Bibliotheca Sacra (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1844 edition. Excerpt: ...de Abst II. 55. ' 4 Varro de L. L. VII. 44. Ov. Fast V. 621. Dionys. I. 38. Plut Moi. P-172, A. Macrob. Sat I. 7. Festus, p. 91 and p. 207. ' But the goddess then sent a black cow over the sea, that of its own accord poor were generally wont to sacrifice these cows made of meal instead of the actual animal.1 The Locrians made small bulls even of wood, as a substitute for the real creature;2 and at the festival of the Boeotian Hercules, apples were offered instead of sheep, because both are called ltijXa.3 Through such transition-stages, in the historical development of expiatory sacrifices, men gradually returned to the idea which lies at the basis of them all, the consecration of the will. And as the prophets of the Old Testament tell us that the Lord has more pleasure in those that do justly and love mercy, and that truly know God, than in all sacrifices and burnt-offerings; (in accordance with which declaration the Essenes would seem to have acted;)5 so heathen poets and philosophers also declare, that it is of no avail for men, whose souls are grovelling in the earth, and are void and sterile of all things heavenly, with such sentiments to go to the temples, and out of the depths of their sinful lives to bring their gifts to the gods.6 Cicero (de Legg. II. 8. 9.) exhorts, let them come to the gods with pure hearts; let them bring piety, let them take away wealth; whoever does otherwise, god himself will be the avenger;... let not the impious man dare to appease the anger of the gods by gifts. To the same effect he speaks in his work on the Nature of the Gods: (II. 28. 71) the worship of the gods is more excellent than all things else; it is most chaste, most sacred, most full of piety. Ever should we venerate...