,s5t5ce ,numb]s1 %[n ?us 7#a71 h be5 add$ by volunte]4 ,a ,!ologico-,political ,treatise ,"p ,,iii - ,*apt]s ,,xi to ,,xv by ,b>u* ,sp9oza ,,table ,,( ,,cont5ts3 ,,*apt] ,,xi - ,an ,inquiry :e!r ! ,apo/les wrote _! ,epi/les z ,apo/les & ,prophets1 or m]ely z ,tea*]s1 & an ,explanation ( :at is meant by ,apo/le4 ,! epi/les n 9 ! prophetic /yle4 ,! ,apo/les n comm&$ to write or prea* 9 p>ticul> places4 ,diff]5t me?ods ( tea*+ adopt$ by ! ,apo/les4 ,,*apt] ,,xii - ,( ! true ,orig9al ( ! ,div9e ,law1 & :]e=e ,scripture is call$ ,sacr$1 & ! ,^w ( ,god4 ,h[ t1 9 s f> z x conta9s ! ,^w ( ,god1 x has come d[n to u uncorrupt$4 ,,*apt] ,,xiii - ,x is %[n1 t ,scripture tea*es only v ,simple ,doctr9es1 su* z suffice = "r conduct4 ,error 9 speculative doctr9e n impi\s - nor k pi\s4 ,piety consi/s 9 ob$i5ce4 ,,*apt] ,,xiv - ,def9itions ( ,fai?1 ! ,true ,fai?1 & ! ,f\ndations ( ,fai?1 :i* is once = all sep>at$ f ,philosophy4 ,dang] result+ f ! vulg> idea ( fai?4 ,! only te/ ( fai? ob$i5ce & good works4 ,z diff]5t m5 are dispos$ to ob$i5ce by diff]5t op9ions1 univ]sal fai? c conta9 only ! simple/ doctr9es4 ,fundam5tal di/9ction betwe5 fai? & philosophy - ! key-/one ( ! pres5t treatise4 ,,*apt] ,,xv - ,!ology is %[n n to be subs]vi5t to ,reason1 nor ,reason to ,!ology3 a ,def9ition ( ! reason :i* enables u to accept ! ,au?ority ( ! ,bible4 ,!ory t ,scripture mu/ be accommodat$ to ,reason - ma9ta9$ by ,maimonides - already refut$ 9 ,*apt] vii4 ,!ory t ,reason mu/ be accommodat$ to ,scripture - ma9ta9$ by ,alpakh> - exam9$4 ,& refut$4 ,scripture & ,reason indep5d5t ( "o ano!r4 ,c]ta9ty1 ( fundam5tal fai? n ma!matical b moral4 ,great utility ( ,revelation4 ,au?or's ,endnotes to ! ,treatise4 ,,*apt] ,,xi - ,,an ,,inquiry ,,:e!r ,,! ,,apo/les ,,wrote ,,_! ,,epi/les ,,z ,,apo/les ,,& ,,prophets1 ,,or ,,m]ely ,,z ,,tea*]s2 ,,& ,,an ,,explanation ,,( ,,:at ,,is ,,meant ,,by ,,an ,,apo/le4 7#a7 ,no read] ( ! ,new ,te/am5t c d\bt t ! ,apo/les 7 prophets2 b z a prophet does n always speak by revelation1 b only at r>e int]vals1 z we %[$ at ! end ( ,*ap4 ,i41 we may fairly inquire :e!r ! ,apo/les wrote _! ,epi/les z prophets1 by revelation & express m&ate1 z ,moses1 ,j]emiah1 & o!rs did1 or :e!r only z private individuals or tea*]s1 especially z ,paul1 9 ,cor9?ians xiv3#f1 m5tions two sorts ( prea*+4 7#b7 ,if we exam9e ! /yle ( ! ,epi/les1 we %all f9d x totally diff]5t f t employ$ by ! prophets4 7#c7 ,! prophets are cont9ually ass]t+ t !y speak by ! comm& ( ,god3 ,?us sai? ! ,"l1 ,! ,"l ( ho/s sai?1 ,! comm& ( ! ,"l1 c42 & ?is 0 _! habit n only 9 assemblies ( ! prophets1 b also 9 _! epi/les conta9+ revelations1 z appe>s f ! epi/le ( ,elijah to ,jehoram1 #b ,*ron4 xxi3#ab1 :i* beg9s1 ,?us sai? ! ,"l4 7#d7 ,9 ! ,apo/olic ,epi/les we f9d no?+ ( ! sort4 7#e7 ,contr>iwise1 9 ,i ,cor4 vii3#dj ,paul speaks accord+ to 8 own op9ion & 9 _m passages we come across d\btful & p]plex$ phrase2 su* z1 ,we ?9k1 !re=e1 ,rom4 iii3#bh2 ,n[ ,i ?9k1 ,endnote #bd1 ,rom4 viii3#ah1 & s on4 7#f7 ,besides ^!1 o!r expressions are met ) v diff]5t f ^? us$ by ! prophets4 7#g7 ,= in/ance1 #a ,cor4 vii3#f1 ,b ,i speak ?is by p]mission1 n by comm&m5t2 ,i give my judgm5t z "o t ha? obta9$ m]cy ( ! ,"l to be fai?ful 7#a ,cor4 vii3#be71 & s on 9 _m o!r passages4 7#h7 ,we mu/ also rem>k t 9 ! a=esaid *apt] ! ,apo/le says t :5 he /ates t he has or has n ! precept or comm&m5t ( ,god1 he does n mean ! precept or comm&m5t ( ,god reveal$ to himself1 b only ! words utt]$ by ,*ri/ 9 ,8 ,s]mon on ! ,m\nt4 7#i7 ,fur!rmore1 if we exam9e ! mann] 9 :i* ! ,apo/les give out evangelical doctr9e1 we %all see t x diff]s mat]ially f ! me?od adopt$ by ! prophets4 7#aj7 ,! ,apo/les ev]y:]e reason z if !y 7 argu+ r ?an prophesy+2 ! prophecies1 on ! o!r h&1 conta9 only dogmas & comm&s4 7#aa7 ,god is !re9 introduc$ n z speak+ to reason1 b z issu+ decrees by ,8 absolute fiat4 7#ab7 ,! au?ority ( ! prophets does n submit to discussion1 = :osoev] wi%es to f9d rational gr\nd = 8 argum5ts1 by t v wi% submits !m to ev]yone's private judgm5t4 7#ac7 ,?is ,paul1 inasmu* z he uses reason1 appe>s to h done1 = he says 9 #a ,cor4 x3#ae1 ,i speak z to wise m51 judge ye :at ,i say4 7#ad7 ,! prophets1 z we %[$ at ! end ( ,*apt] ,i41 did n p]ceive :at 0 reveal$ by virtue ( _! natural reason1 & ?\gh !re are c]ta9 passages 9 ! ,p5tateu* :i* seem to be appeals to induction1 !y turn out1 on ne>] exam9ation1 to be no?+ b p]emptory comm&s4 7#ae7 ,= in/ance1 :5 ,moses says1 ,deut4 xxxi3#bg1 ,behold1 :ile ,i am yet alive ) y1 ?is day ye h be5 rebelli\s aga9/ ! ,"l2 & h[ mu* m aft] my dea?1 we mu/ by no means conclude t ,moses wi%$ to conv9ce ! ,israelites by reason t !y w\ld necess>ily fall away f ! wor%ip ( ! ,"l aft] 8 dea?2 = ! argum5t w\ld h be5 false1 z ,scripture itself %[s3 ! ,israelites cont9u$ fai?ful dur+ ! lives ( ,jo%ua & ! eld]s1 & aft]w>ds dur+ ! "t ( ,samuel1 ,david1 & ,solomon4 7#af7 ,!re=e ! words ( ,moses are m]ely a moral injunction1 9 :i* he pr$icts rhetorically ! future backslid+ ( ! p s z to impress x vividly on _! imag9ation4 7#ag7 ,i say t ,moses spoke ( himself 9 ord] to l5d likelihood to 8 pr$iction1 & n z a prophet by revelation1 because 9 v]se #ba ( ! same *apt] we are told t ,god reveal$ ! same ?+ to ,moses 9 diff]5t words1 & !re 0 no ne$ to make ,moses c]ta9 by argum5t ( ,god's pr$iction & decree2 x 0 only necess>y t x %\ld be vividly impress$ on 8 imag9ation1 & ?is c\ld n be bett] accompli%$ ?an by imag9+ ! exi/+ contumacy ( ! p1 ( :i* he _h _h frequ5t exp]i5ce1 z likely to ext5d into ! future4 7#ah7 ,all ! argum5ts employ$ by ,moses 9 ! five books are to be und]/ood 9 a simil> mann]2 !y are n drawn f ! arm\ry ( reason1 b are m]ely modes ( expression calculat$ to in/il ) efficacy1 & pres5t vividly to ! imag9ation ! comm&s ( ,god4 7#ai7 ,h[ev]1 ,i d n wi% absolutely to d5y t ! prophets ev] argu$ f revelation2 ,i only ma9ta9 t ! prophets made m legitimate use ( argum5t 9 proportion z _! k approa*$ m ne>ly to ord9>y k1 & by ?is we "k t !y possess$ a k above ! ord9>y1 inasmu* z !y proclaim$ absolute dogmas1 decrees1 or judgm5ts4 7#bj7 ,?us ,moses1 ! *ief ( ! prophets1 nev] us$ legitimate argum5t1 &1 on ! o!r h&1 ! long d$uctions & argum5ts ( ,paul1 su* z we f9d 9 ! ,epi/le to ! ,romans1 are 9 n[ise writt5 f sup]natural revelation4 7#ba7 ,! modes ( expression & disc\rse adopt$ by ! ,apo/les 9 ! ,epi/les1 %[ v cle>ly t ! latt] 7 n writt5 by revelation & ,div9e comm&1 b m]ely by ! natural p[]s & judgm5t ( ! au?ors4 7#bb7 ,!y consi/ 9 bro!rly admonitions & c\rte\s expressions su* z w\ld nev] be employ$ 9 prophecy1 z = in/ance1 ,paul's excuse 9 ,romans xv3#ae1 ,i h writt5 ! m boldly unto y 9 "s sort1 my bre?r54 7#bc7 ,we may arrive at ! same conclusion f obs]v+ t we nev] read t ! ,apo/les 7 comm&$ to write1 b only t !y w5t ev]y:]e prea*+1 & confirm$ _! words ) signs4 7#bd7 ,_! p]sonal pres5ce & signs 7 absolutely necess>y = ! conv]sion & e/abli%m5t 9 religion ( ! ,g5tiles2 z ,paul himself expressly /ates 9 ,rom4 i3#aa1 ,b ,i long to see y1 t ,i may imp>t to y "s spiritual gift1 to ! end t ye may be e/abli%$4 7#be7 ,x may be object$ t we might prove 9 simil> fa%ion t ! ,apo/les did n prea* z prophets1 = !y did n g to p>ticul> places1 z ! prophets did1 by ! comm& ( ,god4 7#bf7 ,we read 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t t ,jonah w5t to ,n9eveh to prea*1 & at ! same "t t he 0 expressly s5t !re1 & told t he mo/ prea*4 7#bg7 ,s also x is relat$1 at great l5g?1 ( ,moses t he w5t to ,egypt z ! mess5g] ( ,god1 & 0 told at ! same "t :at he %\ld say to ! *ildr5 ( ,israel & to k+ ,ph>aoh1 & :at wond]s he %\ld "w be=e !m to give cr$it to 8 words4 7#bh7 ,isaiah1 ,j]emiah1 & ,ezekiel 7 expressly comm&$ to prea* to ! ,israelites4 ,la/ly1 ! prophets only prea*$ :at we are assur$ by ,scripture !y _h receiv$ f ,god1 :]eas ?is is h>dly ev] said ( ! ,apo/les 9 ! ,new ,te/am5t1 :5 !y w5t ab\t to prea*4 7#bi7 ,on ! contr>y1 we f9d passages expressly imply+ t ! ,apo/les *ose ! places :]e !y %\ld prea* on _! own responsibility1 = !re 0 a diff]5ce am\nt+ to a qu>rel betwe5 ,paul & ,b>nabas on ! subject 7,acts xv3#cg1 #ch74 7#cj7 ,(t5 !y wi%$ to g to a place1 b 7 prev5t$1 z ,paul writes1 ,rom4 i3#ac1 ,(t5times ,i purpos$ to come to y1 b 0 let hi!rto2 & 9 ,i ,cor4 xvi3#ab1 ,z t\*+ our bro!r ,apollos1 ,i greatly desir$ him to come unto y ) ! bre?r51 b 8 w 0 n at all to come at ?is "t3 b he w come :5 he %all h conv5i5t "t4 7#ca7 ,f ^! expressions & diff]5ces ( op9ion among ! ,apo/les1 & also f ! fact t ,scripture n[h]e te/ifies ( !m1 z ( ! anci5t prophets1 t !y w5t by ! comm& ( ,god1 "o might conclude t !y prea*$ z well z wrote 9 _! capacity ( tea*]s1 & n z prophets3 b ! "q is easily solv$ if we obs]ve ! diff]5ce betwe5 ! mission ( an ,apo/le & t ( an ,old ,te/am5t prophet4 7#cb7 ,! latt] 7 n call$ to prea* & prophesy to all nations1 b to c]ta9 specifi$ ones1 & !re=e an express & peculi> m&ate 0 requir$ = ea* ( !m2 ! ,apo/les1 on ! o!r h&1 7 call$ to prea* to all m5 absolutely1 & to turn all m5 to religion4 7#cc7 ,!re=e1 :i!rsoev] !y w5t1 !y 7 fulfill+ ,*ri/'s comm&m5t2 !re 0 no ne$ to reveal to !m be=eh& :at !y %\ld prea*1 = !y 7 ! disciples ( ,*ri/ to :om _! ,ma/] ,himself said 7,matt4 ,x3#ai1 #bj73 ,b1 :5 !y deliv] y up1 take no ?\ght h[ or :at ye %all speak1 = x %all be giv5 y 9 t same h\r :at ye %all speak4 7#cd7 ,we !re=e conclude t ! ,apo/les 7 only indebt$ to special revelation 9 :at !y orally prea*$ & confirm$ by signs 7see ! beg9n+ ( ,*ap4 #aa472 t :i* !y taught 9 speak+ or writ+ )\t any confirmatory signs & wond]s !y taught f _! natural k4 7,see ,i ,cor4 xiv3#f47 7#ce7 ,we ne$ n be det]r$ by ! fact t all ! ,epi/les beg9 by cit+ ! imprimatur ( ! ,apo/le%ip1 = ! ,apo/les1 z ,i w %ortly %[1 7 grant$1 n only ! faculty ( prophecy1 b also ! au?ority to tea*4 7#cf7 ,we may !re=e admit t !y wrote _! ,epi/les z ,apo/les1 & = ?is cause e "o ( !m began by cit+ ! ,apo/olic imprimatur1 possibly ) a view to ! att5tion ( ! read] by ass]t+ t !y 7 ! p]sons :o _h made su* m>k among ! fai?ful by _! prea*+1 & _h %[n by _m m>vel\s works t !y 7 tea*+ true religion & ! way ( salvation4 7#cg7 ,i obs]ve t :at is said 9 ! ,epi/les ) reg>d to ! ,apo/olic vocation & ! ,holy ,_s ( ,god :i* inspir$ !m1 has ref]5ce to _! =m] prea*+1 except 9 ^? passages :]e ! expressions ( ! ,_s ( ,god & ! ,holy ,_s are us$ to signify a m9d pure1 upright1 & devot$ to ,god4 7#ch7 ,= in/ance1 9 #a ,cor4 vii3#dj1 ,paul says3 ,b %e is happi] if %e s abide1 aft] my judgm5t1 & ,i ?9k also t ,i h ! ,_s ( ,god4 7#ci7 ,by ! ,_s ( ,god ! ,apo/le "h ref]s to 8 m9d1 z we may see f ! context3 8 mean+ is z foll[s3 ,i acc\nt bless$ a wid[ :o does n wi% to m>ry a second husb&2 su* is my op9ion1 = ,i h settl$ to live unm>ri$1 & ,i ?9k t ,i am bless$4 7#dj7 ,!re are o!r simil> passages :i* ,i ne$ n n[ quote4 7#da7 ,z we h se5 t ! ,apo/les wrote _! ,epi/les solely by ! light ( natural reason1 we mu/ inquire h[ !y 7 enabl$ to tea* by natural k matt]s outside its scope4 7#db7 ,h[ev]1 if we be> 9 m9d :at we said 9 ,*ap4 ,,vii4 ( ?is treatise our difficulty w vani%3 = al?\gh ! cont5ts ( ! ,bible entirely surpass our und]/&+1 we may safely disc\rse ( !m1 provid$ we assume no?+ n told u 9 ,scripture3 by ! same me?od ! ,apo/les1 f :at !y saw & he>d1 & f :at 0 reveal$ to !m1 7 enabl$ to =m & elicit _m conclusions :i* !y w\ld h be5 able to tea* to m5 _h x be5 p]missible4 7#dc7 ,fur!r1 al?\gh religion1 z prea*$ by ! ,apo/les1 does n come )9 ! sph]e ( reason1 9 s f> z x consi/s 9 ! n>ration ( ! life ( ,*ri/1 yet its ess5ce1 :i* is *iefly moral1 l ! :ole ( ,*ri/'s doctr9e1 c readily be appreh5d$ by ! natural faculties ( all4 7#dd7 ,la/ly1 ! ,apo/les _h no lack ( sup]natural illum9ation = ! purpose ( adapt+ ! religion !y _h atte/$ by signs to ! und]/&+ ( ev]yone s t x might be readily receiv$2 nor = exhortations on ! subject3 9 fact1 ! object ( ! ,epi/les is to tea* & exhort m5 to lead t mann] ( life :i* ea* ( ! ,apo/les judg$ be/ = confirm+ !m 9 religion4 7#de7 ,we may "h repeat our =m] rem>k1 t ! ,apo/les _h receiv$ n only ! faculty ( prea*+ ! hi/ory1 ( ,*ri/ z prophets1 & confirm+ x ) signs1 b also au?ority = tea*+ & exhort+ accord+ z ea* ?\ght be/4 7#df7 ,paul 7#b ,tim4 i3#aa71 ,:]eunto ,i am appo9t$ a prea*]1 & an apo/le1 & a tea*] ( ! ,g5tiles2 & aga9 7,i ,tim4 ii3#g71 ,:]eunto ,i am orda9$ a prea*] & an apo/le 7,i speak ! tru? 9 ,*ri/ & lie n71 a tea*] ( ! ,g5tiles 9 fai? & v]ity4 7#dg7 ,^! passages1 ,i say1 %[ cle>ly ! /amp bo? ( ! apo/le%ip & ! tea*]%ip3 ! au?ority = admoni%+ :omsoev] & :]esoev] he pleas$ is ass]t$ by ,paul 9 ! ,epi/le to ,philemon1 v3#h3 ,:]e=e1 ?\gh ,i might be mu* bold 9 ,*ri/ to enjo9 !e t :i* is conv5i5t1 yet1 c41 :]e we may rem>k t if ,paul _h receiv$ f ,god z a prophet :at he wi%$ to enjo9 ,philemon1 & _h be5 b\nd to speak 9 8 prophetic capacity1 he w\ld n h be5 able to *ange ! comm& ( ,god into entreaties4 7#dh7 ,we mu/ !re=e und]/& him to ref] to ! p]mission to admoni% :i* he _h receiv$ z a tea*]1 & n z a prophet4 7#di7 ,we h n yet made x q cle> t ! ,apo/les might ea* *oose 8 own way ( tea*+1 b only t by virtue ( _! ,apo/le%ip !y 7 tea*]s z well z prophets2 h[ev]1 if we call reason to our aid we %all cle>ly see t an au?ority to tea* implies au?ority to *oose ! me?od4 7#ej7 ,x w nev]!less be1 p]haps1 m satisfactory to draw all our pro(s f ,scripture2 we are !re pla9ly told t ea* ,apo/le *ose 8 p>ticul> me?od 7,rom4 xv3 #bj73 ,yea1 s h ,i /riv$ to prea* ! gospel1 n :]e ,*ri/ 0 nam$1 le/ ,i %\ld build ^u ano!r man's f\ndation4 7#ea7 ,if all ! ,apo/les _h adopt$ ! same me?od ( tea*+1 & _h all built up ! ,*ri/ian religion on ! same f\ndation1 ,paul w\ld h _h no reason to call ! "w ( a fell[-,apo/le ano!r man's f\ndation1 inasmu* z x w\ld h be5 id5tical ) 8 own3 8 call+ x ano!r man's prov$ t ea* ,apo/le built up 8 religi\s in/ruction on diff]5t f\ndations1 ?us resembl+ o!r tea*]s :o h ea* _! own me?od1 & pref] in/ruct+ q ignorant p :o h nev] le>nt "u ano!r ma/]1 :e!r ! subject be sci5ce1 languages1 or ev5 ! indisputable tru?s ( ma!matics4 7#eb7 ,fur!rmore1 if we g ?r\gh ! ,epi/les at all att5tively1 we %all see t ! ,apo/les1 :ile agree+ ab\t religion itself1 are at v>iance z to ! f\ndations x re/s on4 7#ec7 ,paul1 9 ord] to /r5g!n m5's religion1 & %[ !m t salvation dep5ds solely on ! grace ( ,god1 tea*es t no "o c boa/ ( works1 b only ( fai?1 & t no "o c be ju/ifi$ by works 7,rom4 iii3#bg1bh72 9 fact1 he prea*es ! complete doctr9e ( pr$e/9ation4 7#ed7 ,james1 on ! o!r h&1 /ates t man is ju/ifi$ by works1 & n by fai? only 7see 8 ,epi/le1 ii3#bd71 & omitt+ all ! disputations ( ,paul1 conf9es religion to a v few elem5ts4 7#ee7 ,la/ly1 x is indisputable t f ^! diff]5t gr\nds = religion select$ by ! ,apo/les1 _m qu>rels & s*isms di/ract$ ! ,*ur*1 ev5 9 ! e>lie/ times1 & d\btless !y w cont9ue s to di/ract x = ev]1 or at lea/ till religion is sep>at$ f philosophical speculations1 & r$uc$ to ! few simple doctr9es taught by ,*ri/ to ,8 disciples2 su* a task 0 impossible = ! ,apo/les1 because ! ,gospel 0 !n unkn[n to mank9d1 & le/ its novelty %\ld (f5d m5's e>s x _h to be adapt$ to ! disposition ( contempor>ies 7#b ,cor4 ix3#ai1 #bj71 & built up on ! gr\ndwork mo/ famili> & accept$ at ! "t4 7#ef7 ,?us none ( ! ,apo/les philosophiz$ m ?an did ,paul1 :o 0 call$ to prea* to ! ,g5tiles2 o!r ,apo/les prea*+ to ! ,jews1 :o despis$ philosophy1 simil>ly1 adapt$ !mselves to ! temp] ( _! he>]s 7see ,gal4 ii4 #aa71 & prea*$ a religion free f all philosophical speculations4 7#eg7 ,h[ ble/ w\ld our age be if x c\ld witness a religion fre$ also f all ! trammels ( sup]/ition6 ,,*apt] ,,xii - ,,( ,,! ,,true ,,orig9al ,,( ,,! ,,div9e ,,law1 ,,& ,,:]e=e ,,scripture ,,is ,,call$ ,,sacr$1 ,,& ,,! ,,^w ,,( ,,god4 ,,h[ ,,t1 ,,9 ,,s ,,f> ,,z ,,x ,,conta9s ,,! ,,^w ,,( ,,god1 ,,x ,,has ,,come ,,d[n ,,to ,,u ,,uncorrupt$4 7#a7 ,^? :o look ^u ! ,bible z a message s5t d[n by ,god f ,heav5 to m51 w d\btless cry out t ,i h committ$ ! s9 aga9/ ! ,holy ,gho/ because ,i h ass]t$ t ! ,^w ( ,god is faulty1 mutilat$1 tamp]$ )1 & inconsi/5t2 t we possess x only 9 fragm5ts1 & t ! orig9al ( ! cov5ant :i* ,god made ) ! ,jews has be5 lo/4 7#b7 ,h[ev]1 ,i h no d\bt t a little reflection w cause !m to desi/ f _! upro>3 = n only reason b ! express$ op9ions ( prophets & apo/les op5ly proclaim t ,god's et]nal ,^w & cov5ant1 no less ?an true religion1 is ,div9ely inscrib$ 9 human he>ts1 t is1 9 ! human m9d1 & t ?is is ! true orig9al ( ,god's cov5ant1 /amp$ ) ,8 own seal1 namely1 ! idea ( ,himself1 z x 71 ) ! image ( ,8 ,godhood4 7#c7 ,religion 0 imp>t$ to ! e>ly ,hebrews z a law writt5 d[n1 because !y 7 at t "t 9 ! condition ( *ildr51 b aft]w>ds ,moses 7,deut4 xxx3#f7 & ,j]emiah 7xxxi3#cc7 pr$ict$ a "t com+ :5 ! ,"l %\ld write ,8 law 9 _! he>ts4 7#d7 ,?us only ! ,jews1 & among/ !m *iefly ! ,sadducees1 /ruggl$ = ! law writt5 on tablets2 lea/ ( all ne$ ^? :o be> x inscrib$ on _! he>ts jo9 9 ! conte/4 7#e7 ,^?1 !re=e1 :o reflect1 w f9d no?+ 9 :at ,i h writt5 repugnant ei!r to ! ,^w ( ,god or to true religion & fai?1 or calculat$ to weak5 ei!r "o or ! o!r3 contr>iwise1 !y w see t ,i h /r5g!n$ religion1 z ,i %[$ at ! end ( ,*apt] ,x42 inde$1 _h x n be5 s1 ,i %\ld c]ta9ly h decid$ to hold my peace1 nay1 ,i w\ld ev5 h ass]t$ z a way out ( all difficulties t ! ,bible conta9s ! mo/ pr(\nd hidd5 my/]ies2 h[ev]1 z ?is doctr9e has giv5 rise to gross sup]/ition & o!r p]nici\s results spok5 ( at ! beg9n+ ( ,*apt] ,v41 ,i h ?\ght su* a c\rse unnecess>y1 especially z religion /&s 9 no ne$ ( sup]/iti\s adornm5ts1 b is1 on ! contr>y1 depriv$ by su* trapp+s ( "s ( h] spl5d\r4 7#f7 ,/ill1 x w be said1 ?\gh ! law ( ,god is writt5 9 ! he>t1 ! ,bible is none ! less ! ,^w ( ,god1 & x is no m lawful to say ( ,scripture ?an ( ,god's ,^w t x is mutilat$ & corrupt$4 7#g7 ,i fe> t su* objectors are too anxi\s to be pi\s1 & t !y are 9 dang] ( turn+ religion into sup]/ition1 & wor%ipp+ pap] & ink 9 place ( ,god's ,^w4 7#h7 ,i am c]tifi$ ( ?us mu*3 ,i h said no?+ unwor?y ( ,scripture or ,god's ,^w1 & ,i h made no ass]tions :i* ,i c\ld n prove by mo/ pla9 argum5t to be true4 7#i7 ,i c1 !re=e1 re/ assur$ t ,i h advanc$ no?+ :i* is impi\s or ev5 sav\rs ( impiety4 7#aj7 ,i confess t "s pr(ane m51 to :om religion is a burd51 may1 f :at ,i h said1 assume a lic5ce to s91 & )\t any reason1 at ! simple dictates ( _! lu/s conclude t ,scripture is ev]y:]e faulty & falsifi$1 & t !re=e its au?ority is null2 b su* m5 are beyond ! rea* ( help1 = no?+1 z ! prov]b has x1 c be said s rightly t x _c be twi/$ into wrong4 7#aa7 ,^? :o wi% to give re9 to _! lu/s are at no loss = an excuse1 nor 7 ^? m5 ( old :o possess$ ! orig9al ,scriptures1 ! ark ( ! cov5ant1 nay1 ! prophets & apo/les 9 p]son among !m1 any bett] ?an ! p ( to-day4 7#ab7 ,human nature1 ,jew z well z ,g5tile1 has always be5 ! same1 & 9 e age virtue has be5 exce$+ly r>e4 7#ac7 ,nev]!less1 to remove e scruple1 ,i w "h %[ 9 :at s5se ! ,bible or any inanimate ?+ %\ld be call$ sacr$ & ,div9e2 also :]e9 ! law ( ,god consi/s1 & h[ x _c be conta9$ 9 a c]ta9 numb] ( books2 &1 la/ly1 ,i w %[ t ,scripture1 9 s f> z x tea*es :at is necess>y = ob$i5ce & salvation1 _c h be5 corrupt$4 7#ad7 ,f ^! consid]ations ev]yone w be able to judge t ,i h nei!r said any?+ aga9/ ! ,^w ( ,god nor giv5 any foo?old to impiety4 7#ae7 ,a ?+ is call$ sacr$ & ,div9e :5 x is design$ = promot+ piety1 & cont9ues sacr$ s long z x is religi\sly us$3 if ! us]s cease to be pi\s1 ! ?+ ceases to be sacr$3 if x be turn$ to base uses1 t :i* 0 =m]ly sacr$ becomes unclean & pr(ane4 7#af7 ,= in/ance1 a c]ta9 spot 0 nam$ by ! patri>* ,jacob ! h\se ( ,god1 because he wor%ipp$ ,god !re reveal$ to him3 by ! prophets ! same spot 0 call$ ! h\se ( iniquity 7see ,amos v3#e1 & ,hosea x3#e71 because ! ,israelites 7 wont1 at ! in/igation ( ,j]oboam1 to sacrifice !re to idols4 7#ag7 ,ano!r example puts ! matt] 9 ! pla9e/ light4 7#ah7 ,words ga9 _! mean+ solely f _! usage1 & if !y are arrang$ accord+ to _! accept$ signification s z to move ^? :o read !m to devotion1 !y w become sacr$1 & ! book s writt5 w be sacr$ also4 7#ai7 ,b if _! usage aft]w>ds dies out s t ! words h no mean+1 or ! book becomes utt]ly neglect$1 :e!r f unwor?y motives1 or because x is no long] ne$$1 !n ! words & ! book w lose bo? _! use & _! sanctity3 la/ly1 if ^! same words be o!rwise arrang$1 or if _! cu/om>y mean+ becomes p]v]t$ into its opposite1 !n bo? ! words & ! book conta9+ !m become1 in/ead ( sacr$1 impure & pr(ane4 7#bj7 ,f ?is x foll[s t no?+ is 9 itself absolutely sacr$1 or pr(ane1 & unclean1 ap>t f ! m9d1 b only relatively !reto4 7#ba7 ,?us mu* is cle> f _m passages 9 ! ,bible4 7#bb7 ,j]emiah 7to select "o case out ( _m7 says 7*ap4 vii3#d71 t ! ,jews ( 8 "t 7 wrong 9 call+ ,solomon's ,temple1 ! ,temple ( ,god1 =1 z he goes on to say 9 ! same *apt]1 ,god's "n w\ld only be giv5 to ! ,temple s long z x 0 frequ5t$ by m5 :o wor%ipp$ ,him1 & def5d$ ju/ice1 b t1 if x became ! resort ( murd]]s1 ?ieves1 idolat]s1 & o!r wick$ p]sons1 x w\ld be turn$ into a d5 ( malefactors4 7#bc7 ,scripture1 curi\sly en\gh1 n[h]e tells u :at became ( ! ,ark ( ! ,cov5ant1 ?\gh !re is no d\bt t x 0 de/roy$1 or burnt toge!r ) ! ,temple2 yet !re 0 no?+ :i* ! ,hebrews consid]$ m sacr$1 or held 9 great] rev]5ce4 7#bd7 ,?us ,scripture is sacr$1 & its words ,div9e s long z x /irs mank9d to devotion t[>ds ,god3 b if x be utt]ly neglect$1 z x =m]ly 0 by ! ,jews1 x becomes no?+ b pap] & ink1 & is left to be desecrat$ or corrupt$3 /ill1 ?\gh ,scripture be ?us corrupt$ or de/roy$1 we mu/ n say t ! ,^w ( ,god has suff]$ 9 l mann]1 else we %all be l ! ,jews1 :o said t ! ,temple :i* w\ld !n be ! ,temple ( ,god _h p]i%$ 9 ! flames4 7#be7 ,j]emiah tells u ?is 9 respect to ! law1 = he ?us *ides ! ungodly ( 8 "t1 ,:]e=e1 say y we are ma/]s1 & ! law ( ! ,"l is ) u8 7#bf7 ,surely x has be5 giv5 9 va91 x is 9 va9 t ! p5 ( ! scribes 7has be5 made7 - t is1 y say falsely t ! ,scripture is 9 y\r p[]1 & t y possess ! law ( ,god2 = ye h made x ( none effect4 7#bg7 ,s also1 :5 ,moses broke ! fir/ tables ( ! law1 he did n by any means ca/ ! ,^w ( ,god f 8 h&s 9 ang] & %att] x - su* an action w\ld be inconceivable1 ei!r ( ,moses or ( ,god's ,^w - he only broke ! tables ( /one1 :i*1 ?\gh !y _h be=e be5 holy f conta9+ ! cov5ant :]e) ! ,jews _h b\nd !mselves 9 ob$i5ce to ,god1 _h entirely lo/ _! sanctity :5 ! cov5ant _h be5 violat$ by ! wor%ip ( ! calf1 & 71 !re=e1 z liable to p]i% z ! ark ( ! cov5ant4 7#bh7 ,x is ?us sc>cely to be wond]$ at1 t ! orig9al docum5ts ( ,moses are no long] extant1 nor t ! books we possess met ) ! fate we h describ$1 :5 we consid] t ! true orig9al ( ! ,div9e cov5ant1 ! mo/ sacr$ object ( all1 has totally p]i%$4 7#bi7 ,let !m cease1 !re=e1 :o accuse u ( impiety1 inasmu* z we h said no?+ aga9/ ! ,^w ( ,god1 nei!r h we corrupt$ x1 b let !m keep _! ang]1 if !y w\ld wreak x ju/ly1 = ! anci5ts ^: malice desecrat$ ! ,ark1 ! ,temple1 & ! ,law ( ,god1 & all t 0 held sacr$1 subject+ !m to corruption4 7#cj7 ,fur!rmore1 if1 accord+ to ! say+ ( ! ,apo/le 9 #b ,cor4 iii3#c1 !y possess$ ! ,epi/le ( ,*ri/1 writt5 n ) ink1 b ) ! ,_s ( ! liv+ ,god1 n 9 tables ( /one1 b 9 ! fle%y tables ( ! he>t1 let !m cease to wor%ip ! lett]1 & be s anxi\s conc]n+ x4 7#ca7 ,i ?9k ,i h n[ suffici5tly %[n 9 :at respect ,scripture %\ld be acc\nt$ sacr$ & ,div9e2 we may n[ see :at %\ld rightly be und]/ood by ! expression1 ! ,^w ( ! ,"l2 deb> 7! ,hebrew orig9al7 signifies ^w1 spee*1 comm&1 & ?+4 7#cb7 ,! causes = :i* a ?+ is 9 ,hebrew said to be ( ,god1 or is ref]r$ to ,him1 h be5 already detail$ 9 ,*ap4 ,i41 & we c !refrom easily ga!r :at mean+ ,scripture atta*es to ! phrases1 ! ^w1 ! spee*1 ! comm&1 or ! ?+ ( ,god4 7#cc7 ,i ne$ n1 !re=e1 repeat :at ,i !re said1 nor :at 0 %[n "u ! ?ird head 9 ! *apt] on miracles4 7#cd7 ,x is en\gh to m5tion ! repetition = ! bett] und]/&+ ( :at ,i am ab\t to say - viz41 t ! ,^w ( ! ,"l :5 x has ref]5ce to anyone b ,god ,himself1 signifies t ,div9e law treat$ ( 9 ,*ap4 ,,iv42 9 o!r words1 religion1 univ]sal & ca?olic to ! :ole human race1 z ,isaiah describes x 7*ap4 i3#aj71 tea*+ t ! true way ( life consi/s1 n 9 c]emonies1 b 9 *>ity1 & a true he>t1 & call+ x indiff]5tly ,god's ,law & ,god's ,^w4 7#ce7 ,! expression is also us$ metaphorically = ! ord] ( nature & de/9y 7:i*1 inde$1 actually dep5d & foll[ f ! et]nal m&ate ( ! ,div9e nature71 & especially = su* p>ts ( su* ord] z 7 =ese5 by ! prophets1 = ! prophets did n p]ceive future ev5ts z ! result ( natural causes1 b z ! fiats & decrees ( ,god4 7#cf7 ,la/ly1 x is employ$ = ! comm& ( any prophet1 9 s f> z he _h p]ceiv$ x by 8 peculi> faculty or prophetic gift1 & n by ! natural light ( reason2 ?is use spr+s *iefly f ! usual prophetic conception ( ,god z a legislator1 :i* we rem>k$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,iv4 7#cg7 ,!re are1 !n1 ?ree causes = ! ,bible's be+ call$ ! ,^w ( ,god3 because x tea*es true religion1 ( :i* ,god is ! et]nal ,f\nd]2 because x n>rates pr$ictions ( future ev5ts z ?\gh !y 7 decrees ( ,god2 because its actual au?ors g5]ally p]ceiv$ ?+s n by _! ord9>y natural faculties1 b by a p[] peculi> to !mselves1 & introduc$ ^! ?+s p]ceiv$1 z told !m by ,god4 7#cg7 ,al?\gh ,scripture conta9s mu* t is m]ely hi/orical & c be p]ceiv$ by natural reason1 yet its "n is acquir$ f its *ief subject matt]4 7#ch7 ,we c ?us easily see h[ ,god c be said to be ! ,au?or ( ! ,bible3 x is because ( ! true religion !re9 conta9$1 & n because ,he wi%$ to communicate to m5 a c]ta9 numb] ( books4 7#ci7 ,we c also le>n f h5ce ! reason = ! division into ,old & ,new ,te/am5t4 7#dj7 ,x 0 made because ! prophets :o prea*$ religion be=e ,*ri/1 prea*$ x z a national law 9 virtue ( ! cov5ant ent]$ into "u ,moses2 :ile ! ,apo/les :o came aft] ,*ri/1 prea*$ x to all m5 z a univ]sal religion solely 9 virtue ( ,*ri/'s ,passion3 ! cause = ! division is n t ! two p>ts are diff]5t 9 doctr9e1 nor t !y 7 writt5 z orig9als ( ! cov5ant1 nor1 la/ly1 t ! ca?olic religion 7:i* is 9 entire h>mony ) our nature7 0 new except 9 relation to ^? :o _h n kn[n x3 x 0 9 ! _w1 z ,john ! ,evangeli/ says1 & ! _w knew x n4 7#da7 ,?us1 ev5 if we _h few] books ( ! ,old & ,new ,te/am5t ?an we h1 we %\ld /ill n be depriv$ ( ! ,^w ( ,god 7:i*1 z we h said1 is id5tical ) true religion71 ev5 z we d n n[ hold ourselves to be depriv$ ( x1 ?\gh we lack _m c>d9al writ+s su* z ! ,book ( ! ,law1 :i* 0 religi\sly gu>d$ 9 ! ,temple z ! orig9al ( ! ,cov5ant1 also ! ,book ( ,w>s1 ! ,book ( ,*ronicles1 & _m o!rs1 f :5ce ! extant ,old ,te/am5t 0 tak5 & compil$4 7#db7 ,! above conclusion may be support$ by _m reasons4 7#dc7 ,i4 ,because ! books ( bo? ,te/am5ts 7 n writt5 by express comm& at "o place = all ages1 b are a =tuit\s collection ( ! works ( m51 writ+ ea* z 8 p]iod & disposition dictat$4 7#dd7 ,s mu* is cle>ly %[n by ! call ( ! prophets :o 7 bade to admoni% ! ungodly ( _! "t1 & also by ! ,apo/olic ,epi/les4 7#de7 ,,ii4 ,because x is "o ?+ to und]/& ! mean+ ( ,scripture & ! prophets1 & q ano!r ?+ to und]/& ! mean+ ( ,god1 or ! actual tru?4 7#df7 ,?is foll[s f :at we said 9 ,*ap4 ,,ii4 7#dg7 ,we %[$1 9 ,*ap4 ,,vi41 t x appli$ to hi/oric n>ratives1 & to miracles3 b x by no means applies to que/ions conc]n+ true religion & virtue4 7#dh7 ,,iii4 ,because ! books ( ! ,old ,te/am5t 7 select$ f _m1 & 7 collect$ & sanction$ by a c\ncil ( ! ,ph>isees1 z we %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,x4 7#di7 ,! books ( ! ,new ,te/am5t 7 also *os5 f _m by c\ncils :i* reject$ z spuri\s o!r books held sacr$ by _m4 7#ej7 ,b ^! c\ncils1 bo? ,ph>isee & ,*ri/ian1 7 n compos$ ( prophets1 b only ( le>n$ m5 & tea*]s4 7#ea7 ,/ill1 we mu/ grant t !y 7 guid$ 9 _! *oice by a reg>d = ! ,^w ( ,god2 & !y mu/1 !re=e1 h kn[n :at ! law ( ,god 04 7#eb7 ,,iv4 ,because ! ,apo/les wrote n z prophets1 b z tea*]s 7see la/ ,*apt]71 & *ose :atev] me?od !y ?\ght be/ adapt$ = ^? :om !y address$3 & consequ5tly1 !re are _m ?+s 9 ! ,epi/les 7z we %[$ at ! end ( ! la/ ,*apt]7 :i* are n necess>y to salvation4 7#ec7 ,v4 ,la/ly1 because !re are f\r ,evangeli/s 9 ! ,new ,te/am5t1 & x is sc>cely cr$ible t ,god c h design$ to n>rate ! life ( ,*ri/ f\r times ov]1 & to communicate x ?us to mank9d4 7#ed7 ,= ?\gh !re are "s details relat$ 9 "o ,gospel :i* are n 9 ano!r1 & "o (t5 helps u to und]/& ano!r1 we _c !nce conclude t all t is set d[n is ( vital importance to u1 & t ,god *ose ! f\r ,evangeli/s 9 ord] t ! life ( ,*ri/ might be bett] und]/ood2 = ea* "o prea*$ 8 ,gospel 9 a sep>ate locality1 ea* wrote x d[n z he prea*$ x1 9 simple language1 9 ord] t ! hi/ory ( ,*ri/ might be cle>ly told1 n ) any view ( expla9+ 8 fell[-,evangeli/s4 7#ee7 ,if !re are "s passages :i* c be bett]1 & m easily und]/ood by comp>+ ! v>i\s v]sions1 !y are ! result ( *ance1 & are n num]\s3 _! cont9uance 9 obscurity w\ld h impair$ nei!r ! cle>ness ( ! n>rative nor ! bless$ness ( mank9d4 7#ef7 ,we h n[ %[n t ,scripture c only be call$ ! ,^w ( ,god 9 s f> z x affects religion1 or ! ,div9e law2 we mu/ n[ po9t out t1 9 respect to ^! que/ions1 x is nei!r faulty1 tamp]$ )1 nor corrupt4 7#eg7 ,by faulty1 tamp]$ )1 & corrupt1 ,i "h mean writt5 s incorrectly1 t ! mean+ _c be arriv$ at by a /udy ( ! language1 nor f ! au?ority ( ,scripture4 7#eh7 ,i w n g to su* l5g?s z to say t ! ,bible1 9 s f> z x conta9s ! ,div9e law1 has always pres]v$ ! same v[el-po9ts1 ! same lett]s1 or ! same words 7,i leave ?is to be prov$ by ! ,massoretes & o!r wor%ipp]s ( ! lett]71 ,i only1 ma9ta9 t ! mean+ by :i* alone an utt]ance is entitl$ to be call$ ,div9e1 has come d[n to u uncorrupt$1 ev5 ?\gh ! orig9al word+ may h be5 m (t5 *ang$ ?an we suppose4 7#ei7 ,su* alt]ations1 z ,i h said above1 detract no?+ f ! ,div9ity ( ! ,bible1 = ! ,bible w\ld h be5 no less ,div9e _h x be5 writt5 9 diff]5t words or a diff]5t language4 7#fj7 ,t ! ,div9e law has 9 ?is s5se come d[n to u uncorrupt$1 is an ass]tion :i* admits ( no dispute4 7#fa7 ,= f ! ,bible itself we le>n1 )\t ! smalle/ difficulty or ambiguity1 t its c>d9al precept is3 ,to love ,god above all ?+s1 & "o's neighb\r z "o's self4 7#fb7 ,?is _c be a spuri\s passage1 nor due to a ha/y & mi/ak5 scribe1 = if ! ,bible _h ev] put =? a diff]5t doctr9e x w\ld h _h to *ange ! :ole ( its tea*+1 = ?is is ! corn]-/one ( religion1 )\t :i* ! :ole fabric w\ld fall headlong to ! gr\nd4 7#fc7 ,! ,bible w\ld n be ! "w we h be5 exam9+1 b some?+ q diff]5t4 7#fd7 ,we rema91 !n1 un%ak5 9 our belief t ?is has always be5 ! doctr9e ( ,scripture1 &1 consequ5tly1 t no error suffici5t to vitiate x c h crept 9 )\t be+ in/antly1 obs]v$ by all2 nor c anyone h succe$$ 9 tamp]+ ) x & escap$ ! discov]y ( 8 malice4 7#fe7 ,z ?is corn]-/one is intact1 we mu/ p]=ce admit ! same ( :atev] o!r passages are indisputably dep5d5t on x1 & are also fundam5tal1 z1 = in/ance1 t a ,god exi/s1 t ,he =esees all ?+s1 t ,he is ,almighty1 t by ,8 decree ! good prosp] & ! wick$ come to naught1 &1 f9ally1 t our salvation dep5ds solely on ,8 grace4 7#ff7 ,^! are doctr9es :i* ,scripture pla9ly tea*es ?r\gh\t1 & :i* x is b\nd to tea*1 else all ! re/ w\ld be empty & baseless2 nor c we be less positive ab\t o!r moral doctr9es1 :i* pla9ly are built ^u ?is univ]sal f\ndation - = in/ance1 to uphold ju/ice1 to aid ! weak1 to d no murd]1 to covet no man's goods1 c4 7#fg7 ,precepts1 ,i repeat1 su* z ^!1 human malice & ! lapse ( ages are alike p[]less to de/roy1 = if any "p ( !m p]i%$1 its loss w\ld imm$iately be suppli$ f ! fundam5tal pr9ciple1 especially ! doctr9e ( *>ity1 :i* is ev]y:]e 9 bo? ,te/am5ts extoll$ above all o!rs4 7#fh7 ,moreov]1 ?\gh x be true t !re is no conceivable crime s he9\s t x has nev] be5 committ$1 /ill !re is no "o :o w\ld attempt 9 excuse = 8 crimes to de/roy ! law1 or introduce an impi\s doctr9e 9 ! place ( :at is et]nal & salut>y2 m5's nature is s con/itut$ t ev]yone 7be he k+ or subject7 :o has committ$ a base action1 tries to deck out 8 conduct ) spuri\s excuses1 till he seems to h done no?+ b :at is j & "r4 7#fi7 ,we may conclude1 !re=e1 t ! :ole ,div9e law1 z taught by ,scripture1 has come d[n to u uncorrupt$4 7#gj7 ,besides ?is !re are c]ta9 facts :i* we may be sure h be5 transmitt$ 9 good fai?4 7#ga7 ,= in/ance1 ! ma9 facts ( ,hebrew hi/ory1 :i* 7 p]fectly well kn[n to ev]yone4 7#gb7 ,! ,jewi% p 7 accu/om$ 9 =m] times to *ant ! anci5t hi/ory ( _! nation 9 psalms4 7#gc7 ,! ma9 facts1 also1 ( ,*ri/'s life & passion 7 imm$iately spread abroad ?r\gh ! :ole ,roman empire4 7#gd7 ,x is !re=e sc>cely cr$ible1 unless ne>ly ev]ybody cons5t$ !reto1 :i* we _c suppose1 t successive g5]ations h h&$ d[n ! broad outl9e ( ! ,gospel n>rative o!rwise ?an z !y receiv$ x4 7#gd7 ,:atsoev]1 !re=e1 is spuri\s or faulty c only h ref]5ce to details - "s circum/ances 9 "o or ! o!r hi/ory or prophecy design$ to /ir ! p to great] devotion2 or 9 "s miracle1 ) a view ( conf\nd+ philosoph]s2 or1 la/ly1 9 speculative matt]s aft] !y _h become mix$ up ) religion1 s t "s individual might prop up 8 own inv5tions ) a pretext ( ,div9e au?ority4 7#ge7 ,b su* matt]s h little to d ) salvation1 :e!r !y be corrupt$ little or mu*1 z ,i w %[ 9 detail 9 ! next *apt]1 ?\gh ,i ?9k ! "q suffici5tly pla9 f :at ,i h said already1 especially 9 ,*apt] ,,ii4 ,,*apt] ,,xiii - ,,x ,,is ,,%[n ,,t ,,scripture ,,tea*es ,,only ,,v ,,simple ,,doctr9es1 ,,su* ,,z ,,suffice ,,= ,,"r ,,conduct4 7#a7 ,9 ! second *apt] ( ?is treatise we po9t$ out t ! prophets 7 gift$ ) extraord9>y p[]s ( imag9ation1 b n ( und]/&+2 also t ,god only reveal$ to !m su* ?+s z are v simple - n philosophic my/]ies1 - & t ,he adapt$ ,8 communications to _! previ\s op9ions4 7#b7 ,we fur!r %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,v4 t ,scripture only transmits & tea*es tru?s :i* c readily be compreh5d$ by all2 n d$uc+ & concat5at+ its conclusions f def9itions & axioms1 b n>rat+ q simply1 & confirm+ its /atem5ts1 ) a view to inspir+ belief1 by an appeal to exp]i5ce z exemplifi$ 9 miracles & hi/ory1 & sett+ =? its tru?s 9 ! /yle & phraseology :i* w\ld mo/ appeal to ! popul> m9d 7cf4 ,*ap4 ,,vi41 ?ird division74 7#c7 ,la/ly1 we demon/rat$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,viii4 t ! difficulty ( und]/&+ ,scripture lies 9 ! language only1 & n 9 ! ab/rus5ess ( ! argum5t4 7#d7 ,to ^! consid]ations we may add t ! ,prophets did n prea* only to ! le>n$1 b to all ,jews1 )\t exception1 :ile ! ,apo/les 7 wont to tea* ! gospel doctr9e 9 *ur*es :]e !re 7 public meet+s2 :5ce x foll[s t ,scriptural doctr9e conta9s no l(ty speculations nor philosophic reason+1 b only v simple matt]s1 su* z c\ld be und]/ood by ! sl[e/ intellig5ce4 7#e7 ,i am consequ5tly lo/ 9 wond] at ! +5uity ( ^? :om ,i h already m5tion$1 :o detect 9 ! ,bible my/]ies s pr(\nd t !y _c be expla9$ 9 human language1 & :o h introduc$ s _m philosophic speculations into religion t ! ,*ur* seems l an academy1 & religion l a sci5ce1 or r a dispute4 7#f7 ,x is n to be wond]$ at t m51 :o boa/ ( possess+ sup]natural intellig5ce1 %\ld be unwill+ to yield ! palm ( k to philosoph]s :o h only _! ord9>y faculties2 /ill ,i %\ld be surpris$ if ,i f\nd !m tea*+ any new speculative doctr9e1 :i* 0 n a commonplace to ^? ,g5tile philosoph]s :om1 9 spite ( all1 !y /igmatize z bl9d2 =1 if "o inquires :at ^! my/]ies lurk+ 9 ,scripture may be1 "o is confront$ ) no?+ b ! reflections ( ,plato or ,ari/otle1 or ! l1 :i* x w\ld (t5 be easi] = an ignorant man to dream ?an = ! mo/ accompli%$ s*ol> to wre/ out ( ! ,bible4 7#g7 ,h[ev]1 ,i d n wi% to affirm absolutely t ,scripture conta9s no doctr9es 9 ! sph]e ( philosophy1 = 9 ! la/ *apt] ,i po9t$ out "s ( ! k9d1 z fundam5tal pr9ciples2 b ,i g s f> z to say t su* doctr9es are v few & v simple4 7#h7 ,_! precise nature & def9ition ,i w n[ set =?4 7#i7 ,! task w be easy1 = we "k t ,scripture does n aim at imp>t+ sci5tific k1 &1 !re=e1 x dem&s f m5 no?+ b ob$i5ce1 & c5sures ob/9acy1 b n ignorance4 7#aj7 ,fur!rmore1 z ob$i5ce to ,god consi/s solely 9 love to our neighb\r - = :osoev] love? 8 neighb\r1 z a means ( obey+ ,god1 ha?1 z ,/4 ,paul says 7,rom4 xiii3#h71 fulfill$ ! law1 - x foll[s t no k is comm5d$ 9 ! ,bible save t :i* is necess>y = enabl+ all m5 to obey ,god 9 ! mann] /at$1 & )\t :i* !y w\ld become rebelli\s1 or )\t ! discipl9e ( ob$i5ce4 7#aa7 ,o!r speculative que/ions1 :i* h no direct be>+ on ?is object1 or are conc]n$ ) ! k ( natural ev5ts1 d n affect ,scripture1 & %\ld be entirely sep>at$ f religion4 7#ab7 ,n[1 ?\gh ev]yone1 z we h said1 is n[ q able to see ?is tru? = himself1 ,i %\ld nev]!less wi%1 consid]+ t ! :ole ( ,religion dep5ds !reon1 to expla9 ! entire "q m accurately & cle>ly4 7#ac7 ,to ?is end ,i mu/ fir/ prove t ! intellectual or accurate k ( ,god is n a gift1 be/[$ ^u all good m5 l ob$i5ce2 &1 fur!r1 t ! k ( ,god1 requir$ by ,him ?r\gh ,8 prophets f ev]yone )\t exception1 z ne$ful to be kn[n1 is simply a k ( ,8 ,div9e ju/ice & *>ity4 7#ad7 ,bo? ^! po9ts are easily prov$ f ,scripture4 7#ae7 ,! fir/ pla9ly foll[s f ,exodus vi3#b1 :]e ,god1 9 ord] to %[ ! s+ul> grace be/[$ ^u ,moses1 says to him3 ,& ,i appe>$ unto ,abraham1 unto ,isaac1 & unto ,jacob by ! "n ( ,el ,sadai 7,a4 ,v4 ,god ,almighty72 b by my "n ,jehovah 0 ,i n kn[n to !m - = ! bett] und]/&+ ( :i* passage ,i may rem>k t ,el ,sadai1 9 ,hebrew1 signifies ! ,god :o suffices1 9 t ,he gives to e man t :i* suffices = him2 &1 al?\gh ,sadai is (t5 us$ by itself1 to signify ,god1 we _c d\bt t ! ^w ,el 7,god1 p[]1 might7 is ev]y:]e und]/ood4 7#af7 ,fur!rmore1 we mu/ note t ,jehovah is ! only ^w f\nd 9 ,scripture ) ! mean+ ( ! absolute ess5ce ( ,god1 )\t ref]5ce to creat$ ?+s4 7#ag7 ,! ,jews ma9ta91 = ?is reason1 t ?is is1 /rictly speak+1 ! only "n ( ,god2 t ! re/ ( ! words us$ are m]ely titles2 &1 9 tru?1 ! o!r names ( ,god1 :e!r !y be sub/antives or adjectives1 are m]ely attributive1 & belong to ,him1 9 s f> z ,he is conceiv$ ( 9 relation to creat$ ?+s1 or manife/$ ?r\gh !m4 7#ah7 ,?us ,el1 or ,eloah1 signifies p[]ful1 z is well kn[n1 & only applies to ,god 9 respect to ,8 supremacy1 z :5 we call ,paul an apo/le2 ! faculties ( 8 p[] are set =? 9 an accompany+ adjective1 z ,el1 great1 awful1 j1 m]ciful1 c41 or else all are und]/ood at once by ! use ( ,el 9 ! plural numb]1 ) a s+ul> signification1 an expression frequ5tly adopt$ 9 ,scripture4 7#ai7 ,n[1 z ,god tells ,moses t ,he 0 n kn[n to ! patri>*s by ! "n ( ,jehovah1 x foll[s t !y 7 n cognizant ( any attribute ( ,god :i* expresses ,8 absolute ess5ce1 b only ( ,8 de$s & promises t is1 ( ,8 p[]1 z manife/$ 9 visible ?+s4 7#bj7 ,god does n ?us speak to ,moses 9 ord] to accuse ! patri>*s ( infidelity1 b1 on ! contr>y1 z a means ( extoll+ _! belief & fai?1 inasmu* z1 ?\gh !y possess$ no extraord9>y k ( ,god 7su* z ,moses _h71 !y yet accept$ ,8 promises z fix$ & c]ta92 :]eas ,moses1 ?\gh 8 ?\ghts ab\t ,god 7 m exalt$1 nev]!less d\bt$ ab\t ! ,div9e promises1 & compla9$ to ,god t1 in/ead ( ! promis$ deliv]ance1 ! prospects ( ! ,israelites _h d>k5$4 7#ba7 ,z ! patri>*s did n "k ! di/9ctive "n ( ,god1 & z ,god m5tions ! fact to ,moses1 9 praise ( _! fai? & s+le-he>t$ness1 & 9 contra/ to ! extraord9>y grace grant$ to ,moses1 x foll[s1 z we /at$ at fir/1 t m5 are n b\nd by1 decree to h k ( ! attributes ( ,god1 su* k be+ only grant$ to a few ( ! fai?ful3 x is h>dly wor? :ile to quote fur!r examples f ,scripture1 = ev]yone mu/ recognize t k ( ,god is n equal among all good m54 7#bb7 ,moreov]1 a man _c be ord]$ to be wise any m ?an he c be ord]$ to live & exi/4 7#bc7 ,m51 wom51 & *ildr5 are all alike able to obey by comm&m5t1 b n to be wise4 ,if any tell u t x is n necess>y to und]/& ! ,div9e attributes1 b t we mu/ believe !m simply1 )\t pro(1 he is pla9ly trifl+4 7#bd7 ,= :at is invisible & c only be p]ceiv$ by ! m9d1 _c be appreh5d$ by any o!r means ?an pro(s2 if ^! are abs5t ! object rema9s ungrasp$2 ! repetition ( :at has be5 he>d on su* subjects no m indicates or atta9s to _! mean+ ?an ! words ( a p>rot or a puppet speak+ )\t s5se or signification4 7#be7 ,be=e ,i proce$ ,i ought to expla9 h[ x comes t we are (t5 told 9 ,g5esis t ! patri>*s prea*$ 9 ! "n ( ,jehovah1 ?is be+ 9 pla9 contradiction to ! text above quot$4 7#bf7 ,a ref]5ce to :at 0 said 9 ,*ap4 ,,viii4 w readily expla9 ! difficulty4 7#bg7 ,x 0 !re %[n t ! writ] ( ! ,p5tateu* did n always speak ( ?+s & places by ! names !y bore 9 ! times ( :i* he 0 writ+1 b by ! names be/ kn[n to 8 contempor>ies4 7#bh7 ,god is ?us said 9 ! ,p5tateu* to h be5 prea*$ by ! patri>*s "u ! "n ( ,jehovah1 n because su* 0 ! "n by :i* ! patri>*s knew ,him1 b because ?is "n 0 ! "o mo/ rev]5c$ by ! ,jews4 7#bi7 ,?is po9t1 ,i say1 mu/ necess>ily be notic$1 = 9 ,exodus x is expressly /at$ t ,god 0 n kn[n to ! patri>*s by ?is "n2 & 9 *ap4 iii3#ac1 x is said t ,moses desir$ to "k ! "n ( ,god4 7#cj7 ,n[1 if ?is "n _h be5 already kn[n x w\ld h be5 kn[n to ,moses4 7#ca7 ,we mu/ !re=e draw ! conclusion indicat$1 namely1 t ! fai?ful patri>*s did n "k ?is "n ( ,god1 & t ! k ( ,god is be/[$ & n comm&$ by ! ,deity4 7#cb7 ,x is n[ "t to pass on to our second po9t1 & %[ t ,god ?r\gh ,8 prophets requir$ f m5 no o!r k ( ,himself ?an is conta9$ 9 a k ( ,8 ju/ice & *>ity - t is1 ( attributes :i* a c]ta9 mann] ( life w enable m5 to imitate4 7#cc7 ,j]emiah /ates ?is 9 s _m words 7xxii3#ae1 #af73 ,did n ?y fa!r eat1 & dr9k1 & d judgm5t & ju/ice8 & !n x 0 well ) him4 7#cd7 ,he judg$ ! cause ( ! poor & ne$y2 !n x 0 well ) him3 0 n ?is to "k ,me8 sai? ! ,"l4 7#ce7 ,! words 9 *ap4 ix3#bd ( ! same book are equally1 cle>4 7#cf7 ,b let him t glorie? glory 9 ?is1 t he und]/&e? & kn[e? ,me1 t ,i am ! ,"l :i* ex]cise lov+-k9dness1 judgm5t1 & righte\sness 9 ! e>?2 = 9 ^! ?+s ,i delight1 sai? ! ,"l4 7#cg7 ,! same doctr9e maybe ga!r$ f ,exod4 xxxiv3#f1 :]e ,god reveal$ to ,moses only ^? ( ,8 attributes :i* display ! ,div9e ju/ice & *>ity4 7#ch7 ,la/ly1 we may call att5tion to a passage 9 ,john :i* we %all discuss at m l5g? h]eaft]2 ! ,apo/le expla9s ! nature ( ,god 7inasmu* z no "o has beheld ,him7 ?r\gh *>ity only1 & concludes t he :o possesses *>ity possesses1 & 9 v tru? kn[s ,god4 7#ci7 ,we h ?us se5 t ,moses1 ,j]emiah1 & ,john sum up 9 a v %ort compass ! k ( ,god ne$ful = all1 & t !y /ate x to consi/ 9 exactly :at we said1 namely1 t ,god is supremely j1 & supremely m]ciful - 9 o!r words1 ! "o p]fect patt]n ( ! true life4 7#dj7 ,we may add t ,scripture n[h]e gives an express def9ition ( ,god1 & does n po9t out any o!r ( ,8 attributes :i* %\ld be appreh5d$ save ^!1 nor does x 9 set t]ms praise any o!rs4 7#da7 ,:]e=e we may draw ! g5]al conclusion t an intellectual k ( ,god1 :i* takes cognizance ( ,8 nature 9 s f> z x actually is1 & :i* _c by any mann] ( liv+ be imitat$ by mank9d or foll[$ z an example1 has no be>+ :atev] on true rules ( conduct1 on fai?1 or on reveal$ religion2 consequ5tly t m5 may be 9 complete error on ! subject )\t incurr+ ! *>ge ( s9fulness4 7#db7 ,we ne$ n[ no long] wond] t ,god adapt$ ,himself to ! exi/+ op9ions & imag9ations ( ! prophets1 or t ! fai?ful held diff]5t ideas ( ,god1 z we %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,ii42 or1 aga91 t ! sacr$ books speak v inaccurately ( ,god1 attribut+ to ,him h&s1 feet1 eyes1 e>s1 a m9d1 & motion f "o place to ano!r2 or t !y ascribe to ,him emotions1 su* z jeal\sy1 m]cy1 c41 or1 la/ly1 t !y describe ,him z a ,judge 9 heav5 sitt+ on a royal ?rone ) ,*ri/ on ,8 "r h&4 7#dc7 ,su* expressions are adapt$ to ! und]/&+ ( ! multitude1 x be+ ! object ( ! ,bible to make m5 n le>n$ b ob$i5t4 7#dd7 ,9 spite ( ?is ! g5]al run ( !ologians1 :5 !y come ^u any ( ^! phrases :i* !y _c rationally h>monize ) ! ,div9e nature1 ma9ta9 t !y %\ld be int]pret$ metaphorically1 passages !y _c und]/& !y say %\ld be int]pret$ lit]ally4 7#de7 ,b if e expression ( ?is k9d 9 ! ,bible is necess>ily to be int]pret$ & und]/ood metaphorically1 ,scripture mu/ h be5 writt51 n = ! p & ! unle>n$ masses1 b *iefly = accompli%$ exp]ts & philosoph]s4 7#df7 ,if x 7 inde$ a s9 to hold pi\sly & simply ! ideas ab\t ,god we h j quot$1 ! prophets ought to h be5 /rictly on _! gu>d aga9/ ! use ( su* expressions1 see+ ! weak-m9d$ness ( ! p1 & ought1 on ! o!r h&1 to h set =? fir/ ( all1 duly & cle>ly1 ^? attributes ( ,god :i* are ne$ful to be und]/ood4 7#dg7 ,?is !y h n[h]e done2 we _c1 !re=e1 ?9k t op9ions tak5 9 !mselves )\t respect to actions are ei!r pi\s or impi\s1 b mu/ ma9ta9 t a man is pi\s or impi\s 9 8 beliefs only 9 s f> z he is !reby incit$ to ob$i5ce1 or d]ives f !m lic5se to s9 & rebel4 7#dh7 ,if a man1 by believ+ :at is true1 becomes rebelli\s1 8 cre$ is impi\s2 if by believ+ :at is false he becomes ob$i5t1 8 cre$ is pi\s2 = ! true k ( ,god comes n by comm&m5t1 b by ,div9e gift4 7#di7 ,god has requir$ no?+ f man b a k ( ,8 ,div9e ju/ice & *>ity1 & t n z necess>y to sci5tific accuracy1 b to ob$i5ce4 ,,*apt] ,,xiv - ,,def9itions ,,( ,,fai?1 ,,! ,,fai?1 ,,& ,,! ,,f\ndations ,,( ,,fai?1 ,,:i* ,,is ,,once ,,= ,,all ,,sep>at$ ,,f ,,philosophy4 7#a7 ,= a true k ( fai? x is above all ?+s necess>y to und]/& t ! ,bible 0 adapt$ to ! intellig5ce1 n only ( ! prophets1 b also ( ! div]se & fickle ,jewi% multitude4 7#b7 ,?is w be recogniz$ by all :o give any ?\ght to ! subject1 = !y w see t a p]son :o accept$ promiscu\sly ev]y?+ 9 ,scripture z be+ ! univ]sal & absolute tea*+ ( ,god1 )\t accurately def9+ :at 0 adapt$ to ! popul> intellig5ce1 w\ld f9d x impossible to escape conf\nd+ ! op9ions ( ! masses ) ! ,div9e doctr9es1 prais+ ! judgm5ts & comm5ts ( man z ! tea*+ ( ,god1 & mak+ a wrong use ( ,scriptural au?ority4 7#c7 ,:o1 ,i say1 does n p]ceive t ?is is ! *ief reason :y s _m sect>ies tea* contradictory op9ions z ,div9e docum5ts1 & support _! cont5tions ) num]\s ,scriptural texts1 till x has pass$ 9 ,belgium into a prov]b1 ge5 kett] sond] lett] - no h]etic )\t a text8 7#d7 ,! sacr$ books 7 n writt5 by "o man1 nor = ! p ( a s+le p]iod1 b by _m au?ors ( diff]5t temp]am5ts1 at times ext5d+ f fir/ to la/ ov] ne>ly two ?\s& ye>s1 & p]haps mu* long]4 7#e7 ,we w n1 h[ev]1 accuse ! sect>ies ( impiety because !y h adapt$ ! words ( ,scripture to _! own op9ions2 x is ?us t ^! words 7 adapt$ to ! und]/&+ ( ! masses orig9ally1 & ev]yone is at lib]ty s to treat !m if he sees t he c ?us obey ,god 9 matt]s relat+ to ju/ice & *>ity ) a m full cons5t3 b we d accuse ^? :o w n grant ?is fre$om to _! fell[s1 b :o p]secute all :o diff] f !m1 z ,god's enemies1 h[ev] hon\rable & virtu\s be _! lives2 :ile1 on ! o!r h&1 !y *]i% ^? :o agree ) !m1 h[ev] fooli% !y may be1 z ,god's elect4 7#f7 ,su* conduct is z wick$ & dang]\s to ! /ate z any t c be conceiv$4 7#g7 ,9 ord]1 !re=e1 to e/abli% ! limits to :i* individual fre$om %\ld ext5d1 & to decide :at p]sons1 9 spite ( ! div]sity ( _! op9ions1 are to be look$ ^u z ! fai?ful1 we mu/ def9e fai? & its ess5tials4 7#h7 ,?is task ,i hope to accompli% 9 ! pres5t *apt]1 & also to sep>ate fai? f philosophy1 :i* is ! *ief aim ( ! :ole treatise4 7#i7 ,9 ord] to proce$ duly to ! demon/ration let u recapitulate ! *ief aim & object ( ,scripture2 ?is w indicate a /&>d by :i* we may def9e fai?4 7#aj7 ,we h said 9 a =m] *apt] t ! aim & object ( ,scripture is only to tea* ob$i5ce4 7#aa7 ,?us mu*1 ,i ?9k1 no "o c "q4 7#ab7 ,:o does n see t bo? ,te/am5ts are no?+ else b s*ools = ?is object1 & h nei!r ( !m any aim beyond inspir+ mank9d ) a volunt>y ob$i5ce8 7#ac7 ,= 7n to repeat :at ,i said 9 ! la/ *apt]7 ,i w rem>k t ,moses did n seek to conv9ce ! ,jews by reason1 b b\nd !m by a cov5ant1 by oa?s1 & by conf]r+ b5efits2 fur!r1 he ?reat5$ ! p ) puni%m5t if !y %\ld infr+e ! law1 & promis$ rew>ds if !y %\ld obey x4 7#ad7 ,all ^! are n means = tea*+ k1 b = inspir+ ob$i5ce4 7#ae7 ,! doctr9e ( ! ,gospels enjo9s no?+ b simple fai?1 namely1 to believe 9 ,god & to hon\r ,him1 :i* is ! same ?+ z to obey him4 7#af7 ,!re is no occasion = me to ?r[ fur!r light on a "q s pla9 by cit+ ,scriptural texts comm5d+ ob$i5ce1 su* z may be f\nd 9 great numb]s 9 bo? ,te/am5ts4 7#ag7 ,moreov]1 ! ,bible tea*es v cle>ly 9 a great _m passages :at ev]yone ought to d 9 ord] to obey ,god2 ! :ole duty is summ$ up 9 love to "o's neighb\r4 7#ah7 ,x _c1 !re=e1 be d5i$ t he :o by ,god's comm& loves 8 neighb\r z himself is truly ob$i5t & bless$ accord+ to ! law1 :]eas he :o hates 8 neighb\r or neglects him is rebelli\s & ob/9ate4 7#ai7 ,la/ly1 x is pla9 to ev]yone t ! ,bible 0 n writt5 & dissem9at$ only = ! le>n$1 b = m5 ( e age & race2 :]e=e we may re/ assur$ t we are n b\nd by ,scriptural comm& to believe any?+ beyond :at is absolutely necess>y = fulfill+ its ma9 precept4 7#bj7 ,?is precept1 !n1 is ! only /&>d ( ! :ole ,ca?olic fai?1 & by x alone all ! dogmas ne$ful to be believ$ %\ld be det]m9$4 7#ba7 ,s mu* be+ abundantly manife/1 z is also ! fact t all o!r doctr9es ( ! fai? c be legitimately d$uc$ !refrom by reason alone1 ,i leave x to e man to decide = himself h[ x comes to pass t s _m divisions h aris5 9 ! ,*ur*3 c x be f any o!r cause ?an ^? sugge/$ at ! beg9n+ ( ,*ap4 ,,viii48 7#bb7 ,x is ^! same causes :i* compel me to expla9 ! me?od ( det]m9+ ! dogmas ( ! fai? f ! f\ndation we h discov]$1 = if ,i neglect$ to d s1 & put ! "q on a regul> basis1 ,i might ju/ly be said to h promis$ too lavi%ly1 = t anyone might1 by my %[+1 introduce any doctr9e he lik$ into religion1 "u ! pretext t x 0 a necess>y means to ob$i5ce3 especially w\ld ?is be ! case 9 que/ions respect+ ! ,div9e attributes4 7#bc7 ,9 ord]1 !re=e1 to set =? ! :ole matt] me?odically1 ,i w beg9 ) a def9ition ( fai?1 :i* on ! pr9ciple above giv51 %\ld be z foll[s3- 7#bd7 ,fai? consi/s 9 a k ( ,god1 )\t :i* ob$i5ce to ,him w\ld be impossible1 & :i* ! m]e fact ( ob$i5ce to ,him implies4 7#be7 ,?is def9ition is s cle>1 & foll[s s pla9ly f :at we h already prov$1 t x ne$s no explanation4 7#bf7 ,! consequ5ces involv$ !re9 ,i w n[ briefly %[4 7#bg7 7,i47 ,fai? is n salut>y 9 itself1 b only 9 respect to ! ob$i5ce x implies1 or z ,james puts x 9 8 ,epi/le1 ii3#ag1 ,fai? )\t works is dead 7see ! :ole ( ! *apt] quot$74 7#bh7 7,,ii47 ,he :o is truly ob$i5t necess>ily possesses true & sav+ fai?2 = if ob$i5ce be grant$1 fai? mu/ be grant$ also1 z ! same ,apo/le expressly says 9 ^! words 7ii3#ah71 ,%[ me ?y fai? )\t ?y works1 & ,i w %[ !e my fai? by my works4 7#bi7 ,s also ,john1 ,i ,ep4 iv3#g3 ,ev]yone t love? is born ( ,god1 & kn[e? ,god3 he t love? n1 kn[e? n ,god2 = ,god is love4 7#cj7 ,f ^! texts1 ,i repeat1 x foll[s t we c only judge a man fai?ful or unfai?ful by 8 works4 7#ca7 ,if 8 works be good1 he is fai?ful1 h[ev] mu* 8 doctr9es may diff] f ^? ( ! re/ ( ! fai?ful3 if 8 works be evil1 ?\gh he may v]bally con=m1 he is unfai?ful4 7#cb7 ,= ob$i5ce implies fai?1 & fai? )\t works is dead4 7#cc7 ,john1 9 ! #ac? v]se ( ! *apt] above quot$1 expressly tea*es ! same doctr9e3 ,h]eby1 he says1 "k we t we dwell 9 ,him & ,he 9 u1 because ,he ha? giv5 u ( ,8 ,_s1 i4e4 love4 7#cd7 ,he _h said be=e t ,god is love1 & !re=e he concludes 7on 8 own receiv$ pr9ciples71 t :oso possesses love possesses truly ! ,_s ( ,god4 7#ce7 ,z no "o has beheld ,god he inf]s t no "o has k or consci\sness ( ,god1 except f love t[>ds 8 neighb\r1 & also t no "o c h k ( any ( ,god's attributes1 except ?is ( love1 9 s f> z we p>ticipate !re94 7#cf7 ,if ^! argum5ts are n conclusive1 !y1 at any rate1 %[ ! ,apo/le's mean+1 b ! words 9 *ap4 ii3#c1 #d1 ( ! same ,epi/le are mu* cle>]1 = !y /ate 9 s _m words our precise cont5tion3 ,& h]eby we d "k t we "k ,him1 if we keep ,8 comm&m5ts4 7#cg7 ,he t sai?1 ,i "k ,him1 & keepe? n ,8 comm&m5ts1 is a li>1 & ! tru? is n 9 him4 7#ch7 ,f all ?is1 ,i repeat1 x foll[s t !y are ! true enemies ( ,*ri/ :o p]secute hon\rable & ju/ice-lov+ m5 because !y diff] f !m1 & d n uphold ! same religi\s dogmas z !mselves3 = :osoev] loves ju/ice & *>ity we "k1 by t v fact1 to be fai?ful3 :osoev] p]secutes ! fai?ful1 is an enemy to ,*ri/4 7#ci7 ,la/ly1 x foll[s t fai? does n dem& t dogmas %\ld be true z t !y %\ld be pi\s - t is1 su* z w /ir up ! he>t to obey2 ?\gh !re be _m su* :i* conta9 n a %ad[ ( tru?1 s long z !y be held 9 good fai?1 o!rwise _! adh]5ts are disob$i5t1 = h[ c anyone1 desir\s ( lov+ ju/ice & obey+ ,god1 adore z ,div9e :at he kn[s to be ali5 f ! ,div9e nature8 7#dj7 ,h[ev]1 m5 may err f simplicity ( m9d1 & ,scripture1 z we h se51 does n condemn ignorance1 b ob/9acy4 7#da7 ,?is is ! necess>y result ( our def9ition ( fai?1 & all its bran*es %\ld spr+ f ! univ]sal rule above giv51 & f ! evid5t aim & object ( ! ,bible1 unless we *oose to mix our own inv5tions !re)4 7#db7 ,?us x is n true doctr9es :i* are expressly requir$ by ! ,bible1 s mu* z doctr9es necess>y = ob$i5ce1 & to confirm 9 our he>ts ! love ( our neighb\r1 :]e9 7to adopt ! words ( ,john7 we are 9 ,god1 & ,god 9 u4 7#dc7 ,z1 !n1 ea* man's fai? mu/ be judg$ pi\s or impi\s only 9 respect ( its produc+ ob$i5ce or ob/9acy1 & n 9 respect ( its tru?2 & z no "o w dispute t m5's dispositions are exce$+ly v>i$1 t all d n acquiesce 9 ! same ?+s1 b are rul$ "s by "o op9ion "s by ano!r1 s t :at moves "o to devotion moves ano!r to laught] & contempt1 x foll[s t !re c be no doctr9es 9 ! ,ca?olic1 or univ]sal1 religion1 :i* c give rise to controv]sy among good m54 7#dd7 ,su* doctr9es might be pi\s to "s & impi\s to o!rs1 :]eas !y %\ld be judg$ solely by _! fruits4 7#de7 ,to ! univ]sal religion1 !n1 belong only su* dogmas z are absolutely requir$ 9 ord] to atta9 ob$i5ce to ,god1 & )\t :i* su* ob$i5ce w\ld be impossible2 z = ! re/1 ea* man-see+ t he is ! be/ judge ( 8 own "*-%\ld adopt :atev] he ?9ks be/ adapt$ to /r5g!n 8 love ( ju/ice4 7#df7 ,if ?is 7 s1 ,i ?9k !re w\ld be no fur!r occasion = controv]sies 9 ! ,*ur*4 7#dg7 ,i h n[ no fur!r fe> 9 enum]at+ ! dogmas ( univ]sal fai? or ! fundam5tal dogmas ( ! :ole ( ,scripture1 inasmu* z !y all t5d 7z may be se5 f :at has be5 said7 to ?is "o doctr9e1 namely1 t !re exi/s a ,god1 t is1 a ,supreme ,be+1 ,:o loves ju/ice & *>ity1 & ,:o mu/ be obey$ by :osoev] w\ld be sav$2 t ! wor%ip ( ?is ,be+ consi/s 9 ! practice ( ju/ice & love t[>ds "o's neighb\r1 & t !y conta9 no?+ beyond ! foll[+ doctr9es3- 7#dh7 ,i4 ,t ,god or a ,supreme ,be+ exi/s1 sov]eignly j & m]ciful1 ! ,exempl> ( ! true life2 t :osoev] is ignorant ( or disbelieves 9 ,8 exi/5ce _c obey ,him or "k ,him z a ,judge4 7#di7 ,,ii4 ,t ,he is ,"o4 7#ej7 ,nobody w dispute t ?is doctr9e is absolutely necess>y = entire devotion1 admiration1 & love t[>ds ,god4 7#ea7 ,= devotion1 admiration1 & love spr+ f ! sup]iority ( "o ov] all else4 7#eb7 ,,iii4 ,t ,he is omnipres5t1 or t all ?+s are op5 to ,him1 = if any?+ c\ld be suppos$ to be conceal$ f ,him1 or to be unnotic$ by1 ,him1 we might d\bt or be ignorant ( ! equity ( ,8 judgm5t z direct+ all ?+s4 7#ec7 ,,iv4 ,t ,he has supreme "r & dom9ion ov] all ?+s1 & t ,he does no?+ "u compulsion1 b by ,8 absolute fiat & grace4 7#ed7 ,all ?+s are b\nd to obey ,him1 ,he is n b\nd to obey any4 7#ee7 ,v4 ,t ! wor%ip ( ,god consi/s only 9 ju/ice & *>ity1 or love t[>ds "o's neighb\r4 7#ef7 ,,vi4 ,t all ^?1 & ^? only1 :o obey ,god by _! mann] ( life are sav$2 ! re/ ( mank9d1 :o live "u ! sway ( _! pleasures1 are lo/4 7#eg7 ,if we did n believe ?is1 !re w\ld be no reason = obey+ ,god r ?an pleasure4 7#eh7 ,,vii4 ,la/ly1 t ,god =gives ! s9s ( ^? :o rep5t4 7#ei7 ,no "o is free f s91 s t )\t ?is belief all w\ld despair ( salvation1 & !re w\ld be no reason = believ+ 9 ! m]cy ( ,god4 7#fj7 ,he :o firmly believes t ,god1 out ( ! m]cy & grace ) :i* ,he directs all ?+s1 =gives ! s9s ( m51 & :o feels 8 love ( ,god k9dl$ !reby1 he1 ,i say1 does really "k ,*ri/ accord+ to ! ,_s1 & ,*ri/ is 9 him4 7#fa7 ,no "o c d5y t all ^! doctr9es are be=e all ?+s necess>y to be believ$1 9 ord] t e man1 )\t exception1 may be able to obey ,god accord+ to ! bidd+ ( ! ,law above expla9$1 = if "o ( ^! precepts be disreg>d$ ob$i5ce is de/roy$4 7#fb7 ,b z to :at ,god1 or ! ,exempl> ( ! true life1 may be1 :e!r fire1 or _s1 or light1 or ?\ght1 or :at n1 ?is1 ,i say1 has no?+ to d ) fai? any m ?an has ! "q h[ ,he comes to be ! ,exempl> ( ! true life1 :e!r x be because ,he has a j & m]ciful m9d1 or because all ?+s exi/ & act ?r\gh ,him1 & consequ5tly t we und]/& ?r\gh ,him1 & ?r\gh ,him see :at is truly j & good4 7#fc7 ,ev]yone may ?9k on su* que/ions z he likes4 7#fd7 ,fur!rmore1 fai? is n affect$1 :e!r we hold t ,god is omnipres5t ess5tially or pot5tially2 t ,he directs all ?+s by absolute fiat1 or by ! necessity ( ,8 nature2 t ,he dictates laws l a pr9ce1 or t ,he sets !m =? z et]nal tru?s2 t man obeys ,him by virtue ( free w1 or by virtue ( ! necessity ( ! ,div9e decree2 la/ly1 t ! rew>d ( ! good & ! puni%m5t ( ! wick$ is natural or sup]natural3 ^! & su* l que/ions h no be>+ on fai?1 except 9 s f> z !y are us$ z means to give u lic5se to s9 m1 or to obey ,god less4 7#fe7 ,i w g fur!r1 & ma9ta9 t e man is b\nd to adapt ^! dogmas to 8 own way ( ?9k+1 & to int]pret !m accord+ z he feels t he c give !m 8 fulle/ & mo/ unhesitat+ ass5t1 s t he may ! m easily obey ,god ) 8 :ole he>t4 7#ff7 ,su* 0 ! mann]1 z we h already po9t$ out1 9 :i* ! fai? 0 9 old "t reveal$ & writt51 9 accordance ) ! und]/&+ & op9ions ( ! prophets & p ( ! p]iod2 s1 9 l fa%ion1 e man is b\nd to adapt x to 8 own op9ions1 s t he may accept x )\t any hesitation or m5tal repugnance4 7#fg7 ,we h %[n t fai? does n s mu* require tru? z piety1 & t x is only quick5+ & pi\s ?r\gh ob$i5ce1 consequ5tly no "o is fai?ful save by ob$i5ce alone4 7#fh7 ,! be/ fai? is n necess>ily possess$ by him :o displays ! be/ reasons1 b by him :o displays ! be/ fruits ( ju/ice & *>ity4 7#fi7 ,h[ salut>y & necess>y ?is doctr9e is = a /ate1 9 ord] t m5 may dwell toge!r 9 peace & concord2 & h[ _m & h[ great causes ( di/urbance & crime are !reby cut (f1 ,i leave ev]yone to judge = himself6 7#gj7 ,be=e we g fur!r1 ,i may rem>k t we c1 by means ( :at we h j prov$1 easily answ] ! objections rais$ 9 ,*ap4 ,i41 :5 we 7 discuss+ ,god's speak+ ) ! ,israelites on ,m\nt ,s9ai4 7#ga7 ,=1 ?\gh ! voice he>d by ! ,israelites c\ld n give ^? m5 any philosophical or ma!matical c]titude ( ,god's exi/5ce1 x 0 yet suffici5t to ?rill !m ) admiration = ,god1 z !y already knew ,him1 & to /ir !m up to ob$i5ce3 & su* 0 ! object ( ! display4 7#gb7 ,god did n wi% to tea* ! ,israelites ! absolute attributes ( ,8 ess5ce 7none ( :i* ,he !n reveal$71 b to break d[n _! h>dness ( he>t1 & to draw !m to ob$i5ce3 !re=e ,he did n appeal to !m ) reasons1 b ) ! s\nd ( trumpets1 ?und]1 & lightn+s4 7#gc7 ,x rema9s = me to %[ t betwe5 fai? or !ology1 & philosophy1 !re is no connection1 nor aff9ity4 7#gd7 ,i ?9k no "o w dispute ! fact :o has k ( ! aim & f\ndations ( ! two subjects1 = !y are z wide ap>t z ! poles4 7#ge7 ,philosophy has no end 9 view save tru?3 fai?1 z we h abundantly prov$1 looks = no?+ b ob$i5ce & piety4 7#gf7 ,aga91 philosophy is bas$ on axioms :i* mu/ be s\ght f nature alone3 fai? is bas$ on hi/ory & language1 & mu/ be s\ght = only 9 ,scripture & revelation1 z we %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,vii4 7#gg7 ,fai?1 !re=e1 all[s ! greate/ latitude 9 philosophic speculation1 all[+ u )\t blame to ?9k :at we l ab\t any?+1 & only condemn+1 z h]etics & s*ismatics1 ^? :o tea* op9ions :i* t5d to produce ob/9acy1 hatr$1 /rife1 & ang]2 :ile1 on ! o!r h&1 only consid]+ z fai?ful ^? :o p]suade u1 z f> z _! reason & faculties w p]mit1 to foll[ ju/ice & *>ity4 7#gh7 ,la/ly1 z :at we are n[ sett+ =? are ! mo/ important subjects ( my treatise1 ,i w\ld mo/ urg5tly beg ! read]1 be=e ,i proce$1 to read ^! two *apt]s ) especial att5tion1 & to take ! tr\ble to weigh !m well 9 8 m9d3 let him take = grant$ t ,i h n writt5 ) a view to introduc+ novelties1 b 9 ord] to d away ) abuses1 su* z ,i hope ,i may1 at "s future "t1 at la/ see re=m$4 ,,*apt] ,,xv - ,,!ology ,,is ,,%[n ,,n ,,to ,,be ,,subs]vi5t ,,to ,,reason1 ,,nor ,,reason ,,to ,,!ology3 ,a ,,def9ition ,,( ,,! ,,reason ,,:i* ,,enables ,,u ,,to ,,accept ,,! ,,au?ority ,,( ,,! ,,bible4 7#a7 ,^? :o "k n t philosophy & reason are di/9ct1 dispute :e!r ,scripture %\ld be made subs]vi5t to reason1 or reason to ,scripture3 t is1 :e!r ! mean+ ( ,scripture %\ld be made to agre$ ) reason2 or :e!r reason %\ld be made to agree ) ,scripture3 ! latt] position is assum$ by ! sceptics :o d5y ! c]titude ( reason1 ! =m] by ! dogmati/s4 7#b7 ,bo? p>ties are1 z ,i h %[n1 utt]ly 9 ! wrong1 = ei!r doctr9e w\ld require u to tamp] ) reason or ) ,scripture4 7#c7 ,we h %[n t ,scripture does n tea* philosophy1 b m]ely ob$i5ce1 & t all x conta9s has be5 adapt$ to ! und]/&+ & e/abli%$ op9ions ( ! multitude4 7#d7 ,^?1 !re=e1 :o wi% to adapt x to philosophy1 mu/ ne$s ascribe to ! prophets _m ideas :i* !y nev] ev5 dream$ (1 & give an extremely =c$ int]pretation to _! words3 ^? on ! o!r h&1 :o w\ld make reason & philosophy subs]vi5t to !ology1 w be =c$ to accept z ,div9e utt]ances ! prejudices ( ! anci5t ,jews1 & to fill & confuse _! m9d !re)4 7#e7 ,9 %ort1 "o p>ty w run wild ) ! aid ( reason1 & ! o!r w run wild )\t ! aid ( reason4 7#f7 ,! fir/ among ! ,ph>isees :o op5ly ma9ta9$ t ,scripture %\ld be made to agree ) reason1 0 ,maimonides1 ^: op9ion we review$1 & abundantly refut$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,viii43 n[1 al?\gh ?is writ] _h mu* au?ority among 8 contempor>ies1 he 0 des]t$ on ?is "q by almo/ all1 & ! majority w5t /raight ov] to ! op9ion ( a c]ta9 ,r4 ,jehuda ,alpakh>1 :o1 9 8 anxiety to avoid ! error ( ,maimonides1 fell into ano!r1 :i* 0 its exact contr>y4 7#g7 ,he held t reason %\ld be made subs]vi5t1 & entirely give way to ,scripture4 7#h7 ,he ?\ght t a passage %\ld n be int]pret$ metaphorically1 simply because x 0 repugnant to reason1 b only 9 ! cases :5 x is inconsi/5t ) ,scripture itself - t is1 ) its cle> doctr9es4 7#i7 ,!re=e he laid d[n ! univ]sal rule1 t :atsoev] ,scripture tea*es dogmatically1 & affirms expressly1 mu/ on its own sole au?ority be admitt$ z absolutely true3 t !re is no doctr9e 9 ! ,bible :i* directly contradicts ! g5]al t5\r ( ! :ole3 b only "s :i* appe> to involve a diff]5ce1 = ! phrases ( ,scripture (t5 seem to imply some?+ contr>y to :at has be5 expressly taught4 7#aj7 ,su* phrases1 & su* phrases only1 we may int]pret metaphorically4 7#aa7 ,= in/ance1 ,scripture cle>ly tea*es ! unity ( ,god 7see ,deut4 vi3#d71 nor is !re any text di/9ctly ass]t+ a plurality ( gods2 b 9 sev]al passages ,god speaks ( ,himself1 & ! prophets speak ( ,him1 9 ! plural numb]2 su* phrases are simply a mann] ( speak+1 & d n mean t !re actually are sev]al gods3 !y are to be expla9$ metaphorically1 n because a plurality ( gods is repugnant to reason1 b because ,scripture di/9ctly ass]ts t !re is only "o4 7#ab7 ,s1 aga91 z ,scripture ass]ts 7z ,alpakh> ?9ks7 9 ,deut4 iv3#ae1 t ,god is incorporeal1 we are b\nd1 solely by ! au?ority ( ?is text1 & n by reason1 to believe t ,god has no body3 consequ5tly we mu/ expla9 metaphorically1 on ! sole au?ority ( ,scripture1 all ^? passages :i* attribute to ,god h&s1 feet1 c41 & take !m m]ely z figures ( spee*4 7#ac7 ,su* is ! op9ion ( ,alpakh>4 ,9 s f> z he seeks to expla9 ,scripture by ,scripture1 ,i praise him1 b ,i m>vel t a man gift$ ) reason %\ld wi% to debase t faculty4 7#ad7 ,x is true t ,scripture %\ld be expla9$ by ,scripture1 s long z we are 9 difficulties ab\t ! mean+ & int5tion ( ! prophets1 b :5 we h elicit$ ! true mean+1 we mu/ ( necessity make use ( our judgm5t & reason 9 ord] to ass5t !reto4 7#ae7 ,if reason1 h[ev]1 mu* z %e rebels1 is to be entirely subject$ to ,scripture1 ,i ask1 are we to effect h] submission by h] own aid1 or )\t h]1 & bl9dly8 7#af7 ,if ! latt]1 we %all surely act fooli%ly & injudici\sly2 if ! =m]1 we ass5t to ,scripture "u ! dom9ion ( reason1 & %\ld n ass5t to x )\t h]4 7#ag7 ,moreov]1 ,i may ask n[1 is a man to ass5t to any?+ aga9/ 8 reason8 7#ah7 ,:at is d5ial if x be n reason's refusal to ass5t8 7#ai7 ,9 %ort1 ,i am a/oni%$ t anyone %\ld wi% to subject reason1 ! greate/ ( gifts & a light f on high1 to ! dead lett] :i* may h be5 corrupt$ by human malice2 t x %\ld be ?\ght no crime to speak ) contempt ( m9d1 ! true h&writ+ ( ,god's ,^w1 call+ x corrupt1 bl9d1 & lo/1 :ile x is consid]$ ! greate/ ( crimes to say ! same ( ! lett]1 :i* is m]ely ! reflection & image ( ,god's ,^w4 7#bj7 ,m5 ?9k x pi\s to tru/ no?+ to reason & _! own judgm5t1 & impi\s to d\bt ! fai? ( ^? :o h transmitt$ to u ! sacr$ books4 7#ba7 ,su* conduct is n piety1 b m]e folly4 ,&1 aft] all1 :y are !y s anxi\s8 ,:at are !y afraid (8 7#bb7 ,d !y ?9k t fai? & religion _c be upheld unless m5 purposely keep !mselves 9 ignorance1 & turn _! backs on reason8 7#bc7 ,if ?is be s1 !y h b a timid tru/ 9 ,scripture4 7#bc7 ,h[ev]1 be x f> f me to say t religion %\ld seek to enslave reason1 or reason religion1 or t bo? %\ld n be able to keep _! sov]eignity 9 p]fect h>mony4 7#bd7 ,i w rev]t to ?is "q pres5tly1 = ,i wi% n[ to discuss ,alpakh>'s rule4 7#bf7 ,he requires1 z we h /at$1 t we %\ld accept z true1 or reject z false1 ev]y?+ ass]t$ or d5i$ by ,scripture1 & he fur!r /ates t ,scripture nev] expressly ass]ts or d5ies any?+ :i* contradicts its ass]tions or negations else:]e4 7#bg7 ,! ra%ness ( su* a requirem5t & /atem5t c escape no "o4 7#bh7 ,= 7pass+ ov] ! fact t he does n notice t ,scripture consi/s ( diff]5t books1 writt5 at diff]5t times1 = diff]5t p1 by diff]5t au?ors3 & also t 8 requirem5t is made on 8 own au?ority )\t any corroboration f reason or ,scripture7 he w\ld be b\nd to %[ t all passages :i* are indirectly contradictory ( ! re/1 c be satisfactorily expla9$ metaphorically ?r\gh ! nature ( ! language & ! context3 fur!r1 t ,scripture has come d[n to u untamp]$ )4 7#bi7 ,h[ev]1 we w g into ! matt] at l5g?4 7#cj7 ,fir/ly1 ,i ask :at %all we d if reason prove recalcitrant8 7#ca7 ,%all we /ill be b\nd to affirm :atev] ,scripture affirms1 & to d5y :atev] ,scripture d5ies8 7#cb7 ,p]haps x w be answ]$ t ,scripture conta9s no?+ repugnant to reason4 7#cc7 ,b ,i insi/ t x expressly affirms & tea*es t ,god is jeal\s 7namely1 9 ! decalogue itself1 & 9 ,exod4 xxxiv3#ad1 & 9 ,deut4 iv3#bd1 & 9 _m o!r places71 & ,i ass]t t su* a doctr9e is repugnant to reason4 7#cd7 ,x mu/1 ,i suppose1 9 spite ( all1 be accept$ z true4 ,if !re are any passages 9 ,scripture :i* imply t ,god is n jeal\s1 !y mu/ be tak5 metaphorically z mean+ no?+ ( ! k9d4 7#ce7 ,s1 also1 ,scripture expressly /ates 7,exod4 xix3#bj1 c47 t ,god came d[n to ,m\nt ,s9ai1 & x attributes to ,him o!r movem5ts f place to place1 n[h]e directly /at+ t ,god does n s move4 7#cf7 ,:]e=e1 we mu/ take ! passage lit]ally1 & ,solomon's words 7,i ,k+s viii3#bg71 ,b w ,god dwell on ! e>?8 7#cg7 ,behold ! heav5s & e>? _c conta9 !e1 inasmu* z !y d n expressly /ate t ,god does n move f place to place1 b only imply x1 mu/ be expla9$ away till !y h no fur!r semblance ( d5y+ locomotion to ! ,deity4 7#ch7 ,s also we mu/ believe t ! sky is ! habitation & ?rone ( ,god1 = ,scripture expressly says s2 & simil>ly _m passages express+ ! op9ions ( ! prophets or ! multitude1 :i* reason & philosophy1 b n ,scripture1 tell u to be false1 mu/ be tak5 z true if we are to foll[ ! guidance ( our au?or1 = accord+ to him1 reason has no?+ to d ) ! matt]4 7#ci7 ,fur!r1 x is untrue t ,scripture nev] contradicts itself directly1 b only by implication4 7#dj7 ,= ,moses says1 9 s _m words 7,deut4 iv3#bd71 ,! ,"l ?y ,god is a consum+ fire1 & else:]e expressly d5ies t ,god has any lik5ess to visible ?+s4 7,deut4 iv4 #ab47 7#da7 ,if x be decid$ t ! latt] passage only contradicts ! =m] by implication1 & mu/ be adapt$ !reto1 le/ x seem to negative x1 let u grant t ,god is a fire2 or r1 le/ we %\ld seem to h tak5 leave ( our s5ses1 let u pass ! matt] ov] & take ano!r example4 7#db7 ,samuel expressly d5ies t ,god ev] rep5ts1 = he is n a man t he %\ld rep5t 7,i ,sam4 xv3#bi74 7#dc7 ,j]emiah1 on ! o!r h&1 ass]ts t ,god does rep5t1 bo? ( ! evil & ( ! good :i* ,he _h int5d$ to d 7,j]4 xviii3#h-aj74 7#dd7 ,:at8 7#de7 ,are n ^! two texts directly contradictory8 7#df7 ,:i* ( ! two1 !n1 w\ld our au?or want to expla9 metaphorically8 7#dg7 ,bo? /atem5ts are g5]al1 & ea* is ! opposite ( ! o!r - :at "o flatly affirms1 ! o!r flatly1 d5ies4 7#dh7 ,s1 by 8 own rule1 he w\ld be oblig$ at once to reject !m z false1 & to accept !m z true4 7#di7 ,aga91 :at is ! po9t ( "o passage1 n be+ contradict$ by ano!r directly1 b only by implication1 if ! implication is cle>1 & ! nature & context ( ! passage preclude metaphorical int]pretation8 7#ej7 ,!re are _m su* in/ances 9 ! ,bible1 z we saw 9 ,*ap4 ,,ii4 7:]e we po9t$ out t ! prophets held diff]5t & contradictory op9ions71 & also 9 ,*aps4 ,,ix4 & ,x41 :]e we drew att5tion to ! contradictions 9 ! hi/orical n>ratives4 7#ea7 ,!re is no ne$ = me to g ?r\gh !m all aga91 = :at ,i h said suffici5tly exposes ! absurdities :i* w\ld foll[ f an op9ion & rule su* z we are discuss+1 & %[s ! ha/9ess ( its prop\nd]4 7#eb7 ,we may1 !re=e1 put ?is !ory1 z well z t ( ,maimonides1 entirely out ( c\rt2 & we may take x = indisputable t !ology is n b\nd to s]ve reason1 nor reason !ology1 b t ea* has h] own doma94 7#ec7 ,! sph]e ( reason is1 z we h said1 tru? & wisdom2 ! sph]e ( !ology1 is piety & ob$i5ce4 7#ed7 ,! p[] ( reason does n ext5d s f> z to det]m9e = u t m5 may be bless$ ?r\gh simple ob$i5ce1 )\t und]/&+4 7#ee7 ,!ology1 tells u no?+ else1 enjo9s on u no comm& save ob$i5ce1 & has nei!r ! w nor ! p[] to oppose reason3 %e def9es ! dogmas ( fai? 7z we po9t$ out 9 ! la/ *apt]7 only 9 s f> z !y may be necess>y = ob$i5ce1 & leaves reason to det]m9e _! precise tru?3 = reason is ! light ( ! m9d1 & )\t h] all ?+s are dreams & phantoms4 7#ef7 ,by !ology1 ,i "h mean1 /rictly speak+1 revelation1 9 s f> z x indicates ! object aim$ at by ,scripture namely1 ! s*eme & mann] ( ob$i5ce1 or ! true dogmas ( piety & fai?4 7#eg7 ,?is may truly be call$ ! ,^w ( ,god1 :i* does n consi/ 9 a c]ta9 numb] ( books 7see ,*ap4 ,,xii474 7#eh7 ,!ology ?us und]/ood1 if we reg>d its precepts or rules ( life1 w be f\nd 9 accordance ) reason2 &1 if we look to its aim & object1 w be se5 to be 9 n[ise repugnant !reto1 :]e=e x is univ]sal to all m54 7#ei7 ,z = its be>+ on ,scripture1 we h %[n 9 ,*ap4 ,,vii4 t ! mean+ ( ,scripture %\ld be ga!r$ f its own hi/ory1 & n f ! hi/ory ( nature 9 g5]al1 :i* is ! basis ( philosophy4 7#fj7 ,we ought n to be h9d]$ if we f9d t our inve/igation ( ! mean+ ( ,scripture ?us conduct$ %[s u t x is "h & !re repugnant to reason2 = :atev] we may f9d ( ?is sort 9 ! ,bible1 :i* m5 may be 9 ignorance (1 )\t injury to _! *>ity1 has1 we may be sure1 no be>+ on !ology or ! ,^w ( ,god1 & may1 !re=e1 )\t blame1 be view$ by e "o z he pleases4 7#fa7 ,to sum up1 we may draw ! absolute conclusion t ! ,bible mu/ n be accommodat$ to reason1 nor reason to ! ,bible4 7#fb7 ,n[1 inasmu* z ! basis ( !ology - ! doctr9e t man may be sav$ by ob$i5ce alone - _c be prov$ by reason :e!r x be true or false1 we may be ask$1 ,:y1 !n1 %\ld we believe x8 7#fc7 ,if we d s )\t ! aid ( reason1 we accept x bl9dly1 & act fooli%ly & injudici\sly2 if1 on ! o!r h&1 we settle t x c be prov$ by reason1 !ology becomes a "p ( philosophy1 & insep>able !refrom4 7#fd7 ,b ,i make answ] t ,i h absolutely e/abli%$ t ?is basis ( !ology _c be inve/igat$ by ! natural light ( reason1 or1 at any rate1 t no "o ev] has prov$ x by su* means1 &1 !re=e1 revelation 0 necess>y4 7#fe7 ,we %\ld1 h[ev]1 make use ( our reason1 9 ord] to grasp ) moral c]ta9ty :at is reveal$ - ,i say1 ) moral c]ta9ty1 = we _c hope to atta9 great] c]ta9ty ?an ! prophets3 yet _! c]ta9ty 0 only1 moral1 z ,i %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,ii4 7#ff7 ,^?1 !re=e1 :o attempt to set =? ! au?ority ( ,scripture ) ma!matical demon/rations are :olly 9 error3 = ! au?ority ( ! ,bible is dep5d5t on ! au?ority ( ! prophets1 & c be support$ by no /rong] argum5ts ?an ^? employ$ 9 old "t by ! prophets = conv9c+ ! p ( _! own au?ority4 7#fg7 ,our c]ta9ty on ! same subject c be f\nd$ on no o!r basis ?an t :i* s]v$ z f\ndation = ! c]ta9ty ( ! prophets4 7#fh7 ,n[ ! c]ta9ty ( ! prophets consi/$ 7z we po9t$ out7 9 ^! elem5ts3- 7#fi7 7,i47 ,a di/9ct & vivid imag9ation4 7#gj7 7,,ii47 ,a sign4 7#ga7 7,,iii47 ,la/ly1 & *iefly1 a m9d turn$ to :at is j & good4 ,x 0 bas$ on no o!r reasons ?an ^!1 & consequ5tly !y _c prove _! au?ority by any o!r reasons1 ei!r to ! multitude :om !y address$ orally1 nor to u :om !y address 9 writ+4 7#gb7 ,! fir/ ( ^! reasons1 namely1 ! vivid imag9ation1 c\ld be valid only = ! prophets2 !re=e1 our c]ta9ty conc]n+ revelation mu/1 & ought to be1 bas$ on ! rema9+ two - namely1 ! sign & ! tea*+4 7#gc7 ,su* is ! express doctr9e ( ,moses1 = 79 ,deut4 xviii47 he bids ! p obey ! prophet :o %\ld give a true sign 9 ! "n ( ! ,"l1 b if he %\ld pr$ict falsely1 ev5 ?\gh x 7 9 ! "n ( ! ,"l1 he %\ld be put to dea?1 z %\ld also he :o /rives to lead away ! p f ! true religion1 ?\gh he confirm 8 au?ority ) signs & port5ts4 7#gd7 ,we may comp>e ) ! above ,deut4 xiii4 7#ge7 ,:5ce x foll[s t a true prophet c\ld be di/+ui%$ f a false "o1 bo? by 8 doctr9e & by ! miracles he wr\ght1 = ,moses decl>es su* an "o to be a true prophet1 & bids ! p tru/ him )\t fe> ( deceit4 7#gf7 ,he condemns z false1 & wor?y ( dea?1 ^? :o pr$ict any?+ falsely ev5 9 ! "n ( ! ,"l1 or :o prea* false gods1 ev5 ?\gh _! miracles be real4 7#gg7 ,! only reason1 !n1 :i* we h = belief 9 ,scripture or ! writ+s ( ! prophets1 is ! doctr9e we f9d !re91 & ! signs by :i* x is confirm$4 7#gh7 ,= z we see t ! prophets extol *>ity & ju/ice above all ?+s1 & h no o!r object1 we conclude t !y did n write f unwor?y motives1 b because !y really ?\ght t m5 might become bless$ ?r\gh ob$i5ce & fai?3 fur!r1 z we see t !y confirm$ _! tea*+ ) signs & wond]s1 we become p]suad$ t !y did n speak at r&om1 nor run riot 9 _! prophecies4 7#gi7 ,we are fur!r /r5g!n$ 9 our conclusion by ! fact t ! morality !y tea* is 9 evid5t agreem5t ) reason1 = x is no accid5tal co9cid5ce t ! ,^w ( ,god :i* we f9d 9 ! prophets co9cides ) ! ,^w ( ,god writt5 9 our he>ts4 7#hj7 ,we may1 ,i say1 conclude ?is f ! sacr$ books z c]ta9ly z did ! ,jews ( old f ! liv+ voice ( ! prophets3 = we %[$ 9 ,*ap4 ,,xii4 t ,scripture has come d[n to u intact 9 respect to its doctr9e & ma9 n>ratives4 7#ha7 ,!re=e ?is :ole basis ( !ology & ,scripture1 ?\gh x does n admit ( ma!matical pro(1 may yet be accept$ ) ! approval ( our judgm5t4 7#hb7 ,x w\ld be folly to refuse to accept :at is confirm$ by su* ample prophetic te/imony1 & :at has prov$ su* a com=t to ^? ^: reason is comp>atively weak1 & su* a b5efit to ! /ate2 a doctr9e1 moreov]1 :i* we may believe 9 )\t ! slighte/ p]il or hurt1 & %\ld reject simply because x _c be ma!matically prov$3 x is z ?\gh we %\ld admit no?+ z true1 or z a wise rule ( life1 :i* c\ld ev]1 9 any possible way1 be call$ 9 "q2 or z ?\gh mo/ ( our actions 7 n full ( unc]ta9ty & haz>ds4 7#hc7 ,i admit t ^? :o believe t !ology & philosophy are mutually contradictory1 & t !re=e ei!r "o or ! o!r mu/ be ?ru/ f its ?rone - ,i admit1 ,i say1 t su* p]sons are n unreasonable 9 attempt+ to put !ology on a firm basis1 & to demon/rate its tru? ma!matically4 7#hd7 ,:o1 unless he 7 desp]ate or mad1 w\ld wi% to bid an incont95t f>ewell to reason1 or to despise ! arts & sci5ces1 or to d5y reason's c]titude8 7#he7 ,b1 9 ! mean:ile1 we _c :olly absolve !m f blame1 inasmu* z !y invoke ! aid ( reason = h] own defeat1 & attempt infallibly to prove h] fallible4 7#hf7 ,:ile !y are try+ to prove ma!matically ! au?ority & tru? ( !ology1 & to take away ! au?ority ( natural reason1 !y are 9 reality only br++ !ology "u reason's dom9ion1 & prov+ t h] au?ority has no weight unless natural reason be at ! back ( x4 7#hg7 ,if !y boa/ t !y !mselves ass5t because ( ! inw>d te/imony ( ! ,holy ,_s1 & t !y only invoke ! aid ( reason because ( unbeliev]s1 9 ord] to conv9ce !m1 n ev5 s c ?is meet ) our approval1 = we c easily %[ t !y h spok5 ei!r f emotion or va9-glory4 7#hh7 ,x mo/ cle>ly foll[s f ! la/ *apt] t ! ,holy ,_s only gives its te/imony 9 fav\r ( works1 call$ by ,paul 79 ,gal4 v3#bb7 ! fruits ( ! ,_s1 & is 9 itself really no?+ b ! m5tal acquiesc5ce :i* foll[s a good action 9 our s\ls4 7#hi7 ,no _s gives te/imony conc]n+ ! c]titude ( matt]s )9 ! sph]e ( speculation1 save only reason1 :o is mi/ress1 z we h %[n1 ( ! :ole realm ( tru?4 7#ij7 ,if !n !y ass]t t !y possess ?is ,_s :i* makes !m c]ta9 ( tru?1 !y speak falsely1 & accord+ to ! prejudices ( ! emotions1 or else !y are 9 great dread le/ !y %\ld be vanqui%$ by philosoph]s & expos$ to public ridicule1 & !re=e !y flee1 z x 71 to ! alt>2 b _! refuge is va91 = :at alt> w %elt] a man :o has outrag$ reason8 7#ia7 ,h[ev]1 ,i pass su* p]sons ov]1 = ,i ?9k ,i h fulfill$ my purpose1 & %[n h[ philosophy %\ld be sep>at$ f !ology1 & :]e9 ea* consi/s2 t nei!r %\ld be subs]vi5t to ! o!r1 b t ea* %\ld keep h] unoppos$ dom9ion4 7#ib7 ,la/ly1 z occasion (f]$1 ,i h po9t$ out ! absurdities1 ! inconv5i5ces1 & ! evils foll[+ f ! extraord9>y confusion :i* has hi!rto prevail$ betwe5 ! two subjects1 ow+ to _! n be+ prop]ly di/+ui%$ & sep>at$4 7#ic7 ,be=e ,i g fur!r ,i w\ld expressly /ate 7?\gh ,i h said x be=e7 t ,i consid] ! utility & ! ne$ = ,holy ,scripture or ,revelation to be v great4 7#id7 ,= z we _c p]ceive by ! natural light ( reason t simple ob$i5ce is ! pa? ( salvation ,endnote #be1 & are taught by revelation only t x is s by ! special grace ( ,god1 :i* our reason _c atta91 x foll[s t ! ,bible has br\ght a v great consolation to mank9d4 7#ie7 ,all are able to obey1 :]eas !re are b v few1 comp>$ ) ! aggregate ( humanity1 :o c acquire ! habit ( virtue "u ! unaid$ guidance ( reason4 7#if7 ,?us if we _h n ! te/imony ( ,scripture1 we %\ld d\bt ( ! salvation ( ne>ly all m54 ,end ( ,"p #c - ,*apt]s ,,xi to ,,xv4 ,,au?or',s ,,endnotes ,,to ,,! ,,!ologico-,,political ,,treatise ,,*apt] ,,xi4 ,endnote #bd4 7#a7 ,n[ ,i ?9k4 7#b7 ,! translators r5d] ! ,greek ^w ,i inf]1 & ass]t t ,paul uses x z synonym\s ) a ,greek ^w4 7#c7 ,b ! =m] ^w has1 9 ,greek1 ! same mean+ z ! ,hebrew ^w r5d]$ to ?9k1 to e/eem1 to judge4 7#d7 ,& ?is signification w\ld be 9 entire agreem5t ) ! ,syriac translation4 7#e7 ,?is ,syriac translation 7if x be a translation1 :i* is v d\btful1 = we "k nei!r ! "t ( its appe>ance1 nor ! translators & ,syriac 0 ! v]nacul> ( ! ,apo/les7 r5d]s ! text be=e u 9 a way well expla9$ by ,tremellius z we ?9k1 !re=e4 ,,*apt] ,,xv4 ,endnote #be4 7#a7 ,t simple ob$i5ce is ! pa? ( salvation4 7#b7 ,9 o!r words1 x is en\gh = salvation or bless$ness1 t we %\ld embrace ! ,div9e decrees z laws or comm&s2 !re is no ne$ to conceive !m z et]nal tru?s4 7#c7 ,?is c be taught u by ,revelation1 n ,reason1 z appe>s f ! demon/rations giv5 9 ,*apt] ,,iv4 ,end ( ,"p ,,iii - ,*apt]s ,,xi to ,,xv4