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Bekker, Balthasar · 1693

he spoke; do not think that he the theologian Johannes Coccejus dishonors him the Apostle Paul when he perceives prudence in his conduct of reasoning here: that he, while himself considering the Dæmones demons or spirits to be evil, did not contradict those of Athens who considered them good and divine. Thus, by praising their δεισιδαιμονία reverence for the gods, often translated as superstition as being religious, he did not wish to displease them. So then, according to the judgment of Coccejus, Paul spoke according to the sentiment of these Pagans. Therefore, such a statement can be no proof of irreverence in this case, or this great man is as guilty as I am. Likewise, it is the same with Voetius when he says that the Lord Jesus himself spoke according to the sentiment of the Jews, even though it was false; as will be shown hereafter on page 24.
VIII. Section 511. at the beginning. II. 18. Section 2. II. 19. Section 2.
For that, in my judgment, one has need of the utmost circumspection. For if one simply grasps directly at those ways of speaking that apply the aforementioned things to the Devil, one will inevitably make a God of him, such as there never has been.
This passage was also brought against me in the last Articles at Alkmaar a city in North Holland where ecclesiastical meetings were held. I have explained it so clearly in my Fourfold Answers original: "Viervoudige Beantwoordingen" part II, pages 73 and 74, that I do not know what more I should say here.
IX. Section 677. near the end. II. 30. Section 1. II. 31. Section 1.
The Holy Scripture speaking in such a manner, and being understood as speaking thus of the Devil, has from of old served as an opportunity to change the Daimones spirits of the Pagans into the Devil, and to attribute to him such a powerful government in the world.
To this, my Answer in the Fourfold Answers part II, page 74, is so complete that I also deem it unnecessary to say more in this place.
X. Section 668. at the beginning. II. 29. Section 3. II. 30. Section 3.
To know what harmed that youth, one must not listen to the reason the Father gave: since he spoke with prejudice, according to the common sentiment of the Jews, as already said before. And how the Scripture thereafter conforms itself in speaking has already been understood before.
Here the difficulty will now be this: whether I may attribute it to the Holy Scripture—for example, out of irreverence—that it conforms itself in speaking to the common sentiment