theologico-political treatise p3(ÉñѧÓëÕþÖÎרÌâÑо¿3)-µÚ8ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
love¡¡towards¡¡one's¡¡neighbour¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨56£©¡¡VI¡£¡¡That¡¡all¡¡those£»¡¡and¡¡those¡¡only£»¡¡who¡¡obey¡¡God¡¡by¡¡their¡¡manner¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡saved£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rest¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡mankind£»¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡live¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sway¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡
pleasures£»¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡lost¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨57£©¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡believe¡¡¡¡¡¡this£»¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡
reason¡¡for¡¡obeying¡¡God¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡pleasure¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨58£©¡¡VII¡£¡¡Lastly£»¡¡that¡¡God¡¡forgives¡¡the¡¡sins¡¡of¡¡those¡¡who¡¡repent¡£¡¡£¨59£©¡¡
No¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡free¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡sin£»¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡belief¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡despair¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
salvation£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡would¡¡be¡¡no¡¡reason¡¡for¡¡believing¡¡in¡¡the¡¡mercy¡¡of¡¡God¡£¡¡
£¨60£©¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡firmly¡¡¡¡believes¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡God£»¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mercy¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡grace¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
which¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡directs¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡things£»¡¡¡¡forgives¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sins¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡feels¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
love¡¡of¡¡God¡¡kindled¡¡thereby£»¡¡he£»¡¡I¡¡say£»¡¡does¡¡really£»¡¡know¡¡Christ¡¡according¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡Spirit£»¡¡and¡¡Christ¡¡is¡¡in¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨61£©¡¡¡¡¡¡No¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡deny¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡doctrines¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡things¡¡
necessary£»¡¡to¡¡be¡¡believed£»¡¡in¡¡order¡¡that¡¡every¡¡man£»¡¡without¡¡exception£»¡¡may¡¡
be¡¡able¡¡to¡¡obey¡¡God¡¡according¡¡to¡¡the¡¡bidding¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Law¡¡above¡¡explained£»¡¡
for¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡precepts¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡disregarded¡¡¡¡¡¡obedience¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡destroyed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨62£©¡¡
But¡¡as¡¡to¡¡what¡¡God£»¡¡or¡¡the¡¡Exemplar¡¡of¡¡the¡¡true¡¡life£»¡¡may¡¡be£»¡¡whether¡¡fire£»¡¡
or¡¡spirit£»¡¡or¡¡light£»¡¡or¡¡thought£»¡¡or¡¡what¡¡not£»¡¡this£»¡¡I¡¡say£»¡¡has¡¡nothing¡¡to¡¡do¡¡with¡¡
faith¡¡any¡¡more¡¡than¡¡has¡¡the¡¡question¡¡how¡¡He¡¡comes¡¡to¡¡be¡¡the¡¡Exemplar¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡true¡¡¡¡¡¡life£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡because¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡merciful¡¡¡¡¡¡mind£»¡¡¡¡or¡¡
because¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡things¡¡¡¡¡¡exist¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡act¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡Him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡consequently¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡
understand¡¡through¡¡Him£»¡¡and¡¡through¡¡Him¡¡see¡¡what¡¡is¡¡truly¡¡just¡¡and¡¡good¡£¡¡
£¨63£©¡¡Everyone¡¡may¡¡think¡¡on¡¡such¡¡questions¡¡as¡¡he¡¡likes£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨64£©¡¡¡¡¡¡Furthermore£»¡¡¡¡¡¡faith¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡affected£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡hold¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡
omnipresent¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡essentially¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡potentially£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡directs¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡things¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡
absolute¡¡fiat£»¡¡or¡¡by¡¡the¡¡necessity¡¡of¡¡His¡¡nature£»¡¡that¡¡He¡¡dictates¡¡laws¡¡like¡¡a¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡29¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡30¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡Theologico¡Political¡¡Treatise¡¡
prince£»¡¡or¡¡that¡¡He¡¡sets¡¡them¡¡forth¡¡as¡¡eternal¡¡truths£»¡¡that¡¡man¡¡obeys¡¡Him¡¡by¡¡
virtue¡¡of¡¡free¡¡will£»¡¡or¡¡by¡¡virtue¡¡of¡¡the¡¡necessity¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Divine¡¡decree£»¡¡lastly£»¡¡
that¡¡the¡¡reward¡¡of¡¡the¡¡good¡¡and¡¡the¡¡punishment¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wicked¡¡is¡¡natural¡¡or¡¡
supernatural£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡questions¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡bearing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡faith£»¡¡
except¡¡in¡¡so¡¡far¡¡as¡¡they¡¡are¡¡used¡¡as¡¡means¡¡to¡¡give¡¡us¡¡license¡¡to¡¡sin¡¡more£»¡¡or¡¡
to¡¡obey¡¡¡¡God¡¡less¡£¡¡¡¡£¨65£©¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡further£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡maintain¡¡that¡¡every¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡
bound¡¡to¡¡adapt¡¡these¡¡dogmas¡¡to¡¡his¡¡own¡¡way¡¡of¡¡thinking£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡interpret¡¡
them¡¡¡¡¡¡according¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡feels¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡fullest¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡
unhesitating¡¡¡¡¡¡assent£»¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡easily¡¡¡¡¡¡obey¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
whole¡¡heart¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨66£©¡¡Such¡¡was¡¡the¡¡manner£»¡¡as¡¡we¡¡have¡¡already¡¡pointed¡¡out£»¡¡in¡¡which¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡faith¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡revealed¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡written£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡accordance¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
understanding¡¡and¡¡opinions¡¡of¡¡the¡¡prophets¡¡and¡¡people¡¡of¡¡the¡¡period£»¡¡so£»¡¡in¡¡
like¡¡fashion£»¡¡every¡¡man¡¡is¡¡bound¡¡to¡¡adapt¡¡it¡¡to¡¡his¡¡own¡¡opinions£»¡¡so¡¡that¡¡he¡¡
may¡¡accept¡¡it¡¡without¡¡any¡¡hesitation¡¡or¡¡mental¡¡repugnance¡£¡¡£¨67£©¡¡We¡¡have¡¡
shown¡¡that¡¡faith¡¡does¡¡not¡¡so¡¡much¡¡re¡¡quire¡¡truth¡¡as¡¡piety£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡it¡¡is¡¡only¡¡
quickening¡¡and¡¡pious¡¡through¡¡obedience£»¡¡consequently¡¡no¡¡one¡¡is¡¡faithful¡¡
save¡¡by¡¡obedience¡¡alone¡£¡¡£¨68£©¡¡The¡¡best¡¡faith¡¡is¡¡not¡¡necessarily¡¡possessed¡¡
by¡¡him¡¡who¡¡displays¡¡the¡¡best¡¡reasons£»¡¡but¡¡by¡¡him¡¡who¡¡displays¡¡the¡¡best¡¡
fruits¡¡of¡¡justice¡¡and¡¡charity¡£¡¡£¨69£©¡¡How¡¡salutary¡¡and¡¡necessary¡¡this¡¡doctrine¡¡
is¡¡for¡¡a¡¡state£»¡¡in¡¡order¡¡that¡¡men¡¡may¡¡dwell¡¡together¡¡in¡¡peace¡¡and¡¡concord£»¡¡
and¡¡how¡¡many¡¡and¡¡how¡¡great¡¡causes¡¡of¡¡disturbance¡¡and¡¡crime¡¡are¡¡thereby¡¡
cut¡¡off£»¡¡I¡¡leave¡¡everyone¡¡to¡¡judge¡¡for¡¡himself£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨70£©¡¡¡¡¡¡Before¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡further£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡remark¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡can£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡means¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
what¡¡we¡¡have¡¡just¡¡proved£»¡¡easily¡¡answer¡¡the¡¡objections¡¡raised¡¡in¡¡Chap¡£¡¡I¡££»¡¡
when¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡discussing¡¡¡¡¡¡God's¡¡¡¡¡¡speaking¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Israelites¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡Mount¡¡
Sinai¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨71£©¡¡¡¡¡¡For£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Israelites¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡give¡¡
those¡¡men¡¡any¡¡philosophical¡¡or¡¡mathematical¡¡certitude¡¡of¡¡God's¡¡existence£»¡¡
it¡¡was¡¡yet¡¡sufficient¡¡to¡¡thrill¡¡them¡¡with¡¡admiration¡¡for¡¡God£»¡¡as¡¡they¡¡already¡¡
knew¡¡Him£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡stir¡¡them¡¡up¡¡to¡¡obedience£º¡¡and¡¡such¡¡was¡¡the¡¡object¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡display¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨72£©¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡wish¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡teach¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Israelites¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡absolute¡¡
attributes¡¡of¡¡His¡¡essence¡¡£¨none¡¡of¡¡which¡¡He¡¡then¡¡revealed£©£»¡¡but¡¡to¡¡break¡¡
down¡¡their¡¡hardness¡¡of¡¡heart£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡draw¡¡them¡¡to¡¡obedience£º¡¡therefore¡¡He¡¡
did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡appeal¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡reasons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sound¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡trumpets£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡30¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡31¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡Theologico¡Political¡¡Treatise¡¡
thunder£»¡¡and¡¡lightnings¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨73£©¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡remains¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡show¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡faith¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡theology£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
philosophy£»¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡is¡¡no¡¡connection£»¡¡nor¡¡¡¡¡¡affinity¡£¡¡¡¡£¨74£©¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡
dispute¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡who¡¡has¡¡knowledge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡aim¡¡and¡¡foundations¡¡of¡¡the¡¡two¡¡
subjects£»¡¡for¡¡they¡¡are¡¡as¡¡wide¡¡apart¡¡as¡¡the¡¡poles¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨75£©¡¡¡¡¡¡Philosophy¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡end¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡view¡¡¡¡¡¡save¡¡¡¡¡¡truth£º¡¡¡¡¡¡faith£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
abundantly¡¡proved£»¡¡looks¡¡for¡¡nothing¡¡but¡¡obedience¡¡and¡¡piety¡£¡¡£¨76£©¡¡Again£»¡¡
philosophy¡¡is¡¡based¡¡on¡¡axioms¡¡which¡¡must¡¡be¡¡sought¡¡from¡¡nature¡¡alone£º¡¡
faith¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡based¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡history¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡language£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡sought¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
Scripture¡¡and¡¡revelation£»¡¡as¡¡we¡¡showed¡¡in¡¡Chap¡£¡¡VII¡£¡¡£¨77£©¡¡Faith£»¡¡therefore£»¡¡
allows¡¡the¡¡greatest¡¡latitude¡¡in¡¡philosophic¡¡speculation£»¡¡allowing¡¡us¡¡without¡¡
blame¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡anything£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡condemning£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡
heretics¡¡and¡¡schismatics£»¡¡those¡¡who¡¡teach¡¡opinions¡¡which¡¡tend¡¡to¡¡produce¡¡
obstinacy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hatred£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡strife£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡anger£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡while£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hand£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡
considering¡¡as¡¡faithful¡¡those¡¡who¡¡persuade¡¡us£»¡¡as¡¡far¡¡as¡¡their¡¡reason¡¡and¡¡
faculties¡¡will¡¡permit£»¡¡to¡¡follow¡¡justice¡¡and¡¡charity¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨78£©¡¡Lastly£»¡¡as¡¡what¡¡we¡¡are¡¡now¡¡setting¡¡forth¡¡are¡¡the¡¡most¡¡important¡¡
subjects¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡treatise£»¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡urgently¡¡¡¡¡¡beg¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡reader£»¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
proceed£»¡¡to¡¡read¡¡these¡¡two¡¡chapters¡¡with¡¡especial¡¡attention£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡take¡¡the¡¡
trouble¡¡to¡¡weigh¡¡them¡¡well¡¡in¡¡his¡¡mind£º¡¡let¡¡him¡¡take¡¡for¡¡granted¡¡that¡¡I¡¡have¡¡
not¡¡written¡¡with¡¡a¡¡view¡¡to¡¡introducing¡¡novelties£»¡¡but¡¡in¡¡order¡¡to¡¡do¡¡away¡¡
with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡abuses£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡hope¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡may£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡future¡¡¡¡¡¡time£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡
reformed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡31¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡32¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡Theologico¡Political¡¡Treatise¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡XV¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THEOLOGY¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IS¡¡¡¡¡¡SHOWN¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡NOT¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TO¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡BE¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡SUBSERVIENT¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TO¡¡
REASON£»¡¡¡¡¡¡NOR¡¡¡¡¡¡REASON¡¡¡¡¡¡TO¡¡¡¡¡¡THEOLOGY£º¡¡A¡¡¡¡DEFINITION¡¡¡¡¡¡OF¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡
REASON¡¡WHICH¡¡ENABLES¡¡US¡¡TO¡¡ACCEPT¡¡THE¡¡AUTHORITY¡¡OF¡¡
THE¡¡BIBLE¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨1£©¡¡¡¡¡¡Those¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡philosophy¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡reason¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡distinct£»¡¡
dispute¡¡whether¡¡Scripture¡¡should¡¡be¡¡made¡¡subservient¡¡to¡¡reason£»¡¡or¡¡reason¡¡
to¡¡Scripture£º¡¡that¡¡is£»¡¡whether¡¡the¡¡meaning¡¡of¡¡Scripture¡¡should¡¡be¡¡made¡¡to¡¡
agreed¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡reason£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡reason¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡agree¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
Scripture£º¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡latter¡¡¡¡¡¡position¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡assumed¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sceptics¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡deny¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
certitude¡¡of¡¡reason£»¡¡the¡¡former¡¡by¡¡the¡¡dogmatists¡£¡¡£¨2£©¡¡Both¡¡parties¡¡are£»¡¡as¡¡I¡¡
have¡¡shown£»¡¡utterly¡¡in¡¡the¡¡wrong£»¡¡for¡¡either¡¡doctrine¡¡would¡¡require¡¡us¡¡to¡¡
tamper¡¡with¡¡reason¡¡or¡¡with¡¡Scripture¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨3£©¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡shown¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡Scripture¡¡¡¡¡¡does¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡teach¡¡¡¡¡¡philosophy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡
merely¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡obedience£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡contains¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡adapted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡
understanding¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡established¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡opinions¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡multitude¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨4£©¡¡¡¡¡¡Those£»¡¡
therefore£»¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡wish¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡adapt¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡philosophy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡needs¡¡¡¡¡¡ascribe¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡
prophets¡¡¡¡¡¡many¡¡¡¡¡¡ideas¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡dreamed¡¡¡¡¡¡of£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡
extremely¡¡¡¡¡¡forced¡¡¡¡¡¡interpretation¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡words£º¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡hand£»¡¡
who¡¡would¡¡make¡¡reason¡¡and¡¡philosophy¡¡subservient¡¡to¡¡theology£»¡¡will¡¡be¡¡
forced¡¡to¡¡accept¡¡as¡¡Divine¡¡utterances¡¡the¡¡prejudices¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ancient¡¡Jews£»¡¡
and¡¡to¡¡fill¡¡and¡¡confuse¡¡their¡¡mind¡¡therewith¡£¡¡£¨5£©¡¡In¡¡short£»¡¡one¡¡party¡¡will¡¡run¡¡
wild¡¡with¡¡the¡¡aid¡¡of¡¡reason£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡other¡¡will¡¡run¡¡wild¡¡without¡¡the¡¡aid¡¡of¡¡
reason¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨6£©¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡among¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Pharisees¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡openly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡maintained¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
Scripture¡¡should¡¡be¡¡made¡¡to¡¡agree¡¡with¡¡reason£»¡¡was¡¡Maimonides£»¡¡whose¡¡
opinion¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡reviewed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡abundantly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡refuted¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡Chap¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡VIII¡££º¡¡¡¡¡¡now£»¡¡
although¡¡this¡¡writer¡¡had¡¡much¡¡authority¡¡among¡¡his¡¡contemporaries£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡
deserted¡¡on¡¡this¡¡question¡¡by¡¡almost¡¡all£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡majority¡¡went¡¡straight¡¡over¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡opinion¡¡of¡¡a¡¡certain¡¡R¡£¡¡Jehuda¡¡Alpakhar£»¡¡who£»¡¡in¡¡his¡¡anxiety¡¡to¡¡avoid¡¡
the¡¡error¡¡of¡¡Maimonides£»¡¡fell¡¡into¡¡another£»¡¡which¡¡was¡¡its¡¡exact¡¡contrary¡£¡¡£¨7£©¡¡
He¡¡held¡¡that¡¡reason¡¡should¡¡be¡¡made¡¡subservient£»¡¡and¡¡entirely¡¡give¡¡way¡¡to¡¡
Scripture¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨8£©¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡passage¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡interpreted¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡32¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡33¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡Theologico¡Political¡¡Treatise¡¡
metaphorically£»¡¡simply¡¡because¡¡it¡¡was¡¡repugnant¡¡to¡¡reason£»¡¡but¡¡only¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
cases¡¡when¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡inconsistent¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡Scripture¡¡itself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡is£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡clear¡¡
doctrines¡£¡¡£¨9£©¡¡Therefore¡¡he¡¡laid¡¡down¡¡the¡¡universal¡¡rule£»¡¡that¡¡whatsoever¡¡
Scripture¡¡¡¡¡¡teaches¡¡¡¡¡¡dogmatically£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡affirms¡¡¡¡¡¡expressly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡
sole¡¡authority¡¡be¡¡admitted¡¡as¡¡absolutely¡¡true£º¡¡that¡¡there¡¡is¡¡no¡¡doctrine¡¡in¡¡
the¡¡Bible¡¡which¡¡directly¡¡contradicts¡¡the¡¡general¡¡tenour¡¡of¡¡the¡¡whole£º¡¡but¡¡
only¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡appear¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡involve¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡difference£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡phrases¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
Scripture¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡often¡¡¡¡¡¡seem¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡imply¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡contrary¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡
expressly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡taught¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨10£©¡¡¡¡¡¡Such¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡phrases£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡phrases¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡only£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡
interpret¡¡metaphorically¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨11£©¡¡For¡¡instance£»¡¡Scripture¡¡clearly¡¡teaches¡¡the¡¡unity¡¡of¡¡God¡¡£¨see¡¡Deut¡£¡¡
vi£º4£©£»¡¡nor¡¡is¡¡there¡¡any¡¡text¡¡distinctly¡¡asserting¡¡a¡¡plurality¡¡of¡¡gods£»¡¡but¡¡in¡¡
several¡¡passages¡¡God¡¡speaks¡¡of¡¡Himself£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡prophets¡¡speak¡¡of¡¡Him£»¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡plural¡¡number£»¡¡such¡¡phrases¡¡are¡¡simply¡¡a¡¡manner¡¡of¡¡speaking£»¡¡and¡¡
do¡¡not¡¡mean¡¡that¡¡there¡¡actually¡¡are¡¡several¡¡gods£º¡¡they¡¡are¡¡to¡¡be¡¡explained¡¡
metaphorically£»¡¡not¡¡because¡¡a¡¡plurality¡¡of¡¡gods¡¡is¡¡repugnant¡¡to¡¡reason£»¡¡but¡¡
because¡¡Scripture¡¡distinctly¡¡asserts¡¡that¡¡there¡¡is¡¡only¡¡one¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨12£©¡¡So£»¡¡again£»¡¡as¡¡Scripture¡¡asserts¡¡£¨as¡¡Alpakhar¡¡thinks£©¡¡in¡¡Deut¡£¡¡iv£º15£»¡¡
that¡¡