My dear Sir

Referring to your “Perhaps some member” &c p.351, I can assure you that such is the tradition of the Church. I could give you precise evidences on this point if I had access to a library of Patristic Theology. As it is, I happen to have the “Elucidarium” of Lanfranc; in which, after speaking of the fall of the Angels, the dialogue continues: –

“D. Nonne casus malorum minuit numeram bonorum? U. Ita: sed, at complentur, electorum numeros, homo decimus est creatus.”

“Decimus” refers to what has gone before. “Predistinavit (Deus) quindorn certum numerum electorum, quem nec licerct excedi, et quem necesse esset complin. Porro nunc numerum coluit constare ex Angelis et himinbus. Ipsun autem numeruoe determinavit in decem; novem quidem ordinibus Angeloram, et decimo hominum”

I think, if you consult some learned Israelite Talmudist you will find that this tradition has come to us though the Church of the Old Law.

Again thanking you for the gratification your papers always give me, I remain,

Yours truly
D H Haigh

Erdington 14/3/76.

[address panel:]
W. H. F. Talbot Esq DLL
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts: