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    « exhibiting a very singular proof of parallelism , " seem insufficient for his purpose . Had we in this case independent evidence of what our translator denominates , somewhat quaintly , " an unity of authorship / 1 these specimens of a likeness between parts of the acknowledged writings of the Hebrew Lawgiver and detached portions

    of the Poem under our consideration , would not be devoid of weight . In the absence of external testimony , Mr . G . must excuse us if we say that he decides rather more peremptorily than the state of the argument will justify . Rosenmiiller ascribes the w ork to some writer who flourished lonsr

    afterwards . — " Vel ipsa Salomonis aetate , vel proximis , quae illam insecuta sint , temporibus } " * but he does not venture even to guess who the

    author was . The hypothesis of Warburton , we presume , is almost exploded ; though we learn from the Leipzig er Liter at ur—Zeitung , of August 16 th . 1815 , that Professor Bernstein , of Berlin , honours it with his

    countenance . It is a memorable instance of one theory being formed to prop , if possible , another . Thus a weak and ill-planned structure requires to be sustained by buttresses , which frequently add little to the

    strength of the building , while they are sure to heighten its deformity . V . " The chief doctrines of the patriarchal religion , as collected from different parts of the poem , " Mr . Good thus enumerates :

    " 1 . The creation of the world by one supreme and eternal Intelligence . " 2 . Its regulation , by his perpetual and superintending providence . " S . The intentions of his providence carried into effect by the ministration of a heavenly hierarchy .

    " 4 . The heavenly hierarchy , composed of various ranks and orders , possessing different names , dignities and offices . " 5 . An apostacy , or defection , in some rank or order of these powers ; of which Satan seems to have been

    one , and perhaps chief . " 6 . The good and evil powers or principles , equally formed by the Creator , and hence equally denominated « Sons of God - ; both of tflem employed by him in the administra-* Proleg . 35 , 36 .

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    tion of his providence ; and both amenable to him at stated courts , held for the purpose of receiving an account of their respective missions . " 7- A day of future resurrection , judgment , and retribution , to all mankind .

    " 8 . The propitiation of the Creator , in the case of human transgressions , by sacrifices , and the . mediation and intercession of a righteous person . " Having finished this enumeration , the translator says , " Several of these doctrines are more clearly developed

    than others : yet I think there are sufficient grounds for deducing the whole of them . " The practice of deduction , alas ! is much too frequent among reputed theologians , and has mainly contributed to the support of unscriptural and antichristian tenets . - "

    As to " the creation of the world by one supreme and eternal Intelligence , and its regulation by his perpetual and superintending providence , ' these truths are more than developed in the book of Job—more than deducible from this ancient Poem

    for it teaches them in plain and unambiguous language * We will advert ,, at the foot of the page , to some passages which are the vouchers of our assertion . * Can as much be maintained concerning the remainder of the opinions stated by Mr . Good ? Are not his Dissertation and his notes

    a proof that these have long been controverted , so far as regards the poem before us ? For the deduction that the designs of divine providence are ** carried into pfCwt Iw tlipi ministration of a

    hoavpnly hierarchy , ' he refers to Ch . i . 6 , 7-iv . 18 , 19 . v . 1 . xxxiii . 22 , £ 3 . No vv in the fi rst of these texts mention is made indeed of the sonsofGcdt yet respecting their nature and abode the writer has been profoundly silent ;

    and from his silence , it were ,-surely , unbecoming to deduce a proposition so comprehensive and important . The title sons of God , is bestowed , in the New Testament , upon Christians ; t so that it does not necessarily designate beings superior to the human race . in the 18 th verse of Chan , iv .

    * Ch . xxxviii . —xlii . Ch . 1 . 9 , 21 ii . l 6 . v . 8—27 . ix . 4---13 . + 1 John iii . 1 .

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    Revieiv . — ' Good ' s Translation of the Book of Job . 5 i

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1815, page 51, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1756/page/51/