theologico-political treatise p3(神学与政治专题研究3)-第3章
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passages； I say； show clearly the stamp both of the apostleship and the
teachership： the authority for admonishing whomsoever and wheresoever
he pleased is asserted by Paul in the Epistle to Philemon； v：8： 〃Wherefore；
though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is
convenient； yet；〃 &c。； where we may remark that if Paul had received
from God as a prophet what he wished to enjoin Philemon； and had been
bound to speak in his prophetic capacity； he would not have been able to
change the command of God into entreaties。 （48） We must therefore
understand him to refer to the permission to admonish which he had
received as a teacher； and not as a prophet。 （49） We have not yet made it
quite clear that the Apostles might each choose his own way of teaching；
but only that by virtue of their Apostleship they were teachers as well as
prophets； however； if we call reason to our aid we shall clearly see that an
authority to teach implies authority to choose the method。 （50） It will
nevertheless be； perhaps； more satisfactory to draw all our proofs from
Scripture； we are there plainly told that each Apostle chose his particular
method （Rom。 xv： 20）： 〃Yea； so have I strived to preach the gospel； not
where Christ was named； lest I should build upon another man's
foundation。〃 （51） If all the Apostles had adopted the same method of
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teaching； and had all built up the Christian religion on the same foundation；
Paul would have had no reason to call the work of a fellow…Apostle
〃another man's foundation；〃 inasmuch as it would have been identical with
his own： his calling it another man's proved that each Apostle built up his
religious instruction on different foundations； thus resembling other
teachers who have each their own method； and prefer instructing quite
ignorant people who have never learnt under another master； whether the
subject be science； languages； or even the indisputable truths of
mathematics。 （52） Furthermore； if we go through the Epistles at all
attentively； we shall see that the Apostles； while agreeing about religion
itself； are at variance as to the foundations it rests on。 （53） Paul； in order to
strengthen men's religion； and show them that salvation depends solely on
the grace of God； teaches that no one can boast of works； but only of faith；
and that no one can be justified by works （Rom。 iii：27；28）； in fact； he
preaches the complete doctrine of predestination。 （54） James； on the other
hand； states that man is justified by works； and not by faith only （see his
Epistle； ii：24）； and omitting all the disputations of Paul； confines religion
to a very few elements。
（55） Lastly； it is indisputable that from these different ground； for
religion selected by the Apostles； many quarrels and schisms distracted the
Church； even in the earliest times； and doubtless they will continue so to
distract it for ever； or at least till religion is separated from philosophical
speculations； and reduced to the few simple doctrines taught by Christ to
His disciples； such a task was impossible for the Apostles； because the
Gospel was then unknown to mankind； and lest its novelty should offend
men's ears it had to be adapted to the disposition of contemporaries （2 Cor。
ix：19； 20）； and built up on the groundwork most familiar and accepted at
the time。 （56） Thus none of the Apostles philosophized more than did Paul；
who was called to preach to the Gentiles； other Apostles preaching to the
Jews； who despised philosophy； similarly； adapted themselves to the
temper of their hearers （see Gal。 ii。 11）； and preached a religion free from
all philosophical speculations。 （57） How blest would our age be if it could
witness a religion freed also from all the trammels of superstition！
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CHAPTER XII
OF THE TRUE ORIGINAL OF THE DIVINE LAW； AND
WHEREFORE SCRIPTURE IS CALLED SACRED； AND THE WORD
OF GOD。 HOW THAT； IN S0 FAR AS IT CONTAINS THE WORD OF
GOD； IT HAS COME DOWN TO US UNCORRUPTED。
（1） Those who look upon the Bible as a message sent down by God
from Heaven to men； will doubtless cry out that I have committed the sin
against the Holy Ghost because I have asserted that the Word of God is
faulty； mutilated； tampered with； and inconsistent； that we possess it only
in fragments； and that the original of the covenant which God made with
the Jews has been lost。 （2） However； I have no doubt that a little reflection
will cause them to desist from their uproar： for not only reason but the
expressed opinions of prophets and apostles openly proclaim that God's
eternal Word and covenant； no less than true religion； is Divinely inscribed
in human hearts； that is； in the human mind； and that this is the true
original of God's covenant； stamped with His own seal； namely； the idea of
Himself； as it were； with the image of His Godhood。
（3） Religion was imparted to the early Hebrews as a law written down；
because they were at that time in the condition of children； but afterwards
Moses （Deut。 xxx：6） and Jeremiah （xxxi：33） predicted a time coming
when the Lord should write His law in their hearts。 （4） Thus only the Jews；
and amongst them chiefly the Sadducees； struggled for the law written on
tablets； least of all need those who bear it inscribed on their hearts join in
the contest。 （5） Those； therefore； who reflect； will find nothing in what I
have written repugnant either to the Word of God or to true religion and
faith； or calculated to weaken either one or the other： contrariwise； they
will see that I have strengthened religion； as I showed at the end of
Chapter X。； indeed； had it not been so； I should certainly have decided to
hold my peace； nay； I would even have asserted as a way out of all
difficulties that the Bible contains the most profound hidden mysteries；
however； as this doctrine has given rise to gross superstition and other
pernicious results spoken of at the beginning of Chapter V。； I have thought
such a course unnecessary； especially as religion stands in no need of
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superstitious adornments； but is； on the contrary； deprived by such
trappings of some of her splendour。
（6） Still； it will be said； though the law of God is written in the heart；
the Bible is none the less the Word of God； and it is no more lawful to say
of Scripture than of God's Word that it is mutilated and corrupted。 （7） I
fear that such objectors are too anxious to be pious； and that they are in
danger of turning religion into superstition； and worshipping paper and ink
in place of God's Word。
（8） I am certified of thus much： I have said nothing unworthy of
Scripture or God's Word； and I have made no assertions which
