第10章

(23)WemayarriveatthesameconclusionfromobservingthatweneverreadthattheApostleswerecommandedtowrite，butonlythattheywenteverywherepreaching，andconfirmedtheirwordswithsigns。(24)TheirpersonalpresenceandsignswereabsolutelynecessaryfortheconversionandestablishmentinreligionoftheGentiles；asPaulhimselfexpresslystatesinRom。i:11，"ButIlongtoseeyou，thatImayimparttoyousomespiritualgift，totheendthatyemaybeestablished。"

(25)ItmaybeobjectedthatwemightproveinsimilarfashionthattheApostlesdidnotpreachasprophets，fortheydidnotgotoparticularplaces，astheprophetsdid，bythecommandofGod。(26)WereadintheOldTestamentthatJonahwenttoNinevehtopreach，andatthesametimethathewasexpresslysentthere，andtoldthathemostpreach。

(27)Soalsoitisrelated，atgreatlength，ofMosesthathewenttoEgyptasthemessengerofGod，andwastoldatthesametimewhatheshouldsaytothechildrenofIsraelandtokingPharaoh，andwhatwondersheshouldworkbeforethemtogivecredittohiswords。(28)Isaiah，Jeremiah，andEzekielwereexpresslycommandedtopreachtotheIsraelites。Lastly，theprophetsonlypreachedwhatweareassuredbyScripturetheyhadreceivedfromGod，whereasthisishardlyeversaidoftheApostlesintheNewTestament，whentheywentabouttopreach。(29)Onthecontrary，wefindpassagesexpresslyimplyingthattheApostleschosetheplaceswheretheyshouldpreachontheirownresponsibility，fortherewasadifferenceamountingtoaquarrelbetweenPaulandBarnabasonthesubject(Actsxv:37，38)。(30)Oftentheywishedtogotoaplace，butwereprevented，asPaulwrites，Rom。i:13，"OftentimesIpurposedtocometoyou，butwaslethitherto；"andinICor。xvi:12，"AstouchingourbrotherApollos，Igreatlydesiredhimtocomeuntoyouwiththebrethren，buthiswillwasnotatalltocomeatthistime:buthewillcomewhenheshallhaveconvenienttime。"

(31)FromtheseexpressionsanddifferencesofopinionamongtheApostles，andalsofromthefactthatScripturenowheretestifiesofthem，asoftheancientprophets，thattheywentbythecommandofGod，onemightconcludethattheypreachedaswellaswroteintheircapacityofteachers，andnotasprophets:butthequestioniseasilysolvedifweobservethedifferencebetweenthemissionofanApostleandthatofanOldTestamentprophet。(32)

Thelatterwerenotcalledtopreachandprophesytoallnations，buttocertainspecifiedones，andthereforeanexpressandpeculiarmandatewasrequiredforeachofthem；theApostles，ontheotherhand，werecalledtopreachtoallmenabsolutely，andtoturnallmentoreligion。(33)

Therefore，whithersoevertheywent，theywerefulfillingChrist"scommandment；therewasnoneedtorevealtothembeforehandwhattheyshouldpreach，fortheywerethedisciplesofChristtowhomtheirMasterHimselfsaid(Matt。X:19，20):"But，whentheydeliveryouup，takenothoughthoworwhatyeshallspeak，foritshallbegivenyouinthatsamehourwhatyeshallspeak。"(34)WethereforeconcludethattheApostleswereonlyindebtedtospecialrevelationinwhattheyorallypreachedandconfirmedbysigns(seethebeginningofChap。11。)；thatwhichtheytaughtinspeakingorwritingwithoutanyconfirmatorysignsandwonderstheytaughtfromtheirnaturalknowledge。(SeeICor。xiv:6。)(35)WeneednotbedeterredbythefactthatalltheEpistlesbeginbycitingtheimprimaturoftheApostleship，fortheApostles，asIwillshortlyshow，weregranted，notonlythefacultyofprophecy，butalsotheauthoritytoteach。(36)WemaythereforeadmitthattheywrotetheirEpistlesasApostles，andforthiscauseeveryoneofthembeganbycitingtheApostolicimprimatur，possiblywithaviewtotheattentionofthereaderbyassertingthattheywerethepersonswhohadmadesuchmarkamongthefaithfulbytheirpreaching，andhadshownbvmanymarvelousworksthattheywereteachingtruereligionandthewayofsalvation。(37)IobservethatwhatissaidintheEpistleswithregardtotheApostolicvocationandtheHolySpiritofGodwhichinspiredthem，hasreferencetotheirformerpreaching，exceptinthosepassageswheretheexpressionsoftheSpiritofGodandtheHolySpiritareusedtosignifyamindpure，upright，anddevotedtoGod。(38)Forinstance，in1Cor。vii:40，Paulsays:Butsheishappierifshesoabide，aftermyjudgment，andIthinkalsothatIhavetheSpiritofGod。"(39)BytheSpiritofGodtheApostleherereferstohismind，aswemayseefromthecontext:hismeaningisasfollows:"Iaccountblessedawidowwhodoesnotwishtomarryasecondhusband；suchismyopinion，forIhavesettledtoliveunmarried，andIthinkthatIamblessed。"(40)ThereareothersimilarpassageswhichIneednotnowquote。

(41)AswehaveseenthattheApostleswrotetheirEpistlessolelybythelightofnaturalreason，wemustinquirehowtheywereenabledtoteachbynaturalknowledgemattersoutsideitsscope。(42)However，ifwebearinmindwhatwesaidinChap。VII。ofthistreatiseourdifficultywillvanish:

foralthoughthecontentsoftheBibleentirelysurpassourunderstanding，wemaysafelydiscourseofthem，providedweassumenothingnottoldusinScripture:bythesamemethodtheApostles，fromwhattheysawandheard，andfromwhatwasrevealedtothem，wereenabledtoformandelicitmanyconclusionswhichtheywouldhavebeenabletoteachtomenhaditbeenpermissible。

(43)Further，althoughreligion，aspreachedbytheApostles，doesnotcomewithinthesphereofreason，insofarasitconsistsinthenarrationofthelifeofChrist，yetitsessence，whichischieflymoral，likethewholeofChrist"sdoctrine，canreadily，beapprehendedbythenaturalfacultiesofall。

(44)Lastly，theApostleshadnolackofsupernaturalilluminationforthepurposeofadaptingthereligiontheyhadattestedbysignstotheunderstandingofeveryonesothatitmightbereadilyreceived；norforexhortationsonthesubject:infact，theobjectoftheEpistlesistoteachandexhortmentoleadthatmanneroflifewhicheachoftheApostlesjudgedbestforconfirmingtheminreligion。(45)Wemayhererepeatourformerremark，thattheApostleshadreceivednotonlythefacultyofpreachingthehistory，ofChristasprophets，andconfirmingitwithsigns，butalsoauthorityforteachingandexhortingaccordingaseachthoughtbest。(46)

Paul(2Tim。i:11)，"WhereuntoIamappointedapreacher，andanapostle，andateacheroftheGentiles；"andagain(ITim。ii:7)，"WhereuntoIamordainedapreacherandanapostle(IspeakthetruthinChristandlienot)，ateacheroftheGentilesinfaithandverity。"(47)Thesepassages，I

say，showclearlythestampbothoftheapostleshipandtheteachership:

theauthorityforadmonishingwhomsoeverandwheresoeverhepleasedisassertedbyPaulintheEpistletoPhilemon，v:8:"Wherefore，thoughImightbemuchboldinChristtoenjointheethatwhichisconvenient，yet，"&c。，wherewemayremarkthatifPaulhadreceivedfromGodasaprophetwhathewishedtoenjoinPhilemon，andhadbeenboundtospeakinhispropheticcapacity，hewouldnothavebeenabletochangethecommandofGodintoentreaties。(48)Wemustthereforeunderstandhimtorefertothepermissiontoadmonishwhichhehadreceivedasateacher，andnotasaprophet。(49)WehavenotyetmadeitquiteclearthattheApostlesmighteachchoosehisownwayofteaching，butonlythatbyvirtueoftheirApostleshiptheywereteachersaswellasprophets；however，ifwecallreasontoouraidweshallclearlyseethatanauthoritytoteachimpliesauthoritytochoosethemethod。(50)Itwillneverthelessbe，perhaps，moresatisfactorytodrawallourproofsfromScripture；wearethereplainlytoldthateachApostlechosehisparticularmethod(Rom。xv:

20):"Yea，sohaveIstrivedtopreachthegospel，notwhereChristwasnamed，lestIshouldbuilduponanotherman"sfoundation。"(51)IfalltheApostleshadadoptedthesamemethodofteaching，andhadallbuiltuptheChristianreligiononthesamefoundation，Paulwouldhavehadnoreasontocalltheworkofafellow-Apostle"anotherman"sfoundation，"

inasmuchasitwouldhavebeenidenticalwithhisown:hiscallingitanotherman"sprovedthateachApostlebuiltuphisreligiousinstructionondifferentfoundations，thusresemblingotherteacherswhohaveeachtheirownmethod，andpreferinstructingquiteignorantpeoplewhohaveneverlearntunderanothermaster，whetherthesubjectbescience，languages，oreventheindisputabletruthsofmathematics。(52)Furthermore，ifwegothroughtheEpistlesatallattentively，weshallseethattheApostles，whileagreeingaboutreligionitself，areatvarianceastothefoundationsitrestson。(53)Paul，inordertostrengthenmen"sreligion，andshowthemthatsalvationdependssolelyonthegraceofGod，teachesthatnoonecanboastofworks，butonlyoffaith，andthatnoonecanbejustifiedbyworks(Rom。iii:27，28)；infact，hepreachesthecompletedoctrineofpredestination。(54)James，ontheotherhand，statesthatmanisjustifiedbyworks，andnotbyfaithonly(seehisEpistle，ii:24)，andomittingallthedisputationsofPaul，confinesreligiontoaveryfewelements。

(55)Lastly，itisindisputablethatfromthesedifferentground；forreligionselectedbytheApostles，manyquarrelsandschismsdistractedtheChurch，evenintheearliesttimes，anddoubtlesstheywillcontinuesotodistractitforever，oratleasttillreligionisseparatedfromphilosophicalspeculations，andreducedtothefewsimpledoctrinestaughtbyChristtoHisdisciples；suchataskwasimpossiblefortheApostles，becausetheGospelwasthenunknowntomankind，andlestitsnoveltyshouldoffendmen"searsithadtobeadaptedtothedispositionofcontemporaries(2Cor。ix:19，20)，andbuiltuponthegroundworkmostfamiliarandacceptedatthetime。(56)ThusnoneoftheApostlesphilosophizedmorethandidPaul，whowascalledtopreachtotheGentiles；

otherApostlespreachingtotheJews，whodespisedphilosophy，similarly，adaptedthemselvestothetemperoftheirhearers(seeGal。ii。11)，andpreachedareligionfreefromallphilosophicalspeculations。(57)Howblestwouldouragebeifitcouldwitnessareligionfreedalsofromallthetrammelsofsuperstition!

CHAPTERXII-OFTHETRUEORIGINALOFTHEDIVINELAW，AND

WHEREFORESCRIPTUREISCALLEDSACRED，ANDTHEWORDOFGOD。

HOWTHAT，INS0FARASITCONTAINSTHEWORDOFGOD，ITHASCOMEDOWNTOUSUNCORRUPTED。

(1)ThosewholookupontheBibleasamessagesentdownbyGodfromHeaventomen，willdoubtlesscryoutthatIhavecommittedthesinagainsttheHolyGhostbecauseIhaveassertedthattheWordofGodisfaulty，mutilated，tamperedwith，andinconsistent；thatwepossessitonlyinfragments，andthattheoriginalofthecovenantwhichGodmadewiththeJewshasbeenlost。(2)However，Ihavenodoubtthatalittlereflectionwillcausethemtodesistfromtheiruproar:fornotonlyreasonbuttheexpressedopinionsofprophetsandapostlesopenlyproclaimthatGod"seternalWordandcovenant，nolessthantruereligion，isDivinelyinscribedinhumanhearts，thatis，inthehumanmind，andthatthisisthetrueoriginalofGod"scovenant，stampedwithHisownseal，namely，theideaofHimself，asitwere，withtheimageofHisGodhood。

(3)ReligionwasimpartedtotheearlyHebrewsasalawwrittendown，becausetheywereatthattimeintheconditionofchildren，butafterwardsMoses(Deut。xxx:6)andJeremiah(xxxi:33)predictedatimecomingwhentheLordshouldwriteHislawintheirhearts。(4)ThusonlytheJews，andamongstthemchieflytheSadducees，struggledforthelawwrittenontablets；leastofallneedthosewhobearitinscribedontheirheartsjoininthecontest。(5)Those，therefore，whoreflect，willfindnothinginwhatIhavewrittenrepugnanteithertotheWordofGodortotruereligionandfaith，orcalculatedtoweakeneitheroneortheother:contrariwise，theywillseethatIhavestrengthenedreligion，asIshowedattheendofChapterX。；indeed，haditnotbeenso，Ishouldcertainlyhavedecidedtoholdmypeace，nay，IwouldevenhaveassertedasawayoutofalldifficultiesthattheBiblecontainsthemostprofoundhiddenmysteries；however，asthisdoctrinehasgivenrisetogrosssuperstitionandotherperniciousresultsspokenofatthebeginningofChapterV。，I

havethoughtsuchacourseunnecessary，especiallyasreligionstandsinnoneedofsuperstitiousadornments，butis，onthecontrary，deprivedbysuchtrappingsofsomeofhersplendour。

(6)Still，itwillbesaid，thoughthelawofGodiswrittenintheheart，theBibleisnonethelesstheWordofGod，anditisnomorelawfultosayofScripturethanofGod"sWordthatitismutilatedandcorrupted。(7)I

fearthatsuchobjectorsaretooanxioustobepious，andthattheyareindangerofturningreligionintosuperstition，andworshippingpaperandinkinplaceofGod"sWord。

(8)Iamcertifiedofthusmuch:IhavesaidnothingunworthyofScriptureorGod"sWord，andIhavemadenoassertionswhichIcouldnotprovebymostplainargumenttobetrue。(9)Ican，therefore，restassuredthatIhaveadvancednothingwhichisimpiousorevensavoursofimpiety。

(10)fromwhatIhavesaid，assumealicencetosin，andwithoutanyreason，atIconfessthatsomeprofanemen，towhomreligionisaburden，may，thesimpledictatesoftheirlustsconcludethatScriptureiseverywherefaultyandfalsified，andthatthereforeitsauthorityisnull；butsuchmenarebeyondthereachofhelp，fornothing，astheproverbhasit，canbesaidsorightlythatitcannotbetwistedintowrong。(11)Thosewhowishtogivereintotheirlustsareatnolossforanexcuse，norwerethosemenofoldwhopossessedtheoriginalScriptures，thearkofthecovenant，nay，theprophetsandapostlesinpersonamongthem，anybetterthanthepeopleofto-day。(12)Humannature，JewaswellasGentile，hasalwaysbeenthesame，andineveryagevirtuehasbeenexceedinglyrare。

(13)Nevertheless，toremoveeveryscruple，IwillhereshowinwhatsensetheBibleoranyinanimatethingshouldbecalledsacredandDivine；

alsowhereinthelawofGodconsists，andhowitcannotbecontainedinacertainnumberofbooks；and，lastly，IwillshowthatScripture，insofarasitteacheswhatisnecessaryforobedienceandsalvation，cannothavebeencorrupted。(14)FromtheseconsiderationseveryonewillbeabletojudgethatIhaveneithersaidanythingagainsttheWordofGodnorgivenanyfootholdtoimpiety。

(15)AthingiscalledsacredandDivinewhenitisdesignedforpromotingpiety，andcontinuessacredsolongasitisreligiouslyused:iftheusersceasetobepious，thethingceasestobesacred:ifitbeturnedtobaseuses，thatwhichwasformerlysacredbecomesuncleanandprofane。(16)Forinstance，acertainspotwasnamedbythepatriarchJacobthehouseofGod，becauseheworshippedGodthererevealedtohim:bytheprophetsthesamespotwascalledthehouseofiniquity(seeAmosv:5，andHoseax:5)，becausetheIsraeliteswerewont，attheinstigationofJeroboam，tosacrificetheretoidols。(17)Anotherexampleputsthematterintheplainestlight。(18)

Wordsgaintheirmeaningsolelyfromtheirusage，andiftheyarearrangedaccordingtotheiracceptedsignificationsoastomovethosewhoreadthemtodevotion，theywillbecomesacred，andthebooksowrittenwillbesacredalso。(19)Butiftheirusageafterwardsdiesoutsothatthewordshavenomeaning，orthebookbecomesutterlyneglected，whetherfromunworthymotives，orbecauseitisnolongerneeded，thenthewordsandthebookwillloseboththeiruseandtheirsanctity:lastly，ifthesesamewordsbeotherwisearranged，oriftheircustomarymeaningbecomespervertedintoitsopposite，thenboththewordsandthebookcontainingthembecome，insteadofsacred，impureandprofane。

(20)Fromthisitfollowsthatnothingisinitselfabsolutelysacred，orprofane，andunclean，apartfromthemind，butonlyrelativelythereto。(21)

ThusmuchisclearfrommanypassagesintheBible。(22)Jeremiah(toselectonecaseoutofmany)says(chap。vii:4)，thattheJewsofhistimewerewrongincallingSolomon"sTemple，theTempleofGod，for，ashegoesontosayinthesamechapter，God"snamewouldonlybegiventotheTemplesolongasitwasfrequentedbymenwhoworshippedHim，anddefendedjustice，butthat，ifitbecametheresortofmurderers，thieves，idolaters，andotherwickedpersons，itwouldbeturnedintoadenofmalefactors。

(23)Scripture，curiouslyenough，nowheretellsuswhatbecameoftheArkoftheCovenant，thoughthereisnodoubtthatitwasdestroyed，orburnttogetherwiththeTemple；yettherewasnothingwhichtheHebrewsconsideredmoresacred，orheldingreaterreverence。(24)ThusScriptureissacred，anditswordsDivinesolongasitstirsmankindtodevotiontowardsGod:

butifitbeutterlyneglected，asitformerlywasbytheJews，itbecomesnothingbutpaperandink，andislefttobedesecratedorcorrupted:still，thoughScripturebethuscorruptedordestroyed，wemustnotsaythattheWordofGodhassufferedinlikemanner，elseweshallbeliketheJews，whosaidthattheTemplewhichwouldthenbetheTempleofGodhadperishedintheflames。(25)Jeremiahtellsusthisinrespecttothelaw，forhethuschidestheungodlyofhistime，"Wherefore，sayyouwearemasters，andthelawoftheLordiswithus?(26)Surelyithasbeengiveninvain，itisinvainthatthepenofthescribes"(hasbeenmade)-thatis，yousayfalselythattheScriptureisinyourpower，andthatyoupossessthelawofGod；foryehavemadeitofnoneeffect。

(27)Soalso，whenMosesbrokethefirsttablesofthelaw，hedidnotbyanymeanscasttheWordofGodfromhishandsinangerandshatterit-suchanactionwouldbeinconceivable，eitherofMosesorofGod"sWord-heonlybrokethetablesofstone，which，thoughtheyhadbeforebeenholyfromcontainingthecovenantwherewiththeJewshadboundthemselvesinobediencetoGod，hadentirelylosttheirsanctitywhenthecovenanthadbeenviolatedbytheworshipofthecalf，andwere，therefore，asliabletoperishasthearkofthecovenant。(28)Itisthusscarcelytobewonderedat，thattheoriginaldocumentsofMosesarenolongerextant，northatthebookswepossessmetwiththefatewehavedescribed，whenweconsiderthatthetrueoriginaloftheDivinecovenant，themostsacredobjectofall，hastotallyperished。

(29)Letthemcease，therefore，whoaccuseusofimpiety，inasmuchaswehavesaidnothingagainsttheWordofGod，neitherhavewecorruptedit，butletthemkeeptheiranger，iftheywouldwreakitjustly，fortheancientswhosemalicedesecratedtheArk，theTemple，andtheLawofGod，andallthatwasheldsacred，subjectingthemtocorruption。(30)Furthermore，if，accordingtothesayingoftheApostlein2Cor。iii:3，theypossessed"theEpistleofChrist，writtennotwithink，butwiththeSpiritofthelivingGod，notintablesofstone，butinthefleshytablesoftheheart，"

letthemceasetoworshiptheletter，andbesoanxiousconcerningit。

(31)IthinkIhavenowsufficientlyshowninwhatrespectScriptureshouldbeaccountedsacredandDivine；wemaynowseewhatshouldrightlybeunderstoodbytheexpression，theWordoftheLord；debar(theHebreworiginal)signifiesword，speech，command，andthing。(32)ThecausesforwhichathingisinHebrewsaidtobeofGod，orisreferredtoHim，havebeenalreadydetailedinChap。I。，andwecantherefromeasilygatherwhatmeaningScriptureattachestothephrases，theword，thespeech，thecommand，orthethingofGod。(33)Ineednot，therefore，repeatwhatI

theresaid，norwhatwasshownunderthethirdheadinthechapteronmiracles。(34)ItisenoughtomentiontherepetitionforthebetterunderstandingofwhatIamabouttosay-viz。，thattheWordoftheLordwhenithasreferencetoanyonebutGodHimself，signifiesthatDivinelawtreatedofinChap。IV。；inotherwords，religion，universalandcatholictothewholehumanrace，asIsaiahdescribesit(chap。i:10)，teachingthatthetruewayoflifeconsists，notinceremonies，butincharity，andatrueheart，andcallingitindifferentlyGod"sLawandGod"sWord。

(35)Theexpressionisalsousedmetaphoricallyfortheorderofnatureanddestiny(which，indeed，actuallydependandfollowfromtheeternalmandateoftheDivinenature)，andespeciallyforsuchpartsofsuchorderaswereforeseenbytheprophets，fortheprophetsdidnotperceivefutureeventsastheresultofnaturalcauses，butasthefiatsanddecreesofGod。(36)

Lastly，itisemployedforthecommandofanyprophet，insofarashehadperceiveditbyhispeculiarfacultyorpropheticgift，andnotbythenaturallightofreason；thisusespringschieflyfromtheusualpropheticconceptionofGodasalegislator，whichweremarkedinChap。IV。

(37)Thereare，then，threecausesfortheBible"sbeingcalledtheWordofGod:becauseitteachestruereligion，ofwhichGodistheeternalFounder；becauseitnarratespredictionsoffutureeventsasthoughtheyweredecreesofGod；becauseitsactualauthorsgenerallyperceivedthingsnotbytheirordinarynaturalfaculties，butbyapowerpeculiartothemselves，andintroducedthesethingsperceived，astoldthembyGod。

(37)AlthoughScripturecontainsmuchthatismerelyhistoricalandcanbeperceivedbynaturalreason，yetitsnameisacquiredfromitschiefsubjectmatter。

(38)WecanthuseasilyseehowGodcanbesaidtobetheAuthoroftheBible:itisbecauseofthetruereligionthereincontained，andnotbecauseHewishedtocommunicatetomenacertainnumberofbooks。(39)WecanalsolearnfromhencethereasonforthedivisionintoOldandNewTestament。

(40)ItwasmadebecausetheprophetswhopreachedreligionbeforeChrist，preacheditasanationallawinvirtueofthecovenantenteredintounderMoses；whiletheApostleswhocameafterChrist，preachedittoallmenasauniversalreligionsolelyinvirtueofChrist"sPassion:thecauseforthedivisionisnotthatthetwopartsaredifferentindoctrine，northattheywerewrittenasoriginalsofthecovenant，nor，lastly，thatthecatholicreligion(whichisinentireharmonywithournature)wasnewexceptinrelationtothosewhohadnotknownit:"itwasintheworld，"asJohntheEvangelistsays，"andtheworldknewitnot。"

(41)Thus，evenifwehadfewerbooksoftheOldandNewTestamentthanwehave，weshouldstillnotbedeprivedoftheWordofGod(which，aswehavesaid，isidenticalwithtruereligion)，evenaswedonotnowholdourselvestobedeprivedofit，thoughwelackmanycardinalwritingssuchastheBookoftheLaw，whichwasreligiouslyguardedintheTempleastheoriginaloftheCovenant，alsotheBookofWars，theBookofChronicles，andmanyothers，fromwhencetheextantOldTestamentwastakenandcompiled。(42)

Theaboveconclusionmaybesupportedbymanyreasons。

(43)I。BecausethebooksofbothTestamentswerenotwrittenbyexpresscommandatoneplaceforallages，butareafortuitouscollectionoftheworksofmen，writingeachashisperiodanddispositiondictated。(44)Somuchisclearlyshownbythecalloftheprophetswhowerebadetoadmonishtheungodlyoftheirtime，andalsobytheApostolicEpistles。

(45)II。BecauseitisonethingtounderstandthemeaningofScriptureandtheprophets，andquiteanotherthingtounderstandthemeaningofGod，ortheactualtruth。(46)ThisfollowsfromwhatwesaidinChap。II。(47)Weshowed，inChap。VI。，thatitappliedtohistoricnarratives，andtomiracles:butitbynomeansappliestoquestionsconcerningtruereligionandvirtue。

(48)III。BecausethebooksoftheOldTestamentwereselectedfrommany，andwerecollectedandsanctionedbyacouncilofthePharisees，asweshowedinChap。X。(49)ThebooksoftheNewTestamentwerealsochosenfrommanybycouncilswhichrejectedasspuriousotherbooksheldsacredbymany。

(50)Butthesecouncils，bothPhariseeandChristian，werenotcomposedofprophets，butonlyoflearnedmenandteachers。(51)Still，wemustgrantthattheywereguidedintheirchoicebyaregardfortheWordofGod；andtheymust，therefore，haveknownwhatthelawofGodwas。

(52)IV。BecausetheApostleswrotenotasprophets，butasteachers(seelastChapter)，andchosewhatevermethodtheythoughtbestadaptedforthosewhomtheyaddressed:andconsequently，therearemanythingsintheEpistles(asweshowedattheendofthelastChapter)whicharenotnecessarytosalvation。

(53)V。Lastly，becausetherearefourEvangelistsintheNewTestament，anditisscarcelycrediblethatGodcanhavedesignedtonarratethelifeofChristfourtimesover，andtocommunicateitthustomankind。(54)ForthoughtherearesomedetailsrelatedinoneGospelwhicharenotinanother，andoneoftenhelpsustounderstandanother，wecannotthenceconcludethatallthatissetdownisofvitalimportancetous，andthatGodchosethefourEvangelistsinorderthatthelifeofChristmightbebetterunderstood；foreachonepreachedhisGospelinaseparatelocality，eachwroteitdownashepreachedit，insimplelanguage，inorderthatthehistoryofChristmightbeclearlytold，notwithanyviewofexplaininghisfellow-Evangelists。

(55)Iftherearesomepassageswhichcanbebetter，andmoreeasilyunderstoodbycomparingthevariousversions，theyaretheresultofchance，andarenotnumerous:theircontinuanceinobscuritywouldhaveimpairedneithertheclearnessofthenarrativenortheblessednessofmankind。

(56)WehavenowshownthatScripturecanonlybecalledtheWordofGodinsofarasitaffectsreligion，ortheDivinelaw；wemustnowpointoutthat，inrespecttothesequestions，itisneitherfaulty，tamperedwith，norcorrupt。(57)Byfaulty，tamperedwith，andcorrupt，I

heremeanwrittensoincorrectly，thatthemeaningcannotbearrivedatbyastudyofthelanguage，norfromtheauthorityofScripture。(58)IwillnotgotosuchlengthsastosaythattheBible，insofarasitcontainstheDivinelaw，hasalwayspreservedthesamevowel-points，thesameletters，orthesamewords(Ileavethistobeprovedby，theMassoretesandotherworshippersoftheletter)，Ionly，maintainthatthemeaningby，whichaloneanutteranceisentitledtobecalledDivine，hascomedowntousuncorrupted，eventhoughtheoriginalwordingmayhavebeenmoreoftenchangedthanwesuppose。(59)Suchalterations，asIhavesaidabove，detractnothingfromtheDivinityoftheBible，fortheBiblewouldhavebeennolessDivinehaditbeenwrittenindifferentwordsoradifferentlanguage。(60)ThattheDivinelawhasinthissensecomedowntousuncorrupted，isanassertionwhichadmitsofnodispute。(61)ForfromtheBibleitselfwelearn，withoutthesmallestdifficultyorambiguity，，thatitscardinalpreceptis:ToloveGodaboveallthings，andone"sneighbourasone"sself。(62)Thiscannotbeaspuriouspassage，norduetoahastyandmistakenscribe，foriftheBiblehadeverputforthadifferentdoctrineitwouldhavehadtochangethewholeofitsteaching，forthisisthecorner-stoneofreligion，withoutwhichthewholefabricwouldfallheadlongtotheground。(63)TheBiblewouldnotbetheworkwehavebeenexamining，butsomethingquitedifferent。

(64)Weremain，then，unshakeninourbeliefthatthishasalwaysbeenthedoctrineofScripture，and，consequently，thatnoerrorsufficienttovitiateitcanhavecreptinwithoutbeinginstantly，observedbyall；norcananyonehavesucceededintamperingwithitandescapedthediscoveryofhismalice。

(65)Asthiscorner-stoneisintact，wemustperforceadmitthesameofwhateverotherpassagesareindisputablydependentonit，andarealsofundamental，as，forinstance，thataGodexists，thatHeforeseesallthings，thatHeisAlmighty，thatbyHisdecreethegoodprosperandthewickedcometonaught，and，finally，thatoursalvationdependssolelyonHisgrace。

(66)ThesearedoctrineswhichScriptureplainlyteachesthroughout，andwhichitisboundtoteach，elsealltherestwouldbeemptyandbaseless；

norcanwebelesspositiveaboutothermoraldoctrines，whichplainlyarebuiltuponthisuniversalfoundation-forinstance，toupholdjustice，toaidtheweak，todonomurder，tocovetnoman"sgoods，&c。(67)Precepts，I

repeat，suchasthese，humanmaliceandthelapseofagesarealikepowerlesstodestroy，forifanypartofthemperished，itslosswouldimmediatelybesuppliedfromthefundamentalprinciple，especiallythedoctrineofcharity，whichiseverywhereinbothTestamentsextolledaboveallothers。(68)Moreover，thoughitbetruethatthereisnoconceivablecrimesoheinousthatithasneverbeencommitted，stillthereisnoonewhowouldattemptinexcuseforhiscrimestodestroy，thelaw，orintroduceanimpiousdoctrineintheplaceofwhatiseternalandsalutary；men"snatureissoconstitutedthateveryone(behekingorsubject)whohascommittedabaseaction，triestodeckouthisconductwithspuriousexcuses，tillheseemstohavedonenothingbutwhatisjustandright。

(69)Wemayconclude，therefore，thatthewholeDivinelaw，astaughtbyScripture，hascomedowntousuncorrupted。(70)Besidesthistherearecertainfactswhichwemaybesurehavebeentransmittedingoodfaith。(71)

Forinstance，themainfactsofHebrewhistory，whichwereperfectlywellknowntoeveryone。(72)TheJewishpeoplewereaccustomedinformertimestochanttheancienthistoryoftheirnationinpsalms。(73)Themainfacts，also，ofChrist"slifeandpassionwereimmediatelyspreadabroadthroughthewholeRomanempire。(74)Itisthereforescarcelycredible，unlessnearlyeverybody，consentedthereto，whichwecannotsuppose，thatsuccessivegenerationshavehandeddownthebroadoutlineoftheGospelnarrativeotherwisethanastheyreceivedit。

(74)Whatsoever，therefore，isspuriousorfaultycanonlyhavereferencetodetails-somecircumstancesinoneortheotherhistoryorprophecydesignedtostirthepeopletogreaterdevotion；orinsomemiracle，withaviewofconfoundingphilosophers；or，lastly，inspeculativemattersaftertheyhadbecomemixedupwithreligion，sothatsomeindividualmightpropuphisowninventionswithapretextofDivineauthority。

(75)Butsuchmattershavelittletodowithsalvation，whethertheybecorruptedlittleormuch，asIwillshowindetailinthenextchapter，thoughIthinkthequestionsufficientlyplainfromwhatIhavesaidalready，especiallyinChapterII。

CHAPTERXIII-ITISSHOWNTHATSCRIPTURETEACHESONLYVERYSIMPLE

DOCTRINES，SUCHASSUFFICEFORRIGHTCONDUCT。

(1)Inthesecondchapterofthistreatisewepointedoutthattheprophetsweregiftedwithextraordinarypowersofimagination，butnotofunderstanding；alsothatGodonlyrevealedtothemsuchthingsasareverysimple-notphilosophicmysteries，-andthatHeadaptedHiscommunicationstotheirpreviousopinions。(2)WefurthershowedinChap。V。

thatScriptureonlytransmitsandteachestruthswhichcanreadilybecomprehendedbyall；notdeducingandconcatenatingitsconclusionsfromdefinitionsandaxioms，butnarratingquitesimply，andconfirmingitsstatements，withaviewtoinspiringbelief，byanappealtoexperienceasexemplifiedinmiraclesandhistory，andsettingforthitstruthsinthestyleandphraseologywhichwouldmostappealtothepopularmind(cf。Chap。

VI。，thirddivision)。

(3)Lastly，wedemonstratedinChap。VIII。thatthedifficultyofunderstandingScriptureliesinthelanguageonly，andnotintheabstrusenessoftheargument。

(4)TotheseconsiderationswemayaddthattheProphetsdidnotpreachonlytothelearned，buttoallJews，withoutexception，whiletheApostleswerewonttoteachthegospeldoctrineinchurcheswheretherewerepublicmeetings；whenceitfollowsthatScripturaldoctrinecontainsnoloftyspeculationsnorphilosophicreasoning，butonlyverysimplematters，suchascouldbeunderstoodbytheslowestintelligence。

(5)IamconsequentlylostinwonderattheingenuityofthosewhomIhavealreadymentioned，whodetectintheBiblemysteriessoprofoundthattheycannotbeexplainedinhumanlanguage，andwhohaveintroducedsomanyphilosophicspeculationsintoreligionthattheChurchseemslikeanacademy，andreligionlikeascience，orratheradispute。

(6)Itisnottobewonderedatthatmen，whoboastofpossessingsupernaturalintelligence，shouldbeunwillingtoyieldthepalmofknowledgetophilosopherswhohaveonlytheirordinary，faculties；stillI

shouldbesurprisedifIfoundthemteachinganynewspeculativedoctrine，whichwasnotacommonplacetothoseGentilephilosopherswhom，inspiteofall，theystigmatizeasblind；for，ifoneinquireswhatthesemysterieslurkinginScripturemaybe，oneisconfrontedwithnothingbutthereflectionsofPlatoorAristotle，orthelike，whichitwouldoftenbeeasierforanignorantmantodreamthanforthemostaccomplishedscholartowrestoutoftheBible。

(7)However，IdonotwishtoaffirmabsolutelythatScripturecontainsnodoctrinesinthesphereofphilosophy，forinthelastchapterIpointedoutsomeofthekind，asfundamentalprinciples；butIgosofarastosaythatsuchdoctrinesareveryfewandverysimple。(8)TheirprecisenatureanddefinitionIwillnowsetforth。(9)Thetaskwillbeeasy，forweknowthatScripturedoesnotaimatimpartingscientificknowledge，and，therefore，itdemandsfrommennothingbutobedience，andcensuresobstinacy，butnotignorance。

(10)Furthermore，asobediencetoGodconsistssolelyinlovetoourneighbour-forwhosoeverlovethhisneighbour，asameansofobeyingGod，hath，asSt。Paulsays(Rom。xiii:8)，fulfilledthelaw，-itfollowsthatnoknowledgeiscommendedintheBiblesavethatwhichisnecessaryforenablingallmentoobeyGodinthemannerstated，andwithoutwhichtheywouldbecomerebellious，orwithoutthedisciplineofobedience。

(11)Otherspeculativequestions，whichhavenodirectbearingonthisobject，orareconcernedwiththeknowledgeofnaturalevents，donotaffectScripture，andshouldbeentirelyseparatedfromreligion。

(12)Now，thougheveryone，aswehavesaid，isnowquiteabletoseethistruthforhimself，Ishouldneverthelesswish，consideringthatthewholeofReligiondependsthereon，toexplaintheentirequestionmoreaccuratelyandclearly。(13)TothisendImustfirstprovethattheintellectualoraccurateknowledgeofGodisnotagift，bestoweduponallgoodmenlikeobedience；and，further，thattheknowledgeofGod，requiredbyHimthroughHisprophetsfromeveryonewithoutexception，asneedfultobeknown，issimplyaknowledgeofHisDivinejusticeandcharity。(14)BoththesepointsareeasilyprovedfromScripture。(15)ThefirstplainlyfollowsfromExodusvi:2，whereGod，inordertoshowthesingulargracebestoweduponMoses，saystohim:"AndIappeareduntoAbraham，untoIsaac，anduntoJacobbythenameofElSadai(A。V。GodAlmighty)；butbymynameJehovahwasInotknowntothem"-forthebetterunderstandingofwhichpassageImayremarkthatElSadai，inHebrew，signifiestheGodwhosuffices，inthatHegivestoeverymanthatwhichsufficesforhim；and，althoughSadaiisoftenusedbyitself，tosignifyGod，wecannotdoubtthatthewordEl(God，{power，might})iseverywhereunderstood。(16)

Furthermore，wemustnotethatJehovahistheonlywordfoundinScripturewiththemeaningoftheabsoluteessenceofGod，withoutreferencetocreatedthings。(17)TheJewsmaintain，forthisreason，thatthisis，strictlyspeaking，theonlynameofGod；thattherestofthewordsusedaremerelytitles；and，intruth，theothernamesofGod，whethertheybesubstantivesoradjectives，aremerelyattributive，andbelongtoHim，insofarasHeisconceivedofinrelationtocreatedthings，ormanifestedthroughthem。(18)ThusEl，orEloah，signifiespowerful，asiswellknown，andonlyappliestoGodinrespecttoHissupremacy，aswhenwecallPaulanapostle；thefacultiesofhispoweraresetforthinanaccompanyingadjective，asEl，great，awful，just，merciful，&c。，orelseallareunderstoodatoncebytheuseofElinthepluralnumber，withasingularsignification，anexpressionfrequentlyadoptedinScripture。

(19)Now，asGodtellsMosesthatHewasnotknowntothepatriarchsbythenameofJehovah，itfollowsthattheywerenotcognizantofanyattributeofGodwhichexpressesHisabsoluteessence，butonlyofHisdeedsandpromisesthatis，ofHispower，asmanifestedinvisiblethings。(20)GoddoesnotthusspeaktoMosesinordertoaccusethepatriarchsofinfidelity，but，onthecontrary，asameansofextollingtheirbeliefandfaith，inasmuchas，thoughtheypossessednoextraordinaryknowledgeofGod(suchasMoseshad)，theyyetacceptedHispromisesasfixedandcertain；whereasMoses，thoughhisthoughtsaboutGodweremoreexalted，neverthelessdoubtedabouttheDivinepromises，andcomplainedtoGodthat，insteadofthepromiseddeliverance，theprospectsoftheIsraeliteshaddarkened。

(21)AsthepatriarchsdidnotknowthedistinctivenameofGod，andasGodmentionsthefacttoMoses，inpraiseoftheirfaithandsingle-heartedness，andincontrasttotheextraordinarygracegrantedtoMoses，itfollows，aswestatedatfirst，thatmenarenotboundby，decreetohaveknowledgeoftheattributesofGod，suchknowledgebeingonlygrantedtoafewofthefaithful:itishardlyworthwhiletoquotefurtherexamplesfromScripture，foreveryonemustrecognizethatknowledgeofGodisnotequalamongallgoodmen。(22)Moreover，amancannotbeorderedtobewiseanymorethanhecanbeorderedtoliveandexist。(23)Men，women，andchildrenareallalikeabletoobeyby，commandment，butnottobewise。IfanytellusthatitisnotnecessarytounderstandtheDivineattributes，butthatwemustbelievethemsimply，withoutproof，heisplainly，trifling。(24)Forwhatisinvisibleandcanonly，beperceivedbythemind，cannotbeapprehendedbyany，othermeansthanproofs；iftheseareabsenttheobjectremainsungrasped；therepetitionofwhathasbeenheardonsuchsubjectsnomoreindicatesorattainstotheirmeaningthanthewordsofaparrotorapuppetspeakingwithoutsenseorsignification。

(25)BeforeIproceedIoughttoexplainhowitcomesthatweareoftentoldinGenesisthatthepatriarchspreachedinthenameofJehovah，thisbeinginplaincontradictiontothetextabovequoted。(26)AreferencetowhatwassaidinChap。VIII。willreadilyexplainthedifficulty。(27)ItwasthereshownthatthewriterofthePentateuchdidnotalwaysspeakofthingsandplacesbythenamestheyboreinthetimesofwhichhewaswriting，butbythenamesbestknowntohiscontemporaries。(28)GodisthussaidinthePentateuchtohavebeenpreachedbythepatriarchsunderthenameofJehovah，notbecausesuchwasthenamebywhichthepatriarchsknewHim，butbecausethisnamewastheonemostreverencedbytheJews。

(29)Thispoint，Isay，mustnecessarilybenoticed，forinExodusitisexpresslystatedthatGodwasnotknowntothepatriarchsbythisname；andinchap。iii:13，itissaidthatMosesdesiredtoknowthenameofGod。(30)

Now，ifthisnamehadbeenalreadyknownitwouldhavebeenknowntoMoses。

(31)Wemustthereforedrawtheconclusionindicated，namely，thatthefaithfulpatriarchsdidnotknowthisnameofGod，andthattheknowledgeofGodisbestowedandnotcommandedbytheDeity。

(32)Itisnowtimetopassontooursecondpoint，andshowthatGodthroughHisprophetsrequiredfrommennootherknowledgeofHimselfthaniscontainedinaknowledgeofHisjusticeandcharity-thatis，ofattributeswhichacertainmanneroflifewillenablementoimitate。(33)Jeremiahstatesthisinsomanywords(xxii:15，16):"Didnotthyfathereat，anddrink，anddojudgmentandjustice?andthenitwaswellwithhim。(34)Hejudgedthecauseofthepoorandneedy；thenitwaswellwithhim:wasnotthistoknowMe?saiththeLord。"(35)Thewordsinchap。ix:24ofthesamebookareequally，clear。(36)"Butlethimthatgloriethgloryinthis，thatheunderstandethandknowethMe，thatIamtheLordwhichexerciseloving-

kindness，judgment，andrighteousnessintheearth；forinthesethingsI

delight，saiththeLord。"(37)ThesamedoctrinemaybegatheredfromExod。

xxxiv:6，whereGodrevealedtoMosesonly，thoseofHisattributeswhichdisplaytheDivinejusticeandcharity。(38)Lastly，wemaycallattentiontoapassageinJohnwhichweshalldiscussatmorelengthhereafter；theApostleexplainsthenatureofGod(inasmuchasnoonehasbeheldHim)

throughcharityonly，andconcludesthathewhopossessescharitypossesses，andinvery，truthknowsGod。

(39)WehavethusseenthatMoses，Jeremiah，andJohnsumupinaveryshortcompasstheknowledgeofGodneedfulforall，andthattheystateittoconsistinexactlywhatwesaid，namely，thatGodissupremelyjust，andsupremelymerciful-inotherwords，theoneperfectpatternofthetruelife。(40)WemayaddthatScripturenowheregivesanexpressdefinitionofGod，anddoesnotpointoutanyotherofHisattributeswhichshouldbeapprehendedsavethese，nordoesitinsettermspraiseanyothers。

(41)WhereforewemaydrawthegeneralconclusionthatanintellectualknowledgeofGod，whichtakescognizanceofHisnatureinsofarasitactuallyis，andwhichcannotbyanymanneroflivingbeimitatedbymankindorfollowedasanexample，hasnobearingwhateverontruerulesofconduct，onfaith，oronrevealedreligion；consequentlythatmenmaybeincompleteerroronthesubjectwithoutincurringthechargeofsinfulness。(42)WeneednownolongerwonderthatGodadaptedHimselftotheexistingopinionsandimaginationsoftheprophets，orthatthefaithfulhelddifferentideasofGod，asweshowedinChap。II。；or，again，thatthesacredbooksspeakveryinaccuratelyofGod，attributingtoHimhands，feet，eyes，ears，amind，andmotionfromoneplacetoanother；orthattheyascribetoHimemotions，suchasjealousy，mercy，&c。，or，lastly，thattheydescribeHimasaJudgeinheavensittingonaroyalthronewithChristonHisrighthand。(43)Suchexpressionsareadaptedtotheunderstandingofthemultitude，itbeingtheobjectoftheBibletomakemennotlearnedbutobedient。

(44)Inspiteofthisthegeneralrunoftheologians，whentheycomeuponanyofthesephraseswhichtheycannotrationallyharmonizewiththeDivinenature，maintainthattheyshouldbeinterpretedmetaphorically，passagestheycannotunderstandtheysayshouldbeinterpretedliterally。(45)ButifeveryexpressionofthiskindintheBibleisnecessarilytobeinterpretedandunderstoodmetaphorically，Scripturemusthavebeenwritten，notforthepeopleandtheunlearnedmasses，butchieflyforaccomplishedexpertsandphilosophers。

(46)IfitwereindeedasintoholdpiouslyandsimplytheideasaboutGodwehavejustquoted，theprophetsoughttohavebeenstrictlyontheirguardagainsttheuseofsuchexpressions，seeingtheweak-mindednessofthepeople，andought，ontheotherhand，tohavesetforthfirstofall，dulyandclearly，thoseattributesofGodwhichareneedfultobeunderstood。

(47)Thistheyhavenowheredone；wecannot，therefore，thinkthatopinionstakeninthemselveswithoutrespecttoactionsareeitherpiousorimpious，butmustmaintainthatamanispiousorimpiousinhisbeliefsonlyinsofarasheistherebyincitedtoobedience，orderivesfromthemlicensetosinandrebel。(48)Ifaman，bybelievingwhatistrue，becomesrebellious，hiscreedisimpious；ifbybelievingwhatisfalsehebecomesobedient，hiscreedispious；forthetrueknowledgeofGodcomesnotbycommandment，butbyDivinegift。(49)GodhasrequirednothingfrommanbutaknowledgeofHisDivinejusticeandcharity，andthatnotasnecessarytoscientificaccuracy，buttoobedience。

CHAPTERXIV-DEFINITIONSOFFAITH，THEFAITH，ANDTHEFOUNDATIONS

OFFAITH，WHICHISONCEFORALLSEPARATEDFROMPHILOSOPHY。

(1)ForatrueknowledgeoffaithitisaboveallthingsnecessarytounderstandthattheBiblewasadaptedtotheintelligence，notonlyoftheprophets，butalsoofthediverseandfickleJewishmultitude。(2)Thiswillberecognizedbyallwhogiveanythoughttothesubject，fortheywillseethatapersonwhoacceptedpromiscuouslyeverythinginScriptureasbeingtheuniversalandabsoluteteachingofGod，withoutaccuratelydefiningwhatwasadaptedtothepopularintelligence，wouldfinditimpossibletoescapeconfoundingtheopinionsofthemasseswiththeDivinedoctrines，praisingthejudgmentsandcommentsofmanastheteachingofGod，andmakingawronguseofScripturalauthority。(3)Who，Isay，doesnotperceivethatthisisthechiefreasonwhysomanysectariesteachcontradictoryopinionsasDivinedocuments，andsupporttheircontentionswithnumerousScripturaltexts，tillithaspassedinBelgiumintoaproverb，geenkettersonderletter-nohereticwithoutatext?(4)Thesacredbookswerenotwrittenbyoneman，norforthepeopleofasingleperiod，butbymanyauthorsofdifferenttemperaments，attimesextendingfromfirsttolastovernearlytwothousandyears，andperhapsmuchlonger。

(5)Wewillnot，however，accusethesectariesofimpietybecausetheyhaveadaptedthewordsofScripturetotheirownopinions；itisthusthatthesewordswereadaptedtotheunderstandingofthemassesoriginally，andeveryoneisatlibertysototreatthemifheseesthathecanthusobeyGodinmattersrelatingtojusticeandcharitywithamorefullconsent:butwedoaccusethosewhowillnotgrantthisfreedomtotheirfellows，butwhopersecuteallwhodifferfromthem，asGod"senemies，howeverhonourableandvirtuousbetheirlives；while，ontheotherhand，theycherishthosewhoagreewiththem，howeverfoolishtheymaybe，asGod"select。(6)Suchconductisaswickedanddangeroustothestateasanythatcanbeconceived。

(7)Inorder，therefore，toestablishthelimitstowhichindividualfreedomshouldextend，andtodecidewhatpersons，inspiteofthediversityoftheiropinions，aretobelookeduponasthefaithful，wemustdefinefaithanditsessentials。(8)ThistaskIhopetoaccomplishinthepresentchapter，andalsotoseparatefaithfromphilosophy，whichisthechiefaimofthewholetreatise。

(9)InordertoproceeddulytothedemonstrationletusrecapitulatethechiefaimandobjectofScripture；thiswillindicateastandardbywhichwemaydefinefaith。

(10)WehavesaidinaformerchapterthattheaimandobjectofScriptureisonlytoteachobedience。(11)Thusmuch，Ithink，noonecanquestion。

(12)WhodoesnotseethatbothTestamentsarenothingelsebutschoolsforthisobject，andhaveneitherofthemanyaimbeyondinspiringmankindwithavoluntaryobedience?(13)For(nottorepeatwhatIsaidinthelastchapter)IwillremarkthatMosesdidnotseektoconvincetheJewsbyreason，butboundthembyacovenant，byoaths，andbyconferringbenefits；

further，hethreatenedthepeoplewithpunishmentiftheyshouldinfringethelaw，andpromisedrewardsiftheyshouldobeyit。

(14)Allthesearenotmeansforteachingknowledge，butforinspiringobedience。(15)ThedoctrineoftheGospelsenjoinsnothingbutsimplefaith，namely，tobelieveinGodandtohonourHim，whichisthesamethingastoobeyhim。(16)ThereisnooccasionformetothrowfurtherlightonaquestionsoplainbycitingScripturaltextscommendingobedience，suchasmaybefoundingreatnumbersinbothTestaments。(17)Moreover，theBibleteachesveryclearlyinagreatmanypassageswhateveryoneoughttodoinordertoobeyGod；thewholedutyissummedupinlovetoone"sneighbour。

(18)Itcannot，therefore，bedeniedthathewhobyGod"scommandloveshisneighbourashimselfistrulyobedientandblessedaccordingtothelaw，whereashewhohateshisneighbourorneglectshimisrebelliousandobstinate。

(19)Lastly，itisplaintoeveryonethattheBiblewasnotwrittenanddisseminatedonly，forthelearned，butformenofeveryageandrace；

whereforewemay，restassuredthatwearenotboundbyScripturalcommandtobelieveanythingbeyondwhatisabsolutelynecessary，forfulfillingitsmainprecept。

(20)Thisprecept，then，istheonlystandardofthewholeCatholicfaith，andbyitaloneallthedogmasneedfultobebelievedshouldbedetermined。

(21)Somuchbeingabundantlymanifest，asisalsothefactthatallotherdoctrinesofthefaithcanbelegitimatelydeducedtherefrombyreasonalone，IleaveittoeverymantodecideforhimselfhowitcomestopassthatsomanydivisionshavearisenintheChurch:canitbefromanyothercausethanthosesuggestedatthebeginningofChap。VIII。?(22)Itisthesesamecauseswhichcompelmetoexplainthemethodofdeterminingthedogmasofthefaithfromthefoundationwehavediscovered，forifI