第11章

neglectedtodoso，andputthequestiononaregularbasis，Imightjustlybesaidtohavepromisedtoolavishly，forthatanyonemight，bymyshowing，introduceanydoctrinehelikedintoreligion，underthepretextthatitwasanecessarymeanstoobedience:especiallywouldthisbethecaseinquestionsrespectingtheDivineattributes。

(23)Inorder，therefore，tosetforththewholemattermethodically，Iwillbeginwithadefinitionoffaith，whichontheprincipleabovegiven，shouldbeasfollows:-

(24)FaithconsistsinaknowledgeofGod，withoutwhichobediencetoHimwouldbeimpossible，andwhichthemerefactofobediencetoHimimplies。

(25)Thisdefinitionissoclear，andfollowssoplainlyfromwhatwehavealreadyproved，thatitneedsnoexplanation。(26)TheconsequencesinvolvedthereinIwillnowbrieflyshow。

(27)(I。)Faithisnotsalutaryinitself，butonlyinrespecttotheobedienceitimplies，orasJamesputsitinhisEpistle，ii:17，"Faithwithoutworksisdead"(seethewholeofthechapterquoted)。

(28)(II。)Hewhoistrulyobedientnecessarilypossessestrueandsavingfaith；forifobediencebegranted，faithmustbegrantedalso，asthesameApostleexpresslysaysinthesewords(ii:18)，"Showmethyfaithwithoutthyworks，andIwillshowtheemyfaithbymyworks。"(29)SoalsoJohn，IEp。iv:7:"EveryonethatlovethisbornofGod，andknowethGod:hethatlovethnot，knowethnotGod；forGodislove。"(30)Fromthesetexts，Irepeat，itfollowsthatwecanonlyjudgeamanfaithfulorunfaithfulbyhisworks。(31)Ifhisworksbegood，heisfaithful，howevermuchhisdoctrinesmaydifferfromthoseoftherestofthefaithful:ifhisworksbeevil，thoughhemayverballyconform，heisunfaithful。(32)Forobedienceimpliesfaith，andfaithwithoutworksisdead。

(33)John，inthe13thverseofthechapterabovequoted，expresslyteachesthesamedoctrine:"Hereby，"hesays，"knowwethatwedwellinHimandHeinus，becauseHehathgivenusofHisSpirit，"i。e。love。(34)HehadsaidbeforethatGodislove，andthereforeheconcludes(onhisownreceivedprinciples)，thatwhosopossesseslovepossessestrulytheSpiritofGod。

(35)AsnoonehasbeheldGodheinfersthatnoonehasknowledgeorconsciousnessofGod，exceptfromlovetowardshisneighbour，andalsothatnoonecanhaveknowledgeofanyofGod"sattributes，exceptthisoflove，insofarasweparticipatetherein。

(36)Iftheseargumentsarenotconclusive，they，atanyrate，showtheApostle"smeaning，butthewordsinchap。ii:3，4，ofthesameEpistlearemuchclearer，fortheystateinsomanywordsourprecisecontention:"AndherebywedoknowthatweknowHim，ifwekeepHiscommandments。(37)Hethatsaith，IknowHim，andkeepethnotHiscommandments，isaliar，andthetruthisnotinhim。"

(38)Fromallthis，Irepeat，itfollowsthattheyarethetrueenemiesofChristwhopersecutehonourableandjustice-lovingmenbecausetheydifferfromthem，anddonotupholdthesamereligiousdogmasasthemselves:forwhosoeverlovesjusticeandcharityweknow，bythatveryfact，tobefaithful:whosoeverpersecutesthefaithful，isanenemytoChrist。

(39)Lastly，itfollowsthatfaithdoesnotdemandthatdogmasshouldbetrueasthattheyshouldbepious-thatis，suchaswillstirupthehearttoobey；thoughtherebemanysuchwhichcontainnotashadowoftruth，solongastheybeheldingoodfaith，otherwisetheiradherentsaredisobedient，forhowcananyone，desirousoflovingjusticeandobeyingGod，adoreasDivinewhatheknowstobealienfromtheDivinenature?(40)

However，menmayerrfromsimplicityofmind，andScripture，aswehaveseen，doesnotcondemnignorance，butobstinacy。(41)Thisisthenecessaryresultofourdefinitionoffaith，andallitsbranchesshouldspringfromtheuniversalruleabovegiven，andfromtheevidentaimandobjectoftheBible，unlesswechoosetomixourowninventionstherewith。(42)ThusitisnottruedoctrineswhichareexpresslyrequiredbytheBible，somuchasdoctrinesnecessaryforobedience，andtoconfirminourheartstheloveofourneighbour，wherein(toadoptthewordsofJohn)weareinGod，andGodinus。

(43)As，then，eachman"sfaithmustbejudgedpiousorimpiousonlyinrespectofitsproducingobedienceorobstinacy，andnotinrespectofitstruth；andasnoonewilldisputethatmen"sdispositionsareexceedinglyvaried，thatalldonotacquiesceinthesamethings，butareruledsomebyoneopinionsomebyanother，sothatwhatmovesonetodevotionmovesanothertolaughterandcontempt，itfollowsthattherecanbenodoctrinesintheCatholic，oruniversal，religion，whichcangiverisetocontroversyamonggoodmen。(44)Suchdoctrinesmightbepioustosomeandimpioustoothers，whereastheyshouldbejudgedsolelybytheirfruits。

(45)Totheuniversalreligion，then，belongonlysuchdogmasasareabsolutelyrequiredinordertoattainobediencetoGod，andwithoutwhichsuchobediencewouldbeimpossible；asfortherest，eachman-seeingthatheisthebestjudgeofhisowncharactershouldadoptwhateverhethinksbestadaptedtostrengthenhisloveofjustice。(46)Ifthiswereso，I

thinktherewouldbenofurtheroccasionforcontroversiesintheChurch。

(47)IhavenownofurtherfearinenumeratingthedogmasofuniversalfaithorthefundamentaldogmasofthewholeofScripture，inasmuchastheyalltend(asmaybeseenfromwhathasbeensaid)tothisonedoctrine，namely，thatthereexistsaGod，thatis，aSupremeBeing，Wholovesjusticeandcharity，andWhomustbeobeyedbywhosoeverwouldbesaved；thattheworshipofthisBeingconsistsinthepracticeofjusticeandlovetowardsone"sneighbour，andthattheycontainnothingbeyondthefollowingdoctrines:-

(48)I。ThatGodoraSupremeBeingexists，sovereignlyjustandmerciful，theExemplarofthetruelife；thatwhosoeverisignorantofordisbelievesinHisexistencecannotobeyHimorknowHimasaJudge。

(49)II。ThatHeisOne。(50)Nobodywilldisputethatthisdoctrineisabsolutelynecessaryforentiredevotion，admiration，andlovetowardsGod。

(51)Fordevotion，admiration，andlovespringfromthesuperiorityofoneoverallelse。

(52)III。ThatHeisomnipresent，orthatallthingsareopentoHim，forifanythingcouldbesupposedtobeconcealedfromHim，ortobeunnoticedby，Him，wemightdoubtorbeignorantoftheequityofHisjudgmentasdirectingallthings。

(53)IV。ThatHehassupremerightanddominionoverallthings，andthatHedoesnothingundercompulsion，butbyHisabsolutefiatandgrace。(54)AllthingsareboundtoobeyHim，Heisnotboundtoobeyany。

(55)V。ThattheworshipofGodconsistsonlyinjusticeandcharity，orlovetowardsone"sneighbour。

(56)VI。Thatallthose，andthoseonly，whoobeyGodbytheirmanneroflifearesaved；therestofmankind，wholiveundertheswayoftheirpleasures，arelost。(57)Ifwedidnotbelievethis，therewouldbenoreasonforobeyingGodratherthanpleasure。

(58)VII。Lastly，thatGodforgivesthesinsofthosewhorepent。(59)Nooneisfreefromsin，sothatwithoutthisbeliefallwoulddespairofsalvation，andtherewouldbenoreasonforbelievinginthemercyofGod。

(60)HewhofirmlybelievesthatGod，outofthemercyandgracewithwhichHedirectsallthings，forgivesthesinsofmen，andwhofeelshisloveofGodkindledthereby，he，Isay，doesreally，knowChristaccordingtotheSpirit，andChristisinhim。

(61)Noonecandenythatallthesedoctrinesarebeforeallthingsnecessary，tobebelieved，inorderthateveryman，withoutexception，maybeabletoobeyGodaccordingtothebiddingoftheLawaboveexplained，forifoneofthesepreceptsbedisregardedobedienceisdestroyed。

(62)ButastowhatGod，ortheExemplarofthetruelife，maybe，whetherfire，orspirit，orlight，orthought，orwhatnot，this，Isay，hasnothingtodowithfaithanymorethanhasthequestionhowHecomestobetheExemplarofthetruelife，whetheritbebecauseHehasajustandmercifulmind，orbecauseallthingsexistandactthroughHim，andconsequentlythatweunderstandthroughHim，andthroughHimseewhatistrulyjustandgood。(63)Everyonemaythinkonsuchquestionsashelikes，(64)Furthermore，faithisnotaffected，whetherweholdthatGodisomnipresentessentiallyorpotentially；thatHedirectsallthingsbyabsolutefiat，orbythenecessityofHisnature；thatHedictateslawslikeaprince，orthatHesetsthemforthaseternaltruths；thatmanobeysHimbyvirtueoffreewill，orbyvirtueofthenecessityoftheDivinedecree；

lastly，thattherewardofthegoodandthepunishmentofthewickedisnaturalorsupernatural:theseandsuchlikequestionshavenobearingonfaith，exceptinsofarastheyareusedasmeanstogiveuslicensetosinmore，ortoobeyGodless。(65)Iwillgofurther，andmaintainthateverymanisboundtoadaptthesedogmastohisownwayofthinking，andtointerpretthemaccordingashefeelsthathecangivethemhisfullestandmostunhesitatingassent，sothathemaythemoreeasilyobeyGodwithhiswholeheart。

(66)Suchwasthemanner，aswehavealreadypointedout，inwhichthefaithwasinoldtimerevealedandwritten，inaccordancewiththeunderstandingandopinionsoftheprophetsandpeopleoftheperiod；so，inlikefashion，everymanisboundtoadaptittohisownopinions，sothathemayacceptitwithoutanyhesitationormentalrepugnance。(67)Wehaveshownthatfaithdoesnotsomuchrequiretruthaspiety，andthatitisonlyquickeningandpiousthroughobedience，consequentlynooneisfaithfulsavebyobediencealone。(68)Thebestfaithisnotnecessarilypossessedbyhimwhodisplaysthebestreasons，butbyhimwhodisplaysthebestfruitsofjusticeandcharity。(69)Howsalutaryandnecessarythisdoctrineisforastate，inorderthatmenmaydwelltogetherinpeaceandconcord；andhowmanyandhowgreatcausesofdisturbanceandcrimearetherebycutoff，Ileaveeveryonetojudgeforhimself!

(70)Beforewegofurther，Imayremarkthatwecan，bymeansofwhatwehavejustproved，easilyanswertheobjectionsraisedinChap。I。，whenwewerediscussingGod"sspeakingwiththeIsraelitesonMountSinai。(71)For，thoughthevoiceheardbytheIsraelitescouldnotgivethosemenanyphilosophicalormathematicalcertitudeofGod"sexistence，itwasyetsufficienttothrillthemwithadmirationforGod，astheyalreadyknewHim，andtostirthemuptoobedience:andsuchwastheobjectofthedisplay。

(72)GoddidnotwishtoteachtheIsraelitestheabsoluteattributesofHisessence(noneofwhichHethenrevealed)，buttobreakdowntheirhardnessofheart，andtodrawthemtoobedience:thereforeHedidnotappealtothemwithreasons，butwiththesoundoftrumpets，thunder，andlightnings。

(73)Itremainsformetoshowthatbetweenfaithortheology，andphilosophy，thereisnoconnection，noraffinity。(74)Ithinknoonewilldisputethefactwhohasknowledgeoftheaimandfoundationsofthetwosubjects，fortheyareaswideapartasthepoles。

(75)Philosophyhasnoendinviewsavetruth:faith，aswehaveabundantlyproved，looksfornothingbutobedienceandpiety。(76)Again，philosophyisbasedonaxiomswhichmustbesoughtfromnaturealone:faithisbasedonhistoryandlanguage，andmustbesoughtforonlyinScriptureandrevelation，asweshowedinChap。VII。(77)Faith，therefore，allowsthegreatestlatitudeinphilosophicspeculation，allowinguswithoutblametothinkwhatwelikeaboutanything，andonlycondemning，ashereticsandschismatics，thosewhoteachopinionswhichtendtoproduceobstinacy，hatred，strife，andanger；while，ontheotherhand，onlyconsideringasfaithfulthosewhopersuadeus，asfarastheirreasonandfacultieswillpermit，tofollowjusticeandcharity。

(78)Lastly，aswhatwearenowsettingfortharethemostimportantsubjectsofmytreatise，Iwouldmosturgentlybegthereader，beforeI

proceed，toreadthesetwochapterswithespecialattention，andtotakethetroubletoweighthemwellinhismind:lethimtakeforgrantedthatI

havenotwrittenwithaviewtointroducingnovelties，butinordertodoawaywithabuses，suchasIhopeImay，atsomefuturetime，atlastseereformed。

CHAPTERXV-THEOLOGYISSHOWNNOTTOBESUBSERVIENTTOREASON，NORREASONTOTHEOLOGY:ADEFINITIONOFTHEREASONWHICH

ENABLESUSTOACCEPTTHEAUTHORITYOFTHEBIBLE。

(1)Thosewhoknownotthatphilosophyandreasonaredistinct，disputewhetherScriptureshouldbemadesubservienttoreason，orreasontoScripture:thatis，whetherthemeaningofScriptureshouldbemadetoagreedwithreason；orwhetherreasonshouldbemadetoagreewithScripture:thelatterpositionisassumedbythescepticswhodenythecertitudeofreason，theformerbythedogmatists。(2)Bothpartiesare，asIhaveshown，utterlyinthewrong，foreitherdoctrinewouldrequireustotamperwithreasonorwithScripture。

(3)WehaveshownthatScripturedoesnotteachphilosophy，butmerelyobedience，andthatallitcontainshasbeenadaptedtotheunderstandingandestablishedopinionsofthemultitude。(4)Those，therefore，whowishtoadaptittophilosophy，mustneedsascribetotheprophetsmanyideaswhichtheyneverevendreamedof，andgiveanextremelyforcedinterpretationtotheirwords:thoseontheotherhand，whowouldmakereasonandphilosophysubservienttotheology，willbeforcedtoacceptasDivineutterancestheprejudicesoftheancientJews，andtofillandconfusetheirmindtherewith。(5)Inshort，onepartywillrunwildwiththeaidofreason，andtheotherwillrunwildwithouttheaidofreason。

(6)ThefirstamongthePhariseeswhoopenlymaintainedthatScriptureshouldbemadetoagreewithreason，wasMaimonides，whoseopinionwereviewed，andabundantlyrefutedinChap。VIII。:now，althoughthiswriterhadmuchauthorityamonghiscontemporaries，hewasdesertedonthisquestionbyalmostall，andthemajoritywentstraightovertotheopinionofacertainR。JehudaAlpakhar，who，inhisanxietytoavoidtheerrorofMaimonides，fellintoanother，whichwasitsexactcontrary。(7)Heheldthatreasonshouldbemadesubservient，andentirelygivewaytoScripture。(8)Hethoughtthatapassageshouldnotbeinterpretedmetaphorically，simplybecauseitwasrepugnanttoreason，butonlyinthecaseswhenitisinconsistentwithScriptureitself-thatis，withitscleardoctrines。(9)Thereforehelaiddowntheuniversalrule，thatwhatsoeverScriptureteachesdogmatically，andaffirmsexpressly，mustonitsownsoleauthoritybeadmittedasabsolutelytrue:thatthereisnodoctrineintheBiblewhichdirectlycontradictsthegeneraltenourofthewhole:butonlysomewhichappeartoinvolveadifference，forthephrasesofScriptureoftenseemtoimplysomethingcontrarytowhathasbeenexpresslytaught。(10)Suchphrases，andsuchphrasesonly，wemayinterpretmetaphorically。

(11)Forinstance，ScriptureclearlyteachestheunityofGod(seeDeut。

vi:4)，noristhereanytextdistinctlyassertingapluralityofgods；butinseveralpassagesGodspeaksofHimself，andtheprophetsspeakofHim，inthepluralnumber；suchphrasesaresimplyamannerofspeaking，anddonotmeanthatthereactuallyareseveralgods:theyaretobeexplainedmetaphorically，notbecauseapluralityofgodsisrepugnanttoreason，butbecauseScripturedistinctlyassertsthatthereisonlyone。

(12)So，again，asScriptureasserts(asAlpakharthinks)inDeut。iv:15，thatGodisincorporeal，wearebound，solelybytheauthorityofthistext，andnotbyreason，tobelievethatGodhasnobody:consequentlywemustexplainmetaphorically，onthesoleauthorityofScripture，allthosepassageswhichattributetoGodhands，feet，&c。，andtakethemmerelyasfiguresofspeech。(13)SuchistheopinionofAlpakhar。InsofarasheseekstoexplainScripturebyScripture，Ipraisehim，butImarvelthatamangiftedwithreasonshouldwishtodebasethatfaculty。(14)ItistruethatScriptureshouldbeexplainedbyScripture，solongasweareindifficultiesaboutthemeaningandintentionoftheprophets

butwhenwehaveelicitedthetruemeaning，wemustofnecessitymakeuseofourjudgmentandreasoninordertoassentthereto。(15)Ifreason，however，muchassherebels，istobeentirelysubjectedtoScripture，Iask，arewetoeffecthersubmissionbyherownaid，orwithouther，andblindly?(16)Ifthelatter，weshallsurelyactfoolishlyandinjudiciously；iftheformer，weassenttoScriptureunderthedominionofreason，andshouldnotassenttoitwithouther。(17)Moreover，Imayasknow，isamantoassenttoanythingagainsthisreason?(18)Whatisdenialifitbenotreason"srefusaltoassent?(19)Inshort，Iamastonishedthatanyoneshouldwishtosubjectreason，thegreatestofgiftsandalightfromonhigh，tothedeadletterwhichmayhavebeencorruptedbyhumanmalice；

thatitshouldbethoughtnocrimetospeakwithcontemptofmind，thetruehandwritingofGod"sWord，callingitcorrupt，blind，andlost，whileitisconsideredthegreatestofcrimestosaythesameoftheletter，whichismerelythereflectionandimageofGod"sWord。(20)Menthinkitpioustotrustnothingtoreasonandtheirownjudgment，andimpioustodoubtthefaithofthosewhohavetransmittedtousthesacredbooks。(21)Suchconductisnotpiety，butmerefolly。And，afterall，whyaretheysoanxious?Whataretheyafraidof?(22)Dotheythinkthatfaithandreligioncannotbeupheldunless-menpurposelykeepthemselvesinignorance，andturntheirbacksonreason?(23)Ifthisbeso，theyhavebutatimidtrustinScripture。

(23)However，beitfarfrommetosaythatreligionshouldseektoenslavereason，orreasonreligion，orthatbothshouldnotbeabletokeeptheirsovereignityinperfectharmony。(24)Iwillreverttothisquestionpresently，forIwishnowtodiscussAlpakhar"srule。

(26)Herequires，aswehavestated，thatweshouldacceptastrue，orrejectasfalse，everythingassertedordeniedbyScripture，andhefurtherstatesthatScriptureneverexpresslyassertsordeniesanythingwhichcontradictsitsassertionsornegationselsewhere。(27)Therashnessofsucharequirementandstatementcanescapenoone。(28)For(passingoverthefactthathedoesnotnoticethatScriptureconsistsofdifferentbooks，writtenatdifferenttimes，fordifferentpeople，bydifferentauthors:andalsothathisrequirementismadeonhisownauthoritywithoutanycorroborationfromreasonorScripture)hewouldbeboundtoshowthatallpassageswhichareindirectlycontradictoryoftherest，canbesatisfactorilyexplainedmetaphoricallythroughthenatureofthelanguageandthecontext:further，thatScripturehascomedowntousuntamperedwith。(29)However，wewillgointothematteratlength。

(30)Firstly，Iaskwhatshallwedoifreasonproverecalcitrant?(31)

ShallwestillbeboundtoaffirmwhateverScriptureaffirms，andtodenywhateverScripturedenies?(32)PerhapsitwillbeansweredthatScripturecontainsnothingrepugnanttoreason。(33)ButIinsist!hatitexpresslyaffirmsandteachesthatGodisjealous(namely，inthedecalogueitself，andinExod。xxxiv:14，andinDeut。iv:24，andinmanyotherplaces)，andI

assertthatsuchadoctrineisrepugnanttoreason。(34)Itmust，Isuppose，inspiteofall，beacceptedastrue。IfthereareanypassagesinScripturewhichimplythatGodisnotjealous，theymustbetakenmetaphoricallyasmeaningnothingofthekind。(35)So，also，Scriptureexpresslystates(Exod。xix:20，&c。)thatGodcamedowntoMountSinai，anditattributestoHimothermovementsfromplacetoplace，nowheredirectlystatingthatGoddoesnotsomove。(36)Wherefore，wemusttakethepassageliterally，andSolomon"swords(IKingsviii:27)，"ButwillGoddwellontheearth?(37)Beholdtheheavensandearthcannotcontainthee，"

inasmuchastheydonotexpresslystatethatGoddoesnotmovefromplacetoplace，butonlyimplyit，mustbeexplainedawaytilltheyhavenofurthersemblanceofdenyinglocomotiontotheDeity。(38)SoalsowemustbelievethattheskyisthehabitationandthroneofGod，forScriptureexpresslysaysso；andsimilarlymanypassagesexpressingtheopinionsoftheprophetsorthemultitude，whichreasonandphilosophy，butnotScripture，tellustobefalse，mustbetakenastrueifweareiofollowtheguidanceofourauthor，foraccordingtohim，reasonhasnothingtodowiththematter。(39)

Further，itisuntruethatScripturenevercontradictsitselfdirectly，butonlybyimplication。(40)ForMosessays，insomanywords(Deut。iv:24)，"TheLordthyGodisaconsumingfire，"andelsewhereexpresslydeniesthatGodhasanylikenesstovisiblethings。(Deut。iv。12。)(41)Ifitbedecidedthatthelatterpassageonlycontradictstheformerbyimplication，andmustbeadaptedthereto，lestitseemtonegativeit，letusgrantthatGodisafire；orrather，lestweshouldseemtohavetakenleaveofoursenses，letuspassthematteroverandtakeanotherexample。

(42)SamuelexpresslydeniesthatGodeverrepents，"forheisnotamanthatheshouldrepent"(ISam。xv:29)。(43)Jeremiah，ontheotherhand，assertsthatGoddoesrepent，bothoftheevilandofthegoodwhichHehadintendedtodo(Jer。xviii:8-10)。(44)What?(45)Arenotthesetwotextsdirectlycontradictory?(46)Whichofthetwo，then，wouldourauthorwanttoexplainmetaphorically?(47)Bothstatementsaregeneral，andeachistheoppositeoftheother-whatoneflatlyaffirms，theotherflatly，denies。(48)So，byhisownrule，hewouldbeobligedatoncetorejectthemasfalse，andtoacceptthemastrue。

(49)Again，whatisthepointofonepassage，notbeingcontradictedbyanotherdirectly，butonlybyimplication，iftheimplicationisclear，andthenatureandcontextofthepassageprecludemetaphoricalinterpretation?

(50)TherearemanysuchinstancesintheBible，aswesawinChap。II。

(wherewepointedoutthattheprophetshelddifferentandcontradictoryopinions)，andalsoinChaps。IX。andX。，wherewedrewattentiontothecontradictionsinthehistoricalnarratives。(51)Thereisnoneedformetogothroughthemallagain，forwhatIhavesaidsufficientlyexposestheabsurditieswhichwouldfollowfromanopinionandrulesuchaswearediscussing，andshowsthehastinessofitspropounder。

(52)Wemay，therefore，putthistheory，aswellasthatofMaimonides，entirelyoutofcourt；andwemay，takeitforindisputablethattheologyisnotboundtoservereason，norreasontheology，butthateachhasherowndomain。

(53)Thesphereofreasonis，aswehavesaid，truthandwisdom；thesphereoftheology，ispietyandobedience。(54)Thepowerofreasondoesnotextendsofarastodetermineforusthatmenmaybeblessedthroughsimpleobedience，withoutunderstanding。(55)Theology，tellsusnothingelse，enjoinsonusnocommandsaveobedience，andhasneitherthewillnorthepowertoopposereason:shedefinesthedogmasoffaith(aswepointedoutinthelastchapter)onlyinsofarastheymaybenecessary，forobedience，andleavesreasontodeterminetheirprecisetruth:forreasonisthelightofthemind，andwithoutherallthingsaredreamsandphantoms。

(56)Bytheology，Iheremean，strictlyspeaking，revelation，insofarasitindicatestheobjectaimedatbyScripturenamely，theschemeandmannerofobedience，orthetruedogmasofpietyandfaith。(57)ThismaytrulybecalledtheWordofGod，whichdoesnotconsistinacertainnumberofbooks(seeChap。XII。)。(58)Theologythusunderstood，ifweregarditspreceptsorrulesoflife，willbefoundinaccordancewithreason；and，ifwelooktoitsaimandobject，willbeseentobeinnowiserepugnantthereto，whereforeitisuniversaltoallmen。

(59)AsforitsbearingonScripture，wehaveshowninChap。VII。thatthemeaningofScriptureshouldbegatheredfromitsownhistory，andnotfromthehistoryofnatureingeneral，whichisthebasisofphilosophy。

(60)WeoughtnottobehinderedifwefindthatourinvestigationofthemeaningofScripturethusconductedshowsusthatitishereandthererepugnanttoreason；forwhateverwemayfindofthissortintheBible，whichmenmaybeinignoranceof，withoutinjurytotheircharity，has，wemaybesure，nobearingontheologyortheWordofGod，andmay，therefore，withoutblame，beviewedbyeveryoneashepleases。

(61)Tosumup，wemaydrawtheabsoluteconclusionthattheBiblemustnotbeaccommodatedtoreason，norreasontotheBible。

(62)Now，inasmuchasthebasisoftheology-thedoctrinethatmanmaybesavedbyobediencealone-cannotbeprovedbyreasonwhetheritbetrueorfalse，wemaybeasked，Why，then，shouldwebelieveit?(63)Ifwedosowithouttheaidofreason，weacceptitblindly，andactfoolishlyandinjudiciously；if，ontheotherhand，wesettlethatitcanbeprovedbyreason，theologybecomesapartofphilosophy，andinseparabletherefrom。

(64)ButImakeanswerthatIhaveabsolutelyestablishedthatthisbasisoftheologycannotbeinvestigatedbythenaturallightofreason，or，atanyrate，thatnooneeverhasproveditbysuchmeans，and，therefore，revelationwasnecessary。(65)Weshould，however，makeuseofourreason，inordertograspwithmoralcertaintywhatisrevealed-Isay，withmoralcertainty，forwecannothopetoattaingreatercertainty，thantheprophets:yettheircertaintywasonly，moral，asIshowedinChap。II。

(66)Those，therefore，whoattempttosetforththeauthorityofScripturewithmathematicaldemonstrationsarewhollyinerror:fortheauthority，oftheBibleisdependentontheauthorityoftheprophets，andcanbesupportedbynostrongerargumentsthanthoseemployedinoldtimebytheprophetsforconvincingthepeopleoftheirownauthority。(67)Ourcertaintyonthesamesubjectcanbefoundedonnootherbasisthanthatwhichservedasfoundationforthecertaintyoftheprophets。

(68)Nowthecertaintyoftheprophetsconsisted(aswepointedout)intheseelements:-

(69)(I。)Adistinctandvividimagination。

(70)(II。)Asign。

(71)(III。)Lastly，andchiefly，amindturnedtowhatisjustandgood。Itwasbasedonnootherreasonsthanthese，andconsequentlytheycannotprovetheirauthoritybyanyotherreasons，eithertothemultitudewhomtheyaddressedorally，nortouswhomtheyaddressinwriting。

(72)Thefirstofthesereasons，namely，thevividimagination，couldbevalidonlyfortheprophets；therefore，ourcertaintyconcerningrevelationmust，andoughttobe，basedontheremainingtwo-namely，thesignandtheteaching。(73)SuchistheexpressdoctrineofMoses，for(inDeut。xviii。)

hebidsthepeopleobeytheprophetwhoshouldgiveatruesigninthenameoftheLord，butifheshouldpredictfalsely，eventhoughitwereinthenameoftheLord，heshouldbeputtodeath，asshouldalsohewhostrivestoleadawaythepeoplefromthetruereligion，thoughheconfirmhisauthoritywithsignsandportents。(74)WemaycomparewiththeaboveDeut。

xiii。(75)Whenceitfollowsthatatrueprophetcouldbedistinguishedfromafalseone，bothbyhisdoctrineandbythemiracleshewrought，forMosesdeclaressuchanonetobeatrueprophet，andbidsthepeopletrusthimwithoutfearofdeceit。(76)Hecondemnsasfalse，andworthy，ofdeath，thosewhopredictanythingfalselyeveninthenameoftheLord，orwhopreachfalsegods，eventhoughtheirmiraclesbereal。

(77)Theonlyreason，then，whichwehaveforbeliefinScriptureorthewritingsoftheprophets，isthedoctrinewefindtherein，andthesignsbywhichitisconfirmed。(78)Forasweseethattheprophetsextolcharityandjusticeaboveallthings，andhavenootherobject，weconcludethattheydidnotwritefromunworthymotives，butbecausetheyreallythoughtthatmenmightbecomeblessedthroughobedienceandfaith:

further，asweseethattheyconfirmedtheirteachingwithsignsandwonders，webecomepersuadedthattheydidnotspeakatrandom，norrunriotintheirprophecies。(79)Wearefurtherstrengthenedinourconclusionbythefactthatthemoralitytheyteachisinevidentagreementwithreason，foritisnoaccidentalcoincidencethattheWordofGodwhichwefindintheprophetscoincideswiththeWordofGodwritteninourhearts。(80)Wemay，Isay，concludethisfromthesacredbooksascertainlyasdidtheJewsofoldfromthelivingvoiceoftheprophets:forweshowedinChap。XII。

thatScripturehascomedowntousintactinrespecttoitsdoctrineandmainnarratives。

(81)ThereforethiswholebasisoftheologyandScripture，thoughitdoesnotadmitofmathematicalproof，mayyetbeacceptedwiththeapprovalofourjudgment。(82)Itwouldbefollytorefusetoacceptwhatisconfirmedbysuchampleprophetictestimony，andwhathasprovedsuchacomforttothosewhosereasoniscomparativelyweak，andsuchabenefittothestate；adoctrine，moreover，whichwemaybelieveinwithouttheslightestperilorhurt，andshouldrejectsimplybecauseitcannotbemathematicallyproved:

itisasthoughweshouldadmitnothingastrue，orasawiseruleoflife，whichcouldever，inanypossibleway，becalledinquestion；orasthoughmostofouractionswerenotfullofuncertaintyandhazards。

(83)Iadmitthatthosewhobelievethattheologyandphilosophyaremutuallycontradictory，andthatthereforeeitheroneortheothermustbethrustfromitsthrone-Iadmit，Isay，thatsuchpersonsarenotunreasonableinattemptingtoputtheologyonafirmbasis，andtodemonstrateitstruthmathematically。(84)Who，unlessheweredesperateormad，wouldwishtobidanincontinentfarewelltoreason，ortodespisetheartsandsciences，ortodenyreason"scertitude?(85)But，inthemeanwhile，wecannotwhollyabsolvethemfromblame，inasmuchastheyinvoketheaidofreasonforherowndefeat，andattemptinfalliblytoproveherfallible。(86)Whiletheyaretryingtoprovemathematicallytheauthorityandtruthoftheology，andtotakeawaytheauthorityofnaturalreason，theyareinrealityonlybringingtheologyunderreason"sdominion，andprovingthatherauthorityhasnoweightunlessnaturalreasonbeatthebackofit。

(87)IftheyboastthattheythemselvesassentbecauseoftheinwardtestimonyoftheHolySpirit，andthattheyonlyinvoketheaidofreasonbecauseofunbelievers，inordertoconvincethem，notevensocanthismeetwithourapproval，forwecaneasilyshowthattheyhavespokeneitherfromemotionorvain-glory。(88)ItmostclearlyfollowsfromthelastchapterthattheHolySpiritonlygivesitstestimonyinfavourofworks，calledbyPaul(inGal。v:22)thefruitsoftheSpirit，andisinitselfreallynothingbutthementalacquiescencewhichfollowsagoodactioninoursouls。(89)Nospiritgivestestimonyconcerningthecertitudeofmatterswithinthesphereofspeculation，saveonlyreason，whoismistress，aswehaveshown，ofthewholerealmoftruth。(90)IfthentheyassertthattheypossessthisSpiritwhichmakesthemcertainoftruth，theyspeakfalsely，andaccordingtotheprejudicesoftheemotions，orelsetheyareingreatdreadlesttheyshouldbevanquishedbyphilosophersandexposedtopublicridicule，andthereforetheyflee，asitwere，tothealtar；buttheirrefugeisvain，forwhataltarwillshelteramanwhohasoutragedreason?

(91)However，Ipasssuchpersonsover，forIthinkIhavefulfilledmypurpose，andshownhowphilosophyshouldbeseparatedfromtheology，andwhereineachconsists；thatneithershouldbesubservienttotheother，butthateachshouldkeepherunopposeddominion。(92)Lastly，asoccasionoffered，Ihavepointedouttheabsurdities，theinconveniences，andtheevilsfollowingfromtheextraordinaryconfusionwhichhashithertoprevailedbetweenthetwosubjects，owingtotheirnotbeingproperlydistinguishedandseparated。(93)BeforeIgofurtherIwouldexpresslystate(thoughIhavesaiditbefore)thatIconsidertheutilityandtheneedforHolyScriptureorRevelationtobeverygreat。(94)Foraswecannotperceivebythenaturallightofreasonthatsimpleobedienceisthepathofsalvation[Endnote25]，andaretaughtbyrevelationonlythatitissobythespecialgraceofGod，whichourreasoncannotattain，itfollowsthattheBiblehasbroughtaverygreatconsolationtomankind。(95)Allareabletoobey，whereastherearebutveryfew，comparedwiththeaggregateofhumanity，whocanacquirethehabitofvirtueundertheunaidedguidanceofreason。(96)ThusifwehadnotthetestimonyofScripture，weshoulddoubtofthesalvationofnearlyallmen。

EndofPart3-ChaptersXItoXV。

AUTHOR"SENDNOTESTOTHETHEOLOGICO-POLITICALTREATISE

CHAPTERXI。

Endnote24。(1)"NowIthink。"(2)Thetranslatorsrenderthe{Greek}

word"Iinfer"，andassertthatPaulusesitassynonymouswith{aGreekword}。(3)Buttheformerwordhas，inGreek，thesamemeaningastheHebrewwordrenderedtothink，toesteem，tojudge。(4)AndthissignificationwouldbeinentireagreementwiththeSyriactranslation。(5)ThisSyriactranslation(ifitbeatranslation，whichisverydoubtful，forweknowneitherthetimeofitsappearance，northetranslatorsandSyriacwasthevernacularoftheApostles)rendersthetextbeforeusinawaywellexplainedbyTremelliusas"wethink，therefore。"

CHAPTERXV。

Endnote25。(1)"Thatsimpleobedienceisthepathofsalvation。"(2)

Inotherwords，itisenoughforsalvationorblessedness，thatweshouldembracetheDivinedecreesaslawsorcommands；thereisnoneedtoconceivethemaseternaltruths。(3)ThiscanbetaughtusbyRevelation，notReason，asappearsfromthedemonstrationsgiveninChapterIV。

EndofPartIII-ChaptersXItoXV。

EndofPartIII

ATheologico-PoliticalTreatise[PartIV]

byBenedictdeSpinozaAlsoknownasBaruchSpinozaTranslatedbyR。H。M。ElwesPartIVofIV-ChaptersXVItoXX

TABLEOFCONTENTS:Searchstringsareshownthus[16:x]。

Searchforwardandbackwiththesamestring。

[16:0]CHAPTERXVI-OftheFoundationsofaState；

oftheNaturalandCivilRightsofIndividuals；

andoftheRightsoftheSovereignPower。

[16:1]InNaturerightco-extensivewithpower。

[16:2]ThisprincipleappliestomankindinthestateofNature。

[16:3]Howatransitionfromthisstatetoacivilstateispossible。

[16:4]Subjectsnotslaves。

[16:5]Definitionofprivatecivilright-andwrong。

[16:6]Ofalliance。

[16:7]Oftreason。

[16:8]InwhatsensesovereignsareboundbyDivinelaw。

[16:9]Civilgovernmentnotinconsistentwithreligion。

[17:0]CHAPTERXVII-Itisshown，thatnoonecanorneedtransferallhisRightstotheSovereignPower。OftheHebrewRepublic，asitwasduringthelifetimeofMoses，andafterhisdeathtillthefoundationoftheMonarchy；

andofitsExcellence。Lastly，oftheCauseswhytheTheocraticRepublicfell，andwhyitcouldhardlyhavecontinuedwithoutDissension。

[17:1]Theabsolutetheory，ofSovereigntyideal-NoonecaninfacttransferallhisrightstotheSovereignpower。

Evidenceofthis。

[17:2]ThegreatestdangerinallStatesfromwithin，notwithout。

[17:3]OriginalindependenceoftheJewsaftertheExodus。

[17:4]ChangedfirsttoapuredemocraticTheocracy。

[17:5]ThentosubjectiontoMoses。

[17:6]ThentoaTheocracywiththepowerdividedbetweenthehighpriestandthecaptains。

[17:7]Thetribesconfederatestates。

[17:8]Restraintsonthecivilpower。

[17:9]Restraintsonthepeople。

[17:A]CausesofdecayinvolvedintheconstitutionoftheLeviticalpriesthood。

[18:0]CHAPTERXVIII-FromtheCommonwealthoftheHebrewsandtheirHistorycertainLessonsarededuced。

[18:1]TheHebrewconstitutionnolongerpossibleordesirable，yetlessonsmaybederivedfromitshistory。

[18:2]Asthedangerofentrustinganyauthorityinpoliticstoecclesiastics-thedangerofidentifyingreligionwithdogma。

[18:3]Thenecessityofkeepingalljudicialpowerwiththesovereign-thedangerofchangesintheformofaState。

[18:4]ThislastdangerillustratedfromthehistoryofEngland-ofRome。

[18:5]AndofHolland。

[19:0]CHAPTERXIX-ItisshownthattheRightoverMattersSpirituallieswhollywiththeSovereign，andthattheOutwardFormsofReligionshouldbeinaccordancewithPublicPeace，ifwewouldworshipGodaright。

[19:1]Differencebetweenexternalandinwardreligion。

[19:2]Positivelawestablishedonlybyagreement。

[19:3]Pietyfurtheredbypeaceandobedience。

[19:4]PositionoftheApostlesexceptional。

[19:5]WhyChristianStates，unliketheHebrew，sufferfromdisputesbetweenthecivilandecclesiasticalpowers。

[19:6]Absolutepowerinthingsspiritualofmodernrulers。

[20:0]CHAPTERXX-ThatinaFreeStateeverymanmayThinkwhatheLikes，andSaywhatheThinks。

[20:1]ThemindnotsubjecttoStateauthority。

[20:2]Thereforeingenerallanguageshouldnotbe。

[20:3]Amanwhodisapprovingofalaw，submitshisadverseopiniontothejudgmentoftheauthorities，whileactinginaccordancewiththelaw，deserveswelloftheState。

[20:4]Thatlibertyofopinionisbeneficial，shownfromthehistoryofAmsterdam。

[20:5]DangertotheStateofwithholdingit-

SubmissionoftheAuthortothejudgmentofhiscountry"srulers。

[Author"sEndnotes]totheTreatise。

[16:0]CHAPTERXVI-OFTHEFOUNDATIONSOFASTATE；OFTHE

NATURALANDCIVILRIGHTSOFINDIVIDUALS；ANDOFTHE

RIGHTSOFTHESOVEREIGNPOWER。

(1)Hithertoourcarehasbeentoseparatephilosophyfromtheology，andtoshowthefreedomofthoughtwhichsuchseparationinsurestoboth。(2)Itisnowtimetodeterminethelimitstowhichsuchfreedomofthoughtanddiscussionmayextenditselfintheidealstate。(3)ForthedueconsiderationofthisquestionwemustexaminethefoundationsofaState，firstturningourattentiontothenaturalrightsofindividuals，andafterwardstoreligionandthestateasawhole。

(16:4)Bytherightandordinanceofnature，Imerelymeanthosenaturallawswherewithweconceiveeveryindividualtobeconditionedbynature，soastoliveandactinagivenway。(5)Forinstance，fishesarenaturallyconditionedforswimming，andthegreaterfordevouringtheless；thereforefishesenjoythewater，andthegreaterdevourthelessbysovereignnaturalright。[16:1](6)Foritiscertainthatnature，takenintheabstract，hassovereignrighttodoanything，shecan；inotherwords，herrightisco-

extensivewithherpower。(7)ThepowerofnatureisthepowerofGod，whichhassovereignrightoverallthings；and，inasmuchasthepowerofnatureissimplytheaggregateofthepowersofallherindividualcomponents，itfollowsthatevery，individualhassovereignrighttodoallthathecan；inotherwords，therightsofanindividualextendtotheutmostlimitsofhispowerasithasbeenconditioned。(8)Nowitisthesovereignlawandrightofnaturethateachindividualshouldendeavourtopreserveitselfasitis，withoutregardtoanythingbutitself；thereforethissovereignlawandrightbelongstoeveryindividual，namely，toexistandactaccordingtoitsnaturalconditions。(9)Wedonothereacknowledgeanydifferencebetweenmankindandotherindividualnaturalentities，norbetweenmenendowedwithreasonandthosetowhomreasonisunknown；norbetweenfools，madmen，andsanemen。(10)Whatsoeveranindividualdoesbythelawsofitsnatureithasasovereignrighttodo，inasmuchasitactsasitwasconditionedbynature，andcannotactotherwise。[16:2](11)