These four thinkers, more or less dissatisfied with the Judaism of the day, who were furnished with so much intellect, knowledge, and eloquence, yet exerted very little influence over their Jewish contemporaries, and thus did not break through the prevailing obscurity in the smallest degree. Luzzatto wrote for only a limited class of readers, and did not inflict, or wish to inflict, heavy blows on Judaism. Uriel da Costa missed his mark on account of his violent, impatient disposition; Leo Modena was himself too wavering, driven hither and thither by the wind of conflicting opinions, to acquire serious convictions and do battle for them. His attacks on the weak side of Judaism, as has been stated, were made in private. Joseph Delmedigo did more harm than good through his insincerity and hypocrisy. Lacking character, he sank so low as to speak in favor of the confused doctrines of the Kabbala, and by the weight of his knowledge confirmed and increased the delusion of the multitude. But from two other quarters, by two quite opposite characters, weighty blows against Judaism were delivered, threatening completely to shatter it. Reason incorporated, as it were, in one Jew, and unreason incarnate in another, joined hands to treat Judaism as abolished and dissolved, and, so to speak, to dethrone the God of Israel. CHAPTER IV. SPINOZA AND SABBATAÏ ZEVI. Spinoza's Youth and Education--His Intellectual Breach with Judaism--Fresh Martyrs of the Inquisition--The Rabbis and Spinoza--Excommunication--Spinoza's "Tractate" and "Ethics"--Spinoza's Writings Concerning Judaism--Spinoza's Contemporaries in Amsterdam--De Paz and Penso--The Mystical Character of the Years 1648 and 1666--Sabbataï Zevi's early Career--The Jerusalem Community--Sabbataï's Travels--Nathan Ghazati--Sabbataï announced in Smyrna as the Messiah--Spread of Enthusiastic Belief in the pseudo-Messiah--Manoel Texeira-- Ritual Changes introduced by the Sabbatians--Sabbataï proceeds to Constantinople--Nehemiah Cohen--Sabbataï Zevi's Apostasy to Islam and its Consequences--Continuation of the Sabbatian Movement--Death of Sabbataï and Spinoza--Results of the Sabbatian Imposture. 1656-1677 C. E.