AmistaketosupposethatprophecycangiveknowledgeofphenomenaCertaintyofprophecybasedon:
(1)Vividnessofimagination，(2)ASign，(3)GoodnessoftheProphet。
Variationofprophecywiththetemperamentandopinionsoftheindividual。
CHAPTERIII-OftheVocationoftheHebrews，andwhethertheGiftofProphecywaspeculiartothem。
HappinessofHebrewsdidnotconsistintheinferiorityoftheGentile。
Norinphilosophicknowledgeorvirtue。
Butintheirconductofaffairsofstateandescapefrompoliticaldangers。
EventhisDistinctiondidnotexistinthetimeofAbraham。
TestimonyfromtheOldTestamentitselftotheshareoftheGentilesinthelawandfavourofGod。
ExplanationofapparentdiscrepancyoftheEpistletotheRomans。
AnswertotheargumentsfortheeternalelectionoftheJews。
CHAPTERIV-OftheDivineLaw。
Lawseitherdependonnaturalnecessityoronhumandecree。Theexistenceofthelatternotinconsistentwiththeformerclassoflaws。
Divinelawakindoflawfoundedonhumandecree:
calledDivinefromitsobject。
Divinelaw:
(1)universal；
(2)independentofthetruthofanyhistoricalnarrative；
(3)independentofritesandceremonies；
(4)itsownreward。
ReasondoesnotpresentGodasalaw-giverformen。
Suchaconceptionaproofofignorance-inAdam-intheIsraelites-
inChristians。
TestimonyoftheScripturesinfavourofreasonandtherationalviewoftheDivine。
CHAPTERV-OftheCeremonialLaw。
CeremoniallawoftheOldTestamentnopartoftheDivineuniversallaw，butpartialandtemporary。TestimonyoftheprophetsthemselvestothisTestimonyoftheNewTestament。
HowtheceremoniallawtendedtopreservetheHebrewkingdom。
Christianritesonasimilarfooting。
WhatpartoftheScripturenarrativesisoneboundtobelieve?
AuthorsEndnotestotheTreatise。
ATheologico-PoliticalTreatisePart1-ChaptersItoV
PREFACE。
(1)Menwouldneverbesuperstitious，iftheycouldgovernalltheircircumstancesbysetrules，oriftheywerealwaysfavouredbyfortune:butbeingfrequentlydrivenintostraitswhererulesareuseless，andbeingoftenkeptfluctuatingpitiablybetweenhopeandfearbytheuncertaintyoffortune\'sgreedilycovetedfavours，theyareconsequently，forthemostpart，verypronetocredulity。(2)Thehumanmindisreadilyswayedthiswayorthatintimesofdoubt，especiallywhenhopeandfeararestrugglingforthemastery，thoughusuallyitisboastful，over-confident，andvain。
(3)ThisasageneralfactIsupposeeveryoneknows，thoughfew，Ibelieve，knowtheirownnature；noonecanhavelivedintheworldwithoutobservingthatmostpeople，wheninprosperity，aresoover-brimmingwithwisdom(howeverinexperiencedtheymaybe)，thattheytakeeveryofferofadviceasapersonalinsult，whereasinadversitytheyknownotwheretoturn，butbegandprayforcounselfromeverypasser-by。(4)Noplanisthentoofutile，tooabsurd，ortoofatuousfortheiradoption；themostfrivolouscauseswillraisethemtohope，orplungethemintodespair-ifanythinghappensduringtheirfrightwhichremindsthemofsomepastgoodorill，theythinkitportendsahappyorunhappyissue，andtherefore(thoughitmayhaveprovedabortiveahundredtimesbefore)styleitaluckyorunluckyomen。
(5)AnythingwhichexcitestheirastonishmenttheybelievetobeaportentsignifyingtheangerofthegodsoroftheSupremeBeing，and，mistakingsuperstitionforreligion，accountitimpiousnottoaverttheevilwithprayerandsacrifice。(6)Signsandwondersofthissorttheyconjureupperpetually，tillonemightthinkNatureasmadasthemselves，theyinterprethersofantastically。
(7)Thusitisbroughtprominentlybeforeus，thatsuperstition\'schiefvictimsarethosepersonswhogreedilycovettemporaladvantages；theyitis，who(especiallywhentheyareindanger，andcannothelpthemselves)arewontwithPrayersandwomanishtearstoimplorehelpfromGod:upbraidingReasonasblind，becauseshecannotshowasurepathtotheshadowstheypursue，andrejectinghumanwisdomasvain；butbelievingthephantomsofimagination，dreams，andotherchildishabsurdities，tobetheveryoraclesofHeaven。(8)AsthoughGodhadturnedawayfromthewise，andwrittenHisdecrees，notinthemindofmanbutintheentrailsofbeasts，orleftthemtobeproclaimedbytheinspirationandinstinctoffools，madmen，andbirds。Suchistheunreasontowhichterrorcandrivemankind!
(9)Superstition，then，isengendered，preserved，andfosteredbyfear。Ifanyonedesireanexample，lethimtakeAlexander，whoonlybegansuperstitiouslytoseekguidancefromseers，whenhefirstlearnttofearfortuneinthepassesofSysis(Curtius，v。4)；whereasafterhehadconqueredDariusheconsultedprophetsnomore，tillasecondtimefrightenedbyreverses。(10)WhentheScythianswereprovokingabattle，theBactrianshaddeserted，andhehimselfwaslyingsickofhiswounds，\"heoncemoreturnedtosuperstition，themockeryofhumanwisdom，andbadeAristander，towhomheconfidedhiscredulity，inquiretheissueofaffairswithsacrificedvictims。\"(11)Verynumerousexamplesofalikenaturemightbecited，clearlyshowingthefact，thatonlywhileunderthedominionoffeardomenfallapreytosuperstition；
thatalltheportentseverinvestedwiththereverenceofmisguidedreligionaremerephantomsofdejectedandfearfulminds；andlastly，thatprophetshavemostpoweramongthepeople，andaremostformidabletorulers，preciselyatthosetimeswhenthestateisinmostperil。(12)Ithinkthisissufficientlyplaintoall，andwillthereforesaynomoreonthesubject。
(13)Theoriginofsuperstitionabovegivenaffordsusaclearreasonforthefact，thatitcomestoallmennaturally，thoughsomereferitsrisetoadimnotionofGod，universaltomankind，andalsotendstoshow，thatitisnolessinconsistentandvariablethanothermentalhallucinationsandemotionalimpulses，andfurtherthatitcanonlybemaintainedbyhope，hatred，anger，anddeceit；sinceitsprings，notfromreason，butsolelyfromthemorepowerfulphasesofemotion。(14)Furthermore，wemayreadilyunderstandhowdifficultitis，tomaintaininthesamecoursemenpronetoeveryformofcredulity。(15)For，asthemassofmankindremainsalwaysataboutthesamepitchofmisery，itneverassentslongtoanyoneremedy，butisalwaysbestpleasedbyanoveltywhichhasnotyetprovedillusive。
(16)Thiselementofinconsistencyhasbeenthecauseofmanyterriblewarsandrevolutions；for，asCurtiuswellsays(lib。iv。chap。10):\"Themobhasnorulermorepotentthansuperstition，\"andiseasilyled，onthepleaofreligion，atonemomenttoadoreitskingsasgods，andanontoexecrateandabjurethemashumanity\'scommonbane。(17)Immensepainshavethereforebeentakentocounteractthisevilbyinvestingreligion，whethertrueorfalse，withsuchpompandceremony，thatitmay，risesuperiortoeveryshock，andbealwaysobservedwithstudiousreverencebythewholepeople-
asystemwhichhasbeenbroughttogreatperfectionbytheTurks，fortheyconsiderevencontroversyimpious，andsoclogmen\'smindswithdogmaticformulas，thattheyleavenoroomforsoundreason，notevenenoughtodoubtwith。
(18)Butif，indespoticstatecraft，thesupremeandessentialmysterybetohoodwinkthesubjects，andtomaskthefear，whichkeepsthemclown，withthespeciousgarbofreligion，sothatmenmayfightasbravelyforslaveryasforsafety，andcountitnotshamebuthighesthonourtorisktheirbloodandtheirlivesforthevaingloryofatyrant；yetinafreestatenomoremischievousexpedientcouldbeplannedorattempted。(19)Whollyrepugnanttothegeneralfreedomaresuchdevicesasenthrallingmen\'smindswithprejudices，forcingtheirjudgment，oremployinganyoftheweaponsofquasi-religioussedition；indeed，suchseditionsonlyspringup，whenlawentersthedomainofspeculativethought，andopinionsareputontrialandcondemnedonthesamefootingascrimes，whilethosewhodefendandfollowthemaresacrificed，nottopublicsafety，buttotheiropponents\'
hatredandcruelty。(20)Ifdeedsonlycouldbemadethegroundsofcriminalcharges，andwordswerealwaysallowedtopassfree，suchseditionswouldbedivestedofeverysemblanceofjustification，andwouldbeseparatedfrommerecontroversiesbyahardandfastline。
(20)Now，seeingthatwehavetherarehappinessoflivinginarepublic，whereeveryone\'sjudgmentisfreeandunshackled，whereeachmayworshipGodashisconsciencedictates，andwherefreedomisesteemedbeforeallthingsdearandprecious，IhavebelievedthatIshouldbeundertakingnoungratefulorunprofitabletask，indemonstratingthatnotonlycansuchfreedombegrantedwithoutprejudicetothepublicpeace，butalso，thatwithoutsuchfreedom，pietycannotflourishnorthepublicpeacebesecure。
(21)SuchisthechiefconclusionIseektoestablishinthistreatise；but，inordertoreachit，Imustfirstpointoutthemisconceptionswhich，likescarsofourformerbondage，stilldisfigureournotionofreligion，andmustexposethefalseviewsaboutthecivilauthoritywhichmanyhavemostimpudentlyadvocated，endeavouringtoturnthemindofthepeople，stillpronetoheathensuperstition，awayfromitslegitimaterulers，andsobringusagainintoslavery。(22)AstotheorderofmytreatiseIwillspeakpresently，butfirstIwillrecountthecauseswhichledmetowrite。
(23)Ihaveoftenwondered，thatpersonswhomakeaboastofprofessingtheChristianreligion，namely，love，joy，peace，temperance，andcharitytoallmen，shouldquarrelwithsuchrancorousanimosity，anddisplaydailytowardsoneanothersuchbitterhatred，thatthis，ratherthanthevirtuestheyclaim，isthereadiestcriterionoftheirfaith。(24)Mattershavelongsincecometosuchapass，thatonecanonlypronounceamanChristian，Turk，Jew，orHeathen，byhisgeneralappearanceandattire，byhisfrequentingthisorthatplaceofworship，oremployingthephraseologyofaparticularsect-asformanneroflife，itisinallcasesthesame。(25)
Inquiryintothecauseofthisanomalyleadsmeunhesitatinglytoascribeittothefact，thattheministriesoftheChurchareregardedbythemassesmerelyasdignities，herofficesaspostsofemolument-inshort，popularreligionmaybesummedupasrespectforecclesiastics。(26)Thespreadofthismisconceptioninflamedeveryworthlessfellowwithanintensedesiretoenterholyorders，andthustheloveofdiffusingGod\'sreligiondegeneratedintosordidavariceandambition。(27)Everychurchbecameatheatre，whereorators，insteadofchurchteachers，harangued，caringnottoinstructthepeople，butstrivingtoattractadmiration，tobringopponentstopublicscorn，andtopreachonlynoveltiesandparadoxes，suchaswouldtickletheearsoftheircongregation。(28)Thisstateofthingsnecessarilystirredupanamountofcontroversy
envy，andhatred，whichnolapseoftimecouldappease；sothatwecanscarcelywonderthatoftheoldreligionnothingsurvivesbutitsoutwardforms(eventhese，inthemouthofthemultitude，seemratheradulationthanadorationoftheDeity)，andthatfaithhasbecomeamerecompoundofcredulityandprejudices-aye，prejudicestoo，whichdegrademanfromrationalbeingtobeast，whichcompletelystiflethepowerofjudgmentbetweentrueandfalse，whichseem，infact，carefullyfosteredforthepurposeofextinguishingthelastsparkofreason!(29)Piety，greatGod!andreligionarebecomeatissueofridiculousmysteries；men，whoflatlydespisereason，whorejectandturnawayfromunderstandingasnaturallycorrupt，these，Isay，theseofallmen，arethought，0liemosthorrible!topossesslightfromonHigh。(30)
Verily，iftheyhadbutonesparkoflightfromonHigh，theywouldnotinsolentlyrave，butwouldlearntoworshipGodmorewisely，andwouldbeasmarkedamongtheirfellowsformercyastheynowareformalice；iftheywereconcernedfortheiropponents\'souls，insteadoffortheirownreputations，theywouldnolongerfiercelypersecute，butratherbefilledwithpityandcompassion。
(31)Furthermore，ifanyDivinelightwereinthem，itwouldappearfromtheirdoctrine。(32)IgrantthattheyarenevertiredofprofessingtheirwonderattheprofoundmysteriesofHolyWrit；stillIcannotdiscoverthattheyteachanythingbutspeculationsofPlatonistsandAristotelians，towhich(inordertosavetheircreditforChristianity)theyhavemadeHolyWritconform；notcontenttoravewiththeGreeksthemselves，theywanttomaketheprophetsravealso；showingconclusively，thatnevereveninsleephavetheycaughtaglimpseofScripture\'sDivinenature。(33)Theveryvehemenceoftheiradmirationforthemysteriesplainlyattests，thattheirbeliefintheBibleisaformalassentratherthanalivingfaith:andthefactismadestillmoreapparentbytheirlayingdownbeforehand，asafoundationforthestudyandtrueinterpretationofScripture，theprinciplethatitisineverypassagetrueanddivine。(34)SuchadoctrineshouldbereachedonlyafterstrictscrutinyandthoroughcomprehensionoftheSacredBooks(whichwouldteachitmuchbetter，fortheystandinneednohumanfactions)，andnotbesetuponthethreshold，asitwere，ofinquiry。
(35)AsIponderedoverthefactsthatthelightofreasonisnotonlydespised，butbymanyevenexecratedasasourceofimpiety，thathumancommentariesareacceptedasdivinerecords，andthatcredulityisextolledasfaith；asImarkedthefiercecontroversiesofphilosophersraginginChurchandState，thesourceofbitterhatredanddissension，thereadyinstrumentsofseditionandotherillsinnumerable，IdeterminedtoexaminetheBibleafreshinacareful，impartial，andunfetteredspirit，makingnoassumptionsconcerningit，andattributingtoitnodoctrines，whichIdonotfindclearlythereinsetdown。(36)WiththeseprecautionsIconstructedamethodofScripturalinterpretation，andthusequippedproceededtoinquire-whatisprophecy?(37)InwhatsensedidGodrevealhimselftotheprophets，andwhyweretheseparticularmen-chosenbyhim?(38)WasitonaccountofthesublimityoftheirthoughtsabouttheDeityandnature，orwasitsolelyonaccountoftheirpiety?(39)Thesequestionsbeinganswered，Iwaseasilyabletoconclude，thattheauthorityoftheprophetshasweightonlyinmattersofmorality，andthattheirspeculativedoctrinesaffectuslittle。
(40)NextIinquired，whytheHebrewswerecalledGod\'schosenpeople，anddiscoveringthatitwasonlybecauseGodhadchosenforthemacertainstripofterritory，wheretheymightlivepeaceablyandatease，IlearntthattheLawrevealedbyGodtoMoseswasmerelythelawoftheindividualHebrewstate，thereforethatitwasbindingonnonebutHebrews，andnotevenonHebrewsafterthedownfalloftheirnation。(41)Further，inordertoascertain，whetheritcouldbeconcludedfromScripture，thatthehumanunderstandingstandingisnaturallycorrupt，IinquiredwhethertheUniversalReligion，theDivineLawrevealedthroughtheProphetsandApostlestothewholehumanrace，differsfromthatwhichistaughtbythelightofnaturalreason，whethermiraclescantakeplaceinviolationofthelawsofnature，andifso，whethertheyimplytheexistenceofGodmoresurelyandclearlythanevents，whichweunderstandplainlyanddistinctlythroughtheirimmediatenaturalcauses。
(42)Now，asinthewholecourseofmyinvestigationIfoundnothingtaughtexpresslybyScripture，whichdoesnotagreewithourunderstanding，orwhichisrepugnantthereto，andasIsawthattheprophetstaughtnothing，whichisnotverysimpleandeasilytobegraspedbyall，andfurther，thattheyclothedtheirleachinginthestyle，andconfirmeditwiththereasons，whichwouldmostdeeplymovethemindofthemassestodevotiontowardsGod，Ibecamethoroughlyconvinced，thattheBibleleavesreasonabsolutelyfree，thatithasnothingincommonwithphilosophy，infact，thatRevelationandPhilosophystandondifferentfootings。Inordertosetthisforthcategoricallyandexhaustthewholequestion，IpointoutthewayinwhichtheBibleshouldbeinterpreted，andshowthatallofspiritualquestionsshouldbesoughtfromitalone，andnotfromtheobjectsofordinaryknowledge。(43)ThenceIpassontoindicatethefalsenotions，whichhavefromthefactthatthemultitude-everpronetosuperstition，andcaringmorefortheshredsofantiquityforeternaltruths-payshomagetotheBooksoftheBible，ratherthantotheWordofGod。(44)IshowthattheWordofGodhasnotbeenrevealedasacertainnumberofbooks，wasdisplayedtotheprophetsasasimpleideaofthemind，namely，obediencetoGodinsinglenessofheart，andinthepracticeofjusticeandcharity；andIfurtherpointout，thatthisdoctrineissetforthinScriptureinaccordancewiththeopinionsandunderstandingsofthose，amongwhomtheApostlesandProphetspreached，totheendthatmenmightreceiveitwillingly，andwiththeirwholeheart。
(45)Havingthuslaidbarethebasesofbelief，IdrawtheconclusionthatRevelationhasobedienceforitssoleobject，therefore，inpurposenolessthaninfoundationandmethod，standsentirelyalooffromordinaryknowledge；eachhasitsseparateprovince，neithercanbecalledthehandmaidoftheother。
(46)Furthermore，asmen\'shabitsofminddiffer，sothatsomemorereadilyembraceoneformoffaith，someanother，forwhatmovesonetopraymaymoveanotheronlytoscoff，Iconclude，inaccordancewithwhathasgonebefore，thateveryoneshouldbefreetochooseforhimselfthefoundationsofhiscreed，andthatfaithshouldbejudgedonlybyitsfruits；eachwouldthenobeyGodfreelywithhiswholeheart，whilenothingwouldbepubliclyhonouredsavejusticeandcharity。
(47)HavingthusdrawnattentiontothelibertyconcededtoeveryonebytherevealedlawofGod，Ipassontoanotherpartofmysubject，andprovethatthissamelibertycanandshouldbeaccordedwithsafetytothestateandthemagisterialauthority-infact，thatitcannotbewithheldwithoutgreatdangertopeaceanddetrimenttothecommunity。
(48)Inordertoestablishmypoint，Istartfromthenaturalrightsoftheindividual，whichareco-extensivewithhisdesiresandpower，andfromthefactthatnooneisboundtoliveasanotherpleases，butistheguardianofhisownliberty。(49)Ishowthattheserightscanonlybetransferredtothosewhomwedeputetodefendus，whoacquirewiththedutiesofdefencethepoweroforderingourlives，andIthenceinferthatrulerspossessrightsonlylimitedbytheirpower，thattheyarethesoleguardiansofjusticeandliberty，andthattheirsubjectsshouldactinallthingsastheydictate:nevertheless，sincenoonecansoutterlyabdicatehisownpowerofself-defenceastoceasetobeaman，Iconcludethatnoonecanbedeprivedofhisnaturalrightsabsolutely，butthatsubjects，eitherbytacitagreement，orbysocialcontract，retainacertainnumber，whichcannotbetakenfromthemwithoutgreatdangertothestate。
(50)FromtheseconsiderationsIpassontotheHebrewState，whichI
describeatsomelength，inordertotracethemannerinwhichReligionacquiredtheforceoflaw，andtotouchonothernoteworthypoints。(51)I
thenprove，thattheholdersofsovereignpowerarethedepositoriesandinterpretersofreligiousnolessthanofcivilordinances，andthattheyalonehavetherighttodecidewhatisjustorunjust，piousorimpious；
lastly，Iconcludebyshowing，thattheybestretainthisrightandsecuresafetytotheirstatebyallowingeverymantothinkwhathelikes，andsaywhathethinks。
(52)Such，PhilosophicalReader，arethequestionsIsubmittoyournotice，countingonyourapproval，forthesubjectmatterofthewholebookandoftheseveralchaptersisimportantandprofitable。(53)Iwouldsaymore，butIdonotwantmyprefacetoextendtoavolume，especiallyasIknowthatitsleadingpropositionsaretoPhilosophersbutcommonplaces。(54)TotherestofmankindIcarenottocommendmytreatise，forIcannotexpectthatitcontainsanythingtopleasethem:Iknowhowdeeplyrootedaretheprejudicesembracedunderthenameofreligion；Iamawarethatinthemindofthemassessuperstitionisnolessdeeplyrootedthanfear；Irecognizethattheirconstancyismereobstinacy，andthattheyareledtopraiseorblamebyimpulseratherthanreason。(55)Thereforethemultitude，andthoseoflikepassionswiththemultitude，Iasknottoreadmybook；nay，Iwouldratherthattheyshouldutterlyneglectit，thanthattheyshouldmisinterpretitaftertheirwont。(56)Theywouldgainnogoodthemselves，andmightproveastumbling-blocktoothers，whosephilosophyishamperedbythebeliefthatReasonisamerehandmaidtoTheology，andwhomIseekinthisworkespeciallytobenefit。(57)Butastherewillbemanywhohaveneithertheleisure，nor，perhaps，theinclinationtoreadthroughallI
havewritten，Ifeelboundhere，asattheendofmytreatise，todeclarethatIhavewrittennothing，whichIdonotmostwillinglysubmittotheexaminationandjudgmentofmycountry\'srulers，andthatIamreadytoretractanything，whichtheyshalldecidetoberepugnanttothelawsorprejudicialtothepublicgood。(58)IknowthatIamamanand，asaman，liabletoerror，butagainsterrorIhavetakenscrupulouscare，andstriventokeepinentireaccordancewiththelawsofmycountry，withloyalty，andwithmorality。
CHAPTERI-OfProphecy(1)Prophecy，orrevelationissureknowledgerevealedbyGodtoman。(2)A
prophetisonewhointerpretstherevelationsofGod{insights}tothosewhoareunabletoattaintosureknowledgeofthemattersrevealed，andthereforecanonlyapprehendthembysimplefaith。
(3)TheHebrewwordforprophetis\"naw-vee\'\"，Strong:5030，[Endnote1]
i。e。speakerorinterpreter，butinScriptureitsmeaningisrestrictedtointerpreterofGod，aswemaylearnfromExodusvii:1，whereGodsaystoMoses，\"See，IhavemadetheeagodtoPharaoh，andAaronthybrothershallbethyprophet；\"implyingthat，sinceininterpretingMoses\'wordstoPharaoh，Aaronactedthepartofaprophet，MoseswouldbetoPharaohasagod，orintheattitudeofagod。
(4)ProphetsIwilltreatofinthenextchapter，andatpresentconsiderprophecy。
(5)Nowitisevident，fromthedefinitionabovegiven，thatprophecyreallyincludesordinaryknowledge；fortheknowledgewhichweacquirebyournaturalfacultiesdependsonknowledgeofGodandHiseternallaws；butordinaryknowledgeiscommontoallmenasmen，andrestsonfoundationswhichallshare，whereasthemultitudealwaysstrainsafterraritiesandexceptions，andthinkslittleofthegiftsofnature；sothat，whenprophecyistalkedof，ordinaryknowledgeisnotsupposedtobeincluded。
(6)NeverthelessithasasmuchrightasanyothertobecalledDivine，forGod\'snature，insofaraswesharetherein，andGod\'slaws，dictateittous；nordoesitsufferfromthattowhichwegivethepreeminence，exceptinsofarasthelattertranscendsitslimitsandcannotbeaccountedforbynaturallawstakeninthemselves。(7)Inrespecttothecertaintyitinvolves，andthesourcefromwhichitisderived，i。e。God，ordinary，knowledgeisnowhitinferiortoprophetic，unlessindeedwebelieve，orratherdream，thattheprophetshadhumanbodiesbutsuperhumanminds，andthereforethattheirsensationsandconsciousnesswereentirelydifferentfromourown。
(8)But，althoughordinaryknowledgeisDivine，itsprofessorscannotbecalledprophets[Endnote2]，fortheyteachwhattherestofmankindcouldperceiveandapprehend，notmerelybysimplefaith，butassurelyandhonourablyasthemselves。
(9)SeeingthenthatourmindsubjectivelycontainsinitselfandpartakesofthenatureofGod，andsolelyfromthiscauseisenabledtoformnotionsexplainingnaturalphenomenaandinculcatingmorality，itfollowsthatwemayrightlyassertthenatureofthehumanmind(insofarasitisthusconceived)tobeaprimarycauseofDivinerevelation。(10)Allthatweclearlyanddistinctlyunderstandisdictatedtous，asIhavejustpointedout，bytheideaandnatureofGod；notindeedthroughwords，butinawayfarmoreexcellentandagreeingperfectlywiththenatureofthemind，asallwhohaveenjoyedintellectualcertaintywilldoubtlessattest。(11)
Here，however，mychiefpurposeistospeakofmattershavingreferencetoScripture，sothesefewwordsonthelightofreasonwillsuffice。
(12)Iwillnowpassonto，andtreatmorefully，theotherwaysandmeansbywhichGodmakesrevelationstomankind，bothofthatwhichtranscendsordinaryknowledge，andofthatwithinitsscope；forthereisnoreasonwhyGodshouldnotemployothermeanstocommunicatewhatweknowalreadybythepowerofreason。
(13)OurconclusionsonthesubjectmustbedrawnsolelyfromScripture；forwhatcanweaffirmaboutmatterstranscendingourknowledgeexceptwhatistoldusbythewordsorwritingsofprophets?(14)Andsincethereare，sofarasIknow，noprophetsnowalive，wehavenoalternativebuttoreadthebooksofprophetsdeparted，takingcarethewhilenottoreasonfrommetaphorortoascribeanythingtoourauthorswhichtheydonotthemselvesdistinctlystate。(15)ImustfurtherpremisethattheJewsnevermakeanymentionoraccountofsecondary，orparticularcauses，butinaspiritofreligion，piety，andwhatiscommonlycalledgodliness，referallthingsdirectlytotheDeity。(16)Forinstanceiftheymakemoneybyatransaction，theysayGodgaveittothem；iftheydesireanything，theysayGodhasdisposedtheirheartstowardsit；iftheythinkanything，theysayGodtoldthem。(17)HencewemustnotsupposethateverythingisprophecyorrevelationwhichisdescribedinScriptureastoldbyGodtoanyone，butonlysuchthingsasareexpresslyannouncedasprophecyorrevelation，orareplainlypointedtoassuchbythecontext。
(18)AperusalofthesacredbookswillshowusthatallGod\'srevelationstotheprophetsweremadethroughwordsorappearances，oracombinationofthetwo。(19)Thesewordsandappearanceswereoftwokinds；1-realwhenexternaltothemindoftheprophetwhoheardorsawthem，2-imaginarywhentheimaginationoftheprophetwasinastatewhichledhimdistinctlytosupposethatheheardorsawthem。
(20)WitharealvoiceGodrevealedtoMosesthelawswhichHewishedtobetransmittedtotheHebrews，aswemayseefromExodusxxv:22，whereGodsays，\"AndthereIwillmeetwiththeeandIwillcommunewiththeefromthemercyseatwhichisbetweentheCherubim。\"(21)Somesortofrealvoicemustnecessarilyhavebeenemployed，forMosesfoundGodreadytocommunewithhimatanytime。This，asIshallshortlyshow，istheonlyinstanceofarealvoice。
(22)Wemight，perhaps，supposethatthevoicewithwhichGodcalledSamuelwasreal，forin1Sam。iii:21，weread，\"AndtheLordappearedagaininShiloh，fortheLordrevealedHimselftoSamuelinShilohbythewordoftheLord；\"implyingthattheappearanceoftheLordconsistedinHismakingHimselfknowntoSamuelthroughavoice；inotherwords，thatSamuelheardtheLordspeaking。(23)ButwearecompelledtodistinguishbetweenthepropheciesofMosesandthoseofotherprophets，andthereforemustdecidethatthisvoicewasimaginary，aconclusionfurthersupportedbythevoice\'sresemblancetothevoiceofEli，whichSamuelwasinthehabitofhearing，andthereforemighteasilyimagine；whenthricecalledbytheLord，SamuelsupposedittohavebeenEli。
(24)ThevoicewhichAbimelechheardwasimaginary，foritiswritten，Gen。xx:6，\"AndGodsaiduntohiminadream。\"(25)SothatthewillofGodwasmanifesttohim，notinwaking，butonly，insleep，thatis，whentheimaginationismostactiveanduncontrolled。(26)SomeoftheJewsbelievethattheactualwordsoftheDecaloguewerenotspokenbyGod，butthattheIsraelitesheardanoiseonly，withoutanydistinctwords，andduringitscontinuanceapprehendedtheTenCommandmentsbypureintuition；tothisopinionImyselfonceinclined，seeingthatthewordsoftheDecalogueinExodusaredifferentfromthewordsoftheDecalogueinDeuteronomy，forthediscrepancyseemedtoimply(sinceGodonlyspokeonce)thattheTenCommandmentswerenotintendedtoconveytheactualwordsoftheLord，butonlyHismeaning。(27)However，unlesswewoulddoviolencetoScripture，wemustcertainlyadmitthattheIsraelitesheardarealvoice，forScriptureexpresslysays，Deut。v:4，\"Godspakewithyoufacetoface，\"i。e。astwomenordinarilyinterchangeideasthroughtheinstrumentalityoftheirtwobodies；andthereforeitseemsmoreconsonantwithHolyWrittosupposethatGodreallydidcreateavoiceofsomekindwithwhichtheDecaloguewasrevealed。(28)ThediscrepancyofthetwoversionsistreatedofinChap。VIII。
(29)Yetnoteventhusisalldifficultyremoved，foritseemsscarcelyreasonabletoaffirmthatacreatedthing，dependingonGodinthesamemannerasothercreatedthings，wouldbeabletoexpressorexplainthenatureofGodeitherverballyorreallybymeansofitsindividualorganism:forinstance，bydeclaringinthefirstperson，\"IamtheLordyourGod。\"
(30)Certainlywhenanyonesayswithhismouth，\"Iunderstand，\"wedonotattributetheunderstandingtothemouth，buttothemindofthespeaker；
yetthisisbecausethemouthisthenaturalorganofamanspeaking，andthehearer，knowingwhatunderstandingis，easilycomprehends，byacomparisonwithhimself，thatthespeaker\'smindismeant；butifweknewnothingofGodbeyondthemerenameandwishedtocommunewithHim，andbeassuredofHisexistence，Ifailtoseehowourwishwouldbesatisfiedbythedeclarationofacreatedthing(dependingonGodneithermorenorlessthanourselves)，\"IamtheLord。\"(31)IfGodcontortedthelipsofMoses，or，IwillnotsayMoses，butsomebeast，tilltheypronouncedthewords，\"IamtheLord，\"shouldweapprehendtheLord\'sexistencetherefrom?
(32)ScriptureseemsclearlytopointtothebeliefthatGodspokeHimself，havingdescendedfromheaventoMountSinaiforthepurpose-andnotonlythattheIsraelitesheardHimspeaking，butthattheirchiefmenbeheldHim(Ex:xxiv。)(33)FurtherthelawofMoses，whichmightneitherbeaddedtonorcurtailed，andwhichwassetupasanationalstandardofright，nowhereprescribedthebeliefthatGodiswithoutbody，orevenwithoutformorfigure，butonlyordainedthattheJewsshouldbelieveinHisexistenceandworshipHimalone:itforbadethemtoinventorfashionanylikenessoftheDeity，butthiswastoinsurepurityofservice；because，neverhavingseenGod，theycouldnotbymeansofimagesrecallthelikenessofGod，butonlythelikenessofsomecreatedthingwhichmightthusgraduallytaketheplaceofGodastheobjectoftheiradoration。(34)Nevertheless，theBibleclearlyimpliesthatGodhasaform，andthatMoseswhenheheardGodspeakingwaspermittedtobeholdit，oratleastitshinderparts。
(35)Doubtlesssomemysterylurksinthisquestionwhichwewilldiscussmorefullybelow。(36)ForthepresentIwillcallattentiontothepassagesinScriptureindicatingthemeansbywhichGodhasrevealedHislawstoman。
(37)Revelationmaybethroughfiguresonly，asinIChron:xxii。，whereGoddisplayshisangertoDavidbymeansofanangelbearingasword，andalsointhestoryofBalaam。
