54
SPINOZA.
As he showed his friend the water-working windmills, and explained the plan of the dykes and dams, and how each piece of fruitful land had its history, his hearer looked on in astonished sympathy.
This man, who now first saw himself openly joining in the faith of his fathers, must have followed a devotional train of thought, for he said:
"In these Netherlands our God seems a second time to have miraculously dried up the sea, for the salvation of his people Israel. He has not done it by supernatural means, but taught his power to men."
Meanwhile Baruch sat in his chamber and read:
