Critical History of Dogmas and Cults [with] Supplement

catchword: May-

...dissipate this air of novelty and boldness that one will first find in several places.

Many readers will not find in this first Part what they may perhaps seek there, namely, the history of the Patriarchs: that is to say, a collection of observations on the actions of Cain and Abel, on the adventures of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their children, such as their descent and stay in Egypt. All these things are more suitable for a commentary than for a Critical History. We have therefore set aside everything that could make a large book of things sufficiently well known, and which have been stated many times. We have preferred to say fewer things, and that they be better chosen. We have risen above vulgar opinions and the prejudices of the common people. This is why we have not hesitated to prove that there is no reason to view the Canaanite Nation as universally idolatrous, Balaam as a false Prophet, Ham as a man cursed by God, and Melchizedek as a simple Canaanite or as a person descended from heaven. We believe we have pushed the explanation of what we call typical sins sins serving as a divine type or foreshadowing much further than has been done before. But in this, as in everything else, we have had no design to surprise with unheard-of novelties: we have followed the lights of common sense and have used them to increase those of sacred history, which in these places is shorter than we would wish. In places where one will see nothing very new, one will nevertheless find utilities that have not yet been discovered. For example, in the treatise on the precepts of Noah and the Noachides the sons of Noah, referring to the descendants of Noah, one will encounter observations on the proselytes of the gate gentiles who lived among Jews and observed the seven Noahide laws, which will shed much light on the history of the establishment of Christianity among the Pagans by the preaching of the Apostles. Perhaps those who love to find everywhere the opinions and customs that reign in the societies of which they are members will not be content to find nothing in the first Church of the world similar to the form and exterior of our Church today. But frankly, we could not put into this Church what we did not find there. We could discover neither Sacraments, nor feasts, nor new moons, nor Sabbaths, but only much purity in doctrine and in worship, with much simplicity. Furthermore, we have no design to prejudice the readers; we want to leave them full freedom in their judgment.