按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
repugnant thereto； wherefore it is universal to all men。
36
… Page 37…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
（59） As for its bearing on Scripture； we have shown in Chap。 VII。 that
the meaning of Scripture should be gathered from its own history； and not
from the history of nature in general； which is the basis of philosophy。
（60） We ought not to be hindered if we find that our investigation of
the meaning of Scripture thus conducted shows us that it is here and there
repugnant to reason； for whatever we may find of this sort in the Bible；
which men may be in ignorance of； without injury to their charity； has； we
may be sure； no bearing on theology or the Word of God； and may；
therefore； without blame； be viewed by every one as he pleases。
（61） To sum up； we may draw the absolute conclusion that the Bible
must not be accommodated to reason； nor reason to the Bible。
（62） Now； inasmuch as the basis of theology … the doctrine that man
may be saved by obedience alone … cannot be proved by reason whether it
be true or false； we may be asked； Why； then； should we believe it？ （63） If
we do so without the aid of reason； we accept it blindly； and act foolishly
and injudiciously； if； on the other hand； we settle that it can be proved by
reason； theology becomes a part of philosophy； and inseparable therefrom。
（64） But I make answer that I have absolutely established that this basis of
theology cannot be investigated by the natural light of reason； or； at any
rate； that no one ever has proved it by such means； and； therefore；
revelation was necessary。 （65） We should； however； make use of our
reason； in order to grasp with moral certainty what is revealed … I say； with
moral certainty； for we cannot hope to attain greater certainty； than the
prophets： yet their certainty was only； moral； as I showed in Chap。 II。
（66） Those； therefore； who attempt to set forth the authority of
Scripture with mathematical demonstrations are wholly in error： for the
authority； of the Bible is dependent on the authority of the prophets； and
can be supported by no stronger arguments than those employed in old
time by the prophets for convincing the people of their own authority。 （67）
Our certainty on the same subject can be founded on no other basis than
that which served as foundation for the certainty of the prophets。
（68） Now the certainty of the prophets consisted （as we pointed out） in
these elements：… （69） （I。） A distinct and vivid imagination。 （70） （II。） A sign。
（71） （III。） Lastly； and chiefly； a mind turned to what is just and good。 It
37
… Page 38…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
was based on no other reasons than these； and consequently they cannot
prove their authority by any other reasons； either to the multitude whom
they addressed orally； nor to us whom they address in writing。
（72） The first of these reasons； namely； the vivid imagination； could be
valid only for the prophets； therefore； our certainty concerning revelation
must； and ought to be； based on the remaining two … namely； the sign and
the teaching。 （73） Such is the express doctrine of Moses； for （in Deut。
xviii。） he bids the people obey the prophet who should give a true sign in
the name of the Lord； but if he should predict falsely； even though it were
in the name of the Lord； he should be put to death； as should also he who
strives to lead away the people from the true religion； though he confirm
his authority with signs and portents。 （74） We may compare with the
above Deut。 xiii。 （75） Whence it follows that a true prophet could be
distinguished from a false one； both by his doctrine and by the miracles he
wrought； for Moses declares such an one to be a true prophet； and bids the
people trust him without fear of deceit。 （76） He condemns as false； and
worthy； of death； those who predict anything falsely even in the name of
the Lord； or who preach false gods； even though their miracles be real。
（77） The only reason； then； which we have for belief in Scripture or
the writings of the prophets； is the doctrine we find therein； and the signs
by which it is confirmed。 （78） For as we see that the prophets extol charity
and justice above all things； and have no other object； we conclude that
they did not write from unworthy motives； but because they really thought
that men might become blessed through obedience and faith： further； as
we see that they confirmed their teaching with signs and wonders； we
become persuaded that they did not speak at random； nor run riot in their
prophecies。 （79） We are further strengthened in our conclusion by the fact
that the morality they teach is in evident agreement with reason； for it is
no accidental coincidence that the Word of God which we find in the
prophets coincides with the Word of God written in our hearts。 （80） We
may； I say； conclude this from the sacred books as certainly as did the
Jews of old from the living voice of the prophets： for we showed in Chap。
XII。 that Scripture has come down to us intact in respect to its doctrine and
main narratives。
38
… Page 39…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
（81） Therefore this whole basis of theology and Scripture； though it
does not admit of mathematical proof； may yet be accepted with the
approval of our judgment。 （82） It would be folly to refuse to accept what is
confirmed by such ample prophetic testimony； and what has proved such a
comfort to those whose reason is comparatively weak； and such a benefit
to the state； a doctrine； moreover； which we may believe in without the
slightest peril or hurt； and should reject simply because it cannot be
mathematically proved： it is as though we should admit nothing as true； or
as a wise rule of life； which could ever； in any possible way； be called in
question； or as though most of our actions were not full of uncertainty and
hazards。
（83） I admit that those who believe that theology and philosophy are
mutually contradictory； and that therefore either one or the other must be
thrust from its throne … I admit； I say； that such persons are not
unreasonable in attempting to put theology on a firm basis； an