Gabb, Thomas: Finis pyramidis or Disquisitions concerning the antiquity and scientific end of the great pyramid of Giza, or ancient Memphis, in Egypt, and of the first standard of linear measure (Retford, 1806)

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SQLOMOJV'S TEMPLE.

3Dberttsement to tlje Eeaöer.

IT may, perhaps, appear to some of my readers,
that the freedom, with which a few passages of the sa-
cred text are scrutinized, borders on temerity. But it
ought to be considered, there is a great difference be-
tween matters of merely historical facts, and dogmas of
divine authority; between technical expressions, and
such as convey the revealed truths and divine ordinances
for the regulation of faith and morals; herein, indeed,
liberties ought not to be taken, even with the authoriz-
ed translations of the Holy Scriptures, by any person,
whose qualification is liable to be called in question :
nor shall I expose myself to the danger of censure from
the higher tribunals, by attempting to bring even into
discussion, a single iota of the sacred text, wherein the
interest of religion is concerned. But when in the text
we read of the height of a capital, or of it's column ; of
the number of cubits in a given dimension ; of covering
the floor of the Temple ; and such technical matters ; I
shall think myself allowed to examine, compare, infer,
and at least conclude. And when again from the latin
Vulgate of St. Jerome, the expressions, texit pavimen-
timi, and stravit pavimentimi, are rendered, in the
English Bible, synouimously ; I shall both scrutinize

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