The Truth of the Christian Religion with Jean Le Clerc's Notes and Additions

BOOK V

189 u B O OK V u Sect. I. A Confutation of Judaism, beginning with an Address to the Jews. Now we are coming out of the thick Darkness of Heathenism; the Jewish Religion, which is a Part and the Beginning of Truth, appears to us much like Twilight to a Person gradually advancing out of a very dark Cave: Wherefore I desire the Jews, that they would not look upon us as Adversaries. We know very well, (a) that they are the Offspring of Holy Men, whom God often visited by his Prophets and his Angels; that the Messiah was born of their Nation, as were the first Teachers of Christianity : They were the Stock into which we were grafted; to them were commited the Oracles of God, which we respect as much as they, and with Paul put up our hearty Prayers to God for them, beseeching him that that Day may very speedily come, (b) when the Veil, which now hangs over their Faces, being taken off, they, together with us, may clearly perceive (c) the fulfilling of the Law; and when, according to the antient Prophecies, many of us, who are Strangers, shall lay hold of (d ) the Skirt of a Jew, praying him, that with equal Piety we may worship that One God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. a. That they are the Offspring of Holy Men, &c.] This, and what follows, is taken out of the IXth, Xth, and XIth of the Romans; to which may be added Mat. XV. 2. b. When the Veil, &c.] 2 Cor. III. 14, 15, 16. c. The fulfilling of the Law, &c.] Rom. III. 24. VIII. 14. X. 4. XIII. 8. Gal. III. 24. d. The Skirt of a Jew, &c.] Zachar. VIII. 20. and following. Isaiah II. 2. XIX. 18. and 24. Micah IV. 2. Hosea III. 4. Rom. XI. 25. 190 the truth of the chr isti an r eligion Sect. II. That the Jews ought to look upon the Miracles of Christ as sufficiently attested. First therefore, they are requested not to esteem that unjust in another’s Cause, which they think just in their own: If any Heathen should ask them why they believe the Miracles done by Moses; they can give no other Answer, but that the Tradition of this Matter has been so continual and constant amongst them, that it could not proceed from any Thing else but the Testimony of those who saw them. Thus, (a) that the Widow’s Oil was encreased by Elisha, (b) and the Syrian immediately healed of his Leprosy; (c) and the Son of her who entertained him, raised to Life again; with many others; are believed by the Jews for no other Reason, but because they were delivered to Posterity by credible Witnesses. And concerning (d ) Elijah’s being taken up into Heaven, they give Credit to the single Testimony of Elisha, as a Man beyond all Exception. But (e) we bring twelve Witnesses, whose Lives were unblameable, ( f ) of Christ’s ascending into Heaven; and many more, of Christ’s being seen upon Earth after his Death; which, if they be true, the Chri-stian Doctrine must of necessity be true also; and it is plain that the Jews can say nothing for themselves, but what will hold as strong or stronger for us. But, to pass by Testimonies; (g) the Writers of the Talmud, and the Jews themselves, own the miraculous things done by Christ; which ought to satisfy them: For God cannot more effectually recommend the Authority of any Doctrine delivered by Man, than by working Miracles. a. That the Widow’s Oil was increased, &c.] 2 Kings, ch. IV. b. And the Syrian immediately healed, &c.] Ch V. c. And the Son of her who entertained him, &c.] In the forementioned IVth Ch. d. Elijah’s being taken up into Heaven, &c.] Ch. II. of the forecited Book. e. We bring twelve Witnesses, &c.] Mark XVI. 19. Luke XXIV. 52. Acts I. f. Of Christ’s ascending into Heaven. &c.] Mat. XXVIII. Mark XVI. Luke XXIV. John XX, XXI. 1 Cor. XV. g. The Writers of the Talmud, &c.] See what is quoted, Book II. book v, section iii 191 Sect. III. An Answer to the Objection, that those Miracles were done by the Help of Devils. But some say, that these Wonders were done by the Help of Devils: But this Calumny has been already confuted from hence, that as soon...