第1章

AmistaketosupposethatprophecycangiveknowledgeofphenomenaCertaintyofprophecybasedon:

(1)Vividnessofimagination，(2)ASign，(3)GoodnessoftheProphet。

Variationofprophecywiththetemperamentandopinionsoftheindividual。

CHAPTERIII-OftheVocationoftheHebrews，andwhethertheGiftofProphecywaspeculiartothem。

HappinessofHebrewsdidnotconsistintheinferiorityoftheGentile。

Norinphilosophicknowledgeorvirtue。

Butintheirconductofaffairsofstateandescapefrompoliticaldangers。

EventhisDistinctiondidnotexistinthetimeofAbraham。

TestimonyfromtheOldTestamentitselftotheshareoftheGentilesinthelawandfavourofGod。

ExplanationofapparentdiscrepancyoftheEpistletotheRomans。

AnswertotheargumentsfortheeternalelectionoftheJews。

CHAPTERIV-OftheDivineLaw。

Lawseitherdependonnaturalnecessityoronhumandecree。Theexistenceofthelatternotinconsistentwiththeformerclassoflaws。

Divinelawakindoflawfoundedonhumandecree:

calledDivinefromitsobject。

Divinelaw:

(1)universal；

(2)independentofthetruthofanyhistoricalnarrative；

(3)independentofritesandceremonies；

(4)itsownreward。

ReasondoesnotpresentGodasalaw-giverformen。

Suchaconceptionaproofofignorance-inAdam-intheIsraelites-

inChristians。

TestimonyoftheScripturesinfavourofreasonandtherationalviewoftheDivine。

CHAPTERV-OftheCeremonialLaw。

CeremoniallawoftheOldTestamentnopartoftheDivineuniversallaw，butpartialandtemporary。TestimonyoftheprophetsthemselvestothisTestimonyoftheNewTestament。

HowtheceremoniallawtendedtopreservetheHebrewkingdom。

Christianritesonasimilarfooting。

WhatpartoftheScripturenarrativesisoneboundtobelieve?

AuthorsEndnotestotheTreatise。

ATheologico-PoliticalTreatisePart1-ChaptersItoV

PREFACE。

(1)Menwouldneverbesuperstitious，iftheycouldgovernalltheircircumstancesbysetrules，oriftheywerealwaysfavouredbyfortune:butbeingfrequentlydrivenintostraitswhererulesareuseless，andbeingoftenkeptfluctuatingpitiablybetweenhopeandfearbytheuncertaintyoffortune"sgreedilycovetedfavours，theyareconsequently，forthemostpart，verypronetocredulity。(2)Thehumanmindisreadilyswayedthiswayorthatintimesofdoubt，especiallywhenhopeandfeararestrugglingforthemastery，thoughusuallyitisboastful，over-confident，andvain。

(3)ThisasageneralfactIsupposeeveryoneknows，thoughfew，Ibelieve，knowtheirownnature；noonecanhavelivedintheworldwithoutobservingthatmostpeople，wheninprosperity，aresoover-brimmingwithwisdom(howeverinexperiencedtheymaybe)，thattheytakeeveryofferofadviceasapersonalinsult，whereasinadversitytheyknownotwheretoturn，butbegandprayforcounselfromeverypasser-by。(4)Noplanisthentoofutile，tooabsurd，ortoofatuousfortheiradoption；themostfrivolouscauseswillraisethemtohope，orplungethemintodespair-ifanythinghappensduringtheirfrightwhichremindsthemofsomepastgoodorill，theythinkitportendsahappyorunhappyissue，andtherefore(thoughitmayhaveprovedabortiveahundredtimesbefore)styleitaluckyorunluckyomen。

(5)AnythingwhichexcitestheirastonishmenttheybelievetobeaportentsignifyingtheangerofthegodsoroftheSupremeBeing，and，mistakingsuperstitionforreligion，accountitimpiousnottoaverttheevilwithprayerandsacrifice。(6)Signsandwondersofthissorttheyconjureupperpetually，tillonemightthinkNatureasmadasthemselves，theyinterprethersofantastically。

(7)Thusitisbroughtprominentlybeforeus，thatsuperstition"schiefvictimsarethosepersonswhogreedilycovettemporaladvantages；theyitis，who(especiallywhentheyareindanger，andcannothelpthemselves)arewontwithPrayersandwomanishtearstoimplorehelpfromGod:upbraidingReasonasblind，becauseshecannotshowasurepathtotheshadowstheypursue，andrejectinghumanwisdomasvain；butbelievingthephantomsofimagination，dreams，andotherchildishabsurdities，tobetheveryoraclesofHeaven。(8)AsthoughGodhadturnedawayfromthewise，andwrittenHisdecrees，notinthemindofmanbutintheentrailsofbeasts，orleftthemtobeproclaimedbytheinspirationandinstinctoffools，madmen，andbirds。Suchistheunreasontowhichterrorcandrivemankind!

(9)Superstition，then，isengendered，preserved，andfosteredbyfear。Ifanyonedesireanexample，lethimtakeAlexander，whoonlybegansuperstitiouslytoseekguidancefromseers，whenhefirstlearnttofearfortuneinthepassesofSysis(Curtius，v。4)；whereasafterhehadconqueredDariusheconsultedprophetsnomore，tillasecondtimefrightenedbyreverses。(10)WhentheScythianswereprovokingabattle，theBactrianshaddeserted，andhehimselfwaslyingsickofhiswounds，"heoncemoreturnedtosuperstition，themockeryofhumanwisdom，andbadeAristander，towhomheconfidedhiscredulity，inquiretheissueofaffairswithsacrificedvictims。"(11)Verynumerousexamplesofalikenaturemightbecited，clearlyshowingthefact，thatonlywhileunderthedominionoffeardomenfallapreytosuperstition；

thatalltheportentseverinvestedwiththereverenceofmisguidedreligionaremerephantomsofdejectedandfearfulminds；andlastly，thatprophetshavemostpoweramongthepeople，andaremostformidabletorulers，preciselyatthosetimeswhenthestateisinmostperil。(12)Ithinkthisissufficientlyplaintoall，andwillthereforesaynomoreonthesubject。

(13)Theoriginofsuperstitionabovegivenaffordsusaclearreasonforthefact，thatitcomestoallmennaturally，thoughsomereferitsrisetoadimnotionofGod，universaltomankind，andalsotendstoshow，thatitisnolessinconsistentandvariablethanothermentalhallucinationsandemotionalimpulses，andfurtherthatitcanonlybemaintainedbyhope，hatred，anger，anddeceit；sinceitsprings，notfromreason，butsolelyfromthemorepowerfulphasesofemotion。(14)Furthermore，wemayreadilyunderstandhowdifficultitis，tomaintaininthesamecoursemenpronetoeveryformofcredulity。(15)For，asthemassofmankindremainsalwaysataboutthesamepitchofmisery，itneverassentslongtoanyoneremedy，butisalwaysbestpleasedbyanoveltywhichhasnotyetprovedillusive。

(16)Thiselementofinconsistencyhasbeenthecauseofmanyterriblewarsandrevolutions；for，asCurtiuswellsays(lib。iv。chap。10):"Themobhasnorulermorepotentthansuperstition，"andiseasilyled，onthepleaofreligion，atonemomenttoadoreitskingsasgods，andanontoexecrateandabjurethemashumanity"scommonbane。(17)Immensepainshavethereforebeentakentocounteractthisevilbyinvestingreligion，whethertrueorfalse，withsuchpompandceremony，thatitmay，risesuperiortoeveryshock，andbealwaysobservedwithstudiousreverencebythewholepeople-

asystemwhichhasbeenbroughttogreatperfectionbytheTurks，fortheyconsiderevencontroversyimpious，andsoclogmen"smindswithdogmaticformulas，thattheyleavenoroomforsoundreason，notevenenoughtodoubtwith。

(18)Butif，indespoticstatecraft，thesupremeandessentialmysterybetohoodwinkthesubjects，andtomaskthefear，whichkeepsthemclown，withthespeciousgarbofreligion，sothatmenmayfightasbravelyforslaveryasforsafety，andcountitnotshamebuthighesthonourtorisktheirbloodandtheirlivesforthevaingloryofatyrant；yetinafreestatenomoremischievousexpedientcouldbeplannedorattempted。(19)Whollyrepugnanttothegeneralfreedomaresuchdevicesasenthrallingmen"smindswithprejudices，forcingtheirjudgment，oremployinganyoftheweaponsofquasi-religioussedition；indeed，suchseditionsonlyspringup，whenlawentersthedomainofspeculativethought，andopinionsareputontrialandcondemnedonthesamefootingascrimes，whilethosewhodefendandfollowthemaresacrificed，nottopublicsafety，buttotheiropponents"

hatredandcruelty。(20)Ifdeedsonlycouldbemadethegroundsofcriminalcharges，andwordswerealwaysallowedtopassfree，suchseditionswouldbedivestedofeverysemblanceofjustification，andwouldbeseparatedfrommerecontroversiesbyahardandfastline。

(20)Now，seeingthatwehavetherarehappinessoflivinginarepublic，whereeveryone"sjudgmentisfreeandunshackled，whereeachmayworshipGodashisconsciencedictates，andwherefreedomisesteemedbeforeallthingsdearandprecious，IhavebelievedthatIshouldbeundertakingnoungratefulorunprofitabletask，indemonstratingthatnotonlycansuchfreedombegrantedwithoutprejudicetothepublicpeace，butalso，thatwithoutsuchfreedom，pietycannotflourishnorthepublicpeacebesecure。

(21)SuchisthechiefconclusionIseektoestablishinthistreatise；but，inordertoreachit，Imustfirstpointoutthemisconceptionswhich，likescarsofourformerbondage，stilldisfigureournotionofreligion，andmustexposethefalseviewsaboutthecivilauthoritywhichmanyhavemostimpudentlyadvocated，endeavouringtoturnthemindofthepeople，stillpronetoheathensuperstition，awayfromitslegitimaterulers，andsobringusagainintoslavery。(22)AstotheorderofmytreatiseIwillspeakpresently，butfirstIwillrecountthecauseswhichledmetowrite。

(23)Ihaveoftenwondered，thatpersonswhomakeaboastofprofessingtheChristianreligion，namely，love，joy，peace，temperance，andcharitytoallmen，shouldquarrelwithsuchrancorousanimosity，anddisplaydailytowardsoneanothersuchbitterhatred，thatthis，ratherthanthevirtuestheyclaim，isthereadiestcriterionoftheirfaith。(24)Mattershavelongsincecometosuchapass，thatonecanonlypronounceamanChristian，Turk，Jew，orHeathen，byhisgeneralappearanceandattire，byhisfrequentingthisorthatplaceofworship，oremployingthephraseologyofaparticularsect-asformanneroflife，itisinallcasesthesame。(25)

Inquiryintothecauseofthisanomalyleadsmeunhesitatinglytoascribeittothefact，thattheministriesoftheChurchareregardedbythemassesmerelyasdignities，herofficesaspostsofemolument-inshort，popularreligionmaybesummedupasrespectforecclesiastics。(26)Thespreadofthismisconceptioninflamedeveryworthlessfellowwithanintensedesiretoenterholyorders，andthustheloveofdiffusingGod"sreligiondegeneratedintosordidavariceandambition。(27)Everychurchbecameatheatre，whereorators，insteadofchurchteachers，harangued，caringnottoinstructthepeople，butstrivingtoattractadmiration，tobringopponentstopublicscorn，andtopreachonlynoveltiesandparadoxes，suchaswouldtickletheearsoftheircongregation。(28)Thisstateofthingsnecessarilystirredupanamountofcontroversy

envy，andhatred，whichnolapseoftimecouldappease；sothatwecanscarcelywonderthatoftheoldreligionnothingsurvivesbutitsoutwardforms(eventhese，inthemouthofthemultitude，seemratheradulationthanadorationoftheDeity)，andthatfaithhasbecomeamerecompoundofcredulityandprejudices-aye，prejudicestoo，whichdegrademanfromrationalbeingtobeast，whichcompletelystiflethepowerofjudgmentbetweentrueandfalse，whichseem，infact，carefullyfosteredforthepurposeofextinguishingthelastsparkofreason!(29)Piety，greatGod!andreligionarebecomeatissueofridiculousmysteries；men，whoflatlydespisereason，whorejectandturnawayfromunderstandingasnaturallycorrupt，these，Isay，theseofallmen，arethought，0liemosthorrible!topossesslightfromonHigh。(30)

Verily，iftheyhadbutonesparkoflightfromonHigh，theywouldnotinsolentlyrave，butwouldlearntoworshipGodmorewisely，andwouldbeasmarkedamongtheirfellowsformercyastheynowareformalice；iftheywereconcernedfortheiropponents"souls，insteadoffortheirownreputations，theywouldnolongerfiercelypersecute，butratherbefilledwithpityandcompassion。

(31)Furthermore，ifanyDivinelightwereinthem，itwouldappearfromtheirdoctrine。(32)IgrantthattheyarenevertiredofprofessingtheirwonderattheprofoundmysteriesofHolyWrit；stillIcannotdiscoverthattheyteachanythingbutspeculationsofPlatonistsandAristotelians，towhich(inordertosavetheircreditforChristianity)theyhavemadeHolyWritconform；notcontenttoravewiththeGreeksthemselves，theywanttomaketheprophetsravealso；showingconclusively，thatnevereveninsleephavetheycaughtaglimpseofScripture"sDivinenature。(33)Theveryvehemenceoftheiradmirationforthemysteriesplainlyattests，thattheirbeliefintheBibleisaformalassentratherthanalivingfaith:andthefactismadestillmoreapparentbytheirlayingdownbeforehand，asafoundationforthestudyandtrueinterpretationofScripture，theprinciplethatitisineverypassagetrueanddivine。(34)SuchadoctrineshouldbereachedonlyafterstrictscrutinyandthoroughcomprehensionoftheSacredBooks(whichwouldteachitmuchbetter，fortheystandinneednohumanfactions)，andnotbesetuponthethreshold，asitwere，ofinquiry。

(35)AsIponderedoverthefactsthatthelightofreasonisnotonlydespised，butbymanyevenexecratedasasourceofimpiety，thathumancommentariesareacceptedasdivinerecords，andthatcredulityisextolledasfaith；asImarkedthefiercecontroversiesofphilosophersraginginChurchandState，thesourceofbitterhatredanddissension，thereadyinstrumentsofseditionandotherillsinnumerable，IdeterminedtoexaminetheBibleafreshinacareful，impartial，andunfetteredspirit，makingnoassumptionsconcerningit，andattributingtoitnodoctrines，whichIdonotfindclearlythereinsetdown。(36)WiththeseprecautionsIconstructedamethodofScripturalinterpretation，andthusequippedproceededtoinquire-whatisprophecy?(37)InwhatsensedidGodrevealhimselftotheprophets，andwhyweretheseparticularmen-chosenbyhim?(38)WasitonaccountofthesublimityoftheirthoughtsabouttheDeityandnature，orwasitsolelyonaccountoftheirpiety?(39)Thesequestionsbeinganswered，Iwaseasilyabletoconclude，thattheauthorityoftheprophetshasweightonlyinmattersofmorality，andthattheirspeculativedoctrinesaffectuslittle。

(40)NextIinquired，whytheHebrewswerecalledGod"schosenpeople，anddiscoveringthatitwasonlybecauseGodhadchosenforthemacertainstripofterritory，wheretheymightlivepeaceablyandatease，IlearntthattheLawrevealedbyGodtoMoseswasmerelythelawoftheindividualHebrewstate，thereforethatitwasbindingonnonebutHebrews，andnotevenonHebrewsafterthedownfalloftheirnation。(41)Further，inordertoascertain，whetheritcouldbeconcludedfromScripture，thatthehumanunderstandingstandingisnaturallycorrupt，IinquiredwhethertheUniversalReligion，theDivineLawrevealedthroughtheProphetsandApostlestothewholehumanrace，differsfromthatwhichistaughtbythelightofnaturalreason，whethermiraclescantakeplaceinviolationofthelawsofnature，andifso，whethertheyimplytheexistenceofGodmoresurelyandclearlythanevents，whichweunderstandplainlyanddistinctlythroughtheirimmediatenaturalcauses。

(42)Now，asinthewholecourseofmyinvestigationIfoundnothingtaughtexpresslybyScripture，whichdoesnotagreewithourunderstanding，orwhichisrepugnantthereto，andasIsawthattheprophetstaughtnothing，whichisnotverysimpleandeasilytobegraspedbyall，andfurther，thattheyclothedtheirleachinginthestyle，andconfirmeditwiththereasons，whichwouldmostdeeplymovethemindofthemassestodevotiontowardsGod，Ibecamethoroughlyconvinced，thattheBibleleavesreasonabsolutelyfree，thatithasnothingincommonwithphilosophy，infact，thatRevelationandPhilosophystandondifferentfootings。Inordertosetthisforthcategoricallyandexhaustthewholequestion，IpointoutthewayinwhichtheBibleshouldbeinterpreted，andshowthatallofspiritualquestionsshouldbesoughtfromitalone，andnotfromtheobjectsofordinaryknowledge。(43)ThenceIpassontoindicatethefalsenotions，whichhavefromthefactthatthemultitude-everpronetosuperstition，andcaringmorefortheshredsofantiquityforeternaltruths-payshomagetotheBooksoftheBible，ratherthantotheWordofGod。(44)IshowthattheWordofGodhasnotbeenrevealedasacertainnumberofbooks，wasdisplayedtotheprophetsasasimpleideaofthemind，namely，obediencetoGodinsinglenessofheart，andinthepracticeofjusticeandcharity；andIfurtherpointout，thatthisdoctrineissetforthinScriptureinaccordancewiththeopinionsandunderstandingsofthose，amongwhomtheApostlesandProphetspreached，totheendthatmenmightreceiveitwillingly，andwiththeirwholeheart。

(45)Havingthuslaidbarethebasesofbelief，IdrawtheconclusionthatRevelationhasobedienceforitssoleobject，therefore，inpurposenolessthaninfoundationandmethod，standsentirelyalooffromordinaryknowledge；eachhasitsseparateprovince，neithercanbecalledthehandmaidoftheother。

(46)Furthermore，asmen"shabitsofminddiffer，sothatsomemorereadilyembraceoneformoffaith，someanother，forwhatmovesonetopraymaymoveanotheronlytoscoff，Iconclude，inaccordancewithwhathasgonebefore，thateveryoneshouldbefreetochooseforhimselfthefoundationsofhiscreed，andthatfaithshouldbejudgedonlybyitsfruits；eachwouldthenobeyGodfreelywithhiswholeheart，whilenothingwouldbepubliclyhonouredsavejusticeandcharity。

(47)HavingthusdrawnattentiontothelibertyconcededtoeveryonebytherevealedlawofGod，Ipassontoanotherpartofmysubject，andprovethatthissamelibertycanandshouldbeaccordedwithsafetytothestateandthemagisterialauthority-infact，thatitcannotbewithheldwithoutgreatdangertopeaceanddetrimenttothecommunity。

(48)Inordertoestablishmypoint，Istartfromthenaturalrightsoftheindividual，whichareco-extensivewithhisdesiresandpower，andfromthefactthatnooneisboundtoliveasanotherpleases，butistheguardianofhisownliberty。(49)Ishowthattheserightscanonlybetransferredtothosewhomwedeputetodefendus，whoacquirewiththedutiesofdefencethepoweroforderingourlives，andIthenceinferthatrulerspossessrightsonlylimitedbytheirpower，thattheyarethesoleguardiansofjusticeandliberty，andthattheirsubjectsshouldactinallthingsastheydictate:nevertheless，sincenoonecansoutterlyabdicatehisownpowerofself-defenceastoceasetobeaman，Iconcludethatnoonecanbedeprivedofhisnaturalrightsabsolutely，butthatsubjects，eitherbytacitagreement，orbysocialcontract，retainacertainnumber，whichcannotbetakenfromthemwithoutgreatdangertothestate。

(50)FromtheseconsiderationsIpassontotheHebrewState，whichI

describeatsomelength，inordertotracethemannerinwhichReligionacquiredtheforceoflaw，andtotouchonothernoteworthypoints。(51)I

thenprove，thattheholdersofsovereignpowerarethedepositoriesandinterpretersofreligiousnolessthanofcivilordinances，andthattheyalonehavetherighttodecidewhatisjustorunjust，piousorimpious；

lastly，Iconcludebyshowing，thattheybestretainthisrightandsecuresafetytotheirstatebyallowingeverymantothinkwhathelikes，andsaywhathethinks。

(52)Such，PhilosophicalReader，arethequestionsIsubmittoyournotice，countingonyourapproval，forthesubjectmatterofthewholebookandoftheseveralchaptersisimportantandprofitable。(53)Iwouldsaymore，butIdonotwantmyprefacetoextendtoavolume，especiallyasIknowthatitsleadingpropositionsaretoPhilosophersbutcommonplaces。(54)TotherestofmankindIcarenottocommendmytreatise，forIcannotexpectthatitcontainsanythingtopleasethem:Iknowhowdeeplyrootedaretheprejudicesembracedunderthenameofreligion；Iamawarethatinthemindofthemassessuperstitionisnolessdeeplyrootedthanfear；Irecognizethattheirconstancyismereobstinacy，andthattheyareledtopraiseorblamebyimpulseratherthanreason。(55)Thereforethemultitude，andthoseoflikepassionswiththemultitude，Iasknottoreadmybook；nay，Iwouldratherthattheyshouldutterlyneglectit，thanthattheyshouldmisinterpretitaftertheirwont。(56)Theywouldgainnogoodthemselves，andmightproveastumbling-blocktoothers，whosephilosophyishamperedbythebeliefthatReasonisamerehandmaidtoTheology，andwhomIseekinthisworkespeciallytobenefit。(57)Butastherewillbemanywhohaveneithertheleisure，nor，perhaps，theinclinationtoreadthroughallI

havewritten，Ifeelboundhere，asattheendofmytreatise，todeclarethatIhavewrittennothing，whichIdonotmostwillinglysubmittotheexaminationandjudgmentofmycountry"srulers，andthatIamreadytoretractanything，whichtheyshalldecidetoberepugnanttothelawsorprejudicialtothepublicgood。(58)IknowthatIamamanand，asaman，liabletoerror，butagainsterrorIhavetakenscrupulouscare，andstriventokeepinentireaccordancewiththelawsofmycountry，withloyalty，andwithmorality。

CHAPTERI-OfProphecy(1)Prophecy，orrevelationissureknowledgerevealedbyGodtoman。(2)A

prophetisonewhointerpretstherevelationsofGod{insights}tothosewhoareunabletoattaintosureknowledgeofthemattersrevealed，andthereforecanonlyapprehendthembysimplefaith。

(3)TheHebrewwordforprophetis"naw-vee""，Strong:5030，[Endnote1]

i。e。speakerorinterpreter，butinScriptureitsmeaningisrestrictedtointerpreterofGod，aswemaylearnfromExodusvii:1，whereGodsaystoMoses，"See，IhavemadetheeagodtoPharaoh，andAaronthybrothershallbethyprophet；"implyingthat，sinceininterpretingMoses"wordstoPharaoh，Aaronactedthepartofaprophet，MoseswouldbetoPharaohasagod，orintheattitudeofagod。

(4)ProphetsIwilltreatofinthenextchapter，andatpresentconsiderprophecy。

(5)Nowitisevident，fromthedefinitionabovegiven，thatprophecyreallyincludesordinaryknowledge；fortheknowledgewhichweacquirebyournaturalfacultiesdependsonknowledgeofGodandHiseternallaws；butordinaryknowledgeiscommontoallmenasmen，andrestsonfoundationswhichallshare，whereasthemultitudealwaysstrainsafterraritiesandexceptions，andthinkslittleofthegiftsofnature；sothat，whenprophecyistalkedof，ordinaryknowledgeisnotsupposedtobeincluded。

(6)NeverthelessithasasmuchrightasanyothertobecalledDivine，forGod"snature，insofaraswesharetherein，andGod"slaws，dictateittous；nordoesitsufferfromthattowhichwegivethepreeminence，exceptinsofarasthelattertranscendsitslimitsandcannotbeaccountedforbynaturallawstakeninthemselves。(7)Inrespecttothecertaintyitinvolves，andthesourcefromwhichitisderived，i。e。God，ordinary，knowledgeisnowhitinferiortoprophetic，unlessindeedwebelieve，orratherdream，thattheprophetshadhumanbodiesbutsuperhumanminds，andthereforethattheirsensationsandconsciousnesswereentirelydifferentfromourown。

(8)But，althoughordinaryknowledgeisDivine，itsprofessorscannotbecalledprophets[Endnote2]，fortheyteachwhattherestofmankindcouldperceiveandapprehend，notmerelybysimplefaith，butassurelyandhonourablyasthemselves。

(9)SeeingthenthatourmindsubjectivelycontainsinitselfandpartakesofthenatureofGod，andsolelyfromthiscauseisenabledtoformnotionsexplainingnaturalphenomenaandinculcatingmorality，itfollowsthatwemayrightlyassertthenatureofthehumanmind(insofarasitisthusconceived)tobeaprimarycauseofDivinerevelation。(10)Allthatweclearlyanddistinctlyunderstandisdictatedtous，asIhavejustpointedout，bytheideaandnatureofGod；notindeedthroughwords，butinawayfarmoreexcellentandagreeingperfectlywiththenatureofthemind，asallwhohaveenjoyedintellectualcertaintywilldoubtlessattest。(11)

Here，however，mychiefpurposeistospeakofmattershavingreferencetoScripture，sothesefewwordsonthelightofreasonwillsuffice。

(12)Iwillnowpassonto，andtreatmorefully，theotherwaysandmeansbywhichGodmakesrevelationstomankind，bothofthatwhichtranscendsordinaryknowledge，andofthatwithinitsscope；forthereisnoreasonwhyGodshouldnotemployothermeanstocommunicatewhatweknowalreadybythepowerofreason。

(13)OurconclusionsonthesubjectmustbedrawnsolelyfromScripture；forwhatcanweaffirmaboutmatterstranscendingourknowledgeexceptwhatistoldusbythewordsorwritingsofprophets?(14)Andsincethereare，sofarasIknow，noprophetsnowalive，wehavenoalternativebuttoreadthebooksofprophetsdeparted，takingcarethewhilenottoreasonfrommetaphorortoascribeanythingtoourauthorswhichtheydonotthemselvesdistinctlystate。(15)ImustfurtherpremisethattheJewsnevermakeanymentionoraccountofsecondary，orparticularcauses，butinaspiritofreligion，piety，andwhatiscommonlycalledgodliness，referallthingsdirectlytotheDeity。(16)Forinstanceiftheymakemoneybyatransaction，theysayGodgaveittothem；iftheydesireanything，theysayGodhasdisposedtheirheartstowardsit；iftheythinkanything，theysayGodtoldthem。(17)HencewemustnotsupposethateverythingisprophecyorrevelationwhichisdescribedinScriptureastoldbyGodtoanyone，butonlysuchthingsasareexpresslyannouncedasprophecyorrevelation，orareplainlypointedtoassuchbythecontext。

(18)AperusalofthesacredbookswillshowusthatallGod"srevelationstotheprophetsweremadethroughwordsorappearances，oracombinationofthetwo。(19)Thesewordsandappearanceswereoftwokinds；1-realwhenexternaltothemindoftheprophetwhoheardorsawthem，2-imaginarywhentheimaginationoftheprophetwasinastatewhichledhimdistinctlytosupposethatheheardorsawthem。

(20)WitharealvoiceGodrevealedtoMosesthelawswhichHewishedtobetransmittedtotheHebrews，aswemayseefromExodusxxv:22，whereGodsays，"AndthereIwillmeetwiththeeandIwillcommunewiththeefromthemercyseatwhichisbetweentheCherubim。"(21)Somesortofrealvoicemustnecessarilyhavebeenemployed，forMosesfoundGodreadytocommunewithhimatanytime。This，asIshallshortlyshow，istheonlyinstanceofarealvoice。

(22)Wemight，perhaps，supposethatthevoicewithwhichGodcalledSamuelwasreal，forin1Sam。iii:21，weread，"AndtheLordappearedagaininShiloh，fortheLordrevealedHimselftoSamuelinShilohbythewordoftheLord；"implyingthattheappearanceoftheLordconsistedinHismakingHimselfknowntoSamuelthroughavoice；inotherwords，thatSamuelheardtheLordspeaking。(23)ButwearecompelledtodistinguishbetweenthepropheciesofMosesandthoseofotherprophets，andthereforemustdecidethatthisvoicewasimaginary，aconclusionfurthersupportedbythevoice"sresemblancetothevoiceofEli，whichSamuelwasinthehabitofhearing，andthereforemighteasilyimagine；whenthricecalledbytheLord，SamuelsupposedittohavebeenEli。

(24)ThevoicewhichAbimelechheardwasimaginary，foritiswritten，Gen。xx:6，"AndGodsaiduntohiminadream。"(25)SothatthewillofGodwasmanifesttohim，notinwaking，butonly，insleep，thatis，whentheimaginationismostactiveanduncontrolled。(26)SomeoftheJewsbelievethattheactualwordsoftheDecaloguewerenotspokenbyGod，butthattheIsraelitesheardanoiseonly，withoutanydistinctwords，andduringitscontinuanceapprehendedtheTenCommandmentsbypureintuition；tothisopinionImyselfonceinclined，seeingthatthewordsoftheDecalogueinExodusaredifferentfromthewordsoftheDecalogueinDeuteronomy，forthediscrepancyseemedtoimply(sinceGodonlyspokeonce)thattheTenCommandmentswerenotintendedtoconveytheactualwordsoftheLord，butonlyHismeaning。(27)However，unlesswewoulddoviolencetoScripture，wemustcertainlyadmitthattheIsraelitesheardarealvoice，forScriptureexpresslysays，Deut。v:4，"Godspakewithyoufacetoface，"i。e。astwomenordinarilyinterchangeideasthroughtheinstrumentalityoftheirtwobodies；andthereforeitseemsmoreconsonantwithHolyWrittosupposethatGodreallydidcreateavoiceofsomekindwithwhichtheDecaloguewasrevealed。(28)ThediscrepancyofthetwoversionsistreatedofinChap。VIII。

(29)Yetnoteventhusisalldifficultyremoved，foritseemsscarcelyreasonabletoaffirmthatacreatedthing，dependingonGodinthesamemannerasothercreatedthings，wouldbeabletoexpressorexplainthenatureofGodeitherverballyorreallybymeansofitsindividualorganism:forinstance，bydeclaringinthefirstperson，"IamtheLordyourGod。"

(30)Certainlywhenanyonesayswithhismouth，"Iunderstand，"wedonotattributetheunderstandingtothemouth，buttothemindofthespeaker；

yetthisisbecausethemouthisthenaturalorganofamanspeaking，andthehearer，knowingwhatunderstandingis，easilycomprehends，byacomparisonwithhimself，thatthespeaker"smindismeant；butifweknewnothingofGodbeyondthemerenameandwishedtocommunewithHim，andbeassuredofHisexistence，Ifailtoseehowourwishwouldbesatisfiedbythedeclarationofacreatedthing(dependingonGodneithermorenorlessthanourselves)，"IamtheLord。"(31)IfGodcontortedthelipsofMoses，or，IwillnotsayMoses，butsomebeast，tilltheypronouncedthewords，"IamtheLord，"shouldweapprehendtheLord"sexistencetherefrom?

(32)ScriptureseemsclearlytopointtothebeliefthatGodspokeHimself，havingdescendedfromheaventoMountSinaiforthepurpose-andnotonlythattheIsraelitesheardHimspeaking，butthattheirchiefmenbeheldHim(Ex:xxiv。)(33)FurtherthelawofMoses，whichmightneitherbeaddedtonorcurtailed，andwhichwassetupasanationalstandardofright，nowhereprescribedthebeliefthatGodiswithoutbody，orevenwithoutformorfigure，butonlyordainedthattheJewsshouldbelieveinHisexistenceandworshipHimalone:itforbadethemtoinventorfashionanylikenessoftheDeity，butthiswastoinsurepurityofservice；because，neverhavingseenGod，theycouldnotbymeansofimagesrecallthelikenessofGod，butonlythelikenessofsomecreatedthingwhichmightthusgraduallytaketheplaceofGodastheobjectoftheiradoration。(34)Nevertheless，theBibleclearlyimpliesthatGodhasaform，andthatMoseswhenheheardGodspeakingwaspermittedtobeholdit，oratleastitshinderparts。

(35)Doubtlesssomemysterylurksinthisquestionwhichwewilldiscussmorefullybelow。(36)ForthepresentIwillcallattentiontothepassagesinScriptureindicatingthemeansbywhichGodhasrevealedHislawstoman。

(37)Revelationmaybethroughfiguresonly，asinIChron:xxii。，whereGoddisplayshisangertoDavidbymeansofanangelbearingasword，andalsointhestoryofBalaam。