theologico-political treatise p4(神学与政治专题研究4)-第9节
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A Theologico…Political Treatise
effectually kept within bounds both rulers and ruled； that the former were
never tyrannical and the latter never rebellious。
（17：110） Those who administer or possess governing power； always
try to surround their high…handed actions with a cloak of legality； and to
persuade the people that they act from good motives； this they are easily
able to effect when they are the sole interpreters of the law； for it is
evident that they are thus able to assume a far greater freedom to carry out
their wishes and desires than if the interpretation if the law is vested in
someone else； or if the laws were so self…evident that no one could be in
doubt as to their meaning。 ＇17：8＇ （111） We thus see that the power of evil…
doing was greatly curtailed for the Hebrew captains by the fact that the
whole interpretation of the law was vested in the Levites （Deut。 xxi：5）；
who； on their part； had no share in the government； and depended for all
their support and consideration on a correct interpretation of the laws
entrusted to them。 （112） Moreover； the whole people was commanded to
come together at a certain place every seven years and be instructed in the
law by the high…priest； further； each individual was bidden to read the
book of the law through and through continually with scrupulous care。
（Deut。 xxxi：9； 10； and vi：7。） （113） The captains were thus for their own
sakes bound to take great care to administer everything according to the
laws laid down； and well known to all； if they； wished to be held in high
honour by； the people； who would regard them as the administrators of
God's dominion； and as God's vicegerents； otherwise they could not have
escaped all the virulence of theological hatred。 （114） There was another
very important check on the unbridled license of the captains； in the fact；
that the army was formed from the whole body； of the citizens； between
the ages of twenty and sixty； without exception； and that the captains were
not able to hire any foreign soldiery。 （115） This I say was very； important；
for it is well known that princes can oppress their peoples with the single
aid of the soldiery in their pay； while there is nothing more formidable to
them than the freedom of citizen soldiers； who have established the
freedom and glory of their country； by their valour； their toil； and their
blood。 （116） Thus Alexander； when he was about to make wax on Darius；
a second time； after hearing the advice of Parmenio； did not chide him
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who gave the advice； but Polysperchon； who was standing by。 （117） For；
as Curtius says （iv。 Para。 13）； he did not venture to reproach Parmenio
again after having shortly； before reproved him too sharply。 （118） This
freedom of the Macedonians； which he so dreaded； he was not able to
subdue till after the number of captives enlisted in the army； surpassed that
of his own people： then； but not till then； he gave rein to his anger so long
checked by； the independence of his chief fellow…countrymen。
（17：119） If this independence of citizen soldiers can restrain the
princes of ordinary states who are wont to usurp the whole glory of
victories； it must have been still more effectual against the Hebrew
captains； whose soldiers were fighting； not for the glory of a prince； but
for the glory of God； and who did not go forth to battle till the Divine
assent had been given。
（17：120） We must also remember that the Hebrew captains were
associated only by the bonds of religion： therefore； if any one of them had
transgressed； and begun to violate the Divine right； he might have been
treated by the rest as an enemy and lawfully subdued。
（17：121） An additional check may be found in the fear of a new
prophet arising； for if a man of unblemished life could show by certain
signs that he was really a prophet； he ipso facto obtained the sovereign
right to rule； which was given to him； as to Moses formerly； in the name of
God； as revealed to himself alone； not merely through the high priest； as in
the case of the captains。 （122） There is no doubt that such an one would
easily be able to enlist an oppressed people in his cause； and by trifling
signs persuade them of anything he wished： on the other hand； if affairs
were well ordered； the captain would be able to make provision in time；
that the prophet should be submitted to his approval； and be examined
whether he were really of unblemished life； and possessed indisputable
signs of his mission： also； whether the teaching he proposed to set forth in
the name of the Lord agreed with received doctrines； and the general laws
of the country； if his credentials were insufficient； or his doctrines new； he
could lawfully be put to death； or else received on the captain's sole
responsibility and authority。
（17：123） Again； the captains were not superior to the others in nobility
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or birth； but only administered the government in virtue of their age and
personal qualities。 （124） Lastly； neither captains nor army had any reason
for preferring war to peace。 （125） The army； as we have stated； consisted
entirely of citizens； so that affairs were managed by the same persons both
in peace and war。 （126） The man who was a soldier in the camp was a
citizen in the market…place； he who was a leader in the camp was a judge
in the law courts； he who was a general in the camp was a ruler in the state。
（127） Thus no one could desire war for its own sake； but only for the sake
of preserving peace and liberty； possibly the captains avoided change as
far as possible； so as not to be obliged to consult the high priest and submit
to the indignity of standing in his presence。
（17：128） So much for the precautions for keeping the captains within
bounds。 ＇17：9＇ （129） We must now look for the restraints upon the people：
these； however； are very clearly indicated in the very groundwork of the
social fabric。
（17：130） Anyone who gives the subject the slightest attention； will see
that the state was so ordered as to inspire the most ardent patriotism in the
hearts of the citizens； so that the latter would be very hard to persuade to
betray their country； and be ready to endure anything rather than submit to
a foreign yoke。 （131） After they had transferred their right to God； they
thought that their kingdom belonged to God； and that they themselves
were God's children。 （132） Other nations they looked upon as God's
enemies； and regarded with intense hatred （which they took to be piety；
see Psalm cxxxix：21； 22）： nothing would have been more abhorrent to
them than swearing allegiance to a foreigner； and promising him
obedience： nor could they conceive any greater or more execrable crime
than the betrayal of their country； the kingdom of the God whom they
adored。
（17：133） It was considered wicked for anyone to settle outside of the
country； inasmuch as the worship of God by which they were bound could
not be carried on elsewhere： their own land alone was considered holy； the
rest of the earth unclean and profane。
（17：134） David； who was forced to live in exile； complained before
Saul as follows： 〃But if they be the children of men who have stirred thee
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up against me； cursed be they before the Lord； for they have driven me out
this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord； saying； Go； serve
other gods。〃 （I Sam。 xxvi：19。） （135） For the same reason no citizen； as we
should especially remark； was e
