a theologico-political treatise [part iv]-第7章
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not expressly told us。
（17：109） These preliminaries being stated； it is now time to inquire the
effects of forming a dominion on this plan； and to see whether it so
effectually kept within bounds both rulers and ruled； that the former were
never tyrannical and the latter never rebellious。
（17：110） Those who administer or possess governing power； always try to
surround their high…handed actions with a cloak of legality； and to persuade
the people that they act from good motives； this they are easily able to
effect when they are the sole interpreters of the law； for it is evident
that they are thus able to assume a far greater freedom to carry out their
wishes and desires than if the interpretation if the law is vested in
someone else； or if the laws were so self…evident that no one could be in
doubt as to their meaning。 ＇17：8＇ （111） We thus see that the power of evil…
doing was greatly curtailed for the Hebrew captains by the fact that the
whole interpretation of the law was vested in the Levites （Deut。 xxi：5）；
who； on their part； had no share in the government； and depended for all
their support and consideration on a correct interpretation of the laws
entrusted to them。 （112） Moreover； the whole people was commanded to come
together at a certain place every seven years and be instructed in the law
by the high…priest； further； each individual was bidden to read the book of
the law through and through continually with scrupulous care。 （Deut。 xxxi：9；
10； and vi：7。） （113） The captains were thus for their own sakes bound to
take great care to administer everything according to the laws laid down；
and well known to all； if they； wished to be held in high honour by； the
people； who would regard them as the administrators of God's dominion； and
as God's vicegerents； otherwise they could not have escaped all the
virulence of theological hatred。 （114） There was another very important
check on the unbridled license of the captains； in the fact； that the army
was formed from the whole body； of the citizens； between the ages of twenty
and sixty； without exception； and that the captains were not able to hire
any foreign soldiery。 （115） This I say was very； important； for it is well
known that princes can oppress their peoples with the single aid of
the soldiery in their pay； while there is nothing more formidable to them
than the freedom of citizen soldiers； who have established the freedom and
glory of their country； by their valour； their toil； and their blood。 （116）
Thus Alexander； when he was about to make wax on Darius； a second time；
after hearing the advice of Parmenio； did not chide him who gave the advice；
but Polysperchon； who was standing by。 （117） For； as Curtius says
（iv。 Para。 13）； he did not venture to reproach Parmenio again after having
shortly； before reproved him too sharply。 （118） This freedom of the
Macedonians； which he so dreaded； he was not able to subdue till after the
number of captives enlisted in the army； surpassed that of his own people：
then； but not till then； he gave rein to his anger so long checked by； the
independence of his chief fellow…countrymen。
（17：119） If this independence of citizen soldiers can restrain the princes
of ordinary states who are wont to usurp the whole glory of victories； it
must have been still more effectual against the Hebrew captains； whose
soldiers were fighting； not for the glory of a prince； but for the glory of
God； and who did not go forth to battle till the Divine assent had been
given。
（17：120） We must also remember that the Hebrew captains were associated only
by the bonds of religion： therefore； if any one of them had transgressed；
and begun to violate the Divine right； he might have been treated by the
rest as an enemy and lawfully subdued。
（17：121） An additional check may be found in the fear of a new prophet
arising； for if a man of unblemished life could show by certain signs that
he was really a prophet； he ipso facto obtained the sovereign right to rule；
which was given to him； as to Moses formerly； in the name of God； as
revealed to himself alone； not merely through the high priest； as in the
case of the captains。 （122） There is no doubt that such an one would easily
be able to enlist an oppressed people in his cause； and by trifling signs
persuade them of anything he wished： on the other hand； if affairs were well
ordered； the captain would be able to make provision in time； that the
prophet should be submitted to his approval； and be examined whether he were
really of unblemished life； and possessed indisputable signs of his mission：
also； whether the teaching he proposed to set forth in the name of the Lord
agreed with received doctrines； and the general laws of the country； if his
credentials were insufficient； or his doctrines new； he could lawfully be
put to death； or else received on the captain's sole responsibility and
authority。
（17：123） Again； the captains were not superior to the others in nobility or
birth； but only administered the government in virtue of their age and
personal qualities。 （124） Lastly； neither captains nor army had any reason
for preferring war to peace。 （125） The army； as we have stated； consisted
entirely of citizens； so that affairs were managed by the same persons both
in peace and war。 （126） The man who was a soldier in the camp was a citizen
in the market…place； he who was a leader in the camp was a judge in the law
courts； he who was a general in the camp was a ruler in the state。 （127）
Thus no one could desire war for its own sake； but only for the sake of
preserving peace and liberty； possibly the captains avoided change as far as
possible； so as not to be obliged to consult the high priest and submit to
the indignity of standing in his presence。
（17：128） So much for the precautions for keeping the captains within bounds。
＇17：9＇ （129） We must now look for the restraints upon the people： these；
however； are very clearly indicated in the very groundwork of the social
fabric。
（17：130） Anyone who gives the subject the slightest attention； will see that
the state was so ordered as to inspire the most ardent patriotism in the
hearts of the citizens； so that the latter would be very hard to persuade to
betray their country； and be ready to endure anything rather than
submit to a foreign yoke。 （131） After they had transferred their right
to God； they thought that their kingdom belonged to God； and that they
themselves were God's children。 （132） Other nations they looked upon as
God's enemies； and regarded with intense hatred （which they took
to be piety； see Psalm cxxxix：21； 22）： nothing would have been more
abhorrent to them than swearing allegiance to a foreigner； and promising him
obedience： nor could they conceive any greater or more execrable crime than
the betrayal of their country； the kingdom of the God whom they adored。
（17：133） It was considered wicked for anyone to settle outside of the
country； inasmuch as the worship of God by which they were bound could not
be carried on elsewhere： their own land alone was considered holy； the rest
of the earth unclean and profane。
（17：134） David； who was forced to live in exile； complained before Saul as
follows： 〃But if they be the children of men who have stirred thee up
against me； cursed be they before the Lord； for they have driven me out this
day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord； saying； Go； serve other
gods。〃 （I Sam。 xxvi：19。） （135） For the same reason no citizen； as we should
especially remark； was ever sent into exile： he who sinned was liable to
punishment； but not to disgrace。
（17：136） Thus the love of the Hebrews for their country was not only
patriotism； but also piety； and was cherished and nurtured bv daily rites
till； like their hatred of other nations； it must have passed into their
nature。 （137） Their daily worship was not only different from that of other
nations （as it might well be； considering that they were a peculiar people
and entirely apart from the rest）； it was absolutely contrary。 （138） Such
daily reprobation naturally gave rise to a lasting hatred； deeply implanted
in the heart： for of all hatreds none is more deep and tenacious than
that which springs from extreme devoutness or piety； and is itself cherished
as pious。 （139） Nor was a general cause lacking for inflaming such hatred
more and more； inasmuch as it was reciprocated； the surrounding nations
regarding the Jews with a hatred just as intense。
（17：140） How great was the effect of all these causes； namely； freedom from
man's dominion； devotion to their country； absolute rights over all
other men； a hatred not only permitted but pious； a contempt for their
fellow…men； the singularity of their customs and religious rites； the
effect； I repeat； of all these causes in strengthening the hearts of the
Jews to bear all things for their country； with extraordinary constancy and
valour； will at once be discerned by reason and attested by experience。
（141） Never； so long as the city was standing； could they endure to remain
under foreign dominion； and therefore they called Jerusalem 〃a rebellious
city〃 （Ezra iv：12）。 （142） Their state after its reestablishment （which was a
mere shadow of the first； for the high priests had usurped the rights of the
tribal captains） was； with great difficulty； destroyed by the Romans； as
Tacitus bears witness （Hist。 ii：4）：… 〃Vespasian had closed the war against
the Jews； abandoning the siege of Jerusalem as an enterprise difficult
and arduous rather from the character of the people and the obstinacy of
their superstition； than from the strength left to the besieged for meeting
their necessities。〃 （143） But besides these characteristics； which are
merely ascribed by an individual opinion； there was one feature
peculiar to this state and of great importance in retaining the affections
of the citizens； and checking all thoughts of desertion； or abandonment of
the country： namely； self…interest； the strength and life of all human
action。 （144） This was peculiarly engaged in the Hebrew state； for
nowhere else did citizens possess their goods so securely； as did the
subjects of this community； for the latter possessed as large a share in the
land and the fields as did their chiefs； and were owners of their plots of
ground in perpetuity； for if any man was compelled by poverty to sell his
farm or his pasture； he received it back again intact at the year of
jubilee： there were other similar enactments against the possibility of
alienating real property。
（17：145） Again； poverty w
