,,watson ,,refut$  ,,be+ ,,an ,,answ]   
,,to ,,! ,,apology ,,= ,,! ,,bible4  ,,9
 ,a ,,s]ies ,,( ,,lett]s ,,to ,,!       
,,bi%op ,,( ,,ll&aff4  ,by ,samuel      
,francis1 ,m4,d4       ,pudet me humani 
g5]is1 cujus m5tes et aures talia f]n   
potu]unt4       --,div4 ,augu/94        
,,london3  ,,pr9t$ & ,,publi%$ ,,by ,r4 
,,c>lile1 #ee1 ,,fleet ,,/reet          
,,adv]tisem5t4  ,i _h writt5 a          
consid]able "p ( ano!r "w1 conta9+      
/rictures on religion4 ,! appe>ance ( ! 
,bi%op ( ,ll&aff's pamphlet1 & ! numb] (
 editions t h be5 publi%$ = ! purpose ( 
enc\rag+ its sale among ! poor] classes1
 induc$ me to take up ! p5 expressly 9  
answ] to ?is publication1 t ,i might    
undeceive ! multitude1 & %[ t1 "u !     
impos+ title ( a ,bi%op1 ,dr4 ,watson   
has be5 guilty ( ! mo/ gross            
misrepres5tations1 &1 :e!r int5tionally 
or f ignorance1 has deceiv$ 8 read]s1   
:ile1 "u ! pret5ce ( meekness1 he       
triumphs 9 ! detection ( a few errors1  
committ$ by a man :o does n pret5d to be

 a ,!ologian1 or to be possess$ ( any   
great le>n+4 ,he has uni=mly pass$ ov] !
 weighty argum5ts ( ! ,age ( ,reason1 & 
/opp$ at a few immat]ial inaccuracies4  
,i hope1 9 ! foll[+ %eets1 to %[1 t !   
le>n$ ,pr(essor ( ,div9ity has committ$ 
errors 9 ! ,natural ,sci5ces & ,hi/ory1 
:i* w\ld be inexcusable 9 any au?or2 b1 
:5 com+ f a dignifi$ ,cl]gyman1 :o wi%es
 to dictate to ! nation1 _! detection _c
 fail to %[ to ! public1 h[ necess>y x  
is = m5 to employ _! faculty ( reason1 &
 n to yield x to ^? ^: pr(ession is to  
tea* ?+s !y ackn[l$ge to be above       
reason1 & incompreh5sible4 ,i %all1 z   
soon z my o!r avocations p]mit1 give !  
_w a tract ^u religion 9 g5]al1 )       
/rictures on ! ,jewi% & ,*ri/ian sy/ems4
 ,= ?is reason1 ,i %all n1 9 ! pres5t   
pamphlet1 ent] deeply into any ab/ract  
reason+1 b conf9e myself *iefly to !    
detection ( ! errors conta9$ 9 !        
,apology = ! ,bible4  ,s4 ,f4  ,london1 
,aug4 #ae1  #agij1     ,,watson ,,refut$
     ,,lett] ,i4  ,,my ,,"l1  ,y h ?\ght

 x n inconsi/5t ) y\r dignity z a       
,bi%op1 to oppose ! ,age ( ,reason by   
,?omas ,pa9e1 & ,i1 z a memb] ( !       
community1 f9d myself call$ ^u to expose
 y\r reason+1 & /op ! c>e] ( error4 ,y  
disclaim controv]sy2 b if y\r c&\r is   
any ?+ m ?an a va9 boa/1 ,i ent]ta9     
hopes ( see+ ! def5d] ( ,*ri/ianity aga9
 /ep =w>d to answ] my argum5ts1 if he   
deems !m ( suffici5t weight to di/urb 8 
quiet4 ,i am s9c]ely glad to f9d a      
dignifi$ *ur*man beg9 a dispute ) m51   
:om =m]ly ! pi\s memb]s ( ! ,*ur* w\ld h
 deem$ fit victims = ! fire or ! gall[s2
 at ! same "t1 ,i feel deep regret1 t ! 
,bi%op has n yet altoge!r laid aside !  
cl]ical passion = ! ext]m9ation ( !     
het]odox4 ,i hope1 says ,dr4 ,watson1 t 
!re is no want ( *>ity 9 wi%+1 t ,mr4   
,pa9e's life _h be5 t]m9at$ long be=e 8 
publication4 ,?is may be consi/5t )     
,*ri/ian *>ity1 b nature & reason tea* u
 ugly unbeliev]s ano!r doctr9e3 &1 h[ev]
 invet]ate ,i may be aga9/ ^? ( ! cl]gy 
:o p]secute & deceive ! multitude1 ,i   

confess1 t ! dea? ( a p]son1 :om ,i     
conceive to be act+ = :at he ?9ks !     
public good1 w\ld give me no pleasure2 &
 ! ,bi%op all[s ! purity ( ,mr4 ,pa9e's 
motives4 ,! wi% ( ! philosoph] is1 let  
reason guide u1 & all p>ties h fre$om ( 
debate4 ,no dogmatical dictates (       
bigott$ prie/s1 no passive ob$i5ce to ! 
m&ates ( inquisitors1 nor to !          
p]secutions s (t5 fom5t$ by *ur*m54 ,to 
! progress ( lett]s1 dur+ ?is c5tury1 we
 owe ! mildness & condesc5sion (        
cl]gym53 till philosophy taught u1 !    
cl]gy nev] discov]$1 t p]secutions =    
h]esy & wit*craft1 or inquisitions &    
pop]y1 7 horrid in/itutions4 ,d>es ,dr4 
,watson affirm1 t fre$om ( inquiry 0 ev]
 suff]$ on religi\s subjects8 t p 7     
all[$ to exam9e ! gr\nds ( ! doctr9es   
taught by ! ,*ur*8 ,no1 ,sir1 y\r       
pr$ecessors ( all beliefs h ev] p]secut$
 philosoph]s & inquir]s into tru?1 bo? 9
 sci5ce & 9 religion4 ,nei!r ,galileus  
nor ,r\sseau escap$ ! malevol5ce ( !    
oppos]s ( sci5ce2 & 9 ! ,bible !y f\nd  

au?orities = _! invet]ate opposition to 
! progress ( tru? & k4 ,! ,new ,te/am5t 
in=ms u1 t ! wisdom ( ,god is fooli%ness
 to man1 t human le>n+ produces no?+ b  
pride #a1 & t ! poor 9 _s ga9 ! k+dom ( 
heav54       #a ,bew>e le/ any man spoil
 y ?r\gh philosophy & va9      deceit1  
aft] ! tradition ( m51 aft] ! rudim5ts (
      ! _w1 & n aft] ,*ri/4 ,colos4 ii4 
#e1 #h4       ,cum sit nobis div9is     
lit]is traditum cognitiones             
philosophorum /ultas esse1 ad ipsum re  
et argum5tis      doc5dum et2 ne quit   
b\e/o sapieuti nom9e inductus1 aut      
inanis eloqu5ti spl5dore deceptus1      
humanis malet quam      div9is cr$]e4   
,lactantius1 ,in/4 lib4 i4 *ap4 #b4  ,"u
 ^! & o!r simil> pret5ces1 h b>b>\s     
prie/s l$ _! cr$ul\s foll[]s to         
massacres 9 ! "n ( _! ,god2 by means ( t
 t\*/one ^w1 ,fai?1 !y made ! multitude 
=get t _! lead]s 7 b m54 ,n[1 ,sir1 we h
 gr[n bold]3 k be+ no long] conf9$ to   
cl]ical sem9>ies1 prie/s are n k+s4 ,!  
*ur* tott]s2 & a s+le pamphlet1 y say1  

has unsettl$ ! fai? ( ?\s&s4 ,n[1 t y _c
 /ifle reason1 y pret5d to lib]ality (  
s5tim5t4  ,! natural hi/orian1 or !     
a/ronom]1 fe>s n ! publication ( op9ions
 contr>y to 8 own1 except f a s*ola/ic  
habit1 le>n$ 9 ! cl]ical sem9>ies1 :i*  
/ill disgrace almo/ e c\ntry4 ,! *emi/  
eag]ly p]uses all !ories2 ! div9e alone 
refuses to argue ) 8 oppon5ts1 &        
trembles at ! v "n ( reason4 ,i diff] 9 
my philosophical op9ions f ,mr4 ,pa9e2  
my pr9ciples ext5d s mu* f>!r ?an 81 t  
,i suspect ,i come "u ! class :i* y are 
pleas$ to call madm51 & e cl]gyman w\ld 
affect to despise1 b d>e n argue )1 be=e
 an unprejudic$ tribunal4 ,^!1 ,sir1 are
 ! effects ( sup]/ition1 & ! cunn+      
policy ( ! ,*ur*4 ,! ,bible is h>dly    
suff]$ to be read 9 ,ca?olic c\ntries4  
,! ,engli% re=m]s c\ld n g s f>2 _!     
revolution sprung f a dawn ( philosophy4
 ,! ,engli% cl]gy1 h[ev]1 w\ld conf9e u 
to ! read+ ( t un9telligible f>rago1 & !
 /ill m insuff]able comm5t>ies ^u x4 ,s 
did ! s*ola/ics ) ,ari/otle2 _! bigott$ 

p>tiality to ?is au?or 0 ne>ly ( ! same 
=ce ) ! prie/ly atta*m5t to ! ,bible4   
,!y ret>d$ sci5ce2 b ! motives ( ! cl]gy
 are /rong]4 ,by ! ,bible !y live2 & x  
is n uncommon to he> ! p>son d]ide 9    
private :at he prea*es f ! pulpit4  ,b  
to y\r fir/ lett]4  ,aft] ! pi\s wi% =  
,?omas ,pa9e's dea?1 y proce$ to /ate h[
 mis]able ! adoption ( 8 doctr9es w\ld  
r5d] ! unhappy virtu\s4 ,fe> n su* a    
dire ev5t3 ! pi\s are few 9 numb]1 & (  
^?1 few h ! c\rage to op5 a book        
controv]t+ _! op9ions1 & :i*1 !y are    
taught to believe1 conta9s no?+ b       
blasphemies ,b1 %\ld *ance lead !m to a 
detection ( _! errors1 !y w\ld only     
become less dev\t1 & m useful citiz5s4  
,fre$ f ! prospect ( hell & heav51 !y w 
h leisure to ?9k ( ?is _w1 9 :i* !y live
 some:at l h]mits1 lov+ only _! prie/s1 
& ready to sacrifice victims to         
cr$ulity4  ,y say1 t guillot9e massacres
 7 n ! effect ( ! ,popi% religion1 b ( !
 disbelief ( ?is sy/em4 ,?is des]ves "s 
consid]ation4 ,x is n true1 t ! majority

 ( ! p ( ,p>is 7 unbeliev]s4 ,no1 ,sir1 
!y swore to ! miracles ( ,abbe ,p>is1 & 
7 z ready to give te/imony to ! wond]ful
 cures & prodigies op]at$ by 8          
int]cession1 z ! ,jews or ,*ri/ians h   
be5 to v\* = !irs4 ,! fact is ?is3 !    
lively disposition ( ! ,fr5*1 !         
un9telligibility ( _! religion1 & !     
%ameful conduct ( ! prie/s1 turn$ _!    
att5tion to ! m s]i\s object ( politics2
 b ?is ev5t c\ld n imm$iately *ange !   
nature ( ! murd]]s ( ! ,prote/ants on   
,/4 ,b>?olomew's day4 ,does y\r ,lord%ip
 imag9e1 t ! peasants ( ,la ,v5dee are  
models ( morality8 ,if y ?9k s1 ,i mu/  
undeceive y4 ,no?+ b ignorance prevails 
9 t di/rict2 l ! anci5t crusad]s1 !y are
 l$ solely by _! prie/s1 :o1 by means ( 
c]ta9 words :i* e>ly habits & sup]/ition
 h made _! foll[]s respect1 &1 toge!r ) 
want ( communication ) ! re/ ( ,france1 
h inflam$ !m1 & driv5 !m to slaught]3   
ev5 miracles h n be5 want+ 9 t "p ( !   
c\ntry2 b 9 ?is1 z 9 _m o!r in/ances1 !y
 h disappe>$1 on ! arrival ( incr$ul\s  

troops1 ^: he>ts are p]haps h>d5$ by    
,god1 l ! ,egyptians ( old4 ,s9ce ,god  
dim9i%es m5's fai? 9 proportion z he    
gives !m human wisdom1 let u n endeav\r 
to controv]t ?is heav5ly w1 by endeav\r+
 to make ! enlight5$ p ( ! eighte5?     
c5tury s cr$ul\s z 9 ! =m] days (       
ignorance4 ,! ,bi%op all[s1 t ! high]   
classes ( e c\ntry all lean t[>ds       
infidelity2 !y are m guid$ by reason1 & 
reason is ! av[$ enemy ( fai?1 x be+ !  
crit]ion ( fai?1 t x conta9s natural    
impossibilities4 ,x is un=tunate t s _m 
sects pret5d to fai?1 & diff] s mu*     
among !mselves2 & t to expla9 _! fai?s1 
!y use ! weapons ( reason aga9/ "o      
ano!r4 ,?is ( itself proves1 t fai? is b
 a cant ^w1 s9ce ! fai?ful argue ab\t   
:at comes n "u human k4 ,?us all        
religi\s sect>ies1 :e!r ,*ri/ians1      
,jews1 ,mahometans1 ,boodzoi/s1 or      
,bram9s1 z /aun*ly believe contradictory
 doctr9es1 :ile1 9 ! inquiries t dep5d  
on _! reason1 we f9d t1 :]ev] m5 h long 
be5 civiliz$1 !y h1 9 a/ronomy1 9       

physics1 or e?ics1 come 9 g5]al to !    
same conclusions4 ,! language ( !       
philosoph] is und]/ood 9 ,pek9 z well z 
9 ,rome2 b ! religi\s fanatics ( e      
c\ntry diff] 9 _! op9ions1 & consid] all
 b !mselves z dream]s & impo/ors4 ,!    
,bram9 laughs at ! /ory ( ,noah & ! ark1
 ! /opp+ ( ! sun1 & ! inc>nation ( ,god2
 :ile ! ,*ri/ian %[s ! same contempt = !
 inc>nation ( ,vi%nu1 & o!r articles ( !
 ,bram9ical fai?4 ,! ex]cise ( reason   
alone %[s u ! true limits ( our         
intellectual faculties4 ,ignorance ( ?is
 is ! cause ( all rev]ies 9 sci5ce1 z 9 
religion2 x is only sup]/ition t incites
 m5 to laun* beyond _! conceptions4  ,y 
accuse ( infidelity all ^? :o commit    
crimes aga9/ society4 ,:5 we answ]1 t ! 
,jewi% & ,*ri/ian religions h delug$ !  
_w ) blood1 y reply1 t x is n z be+     
,jews & ,*ri/ians1 b because !y 7 wick$4
 ,at ! same "t1 ,i hope y all[1 t !     
,sp>tans1 ! ,a!nians1 ! ,romans1 !      
,*9ese1 did n commit half ! atrocities  
:i* disgrace ,jewi% hi/ory1 ! a]a ( !   

crusades & ! ,*ri/ian p]secutions1 ( !  
invasion ( ,am]ica1 ! massacres (       
h]etics1 c4 ,! c&id obs]v] mu/ !re=e    
conclude1 t "r & wrong is n conf9$ to   
sects2 t ! ,*ri/ian religion1 :atev] its
 precepts may be1 has n be5 able to     
prev5t crimes1 :ile nations :o knew n s 
mu* z ! "n ( ,moses or ,*ri/1 produc$ a 
,confucius1 an ,ari/ides1 a ,socrates1  
an ,epam9ondas1 a ,c9c9natus4 ,among ^! 
nations1 :o knew n ! ,"l ,jehovah1 we   
f9d ,ar*im$es1 ,epicurus1 ,demo/h5es1   
,plato1 ,ari/otle1 ,cic]o1 :ile ! *os5 p
 ( ,god1 & _! successors1 ! ,*ri/ians1  
borr[$ _! language1 ! v names ( _! gods1
 & ! little sci5ce !y knew1 f ^! despis$
 infidels4 ,x 0 n ! oracle ( ,delphos1 !
 augurs1 or ! sybils1 t enlight5$ !     
,greeks & ,romans4 ,! rabble cr$it$ !m1 
z ! ignorant ,jews & ,*ri/ians did _!   
prophets & apo/les4 ,9 %ort1 morals _c  
be inv5t$2 !re _c be two sy/ems (       
morality4 ,! precepts mu/ be direct$ to 
pr9ciples exi/+ 9 ! he>t ( man4         
,ignorance conceals f nations ! rule (  

conduct1 9 ! same mann] t x prev5ts !m f
 kn[+ geometry2 ! mom5t !y /udy ei!r1 !y
 are put 9 ! road ( tru?4 ,no wond]1 !n1
 t 9 ! times ( ! greate/ oppression1 :5 
fright5$ into c]ta9 doctr9es by ! /ories
 ( nurses & p>5ts1 _m le>n$ m5 %\ld n h 
be5 able to conqu] _! fir/ prejudices4  
,y c]ta9ly "k ! "t :5 a/rology & !      
philosoph]'s /one 7 9 fa%ion2 ! believ]s
 9 ^! rev]ies 7 m5 ( sci5ce4 ,van       
,helmont1 ,/ahl1 ,boyle1 & innum]able   
o!rs 7 possess$ ( ?is madness4 ,y c be  
no /rang] to ! num]\s wret*es t suff]$ =
 wit*craft & necromancy1 &1 ^u ! v br9k 
( dea?1 confess$ !y 7 guilty4  ,! next  
reflection ! ,doctor makes1 is respect+ 
gospel mod]ation1 = :i* purpose he      
quotes1 ,:o art ?\ t judge/ ano!r man's 
s]vant8 to 8 own ma/] he /&e? or falle?4
 ,yet has ?is be5 done by all ,*ri/ian  
rul]s2 & ! cl]gy are at ?is mom5t1 9    
express defiance ( ?is maxim1 ab\t to   
s5d mission>ies to dissem9ate pr9ciples 
t h ev] produc$ int]nal diss5sions1 &   
)\t :i* infidels h liv$ 9 p]fect        

happ9ess4 ,x is1 p]haps1 an excess (    
piety2 b cool obs]v]s pret5d1 t x is !  
high prie/1 n ! ,high ,god1 t !y are go+
 to prea*3 to fill _! knapsacks is !    
fir/ object ( ^! pilgrims1 & _! ,god is 
made subs]vi5t4 ,unluckily = ! ,bi%op1  
he c\ld n adduce a m dete/able maxim1 to
 %[ 8 *>ity1 ?an t :i* ,i h j quot$3 x  
is ! pivot ( ,ori5tal despotism2 x      
tea*es passive ob$i5ce to all classes2 !
 fa!r is ! tyrant ( 8 *ildr51 ! nabob ( 
8 subjects1 ! emp]or ( all3 x is a maxim
 ^: t5d5cy is to root 9 m5's m9ds1 t we 
are ! prop]ty ( "o ano!r1 & may be      
inh]it$ z cattle4 ,to ^? ( my read]s :o 
are pleas$ ) x1 ,i wi% a ?or\gh exp]i5ce
 ( its effects4  ,! rema9d] ( y\r fir/  
lett] conta9s obs]vations to :i* ,i     
p]fectly acc$e4 ,y\r conclusion aga9/   
,?omas ,pa9e is p]fectly fair4 ,any     
app>5t deviation f moral ju/ice 9 ! _w  
mu/ prove z mu* aga9/ ! goodness ( ,god1
 z a simil> inconsi/5cy 9 8 imm$iate    
actions & comm&s proves aga9/ reveal$   
religion4 ,my ,"l1 we are 9 ! abyss (   

error2 y\r "q ) ,?omas ,pa9e is ab\t !  
comp>ative absurdity ( ! two ,op9ions4  
,! dei/ical notions ( y\r adv]s>y d n   
agree ) 8 reasonable t5ets2 b ,i readily
 grant1 t1 to a religi\s p]son1 no?+ is 
incr$ible2 & t ! great] ! inconsi/5cies1
 ! m sublime ! sy/em4 ,b let me ask y\r 
,lord%ip1 :at y conclude aga9/ "o1 :o1 l
 myself1 is n a ,dei/8 & repeats1 ) !   
fir/ philosoph] ( ! age1 t !re are only 
f\r possible hypo!ses ^u ! causes ( !   
univ]se3 #a/4 ,t !y are purely good4    
#b;dly4 ,t !y are malici\s4 #c;dly4 ,t  
!y are a mixture ( good & evil4 ,&1     
la/ly1 ,t !y nei!r possess b5evol5ce1   
nor any o!r passions4 ,! two fir/       
hypo!ses are equally contradict$ by     
daily exp]i5ce1 ! mixture ( good & evil 
is too app>5t3 ! ?ird is d5i$1 by !     
/ead9ess ( ! laws ( nature3 ! la/1 !n1  
only is admissible4  ,y next proce$ to  
ju/ify sev]al actions ( ! ,jews1 :i* y &
 ! ,bible are pleas$ to call ,god's     
comm&s4 ,i mu/ decl9e foll[+ y\r        
reason+2 = ! v exi/5ce ( su* crimes z ! 

,jews ascribe to _! enemies1 & :i*1 !y  
say1 7 s repugnant to ,god1 w\ld (      
!mselves prove aga9/ ! goodness ( t     
,be+4 ,8 frequ5t ?reats1 & ! ext]m9ation
 ( s _m mis]able nations1 is a poor     
exp$i5t2 l t ( a man1 :o1 attempt+ to   
make a ma*9e1 & foil$ 9 8 endeav\rs1    
glori$ 9 break+ x 9 a ?\s& pieces4 ,h[  
mu* m ridicul\s is t sublime ,artific]1 
:o employs ! same means :i* impot5ce or 
malevol5ce give rise to 9 8 wret*$      
*ildr54 ,i am glad y h no rec\rse to !  
silly causes ( a!ism1 z giv5 by t       
illu/ri\s dream]1 ,plato4  ,! _w has too
 long be5 impos$ ^u by ridicul\s        
attempts to vilify a!i/s1 & %[ _!       
nonexi/5ce4 ,t "n has be5 a cant ^w1 l  
,jacob9 9 ,france1 & ,:ig & ,tory 9     
,engl&1 :i* e p]son applies to 8        
neighb\r z x be/ suits him4 ,9 ,ca?olic 
c\ntries1 all :o d>e ?9k are h]etics2   
among ,prote/ants1 !y are a!i/s4 ,be+ a 
^w ( opprobrium1 x has ev] be5 us$ z a  
p[]ful eng9e 9 ! h&s ( ! cl]gy4 ,! "q is
 ^u ! tru? ( sy/ems1 n ^u ! "* ( ^? :o  

pr(ess !m4 ,if ?is 7 ! discrim9ation1 & 
! palm giv5 to t religion t has _h !    
greate/ numb] ( hone/ m51 ! ,*ri/ian    
sy/em w\ld c]ta9ly lose ! conte/4  ,!   
,bi%op seems to ?9k1 t savages h n s    
p]fect a notion ( ,god z we imag9e3     
religion1 he supposes1 beg9s z x 7 9    
express revelation4 ,?is is b ! fancy ( 
a cl]gyman1 unsupport$ by any pro(s2 b  
at lea/ x %[s1 t ! ,bi%op involunt>ily  
ackn[l$ges1 t reason alone c h>dly give 
u ! idea ( a rul+ ,be+4 ,! savage1 x is 
true1 does n disc\rse 9 a metaphysical  
j>gon2 he wants expressions3 b ,i wi% ! 
,doctor w\ld in=m me 9 :at our ,cate*ism
 def9ition ( ,god is cle>] ?an ! notions
 ( ! rude/ savage1 :o1 trembl+ at !     
approa* ( ?und] & viol5t convulsions (  
nature1 or enjoy+ ! g5ial sun & f]tiliz+
 inundations1 imag9es all ! _w to be    
animat$ ) 8 own passions4 ,! ?und] is a 
m>k ( wra?1 :ile ! bless+s are signs ( a
 propiti\s g5ius4 ,to conciliate ^!     
imag9>y be+s1 to av]t _! wra?1 is ! gr& 
object ( sup]/ition4 ,s*oolm5 conceal1  

"u _! my/ical j>gon1 ! real mat]ials :i*
 _! gods are made (2 !y conceal t !     
,supreme ,artific] is ! (fspr+ ( fancy1 
! figurative & unphilosophical symbol ( 
nature1 to :i* !y give human            
dispositions3 9 all religi\s sy/ems m5  
are ! type ( _! gods4 ,y\r lett]        
concludes ) a rem>k suffici5tly         
extraord9>y1 t mo/ ,dei/s ( y\r         
acqua9tance disbelieve ! my/]i\s        
conv]sations ( ,god1 8 miracles1 & su*  
o!r /ories1 because !y are too wond]ful1
 & aga9/ ! ord] ( nature4 ,y\r reply is 
curi\s3 because we nev] h se5 ! l ( !m1 
does x foll[ t !y are untrue8 ,give me  
leave to tell y1 my ,"l1 t y h =gott5 ! 
rules ( logic3 y "k1 t 9 all cases1 b ( 
demon/ration1 ! philosoph] does no?+ b  
weigh probabilities4 ,any ?+ t is       
conceivable is possible3 b are we !re=e 
to believe 9 ! exi/5ce ( wit*es or      
necromanc]s8 ,are we to give cr$it to ! 
_w hav+ sprung f an egg8 ,t ,mahomet    
divid$ ! moon8 ,t ! sun /ood /ill8 ,t   
a/rology is a sci5ce8 ,yet :at reason h 

we to disbelieve !m8 ,! respective      
support]s ( ^! op9ions may say ) !      
,doctor1 t no?+ c be too wond]ful1 & t1 
because ^! ?+s h n happ5$ 9 our "t1 x   
does n foll[ !y %\ld be untrue4 ,i      
ackn[l$ge1 ) ! ,doctor1 t _m ,dei/s     
admit a ,be+ z inconceivable z any      
religi\s my/]y2 !re=e x may seem        
ridicul\s 9 !m to /op _! cr$ulity2 s9ce 
we call ,god j1 :5 no?+ b a concat5ation
 ( causes & effects c be p]ceiv$ 9 ! _w2
 :5 we proclaim him b5evol5t1 :ile ! _w 
is full ( vice1 :ile millions p]i% 9    
mis]y1 & cont9ual calamities befal      
mank9d2 :ile1 9 %ort1 mo/ m5 h ! gloomy 
prospect ( damnation be=e !m4 ,^! are   
great] miracles ?an an univ]sal deluge1 
mak+ a woman f a rib1 or ,god's         
c\nt5anc+ ! atroci\s murd]s ( ,jews4 ,he
 t w believe "o wond]1 has no plea =    
d\bt+ ! re/4     ,,lett] ,,ii4  ,,my    
,,"l1  ,y\r second lett] beg9s ) "s nice
 di/9ctions betwe5 au!nticity &         
g5u95ess4 ,! :ole reason+ seems to am\nt
 to ?is1 t a book may be au!ntic1 al?\gh

 n g5u9e1 & vice v]sa4 ,to ?is          
proposition we 7 no /rang]s2 b piety    
makes y\r ,lord%ip =get "s o!r          
consid]ations4 ,:5 ! pro(s ( au!nticity 
dep5d 9 a great measure ^u ! g5u95ess ( 
a book1 !n ! au!nticity falls to ! gr\nd
 ! mom5t we prove x spuri\s4 ,?us !     
,jews /r5u\sly ma9ta9$1 t ! ,p5tateu* _h
 be5 writt5 by an inspir$ man at a      
p>ticul> "t4 ,b if ,moses is %[n n to h 
writt5 ^! books1 ,i tru/ y w n decl>e !m
 au!ntic1 )\t o!r v solid pro(s4 ,:5 a  
:ole nation is prov$ to be mi/ak5       
respect+ ! au?or ( a "w1 we ought n     
ha/ily to cr$it _! leg5ds4 ,moreov]1    
logic tea*es u1 t 9 proportion z ev5ts  
are incr$ible1 !y require a /rong]      
te/imony to prove t !y h actually tak5  
place4 ,a battle may h be5 f\ght1 a city
 may h be5 de/roy$1 b miracles be+ aga9/
 ! ord] ( nature1 no te/imony c be /rong
 en\gh to prove !m1 we mu/ aga9 appeal  
to fai?4 ,x is s mu* easi] = m5 to be   
deceiv$ or impos$ ^u1 or = p]sons       
design$ly to mislead _! cr$ul\s foll[]s1

 t unless x 7 m miracul\s t a man %\ld  
be mi/ak51 ?an t ! miracle happ5$1 we   
ought n to give cr$it to su* fables4 ,if
 we drop ?is rule ( logic1 we %all      
readily believe prodigies ( all sorts1  
:e!r wr\ght by ,moses1 ,jesus ,*ri/1    
,mahomet1 ,/4 ,antony ( ,padua1 or any  
mod]n wond]-work]s1 wit*es1 magicians1  
a/rolog]s1 or magnetis]s4 ,mr4 ,pa9e no 
:]e ass]ts1 t because a book is n g5u9e1
 x mu/ be false2 b c]ta9ly he might     
ass]t ?is ( ! ,bible4 ,y say1 t if !    
works ( ,titus ,livius _h be5 ascrib$ to
 ano!r1 !y w\ld nev]!less be true2 h[   
w\ld y asc]ta9 x8 ,if ! :ole ,roman     
nation suppos$ !m to h be5 writt5 by a  
p>ticul> au?or at a c]ta9 "t1 & %\ld we 
be enabl$ to po9t out _m passages       
evid5tly writt5 9 a po/]ior age1 w\ld y1
 )\t any o!r pro(s1 jo9 9 ! ass5t to !  
au!nticity ( ! hi/ory1 ^u a tradition s 
vague1 & already prov$ false 9 s mat]ial
 a po9t8 ,al?\gh ,i am no ,bi%op1 ,i    
w\ld only imag9e1 t z to probable ev5ts 
conta9$ 9 su* spuri\s books1 !re might h

 be5 "s gr\nds = !m2 b ,i w\ld receive  
!m ) great caution2 &1 at any rate1 nev]
 w\ld ,i e/abli% a sy/em ( hi/ory1 mu*  
less ( religion1 ^u ! productions ( an  
ignorant p3 9 all cases1 ev5ts relat$   
aga9/ ! ord] ( nature are to be consid]$
 z ! rev]ies ( d>k ages4 ,to elucidate  
y\r pr9ciples1 y m5tion ,anson's voyage1
 writt5 by ,rob9s1 "u ! "n ( ,walt]1 to 
prove t a spuri\s "w may conta9 a true  
hi/ory2 b1 my ,"l1 d y =get1 t ?is 0    
writt5 at a "t :5 ! :ole nation knew t  
,"l ,anson _h made su* a voyage1 & e man
 9 8 fleet c\ld te/ify ! p>ticul>s ( x8 
,b if our po/]ity1 f\r or five c5turies 
h5ce1 %\ld discov] a book purport+ to be
 writt5 by a ,mr4 ,walt]s1 detail+ !    
voyage ( ,admiral ,anson1 & if 9 t book 
!y %\ld meet a passage speak+ ( ! late  
revolution 9 ,france1 or ( ! au?or's    
dea? & burial1 w\ld n t /rike at !      
au!nticity ( ! :ole8 ,w\ld any "p be    
believ$ t 0 n corroborat$ by ! evid5ce (
 respectable contempor>y au?ors8 ,all t 
c\ld be inf]r$ w\ld be f ! nature ( !   

ev5ts relat$1 su* z ! accurate          
description ( c\ntries1 & su* o!r       
p>ticul>s z m>k$ ei!r ! p]iod ( !       
obs]vations1 or _! tru?3 9 ! fir/ case1 
!y might suspect ! "w to be int]polat$2 
9 ! second1 !y w\ld value x only = !    
accuracy ( in=mation4 ,x is diff]5t )   
sci5tifical & hi/orical works3 a spuri\s
 book ( sci5ce may conta9 tru?s1 !y /& =
 !mselves1 !y are ! same at all times & 
places4 ,n s 9 hi/ory3 ! tru? "h dep5ds 
on ! univ]sal cons5t ( nations1 on !    
te/imony ( au?ors ( cr$ibility confront$
 ) ea* o!r1 & 9 all cases relat+ ?+s    
probable4 ,:5 we read 9 a ,*9ese hi/ory1
 t ! goddess ,amida peopl$ ! _w by be>+ 
male *ildr5 f "u "o arm1 & females "u   
ano!r1 or1 9 ! ,mahometan writ]s1 t !   
trees spoke to ! f\nd] ( t sect1 w\ld a 
man cr$it any circum/ance1 h[ev]        
probable1 relat$ 9 su* hi/ories1 )\t !  
/ronge/ collat]al pro(s8 ,& %\ld we     
fur!r discov]1 t ^! hi/ories detail$    
ev5ts po/]ior to _! au?or's dea?1 w\ld n
 ?is make ! :ole /ill m improbable8 ,y\r

 rem>k ^u ?is subject is s+ul>3 y say1 t
 if ,jo%ua1 ,samuel1 or ,moses1 decl>$  
!mselves ! au?ors ( ! works ascrib$ to  
!m1 !n to prove ^! books spuri\s w\ld at
 once de/roy _! g5u95ess & au!nticity4  
,i w\ld reason ?us3 ,moses does n say1 t
 he 0 ! au?or ( ! ,p5tateu*2 :y !n d we 
believe t he wrote x8 ,y w\ld1 no d\bt1 
answ]1 t ! tradition ( ! ,jews proclaims
 him su*4 ,i retort1 t if ! g5u95ess ( a
 book may be prov$ by tradition1 we     
ought z mu* to argue aga9/ ! au!nticity 
( a "w1 f hav+ prov$ ! g5]al belief (   
its g5u95ess to be f\nd$ on error1 z if 
! au?or _h said1 ,i am ! au?or ( ?is    
book4 ,?is we %all1 9 ! sequel1 prove to
 be ! case ) ! books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t4 
,! addition ( an express decl>ation (   
,moses w\ld add no au!nticity to !      
,p5tateu*1 s9ce x is z easy to =ge a "w 
:]e ! au?or speaks 9 ! fir/ z 9 ! ?ird  
p]son4  ,y\r next rem>k is conc]n+      
miracles4 ,i h already obs]v$1 t no     
te/imony c give !m belief4 ,y ma9ta91 t 
! degree & k9d ( evid5ce = ! prodigies  

record$ 9 ! ,bible exce$s t = any o!r   
wond]s4 ,h[ ?is happ5s ,i am unable to  
compreh5d4 ,i "k !y are conta9$ 9 a book
 compos$ by ! prie/s ( ! mo/ cr$ul\s &  
ignorant nation t p]haps ev] exi/$2 & ! 
au?ority ( ^! unkn[n & obscure p]sons1  
is all ! evid5ce we h = cr$it+ _!       
/ories4 ,an ,engli% ,bi%op tells 8      
c\ntrym51 t ! miracle ( ! sun /&+ /ill  
is bett] support$ ?an ! prodigies (     
,abbe ,p>is1 ,mesm]1 & ! late ,labre at 
,rome1 ?an ! num]\s ,indian1 ,*9ese1 &  
,popi% miracles1 ( :i* a great "p are   
atte/$ by magi/rates1 div9es1           
physicians1 & ! mo/ enlight5$ classes ( 
society2 :ile ! wond]ful repa/ ( !      
angels ) ,abraham1 or ! m>vell\s tale ( 
,jonah's ?ree days' resid5ce 9 ! belly (
 a fi%1 dep5ds ^u ! au?ority ( a book   
:i* we %all prove to be spuri\s1 to h   
be5 lo/ = sev]al ages1 & to be compil$1 
if n altoge!r compos$1 by "s ,jewi%     
scribes1 :o 71 z !y !mselves ackn[l$ge1 
! only m5 v]s$ 9 ! scriptures ( !       
nation4 ,i ?\ght y w\ld h kn[n sacr$    

hi/ory bett] ?an at ! pres5t day to make
 su* unsupport$ ass]tions4 ,h y =gott5 !
 wond]s ( ! magicians ( ,ph>aoh8 ,d y n 
recollect ! express ackn[l$gm5t ( ,moses
 himself1 t !re may be miracles &       
prophecies p]=m$ by m5 :o ador$ n ! ,"l 
,jehovah8 ,does he n say1 9 *ap4 xiii4 (
 ,deut]onomy1 ,if !re arise among y a   
prophet1 or a dream] ( dreams1 & give?  
!e a sign or a wond]1 & ! sign or !     
wond] come to pass :]e( he spake unto   
!e1 say+1 ,let u g aft] o!r gods1 c4--t 
prophet1 or t dream] ( dreams1 %all be  
put to dea?1 because he ha? spok5 to y  
to turn away f ! ,"l y\r ,god4 ,x is n  
because he is a false prophet1 b because
 he is n a prophet ( ,jehovah4 ,does n  
?is at once %[ ! grossness ( !          
conceptions ( ! ,jews1 & ! sophi/ical   
mode ( argu+ ( _! legislator8 ,= ,i w\ld
 ask1 ,h[ did ,moses prove himself !    
oracle ( ,god8 ,or h[ did ,jesus ,*ri/  
%[ himself ! ,son ( ,god1 b by _!       
pret5d$ miracles8 ,:y !n believe !      
te/imony ( a miracle 9 "o in/ance1 & n 9

 ano!r8 ,b ! ,jews c]ta9ly imag9$1 t !re
 7 sev]al gods1 & t !y qu>rell$ ) ea*   
o!r1 z k+s are us$ to d2 !re=e x 0      
natural t "o set ( prophets %\ld try to 
ext]m9ate ano!r1 & be z invet]ate aga9/ 
!m z ! ,"l ,jehovah 0 aga9/ ,baal1 or   
o!r rival gods4 ,if ! read] imag9es ,i  
speak at r&om :5 ,i say1 ! ,jews believ$
 9 o!r gods1 ,i ref] him to ,judges1    
*ap4 xi4 v]4 #bc1 #cd1 :]e x is said1 ,s
 n[ ! ,"l ,god ( ,israel ha? dispossess$
 ! ,amorites f be=e 8 p ,israel1 & %\ld/
 ?\ n possess x8 ,wilt ?\ n possess t   
:i* ,*emo% ?y god give? !e to possess8  
,s :omsoev] ! ,"l our ,god %all drive   
out f be=e u1 !m w we possess4 ,!re _c  
be a fair] p>allel4  ,i c h>dly imag9e a
 ,bi%op ignorant ( ! augurs1 oracles1 & 
sybils ( ! ,greeks & ,romans1 & ( !     
implicit belief ^! nations _h 9 !m2 !   
tru? ( _! prophecies 0 fully z well     
e/abli%$ z ! prophecies ( ! ,jews4      
,nei!r 7 miracles uncommon among !      
hea!ns4 ,y h1 no d\bt1 read ,/4 ,ambrose
 & ,orig51 & h f\nd 9 ! works ( ^! & o!r

 fa!rs1 t ! only diff]5ce betwe5 !      
miracles ( ! ,*ri/ians & infidels1 01 t 
! =m] 7 op]at$ by ,god1 & ! latt] by !  
devil2 & c\ld ,i be satisfi$ t ,satan   
took up ,jesus ,*ri/ to ! top ( t high  
m\nta91 7n[ unkn[n to geograph]s7 f ^:  
p9nacle all ! _w c\ld be se51 ?is w\ld  
surprise me z mu* z to see ,jesus ,*ri/1
 or any o!r wond]-work]1 br++ a dead man
 to life4 ,i am a%am$ to h inveigh$ s   
long aga9/ silly prejudices2 b ,i c\ld n
 avoid call+ ^u y\r ,lord%ip1 to po9t   
out ! diff]5ce betwe5 gospel-miracles & 
! ridicul\s tales believ$ 9 all d>k     
ages1 & ( :i* we f9d s copi\s           
collections 9 ! works ( ! fir/ fa!rs4 ,!
 axiom ( philosoph]s1 t no human        
te/imony c e/abli% ! cr$ibility1 (      
miracles1 y h left unansw]$4 ,y say x   
has be5 confut$ an hundr$ times3 _h y   
giv5 ! confutation ( x1 we w\ld h be5   
able to asc]ta9 ! tru? ( y\r ass]tion4  
,y are writ+ = ! multitude1 & be+ a     
dignit>y ( ! *ur*1 ought to furni% ! p )
 arms to oppose reason4 ,p]haps !       

unsuccessful attempt ( ,dr4 ,campbell   
has det]r$ y f at lea/ recapitulat+ !   
pr9cipal answ]s to ?is proposition4     
,till y c prove t ! great mass ( mank9d 
are n v fallible & easily deceiv$ by any
 impo/or1 or t !y are dispos$ & capable 
to exam9e ! tru? ( reports spread ab\t  
prodigies1 y w nev] be able to p]suade  
m5 ( s5se1 t ev5ts impossible are to be 
believ$ ^u ! te/imony ( ^? :o n only    
are1 b h con/antly be51 ! slaves (      
cr$ulity 9 all c\ntries4  ,y !n %[1 t   
,mr4 ,pa9e's objections to ! g5u95ess   
are n new4 ,?is is true2 & ,i am        
surpris$ y h quot$ s few support]s ( 8  
op9ions4 ,y\r attempt to prove !        
g5u95ess ( ! ,p5tateu*1 by direct       
evid5ce1 is ridicul\s4 ,:at6            
,maimonides1 t5 c5turies aft] !         
de/ruction ( ! ,jews1 a ,jew himself1 & 
writ+ at a p]iod s remote f ! suppos$   
date ( ! books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t1 is1 by
 ,dr4 ,watson1 call$ a direct evid5ce ( 
! g5u95ess ( ! ,p5tateu*4 ,juv5al1 a    
poet1 :o 9 m ?an "o place ridicules !   

cr$ulity ( ! ,jews1 says1 t !y believe 9
 ,moses--s d ! ,europeans all[ t !      
,indians believe 9 ,brama4--,we "q n !  
g5]al traditions ( ! ,jews1 b ! cr$it !y
 des]ve2 & ,i %all next proce$ to %[1 t 
! books ( ! ,p5tateu* are spuri\s1 &    
undes]v+ ( cr$it4 ,! "n ( ,moses & !    
,jews 7 unkn[n to ! fam\s ,pho5ician    
hi/orian ,san*oniato1 ( :om ,eusebius   
has pres]v$ u "s extracts2 he has nev]  
m5tion$ a ^w ab\t ?is fam\s legislator3 
_h he done s1 ,eusebius 0 too /r5u\s an 
advocate = ,*ri/ianity n to h record$ x4
 ,! books ( ! ,jews 7 conceal$ f all !  
_w be=e ! fam\s ,greek translation made 
at ! in/ance ( ,ptolemy ,philadelphia4  
,josephus himself ackn[l$ges1 t no hea!n
 knew ! ,jewi% books1 :i* he endeav\rs  
to expla91 by "s miracul\s int]f]5ce (  
,god to keep !m f ! impi\s4 ,x is       
evid5t1 t ! insignificance & ignorance (
 ! ,jews 7 suffici5t to scre5 !m = a    
long "t f ! se>* ( philosoph]s4 ,^u !   
e>ly hi/ory ( ! ,jewi% nation1 h[ev]1 we
 h ! te/imony ( sev]al ( ! anci5t       

writ]s4 ,mane?o1 & ,*a]emon1 ,egyptian  
hi/orians1 give ! mo/ unfav\rable acc\nt
 ( ?is nation4 ,lisima*us does n fav\r  
!m any m2 &1 al?\gh he diff]s ab\t ! "n 
( ! k+ :o expell$ !m f ,egypt1 yet he   
agrees 9 call+ !m a set ( m5 infect$ )  
leprosy1 & ! meane/ ( ! subjects ( ! k+ 
( ,egypt4 ,diodorus ,siculus is z h>d ^u
 ^! wret*$ ,jews4 ,9 %ort1 ! op9ion ( _!
 be+ ! vile/ & mo/ ignorant ( m51 has   
prevail$ among all antiquity4 ,all !    
writ]s ab\t !m agree 9 /at+ t !y nev]   
produc$ any "w 9 sci5ce2 inde$1 t !y    
nev] improv$ any bran* ( useful k4 ,_m (
 ^! au?ors m5tion ,moses z a prie/ (    
,heliopolis1 :o l$ !m out ( ,egypt1 &   
gave !m a religion4 ,diodorus ,siculus  
in=ms u1 t ! ,god ( ,moses 0 ,jau1 or   
,jah\h1 :i* is ! true pronunciation (   
,jehovah2 & ,plut>* 7de ,iside7 says1 t 
! ,!bans ador$ ?is ,god1 & _h n images 9
 _! temples1 because ,jau signifi$ !    
g5]al pr9ciple ( life1 ! s\l ( ! _w4    
,/rabo1 9 8 ,geography1 book #af1 in=ms 
u1 t ,moses1 :o 0 an ,egyptian prie/1   

taught 8 foll[]s to wor%ip ! ,god       
,jah\h1 )\t repres5t+ x by emblems4 ,?is
 0 ! ,god ( ! ,!bans1 ! s\l ( ! _w4 ,!  
,jews h ev5 pres]v$ ! "n ( ,ts\r1 or    
giv] ( =ms1 & commonly translat$ by ! ^w
 creator 9 *ap4 xxxii4 ( ,deut]onomy4   
,h]odotus affirms1 t ! ,jews or ,syrians
 ( ,pale/9e borr[$ circumcision f !     
,egyptians4 ,diodorus says ! same2 & ev5
 ,philo & ,josephus d n d5y x4 ,a great 
_m o!r rites 7 copi$ by ! ,jews f ?is   
nation4 ,x is1 !re=e1 ( great consequ5ce
 to asc]ta9 ! age 9 :i* ! ,jewi% books 7
 writt52 = if we c prove t all !        
fundam5tal po9ts ( _! religion 7 copi$ f
 _! ma/]s ! ,egyptians1 or borr[$ f !   
,babylonians dur+ ! captivities1 !n !   
read] w judge ( ! tru? ( ! cl]ical      
op9ion1 t a h&ful ( hordes 7 ! fav\rite 
p ( ,god2 t a set ( ignorant & cr$ul\s  
vagabonds taught sci5ce to ! ,*9ese1    
,indians1 & ,egyptians1 & pres]v$ no?+  
among !mselves b "s ridicul\s acc\nts ( 
_! orig91 & a collection ( absurd       
prodigies4 ,if we succe$ 9 po9t+ out f  

:at s\rces ,jewi% my?ology is d]iv$1 !re
 w be b little difficulty 9 unravell+ ! 
pr9cipal fables conta9$ 9 ! ,p5tateu* & 
o!r ,jewi% books4 ,we are pretty well   
acqua9t$ ) ! allegories ( ! hea!n       
my?ologies4  ,i am ready to grant t     
sev]al ( ,mr4 ,pa9e's objections are n  
valid1 & (t5 trifl+2 b ,i decl>e1 once =
 all1 t ,i d n ?9k myself b\nd to foll[ 
,mr4 ,pa9e 9 e in/ance4 ,i %all direct  
my rem>ks1 r to disprove y\r reason+1   
?an to def5d e objection ( y\r oppon5t2 
at ! same "t1 ,i %all avoid repeat+ :at 
he has advanc$1 & y h n disprov$4 ,!    
*ief pro(s aga9/ ! g5u95ess ( !         
,p5tateu* h be5 ov]look$ by ,mr4 ,pa9e4 
,i %all /ate !m briefly4  ,fir/4 ,x 0   
believ$1 by all ! be/ in=m$ old fa!rs ( 
! *ur*1 t ! ,jewi% books _h be5         
absolutely lo/ dur+ ! captivity1 & t    
,esdras _h writt5 !m f inspiration2 or1 
t he collect$ ! ,p5tateu*1 & all o!r    
canonical books1 out ( :atev] records he
 c\ld f9d1 & put !m toge!r4 #a ,9 ei!r  
case1 _! au?ority is greatly invalidat$2

 & ! m s1 z ! f\r? book ( ,esdras1      
adopt$ by ! ,greek *ur*1 & g5]ally deem$
 au!ntic1 says expressly1 t ,esdras     
dictat$ ! holy books dur+ =ty successive
 days & nights1 to five scribes1 :o 7   
cont9ually writ+4 ,?is tale %[s         
suffici5tly ! g5]al belief t he 0 !     
re/or] ( ! long lo/ books ( ! law4 ,9   
our second book ( ,nehemiah1 or1 prop]ly
 speak+1 ,esdras1 x is said1 t ,ezra1 or
 ,esdras ! scribe1 :o 0 above all ! p1  
br\ght ! book ( ! law to ! p1 & !n ! p  
rejoic$ mu* 9 be+ in/ruct$ 9 ! law (    
,god1 t :5 !y f\nd !re ! comm&m5t ( !   
,"l ord]+ ! ,jews to p]=m ! fea/ ( !    
boo?s1 !re 0 great gladness1 & all !    
congregation ( !m t 7 come aga9 out ( ! 
captivity made boo?s1 & sat "u boo?s3 =1
 s9ce ! days ( ,jo%ua ! son ( ,nun1 unto
 t day1 _h n ! *ildr5 ( ,israel done s44
 ,if ! ,jews _h ev5 =gott5 a fea/1 !    
memory ( :i* e fa!r w\ld transmit to 8  
son1 is ?is n an evid5t pro( t !y _h no 
books 9 ! captivity8 ,aga91 9 *ap4 vii4 
( ! #a book ( ,esdras1 x is said1 t     

,esdras _h v great skill1 s t he omitt$ 
no?+ ( ! law & comm&m5ts ( ! ,"l1 b     
taught all ,israel ! ord9ances &        
judgm5ts4       #a ,porro ,esdram sancti
 patres doc5t io/anratorem suisse       
sacrorum librorum1 quod non ita         
intellig5dum e/1 quasi      scriptur    
sacr omnes p]i]9t 9 ev]sione civitatis1 
et      templi ,nabu*odonosor1 et ab    
,esdra div9itas inspirato      rep>at   
fu]9t1 ut fabulatur auctor1 ,l1 ,,iv4   
,esdr ,c4 ,,xiv4      ,s$ quod          
,scripturas ,mosis1 et prophet>um 9 v>ia
 volim9a      descriptas1 et 9 v>ia loca
 disp5reas1 et tempore      captivitatis
 non dilig5t] cons]vatas1 ,esdras summa 
dilig5tia collectas ord9av]it1 et 9 unum
 quasi corpus      r$ig]it4 ,bell>m9 de 
,script4 ,ecclesia/4 page #bb4  ,c any  
man1 aft] ?is1 d\bt t ,esdras is !      
compil] ( all ! books :i* ! ,jews _h n  
kn[n = _m c5turies8 ,& are we1 :o laugh 
at ! ,ca?olic c\ncils1 to tru/ to ! ^w (
 a ,jewi% scribe8 x is fur!r /at$ 9 #b  
,*ronicles1 *ap4 xxiv4 v]4 #ae1 t       

,hilkiah ! prie/ f\nd a book ( ! law (  
,god giv5 by ,moses1 & s5t x by ,saphan 
to k+ ,josias1 :o he>d x read1 :i* %[s t
 x mu/ h be5 v %ort2 &1 by ! context1 x 
w\ld appe> to h be5 ! law /rictly       
speak+2 ano!r pro( t ^! records 7       
altoge!r scatt]$1 & are all )\t         
au?ority1 s9ce x 0 s easy to =ge !m     
among a p :o seem$ to pres]ve no m ?an a
 traditional law4 ,aga91 al?\gh1 9 !    
old] ,jewi% books1 su* z ,k+s &         
,*ronicles1 we f9d ! "n ( ,moses (t5    
m5tion$1 yet no ^w answ]+ to ! five     
books ( ,p5tateu* is to be f\nd4 ,!     
,code ( laws ( ,moses seems to h be5    
=gott52 = ,solomon ornam5t$ ! temple )  
calves1 9 express contempt ( t law1 &   
?is :ile he 0 ! fav\rite ( ,god1 & !    
wise/ man 9 ! _w4 ,! v confusion t      
p]vades ! books ascrib$ to ,moses1 %[s  
!m to h be5 compilations4 ,j]ome1 :o 0  
"o ( ! mo/ le>n$ ( ! fa!rs1 confesses t 
he d>es n affirm t ,moses is ! au?or ( !
 ,p5tateu*2 he ev5 adds1 t he has no    
objection to all[ t ,esdras wrote !     

books 9 "q4 #a       #a ,sive ,mos5     
dic]e volu]is auctorem ,p5tateu*i1 sive 
,esdram ejuadem iu/auratorem op]is1 non 
recuso4 ,hi]onim4      ,op4 ,tom4 ,,iv4 
p4 #acd4 ,apud ,edit4 ,p>is #agjf1      
,secondly4 ,we "k t no canon ( books ev]
 exi/$ among ! ,jew's till ! "t ( !     
synagogue "u ! ,maccabees4 ,be=e _!     
reign1 !re _h nev] exi/$ among ! ,jews  
any su* c\ncil2 &1 if ! ^w occurs 9 !   
,p5tateu*1 x is a fault ( ! transcrib]s 
& compos]s1 :o liv$ :5 !re 0 a          
synagogue1 & is n to be und]/ood 9 any  
o!r acceptation ?an a collection (      
prie/s4 ,! ,ph>isees ( ! second temple  
*ose ! books !y ?\ght be/ among a       
multitude ( =g]ies4 ,! ,talmud relates1 
t ?is synagogue 7 ab\t to reject ! ,book
 ( ,prov]bs1 ,ezekiel's prophecies1 &   
,ecclesia/es1 because !y imag9$ ^!      
writ+s contradictory to ! law ( ,god2 b 
a c]ta9 ,rabb9 hav+ und]tak5 to         
reconcile !m1 !y 7 pres]v$ z canonical4 
,a prodigi\s numb] ( =g$ ,books (       
,daniel1 ,esdras1 & ( ! ,prophets1 7 !n 

9 circulation2 & to di/+ui% ! g5u9e f ! 
false works became absolutely necess>y4 
,?is d\bt & unc]ta9ty conspires to r5d] 
! decision ( ! synagogue v d\btful2     
p>ticul>ly1 z we %all %[ 9 ! sequel1 t  
_m passages ( ! ,prophecies are writt5  
evid5tly ab\t ! "t ( ?is *oice ( sacr$  
books1 & ins]t$ 9 !m1 probably by "s    
cunn+ prie/1 z ! oracles ( ,sybil 7 =g$ 
to suit ,cs>4  ,?irdly4 ,! simil>ity ( !
 my/]ies ( ! ,jews to ^? ( !            
,babylonians1 is too gl>+ n to let u see
 ! orig9 ( ,g5esis 9 p>ticul>4 ,!       
creation 9 six days is a p]fect copy ( !
 ,gahans1 or ,gahan-b>s1 ( ,zoroa/]2 !  
p>ticul>s ( ea* day's "w are lit]ally ! 
same4 ,! s]p5t 0 fam\s among !          
,babylonians4 ,! my?ological deluge (   
,ogyges & ,xissu?rus1 are symbols (     
*anges aris+ on e>?1 z !y imag9$1 f !   
revolutions ( ! heav5ly bodies4 ,^!1 a  
little ornam5t$ by ! hi/orical n>ration 
( ,deucalion's inundation relat$ by     
,b]osus1 is ! patt]n ( ,noah's flood2 ! 
ark ( ,osiris & emblematical dove & rav5

 7 ,egyptian hi]oglyphics4 ,! man & !   
woman 9 ,p>adise is a m]e copy (        
,zoroa/]'s fir/ pair4 ,! orig9al s9 is  
,p&ora's box4 ,! ,talmud ( ,j]usalem    
says expressly t ! ,jews borr[$ ! names 
( ! angels1 & ev5 ( _! mon?s1 f !       
,babylonians4 ,! ,elohim1 or ,gods1 7n  
,god71 are said 9 ,g5esis to h creat$ ! 
_w4 ,x 0 n ,jehovah1 b ! g5ii or gods t 
are 9 ! ,hebrew call$ mak]s ( ! _w4 ,&  
^! are ! v g5ii1 :o accord+ to          
,san*onia?o1 7 by ,m]cury excit$ aga9/  
,saturn4  ,f\r?ly4 ,we ask1 9 :at       
language 0 ! ,p5tateu* writt51 if x     
really 0 ! "w ( ,moses8 ,x is kn[n t    
,hebrew is a dialect ( ! ,ph5ician1 & t 
! ,jews spoke ,egyptian = a v long "t   
be=e !y adopt$ ! language ( ! p among   
:om !y dwelt4 ,9 ,psalm lxxxi4 we le>n t
 ! ,jews 7 surpris$ to he> ! language ( 
! p beyond ! ,b$ ,sea4 ,if1 !re=e1      
,moses1 or any p]son ( t age1 is ! au?or
 ( ! ,p5tateu*1 x is evid5t t ! ,hebrew 
books are m]e translations4 ,:at degree 
( cr$it does a nation des]ve1 :o h be5  

able to take = orig9als books t 7 9 !   
face ( !m translations8 ,is x "r to     
p]secute m51 z prie/s h done :ile !y _h 
p[]1 = refus+ to give cr$it to ?is      
tissue ( contradictory & absurd fables8 
,fif?ly4 ,9 ! books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t1  
we f9d abundant pro(s t !y h be5 writt5 
9 an age greatly po/]ior to t ( ,moses4 
,9 ,g5esis1 *ap4 xii4 v]4 #f1 we f9d ^! 
words1 ,& ! ,canaanite 0 !n 9 l&4 ,?is  
implies ano!r p]iod :5 ! ,canaanite 0 n 
9 ! l&1 :i*1 we le>n f ! ,bible1 did n  
happ5 till aft] ,david1 & c\ld n !re=e  
be writt5 by ,moses4 ,! beg9n+ (        
,deut]onomy is c]ta9ly n writt5 by him2 
= he nev] pass$ ! ,jordan2 he di$ ^u    
,m\nt ,nebo1 to ! ea/w>d ( x4 ,! ,engli%
 translation has 9 *ap4 i4 v4 #e1 ( ?is 
book1 said1 on ?is side ( ! ,jordan1 =  
on t side1 :i* is 9 ! orig9al4 ,!       
translator has tak5 simil> lib]ties v   
(t54 ,9 *ap4 xxxiii4 we f9d ?is         
expression1 ,!re nev] 0 9 ,judea s great
 a prophet z ,moses1 & su* c\ld be po9t$
 out 9 _m places4 ,"h ne$s no comm5t to 

%[ t su* passages c\ld only be writt5 9 
a po/]ior age1 & :5 !re _h be5 sev]al   
prophets aft] ,moses4 ,?omas ,pa9e      
m5tions _m o!r passages1 :i* ,i %all    
consid] :5 ,i come to y\r next lett]4   
,! above consid]ations w\ld be suffici5t
 to invalidate ! g5u95ess & au!nticity (
 any hi/orical book3 b "h we f9d t !    
cr$ulity ( bigots requires less pro( = !
 au?ority ( a "w1 :i*1 accord+ to !m1 is
 ! f\nta9 ( fai?1 ?an = ,ossian's poems1
 or any o!r book ( no consequ5ce4 ,if a 
common hi/orical "w conta9s fables1     
impossible ev5ts1 & ana*ronisms2 if its 
age is n asc]ta9$2 if we are c]ta9 t x 0
 unkn[n = _m c5turies2 if we are ev5    
ignorant :e!r x is an orig9al or a      
translation1 :o w\ld give ! slighte/    
cr$it to su* a book8 ,yet are enlight5$ 
nations l$ by ! te/imony ( ! ,jews1 a p 
cr$ul\s beyond measure1 extremely       
ignorant1 almo/ cont9ually 9 slav]y1 &  
disp]s$4 ,?is is ! nation t pret5ds to  
give an acc\nt ( ! creation1 &1 ) a     
vanity peculi> to an insignificant p1 to

 assume ! supremacy among nations1 &    
arrogate to !mselves ! exclusive        
protection ( ,jehovah1 & d>e make _!    
,adam ! common /ock ( mank9d4 ,y all[1  
my ,"l1 t sev]al passages h be5         
int]polat$ 9 ! ,p5tateu*4 ,no p]son 9 ! 
lea/ acqua9t$ ) ! hi/ory c d5y t x has  
suff]$ great alt]ations2 #a & ,i h      
already notic$ ! op9ion ( ! be/ in=m$   
fa!rs ( ! *ur* ^u ! non-exi/5ce ( !     
,p5tateu*1 sev]al c5turies prior to     
,esdras4 ,i n[ beg to be in=m$1 h[ we   
are to decide1 if ,hilkiah1 9 ! reign ( 
,josias1 collect$ f tradition1 or "s old
 book he f\nd 9 a *e/1 ! precepts ( !   
law8 & :e!r ! o!r fam\s scribe1 ,esdras1
 did n compile f he>say1 & "s imp]fect &
 scatt]$ manuscripts ( no au?ority1     
toge!r ) a great _m ,babyloni%          
traditions1 ^? v5]able five books (     
,moses8 ,we are in=m$1 9 "o ( ! books t 
be>s 8 "n1 t ,esdras 0 ! wise/ ( 8      
cotempor>ies1 & !re=e a v fit & probable
 p]son to write books out ( old leg5ds4 
#a ,multa 9 ,hebraicis et ,grcis        

codicibus vitia esse      o/5dimus4     
,malta m5dacia 9 rebus m9utis1 eorum p>s
      uliqua non exigua no/ra editione  
vulgata extat4---,m>ian      pr4 edit4  
vulg4 cap4 #ba4  ,if ! books ( ! ,old   
,te/am5t 7 compos$ at s late a p]iod1 no
 wond] !n t we f9d all ! my/]i\s "p ( !m
 s mu* l ! religion ( ! anci5ts1 &      
p>ticul>ly ( ! ,babylonians1 & !        
hi/orical "p made up ( het]og5e\s       
matt]s1 :i* 9 our days1 unassi/$ by any 
pr(ane writ] ( t age1 we c make no?+ (4 
,i %all m5tion a few ( ! mo/ /rik+ po9ts
 ( resemblance betwe5 ! ,jewi% & o!r    
my/]ies4 ,abraham1 ! mo/ fam\s ( _!     
patri>*s1 has ev] be5 celebrat$ 9       
,india4 ,?is !y seem to h br\ght f _!   
native c\ntry1 ,arabia4 ,we h already   
notic$1 t _! acc\nt ( ! creation is     
exactly copi$ f ,zoroa/]1 :o says1 t !  
_w 0 made 9 six p]iods ( "t1 call$ by   
him ! ?\s&s ( ,god & ( light1 mean+ !   
six summ] mon?s2 9 ! fir/1 ,god made !  
heav5s2 9 ! second1 ! wat]s2 9 ! ?ird1 !
 e>?2 9 ! f\r?1 trees2 9 ! fif?1        

animals2 & 9 ! six?1 man4 ,! ,etrurians 
& ! ,h9doos h v simil> traditions ( !   
highe/ antiquity1 :i*1 ?\gh !y 7 emblems
 at fir/ p]fectly und]/ood1 a/ronom]s   
aft]w>ds conv]t$ !m into p]iods1        
compreh5d+ z _m ye>s z 0 requir$ =      
diff]5t revolutions ( ! planet>y sy/em4 
,?us1 :ile ! ,h9doos & ,p]sians call$ ! 
days or ages ( ! _w1 ea* ( _m ?\s&s (   
ye>s2 ! ,jews1 ignorant ( a/ronomy1 &   
fond ( ! m>vell\s1 compris$ all )9 six  
common days4 ,_! firmam5t or heav5 (    
cry/al1 & its w9d[s1 are absurdities n  
peculi> to !m2 ! fea/ ( ! ,pas*a1 :i*   
signifies passage1 is ( ,egyptian orig91
 & 0 9 rev]5ce = ! passage ( ! sun at ! 
v]nal equ9ox3 ! sacrifices ( calves or  
ox51 ! c]emony ( ! scape-goat1 are      
,egyptian & ,indian2 ! latt]1 9         
p>ticul>1 h a c]emony altoge!r ! same ) 
t ( ! scapegoat4 ,x is too long to ins]t
 "h1 b ,i ref] my read]s to ,mr4        
,halh$'s introduction to ! code ( ,g5too
 laws = in=mation on ?is head4 ,!       
di/9ction betwe5 pure & impure animals 0

 fir/ made by ! ,egyptians2 ! ladd] se5 
9 ,jacob's vision1 is exactly a copy ( t
 ) sev5 /eps 9 ! cave ( ,mil?ra1        
repres5t+ ! sev5 sph]es ( ! planets1 by 
means ( :i* s\ls asc5d$ & desc5d$4 ,x is
 also ! my?ology ( ! ,h9doos1 ^:        
antiquity no man at ! pres5t day c      
v5ture to d5y4 ,! sev5 c&le/icks1 & !   
twelve /ones are ,egyptian1 & 7 emblems 
( ! sev5 planets1 & twelve signs ( !    
,zodiac4 ,! s]p5t is ! mo/ fam\s        
,egyptian hi]oglyphic2 x signifies      
et]nity1 or ! sum ( all ?+s4 ,! fa/s    
be=e fea/s are also d]iv$ f ?is nation4 
,! ,jewi% high-prie/1 l ! ,egyptian1    
wore an image ( sapphire1 be+ !         
emblematic picture ( tru?1 ^u1 8 brea/3 
9 %ort1 ! ,egyptians1 _! ma/]s1 gave !m 
! fir/ ideas ( my/]ies1 :i*1 9 ! c\rse (
 "t1 !y m+l$ ) ! ,*aldaic2 & ,mane?o    
in=ms u1 9 ! extract giv5 by ,josephus 9
 8 fir/ book aga9/ ,appian1 t1 9 au?ors 
( great au?ority1 he f\nd ! ,jews to h  
be5 di/+ui%$ 9 ,egypt by ! "n ( captive 
pa/ors1 :i* ,josephus artfully en\gh has

 attempt$ to conv]t into captive k+s4   
,^! are ! m5 :om sacr$ hi/orians pret5d 
to h taught ! ,egyptians all _! arts4   
,^! wret*es1 despis$ ( all nations1 7   
!mselves ! emphatical admir]s ( ! wisdom
 ( ! ,ea/4 ,_! legislator 0 an ,egyptian
 prie/1 & le>n$ all t he knew f !m2 & y 
w\ld p]suade u t a set ( ,arabian hordes
 _h f\nd$ ! ,egyptian empire1 simply    
because !y1 l ! ,iri%1 are pleas$ to say
 t !y 7 ant$eluvians4 ,i p>don ! ,jews =
 _! cr$ulity2 b ,europeans 9 ! #ah?     
c5tury ought n to ?9k z ! inhabitants ( 
,pale/9e4 ,if we give cr$it to all !    
reports ( ! orig9 ( nations1 we may give
 up all pret5sions to common s5se4  ,!  
immortality ( ! s\l is %[n1 by ! le>n$ b
 sup]/iti\s ,w>burton1 nev] to h be5    
m5tion$ 9 ! ,p5tateu*2 nor ! notion (   
hell1 or ( future rew>ds & puni%m5ts4   
,!re is no?+ m c]ta91 h[ev]1 ?an t !    
,ph>isees1 long be=e ,*ri/1 /r5u\sly    
ma9ta9$ ! immortality ( ! s\l1 & 9 "s   
measure adopt$ ! doctr9e (              
transmigration ( s\ls1 :i* !y _h got f !

 ,greeks & o!r nations4  ,! ,sadducees1 
f\nd+ !mselves ^u ! ,bible1 f]v5tly d5i$
 a future life4 ,! ,ess5ians1 accord+ to
 ,philo/ratus1 7 ,py?agoreans1 bo? 9 _! 
morals1 belief1 & mode ( life1 except t 
a few ( ! ,jewi% articles ( fai?1 su* z 
! necessity ( circumcision1 7 m+l$ ) _! 
cre$4 ,josephus himself ackn[l$ges !    
simil>ity betwe5 ! ,ess5ians & ! ,pli/i 
among ! ,?racians1 to :om ,zamolxis1 !  
disciple ( ,py?agoras1 taught 8         
doctr9es3 ,! ,!rapeutes1 ! patt]n &     
ori--g9 ( ,*ri/ian morals1 7 reckon$    
among/ ! ,jews to be ! mo/ holy among ! 
,ess5ians4 ,!y sacrific$ _! passions to 
,god2 !y nev] swore1 b made simple      
affirmations2 !y liv$1 z x 71 9 conv5ts2
 !y despis$ bodily pa93 :5 !y ent]$ _!  
/ate ( p]fection1 !y ab&on$ _! prop]ty1 
wives1 *ildr51 & all e>?ly conc]ns2 !y  
liv$ ^u bread & wat] & salt2 & sp5t !   
six days ( ! week 9 int]pret+ !         
allegorical s5se ( ! ,bible4 ,!y rev]$ !
 ,sabba? ) a mo/ scrupul\s exactness2 !n
 !y assembl$ 9 places set ap>t =        

religion1 ! m5 rang$ on "o side1 & !    
wom5 on ! o!r1 sep>at$ by a division f\r
 feet high1 to prev5t temptation4 ,!n !y
 sung praises to ,god1 & prea*$2 !y     
obey$ all ! laws ( _! c\ntry1 b nev]    
w\ld execute any ord] to hurt ano!r     
p]son4 ,!y1 l ! ,py?agoreans1 ?\ght     
!mselves possess$ ( ! gift ( prophecy2  
!y1 l ! ,py?agoreans1 believ$ 9 ! great 
ye>1 :5ce arose ! fam\s mill5nium ( !   
,*ri/ians4 ,! ?ree sects (              
,jews--,ph>isees1 ,sadducees1 &         
,ess5ians1 liv$ all 9 p]fect h>mony2 !  
incr$ul\s ,sadducees n be+ consid]$ z   
h]etics1 b (t5 atta9+ ! dignity (       
high-prie/s4 ,?is suffices to %[1 t !   
,jews borr[$ f o!r nations ^? v my/]ies 
:i* ! ignorance ( writ]s has misl$      
mank9d to consid] z ! special           
revelations ( ,jesus ,*ri/4  ,i h insi/$
 s mu* ^u ?is circum/ance1 because !re  
is n a s+le article ( ,*ri/ian morals1  
nor "o religi\s t5et1 conta9$ 9 ! ,new  
,te/am5t1 t 0 n kn[n be=e ,jesus ,*ri/ 0
 born4 ,& ! ,*ri/ian religion1 l t ( !  

,jews1 is a corruption ( ! my?ologies ( 
! nations !y br& ) ! "n ( infidels4  ,i 
return to y\r book4 ,x is n[ ne$less to 
answ] y\r logical inf]5ce1 t if ,esdras 
is ! compil] ( ! books ( ! ,p5tateu*1 !y
 may /ill be true4 ,i h already said1 t 
we are n to sacrifice our reason to !   
compilations or works ( a ,jewi% scribe1
 :o borr[$ evid5tly s mu*1 & :o pret5d$ 
to div9e inspiration & conv]sations ) ! 
angels4 ,:5 ,i began to read y\r book1  
,i 0 impress$ ) ! idea ( y\r c&\r2 sorry
 am ,i to see ! malevol5ce ) :i* y treat
 ,mr4 ,pa9e1 & h[ mu* y misrepres5t 8 j 
asp]sions on ! conduct ( ,moses4 ,y\r   
language almo/ p]suades me t y d n diff]
 f ! g5tlem5 ( y\r pr(ession4 ,c\ld     
,moses affirm1 z y pret5d he might1 t he
 nev] p]secut$ any man8 ,:at6 t mon/]1  
:o1 al?\gh m>ri$ ) a ,midianite1 ord]$  
?\s&s ( 8 cr$ul\s foll[]s to be murd]$1 
because "o ( !m _h slept ) a ,midianite1
 :om ,josephus /ates 0 8 wife6 ,:at6 :5 
8 bro!r & coadjutor makes a gold5 calf  
to ! p1 ?is impo/or1 in/ead ( puni%+    

him1 ord]s #c1jjj m5 to be murd]$1 &    
appo9ts ,a>on 8 successor6 ,because     
,korah1 ,da-?an1 & ,abiram1 c\ld n suff]
 to see him usurp+ all ! p[]1 he murd]s 
!m1 al?\gh ,korab 0 ! desc5dant ( ,levi4
 ,?is is ,moses1 :o says1 l ,bi%op      
,watson1 t he 0 a v meek man6 ,7 ^!     
cont9ual murd]s necess>y to in/ruct     
ignorant idolat]s :o foll[$ ! example ( 
_! prie/s8 ,h n ! f\nd]s ( our fai? be5 
! mo/ cruel murd]]s8 ,b all ?is we are  
told 0 ! imm$iate ord]s ( ! ,"l         
,jehovah1 a m]ciful ,god4 ,h[ feeble    
appe>s ! p[] ( ?is great ,god6 ,he is   
cont9ually rep5t+1 & always oblig$ to   
r5ew 8 cov5ants ) a set ( wret*es1 :o1  
al?\gh !y enjoy$ 8 special protection1  
always =sook him1 & only fulfill$ 8     
comm&s /rictly :5 !y 7 ord]$ to         
massacre4 ,!y might h be5 ! fav\rite p (
 ,god1 b ,i am sure !y 7 ! disgrace (   
m54 ,y talk ( idolatr\s nations sunk 9  
vice4 ,i "k ( none s b>b>\s z ! ,jews1  
^: legislator 0 oblig$ to fly f ,egypt =
 murd]1 a p]fect assass94 ,! laws       

conc]n+ pat]nal p[]1 :i* y support1 are 
horrid4 ,_! hav+ be5 adopt$ by _m       
nations1 is a pro( ( ! g5]al preval5ce (
 sup]/ition1 ignorance1 & despotism4 ,i 
h no?+ to answ] to y\r disc\rses on     
ty!s4 ,! ,bible is prea*$ up1 because x 
tea*es passive ob$i5ce1 donations to !  
*ur*1 & su* o!r acts ( public utility4  
,,lett] ,,iii4  ,aft] :at ,i h obs]v$   
above1 x w be useless to say mu* z to   
y\r ?ird lett]1 9 :i* y exam9e m9utely !
 passages ,?omas ,pa9e has po9t$ out to 
prove ! ,p5tateu* n g5u9e4 ,fir/1 ,z to 
! objection tak5 f ! "n ( ,dan1 ,i nev] 
?\ght x speci\s4 ,?is is n ! case ) ! v 
next "o1 :i* is ( v great weight4 ,!    
writ]1 aft] enum]at+ a numb] ( ,arabian 
names1 concludes 9 ^! words1 ,^! are !  
k+s t reign$ 9 ,edom1 be=e !re reign$   
any k+ ov] ! *ildr5 ( ,israel4 ,contr>y 
to my expectations1 y ackn[l$ge ?is to h
 be5 writt5 aft] ! ,jews _h k+s4 ,_m (  
y\r bre?r5 h attempt$ to d5y x by       
quibbles6 b y say t ?is does n          
invalidate ! au?ority ( ! book3         

wond]ful6 if y\r alma-mat] taught y1 t  
an evid5t lie or contradiction 9 any    
book1 p>ticul>ly ( remote antiquity1 &  
relat+ hi/ories unsupport$ by imp>tial  
au?ors1 does n create a suspicion1 :i*  
approa*es to c]ta9ty1 t ! book is n     
au!ntic2 if y ?9k s1 ,i mu/ give up     
argu+ ) y4 ,x may be an int]polation1 y 
obs]ve4 ,h[ did y le>n ?is8 ,y w at lea/
 leave1 me ! "r to suppose1 & y _c d5y t
 ! presumption is aga9/ y1 an absurdity 
9 a book is a reason = di/ru/+ ! re/4 ,i
 h probability on my side2 = ! ,jew :o  
=g$ ?is passage1 ei!r f piety or        
ignorance1 might h =g$ ! :ole book1 or s
 int]polat$ x1 z to de/roy its          
cr$ibility4 ,at any rate1 ! detection ( 
falsehood 9 a hi/ory1 is n a motive to  
suppose x true4 ,x requires an excess ( 
piety to break ?r\gh all ! rules ( logic
 & common s5se4 ,h[ does x happ51 t !   
,"l ,jahovah does n provide bett] aga9/ 
su* mi/akes creep+ into ! book ( ! law (
 8 fav\rite p8 ,x c\ld seem z if he _h  
done x on purpose to create incr$ulity1 

& enjoy ! pleasure ( puni%+ unbeliev]s1 
z ( old1 he h>d5$ ,ph>aoh's he>t1 t he  
might h a pretext to inflict calamities 
on him & 8 p4  ,my ,"l1 :at cr$it w\ld  
we give to a hi/ory ( ,william !        
,conqu]or t _h ! foll[+ s5t5ce1 aft]    
nam+ diff]5t p]sons1 ,& ^! 7 ! names ( !
 ,k+s ( ,engl& be=e ,george ! ,?ird came
 to ! ?rone2 = :at purpose c\ld any     
p]son ins]t su* a passage8 ,he mu/ h be5
 absolutely mad4 ,x c\ld only get into !
 "w f its be+ compil$ dur+ ! reign (    
,george ! ,?ird1 & aris+ f a =getfulness
 ( ! writ]1 or ignorance ( ! transcrib]3
 9 no case c\ld x be ins]t$ 9 a book1   
:i* y say 0 kept 9 ! public records1 &  
ov] ^: purity ! :ole ,jewi% le>n$ m5    
w\ld wat*2 y mu/ ei!r give up y\r       
argum5t f ! public records ( ?is p1 & no
 long] deem !m great au?ority2 or1 if y 
p]si/ 9 x1 ,i leave y to reconcile ! mo/
 palpable int]polations & =g]ies ) !    
scrupul\s att5tion ) :i* y suppose !    
,jews pres]v$ ! ^w ( ,god4 ,b :at is mo/
 curi\s 9 ?is passage is1 t we f9d x    

v]batim 9 #b ,*ronicles1 *ap4 i4 v]4    
#dc1 & y seem to glory 9 discov]+ ?is   
simil>ity ( ! passages4 ,:y might n1 y  
say at ! end ( y\r f\r? lett]1 ! au?or (
 ! book ( ,*ronicles h tak5 !m1 7mean+ !
 names ( ! k+s ( ,edom1 c471 z he has   
tak5 _m o!r g5ealogies1 suppos+ !m to h 
be5 writt5 9 ! book ( ,g5esis by        
,samuel8 ,ano!r ackn[l$gm5t ( m         
int]polations 9 ,g5esis4  ,b1 ,sir1 :o  
gave y ! "r1 y :o exclaim s mu* aga9/ ! 
unsupport$ ass]tions ( ,?omas ,pa9e1 to 
suppose t ! au?or ( ,*ronicles copi$ an 
int]polation f ,g5esis1 kn[+1 z he mu/ h
 done1 t x 0 int]polat$ by ,samuel8     
,w\ld he n r1 to make ! book consi/5t1  
expunge x8 ,c\ld he be s ignorant z n to
 see ! contradiction8 ,:at is m /range1 
h[ came ,samuel to introduce su* a      
passage8 ,! t5d5cy ( x c\ld only be to  
weak5 ! au?ority ( ,g5esis2 b1 all[+ all
 y\r gr\ndless suppositions to be true1 
d y n see t !y only prove ! ignorance ( 
,samuel & ( ! ,jewi% hi/ory writ]s1 & at
 once de/roy ! sup]/ructure y h 9 y\r   

foll[+ lett]s rais$ ^u ! suppos$        
accurate records ( ! ,jews8 ,!          
supposition ( ,samuel be+ ! au?or ( !   
int]polation1 is l an hi/orian1 :o1 to !
 hi/ory ( ,*>les ! ,fir/1 %\ld add "s   
acc\nts1 conclud+ ) obs]v+1 t all ?is   
took place be=e ,george ! ,second1 or   
%\ld ev5 v5ture fur!r1 & in/ruct u 9 "s 
prom95t features ( ! ,fr5* revolution3  
yet ?is is ! case ) ! passage 9 "q2 = x 
is unque/ionable t ! ,jews _h nev] a k+ 
till ! "t ( ,saul2 t1 "u ,moses & !     
,judges1 !y held k+s 9 dete/ation4 ,!   
fact is v pla94 ,9 ,*ronicles1 ! passage
 has an obvi\s & cle> s5se2 = !re an    
acc\nt ( ! k+s ( ,israel is giv51 & !   
s5t5ce n[ "u consid]ation prec$es x4    
,inde$1 ! :ole *apt] xxxvi4 ( ,g5esis is
 almo/ lit]ally ! same ) *apt] fir/ (   
,*ronicles2 & e unbiass$ man w conclude1
 t ! =m] is copi$ f ! latt]4 ,t little  
conclud+ expression1 be=e !re reign$ any
 k+ ov] ,israel1 c]ta9ly m>ks its date2 
& !re is no?+ m probable1 ?an t :5      
,esdras & ! scribes compil$ ^! books1 !y

 %\ld ins]t 9 ,g5esis ! po/]ity ( ,esau1
 z f> z ! hi/ory ( ,g5esis w5t1 & t ?is 
unlucky passage %\ld by mi/ake be copi$ 
too4 ,i ackn[l$ge1 t an int]polation1 :5
 we c prove ! p]iod ( its ins]tion1 does
 n de/roy ! validity ( a book1 if ! re/ 
( ! facts are consi/5t1 & support$ by   
collat]al pro(s2 b ! ,bible is an       
unconnect$ rhapsody1 writt5 by we "k n  
:om1 )\t ord]1 arrangem5t1 or a %ad[ (  
me?od4 ,besides1 x is ! ^w ( ,god2 &    
:at1 9 a pr(ane writ]1 w\ld be a slight 
error1 is "h a mo/ mat]ial fault2 if our
 future happ9ess dep5ds1 z y suppose1 on
 our believ+ ?is book1 :i* c]ta9ly c    
nev] take place :ile su* reasons =      
scepticism rema94 ,9 proportion to !    
importance ( an ev5t1 s we mu/ be c>eful
 9 exam9+ ! gr\nds ^u :i* x /&s1 or else
 we mu/ be l ^? :imsical m51 :o w       
require ! be/ evid5ce = ! tru? ( a      
trifl+ report1 b f9d no repugnance 9    
cr$it+ ! mo/ m>vell\s ev5ts ^u tru/4    
,mr4 ,pa9e prop]ly concludes1 t ,g5esis 
is a book ( /ories1 fables1 traditions1 

or inv5t$ absurdities1 or d[nright lies2
 & ?is ,i n only affirm ) him1 b w prove
 to my read]s1 t x is 9 no respect      
des]v+ ( m cr$it ?an ! fabul\s & e>ly   
hi/ory ( all nations4 ,next foll[s y\r  
rhapsody ^u ! beauty ( ! ,bible & ! tru?
 ( x4 ,p>don me if ,i ?9k x l a madman's
 rev]ies4 ,ev5 ! m5 ( y\r pr(ession h   
long ago giv5 up su* a ridicul\s        
conceit4 ,:oev] has read ea/]n          
lit]ature1 or ! late translation f !    
,%anscrit1 w f9d t ! same /yle ) t ( !  
,bible p]vades all ea/]n compositions4  
,9 all ( !m we f9d ! frequ5t use (      
allegory1 & a qua9t & =mal mann] (      
expression4 ,dive/ ! ,bible ( its       
,ori5tal g>b1 & put x into common       
language1 y w f9d1 except ! episode (   
,joseph1 & two or ?ree o!r passages1 x  
is absolutely illegible4 ,i h already   
%[n ! ,p5tateu* to h be5 a v mod]n "w1 &
 ! ,jews to h borr[$ e ?+ f o!r nations4
 ,no wond] !n t ! ,abram %\ld resemble !
 ,brama ( ! ,h9doos1 or t a few names 9 
! suppos$ g5ealogies ( ! ,jews %\ld be l

 ^? ( ! ,assyrians1 ,m$es1 c4 ,g5esis   
gives a description ( creation truly    
beautiful6 ,we did n spr+ f gras%opp]s1 
nor ! _w f an egg2 b ! wise ,moses in=ms
 u1 t we 7 made ( clay & a little brea?4
 ,?is may be sublime to y2 b !          
philosoph] is nev] elat$ by fables s    
absurd4 ,x is n true t ,g5esis is !     
olde/1 nor a v old book4 ,san*oniato1 ! 
,h9doo books1 ^? ( ! ,egyptians &       
,*9ese1 are ( mu* high] antiquity ?an   
,moses4 ,9 va9 has ,mr4 ,maurice /ruggl$
 to dazzle our und]/&+s ) 8 incoh]5t    
suppositions1 to prove t ! ,h9doos      
borr[$ _! religion f ! ,jews1 f a set ( 
,arabian hordes1 f ! slaves ( !         
,egyptians1 f a petty nation1 :o1 z     
,julian says1 nev] produc$ a s+le "w1 & 
^: cr$ulity has ev] be5 prov]bial4 ,!   
a/ronomical records ( ! ,*9ese prove1 t 
!re 7 m5 & a/ronom]s 9 t c\ntry at ! "t 
:5 ! wret*$ ,jews w\ld make u believe ! 
_w 0 inundat$ f ! w9d[s ( heav51 & no   
creatures exi/+ b ,noah1 8 family1 & !  
bea/s 9 ! ark4 ,fur!r1 ,s\ciet m5tions  

an eclipse ( ! sun record$ 9 ! ,*9ese   
hi/ory1 :i* happ5$ #baee ye>s be=e      
,*ri/1 :i* is b #bcf ye>s aft] !        
,deluge2 a "t :51 ! ,bible in=ms u1 !   
e>? 0 only inhabit$ by ! sons ( ,noah1  
:ile ,egypt 0 !n s peopl$1 t #ij1jjj    
cities c\ld n conta9 ! inhabitants1 &   
,*9a 0 n less s4 ,! ,h9doo a/ronomical  
obs]vations1 z f> z !y h be5 exam9$ by !
 mo/ le>n$ a/ronom]s ( ! age1 su* z     
,baillie1 ,le ,g5til1 & o!rs1 c>ry _!   
antiquity betwe5 f\r & five ?\s&s beyond
 our ra2 = a pro( ( :i*1 ,i ref] y to   
,mr4 ,playfair's excell5t pap]1 9 !     
second volume ( ! ,ed9burgh             
,philosophical ,transactions4 ,! ,h9doo 
religi\s books conta91 besides1 a great 
_m ( ! ideas aft]w>ds adopt$ by ! ,jews4
 ,! long lives ( ant$eluvians1 9        
p>ticul>1 are ! exact copy ( ! ,iogues (
 ! ,indians4 ,! ,dwapa> ,iogue1 ! latt] 
"p ( :i* answ]s to ! p]iod ( ,noah1 0 :5
 m5's lives 7 limit$ to a ?\s& ye>s2 &  
,me?uselah we "k did n live s long4 ,!y 
h1 too1 _! my?ological deluge1 or !     

inc>nation ( ,vi%nu into a fi%4 ,= an   
acc\nt ( :i* ,i ref] my read]s to       
,volney1 & to ,mr4 ,maurice himself4 ,! 
=m] g5tleman is a good judge ( anci5t   
lit]ature2 he pret5ds t he c prove1 t   
mo/ ( ! *apt]s ( ,g5esis1 suppos$ to    
conta9 names ( p]sons1 are my?ological3 
! po/]ity ( ,noah is1 accord+ to        
,volney1 no m ?an a geography ( ! _w z  
kn[n to ! ,jews4 ,i h n read ,mr4       
,volney's memoir :i* ,i und]/& he has   
publi%$ on ?is subject2 b1 :5 ,i consid]
 ! late p]iod :5 ,g5esis & ! o!r books 7
 compos$1 & h[ mu* ! ,jews borr[$ f !   
,egyptians & ,babylonians1 h[ mu* !     
deluge ( ,noah & 8 ark resemble !       
emblems ( ,osiris2 9 %ort1 :5 ,i reflect
 on ! un9telligibility & app>5t         
absurdity ( ,g5esis1 on ! impossibility 
( ! ,deluge1 & ( ! n less absurdity ( ! 
population ( ! _w s soon aft] t         
calamity1 ,i confess ,i am mu* incl9$ to
 despise ! :ole p]=mance4 ,!re h be5    
v>i\s suppositions ^u ! mean+ ( ! names 
m5tion$ 9 ,g5esis4 ,adam has be5 said to

 signify1 9 _m p>ts ( ,asia1 ! fir/ day 
( ! week2 & ,eno*1 ! sev5? successor (  
,adam1 to be ! same ) ,saturn1 or !     
sev5? day4 ,?us ,assur1 ,elam1 ,lud1    
,madai1 ,javan1 & ,tiras1 :i* are said  
to be ! f\nd]s ( ! ,assyrians1 !        
,elamites1 ! ,lydians1 ! ,m$es1 !       
,ionians1 & ! ,?racians1 may v probably 
be no?+ else ?an ! enunciation ( ! names
 ( ^! c\ntries2 =1 betwe5 ,assur &      
,assyria1 or ,lud & ,lydia1 !re is n a v
 great diff]5ce4 ,we "k t ,egypt is by !
 ,arabs call$ ,masr1 :i* has ! same     
consonants ) ! ,hebrew ,misraim1 ^:     
plural t]m9ation implies prop]ly !      
inhabitants ( ,egypt4 ,9 ! ,bible1      
,misraim is call$ ! f\nd] ( t k+dom4 ,we
 also "k1 t ,syria is call$ ,b>r-el-%am1
 or ! c\ntry to ! left4 ,! inhabitants (
 ,!baid are call$ ! sons ( ,cu%4 ,aga91 
we f9d sev]al names ( t[ns v mu*        
resembl+ ^? ( ! suppos$ f\nd]s ( ^!     
mon>*ies2 ,sur1 or ,tyre1 is n unlike   
,assur4 ,^! are conjectures2 ,i pret5d  
to f\nd no?+ ^u !m2 b1 at lea/1 !y are  

probable4 ,y\r ,g5esis1 on ! contr>y1 z 
x is commonly expla9$1 conta9s palpable 
lies4 ,x supposes a deluge1 :i* nei!r   
did nor c\ld take place2 x de/roys !    
human race1 :5 we "k t nations 7 !n 9   
exi/5ce4 ,la/ly1 x talks ( ! f\nd]s (   
nations1 :i* exi/$ long be=e t p]iod4   
,b1 ev5 _h ,g5esis be5 writt5 at ! "t ( 
,moses1 x might be wor? :ile to inquire 
into ! import ( 8 g5ealogies2 b1 be+ a v
 mod]n compilation1 collect$ by an      
ignorant p1 p>tly f tradition1 p>tly f  
scatt]$ & mutilat$ records1 x does n    
des]ve ! s]i\s att5tion ( ! philosoph]4 
,y next attempt to ju/ify ! conduct (   
,god t[>ds ! ,canaanites1 ^: great crime
 0 to def5d _! own c\ntry1 & to adore _!
 own gods in/ead ( ! ,god ( ! ,jews4 ,:5
 a man makes an apology = su* conduct1  
we only c answ] by an appeal to ! feel+s
 ( m51 f :i* alone we d]ive notions (   
humanity4 ,x 0 natural = ! ador]s ( a   
,ph5ician ,jehovah to be ! enemies ( !  
,babyloni% ,baal3 bo? ^! gods sprang f !
 wild fancies ( m54 ,! jeal\s ,god ( !  

,jews1 ! all-wise1 omnipot5t1 &         
b5evol5t1 c\ld n conv]t ! wor%ipp]s (   
ano!r god1 )\t ext]m9at+ :ole nations1  
ev5 to ! little *ildr52 b ?is b>b>\s    
m&ate came f ! prie/s1 :o h 9 all       
c\ntries1 & all sy/ems ( ,religion1     
adopt$ ?is me?od ( conv]sion4 ,y /ate1 t
 ,moses gave an ord] t ! boys & wom5    
%\ld be put to dea?2 b1 t ! "y maid5s   
%\ld be kept alive = !mselves2 &1 t y   
see no?+ 9 ! proce$+1 b good policy     
comb9$ ) m]cy4 ,! "y m5 might h become  
dang]\s av5g]s ( :at !y w\ld e/eem _!   
c\ntry's wrongs2 ! mo!rs might h aga9   
allur$ ! ,israelites to ! love (        
lic5ti\s pleasures1 & ! practice (      
idolatry1 & br\ght ano!r plague ^u !    
congregation2 b ! "y maid5s1 n be+      
pollut$ by ! flagiti\s habits ( _!      
mo!rs1 n likely to create di/urbance by 
rebellion1 7 kept alive3 & y add1 t !   
wom5 *ildr5 7 n res]v$ = ! purposes (   
debau*]y1 b ( slav]y2 a cu/om 7y        
ackn[l$ge7 abhorr5t f our mann]s1 b e   
:]e practis$ 9 =m] times1 & /ill pres]v$

 9 c\ntries :]e ! b5ignity ( ! ,*ri/ian 
religion has n s(t5$ ! f]ocity ( human  
nature4 ,is ext]m9ation an example ( !  
m]cy ( prie/s & _! gods1 ^: ju/ice is   
subs]vi5t to m]cy1 ^: puni%m5ts orig9ate
 9 8 abhorr5ce to s91--& ^: comm&s to   
massacre1 to but*]1 & to ext]m9ate1 are 
only b5evol5t w>n+s8--,y d>e ,mr4 ,pa9e 
to prove1 t ! "y wom5 7 kept = debau*]y2
 & y triumphantly add1 t if he does1 y w
 all[ ,moses to be ! horrid mon/] he    
describes him1 & ! ,bible a book ( lies1
 wick$ness1 & blasphemy4 ,d y ?9k1 t    
consign+ to slav]y ?irty-two ?\s& maids1
 is consi/5t ) ! b5ignity ( ,god8 ,i d n
 hesitate to consid] ?is worse ?an m]ely
 mak+ !m ! p>tn]s ( lic5ti\s pleasures4 
,b1 9 :at consi/$ ! wont$ wisdom ( a    
,god1 :om y describe z ev] solicit\s to 
less5 ! influ5ce ( s98 ,let me ask y1 if
 ! "y wom5 7 n z liable to incite !     
passions ( ! ,jews z _! mo!rs1 & :e!r _!
 slav]y w\ld n increase ! opportunities 
= debau*]y8 ,c\ld x be consi/5t )       
humanity1 mu* less ) ! m]cy ( an all    

p[]ful ,god1 to put to dea? all ! boys (
 a nation1 m]ely because !y might 9 "t  
rev5ge ! insol5t invad]s ( _! c\ntry8 ,7
 all ! male *ildr5 already pollut$ f _! 
bir?8 ,x w\ld h be5 easy = !m to conv]t 
!m to ano!r religion1 b to y\r ,god x 0 
impossible4 ,! bloody invad]s ( ,am]ica 
pursu$ n ano!r plan1 ev5 aft] ! b5ignity
 ( ! ,*ri/ian religion s(t5$ ! f]ocity (
 human nature4 ,h ^! ,*ri/ian invad]s   
any :]e respect$ ! *a/ity ( wom5 :5 !y  
made !m slaves8 ,& h ! ,jews1 ,god's    
*os5 nation1 at any p]iod1 ei!r :ile "u 
8 protection1 or s9ce he ab&on$ !m1 %[n 
!mselves m virtu\sly incl9$ ?an o!r p2 7
 !y ev] prev5t$ by ! /rik+ manife/ations
 ( 8 m]cy1 8 p[]1 & 8 ju/ice1 f go+ away
 to adore o!r gods1 & fall+ into all    
sorts ( wick$ness8 ,9 %ort1 if ! ,bi%op 
re/s 8 def5ce ( ,moses & ! ,bible ^u ?is
 passage1 ,i am will+ to appeal to !    
judgem5t ( all mank9d4 ,if any p]son c  
believe x consi/5t ) ! b5evol5ce (      
omnipot5ce1 to sacrifice :ole nations to
 be massacr$ & plund]$ by a few hordes (

 bloody ,jews2 if he c ?9k ?is to be "p 
( a gr& s*eme = ! good ( mank9d1 he mu/ 
give up all pret5sions to reason1 common
 s5se1 & humanity4 ,b x is "t ! _w %\ld 
see1 t ?is holy book ! ,bible1 :i*1 9   
weight ( au?ority1 & ext5t ( utility1   
exce$s all ! libr>ies ( ! philosoph]s1  
conta9s pret5ces = all bad actions1 &   
/ifles ! laws ( humanity & morality4 ,^u
 ?is book h inquisitors1 crusad]s1 &    
religi\s m51 f\nd$ pret5ces = ! mo/     
diabolical p]secutions1 av[$ly und]tak5 
= ! express purpose ( unroot+           
infidelity1 & = ! glory ( ! ,"l4 ,e man 
:o reads ! ^w ( ,god is w>rant$ to      
reason ?us3 ,god has ord]$ murd] &      
robb]y2 he has in/igat$ 8 fav\rite p to 
ext]m9ate :ole nations2 !re=e ,i c d no 
bett] ?an to imitate ! ,almighty2 & e   
crusad] may pret5d to h ! same au?ority 
f ,god z ,moses2 & miracles are nev]    
want+ to prove x4 ,because ,abraham 0 a 
pimp1 & 8 wife a pro/itute1 s may any   
p]son be1 )\t los+ ! patronage ( ! ,god 
( ,abraham4 ,e man1 9 %ort1 may imitate 

! meek ,moses1 ! humane ,david1 )\t fe>+
 to incur ! displeasure ( ! ,almighty4  
,?us ,ravaillac ?\ght he 0 do+ z holy a 
de$1 :5 he attempt$ ! life ( ,h5ry2 z   
,dom9ic1 or ,torquemada1 :5 but*]+ !    
wret*$ h]etics1 :o _h ! mis=tune to fall
 a prey to _! bloody zeal4 ,! :ole ,old 
,te/am5t is s fill$ ) b>b>\s /ories1 t  
if !y did n excite laught] by _!        
improbability1 !y w\ld freeze ! blood 91
 ! ve9s ( any man end[$ ) humanity4 ,:at
 an irksome task h ^? und]tak51 :o h    
attempt$ to reconcile ! horrible crimes 
( ! ,jews ) ! m]cy & wisdom ( !         
,creator8 ,has f]ocity =sak5 ,*ri/ians z
 y ins9uate8 ,h ! mod]n religi\s        
fanatics yield$ 9 cruelty to ! ,jews8   
,^? two religions h successively        
inundat$ ! e>? ) ! blood ( innoc5t      
victims4 ,h n ! foll[]s ( ,*ri/         
con/antly prea*$ passive ob$i5ce to !   
*ur*1 h !y n frequ5tly reliev$ ! p ( _! 
oa?s1 & h !y n fom5t$ mo/ ( ! civil w>s 
t laid wa/e all ,europe8 ,x is well t   
prie/s h n be5 able to p]suade mank9d ( 

late1 t ! m9i/] 0 ! oracle ( ,god4 ,!   
pride & fooli%ness ( sci5ce has put ?is 
out ( _! p[]2 !y _c lead nations z !y   
did ! ,jews2 we are n s easily p]suad$ (
 ! imm$iate manife/ations ( ,god's      
comm&s to ! prie/4 ,we "k sci5ce too    
well to believe t ! pill> ( fire t w5t  
be=e ! ,israelites 0 ,god himself4 ,we  
might h %[n ! p1 t a pan ) r$-hot       
sub/ances w\ld h ! appe>ance ( a fire by
 night1 & a cl\d ( smoke by day1 a cu/om
 practis$1 f "t immemorial1 by !        
c>avans4 ,al?\gh1 my ,"l1 ! wisdom (    
,god may be fooli%ness to man1 ,i       
ackn[l$ge ,i am nei!r fond ( cr$it+     
absurdities1 nor h ,i s mu* fai? z to   
take ! "w ( prie/s = sup]natural m&ates 
( ,provid5ce2 :5 !y speak 9 _! usual    
s5seless & un9telligible language1 ,i   
conclude t x is ei!r to dazzle !        
ignorant multitude1 or ,i look ^u _!    
dreams z ! consequ5ce ( dire sup]/ition1
 ! fir/ effect ( :i* is to make u       
unacqua9t$ ) ourselves1 "u ! impos+     
aspect ( famili>is+ u ) imag9>y be+s4   

,at ! conclusion ( my rem>ks ^u ! ,old  
,te/am5t1 ,i %all give a few extracts f 
^? books1 :]e9 my read]s may see ! "* ( 
! ,jews & _! ,god 9 gl>+ col\rs1 & judge
 :e!r any hone/ man w\ld n tremble at ! 
?\ghts ( hav+ done z mu* inju/ice1 &    
committ$ su* atrocities z ?is ,jehovah4 
,,lett] ,,iv4  ,y ent] aga9 ^u y\r      
fav\rite topic1 g5u95ess & au!nticity4  
,i %all n repeat :at ,i h already said4 
,i confess my great surprise at y\r lay+
 su* /ress ^u ! mo/ trifl+ & false ( y\r
 argum5ts4 ,y n[ /rive to prove1 t a    
book may conta9 a true hi/ory1 al?\gh x 
%\ld be anonym\s4 ,pray1 my ,"l1 d y    
?9k1 t to prove a book spuri\s1 :5 x is 
believ$ to be g5u9e1 is a demon/ration (
 ! tru? ( ! cont5ts8 ,y ?us leave u     
unc]ta9 :e!r ,jo%ua be a g5u9e book4 ,y 
h sadly confus$ y\rself 9 ! maze y h    
creat$4 ,to put x beyond a d\bt t ! sun 
/ood /ill1 y appeal to ! book ( ,ja%]1  
:i* ,jo%ua m5tions 9 ! foll[+ words1 ,is
 n ?is writt5 9 ! book ( ,ja%]8 ,& 9 l  
mann]1 y ref] to o!r books frequ5tly    

quot$ z au?orities 9 ! ,bible4 ,does y\r
 zeal bl9d y s f> z n to let y p]ceive1 
t ?is v argum5t may ) r$\bl$ /r5g? be   
retort$ aga9/ y8 = if an au?or1 :o is   
said to write 8 own hi/ory1 appeals to  
ano!r book = a pro( ( 8 actions1 t book 
mu/ be ( mu* great] au?ority ?an 8 own3 
we _c avoid believ+ ! writ] ( ! "w      
allud$ to _h bett] in=mation4 ,9 %ort1 !
 book appeal$ to conta9s ! only au!ntic 
te/imony4 ,n[1 p]mit me to ask y1 :o    
c\ld be bett] au?ority ?an ,jo%ua       
himself1 writ+ at a "t :5 we mu/ suppose
 _m ( 8 soldi]s :o _h witness$ ! miracle
 7 alive8 ,:at is ?is ant]ior book :i*  
,jo%ua respects s mu*8 ,0 x writt5 by   
himself1 !n x w\ld be idle to quote x2  
&1 at any rate1 :oev] _h writt5 x1 x is 
evid5t t ! au?or ( ! book ( ,jo%ua has  
no pro(s ( 8 own1 b re/s solely ^u !    
book ( ! ,holy1 or ( ,ja%]4 ,?is        
circum/ance proves cle>ly1 t ! writ] ( !
 ,book ( ,jo%ua compos$ 8 book out ( "s 
m anci5t memoirs1 :i* be+ lo/1 we c say 
no m ( _! au?ority ?an = t ( any old    

tales4 ,y talk ( ! public records ( !   
,jews z confid5tly z a ,memb] (         
,p>liam5t speaks ( ! pap]s 9 ! ,t[]4 ,d 
y "k at :at p]iod ! ,jews began to keep 
writt5 records1 & d y also "k1 :e!r ^? t
 7 kept exi/$ :5 ! books ( ! ,old       
,te/am5t 7 compil$8 ,_h y be5 in/ruct$ 9
 ^! p>ticul>s1 & _h y be5 n altoge!r    
dive/$ ( c&\r1 y might h in=m$ y\r      
read]s1 t1 previ\s to ! "t ( k+s1 we h n
 a %ad[ ( pro( ( ! exi/5ce ( any        
hi/orical records among ! ,jews4 ,we1 no
 d\bt1 read1 t !re 0 a book ( ! law (   
,moses1 9 :i* ,jo%ua wrote some?+ too   
respect+ ! r5ewal ( a cov5ant4 ,?is     
seems to be ! only writt5 record among !
 ,jews1 & x conta9$ no?+ b religi\s     
precepts1 or ! law1 /rictly speak+4 ,9  
,jo%ua1 *ap4 viii4 v]4 #ca1 we read1 ,z 
,moses ! s]vant ( ! ,"l comm&$ ! *ildr5 
( ,israel1 z x is writt5 9 ! book ( !   
law ( ,moses & v]4 #cb1 ,he wrote !re ^u
 ! /ones a copy ( ! law ( ,moses1 :i* he
 wrote 9 ! pres5ce ( ! *ildr5 ( ,israel 
& v]4 #ce1 ,he read all ! words ( ! law1

 ! bless+s1 & curses1 accord+ to all t  
is writt5 9 ! book ( ! law ( ! ,"l1 &   
!re 0 n a ^w ( all t ,moses comm&$ :i*  
,jo%ua read n be=e ! congregation (     
,israel4 ,we "k1 likewise1 t ?is law 0  
writt5 9 ! circumf]5ce ( an alt> compos$
 ( twelve /ones4 ,?is is ! only book    
ei!r ,moses or ,jo%ua 7 ev] said to h   
writt52 ! writ]s ( ! ,p5tateu*1 & ( !   
o!r books1 c]ta9ly nev] meant to        
inscribe !m to ,moses1 ,jo%ua1 c42 !y   
bore ! names ( books ( ,moses1 ( ,jo%ua1
 ,judges1 c4 because !y treat$ ( ^!     
p]sonages4 ,:at !n d y inf] f !         
quotation ( books by ! ,bible au?ors1   
except t !y all wrote 9 v mod]n times1  
:5 !y want$ ! corroboration ( m anci5t  
books1 ^: date & au?ority we are equally
 /rang]s to8 ,?is book ( ! law1 :i* y s 
triumphantly m5tion z a book writt5 &   
exi/+ a few ye>s aft] ,moses1 turns out 
to be no?+ m ?an :at is conta9$ 9       
,exodus1 *ap4 xx4 to *ap4 xxiv4 to :i*  
,jo%ua add$ "s detail ab\t ! ?ird       
cov5ant ( ,god4  ,i beg ! read] w       

obs]ve1 t ! writ] ( ! ,book ( ,jo%ua    
does n m5tion ! second1 ?ird1 or any o!r
 book ( ,moses1 b simply notices ! book 
( ! law ( ,god4 ,n[ ?is great book 0    
writt5 ^u twelve /ones1 & 9 ,exodus we  
f9d ! precise comm&m5t ( ,moses to build
 ! alt>1 & to read ! comm&m5ts at ! fea/
 ( tab]nacles2 s t x conta9$ n "o l9e ( 
hi/ory1 & c\ld h no au?ority4 ,x 0 a law
 writt5 ^u /ones1 :i* ,moses1 9 ,exod4  
*ap4 xxiv4 v4 #g1 is said to h read to !
 p3 ,& he took ! book ( ! cov5ant1 &    
read x 9 ! audi5ce ( ! p4 ,?is cov5ant1 
& p>ticul>ly ! repetition ( x aft] !    
disob$i5ce ( ! ,jews1 is ! only "p ( !  
,scriptures t ,moses ord]$ to be pres]v$
 ) a religi\s c>e4 ,no?+ ( ! mo/        
important p>ts ( ,g5esis or ! o!r five  
books is ev] m5tion$ 9 ! comm&m5ts ( !  
law ( ,god3 ! writ] ( ! law c]ta9ly knew
 n t ! ,p5tateu* exi/$4 ,_h ,moses      
writt5 su* a "w1 w\ld he h fail$ to     
recomm5d to ! ,levites to keep ! preci\s
 records ( mank9d1 ! sublime acc\nt ( ! 
creation8 ,did n ! :ole ( ! fai? ( !    

,jews dep5d on _! be+ acqua9t$ ) !      
hi/ory ( _! =efa!rs1 :o 7 "u ! imm$iate 
protection ( ,god8 ,! t5 comm&m5ts e    
p]son kn[s f ! light ( nature2 no nation
 has ev] mi/ak5 !m2 b ! orig9 ( mank9d  
is a subject ( great d>kness1 & :i* !   
,jews ought to h pres]v$ mo/ c>efully4  
,c]ta91 h[ev]1 x is1 t except+ a few    
rites1 ! ,jews lo/ n only _! books1 b   
ev5 ! recollection ( _! fea/s1 dur+ _!  
captivity4 ,! o!r books ref]r$ to 9 !   
,bible prove1 t ^? left are m]e         
collections ( borr[$ /ories1 & pret5d$  
abridgem5ts ( books ( great] au?ority1  
:i* are un=tunately lo/1 & leave a wide 
field = scepticism1 p>ticul>ly ^u       
improbable or contradictory acc\nts4 ,z 
to ! belief t ! books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t 
are inspir$1 x is a tale1 :i*1 aft] :at 
we h /at$1 ev5 a *ild w\ld laugh at4  ,y
 next s]i\sly endeav\r to corroborate ! 
ridicul\s miracle ( ! sun & moon /&+    
/ill4 ,y are z unsuccessful 9 hi/orical 
z 9 sci5tifical argum5ts4 ,! /ory 9 "q  
is s /upid1 t ! b>e m5tion ( x m>ks a   

man's cr$ulity1 s z to r5d] him ! object
 ( compassion4 ,t an ignorant fanatic   
%\ld attempt to def5d su* absurdities1  
w\ld be a matt] ( no surprise2 b to     
witness a ,regius ,pr(essor ( ,div9ity1 
a natural philosoph]1 br+ =w>d facts f  
pr(ane hi/ory to prove ! tru? ( s       
b>e-fac$ a lie1 d5otes at lea/ y\r want 
( prud5ce4 ,i _c p]suade myself t y     
s]i\sly believ$ :at y wrote2 ,i _c ?9k y
 capable ( fall+ at once into ! mo/     
gross a/ronomical & hi/orical error4 ,i 
%all /ate ! matt] briefly4 ,!re 0 a     
tradition 9 all antiquity1 & p>ticul>ly 
among ! ,egyptians1 relat+ to t motion (
 ! e>?'s axis :i* has be5 obs]v$ by     
a/ronom]s1 & ^: complete revolution r\nd
 ! f\r c>d9al po9ts takes up no less ?an
 #i1afj1jjj ye>s4 ,9 ! c\rse ( ?is      
revolution1 x necess>ily happ5s1 t ! sun
 w rise :]e x sets1 t nor? w be s\?1 & s
 on4 ,! ,egyptian prie/s pret5d$ t ?is  
revolution _h tak5 place 9 _! c\ntry )\t
 *ang+ ! climate1 :ile ! ,babylonians   
ma9ta9$1 9 ! "t ( ,alex&]1 t #adj1jjj   

ye>s _h elaps$ s9ce _! fir/ a/ronomical 
obs]vations4 ,?is1 no d\bt1 0 ! "t t mu/
 h elaps$ s9ce ! e>? mov$ nor? & s\?4 ,!
 ,egyptian prie/s1 long be=e ,h]odotus1 
_h lo/ _! k ( a/ronomy1 :i* acc\nts = _!
 mi/ake4 ,x is evid5t1 t ! displacem5t (
 ! e>?'s axis mu/ be accompani$ by !    
heavie/ gravitat+ matt]1 &1 !re=e1 :at  
is n[ l&1 has be5 & w1 9 ! c\rse ( ages1
 become sea4 ,n[1 my ,"l1 :at has !     
,egyptian tradition to d ) ! sun /opp$  
by ! robb] ,jo%ua8 ,:at connection has !
 /oppage ( ! sun1 or r ! e>?'s motion1 )
 ! sun ris+ :]e x sets8 ,7 ! ?+         
possible1 ! sun w\ld nev]!less rise 9 ! 
ea/4 ,besides1 does ,jo%ua say ! sun    
*ang$ its c\rse8 ,_h ?is be5 ! case1 7,i
 am a%am$ ev5 ( ! supposition71 h[ c\ld 
! e>? *ange its axis 9 an h\r1 )\t      
%att]+ ! :ole globe1 )\t inundat+ va/   
tracts ( c\ntry1 & te>+ o!rs asund] to  
ree/abli% ! equilibrium ( gravity8 ,/udy
 & consid]2 d n attempt to ridicule !   
little le>n+ ( ,?omas ,pa9e1 :5 y fall  
into su* absurdities4 ,read ,*9ese      

hi/ory1 & y w f9d t _! c>eful a/ronom]s 
did n p]ceive ! long day & night4 ,x 0  
probably ! sun ( ,judea only t alt]$ its
 c\rse2 !y did n seem to be enlight5$ by
 ! same lum9>y4 ,^? :o believ$ t heav5 0
 made ( cry/al1 c\ld f9d no difficulty 9
 cr$it+ ?is silly /ory4 ,i h insi/$ s   
mu* ^u ?is1 because y ought to "k !     
common pr9ciples ( a/ronomy1 & some:at (
 hi/ory4 ,"h aga9 y appeal to ! book (  
,ja%]3 x des]ves no m consid]ation4 ,to 
deem an appeal to a lo/ book evid5ce ( a
 prodigy1 because ! au?or affirms x1 is 
a degree ( cr$ulity :i* may ga9 ! k+dom 
( heav52 b1 9 ! republic ( lett]s1 su*  
believ] w pass = a v contemptible       
reason]4  ,^! are ! miracles1 & !       
hi/ories1 bett] atte/$ ?an ! ,hi/ory ( !
 ,twelve ,knights ,( ,*>les ! ,great1 & 
su* o!r fooli% tales4 ,surely1 none c   
believe t #ai1jjj m5 f\ght aga9/ !      
,midianites1 & murd]$ a prodigi\s numb]1
 )\t hav+ lo/ a man1 & disbelieve !     
fam\s battles ( ! knights1 9 _m ( :i*   
six m5 f\ght sev]al ?\s&s2 ! conv]sation

 ( ! devil ) ,cromwell1 or ! miracul\s  
appe>ance ( ,god to almo/ all ! knights 
& w>riors among ! ,ca?olics4 ,! sacr$   
phial ( ,rheims1 & ! *apel ( ,loretto1 7
 bo? convey$ 9 a mann] y "k well1 & :i* 
few m5 9 ! two c\ntries d>e controv]t4  
,!y too appeal to _! books ( ,ja%]4 ,!  
tale ( mak+ ! sun /& /ill has n ev5 !   
m]it ( novelty2 ?is lum9>y _h long be=e 
/opt 8 c>e]1 out ( respect to ,bac*us4  
,nei!r is ! %[] ( hail-/ones new1 =     
,jupit] ( old s5t a %[] ( hail ^u !     
rebelli\s sons ( ,neptune4  ,z to ,jo%ua
 hav+ writt5 ! book t goes "u 8 "n1 we  
h1 besides :at has be5 /at$1 ! /ronge/  
evid5ce aga9/ ! g5u95ess ( ?is p]=mance4
 ,! dea? ( ,jo%ua is record$ 9 *ap4     
xxiv4 & x is relat$ exactly 9 ! same    
/yle z :at prec$es x4 ,! writ] ev5      
m5tions sev]al ev5ts po/]ior to ! dea? (
 ! son ( ,nun4 ,y h pass$ ov] ! argum5ts
 ( ,?omas ,pa9e drawn f ?is passage1 ,! 
,jebusites dwelt ) ! *ildr5 ( ,judah at 
,j]usalem unto ?is day4 ,x 0 natural = y
 to ov]look a passage1 :i* demon/rates t

 ! book ( ,jo%ua 0 n writt5 until aft]  
,david1 :51 & n be=e1 ! conque/ ( !     
,jebusites took place4 ,x is beyond a   
d\bt1 t !y nev] dwelt ) ! ,jews 9 ! "t (
 ,jo%ua1 s9ce1 9 ! fir/ "p ( ! above    
quot$ passage1 he says1 ,z = !          
,jebusites1 ! inhabitants ( ,j]usalem1 !
 *ildr5 ( ,judah c\ld n drive !m out4   
,h[ !n did ! ,jews inhabit ,j]usalem 9 !
 days ( ,jo%ua8 ,i ref] ! read] to !    
,age ( ,reason1 & to an answ] to x by   
,mr4 ,david ,wilson1 = fur!r in=mation1 
on ?is head4 ,9 ! latt]1 he w be amaz$  
at ! weak subt]fuges us$ by ! au?or to  
evade ! /r5g? ( ! objection by ,mr4     
,pa9e4 ,b ?is is n ! only ev5t relat$ 9 
,jo%ua1 :i* did n take place till "s "t 
aft] 8 dea?4 ,almo/ ! :ole ( *ap4 xvii4 
conta9s facts ( ?is nature4 ,:]e !      
portion ( ,manasseh is describ$1 x is   
said1 9 v]4 #ab1 ,yet ! *ildr5 (        
,manasseh c\ld n drive out ! inhabitants
 ( ^? cities1 b ! inhabitants w\ld dwell
 9 t l&4 ,x is add$1 ,& x came to pass1 
:5 ! *ildr5 ( ,israel wax$ /rong1 t !y  

put ! ,canaanites to tribute2 b did n   
utt]ly drive !m out4 ,n[ ?is c]ta9ly did
 n take place dur+ ! life ( ,jo%ua1 = 9 
! v same *apt]1 he promises ^? ( ! tribe
 ( ,manasseh success aga9/ !            
,canaanites4 ,9 ! prec$+ *apt]1 v4 #aj1 
!re is a passage ( ! same k9d1 ,& !y 7! 
,ephraimites7 drove n out ! ,canaanites 
t dwelt 9 ,gez]2 b ! ,canaanites dwelt  
among ! ,ephraimites unto ?is day1 & "s 
"u tribute4 ,?is ne$s no comm5t3 let any
 p]son ask himself :5 ?is came to pass1 
& !y w at once f9d out ! cr$it due to   
books conta9+ su* %ameful ana*ronisms & 
falsehoods4 ,9 *apt] fir/ ( ,judges1    
purport+ to conta9 ! hi/ory ( ! ,jews   
aft] ,jo%ua1 ! read] w f9d a fai?ful    
copy ( ! passages quot$1 n except+ !    
tak+ ( ,j]usalem4 ,let himc omp>e v]4   
#h1 #bg1 #bh1 #bi1 & foll[+1 ) ! detail 
( di/ribution ( lots to ! tribes1 9 *ap4
 xvi4 & xvii4 ( ,jo%ua ! same ev5ts are 
told 9 ! v words1 & apply to two diff]5t
 p]iods4 ,?is is a /rong in/ance ( !    
disord] t p]vades ! :ole ( ^! books1 &  

h[ undes]v+ ( cr$it1 ev5 9 ! mo/        
probable ev5ts1 is :at y call sacr$     
writ4 ,we are con/antly read+ ov]       
acc\nts ( ! same ev5ts1 sometimes said  
to be writt5 by dead m51 & nev] m>k+ "t2
 = x came to pass1 :i* is ! ,bible      
phrase1 does n fix ! p]iod :5 ! ev5t    
took place4 ,^! books be> all ! m>ks (  
be+ ! productions ( "s p]sons at a v    
late p]iod1 & to h suff]$ great         
int]polations4 ,jo%ua is1 9 ! face ( x1 
a cont9uation ( ,deut]onomy1 ,judges (  
,jo%ua1 & s on ?r\gh ! rema9d]4  ,y pass
 on to ,judges4 ,x requires nei!r great 
k nor +5uity to discov]1 t ?is book is  
an unconnect$ f>rago put toge!r by "s   
unkn[n p]son4 ,y d n attempt to say any 
?+ 9 its fav\r4 ,sad fall+ (f f ! pa?s (
 fai?6 ,=m]ly x w\ld h be5 a h]esy to   
ass]t t ,judges 0 a book ( no au?ority3 
n[1 ev5 a ,bi%op has no?+ to say 9 its  
def5ce4 ,y !n proce$ to ,ru?1 & endeav\r
 to blot out ! app>5t infamy ( h]       
conduct1 ) :at success1 ,i leave ! read]
 to judge1 aft] he has p]us$ h] hi/ory4 

,next foll[ y\r subtle di/9ctions betwe5
 ! inspir$ & non-inspir$ "p ( ! ,bible1 
:i* may be v intelligible to an inspir$ 
,bi%op1 b _c fail to appe> a m]e dream  
to a man 9 8 s5ses4 ,not)/&+ ,au/9 & y\r
 o!r bre?r51 ?is di/9ction re/s ^u no?+ 
b fancy4 ,y\r reque/ is v mod]ate4      
,receive ! ,bible1 y say1 z compos$ by  
upright & well-in=m$1 ?\gh 9 "s po9ts1  
fallible m51 7= ,i exclude all          
fallibility :5 !y pr(ess to deliv] ! ^w 
( ,god71 & y mu/ receive x z a book     
reveal$ to y 9 _m p>ts by ! express w ( 
,god1 &1 9 o!r p>ts1 relat+ to y !      
ord9>y hi/ory ( ! times4 ,bravo6 ,a     
,ca?olic is z reasonable 9 8 dem&s4 ,he 
only asks a little cr$ulity to believe !
 inspir$ :5 !y pr(ess to be s4 ,x is    
truly a *ildi% reque/1 begg+ ! "q at e  
^w4 ,to believe ! ,bible to be inspir$  
is ! gr& po9t4 ,! reason+ y employ is 9 
p]fect consonance ) ! absurdity ( y\r   
wi%es4 ,y disbelieve a hi/ory if y f9d x
 inconsi/5t1 b rev]e x1 & swe> by !     
au?or1 if he wrote by inspiration4      

,sw$5burgh c\ld n wi% m fai? 9 8        
adh]5ts4 ,y say receive x1 z !          
inquisitors said imprimatur2 b          
philosoph]s weigh ! gr\nd ( _! belief2  
!y detect ! ,bible writ]s1 prophets1 &  
inspir$ m51 9 palpable contradictions 9 
hi/ory2 & y w ob/9ately insi/ on our    
believ+ ! mo/ improbable ( all _!       
/ories1 because _! absurdity p]suades ! 
fai?ful t !y 7 reveal$ by _! ,god 9     
dreams4----,y h ackn[l$g$ y\rself1 9 a  
subsequ5t lett]1 t ! hi/ory & my/]y ( ! 
,bible are s int]wov51 t if "o falls !  
o!r _c be ma9ta9$4 ,:y did ,god m+le 8  
important & sublime precepts ) su*      
ridicul\s tra%1 s z to induce mank9d to 
disbelieve !m bo?8 ,suppose ,i %\ld meet
 a peasant com+ f a fair1 pret5d+ he _h 
se5 ! k+ ) 8 gu>ds1 & if ,i %\ld f9d ?is
 to be untrue1 w\ld ,i n des]ve to be   
laugh$ at1 if ,i cr$it$ t he _h wre/l$ )
 a _s1 or t he 0 c>ri$ up to heav58     
,?is1 h[ev]1 is ! case ) ! ,bible4 ,"h  
we are told t ! sun /ood ,/ill to       
protract ! blood%$ ( t villa9 ,jo%ua1   

:ile1 9 ano!r place1 we read t a city 0 
tak5 #cgj ye>s be=e t ev5t4 ,y\r vaunt$ 
prophets 7 soo?say]s1 psalmi/s1 &       
orators1 :o 7 g5]ally employ$ 9 writ+ ! 
public records4 ,x is a ^w appli$ 9 !   
,bible to holy m54 ,^! prophets1 l !    
augurs ( ! hea!n1 7 (t5 detect$ 9       
falsehoods1 &1 9 ! "t ( ,samuel1 x w\ld 
appe>1 by ! ,bible itself1 t to raise   
gho/s 0 a trade z common z t ( tailors 9
 our days4  ,y n[ come to ,samuel4 ,y   
are c&id en\gh to ackn[l$ge ) ,h>tley1 t
 he c\ld n h be5 ! au?or ( ! second     
book1 nor ( mo/ ( ! fir/ t g "u 8 "n1   
yet ?is has be5 ! op9ion ( ! *ur*2 & ,i 
"k ( no direct pro(s t he wrote !       
rema9d]3 by :at logic d y or ,h>tley    
conclude1 t ,samuel wrote any "p ( !    
books ascrib$ to him8 ,an au?or is prov$
 n to h writt5 mo/ "p ( a "w ascrib$ to 
him1 :o !n w\ld1 )\t direct pro(s1      
proclaim him ! writ] ( "s small passage1
 or any p>ticul> "p ( ! "w8 ,:o b a     
cl]gyman w\ld build a sy/em ^u a        
mutilat$1 spuri\s1 & insignificant      

collection ( absurdities & wond]s8 ,x   
is1 ,i all[1 probable t ,samuel wrote   
some?+3 y\r quotations prove no m2 b :at
 ?is 01 we are1 ,i presume1 equally     
unacqua9t$ )4 ,t ! scribes also compos$ 
"s records ( ! lives ( _! k+s1 ,i w n   
d5y4 ,! "q is1 :at degree ( cr$it does !
 mutilat$1 contradictory1 & fabul\s     
collection1 said to be made out ( ^!    
records1 des]ve8  ,9 ! "t ( ,*>les !    
,great1 "s p]sons probably record$ 8    
actions4 ,is ?is a reason = any man to  
believe ! fabul\s leg5ds we h ( him1    
writt5 9 ! d>k c5turies8 ,! leg5ds ( !  
,egyptian & ,greek gods1 & _! collection
 ( oracles1 7 n only cr$it$ by :ole     
nations1 b proclaim$ true by c\ncils mu*
 wis] ?an ! synagogue4 ,! records ( !   
sa9ts 7 und\bt$ly made few ye>s aft] _! 
dea?1 9 ages f> m enlight5$1 aft] !     
inv5tion ( ! press1 writt5 by ! !n mo/  
le>n$ m5 ( society1 7! monks71 :o       
c]ta9ly 7 n inf]ior to ! ,jewi% scribes1
 yet ^! leg5ds conta9 (t5 no?+ b        
collections ( absurdities & miracles4   

,read ! ,flores ,sanctorum ( ! ,romi%   
*ur*1 & y !re w f9d miracles 9 e page1 &
 ! lives ( sa9ts a tissue ( prodigies4  
,i ne$ n add1 t v few le>n$ m5 among !  
,papi/s give cr$it to ! absurdities     
conta9$ 9 ^! books4 ,x is ev5 ! op9ion (
 ! be/ in=m$ m51 t ! monks h writt5     
lives ( sa9ts :o nev] exi/$4  ,y        
ackn[l$ge ! wick$ness ( ! k+s ( ,israel 
& ,judah2 b y take c>e to obs]ve1 t ?is 
0 n ow+ to _! religion4 ,imp]t95t       
ass]tion6 ,0 n ,saul de?ron$ because he 
0 humane en\gh n to cut ,agag 9 pieces8 
,did n ! ,"l ,jehovah love ! man aft] 8 
own he>t1 :o put ! mis]able inhabitants 
( ,rabah "u saws1 axes1 & arr[s ( iron2 
:o made !m pass ?r\gh ! brick-kiln8 ,did
 n ?is ,jehovah approve ! base murd] (  
,adonias8 ,0 x ! same ,jehovah :o said  
to ,jonah1 t he 0 n s unju/ z to        
sacrifice ! :ole city ( ,n9eveh = _!    
s9s1 because !re 7 ?\s&s 9 x :o did n "k
 betwe5 good & evil2 & :o yet1 ! ,jews  
tell u1 comm&$ ! ext]m9ation ( :ole     
nations1 )\t ev5 sp>+ ! little *ildr58  

,did n ! plagues :i* he s5t to ,ph>aoh &
 ,david fall ^u ?\s&s ( innoc5t         
individuals8 ,at lea/1 d n ! ,jewi%     
books affirm x8 ,su* horrors c\ld only  
be respect$ by ! ,jews2 su* absurd      
miracles c\ld only be cr$it$ by ! mo/   
ignorant ( m54 ,y pret5d1 t ! p>tiality 
( ,god to ! ,jews proce$$ f _! be+ !    
only nation t believ$ 9 ! unity ( ,god1 
& :o h pres]v$ _! belief on ?is head    
un%ak5 till ! pres5t day4 ,are y 9      
e>ne/1 c y ass]t ?is be=e m5 ( common   
in=mation8 ,d y take ,engli%m5 = idiots 
to be deceiv$ by y\r ass]tions8 ,are y  
ignorant ( ! adoration ( ! ,e?iopians8  
,d y =get t ! wise m5 among ! hea!ns    
said1 ,colitur =ma pro ,jove8 ,did y    
nev] p]use any acc\nt1 ( ! ,*9ese1 or ( 
! ,h9doos8 ,d !y n admit "o supreme     
ag5t1 an all-wise1 intellig5t1 c4 be+1 &
 ^: inf]ior ag5ts !y repres5t by        
symbols8 ,! ,h9doos h ev5 all !         
metaphysical ref9em5t ( our div9es2 & _!
 def9ition ( ,god is fully z p]spicu\s z
 t giv5 9 our ,cate*ism4 ,i h avoid$ to 

give long extracts 9 ?is pamphlet2 b1 t 
! au?ority ( an ,engli% ,bi%op may n be 
a presumption to _m t ,i am mak+ false  
ass]tions1 ,i %all transcribe a passage 
f a comm5t>y ^u ! ,reig ,beid1 a book   
unque/ionably ( ! remote/ antiquity4    
,glory be to ,gonei%6 t :i* is exempt f 
all desires ( ! s5ses1 ! same is !      
mighty ,"l4 ,he is simple1 & ?an him !re
 is no?+ great]4 ,brehm1 7! _s ( ,god71 
is absorb$ 9 self-contemplation2 ! same 
is ! mighty ,"l :o is pres5t 9 e "p (   
space4 ,brehm is "o1 & to him !re is no 
second2 su* is truly ,brehm4 ,8         
omnisci5ce is self-inspir$1 & its       
compreh5sion includes all possible      
species1 c4 ,x is true1 we are n "h told
 t ,god is a jeal\s ,god1 t he visite? !
 iniquities ( ! fa!r ev5 unto ! f\r?    
g5]ation4 ,i c\ld adduce fifty passages 
f ! ,greeks & o!rs to prove my position1
 b x is ne$less4 ,! po9t is /ill to "k  
:e!r ^! notions make m5 bett]1 :e!r !y  
are f\nd$ on tru?1 &1 inde$1 :e!r all   
gods are n ! "w ( ! fancy ( man1 nature 

allegoris$4 ,primus 9 orbe ,deos fecit  
timor1 says ! philosoph]2 c y disprove  
x8 ,i suspect n1 & t all ! subtle       
reason+ ( div9es de/roy !mselves4 ,! _w 
is ! ultimate ( human reason4 ,we adore 
! idols ei!r ( our h&s or ( ! bra91 &   
mi/ake !m = exi/5ces4 ,! region ( *im]as
 exi/s beyond ! univ]se2 our prattl+ ^u 
x is b a play ( words4 ,jehovah himself1
 :5 he said1 ,i am t ,i am1 call$       
himself pretty pla9ly ,pan1 or ! great  
:ole4  ,b if ! unity ( ,god be ! only   
graci\s belief 9 ! eyes ( ! ,creator1 ,i
 d n see t ,*ri/ians are entitl$ to 8   
fav\r1 because !y make him ?ree4 ,:at 0 
! belief ( ! ,jews8 ,_h !y any v ref9$  
ideas ( _! ,god8 ,!y ?\ght him          
corporeal1 incessantly speak+ & mov+    
among m51 jeal\s1 rev5geful1 p[]ful1 ^: 
angels ate ) ,abraham1 :o himself /rove 
to kill ,moses 9 a public h\se2 !y      
imag9$ him rep5t+ ( 8 de$s2 &1 9 all    
respects1 a poor contemptible be+1 !    
(fspr+ ( ,jewi% fancy4 ,he is ?r\gh\t ! 
,bible an ,asiatic ,sultan1 :o1 l !     

m]ciful ,god ( ,mahomet1 puts to !      
sword1 & smites ) plagues ?\s&s1 z a    
tribute to 8 inf9ite m]cy4 ,i ref] !    
read] to ! collection ( extracts f !    
,bible1 9 a subsequ5t lett]1 = pro(s (  
my ass]tions4 ,! ,jews admitt$1 besides 
o!r gods1 su* z ,*emo%1 sev]al be+s     
subord9ate to ,god1 b sup]ior to man1 z 
! s]p5t :i* tempt$ ! "m ( mank9d4 ,!y _h
 ext]m9at+ angels & *]ubims1 ! ,elohim  
or ,g5ii t made ! _w1 c4 ,b :y dwell ^u 
su* topics1 :5 x is evid5t t all !      
,jewi% my?ology is ( ,*aldean orig91 &  
our !ology a copy ( t ( ,plato8  ,y     
proce$ 9 y\r attempt to reconcile !     
ju/ice ( ,god ) 8 goodness1 &1 9 !      
height ( y\r rev]ie1 y imag9e t !       
suff]+s ( ! ,jews 7 p>ts ( a gr& s*eme =
 ! g5]al good ( mank9d4 ,:at1 & :5 are  
we to see ! good effects ( _! b>b>ities8
 ,we may see reason c\nt]act+ ! evil (  
sup]/ition1 r5d]+ m5 humane2 b ,i       
appreh5d1 t1 if y\r reason+ 0 g5]ally   
adopt$1 e highwayman w\ld be mu* incl9$ 
to ?9k himself s5t by ,provid5ce = good 

& wise purposes1 & if *ance %\ld br+    
ab\t a happy ev5t at ! end ( 8 c>e]1 :i*
 he ?\ght ! consequ5ce ( 8 de$s1 he w\ld
 triumph 9 8 crimes1 &1 l ,moor 9 !     
,robb]s1 exclaim1 ,if = t5 ,i h de/roy$1
 y make b "o man ble/1 my s\l may yet be
 sav$6 ,?is has be5 ! language (        
p]secutors4 ,!y de/roy mank9d to make !m
 happy 9 ! next _w--tortures1 burn+1 &  
behead+1 are b purifications4 ,! wor/   
is1 t ! fam\s div9e s*eme ( g5]al good1 
has nev] be5 "o jot m advanc$ ?an :5 !  
,jews 7 endur+ ! greate/ calamities1 &  
committ+ atrocities4 ,i c\nt n ! effects
 ( reason1 = fai? is alone ! godly      
faculty2 reason de/roys x4 ,i close my  
obs]vations ^u ?is subject ) repeat+ !  
old "q ( ,epicurus1 :i* y\r bre?r5 h z  
yet left unansw]$2 ei!r ,god c prev5t   
evil & does n *oose x1 or he *ooses x & 
wants p[] to av]t calamities f 8        
creatures4 ,9 ! fir/ in/ance1 he is a   
malevol5t despot1 a "* we ought to      
abhor2 9 ! second1 we see him an impot5t
 & second>y be+1 :i* raises our         

contempt4 ,reconcile ?is ) 8 inf9ite    
p[]1 wisdom1 & goodness1 & %[ u t he is 
n =m$ aft] ! image ( man1 or else let   
unbeliev]s hold _! op9ions 9 peace4     
,,lett] ,v4  ,y\r fif? lett] beg9s )    
/at+ ! importance ( ! concession (      
,?omas ,pa9e1 t ! books ( ,ezra &       
,nehemiah are g5u9e4 ,y triumph1 & ?9k x
 a sil5t ackn[l$gm5t ( ! reality ( !    
prophecies m5tion$ 9 ^? books4 ,/op1 my 
,"l1 y\r alma-mat] surely has n taught y
 to draw su* conclusions4 ,9 a g5u9e    
book !re may be conta9$ incr$ible ev5ts1
 z 9 ,tacitus1 ,suetonius1 & almo/ all  
exi/5t hi/ories4 ,x is y\r duty to prove
 t ! prophecies !re relat$ are n among  
^? popul> /ories :i* are apt to ga9     
g5]al cr$it1 :e!r !y are or are n =g]ies
 writt5 aft] ! ev5ts4 ,be=e we "k :5    
,j]emiah wrote1 & :at is ! mean+ ( !    
writ+s "u 8 "n1 no man is w>rant$ to    
triumph at ! te/imony ( ! ,jews aft] !  
captivity2 s9ce x is a po9t1 9 :i* all  
p>ties agree2 t _! canon & books 7      
compil$ at t p]iod1 & nobody ev]        

que/ion$ ! cr$ulity ( ! ,jews4 ,y proce$
 to /ate y\r notions ( ! hi/ory ( ! ,old
 ,te/am5t2 x is all a matt] ( op9ion2 &1
 z y d n support x by any pro(s1 we mu/ 
/ill cont9ue to reg>d ! contradictions &
 impo/ures conta9$ 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t z  
pro(s ( its hav+ be5 ! "w ( ignorant    
fanatics4 ,i pass ov] y\r effusions3 t  
metaphysical disquisitions tea* u !     
limits ( our faculties1 ,i /r5u\sly     
ma9ta92 & if y mean no?+ else1 we are   
agre$4 ,t our notions ( "t & place are n
 ! bugbe>s :i* ! s*ola/ics w\ld p]suade 
u1 is to me unque/ionable2 t bo? 9      
sci5ce & religion we affix no ideas to  
_m words1 ,i grant2 t c]ta9ty 9         
philosophical disquisitions is n easily 
f\nd1 ,i also all[2 b1 t a man tir$ ) ! 
ardu\s task ( reason+1 ( disc]n+ betwe5 
tru? & falsehood1 %\ld seek 9 polemics  
or sup]/ition a consolation = 8         
ignorance1 ,i consid] z a pro( ( !      
impair$ /ate ( 8 faculties2 he is l !   
?ir/y travell]1 :o1 burnt by ! scor*+   
sun1 seeks to relieve 8 di/ress by dr9k+

 ( ! fir/ wat] he meets1 )\t reg>d+ its 
purity4 ,y\r ackn[l$gm5t t x is possible
 ev5 = a ,bi%op to err 9 matt]s (       
religion1 gives me real pleasure4 ,to   
consid] our cre$ z a matt] t admits (   
d\bt1 is a great /ep 9 ! road ( tru?4 ,y
 say1 ,may ,god =give him t is 9 an     
error4 ,y\r wi% is humane2 b1 if ,god be
 ! ,creator ( mank9d1 he _c be (f5d$ at 
! conclusions we may draw1 aft] hav+    
employ$ ! faculties he has giv5 u4 ,i   
wi% too t mank9d %\ld =give !m t are 9  
an error2 b1 ,i hope1 !y w recollect !  
long sway ( sup]/ition1 & its dang] to  
mank9d2 may !y decide 9 fav\r ( t sy/em 
:i* is con=mable to reason1 & has !     
greate/ t5d5cy to improve society6  ,y  
next proce$ to %[ ! propriety ( ! angel 
ord]+ ,moses to pull (f 8 %oes1 :i* y   
say is a m>k ( rev]5ce to ,god4 ,is x !n
 by su* ridicul\s cu/oms t y reconcile  
y\r omnipot5t & all-wise ,god8 ,too long
 h m5 sub/itut$ rites = morality4 ,o    
sup]/ition6 t makes ! ,asiatics eat !   
excrem5ts ( ! lama1 ! ,papi/s dev\r _!  

,god2 t p]suades all ,*ri/ians t wat]   
wa%e? away s92 &1 t if a *ild happ5s to 
die be=e 8 face is spr9kl$1 he mu/      
inevitably suff] ev]la/+ torm5ts3 l$ by 
?is1 m5 despise society1 & tremble at   
c]emonies inv5t$ by _! prie/s4  ,i %all 
n g at great l5g? into ! p>ticul>       
contradictions :i* are f\nd 9 !         
enum]ation ( ! families t return$ f     
,babylon4 ,!re c]ta9ly are great mi/akes
 9 ! sums2 & :]e precision 0 to be      
expect$ m ?an 9 any ?+ pres]v$ 9 !      
record ( ! p ( ,god1 we f9d !m committ+ 
! mo/ gross errors1 ev5 :5 !y attempt to
 be peculi>ly exact4 ,x is curi\s1 t !  
individual sums are altoge!r diff]5t 9 !
 diff]5t acc\nts1 &1 !re=e1 t !re mu/ h 
be5 a mu* great] numb] ( errors ?an y   
w\ld p]suade y\r read]s4  ,y come to !  
book ( ,job2 & conf9e y\r rem>ks to     
disprove ! objection ( ,mr4 ,pa9e1 drawn
 f ! "n ,satan1 :i*1 he says1 is !re = !
 fir/ & only "t m5tion$ 9 ! ,bible4 ,y\r
 answ]1 t x is repeat$ly to be f\nd     
else:]e 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t1 is j b x     

c]ta9ly does n prove ,job to be a ,jewi%
 book4 ,we "k t ,sa?an1 z well z ! names
 ( all ! angels1 are ,*aldean2 & z ,i h 
already %[n1 t ! ,scriptures are        
compilations writt5 aft] ! captivity1 x 
is n wond]ful t ?is "n1 toge!r ) _m     
o!rs1 %\ld be f\nd 9 ! ,hebrew ,bible4  
,z y say no?+ 9 fav\r ( ! book ( ,job1  
,i %all only obs]ve1 t x is n only !    
op9ion ( ,ab5ezra1 b ev5 ( ,j]ome1 !    
au?or ( ! ,vulgate1 t x is n a ,hebrew  
book1 ! idiom be+ 9 _m in/ances altoge!r
 diff]5t f ! /yle ( t language1 & v     
frequ5tly be>+ m>ks ( its ,arabic &     
,syriac orig91 z ! read] may see 9 8    
preface to ,job 9 ! ,vulgate edition ( !
 ,bible4 ,! resemblance betwe5 ,job's   
,satan & ,momus is s /rik+1 t we _c help
 recognis+ ! au?or to h be5 a ,g5tile2 &
 ?us are ! ,jews depriv$ ( a book1 :i*1 
at lea/1 conta9s no murd]s1 & %[s m k   
?an t nation ev] possess$4 ,y\r rem>k z 
to ! g5]ality ( ! belief ( a b5evol5t & 
a malevol5t be+1 c]ta9ly does n prove t 
! ,g5tiles borr[$ ?is notion f ! ,jews2 

y ought to h kn[n hi/ory bett]1 & t !   
w>s ( ! ,gods & angels =m$ "p ( ! cre$ (
 _m nations1 n only be=e a book ( !     
,bible exi/$1 b ev5 be=e ! bir? (       
,moses4 ,dionysius & ,osiris _h already 
f\ght aga9/ ! evil g5ii3 ! fam\s ,vi%nu 
has be5 f ! highe/ antiquity ! enemy (  
,*iv54 ,t ! num]\s my?ological sy/ems   
:i* h ev] exi/$1 sprang f ! report ( !  
fa!rs ( ! ,jewi% nation1 may appe>      
probable to a cl]gyman2 x is b a pi\s   
:im2 to me x is a pro(1 t all religi\s  
sy/ems h sprung f ! fancy ( m54 ,!      
philosoph]s among ! hea!ns und]/ood by !
 evil & bad g5ii no?+ m ?an ! influ5ce (
 ! good or bad seasons1 :i*1 p]sonifi$  
by ignorant or cunn+ prie/s1 h by !     
vulg> be5 deem$ real p]sonages4         
,besides1 :]e d y f9d 9 ! ,p5tateu* any 
acc\nts ( ! ,devil8 ,i only see ! s]p5t1
 an emblem ,i h already said1 copi$ f ! 
,egyptians1 b by ! ,jews consid]$ a real
 snake1 :i* talk$ & walk$ upright4 ,x 0 
b a poor imitation ( ! ,ahrimanes (     
,zoroa/]4  ,conc]n+ ! utility ( pray]s1 

& ! t5d5cy ( ^? ( ! ,jews1 ,i %all say  
no?+4 ,x is a c]ta9 fact1 t ,solomon1 ! 
wise/ ( m51 & :o made excell5t pray]s1  
kill$ 8 bro!r2 :ile _m ( ^? hea!n       
tribes1 abhorr$ by ! ,jews1 _h no o!r   
crime ?an to adore images2 &1 if        
sup]/ition among !m sometimes produc$ ! 
abom9able practice ( human sacrifices1  
!y nev] c>ri$ _! piety s f> z to        
ext]m9ate :ole nations4 ,besides1 !     
,jews _h n ev5 a pret5ce to despise _!  
neighb\rs = (f]+ human sacrifices4 ,!   
case ( ,jeph?a %[s pla9ly t ?is b>b>ity 
0 common among ,god's p4 ,i am utt]ly   
surpris$ at y\r misplac$ exclamations ^u
 ! morality ( ! hea!ns4 ,f> be x f me to
 /& =w>d z ! patron ( hea!ni%           
sup]/ition2 x is ! "m ( ours1 & ,i abhor
 ! common /ock2 b1 my ,"l1 y ought n to 
conf\nd ! rites ( ! ,greeks ) _! morals4
 ,! ,a!nians possess$ virtues :i* we 9  
va9 look = among ! despicable ,jews4 ,!y
 possess$ k1 & _! philosoph]s _h m s5se 
?an to believe ! tales ( ! prie/s4      
,epicurus taught peaceably1 & 0 rev]$ by

 all1 :ile ! vulg> ( 8 c\ntry firmly    
believ$ _! my?ology4 ,su* an in/ance    
nev] happ5$ among ! ,jews4 ,jehovah w\ld
 quickly h s5t a plague among ,epicurus 
& 8 foll[]s1 or ord]$ 8 prie/s to kill e
 "o 8 neighb\r & 8 fri5d1 & hang !m up  
be=e ! sun4 ,y\r holy bre?r5 w\ld ?9k   
no?+ ( a burn+ mat* on ! occasion2 if x 
7 9 y\r p[]1 a!i/s w\ld n exi/ long4 ,b 
y talk s confid5tly ( ! adoration (     
images among ! ,g5tiles1 t we w\ld      
imag9e ! ,jews 7 all philosoph]s4 ,d y  
=get _! rev]5ce to ! holy ( holies1 :i* 
none c\ld approa*2 ! ark ( ! cov5ant1 & 
! calves8 ,or has ! /ory ( ! five gold5 
mice1 = look+ at :i* fifty ?\s& & ?ree  
score & t5 ,israelites 7 smote by ! ,"l1
 escap$ y8  ,y\r rhapsody ^u ! sublimity
 ( ,bible composition1 & its sup]iority 
to all pr(ane writ]s1 is a pro( ( !     
/r5g? ( e>ly imbib$ prejudice4 ,i lam5t 
to see a man ( y\r le>n+ ?9k s mu* l an 
old woman4 ,! prov]bs1 to be sure1 are  
wond]ful compositions1 & prove ! great  
gift ( wisdom be/[$ by ,god ^u ,solomon6

 ,:at inde$ c be m sublime ?an ! foll[+1
 :i* ,i beg leave to add to ! specim5s  
giv5 by y\r ,lord%ip6 ,! horse lee* ha? 
two daught]s1 cry+1 ,give1 give4 ,!re   
are ?ree ?+s t are nev] satisfi$1 yea   
f\r ?+s say n x is en\gh2 ! grave1 & !  
b>r5 womb1 ! e>? t is n fill$ ) wat]1 & 
! fire t sai? n x is en\gh4--,!re be    
?ree ?+s :i* are too wond]ful = me1 yea 
f\r :i* ,i "k n2 ! way ( an eagle 9 !   
air1 ! way ( a s]p5t ^u ! rock1 ! way ( 
a %ip 9 ! mid/ ( ! sea1 & ! way ( a man 
) a maid4--,!re be ?ree ?+s :i* g well1 
a greyh\nd1 an he-goat also1 & a k+4--,x
 is ! glory ( ,god to conceal a ?+1 b ! 
hon\r ( k+s is to se>* out a matt]4--,:5
 ?\ sitte/ to eat ) a rul]1 consid]     
dilig5tly :at is be=e !e1 & put a knife 
to ?y ?roat if ?\ be a man giv5 to      
appetite4--,buy ! tru?1 & sell x n4--,a 
:ore is a deep dit*1 & a /range woman is
 a n>r[ pit4--,excell5t ,solomon6 ,he>  
also ?is wise k+ 9 ,song ( ,songs4 ,h[  
beautiful are ?y feet ) %oes1 ,o pr9ce's
 daught]6 ,! jo9ts ( ?y ?ighs are l     

jewels1 ! "w ( ! h&s ( a cunn+ workman2 
?y-navel is l a r\nd goblet :i* wante? n
 liquor2 ?y belly is l a heap ( :eat set
 ab\t ) lilies2 ?y two brea/s are l two 
"y roes t are tw9s2 ?y neck is z a t[] (
 ivory2 ?9e eyes l ! fi% pools 9        
,he%bon1 by ! gate ( ,ba?-rabbim2 ?y    
nose is z ! t[] ( ,lebanon1 :i* looke?  
t[>ds ,damascus4 ,:e!r ?is alludes to "o
 ( ,solomon's concub9es1 or our "m1 !   
*ur* ( ,jesus ,*ri/1 ! expressions are  
equally applicable1 beautiful1 & simple2
 !y are wor?y ( a man wis] ?an ,e?an !  
,ezrehite1 & ,heman1 & ,*alcol1 & ,d>da1
 ! sons ( ,mehol1 :o1 ,i d>e say1 7 wise
 m54 ,^u ! :ole1 ,i agree ) y1 t        
,solomon1 ! illu/ri\s (fspr+ ( ! man    
aft] ,god's own he>t & ! virtu\s        
,ba?%eba1 0 n a witty je/]4 ,z to :at y 
call 8 s9s & debau*]ies1 ^! holy books 7
 c]ta9ly n writt5 ) a view to make u    
avoid !m4 ,solomon is set be=e u z a    
patt]n ( wisdom & goodness2 & ! numb] ( 
8 wives & concub9es is exult+ly record$ 
z a pro( ( 8 greatness1 z mu* z 8       

treasures1 :i* exce$ all conception1 & !
 numb] ( 8 horses1 :i* exce$ all belief4
  ,y\r pi\s belief 9 ! inspir$          
prophecies ( ,isaiah1 is natural to a   
sup]/iti\s & cr$ul\s m9d4 ,! philosoph] 
:o d\bts be=e he gazes1 sees 9 :at y    
call prophecies no?+ else b scraps (    
hi/ory or leg5d4 ,he receives )         
diffid5ce all pr$ictions4 ,he is aw>e ( 
! great ease ) :i* =g]ies may be pass$  
among ! vulg> = prophecies4 ,:5 pret5d$ 
pr$ictions are made1 !y are altoge!r    
ov]look$2 ev5 ! ignorant ?9k n ( !m till
 !y are said to be accompli%$2 ! le>n$  
despise !m 9 bo? in/ances2 & x is n till
 aft] _! au!nticity has ga9$ a sort (   
g5]al belief1 t ! philosoph] ?9ks (     
enquir+ :5 & h[ !y 7 made4 ,at ?is p]iod
 he c f9d no evid5ce ( _! hi/ory1 b f ! 
cr$ul\s :o h be5 impos$ ^u by !m4       
,besides1 no prophecy is ev] direct1 x  
always has an equivocal mean+1 & is     
expla9$ to suit ! ev5ts :i* h happ5$4   
,religi\s en?usia/s write 9 su* a my/ic 
language ^u ! s9s ( mank9d1 & !         

judgem5ts t are to come ^u !m1 & 9 s    
g5]al & ambigu\s t]ms1 t x is easy = a  
subtle int]pret]1 or a vision>y fanatic1
 to expla9 !m accord+ to 8 own sy/em4 ,h
 n ! be>s ( ! ,apocalypse be5 made to   
signify by turns1 ! ,pope & ! ,devil8   
,has n ! ,new ,j]usalem be5 sometimes   
tak5 = a real fly+ t[n1 se5 9 ! air by !
 fir/ fa!rs ( ! *ur*1 z ,t]tullean in=ms
 u8 ,d n o!r div9es tell u t x means !  
k+dom ( heav58 ,h n scripture div9es1   
ev5 9 ! fir/ ages ( ! *ur*1 pret5d$ t ! 
v]ses ( ,virgil1 ,jam r$it et ,virgo1   
r$eunt ,sa-tumia regna1 jam nova        
prog5ies ccelo demittitur alto2--natte  
mets vires1 mea magna pot5tia solus1 &  
talia p]/abat memorans1 fixusque        
manebat1 7 cle> prophecies ( ! ,virg9   
,m>y1 & ,jesus ,*ri/8 ,x might be wor?  
enquir+ at ?is "t1 :e!r ! ,roman ,b>d 0 
inspir$ by ! ,holy ,gho/8 ,la/ly1 ,i may
 ask1 does y\r ,lord%ip believe 9 ! _m  
prophecies t h ( late appe>$ ( ! ,fr5*  
revolution8  ,b we h m reasons to decl>e
 ! pret5d$ cle> prophecies ( ! ,bible to

 be fables4 ,9 _m in/ances !y are s     
accurate1 & s unlike ^! passages :i* we 
"k to h be5 writt5 previ\s to ! ev5ts to
 :i* !y are appli$1 or ^? :i* are n yet 
fulfill$1 t no philosoph] c pron\nce !m 
to h be5 writt5 hi/orically4 ,?us1 we   
f9d ,jacob ann\nce to 8 twelve sons1 !  
heads ( ! twelve tribes ( ,israel1 !    
fate ( _! po/]ity2 ! situation ( !      
di/rict to be occupi$ by ! ,israelites 9
 ! l& ( ,canaan1 two hundr$ ye>s be=e   
,jo%ua p>cell$ out ?is l& 9 lots to !   
,israelites2 ! k9d ( life ! diff]5t     
tribes w\ld lead2 ! small numb] ( !     
po/]ity ( ,reub51 ,simeon1 & ,levi1 z   
well z ! p[] ( ,judah2 all :i* are      
relat$ z exactly z if ! patri>* _h se5 !
 ?rone ( ,david & ,solomon ) 8 own eyes4
 ,"s ( ! suppos$ pr$ictions ( ,isaiah & 
,daniel1 are ev5 m m9utely correct4 ,y h
 treat$ ! "q ( ! g5u95ess & date ( works
 v lightly2 y ?9k x is ( no great       
consequ5ce to asc]ta9 ! g5u95ess ( !    
diff]5t books ( ! ,bible4 ,let u = a    
mom5t suppose1 t by "s accid5t1 ! age ( 

,virgil _h be5 =gott51 or ! six? book ( 
8 neid be5 ascrib$ to a writ] ( ! age ( 
neas2 w\ld n ! ,romans be entitl$ to    
reg>d1 z a mo/ wond]ful prophecy1 !     
lively repres5tation giv5 by ,an*ises ( 
! future h]oes ( ! republic1 ! two      
,cs>s1 & ! "y ,m>cellus8  ,to resume our
 subject3 ,i rem9d y ( ! passage already
 quot$ f ,bell>m9us1 t x 0 ! op9ion ( ! 
fa!rs ( ! *ur*1 t ! ,prophets1 among o!r
 books1 _h be5 collect$ & arrang$ by    
,esdras4 ,i h also /at$ ! selection (   
g5u9e works by ! synagogue1 dur+ ! reign
 ( ! ,maccabees1 :5 ! ,talmud says t !  
=g]ies ( ,daniel1 ,esdras1 c4 7         
prodigi\s4 ,! de/ruction by ,antio*us   
,epiphanus ( ! already brok5 ,jewi%     
books1 writt5 by ,esdras1 may be        
collect$ f :at is said 9 ,maccabees1    
*ap4 i4 v]4 #ef & #eg4 ,& :5 !y _h r5t 9
 pieces ! books ( ! law :i* !y f\nd1 !y 
burnt !m ) fire1 & :osoev] 0 f\nd ) any 
( ! books ( ! ,te/am5t1 or if any       
cons5t$ to ! law1 ! k+'s comm&m5t 01 t  
!y %\ld put him to dea?4  ,x is )\t     

reason t y triumph at ! application :i* 
,?omas ,pa9e makes ( ! prophecy (       
,isaiah1 9 *apt]s xliv4 & xlv4 ,no man t
 reads ! passage c hesitate = a mom5t to
 decl>e x a n>rative ( ! deliv]ance ( ! 
,jews by ,cyrus1 aft] ! sev5ty ye>s     
captivity4 ,cyrus is m5tion$ by "n1 z   
well z 8 comm& to rebuild ,j]usalem1 & 8
 victories ov] ! nations1 above "o      
hundr$ ye>s be=e ! ev5t4 ,w y !n1 )\t   
any pro(s ( ,isaiah hav+ writt5 ?is     
book1 insi/ ^u call+ x a prophecy8 ,& h 
n sceptics be5 ju/ifi$ 9 _! disbelief ( 
! g5u95ess ( su* books8 ,mr4 ,pa9e1     
h[ev]1 has ov]look$ a m rem>kable       
prophecy 9 ?is book1 :i* has be5 tortur$
 into an application to ,*ri/4 ,?is is  
conta9$ 9 *apt] lxiii4 v]4 #a4 ,:o is   
?is t come? f ,edom1 ) dy$ g>m5ts f     
,bozrah8 ?is t is glori\s 9 8 app>el1   
travell+ 9 ! greatness ( 8 /r5g?8 ,i t  
speak 94 righte\sness1 mighty to save4  
,& aga91 9 *ap4 ii4 7talk+ ( ! suppos$  
,*ri/7 ,isaiah says1 ,& he %all judge   
among ! nations1 & %all rebuke _m p2 &  

!y %all beat _! swords into             
pl\gh-%>es4--,& ! idols he %all totally 
aboli%4 ,c ?is possibly allude to ,*ri/8
 ,did he come f ,edom 9 mighty p[]1 9   
ri* g>m5ts8 ,0 8 m>* s t]rible8 ,0 he ! 
man :o trampl$ all 9 8 fury2 :o ) 8 own 
arm br\ght salvation to himself1 & 0    
upheld by 8 fury2 z also m5tion$ 9 *ap4 
lxiii48 ,d n ^! pret5d$ prophecies also 
apply to ,judas ,maccabeus1 :o deliv]$ !
 ,jews f ! tyranny ( ,antio*us          
,epi-phanus8 ,& is x n also a pro( ( !  
mutilat$ /ate ( ! works ( ! prophets to 
see details ab\t ,cyrus int]m+l$ ) o!rs 
apply+ to ,judas ,maccabeus8 ,i say no?+
 ( ,daniel1 = 8 prophecy ,i %all consid]
 p>ticul>ly aft]w>ds1 & %[ its true     
mean+2 at pres5t1 x may be suffici5t to 
say1 t ! simil>ity betwe5 ! book ( ,ezra
 & ,daniel proclaim !m to be f ! same   
h&2 b bo? h evid5t m>ks ( hav+ be5      
consid]ably mutilat$4 ,:5 philosoph]s _c
 asc]ta9 ! age ( pret5d$ pr$ictions1 !y 
consid] _! cle>ness z a demon/ration (  
_! be+ hi/ories4 ,:o tells y t ! books  

:i* ! synagogue1 l ! ,nic5e c\ncil1     
*ose1 7 n ei!r altoge!r writt51 or      
consid]ably int]polat$1 to adopt !m to !
 times8 ,! great "q is always1 :at      
au?ority _h ! synagogue to decide1 &    
:e!r _! decision ought to influ5ce m5 ( 
s5se1 any m ?an ! det]m9ation ( ! ,popi%
 c\ncils4  ,z a pro( ( ! absurdity ( !  
application ( prophecies1 ,i %all "h    
quote "o1 :i* is app>5tly cle>] ?an any 
9 ! :ole ,bible1 & is adduc$ by ! mo/   
fam\s div9es z an unque/ionable         
pr$iction ( ,*ri/4 ,x is 9 ,micah1 *ap4 
v4 v]4 ,i4 ,n[ ga!r ?yself 9 troops1 ,o 
daught] ( troops3 he ha? laid siege     
aga9/ u2 !y %all smite ! ,judge (       
,israel ) a rod ^u ! *eek4 ,b ?\        
,be?lehem ,ephratah1 ?\gh ?\ be little  
among ?\s&s ( ,judah1 yet out ( !e %all 
he come =? unto me1 t is to be rul] 9   
,israel2 ^: go+s =? h be5 f ( old1 f    
ev]la/+4 ,"h ev5 ! bir?-place ( ,*ri/ is
 m5tion$1 ! insults (f]$ to him1 8      
exi/5ce f ev]la/+1 & 8 com+ to save     
,israel4 ,& ,mat!w1 *ap4 ii4 v]4 #f1 &  

,john1 *ap4 vii4 v]4 #dc1 bo? expressly 
ref] to t passage z a prophecy4 ,he> n[ 
:at foll[s 9 v]4 #e1 ( ! same *apt] (   
,micah3 ,& ?is man %all be ! peace1 :5 !
 ,assyrians %all come into our l&3 & :5 
he %all tread 9 our palaces1 !n %all we 
raise aga9/ him sev5 %eph]ds1 & eight   
pr9cipal m54 ,c ?is apply to ,jesus     
,*ri/8 ,7 ! ,syrians 9 ! l& :5 he came8 
,7 n ! ,romans ma/]s ( ,judea8 ,y\r     
rules ( belief are admirable3 a little  
fai?1 :]ev] y meet contradictions1      
absurdities1 or wond]s1 is an invaluable
 prescription1 common to ! ,bram91 !    
,musselman1 & ! ,*ri/ian4 ,d b believe t
 ,mahomet is a prophet1 t he w5t up to  
heav5 & saw ! et]nal ,fa!r1 & y w g     
?r\gh ! o!r articles ( ! ,mahometan fai?
 )\t difficulty4 ,d b admit ! gospel (  
,b>nabas :]e ,mahomet is pr$ict$1 & we h
 no reason to say t x is less au!ntic   
?an our gospel1 & ! "w is done2 b1 ,i   
may say ) y1 ,pro(1 pro( is :at ,i      
require1 & n ass]tion4  ,we w n rel9qui%
 our reason 9 ob$i5ce to ! despotic     

m&ates ( ! cr$ul\s4  ,y all[ t !        
miracles ( ! ,jews fall to ! gr\nd1 if !
 hi/ory ( t nation is prov$ false4 ,i   
beg y to obs]ve1 t if x is true1 x does 
n foll[ t ! miracles are4 ,if y c       
believe t ! hi/ory ( ! ,jews is well    
au!nticat$1 & )\t num]\s contradictions1
 & if y c exculpate ! writ]s f bad      
motives1 & a desire to deceive1 & if y c
 rely ^u _! wisdom1 y !n w really prove 
y\rself a ,*ri/ian1 a man ( uncommon    
fai?4 ,! hi/ory ( ! ,jews1 e :]e        
confus$1 conta9+ prodigies1 des]ves no m
 cr$it ?an _! ant$eluvian tale4 ,ev5    
,*9ese hi/ory1 support$ by a/ronomical  
obs]vations1 is beyond a c]ta9 p]iod    
reject$ by all m51 f ! fables x conta9s4
 ,if y are dispos$ to believe1 ,i advise
 y to read ! fabul\s hi/ory ( ,*9a & (  
,h9do/an1 9 ! holy books ( ! respective 
nations1 :i* are adopt$ by :ole nations1
 & are1 at lea/1 m beautiful ?an !      
,jews4  ,i h purposely omitt$ to speak (
 ,ecclesia/es4 ,i f9d "h sev]al         
,epicurean notions1 a disbelief ( a     

future life1 ! propriety ( enjoy+       
!mselves 9 ?is life1 & o!r s5sible      
rem>ks2 :i* prove t ! writ] enjoy$ m    
common s5se ?an mo/ ( 8 c\ntrym54       
,,lett] ,,vi4  ,y beg9 y\r six? lett] by
 attempt+ to disprove ! argum5ts (      
,?omas ,pa9e ^u ,j]emiah4 ,y ackn[l$ge !
 disord] t prevails 9 ! writ+s ( ?is    
prophet2 & y mode/ly assure u1 t y d n  
"k ! cause2 no m d ,i3 & :atev] incid5ts
 might h occasion$ x1 ,i am c]ta9 t1 z x
 /&s1 x des]ves no degree ( cr$it4 ,9 a 
=m] "p ( y\r pamphlet y grant1 t !      
hi/ory ( ! ,jews is s connect$ ) !      
prophetical "p1 t if ! =m] 0 done away !
 latt] c\ld n /&2 & n[ y in=m u1 t      
prophecy diff]s f hi/ory1 9 n be+       
subject to an accurate obs]vance ( "t & 
ord]4 ,?is y ?9k a matt] ( no           
importance1 b1 9 my op9ion1 x is v      
mat]ial to "k if a prophecy is writt5   
aft] ! ev5ts x alludes to4 ,i %all n    
foll[ f>1 ei!r y\r ,lord%ip or ,mr4     
,pa9e1 9 prov+ sev]al ( ! prophecies ( !
 ,bible false2 b if !y are n prophecies1

 :y %\ld we tr\ble ourselves ) disprov+ 
!m4 ,if !y are scraps ( hi/ory1 we "k t 
( ! ,jews to be s contradictory1        
imp]fect1 s completely )\t ord]1 t "o   
hi/orical extract1 ( prophecy1 w (t5    
contradict ano!r2 b mu* m g5]ally ^!    
prophecies are /rict en\gh1 be+ copi$ f 
hi/ory1 & embelli%$ ) a little ( !      
figurative /yle ( prophecy4 ,z to       
,j]emiah1 ! works t g "u 8 "n1 z well z 
^? ( ,isaiah1 appe> on ! face ( !m to be
 a collection ( extracts f diff]5t      
hi/orians4  ,:ile we "k s little ( !    
hi/ory & g5u95ess ( ^! writ+s1 we _c    
possibly draw any conclusion conc]n+ !m1
 except t !y are 9 ! utmo/ disord]1 & t 
:5 writ]s int]m+le hi/ory ) prophecy1 we
 are at a loss to "k :i* is :i*4 ,i _c  
=be> to m5tion ! ludicr\s /ory ( ,eli%a1
 ! *ildr51 ! be>s t dev\r$ ! *ildr5 (   
m51 z y are pleas$ to call !m4 ,:e!r    
,eli%a did ?is z a prophet1 ,i _c b     
decl>e my abhorr5ce at y\r approbation (
 su* abom9able cruelty1 to murd]        
individuals because !y be/[$ !          

appellation ( ,baldhead on ano!r4       
,accord+ to ! laudable cu/om ( ! *ur*1 y
 appeal to a miracle1 & conclude1 t if  
,god wr\ght a miracle x mu/ h be5 j4 ,i 
suppose ?is comp>atively z :5 he de/roys
 :ole cities = ! s9s ( a few2 b ?is is !
 v gr\nd on :i* e crusad] support$ 8    
massacres2 & e man may imitate ! conduct
 ( ,ahod1 ! trea*]\s murd]]1 patronis$  
by ,jehovah1 )\t incurr+ ! blame ( a    
,bi%op4 ,:e!r ! ridicul\s tale :i* y    
take = a sign ( ,god1 mo/ probably ( 8  
cruelty1 conv]t$ any p]son1 is n kn[n2 b
 z ! ev5t mo/ und\bt$ly nev] happ5$1 y  
may suppose :at y please4 ,to murd] !m  
is n ! way to +ratiate ourselves ) our  
fell[-citiz5s4 ,if any p]son set a few  
bull-dogs on "s *ildr51 & pret5d$ to d s
 by au?ority f heav51 he w\ld mo/       
und\bt$ly be tak5 up by our (fic]s (    
ju/ice4 ,9 :at respect d ^! brutal      
prophets diff] f ,mahomet1 :o decid$ all
 disputes by ! sword8 ,_! bus9ess 0 to  
ext]m9ate & murd] by ! direct comm&s (  
,god4  ,! writ+s ( ,ezekiel are         

consid]ably truncat$4 ,! v beg9n+ ( 8   
prophecies %[s x4 ,! conjunction &      
texture ( ! :ole "w ref]s to some?+ t   
ought to h prec$$ x4 ,he beg9s say+1 ,t 
9 ! #cj? ye> ! heav5s op5$1 & he saw    
visions ( ,god4 ,& 9 v]4 #e1 he adds1 ,t
 ! ,"l _h inspir$ him (t5 9 ,*aldea1 :i*
 ref]s to "s prophecies writt5 9 t      
p]iod4 ,besides1 ,josephus's "w1 book   
#aj1 *ap4 ix4 ( ! ,jewi% antiquities1   
says1 ,t ,ezekiel _h propheci$ t        
,z$ekiah %\ld nev] see ,babylon4 ,?is is
 no :]e f\nd 9 ,ezekiel1 b1 on !        
contr>y1 9 *ap4 xi4 & xii4 he says1 ,t !
 k+ w\ld be c>ri$ a prison] to ,babylon4
  ,z to ,daniel1 ,i h already notic$ !  
great simil>ity betwe5 ! fir/ book (    
,esdras & 81 & ! probability t !y came f
 ! same au?or4 ,! sev5 fir/ *apt]s1     
except ! fir/1 7 writt5 9 ,*aldean1 &   
are by ! mo/ le>n$ ?\ght to be tak5 f   
,*aldean *ronologi/s4 ,x is also ?\ght  
by m5 ( great le>n+1 t ! books (        
,esdras1 ,daniel1 & ,e/h]1 7 alt]$ a    
long "t aft] ,judas ,maccabeus1 because 

x appe>s evid5t t ,esdras c\ld n h      
writt5 ! :ole ( !m1 s9ce ,nehemiah      
c>ries ! g5ealogy ( ,jesuhga1 ! sov]eign
 ,pontiff till ,jaddua1 ! sixte5? 9     
numb]1 :o aft] ! defeat ( ,d>ius w5t to 
meet ,alex&]4 ,& ,nehemiah1 v]4 #bb1 ,! 
,levites1 9 ! days ( ,elia%ib1 ,joiadah1
 & ,johanan1 & ,jaddua1 7 record$ *ief (
 ! fa!rs2 also ! prie/s1 to ! reign (   
,d>ius ! ,p]sian4 ,we h no reason to    
believe t ,esdras or ,nehemiah c\ld     
survive f\rte5 k+s ( ,p]sia1 ,cyrus hav+
 be5 ! fir/ :o gave ! ,jews p]mission to
 rebuild ! temple1 f :om to ,d>ius !re  
are #bcj ye>s4  ,i n[ come to ! fam\s   
prophecy ( ! sev5ty weeks ( ,daniel1 :i*
 y exult+ly m5tion z ! mo/ wond]ful1 &1 
at ! same "t1 ! mo/ incontrov]tible     
pr$iction 9 exi/5ce1 "o :i* nev] c fail 
to conf\nd ! mo/ p]v]se unbeliev]4 ,if  
,i prove1 t s f> f be+ ! surpris+       
prophecy y pret5d1 x has altoge!r a     
diff]5t mean+1 & c n[ise apply to ! com+
 ( ,*ri/1 ,i %all ?9k myself fully      
excus$1 if ,i d n g ?r\gh e individual  

pr$iction 9 ! ,bible4 ,! passage allud$ 
to is 9 ,daniel1 *ap4 ix4 v]4 #bd1 to   
#bg1 z foll[s3 ,sev5ty weeks are det]m9$
 ^u ?y p1 & ^u ?y holy city1 to f9i% !  
transgression1 & to make an end ( s9s1 &
 to make reconciliation = iniquity1 & to
 br+ 9 ev]la/+ righte\sness1 & to seal  
up ! vision1 & prophecy1 & to ano9t !   
mo/ holy4 ,"k1 !re=e1 & und]/&1 t f !   
go+ =? ( ! comm&m5t to re/ore & build   
,j]usalem1 unto ! ,messiah1 ! pr9ce1 !re
 %all be sev5 weeks2 & ?reescore & two  
weeks ! /reets %all be built aga91 & !  
wall1 ev5 9 tr\bl\s times4 ,& aft]      
?reescore & two weeks %all ,messiah be  
cut (f1 b n = himself2 & ! p ( ! pr9ce t
 %all come1 %all de/roy ! city1 & !     
sanctu>y1 & ! end !re( %all be ) a      
flood1 & unto ! end ( ! w> desolations  
are det]m9$4 ,& he %all confirm !       
cov5ant ) _m1 = "o week2 &1 9 ! mid/ ( !
 week1 he %all cause ! sacrifice &      
oblation to cease2 & = ! ov]spread+ (   
abom9ations1 he %all make x desolate1   
ev5 until ! consummation1 & t det]m9$   

%all be p\r$ ^u ! desolate4  ,?is       
passage is g5]ally appli$ to ! com+ (   
,*ri/4 ,! sev5ty weeks are suppos$ to   
mean weeks ( ye>s1 or sev5 ye>s ea*4 ,n[
 x is evid5t1 t x _c apply to ,jesus    
,*ri/2 = if f go+ =? ( ! comm&m5t 9 ! "t
 ( ,artax]xes ,longimanus1 until ! com+ 
( ! ,messiah1 !re 7 to be sev5 weeks or 
=ty-n9e ye>s1 h[ does ?is agree ) :at   
foll[s8 ,aft] ?reescore & two weeks 7or 
?ree hundr$ & sev5ty-f\r ye>s7 %all     
,messiah be cut (f4 ,& aga91 ,he %all   
confirm ! cov5ant ) _m = a week4 ,did !n
 ,jesus ,*ri/ live f\r hundr$ &         
tw5ty-?ree ye>s1 or are !re two         
,messiahs pr$ict$8 ,dr4 ,frideaux       
ackn[l$ges t "s p>ts ( ?is prophecy are 
s injudici\sly pr9t$ 9 ! ,engli%        
translation ( ! ,bible1 t !y are q      
un9telligible2 8 alt]ation is 9 !       
punctuation1 & accord+ to x we read1 t1 
f ! go+ =? ( ! comm&m5t to re/ore &     
build ,j]usalem1 to ! ,messiah1 !       
,pr9ce1 %all be sev5 weeks1 & ?reescore 
& two weeks2 & 9 v]se #bg1 he puts !    

half ( ! week1 in/ead ( ! mid/4 ,!      
explanation ( ! prophecy z ?us alt]$1 he
 gives z foll[s4 ,f ! comm&m5t giv5 to  
,ezra by ,ar-tax]xes ,longimanus1 to !  
accompli%m5t ( x by ,nebemiah =ty-n9e   
ye>s1 or ! fir/ sev5 weeks2 f ?is       
accompli%m5t to ! "t ( ,*ri/'s mess5g]  
,john ! ,bapti/ sixty-two weeks1 or f\r 
hundr$ & ?irty-f\r ye>s2 f !nce to !    
beg9n+ ( ,*ri/'s public m9i/ry1 half a  
week1 or ?ree ye>s & a half2 & f !nce to
 ! dea? ( ,*ri/1 half a week1 or ?ree   
ye>s & a half2 9 :i* half week he prea*$
 & confirm$ ! gospel ) _m2 9 all1 f !   
go+ =? ( ! comm&m5t1 till ! dea? (      
,*ri/1 sev5ty weeks1 or f\r hundr$ &    
n9ety ye>s4  ,9 ! fir/ place1 we        
confid5tly ass]t t ,dr4 ,prideaux foll[$
 8 fancy1 n ! orig9al ,hebrew1 :5 he    
alt]$ ! punctuation4 ,he is1 h[ev]1     
ju/ifi$ 9 ! alt]ation ( half ( a week2  
b1 grant+ all1 let u see h[ x applies4  
,did ! ,messiah come aft] sev5 weeks f !
 comm&m5t ( ,ar-tax]xes ,longimanus8 ,! 
explanation only says1 t ,nehemiah f9i%$

 ! "w :i* ,ezra began4 ,:at has ?is to d
 ) ! ,messiah com+ at ! end ( ! fir/    
sev5 weeks8 ,! prophet says1 t aft]     
?reescore & two weeks1 ! /reet & ! wall 
%all be built4 ,aga91 & previ\sly1 t    
aft] ! comm&m5t = ! city to be built1 ! 
,messiah %all come 9 sev5 weeks4 ,!     
le>n$ div9e1 on ! contr>y1 makes ,daniel
 say1 t ,john ! ,bapti/ began to prea* !
 k+dom ( ! ,messiah sixty-n9e weeks aft]
 ! comm&m5t1 & 9 ! fir/ sev5 weeks he   
talks ( no?+ b build+ ! temple4 ,aga91  
h[ does ! oblation cease 9 half a week8 
,9 fact1 ! same objection occurs "h1 z  
to ! passage z x is writt5 9 our        
,bibles4 ,daniel speaks q cle>1 :5 he   
says1 t f ! go+ =? ( ! comm&m5t to      
re/ore & build ,j]usalem1 unto !        
,messiah1 ! ,pr9ce1 %all be sev5 weeks4 
,if we f9d1 9 :atev] explanation ( !    
prophecy1 t ,*ri/ did n come =ty-n9e    
ye>s aft] ?is comm&m5t1 & t he did n    
live f\r hundr$ & ?irty-f\r ye>s        
aft]w>ds1 ! :ole mu/ be an untru?4 ,&1  
if ! fir/ p]iod ( sev5 weeks is unit$ ) 

t ( ?reescore & two1 t is1 if ! p]iod ( 
rebuild+ ! city1 & ( ! com+ ( ! ,messiah
 be ! same1 !n let div9es in=m u :e!r   
?is really came to pass1 & reconcile x )
 :at foll[s1 9 v]4 #bf1 t ! city is to  
be de/roy$ at ! same "t4 ,did ,*ri/     
confirm any cov5ant ) _m = sev5 ye>s8   
,let u attempt to unriddle ?is enigma4  
,! passage evid5tly talks ( two         
,messiahs1 or makes "o live upw>ds ( f\r
 hundr$ ye>s2 & is altoge!r             
un9telligible z x /&s4 ,= ! bett]       
und]/&+ ( x1 ,i %all quote "s previ\s "p
 ( ! same *apt]1 v]4 #a4 ,9 ! fir/ ye> (
 ,d>ius1 ! son ( ,ahasu]us1 ( ! se$ ( ! 
,m$es1 :i* 0 made k+ ov] ! realm ( !    
,*aldeans4 #b4 ,9 ! fir/ ye> ( 8 reign1 
,i1 ,daniel1 und]/ood by books1 ! numb] 
( ! ye>s :]e( ! ^w ( ! ,"l came to      
,j]emiah ! prophet1 t he w\ld accompli% 
sev5ty ye>s 9 ! desolations ( ,j]usalem4
 #c4 ,& ,i set my face unto ! ,"l ,god1 
to seek by pray]s & supplications1 )    
fa/+1 & sackclo?1 & a%es4 #d4 ,& ,i     
pray$ unto ! ,"l my ,god1 & made my     

confession1 & said4 ,aft] ?is foll[s 8  
pray]1 until ! #bj? v]se2 &1 9 ! #ba/ ! 
angel began to unfold a prophecy to     
,daniel1 :i* beg9s 9 v]se #bd1 & he     
promises to expla9 ! my/]y t _h s mu*   
griev$ ,daniel1 t is1 ! prophecy (      
,j]emiah2 !n foll[s ! passage ,i h      
quot$3 ! alt]ations ,i conceive ought be
 made 9 ! read+ ( :i*1 ,i n[ proce$ to  
m5tion4 ,9 v]se #be1 ! s5t5ce /ops aft] 
! sev5 weeks1 z x is 9 ! ,engli% ,bible1
 because 9 ! orig9al we f9d "h ! /op    
,atna*4 ,9 v]se #bf1 in/ead (1 %all     
,messiah be cut (f8 we ought to read1 ! 
oblation %all cease4 ,?is is ! real     
mean+ ( ! expression 9 ! orig9al1       
accord+ to ,t]tullian1 ,eusebius1 &     
,!odoretus4 ,eusebius says1 ,unctum 7vel
 ,*ri/um7 nihil aliud esse quam         
successionem ,pontificum1 quos unctos   
nom9>e ,s4 ,lit]ae consuev]unt4 ,!      
,hebrew prop]ly signifies p]detur       
unctio4 ,!odoretus und]/&s by ?is ^w1 ! 
same z sac]dotes uncti4 ,excidetur      
unctus1 signifies ! same z ! oblation   

%all be aboli%$2 = ! v]b excido does n  
always signify to kill1 b is appli$ to  
:atev] falls into disuse t 0 once 9     
practice1 or any ?+ t p]i%es4 ,x is 9   
?is s5se us$ 9 _m p>ts ( ,k+s &         
,*ronicles4 ,samuel says1 excidi de     
alt>e4 ,9 ,j]emiah1 *apt] xxxvii4 v]4   
#ah1 ! v]b is us$ 9 ! same s5se1 non de 
sac]dotibus ,levitis excidet ur homo    
coram me1 :i* is giv5 9 ,engli%1 nei!r  
%all ! prie/s1 ! ,levites1 want a man   
7or cease to h a man7 be=e me4 ,9 v]se  
#bg1 & he %all confirm ! cov5ant ) _m = 
"o week1 means no m ?an ! exemption (   
calamities1 & is tantam\nt to1 he %all  
let _m rema9 9 peace1 z 9 ,g5esis1 *ap4 
vi4 v]4 #ah1 x is us$ 9 ?is s5se4  ,to  
und]/& ! real mean+ ( ?is pret5d$       
prophecy1 ! read] w rememb]1 t ,daniel  
m\rn$ = ! #gj weeks ( captivity         
prophesi$ by ,j]emiah2 ! vision (       
,daniel took place 9 ! fir/ ye> (       
,d>ius1 ,k+ ( ,*aldea1 t is1 9 ! ye>    
#afb ( ,nebu*adnezz>2 b1 9 *ap4 x4 (    
,daniel we le>n1 t he ate no pleasant   

bread1 nei!r came fle% & w9e into 8 m\?1
 till ?ree :ole weeks 7 fulfill$4 ,n[1 !
 t]m weeks is us$ 9 ! ,bible            
indiscrim9ately = weeks ( ye>s1 or (    
days2 "h x appe>s cle> x signifies !    
=m]1 p>ticul>ly z ! :ole relates to !   
#gj ye>s ( ,j]emiah2 & ! angel1 9 *ap4  
x4 v]4 #ad1 tells ,daniel1 9 ! same     
figurative /yle1 ,n[ ,i am come to make 
!e und]/& :at %all befall ?y p 9 ! latt]
 days1 = yet ! vision is = _m days4 ,if 
!n ,daniel wept ?ree weeks ( ye>s1 or   
#ba ye>s1 f ! de/ruction ( ! temple1 9 !
 ye> #ada to ! "t ( ! vision 9 #afb1 7! 
angel1 *ap4 x4 v]4 #ac1 says1 t ! pr9ce 
( ,p]sia )/ood him #ba days1 or ye>s71 x
 is easy to see :at ,daniel means4      
,j]emiah _h prophesi$ a captivity ( #gj 
ye>s1 ( ^!1 ?ree weeks or #ba ye>s 7    
pa/2 !re=e ,daniel1 aft] entreat+ ,god  
to tell him h[ _m m ye>s 7 want+1       
receiv$ = an answ] :at foll[s1 ,at !    
beg9n+ ( ?y supplications1 ! comm&m5t   
came =?1 & ,i am come to %[ !e4--,sev5ty
 weeks are det]m9$ ^u ?y p to seal up ! 

vision & prophecy1 t is to complete !   
prophecy ( ,j]emiah2 & we f9d1-!re=e1 t 
f ! issu+ ! comm&m5t to re/ore ! ,jews1 
& to build ,j]usalem1 or m prop]ly f !  
revelation ( ! angel1 7exitu ,v]bi71    
promis+ t ,j]usalem %\ld be rebuilt1 v]4
 #bc1 to ! com+ ( ! ,messiah1 ! pr9ce1  
or ,cyrus1 :o fre$ ! ,jews f !          
captivity1 !re 7 to be sev5 weeks1 or   
#di ye>s1 :i*1 add$ to ! ?ree weeks     
already pa/1 made ! #gj ye>s ( ,j]emiah4
 ,cyrus is by ,isaiah call$ ! ,"l's     
ano9t$3 ,?us sai? ! ,"l to 8 ano9t$1 to 
,cyrus1 ^: "r h& ,i h hold51 to subdue  
nations be=e him = ,jacob my s]vant's   
sake4 ,cyrus gave1 at t "t1 lib]ty to ! 
,jews1 z ! read] may see 9 ,ezra4 ,x is 
evid5t1 t ! ^w comm&m5t _c mean any     
express ord] to build ,j]usalem1 = !    
angel says1 j be=e he reveals !         
prophecy1 at ! beg9n+ ( ?y supplications
 ! comm&m5t came =? we "k t ,daniel     
began to address pray]s unto heav51 at a
 "t :5 !re 0 no ord] to build ! temple1 
on ! contr>y1 ! ,jews 7 9 captivity4    

,?is is ! mo/ difficult "p ( ! pret5d$  
prophecy1 ! rema9d] is pla94 ,!re %all  
be #fb weeks till ! rebuild+ ( ! wall4  
,! writ] alludes "h to ! build+ ( ! fir/
 temple "u ,z]ubbabel & ,je%ua1 & !n to 
! rebuild+ ( ! wall1 & re/oration ( !   
temple by ,judas ,maccabeus1 aft] its   
pr(anation by ,antio*us ,epiphanes4 ,!  
p]iod ( ?is la/ ev5t is by ! prophecy   
made to ext5d to #fc #a_/b weeks1 or    
#ddd ye>s4 ,let u see if *ronology      
confirms ?is supposition4 ,! temple 0   
de/roy$ 9 ! #ada/ ye> ( ,nabu*1 or #dajg
 ( ! ,julian p]iod2 add to ?is #ddd     
ye>s1 or #fc weeks & a half1 & we h !   
ye> #deea1 or ! second ye> ( ,judas     
,maccabeus1 accord+ to ,josephus2 :o    
also in=ms u1 t hav+ conqu]$ 8 enemies1 
he !n built a wall ab\t ,sion1 :i* is   
cle>ly meant 9 ! words1 ! /reet %all be 
built aga91 & ! wall1 ev5 9 tr\bl\s     
times1 #a ,maccab4 *ap4 iv4 v]4 #fj4 ,at
 t "t also !y build$ up ! m\nt ,sion )  
high walls1 c4 ,tr\bl\s ! times c]ta9ly 
72 ! ,jews 7 fight+ aga9/ ! cruelty (   

,antio*tis ,epiphanes4 ,x is c]ta9 !n1 t
 aft] #cdc ye>s1 or #fi weeks1 ! wall   
%\ld be built1 & al?\gh x 0 n really    
complet$ till ab\t t5 ye>s aft]1 x is   
presumable t ! loose hi/orian1 or       
prophet1 did n *oose to alt] ! beautiful
 idea ( #gj ,weeks4 ,we "k h[           
sup]/iti\sly ! ,jews respect$ n only !  
numb] #g1 b all its diff]5t affections4 
,we are besides in=m$1 9 ! fir/ book (  
,maccabees1 t aft] ! fir/ depr$ation (  
,antio*us1 ! p rebuilt ! city ( ,david1 
& made walls & =ts2 ?is happ5$ "s ye>s  
be=e ! build+ ( ! wall by ,judas1 & br+s
 ! pr$iction ne>] to hi/orical accuracy4
  ,! next "p ( ! prophecy is1 ,& aft]   
?reescore & two weeks %all sacrifices   
cease2 ?is means 9 ! c\rse ( ! week t   
succe$s ! #fb4 ,&1 no d\bt1 ,antio*us   
,epiphanes aboli%$ !m 9 ! sev5? ye> ( 8 
reign1 z we read 9 ,i ,maccab4 *ap4 i4  
,& ! p ( ! pr9ce t %all come1 %all      
de/roy ! city & ! sanctu>y4 ,?is        
,antio*us mo/ c]ta9ly did1 & w5t up     
7,antio*us7 aga9/ ,israel & ,j]usalem ) 

a great multitude1 & ent]$ pr\dly into !
 sanctu>y1 & took away ! gold5 alt>s1   
also he took ! hidd5 treasures1 & !re 0 
great m\rn+ 9 ,israel1 #a ,maccab4 ,j4  
,& ! end !re( %all be ) a flood1 & unto 
! end ( ! w> desolations are det]m9$4 ,!
 com+ ( ,antio*us into ,j]usalem is     
pomp\sly detail$ 9 ! fir/ book (        
,maccabees3 ! ,jews comp>$ a great      
calamity1 or an invad+ & irresi/ible    
army1 to a flood4 ,let u proce$ ) !     
rema9d]3 ,& he %all confirm ! cov5ant ) 
_m = a week1 ?is alludes to ! fir/ sev5 
ye>s ( ! reign ( ,antio*us1 dur+ :i* he 
did n int]f]e ) ! wor%ip ( ! ,jews1     
al?\gh he gave lib]ty to ^? :o *ose to  
be hea!ns to foll[ _! respective wor%ip3
 x 0 9 ! end ( ! six?1 & 9 ! beg9n+ ( 8 
sev5? ye> t he attack$ ! ,jews1 de/roy$ 
! temple1 plund]$ x ( its ri*es1 & made 
himself ! tyrant ( ,judea4  ,! la/ "p ( 
! passage is z foll[s3 ,& 9 ! half ( a  
week he %all cause ! oblation &         
sacrifice to cease1 &1 ,i h only to     
obs]ve1 t1 f ! tak+ ( ! city by         

,antio*us1 to ! absolute =bidd+ ,jewi%  
wor%ip1 !re elaps$ ab\t ?ree ye>s & a   
half1 or half a week1 = he came to      
,j]usalem 9 ! #adc;d ye> ( ! k+dom ( !  
,greeks1 & ! erect+ ( idols 0 9 ! ye>   
#ade2 aft] :i*1 he cont9u$ to p]secute !
 ,jews1 & promote idolatry1 until ! ye> 
#adh4 ,n[ ,antio?us attack$ ,j]usalem at
 ! end ( 8 six? ye>1 to :i*1 if we add  
two ye>s & ?ree mon?s1 we h pretty      
exactly ! p]iod ( half a week1 or ?ree  
ye>s & a half4 ,! expression1 ! spread+ 
( abom9ations1 evid5tly alludes to :at  
is said 9 ,maccabees1 *ap4 i4 v]4 #cd4  
,n[ ! fifte5? day ( ! mon? ,casleu1 9 ! 
#ade? ye>1 !y 7! foll[]s ( ,antio*us7   
set up ! abom9ation ( desolation ^u !   
alt>1 & build$ idol alt>s ?r\gh\t !     
cities ( ,judah1 on e side4 ,daniel     
says1 *ap4 xii4 v]4 #aa1 speak+ ( 8     
vision1 & f ! "t t ! daily sacrifice    
%all be tak5 away1 & ! abom9ation t3    
make? desolate set up1 !re %all be 7t is
 betwe5 ! fir/ int]dict ( ,antio*us1 & !
 sett+ up ( idols7 #abij days2 :i* is a 

little m ?an ?ree ye>s & a half4 ,!     
wond]ful prophecy is !n unriddl$1 x     
becomes a contemptible piece ( hi/ory 9 
an affect$ /yle4 ,i tru/ ! explanation  
:i* ,i h giv51 aft] ,m>%am1 w appe>     
satisfactory4 ,i *all5ge ,bi%op ,watson 
to produce a plausible explanation ( !  
passage accord+ to ! s5se ( ! *ur*4 ,x  
may n be improp] to obs]ve1 t ,clem5s   
,alex&r9us1 _m ( ! fa!rs1 ,calmet1 & o!r
 p]sons ( great k1 h flatly d5i$ !      
application ( ! weeks ( ,daniel to      
,jesus4 ,^? :o esp\se y\r cause lose    
sight ( ! context ( ,daniel1 !y =get    
*ronology1 & ev9ce to :at a pit* (      
delusion _! m9ds h arriv$4  ,?is is !   
fam\s prophecy t sil5c$ ! ,jewi% rabb9s 
( ,v5ice2 x is ( a patt]n ) ,daniel's   
f\r bea/s2 ! f\r? is also a /ory (      
,antio*us ,epiphanes & ,judas :o slays !
 bea/4 ,judas is ! son ( man com+ 9     
cl\ds2 he is ! p]son ( :om ! prophets   
speak1 & :o has mo/ ridicul\sly be5     
di/ort$ to ,jesus ,*ri/4 ,?is f>rago (  
prophecies seems to h be5 ! production (

 ,esdras or "s v late writ]2 & ,i am n  
sure1 b ! doctr9e ( ! ,py?agorean       
mill5nium gave rise to "s ( !           
expressions 9 bo? writ]s1 ab\t ! bea/s3 
!y seem to h sprung f ! same orig9 ) ^? 
( ! ,apocalypse2 & ) ! f\r ,indian      
horses1 !y crept among ! ,jews1 toge!r )
 _m o!r ,*aldean my?ological ideas3 !   
,anci5t ( ,anci5ts appe>s 9 8 fi]y c> z 
,osiris triumphant1 or ,*ree%na conqu]+ 
,*iv52 ! books are op5$ be=e him1 z 8   
k+dom is ev]la/+1 l t ( ,vi%nu ) !      
,v$ams4 ,b visions s ridicul\s z t (    
,daniel des]ve n our consid]ation2      
:atev] be _! s\rce !y are b rev]ies1 &  
may s]ve to amuse idle p 9 _! ridicul\s 
speculations ab\t ! _w's end4 ,l        
,sw$5burgh1 m5 may dream1 & int]pret _! 
own dreams1 & l him h ! mortification to
 be laugh$ at = ! non-accompli%m5t ( _! 
pr$ictions4 ,we h _h ( late ano!r       
,daniel 9 ,mr4 ,bro!rs2 he too saw      
bea/s1 &1 :at is m1 he und]/ood _!      
mean+2 b un=tunately we are n ,jews1 &  
he is cruelly imprison$ 9 a madh\se4  ,i

 h n[ foll[$ y\r animadv]sions on !     
objections ( ,?omas ,pa9e ^u ! ,old     
,te/am5t2 & ,i tru/ ,i h %[n t y h 9 no 
degree be5 a m successful lab\r] 9 !    
cause ( ,judaism ?an y\r pr$ecessors2   
ev5 y\r wond]ful prophecy ( ,daniel is  
conv]t$ into a m]e hi/orical tale1 & !  
application ,jesus ,*ri/ makes ( x to   
himself is accord+ly prov$ to be        
ridicul\s1 ! m s1 z x comes f ! ,son (  
,god4 ,i h a few m obs]vations to make1 
be=e ,i leave ?is book4 ,i _c pass 9    
sil5ce ! gross blund] y h committ$1 :5 y
 ref] ,mr4 ,pa9e to ,f]guson = an       
a/ronomical pro( ( ! miracle ( ! total  
d>kness at ! crucifixion ( ,jesus4 ,an  
odd conceit1 ^u my ^w6 ,y might "k t !  
ev5t is omitt$ by all ! au?ors ( em95ce 
:o wrote at t "t2 t ev5 ,pl9y passes x  
unnotic$4 ,le/ y %\ld mislead ! read] ) 
y\r gr\ndless ass]tions1 ,i %all /ate ! 
matt] z x /&s 9 reality4 ,y avoid le>n$ 
disquisitions to be intelligible1 b y   
ought n to h be5 s defici5t ( au?ority1 
:]e x is mo/ ne$$4 ,besides ! gospels1 !

 d>kness is n m5tion$ 9 any au?or2 b    
div9es h attempt$ to prove ! ev5t f a   
suppos$ passage ( ,phlegon1 relat$ by   
,eusebius2 x is 9 ! foll[+ words3 ,9 !  
f\r? ye> ( ! two hundr$ & second        
,olympiad1 !re 0 ! greate/ eclipse ev]  
se52 x 0 night at six1 & ev5 ! />s c\ld 
be se54 ,?is passage has long be5       
disreg>d$ by m5 ( k2 x alludes to an    
eclipse1 n to a miracul\s d>kness4 ,bo? 
,mr4 ,f]guson & y h blund]$ 9 *ronology 
& a/ronomy4 ,x is c]ta91 9 ! ye> (      
,*ri/'s crucifixion1 accord+ to ! common
 *ronology1 !re c\ld h be5 no eclipse ( 
! sun visible at t "t at ,j]usalem2     
,f]guson1 !re=e1 concludes x a miracle4 
,b y ought to h kn[n1 t ! f\r? ye> ( !  
two hundr$ & second ,olympiad1 is n !   
ye> ( ! crucifixion 9 any sy/em (       
*ronology2 t !re 0 an eclipse ( ! sun1 9
 ! ye> m5tion$ by ,phlegon1 9 ! mon? (  
,novemb]1 :i*1 h[ev]1 0 n c5tral2 & y "k
 t ,jesus is said to h di$ at ! "t ( !  
full moon 9 ,m>*1 or 9 ! beg9n+ (       
,april4 ,besides1 _h ev5 su* a d>kness  

tak5 place1 are y ignorant ( ! exi/5ce (
 comets1 & w\ld n "o pass+ betwe5 ! e>? 
& ! sun eclipse t lum9>y8 ,h n su*      
miracles tak5 place if we cr$it         
hi/orians8 ,! dea? ( ,caes> 0 prec$$ by 
wond]ful prodigies1 & a comet made its  
appe>ance imm$iately aft]4 ,! suppos$   
miracul\s influ5ce ( comets1 & _! be+   
prophetic signs1 0 once an article (    
fai? ?r\gh\t all ,europe1 & ! anci5t    
hi/ory ( e c\ntry records _m ev5ts :i* !
 au?ors ma9ta9 arose f comets4  ,y\r    
reflections on prophets ,i _c pass      
unnotic$4 ,y pret5d to make a di/9ction 
betwe5 dream]s1 & impo/ors1 & true      
prophets4 ,y ackn[l$ge ! numb] (        
soo?say]s & =tunetell]s among ! ,jews2 b
 y ma9ta9 t !y 7 altoge!r di/9ct f !    
true prophets1 & appeal to ,j]emiah1 :o 
puts ! ,jews on _! gu>d aga9/ false     
prophets4 ,does n e quack1 e impo/or1 d 
! same1 & caution ! _w to bew>e (       
c\nt]feits8 ,y might h sav$ a great deal
 ( tr\ble1 _h y condesc5d$ to produce   
y\r pro(s ( ! g5u95ess ( ! writ+s ( !   

prophets2 & !n we might enquire conc]n+ 
! works ( ^! augurs4 ,y pret5d t a sure 
m>k ( ! reality ( a prophet is 8 pr$ict+
 bad ?+s1 = a =tune-tell] always        
prophecies good4 ,p>don me if ,i suppose
 y a foll[] ( ,mr4 ,bro!rs4 ,= surely ! 
de/ruction ( ,london 0 n a mo/ desirable
 ev5t4 ,x is 9 va9 y attempt to turn    
,mr4 ,pa9e into ridicule = 8 def9ition (
 a prophet4 ,he mo/ ju/ly calls !m      
/roll+-poets1 =tune-tell]s2 be+ 9 ,judea
 :at ! gipsies1 ! augurs1 & ! a/rolog]s 
h be5 9 o!r nations4 ,! ,hebrew ^w ,navi
 signifies no?+ b an orator1 a public   
speak]1 & is by ! ,jews appli$1 9 a =c$ 
way1 to soo?say]s & div9]s4 ,x is       
incontrov]tible t !y exi/$ among ! ,jews
 9 colleges1 & 7 br\ght up to ! bus9ess4
 ,_! *ief employm5t 0 to write !        
*ronicles ( ! times4 ,! "n prophet is   
giv5 9 ! ,bible indiscrim9ately ) t (   
holy man4 ,among ! ,hebrews1 ! fir/ book
 ( ,k+s 0 call$ ! prophecy ( ,samuel4   
,abel is call$ repeat$ly 9 ! ,new       
,te/am5t a prophet1 7see ,mat?4 *ap4    

xxiii4 v]4 #ca & #ce1 & ,luke *ap4 xi4  
v]4 #ej & #ea71 al?\gh we h no acc\nt ( 
8 hav+ pr$ict$ any4 ,among ! ,jews !re  
c]ta9ly 7 =tune-tell]s1 necromanc]s1 &  
wit*es1 all ( :i* y rank among !        
impo/ors4 ,b _h n ! wit* ( ,endor a real
 p[] ( incantation8 ,did %e n mo/       
wond]fully raise up ! _s ( ,samuel8 ,or 
are we to look ^u ! /ory ( ! wit* (     
,endor 9 ! same light z ^? ( mod]n      
wit*es8 ,t ! prophets ( ! ,jews 7       
repeat$ly deceiv$1 we _c h ! smalle/    
d\bt :5 #djj ( ^! g5tlem5 told a        
d[nright lie to ,ahaz4 ,b y h a v easy  
exp$i5t 9 all ^! cases4 ,:5 a prophet   
tells a lie1 y may1 z 0 done 9 ?is      
p>ticul> case1 attribute x to a design (
 ,god to *eat ! p]son :o consults 8     
oracles1 j z ,jupit] did ( old to       
,agamemnon :5 he s5t him ! false dream4 
,y reproa* ,?omas ,pa9e = want ( c&\r4  
,he has n1 y say1 exam9$ ! g5]al design 
( ! ,old ,te/am5t ,!re he w\ld f9d !    
b5evol5ce ( ! ,god ( ! ,jews1 & 8       
inf9ite goodness 9 select+ !m f among ! 

nations1 9 pres]v+ !m f idolatry4 ,if he
 *ose ?is p he has c]ta9ly expos$ !m to 
cont9ual suff]+s1 & all = no o!r purpose
 ?an to tea* mank9d t idolatry is !     
greate/ ( crimes2 t to avoid x1 murd]1  
plund]1 ! crusades1 ! inquisition1      
p]secution1 may all be laudable means = 
! pres]vation ( ! fai? ( nations4 ,?us1 
! *]i%$ p1 :o 7 mo/ intimate ) _! ,god1 
committ$ ! mo/ enorm\s crimes1 "u !     
pret5ce ( pres]v+ pure _! adoration ( ! 
implacable ,god ,jehovah4 ,did n all !  
endeav\rs ( ,jehovah to rescue nations f
 idolatry prove fruitless8 ,?is         
despicable creature man has be5 able to 
effect :at mighty ,jehovah nev]         
accompli%$4 ,sci5ce is ! only antidote  
aga9/ all k9ds ( sup]/ition4 ,did ,cic]o
 adore /ocks or /ones8 ,or did ev] any  
le>n$ man among ! hea!ns humble himself 
be=e idols8 ,has n ! pr9cipal bran* ( ! 
*ur* ( ,*ri/ be5 notori\s idolat]s8 ,b  
:at avails all ?is8 ,h y prov$ t !      
,hea!ns emulat$ 9 ! transc5d5t          
flagiti\sness ( _! lives1 ! impure      

morals ( _! gods8 ,y ass]t x2 b         
unluckily x is "o ( ! _m unsupport$ &   
assum$ propositions 9 y\r pamphlet4 ,did
 nations necess>ily imitate ! conduct ( 
_! gods1 ,i w\ld tremble at be+ among ! 
foll[]s ( ! bloody ,jehovah4 ,! hea!ns 7
 c]ta9ly dream]s 9 _! adoration ( !     
planets2 we are taught by sci5ce1 t ^!  
bodies resemble our e>? 9 ! g5]al laws t
 gov]n !m4 ,x 0 natural = rude m5 to    
gaze at ! sublimity ( ! /up5d\s fabric1 
! refulg5cy ( ! sun2 ! bless+s d]iv$ f 8
 g5ial influ5ce c\ld n be contemplat$   
)\t admiration by ! amaz$ & fe>ful      
savage4 ,idolatry is ridicul\s3 b h y   
prov$ t ,jehovah des]ves m to be rev]$  
?an ! ,great ,:ole ( nature1 :e!r call$ 
,pan1 or o!rwise disguis$ 9 emblems1 ?an
 ! h>mony ( ! planets design$ by        
symbols1 ! g5]ative p[]s by ,v5us1 or ! 
vivify+ light emanat+ f ! bright orb (  
,apollo8 ,confess at lea/1 t !          
allegorical adoration ( nature c\ld only
 deceive ! multitude :o 7 kept 9        
ignorance by _! prie/s4 ,if y are c&id1 

y mu/ ackn[l$ge1 t ! ,poly!i/s 7        
tol]ant1 t ! ,a!i/s or ,dei/s lectur$   
close1 to ! temple4 ,!y did n ext]m9ate 
nations1 e/abli% inquisitions1 murd]    
unbeliev]s z ! ,jews1 & ! ,*ri/ians2    
al?\gh1 z y obs]ve1 !y receiv$ ! gift ( 
,god ?r\gh ,jesus ,*ri/1 & 7 made alive 
by ! cov5ant ( grace4  ,9 :at consi/s ! 
sup]iority ( ! ,jewi% or ,*ri/ian       
notions ( ,god8 ,jehovah is a be+       
incompreh5sible2 he is a jeal\s & a     
rev5geful ,god1 he h>d5s m5's he>ts1 &  
sacrifices :ole nations to a p>ticul> p1
 :o1 9 _! turn1 are sacrific$ = ! boa/$ 
s*eme ( g5]al good1 :i* is nev] ! ne>]  
be+ accompli%$4 ,he mu/ be ador$ &      
rev]$1 & yet he does n make himself kn[n
 to man4 ,he does n ev5 %[ himself face 
to face to any b ,moses4 ,y pay no great
 complim5t to 8 omnipot5ce1 :5 y obs]ve1
 t probably he c\ld n give to su* a be+ 
z man a full manife/ation ( ! end = :i* 
he designs him1 nor ( ! means requisite 
= t end2--&1 t x may n be possible = !  
,fa!r ( ! univ]se to expla9 to u1       

infants 9 appreh5sion1 ! goodness & !   
wisdom ( 8 deal+s ) ! sons ( man4       
,jehovah1 9 %ort1 equally ! (fspr+ (    
fancy ) ! ,hea!n ,jupit]1 is z cruel z  
,molo*1 &1 l o!r productions ( ! bra91  
an invisible phantom1 to :i* prie/s give
 ! passions ( a tyrant2 &1 9 _! desire t
 he %\ld reign alone1 t m5 %\ld n wor%ip
 o!r deities1 8 m9i/]s h prea*$ up ?is  
,god1 & ! multitude1 eag] to admire :at 
!y _c compreh5d1 h foll[$ ! m&ates ( !  
pret5d$ int]pret]s ( 8 w4 ,/ill1 h[ev]1 
! greate/ numb] ( ignorant m5 are1 & w  
ev] be1 idolat]s2 9 va9 _! spiritual    
guides prea* up incompreh5sible & ideal 
be+s 9 an un9telligible j>gon2 man w    
always seek to satisfy 8 s5ses4 ,ev5 !  
imm$iate pres5ce ( ,jehovah1 & 8 horrid 
massacres1 c\ld n prev5t ! fav\rite     
nation f foll[+ o!r gods4 ,ev5 !        
inspir$1 ! wise1 ! royal ,solomon =sook 
! ,god ( ,israel1 holy1 j1 & good1 = !  
impure rabble ( hea!n ,baalim4  ,accord+
 to y\r nations1 accord+ to ! doctr9es (
 ! ,jewi% & ! ,*ri/ian *ur*es1 ! sole   

aim ( ,god has be5 to be exclusively    
ador$1 & jeal\sy is 8 prom95t feature4  
,x is n 9 ! pursuit ( k1 or 9 ! practice
 ( morality t he delights4 ,! precepts (
 social virtue occasionally scatt]$     
?r\gh ! ,old1 z well z ! ,new ,te/am5t1 
c make little impression :5 contra/$ ) !
 v9dictive cruelty ( ! ,deity4 ,! ,jewi%
 ,jehovah requires no?+ ( 8 foll[]s b _!
 compliance 9 execut+ 8 bloody comm&s   
aga9/ nations :om he calls impi\s1      
because he has n reveal$ himself to !m4 
,! man aft] 8 own he>t1 is ! murd]] (   
?\s&s ( innoc5t p4 ,*ri/ ord]s 8 foll[]s
 to despise ! reason he has giv5 !m1 to 
avoid pleasure1 to hate ! _w1 & to love 
pa91 to pray1 & to sp5d _! lives 9      
cont9ual mortification1 & 9 gaz+ ov]    
un9telligible my/]ies to acquire 8      
k+dom4 ,if !y fail to believe 9 him1    
:e!r f ignorance or f conviction1 he    
puni%es !m ) et]nal damnation1 or z     
,sa9t ,a?anasius emphatically expresses 
x 9 8 celebrat$ cre$1 ,:osoev] believe? 
9 ^! ?+s %all be sav$2 & :osoev]        

believe? n %all be damn$4     ,,lett]   
,,vii4  ,i n[ br+ "u review a few       
passages f ,holy ,writ1 :i* ,i leave to 
y\r ,lord%ip to expla91 & :i* sc(f]s    
pret5d to say are und5iable pro(s ( !   
/upidity ( ! ,jews1 & gross ideas !y _h 
( ,god4 ,i %all foll[ ! ord] ( ! books  
)\t attempt+ an arrangem5t4  ,g5esis1   
*ap4 iii4 v]4 #a4 ,n[ ! s]p5t 0 m subtle
 ?an any bea/ ( ! field :i* ! ,"l _h    
made2 & he said unto ! woman1 yea ha?   
,god said1 c4  ,?is ,mr4 ,s]p5t w\ld    
make a f9e figure 9 sop's fables4 ,!y   
say x means ! ,devil1 b h[ does t appe>8
  ,9 v]4 #bb4 & #bc4 ,& behold ! ,"l    
said1 ! man is become "o ( u1 7i4 e4 "o 
( u ,gods71 to "k good & evil1 ,& n[ le/
 he put =? 8 h&1 & take also ( ! tree ( 
life1 & eat1 & live = ev]2 !re=e1 ! ,"l 
,god s5t him =? f ! g>d5 ( ,ed51 to till
 ! gr\nd f :5ce he 0 tak54  ,?is %[s    
/rongly t boa/$ attribute ( ,god1       
,jeal\sy4 ,is x consi/5t ) a ,deity to  
puni% ?is pair1 & all _! prog5y1 = _!   
attempt to "k good f evil8 ,we "h f9d t 

! prie/s h made ,god expressly aft] _!  
own image4 ,god's selfi%ness prev5t$ m5 
f eat+ ( ! o!r tree1 :i* w\ld make him  
live = ev]4 ,qu]itur1 !n1 at :at p]iod (
 ! _w did ! s\l ( man become immortal8  
,0 x n till ,jesus ,*ri/ came8 ,& 0 ?is 
tree a type ( him1 z ! bread & w9e are  
at ?is day8 ,x appe>s also1 t x 0 n "o1 
b two trees1 t 7 prohibit$6  ,ib4 *ap4  
xxxii4 v]4 #bd4 ,& ,jacob 0 left alone1 
& !re wre/l$ a man ) him1 until ! break+
 ( ! day2 7?is %[s ! antiquity & high   
au?ority ( sp>r+72 & :5 he saw t he     
prevail$ n aga9/ him1 he t\*$ ! holl[ ( 
8 ?igh 7,m5doza l73 & ! holl[ ( ,jacob's
 ?igh 0 out ( jo9t1 z he wre/l$ ) him4  
,& he said1 let me g1 = ! day breake?4  
,& he said1 ,i w n let !e g1 unless ?\  
bless me4 ,& he said unto him1 :at is ?y
 "n8 ,& he said1 ,jacob4 ,& he said1 ?y 
"n %all be call$ no m ,jacob1 b ,israel2
 7:i*1 9 ,*aldee signifies see+ ,god72 =
 z a pr9ce ha/ ?\ p[] ) ,god & ) m51 &  
ha/ prevail$4 7,or1 z ! ,vulgate m      
correctly translates1 = if ?\ ha/ be5 to

 oppose ! ,"l1 h[ mu* m %all ?\ prevail 
aga9/ m574 ,& ,jacob call$ ! "n ( !     
place ,p5ial3 = ,i h se5 ,god face to   
face4 ,?is passage requires no comm5t4  
,exodus1 *ap4 iii4 v]4 #d4 ,& :5 ! ,"l  
saw t he 7,moses7 turn$ aside to see1   
,god call$ unto him out ( ! bu%1 & said1
 ,moses1 ,moses4 ,& he said1 "h am ,i4  
,?is is a pretty play at bo-peep4  ,ib4 
v]4 #ad4 ,& ,god said unto ,moses1 ,i am
 t ,i am2 & he said1 ?us %alt ?\ say    
unto ! *ildr5 ( ,israel1 ,i am ha? s5t  
me unto y4  ,div9es hold ?is passage to 
be a great in/ance ( sublimity666  ,ib4 
v]4 #ba4 ,& ,i w give ?is p fav\r 9 !   
sight ( ! ,egyptians1 & x %all come to  
pass1 t :5 ye g away1 ye %all n g empty1
 b e woman %all borr[ ( h] neighb\r1    
jewels ( silv]1 & jewels ( gold1 &      
raim5t3 & ye %all put !m ^u y\r sons1 & 
y\r daught]s1 & ye %all spoil !         
,egyptians4  ,"h ! ,jews made ,god aft] 
_! own image2 & ! deal+s ( t nation 9   
silv]1 gold1 & clo!s1 at ?is day1 %[ t  
!y h n =gott5 _! ,god4 ,x is n easy =   

div9es to reconcile ?is ) ,god's o!r    
precept 9 ! eigh? comm&m5t4  ,ib4 *ap4  
iv4 v]4 #bd4 ,& x came to pass by ! way 
9 ! inn1 7by ! way1 7 !re inns !n 9     
,egypt87 t ! ,"l met him 7,moses7 &     
s\ght to kill him666 ,!n ,zepporah took 
a %>p /one1 & cut (f ! =esk9 ( h] son1 &
 ca/ x at 8 feet4  ,?is bus9ess ( !     
circumcision is br\ght 9 r by ! head & !
 %\ld]s1 & ! cause ( x is n q cle>2 b x 
is v evid5t t ! ,"l c\ld n kill ,moses4 
,ib4 *ap4 xxxii4 v]4 #bg4 ,& he 7,moses 
le>n+ t ! ,jews _h made a gold5 calf71  
said unto !m1 7! sons ( ,levi1 i4e4 !   
prie/s17 ?us sai? ! ,"l ,god ( ,israel1 
put e man 8 sword by 8 side1 & g 9 & out
 f gate to gate ?r\gh\t ! camp1 & slay e
 man 8 bro!r1 & e man 8 companion1 & e  
man 8 neighb\r2 & ! *ildr5 ( ,levi did  
accord+ to ! ^w ( ,moses1 & !re fell ( !
 p t day ab\t ?ree ?\s&4  ,ib4 *ap4     
xxxiii4 v]4 #i4 ,& x came to pass1 z    
,moses ent]$ into ! tab]nacle1 ! pill>  
desc5d$1 & /ood at ! door ( ! tab]nacle1
 & ! ,"l 7:o 0 9 ! pill>7 talk$ )       

,moses4  ,9 ?is mann] mod]n goddesses   
/op _! c>riages at %op-keep]s' doors at 
?is day4  ,ib4 v]4 #ij4 ,& he 7,god7    
said1 ?\ can/ n see my face1 = !re %all 
no man see me & live4 ,god mu/ "h h     
=gott5 8 dialogue ) ,adam & ,eve1 8     
wre/l+ ) ,jacob1 & conv]sations )       
,moses4 ,9 ,numb]s1 *ap4 xii4 v]4 #f &  
#h1 he says1 ,he> n[ my words3 ,if !re  
be a prophet among y1 ,i1 ! ,"l1 w make 
myself kn[n to him 9 a vision1 & w speak
 to him 9 a dream1 b1 ) !e 7,moses7 w ,i
 speak m\? to m\?1 ev5 app>5tly1 & n 9  
d>k spee*es1 & ! similitude ( ! ,"l %all
 y behold4  ,ib4 *ap4 xxi4 v]44#e4 ,& ! 
p spoke aga9/ ,god1 & aga9/ ,moses1     
:]e=e h ye br\ght u up out ( ,egypt to  
die 9 ! wild]ness1 = !re is no bread1   
nei!r is !re any wat]1 & our s\l loa!?  
?is light bread4 ,no wond] ! ,jews tir$ 
( liv+ ^u manna )\t wat]1 b ! ,"l taught
 !m n to grumble4 ,& ! ,"l s5t fi]y     
s]p5ts among ! p1 & !y bit ! p1 & mu* p 
( ,israel di$4 ,:5 ,god 0 tir$ ( mak+ 8 
s]p5ts bite ! poor devils1 he said unto 

,moses1 ,make !e1 a fi]y s]p5t1 & set x 
^u a pole1 & x %all come to pass1 t e "o
 t is bitt5 :5 he looke? ^u x %all live4
 ,?is is bel[ all ! tricks (            
necromanc]s4  ,ib4 *ap4 xxv4 ,& ! p     
began to commit :or$om ) ! daught]s (   
,moab4 ,& ,israel jo9$ himself unto     
,baal-peor3 & ! ang] ( ! ,"l 0 k9dl$    
aga9/ ,israel4 ,& ! ,"l said unto       
,moses1 take all ! heads ( ! p1 & hang  
!m up be=e ! ,"l aga9/ ! sun1 t ! fi]ce 
ang] ( ! ,"l may be turn$ away f        
,israel4 ,& ,moses said unto ! judges1  
slay e "o ( ^! m5 :o 7 jo9$ unto        
,baal-peor4 ,& behold "o ( ! *ildr5 (   
,israel came1 & br\ght unto 8 bre?r5 a  
,midianiti% woman1 9 ! sight ( ,moses1  
c4 ,& :5 ,ph9ehas1 ! son ( ,eleaz>1 !   
son ( ,a>on ! prie/1 saw x1 he rose f   
among ! congregation1 & took a javel9 9 
8 h&2 & he w5t aft] ! man ( ,israel into
 ! t5t1 & ?ru/ bo? ( !m ?r\gh1 ! man (  
,israel1 & ! woman ?r\gh h] belly1 s !  
plague 0 /opp$ f ! *ildr5 ( ,israel1 &  
^! t di$ 9 ! plague 7 #bd1jjj4 ,z a     

rew>d = ?is1 ! ,"l gave ,ph9ehas !      
ev]la/+ prie/hood1 because he 0 zeal\s =
 8 ,god1 & made an atonem5t = ! *ildr5 (
 ,israel4  ,ib4 *ap4 xxvi4 ,da?an1      
,korah1 & ,abirim /rove aga9/ ,moses &  
,a>on1 & ! e>? swall[$ !m up1 & ! fire  
dev\r$ #bej m54  lb4 *ap4 xxxi4 v]4 #af1
 !re 0 a plague among ! congregation ( !
 ,"l1 on acc\nt ( ! tres pass aga9/ !   
,"l1 :5 he ord]$ ?us1 ,n[1 !re=e1 kill e
 male among ! little ones1 & kill e     
woman t ha? kn[n man by ly+ ) him2 b all
 ! wom5 *ildr5 t ha? n kn[n man by ly+ )
 him1 keep = y\rselves4 ,= ! obs]vation 
on ?is passage1 ,i ref] my read] to     
,bi%op ,watson1 & ! =m] "p ( ?is "w4  ,!
 foll[+ ought to be ! fate ( all        
idolatr\s p1 & has be5 happily practis$ 
9 ! discov]ies made by mo/ ,european    
nations4 ,deut]onomy *ap4 xiii4 v]4 #ac4
 ,?\ %alt surely smite ! inhabitants ( t
 city ) ! edge ( ! sword1 de/roy+ x     
utt]ly1 & all t is !re91 & ! cattle     
!re(1 ) ! edge ( ! sword4  ,jo%ua1 *ap4 
vi4 v4 #ba4 ,& !y utt]ly de-1 /roy$ all 

t 0 9 ! city1 7,j]i*o71 bo? man & woman1
 "y & old1 & ox1 & %eep1 & ass1 ) ! edge
 ( ! sword4 ,& !y burnt ! city ) fire1 &
 all t 0 !re93 only ! silv]1 & ! gold1 &
 ! vessels ( brass1 & ( iron1 !y put x  
into ! treasury ( ! h\se ( ! ,"l4  ,*ap4
 x4 ,jo%ua be+ attack$ by five k+s1 & !y
 hav+ tak5 %elt] 9 a cave1 he caus$     
great /ones to be roll$ to ! m\? ( !    
cave1 till he foll[$ & de/roy$ ! p1 !n  
he ord]$ ! five k+s to be br\ght out f !
 cave1 ,& x came to pass1 t :5 !y br\ght
 out ^? five k+s unto ,jo%ua1 t ,jo%ua  
call$ = all ! m5 9 ,israel1 & said unto 
! m5 ( w>1 come ne>1 put y\r feet ^u !  
necks ( ^! k+s1 & !y came ne>1 & put _! 
feet ^u ! necks ( !m4 ,& aft]w>ds ,jo%ua
 smote !m1 & slew !m1 ,jo%ua took       
,makdekah1 & smote x ) ! edge ( ! sword1
 & ! k+ !re( he utt]ly de/roy$1 !m1 &   
all ! s\ls t 7 !re92 he let none rema94 
,& s he did 9 all to #ca k+s1 z relat$ 9
 ?is & ! foll[+ *apt]s1 & all ?is by !  
express comm& ( ,god1 :o made ! sun & ! 
moon bo? /& /ill to witness ^! unprovok$

 atrocities4 ,b ?is 0 j2 ,god hav+ giv5 
t c\ntry to 8 *os5 p ! ,jews1 z 9 latt] 
times 8 viceg]5t ! ,pope gave ,am]ica to
 ! ,portuguese & ,spani>ds1 :o1         
,jo%ua-l1 ext]m9at$ ! k+s & p1 because  
!y 7 n ,*ri/ians4 ,?is1 z y say1 s]ves !
 g5]al s*eme ( ,god's b5evol5ce t[>ds   
mank9d4  ,judges1 *ap4i4 v]4 #d4 ,& !   
,"l hav+ deliv]$ ! ,canaanites & !      
,p]izzites into ! h&s ( ,judah1 ,!y slew
 ( !m 9 ,bezek #ajjj m54 ,b ,adonibezek 
fl$1 & !y pursu$ aft] him1 & caught him1
 & cut (f 8 ?umbs1 & 8 great toes4 lb4  
v]4 #ai- ,& ! ,"l 0 ) ,judah1 & he drove
 out ! inhabitants ( ! m\nta91 b c\ld n 
drive out ! inhabitants ( ! valley6 ,:y8
 ,because !y _h *>iots ( iron4 ,*ap4 iv4
 rec\nts ! mann] 9 :i* ,deborah & ,b>ak 
deliv]$ ,israel f ,jab9 & ,si-a]a4 ,v]4 
#ba4 ,!n ,jael1 ,hebb]'s wife1 7to ^:   
t5t ,sis]a _h fl$71 took a nail ( ! t5t1
 & a hamm] 9 h] h&1 & w5t s(tly unto    
him1 & smote ! nail into 8 temples1 &   
fa/5$ x into ! gr\nd1 7a goodly nail71 =
 he 0 fa/ asleep & we>y1 s he di$4 ,*ap4

 #e1 conta9s ! beautiful song ( ,deborah
 & ,b>ak1 :i* ,i p>ticul>ly reque/ my   
read] to p]use1 z a f9i%$ piece (       
scripture praise ( good words4 ,*ap4    
xxi4 relates1 t ! ,israelites hav+ sworn
 n to give _! daught]s to ! ,b5jamites1 
& ! inhabitants ( ,jabe%-gilead n hav+  
come up to ,m9zeh1 ! congregation s5t   
#ai1jjj m5 ( ! valiante/1 & comm&$ !m1  
say+1 g & smite ! inhabitants (         
,jabe%-gilead ) ! edge ( ! sword1 ) !   
wom5 & ! *ildr53 utt]ly de/roy e male1 &
 e woman t ha? la9 by man2 b1 hav+ f\nd 
#djj "y virg9s t _h kn[n no man by ly+ )
 any male1 !y gave !m to ! sons (       
,b5jam91 & yet s !y suffic$ !m n4 ,s z  
!y _h sworn n to give !m wives ( _! own 
daught]s1 !re=e1 !y comm&$ ! *ildr5 (   
,b5jam91 say+1 g & lie 9 wait 9 !       
v9ey>ds1 & see1 & behold1 if ! daught]s 
( ,%ilo* come out to dance 9 dances1 !n 
come ye out ( ! v9ey>ds1 & cat* y e man 
8 wife4  ,fir/ ,samuel1 *ap4 vi4 ,! ark 
( ! ,"l hav+ be5 among ! ,phili/9es sev5
 mon?s1 !y1 unwill+ to s5d x back empty1

 ask$ ! prie/s & div9]s1 :at !y %\ld s5d
 9 x z a trespass (f]+8 !y answ]$1 five 
gold5 em]ods1 & five gold5 mice1---& ye 
%all give glory unto ! ,god (           
,israel1--& make a new c>t1 & take two  
mil* k9e1 & take ! ark ( ! ,"l & lay x  
on ! c>t2 & !y did s1 & !y ( ,be?-%eme% 
lift$ up _! eyes1 & saw ! ark1 & rejoic$
 to see x1--& ! m5 ( ,be?-%eme% (f]$    
burnt-(f]+s1 & sacrific$ sacrifices !   
same day unto ! ,"l1--& he smote ! m5 ( 
,be?-%eme%1 because !y _h look$ into !  
ark ( ! ,"l1 ev5 he smote ( ! p fifty   
?\s& & ?reescore & t5 m54 ,graci\s ,god6
 ,bless$ ,jews6  ,second ,samuel1 *ap4  
xxiv4 v]4 #a4 ,& ! ang] ( ! ,"l 0 k9dl$ 
aga9/ ,israel1 & he mov$ ,david aga9/ !m
 to say1 g numb] ,israel & ,judah4 7,9  
fir/ ,*ronicles1 *ap4 xxi4 v]4 #a1 x    
/at$1 & ,satan /ood up aga9/ ,israel1 & 
provok$ ,david to numb] ,israel47 ,&    
hav+ ?us in/igat$ ,david to d :at is    
good policy 9 a k+1 ,god1 ( 8 inf9ite   
m]cy1 said unto ,david by 8 prophet     
,grad1 ,david's se]1 7an (fic] ( !      

h\sehold 9 ^? days71 ,i (f] !e ?ree ?+s3
 %all sev5 ye>s ( fam9e come unto !e 9  
?y l&1 or wilt ?\ flee ?ree mon?s be=e  
?9e enemies1 or t !re be ?ree days      
pe/il5ce 9 ?y l&8 ,& ,david hav+ *os5 ! 
latt]1 ! ,"l s5t a pe/il5ce ^u ,israel1 
& !re di$ ( ! p #gj1jjj m5 b ! ,"l is   
ev] m]ciful1 =1 :5 ! angel /ret*$ out 8 
h& ^u ,j]usalem to de/roy x1 ! ,"l      
rep5t$ him ( ! evil1 & said to ! angel t
 de/roy$ ! p1 x is en\gh1 /ay ?\ ?9e h&1
 ,delirant reges1 plectuntur ,a*ivi4  #a
 ,k+s1 *ap4 ii4 ,david be+ ^u 8 dea?-b$1
 hav+ made peace ) ,god1 & purifi$ 8    
he>t1 call$ ,solomon to him & gave him 8
 la/ *>ge4 ,z to ,joab1 ! son ( ,z]uiah1
 he said1 d accord+ to ?y wisdom1 & let 
n 8 ho> head g d[n to ! grave 9         
peace1--& behold ?\ ha/ ) !e ,%imei !   
son ( ,g]a1 :i* curs$ me1 b he came d[n 
to meet me at ,jordan1 & ,i sw>e to him 
by ! ,"l1 say+1 ,i w n put !e to dea? by
 ! sword2 n[1 !re=e1 7proce$s ! man aft]
 ,god's own he>t71 hold him n guiltless2
 = ?\ art a wise man1 & kn[e/ :at ?\    

oughte/ to d unto him1 b 8 ho> head br+ 
?\ d[n to ! grave ) blood4 ,solomon hav+
 succe$$ 8 fa!r1 ! fir/ act ( 8 reign 0 
to put to dea? 8 bro!r ,adonijah4  #a   
,k+s1 *ap4 xi4 v]4 #d1 ,solomon's he>t 0
 n p]fect ) ! ,"l 8 ,god1 z 0 ! he>t (  
,david 8 fa!r1 = x came to pass1 t1 :5  
he 0 old1 8 wives turn$ 8 he>t aft] o!r 
gods4 ,b :y g ?r\gh su* b>b>\s details8 
,all along we f9d imprecations aga9/ ^? 
:o despise ! prophets1 & praises lavi%$ 
^u murd]]s1 traitors1 & assass9s4 ,?is  
is ! p select$ by ! wisdom ( ,god1 t !y 
might witness to ! :ole _w 9 successive 
ages 8 exi/5ce & attributes1 t !y might 
be an in/rum5t ( subv]t+ idolatry1 (    
decl>+ ! "n ( ! ,god ( ,israel ?r\gh\t !
 :ole e>? a p1 :o are to u witnesses ( !
 exi/5ce1 & ( ! moral gov]nm5t (        
,god4--,?is is ! ,old ,te/am5t1 :i* y   
presume to say af=d$ matt] = ! laws (   
,solon1 & a f\ndation = ! philosophy (  
,plato1--:i* has be5 admir$ & v5]at$ =  
its piety1 its sublimity1 its v]acity1  
by all :o are able to read & und]/& x666

 ,?is is ! ,god :o make? ! sun to rise  
on ! evil & on ! good1 :o is all        
p]fection1 all wise1 & all p[]ful1 & ^: 
m]cy is above all 8 o!r attributes4  ,,!
 ,,end4