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A N

INVESTIGATION

O F CAUSES

*XI5IHC

PKOM THE

O r g a n i z a t i o n of th W o r ld ,

IS WHICH

M A N IS

P A R T I C U L A R L Y I N T E R E S T E D :

W M T T E K

BY

R A B B I J A D A I A ,

O f Barcelona, Spain.

CONTAINING

T H E O L O G I C A L

and M E T A P H Y S I C A L

S E J V T E J V C E S *

T R A N S L A T E D

INTO ENGLISH

B Y R A B B I TOBIAS G O O D M A N .

t o r the Lord

gireth

wisdom; out o f his

mouthcometh

knowleilp

nderattodiag.

P r o v

h


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D E D I C A T I O N .

T O T H E

M O S T

R e v .

S o l o m o n

H i e r s c h e l l ,

PRESIDING

R A B B I O F T H E

G E R M A N JEWS

I N L O N D O N

U NDER a firm persuasion of your

attachment

to

useful literature,

and

convinced

of the sin-

eerily o fyourwishes for the extension of useful

knowledge, I

cannot,

for a

moment, doubt

with

what

satisfaction

you

will receive

the

work

which

now

solicitsyourpatronage

and

support.

When

I

reflect that

the original

work

is the production

of a character eminently distinguished for the

superiority of his

wisdom,

I

shouldconsiderthat

I

deviated

from thatduty

and

respect

which I owe

to you, did I

seek

to

usher

i t

into

the world

under

any other sanction

than

yours.

T he

author

of the following

work

representsan

accomplished

man as

supported

by two

pillars

of

inestimable

valuethe

knowledge and the

prac

tice

of

virtue.

T o you,

most

Reverend Sir, as

firmlyestablished on so

high

a basis, I am

con

strained

to

addressmyself.

Y o u are not

only

in -

titled,

but

qualified,

to be the

patron

of the

present

undertaking. H igh ly distinguished for the ex

tent

of

your erudition,

the

sublimity

of

your

sen-

tinients,

an d

equally signalized

by a life of

strict

integrity, the world

cannot censure,

no r will you,

I

trust,

feel

reluctance

to

afford that protection

which is now

solicited.

That the work should

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P R E E A C E .

i v

In

an age l i k e the

present,

when literature is, perhaps,

inore universally cultivated, than at any former period, it is

difficult to determine the causewhy the treasure*, the pecu

l i a r advantages, and captivating sublimity of the Hebrew

language, are not more eagerly sought after, more highly

valued,

and more extensively admired Was this language

(which

bearsevident testimony, and affords the most deci

sive

evidence of being the

original

tongue, and consequently

forming the

base

on-which every othei language is founded)

more generally known, and more extensively understood, it

would

afford the highest satisfaction to the scholar, and ex

hibit,

to the morali st, the richest fund of instruction. Of

the just ice and propriety o f

these

remarks, the

b i b l i c a l

stu

dent is

firmly

persuaded ; and so must every rational being,

when

he reflects

that

the sacred code, the volume of divine

inspiration, containing the w i l l of the

Most

H i g h , was con

veyed to man through the medium of the Hebrew language;

and

that

its characters were formed by

Deity

himself, on the

tabletsofstonedelivered on M o u n t i i i t a i .

Every

man of sound penetration is f i rmlyconvinced of the

necessity, and ful ly aware of the peculiar advantages, result

in g

from the study of the sacred language. To the honor

o f

the

B r i t i s h

nation, it may be recorded,

that

much

atten

tion

is paid to it . At the sametime it may be said,

that

the

Superior pathos, anr) noble subl imity, so int imate ly counec-

ted

with

it,

w i l l,

on all occasions, amply repay the most

rigid

attent ion, and more than compensate for the most minute

investigation. The imagery, boldness, and preponderating

power of the Hebrew language, rises superior to every other

language. It challenges, it defies competition. Imitation

o f It may be studiously cul tivated and regard*d, but such

attempts

(though originating from a good and laudable

motive,

and highly commendable) serve but to place its

superiority

In a more conspicuous point of

view,

and confirm

its evident superiority. Saith the great and profound

A f i D t s o w

(when

writing

on the dignity of the inspired lan -

gauge),

there

is a peculiar coldness and indifference in

fail, when supported by a luminary so eminently

characterized by men of learning in general, and

especially

those

of our community, as you are, is

next to

impossibility.

The general tendency of the work, the motive

on

which

it is founded, and the ultimate object

it embraces, are particulars so intimately con

nected

with

that

high and important situation

you hold, and which your abilities adorn,

that

the mere mention of yourpatronageisadequate

to give it weight, and establish for it a reputation

which

art or malice cannot destroy. I am

therefore solicitous to possessa defence so pow

erful,

and a bulwark so impregnable, as your

abilities wi l l afford, and your unblemished in

tegrity form. To say morewould be superfluous

-to have said lesswouldhave been criminal.

M ay the Almightylong preserve you in health

and prosperityenlarge the extent of yourwis

domand bestow everyqualificationfwhich your

exalted station, requires you should possess;

while,

in the language ofdivine truth, I fervently

supplicate that the Ho l y One of Israel

would

cause

Solomon to fill the chair of his father for

ever.

I am,

Wi th the profoundest respect,

Y o u robliged and obedient servant,

T O B I A S G O O D M A N .


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V

duties of

l i fe ,

itaffords powerful admonit ion. In what con-

ctrns man most to know, it is

highly

beneficial, is it leads to

a fu l l , a clear, and comprehensive account ol l i l e , death,

a n d resurrection.

F u l l y

to appreciate its

mf rits,

and possess a just concep

tion

of its real value, requires a

familiar

and classical ac

quaintance with the Hebrew. By every character, thus

qualified,

to examine its

high

pretensions, it is admired.

T o hebraists, itstands in need ofno recommendationit is

n o t the power of language thatw i l l enhance i ts value, or add

to

its

intrinsic

excellence. The noble

simplicity with which

it

abounds,

has

stamped,

with

accumulated weight, the im

portant truths itconveys, and given, to the author, innnor-

ta l celebrity. O f its merit and its worth, evidence may lie

A d d u c e d ,

from

the testimony afforded by the most illustrious

writers,

whose veracity has never been doubted, whose

ability to determine has been always admitted. L i k e the

Talmud,

each

sentence

conveys ideas, sufficient to occupy

the pensofthe learned, and engage the powers of thegreat

est. To adduce a high testimony of its value, hear that

luminary

Buxtorfhe

thus

speaks of i t in his Bibliotheque

desRabbins. " The examination of the

world

is an excellent

production, equally

valliable

for the stile , as important for

the dignity of the subject. It

treats

of the vanities of the

world;

and discovers

those

means, by

which

man may at-

taiti

the summit of

a ll

felicity,

the enjoyment of heaven ; aud

this, with so much perspicuity, dignified with so much elo

quence of persuasion, and energy of argumrut,

that

even to

imitate his stile constitutes an enviable eloquence." L i k e

the fruit of the garden of Eden, so is the intellectual

food

our author gives. It iustructsit qualifiesit enables

man, not

only

in imagination, but by rendering clear the

unerring

road, how to elevate his

soul,

and laise, by just

degrees, to the summit ofthatceltstial ladder which reaches

from

earth to heaven.

F o r

the

reasons

before given, it is

here

necessary to re

mark,

that

neither the English or any other language, can

pay due honor to the original. The sublimity aud grandeur,

abovementioned, cannot be equalled. When translated in

the most correct and elegant manner, it

w i l l

necessarily

follow,

that

much of its native grace and exclusive advan

tages are lost. It resembles a monarch divested of his

splendor, and stripped of every appendage of royalty.

While the English tongue is languid, diffuse, and sometimes

v.S>

iv

the

E u r o p e a n

languages, when compared

with holy

writ.**

In the Hebrew language, there appears no poverty of stile

no

frivolity

of intentionno deficiency of energy: al l is

|

grand, majestic, and expressive; worthy of the Aut hor

from

^ whom it had its origin.

L e t not then the works of science, and the productions of

indefatigable labor, penned for the general welfare of man,

abound

with

numerous quotations

from

Greek and Roman

author?, to the neglec t of the inspired sti lelet what is

,

eminent, receive its due regar d; and the glor y of

that lan

guage, in

which

the sentiments of man, and, above al l , the

w i l l of God, were first conveyed,' w i l l shine transcendant;

aud claim, what i t just ly merits, veneration and respect.

T o

prove the justice of

these

remarks, we need

only

refer to

the commentar ies and laborious glossaries of the wor d of

: God with which the public are favored,

from

the pens of

those great luminaries. Those distinguished men of erudi-

1^ tion,the Rabbins

M o t e t M a im o n i d e t, A b a r b a n d , M o t e *

A l t h u c h ,

I s a a c B a l a q u e d a , E b e n

E z r a , &c. &c.

T h e author of the followingwork, a translation of which,

from

the

original,

is now, for the first time, attempted in

English, to gratify the admirers of the beautiful and sublime,


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vi i

v i

axiom, with a ll true Israelites, drawn from the word of

divine truth,

that

every virtuous man, who studiously

adheres to the principles of recti tude and integrity,

w i l l

be

happy in the

world

to come.

Upon

the whole, it is

only

observed,

that

this attempt to

translate an ancient Hebrew poet, whose writings embrace

the noble object of a laudable motive, to make men wiser

an d

better, and thus promote the best interests of society,

is , with

all due respect and deference, submitted to the

English nationthe inhabitants of which, have ever been

distinguished patrons of the arts and sciences, and steady

supporters of useful lit erature. The translator, to such as

expect a production, free

from

every deftct,

would

say

Whoever

thinks a faultless piece to see,

Thinkswhat ne'er was, nor

is ,

nor e'er

shall

be.''

H e

trusts, however,

that

the scholar

w i l l

not be disap

pointed,

but amply satisfied and amusedthe

critic

divested

o f

censurethe intell igent reader pleasedthe more

ordi-

m ry

capac ity instructed, and the whole class of readers

compensated for their labour, and satisfiedwith their inves-

ligation and researches; and

that

the production wiP be

foundequally deserving the protection of a generous nation,

as the most admired production of

classical

labor.

F u l l y

conscious of having sedulously endeavoured to promote the

best interests of society, he submits his arduous attempt

(labouring

under the disadvantages before mentioned) to his

fellow-creatures, f i rmly

persuaded

that

the indulgent reader

w i l l

excuse bis unknown defects, and the discerningcritic

Ameliorate the asperity of

that

reproof, which intentional,

but not unconscious errors and imperfections merit.

fails

adequately to express the boldness of a l i v e l yimagina

tion,the Hebrew is clear and nervous, succinct and s o l i d .

A n

idea,which, iu the Hebrew, is expressed in two or

three

words,

requires many in the

English;

as several pieces of

copper are required to equal the worth of the same weight

o f

silver or gold. The learned, ingenious, and eminently

distinguished divine, Rabbi MosesMaimonides,in his cele

brated work, iutitled M o r y Nebouchim, adduces this

leason,

why the law is, in a figurative sense, coinpaied to

wat er; because, if you descend into the depth of the sea,

your

research

w i l l

be rewarded by the discovery of pearls,

an d

the acquisition of precious stones: in l i ke manner, by

penetrating into the depth of the law, you discoverwisdom,

an d

acquire knowledge and substantial instruction. As

(saith the wiseking Solomon) a word fitly spoken is l ike

apples ofgold in pictures of silver, so are the beauties aud

peculiar graces of the work

which

now solicits the patronage

o f

the

public.

As in the former instance it requires, not

only

a sufficient nearness of approach, but an

adequate

strength of sight, to disceni the embossed figure, and viestr,

with

advantage, the golden design on the silvery surface; so

w i l l

it require the

calm,

dispassionate investigat ion, and the

diligent attention of the scholar, to discover the peculiar

advantages and high qualifications with which the work

abounds. A t the same time, the beauties it possesses are so

obviously manifest,

that

the man who is determined not to

allow

merit its due reward, is the

only

character who may

be pronounced ignorant of its worth.

The

work abounds

with

words, phrases, and divine sen-

tenets,

drawn

from

the oracles of G o d ; and thus forms an

auxiliary to that sacred volume. L i k e every other labor

an d

work of man , it has not perfection attached to it . But

the language of the poet

w i l l

palliate the asperity of

i l l -

nature.

Errors,likestraws, upon the surface f low;

He who

would

search for pearls mastdivebelow.''

I n

the law,

which

had itsorigin'from God , it is writte n

la y

your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the

nations

which shall

hear the

statutes

thereof.

This

precept

was dictated by an expanded benevolence ; and far from the

intention of making converts : for, in the days of

D a v i d

and

Solomon (vide Tal mud) , when interest might have made,

grandeur captivated, and power commanded Proselites, none

were received into the community of I srae l: and it is an


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C H A P . . 1.

T H E heavens are limited in height, the

earth

i n

depth. T h e extent of the

heart

ol an intellig

ent man iswithout

bounds

: itpenetratesetherial

space,

an d

aspires

to learn the primitive

cause,

from whence it had its origin.

T o the inquiries of man there is no bounds.

T h e causes by which he isaftuated he attempts

to

explore.

T h e

heart

produces

diversity

of

thought

;

that

o f

the

just

man

tends

to truth alone : his inward

jjarts san&ify the H ol y On e ofIsrael, and, with

his lips, he honors the God of g lory .

There is

neither

wisdom, nor counsel, nor

sciencethatclaims

not ma n for its

patron.

None

of the inferior createdanimalsare

placed

beyond the

control

ofthiswiseand accomplished

being. Fro m his knowledge their

nature

is not

concealed.

T h e heavens cannotComprehend,neither can

the sea

contain

so

much

as the

boundless

faculty

o f the heart of man . C an the wings o f the wind

rise

ec ual

to the spirit of wisdom, when moving

t>pon^ watersofreposeand torrentso f

pleasure

Can the extent of the

earth encompass

his

thought, which holds itsseat in a small inclosure

not exceeding the

palm

of a hand.

W a t e r i

o f repose an d t o r r e n t s o f p l e a s u r e . This ex

pression

supposes man to be in the full enjoyment of

every

intelleftual

faculty,undisturbedby allsurrounding

tJbjetts, at dpossessingan

unruffled

serenity.

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St

A N

I N V E S T I G A T I O N ,

& C .

Consider

; this is the portion which man has

from God ; and the

same

which God has of the

universe.

G od

has not his resemblance in heaven, nor

man his equal upon earth,

vyrhile

advancing to

wards

D e i f y .

He examines, and

thus

discovers

the mysteries, recorded in the scripture of truth.

Jn Jaw and justice how

great

are his aftions

I f not tor the vicissitudes of l ife, and the

mutability

of

seasons,

nothing

would

divert him

from

elevating himself to heaven, from embrac

in g

aH

parts

of the

w o r l d ,

from resembling an

angel, having the ||

true

knowledge of good.

C H A P . II.

W H E N the virtuous manrefle&she trembles:

when he meditates he is confused ; because the

excellency of his

nature

is lost, and his glory

departed.

When

* he beholds the disasters

o fa

town, he

questions the purity of his image ; when he

contemplates the vicissitudes of a state,

life

be

comes burdensome.

H e concludes thatman came into this world

to assimilate himself to the heavenly host: The

extent of his

heart

surpasseth the boundless sea.

||

T r u e

k n o w l e d g e o fgood.

A judicious commentator

observes, on this expression,thatunder this

sentence

it

implied

a knowledge of spiritual good,

wholly

divested

of evil .

*

Here the translator thinks necessary to observe to

the learned

reader,

that

the

hebrew

runs

th us :

but the libertywhichhe has taken, being sanctionedby

universal

suffrage, bfithinks it

w a u e v m y

ta dd

thing

more.

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A N

I N V E S T I G A T I O N , & C .

When

he

spreads

his wings to the north, thete

in the most secret places he discovers a variety

of unknown causes.

When hesoarsto theeast,he is

taught

to ap

prehend sublime mysteries ; When to the heaven

he wings his

flight,

he discovers the mystical

rliariot

of

a l l

sciences. 111 the profound ab) ss,

l ie

forms an invaluable cabinet of wisdom.

H e

mounts from the most low habitation, inter

the highest heavens. F rom the most high seat

of the celestial arcana, he descends

to'the

most

hidden recess. Thus is the crooked path made

strait, and the intersected road adjusted,.

B y

the avidity of his power, and the exercise

of his

intelligence, he calls the most remote things

to his

familiar

acquaintance, and the extremity

of nature

he beholds.

B y the gradual improvement of each faculty

his wisdom is enlarged, t i l lhe i$enabled to grasp

with in

his fist, the confines of the earth, and

penetrate

the celestial mansions.

The sublimity of his knowledge also enables

him

to include

with in

his science the

nature

of

al l

created beings,

teaches

him how in each

gradation to distinguish the species. Thus by

meditating on the marvels ofG o d , he is led to

discourse of him who is the

great

First Cause of

a l l .

C H A P . HI.

W H E N he contemplates man

thus

nobly

formed, and distinguished by so many eminent^

perfelions, his anger raises, and his indignation

iskindled, that

he should be subjeft to so many

infirmities.

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4 A N


& C .

H ow is i t

thatthis

stoneofsoinestimable value,

exc ell ing far the high ly beautified

saphire,

should beexposed to somany ev i l s , and ,

appar

ently,

derated

as a

mark

to

receive

the

arrow

of

destr

1161 ion ?

H ow is i t

that

he

appearsdestined

to

exist

as an

object

of

misery,

and as abeing so insignificant ?

W h y

does

he, so we ll qualified in youth to

sustain

the infirmities to wh ich he is

exposed,

receive

no

additional supply,

to

support

the evils

attendant on old age ?

Th e m a n

that

sat in the cl^air of

learning,

who

sustained

his seat in the circle of

doctors,

held

converse

with the

sages o f

wisdom, and

resembled

an angel, shall he for

ever

remain silent, and

continueeternally

in

forgetfulness

?

T h e

pastor

of *heavenly light shall he finally

cease,

and his

teaching feed

only the win d ? H e

that

laiddown

lessons

of wisdom,

thattaught

the

foundation,

an d

raised

the

fabric

of

truth,

shall

Jje

sink

under

his infirmities ?

H e

that

relied

upon

his

prudence,

and de

pended

on his wisdo m, shall it

fail

to

support

Jiim

? H e

that

was

upholden

by his integrity

shall his

hands

wax

feeble

?

I f

by

external

causes

he is

elevated artd

de

pressed,

shall he

expire,

and lik e the animals o f

the field and the

beasts

of the

forest

be no

more?

Sha l l

thisstone

of the

sanAuary

cleave to the

clods

of the yal ley, and

fall

into obscurity and

oblivion ?

H e a v e n l y l i g h t .

The

translator

thoughtit

mosteligi

ble, with a view to

render

theexpression clearly intell

igible, to

everv

capacity,to

render

it

thus:The

original

it

will

be

seen

is

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5 A N


& C .

W i l l G od permit the frame, which he ha

himself sobeautifully

adorned,

to inhabitendless

(darkness?

Surely when man but superficially reflets, it

grieves him ;

when

he

meditates,

the source of

consolation seemslost. T obeholdthus

mutable

th e works of Godthe

cedar

wh ich D eity has

Slanted

cut down by the hand ofdeath, dislra&s

is soul.

Thus does he consider the animal frame of

man ;

examines

h is

faculties,

an d discovers when

wisely he

contemplates,

no realimperfe& ion, but

that

his infirmity isdeath.

C H A P .

IV.

B U T nature,

wonderfully

formed by the hand

Supreme, pointsout to man , whenquittingthis

l i fe, a source

of

jo y eternal; fills the soul wi th

the

prospeft

of

immortality,

and , to

soften

the

calamity

which arises from the

terrors

ofdeath,

points out, as acompensation, everlasting g l o r y .

Hav ing the prospect

o f

eternal residence in the

palace of the great

K i n g

;wherefore, O chi ld

o f the earth, dostthoucomplain ? W h y mourn

that thoumust be laid in the habitation of re

pose,

an d intombed in the

sepulchre

o fdeath ?

T h o u

wast

formed toanticipatea n enjoyment

with God , tohope for a

perfectassurance

of un

interrupted bliss ; W h y

then

canstthou

mourn

that

th y

arms, necessitated

to

wage

in

battle,

w i l l bedelivered from warfare.

o

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6 A N


& C .

T h o u boastedst thyorigin from heaven;why

then dost thou demur to leave this low and

miserable val ley?

T h epleasures

of life,

and the delights

o f

sense,

are but as thorns, and unfriendly as the briar.

F r o m the day that God saw fit to form the

earth a receptable for thy soul , it has exhibited a

covert to secret thygreatestenemiesthe cause?

o f

sorrow and woe.

T h ydesires are the sources

o f

e v i l ; thy boasted

weapons a defenceless armour; thy riches the

inlets of gr ief; fascinating allurements deceive;

pride is a blazingflame ;go ldmay w i ngits eager

flight~and, every pleasure

of

man , prove but a

demon

ofdestru&ionarm

thy

mind

then against

a va in

attachment.

A s

thou wouldest

avoid

the contagionof

a

de

banched companion, extracting the good and

reje&ing the e v i l ,so through

life,

thou must aft.

B enot dismayed because thou canst not obtain

more : with whqt thou

possessest

be content.

T h e

hours of thy enjoyment are

l ike

the shadows

tf 07

:

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*

:

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14/80

A N


& C .

ofthe evening sun: and as ach i ld , va in ly grasp

ing within

his hand the departing ray, opens it

and

is astonished to

find

nothing, so are those

who

depend on time.

C H A P .

V.

W H E N

a wise man direCts his attention to

frivolous

obje6ts it creates a malady of

alarming

magnitude.

When

he projects a

mult ip l ici ty

ofdesigns and

forms

plans for the increase of wealth and the

extent of riches,

wh ich

satisfy

only

his animal

senses, therearises no real enjoyment but mere

l y

the display of a luxurious table and the

ability

to exhibit a sumptuous repast.

These treasures and reservoirsofboasted plea

sures are but deadly drugs. For a moment

only

they please, though obtained at the expence of

much

pain. What advantage can he boast after

they are gone

? A Hthat

he enjoys is the mere

recolleftion.

They

serve but as snares to decoy him and

work

the destruction of those powers

which

he

has

in

slaved

to produce them.

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15/80

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& C .

Thus

whi le

his abjeft powers are gratified and

his sensual appetites pleased, his wisdom lays

dormant and the more noble faculty deserted and.

forgotten sits solitary and is treated with con

tempt.

I f the di lates of reason admonish they are

disregarded and every lessonofprudence despised.

A s

the flaxen thread instantly yields on the

approach of the flame, so do the lessons of integ

r i ty

lose their influence

w i th

the sensual.

C an

such conduft merit the applause of the

wise?

Shal l

a plate of entiles be considered a

sufficient equivalent for the more

dignified

en-

dowmenfs.

Is it more rational to enjoy for a

moment the transient pleasure

which

terminates

in

thegreatest

ev i l

? Sha l l the sensual part re

joice

while

the soul is in mourning ?

Shal l

the

animal frame desolate the spiritual faculties ?

Whatadvantage is it to enjoy the phantom of

an airy imagination

which on ly

contains the ap

pearance of pleasure ? Woe to the manthat thus

causes his fal l , and

w i l l ing ly

destroys the power

of

his nerves. The result of his labour is va in ,

and the end of his exertions fail to produce

solid

happiness.

N O T E . There ate variouspeculiarexpressions iri

the hebrew,

which

ifstiiflly adhered to in the english

translation,

would

not

only

appear unharmonious ; but

render the

original

work less splendid ; the translator

therefore thinks necessary

to

observe,that

in

this chapter

and several others, he has been necessitated, though on-

willingly, to abridge the hebrew idioms.

:

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& C .

C H A P . V I .

B u T

there

is a man on whose actionsattend

greater

peri l T he mean man, who urges the

revolution of the days, that he may arrive to the

summit

of his wishes, and embrace the object of

his

designs

; while he

does

not

consider

that

the

accomplishment of theanticipatedmoment, may

bring

the

period

of his

calamity,

and be the

season

when his

iniquities

shall be revealed to

the world.

W h y sha l l he desirean

acquaintance

w ith the

events of the

night,

or wh y shall he solicit the

evening, when he may decay and be for ever

gone ?

W h y

should

he

breathe after

the

shadow,

when perhaps he may leave his inheritance for

the enjoyment of the crafty ?

Shall he rely on the

junction

of his soul and

body, whenat

sun-set

the

time

of

their

dis-union

may arrive?

H e

hopes

for the day when he may be con

sumed

; he

wishes

for the end of dayswhen he

may find himself seized with

terror,

and over

taken with shame ; for the change of

seasons

when his feet may slip .

H e thirsts for the year o f

releasethe

time

o f

the forsaking oflands ;

when

he

knows

not but

that

himself may be forsaken. H e longs for a

jubilee, when,

perhaps,

he may be the

subject

ofmourninsr, when his soul may be

overwhelm

ed incontusion and fear.

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& C .

* W h e n therefore you are inclined to

anti

cipate the conclusion of ayear, from the first day

thereof, w hy w i l l you not reflect, an d

attentively

consider, what may

come

to

pass.

B ut i youservetheearthwi thsuchanardency

of attachment, even on the

motive,

you

should

serve

G od ; why do yo u wish for the cessation

of time, which may probably bring the period

of

your departure.

Surely

it cannot bu t arise

from the perverseness ofyour

heait.

:

*

:

C H A P . V I I .

T i l

E N ,

O m y soul , i f

thou

embracest the least

of theseways, while the

days

allotted tothee are

too

short

to

enable

thee to arrive to the

haven

of

thy

wishestheplace

so

much longed

for

what use is the

passage

on which such a

portion

of timeisspent ? W h y my sou l dost thou travel

so s l ow ly , and sit l ike the sluggard with folded

hands.

Whatadvantage is the hoary head, or what

use the life protracted to manyyears?

W h e n I reflect that 1 am sent here to do m y

work, why are my hands

unbent,

and my de

light the pleasure ofpromenacfe ?What good

* For the

reasons assigned

at the end of the

fifth

chap'er, the translator has

omitted purposely

the

construction

o f

which

is

peculiar

to

that

language, bu t would appear i l

translated

an unnecessary

.repetition.

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t t AW


& C .

w i l lresult if I inhabit the house short or long.

When I behold the good and the bad, what

advantage

isit i fI am not able to choose the one,

and rejeft the other.

I f

I

saythatmy ways are sweet to my palate,

and my thoughts agreeable to my eyes, shall I

be believed

?If m y

way

seems

pleasant,

shall

I,

therefore, chuse it, without considering whether

i t is so in the eyes ofG od ?To walk withpride

seems pleasant, but is it right ? If I imagine

myself

equal

with

a monarch, wi l l my imagina

tion make me the more powerful ? Shal l I be

recognized by the Eternal

K i n g,

in the heavenly

palace, as

that

being to which pride would

elevate me ? What strength wi l lmy imagination

impart, if the counsel of Omnipotence destroys

i t ? Though my words may, for a moment, be

sweet, they may in the end be bitter.

C H A P . V I I I .

T H I S w orld

is atempestuoussea ; unfathom

ably profound ; and the boundaries are without

comprehension.

T i m e forms the bridge over which man must

:

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20/80

3

A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , & C .

pomegranate fills

theewith

haughtiness ? By an

inclination

to th3 right hand or the left thou

mayesldestroy thyself. In the mighty abyss

thou wiit

be lost.

F rom

oneprecipiceto another

thou

wil t

go ; no one wil l retrieve

thee

\ Float

ing in the floods of the deep, no one w i l lexhort

thee

to retuin.

C H A P . IX.

SHALL a lie deceive me ?

Shal l

I recline on a

broken

reed ? Or, deem a temporary residence

secure as the

lofty

tower, or pleasing as the

royal

palace ?

Shall

I persuade

mysel f

that the most *con

temptible things are worthy my highest regard ?

I f

the days are pleasant, and the time

passes

sweetly

away, every moment

bringing

rest, and

every hour its delights,

shall

these things tempt

me to forget the latter days ?

Shal l

the shadow of

a

gourd appear as eminent as the

lofty

mountain

?

Sha l l

I, forthesethings, cast mysoulbehind

*

The

original

is frtyno

*

the wings

of

a

flea;

"

the point of an

iron

pen;-

a

cobweb j

3

1 0 precious stones and corals.

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me ? Or, for (he miserable pleasures of the flesh

shall I oppose, and irritate the soul, and, when

she shouldappearin the temple ofG o d , provoke

}1ertQ anger ?

H o w forthese

vain

and imaginary pleasures,

shall I give up the prospefl of eternity and ever

lasting joy ?

Behold it wi l l come to pass, when the fever

of

youth is abated, and the flower thereof de

cayed, my end wi l l be loaded

with

the produdl

of

these things. Then w i l l my heart ask what

brought them ; and, the answer w i l lbe haughti

nessand bad advice

Shal l a servant destroy the work,

which

his

master appoints him to perform, and receive no

reproof ? Or, behave

with

disrespet and merit

no chastisement ?

CIIA P.X .

W I L T thou then, O valiant man, glory in

promenading over the grassy mead, and basking

with

inexperienced men in the sun-shine ? Or ,

delight to adorn thy rooms

with

carbuncles and

precious stones, to increase the splendor of thv

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22/80

15 A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , & C

festivities, wi th thy companions, who are such

as saycontinually.Jet us eat and drink, and yet

are strangers to prudence. They, consider only

the body, and are

l ike

the barren *

c loud which

produces no

rain.

Knowestthou not

thata l l

thy aCtions are re

gistered ? and thatthe eye of Omniscience

sees,

and the ear of the A l m i g h t y hearsthee?

O n

what foundation

wi l t

thou

dare

to make a'

breach in those ordinances, which the wisdom0

the prudent have established ?

Is it because thou dost not refleft, there is a

G od abovethee,who is

ful ly

acquainted

yvith

aty

thy goings out and comings in ? Dost thou not

consider, that thereare graves underneath

thee,

and the executioners of

divine

vengeance ?

W h y didst thou not represent these things to

thyself?

thatthis diversity of change mightim

press

t h y h e a r t ,

and teach

thee

that the am

bassadors of the

M o s t H i g h ,

retire not,

ti l l

they

have executed the vengeance, and

inilited

the

punishment due to man, lor his crimes equally

to men in general as individuals in particular

Consider, thatthis is the wil l ofG o d , and the

result ofhiswise decree, sometimes todebasethe

highest, and to elevate the most humble When

one

falls

and another rises, the decree comes

from

the Eternal. Why then openest thou not thine

eyes to

these

things ?

V a i n imaginations, and feeble thoughts have

overpowered

thy reason, and destroyed thy

* T i e i Jea of thepoet seems to be founded on

that

of

S o l o m < n , Piov. 25, 14.y nniwitiillanding the former

changes the conftruttiun of the pluase, by putnng ram

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A M I N V E S T I G A T I O N ,& C .

sensibility,so

that

thou canst not

discern,

neither

dost thou understand

Intheday time,thypleasures fascinatethee;

and ,

in the

night season,

thy

conscience

re

monstrates w t h thee They have pointed out

a

pleasant path, the endwhereof abounds with

difficulties, and thorns. They have taught thee

to embrace

the

envenomed serpent, whose sting

isdeath. They have defamed thy reputationj

destroyed theglory

of thy nature, and rendered

th y heart impure,

by

representing

flatterie3

apparentlyassweet aso i l ,but in the end big

with destruction

W h y slumberest thou ? Why dost thou suffer

thyself tob edeceived,and believethat they wi l l

cause thee

to

possess

so

much

of the

earth,

for

ever, when thou

only

tabernaclest here for

a

few

days

?

Cursedare they whichhavedriventheeaway,

and prevented theefrom enjoying

the

pleasures

of the saints

; for

out

of the

same rock

as

them

thou

wast hewn.

By

folly thou

art

hindered

from assimilating thyself with angels, andcom

pelled

to

reside with

the

lion

in

his den.

I f the r ich treasures, and peculiar productions

ofdifferentcountries, which

t h o u

possessest,

be

the causeofthatpridewhich

thou hast

nourished,

tendingto

reduce

thy

soul,consider how thou

art hurt w i th t h erod offol ly ,and destroyed with

the plague ofblindness.

before wind.

Th e

reason

seems to be

that

an

allegorical

sensealluding to the charaftera

spoken

of might

be

ap

proptiatede.

g. the

word cloud

in the

hebrew

meanidghaughtiness;rain t^corpor ali ty; w i n d n n s p i r i N

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1


W h y for the

treasures

of darkness dost thou

hate

and

afflift

thy

soul, which

should be bound

in

the bundle of life ? Why, for the perishable

s i lver , dost thou destroy thy purity ?

Reflect thatall thy riches are of no duration.

I n

a short time a tempestuous

wind

may arise,

that

w i l l

dissipate and scatter all thy treasures,

and the myriads forwhich thou

hast

bartered thy

sou l ,

w i l l

then be as though they never had

existed.

A

reverse of fortune may rob

thee

of all thy

honor andg lo ry . In the place of thy riches may

descend a violent firefrom heaven, which may

consume

thee,

and all thy boasted treasures.

C H A P . XI.

W H Y

w i l l

you desire,wi thsuchaffeflion, art

earth which may one day become as A d m a h ,

and pleasure

which

may resemble

Zeboim

?

These animal pleasures bring wrath and anger

on their most zealous admirers ; and produce

dissension among those most in alliance with

them, even those who have sworn the

greatest

amity.

Theirsweetness is l ikestraw in a whir lwind :

their end l ikea reed in the red sea ; produdlive

of

shame and perpetual disgrace.

What

pleasure is it to hear of the

greatest

ad

vantages, and the promise of a long life, if you

G

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25/80

18 A N


& C .

cannot prevent death, from treading you under

his

feet.

What

the happier

w i l l

you be, if by reason of

strength you attain fourscore years, and then

find the grave, or what advantage

wi l l

you boast

ifeven you are healthy at ninety, and

sti ll

there

exists no hope to protraft the e v i l?

Shal l

the

insignificant

pismire so easily des

troyed, and those reptiles

which

melt in an

instant, presumptuously contend to reign.

Though for a day or two they may exist, re

member it is not for an eternitythey

wil l

soon

be destroyed. The fields of Sodom w i l l not

prosper, nor the bundles of

Gomorrah flourish.

:

*

:

:

C H A P .

XII.

o wor ld thou art the source ofa l lvanity and

the cause ofcorruption

From

thy vanities can

we hope to obtain unfading pleasures ?

Thou art the origin of every failure Can we

then from

thee

expect immoriality?

When

after the source from whence thou

comest, we make inquiry, and commence a

diligent

research, labouring to possess the know

ledge how thou wast formedto discover if thou

art able to bestow happiness, and qualified to

reign over us ; then we learn, that the causes

which

establish

thee,

are those

which

tend to thy

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20


nes9 thou studiest malice.

D a i l y

in the height

of wickedness thou delightest to delineate upon

the doors of the worthy and deserving the index

ofsorrow and destruction.

T h e houses of the senseless and foolish thou

buildest with

marble and adornest

with

precious

stones.

A m o n g

those plantsthatare destined to

flourish

in the house of

G od

the fire of thy anger

rages. The

trees

of Lebanon also feel thy fury.

T h e

bush

tree

is exempt

from

thy rage.

T h o u

cuttestdown the cedar and causest the sycamore

to recover its v igor .

T h e

beauty of the morning star thou renderest

d i m ,

and the splendor' of its sapphire thou

eclipsest.

Thosethatare polluted

with

sins thou washest

with

soap that the external may appear pleasant

while

in their inward

parts

they project

snares

and cherish deceit.

T o

thee

O mistress of

folly

what profit is it to

express sentiments of

af le&ion

and words of

tenderness

to people without courage

only with

a

design to destroy them.

W i t h

a l l

the artifice of coquetry thou appear-

est, and in the morning lookest through thy

windowsand scarcely before an eye is

fixed

on

thee

thou disappearest. Thy beauty beams but

as a spark round their

pavil l ions

and then is no

more.

T h y

votaries for a moment thou Ieadest in

glory

clad

in luxurious robes, but in an instant

of

time thou coverest them

with

poverty and rag's.

T h y

benevolence thou communicatest but for a

season.

T h o u grantest

a

trifling

honor and then

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29/80

3 2 A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , & C .

I a m promised the

greatest

good, e v i l isdesigned.

Then

do 1 remain

mute,

and quiet as a

iamb,

full of

wonder

an d absorbed in contemplation.

Sorrowful on account of the past;

trembling

for

th e present ; and full of fear for the future,

treadingwi thsilentstep,bearingtheyoke

against

m y wi l l , t i l l the periodofmortality,

even

t i l l m y

substance is lost, and my

moisture

dried u p :

havingbeheld

innumerable alterations, and, in

a shorttime,seena multitude o fchanges.

C H A P . X I V .

* T1ME (saithacertain philosopher) is divine,

and

cannot

becomprehended. H e

erreth

not,

but his

words

are

just.

W o to

them,

who with

their

eyes, have

bq-

held the miseries, which arise from the effect o f

time, and yet

attach themselves

morestrongly to

i t : w h o ,

notwithstanding

the more

they

are

sported wi th and imposed o n , defer to forsake

Lest it

should

be

imagined

thattheauthor,here fall

into the opinion of

those,

who

asserted

an eternity of

matter ; thetranslator

thinks

proper to observe,that a

dire&

opposition

isintended. The

sentiment

clearly im

plies, when

attentively

considered,

that

from the

minute

oess

i ftime, nomoreof it can beunderstood,thanof the

natu

of

God,

from his

greatness

: and in

this

view only,

doeshe

support

the

idea

of

timebeing

divine. Thepast,

is but amere recolle&ion ; the present, is gone

betoie

the

smallest

reflexion can beindulged;and theiutureno

one can

discover.

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*3

A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , & C

the pleasures of the flesh.

Such, though they see their greatness is

rendered abominable, and

that

the abomination

increases, think not proper to quit the cause of

misery.

Though time pours out an abundance

of punishment, and chastisement, dispensing in

the openstreets, thegreatest vexations ahd in

juries, they do not consider ; neither

wi l l

they

open their eyes. They delight in playing and

dancing : they rise early, to enjoy their iestiv-

ities, and pursue their follies. To these char-

a6\ersaccidents

appear

as sport, and calamity a

causefor mockery.

*

:

*

:

C H A P .

X V .

W H E N I look into the sacks of time, to

search for a golden cup, or precious candlestick,

or inquire if itpossessesability to honor, and

assist me, I discover,

that

it' is deficientnot

able to help me, or remove my affliflions :

neither to command them to

depart.

It

does

not

possessa sceptre to rule, nor strength to com

fort.

Notwithstanding

it has selefled me from my

neighbours, and hidden me, in a

pavil l ion

of

safety, from the multitude of

afflilions,

and

f

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* 4 A N

I N V E S T I G A T I O N , C .

distresses

which

rage, and the desolations

which

take placethough it has elevated me, in

com

parison of my companions, and enabled me to

escape the destructive snare, arising

from

eleClion,

it possesses no power to proteCt me

from

the last

conflict

of nature, or exempt me

from

the influence of fate.

When

I consider the

glory

of the spheres, so

w e l l

arranged round me, wrapt up in the

great

globe ; when I contemplate their movements

and their power,

wisdom

is lost, and under

1

standing

fails

to discover their remoteness, dist-

anceand grandeur: they make this earth, placed

in the centre, resemble a miserable cavern, into

which

is poured the superfluity of uncleanness,

and

the

tilth

of nature.

Then

do I

Jift

up my eyes, and carry my re

fleCtions

to the

celestial

host above me, and those

tens

of thousands

which

constitute the armies

that

surround me ; and the other beings, who

inhabit

the corners of this cavern, the end of this

small

point, the lowest, and most miserable part

of

the universe.

After

having thus

divided

this

va l l ey

into

climates, provinces, towns, and habitations, I

discover, that

the place

wh ich

I occupy, the

circuit

of my residence : and, the shadow of my

roof,

forming

one of

these little

houses, may be

comparedto the extent of a fly.

Against

those powerful giants, who have cut

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32/80

25 A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N ,

out my

grave before

Ibegan to

enist,

shall a

being, soweak as

am ,

dare

to rise, or

elevate

himself ?

During the progress o f life, shall I

assume

the

arrogancetoestablishmyself, apd aspire to reign,

when I reflet

that they

havepower to bow me

down, and incline me which way

they

please.

What dominion shall a fly,

deprived

of his

wings, confined

in a

dungeon,

and

thrust

in a

cage, surrounded

with the

hosts

of

heaven,

to

guard him on the

right

hand and the left,

dare

toattribute to himself?

Shal l timeenable me to escape, or deliver m e

from one

fear

or anguish ; orprotect me from the

nets

an d snares, which tho$e hosts haveplanned

for my

footsteps,

and digged for my feet, who

engaged before the time of my formation, to

condu6l me

thither

?

C H A P .

XVI.

T H O S E great and admirable bodies, the C re-

tor has established, as

ministers

; who continu

al ly rejoice to proclaim, withoutspeechor voice

his. glory.

Admirab ly disposed, and eAcellent in order,

)without

weariness they

rehearse his

righteous

t

; and not

formed

for

sorrow, they

serve

the

Omnipotent, an d know no

trouble

or

distress.

T h e Creator has invested them wi th powerJ

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26

A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , C .

an d, by the sub lim ity o f hisappointment, placed

them in different orders ; and appointed them

contrary movements

: by which

they subserve

many causes,

an d produce

many

effects in the

ij i ierior worldin animating dead

bodies,

and

disposing

them to receivetheirfigures ;

they

re

vive and cover them that are

ashamed

of

their

nakedness.

Not to servetheseperishable creatures were

they

formed ; for

they

are more glorious

than

them.

It is far from the design of the Creator, to

humble

thoseexalted

ones, to the vile and abjeCi;

and the immortal, to themthat perish.

For who w i l limaginethatawisemanufacturer,

wi l l prepare

tools

of the value of ten thousand

talents, to form an iron needle.*

God

created

them in wisdom ; and wi thdesign;

and has reserved to himself,

alone,

the cogniz

ance

:yet

in the

movements they

make,

and

theappointments they

fulfil,

they are designated

with the commission, an d

satiated

with the

benevolence of De i ty , which qualifies them to

communicate

to

others,

by the appointment o f

the

Fternal.

Sitt ing

nearest

to theEternal,

they

firstreceive

the favor ofheaven ; and the superfluity

they

cast

to the children of me n, by w hich

they

exist.

* This

sentenceconsidered

in an allegorical point of

view,

admirably

represents

the

apparent

dignity of the

celestial

hosts,

and

grandeur

of the

planetry system

over

roan.

But, if

confined

tothisview only, muchinjury is

done

tothepoer, lowconceptionsformed of the dignity

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A N


& C .

; .

C H A P .

xvir.

I am

young,

bu t they are old ; I am the most

ignorant among men , but theirwisdom extends

beyond the wisdom of the sages.

Before I was

formed

in the womb,

they have

made a bulwark to

inclose

me ; and

before

1

came

into

the world,

their

nets

were

Spread

to

entangle me.

Scarcely did Iexist, before

theyseizedevery

avenue, in order to

surprize

me. T he dust,

whereofm y

composition

isformed,

they

gather

ed, and with

their

righthand

they have

levelled

me.

Neither

malice

or bad intention led to this

conduClbut

the effeft ofthatarrangement by

w hi c h

they

at . Fro m the moment of my form

ation,

I

have been

but of a

weak

composition, a

slender frame,

an d

disjointed

members

; so

that

When the leastaccident arises, 1 fall .

T h e heat of the sun attacks me ; the co ld ,

like asmooth-edged razor, and the terrible

frost,

cut measunder.

I f Iattachmysel f to intemperance, gluttony

wi l l destroy my body, which is

subjedt

to in

continence,

and mutability. In a moment m y

members

wi l l

be disunited, and m y glory be

brought

low , and humbled to the bed, even to

sickness, t i ll I

become

equal with thosewhom I

oncedespised.

of man, and above all, the benevolence of God

will

appear limited. Whoever

attentively

reflefb, witt

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29 A M

I N V E S T I G A T I O N , C .

thanthose just

mentioned,

which God has

sent

into this world, to cause me to venerate aud

respeCt h [ r r , .

A t a

time

when I sit in m y house,

enjoying

the greatesttranquility,atempestuouswind m ay

arise, that

wi l l

split the loftiest rock, and d e

molish the strongest w a l l . I n what security wi l l

m y body then be , though surrounded with ex

tensivebarriers

?

Can Isecuremy self from the explosion of the

thunder,

in the

stormy

day, whic h in an instant

may cause ruin ? O r, from the v i v id l ightning,

bursting

from the

windows

o fheaven ? W hen i t

darts from the

firmament,

the

earth

quakes, and

not all its

treasures

can

expel

itspower. T o the.

terrific flames, an d

destructive

l ightn ing, no

enemy

however

formidable can be

compared.

The qu ick descending rai n, falls in

torrents

l ike the

cataraCt

; swells the

foaming

surge,

overflows

the

provinces,

an d

inundates

the

lower

])laces

; causes the mighty

host

to tremble and

adds to the rolling stream, t i l l al l the streets and

public

places,

ace covered with the

accumulated

torrent.

Sometimes

the

waters

half

*condensed,

wi th the

greatness of the

frost,

causeth the

snow

to de

scend. N o wal ls or shelter, afford asaferetreat

from the

condensing power.

A t other

times,

the watersquite

congealed,

are

and

astonishing

capac i t y oftheintelligenceo f

mAru^al

th e

soii)

must

form

a

portion

of the essence ofDeity,

be

-couldnobbut

asser t , on the one han d, the origin of the divine

principle,

M111

on Ucother th e clajin f its author , Contemplating, t l

K

I

t ,

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30 A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , & C .

petrified

into hai l stones, which , in their fal l , re

presents

the

stone

drawn from themarble quarry.

They

break

down a l l opposition, an d destroy

the

finest

trees.

What power,

on earth, can

resist

these ats ;

or,

whatprosperity

afford

protection,

and

point

out a place ofrefuge ?

Consider, m y companions, that the Omnipo-

fence

of the

Eternal,

has

placed

arrows

in the

power

of the su n, and set his rainbow in the

clouds

; whilst I , a

poor

miserable being, am

sent hereas a mark, to

receive

the arrows of the

tempest, which

never fail

to hit me ; and

what

soevertime

an d

fortune

have

placed

under me,

together with al l the riches of the world, and

whatsoever man ca n wish to enjoy, w i l l not

qualify me to resist the shaft, or dimin ish the

intentionof the Almighty ' s

archers,

w hothreaten

me. From al l thesedisasters m y soul onl y re

mains free.

C H A P . XIX.

I f

however,

through the mercy of the

Eternal,

I

escape

the confusions and accidents of nature,

which exist in

those

signs, and wonderful things

subject in

this light,

G od m a y be

said,

to have

expended an

incalculable

number o f talents, to form an i ronneedle. T h e

apparen t

depression of man, may lead him to be considered as

insignificant;

bu$, when hi s

immortality

i s v ic \Ved, i t then,

appears, that

the

fiosts

o f

heaven, together

wi th a l l the

morningstars, ar e

subservient

to his good ; and consequently,

agents

in the

hands

o f t he A l i p i g h t y , t o promote th e

happt-

ness

of his favorite m a n . T h e revelation whic h he has

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31 A N


C .

in heaven and earth,

which

are rare, and

fcVke

place at times very remote, from one another;

ca n

my valor and the forae of

my

hands, deliver

me from the plagues thatarise, trom the change

Ofseasons,

which

perpetually vary, producing

a

multitude of renewals ?

T h e

spring w i l l not leave me peaceful, but

ready to burst,

l ike

new bottles, through fresh

pains.

T h e

summer renders my

life

tiresome ;

affliCts

T > y e

with

different

ev i l s ,

destroys

with

the violence

ofa burning fever, the tranquility ofthat repose

4 should enjoy.

T h e

autumn exposes me to death ; andteaches

me not to rely too much to its assistance.

T h e

winter produces a vehement

cold

; and

t h e heavy rains devour me without .cause.

Itappearsas

i f

the heavens moved

only with

a

v iew toexhibittheir mighty movements, to cause

me topass

from

ev i l to

e v i l ,

and also to remove

me from one affliction to another ; and this when

a l l the

seasons

move in due order of nature, as

they ought to do ; but when they are disordered,

they cause more trouble, and produce greater

pain.

When

a

strange

phenomenon, produces the

conjunction of a planet

with

the sun, then it re

doubles the vehemence, arising

from

the proper

dispositionof the season, to such a degree as

makes it impossible to support it , or it does not

possess a quality adequate to repair, or make

condescended to impart , points out his benevolent can* on

p a m n ' s behalf. I am (saith he) the God of Abr aham, of

and Jac ob. Ep hn um is my beloved. No mention

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3 A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N ,

C .

amends for the

deficiency, arising

from the pre*

cedingseason.

These changes

excite

in my members new

pains,

an d

troubles

; and

also

stir up the old

ones,

which I am unable to

support.

When the

stars,

in their

orbs,

appearas male-

ing war one with another, for the sake of

some

opposition,

they have

in theorderof

their

aftions,

J ,

poor

and

miserable

as 1 am, with a l l my

share

of

this world , which is nothing but vanity , /be -

hold thattheycome to announce my ruin , in

this

low and barren

part

of the universe.

They

point their

spearsagainst

me : the arch

ers surround me . H ow shal l I

support

the fury

Oftheir

hatred,

an d

malice

?

If length ofdays, and fortune have delivered

me from other

adversities,

an d terrors, can it ex*

empt me from these?

C H A P .

X X .

I F however, 1 am spared, who can insure me

the

stability

of my

seed

?Who knows i ftime

w i l l no t withdraw

those

favors

it has

granted,

made of his

being

t he G o d o f M i c h a e l , o f G a b r i e l , o r a n y

rtther j though, wliertconsidered as the G od of the

univeise,

he i s G od over al l ; but o f no other

than

man has heasserted

himself, w i t h a n i nd i v i dua l relation to be Go d iu

such

a

par

ticular manner. T h e surprizing

miracles,

wrought b y M o s e s ;

a 1H the various interpositions o f providence, o n behalf o f

m a n , mentioned i n ho l y w r i t , together wi th the d iv ine

assistance,

evidently

communicated

i n

many

instances,

*hereby

man Has qua l i f i ed to impede

that

great luminary

the sun, in i ts

diurnal revolution, together

wi th the declara-

( ion of the ro ja l psalmist,

that

the .ord w i l l - f u l f i l th e desire

:

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33 A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , C .

and treat myposterity with cruelty, after 1am

reducedtodust?

Instead

of

keepingcontinually with me, dis

pensing its favors and gifts,

it

may,

at the

hour

ofdeath break off its alliance.

Though

this forms

one

of the

affli&ions that

generallyawait men, I tremble not for i t ; neither

doItorment myself. For, of what importance

is it, to

me, whether those who come after me,

feeda

vast multitude of flocks,on the mountains,

or dwell with the

solitary

fold,

in thedesart

?

Where

is

the

wise man

that

w i l l feel sorrow,

anticipate distress, orimpose trouble on himself,

merelyfor those things ?or,mourn for what

wi l l

happen, inadistant period of time, if peace ex*

ists in his own days ?

T h e

complaintsthat

I

make

are

directed

ta

m y

own

state; and the

time

which

betrays

me,

when I

reflect

that

all

my

possessions

are va in

appearances

;

all

my

riches and glory

subject

to

iriany changes and alterations ; liable to be

trodden under foot a l lthe days of my l i f eThen

1consider, and carry mythoughts tothe period

of ol d age, and refle6l

on the

infirmities

con-

ne&ed therewith,

and

that

1 can

receive

no

consolation.

O ye heavens beastonished W h y did the

Eternal

create

beings, sobeautiful and perfeft,

and then cutthem down with his sword?

Sha l l he

command

the soul , which had its

ofthemthat fear him, placethedeclaration, under con

sideration,in soconspicuous

a

light,thatitisunnecessary1ft

JmM

any thing further.

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35 A N I N V E S T I G A T I O N , & C .

I f I cast away, and rejef the good which

comes

from

thee, in such abundance, what p r e

sent,O thou Eternal God,

wi l t

thou grant me ?

C H A P . X X I I .

thou

knowest man ; thou discernest

his

words, and

from

thee, his thoughts are not

h i d . Th o u

determinest his

l imits ,

searchest his I

inward parts ; and investigatest all his members. %

H is

projefls, to create happiness, and the

windowsol his intention, are open and manifest

to thy knowledge.

T h o u

hast formed snares, as the ministers of *

thine anger, to surprize him in his bad designs. ;

T h o u

rulest over his arrogance.

T h o u

surroundest his provinces ; orderest his

princes,

and governors ; and those that furnish

his

necessaries, provide his bread, increase his

flax, his oi l ,

and drink. His ways thou estab- 6

Jishest.

Those whom he has to instruft, and such as

are born in his house, destined to serve him, ^

thou

carest for. The wings of the morning thou ^

expandest. His days and nights thou renderest jj

f i rm. The days of his

life

thou numberest. [

T h o u

set

test

on

h igh ,

those

that

were in the

most profound cavern, and such as were ex

altedabove them, areswallowedup

inobscurity.

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36 A N


& C .

W i t h the rod of thine anger thou throwest

from heaven, upon earth, the mighty and noble.

Through thy favor and assistance, he thatis

situate on thedungh i l l , thou elevatest to heaven.

T h o u

formest an alliance

wi th

those, who

obey thy law and delight in justice. Theheads

of

the ignorant thou bruisest.

T h o u

searchest

their

heart,

and triest their reins, and knowest

al l

their work.

T h e

loftiest part of the earth is thy footstool.

T h o u art far beyond the reach of the most ex

alted creatures, who raise theirhe

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Bchinos Olam