CONTAININGAGENERALVIEWOFTHESUBJECTSTREATEDINHOLYSCRIPTURE。
ARGUMENT。
THEAUTHORDIVIDESHISWORKINTOTWOPARTS,ONERELATINGTOTHEDISCOVERY,THEOTHERTOTHEEXPRESSION,OFTHETRUESENSEOFSCRIPTURE。HESHOWSTHAT
TODISCOVERTHEMEANINGWEMUSTATTENDBOTHTOTHINGSANDTOSIGNS,AS
ITISNECESSARYTOKNOWWHATTHINGSWEOUGHTTOTEACHTOTHECHRISTIAN
PEOPLE,ANDALSOTHESIGNSOFTHESETHINGS,THATIS,WHERETHEKNOWLEDGE
OFTHESETHINGSISTOBESOUGHT。INTHISFIRSTBOOKHETREATSOFTHINGS,WHICHHEDIVIDESINTOTHREECLASSES,——THINGSTOBEENJOYED,THINGSTOBE
USED,ANDTHINGSWHICHUSEANDENJOY。THEONLYOBJECTWHICHOUGHTTOBE
ENJOYEDISTHETRIUNEGOD,WHOISOURHIGHESTGOODANDOURTRUEHAPPINESS。
WEAREPREVENTEDBYOURSINSFROMENJOYINGGOD;ANDTHATOURSINSMIGHT
BETAKENAWAY,\"THEWORDWASMADEFLESH,\"OURLORDSUFFERED,ANDDIED,ANDROSEAGAIN,ANDASCENDEDINTOHEAVEN,TAKINGTOHIMSELFASHISBRIDE
THECHURCH,INWHICHWERECEIVEREMISSIONOFOURSINS。ANDIFOURSINS
AREREMITTEDANDOURSOULSRENEWEDBYGRACE,WEMAYAWAITWITHHOPETHE
RESURRECTIONOFTHEBODYTOETERNALGLORY;IFNOT,WESHALLBERAISEDTO
EVERLASTINGPUNISHMENT。THESEMATTERSRELATINGTOFAITHHAVINGBEENEXPOUNDED,THEAUTHORGOESONTOSHOWTHATALLOBJECTS,EXCEPTGOD,AREFORUSE;FOR,THOUGHSOMEOFTHEMMAYBELOVED,YETOURLOVEISNOTTORESTINTHEM,BUTTOHAVEREFERENCETOGOD。ANDWEOURSELVESARENOTOBJECTSOFENJOYMENT
TOGOD;HEUSESUS,BUTFOROUROWNADVANTAGE。HETHENGOESONTOSHOW
THATLOVE——THELOVEOFGODFORHISOWNSAKEANDTHELOVEOFOURNEIGHBOR
FORGOD’SSAKE——ISTHEFULFILLMENTANDTHEENDOFALLSCRIPTURE。AFTER
ADDINGAFEWWORDSABOUTHOPE,HESHOWS,INCONCLUSION,THATFAITH,HOPE,ANDLOVEAREGRACESESSENTIALLYNECESSARYFORHIMWHOWOULDUNDERSTAND
ANDEXPLAINARIGHTTHEHOLYSCRIPTURES。
CHAP。1。——THEINTERPRETATIONOFSCRIPTURE
DEPENDSONTHEDISCOVERYANDENUNCIATIONOFTHEMEANING,ANDISTOBEUNDERTAKEN
INDEPENDENCEONGOD’SAID。
THEREaretwothingsonwhichallinterpretationofScripturedepends:
themodeofascertainingthepropermeaning,andthemodeofmakingknownthemeaningwhenitisascertained。Weshalltreatfirstofthemodeofascertaining,nextofthemodeofmakingknown,themeaning;——agreatandarduousundertaking,andonethat,ifdifficulttocarryout,itis,I
fear,presumptuoustoenterupon。Andpresumptuousitwouldundoubtedlybe,ifIwerecountingonmyownstrength;butsincemyhopeofaccomplishingtheworkrestsonHimwhohasalreadysuppliedmewithmanythoughtsonthissubject,IdonotfearbutthatHewillgoontosupplywhatisyetwantingwhenonceIhavebeguntousewhatHehasalreadygiven。Forapossessionwhichisnotdiminishedbybeingsharedwithothers,ifitispossessedandnotshared,isnotyetpossessedasitoughttobepossessed。
TheLordsaith\"Whosoeverhath,tohimshallbegiven。\"(1)Hewillgive,then,tothosewhohave;thatistosay,iftheyusefreelyandcheerfullywhattheyhavereceived,HewilladdtoandperfectHisgifts。Theloavesinthemiraclewereonlyfiveandseveninnumberbeforethedisciplesbegantodividethemamongthehungrypeople。Butwhenoncetheybegantodistributethem,thoughthewantsofsomanythousandsweresatisfied,theyfilledbasketswiththefragmentsthatwereleft。(2)Now,justasthatbreadincreasedintheveryactofbreakingit,sothosethoughtswhichtheLordhasalreadyvouchsafedtomewithaviewtoundertakingthisworkwill,assoonasIbegintoimpartthemtoothers,bemultipliedbyHisgrace,sothat,inthisveryworkofdistributioninwhichIhaveengaged,sofarfromincurringlossandpoverty,Ishallbemadetorejoiceinamarvellousincreaseofwealth。
CHAP。2。——WHATATHINGIS,ANDWHATA
SIGN。
2。Allinstructioniseitheraboutthingsoraboutsigns;butthingsarelearntbymeansofsigns。Inowusetheword\"thing\"inastrictsense,tosignifythatwhichisneveremployedasasignofanythingelse:forexample,wood,stone,cattle,andotherthingsofthatkind。Not,however,thewoodwhichwereadMosescastintothebitterwaterstomakethemsweet,(3)
northestonewhichJacobusedasapillow,(4)northeramwhichAbrahamofferedupinsteadofhisson;(5)forthese,thoughtheyarethings,arealsosignsofotherthings。Therearesignsofanotherkind,thosewhichareneveremployedexceptassigns:forexample,words。Nooneuseswordsexceptassignsofsomethingelse;andhencemaybeunderstoodwhatIcallsigns:thosethings,towit,whichareusedtoindicatesomethingelse。
Accordingly,everysignisalsoathing;forwhatisnotathingisnothingatall。Everything,however,isnotalsoasign。Andso,inregardtothisdistinctionbetweenthingsandsigns,Ishall,whenIspeakofthings,speakinsuchawaythatevenifsomeofthemmaybeusedassignsalso,thatwillnotinterferewiththedivisionofthesubjectaccordingtowhichIamtodiscussthingsfirstandsignsafterwards。Butwemustcarefullyrememberthatwhatwehavenowtoconsideraboutthingsiswhattheyareinthemselves,notwhatotherthingstheyaresignsof。
CHAP。3。——SOMETHINGSAREFORUSE,SOME
FOR
ENJOYMENT。
3。Therearesomethings,then,whicharetobeenjoyed,otherswhicharetobeused,othersstillwhichenjoyanduse。Thosethingswhichareobjectsofenjoymentmakeushappy。Thosethingswhichareobjectsofuseassist,and(sotospeak)supportusinoureffortsafterhappiness,sothatwecanattainthethingsthatmakeushappyandrestinthem。Weourselves,again,whoenjoyandusethesethings,beingplacedamongbothkindsofobjects,ifwesetourselvestoenjoythosewhichweoughttouse,arehinderedinourcourse,andsometimesevenledawayfromit;sothat,gettingentangledintheloveoflowergratifications,welagbehindin,orevenaltogetherturnbackfrom,thepursuitoftherealandproperobjectsofenjoyment。
CHAP。4。——DIFFERENCEOFUSEANDENJOYMENT。
4。Fortoenjoyathingistorestwithsatisfactioninitforitsownsake。Touse,ontheotherhand,istoemploywhatevermeansareatone’sdisposaltoobtainwhatonedesires,ifitisaproperobjectofdesire;
foranunlawfuluseoughtrathertobecalledanabuse。Suppose,then,wewerewanderersinastrangecountry,andcouldnotlivehappilyawayfromourfatherland,andthatwefeltwretchedinourwandering,andwishingtoputanendtoourmisery,determinedtoreturnhome。Wefind,however,thatwemustmakeuseofsomemodeofconveyance,eitherbylandorwater,inordertoreachthatfatherlandwhereourenjoymentistocommence。Butthebeautyofthecountrythroughwhichwepass,andtheverypleasureofthemotion,charmourhearts,andturningthesethingswhichweoughttouseintoobjectsofenjoyment,webecomeunwillingtohastentheendofourjourney;andbecomingengrossedinafactitiousdelight,ourthoughtsaredivertedfromthathomewhosedelightswouldmakeustrulyhappy。Suchisapictureofourconditioninthislifeofmortality。WehavewanderedfarfromGod;andifwewishtoreturntoourFather’shome,thisworldmustbeused,notenjoyed,thatsotheinvisiblethingsofGodmaybeclearlyseen,beingunderstoodbythethingsthataremade,(6)——thatis,thatbymeansofwhatismaterialandtemporarywemaylayholduponthatwhichisspiritualandeternalCHAP。5。——THETRINITYTHETRUEOBJECTOF
ENJOYMENT。
5。Thetrueobjectsofenjoyment,then,aretheFatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit,whoareatthesametimetheTrinity,oneBeing,supremeaboveall,andcommontoallwhoenjoyHim,ifHeisanobject,andnotratherthecauseofallobjects,orindeedevenifHeisthecauseofall。Foritisnoteasytofindanamethatwillsuitablyexpresssogreatexcellence,unlessitisbettertospeakinthisway:TheTrinity,oneGod,ofwhomareallthings,throughwhomareallthings,inwhomareallthings。(1)
ThustheFatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit,andeachofthesebyHimself,isGod,andatthesametimetheyarealloneGod;andeachofthembyHimselfisacompletesubstance,andyettheyareallonesubstance。TheFatherisnottheSonnortheHolySpirit;
theSonisnottheFathernortheHolySpirit;theHolySpiritisnottheFathernortheSon:buttheFatherisonlyFather,theSonisonlySon,andtheHolySpiritisonlyHolySpirit。
Toallthreebelongthesameeternity,thesameunchangeableness,thesamemajesty,thesamepower。IntheFatherisunity,intheSonequality,intheHolySpirittheharmonyofunityandequality;
andthesethreeattributesareallonebecauseoftheFather,allequalbecauseoftheSon,andallharmoniousbecauseoftheHolySpirit。
CHAP。6。——INWHATSENSEGODISINEFFABLE。
6。HaveIspokenofGod,orutteredHispraise,inanyworthyway?Nay,IfeelthatIhavedonenothingmorethandesiretospeak;andifIhavesaidanything,itisnotwhatIdesiredtosay。
HowdoIknowthis,exceptfromthefactthatGodisunspeakable?ButwhatIhavesaid,ifithadbeenunspeakable,couldnothavebeenspoken。AndsoGodisnoteventobecalled\"unspeakable,\"becausetosayeventhisistospeakofHim。
Thustherearisesacuriouscontradictionofwords,becauseiftheunspeakableiswhatcannotbespokenof,itisnotunspeakableifitcanbecalledunspeakable。Andthisoppositionofwordsisrathertobeavoidedbysilencethantobeexplainedawaybyspeech。AndyetGod,althoughnothingworthyofHisgreatnesscanbesaidofHim,hascondescendedtoaccepttheworshipofmen’smouths,andhasdesiredusthroughthemediumofourownwordstorejoiceinHispraise。ForonthisprincipleitisthatHeiscalledDues(God)。ForthesoundofthosetwosyllablesinitselfconveysnotrueknowledgeofHisnature;
butyetallwhoknowtheLatintongueareled,whenthatsoundreachestheirears,tothinkofanaturesupremeinexcellenceandeternalinexistence。
CHAP。7。——WHATALLMENUNDERSTANDBYTHE
TERMGOD。
7。ForwhentheonesupremeGodofgodsisthoughtof,evenbythosewhobelievethatthereareothergods,andwhocallthembythatname,andworshipthemasgods,theirthoughttakestheformofanendeavortoreachtheconceptionofanature,thanwhichnothingmoreexcellentormoreexaltedexists。Andsincemenaremovedbydifferentkindsofpleasures,partlybythosewhichpertaintothebodilysenses,partlybythosewhichpertaintotheintellectandsoul,thoseofthemwhoareinbondagetosensethinkthateithertheheavens,orwhatappearstobemostbrilliantintheheavens,ortheuniverseitself,isGodofgods:oriftheytrytogetbeyondtheuniverse,theypicturetothemselvessomethingofdazzlingbrightness,andthinkofitvaguelyasinfinite,orofthemostbeautifulformconceivable;ortheyrepresentitintheformofthehumanbody,iftheythinkthatsuperiortoallothers。OriftheythinkthatthereisnooneGodsupremeabovetherest,butthattherearemanyoreveninnumerablegodsofequalrank,stillthesetootheyconceiveaspossessedofshapeandform,accordingtowhateachmanthinksthepatternofexcellence。Those,ontheotherhand,whoendeavorbyaneffortoftheintelligencetoreachaconceptionofGod,placeHimaboveallvisibleandbodilynatures,andevenaboveallintelligentandspiritualnaturesthataresubjecttochange。All,however,striveemulouslytoexalttheexcellenceofGod:
norcouldanyonebefoundtobelievethatanybeingtowhomthereexistsasuperiorisGod。AndsoallconcurinbelievingthatGodisthatwhichexcelsindignityallotherobjects。
CHAP。8。——GODTOBEESTEEMEDABOVEALLELSE,BECAUSEHEISUNCHANGEABLE
WISDOM。
8。AndsinceallwhothinkaboutGodthinkofHimasliving,theyonlycanformanyconceptionofHimthatisnotabsurdandunworthywhothinkofHimaslifeitself;and,whatevermaybethebodilyformthathassuggesteditselftothem,recognizethatitisbylifeitlivesordoesnotlive,andpreferwhatislivingtowhatisdead;whounderstandthatthelivingbodilyformitself,howeveritmayoutshineallothersinsplendor,overtoptheminsize,andexceltheminbeauty,isquiteadistinctthingfromthelifebywhichitisquickened;andwholookuponthelifeasincomparablysuperiorindignityandworthtothemasswhichisquickenedandanimatedbyit。Then,whentheygoontolookintothenatureofthelifeitself,iftheyfinditmerenutritivelife,withoutsensibility,suchasthatofplants,theyconsideritinferiortosentientlife,suchasthatofcattle;andabovethis,again,theyplaceintelligentlife,suchasthatofmen。And,perceivingthateventhisissubjecttochange,theyarecompelledtoplaceaboveit,again,thatunchangeablelifewhichisnotatonetimefoolish,atanothertimewise,butonthecontraryiswisdomitself。
Forawiseintelligence,thatis,onethathasattainedtowisdom,was,previoustoitsattainingwisdom,unwise。Butwisdomitselfneverwasunwise,andnevercanbecomeso。Andifmennevercaughtsightofthiswisdom,theycouldneverwithentireconfidencepreferalifewhichisunchangeablywisetoonethatissubjecttochange。Thiswillbeevident,ifweconsiderthattheveryruleoftruthbywhichtheyaffirmtheunchangeablelifetobethemoreexcellent,isitselfunchangeable:andtheycannotfindsucharule,exceptbygoingbeyondtheirownnature;fortheyfindnothinginthemselvesthatisnotsubjecttochange。
CHAP。9。——ALLACKNOWLEDGETHESUPERIORITYOFUNCHANGEABLEWISDOMTO
THATWHICH
ISVARIABLE。
9。Now,nooneissoegregiouslysillyastoask,\"Howdoyouknowthatalifeofunchangeablewisdomispreferabletooneofchange?\"Forthatverytruthaboutwhichheasks,howIknowit?isunchangeablyfixedinthemindsofallmen,andpresentedtotheircommoncontemplation。Andthemanwhodoesnotseeitislikeablindmaninthesun,whomitprofitsnothingthatthesplendorofitslight,soclearandsonear,ispouredintohisveryeye-balls。Theman,ontheotherhand,whosees,butshrinksfromthistruth,isweakinhismentalvisionfromdwellinglongamongtheshadowsoftheflesh。Andthusmenaredrivenbackfromtheirnativelandbythecontraryblastsofevilhabits,andpursuelowerandlessvaluableobjectsinpreferencetothatwhichtheyowntobemoreexcellentandmoreworthy。
CHAP。10。——TOSEEGOD,THESOULMUSTBE
PURIFIED。
10。Wherefore,sinceitisourdutyfullytoenjoythetruthwhichlivesunchangeably,andsincethetriuneGodtakescounselinthistruthforthethingswhichHehasmade,thesoulmustbepurifiedthatitmayhavepowertoperceivethatlight,andtorestinitwhenitisperceived。Andletuslookuponthispurificationasakindofjourneyorvoyagetoournativeland。ForitisnotbychangeofplacethatwecancomenearertoHimwhoisineveryplace,butbythecultivationofpuredesiresandvirtuoushabits。
CHAP。11。——WISDOMBECOMINGINCARNATE,APATTERNTOUSOFPURIFICATION。
11。Butofthisweshouldhavebeenwhollyincapable,hadnotWisdomcondescendedtoadaptHimselftoourweakness,andtoshowusapatternofholylifeintheformofourownhumanity。
Yet,sincewewhenwecometoHimdowisely,HewhenHecametouswasconsideredbyproudmentohavedoneveryfoolishly。
AndsincewewhenwecometoHimbecomestrong,HewhenHecametouswaslookeduponasweak。But\"thefoolishnessofGodiswiserthanmen;andtheweaknessofGodisstrongerthanmen。\"(1)Andthus,thoughWisdomwasHimselfourhome,HemadeHimselfalsothewaybywhichweshouldreachourhome。
CHAP。12。——INWHATSENSETHEWISDOMOFGODCAMETOUS。
AndthoughHeiseverywherepresenttotheinnereyewhenitissoundandclear,HecondescendedtomakeHimselfmanifesttotheoutwardeyeofthosewhoseinwardsightisweakanddim。\"Forafterthat,inthewisdomofGod,theworldbywisdomknewnotGod,itpleasedGodbythefoolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieve。\"(2)
12。Nottheninthesenseoftraversingspace,butbecauseHeappearedtomortalmenintheformofmortalflesh,Heissaidtohavecometous。ForHecametoaplacewhereHehadalwaysbeen,seeingthat\"Hewasintheworld,andtheworldwasmadebyHim。\"But,becausemen,whointheireagernesstoenjoythecreatureinsteadoftheCreatorhadgrownintothelikenessofthisworld,andarethereforemostappropriatelynamed\"theworld,\"didnotrecognizeHim,thereforetheevangelistsays,\"andtheworldknewHimnot。\"(3)Thus,inthewisdomofGod,theworldbywisdomknewnotGod。WhythendidHecome,seeingthatHewasalreadyhere,exceptthatitpleasedGodthroughthefoolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieveCHAP。13。——THEWORDWASMADEFLESH。
InwhatwaydidHecomebutthis,\"TheWordwasmadeflesh,anddweltamongus\"?(1)Justaswhenwespeak,inorderthatwhatwenaveinourmindsmayenterthroughtheearintothemindofthehearer,thewordwhichwehaveinourheartsbecomesanoutwardsoundandiscalledspeech;andyetourthoughtdoesnotloseitselfinthesound,butremainscompleteinitself,andtakestheformofspeechwithoutbeingmodifiedinitsownnaturebythechange:sotheDivineWord,thoughsufferingnochangeofnature,yetbecameflesh,thatHemightdwellamongus。
CHAP。14。——HOWTHEWISDOMOFGODHEALED
MAN。
13。Moreover,astheuseofremediesisthewaytohealth,sothisremedytookupsinnerstohealandrestorethem。Andjustassurgeons,whentheybindupwounds,doitnotinaslovenlyway,butcarefully,thattheremaybeacertaindegreeofneatnessinthebinding,inadditiontoitsmereusefulness,soourmedicine,Wisdom,wasbyHisassumptionofhumanityadaptedtoourwounds,curingsomeofthembytheiropposites,someofthembytheirlikes。Andjustashewhoministerstoabodilyhurtinsomecasesappliescontraries,ascoldtohot,moisttodry,etc。,andinothercasesapplieslikes,asaroundclothtoaroundwound,oranoblongclothtoanoblongwound,anddoesnotfitthesamebandagetoalllimbs,butputsliketolike;inthesamewaytheWisdomofGodinhealingmanhasappliedHimselftohiscure,beingHimselfhealerandmedicinebothinone。Seeing,then,thatmanfellthroughpride,Herestoredhimthroughhumility。
Wewereensnaredbythewisdomoftheserpent:wearesetfreebythefoolishnessofGod。Moreover,justastheformerwascalledwisdom,butwasinrealitythefollyofthosewhodespisedGod,sothelatteriscalledfoolishness,butistruewisdominthosewhoovercomethedevil。Weusedourimmortalitysobadlyastoincurthepenaltyofdeath:ChristusedHismortalitysowellastorestoreustolife。Thediseasewasbroughtinthroughawoman’scorruptedsoul:theremedycamethroughawoman’svirginbody。Tothesameclassofoppositeremediesitbelongs,thatourvicesarecuredbytheexampleofHisvirtues。Ontheotherhand,thefollowingare,asitwere,bandagesmadeinthesameshapeasthelimbsandwoundstowhichtheyareapplied:
Hewasbornofawomantodeliveruswhofellthroughawoman:Hecameasamantosaveuswhoaremen,asamortaltosaveuswhoaremortals,bydeathtosaveuswhoweredead。Andthosewhocanfollowoutthemattermorefully,whoarenothurriedonbythenecessityofcarryingoutasetundertaking,willfindmanyotherpointsofinstructioninconsideringtheremedies,whetheroppositesorlikes,employedinthemedicineofChristianity。
CHAP。15。——FAITHISBUTTRESSEDBYTHERESURRECTIONANDASCENSIONOF
CHRIST,ANDIS
STIMULATEDBYHISCOMINGTOJUDGMENT。
14。ThebeliefoftheresurrectionofourLordfromthedead,andofHisascensionintoheaven,hasstrengthenedourfaithbyaddingagreatbuttressofhope。ForitclearlyshowshowfreelyHelaiddownHislifeforuswhenHehaditinHispowerthustotakeitupagain。Withwhatassurance,then,isthehopeofbelieversanimated,whentheyreflecthowgreatHewaswhosufferedsogreatthingsforthemwhiletheywerestillinunbelief!AndwhenmenlookforHimtocomefromheavenasthejudgeofquickanddead,itstrikesgreatterrorintothecareless,sothattheybetakethemselvestodiligentpreparation,andlearnbyholylivingtolongforHisapproach,insteadofquakingatitonaccountoftheirevildeeds。Andwhattonguecantell,orwhatimaginationcanconceive,therewardHewillbestowatthelast,whenweconsiderthatforourcomfortinthisearthlyjourneyHehasgivenussofreelyofHisSpirit,thatintheadversitiesofthislifewemayretainourconfidencein,andlovefor,Himwhomasyetweseenot;andthatHehasalsogiventoeachgiftssuitableforthebuildingupofHisChurch,thatwemaydowhatHepointsoutasrighttobedone,notonlywithoutamurmur,butevenwithdelight?
CHAP。16。——CHRISTPURGESHISCHURCHBY
MEDICINALAFFLICTIONS。
15。FortheChurchisHisbody,astheapostle’steachingshowsus;(2)
anditisevencalledHisspouse。(3)Hisbody,then,whichhasmanymembers,andallperformingdifferentfunctions,Heholdstogetherinthebondofunityandlove,whichisitstruehealth。MoreoverHeexercisesitinthepresenttime,andpurgesitwithmanywholesomeafflictions,thatwhenHehastransplanteditfromthisworldtotheeternalworld,HemaytakeittoHimselfasHisbride,withoutspotorwrinkle,oranysuchthingCHAP。17。——CHRIST,BYFORGIVINGOURSINS,OPENEDTHEWAYTOOURHOME。
16。Further,whenweareontheway,andthatnotawaythatliesthroughspace,butthroughachangeofaffections,andonewhichtheguiltofourpastsinslikeahedgeofthornsbarredagainstus,whatcouldHe,whowaswillingtolayHimselfdownasthewaybywhichweshouldreturn,dothatwouldbestillgraciousandmoremerciful,excepttoforgiveusalloursins,andbybeingcrucifiedforustoremovethesterndecreesthatbarredthedooragainstourreturn?
CHAP。18。——THEKEYSGIVENTOTHECHURCH。
17。Hehasgiven,therefore,thekeystoHisChurch,thatwhatsoeveritshouldbindonearthmightbeboundinheaven,andwhatsoeveritshouldlooseonearthmightbe,loosedinheaven;(1)
thatistosay,thatwhosoeverintheChurchshouldnotbelievethathissinsareremitted,theyshouldnotberemittedtohim;butthatwhosoevershouldbelieveandshouldrepent,andturnfromhissins,shouldbesavedbythesamefaithandrepentanceonthegroundofwhichheisreceivedintothebosomoftheChurch。Forhewhodoesnotbelievethathissinscanbepardoned,fallsintodespair,andbecomesworseasifnogreatergoodremainedforhimthantobeevil,whenhehasceasedtohavefaithintheresultsofhisownrepentance。
CHAP。19。——BODILYANDSPIRITUALDEATHAND
RESURRECTION。
18。Furthermore,asthereisakindofdeathofthesoul,whichconsistsintheputtingawayofformerhabitsandformerwaysoflife,andwhichcomesthroughrepentance,soalsothedeathofthebodyconsistsinthedissolutionoftheformerprincipleoflife。
Andjustasthesoul,afterithasputawayanddestroyedbyrepentanceitsformerhabits,iscreatedanewafterabetterpattern,sowemusthopeandbelievethatthebody,afterthatdeathwhichwealloweasadebtcontractedthroughsin,shallattheresurrectionbechangedintoabetterform;——notthatfleshandbloodshallinheritthekingdomofGod(forthatisimpossible),butthatthiscorruptibleshallputonincorruption,andthismortalshallputonimmortality。(2)Andthusthebody,beingthesourceofnouneasinessbecauseitcanfeelnowant,shallbeanimatedbyaspiritperfectlypureandhappy,andshallenjoyunbrokenpeace。
CHAP。20。——THERESURRECTIONTODAMNATION。
19。Nowhewhosesouldoesnotdietothisworldandbeginheretobeconformedtothetruth,fallswhenthebodydiesintoamoreterribledeath,andshallrevive,nottochangehisearthlyforaheavenlyhabitation,buttoendurethepenaltyofhissin。
CHAP。21。——NEITHERBODYNORSOULEXTINGUISHEDATDEATH。
Andsofaithclingstotheassurance,andwemustbelievethatitissoinfact,thatneitherthehumansoulnorthehumanbodysufferscompleteextinction,butthatthewickedriseagaintoendureinconceivablepunishment,andthegoodtoreceiveeternallife。
CHAP。22。——GODALONETOBEENJOYED。
20。Amongallthesethings,then,thoseonlyarethetrueobjectsofenjoymentwhichwehavespokenofaseternalandunchangeable。Therestareforuse,thatwemaybeabletoarriveatthefullenjoymentoftheformer。We,however,whoenjoyanduseotherthingsarethingsourselves。Foragreatthingtrulyisman,madeaftertheimageandsimilitudeofGod,notasrespectsthemortalbodyinwhichheisclothed,butasrespectstherationalsoulbywhichheisexaltedinhonorabovethebeasts。Andsoitbecomesanimportantquestion,whethermenoughttoenjoy,ortouse,themselves,ortodoboth。Forwearecommandedtoloveoneanother:butitisaquestionwhethermanistobelovedbymanforhisownsake,orforthesakeofsomethingelse。Ifitisforhisownsake,weenjoyhim;ifitisforthesakeofsomethingelse,weusehim。Itseemstome,then,thatheistobelovedforthesakeofsomethingelse。Forifathingistobelovedforitsownsake,thenintheenjoymentofitconsistsahappylife,thehopeofwhichatleast,ifnotyetthereality,isourcomfortinthepresenttime。Butacurseispronouncedonhimwhoplaceshishopeinman。(1)
21。Neitheroughtanyonetohavejoyinhimself,ifyoulookatthematterclearly,becausenooneoughttoloveevenhimselfforhisownsake,butforthesakeofHimwhoisthetrueobjectofenjoyment。Foramanisneverinsogoodastateaswhenhiswholelifeisajourneytowardstheunchangeablelife,andhisaffectionsareentirelyfixeduponthat。If,however,heloveshimselfforhisownsake,hedoesnotlookathimselfinrelationtoGod,butturnshismindinuponhimself,andsoisnotoccupiedwithanythingthatisunchangeable。Andthushedoesnotenjoyhimselfathisbest,becauseheisbetterwhenhismindisfullyfixedupon,andhisaffectionswrappedupin,theunchangeablegood,thanwhenheturnsfromthattoenjoyevenhimself。Whereforeifyououghtnottoloveevenyourselfforyourownsake,butforHisinwhomyourlovefindsitsmostworthyobject,noothermanhasarighttobeangryifyoulovehimtooforGod’ssake。ForthisisthelawoflovethathasbeenlaiddownbyDivineauthority:\"Thoushalllovethyneighborasthyself;\"
but,\"ThoushallloveGodwithallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind:\"(1)sothatyouaretoconcentrateallyourthoughts,yourwholelifeandyourwholeintelligenceuponHimfromwhomyouderiveallthatyoubring。ForwhenHesays,\"Withallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind,\"Hemeansthatnopartofourlifeistobeunoccupied,andtoaffordroom,asitwere,forthewishtoenjoysomeotherobject,butthatwhateverelsemaysuggestitselftousasanobjectworthyofloveistobeborneintothesamechannelinwhichthewholecurrentofouraffectionsflows。Whoever,then,loveshisneighboraright,oughttourgeuponhimthathetooshouldloveGodwithhiswholeheart,andsoul,andmind。Forinthisway,lovinghisneighborashimself,amanturnsthewholecurrentofhislovebothforhimselfandhisneighborintothechanneloftheloveofGod,whichsuffersnostreamtobedrawnofffromitselfbywhosediversionitsownvolumewouldbediminished。
CHAP。23。——MANNEEDSNOINJUNCTIONTOLOVEHIMSELFANDHISOWNBODY。
22。Thosethingswhichareobjectsofusearenotall,however,tobeloved,butthoseonlywhichareeitherunitedwithusinacommonrelationtoGod,suchasamanoranangel,oraresorelatedtousastoneedthegoodnessofGodthroughourinstrumentality,suchasthebody。Forassuredlythemartyrsdidnotlovethewickednessoftheirpersecutors,althoughtheyusedittoattainthefavorofGod。As,then,therearefourkindsofthingsthataretobeloved,——first,thatwhichisaboveus;
second,ourselves;third,thatwhichisonalevelwithus;fourth,thatwhichisbeneathus,——nopreceptsneedbegivenaboutthesecondandfourthofthese。For,howeverfaramanmayfallawayfromthetruth,hestillcontinuestolovehimself,andtolovehisownbody。ThesoulwhichfliesawayfromtheunchangeableLight,theRulerofallthings,doessothatitmayruleoveritselfandoveritsownbody;andsoitcannotbutlovebothitselfanditsownbody。
23。Morever,itthinksithasattainedsomethingverygreatifitisabletolorditoveritscompanions,thatis,othermen。Foritisinherentinthesinfulsoultodesireaboveallthings,andtoclaimasduetoitself,thatwhichisproperlyduetoGodonly。Nowsuchloveofitselfismorecorrectlycalledhate。Foritisnotjustthatitshoulddesirewhatisbeneathittobeobedienttoitwhileitselfwillnotobeyitsownsuperior;andmostjustlyhasitbeensaid,\"Hewholovethiniquityhatethhisownsoul。\"(2)Andaccordinglythesoulbecomesweak,andenduresmuchsufferingaboutthemortalbody。For,ofcourse,itmustlovethebody,andbegrievedatitscorruption;andtheimmortalityandincorruptibilityofthebodyspringoutofthehealthofthesoul。Nowthehealthofthesoulistoclingsteadfastlytothebetterpart,thatis,totheunchangeableGod。Butwhenitaspirestolorditevenoverthosewhoarebynatureitsequals,——thatis,itsfellow-men,——thisisareachofarroganceutterlyintolerable。
CHAP。24。——NOMANHATESHISOWNFLESH,NOT
EVENTHOSEWHOABUSEIT。
24。Noman,then,hateshimself。Onthispoint,indeed,noquestionwaseverraisedbyanysect。Butneitherdoesanymanhatehisownbody。Fortheapostlesaystruly,\"Nomaneveryethatedhisownflesh。\"(3)Andwhensomepeoplesaythattheywouldratherbewithoutabodyaltogether,theyentirelydeceivethemselves。
Foritisnottheirbody,butitscorruptionsanditsheaviness,thattheyhate。Andsoitisnotnobody,butanuncorruptedandverylightbody,thattheywant。Buttheythinkabodyofthatkindwouldbenobodyatall,becausetheythinksuchathingasthatmustbeaspirit。Andastothefactthattheyseeminsomesorttoscourgetheirbodiesbyabstinenceandtoil,thosewhodothisintherightspiritdoitnotthattheymaygetridoftheirbody,butthattheymayhaveitinsubjectionandreadyforeveryneedfulwork。Fortheystrivebyakindoftoilsomeexerciseofthebodyitselftorootoutthoseluststhatarehurtfultothebody,thatis,thosehabitsandaffectionsofthesoulthatleadtotheenjoymentofunworthyobjects。Theyarenotdestroyingthemselves;theyaretakingcareoftheirhealth。
25。Those,ontheotherhand,whodothisinaperversespirit,makewarupontheirownbodyasifitwereanaturalenemy。
Andinthismattertheyareledastraybyamistakeninterpretationofwhattheyread:\"Thefleshlustethagainstthespirit,andthespiritagainsttheflesh,andthesearecontrarytheonetotheother。\"(1)
Forthisissaidofthecarnalhabityetunsubdued,againstwhichthespiritlusteth,nottodestroythebody,buttoeradicatethelustofthebody——i。e。,itsevilhabit——andthustomakeitsubjecttothespirit,whichiswhattheorderofnaturedemands。Foras,aftertheresurrection,thebody,havingbecomewhollysubjecttothespirit,willliveinperfectpeacetoalleternity;
eveninthislifewemustmakeitanobjecttohavethecarnalhabitchangedforthebetter,sothatitsinordinateaffectionsmaynotwaragainstthesoul。Anduntilthisshalltakeplace,\"thefleshlustethagainstthespirit,andthespiritagainsttheflesh;\"thespiritstruggling,notinhatred,butforthemastery,becauseitdesiresthatwhatitlovesshouldbesubjecttothehigherprinciple;
andthefleshstruggling,notinhatred,butbecauseofthebondageofhabitwhichithasderivedfromitsparentstock,andwhichhasgrowninuponitbyalawofnaturetillithasbecomeinveterate。Thespirit,then,insubduingtheflesh,isworkingasitweretodestroytheill-foundedpeaceofanevilhabit,andtobringabouttherealpeacewhichspringsoutofagoodhabit。Nevertheless,noteventhosewho,ledastraybyfalsenotions,hatetheirbodieswouldbepreparedtosacrificeoneeye,evensupposingtheycoulddosowithoutsufferinganypain,andthattheyhadasmuchsightleftinoneastheyformerlyhadintwo,unlesssomeobjectwastobeattainedwhichwouldoverbalancetheloss。Thisandotherindicationsofthesamekindaresufficienttoshowthosewhocandidlyseekthetruthhowwell-foundedisthestatementoftheapostlewhenhesays,\"Nomaneveryethatedhisownflesh。\"Headdstoo,\"butnourishethandcherishethit,evenastheLordtheChurch。\"(2)
CHAP。25。——AMANMAYLOVESOMETHINGMORETHANHISBODY,BUTDOESNOT
THEREFORE
HATEHISBODY。
26。Man,therefore,oughttobetaughttheduemeasureofloving,thatis,inwhatmeasurehemaylovehimselfsoastobeofservicetohimself。Forthathedoeslovehimself,anddoesdesiretodogoodtohimself,nobodybutafoolwoulddoubt。Heistobetaught,too,inwhatmeasuretolovehisbody,soastocareforitwiselyandwithinduelimits。Foritisequallymanifestthatheloveshisbodyalso,anddesirestokeepitsafeandsound。
Andyetamanmayhavesomethingthathelovesbetterthanthesafetyandsoundnessofhisbody。Formanyhavebeenfoundvoluntarilytosufferbothpainsandamputationsofsomeoftheirlimbsthattheymightobtainotherobjectswhichtheyvaluedmorehighly。Butnooneistobetoldnottodesirethesafetyandhealthofhisbodybecausethereissomethinghedesiresmore。
Forthemiser,thoughhelovesmoney,buysbreadforhimself,——thatis,hegivesawaymoneythatheisveryfondofanddesirestoheapup,——butitisbecausehevaluesmorehighlythebodilyhealthwhichthebreadsustains。Itissuperfluoustoarguelongeronapointsoveryplain,butthisisjustwhattheerrorofwickedmenoftencompelsustodo。
CHAP。26。——THECOMMANDTOLOVEGODANDOURNEIGHBORINCLUDESACOMMAND
TOLOVE
OURSELVES。
27。Seeing,then,thatthereisnoneedofacommandthateverymanshouldlovehimselfandhisownbody,——seeing,thatis,thatweloveourselves,andwhatisbeneathusbutconnectedwithus,throughalawofnaturewhichhasneverbeenviolated,andwhichiscommontouswiththebeasts(foreventhebeastslovethemselvesandtheirownbodies),——itonlyremainednecessarytolayinjunctionsuponusinregardtoGodaboveus,andourneighborbesideus。\"Thoushaltlove,\"Hesays,\"theLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind;
andthoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself。Onthesetwocommandmentshangallthelawandtheprophets。\"(3)Thustheendofthecommandmentislove,andthattwofold,theloveofGodandtheloveofourneighbor。Now,ifyoutakeyourselfinyourentirety,——thatis,soulandbodytogether,——andyourneighborinhisentirety,soulandbodytogether(formanismadeupofsoulandbody),youwillfindthatnoneoftheclassesofthingsthataretobelovedisoverlookedinthesetwocommandments。
Forthough,whentheloveofGodcomesfirst,andthemeasureofourloveforHimisprescribedinsuchtermsthatitisevidentallotherthingsaretofindtheircentreinHim,nothingseemstobesaidaboutourloveforourselves;yetwhenitissaid,\"Thoushalllovethyneighborasthyself,\"itatoncebecomesevidentthatourloveforourselveshasnotbeenoverlookedCHAP。27。——THEORDEROFLOVE。
28。Nowheisamanofjustandholylifewhoformsanunprejudicedestimateofthings,andkeepshisaffectionsalsounderstrictcontrol,sothatheneitherloveswhatheoughtnottolove,norfailstolovewhatheoughttolove,norlovesthatmorewhichoughttobelovedless,norlovesthatequallywhichoughttobelovedeitherlessormore,norlovesthatlessormorewhichoughttobelovedequally。Nosinneristobelovedasasinner;
andeverymanistobelovedasamanforGod’ssake;
butGodistobelovedforHisownsake。AndifGodistobelovedmorethananyman,eachmanoughttoloveGodmorethanhimself。Likewiseweoughttoloveanothermanbetterthanourownbody,becauseallthingsaretobelovedinreferencetoGod,andanothermancanhavefellowshipwithusintheenjoymentofGod,whereasourbodycannot;forthebodyonlylivesthroughthesoul,anditisbythesoulthatweenjoyGod。
CHAP。28。——HOWWEARETODECIDEWHOMTO
AID。
29。Further,allmenaretobelovedequally。Butsinceyoucannotdogoodtoall,youaretopayspecialregardtothosewho,bytheaccidentsoftime,orplace,orcircumstance,arebroughtintocloserconnectionwithyou。For,supposethatyouhadagreatdealofsomecommodity,andfeltboundtogiveitawaytosomebodywhohadnone,andthatitcouldnotbegiventomorethanoneperson;iftwopersonspresentedthemselves,neitherofwhomhadeitherfromneedorrelationshipagreaterclaimuponyouthantheother,youcoulddonothingfairerthanchoosebylottowhichyouwouldgivewhatcouldnotbegiventoboth。Justsoamongmen:sinceyoucannotconsultforthegoodofthemall,youmusttakethematterasdecidedforyoubyasortoflot,accordingaseachmanhappensforthetimebeingtobemorecloselyconnectedwithyou。
CHAP。29。——WEARETODESIREANDENDEAVORTHATALLMENMAYLOVEGOD。
30。NowofallwhocanwithusenjoyGod,welovepartlythosetowhomwerenderservices,partlythosewhorenderservicestous,partlythosewhobothhelpusinourneedandinturnarehelpedbyus,partlythoseuponwhomweconfernoadvantageandfromwhomwelookfornone。Weoughttodesire,however,thattheyshouldalljoinwithusinlovingGod,andalltheassistancethatweeither,givethemoracceptfromthemshouldtendtothatoneend。Forinthetheatres,densofiniquitythoughtheybe,ifamanisfondofaparticularactor,andenjoyshisartasagreatorevenastheverygreatestgood,heisfondofallwhojoinwithhiminadmirationofhisfavorite,notfortheirownsakes,butforthesakeofhimwhomtheyadmireincommon;andthemoreferventheisinhisadmiration,themoreheworksineverywayhecantosecurenewadmirersforhim,andthemoreanxioushebecomestoshowhimtoothers;andifhefindanyonecomparativelyindifferent,hedoesallhecantoexcitehisinterestbyurginghisfavorite’smerits:if,however,hemeetwithanyonewhoopposeshim,heisexceedinglydispleasedbysuchaman’scontemptofhisfavorite,andstrivesineverywayhecantoremoveit。Now,ifthisbeso,whatdoesitbecomeustodowholiveinthefellowshipoftheloveofGod,theenjoymentofwhomistruehappinessoflife,towhomallwholoveHimoweboththeirownexistenceandthelovetheybearHim,concerningwhomwehavenofearthatanyonewhocomestoknowHimwillbedisappointedinHim,andwhodesiresourlove,notforanygaintoHimself,butthatthosewholoveHimmayobtainaneternalreward,evenHimselfwhomtheylove?
Andhenceitisthatweloveevenourenemies。Forwedonotfearthem,seeingtheycannottakeawayfromuswhatwelove;
butwepitythemrather,becausethemoretheyhateusthemorearetheyseparatedfromHimwhomwelove。ForiftheywouldturntoHim,theymustofnecessityloveHimasthesupremegood,andloveustooaspartakerswiththeminsogreatablessing。
CHAP。30。——WHETHERANGELSARETOBERECKONEDOURNEIGHBORS。
31。Therearisesfurtherinthisconnectionaquestionaboutangels。
FortheyarehappyintheenjoymentofHimwhomwelongtoenjoy;andthemoreweenjoyHiminthislifeasthroughaglassdarkly,themoreeasydowefindittobearourpilgrimage,andthemoreeagerlydowelongforitstermination。Butitisnotirrationaltoaskwhetherinthosetwocommandmentsisincludedtheloveofangelsalso。ForthatHewhocommandedustoloveourneighbormadenoexception,asfarasmenareconcerned,isshownbothbyourLordHimselfintheGospel,andbytheApostlePaul。ForwhenthemantowhomourLorddeliveredthosetwocommandments,andtowhomHesaidthatonthesehangallthelawandtheprophets,askedHim,\"Andwhoismyneighbor?\"Hetoldhimofacertainmanwho,goingdownfromJerusalemtoJericho,fellamongthieves,andwasseverelywoundedbythem,andleftnakedandhalfdead。(1)AndHeshowedhimthatnobodywasneighbortothismanexcepthimwhotookpityuponhimandcameforwardtorelieveandcareforhim。Andthemanwhohadaskedthequestionadmittedthetruthofthiswhenhewashimselfinterrogatedinturn。TowhomourLordsays,\"Goanddothoulikewise;\"teachingusthatheisourneighborwhomitisourdutytohelpinhisneed,orwhomitwouldbeourdutytohelpifhewereinneed。Whenceitfollows,thathewhosedutyitwouldbeinturntohelpusisourneighbor。
Forthename\"neighbor\"isarelativeone,andnoonecanbeneighborexcepttoaneighbor。And,again,whodoesnotseethatnoexceptionismadeofanyoneasapersontowhomtheofficesofmercymaybedeniedwhenourLordextendstheruleeventoourenemies?\"Loveyourenemies,dogoodtothemthathateyou。\"(2)
32。AndsoalsotheApostlePaulteacheswhenhesays:\"Forthis,Thoushallnotcommitadultery,Thoushallnotkill,Thoushallnotsteal,Thoushaltnotbearfalsewitness,Thoushallnotcovet;andiftherebeanyothercommandment,itisbrieflycomprehendedinthissaying,namely,Thoushalllovethyneighborasthyself。Loveworkethnoilltohisneighbor。\"(3)Whoeverthensupposesthattheapostledidnotembraceeverymaninthisprecept,iscompelledtoadmit,whatisatoncemostabsurdandmostpernicious,thattheapostlethoughtitnosin,ifamanwerenotaChristianorwereanenemy,tocommitadulterywithhiswife,ortokillhim,ortocovethisgoods。Andasnobodybutafoolwouldsaythis,itisclearthateverymanistobeconsideredourneighbor,becausewearetoworknoilltoanyman。
33。Butnow,ifeveryonetowhomweoughttoshow,orwhooughttoshowtous,theofficesofmercyisbyrightcalledaneighbor,itismanifestthatthecommandtoloveourneighborembracestheholyangelsalso,seeingthatsogreatofficesofmercyhavebeenperformedbythemonourbehalf,asmayeasilybeshownbyturningtheattentiontomanypassagesofHolyScripture。AndonthisgroundevenGodHimself,ourLord,desiredtobecalledourneighbor。ForourLordJesusChristpointstoHimselfunderthefigureofthemanwhobroughtaidtohimwhowaslyinghalfdeadontheroad,woundedandabandonedbytherobbers。AndthePsalmistsaysinhisprayer,\"Ibehavedmyselfasthoughhehadbeenmyfriendorbrother。\"(4)ButastheDivinenatureisofhigherexcellencethan,andfarremovedabove,ournature,thecommandtoloveGodisdistinctfromthattoloveourneighbor。ForHeshowsuspityonaccountofHisowngoodness,butweshowpitytooneanotheronaccountofHis;——thatis,HepitiesusthatwemayfullyenjoyHimself;wepityoneanotherthatwemayfullyenjoyHim。
CHAP。31。——GODUSESRATHERTHANENJOYSUS。
34。Andonthisground,whenwesaythatweenjoyonlythatwhichweloveforitsownsake,andthatnothingisatrueobjectofenjoymentexceptthatwhichmakesushappy,andthatallotherthingsareforuse,thereseemsstilltobesomethingthatrequiresexplanation。ForGodlovesus,andHolyScripturefrequentlysetsbeforeustheloveHehastowardsus。InwhatwaythendoesHeloveus?Asobjectsofuseorasobjectsofenjoyment?
IfHeenjoysus,Hemustbeinneedofgoodfromus,andnosanemanwillsaythat;forallthegoodweenjoyiseitherHimself,orwhatcomesfromHimself。Andnoonecanbeignorantorindoubtastothefactthatthelightstandsinnoneedoftheglitterofthethingsithasitselflitup。ThePsalmistsaysmostplainly,\"IsaidtotheLord,ThouartmyGod,forThouneedestnotmygoodness。\"(5)Hedoesnotenjoyusthen,butmakesuseofus。ForifHeneitherenjoysnorusesus,IamatalosstodiscoverinwhatwayHecanloveus。