Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Account Of The Cabalistical Philosophy Of The Jews.
not believe the same of the letters which represent those names in the same language ? Again , others think , . that the Cabala was either allegorical or literal . The former was more conjectural ; but if there be any virtue in characters which signify nothing , with more reason , the words , syllables , and letters , which are the visible names of things , shall not be without . This afforded ground to the Cabalists to
consider , in letters , not only their number and arithmetical value ; but also their order , proportion , harmony , magnitudes , and geometrical figures ; observing whether they are strait , crooked or tortuous ; closed or not . Thus in one passage , where the Messiah is spoken of , some have concluded from a Mem which is found inclosed in the middle of a wordcontrary to customthat this Messiahshould proceed fro
, , , m the closed womb of a virgin , contrary to the course of the ordinary birth of men . Thus Rabbi Haccadosh , in the first letters of these Hebrew words of Genesis , ch . xiix . v . 10 . Jebo scilo velo , found those with which the Hebrews write the name of our Saviour , viz . J . s . v .
Lastly , others say , that we ought to govern ourselves in reading the Cabalists as bees do , who gather only the good and leave the bad , which is more plentiful ; and , above all , to . avoid the loss of time which is employed in turning over the tedious volumes of the Talmudists , which are either so unpleasant , or their sense so much unknown to us , through the envy which they bore to their
successors , that we may with more reason tear their books in pieces , than one of the Christian fathers did the Satires of Persitts . Vpon the whole , the Cabalistical writers abound in excellent observations , and many profound truths are hidden in their works ; but these are so blended with so many fanciful and childish conceits ; that it requires no small patience , pains , and judgment , to separate the good grain from the unprofitable chaff . The pains and time , however , bestowed upon this study will be amply repaid by the knowledge acquired .
_ I hat there is a secret hidden meaning in the sacred Scriptures , distinct from , and superior to , the popular arid literal sense , has been a very favourite opinion among the most learned Christian writers / as well as Jews . Indeed , without admitting this to be the case , a great part of the divine writings will be confused and obscure , if not absolutely unintelligible , particularly in the prophecies . When we admit of the truth of the Scriptures , we must at once conclude that there is
nothing superfluous in them . Therefore it follows , that every part must be pregnant with important meaning . The heavenly Author intended that the sublime composition should be at all times a fund of rich instruction respecting the things of the spiritual world . Accordingly we are commanded by him to ' search the Scriptures . ' Superficial readers will find nothing profitable in this treasury . They only are benefitted , who employ time and labour in the search . So far then the Cabalists are to be commended and imitated , as they promote this most laudable and advantageous stud \ %
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Account Of The Cabalistical Philosophy Of The Jews.
not believe the same of the letters which represent those names in the same language ? Again , others think , . that the Cabala was either allegorical or literal . The former was more conjectural ; but if there be any virtue in characters which signify nothing , with more reason , the words , syllables , and letters , which are the visible names of things , shall not be without . This afforded ground to the Cabalists to
consider , in letters , not only their number and arithmetical value ; but also their order , proportion , harmony , magnitudes , and geometrical figures ; observing whether they are strait , crooked or tortuous ; closed or not . Thus in one passage , where the Messiah is spoken of , some have concluded from a Mem which is found inclosed in the middle of a wordcontrary to customthat this Messiahshould proceed fro
, , , m the closed womb of a virgin , contrary to the course of the ordinary birth of men . Thus Rabbi Haccadosh , in the first letters of these Hebrew words of Genesis , ch . xiix . v . 10 . Jebo scilo velo , found those with which the Hebrews write the name of our Saviour , viz . J . s . v .
Lastly , others say , that we ought to govern ourselves in reading the Cabalists as bees do , who gather only the good and leave the bad , which is more plentiful ; and , above all , to . avoid the loss of time which is employed in turning over the tedious volumes of the Talmudists , which are either so unpleasant , or their sense so much unknown to us , through the envy which they bore to their
successors , that we may with more reason tear their books in pieces , than one of the Christian fathers did the Satires of Persitts . Vpon the whole , the Cabalistical writers abound in excellent observations , and many profound truths are hidden in their works ; but these are so blended with so many fanciful and childish conceits ; that it requires no small patience , pains , and judgment , to separate the good grain from the unprofitable chaff . The pains and time , however , bestowed upon this study will be amply repaid by the knowledge acquired .
_ I hat there is a secret hidden meaning in the sacred Scriptures , distinct from , and superior to , the popular arid literal sense , has been a very favourite opinion among the most learned Christian writers / as well as Jews . Indeed , without admitting this to be the case , a great part of the divine writings will be confused and obscure , if not absolutely unintelligible , particularly in the prophecies . When we admit of the truth of the Scriptures , we must at once conclude that there is
nothing superfluous in them . Therefore it follows , that every part must be pregnant with important meaning . The heavenly Author intended that the sublime composition should be at all times a fund of rich instruction respecting the things of the spiritual world . Accordingly we are commanded by him to ' search the Scriptures . ' Superficial readers will find nothing profitable in this treasury . They only are benefitted , who employ time and labour in the search . So far then the Cabalists are to be commended and imitated , as they promote this most laudable and advantageous stud \ %