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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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<strong>The</strong>ir numbers »/^ui(sQaod amounted to only about<br />

4,000.* <strong>The</strong>y are not mentioned in <strong>the</strong> twwuber,<br />

Now Testament, <strong>and</strong> only very indirectly referred<br />

to in Babbinic icaBg.u.p. writings, perhaps without<br />

clear knowledge on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ^tlxTiii. BabUs.<br />

K <strong>the</strong> conclusion concerning <strong>the</strong>m, which we shall<br />

by-<strong>and</strong>-bj indicate, be correct, we can scarcely<br />

wonder at this. Indeed^ <strong>the</strong>ir entire separation from<br />

all who did not belong to <strong>the</strong>ir sect, <strong>the</strong> terrible<br />

oaths by which <strong>the</strong>y bound <strong>the</strong>mselves to secrecy<br />

about <strong>the</strong>ir doctrines, <strong>and</strong> which would prevent<br />

any free religious discussion, as well as <strong>the</strong><br />

character <strong>of</strong> what is known <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir views, would<br />

account for <strong>the</strong> scanty notices about <strong>the</strong>m. Josephus<br />

<strong>and</strong> Philo,' who speak <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> most<br />

sympa<strong>the</strong>tic manner, had, no doubt, taken special<br />

pains to ascertain all that could be learned. For<br />

this Josephus seems to have enjoyed special<br />

opportunities.* Still, <strong>the</strong> secrecy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir doctrines<br />

renders us dependent on writers, <strong>of</strong> whom at leckst<br />

one (Josephus) lies open to <strong>the</strong> suspicion <strong>of</strong><br />

colouring <strong>and</strong>

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