H o m e ks Li/e and Writings.
SECTION
69
XL
TH E supposing a Deity subject to any Sect. of the human Passions, has always been XI. reckoned one of the greatest Absurdities ^—v—J and Impieties in the Heathen System. They seem not to have been wholly insensible of it themselves. Thus Simonides : Th' Immortals 'mong themselves no Envy know; p. 215. (a) The Moon ne'er envies Phœbus' brighter Ray, Nor Earth Heaven'* Height, tho' plac'd fb Jar below i Nor e'er repine the Rivers at the Sea : Allstedfajl Concord keep.— The learned and ingenious Mr. Leibnitz seems to have thought the "Jews not only free from such gross Mistakes—but likewise rich in real Knowledge.—>' One is surprized, says he, "Q- fo) ' to find the Inhabitants of a small Corner of &
- the Earth, such as Judea, more enlightened
' than all the rest of the human Race.' Preface, Theodice'e. And one of their most distinguished Doctors, Rabbi Teuda, carries it still further : —— 1 In our Law is comprehended all the Subtil ' and Profound of the Sciences ; which is not so "9 W
- in the Books ofother Religions.'—And a little
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after-
s