第 22 节
everyone should be bound to serve; and yet not be in subjection to his
equals; or else; if power be in the hands of a few; or one man; that one man
should be something above average humanity; or should strive to get
himself accepted as such。 (46) Secondly; laws should in every government
be so arranged that people should be kept in bounds by the hope of some
greatly desired good; rather than by fear; for then everyone will do his
duty willingly。
(47) Lastly; as obedience consists in acting at the bidding of external
authority; it would have no place in a state where the government is vested
in the whole people; and where laws are made by common consent。 (48)
In such a society the people would remain free; whether the laws were
added to or diminished; inasmuch as it would not be done on external
authority; but their own free consent。 (49) The reverse happens when the
sovereign power is vested in one man; for all act at his bidding; and;
therefore; unless they had been trained from the first to depend on the
words of their ruler; the latter would find it difficult; in case of need; to
abrogate liberties once conceded; and impose new laws。
(50) From these universal considerations; let us pass on to the
kingdom of the Jews。 (51) The Jews when they first came out of Egypt
were not bound by any national laws; and were therefore free to ratify any
laws they liked; or to make new ones; and were at liberty to set up a
government and occupy a territory wherever they chose。 (52) However;
they; were entirely unfit to frame a wise code of laws and to keep the
sovereign power vested in the community; they were all uncultivated and
sunk in a wretched slavery; therefore the sovereignty was bound to remain
vested in the hands of one man who would rule the rest and keep them
under constraint; make laws and interpret them。 (53) This sovereignty was
easily retained by Moses; because he surpassed the rest in virtue and
persuaded the people of the fact; proving it by many testimonies (see Exod。
71
… Page 72…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
chap。 xiv。; last verse; and chap。 xix:9)。 (54) He then; by the Divine virtue
he possessed; made laws and ordained them for the people; taking the
greatest care that they should be obeyed willingly and not through fear;
being specially induced to adopt this course by the obstinate nature of the
Jews; who would not have submitted to be ruled solely by constraint; and
also by the imminence of war; for it is always better to inspire soldiers
with a thirst for glory than to terrify them with threats; each man will then
strive to distinguish himself by valour and courage; instead of merely
trying to escape punishment。 (55) Moses; therefore; by his virtue and the
Divine command; introduced a religion; so that the people might do their
duty from devotion rather than fear。 (56) Further; he bound them over by
benefits; and prophesied many advantages in the future; nor were his laws
very severe; as anyone may see for himself; especially if he remarks the
number of circumstances necessary in order to procure the conviction of
an accused person。
(57) Lastly; in order that the people which could not govern itself
should be entirely dependent on its ruler; he left nothing to the free choice
of individuals (who had hitherto been slaves); the people could do nothing
but remember the law; and follow the ordinances laid down at the good
pleasure of their ruler; they were not allowed to plough; to sow; to reap;
nor even to eat; to clothe themselves; to shave; to rejoice; or in fact to do
anything whatever as they liked; but were bound to follow the directions
given in the law; and not only this; but they were obliged to have marks on
their door…posts; on their hands; and between their eyes to admonish them
to perpetual obedience。 (58) This; then; was the object of the ceremonial
law; that men should do nothing of their own free will; but should always
act under external authority; and should continually confess by their
actions and thoughts that they were not their own masters; but were
entirely under the control of others。
(59) From all these considerations it is clearer than day that
ceremonies have nothing to do with a state of blessedness; and that those
mentioned in the Old Testament; i。e。 the whole Mosaic Law; had reference
merely to the government of the Jews; and merely temporal advantages。
(60) As for the Christian rites; such as baptism; the Lord's Supper;
72
… Page 73…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
festivals; public prayers; and any other observances which are; and always
have been; common to all Christendom; if they were instituted by Christ or
His Apostles (which is open to doubt); they were instituted as external
signs of the universal church; and not as having anything to do with
blessedness; or possessing any sanctity in themselves。 (61) Therefore;
though such ceremonies were not ordained for the sake of upholding a
government; they were ordained for the preservation of a society; and
accordingly he who lives alone is not bound by them: nay; those who live
in a country where the Christian religion is forbidden; are bound to abstain
from such rites; and can none the less live in a state of blessedness。 (62)
We have an example of this in Japan; where the Christian religion is
forbidden; and the Dutch who live there are enjoined by their East India
Company not to practise any outward rites of religion。 (63) I need not cite
other examples; though it would be easy to prove my point from the
fundamental principles of the New Testament; and to adduce many
confirmatory instances; but I pass on the more willingly; as I am anxious
to proceed to my next proposition。 (64) I will now; therefore; pass on to
what I proposed to treat of in the second part of this chapter; namely; what
persons are bound to believe in the narratives contained in Scripture; and
how far they are so bound。 (65) Examining this question by the aid of
natural reason; I will proceed as follows。
(66) If anyone wishes to persuade his fellows for or against anything
which is not self…evident; he must deduce his contention from their
admissions; and convince them either by experience or by ratiocination;
either by appealing to facts of natural experience; or to self…evident
intellectual axioms。 (67) Now unless the experience be of such a kind as to
be clearly and distinctly understood; though it may convince a man; it will
not have the same effect on his mind and disperse the clouds of his doubt
so completely as when the doctrine taught is deduced entirely from
intellectual axioms … that is; by the mere power of the understanding and
logical order; and this is especially the case in spiritual matters which have
nothing to do with the senses。
(68) But the deduction of conclusions from general truths 。 priori;
usually requires a long chain of arguments; and; moreover; very great
73
… Page 74…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
caution; acuteness; and self…restraint … qualities which are not often met
with; therefore people prefer to be taught by experience rather than deduce
their conclusion from a few axioms; and set them out in logical order。 (69)
Whence it follows; that if anyone wishes to teach a doctrine to a whole
nation (not to speak of the whole human race); and to be understood by all
men in every particular; he will seek to support his teaching with
experience; and will endeavour to suit his reasonings and the definitions of
his doctrines as far as possible to the understanding of the common people;
who form the majority of mankind;