The works of Nathaniel Lardner - The Christian Researcher - Home

348 CredibiUixj of the Gospel History.
Upon the whole, I do not choose to deny that Mani was
an impostor; but I do not discern evident proofs of it. 1
plainly see that he was an arrogant philosopher, and a great
scheinist : but whether he was an nnpostor, 1 cainiut certainly
say. He was abundantly too fond of philosophical
notions, which he endeavoured to bring into religion : for this
he is to be blamed. But every bold dogmatizer is not an
impostor.
J put down Beausobre's judgment upon this point, >vhen
1 entered upon the consideration of this question. I must
here take notice of several other of his places, where he
delivers his opinion concerning- this matter. I do it for the
sake of my readers, as well as myself, that none, who are
desirous of information and judging rightly, may be destitute
of any helps that can be obtained for these purposes.
He says, in the preface to his work, that ' Mani'' took the
' character of an apostle of Christ, and a prophet immedi-
' ately inspired by the Paraclete, to reveal to the world
' truths, in which our Lord thought not proper to instruct
' his first disciples. This was his imposture or fanaticism.
' For whatever the ancients may say, there are no evident
' proofs that he ever endeavoured to pass for the Paraclete,
' or the Spirit.' He elsewhere speaks of Maui's pretending"
to a divine vocation. However, he likewise expresseth himself
after this manner, speaking at the same time both of
Mani, and some others called heretics: ' In*^ what then con-
' sisted their error? These heretics were philosophers, who,
' having formed certain systems, accommodated revelation
' to them ; which was the servant of their reason, not the
' mistress. Mani in particular, boasted of having a perfect
' knowledge of all things, of having- banished mysteries, and
' g-iven a true account of every thing; which the Manichees
' called the knowledge of the beginning-, middle, and end of
' all thing's. St. Augustine confcsseth, that what seduceil
' him in his youth was the hope of understanding every
' thing by