[42] It is recorded by Livy, that "there is a grove, through which flowed a perennial stream, taking its origin in a dark cave, in which Numa was accustomed to meet the goddess, and receive instructions as to his political and religions institutions."--Liv. 1. I. c. 21. [43] Qu'un beau Pigeon a tire d'aile Vienne obom brer une Purcelle, Rien n'est sur prenant en cela; L'on en vit autant en Lydie. Et le beau Cygne de Leda Vaut bien le Pigeon de Marie. [44] I. Samuel, chap. viii. vs. 5 and 6. [45] The Gospel according to John, chap. viii. v. 7. [46] Matthew's Gospel, chap. xxii. v. 21. [47] Matthew's Gospel, chap. xxi. v. 27. [48] Saint Paul, Hebrews, chap. viii. v. 13 speaks in these terms: "In that he saith a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."--Translator's note. [49] This was the opinion of Pope Leo X. as appears from an expression of his, which, considering that it was made use of at a time when the philosophical spirit of inquiry had made little progress, was remarkably bold. "It has been well known in all ages," he observed to Cardinal Beinbo, "how much this fable of Jesus Christ has been profitable to us and ours." Quantum nobis nostrisque sa de Christo fabula profuerit, satis est omnibus saeculis notum. [50] Confessions, 1. VII. c. ix. v. 28. [51] See the discourse of Aristophanes, in the "Banquet of Plato." [52] Luke's Gospel, chap. xvi. v. 24. [53] "The City of God," book I. chap. xiv. [54] Orig. adv. Cels. 1. VIII. chap. iv. Compare with, Matthew, chap. xix. v. 24. [55] Op. adv. Jorin. 1. II. chap. viii.--"In indication of their refusal to take an oath, the Society of Friends quote the words of Christ, "Swear not at all;" unaware, or overlooking, that this expression is descriptive of a state of social perfection, when the word of a man will be as good as his oath. Many others of Christ's precepts besides this are unobserved by Christians, such as 'Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth,' 'Give to every one that asketh, and from him that would borrow of you turn not thou away.' The morality of Christ is a beau ideal so far from being realized, that there is not even a similitude of it in the Christian world. The Quakers who vauntingly obey this precept regarding oaths, has no hesitation in breaking the other precepts respecting the hoarding of money, and refusing to give it away."--Translator's Note. [56] St. Paul.