第 21 节
作者:负债赌博      更新:2021-02-20 18:50      字数:6080
  or the poetic drama; or ordinary chronicles; with the attention usually
  given to such writings; on the other hand; if a man is absolutely ignorant
  of the Scriptures; and none the less has right opinions and a true
  plan of life; he is absolutely blessed and truly possesses in himself the
  spirit of Christ。
  (88) The Jews are of a directly contrary way of thinking; for they hold that
  true opinions and a true plan of life are of no service in attaining
  blessedness; if their possessors have arrived at them by the light of reason
  only; and not like the documents prophetically revealed to Moses。 (89)
  Maimonides ventures openly to make this assertion: 〃Every man who takes to
  heart the seven precepts and diligently follows them; is counted with the
  pious among the nation; and an heir of the world to come; that is to say; if
  he takes to heart and follows them because God ordained them in the law; and
  revealed them to us by Moses; because they were of aforetime precepts to the
  sons of Noah: but he who follows them as led thereto by reason; is not
  counted as a dweller among the pious or among the wise of the nations。〃 (90)
  Such are the words Of Maimonides; to which R。 Joseph; the son of Shem Job;
  adds in his book which he calls 〃Kebod Elohim; or God's Glory;〃 that
  although Aristotle (whom he considers to have written the best ethics and to
  be above everyone else) has not omitted anything that concerns
  true ethics; and which he has adopted in his own book; carefully following
  the lines laid down; yet this was not able to suffice for his salvation;
  inasmuch as he embraced his doctrines in accordance with the dictates of
  reason and not as Divine documents prophetically revealed。
  (91) However; that these are mere figments; and are not supported by
  Scriptural authority will; I think; be sufficiently evident to the attentive
  reader; so that an examination of the theory will be sufficient for its
  refutation。 (92) It is not my purpose here to refute the assertions of those
  who assert that the natural light of reason can teach nothing; of any value
  concerning the true way of salvation。 (93) People who lay no claims to
  reason for themselves; are not able to prove by reason this their assertion;
  and if they hawk about something superior to reason; it is a mere figment;
  and far below reason; as their general method of life sufficiently shows。
  (94) But there is no need to dwell upon such persons。 (95) I will merely add
  that we can only judge of a man by his works。 (96) If a man abounds in the
  fruits of the Spirit ; charity; joy; peace; long…suffering; kindness;
  goodness; faith; gentleness; chastity; against which; as Paul says
  (Gal。 v:22); there is no law; such an one; whether he be taught by reason
  only or by the Scripture only; has been in very truth taught by God; and is
  altogether blessed。 (97) Thus have I said all that I undertook to say
  concerning Divine law。
  End of Part 1
  AUTHOR'S ENDNOTES TO THE THEOLOGICO…POLITICAL TREATISE
  CHAPTERS I to V
  Chapter I
  Endnote 1。 (1) The word naw…vee'; Strong:5030; is rightly interpreted
  by Rabbi Salomon Jarchi; but the sense is hardly caught by Aben Ezra; who
  was not so good a Hebraist。 (2) We must also remark that this Hebrew word
  for prophecy has a universal meaning and embraces all kinds of prophecy。 (3)
  Other terms are more special; and denote this or that sort of prophecy;
  as I believe is well known to the learned。
  Endnote 2。 (1) 〃Although; ordinary knowledge is Divine; its professors
  cannot be called prophets。〃 That is; interpreters of God。 (2) For he alone
  is an interpreter of God; who interprets the decrees which God has revealed
  to him; to others who have not received such revelation; and whose belief;
  therefore; rests merely on the prophet's authority and the confidence
  reposed in him。 (3) If it were otherwise; and all who listen to prophets
  became prophets themselves; as all who listen to philosophers become
  philosophers; a prophet would no longer be the interpreter of Divine
  decrees; inasmuch as his hearers would know the truth; not on the; authority
  of the prophet; but by means of actual Divine revelation and inward
  testimony。 (4) Thus the sovereign powers are the interpreters of their own
  rights of sway; because these are defended only by their authority and
  supported by their testimony。
  Endnote 3。 (1) 〃Prophets were endowed with a peculiar and
  extraordinary power。〃 (2) Though some men enjoy gifts which nature has not
  bestowed on their fellows; they are not said to surpass the bounds of human
  nature; unless their special qualities are such as cannot be said to be
  deducible from the definition of human nature。 (3) For instance; a giant is
  a rarity; but still human。 (4) The gift of composing poetry extempore is
  given to very few; yet it is human。 (5) The same may; therefore; be said of
  the faculty possessed by some of imagining things as vividly as though they
  saw them before them; and this not while asleep; but while awake。 (6) But if
  anyone could be found who possessed other means and other foundations for
  knowledge; he might be said to transcend the limits of human nature。
  CHAPTER III。
  Endnote 4。 (1) In Gen。 xv。 it is written that God promised Abraham to
  protect him; and to grant him ample rewards。 (2) Abraham answered that he
  could expect nothing which could be of any value to him; as he was childless
  and well stricken in years。
  Endnote 5。 (1) That a keeping of the commandments of the old Testament
  is not sufficient for eternal life; appears from Mark x:21。
  End of Endnotes to PART I
  End of Part I