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us in Scripture： by the same method the Apostles； from what they saw
and heard； and from what was revealed to them； were enabled to form and
elicit many conclusions which they would have been able to teach to men had
it been permissible。
（43） Further； although religion； as preached by the Apostles； does not come
within the sphere of reason； in so far as it consists in the narration of
the life of Christ； yet its essence； which is chiefly moral； like the whole
of Christ's doctrine； can readily； be apprehended by the natural
faculties of all。
（44） Lastly； the Apostles had no lack of supernatural illumination for the
purpose of adapting the religion they had attested by signs to the
understanding of everyone so that it might be readily received； nor for
exhortations on the subject： in fact； the object of the Epistles is to teach
and exhort men to lead that manner of life which each of the Apostles judged
best for confirming them in religion。 （45） We may here repeat our former
remark； that the Apostles had received not only the faculty of preaching the
history； of Christ as prophets； and confirming it with signs； but also
authority for teaching and exhorting according as each thought best。 （46）
Paul （2 Tim。 i：11）； 〃Whereunto I am appointed a preacher； and an apostle；
and a teacher of the Gentiles；〃 and again （I Tim。 ii：7）； 〃Whereunto I am
ordained a preacher and an apostle （I speak the truth in Christ and lie
not）； a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity。〃 （47） These passages； I
say； show clearly the stamp both of the apostleship and the teachership：
the authority for admonishing whomsoever and wheresoever he pleased is
asserted by Paul in the Epistle to Philemon； v：8： 〃Wherefore； though I might
be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient； yet；〃 &c。；
where we may remark that if Paul had received from God as a prophet
what he wished to enjoin Philemon； and had been bound to speak in his
prophetic capacity； he would not have been able to change the command of God
into entreaties。 （48） We must therefore understand him to refer to the
permission to admonish which he had received as a teacher； and not as a
prophet。 （49） We have not yet made it quite clear that the Apostles might
each choose his own way of teaching； but only that by virtue of their
Apostleship they were teachers as well as prophets； however； if we
call reason to our aid we shall clearly see that an authority to teach
implies authority to choose the method。 （50） It will nevertheless be；
perhaps； more satisfactory to draw all our proofs from Scripture； we are
there plainly told that each Apostle chose his particular method （Rom。 xv：
20）： 〃Yea； so have I strived to preach the gospel； not where Christ was
named； lest I should build upon another man's foundation。〃 （51） If
all the Apostles had adopted the same method of teaching； and had all built
up the Christian religion on the same foundation； Paul would have had no
reason to call the work of a fellow…Apostle 〃another man's foundation；〃
inasmuch as it would have been identical with his own： his calling it
another man's proved that each Apostle built up his religious instruction on
different foundations； thus resembling other teachers who have each their
own method； and prefer instructing quite ignorant people who have never
learnt under another master； whether the subject be science； languages； or
even the indisputable truths of mathematics。 （52） Furthermore； if we go
through the Epistles at all attentively； we shall see that the Apostles；
while agreeing about religion itself； are at variance as to the foundations
it rests on。 （53） Paul； in order to strengthen men's religion； and show them
that salvation depends solely on the grace of God； teaches that no one can
boast of works； but only of faith； and that no one can be justified by works
（Rom。 iii：27；28）； in fact； he preaches the complete doctrine of
predestination。 （54） James； on the other hand； states that man is justified
by works； and not by faith only （see his Epistle； ii：24）； and omitting all
the disputations of Paul； confines religion to a very few elements。
（55） Lastly； it is indisputable that from these different ground； for
religion selected by the Apostles； many quarrels and schisms distracted the
Church； even in the earliest times； and doubtless they will continue so to
distract it for ever； or at least till religion is separated from
philosophical speculations； and reduced to the few simple doctrines taught
by Christ to His disciples； such a task was impossible for the Apostles；
because the Gospel was then unknown to mankind； and lest its novelty should
offend men's ears it had to be adapted to the disposition of
contemporaries （2 Cor。 ix：19； 20）； and built up on the groundwork most
familiar and accepted at the time。 （56） Thus none of the Apostles
philosophized more than did Paul； who was called to preach to the Gentiles；
other Apostles preaching to the Jews； who despised philosophy； similarly；
adapted themselves to the temper of their hearers （see Gal。 ii。 11）； and
preached a religion free from all philosophical speculations。 （57） How blest
would our age be if it could witness a religion freed also from all the
trammels of superstition！
CHAPTER XII … OF THE TRUE ORIGINAL OF THE DIVINE LAW； AND
WHEREFORE SCRIPTURE IS CALLED SACRED； AND THE WORD OF GOD。
HOW THAT； IN S0 FAR AS IT CONTAINS THE WORD OF GOD；
IT HAS COME DOWN TO US UNCORRUPTED。
（1） Those who look upon the Bible as a message sent down by God from Heaven
to men； will doubtless cry out that I have committed the sin against the
Holy Ghost because I have asserted that the Word of God is faulty；
mutilated； tampered with； and inconsistent； that we possess it only in
fragments； and that the original of the covenant which God made with the
Jews has been lost。 （2） However； I have no doubt that a little reflection
will cause them to desist from their uproar： for not only reason but the
expressed opinions of prophets and apostles openly proclaim that God's
eternal Word and covenant； no less than true religion； is Divinely inscribed
in human hearts； that is； in the human mind； and that this is the true
original of God's covenant； stamped with His own seal； namely； the idea of
Himself； as it were； with the image of His Godhood。
（3） Religion was imparted to the early Hebrews as a law written down；
because they were at that time in the condition of children； but afterwards
Moses （Deut。 xxx：6） and Jeremiah （xxxi：33） predicted a time coming when the
Lord should write His law in their hearts。 （4） Thus only the Jews； and
amongst them chiefly the Sadducees； struggled for the law written on
tablets； least of all need those who bear it inscribed on their hearts join
i