(23)WemayarriveatthesameconclusionfromobservingthatweneverreadthattheApostleswerecommandedtowrite，butonlythattheywenteverywherepreaching，andconfirmedtheirwordswithsigns。(24)TheirpersonalpresenceandsignswereabsolutelynecessaryfortheconversionandestablishmentinreligionoftheGentiles；asPaulhimselfexpresslystatesinRom。i:11，\"ButIlongtoseeyou，thatImayimparttoyousomespiritualgift，totheendthatyemaybeestablished。\"
(25)ItmaybeobjectedthatwemightproveinsimilarfashionthattheApostlesdidnotpreachasprophets，fortheydidnotgotoparticularplaces，astheprophetsdid，bythecommandofGod。(26)WereadintheOldTestamentthatJonahwenttoNinevehtopreach，andatthesametimethathewasexpresslysentthere，andtoldthathemostpreach。
(27)Soalsoitisrelated，atgreatlength，ofMosesthathewenttoEgyptasthemessengerofGod，andwastoldatthesametimewhatheshouldsaytothechildrenofIsraelandtokingPharaoh，andwhatwondersheshouldworkbeforethemtogivecredittohiswords。(28)Isaiah，Jeremiah，andEzekielwereexpresslycommandedtopreachtotheIsraelites。Lastly，theprophetsonlypreachedwhatweareassuredbyScripturetheyhadreceivedfromGod，whereasthisishardlyeversaidoftheApostlesintheNewTestament，whentheywentabouttopreach。(29)Onthecontrary，wefindpassagesexpresslyimplyingthattheApostleschosetheplaceswheretheyshouldpreachontheirownresponsibility，fortherewasadifferenceamountingtoaquarrelbetweenPaulandBarnabasonthesubject(Actsxv:37，38)。(30)Oftentheywishedtogotoaplace，butwereprevented，asPaulwrites，Rom。i:13，\"OftentimesIpurposedtocometoyou，butwaslethitherto；\"andinICor。xvi:12，\"AstouchingourbrotherApollos，Igreatlydesiredhimtocomeuntoyouwiththebrethren，buthiswillwasnotatalltocomeatthistime:buthewillcomewhenheshallhaveconvenienttime。\"
(31)FromtheseexpressionsanddifferencesofopinionamongtheApostles，andalsofromthefactthatScripturenowheretestifiesofthem，asoftheancientprophets，thattheywentbythecommandofGod，onemightconcludethattheypreachedaswellaswroteintheircapacityofteachers，andnotasprophets:butthequestioniseasilysolvedifweobservethedifferencebetweenthemissionofanApostleandthatofanOldTestamentprophet。(32)
Thelatterwerenotcalledtopreachandprophesytoallnations，buttocertainspecifiedones，andthereforeanexpressandpeculiarmandatewasrequiredforeachofthem；theApostles，ontheotherhand，werecalledtopreachtoallmenabsolutely，andtoturnallmentoreligion。(33)
Therefore，whithersoevertheywent，theywerefulfillingChrist\'scommandment；therewasnoneedtorevealtothembeforehandwhattheyshouldpreach，fortheywerethedisciplesofChristtowhomtheirMasterHimselfsaid(Matt。X:19，20):\"But，whentheydeliveryouup，takenothoughthoworwhatyeshallspeak，foritshallbegivenyouinthatsamehourwhatyeshallspeak。\"(34)WethereforeconcludethattheApostleswereonlyindebtedtospecialrevelationinwhattheyorallypreachedandconfirmedbysigns(seethebeginningofChap。11。)；thatwhichtheytaughtinspeakingorwritingwithoutanyconfirmatorysignsandwonderstheytaughtfromtheirnaturalknowledge。(SeeICor。xiv:6。)(35)WeneednotbedeterredbythefactthatalltheEpistlesbeginbycitingtheimprimaturoftheApostleship，fortheApostles，asIwillshortlyshow，weregranted，notonlythefacultyofprophecy，butalsotheauthoritytoteach。(36)WemaythereforeadmitthattheywrotetheirEpistlesasApostles，andforthiscauseeveryoneofthembeganbycitingtheApostolicimprimatur，possiblywithaviewtotheattentionofthereaderbyassertingthattheywerethepersonswhohadmadesuchmarkamongthefaithfulbytheirpreaching，andhadshownbvmanymarvelousworksthattheywereteachingtruereligionandthewayofsalvation。(37)IobservethatwhatissaidintheEpistleswithregardtotheApostolicvocationandtheHolySpiritofGodwhichinspiredthem，hasreferencetotheirformerpreaching，exceptinthosepassageswheretheexpressionsoftheSpiritofGodandtheHolySpiritareusedtosignifyamindpure，upright，anddevotedtoGod。(38)Forinstance，in1Cor。vii:40，Paulsays:Butsheishappierifshesoabide，aftermyjudgment，andIthinkalsothatIhavetheSpiritofGod。\"(39)BytheSpiritofGodtheApostleherereferstohismind，aswemayseefromthecontext:hismeaningisasfollows:\"Iaccountblessedawidowwhodoesnotwishtomarryasecondhusband；suchismyopinion，forIhavesettledtoliveunmarried，andIthinkthatIamblessed。\"(40)ThereareothersimilarpassageswhichIneednotnowquote。
(41)AswehaveseenthattheApostleswrotetheirEpistlessolelybythelightofnaturalreason，wemustinquirehowtheywereenabledtoteachbynaturalknowledgemattersoutsideitsscope。(42)However，ifwebearinmindwhatwesaidinChap。VII。ofthistreatiseourdifficultywillvanish:
foralthoughthecontentsoftheBibleentirelysurpassourunderstanding，wemaysafelydiscourseofthem，providedweassumenothingnottoldusinScripture:bythesamemethodtheApostles，fromwhattheysawandheard，andfromwhatwasrevealedtothem，wereenabledtoformandelicitmanyconclusionswhichtheywouldhavebeenabletoteachtomenhaditbeenpermissible。
(43)Further，althoughreligion，aspreachedbytheApostles，doesnotcomewithinthesphereofreason，insofarasitconsistsinthenarrationofthelifeofChrist，yetitsessence，whichischieflymoral，likethewholeofChrist\'sdoctrine，canreadily，beapprehendedbythenaturalfacultiesofall。
(44)Lastly，theApostleshadnolackofsupernaturalilluminationforthepurposeofadaptingthereligiontheyhadattestedbysignstotheunderstandingofeveryonesothatitmightbereadilyreceived；norforexhortationsonthesubject:infact，theobjectoftheEpistlesistoteachandexhortmentoleadthatmanneroflifewhicheachoftheApostlesjudgedbestforconfirmingtheminreligion。(45)Wemayhererepeatourformerremark，thattheApostleshadreceivednotonlythefacultyofpreachingthehistory，ofChristasprophets，andconfirmingitwithsigns，butalsoauthorityforteachingandexhortingaccordingaseachthoughtbest。(46)
Paul(2Tim。i:11)，\"WhereuntoIamappointedapreacher，andanapostle，andateacheroftheGentiles；\"andagain(ITim。ii:7)，\"WhereuntoIamordainedapreacherandanapostle(IspeakthetruthinChristandlienot)，ateacheroftheGentilesinfaithandverity。\"(47)Thesepassages，I
say，showclearlythestampbothoftheapostleshipandtheteachership:
theauthorityforadmonishingwhomsoeverandwheresoeverhepleasedisassertedbyPaulintheEpistletoPhilemon，v:8:\"Wherefore，thoughImightbemuchboldinChristtoenjointheethatwhichisconvenient，yet，\"&c。，wherewemayremarkthatifPaulhadreceivedfromGodasaprophetwhathewishedtoenjoinPhilemon，andhadbeenboundtospeakinhispropheticcapacity，hewouldnothavebeenabletochangethecommandofGodintoentreaties。(48)Wemustthereforeunderstandhimtorefertothepermissiontoadmonishwhichhehadreceivedasateacher，andnotasaprophet。(49)WehavenotyetmadeitquiteclearthattheApostlesmighteachchoosehisownwayofteaching，butonlythatbyvirtueoftheirApostleshiptheywereteachersaswellasprophets；however，ifwecallreasontoouraidweshallclearlyseethatanauthoritytoteachimpliesauthoritytochoosethemethod。(50)Itwillneverthelessbe，perhaps，moresatisfactorytodrawallourproofsfromScripture；wearethereplainlytoldthateachApostlechosehisparticularmethod(Rom。xv:
20):\"Yea，sohaveIstrivedtopreachthegospel，notwhereChristwasnamed，lestIshouldbuilduponanotherman\'sfoundation。\"(51)IfalltheApostleshadadoptedthesamemethodofteaching，andhadallbuiltuptheChristianreligiononthesamefoundation，Paulwouldhavehadnoreasontocalltheworkofafellow-Apostle\"anotherman\'sfoundation，\"
inasmuchasitwouldhavebeenidenticalwithhisown:hiscallingitanotherman\'sprovedthateachApostlebuiltuphisreligiousinstructionondifferentfoundations，thusresemblingotherteacherswhohaveeachtheirownmethod，andpreferinstructingquiteignorantpeoplewhohaveneverlearntunderanothermaster，whetherthesubjectbescience，languages，oreventheindisputabletruthsofmathematics。(52)Furthermore，ifwegothroughtheEpistlesatallattentively，weshallseethattheApostles，whileagreeingaboutreligionitself，areatvarianceastothefoundationsitrestson。(53)Paul，inordertostrengthenmen\'sreligion，andshowthemthatsalvationdependssolelyonthegraceofGod，teachesthatnoonecanboastofworks，butonlyoffaith，andthatnoonecanbejustifiedbyworks(Rom。iii:27，28)；infact，hepreachesthecompletedoctrineofpredestination。(54)James，ontheotherhand，statesthatmanisjustifiedbyworks，andnotbyfaithonly(seehisEpistle，ii:24)，andomittingallthedisputationsofPaul，confinesreligiontoaveryfewelements。
(55)Lastly，itisindisputablethatfromthesedifferentground；forreligionselectedbytheApostles，manyquarrelsandschismsdistractedtheChurch，evenintheearliesttimes，anddoubtlesstheywillcontinuesotodistractitforever，oratleasttillreligionisseparatedfromphilosophicalspeculations，andreducedtothefewsimpledoctrinestaughtbyChristtoHisdisciples；suchataskwasimpossiblefortheApostles，becausetheGospelwasthenunknowntomankind，andlestitsnoveltyshouldoffendmen\'searsithadtobeadaptedtothedispositionofcontemporaries(2Cor。ix:19，20)，andbuiltuponthegroundworkmostfamiliarandacceptedatthetime。(56)ThusnoneoftheApostlesphilosophizedmorethandidPaul，whowascalledtopreachtotheGentiles；
otherApostlespreachingtotheJews，whodespisedphilosophy，similarly，adaptedthemselvestothetemperoftheirhearers(seeGal。ii。11)，andpreachedareligionfreefromallphilosophicalspeculations。(57)Howblestwouldouragebeifitcouldwitnessareligionfreedalsofromallthetrammelsofsuperstition!
CHAPTERXII-OFTHETRUEORIGINALOFTHEDIVINELAW，AND
WHEREFORESCRIPTUREISCALLEDSACRED，ANDTHEWORDOFGOD。
HOWTHAT，INS0FARASITCONTAINSTHEWORDOFGOD，ITHASCOMEDOWNTOUSUNCORRUPTED。
(1)ThosewholookupontheBibleasamessagesentdownbyGodfromHeaventomen，willdoubtlesscryoutthatIhavecommittedthesinagainsttheHolyGhostbecauseIhaveassertedthattheWordofGodisfaulty，mutilated，tamperedwith，andinconsistent；thatwepossessitonlyinfragments，andthattheoriginalofthecovenantwhichGodmadewiththeJewshasbeenlost。(2)However，Ihavenodoubtthatalittlereflectionwillcausethemtodesistfromtheiruproar:fornotonlyreasonbuttheexpressedopinionsofprophetsandapostlesopenlyproclaimthatGod\'seternalWordandcovenant，nolessthantruereligion，isDivinelyinscribedinhumanhearts，thatis，inthehumanmind，andthatthisisthetrueoriginalofGod\'scovenant，stampedwithHisownseal，namely，theideaofHimself，asitwere，withtheimageofHisGodhood。
(3)ReligionwasimpartedtotheearlyHebrewsasalawwrittendown，becausetheywereatthattimeintheconditionofchildren，butafterwardsMoses(Deut。xxx:6)andJeremiah(xxxi:33)predictedatimecomingwhentheLordshouldwriteHislawintheirhearts。(4)ThusonlytheJews，andamongstthemchieflytheSadducees，struggledforthelawwrittenontablets；leastofallneedthosewhobearitinscribedontheirheartsjoininthecontest。(5)Those，therefore，whoreflect，willfindnothinginwhatIhavewrittenrepugnanteithertotheWordofGodortotruereligionandfaith，orcalculatedtoweakeneitheroneortheother:contrariwise，theywillseethatIhavestrengthenedreligion，asIshowedattheendofChapterX。；indeed，haditnotbeenso，Ishouldcertainlyhavedecidedtoholdmypeace，nay，IwouldevenhaveassertedasawayoutofalldifficultiesthattheBiblecontainsthemostprofoundhiddenmysteries；however，asthisdoctrinehasgivenrisetogrosssuperstitionandotherperniciousresultsspokenofatthebeginningofChapterV。，I
havethoughtsuchacourseunnecessary，especiallyasreligionstandsinnoneedofsuperstitiousadornments，butis，onthecontrary，deprivedbysuchtrappingsofsomeofhersplendour。
(6)Still，itwillbesaid，thoughthelawofGodiswrittenintheheart，theBibleisnonethelesstheWordofGod，anditisnomorelawfultosayofScripturethanofGod\'sWordthatitismutilatedandcorrupted。(7)I
fearthatsuchobjectorsaretooanxioustobepious，andthattheyareindangerofturningreligionintosuperstition，andworshippingpaperandinkinplaceofGod\'sWord。
(8)Iamcertifiedofthusmuch:IhavesaidnothingunworthyofScriptureorGod\'sWord，andIhavemadenoassertionswhichIcouldnotprovebymostplainargumenttobetrue。(9)Ican，therefore，restassuredthatIhaveadvancednothingwhichisimpiousorevensavoursofimpiety。
(10)fromwhatIhavesaid，assumealicencetosin，andwithoutanyreason，atIconfessthatsomeprofanemen，towhomreligionisaburden，may，thesimpledictatesoftheirlustsconcludethatScriptureiseverywherefaultyandfalsified，andthatthereforeitsauthorityisnull；butsuchmenarebeyondthereachofhelp，fornothing，astheproverbhasit，canbesaidsorightlythatitcannotbetwistedintowrong。(11)Thosewhowishtogivereintotheirlustsareatnolossforanexcuse，norwerethosemenofoldwhopossessedtheoriginalScriptures，thearkofthecovenant，nay，theprophetsandapostlesinpersonamongthem，anybetterthanthepeopleofto-day。(12)Humannature，JewaswellasGentile，hasalwaysbeenthesame，andineveryagevirtuehasbeenexceedinglyrare。
(13)Nevertheless，toremoveeveryscruple，IwillhereshowinwhatsensetheBibleoranyinanimatethingshouldbecalledsacredandDivine；
alsowhereinthelawofGodconsists，andhowitcannotbecontainedinacertainnumberofbooks；and，lastly，IwillshowthatScripture，insofarasitteacheswhatisnecessaryforobedienceandsalvation，cannothavebeencorrupted。(14)FromtheseconsiderationseveryonewillbeabletojudgethatIhaveneithersaidanythingagainsttheWordofGodnorgivenanyfootholdtoimpiety。
(15)AthingiscalledsacredandDivinewhenitisdesignedforpromotingpiety，andcontinuessacredsolongasitisreligiouslyused:iftheusersceasetobepious，thethingceasestobesacred:ifitbeturnedtobaseuses，thatwhichwasformerlysacredbecomesuncleanandprofane。(16)Forinstance，acertainspotwasnamedbythepatriarchJacobthehouseofGod，becauseheworshippedGodthererevealedtohim:bytheprophetsthesamespotwascalledthehouseofiniquity(seeAmosv:5，andHoseax:5)，becausetheIsraeliteswerewont，attheinstigationofJeroboam，tosacrificetheretoidols。(17)Anotherexampleputsthematterintheplainestlight。(18)
Wordsgaintheirmeaningsolelyfromtheirusage，andiftheyarearrangedaccordingtotheiracceptedsignificationsoastomovethosewhoreadthemtodevotion，theywillbecomesacred，andthebooksowrittenwillbesacredalso。(19)Butiftheirusageafterwardsdiesoutsothatthewordshavenomeaning，orthebookbecomesutterlyneglected，whetherfromunworthymotives，orbecauseitisnolongerneeded，thenthewordsandthebookwillloseboththeiruseandtheirsanctity:lastly，ifthesesamewordsbeotherwisearranged，oriftheircustomarymeaningbecomespervertedintoitsopposite，thenboththewordsandthebookcontainingthembecome，insteadofsacred，impureandprofane。
(20)Fromthisitfollowsthatnothingisinitselfabsolutelysacred，orprofane，andunclean，apartfromthemind，butonlyrelativelythereto。(21)
ThusmuchisclearfrommanypassagesintheBible。(22)Jeremiah(toselectonecaseoutofmany)says(chap。vii:4)，thattheJewsofhistimewerewrongincallingSolomon\'sTemple，theTempleofGod，for，ashegoesontosayinthesamechapter，God\'snamewouldonlybegiventotheTemplesolongasitwasfrequentedbymenwhoworshippedHim，anddefendedjustice，butthat，ifitbecametheresortofmurderers，thieves，idolaters，andotherwickedpersons，itwouldbeturnedintoadenofmalefactors。
(23)Scripture，curiouslyenough，nowheretellsuswhatbecameoftheArkoftheCovenant，thoughthereisnodoubtthatitwasdestroyed，orburnttogetherwiththeTemple；yettherewasnothingwhichtheHebrewsconsideredmoresacred，orheldingreaterreverence。(24)ThusScriptureissacred，anditswordsDivinesolongasitstirsmankindtodevotiontowardsGod:
butifitbeutterlyneglected，asitformerlywasbytheJews，itbecomesnothingbutpaperandink，andislefttobedesecratedorcorrupted:still，thoughScripturebethuscorruptedordestroyed，wemustnotsaythattheWordofGodhassufferedinlikemanner，elseweshallbeliketheJews，whosaidthattheTemplewhichwouldthenbetheTempleofGodhadperishedintheflames。(25)Jeremiahtellsusthisinrespecttothelaw，forhethuschidestheungodlyofhistime，\"Wherefore，sayyouwearemasters，andthelawoftheLordiswithus?(26)Surelyithasbeengiveninvain，itisinvainthatthepenofthescribes\"(hasbeenmade)-thatis，yousayfalselythattheScriptureisinyourpower，andthatyoupossessthelawofGod；foryehavemadeitofnoneeffect。
(27)Soalso，whenMosesbrokethefirsttablesofthelaw，hedidnotbyanymeanscasttheWordofGodfromhishandsinangerandshatterit-suchanactionwouldbeinconceivable，eitherofMosesorofGod\'sWord-heonlybrokethetablesofstone，which，thoughtheyhadbeforebeenholyfromcontainingthecovenantwherewiththeJewshadboundthemselvesinobediencetoGod，hadentirelylosttheirsanctitywhenthecovenanthadbeenviolatedbytheworshipofthecalf，andwere，therefore，asliabletoperishasthearkofthecovenant。(28)Itisthusscarcelytobewonderedat，thattheoriginaldocumentsofMosesarenolongerextant，northatthebookswepossessmetwiththefatewehavedescribed，whenweconsiderthatthetrueoriginaloftheDivinecovenant，themostsacredobjectofall，hastotallyperished。
(29)Letthemcease，therefore，whoaccuseusofimpiety，inasmuchaswehavesaidnothingagainsttheWordofGod，neitherhavewecorruptedit，butletthemkeeptheiranger，iftheywouldwreakitjustly，fortheancientswhosemalicedesecratedtheArk，theTemple，andtheLawofGod，andallthatwasheldsacred，subjectingthemtocorruption。(30)Furthermore，if，accordingtothesayingoftheApostlein2Cor。iii:3，theypossessed\"theEpistleofChrist，writtennotwithink，butwiththeSpiritofthelivingGod，notintablesofstone，butinthefleshytablesoftheheart，\"
letthemceasetoworshiptheletter，andbesoanxiousconcerningit。
(31)IthinkIhavenowsufficientlyshowninwhatrespectScriptureshouldbeaccountedsacredandDivine；wemaynowseewhatshouldrightlybeunderstoodbytheexpression，theWordoftheLord；debar(theHebreworiginal)signifiesword，speech，command，andthing。(32)ThecausesforwhichathingisinHebrewsaidtobeofGod，orisreferredtoHim，havebeenalreadydetailedinChap。I。，andwecantherefromeasilygatherwhatmeaningScriptureattachestothephrases，theword，thespeech，thecommand，orthethingofGod。(33)Ineednot，therefore，repeatwhatI
theresaid，norwhatwasshownunderthethirdheadinthechapteronmiracles。(34)ItisenoughtomentiontherepetitionforthebetterunderstandingofwhatIamabouttosay-viz。，thattheWordoftheLordwhenithasreferencetoanyonebutGodHimself，signifiesthatDivinelawtreatedofinChap。IV。；inotherwords，religion，universalandcatholictothewholehumanrace，asIsaiahdescribesit(chap。i:10)，teachingthatthetruewayoflifeconsists，notinceremonies，butincharity，andatrueheart，andcallingitindifferentlyGod\'sLawandGod\'sWord。
(35)Theexpressionisalsousedmetaphoricallyfortheorderofnatureanddestiny(which，indeed，actuallydependandfollowfromtheeternalmandateoftheDivinenature)，andespeciallyforsuchpartsofsuchorderaswereforeseenbytheprophets，fortheprophetsdidnotperceivefutureeventsastheresultofnaturalcauses，butasthefiatsanddecreesofGod。(36)
Lastly，itisemployedforthecommandofanyprophet，insofarashehadperceiveditbyhispeculiarfacultyorpropheticgift，andnotbythenaturallightofreason；thisusespringschieflyfromtheusualpropheticconceptionofGodasalegislator，whichweremarkedinChap。IV。
(37)Thereare，then，threecausesfortheBible\'sbeingcalledtheWordofGod:becauseitteachestruereligion，ofwhichGodistheeternalFounder；becauseitnarratespredictionsoffutureeventsasthoughtheyweredecreesofGod；becauseitsactualauthorsgenerallyperceivedthingsnotbytheirordinarynaturalfaculties，butbyapowerpeculiartothemselves，andintroducedthesethingsperceived，astoldthembyGod。
(37)AlthoughScripturecontainsmuchthatismerelyhistoricalandcanbeperceivedbynaturalreason，yetitsnameisacquiredfromitschiefsubjectmatter。
(38)WecanthuseasilyseehowGodcanbesaidtobetheAuthoroftheBible:itisbecauseofthetruereligionthereincontained，andnotbecauseHewishedtocommunicatetomenacertainnumberofbooks。(39)WecanalsolearnfromhencethereasonforthedivisionintoOldandNewTestament。
(40)ItwasmadebecausetheprophetswhopreachedreligionbeforeChrist，preacheditasanationallawinvirtueofthecovenantenteredintounderMoses；whiletheApostleswhocameafterChrist，preachedittoallmenasauniversalreligionsolelyinvirtueofChrist\'sPassion:thecauseforthedivisionisnotthatthetwopartsaredifferentindoctrine，northattheywerewrittenasoriginalsofthecovenant，nor，lastly，thatthecatholicreligion(whichisinentireharmonywithournature)wasnewexceptinrelationtothosewhohadnotknownit:\"itwasintheworld，\"asJohntheEvangelistsays，\"andtheworldknewitnot。\"
(41)Thus，evenifwehadfewerbooksoftheOldandNewTestamentthanwehave，weshouldstillnotbedeprivedoftheWordofGod(which，aswehavesaid，isidenticalwithtruereligion)，evenaswedonotnowholdourselvestobedeprivedofit，thoughwelackmanycardinalwritingssuchastheBookoftheLaw，whichwasreligiouslyguardedintheTempleastheoriginaloftheCovenant，alsotheBookofWars，theBookofChronicles，andmanyothers，fromwhencetheextantOldTestamentwastakenandcompiled。(42)
Theaboveconclusionmaybesupportedbymanyreasons。
(43)I。BecausethebooksofbothTestamentswerenotwrittenbyexpresscommandatoneplaceforallages，butareafortuitouscollectionoftheworksofmen，writingeachashisperiodanddispositiondictated。(44)Somuchisclearlyshownbythecalloftheprophetswhowerebadetoadmonishtheungodlyoftheirtime，andalsobytheApostolicEpistles。
(45)II。BecauseitisonethingtounderstandthemeaningofScriptureandtheprophets，andquiteanotherthingtounderstandthemeaningofGod，ortheactualtruth。(46)ThisfollowsfromwhatwesaidinChap。II。(47)Weshowed，inChap。VI。，thatitappliedtohistoricnarratives，andtomiracles:butitbynomeansappliestoquestionsconcerningtruereligionandvirtue。
(48)III。BecausethebooksoftheOldTestamentwereselectedfrommany，andwerecollectedandsanctionedbyacouncilofthePharisees，asweshowedinChap。X。(49)ThebooksoftheNewTestamentwerealsochosenfrommanybycouncilswhichrejectedasspuriousotherbooksheldsacredbymany。
(50)Butthesecouncils，bothPhariseeandChristian，werenotcomposedofprophets，butonlyoflearnedmenandteachers。(51)Still，wemustgrantthattheywereguidedintheirchoicebyaregardfortheWordofGod；andtheymust，therefore，haveknownwhatthelawofGodwas。
(52)IV。BecausetheApostleswrotenotasprophets，butasteachers(seelastChapter)，andchosewhatevermethodtheythoughtbestadaptedforthosewhomtheyaddressed:andconsequently，therearemanythingsintheEpistles(asweshowedattheendofthelastChapter)whicharenotnecessarytosalvation。
(53)V。Lastly，becausetherearefourEvangelistsintheNewTestament，anditisscarcelycrediblethatGodcanhavedesignedtonarratethelifeofChristfourtimesover，andtocommunicateitthustomankind。(54)ForthoughtherearesomedetailsrelatedinoneGospelwhicharenotinanother，andoneoftenhelpsustounderstandanother，wecannotthenceconcludethatallthatissetdownisofvitalimportancetous，andthatGodchosethefourEvangelistsinorderthatthelifeofChristmightbebetterunderstood；foreachonepreachedhisGospelinaseparatelocality，eachwroteitdownashepreachedit，insimplelanguage，inorderthatthehistoryofChristmightbeclearlytold，notwithanyviewofexplaininghisfellow-Evangelists。
(55)Iftherearesomepassageswhichcanbebetter，andmoreeasilyunderstoodbycomparingthevariousversions，theyaretheresultofchance，andarenotnumerous:theircontinuanceinobscuritywouldhaveimpairedneithertheclearnessofthenarrativenortheblessednessofmankind。
(56)WehavenowshownthatScripturecanonlybecalledtheWordofGodinsofarasitaffectsreligion，ortheDivinelaw；wemustnowpointoutthat，inrespecttothesequestions，itisneitherfaulty，tamperedwith，norcorrupt。(57)Byfaulty，tamperedwith，andcorrupt，I
heremeanwrittensoincorrectly，thatthemeaningcannotbearrivedatbyastudyofthelanguage，norfromtheauthorityofScripture。(58)IwillnotgotosuchlengthsastosaythattheBible，insofarasitcontainstheDivinelaw，hasalwayspreservedthesamevowel-points，thesameletters，orthesamewords(Ileavethistobeprovedby，theMassoretesandotherworshippersoftheletter)，Ionly，maintainthatthemeaningby，whichaloneanutteranceisentitledtobecalledDivine，hascomedowntousuncorrupted，eventhoughtheoriginalwordingmayhavebeenmoreoftenchangedthanwesuppose。(59)Suchalterations，asIhavesaidabove，detractnothingfromtheDivinityoftheBible，fortheBiblewouldhavebeennolessDivinehaditbeenwrittenindifferentwordsoradifferentlanguage。(60)ThattheDivinelawhasinthissensecomedowntousuncorrupted，isanassertionwhichadmitsofnodispute。(61)ForfromtheBibleitselfwelearn，withoutthesmallestdifficultyorambiguity，，thatitscardinalpreceptis:ToloveGodaboveallthings，andone\'sneighbourasone\'sself。(62)Thiscannotbeaspuriouspassage，norduetoahastyandmistakenscribe，foriftheBiblehadeverputforthadifferentdoctrineitwouldhavehadtochangethewholeofitsteaching，forthisisthecorner-stoneofreligion，withoutwhichthewholefabricwouldfallheadlongtotheground。(63)TheBiblewouldnotbetheworkwehavebeenexamining，butsomethingquitedifferent。
(64)Weremain，then，unshakeninourbeliefthatthishasalwaysbeenthedoctrineofScripture，and，consequently，thatnoerrorsufficienttovitiateitcanhavecreptinwithoutbeinginstantly，observedbyall；norcananyonehavesucceededintamperingwithitandescapedthediscoveryofhismalice。
(65)Asthiscorner-stoneisintact，wemustperforceadmitthesameofwhateverotherpassagesareindisputablydependentonit，andarealsofundamental，as，forinstance，thataGodexists，thatHeforeseesallthings，thatHeisAlmighty，thatbyHisdecreethegoodprosperandthewickedcometonaught，and，finally，thatoursalvationdependssolelyonHisgrace。
(66)ThesearedoctrineswhichScriptureplainlyteachesthroughout，andwhichitisboundtoteach，elsealltherestwouldbeemptyandbaseless；
norcanwebelesspositiveaboutothermoraldoctrines，whichplainlyarebuiltuponthisuniversalfoundation-forinstance，toupholdjustice，toaidtheweak，todonomurder，tocovetnoman\'sgoods，&c。(67)Precepts，I
repeat，suchasthese，humanmaliceandthelapseofagesarealikepowerlesstodestroy，forifanypartofthemperished，itslosswouldimmediatelybesuppliedfromthefundamentalprinciple，especiallythedoctrineofcharity，whichiseverywhereinbothTestamentsextolledaboveallothers。(68)Moreover，thoughitbetruethatthereisnoconceivablecrimesoheinousthatithasneverbeencommitted，stillthereisnoonewhowouldattemptinexcuseforhiscrimestodestroy，thelaw，orintroduceanimpiousdoctrineintheplaceofwhatiseternalandsalutary；men\'snatureissoconstitutedthateveryone(behekingorsubject)whohascommittedabaseaction，triestodeckouthisconductwithspuriousexcuses，tillheseemstohavedonenothingbutwhatisjustandright。
(69)Wemayconclude，therefore，thatthewholeDivinelaw，astaughtbyScripture，hascomedowntousuncorrupted。(70)Besidesthistherearecertainfactswhichwemaybesurehavebeentransmittedingoodfaith。(71)
Forinstance，themainfactsofHebrewhistory，whichwereperfectlywellknowntoeveryone。(72)TheJewishpeoplewereaccustomedinformertimestochanttheancienthistoryoftheirnationinpsalms。(73)Themainfacts，also，ofChrist\'slifeandpassionwereimmediatelyspreadabroadthroughthewholeRomanempire。(74)Itisthereforescarcelycredible，unlessnearlyeverybody，consentedthereto，whichwecannotsuppose，thatsuccessivegenerationshavehandeddownthebroadoutlineoftheGospelnarrativeotherwisethanastheyreceivedit。
(74)Whatsoever，therefore，isspuriousorfaultycanonlyhavereferencetodetails-somecircumstancesinoneortheotherhistoryorprophecydesignedtostirthepeopletogreaterdevotion；orinsomemiracle，withaviewofconfoundingphilosophers；or，lastly，inspeculativemattersaftertheyhadbecomemixedupwithreligion，sothatsomeindividualmightpropuphisowninventionswithapretextofDivineauthority。
(75)Butsuchmattershavelittletodowithsalvation，whethertheybecorruptedlittleormuch，asIwillshowindetailinthenextchapter，thoughIthinkthequestionsufficientlyplainfromwhatIhavesaidalready，especiallyinChapterII。
CHAPTERXIII-ITISSHOWNTHATSCRIPTURETEACHESONLYVERYSIMPLE
DOCTRINES，SUCHASSUFFICEFORRIGHTCONDUCT。
(1)Inthesecondchapterofthistreatisewepointedoutthattheprophetsweregiftedwithextraordinarypowersofimagination，butnotofunderstanding；alsothatGodonlyrevealedtothemsuchthingsasareverysimple-notphilosophicmysteries，-andthatHeadaptedHiscommunicationstotheirpreviousopinions。(2)WefurthershowedinChap。V。
thatScriptureonlytransmitsandteachestruthswhichcanreadilybecomprehendedbyall；notdeducingandconcatenatingitsconclusionsfromdefinitionsandaxioms，butnarratingquitesimply，andconfirmingitsstatements，withaviewtoinspiringbelief，byanappealtoexperienceasexemplifiedinmiraclesandhistory，andsettingforthitstruthsinthestyleandphraseologywhichwouldmostappealtothepopularmind(cf。Chap。
VI。，thirddivision)。
(3)Lastly，wedemonstratedinChap。VIII。thatthedifficultyofunderstandingScriptureliesinthelanguageonly，andnotintheabstrusenessoftheargument。
(4)TotheseconsiderationswemayaddthattheProphetsdidnotpreachonlytothelearned，buttoallJews，withoutexception，whiletheApostleswerewonttoteachthegospeldoctrineinchurcheswheretherewerepublicmeetings；whenceitfollowsthatScripturaldoctrinecontainsnoloftyspeculationsnorphilosophicreasoning，butonlyverysimplematters，suchascouldbeunderstoodbytheslowestintelligence。
(5)IamconsequentlylostinwonderattheingenuityofthosewhomIhavealreadymentioned，whodetectintheBiblemysteriessoprofoundthattheycannotbeexplainedinhumanlanguage，andwhohaveintroducedsomanyphilosophicspeculationsintoreligionthattheChurchseemslikeanacademy，andreligionlikeascience，orratheradispute。
(6)Itisnottobewonderedatthatmen，whoboastofpossessingsupernaturalintelligence，shouldbeunwillingtoyieldthepalmofknowledgetophilosopherswhohaveonlytheirordinary，faculties；stillI
shouldbesurprisedifIfoundthemteachinganynewspeculativedoctrine，whichwasnotacommonplacetothoseGentilephilosopherswhom，inspiteofall，theystigmatizeasblind；for，ifoneinquireswhatthesemysterieslurkinginScripturemaybe，oneisconfrontedwithnothingbutthereflectionsofPlatoorAristotle，orthelike，whichitwouldoftenbeeasierforanignorantmantodreamthanforthemostaccomplishedscholartowrestoutoftheBible。
(7)However，IdonotwishtoaffirmabsolutelythatScripturecontainsnodoctrinesinthesphereofphilosophy，forinthelastchapterIpointedoutsomeofthekind，asfundamentalprinciples；butIgosofarastosaythatsuchdoctrinesareveryfewandverysimple。(8)TheirprecisenatureanddefinitionIwillnowsetforth。(9)Thetaskwillbeeasy，forweknowthatScripturedoesnotaimatimpartingscientificknowledge，and，therefore，itdemandsfrommennothingbutobedience，andcensuresobstinacy，butnotignorance。
(10)Furthermore，asobediencetoGodconsistssolelyinlovetoourneighbour-forwhosoeverlovethhisneighbour，asameansofobeyingGod，hath，asSt。Paulsays(Rom。xiii:8)，fulfilledthelaw，-itfollowsthatnoknowledgeiscommendedintheBiblesavethatwhichisnecessaryforenablingallmentoobeyGodinthemannerstated，andwithoutwhichtheywouldbecomerebellious，orwithoutthedisciplineofobedience。
(11)Otherspeculativequestions，whichhavenodirectbearingonthisobject，orareconcernedwiththeknowledgeofnaturalevents，donotaffectScripture，andshouldbeentirelyseparatedfromreligion。
(12)Now，thougheveryone，aswehavesaid，isnowquiteabletoseethistruthforhimself，Ishouldneverthelesswish，consideringthatthewholeofReligiondependsthereon，toexplaintheentirequestionmoreaccuratelyandclearly。(13)TothisendImustfirstprovethattheintellectualoraccurateknowledgeofGodisnotagift，bestoweduponallgoodmenlikeobedience；and，further，thattheknowledgeofGod，requiredbyHimthroughHisprophetsfromeveryonewithoutexception，asneedfultobeknown，issimplyaknowledgeofHisDivinejusticeandcharity。(14)BoththesepointsareeasilyprovedfromScripture。(15)ThefirstplainlyfollowsfromExodusvi:2，whereGod，inordertoshowthesingulargracebestoweduponMoses，saystohim:\"AndIappeareduntoAbraham，untoIsaac，anduntoJacobbythenameofElSadai(A。V。GodAlmighty)；butbymynameJehovahwasInotknowntothem\"-forthebetterunderstandingofwhichpassageImayremarkthatElSadai，inHebrew，signifiestheGodwhosuffices，inthatHegivestoeverymanthatwhichsufficesforhim；and，althoughSadaiisoftenusedbyitself，tosignifyGod，wecannotdoubtthatthewordEl(God，{power，might})iseverywhereunderstood。(16)
Furthermore，wemustnotethatJehovahistheonlywordfoundinScripturewiththemeaningoftheabsoluteessenceofGod，withoutreferencetocreatedthings。(17)TheJewsmaintain，forthisreason，thatthisis，strictlyspeaking，theonlynameofGod；thattherestofthewordsusedaremerelytitles；and，intruth，theothernamesofGod，whethertheybesubstantivesoradjectives，aremerelyattributive，andbelongtoHim，insofarasHeisconceivedofinrelationtocreatedthings，ormanifestedthroughthem。(18)ThusEl，orEloah，signifiespowerful，asiswellknown，andonlyappliestoGodinrespecttoHissupremacy，aswhenwecallPaulanapostle；thefacultiesofhispoweraresetforthinanaccompanyingadjective，asEl，great，awful，just，merciful，&c。，orelseallareunderstoodatoncebytheuseofElinthepluralnumber，withasingularsignification，anexpressionfrequentlyadoptedinScripture。
(19)Now，asGodtellsMosesthatHewasnotknowntothepatriarchsbythenameofJehovah，itfollowsthattheywerenotcognizantofanyattributeofGodwhichexpressesHisabsoluteessence，butonlyofHisdeedsandpromisesthatis，ofHispower，asmanifestedinvisiblethings。(20)GoddoesnotthusspeaktoMosesinordertoaccusethepatriarchsofinfidelity，but，onthecontrary，asameansofextollingtheirbeliefandfaith，inasmuchas，thoughtheypossessednoextraordinaryknowledgeofGod(suchasMoseshad)，theyyetacceptedHispromisesasfixedandcertain；whereasMoses，thoughhisthoughtsaboutGodweremoreexalted，neverthelessdoubtedabouttheDivinepromises，andcomplainedtoGodthat，insteadofthepromiseddeliverance，theprospectsoftheIsraeliteshaddarkened。
(21)AsthepatriarchsdidnotknowthedistinctivenameofGod，andasGodmentionsthefacttoMoses，inpraiseoftheirfaithandsingle-heartedness，andincontrasttotheextraordinarygracegrantedtoMoses，itfollows，aswestatedatfirst，thatmenarenotboundby，decreetohaveknowledgeoftheattributesofGod，suchknowledgebeingonlygrantedtoafewofthefaithful:itishardlyworthwhiletoquotefurtherexamplesfromScripture，foreveryonemustrecognizethatknowledgeofGodisnotequalamongallgoodmen。(22)Moreover，amancannotbeorderedtobewiseanymorethanhecanbeorderedtoliveandexist。(23)Men，women，andchildrenareallalikeabletoobeyby，commandment，butnottobewise。IfanytellusthatitisnotnecessarytounderstandtheDivineattributes，butthatwemustbelievethemsimply，withoutproof，heisplainly，trifling。(24)Forwhatisinvisibleandcanonly，beperceivedbythemind，cannotbeapprehendedbyany，othermeansthanproofs；iftheseareabsenttheobjectremainsungrasped；therepetitionofwhathasbeenheardonsuchsubjectsnomoreindicatesorattainstotheirmeaningthanthewordsofaparrotorapuppetspeakingwithoutsenseorsignification。
(25)BeforeIproceedIoughttoexplainhowitcomesthatweareoftentoldinGenesisthatthepatriarchspreachedinthenameofJehovah，thisbeinginplaincontradictiontothetextabovequoted。(26)AreferencetowhatwassaidinChap。VIII。willreadilyexplainthedifficulty。(27)ItwasthereshownthatthewriterofthePentateuchdidnotalwaysspeakofthingsandplacesbythenamestheyboreinthetimesofwhichhewaswriting，butbythenamesbestknowntohiscontemporaries。(28)GodisthussaidinthePentateuchtohavebeenpreachedbythepatriarchsunderthenameofJehovah，notbecausesuchwasthenamebywhichthepatriarchsknewHim，butbecausethisnamewastheonemostreverencedbytheJews。
(29)Thispoint，Isay，mustnecessarilybenoticed，forinExodusitisexpresslystatedthatGodwasnotknowntothepatriarchsbythisname；andinchap。iii:13，itissaidthatMosesdesiredtoknowthenameofGod。(30)
Now，ifthisnamehadbeenalreadyknownitwouldhavebeenknowntoMoses。
(31)Wemustthereforedrawtheconclusionindicated，namely，thatthefaithfulpatriarchsdidnotknowthisnameofGod，andthattheknowledgeofGodisbestowedandnotcommandedbytheDeity。
(32)Itisnowtimetopassontooursecondpoint，andshowthatGodthroughHisprophetsrequiredfrommennootherknowledgeofHimselfthaniscontainedinaknowledgeofHisjusticeandcharity-thatis，ofattributeswhichacertainmanneroflifewillenablementoimitate。(33)Jeremiahstatesthisinsomanywords(xxii:15，16):\"Didnotthyfathereat，anddrink，anddojudgmentandjustice?andthenitwaswellwithhim。(34)Hejudgedthecauseofthepoorandneedy；thenitwaswellwithhim:wasnotthistoknowMe?saiththeLord。\"(35)Thewordsinchap。ix:24ofthesamebookareequally，clear。(36)\"Butlethimthatgloriethgloryinthis，thatheunderstandethandknowethMe，thatIamtheLordwhichexerciseloving-
kindness，judgment，andrighteousnessintheearth；forinthesethingsI
delight，saiththeLord。\"(37)ThesamedoctrinemaybegatheredfromExod。
xxxiv:6，whereGodrevealedtoMosesonly，thoseofHisattributeswhichdisplaytheDivinejusticeandcharity。(38)Lastly，wemaycallattentiontoapassageinJohnwhichweshalldiscussatmorelengthhereafter；theApostleexplainsthenatureofGod(inasmuchasnoonehasbeheldHim)
throughcharityonly，andconcludesthathewhopossessescharitypossesses，andinvery，truthknowsGod。
(39)WehavethusseenthatMoses，Jeremiah，andJohnsumupinaveryshortcompasstheknowledgeofGodneedfulforall，andthattheystateittoconsistinexactlywhatwesaid，namely，thatGodissupremelyjust，andsupremelymerciful-inotherwords，theoneperfectpatternofthetruelife。(40)WemayaddthatScripturenowheregivesanexpressdefinitionofGod，anddoesnotpointoutanyotherofHisattributeswhichshouldbeapprehendedsavethese，nordoesitinsettermspraiseanyothers。
(41)WhereforewemaydrawthegeneralconclusionthatanintellectualknowledgeofGod，whichtakescognizanceofHisnatureinsofarasitactuallyis，andwhichcannotbyanymanneroflivingbeimitatedbymankindorfollowedasanexample，hasnobearingwhateverontruerulesofconduct，onfaith，oronrevealedreligion；consequentlythatmenmaybeincompleteerroronthesubjectwithoutincurringthechargeofsinfulness。(42)WeneednownolongerwonderthatGodadaptedHimselftotheexistingopinionsandimaginationsoftheprophets，orthatthefaithfulhelddifferentideasofGod，asweshowedinChap。II。；or，again，thatthesacredbooksspeakveryinaccuratelyofGod，attributingtoHimhands，feet，eyes，ears，amind，andmotionfromoneplacetoanother；orthattheyascribetoHimemotions，suchasjealousy，mercy，&c。，or，lastly，thattheydescribeHimasaJudgeinheavensittingonaroyalthronewithChristonHisrighthand。(43)Suchexpressionsareadaptedtotheunderstandingofthemultitude，itbeingtheobjectoftheBibletomakemennotlearnedbutobedient。
(44)Inspiteofthisthegeneralrunoftheologians，whentheycomeuponanyofthesephraseswhichtheycannotrationallyharmonizewiththeDivinenature，maintainthattheyshouldbeinterpretedmetaphorically，passagestheycannotunderstandtheysayshouldbeinterpretedliterally。(45)ButifeveryexpressionofthiskindintheBibleisnecessarilytobeinterpretedandunderstoodmetaphorically，Scripturemusthavebeenwritten，notforthepeopleandtheunlearnedmasses，butchieflyforaccomplishedexpertsandphilosophers。
(46)IfitwereindeedasintoholdpiouslyandsimplytheideasaboutGodwehavejustquoted，theprophetsoughttohavebeenstrictlyontheirguardagainsttheuseofsuchexpressions，seeingtheweak-mindednessofthepeople，andought，ontheotherhand，tohavesetforthfirstofall，dulyandclearly，thoseattributesofGodwhichareneedfultobeunderstood。
(47)Thistheyhavenowheredone；wecannot，therefore，thinkthatopinionstakeninthemselveswithoutrespecttoactionsareeitherpiousorimpious，butmustmaintainthatamanispiousorimpiousinhisbeliefsonlyinsofarasheistherebyincitedtoobedience，orderivesfromthemlicensetosinandrebel。(48)Ifaman，bybelievingwhatistrue，becomesrebellious，hiscreedisimpious；ifbybelievingwhatisfalsehebecomesobedient，hiscreedispious；forthetrueknowledgeofGodcomesnotbycommandment，butbyDivinegift。(49)GodhasrequirednothingfrommanbutaknowledgeofHisDivinejusticeandcharity，andthatnotasnecessarytoscientificaccuracy，buttoobedience。
CHAPTERXIV-DEFINITIONSOFFAITH，THEFAITH，ANDTHEFOUNDATIONS
OFFAITH，WHICHISONCEFORALLSEPARATEDFROMPHILOSOPHY。
(1)ForatrueknowledgeoffaithitisaboveallthingsnecessarytounderstandthattheBiblewasadaptedtotheintelligence，notonlyoftheprophets，butalsoofthediverseandfickleJewishmultitude。(2)Thiswillberecognizedbyallwhogiveanythoughttothesubject，fortheywillseethatapersonwhoacceptedpromiscuouslyeverythinginScriptureasbeingtheuniversalandabsoluteteachingofGod，withoutaccuratelydefiningwhatwasadaptedtothepopularintelligence，wouldfinditimpossibletoescapeconfoundingtheopinionsofthemasseswiththeDivinedoctrines，praisingthejudgmentsandcommentsofmanastheteachingofGod，andmakingawronguseofScripturalauthority。(3)Who，Isay，doesnotperceivethatthisisthechiefreasonwhysomanysectariesteachcontradictoryopinionsasDivinedocuments，andsupporttheircontentionswithnumerousScripturaltexts，tillithaspassedinBelgiumintoaproverb，geenkettersonderletter-nohereticwithoutatext?(4)Thesacredbookswerenotwrittenbyoneman，norforthepeopleofasingleperiod，butbymanyauthorsofdifferenttemperaments，attimesextendingfromfirsttolastovernearlytwothousandyears，andperhapsmuchlonger。
(5)Wewillnot，however，accusethesectariesofimpietybecausetheyhaveadaptedthewordsofScripturetotheirownopinions；itisthusthatthesewordswereadaptedtotheunderstandingofthemassesoriginally，andeveryoneisatlibertysototreatthemifheseesthathecanthusobeyGodinmattersrelatingtojusticeandcharitywithamorefullconsent:butwedoaccusethosewhowillnotgrantthisfreedomtotheirfellows，butwhopersecuteallwhodifferfromthem，asGod\'senemies，howeverhonourableandvirtuousbetheirlives；while，ontheotherhand，theycherishthosewhoagreewiththem，howeverfoolishtheymaybe，asGod\'select。(6)Suchconductisaswickedanddangeroustothestateasanythatcanbeconceived。
(7)Inorder，therefore，toestablishthelimitstowhichindividualfreedomshouldextend，andtodecidewhatpersons，inspiteofthediversityoftheiropinions，aretobelookeduponasthefaithful，wemustdefinefaithanditsessentials。(8)ThistaskIhopetoaccomplishinthepresentchapter，andalsotoseparatefaithfromphilosophy，whichisthechiefaimofthewholetreatise。
(9)InordertoproceeddulytothedemonstrationletusrecapitulatethechiefaimandobjectofScripture；thiswillindicateastandardbywhichwemaydefinefaith。
(10)WehavesaidinaformerchapterthattheaimandobjectofScriptureisonlytoteachobedience。(11)Thusmuch，Ithink，noonecanquestion。
(12)WhodoesnotseethatbothTestamentsarenothingelsebutschoolsforthisobject，andhaveneitherofthemanyaimbeyondinspiringmankindwithavoluntaryobedience?(13)For(nottorepeatwhatIsaidinthelastchapter)IwillremarkthatMosesdidnotseektoconvincetheJewsbyreason，butboundthembyacovenant，byoaths，andbyconferringbenefits；
further，hethreatenedthepeoplewithpunishmentiftheyshouldinfringethelaw，andpromisedrewardsiftheyshouldobeyit。
(14)Allthesearenotmeansforteachingknowledge，butforinspiringobedience。(15)ThedoctrineoftheGospelsenjoinsnothingbutsimplefaith，namely，tobelieveinGodandtohonourHim，whichisthesamethingastoobeyhim。(16)ThereisnooccasionformetothrowfurtherlightonaquestionsoplainbycitingScripturaltextscommendingobedience，suchasmaybefoundingreatnumbersinbothTestaments。(17)Moreover，theBibleteachesveryclearlyinagreatmanypassageswhateveryoneoughttodoinordertoobeyGod；thewholedutyissummedupinlovetoone\'sneighbour。
(18)Itcannot，therefore，bedeniedthathewhobyGod\'scommandloveshisneighbourashimselfistrulyobedientandblessedaccordingtothelaw，whereashewhohateshisneighbourorneglectshimisrebelliousandobstinate。
(19)Lastly，itisplaintoeveryonethattheBiblewasnotwrittenanddisseminatedonly，forthelearned，butformenofeveryageandrace；
whereforewemay，restassuredthatwearenotboundbyScripturalcommandtobelieveanythingbeyondwhatisabsolutelynecessary，forfulfillingitsmainprecept。
(20)Thisprecept，then，istheonlystandardofthewholeCatholicfaith，andbyitaloneallthedogmasneedfultobebelievedshouldbedetermined。
(21)Somuchbeingabundantlymanifest，asisalsothefactthatallotherdoctrinesofthefaithcanbelegitimatelydeducedtherefrombyreasonalone，IleaveittoeverymantodecideforhimselfhowitcomestopassthatsomanydivisionshavearisenintheChurch:canitbefromanyothercausethanthosesuggestedatthebeginningofChap。VIII。?(22)Itisthesesamecauseswhichcompelmetoexplainthemethodofdeterminingthedogmasofthefaithfromthefoundationwehavediscovered，forifI
