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First Edition, 1884. Second Edition, revised, 1887.
Reprinted, 1889, 1891.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
I'AGE
V
.
XX
xxi
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.
ix
Birth, 1634, and education of Spinoza
X
His breach with the synagogue, 1656
xii
Life near Amsterdam and at Rhijnsburg
xiii
Friendship with Simon de Vries
xiv
Removal to Voorburg and the Hague
XV
Correspondence with Oldenburg, Leibnitz, Tschirnhausen, and
others. Publication of Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, 1670. xvi
Massacre of the De Witts, 1672. Indignation and danger of
Spinoza
xvii
Completion of the Ethics, 1674
xviii
Later life of Spinoza
Death and burial, February, 1677 .
Opera Posthuma published 1677
Sketch of Spinoza's philosophy
Scope of the present work
xxxii
THEOLOGICO-POLITICAL TREATISE
Preface
Origin and consequences of superstition.
Causes that have led the author to write
Course of his investigation
For what readers the treatise is designed. Submission of
author to the rulers of his country
11
Chap. I.-Of Prophecy
Definition of prophecy
Distinction between revelation to Moses and to the other
prophets
1
3
8
13
13 PAGE
15
Between Christ and all other recipients of revelation
19
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.
>
20
22
24
27
29
30
43
45
46
48
49
53
54
57
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
Romans Answer to the arguments for the eternal election of the Jews:
Chap. IV.- Of the Divine Law.
Laws either depend on natural necessity or on human decree.
The existence of the latter not inconsistent with the former
class of laws
Divine law a kind of law founded on human decree : called
Divine from its object
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 i
Chap. VI. - Of Miracles
Confused ideas of the vulgar on the subject
A miracle in the sense of a contravention of natural laws an
absurdity
In the sense of an event, whose cause is unknown, less edify-
ing than an event better understood
59
61
62
63
65
69
72
73
76 76
81
82
PAGE
God's providence identical with the course of nature
89
How Scripture miracles may be interpreted .
92
Chap. VII.—Of the Interpretation of Scripture.
98
Current systems of interpretation erroneous
Only true system to interpret it by itself
100
Reasons why this system cannot now be carried out in its entirety
108
Yet these difficulties do not interfere with our understanding
the plainest and most important passages
113
Rival systems examined—that of a supernatural faculty being
necessary-refuted
114
That of Maimonides
Refuted.
116
Traditions of the Pharisees and the Papists rejected
118
Chap; VIII.--Of the authorship of the Pentateuch, and the other
historical books of the oid Testament .
120
The Pentateuch not written by Moses
His actual writings distinct
124
Traces of late authorship in the other historical books
127
All the historical books the work of one man
129
Probably Ezra
130
Who compiled first the book of Deuteronomy
131
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
That there are many doubtful readings .
139
That the existing marginal notes are often such
140
The other explanations of these notes refuted
141
The hiatus
145
Chap. X.-An Examination of the remaining books of the Old
Testament according to the preceding method
146
Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs
Isaiah, Jeremiah
147
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
The Apostles not commanded to write nor to preach in parti-
cular places
159
Different methods of teaching adopted by the Apostles .
163
to agree
0
148
165
175
180
182
18+
186
189
-
190
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 und
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
Detinition of private civil right-and wrong
Of alliance
Of treason
In what sense sovereigns are bound by Divine law
Civil government not inconsistent witli religion
Clap. 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
191
194
195
196
198
200
201
203
206
207
208
209
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211