Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from A Historical and Critical Commentary on the Old Testament, With a New Translation, Vol. 1: Leviticus; Containing Chapters I-X, With Treatises on Sacrifices and the Hebrew Priesthood
But he ventures to prefer a double request to those into whose hands this volume may fall. First, he begs them not to judge of the results unless they have patiently followed him through the chain of arguments by which the conclusions were obtained; for he has endeavoured so to arrange the facts and proofs that an attentive perusal will, he trusts, disclose their force and cogency, whereas desul tory reading must'lead to hasty and unjust opinions. The second request he cannot make better than in the words with which Spinoza concludes the Introduction to his Tram/m9 T/zeologico To those who are not accustomed to think rationally, I do not desire to recom mend this book, since I have no reason to hope that they will in any way be gratified by it. For I know how stubbornly the mind clings to those prejudices which it has adopted under the appearance of religion. I know moreover, that it is as impossible to free the mass of men from superstition as it is to free them from fear.. These therefore and all those who obstinately insist upon preconceived opinions, I do not invite to read this book, nay I would much rather wish them to leave it un noticed, than to call forth strife by interpreting its con tents perversely, and while gaining no advantage for them selves, to cause injury to others who would argue with greater freedom if they were not checked by the one fatal belief that reason must be the handmaid of theology.
It may be expedient to add a few explanations with regard to the economy of this volume.
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