New-York daily tribune., 1866-01-04

/ bihkth Dcueuitt DpluoLo. DAiNA
treatise entitled "Tractatus heologico-Pohticus v
contains the germs of the Rational criticism which
has produced such profound intellectual reyolu-
tion In Germany, and which has 30 widely inau-
enced the progress Of thought in other countries.
Written in compact lucid, and flowing Latin, it Is
marked by the youthful yivacity Of the period OF
life in which it was composed, and the boldness
and subtloty Of its comments on tho received In
terl tation of tho Bible. In few pregnant pages,
hc examines the value OF miracle and prophecy as
proofs of revealed religion, expounds the character
of the Hebrew constitutions, discusses the prnci-
pies Of Interpretation and the question Of the
Biblical canon, forestals Colenso in his views OF
the fragmcntary character Of tho Pentateuch, end
unfolds the principles of exegesis, evidences, and
even dcgmatic theology. Few books, indeed, have
been printed, that have left such marked I'M
preston on the opinions OF subsequent age. IL
may be regarded as the primary suggestion OF more
recent attempts TO discriminate between the letter
and the spirit Of tho records of revelation, and 10
submit the statements Of the Bible to the ''S' u
rational criticism.
Yet the work before us docs not even contain the
name Of Spinoza in the index, and IN It's crr-
sory illusions TO him lin fact, We have discov-
cred but ore or two, PIP. l03, lSl) betrays the
most extraordinary ignorance of lis position and
influence. PAGES aro devoted 10 Jacob Doehmc
Arnd, Calixtus, Gerhard, Andrea, Spencer
Fraucke, Arnold, and Thomasus, who had not even
the most distant aGini,ies with Rationalsn, and
properly hold no place nits history, while not line
is accorded to Spinoza, who in the critical develop
&c cf
being its father.
Of The modern Nationalist critics of Germany,
the accounts in this volume are almost equally In
adequate. Two of the principal writers OF the last
century in this department, Michaeis and Senlor,
receive a certain degree OF attention, although the
statements are imperfect and confused but OF
numerous other names not less important there is
either no mention whatever, or none which conveys
TO the reader anything like complete and definite
idea Of their character. Thus Of Eichhofn We have
only a passing Incidental notice of De Wette a
feeble superficial description, and Of Gcsenius not
word. The former Of these great writer's was
prodigy Of erudition, surpassed perhaps by no
scholar Of his age the master of singslGrly sweet
and seductive style, and in his famous work, Intro
duction 10 the Old Testament" throwing strange
fascination over the sacred record considered
merely ss 6 human production. De Wette was The
founder Of critical school which pared the way
for the destructive theories OF Ewad Strauss, aud
the TUbingon tLeologians. He was one Of the
most voluminOus writer's Of the day, man of tie
most attractive personal character and although
wsyering and uncertain in his tendencies and views,
gave the original impulse TO such eminent Biblical
scholars as Gesenius CredAer, Hiizie, Hupfcd,
and others, who though men Of leading mark and
influence, are consigned TO complete oblivion in the
present history.
Tie period Of transition between the critical
school Of De Wette and the Tdbingen school is
marked by the labors of Ewald. one Of the most
distinguished Oriental scholars Of Europe, and the
author of the History Of the People of Israel
% vols. Cd cd. lsjl-is52), q work Of profound
significance in the development Of Ratonalism
but whose character and influence find no rocog-
milton from Mr.. Hurst.
The Tubingen school itself, which has filled such
wide space in the recent theological history Of
Germany is dispatched IN two or three unsatis-
factory pages. Some OF the leading conclusions Of
It's founder, Ferdinand Christian Baur, curso-
pal works are not alluded to; his arguments are
described in the barest outline sketches and no
adequate idea is conveyed Of tie fine and subtle
critical processes by which he attempts TO deter
mine the acceptance or rejection Of the different
books Of the New Testament Canon.
But not to dwell on the critical branch OF Cor
man Ratonalism, which has received such unfor-
tunatc treatment at the hands Of the author, We
will glance for moment at his exposition Of some
OF the philosophical systems of which the Ration
ast theology is the legitimate fruit. IL this divi
sion Of the subject, the defects Of the volume are
more glaring, if possible, than in the former.
| The foundation OF modern philosophy dates from
the writings Of Descartes,who died in the middle Of
| the seventeenth century. In the history OF meta
physics, that illustriols thinker holds the same
rank as Bacon, in ehistory Of physical nvestiga-
ton. lie was the FIRST to erect tho principle Of
free inquiry as the basis of philosophical truth.
Commencing with universal doubt, allowing no
authority either 10 traditions or to axions, relying
solely on reason as the source Of certainty and the
test of belief lie placed the essence Of alphilosophy
| in the primitive ideas of consciousness. On this
basis, he established the validity of faith in the
existence Of God, in the distinction between the
soul and the body, and in the perpetual agency OF
the Deity in tho phenomena ofthe universe. His
influence On subsequent thinkers presents beauti-
fl illustration Of the laws Of philosophical develop
inent No vital idea can exist in isolated form.
The intutions Of genius in one.age, color the whole
current of speculation in the next. Descartes,
accordingly has been perpetually reproduced in tho
progress Of modern philosophy. He is justly re-
garded not only as the intellectual father Of Male
branche and Spinoza, but of the whole school OF