neglectedtodoso，andputthequestiononaregularbasis，Imightjustlybesaidtohavepromisedtoolavishly，forthatanyonemight，bymyshowing，introduceanydoctrinehelikedintoreligion，underthepretextthatitwasanecessarymeanstoobedience:especiallywouldthisbethecaseinquestionsrespectingtheDivineattributes。
23Inorder，therefore，tosetforththewholemattermethodically，Iwillbeginwithadefinitionoffaith，whichontheprincipleabovegiven，shouldbeasfollows:-
24FaithconsistsinaknowledgeofGod，withoutwhichobediencetoHimwouldbeimpossible，andwhichthemerefactofobediencetoHimimplies。
25Thisdefinitionissoclear，andfollowssoplainlyfromwhatwehavealreadyproved，thatitneedsnoexplanation。26TheconsequencesinvolvedthereinIwillnowbrieflyshow。
27I。Faithisnotsalutaryinitself，butonlyinrespecttotheobedienceitimplies，orasJamesputsitinhisEpistle，ii:17，"Faithwithoutworksisdead"seethewholeofthechapterquoted。
28II。Hewhoistrulyobedientnecessarilypossessestrueandsavingfaith；forifobediencebegranted，faithmustbegrantedalso，asthesameApostleexpresslysaysinthesewordsii:18，"Showmethyfaithwithoutthyworks，andIwillshowtheemyfaithbymyworks。"29SoalsoJohn，IEp。iv:7:"EveryonethatlovethisbornofGod，andknowethGod:hethatlovethnot，knowethnotGod；forGodislove。"30Fromthesetexts，Irepeat，itfollowsthatwecanonlyjudgeamanfaithfulorunfaithfulbyhisworks。31Ifhisworksbegood，heisfaithful，howevermuchhisdoctrinesmaydifferfromthoseoftherestofthefaithful:ifhisworksbeevil，thoughhemayverballyconform，heisunfaithful。32Forobedienceimpliesfaith，andfaithwithoutworksisdead。
33John，inthe13thverseofthechapterabovequoted，expresslyteachesthesamedoctrine:"Hereby，"hesays，"knowwethatwedwellinHimandHeinus，becauseHehathgivenusofHisSpirit，"i。e。love。34HehadsaidbeforethatGodislove，andthereforeheconcludesonhisownreceivedprinciples，thatwhosopossesseslovepossessestrulytheSpiritofGod。
35AsnoonehasbeheldGodheinfersthatnoonehasknowledgeorconsciousnessofGod，exceptfromlovetowardshisneighbour，andalsothatnoonecanhaveknowledgeofanyofGod'sattributes，exceptthisoflove，insofarasweparticipatetherein。
36Iftheseargumentsarenotconclusive，they，atanyrate，showtheApostle'smeaning，butthewordsinchap。ii:3，4，ofthesameEpistlearemuchclearer，fortheystateinsomanywordsourprecisecontention:"AndherebywedoknowthatweknowHim，ifwekeepHiscommandments。37Hethatsaith，IknowHim，andkeepethnotHiscommandments，isaliar，andthetruthisnotinhim。"
38Fromallthis，Irepeat，itfollowsthattheyarethetrueenemiesofChristwhopersecutehonourableandjustice-lovingmenbecausetheydifferfromthem，anddonotupholdthesamereligiousdogmasasthemselves:forwhosoeverlovesjusticeandcharityweknow，bythatveryfact，tobefaithful:whosoeverpersecutesthefaithful，isanenemytoChrist。
39Lastly，itfollowsthatfaithdoesnotdemandthatdogmasshouldbetrueasthattheyshouldbepious-thatis，suchaswillstirupthehearttoobey；thoughtherebemanysuchwhichcontainnotashadowoftruth，solongastheybeheldingoodfaith，otherwisetheiradherentsaredisobedient，forhowcananyone，desirousoflovingjusticeandobeyingGod，adoreasDivinewhatheknowstobealienfromtheDivinenature?40
However，menmayerrfromsimplicityofmind，andScripture，aswehaveseen，doesnotcondemnignorance，butobstinacy。41Thisisthenecessaryresultofourdefinitionoffaith，andallitsbranchesshouldspringfromtheuniversalruleabovegiven，andfromtheevidentaimandobjectoftheBible，unlesswechoosetomixourowninventionstherewith。42ThusitisnottruedoctrineswhichareexpresslyrequiredbytheBible，somuchasdoctrinesnecessaryforobedience，andtoconfirminourheartstheloveofourneighbour，whereintoadoptthewordsofJohnweareinGod，andGodinus。
43As，then，eachman'sfaithmustbejudgedpiousorimpiousonlyinrespectofitsproducingobedienceorobstinacy，andnotinrespectofitstruth；andasnoonewilldisputethatmen'sdispositionsareexceedinglyvaried，thatalldonotacquiesceinthesamethings，butareruledsomebyoneopinionsomebyanother，sothatwhatmovesonetodevotionmovesanothertolaughterandcontempt，itfollowsthattherecanbenodoctrinesintheCatholic，oruniversal，religion，whichcangiverisetocontroversyamonggoodmen。44Suchdoctrinesmightbepioustosomeandimpioustoothers，whereastheyshouldbejudgedsolelybytheirfruits。
45Totheuniversalreligion，then，belongonlysuchdogmasasareabsolutelyrequiredinordertoattainobediencetoGod，andwithoutwhichsuchobediencewouldbeimpossible；asfortherest，eachman-seeingthatheisthebestjudgeofhisowncharactershouldadoptwhateverhethinksbestadaptedtostrengthenhisloveofjustice。46Ifthiswereso，I
thinktherewouldbenofurtheroccasionforcontroversiesintheChurch。
47IhavenownofurtherfearinenumeratingthedogmasofuniversalfaithorthefundamentaldogmasofthewholeofScripture，inasmuchastheyalltendasmaybeseenfromwhathasbeensaidtothisonedoctrine，namely，thatthereexistsaGod，thatis，aSupremeBeing，Wholovesjusticeandcharity，andWhomustbeobeyedbywhosoeverwouldbesaved；thattheworshipofthisBeingconsistsinthepracticeofjusticeandlovetowardsone'sneighbour，andthattheycontainnothingbeyondthefollowingdoctrines:-
48I。ThatGodoraSupremeBeingexists，sovereignlyjustandmerciful，theExemplarofthetruelife；thatwhosoeverisignorantofordisbelievesinHisexistencecannotobeyHimorknowHimasaJudge。
49II。ThatHeisOne。50Nobodywilldisputethatthisdoctrineisabsolutelynecessaryforentiredevotion，admiration，andlovetowardsGod。
51Fordevotion，admiration，andlovespringfromthesuperiorityofoneoverallelse。
52III。ThatHeisomnipresent，orthatallthingsareopentoHim，forifanythingcouldbesupposedtobeconcealedfromHim，ortobeunnoticedby，Him，wemightdoubtorbeignorantoftheequityofHisjudgmentasdirectingallthings。
53IV。ThatHehassupremerightanddominionoverallthings，andthatHedoesnothingundercompulsion，butbyHisabsolutefiatandgrace。54AllthingsareboundtoobeyHim，Heisnotboundtoobeyany。
55V。ThattheworshipofGodconsistsonlyinjusticeandcharity，orlovetowardsone'sneighbour。
56VI。Thatallthose，andthoseonly，whoobeyGodbytheirmanneroflifearesaved；therestofmankind，wholiveundertheswayoftheirpleasures，arelost。57Ifwedidnotbelievethis，therewouldbenoreasonforobeyingGodratherthanpleasure。
58VII。Lastly，thatGodforgivesthesinsofthosewhorepent。59Nooneisfreefromsin，sothatwithoutthisbeliefallwoulddespairofsalvation，andtherewouldbenoreasonforbelievinginthemercyofGod。
60HewhofirmlybelievesthatGod，outofthemercyandgracewithwhichHedirectsallthings，forgivesthesinsofmen，andwhofeelshisloveofGodkindledthereby，he，Isay，doesreally，knowChristaccordingtotheSpirit，andChristisinhim。
61Noonecandenythatallthesedoctrinesarebeforeallthingsnecessary，tobebelieved，inorderthateveryman，withoutexception，maybeabletoobeyGodaccordingtothebiddingoftheLawaboveexplained，forifoneofthesepreceptsbedisregardedobedienceisdestroyed。
62ButastowhatGod，ortheExemplarofthetruelife，maybe，whetherfire，orspirit，orlight，orthought，orwhatnot，this，Isay，hasnothingtodowithfaithanymorethanhasthequestionhowHecomestobetheExemplarofthetruelife，whetheritbebecauseHehasajustandmercifulmind，orbecauseallthingsexistandactthroughHim，andconsequentlythatweunderstandthroughHim，andthroughHimseewhatistrulyjustandgood。63Everyonemaythinkonsuchquestionsashelikes，64Furthermore，faithisnotaffected，whetherweholdthatGodisomnipresentessentiallyorpotentially；thatHedirectsallthingsbyabsolutefiat，orbythenecessityofHisnature；thatHedictateslawslikeaprince，orthatHesetsthemforthaseternaltruths；thatmanobeysHimbyvirtueoffreewill，orbyvirtueofthenecessityoftheDivinedecree；
lastly，thattherewardofthegoodandthepunishmentofthewickedisnaturalorsupernatural:theseandsuchlikequestionshavenobearingonfaith，exceptinsofarastheyareusedasmeanstogiveuslicensetosinmore，ortoobeyGodless。65Iwillgofurther，andmaintainthateverymanisboundtoadaptthesedogmastohisownwayofthinking，andtointerpretthemaccordingashefeelsthathecangivethemhisfullestandmostunhesitatingassent，sothathemaythemoreeasilyobeyGodwithhiswholeheart。
66Suchwasthemanner，aswehavealreadypointedout，inwhichthefaithwasinoldtimerevealedandwritten，inaccordancewiththeunderstandingandopinionsoftheprophetsandpeopleoftheperiod；so，inlikefashion，everymanisboundtoadaptittohisownopinions，sothathemayacceptitwithoutanyhesitationormentalrepugnance。67Wehaveshownthatfaithdoesnotsomuchrequiretruthaspiety，andthatitisonlyquickeningandpiousthroughobedience，consequentlynooneisfaithfulsavebyobediencealone。68Thebestfaithisnotnecessarilypossessedbyhimwhodisplaysthebestreasons，butbyhimwhodisplaysthebestfruitsofjusticeandcharity。69Howsalutaryandnecessarythisdoctrineisforastate，inorderthatmenmaydwelltogetherinpeaceandconcord；andhowmanyandhowgreatcausesofdisturbanceandcrimearetherebycutoff，Ileaveeveryonetojudgeforhimself!
70Beforewegofurther，Imayremarkthatwecan，bymeansofwhatwehavejustproved，easilyanswertheobjectionsraisedinChap。I。，whenwewerediscussingGod'sspeakingwiththeIsraelitesonMountSinai。71For，thoughthevoiceheardbytheIsraelitescouldnotgivethosemenanyphilosophicalormathematicalcertitudeofGod'sexistence，itwasyetsufficienttothrillthemwithadmirationforGod，astheyalreadyknewHim，andtostirthemuptoobedience:andsuchwastheobjectofthedisplay。
72GoddidnotwishtoteachtheIsraelitestheabsoluteattributesofHisessencenoneofwhichHethenrevealed，buttobreakdowntheirhardnessofheart，andtodrawthemtoobedience:thereforeHedidnotappealtothemwithreasons，butwiththesoundoftrumpets，thunder，andlightnings。
73Itremainsformetoshowthatbetweenfaithortheology，andphilosophy，thereisnoconnection，noraffinity。74Ithinknoonewilldisputethefactwhohasknowledgeoftheaimandfoundationsofthetwosubjects，fortheyareaswideapartasthepoles。
75Philosophyhasnoendinviewsavetruth:faith，aswehaveabundantlyproved，looksfornothingbutobedienceandpiety。76Again，philosophyisbasedonaxiomswhichmustbesoughtfromnaturealone:faithisbasedonhistoryandlanguage，andmustbesoughtforonlyinScriptureandrevelation，asweshowedinChap。VII。77Faith，therefore，allowsthegreatestlatitudeinphilosophicspeculation，allowinguswithoutblametothinkwhatwelikeaboutanything，andonlycondemning，ashereticsandschismatics，thosewhoteachopinionswhichtendtoproduceobstinacy，hatred，strife，andanger；while，ontheotherhand，onlyconsideringasfaithfulthosewhopersuadeus，asfarastheirreasonandfacultieswillpermit，tofollowjusticeandcharity。
78Lastly，aswhatwearenowsettingfortharethemostimportantsubjectsofmytreatise，Iwouldmosturgentlybegthereader，beforeI
proceed，toreadthesetwochapterswithespecialattention，andtotakethetroubletoweighthemwellinhismind:lethimtakeforgrantedthatI
havenotwrittenwithaviewtointroducingnovelties，butinordertodoawaywithabuses，suchasIhopeImay，atsomefuturetime，atlastseereformed。
CHAPTERXV-THEOLOGYISSHOWNNOTTOBESUBSERVIENTTOREASON，NORREASONTOTHEOLOGY:ADEFINITIONOFTHEREASONWHICH
ENABLESUSTOACCEPTTHEAUTHORITYOFTHEBIBLE。
1Thosewhoknownotthatphilosophyandreasonaredistinct，disputewhetherScriptureshouldbemadesubservienttoreason，orreasontoScripture:thatis，whetherthemeaningofScriptureshouldbemadetoagreedwithreason；orwhetherreasonshouldbemadetoagreewithScripture:thelatterpositionisassumedbythescepticswhodenythecertitudeofreason，theformerbythedogmatists。2Bothpartiesare，asIhaveshown，utterlyinthewrong，foreitherdoctrinewouldrequireustotamperwithreasonorwithScripture。
3WehaveshownthatScripturedoesnotteachphilosophy，butmerelyobedience，andthatallitcontainshasbeenadaptedtotheunderstandingandestablishedopinionsofthemultitude。4Those，therefore，whowishtoadaptittophilosophy，mustneedsascribetotheprophetsmanyideaswhichtheyneverevendreamedof，andgiveanextremelyforcedinterpretationtotheirwords:thoseontheotherhand，whowouldmakereasonandphilosophysubservienttotheology，willbeforcedtoacceptasDivineutterancestheprejudicesoftheancientJews，andtofillandconfusetheirmindtherewith。5Inshort，onepartywillrunwildwiththeaidofreason，andtheotherwillrunwildwithouttheaidofreason。
6ThefirstamongthePhariseeswhoopenlymaintainedthatScriptureshouldbemadetoagreewithreason，wasMaimonides，whoseopinionwereviewed，andabundantlyrefutedinChap。VIII。:now，althoughthiswriterhadmuchauthorityamonghiscontemporaries，hewasdesertedonthisquestionbyalmostall，andthemajoritywentstraightovertotheopinionofacertainR。JehudaAlpakhar，who，inhisanxietytoavoidtheerrorofMaimonides，fellintoanother，whichwasitsexactcontrary。7Heheldthatreasonshouldbemadesubservient，andentirelygivewaytoScripture。8Hethoughtthatapassageshouldnotbeinterpretedmetaphorically，simplybecauseitwasrepugnanttoreason，butonlyinthecaseswhenitisinconsistentwithScriptureitself-thatis，withitscleardoctrines。9Thereforehelaiddowntheuniversalrule，thatwhatsoeverScriptureteachesdogmatically，andaffirmsexpressly，mustonitsownsoleauthoritybeadmittedasabsolutelytrue:thatthereisnodoctrineintheBiblewhichdirectlycontradictsthegeneraltenourofthewhole:butonlysomewhichappeartoinvolveadifference，forthephrasesofScriptureoftenseemtoimplysomethingcontrarytowhathasbeenexpresslytaught。10Suchphrases，andsuchphrasesonly，wemayinterpretmetaphorically。
11Forinstance，ScriptureclearlyteachestheunityofGodseeDeut。
vi:4，noristhereanytextdistinctlyassertingapluralityofgods；butinseveralpassagesGodspeaksofHimself，andtheprophetsspeakofHim，inthepluralnumber；suchphrasesaresimplyamannerofspeaking，anddonotmeanthatthereactuallyareseveralgods:theyaretobeexplainedmetaphorically，notbecauseapluralityofgodsisrepugnanttoreason，butbecauseScripturedistinctlyassertsthatthereisonlyone。
12So，again，asScriptureassertsasAlpakharthinksinDeut。iv:15，thatGodisincorporeal，wearebound，solelybytheauthorityofthistext，andnotbyreason，tobelievethatGodhasnobody:consequentlywemustexplainmetaphorically，onthesoleauthorityofScripture，allthosepassageswhichattributetoGodhands，feet，&c。，andtakethemmerelyasfiguresofspeech。13SuchistheopinionofAlpakhar。InsofarasheseekstoexplainScripturebyScripture，Ipraisehim，butImarvelthatamangiftedwithreasonshouldwishtodebasethatfaculty。14ItistruethatScriptureshouldbeexplainedbyScripture，solongasweareindifficultiesaboutthemeaningandintentionoftheprophets
butwhenwehaveelicitedthetruemeaning，wemustofnecessitymakeuseofourjudgmentandreasoninordertoassentthereto。15Ifreason，however，muchassherebels，istobeentirelysubjectedtoScripture，Iask，arewetoeffecthersubmissionbyherownaid，orwithouther，andblindly?16Ifthelatter，weshallsurelyactfoolishlyandinjudiciously；iftheformer，weassenttoScriptureunderthedominionofreason，andshouldnotassenttoitwithouther。17Moreover，Imayasknow，isamantoassenttoanythingagainsthisreason?18Whatisdenialifitbenotreason'srefusaltoassent?19Inshort，Iamastonishedthatanyoneshouldwishtosubjectreason，thegreatestofgiftsandalightfromonhigh，tothedeadletterwhichmayhavebeencorruptedbyhumanmalice；
thatitshouldbethoughtnocrimetospeakwithcontemptofmind，thetruehandwritingofGod'sWord，callingitcorrupt，blind，andlost，whileitisconsideredthegreatestofcrimestosaythesameoftheletter，whichismerelythereflectionandimageofGod'sWord。20Menthinkitpioustotrustnothingtoreasonandtheirownjudgment，andimpioustodoubtthefaithofthosewhohavetransmittedtousthesacredbooks。21Suchconductisnotpiety，butmerefolly。And，afterall，whyaretheysoanxious?Whataretheyafraidof?22Dotheythinkthatfaithandreligioncannotbeupheldunless-menpurposelykeepthemselvesinignorance，andturntheirbacksonreason?23Ifthisbeso，theyhavebutatimidtrustinScripture。
23However，beitfarfrommetosaythatreligionshouldseektoenslavereason，orreasonreligion，orthatbothshouldnotbeabletokeeptheirsovereignityinperfectharmony。24Iwillreverttothisquestionpresently，forIwishnowtodiscussAlpakhar'srule。
26Herequires，aswehavestated，thatweshouldacceptastrue，orrejectasfalse，everythingassertedordeniedbyScripture，andhefurtherstatesthatScriptureneverexpresslyassertsordeniesanythingwhichcontradictsitsassertionsornegationselsewhere。27Therashnessofsucharequirementandstatementcanescapenoone。28ForpassingoverthefactthathedoesnotnoticethatScriptureconsistsofdifferentbooks，writtenatdifferenttimes，fordifferentpeople，bydifferentauthors:andalsothathisrequirementismadeonhisownauthoritywithoutanycorroborationfromreasonorScripturehewouldbeboundtoshowthatallpassageswhichareindirectlycontradictoryoftherest，canbesatisfactorilyexplainedmetaphoricallythroughthenatureofthelanguageandthecontext:further，thatScripturehascomedowntousuntamperedwith。29However，wewillgointothematteratlength。
30Firstly，Iaskwhatshallwedoifreasonproverecalcitrant?31
ShallwestillbeboundtoaffirmwhateverScriptureaffirms，andtodenywhateverScripturedenies?32PerhapsitwillbeansweredthatScripturecontainsnothingrepugnanttoreason。33ButIinsist!hatitexpresslyaffirmsandteachesthatGodisjealousnamely，inthedecalogueitself，andinExod。xxxiv:14，andinDeut。iv:24，andinmanyotherplaces，andI
assertthatsuchadoctrineisrepugnanttoreason。34Itmust，Isuppose，inspiteofall，beacceptedastrue。IfthereareanypassagesinScripturewhichimplythatGodisnotjealous，theymustbetakenmetaphoricallyasmeaningnothingofthekind。35So，also，ScriptureexpresslystatesExod。xix:20，&c。thatGodcamedowntoMountSinai，anditattributestoHimothermovementsfromplacetoplace，nowheredirectlystatingthatGoddoesnotsomove。36Wherefore，wemusttakethepassageliterally，andSolomon'swordsIKingsviii:27，"ButwillGoddwellontheearth?37Beholdtheheavensandearthcannotcontainthee，"
inasmuchastheydonotexpresslystatethatGoddoesnotmovefromplacetoplace，butonlyimplyit，mustbeexplainedawaytilltheyhavenofurthersemblanceofdenyinglocomotiontotheDeity。38SoalsowemustbelievethattheskyisthehabitationandthroneofGod，forScriptureexpresslysaysso；andsimilarlymanypassagesexpressingtheopinionsoftheprophetsorthemultitude，whichreasonandphilosophy，butnotScripture，tellustobefalse，mustbetakenastrueifweareiofollowtheguidanceofourauthor，foraccordingtohim，reasonhasnothingtodowiththematter。39
Further，itisuntruethatScripturenevercontradictsitselfdirectly，butonlybyimplication。40ForMosessays，insomanywordsDeut。iv:24，"TheLordthyGodisaconsumingfire，"andelsewhereexpresslydeniesthatGodhasanylikenesstovisiblethings。Deut。iv。12。41Ifitbedecidedthatthelatterpassageonlycontradictstheformerbyimplication，andmustbeadaptedthereto，lestitseemtonegativeit，letusgrantthatGodisafire；orrather，lestweshouldseemtohavetakenleaveofoursenses，letuspassthematteroverandtakeanotherexample。
42SamuelexpresslydeniesthatGodeverrepents，"forheisnotamanthatheshouldrepent"ISam。xv:29。43Jeremiah，ontheotherhand，assertsthatGoddoesrepent，bothoftheevilandofthegoodwhichHehadintendedtodoJer。xviii:8-10。44What?45Arenotthesetwotextsdirectlycontradictory?46Whichofthetwo，then，wouldourauthorwanttoexplainmetaphorically?47Bothstatementsaregeneral，andeachistheoppositeoftheother-whatoneflatlyaffirms，theotherflatly，denies。48So，byhisownrule，hewouldbeobligedatoncetorejectthemasfalse，andtoacceptthemastrue。
49Again，whatisthepointofonepassage，notbeingcontradictedbyanotherdirectly，butonlybyimplication，iftheimplicationisclear，andthenatureandcontextofthepassageprecludemetaphoricalinterpretation?
50TherearemanysuchinstancesintheBible，aswesawinChap。II。
wherewepointedoutthattheprophetshelddifferentandcontradictoryopinions，andalsoinChaps。IX。andX。，wherewedrewattentiontothecontradictionsinthehistoricalnarratives。51Thereisnoneedformetogothroughthemallagain，forwhatIhavesaidsufficientlyexposestheabsurditieswhichwouldfollowfromanopinionandrulesuchaswearediscussing，andshowsthehastinessofitspropounder。
52Wemay，therefore，putthistheory，aswellasthatofMaimonides，entirelyoutofcourt；andwemay，takeitforindisputablethattheologyisnotboundtoservereason，norreasontheology，butthateachhasherowndomain。
53Thesphereofreasonis，aswehavesaid，truthandwisdom；thesphereoftheology，ispietyandobedience。54Thepowerofreasondoesnotextendsofarastodetermineforusthatmenmaybeblessedthroughsimpleobedience，withoutunderstanding。55Theology，tellsusnothingelse，enjoinsonusnocommandsaveobedience，andhasneitherthewillnorthepowertoopposereason:shedefinesthedogmasoffaithaswepointedoutinthelastchapteronlyinsofarastheymaybenecessary，forobedience，andleavesreasontodeterminetheirprecisetruth:forreasonisthelightofthemind，andwithoutherallthingsaredreamsandphantoms。
56Bytheology，Iheremean，strictlyspeaking，revelation，insofarasitindicatestheobjectaimedatbyScripturenamely，theschemeandmannerofobedience，orthetruedogmasofpietyandfaith。57ThismaytrulybecalledtheWordofGod，whichdoesnotconsistinacertainnumberofbooksseeChap。XII。。58Theologythusunderstood，ifweregarditspreceptsorrulesoflife，willbefoundinaccordancewithreason；and，ifwelooktoitsaimandobject，willbeseentobeinnowiserepugnantthereto，whereforeitisuniversaltoallmen。
59AsforitsbearingonScripture，wehaveshowninChap。VII。thatthemeaningofScriptureshouldbegatheredfromitsownhistory，andnotfromthehistoryofnatureingeneral，whichisthebasisofphilosophy。
60WeoughtnottobehinderedifwefindthatourinvestigationofthemeaningofScripturethusconductedshowsusthatitishereandthererepugnanttoreason；forwhateverwemayfindofthissortintheBible，whichmenmaybeinignoranceof，withoutinjurytotheircharity，has，wemaybesure，nobearingontheologyortheWordofGod，andmay，therefore，withoutblame，beviewedbyeveryoneashepleases。
61Tosumup，wemaydrawtheabsoluteconclusionthattheBiblemustnotbeaccommodatedtoreason，norreasontotheBible。
62Now，inasmuchasthebasisoftheology-thedoctrinethatmanmaybesavedbyobediencealone-cannotbeprovedbyreasonwhetheritbetrueorfalse，wemaybeasked，Why，then，shouldwebelieveit?63Ifwedosowithouttheaidofreason，weacceptitblindly，andactfoolishlyandinjudiciously；if，ontheotherhand，wesettlethatitcanbeprovedbyreason，theologybecomesapartofphilosophy，andinseparabletherefrom。
64ButImakeanswerthatIhaveabsolutelyestablishedthatthisbasisoftheologycannotbeinvestigatedbythenaturallightofreason，or，atanyrate，thatnooneeverhasproveditbysuchmeans，and，therefore，revelationwasnecessary。65Weshould，however，makeuseofourreason，inordertograspwithmoralcertaintywhatisrevealed-Isay，withmoralcertainty，forwecannothopetoattaingreatercertainty，thantheprophets:yettheircertaintywasonly，moral，asIshowedinChap。II。
66Those，therefore，whoattempttosetforththeauthorityofScripturewithmathematicaldemonstrationsarewhollyinerror:fortheauthority，oftheBibleisdependentontheauthorityoftheprophets，andcanbesupportedbynostrongerargumentsthanthoseemployedinoldtimebytheprophetsforconvincingthepeopleoftheirownauthority。67Ourcertaintyonthesamesubjectcanbefoundedonnootherbasisthanthatwhichservedasfoundationforthecertaintyoftheprophets。
68Nowthecertaintyoftheprophetsconsistedaswepointedoutintheseelements:-
69I。Adistinctandvividimagination。
70II。Asign。
71III。Lastly，andchiefly，amindturnedtowhatisjustandgood。Itwasbasedonnootherreasonsthanthese，andconsequentlytheycannotprovetheirauthoritybyanyotherreasons，eithertothemultitudewhomtheyaddressedorally，nortouswhomtheyaddressinwriting。
72Thefirstofthesereasons，namely，thevividimagination，couldbevalidonlyfortheprophets；therefore，ourcertaintyconcerningrevelationmust，andoughttobe，basedontheremainingtwo-namely，thesignandtheteaching。73SuchistheexpressdoctrineofMoses，forinDeut。xviii。
hebidsthepeopleobeytheprophetwhoshouldgiveatruesigninthenameoftheLord，butifheshouldpredictfalsely，eventhoughitwereinthenameoftheLord，heshouldbeputtodeath，asshouldalsohewhostrivestoleadawaythepeoplefromthetruereligion，thoughheconfirmhisauthoritywithsignsandportents。74WemaycomparewiththeaboveDeut。
xiii。75Whenceitfollowsthatatrueprophetcouldbedistinguishedfromafalseone，bothbyhisdoctrineandbythemiracleshewrought，forMosesdeclaressuchanonetobeatrueprophet，andbidsthepeopletrusthimwithoutfearofdeceit。76Hecondemnsasfalse，andworthy，ofdeath，thosewhopredictanythingfalselyeveninthenameoftheLord，orwhopreachfalsegods，eventhoughtheirmiraclesbereal。
77Theonlyreason，then，whichwehaveforbeliefinScriptureorthewritingsoftheprophets，isthedoctrinewefindtherein，andthesignsbywhichitisconfirmed。78Forasweseethattheprophetsextolcharityandjusticeaboveallthings，andhavenootherobject，weconcludethattheydidnotwritefromunworthymotives，butbecausetheyreallythoughtthatmenmightbecomeblessedthroughobedienceandfaith:
further，asweseethattheyconfirmedtheirteachingwithsignsandwonders，webecomepersuadedthattheydidnotspeakatrandom，norrunriotintheirprophecies。79Wearefurtherstrengthenedinourconclusionbythefactthatthemoralitytheyteachisinevidentagreementwithreason，foritisnoaccidentalcoincidencethattheWordofGodwhichwefindintheprophetscoincideswiththeWordofGodwritteninourhearts。80Wemay，Isay，concludethisfromthesacredbooksascertainlyasdidtheJewsofoldfromthelivingvoiceoftheprophets:forweshowedinChap。XII。
thatScripturehascomedowntousintactinrespecttoitsdoctrineandmainnarratives。
81ThereforethiswholebasisoftheologyandScripture，thoughitdoesnotadmitofmathematicalproof，mayyetbeacceptedwiththeapprovalofourjudgment。82Itwouldbefollytorefusetoacceptwhatisconfirmedbysuchampleprophetictestimony，andwhathasprovedsuchacomforttothosewhosereasoniscomparativelyweak，andsuchabenefittothestate；adoctrine，moreover，whichwemaybelieveinwithouttheslightestperilorhurt，andshouldrejectsimplybecauseitcannotbemathematicallyproved:
itisasthoughweshouldadmitnothingastrue，orasawiseruleoflife，whichcouldever，inanypossibleway，becalledinquestion；orasthoughmostofouractionswerenotfullofuncertaintyandhazards。
83Iadmitthatthosewhobelievethattheologyandphilosophyaremutuallycontradictory，andthatthereforeeitheroneortheothermustbethrustfromitsthrone-Iadmit，Isay，thatsuchpersonsarenotunreasonableinattemptingtoputtheologyonafirmbasis，andtodemonstrateitstruthmathematically。84Who，unlessheweredesperateormad，wouldwishtobidanincontinentfarewelltoreason，ortodespisetheartsandsciences，ortodenyreason'scertitude?85But，inthemeanwhile，wecannotwhollyabsolvethemfromblame，inasmuchastheyinvoketheaidofreasonforherowndefeat，andattemptinfalliblytoproveherfallible。86Whiletheyaretryingtoprovemathematicallytheauthorityandtruthoftheology，andtotakeawaytheauthorityofnaturalreason，theyareinrealityonlybringingtheologyunderreason'sdominion，andprovingthatherauthorityhasnoweightunlessnaturalreasonbeatthebackofit。
87IftheyboastthattheythemselvesassentbecauseoftheinwardtestimonyoftheHolySpirit，andthattheyonlyinvoketheaidofreasonbecauseofunbelievers，inordertoconvincethem，notevensocanthismeetwithourapproval，forwecaneasilyshowthattheyhavespokeneitherfromemotionorvain-glory。88ItmostclearlyfollowsfromthelastchapterthattheHolySpiritonlygivesitstestimonyinfavourofworks，calledbyPaulinGal。v:22thefruitsoftheSpirit，andisinitselfreallynothingbutthementalacquiescencewhichfollowsagoodactioninoursouls。89Nospiritgivestestimonyconcerningthecertitudeofmatterswithinthesphereofspeculation，saveonlyreason，whoismistress，aswehaveshown，ofthewholerealmoftruth。90IfthentheyassertthattheypossessthisSpiritwhichmakesthemcertainoftruth，theyspeakfalsely，andaccordingtotheprejudicesoftheemotions，orelsetheyareingreatdreadlesttheyshouldbevanquishedbyphilosophersandexposedtopublicridicule，andthereforetheyflee，asitwere，tothealtar；buttheirrefugeisvain，forwhataltarwillshelteramanwhohasoutragedreason?
91However，Ipasssuchpersonsover，forIthinkIhavefulfilledmypurpose，andshownhowphilosophyshouldbeseparatedfromtheology，andwhereineachconsists；thatneithershouldbesubservienttotheother，butthateachshouldkeepherunopposeddominion。92Lastly，asoccasionoffered，Ihavepointedouttheabsurdities，theinconveniences，andtheevilsfollowingfromtheextraordinaryconfusionwhichhashithertoprevailedbetweenthetwosubjects，owingtotheirnotbeingproperlydistinguishedandseparated。93BeforeIgofurtherIwouldexpresslystatethoughIhavesaiditbeforethatIconsidertheutilityandtheneedforHolyScriptureorRevelationtobeverygreat。94Foraswecannotperceivebythenaturallightofreasonthatsimpleobedienceisthepathofsalvation[Endnote25]，andaretaughtbyrevelationonlythatitissobythespecialgraceofGod，whichourreasoncannotattain，itfollowsthattheBiblehasbroughtaverygreatconsolationtomankind。95Allareabletoobey，whereastherearebutveryfew，comparedwiththeaggregateofhumanity，whocanacquirethehabitofvirtueundertheunaidedguidanceofreason。96ThusifwehadnotthetestimonyofScripture，weshoulddoubtofthesalvationofnearlyallmen。
EndofPart3-ChaptersXItoXV。
AUTHOR'SENDNOTESTOTHETHEOLOGICO-POLITICALTREATISE
CHAPTERXI。
Endnote24。1"NowIthink。"2Thetranslatorsrenderthe{Greek}
word"Iinfer"，andassertthatPaulusesitassynonymouswith{aGreekword}。3Buttheformerwordhas，inGreek，thesamemeaningastheHebrewwordrenderedtothink，toesteem，tojudge。4AndthissignificationwouldbeinentireagreementwiththeSyriactranslation。5ThisSyriactranslationifitbeatranslation，whichisverydoubtful，forweknowneitherthetimeofitsappearance，northetranslatorsandSyriacwasthevernacularoftheApostlesrendersthetextbeforeusinawaywellexplainedbyTremelliusas"wethink，therefore。"
CHAPTERXV。
Endnote25。1"Thatsimpleobedienceisthepathofsalvation。"2
Inotherwords，itisenoughforsalvationorblessedness，thatweshouldembracetheDivinedecreesaslawsorcommands；thereisnoneedtoconceivethemaseternaltruths。3ThiscanbetaughtusbyRevelation，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。
1Hithertoourcarehasbeentoseparatephilosophyfromtheology，andtoshowthefreedomofthoughtwhichsuchseparationinsurestoboth。2Itisnowtimetodeterminethelimitstowhichsuchfreedomofthoughtanddiscussionmayextenditselfintheidealstate。3ForthedueconsiderationofthisquestionwemustexaminethefoundationsofaState，firstturningourattentiontothenaturalrightsofindividuals，andafterwardstoreligionandthestateasawhole。
16:4Bytherightandordinanceofnature，Imerelymeanthosenaturallawswherewithweconceiveeveryindividualtobeconditionedbynature，soastoliveandactinagivenway。5Forinstance，fishesarenaturallyconditionedforswimming，andthegreaterfordevouringtheless；thereforefishesenjoythewater，andthegreaterdevourthelessbysovereignnaturalright。[16:1]6Foritiscertainthatnature，takenintheabstract，hassovereignrighttodoanything，shecan；inotherwords，herrightisco-
extensivewithherpower。7ThepowerofnatureisthepowerofGod，whichhassovereignrightoverallthings；and，inasmuchasthepowerofnatureissimplytheaggregateofthepowersofallherindividualcomponents，itfollowsthatevery，individualhassovereignrighttodoallthathecan；inotherwords，therightsofanindividualextendtotheutmostlimitsofhispowerasithasbeenconditioned。8Nowitisthesovereignlawandrightofnaturethateachindividualshouldendeavourtopreserveitselfasitis，withoutregardtoanythingbutitself；thereforethissovereignlawandrightbelongstoeveryindividual，namely，toexistandactaccordingtoitsnaturalconditions。9Wedonothereacknowledgeanydifferencebetweenmankindandotherindividualnaturalentities，norbetweenmenendowedwithreasonandthosetowhomreasonisunknown；norbetweenfools，madmen，andsanemen。10Whatsoeveranindividualdoesbythelawsofitsnatureithasasovereignrighttodo，inasmuchasitactsasitwasconditionedbynature，andcannotactotherwise。[16:2]11