a theologico-political treatise [part iv]-第10章
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the indignity of standing in his presence。
（17：128） So much for the precautions for keeping the captains within bounds。
＇17：9＇ （129） We must now look for the restraints upon the people： these；
however； are very clearly indicated in the very groundwork of the social
fabric。
（17：130） Anyone who gives the subject the slightest attention； will see that
the state was so ordered as to inspire the most ardent patriotism in the
hearts of the citizens； so that the latter would be very hard to persuade to
betray their country； and be ready to endure anything rather than
submit to a foreign yoke。 （131） After they had transferred their right
to God； they thought that their kingdom belonged to God； and that they
themselves were God's children。 （132） Other nations they looked upon as
God's enemies； and regarded with intense hatred （which they took
to be piety； see Psalm cxxxix：21； 22）： nothing would have been more
abhorrent to them than swearing allegiance to a foreigner； and promising him
obedience： nor could they conceive any greater or more execrable crime than
the betrayal of their country； the kingdom of the God whom they adored。
（17：133） It was considered wicked for anyone to settle outside of the
country； inasmuch as the worship of God by which they were bound could not
be carried on elsewhere： their own land alone was considered holy； the rest
of the earth unclean and profane。
（17：134） David； who was forced to live in exile； complained before Saul as
follows： 〃But if they be the children of men who have stirred thee up
against me； cursed be they before the Lord； for they have driven me out this
day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord； saying； Go； serve other
gods。〃 （I Sam。 xxvi：19。） （135） For the same reason no citizen； as we should
especially remark； was ever sent into exile： he who sinned was liable to
punishment； but not to disgrace。
（17：136） Thus the love of the Hebrews for their country was not only
patriotism； but also piety； and was cherished and nurtured bv daily rites
till； like their hatred of other nations； it must have passed into their
nature。 （137） Their daily worship was not only different from that of other
nations （as it might well be； considering that they were a peculiar people
and entirely apart from the rest）； it was absolutely contrary。 （138） Such
daily reprobation naturally gave rise to a lasting hatred； deeply implanted
in the heart： for of all hatreds none is more deep and tenacious than
that which springs from extreme devoutness or piety； and is itself cherished
as pious。 （139） Nor was a general cause lacking for inflaming such hatred
more and more； inasmuch as it was reciprocated； the surrounding nations
regarding the Jews with a hatred just as intense。
（17：140） How great was the effect of all these causes； namely； freedom from
man's dominion； devotion to their country； absolute rights over all
other men； a hatred not only permitted but pious； a contempt for their
fellow…men； the singularity of their customs and religious rites； the
effect； I repeat； of all these causes in strengthening the hearts of the
Jews to bear all things for their country； with extraordinary constancy and
valour； will at once be discerned by reason and attested by experience。
（141） Never； so long as the city was standing； could they endure to remain
under foreign dominion； and therefore they called Jerusalem 〃a rebellious
city〃 （Ezra iv：12）。 （142） Their state after its reestablishment （which was a
mere shadow of the first； for the high priests had usurped the rights of the
tribal captains） was； with great difficulty； destroyed by the Romans； as
Tacitus bears witness （Hist。 ii：4）：… 〃Vespasian had closed the war against
the Jews； abandoning the siege of Jerusalem as an enterprise difficult
and arduous rather from the character of the people and the obstinacy of
their superstition； than from the strength left to the besieged for meeting
their necessities。〃 （143） But besides these characteristics； which are
merely ascribed by an individual opinion； there was one feature
peculiar to this state and of great importance in retaining the affections
of the citizens； and checking all thoughts of desertion； or abandonment of
the country： namely； self…interest； the strength and life of all human
action。 （144） This was peculiarly engaged in the Hebrew state； for
nowhere else did citizens possess their goods so securely； as did the
subjects of this community； for the latter possessed as large a share in the
land and the fields as did their chiefs； and were owners of their plots of
ground in perpetuity； for if any man was compelled by poverty to sell his
farm or his pasture； he received it back again intact at the year of
jubilee： there were other similar enactments against the possibility of
alienating real property。
（17：145） Again； poverty w as nowhere more endurable than in a country where
duty towards one's neighbour； that is； one's fellow…citizen； was practised
with the utmost piety； as a means of gaining the favour of God the King。
（146） Thus the Hebrew citizens would nowhere be so well off as in their own
country； outside its limits they met with nothing but loss and disgrace。
（17：147） The following considerations were of weight； not only in keeping
them at home； but also in preventing civil war and removing causes of
strife； no one was bound to serve his equal； but only to serve God； while
charity and love towards fellow…citizens was accounted the highest piety；
this last feeling was not a little fostered by the general hatred with which
they regarded foreign nations and were regarded by them。 （148） Furthermore；
the strict discipline of obedience in which they were brought up； was a very
important factor； for they were bound to carry on all their actions
according to the set rules of the law： a man might not plough when he liked；
but only at certain times； in certain years； and with one sort of beast at a
time； so； too； he might only sow and reap in a certain method and season …
in fact； his whole life was one long school of obedience （see Chap。 V。 on
the use of ceremonies）； such a habit was thus engendered； that conformity
seemed freedom instead of servitude； and men desired what was commanded
rather than what was forbidden。 （149） This result was not a little aided by
the fact that the people were bound； at certain seasons of the year； to give
themselves up to rest and rejoicing； not for their own pleasure； but in
order that they might worship God cheerfully。
（17：150） Three times in the year they feasted before the Lord； on the
seventh day of every week they were bidden to abstain from all work and to
rest； besides these； there were other occasions when innocent rejoicing and
feasting were not only allowed but enjoined。 （151） I do not think any better
means of influencing men's minds could be devised； for there is no more
powerful attraction than joy springing from devotion； a mixture of
admiration and love。 （152） It was not easy to be wearied by constant
repetition； for the rites on the various festivals were varied and recurred
seldom。 （153） We may add the deep reverence for the Temple which all most
religiously fostered； on account of the peculiar rites and duties that they
were obliged to perform before approaching thither。 （154） Even now； Jews
cannot read without horror of the crime of Manasseh； who dared to place au
idol in the Temple。 （155） The laws； scrupulously preserved in the inmost
sanctuary； were objects of equal reverence to the people。 （156） Popular
reports and misconceptions were； therefore； very little to be feared
in this quarter； for no one dared decide on sacred matters； but all
felt bound to obey； without consulting their reason； all
