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contemplative eouM attain * and which diffetf from the former so widely , that we might despair of harmonizing them , did we not meet with passages ki which the precepts and opinions of the popular religkm are adapted to and explained by the subHmer theology . That Philo , believing in one God * nevertheless frequently speaks of three divine principles , is a fact which has attracted much attention , and the proper explanation of which has been a subject of much discussion . By many he is coasidered as a believer in the Trinity , very nearly as it \ s received by roost Christians . Others , sensible of the deviation of his doctrine from
repuled orthodoxy * have , according to their © swn views , either condemned him as corrupting the traditions of his people with Flatonism , or considered him as affording evidence favourable to the Arian doctrine ; whilst a third party , much more justly , as it seems to us , have contended , that the three principles of Philo are not beings or persons , though sometimes figuratively spoken of with personal characters , but only attributes ^ and that he has derived them entirely from his philosophy , not at all from the traditionary religion of his nation .
Our first remark is , that this writer is not always content with making three principles in the Divine Nature , but sometimes appears to represent God himself as . a distinct intelligence presiding over the three principles * and sometimes also increases the number of these principles . There is a very remarkable passage in the book v ^ pi . tpvyulwv ( concerning fugitives ) in which the a « thor allegorizing the precepts of the Mosaic law respecting the cities of refuge , absolutely speaks of six different principles in the Divine Nature all inferior ; to God hinaseli * being really intended as no more than attributes * and yet having , apparently , distinct intelligence ascribed to them * The passage is long , but we think important : it is as follows ,:,
' * I must next explain which they are , and why their number is six Is not , then , the most ancient , the strongest and best , not city only , but Metropolis , the Divine Word to which , above : all , it is most profitable to ftee ? But the other fiY& colonies , as it ? were , are powers of him wh ^ ottered the taortP , of which , the chief ia > the creative ,, by means of which the Maker , by his wora % fabricated the world * The second is the ropal , b y means of which , hawing created , he rules what be has . made : the third la tiie benignant , through which the Maker pities , and is merciful to , his own . work : the fourth is the
legislative quality , through which he forbids those things which ought not to be . Fair and well fortified cities all of them , excellent places of refuge for those who are worthy of being saved . Good and humane is the appointment ; fitted to excite and encourage hope . Who else could have exhibited such an abundance of beneficial things ^ according to the variety of cases of persons sinning unintentionally , who Ecwe not all the same strength or the same weakness I The intention-13 , that he who is capable of running swiftly should
preas on , without stopping to take breath , to that supreme divine word , which is the fountain of wisdom ^ that , drinking from its . stream , instead of death ha may find as a reward etecnal life y that he who is not equall y swift should flee to the creative powar * which Moses names . God , because ail things weredkposed and arranged by it . « * . but : that he who ia not sufficiently active for , tUia should take : refuge with : the royal * power . .... .. But to himi who is not sufficiently quick to reach the above * -nrentioned stationsa& being" far
, reuaoyed ^ other nearer goals are fixied ofusefui powers , the merciful , andhtnat which prescribes whut should b&done : $ and thatrwhixAi Jbr 6 id& what ottght not to bei done ... . . Theae are the six citiea which . are : cq 1 { q& places of refuge ; of which fivy& are ngturativjelyreprcaented , and have their resemblance in the sacred , thi ^ g 3 , TUe coratnanding . and forbidding powers * ( have as their types ) tUe , copy of the laws laid : up * in , tho ark , of the covenant ; but the merciful
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Dr . J . P . Smith ' s Scri pture Testimony £ 0 the JfessfaJt . 46 $
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1831, page 463, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2599/page/31/
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