LIFE O F B. De Spinofa. SPIN PINOSA, that Philofopher, whose Name makes fo great noise in the World, was originally a Jew. His Parents, a little while after his Birth, named him Baruch. But having afterwards forfaken Judaism, he changed his Name, and call'd himself Benedict in his Writings, and in the Letters which he fubfcrib'd. He was Born at Amsterdam the 24th of November, in the Year 1632. What is commonly faid, that he was Poor and of a very mean Extraction, is not true. His Father, a Portuguese Jew, was in very good Circumstances, and a Merchant at Amsterdam, where he lived upon the Burgwal, in a good House near the Old Portuguese Synagogue. Besides, his civil and handsome behaviour, his Relations, who lived at ease, and what was left to him by his Father and Mother, prove that his Extraction, as well as his Education, was above that of the Common People. Samuel Carceris, a Portuguese Jew, Married the Youngest of his two Sifters. The Name of the Youngest Miriam, whofe Son Daniel Carceris, Nephew to Benedict de Spinofa, declared himself one of his Heirs after his Decease: As it appears by an Act paft before Libertus Loef, a Notary, the 30th of March 1677. in the form of a Procuration directed to Henry Vander Spyck, in whose House Spinosa Lodged when he died. Spinofa's firft Studies. Spinofa fhewed from his Childhood, and in his younger years, that Nature had not been unkind to him. His quick fancy, and his ready and penetrating Wit were easily perceived. Because he had a great Mind to learn the Latin Tongue, they gave him at firft a German Mafter. But afterwards in order to perfect himself in that Language, he made ufe of the famous Francis Vanden Ende, who taught it then in Amsterdam, and practis'd Phyfick at the fame time. That Man taught with good Success and a great Reputation; fo that the Richeft Merchants of that City intrufted him with the inftruction of their Children, before they had found out that he taught his Scholars fomething else befides Latin. For it was difcovered at laft, that he fowed the firft Seeds of Atheism in the Minds of thofe Young Boys. This is a matter of fact, which I cou'd prove, if there was any neceffity for it, by the Testimony of feveral honeft Gentlemen, who are still living, and some of whom have been Elders of the Lutheran Church at Amfterdam. Those good Men bless every day the Memory of their Parents, who took care in due time to remove them from the School of so pernicious and fo impious a Master. Vanden Ende had an only Daughter, who understood the Latin Tongue, as well as Mufick, fo perfectly, that she was able to teach her Fathers Scholars in his abfence. Spinofa having often occafion to fee and speak to her, grew in Love with her, and he has often confeft that he defign'd to Marry her. She was none of the most Beautiful, but fhe had a great deal of Wit, a great Capacity and a jovial Humour, which wrought upon the Heart of Spinofa, as well as upon another Scholar of Vanden Ende, whofe Name was Kerkering, a Native of Hamburgh. The latter did foon perceive that he had a Rival, and grew Jealous of him. This moved him to redouble his care, and his attendance upon his Mistress; which he did with good fuccefs: But a Neck-lace of Pearls, of the value of two or three hundred Pistoles, which he had before prefented to that Young Woman, did without doubt contribute to win her Affection. She therefore promised to Marry him: Which fhe did faithfully perform, when the Sieur Kerkering had abjured the Lutheran Religion, which he profeft, and embraced the Roman Catholick. See the Preface of Kortholt de tribus Impoftoribus, of the 2d Edition. As for Vanden Ende, being too well known in Holland, to find any Employment there, he was obliged to look for it fomewhere else. He went into France, where he had a Tragical end, after he had maintained himself for fome years with what he got by practifing Phyfick. Some fay that he was Condemn'd to be hanged, and Executed, for having attempted upon the Dauphin's Life; but others, who knew him particularly in France, own indeed that he was hanged, but they give another reason for it. They fay, that Vanden Ende endeavour'd to caufe an Infurrection in |