, a famous Spanish Jew, was carefully educated in that religion
, a famous Spanish
Jew, was carefully educated in that religion by his parents,
who were Jews, though they outwardly professed themselves Roman catholics; abstaining from the practice of
Judaism in every thing, except only the observation of the
fast of expiation, in the month Tisis, or September. Our
author studied the scholastic philosophy as it was then
taught in Spain, and became such an adept that he was
made professor of metaphysics in the university of Salamanca: but, afterwards applying himself to the study of
physic, he practised that art at Seville with success, till,
being accused of Judaism, he was thrown into the inquisition, and suffered the most dreadful cruelties, in order to
force him to confess. According to his own account, he
was put into a dark dungeon, so straight, that he could
scarce turn himself in it; and suffered so many hardships,
that his brain began to be disturbed. He frequently asked
himself, “Am I indeed that Don Balthasar Orobio, who
walked freely about in Seville, who was entirely at ease,
and had the blessings of a wife and children!
” sometimes
imagining that his past life was only a dream, and that the
dungeon where he then lay was his true birth-place, and to
all appearance would prove the place of his death. At
other times, he used to form metaphysical arguments, and
resolve them, acting the three different parts of opponent,
respondent, and moderator, at the same time. In this
whimsical way he diverted himself from time to time, but
when examined by the inquisitors, constantly denied that
he was a Jew. At length he was put to the torture, in the
most cruel manner, yet without extorting any confession
from him, and his tormentors, after three years’ confinement, finding themselves baffled by his perseverance, ordered his wounds to be cured, and so discharged him. As
soon as he had got his liberty, he resolved to quit the Spanish dominions; and, going to France, was made professor
of physic at Thoulouse. The theses, which he made as
candidate for this place, were upon putrefaction and he
maintained them with such a metaphysical subtlety as
embarrassed all his competitors. He continued in this city
some time, still outwardly professing the popish religion:
but at last, growing weary of dissembling, he repaired to
Amsterdam, where he was circumcised, took the name of
Isaac, and professed Judaism; still continuing here also to
practise physic, in which he was much esteemed. Upon
the publication of Spinoza’s “Tractatus Theologico-Politicus,
” he saw its fallacy, but did not think it worthy of
an answer, until Bredenbergh, who had at one time written a confutation of it, published another treatise as objectionable as that of Spinosa’s. Orobio then took up his
pen against both the authors, and published a piece to
that purpose, entitled “Certamen philosophicum adversus
J. B. principia,
” Arnica collatio cum Judæo, &c.
” Orobio died in