3i6 



THE ENGLISH PHVSICI.VN ENLARGED. 



lufor JMc'lznr, and hcc3.mo ten times more learned in all 

 "matters i>l ziisdoiu and understamlitiff than all the astro- 

 lowers tn the realm ; in considcrulion of which tliey ucic 

 cU'cfrd nif(iiF)ois of the- public Schools* at Babylon, 

 which were founded for tlio study of this art, and Daniel 

 was made by the King's decree Master over the Chaldean 

 astrologers. + In the days of Samuel it appears to have 

 been a common custom to go to the Seers, or men of 

 iinderstandi?ig in the times, not only to be informed 

 concernino future contingencies, but also to enquire after 

 iost goods. To this cffcft we find Saul and his servant 

 discoursing ^\\wn they were sent out to find the strayed 

 asses of Kish, Saul's father; and nut being able to iind 

 inem, (he servant proposes to go and encjuire of the Seer, 

 "*vnjch Avay the asses were gone, and where they might be 

 found. Saul agrees to this, but asks, H%at have zee to 

 give hi,n? zee have no bread left,, nur have zee any 

 siijjiaent present. The servant replies, / have a fourth 

 part of a shekel of silver, IHl give him that. Saul ansMcrs, 

 rycli saul, Itt us go.j This passage enables us to 

 distinguish between the gift of prophecy for the purposes 

 of establishing God's true religion, and the art of answer- 

 ing all manner of questions and predicting future events. 

 Ihconewas evidently efi'eded by supernatural means, 

 and promulgated to the people without expencc; whilst 

 the other by being calculated for the benefit of respeflivc 

 individuals, was always accompanied with money or 

 presents. In the same way we tiiul David, when in Keiluh, 

 Avhen he heard that Saul was coming to besiege him, was 

 desirous of knowing the truth whether Saul was coming 

 or not, and if he was, fVhether the men of Keilah umild 

 be true to him, or would betraij him ? And being informed 

 they would betray him into (he hands of the enemy, 

 Avho were seeking his life, he fled into the wilderness of 



» U II '' ■ lllll Ml 



* In some of these schools Altraham is Jaid to h.ive been taught, 

 and that Bolos the father of Nimrod, affprwaids built the school- 

 house where Daniel was instructed in this science, see Jos. Ant. 

 lib. 1. cap. 8. Biod. Sic. lib. cap. 8. f Dan. 1, 4, 8, 11, 17, 18, 

 19, 20. li. 48, 49. Jl Sam. ix. 6, 7, 8, 10. 



