a theologico-political treatise [part iv]-第14部分
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of such authority; is aiming (as we have said); at gaining dominion for
himself。 (71) What is left for the sovereign power to decide on; if this
right be denied him? (72) Certainly nothing concerning either war or
peace; if he has to ask another man's opinion as to whether what he
believes to be beneficial would be pious or impious。 (73) Everything would
depend on the verdict of him who had the right of deciding and judging what
was pious or impious; right or wrong。
(19:74) When such a right was bestowed on the Pope of Rome absolutely; he
gradually acquired complete control over the kings; till at last he himself
mounted to the summits of dominion; however much monarchs; and especially
the German emperors; strove to curtail his authority; were it only by a
hairsbreadth; they effected nothing; but on the contrary by their very
endeavours largely increased it。 (75) That which no monarch could accomplish
with fire and sword; ecclesiastics could bring about with a stroke of the
pen; whereby we may easily see the force and power at the command of the
Church; and also how necessary it is for sovereigns to reserve such
prerogatives for themselves。
(19:76) If we reflect on what was said in the last chapter we shall see that
such reservation conduced not a little to the increase of religion and
piety; for we observed that the prophets themselves; though gifted with
Divine efficacy; being merely private citizens; rather irritated than
reformed the people by their freedom of warning; reproof; and denunciation;
whereas the kings by warnings and punishments easily bent men to their will。
(77) Furthermore; the kings themselves; not possessing the right in question
absolutely; very often fell away from religion and took with them nearly the
whole people。 (78) The same thing has often happened from the same cause in
Christian states。
(19:79) Perhaps I shall be asked; 〃But if the holders of sovereign power
choose to be wicked; who will be the rightful champion of piety? (80) Should
the sovereigns still be its interpreters? 〃I meet them with the counter…
question; 〃But if ecclesiastics (who are also human; and private citizens;
and who ought to mind only their own affairs); or if others whom it is
proposed to entrust with spiritual authority; choose to be wicked; should
they still be considered as piety's rightful interpreters?〃 (81) It is quite
certain that when sovereigns wish to follow their own pleasure; whether they
have control over spiritual matters or not; the whole state; spiritual
and secular; will go to ruin; and it will go much faster if private
citizens seditiously assume the championship of the Divine rights。
(19:82) Thus we see that not only is nothing gained by denying such rights
to sovereigns; but on the contrary; great evil ensues。 (83) For (as happened
with the Jewish kings who did not possess such rights absolutely) rulers are
thus driven into wickedness; and the injury and loss to the state become
certain and inevitable; instead of uncertain and possible。 (84) Whether we
look to the abstract truth; or the security of states; or the increase of
piety; we are compelled to maintain that the Divine right; or the right of
control over spiritual matters; depends absolutely on the decree of the
sovereign; who is its legitimate interpreter and champion。 (85) Therefore
the true ministers of God's word are those who teach piety to the people in
obedience to the authority of the sovereign rulers by whose decree it has
been brought into conformity with the public welfare。
'19:5' (86) There remains for me to point out the cause for the frequent
disputes on the subject of these spiritual rights in Christian states;
whereas the Hebrews; so far as I know; never; had any doubts about the
matter。 (87) It seems monstrous that a question so plain and vitally
important should thus have remained undecided; and that the secular rulers
could never obtain the prerogative without controversy; nay; nor without
great danger of sedition and injury to religion。 (88) If no cause for this
state of things were forthcoming; I could easily persuade myself that all I
have said in this chapter is mere theorizing; or akind of speculative
reasoning which can never be of any practical use。 (89) However; when we
reflect on the beginnings of Christianity the cause at once becomes
manifest。 (90) The Christian religion was not taught at first by kings; but
by private persons; who; against the wishes of those in power; whose
subjects they; were; were for a long time accustomed to hold meetings in
secret churches; to institute and perform sacred rites; and on their own
authority to settle and decide on their affairs without regard to the state;
(91) When; after the lapse of many years; the religion was taken up by the
authorities; the ecclesiastics were obliged to teach it to the emperors
themselves as they had defined it: wherefore they easily gained recognition
as its teachers and interpreters; and the church pastors were looked upon as
vicars of God。 (92) The ecclesiastics took good care that the Christian
kings should not assume their authority; by prohibiting marriage to the
chief ministers of religion and to its highest interpreter。 (93) They
furthermore elected their purpose by multiplying the dogmas of religion to
such an extent and so blending them with philosophy that their chief
interpreter was bound to be a skilled philosopher and theologian; and to
have leisure for a host of idle speculations: conditions which could only be
fulfilled by a private individual with much time on his hands。
(19:94) Among the Hebrews things were very differently arranged: for their
Church began at the same time as their dominion; and Moses; their absolute
ruler; taught religion to the people; arranged their sacred rites; and chose
their spiritual ministers。 (95) Thus the royal authority carried very great
weight with the people; and the kings kept a firm hold on their spiritual
prerogatives。
(19:96) Although; after the death of Moses; no one held absolute sway; yet
the power of deciding both in matters spiritual and matters temporal was in
the hands of the secular chief; as I have already pointed out。 (97) Further;
in order that it might be taught religion and piety; the people was bound to
consult the supreme judge no less than the high priest (Deut。 xvii:9; 11)。
(98) Lastly; though the kings had not as much power as Moses; nearly the
whole arrangement and choice of the sacred ministry depended on their
decision。 (99) Thus David arranged the whole service of the Temple (see 1
Chron。 xxviii:11; 12; &c。); from all the Levites he chose twenty…four
thousand for the sacred psalms; six thousand of these formed the
body from which were chosen the judges and proctors; four thousand were
porters; and four thousand to play on instruments (see 1 Chron。 xxiii:4; 5)。
(100) He further divided them into companies (of whom he chose the chiefs);
so that each in rotation; at the allotted time; might perform the sacred
rites。 (101) The priests he also divided into as many companies; I will not
go through the whole catalogue; but refer the reader to 2 Chron。 viii:13;
where it is stated; 〃Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to the Lord 。 。 。
。 。 after a certain rate every day; offering according to the commandments
of Moses;〃 and in verse 14; 〃And he appointed; according to the order
of David his father; the courses of the priests to their service 。 。 。 。
。 。 for so had David the man of God commanded。〃 (102) Lastly; the historian
bears witness in verse 15: 〃And they departed not from the commandment of
the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter; or
concerning the treasuries。〃
'19:6' (103) From these and other histories of the kings it is abundantly
evident; that the whole practice of religion and the sacred ministry
depended entirely on the commands of the king。
(19:104) When I said above that the kings had not the same right as Moses to
elect the high priest; to consult God without intermediaries; and to condemn
the prophets who prophesied during their reign; I said so simply because the
prophets could; in virtue of their mission; choose a new king and give
absolution for regicide; not because they could call a king who offended
against the law to judgment; or could rightly act against him 'Endnote 33'。
(19:105) Wherefore if there had been no prophets who; in virtue of a special
revelation; could give absolution for regicide; the kings would have
possessed absolute rights over all matters both spiritual and temporal。
(106) Consequently the rulers of modern times; who have no prophets and
would not rightly be bound in any case to receive them (for they are not
subject to Jewish law); have absolute possession of the spiritual
prerogative; although they are not celibates; and they will always retain
it; if they will refuse to allow religious dogmas to be unduly multiplied or
confounded with philosophy。
'20:0' CHAPTER XX … THAT IN A FREE STATE EVERY MAN
MAY THINK WHAT HE LIKES; AND SAY WHAT HE THINKS。
'20:1' (1) If men's minds were as easily controlled as their tongues; every
king would sit safely on his throne; and government by compulsion would
cease; for every subject would shape his life according to the intentions of
his rulers; and would esteem a thing true or false; good or evil; just or
unjust; in obedience to their dictates。 (2) However; we have shown already
(Chapter XVII。) that no man's mind can possibly lie wholly at the
disposition of another; for no one can willingly transfer his natural right
of free reason and judgment; or be