri/1 :o _h decl>$ him ! *ief ( 
! apo/les1 :o _h e/abli%$ him1 z ! fir/ 
%eph]d ( 8 flock1 & ! rock on :i*1 he   
w\ld f\nd 8 *ur*8 ,is x n ^u ?is au!ntic
 evid5ce1 t ! ,pope1 :o /iles himself ! 
successor ( ,pet]1 f\nds 8              
infallibility1 ackn[l$g$ & ma9ta9$ by ! 
great] "p ( ! ,roman ,ca?olic ,cl]gy8   
,!re is !n reason to be a/oni%$ t ,paul1
 ) titles n s well e/abli%$1 %\ld h d>$ 
to resi/ ,pet] to 8 face1 or t he %\ld h

 boa/$ ( su* resi/ance2 & x is n less   
surpris+ t ! latt] %\ld h c$$ to 8      
junior 9 ! apo/le%ip1 hav+ su* p[]ful   
argum5ts to support 8 claim to          
infallibility4  ,all may h[ev] be       
expla9$ by ! supposition t ^u ?is       
occasion ,/4 ,paul %[$ himself m        
head/rong ?an ,/4 ,pet]1 :o = ! sake (  
peace1 yield$ to ! eag]ness ( 8 adv]s>y1
 & w\ld n support 8 own infallibility at
 ! risk ( excit+ a s*ism 9 ! ris+ sect4 
,we h se5 9 our "t pi\s ,jans5i/s avail 
!mselves ( ,/4 ,paul's example1 to resi/
 to ! face ! infallible decisions ( !   
,roman ,pontiff2 b he1 less mod]ate ?an 
8 pr$ecessor ,/4 ,pet]1 w\ld n c$e1 b   
rema9$ ob/9ate 9 ma9ta9+ 8 irrefragable 
au?ority1 & by ?is means produc$ &      
fom5t$ divisions1 :i* ! det]m9$ zeal    
display$ by bo? p>ties1 has r5d]$ v     
dang]\s4 ,! successor ( ,/4 ,pet]       
ana!matizes1 & f9d+ himself ! /ronge/1  
p]secutes ! imitators ( ,/4 ,paul1 = d>+
 to resi/ him3 ^! ( c\rse /rongly atta*$
 to _! pr9ciples :i* !y deem infallible1

 are ob/9ate 9 _! resi/ance1 dete/ !    
op9ions ( _! tyrants1 & 9 spite ( *>ity1
 v cordially damn ^? :o d n ?9k l       
!mselves1 :il/ ^! la/ f atta*m5t to !   
infallibility ( ! ,pope1 :om !y h on _! 
side1 believe !mselves compell$1 9      
consci5ce1 to make _! adv]s>ies submit  
to ! mo/ inhuman & unreasonable         
treatm5t4  ,su* are ! salut>y effects   
:i* zeal has produc$ 9 ! ,*ur* ( ,jesus 
,*ri/1 f ! fir/ prea*+ ( ! gospel to !  
pres5t day4 ,! zeal ( ,/4 ,paul n       
cont5t$ ) ex]cis+ itself aga9/ 8 bre?r5 
! apo/les1 %ew$ itself /rongly 9 all    
situations4 ,we see him excite tr\ble & 
clam\r 9 :atev] cities he happ5$ to be4 
,we g5]ally t]m a man a public di/urb]1 
:o tr\bles ! peace ( 8 neighb\rs2 b1 9  
religion1 a sa9t is a man :o d>es to    
prea* 8 own op9ions1 z ^? ( ,god        
himself1 at ! risk ( excit+ ! mo/       
disa/r\s revolutions 9 society4 ,8      
self-love becomes legitimate z soon z   
its object is religion2 proves to him 9 
! mo/ conv9c+ mann] t he is always "r2 t

 8 way ( ?9k+ is necess>y to salvation1 
& t all consid]ations ought to give way 
to su* an important object4 ,if religi\s
 zeal is able "o day to procure         
advantages 9 ! o!r _w2 x is at lea/ v   
evid5t t x causes _m mis=tunes "h bel[4 
,9 ! eyes ( reason x is always equally  
dang]\s1 ev5 :5 x is ! fruit ( ! mo/    
s9c]e devotion4 ,if ! impo/or1 !        
ambiti\s man & ! hypocrite1 avail       
!mselves ( x z a cloak to cov] all      
crimes1 ! s9c]e bigot ?9ks t zeal       
ju/ifies ! greate/ excesses1 & (t5 makes
 a m]it1 & ev5 a duty1 ( dete/+ 8 fell[s
 & tr\bl+ society4  ,x is 9 fact        
difficult to reconcile zeal ) ! _s (    
union1 concord1 & peace1 t ,*ri/ianity  
recomm5ds1 or ) t *>ity :i* ,/4 ,paul   
places above all virtues1 & )\t :i*1 he 
assures u t all ! o!rs are useless4 ,b  
did ?is ,apo/le himself possess mu*     
*>ity1 :5 n satisfi$ ) c>ry+ tr\ble into
 e place :]e he prea*$1 he inveigh$     
aga9/ ^? :om he f\nd n dispos$ to       
believe998       99 ,epi/le to ,tim4    

,*ap4 i4 v]4 #bj4  ,x is d\btless no?+ b
 a lively fai?1 :i* c reconcile ! viol5t
 conduct ( ?is great ,apo/le1 ) ! *>ity 
:i* he incessantly recomm5ds4 ,x appe>s 
at lea/ difficult to h a s9c]e reg>d =  
m5 :om zeal obliges u to hate1 ei!r z   
our own enemies1 or z ! enemies ( ,god4 
,! subtle !ology ( ! ,*ri/ians1 c alone 
reconcile ^! incompatible dispositions4 
,x is only ! m9i/]s ( ! ,*ur*1 :o h !   
tal5t ( prov+1 t )\t a violation (      
,*ri/ian *>ity1 x is lawful to h>ass1   
p]secute1 & de/roy ones neighb\rs4 ,!y c
 9 fact cle>ly %[ t we may burn ! body (
 a man1 out ( t5d]ness = 8 s\l4 ,!y ?9k 
!y h a "r to excommunicate a man1 or    
ana!matize him1 t is to say1 exclude him
 = ev] f spiritual grace1 to put him 9  
%ort into ! road to damnation1 to deliv]
 him to ,satan1 = ! de/ruction ( ! fle%1
 9 ord] to save him1 accord+ to ! _s4   
,?is conduct is n ! lea/ inconceivable  
my/]y ( ! ,*ri/ian religion2 fai? is    
d\btless necess>y to f9d x ei!r *>itable
 or intelligible4 ,h[ c we conceive1 =  

example1 t ! desire ( sav+ ! s\l ( an   
h]etic1 or an impi\s man1 c det]m9e !   
inquisition or ,*ri/ian magi/rates to   
consign him to ! flames1 ev5 :ile be    
p]si/s 9 ^? op9ions1 :i* !y suppose mu/ 
plunge him into hell8     ,,*apt] ,,xv4 
,( ! ,deceptions or ,apo/acy ( ,/4 ,paul
  ,by ! aid ( fai? we nev] f9d any ?+ to
 condemn 9 ! conduct ( ^?1 :om we h be5 
accu/om$ to reg>d z sa9ts2 _! ob/9acy1  
s$iti\s _s1 pride1 ev5 _! f]ocity1 are  
ju/ifi$1 by say+ t !y are animat$ ) a   
holy zeal4 ,9 a ^w1 a sa9t may violate )
 impunity1 ! mo/ sacr$ rules ( morality1
 )\t 8 bigot$ admir]s p]mitt+ !mselves  
to criticise 8 conduct4 ,sa9ts h always 
be5 9 ! habit ( t]m+ ^? *a/isem5ts1 :i* 
!y h drawn ^u !mselves 7(t5times ju/ly7 
by _! unruly passions or indiscreet     
zeal1 p]secution4 ,^? :om a dev\t phr5sy
 excites to tumult & disord] are hon\r$ 
z confessors & m>tyrs1 & we f9d ! ,jews 
& ,pagans 7 ! mo/ unju/ & cruel ( m51 = 
hav+ treat$ ! ,*ri/ians1 :om !y c\ld n  
consid] b z di/urb]s ( ! public peace1 9

 ! same mann] z ! ,*ri/ians n[ treat !  
,jews1 h]etics1 & infidels4 ,bigots1    
accu/om !mselves to reg>d _! sa9ts z    
irreproa*able *>act]s1 or if !y _c      
ju/ify _! conduct1 !y say t ,god has    
p]mitt$ !m to s91 to humiliate !m1 9    
ord] t he might h an opportunity (      
p>don+ !m4 ,x is ?us t e good ,*ri/ian  
reg>ds a brig& 9 revolt aga9/ 8         
legitimate sov]eign1 an usurp]1 a mon/] 
( cruelty1 an infam\s adult]]1 an       
assass91 9 a ^w1 a ,david1 z a great    
sa9t2 or ev5 by excell5ce1 z ! man aft] 
,god's own he>t6 ,fai? 9 ! m9d ( a      
bigot1 is able to rev]se1 ev5 ! mo/     
simple rules ( morality & virtue4       
,religion enc\rages ! mo/ p]v]se m5 to  
give !mselves up to ! blacke/ crimes1 ! 
mo/ %ameful vices1 & ! mo/ %ock+        
irregul>ities1 by sett+ be=e !m !       
examples ( sc\ndrels1 :o 7 nev]!less !  
fri5ds ( ,god4  ,x _c be pret5d$ t ,/4  
,paul ( :om we are n[ speak+1 0 guilty (
 excesses1 simil> to ^? committ$ by ! k+
 ( ! ,jews1 ^: :ole hi/ory is a s]ies ( 

horrors3 b )\t fai? x is difficult to   
consid] our ,apo/le z an irreproa*able  
"*2 ?\gh ! hi/orian1 :oev] he be1 to :om
 we are indebt$ = ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 
has design$ to hold him up z a model (  
virtue1 we f9d t by a s+ul> ov]sight he 
did n seem aw>e1 t he made him tell an  
untru? 9 public1 & 9 ! mo/ solemn mann] 
9 pres5ce ( ! ,sanh$rim or great c\ncil 
( ! ,jews4 ,9 fact z we h already       
rem>k$1 p]ceiv+ t 8 audi5ce 0 compos$ ( 
,sadducees & ,ph>isees1 ) ! view (      
divid+ !m & ga9+ fri5ds1 ,paul cri$ out 
t he 0 a ,ph>isee1 ! son ( a ,ph>isee1 &
 t !y s\ght to kill him1 because ( 8    
hope 9 ! resurrection4  ,9 ?is ass]tion 
we may detect two deceptions4 ,9 ! fir/ 
place ,paul 0 n a ,ph>isee1 at ! mom5t  
he spoke he 0 a ,*ri/ian1 he 0 an       
,apo/le1 he prea*$ ,jesus ,*ri/1 he     
lab\r$ effectually to make proselytes to
 8 sect1 he _h disgu/$ ! ,jews 9 ann\nc+
 to !m a new law1 contr>y to t ( ,moses1
 he _h procur$ 9 ! c\ncil at ,j]usalem !
 abolition ( ! practice ( circumcision s

 /rictly orda9$ by _! law4 ,9 a ^w he   
prea*$ ,*ri/ianity & n ,judaism 9 ! same
 mom5t t he decl>$ himself a ,ph>isee4  
,on ?is occasion 8 conduct 0 9 fact t ( 
an apo/ate1 at lea/ x _c be d5i$1 t he  
conduct$ himself z a c[>d1 :o did n c>e 
to ackn[l$ge 8 real belief 9 ! pres5ce (
 ! c\ncil1 & :o _h rec\rse to an        
artifice to outwit 8 ,judges4 ,9 fact ! 
conduct ( ,paul on ?is occasion has no  
resemblance to t ( a great numb] (      
m>tyrs1 :o freely ackn[l$ge !mselves    
,*ri/ians at ! risk ( _! lives1 & boldly
 confess$ ,jesus ,*ri/1 9 ! pres5ce ( _!
 p]secutors & execution]s4 ,! pres5ce ( 
! ,high ,prie/ & c\ncil s mu* impos$ on 
,/4 ,paul1 t he decl>$ himself a        
,ph>isee2 fe> tr\bl$ 8 memory to su* a  
degree1 t he =got he _h j ackn[l$g$     
himself a ,*ri/ian1 & mission>y ( ,jesus
 to ! ,g5tiles 9 ! pres5ce ( ! p        
collect$ be=e ! gate ( ! =tress1 :o     
indignant at 8 disc\rse1 cri$ out1 away 
) su* a fell[ f ! e>? = x is n fit t he 
%\ld live4 ,no?+ !n b !ological         

subtilty1 c cle> ,paul f deception1     
apo/acy1 & c[>dice on ?is occasion4  ,9 
! second place x 0 n true1 t x 0 because
 ( ! hope ( ano!r life1 & ( !           
resurrection ( ! dead1 t ,paul 0        
p]secut$ by ! ,jews4 ,x 0 = hav+ prea*$ 
a new doctr9e1 contr>y to ! law (       
,moses2 ?is great legislator has 9 no "p
 taught u :at we ought to believe       
conc]n+ ! resurrection ( ! dead or (    
ano!r life4 ,! ,jews )\t ceas+ to be    
,jews1 embrac$ respect+ x :atev] op9ion 
!y pleas$1 ! ,sadducees reject$ x )\t   
h[ev] be+ on t acc\nt1 exclud$ f !      
synagogue1 & )\t ceas+ to obs]ve !      
,judaic law2 ! ,ph>isee admitt$ x )\t   
its appe>+ to cause a s*ism betwe5 !m1  
ami ^? :o did n ?9k1 z !y did4 ,x is    
true t ,paul _h prea*$ ! resurrection1 b
 x 0 t ( ,jesus1 on :i* he endeav\r$ to 
e/abli% a new sect v diff]5t f ! ,jewi% 
religion4 ,?us ! words ( ,/4 ,paul 7    
m]ely a subt]fuge unwor?y ( a man1 :om  
grace ought to h endu$ ) suffici5t      
c\rage to ma9ta9 be=e ! c\ncil1 at !    

p]il ( 8 lib]ty & 8 life1 ! same        
s5tim5ts t he _h taught ! p & prea*$ 9  
all ^? places :]e he _h plant$ ! fai?4  
,x 0 !n = hav+ prea*$ ,*ri/ianity1 & =  
hav+ 79 spite ev5 ( 8 bre?r5 ! apo/les7 
desir$ 9 fav\r ( ! ,g5tiles ! abolition 
( ! ,jewi% cu/oms1 t ,paul 0 p]secut$1 !
 prie/s 7 d\btless irritat$ aga9/ a man 
:o s\ght to abrogate a law & a prie/hood
 :i* a div9e revelation _h s _m times   
taught !m 0 to endure et]nally1 :il/ !  
au?ors ( ! ,epi/le to ! ,hebrews =m]ly  
assures u t !y h be5 set4 aside by !    
,gospel4     ,,*apt] ,,xvi4 ,/4 ,paul's 
,hypocrisy  ,we _c avoid p]ceiv+ /ill m 
( ! ins9c]ity & pr(\nd hypocrisy (      
,paul's conduct at ,j]usalem4 ,aft] hav+
 prea*$ 9 a great numb] ( t[ns 9 ,asia &
 ,greece1 a doctr9e revolt+ to ! feel+s 
( ! ,jews1 & :i* e :]e caus$ di/urbances
 among/ !m1 aft] hav+ 9 fav\r ( !       
,g5tiles aboli%$ circumcision s         
p>ticul>ly orda9$ by ! law ( ,moses1 &  
deem$ s ess5tial to ! proselytes ( !    
gate2 we see ?is great ,apo/le1 by !    

advice ( 8 bre?r51 submit himself1 dur+ 
sev5 days1 to ! ,jewi% c]emonies2 purify
 himself ) affectation4 ,!n ,paul took !
 m51 & ! next day purify+ himself ) !m1 
ent]$ into ! temple1 to signify !       
accompli%+ ( ! days ( purification1     
until t an (f]+ %\ld be (f]$ = e "o (   
!m994 ,b ! ,jews ( ,asia1 :o knew ! real
 s5tim5ts ( our mission>y1 f hav+ he>d  
him prea* :5 among/ !m1 7 n ! dupes ( 8 
hypocrisy3 !y excit$ ! p cry+ out1 m5 ( 
,israel1 help3 ?is is ! man t tea*e? all
 m5 e :]e aga9/ ! p1 & ! laws ( ?is     
place2 & fur!r br\ght ,greeks also into 
! temple1 & ha? pollut$ ?is holy        
placet49999 ,^! 7 ! true *>ges ( ! ,jews
 aga9/ ,paul1 & )\t d5y+ :at we f9d 9 ! 
,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 we mu/ ackn[l$ge1 t 
!y 7 well f\nd$4       99 ,acts (       
,apo/les1 *ap4 xxi4 v]4 #f4       9999  
,acts ( ,apo/les1 *ap4 xxi4 v]4 #bh4    
,:at %\ld we say 9 ! pres5t day ( a     
bi%op1 :o1 :il/ pret5d+ to be a         
,*ri/ian1 %\ld g = a p]iod ( sev5 days  
into a synagogue 9 ,london or ,am/]dam1 

to fulfil ,jewi% c]emonies 9 ! sight ( !
 public8 ,we %\ld n fail to reg>d him z 
an apo/ate1 or a knave1 :o _h s9i/]     
int5tions at any rate1 ! mo/ fav\rable  
con/ruction1 we w\ld put ^u 8 motives1  
w\ld be to suppose him a fool4 ,we are  
h[ev] to admire ?is conduct 9 ,paul1 he 
pret5ds to ju/ify himself by ! necessity
 ( becom+ all ?+s to all m54 ,x is ?us  
we see t hypocrisy1 falsehood1 &        
impo/ure1 are legitimate means1 by :i*  
to advance ! cause ( ,god & ga9 s\ls4   
,nev]!less !re is e reason to ?9k t ,/4 
,paul 9 act+ 9 su* a s+ul> mann]1 _h 8  
own int]e/ & safety1 m at he>t ?an !    
cause ( ! div9ity4 ,8 conduct has be5   
fai?fully copi$ by a great numb] (      
,*ri/ian mission>ies1 & especially by ! 
,jesuits1 :om _! adv]s>ies (t5 reproa* )
 hav+ frequ5tly assimilat$ ! wor%ip (   
,jesus ) t ( ^? idolatr\s p1 :om !y 7   
endeav\r+ to conv]t4     ,,*apt] ,,xvii4
 ,/4 ,paul accus$ ( ,p]jury1 or ! ,au?or
 ( ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 convict$ (     
,falsehood4  ,n cont5t$ ) pursu+ ?is    

oblique or hypocritical conduct1 we aga9
 see1 our great ,apo/le1 evid5tly1      
wilfully guilty ( p]jury1 or a false    
oa?4 ,to conv9ce ourselves ( ?is we h   
only to read ! comm5cem5t ( 8 ,epi/le to
 ! ,galatians2 to prove to !m1 t !      
gospel :i* he ann\nc$ to !m2 0 div9ely  
inspir$1 he says ,b c]tify to y bre?r51 
t ! gospel :i* 0 prea*$ ( me1 is n aft] 
man4 ,= ,i nei!r receiv$ x ( man1 nei!r 
0 ,i taught x1 b by ! revelation (      
,jesus ,*ri/4 ,fur!r on he proves :at he
 advances by say+1 ,b :5 x pleas$ ,god1 
:o sep>at$ me f my "m's womb1 & call$ me
 by 8 grace1 to reveal 8 son 9 me1 t ,i 
might prea* him among ! hea!n2          
imm$iately ,i conf]r$ n ) fle% & blood2 
nei!r w5t ,i up to ,j]usalem to !m :i* 7
 apo/les be=e me b ,i w5t into ,arabia1 
& return$ aga9 into ,damascus4 ,!n aft] 
?ree ye>s1 ,i w5t up to ,j]usalem to see
 ,pet]1 & abode ) him fifte5 days4 ,b   
o!r ( ! apo/les1 saw ,i none1 save      
,james ! ,"l's bro!r4 ,n[ ! ?+s :i* ,i  
write unto y behold be=e ,god ,i lie    

n994 ,b if ,paul did n lie1 9 :at he    
relat$ to ! ,galatians1 x is cle> t !   
au?or ( ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 :om !     
,*ri/ian *ur* reg>ds z an inspir$ writ] 
equally ) ,/4 ,paul1 has li$4 ,9 fact 9 
! n9? *apt] ( ! ,acts1 x is said t ,paul
 aft] 8 conv]sion1 & aft] hav+ recov]$ 8
 sight rema9$ "s days ) ! disciples :o 7
 at ,damascus2 :i* proves t he 0        
in/ruct$ by m51 or t he took c\nsel (   
fle% & blood4 ,believ+ himself          
suffici5tly =tifi$ 9 8 !ology1 by       
,ananias or o!rs1 he began to prea*     
,*ri/ 9 ! synagogue1 at :i* conduct !   
,jews 7 s %ock$ t !y s\ght to take away 
8 life3 b ,saul escap$ f _! fury by     
means ( a basket1 & )\t m5tion made ( 8 
j\rney to ,arabia1 he directly returns  
to ,j]usalem1 :]e ! disciples 7 9 ! fir/
 in/ance fe>ful ( him1 b ,b>nabas1      
enc\rag$ !m1 & pres5t$ him to ! apo/les1
 at ! same "t relat+ to !m 8 miracul\s  
conv]sion1 & 8 c\rage\s prea*+ at       
,damascus4 ,9 consequ5ce x is said t    
,paul 0 add$ to ! numb] ( ! fai?ful4    

7,acts ix74       99 ,?is passage proves
 v =cibly t ,paul prea*$ a      diff]5t 
gospel f t ( ! o!r apo/les1  i4 e4      
f ! ,ebionites or ,naz>5es4  ,x is easy 
to see1 h[ little ?is recital ( !       
inspir$ hi/orian ( ! ,acts1 agrees ) t (
 ! inspir$ ,apo/le1 :o wrote to !       
,galatians1 & confirm$ 8 n>ration by an 
oa?4 ,besides ! j\rney ( ,/4 ,paul to   
,arabia ^u leav+ ,damascus1 & :i* prec$$
 8 arrival at ,j]usalem by ?ree ye>s1   
becomes v improbable1 z well z 8 /ay 9  
?is c\ntry4 ,9 fact ! disciples at      
,j]usalem mu/ h be5 9 habits (          
correspond5ce ) ^? ( ,damascus1         
consequ5tly !y w\ld ?us h he>d ( an ev5t
 s int]e/+ to _! sect1 z ! conv]sion (  
,/4 ,paul & ! pa9s he took to propagate 
_! doctr9es2 ?us ! pres5ce ( our ,apo/le
 w\ld n h creat$ any uneas9ess1 & !re   
c\ld h be5 no ne$ ( ,b>nabas becom+ 8   
surety4 ,x appe>s !n t ! new conv]t ^u  
leav+ ,damascus w5t directly to         
,j]usalem1 t he _h !re an opportunity ( 
conv]s+ ) ! apo/les1 & t 8 !ology 0 n   

intuitive4  ,b ev5 suppos+ t ! j\rney & 
soj\rn ( ?ree ye>s 9 ,arabia1 really    
took place1 x w\ld be no less c]ta9 t   
,paul took a false oa? to ! ,galatians1 
or t ! au?or ( ! ,acts is deceiv$4 ,9   
fact ,/4 ,paul writes t at ! end ( ?ree 
ye>s he return$ to ,j]usalem to visit   
,pet]1 & t he rema9$ fifte5 days ) him  
)\t see+ any o!r ( ! apo/les4 ,?is is q 
at v>iance ) ! au?or ( ! ,acts1 :o in=ms
 u t ,paul be+ come to ,j]usalem1 s\ght 
to jo9 himself to ! disciples1 :o 7     
afraid ( him1 n kn[+ t he 0 a disciple4 
,our ,sa9t contradicts all ?is by a     
diff]5t tale :i* he confirms by an oa?4 
,moreov] by ?is oa? ,paul himself       
contradicts ! disc\rse :i* ! au?or ( !  
,acts1 puts into 8 m\? 9 ! pres5ce ( ,k+
 ,agrippa1 ( ,que5 ,b]5ice1 & ! gov]nor 
,fe/us994  ,9 relat+ to !m 8 conv]sion1 
he says to !m1 ,:]eupon1 ,o ,k+         
,agrippa1 ,i 0 n disob$i5t unto !       
heav5ly vision2 b %ew$ fir/ unto !m at  
,damascus & at ,j]usalem1 & ?r\gh\t all 
! coa/s ( ,judea1 & !n to ! ,g5tiles t  

!y %\ld rep5t & turn to ,god1 & d works 
meet = rep5tance4 ,?us accord+ to !     
au?or ( ! ,acts1 ,/4 ,paul himself      
ackn[l$ges t he fir/ prea*$ at          
,damascus1 !n at ,j]usalem be=e address+
 himself to ! ,g5tiles4  ,if he _h      
prea*$ dur+ a p]iod ( ?ree ye>s 9       
,arabia1 he w\ld h spok5 ( !            
circum/ance1 ( :i* no m5tion is made 9  
all ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 :il/ we f9d   
!re ! mo/ m9ute details ( ! cont9ual    
j\rney+s4  ,we %all j rem>k "h a visible
 contradiction 9 ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les2  
,! au?or ( ?is "w 9 relat+ ! miracul\s  
conv]sion ( ,/4 ,paul1 says t ^? :o     
accompani$ him1 7 spee*less1 he>+ a     
voice b see+ no man99994 ,h[ev] ! same  
au?or1 =gett+ himself makes ,paul say 9 
8 disc\rse to ! ,jews1 ,& !y t 7 ) me   
saw inde$ ! light & 7 afraid1 b !y he>d 
n ! voice ( him t spake to me9999994  ,x
 belongs to ! imp>tial read] to judge   
:at degree ( confid5ce is due to writ]s 
:o are s (t5 at v>iance4 ,9 ! fir/      
in/ance ,paul solemnly atte/s by an oa?1

 ! tru? ( a fact1 n only omitt$1 b ev5  
=mally contradict$ by ,/4 ,luke1 8      
hi/orian & disciple4 ,9 ! second in/ance
 ! hi/orian contradicts himself4 ,?is   
ought at lea/ to %ake ! implicit fai?1 t
 s _m p]sons put 9 works :i* possess    
nei!r ! consi/5ce nor h>mony requir$ 9  
ord9>y writ]s4 ,z to our doctors !y tell
 u _! ways ( sav+ ! hon\r ( ^! two      
inspir$ ones2 :om !y h mu* int]e/ 9 wa%+
 f s grave an accusation1 & su* a ta9t  
^u ! ,*ri/ian religion4       99 ,acts1 
xxvi4 v]4 #bi4       9999,acts1 ix4 v]4 
#g4       999999,acts1 xxii4 v]4 #i4    
,,*apt] ,,xviii4 ,exam9ation ( ,/4      
,paul's ,miracles  ,?\gh ,/4 ,paul z we 
h j se51 has himself tak5 c>e to %ake ! 
cr$it ( ! au?or ( ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 
x is nev]!less on ! ^w ( ?is writ] t    
,*ri/ians ?9k !mselves oblig$ to believe
 9 ! miracles ( our great ,apo/le4 ,9   
fact1 l all ^? :o h endeav\r$ to e/abli%
 new sects1 our prea*] c\ld n disp5se ) 
p]=m+ prodigies3 ?is is ! mo/ c]ta9     
me?od ( excit+ ! admiration ( ! vulg>4  

,incapable ( reason+1 ( judg+ ( !       
s\ndness ( a doctr9e1 & frequ5tly unable
 9 ! lea/ to compreh5d x1 miracles      
always become ! mo/ p[]ful ( argum5ts2  
!y are indubitable pro(s t he :o works  
!m is ! fav\rite ( ! div9ity1 t         
consequ5tly he _c be 9 ! wrong1 nor     
capable ( a wi% to deceive4  ,miracles 7
 m especially necess>y among/ ! ,jews2  
!y dem&$ signs f all ^? :o spoke to !m 9
 ! "n ( ! ,"l1 & !re 0 little difficulty
 9 work+ !m1 be=e an ignorant & cr$ul\s 
p1 ready to receive z su* e ?+ t 0 %ewn 
to !m4 ,9 spite ( a disposition s       
fav\rable to miracle-mong]s1 we d n f9d 
t ^? ( ,jesus himself & aft]w>ds ( 8    
apo/les1 produc$ on ! ,jews ^? effects  
:i* we h a "r to expect f !m4 ,we f9d t 
at ! "t !y 7 p]=m$ !y conv9c$ nobody &  
drew ^? :o work$ !m1 into difficult     
situations4 ,x 0 n until a long "t _h   
elaps$ t ^! prodigies produc$ _!        
effects1 & by a miracle t we c nev]     
cease to admire1 we f9d1 t ^! prodigies1
 :i* 7 disc>d$ by ^? :o saw !m1 7 mo/   

firmly believ$ by ^? :o did n see !m1 & 
are n[ rank$ among/ ! /ronge/ evid5ces (
 ! div9ity ( ! ,*ri/ian religion4 ,!re  
are only "s reason]s :o p]si/ 9 judg+ ( 
^! anci5t miracles 9 ! same mann] z !   
contempor>ies :o did n see !m1 or :o1 if
 !y did see !m1 reg>d$ !m z s _m        
in/ances ( deception & slight ( h&1     
incapable ( impos+ on !m4 ,x is only !  
simplicity1 ( fai?1 t is to say1 an     
implicit confid5ce 9 ! ass]tions ( our  
guides1 :i* c make u see miracles1 or   
cause u to believe 9 ^? we h n se54 ,b  
?is simple fai? is ! effect ( an        
especial grace t ,god grants only to ^? 
:o are poor 9 _s1 & h>%ly refuses to ^? 
:o ?9k & reason4 ,z soon z we want      
confid5ce 9 ! op]ators1 we see no m     
miracles1 or at lea/ we d\bt ( ^? t are 
%ewn to u4  ,x does n appe> t ,/4 ,paul 
p]=m$ miracles at ,j]usalem aft] 8      
conv]sion2 ?is city 0 n 9 8 dep>tm5t3 x 
belong$ to ,/4 ,pet] & ! o!r ,jewi%     
apo/les1 :o1 accord+ to ! ,acts1 did n  
cease to "w miracles !re4 ,our ,apo/le (

 ! uncircumcis$1 or ( ! di/rict 9 :i* ! 
,g5tiles 7 conv]t$1 hav+ quitt$ 8       
bre?r51 comm5c$ 8 c\rse ( miracles at   
,paphos4 ,he 0 ^u ! po9t ( conv]t+      
,s]gius1 proconsul ( ! prov9ce1 _h n a  
curs$ sorc]] ( a ,jew1 nam$ ,b>jesus1 & 
surnam$ ,elymas1 i4e4 magician1         
endeav\r$ to prev5t ! magi/rate f       
believ+ 9 ,jesus ,*ri/4 ,indignant at ! 
ob/acle t ?is man oppos$ to ! div9e w1  
in/ead ( conv]t+ & conv9c+ him1 ,paul   
abus$ him accord+ to ! pres5t practice (
 !ologians1 & call$ him a *ild ( !      
devil1 & f9i%$ ) /rik+ him ) bl9dness4  
,if ?is conduct 0 conducive to !        
salvation ( ! proconsul1 :o accord+ to !
 au?or ( ! ,acts1 hav+ se5 ?is miracle1 
believ$1 be+ a/oni%$ at ! doctr9e ( !   
,"l1 !re are _m :o w n be s edifi$1 at  
?is prodigy1 s contr>y to ,*ri/ian *>ity
 & mildness4 ,9 fact w\ld x n h be5 m   
k9d ( ,/4 ,paul arm$ ) div9e p[]1 to h  
enlight5$ ! eyes ( ! sorc]]'s m9d1 ?an  
to h /ruck ^? ( 8 body ) d>kness8 ,b we 
always see t ! miracle t ! apo/les z    

well z _! div9e ma/] _h mo/ difficulty 9
 work+ 0 t ( conv9c+ ^? :o 7 n dispos$  
to believe e ?+4  ,x appe>s t on !      
pres5t occasion1 ! sorc]] 0 /rong]1 9   
po9t ( reason+1 ?an ,/4 ,paul1 :i* put  
him 9 a passion4 ,logic 0 n 9 fact1 !   
mo/ prom95t quality 9 our ,apo/le1 any m
 ?an 9 8 bre?r5 & successors4 ,besides1 
?is holy ,mission>y 0 ( too impetu\s a  
temp] to reason ) mod]ation1 & argue 9 a
 cle> & precise mann]4 ,?us to t]m9ate !
 dispute ) ,elymas1 he abus$ him1 &     
p]haps rely+ on ! protection ( !        
proconsul1 :om he saw wav]+ 9 fav\r ( 8 
doctr9e1 v5tur$ to /rike 8 antagoni/1   
:i* depriv$ him ( 8 sight = a p]iod1 = x
 is easy to deprive a man ( ! use ( 8   
eyes )\t a miracle994       99 ,?is1 x  
mu/ 9 c&\r be ackn[l$g$1 is an inf]5ce  
:i* ! text w n w>rant u to draw1 & is   
unwor?y      ,b\lang]'s p54    ,x seems 
to be compromis+ ! dignity      ( tru?1 
to impose ^u itself ! necessity (       
acc\nt+      = all ! hocus pocus tricks1
 or wilful fal%oods1 :i*      !         

ignorance1 bigotry1 & knav]y ( a        
deplorable      sup]/ition1 h h&$ d[n   
?r\gh ! mi/ ( eighte5                   
c5turies4--,translators  ,we le>n t our 
,apo/le & 8 associate ,b>nabas1 wr\ght  
su* miracles at ,iconiura1 t all ! city 
0 divid$1 "o "p be+ 9 fav\r ( ! ,jews1 &
 ! o!r = ! ,apo/les4 ,b imm$iately aft] 
we are in=m$1 t :5 !re 0 an assault     
made1 bo? ( ! ,g5tiles & also ( ! ,jews1
 ) _! rul]s1 to use !m despite-fully1 & 
to /one !m1 ! ,apo/les 7 aw>e ( x1 & fl$
 to ,ly/ra & ,d]be4  ,?is conduct ( !   
inhabitants ( ,iconiura is c]ta9ly      
inconceivable4 ,pagans & ,jews unite to 
ill treat & /one our ,apo/les1 :o 9     
spite ( ! div9e p[] :i* !y possess h no 
o!r exp$i5t1 ?an to seek safety 9       
flight4  ,9 spite ( ! inutility ( 8     
miracles1 ,paul work$ m at ,ly/ra2 he   
!re cur$ a lame man1 9 :om by m]e       
inspection he discov]$ mu* fai?4 ,?is   
gives rise to a suspicion t ?is might h 
be5 a miracle conc]t$ betwe5 !m4 ,he    
said to him1 ) a l\d voice1 /& upright  

on ?y feet1 & he leap$ & walk$4 ,! p (  
,ly/ra 7 s /ruck by ?is prodigy1 t !y   
took our two mission>ies = gods1 & w\ld 
h (f]$ !m sacrifices1 b ,paul & ,b>nabas
 =bade !m ) great mode/y4 ,?is great    
miracle mu/ h be5 believ$1 ev5 by !     
prie/ ( ,jupit]1 s9ce x is said1 t he   
br\ght ox5 & g>l&s unto ! gates1 & w\ld 
h sacrific$ ) !m4 ,?is circum/ance      
cle>ly proves t nobody at ,ly/ra d\bt$ !
 tru? ( ?is miracle4 ,h[ev] "s ,jews :o 
_h arriv$ f ,iconium 7 able to undeceive
 a :ole city1 :i* _h se5 ! miracle ( !  
lame man4 ,! poor ,/4 ,paul1 :o _h j    
be=e be5 tak5 = ,jupit]1 0 /on$1 &      
dragg$ out ( ! city = dead2 he reviv$1  
h[ev]1 &1 9 spite ( 8 miracle1 he sav$  
himself1 ) ,b>nabas by flee+ to ,d]be4  
,! miracle wr\ght by our sa9t at        
,philippi 9 ,mac$onia1 did n meet ) m   
success1 he !re cur$ a girl1 :o _h a _s 
( ,py?on1 & be+ by t means possess$ ( ! 
p[] ( div9ation1 ga9$ great pr(it to h] 
ma/]s4 ,^!1 f> f ackn[l$g+ & admir+ !   
p[] ( a man :o r$uc$ to sil5ce ,apollo1 

"o ( ! mo/ p[]ful gods ( paganism1      
br\ght ,paul & ,silas be=e ! magi/rates1
 & excit$ ! p aga9/ !m4 ,x is "r to     
rem>k 9 ?is place1 t ,apollo 7i4 e4 !   
,devil7 :o resid$ 9 ?is prophetess1     
lab\r$ to de/roy 8 own empire4 ,9 fact  
hav+ p]ceiv$ ,paul & 8 comrade1 ! girl  
foll[$ !m1 cry+1 ^! m5 are ! s]vants ( !
 ,mo/ ,high ,god1 :i* %ew unto u ! way (
 salvation4 ,& ?is did %e _m days4 ,b   
,paul be+ griev$1 turn$ & said to ! _s1 
,i comm& !e 9 ! "n ( ,jesus ,*ri/ to    
come out ( h]1 & he came out ! same     
h\r994  ,x is surpris+ t ,paul 0 griev$ 
at a decl>ation s fav\rable to 8        
mission1 & t he %\ld impose sil5ce on a 
demon1 ^: te/imony 0 s hon\rable1 &     
likely to draw adh]5ts6 b ! conduct (   
sa9ts is always inexplicable4  ,9 ^!    
unhappy times 9 :i* fai? is s cold1 no  
cr$it is giv51 ei!r to ^? possess$1 or  
to soo?say]s2 x is difficult to "k :at !
 nature ( ! _s ( ,py?on1 :i* inhabit$ ! 
,mac$onian girl c\ld h be599994 ,if we  
might haz>d a conjecture on ! subject1 x

 might be suppos$ t our ,apo/les1 to    
give !mselves "s relief1 ga9$ h] ov]1 & 
employ$ h] to play h] "p1 by giv+ h] to 
und]/& t x w\ld be h] int]e/ to atta*   
h]self to ! new sect1 r ?an "w = ma/]s1 
:o1 probably1 paid h] v poorly = h]     
s]vices f :i* !y drew all ! pr(it4      
99 ,acts xvi4 #ag1 #ah4       9999 ,"s  
critics h be5 v mu* emb>rass$1 to       
conjecture :at ! nature ( ?is _s (      
,py?on c\ld      h be53 sev]al h ?\ght t
 ^? :o _h ?is      _s1 7 su* z are kn[n 
to u 9 ! pres5t day by      ! "n (      
v5triloqui/s1 :o h ! p[] (              
articulat+ words1 m or less di/9ctly1   
)\t any      motion ( ! lips be+        
p]ceptible4 ,!re are su*      p]sons1 :o
 create mu* surprise to ^? unacqua9t$ ) 
?is faculty1 & we _c be a/oni%$ t !     
vulg>1      :o doat ^u ! m>vell\s1 %\ld 
attribute ?is p[] to      sup]natural   
causes4  ,! magi/rates ( ,philippi on ! 
compla9t ( ^? ma/]s1 z we h se51 caus$  
our exorci/s to be flogg$1 & s5t !m to  
prison4 ,an e>?quake happ5$ v           

opportunely1 ! jailor 0 ga9$ ov] or     
conv]t$2 ! magi/rates1 ?9k+ !           
,mission>ies _h be5 suffici5tly puni%$1 
p]mitt$ !m to dep>t2 b !n1 z we h se51  
!y decl>$ !mselves ,roman citiz5s1 &    
refus$ to g1 until ! magi/rates1 :o 7 n[
 intimidat$1 cons5t$ to make !m an      
hon\rable rep>ation4  ,not)/&+ !        
miracles wr\ght by ,paul dur+ 8 mission1
 disagreeable reports e :]e accompani$  
him1 or foll[$ him1 s closely 9 all !   
cities ?r\gh :i* he pass$1 t nei!r      
himself nor 8 comrades c\ld rema9 long 9
 ! same place4 ,!y only pass$ ?r\gh     
,amphipolis & ,apollonia1 & repair$ to  
,!ssalonica1 :]e1 9 a v %ort "t1 ! :ole 
city 0 9 an al>m4 ,jason1 _! ho/1 01 z  
we h already se51 ill treat$ on _!      
acc\nt1 x 0 alleg$ aga9/ our            
,mission>ies1 t !y ov]?rew e ?+1 & 9    
prea*+ ano!r k+ ?an ,caes>1 seem$       
desir\s ( plott+ a conspiracy4 ,9       
consequ5ce ( ?is1 z x 0 a s]i\s         
accusation1 ! bre?r5 contriv$ ! escape (
 ,paul & ,silas dur+ ! night4  ,arriv$  

at ,b]ea1 our two adv5tur]s1 soon excit$
 simil> di/urbances4 ,paul repair$ to   
,a!ns1 :]e ! philosoph]s :o he>d him1   
took him = a talk] ^: bra9 0 uns\nd4    
,h[ev] 9 spite ( 8 success1 :i* 0       
d\btless v sl[1 he _h ! mortification ( 
be+ compell$ to lab\r at 8 orig9al trade
 ( t5t-mak+1 :i* 0 v h>d = a prea*]     
orda9$ to live by ! alt>1 t is to say1  
"o ^: trade x 0 to sell spiritual w>es1 
to ^? :o b\nd !mselves to provide him1  
:]e) to subsi/ on cr$it ,su* is cl]ical 
traffic4 ,fur!r1 ,/4 ,paul takes special
 c>e to boa/ to ! ,cor9?ians ( 8 great  
dis9t]e/$ness4 ,he makes !m und]/& he   
w\ld n be *>geable ^u !m2 by :i* he     
appe>s to h int5d$ "s indirect          
reproa*es1 calculat$ to pique _! pride &
 excite _! g5]osity1 t[>ds ! holy man :o
 lab\r$ = _! salvation994 ,! ,cor9?ians 
probably imag9$ t m5 :o p]=m$ miracles1 
_h no ne$ ( assi/ance3 b our            
miracle-mong]s 7 "u ! necessity (       
satisfy+ _! wants by ord9>y me?ods4 ,!y 
7 l ! adepts1 :o 7 always 9 pov]ty ?\gh 

(f]+ to o!rs ! secret ( mak+ gold4  ,!re
 is reason to believe t ,paul p]=m$     
great miracles among/ ! ,cor9?ians1 at  
lea/ he says to !m himself ,truly !     
signs ( an apo/le1 7 wr\ght among y 9   
all pati5ce1 9 signs & wond]s & 9 mighty
 de$s99994 ,h[ev] we f9d t ^! miracles  
_h n yet suffici5tly conv9c$ !          
,cor9?ians1 s9ce ,paul says to !m ,seek 
ye a pro( ( ,*ri/ speak+ 9 me1 :i* to y 
w>d is n weak1 b is mighty 9 y9999994   
99 ,see #b4 ,cor9?ians1 *ap4 xi4 v]4 #g1
 #h1 #i1 #af4 ,*ap4 xii4      v]4 #ac1 &
 also #a4 ,cor9?ians *ap4 ix4 v] #aa1ac1
 #ad1       9999 #b ,cor9?ians xii4 #ab4
       999999 #b ,cor9?ians xiii4 #c4   
,respect+ ! miracles wr\ght by ,/4 ,paul
 at ,cor9?1 we h only 8 own evid5ce1 & t
 is suffici5t2 ! au?or ( ! ,acts ?\gh v 
free ^u ?is article does n in=m u1 t he 
wr\ght any 9 ?is city1 ?is 0 mo/ likely 
! case1 s9ce he rema9$ !re a long "t1 an
 unusual circum/ance1 :]e he condesc5d$ 
to p]=m miracles1 :i* g5]ally compell$  
him to remove1 9 consequ5ce ( !         

di/urbance !y excit$4 ,he 0 oblig$ to   
quit ,ephesus1 :]e we are assur$1 t he  
p]=m$ a great numb]1 & :]e h&k]*iefs1   
l951 c4 :i* _h t\*$ him1 cur$ ! sick1 & 
expell$ devils4 ,he dep>t$ f ,troas     
directly aft] hav+ rais$ a dead man to  
life1 or at lea/ aft] hav+ ass]t$ t a "y
 man1 :o 0 ?\ght s1 0 9 reality n s4 ,9 
%ort 9 ! isle ( ,malta he cur$ himself (
 ! bite1 ei!r because ! reptile _h n 9  
fact bitt5 him1 or by apply+ fire to !  
w\nd1 a rem$y :i* ?\gh common1 might be 
unkn[n to ! inhabitants ( ! isl&1 z we h
 already rem>k$4     ,,*apt] ,,xix4     
,analysis ( ! writ+s attribut$ to ,/4   
,paul  ,aft] hav+ exam9$ ! "* ( ,/4     
,paul by ,8 conduct1 x w be prop] to    
make "s reflections on 8 writ+s2 !y w   
s]ve to place 9 a /ill cle>] light1 ?is 
celebrat$ man1 to :om ,*ri/ianity owes s
 _m obligations4 ,if we conf9e ourselves
 to ^? works attribut$ to him1 ! ,apo/le
 ( ! ,g5tiles mu/ h be5 a v extraord9>y 
comp\nd ( discordant qualities1 :i* :5  
unit$ mu/ h produc$ an inexplicable     

:ole4 ,he himself in=ms u1 t he _h )9   
him two m51 ! new man & ! old man2 ! j  
man1 & ! s9n]4 ,he _h two bodies1 ! "o  
natural & ! o!r spiritual2 ! body ( s9 &
 dea?1 & ! body ( ju/ification & life4  
,he _h )9 him1 two laws1 :i* regulat$ 8 
actions1 ! law ( s91 & ! law ( ju/ice1 !
 law ( ! fle%1 & ! law ( ! _s4 ,nev] 0  
poor mortal s p]plex$ & teaz$1 ?an 0 our
 ,apo/le accord+ to 8 own acc\nt1 by ^! 
two opposite laws1 :i* he _h )9 himself4
 ,! c>nal man makes him say1 7see       
,romans1 *apt] vii4 v]se #ah1 to ! end (
 ! *apt]47  ,9 o!r places ! spiritual   
man1 makes him hold ano!r language1 he  
assures ! ,galatians1 t he is "o ) ,*ri/
 & crucifi$ ) him 7see ,galatians4 *apt]
 vii4 v]se #ai & #bj47 ,9 ano!r place he
 says to ! ,romans4 ,= ! law ( ! _s (   
life 9 ,*ri/ ,jesus ha? made me free f !
 law ( s9 & dea?4 ,x is cle> t ?is      
duplicity ( nature & law 9 ,/4 ,paul z  
ackn[l$g$ by himself is calculat$ to ?r[
 u into mu* emb>rassm5t4 ,9 fact h[ c we
 di/+ui% 9 8 conduct or disc\rse1 t :i* 

spr+s f ! old1 f t :i* arises f ! new   
man1 or ! _s ( life & ! grace ( ,*ri/8  
,is x v easy at ?is "t1 to det]m9e :i*  
gov]n$ ,/4 ,paul 9 ^? mom5ts 9 :i* he   
spoke1 act$1 or wrote8 ,p]haps ^? maxims
 & dogmas mo/ admir$ by ,*ri/ians h be5 
! sugge/ions ( ! fle%1 ! fruits ( ! old 
man1 & t ?is old man (t5 influ5c$ 8     
conduct1 :i*1 z we h %ewn 0 n at all    
times free f reproa*4 ,9 %ort !         
ackn[l$gm5ts are ( a nature well        
calculat$ to plunge ! mo/ firm ,*ri/ians
 into unc]ta9ties f :i*1 )\t sup]natural
 assi/ance1 !y w h great difficulty 9   
extricat+ !mselves4 ,^! confessions may 
fur!r s]ve to %ew u ! inconsi/5cies1    
contradictions1 absurdities1 ! sophi/ry 
& sup]ficial reason+1 & disjo9t$ ideas1 
:i* we meet ) at e page ( ! writ+s      
attribut$ to ,/4 ,paul4 ,x is to be     
presum$1 t x is ! ,holy ,gho/1 or ,*ri/1
 :o speaks :5 he appe>s reasonable1 x   
w\ld be blasphem\s to say or ?9k1 t !y  
c\ld talk nons5se3 9 ?is case we %all   
say1 t x is ,/4 ,paul or ! fle%1 :o     

speaks1 :5 we f9d him us+ bad argum5ts1 
extravagancies1 & un9telligible nons5se4
 ,we _c imag9e t ! _s ( ,god w\ld h made
 him utt] contradictions1 or inspir$ him
 ) a language incompreh5sible to ^? :om 
he design$ to enlight5 & in/ruct by !   
m\? ( ?is ,apo/le4 ,9 fact1 ,/4 ,pet]   
himself compla9s ( ! obscurities (      
,paul's epi/les1 9 :i*1 says he1 are "s 
?+s h>d to be und]/ood499       99 #b   
,epis4 ,pet]1 *ap4 iii4 v]4 #af  ,!     
di/9ction :i* we h j made w enable u to 
judge ( ! works ( ,/4 ,paul1 & expla9 ! 
obscurities :i* we f9d 9 !m1 z well z ! 
cont9ual v>iations1 :i* we mu/ rem>k 9 8
 pr9ciples4 ,he tells ! ,galatians t he 
0 angry ) ,pet]1 & )/ood him to 8 face1 
& t he 0 (f5d$1 ) ! o!r apo/les1 because
 !y temporiz$ & us$ dissimulation1      
sometimes advocat+ ! usages ( ! ,jews1 &
 at o!rs ! cu/oms ( ! ,g5tiles994       
,else:]e he says 7"h see #a ,cor9?ians1 
*ap4 ix4 v]4 #ai to #bb47 ,accord+ to ^!
 passages1 is x "r to temporize1 or n8  
,x rema9s = our doctors to decide :i* ( 

^! two pr9ciples has be5 div9ely inspir$
 to ,/4 ,paul1 & 9 :i* ( !m we ought to 
imitate ?is great ,sa9t4 ,our doctors   
h[ev] are n mu* 9 ! habit ( temporiz+ ) 
_! enemies unless !y f9d !mselves1 too  
weak to cope ) !m4  ,our ,apo/le        
decl>es1 =mally to ! ,galatians t       
circumcision1 is useless & w avail !m   
no?+1 he says ! same ?+ to ! ,cor9?ians1
 ,yet we f9d him circumcis+ 8 de>       
,timo?y1 & he tells ! ,romans t         
circumcision is useful to ^? :o fulfil !
 law4  ,he writes to ,timo?y1 t ,god is 
! savi\r ( all m5 expecially ( !        
fai?ful1 :i* evid5tly supposes t !      
unfai?ful1 w n be exclud$ f ,salvation4 
,he _h also said1 t ,god will$ t all    
%\ld be sav$4 ,b speak+ to ! ,romans1 he
 w n all[ t ! gates ( ,p>adise1 %all be 
op5$ to all ! _w99994       99          
,galatians *ap4 ii4 v]4 #aa1 c4         
9999  ,romans1 *ap4 xi4 v]4 #g4  ,we    
%\ld nev] f9i%1 7 we to relate all !    
contradictions :i* are to be f\nd 9 !   
writ+s attribut$ to ,/4 ,paul4 ,x is    

cle> t if he be really ! au?or ( !m1 he 
exhibits himself to u1 z a fanatical    
writ]1 ^: disord]$ head prev5ts him f   
see+ t he is et]nally contradict+       
himself4 ,he says t black is :ite4 ,he  
foll[s only ! impulses ( a heat$        
imag9ation2 he e/abli%es pr9ciples to   
de/roy !m imm$iately2 9 a ^w f 8 want ( 
logic1 & ! little connexion ( 8 ideas   
)\t a mo/ lively fai? we %\ld suspect1 t
 he 0 9 a cont9ual /ate ( delirium4  ,x 
_c be d5i$ t ?is great ,sa9t 0 ( a      
temp]am5t too ard5t to all[ him to      
reason connect$ly1 or to speak )        
coolness4 ,! tumultu\s ideas :i* pres5t$
 !mselves 9 cr[ds to 8 bra91 did n p]mit
 him to put !m into any ?+ l an ord]ly  
arrangem5t2 he incessantly w&]$ f 8     
subject1 s mu* s t an imag9ation1 z w>m 
z 8 own1 is necess>y 9 ord] to foll[ him
 9 8 flights4 ,p]petually involv$ 9     
figures1 allusions & allegories1 x is   
ne>ly impossible to guess :at are 8 real
 s5tim5ts4 ,accord+ to 8 doctr9e he     
appe>s to e/abli% 9 ! /ronge/ mann] !   

dreadful doctr9e ( absolute pr$e/9ation 
& reprobation4 ,accord+ to him ,god     
grants grace to :om he pleases1 & :om he
 pleases he h>d5s4 ,if we dem& h[ ?is   
doctr9e c be reconcil$ ) ! goodness &   
ju/ice ( ,god2 or h[ a ,god :o op]ates 9
 man ! w & ! de$1 c be (f5d$ ) ! wills &
 actions ( m58 ,he extricates himself by
 ask+ if ! vessel %all say to him :o    
made x1 :y ha/ ?\ fa%ion$ me ?us8 ,?us  
,/4 ,paul1 & aft] him all ,*ri/ian      
doctors1 expla9 ! conduct ( a ,god1 :om 
!y pret5d to love1 at ! same "t t !y    
hold him up z a tyrant1 :o is n         
acc\ntable = 8 mo/ unju/ caprices1 &    
despot-l is re/ra9$ by no rule6  ,/4    
,paul be+ div9ely inspir$ %\ld h taught 
u some?+ ( ! nature ( ! s\l1 an object  
:i* s emb>rasses alt philosoph]s :o n   
be+ illum9$ f above1 h =m$ ideas ^u ?is 
subject1 s mu* at v>iance ) ^? ( our    
,*ri/ian doctors4 ,b f> f ?r[+ any light
 ^u ?is important matt]1 our ,apo/le1 :o
 appe>s /rongly t9ctur$ ) ! platonic    
philosophy s univ]sally taught 9 8 "t1  

di/+ui%es ! body1 s\l & _s1 & ?us       
obscures ! ?+ /ill m4 ,b x is ! ess5se (
 !ology to conf\nd e ?+1 & ! int]e/ (   
!ologians to plunge mank9d into a       
labyr9?1 f :i* no?+ b fai? c extricate  
!m4     ,,*apt] ,,xx4 ,( ,fai?1 9 :at   
?is ,virtue consi/s  ,g5]ally speak+ x  
is ,/4 ,paul1 or ! au?or ( ! ,epi/les1  
7:]ev] he be7 t are attribut$ to him1 t 
ought to be reg>d$ z ! true f\nd] (     
,*ri/ian !ology4 ,! my/]i\s obscurity ( 
8 works1 ! tone ( fanaticism :i* reigns 
9 !m1 & ! un9telligible oracles ) :i* !y
 are fill$1 r5d] !m well suit$ to impose
 on ! vulg>1 :o respect ?+s only 9      
proportion z !y are impossible to be    
compreh5d$4 ,dev\t en?usiasm & pi\s     
melan*oly !re f9ds a cont9ual fea/ = its
 sickly bra94 ,oracles & enigmas are    
tak5 = div9e my/]ies1 :i* )\t a /rong   
dose ( fai? we %\ld conclude 7 !        
production ( delirium or ! inv5tions (  
impo/ure1 :i* seeks to put reason to    
flight4 ,reason _h no means ( exam9+    
ideas :i* are totally unreasonable2 ?us 

!y p]suad$ m5 t x 0 necess>y to r5\nce  
reason 9 ord] to become a good ,*ri/ian4
 ,9 consequ5ce ( ?is pr9ciple1 s        
humiliat+ to mank9d & d]ogatory to ! "* 
( a ,god1 ! au?or ( reason1 x 0 no long]
 p]mitt$ to exam9e any?+2 man 0 comm&$  
bl9dly to subscribe to ! mo/            
incompreh5sible rev]ies1 & x 0 consid]$ 
m]itori\s to r5\nce common s5se & adopt 
fables & op9ions revolt+ to e ?9k+ be+4 
,?us delirium 0 *ang$ into wisdom1      
deception into tru?1 & frequ5tly crime  
became virtue4 ,!y clos$ ! m\?s (       
reason]s by cit+ ! language ( ,paul1 :o 
_h said t ! fooli%ness ( ,god is wis]   
?an m51 & ! weakness ( ,god is /rong]   
?an m54 ,accord+ to ! same ,apo/le ,god 
himself _h pr$ict$ by ! m\? ( a prophet1
 ! revolution t ,*ri/ianity 0 to produce
 9 ! m9ds ( mank9d4 ,i w de/roy ! wisdom
 ( ! wise1 & w br+ to no?+ ! und]/&+ ( !
 prud5t4 ,:]e is ! wise8 ,:]e is !      
scribe8 :]e is ! disput] ( ?is _w8 ,ha? 
n ,god made fooli% ! wisdom ( ?is _w1   
c499 ,& he concludes by say+1 ,b we     

prea* ,*ri/ crucifi$1 unto ! ,jews a    
/umbl+ block1 & unto ! ,greeks          
fooli%ness4       99 #a ,cor9?1 *ap4 i4 
v]4 #ai4  ,h[ev] viol5t ,paul's         
en?usiasm may h be51 he well knew h[ odd
 ! doctr9e he prea*$1 mu/ appe> to      
reasonable be+s4 ,he mu/ h be5 aw>e1 t x
 ov]turn$ all receiv$ ideas2 t x w\ld n 
be> ! te/ ( exam9ation2 t x 0 a         
difficult ent]prise to p]suade s5sible  
be+s t a ,god c\ld die1 t ?is ,god _h   
aris5 aga91 t an immutable ,god _h *ang$
 & annull$ ! et]nal alliance he _h made 
) ! ,jews1 & :i* be5 s repeat$ly        
confirm$ ) oa?s1 c4 ,?us our ,apo/le 9  
ord] to pass su* improbable op9ions1    
believ$ x requisite1 to sub/itute folly 
9 ! place ( reason1 & to =tify 8        
disciples aga9/ ! weapons ( logic4 ,= ! 
evid5ce :i* results f ! te/imony ( !    
s5ses be sub/itut$ fai?1 :i* accord+ to 
him is ! evid5ce ( ?+s n se51 & evid5ce 
:i* c only be f\nd$ on ! mo/ /upid      
cr$ulity4  ,?us ?is prud5t orator took  
c>e to gu>d aga9/ ! philosophy ( common 

s5se1 & aga9/ all sci5ce1 see+ cle>ly t 
!y oppos$1 inv9cible ob/acles to !      
religion t he s\ght to e/abli%1 & ( :i* 
he pret5d$ to be ! s\l & *ief4 ,h5ce we 
f9d he atta*$ ! greate/ m]it to fai?1 t 
is to say1 to a bl9d submission to 8    
au?ority2 & su* an unb\nd$ confid5ce 9  
himself z prev5t$ any d\bt ( ^? ?+s1 !  
tru? ( :i* he atte/$4  ,z sci5ce 0      
injuri\s to ! e/abli%m5t ( 8 empire he  
decri$ x4 ,k puffe? up1 b *>ity edifie?4
 ,by *>ity1 we may "h und]/& t affection
 to a spiritual director :i* clos+ !    
eyes aga9/ ^? defects1 :i* 9 common )   
o!r m5 he may possess1 conv9ces u t he  
is always "r1 t he is incapable ( ! wi% 
to deceive1 & 9 %ort1 t he ought to be  
believ$ 9 pref]5ce to ! evid5ce ( our   
s5ses4  ,x is ?us t ?is great ,apo/le   
lab\r$ incessantly to e/abli% 8 own     
au?ority on ! ru9s ( wisdom1 reason1 &  
sci5ce4 ,h[ev] we may reply to 8        
doctr9e1 s useful to ^? ^: int]e/ x is  
to ma9ta9 absurd op9ions & incr$ible    
fables1 t ,god :o1 is1 accord+ to !m1 ! 

au?or ( reason c\ld n h de/roy$ 8 own   
"w4 ,we %all dem& ( ,/4 ,paul & ( ^? :o 
l him prea* up implicit fai?1 if folly  
is m able ?an wisdom to atta9 to ! k (  
,god8 ,we %all ask ( !m1 if ,god has    
giv5 wisdom to m5 on condition ( _! nev]
 us+ x1 & if x is n by ! aid ( human    
wisdom1 t man ga9s "s idea ( ! div9e    
wisdom8 ,we %all ask if ,god c1 )\t     
absolutely *ang+ ! nature ( ?+s1 make   
wisdom folly1 & folly wisdom8 ,9 %ort we
 %all ask !m1 if 9 ord] to become a     
,*ri/ian x is necess>y to r5\nce common 
s5se1 or h[ f> our folly mu/ prevail to 
h a religion8  ,to all ^! que/ions      
!ologians1 fai?fully tread+ 9 ! /eps (  
,/4 ,paul1 w reply1 t we mu/ believe1 & 
t z soon z !y speak1 we mu/ submit to _!
 au?ority4 ,fai? says ,paul comes by    
he>+1 :5ce x results t h fai?1 we mu/   
sacrifice our reason1 to ! wills ( our  
spiritual pa/ors4 ,*>ity ought to       
conv9ce u1 t ^! infallible guides1 c    
nei!r deceive nor desire to lead u into 
error4  ,accord+ to ?is firm p]suasion  

we %all nev] be emb>rass$1 unless1 by   
*ance1 ^? pa/ors %\ld happ5 to disagree 
9 _! op9ions4 ,?is h[ev] (t5 occurs 9 ! 
*ur*1 & has done f ! comm5cem5t4 ,9 fact
 we h se5 ,/4 ,paul himself resi/ ,/4   
,pet] to 8 face & diff] f him 9 op9ion4 
,_! qu>rels l _m o!rs _h fatal results1 
& produc$ a true s*ism betwe5 ! p>tizans
 ( ,pet]1 & ^? ( ,paul1 ! ,apo/le ( !   
,g5tiles4  ,! latt] has ackn[l$g$       
himself1 t !re mu/ be h]esies 9 a *ur*1 
p]petually guid$ by ! mo/ high4 ,?is    
prophecy has be5 v]ifi$ 9 ! ,*ri/ian    
religion1 :i* f its f\ndation has be5   
incessantly agitat$ by qu>rels1         
divisions1 animosities1 tr\bles1 &      
p>oxysms ( fury mat w\ld induce a       
belief1 t ! gospel 0 giv5 to nations    
only to excite 9 !m1 f]m5tations unkn[n 
to ,paganism1 & %[ !m to :at a degree ( 
madness cr$ulity c\ld lead4  ,! writ+s (
 ,paul especially h furni%$ 9 all ages  
ample matt]1 = disputes to ! ,*ri/ian   
doctors4 ,! obscure dogmas !y conta91 h 
( necessity be5 div]sely und]/ood by    

pr(\nd dream]s1 :o h pass$ _! "t 9      
m$itation4 ,ea* pret5d$ to h discov]$ ! 
true s5se ( ?is infallible & div9ely    
inspir$ doctor4 ,ea* f\nd 9 8 writ+s a  
confirmation ( 8 own s5tim5ts4 ,works   
fill$ ) contradiction cont9ually gave   
rise to p>ties ! mo/ opposite to ea*    
o!r1 & virul5tly b5t ^u mutual          
de/ruction4 ,! au?ority ( ,/4 ,paul 0   
oppos$ to himself1 & 9 ! impossibility (
 decid+ ^u que/ions totally out ( ! p[] 
( reason to discuss1 rec\rse 0 _h to    
viol5ce1 & ! /ronge/ always made ! weak 
feel1 t !y alone compreh5d$ ! true s5se 
( ! great ,apo/le4 ,!y disput$          
cont9ually on pr$e/9ation1 on grace1 &  
on ! lib]ty ( man2 !y und]/ood nei!r    
!mselves nor ,/4 ,paul4 ,! mo/          
head/rong1 ! mo/ wick$1 & ! mo/ p[]ful1 
en=c$ _! op9ions z ! only ones :i* !    
,holy ,gho/ _h dictat$4  ,to conclude1 !
 incr$ul\s1 are n ^?1 :o alone f9d !    
writ+s ( ,paul obscure & un9telligible1 
z we h se5 9 ! ! case ( ,/4 ,pet]       
already quot$4 ,if ?is pr9ce ( !        

,apo/les f\nd$ difficulties 9 ! "w ( ,/4
 ,paul1 :at %all we ?9k ( ! presumption 
( mod]n comm5tators :5 !y pret5d to     
expla9 to u1 ! enigmatical & confus$    
passages t we meet ) 9 ! epi/les ( ?is  
doctor ( ! ,g5tiles4     ,,*apt] ,,xxi4 
,( ! ,holy ,gho/1 & ,div9e ,inspiration 
,x w\ld h[ev] h be5 wis] 9 ! fir/       
in/ance to exam9e into ! degree (       
confid5ce due to ! real or pret5d$      
writ+s ( ?is wond]ful man1 ^: hi/ory we 
h be5 develop+4 ,be=e disput+ x w\ld h  
be5 bett] to h be5 c]ta9 ( ! au?ority ( 
an ,apo/le ^: works appe> to u          
infallible only on 8 own ^w1 or on t ( !
 writt5 to :om we owe ! ,acts ( !       
,apo/les4 ,9 fact we are told t ,/4     
,paul 0 inspir$ by ! ,holy ,gho/4 ,b :at
 is ! ,holy ,gho/8 ,h[ c x inspire a    
man8 ,:at c]ta9ty h we t x has ev]      
inspir$ anyone8 ,by :at signs %all we   
di/+ui% ^! invisible inspirations8 ,z x 
is ^u ^! inspirations only t ! ,*ri/ian 
religion is e/abli%$1 ^! que/ions are   
well wor? ! tr\ble ( be+ discuss$4  ,!re

 is no m5tion made ( ! ,holy ,gho/ 9 !  
,old ,te/am5t2 !re is m5tion made ( ! _s
 ( ! ,"l1 :i* possess$1 or resid$ 9 !   
prophets1 & o!r holy p]sonages *>g$ )   
speak+ to ! ,jewi% p2 b 9 no place ( !  
,old ,te/am5t is ! ,holy ,gho/ ann\nc$ z
 a be+ di/9ct f ! ,div9ity1 x is only 9 
! ,new ,te/am5t t we f9d ?is            
metaphysical be+ deifi$1 or ?is div9e   
brea? p]sonifi$4 ,9 fact x is only 9 !  
hi/ory ( ,jesus ,*ri/1 t ! ,holy ,gho/  
beg9s to p]=m1 a "p2 we !re f9d him     
commission$ to ov]%ad[ ,m>y1 & produce !
 sav\r ( ! _w1 :o 01 z we are told1     
begott5 by ! op]ation ( ! ,holy ,gho/4  
,?is same ,holy ,gho/ desc5d$ 9 ! =m ( a
 dove ^u ,jesus ,*ri/ at ! mom5t ( 8    
baptism 9 ! riv] ,jordan by ,john !     
,bapti/4 ,9 ! ,gospel accord+ to ,/4    
,john1 ! au?or ( :i* appe>s to h drawn 8
 ideas f ! platonic philosophy1 !re is  
mu* talk ( ! ,holy ,gho/ :i* is nev]    
def9$4 ,jesus promises to s5d him to !  
disciples :5 he himself %all h left !m4 
,?is _s is describ$ "u t]m ( ! ,p>aclete

 or ,com=t]4 ,jesus assures !m t he     
proce$$ f ! fa!r1 & t he w s5d him on ! 
"p ( ! fa!r1 to be> witness ( him       
,jesus4 ,fur!r on he promises !m1 t :5  
?is _s %all come1 he %all guide !m into 
all tru?4  ,accord+ to ! promise (      
,jesus1 ?is com=t] did 9 fact desc5d ^u 
! ,apo/les at ! fea/ ( ,p5teco/1 see    
,acts ari4 v]4 #b1 #c1 #ac4 ,_m 7       
a/oni%$ at ! prodigy !re relat$1 b x    
seems n to h conv9c$ o!rs1 :o _h        
probably less fai? ?an ! fir/4 ,^!      
sceptics pret5d$ t ! inspir$ ,apo/les 7 
drunk5 ) new w9e4 ,b ,pet] fill$ ) ! _s1
 made !m a long prophetic h>angue2 :i*1 
accord+ to ! au?or ( ! ,acts1 produc$ a 
great effect ^u _m ( 8 he>]s1 :o 7      
conv]t$ ^u ! spot4  ,9 consequ5ce ( !   
desc5t ( ! ,holy ,gho/1 ! ,apo/les      
receiv$ ! p[]1 n only ( speak+ div]s    
tongues1 b likewise ( driv+ out devils &
 p]=m+ miracles4 ,h[ev] we d n f9d by _!
 hi/ory1 ?\gh writt5 by "o fav\rable to 
_! cause1 t ! ,holy ,gho/ gave !m ! p[] 
to ca/ out ! demon ( incr$ulity1        

especially f ! m9ds ( ! ,jews2 ^! resi/$
 con/antly ! ,holy ,gho/ & made ^? :o   
said !y 7 fill$ ) x1 to suff] cruel     
treatm5t4  ! ,apo/les _h n only receiv$ 
! ,holy ,gho/1 b !y _h also receiv$ !   
p[] ( communicat+ x to o!rs by !        
imposition ( h&s4 ,x is difficult1 )\t a
 submissive fai?1 to conceive a cle>    
idea ( ?is invisible communication ( !  
,holy ,gho/1 or ! mann] 9 :i* an        
indivisible _s1 divides itself among s  
_m diff]5t individuals4 ,h[ev] x is n   
all[$ u to d\bt t ?is transmission ( !  
,holy ,gho/ has be5 p]petuat$ d[n f !   
,apo/les to our "t4 ,x is /ill by       
imposition ( h&s t ! guides ( ! ,*ri/ian
 ,*ur* receive ! ,holy ,gho/1 & ! "r to 
tea*4 ,if our bi%ops & & prie/s :o      
repres5t 9 our eyes ! ,apo/les &        
disciples1 h n receiv$ ! gift ( tongues 
& miracles !y h1 at lea/1 receiv$ !     
faculty ( pret5d+1 t ! ,holy ,gho/ does 
n cease to illum9ate !m1 9 _! frequ5tly 
contradictory decisions1 :i* ought to be
 reg>d$ z a great prodigy4  ,a ,*ri/ian 

w\ld run ! risk ( be+ damn$ if he %\ld  
d>e to d\bt1 t ! ,holy ,gho/ invisibly  
presid$ 9 ! *ur* & w reside 9 ! bra9s ( 
its *iefs until ! consummation ( all    
?+s4 ,:at c be m calculat$ to inspire u 
) reg>d & respect = ^?1 :o !mselves     
assure u1 t !y are ! liv+ temples ( !   
,holy ,gho/4 ,9 gratitude = ^!          
advantages :i* ! ,holy ,gho/ procur$ to 
! m9i/]s ( ! ,*ri/ian religion1 !y felt 
!mselves b\nd to deify him4 ,x 0 ! lea/ 
!y c\ld d = a be+ f :om _! p[] cle>ly   
emanat$4 ,9 fact if ! ,holy ,gho/1 *>g$ 
) inspir+ ! *ur* _h n be5 a ,god1 !     
au?ority ( ! *ur* might h be5 conte/$4  
,b x be+ cle>ly decid$1 t ! ,holy ,gho/ 
is a ,god1 m5 are no long] p]mitt$ to   
dispute 8 rights2 x only rema9s to !m to
 subscribe bl9dly to ! decisions ( ^?   
:om he has *os5 = 8 organs2 to          
contradict !m1 w\ld be to revolt aga9/  
,god4  ,we see !n h[ important x 0 to ! 
heads ( ! *ur* to apo!osise ! ,holy     
,gho/4 ,x 0 necess>y to make him a ,god 
at any rate2 o!rwise ! *ur* w\ld n h be5

 infallible1 its infallibility be+      
f\nd$1 solely on ! cont9u$ inspirations 
( ! ,holy ,gho/2 & t he himself %\ld be 
infallible1 x 0 necess>y t he %\ld be a 
,god4 ,?us ! *ur* has wisely made ! ,god
 :i* makes h] infallible4  ,h[ev] useful
 ?is deification 0 to ! *ur*1 x 0 att5d$
 ) "s difficulties4 ,9 fact h[ c\ld !y  
reconcile ?is new ,god1 ?is ,m]cury1 ?is
 mess5g] ( ! fa!r & son1 ) ! unity (    
,god8 ,to cut %ort all dispute ^u s     
important a matt]1 ! heads ( ! *ur*     
decid$ t ! ,holy ,gho/ proce$$ f ! fa!r 
& son1 & yet made b "o ,god ) !m4 ,!y   
clos$ ! m\?s ( ^? :o cri$ out aga9/ ?is 
un9telligible oracle1 by say+ x 0 a     
my/]y1 t man 0 made to adore & believe1 
)\t be+ able to compreh5d2 !y add$ t !  
*ur* 0 infallible _h ?us decid$1 t be+  
inspir$ by ! ,holy ,gho/ 7i4e4 by a     
,god7 x 0 impossible to avoid believ+ t 
%e _h ! "r to decide1 t ! ,holy ,gho/ 0 
a ,god4  ,?is is suffici5t to %[ u ^u   
:at ! au?ority ( *ur*1 & ! div9ity ( !  
,holy ,gho/ is f\nd$4 ,! *ur* has deifi$

 ! ,holy ,gho/1 & ! div9ity ( ! ,holy   
,gho/ s]ves z ! basis ( ! au?ority ( !  
*ur*4 ,we ?us see ! true f\ndations (   
,ecclesia/ical p[]2 we see ! solidity ( 
! titles ( ! *ur*1 we see ! true orig9 (
 ! my/]y ( ! tr9ity1 n[ held 9 su*      
v5]ation by ! fai?ful4 ,9 %ort we see   
:at we ought to ?9k ( ! inspirations ( !
 ,holy ,gho/ f ! "t ( its orig9 until   
n[4     ,,*apt] ,,xxii4 ,( !            
,inspiration ( ! ,prophets ( ! ,old     
,te/am5t  ,x does n appe>1 z we h       
already obs]v$1 t ! ,jews _h any precise
 ideas ( ! ,holy ,gho/ simil> to ^? ( ! 
,*ri/ian !ologians4 ,moreov] !re is     
reason to believe1 t ! ,apo/les _h n yet
 imag9$ su* subtle notions ( x1 z ! *ur*
 has inv5t$ s9ce _! "t4 ,among/ !       
,hebrews1 e man :o1 dur+ 8 sleep1 _h    
dreams1 e en?usia/ :o _h1 or pret5d$ to 
h visions1 believ$ himself inspir$ by ! 
,"l1 or at lea/ gave himself out z su*4 
,he reg>d$ ! fancies ( 8 bra91 z w>n+s f
 heav52 he deliv]$ 8 pi\s nons5se z     
oracles to cr$ul\s he>]s1 :o did n d\bt 

= an in/ant1 t ! un9telligible delirium 
( ^! h>angues1 0 ! effect ( "s div9e    
illum9ation f ! ,almighty4 ,z 9 dreams1 
madness1 9 ebriation1 9 en?usiasm1 man  
does n appe> ma/] ( himself1 !y believ$ 
t :at he utt]$ 9 ^! div]s /ates mu/1 (  
necessity1 spr+1 f "s sup]natural =ce   
act+ 9 him1 )\t 8 k1 & 9 spite (        
himself2 ! s5t5ces & disc\rse1 :i* issu$
 f 8 m\?1 7 reg>d$ z inspirations f on  
high1 & receiv$ z div9e comm&s4 ,_!     
obscurity only s]v$ to excite curiosity1
 r$\ble t]ror1 & confuse ! imag9ation4  
,x 0 suppos$ t ,god1 :o spoke by ^!     
demoniacs1 did n *oose to express       
himself 9 a cle>] mann]4  ,^!           
reflections f\nd$ ^u ! nature ( cr$ul\s1
 ignorant1 & sup]/iti\s m51 may s]ve to 
fix our ideas ( s _m prophets & juggl]s1
 t we see play su* a prom95t "p1 n only 
9 ,jewi% hi/ory1 b 9 all ,pagan         
antiquity1 & ev5 among all savage &     
un9=m$ p t are n[ scatt]$ ov] ! globe4  
,! trade ( prophesy+1 appe>s to h be5 v 
lucrative & respectable among/ ! ,jews1 

a p degrad$ by sup]/ition1 & ^: prie/s  
always took c>e to keep !m 9 a /ate (   
pr(\nd ignorance1 & cr$ulity1 well-suit$
 = ! ends ( ^? :o s\ght to direct !m    
aft] _! own fancies4 ,:oev] desir$ to   
ga9 ! att5tion ( ! ,jews1 ann\nc$       
himself z inspir$1 ?reat5$ or promis$ !m
 9 ! "n ( ! ,"l1 prophesi$ to !m ( evils
 calculat$ to intimidate1 or ( happy    
ev5ts :i* s$uc$ !m into belief4 ,to draw
 ! att5tion ( ! public1 & frequ5tly to  
produce revolutions 9 ! /ate1 x 0 en\gh 
= a prophet to say gravely1 t ! ,"l _h  
spok5 to him2 & assure !m t heav5 _h    
intru/$ him ) its designs 9 a vision2   
?us ! bra9s ( ! ,jews 7 put into a      
f]m5tation4 ,! ,apo/les desir\s (       
e/abli%+ re=m1 or excit+ a revolution1 9
 m5's m9ds1 felt ! necessity ( con=m+ to
 ! prevail+ li/e ( ! nation4 ,9         
consequ5ce !y erect$ !mselves into      
prophets1 gave !mselves out = inspir$1  
spoke 9 an obscure mann]1 utt]$ oracles1
 pr$ict$ ! end ( ! _w1 !y prea*$ a      
messiah1 !y ann\nc$ a k+dom 9 :i* _!    

foll[]s w\ld enjoy a happ9ess1 :i* _!   
subjugat$ c\ntry _h long s9ce be5       
depriv$ (4 ,9 %ort to prove ! tru? ( _! 
pr$ictions1 & ! legitimacy ( _! mission1
 !y p]=m$ miracles1 i4e4 works calculat$
 to a/oni% s cr$ul\s a p z ! ,jews4  ,! 
,jews1 h[ev]1 9 spite ( all _!          
ignorance1 did n suff] !mselves to be   
conv9c$ by ei!r ! h>angues & miracles ( 
,jesus1 nor by ! prea*+s & prodigies ( 8
 ,apo/les4 ,all _! ef=ts fail$ aga9/ !  
h>dness ( he>t ( a p s (t5 ! dupe ( !   
numb]less inspir$ :o _h s successfully  
deceiv$ !m4 ,!re is !n reason to ?9k t  
,jesus & 8 disciples did n p]=m _! "p   
well1 or else t 9 _! "t1 ! ,jews become 
m cauti\s1 _h n s mu* fai? z _! ance/ors
 _h =m]ly exhibit$4 ,inde$ we d n f9d t 
! fir/ prea*]s ( ,*ri/ianity made mu*   
impression ^u _! fell[ citiz5s2 !y _h   
mu* m success1 & ,paul especially among/
 idolators1 = :om _! en?usia/ic         
h>angues1 _! prea*+s1 & miracles 0 a m  
novel spectacle4 ,among/ ! ,g5tiles     
prea*+ 0 an unkn[n ?+1 ! p 0 held 9     

disda9 by ! prie/s2 ea* =m$ su* ideas ( 
religion z he *oose1 !re 0 no !ological 
sy/em t !y 7 compell$ to adopt2 9 %ort1 
) ! exception ( ,esculapius1 ! ,gods    
work$ b few miracles = _! wor%ipp]s4    
,?us1 z we h already obs]v$1            
circum/ances 7 fav\rable = ! mission (  
our ,apo/le among/ ! ,g5tiles2 !y 7 m   
dispos$ to li/5 ?an ! ,jews1 & to reg>d 
him :o p]=m$ su* wond]s be=e !m1 z an   
extraord9>y man fav\r$ by heav54 ,9 fact
 ,/4 ,paul gave himself out = su*4 ,& h[
 c we d\bt ! v]acity ( a man :o p]=ms   
miracles8 ,x 0 !n necess>y to give him  
cr$it2 & )\t hav+ se5 ^! miracles we    
believe ! same ?+1 & especially 8 div9e 
inspiration1 ^u ! au?ority ( ! writ+s1  
attribut$ to him1 & ^u ! ^w ( him :o has
 transmitt$ to u an acc\nt ( 8 actions 9
 ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 works :i* ! *ur* 
enjo9s u to reg>d z div9ely inspir$4 ,x 
w\ld be1 ,i ?9k1 useless to make any    
long reflections on ! validity ( !      
titles ( ! *ur*1 & ! "r1 t ! writ+s :i* 
%e has adopt$ h to ! claim ( div9e      

inspiration4 ,x is en\gh to rem>k1 t if 
we admit ^? titles & rights1 we h no    
reason to refuse also to admit ^? ( any 
man1 or body ( m51 :i* %all give        
!mselves out z div9ely inspir$4 ,if1 on 
! ^w ( ,paul1 we believe t he 0 inspir$1
 :y %all we n h ! same def]5ce = ! ^w ( 
,mahomet1 :o pret5d$ to be ! s5t ( ! mo/
 high8 ,if1 aft] ! decision ( ! ,*ri/ian
 *ur*1 we reg>d ! books conta9$ 9 ! ,new
 ,te/am5t z dictat$ by ! ,holy ,gho/2   
:at "r h we to refuse our ass5t to !    
decision ( ! body ( ,imans & ,mollahs1 t
 ! ,koran 0 reveal$ by ! angel ,gabriel 
to ,mahomet8 if x be p]mitt$ to "o man1 
or body ( m51 to inve/ !mselves )       
titles1 & at ! same "t =bid ! titles to 
be inve/igat$1 we %all be oblig$ to     
admit all ! rev]ies1 extravagancies1 &  
fables t we see spread ov] ! v>i\s      
c\ntries ( ! e>?4 ,prie/s e :]e %[ u    
books1 :i* !y say 7 inspir$ by !        
div9ity1 & weak & silly p adore & &     
foll[ )\t exam9ation books ?us ann\nc$4 
,all religions 9 ! _w are f\nd$ ^u sacr$

 hooks :i* conta9 ! div9e w1 & ^: tru?  
is prov$ by miracles4     ,,*apt]4      
,,xxiii4 ,( ! ,desc5t ( ! ,holy ,gho/ ^u
 ! ,apo/les1 or _! ,div9e ,inspiration  
,if we may believe ! au?or ( ! ,acts ( !
 ,apo/les1 ! disciples assembl$ at      
,j]usalem on ! ! day ( ,p5teco/1 7 fill$
 ) ! ,holy ,gho/4 ,b by :at sign %all we
 be sure t !y 7 fill$ ) ! ,holy ,gho/8  
,x is ?is t !y began to speak div]s     
languages4 ,b d ^! v>i\s languages prove
 ! pres5ce ( ! ,holy ,gho/8 ,c\ld n !   
disciples ( ,jesus speak ^! languages   
naturally8 ,h[ev] ! ,jews :o _h come f !
 diff]5t prov9ces ( ,asia to ,j]usalem  
to celebrate ! fea/ all und]/ood        
,hebrew1 s9ce x 0 ! language 9 :i* _!   
law 0 writt52 no?+ m !n 0 requisite b to
 speak ,hebrew1 9 ord] to be und]/ood by
 all ( !m2 we _c suppose t m5 assembl$  
at ,j]usalem to celebrate ! ,p5teco/ 7  
,g5tiles4 ,t grant$ ( :at use 0 ! gift  
tongues8 ,9 suppos+ t among ! ,jews !re 
7 "s :o only und]/ood ,greek1 :i* 0 at t
 "t univ]sal ov] all ,asia1 x is v      

possible t )\t a miracle1 "s ( !        
disciples or ,apo/les1 might "k ?is     
language by ! aid ( :i* !y c\ld make    
!mselves und]/ood 9 mo/ ( ! prov9ces    
m5tion$ 9 ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les4  ,!re is
 !n reason = believ+1 t ! ,apo/les &    
disciples 7 on ?is occasion desir\s (   
pass+ = inspir$4 ,) ?is view1 accord+ to
 ! practice ( ! div9]s & prophets among/
 ! ,jews1 !y made noises contortions1   
cries1 c1 & produc$ an extravagant      
cacophony1 :i*1 _m well dispos$ p]sons  
mi/ook = und\bt$ sign ( inspiration1    
:ile ^? :o 7 less cr$ul\s took !m =     
c]ta9 pro(s ( drunk5ness or folly4 ,b   
,/4 ,pet] ju/ifi$ !m1 & %[$ t :at !y    
receiv$ to be extravagancies ought to be
 consid]$ z pro(s ( inspiration4 ,?is he
 confirm$ by quot+ a prophecy ( !       
prophet ,joel1 7see ,acts ( ,apo/les1   
*ap4 ii4 v]4 #ag47  ,b ! "q at issue is1
 :e!r visions1 dreams1 extravagancies1  
c4 are signs ( div9e inspiration4 ,x is 
true t f ! cont5ts ( ! books1 :i*       
,*ri/ians reg>d z dictat$ by ! ,holy    

,gho/1 & exam9+ ! nons5se &             
contradictions f\nd 9 ! writ+s ( ,/4    
,paul1 we %\ld be tempt$ to believe s4  
,if ! abs5ce ( reason1 probability1     
logic1 & h>mony1 is ! di/+ui%+ m>k (    
div9e inspiration1 we _c d5y t ,/4 ,paul
 has prov$ himself1 by 8 writ+s1 to h   
be5 div9ely inspir$4  ,h[ev] at ?is rate
 no?+ c be m easy ?an to pass2 =        
inspir$4 ,if madness be a suffici5t     
qualification to cause a man to be      
reg>d$ z "o fill$ ) ! ,holy ,gho/1 !re  
are _m m5 :o h j pret5sions to ?is      
faculty4 ,if we d\bt x !y h only to     
reply gravely t ,god ha? conf\nd$ !     
wisdom ( ! wise2 t our rebelli\s reason 
ought to be submissive1 t ! human m9d   
becomes p]v]t$ by reason+4 ,su* is h[ev]
 ! language cont9ually repeat$ by !     
support]s ( ,/4 ,paul & ,*ri/ianity4    
,accord+ to !m1 wisdom is folly1 reason 
an unc]ta9 guide1 common s5se useless1 &
 contradictions are imp5etrable my/]ies1
 :i* we mu/ adore 9 sil5ce2 & :5 our m9d
 loses itself 9 ! abyss ( folly &       

impo/ure1 !y cry out ) _! great ,apo/le3
 ,oh6 ! dep? ( ! ri*es1 bo? ( ! wisdom &
 k ( ,god6 ,h[ unse>*able are 8 ways1 & 
8 judgm5ts pa/ f9d+ out6 ,a lucky       
quibble ( :i* our !ologians avail       
!mselves ) success1 9 ord] to escape f !
 emb>rassm5t into :i* !y are ?r[n by any
 reason+ on ! ways ( provid5ce4  ,x is  
?us t ^? :o pret5d to inspiration h !   
boldness to outrage ! ,div9ity1 & make !
 ,holy ,gho/ ! accomplice ( _!          
blasphemies4 ,:5 !y f9d x impossible to 
escape f ! labyr9? into :i* impo/ures & 
ill-contriv$ fables h l$ !m1 !y make    
,god responsible = _! extravagancies2 !y
 pret5d t _! own follies are ! effects (
 div9e wisdom1 !y t]m _! own p]plexities
 my/]ies2 & ass5t t ! au?or ( reason is 
at ! same "t1 ! enemy ( reason4  ,m5    
h[ev] are n %ock$ by ^! impi\s          
propositions4 ,accu/om$ to reg>d ,/4    
,paul z inspir$1 x nev] occurs to !m t s
 great a ,sa9t may blaspheme4 ,b :at    
au?ority h ,*ri/ians = _! high op9ion ( 
,/4 ,paul8 ,x is ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 t

 is to say ^u ! suspect$ te/imony ( a   
p>tizan ( ,paul's sect1 :o has compil$ a
 hi/ory ( 8 h]o1 fill$ ) contradictions1
 b embelli%$ ) prodigies & fable1 :i*   
h[ev] s]ve to e/abli% 8 romance4 ,b :at 
pro(s h we ( ^! miracles !mselves8 ,we h
 no o!r evid5ce ?an ! ^w ( ! ,romanc]   
himself confirm$ by ! au?ority ( ! *ur*1
 i4e4 ( a body ( m5 int]e/$ 9 e/abli%+ !
 fable4  ,x is true t we h 9 addition ! 
te/imony ( ,/4 ,paul himself1 to :om are
 attribut$ ! epi/les 9 :i* are f\nd a   
great numb] ( details ( 8 life4 ,b does 
?is ,apo/le agree ) 8 hi/orian 9 8 own  
n>rative8 ,no1 d\btless1 !y v>y         
mat]ially 9 _m circum/ances1 & frequ5tly
 contradict ea* o!r 9 ! mo/ positive    
mann]4 ,:o !n %all we f9d to reconcile  
!m1 & %[ u :at we ought to ?9k ( a      
hi/ory s diff]5tly relat$8 ,! *ur*4 ,b  
:at is ! *ur*8 ,a body compos$ ( !      
spiritual guides ( ! ,*ri/ians4 ,h ^!   
guides be5 witnesses ( ! actions &      
miracles s diff]5tly relat$ by ,paul & 8
 hi/orian8 ,no2 !y "k no?+ ( !m b by a  

tradition1 conte/$ ev5 9 ! times ( !    
fir/ ,*ri/ians1 b s9ce confirm$ by a    
revelation ( ! ,holy ,gho/1 :o nev]1    
accord+ to !m1 ceases to enlight5 8     
*ur*4 ,h[ are we to "k if ! *ur* is     
cont9ually inspir$8 ,%e h]self says s1 &
 !re is1 %e says1 ! greate/ dang] 9     
d\bt+ ?is4 ,x w\ld be to resi/ ! ,holy  
,gho/ :o is id5tifi$ ) ! *ur*1 & :o     
makes common cause ) h]2 a crime :i* w  
nev] be =giv5 ei!r 9 ?is _w or 9 ! next4
 ,( all s9s ! mo/ unp>donable is to     
resi/ ! cl]gy4     ,,*apt] ,,xxiv4      
,g5]al reflections on ! f\ndations (    
,*ri/ian ,fai?1 & on ! ,causes (        
,cr$ulity  ,^! !n are ! only f\ndations 
( fai?6 ,*ri/ians are oblig$ to believe 
t ,/4 ,paul 0 nei!r an en?usia/ nor a   
*eat1 because ! *ur* has decid$ t he 0  
div9ely inspir$3 ! *ur* has decid$ ?is  
important po9t ( belief1 accord+ to !   
,acts ( ! ,apo/les & epi/les1 :i*1 z we 
h %[n1 7 bo? reject$ by _m sects ( !    
primitive ,*ri/ians1 & :i*1 z we h prov$
 9 ! c\rse ( ?is "w1 are fill$ )        

contradictions & absurdities4           
,nev]!less no ,*ri/ian n[ d>es to d\bt (
 ! au!nticity ( ^! books4 ,^! works are 
reg>d$ z sacr$ by ! univ]sal *ur*1 by   
,*ri/ians ( all sects1 :o ) ! exception 
not)/&+ ( "s consid]able & important    
v>iations1 read !m 9 ! same mann] &     
ent]ta9 = !m ! same v5]ation4 ,:at c we 
oppose to ?is unanimity8 ,! example (   
,mahomet4 ,?is prophet :o is at ?is day 
equally rev]$ by all sects ( ,mussulm51 
0 at fir/ reg>d$ z an impo/or at ,mecca1
 :5ce he 0 compell$ to fly4 ,8 ,koran n[
 become ! rule & code ( a cl]gy1        
support$ by pr9ces & p[]ful nations1 0  
at fir/ consid]$ z a tissue ( fables    
compil$ by impo/ure4 ,?is unanimity ( ! 
,mahometans1 9 ackn[l$g+ ! sanctity (   
,mahomet1 & ! div9ity ( ! ,koran proves 
no m 9 _! fav\r1 ?an ! agreem5t ( all   
sects ( ,*ri/ians 9 admitt+ ! ,sa9t%ip (
 ,paul1 & ! inspiration ( 8 writ+s1     
proves 9 fav\r ( ! ,apo/le & 8 wond]ful 
epi/les4  ,x is ! prop]ty ( habit to    
*ange ! appe>ance ( ?+s1 m5 by degrees  

become famili> ) t :i* at fir/ disgu/$  
!m2 "t is able to conf\nd tru? &        
falsehood2 cle>ly prov$ deceptions1 f9i%
 by becom+ und\bt$ facts to ! ignorant1 
! idle1 & ^? ei!r too mu* occupi$1 or   
involv$ 9 dissipation to exam9e1 & ^!   
are ! majority ( mank9d4 ,! mo/ palpable
 impo/ure :5 x has exi/$ a l5g? ( "t1   
acquires a solidity :i* no?+ c %ake3 t  
:i* has be5 believ$ by _m = ages appe>s 
to h a real f\ndation1 & to h at lea/ a 
claim to probability4 ,:5 once "t has   
oblit]at$ ! traces ( impo/ure1 !y are   
difficult to detect1 & mo/ m5 f9d x     
easi] to /ick to receiv$ op9ions ?an to 
und]go ! pa9ful task ( exam9+ :at !y    
ought to ?9k4  ,su* are ! true causes ( 
! indol5ce t m5 g5]ally %[1 z (t5 z !y  
are call$ ^u to give a reason = _!      
religi\s notions1 !y are cont5t$ to     
foll[ ! curr5t4 ,besides :5 prejudice is
 support$ by =ce1 & becomes necess>y to 
! int]e/s ( a p[]ful body1 x is dang]\s 
to combat x1 & few m5 h ! c\rage to     
oppose deceptions1 approv$ by ! _w1 &   

au?oris$ by ! gov]n+ p[]s4  ,on ! o!r h&
 error1 :5 habitual passes = tru?1 & is 
equally agreeable4 ,we hold fa/ to our  
vices & prejudices1 ! virtues & op9ions 
:i* are oppos$ to !m1 appe> ridicul\s or
 disagreeable4 ,x is ?is natural        
disposition ( ! human1 species1 :i*1 by 
little & little1 imbue nations ) ! mo/  
extravagant op9ions1 absurd fables1 &   
ill-dige/$ sy/ems4  ,no1 artifice 02 ev]
 bett] imag9$1 nor trick 0 ev] m        
calculat$ to deceive ! vulg> ?an t (    
div9e inspiration4 ,^u ?is is f\nd$ all 
! religions 9 ! _w2 x is to ?is m>vell\s
 inv5tion t ! prie/s ( ! :ole e>? are   
indebt$ = _! au?ority1 _! ri*es1 & _!   
exi/5ce4 ,:5 a man tells u1 t he is     
div9ely inspir$1 x is difficult = mo/ m5
 to asc]ta9 :e!r he lie1 or speak !     
tru?4 ,god nev] contradicts ^? :o make  
him speak1 on ! contr>y ^? impo/ors :o  
deceive 9 8 "n g5]ally p]=m miracles &  
prodigies1 & ^! miracles & prodigies1   
are to ! %ort sight$ multitude und\bt$  
signs ( div9e favor4  ,%all we !n judge 

^? :o are inspir$ by _! conduct8 ,!y    
g5]ally take c>e to impose on u by _!   
dis9t]e/$ness1 pati5ce1 & mildness (    
behavi\r1 & x c h>dly be suppos$ t su*  
mod]ate m5 c\ld h =m$ ! design ( deceiv+
 or ga9+ p[]4 ,x is only :5 !y h g5tly  
ins9uat$ !mselves into m5's m9ds1 t we  
f9d ambition1 av>ice1 & passions ( !    
mission>y develope !mselves3 x is aft]  
hav+ won ov] ! multitude1 t _! empire   
discov]s itself2 & !y exact ) pride1 !  
tribute & respect due to ! organs (     
heav51 & ! mess5g]s ( ! mo/ high4  ,^!  
are ! means by :i* ,*ri/ianity has be5  
e/abli%$1 ! manoeuvres h be5 practis$ by
 our great ,apo/le1 & all ^? :o h assi/$
 9 dissem9at+ 8 doctr9e4 ,8 own exp]i5ce
 (t5 made ,paul s5sible1 t 8 pride &    
fi]y disposition1 7 frequ5tly ob/acles  
to 8 mission2 ?us we see him sometimes  
doa viol5ce to 8 "*1 take ! air (       
mildness & humility1 s mu* bett] suit$1 
to ins9uate into m5s good op9ions ?an   
arrogance & pride4 ,he only assumes !   
tone ( ! ma/]1 :5 he kn[s 8 gr\nd2 !n he

 ?reat5s1 ?und]s1 & displays 8 au?ority4
 ,does a dispute arise betwe5 himself & 
an associate8 ,he resi/s him to 8 face2 
he makes ! *ur* feel h[ necess>y he is  
to ! cause2 & avails himself ( x1 to    
exhibit 8 au?ority1 ,8 example has be5  
at all times fai?fully foll[$ by ! heads
 ( ! ,*ri/ian religion4 ,humble1 mild1  
pati5t1 tol]ant1 & dis9t]e/$ :5ev] !y h 
be5 weak1 !y become haughty1 qu>relsome1
 intol]ant1 av>ici\s1 & rebelli\s       
subjects to pr9ces :5ev] !y 7 c]ta9 ( _!
 empire ov] ! p4 ,x 0 !n t !y prescrib$ 
laws1 cru%$ _! enemies1 plund]$ ! p1 &  
caus$ k+s to tremble at ! "n ( ! ,god ^:
 int]pret]s !y decl>$ !mselves to be4   
,! heads ( ! ,*ri/ian religion h at all 
times made ^? op9ions1 mo/ com=table to 
_! own int]e/ pass = div9e oracles4 ,!  
,holy ,gho/ has _h no o!r function1 ?an 
to s]ve = a cloak to _! intrigues1      
passions1 & pret5sions4 ,! works ( our  
,apo/le furni%$ qu>relsome prie/s )     
argum5ts = injur+ ea* o!r2 8 disjo9t$   
rev]ies1 8 obscure my/]ies1 & 8 ambigu\s

 oracles1 7 an ars5al :5ce ! mo/        
opposite p>ties procur$ arms to combat  
incessantly4 ,9 %ort ! writ+s inspir$ by
 a ,god :o 0 desir\s ( in/ruct+ mank9d1 
h only s]v$ to plunge nations 9 d>kness4
 ,guides enlight5$ by ! ,holy ,gho/ saw 
no cle>] ?an ! ignorant1 into my/]ies1  
!y cont9ually pres5t$ to !m by an       
un9telligible sy/em4 ,^! great doctors 7
 agre$ ^u no?+1 ea* "o s\ght to ga9     
adh]5ts :om he excit$ aga9/ ! enemies ( 
8 own op9ions1 :i* he reg>d$ z ^? only  
approv$ by heav54 ,!nce arose           
animosities1 hatr$1 p]secutions1 & w>s1 
:i* h a ?\s& times spread tr\ble &      
desolation among ,*ri/ians1 bl9d en\gh  
to foll[ m5 :o pret5d$ to be l$ by !    
,holy ,gho/1 :ile x 0 evid5t1 t ! only  
_s :i* inspir$ !m1 0 t ( pride1         
ambition1 ob/9acy1 v5geance1 av>ice1 &  
rebellion4     ,,conclusion4  ,let u !n 
be c>eful1 oh6 my fri5ds1 ( all[+       
ourselves to be guid$ by inspir$ p]sons4
 ,deceiv]s1 or en?usia/s1 !y w only lead
 u into errors de/ructive ( our peace4  

,let u consult reason1 s decri$ by m51  
^: int]e/ x is to ext+ui% a light :i* is
 able to %[ u ! plots ( _! d>k policy1  
?is reason w in=m u t contradictory     
works d n m]it our belief2 t a turbul5t1
 ambiti\s & en?usia/ic ,apo/le1 may h   
be5 a v useful ,sa9t to ! *ur*1 & a v   
bad citiz54 ,?is reason w conv9ce u1 t a
 ,god fill$ ) wisdom c\ld nev] inspire  
m5 ) sy/ems1 9 :i* folly is ! mo/       
prom95t feature2 t a ,god :o is ! au?or 
( reason c\ld nev] h call$ = its        
immolation1 be=e ! %r9e ( fable1 &      
pret5d$ my/]y incapable ( produc+ any ?+
 b evil & diss5sion ^u ! e>?4 ,let u be 
j1 b5evol5t1 peaceable1 let u leave to  
,/4 ,paul1 & to ^? :o take him = a      
model1 _! l(ty ambition1 _! turbul5t    
fanaticism1 _! ob/9ate vanity1 _!       
p]secut+ _s1 & above all ?+s _! bitt]   
zeal1 :i* !y t]m an int]e/ = ! salvation
 ( s\ls4 ,let u %[ to all m5 n an       
evangelic *>ity :i* is conv]t$ into fury
 & hatr$1 b a real *>ity :i* inspires u 
) love1 peace1 indulg5ce1 & humanity4   

,may ?is *>ity s mu* boa/$ (1 & s little
 practis$1 by ,/4 ,paul & 8 successors1 
be ! rule ( our conduct1 & ! /&>d ( our 
judgm5ts on m5 & _! op9ions4 ,exam9e all
 ?+s1 & hold fa/ t :i* is good4 ,let u n
 be bl9d$ by ! prejudices1 ( infancy1 ( 
habit1 or ( au?ority4 ,let u n be impos$
 ^u by ! pomp\s names ( ,paul1 (        
,cephas1 or ( ,apollos2 b let u seek !  
tru? & foll[ reason1 :i* c nev] lead    
a/ray1 nor r5d] u tr\blesome memb]s (   
society4  ,,f9is4