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.

§. 1. * 1.1 HAving discoursed at large of the Original of the Pheni∣cians, and their Identity with the Cananites: we now proceed to treat of their Cognation, Correspondence, and agree∣ment with the Jews; which will not a little conduce to the con∣firmation of our first Position.

* 1.2 The Cananites had no small Advantage to acquaint them∣selves with the Hebrew Religion, and Worship, even from A∣braham his long abode amongst them; who built Altars, and places for the publick worship of God; and, as we may presume, did what he could to propagate, and promulgate the knowledge, and worship of the great God among his Neighbours, and Kindred the Cananites. And that which gave him a considerable Advan∣tage to promote such a glorious designe, was his Potence, preva∣lence and Interest amongst the Cananites; which he obtained partly by his kindnesses towards them, but especially by the Conquest he made over the Kings of the East Gen. 14. Thus Brentius on Esa. 41.2. gave the Nations before him &c. God, saith he, gave to Abraham this favor, that wheresoever he came he was formidable to the Nations. This sprang hence that Abra∣ham erected unto the Lord Altars in the Land of Canaan, and published, without control, amongst the Nations, the true Do∣ctrine of Religion. Gen. 12. &c. Thus he. That Abraham was in great veneration amongst the Cananites, and in following Ages worshipt under the name of Saturne and Israel, is evident from the account which Sanchoniathon and Porphyry give of Saturne:

of which see what follows Book 2. chap. 1. §. 3. of Saturnes paral∣lel with Abraham.

As for the Correspondence 'twixt the Cananites and Jews after their returne to Canaan; 'tis true, there was at first as well by Divine Constitution, as their differing Inclinations, Interests, and Rites, a vast distance and feud betwixt the Jews, and Cananites, or Phenicians. But in processe of time, the Israelites affecting an imitation of their neighbours the Phenicians, especially in point of Religious Rites, and Idols, the Phenicians also began to incline unto a Correspondence with them, and an Affectation of their Mysterious Doctrine, Rites, and Ceremonies. Thus they, by frequent Commerce, and Correspondences, barter, and exchange commodities each with other. The Jews, they assume the Name, Customes, and Idolatrous Worship of the Phenicians: and these, the Mysteries, Rites, Laws, and Traditions of the Jews. This Correspondence betwixt the Jews, and the Phenicians began ear∣ly, even in the time of the Judges, as it is evident by Scripture, as also by the Storie of Sanchoniathon, who is supposed to have lived about the time of Gideon, & to have had conference with the Priest of the God of Israel, from whom he received the foundati∣on of his Mythologie, which gave Being and Motion to the Greci∣an Fables. But yet this familiar commerce 'twixt these neigh∣bours, came not to its perfection till Solomon's time; who en∣tred into a near League with the Phenicians, and so gave them, & their Idolatrous Customes free Admission.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Correspon∣dence betwixt the Jews and Phenicians.
• * 1.2

  What advantage Abraham had for the propaga∣ting the Know∣ledge and Wor∣ship of God a∣mongst the Ca∣nanites.