First Edition, 1884.

Second Edition, revised, 1887.

Reprinted, 1889, 1891.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION

Original unpopularity of Spinoza's writings, their gradually

increasing influence in Germany, France, Holland, and

England

Authorities for the life of Spinoza: Colerus, &c.

Birth, 1634, and education of Spinoza

His breach with the synagogue, 1656

Life near Amsterdam and at Rhijnsburg

Friendship with Simon de Vries

Removal to Voorburg and the Hague

Correspondence with Oldenburg, Leibnitz, Tschirnhausen, and

others. Publication of Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, 1670.

Massacre of the De Witts, 1672. Indignation and danger of

Spinoza

Completion of the Ethics, 1674

Death and burial, February, 1677

Later life of Spinoza

V

V

ix

X

xii

xiii

xiv

XV

xvi

Scope of the present work

THEOLOGICO-POLITICAL TREATISE

For what readers the treatise is designed. Submission of

Chap. I.-Of Prophecy

3

3

6

Definition of prophecy

Distinction between revelation to Moses and to the other

prophets

15

Between Christ and all other recipients of revelation

Ambiguity of the word "Spirit

The different senses in which things may be referred to God.

Different senses of "Spirit of God"

Prophets perceived revelation by imagination.

Chap. II.-Of Prophets

A mistake to suppose that prophecy can give knowledge of

phenomena

Certainty of prophecy based on (1) Vividness of Imagination,

(2) A Sign, (3) Goodness of the Prophet

Variation of prophecy with the temperament and opinions of

the individual

Chap. III. Of the Vocation of the Hebrews, and whether the

Gift of Prophecy was peculiar to them.

Happiness of Hebrews did not consist in the inferiority of the

Gentiles

Nor in philosophic knowledge or virtue

But in their conduct of affairs of state and escape from poli-

tical dangers

Even this distinction did not exist in the time of Abraham

Testimony from the Old Testament itself to the share of the

Gentiles in the law and favour of God

Explanation of apparent discrepancy of the Epistle to the

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27

27

29

30

43

43

45

46

48

49

53

54

57

Laws either depend on natural necessity or on human decree.

The existence of the latter not inconsistent with the former

class of laws

57

Divine law a kind of law founded on human decree: called

Divine from its object

59

Romans

Answer to the arguments for the eternal election of the Jews.

Chap. IV. Of the Divine Law.

Divine law (1) universal; (2) independent of the truth of any

historical narrative; (3) independent of rites and ceremonies;

(4) its own reward

Reason does not present God as a law-giver for men

Such a conception a proof of ignorance-in Adam-in the

Israelites-in Christians

Testimony of the Scriptures in favour of reason and the

rational view of the Divine law

Chap. V.-Of the Ceremonial Law

Ceremonial law of the Old Testament no part of the Divine

universal law, but partial and temporary. Testimony of

the prophets themselves to this

Testimony of the New Testament

How the ceremonial law tended to preserve the Hebrew kingdom

Christian rites on a similar footing

What part of the Scripture narratives is one bound to believe?

61

62

63

65

69

69

72

73

76

76

A miracle in the sense of a contravention of natural laws an

absurdity

82

In the sense of an event, whose cause is unknown, less edify-

ing than an event better understood

84

PAGE

God's providence identical with the course of nature
How Scripture miracles may be interpreted

Chap. VII.-Of the Interpretation of Scripture.

Current systems of interpretation erroneous

Only true system to interpret it by itself

Reasons why this system cannot now be carried out in its

entirety

Yet these difficulties do not interfere with our understanding
the plainest and most important passages

Rival systems examined-that of a supernatural faculty being
necessary-refuted

That of Maimonides

Refuted.

Traditions of the Pharisees and the Papists rejected

Chap. VIII. Of the authorship of the Pentateuch, and the other

historical books of the Old Testament.

89

92

98

98

Traces of late authorship in the other historical books

All the historical books the work of one man

And then a history, distinguishing the books by the names of

their subjects

132

Chap. IX.-Other questions about these books

133

That these books have not been thoroughly revised and made

Chap. X.-An Examination of the remaining books of the Old

Testament according to the preceding method

Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs

Isaiah, Jeremiah

Ezekiel, Hosea

Other prophets, Jonah, Job

149

Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

150

The author declines to undertake a similar detailed examina-

tion of the New Testament

156

Chap. XI-An Inquiry whether the Apostles wrote their Epistles

as Apostles and Prophets, or merely as Teachers, and an Ex-

planation of what is meant by an Apostle

157

The epistles not in the prophetic style

157

The Apostles not commanded to write nor to preach in parti-

cular places

159

.

Different methods of teaching adopted by the Apostles.

163

Chap. XII.-Of the true Original of the Divine Law, and where-

fore Scripture is called Sacred, and the Word of God. How

that, in so far as it contains the Word of God, it has come

down to us uncorrupted

Chap. XIII.—It is shown, that Scripture teaches only very Simple

Doctrines, such as suffice for right conduct

Error in speculative doctrine not impious-nor knowledge

pious. Piety consists in obedience

Chap. XIV.-Definitions of Faith, the True Faith, and the

Foundations of Faith, which is once for all separated from

Philosophy

Danger resulting from the vulgar idea of faith

The only test of faith obedience and good works

As different men are disposed to obedience by different

opinions, universal faith can contain only the simplest

doctrines

Fundamental distinction between faith and philosophy-the

key-stone of the present treatise

Chap. XV.-Theology is shown not to be subservient to Reason,

nor Reason to Theology: a Definition of the reason which

enables us to accept the Authority of the Bible

Theory that Scripture must be accommodated to Reason-

maintained by Maimonides-already refuted in Chapter

VII.

Theory that Reason must be accommodated to Scripture

-maintained by Alpakhar-examined

And refuted

Scripture and Reason independent of one another

Certainty of fundamental faith not mathematical but moral

Great utility of Revelation

Chap. XVI. Of the Foundations of a State; of the Natural

and Civil Rights of Individuals; and of the Rights of the

Sovereign Power

In Nature right co-extensive with power

This principle applies to mankind in the state of Nature

How a transition from this state to a civil state is possible

Subjects not slaves

Definition of private civil right-and wrong

In what sense sovereigns are bound by Divine law

Civil government not inconsistent with religion

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191

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Chap. XVII- It is shown, that no one can or need transfer all

his Rights to the Sovereign Power. Of the Hebrew Republic,

as it was during the lifetime of Moses, and after his death

till the foundation of the Monarchy; and of its Excellence.

Lastly, of the Causes why the Theocratic Republic fell, and

why it could hardly have continued without Dissension

214