The court of the Gentiles: or A discourse touching the original of human literature, both philologie and philosophie, from the Scriptures, and Jewish church in order to a demonstration, of 1. The perfection of Gods vvord, and church light. 2: The imperfection of natures light, and mischief of vain pholosophie. 3. The right use of human learning, and especially sound philosophie. / By T.G.

§. 12. * 1.1 Touching Philosophie, we make no question (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) but to give very considerable Discoveries of its derivation from sacred Oracles, or Jewish Institutes; and that not only by Inqui∣sition into the several Sects, their chief Founders, and their Con∣versations, or Correspondences with the Jews; but also by an exa∣men

of their choicest Dogmes, and Institutes; with their seve∣ral Modes of Philosophizing, both Symbolick, and Dialectick: as in like manner by taking a cursory view of the several parts of their Philosophie; both Physick, Ethick, Metaphysick, and Mathematick. All which will afford us great, and more than opinionative Conjectures of their Traduction originally, if not immediately from the Jewish Church, & sacred Scriptures lodged therein. Particularly.

* 1.2 1. Pagan Physicks, or Natural Philosophie, (at first broached by Sanchoniathon & Mochus those great Phaenician Physiologists; and afterward transported into Greece by Thales the Founder of the Ionick Schole, and much improved by Plato in his Timaeus) seems evidently traduced from the first chapter of Genesis, and some Physick Contemplations of Job; as it is in part evinced in the following Discourse, of the Historie of the Creation, Book 3. chap. 3. but more fully in Plato's Physicks: of which hereafter.

* 1.3 2. As for the Grecian Ethicks, or Moral Philosophie (began by Socrates, and promoted by Plato, and Aristotle, with the Sto∣icks) we have very strong conjectures, inducing us to believe that it received its first lines, and conformation from the Mosaick Institutes, Davids Psalms, Solomons Proverbs, with other sacred precepts.

* 1.4 3. Touching Grecian Metaphysicks or Natural Theologie, (began by Pherecides, but mostly improved by his Scholar Py∣thagoras Founder of the Italick Schole, and Plato Institutor of the old Academie) we have Reason enough to persuade our selves, that the choicest parts thereof, received their first lineaments, and configuration from Scripture-Relations or Jewish Traditions of God, Angels, and the human Soul. Whence had Pythago∣ras and Plato (who delighted themselves much in Jewish Myste∣ries) their Metaphysick Contemplations of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Be∣ing, very Being, and the first Being, but from Gods Description Exod. 3.14. I am. Hence also Aristotle following his master Plato, (so far as his reason guided him) makes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ens, i.e.

Being the Object of his Metaphysicks; and Unity, Verity, and Bo∣nity, the Affections of this Object; which are all but corrupt imi∣tations of Scriptural Descriptions of God. The like may be ar∣gued of Pythagoras, and Plato their Metaphysick notions of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. of which in their proper place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Philosophie.
• * 1.2

  Pagan Physicks.
• * 1.3

  Ethicks.
• * 1.4

  Metaphysicks.