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away Elijah； wished to persuade Elisha that he had been taken somewhere
where they would find him； showing sufficiently clearly that they had not
understood God's revelation aright。
（62） There is no need to set this out more amply； for nothing is more
plain in the Bible than that God endowed some prophets with far greater
gifts of prophecy than others。 （63） But I will show in greater detail and
length； for I consider the point more important； that the prophecies varied
according to the opinions previously embraced by the prophets； and that
the prophets held diverse and even contrary opinions and prejudices。 （64）
（I speak； be it understood； solely of matters speculative； for in regard to
uprightness and morality the case is widely different。） （65） From thence I
shall conclude that prophecy never rendered the prophets more learned；
but left them with their former opinions； and that we are； therefore； not at
all bound to trust them in matters of intellect。
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（66） Everyone has been strangely hasty in affirming that the prophets
knew everything within the scope of human intellect； and； although certain
passages of Scripture plainly affirm that the prophets were in certain
respects ignorant； such persons would rather say that they do not
understand the passages than admit that there was anything which the
prophets did not know； or else they try to wrest the Scriptural words away
from their evident meaning。
（67） If either of these proceedings is allowable we may as well shut
our Bibles； for vainly shall we attempt to prove anything from them if
their plainest passages may be classed among obscure and impenetrable
mysteries； or if we may put any interpretation on them which we fancy。
（68） For instance； nothing is more clear in the Bible than that Joshua； and
perhaps also the author who wrote his history； thought that the sun
revolves round the earth； and that the earth is fixed； and further that the
sun for a certain period remained still。 （69） Many； who will not admit any
movement in the heavenly bodies； explain away the passage till it seems to
mean something quite different； others； who have learned to philosophize
more correctly； and understand that the earth moves while the sun is still；
or at any rate does not revolve round the earth； try with all their might to
wrest this meaning from Scripture； though plainly nothing of the sort is
intended。 （70） Such quibblers excite my wonder！ （71） Are we； forsooth；
bound to believe that Joshua the Soldier was a learned astronomer？ or that
a miracle could not be revealed to him； or that the light of the sun could
not remain longer than usual above the horizon； without his knowing the
cause？ （72） To me both alternatives appear ridiculous； and therefore I
would rather say； that Joshua was ignorant of the true cause of the
lengthened day； and that he and the whole host with him thought that the
sun moved round the earth every day； and that on that particular occasion
it stood still for a time； thus causing the light to remain longer； and I
would say； that they did not conjecture that； from the amount of snow in
the air （see Josh。 x：11）； the refraction may have been greater than usual； or
that there may have been some other cause which we will not now inquire
into。
（73） So also the sign of the shadow going back was revealed to Isaiah
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according to his understanding； that is； as proceeding from a going
backwards of the sun； for he； too； thought that the sun moves and that the
earth is still； of parhelia he perhaps never even dreamed。 （74） We may
arrive at this conclusion without any； scruple； for the sign could really
have come to pass； and have been predicted by Isaiah to the king； without
the prophet being aware of the real cause。
（75） With regard to the building of the Temple by Solomon； if it was
really dictate by God we must maintain the same doctrine： namely； that all
the measurements were revealed according to the opinions and
understanding of the king； for as we are not bound to believe that Solomon
was a mathematician； we may affirm that he was ignorant of the true ratio
between the circumference and the diameter of a circle； and that； like the
generality of workmen； he thought that it was as three to one。 （76） But if it
is allowable to declare that we do not understand the passage； in good
sooth I know nothing in the Bible that we can understand； for the process
of building is there narrated simply and as a mere matter of history。 （77） If；
again； it is permitted to pretend that the passage has another meaning； and
was written as it is from some reason unknown to us； this is no less than a
complete subversal of the Bible； for every absurd and evil invention of
human perversity could thus； without detriment to Scriptural authority； be
defended and fostered。 （78） Our conclusion is in no wise impious； for
though Solomon； Isaiah； Joshua； &c。 were prophets； they were none the
less men； and as such not exempt from human shortcomings。
（79） According to the understanding of Noah it was revealed to him
that God as about to destroy the whole human race； for Noah thought that
beyond the limits of Palestine the world was not inhabited。
（80） Not only in matters of this kind； but in others more important； the
about the Divine attributes； but held quite ordinary notions about God； and
to these notions their revelations were adapted； as I will demonstrate by
ample Scriptural testimony； from all which one may easily see that they
were praised and commended； not so much for the sublimity and eminence
of their intellect as for their piety and faithfulness。
（81） Adam； the first man to whom God was revealed； did not know
that He is omnipotent and omniscient； for he hid himself from Him； and
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attempted to make excuses for his fault before God； as though he had had
to do with a man； therefore to him also was God revealed according to his
understanding … that is； as being unaware of his s