The Essenes: Their history and doctrinesGinsburg, Christian D. (Christian David)
History
The Essenes: Their history and doctrines
Ginsburg, Christian D. (Christian David)
Essenes
“They leave the logical part of philosophy, as in no respect necessary
for the acquisition of virtue, to the word catchers; and the natural
part, as being too difficult for human nature, to the astrological
babblers, excepting that part of it which treats upon the existence of
God and the origin of the universe; [26] but the ethical part they
thoroughly work out themselves, using as their guides the laws which
their fathers inherited, and which it would have been impossible for
the human mind to devise without divine inspiration. Herein they
instruct themselves at all times, but more especially on the seventh
day. For the seventh day is held holy, on which they abstain from all
other work, and go to the sacred places called synagogues, sit
according to order, the younger below the elder, and listen with
becoming attention. Then one takes the Bible and reads it, and another
of those who have most experience comes forward and expounds it,
passing over that which is not generally known, for they philosophise
on most things in symbols according to the ancient zeal.
“They are instructed in piety, holiness, righteousness, economy,
politics, in knowledge of what is truly good, bad and indifferent, to
choose things that are necessary, and to avoid the contrary. They use
therein a threefold rule and definition, viz.: love of God, love of
virtue, and love of mankind. [27] Of their love to God, they give
innumerable demonstrations—e.g. their constant and unalterable holiness
(ἁγνεία) throughout the whole of their life; their avoidance of oaths
[28] and falsehoods, and their firm belief that God is the source of
all good, but of nothing evil. Of their love of virtue they give proofs
in their contempt for money, fame, and pleasures, their continence,
endurance, in their satisfying their wants easily, simplicity,
cheerfulness of temper, modesty, order, firmness, and every thing of
the kind. As instances of their love to man, are to be mentioned, their
benevolence, equality, and their having all things in common, which is
beyond all description, and about which it will not be out of place to
speak here a little.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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