the Paffage of the Ifraelites; and tho' that Cunning Man afcribed it as a Miracle to the Gods, to be more chearfully obeyed by his Soldiers; yet he durft not affure them that the Town would be certainly taken, and if that Stratagem of his had not well fucceeded, his vain undertaking had not been perhaps so much as mention'd in History. X. I think I have fufficiently clear'd both the History of the Paffage of the Ifraelites thro' the Red Sea, and what Jofephus lays concerning it; whom I have not alledged, as if I relied much upon his Authority, in things of that nature; but because fome Learned Men, whose Authority ought not to be flighted in the Common-wealth of Learning, are more moved with his Testimony than with Arguments. They and their like Obje& fometimes the Novelty of an Opinion, which they read no where else, as if it were a certain fign of Falfhood, and can't reft contented without the Testimony of an Ancient Author. But I have efpecially endeavour'd to satisfie those, to whom too great a Love of Prodigies and wonders of fome Mean and Imprudent Interpreters hath given occafion to doubt of the Truth of fome Ancient Histories. For I have often observed that the Doubts of fome Men, who are no Fools, arife from their judging of very Ancient Histories, not after a careful Examination, but according to the common opinion of those with whom whom they live. Which is certainly very un juft; for can any thing be more repugnant to Juftice and Equity than for a Man to give his Verdict, not as the Caufe, which he ought to know perfectly, requires, but as he, that pleads that caufe, defends it. If any one thinks I have not well pleaded the Cause I took in hand, I shall be glad to be better informed, and as willing to hear another as if I had never thought of, nor writ on this Subject. FIN I S. |