,s5t5ce ,numb]s1 %[n ?us 7#a71 h be5 add$ by volunte]4 ,a ,!ologico-,political ,treatise ,"p #b - ,*apt]s ,,vi to ,x by ,b>u* ,sp9oza ,,table ,,( ,,cont5ts3 ,,*apt] ,,vi - ,( ,miracles4 ,confus$ ideas ( ! vulg> on ! subject4 ,a miracle 9 ! s5se ( a contrav5tion ( natural laws an absurdity4 ,9 ! s5se ( an ev5t1 ^: cause is unkn[n1 less edify+ ?an an ev5t bett] und]/ood4 ,god's provid5ce id5tical ) ! c\rse ( nature4 ,h[ ,scripture miracles may be int]pret$4 ,,*apt] ,,vii - ,( ! ,int]pretation ( ,scripture4 ,curr5t sy/ems ( int]pretation errone\s4 ,only true sy/em to int]pret x by itself4 ,reasons :y ?is sy/em _c n[ be c>ri$ out 9 its entirety4 ,yet ^! difficulties d n int]f]e ) our und]/&+ ! pla9e/ & mo/ important passages4 ,rival sy/ems exam9$ - t ( a sup]natural faculty be+ necess>y - refut$4 ,t ( ,maimonides4 ,refut$4 ,traditions ( ! ,ph>isees & ! ,papi/s reject$4 ,,*apt] ,,viii4 - ,( ! au?or%ip ( ! ,p5tateu*1 & ! o!r hi/orical books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t4 ,! ,p5tateu* n writt5 by ,moses4 ,8 actual writ+s di/9ct4 ,traces ( late au?or%ip 9 ! o!r hi/orical books4 ,all ! hi/orical books ! "w ( "o man4 ,probably ,ezra4 ,:o compil$ fir/ ! book ( ,deut]onomy4 ,& !n a hi/ory1 di/+ui%+ ! books by ! names ( _! subjects4 ,,*apt] ,,ix4 - ,o!r que/ions ab\t ^! books4 ,t ^! books h n be5 ?or\ghly revis$ & made to agree4 ,t !re are _m d\btful read+s4 ,t ! exi/+ m>g9al notes are (t5 su*4 ,! o!r explanations ( ^! notes refut$4 ,! hiatus4 ,,*apt] ,x4 - ,an ,exam9ation ( ! rema9+ books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t accord+ to ! prec$+ me?od4 ,*ronicles1 ,psalms1 ,prov]bs4 ,isaiah1 ,j]emiah4 ,ezekiel1 ,hosea4 ,o!r prophets1 ,jonah1 ,job4 ,daniel1 ,ezra1 ,nehemiah1 ,e/h]4 ,! au?or decl9es to und]take a simil> detail$ exam9ation ( ! ,new ,te/am5t4 ,au?or's ,endnotes to ! ,treatise ,,*apt] ,,vi4 - ,,( ,,miracles4 7#a7 ,z m5 are accu/om$ to call ,div9e ! k :i* transc5ds human und]/&+1 s also d !y /yle ,div9e1 or ! "w ( ,god1 any?+ ( :i* ! cause is n g5]ally kn[n3 = ! masses ?9k t ! p[] & provid5ce ( ,god are mo/ cle>ly display$ by ev5ts t are extraord9>y & contr>y to ! conception !y h =m$ ( nature1 especially if su* ev5ts br+ !m any pr(it or conv5i5ce3 !y ?9k t ! cle>e/ possible pro( ( ,god's exi/5ce is af=d$ :5 nature1 z !y suppose1 breaks h] accu/om$ ord]1 & consequ5tly !y believe t ^? :o expla9 or endeav\r to und]/& ph5om5a or miracles ?r\gh _! natural causes are do+ away ) ,god & ,8 provid5ce4 7#b7 ,!y suppose1 =soo?1 t ,god is inactive s long z nature works 9 h] accu/om$ ord]1 & vice v]sa1 t ! p[] ( nature & natural causes are idle s long z ,god is act+3 ?us !y imag9e two p[]s di/9ct "o f ! o!r1 ! p[] ( ,god & ! p[] ( nature1 ?\gh ! latt] is 9 a s5se det]m9$ by ,god1 or 7z mo/ p believe n[7 creat$ by ,him4 7#c7 ,:at !y mean by ei!r1 & :at !y und]/& by ,god & nature !y d n "k1 except t !y imag9e ! p[] ( ,god to be l t ( "s royal pot5tate1 & nature's p[] to consi/ 9 =ce & en]gy4 7#d7 ,! masses !n /yle unusual ph5om5a1 miracles1 & p>tly f piety1 p>tly = ! sake ( oppos+ ! /ud5ts ( sci5ce1 pref] to rema9 9 ignorance ( natural causes1 & only to he> ( ^? ?+s :i* !y "k lea/1 & consequ5tly admire mo/4 7#e7 ,9 fact1 ! common p c only adore ,god1 & ref] all ?+s to ,8 p[] by remov+ natural causes1 & conceiv+ ?+s happ5+ out ( _! due c\rse1 & only admires ! p[] ( ,god :5 ! p[] ( nature is conceiv$ ( z 9 subjection to x4 7#f7 ,?is idea seems to h tak5 its rise among ! e>ly ,jews :o saw ! ,g5tiles r\nd !m wor%ipp+ visible gods su* z ! sun1 ! moon1 ! e>?1 wat]1 air1 c41 & 9 ord] to inspire ! conviction t su* div9ities 7 weak & incon/ant1 or *angeable1 told h[ !y !mselves 7 "u ! sway ( an invisible ,god1 & n>rat$ _! miracles1 try+ fur!r to %[ t ! ,god :om !y wor%ipp$ arrang$ ! :ole ( nature = _! sole b5efit3 ?is idea 0 s pleas+ to humanity t m5 g on to ?is day imag9+ miracles1 s t !y may believe !mselves ,god's fav\rites1 & ! f9al cause = :i* ,god creat$ & directs all ?+s4 7#g7 ,:at pret5sion w n p 9 _! folly advance6 7#h7 ,!y h no s+le s\nd idea conc]n+ ei!r ,god or nature1 !y conf\nd ,god's decrees ) human decrees1 !y conceive nature z s limit$ t !y believe man to be its *ief "p6 7#i7 ,i h sp5t en\gh space 9 sett+ =? ^! common ideas & prejudices conc]n+ nature & miracles1 b 9 ord] to af=d a regul> demon/ration ,i w %[ - 7#aj7 ,i4 ,t nature _c be contrav5$1 b t %e pres]ves a fix$ & immutable ord]1 & at ! same "t ,i w expla9 :at is meant by a miracle4 7#aa7 ,,ii4 ,t ,god's nature & exi/5ce1 & consequ5tly ,8 provid5ce _c be kn[n f miracles1 b t !y c all be mu* bett] p]ceiv$ f ! fix$ & immutable ord] ( nature4 7#ab7 ,,iii4 ,t by ! decrees & volitions1 & consequ5tly ! provid5ce ( ,god1 ,scripture 7z ,i w prove by ,scriptural examples7 means no?+ b nature's ord] foll[+ necess>ily f h] et]nal laws4 7#ac7 ,,iv4 ,la/ly1 ,i w treat ( ! me?od ( int]pret+ ,scriptural miracles1 & ! *ief po9ts to be not$ conc]n+ ! n>ratives ( !m4 7#ad7 ,su* are ! pr9cipal subjects :i* w be discuss$ 9 ?is *apt]1 & :i* w s]ve1 ,i ?9k1 n a little to fur!r ! object ( ?is treatise4 7#ae7 ,our fir/ po9t is easily prov$ f :at we %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,iv4 ab\t ,div9e law - namely1 t all t ,god wi%es or det]m9es involves et]nal necessity & tru?1 = we demon/rat$ t ,god's und]/&+ is id5tical ) ,8 w1 & t x is ! same ?+ to say t ,god wills a ?+1 z to say1 t ,he und]/&s x2 h5ce1 z x foll[s necess>ily1 f ! ,div9e nature & p]fection t ,god und]/&s a ?+ z x is1 x foll[s no less necess>ily t ,he wills x z x is4 7#af7 ,n[1 z no?+ is necess>ily true save only by ,div9e decree1 x is pla9 t ! univ]sal laws ( nature are decrees ( ,god foll[+ f ! necessity & p]fection ( ! ,div9e nature4 7#ag7 ,h5ce1 any ev5t happ5+ 9 nature :i* contrav5$ nature's univ]sal laws1 w\ld necess>ily also contrav5e ! ,div9e decree1 nature1 & und]/&+2 or if anyone ass]t$ t ,god acts 9 contrav5tion to ! laws ( nature1 he1 ipso facto1 w\ld be compell$ to ass]t t ,god act$ aga9/ ,8 own nature - an evid5t absurdity4 7#ah7 ,"o might easily %[ f ! same premises t ! p[] & effici5cy ( nature are 9 !mselves ! ,div9e p[] & effici5cy1 & t ! ,div9e p[] is ! v ess5ce ( ,god1 b ?is ,i gladly pass ov] = ! pres5t4 7#ai7 ,no?+1 !n1 comes to pass 9 nature 7,n4,b4 ,i d n mean "h by nature1 m]ely matt] & its modifications1 b inf9ite o!r ?+s besides matt]47 9 contrav5tion to h] univ]sal laws1 nay1 ev]y?+ agrees ) !m & foll[s f !m1 = :atsoev] comes to pass1 comes to pass by ! w & et]nal decree ( ,god2 t is1 z we h j po9t$ out1 :atev] comes to pass1 comes to pass accord+ to laws & rules :i* involve et]nal necessity & tru?2 nature1 !re=e1 always obs]ves laws & rules :i* involve et]nal necessity & tru?1 al?\gh !y may n all be kn[n to u1 & !re=e %e keeps a fix$ & mutable ord]4 7#bj7 ,nor is !re any s\nd reason = limit+ ! p[] & efficacy ( nature1 & ass]t+ t h] laws are fit = c]ta9 purposes1 b n = all2 = z ! efficacy & p[] ( nature1 are ! v efficacy & p[] ( ,god1 & z ! laws & rules ( nature are ! decrees ( ,god1 x is 9 e way to be believ$ t ! p[] ( nature is inf9ite1 & t h] laws are broad en\gh to embrace ev]y?+ conceiv$ by1 ! ,div9e intellect2 ! only alt]native is to ass]t t ,god has creat$ nature s weak1 & has orda9$ = h] laws s b>r51 t ,he is repeat$ly compell$ to come afre% to h] aid if ,he wi%es t %e %\ld be pres]v$1 & t ?+s %\ld happ5 z ,he desires3 a conclusion1 9 my op9ion1 v f> remov$ f reason4 7#ba7 ,fur!r1 z no?+ happ5s 9 nature :i* does n foll[ f h] laws1 & z h] laws embrace ev]y?+ conceiv$ by ! ,div9e intellect1 & la/ly1 z nature pres]ves a fix$ & immutable ord]2 x mo/ cle>ly foll[s t miracles are only intelligible z 9 relation to human op9ions1 & m]ely mean ev5ts ( :i* ! natural cause _c be expla9$ by a ref]5ce to any ord9>y occurr5ce1 ei!r by u1 or at any rate1 by ! writ] & n>rator ( ! miracle4 7#bb7 ,we may1 9 fact1 say t a miracle is an ev5t ( :i* ! causes annot be expla9$ by ! natural reason ?r\gh a ref]5ce to asc]ta9$ work+s ( nature2 b s9ce miracles 7 wr\ght accord+ to ! und]/&+ ( ! masses1 :o are :olly ignorant ( ! work+s ( nature1 x is c]ta9 t ! anci5ts took = a miracle :atev] !y c\ld n expla9 by ! me?od adopt$ by ! unle>n$ 9 su* cases1 namely1 an appeal to ! memory1 a recall+ ( some?+ simil>1 :i* is ord9>ily reg>d$ )\t wond]2 = mo/ p ?9k !y suffici5tly und]/& a ?+ :5 !y h ceas$ to wond] at x4 7#bc7 ,! anci5ts1 !n1 & inde$ mo/ m5 up to ! pres5t day1 _h no o!r crit]ion = a miracle2 h5ce we _c d\bt t _m ?+s are n>rat$ 9 ,scripture z miracles ( :i* ! causes c\ld easily be expla9$ by ref]5ce to asc]ta9$ work+s ( nature4 7#bd7 ,we h h9t$ z mu* 9 ,*ap4 ,,ii41 9 speak+ ( ! sun /&+ /ill 9 ! "t ( ,jo%ua1 & to say on ! subject :5 we come to treat ( ! int]pretation ( miracles lat] on 9 ?is *apt]4 7#be7 ,x is n[ "t to pass on to ! second po9t1 & %[ t we _c ga9 an und]/&+ ( ,god's ess5ce1 exi/5ce1 or provid5ce by means ( miracles1 b t ^! tru?s are mu* bett] p]ceiv$ ?r\gh ! fix$ & immutable ord] ( nature4 7#bf7 ,i ?us proce$ ) ! demon/ration4 7#bg7 ,z ,god's exi/5ce is n self-evid5t 7#f7 x mu/ necess>ily be inf]r$ f ideas s firmly & incontrov]tibly true1 t no p[] c be po/ulat$ or conceiv$ suffici5t to impugn !m4 7#bh7 ,!y ought c]ta9ly s to appe> to u :5 we inf] f !m ,god's exi/5ce1 if we wi% to place our conclusion beyond ! rea* ( d\bt2 = if we c\ld conceive t su* ideas c\ld be impugn$ by any p[] :atsoev]1 we %\ld d\bt ( _! tru?1 we %\ld d\bt ( our conclusion1 namely1 ( ,god's exi/5ce1 & %\ld nev] be able to be c]ta9 ( any?+4 7#bi7 ,fur!r1 we "k t no?+ ei!r agrees ) or is contr>y to nature1 unless x agrees ) or is contr>y to ^! prim>y ideas2 :]e=e if we w\ld conceive t any?+ c\ld be done 9 nature by any p[] :atsoev] :i* w\ld be contr>y to ! laws ( nature1 x w\ld also be contr>y to our prim>y ideas1 & we %\ld h ei!r to reject x z absurd1 or else to ca/ d\bt 7z j %[n7 on our prim>y ideas1 & consequ5tly on ! exi/5ce ( ,god1 & on ev]y?+ h[soev] p]ceiv$4 7#cj7 ,!re=e miracles1 9 ! s5se ( ev5ts contr>y to ! laws ( nature1 s f> f demon/rat+ to u ! exi/5ce ( ,god1 w\ld1 on ! contr>y1 lead u to d\bt x1 :]e1 o!rwise1 we might h be5 absolutely c]ta9 ( x1 z kn[+ t nature foll[s a fix$ & immutable ord]4 7#ca7 ,let u take miracle z mean+ t :i* _c be expla9$ ?r\gh natural causes4 7#cb7 ,?is may be int]pret$ 9 two s5ses3 ei!r z t :i* has natural causes1 b _c be exam9$ by ! human intellect2 or z t :i* has no cause save ,god & ,god's w4 7#cc7 ,b z all ?+s :i* come to pass ?r\gh natural causes1 come to pass also solely ?r\gh ! w & p[] ( ,god1 x comes to ?is1 t a miracle1 :e!r x has natural causes or n1 is a result :i* _c be expla9$ by its cause1 t is a ph5om5on :i* surpasses human und]/&+2 b f su* a ph5om5on1 & c]ta9ly f a result surpass+ our und]/&+1 we c ga9 no k4 7#cd7 ,= :atsoev] we und]/& cle>ly & di/9ctly %\ld be pla9 to u ei!r 9 itself or by means ( some?+ else cle>ly & di/9ctly und]/ood2 :]e=e f a miracle or a ph5om5on :i* we _c und]/&1 we c ga9 no k ( ,god's ess5ce1 or exi/5ce1 or inde$ any?+ ab\t ,god or nature2 :]eas :5 we "k t all ?+s are orda9$ & ratifi$ by ,god1 t ! op]ations ( nature foll[ f ! ess5ce ( ,god1 & t ! laws ( nature are et]nal decrees & volitions ( ,god1 we mu/ p]=ce conclude t our k ( ,god1 & ( ,god's w increases 9 proportion to our k & cle> und]/&+ ( nature1 z we see h[ %e dep5ds on h] primal cause1 & h[ %e works accord+ to et]nal law4 7#ce7 ,:]e=e s f> z our und]/&+ goes1 ^? ph5om5a :i* we cle>ly & di/9ctly und]/& h mu* bett] "r to be call$ works ( ,god1 & to be ref]r$ to ! w ( ,god ?an ^? ab\t :i* we are entirely ignorant1 al?\gh !y appeal p[]fully to ! imag9ation1 & compel m5's admiration4 7#cf7 ,x is only ph5om5a t we cle>ly & di/9ctly und]/&1 :i* height5 our k ( ,god1 & mo/ cle>ly indicate ,8 w & decrees4 7#cg7 ,pla9ly1 !y are b trifl]s :o1 :5 !y _c expla9 a ?+1 run back to ! w ( ,god2 ?is is1 truly1 a ridicul\s way ( express+ ignorance4 7#ch7 ,aga91 ev5 suppos+ t "s conclusion c\ld be drawn f miracles1 we c\ld n possibly inf] f !m ! exi/5ce ( ,god3 = a miracle be+ an ev5t "u limitations is ! expression ( a fix$ & limit$ p[]2 !re=e we c\ld n possibly inf] f an effect ( ?is k9d ! exi/5ce ( a cause ^: p[] is inf9ite1 b at ! utmo/ only ( a cause ^: p[] is great] ?an t ( ! said effect4 7#ci7 ,i say at ! utmo/1 = a ph5om5on may be ! result ( _m concurr5t causes1 & its p[] may be less ?an ! p[] ( ! sum ( su* causes1 b f> great] ?an t ( any "o ( !m tak5 individually4 7#dj7 ,on ! o!r h&1 ! laws ( nature1 z we h %[n1 ext5d ov] inf9ity1 & are conceiv$ by u z1 aft] a fa%ion1 et]nal1 & nature works 9 accordance ) !m 9 a fix$ & immutable ord]2 !re=e1 su* laws indicate to u 9 a c]ta9 degree ! inf9ity1 ! et]nity1 & ! immutability ( ,god4 7#dj7 ,we may conclude1 !n1 t we _c ga9 k ( ! exi/5ce & provid5ce ( ,god by means ( miracles1 b t we c f> bett] inf] !m f ! fix$ & immutable ord] ( nature4 7#da7 ,by miracle1 ,i "h mean an ev5t :i* surpasses1 or is ?\ght to surpass1 human compreh5sion3 = 9 s f> z x is suppos$ to de/roy or int]rupt ! ord] ( nature or h] laws1 x n only c give u no k ( ,god1 b1 contr>iwise1 takes away t :i* we naturally h1 & makes u d\bt ( ,god & ev]y?+ else4 7#db7 ,nei!r d ,i recognize any diff]5ce betwe5 an ev5t aga9/ ! laws ( nature & an ev5t beyond ! laws ( nature 7t is1 accord+ to "s1 an ev5t :i* does n contrav5e nature1 ?\gh %e is inadequate to produce or effect x7 - = a miracle is wr\ght 91 & n beyond nature1 ?\gh x may be said 9 itself to be above nature1 &1 !re=e1 mu/ necess>ily int]rupt ! ord] ( nature1 :i* o!rwise we conceive ( z fix$ & un*angeable1 accord+ to ,god's decrees4 7#dc7 ,if1 !re=e1 any?+ %\ld come to pass 9 nature :i* does n foll[ f h] laws1 x w\ld also be 9 contrav5tion to ! ord] :i* ,god has e/abli%$ 9 nature = ev] ?r\gh univ]sal natural laws3 x w\ld1 !re=e1 be 9 contrav5tion to ,god's nature & laws1 &1 consequ5tly1 belief 9 x w\ld ?r[ d\bt ^u ev]y?+1 & lead to ,a!ism4 7#dd7 ,i ?9k ,i h n[ suffici5tly e/abli%$ my second po9t1 s t we c aga9 conclude t a miracle1 :e!r 9 contrav5tion to1 or beyond1 nature1 is a m]e absurdity2 &1 !re=e1 t :at is meant 9 ,scripture by a miracle c only be a "w ( nature1 :i* surpasses1 or is believ$ to surpass1 human compreh5sion4 7#de7 ,be=e pass+ on to my ?ird po9t1 ,i w adduce ,scriptural au?ority = my ass]tion t ,god _c be kn[n f miracles4 7#df7 ,scripture n[h]e /ates ! doctr9e op5ly1 b x c readily be inf]r$ f sev]al passages4 7#dg7 ,fir/ly1 t 9 :i* ,moses comm&s 7,deut4 xiii47 t a false prophet %\ld be put to dea?1 ev5 ?\gh he "w miracles3 ,if !re arise a prophet among y1 & give? !e a sign or wond]1 & ! sign or wond] come to pass1 say+1 ,let u g aft] o!r gods 4 4 4 ?\ %alt n he>k5 unto ! voice ( t prophet2 = ! ,"l y\r ,god prove? y1 & t prophet %all be put to dea?4 7#dh7 ,f ?is x cle>ly foll[s t miracles c\ld be wr\ght ev5 by false prophets2 & t1 unless m5 are hone/ly end[$ ) ! true k & love ( ,god1 !y may be z easily l$ by miracles to foll[ false gods z to foll[ ! true ,god2 = ^! words are add$3 ,= ! ,"l y\r ,god tempts y1 t ,he may "k :e!r y love ,him ) all y\r he>t & ) all y\r m9d4 7#di7 ,fur!r1 ! ,israelites1 f all _! miracles1 7 unable to =m a s\nd conception ( ,god1 z _! exp]i5ce te/ifi$3 = :5 !y _h p]suad$ !mselves t ,moses _h dep>t$ f among !m1 !y petition$ ,a>on to give !m visible gods2 & ! idea ( ,god !y _h =m$ z ! result ( all _! miracles 0 - a calf6 7#ej7 ,asaph1 ?\gh he _h he>d ( s _m miracles1 yet d\bt$ ( ! provid5ce ( ,god1 & w\ld h turn$ himself f ! true way1 if he _h n at la/ come to und]/& true bless$ness4 7,see ,ps4 lxxxiii47 7#ea7 ,solomon1 too1 at a "t :5 ! ,jewi% nation 0 at ! height ( its prosp]ity1 suspects t all ?+s happ5 by *ance4 7,see ,eccles4 iii3#ai1 #bj1 #ba2 & *ap4 ix3#b1 #c1 c47 7#eb7 ,la/ly1 ne>ly all ! prophets f\nd x v h>d to reconcile ! ord] ( nature & human affairs ) ! conception !y _h =m$ ( ,god's provid5ce1 :]eas philosoph]s :o endeav\r to und]/& ?+s by cle> conceptions ( !m1 r ?an by miracles1 h always f\nd ! task extremely easy - at lea/1 su* ( !m z place true happ9ess solely 9 virtue & peace ( m9d1 & :o aim at obey+ nature1 r ?an be+ obey$ by h]4 7#ec7 ,su* p]sons re/ assur$ t ,god directs nature accord+ to ! requirem5ts ( univ]sal laws1 n accord+ to ! requirem5ts ( ! p>ticul> laws ( human nature1 & t1 !re=e1 ,god's s*eme compreh5ds1 n only ! human race1 b ! :ole ( nature4 7#ed7 ,x is pla91 !n1 f ,scripture itself1 t miracles c give no k ( ,god1 nor cle>ly tea* u ! provid5ce ( ,god4 7#ee7 ,z to ! frequ5t /atem5ts 9 ,scripture1 t ,god wr\ght miracles to make ,himself pla9 to man - z 9 ,exodus x3#b1 :]e ,he deceiv$ ! ,egyptians1 & gave signs ( ,himself1 t ! ,israelites might "k t ,he 0 ,god1- x does n1 !re=e1 foll[ t miracles really taught ?is tru?1 b only t ! ,jews held op9ions :i* laid !m easily op5 to conviction by miracles4 7#ef7 ,we h %[n 9 ,*ap4 ,,ii4 t ! reasons assign$ by ! prophets1 or ^? :i* are =m$ f revelation1 are n assign$ 9 accordance ) ideas univ]sal & common to all1 b 9 accordance ) ! accept$ doctr9es1 h[ev] absurd1 & ) ! op9ions ( ^? to :om ! revelation 0 giv51 or ^? :om ! ,holy ,_s wi%$ to conv9ce4 7#eg7 ,?is we h illu/rat$ by _m ,scriptural in/ances1 & c fur!r cite ,paul1 :o to ! ,greeks 0 a ,greek1 & to ! ,jews a ,jew4 7#eh7 ,b al?\gh ^! miracles c\ld conv9ce ! ,egyptians & ,jews f _! /&po9t1 !y c\ld n give a true idea & k ( ,god1 b only cause !m to admit t !re 0 a ,deity m p[]ful ?an any?+ kn[n to !m1 & t ?is ,deity took special c>e ( ! ,jews1 :o _h j !n an unexpect$ly happy issue ( all _! affairs4 7#ei7 ,!y c\ld n tea* !m t ,god c>es equally = all1 = ?is c be taught only by philosophy3 ! ,jews1 & all :o took _! k ( ,god's provid5ce f ! dissimil>ity ( human conditions ( life & ! inequalities ( =tune1 p]suad$ !mselves t ,god lov$ ! ,jews above all m51 ?\gh !y did n surpass _! fell[s 9 true human p]fection4 7#fj7 ,i n[ g on to my ?ird po9t1 & %[ f ,scripture t ! decrees & m&ates ( ,god1 & consequ5tly ,8 provid5ce1 are m]ely ! ord] ( nature - t is1 :5 ,scripture describes an ev5t z accompli%$ by ,god or ,god's w1 we mu/ und]/& m]ely t x 0 9 accordance ) ! law & ord] ( nature1 n1 z mo/ p believe1 t nature _h = a season ceas$ to act1 or t h] ord] 0 tempor>ily int]rupt$4 7#fa7 ,b ,scripture does n directly tea* matt]s unconnect$ ) its doctr9e1 :]e=e x has no c>e to expla9 ?+s by _! natural causes1 nor to exp\nd matt]s m]ely speculative4 7#fb7 ,:]e=e our conclusion mu/ be ga!r$ by inf]5ce f ^? ,scriptural n>ratives :i* happ5 to be writt5 m at l5g? & circum/antially ?an usual4 7#fc7 ,( ^! ,i w cite a few4 7#fd7 ,9 ! fir/ book ( ,samuel1 ix3#ae1 #af1 x is relat$ t ,god reveal$ to ,samuel t ,he w\ld s5d ,saul to him1 yet ,god did n s5d ,saul to ,samuel z p are wont to s5d "o man to ano!r4 7#fe7 ,8 s5d+ 0 m]ely ! ord9>y c\rse ( nature4 7#ff7 ,saul 0 look+ = ! asses he _h lo/1 & 0 m$itat+ a return home )\t !m1 :51 at ! sugge/ion ( 8 s]vant1 he w5t to ! prophet ,samuel1 to le>n f him :]e he might f9d !m4 7#fg7 ,f no "p ( ! n>rative does x appe> t ,saul _h any comm& f ,god to visit ,samuel beyond ?is natural motive4 7#fh7 ,9 ,psalm cv4 #bd x is said t ,god *ang$ ! he>ts ( ! ,egyptians1 s t !y hat$ ! ,israelites4 7#fi7 ,?is 0 evid5tly a natural *ange1 z appe>s f ,exodus1 *ap4i41 :]e we f9d no slight reason = ! ,egyptians r$uc+ ! ,israelites to slav]y4 7#gj7 ,9 ,g5esis ix3#ac1 ,god tells ,noah t ,he w set ,8 b[ 9 ! cl\d2 ?is action ( ,god's is b ano!r way ( express+ ! refraction & reflection :i* ! rays ( ! sun are subject$ to 9 drops ( wat]4 7#ga7 ,9 ,psalm cxlvii3#ah1 ! natural action & w>m? ( ! w9d1 by :i* ho> fro/ & sn[ are melt$1 are /yl$ ! ^w ( ! ,"l1 & 9 v]se #ae w9d & cold are call$ ! comm&m5t & ^w ( ,god4 7#gb7 ,9 ,psalm civ3#d1 w9d & fire are call$ ! angels & m9i/]s ( ,god1 & v>i\s o!r passages ( ! same sort are f\nd 9 ,scripture1 cle>ly %[+ t ! decree1 comm&m5t1 fiat1 & ^w ( ,god are m]ely expressions = ! action & ord] ( nature4 7#gc7 ,?us x is pla9 t all ! ev5ts n>rat$ 9 ,scripture came to pass naturally1 & are ref]r$ directly to ,god because ,scripture1 z we h %[n1 does n aim at expla9+ ?+s by _! natural causes1 b only at n>rat+ :at appeals to ! popul> imag9ation1 & do+ s 9 ! mann] be/ calculat$ to excite wond]1 & consequ5tly to impress ! m9ds ( ! masses ) devotion4 7#gd7 ,if1 !re=e1 ev5ts are f\nd 9 ! ,bible :i* we _c ref] to _! causes1 nay1 :i* seem entirely to contradict ! ord] ( nature1 we mu/ n come to a /&1 b assur$ly believe t :atev] did really happ5 happ5$ naturally4 7#ge7 ,?is view is confirm$ by ! fact t 9 ! case ( e miracle !re 7 _m att5dant circum/ances1 ?\gh ^! 7 n always relat$1 especially :]e ! n>rative 0 ( a poetic "*4 7#gf7 ,! circum/ances ( ! miracles cle>ly %[1 ,i ma9ta91 t natural causes 7 ne$$4 7#gg7 ,= in/ance1 9 ord] to infect ! ,egyptians ) bla9s1 x 0 necess>y t ,moses %\ld scatt] a%es 9 ! air 7,exod4 ix3 #aj72 ! locu/s also came ^u ! l& ( ,egypt by a comm& ( ,god 9 accordance ) nature1 namely1 by an ea/ w9d bl[+ = a :ole day & night2 & !y dep>t$ by a v /rong we/ w9d 7,exod4 x3#ad1 #ai74 7#gh7 ,by a simil> ,div9e m&ate ! sea op5$ a way = ! ,jews 7,exo4 xiv3#ba71 namely1 by an ea/ w9d :i* blew v /rongly all night4 7#gi7 ,s1 too1 :5 ,eli%a w\ld revive ! boy :o 0 believ$ to be dead1 he 0 oblig$ to b5d ov] him sev]al times until ! fle% ( ! *ild wax$ w>m1 & at la/ he op5$ 8 eyes 7#b ,k+s iv3#cd1 #ce74 7#hj7 ,aga91 9 ,john's ,gospel 7*ap4 ix47 c]ta9 acts are m5tion$ z p]=m$ by ,*ri/ prep>atory to heal+ ! bl9d man1 & !re are num]\s o!r in/ances %[+ t some?+ fur!r ?an ! absolute fiat ( ,god is requir$ = work+ a miracle4 7#ha7 ,:]e=e we may believe t1 al?\gh ! circum/ances att5d+ miracles are n relat$ always or 9 full detail1 yet a miracle 0 nev] p]=m$ )\t !m4 7#hb7 ,?is is confirm$ by ,exodus xiv3#bg1 :]e x is simply /at$ t ,moses /ret*$ =? 8 h&1 & ! wat]s ( ! sea return$ to _! /r5g? 9 ! morn+1 no m5tion be+ made ( a w9d2 b 9 ! song ( ,moses 7,exod4 xv3#aj7 we read1 ,?\ did/ bl[ ) ,?y w9d 7i4e4 ) a v /rong w9d71 & ! sea cov]$ !m4 7#hc7 ,?us ! att5dant circum/ance is omitt$ 9 ! hi/ory1 & ! miracle is !reby enhanc$4 7#hd7 ,b p]haps someone w insi/ t we f9d _m ?+s 9 ,scripture :i* seem 9 n[ise explicable by natural causes1 z = in/ance1 t ! s9s ( m5 & _! pray]s c be ! cause ( ra9 & ( ! e>?'s f]tility1 or t fai? c heal ! bl9d1 & s on4 7#he7 ,b ,i ?9k ,i h already made suffici5t answ]3 ,i h %[n t ,scripture does n expla9 ?+s by _! second>y causes1 b only n>rates !m 9 ! ord] & ! /yle :i* has mo/ p[] to move m51 & especially un$ucat$ m51 to devotion2 & !re=e x speaks inaccurately ( ,god & ( ev5ts1 see+ t its object is n to conv9ce ! reason1 b to attract & lay hold ( ! imag9ation4 7#hf7 ,if ! ,bible 7 to describe ! de/ruction ( an empire 9 ! /yle ( political hi/orians1 ! masses w\ld rema9 un/irr$1 :]eas ! contr>y is ! case :5 x adopts ! me?od ( poetic description1 & ref]s all ?+s imm$iately to ,god4 7#hg7 ,:51 !re=e1 ! ,bible says t ! e>? is b>r5 because ( m5's s9s1 or t ! bl9d 7 heal$ by fai?1 we ought to take no m notice ?an :5 x says t ,god is angry at m5's s9s1 t ,he is sad1 t ,he rep5ts ( ! good ,he has promis$ & done2 or t on see+ a sign he rememb]s some?+ ,he _h promis$1 & o!r simil> expressions1 :i* are ei!r ?r[n out poetically or relat$ accord+ to ! op9ion & prejudices ( ! writ]4 7#hh7 ,we may1 !n1 be absolutely c]ta9 t e ev5t :i* is truly describ$ 9 ,scripture necess>ily happ5$1 l ev]y?+ else1 accord+ to natural laws2 & if any?+ is !re set d[n :i* c be prov$ 9 set t]ms to contrav5e ! ord] ( nature1 or n to be d$ucible !refrom1 we mu/ believe x to h be5 foi/$ into ! sacr$ writ+s by irreligi\s h&s2 = :atsoev] is contr>y to nature is also contr>y to reason1 & :atsoev] is contr>y to reason is absurd1 &1 ipso facto1 to be reject$4 7#hi7 ,!re rema9 "s po9ts conc]n+ ! int]pretation ( miracles to be not$1 or r to be recapitulat$1 = mo/ ( !m h be5 already /at$4 7#ij7 ,^! ,i proce$ to discuss 9 ! f\r? division ( my subject1 & ,i am l$ to d s le/ anyone %\ld1 by wrongly int]pret+ a miracle1 ra%ly suspect t he has f\nd some?+ 9 ,scripture contr>y to human reason4 7#ia7 ,x is v r>e = m5 to relate an ev5t simply z x happ5$1 )\t add+ any elem5t ( _! own judgm5t4 7#ib7 ,:5 !y see or he> any?+ new1 !y are1 unless /rictly on _! gu>d1 s occupi$ ) _! own preconceiv$ op9ions t !y p]ceive some?+ q diff]5t f ! pla9 facts se5 or he>d1 especially if su* facts surpass ! compreh5sion ( ! behold] or he>]1 &1 mo/ ( all1 if he is int]e/$ 9 _! happ5+ 9 a giv5 way4 7#ic7 ,?us m5 relate 9 *ronicles & hi/ories _! own op9ions r ?an actual ev5ts1 s t "o & ! same ev5t is s diff]5tly relat$ by two m5 ( diff]5t op9ions1 t x seems l two sep>ate occurr5ces2 &1 fur!r1 x is v easy f hi/orical *ronicles to ga!r ! p]sonal op9ions ( ! hi/orian4 7#id7 ,i c\ld cite _m in/ances 9 pro( ( ?is f ! writ+s bo? ( natural philosoph]s & hi/orians1 b ,i w cont5t myself ) "o only f ,scripture1 & leave ! read] to judge ( ! re/4 7#ie7 ,9 ! "t ( ,jo%ua ! ,hebrews held ! ord9>y op9ion t ! sun moves ) a daily motion1 & t ! e>? rema9s at re/2 to ?is preconceiv$ op9ion !y adapt$ ! miracle :i* occurr$ dur+ _! battle ) ! five k+s4 7#if7 ,!y did n simply relate t t day 0 long] ?an usual1 b ass]t$ t ! sun & moon /ood /ill1 or ceas$ f _! motion - a /atem5t :i* w\ld be ( great s]vice to !m at t "t 9 conv9c+ & prov+ by exp]i5ce to ! ,g5tiles1 :o wor%ipp$ ! sun1 t ! sun 0 "u ! control ( ano!r deity :o c\ld compel x to *ange its daily c\rse4 7#ig7 ,?us1 p>tly ?r\gh religi\s motives1 p>tly ?r\gh preconceiv$ op9ions1 !y conceiv$ ( & relat$ ! occurr5ce z some?+ q diff]5t f :at really happ5$4 7#ih7 ,?us 9 ord] to int]pret ! ,scriptural miracles & und]/& f ! n>ration ( !m h[ !y really happ5$1 x is necess>y to "k ! op9ions ( ^? :o fir/ relat$ !m1 & h record$ !m = u 9 writ+1 & to di/+ui% su* op9ions f ! actual impression made ^u _! s5ses1 o!rwise we %all conf\nd op9ions & judgm5ts ) ! actual miracle z x really occurr$3 nay1 fur!r1 we %all conf\nd actual ev5ts ) symbolical & imag9>y ones4 7#ii7 ,= _m ?+s are n>rat$ 9 ,scripture z real1 & 7 believ$ to be real1 :i* 7 9 fact only symbolical & imag9>y4 7#ajj7 ,z1 = in/ance1 t ,god came d[n f heav5 7,exod4 xix3#bh1 ,deut4 v3#bh71 & t ,m\nt ,s9ai smok$ because ,god desc5d$ ^u x surr\nd$ ) fire2 or1 aga9 t ,elijah asc5d$ into heav5 9 a *>iot ( fire1 ) horses ( fire2 all ^! ?+s 7 assur$ly m]ely symbols adapt$ to ! op9ions ( ^? :o h h&$ !m d[n to u z !y 7 repres5t$ to !m1 namely1 z real4 7#aja7 ,all :o h any education "k t ,god has no "r h& nor left2 t ,he is n mov$ nor at re/1 nor 9 a p>ticul> place1 b t ,he is absolutely inf9ite & conta9s 9 ,himself all p]fections4 7#ajb7 ,^! ?+s1 ,i repeat1 are kn[n to :oev] judges ( ?+s by ! p]ception ( pure reason1 & n accord+ z 8 imag9ation is affect$ by 8 outw>d s5ses4 7#ajc7 ,foll[+ ! example ( ! masses :o imag9e a bodily ,deity1 hold+ a royal c\rt ) a ?rone on ! convexity ( heav51 above ! />s1 :i* are believ$ to be n v1 f> (f f ! e>?4 7#ajd7 ,to ^! & simil> op9ions v _m n>rations 9 ,scripture are adapt$1 & %\ld n1 !re=e1 be mi/ak5 by philosoph]s = realities4 7#aje7 ,la/ly1 9 ord] to und]/&1 9 ! case ( miracles1 :at actually took place1 we ought to be famili> ) ,jewi% phrases & metaphors2 anyone :o did n make suffici5t all[ance = ^!1 w\ld be cont9ually see+ miracles 9 ,scripture :]e no?+ ( ! k9d is int5d$ by ! writ]2 he w\ld ?us miss ! k n only ( :at actually happ5$1 b also ( ! m9d ( ! writ]s ( ! sacr$ text4 7#ajf7 ,= in/ance1 ,ze*>iah speak+ ( "s future w> says 7*ap4 xiv3#g73 ,x %all be "o day :i* %all be kn[n to ! ,"l1 n day1 nor night2 b at ev5 "t x %all be light4 ,9 ^! words he seems to pr$ict a great miracle1 yet he only means t ! battle w be d\btful ! :ole day1 t ! issue w be kn[n only to ,god1 b t 9 ! ev5+ !y w ga9 ! victory3 ! prophets frequ5tly us$ to pr$ict victories & defeats ( ! nations 9 simil> phrases4 7#ajg7 ,?us ,isaiah1 describ+ ! de/ruction ( ,babylon1 says 7*ap4 xiii473 ,! />s ( heav51 & ! con/ellations !re(1 %all n give _! light2 ! sun %all be d>k5$ 9 8 go+ =?1 & ! moon %all n cause h] light to %9e4 7#ajh7 ,n[ ,i suppose no "o imag9es t at ! de/ruction ( ,babylon ^! ph5om5a actually occurr$ any m ?an t :i* ! prophet adds1 ,= ,i w make ! heav5s to tremble1 & remove ! e>? out ( h] place4 7#aji7 ,s1 too1 ,isaiah 9 =etell+ to ! ,jews t !y w\ld return f ,babylon to ,j]usalem 9 safety1 & w\ld n suff] f ?ir/ on _! j\rney1 says3 ,& !y ?ir/$ n :5 ,he l$ !m ?r\gh ! des]ts2 ,he caus$ ! wat]s to fl[ out ( ! rocks = !m2 ,he clave ! rocks1 & ! wat]s gu%$ out4 7#aaj7 ,^! words m]ely mean t ! ,jews1 l o!r p1 f\nd spr+s 9 ! des]t1 at :i* !y qu5*$ _! ?ir/2 = :5 ! ,jews return$ to ,j]usalem ) ! cons5t ( ,cyrus1 x is admitt$ t no simil> miracles befell !m4 7#aaa7 ,9 ?is way _m occurr5ces 9 ! ,bible are to be reg>d$ m]ely z ,jewi% expressions4 7#aab7 ,!re is no ne$ = me to g ?r\gh !m 9 detail2 b ,i w call att5tion g5]ally to ! fact t ! ,jews employ$ su* phrases n only rhetorically1 b also1 & inde$ *iefly1 f devotional motives4 7#aac7 ,su* is ! reason = ! sub/itution ( bless ,god = curse ,god 9 #a ,k+s xxi3#aj1 & ,job ii3#i1 & = all ?+s be+ ref]r$ to ,god1 :5ce x appe>s t ! ,bible seems to relate no?+ b miracles1 ev5 :5 speak+ ( ! mo/ ord9>y occurr5ces1 z 9 ! examples giv5 above4 7#aad7 ,h5ce we mu/ believe t :5 ! ,bible says t ! ,"l h>d5$ ,ph>aoh's he>t1 x only means t ,ph>aoh 0 ob/9ate2 :5 x says t ,god op5$ ! w9d[s ( heav51 x only means t x ra9$ v h>d1 & s on4 7#aae7 ,:5 we reflect on ^! peculi>ities1 & also on ! fact t mo/ ?+s are relat$ v %ortly1 ) v little details & almo/ 9 abridgm5ts1 we %all see t !re is h>dly any?+ 9 ,scripture :i* c be prov$ contr>y to natural reason1 :ile1 on ! o!r h&1 _m ?+s :i* be=e seem$ obscure1 w aft] a little consid]ation be und]/ood & easily expla9$4 7#aaf7 ,i ?9k ,i h n[ v cle>ly expla9$ all t ,i propos$ to expla91 b be=e ,i f9i% ?is *apt] ,i w\ld call att5tion to ! fact t ,i h adopt$ a diff]5t me?od 9 speak+ ( miracles to t :i* ,i employ$ 9 treat+ ( prophecy4 7#aag7 ,( prophecy ,i h ass]t$ no?+ :i* c\ld n be inf]r$ f promises reveal$ 9 ,scripture1 :]eas 9 ?is *apt] ,i h d$uc$ my conclusions solely f ! pr9ciples asc]ta9$ by ! natural light ( reason4 7#aah7 ,i h proce$$ 9 ?is way advis$ly1 = prophecy1 9 t x surpasses human k1 is a purely !ological "q2 !re=e1 ,i knew t ,i c\ld n make any ass]tions ab\t x1 nor le>n :]e9 x consi/s1 except ?r\gh d$uctions f premises t h be5 reveal$2 !re=e ,i 0 compell$ to collate ! hi/ory ( prophecy1 & to draw !refrom c]ta9 conclusions :i* w\ld tea* me1 9 s f> z su* tea*+ is possible1 ! nature & prop]ties ( ! gift4 7#aai7 ,b 9 ! case ( miracles1 z our inquiry is a "q purely philosophical 7namely1 :e!r any?+ c happ5 :i* contrav5es or does n foll[ f ! laws ( nature71 ,i 0 n "u any su* necessity3 ,i !re=e ?\ght x wis] to unravel ! difficulty ?r\gh premises asc]ta9$ & ?or\ghly kn[n by ! natural light ( reason4 ,i say ,i ?\ght x wis]1 = ,i c\ld also easily h solv$ ! problem m]ely f ! doctr9es & fundam5tal pr9ciples ( ,scripture3 9 ord] t ev]yone may ackn[l$ge ?is1 ,i w briefly %[ h[ x c\ld be done4 7#abj7 ,scripture makes ! g5]al ass]tion 9 sev]al passages t nature's c\rse is fix$ & un*angeable4 7#aba7 ,9 ,ps4 cxlviii3#f1 = in/ance1 & ,j]4 xxxi3#ce4 7#abb7 ,! wise man also1 9 ,eccles4 i3#aj1 di/9ctly tea*es t !re is no?+ new "u ! sun1 & 9 v]ses #aa1 #ab1 illu/rat+ ! same idea1 he adds t al?\gh some?+ occasionally happ5s :i* seems new1 x is n really new1 b ha? be5 already ( old "t1 :i* 0 be=e u1 :]e( !re is no remembrance1 nei!r %all !re be any remembrance ( ?+s t are to come ) ^? t come aft]4 7#abc7 ,aga9 9 *ap4 iii3#aa1 he says1 ,god ha? made ev]y?+ beautiful 9 8 "t1 & imm$iately aft]w>ds adds1 ,i "k t :atsoev] ,god doe?1 x %all be = ev]2 no?+ c be put to x1 nor any?+ tak5 f x4 7#abd7 ,n[ all ^! texts tea* mo/ di/9ctly t nature pres]ves a fix$ & un*angeable ord]1 & t ,god 9 all ages1 kn[n & unkn[n1 has be5 ! same2 fur!r1 t ! laws ( nature are s p]fect1 t no?+ c be add$ !reto nor tak5 !refrom2 &1 la/ly1 t miracles only appe> z some?+ new because ( man's ignorance4 7#abe7 ,su* is ! express tea*+ ( ,scripture3 n[h]e does ,scripture ass]t t any?+ happ5s :i* contradicts1 or _c foll[ f ! laws ( nature2 &1 !re=e1 we %\ld n attribute to x su* a doctr9e4 7#abf7 ,to ^! consid]ations we mu/ add1 t miracles require causes & att5dant circum/ances1 & t !y foll[1 n f "s my/]i\s royal p[] :i* ! masses attribute to ,god1 b f ! ,div9e rule & decree1 t is 7z we h %[n f ,scripture itself7 f ! laws & ord] ( nature2 la/ly1 t miracles c be wr\ght ev5 by false prophets1 z is prov$ f ,deut4 xiii4 & ,matt4 xxiv3#bd4 7#abg7 ,! conclusion1 !n1 t is mo/ pla9ly put be=e u is1 t miracles 7 natural occurr5ces1 & mu/ !re=e be s expla9$ z to appe> nei!r new 79 ! words ( ,solomon7 nor contr>y to nature1 b1 z f> z possible1 9 complete agreem5t ) ord9>y ev5ts4 7#abh7 ,?is c easily be done by anyone1 n[ t ,i h set =? ! rules drawn f ,scripture4 7#abi7 ,nev]!less1 ?\gh ,i ma9ta9 t ,scripture tea*es ?is doctr9e1 ,i d n ass]t t x tea*es x z a tru? necess>y to salvation1 b only t ! prophets 7 9 agreem5t ) ourselves on ! po9t2 !re=e ev]yone is free to ?9k on ! subject z he likes1 accord+ z he ?9ks x be/ = himself1 & mo/ likely to conduce to ! wor%ip ( ,god & to s+lehe>t$ religion4 7#acj7 ,?is is also ! op9ion ( ,josephus1 = at ! conclusion ( ! second book ( 8 ,antiquities1 he writes3 ,let no man ?9k ?is /ory incr$ible ( ! sea's divid+ to save ^! p1 = we f9d x 9 anci5t records t ?is ha? be5 se5 be=e1 :e!r by ,god's extraord9>y w or by ! c\rse ( nature x is indiff]5t4 7#aca7 ,! same ?+ happ5$ "o "t to ! ,mac$onians1 "u ! comm& ( ,alex&]1 :5 = want ( ano!r passage ! ,pamphylian ,sea divid$ to make !m way2 ,god's ,provid5ce mak+ use ( ,alex&] at t "t z ,8 in/rum5t = de/roy+ ! ,p]sian ,empire4 7#acb7 ,?is is atte/$ by all ! hi/orians :o h pret5d$ to write ! ,life ( t ,pr9ce4 7#acc7 ,b p are at lib]ty to ?9k :at !y please4 7#acd7 ,su* are ! words ( ,josephus1 & su* is 8 op9ion on fai? 9 miracles4 ,,*apt] ,,vii4 - ,,( ,,! ,,int]pretation ,,( ,,scripture 7#a7 ,:5 p decl>e1 z all are ready to d1 t ! ,bible is ! ,^w ( ,god tea*+ man true bless$ness & ! way ( salvation1 !y evid5tly d n mean :at !y say2 = ! masses take no pa9s at all to live accord+ to ,scripture1 & we see mo/ p endeav\r+ to hawk ab\t _! own comm5t>ies z ! ^w ( ,god1 & giv+ _! be/ ef=ts1 "u ! guise ( religion1 to compell+ o!rs to ?9k z !y d3 we g5]ally see1 ,i say1 !ologians anxi\s to le>n h[ to wr+ _! inv5tions & say+s out ( ! sacr$ text1 & to =tify !m ) ,div9e au?ority4 7#b7 ,su* p]sons nev] display1 less scruple or m zeal ?an :5 !y1 are int]pret+ ,scripture or ! m9d ( ! ,holy ,gho/2 if we ev] see !m p]turb$1 x is n t !y fe> to attribute "s error to ! ,holy ,_s1 & to /ray f ! "r pa?1 b t !y are afraid to be convict$ ( error by o!rs1 & ?us to ov]?r[ & br+ into contempt _! own au?ority4 7#c7 ,b if m5 really believ$ :at !y v]bally te/ify ( ,scripture1 !y w\ld adopt q a diff]5t plan ( life3 _! m9ds w\ld n be agitat$ by s _m cont5tions1 nor s _m hatr$s1 & !y w\ld cease to be excit$ by su* a bl9d & ra% passion = int]pret+ ! sacr$ writ+s1 & excogitat+ novelties 9 religion4 7#d7 ,on ! contr>y1 !y w\ld n d>e to adopt1 z ! tea*+ ( ,scripture1 any?+ :i* !y c\ld n pla9ly d$uce !refrom3 la/ly1 ^? sacrilegi\s p]sons :o h d>$1 9 sev]al passages1 to int]polate ! ,bible1 w\ld h %runk f s great a crime1 & w\ld h /ay$ _! sacrilegi\s h&s4 7#e7 ,ambition & unscrupul\sness h wax$ s p[]ful1 t religion is ?\ght to consi/1 n s mu* 9 respect+ ! writ+s ( ! ,holy ,gho/1 z 9 def5d+ human comm5t>ies1 s t religion is no long] id5tifi$ ) *>ity1 b ) spread+ discord & propagat+ ins5sate hatr$ disguis$ "u ! "n ( zeal = ! ,"l1 & eag] ard\r4 7#f7 ,to ^! evils we mu/ add sup]/ition1 :i* tea*es m5 to despise reason & nature1 & only to admire & v5]ate t :i* is repugnant to bo?3 :5ce x is n wond]ful t = ! sake ( increas+ ! admiration & v5]ation felt = ,scripture1 m5 /rive to expla9 x s z to make x appe> to contradict1 z f> z possible1 bo? "o & ! o!r3 ?us !y dream t mo/ pr(\nd my/]ies lie hid 9 ! ,bible1 & we>y !mselves out 9 ! inve/igation ( ^! absurdities1 to ! neglect ( :at is useful4 7#g7 ,e result ( _! diseas$ imag9ation !y attribute to ! ,holy ,gho/1 & /rive to def5d ) ! utmo/ zeal & passion2 = x is an obs]v$ fact t m5 employ _! reason to def5d conclusions arriv$ at by reason1 b conclusions arriv$ at by ! passions are def5d$ by ! passions4 7#h7 ,if we w\ld sep>ate ourselves f ! cr[d & escape f !ological prejudices1 in/ead ( ra%ly accept+ human comm5t>ies = ,div9e docum5ts1 we mu/ consid] ! true me?od ( int]pret+ ,scripture & dwell ^u x at "s l5g?3 = if we rema9 9 ignorance ( ?is we _c "k1 c]ta9ly1 :at ! ,bible & ! ,holy ,_s wi% to tea*4 7#i7;,i may sum up ! matt] by say+ t ! me?od ( int]pret+ ,scripture does n widely diff] f ! me?od ( int]pret+ nature - 9 fact1 x is almo/ ! same4 7#aj7 ,= z ! int]pretation ( nature consi/s 9 ! exam9ation ( ! hi/ory ( nature1 & !refrom d$uc+ def9itions ( natural ph5om5a on c]ta9 fix$ axioms1 s ,scriptural int]pretation proce$s by ! exam9ation ( ,scripture1 & inf]r+ ! int5tion ( its au?ors z a legitimate conclusion f its fundam5tal pr9ciples4 7#aa7 ,by work+ 9 ?is mann] ev]yone w always advance )\t dang] ( error - t is1 if !y admit no pr9ciples = int]pret+ ,scripture1 & discuss+ its cont5ts save su* z !y f9d 9 ,scripture itself - & w be able ) equal security to discuss :at surpasses our und]/&+1 & :at is kn[n by ! natural light ( reason4 7#ab7 ,9 ord] to make cle> t su* a me?od is n only correct1 b is also ! only "o advisable1 & t x agrees ) t employ$ 9 int]pret+ nature1 ,i mu/ rem>k t ,scripture v (t5 treats ( matt]s :i* _c be d$uc$ f pr9ciples kn[n to reason3 = x is *iefly made up ( n>ratives & revelation3 ! n>ratives g5]ally conta9 miracles - t is1 z we h %[n 9 ! la/ *apt]1 relations ( extraord9>y natural occurr5ces adapt$ to ! op9ions & judgm5t ( ! hi/orians :o record$ !m3 ! revelations also 7 adapt$ to ! op9ions ( ! prophets1 z we %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,ii41 & 9 !mselves surpass$ human compreh5sion4 7#ac7 ,!re=e ! k ( all ^! - t is1 ( ne>ly ! :ole cont5ts ( ,scripture1 mu/ be s\ght f ,scripture alone1 ev5 z ! k ( nature is s\ght f nature4 7#ad7 ,z = ! moral doctr9es :i* are also conta9$ 9 ! ,bible1 !y may be demon/rat$ f receiv$ axioms1 b we _c prove 9 ! same mann] t ,scripture int5d$ to tea* !m1 ?is c only be le>n$ f ,scripture itself4 7#ae7 ,if we w\ld be> unprejudic$ witness to ! ,div9e orig9 ( ,scripture1 we mu/ prove solely on its own au?ority t x tea*es true moral doctr9es1 = by su* means alone c its ,div9e orig9 be demon/rat$3 we h %[n t ! c]titude ( ! prophets dep5d$ *iefly on _! hav+ m9ds turn$ t[>ds :at is j & good1 !re=e we ought to h pro( ( _! possess+ ?is quality be=e we repose fai? 9 !m4 7#af7 ,f miracles ,god's div9ity _c be prov$1 z ,i h already %[n1 & ne$ n n[ repeat1 = miracles c\ld be wr\ght by false prophets4 7#ag7 ,:]e=e ! ,div9e orig9 ( ,scripture mu/ consi/ solely 9 its tea*+ true virtue4 7#ah7 ,b we mu/ come to our conclusion simply on ,scriptural gr\nds1 = if we 7 unable to d s we c\ld n1 unless /rongly prejudic$ accept ! ,bible & be> witness to its ,div9e orig94 7#ai7 ,our k ( ,scripture mu/ !n be look$ = 9 ,scripture only4 7#bj7 ,la/ly1 ,scripture does n give u def9ition ( ?+s any m ?an nature does3 !re=e1 su* def9itions mu/ be s\ght 9 ! latt] case f ! div]se work+s ( nature2 9 ! =m] case1 f ! v>i\s n>ratives ab\t ! giv5 subject :i* occur 9 ! ,bible4 7#ba7 ,! univ]sal rule1 !n1 9 int]pret+ ,scripture is to accept no?+ z an au?oritative ,scriptural /atem5t :i* we d n p]ceive v cle>ly :5 we exam9e x 9 ! light ( its hi/ory4 7#bb7 ,:at ,i mean by its hi/ory1 & :at %\ld be ! *ief po9ts elucidat$1 ,i w n[ expla94 7#bc7 ,! hi/ory ( a ,scriptural /atem5t comprises - 7#bc7 ,i4 ,! nature & prop]ties ( ! language 9 :i* ! books ( ! ,bible 7 writt51 & 9 :i* _! au?ors 71 accu/om$ to speak4 7#bd7 ,we %all ?us be able to inve/igate e expression by comp>ison ) common conv]sational usages4 7#be7 ,n[ all ! writ]s bo? ( ! ,old ,te/am5t & ! ,new 7 ,hebrews3 !re=e1 a k ( ! ,hebrew language is be=e all ?+s necess>y1 n only = ! compreh5sion ( ! ,old ,te/am5t1 :i* 0 writt5 9 t tongue1 b also ( ! ,new3 = al?\gh ! latt] 0 publi%$ 9 o!r languages1 yet its *>act]i/ics are ,hebrew4 7#bf7 ,,ii4 ,an analysis ( ea* book & arrangem5t ( its cont5ts "u heads2 s t we may h at h& ! v>i\s texts :i* treat ( a giv5 subject4 7#bg7 ,la/ly1 a note ( all ! passages :i* are ambigu\s or obscure1 or :i* seem mutually contradictory4 7#bh7 ,i call passages cle> or obscure accord+ z _! mean+ is inf]r$ easily or ) difficulty 9 relation to ! context1 n accord+ z _! tru? is p]ceiv$ easily or ! rev]se by reason4 7#bi7 ,we are at "w n on ! tru? ( passages1 b solely on _! mean+4 7#cj7 ,we mu/ take especial c>e1 :5 we are 9 se>* ( ! mean+ ( a text1 n to be l$ away by our reason 9 s f> z x is f\nd$ on pr9ciples ( natural k 7to say no?+ ( prejudices73 9 ord] n to conf\nd ! mean+ ( a passage ) its tru?1 we mu/ exam9e x solely by means ( ! signification ( ! words1 or by a reason ackn[l$g+ no f\ndation b ,scripture4 7#ca7 ,i w illu/rate my mean+ by an example4 7#cb7 ,! words ( ,moses1 ,god is a fire & ,god is jeal\s1 are p]fectly cle> s long z we reg>d m]ely ! signification ( ! words1 & ,i !re=e reckon !m among ! cle> passages1 ?\gh 9 relation to reason & tru? !y are mo/ obscure3 /ill1 al?\gh ! lit]al mean+ is repugnant to ! natural light ( reason1 nev]!less1 if x _c be cle>ly ov]rul$ on gr\nds & pr9ciples d]iv$ f its ,scriptural hi/ory1 x1 t is1 ! lit]al mean+1 mu/ be ! "o reta9$3 & contr>iwise if ^! passages lit]ally int]pret$ are f\nd to cla% ) pr9ciples d]iv$ f ,scripture1 ?\gh su* lit]al int]pretation 7 9 absolute h>mony ) reason1 !y mu/ be int]pret$ 9 a diff]5t mann]1 i4e4 metaphorically4 7#cc7 ,if we w\ld "k :e!r ,moses believ$ ,god to be a fire or n1 we mu/ on no acc\nt decide ! "q on gr\nds ( ! reasonabl5ess or ! rev]se ( su* an op9ion1 b mu/ judge solely by ! o!r op9ions ( ,moses :i* are on record4 7#cd7 ,9 ! pres5t in/ance1 z ,moses says 9 sev]al o!r passages t ,god has no lik5ess to any visible ?+1 :e!r 9 heav5 or 9 e>?1 or 9 ! wat]1 ei!r all su* passages mu/ be tak5 metaphorically1 or else ! "o be=e u mu/ be s expla9$4 7#ce7 ,h[ev]1 z we %\ld dep>t z little z possible f ! lit]al s5se1 we mu/ fir/ ask :e!r ?is text1 ,god is a fire1 admits ( any b ! lit]al mean+ - t is1 :e!r ! ^w fire ev] means any?+ besides ord9>y natural fire4 7#cf7 ,if no su* second mean+ c be f\nd1 ! text mu/ be tak5 lit]ally1 h[ev] repugnant to reason x may be3 & all ! o!r passages1 ?\gh 9 complete accordance ) reason1 mu/ be br\ght into h>mony ) x4 7#cg7 ,if ! v]bal expressions w\ld n admit ( be+ ?us h>moniz$1 we %\ld h to set !m d[n z irreconcilable1 & susp5d our judgm5t conc]n+ !m4 7#ch7 ,h[ev]1 z we f9d ! "n fire appli$ to ang] & jeal\sy 7see ,job xxxi3#ab7 we c ?us easily reconcile ! words ( ,moses1 & legitimately conclude t ! two propositions ,god is a fire1 & ,god is jeal\s1 are 9 mean+ id5tical4 7#ci7 ,fur!r1 z ,moses cle>ly tea*es t ,god is jeal\s1 & n[h]e /ates t ,god is )\t passions or emotions1 we mu/ evid5tly inf] t ,moses held ?is doctr9e himself1 or at any rate1 t he wi%$ to tea* x1 nor mu/ we refra9 because su* a belief seems contr>y to reason3 = z we h %[n1 we _c wre/ ! mean+ ( texts to suit ! dictates ( our reason1 or our preconceiv$ op9ions4 7#dj7 ,! :ole k ( ! ,bible mu/ be s\ght solely f itself4 7#da7 ,,iii4 ,la/ly1 su* a hi/ory %\ld relate ! environm5t ( all ! prophetic books extant2 t is1 ! life1 ! conduct1 & ! /udies ( ! au?or ( ea* book1 :o he 01 :at 0 ! occasion1 & ! epo* ( 8 writ+1 :om did he write =1 & 9 :at language4 7#db7 ,fur!r1 x %\ld inquire into ! fate ( ea* book3 h[ x 0 fir/ receiv$1 into ^: h&s x fell1 h[ _m diff]5t v]sions !re 7 ( x1 by ^: advice 0 x receiv$ into ! ,bible1 &1 la/ly1 h[ all ! books n[ univ]sally accept$ z sacr$1 7 unit$ into a s+le :ole4 7#dc7 ,all su* in=mation %\ld1 z ,i h said1 be conta9$ 9 ! hi/ory ( ,scripture4 7#dd7 ,=1 9 ord] to "k :at /atem5ts are set =? z laws1 & :at z moral precepts1 x is important to be acqua9t$ ) ! life1 ! conduct1 & ! pursuits ( _! au?or3 moreov]1 x becomes easi] to expla9 a man's writ+s 9 proportion z we h m intimate k ( 8 g5ius & temp]am5t4 7#de7 ,fur!r1 t we may n conf\nd precepts :i* are et]nal ) ^? :i* s]v$ only a tempor>y purpose1 or 7 only meant = a few1 we %\ld "k :at 0 ! occasion1 ! "t1 ! age1 9 :i* ea* book 0 writt51 & to :at nation x 0 address$47#df7 ,la/ly1 we %\ld h k on ! o!r po9ts ,i h m5tion$1 9 ord] to be sure1 9 addition to ! au!nticity ( ! "w1 t x has n be5 tamp]$ ) by sacrilegi\s h&s1 or :e!r errors c h crept 91 &1 if s1 :e!r !y h be5 correct$ by m5 suffici5tly skill$ & wor?y ( cr$5ce4 7#dg7 ,all ^! ?+s %\ld be kn[n1 t we may n be l$ away by bl9d impulse to accept :atev] is ?ru/ on our notice1 in/ead ( only t :i* is sure & indisputable4 7#dh7 ,n[ :5 we are 9 possession ( ?is hi/ory ( ,scripture1 & h f9ally decid$ t we ass]t no?+ z prophetic doctr9e :i* does n directly foll[ f su* hi/ory1 or :i* is n cle>ly d$ucible f x1 !n1 ,i say1 x w be "t to gird ourselves = ! task ( inve/igat+ ! m9d ( ! prophets & ( ! ,holy ,_s4 7#di7 ,b 9 ?is fur!r argu+1 also1 we %all require a me?od v l t employ$ 9 int]pret+ nature f h] hi/ory4 7#ej7 ,z 9 ! exam9ation ( natural ph5om5a we try fir/ to inve/igate :at is mo/ univ]sal & common to all nature - su*1 = in/ance1 z motion & re/1 & _! laws & rules1 :i* nature always obs]ves1 & ?r\gh :i* %e cont9ually works - & !n we proce$ to :at is less univ]sal2 s1 too1 9 ! hi/ory ( ,scripture1 we seek fir/ = t :i* is mo/ univ]sal1 & s]ves = ! basis & f\ndation ( all ,scripture1 a doctr9e1 9 fact1 t is comm5d$ by all ! prophets z et]nal & mo/ pr(itable to all m54 7#ea7 ,= example1 t ,god is "o1 & t ,he is omnipot5t1 t ,he alone %\ld be wor%ipp$1 t ,he has a c>e = all m51 & t ,he especially loves ^? :o adore ,him & love _! neighb\r z !mselves1 c4 7#eb7 ,^! & simil> doctr9es1 ,i repeat1 ,scripture ev]y:]e s cle>ly & expressly tea*es1 t no "o 0 ev] 9 d\bt ( its mean+ conc]n+ !m4 7#ec7 ,! nature ( ,god1 ,8 mann] ( reg>d+ & provid+ = ?+s1 & simil> doctr9es1 ,scripture n[h]e tea*es pr(ess$ly1 & z et]nal doctr9e2 on ! contr>y1 we h %[n t ! prophets !mselves did n agree on ! subject2 !re=e1 we mu/ n lay d[n any doctr9e z ,scriptural on su* subjects1 ?\gh x may appe> p]fectly cle> on rational gr\nds4 7#ed7 ,f a prop] k ( ?is univ]sal doctr9e ( ,scripture1 we mu/ !n proce$ to o!r doctr9es less univ]sal1 b :i*1 nev]!less1 h reg>d to ! g5]al conduct ( life1 & fl[ f ! univ]sal doctr9e l rivulets f a s\rce2 su* are all p>ticul> ext]nal manife/ations ( true virtue1 :i* ne$ a giv5 occasion = _! ex]cise2 :atev] is obscure or ambigu\s on su* po9ts 9 ,scripture mu/ be expla9$ & def9$ by its univ]sal doctr9e2 ) reg>d to contradictory in/ances1 we mu/ obs]ve ! occasion & ! "t 9 :i* !y 7 writt54 7#ee7 ,= in/ance1 :5 ,*ri/ says1 ,bless$ are !y t m\rn1 = !y %all be com=t$ we d n "k1 f ! actual passage1 :at sort ( m\rn]s are meant2 z1 h[ev]1 ,*ri/ aft]w>ds tea*es t we %\ld h c>e = no?+1 save only = ! k+dom ( ,god & ,8 righte\sness1 :i* is comm5d$ z ! highe/ good 7see ,matt4 vi3#cc71 x foll[s t by m\rn]s ,he only meant ^? :o m\rn = ! k+dom ( ,god & righte\sness neglect$ by man3 = ?is w\ld be ! only cause ( m\rn+ to ^? :o love no?+ b ! ,div9e k+dom & ju/ice1 & :o evid5tly despise ! gifts ( =tune4 7#ef7 ,s1 too1 :5 ,*ri/ says3 ,b if a man /rike y on ! "r *eek1 turn to him ! left also1 & ! words :i* foll[4 7#eg7 ,if ,he _h giv5 su* a comm&1 z a lawgiv]1 to judges1 ,he w\ld !reby h abrogat$ ! law ( ,moses1 b ?is ,he expressly says ,he did n d 7,matt4 v3#ag74 7#eh7 ,:]e=e we mu/ consid] :o 0 ! speak]1 :at 0 ! occasion1 & to :om 7 ! words address$4 7#ei7 ,n[ ,*ri/ said t ,he did n orda9 laws z a legislator1 b inculcat$ precepts z a tea*]3 inasmu* z ,he did n aim at correct+ outw>d actions s mu* z ! frame ( m9d4 7#fj7 ,fur!r1 ^! words 7 spok5 to m5 :o 7 oppress$1 :o liv$ 9 a corrupt commonweal? on ! br9k ( ru91 :]e ju/ice 0 utt]ly neglect$4 7#fa7 ,! v doctr9e inculcat$ "h by ,*ri/ j be=e ! de/ruction ( ! city 0 also taught by ,j]emiah be=e ! fir/ de/ruction ( ,j]usalem1 t is1 9 simil> circum/ances1 z we see f ,lam5tations iii3#be-cj4 7#fb7 ,n[ z su* tea*+ 0 only set =? by ! prophets 9 times ( oppression1 & 0 ev5 !n nev] laid d[n z a law2 & z1 on ! o!r h&1 ,moses 7:o did n write 9 times ( oppression1 b - m>k ?is - /rove to f\nd a well-ord]$ commonweal?71 :ile condemn+ envy & hatr$ ( "o's neighb\r1 yet orda9$ t an eye %\ld be giv5 = an eye1 x foll[s mo/ cle>ly f ^! purely ,scriptural gr\nds t ?is precept ( ,*ri/ & ,j]emiah conc]n+ submission to injuries 0 only valid 9 places :]e ju/ice is neglect$1 & 9 a "t ( oppression1 b does n hold good 9 a well-ord]$ /ate4 7#fc7 ,9 a well-ord]$ /ate :]e ju/ice is adm9i/]$ e "o is b\nd1 if he w\ld be acc\nt$ j1 to dem& p5alties be=e ! judge 7see ,lev3#a71 n = ! sake ( v5geance 7,lev4 xix3#ag1 #ah71 b 9 ord] to def5d ju/ice & 8 c\ntry's laws1 & to prev5t ! wick$ rejoic+ 9 _! wick$ness4 7#fd7 ,all ?is is pla9ly 9 accordance ) reason4 7#fe7 ,i might cite _m o!r examples 9 ! same mann]1 b ,i ?9k ! =ego+ are suffici5t to expla9 my mean+ & ! utility ( ?is me?od1 & ?is is all my pres5t purpose4 7#ff7 ,hi!rto we h only %[n h[ to inve/igate ^? passages ( ,scripture :i* treat ( practical conduct1 & :i*1 !re=e1 are m easily exam9$1 = on su* subjects !re 0 nev] really any controv]sy among ! writ]s ( ! ,bible4 7#fg7 ,! purely speculative passages _c be s easily trac$ to _! real mean+3 ! way becomes n>r[]1 = z ! prophets diff]$ 9 matt]s speculative among !mselves1 & ! n>ratives are 9 great measure adapt$ to ! prejudices ( ea* age1 we mu/ n1 on any acc\nt inf] ! int5tion ( "o prophet f cle>] passages 9 ! writ+s ( ano!r2 nor mu/ we s expla9 8 mean+1 unless x is p]fectly pla9 t ! two prophets 7 at "o 9 ! matt]4 7#fh7 ,h[ we are to arrive at ! int5tion ( ! prophets 9 su* cases ,i w briefly expla94 7#fi7 ,"h1 too1 we mu/ beg9 f ! mo/ univ]sal proposition1 inquir+ fir/ f ! mo/ cle> ,scriptural /atem5ts :at is ! nature ( prophecy or revelation1 & :]e9 does x consi/2 !n we mu/ proce$ to miracles1 & s on to :atev] is mo/ g5]al till we come to ! op9ions ( a p>ticul> prophet1 &1 at la/1 to ! mean+ ( a p>ticul> revelation1 prophecy1 hi/ory1 or miracle4 7#gj7 ,we h already po9t$ out t great caution is necess>y n to conf\nd ! m9d ( a prophet or hi/orian ) ! m9d ( ! ,holy ,_s & ! tru? ( ! matt]2 !re=e ,i ne$ n dwell fur!r on ! subject4 7#ga7 ,i w\ld1 h[ev]1 "h rem>k conc]n+ ! mean+ ( revelation1 t ! pres5t me?od only tea*es u :at ! prophets really saw or he>d1 n :at !y desir$ to signify or repres5t by symbols4 7#gb7 ,! latt] may be guess$ at b _c be inf]r$ ) c]ta9ty f ,scriptural premises4 7#gc7 ,we h ?us %[n ! plan = int]pret+ ,scripture1 & h1 at ! same "t1 demon/rat$ t x is ! "o & sure/ way ( inve/igat+ its true mean+4 7#gd7 ,i am will+ inde$ to admit t ^? p]sons 7if any su* !re be7 w\ld be m absolutely c]ta9ly "r1 :o h receiv$ ei!r a tru/wor?y tradition or an assurance f ! prophets !mselves1 su* z is claim$ by ! ,ph>isees2 or :o h a pontiff gift$ ) infallibility 9 ! int]pretation ( ,scripture1 su* z ! ,roman ,ca?olics boa/4 7#ge7 ,b z we c nev] be p]fectly sure1 ei!r ( su* a tradition or ( ! au?ority ( ! pontiff1 we _c f\nd any c]ta9 conclusion on ei!r3 ! "o is d5i$ by ! olde/ sect ( ,*ri/ians1 ! o!r by ! olde/ sect ( ,jews4 7#gf7 ,inde$1 if we consid] ! s]ies ( ye>s 7to m5tion no o!r po9t7 accept$ by ! ,ph>isees f _! ,rabbis1 dur+ :i* "t !y say !y h h&$ d[n ! tradition f ,moses1 we %all f9d t x is n correct1 z ,i %[ else:]e4 7#gg7 ,!re=e su* a tradition %\ld be receiv$ ) extreme suspicion2 & al?\gh1 accord+ to our me?od1 we are b\nd to consid] z uncorrupt$ ! tradition ( ! ,jews1 namely1 ! mean+ ( ! ,hebrew words :i* we receiv$ f !m1 we may accept ! latt] :ile reta9+ our d\bts ab\t ! =m]4 7#gh7 ,no "o has ev] be5 able to *ange ! mean+ ( a ^w 9 ord9>y use1 ?\gh _m h *ang$ ! mean+ ( a p>ticul> s5t5ce4 7#gi7 ,su* a proce$+ w\ld be mo/ difficult2 = :oev] attempt$ to *ange ! mean+ ( a ^w1 w\ld be compell$1 at ! same "t1 to expla9 all ! au?ors :o employ$ x1 ea* accord+ to 8 temp]am5t & int5tion1 or else1 ) consummate cunn+1 to falsify !m4 7#hj7 ,fur!r1 ! masses & ! le>n$ alike pres]ve language1 b x is only ! le>n$ :o pres]ve ! mean+ ( p>ticul> s5t5ces & books3 ?us1 we may easily imag9e t ! le>n$ hav+ a v r>e book 9 _! p[]1 might *ange or corrupt ! mean+ ( a s5t5ce 9 x1 b !y c\ld n alt] ! signification ( ! words2 moreov]1 if anyone want$ to *ange ! mean+ ( a common ^w he w\ld n be able to keep up ! *ange among po/]ity1 or 9 common p>lance or writ+4 7#ha7 ,= ^! & su*-l reasons we may readily conclude t x w\ld nev] ent] into ! m9d ( anyone to corrupt a language1 ?\gh ! int5tion ( a writ] may (t5 h be5 falsifi$ by *ang+ 8 phrases or int]pret+ !m amiss4 7#hb7 ,z !n our me?od 7bas$ on ! pr9ciple t ! k ( ,scripture mu/ be s\ght f itself alone7 is ! sole true "o1 we mu/ evid5tly r5\nce any k :i* x _c furni% = ! complete und]/&+ ( ,scripture4 7#hc7 ,i w n[ po9t out its difficulties & %ortcom+s1 :i* prev5t our ga9+ a complete & assur$ k ( ! ,sacr$ ,text4 7#hd7 ,its fir/ great difficulty consi/s 9 its requir+ a ?or\gh k ( ! ,hebrew language4 7#he7 ,:]e is su* k to be obta9$8 7#hf7 ,! m5 ( old :o employ$ ! ,hebrew tongue h left none ( ! pr9ciples & bases ( _! language to po/]ity2 we h f !m absolutely no?+ 9 ! way ( diction>y1 gramm>1 or rhetoric4 7#hg7 ,n[ ! ,hebrew nation has lo/ all its grace & beauty 7z "o w\ld expect aft] ! defeats & p]secutions x has gone ?r\gh71 & has only reta9$ c]ta9 fragm5ts ( its language & ( a few books4 7#hh7 ,ne>ly all ! names ( fruits1 birds1 & fi%es1 & _m o!r words h p]i%$ 9 ! we> & te> ( "t4 7#hi7 ,fur!r1 ! mean+ ( _m n\ns & v]bs :i* occur 9 ! ,bible are ei!r utt]ly lo/1 or are subjects ( dispute4 7#ij7 ,& n only are ^! gone1 b we are lack+ 9 a k ( ,hebrew phraseology4 7#ia7 ,! dev\r+ too? ( "t has de/roy$ turns ( expression peculi> to ! ,hebrews1 s t we "k !m no m4 7#ib7 ,!re=e we _c inve/igate z we w\ld all ! mean+s ( a s5t5ce by ! uses ( ! language2 & !re are _m phrases ( :i* ! mean+ is mo/ obscure or altoge!r inexplicable1 ?\gh ! compon5t words are p]fectly pla94 7#ic7 ,to ?is impossibility ( trac+ ! hi/ory ( ! ,hebrew language mu/ be add$ its p>ticul> nature & composition3 ^! give rise to s _m ambiguities t x is impossible to f9d a me?od :i* w\ld enable u to ga9 a c]ta9 k ( all ! /atem5ts 9 ,scripture1 ,endnote #g4 7#id7 ,9 addition to ! s\rces ( ambiguities common to all languages1 !re are _m peculi> to ,hebrew4 7#ie7 ,^!1 ,i ?9k1 x wor? :ile to m5tion4 7#if7 ,fir/ly1 an ambiguity (t5 arises 9 ! ,bible f our mi/ak+ "o lett] = ano!r simil> "o4 7#ig7 ,! ,hebrews divide ! lett]s ( ! alphabet into five classes1 accord+ to ! five organs ( ! mon? employ$ 9 pron\nc+ !m1 namely1 ! lips1 ! tongue1 ! tee?1 ! palate1 & ! ?roat4 7#ih7 ,= in/ance1 ,alpha1 ,ghet1 ,hga91 ,he1 are call$ gutturals1 & are b>ely di/+ui%able1 by any sign t we "k1 "o f ! o!r4 7#ii7 ,el1 :i* signifies to1 is (t5 tak5 = hgal1 :i* signifies above1 & vice v]sa4 7#ajj7 ,h5ce s5t5ces are (t5 r5d]$ r ambigu\s or mean+less4 7#aja7 ,a second difficulty arises f ! multipli$ mean+ ( conjunctions & adv]bs4 7#ajb7 ,= in/ance1 vau s]ves promiscu\sly = a p>ticle ( union or ( sep>ation1 mean+1 &1 b1 because1 h[ev]1 !n3 ki1 has sev5 or eight mean+s1 namely1 :]e=e1 al?\gh1 if1 :51 inasmu* z1 because1 a burn+1 c41 & s on ) almo/ all p>ticles4 7#ajc7 ,! ?ird v f]tile s\rce ( d\bt is ! fact t ,hebrew v]bs 9 ! indicative mood lack ! pres5t1 ! pa/ imp]fect1 ! plup]fect1 ! future p]fect1 & o!r t5ses mo/ frequ5tly employ$ 9 o!r languages2 9 ! imp]ative & inf9itive moods !y are want+ 9 all except ! pres5t1 & a subjunctive mood does n exi/4 7#ajd7 ,n[1 al?\gh all ^! defects 9 moods & t5ses may be suppli$ by c]ta9 fundam5tal rules ( ! language ) ease & ev5 elegance1 ! anci5t writ]s evid5tly neglect$ su* rules altoge!r1 & employ$ indiff]5tly future = pres5t & pa/1 & vice v]sa pa/ = future1 & also indicative = imp]ative & subjunctive1 ) ! result ( consid]able confusion4 7#aje7 ,besides ^! s\rces ( ambiguity !re are two o!rs1 "o v important4 7#ajf7 ,fir/ly1 !re are 9 ,hebrew no v[els2 secondly1 ! s5t5ces are n sep>at$ by any m>ks elucidat+ ! mean+ or sep>at+ ! clauses4 7#ajg7 ,?\gh ! want ( ^! two has g5]ally be5 suppli$ by po9ts & acc5ts1 su* sub/itutes _c be accept$ by u1 inasmu* z !y 7 inv5t$ & design$ by m5 ( an aft] age ^: au?ority %\ld c>ry no weight4 7#ajh7 ,! anci5ts wrote )\t po9ts 7t is1 )\t v[els & acc5ts71 z is abundantly te/ifi$2 _! desc5dants add$ :at 0 lack+1 accord+ to _! own ideas ( ,scriptural int]pretation2 :]e=e ! exi/+ acc5ts & po9ts are simply curr5t int]pretations1 & are no m au?oritative ?an any o!r comm5t>ies4 7#aji7 ,^? :o are ignorant ( ?is fact _c ju/ify ! au?or ( ! ,epi/le to ! ,hebrews = int]pret+ 7*ap4 xi3#ba7 ,g5esis 7xlvii3#ca7 v diff]5tly f ! v]sion giv5 9 our ,hebrew text z at pres5t po9t$1 z ?\gh ! ,apo/le _h be5 oblig$ to le>n ! mean+ ( ,scripture f ^? :o add$ ! po9ts4 7#aaj7 ,9 my op9ion ! latt] are cle>ly wrong4 7#aaa7 ,9 ord] t ev]yone may judge = himself1 & also see h[ ! discrepancy arose simply f ! want ( v[els1 ,i w give bo? int]pretations4 7#aab7,^? :o po9t$ our v]sion read1 ,& ,israel b5t himself ov]1 or 7*ang+ ,hqa9 into ,aleph1 a simil> lett]7 t[>ds1 ! head ( ! b$4 7#aac7 ,! au?or ( ! ,epi/le reads1 ,& ,israel b5t himself ov] ! head ( 8 /aff1 sub/itut+ mate = mita1 f :i* x only diff]s 9 respect ( v[els4 7#aad7 ,n[ z 9 ?is n>rative x is ,jacob's age only t is 9 "q1 & n 8 illness1 :i* is n t\*$ on till ! next *apt]1 x seems m likely t ! hi/orian int5d$ to say t ,jacob b5t ov] ! head ( 8 /aff 7a ?+ commonly us$ by m5 ( advanc$ age = _! support7 ?an t he b[$ himself at ! head ( 8 b$1 especially z = ! =m] read+ no sub/itution ( lett]s is requir$4 7#aae7 ,9 ?is example ,i h desir$ n only to reconcile ! passage 9 ! ,epi/le ) ! passage 9 ,g5esis1 b also & *iefly to illu/rate h[ little tru/ %\ld be plac$ 9 ! po9ts & acc5ts :i* are f\nd 9 our pres5t ,bible1 & s to prove t he :o w\ld be )\t bias 9 int]pret+ ,scripture %\ld hesitate ab\t accept+ !m1 & inquire afre% = himself4 7#aaf7 ,su* be+ ! nature & /ructure ( ! ,hebrew language1 "o may easily und]/& t _m difficulties are likely to arise1 & t no possible me?od c\ld solve all ( !m4 7#aag7 ,x is useless to hope = a way out ( our difficulties 9 ! comp>ison ( v>i\s p>allel passages 7we h %[n t ! only me?od ( discov]+ ! true s5se ( a passage out ( _m alt]native ones is to see :at are ! usages ( ! language71 = ?is comp>ison ( p>allel passages c only accid5tally ?r[ light on a difficult po9t1 see+ t ! prophets nev] wrote ) ! express object ( expla9+ _! own phrases or ^? ( o!r p1 & also because we _c inf] ! mean+ ( "o prophet or apo/le by ! mean+ ( ano!r1 unless on a purely practical "q1 n :5 ! matt] is speculative1 or if a miracle1 or hi/ory is be+ n>rat$4 7#aah7 ,i might illu/rate my po9t ) in/ances1 = !re are _m inexplicable phrases 9 ,scripture1 b ,i w\ld r pass on to consid] ! difficulties & imp]fections ( ! me?od "u discussion4 7#aai7 ,a fur!r difficulty att5ds ! me?od1 f ! fact t x requires ! hi/ory ( all t has happ5$ to e book 9 ! ,bible2 su* a hi/ory we are (t5 q unable to furni%4 7#abj7 ,( ! au?ors1 or 7if ! expression be pref]r$71 ! writ]s ( _m ( ! books1 we are ei!r 9 complete ignorance1 or at any rate 9 d\bt1 z ,i w po9t out at l5g?4 7#aba7 ,fur!r1 we d n "k ei!r ! occasions or ! epo*s :5 ^! books ( unkn[n au?or%ip 7 writt52 we _c say into :at h&s !y fell1 nor h[ ! num]\s v>y+ v]sions orig9at$2 nor1 la/ly1 :e!r !re 7 n o!r v]sions1 n[ lo/4 7#abb7 ,i h briefly %[n t su* k is necess>y1 b ,i pass$ ov] c]ta9 consid]ations :i* ,i w n[ draw att5tion to4 7#abc7 ,if we read a book :i* conta9s incr$ible or impossible n>ratives1 or is writt5 9 a v obscure /yle1 & if we "k no?+ ( its au?or1 nor ( ! "t or occasion ( its be+ writt51 we %all va9ly endeav\r to ga9 any c]ta9 k ( its true mean+4 7#abd7 ,= be+ 9 ignorance on ^! po9ts we _c possibly "k ! aim or int5d$ aim ( ! au?or2 if we are fully in=m$1 we s ord] our ?\ghts z n to be 9 any way prejudic$ ei!r 9 ascrib+ to ! au?or or him = :om ! au?or wrote ei!r m or less ?an 8 mean+1 & we only take into consid]ation :at ! au?or may h _h 9 8 m9d1 or :at ! "t & occasion dem&$4 7#abe7 ,i ?9k ?is mu/ be tol]ably evid5t to all4 7#abf7 ,x (t5 happ5s t 9 diff]5t books we read hi/ories 9 !mselves simil>1 b :i* we judge v diff]5tly1 accord+ to ! op9ions we h =m$ ( ! au?ors4 7#abg7 ,i rememb] once to h read 9 "s book t a man nam$ ,orl&o ,furioso us$ to drive a k9d ( w+$ mon/] ?r\gh ! air1 fly ov] any c\ntries he lik$1 kill unaid$ va/ numb]s ( m5 & giants1 & su* l fancies1 :i* f ! po9t ( view ( reason are obvi\sly absurd4 7#abh7 ,a v simil> /ory ,i read 9 ,ovid ( ,p]seus1 & also 9 ! books ( ,judges & ,k+s ( ,samson1 :o alone & un>m$ kill$ ?\s&s ( m51 & ( ,elijah1 :o flew ?r\gh ! air1 said at la/ w5t up to heav5 9 a *>iot ( fire1 ) horses ( fire4 7#abi7 ,all ^! /ories are obvi\sly alike1 b we judge !m v diff]5tly4 7#acj7 ,! fir/ only s\ght to amuse1 ! second _h a political object1 ! ?ird a religi\s object47#aca7 ,we ga!r ?is simply f ! op9ions we _h previ\sly =m$ ( ! au?ors4 7#acb7 ,?us x is evid5tly necess>y to "k some?+ ( ! au?ors ( writ+s :i* are obscure or un9telligible1 if we w\ld int]pret _! mean+2 & = ! same reason1 9 ord] to *oose ! prop] read+ f among a great v>iety1 we ought to h in=mation z to ! v]sions 9 :i* ! diff]5ces are f\nd1 & z to ! possibility ( o!r read+s hav+ be5 discov]$ by p]sons ( great] au?ority4 7#acc7 ,a fur!r difficulty att5ds ?is me?od 9 ! case ( "s ( ! books ( ,scripture1 namely1 t !y are no long] extant 9 _! orig9al language4 7#acc7 ,! ,gospel accord+ to ,mat!w1 & c]ta9ly ! ,epi/le to ! ,hebrews1 7 writt51 x is ?\ght1 9 ,hebrew1 ?\gh !y no long] exi/ 9 t =m4 7#acd7 ,ab5 ,ezra affirms 9 8 comm5t>ies t ! book ( ,job 0 translat$ into ,hebrew out ( ano!r language1 & t its obscurity arises f ?is fact4 7#ace7 ,i say no?+ ( ! apocryphal books1 = _! au?ority /&s on v inf]ior gr\nd4 7#acf7 ,! =ego+ difficulties 9 ?is me?od ( int]pret+ ,scripture f its own hi/ory1 ,i conceive to be s great t ,i d n hesitate to say t ! true mean+ ( ,scripture is 9 _m places inexplicable1 or at be/ m]e subject = guesswork2 b ,i mu/ aga9 po9t out1 on ! o!r h&1 t su* difficulties only arise :5 we endeav\r to foll[ ! mean+ ( a prophet 9 matt]s :i* _c be p]ceiv$1 b only imag9$1 n 9 ?+s1 :]e( ! und]/&+ c give a cle> idea1 & :i* are conceivable ?r\gh !mselves3 ,endnote #h matt]s :i* by _! nature are easily p]ceiv$ _c be express$ s obscurely z to be un9telligible2 z ! prov]b says1 a ^w is en\gh to ! wise4 7#acg7 ,euclid1 :o only wrote ( matt]s v simple & easily und]/ood1 c easily be compreh5d$ by anyone 9 any language2 we c foll[ 8 int5tion p]fectly1 & be c]ta9 ( 8 true mean+1 )\t hav+ a ?or\gh k ( ! language 9 :i* he wrote2 9 fact1 a q rudim5t>y acqua9tance is suffici5t4 7#ach7 ,we ne$ make no rese>*es conc]n+ ! life1 ! pursuits1 or ! habits ( ! au?or2 nor ne$ we inquire 9 :at language1 nor :5 he wrote1 nor ! vicissitudes ( 8 book1 nor its v>i\s read+s1 nor h[1 nor by ^: advice x has be5 receiv$4 7#aci7 ,:at we "h say ( ,euclid might equally be said ( any book :i* treats ( ?+s by _! nature p]ceptible3 ?us we conclude t we c easily foll[ ! int5tion ( ,scripture 9 moral que/ions1 f ! hi/ory we possess ( x1 & we c be sure ( its true mean+4 7#adj7 ,! precepts ( true piety are express$ 9 v ord9>y language1 & are equally simple & easily und]/ood4 7#ada7 ,fur!r1 z true salvation & bless$ness consi/ 9 a true ass5t ( ! s\l - & we truly ass5t only to :at we cle>ly und]/& - x is mo/ pla9 t we c foll[ ) c]ta9ty ! int5tion ( ,scripture 9 matt]s relat+ to salvation & necess>y to bless$ness2 !re=e1 we ne$ n be mu* tr\bl$ ab\t :at rema9s3 su* matt]s1 inasmu* z we g5]ally _c grasp !m ) our reason & und]/&+1 are m curi\s ?an pr(itable4 7#adb7 ,i ?9k ,i h n[ set =? ! true me?od ( ,scriptural int]pretation1 & h suffici5tly expla9$ my own op9ion !reon4 7#adc7 ,besides1 ,i d n d\bt t ev]yone w see t su* a me?od only requires ! aid ( natural reason4 7#add7 ,! nature & efficacy ( ! natural reason consi/s 9 d$uc+ & prov+ ! unkn[n f ! kn[n1 or 9 c>ry+ premises to _! legitimate conclusions2 & ^! are ! v processes :i* our me?od desid]ates4 7#ade7 ,?\gh we mu/ admit t x does n suffice to expla9 ev]y?+ 9 ! ,bible1 su* imp]fection does n spr+ f its own nature1 b f ! fact t ! pa? :i* x tea*es u1 z ! true "o1 has nev] be5 t5d$ or trodd5 by m51 & has ?us1 by ! lapse ( "t1 become v difficult1 & almo/ impassable1 z1 inde$1 ,i h %[n 9 ! difficulties ,i draw att5tion to4 7#adf7 ,!re only rema9s to exam9e ! op9ions ( ^? :o diff] f me4 7#adg7 ,! fir/ :i* comes "u our notice is1 t ! light ( nature has no p[] to int]pret ,scripture1 b t a sup]natural faculty is requir$ = ! task4 7#adh7 ,:at is meant by ?is sup]natural faculty ,i w leave to its prop\nd]s to expla94 7#adi7 ,p]sonally1 ,i c only suppose t !y h adopt$ a v obscure way ( /at+ _! complete unc]ta9ty ab\t ! true mean+ ( ,scripture4 7#aej7 ,if we look at _! int]pretations1 !y conta9 no?+ sup]natural1 at lea/ no?+ b ! m]e/ conjectures4 7#aea7 ,let !m be plac$ side by side ) ! int]pretations ( ^? :o frankly confess t !y h no faculty beyond _! natural ones2 we %all see t ! two are j alike - bo? human1 bo? long pond]$ ov]1 bo? labori\sly inv5t$4 7#aeb7 ,to say t ! natural reason is insuffici5t = su* results is pla9ly untrue1 fir/ly1 = ! reasons above /at$1 namely1 t ! difficulty ( int]pret+ ,scripture arises f no defect 9 human reason1 b simply f ! c>elessness 7n to say malice7 ( m5 :o neglect$ ! hi/ory ( ! ,bible :ile !re 7 /ill mat]ials = inquiry2 secondly1 f ! fact 7admitt$1 ,i ?9k1 by all7 t ! sup]natural faculty is a ,div9e gift grant$ only to ! fai?ful4 7#aec7 ,b ! prophets & apo/les did n prea* to ! fai?ful only1 b *iefly to ! unfai?ful & wick$4 7#aed7 ,su* p]sons1 !re=e1 7 able to und]/& ! int5tion ( ! prophets & apo/les1 o!rwise ! prophets & apo/les w\ld h seem$ to be prea*+ to little boys & infants1 n to m5 end[$ ) reason4 7#aee7 ,moses1 too1 w\ld h giv5 8 laws 9 va91 if !y c\ld only be compreh5d$ by ! fai?ful1 :o ne$ no law4 7#aef7 ,inde$1 ^? :o dem& sup]natural faculties = compreh5d+ ! mean+ ( ! prophets & apo/les seem truly lack+ 9 natural faculties1 s t we %\ld h>dly suppose su* p]sons ! possessors ( a ,div9e sup]natural gift4 7#aeg7 ,! op9ion ( ,maimonides 0 widely diff]5t4 7#aeh7 ,he ass]t$ t ea* passage 9 ,scripture admits ( v>i\s1 nay1 contr>y1 mean+s2 b t we c\ld nev] be c]ta9 ( any p>ticul> "o till we knew t ! passage1 z we int]pret$ x1 conta9$ no?+ contr>y or repugnant to reason4 7#aei7 ,if ! lit]al mean+ cla%es ) reason1 ?\gh ! passage seems 9 itself p]fectly cle>1 x mu/ be int]pret$ 9 "s metaphorical s5se4 7#afj7 ,?is doctr9e he lays d[n v pla9ly 9 *ap4 xxv4 "p ii4 ( 8 book1 ,m ,nebu*im1 = he says3 ,"k t we %r9k n f affirm+ t ! _w ha? exi/$ f et]nity1 because ( :at ,scripture sai? conc]n+ ! _w's creation4 7#afa7 ,= ! texts :i* tea* t ! _w 0 creat$ are n m 9 numb] ?an ^? :i* tea* t ,god ha? a body2 nei!r are ! approa*es 9 ?is matt] ( ! _w's creation clos$1 or ev5 made h>d to u3 s t we %\ld n be able to expla9 :at is writt51 z we did :5 we %[$ t ,god ha? no body1 nay1 p]adv5ture1 we c\ld expla9 & make fa/ ! doctr9e ( ! _w's et]nity m easily ?an we did away ) ! doctr9es t ,god ha? a beatifi$ body4 7#afb7 ,yet two ?+s h9d] me f do+ z ,i h said1 & believ+ t ! _w is et]nal4 7#afc7 ,z x ha? be5 cle>ly %[n t ,god ha? n a body1 we mu/ p]=ce expla9 all ^? passages :]e( ! lit]al s5se agree? n ) ! demon/ration1 = sure x is t !y c be s expla9$4 7#afd7 ,b ! et]nity ( ! _w ha? n be5 s demon/rat$1 !re=e x is n necess>y to d viol5ce to ,scripture 9 support ( "s common op9ion1 :]e( we might1 at ! bidd+ ( reason1 embrace ! contr>y4 7#afe7 ,su* are ! words ( ,maimonides1 & !y are evid5tly suffici5t to e/abli% our po9t3 = if he _h be5 conv9c$ by reason t ! _w is et]nal1 he w\ld n h hesitat$ to twi/ & expla9 away ! words ( ,scripture till he made !m appe> to tea* ?is doctr9e4 7#aff7 ,he w\ld h felt q sure t ,scripture1 ?\gh ev]y:]e pla9ly d5y+ ! et]nity ( ! _w1 really int5ds to tea* x4 7#afg7 ,s t1 h[ev] cle> ! mean+ ( ,scripture may be1 he w\ld n feel c]ta9 ( hav+ grasp$ x1 s long z he rema9$ d\btful ( ! tru? ( :at1 0 writt54 7#afh7 ,= we are 9 d\bt :e!r a ?+ is 9 con=mity ) reason1 or contr>y !reto1 s long z we are unc]ta9 ( its tru?1 &1 consequ5tly1 we _c be sure :e!r ! lit]al mean+ ( a passage be true or false4 7#afi7 ,if su* a !ory z ?is 7 s\nd1 ,i w\ld c]ta9ly grant t "s faculty beyond ! natural reason is requir$ = int]pret+ ,scripture4 7#agj7 ,= ne>ly all ?+s t we f9d 9 ,scripture _c be inf]r$ f kn[n pr9ciples ( ! natural reason1 &1 !re=e1 we %\ld be unable to come to any conclusion ab\t _! tru?1 or ab\t ! real mean+ & int5tion ( ,scripture1 b %\ld /& 9 ne$ ( "s fur!r assi/ance4 7#aga7 ,fur!r1 ! tru? ( ?is !ory w\ld involve t ! masses1 hav+ g5]ally no compreh5sion (1 nor leisure =1 detail$ pro(s1 w\ld be r$uc$ to receiv+ all _! k ( ,scripture on ! au?ority & te/imony ( philosoph]s1 &1 consequ5tly1 w\ld be compell$ to suppose t ! int]pretations giv5 by philosoph]s 7 infallible4 7#agb7 ,truly ?is w\ld be a new =m ( ecclesia/ical au?ority1 & a new sort ( prie/s or pontiffs1 m likely to excite m5's ridicule ?an _! v5]ation4 7#agc7 ,c]ta9ly our me?od dem&s a k ( ,hebrew = :i* ! masses h no leisure2 b no su* objection z ! =ego+ c be br\ght aga9/ u4 7#agd7 ,= ! ord9>y ,jews or ,g5tiles1 to :om ! prophets & apo/les prea*$ & wrote1 und]/ood ! language1 &1 consequ5tly1 ! int5tion ( ! prophet or apo/le address+ !m2 b !y did n grasp ! intr9sic reason ( :at 0 prea*$1 :i*1 accord+ to ,maimonides1 w\ld be necess>y = an und]/&+ ( x4 7#age7 ,!re is no?+1 !n1 9 our me?od :i* r5d]s x necess>y t ! masses %\ld foll[ ! te/imony ( comm5tators1 = ,i po9t to a set ( unle>n$ p :o und]/ood ! language ( ! prophets & apo/les2 :]eas ,maimonides c\ld n po9t to any su* :o c\ld arrive at ! prophetic or apo/olic mean+ ?r\gh _! k ( ! causes ( ?+s4 7#agf7 ,z to ! multitude ( our own "t1 we h %[n t :atsoev] is necess>y to salvation1 ?\gh its reasons may be unkn[n1 c easily be und]/ood 9 any language1 because x is ?or\ghly ord9>y & usual2 x is 9 su* und]/&+ z ?is t ! masses acquiesce1 n 9 ! te/imony ( comm5tators2 ) reg>d to o!r que/ions1 ! ignorant & ! le>n$ f>e alike4 7#agg7 ,b let u return to ! op9ion ( ,maimonides1 & exam9e x m closely4 ,9 ! fir/ place1 he supposes t ! prophets 7 9 entire agreem5t "o ) ano!r1 & t !y 7 consummate philosoph]s & !ologians2 = he w\ld h !m to h bas$ _! conclusions on ! absolute tru?4 7#agh7 ,fur!r1 he supposes t ! s5se ( ,scripture _c be made pla9 f ,scripture itself1 = ! tru? ( ?+s is n made pla9 !re9 79 t x does n prove any ?+1 nor tea* ! matt]s ( :i* x speaks ?r\gh _! def9itions & fir/ causes71 !re=e1 accord+ to ,maimonides1 ! true s5se ( ,scripture _c be made pla9 f itself1 & mu/ n be !re s\ght4 7#agi7 ,! falsity ( su* a doctr9e is %[n 9 ?is v *apt]1 = we h %[n bo? by reason & examples t ! mean+ ( ,scripture is only made pla9 ?r\gh ,scripture itself1 & ev5 9 que/ions d$ucible f ord9>y k %\ld be look$ = f no o!r s\rce4 7#ahj7 ,la/ly1 su* a !ory supposes t we may expla9 ! words ( ,scripture accord+ to our preconceiv$ op9ions1 twi/+ !m ab\t1 & rev]s+ or completely *ang+ ! lit]al s5se1 h[ev] pla9 x may be4 7#aha7 ,su* lic5ce is utt]ly oppos$ to ! tea*+ ( ?is & ! prec$+ *apt]s1 &1 moreov]1 w be evid5t to ev]yone z ra% & excessive4 7#ahb7 ,b if we grant all ?is lic5ce1 :at c x effect aft] all8 ,absolutely no?+4 7#ahc7 ,^? ?+s :i* _c be demon/rat$1 & :i* make up ! great] "p ( ,scripture1 _c be exam9$ by reason1 & _c !re=e be expla9$ or int]pret$ by ?is rule2 :]eas1 on ! contr>y1 by foll[+ our own me?od1 we c expla9 _m que/ions ( ?is nature1 & discuss !m on a sure basis1 z we h already %[n1 by reason & example4 7#ahd7 ,^? matt]s :i* are by _! nature compreh5sible we c easily expla91 z has be5 po9t$ out1 simply by means ( ! context4 7#ahe7 ,!re=e1 ! me?od ( ,maimonides is cle>ly useless3 to :i* we may add1 t x does away ) all ! c]ta9ty :i* ! masses acquire by c&id read+1 or :i* is ga9$ by any o!r p]sons 9 any o!r way4 7#ahf7 ,9 conclusion1 !n1 we dismiss ,maimonides' !ory z h>mful1 useless1 & absurd4 7#ahg7 ,z to ! tradition ( ! ,ph>isees1 we h already %[n t x is n consi/5t1 :ile ! au?ority ( ! popes ( ,rome /&s 9 ne$ ( m cr$ible evid5ce2 ! latt]1 inde$1 ,i reject simply on ?is gr\nd1 = if ! popes c\ld po9t out to u ! mean+ ( ,scripture z surely z did ! high prie/s ( ! ,jews1 ,i %\ld n be det]r$ by ! fact t !re h be5 h]etic & impi\s ,roman pontiffs2 = among ! ,hebrew high-prie/s ( old !re 7 also h]etics & impi\s m5 :o ga9$ ! high- prie/hood by improp] means1 b :o1 nev]!less1 _h ,scriptural sanction = _! supreme p[] ( int]pret+ ! law4 7,see ,deut4 xvii3#aa1 #ab1 & xxxiii3#aj1 also ,mala*i ii3#h47 7#ahh7 ,h[ev]1 z ! popes c %[ no su* sanction1 _! au?ority rema9s op5 to v grave d\bt1 nor %\ld anyone be deceiv$ by ! example ( ! ,jewi% high-prie/s & ?9k t ! ,ca?olic religion also /&s 9 ne$ ( a pontiff2 he %\ld be> 9 m9d t ! laws ( ,moses be+ also ! ord9>y laws ( ! c\ntry1 necess>ily requir$ "s public au?ority to insure _! obs]vance2 =1 if ev]yone 7 free to int]pret ! laws ( 8 c\ntry z he pleas$1 no /ate c\ld /&1 b w\ld = t v reason be dissolv$ at once1 & public rights w\ld become private rights4 7#ahi7 ,) religion ! case is widely diff]5t4 ,inasmu* z x consi/s n s mu* 9 outw>d actions z 9 simplicity & tru? ( "*1 x /&s outside ! sph]e ( law & public au?ority4 7#aij7 ,simplicity & tru? ( "* are n produc$ by ! con/ra9t ( laws1 nor by ! au?ority ( ! /ate1 no "o ! :ole _w ov] c be =c$ or legislat$ into a /ate ( bless$ness2 ! means requir$ = su* a consummation are fai?ful & bro!rly admonition1 s\nd education1 &1 above all1 free use ( ! individual judgm5t4 7#aia7 ,!re=e1 z ! supreme "r ( free ?9k+1 ev5 on religion1 is 9 e man's p[]1 & z x is inconceivable t su* p[] c\ld be ali5at$1 x is also 9 e man's p[] to wield ! supreme "r & au?ority ( free judgm5t 9 ?is behalf1 & to expla9 & int]pret religion = himself4 7#aib7 ,! only reason = ve/+ ! supreme au?ority 9 ! int]pretation ( law1 & judgm5t on public affairs 9 ! h&s ( ! magi/rates1 is t x conc]ns que/ions ( public "r4 7#aic7 ,simil>ly ! supreme au?ority 9 expla9+ religion1 & 9 pass+ judgm5t !reon1 is lodg$ ) ! individual because x conc]ns que/ions ( individual "r4 7#aid7 ,s f>1 !n1 f ! au?ority ( ! ,hebrew high-prie/s tell+ 9 confirmation ( ! au?ority ( ! ,roman pontiffs to int]pret religion1 x w\ld r t5d to e/abli% individual fre$om ( judgm5t4 7#aie7 ,?us 9 ?is way also1 we h %[n t our me?od ( int]pret+ ,scripture is ! be/4 7#aif7 ,= z ! highe/ p[] ( ,scriptural int]pretation belongs to e man1 ! rule = su* int]pretation %\ld be no?+ b ! natural light ( reason :i* is common to all - n any sup]natural light nor any ext]nal au?ority2 moreov]1 su* a rule ought n to be s difficult t x c only be appli$ by v skilful philosoph]s1 b %\ld be adapt$ to ! natural & ord9>y faculties & capacity ( mank9d4 7#aig7 ,& su* ,i h %[n our me?od to be1 = su* difficulties z x has arise f m5's c>elessness1 & are no "p ( its nature4 ,,*apt] ,,viii4 - ,,( ,,! ,,au?or%ip ,,( ,,! ,,p5tateu* ,,& ,,! ,,o!r ,,hi/orical ,,books ,,( ,,! ,,old ,,te/am5t 7#a7 ,9 ! =m] *apt] we treat$ ( ! f\ndations & pr9ciples ( ,scriptural k1 & %[$ t x consi/s solely 9 a tru/wor?y hi/ory ( ! sacr$ writ+s2 su* a hi/ory1 9 spite ( its indisp5sability1 ! anci5ts neglect$1 or at any rate1 :atev] !y may h writt5 or h&$ d[n has p]i%$ 9 ! lapse ( "t1 consequ5tly ! gr\ndwork = su* an inve/igation is to a great ext5t1 cut f "u u4 7#b7 ,?is might be put up ) if succe$+ g5]ations _h conf9$ !mselves )9 ! limits ( tru?1 & _h h&$ d[n consci5ti\sly :at few p>ticul>s !y _h receiv$ or discov]$ )\t any additions f _! own bra9s3 z x is1 ! hi/ory ( ! ,bible is n s mu* imp]fect z untru/wor?y3 ! f\ndations are n only too scanty = build+ ^u1 b are also uns\nd4 7#c7 ,x is "p ( my purpose to rem$y ^! defects1 & to remove common !ological prejudices4 7#d7 ,b ,i fe> t ,i am attempt+ my task too late1 = m5 h arriv$ at ! pit* ( n suff]+ contradiction1 b def5d+ ob/9ately :atev] !y h adopt$ "u ! "n ( religion4 7#e7 ,s widely h ^! prejudices tak5 possession ( m5's m9ds1 t v few1 comp>atively speak+1 w li/5 to reason4 7#f7 ,h[ev]1 ,i w make ! attempt1 & sp>e no ef=ts1 = !re is no positive reason = despair+ ( success4 7#g7 ,9 ord] to treat ! subject me?odically1 ,i w beg9 ) ! receiv$ op9ions conc]n+ ! true au?ors ( ! sacr$ books1 & 9 ! fir/ place1 speak ( ! au?or ( ! ,p5tateu*1 :o is almo/ univ]sally suppos$ to h be5 ,moses4 7#h7 ,! ,ph>isees are s firmly conv9c$ ( 8 id5tity1 t !y acc\nt z a h]etic anyone :o diff]s f !m on ! subject4 7#i7 ,:]e=e1 ,ab5 ,ezra1 a man ( enlight5$ intellig5ce1 & no small le>n+1 :o 0 ! fir/1 s f> z ,i "k1 to treat ( ?is op9ion1 d>$ n express 8 mean+ op5ly1 b conf9$ himself to d>k h9ts :i* ,i %all n scruple to elucidate1 ?us ?r[+ full light on ! subject4 7#aj7 ,! words ( ,ab5 ,ezra :i* occur 9 8 comm5t>y on ,deut]onomy are z foll[s3 ,beyond ,jordan1 c 4 4 4 ,if s be t ?\ und]/&e/ ! my/]y ( ! twelve 4 4 4 moreov] ,moses wrote ! law 4 4 4 ,! ,canaanite 0 !n 9 ! l& 4 4 4 4 x %all be reveal$ on ! m\nt ( ,god 4 4 4 4 !n also behold 8 b$1 8 iron b$1 !n %alt ?\ "k ! tru?4 7#aa7 ,9 ^! few words he h9ts1 & also %[s t x 0 n ,moses :o wrote ! ,p5tateu*1 b someone :o liv$ long aft] him1 & fur!r1 t ! book :i* ,moses wrote 0 some?+ diff]5t f any n[ extant4 7#ab7 ,to prove ?is1 ,i say1 he draws att5tion to ! facts3 7#ac7 #a4 ,t ! preface to ,deut]onomy c\ld n h be5 writt5 by ,moses1 inasmu* z he ad nev] cross$ ! ,jordan4 7#ad7 ,,ii4 ,t ! :ole book ( ,moses 0 writt5 at full l5g? on ! circumf]5ce ( a s+le alt> 7,deut4 xxvii1 & ,jo%4 viii3#cg71 :i* alt>1 accord+ to ! ,rabbis1 consi/$ ( only twelve /ones3 !re=e ! book ( ,moses mu/ h be5 ( f> less ext5t ?an ! ,p5tateu*4 7#ae7 ,?is is :at our au?or means1 ,i ?9k1 by ! my/]y ( ! twelve1 unless he is ref]r+ to ! twelve curses conta9$ 9 ! *apt] ( ,deut]onomy above cit$1 :i* he ?\ght c\ld n h be5 conta9$ 9 ! law1 because ,moses bade ! ,levites read !m aft] ! recital ( ! law1 & s b9d ! p to its obs]vance4 7#af7 ,or aga91 he may h _h 9 8 m9d ! la/ *apt] ( ,deut]onomy :i* treats ( ! dea? ( ,moses1 & :i* conta9s twelve v]ses4 7#ag7 ,b !re is no ne$ to dwell fur!r on ^! & simil> conjectures4 7#ah7 ,,iii4 ,t 9 ,deut4 xxxi3#i1 ! expression occurs1 & ,moses wrote ! law3 words t _c be ascrib$ to ,moses1 b mu/ be ^? ( "s o!r writ] n>rat+ ! de$s & writ+s ( ,moses4 7#ai7 ,,iv4 ,t 9 ,g5esis xii3#f1 ! hi/orian1 aft] n>rat+ t ,abraham j\rney$ ?r\gh ! & ( ,canaan1 adds1 & ! ,canaanite 0 !n 9 ! l&1 ?us cle>ly exclud+ ! "t at :i* he wrote4 7#bj7 ,s t ?is passage mu/ h be5 writt5 aft] ! dea? ( ,moses1 :5 ! ,canaanites _h be5 driv5 out1 & no long] possess$ ! l&4 7#ba7 ,ab5 ,ezra1 9 8 comm5t>y on ! passage1 alludes to ! difficulty z foll[s3- ,& ! ,canaanite 0 !n 9 ! l&3 x appe>s t ,canaan1 ! gr&son ( ,noah1 took f ano!r ! l& :i* be>s 8 "n2 if ?is be n ! true mean+1 !re lurks "s my/]y 9 ! passage1 & let him :o und]/&s x keep sil5ce4 7#bb7 ,t is1 if ,canaan invad$ ^? regions1 ! s5se w be1 ! ,canaanite 0 !n 9 ! l&1 9 contradi/9ction to ! "t :5 x _h be5 held by ano!r3 b if1 z foll[s f ,g54 *ap4 x4 ,canaan 0 ! fir/ to inhabit ! l&1 ! text mu/ mean to exclude ! "t pres5t1 t is ! "t at :i* x 0 writt52 !re=e x _c be ! "w ( ,moses1 9 ^: "t ! ,canaanites /ill possess$ ^? t]ritories3 ?is is ! my/]y conc]n+ :i* sil5ce is recomm5d$4 7#bc7 ,v4 ,t 9 ,g5esis xxii3#ad ,m\nt ,moriah is call$ ! m\nt ( ,god ,endnote #i a "n :i* x did n acquire till aft] ! build+ ( ! ,temple2 ! *oice ( ! m\nta9 0 n made 9 ! "t ( ,moses1 = ,moses does n po9t out any spot z *os5 by ,god2 on ! contr>y1 he =etells t ,god w at "s future "t *oose a spot to :i* ?is "n w be giv54 7#bd7 ,,vi4 ,la/ly1 t 9 ,deut4 *ap4 iii41 9 ! passage relat+ to ,og1 k+ ( ,ba%an1 ^! words are ins]t$3 ,= only ,og k+ ( ,ba%an rema9$ ( ! remnant ( giants3 behold1 8 b$/ead 0 a b$/ead ( iron3 is x n 9 ,rabba? ( ! *ildr5 ( ,ammon8 n9e cubits 0 ! l5g? !re(1 & f\r cubits ! bread? ( x1 aft] ! cubit ( a man4 7#be7 ,?is p>5!sis mo/ pla9ly %[s t its writ] liv$ long aft] ,moses2 = ?is mode ( speak+ is only employ$ by "o treat+ ( ?+s long pa/1 & po9t+ to relics = ! sake ( ga9+ cr$5ce3 moreov]1 ?is b$ 0 almo/ c]ta9ly fir/ discov]$ by ,david1 :o conqu]$ ! city ( ,rabba? 7#b ,sam4 xii3#cj47 7#bf7 ,aga91 ! hi/orian a little fur!r on ins]ts aft] ! words ( ,moses1 ,jair1 ! son ( ,manasseh1 took all ! c\ntry ( ,argob unto ! coa/s ( ,ge%uri & ,maa*a?i2 & call$ !m aft] 8 own "n1 ,ba%an-havo?-jair1 unto ?is day4 7#bg7 ,?is passage1 ,i say1 is ins]t$ to expla9 ! words ( ,moses :i* prec$e x4 7#bh7 ,& ! re/ ( ,gilead1 & all ,ba%an1 be+ ! k+dom ( ,og1 gave ,i unto ! half tribe ( ,manasseh2 all ! region ( ,argob1 ) all ,ba%an1 :i* is call$ ! l& ( ! giants4 7#bi7 ,! ,hebrews 9 ! "t ( ! writ] indisputably knew :at t]ritories belong$ to ! tribe ( ,judah1 b did n "k !m "u ! "n ( ! jurisdiction ( ,argob1 or ! l& ( ! giants4 7#cj7 ,!re=e ! writ] is compell$ to expla9 :at ^! places 7 :i* 7 anci5tly s /yl$1 & at ! same "t to po9t out :y !y 7 at ! "t ( 8 writ+ kn[n by ! "n ( ,jair1 :o 0 ( ! tribe ( ,manasseh1 n ( ,judah4 7#ca7 ,we h ?us made cle> ! mean+ ( ,ab5 ,ezra & also ! passages ( ! ,p5tateu* :i* he cites 9 pro( ( 8 cont5tion4 7#cb7 ,h[ev]1 ,ab5 ,ezra does n call att5tion to e in/ance1 or ev5 ! *ief ones2 !re rema9 _m ( great] importance1 :i* may be cit$4 7#cc7 ,namely 7,i471 t ! writ] ( ! books 9 "q n only speaks ( ,moses 9 ! ?ird p]son1 b also be>s witness to _m details conc]n+ him2 = in/ance1 ,moses talk$ ) ,god2 ,! ,"l spoke ) ,moses face to face2 ,moses 0 ! meeke/ ( m5 7,numb4 xii3#c72 ,moses 0 wra? ) ! capta9s ( ! ho/2 ,moses1 ! man ( ,god1 ,moses1 ! s]vant ( ! ,"l1 di$2 ,!re 0 nev] a prophet 9 ,israel l unto ,moses1 c4 7#cd7 ,on ! o!r h&1 9 ,deut]onomy1 :]e ! law :i* ,moses _h exp\nd$ to ! p & writt5 is set =?1 ,moses speaks & decl>es :at he has done 9 ! fir/ p]son3 ,god spake ) me 7,deut4 ii3#a1 #ag1 c471 ,i pray$ to ! ,"l1 c4 7#ce7 ,except at ! end ( ! book1 :5 ! hi/orian1 aft] relat+ ! words ( ,moses1 beg9s aga9 to speak 9 ! ?ird p]son1 & to tell h[ ,moses h&$ ov] ! law :i* he _h exp\nd$ to ! p 9 writ+1 aga9 admoni%+ !m1 & fur!r1 h[ ,moses end$ 8 life4 7#cf7 ,all ^! details1 ! mann] ( n>ration1 ! te/imony1 & ! context ( ! :ole /ory lead to ! pla9 conclusion t ^! books 7 writt5 by ano!r1 & n by ,moses 9 p]son4 7#cg7 ,,iii4 ,we mu/ also rem>k t ! hi/ory relates n only ! mann] ( ,moses' dea? & burial1 & ! ?irty days' m\rn+ ( ! ,hebrews1 b fur!r comp>es him ) all ! prophets :o came aft] him1 & /ates t he surpass$ !m all4 7#ch7 ,!re 0 nev] a prophet 9 ,israel l unto ,moses1 :om ! ,"l knew face to face4 7#ci7 ,su* te/imony _c h be5 giv5 ( ,moses by himself1 nor by any :o imm$iately succe$$ him1 b x mu/ come f someone :o liv$ c5turies aft]w>ds1 especially1 z ! hi/orian speaks ( pa/ times4 7#dj7 ,!re 0 nev] a prophet1 c4 7#da7 ,& ( ! place ( burial1 ,no "o kn[s x to ?is day4 7#db7 ,,iii4 ,we mu/ note t "s places are n /yl$ by ! names !y bore dur+ ,moses' lifetime1 b by o!rs :i* !y obta9$ subsequ5tly4 7#dc7 ,= in/ance1 ,abraham is said to h pursu$ 8 enemies ev5 unto ,dan1 a "n n be/[$ on ! city till long aft] ! dea? ( ,jo%ua 7,g54 xiv3#ad1 ,judges xviii3#bi74 7#dd7 ,,iv4 ,! n>rative is prolong$ aft] ! dea? ( ,moses1 = 9 ,exodus xvi3#cd we read t ! *ildr5 ( ,israel did eat manna =ty ye>s until !y came to a l& inhabit$1 until !y came unto ! bord]s ( ! l& ( ,canaan4 7#de7 ,9 o!r words1 until ! "t allud$ to 9 ,jo%ua vi3#ab4 7#df7 ,s1 too1 9 ,g5esis xxxvi3#ca x is /at$1 ,^! are ! k+s t reign$ 9 ,edom be=e !re reign$ any k+ ov] ! *ildr5 ( ,israel4 7#dg7 ,! hi/orian1 d\btless1 "h relates ! k+s ( ,idumaea be=e t t]ritory 0 conqu]$ by ,david ,endnote #aj & g>rison$1 z we read 9 #b ,sam4 viii3#ad4 7#dh7 ,f :at has be5 said1 x is ?us cle>] ?an ! sun at noonday t ! ,p5tateu* 0 n writt5 by ,moses1 b by someone :o liv$ long aft] ,moses4 7#di7 ,let u n[ turn our att5tion to ! books :i* ,moses actually did write1 & :i* are cit$ 9 ! ,p5tateu*2 ?us1 also1 %all we see t !y 7 diff]5t f ! ,p5tateu*4 7#ej7 ,fir/ly1 x appe>s f ,exodus xvii3#ad t ,moses1 by ! comm& ( ,god1 wrote an acc\nt ( ! w> aga9/ ,amalek4 7#ea7 ,! book 9 :i* he did s is n nam$ 9 ! *apt] j quot$1 b 9 ,numb4 xxi3#ab a book is ref]r$ to "u ! title ( ! w>s ( ,god1 & d\btless ?is w> aga9/ ,amalek & ! ca/rametations said 9 ,numb4 xxxiii3#b to h be5 writt5 by ,moses are !re9 describ$4 7#eb7 ,we he> also 9 ,exod4 xxiv3#d ( ano!r book call$ ! ,book ( ! ,cov5ant1 :i* ,moses read be=e ! ,israelites :5 !y fir/ made a cov5ant ) ,god4 7#ec7 ,b ?is book or ?is writ+ conta9$ v little1 namely1 ! laws or comm&m5ts ( ,god :i* we f9d 9 ,exodus xx3#bb to ! end ( *ap4 xxiv41 & ?is no "o w d5y :o reads ! a=esaid *apt] rationally & imp>tially4 7#ed7 ,x is !re /at$ t z soon z ,moses _h le>nt ! feel+ ( ! p on ! subject ( mak+ a cov5ant ) ,god1 he imm$iately wrote d[n ,god's laws & utt]ances1 & 9 ! morn+1 aft] "s c]emonies _h be5 p]=m$1 read out ! conditions ( ! cov5ant to an assembly ( ! :ole p4 7#ee7 ,:5 ^! _h be5 gone ?r\gh1 & d\btless und]/ood by all1 ! :ole p gave _! ass5t4 7#ef7 ,n[ f ! %ortness ( ! "t tak5 9 its p]usal & also f its nature z a compact1 ?is docum5t evid5tly conta9$ no?+ m ?an t :i* we h j describ$4 7#eg7 ,fur!r1 x is cle> t ,moses expla9$ all ! laws :i* he _h receiv$ 9 ! =tie? ye> aft] ! exodus f ,egypt2 also t he b\nd ov] ! p a second "t to obs]ve !m1 & t f9ally he committ$ !m to writ+ 7,deut4 i3#e2 xxix3#ad2 xxxi3#i71 9 a book :i* conta9$ ^! laws expla9$1 & ! new cov5ant1 & ?is book 0 !re=e call$ ! book ( ! law ( ,god3 ! same :i* 0 aft]w>ds add$ to by ,jo%ua :5 he set =? ! fre% cov5ant ) :i* he b\nd ov] ! p & :i* he ent]$ into ) ,god 7,jo%4 xxiv3#be1 #bf74 7#eh7 ,n[1 z we h ext5t no book conta9+ ?is cov5ant ( ,moses & also ! cov5ant ( ,jo%ua1 we mu/ p]=ce conclude t x has p]i%$1 unless1 inde$1 we adopt ! wild conjecture ( ! ,*aldean p>aphra/ ,jona?an1 & twi/ ab\t ! words ( ,scripture to our he>t's cont5t4 7#ei7 ,?is comm5tator1 9 ! face ( our pres5t difficulty1 pref]r$ corrupt+ ! sacr$ text to confess+ 8 own ignorance4 7#fj7 ,! passage 9 ! book ( ,jo%ua :i* runs1 & ,jo%ua wrote ^! words 9 ! book ( ! law ( ,god1 he *anges into & ,jo%ua wrote ^! words & kept !m ) ! book ( ! law ( ,god4 7#fa7 ,:at is to be done ) p]sons :o w only see :at pleases !m8 7#fb7 ,:at is su* a proce$+ if x is n d5y+ ,scripture1 & inv5t+ ano!r ,bible out ( our own heads8 7#fc7 ,we may !re=e conclude t ! book ( ! law ( ,god :i* ,moses wrote 0 n ! ,p5tateu*1 b some?+ q diff]5t1 :i* ! au?or ( ! ,p5tateu* duly ins]t$ into 8 book4 7#fd7 ,s mu* is abundantly pla9 bo? f :at ,i h said & f :at ,i am ab\t to add4 7#fe7 ,= 9 ! passage ( ,deut]onomy above quot$1 :]e x is relat$ t ,moses wrote ! book ( ! law1 ! hi/orian adds t he h&$ x ov] to ! prie/s & bade !m read x out at a /at$ "t to ! :ole p4 7#ff7 ,?is %[s t ! "w 0 ( mu* less l5g? ?an ! ,p5tateu*1 inasmu* z x c\ld be read ?r\gh at "o sitt+ s z to be und]/ood by all2 fur!r1 we mu/ n omit to notice t out ( all ! books :i* ,moses wrote1 ?is "o book ( ! second cov5ant & ! song 7:i* latt] he wrote aft]w>ds s t all ! p might le>n x71 0 ! only "o :i* he caus$ to be religi\sly gu>d$ & pres]v$4 7#fg7 ,9 ! fir/ cov5ant he _h only b\nd ov] ^? :o 7 pres5t1 b 9 ! second cov5ant he b\nd ov] all _! desc5dants also 7,d5t4 xxix3#ad71 & !re=e ord]$ ?is cov5ant ) future ages to be religi\sly pres]v$1 toge!r ) ! ,song1 :i* 0 especially address$ to po/]ity3 z1 !n1 we h no pro( t ,moses wrote any book save ?is ( ! cov5ant1 & z he committ$ no o!r to ! c>e ( po/]ity2 &1 la/ly1 z !re are _m passages 9 ! ,p5tateu* :i* ,moses c\ld n h writt51 x foll[s t ! belief t ,moses 0 ! au?or ( ! ,p5tateu* is ungr\nd$ & ev5 irrational4 7#fh7 ,someone w p]haps ask :e!r ,moses did n also write d[n o!r laws :5 !y 7 fir/ reveal$ to him - 9 o!r words1 :e!r1 dur+ ! c\rse ( =ty ye>s1 he did n write d[n any ( ! laws :i* he promulgat$1 save only ^? few :i* ,i h /at$ to be conta9$ 9 ! book ( ! fir/ cov5ant4 7#fi7 ,to ?is ,i w\ld answ]1 t al?\gh x seems reasonable to suppose t ,moses wrote d[n ! laws at ! "t :5 he wi%$ to communicate !m to ! p1 yet we are n w>rant$ to take x z prov$1 = ,i h %[n above t we mu/ make no ass]tions 9 su* matt]s :i* we d n ga!r f ,scripture1 or :i* d n fl[ z legitimate consequ5ces f its fundam5tal pr9ciples4 7#gj7 ,we mu/ n accept :atev] is reasonably probable4 7#ga7 ,h[ev] ev5 reason 9 ?is case w\ld n =ce su* a conclusion ^u u3 = x may be t ! assembly ( eld]s wrote d[n ! decrees ( ,moses & communicat$ !m to ! p1 & ! hi/orian collect$ !m1 & duly set !m =? 9 8 n>rative ( ! life ( ,moses4 7#gb7 ,s mu* = ! five books ( ,moses3 x is n[ "t = u to turn to ! o!r sacr$ writ+s4 7#gc7 ,! book ( ,jo%ua may be prov$ n to be an autograph by reasons simil> to ^? we h j employ$3 = x mu/ be "s o!r ?an ,jo%ua :o te/ifies t ! fame ( ,jo%ua 0 spread ov] ! :ole _w2 t he omitt$ no?+ ( :at ,moses _h taught 7,jo%4 vi3#bg2 viii4 la/ v]se2 xi3#ae72 t he grew old & summon$ an assembly ( ! :ole p1 & f9ally t he dep>t$ ?is life4 7#gd7 ,fur!rmore1 ev5ts are relat$ :i* took place aft] ,jo%ua's dea?4 7#ge7 ,= in/ance1 t ! ,israelites wor%ipp$ ,god1 aft] 8 dea?1 s long z !re 7 any old m5 alive :o rememb]$ him2 & 9 *ap4 xvi3#aj1 we read t ,ephraim & ,manasseh did n drive out ! ,canaanites :i* dwelt 9 ,gez]1 b ! ,canaanite dwelt 9 ! l& ( ,ephraim unto ?is day1 & 0 tribut>y to him4 7#gf7 ,?is is ! same /atem5t z t 9 ,judges1 *ap4 i41 & ! phrase unto ?is day %[s t ! writ] 0 speak+ ( anci5t times4 7#gg7 ,) ^! texts we may comp>e ! la/ v]se ( *ap4 xv41 conc]n+ ! sons ( ,judah1 & also ! hi/ory ( ,caleb 9 ! same *ap4 v3#ad4 7#gh7 ,fur!r1 ! build+ ( an alt> beyond ,jordan by ! two tribes & a half1 *ap4 xxii3#aj1 sqq41 seems to h tak5 place aft] ! dea? ( ,jo%ua1 = 9 ! :ole n>rative 8 "n is nev] m5tion$1 b ! p alone held c\ncil z to wag+ w>1 s5t out legates1 wait$ = _! return1 & f9ally approv$ ( _! answ]4 7#gi7 ,la/ly1 f *ap4 x3#ad1 x is cle> t ! book 0 writt5 _m g5]ations aft] ! dea? ( ,jo%ua1 = x be>s witness1 !re 0 nev] any1 day l unto1 t day1 ei!r be=e or aft]1 t ! ,"l he>k5$ to ! voice ( a man1 c4 7#hj7 ,if1 !re=e1 ,jo%ua wrote any book at all1 x 0 t :i* is quot$ 9 ! "w n[ be=e u1 *ap4 x3#ac4 7#ha7 ,) reg>d to ! book ( ,judges1 ,i suppose no rational p]son p]suades himself t x 0 writt5 by ! actual ,judges4 7#hb7 ,= ! conclusion ( ! :ole hi/ory conta9$ 9 *ap4 ii4 cle>ly %[s t x is all ! "w - ( a s+le hi/orian4 7#hc7 ,fur!r1 inasmu* z ! writ] frequ5tly tells u t !re 0 !n no k+ 9 ,israel1 x is evid5t t ! book 0 writt5 aft] ! e/abli%m5t ( ! mon>*y4 7#hd7 ,! books ( ,samuel ne$ n deta9 u long1 inasmu* z ! n>rative 9 !m is cont9u$ long aft] ,samuel's dea?2 b ,i %\ld l to draw att5tion to ! fact t x 0 writt5 _m g5]ations aft] ,samuel's dea?4 7#he7 ,= 9 book i4 *ap4 ix3#i1 ! hi/orian rem>ks 9 a1 p>5!sis1 ,be=etime1 9 ,israel1 :5 a man w5t to inquire ( ,god1 ?us he spake3 ,come1 & let u g to ! se]2 = he t is n[ call$ a prophet 0 be=etime call$ a se]4 7#hf7 ,la/ly1 ! books ( ,k+s1 z we ga!r f int]nal evid5ce1 7 compil$ f ! books ( ,k+ ,solomon 7,i ,k+s xi3#da71 f ! *ronicles ( ! k+s ( ,judah 7#a ,k+s xiv3#ai1 #bi71 & ! *ronicles ( ! k+s ( ,israel4 7#hg7 ,we may1 !re=e1 conclude t all ! books we h consid]$ hi!rto are compilations1 & t ! ev5ts !re9 are record$ z hav+ happ5$ 9 old "t4 7#hh7 ,n[1 if we turn our att5tion to ! connection & argum5t ( all ^! books1 we %all easily see t !y 7 all writt5 by a s+le hi/orian1 :o wi%$ to relate ! antiquities ( ! ,jews f _! fir/ beg9n+ d[n to ! fir/ de/ruction ( ! city4 7#hi7 ,! way 9 :i* ! sev]al books are connect$ "o ) ! o!r is alone en\gh to %[ u t !y =m ! n>rative ( "o & ! same writ]4 7#ij7 ,= z soon z he has relat$ ! life ( ,moses1 ! hi/orian ?us passes on to ! /ory ( ,jo%ua3 ,& x came to pass aft] t ,moses ! s]vant ( ! ,"l 0 dead1 t ,god spake unto ,jo%ua1 c41 s 9 ! same way1 aft] ! dea? ( ,jo%ua 0 conclud$1 he passes ) id5tically ! same transition & connection to ! hi/ory ( ! ,judges3 ,& x came to pass aft] t ,jo%ua 0 dead1 t ! *ildr5 ( ,israel s\ght f ,god1 c4 7#ia7 ,to ! book ( ,judges he adds ! /ory ( ,ru?1 z a sort ( app5dix1 9 ^! words3 ,n[ x came to pass 9 ! days t ! judges rul$1 t !re 0 a fam9e 9 ! l&4 7#ib7 ,! fir/ book ( ,samuel is introduc$ ) a simil> phrase2 & s is ! second book ( ,samuel4 7#ic7 ,!n1 be=e ! hi/ory ( ,david is conclud$1 ! hi/orian passes 9 ! same way to ! fir/ book ( ,k+s1 &1 aft] ,david's dea?1 to ! ,second book ( ,k+s4 7#id7 ,! putt+ toge!r1 & ! ord] ( ! n>ratives1 %[ t !y are all ! "w ( "o man1 writ+ ) a create aim2 = ! hi/orian beg9s ) relat+ ! fir/ orig9 ( ! ,hebrew nation1 & !n sets =? 9 ord] ! times & ! occasions 9 :i* ,moses put =? 8 laws1 & made 8 pr$ictions4 7#ie7 ,he !n proce$s to relate h[ ! ,israelites invad$ ! promis$ l& 9 accordance ) ,moses' prophecy 7,deut4 vii472 & h[1 :5 ! l& 0 subdu$1 !y turn$ _! backs on _! laws1 & !reby incurr$ _m mis=tunes 7,deut4 xxxi3#af1 #ag74 7#if7 ,he tells h[ !y wi%$ to elect rul]s1 & h[1 accord+ z ^! rul]s obs]v$ ! law1 ! p fl\ri%$ or suff]$ 7,deut4 xxviii3#cf72 f9ally1 h[ de/ruction came ^u ! nation1 ev5 z ,moses _h =etold4 7#ig7 ,9 reg>d to o!r matt]s1 :i* d n s]ve to confirm ! law1 ! writ] ei!r passes ov] !m 9 sil5ce1 or ref]s ! read] to o!r books = in=mation4 7#ih7 ,all t is set d[n 9 ! books we h conduces to ! sole object ( sett+ =? ! words & laws ( ,moses1 & prov+ !m by subsequ5t ev5ts47#ii7 ,:5 we put toge!r ^! ?ree consid]ations1 namely1 ! unity ( ! subject ( all ! books1 ! connection betwe5 !m1 & ! fact t !y are compilations made _m g5]ations aft] ! ev5ts !y relate _h tak5 place1 we come to ! conclusion1 z ,i h j /at$1 t !y are all ! "w ( a s+le hi/orian4 7#ajj7 ,:o ?is hi/orian 01 x is n s easy to %[2 b ,i suspect t he 0 ,ezra1 & !re are sev]al /rong reasons = adopt+ ?is hypo!sis4 7#aja7 ,! hi/orian :om we already "k to be b "o individual br+s 8 hi/ory d[n to ! lib]ation ( ,jehoiakim1 & adds t he himself sat at ! k+'s table all 8 life - t is1 at ! table ei!r ( ,jehoiakim1 or ( ! son ( ,nebu*adnezz>1 = ! s5se ( ! passage is ambigu\s3 h5ce x foll[s t he did n live be=e ! "t ( ,ezra4 7#ajb7 ,b ,scripture does n te/ify ( any except ( ,ezra 7,ezra vii3#aj71 t he prep>$ 8 he>t to seek ! law ( ! ,"l1 & to set x =?1 & fur!r t he 0 a ready scribe 9 ! law ( ,moses4 7#ajc7 ,!re=e1 ,i c n f9d anyone1 save ,ezra1 to :om to attribute ! sacr$ books4 7#ajd7 ,fur!r1 f ?is te/imony conc]n+ ,ezra1 we see t he prep>$ 8 he>t1 n only to seek ! law ( ! ,"l1 b also to set x =?2 &1 9 ,nehemiah viii3#h1 we read t !y read 9 ! book ( ! law ( ,god di/9ctly1 & gave ! s5se1 & caus$ !m to und]/& ! read+4 7#aje7 ,z1 !n1 9 ,deut]onomy1 we f9d n only ! book ( ! law ( ,moses1 or ! great] "p ( x1 b also _m ?+s ins]t$ = its bett] explanation1 ,i conjecture t ?is ,deut]onomy is ! book ( ! law ( ,god1 writt51 set =?1 & expla9$ by ,ezra1 :i* is ref]r$ to 9 ! text above quot$4 7#ajf7 ,two examples ( ! way matt]s 7 ins]t$ p>5!tically 9 ! text ( ,deut]onomy1 ) a view to its full] explanation1 we h already giv51 9 speak+ ( ,ab5 ,ezra's op9ion4 7#ajg7 ,_m o!rs are f\nd 9 ! c\rse ( ! "w3 = in/ance1 9 *ap4 ii3#ab3 ,! ,horims dwelt also 9 ,seir be=etime2 b ! *ildr5 ( ,esau succe$$ !m1 :5 !y _h de/roy$ !m f be=e !m1 & dwelt 9 _! /ead2 z ,israel did unto ! l& ( 8 possession1 :i* ! ,"l gave unto !m4 7#ajh7 ,?is expla9s v]ses #c & #d ( ! same *apt]1 :]e x is /at$ t ,m\nt ,seir1 :i* _h come to ! *ildr5 ( ,esau = a possession1 did n fall into _! h&s un9habit$2 b t !y invad$ x1 & turn$ out & de/roy$ ! ,horims1 :o =m]ly dwelt !re91 ev5 z ! *ildr5 ( ,israel _h done unto ! ,canaanites aft] ! dea? ( ,moses4 7#aji7 ,s1 also1 v]ses #f1 #g1 #h1 #i1 ( ! t5? *apt] are ins]t$ p>5!tically among ! words ( ,moses4 ,ev]yone mu/ see t v]se #h1 :i* beg9s1 ,at t "t ! ,"l sep>at$ ! tribe ( ,levi1 necess>ily ref]s to v]se #e1 & n to ! dea? ( ,a>on1 :i* is only m5tion$ "h by ,ezra because ,moses1 9 tell+ ( ! gold5 calf wor%ipp$ by ! p1 /at$ t he _h pray$ = ,a>on4 7#aaj7 ,he !n expla9s t at ! "t at :i* ,moses spoke1 ,god _h *os5 = ,himself ! tribe ( ,levi 9 ord] t ,he may po9t out ! reason = _! election1 & = ! fact ( _! n %>+ 9 ! inh]itance2 aft] ?is digression1 he resumes ! ?read ( ,moses' spee*4 7#aaa7 ,to ^! p>5!ses we mu/ add ! preface to ! book1 & all ! passages 9 :i* ,moses is spok5 ( 9 ! ?ird p]son1 besides _m :i* we _c n[ di/+ui%1 ?\gh1 d\btless1 !y w\ld h be5 pla9ly recogniz$ by ! writ]'s contempor>ies4 7#aab7 ,if1 ,i say1 we 7 9 possession ( ! book ( ! law z ,moses wrote x1 ,i d n d\bt t we %\ld f9d a great diff]5ce 9 ! words ( ! precepts1 ! ord] 9 :i* !y are giv51 & ! reasons by :i* !y are support$4 7#aac7 ,a comp>ison ( ! decalogue 9 ,deut]onomy ) ! decalogue 9 ,exodus1 :]e its hi/ory is explicitly set =?1 w be suffici5t to %[ u a wide discrepancy 9 all ^! ?ree p>ticul>s1 = ! f\r? comm&m5t is giv5 n only 9 a diff]5t =m1 b at mu* great] l5g?1 :ile ! reason = its obs]vance diff]s :olly f t /at$ 9 ,exodus4 7#aad7 ,aga91 ! ord] 9 :i* ! t5? comm&m5t is expla9$ diff]s 9 ! two v]sions4 7#aae7 ,i ?9k t ! diff]5ces "h z else:]e are ! "w ( ,ezra1 :o expla9$ ! law ( ,god to 8 contempor>ies1 & :o wrote ?is book ( ! law ( ,god1 be=e any?+ else2 ?is ,i ga!r f ! fact t x conta9s ! laws ( ! c\ntry1 ( :i* ! p /ood 9 mo/ ne$1 & also because x is n jo9$ to ! book :i* prec$es x by any connect+ phrase1 b beg9s ) ! indep5d5t /atem5t1 ^! are ! words ( ,moses4 7#aaf7 ,aft] ?is task 0 complet$1 ,i ?9k ,ezra set himself to give a complete acc\nt ( ! hi/ory ( ! ,hebrew nation f ! creation ( ! _w to ! entire de/ruction ( ! city1 & 9 ?is acc\nt he ins]t$ ! book ( ,deut]onomy1 &1 possibly1 he call$ ! fir/ five books by ! "n ( ,moses1 because 8 life is *iefly conta9$ !re91 & =ms _! pr9cipal subject2 = ! same reason he call$ ! six? ,jo%ua1 ! sev5? ,judges1 ! eigh? ,ru?1 ! n9?1 & p]haps ! t5?1 ,samuel1 &1 la/ly1 ! elev5? & twelf? ,k+s4 7#aag7 ,:e!r ,ezra put ! f9i%+ t\*es to ?is "w & f9i%$ x z he int5d$1 we w discuss 9 ! next *apt]4 ,,*apt] ,,ix - ,,o!r ,,que/ions ,,conc]n+ ,,! ,,same ,,books3 ,,namely1 ,,:e!r ,,!y ,,7 ,,completely ,,f9i%$ ,,by ,,ezra1 ,,&1 ,,fur!r1 ,,:e!r ,,! ,,m>g9al ,,notes ,,:i* ,,are ,,f\nd ,,9 ,,! ,,hebrew ,,texts ,,7 ,,v>i\s ,,read+s4 7#a7 ,h[ greatly ! inquiry we h j made conc]n+ ! real writ] ( ! twelve books aids u 9 atta9+ a complete und]/&+ ( !m1 may be easily ga!r$ solely f ! passages :i* we h adduc$ 9 confirmation ( our op9ion1 & :i* w\ld be mo/ obscure )\t x4 7#b7 ,b besides ! "q ( ! writ]1 !re are o!r po9ts to notice :i* common sup]/ition =bids ! multitude to appreh5d4 7#c7 ,( ^! ! *ief is1 t ,ezra 7:om ,i w take to be ! au?or ( ! a=esaid books until "s m likely p]son be sugge/$7 did n put ! f9i%+ t\*es to ! n>rative conta9$ !re91 b m]ely collect$ ! hi/ories f v>i\s writ]s1 & sometimes simply set !m d[n1 leav+ _! exam9ation & arrangem5t to po/]ity4 7#d7 ,! cause 7if x 7 n untimely dea?7 :i* prev5t$ him f complet+ 8 "w 9 all its portions1 ,i _c conjecture1 b ! fact rema9s mo/ cle>1 al?\gh we h lo/ ! writ+s ( ! anci5t ,hebrew hi/orians1 & c only judge f ! few fragm5ts :i* are /ill extant4 7#e7 ,= ! hi/ory ( ,hezekiah 7#b ,k+s xviii3#ag71 z writt5 9 ! vision ( ,isaiah1 is relat$ z x is f\nd 9 ! *ronicles ( ! k+s ( ,judah4 7#f7 ,we read ! same /ory1 told ) few exceptions1 ,endnote #aa1 9 ! same words1 9 ! book ( ,isaiah :i* 0 conta9$ 9 ! *ronicles ( ! k+s ( ,judah 7#b ,*ron4 xxxii3#cb74 7#g7 ,f ?is we mu/ conclude t !re 7 v>i\s v]sions ( ?is n>rative ( ,isaiah's1 unless1 inde$1 anyone w\ld dream t 9 ?is1 too1 !re lurks a my/]y4 7#h7 ,fur!r1 ! la/ *apt] ( #b ,k+s #bg-cj is repeat$ 9 ! la/ *apt] ( ,j]emiah1 v4#ca-cd4 7#i7 ,aga91 we f9d #b ,sam4 vii4 repeat$ 9 ,i ,*ron4 xvii41 b ! expressions 9 ! two passages are s curi\sly v>i$ ,endnote #ab1 t we c v easily see t ^! two *apt]s 7 tak5 f two diff]5t v]sions ( ! hi/ory ( ,na?an4 7#aj7 ,la/ly1 ! g5ealogy ( ! k+s ( ,idumaea conta9$ 9 ,g5esis xxxvi3#ca1 is repeat$ 9 ! same words 9 #a ,*ron4 i41 ?\gh we "k t ! au?or ( ! latt] "w took 8 mat]ials f o!r hi/orians1 n f ! twelve books we h ascrib$ to ,ezra4 7#aj7 ,we may !re=e be sure t if we /ill possess$ ! writ+s ( ! hi/orians1 ! matt] w\ld be made cle>2 h[ev]1 z we h lo/ !m1 we c only exam9e ! writ+s /ill extant1 & f _! ord] & connection1 _! v>i\s repetitions1 &1 la/ly1 ! contradictions 9 dates :i* !y conta91 judge ( ! re/4 7#aa7 ,^!1 !n1 or ! *ief ( !m1 we w n[ g ?r\gh4 7#ab7 ,fir/1 9 ! /ory ( ,judah & ,tam> 7,g54 xxxviii47 ! hi/orian ?us beg9s3 ,& x came to pass at t "t t ,judah w5t d[n f 8 bre?r54 7#ac7 ,?is "t _c ref] to :at imm$iately prec$es ,endnote #ac1 b mu/ necess>ily ref] to some?+ else1 = f ! "t :5 ,joseph 0 sold into ,egypt to ! "t :5 ! patri>* ,jacob1 ) all 8 family1 set out ?i!r1 _c be reckon$ z m ?an tw5ty-two ye>s1 = ,joseph1 :5 he 0 sold by 8 bre?r51 0 sev5te5 ye>s old1 & :5 he 0 summon$ by ,ph>aoh f prison 0 ?irty2 if to ?is we add ! sev5 ye>s ( pl5ty & two ( fam9e1 ! total am\nts to tw5ty-two ye>s4 7#ad7 ,n[1 9 s %ort a p]iod1 no "o c suppose t s _m ?+s happ5$ z are describ$2 t ,judah _h ?ree *ildr51 "o aft] ! o!r1 f "o wife1 :om he m>ri$ at ! beg9n+ ( ! p]iod2 t ! elde/ ( ^!1 :5 he 0 old en\gh1 m>ri$ ,tam>1 & t aft] he di$ 8 next bro!r succe$$ to h]2 t1 aft] all ?is1 ,judah1 )\t kn[+ x1 _h int]c\rse ) 8 daught]-9-law1 & t %e bore him tw9s1 &1 f9ally1 t ! elde/ ( ^! tw9s became a fa!r )9 ! a=esaid p]iod4 7#ae7 ,z all ^! ev5ts _c h tak5 place )9 ! p]iod m5tion$ 9 ,g5esis1 ! ref]5ce mu/ necess>ily be to some?+ treat$ ( 9 ano!r book3 & ,ezra 9 ?is in/ance simply relat$ ! /ory1 & ins]t$ x )\t exam9ation among 8 o!r writ+s4 7#af7 ,h[ev]1 n only ?is *apt] b ! :ole n>rative ( ,joseph & ,jacob is collect$ & set =? f v>i\s hi/ories1 inasmu* z x is q inconsi/5t ) itself4 7#ag7 ,= 9 ,g54 xlvii4 we are told t ,jacob1 :5 he came at ,joseph's bidd+ to salute ,ph>aoh1 0 #acj ye>s old4 7#ah7 ,if f ?is we d$uct ! tw5ty-two ye>s :i* he pass$ sorr[+ = ! abs5ce ( ,joseph & ! sev5te5 ye>s =m+ ,joseph's age :5 he 0 sold1 &1 la/ly1 ! sev5 ye>s = :i* ,jacob s]v$ = ,ra*el1 we f9d t he 0 v advanc$ 9 life1 namely1 eighty f\r1 :5 he took ,leah to wife1 :]eas ,d9ah 0 sc>cely sev5 ye>s old :5 %e 0 violat$ by ,%e*em1 ,endnote #ad4 7#ai7 ,simeon & ,levi 7 ag$ respectively elev5 & twelve :5 !y spoil$ ! city & slew all ! males !re9 ) ! sword4 7#bj7 ,!re is no ne$ t ,i %\ld g ?r\gh ! :ole ,p5tateu*4 7#ba7 ,if anyone pays att5tion to ! way 9 :i* all ! hi/ories & precepts 9 ^! five books are set d[n promiscu\sly & )\t ord]1 ) no reg>d = dates2 & fur!r1 h[ ! same /ory is (t5 repeat$1 sometimes 9 a diff]5t v]sion1 he w easily1 ,i say1 disc]n t all ! mat]ials 7 promiscu\sly collect$ & heap$ toge!r1 9 ord] t !y might at "s subsequ5t "t be m readily exam9$ & r$uc$ to ord]4 7#bb7 ,n only ^! five books1 b also ! n>ratives conta9$ 9 ! rema9+ sev51 go+ d[n to ! de/ruction ( ! city1 are compil$ 9 ! same way4 7#bc7 ,= :o does n see t 9 ,judges ii3#f a new hi/orian is be+ quot$1 :o _h also writt5 ( ! de$s ( ,jo%ua1 & t 8 words are simply copi$8 7#bd7 ,= aft] our hi/orian has /at$ 9 ! la/ *apt] ( ! book ( ,jo%ua t ,jo%ua di$ & 0 buri$1 & has promis$1 9 ! fir/ *apt] ( ,judges1 to relate :at happ5$ aft] 8 dea?1 9 :at way1 if he wi%$ to cont9ue ! ?read ( 8 hi/ory1 c\ld he connect ! /atem5t "h made ab\t ,jo%ua ) :at _h gone be=e8 7#be7 ,s1 too1 #a ,sam4 #ag1 #ah1 are tak5 f ano!r hi/orian1 :o assigns a cause = ,david's fir/ frequ5t+ ,saul's c\rt v diff]5t f t giv5 9 *ap4 xvi4 ( ! same book4 7#bf7 ,= he did n ?9k t ,david came to ,saul 9 consequ5ce ( ! advice ( ,saul's s]vants1 z is n>rat$ 9 *ap4 xvi41 b t be+ s5t by *ance to ! camp by 8 fa!r on a message to 8 bro!rs1 he 0 = ! fir/ "t rem>k$ by ,saul on ! occasion ( 8 victory1 ov] ,golia? ! ,phili/9e1 & 0 reta9$ at 8 c\rt4 7#bg7 ,i suspect ! same ?+ has tak5 place 9 *ap4 xxvi4 ( ! same book1 = ! hi/orian !re seems to repeat ! n>rative giv5 9 *ap4 xxiv4 accord+ to ano!r man's v]sion4 7#bh7 ,b ,i pass ov] ?is1 & g on to ! computation ( dates4 7#bi7 ,9 ,i ,k+s1 *ap4 vi41 x is said t ,solomon built ! ,temple 9 ! f\r hundr$ & eightie? ye> aft] ! exodus f ,egypt2 b f ! hi/orians !mselves we get a mu* long] p]iod1 =3 ,ye>s4 ,moses gov]n$ ! p 9 ! des]t 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dj ,jo%ua1 :o liv$ #aaj ye>s1 did n1 accord+ to ,josephus & o!rs' op9ion rule m ?an 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bf ,cusban ,ri%a?aim held ! p 9 subjection 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #h ,o?niel1 son ( ,k5ag1 0 judge = 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,endnote #ae #dj ,eglon1 ,k+ ( ,moab1 gov]n$ ! p 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #ah ,ehud & ,%amg> 7 judges 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #hj ,ja*91 ,k+ ( ,canaan1 held ! p 9 subjection 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bj ,! p 0 at peace subsequ5tly = 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dj ,x 0 "u subjection to ,m$ian 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #g ,x obta9$ fre$om "u ,gideon = 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dj ,x fell "u ! rule ( ,abimele* 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #c ,tola1 son ( ,puah1 0 judge 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bc ,jair 0 judge 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bb ,! p 0 9 subjection to ! ,phili/9es & ,ammonites 4 4 4 4 #ah ,jeph?ah 0 judge 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #f ,ibzan1 ! ,be?lehemite1 0 judge 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #g ,elon1 ! ,zabulonite 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #aj ,abclon1 ! ,pira?onite 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #h ,! p 0 aga9 subject to ! ,phili/9es 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dj ,samson 0 judge 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,endnote #af #bj ,eli 0 judge 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dj ,! p aga9 fell into subjection to ! ,phili/9es1 till !y 7 deliv]$ by ,samuel 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #bj ,david reign$ 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #dj ,solomon reign$ be=e he built ! temple 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 #d 7#cj7 ,all ^! p]iods add$ toge!r make a total ( #ehj ye>s4 7#ca7 ,b to ^! mu/ be add$ ! ye>s dur+ :i* ! ,hebrew republic fl\ri%$ aft] ! dea? ( ,jo%ua1 until x 0 conqu]$ by ,cu%an ,ri%a?aim1 :i* ,i take to be v num]\s1 = ,i _c br+ myself to believe t imm$iately aft] ! dea? ( ,jo%ua all ^? :o _h witness$ 8 miracles di$ simultane\sly1 nor t _! successors at "o /roke bid f>ewell to _! laws1 & plung$ f ! highe/ virtue into ! dep? ( wick$ness & ob/9acy4 7#cb7 ,nor1 la/ly1 t ,cu%an ,ri%a?aim subdu$ !m on ! in/ant2 ea* "o ( ^! circum/ances requires almo/ a g5]ation1 & !re is no d\bt t ,judges ii3#g1 #i1 #aj1 compreh5ds a great _m ye>s :i* x passes ov] 9 sil5ce4 7#cc7 ,we mu/ also add ! ye>s dur+ :i* ,samuel 0 judge1 ! numb] ( :i* is n /at$ 9 ,scripture1 & also ! ye>s dur+ :i* ,saul reign$1 :i* are n cle>ly %[n f 8 hi/ory4 7#cd7 ,x is1 inde$1 /at$ 9 #a ,sam4 xiii3#a1 t he reign$ two ye>s1 b ! text 9 t passage is mutilat$1 & ! records ( 8 reign lead u to suppose a long] p]iod4 7#ce7 ,t ! text is mutilat$ ,i suppose no "o w d\bt :o has ev] advanc$ s f> z ! ?re%old ( ! ,hebrew language1 = x runs z foll[s3 ,saul 0 9 8 -- ye>1 :5 he began to reign1 & he reign$ two ye>s ov] ,israel4 7#cf7 ,:o1 ,i say1 does n see t ! numb] ( ! ye>s ( ,saul's age :5 he began to reign has be5 omitt$8 7#cg7 ,t ! record ( ! reign presupposes a great] numb] ( ye>s is equally beyond d\bt1 = 9 ! same book1 *ap4 xxvii3#g1 x is /at$ t ,david soj\rn$ among ! ,phili/9es1 to :om he _h fl$ on acc\nt ( ,saul1 a ye> & f\r mon?s2 ?us ! re/ ( ! reign mu/ h be5 compris$ 9 a space ( eight mon?s1 :i* ,i ?9k no "o w cr$it4 7#ch7 ,josephus1 at ! end ( ! six? book ( 8 antiquities1 ?us corrects ! text3 ,saul reign$ eighte5 ye>s :ile ,samuel 0 alive1 & two ye>s aft] 8 dea?4 7#ci7 ,h[ev]1 all ! n>rative 9 *ap4 xiii4 is 9 complete disagreem5t ) :at goes be=e4 7#dj7 ,at ! end ( *ap4 vii4 x is n>rat$ t ! ,phili/9es 7 s cru%$ by ! ,hebrews t !y did n v5ture1 dur+ ,samuel's life1 to invade ! bord]s ( ,israel2 b 9 *ap4 xiii4 we are told t ! ,hebrews 7 invad$ dur+ ! life ( ,samuel by ! ,phili/9es1 & r$uc$ by !m to su* a /ate ( wret*$ness & pov]ty t !y 7 depriv$ n only ( weapons ) :i* to def5d !mselves1 b also ( ! means ( mak+ m4 7#da7 ,i %\ld be at pa9s en\gh if ,i 7 to try & h>monize all ! n>ratives conta9$ 9 ?is fir/ book ( ,samuel s t !y %\ld seem to be all writt5 & arrang$ by a s+le hi/orian4 7#db7 ,b ,i return to my object4 7#dc7 ,! ye>s1 !n1 dur+ :i* ,saul reign$ mu/ be add$ to ! above computation2 &1 la/ly1 ,i h n c\nt$ ! ye>s ( ! ,hebrew an>*y1 = ,i _c f ,scripture ga!r _! numb]4 7#dd7 ,i _c1 ,i say1 be c]ta9 z to ! p]iod occupi$ by ! ev5ts relat$ 9 ,judges *ap4 xvii4 on till ! end ( ! book4 7#de7 ,x is ?us abundantly evid5t t we _c arrive at a true computation ( ye>s f ! hi/ories1 &1 fur!r1 t ! hi/ories are inconsi/5t !mselves on ! subject4 7#df7 ,we are compell$ to confess t ^! hi/ories 7 compil$ f v>i\s writ]s )\t previ\s arrangem5t & exam9ation4 7#dg7 ,n less discrepancy is f\nd betwe5 ! dates giv5 9 ! ,*ronicles ( ! ,k+s ( ,judah1 & ^? 9 ! ,*ronicles ( ! ,k+s ( ,israel2 9 ! latt]1 x is /at$ t ,jehoram1 ! son ( ,ahab1 began to reign 9 ! second ye> ( ! reign ( ,jehoram1 ! son ( ,jeho%aphat 7#b ,k+s i3#ag71 b 9 ! =m] we read t ,jehoram1 ! son ( ,jeho%aphat1 began to reign 9 ! fif? ye> ( ,jehoram1 ! son ( ,ahab 7#b ,k+s viii3#af74 7#dh7 ,anyone :o comp>es ! n>ratives 9 ,*ronicles ) ! n>ratives 9 ! books ( ,k+s1 w f9d _m simil> discrepancies4 7#di7 ,^! !re is no ne$ = me to exam9e "h1 & /ill less am ,i call$ ^u to treat ( ! comm5t>ies ( ^? :o endeav\r to h>monize !m4 7#ej7 ,! ,rabbis evid5tly let _! fancy run wild4 7#ea7 ,su* comm5tators z ,i h1 read1 dream1 inv5t1 & z a la/ resort1 play fa/ & loose ) ! language4 7#eb7 ,= in/ance1 :5 x is said 9 #b ,*ronicles1 t ,ahab 0 =ty-two ye>s old :5 he began to reign1 !y pret5d t ^! ye>s are comput$ f ! reign ( ,omri1 n f ! bir? ( ,ahab4 7#ec7 ,if ?is c be %[n to be ! real mean+ ( ! writ] ( ! book ( ,*ronicles1 all ,i c say is1 t he did n "k h[ to /ate a fact4 7#ed7 ,! comm5tators make _m o!r ass]tions ( ?is k9d1 :i* if true1 w\ld prove t ! anci5t ,hebrews 7 ignorant bo? ( _! own language1 & ( ! way to relate a pla9 n>rative4 7#ee7 ,i %\ld 9 su* case recognize no rule or reason 9 int]pret+ ,scripture1 b x w\ld be p]missible to hypo!size to "o's he>t's cont5t4 7#ef7 ,if anyone ?9ks t ,i am speak+ too g5]ally1 & )\t suffici5t w>rant1 ,i w\ld ask him to set himself to %[+ u "s fix$ plan 9 ^! hi/ories :i* might be foll[$ )\t blame by o!r writ]s ( *ronicles1 & 9 8 ef=ts at h>moniz+ & int]pretation1 s /rictly to obs]ve & expla9 ! phrases & expressions1 ! ord] & ! connections1 t we may be able to imitate ^! also 9 our writ+s 7#ag74 7#eg7 ,if he succe$s1 ,i w at once give him my h&1 & he %all be to me z great ,apollo2 = ,i confess t aft] long endeav\rs ,i h be5 unable to discov] any?+ ( ! k9d4 7#eh7 ,i may add t ,i set d[n no?+ "h :i* ,i h n long reflect$ ^u1 & t1 ?\gh ,i 0 imbu$ f my boyhood up ) ! ord9>y op9ions ab\t ! ,scriptures1 ,i h be5 unable to )/& ! =ce ( :at ,i h urg$4 7#ei7 ,h[ev]1 !re is no ne$ to deta9 ! read] ) ?is "q1 & drive him to attempt an impossible task2 ,i m]ely m5tion$ ! fact 9 ord] to ?r[ light on my int5tion4 7#fj7 ,i n[ pass on to o!r po9ts conc]n+ ! treatm5t ( ^! books4 7#fa7 ,= we mu/ rem>k1 9 addition to :at has be5 %[n1 t ^! books 7 n gu>d$ by po/]ity ) su* c>e t no faults crept 94 7#fb7 ,! anci5t scribes draw att5tion to _m d\btful read+s1 & "s mutilat$ passages1 b n to all t exi/3 :e!r ! faults are ( suffici5t importance to greatly emb>rass ! read] ,i w n n[ discuss4 7#fc7 ,i am incl9$ to ?9k t !y are ( m9or mom5t to ^?1 at any rate1 :o read ! ,scriptures ) enlight5m5t3 & ,i c positively1 affirm t ,i h n notic$ any fault or v>i\s read+ 9 doctr9al passages suffici5t to r5d] !m obscure or d\btful4 7#fd7 ,!re are "s p1 h[ev]1 :o w n admit t !re is any corruption1 ev5 9 o!r passages1 b ma9ta9 t by "s unique ex]cise ( provid5ce ,god has pres]v$ f corruption e ^w 9 ! ,bible3 !y say t ! v>i\s read+s are ! symbols ( pr(\nde/ my/]ies1 & t mighty secrets lie hid 9 ! tw5ty-eight hiatus :i* occur1 nay1 ev5 9 ! v =m ( ! lett]s4 7#fe7 ,:e!r !y are actuat$ by folly & anile devotion1 or :e!r by arrogance & malice s t !y alone may be held to possess ! secrets ( ,god1 ,i "k n3 ?is mu* ,i d "k1 t ,i f9d 9 _! writ+s no?+ :i* has ! air ( a ,div9e secret1 b only *ildi% lucubrations4 7#ff7 ,i h read & kn[n c]ta9 ,kabbali/ic trifl]s1 ^: insanity provokes my unceas+ a/oni%m5t4 7#fg7 ,t faults h crept 9 w1 ,i ?9k1 be d5i$ by no s5sible p]son :o reads ! passage ab\t ,saul1 above quot$ 7#a ,sam4 xiii3#a7 & also #b ,sam4 vi3#b3 ,& ,david arose & w5t ) all ! p t 7 ) him f ,judah1 to br+ up f !nce ! ark ( ,god4 7#fh7 ,no "o c fail to rem>k t ! "n ( _! de/9ation1 viz41 ,kirja?-je>im ,endnote #ah1 has be5 omitt$3 nor c we d5y t #b ,sam4 xiii3#cg1 has be5 tamp]$ ) & mutilat$4 ,& ,absalom fl$1 & w5t to ,talmai1 ! son ( ,ammihud1 k+ ( ,ge%ur4 7#fi7 ,& he m\rn$ = 8 son e day4 ,s ,absalom fl$1 & w5t to ,ge%ur1 & 0 !re ?ree ye>s4 7#gj7 ,i "k t ,i h rem>k$ o!r passages ( ! same k9d1 b ,i _c recall !m at ! mom5t4 7#ga7 ,t ! m>g9al notes :i* are f\nd cont9ually 9 ! ,hebrew ,codices are d\btful read+s w1 ,i ?9k1 be evid5t to ev]yone :o has notic$ t !y (t5 arise f ! great simil>ity1 ( "s ( ! ,hebrew lett]s1 su* = in/ance1 z ! simil>ity betwe5 ,kaph & ,be?1 ,jod & ,vau1 ,dale? & ,re?1 c4 7#gb7 ,= example1 ! text 9 #b ,sam4 v3#bd1 runs 9 ! "t :5 ?\ he>e/1 & simil>ly 9 ,judges xxi3#bb1 ,& x %all be :5 _! fa!rs or _! bro!rs come unto u (t51 ! m>g9al v]sion is come unto u to compla94 7#gc7 ,s also _m v>i\s read+s h aris5 f ! use ( ! lett]s nam$ mutes1 :i* are g5]ally n s\nd$ 9 pronunciation1 & are tak5 promiscu\sly1 "o = ! o!r4 7#gd7 ,= example1 9 ,levit4 xxv3#bi1 x is writt51 ,! h\se %all be e/abli%$ :i* is n 9 ! wall$ city1 b ! m>g9 has x1 :i* is 9 a wall$ city4 7#ge7 ,?\gh ^! matt]s are self-evid5t1 ,endnore #f1 x is necess>y1 to answ] ! reason+s ( c]ta9 ,ph>isees1 by :i* !y endeav\r to conv9ce u t ! m>g9al notes s]ve to indicate "s my/]y1 & 7 add$ or po9t$ out by ! writ]s ( ! sacr$ books4 7#gf7 ,! fir/ ( ^! reasons1 :i*1 9 my op9ion1 c>ries little weight1 is tak5 f ! practice ( read+ ! ,scriptures al\d4 7#gg7 ,if1 x is urg$1 ^! notes 7 add$ to %[ v>i\s read+s :i* c\ld n be decid$ ^u by po/]ity1 :y has cu/om prevail$ t ! m>g9al read+s %\ld always be reta9$8 7#gh7 ,:y has ! mean+ :i* is pref]r$ be5 set d[n 9 ! m>g9 :5 x ought to h be5 incorporat$ 9 ! text1 & n relegat$ to a side note8 7#gi7 ,! second reason is m speci\s1 & is tak5 f ! nature ( ! case4 7#hj7 ,x is admitt$ t faults h crept into ! sacr$ writ+s by *ance & n by design2 b !y say t 9 ! five books ! ^w = a girl is1 ) "o exception1 writt5 )\t ! lett] he1 contr>y to all grammatical rules1 :]eas 9 ! m>g9 x is writt5 correctly accord+ to ! univ]sal rule ( gramm>4 7#ha7 ,c ?is h happ5$ by mi/ake8 ,is x possible to imag9e a cl]ical error to h be5 committ$ e "t ! ^w occurs8 7#hb7 ,moreov]1 x w\ld h be5 easy to supply ! em5dation4 7#hc7 ,h5ce1 :5 ^! read+s are n accid5tal or corrections ( manife/ mi/akes1 x is suppos$ t !y mu/ h be5 set d[n on purpose by ! orig9al writ]s1 & h a mean+4 7#hd7 ,h[ev]1 x is easy to answ] su* argum5ts2 z to ! "q ( cu/om hav+ prevail$ 9 ! read+ ( ! m>g9al v]sions1 ,i w n sp>e mu* "t = its consid]ation3 ,i "k n ! prompt+s ( sup]/ition1 & p]haps ! practice may h aris5 f ! idea t bo? read+s 7 deem$ equally good or tol]able1 & !re=e1 le/ ei!r %\ld be neglect$1 "o 0 appo9t$ to be writt51 & ! o!r to be read4 7#he7 ,!y fe>$ to pron\nce judgm5t 9 s weighty a matt] le/ !y %\ld mi/ake ! false = ! true1 & !re=e !y w\ld give pref]5ce to nei!r1 z !y mu/ necess>ily h done if !y _h comm&$ "o only to be bo? read & writt54 7#hf7 ,?is w\ld be especially ! case :]e ! m>g9al read+s 7 n writt5 d[n 9 ! sacr$ books3 or ! cu/om may h orig9at$ because "s ?+s ?\gh rightly writt5 d[n 7 desir$ to be read o!rwise accord+ to ! m>g9al v]sion1 & !re=e ! g5]al rule 0 made t ! m>g9al v]sion %\ld be foll[$ 9 read+ ! ,scriptures4 7#hg7 ,! cause :i* induc$ ! scribes to expressly prescribe c]ta9 passages to be read 9 ! m>g9al v]sion1 ,i w n[ t\* on1 = n all ! m>g9al notes are v>i\s read+s1 b "s m>k expressions :i* h pass$ out ( common use1 obsolete words & t]ms :i* curr5t dec5cy did n all[ to be read 9 a public assembly4 7#hh7 ,! anci5t writ]s1 )\t any evil int5tion1 employ$ no c\rtly p>aphrase1 b call$ ?+s by _! pla9 names4 7#hia7 ,aft]w>ds1 ?r\gh ! spread ( evil ?\ghts & luxury1 words :i* c\ld be us$ by ! anci5ts )\t (f5ce1 came to be consid]$ obsc5e4 7#ij7 ,!re 0 no ne$ = ?is cause to *ange ! text ( ,scripture4 7#ia7 ,/ill1 z a concession to ! popul> weakness1 x became ! cu/om to sub/itute m dec5t t]ms = words d5ot+ sexual int]c\rse1 excreta1 c41 & to read !m z !y 7 giv5 9 ! m>g94 7#ib7 ,at any rate1 :atev] may h be5 ! orig9 ( ! practice ( read+ ,scripture accord+ to ! m>g9al v]sion1 x 0 n t ! true int]pretation is conta9$ !re94 7#ic7 ,= besides t1 ! ,rabb9s 9 ! ,talmud (t5 diff] f ! ,massoretes1 & give o!r read+s :i* !y approve (1 z ,i w %ortly %[1 c]ta9 ?+s are f\nd 9 ! m>g9 :i* appe> less w>rant$ by ! uses ( ! ,hebrew language4 7#id7 ,= example1 9 #b ,samuel xiv3#bb1 we read1 ,9 t ! k+ ha? fulfill$ ! reque/ ( 8 s]vant1 a con/ruction pla9ly regul>1 & agree+ ) t 9 *ap4 xvi4 7#ie7 ,b ! m>g9 has x ( ?y s]vant1 :i* does n agree ) ! p]son ( ! v]b4 7#if7 ,s1 too1 *ap4 xvi3#be ( ! same book1 we f9d1 ,z if "o _h inquir$ at ! oracle ( ,god1 ! m>g9 add+ someone to /& z a nom9ative to ! v]b4 7#ig7 ,b ! correction is n app>5tly w>rant$1 = x is a common practice1 well kn[n to gramm>ians 9 ! ,hebrew language1 to use ! ?ird p]son s+ul> ( ! active v]b imp]sonally4 7#ih7 ,! second argum5t advanc$ by ! ,ph>isees is easily answ]$ f :at has j be5 said1 namely1 t ! scribes besides ! v>i\s read+s call$ att5tion to obsolete words4 7#ii7 ,= !re is no d\bt t 9 ,hebrew z 9 o!r languages1 *anges ( use made _m words obsolete & antiquat$1 & su* 7 f\nd by ! lat] scribes 9 ! sacr$ books & not$ by !m ) a view to ! books be+ publicly read accord+ to cu/om4 7#ajj7 ,= ?is reason ! ^w nahg> is always f\nd m>k$ because its g5d] 0 orig9ally common1 & x _h ! same mean+ z ! ,lat9 juv5is 7a "y p]son74 7#aja7 ,s also ! ,hebrew capital 0 anci5tly call$ ,j]usalem1 n ,j]usalaim4 7#ajb7 ,z to ! pron\ns himself & h]self1 ,i ?9k t ! lat] scribes *ang$ vau into jod 7a v frequ5t *ange 9 ,hebrew7 :5 !y wi%$ to express ! fem99e g5d]1 b t ! anci5ts only di/+ui%$ ! two g5d]s by a *ange ( v[els4 7#ajc7 ,i may also rem>k t ! irregul> t5ses ( c]ta9 v]bs diff] 9 ! anci5t & mod]n =ms1 x be+ =m]ly consid]$ a m>k ( elegance to employ c]ta9 lett]s agreeable to ! e>4 7#ajd7 ,9 a ^w1 ,i c\ld easily multiply pro(s ( ?is k9d if ,i 7 n afraid ( abus+ ! pati5ce ( ! read]4 7#aje7 ,p]haps ,i %all be ask$ h[ ,i became acqua9t$ ) ! fact t all ^! expressions are obsolete4 7#ajf7 ,i reply t ,i h f\nd !m 9 ! mo/ anci5t ,hebrew writ]s 9 ! ,bible itself1 & t !y h n be5 imitat$ by subsequ5t au?ors1 & ?us !y are recogniz$ z antiquat$1 ?\gh ! language 9 :i* !y occur is dead4 7#ajg7 ,b p]haps someone may press ! "q :y1 if x be true1 z ,i say1 t ! m>g9al notes ( ! ,bible g5]ally m>k v>i\s read+s1 !re are nev] m ?an two read+s ( a passage1 t 9 ! text & t 9 ! m>g91 in/ead ( ?ree or m2 & fur!r1 h[ ! scribes c h hesitat$ betwe5 two read+s1 "o ( :i* is evid5tly contr>y to gramm>1 & ! o!r a pla9 correction4 7#ajh7 ,! answ] to ^! que/ions also is easy3 ,i w premise t x is almo/ c]ta9 t !re once 7 m v>i\s read+s ?an ^? n[ record$4 7#aai7 ,= in/ance1 "o f9ds _m 9 ! ,talmud :i* ! ,massoretes h neglect$1 & are s diff]5t "o f ! o!r t ev5 ! sup]/iti\s editor ( ! ,bomb]g ,bible confesses t he _c h>monize !m4 7#aaj7 ,we _c say any?+1 he writes1 except :at we h said above1 namely1 t ! ,talmud is g5]ally 9 contradiction to ! ,massorete4 7#aaa7 ,s t we are nor b\nd to hold t !re nev] 7 m ?an two read+s ( any passage1 yet ,i am will+ to admit1 & inde$ ,i believe t m ?an two read+s are nev] f\nd3 & = ! foll[+ reasons3-7#aab7 7,i47 ,! cause ( ! diff]5ces ( read+ only admits ( two1 be+ g5]ally ! simil>ity ( c]ta9 lett]s1 s t ! "q resolv$ itself into :i* %\ld be writt5 ,be?1 or ,kaf1 ,jod or ,vau1 ,dale? or ,re?3 cases :i* are con/antly occurr+1 & frequ5tly yield+ a fairly good mean+ :i*ev] alt]native be adopt$4 7#aac7 ,sometimes1 too1 x is a "q :e!r a syllable be long or %ort1 quantity be+ det]m9$ by ! lett]s call$ mutes4 7#aad7 ,moreov]1 we nev] ass]t$ t all ! m>g9al v]sions1 )\t exception1 m>k$ v>i\s read+s2 on ! contr>y1 we h /at$ t _m 7 due to motives ( dec5cy or a desire to expla9 obsolete words4 7#aae7 7,,ii47 ,i am incl9$ to attribute ! fact t m ?an two read+s are nev] f\nd to ! paucity ( exempl>s1 p]haps n m ?an two or ?ree1 f\nd by ! scribes4 7#aaf7 ,9 ! treatise ( ! scribes1 *ap4 vi41 m5tion is made ( ?ree only1 pret5d$ to h be5 f\nd 9 ! "t ( ,ezra1 9 ord] t ! m>g9al v]sions might be attribut$ to him4 7#aag7 ,h[ev] t may be1 if ! scribes only _h ?ree codices we may easily imag9e t 9 a giv5 passage two ( !m w\ld be 9 accord1 = x w\ld be extraord9>y if ea* "o ( ! ?ree gave a diff]5t read+ ( ! same text4 7#aah7 ,! de>? ( copies aft] ! "t ( ,ezra w surprise no "o :o has read ! #a/ *apt] ( ,maccabees1 or ,josephus's ,antiquities1 ,bk4 #ab1 *ap4 #e4 7#aai7 ,nay1 x appe>s wond]ful consid]+ ! fi]ce & daily p]secution1 t ev5 ^! few %\ld h be5 pres]v$4 7#abj7 ,?is w1 ,i ?9k1 be pla9 to ev5 a cursory read] ( ! hi/ory ( ^? times4 7#aba7 ,we h ?us discov]$ ! reasons :y !re are nev] m ?an two read+s ( a passage 9 ! ,bible1 b ?is is a long way f suppos+ t we may !re=e conclude t ! ,bible 0 purposely writt5 incorrectly 9 su* passages 9 ord] to signify "s my/]y4 7#abb7 ,z to ! second argum5t1 t "s passages are s faultily writt5 t !y are at pla9 v>iance ) all gramm>1 & %\ld h be5 correct$ 9 ! text & n 9 ! m>g91 ,i atta* little weight to x1 = ,i am n conc]n$ to say :at religi\s motive ! scribes may h _h = act+ z !y did3 possibly !y did s f c&\r1 wi%+ to transmit ! few exempl>s ( ! ,bible :i* !y _h f\nd exactly 9 _! orig9al /ate1 m>k+ ! diff]5ces !y discov]$ 9 ! m>g91 n z d\btful read+s1 b z simple v>iants4 7#abc7 ,i h myself call$ !m d\btful read+s1 because x w\ld be g5]ally impossible to say :i* ( ! two v]sions is pref]able4 7#abd7 ,la/ly1 besides ^! d\btful read+s ! scribes h 7by leav+ a hiatus 9 ! middle ( a p>agraph7 m>k$ sev]al passages z mutilat$4 7#abe7 ,! ,massoretes h c\nt$ up su* in/ances1 & !y am\nt to eight-&-tw5ty4 7#abf7 ,i d n "k :e!r any my/]y is ?\ght to lurk 9 ! numb]1 at any rate ! ,ph>isees religi\sly pres]ve a c]ta9 am\nt ( empty space4 7#abg7 ,"o ( su* hiatus occurs 7to give an in/ance7 9 ,g54 iv3#h1 :]e x is writt51 ,& ,ca9 said to 8 bro!r 4 4 4 4 & x came to pass :ile !y 7 9 ! field1 c41 a space be+ left 9 :i* we %\ld expect to he> :at x 0 t ,ca9 said4 7#abh7 ,simil>ly !re are 7besides ^? po9ts we h notic$7 eight-&-tw5ty hiatus left by ! scribes4 7#abi7 ,_m ( ^! w\ld n be recogniz$ z mutilat$ if x 7 n = ! empty space left4 ,b ,i h said en\gh on ?is subject4 ,,*apt] ,x4 - ,,an ,,exam9ation ,,( ,,! ,,rema9+ ,,books ,,( ,,! ,,old ,,te/am5t ,,accord+ ,,to ,,! ,,prec$+ ,,me?od4 7#a7 ,i n[ pass on to ! rema9+ books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t4 7#b7 ,conc]n+ ! two books ( ,*ronicles ,i h no?+ p>ticul> or important to rem>k1 except t !y 7 c]ta9ly writt5 aft] ! "t ( ,ezra1 & possibly aft] ! re/oration ( ! ,temple by ,judas ,maccabaeus ,endnote #ai4 7#b7 ,= 9 *ap4 ix4 ( ! fir/ book we f9d a reckon+ ( ! families :o 7 ! fir/ to live 9 ,j]usalem1 & 9 v]se #ag ! names ( ! port]s1 ( :i* two recur 9 ,nehemiah4 7#c7 ,?is %[s t ! books 7 c]ta9ly compil$ aft] ! rebuild+ ( ! city4 7#d7 ,z to _! actual writ]1 _! au?ority1 utility1 & doctr9e1 ,i come to no conclusion4 7#e7 ,i h always be5 a/oni%$ t !y h be5 includ$ 9 ! ,bible by m5 :o %ut out f ! canon ! books ( ,wisdom1 ,tobit1 & ! o!rs /yl$ apocryphal4 7#f7 ,i d n aim at disp>ag+ _! au?ority1 b z !y are univ]sally receiv$ ,i w leave !m z !y are4 7#g7 ,! ,psalms 7 collect$ & divid$ into five books 9 ! "t ( ! second temple1 = ,ps4 lxxxviii4 0 publi%$1 accord+ to ,philo-,judaeus1 :ile k+ ,jehoia*9 0 /ill a prison] 9 ,babylon2 & ,ps4 lxxxix4 :5 ! same k+ obta9$ 8 lib]ty3 ,i d n ?9k ,philo w\ld h made ! /atem5t unless ei!r x _h be5 ! receiv$ op9ion 9 8 "t1 or else _h be5 told him by tru/wor?y p]sons4 7#h7 ,! ,prov]bs ( ,solomon 71 ,i believe1 collect$ at ! same "t1 or at lea/ 9 ! "t ( ,k+ ,josiah2 = 9 *ap4 xxv3#a1 x is writt51 ,^! are also prov]bs ( ,solomon :i* ! m5 ( ,hezekiah1 k+ ( ,judah1 copi$ out4 7#i7 ,i _c "h pass ov] 9 sil5ce ! audacity ( ! ,rabbis :o wi%$ to exclude f ! sacr$ canon bo? ! ,prov]bs & ,ecclesia/es1 & to put !m bo? 9 ! ,apocrypha4 7#aj7 ,9 fact1 !y w\ld actually h done s1 if !y _h n light$ on c]ta9 passages 9 :i* ! law ( ,moses is extoll$4 7#aa7 ,x is1 inde$1 griev\s to ?9k t ! settl+ ( ! sacr$ canon lay 9 ! h&s ( su* m52 h[ev]1 ,i congratulate !m1 9 ?is in/ance1 on _! suff]+ u to see ^! books 9 "q1 ?\gh ,i _c refra9 f d\bt+ :e!r !y h transmitt$ !m 9 absolute good fai?2 b ,i w n n[ l+] on ?is po9t4 7#aj7 ,i pass on1 !n1 to ! prophetic books4 7#aa7 ,an exam9ation ( ^! assures me t ! prophecies !re9 conta9$ h be5 compil$ f o!r books1 & are n always set d[n 9 ! exact ord] 9 :i* !y 7 spok5 or writt5 by ! prophets1 b are only su* z 7 collect$ "h & !re1 s t !y are b fragm5t>y4 7#ab7 ,isaiah began to prophecy 9 ! reign ( ,uzziah1 z ! writ] himself te/ifies 9 ! fir/ v]se4 7#ac7 ,he n only prophesi$ at t "t1 b fur!rmore wrote ! hi/ory ( t k+ 7see #b ,*ron4 xxvi3#bb7 9 a volume n[ lo/4 7#ac7 ,t :i* we possess1 we h %[n to h be5 tak5 f ! *ronicles ( ! k+s ( ,judah & ,israel4 7#ad7 ,we may add t ! ,rabbis ass]t t ?is prophet prophesi$ 9 ! reign ( ,manasseh1 by :om he 0 ev5tually put to dea?1 &1 al?\gh ?is seems to be a my?1 x yet %[s t !y did n ?9k t all ,isaiah's prophecies are extant4 7#ae7 ,! prophecies ( ,j]emiah1 :i* are relat$ hi/orically are also tak5 f v>i\s *ronicles2 = n only are !y heap$ toge!r confus$ly1 )\t any acc\nt be+ tak5 ( dates1 b also ! same /ory is told 9 !m diff]5tly 9 diff]5t passages4 7#af7 ,= in/ance1 9 *ap4 xxi4 we are told t ! cause ( ,j]emiah's arre/ 0 t he _h prophesi$ ! de/ruction ( ! city to ,z$ekiah :o consult$ him4 7#ag7 ,?is n>rative sudd5ly passes1 9 *ap xxii41 to ! prophet's remon/rances to ,jehoiakim 7,z$ekiah's pr$ecessor71 & ! pr$iction he made ( t k+'s captivity2 !n1 9 *ap4 xxv41 come ! revelations grant$ to ! prophet previ\sly1 t is 9 ! f\r? ye> ( ,jehoiakim1 &1 fur!r on /ill1 ! revelations receiv$ 9 ! fir/ ye> ( ! same reign4 7#ah7 ,! cont9uator ( ,j]emiah goes on heap+ prophecy ^u prophecy )\t any reg>d to dates1 until at la/1 9 *ap4 xxxviii4 7z if ! int]v5+ *apt]s _h be5 a p>5!sis71 he takes up ! ?read dropp$ 9 *ap4 xxi4 7#ai7 ,9 fact1 ! conjunction ) :i* *ap4 xxxviii4 beg9s1 ref]s to ! #h?1 #i?1 & #aj? v]ses ( *ap4 xxi4 ,j]emiah's la/ arre/ is !n v diff]5tly describ$1 & a totally sep>ate cause is giv5 = 8 daily ret5tion 9 ! c\rt ( ! prison4 7#bj7 ,we may ?us cle>ly see t ^! portions ( ! book h be5 compil$ f v>i\s s\rces1 & are only f ?is po9t ( view compreh5sible4 7#ba7 ,! prophecies conta9$ 9 ! rema9+ *apt]s1 :]e ,j]emiah speaks 9 ! fir/ p]son1 seem to be tak5 f a book writt5 by ,b>u*1 at ,j]emiah's dictation4 7#bb7 ,^!1 h[ev]1 only comprise 7z appe>s f *ap4 xxxvi3#b7 ! prophecies reveal$ to ! prophet f ! "t ( ,josiah to ! f\r? ye> ( ,jehoiakim1 at :i* p]iod ! book beg9s4 7#bc7 ,! cont5ts ( *ap4 xlv3#b1 on to *ap4 li3#ei1 seem tak5 f ! same volume4 7#bd7 ,t ! book ( ,ezekiel is only a fragm5t1 is cle>ly indicat$ by ! fir/ v]se4 7#be7 ,= anyone may see t ! conjunction ) :i* x beg9s1 ref]s to some?+ already said1 & connects :at foll[s !re)4 7#bf7 ,h[ev]1 n only ?is conjunction1 b ! :ole text ( ! disc\rse implies o!r writ+s4 7#bg7 ,! fact ( ! pres5t "w beg9n+ ! ?irtie? ye> %[s t ! prophet is cont9u+1 n comm5c+ a disc\rse2 & ?is is confirm$ by ! writ]1 :o p>5!tically /ates 9 v]se #c1 ,! ^w ( ! ,"l came (t5 unto ,ezekiel ! prie/1 ! son ( ,buzi1 9 ! l& ( ! ,*aldeans1 z if to say t ! prophecies :i* he is ab\t to relate are ! sequel to revelations =m]ly receiv$ by ,ezekiel f ,god4 7#bh7 ,fur!rmore1 ,josephus1 #aa ,antiq4 x3#i1 says t ,ezekiel prophesi$ t ,z$ekiah %\ld n see ,babylon1 :]eas ! book we n[ h n only conta9s no su* /atem5t1 b contr>iwise ass]ts 9 *ap4 xvii4 t he %\ld be tak5 to ,babylon z a captive1 ,endnote #bj4 7#bi7 ,( ,hosea ,i _c positively /ate t he wrote m ?an is n[ extant 9 ! book be>+ 8 "n1 b ,i am a/oni%$ at ! smallness ( ! quantity we possess1 = ! sacr$ writ] ass]ts t ! prophet prophesi$ = m ?an eighty ye>s4 7#cj7 ,we may ass]t1 speak+ g5]ally1 t ! compil] ( ! prophetic books nei!r collect$ all ! prophets1 nor all ! writ+s ( ^? we h2 = ( ! prophets :o are said to h prophesi$ 9 ! reign ( ,manasseh & ( :om g5]al m5tion is made 9 #b ,*ron4 xxxiii3#aj1 #ah1 we h1 evid5tly1 no prophecies extant2 nei!r h we all ! prophecies ( ! twelve :o give _! names to books4 7#ca7 ,( ,jonah we h only ! prophecy conc]n+ ! ,n9evites1 ?\gh he also prophesi$ to ! *ildr5 ( ,israel1 z we le>n 9 #b ,k+s xiv3#be4 7#cb7 ,! book & ! p]sonality ( ,job h caus$ mu* controv]sy4 7#cc7 ,"s ?9k t ! book is ! "w ( ,moses1 & ! :ole n>rative m]ely allegorical4 7#cd7 ,su* is ! op9ion ( ! ,rabb9s record$ 9 ! ,talmud1 & !y are support$ by1 ,maimonides 9 8 ,m ,nebu*im4 7#ce7 ,o!rs believe x to be a true hi/ory1 & "s suppose t ,job liv$ 9 ! "t ( ,jacob1 & 0 m>ri$ to 8 daught] ,d9ah4 7#cf7 ,ab5 ,ezra1 h[ev]1 z ,i h already /at$1 affirms1 9 8 comm5t>ies1 t ! "w is a translation into ,hebrew f "s o!r language3 ,i c\ld wi% t he c\ld advance m cog5t argum5ts ?an he does1 = we might !n conclude t ! ,g5tiles also _h sacr$ books4 7#cg7 ,i myself leave ! matt] undecid$1 b ,i conjecture ,job to h be5 a ,g5tile1 & a man ( v /able "*1 :o at fir/ prosp]$1 !n 0 assail$ ) t]rible calamities1 & f9ally1 0 re/or$ to great happ9ess4 7#ch7 7,he is ?us nam$1 among o!rs1 by ,ezekiel1 xiv3#ab47 7#ci7 ,i take x t ! con/ancy ( 8 m9d amid ! vicissitudes ( 8 =tune occasion$ _m m5 to dispute ab\t ,god's provid5ce1 or at lea/ caus$ ! writ] ( ! book 9 "q to compose 8 dialogues2 = ! cont5ts1 & also ! /yle1 seem to emanate f> less f a man wret*$ly ill & ly+ among a%es1 ?an f "o reflect+ at ease 9 8 /udy4 7#dj7 ,i %\ld also be incl9$ to agree ) ,ab5 ,ezra t ! book is a translation1 = its poetry seems ak9 to t ( ! ,g5tiles2 ?us ! ,fa!r ( ,gods summons a c\ncil1 & ,momus1 "h call$ ,satan1 criticizes ! ,div9e decrees ) ! utmo/ fre$om4 7#da7 ,b ^! are m]e conjectures )\t any solid f\ndation4 7#db7 ,i pass on to ! book ( ,daniel1 :i*1 f *ap4 viii4 onw>ds1 und\bt$ly conta9s ! writ+ ( ,daniel himself4 7#dc7 ,:5ce ! fir/ sev5 *apt]s are d]iv$ ,i _c say2 we may1 h[ev]1 conjecture t1 z !y 7 fir/ writt5 9 ,*aldean1 !y are tak5 f ,*aldean *ronicles4 7#dd7 ,if ?is c\ld be prov$1 x w\ld =m a v /rik+ pro( ( ! fact t ! sacr$ness ( ,scripture dep5ds on our und]/&+ ( ! doctr9es !re9 signifi$1 & n on ! words1 ! language1 & ! phrases 9 :i* ^! doctr9es are convey$ to u2 & x w\ld fur!r %[ u t books :i* tea* & speak ( :atev] is highe/ & be/ are equally sacr$1 :atev] be ! tongue 9 :i* !y are writt51 or ! nation to :i* !y belong4 7#de7 ,we c1 h[ev]1 9 ?is case only rem>k t ! *apt]s 9 "q 7 writt5 9 ,*aldee1 & yet are z sacr$ z ! re/ ( ! ,bible4 7#df7 ,! fir/ book ( ,ezra is s intimately connect$ ) ! book ( ,daniel t bo? are pla9ly recognizable z ! "w ( ! same au?or1 writ+ ( ,jewi% hi/ory f ! "t ( ! fir/ captivity onw>ds4 7#dg7 ,i h no hesitation 9 jo9+ to ?is ! book ( ,e/h]1 = ! conjunction ) :i* x beg9s c ref] to no?+ else4 7#dh7 ,x _c be ! same "w z t writt5 by ,mordecai1 =1 9 *ap4 ix3#bj-bb1 ano!r p]son relates t ,mordecai wrote lett]s1 & tells u _! cont5ts2 fur!r1 t ,que5 ,e/h] confirm$ ! days ( ,purim 9 _! times appo9t$1 & t ! decree 0 writt5 9 ! book t is 7by a ,hebraism71 9 a book kn[n to all !n liv+1 :i*1 z ,ab5 ,ezra & ! re/ confess1 has n[ p]i%$4 7#di7 ,la/ly1 = ! re/ ( ! acts ( ,mordecai1 ! hi/orian ref]s u to ! *ronicles ( ! k+s ( ,p]sia4 7#ej7 ,?us !re is no d\bt t ?is book 0 writt5 by ! same p]son z he :o rec\nt$ ! hi/ory ( ,daniel & ,ezra1 & :o wrote ,nehemiah1 ,endnote #ba1 sometimes call$ ! second book ( ,ezra4 7#ea7 ,we may1 !n1 affirm t all ^! books are f "o h&2 b we h no clue :atev] to ! p]sonality ( ! au?or4 7#eb7 ,h[ev]1 9 ord] to det]m9e :5ce he1 :oev] he 01 _h ga9$ a k ( ! hi/ories :i* he _h1 p]*ance1 9 great measure himself writt51 we may rem>k t ! gov]nors or *iefs ( ! ,jews1 aft] ! re/oration ( ! ,temple1 kept scribes or hi/oriograph]s1 :o wrote annals or *ronicles ( !m4 7#ec7 ,! *ronicles ( ! k+s are (t5 quot$ 9 ! books ( ,k+s1 b ! *ronicles ( ! *iefs & prie/s are quot$ = ! fir/ "t 9 ,nehemiah xii3#bc1 & aga9 9 #a ,macc4 xvi3#bd4 7#ed7 ,?is is und\bt$ly ! book ref]r$ to z conta9+ ! decree ( ,e/h] & ! acts ( ,mordecai2 & :i*1 z we said ) ,ab5 ,ezra1 is n[ lo/4 7#ee7 ,f x 7 tak5 ! :ole cont5ts ( ^! f\r books1 = no o!r au?ority is quot$ by _! writ]1 or is kn[n to u4 7#ef7 ,t ^! books 7 n writt5 by ei!r ,ezra or ,nehemiah is pla9 f ,nehemiah xii3#i1 :]e ! desc5dants ( ! high prie/1 ,jo%ua are trac$ d[n to ,jaddua1 ! six? high prie/1 :o w5t to meet ,alex&] ! ,great1 :5 ! ,p]sian empire 0 almo/ subdu$ 7,josephus1 ,ant4 ii4 #ajh71 or :o1 accord+ to ,philo-,judaeus1 0 ! six? & la/ high prie/ "u ! ,p]sians4 7#eg7 ,9 ! same *apt] ( ,nehemiah1 v]se #bb1 ?is po9t is cle>ly br\ght out3 ,! ,levites 9 ! days ( ,elia%ib1 ,joiada1 & ,johanan1 & ,jaddua1 7 record$ *ief ( ! fa!rs3 also ! prie/s1 to ! reign ( ,d>ius ! ,p]sian - t is to say1 9 ! *ronicles2 &1 ,i suppose1 no "o ?9ks ,endnote #bb t ! lives ( ,nehemiah & ,ezra 7 s prolong$ t !y outliv$ f\rte5 k+s ( ,p]sia4 7#eh7 ,cyrus 0 ! fir/ :o grant$ ! ,jews p]mission to rebuild _! ,temple3 ! p]iod betwe5 8 "t & ,d>ius1 f\rte5? & la/ k+ ( ,p]sia1 ext5ds ov] #bcj ye>s4 7#ei7 ,i h1 !re=e1 no d\bt t ^! books 7 writt5 aft] ,judas ,maccabaeus _h re/or$ ! wor%ip 9 ! ,temple1 = at t "t false books ( ,daniel1 ,ezra1 & ,e/h] 7 publi%$ by evil-dispos$ p]sons1 :o 7 almo/ c]ta9ly ,sadducees1 = ! writ+s 7 nev] recogniz$ by ! ,ph>isees1 s f> z ,i am aw>e2 &1 al?\gh c]ta9 my?s 9 ! f\r? book ( ,ezra are repeat$ 9 ! ,talmud1 !y mu/ n be set d[n to ! ,ph>isees1 = all b ! mo/ ignorant admit t !y h be5 add$ by "s trifl]3 9 fact1 ,i ?9k1 someone mu/ h made su* additions ) a view to ca/+ ridicule on all ! traditions ( ! sect4 7#fj7 ,p]haps ^! f\r books 7 writt5 out & publi%$ at ! "t ,i h m5tion$ ) a view to %[+ ! p t ! prophecies ( ,daniel _h be5 fulfill$1 & ?us k9dl+ _! piety1 & awak5+ a hope ( future deliv]ance 9 ! mid/ ( _! mis=tunes4 7#fa7 ,9 spite ( _! rec5t orig91 ! books be=e u conta9 _m errors1 due1 ,i suppose1 to ! ha/e ) :i* !y 7 writt54 7#fb7 ,m>g9al read+s1 su* z ,i h m5tion$ 9 ! la/ *apt]1 are f\nd "h z else:]e1 & 9 ev5 great] abundance2 !re are1 moreov]1 c]ta9 passages :i* c only be acc\nt$ = by suppos+ "s su* cause z hurry4 7#fc7 ,h[ev]1 be=e call+ att5tion to ! m>g9al read+s1 ,i w rem>k t1 if ! ,ph>isees are "r 9 suppos+ !m to h be5 anci5t1 & ! "w ( ! orig9al scribes1 we mu/ p]=ce admit t ^! scribes 7if !re 7 m ?an "o7 set !m d[n because !y f\nd t ! text f :i* !y 7 copy+ 0 inaccurate1 & did yet n v5ture to alt] :at 0 writt5 by _! pr$ecessors & sup]iors4 7#fd7 ,i ne$ n aga9 g into ! subject at l5g?1 & w1 !re=e1 proce$ to m5tion "s discrepancies n notic$ 9 ! m>g94 7#fe7 ,i4 ,"s error has crept into ! text ( ! second *apt] ( ,ezra1 = 9 v]se #fd we are told t ! total ( all ^? m5tion$ 9 ! re/ ( ! *apt] am\nts to #db1cfj2 b1 :5 we come to add up ! sev]al items we get z result only #bi1hah4 7#ff7 ,!re mu/1 !re=e1 be an error1 ei!r 9 ! total1 or 9 ! details4 7#fg7 ,! total is probably correct1 = x w\ld mo/ likely be well kn[n to all z a notewor?y ?+2 b ) ! details1 ! case w\ld be diff]5t4 7#fh7 ,if1 !n1 any error _h crept into ! total1 x w\ld at once h be5 rem>k$1 & easily correct$4 7#fi7 ,?is view is confirm$ by ,nehemiah vii41 :]e ?is *apt] ( ,ezra is m5tion$1 & a total is giv5 9 pla9 correspond5ce !reto2 b ! details are altoge!r diff]5t - "s are l>g]1 & "s less1 ?an ^? 9 ,ezra1 & altoge!r !y am\nt to #ca1jhi4 7#gj7 ,we may1 !re=e1 conclude t bo? 9 ,ezra & 9 ,nehemiah ! details are errone\sly giv54 7#ga7 ,! comm5tators :o attempt to h>monize ^! evid5t contradictions draw on _! imag9ation1 ea* to ! be/ ( 8 ability2 & :ile pr(ess+ adoration = ea* lett] & ^w ( ,scripture1 only succe$ 9 hold+ up ! sacr$ writ]s to ridicule1 z ?\gh !y knew n h[ to write or relate a pla9 n>rative4 7#gb7 ,su* p]sons effect no?+ b to r5d] ! cle>ness ( ,scripture obscure4 7#gc7 ,if ! ,bible c\ld ev]y:]e be int]pret$ aft] _! fa%ion1 !re w\ld be no su* ?+ z a rational /atem5t ( :i* ! mean+ c\ld be reli$ on4 7#gd7 ,h[ev]1 !re is no ne$ to dwell on ! subject2 only ,i am conv9c$ t if any hi/orian 7 to attempt to imitate ! proce$+s freely attribut$ to ! writ]s ( ! ,bible1 ! comm5tators w\ld cov] him ) contempt4 7#ge7 ,if x be blasphemy to ass]t t !re are any errors 9 ,scripture1 :at "n %all we apply to ^? :o foi/ into x _! own fancies1 :o degrade ! sacr$ writ]s till !y seem to write confus$ nons5se1 & :o d5y ! pla9e/ & mo/ evid5t mean+s8 7#gf7 ,:at 9 ! :ole ,bible c be pla9] ?an ! fact t ,ezra & 8 companions1 9 ! second *apt] ( ! book attribut$ to him1 h giv5 9 detail ! reckon+ ( all ! ,hebrews :o set out ) !m = ,j]usalem8 7#gg7 ,?is is prov$ by ! reckon+ be+ giv51 n only ( ^? :o told _! l9eage1 b also ( ^? :o 7 unable to d s4 7#gh7 ,is x n equally cle> f ,nehemiah vii3#e1 t ! writ] m]ely !re copies ! li/ giv5 9 ,ezra8 7#gi7 ,^?1 !re=e1 :o expla9 ^! passages o!rwise1 d5y ! pla9 mean+ ( ,scripture - nay1 !y d5y ,scripture itself4 7#hj7 ,!y ?9k x pi\s to reconcile "o passage ( ,scripture ) ano!r - a pretty piety1 =soo?1 :i* accommodates ! cle> passages to ! obscure1 ! correct to ! faulty1 ! s\nd to ! corrupt4 7#ha7 ,f> be x f me to call su* comm5tators blasphem]s1 if _! motives be pure3 = to err is human4 ,b ,i return to my subject4 7#hb7 ,besides ^! errors 9 num]ical details1 !re are o!rs 9 ! g5ealogies1 9 ! hi/ory1 &1 ,i fe> also 9 ! prophecies4 7#hc7 ,! prophecy ( ,j]emiah 7*ap4 xxii471 conc]n+ ,je*oniah1 evid5tly does n agree ) 8 hi/ory1 z giv5 9 ,i ,*ronicles iii3#ag-ai1 & especially ) ! la/ words ( ! *apt]1 nor d ,i see h[ ! prophecy1 ?\ %alt die 9 peace1 c be appli$ to ,z$ekiah1 ^: eyes 7 dug out aft] 8 sons _h be5 sla9 be=e him4 7#hd7 ,if prophecies are to be int]pret$ by _! issue1 we mu/ make a *ange ( "n1 & read ,je*oniah = ,z$ekiah1 & vice v]sa 7#he7 ,?is1 h[ev]1 w\ld be too p>adoxical a proce$+2 s ,i pref] to leave ! matt] unexpla9$1 especially z ! error1 if error !re be1 mu/ be set d[n to ! hi/orian1 & n to any fault 9 ! au?orities4 7#hf7 ,o!r difficulties ,i w n t\* ^u1 z ,i %\ld only we>y ! read]1 &1 moreov]1 be repeat+ ! rem>ks ( o!r writ]s4 7#hg7 ,= ,r4 ,selomo1 9 face ( ! manife/ contradiction 9 ! above-m5tion$ g5ealogies1 is compell$ to break =? into ^! words 7see 8 comm5t>y on #a ,*ron4 viii473 ,ezra 7:om he supposes to be ! au?or ( ! book ( ,*ronicles7 gives diff]5t names & a diff]5t g5ealogy to ! sons ( ,b5jam9 f ^? :i* we f9d 9 ,g5esis1 & describes mo/ ( ! ,levites diff]5tly f ,jo%ua1 because he f\nd orig9al discrepancies4 7#hh7 ,&1 aga91 a little lat]3 ,! g5ealogy ( ,gibeon & o!rs is describ$ twice 9 diff]5t ways1 f diff]5t tables ( ea* g5ealogy1 & 9 writ+ !m d[n ,ezra adopt$ ! v]sion giv5 9 ! majority ( ! texts1 & :5 ! au?ority 0 equal he gave bo?4 7#hi7 ,?us grant+ t ^! books 7 compil$ f s\rces orig9ally incorrect & unc]ta94 7#ij7 ,9 fact ! comm5tators1 9 seek+ to h>monize difficulties1 g5]ally d no m ?an indicate _! causes3 = ,i suppose no sane p]son supposes t ! sacr$ hi/orians delib]ately wrote ) ! object ( appe>+ to contradict !mselves freely4 7#ia7 ,p]haps ,i %all be told t ,i am ov]?r[+ ! au?ority ( ,scripture1 = t1 accord+ to me1 anyone may suspect x ( error 9 any passage2 b1 on ! contr>y1 ,i h %[n t my object has be5 to prev5t ! cle> & uncorrupt$ passages be+ accommodat$ to & corrupt$ by ! faulty ones2 nei!r does ! fact t "s passages are corrupt w>rant u 9 suspect+ all4 7#ib7 ,no book ev] 0 completely free f faults1 yet ,i w\ld ask1 :o suspects all books to be ev]y:]e faulty8 7#ic7 ,surely no "o1 especially :5 ! phraseology is cle> & ! int5tion ( ! au?or pla94 7#id7 ,i h n[ f9i%$ ! task ,i set myself ) respect to ! books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t4 7#ie7 ,we may easily conclude f :at has be5 said1 t be=e ! "t ( ! ,maccabees !re 0 no canon ( sacr$ books1 ,endnote #bc1 b t ^? :i* we n[ possess 7 select$ f a multitude ( o!rs at ! p]iod ( ! re/oration ( ! ,temple by ! ,ph>isees 7:o also in/itut$ ! set =m ( pray]s71 :o are alone responsible = _! acceptance4 7#if7 ,^?1 !re=e1 :o w\ld demon/rate ! au?ority ( ,holy ,scripture1 are b\nd to %[ ! au?ority ( ea* sep>ate book2 x is n en\gh to prove ! ,div9e orig9 ( a s+le book 9 ord] to inf] ! ,div9e orig9 ( ! re/4 7#ig7 ,9 t case we %\ld h to assume t ! c\ncil ( ,ph>isees 01 9 its *oice ( books1 infallible1 & ?is c\ld nev] be prov$4 7#ih7 ,i am l$ to ass]t t ! ,ph>isees alone select$ ! books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t1 & ins]t$ !m 9 ! canon1 f ! fact t 9 ,daniel xii4 is proclaim$ ! doctr9e ( ! ,resurrection1 :i* ! ,sadducees d5i$2 &1 fur!rmore1 ! ,ph>isees pla9ly ass]t 9 ! ,talmud t !y s select$ !m4 7#ii7 ,= 9 ! treatise ( ,sabba?us1 *apt] ii41 folio #cj1 page #b1 x is writt53 ,r4 ,jehuda1 surnam$ ,rabbi1 reports t ! exp]ts wi%$ to conceal ! book ( ,ecclesia/es because !y f\nd !re9 words oppos$ to ! law 7t is1 to ! book ( ! law ( ,moses74 7#ajj7 ,:y did !y n hide x8 7#aja7 ,because x beg9s 9 accordance ) ! law1 & ends accord+ to ! law2 & a little fur!r on we read3 ,!y s\ght also to conceal ! book ( ,prov]bs4 7#ajb7 ,& 9 ! fir/ *apt] ( ! same treatise1 fol4 #ac1 page #b3 ,v]ily1 "n "o man = good1 ev5 he :o 0 call$ ,neghunja1 ! son ( ,hezekiah3 =1 save = him1 ! book ( ,ezekiel w\ld be5 conceal$1 because x agre$ n ) ! words ( ! law4 7#ajc7 ,x is ?us abundantly cle> t m5 exp]t 9 ! law summon$ a c\ncil to decide :i* books %\ld be receiv$ into ! canon1 & :i* exclud$4 7#ajd7 ,if any man1 !re=e1 wi%es to be c]tifi$ z to ! au?ority ( all ! books1 let him call a fre% c\ncil1 & ask e memb] 8 reasons4 7#aje7 ,! "t has n[ come = exam9+ 9 ! same mann] ! books 9 ! ,new ,te/am5t2 b z ,i le>n t ! task has be5 already p]=m$ by m5 highly skill$ 9 sci5ce & languages1 & z ,i d n myself possess a k ( ,greek suffici5tly exact = ! task2 la/ly1 z we h lo/ ! orig9als ( ^? books :i* 7 writt5 9 ,hebrew1 ,i pref] to decl9e ! und]tak+4 7#ajf7 ,h[ev]1 ,i w t\* on ^? po9ts :i* h mo/ be>+ on my subject 9 ! foll[+ *apt]4 ,end ( ,"p #b4 ,,au?or',s ,,endnotes ,,to ,,! ,,!ologico-,,political ,,treatise ,"p #b - ,*apt]s ,,vi to ,x ,,*apt] ,,vi4 ,endnote #f4 7#a7 ,we d\bt ( ! exi/5ce ( ,god1 & consequ5tly ( all else1 s long z we h no cle> & di/9ct idea ( ,god1 b only a confus$ "o4 7#b7 ,= z he :o kn[s n rightly ! nature ( a triangle1 kn[s n t its ?ree angles are equal to two "r angles1 s he :o conceives ! ,div9e nature confus$ly1 does n see t x p]ta9s to ! nature ( ,god to exi/4 7#c7 ,n[1 to conceive ! nature ( ,god cle>ly & di/9ctly1 x is necess>y to pay att5tion to a c]ta9 numb] ( v simple notions1 call$ g5]al notions1 & by _! help to associate ! conceptions :i* we =m ( ! attributes ( ! ,div9e nature4 7#d7 ,x !n1 = ! fir/ "t1 becomes cle> to u1 t ,god exi/s necess>ily1 t ,he is omnipres5t1 & t all our conceptions involve 9 !mselves ! nature ( ,god & are conceiv$ ?r\gh x4 7#e7 ,la/ly1 we see t all our adequate ideas are true4 7#f7 ,comp>e on ?is po9t ! prolegom5a to book1 ,pr9ciples ( ,desc>tes's philosophy set =? geometrically4 ,,*apt] ,,vii4 ,endnote #g4 7#a7 ,x is impossible to f9d a me?od :i* w\ld enable u to ga9 a c]ta9 k ( all ! /atem5ts 9 ,scripture4 7#b7 ,i mean impossible = u :o h n ! habitual use ( ! language1 & h lo/ ! precise mean+ ( its phraseology4 ,endnote #h4 7#a7 ,n 9 ?+s :]e( ! und]/&+ c ga9 a cle> & di/9ct idea1 & :i* are conceivable ?r\gh !mselves4 7#b7 ,by ?+s conceivable ,i mean n only ^? :i* are rigidly prov$1 b also ^? :]e( we are morally c]ta91 & are wont to he> )\t wond]1 ?\gh !y are incapable ( pro(4 7#c7 ,ev]yone c see ! tru? ( ,euclid's propositions be=e !y are prov$4 7#d7 ,s also ! hi/ories ( ?+s bo? future & pa/ :i* d n surpass human cr$5ce1 laws1 in/itutions1 mann]s1 ,i call conceivable & cle>1 ?\gh !y _c be prov$ ma!matically4 7#e7 ,b hi]oglyphics & hi/ories :i* seem to pass ! b\nds ( belief ,i call inconceivable2 yet ev5 among ^! la/ !re are _m :i* our me?od enables u to inve/igate1 & to discov] ! mean+ ( _! n>rator4 ,,*apt] ,,viii4 ,endnote #i4 7#a7 ,m\nt ,moriah is call$ ! m\nt ( ,god4 7#b7 ,t is by ! hi/orian1 n by ,abraham1 = he says t ! place n[ call$ ,9 ! m\nt ( ! ,"l x %all be reveal$1 0 call$ by ,abraham1 ! ,"l %all provide4 ,endnote #aj4 7#a7 ,be=e t t]ritory ,idumoea 0 conqu]$ by ,david4 7#b7 ,f ?is "t to ! reign ( ,jehoram :5 !y aga9 sep>at$ f ! ,jewi% k+dom 7#b ,k+s viii3#bj71 ! ,idumaeans _h no k+1 pr9ces appo9t$ by ! ,jews suppli$ ! place ( k+s 7#a ,k+s xxii3#dh71 9 fact ! pr9ce ( ,idumaea is call$ a k+ 7#b ,k+s iii3#i74 7#c7 ,x may be d\bt$ :e!r ! la/ ( ! ,idumaean k+s _h begun to reign be=e ! accession ( ,saul1 or :e!r ,scripture 9 ?is *apt] ( ,g5esis wi%$ to enum]ate only su* k+s z 7 indep5d5t4 7#d7 ,x is evid5tly m]e trifl+ to wi% to enrol among ,hebrew k+s ! "n ( ,moses1 :o set up a dom9ion entirely diff]5t f a mon>*y4 ,,*apt] ,,ix4 ,endnote #aa4 7#a7 ,) few exceptions4 7#b7 ,"o ( ^! exceptions is f\nd 9 #b ,k+s xviii3#bj1 :]e we read1 ,?\ saye/ 7b !y are b va9 words71 ! second p]son be+ us$4 7#c7 ,9 ,isaiah xxxvi3#e1 we read ,i say 7b !y are b va9 words7 ,i h c\nsel & /r5g? = w>1 & 9 ! tw5ty-second v]se ( ! *apt] 9 ,k+s x is writt51 ,b if ye say1 ! plural numb] be+ us$1 :]eas ,isaiah gives ! s+ul>4 7#d7 ,! text 9 ,isaiah does n conta9 ! words f\nd 9 #b ,k+s xxxii3#cb4 7#e7 ,?us !re are sev]al cases ( v>i\s read+s :]e x is impossible to di/+ui% ! be/4 ,endnote #ab4 7#a7 ,! expressions 9 ! two passages are s v>i$4 7#b7 ,= in/ance we read 9 #b ,sam4 vii3#f1 ,b ,i h walk$ 9 a t5t & 9 a tab]nacle4 7#c7 ,:]eas 9 #a ,*ron4 xvii3#e1 b h gone f t5t to t5t & f "o tab]nacle to ano!r4 7#d7 ,9 #b ,sam4 vii3#aj1 we read1 to afflict !m1 :]eas 9 #a ,*ron4 vii3#i1 we f9d a diff]5t expression4 7#e7 ,i c\ld po9t out o!r diff]5ces /ill great]1 b a s+le read+ ( ! *apt]s 9 "q w suffice to make !m manife/ to all :o are nei!r bl9d nor devoid ( s5se4 ,endnote #ac4 7#a7 ,?is "t _c ref] to :at imm$iately prec$es4 7#b7 ,x is pla9 f ! context t ?is passage mu/ allude to ! "t :5 ,joseph 0 sold by 8 bre?r54 7#c7 ,b ?is is n all4 7#d7 ,we may draw ! same conclusion f ! age ( ,judah1 :o 0 ?an tw5ty-two ye>s old at mo/1 tak+ z basis ( calculation 8 own hi/ory j n>rat$4 7#e7 ,x foll[s1 inde$1 f ! la/ v]se ( ,g54 xxx41 t ,judah 0 born 9 ! t5? ( ! ye>s ( ,jacob's s]vitude to ,laban1 & ,joseph 9 ! f\rte5?4 7#f7 ,n[1 z we "k t ,joseph 0 sev5te5 ye>s old :5 sold by 8 bre?r51 ,judah 0 !n n m ?an tw5ty-"o4 7#g7 ,h5ce1 ^? writ]s :o ass]t t ,judah's long abs5ce f 8 fa!r's h\se took place be=e ,joseph 0 sold1 only seek to delude !mselves & to call 9 "q ! ,scriptural au?ority :i* !y are anxi\s to protect4 ,endnote #ad4 7#a7 ,d9ah 0 sc>cely sev5 ye>s old :5 %e 0 violat$ by ,s*e*em4 7#b7 ,! op9ion held by "s t ,jacob w&]$ ab\t eight or t5 ye>s betwe5 ,mesopotamia & ,be!l1 sav\rs ( ! ridicul\s2 if respect = ,ab5 ,ezra1 all[s me to say s4 7#c7 ,= x is cle> t ,jacob _h two reasons = ha/e3 fir/1 ! desire to see 8 old p>5ts2 secondly1 & *iefly to p]=m1 ! v[ made :5 he fl$ f 8 bro!r 7,g54 xxviii3#aj & xxxi3#ac1 & xxxv3#a74 7#d7 ,we read 7,g54 xxxi3#c71 t ,god _h comm&$ him to fulfill 8 v[1 & promis$ him help = return+ to 8 c\ntry4 7#e7 ,if ^! consid]ations seem conjectures r ?an reasons1 ,i w waive ! po9t & admit t ,jacob1 m un=tunate ?an ,ulysses1 sp5t eight or t5 ye>s or ev5 long]1 9 ?is %ort j\rney4 7#f7 ,at any rate x _c be d5i$ t ,b5jam9 0 born 9 ! la/ ye> ( ?is w&]+1 t is by ! reckon+ ( ! objectors1 :5 ,joseph 0 sixte5 or sev5te5 ye>s old1 = ,jacob left ,laban sev5 ye>s aft] ,joseph's bir?4 7#g7 ,n[ f ! sev5te5? ye> ( ,joseph's age till ! patri>* w5t into ,egypt1 n m ?an tw5ty-two ye>s elaps$1 z we h %[n 9 ?is *apt]4 7#h7 ,consequ5tly ,b5jam91 at ! "t ( ! j\rney to ,egypt1 0 tw5ty-?ree or tw5ty- f\r at ! mo/4 7#i7 ,he w\ld !re=e h be5 a gr&fa!r 9 ! fl[] ( 8 age 7,g54 xlvi3#ba1 cf4 ,numb4 xxvi3#ch1 #dj1 & #a ,*ron4 viii3#a71 = x is c]ta9 t ,bela1 ,b5jam9's elde/ son1 _h at t "t1 two sons1 ,addai & ,naa-man4 7#aj7 ,?is is j z absurd z ! /atem5t t ,d9ah 0 violat$ at ! age ( sev51 n to m5tion o!r impossibilities :i* w\ld result f ! tru? ( ! n>rative4 7#aa7 ,?us we see t unskillful endeav\rs to solve difficulties1 only raise fre% ones1 & make confusion worse conf\nd$4 ,endnote #ae4 7#a7 ,o?niel1 son ( ,k5ag1 0 judge = =ty ye>s4 7#b7 ,rabbi ,levi ,b5 ,g]son & o!rs believe t ^! =ty ye>s :i* ! ,bible says 7 pass$ 9 fre$om1 %\ld be c\nt$ f ! dea? ( ,jo%ua1 & consequ5tly include ! eight ye>s dur+ :i* ! p 7 subject to ,ku%an ,ri%a?aim1 :ile ! foll[+ eighte5 ye>s mu/ be add$ on to ! eighty ye>s ( ,ehud's & ,%amg>'s judge%ips4 7#c7 ,9 ?is case x w\ld be necess>y to reckon ! o!r ye>s ( subjection among ^? said by ! ,bible to h be5 pass$ 9 fre$om4 7#d7 ,b ! ,bible expressly notes ! numb] ( ye>s ( subjection1 & ! numb] ( ye>s ( fre$om1 & fur!r decl>es 7,judges ii3#ah7 t ! ,hebrew /ate 0 prosp]\s dur+ ! :ole "t ( ! judges4 7#e7 ,!re=e x is evid5t t ,levi ,b5 ,g]son 7c]ta9ly a v le>n$ man71 & ^? :o foll[ him1 correct r ?an int]pret ! ,scriptures4 7#f7 ,! same fault is committ$ by ^? :o ass]t1 t ,scripture1 by ?is g5]al calculation ( ye>s1 only int5d$ to m>k ! p]iod ( ! regul> adm9i/ration ( ! ,hebrew /ate1 leav+ out ! ye>s ( an>*y & subjection z p]iods ( mis=tune & int]regnum4 7#g7 ,scripture c]ta9ly passes ov] 9 sil5ce p]iods ( an>*y1 b does n1 z !y dream1 refuse to reckon !m or wipe !m out ( ! c\ntry's annals4 7#h7 ,x is cle> t ,ezra1 9 #a ,k+s vi41 wi%$ to reckon absolutely all ! ye>s s9ce ! flight f ,egypt4 7#i7 ,?is is s pla91 t no "o v]s$ 9 ! ,scriptures c d\bt x4 7#aj7 ,=1 )\t go+ back to ! precise words ( ! text1 we may see t ! g5ealogy ( ,david giv5 at ! end ( ! book ( ,ru?1 & ,i ,*ron4 ii41 sc>cely acc\nts = s great a numb] ( ye>s4 7#aa7 ,= ,nah%on1 :o 0 pr9ce ( ! tribe ( ,judah 7,numb4 vii3#aa71 two ye>s aft] ! ,exodus1 di$ 9 ! des]t1 & 8 son ,salmon pass$ ! ,jordan ) ,jo%ua4 7#ab7 ,n[ ?is ,salmon1 accord+ to ! g5ealogy1 0 ,david's great-gr&fa!r4 7#ac7 ,d$uct+1 !n1 f ! total ( #dhj ye>s1 f\r ye>s = ,solomon's reign1 sev5ty = ,david's life1 & =ty = ! "t pass$ 9 ! des]t1 we f9d t ,david 0 born #cff ye>s aft] ! passage ( ! ,jordan4 7#ad7 ,h5ce we mu/ believe t ,david's fa!r1 gr&fa!r1 great-gr&fa!r1 & great-great-gr&fa!r begat *ildr5 :5 !y 7 n9ety ye>s old4 ,endnote #af4 7#a7 ,samson 0 judge = tw5ty ye>s4 7#b7 ,samson 0 born aft] ! ,hebrews _h fall5 "u ! dom9ion ( ! ,phili/9es4 ,endnote #ag4 7#a7 ,o!rwise1 !y r correct ?an expla9 ,scripture4 ,endnote #ah4 7#a7 ,kirja?-je>im4 ,kirja?-je>im is also call$ ,baale ( ,judah4 7#b7 ,h5ce ,kim*i & o!rs ?9k t ! words ,baale ,judah1 :i* ,i h translat$ ! p ( ,judah1 are ! "n ( a t[n4 7#c7 ,b ?is is n s1 = ! ^w ,baale is 9 ! plural4 7#d7 ,moreov]1 comp>+ ?is text 9 ,samuel ) ,i ,*ron4 ,xiii3#e1 we f9d t ,david did n rise up & g =? out ( ,baale1 b t he w5t ?i!r4 7#e7 ,if ! au?or ( ! book ( ,samuel _h meant to "n ! place :5ce ,david took ! ark1 he w\ld1 if he spoke ,hebrew correctly1 h said1 ,david rose up1 & set =? f ,baale ,judah1 & took ! ark f !nce4 ,,*apt] ,x4 ,endnote #ai4 7#a7 ,aft] ! re/oration ( ! ,temple by ,judas ,maccaboeus4 7#b7 ,?is conjecture1 if su* x be1 is f\nd$ on ! g5ealogy ( ,k+ ,jeconiah1 giv5 9 #a ,*ron4 iii41 :i* f9i%es at ! sons ( ,elio5ai1 ! ?irte5? 9 direct desc5t f him3 :]eon we mu/ obs]ve t ,jeconiah1 be=e 8 captivity1 _h no *ildr52 b x is probable t he _h two :ile he 0 9 prison1 if we may draw any inf]5ce f ! names he gave !m4 7#c7 ,z to 8 gr&*ildr51 x is evid5t t !y 7 born aft] 8 deliv]ance1 if ! names be any guide1 = 8 gr&son1 ,p$aiah 7a "n mean+ ,god ha? deliv]$ me71 :o1 accord+ to ?is *apt]1 0 ! fa!r ( ,z]ubbabel1 0 born 9 ! ?irty-sev5? or ?irty-eigh? ye> ( ,jeconiah's life1 t is ?irty-?ree ye>s be=e ! re/oration ( lib]ty to ! ,jews by ,cyrus4 7#d7 ,!re=e ,z]ubbabel1 to :om ,cyrus gave ! pr9cipality ( ,judaea1 0 ?irte5 or f\rte5 ye>s old4 7#e7 ,b we ne$ n c>ry ! inquiry s f>3 we ne$ only read att5tively ! *apt] ( #a ,*ron41 already quot$1 :]e 7v4 #ag1 sqq47 m5tion is made ( all ! po/]ity ( ,jeconiah1 & comp>e x ) ! ,septuag9t v]sion to see cle>ly t ^! books 7 n publi%$1 till aft] ,maccabaeus _h re/or$ ! ,temple1 ! sceptre no long] belong+ to ! h\se ( ,jeconiah4 ,endnote #bj4 7#a7 ,z$ekiah %\ld be tak5 to ,babylon4 7#b7 ,no "o c\ld !n h suspect$ t ! prophecy ( ,ezekiel contradict$ t ( ,j]emiah1 b ! suspicion occurs to ev]yone :o reads ! n>rative ( ,josephus4 7#c7 ,! ev5t prov$ t bo? prophets 7 9 ! "r4 ,endnote #ba4 7#a7 ,& :o wrote ,nehemiah4 7#b7 ,t ! great] "p ( ! book ( ,nehemiah 0 tak5 f ! "w compos$ by ! prophet ,nehemiah himself1 foll[s f ! te/imony ( its au?or4 7,see *ap4 i474 7#c7 ,b x is obvi\s t ! :ole ( ! passage conta9$ betwe5 *ap4 viii4 & *ap4 xii4 v]se #bf1 toge!r ) ! two la/ v]ses ( *ap4 xii41 :i* =m a sort ( p>5!sis to ,nehemiah's words1 7 add$ by ! hi/orian himself1 :o outliv$ ,nehemiah4 ,endnote #bb4 7#a7 ,i suppose no "o ?9ks t ,ezra 0 ! uncle ( ! fir/ high prie/1 nam$ ,jo%ua 7see ,ezra vii41 & #a ,*ron4 vi3#ad71 & w5t to ,j]usalem f ,babylon ) ,z]ubbabel 7see ,nehemiah xii3#a74 7#b7 ,b x appe>s t :5 he saw1 t ! ,jews 7 9 a /ate ( an>*y1 he return$ to ,babylon1 z also did o!rs 7,nehem4 i3#b71 & rema9$ !re till ! reign ( ,artax]xes1 :5 8 reque/s 7 grant$ & he w5t a second "t to ,j]usalem4 7#c7 ,nehemiah also w5t to ,j]usalem ) ,z]ubbabel 9 ! "t ( ,cyrus 7,ezra ii3#b & #fc1 cf4 x3#i1 & ,nehemiah x3#a74 7#d7 ,! v]sion giv5 ( ! ,hebrew ^w1 translat$ ambassador1 is n support$ by any au?ority1 :ile x is c]ta9 t fre% names 7 giv5 to ^? ,jews :o frequ5t$ ! c\rt4 7#e7 ,?us ,daniel 0 nam$ ,balte%azz>1 & ,z]ubbabel ,%e%bazz> 7,dan4 i3#g74 7#f7 ,nehemiah 0 call$ ,atirsata1 :ile 9 virtue ( 8 (fice he 0 /yl$ gov]nor1 or presid5t4 7,nehem4 v4 #bd1 xii3#bf47 ,endnote #bc4 7#a7 ,be=e ! "t ( ! ,maccabees !re 0 no canon ( sacr$ books4 7#b7 ,! synagogue /yl$ ! great did n beg9 be=e ! subjugation ( ,asia by ! ,mac$onians4 7#c7 ,! cont5tion ( ,maimonides1 ,rabbi ,abraham1 ,b5-,david1 & o!rs1 t ! presid5ts ( ?is synagogue 7 ,ezra1 ,daniel1 ,nehemiah1 ,haggai1 ,ze*>iah1 c41 is a pure fiction1 re/+ only on rabb9ical tradition4 7#d7 ,inde$ !y ass]t t ! dom9ion ( ! ,p]sians only la/$ ?irty-f\r ye>s1 & ?is is _! *ief reason = ma9ta9+ t ! decrees ( ! great synagogue1 or synod 7reject$ by ! ,sadducees1 b accept$ by ! ,ph>isees7 7 ratifi$ by ! prophets1 :o receiv$ !m f =m] prophets1 & s 9 direct succession f ,moses1 :o receiv$ !m f ,god ,himself4 7#e7 ,su* is ! doctr9e :i* ! ,ph>isees ma9ta9 ) _! wont$ ob/9acy4 7#f7 ,enlight5$ p]sons1 h[ev]1 :o "k ! reasons = ! convok+ ( c\ncils1 or synods1 & are no /rang]s to ! diff]5ces betwe5 ,ph>isees & ,sadducees1 c easily div9e ! causes :i* l$ to ! assembl+ ( ?is great synagogue4 7#g7 ,x is v c]ta9 t no prophet 0 !re pres5t1 & t ! decrees ( ! ,ph>isees1 :i* !y /yle _! traditions1 d]ive all _! au?ority f x4 ,end ( ,endnotes to ,"p ,,ii4 - ,*apt]s ,,vi to ,x4