按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
in this quarter； for no one dared decide on sacred matters； but all felt
bound to obey； without consulting their reason； all the commands given by
the answers of God received in the Temple； and all the laws which God
had ordained。
（17：157） I think I have now explained clearly； though briefly；； the main
features of the Hebrew commonwealth。 （158） I must now inquire into the
causes which led the people so often to fall away from the law； which
brought about their frequent subjection； and； finally； the complete
destruction of their dominion。 （159） Perhaps I shall be told that it sprang
from their hardness of heart； but this is childish； for why should this
people be more hard of heart than others； was it by nature？
＇17：A＇ （160） But nature forms individuals； not peoples； the latter are
only distinguishable by the difference of their language； their customs； and
their laws； while from the two last … i。e。； customs and laws； … it may arise
that they have a peculiar disposition； a peculiar manner of life； and
peculiar prejudices。 （161） If； then； the Hebrews were harder of heart than
other nations； the fault lay with their laws or customs。
32
… Page 33…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
（17：162） This is certainly true； in the sense that； if God had wished
their dominion to be more lasting； He would have given them other rites
and laws； and would have instituted a different form of government。 （163）
We can； therefore； only say that their God was angry with them； not only；
as Jeremiah says； from the building of the city； but even from the founding
of their laws。
（17：164） This is borne witness to by Ezekiel xx：25： 〃Wherefore I gave
them also statutes that were not good； and judgments whereby they should
not live； and I polluted them in their own gifts； in that they caused to pass
through the fire all that openeth the womb； that I might make them
desolate； to the end that they might know that I am the Lord。〃
（17：165） In order that we may understand these words； and the
destruction of the Hebrew commonwealth； we must bear in mind that it
had at first been intended to entrust the whole duties of the priesthood to
the firstborn； and not to the Levites （see Numb。 viii：17）。 （166） It was only
when all the tribes； except the Levites； worshipped the golden calf； that the
firstborn were rejected and defiled； and the Levites chosen in their stead
（Deut。 x：8）。 （167） When I reflect on this change； I feel disposed to break
forth with the words of Tacitus。 （168） God's object at that time was not the
safety of the Jews； but vengeance。 （169） I am greatly astonished that the
celestial mind was so inflamed with anger that it ordained laws； which
always are supposed to promote the honour； well…being； and security of a
people； with the purpose of vengeance； for the sake of punishment； so that
the laws do not seem so much laws … that is； the safeguard of the people …
as pains and penalties。
（17：170） The gifts which the people were obliged to bestow on the
Levites and priests … the redemption of the firstborn； the poll…tax due to the
Levites； the privilege possessed by the latter of the sole performance of
sacred rites … all these； I say； were a continual reproach to the people； a
continual reminder of their defilement and rejection。 （171） Moreover； we
may be sure that the Levites were for ever heaping reproaches upon them：
for among so many thousands there must have been many importunate
dabblers in theology。 （172） Hence the people got into the way of watching
the acts of the Levites； who were but human； of accusing the whole body
33
… Page 34…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
of the faults of one member； and continually murmuring。
（17：173） Besides this； there was the obligation to keep in idleness men
hateful to them； and connected by no ties of blood。 （174） Especially would
this seem grievous when provisions were dear。 What wonder； then； if in
times of peace； when striking miracles had ceased； and no men of
paramount authority were forthcoming； the irritable and greedy temper of
the people began to wax cold； and at length to fall away from a worship；
which； though Divine； was also humiliating； and even hostile； and to seek
after something fresh； or can we be surprised that the captains； who
always adopt the popular course； in order to gain the sovereign power for
themselves by enlisting the sympathies of the people； and alienating the
high priest； should have yielded to their demands； and introduced a new
worship？ （175） If the state had been formed according to the original
intention； the rights and honour of all the tribes would have been equal；
and everything would have rested on a firm basis。 （176） Who is there who
would willingly violate the religious rights of his kindred？ （177） What
could a man desire more than to support his own brothers and parents； thus
fulfilling the duties of religion？ （178） Who would not rejoice in being
taught by them the interpretation of the laws； and receiving through them
the answers of God？
（17：179） The tribes would thus have been united by a far closer bond；
if all alike had possessed the right to the priesthood。 （180） All danger
would have been obviated； if the choice of the Levites had not been
dictated by anger and revenge。 （181） But； as we have said； the Hebrews
had offended their God； Who； as Ezekiel says； polluted them in their own
gifts by rejecting all that openeth the womb； so that He might destroy
them。
（17：182） This passage is also confirmed by their history。 As soon as
the people in the wilderness began to live in ease and plenty； certain men
of no mean birth began to rebel against the choice of the Levites； and to
make it a cause for believing that Moses had not acted by the commands
of God； but for his own good pleasure； inasmuch as he had chosen his own
tribe before all the rest； and had bestowed the high priesthood in
perpetuity on his own brother。 （183） They； therefore； stirred up a tumult；
34
… Page 35…
A Theologico…Political Treatise
and came to him； crying out that all men were equally sacred； and that he
had exalted himself above his fellows wrongfully。 （184） Moses was not
able to pacify them with reasons； but by the intervention of a miracle in
proof of the faith； they all perished。 （185） A fresh sedition then arose
among the whole people； who believed that their champions had not been
put to death by the judgment of God； but by the device of Moses。 （186）
After a great slaughter； or pestilence； the rising subsided from inanition；
but in such a manner that all preferred death to life under such conditions。
（17：187） We should rather say that sedition ceased than that harmony
was re… established。 （188） This is witnessed by Scripture （Deut。 xxxi：21）；
where God； after predicting to Moses that the people after his death will
fall away from the Divine worship； speaks thus： 〃For I know their
imagination which they go about； even now before I have brough