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106 A BOOK OF MIRACLES.
these presents; for even the clergy are not aIlowed
to consecrate themselves to the service of God, without
having first paid what is due to their country;
and he who will truly give himself up to God, must
furnish a man to fill up his place in public offices.
ln the ninth century, a haughty man of the name
of David was the prince of the captivity, and he
governed his nation with the authority of a king. It
is observed by various authors, that his predecessors
were subservient to the caliphs, and paid them
tribute; but that David recovered aIl his privileges,
and enforced them like a king. There were two
things that might contribute to this exaltation; viz.
the long reign of David, who was head of this nation
above thirty years; and the weakness of the caliph
Montader, who then ruled: he was not only young,
but so depended upon his officers, that they deposed
him twice; and he would have been absolutely deprived
of his dignity, but they could not :find any
person in the family of the Abbasides to substitute
in his room. The weakness of the government
gave David opportunity to raise himself, and affect
a stately pride. He caused troubles and divisions in
the academy of Fombadeta, by çarrying his authority
too high. The Jews had elected Misbischer, and
made him president of their college. David chose
another; and the jealousy of these two professors,
who had different privileges, increased the disorder.
The division was violent for five years; and there